{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.73360675573349,"wiki_prob":0.73360675573349,"text":"July Was Earth's Hottest Month on Record, European Scientists Conclude\nBy Bob Henson\nJuly 2019 was the planet's warmest month on record, according to an initial analysis.\nThe hottest regions on Earth relative to normal included western Europe and Alaska.\nThe warmth occurred despite the absence of a strong El Niño event.\nIn the wake of a massive heat wave across western and northern Europe, researchers at the Copernicus Climate Change Service have estimated that July 2019 was the planet’s warmest month on record, narrowly topping July 2016.\nThe Copernicus group found the global temperature in July was about 0.04 degrees Celsius (0.07 degrees Fahrenheit) warmer than July 2016. July is typically the warmest month of the year globally, running about 3 to 4 degrees Celsius (5 to 7 degrees Fahrenheit) warmer than January.\nThis is because most of the planet’s land area – which warms faster than oceans – is located in the Northern Hemisphere, so the northern summer coincides with the warmest global average.\nThe Copernicus analyses extend back to 1979. Because of long-term global warming, this July’s record is effectively a record for at least the past century of global observation.\nOther groups that monitor monthly temperature, including NASA and NOAA, will be releasing their findings later in August.\nJuly 2019 was the planet's warmest month on record, according to the Copernicus Climate Change Service. Among the hottest spots relative to the 1981-2010 average were western Europe, central Asia, Alaska and most of Africa and Australia.\n(Copernicus/WMO)\nMost global heat records are set during or just after El Niño events, which bring warm undersea water to the surface across much of the tropical Pacific, thus warming the atmosphere above.\nThis July’s record is especially striking because it occurred during a weak to marginal El Niño event. In contrast, the July 2016 record occurred at the tail end of one of the strongest El Niño events on record.\nWhile El Niño and La Niña tend to warm and cool the atmosphere for a year or two each, these events are happening on top of longer-term warming related to human-produced greenhouse gases, so the global warm spikes are getting warmer and the cool spikes less cool.\n“We have always lived through hot summers. But this is not the summer of our youth. This is not your grandfather’s summer,” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres, commenting last Thursday in New York on the likelihood of a new temperature record from Copernicus.\n“Preventing irreversible climate disruption is the race of our lives, and for our lives. It is a race that we can and must win,” he added.\nThe Copernicus analyses are carried out by the European Center for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), which operates weather forecast models and climate prediction models used around the world.\nDifferent analyses of monthly global temperature (such as those from NASA, NOAA and the Japan Meteorological Agency) can result in slightly different rankings, based on how groups account for data-sparse areas.\nThe Copernicus analyses combine global temperature data from surface weather stations with background information from a forecast model that incorporates satellite and other data. The model analysis plays a larger role in regions with few weather stations.\nGlobal Hot Spots in July\nDozens of European cities set new all-time high-temperature records in July, including Paris, France (108.7 degrees); Amsterdam, Netherlands (97.3 degrees); and Helsinki, Finland (91.8 degrees). Five nations saw their hottest temperatures ever recorded:\nBelgium: 107.2 degrees at Begijnendijk, July 25\nGermany: 108.7 degrees at Lingen, July 25\nLuxembourg: 105.4 degrees at Steinsel, July 25\nNetherlands: 105.3 degrees at Gilze Rijen, July 25\nUnited Kingdom: 101.7 degrees at Cambridge, July 25\nAnother part of the world with extreme warmth relative to July norms was Alaska. At least 13 Alaska locations chalked up their hottest month on record, and the state very likely hit such a mark as well, according to climatologist Dr. Brian Brettschneider. The Anchorage airport hit 90 degrees on July 4, breaking its all-time record by 5 degrees, and the city had its warmest month on record by far.\nThe Alaskan heat has coincided with record-low sea-ice extent in the Chukchi Sea to the north, as well as across the entire Arctic.\nJuly was considerably cooler than average over parts of eastern Europe and western Russia. Much of eastern Canada and parts of the south-central U.S. were also cooler than average for July, with a dramatic cool spell in late July setting daily record lows across the South.\nHowever, several cities in New England – including Boston – had their hottest month on record.\nAll-time high-temperature records have been broken this year in 13 of the world’s nations and territories, and tied in another. In contrast, no all-time national cold records have been broken thus far in 2019.\nThe largest number of all-time national/territorial heat records set or tied in a single year was the 22 heat records that occurred in 2016, according to international records researcher Maximiliano Herrera.\nThe runners-up are 2019 and 2017, each with 14 heat records.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line401859"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5491981506347656,"wiki_prob":0.4508018493652344,"text":"Bahrain comprises of more than 30 islands situated in the Persian Gulf. It’s a country that is steeped in history and Bahrain was once the centre of trade in ancient times. With rich heritage, including archaeological sites, royal tombs and temples, Bahrain is a country of mystery. But be warned, a large proportion of these islands consist of sandy desert and naturally the temperature during the day is hot and rather arid. For western visitors, Bahrain represents a gentle introduction to the Arabian Gulf and many Formula 1 enthusiasts flock here for the annual Bahrain Grand Prix.\nOnly rich Middle Eastern countries can afford to build conventional grass golf courses, which naturally require significant quantities of water to survive in the desert heat. Bahrain is a small country with declining oil reserves but it does have one golf course that is not only sown with grass, but it’s also floodlit. Karl Litten knows a thing or two about desert golf and he was the original architect behind Bahrain’s only grass course – then known as Riffa Golf Club – but in 2007 the course closed and was redeveloped by European Golf Design with Colin Montgomerie, emerging in 2009 as the Royal Golf Club.\nOur Middle East rankings were last updated in March 2021. Click the link to read the story.\nRoyal Golf Club (Montgomerie)\nAl Mazrowiah, Al-Muḥāfaẓat al-Janūbīyah\nBahrain Top 100 Leaderboard","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1335850"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6806969046592712,"wiki_prob":0.6806969046592712,"text":"HomeViral Video\nHelene Boudreau’s photos and videos were leaked on Twitter, Reddit, and social media.\nHelene Boudreau’s photos and videos were leaked on Twitter, Reddit, and social media. Hélène Boudreau went back to her old place of employment in order to finish the requirements for her Bachelor of Fine Arts and Media degree. When Boudreaux’s famed UQAM graduation photo was blown up in 2021, it catapulted him to the forefront of the public eye. Follow For More Updates at Rapiddnews.com\nIt appears that in spite of all the attention and recognition she has received, she did not actually graduate from high school.\nThe OnlyFans tycoon broke the news on her Instagram account, where she also provided an explanation for why, despite having taken her graduation photo, she did not receive the required number of credits to earn her degree. However, that is going to change.\nHelene Boudreau’s photos and videos\nHélène recently announced her plans to return to school in an Instagram post, writing, “Today I found out I’m restarting my courses at UQAM to finally complete my bachelor’s degree.” “I began taking photographs in the year 2021, but the year 2022 was the one in which I finally received my diploma. After everything that has happened with UQAM, I am prepared to… oh yes.”\nBoudreau did not disclose whether or not she intended to attend classes in person or via the internet, but it is safe to say that people are looking forward to her coming back.\nOne of your followers said that they were “looking forward to seeing you.” Another person remarked, “You are one of the few people who can declare that your studies have been worthwhile.”\nBoudreau also revealed her decision to return to school via Instagram Stories, adding that she had reached the point in her life when she wanted to finish what she had started.\nLeaked Video Ruby Salvo Viral on Twitter and TikTok, Link Full Video\nCCTV Film of Z-Ro and Trae Tha Truth Fighting Goes Viral On Twitter And YouTube\nA Toronto Couple Caught Engaging in S**ual Activity During a Blue Jays Game Goes Viral On Twitter, YouTube, and Reddit!\nWho is Kiera Hogan? Full Link to the Leaked and Viral Video on Twitter and Reddit!","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line666320"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9775970578193665,"wiki_prob":0.9775970578193665,"text":"Lee Brice at NYCB Theatre at Westbury\nLee Brice Tickets\nNYCB Theatre at Westbury | Westbury, NY\nTime will stop as you indulge in the gorgeous voice of the rising star of country music, Lee Brice on July 11, 2013, 08:00 PM at the Westbury Music Fair in New York. You’ll be showered by his emotion-filled songs, stunning stage presence and ornately resonant, incredibly masculine vocals, could there be anything better than that?\nThe man with a golden knack in song writing and singing, Lee Brice was a four-time nominee of the Academy of Country Music Award, nominated as the New Artist of the Year in 2012 CMA Awards and Top New Male Artist in 2013 ACM Awards. This American country music singer began writing songs for Jason Aldean, Cowboy Crush and Keith Gattis in 2007. He co-wrote Garth Brook’s single “More Than a Memory” which became the first single to debut at no. 1 in the history of Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. Lee emerged in the music scene as his major-label first studio album “Love Like Crazy” released on June 2010 and debuted at no. 9 on the US Billboard Top Country Albums chart. It charted three singles, “She Ain’t Right”, “Happy Endings” and “Upper Middle Class White Trash”. In October 2011, his sixth single “A Woman Like You” from the second album “Hard 2 Love” was released. The song stayed at no. 3 on the Hot Country Songs chart for 56 weeks making it the song with the longest run in chart’s history. The album spawned another two no. 1 singles, “Hard to Love” and “I Drive Your Truck”. His cohesive musical style has gained him a lot of praises from critics.\nThis is something you should never miss. Ticket sales are going crazy, so you must secure yours ASAP!","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line163104"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8942691683769226,"wiki_prob":0.8942691683769226,"text":"Chelsea look set to be one of the busiest Premier League clubs in the January transfer window. The Blues spent over £250million in the summer with the likes of Raheem Sterling, Wesley Fofana, Marc Cucurella and Kalidou Koulibaly all moving to Stamford Bridge.\nSterling has struggled to have the same impact as he did at Manchester City since signing for Chelsea, whilst there is still a need for a capable back-up option for Reece James. James did not make the England World Cup squad after picking up a knee injury in the Blues’ match against AC Milan in October, forcing Cesar Azpilicueta and Ruben Loftus-Cheek having to fill in at right wing- back.\nPotter will be hoping to add players that fit into his style of play in January after inheriting Thomas Tuchel’s squad in September. Denzel Dumfries and Memphis Depay are two players that have been linked with a move to west London and both players have impressed at the World Cup.\nChelsea opted to sign Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang ahead from Barcelona on Deadline Day in the summer instead of Depay, but continue to be linked with the Dutch forward. The 28-year-old wanted to fight for his place at Camp Nou despite their new signings, but with his contract set to expire next summer, he could be available for as little as £5million as per various reports . Dumfries was linked with a move to Stamford Bridge in the summer when Romelu Lukaku sealed a return to Inter Milan on loan, but a deal never materialised for the Dutch defender.\nChelsea may look to go back in for the Netherlands international who is valued at €50million (£42million) by CIES Football Observatory . The 26-year-old plays at right wing-back for both club and country and has registered five goal contributions in 24 appearances so far this season.\nJames’ injury came as a huge blow for the Blues with Potter not having a suitable option to replace him with, meaning a move for Dumfries could strengthen his squad’s depth and quality moving forward and not result in him changing formations when a key player is absent.\nDumfries grabbed the assist for Depay’s goal which saw the Netherlands take the lead against the USA in their World Cup round of 16 tie. The Dutch defender burst down the right wing before cutting it back to Depay in the penalty box, with the Barca striker firing the ball past Matt Turner into the back of the net.\nNetherlands stars Denzel Dumfries and Matthijs de Ligt speak out on Chelsea interest","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line304938"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6106107234954834,"wiki_prob":0.6106107234954834,"text":"In a world where blockbusters are about more than just movies, we proudly bring you our First Annual Summer Movie Blockbuster Trademark Extravaganza! Come for the fun trademark facts, stay for the trailers.\nIn 2014, the Summer box office grossed over $4 billion. The top five grossing movies were:\nX-Men: Days of Future Past\nWhat do all of those movies have in common? Other than digital (and other – ahem) enhancements?\nTrademarks! And lots of them. You see, today’s tentpole movies are as much about brand-building as they are about entertaining. Sure, $100 million at the domestic box office is great, but it is nothing compared to the multipliers big Summer movie’s can experience via merchandising. That is where trademarks play an important role – a fact that is not lost on movie studios. As you will see, attorneys for the major studios have been hard at work pursuing trademark protection for this Summer’s potential blockbusters.\nHere are our top five to keep an eye on:\n1. Avengers: Age of Ultron\nStudio: Marvel (a subsidiary of the Walt Disney Company)\nMarvel had two of its movies make it into the top five for the Summer movie box office in 2014. With Avengers: Age of Ultron, it is likely to continue the winning streak. To date, The Avengers is the third highest grossing move of all-time (not adjusting for inflation) with over $1.5 billion on box office receipts. Reports indicate that Marvel (and Disney) stacked up another $1 billion plus in receipts from selling merch related to The Avengers.\nMarvel and Disney, knowing where their bread is buttered, have 11 pending federal trademark applications for AVENGERS AGE OF ULTRON. Check out this Variety article if you want a longer read about Marvel’s plans for merchandising Avengers: Age of Ultron.\nMost Viewed Trailer: 70.7 Million views\n2. Tomorrowland\nStudio: Walt Disney Pictures\nThis movie is not about a future where George Clooney is no longer a bachelor. At least, we think.\nEven so, with Clooney involved, you know Disney has high expectations for this film. Disney has had federal protection for the mark TOMORROWLAND since 1970. Who doesn’t remember their first ride on Space Mountain? I didn’t scream once. I swear (Kevin wrote, as he trembled at his computer).\nIn any event, with seven pending applications for the mark MILES FROM TOMORROWLAND, Disney appears prepared in the event Mr. Alamuddin’s movie captures the hearts and minds public.\nMost Viewed Trailer: 9.2 Million views\n3. Jurassic World\nStudio: Ambling Entertainment and Legendary Pictures (in association with) Universal Pictures\nI loved Jurassic Park. It was the highest grossing film of 1993. I say, “Clever girl,” at least once a week. I love Chris Pratt. Last Summer, he led Guardians of the Galaxy to the top of the box office. This movie has the makings of a box office and merchandise juggernaut (Kevin said, pretending certain sequels do not exist). With eight pending federal trademark applications, everyone involved seems to believe that dinosaur-sized dollars are in the future.\nMost Viewed Trailer: 55 Million views\n4. Inside Out\nStudio: Pixar Animation and Walt Disney Studios\nLast Summer, for the first time since 2005, we were deprived of a Pixar release. The last Pixar movie to top the Summer box office was 2010’s Toy Story 3. I am a sucker for Pixar movies and hope that Inside Out is a return to form. Even if it is not, Disney and Pixar certainly have reason to believe that their five pending federal trademark applications are certainly worth their weight in gold. Reports indicate that Disney has made over $10 billion from merchandise based on the Pixar franchise Cars despite the lukewarm reviews both Cars films received.\n5. Minions\nStudio: Illumination Entertainment (Universal)\nThis headline from USA Today, “At Universal, Minions ‘have become our Mickey Mouse,'” says it all. The popular characters from the highly successful Despicable Me franchise are taking center stage this summer, and they have big plans. Despicable Me was the fifth biggest movie of Summer 2010. Despicable Me 2 jumped up two spots to be the third biggest movie of Summer 2013. Minions looks to repeat that feat and become the biggest movie this Summer. If you have learned anything from this post, you already know how valuable the Minions are as a brand. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that there are six pending trademark applications for MINIONS.\nEvery good movie has a moral. The moral of this blog post: Be like a studio executive and protect your trademarks. You never know when one could be worth billions of dollars!\nWritten by Kevin Hartley","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1856816"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5731999278068542,"wiki_prob":0.5731999278068542,"text":"Video: CNN Clown Sparks OUTRAGE For \"Bully\" Tweet On Trump...\nby Kurt\nBREAKING: The NFL's Monday Night Football Ratings Are Officially TANKING...\nBOMBSHELL: FBI Now Believes Bill And Hillary Clinton Accepted Multi-Million $ Bribe From Russia Crime Syndicate!\nBreaking News, Clinton Cash, Featured, Hillary Clinton, Media, News, Politics, Popular, Scandal, Trending\nby Kurt 5 years ago 5 months ago\nThe documentary “Clinton Cash” was panned as “Fake News” by the mainstream media, and ignored by most Americans.\nNow, it appears that the film has been vindicated…in the most chilling possible way.\nREAD MORE: Colin Kaepernick Files Grievance Against NFL, Claims It’s Trump’s Fault He’s Not Playing!\nThe FBI has found shocking eye-witness evidence that Russian nuclear officials routed millions of dollars to the U.S. in 2010, obtained through a racketeering scheme designed to benefit the Clinton Foundation and sway the Clintons into cooperating with the Russian atomic-energy program.\nPayment occurred around the time Secretary of State Hillary Clinton provided a favorable decision to Moscow regarding Vladimir Putin’s nuclear privileges, sources say.\nLaw-enforcement officials believe that Russian nuclear kingpins were engaged in bribery, kickbacks, extortion and money laundering with which they gathered the funds to send to the Clintons.\nMore from The Hill:\nBefore the Obama administration approved a controversial deal in 2010 giving Moscow control of a large swath of American uranium, the FBI had gathered substantial evidence that Russian nuclear industry officials were engaged in bribery, kickbacks, extortion and money laundering designed to grow Vladimir Putin’s atomic energy business inside the United States, according to government documents and interviews.\nFederal agents used a confidential U.S. witness working inside the Russian nuclear industry to gather extensive financial records, make secret recordings and intercept emails as early as 2009 that showed Moscow had compromised an American uranium trucking firm with bribes and kickbacks in violation of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, FBI and court documents show.\nThey also obtained an eyewitness account — backed by documents — indicating Russian nuclear officials had routed millions of dollars to the U.S. designed to benefit former President Bill Clinton’s charitable foundation during the time Secretary of State Hillary Clinton served on a government body that provided a favorable decision to Moscow, sources told The Hill.\nThe racketeering scheme was conducted “with the consent of higher level officials” in Russia who “shared the proceeds” from the kickbacks, one agent declared in an affidavit years later.\nRather than bring immediate charges in 2010, however, the Department of Justice (DOJ) continued investigating the matter for nearly four more years, essentially leaving the American public and Congress in the dark about Russian nuclear corruption on U.S. soil during a period when the Obama administration made two major decisions benefiting Putin’s commercial nuclear ambitions.\nThe first decision occurred in October 2010, when the State Department and government agencies on the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States unanimously approved the partial sale of Canadian mining company Uranium One to the Russian nuclear giant Rosatom, giving Moscow control of more than 20 percent of America’s uranium supply.\nWhen this sale was used by Trump on the campaign trail last year, Hillary Clinton’s spokesman said she was not involved in the committee review and noted the State Department official who handled it said she “never intervened … on any [Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States] matter.”\nWow. Just…wow.\nStay connected with Trump News Email … FREE!\nSuccess! Great things coming your way soon...","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1818638"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6800937652587891,"wiki_prob":0.31990623474121094,"text":"Geography of Paris squares or plazas\nIn a complex urban environment, each square will tend to be specialized toward a function rather another one: Square are not in competition but compliment each other. Hereafter is an essay on the geography of the Parisian squares:\nIdentifying\nLe Louvre (Cour Napoleon)\nThis place is not a people place, it doesn’t mean to be. This square is the heart of the French DNA. a 1000 years mille-feuille of History in the making. The headquarter of the old regime, transformed into a monument to the culture, is supposed to represent what French are or at least think they are, and it does quite well:\nCour napoleon, where the Louvre’ s Pyramid sits – credit (11)\nPlace de l’Étoile\nLike for the Louvre, this place is designed to have you overwhelmed by the “grandeur” of the State. The Arc de triomphe built by Napoleon is a monument crowning 500 year of planning of the Royal axis, originating from the Louvre. The hill where it sit on has been leveled, giving it a concave slope, enhancing the overwhelming presence of the Arc, sitting in the middle of a 240 meter diameter round place:\nPlace de l’Étoile is a very large traffic circle. Going to the middle is usually done thru underpass – credit (2)\nÉtoile-Concorde: Champs-Elysées\nEn route from The Louvre (old regime) to the Arc (new regime), it happens to be the Concorde, where the last french king, Louis the XVI has been guillotined. Where French celebrates is on The Champs-Elysées, between the Concorde and Étoile, a vast public space able to contain one million people, with huge plazas, Etoile and the Concorde providing very comfortable overflow, and entry/exit point.\nThe Champs-Elysées on New year Eve (here 2006) looking toward The Concorde – credit (5)\nThe size and topography of the Champs-Elysées help people to appreciate the size of the crowd. The celebration like above suppose to close the 10 lanes of traffic the avenue is normally supporting: A celebration on the Champs-Elysées means not “business as usual”.\nDemonstrating\nRépublique-Bastille-Nation\nDemonstrating is also part of the french DNA, and demonstrating supposes to walk, from one point to another:\nThose points are usually République-Bastille-Nation, in that order!\nDemonstration at Republique – credit (3)\nPlace de la République one of the largest Parisian square is 283x119m is well suited to accommodate large crowds. Beside it, it is not a necessarily inviting place. It is currently under renovation: respecting its history, its current use as a place to vent social message, while making it a more inviting space, especially outside demonstration time, was one of the challenge the contestant had to address. A water mirror, is part of the answer:\nA water Mirror, as seen in Bordeaux, can “activate” large esplanade, while still leave it clear of encumbrance when needed – credit (1)\nPlace de l’Hôtel-de-Ville\nIt is a “people place” per design, and the PPS editors like it [7], but this 155x82meter square is not a self-sufficient one, where people will intuitively go. they will go there only knowing the square is hosting some events, usually sponsored by the City:\nParis- Hôtel-de-Ville is a place for programing; ice rink in winter, beach volley in summer, all sort of fair in between – credit (4)\nA plaza in word, a park in theory, this almost perfect square, is a hit with many urbanistas for good reasons.. like Rome’s Piazza Navona, reaching Place des Vosges requires journeying along minor, often hidden streets. Then away of the crowd and noise of the surrounding city, you find an intimate, secluded, and still comfortable place. The square dimension, 127×140 meters,as well as the building lining help it, contribute to it. It is surrounded by a street allowing a light amount of traffic contributing to a safety feeling at any time any season.\nParis Place des Vosges, the oldest suqare of the city is requiring some effort to be found\nPlace Dauphine dating of the same era work a bit differently- may be too small and carry an oppressive feeling. Place Vendôme, has been designed along the Place des Vosges model (same size), but again it is a colder place. In Paris, Palais Royal, offers almost a similar setting\nPlace George Pompidou\nBetter known as Place Beaubourg, or simply the Piazza, it has been created ex-nihilo by architect Renzo Piano and Richard Rogers and opened in 1977. In despite of its relatively novelty and use of modern architecture in a city full of heritage building, this square works very well at the difference of many other one created in the same period. Due to this, it makes it a very interesting case study:\nIt is facing a Modern art museum known as Beaubourg built at the same time by the same architects. Like Sienna’s Piazza del Campo, the 170x65m square has a slight declivity along its narrow edge, which allow people to appropriate the space like it was a beach: it is not uncommon to see people sitting on the pavement, facing the museum, which happen to have corridors and stairs on its outside facades, offering continuous movement of people to watch from the square.\nLike Place des Vosges, this square is not obvious to find, and offers some respite, step away, of the capharnaum, the Halles can be:\nParis Place George Pompidou, is a successful square created ex nihilo\nAt the difference of Place Des Vosges, this square is fully pedestrian, and is surrounded by cafes and other shops.\nFontaine des Innocents\nPlace Joachim du Bellay is a name very few locals know, but no Parisian ignores its fountain:\nWhen they need to meet, Fontaine(fountain) des Innocents is the natural rendezvous.\nIt is easy to understand why: It is strategically located [10]\nIt is at the cross road of the main Parisian arteries.\nToday, it sits midway between the Parisian subway hub (Châtelet ) and the Regional Express Rail network hub (Les Halles)\nHowever, it is not directly on the way, rather on a “corner” of the intersection, so that the traffic doesn’t pass here. but, more important:\nthe square’s size, 53x80m, is big enough to accommodate a substantiate activity making a good hangout, but small enough to be able to recognize a person in it (see the notion of social field of vision in [9])\nand the square design is perfectly appropriate:\nFontaine des Innocents IS the meeting point in Paris – credit (6)\nThis square is also surrounded by Cafes.\nConcluding\nParis’s Place Stravinsky, a “secondary” but still lovely place – credit (11)\nThis geography is far to be exhaustive, Paris has many other squares, of various size, various features, some more interesting than other… what we have presented are what we see as the “staple” squares of Paris, and we can see some features emerging, noticeably regarding the size of the square:\nDifferent square size are needed in a big city, to accomodate the different function\nAnd still, the square where people feel comfortable to stay, will tend to be in the 120x120meter\nThis size could be not purely arbitrary, and could have to do with our field of vision- we tend to not recognize people beyond this distance and from smaller distance, we tend to be able to describe people facial characteristic – the ~100 meter range lie in between [9].\n[1] flickr user hisgett\n[2] flickr user ar56\n[3] flickr user tofz4u\n[4] flickr user babicka2\n[5] Franck prevel via Le Monde\n[6] Projet Les Halles\n[7] PPS page: Paris’Hotel de Ville (City Hall)\n[8] See for example: Squaring public space with human needs, Lisa Rochon, Globe and mail, Nov 25, 2011. Curiously enough Vancouver bloggers like Lewis n Villegas and Stephen Rees, will use this square to illustrate Vancouver specific problematic. For the record, architect Ricardo Boffil had a project to built a place inspired by Place des Vosges at Paris The Halles: Parisian didn’t like the idea, and their mayor, then Jacques Chirac, basically “chased” the architect…\n[9] Cities for people, Jan Gehl, 2010\n[10] Paris, les Halles :introduction to its anatomy\nFiled in Paris, urbanism\nTags: beaubourg, Fontaine des innocents, Place Charles-de-Gaulle, Place de l'Hôtel-de-Ville, Place de la République, place de l’Étoile, place des vosges, place Joachim du Bellay, Place Starvinsky\nParis – Les halles – Introduction to its anatomy\nIt is the center of Paris and was the site of the largest known wholesale market of its time. Since the market has moved away in 1969, the site, having received an underground shopping mall and a subway station seeing close to 1 million passengers a day, has become arguably the biggest urban conundrum of Paris. We gonna study it a bit- This first post layout some general context (at a level allowing me to classified my notes on the topic, so a bit heavier than necessary on the level of historic detail)\nThe geographic context\nThe very center of Paris\nParis with its successive city walls. Les Halles are where the Montmartre road (blue line) meets the Paris \"great cross\" (red lines, the fine lines are the historic route, the thick ones have been layout circa 1850)\nThe centre of Paris is at the center of the “great cross”:\nHistorically, it was defined by rue St Honoré for the west branch, and rue St Denis (doubled by rus St Martin) for the North Branch.\nMostly to resolve traffic issue, This cross will be doubled by the rue de Rivoli (West branch), and Boulevard de Sébastopol (north branch) [8].\nIn 1900 the cross will be doubled by the subway: line 1 for the East West axis, while the line 4 will roughly follow the North-South axis – they are respectively the first and second most used subway lines of the network.\nIn 1977, the opening of the first lines, A and B, of the regional express subway (RER) will also follow this cross…\nThe Montmartre road is coming from of the Montmartre hill following the terrain topography. A historically important road, but not necessarily for commercial reason, at the difference of the great cross roads: the meeting of Montmartre road with the great cross defines Les Halles – historically a triangular shape (between W and NW roads), as most of the medevial square sitting at the crossing of roads, used to be. It is important to note that the Halles has developed exclusively in the NW quadrant of the “active” great cross, basically almost never impeding the traffic on it. It was not the case of Montmartre street, since outside the market activities blocking the street, it was also the site of various celebration, and the pillory was here too:\nLeft: Execution of Aymerigot Marcel, from Froissart's Chronical, Vol.IV, part 1, 1470 - Right: A \"celebration\" at the Halles by Philibert Louis Debucourt - It was to celebrate the birth of the French heir on January 21, 1782. The tower seen in the middle is the pillory\nDetail of the Halles district and market across the age, 1300, 1600, 1790 and 1830 - red line refer to the W and N branches of the historic great cross (rue St Honore and St Denis), and the blue line to the Montmartre road- credit (16)\nThought a market was officially existing since Louis VI the fat, circa 1117 – which in fact was instituating a function already occurring on a necropolis site [5]– Les Halles history starts in 1183, when the King Philippe II Augustus decided to move a trade-fair on the site called the Champeaux. A history version suggests it was a Jew ghetto – Philippe II Augustus will have expelled them and seized their goods and houses in 1182 [2]-then build two covered market in 1183. They are thought to have been massive enough-100metres long and 10 height, with a vaulted ceiling, all in stones [5]– to have impressed their contemporaries: they will be called “Hala” (halles in french, the English term “hall” is poor translation, and we will keep the french term) and it is the beginning of the story.\nLeft: Halles Champeaux (circa 1183) - right: Halla interior\nAt first the market food trading is marginal. The market will start to flourish then will decline in the 14th and 15th centuries and the halles will fall in ruins. A Francis I reformation ordinance in 1543 will try to correct that. New halles will be erected to extend and replace the old ones circa 1551, that along market organization changes. The emergence of new trading usage (shop…) will make the market focusing increasingly on food trading. Soon enough it will be known as the largest market in Occident.\nHalle a la saline – circa 1784\nLot of things will change around, except 2 landmarks which today are still structuring the site- St Eustache Church and the Innocents Fountain-marked with a “red target” on all the maps to help the reader to contextualize the site:\nLes halles neighborhood, The halles today site and original site. St Eustache church and the Innocents Fountain landmarks highligted\nSt Eustache Church\nIt is a relatively unassuming Gothic style church, with an unfinished and at odd neoclassic frontage [9] – the kind of you can expect in many french cities. Its recognized best profile-highlighting its gothics features slighlty enhanced by some renaissance style details- is seen from its South East side, basically from the Innocents fountain.\nIt is the obvious landmark of the neighborhood. Most of the photographs and paintings of the district include it whenever possible: When you see St Eustache, you know where you are.\nSt Eustache church (in front the \"Prouvaires\" market): 24 barracks built between 1813-1818- circa 1850 (Photo Marville)\nThe Innocents fountain\nEasy to find. On the way, more exactly on the historic Montmartre road axis- between the Halles and the “great cross” intersection- and dominating the middle of an unencumbered and well defined ~80mx60m square: a size big enough to accommodate a substantiate activity making a good hangout, but small enough to be able to recognize a person in it (see the notion of social field of vision in [7]): this unassuming structure is a landmark: it is “THE” meeting spot of the Halles.\nNotice the today square’s name, place Joachim du Bellay, is virtually unknown, overwhelmed it is by the “Innocents” fountain name everyone know.\nSt Innocent fountain, and market. Notice the umbrellas in the forefront, they will play an important role in the Halles history- Photo Marville circa 1855\nA bit of historic background for the Innocents fountain\nInnocents cemetery during the Middle ages\nThe fountain- thought have been existing since 1274 [5][10]– has been a bit peripatetic. Originally this site was a cemetery, the St Innocents cemetery, and the fountain was sitting at the NE corner of it. A cenotaph was sitting in the middle of the cemetery.\nOdours\nThe cemetery- an “overflowing” mass grave-the level was 2meters above natural level [5]– surrounded by an ossuary, has been closed circa 1785 under hygienist concern of the time and pressure of the neighborhood complaining about its “mephitic” odours [6] (the cemetery has been transferred into the catacombs) . The fountain has then replaced the cenotaph. Though merchants was conducting business in the cemetery before its closure, it became the regular market we see in the photo above in 1789-as planned by a 1750s plan.\nProject of conversion of the \"Innocents\" cemetery in a new market dated 1747 or 1767 (notice North is downward)\nbefore be surrounded by shelter for merchant, circa 1811-1813 [2], the Innocent market will receive 400 red parasols in 1800 [5], an anecdote which will eventually have a huge influence on the future of the site. The Innocents market will last up to 1858 when it will be relocated in the Halles Baltard, and give room partially to a park, an opportunity to relocate the fountain for the last time so far.\n\"Innocents\" market by Thomas Naudet circa 1800: 400 parasol had been installed to shelter the merchants (credit wikigallery)\nSome other building of interests\nThe Halle au Blé\nThe Halle au blé with the Médicis Column as it looks today from the Halles (credit wikipedia)\nIn its today form, this building could have eventually been a landmark in a provincial city, but in the Parisian landscape, it looks like another official Parisian building… Its circular and repetitive from makes it a poor orientation helper. The lately added main entrance on its west side, make the building turning its back to the Halles site.\nIt was a building to trade grain and flour. It has been built by Nicolas Le Camus de Mézières between 1763 and 1767, and was part of a larger neighborhood development following a circus layout. This building has been considerably altered in its history to the point it bears little relationship with its original design:\nJacques-Guillaume Legrand and Jacques Molinos added a wooden framed dome in 1782, it will be destroyed by a fire in 1802\nFrançois-Joseph_Bélanger will rebuilt the dome with an iron frame and copper surfacing in 1806-1811\nAfter another fire in 1854, the building will be closed in 1873, and radically transformed by Henri Blondel in 1885, to give its today appearance, and to host a commodity trade market.\nNowadays, it is used by the Paris Chamber of commerce\nOriginal Halle au blé, as designed by Le Camus de Mézières (top). it will receive a wooden roof by Jacques Molinos and Legrand (middle) and will get a dramatic transformation by Blondel giving its today appearance(bottom)\nThe surrounding buildings have followed a similar track.\nrue de Viarmes, circa 1885, left (photo Godefroy)- and now, right (credit wikipedia)\nThe Médicis column\nIt is the column seen next to the Halle au blé building. Commissioned by Catherine de’ Medici in 1574, it predates the building itself, but has always stand still there a bit at odd. Blondel was planning to demolish it in the context of its renovation work: Jean Charles Alphand, to whose Paris owns most of its most celebrated parks, will have intervened against such a fate.\nThe Halle au Draps\nWe mention this building because it was probably the traditional shape of the non food related Halles, and it relates to what have once been one of the most important and flagship trade activities of the medieval halles of Paris: drapery.\nThe illustrated Halles, a 50x400foot building, has been built by Legrand and Molinos in 1786, it will lost its vaulted, wooden framed roof in a fire in 1855. following that, the then almost moribund drapery market, will be transferred to the Halle au ble. The building will be demolished in 1868. The advent of the department stores surrounding the halles, like Le Bon Marché, Samaritaine, the BHV or the Grands magasins du Louvre, will make them the place of choice to buy drapery\nThe \"halle aux draps\" by Nicolle Victor Jean (circa 1830)- Probably a very traditional shape for the non-food \"mortar\" built Halle, it has been demolished in 1868\nThe market in 1850’s\nThe Halles, for the food related market, are largely very medieval in their typology, and the last addition like the Prouvaires market built by Jean-Jacques-Marie Huvé between 1813-1818 (see photo above) or the halles for the fish and butter market, built in 1822 by Hubert Rohault de Fleury, don’t revisit this style, thought they are almost contemporary of the Covent garden market in London.\nIn former time and in addition to Les Halles, Parisian houses in commercial districts had an open ground floor, where market activities was held. this form used to be called “Piliers” (from the building foundation pillars)-they form a 4meters wide gallery on the east side, and a 2meters wide one elsewhere [5], but in fact the market was sprawling in all the surrounding area. The Giuseppe Canella’s canvas below illustrates it:\n\"les halles\" circa 1830 and the Tonnellerie's \"Piliers\" - notice the roof shape of the covered market\nthe market is the largest known central market of its time and live mostly at night: people, including 7162 counted sellers, start to come around 11pm, to serve an estimated 40,000+ customers, and are supposed by bylaw to have freed the street by 9am or 10am (in winter).\nThe market roughly occupies 3.6 hectares -2.2hectares for flower, fruit and vegetable only- partitioned as following:\n1 hectares of Halles (covered market)\n0.6 hectares on open space\n2 hectares on public street\nTraffic is a huge issue- there are counted 4,000 carts occupying an additional 2 hectares. handcart, basket storage, and livestock occupy an additional 0.5 hectares (number above from [11], [12] provides similar numbers, 5.5 hectares for the whole market).\nThe area is a fertile ground for endemic prostitution and other activities associated with more or less shady nightlife [15]. The retail market is functioning all the day, making the area active 24hr a day.\nAdding to the picture the smell of the rotten food (odours have always been a strong marker of the site [15]), it doesn’t necessarily make a desirable place to live, and in fact the neighborhood, “unhealthy, badly built and crowded, is of a repulsive appearance” [14]: It is the “worst” slump of Paris where the living population density level has been reported at up to 100,000 people/km2 [1][15]. Diseases are widespread and the neighborood will be a nest of the 1832 cholera pandemic [13]\nThought there were many men, for packing work- called fort des halles– many of the merchants were women, and the market was associated with a high level of gossiping and obscene language by the moral bourgeoisie of the time [13]. Eventually due to the market sprawl and ensuing disorganization, the government had little control on its activities, market stall allocation, tax collection..etc…. The government will try to get better control on it… It will be the object of another post:\nIn this Marville photo (circa 1855), all the structuring edifices mentioned in this post are appearing. but what is the focus of the photo is the Halles Baltard: it will deserves a post of its own\n[1]The autumn of Central Paris, Anthony Sutcliffe, mc Gill Quueens Univeristy Press, 1970\n[2] Mémoires de la Société de l’histoire de Paris et de l’Île-de-France, Volume 3, Paris, 1876\n[3]it was kind of an European tradition when the government was in need of money. We refers to the June 24, 1182 expelling ordinance. It was called la “Juiverie des Champeaux”. This version doesn’t appear- neither is dismissed- in the recent literature (like [5]), but up to recently the literature was frequently referring to [2] to support this version.\n[4] Paris, ses organes, ses fonctions et sa vie dans la seconde moitie du XIXe siecle, Paris, 1874 (as translated in [13])\n[5] Les halles de Paris et leur quartier (1137-1969), Anne Lombard Jourdan, 2010\n[6] Histoire physique, civile et morale de Paris, Vol.6, Jacques Antoine Dulaure, 1837\n[8] The Rue de Rivoli (street) has been opened in different stage between 1806 and 1835, for the Western part, and the last section completed in 1855 [1].\n[9] It used to be chapel, St Agnès, built in the 13th century. The construction of the current church began in 1532, the work not being finally completed until 1637. Jean Hardouin-Mansart de Jouy has started to had a new neoclassic style frontage in 1754. The work will be continued but not finished by Pierre-Louis Moreau-Desproux up to 1772.\n[10] The original fountain with only 3 exposed faces- has been redone in its current style by Jean Goujon (sculptor) and Pierre Lescot (design)- 1546-1549. The fourth face has been added by Auguste pajou in 1788, when the fountain has been relocated in the middle of the place.\n[11] La politique Nouvelle, Juin, Juillet Aout 1851, Paris\n[12] Revue générale de l’architecture et des travaux publics: Volume 8, edited by César Daly, 1849, Paris\n[13] Urban Renovation, Moral Regeneration: Domesticating the Halles in Second-Empire Paris, Victoria E. Thompson, French Historical Studies, Vol. 20, No. 1, 1997.\n[14] “Question du déplacement de Paris,” Lanquetin, Prefecture de la Seine, Commission de Halles, April 1840 (as cited by [13].\n[15] Les Halles: images d’un quartier, Jean-Louis Robert,Martine Tabeaud, 2004\n[16] http://www.paris-atlas-historique.fr/\nFiled in History, Les Halles, Paris, urbanism\nTags: Aymerigot Marcel, Champeaux., Charles Marville, Fontaine des innocents, Fort des halles, François-Joseph_Bélanger, Giuseppe Canella, halle au blé, halle aux draps, Halles, Haussmann, Henri Blondel, Hubert Rohault de Fleury, Innocents, Jacques Molinos, Jacques-Guillaume Legrand, Jean-Jacques-Marie Huvé, Les halles, Louis VI, marché au beurre, marché des Prouvaires, Montmartre, Nicolas Le Camus de Mézières, Philibert Louis Debucourt, Philippe II Augustus, Piliers des halles, place Joachim du Bellay, rue de Rivoli, Saints Innocents Cemetery, St Eustache, Thomas Naudet","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line826218"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7993101477622986,"wiki_prob":0.7993101477622986,"text":"France’s far-right leader Le Pen still hopes to unsettle Macron in legislative elections\nby athleticinsider May 8, 2022 0\nFrench far-right politician Marine Le Pen returned to the electoral fray on Sunday, announcing herself as a candidate in the parliamentary elections in June after weeks of silence since she lost the presidential vote to Emmanuel Macron last month.\n“I hope that we will have a strong presence in parliament to lead, once again, the fight against the social policies that Emmanuel Macron wants to put in place,” she said, adding she would run for re-election in her northern constituency of Pas-de-Calais.\nLe Pen was speaking on a visit to the town of Henin-Beaumont marking Victory Day — the anniversary of the Allies’ victory in 1945 over Nazi Germany in World War II.\nLe Pen, defeated by Macron in the April 24 runoff election, pitched herself as the centrist president’s main opponent and took aim at hard-left politician Jean-Luc Melenchon.\nMelenchon, who came third in the first round of the presidential election, is leading a coalition of left-wing parties that hope to deprive Macron of a majority in parliament. That alliance launched its campaign on Saturday.\n“The reality is that Jean-Luc Melenchon helped get Emmanuel Macron elected, so that completely discredits his ability to position himself as an opponent,” Le Pen said, highlighting her disagreement with the left-wing politician on immigration and law and order issues.\nLe Pen’s party, the National Rally (RN), currently holds only seven seats in the National Assembly, or lower house of parliament. The party, which has sought in recent years to soften its image, will not form an alliance with far-right pundit-turned-presidential candidate Eric Zemmour and his party Reconquete.\nMacron, sworn in for a second term on Saturday, will preside over Sunday’s main Victory Day event at the Place de L’Etoile in Paris.\nI'm glad Britney Spears publicly broke this pregnancy taboo\nIn new audio, McCarthy worried comments by certain GOP lawmakers could incite violence after Jan. 6\nTwitter bans promotion of other social media sites including Facebook, Instagram and Truth Social\nathleticinsider December 19, 2022","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1447070"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6298087239265442,"wiki_prob":0.6298087239265442,"text":"Main Section While the “Magyar Telekom” case finishes in the US, it still remains...\nWhile the “Magyar Telekom” case finishes in the US, it still remains stuck in the judiciary system in Macedonia\nAt the moment, two cases have been opened against “Magyar Telekom”, even though they started a long time ago, and whether intentionally or not, have not moved since they hit a dead end.\nYesterday, former directors of “Magyar Telekom” Elek Straub and Andras Balogh, who were accused of having secret agreements with the Prime Minister at the time and other people from Macedonia to prevent competition in the market, agreed to pay fines up to 250.000 dollars and 150.000 dollars, stated the US Investigation Commission on Securities and Exchange.\nThe outcome of the “Magyar Telekom” case in the US comes at a time during a severe political crisis in Macedonia and institutional blockade. At the same time, the SPO is attempting to inspect the computer systems of “Macedonian Telekom” in connection with the investigation in the “Target” case, which should determine who was part of the illegal wiretapping affair in the country.\nAlso yesterday, prosecutors from the SPO held “a meeting of a higher level” with representatives from “Macedonian Telecom” in connection with the investigation regarding the mass wiretapping.\nIn late September, 2015, Bogoevski was called for questioning and gave four hours of testimony to the prosecutors.\nSpecial Public Prosecutor, Katica Janeva, in February last year asked Public Prosecutor Marko Zvlevski if her office could takeover the case, however he refused and passed on the case to the Council of Public Prosecutors. He decides what cases are passed on to the SPO and which cases are not.\nIn Macedonia, charges have been filed against former directors of “Macedonian Telekom”, Attila Szendrei, Rolf Plath and Zoltan Kisjuhász. They are being charged for organizing fictitious consultancy contracts with the Cypriot Consulting Company “Chavtex holdings Limited”, and ended up costing “Macedonian Telekom” 4 million euros, and damaging the state budget for approximately 2 million euros, because the at the time, the Government owned 47% in shares of the company.\nThe investigation of this case began in 2008, and 3 years later, in 2011 charges were eventually filed. However, the actual trial has still not begun, even after 6 years, as the court hearings are constantly being postponed. The defendants have never appeared in front of a Macedonian court, even with international arrest warrants and a court ruling for their detainment.\nMagyar Telekom\nSlobodan Bogoevski\nTruthmeter.mk: Public Prosecutor’s Office operates with only a third of the planned staff\nPublic Prosecution: Short circuit in defibrillator cord started the deadly blaze in COVID hospital in Tetovo\nNorth Macedonia: The Operative Technical Agency last year interposed in 853 cases of communications wiretapping","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line682942"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7373031973838806,"wiki_prob":0.2626968026161194,"text":"Lobethal to Hahndorf\nNovember 1, 2019 by edgar62, posted in House, Garden and Dogs\nLobethal main street\nThe largest Brewing Company is owned by the Japanese, but that aside, South Australian “Beer” is actually a lager beer, which the boys don’t like. Andrew has a list of the Microbrewery places in South Australia. They consider Lobethal to be one of the best. Actually I think almost all of the beer manufacturing in South Australia is foreign owned. I liked Lobethal., a quiet place, not very overtly German, like some of the other towns in the area – particularly our next stop. I had a wander around the main street, which for a weekday, was very quiet. I did, of course, find the little white church and took photographs of the 1922 foundation stone. Around the place there were many posts and posters highlighting the benefits of the Lobethal Lutheran School. All this came about in 1838 when George Fife Angas left South Australia to recruit prospective colonist for the new Province in South Australia. A number of Lutherans were anxious to leave the town of Klemzig In Prussia because of persecution by the King of Prussia. They were led by their Pastor, Augusta Ludwig Kavel. They settled in a small parcel of land by the River Torrens which they called Klemzig after the town they had left. Over the years the area has been absorbed into the City of Adelaide. The second wave of German Settlers move further into the interior of the colony and purchased land there. There were a number of settlements of which Lobethal and Hahndorf are\nThe old church bell at the white Church- Lobethal\nbut two. With the anti-German feeling during the World War One, many of the German names were abolished and changed – Lobethal became Tweedvale. Most of the names were changed back by government decree in 1934 all except Petersburg. Petersburg became simply Peterborough. In 1934 when the other towns were allowed to return to their original names, Peterborough decided not to and to remain as it was. Interestingly, the first ever Lutheran Church in Australia was built in Lobethal and the 1641 Bible of Pastor Kavel is kept there. Not too sure about that so I will have to do some searching.\nWe spent some time wandering around Lobethal before heading off to Hahndorf for a late lunch. John had been there before so he chose the place where we would have our meal. We had a quiet walk through the local area before entering the “German Arms Hotel” Hahndorf was one of the areas settled by the German Settlers who became prosperous in the new settlement. The South Australian Wine industry, the largest in Australia had its Genesis here with several German families who realised that the cool climate of the Adelaide Hills was perfect\nThe German Arms\nHahndorf SA\nfor growing grapes and producing wine. There are a large number of Wineries in this area and I am led to understand the the Wolf Blass Gallery and Museum will be built at Hahndorf. Unlike Lobethal, Hahndorf displays its German Heritage in a number of ways, not the least of which is its food and restaurants. Having been here several times, John took me to the German Arms a German Bierhaus and Restaurant. Because of\nthe long drive ahead of us we settled on Lemonade ( boo — hiss) John ordered a Trio of German Wurt with some sauce, -which he said was really good. I was less adventurous and had a Chicken and Prawn Pasta with a really nice cheese sauce. The portions were very large and I was unable to finish my meal. The staff did offer me a take-away box, but I felt it was a long drive and quite warm – too warm to carry in a car for 550 kilometers. Not being a food blogger in any way shape or form, it never really occurred to me to take photographs of our meal. The place was really nice, the staff friendly, the service excellent and it just had a really good atmosphere. I would have liked to have spent a lot more time there.\nLeaving the German Arms carpark John set the Tom Tom for Tea Tree Plaza. I needed to go there to get some things for the\nLobethal: Car park at back of the Bierhaus — not customers.\nchurch before heading home. As I said in the previous post, our drive through to Lobethal and then to Hahndorf was uphill, downhill, narrow roads, sharp twists and turns, well, less than ten minutes after leaving Hahndorf we were on the approach road to the South Eastern Freeway and a short while later at Adelaide. I asked John why we didn’t go that way in the first place, “my way was more adventurous”. Sheesh…\nTagged Adelaide, George Fife Angas\\, German Arms, Hahndorf, Klemzig, Lager Beer, Lobethal, Pastor Keval, Peterborough, South Eastern Freeway, Tea Tree Plaza\nNext postHahndorf to Tea Tree Plaza to Home.\n6 thoughts on “Lobethal to Hahndorf”\nthat was interesting, thanks!!! I love it to read about history….\nThank you. That whole region, including the area called The Barossa Valley, was mainly settled and developed by German Settlers. The Barossa is a major Wine Region of South Australia\nInteresting history. Shame you couldn’t sample the beer!\nYes I agree, but it was a long drive ahead. Still, the Lemonade was crisp and cold.\nJust picturing your meals is making my palate salivate. Cheers to a lovely weekend. 🌭🍤🍻\nThe German Arms Hotel is where the main South Australian Oktoberfest is held each year. It was an interesting place.I would like to go back there – even just to take photographs.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1868019"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7367048859596252,"wiki_prob":0.7367048859596252,"text":"Articles Posted in National Legal Malpractice Cases\nVincent v. DeVries, 2013 VT 34, Case No. 2012-026: Supreme Court of Vermont Affirms Economic Damage Award in Legal Malpractice Case\nThe Supreme Court of Vermont has affirmed an economic damage award in a legal malpractice action. In Vincent v. DeVries, a client and his sister contracted to sell their home for $52,000 to buyers. Shortly before the scheduled closing, the sister died and the client refused to go forward with the sale. The buyers then sued the client seeking specific performance of the contract. The client hired an attorney to defend him in the action.\nInstead of responding to the complaint, the attorney moved for summary judgment. The buyers made their own motion for summary judgment, which the trial court granted. The attorney then filed an answer to the complaint and a series of motions seeking relief from the judgment alleging that the client was fraudulently induced into signing the contract. However, the trial court enforced the judgment finding that the client was precluded from raising new legal issues after judgment had entered.\nThe client then terminated the attorney. He eventually entered into a settlement agreement with the buyers, which allowed him to keep his home in exchange for a payment of $103,000, which included the buyers’ attorney’s fees incurred to prosecute the case. The client then sued the attorney for legal malpractice alleging that he negligently failed to raise appropriate defenses and counterclaims to the buyers’ suit.\nUpdated: July 2, 2013 6:47 pm\nAseel v. Jonathan E. Kroll & Assoc., PLLC, 2013 NY Slip Op 03806: New York Appellate Court Affirms Dismissal of Legal Malpractice Action\nA New York appellate court has affirmed the dismissal of a legal malpractice action. In Aseel v. Jonathan E. Kroll & Assoc., PLLC, a client hired an attorney to represent him in his divorce proceedings. The client subsequently brought a legal malpractice suit against the attorney for negligently representing him in the divorce.\nThe attorney moved to dismiss the case on the grounds that it was barred by a three year statute of limitations. The trial court granted the motion. The client appealed arguing that the statute of limitations was tolled by the continuous representation doctrine, which applies when there is a mutual understanding between the lawyer and client to continue the representation for the matter underlying the malpractice claim.\nThe appellate court affirmed. The client had removed his case file from the attorney’s office without his knowledge, which the court held constituted termination of the attorney-client relationship. Therefore, the case was properly dismissed as time barred because it was commenced more than three years from that date.\nDecision: Aseel v. Jonathan E. Kroll & Assoc., PLLC.doc\nHaddy v. Caldwell, No. 08-12-00131-CV: Texas Appellate Court Affirms Summary Judgment in Favor of Attorney in Legal Malpractice Action\nA Texas appellate court has affirmed a summary judgment for an attorney in a legal malpractice case. In Haddy v. Caldwell, a client retained an attorney to bring a medical malpractice suit against United States Army physicians, who treated the client’s then wife. The trial court granted summary judgment in favor of the doctors and the case was dismissed.\nThe client then sued the attorney for negligently failing to designate an expert witness and file an expert report in the medical malpractice suit. The attorney moved for summary judgment, which the trial court granted. The client appealed.\nThe appellate court affirmed. In a legal malpractice case arising from litigation, in addition to proving that the attorney was negligent, the plaintiff must also prove the “case within the case”. This means that he must show that he would have succeeded in the underlying suit but for the attorney’s negligence.\nHere, the client submitted an affidavit of a medical professional with his opposition to the attorney’s motion for summary judgment, but failed to present expert witness testimony regarding the attorney’s negligence. Therefore, summary judgment was appropriate because the client could not show that the attorney’s failure to designate a medical expert constituted a breach of the standard of care for a reasonable lawyer.\nDecision: Haddy v. Caldwell\nUpdated: May 18, 2013 1:17 am\nFrasco, Caponigro, Wineman, & Scheible, PLLC v. IGC Management, Inc., No. 308405: Michigan Court of Appeals Affirms Summary Judgment In Favor of Attorney In Legal Malpractice Case\nA Michigan appellate court has affirmed a summary judgment in favor of an attorney in a legal malpractice action. In Frasco, Caponigro, Wineman, & Scheible, PLLC v. IGC Management, Inc., a sub-contractor hired an attorney to recover funds from a general contractor. The general contractor later filed for bankruptcy, and a bank was found to have a priority security interest against the contractor’s assets.\nThe attorney, who also represented other unpaid sub-contractors, negotiated a mediated settlement with the financers of the project. However, the original sub-contractor did not assent to the terms of the settlement. The attorney informed the mediator and requested that the agreement contain a separate signature line for the sub-contractor, which the mediator failed to include. Nevertheless, the attorney executed the agreement and the bankruptcy court found that the sub-contractor was bound by its terms because the attorney signed on its behalf.\nThe sub-contractor then sued the attorney for legal malpractice. The attorney moved for summary judgment, which the trial court granted. The sub-contractor appealed.\nThe appellate court affirmed, finding that although the attorney’s conduct may have breached his ethical duties, it did not constitute malpractice. Under Michigan law, liability for settling a case without a client’s consent stems from a bad faith breach of contract rather than negligence. Here, the attorney did not intend to sign the agreement on behalf of the sub-contractor and had informed the mediator that he did not have such authority. Thus, the attorney acted in good faith and summary judgment was appropriate.\nDecision: Frasco, Caponigro, Wineman, & Scheible, PLLC v. IGC Management, Inc.\nPosted in: Legal Ethics Issues, Legal Malpractice Issues and National Legal Malpractice Cases\nUpdated: May 1, 2013 4:14 pm\nLewis v. Album, No. 12-CA-854: Louisiana Court of Appeals Affirms Summary Judgment for Attorney in Legal Malpractice Case\nA Louisiana appellate court has affirmed a summary judgment in favor of an attorney in a legal malpractice action. In Lewis v. Album, a client retained an attorney in order to bring a claim against the Louisiana Commissioner of Insurance. Several months later, the client terminated the attorney’s representation.\nNearly three years later, the Commissioner’s office served the attorney with an ex parte motion to dismiss the case for abandonment and a court order granting the motion. The attorney forwarded the filings to the client, and filed a motion to withdraw as counsel of record. The following month, the client moved to set aside the Order of Abandonment, which the trial court denied because the case had already been dismissed.\nOver one year later, the client filed a legal malpractice claim against the attorney, alleging that he had negligently allowed the previous suit to be dismissed for lack of prosecution. The attorney moved for summary judgment, which the trial court granted on the basis that the suit was barred by a one-year statute of limitations on legal malpractice claims.\nThe appellate court affirmed, finding that the statutory period began to run when the attorney informed the client that his case had been dismissed, or, at the latest, the following month when the client moved to set aside the judgment. Under either scenario, the client failed to commence his action within one year of either event. Summary judgment was therefore proper.\nDecision: Lewis v. Album\nVara v. Williams, No. 03-10-00861-CV: Texas Appellate Court Affirms Summary Judgment for Attorney in Legal Malpractice Case\nA Texas appellate court has affirmed a summary judgment in favor of an attorney in a legal malpractice action. In Vara v. Williams, a client hired an attorney to represent her in a divorce proceeding. The parties reached a mediated settlement, and the trial court entered a final divorce decree, which included a provision directing the parties to sign an operating trust agreement (“OTA”) allocating community property assets. Subsequently, disputes arose regarding the OTA, and the client hired a new attorney to represent her in that transaction.\nThe client later filed an action against the first attorney for negligently handling the OTA negotiations and several other causes of action. The attorney moved for summary judgment, which the trial court granted on the basis that the client had failed to timely designate an expert witness.\nThe appellate court affirmed, finding that contrary to Texas law, the client had attempted to transform a single count for legal malpractice into several other claims. In failing to timely designate an expert, the client could not succeed on her malpractice claim because she could not prove that the attorney had breached the standard of care. Summary judgment was therefore appropriate.\nBailey v. Robinson, No. 2 CA-CV 2012-0098: Arizona Appellate Court Affirms Summary Judgment for Attorney in Legal Malpractice Case\nAn Arizona appellate court has affirmed summary judgment in favor of an attorney in a legal malpractice action. In Bailey v. Robinson, a taxpayer hired an attorney to represent him in a civil action against the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”), seeking a refund from a prior tax year. After a trial in the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona, the court entered judgment for the IRS. The attorney then withdrew his representation.\nThe client filed a motion seeking relief from the judgment, arguing that an IRS agent had perjured herself and submitted falsified documents at trial. The client also argued that his attorney failed to discover or argue these issues. The trial court denied the motion, specifically ruling that the client failed to show that the agent had lied under oath or presented falsified documents, and therefore identified no reason for the attorney to have inquired into these subjects.\nSeveral years later, the taxpayer sued his former attorney in state court for malpractice, again alleging that the attorney negligently failed to discover the IRS agent’s alleged perjury. The attorney successfully moved for summary judgment and the taxpayer appealed.\nThe appellate court affirmed, finding that the taxpayer was estopped from arguing that the agent perjured herself, because this issue was fully litigated and essential to the District Court’s judgment. Thus, there were no remaining issues of material fact and summary judgment was properly granted.\nDecision: Bailey v. Robinson\nUpdated: March 16, 2013 4:34 pm\nFacchinato v. Gerds, No. 305129: Michigan Appellate Court Affirms Summary Judgment for Attorney in Legal Malpractice Action\nA Michigan appellate court has affirmed a summary judgment in favor of an attorney in a legal malpractice action. In Facchiano v. Gerds.doc, a husband and wife hired an attorney to draft an agreement to transfer a 40% interest in their second home to their daughter. The transaction was completed and the daughter subsequently obtained a mortgage on her interest in the property.\nOver two years later, the daughter defaulted on the loan and filed for bankruptcy. The parents consulted another attorney to investigate their options. The second attorney advised the couple that there was nothing they could do to prevent the lender from foreclosing on the mortgage. However, the attorney did not inform the couple that they might have a negligence claim against the attorney who drafted the agreement.\nAlmost one year later, the parents filed a legal malpractice action against the first attorney. The attorney successfully moved to for summary judgment on the basis that the claim was barred by a statute of limitations. The parents appealed.\nUnder Michigan law, legal malpractice actions must be brought within two years of the act or omission of the attorney, which caused the clients’ damages. The statute is tolled for an additional six months from the date when the clients discovered or should have discovered the alleged injury.\nUpdated: March 3, 2013 8:30 pm","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1341533"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9808421730995178,"wiki_prob":0.9808421730995178,"text":"Top TV Seasons Classic\napps view_module menu\nBabylon 5, The Complete Series\nTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Classic Series), Season 1\nGilligan's Island: The Complete Series\nWonder Woman: The Complete Series\nNight Court: The Complete Series\nFirefly, The Complete Series\nBatman: The Complete Series\nKung Fu, The Complete Series\nThe A-Team, Season 1\nFriends, Season 1\nThe Scooby-Doo Show, Season 2\nMiami Vice, Season 2\nThe West Wing, Season 2\nFull House, The Complete Series\nAngel, The Complete Series\nKung Fu, Pilot\nKung Fu, Season 1\nScooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated, The Complete Series\nBabylon 5, Season 5\nSchoolhouse Rock, Vol. 1\nFriends, Season 10\nFawlty Towers, Series 1\nER, Season 1\nThe Jetsons, Season 1\nThe Golden Girls, Season 2\nGilligan's Island, Season 1\nDaria, Season 1\nThe Magic School Bus, Vol. 1\nNight Court, Season 1\nThe X-Files, Season 4\nSesame Street Classics, Vol. 1\nThe Dukes of Hazzard: The Complete Series\nS.W.A.T., Season 5\nScooby-Doo Where Are You?, Season 3\nThe Flintstones, Season 1\nStar Trek: The Original Series (Remastered), Season 1\nGilmore Girls, Season 1\nBuffy the Vampire Slayer, Season 1\nNewsRadio, Season 1\nBuffy The Vampire Slayer, Complete Series\nLittle House On the Prairie, Season 1\nThe Dukes of Hazzard, Season 1\nWKRP In Cincinnati, Season 1\nThe Pink Panther Show, Season 1\nPee-wee's Playhouse: Christmas Special\nBattlestar Galactica (Classic), Season 1\nScooby-Doo Where Are You?, The Complete Series\nThe Addams Family Kooky Collection Complete Box Set\nAddams Family - The Kooky Collection, Vol. 1\nBlackadder Goes Forth\nJustice League: The Complete Series\nMighty Morphin Power Rangers, Season 1, Vol. 1\nWonder Woman, Season 1\nBlackadder II\nBlackadder the Third\nJustice League Unlimited: The Complete Series\nThe Incredible Hulk, Season 1\nFrasier, Season 4\nThunderCats (Original Series), Season 1, Vol. 1\nBest of I Love Lucy, Vol. 4\nStar Trek: The Next Generation, Season 1\nFrasier, Season 11\nMister Rogers' Neighborhood, Vol. 2\nAdam 12, Season 1\nFamily Matters, Season 2\nThe Adventures of Superman, Season 1","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1866740"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.521187961101532,"wiki_prob":0.521187961101532,"text":"NextGen Vanadium Batteries: Berkeley & Texas A&M Scientists may have solved ‘electron bottleneck’\nAs the appetite grows for more efficient vehicles and mobile devices based on cleaner, renewable energy sources, so does the demand for batteries that pack more punch, last longer, and charge or discharge more quickly. The compound vanadium pentoxide has grabbed the spotlight as a way to improve lithium-ion batteries. However, it’s less-than-stellar behavior has been problematic.\nAn international team working at the Molecular Foundry (Berkeley) revealed why the material may not perform as expected. The team discovered how interactions between electrons and ions slow the performance of electrodes made with vanadium pentoxide (Nature Communications, “Mapping polaronic states and lithiation gradients in individual V2O5 nanowires”).\nThis work answers, in part, why the material gets bogged down. Vanadium pentoxide’s layered atomic structure results in a vast surface area, but a bottleneck occurs. If scientists can address the bottleneck, this material may lead to the next generation of batteries, which pack more punch, last longer, and charge or discharge more quickly.\nA scanning electron microscopy image of vanadium pentoxide nanowires. The inset shows a ball-and-stick model of vanadium pentoxide’s atomic structure before and after inserting lithium ions (green). (Image: Texas A&M University)\nAn international team of scientists working at the Molecular Foundry has revealed how interactions between electrons and ions can slow down the performance of vanadium pentoxide, a material considered key to the next generation of batteries.\nThe compound vanadium pentoxide has grabbed the spotlight as a potential nanostructured material for state-of-the-art lithium-ion batteries because it can provide a greater surface area for the arrival and insertion of lithium ions. That quality makes vanadium pentoxide a good candidate as a cathode, the part of a battery where electrons and lithium ions enter.\nThe speed with which electrons can enter and exit the cathode determines how much power the battery can provide. The entry and exit speed also determine how quickly a battery recharges.\nPower density and charging are both critical factors in the world of mobile electronics or electrification of our automotive fleet. But despite vanadium pentoxide’s potential, it has yet to be widely adopted commercially because of its less-than-stellar performance when put to the test in the real world.\nThe new findings shed light on the slowdown. The results show that the flow of electrons in vanadium pentoxide nanowires gets bogged down as it interacts with lithium ions in a phenomenon known as small polaron formation.\nThe research group, which involved scientists at Texas A&M University, made 2D maps of the electronic properties of synthesized vanadium pentoxide nanowires serving as a model lithium-ion cathode using scanning transmission x-ray microscopy at the Canadian Light Source. They came to the Molecular Foundry to interpret their findings.\nSource: Molecular Foundry, Berkeley Lab\nVanadium Redox Flow Batteries for Large Scale Energy Storage\nLithium batteries may reign supreme when it comes to cellphones, laptops and electric vehicles. But for larger-scale energy storage, some are looking at alternative metals and technologies.\nEnter Vanadium redox batteries. First successfully created by Dr. Maria Skyllas-Kazacos of the University of New South Wales in the 1980’s, Vanadium redox flow batteries use sulfuric solutions to power themselves. A vanadium electrolyte passing through a proton exchange membrane allows the battery to work, with a solution filling two tanks on either side.\nClick Here to Read More: What are Vanadium Redox Batteries?\nLeave a comment Posted in Nanotechnology Tagged Batteries, Berkeley, Genesis Nanotechnology, Lithium-ion battery, Nanomaterials, Nanotechnology, Vanadium, Vanadium Redox Battery\n‘Light as a Feather’-metal Cathodes for stable lithium-oxygen batteries – Li2-O2\nNanoporous nickel cathodes for lithium oxygen batteries are ultralight, shown here balanced on flower stamens. (© ACS)\nLithium-oxygen systems could someday outperform today’s lithium-ion batteries because of their potential for high energy density. However, a number of important issues, such as their poor electrochemical stability must be addressed before these systems can successfully compete with current rechargeable batteries.Today, in ACS Central Science (“Nanoengineered Ultralight and Robust All-Metal Cathode for High-Capacity, Stable Lithium–Oxygen Batteries”), researchers report a new type of cathode, which could make lithium-oxygen batteries a practical option.\nXin-Bo Zhang and colleagues note that most of the problems associated with lithium-oxygen battery systems arise from two highly reduced oxygen species that react readily with the electrolyte and the cathode. Carbon is a common strong-performing cathode, but it is unstable in these systems.\nThe successful development of Li–O2 battery technology depends on resolving the issue of cathode corrosion by the discharge product (Li2O2) and/or by the intermediates (LiO2) generated during cell cycling. As an important step toward this goal, we report for the first time the nanoporous Ni with a nanoengineered AuNi alloy surface directly attached to Ni foam as a new all-metal cathode system.\nSo, the team hypothesized that the key to unlocking lithium-oxygen batteries’ potential could be to create cathodes that are unreactive to the reduced oxygen species, but that still have the same highly conductive, low-weight, porous characteristics of carbon cathodes. The researchers succeeded in creating an ultralight all-metal cathode.\nThe design incorporated three forms of nickel including a nanoporous nickel interior and a gold-nickel alloy surface directly attached to nickel foam. Compared to carbon cathodes, the system has much higher capacity and is stable for 286 cycles, which is amongst the best for lithium-oxygen systems, and is nearly competitive with current commercial lithium-ion systems.\nFurther experimentation showed that the stability and performance arise from both the metal used and its nanoporous structure, and that both these aspects could be optimized to further improve performance.\nJi-Jing Xu, Zhi-Wen Chang, Yan-Bin Yin, and Xin-Bo Zhang*\nState Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Resources Utilization, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130022, P. R. China\nLeave a comment Posted in Nanotechnology Tagged Batteries, Nanotechnology\nUC San Diego: Printed, flexible and rechargeable battery can power Wearable Sensors, Solar Cells, Electronics\nStretchable printed batteries\nNanoengineers at the University of California San Diego have developed the first printed battery that is flexible, stretchable and rechargeable. The zinc batteries could be used to power everything from wearable sensors to solar cells and other kinds of electronics.\nThe work appears in the April 19, 2017 issue of Advanced Energy Materials.\nThe researchers made the printed batteries flexible and stretchable by incorporating a hyper-elastic polymer material made from isoprene, one of the main ingredients in rubber, and polystyrene, a resin-like component. The substance, known as SIS, allows the batteries to stretch to twice their size, in any direction, without suffering damage.\nThe ink used to print the batteries is made of zinc silver oxide mixed with SIS. While zinc batteries have been in use for a long time, they are typically non-rechargeable. The researchers added bismuth oxide to the batteries to make them rechargeable.\n“This is a significant step toward self-powered stretchable electronics,” said Joseph Wang, one of the paper’s senior authors and a nanoengineering professor at the Jacobs School of Engineering at UC San Diego, where he directs the school’s Center for Wearable Sensors. “We expect this technology to pave the way to enhance other forms of energy storage and printable, stretchable electronics, not just for zinc-based batteries but also for Lithium-ion batteries, as well as supercapacitors and photovoltaic cells.”\nThe prototype battery the researchers developed has about 1/5 the capacity of a rechargeable hearing aid battery. But it is 1/10 as thick, cheaper and uses commercially available materials. It takes two of these batteries to power a 3 Volt LED. The researchers are still working to improve the battery’s performance. Next steps include expanding the use of the technology to different applications, such as solar and fuel cells; and using the battery to power different kinds of electronic devices.\nResearchers used standard screen printing techniques to make the batteries–a method that dramatically drives down the costs of the technology. Typical materials for one battery cost only $0.50. A comparable commercially available rechargeable battery costs $5.00 Batteries can be printed directly on fabric or on materials that allow wearables to adhere to the skin. They also can be printed as a strip, to power a device that needs more energy. They are stable and can be worn for a long period of time.\nMaking the batteries rechargeable\nThe key ingredient that makes the batteries rechargeable is a molecule called bismuth oxide which, when mixed into the batteries’ zinc electrodes, prolongs the life of devices and allows them to recharge. Adding bismuth oxide to zinc batteries is standard practice in industry to improve performance, but until recently, there hasn’t been a thorough scientific explanation for why.\nLast year, UC San Diego nanoengineers led by Professor Y. Shirley Meng published a detailed molecular study addressing this question (download PDF here). When zinc batteries discharge, their electrodes react with the liquid electrolyte inside the battery, producing zinc salts that dissolve into a solution. This eventually short circuits the battery. Adding bismuth oxide keeps the electrode from losing zinc to the electrolyte. This ensures that the batteries continue to work and can be recharged.\nThe work shows that it is possible to use small amounts of additives, such as bismuth oxide, to change the properties of materials. “Understanding the scientific mechanism to do this will allow us to turn non-rechargeable batteries into rechargeable batteries—not just zinc batteries but also for other electro-chemistries, such as Lithium-oxygen,” said Meng, who directs the Sustainable Power and Energy Center at the UC San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering\nFrom Innovation to Market\nRajan Kumar, a co-first author on this Advanced Energy Materials paper, is a nanoengineering Ph.D. student at the Jacobs School of Engineering. He and nanoengineering professor Wang are leading a team focused on commercializing aspects of this work. The team is one of five to be selected to join a new technology accelerator at UC San Diego. The technology accelerator is run by the UC San Diego Institute for the Global Entrepreneur, which is a collaboration between the Jacobs School of Engineering and Rady School of Management.\nKumar is excited at the prospect of taking advantage of all that the IGE Technology Accelerator has to offer.\n“For us, it’s strategically perfect,” said Kumar, referring to the $50,000 funding for prototype improvements, the focus on prototype testing with a strategic partner, and the entrepreneurship mentoring.\nKumar is confident in the team’s innovations, which includes the ability to replace coin batteries with thin, stretchable batteries. Making the right strategic moves now is critical for commercialization success.\n“It’s now about making sure our energies are focused in the right direction,” said Kumar.\nIn addition to the IGE Technology Accelerator, the team was also recently selected to participate in the NSF Innovation-Corps (I-Corps) program at UC San Diego, also administered by the Institute for the Global Entrepreneur. One of the key tenets of the I-Corps program is helping startup teams validate their target markets and business models early in the commercialization process. Through NSF I-Corps, for example, Kumar has already started interviewing potential customers which has helped the team better focus their commercialization strategy.\nThrough these programs, Kumar is focused on leading the team through a series of milestones in order to best position their innovations to refine “both what to build and who to build it for,” he said.\nPaper Citation\n“All-Printed, Stretchable Zn-Ag2O Rechargeable Battery via Hyperelastic Binder for Self-Powering Wearable Electronics” in the journal Advanced Energy Materials.http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/aenm.201602096/full\nAuthors: Rajan Kumar, Jaewook Shin, Lu Yin, Jung-Min You, Prof. Shirley Meng and Prof. Joseph Wang, Department of Nanoengineering, Jacobs School of Engineering, University of California San Diego.\nJoseph Wang is a distinguished professor, holds the SAIC endowed chair, and serves as chair of the Department of NanoEngineering at the UC San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering where he directs the Center for Wearable Sensors.\nShirley Meng is a professor in the Department of NanoEngineering and Director of the Sustainable Power and Energy Center at the UC San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering.\nResearch funders include: Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (DE-AR0000535); Rajan Kumar acknowledges the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship under Grant No (DGE-1144086).\nThis work was performed in part at the San Diego Nanotechnology Infrastructure (SDNI), a member of the National Nanotechnology Coordinated Infrastructure, which is supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF).\nLeave a comment Posted in Nanotechnology Tagged Batteries, Genesis Nanotechnology, Printable Batteries, Sensors, UC San Diego, Wearable Electronics\nMIT: A BIG step toward mass-producible quantum computers\nA team of researchers from MIT, Harvard University, and Sandia National Laboratories reports a new technique for creating targeted defects in diamond materials, which is simpler and more precise than its predecessors and could benefit diamond-based quantum computing devices.\nQuantum computers are experimental devices that offer large speedups on some computational problems. One promising approach to building them involves harnessing nanometer-scale atomic defects in diamond materials.But practical, diamond-based quantum computing devices will require the ability to position those defects at precise locations in complex diamond structures, where the defects can function as qubits, the basic units of information in quantum computing. In Nature Communications (“Scalable focused ion beam creation of nearly lifetime-limited single quantum emitters in diamond nanostructures”), a team of researchers from MIT, Harvard University, and Sandia National Laboratories reports a new technique for creating targeted defects, which is simpler and more precise than its predecessors.\nIn experiments, the defects produced by the technique were, on average, within 50 nanometers of their ideal locations.\n“The dream scenario in quantum information processing is to make an optical circuit to shuttle photonic qubits and then position a quantum memory wherever you need it,” says Dirk Englund, an associate professor of electrical engineering and computer science who led the MIT team. “We’re almost there with this. These emitters are almost perfect.”\nThe new paper has 15 co-authors. Seven are from MIT, including Englund and first author Tim Schröder, who was a postdoc in Englund’s lab when the work was done and is now an assistant professor at the University of Copenhagen’s Niels Bohr Institute. Edward Bielejec led the Sandia team, and physics professor Mikhail Lukin led the Harvard team.\nAppealing defects\nQuantum computers, which are still largely hypothetical, exploit the phenomenon of quantum “superposition,” or the counterintuitive ability of small particles to inhabit contradictory physical states at the same time. An electron, for instance, can be said to be in more than one location simultaneously, or to have both of two opposed magnetic orientations.\nWhere a bit in a conventional computer can represent zero or one, a “qubit,” or quantum bit, can represent zero, one, or both at the same time. It’s the ability of strings of qubits to, in some sense, simultaneously explore multiple solutions to a problem that promises computational speedups.\nDiamond-defect qubits result from the combination of “vacancies,” which are locations in the diamond’s crystal lattice where there should be a carbon atom but there isn’t one, and “dopants,” which are atoms of materials other than carbon that have found their way into the lattice. Together, the dopant and the vacancy create a dopant-vacancy “center,” which has free electrons associated with it. The electrons’ magnetic orientation, or “spin,” which can be in superposition, constitutes the qubit.\nA perennial problem in the design of quantum computers is how to read information out of qubits. Diamond defects present a simple solution, because they are natural light emitters. In fact, the light particles emitted by diamond defects can preserve the superposition of the qubits, so they could move quantum information between quantum computing devices.\nSilicon switch\nThe most-studied diamond defect is the nitrogen-vacancy center, which can maintain superposition longer than any other candidate qubit. But it emits light in a relatively broad spectrum of frequencies, which can lead to inaccuracies in the measurements on which quantum computing relies.\nIn their new paper, the MIT, Harvard, and Sandia researchers instead use silicon-vacancy centers, which emit light in a very narrow band of frequencies. They don’t naturally maintain superposition as well, but theory suggests that cooling them down to temperatures in the millikelvin range — fractions of a degree above absolute zero — could solve that problem. (Nitrogen-vacancy-center qubits require cooling to a relatively balmy 4 kelvins.)\nTo be readable, however, the signals from light-emitting qubits have to be amplified, and it has to be possible to direct them and recombine them to perform computations. That’s why the ability to precisely locate defects is important: It’s easier to etch optical circuits into a diamond and then insert the defects in the right places than to create defects at random and then try to construct optical circuits around them.\nIn the process described in the new paper, the MIT and Harvard researchers first planed a synthetic diamond down until it was only 200 nanometers thick. Then they etched optical cavities into the diamond’s surface. These increase the brightness of the light emitted by the defects (while shortening the emission times).\nThen they sent the diamond to the Sandia team, who have customized a commercial device called the Nano-Implanter to eject streams of silicon ions. The Sandia researchers fired 20 to 30 silicon ions into each of the optical cavities in the diamond and sent it back to Cambridge.\nMobile vacancies\nAt this point, only about 2 percent of the cavities had associated silicon-vacancy centers. But the MIT and Harvard researchers have also developed processes for blasting the diamond with beams of electrons to produce more vacancies, and then heating the diamond to about 1,000 degrees Celsius, which causes the vacancies to move around the crystal lattice so they can bond with silicon atoms.\nAfter the researchers had subjected the diamond to these two processes, the yield had increased tenfold, to 20 percent. In principle, repetitions of the processes should increase the yield of silicon vacancy centers still further.\nWhen the researchers analyzed the locations of the silicon-vacancy centers, they found that they were within about 50 nanometers of their optimal positions at the edge of the cavity. That translated to emitted light that was about 85 to 90 percent as bright as it could be, which is still very good.\nSource: By Larry Hardesty, MIT\nLeave a comment Posted in Nanotechnology Tagged MIT, Nanomaterials, Nanotechnology, Quantum Computing\nWater is surprisingly ordered on the nanoscale\nNanometric-sized water drops are everywhere – in the air as droplets or aerosols, in our bodies as medication, and in the earth, within rocks and oil fields. To understand the behavior of these drops, it is necessary to know how they interact with their hydrophobic environment.\nThis interaction takes places at the curved droplet interface, a sub-nanometric region that surrounds the small pocket of water. Researchers from EPFL, in collaboration with the institute AMOLF in the Netherlands, were able to observe what was going on in this particular region.\nThey discovered that molecules on the surface of the drops were much more ordered than expected. Their surprising results have been published in Nature\nCommunications. They pave the way to a better understanding of atmospheric, biological and geological processes.\nUnique perspective on miniscule droplets\nAt EPFL, Sylvie Roke, director of the Julia Jacobi Chair of Photomedicine -Laboratory for Fundamental BioPhotonics, has developed a unique method for examining the surface of these droplets that are as thick as one thousandth of a hair, with a volume of an attoliter (18 zeros behind the comma).\n“The method involves overlapping ultrashort laser pulses in a mixture of water droplets in liquid oil and detecting photons that are scattered only from the interface”, explains Roke. “These photons have the sum frequency of the incoming photons and are thus of a different color. With this newly generated color we can know the structure of the only the interface.”\nHydrogen bonding as strong as in ice\nThe surface of the water droplets turns out to be much more ordered than that of normal water and is comparable to super cooled (liquid < 0 °C water) water in which the water molecules have very strong hydrogen bond interactions. In ice, these interactions lead to a stable tetrahedral surrounding of each water molecule. Surprisingly, this type of structure was found on the surface of the droplets even at the room temperature – 50 °C above were it would normally appear.\nThis research provides valuable insight into the properties of nanometric water drops. “The chemical properties of these drops depend on how the water molecules are organized on the surface, so it’s really important to understand what’s going on there,” explained Roke. Further research could target the surface properties of water droplets with adding salt, a more realistic model of marine aerosols that consist of salty water surrounded by a hydrophobic environment. Salt may either enhance the water network or reduce its strength. “Or, it may not do anything at all. Given the surprising results found here, we can only speculate”, says Roke.\nThe surface of the water droplets turns out to be much more ordered than that of normal water and is comparable to super cooled (liquid < 0 °C water) water in which the water molecules have very strong hydrogen bond interactions. @ EPFL- Julia Jacobi Chair of Photomedicine – Laboratory for fundamental BioPhotonics\nThe interfacial structure of water droplets in a hydrophobic liquid\nNikolay Smolentsev, Wilbert J. Smit, Huib J. Bakker & Sylvie Roke\nNature Communications 8, Article number: 15548 (2017)\ndoi:10.1038/ncomms15548\nLeave a comment Posted in Nanotechnology Tagged Genesis Nanotechnology, Nanotechnology, water\nThe Lilium Jet – The world’s first all-electric VTOL jet (vertical take-off and landing): Video\n*** From Lilium All-Electric Jet Services\nWe have incredibly exciting news to share. The Lilium Jet successfully completed its maiden test flight series in the skies above Bavaria. The 2-seater Eagle prototype executed a range of complex maneuvers, including its signature mid-air transition from hover mode to wing-borne forward flight.\nSeeing the Lilium Jet take to the sky and performing sophisticated maneuvers with apparent ease is testament to the skill and perseverance of our amazing team. We have solved some of the toughest engineering challenges in aviation to get to this point. The successful test flight programme shows that our ground-breaking technical design works exactly as we envisioned. We can now turn our focus to designing a 5-seater production aircraft.\nLilium enables you to travel 5 times faster than a car by introducing the world’s first all-electric vertical take-off and landing jet: an air taxi for up to 5 people. You won’t have to own one, you will simply pay per ride and call it with a push of a button. It’s our mission to make air taxis available to everyone and as affordable as riding a car.\nIn 1894, Otto Lilienthal began experimenting with the first gliders and imagined a future in which we could all fly wherever we want, whenever we want. Lilium is turning that dream into reality. We are bringing personalized, clean and affordable air travel to everyone.\nRead about the Lilium Jet Story and Technology\nThe world’s first electric vertical take-⁠off and landing jet.\n** Information obtained for this article is from the Company’s News Release and Website It is for informational purposes only and does not represent any form of endorsement. **\nLeave a comment Posted in Nanotechnology Tagged Batteries, Electric Jet Flight, Lilium, VTOL\nNew Battery Could Power Electric Cars 620 Miles (@ 1,000km) on Single Charge\nThe average American drives about 30 miles (48 kilometers) per day, according to AAA, yet many people are still reluctant to buy electric cars that can travel three times that distance on a single charge.\nThis so-called range anxiety is one reason gasoline-powered vehicles still rule the road, but a team of scientists is working to ease those fears.\nMareike Wolter, Project Manager of Mobile Energy Storage Systems at Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft in Dresden, Germany, is working with a team on a new battery that would give electric cars a range of about 620 miles (1,000 km) on a single charge.\nWolter said the project began about three years ago when researchers from Fraunhofer as well as ThyssenKrupp System Engineering and IAV Automotive Engineering started brainstorming about how they could improve the energy density of automotive lithium batteries.\nThey turned to the popular all-electric car, the Tesla, as a starting point. Tesla’s latest vehicle, the Model S 100D has a 100-kilowatt-hour battery pack, which reportedly gives it a range of 335 miles (540 km).\nThe pack is large, about 16 feet long, 6 feet wide and 4 inches thick. It contains more than 8,000 lithium-ion battery cells, each one individually packaged inside a cylinder housing that measures about 2 to 3 inches (6 to 7 centimeters) high and about 0.8 inches (2 cm) across.\n“We thought if we could use the same space as the battery in the Tesla, but improve the energy density and finally drive 1,000 km, this would be nice,” Wolter told Live Science.\nOne way of doing this would be to refine the materials inside the battery so that it could store more energy, she said. But another way would be to improve the system’s design as a whole, Wolter said.\nNearly 50 percent of each cell is devoted to components such as the housing, the anode (the battery’s negative terminal), the cathode (the battery’s positive terminal) and the electrolyte, the liquid that transports the charged particles.\nAdditional space is needed inside the car to wire the battery packs to the vehicle’s electrical system.\n“It’s a lot of wasted space,” Wolter said. “You have a lot of inactive components in the system, and that’s a problem from our point of view.”\nThe scientists decided to reimagine the entire design, they said.\nAn illustration that shows how the new electric battery is stacked like a ream of paper. Credit: Fraunhofer IKTS\nTo do so, they got rid of the housings that encase individual batteries and turned to a thin, sheet-like design instead of a cylinder.\nTheir metallic sheet is coated with an energy-storage material made from powdered ceramic mixed with a polymer binder. One side serves as the cathode, and other side serves as the anode.\nThe researchers stacked several of these so-called bipolar electrodes one on top of the other, like sheets of paper in a ream, separating the electrodes by thin layers of electrolyte and a material that prevents electrical charges from shorting out the whole system.\nThe “ream” is sealed within a package measuring about 10 square feet (1square meter), and contacts on the top and bottom connect to the car’s electrical system.\nThe goal is to build a battery system that fits in the same space as the one used by Tesla’s vehicles or other electric vehicles, the researchers said.\n“We can put more electrodes storing the energy in the same space,” Wolter said.\nShe added that the researchers aim to have such a system ready to test in cars by 2020.\nOriginal article on Live Science.\nLeave a comment Posted in Nanotechnology Tagged Batteries, Energy, EV's, Genesis Nanotechnology, Live Science, Nanotechnology\nMIT: Tesla Not the Only Battery Game in Town ~ Electric Cars Could Be Cheaper Than Internal Combustion by 2030\nGerman chancellor Angela Merkel visits Accumotive’s plant in Kamenz, Germany.\nTesla gets the headlines, but big battery factories are being built all over the world, driving down prices.\nBattery production is booming, and Tesla is far from the only game in town.\nAccording to Bloomberg New Energy Finance, global battery production is forecast to more than double between now and 2021. The expansion is in turn driving prices down, good news both for the budding electric-car industry and for energy companies looking to build out grid-scale storage to back up renewable forms of energy.\nWhile Tesla gets tons of attention for its “gigafactories”—one in Nevada that will produce batteries, and another in New York that will produce solar panels—the fact is, the company has a lot of battery-building competition.\nExhibit A is a new battery plant in Kamenz, Germany, run by Accumotive. The half-billion-euro facility broke ground on Monday with a visit from German chancellor Angela Merkel and will supply batteries to its parent company, Daimler, which is betting heavily on the burgeoning electric-vehicle market.\nBut the lion’s share of growth is expected to be in Asia. BYD, Samsung, LG, and Panasonic (which has partnered with Tesla) are all among the world’s top battery producers, and nine of the world’s largest new battery factories are under construction in China (paywall), according to Benchmark Minerals.\nThat competition means the steady downward trend in battery prices is going to continue. On a per-kilowatt-hour basis, costs have fallen from $542 in 2012 to around $139 today, according to analysis by Benchmark.\nThat makes for a huge difference in the cost of an electric car, of which 40 percent is usually down to the battery itself.\nBloomberg’s analysts have already said that the 2020s could be the decade in which electric cars take off—and one even went so far as to say that by 2030, electric cars could be cheaper than those powered by internal combustion.\nThose watching the industry might worry that a flood of cheap batteries could end up hurting profitability for producers, as happened in the solar-panel business.\nThat could happen, but India and China, two huge rising automotive markets, are bullish about using electric cars to help solve problems like traffic congestion and air pollution. So even as supply ramps up, there is likely to be plenty of demand to go around.\nMIT Technology Review: M. Reilly Sr. Editor\nLeave a comment Posted in Nanotechnology Tagged Batteries, Electric Vehicles, Energy, EV's, Genesis Nanotechnology, Nanotechnology, Tesla\nBrightVolt flexible batteries using solid state lithium polymer: YouTube Video\nBrightVolt (http://brightvolt.com)\ndevelops flexible batteries using solid state thin film lithium polymer, Polymer Matrix Electrolyte (PME) for batteries enabling new small IoT devices, smart clothing, healthcare and more.\nLeave a comment Posted in Nanotechnology Tagged Batteries, Flexible electronics, Flexible Screens, Nano Batteries\nA Holey Graphene Electrode framework that enables highly efficient charge delivery – Making Better Batteries for the Future\nThis visualisation shows layers of graphene used for membranes. Credit: University of Manchester\nA team of researchers affiliated with institutions in the U.S., China and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has developed a new type of porous graphene electrode framework that is capable of highly efficient charge delivery. In their paper published in the journal Science, the group describes how they overcame traditional conflicts arising between trade-offs involving density and speed to produce an electrode capable of facilitating rapid ion transport. Hui-Ming Cheng and Feng Li with the Chinese Academy of Sciences offer a Perspective piece on the work done by the team in the same journal issue, and include some opinions of their own regarding where such work is likely heading.\nIn a perfect world, batteries would have unlimited energy storage delivered at speeds high enough to power devices with unlimited needs. The phaser from Star Trek, for example, would require far more power and speed than is possible in today’s devices.\nWhile it is unlikely that such technology will ever come about, it does appear possible that batteries of the future will perform much better than today, likely due to nano-structured materials—they have already shown promise when used as electrode material due to their unique properties. Unfortunately, their use has been limited thus far due to the ultra-thin nature of the resulting electrodes and their extremely low mass loadings compared to those currently in use. In this new effort, the researchers report on a new way to create an electrode using graphene that overcomes such limitations.\nThe electrode they built is porous, which in this case means that it has holes in it. Those holes, as Cheng and Li note, allow better charge transport while also offering improved capacity retention density. The graphene framework they built, they note, offers a superior means of electron transport and its porous nature allows for a high ion diffusion rate—the holes force the ions to take shortcuts, reducing diffusion.\nCheng and Li suggest the new work is likely to inspire similar designs in the search for better electrode materials, which they further suggest appears likely to lead to new electrodes that are not only practical, but have high mass loadings.\nExplore further: New graphene framework bridges gap between traditional capacitors, batteries\nMore information: Hongtao Sun et al. Three-dimensional holey-graphene/niobia composite architectures for ultrahigh-rate energy storage, Science (2017). DOI: 10.1126/science.aam5852\nNanostructured materials have shown extraordinary promise for electrochemical energy storage but are usually limited to electrodes with rather low mass loading (~1 milligram per square centimeter) because of the increasing ion diffusion limitations in thicker electrodes.\nWe report the design of a three-dimensional (3D) holey-graphene/niobia (Nb2O5) composite for ultrahigh-rate energy storage at practical levels of mass loading (>10 milligrams per square centimeter). The highly interconnected graphene network in the 3D architecture provides excellent electron transport properties, and its hierarchical porous structure facilitates rapid ion transport.\nBy systematically tailoring the porosity in the holey graphene backbone, charge transport in the composite architecture is optimized to deliver high areal capacity and high-rate capability at high mass loading, which represents a critical step forward toward practical applications.\nJournal reference: Science\nLeave a comment Posted in Nanotechnology Tagged Batteries, Energy storage, Genesis Nanotechnology, Graphene, Nano Batteries, University of Manchester","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line464053"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9807045459747314,"wiki_prob":0.9807045459747314,"text":"David Crosby Saddens His Fans As He Shuts Down The Rumors About Neil Young And Possible Reunion\nMelek Nur Pervan\nThe founding member of The Byrds and Crosby, Stills & Nash, David Crosby shared a post on his official page responding to a fan’s expectations of him performing for the 2021 Grammys along with Neil Young, however, Crosby made it perfectly clear that it’s not going to happen.\nAs you may know, The Recording Academy revealed nominations for the 2021 Grammys on November 24 on their official website. The nominations and expectations of winners thrilled the fans since the Grammys is one of the biggest celebrations of music, however, they are also concerned with the performances on the show.\nFor next year’s Grammy Awards, the official website of Billboard started a poll mostly including pop star names like Beyonce, Billie Eilish, Taylor Swift and asked fans who should perform for the upcoming award show.\nIn addition to the musicians who were already on the list, Billboard also added another choice in which all fans got the opportunity to add a musician of their choice. Since the official Twitter page of Billboard also announced the survey, fans have already started to share their opinions.\nAlongside fans, David Crosby also shared a post on his official Twitter page and revealed his choice for the performer on the 2021 Grammys. Apparently, Crosby wants to see one of the best selling artists of all time, James Taylor, three-time Grammy winner band, Snarky Puppy, and former member of Drive-By Truckers and four-time Grammy winner, Jason Isbell.\nHere is what Crosby said:\n“James Taylor, Snarky Puppy, Jason Isbell”\nAfter given the opportunity, a fan shared a post on Twitter stating that David Crosby, Neil Young, Grahan Nash, and Stephen Stills, the former members of the band Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young should be performing for the upcoming Grammy Awards.\nHere is what the fan said:\n“David Crosby, Neil Young, Graham Nash, Stephen Stills”\nDavid Crosby replied to that fan’s tweet and shared a post on his official Twitter page strictly revealing that it’s not going to happen which led fans to think a reunion like this does not seem quite possible.\n“I guarantee that will not happen.“\nYou can see the Twitter posts below.\nJames Taylor , Snarky Puppy, Jason Isbell https://t.co/ZB6PR5QUem\n— David Crosby (@thedavidcrosby) November 28, 2020\nI guarantee that will not happen https://t.co/1T5MlAziDm\nDavid Crosby News\nNeil Young News\nPrevious articleRed Hot Chili Peppers’ Flea Shares His Opinions On Paul McCartney’s New Album\nNext articleGene Simmons Daughter Sophie Looks Gorgeous In A Recent Video As She Announces Her New Book Is Out\nHi! I'm Melek. I'm a passionate writer who's also into rock and metal music. Please let me know if you have any suggestions. meleknur@metalheadzone.com","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line547098"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5210192799568176,"wiki_prob":0.5210192799568176,"text":"Discover the Philippines\nAsian Geographic TV\nAsian Geographic Magazines\nHome On Assignment Namasté\nA group of priests performing agni puja, in which a dedication is made to Lord Shiva\nThe mass pilgrimage at Kumbh Mela unites Hindus in a splendid showcase of faith and devotion\nText Shirin Bhandari\nPhotos Gunther Deichmann\nThe Hindu devotee’s hands are pressed together. His palms touch, close to his chest, and his fingers point upwards. His brightly-coloured turban is in stark contrast to his thick white beard. “Namaste,” he says with a slight bow. Literally translated, the word means “I bow to the divine in you.” A respectful greeting, namaste, or namaskar, combined with the wordless hand gesture, conveys the same meaning of acknowledgement for a loved one, a guest or a stranger, regardless of the speaker’s language, culture or religion. Amidst the potpourri of more than 1,500 languages spoken in India, namaste is a universal form of salutation, understood by all, and particularly so during the Kumbh Mela. The left-to-right head wobble – would that be a yes or a no? – is another story!\nSadhus come from all over India to participate in the Kumbh Mela, held every 12 years in Ujjain (Image © Gunther Deichmann)\nIt is a Sensory Overload\nIndia is not for the faint-hearted. It is sensory overload; there are no grey areas: either you’ll love to travel the country or hate it well enough to take the first flight out. India can break you with its poverty, lack of privacy and dirt; ironically, Western travellers claim to have found inner spirituality after a two-week trip. The Kumbh Mela – the largest spiritual gathering in the world, when Hindus gather en masse to bathe in a sacred river and cleanse themselves of sin – is the ultimate test.\nFirst documented by a Chinese traveller in the seventh century, the colourful celebration of the world’s oldest religion is held once every 12 years. The exact date of the festival is determined according to a combination of the zodiac positions of Jupiter, the sun and the moon.\nHindu mythology describes how the Lord Vishnu dropped the drink of immortality over four locations as he was transporting it in a kumbha (pot), hence the name. The Mela (gathering) is centred at the banks of a river where devotees bathe to cleanse themselves of their sins. The main festival site is, of course, located on the banks of a river: the Ganges at Haridwar; the confluence of the Ganges and Yamuna and the invisible Sarasvati at Allahabad; the Sarasvati at Allahabad; the Godavari at Nashik; and the Shipra at Ujjain.\nA group of priests performing agni puja, in which a dedication is made to Lord Shiva (Image © Gunther Deichmann)\nThe Kumbh Mela is a melting pot of the millions of people that visit from the various states who, despite speaking diversely different languages, converge peacefully in the name of religion. The event is widely known by its Sanskrit name, Kumbha, the sacred language of Hinduism and a ceremonial language in pujas (prayers) and religious rituals. Sanskrit is the sacred language of Hinduism and one of the oldest Indo-European languages in the world. The literature holds a deep tradition in drama, poetry, religious and philosophical texts.\nAs such, Sanskrit hymns and chants are widely heard throughout the Kumbh Mela. Kumbha is also – fittingly – the sign of the Aquarius.\nThe Kumbh Mela in Ujjain can be traced back to the 18th century. The ancient city, considered one of the most sacred places in India, sits along the eastern bank of the Kshipra River and is located in the state of Madhya Pradesh in central India. It is as if time has stood still here. Visitors travel to India on planes, trains and automobiles, then transfer to more eclectic, old-world modes of transportation: camels, horses, even elephants. The devotees are from all walks of life, from various castes and religious orders – Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs, even Christian missionaries – with one purpose: to bathe and be born again, freed into an eternal life without sin and suffering. Between 22 April and 21 May 2016, approximately 75 million people visited.\nThe main temple of reverence in Ujjain is the Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga, situated on the side of the Rudra Sagar Lake. It is one of the most famous Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, and is said to be one of twelve jyotirlingams that is the most sacred abode of Lord Shiva. The Ram Ghat – one of the most popular – is located close to the Harsiddhi Temple in Ujjain. Indian astronomers have calculated that the Tropic of Cancer passes through the city of Ujjain, making it the Greenwich of India.\nThe Peoples\nThe largest crowd-pullers at the Kumbh Mela are the sadhus or the holy men of India. The root word sadh in Sanskrit means ‘to reach one’s goal’; the same word is used in the sadhana, or spiritual practice. Becoming a sadhu is the fourth stage in a Hindu’s life, and the practice is also open to women (sadvi). Coming from a variety of castes, the holy people of India practise a nomadic life and their spiritual discipline involves self-denial: renouncing the world for meditation and contemplation.\nLiving apart from society – in Hindu temples, ashrams, forests and caves – the sadhus focus on their yogic and spiritual beliefs. Some of them thrive in large communes while others choose a more reclusive lifestyle. They rely on donations from people to survive. It is a difficult path and sadhus are considered legally dead unto themselves and to India. Regardless, it is believed that their devotion is good karma and beneficial to Indian society.\nThe nanga (naked) sadhus, with their thick dreadlocks and ash-covered skin, claim to be in the company of ghosts. They certainly look the part. India has an infinite amount of rituals and traditions that can lead one to God. Their choice to live in cemeteries as part of their holy path is, however, macabre. Some are thought to possess special powers. The fascination with the Lord Shiva explains their heavy use of charas (cannabis), who was thought to have a deep affinity for the plant.\nMost devotees at the event are draped in brightly-coloured fabrics, though marigold is predominant, and beads of different shapes and sizes, often mixed with silver, adorn their necks and wrists. Tents of various hues fill the horizon. Fragrant food stalls serve only vegetarian cuisine so that nobody is offended. The smell of musky incense mixed with ganja (marijuana) fills the air. The stairs leading down to the body of water are full of people patiently waiting their turn in the river. The nanga sadhus flock to bathe, proving that one can detach from worldly things. The outcome is an overwhelming, unexpected and extraordinary visual feast.\nEvery 144 years, a Maha (great) Kumbh Mela occurs. It is said that in 2013, more than 120 million pilgrims attended the Maha Kumbh Mela in Allahabad within a span of two months. The gathering was so huge that it was visible from space!\nWhatever the reasons for the pilgrimage, the Kumbh Mela has proven for centuries that it embodies the Indian spirit. From this whirlwind of activities and swirl of languages and cultures, faith – together with the timeless journey towards forgiveness and redemption – is the one factor that unites people.\nFor more stories and photographs from this issue, check out Asian Geographic Issue 120.\nGunther Deichmann\nShirin Bhandari\nPrevious articleThe Future of Language\nNext articleRevisiting the Samurai\nOur Planet, Our Life: Cleaning Up Versova Beach\nNature’s Lightning Show\nEducation and Hope: Inheriting a Future\nThe Sky is Bad Today\nHomeless, not Shameless\nRiding the Golden Eagle: From Russia with Love\nIsland Nations of Asia\nArticles editor - May 3, 2021\nWhat is an Island Nation? An island country is a nation that is made up of one or more islands or land that is surrounded completely by water. Around one-fifth of Asia is made up of island nations, and while island countries are typically small with low populations, some, like...\nThe Pyramid of Gunung Padang\nHeritage editor - May 18, 2019\nMegalithic site in Indonesia could be the oldest in the world Gunung Padang Indonesia Göbekli Tepe TurkeyPyramids of Giza EgyptStonehenge EnglandBorobudur IndonesiaRapa Nui Easter IslandMacchu Picchu PeruGunung Padang is once again making headlines as the first pyramid in Southeast Asia and the oldest megalithic site in the world.Recent discoveries as deep as 90 feet found the hill-pyramid to contain...\nThe Hanging Gardens of Babylon\nHeritage editor - June 17, 2019\n(Photo: Graphicaartis/Corbis) The Hanging Gardens of Babylon has captured the imagination of historians worldwide for centuries. Yet, its existence remains a debate as years of digging have turned up nothing about the lost Gardens.First described in a book called Babyloniaca by a Chaldean priest named Berossus in 280 BC, the...\nAsian Geographic Magazine celebrates Asia’s diversity, covering stunning landscapes and travel destinations, environmental issues, travel, heritage, arts and cultures.\nBased in Singapore, the team has its fingers on the pulse of Asia, scouring the region to bring powerful stories and photographs to its readers and viewers.\nTitles under Asian Geographic Magazines include its flagship title Asian Geographic as well as diving titles Asian Diver and Scuba Diver in print and UnderWater360 online.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line188"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5643853545188904,"wiki_prob":0.4356146454811096,"text":"The effect of competition by Chinese exports in international markets on the Portuguese labour market\nChinese exports may affect a given country directly through intensifying competition in the domestic market, but also indirectly in foreign markets where firms from that country compete with Chinese exports. In fact, the large export market share gains of China in low-tech, low-skill products, like textiles, clothing, footwear, and electric appliances, were accompanied by losses in the export shares of several other countries, like Portugal. These indirect effects of competition in third-country export markets are the main object of this study; they can be significant given the growing sophistication of China’s exports, implying greater competition in virtually all industries in which developed economies operate. In our work, we analyze both the direct and indirect labour market effects of rising international trade exposure to China, focusing on the case of Portugal.\nConsistent with previous research, we find evidence that China’s expanding role in global trade represented a major negative shock for the Portuguese labour market. However, in contrast to evidence from other countries, the direct effects of increased imports from China are mostly non-significant. The negative labour market effects stem exclusively from the higher competition of Chinese products in the main destination markets of Portuguese exports. Portuguese workers in industries more exposed to this indirect competition from China saw their total cumulative wages and employment fall when compared to similar workers in less exposed industries. Particular groups of workers were more affected by the Chinese competition in international markets, namely women, older and less educated workers. The paper points to the relevance of differentiating the effects of trade on the cross section of workers when designing economic and social policies aimed at supporting workers hurt by globalization.\nClick here to go to the paper by Sónia Cabral, Pedro S. Martins, João Pereira dos Santos and Mariana Tavares.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line620273"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5090673565864563,"wiki_prob":0.4909326434135437,"text":"Are “The Classics” Bad for You?\nFebruary 8, 2022 • By Naomi Kanakia\nIN MY FIELD, young adult fiction, there’ll be a viral Twitter thread every few months that asks, “What books should no longer be taught in high school?” And hundreds of people will inevitably name stuffy old white books that they think have no relevance to modern teens and/or which they hated reading as kids.\nNow we’re not talking Homer or Plato here. Usually, people will mention The Great Gatsby or The Catcher in the Rye. Sometimes Ethan Frome comes up (deservedly so, it’s one of Wharton’s weakest works). Weirdly, people always bring up Moby-Dick, to which my response is, “What high schools are teaching Moby-Dick? Even most colleges don’t teach it anymore.”\nInevitably these exchanges become heated, as people leap in to defend “classic literature” and the general concept of “reading the Classics.” Sometimes passions really flare, and I have a number of writer-acquaintances who will, in private, shake their heads at these threads and talk about cancel culture and censorship and how you’re not allowed to think improper thoughts anymore.\nThe whole phenomenon is of particular interest to me for two reasons. The first is that I adore the Classics, and my extensive reading is a major part of my personal identity, so I always have to restrain myself from weighing in.\nAnd the second is that I never did the reading in high school. The last book I remember opening for high school English was Pride and Prejudice in 10th grade, and it was so dull that I threw it across the room and finished my essay using CliffsNotes. For most of college, and even grad school, I didn’t read any of the required texts.\nI have since gone back and read most of these books and loved them! I remember laughing out loud at the first page of Pride and Prejudice, which I finally read when I was 26, and wondering how my 10th-grade self could have possibly disliked it.\nAnd yet I still hate doing the required reading. It’s antithetical to the whole spirit of reading, in my view. It’s one reason I no longer accept books for review — the process of having to read a book is simply too grueling. The freedom to read what I want when I want is a critical part of my intellectual life, and I frankly resent whenever someone tries to rob me of that freedom — even when they’re a professor I’m paying to teach me! I know, it’s messed up. The point is: I sympathize with the people who just don’t want to be forced to read books they think are bad.\nOn the other hand, I know a lot of people, many of them teachers or professors, who are very invested in the idea of forcing other people to read this book or that book. And I understand that, too. They see it not just as beneficial to their students but as a duty that is required of them by their profession. Others may feel a more generalized sense of responsibility to the young people of the world: I remember being shocked when another (quite good) YA writer told me that she never wrote anything that didn’t have some didactic purpose. She saw it as her responsibility to educate and inform young people.\nThat’s not really how I feel at all. I don’t think the work I do as a writer or a thinker has any broader purpose other than to explore ideas and raise questions. And I’m lucky to be in a field and a life situation where, honestly, nobody cares what I’ve read, and I don’t need to make choices about what other people should read.\nBut I think that, because I participate in the life of the mind without feeling any concomitant responsibilities toward young people, I can perhaps better see that kicking books out of high school curricula isn’t entirely an abridgment of free speech. To argue that nobody should be allowed to read a book is censorship, and it would be stifling to one’s art. To simply not be taught a book isn’t quite the same thing. I think there is a certain confusion here between the freedom we as writers and thinkers need to feel in our reading — we cannot feel like there’s anything we’re simply not allowed to read — and the wholly separate topic of what books children should be compelled to read.\nTo my mind, the two are very separate things. A person’s art needs to be free and unrestrained, whereas the development of curricula is a civic problem — it’s a community issue that cannot be resolved without constraint, without loss, and without change.\nNow, a person can definitely have opinions about curricula. But they need to accept that their opinions won’t necessarily be privileged. For instance, I often hear other writers, especially in my field, say they don’t have time for that old stuff, especially for books by old white men. Personally, I would never in my life advise a young writer to avoid older books. But it’s not up to me. Every person has to decide for themselves what to read. And, personally, I am very interested in the question of whether a writer who is relentlessly locked into contemporary mindsets can still write thoughtful and nuanced fiction. I doubt it, but they’re the person who will suffer, not me.\nIn fact, sometimes, the competitive part of me is a little gleeful that so many people ignore our literary history. I think, “Wow, given the amount of talent and brilliance in the world, it would be very difficult for me to produce anything worthwhile if it weren’t for the fact that so many writers are giving themselves a massive disadvantage before they’ve begun.”\nSome people try to strike a middle ground here and say, “Well, you don’t have to read white people, but you really ought to read books from before the contemporary era.” Except who are we really talking about? What nonwhite writers specifically? The Indian and Chinese and Latin American writers from before 1900 are usually just as wrapped up in prejudice and exploitation as the white writers.\nI think reading white people is important, too. I would be surprised if someone writing in English could write at their best without reading any white writers. Our language and its literary history are largely a product, until relatively late in the game, of white people. A great many of those white people had terrible and reprobate political views. I wish that wasn’t the case. I wish that there were Indian writers who were writing in English in the 19th century who could’ve played the role in the development of the English language that Dickens did, but there weren’t. Instead, we have Indian writers who came fresh to the language as a result of colonialism, and in order to fully possess and work with the language, they had to read writers like Dickens. That’s not true to the same extent today — you can write fairly well in English without reading white writers — but there are still vast parts of the English literary tradition that are inaccessible if you don’t read white writers.\nOthers, of course, see the situation quite differently. In their opinion, Dickens is poisoned by his faults (the horrendous antisemitism of Oliver Twist comes to mind), and they can’t bear to read him, much less make him a literary model. And that’s fine. They’ll be judged, as I am, not by their reading but by their work. And many of those people are much more critically and commercially successful than I am! So, I am sure they’re laughing at me right now.\nIn these times, it doesn’t really serve a writer or a thinker to become too possessive of their culture or their reading. We have to put our work first and engage in actions that support our work.\nI’ve been reading a lot of Kant lately, and I found it amusing that in his essay “What Is Enlightenment?” he says a society can only achieve Enlightenment if it allows “freedom to make public use of one’s reason in all matters.” After saying this, however, he immediately backtracks, twisting himself in knots trying to explain that, by “public use,” he only means “that use which a man, as scholar, makes of it before the reading public.” He contrasts this with the private use of reason, which is the use “a man makes of his reason in a civic post that has been entrusted to him.” (Yes, I know, he’s using public and private in exactly the opposite way we would use them today.) Sometimes, he argues, the same job involves both the public and the private use of a person’s reason. The private use is constrained, while the public use must be free. An example is a minister who is bound to preach the doctrines of his church to his congregation even though, as a scholar, he openly disagrees with those same doctrines.\nKant took care to make this distinction because he lived in 18th-century Prussia — a militarized, autocratic society where people clearly were not free to do as they wished. The Prussian state is nobody’s idea of a society conducive to freedom. But it allowed Kant to think freely and to communicate with other thoughtful people.\nI think, similarly, we are entering a time when many academics and teachers will have to confront the difference between their public and private characters. And, for a lot of people who are used to their narrative being the dominant one, this will be an unfamiliar experience. Unlike me, they work in fields that have given them status and prestige because of their reading and their expertise in what they regard as the Classics. And they’ve been free to impose their viewpoints on other people, particularly their students.\nBut now they will experience what, frankly, many marginalized people have always experienced: a sense of disjunction, a sense of working within an institution whose values are at odds with their own. And they will experience the need to subject their views to the marketplace of ideas and to risk being shouted down or vilified.\nI am glad I am not in charge of creating a curriculum for young writers. I have loved many writers who wrote things that a modern young person would find intolerable. I’m thinking of the ableism of Stefan Zweig’s Beware of Pity (1939), for instance; the bizarre phobia about lesbians in Proust; or the participation of the ancient Greeks and Romans in a vicious slave economy. As a trans woman, I have many times encountered transphobic jokes and remarks in works I’ve read and enjoyed, including some from as recently as the last 15 years (off the top of my head, I can name episodes of Bob’s Burgers, How I Met Your Mother, and 30 Rock). If I only read writers who thought that trans people were full human beings worthy of respect, I would have a very limited set of texts to read.\nNonetheless, that set would still be larger than any human being could ever read in a lifetime. And if a writer wanted to limit themselves to that group, then I would understand the principle behind it. But if they asked me, in my professional opinion, whether that would be conducive to them writing beautiful and nuanced literature — the sort of thing that can stand with the best that’s ever been thought or written — I would have to say, “You’re really hindering yourself. And given the difficulty of your goal, you should be aiming to shed hindrances, not take them on.”\nLuckily, nobody asks me that! I’m not a professor. I’m not a teacher. I don’t design curricula. But let’s say that I were, and let’s say my student responded, quite earnestly, by saying, “I’ve heard what you have to say, and I must report that these books are harmful to me, and I believe with the core of my being that I shouldn’t be asked to read them.”\nWell … you can ignore one such student. Or two. Maybe even 10. But eventually the voice becomes too loud, and the only practical thing is to say, “I think you’re wrong, but have it your way. Let’s find some overlap between what I can teach and what you’re willing to learn.”\nNaomi Kanakia is the author of three novels, out and forthcoming from Little, Brown and Harper, and of a guide to the publishing industry.\nNaomi Kanakia\nNaomi Kanakia is the author of three novels, out and forthcoming from Little, Brown and Harper, and of a guide to the publishing industry. Her stories, poems, and essays have appeared in Clarkesworld, Gulf Coast, F&SF, The Indiana Review, West Branch, Vallum, and others. She lives in San Francisco with her wife and daughter.\nExplicit and Confounding Books: On Christopher Hilliard’s “A Matter of Obscenity”\nA lucid and engaging cultural history of censorship debates in Britain from 1857 to 1979....\nThe Myth of the Classically Educated Elite\nDespite the hype, neither American nor British elites have been particularly cultured....\nWhat Is Literature For?: A Symposium on Angus Fletcher’s “Wonderworks”\nKeith P. Mankin, Ed Simon, and Erik J. Larson each review Angus Fletcher’s “Wonderworks,” and Fletcher responds....\nCancellation of the Gods\nIt should be easy to ignore Wagner because of his antisemitic legacy. But it’s not that simple....\nThe Humanities in the Age of Loneliness\n\"Save the planet, read a book.\" Robert Newman on how to prevent the Eremocene....","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line134273"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9902637600898743,"wiki_prob":0.9902637600898743,"text":"Home Entertainment The French publisher of Harry’s memoirs has printed 130,000 new copies; James Cameron Celebrated Hollywood Made Avatar Hits and More\nThe French publisher of Harry’s memoirs has printed 130,000 new copies; James Cameron Celebrated Hollywood Made Avatar Hits and More\nHere is a summary of current entertainment news.\nThe French publisher of Harry’s memoirs has printed 130,000 new copies\nStrong demand for the French edition of Prince Harry’s memoirs prompted Parisian publisher Viard to print an additional 130,000 copies, a company spokesman told Reuters on Thursday, just two days after the book went on sale. “This is in addition to the 210,000 copies originally printed,” the spokesperson said, adding that more could be printed based on orders.\nJames Cameron celebrated in Hollywood amid the success of Avatar\nAs Avatar: The Way of Water climbs the box office charts, director James Cameron is putting his hands and feet in cement outside the TCL Chinese Theater in Hollywood on Thursday to celebrate his contributions to the film industry. Longtime collaborator Sigourney Weaver tricked Cameron and producer Jon Landau into going barefoot to attend the ceremony. The winners usually keep their shoes.\nBest Harry Styles and Weight League UK nominations\nThe nominations for this year’s BRIT Awards have been announced, with Harry Styles and Waite each taking the lead with four nods each.\nGlobal pop star Styles and rock duo Wet Leg were announced via a live webcast Thursday, both competing for the prestigious Album of the Year award alongside rap artist Stormzy, producer Fred Once Again, and pop rock band The 1975.\nWarner Bros Discovery has raised prices for HBO Max for the first time in the United States\nWarner Bros. announced. Discovery Inc. is increasing ad-free HBO Max subscription fees in the US for the first time since the streaming service launched in 2020, the broadcaster announced Thursday, sending its shares down 3%. The price of the platform, which currently streams shows like “The White Lotus” and “House of the Dragon,” will increase by $1 to $15.99 plus tax per month for US subscribers.\nHBO’s The Last of Us gives hope to the video game adaptation market\nThe 2013 video game “The Last of Us” was a hit among critics and gamers alike thanks to its strong narrative. Ten years later, this story is heading to TV on HBO in what the industry hopes will be a harbinger of great video game adaptations for TV and movies. Created by video game developer Naughty Dog and published by Sony Entertainment, The Last of Us follows tough survivor Joel and his young assistant Ellie as they navigate a post-pandemic world struggling with mutated people and creatures.\nRock guitarist Jeff Beck has died at the age of 78\nGeoff Beck, the influential and immortal English guitarist who rose to fame with The Yardbirds before later embarking on a solo career, has died at the age of 78, his family announced on social media on Wednesday. The family said he died peacefully on Tuesday after suddenly contracting bacterial meningitis.\n“Lord of the Dance” features Flatley’s treatment of an “aggressive” form of cancer\nIrish-American dancer Michael Flatley has undergone surgery for an “aggressive” form of cancer and is under medical supervision, said a statement on the “Master of Dance” maker’s Instagram account. Flatley, 64, is best known as a key member of the band Riverdance, whose breakout performance at the 1994 Eurovision Song Contest catapulted Irish dance into the global spotlight. Later he opened his own show ‘Lord of the Dance’.\nThe comic follows Brittney Griner from college hoops to a Russian prison\nFrom college hoops to a Russian jail cell, basketball star Brittney Grenier’s life is chronicled in a new comic book from TidalWave Comics. Griner is part of the publisher’s Female Force series that celebrates women with inspiring stories.\nDisney prepares for battle in the boardroom\nActivist investor Nelson Peltz made a bid Thursday for a seat on the board of The Walt Disney Company, sparking what appears to be a boardroom battle at the Magic Kingdom. It comes after company veteran Bob Iger returned to his role at parent company Marvel to help boost the profitability of its streaming business, Disney+.\nLisa Marie Presley, daughter of Elvis, has died at the age of 54\nSinger Lisa Marie Presley, the only daughter of the “King of Rock and Roll” Elvis Presley, died Thursday at the age of 54, her mother said, after being transferred to a Los Angeles hospital. “It is with a heavy heart that I must share the devastating news that my beautiful daughter, Lisa Marie, has left us,” her mother, Priscilla Presley, said in a statement.\n(With agency input).\nthe notes of Costa Ricans after the defeat against Grenoble (4-2)\nCunard Cruise Line Celebrates 100 Years Of Sailing Around The World With ‘Sea View’ Exhibition\nStray Kids confirmed Lollapalooza Paris headline alongside Kendrick...\nOversized animal art brought Chanel’s glamorous couture show...\nFrench director Chloe Mazlou in the skies of...\nKylie Jenner wears a fake lion head at...\nThe Mumbai atelier is the secret workshop for...\nThe French paid homage to Boney Kapoor’s “Thunivu”...\nRossville baker, 10, stuns on ‘Good Morning America’...\nGamers Leak F-16 and AIM-120 missile details in...\nAgassiz’s Cheat Vista concerts start on February 13th\nFinancial Results | Year All LVMH Records and Bernard Arnault","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line344387"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6346349120140076,"wiki_prob":0.36536508798599243,"text":"Tuna Salad Theater\nA few years ago the New York Times had a test you could take and the point was they'd be able to tell you within some impressively small mile-radius just where you were from. The battle lines were really drawn on words like water fountain, which some people ridiculously call bubblers, traffic circles known to some as roundabouts, which, if anyone has spent as much time as I have trying to navigate DC traffic circles, they'd know they couldn't possibly be called something as charming as \"roundabout.\" Lollipops are apparently also called suckers by some strange geographic groups. And of course there's the great soda debate. When I arrived at college I had a midwestern roommate and a southern one, and it was then that I learned that the central Ohioan called all brands of bubbly beverages, sweetened or not, caffeinated or citrusy, \"pop,\" which actually made a kind of sense to me even though it was wrong. But my North Carolinian roommate claimed it all as Coke. Even Pepsi is Coke! The expectation when ordering at a restaurant was to request a \"Coke\" and then be asked what kind--Sprite, diet, root beer, and so on.\nAbsolutely ridiculous.\nAnd now, all these years later, I find myself baffled by a different kind of puzzle having to do with the word theater, which my husband inexplicably pronounces \"THEE-der\" and my son, doubly inexplicably, pronounces \"the-AY-der.\" My husband was born in St. Louis and grew up in Providence and his parents pronounce the word theater as I do, which is to say, correctly. And my son was born in Brooklyn and is growing up in Washington DC. So you can see why it's all very confusing to me since he says basically every single other word as I do. This is not, as some mispronunciations are, an issue of a speech impediment or childlike pronunciation, with which I am familiar.\nMy seven-year-old does a wonderful thing with her R's. At first she couldn't say them at all really, and they came out as W's, which I know is common. Her R's then transitioned briefly to a kind of Hebrew \"resh\" sound, and now there's something else happening, a kind of folding in of the sound, which is the only way I can really put it, and I absolutely love it because it's like her own sound, her own language, which is not the same thing as an inexplicable mispronunciation. And I know that some day she will be taught to fix this, and that some parents might already have gotten it taken care of, but we haven't yet seen a need. It's not that we are encouraging childish mispronunciations--except when we are, as is the case in our home with blueberries (bupahdees) and cucumbers (cucaboos and cumayas, both), because there is something so utterly charming to parents about the ways in which our children hear words, bring them into their heads and then back out of their mouths with different sounds, and in this case I simply cannot let go of the two-year-old pronunciations. But we're also not telling our children they're wrong, even in the case of the mysterious theater, because, it seems to me, as a parent I spend so very much of my time correcting, either gently, or not-so-gently.\nAnd maybe it would be nicer to think of all of this correcting as guiding. Is it not, after all, our job as parents to guide these little beings we created? To mold them in the image we believe is best, the one that will lead them to live lives of goodness and meaning and service, to help them to be good citizens, mensches in their communities, and maybe even to pronounce words correctly, or at least within the New York Times realm of their regional dialects?\nThis was easier when all we were trying to teach our children was to not eat bandaids found in the playground sandbox, or not to bite other kids when they're taking too long with the play-doh. But now that my children are older--old enough, even, to notice the very many ways and styles in which other families - other parents - are doing it, are raising their children, guiding them, correcting them--this has become infinitely harder because not only are we still eking out this path for them, sometimes (okay, most of the time) as we go along and as they age, we are now also eking it out while being asked WHY we are doing it the way we are, as opposed to, say, the ways other families are, and we are being asked this by our five-, seven-, and nine- year olds whose intellectual sophistication seems to fluctuate by the minute. So my husband and I are trying to teach our children that, for now, they have no choice but to do the things the way our family does them because we think our ways are best, while at the same time attempting diplomacy on the part of their friends' families' ways, which has led me to be the kind of desperately unlikable person who says things like \"well, in our family we only have one dessert after lunch and that's just the way it is.\"\nSo yes, for those of us who aren't struggling to meet our childrens' most basic physical needs, who are downright lucky enough to be able to spend time thinking about all of this stuff, there are different ways to do it, to love children and give them the platform they need to become all the things we hope for them. Heck, there are different ways to do this within a family according to each child's needs and personality! And we're all just stumbling along, hoping what we want for them is right, praying that the path we're laying for them will guide them there and that they'll learn how to continue on it someday without us. There is no one right way.\nExcept, obviously, when it comes to pronouncing the word theater. All of which, of course, brings me to tuna salad.\nThere are many ways to make tuna salad. Many of them are passable, and some of them are even quite good, but there is actually only one fully right way to make it, which is the way my mother made it, and all of the other ways are just inferior. No judgment here, just truth.\nTo make the right kind of tuna salad first you have to buy cans of tuna in water. Bumblebee is best because that's what my mom always bought. You have to squeeze out the excess water before dumping the fish into a bowl. This step is kind of gross but absolutely can't be avoided. Next you have to chop celery into small pieces. Not too small, though. Half an arch should do, and if you don't know what I mean about that I'm sorry. The celery goes in the bowl with the tuna. Now add the juice of a lemon, or two, depending on the size and juiciness of the lemon, as well as so very much mayonnaise (Hellman's is best here) you have to close your eyes while you're spooning it or squeezing it in. Then comes salt and pepper--more grinds of pepper than you think you need. Mix it all really well and taste it and see if you need more mayo. You do.\nKeep it in a sealed container in the fridge and use it for a tuna melt on a bagel. When it's Passover, eat it on matzah. When it's not Passover, eat it on everything else, like toast or pita chips or tortilla chips or crackers.\nYou'll probably make it again soon.\nSometimes it's okay for there to be just one right way to do things.\nSometimes it's easier that way.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line700619"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6842706203460693,"wiki_prob":0.31572937965393066,"text":"Hans Prinzhorn: Artistry of the Mentally Ill 1922\nHans Prinzhorn was a psychiatrist and art historian who had worked with Emil Kraepelin at the University of Heidleberg on a collection of art by mentally disturbed patients. By 1921, when Prinzhorn left Heidleberg, this collection had grown to include over 5000 works by about 350 patients. Prinzhorn’s 1922 book Artistry of the Mentally Ill (profusely illustrated with images from the Heidelberg collection), was the first attempt to analyse this type of art, that subsequently became known as ‘Outsider Art’. Prinzhorn was interested in the borderline between psychiatry and art, mental illness and self-expression, and his work became very influential among artists, especially the Expressionists and Surrealists, with their interest in self expression and in visualising the working of the unconscious mind.\nAs most serious artists and designers are interested in the act of perception and cognition – the way we transmute the visual and other sensual input from the outside world into mental images – and how we then illustrate these images and evoke them with works of art, Prinzhorn’s book stands out as the first major study to analyse these issues. Of course we know much more now of the workings of the brain, and have begun to develop coherent theories of the Mind (see for example Marvin Minsky’s Society of Mind, and Daniel Dennet’s Consciousness Explained), but the issues addressed by Prinzhorn are still central to these developments. ‘Outsider Art’ is the label now used to describe the art of the mentally ill, the ‘naive’ work of untrained ‘folk artists’, the work of so-called primitive tribes and other similar artefacts, and remains a source of inspiration for artists, nor merely in the radically unconventional images that are produced by ‘outsiders’ but as evidence of these process of perception, cognition and expression that are central to all our experiences of art and design.\nOther good books on this subject: Steven Rose: From Brains to Consciousness, Igor Aleksander: How to Build a Mind, and Margaret Boden: The Creative Mind.\nPosted on June 2, 2014 June 2, 2014 Author bobcottonFormat ImageTags 1922, Art, book, Hans Prinzhorn, Mentally Ill 1 Comment","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1344195"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6657766699790955,"wiki_prob":0.6657766699790955,"text":"SEC Ordered to Turn Over Documents in Ripple Litigation\nPavan A Follow\nUnited States District Court Judge Analisa Torres denied the SEC's second request for withholding documents about former Division Director William Hinman's speech.\nIn its legal battle with the SEC, the order marks a significant win for Ripple, since the story behind the speech may be able to undermine the SEC's core arguments. Hinman's speech at Yahoo Finance All Markets Summit in June 2018 is mainly reflected in the documents.\nA court decision overturned the plaintiff's claim of attorney-client privilege by finding that the internal speech documents contain communications that primarily involve interpreting and applying legal principles.\nAccording to the SEC, Ripple Labs' cryptocurrency, XRP, is secure because, in 2013, the company used it to raise funds. The SEC filed a lawsuit against the company and its current CEO, Brad Garlinghouse, and its previous CEO, Chris Larsen in December 2020.\nAccording to Hinman, Ether, along with Bitcoin, is not a security, as he stated in his speech. Ripple is also facing a lawsuit by the SEC over whether the company sold XRP illegally years ago.?\nInitially, it looked like Ripple was going downhill, and the company has engaged in a variety of defensive strategies to combat the charges. Ripple Labs and the Securities and Exchange Commission filed motions both on Sept. 17 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York for summary judgment.??\n#SEC #Ripple #XRP\nPavan A","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line126351"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7979874014854431,"wiki_prob":0.7979874014854431,"text":"Articles / Iconography\nDr. Constantine Cavarnos\nPhotios Kontoglou: The Greatest Icon Painter of 20th Century Greece\nPhotios Kontoglou, the greatest icon painter of modern Greece and one of her most important theologians and literary writers, died in Athens on July 13, 1965. His death, during surgury, passed almost entirely unnoticed in America, even among Greek-Americans, but he was deeply mourned throughout Greece.\nI was in Greece when he died and had the good fortune of seeing and talking with this great and holy man just five days before his “falling asleep.” The editor of an Athenian religious monthly asked me to write an obituary . . . I have undertaken to write this brief biography.\nPhotios Kontoglou was born on November 8, 1895, at Kydoniai (Aivali), on the west coast of Asia Minor, across from Mytilene. Kydoniai was a city consisting of about 30,000 Greeks and three persons—the district governor, the judge, and the tax collector—who were Turks.\nKontoglou came from a devout family, which had its own chapel containing precious articles including a carved ancient crucifix and a large panel icon depicting Saint Paraskevi. Many of his ancestors were monks, and an uncle, Stephanos Kontoglou, was abbot of the Monastery of Saint Paraskevi near Kydoniai. Stephanos was an important influence in Photios’s life. In his book Vasanta (1923), Kontoglou dedicates the chapter of translations from the Psalms of David “to the austere soul of the Hieromonk Stephanos Kontoglou, my uncle, whose virtue I perpetually have before me as a model and rule.”\nThe young Kontoglou was extremely fond of the sea, sailing, and the solitude of the deserted neighboring islets. He liked to live alone, like Robinson Crusoe. Daniel Defoe’s hero fascinated Kontoglou; he mentions him in many of his writings.\nAfter graduating from the famous Academy of Gymnasium of Kydoniai, Kontoglou spent several years in Europe, especially in France, studying art and acquiring painting techniques. He lived in Paris during the First World War, where he first gained attention, winning prizes for his paintings and his writings. His first book, a novel entitled Pedro Cazas, was written and published there in 1919.\nAfter the armistice, Kontoglou returned to Kydoniai. In 1920 he wrote a remarkable prologue for the second edition of Pedro Cazas which was published in Athens in 1922. In this prologue he set forth some of the basic ideas by which he abided ever after.\nPersecuted by the Turks, he and his family went to Thermi, Mytilene, in 1922. Later he resided in Athens, but always lived on the outskirts, as he disliked the distractions of cities. When the Kontoglou family left Kydoniai, they took only the sacred articles mentioned above and a few Church books. These were his most cherished possessions. After his death his wife, Maria, fulfilling his wish, gave them to the Monastery of Saint Paraskevi at Nea Makri in Attica.\nIn Athens Kontoglou soon became well-known in literary circles as a result of his highly-praised book, Pedro Cazas. His reputation as a writer grew with the appearance of two additional books: Vasanta (a Sanskrit word meaning “springtime”) in 1923, and Taxidia (“Travels”) in 1928, and the literary and art periodical Filikh Etairia (“Friendly Society”) which he founded in 1925. Within a few years, Kontoglou had won an enviable place in the Greek world of letters, admired for his style—which is characterized by clarity, simplicity, vigor and warmth—as well as his remarkable observations and profound thoughts.\nAs a painter, Kontoglou was slow in winning recognition. He had to overcome difficult obstacles. After leaving Europe, he became increasingly impressed by the Byzantine traditions of painting and decided to master this style of painting. But he had to become his own teacher and learn the secrets of Byzantine art. He did this by reading old manuscripts and visiting Byzantine monuments, patiently studying the works of the old masters.\nFurther, Kontoglou had to overcome strong prejudice on the part of the public against Byzantine art. Having won their liberation from the Turks, the Greeks began to turn the West for prototypes in art, especially the adoption of European (particularly Italian Renaissance) models and techniques. According to the European view at that time, Byzantine civilization was a lower civilization, not worthy of serious study, and Byzantine art especially was lower, almost barbaric art. Kontoglou succeeded magnificently in overcoming both obstacles, but it took time.\nThe first obstacle was by far easier to overcome. He learned his most important lessons about Byzantine art at the Holy Mountain of Athos and at Mystra. It is significant that while at Athos, he wrote several chapters, the preface and profound concluding chapter on the fine arts of his second book, Vasanta. It was also at Athos that one of his three poems in this book was inspired by a Byzantine painting in a very old chapel there. His debt to Athos in his development as an iconographer is evinced by a volume published in 1925 containing photographs of copies, executed by him, of Byzantine frescoes at Athos; and also by the illustrations in two issues of Filikh Etairia that year showing panel icons of the Monastery of Iviron rendered by him.\nKontoglou visited Mystra not long after. He made copies of some of the wall paintings in the Byzantine churches at Mystra. He later worked there for a long time cleaning wall paintings in the Church of Peribleptos.\nComparing Byzantine and European religious art, Kontoglou says in his book Taxidia, “In the countries of Europe there are churches with paintings that are famous for their artistic merit; yet they do not have the mystery and the power of evoking contrition (katanyxis) possessed by the icons that were done by some unlettered and simple Byzantine painters.”\nAround 1930, Kontoglou was appointed technical supervisor at the Byzantine Museum in Athens. He possessed both great love for the works in the museum, and technical knowledge for cleaning and preserving them.\nIn 1932, Kontoglou published a slender volume entitled Icones et Fresques d’Art Byzantine, with twenty plates of Byzantine panel icons and frescoes he copied. He continued to paint panel icons during this period.\nDuring the later thirties, Kontoglou decorated three large rooms of the City Hall of Athens with historical frescoes. This was his first large scale work as a fresco painter, and his only extensive secular one. His next major achievement as a fresco painter was the iconographic decoration of the large Church Zoodochos Peghi at Liopesi (Paiania), a town near Athens. He began the work in 1939, but could not resume it until after the Second World War. When I met Kontoglou in 1952, he showed me the beautiful Byzantine murals he had painted at Liopesi.\nKontoglou wrote at least eight books between 1942 and 1945, during the war. Most are rather short. The longest and important is Mystikos Kepos (“Mystical Garden”) in 1944. His chapters on Piety (Theosveia) and Saint Isaac the Syrian are masterpieces, full of deep religious feeling. He speaks of other remarkable ascetics of Syria and Mesopotamia, and stresses the virtues of faith, humility and purity.\nThe most fruitful period for Kontoglou, as both painter and writer, was the last twenty years of his life. Assisted by several of his talented pupils, he painted numerous panel icons in churches in many parts of Greece, as well as in the United States and other countries, and many thousands of square yards of wall paintings. After the church at Liopesi, mentioned above, Kontoglou frescoed the entire interior of the Church of Saint Andrew off Patission Street at Athens. He did wall paintings for the new Metropolitan Church of Evangelismos in Rhodes and the Church of Saint George at Stemnitsa, Arcadia. Finally, he decorated with fresco icons the eastern apse, central dome, pendentives and barrel vaults below the dome, and other surfaces of the following Athenian churches: Kapnikarea, Saint George at Kypseli, Saint Haralambos in the park Pedion tou Areos, Saint Nicholas at Kato Patissia, and others.\nThrough these works, through the training of many gifted young artists in the techniques of Byzantine iconography, and through his long, luminous and spirited defense of Byzantine art which culminated in 1961 in the monumental two-volume work entitled Ekphrasis (“Expression”) in which he teaches the theory and practice of Byzantine iconography, Kontoglou succeeded in making this art prevail in Greece. His influence spread to America, where many churches have been decorated with panel icons, frescoes and mosaics by his pupils.\nDuring the same period, he wrote such edifying books as A Great Sign (1945), with accounts of many extraordinary recent miracles at Thermi, Mytilene; The Life and Conduct of Blaise Pascal (1947); The Life and Ascesis of Our Holy Father Saint Mark the Anchorite (1947, translated in The Orthodox Word, no. 1, Sept.-Oct., 1966, with illustrations by Kontoglou); Fount of Life (1951), presenting brief descriptions of the lives and selections from the teachings of some of the great Saints of the Orthodox Church; The Holy Gospel According to Matthew, Interpreted (1952); Expression (1961); and What Orthodoxy Is and What Papism Is (1964). Kontoglou also translated into Greek Leonid Ouspensky’s L’Icone: Quelques Mots sur son Sens Dogmatique, and published it with a preface and notes of his own. Together with the young theologian Basil Moustakis, Kontoglou founded and edited Kivotos (1952–1955), a religious periodical concerned especially with Orthodox spirituality.\nKontoglou contributed many articles to various other periodicals and encyclopedias. His articles in the Athenian daily Elephtheria are so numerous that they would fill several volumes. Many of them are among the most profound written by a Greek. Most are concerned with religious themes, such as faith and reason, religion and philosophy, religious versus secular art, Byzantine iconography and music, the lives of Martyrs and other Saints, and so on.\nKontoglou won the Academy of Athens Prize for his book Ekphrasis, in 1961, and the Purfina Prize for his book Aivali; My Native Place, in 1963. The latter is the first volume of his Erga (“Works”) which began to be published by Astir Publishing Company at Athens in 1962.\nIn recognition of his great achievements as an author, the Academy of Athens, the highest cultural institution in Greece, awarded him on March 24, 1965, its Aristeion Grammaton, its highest prize in letters.\nKontoglou also carried on an enormous correspondence. He once told me that he wrote about fifty letters a month, corresponding not only with Greeks, but also Americans, Finns, Frenchmen, Germans, Russians, Ugandans and others. He had countless friends and admirers throughout the world who sought his guidance on iconography, and on Orthodox doctrine and living.\nIn Kontoglou’s writings, we encounter a man who has unshakable religious faith, free from all skepticism and metaphysical anguish. We encounter a man who is steeped in the Holy Scriptures and writings of the Eastern Church Fathers, particularly the great mystics such as Saint Macarios the Egyptian, Saint John Climacos, Saint Isaac the Syrian, Saint Symeon the New Theologian, and Saint Gregory the Sinaite. We find a man who has the profoundest respect for the Sacred Tradition of Eastern Orthodoxy, including all its dogmas, canons and sacred arts (architecture, iconography, music), tolerating no deviations. Orthodoxy was for him the sacred Kivotos, the sacred Ark, and these its precious contents, which must be carefully guarded and not cast away, or exchanged for counterfeits.\nKontoglou was strongly opposed to the participation of Orthodoxy in “ecumenism,” seeing in such participation the dangers of compromise on matters which admit of no compromise. He was especially critical of the maneuvers of Patriarch Athenagoras, in whom he saw an apostate . . . a betrayer of Greece and Orthodoxy. In his last book, entitled Ti Einai he Orthodoxia kai ti Einai ho Papismos (“What Orthodoxy Is and What Papsim Is”) Kontoglou stressed the abyss that separates Orthodoxy from Roman Catholicism, which renders utterly absurd Athenagoras’s assertions that there are no real differences between the two.\nKontoglou was a man of adamantine Orthodox faith and impeccable character, adorned with the virtues of great humility, long-suffering, courage, wisdom, purity, hope and love. He was a devout man, a holy man, a man of God. All that he did bears the impress of these qualities.\nAs during his life, so at his death, it was evident that Kontoglou was free from worldly attachments, a citizen of the City of God, not of the earthly city, whose glory is temporary and whose power is doomed to pass away. He died poor, ignored by the State. His body was not accompanied to the grave by any State dignitaries, but only by friends and admirers, who loved him deeply.\nThis article was originally published by the Monastery of St. John, www.monasteryofstjohn.org, in The Divine Ascent Vol. 3/4. This and other publications can be found on their bookstore website, www.stjohnsbookstore.com. This article was posted here with permission.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line379929"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5187813639640808,"wiki_prob":0.4812186360359192,"text":"Secure 2.0 Act - Major Changes to Retirement Planning & RMDs\nSeason #2 January 18, 2023\nIn today's episode, we dive into the newly passed Secure 2.0 Act and its impact on retirement calculations, from changes to contribution limits, RMDs, and new rules for 401k. This legislation has the potential to shake up the way we plan for retirement. So join us as we break down the details and help you understand how the Secure 2.0 ACT might affect your retirement.\nSecure Act 2.0 Increases RMD Age Requirement to 73 and 75 in 2023 and 2033\nThe Secure Act 2.0, which was recently passed, includes changes to the age at which individuals are required to take distributions from their retirement accounts, also known as Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs). Historically, the age at which RMDs were required was 70 and a half, but the original Secure Act raised that age to 72.\nThe latest version of the Secure Act, however, has made another change to the RMD age requirement. Starting in 2023, individuals will not be required to take RMDs until age 73. In 2033, the age requirement will increase further to 75.\nMany financial experts have been discussing the possibility of this change for some time, and it is seen as a positive development for investors. This change allows for individuals to keep their retirement savings invested for longer and potentially grow their nest egg.\nHowever, it is important to note that the 2033 implementation date for the age 75 RMD requirement means that some retirees will miss out on this change and may be required to take early RMDs. Despite this, the change to the RMD age requirement is still seen as a win for investors as it changes the considerations and planning for retirement. Additionally, the Secure Act includes other changes that will impact retirement planning.\nWhat is a Required Minimum Distribution or RMD?\nFor those who may not be familiar with the term, a Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) is a requirement set by Congress for individuals to withdraw a certain amount of money from their retirement accounts. The purpose of this requirement is to prevent individuals from using their retirement accounts as a personal piggy bank and to ensure that taxes are paid on the money in these accounts.\nRMDs are required for a variety of retirement accounts, including 401ks, traditional IRAs, and even some annuities. The amount that must be withdrawn is determined by the IRS and increases over time. The purpose of RMDs is to make sure that the money in these accounts is eventually depleted, and taxes are paid on the withdrawals.\nHowever, this requirement can be a burden on retirees. For example, if an individual only needs to withdraw $20,000 or $30,000 a year to supplement their income, but the IRS requires them to withdraw a much larger amount, it can bump them up into a higher tax bracket and affect their other sources of income such as social security.\nThe Secure Act 2.0 has made changes to the RMD age requirement, allowing individuals to delay taking RMDs until age 73 in 2023 and age 75 in 2033. This change is seen as a positive development for investors as it allows them to keep their retirement savings invested for longer. However, some financial experts advocate for abolishing RMDs entirely as they can deplete retirement savings and bump retirees into higher tax brackets. As financial planners, retirees, and investors, it is important to be aware of these requirements and take steps to protect our retirement savings from unnecessary depletion.\nWays to Mitigate The Tax Burden of RMDs\nWhile the changes to RMDs in the Secure Act 2.0 are positive for retirees, the question of whether or not the genie can be put back in the bottle remains. However, there are strategies that can be employed to help mitigate the tax burden in retirement and control the income that is received during retirement.\nOne key strategy is to be strategic about where income is received from in retirement. This may mean deferring social security benefits or taking them earlier and using retirement accounts to supplement that income. By controlling the income that is received during the years leading up to RMDs, individuals can offset it with credits, deductions, or exclusions on their tax return.\nAnother important change in the Secure Act 2.0 is the decrease in the penalty for not taking RMDs. The penalty has been reduced from 50% to 25%, which changes the calculus for retirees. It may now make more sense for some individuals to not take an RMD in a given year if it results in a lower tax bill. Additionally, the penalty for correcting a missed RMD has been reduced to 10%, making it easier for individuals to fix any mistakes they may have made.\nIt is important to note that the IRS has yet to release the rules for these changes, so it is crucial for individuals to stay informed and consult with a financial advisor to determine the best course of action for their retirement planning. It is also worth noting that a lot of the software and online tools available for retirement planning are not yet updated to reflect these new rules and regulations, which may significantly change the assumptions and plans these tools provide.\nContribution Limits Get a Boost\nThe Secure Act 2.0 also includes an increase in catch-up contributions for certain types of retirement accounts in 2025. This change is in line with recent updates to the tax code, which have been inflation-adjusted to better reflect the needs of individuals and to keep pace with the cost of living.\nHistorically, tax brackets and contribution limits were fixed dollar amounts and were not updated frequently enough to keep pace with inflation. This made it difficult for individuals to save enough for retirement and for catch-up contributions to be meaningful.\nThe Secure Act 2.0 addresses this issue by updating the contribution numbers and making them inflation-adjusted. This means that Congress will not need to pass a law every year or every time to update these numbers, and they will automatically reflect reality and people's needs. Additionally, this change transfers control of these updates to the IRS, which is generally more favorable to individuals saving for retirement.\nOverall, the Secure Act 2.0's increase in catch-up contributions, along with the other changes it made, is a positive development for individuals saving for retirement and it shows a shift towards retirement planning and tax code that is more beneficial for individuals and less controlled by Congress.\nFor those looking for more information on the Secure Act 2.0 and its impact on retirement planning, there are several resources available.\nOne resource is this article that I have written on the Secure Act 2.0, which provides more detail on the changes and their impact on retirement planning. Additionally, I will be offering webinars and more articles in the coming weeks that delve deeper into the different areas of the Secure Act 2.0 and how they impact retirement planning.\nI am also working on a tool to help individuals with social security and retirement planning in the context of the Secure Act 2.0. This tool will help individuals stress test their retirement plans and make informed decisions in light of the changes.\nFidelity also has a really great article that you can check out here: https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/personal-finance/secure-act-2\nSignup For The Course\nDon't let taxes take a big chunk out of your retirement savings. Learn the 3 key strategies for reducing your taxes in retirement with our mini-course, \"How to Pay Zero Taxes in Retirement.\" Taught by Leibel Sternbach, a retirement specialist and Enrolled Agent with the IRS, this in-depth class will teach you how to keep more of what you earn and leverage the tax code to your advantage.\nSign up now to start saving on taxes and maximizing your retirement income. Use the link below to get started.\n>> Signup For The \"How to Pay Zero In Taxes in Retirement\" Course","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1317713"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7155593633651733,"wiki_prob":0.28444063663482666,"text":"Researchers collaborate to improve urban infrastructure resilience\nby utsaengineer / Thursday, 23 January 2020 / Published in Civil and Environmental Engineering, COE Announcements, Electrical & Computer Announcements, Electrical and Computer Engineering, General, News, UTSA COE\nJANUARY 23, 2020 — Data shows that 82% of the U.S. population lives in urban areas, and it is projected that the percentage will increase to 90% by 2050. The size of the populations in urban centers is creating demands that overwhelm the capacity of infrastructures, particularly in times of distress.\nResearchers at UTSA are working to remedy this problem. Through a $100,000 planning grant from the National Science Foundation, a team of researchers with expertise in engineering, computing, infrastructures, cyber-physical systems, political science, public policy and STEM education is leading the creation of the Engineering Research Center for Sustainable Urban Communities.\nThe Engineering Research Center for Sustainable Urban Communities will develop transforming technologies for one of the most important societal problems we currently face: engineering critical infrastructures of large population centers to achieve sustainable growth while improving equity and well-being of residents.\nTo achieve this mission, the center will develop the underlying science for a distributed sensor and data science framework to assist authorities and the private sector as they make decisions that yield the most benefit to urban residents.\nThe center will enable research and technology to improve urban infrastructure resilience. The proposed research will support superior real-time data processing, storage and dissemination to accelerate processing of large data sets in digital communities. Data analytics, machine learning and artificial intelligence experts will advance fundamental knowledge in their collective domains. Computing researchers will have access to the complete data flow chain and be able to study networking weaknesses against cyberattacks.\nThe networking will include narrowband and broadband wireless and wired data communication, networking with traditional and emerging sensor cloud environments, and various interfaces.\nResearchers will develop critical infrastructure management and health informatics applications capable of exploring interdependences between these domains. Infrastructure researchers will leverage these advances to study efficiency and resilience of urban infrastructures during normal operating conditions and during different types of disruptions, such as hurricanes, floods and chemical spills using real-time data.\n“UTSA is uniquely positioned to lead research advances in this area through an existing foundation of strategic initiatives and research centers on sustainability, climate science, water resources, data science, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and energy,” said Adolfo Matamoros, a Peter T. Flawn Distinguished Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering at UTSA. “These strategic initiatives have been developed in close collaboration with partners from industry, the City of San Antonio, federal agencies, research institutes and the U.S. military. The Engineering Research Center for Sustainable Urban Communities will build on this foundation to advance smart city science and technology development and expand to include workforce development.”\nThrough this planning grant, a diverse group of stakeholders will join forces to develop consensus on advances in science and engineering needed to achieve sustainable growth of urban ecosystems through convergent research. The outcomes of the planning will provide a roadmap to guide future research efforts and foster new collaboration not previously considered.\nTwo stakeholder workshops will be held to develop a vision, goals and research plan that reflect the concerns and priorities of the San Antonio community. The first will be held on Friday, Jan. 24 from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the John Peace Library, Faculty Center (JPL 4.04.16) on the Main Campus. A second stakeholder workshop will be held in April.\n— Julie Paulson","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line223057"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8109353184700012,"wiki_prob":0.8109353184700012,"text":"Tag Archives: Gradus\nNeal Kosaly-Meyer: Playing the Piano One Note at a Time\nPosted on July 12, 2018 by maestrobeats\nby Gabriela Tedeschi\nNeal Kosaly-Meyer performing Gradus at NUMUS Northwest. Photo by James Holt.\nNeal Kosaly-Meyer plays the piano one note at a time. Or at least, that’s the idea behind his ongoing performance series Gradus: For Fux, Tesla and Milo the Wrestler. He devotes an extended improvisation (20 minutes or longer) to each individual note on the piano, and to as many combinations of notes as possible.\nThis Saturday at the Chapel Performance Space he will perform one installment of the series: 40 minutes on one note (C sharp to be specific), 20 minutes on five notes in multiple octaves, and 60 minutes on two notes. Extended periods of silence are incorporated into all three sections. Kosaly-Meyer flips a coin to determine the number of notes per movement, how long the movements will be, and how much silence will be interspersed in each movement.\nThe idea for Gradus presented itself to Kosaly-Meyer over 30 years ago while he was a graduate student in the School of Music at the University of Washington. He had been thinking a lot about John Cage and how composers could follow in his footsteps by challenging preconceived notions of what music could be.\n“It’s hard to find the frontier after a composer like Cage, who went right out to the edge of so many frontiers,” Kosaly-Meyer said. “This thought, learn to play the piano one note at a time, was kind of a thread to be able to push to do music that felt like it was on an edge, that felt like there was a risk being taken.”\nStill, it wasn’t until he moved to San Diego with his wife and was able to play on a grand piano at a church he attended that he began to really explore the idea. Kosaly-Meyer believes performing on a grand piano is pivotal to Gradus.\n“It’s not something you could do on an electronic keyboard or even an upright piano,” Kosaly-Meyer said. “I think to do something where you actually have enough sound, enough reverberation for a project like this to be interesting requires a grand piano.”\nHe began with 40 minutes improvising on the lowest A on the piano, and then began using combinations of As. Implicit in the idea of learning to play the piano one note at a time was the idea of learning to play differently by finding artistry in each sound. With attack, duration, dynamics, and intricate pedaling techniques, Kosaly-Meyer developed the ability to make a wide assortment of sounds using just one A.\nHis work temporarily came to a halt when he moved again and no longer had access to a grand piano. But years later, in 2001, his friend Keith Eisenbrey helped solve that problem.\nKosaly-Meyer met Eisenbrey while taking composition courses at the UW. They had done a lot of improvisation work together, and Kosaly-Meyer was able to develop the Gradus project and other works by bouncing ideas off of Eisenbrey. They became family when Eisenbrey married Kosaly-Meyer’s sister Karen, and in 2001 Kosaly-Meyer was able to continue with Gradus by rehearsing on Eisenbrey’s grand piano.\nWhen he began sharing Gradus, it was positive feedback from Eisenbrey and other composers that emboldened Kosaly-Meyer to move forward with this musical venture. He began his annual performance series in 2002 in Seattle.\nKosaly-Meyer determined that Gradus works best with a two-hour, three-part structure that allows him to separate what he sees as three distinct ways of making music.\n“I had come to a conclusion after working on this a little bit that playing with one note is a particular kind of making music, playing with two notes is another kind of making music that’s very different than just playing with one, and that playing with 3 or more notes is very different than playing with two,” he said.\nDrawing inspiration from Cage, Kosaly-Meyer chose to incorporate silence—which really means all unintended ambient sounds—as an equal partner in the performance. If weather permits, Kosaly-Meyer leaves the windows open at the Chapel, allowing highway noise, barking dogs, and audiences’ creaking benches and coughs to form a chorus that supports his playing.\n“I always found in improvising that music happened much more organically with an ensemble. Even if it was just an ensemble of two, it was so much easier for something musical to happen,” Kosaly-Meyer said. “Gradus is really the first kind of solo improvisation project I find that can stay musical and I think the trick is that it’s not really a solo project.”\nThis particular performance is dedicated to the late jazz pianist Cecil Taylor, who displayed incredible control over each and every note he played, no matter how intricate the performance. Kosaly-Meyer was also interested in exploring the interplay between the ideas of Taylor and Cage, who were at odds during their lifetimes because of Cage’s aversion to jazz and improvisation. Gradus combines Taylor’s spontaneity with Cage’s interest in silence as an equal partner.\n“One thing that’s going on in Gradus is an attempt to harmonize a Cage way of thinking with a Cecil Taylor way of thinking,” Kosaly-Meyer said.\nNeal Kosaly-Meyer presents Gradus: For Fux, Tesla and Milo the Wrestler this Saturday, July 14 at 8pm at the Chapel Performance Space at the Good Shepherd Center. For more information, click here.\nPosted in Concerts, Events, Q & A, West Coast | Tagged and Milo the Wrestler, avant-garde, Cecil Taylor, chapel performance space, contemporary classical, Gradus, Gradus: For Fux, john cage, Neal Kosaly-Meyer, new music, piano, Tesla, wayward music series | Leave a reply","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1904056"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.959930419921875,"wiki_prob":0.959930419921875,"text":"Gallery Openings and Events\nPyramid Atlantic Art Center Presents Imar Hutchins INHERITANCE\nBy Editorial Team on September 4, 2019\nFri, 06 September 2019 - Sun, 06 October 2019\nImar Hutchins, Banna-Ka [Benjamin Banneker], Acrylic and Collage on Canvas 2019. Courtesy of Pyramid Atlantic Art Center.\nOpening Reception: Friday, September 6 from 6:30pm to 9pm\nArtist Talk: Friday, September 13 from 7pm to 8:30pm\nArtist Imar Hutchins exhibits six of his larger-than-life portrait collages in INHERITANCE. Each work measures 6 feet tall and 4.5 feet wide with subjects ranging from the artist’s mother to the late musician, Prince. The works combine screenprinting, collage, and painting, resulting in intensely detailed and colorful depictions of these figures: some iconic in pop culture and some iconic to the artist himself.\nINHERITANCE is curated by Zoma Wallace and runs September 6 through October 6, 2019. An artist talk will take place on Friday, September 13 from 7 – 8:30 pm.\n“All inheritance is not financial. All inheritance is not physical. And we can inherit from people who are not our direct ancestors. I would challenge people to think more broadly about inheritance. People, like the ones I depict, all have things to give us if we can receive them. They have lessons to teach us, but we need to be open to receiving that inheritance,” remarks Hutchins.\nMuch of Hutchins’ work is commission-based with a specified subject. However, Hutchins is selective about who he tackles. “I won’t do anyone’s portrait unless they are intergalactic…vibrating on a high frequency with something to share with us, with the world.” Once the figure is chosen, Hutchins begins researching his subject, which can take up to a year. “I need to be able to add something to the conversation, especially for someone who has been depicted a lot. What is it that people are missing about this person?”\nHutchins does everything himself when making a work, including milling the wood for his frames. The entire piece is imbued with intentionality from the beginning. “I want to be responsible for the whole thing. People feel it, whether it’s conscious or subconscious. You can tell when someone has put a lot of love in something.”\nINHERITANCE is a rare opportunity to see multiple pieces by Hutchins in a single space. The exhibition will travel to the Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville, Kentucky before all the works move on to their patrons, including private collectors and public institutions—such as the University of Kentucky, which commissioned a portrait of Hutchins’ grandfather who brought about the University’s integration 70years ago. Upon close inspection, viewers see that Hutchins has reproduced and collaged the hate mail sent to his grandfather in this piece, turning many small works of hate into one large work of love.\nIn addition to the large-scale canvases, Hutchins has created a limited edition screenprint based on his James Baldwin collage that will also be on view and available for sale at Pyramid. The Baldwin print is in honor of what would have been Baldwin’s 95th birthday this month. Hutchins selects only 1 or 2 of his collages a year to re-work into a print. “I love that kind of iconic poster art look, and each of my prints is really its own work, inspired by, but separate from, the collage. The basic shape will be the same, but the print design consists solely of areas of color. In some ways the prints are simplified versions of the larger pieces…all my work is …all my work is trying to be simple and at the same time evocative.”\nHutchins is a self-taught artist based in Washington, D.C. He is owner of DC’s iconic Florida Avenue Grill and was lawyer until about 5 years ago when he grew his artistic practice to a full time commitment. Hutchins works primarily in collage, mixed media and printmaking. His portraits combine vintage Black magazines, hate mail and other historical documents as well as found objects, tissue paper and new materials. He imagines that people themselves are collages.\nThis exhibition is made possible in part through funding from the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, Department of Parks and Recreation, Prince George’s County.\nTuesday through Saturday: 10 am–6 pm\nSunday: 12–5 pm\nThe exhibition, reception, and artist talk are FREE and open to the public.\nPyramid Atlantic is located at 4318 Gallatin Street, Hyattsville Maryland 20781. More information can be found at pyramidatlanticartcenter.org or by calling 301-608-9101.\nBy Editorial Team on January 23, 2023\nAdah Rose Gallery Presents Jacqui Crocetta & Kyujin Lee Looking In Looking Out\nFri, 27 January 2023 - Tue, 28 February 2023\nAn opening is scheduled for Saturday, January 28 from 5pm to 7pm.\nDavid C. Driskell Center Presents Faith Ringgold and Betye Saar RINGGOLD | SAAR: Meeting on the Matrix\nThu, 26 January 2023 - Mon, 22 May 2023\nView the exhibitions through May 2023.\nAddison/Ripley Fine Art Presents HOLY INVENTIONS Group Exhibition\nSat, 28 January 2023 - Sat, 04 March 2023\nAn opening reception is scheduled for Saturday, January 28 from 5pm to 7pm.\nVisArts Presents Alison Kysia Art, Islam, and Activism: Works in Progress; Cecilia Kim Private Varnish; and Sound of Fire Group Exhibition\nWed, 25 January 2023 - Sun, 12 March 2023\nAn opening reception is scheduled for Friday, January 27 from 7pm to 9pm.\nDale McGrath The Garden Year at Green Spring Gardens\nWed, 14 December 2022 - Sun, 05 February 2023\nThe exhibition is currently on view.\nHEMPHILL Hosts Book Signing & Print Viewing: PHOTOSCAPES AND THE EGG by Patricia Z. Smith\nThe book signing is scheduled for Saturday, January 28 at 3pm.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1395683"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9951195120811462,"wiki_prob":0.9951195120811462,"text":"Searcy Public Library Board Announces $2 Million Donation for Renovation Project\nBy Sophie Rossitto|2022-02-11T16:36:33-06:00February 11th, 2022|News|\nSearcy Public Library officials announced Tuesday, Feb. 8, the name of the donor who helped kick start fundraising for renovations at the new location on Beebe Capps Expressway.\nLongtime Searcy resident and businessman Larry Crain agreed to donate $2 million for a project to renovate the Searcy Public Library, according to Jean Ann Bell, the library board president. Bell revealed the donor’s name in a press conference at 10 a.m. outside the library’s new location at 954 Skyline Drive, which was previously home to the Searcy Athletic Club.\nBell said the new library would be named the Janett Crain Memorial Library in honor of Crain’s late wife, who worked with many service organizations in Searcy. At the conference, Crain and Barry Hoffmann, the architect for the project, unveiled a rendering of the new library’s exterior.\nBell said the new public space was designed for all Searcy residents to enjoy.\n“It’s really a community center, and we want people to feel that way about it,” Bell said.\nCrain said he wanted to support the library renovation so people would have access to free internet services and because the project could have a positive impact on the local economy and commerce. Crain said he was also inspired to donate to this project because his wife loved education, children and serving the community.\n“So she’s really the heart of this,” Crain said.\nCrain said he grew up in Searcy and went on to work in the accounting and business fields. He owns multiple companies, including one that oversees car dealerships throughout Arkansas, the Crain Automotive Team website said. He also owns Crain Media, which runs seven FM radio stations in the state.\nFriends of the Library Foundation board member Jan Smith said the renovation project would cost $5.3 million, according to a 2021 feasibility study. The new library would contain 33,000 square feet, three times more than the current building on East Pleasure Avenue. The money would go towards adding a coffee shop, career center, space for teenagers and children, media program room, and other features to the library, Smith said.\n“I envision this new library as a showplace for Searcy and a place we can all be proud to share,” Smith said.\nThe board unsuccessfully campaigned for a new public library in 2017, Smith said. In early 2021, the Searcy Athletic Club building became available, so library board members teamed up with city officials to fund the purchase of the building.\nRegional library director Darla Ino said she was thrilled and surprised when she learned about Crain’s donation. She said the board hopes to reach 75% of their fundraising goal before advancing to the public phase of the renovation.\nLibrary fundraising committee member Willie Abrams said he hoped Crain’s donation would encourage others to contribute money to renovating the library.\n“This is a major gift to challenge others in Searcy to step up so that we can have this in our community,” Abrams said.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line92939"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6663256883621216,"wiki_prob":0.3336743116378784,"text":"Robert Riddoch\nPte Robert RIDDOCK, 3965, of Unknown Unit attached to THE BLACK WATCH ROYAL HIGHLANDERS, was born in Auchterarder Perthshire. He died on 30 July 1916 F&F. He is listed on the roll of THE BLACK WATCH (ROYAL HIGHLANDERS). The cause of death is given as Killed in action. Other information given: 6th Bn.\nPrivate R RIDDOCH, 3965, served in the 6th Bn. of the Black Watch (Royal Highlanders). He died on 30 July 1916 in France and is buried in CATERPILLAR VALLEY CEMETERY, LONGUEVAL and is commemorated on XI. G. 26.\nPrivate Robert Riddoch, 1/6th, Black Watch, is commemorated on the War Memorial at Auchterarder.\nPrivate Robert Riddock, 3965, 6th (Perthshire) Battalion (Territorial), Black Watch (Royal Highlanders), was killed in action on 30 Jul 1916 in France and Flanders. He enlisted at Auchterarder.\nPrivate Robert RIDDOCH lived at Arnott Cottage, Feus, Auchterarder. He enlisted 8th November 1915 in the 1/6th battalion of the Black Watch. Home service at Bridge of Earn, Falkirk, Ripon, 1915 to 1916. Served France. Killed at High Wood. He died 31st July 1916.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line61249"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6361367106437683,"wiki_prob":0.3638632893562317,"text":"Home » COVID-19 and Health Crisis » Building an Inside-led prison abolition movement:\nBuilding an Inside-led prison abolition movement:\nAn interview with Bennu Hannibal Ra-Sun\nBy Devin Cole posted on January 12, 2021\nOn Jan. 5, Devin Cole spoke with Free Alabama Movement co-founder and freedom fighter Bennu Hannibal Ra Sun about the economic side of the ongoing 30-day Economic Blackout and Alabama prison strike in January, the growth of social media and prison abolition, and what it will take to build a truly structured prison and slavery abolition organization.\nDevin Cole: Members of the Free Alabama Movement and other prison abolitionists are saying that Securus Technologies’ implementation of video visitation equipment is a front for permanently removing all in-person visitation and replacing it with video visitations only. Can you talk about these concerns and why they want to do away with in-person visitation?\nBennu Hannibal: Certain members of FAM have that interpretation and are expressing it. As for myself, I haven’t seen anything specific as to what Securus and ADOC’s plan is, but that doesn’t mean it’s not their overall plan. We do know that video visitation is already happening in other states, because Securus is a national brand. And we can extrapolate from those conversations and things that we are already aware of what the plan is for Alabama. We also know that some county jails are already using video visitation exclusively.\nWhatever the decision, we know that it will be decided by economics and not what is best for the families. Under the current model, aside from the vending machines, the state doesn’t make any money on in-person visitation.\nBennu Hannibal Ra-Sun\nOn the flip side, they have costs associated with physical visitation, like having security staff to harass and inspect visitors, perform strip searches, etc. These are all costs to the operational budget of a prison that disappear with video visitation kiosks. So, they probably compared the numbers from what they are making off normal visitation, in contrast to what they will make off the contracts with Securus, including the other services that Securus will be charging for us to use their tablets, etc., and decided that if they go to video visitation and make whatever else they will make off these contracts — then that is more profitable and preferable to do.\nI don’t know if they would switch to a system where in-person is only once a month, once every 90 days, or you have to earn it or whatever. But people in prison and our families should not have to pay to talk to our loved ones, and we should never be denied the basic need for human contact that all human beings need.\nSecurus is an unscrupulous company that has been caught and sued for providing location-tracking information to law enforcement, bounty hunters and bondsmen, which was used to track people and their family members — and that shows that they are willing to be a part of the police state and prison-industrial complex.\nThese companies have no incentive to be concerned with what the family members have to say or are going through. It is very clear that they have some perception of the financial exploitation that goes into prison plantation management, and they are not constrained by principles when it comes to human suffering to make their profits.\nDC: The other four companies in this Economic Blackout that are being boycotted are JPay, Access Corrections, Union Supply Company and Alabama Correctional Industries. What are their roles in the slavery system of Alabama prisons?\nBH: It’s not just about the Alabama prisons. Alabama doesn’t have JPay. The reason we added some of these companies is to give people in other states the opportunity to be a part of the Economic Blackout protest as well, because it is affecting all of us.\nEven though the original idea of this economic boycott by Kinetik Justice was and has remained for the most part a statewide effort, I thought it would be wise to add other companies that provide similar services in other states to leave room for other states to get involved, to create an opportunity to build unity and to show that we are all in this together — because the actions we are taking in Alabama are related to the actions around the country.\nUnion Supply and Access Secure are prison profiteers involved in the overpriced incentive package and accessory programs that are used to exploit and extort money from us and our families. These companies provide their services to prisons nationwide and enjoy exclusive monopoly contracts with prisoncrats and politicians. We need to be getting at all of them, all across the country, all at the same time.\nThrough actions like the Economic Blackout, we want families to understand why we have to start demanding audits of these companies, so that we can show people what’s really going on.\nAnother thing I want to do while we raise awareness is to find five families that are willing to have their personal finances audited, so that they can see in exact dollar amount terms how much they are contributing to incarceration and enslavement by investing in these exploitative companies. When people start seeing how much money is being made, they’ll then start asking where is the money going? Family members will see that they are paying for all these weapons, the mace and rubber bullets, the night sticks and electric shields that are used to harm us — and that these suppliers and prison officials are getting rich off it all.\nIt is profits that are made and the kickbacks to the operating budgets that keep the structure of the incarceration system and its laws intact. It is the economic contributions and free or cheap prison labor that form the pillars that uphold the system; and when those pillars are stressed and broken, the entire system collapses.\nThese economic boycott campaigns are to get people to see what their money is going to and what the system would look like if they took all their JPay money out, all their Securus money out — what that would look like. Would it be better, or would it be worse? There has to be a scientific application of “What am I dealing with?”\nThe budget of Alabama prisons is $600,000,000. If we take the labor out, what does that do to the budget? If we take incentive packages out, what does that do to the budget? If we take the canteen money out, what does that do to the budget? And so on and so forth.\nDC: In 2018, you wrote an incredible article called “Seeing the problem, being the solution, making the sacrifice.” (tinyurl.com/y4vhskez) In it, you speak extensively of the need to use social media, as in creating a mobile app for your organization that tells of all ongoing prison strikes, hunger strikes and all economic boycotts similar to that going down right now. Could you talk about the role that social media and technology have played in expanding these growing economic blackouts?\nBH: We started using social media as part of our core strategy back in 2014 with our YouTube channel and Facebook page. When I came to prison back in 2001, I was shocked at the living conditions. I shared with the guys in prison that we needed a camcorder to document this stuff. I was 100% convinced that people in society had no idea that living conditions were that bad. Hell, I had friends and my brother in prison at the time, and I had no idea people were living this way.\nSo when the time came for me to put the blueprint for the Free Alabama Movement together, I knew that social media would play a very important role in the way we got our message and our proof out. I knew I could take that phone, create the social media platforms, and use this technology to push the Movement forward in unique ways.\nAs for the mobile app, I simply see this as the evolution in the area of technology for our Movement. There is a lot of activism taking place around the country on the inside of U.S. prisons, jails and detention facilities, but people don’t know how to wade through all the social media content to find out about it, because the information is hard to find.\nFor example, right now there is a hunger strike going on in an ICE detention center in New Jersey, with others joining in daily. There is action in Pennsylvania and other places that kicked off mostly at the start of the year. There is our economic boycott here in Alabama, which includes several hunger strikers.\nHardly any of us know about each other, even though we are all protesting and taking actions for the same issues. As things stand at the moment, our actions are all unconnected. With this app that we’re still working to develop, we could have a centralized source where people can see all these things happening, and we could reach out to organizers in Alabama, Texas, New Jersey, bring them to the table and come out with the united front. All the issues are the same, so why are we not all acting and moving and organizing together?\nThere is just too much information and too much trickery going on for people to be on top of what is going on and who and what is legit or not. This app will help to centralize information and actions and allow us to strengthen and grow our base from which to inform and educate.\nWhen you look back to November 2017, you’ll see an article I wrote in the San Francisco Bay View for the Campaign to Redistribute the Pain 2018, where I presented the idea and laid out a potential structure building a nationwide, “Inside-led” organization called the National Freedom Movement (which is now growing). (tinyurl.com/y4yarmw4) The elevated levels of activity around the country today illustrate why having a national structure is so important, so that all of these campaigns can be organized and be happening simultaneously in several states. There are a lot of organizations involved in what’s going on in Alabama, New Jersey, Florida, so why can’t we all work together?\nWe can’t remain stuck in isolated borders when we are dealing with people who are committed to solving this gigantic problem. Prisons commissioners, police chiefs, mayors, doctors, and many other common groups, all have national meetings and platforms that they share every year. They are unified and they are together — that is why they are successful. We are not unified, and that’s why we are not successful!\nThere are many organizations on the outside supporting our struggle, but they already have their own agendas and plans that they organize around. The work they do for us falls within the context of the limited scope of what they are about. In other words, they are not structured exclusively to our needs and concerns.\nOutside organizations are coming in and offering help, but not helping us build our own infrastructure. When they leave, or the cause of the moment dies off, they take their resources and infrastructure with them. That model is only mildly effective.\nIf we are to have long-term success and truly solve these problems, then we’ll have to build our own nationwide, Inside-led outside-support network ourselves. And that starts with the Inside coming together nationally first.\nWhat I am proposing in the National Freedom Movement is that those of us on the inside come together and then organize our own outside-support organizations from the ground up: We provide the by-laws; we make the structure — and every component and every brick is set up by those of us on the inside.\nWe already have more than enough legit Inside-led organizations. The bottom line is we should be organizing together, planning together and dictating the action and the tempo nationwide from the inside. But we aren’t unified, and as a result, most — but not all — of our actions are reactive.\nFor those asking what they can do to help, help us build our own national infrastructure in the way we are describing. It’s paternalistic and destructive to the Movement to do otherwise. Over time, we see organizations pull out and take their resources with them, returning every now and then to play favorites amongst the Inside activists. They use their leverage and resources to play divide-and-conquer amongst inside factions. This benefits the government and not the struggle. That’s why we need our own outside-support structure. Without independence, we’ll always have these problems that we are having today with outside organizations.\nDC: Any final thoughts or words you want to speak about?\nBH: Starting out, this call was originally for a 30-day Economic Blackout in the form of work strikes, boycotts and protests. Over the past 4-to-5 days, however, we started to see the Economic Blackout aspect become overshadowed and hijacked. This was allowed to happen for a number of reasons — none of them positive.\nFor example, I am seeing an organization conducting a fundraiser “for the hunger strikers,” but with no offer of support for the others sacrificing. And, one of the reasons they say they are raising funds — to help pay for commissary — is a direct contradiction of the Economic Blackout. They say they are raising funds at the request of the Free Alabama Movement, but why would FAM be requesting funds to be spent in a way that directly contradicts the Economic Blackout?\nLost in the shuffle is the fact that the hunger strikers are taking action to support the Economic Blackout. Nevertheless, we have people reporting on the hunger strikers in a way that totally separates them from the Economic Blackout, where all freedom fighters are being called on to take action by quitting their jobs, rejecting visits and or foregoing canteen or incentive packages — and going on hunger strike if this is your choice.\nThese are obvious contradictions that compelled me to speak where I otherwise had been silent on certain matters. Supporters have to understand that their individual relationships and conversations don’t translate into universal support for FAM, and they should not be making statements and taking actions that cause contradictions or conflicts with overall Movement activities.\nWhen the message gets hijacked, the companies to boycott are being given a pass, and the potential to expand the boycott is being lost. But this is what happens when outside support organizations put personal relationships before organizational principles. They started picking the people they like and reporting from that angle, instead of supporting the cause. And that’s another reason why we need to create our own outside-support structure.\nWe need everyone to stay focused on our fundamental approach to defining and solving this problem with economic direct-action campaigns, because this is how we are going to affect change. We support everyone who is making a sacrifice for freedom and all of the families, but we have to remain vigilant in our understanding that this is a comprehensive plan, not a reactionary one.\nAnd it’s not just for 30 days. We want people to know that this is ongoing. We can’t let the State off the hook by forgetting that we are here to defund, divest and be disruptive with economic strategies and tactics. We’ll amplify that by any means necessary.\nBennu Hannibal Ra Sun is the founder of the Free Alabama Movement and Executive Director of the Campaign to Redistribute the Pain. He is the architect of the National Freedom Movement, an author, and he is fighting for the liberation of all people trapped in cages and behind walls.\nDevin Cole is a transgender Marxist organizer and writer. They are the president of Strive (Socialist Trans Initiative), a transgender advocacy organization in northwest Florida, and a member of the Workers World Party – Central Gulf Coast (Alabama, Florida, and Mississippi) branch.\nUkraine: U.S./NATO-backed fascist coup & a growing people’s resistance\nhttps://www.workers.org/2021/01/53733/?fbclid=IwAR1cdMsoWR0S501YdTGJLEzXvLQVJ24EmZRE72zewSvhWgDpu7WS7RwLb8s","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line196977"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6010396480560303,"wiki_prob":0.6010396480560303,"text":"Tag: FDRE\nEthiopia: Office of the Prime Minister – Joint Communique Issued at the End of the Official State Visit by H.E. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, President of the Federal Republic of Somalia to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (30.09.2022)\nAuthor nilspeacePosted on September 30, 2022 September 30, 2022 Categories Africa, Development, Diplomacy, Governance, Government, Law, Leadership, PoliticsTags Abiy Ahmed Ali, Ethiopia, FDRE, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, Prosperity Party, SomaliaLeave a comment on Ethiopia: Office of the Prime Minister – Joint Communique Issued at the End of the Official State Visit by H.E. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, President of the Federal Republic of Somalia to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (30.09.2022)\nOpinion: Kenyatta will miss his old office very quickly…\nIt has been announced that the former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta has been appointed to mediate and be a “Special Envoy” to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Ethiopia. He will have to partake in the insurgencies in the DRC and the conflict in Northern Ethiopia (Tigray). Therefore, he has a massive take and lots of responsibility overnight.\nThe Former President be working with Heads of State in the DRC. Where he has to be working directly with the authorities in Kinshasa. That’s the place he has a shot and possibility to make a difference. Kenyatta already has a working relationship with President Felix Tshisekedi. Therefore, if there is hope for any substantial progress or delivery. He should hope to get somewhere in the DRC.\nThe M23 latest peace agreement was already made in Nairobi with the Nairobi Declaration. That’s why, Kenyatta has goodwill and could use the working relations from his years in office to make a difference, but we shouldn’t have to high hopes. However, we have to take what positives there are before downplaying this role and office.\nOn the other hand, in Ethiopia and Addis Ababa, is a place where Kenyatta might not be so much welcome. There won’t be much fanfare or acceptance of him. He will be a nonce and nuisance quickly. The Addis Ababa government have to already work with the African Union Envoy for the Horn, Olusegun Obasanjo. The former Nigerian President have struggled to bring any dialogue or talks between the stakeholders. This work has been stifled and his had an unforgiving role, as the FDRE and the Government of Tigray has both ceased talks or negotiations in general.\nObasanjo have tried and his hands are tied. We know the FDRE is directing how the AU Envoy can operate. While people will quickly question the mandate and what sort of mission Kenyatta has. This was quickly launched, as Kenyatta retired from the Office of Presidency. It is a way of softening the blow and give him a purpose. Though, what will the Ministry of Foreign Affairs tell Kenyatta and what is his anticipated to do?\nWill he make phone-calls, conduct field-work or even try to get stakeholders to meet each other? A man of peace can do a lot. He can do little or a lot. If any of the 10 years in Office will tell us. The former President could easily create a scandal or a way of using the office for enriching himself. However, it would be hard to find a way to make this happen. Nevertheless, people shouldn’t be shocked, if he found a way or a scheme to get some additional funds. That is his way and how he has run his government.\nRuto surely sent him on his merry. Giving him a token of appreciation and an honourable task. Kenyatta should use all diplomatic channels and shouldn’t expect much. It isn’t like his through IGAD, AU or any other body. No, his just appointed by the incumbent Kenyan President and that isn’t setting a strong mandate.\nThis is sort of like the mandate or role Stephan Kalonzo Musyoka had in the South Sudan in the previous term. He was the Special Envoy to South Sudan and he surely cannot show much, if anything He got a few free trips to Juba, but cannot be said to helped the process significantly.\nThis here office should be gazetted and the mandate should be set forward. Also, the current President should give a time-frame and possible plans for it. Since, it shouldn’t just be something to keep Kenyatta busy. Kenyatta should have a target to work towards in coordination with Kinshasa and Addis Ababa. However, time will tell if they will let him or see him as outside noise. Peace.\nAuthor nilspeacePosted on September 16, 2022 September 16, 2022 Categories Africa, Development, Diplomacy, Governance, Government, Law, Leadership, PoliticsTags Abiy Ahmed Ali, Democratic Republic of Congo, DRC, Ethiopia, FDRE, Felix Tshisekedi Tshilombo, GoK, Government of Kenya, Kenya, President Ruto, President Tshisekedi, Prime Minister Abiy, Prosperity Party, Regional Government of Tigray, Tigray, Uhuru Kenyatta, William RutoLeave a comment on Opinion: Kenyatta will miss his old office very quickly…\nEthiopia: Press Release from the Caucus of Opposition Parties (COP) – (05.06.2022)\n[VOL – JUNE 05,2022] Having Noticed the fundamental differences on the approach of the National Dialogue with the government and it’s allied Parties, we here by announce the Establishment of Caucus of Opposition Parties (COP) to present our alternatives for National Dialogue that will result in genuine democratic system.\nTherefore, We, the Caucus of Opposition Parties (COP) composed of below mentioned opposition political parties, who are key stakeholders with significant followers and influence in Ethiopia are fully committed to peaceful resolution of all conflicts and political differences that are flaming the current worsening political schisms and deadly hostilities.\nUnderstanding the current dire situation Ethiopia is facing, all political parties, including the ruling party, agreed that the best way to tackle the gargantuan problems is through a National Dialogue. The government taking part in the initiative of the parties organized meetings where the modalities and process of the National dialogue was discussed. However, while the discussions were in progress and the stakeholders were debating the best way to organize the national dialogue, the government unilaterally prepared a bill regulating the process and passed it through the one party dominated parliament ignoring the concerns of the political parties.\nThen, the government, exacerbating the matter further, started a dubious process of selecting the commission that will facilitate the National dialogue violating the fundamental principles of a national dialogue which are inclusivity in all facets of the process by all key stakeholders. Furthermore, no provision was put in place to allow commission to reach out to those who are currently banned and are at war with the government.\nCOP strongly believes that the current toxic political environment that resulted in bloody wars, economic decline and further polarization of the differences between all political forces, including the government could only be resolved through genuine, inclusive National dialogue where all stakeholders are fully engaged and given a chance to take active part in the solution.\nHaving seen how the National Dialogue process was compromised and misdirected, COP members decided to question their participating in a current format of the National Dialogue and present an alternative formula for organizing a genuine National dialogue in order to confront the culture of conspiratorial politics and heralding political actions that would positively contribute to the development of democratic culture and dissuade the government in a constructive way from taking a wrong direction.\nTherefore, COP proposes that The National dialogues intended to address the key issues facing the politico/social and Economic landscape today shall meet the minimum of international standards and practices in order to give the process a chance to succeed include the followings:\nAn immediate, real cessation of hostilities and Internationally monitored ceasefire in all areas in Ethiopia including Tigray, Afar and Amhara, in Northern Ethiopia, Oromia , Benishangul, and Somali States.\nAssurance by the government that it and key stakeholders take steps to restructure a commission and the edit regulating the process in a way that makes the process inclusive, representative and genuine, whereby negotiating parties have a strong support base, credible claim of legitimacy in representing their constituency, the political will and the ability to implement what was agreed upon including shared responsibility of implementation of the outcome of the National dialogue.\nIn order to ensure transparency, independence and inclusiveness of the commission members, political parties shall have a meaningful presence in the commission and take part in the process and criteria of selection. In addition, any discriminatory clause shall be removed from selection criteria such as holding only Ethiopian passports for people of Ethiopian origin in order to benefit from their expertise.\nIn the agenda setting process, there shall be a clear and transparent process that accommodates agenda presentation and approval by all stakeholders without discrimination.\nSince Ethiopia is not an Island in this intricately interconnected global world and every decision we make is important to the other countries. Therefore, we demand provision that permit involvement and engagement of credible, neutral facilitators or mediators from the international community take part in the National dialogue process when deemed necessary.\nTransparent and agreed upon decision making process including consensus and mediation shall be agreed by upon by all key stakeholders.\nAdequate confidence building measures, including supplying security of key participants, effective international oversight, release of all political prisoners and lifting of embargo on humanitarian aid to those who are in desperate need of food and medicine.\nIt’s in the best interest of our people to give a guarantee and safety of all participants in the process and transparent security arrangements whereby Opposition parties leaders are not threatened by harassment, imprisonment and/or extra judicial killings.\nMember Parties\n1. AFAR JUSTICE AND DEMOCRATIC PARTY\n2. AFAR PEOPLE’S PARTY (APP)\n3. ARENA TIGRAY\n4. DONGA PEOPLE’S DEMOCRATIC ORGANIZATION\n5.HIBIR ETHIOPIA (HIBIR)\n6. MEDREK\n7. OGADEN NATIONAL LIBERATION FRONT(ONLF)\n8. OROMO FEDERALIST CONGRESS (OFC)\n9. OROMO LIBERATION FRONT(OLF)\n10. WOLAYTA NATIONAL MOVEMENT (WNM)\nAuthor nilspeacePosted on June 5, 2022 June 5, 2022 Categories Africa, Development, Governance, Government, Law, Leadership, PoliticsTags Afar Justice and Democratic Party, Afar People's Party, Arena Tigray, Caucus of Opposition Parties, COP, Donga People's Democratic Organization, Ethiopia, FDRE, Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, HIBIR, HIBIR Ethiopia, MEDREK, OFC, Ogaden National Liberation Front, OLF, ONLF, Oromo Federalist Congress, Oromo Liberation Front, WNM, Wolayata National MovementLeave a comment on Ethiopia: Press Release from the Caucus of Opposition Parties (COP) – (05.06.2022)\nEthiopia: PM Abiy wants a Palace fitted for a King\n“The Office of the Prime Minister is under preparations to construct a new national palace to the tune of 49 billion birr, becoming the second biggest public project next to the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, which has consumed over 130 billion birr thus far. Situated on a sprawling 503 hectares of land at Yeka Hill, in Yeka Sub-city, the construction touches five woredas, which will harbor the construction of halls, lakes, housing units and road infrastructures, among other facilities. Part of the government’s 10 year perspective plan, the project will see the evacuation of thousands of people. However, the residents will be given a chance to develop their own property on their land, if it fits the standard of the area, where the palace will be built. Sources told The Reporter the UAE government will contribute a portion of the budget needed to construct the palace” (The Ethiopian Reporter – ‘Government inches to build palace for over 49 billion birr’ 21.05.2022).\nIt seems to be official that the ruler of Addis Ababa and beyond, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali is planning to change his estate and his residence. As there are now plans to spend about a $1 billion United States Dollar on building a new Palace. That will be instead of residing in the Menelik Palace and the Grand Jubilee, which will become a museums.\nThe OPM and the ruling regime is prioritizing building a lavish Palace for their ruler. Instead of spending money on food security, agriculture or anything that can help the citizens. Because, the state has created a famine in Northern parts of the Republic. While it is having severe droughts in the Ogaden and surrounding areas. It is also possible hurt and suffering in the Afar region and parts of the Amhara region after warfare last year. Also, we have no estimation or idea of the damage, the pain or suffering in the Oromia region as well. Therefore, the state isn’t creating sustainable mechanisms or programs. Instead they are choosing to build a magnificent building for the Prime Minister to reside in.\nThe state who just received $300 million USD to “rebuild” and “retool” parts of the war-torn regions of the Republic. As the Republic is having a rising inflation hitting around the 40% rise. While also lacking foreign exchange. Meanwhile the Federal Government has also invested and imported more weaponry, tanks and other equipment to further their internal conflicts. Therefore, there is no shadow of doubt. That things will only get worse… before they get better.\nAs the famines, droughts and steady arrival of conflicts. The use of war to silence to silence dissent and opposition. While spending fortunes on prestige projects like the Palace of the PM. That just shows what sort of mismatched priorities the PM has and he has no ideal of how it is wrecking the economy.\nIn the last budget the state used 12 billion birrs on food security, 17 billion birrs on job creation, 33 billion birrs on health care and 16 billion birrs on education. So, you can easily see how the Federal Government is prioritizing the Palace over all the other necessities. Yes, some funds will come from the UAE Government, but that’s still a waste of government spending. This is not for developing the Republic or helping the citizens in need. No, this is just to boost the ego of man and his lofty ambitions.\nAbiy wants so badly to be seen as a King and be a monarch. Now, his building a grand palace in his name and during his tenure. That just shows his intentions and he has no scruples either. As his government is waging war, been blocking humanitarian aid and been vicious against any critics within his realm.\nNow… his starting to build a Palace and soon his trying to figure out who can make him a crown. Peace.\nAuthor nilspeacePosted on May 22, 2022 May 22, 2022 Categories Africa, Development, Economy, Governance, Government, Law, Leadership, PoliticsTags Abiy, Abiy Ahmed, Abiy Ahmed Ali, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Ethiopian Prosperity Party, FDRE, Finfinne, Menelik Palace, PM Abiy, Prosperity PartyLeave a comment on Ethiopia: PM Abiy wants a Palace fitted for a King\nEthiopia: The Federal Government is cracking down on all critical media…\nThe latest arrest is now Meskerem Abera, the journalist who has also just been abducted at Addis Abeba airport earlier today on the 21st May 2022. She is following a long line of government critics who has been apprehended, arrested and taken to unknown location. In addition to that, another kidnapping and arrest is of Tadious Tantu as well. Who has been gone missing since yesterday.\nThis is a grand scale of going after anyone who isn’t following the Federal Government line in the media. That is very obvious, because this a broad-net of journalists taken into custody over the last 48 hours.\nHere is some brief reports of others arrested as well.\n“The Amhara region based Ashara media outlet announced that police arrested 5 of its staff last night & that it cannot establish their whereabouts today. The five are Kelemu Gelagay, Daniel Mesfin (editors/cameramen), Gashaye Negussie, Getnet Yalew, Habtamu Melese (reporters)” (Zecharias Zelalem, 20.05.2022).\n“News has just broken that Solomon Shumiye current affairs talk show host with a decent following on the Gebeyanu YouTube channel, has just been taken into police custody. We’re at about 10 media staffers detained across Ethiopia in just the past 24 hours” (Zecharias Zelalem, 20.05.2022).\nEarlier in the month another arrest was also done:\n“Journalist Gobeze Sisay accused Ethiopia Government of crackdown on dissent media\n✅Gobeze says his arrest is similar to the Tamerat Negera case, where Oromia police censor media, claiming “Oromophobia”\n✅Tamera is #Oromo but opposes ethnic-federalism policy of Abiy’s OPP” (Awasa Guardian, 10.05.2022).\nWe can easily see that this is deliberate acts of silencing everyone and only get out the message of the state. A way of taking away anyone who speaks, thinks or even considers to question Prime Minster Abiy Ahmed Ali and his Prosperity Party. His party and Federal Government is aiming at anyone who blinks their eyes twice and thinks about questioning his actions.\nThat’s why these mass-arrests are happening. The sudden kidnappings of journalists, activists, civic leaders and advocates are targeted as well. This is all deliberated and by taking out the journalists the media will not report on it and neither will there be a media who questions these violations of people’s rights.\nThe PM and his party can rule with their tyranny, as there is no voices of reason. There is only incarceration and detention of anyone who dissent. The government is certainly showing it’s vicious side and instead of settling grievances with words. They are instead using it’s authority to silence it’s critics. That is not a shocker, as unity is spread to the sound of guns and ammo. Therefore, it follows a pattern of violence as a means of solidifying power. Peace.\nAuthor nilspeacePosted on May 21, 2022 May 21, 2022 Categories Africa, Development, Governance, Government, Law, Leadership, PoliticsTags Abiy Ahmed Ali, Arrests of Journalist, Ashara, Daniel Mesfin, Ethiopia, Ethiopian Prosperity Party, FDRE, Gashaye Negussie, Gebeyanu YouTube channel, Getnet Yalew, Gobeze Sisay, Habtamu Melese, Kelemu Gelagay, Media, Meskerem Abera, PM Abiy, Prosperity Party, Solomon Shumiye, Tadious Tantu, Tamerat NegeraLeave a comment on Ethiopia: The Federal Government is cracking down on all critical media…\nEthiopia: If Ethiopians are joining the war in Ukraine – They are dying for a War that isn’t theirs to begin with…\n“Everyone now clearly understands that Russia and all Russians lie. Trying to recruit Ethiopian Youth, Russians do not tell anybody that as of April 18, 2022, over 20000 of RU invaders has already met their Death in Ukraine. Felt defeated in Ukraine, Russia insidiously tries to mislead and play its dirty games” (Embassy of Ukraine in Ethiopia, 18.04.2022).\nToday in Addis Ababa there been long lines and queues outside of the Russian Embassy. As there are reports of a total of 2000 Ethiopian citizens that has signed up to fight on the Russian side of the Ukrainian conflict.\nThat is only mere reports that has been refuted by the Russians, but they are willing to lie about everything. While the Ukrainian Embassy in Addis Ababa says they are recruiting. The Ukrainians are the ones who is defending their territory and nation against the Russian-Belorussian invasion, which has lasted for over 50 days now.\nIt is very unique, if these Ethiopians join this war. This isn’t a world war and neither is a conflict that has spiralled outside of the borders of Ukraine. No, for now it is a Russian-Belarus-Ukraine thing for the most part. The Russians warns everyone else of not to move, think or coordinate. While the Russians has already gotten Syrian mercenaries and could easily try to conscript Ethiopians to fight their battles.\nThere is already reports that the Russians needs reinforcement badly. As on Job-Sites and Work-Offerings the Ministry of Defence is offering unique and patriotic-based contracts for the ones who is willing to sacrifice and fight for Russia in Ukraine. The Russian Federation and it’s army needs recruits. That is evident after all the losses and the total failure of the swift invasion, which was supposed to happen within 48 hours or three days…\nHowever, here we are and Ethiopians are queueing outside the Embassy. Some is said to have with them a passport and documents to prepare visa’s and signing up to participate in the conflict. That means Ethiopians would fight on the Russian side of the conflict.\nThe ones that queueing today is supposed to part of Amhara Para-Military Group “Fano” which is supported by Amhara Regional State and been vital in the war against Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF). Fano is the extremist and fascists of Ethiopia who has fought for Amharian supremacy and a Greater Amhara. So, they will fit well in with the Z brigade of Moscow and be in-line quickly with the Russian propaganda of Kremlin. Therefore, if that is true. It is a match made in Hell and not in Heaven.\nNevertheless, the Ethiopian mercenaries or conscripts is signing up for a war that isn’t theirs in the first place. They will not be honoured and be respected for their efforts. These will be cannon-fodder and die like flies on the front-line. The Ethiopian soldiers will not conquer or overcome Ukrainian forces. They will only be a temporary fix and a possible strategy of cutting the losses of the Russians own brigades.\nThe Ethiopian Youth and “Fano” might see this as a possible way of training, expertise and a possible pay-check. They rather fight a war far away and get credit for it. In such a way of leaving desperation at home to flee to “greener” pasture in Eastern Europe. However, they will bleed and die for nothing. The Russian will not honour their sacrifice or write tales of glory for their participation. No, they are just useful pawns on the chess-set and the first to catch a bullet for them.\nThe Ethiopian mercenaries will not linger much hope. When the Russians themselves has struggled and lead to many tactical defeats for the last 50 days. Why would Ethiopians make a huge difference? No, I don’t think so. Not because they are not warriors and cannot fight a battle. No, it is because of the conflict they would enter and the enemy they are meeting. It is not like it will be easy and be friendly. No, it will be brutal and they spare no one. Especially, the soldiers and the ones who is representing Russian invasion force.\nThat’s because the Ethiopian or “Fano” will be part of the invaders and an invasion. They are not part of the defence or the ones who is defending their homeland. No, they are going after Ukraine and on Ukrainian soil. That is a death wish and they will not return home as heroes. They are joining an imperial power and partaking in unjustified war. This is why nothing good will come out of it.\nThe ones signing up for this… is signing up for a death sentence and Moscow will not repay them. They are just taking a bullet for Kremlin and no love will ever be lost. These youths and Ethiopians will not return or be able to tell about the war they entered. Because, the Russians wouldn’t spare them. They are the ones they can risk and send to the front-line without any costs. Since, they signed up for it and they got to fight. There will be no option to flee or seek shelter. No, they are there to fight the cause of Russia.\nA cause that will end up in caskets or not even that. They will be left behind on the battlefield and forgotten. A bloodshed and a sacrifice of a willing. Youth and Amhara militia members who fought a war that wasn’t theirs. The tears and losses will be felt by their families and loved ones. Who knew that they went and never heard from them again. Families and villages who saw their sons leave for war in Eastern Europe. Where they never returned from and only got a mantle or a signed off on war-grave. However, they will not return with stories of greatness or of adventures. No, they will be scorn, torn and bleed for a conflict, which wasn’t theirs and never will be theirs to begin with. They will be the lost souls and the sons of far away who could have lived life in peace and created a future in Ethiopia. Instead they sought after glory and a pay-off from Russia. A pay-off they will not receive. Since most of them will die before the Russian Federation or Ministry of Defence has to even care about their salaries. Peace.\nBTW: It would make a difference, if the Amhara or Ethiopians joined the Ukrainian side either. This is a war for the soul of Europe and a war against European imperialism. Where the NATO/EU and Russia are on each side. As the Ukrainian are fighting for its own independence and sovereignty to join whatever entity or alliance it see fit. While Russians wants to have control of their neighbours. Which is why there is no natural reason or argument to defend the participation of Ethiopian Youth or “Fano” in either sides of the conflict in Ukraine. They will not be remembered or written tales of glory. No, they are mercenaries who will die in unmarked graves, which is undignified for their sacrifice, but an end, which is most likely to happen.\nBTW II: Don’t say nobody didn’t warn you or didn’t write about it. Because, I did and I am concerned, because their lives matters. Just like all lives does and this was a death that could have been avoided. However, decisions are made and there is always consequences to the actions we make. Peace.\nAuthor nilspeacePosted on April 18, 2022 April 18, 2022 Categories Africa, Army, Development, Diplomacy, Europe, Governance, Government, Law, Leadership, PoliticsTags Abiy, Abiy Ahmed Ali, Amhara, Ethiopia, Fano, FDRE, PM Abiy, President Putin, Russia, Russian Federation, Sergei Shoigu, Ukraine, Vladimir Putin2 Comments on Ethiopia: If Ethiopians are joining the war in Ukraine – They are dying for a War that isn’t theirs to begin with…\nOpinion: It seems like Abiy don’t need Hailemariam Desalegn anymore…\nThere is now reports that the former Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn has an arrest warrant on him. There is a pending corruption case, which questions missing funds $50 million, which was misused and not spent as promised on agricultural equipment from Poland. Therefore, an old case is suddenly appearing and haunting the former Prime Minister.\nWhen these sorts of things happens years after. As we have seen the succession of Abiy and the years in power. This seems like a sting and operation to take down a former ally who paved the way for Abiy to get into office. That is how it seems to me.\nThe money is most likely eaten and the ones in office is doing the same. If not they are misusing funds to combat it’s own people and asking for donors for military equipment to kill their own. Surely, the former PM have to answer for his own grievances.\nHowever, this is a political game, as Abiy is safe and has the throne. He feels superior and untouchable, as the warfare haven’t hit home and neither has the crippling economy. So, as long as the gig is working. He can focus on consolidating all power and this way go after someone who can put him in a bad light.\nWhich just happens to be the former Prime Minister. A man who did the noble thing and resigned after failing. A PM stepping down after misusing his office and suspending the rights of his people. Using the Command Post and the State of Emergency to further the plight of the demonstrating youths. Alas, the former PM did the graceful thing and bowed out.\nNevertheless, Abiy rather silence and get rid of his critics. That’s why this fits a pattern and now he seeks a former ally and a predecessor. In such a way to silence and stop him too. To use the past and the courts to go after him. It is just so fitting and a political move, as the same courts has been used against high profiled opposition. Therefore, we know the drill and the motivation for it now.\nJust like Abiy have gone after and gotten rid of the ones that made him like Lemma Megersa. It seems like he has put the target on Hailemariam now. The one who was before him and to signal that anyone can be touched. That is how it seems… and it wouldn’t be shocking. As there are plenty of political prisoners lingering in jail and the former PM would maybe even join fellow jailbirds who he put behind bars during his reign.\nTherefore, this is just a sign of cleaning the house and furthering his consolidating of power, which is a enterprise, which doesn’t seem to slow down. However, it just takes new forms and the PM isn’t done with doing so. Peace.\nAuthor nilspeacePosted on January 31, 2022 January 31, 2022 Categories Africa, Corruption, Development, Governance, Government, Law, Leadership, PoliticsTags Abiy Ahmed Ali, Ethiopia, FDRE, Hailemariam Desalegn, Hailemariam Desalegn Boshe, Lemma Megersa, PM Abiy, Prosperity PartyLeave a comment on Opinion: It seems like Abiy don’t need Hailemariam Desalegn anymore…\nKenya: President Uhuru Kenyatta – An appeal to the Government and the People of Ethiopia (03.11.2021)\nAuthor nilspeacePosted on November 3, 2021 November 4, 2021 Categories Africa, Army, Development, Diplomacy, Governance, Government, Law, Leadership, PoliticsTags Abiy Ahmed Ali, Ethiopia, FDRE, GoK, Government of Kenya, Kenya, PM Abiy, President Kenyatta, Prosperity Party, Uhuru KenyattaLeave a comment on Kenya: President Uhuru Kenyatta – An appeal to the Government and the People of Ethiopia (03.11.2021)\nEthiopia: Venable LLP hired to clean Abiy’s tarnished image\nIt is now reported that the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE) have hired the lobbying firm Venable LLP to promote Ethiopia in the United States of America (USA). This is not the first time an African Warlord or President with conflicts is hiring lobbyist to “clean-up” their image abroad. It is all done to sway the U.S. Congress and get a favourable tune from the White House. Because, the broken Washington D.C. is for sale and everyone can be bought, apparently.\nVenable LLP had 81 clients in 2020 and spent $7,400,000 in lobbying fees for various of causes. The Venable LLP had 44 lobbyist working for them last year.\nWhat is striking is the two fellas that is representing Ethiopia in Washington D.C. is Thomas Quinn and Loren Aho. Open Secrets says Quinn speciality is Taxation by a vast margin and Defence. While Aho have also Defence as speciality. This is not government affairs or foreign affairs, which is where the Ethiopian government needs help to sway public opinion about the war in Tigray and all the other atrocities across the Republic.\nOn a FARA form filed by Quinn on the 4th February 2021. Quinn is an attorney and a partner in the company. It states that he has three foreign principals his working for as a foreign agent. In his filing, these are: “Embassy of Ethiopia, Embassy of the State of Qatar & Hong Kong Trade Development Council”. This means that works for these others as well. While banking the thousands of dollars per month from Addis Ababa. We can wonder how much Qatar and HKDC is paying him too.\nThe Ethiopian Embassy is paying Venable LLP US$35,000 per month. When they have a taxation expert and minor lobbyist on his payroll. The company has an outreach and has a big team. Though, the two who is handling this has this history. This is information in the public domain from ProPublica and OpenSecrets. It is not like the American lobbyists isn’t looked into, as a public oversight to their actions and how they influence U.S. Congress.\nThat Quinn and Aho is hired to this is to whitewash and make Abiy’s government look good in the public eye in the US. It is to get Committee’s to act in favour of Addis Ababa. That is why they have hired these fellows. Where they are trying to sway and swing things in their direction. So, that they are not sanctioned or embargoed in any way. Especially, now that they are going into an election, warfare in Tigray and other lingering conflicts across the Republic.\nPrime Minister Abiy has hired these guys to look good. That is the reason. As his team isn’t able to get positive headlines in Western Media and the use of this as a platform to get that. This is why regimes like this uses lobbyists to become “cleansed” from the “bloodstains” abroad. Also, to ensure their leadership and legitimacy across the board. In a manner, which they get vouched for by the International Community.\nIt is ironic that Abiy does this, as he holds a grip on local-media and accreditation of foreign media houses too. Just give people a pass, if they follows his guidelines and writes his stories. If they don’t, then they are banished from the Republic. Peace.\nAuthor nilspeacePosted on February 17, 2021 February 17, 2021 Categories Africa, Development, Diplomacy, Governance, Government, Law, Leadership, PoliticsTags Abiy Ahmed Ali, Dr. Abiy Ali, Ethiopia, FDRE, Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Loren Aho, PM Abiy, PP, Prosperity Party, Thomas Quinn, Venable LLPLeave a comment on Ethiopia: Venable LLP hired to clean Abiy’s tarnished image\nTeff-Flour Patent Belongs to Ethiopia: Sanction Roosjen and his businesses now!\nIt is now revealed that someone named Jans Roosjen of the Netherlands has a United States Patent on the Teff Flour, the tradition food source backing done thousands of years. Roosjen is officially a pre-historical human being, he is back-to-future, he is the mirage and the answers of all things. Since he can patent something that has been part of Ethiopian culture and their practices, without their consent and without consideration. He is not the owner of Teff Flour. The United States Patent Office shouldn’t accept this, because this is taking someones national pride and food culture and stamping their ill-gotten name on it.\nThis is a mockery of invention, this is cultural and staple food theft. It would be like stealing french-fries from Belgium, the Kimchi from South Korea or the Feijoada from Brazil. No one owns that invention, but you cannot patent it too. This is made for the people and owned by the people, secondly, as a foreigner you should appreciate the culture, not steal it. That is what this man has done with the Patent of Teff Flour milling. Like he invented it, he didn’t invent it, he just served a document and filing to the Patent Office. They should have dismissed it as a insane thinking of a European man, who has no ownership to the food cuisine of Ethiopia.\nTeff History:\n“Teff (Eragrostis Tef) is a cereal crop of Poaceae or Gramineae family with small grains. It is believed to have originated in Ethiopia between 4000 and 1000 BC [1]. Teff seeds were reported to be discovered in a pyramid which is thought to date back to 3359 BC [1]. It is a primarily cultivated cereal crop in Ethiopia with high market price and socio-economic values. Its center of origin and diversity is Ethiopia” (…) “The cultivation of teff as a major cereal crop in Ethiopia was started thousands of years ago. As mentioned in the Introduction, some researchers have indicated that teff production in Ethiopia has a history of more than 4000 years. Teff is a primarily cultivated cereal crop in Ethiopia with high market price and socio-economic values” (Daba, 2017).\nEncyclopedia of Life (eol.org) states this:\n“Between 8,000 and 5,000 BC, the people of the Ethiopian highlands were among the first to domesticate plants and animals for food and teff was one of the earliest plants domesticated.[4] Teff is believed to have originated in Ethiopia and Eritrea between 4,000 BCE and 1,000 BCE. Genetic evidence points to E. pilosa as the most likely wild ancestor.[5] A 19th century identification of teff seeds from an ancient Egyptian site is now considered doubtful; the seeds in question (no longer available for study) are more likely of E. aegyptiaca, a common wild grass in Egypt.[6]” (eol.org – ‘Eragrostis tef’).\nThat Roosjen own business, which is on his page teff-grain.com, where he states: “given the fall-numbers the mixing of teff-grain or flour with other flours/seeds is patented”. That is very insane, that a man from Netherlands or Holland is thieving a 1000 year old tradition and trying to keep it to himself. That is disgusting, it would be okay if he imported it through Prograin, the company he is owns and serves, but patenting it, is taking it a bit to far.\nSo the Roosjen started a shop in 2004, patent it in 2006 and has forgotten the tradition of the food. It is time for the world to patent everything for Nethlands, the wind-mills and when coming to foods. It is time for Ethiopians to patent Dutch tradition food, to retaliate like Pannenkoeken, Erwtensoep, Poffertjes and Stroopwafels. Because if a random Dutch man can patent food for centuries and get away it. The Ethiopian and government, should do similar acts until the Dutch retract this nonsense. This is demeaning and insulting of all humanity. Its like patenting human life itself, Roosjen next project could be to patent one of the pyramids of Egypt. Since he could already has stolen, the pride and staple food of injeera of Ethiopia.\nRoosjen, you do not own an African Cuisine, you don’t have the rights to patent 8000-year old tradition food from Ethiopia. How dear you, you should retract it and be glad to mother, that you can still import this food and the flour itself. The Ethiopian partners of yours should stop selling to you. Since, you have betrayed their tradition and their cuisine, they should boycott you and yours families business.\nA Dutch Company and a Dutch Man is lucky to be able to trade the commodity, they should sanction the man. The farmers, the traders in Addis Ababa, the ones who has traded with his company and the ones licensing sale to him. Should stop immediately, he doesn’t deserve it. Because he has stolen part of the pride of Ethiopia. No one has the right to do so. No-One has the right to do so, it is insulting and demeaning.\nDaba, Tadessa – ‘Nutritional and Soio-Cultural Values of Teff (Eragrostis tef) in Ethiopia’ (May 2017)\nAuthor nilspeacePosted on March 25, 2018 March 25, 2018 Categories Africa, Business, Civil Service, Development, Ethics, Governance, Government, Law, Leadership, Trade, TransparencyTags Eragrostis Tef, Ethiopia, FDRE, Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Food Culture, glutenvrijmeel, GoE, Government of Ethiopia, Heritage, Horn of Africa, Injeera, Injera, Prograin, Staple Food, Teff, Teff Flour, Teff Seeds, Teff-Grain-Com, Tradition2 Comments on Teff-Flour Patent Belongs to Ethiopia: Sanction Roosjen and his businesses now!","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line589722"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9323185086250305,"wiki_prob":0.9323185086250305,"text":"Trade Union Left Forum Home / News / ‘Keep Water Public’ campaign seeks referendum date\n‘Keep Water Public’ campaign seeks referendum date\nFósa is one of the unions that has formed the coalition behind the ‘Keep Water Public’ campaign. Launched at the end of October, the campaign calls on the Government to confirm a date for a constitutional referendum on the public ownership of water services. The campaign is supported by Fórsa, SIPTU, Unite, Connect and the Irish Congress of Trade Unions.\nSpeaking at the campaign launch, ICTU president and Fórsa general secretary, Kevin Callinan, said the campaign to name the date for a referendum represented a shared commitment by trade unions to ensure the future of public ownership of water services: “It’s time now to end any lingering uncertainty about the future of water services in Ireland. A referendum would give people the opportunity to have their say, in addition to providing us all with a unique opportunity to safeguard public ownership of water for future generations.\n“In that sense, there should be no further hesitation, and we are urging the Government now to name the date. In doing so, it would be taking a welcome and positive step,” he said.\nPublic ownership of water services ensures safe and sustainable access to water for everyone.\nAssistant general secretary Catherine Keogh, who has been working closely with Fórsa members in local authorities providing water services, has said the feeling among members is very strong: “They want the Government to name the date for a referendum, to clearly indicate when we can expect to cast a vote to protect the future of our water services. That feeling is universal, so I expect we’ll see strong support for this campaign,” she said.\nFórsa’s head of Local Government Richy Carrothers said the unions had come together to maximise participation in the campaign by union members: “Privatised water services result in higher costs and poorer services for the public. Public ownership of water services ensures safe and sustainable access to water for everyone.\n“A referendum would help protect Irish water services from any future attempt at privatisation, providing a constitutional guarantee of public ownership. Opinion polls show that a huge majority of the Irish public want a referendum to ensure water services can never be privatised.\n“We’re inviting all union branches and members to take part in this campaign by signing the petition and talking to their local political representatives about naming a date for this important referendum.\n“This is the kind of grassroots campaign that unions excel at, and I’m confident that Fórsa members will seize the opportunity to get this message across to the Government parties,” he said.\nYou can sign the petition here and Fórsa members are encouraged to circulate the link among work colleagues, friends and family to seek their support for the campaign.\nThere’s never been a better time to join a union, and it’s never been easier. Join Fórsa today.\nNovember 3rd, 2022 by TU Left Admin | Type: Standard","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1425395"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5648167729377747,"wiki_prob":0.43518322706222534,"text":"Library Home » Light Page » The role of the constitutional court of Russian-federation in annexation of Crimea-2014\nThe role of the constitutional court of Russian-federation in annexation of Crimea-2014\nThe doctrine of obligatory non-recognition provides that states are under an obligation not to recognise, through individual or collective acts, the purported statehood of an effective territorial entity created in violation of one or more fundamental norms of international law. This rationale underlies the Stimson Doctrine that was used as a justification for states not to recognise the annexation of the Baltic States by the Soviet Union. This rationale is also expressed in the International Law Commission’s Article 41 of the Draft Articles on State Responsibility. The obligation is a norm of customary international law and aims at preventing that a violation of international law becomes validated by means of recognition. It contains a “minimum resistance” and “a continuous challenge to a legal wrong”. The obligation arises where a territorial entity has been created in violation of an erga omnes norm, especially by violating the prohibition of the use of force, by violating the right to self-determination, or by violating the prohibition of systematic racial discrimination.\nThe “Treaty on the Accession of the Republic of Crimea to the Russian Federation” was referred to the Constitutional Court on 18 March 2014 at 17:00.16 The Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation issued a unanimous judgment (the opinion) on the constitutionality of this “Treaty” in less than a day after the “Treaty” was referred to it (actually within one night), i.e. 19 March 2014. 17 Such procedural expediency (dealing with the case actually per night) is not common for any Court, including the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation, and raises a reasonable doubt about the independence of the Russian Constitutional Court in dealing with the requested opinion.\nOn-the-role-of-the-constitutional-court-of-the-Russian-federation-in-the-annexation-of-Crimea\nOn 21 March 2014, the Russian Federation annexed the Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol. This occurred after a series of events which took place in less than a month, and in which the Russian armed forces were clearly involved. The Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation received a request for an opinion on the constitutionality of the treaty on the incorporation of Crimea on 18 March 2014, and issued its opinion on the very next day, on 19 March 2014. The annexation of Crimea was completed on 21 March 2014. The Court’s opinion was a direct instrument facilitating the internal legalisation of the annexation of part of the Ukrainian territory, which is an international crime. That is an unprecedented event, since, for the first time in history, the whole constitutional court was used for the commission of the gravest international crime – the crime of aggression.\nInternational Consensus regarding the Illegality of the Annexation of Crimea\nThe occupation and annexation of Crimea were denounced by the international community as a grave breach of the ius cogens obligation of non-use of force (i.e. aggression). Such a breach triggers a corresponding international obligation erga omnes not to recognise the purported statehood of an effective territorial entity created in violation of the fundamental norm of international law, as well as not to recognise any territorial acquisition that is a result of that breach.\non-the-role-of-the-constitutional-court-of-the-russian-federation-in-the-annexation-of-crimeaDownload\nTags: 2014CE Constitutional Courts Russia\nPrevious: Constitutional Court of Ukraine initiates suspension of membership of Constitutional Courts of Russia and Belarus in WCCJ-04/03/2022\nNext: Remarks by Indian PM at 2nd India-Australia Virtual Summit-21/03/2022","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1781936"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7478930354118347,"wiki_prob":0.7478930354118347,"text":"Timeline: Trump's key decisions in Israeli-Palestinian conflict\nWashington, DC, USAUpdated: Sep 01, 2018, 11:15 PM IST\nFile photo of US President Donald Trump. Photograph:(Reuters)\nFrom the transfer of the US embassy to Jerusalem, to the halting of US aid to Palestinians, US President Donald Trump has made key moves in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.\nHere is a timeline of the key developments since 2017:\nSilence on settlements\nOn January 24, 2017, Trump's administration refuses to be drawn on whether he backs Israel's decision to approve 2,500 new settler homes in the occupied West Bank, the biggest project of its kind for years. \"He wants to grow closer to Israel,\" his spokesman says.\nFirst break with Palestinians\nOn February 15, welcoming Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the White House, Trump halts Washington's quest for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, saying he would back a single state if it led to peace.\nOn March 27 new US ambassador Nikki Haley promises an end to bias against Israel at the United Nations.\nTrump at Western Wall\nOn May 3, Trump hosts Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas at the White House, saying of a Middle East peace agreement: \"We will get it done.\"\nOn May 22, Trump becomes the first sitting US president to visit the Western Wall in Jerusalem's Old Town. Netanyahu announces new US military aid.\n'Alleged' occupation\nIn September, US ambassador to Israel David Friedman, a longtime friend and advisor of Trump, angers Palestinians by downplaying the Israeli occupation of the West bank.\nOn December 6 Trump says \"it is time to officially recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel\", breaking with the policies of his predecessors and provoking criticism worldwide.\nPalestinians express rage. Palestinians have since refused all contact with the American administration, and no longer accept the United States as a peace mediator.\n'Slap of the century'\nOn January 14, 2018 Abbas denounces White House peace efforts as \"the slap of the century\".\nOn January 16 Washington holds back $65 million, more than half of what that had been earmarked for the UN relief agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA.\nWashington says its move is not linked to tensions over Jerusalem, but it further heightens tensions with the Palestinians.\nOn January 25, Trump accuses Palestinians of disrespecting the United States after it snubbed Vice President Mike Pence during his visit to the Middle East.\nHe threatens to withhold aid worth hundreds of millions of dollars until they accede to US-brokered talks.\nUS embassy in Jerusalem\nOn March 5 Trump hosts Netanyahu at the White House and says US-Israel ties have \"never been better\".\nOn May 14, the transfer of the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem coincides with a bloodbath in the Gaza Strip, where about 60 are killed from Israeli fire.\nOn June 1 the United States vetoes a UN draft resolution calling for protection measures for the Palestinians and on June 19 announces its withdrawal from the United Nations Human Rights Council over its alleged bias against Israel.\nHalt to US aid\nThe United States announces on August 24 it has cancelled more than $200 million in aid for the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and West Bank, then on August 31 decides to end funding for UNRWA, saying the organisation was \"irredeemably flawed\".\nUS shuts down major ransomware network Hive, helping almost 300 victims\nUN survey shows opium production in Myanmar surged to a nine-year high in 2022","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1637087"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7079442143440247,"wiki_prob":0.29205578565597534,"text":"Equal Education Submits Recommendations for the Proposed National Development Plan\nThe Equal Education Law Centre (EELC) on behalf of Equal Education (EE) has submitted a commentary on the National Planning Commission’s (NPC) Proposed National Development Plan, Vision for 2030 (the Plan).\nEE welcomes that the Plan identifies improving the quality of education as one of the highest priorities in South Africa. It is promising to see that the Plan emphasises the role that education can play in building social cohesion and promoting national unity. Improving the quality of education across the country will be fundamental in eliminating poverty and reducing inequality over the next two decades.\nThe Plan acknowledges that inadequate school infrastructure continues to plague the education system. It calls for the infrastructure backlogs to be addressed so as to meet the “basic infrastructure and equipment standards set by the National Department of Basic Education”. However, the Plan’s call to address the lack of basic infrastructure appears to be founded on the mistaken belief that binding “basic infrastructure and equipment standards” exist and have been set by the Department. EE recommends that the Plan call for the enactment of binding regulations governing minimum norms and standards for school infrastructure as the first step in addressing the school infrastructure crisis. The Plan should also set its own vision of what facilities should be provided to learners. EE’s recently launched court case against Angie Motshekga has highlighted the Departments failure to set binding norms and standards. Without such norms and standards, any proposal to remedy South Africa’s school infrastructure crisis will fail to prove successful.\nThe Plan has highlighted the plight of rural schools in South Africa. Rural schools continue to endure the consequences of chronic poverty and a critical shortage of qualified teachers. The difficult working environments often found in rural schools result in teachers leaving these posts and discourage teachers from taking up these posts. The Plan suggests that teacher bursary schemes be “strengthened and expanded” and measures be put in place to ensure “graduates are immediately absorbed into schools”. However, the Plan is silent on how to attract quality teachers to rural schools. EE recommends that an incentive structure should be introduced that sufficiently incentivises teachers to take up and continue to stay in rural teaching posts. These could include increased remuneration and accommodation and travel allowances.\nEE values the opportunity to assist the NPC in shaping South Africa’s national planning strategy as it relates to the improvement of basic education. EE believes that if its recommendations are incorporated, the Plan will go a long way towards achieving the 2030 vision of quality education for all.\nEE’s submission can be found online.\nFor more information please contact Lisa Draga (EELC Attorney) on 072 650 0214 or Yoliswa Dwane (EE Head of Policy, Communication and Research) on 072 342 7747\nCarla GoldsteinEqual Education Submits Recommendations for the Proposed National Development Plan 06.12.2012","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1118517"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6957842707633972,"wiki_prob":0.3042157292366028,"text":"Now, so what?\nSo you believe in God, big deal, what are you going to do about it?\nIn a recent interview in Rolling Stone Magazine, Bill Gates was asked about many things — his involvement in his foundation to better our world, his return to Microsoft® as their chief technology advisor, and then a surprise question. \"Do you believe in God?\" Here's his answer that Rolling Stone printed:\nI agree with people like Richard Dawkins that mankind felt the need for creation myths. Before we really began to understand disease and the weather and things like that, we sought false explanations for them. Now science has filled in some of the realm — not all — that religion used to fill. But the mystery and the beauty of the world is overwhelmingly amazing, and there's no scientific explanation of how it came about. To say that it was generated by random numbers, that does seem, you know, sort of an uncharitable view [laughs]. I think it makes sense to believe in God, but exactly what decision in your life you make differently because of it, I don't know.\nThis question grabbed my attention for many reasons. My wife and I just returned from Asia. We were there for many reasons, but one of them involved a young Chinese woman precious to us. She was struggling to truly believe that God was really there for her. The question also grabbed my attention because I know that many influential people are going to be chatting, Tweeting, and Facebooking about what Gates said.\nFor this precious young lady, three key messages of Genesis chapters 1 and 2 were important for her to consider and ultimately believe:\nScience really can't answer the source or origin for matter and energy — something to which Gates alludes in his interview. Genesis says matter, energy, and life go back to the Creator and his desire to create.\nScience has a hard time coming up with a plausible answer about order out of chaos since everything in our world suggests that chaos devolves from order — entropy rules. Genesis claims that God brought order, specificity, and purpose out of chaos.\nHumanity wonders if there is anything that sets us apart from all other creatures — and yes, we are creatures (created beings) according to Scripture, but those in whom resides the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27). Genesis says God made us to have relationship with us and for us to have relationship with each other.\nWhile we have found all sorts of things to argue about in these first two chapters of the Bible, those three claims that lie behind Genesis chapters 1 and 2 are powerful messages — really startling claims — that God is behind everything that matters and that is precious to our lives as humans.\nFor this young woman so precious to us, each of these was a bit hard to grasp since she was raised to not believe in any religion — that things happened \"naturally.\" The only problem was, \"naturally\" could only take you so far and then you were left with your own leap of faith to believe something happened somehow, to start everything we know and bring order out of the mess it began with, and then somehow we ended up as people... all by random chance and accident, with no clear way of knowing how it all began — a beginning without the Beginning-Maker, order without the Orderer, and creation without the Creator.\nHowever, the statement Gates shared that intrigued me most is this one:\nI think it makes sense to believe in God, but exactly what decision in your life you make differently because of it, I don't know.\nThis question is the question I wish more of us who say we believe in God — and believe his incarnation in Jesus — would ponder. It's the \"Now, so what?\" question that I've spent the last 37 years of ministry trying to get people to ask for themselves.\nWe live in a time of interior religion — very much a part of our Western culture individualism. We also live in a time when religious people are basically told, \"Be nice, stay out of the way, and please keep our mouths shut in public.\" So I will be a bit of a contrarian, or at least a thought-provoker, within my own cultural tribe, the God-believers. I challenge us to ask that \"Now, so what?\" question a lot more and let our answer make an intentional difference in how we choose to live. Too many of us are running around spouting our opinions about all sorts of things. What I'd like to see more is what an old professor of mine used to call \"putting your life where your mouth is.\"\nSo you believe in Jesus? Well, that's good, \"Now, so what?\" How do you live differently? How do you show the Jesus lifestyle in your own life? Oh, you haven't really read much of Jesus' story, you are just going by what you heard from someone else or thought you already knew? Hmm. Wouldn't it be good to go read a little about what Jesus said and did since we are given four different accounts of his life, words, and teaching? Then after spending some time with Jesus, start asking \"Now, so what\" about...\nthe way you treat your spouse?\nthe way you treat your kids?\nthe way you treat your employees or boss or coworkers or managers or...?\nthe way you choose how you spend your money?\nthe way you choose to look at people of different cultures and races?\n\"I think it makes sense to believe in God and I've made these changes and set these goals for my life.\"\nthe way you view truth, morality, goodness, and virtue?\nthe way you treat the poor, the disenfranchised, the left out, the voiceless, the vulnerable, the widow, the foreigner, the ill, your enemies, the old, and the young?\nThe \"Now, so what?\" question is the question begging to be answered — answered with changes in our lives because we believe Jesus stated and demonstrated the truth of God; truth we are going to do our best to live!\nWhy all this fuss? Why, Phil, is this such a big deal to you? Why burn a couple minutes of my life that I can never get back having me read this?\nBecause everything that matters in the end depends on what you and I do with our \"Now, so what?\" questions.\nHow do I know? Well, remember how Jesus ended his challenging teaching we call \"The Sermon on the Mount\"? It's the parable of the wise and foolish builder (Matthew 7:24-27). According to Jesus, the wise man whose house stood firm in the storm is the person who \"hears these words of mine and puts them into practice\" (Matthew 7:24). In other words, they ask the \"Now, so what?\" question and adjust their lives accordingly. And the foolish person? The one whose world can't stand up in the storm? Surely it's the one who doesn't believe, right? Not in this case. The foolish person according to Jesus is \"everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice\" (Matthew 7:26). Jesus' message goes in one ear and out the other. The message of Jesus never moves beyond data transfer. They never get around to asking the \"Now, so what?\" question.\nSo I want to challenge each of us — those of us who claim to follow Jesus — to ask the \"Now, so what?\" question. Let's go read a gospel* this next week. And then let's get practical with it. Let's ask the \"Now, so what?\" question as we read, remember, and think about Jesus' words and his example.\nSooner or later, we are going to need to be able to say, \"I think it makes sense to believe in God and I've made these changes and set these goals for my life because I learned them from 'Immanuel,' God with us\" (Matthew 1:23).\n* The four gospels are the first four books in the New Testament, called Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. They tell the story of Jesus' life from a little different point of view shared with people who had challenges that could be answered by the life, words, and example of Jesus.\nFrom 'Now What?' to 'What's Next'\nCreation Receives a Soul\nGod's Good Creation\n\"Now, so what?\" by Phil Ware is licensed under a Creative Commons License. Heartlight encourages you to share this material with others in church bulletins, personal emails, and other non-commercial uses. Please see our Usage Guidelines for more information.\nbelieve faith creation Creator Bill Gates atheist myths truth purpose meaning entropy Beginning-maker change transformation Sermon on the Mount put into practice","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1903846"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9997307658195496,"wiki_prob":0.9997307658195496,"text":"Some facts about June 02, 2023\nSome facts about June 02, 2023: It's Friday, 153 day of 2023, 22th week of 2023, 41.92% of 2023","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line542802"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7103273272514343,"wiki_prob":0.2896726727485657,"text":"Upside & Downside of Fracking\nThe Benefits of Fracking\nMany companies and individuals recognize the benefits of fracking, but there are also potential negative consequences, which will be discussed in the next section. This has led to a situation in which fracking is currently considered a controversial technique for extracting natural gas. While tapping into these vast resources is something many people are in favor of, the concerns center on what the process of fracking may be doing to the environment.\nHowever, there are many benefits of fracking and utilizing it to access these deposits of natural gas and oil. One of the benefits is the ability for the United States to extend its supply of natural gas, which is used in many aspects of the energy industry, including home heating. Of all the fossil fuels, natural gas is the cleanest to burn, the most efficient, and the least costly. For these reasons, many newly built electric generation plants are turning to natural gas for fuel, rather than coal, creating increased demand for natural gas.\nIn Focus: How Hydraulic Fracturing Works\nIn addition to the ability to extend and use this large supply of natural gas, fracking operations can help develop the communities where plays are located. For example, according to Chevron, operators of fracking wells at the Marcellus play in Pennsylvania, this play generated $11.2 billion in what Chevron calls, “regional equivalent of gross domestic product,” and it contributed $1.1 billion to state and local tax revenues. Chevron says Marcellus also supported nearly 140,000 jobs. Fracking has become a large industry, and some people estimate that there are currently more than a million fracking wells across the country.\nEnvironmental Concerns Related to Fracking\nAs with most types of energy drilling techniques, though, there are environmental concerns about fracking, and these concerns are increasing each year, due to more information coming to light about the effects fracking is having on local regions.\nThe most widespread concern people have with fracking techniques is that the groundwater used for residential drinking supplies will be contaminated due to leaking of the gas and chemicals used to extract it. In most wells, more than 99 percent of the fluids used are water and sand, some chemicals are added to aid in the flow of the natural gas. While the chemicals used can vary from well to well, the most commonly used chemicals include benzene, which is a known carcinogen. According to an article in Scientific American, the concern is not about a one-time fracturing operation, but multiple wells being built and operated multiple times in a geographic region. This more extensive fracking process increases the chances that groundwater will eventually become contaminated. Since no long-term studies have been conducted to evaluate fracking’s long-term effects, there is also concern that over time, due to the amount of fissures introduced into the shale, that gas and contaminants will enter groundwater.\nThere is also a concern that fracking processes also utilize what can be very precious water resources for their operations. It takes between 2 million and 3 million gallons of water per well to operate them. Multiply that figure by hundreds of wells, and there is a huge quantity of water required. In 2011, almost the entire state of Texas was experiencing drought conditions. One of the largest shale plays is located in Texas. It was understandable for citizens to be concerned that these wells were utilizing a resource that was much needed by its residents and other businesses. Some fracking operations, such as the Marcellus play, are creating processes to recycle their wells’ wastewater so that less water is consumed by each well.\nFracking Plays in the US\nHow Fracking Works\nBiggest Fracking Plays\nBiggest U.S. Fracking Plays\nShale Employment & Information Resources\nTop U.S. Shale Play Employers","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1793837"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7554917931556702,"wiki_prob":0.7554917931556702,"text":"Posted inGovernment & Politics, Opinion\nJim Brown makes interesting points; some are even his own\nby Mark Moseley May 9, 2011 November 7, 2019\nFormer Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Jim Brown hosts a radio talk show on a nationwide network of affiliates. He’s also one of the most widely reprinted political commentators in the Louisiana blogosphere. From the Daily Kingfish to the Louisiana Conservative, from Bayou Buzz to various other outlets around the state, Jim Brown’s columns have received significant exposure throughout the interwebs of our region.\nHis site boasts that his “syndicated column appears each week in numerous newspapers and websites throughout the South.”\nUnfortunately for those outlets, Jim Brown has repeatedly lifted text from other sources and inserted it into his syndicated commentaries without citation. That’s plagiarism.\nI first got a whiff of it three years ago, when fellow blogger Greg Peters noted that one of Brown’s columns borrowed “great unattributed swaths” of text from another source. At the time, I discounted the error as an example of shoddy scholarship, or a lack of familiarity with the pull-quote method of Internet commentary, in which quoted text is clearly marked or set off in a different format. But Brown was on my radar after that. And, over the years, whenever I’d notice a change in narrative “voice,” I’d Google suspicious sentences from Brown’s commentaries and find that they echoed someone else’s work. These weren’t accidents or mere coincidences, either. Brown’s columns were always published subsequent to the strikingly similar texts. It was clear to me that Brown was repeatedly and intentionally borrowing directly from other sources.\nFrankly, I grew tired of seeing some of my favorite sites re-publish Brown’s lifted work. I pointed this out in the comments at these sites, linking to the the lifted work, but was told to post my grievances elsewhere.\nI can do that. And I’m not above admitting that this was motivated in part by good old-fashioned writer’s block. The words were not flowing at all, and then I recalled Brown’s tendency to lift text, and it inspired me to expose him.\nBelow is a sampling of texts that I believe were inappropriately lifted by Brown. By no means do I consider it an exhaustive list.\nIn his opinion column from Feb. 4, 2010 on the “Oregon approach,” you’ll see that Brown directly lifts from an op-ed by Dave Treibel at OregonLive.com published on Feb. 1, 2010. (Note that the last sentence in Treibel’s excerpt forms the crux of the first sentence in the Brown excerpt.)\nThe attitude seems to be that politics is permanently entrenched in the toxicity of divisive partisanship, but bright ideas always trump cynicism. The new sleek iPad tablet is loaded with impressive, sophisticated technology that Apple’s engineers have worked on for years. It’s the kind of “thinking ahead” philosophy and culture that Steve Jobs and Apple nurture and are known for. The Oregon approach seems to be what an interesting challenge it would be if they could corral an equivalent level of ingenuity and talent available to Steve Jobs to solve some of the complex issues facing their state.\nTreibel:\nThe new sleek tablet is loaded with impressive, sophisticated technology that Apple’s engineers have worked on for years. It’s the kind of “thinking ahead” philosophy and culture that Steve Jobs and Apple nurture and are known for. I thought, “Wouldn’t it be great if Obama could corral an equivalent level of ingenuity and talent available to Steve Jobs to solve some of the complex issues facing our country?”\nAmerican politics seem permanently entrenched in the toxicity of divisive partisanship, but bright ideas always trump cynicism.\nI sent these excerpts to The Oregonian for review. After inspecting both posts, an editor at The Oregonian said (my emphasis):\nMy own view in looking at the two pieces is that the Brown piece is a straight-out lift from a piece by Dave Treibel in “The Stump” by a blog on OregonLive.com. The Treibel piece is dated Feb. 1, 2010 and the Brown piece is dated several days later.\nI agree that it’s a “straight-out lift.” Unfortunately, it’s one of many.\nIn the same post, Brown lifts quite dated and inaccurate information from a Los Angeles Times article published back in 2008. Brown says:\nIn many cases, the train runs right up the middle of the street – stations are literally on the curb.\nPortland officials also drew a square around downtown and declared it a “fare less zone.” If you ride the train or the bus only within that zone, it’s free.\nAn identical passage from Steve Hymon’s LA Times articlefrom Aug. 18, 2008 reads:\nIn many cases, the trains run right up the middle of the street — stations are literally on the curb.\nPortland officials also drew a square around downtown and declared it a “fareless zone.” If you ride the train or the bus only within that zone, it’s free.\nI cataloged various other similarities in this Brown column to other sources here.\nAnother example comes from a Brown column from December 2010, where he wrote:\nFriedman’s ideas were embraced by President Reagan and British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in the 1980s, and lauded by many in the business world. But they were also controversial because of the deep cuts in government spending and the more restricted role they entailed for government in buffering citizens from economic forces.\nAside from an added comma, those sentences are taken vebatim from this CNNMoney.com obituary of Milton Friedman published in 2006.\nHere’s another example. Brown’s July 8, 2010 column reads:\nOn TV cameras in the court room, that are presently prohibited, Kagan is for them. Good for her on this issue. Her colleagues have for years thrown up the hoary arguments the television would undermine the high court’s “ethos” and bring forth the justices’ faces to C-Span-watching terrorists.\nAgain, he has swiped text and ideas from a Los Angeles Times editorial published a few days earlier on July 3, 2010:\nOne of the few subjects about which Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan was forthright at her confirmation hearings was cameras in the high court. She’s for ’em. Not for the hoary arguments that televising the court’s proceedings would undermine its “ethos” and introduce the justices’ faces to C-SPAN-watching terrorists.\nHere are some excerpts from Jim Brown’s column published on January 28, 2010:\nFor years, conservatives have argued that judicial restraint requires deferring to the choices of the elected branches of government. Statutes have been on the books since 1906 limiting corporate spending in federal election campaigns.\nThis same conservative court has for years limited free speech of government employees, students, and maintained a willingness to muzzle defendants through gag orders in criminal cases, but felt compelled to look out for corporate free speech. The message seems clear that conservative justices are happy to be activists when it serves their ideological agenda.\nNow look at this op-ed by UC Irvine professor Erwin Chemerinsky which appeared in the Los Angeles Times a week earlier. Note the similar passages as well as the sequence of ideas and argument:\nFor years, conservatives have argued that judicial restraint requires deferring to the choices of the elected branches of government. McCain-Feingold was a continuation of statutes that have existed since 1906 limiting corporate spending in federal election campaigns.\nThe conservative majority, which in recent years has dramatically limited free speech in other areas such as for government employees and for students was willing to expand the free speech of corporations. There is no way to see this other than as the conservative justices using judicial review to advance the traditional conservative ideological agenda.\nThe Los Angeles Times declined comment when I asked them about the similarities in these passages.\nThe sixth paragraph in this Jim Brown piece from August 19, 2010 reads:\nShortly after the Times story ran, conservative media personality Laura Ingraham interviewed Abdul Rauf’s wife, Daisy Khan, while guest-hosting “The O’Reilly Factor” on Fox. In hindsight, the segment is remarkable for its cordiality. “I can’t find many people who really have a problem with it,” Ingraham says of the mosque project, adding at the end of the interview, “I like what you’re trying to do.”\nNow compare this excerpt from a Salon article published on Aug. 16, 2010:\nConservative media personality Laura Ingraham interviews Abdul Rauf’s wife, Daisy Khan, while guest-hosting “The O’Reilly Factor” on Fox. In hindsight, the segment is remarkable for its cordiality. “I can’t find many people who really have a problem with it,” Ingraham says of the Cordoba project, adding at the end of the interview, “I like what you’re trying to do.”\nAgain, there’s not even a hint of citation for any of the above excerpts. Brown just brazenly passes them off as his own. This pattern is too pervasive and frequent to be excused as accidental or isolated “lapses.” Also, Brown has tweaked and modified the text enough to show that this is not merely a matter of sloppiness.\nThe above examples are only a sampling of instances where Brown has lifted text. I’d bet the farm there’s more.\nFrom what I’ve seen, when Brown lifts text, it’s usually only a few sentences, here and there. But it’s still wrong to do this without attribution, especially if you are being widely re-published. (In fact, if you’re using online search engines, the multitude of web sites that dutifully publish Brown’s columns serve to camouflage the original work.) He doesn’t do it in every paragraph, nor in every opinion piece. But he identifies himself as a writer, yet has repeatedly committed one of the biggest sins in writing.\nBrown’s Wikipedia page says that “Though his training is in law, his knowledge of Louisiana history and politics is seemingly unlimited. Brown sometimes teaches classes in Louisiana history, of which he is an undisputed authority…”\nHigh praise, indeed. And there seems to be some truth to that; most of the unattributed lifts occur when Brown is discussing national issues rather than Louisiana issues. Perhaps Brown is outside his comfort zone on these matters, or maybe he just gets lazy. Either way, it’s wrong to swipe ideas and words from other writers. That’s just common sense.\nGranted, these lifted quotes rarely form the heart of Brown’s commentaries. They’re just sprinkled around, here and there. They aren’t the worst cases of intellectual theft I’ve ever seen, but, then again, they don’t have to be. Any intentional misappropriation of text is too much. It’s unethical, and Brown knows better. After all, he is a writer, author, publisher, radio pundit, father of Campbell Brown, the a famous TV news reporter, and “Hall of Fame” caliber ex-politician. This is a man who continues to claim he was wrongfully convicted of making false statements to the FBI, yet he needlessly harms his remaining credibility by stealing other people’s work.\nBrown signs off on all his columns with the phrase “Peace and Justice.” Well, Brown does no justice to his sources when he uses their ideas and words without attribution. And if exposing this fact creates less peace for the numerous outlets which reprint his columns – so be it.\nMark Moseley blogs at Your Right Hand Thief. Until mid 2014, Mark Moseley was The Lens' opinion writer, engagement specialist and coordinator for the Charter Schools Reporting Corps. After Katrina and... More by Mark Moseley","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1201810"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6841027140617371,"wiki_prob":0.31589728593826294,"text":"Santa Rita Water Reclamation Facility\nAlternative Site Investigation: WWTP\nA New Wastewater Treatment Plant?\nAt the September 1, 2015 City Council Meeting, Council directed staff to amend the City's existing agreement with Mulhern, MRE and expand the scope of work to include a supplemental analysis of three privately owned parcels located on the eastside of the Animas River approximately 1.5 miles downstream of the existing Santa Rita Wastewater Treatment Plant Site. The results of this analysis are included in the attached report. WWTP Alternative Site Addendum (PDF) | Report Appendix A1 (PDF)\nIn June of 2015, City contracted with Mulhern, MRE for the purpose of evaluating the technical and financial feasibility and efficacy of relocating the City's wastewater treatment plant downstream of the current location. Mulhern recently completed the Santa Rita Wastewater Treatment Plant Alternative Site Investigation which outlines the findings from this analysis.\nFollowing a review of the Dewberry cost estimates associated with relocating the City's WWTP to an alternative location, City Council instructed the City Manager to commission a more detailed study of possible alternative sites and costs associated with locating the plant downstream of the High Bridge. As part of this process the City asked Mulhern to identify and evaluate two possible site locations; investigate in detail three infrastructure conveyance alignments to transport the wastewater to a new site; and to provide costs estimates for the total relocation including the costs of a new treatment plant, land acquisition, pipelines and all necessary pumping systems.\nThe costs comparisons from the Study for the rehabilitation and expansion of the plant at the Santa Rita Site versus the two alternatives are include in the below table. Details of this study are included in the attached report and outlined in the Mulhern's presentation given to City Council at the August 11, 2015 Study Session and presented at a Public Meeting held on August 12, 2015.\nMulhern's August 11 Presentation (PDF) | WWTP Alternative Site Investigation Report (PDF) | Report Attachment (PDF)\nA supplemental presentation given by City Manager, Ron LeBlanc at several public meetings regarding the site selection process is available here.\nCity Manager's Presentation (PDF)\nSanta Rita Park\nProject Construction Checklist\nComprehensive Interpretive Plan (PDF)","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1236860"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.915287435054779,"wiki_prob":0.915287435054779,"text":"Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe Shot During Speech\nFormer Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was shot at a campaign address in western Japan on Friday and is now in heart failure, according to NHK public television.\nAccording to national network NHK and the Kyodo news agency, the former leader was giving a stump speech at a gathering before Sunday’s upper house elections when what appeared to be gunshots were heard.\nAccording to a source from his ruling Liberal Democratic Party, Abe, 67, was bleeding from the neck when he slumped.\nLocal police and the LDP were unable to corroborate the reports quickly.\nBoth NHK and Kyodo stated that Abe had been transported to the hospital and seemed to be in cardiorespiratory arrest, a term used in Japan to indicate the absence of vital signs and usually occurs before a coroner formally declares someone dead.\nHe appeared to have been shot from behind, maybe with a shotgun, according to a number of media outlets.\nNHK provided no additional information; however, it was stated that a man had been captured.\nAbe, the longest-serving prime minister in Japan, was in power from 2012 to 2020 and again from 2006 to 2006.\nDuring Abe’s address, an NHK reporter who was on the scene reported hearing two consecutive bangs.\nNHK, a local public network, initially reported that Abe had been shot during the address.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1021369"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5826426148414612,"wiki_prob":0.4173573851585388,"text":"Dunkin Donuts Locations in Longwood, FL\nUnited States > FL > Longwood Dunkin Donuts Locations\n-81.327868 28.6923027\n801 E State Road 434\nFind Dunkin Donuts in Longwood FL the easy way.\nDunkin Donuts in Longwood FL is a doughnut company and coffee chain specializing in food and beverage. Dunkin Donuts was founded in 1950 by William Rosenberg in Quincy, Massachusetts and have headquarters in Canton, Massachusetts with more than 15,000 locations throughout the world.\nFind the nearest FL Longwood Dunkin Donuts location. Your comments and suggestions are always welcome, visit our About page for more information.\n• Dunkin Donuts in Florida City, FL • Dunkin Donuts in Leesburg, FL • Dunkin Donuts in New Smyrna Beach, FL • Dunkin Donuts in Lutz, FL • Dunkin Donuts in Wesley Chapel, FL • Dunkin Donuts in Sebastian, FL • Dunkin Donuts in Green Cove Springs, FL • Dunkin Donuts in Oviedo, FL • Dunkin Donuts in Belleair Bluffs, FL • Dunkin Donuts in Fort Myers Beach, FL","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1810935"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7396606802940369,"wiki_prob":0.7396606802940369,"text":"Home Vincent Bohanan and the Sound of Victory Choir\nVincent Bohanan and the Sound of Victory Choir\nMay 14, 2022 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM\nJoin us for an afternoon of uplifting and inspirational gospel music with Vincent Bohanan and the Sound of Victory Choir. Vincent Bohanan founded the choir in January of 2014. Highlights include recording with Grammy Award winning gospel artist Cece Winans, backing up P. Diddy during the 2015 NBA All-Star Weekend & Bad Boy Reunion Tour, as well as Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas” Tour.\nSOV has also been a featured choir for Bishop Hezekiah Walker’s annual Resurrection Sunday Concert, sharing the stage with many celebrity gospel artists. The choir has been seen on The World Network for the Dorinda Clark Show. SOV has traveled across the US and has conducted a European tour twice. In 2017, after releasing their third single “We Win: The Kingdom Declaration” which premiered at #1 on the Billboard’s Single’s Chart, SOV was nominated for two Stellar Awards in 2018. They also signed with Hez House Music Label, under the umbrella of RCA Records. Their latest release is the single \"Any Day Now\" which was followed by the album \"Live in Chicago\" in early 2021.\nThe choir provides young minorities who have experienced poverty-stricken circumstances or who feel alienated and rejected by society, to turn their lives around and through music share their transformation with all who will lend an open heart. The choir consists of 40-50 young singers and musicians who commute from across the New York City Metropolitan area and as far as NJ, CT, and the DMV area.\nThe Unity Choir of the Black Ministers’ Association (BMA) of York, PA is comprised of dynamic voices and musicians from various ministries with the goal of enhancing the community through unification and song.\nEvent Type Live Music\nDate & Time May 14, 2022 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1091691"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5640589594841003,"wiki_prob":0.5640589594841003,"text":"13 Aug 2006 Defamation as Tactic: Promoting Global Warming Alarmism by Misleading Readers\nPosted at 11:04h in Articles, Blog, Environment and Enterprise Institute, Global Warming by Amy Ridenour\nI offer here a case study in the way journalists serve the cause of global warming alarmists — in this particular case, by claiming scientists are associated with the fossil fuel industry using “evidence” even a superficial investigation would have rendered void, and by misleading readers in other ways.\nIn June, columnist Tom Hennessy of the Long Beach Press-Telegram wrote a laudatory column about Al Gore’s movie, “An Inconvenient Truth.” Two readers whose critical letters were published by the newspaper included the Australian scientist Dr. Bob Carter (letter published June 29), and Canadian scientist Dr. Tim Ball (letter published June 26).\nHennessy responded with another column, “Sense Wins in Heated Debate,” published July 5, in which he ignored the substance of both scientists’ letters, preferring instead to lead readers to believe two things for which he had scant-to-zero evidence: 1) both scientists had received funds from the energy industry, and 2) in exchange for these funds, the scientists have agreed to espouse views they otherwise would not.\nHennessy’s July 5 column reads, in part:\nMy new best friend is reader Kevin Powell. He won me over with an e-mail which, in part, said this:\n“Sheeeeeesh! What’s going on at the P-T editorial room? You write a nifty, inoffensive piece on Al Gore’s new film and the anti-global warming dingbats explode with atomic force.”\nPowell was referring to Tim Ball, retired University of Winnipeg climatology professor, and Bob Carter, a professor at Australia’s James Cook University. Both wrote to the P-T last week, chastising me for suggesting that Gore’s film and book, “An Inconvenient Truth,” carries a message we should all consider.\nAsked reader Powell, “Isn’t the editorial board supposed to be on alert for that kind of thing and not let the P-T be used as part of a propaganda campaign?”\nIt’s a valid question. Hand in hand with industry polluters, Ball and Carter seem to be caught up in a movement to debunk Gore and global warming…\nLet’s start with the Australian global warming skeptic, Bob Carter. Melissa Fyfe, who writes for The Age, a Melbourne newspaper, notes that Carter is a member of the so-called Lavosier Group, a collection of global warming skeptics who are discredited by “the vast majority of scientists.”\nDebunking climate change, says Fyfe, “has also been taken up by right-wing think tanks, such as the Institute of Public Affairs,” which “receives funding from companies such as ExxonMobil.” Carter et al., she writes, constitute a “sophisticated machine that has successfully created the impression that climate change science is mired in uncertainty.”\nIn British Columbia, where skeptic Tim Ball lives in retirement, The Tee, an online publication, says “ExxonMobil has been astonishingly successful in delaying action on global warming for more than a decade.”\nTyee also says Ball “is in high demand by the front groups sponsored by the fossil fuel industry. Ball’s particular niche is the argument that since 1940, the world’s climate has actually been cooling.”\nThe online publication says Ball is promoted by the National Center for Public Policy Research, which has received funding from ExxonMobil, and Tech Central Station, which is supported, by, among others, General Motors…\nHennessy’s not-so-subtle message: Dr. Carter has been bought by industry, therefore, his views should be disregarded. Hennessy, however, shows no evidence linking Carter to industry, let alone that Carter’s views are for sale.\nHennessy’s attack on Dr. Tim Ball caught my eye because Hennessy dragged this institution, the National Center for Public Policy Research, into the fray.\nDr. Ball’s published letter to the Press-Telegram said, in part:\nI have seen the movie [An Inconvenient Truth] and, as someone with a doctorate in climatology, have studied the subject so long that when I began, the scientific consensus was that we were heading for another ice age. But Gore doesn’t understand that consensus is not a scientific fact. It is also clear he doesn’t understand how science works.\nThe global warming theory assumed carbon dioxide (CO2) traps heat in the atmosphere, and if it increases because of human additions to the total, then global temperature would rise. Unfortunately, environmentalists and people who saw human use of energy to develop technology and industry as wrong saw it as an opportunity to undermine Western development and civilization.\nThey politicized the issue and converted a scientific theory to a fact. Scientists like myself who tried to ask questions were called skeptics or more recently deniers with all the holocaust connotations.\nThe real inconvenient truth is that the fundamental assumption that CO2 causes warming has proven incorrect. Not only is the human portion not the cause, but CO2 itself is not the cause of global warming or climate change. Ice core records covering 420,000 years show temperature changing before CO2, not the other way around as implied by Gore.\nIn the 20th century most warming occurred before 1940, when production of CO2 was low. From 1940 to 1980, global temperatures went down while human addition of CO2 increased most dramatically. Since 1998 global temperatures have declined while human production of CO2 continues to increase.\nI would gladly sit down with Mr. Hennessy and go through Gore’s movie, scene by scene, and explain how it is distorted, taken out of context or otherwise manipulated.\nTim Ball\nOn July 7, I wrote to Tom Hennessy, for reasons the letter makes clear:\nDear Mr. Hennessey-\nVia Google, I happened upon your July 5 commentary, “Sense Wins in Heated Debate.”\nWith all due respect, isn’t it just a bit misleading to report that “[Dr. Tim] Ball is promoted by the National Center for Public Policy Research, which has received funding from ExxonMobil”? This makes it appear as though Dr. Ball received cash from us, and by extension ExxonMobil, when in fact all we did was reprint a small amount of his writing on one of our websites.\nBy that standard, every newspaper that publishes an op-ed by an outside pundit is a “promoter” of the pundit, and the pundit becomes associated with the beliefs and practices of the newspaper’s advertisers.\nGoogle also reveals that Dr. Ball has had his writing published in a number of newspapers. Are they “promoters” as well? I wouldn’t be surprised if some of those papers have from time-to-time run ads for the fossil fuel industry, or, perhaps, from automakers. Horrors.\nAs it happens, Dr. Ball has never received a penny from us, and our support from ExxonMobil amounts to less than one percent of our budget. This leaves Dr. Ball with zero percent of less than one percent. Not much! Yet, apparently, worthy of note in the press.\nEven though I’ve never met, talked to, or otherwise communicated with Dr. Ball, I know he has extensive scientific expertise. Possibly his ideas should be evaluated on their merits, instead of on the basis of his supposed association with us?\nAmy Ridenour\nThe National Center for Public Policy Research\nHennessy’s response:\nDear Ms. Ridenour\nThe next time you “happen upon” one of my columns, via Google, I hope you will read it more carefully than you did the last one. You wrote:\n“With all due respect, isn’t it just a bit misleading to report that ‘{Dr. Tim} Ball is promoted by the National Center for Public Policy Research, which has received funding from ExxonMobil.'”\nThat comment did not originate with me. It came from the Tyee, an online publication based in British Columbia. The sentence clearly attributed the thought to the online publication. I assume you have written to them as well.\nYou also said, “As it happens, Dr. Ball has never received penny from us…” I never said he did.\nSince you seem to present yourself as something of an expert on climate change, I assume you are well aware that Dr. Ball’s views are among a minority in the scientific community.\nAlthough we seem to be on opposite sides re this change, I appreciate your having written me to share your views.\nTom Hennessy, Columnist\nPress-Telegram, Long Beach, Ca\nI responded, somewhat less cordially:\nDear Mr. Hennessey,\nThank you for your reply. I appreciate it.\nI hope my reference to “happening” upon one of your columns was not taken as an insult, as none was intended. If I lived in your area of the country, I am sure I would be a subscriber and a regular reader.\nAs to the column we are discussing, I read it quite carefully, several times, and again after reading your recent correspondence. I am unable to draw any conclusion other than that you intended to undermine Dr. Ball’s credibility as an honest scientist after a letter by him disagreeing with you was published by your newspaper.\nYou refer to Dr. Ball and another scientist, Dr. Bob Carter, as acting “hand in hand with industry polluters” and say “some readers appear to have been taken in by them.”\nYou use juxtaposition to imply a connection between Dr. Ball and ExxonMobil: “In British Columbia, where skeptic Tim Ball lives in retirement, The Tyee, an online publication, says ‘ExxonMobil has been astonishingly successful in delaying action on global warming for more than a decade.'” Whether ExxonMobil has been successful in influencing public policy in British Columbia actually says nothing about Dr. Ball, but a casual reader will infer from your construction that the two are connected.\nYou further write: “Tyee also says Ball ‘is in high demand by the front groups sponsored by the fossil fuel industry…’“ In the Tyee, author Donald Gutstein identifies two organizations as having received “policy briefings” by Dr. Ball. These, presumably, are the “front groups.” The first is one of the most respected think-tanks in the world, the 32-year-old Fraser Institute, which receives one percent of its funding from ExxonMobil. It is best known internationally for its work on health care and economics. According to its website, Dr. Ball spoke there in 2005 and co-wrote a paper for them in 2004 on “limitations that hinder the usefulness of climate models.” The other “front group” is the Frontier Centre for Public Policy, which, according to its website, receives less than 20 percent of its income from all corporate sources combined, and which does not appear to consider energy policy/climate change among its top priorities. Based on a search of their website, its one connection to Dr. Ball is that he delivered a lecture there in 2004.\nThe best that can be said in your favor is that these facts paint a far more nuanced picture than what your readers learned from you after you chose to run an unchallenged quote that Ball “is in high demand by the front groups sponsored by the fossil fuel industry.”\nA more factual description more likely is that, over a two-year period, a retired academic spoke once time each to two of Canada’s most prestigious think-tanks, and co-wrote a paper for one of them. I can understand why this latter formulation would not strike a propagandist as a good way to undermine Dr. Ball’s professional credibility, but the fact that the Tyee’s formulation was stretched beyond reason should have been obvious to a professional journalist, if that professional journalist was doing any fact-checking whatsoever.\nThen your article asserts a connection between our group and Dr. Ball: “The online publication says Ball is promoted by the National Center for Public Policy Research, which has received funding from ExxonMobil…” I explained why this is simply silly in my earlier e-mail to you. In your reply, you essentially disavowed responsibility, blaming Donald Gutstein’s article in the Tyee for any errors, as that was your source.\nI am unwilling to let you off the hook so easily. Donald Gutstein and the Tyee misled its readers, but you misled yours. First, you used juxtaposition and implication to undermine a scientist’s reputation for honesty. Then you found and quoted another columnist who was doing the same thing — tarring a man’s reputation by misleading readers. You had the choice of checking the Tyee’s facts, and apparently did not take it (let us hope that you did not). Yet, it is your professional responsibility to check your facts. You write a professional column for a significant newspaper. When you write about serious issues, your readers expect more fact-checking than they would from a drunken sophomore posting his personal views for his frat buddies to read on MySpace. They didn’t get it. Depending on the sophomore, they may have gotten less.\nYou could have picked up the telephone. You could have done something even easier, and Googled the terms “Tim Ball” and the name of our group. The #1 entry when one does this is a May 3, 2006 blog post by me demonstrating the unreliability of Donald Gutstein’s Tyee article. Likewise, a joint search for “Tim Ball” and “Donald Gutstein” brings up the refutation of the Gutstein piece in #1 position. Even “Tim Ball” and “ExxonMobil” will do it, or “Tim Ball” and “coal.”\nI realize this e-mail may be considered harsh, but imagine how your column made your targets feel.\nColumnist Tom Hennessy did not respond to my second e-mail. I checked the Long Beach Press-Telegram later to see if a correction or clarification had been run to acknowledge that the Press-Telegram, through a staff column, had defamed two scientists, but I found no acknowledgement or apology.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1904875"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6967706084251404,"wiki_prob":0.6967706084251404,"text":"The Minnesota State system is the largest single provider of higher education in the state of Minnesota and the third largest system of colleges and universities in the United States. The system includes 37 state colleges and universities (30 colleges, 7 universities and 54 campuses) spanning across 47 Minnesota communities serving more than 340,000+ students annually.\nMinnesota State Colleges and Universities offer 3,885 academic programs, including 802 fully online programs. Minnesota State Colleges and Universities also deliver 13,500 customized training, occupational and professional classes to businesses and other employers.\nSouth Central College is a Minnesota Community and Technical College with campuses in North Mankato and Faribault. South Central offers a variety of educational opportunities including: Associate of Arts, Associates of Applied Science, Associates in Science, diplomas and certificates.\nSouth Central College is leading the way in business partnership for gainful employment, manufacturing, and applied research. South Central College has an excellent Center of Business and Industry that provides credit and non-credit continuing education and training for businesses, non-profits and government agencies.\nMinnesota West Community and Technical College\nMinnesota West is a comprehensive community and technical college with five campuses in Minnesota: Canby, Granite Falls, Jackson, Pipestone and Worthington. Minnesota West also has centers in Fairmont, Luverne, Marshall and Redwood Falls.\nStudents at Minnesota West have the opportunity to earn an Associate’s Degree, diploma or certificate in over 60 disciplines.\nSouthwest Minnesota State University is located in Marshall, MN. On July 1, 2014, SMSU permanently established the School of Agriculture. The School of Agriculture is a part of SMSU's College of Business, Education and Professional Studies.\nSouthwest Minnesota State University is a four-year public university offering a high quality education in the liberal arts and professions to prepare you for a life that is successful both personally and professionally. SMSU has grown into a university of choice with high national rankings, producing scholars who become the leaders, thinkers, and entrepreneurs of the future. Students and faculty alike come here to engage in the rich \"Southwest Experience,\" which starts with strong academics, fulfilling social opportunities and support from fellow Mustangs.\nRiverland Community College has campuses in Albert Lea, Austin, and Owatonna. Riverland has six new agricultural programs including Precision Agriculture, Food Science, Food Science Technology, Agricultural Sciences, Biotechnology, and Agribusiness. These programs join Riverland’s established Farm Business Management program, one of the college’s most popular programs.\nRiverland Community College is dedicated to our students, our mission, and our communities.\nMinnesota State University, Mankato is a four-year public university in Mankato offering degrees and programs across a wide variety of majors. Minnesota State-Mankato is a place where big ideas become real-world solutions that have a positive impact across Minnesota.\nRochester Community and Technical College\nRochester Community and Technical College is located in Rochester, MN and provides accessible, affordable, quality learning opportunities to serve a diverse and growing community.\nRochester Community and Technical College will be a universal gateway to world class learning opportunities.\nDakota County Technical College\nDakota County Technical College is located in Rosemount, MN and endeavors to serve students within nearby communities, as well as those coming from countries around the world. The majority of students work toward degrees and diplomas in a variety of programs to prepare them for employment.\nDCTC has become a leader in delivering sustainable technologies, service-learning opportunities, and community engagement into the curricula of most programs.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line767860"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8308677673339844,"wiki_prob":0.8308677673339844,"text":"How to Watch All Thirteen (!) <i>Halloween</i> Movies In Order\nHow to Watch All Thirteen (!) Halloween Movies In Order\nMichael Myers simply will not die.\nBy Justin Kirkland\nImagine being a cool girl, just trying to live your life in Haddonfield, Illinois. It's fall, and my God, you love fall. You offer to do your dad (a realtor in town trying to sell a house) a favor by dropping off a key at one of his properties. Of course, it just so happens that at the same time, the boy who used to live there sees you, remembers everything about you, and then tries to kill you. This is why you should never do anyone any favors.\nThis is the start of the Halloween franchise, for you non-Michael Myers heads in the room. (Which is based on a true story, FYI.) Though, I suppose you should have been tipped off to the multi-film run by the headline of this article. You're here because you're searching out how to watch Halloween the right way, which is understandable. It's a stellar seasonal film that should be in the top 10 of any slasher movie fan. (It certainly is in ours.) But when you get into the details of the Halloween franchise, you'll quickly learn that there aren't just a couple of sequels. There are thirteen films in total. A full baker's dozen. And there are more planned! To what end, Michael Myers? TO WHAT END?\nSomething important to know: not all Halloween films are created equal, and thus, we take no responsibility for the time you will inevitably waste if you choose to watch Halloween: Resurrection. That's on you. But for the hell of it, let's explore all 13 and their respective timelines because, yes—you bet your ass there's multiple. (Need more gore? Check out the best zombie flicks ever next.)\nIt's the OG. The indisputable GOAT of the franchise. The film introduces us to Laurie, who seemingly gets mixed up with Michael Myers at random (more on that in a minute). He begins to stalk her, intent on killing her, but as the multiple movies suggest, Laurie doesn't go down without a fight. Of all the scream queens out there, Jamie Lee Curtis is the one to beat.\nPicking up almost directly where the first left off, Michael and Laurie square up again—this time, ending in an all out hospital brawl. And while neither of them make it out unscathed, the fate of a central figure comes to a close... for now.\nHalloween III: Season of the Witch\nFor purists, this film is garbage, largely because it doesn't even feature Michael Myers. For horror fans, it's become a cult favorite as the single standalone film in the franchise. There's witchcraft, Stonehenge, and commercials. Make of that what you will.\nLike, well, most fourth installments (except Land Before Time, which is a perfect franchise), Halloween 4 will leave you feeling deflated. As the title suggests, it does feature the return of Michael Myers, but it spends most of its time chasing the high of the first film with little to no effectiveness.\nHalloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers\nGood for Donald Pleasance for, presumably, working a multi-film deal into his contract.\nHalloween: The Curse of Michael Myers\nTo be frank, we're still on the downward slope here, but Donald Pleasance returns as Dr. Loomis, offering a bit of consistency. This one also features Paul Rudd playing Tommy, the boy Laurie Strode babysat in the first film.\nGreat news: the timeline starts over with Halloween H20, which is an objectively terrible name for a subjectively decent movie. Following the events of 1981's Halloween II, the film brings back Jamie Lee Curtis, alongside a list of upcoming actors from 1998. Michelle Williams! Josh Hartnett! Joseph Gordon Levitt! I mean, LL Cool J is here, too. This is a party.\nHalloween: Ressurection\nMichael Myers is beheaded (and survives). Laurie Strode is thrown off a building (and dies—after 24 years in the franchise??). Make it make sense!\nRob Zombie really said, \"I'm going to take this concept and just create my own universe.\" Classic Rob. A bit of a reimagining based on the original, Halloween manages to give Michael Myers a bit more backstory (and falls heavily on Laurie Strode being Michael's sister), but truly had no chance of unseating the original.\nFor some reason, Octavia Spencer and Weird Al Yankovich are in this sequel. That's all I can remember because the rest of my mind is absolutely drenched in all the blood and gore that outweighs the rest of the movie.\nIn the 2018 reboot, Myers and Strode face off one more time. Reworking the timeline, this Halloween only incorporates the first film into its timeline. All these years later, Laurie is still vexed by Michael knowing he's out there, though her family thinks she's nuts. That's fine... until he actually does show up again.\nFollowing up on the massively successful reboot from 2018, Halloween Kills surpassed expectations and made over $131 million at the box office. Though it appeared that Myers was quite literally toasted in that house fire, he is back and Laurie Strode has someone on her side that she's never had before: Judy Greer.\nWill Halloween truly end in the upcoming finale to David Gordon Green's latest Michael Myers trilogy? We doubt it! But that hasn't stopped Jamie Lee Curtis from touting her last appearance in the horror series as the \"final reckoning.\"\nJustin Kirkland Writer Justin Kirkland is a Brooklyn-based writer who covers culture, food, and the South.\n19 Facts You Didn’t Know About Deadpool\nWhen Will James Cameron Let Us Stream Avatar?\nWe Need an Academy Award For Best Animal Actor\nYour Lord and Savior 'M3GAN' Is Streaming\nThe Most Anticipated Documentaries of 2023\nSteven Spielberg Says 'The Dark Knight' Was Robbed\nCheck Out These Vintage Awards Show Photos\n'Dungeons & Dragons' Looks Deliciously Batshit\nPaul Mescal's Family Is Hyped About His Oscar Nom\nThere's One Way You Can Right Tom Cruise's Snub","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line909991"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9458049535751343,"wiki_prob":0.9458049535751343,"text":"Man gets 9 years in prison for plane sex assault\nDetroit – An Indian man living in the U.S. on a work visa was sentenced to nine years in prison Thursday for sexually assaulting a sleeping woman during an overnight flight to Detroit.\nPrabhu Ramamoorthy was in a middle seat sitting next to the victim while his wife was in an aisle seat on a Spirit Airlines flight from Las Vegas last January. The 23-year-old victim said he unzipped her pants, unbuttoned her shirt and molested her with his hands.\nProsecutors asked for a sentence of nearly 11 years, but U.S. District Judge Terrence Berg settled on a nine-year term. He said he hoped it would be “grave enough” to deter others from committing similar crimes.\nA jury convicted Ramamoorthy in August . He will be deported to India after serving his sentence.\nThe victim, a model, declined an opportunity to speak in court. She watched the hearing from the first row with her boyfriend and a support dog.\nAt trial, she testified that she woke up during the flight and “saw his hands inside me.” She said she felt “petrified, frozen.”\n“Everyone has the right to be secure and safe when they travel on airplanes. … We appreciate the victim in this case for her courage to speak out,” U.S. Attorney Matthew Schneider said.\nRamamoorthy, 35, has lived in suburban Detroit since arriving in the U.S. on a work visa in 2015. He and his wife were returning to Detroit on the Las Vegas flight after a trip to the Grand Canyon.\nSpeaking through a Tamil interpreter, Ramamoorthy said he didn’t want to make a statement before getting his sentence. The judge noted a lack of remorse but acknowledged that Ramamoorthy had a right to stay silent.\nDefense attorney James Amberg asked for a prison sentence of less than 10 years. He said the conviction will bring “severe and lifelong consequences” to Ramamoorthy and his wife when they return to southern India.\n“His life is effectively over,” Amberg told Berg.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1517322"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9697936177253723,"wiki_prob":0.9697936177253723,"text":"Home News Boudica is NOT a terrorist: Supreme Court rules Celtic warrior queen is a 'national hero' in modern-day mock trial... nearly 2000 years after she sacked three Roman cities and left '80,000 dead' during brutal rampage\nBoudica is NOT a terrorist: Supreme Court rules Celtic warrior queen is a 'national hero' in modern-day mock trial... nearly 2000 years after she sacked three Roman cities and left '80,000 dead' during brutal rampage\nAs queen of the Iceni tribe, she burnt London to the ground and was responsible for the deaths of 80,000 civilians.\nBut yesterday, Boudica was acquitted in a 'trial' at the Supreme Court of having committed terrorist acts against a 'rotten and illegitimate Roman government' nearly 2,000 years ago.\nThe female warrior led the Iceni's revolt against occupying Roman forces from AD60-61 after they reneged on a deal to let her people rule themselves.\nShe is also believed to have been flogged and her daughters raped.\nThousands of members of the tribe marched from their home in what is now Norfolk to ravage the Roman cities of Camulodunum (Colchester), Londinium and Verulamium, which was near what is now St Albans in Hertfordshire.\nIn her trial, which was run by the education charity Classics for All and involved QC lawyers, the warrior queen was 'charged' under the Terrorism Act 2000.\nHowever, by a margin of ten to one, the 50-strong jury accepted that the atrocities committed by Boudica and her people were justified acts of self-defence, The Times reported.\nAfter she was acquitted, judge Lord Justice Stephens said Boudica was free to leave 'without any stain on your character and remain as a national symbol of an inspirational hero'.\nAs queen of the Iceni tribe, she burnt London to the ground and was responsible for the deaths of 80,000 civilians. But yesterday, Boudica was acquitted in a 'trial' at the Supreme Court of having committed terrorist acts against a 'rotten and illegitimate Roman government' nearly 2,000 years ago\nRoman historian Tacitus described the subsequent march on the three ancient cities, saying that Boudica's tribe targeted places where 'loot was richest and protection weakest'\nShe was accused of using 'action involving serious violence against persons, namely the inhabitants of Camulodunum, Londinium and Verulamium.'\nThe indictment added that her action was designed to 'influence the government of Rome or to intimidate the public or a section of the public, for the purpose of advancing a political or ideological cause, namely Iceni dissidence and secession.'\nThe prosecution, which was brought on behalf of the 'Senate and People of Rome', was led by high-flying QC Alison Morgan.\nShe was the leading counsel in the case of Khairi Saadallah, who murdered three men in a terrorist attack in Reading last year.\nMorgan reportedly urged the jurors not to 'buy the hype'. She said that whilst the Romans had flogged the queen and raped her daughters after the death of her husband, Prasutagus, 'that cannot justify an act of mass murder'.\nHowever, defence lawyer Thomas Grant QC called Boudica a 'brave woman' who had been a victim of Roman 'propaganda'.\nIn her trial, which was run by the education charity Classics for All and involved QC lawyers, the warrior queen was 'charged' under the Terrorism Act 2000\nThe indictment added that her action was designed to 'influence the government of Rome or to intimidate the public or a section of the public, for the purpose of advancing a political or ideological cause, namely Iceni dissidence and secession.' Above: The trial held at the Supreme Court yesterday\nThe REAL story behind 'The Last Duel': How warring knights... Ex-Bishop of Rochester converts to Catholicism after...\nAfter she was acquitted, judge Lord Justice Stephens (left) said Boudica was free to leave 'without any stain on your character and remain as a national symbol of an inspirational hero'. The prosecution was led by high-flying QC Alison Morgan and the defence were represented by Thomas Grant QC (right)\nHe added that he was 'confident' the jury would 'do justice to a Briton' because her actions were the only 'conceivable response' to the Romans' actions.\nBefore his death, Boudica's husband had been ruler of the Iceni people. The Romans had allowed him to continue as king, ruling on their behalf.\nHe made a deal with the Romans that when he passed away, his heirs would be his two daughters and the Roman Emperor Nero.\nPrasutagus hoped that he could this way preserve his kingdom and his family fortune.\nBut when he died, the Romans decided to rule the Iceni directly and confiscated the property and estates of his family, as well as allegedly abusing Boudica and her own children.\nThe Roman historian Tacitus described the subsequent march on the three ancient cities, saying that Boudica's tribe targeted places where 'loot was richest and protection weakest'.\n'They could not wait to cut throats, hang, burn and crucify, as though avenging, in advance, the retribution that was on its way,' he added.\nTheir major military victory came in Camulodunum, where they destroyed the city's Roman colony, including much of the famous Ninth Legion – which later disappeared entirely from the historical record.\nBoudica and her forces then forced the Roman Governor of Britain, Paulinus to evacuate London, which was also destroyed. An estimated 70,000 people were killed there.\nAfter they went on to also destroy what is now St Albans, Paulinus collected 10,000 troops and lured the Britons into battle. Whilst the exact site of the conflict is unknown, it is believed to have been somewhere in the Midlands.\nThe Britons gathered in huge numbers, and their 'confidence was so great that they brought their wives with them to see the victory, installing them in carts stationed at the edges of the battlefield', according to Tacitus.\nThe warrior is said to have addressed her group from the back of a chariot, showing them her bruised body and her violated daughters.\nTactitus records that her speech ended with the words: 'Win this battle or perish. That is what I, a woman, plan to do. Let the men live in slavery if they will.'\nHowever, the historian claims that more than half of the British army were women, with the outcome being an easy Roman victory.\nTacitus says that around 80,000 Britons were killed, whilst the Roman side lost 400 men.\nBoudica is said to have poisoned herself to avoid capture.\nTheir major military victory came in Camulodunum, where they destroyed the city's Roman colony, including much of the famous Ninth Legion – which later disappeared entirely from the historical record\nThe Roman general Gaius Suetonius Paulinus defeated Boudica and her forces in battle. Above: The status of Paulinus at the entrance to the Roman Baths in Bath, Somerset\nHowever, the Roman senator Cassius Dio – who wrote a mammoth history of Rome – put the number of slain Romans at 80,000.\nHe added that the shame was made worse because 'all this ruin was brought about by a woman'.\nDio also claims that the final battle was far from an easy victory, it was ultimately very close.\nHe said that the Britons mourned the loss of Boudica 'deeply and gave her a costly burial. But feeling that now at last they were really defeated, they scattered to their homes.'\nHer trial on Thursday was the sixth held by Classics For All. Previous trials have featured the Greek philosopher Socrates and Brutus, one of the assassins of Julius Caesar.\nThe charity was founded in 2010 with the aim of reversing the decline in the teaching of the ancient world and the take-up of its languages, such as Ancient Greek and Latin, in state schools.\nIt has gone on to work with nearly 100,000 pupils in 1,000 schools and trained more than 3,000 staff to teach the subject.\nTHE BOUDICCAN REVOLT\nThe Boudiccan Revolt raged from 60-61AD and saw British tribes, under Boudicca of the Iceni, unsuccessfully try to defeat the Roman army.\nBoudicca was Queen of the Iceni people, a British tribe who lived in what is today Norfolk and parts of Suffolk and Cambridgeshire.\nHer name is an early for of the more commonly known name 'Victoria'.\nHer husband, Prasutagus, was ruler of the Iceni people, and the Romans allowed Prasutagus to continue as king, ruling on their behalf.\nBut, when Prasutagus died, the Romans decided to rule the Iceni directly and they confiscated the property of the leading Iceni families.\nThe Romans are also said to have stripped and whipped Boudicca, and raped her daughters.\nThe Boudiccan Revolt raged from 60-61AD and saw British tribes, under Boudicca of the Iceni, unsuccessfully try to defeat the Roman army. Above: Statue of Boudica at Thames Embankment in Central London\nThe subsequent revolt began in Camulodunum (Colchester), where they destroyed the city's Roman colony, including much of the famous Ninth Legion – which later disappeared entirely from the historical record.\nBoudica is NOT a terrorist: Supreme Court rules Celtic warrior queen is a 'national hero' in modern-day mock trial... nearly 2000 years after she sacked three Roman cities and left '80,000 dead' during brutal rampage Reviewed by free heip on October 15, 2021 Rating: 5","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line658130"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6563815474510193,"wiki_prob":0.6563815474510193,"text":"Events | UCalgary Alumni\nAlumni Culinary Experience\nAlumni Exclusive Tours\nClass of 2022: Enterprising student pinpoints promising regions for future geothermal projects in Alberta\nSustainable energy development grad Gordon Brasnett visualizes the most economically viable sites\nDavid Hedley, Advancement\nGordon Brasnett presents the highlights of his geothermal research at the downtown University of Calgary campus in September. David Hedley, Advancement\nDeep beneath the Earth’s surface lies an almost endless supply of energy. Gordon Brasnett remembers even as a child being intrigued by the possibilities. “Family camping trips where we visited hot springs in Alberta and B.C. probably reinforced this interest,” he says.\nToday, as the world looks for ways to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels, geothermal energy holds great promise as an alternative, especially in western Canada. But tapping the resource won’t be easy or cheap. Brasnett, a geophysicist who graduates this fall with a Master of Science in Sustainable Energy Development (SEDV) from the School of Public Policy at the University of Calgary, tackled a big question: Where in Alberta are the most economically viable locations to build new geothermal projects?\nHis answer, created as a capstone research project toward his degree, includes a publicly available, interactive model that considers the economic viability of particular areas across Alberta for future geothermal development. His visualizations draw on a matrix of data sources, such as pioneering research by University of Alberta scientist Dr. Jacek Majorowicz, who estimated the drilling depths required to reach progressively hotter geothermal sources.\nMapping the potential for future projects\nBrasnett’s interactive model looks at all of Alberta, illustrating the geothermal depths yielding temperatures between 40°C and 80°C — for direct-heating uses such as warming buildings or greenhouses — and temperatures between 120°C and 150°C — hot enough to generate electricity as well as ambient heat.\nHe continues: “The regions with the highest gradients and therefore the shallowest estimated depths to 120°C are found west of Zama City, east of Rainbow Lake, and north of Rimbey. The estimated depths to reach 120°C in these areas are in the range of 2,250 to 2,800 metres.”\nFinding an optimal geothermal location means balancing other factors too, such as: distance to where heat energy can be used, up-front costs of drilling and construction, and opportunities to generate future revenue. “My model showed that the regions with the highest gradients may not necessarily be the cheapest areas to develop for a project, as they may be too far from existing roads, transmission lines, and customers to use heat. As a result, the model showed that areas closer to Grande Prairie, Fox Creek, and Lacombe may be developed more economically for a 120°C project.”\nBrasnett hopes his map helps spark conversations and inspire site-specific feasibility studies by remote municipalities and other early geothermal adopters. “In my opinion, the early adopters of geothermal projects will be people who need large quantities of heat, but who don’t want the greenhouse gas emissions or price uncertainty associated with burning hydrocarbons.\n“This could be people developing district heating systems for warehouses, industrial parks, office parks, campus spaces, greenhouses, or residential buildings.”\nMap shows the rate at which subsurface temperatures change as a function of depth. Yellow, orange and red regions get hotter faster, with subsurface temperatures in the range of 35-50°C at a depth of 1000m, compared to the green and blue regions.\nCapstone project by Gordon Brasnett. Click on the map to see the online interactive model.\nNew engine for economic growth\nAlberta has a successful history of applying innovation and technology to resources such as agriculture and the oilsands. Brasnett believes geothermal energy can grow into a new economic engine.\nHis interest in the field led him to study in UCalgary’s multidiscipinary SEDV program, offered through the School of Public Policy, Haskayne School of Business, Schulich School of Engineering, School of Architecture, Planning, and Landscape, and Faculty of Law. In the 16-month professional master’s program, SEDV students learn about energy systems, both current and future, through the lenses of technology, policy, business, and social impact. Students in the program build skills in collaboration, teamwork, communication, and research, enabling them to advance their careers across the energy sector. The emphasis is on developing energy projects that maximize social and economic benefits, and minimize negative environmental impacts.\nStudents like Brasnett are watching closely as the first large-scale geothermal projects take shape. For example, the Alberta No. 1 Geothermal Energy Project, a partnership developed by Terrapin Geothermics near Grande Prairie, will contribute clean geothermal energy to the grid while supplying heat for local industry. The Indigenous-led Tu-Deh-Kah partnership near Fort Nelson, B.C., is developing geothermal heat from a depleted natural gas field to support electricity, agriculture, and other local initiatives. The Latitude 53 project by Novus Earth Energy near Hinton focuses on renewable energy and food security. Calgary-based Eavor Technologies is testing its ultra-deep, closed-loop geothermal drilling system near Rocky Mountain House.\nOpening new doors\nThe SEDV program opened new doors for Brasnett. The research capstone project is a core part of the curriculum, where students apply concepts learned in the program to a real-world question, in partnership with industry, NGOs, government, and academic partners. His research project was supported by the Mitacs Business Strategy Internship program. His supervising professor was Dr. Roman Shor, director of the Energi Simulation Centre for Geothermal Systems Research at UCalgary. For the project they collaborated with Dr. Catherine Hickson, CEO of the Alberta No. 1 Geothermal Energy Project.\n“There are a lot of interesting pilot projects around the world today that may kick off a flurry of development throughout the 2020s in countries where geothermal is still a new technology,” Brasnett says. “I’m optimistic that Alberta can be a leader in this space given the geoscience, engineering, drilling skills, and technologies that the oil and gas sector has developed over the past 60-plus years.”\nThinking about your next career move? Start with UCalgary’s interdisciplinary MSc in Sustainable Energy Development and join the next generation of energy leaders in just 16 months! Learn more\nEntrepreneurial UCalgary grads make an impact in health care, culture, law, business, the environment, and more. Read more stories about Class of 2022 students.\nA note for soon-to-be UCalgary Alumni! As you prepare to transition from student life, we encourage you to check out our Life Kit for Recent Grads – custom built to inform you about the programs, benefits and services available to you as a member of the UCalgary alumni community.\nClass of 2022: Law’s role in environmental protection inspires UCalgary grad\nClass of 2022: From UCalgary main campus to Munich\nClass of 2022: Nursing grad drawn to help the vulnerable and bring change to addictions and mental health research\nClass of 2022: Imagine living in a futuristic apartment suspended above a Calgary parking lot\nClass of 2022: Badly injured engineering student refused to let crosswalk collision detour his dreams\nIt’s official! UCalgary installs its 15th chancellor\nstudents in profile\nSign up for UToday\nDelivered to your inbox — a daily roundup of news and events from across the University of Calgary's 14 faculties and dozens of units\nYour personal information is collected under the authority of section 33(c) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, and is required for updating your email subscription preferences. If you have any questions about the collection or use of this information, please visit our Access to Information page.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line63175"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7466211318969727,"wiki_prob":0.25337886810302734,"text":"Home Construction Law Michigan Freeland\nFreeland Construction Lawyers\nSaginaw, MI Construction Law Attorney with 17 years of experience\n(989) 399-7575 4800 Fashion Square Blvd\nConstruction, Animal and Personal Injury\nChicago-Kent College of Law, Illinois Institute of Technology\nEric Steinberg graduated from the University of Michigan with a Bachelor in Business Administration in 2001. After graduating, he worked as a financial consultant in Chicago. Not satisfied with spending his days in the financial field, Eric turned to the law. He attended the Chicago-Kent College of Law and earned a law degree in 2006. While receiving his legal education, Eric worked in the employment discrimination law clinic at Chicago-Kent, helping victims of discrimination receive just compensation and peace of mind. Eric joined the Law Offices of Lee B. Steinberg, P.C. full time in 2006. As a member of the Michigan...\nW. Jay Brown\nMidland, MI Construction Law Attorney with 24 years of experience\n(989) 486-3676 414 Townsend, Suite 201\nConstruction, Business, Collections and Real Estate\nOriginally a teacher, W. Jay Brown became a lawyer in 1998 and has been in practice in the Great Lakes Bay Region ever since. Mr. Brown graduated first in his law school class and joined Midland’s largest law firm as a litigation associate. While with the firm, Mr. Brown embarked on his litigation career and was soon promoted to member of the firm. In 2009, W. Jay Brown left the law firm to start his own practice based on his vision for the practice of law – where technology and innovation are leveraged to provide clients superior customer and...\nMr. Denis J McCarthy\nCaro, MI Construction Law Attorney with 31 years of experience\n(989) 672-0999 429 North State Street\nCaro, MI 48723\nFree ConsultationConstruction, Criminal Defense, Personal Injury and Real Estate\nMichigan State University College of Law\nBrandon Fraim\nFlint, MI Construction Law Attorney\n(810) 733-2050 2377 S. Linden Rd.\nConstruction, Appeals, Business and Real Estate\nMark J. Newman\nFlint, MI Construction Law Attorney with 26 years of experience\n(810) 733-0579 5085 Miller Rd\nConstruction, Business, Real Estate and Tax\nMichael Zamzow\nGrand Rapids, MI Construction Law Lawyer with 9 years of experience\n(616) 965-2621 300 Ottawa Ave NW, Suite 220\nConstruction, Business, Energy and Real Estate\nMichael Zamzow is primarily an attorney litigator. This means his practice focuses on lawsuit proceedings in front of the court, also known as a trial lawyer. Mr. Zamzow advises his clients on complicated litigation to defendants and plaintiffs. These topics include construction issues, breach of contract matters, including the uniform commercial code and common law. He has years of experience representing clients in courthouses across Michigan.\nMr. Zamzow also provides clients and attorney from other jurisdictions local counsel representation and support in Michigan.\nMr. Zamzow also represents clients as general counsel on civil matters. These matters include business formation, negotiations, real property...\nLaura McMahon Lynch\nGrosse Pointe Farms, MI Construction Law Lawyer with 39 years of experience\n(313) 885-6697 21 Kercheval Ave\nConstruction, Business, Probate and Real Estate\nFor over 25 years, Laura McMahon Lynch has earned a reputation as a highly respected Real Estate litigator, as well as a compassionate, driven Estate Planning attorney. Using her 11 years of experience as both a Special and Assistant Attorney General defending the State of Michigan, Laura aggressively represents clients in a wide range of litigation including real estate title disputes, construction lien foreclosure as well as complex contract-based lawsuits. She has become the confidant of countless clients who continue to trust her sensitivity and discretion. Laura is a certified Facilitative Mediator for the 3rd Circuit Court of Michigan. She has...\nReese Serra\nRochester, MI Construction Law Lawyer with 11 years of experience\n(248) 840-3139 805 Oakwood Dr Ste 101\nFree ConsultationConstruction, Business, Communications and Real Estate\nThomas M. Cooley Law School\nMr. Serra concentrates his practice on tirelessly representing the needs of Michigan businesses and business owners. Reese Serra has counseled businesses ranging from a wide variety of industries with an expertise in representing technology clients of all sizes.\nAs a civil litigator, Mr. Serra has procured victories for his clients at all levels of State and Federal courts, including numerous successful appeals.\nMr. Serra focuses his practice in the areas of real estate matters, business and financial transactions, including: mergers, acquisitions and reorganizations of business entities; complex commercial and real estate lending and restructuring transactions; international business transactions; real estate sale...\nStuart M. Feldheim\nFarmington Hills, MI Construction Law Attorney with 47 years of experience\n(248) 737-0700 30300 Northwestern Hwy\nConstruction, Medical Malpractice, Personal Injury and Workers' Comp\nUniversity of Cincinnati College of Law\nStuart M. Feldheim has lived and worked in metro Detroit for almost four decades. He specializes in personal injury, medical malpractice, workplace injury, products liability, and premises liability claims. Mr. Feldheim has extensive experience representing injured claimants. He has practiced in the field of personal injury since graduating from the University of Cincinnati College of Law and obtaining his Juris Doctor in 1976.\nMr. Feldheim opened his own firm in 1992. He helps injured people in both Michigan and Ohio, as he is licensed to practice before the state courts and Federal District Courts of both states. Mr. Feldheim is...\nSean Patrick Murphy\nFarmington Hills, MI Construction Law Lawyer with 8 years of experience\n(248) 686-3861 34705 W. Twelve Mile Road\nFree ConsultationConstruction, Business, Probate and Real Estate\nUniversity of Detroit Mercy School of Law\nSean is currently the founder of the Murphy Law Firm PLC. He is licensed to practice law in the State of Michigan and the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. Sean was named a Super Lawyers' Rising Star every year since 2019, and he was named a DBusiness Top Lawyer in 2019 and 2022. Sean graduated from Western Michigan University with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Economics and Business Administration. After Western Michigan, Sean went on to graduate from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, graduating summa cum laude and first in his class....\nMichael Simon\nFarmington Hills, MI Construction Law Lawyer with 33 years of experience\n(800) 533-3733 30500 Northwestern Highway\nConstruction, Insurance Claims and Personal Injury\nMichael Simon earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Wayne State University in 1987 and his law degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in 1990. While receiving his college and graduate education, he remained active in numerous organizations, including the Helenic Bar Association and the Delta Theta Phi Law Fraternity. After obtaining his law degree, he worked as a law clerk at the U.S. Attorney’s office, the Department of Justice in Grand Rapids and later at several metropolitan law firms. As a Trial/Litigation attorney, he has dedicated himself to the representation of persons who have been seriously injured...\nFranci Silver\nConstruction, Animal and Social Security Disability\nFranci Silver graduated from Oakland University, with a degree in Political Science. After graduating Oakland University, she attended the Detroit College of Law, receiving her Juris Doctorate in 1988. She immediately went to work for a personal injury law firm before coming to work for the Law Offices of Lee B. Steinberg in 1991. During her law practice, she has obtained several jury verdicts and awards against numerous defendants. Ms. Silver specializes in social security disability (SSD) appeals, helping numerous clients obtain SSD awards after initially being denied by the Social Security Administration. She also specializes in premises liability law and...\nHolland Locklear\nDetroit, MI Construction Law Lawyer with 5 years of experience\n(833) 424-4466 607 Shelby Street\nFree ConsultationConstruction, Animal, Arbitration & Mediation and Personal Injury\nWayne State University Law School\nHolland Locklear has represented thousands of clients and won millions of dollars on their behalf. A native son of metro Detroit, he is fiercely devoted to his community, which drives him to zealously represent their interests in court. Holland gained expertise while working for the Detroit region’s top civil litigation firms. Holland has successfully litigated automobile accidents, wrongful terminations, discrimination, police and government misconduct, civil rights, dog bites, premises liability, contract disputes, landlord/tenant disputes and more. Holland is a graduate of Wayne State University Law School. In law school, Holland served on the boards of the National Lawyers Guild, Student...\nEvan A. Burkholder\nDearborn, MI Construction Law Lawyer with 51 years of experience\nExt. 955 290 Town Center Drive\nDearborn, MI 48126\nConstruction, Appeals, Asbestos and Business\nThe George Washington University Law School\nMr. Burkholder heads the LeClairRyan Detroit office and has over 30 years of trial experience in business litigation, wrongful death actions, catastrophic injury cases, design defect cases, and product recall actions. He has represented architects, engineers and accountants in professional liability actions and has defended insurers in first party policy (fire, all risk property or business interruption) cases, as well as bad faith and excess liability claims. He has worked on complicated construction projects, representing design-build firms. He has defended pharmaceutical companies in medical device cases, ethical drug litigation and in generic drug registration litigation. His toxic tort experience includes...\nPaul Callam\nAnn Arbor, MI Construction Law Lawyer with 41 years of experience\n(734) 995-9908 2723 South State St.\nConstruction, Business and Real Estate\nVanderbilt University Law School\nPaul A. Callam is the owner and principal attorney in the Law Office of Paul A. Callam, PLC, located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Mr. Callam’s practice is concentrated in the areas of business organizations, contracts, including IT and licensing agreements, franchise agreements, commercial disputes, construction and real estate development issues. Mr. Callam has been practicing law for over 25 years. He divides his practice between counseling businesses in all phases of development, and litigation and arbitration of disputes.\nZacharia Spencer Bonham\nOkemos, MI Construction Law Lawyer with 10 years of experience\n(517) 381-2663 4121 Okemos Rd., Suite 10\nFree ConsultationConstruction and Immigration\nMy practice is focused on Immigration Law. I represent clients seeking family-based petitions, asylum, special immigrant juvenile visas, naturalization, obtaining Provisional Waivers for Unlawful Presence, preparing documents for consulate interviews, removal proceedings, and the appellate process. I have represented clients in Immigration Court, the Board of Immigration Appeals, and the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals.\nRobert J. Gavin\nStanwood, MI Construction Law Attorney with 14 years of experience\n11313 Troon Drive\nStanwood, MI 49346\nFree ConsultationConstruction, Estate Planning, Municipal and Real Estate\nDePaul College of Law\nRobert Gavin is the Senior Associate at Shifman & Carlson, P.C. He has been practicing law since 2008, and was named a Super Lawyers Rising Star in 2015, 2018, and 2019. He was also listed by DBusiness Magazine as a Top Lawyer in the Metro Detroit Area for Public Finance Law in both 2014, 2017, and 2018.\nRob brings a wide variety of skills and a diverse background to bear for his clients, including his experience with contract negotiation, employee issues, construction issues. Rob's undergraduate degree is in engineering, which has also been useful to clients during construction issues and in...\nRobert Gardella\nBrighton, MI Construction Law Lawyer with 30 years of experience\n(810) 220-4200 134 N. First Street\nFree ConsultationConstruction, Business, Personal Injury and Real Estate\nLee Steinberg\nConstruction, Animal, Medical Malpractice and Personal Injury\nLee Steinberg graduated from Wayne State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1967. After graduating Wayne State University, he taught in the Detroit School System while going to night school at the Detroit College of Law. After graduating from the Detroit College of Law, he worked for personal injury firms before opening his law practice 1976. Lee has obtained substantial jury verdicts and awards against defendants, both local and national including British Petroleum, the City of Detroit and numerous insurance companies. He also tried cases in the State of Texas and obtained the first medical malpractice verdict in San...\nJohn A. Ruemenapp\nBingham Farms, MI Construction Law Lawyer\n(248) 258-2700 30100 Telegraph Rd\nBingham Farms, MI 48025\nConstruction, Arbitration & Mediation, Business and Real Estate\nUniversity of Michigan Law School and Wayne State University Law School\nPatrick Drueke\nGrand Rapids, MI Construction Law Lawyer with 24 years of experience\n(616) 235-5175 161 Ottawa Ave NW\nFree ConsultationConstruction, Business, Municipal and Real Estate\nI am a shareholder at Rhoades McKee, P.C. I help individuals and businesses facing real estate disputes, land development challenges, condemnation, real estate transactions and construction matters achieve their objectives through a defined and realistic strategy. I can provide a detailed understanding of the emerging legal issues in green building and the LEED rating system. I am the only attorney in West Michigan that has achieved the LEED Accredited Professional (LEED AP) designation through the United States Green Building Council, and an environmental certification from Green Advantage®. I understand the issues faced by those individuals and businesses in the real...\nJohn Brennan\nEastpointe, MI Construction Law Attorney\n(586) 778-0900 22805 Kelly Rd.\nFree ConsultationConstruction, Business, Divorce and Real Estate\nPracticing since 1976 serving businesses, professionals and individuals in all aspects of the law. Decades of experience in all aspects of the law and life generally with the philosophy that the goal is swift and economical dispute resolution, by an agreement if possible and through litigation if necessary.\nSeth Seidell\n(248) 413-6117 805 Oakwood Drive, Suite 202\nFree ConsultationConstruction, Business, Employment and Social Security Disability\nSeth was born and grew up in Northern Michigan. Prior to and while going to college he worked in the construction field with a general contracting firm. He received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from Oakland University in 1992. He received his Juris Doctorate (Cum Laude, Law Review) from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in 1997. During law school, he clerked for a mid-sized, full service law firm as well as for the Michigan Attorney General’s office. He began his law career working for a short period of time for both a construction and asbestos litigation firm....\nPeter J. Cavanaugh\nRoyal Oak, MI Construction Law Lawyer with 27 years of experience\n(248) 543-8320 1027 S. Washington Ave.\nFree ConsultationConstruction and Business\nMy practice is concentrated on business and construction law matters, including litigation of contract, construction lien and payment bond claims. I represent owners, design professionals, contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers. I also represent clients who specialize in water and wastewater construction.\nMatthew N Morrow\nFarmington Hills, MI Construction Law Attorney with 7 years of experience\n(800) 757-1681 37887 West Twelve Mile Road\nConstruction, Business, Estate Planning and Real Estate\nUniversity of Miami School of Law, Michigan State University College of Law and Michigan State University\nAdam J. Sheridan\nConklin, MI Construction Law Lawyer with 18 years of experience\n(616) 304-0987 1706 Coolidge Street\nConklin, MI 49403\nWith over eighteen years' experience in both law firm and large corporate environments, handling local, national, and international transactions of various types, I am able to assist clients in structuring and completing complex transactions while maintaining a personalized focus. Our firm appreciates each opportunity we have to learn a client's needs and provide customized solutions to the client's legal issues. I have substantial experience in real estate, corporate structure and governance, commercial contracts and procurement, mergers and acquisitions, estate and succession planning, and construction.\nRichard Delonis\nSouthfield, MI Construction Law Lawyer with 29 years of experience\n(248) 716-3600 29777 Telegraph Road\nKimberly Bowlin\nBrighton, MI Construction Law Attorney\n(810) 844-2520 10315 Grand River Rd\nMs. Bowlin concentrates her practice in corporate/small business, real estate, and construction law. She is a leading practitioner in the areas of construction liens, land use development, zoning, and condominium association law. She is a 1995 graduate of the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law and received her undergraduate degree from James Madison College at Michigan State University. Prior to founding this law firm, she specialized in municipal and public corporation law, representing several village, townships, and cities in Livingston and Oakland County.\nMichael Bartnicki\nPlymouth, MI Construction Law Attorney with 31 years of experience\n(734) 455-1320 134 N Main St\nPlymouth, MI 48170\nConstruction, DUI & DWI, Family and Traffic Tickets\nMiller & Bartnicki, P.C., is a small firm that provides individuals throughout southeastern Michigan with the personalized attention they need. We have 60 years combined experience and offer the comforting atmosphere you would expect from an established small firm in a small town.\nAreas of practice include construction litigation and liens, divorce, custody, visitation, child support, alimony, drunk driving, traffic tickets, contract disputes and corporate and LLC set ups.\nSanford J. Melder\nRoyal Oak, MI Construction Law Attorney\n(248) 541-3400 2304 E 11 Mile Rd\nConstruction, Bankruptcy, Personal Injury and Real Estate\nSanford J. Melder has helped thousands of people as an attorney. He was admitted to the State Bar of Michigan in 1974. He graduated from Wayne State University with a Jurist Doctor in 1973, and Wayne State University with a Bachelor of Science in 1968. Sanford J. Melder has practiced law for over 30 years, representing clients in legal matters including Family Law, Divorce, Adoption, Real Estate, Debt Collection/Debt Collection Defense, Wills, Trusts & Estate Planning, Asset Protection, Criminal Defense, Traffic Matters, Drunk Driving, Business Law and Personal Injury. Areas of Practice: Family Law Divorce Adoption Real Estate Debt Collection/Debt Collection Defense Wills, Trusts & Estate Planning Asset...\nPavol Fabian\n141 Ionia Ave NW Fl 2\nFree ConsultationConstruction, Business, DUI & DWI and Real Estate\nMr. Trevor A Stewart\nNorthville, MI Construction Law Lawyer with 9 years of experience\n(248) 912-0670 41000 West Seven Mile Road, Ste 230\nFree ConsultationConstruction, Arbitration & Mediation, Estate Planning and Real Estate\nOur attorneys have over 28 years of experience in serving our client's personal and business legal needs in several practice areas. We are fully committed to zealously protecting our client's interests through diligent representation.\nAlan Himelhoch\nGrand Blanc, MI Construction Law Attorney with 34 years of experience\n(810) 767-3600 G9460 South Saginaw Road\nGrand Blanc, MI 48439\nConstruction, Arbitration & Mediation, Business and Collections\nClifford Dovitz\nBloomfield Hills, MI Construction Law Lawyer with 40 years of experience\n(248) 758-2141 1750 S Telegraph Rd\nConstruction, Bankruptcy, Business and Collections\nJohn M. Freel\nTawas City, MI Construction Law Lawyer with 30 years of experience\n540 W Lake St\nTawas City, MI 48763\nConstruction, Insurance Claims, Insurance Defense and Personal Injury\nDavid Oppliger\nPort Huron, MI Construction Law Attorney\n(810) 966-1881 1111 Pine Grove Ave\nConstruction, Environmental, Personal Injury and Real Estate\nAttorney with over 25 years experience. Practice is located in Port Huron Michigan which is one hour north of Detroit on the shores of the St. Clair River and Lake Huron.\nMr. Denis C. Monahan\nTroy, MI Construction Law Attorney with 48 years of experience\nTroy, MI 48099-4328\nEleanor Cattron Smith\n(313) 961-1000 SOUTHFIELD, MI 48037\nConstruction, Bankruptcy, Business and Consumer\nRobert Giroux\nSouthfield, MI Construction Law Attorney with 29 years of experience\nFree ConsultationConstruction, Civil Rights, Medical Malpractice and Personal Injury\nRoger Quentin Hyde\nClinton Township, MI Construction Law Lawyer with 42 years of experience\n(586) 263-9380 42815 Garfield\nConstruction, Business, Personal Injury and Real Estate\nWide array of experience in 40 years of practice.\nConstruction Attorneys in Nearby Cities\nConstruction Attorneys in Nearby Counties\nThe Oyez Lawyer Directory contains lawyers who have claimed their profiles and are actively seeking clients. Find more Freeland Construction Lawyers in the Justia Legal Services and Lawyers Directory which includes profiles of more than one million lawyers licensed to practice in the United States, in addition to profiles of legal aid, pro bono and legal service organizations.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line730090"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9499750137329102,"wiki_prob":0.9499750137329102,"text":"NBC’s first borrower says Ryan knew he couldn’t pay | business news\nKenneth Charity, a key witness in the bank fraud trial of former First NBC Bank CEO Ashton Ryan, said he racked up $18 million in bad loans from the bank before it collapsed, spending money on luxury cars, watches and renovations. on his $3 million Covington. he marries, while working with Ryan to hide that he couldn’t pay.\nThrough the minutiae of Charity’s testimony, along with loan forms and other documents, federal prosecutors tried to prove Friday that Ryan had known since 2011 that Charity was a bad businessman who spent the bank’s money instead of using it on property remodeling and other businesses. offers\nFormer First NBC executive Ashton Ryan, Jr. walks to the US District Court in New Orleans for his trial on Tuesday, January 10, 2023. (Photo by Chris Granger | The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate)\nSTAFF PHOTO BY CHRIS GRANGER\nCharity, who already pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud in a plea deal with prosecutors, was the latest in a series of prosecution witnesses during the first two weeks of Ryan’s federal trial related to the $1,000 bank collapse. millions.\nMost of the witnesses so far have testified on variations on the same theme: that Ryan, despite knowing that the borrowers would not be able to repay their loans, allegedly kept that from his board.\nRyan’s lawyers have tried to deny the claims, saying he was personally dealing with some of the bank’s most troublesome customers and trying to keep them afloat.\nTestimony and cross-examination on Friday followed the same pattern.\nA benefactor relationship\nCharity described how he had entered into a business relationship with Ryan when First NBC was founded in 2006. He said that in the early years of their relationship, First NBC loaned him hundreds of thousands of dollars to buy houses for post-Hurricane Katrina renovations, he and Ryan developed a personal bond.\n“I got to know Ryan very well and we were friends,” said Charity, noting that Ryan was the godfather of two of her children and had vouched for him at expensive local private schools. “I trusted him unconditionally. He had a solid reputation, he was highly respected.”\nCharity said Ryan eventually helped him get involved in bigger projects, including a $1 million condo and beignet deal in the Jax Brewery building on Decatur Street in the French Quarter.\nHe also bought three gas stations on the North Shore and a defunct shopping center on Robert E. Lee Boulevard (now Allen Toussaint Boulevard), which had been badly damaged by Hurricane Katrina.\n‘Lies like a rug’\nBut the government argued that Ryan realized as early as 2011 that Charity was a poor businessman who consistently failed to hold meetings, file documents, pay business taxes owed to the city, file permit applications and handle other routine business tasks. . .\nBrian DeJean, a former Charity accountant, testified that he had dropped him as a client in 2012 because he consistently failed to provide basic documents and was lying about it.\n“He wasn’t trustworthy,” DeJean said. “He lied and lied again. He lied like a rug.”\nDeJean said that Ryan had been told in a meeting of Charity’s chronic shortcomings, but agreed that Ryan seemed to be doing everything he could to help Charity.\nIn testimony earlier this week, two program directors who oversee grants to renovate New Orleans buildings after Katrina, Adrienne Celestine and Aimee Quirk, testified that the Charity had been turned down for grants because it had failed to provide the documents that were requested. they had repeatedly requested.\nProsecutors said Ryan had told banking supervisory boards that the grant money was on the way when he knew it had been turned down. His defense attorney responded that Ryan had helped Charity reapply for the grants and hoped they would still be able to get the funds.\nFormer First NBC executive Ashton Ryan, Jr., right, walks with his wife Jolene to the US District Court in New Orleans for his trial on Tuesday, January 10, 2023. (Photo by Chris Granger | The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate )\nDespite his mounting debts, the government argued that Ryan continued to lend more and more to Charity and claimed in bank documents that Charity was using the money to develop property, when in fact it was using the loan proceeds to pay off older loans and to cover personal expenses. .\nIn one case, they pointed to a series of three $500,000 loans made to Charity in the spring of 2015, ostensibly to renovate the forecourt of Beignet’s Decatur Street store, but used largely to pay interest on outstanding loans and to personal expenses.\nCharity agreed with prosecutors that Ryan had known he was essentially broke since at least early 2015 and was using the money to give the appearance that the loans were current.\nDuring cross-examination, Ryan’s defense attorney, Edward Castaing Jr., tried to show that Charity was lying about Ryan’s extent of knowledge in order to get a lighter sentence. He also painted Ryan as someone Charity regularly lied to.\nnot a sister\nHe questioned Charity about her relationship with Stephanie Carter-Stinson, a Washington, DC-based physician who had been a guarantor for all of Charity’s loans.\nCharity, 58, married with five children, agreed that she had represented Carter-Stinson to Ryan and other bank officials as her sister, when in fact she was someone with whom he was romantically involved.\nCastaing pointed out, and Charity agreed, that Carter-Stinson had an income of more than $500,000 a year, net assets of more than $5 million, and was the main reason the loans kept flowing. The loans were also backed by property liens.\nCastaing also pointed out that Charity blamed his wife for out-of-control personal spending when she agreed to cooperate, saying she had a bipolar condition and couldn’t help but spend money.\nCastaing then listed the purchases Charity had made for himself, including gold and diamond necklaces and cufflinks, a dozen Rolex watches, as well as other high-end watches like a Breitling Bentley and a TAG Heuer, which together would cost more than $ 100,000. .\nThe evidence showed that the relationship between Ryan and Charity soured over time. An email exchange in November 2016 showed Ryan rejecting Charity’s efforts to get another loan to buy a new SUV.\n“You’re an asshole,” Ryan wrote to Charity, noting that he already owned two five-year-old Mercedes-Benz cars and needed to prioritize paying off the loans.\nCharity agreed to plead guilty in July 2019 in the hope of a reduced sentence in exchange for her testimony. Ryan’s trial, which began on January 9, is expected to last four to six weeks.\nIndia’s Adani Group plans to spin off more businesses; dismiss worries about debt\nNasdaq rises 2.7% as tech leads Friday’s stock rally","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line760770"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6757528185844421,"wiki_prob":0.32424718141555786,"text":"Simon Hardy Tue, 23/03/2010 - 17:46\nMany are hailing the new Healthcare bill in the US, but there are serious problems, reports Simon Hardy\nWith the passing of the Affordable Health Care for America Act in the US House of Representatives by a narrow 219-212 majority, the Democrats are now arguing that Obama has fulfilled one of his main campaign pledges. On the surface, the bill is an advance on what came before. As of March 23rd 2010, an extra 32 million US citizens now have health insurance, insurance can no longer be refused based on medical histories, and there is a sizeable increase of Medicare coverage for people on low incomes.\nBut most healthcare campaigners are highly critical about the new bill and the way it was arrived at. The bill will still leave 23 million Americans uninsured. The new law will force middle income earners to buy insurance, costing as much as 9.5 per cent of their income, which would still only cover about 70% of medical expenses. To cap it all off, the already incredibly powerful insurance companies will be given an extra $450 million a year in public money to subsidise their insurance packages, handing over more money to the private sector.\nIn short, this Act does nothing to really challenge the profit-driven stranglehold of the insurance companies over healthcare in the US. Many Americans will not see any benefit until 2014 when all the measures of the bill finally come into force, and by then the insurance companies could have increased their premiums substantially. Physicians for a National Health Program likened the new bill to “using an aspirin to treat cancer.”\nRight up to the last minute, concession after concession was made to the Republican (and Democrat) opponents of universal healthcare entitlement. Under the new law, thanks to Democrat Senator Bart Stupak, an agent of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference, women will have to pay for insurance cover on abortions “100% out of their own pocket”. “Pro-choice” activists expressed concern that, if insurance for abortions has to be paid separately to the health care companies, some might drop it as an option.\nA further problem in the provision of healthcare for women is that, although the bill bans using gender as a factor when costing premiums (currently many women have to pay more for the same insurance package as a man, and workplaces with a majority female workforce have to pay more insurance) these provisions will not come fully into force until 2017. No wonder the National Organisation of Women referred to the bill as a “a giant leap backward for women”.\nMany of his supporters are enraged that Obama caved in on so many key points of the Act as it made its way through the congress. The problem stems from two points, the first is that the Democrat party, wedded to capitalism and heavily funded by the health insurance companies, did not want too radical a reform bill. The second point, related to the first, is that Obama refused to use his campaigning base to establish more support for a radical version of the bill. The right mobilised significant pressure from its base, with demonstrations and protests across the country, designed to put pressure on wavering politicians to oppose the legislation, or fight for it to be further watered down. The right wing populist Tea Party movement, organised a protest on Capitol Hill the day before the act was passed where Democrat politicians were harassed, some were called “niggers” and “faggots” and even subjected to physical abuse, reported the Huffington Post.\nThe language from the Republican politicians themselves was designed to provoke emotional and irrational anger, “a little bit of freedom dies here today” declared Marsha Blackburn. “Will we choose the path of individual liberty or will we choose the path of government tyranny” asked Ted Poe, using the popular buzzwords from the Tea Party campaigners demanding that the tree of liberty be watered with the blood of tyrants. And when John Shadegg said that the bill was destroying freedom in the US, he was clearly referring to the total freedom of the insurance companies to make money from people’s illnesses.\nFor their part, Obama and the Democrats purposefully kept a lid on the activist base, clearly concerned that, if they mobilised such forces, the expectations of the movement would far outstrip anything that the Democrats were willing to offer in congress. This is because the Democrats cannot actually provide what so many people want and need, fully funded, free healthcare available at the point of demand.\nThe choice was over a continuation of the appalling free market system, which has ruled health care for generations, or some modest government intervention which would help paper over the cracks of healthcare provision in the US, whilst maintaining the profit system for the insurance companies. When stripped down to its bare essentials, this is a reform package which does not slay the beast of market profits in healthcare, but tries to tame it.\nNow the battle is on to destroy even what has been achieved so far. The Republicans will be running in the mid term elections in the Autumn under a “repeal the Bill” ticket, no doubt accusing the Obama administration of “socialism” and “government take over of healthcare”. The Democrats are promising to defeat the Republicans but they have a track record of caving in under pressure and conceding strategic ground to the populist right on such issues. Of course, many Democrats themselves (the so called blue-dog Democrats) opposed the bill and act as a fifth column within their own party ranks on the health care issue. Currently, the Republicans stand united on their hatred of the healthcare reforms.\nThis highlights the problem of the reformist logic. Making concessions to the Republicans did not lead to any increase in bipartisan support, instead it resulted in a watered down bill and an entrenched opposition. The “public option” government health insurance provision as an alternative to the private pension schemes was unceremoniously dropped. If this is the best reform that can be brought about through the mechanisms of the US government, then it is clear that a more radical route is needed – “Power to the (Working) People!” Working people in the US, who most desperately needed, and still need, a genuine free health care system, should bear in mind Lenin's words “reforms are the by-product of the revolutionary struggle”, and that is what is lacking in the US today.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1073196"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9901843070983887,"wiki_prob":0.9901843070983887,"text":"Everyday Low’s Hair Care Brand Is a New Kind of Dragon\n‘House of the Dragon’ Hair Inspires an Icy Blond Renaissance\nEveryday Low, a haircare company, makes its brand the butt of jokes on its Tumblr.\nPhotograph by David McNew\nEveryday Low is not a new name. In fact, its headquarters, a small strip mall on a busy road in San Diego’s Mission Valley, is little more than a year old. But its founder and manager, Jennifer Bancroft, says the name itself has become something of a joke. “They’ve been calling me House of the Dragon, and they were saying it’s a new kind of Dragon,” she says. “I don’t know what Dragon means.”\nEveryday Low’s hair-care products were first introduced in 2012. They have since seen a steady rise in demand; the company has expanded to 15 international locations, and has even opened one in London. It’s become a cult-favorite online brand, with a social-media following of over 100,000 people. But its products may never have made it out of the San Diego market, according to Bancroft. “We’re very small,” she says. “When we first started we were very lean.”\nBancroft came up with the brand name and the marketing strategy for Everyday Low in about 2011. She wanted to sell a product that was more than just moisturizing hair. She looked to make a bigger statement. “I came up with this idea of ‘House of the Dragon’ for an Asian dragon in the Asian culture,” Bancroft says. “It was like, look what we’re doing here.”\nThe term House of the Dragon was originally coined, she says, “by a friend of mine, who is Korean, called ‘dongi,’\nCategories latest Tags celebrity, chemistry, clinical trials, coronavirus, nobel prizes\nKamala Harris is the only candidate running for the Democratic Party\nPaul Pogba says he would have preferred to play for City\nThe City of Baltimore has approved only 9% of the low-cost housing projects it says it was supposed to approve\nTwitter’s CEO, Jack Dorsey, made the changes on the day after Twitter disclosed quarterly earnings.\nThe Persuaders: A New Generation of Politicians\nSerena Williams loses to world number six Vesnina in US Open quarterfinals\nThe Journey to San Francisco State\nZEBRAS CULLED in Kenya’s Famine\nPublic Health Nutrition: The New Normality of Life Without Public Health","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1731534"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6979474425315857,"wiki_prob":0.3020525574684143,"text":"Authors S-T\nScarborough, Roscoe C. 2016. \"Making It in a Cover Music Scene: Negotiating Artistic Identities in a 'Kmart Level Market.'\" Sociological Inquiry. DOI: 10.1111/soin.12153\nScarborough, Roscoe C., and Charles Allan McCoy. 2016. \"Moral Reactions to Reality TV: Television Viewers' Endogenous and Exogenous Loci of Morality.\" Journal of Consumer Culture 16(1):164-91.\nSchrader, Abby M. \"Market Pleasures and Prostitutions in St. Petersburg.\" In Matthew P. Romaniello and Tricia Starks, eds., Russian History Through the Senses: From 1700 to the Present, (London: Bloomsbury Academic, 2016), pp. 67-94.\nSchuyler, David. \"Saving Olana.\" The Hudson River Valley Review. Vol. 32, No. 2, pp. 2-26.\nAleman MG, Marconi LJ, Nguyen NH, Park JM, Patino MM, Wang Y, Watkins CS, Shelley C. (2016). \"The influence of assay design, blinding, and Gymnema sylvestre on sucrose detection by humans.\" Journal of Undergraduate Neuroscience Education, 15, A18-A23.\nSmith, Scott C. 2016. Landscape and Politics in the Ancient Andes: Biographies of Place at Khonkho Wankane. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press.\nYitao Liang, Marlos Machado, Erik Talvitie, and Michael Bowling. \"State of the Art Control of Atari Games Using Shallow Reinforcement Learning.\" In Proceedings of the 2016 International Conference on Autonomous Agents and Multi-agent Systems, p. 485-493, 2016.\nBrannon D. Ingram, J. Barton Scott, and SherAli K. Tareen, eds. Imagining the Public in Modern South Asia. Routledge Press, 2016.\nThompson, R. K. R., Flemming, T. M., & Hagmann, C. E. (2016). \"Can old-world and new-world monkeys judge spatial above/below relations to be the same or different? Some of them, but not all of them.\" Behavioral Processes, 123: pp. 74-83.\nTroy, A. S., Ford, B. Q., McRae, K., Zarolia, P., & Mauss, I. B. (2016, August 25). \"Change the Things You Can: Emotion Regulation Is More Beneficial for People From Lower Than From Higher Socioeconomic Status.\" Emotion. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/emo0000210\n<< Previous: Q-R\nNext: U-V >>","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1490756"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8408347368240356,"wiki_prob":0.8408347368240356,"text":"Usher Live in Taipei 2010\nPosted on: June 5th, 2018 10:56 am\nTime is testament to the mark of greatness, and for this era that mark belongs to Usher Raymond IV, the consummate entertainer who transcends the boundaries of popular culture, redefining the nature of superstardom. Usher’s considerable achievements begin with over 45 million records sold world wide and a stable of five Grammy awards. The singer, composer, producer, actor, businessman, designer and philanthropist is the quintessential contemporary icon, celebrated for nearly two decades.\nCountry: Taipei\nUsher, a self-described “master of the moment,” was born to lead-from the stage to the boardroom. Over the course of his exemplary career, Usher has led by countless examples, creating a rich catalog of hit songs and crowning achievements. With the release of his monumental seventh album, Raymond v Raymond, Usher returns to his original medium – making songs into masterpieces that illuminate the struggle between man and legend.\nThe DVD was declared seven times platinum. He won over fans and critics alike with accolades, which continue to multiply: 5 Grammy Awards, 4 American Music Awards, 8 Soul Train Music Awards, 4 BET Awards, 3 Nickelodeon Kids Choice Award, 6 Teen Choice Awards, a Blockbuster Music Award, 3 R&B Hip Hop Conference Awards, 9 ASCAP Awards, a staggering 17 Billboard Music Awards and countless other international awards from several countries.\nUsher may indeed have super hero DNA, which is one plausible explanation for how one man is able to accomplish so much. Usher, a seasoned television and film actor, hit the Broadway stage in 2006 playing the riveting lead, Billy Flynn in Chicago to a sold-out audiences as the youngest cast member in the lead role of the slick-talking lawyer persona. “They say to be an entertainer, you have to do it all,” says Usher. “When I was young and decided I wanted to be in entertainment, I watched people like Bob Fosse, Sammy Davis Jr. and Ben Vereen. They were triple threats – dancing, acting, and singing. It really inspired me. I want to live up to that title and showcase all of my talents and be able to say I’ve experienced it all, and had fun in the process.”\nwww.ushernow.com\nwww.twitter.com/UsherRaymondIV\nwww.myspace.com/usher\nwww.facebook.com/usher\nShared this page:\nPitbull Live in Jakarta 2011\nUsher Live in Kuala Lumpur 2010","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1513778"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5625442266464233,"wiki_prob":0.5625442266464233,"text":"WLF Urges Supreme Court To Reaffirm Limits on General Personal Jurisdiction\nMallory v. Norfolk Southern Railway Co.\nCountering the Plaintiffs' Bar | Personal Jurisdiction / Standing to Sue\n“The Supreme Court long ago abandoned Pennsylvania Fire’s reasoning. It is time for the Court to officially overrule that mistaken precedent.”\n—John Masslon, WLF Senior Litigation Counsel\nClick here for WLF’s brief.\nWASHINGTON, DC— Washington Legal Foundation (WLF) today filed an amicus curiae brief urging the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold constitutional limits on Pennsylvania state courts’ exercise of general personal jurisdiction over nonresident defendants. In a brief filed in Mallory v. Norfolk Southern Railway Co., WLF argued that Pennsylvania’s long-arm statute, which provides that any out-of-state corporation registering to do business in Pennsylvania may be sued there for any dispute arising from anywhere, violates the Due Process Clause.\nThe case arises from Mallory’s alleged exposure to toxic chemicals while he worked for Norfolk Southern in Ohio and Virginia. Even though the company was headquartered in and incorporated in Virginia at the time of suit, Mallory was a resident of Virginia, and the exposure occurred outside Pennsylvania, Mallory sued in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas. The Pennsylvania courts held that the Commonwealth’s long-arm statute violates the Fourteenth Amendment’s Due Process Clause. The Georgia Supreme Court, relying on Pennsylvania Fire v. Gold Issue, however, reached the opposite conclusion for a similar Georgia statute and the Supreme Court agreed to resolve the split in authority.\nIn its brief supporting Norfolk Southern, WLF examines the stare decisis factors and explains why the Court should overrule its 1917 Pennsylvania Fire decision. That decision is unworkable in the e-commerce era, was poorly reasoned, and there are no reliance interests that warrant keeping the decision. Most importantly, however, Pennsylvania Fire cannot be reconciled with the Court’s more recent personal-jurisdiction decisions. Thus, the time has come for the Court to explicitly overrule Pennsylvania Fire. WLF’s brief also explains why the Court should not address Mallory’s historical arguments that he raised for the first at the Supreme Court. The case is set for oral argument on November 8.\nCelebrating its 45th year, WLF is America’s premier public-interest law firm and policy center advocating for free-market principles, limited government, individual liberty, and the rule of law.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1301128"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9518957138061523,"wiki_prob":0.9518957138061523,"text":"Sec 530F\n[1]>\n530F Obligation on principals to deduct tax.\n(1) A principal to whom a deduction authorisation is issued under section 530D shall deduct tax from the relevant payment concerned only in accordance with the terms of the deduction authorisation.\n(2) Subject to subsection (3), a principal to whom section 530A applies who makes a relevant payment to a subcontractor in circumstances other than those referred to in subsection (1) shall—\n(a) be liable to pay tax to the Revenue Commissioners at the rate of 35 per cent on the amount of the relevant payment, and\n(b) without prejudice to any other penalty to which the principal may be liable and without prejudice to section 1078, be liable to a penalty of €5,000 or the amount of the tax payable under paragraph (a), whichever is the lesser, unless the principal submits the details of the relevant payment in the return required under section 530K for the period concerned, on or before the due date for that return.\n<[2]\n(b) without prejudice to any other penalty to which the principal may be liable and without prejudice to section 1078, be liable to a penalty of €5,000 or the amount of the tax payable under paragraph (a), whichever is the lesser.\n(2) A principal to whom section 530A applies who makes a relevant payment to a subcontractor in circumstances other than those referred to in subsection (1) shall, without prejudice to section 1078, be liable to a penalty of—\n(a) 35 per cent of the relevant payment, where the person to whom the relevant payment was made was a subcontractor who has not had a determination made by the Revenue Commissioners under section 530I,\n(b) 20 per cent of the relevant payment, where the person to whom the relevant payment was made was a subcontractor who has had a determination made by the Revenue Commissioners under section 530I and where neither section 530G nor section 530H applies to the subcontractor concerned,\n(c) 10 per cent of the relevant payment, where the person to whom the relevant payment was made was a subcontractor to whom section 530H applies, and\n(d) 3 per cent of the relevant payment, where the person to whom the relevant payment was made was a subcontractor to whom section 530G applies.\n(3) [3]>(a) Where subsection (2)(a) applies and the principal submits the details of the relevant payment in a return for the relevant return period, the Revenue Commissioners shall establish the amount of tax that would have been due from the principal in respect of that payment had the rate of tax been the rate of tax last notified by the Revenue Commissioners to the sub-contractor concerned under section 530I and, notwithstanding subsection (2)(a), the tax due from the principal in respect of that payment by virtue of that subsection shall be the amount so established.<[3][3]>(a) Where subsection (2)(a) applies and the principal submits the details of the relevant payment in a return for the relevant return period [7]>by the due date for the return<[7] and, if appropriate, provides the Revenue Commissioners with such details, in relation to the relevant contract in respect of which the relevant payment was made, as may be required by the Revenue Commissioners, the Revenue Commissioners shall establish the amount of tax that would have been due from the principal in respect of that payment had the rate of tax been the rate of tax last notified by the Revenue Commissioners to the subcontractor concerned under section 530I and, notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (2)(a), the tax due from the principal in respect of that payment by virtue of that subsection shall be the amount so established.<[3]\n(b) Where paragraph (a) applies, the Revenue Commissioners shall notify the principal of whether any adjustment to his liability for the period arises on account of the application of that paragraph and the Revenue Commissioners may include provision in any regulations made by them under this Chapter to give effect to this subsection.\n(c) The amount of the penalty under subsection (2)(b) shall be calculated without reference to any adjustment of the tax due as a result of the application of paragraph (a).\n(3) (a) Where subsection (2) applies, a principal shall submit an unreported payment notification to the Revenue Commissioners.\n(b) The Revenue Commissioners shall make regulations for the purposes of this subsection and such regulations may—\n(i) specify the manner by which principals shall submit an unreported payment notification to the Revenue Commissioners, and\n(ii) provide for the details to be supplied to the Revenue Commissioners by a principal in relation to an unreported payment notification.\n(4) Where a principal makes a relevant payment to a subcontractor, the principal shall issue a copy of the deduction authorisation in relation to that payment to the sub-contractor.\n(4) Where, in making a relevant payment to a subcontractor, a principal deducts tax from the payment, the principal shall—\n(a) provide the subcontractor with a copy of the deduction authorisation related to that payment, or\n(b) arrange for the following details from the deduction authorisation to be given to the subcontractor by written or electronic means:\n(i) the name and tax reference number of the principal,\n(ii) the name and tax reference number of the subcontractor,\n(iii) the gross amount of the payment, including the amount of tax deducted,\n(iv) the amount of tax deducted,\n(v) the rate at which tax was deducted,\n(vi) the date of the payment, and\n(vii) the unique reference number issued by the Revenue Commissioners on the deduction authorisation.\n(5) The amount of tax which a principal is liable to deduct under subsection (1) from a relevant payment shall be due and payable by the principal concerned to the Revenue Commissioners in respect of the return period in which the payment is made.\n[10]>\n(6) The amount of tax which a principal is liable to pay to the Revenue Commissioners by virtue of subsection (2)(a) shall be due and payable by the principal concerned to the Revenue Commissioners in respect of the return period in which the payment is made.\n<[10]\n(7) Where, due to a persistent technology systems failure, a principal is unable to give notification to the Revenue Commissioners under section 530C(1) and has no option but to make a relevant payment without complying with that provision, subsection (2) shall not apply to that payment if the principal—\n(a) deducts tax from that payment at the rate last notified to the principal in respect of the subcontractor concerned, or if there was no such notification, deducts tax at a rate of 35 per cent from that payment,\n(b) immediately upon rectification of the technology systems failure notifies the Revenue Commissioners, in accordance with this Chapter or regulations made under this Chapter, that the payment has been made,\n(c) provides all details in relation to the payment that the Revenue Commissioners may require, and\n(d) pays the tax deducted in accordance with paragraph (a) to the Revenue Commissioners on or before the due date for the making of a return for the period within which the principal notifies the Revenue Commissioners under paragraph (b).\n(8) Where a principal complies with the requirements of subsection (7)—\n(a) the principal shall be deemed to have deducted tax from a relevant payment in accordance with the terms of a valid deduction authorisation, and\n(b) for the purposes of section 530K, the payment shall be deemed to have been made in the return period in which the principal notifies the Revenue Commissioners under subsection (7)(b).\n(9) A principal shall, on request, provide the Revenue Commissioners with information in relation to the circumstances and details of a persistent technology systems failure under subsection (7).\nInserted by FA11 s20(1)(k). With effect from 1 January 2012 as per S.I. No. 660 of 2011.\n[-] [+]\nSubstituted by FA12 s22(1)(m). Comes into operation on and from 31 March 2012.\nSubstituted by FA12 s22(1)(n). Comes into operation on and from 31 March 2012.\nInserted by FA12 s22(1)(o). Comes into operation on and from 31 March 2012.\nSubstituted by FA12 s22(1)(p). Comes into operation on and from 31 March 2012.\nInserted by FA12 s22(1)(q). Comes into operation on and from 31 March 2012.\nDeleted by F(No.2)A13 s26. Comes into operation on 1 January 2014.\nSubstituted by FA14 s17(b)(i). Comes into operation on 1 January 2015.\nSubstituted by FA14 s17(b)(ii). Comes into operation on 1 January 2015.\nDeleted by FA14 s17(b)(iii). Comes into operation on 1 January 2015.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line637436"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5567107200622559,"wiki_prob":0.44328927993774414,"text":"Attempt to Close LGBT Organization in Turkey Stalls\nOctober 31, 2007 Julie Bolcer and GO Staff\nTurkish LGBT organizations are under fire from the government.\nAn effort by officials in Turkey to close one of the country’s leading LGBT organizations has been placed on hold until Jan 31, according to pinknews.co.uk. Citing the need for the prosecution to compile a report, a judge adjourned the trial in which the Istanbul Governor’s office is charging that the group, Lambda Istanbul, violates Turkish laws on morality.\nSince 1993, according to Human Rights Watch, Lambda Istanbul has lobbied for legal protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. It operates a counseling hotline, and raises awareness about LGBT individuals through cultural, educational and political activities.\nThe Governor asked earlier this year that Lambda Istanbul be closed, and after the complaint was rejected, the case reached a higher court in July. A second hearing began on Oct. 18 before it was placed on hold.\nAlthough homosexual sex is legal for adults over 18 in Turkey, the LGBT community often is harassed through unclear laws about public morality. Vaguely worded legal provisions on public morals are often used to harass LGBT people. The country, which is a candidate for EU membership, is a party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. The treaties protect freedom of expression and association, and prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation.\ngay rights turkeyhuman rights watchinternational lgbt issueslambda instanbullgbt rights turkeyturkey\nDecember 13, 2022 Clare Hand\nTurkish Pop Star Arrested For Making Joke About Religious Schools\nAugust 30, 2022 Robin Kish\nGeorgia Prez Says No to Anti-LGBT Referendum\nAugust 15, 2016 GO Staff","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1759062"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5762543082237244,"wiki_prob":0.42374569177627563,"text":"Team, Inc. Reports Second Quarter 2021 Results\nQuest Delivered 51.4% Year-over-Year Revenue Growth\nIHT Revenue Increased by 46% Year-over-Year\nTeam, Inc.\nSUGAR LAND, Texas, Aug. 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Team, Inc. (NYSE: TISI), a global leading provider of integrated, digitally-enabled asset performance assurance and optimization solutions, today reported its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2021.\nSecond Quarter 2021 Results:\nRevenue of $238.9 million, up $49.6 million, or 26.2%, from Q2 2020\nIHT and Quest segment revenue increased by 46.0% and 51.4%, respectively from Q2 2020\nGross margin was $62.8 million, up $5.4 million from Q2 2020\nQuest adjusted EBITDA margin of 26.6%, surpassing the 2020 full year average of 24.1%\n\"TEAM's second quarter results reflect a mix of activity recovery and challenging market dynamics,\" said Amerino Gatti, TEAM's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. \"Although we are not pleased with our overall results, revenue was at the upper end of our outlook. All three segments achieved revenue growth over Q2 2020 with Quest reporting the largest overall percent increase at 51%. Inspection & Heat Treating followed at approximately 46% and Mechanical Services at 4.7%. The year-over-year topline growth was driven by strong April activity levels from several large turnaround projects. May and June activity benefited from increased economic activity as COVID-related restrictions began to lift. While COVID continued to force project delays, especially internationally, activity levels throughout the quarter were mostly in line with expectations, highlighting improved economic growth across the various end markets in which we serve.\n\"TEAM faced margin headwinds in the second quarter. We experienced inflation in several areas, such as raw materials, transportation, and labor as well as increased technician training, and lingering COVID-related pricing concessions. We remain focused on cost discipline and continue to look for ways to mitigate overall inflationary pressures. Pricing negotiations have started with our clients to reflect current market conditions. Given these proactive actions, combined with the transitory nature of the cost increases, we expect our gross margin to improve in the second half of the year.\n\"We continued our long-standing culture of technology innovation. After several successful field tests, the Mechanical Services segment commercialized our new, patent pending SmartStopTM Isolation Technology. This new double block and bleed isolation system increases integrity and overall safety, further strengthening our competitive advantages in the hot tapping market. Additionally, we entered into an agreement to become the exclusive provider of Credosoft Integrity Management Software in North America. The software enhances TEAM's ability to monitor assets, ensure compliance and provide inspection and repair solutions. The Credosoft service offering provides TEAM a stable, subscription-based revenue profile and further positions the company to be a leading provider of integrated digitally-enabled asset performance optimization solutions.\n\"As we enter the second half of 2021, we are cautiously optimistic about increased activity levels associated with an improving economy. While the recent emergence of COVID variants is concerning and could negatively impact our activity levels, the outlook for the fall turnaround season looks solid since operators are now in a better financial position to start previously postponed maintenance projects. Additionally, our international operations should benefit from progress of the vaccine rollout and the gradual removal of lockdown restrictions in key markets. Therefore, we expect sequential revenue growth to continue in the third quarter.\n\"We are making advances towards further revenue diversification into new markets, such as renewable energy and expanding regulatory services that include emissions control. Our revenue diversification efforts as well as investments in technology and digital are poised to be future growth drivers. TEAM is well-positioned to benefit from a strong economic recovery by capitalizing on built-up demand and pursuing opportunities that utilize the depth and breadth of our portfolio. We have a clear strategic plan to become more capital efficient, capture profitable growth, and generate positive cash flow,\" concluded Mr. Gatti.\nConsolidated net loss in the second quarter of 2021 was $17.5 million ($0.57 loss per diluted share) compared to a loss of $13.5 million ($0.44 loss per diluted share) in the second quarter of 2020. Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP measure, was $9.1 million for the second quarter of 2021 compared to $12.7 million for the prior year quarter.\nConsolidated revenue for the second quarter of 2021 was $238.9 million compared to $189.3 million in the prior year quarter. Revenue increased due to higher activity levels from increased economic activity in the U.S. and select international markets as economies opened from COVID-related shutdowns. In the second quarter of 2021, consolidated gross margin was $62.8 million, or 26.3%, compared with 30.3% in the same quarter a year ago. Gross margin was negatively impacted by cost inflation pressure combined with lingering COVID-related price discounts and the reinstatement of temporary cost reductions that TEAM enacted in 2020.\nSG&A for the second quarter was $68.5 million, up $9.6 million, or a 16.3% increase from the second quarter of 2020. The company's adjusted measure of net income/loss, Consolidated Adjusted EBIT, a non-GAAP measure was a loss of $3.4 million in the second quarter compared to a loss of $0.2 million in the prior year comparable quarter.\nSecond quarter 2021 reported results include certain net charges not indicative of TEAM's core operating activities, including: $0.7 million of professional costs related to the previously announced new strategic organizational structure (\"Operating Group Reorganization\"), $0.3 million of severance charges primarily associated with the Operating Group Reorganization, and $1.6 million for accrued legal matters and other legal fees. Net of tax, these items totaled $2.6 million or $0.08 per diluted share.\nAdjusted net loss, consolidated Adjusted EBIT, and Adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP financial measures that exclude certain items that are not indicative of TEAM's core operating activities. A reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most comparable GAAP financial measures is at the end of this release.\nSegment Results\nThe following table illustrates the composition of the company's revenue and operating income (loss) by segment for the quarters ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 (in thousands):\nJune 30,\nIncrease (Decrease)\nRevenues by business segment:\nQuest Integrity\nCorporate and shared support services\nAll three business segments delivered year-over-year revenue growth due to higher activity levels from increased economic activity in the U.S. and select international markets as economies opened up from COVID-related shutdowns. IHT results included a 46.0% year-over-year improvement in revenue primarily due to increased activity levels in the U.S. and Canada and 56.0% increase in operating income. MS delivered a 4.7% year-over-year improvement in revenue due to an increase in Turnaround projects and call-out work. However, MS's operating income declined due to inflationary cost pressures in raw materials and labor. Quest Integrity's results included a 51.4% year-over-year improvement in revenue and a $5.0 million increase in operating income. The increase in Quest Integrity is primarily the result of easing COVID-related global restrictions, additional subsea inspection work, and increased demand for Quest's proprietary services.\nCash and Debt\nConsolidated cash and cash equivalents were $18.4 million at June 30, 2021. The company's net debt (total debt less cash and cash equivalents) was $338.1 million at June 30, 2021, compared to $287.9 million at Dec. 31, 2020.\nThe non-GAAP measures in this earnings release are provided to enable investors, analysts, and management to evaluate TEAM's performance excluding the effects of certain items that management believes impact the comparability of operating results between reporting periods. These measures should be used in addition to, and not in lieu of, results prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). A reconciliation of each of the non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable historical GAAP financial measure is contained in the accompanying schedule for each of the fiscal periods indicated.\nConference Call and Webcast Details\nTeam, Inc. will host a conference call on Wednesday, August 4, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time (9:00 a.m. Central Time) to review its second quarter 2021 results.\nBy Phone: Dial 1-877-407-5794 inside the U.S. or 1-201-389-0869 outside the U.S. at least 10 minutes before the call. A telephone replay will be available through August 11, 2021 by dialing 1-877-660-6853 inside the U.S. or 201-612-7415 outside the U.S. using the Conference ID 13720696#.\nBy Webcast: The call will be broadcast over the web and can be accessed on TEAM's website, www.teaminc.com under \"Investor Relations.\" Please log on at least 10 minutes in advance to register and download any necessary software. A replay will be available shortly after the call.\nAbout Team, Inc.\nHeadquartered in Sugar Land, Texas, Team Inc. (NYSE: TISI) is a global leading provider of integrated, digitally-enabled asset performance assurance and optimization solutions. We deploy conventional to highly specialized inspection, condition assessment, maintenance and repair services that result in greater safety, reliability and operational efficiency for our client's most critical assets. Through locations in more than 20 countries, we unite the delivery of technological innovation with over a century of progressive, yet proven integrity and reliability management expertise to fuel a better tomorrow. For more information, please visit www.teaminc.com.\nCertain forward-looking information contained herein is being provided in accordance with the provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We have made reasonable efforts to ensure that the information, assumptions and beliefs upon which this forward-looking information is based are current, reasonable and complete. However, such forward-looking statements involve estimates, assumptions, judgments and uncertainties. There are known and unknown factors that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those addressed in the forward-looking information. Although it is not possible to identify all of these factors, they include, among others, the duration and magnitude of the COVID-19 pandemic, related economic effects and the resulting negative impact on demand for oil and gas and such known factors as are detailed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, each as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and in other reports filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the forward-looking information contained herein, including projected cost savings, will occur or that objectives will be achieved. We assume no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements made today or any other forward-looking statements made by the Company, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law.\nTEAM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES\nSUMMARY OF CONSOLIDATED OPERATING RESULTS\n(unaudited, in thousands, except per share data)\nSix Months Ended\nRestructuring and other related charges, net\nGoodwill impairment charge\nOther expense, net\nLoss before income taxes\nProvision (benefit) for income taxes\nLoss per common share:\nBasic and diluted\nWeighted-average number of shares outstanding:\nSUMMARY CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET INFORMATION\nCurrent portion of long-term debt and finance lease obligations\nLong-term debt and finance lease obligations, net of current maturities\nTEAM INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES\nSUMMARY CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW INFORMATION\n(unaudited, in thousands)\nAllowance for credit losses\nNon-cash compensation cost\nWorking capital changes\nOther items affecting operating cash flows\nCash used for business acquisitions, net\nProceeds from disposal of assets\nOther items affecting investing cash flow\nNet cash used in investing activities\nNet payments under Credit Facility revolver\nNet borrowings under ABL facility\nPayments under Credit Facility term loan\nPayments for debt issuance costs\nTaxes paid for net share settlement of share-based awards, net\nOther items affecting financing cash flows\nNet change in cash and cash equivalents\nSEGMENT INFORMATION\nOperating income (loss) (\"EBIT\")\nSegment Adjusted EBIT\nSegment Adjusted EBITDA\nIncludes goodwill impairment charge of $191.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020. Excluding the goodwill impairment charge, operating income for IHT would be $4.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020.\nThe Company uses supplemental non-GAAP financial measures which are derived from the consolidated financial information including adjusted net income (loss); adjusted net income (loss) per diluted share, earnings before interest and taxes (\"EBIT\"); adjusted EBIT (defined below); adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (\"adjusted EBITDA\") and free cash flow to supplement financial information presented on a GAAP basis.\nThe Company defines adjusted net income (loss), adjusted net income (loss) per diluted share and adjusted EBIT to exclude the following items: costs associated with our OneTEAM program, costs associated with the Operating Group Reorganization, non-routine legal costs and settlements, restructuring charges, certain severance charges, goodwill impairment charges, loss on debt extinguishment and certain other items that we believe are not indicative of core operating activities. Consolidated adjusted EBIT, as defined by us, excludes the costs excluded from adjusted net income (loss) as well as income tax expense (benefit), interest charges, foreign currency (gain) loss, and items of other (income) expense. Consolidated adjusted EBITDA further excludes from consolidated adjusted EBIT depreciation, amortization and non-cash share-based compensation costs. Segment adjusted EBIT is equal to segment operating income (loss) excluding costs associated with our OneTEAM program, costs associated with the Operating Group Reorganization, non-routine legal costs and settlements, restructuring charges, certain severance charges, goodwill impairment charges and certain other items as determined by management. Segment adjusted EBITDA further excludes from segment adjusted EBIT depreciation, amortization, and non-cash share-based compensation costs. Free cash flow is defined as net cash provided by (used in) operating activities minus capital expenditures. Net debt is defined as the sum of the current and long-term portions of debt, including finance lease obligations, less cash and cash equivalents.\nManagement believes these non-GAAP financial measures are useful to both management and investors in their analysis of our financial position and results of operations. In particular, adjusted net income (loss), adjusted net income (loss) per diluted share, consolidated adjusted EBIT, and consolidated adjusted EBITDA are meaningful measures of performance which are commonly used by industry analysts, investors, lenders and rating agencies to analyze operating performance in our industry, perform analytical comparisons, benchmark performance between periods, and measure our performance against externally communicated targets. Our segment adjusted EBIT and segment adjusted EBITDA is also used as a basis for the Chief Operating Decision Maker to evaluate the performance of our reportable segments. Free cash flow is used by our management and investors to analyze our ability to service and repay debt and return value directly to stakeholders.\nNon-GAAP measures have important limitations as analytical tools, because they exclude some, but not all, items that affect net earnings and operating income. These measures should not be considered substitutes for their most directly comparable U.S. GAAP financial measures and should be read only in conjunction with financial information presented on a GAAP basis. Further, our non-GAAP financial measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies who may calculate non-GAAP financial measures differently, limiting the usefulness of those measures for comparative purposes. The liquidity measure of free cash flow does not represent a precise calculation of residual cash flow available for discretionary expenditures. Reconciliations of each non-GAAP financial measure to its most directly comparable GAAP financial measure are presented below.\nRECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES\n(unaudited, in thousands except per share data)\nAdjusted Net Income (Loss):\nProfessional fees and other1\nLegal costs2\nSeverance charges, net3\nTax impact of adjustments and other net tax items4\nAdjusted net loss\nAdjusted net loss per common share:\nConsolidated Adjusted EBIT and Adjusted EBITDA:\nForeign currency loss (gain)6\nPension expense (credit)5\nConsolidated Adjusted EBIT\nAmount included in operating expenses\nAmount included in SG&A expenses\nTotal depreciation and amortization\nNon-cash share-based compensation costs\nConsolidated Adjusted EBITDA\nFree Cash Flow:\nCash provided by (used in) operating activities\nFor the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, includes $0.7 million and $1.5 million, respectively, of costs associated with the Operating Group Reorganization (exclusive of restructuring costs). For the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, includes $0.2 million and $2.0 million, respectively, associated with the OneTEAM program (exclusive of restructuring costs).\nFor the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, primarily relates to accrued legal matters and other legal fees. For the three months and six months ended June 30, 2020, primarily relates to costs associated with international legal matters.\nFor the three months and six months ended June 30, 2021, $0.3 million and $2.2 million, respectively, associated with the Operating Group Reorganization. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, severance charges are associated with the OneTEAM program, including international operations.\nRepresents the tax effect of the adjustments. Beginning in Q2 2021, we now use the statutory tax rate, net of valuation allowance by legal entity to determine the tax effect of the adjustments. Prior to Q2 2021, we used an assumed marginal tax rate of 21% except for the adjustment of the goodwill impairment charge in Q1 2020 for which the actual tax impact was used. We have restated the prior period tax impact to use the statutory tax rate by legal entity, net of valuation allowance.\nRepresents pension expense (credit) for the U.K. pension plan based on the difference between the expected return on plan assets and the cost of the discounted pension liability. The pension plan has had no new participants added since the plan was frozen in 1994 and accruals for future benefits ceased in connection with a plan curtailment in 2013.\nRepresents foreign currency gain/loss. For prior period, includes other nominal fees.\nRECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (Continued)\nSegment Adjusted EBIT and Adjusted EBITDA:\nOperating income (loss)\nAdjusted EBIT\nPrimarily relates to severance charges incurred associated with the Operating Group Reorganization for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, relates to severance charges associated with the OneTEAM program, including international restructuring under the OneTEAM program.\nFor the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, primarily relates to accrued legal matters and other legal fees. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, primarily relates to costs associated with international legal matters.\nSOURCE Team, Inc.\nwww.teaminc.com","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1182439"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7419472932815552,"wiki_prob":0.2580527067184448,"text":"Young Heart Patient Recovering from Successful Surgery, Uganda\nWell wishes to Patricia\nAugust 24, 2017 - Uganda\nAlphonse Mwanamwolho\nRMF Uganda would like to thank you for all your kind support to our young heart patient, Patricia Biira. Today, August 24, 2017, she has been discharged from the Uganda Heart Institute after her successful surgery on Wednesday, August 16, 2017. The surgeons have assured us that Patricia is in a stable condition and she will gradually heal from the post-surgery pain. Patricia has started standing and walking on her own, and she can smile and laugh.\nPatricia was born with holes in her heart, which prevented her from growing and developing normally. Her mother is a housewife and her father is a primary school teacher. Before receiving help from Real Medicine Foundation, they sold everything they had, including a piece of land, to preserve Patricia’s life, but even that was not enough to pay for services at the Uganda Heart Institute. When RMF learned about Patricia’s situation in 2016, we agreed to cover expenses for her treatment at the Uganda Heart Institute. With treatment, Patricia has gradually improved, and thanks to RMF’s support, she underwent heart surgery on August 16, 2017 as a durable solution to her illness.\nPatricia’s parents are thankful to RMF beyond what words can express, and RMF is grateful to the Uganda Heart Institute for every special consideration they offered to our young patient. We also thank our donors, whose support made Patricia’s treatment and surgery possible.\nPatricia is now 3 years and 4 months old, and after recovering from the surgery, she will join school. It is our goal to support Patricia’s education so that she is empowered to contribute to the wellbeing of others when she grows up. Please contact RMF to donate towards Patricia’s education and medical check-ups, which still require funding. Patricia’s next check-up will be on September 21, 2017. We wish her a quick recovery.\nCategories: Medical Support of Individual Children Uganda or View All","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1154257"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9258610010147095,"wiki_prob":0.9258610010147095,"text":"Surging Democratic early voting prompts Republican concern\nJeremy Wallace, Austin Bureau\nFeb. 26, 2018 Updated: Feb. 26, 2018 8:12 p.m.\nA person enters the early voting site Tuesday at the Lions Field Adult and Senior Center on the first day of early voting for the March 6 joint primary elections. Through the first six days of early voting, about 10,000 more people voted in the Democratic primary elections than in the Republican primaries in the state’s 15 largest counties.William Luther /San Antonio Express-News\nAUSTIN — Strong early voting numbers by Democrats are beginning to worry some of Texas’ biggest Republican names.\nGov. Greg Abbott’s campaign sent out an email blast to supporters Monday warning that Democrats are surging and becoming a real concern headed into the midterm election cycle.\n“If these trends continue, we could be in real trouble come Election Day,” the email says.\nThrough the first six days of early voting, about 10,000 more people voted in the Democratic primary elections than in the Republican primaries in the state’s 15 largest counties. Four years ago — the most recent year with a gubernatorial election — Republicans were 54,000 voters ahead of Democrats.\nIn Bexar County, 16,463 voters cast a ballot in the Democratic primary through the first six days; 12,654 voted in the Republican primary.\nOverall, 186,000 Democrats have voted through the first week of early voting, well ahead of the 101,000 who voted at the same point in 2014.\nFor Democrats, the numbers are more evidence that their voters are energized going into the midterm elections. Texas Democratic Party chair Gilberto Hinojosa has pointed to frustration with President Donald Trump as a major reason for the Democratic surge this year in early voting.\n“Your vote is your voice; the best way to stop Donald Trump, protect our communities, and promote our progressive economic values is to vote in the Democratic Primary,” Hinojosa said about the early turnout numbers.\nIt also comes at a time that Democrats have been winning special elections in places Trump won in 2016.\n“Democrats are already on a winning streak, flipping seats in special elections across the country in GOP strongholds,” the Abbott campaign email warns. “We’ve seen a surge of liberal enthusiasm in deep red states like Georgia, Alabama and Oklahoma. We had always hoped the liberal wave would never hit Texas, but these Early Voting returns aren’t encouraging so far.”\nThe letter calls on supporters to vote in the primaries and to make donations to help fund get-out-the-vote efforts.\nDemocrats have been boosted this year by a combination of factors. Opposition to Trump has been a big factor, but Democrats also have been aided by more candidates running for office and more competitive primaries than four years ago.\nWhile early voting and vote-by-mail ballots are up this year, election experts warn this doesn’t necessarily mean there will be record turnout overall in the primary. Partly, Texas voters have been shifting from voting on Election Day to voting earlier as it has become more convenient.\nEarly voting started Feb. 20 and runs through Friday. Election day is March 6.\nJeremy Wallace\nJeremy Wallace has covered politics and campaigns for more than 20 years. Before joining the Hearst Texas newspapers in 2017 he covered government and politics for the Tampa Bay Times, The Miami Herald and the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Previously he covered Congress for the Boston Globe and Detroit Free-Press. Originally from San Antonio, he attended the University of North Texas and earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Missouri. You can follow him on Twitter, @JeremySWallace, or email him at Jeremy.wallace@chron.com.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line446515"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8847008943557739,"wiki_prob":0.8847008943557739,"text":"Alster History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms\nOrigins Available:\nFamily Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI\nOn the western coast of Scotland and on the Hebrides islands the Alster family was born among the ancient Dalriadan clans. Their name comes from the given name Alexander, which in turn was originally derived from the Greek name, which means defender of men. In the late 11th century, Queen Margaret introduced the name, which she had heard in the Hungarian Court where she was raised, into Scotland by naming one of her sons Alexander. The popularity of the name Alexander was ensured by the fact that it was born by three Scottish kings, the first being Margaret's son who succeeded to the throne of Scotland following the death of Malcolm III.\nEarly Origins of the Alster family\nThe surname Alster was first found in Kintyre, where they held a family seat from ancient times.\n\"As a surname Alexander is very common on the west coast, where, according to the authors of Clan Donald, some of the descendants of Godfrey, second son of Alastair Mor, appear to have settled in the Carrick district of Ayrshire. \" [1]\nThe Clan MacAllistair, Alisdair being the Gaelic for Alexander, are descended from the great King Somerled. Somerled had five sons, by his marriage to Ragnhildis, daughter of the Norwegian King of the Isles, Olaf Morsel. In the MacAllister line, Ranald had two sons, Ruari and Donald, and Donald had two sons, Angus and Alisdair. Alisdair living about 1230 to 1295 claimed the territory in South Knapdale, Kintyre, the ancient Clan seat was at Ard Phadraid (Patrick's Point) on the south side of Loch Tarbot. Alisdair (known as Alisdair Mor (the big)) is the recognized founder of the Clan. On his death, his estates were given to his brother and heir who was one of Bruce's supporters, Angus Mor.\nEarly History of the Alster family\nThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Alster research. Another 462 words (33 lines of text) covering the years 1230, 1295, 1475, 1602, 1200, 1605, 1615, 1765, 1846, 1431, 1570, 1640, 1614, 1588, 1655, 1640, 1643, 1619, 1681, 1665, 1681, 1620, 1665, 1660, 1665, 1653, 1686, 1743, 1797 and are included under the topic Early Alster History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.\nAlster Spelling Variations\nIn various documents Alster has been spelled Since medieval scribes still spelled according to sound, records from that era contain an enormous number of spelling variations. Alexander, Alistair, MacAlexander, Alisandre, Alischoner, Alsinder, Alastair, MacAlexter, Callestar, Aleckander, Alexandri, Alisdair, Alaisder, Alestare, Alistare and many more.\nEarly Notables of the Alster family (pre 1700)\nNotable amongst the Clan from early times was Sir William Alexander (circa 1570-1640), 1st Earl of Stirling, Scottish government official, knighted in 1614, appointed Governor of the barony of Nova Scotia; William Allestry (Allestrie) (1588-1655), an English politician who sat in the House of Commons of England (1640-1643)...\nAnother 48 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Alster Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.\nMigration of the Alster family to Ireland\nSome of the Alster family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.\nAnother 153 words (11 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.\nAlster migration to the United States +\nDalriadan families proliferated in North America. Their descendants still populate many communities in the eastern parts of both the United States and Canada. Some settled in Canada as United Empire Loyalists, in the wake of the American War of Independence. Families on both sides of the border have recovered much of their heritage in the 20th century through Clan societies and highland games. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Alster or a variant listed above:\nAlster Settlers in United States in the 19th Century\nReinhard Alster, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1868 [2]\nReinhart Alster, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1868 [2]\nRelated Stories +\nFamily Crests: the Heraldic Artist\nFamily Crests: Timeline\nFamily Crests: Elements\nFamily Crests and Genealogy: how they relate\nSpelling variations\nFamily seat\nClan seat\nThe Alster Motto +\nThe motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.\nMotto: Per mare, per terras\nMotto Translation: By sea, by land.\nCitations +\n^ Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print\n^ Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)\nAlster (Scottish)\n© 2000- 2023 Swyrich Corporation, all rights reserved. See Terms of Use for details.\nWe use cookies to enhance your personalized experience for ads, analytics, and more. Understand it all by viewing our Privacy Policy.\nRemoving this item from your shopping cart will remove your associated sale items.\nAre you sure you want to delete this item from your shopping cart?\nHouseofNames E-Newsletter Sign Up","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line195089"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7231287360191345,"wiki_prob":0.2768712639808655,"text":"Experienced Drug Crimes Defense Lawyer\nExperienced Criminal Defense Lawyer Representing Individuals Charged with Serious Drug Crimes in State and Federal Court\nJohn Floyd is Board Certified in Criminal Law by Texas Board of Legal Specialization and is a recognized expert in criminal law. He has over twenty years experience representing individuals accused of serious drug crimes before the state courts in Houston, throughout Texas and in Federal Courts Nationwide.\nRespected and Trusted Advocate\nMr. Floyd has been featured on national television programs, world-wide radio and printed media commenting on issues relating to criminal law. He is listed in Thomson Reuters’ prominent list of Super Lawyers and many other respected publications featuring the best and brightest criminal defense lawyers in America. Mr. Floyd represents high-profile individuals, professionals, celebrities and business people who have been charged with drug crimes for whom a drug conviction could be disastrous.\nIf You Must Take Your Drug Case Seriously\nIf you have been charged with a drug crime and must take the case seriously, please contact Mr. Floyd and discuss the facts of your case and a possible successful defensive strategy.\nSerious Felony Drug Crimes in Texas\nDrug offenses in Texas are among the most serious in the state’s arsenal of criminal laws. Penalties of drug violations can be extremely severe and carry with them a host of collateral consequences.\nA drug charge in Texas does not necessarily mean a drug conviction. There are several effective defenses for narcotics offenses that a talented drug crimes attorney with experience investigating the circumstances surrounding an search and arrest for a drug crime should know and be able to use to your advantage. Mr. Floyd has published hundreds of articles relating to criminal law, search and seizure and trial procedures and can use his knowledge and experience to create a successful defense strategy and force the government to follow the law and meet its burden of proof.\nDefensive Strategies in Drug Crimes Cases\nFor instance, an knowledgeable and prepared criminal defense lawyer could demonstrate that your arresting officers did not have just cause to search your home, vehicle, or person. He could show that you were a victim of entrapment, or argue that the drugs belonged to someone else or were not intended for human consumption. It is even possible that drugs found in your vicinity, or even in your vehicle, were hidden, unknown to you and therefore not in your possession. There are many possible successful defenses n drug cases, if your lawyer dedicates the time and resources to investigate your case and is familiar with the law.\nDo Not Talk to the Police or Federal Agents without a Lawyer\nIf you believe you are being investigated for a drug trafficking crime, or have already been arrested or charged with this type of offense, consult with a knowledgeable attorney with experience in drug defenses immediately. Your lawyer can listen to your side of the story before helping you determine the best possible defense strategy in the unique circumstances of your case. With the help of a drug crimes attorney with a successful track record, you may be able to avoid crippling consequences to your freedom and future.\nTexas Drug Crime Laws\nTexas courts look at five primary factors in determining the sentence to be imposed upon a conviction of any of the above drug offenses:\nThe type of drug involved. For example, a drug found in penalty group 1 (heroin) will result in a much harsher sentence than a drug found in penalty group 3 (prescription drugs).\nThe amount of drugs involved. Greater amounts of the same drug, regardless of the penalty group, will result in a longer sentence.\nThe purpose for which the drug is used. A simple possession is less severe than intent to distribute, manufacture, or deliver drugs.\nLocation of the violation. Drugs possessed or sold near schools or day care centers, for example, are treated more harshly than on an average street corner.\nWhether the drug offense was tied to another offense. Drug offenses associated with crimes of violence or involve the possession or use of a firearm will result in a significantly more severe sentence.\nTexas Drug Statutes\nManufacture or delivery of controlled substances (drugs)\nMinimum Punishment: Confinement in jail for a term of not more than 2 years, or less than 180 days, and a fine not to exceed $10,000\nMaximum Punishment: Confinement in prison for life or for a term of not more than 99 years nor less than 15 years, and a fine not to exceed $250,000\nPossession of controlled substances (drugs)\nMinimum Punishment: Confinement in jail for a term of not more than 180 days, and a fine not to exceed $2,000 or both\nDelivery of Marijuana\nMinimum Punishment: Confinement in jail for a term of not more than 180 days, a fine not to exceed $2,000, or both\nPossession of Marijuana\nMaximum Punishment: Confinement in prison for life or for a term of not more than 99 years nor less than 5 years, and a fine not to exceed $50,000\nThese offenses are set out in Chapter 481 of Health and Safety Code. There are five penalty groups in this chapter. Each group designates the offense and punishment. The groups are governed by two factors: the type of the drug and the quantity involved. Section 481.032 contains exhaustive lists (with new drugs added each year) that are in Penalty Groups I, 1-A, 2, 3, 4, and 5.\nCONSEQUENCES OF DRUG CONVICTIONS\nThere are also many collateral consequences for having been convicted of a drug offense in Texas.\nEmployment. Many occupations (such as barber, plumber, nurse, etc.) require a license to work. Section 53.021 of the Texas Occupations Code authorize Texas licensing authorities to revoke, suspend, or deny a license to anyone convicted of a felony or a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude.\nEducation: Any student convicted of the possession or sale of a controlled substance can lose or be denied financial assistance under the Federal Student Loans and Grants program, or the forfeiture of a prepaid scholarship.\nAsset forfeiture: Serious drug convictions can result of forfeiture of cash, vehicles, homes, personal property, and businesses.\nFirearm: A drug conviction of more than one year will result in loss of the right to own or possess a firearm or ammunition.\nHousing: Federal housing policies permit the exclusion of drug offenders from federally subsidized or funded housing.\nCivil rights: A drug conviction results in the loss of the right to vote, run for public office, be appointed to a public office, or serve on a jury.\nBecause of the wide range of criminal penalties associated with drug offenses and the vast array of civil penalties, disqualifications and disabilities associated flowing drug convictions (and, yes, probation is a conviction), any one charged with a drug offense needs an aggressive and experienced criminal defense attorney.\nExperienced Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer\nThere are significant misconceptions about federal crimes. Many people assume that federal crimes are “white collar” or “national security” offenses. Nothing could be further from the truth. Approximately 55% of all federal prisoners, more than 30,000 of them, stand convicted of drug offenses. The U.S. Congress has enacted 38 drug statutes that proscribe penalties and fines for 165 drug-related offenses. The high end of these offenses carries penalties of 10 years to life imprisonment with $10 to $50 million fines while the lower end of these offenses carries penalties of 3 years imprisonment and fines up to $250,000.\nCrimes with Mandatory Minimums\nBelow is a list of drug offenses that carry a mandatory minimum sentence under 28 U.S.C. § 841:\nThe mandatory minimum can be 5 to 10 years without parole depending upon the quantity of the drug involved.\nThe five-year minimum drug case can double to 10 years with one prior felony conviction while the 10-year minimum drug case can double to 20 years with a prior felony conviction.\nBoth the five-year and ten-year minimum cases increase to a mandatory minimum of 20 years if a death results. The minimum increases to life without parole if both a death results and the offender has one prior felony conviction.\nFinally, the ten-year mandatory minimum drug type increases to life without parole if the offender has two or more prior felony convictions.\nDrug sentencing Reform in Debate\nCurrently pending before Congress is the Smarter Sentencing Act that would cut in half the length of many drug sentences, but a significant group of lawmakers oppose the Act, labeling its supporters as being part of a “leniency industrial complex.”\nForfeiture of Property and Money\nAs with Texas drug convictions, federal drug convictions can also lead to civil forfeitures that result in the loss of personal property, including cash, homes, vehicles, planes, and other personal belongings\nThe proceeds from forfeited property go into the coffers of law enforcement agencies, not the government treasury. Thus, the police have an incentive to seize and forfeit as much property as possible, regardless of whether it is actually tied to an offender’s drug activity.\nDrug Convictions can Destroy Lives, Professions\nBeyond these serious to severe penal consequences, federal drug convictions have significant personal collateral consequences. They can disqualify you for a job in the health care industry, government, private security, law enforcement, many areas of the criminal justice system, and any other job requiring a security clearance.\nThey can, and most likely will, have adverse impact on your employment prospects with companies that routinely run criminal background checks prior to their decision to hire. They can also have a serious impact on your ability to rent a suitable residence as property owners also frequently run background checks, refusing to rent or lease to drug offenders.\nFederal Drug Task Forces\nFederal and state law enforcement officials often work together on drug enforcement offenses. They generally employ “task forces” that generally target one individual with the hope that he or she will lead them to a wider network of suspects. The primary objective of these kinds of investigation is to develop reasonable, articulable suspicion to arrest the initial target with the hopes that law enforcement can pressure the individual into cooperating with them to make a case against the wider network.\nContact a Criminal Defense Lawyer with Experience Defending Drug Cases\nIf you find yourself in a position facing a serious drug charge, you should immediately seek a qualified criminal defense lawyer who has experience defending individuals accused of serious drug charges. A skilled criminal defense attorney is more likely than not to develop a successful defense strategy against the drug charge, or, in the correct circumstances, to have the charge dismissed altogether.\nPossible Defenses\nDefenses against drug charges include: unlawful search and seizures, faulty crime lab analysis, lost or tampered with evidence, drugs that were planted, drugs that belonged to someone else, entrapment, or the medical marijuana exception.\nDeveloping these defenses requires a criminal defense lawyer who has the knowledge and experienced necessary to apply the law to your case. In the proper circumstances your lawyer should have access to a team of investigators, paralegals, and experts, who can assist in providing a vigorous and thorough defense investigation, strategy preparation and trial plan that will lead to a successful outcome in the case.\nDedicated to the Best Possible Outcome\nThe primary goal of the John T. Floyd Law Firm is to produce the best outcome possible for our clients: dismissal of charges, acquittal at trial, verdict of a lesser offense, or the lowest sentence possible should a guilty verdict be rendered.\nWe Fight to get Our Clients out on Bail\nA successful defense in a serious drug case begins with efforts to get you released on bail as soon as possible.\nObviously, detention in jail pending trial is not the best situation for our clients. No one wants to spend a day in jail. But pre-trail detention also interferes with our ability to communicate freely with our client and interferes with their ability to assist in preparing a defense. Pretrial detention is not good for the client, not good for the defensive strategy and interferes with personal obligations. Therefore, we demand bail in every case possible.\nToo Many Guilty Pleas\n97 percent of all federal drug offenders plead guilty to a reduced charge or to a lower recommended sentence than would result from a trial. We do not, however, undertake a plea bargain strategy unless our client directs us to do so. If the Government proffers a deal, we are ethically bound to convey that deal to you. At that point it is our duty to convey to the client the pros and cons of such a agreement, including the legal ramifications and consequences of a guilty plea. But the ultimate decision to enter into a plea bargain rests exclusively with you. It is your life and we will respect whatever decision you make regarding plea agreement or trial, will stand behind you 100 percent and will fight for the best possible result under the circumstances.\nSystem Not Always Fair and Just\nOur legal system is supposed to be fair and just. We know that is not always the case. Our duty, as criminal defense attorneys, is to fight for the fairness and justice that the Government is not always willing to extend to our clients. The Government’s prosecution of drug crimes is often rife with prosecutorial misconduct, unethical behavior before and during the trial, and an overzealousness that translates into downright meanness. We provide our clients a safeguard against these Government actions.\nProudly Fighting for the Rights of the Accused\nAt the John T. Floyd Law Firm, we are dedicated to protecting the rights of people accused of drug crimes in both state and federal courts. Our firm is headed by John T. Floyd, a Houston-based criminal lawyer who has helped countless clients across Texas defeat drug charges of all kinds, from complicated international drug trafficking and distribution cases down to minor possession charges that would have had a major impact of the lives of our clients.\nWe Will Fight for You\nMr. Floyd and his legal team have the experience, talent, and knowledge you need to fight back against overzealous prosecutors and law enforcement agents. With John T. Floyd in your corner, you will be in the best position possible to have your drug crime charges dismissed or reduced and avoid the life-altering penalties to your freedom and future.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1142576"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6143912076950073,"wiki_prob":0.3856087923049927,"text":"Search results for FOREST\n1. [Bookplate for C. A. Walkinshaw] In black ink, an architectural border surrounds an image of a stylized Greco-roman figure sitting on a seat, reading a book, with others at his feet. There is also a bird and scroll imposed on the white space within the side of the seat.\n2. [Bookplate for Jac Balfour Paul Ado] Using black ink on white paper, the background of this pictorial bookplate portrays a window frame and windowsill. The top left side of the window is latticed, below which is an image of a rocky mountain and forest above which the sun is rising or setting. On the right side of the window frame is a shelf with three books. Leaning against the shelf is an unravelled scroll reading \"In Soli / tudine / Solamen\" [comfort in solitude]. Below this text is a lit lamp. On the windowsill are three figures. From left to right, the first figure is standing, nude and holding a comedy mask to its face. The second nude is sitting holding a cape over its shoulder (on the cape is a heraldic emblem: The shield is argent with a rampant lion). The third figure is sitting with its right leg crossed over the left leg, clothed in a judge/lawyer's wig, clothed in robes and holding a large open book in its lap.\n3. [Bookplate for F. H. Barlow] Black ink on white paper. A frame with crosses in the four corners surrounds the text.\n4. [Bookplate for David L. G. Dryden] A yellow frame surrounds the central image. The central image is of a young man in medieval armour leading a white horse to the left of the image. The image is in a forest setting with several trees observable. Two notable trees are standing, one on the left, and one on the right side of the man providing a frame for the image. The entire scene is evocative of a Pre-Raphaelite painting.\n5. [Bookplate for Wallace Wilson and Ethel Wilson] Executed in green ink on a white background, this bookplate depicts a peaceful scene of nature redolent of British Columbia. In the foreground is an evergreen tree behind which birds soar in the distance over mountains. Below the mountains is a forest that frames a lake. Overlooking the lake is a cabin emitting smoke from its roof, while in the lake's center is a fishing boat with two occupants. The text is placed beneath this scene and is framed in each of its four corners by an open book and scroll at the top, and closed books at the bottom.\n6. [Bookplate for Emil Eerme and A. Lavdovsky by O. Kubse] In black, forest scene done in watercolour, bordered on sides and base by ruled lines.\n7. [Bookplate for Convent of the Sacred Heart] Black ink on tan paper. Text is in medieval script.\n8. [Bookplate for I. O. Körner and J. E. Horvath by K. M. S.] A central panel with the ownership text is surrounded by mantling that comes out of a vase at the bottom. Flanking the ownership panel there are two figures holding books at each side. Hanging from the mantling on the bottom are a drum and lyre, and surrounding the top are various animals. The top of the bookplate is crowned with a globe.\n9. [Bookplate for William Arnold Bromfield by William West] In black ink, a belt/garter provides the border. Within is a demi-lion atop a curved crest wreath. In its paws is a sword, with point severed. The belt contains the French motto.\n10. [Bookplate for Eliab Harvey] In black ink, an oval escutcheon, or (gold), with a dancette chief, sable (black), containing three crescents, argent (silver). The crest is a dexter hand couped at the wrist and erected, floating above is an inverted crescent, argent. The Latin motto is found encircling the escutcheon on the bordure, argent. A wreath made of two laurel branches encapsulates the escutcheon. A banner, containing the German motto, is wrapped around the base of the wreath with the Badge of a Companion of the Order of the Bath hanging between it.\n11. [Bookplate for Octavius Wigram by Suffield] In black ink. Argent, a pallet, gules, charged with three escallops, one over two divided by a chevronnel, engrailed, countercharged, gules (red). A chief, argent (silver), a ship representing an English vessel of war of the 16th century, with four masts, sails furled proper, and a flag, azure (blue), sitting on the water. Above the escutcheon is a straight crest wreath on which is a mount supporting a hand in armour, in fess, couped at the wrist proper, charged with an escallop and holding a fleur-de-lis erect. Below the escutcheon is a banner containing the Latin motto.\n12. [Bookplate for Charles Fyfe by R. P.] Bookplate printed in black ink, with a purple/blue ink, rubber-stamped annotation. This ex-libris depicts a woman reading to a young boy on a park or garden bench. The idyllic landscape behind them features a lake with two swans swimming in it. Further in the distance is a forest with the silhouettes of two figures standing among the trees and large dramatic clounds sweeping by in the background.\n13. [Bookplate for Edmund Murton Walker by Thoreau MacDonald] In black ink on white paper, a dragonfly is flying past some large rocks next to a body of water, likely a river. In the background is a forest of tall evergreen trees.\n14. [Bookplate for P. Gagnon] Black ink on cream paper. Crest features a beaver lying on a crest-wreath. There are maple leaf branches extending from both sides of the beaver. The beaver is surrounded by a half-circle border with the motto in black, capitalized sans-serif font written across the arc. The shield is divided per fess, with the top half being further divided per pale and the upper left hand portion is divided into three horizontal sections. The topmost left hand section is argent with sable dots charged with two fleurs-de-lis. The middle left hand section is argent with sable stripes charged with a lion passant. The bottom left hand section is argent with sable dots charged with three maple leaves connected at the stem. The upper right hand side is argent charged with two pieces of equipment, one atop the other, and a pair of scissors below. The equipment has a small curved bottom with two long, curving handles on top with a spike pointing through the lower end of the handles. Below the top half is a thin black banner with white capitalized sans-serif text. Below the banner is an image of a natural forest and coastal landscape with a ship with two tall masts in the water. On the coast, there are people, possible colonizers, interacting. A large cross has been erected on the coast on the right hand side of the image. The dexter supporter and sinister supporter are moose standing a curling ribbon with text in capitalized black sans-serif font.\n15. [Bookplate by William Walker Alexander] Black ink on cream paper, depicting a satyr playing reed pipes in a field with some flowers, surrounded by wildlife (moose, rabbit, squirrel, beaver, birds). There is a forest and water nearby, and signs of human life (tent, canoe). Pictured within a circular frame, with ribbon and text, and a crow standing on a branch at the very top looking down.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line537365"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5881599187850952,"wiki_prob":0.4118400812149048,"text":"CEMEX announces ambitious strategy to address climate change\npublishDate1 Wed, 19 Feb 2020 18:39:00 +0000\npublishDate2 Feb 19, 2020 6:39:00 PM\npublishDate3 February 19, 2020\nCEMEX increases its 2030 target for reducing CO2 emissions to 35% from 30%\nCEMEX establishes a new ambition to deliver net-zero CO2 concrete by 2050\nCEMEX, S.A.B. de C.V. (“CEMEX”) (NYSE: CX) announced today a new Climate Action strategy, which outlines the company´s vision to advance towards a carbon-neutral economy and to address society’s increasing demands more efficiently. In CEMEX, we believe that climate change is one of the biggest challenges of our time and support the urgency of collective action.\nAs a result of our efforts to date, we have reduced our net specific CO2 emissions by more than 22% compared to our 1990 baseline. But we acknowledge that this is not enough. This is why we have defined a more ambitious target of a 35% reduction of net specific CO2 emissions by 2030. This new goal is aligned with the Science-Based Targets methodology, a requirement climate science says is necessary to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement.\nTo complement this strategy with a longer-term vision, CEMEX is also establishing a new ambition to deliver net-zero CO2 concrete by 2050. In our business, we believe concrete—our end product—has a key role to play in the transition to a carbon-neutral economy, and is an essential component in the development of climate-smart urban projects, sustainable buildings, and resilient infrastructure.\n“Climate change has been a priority for CEMEX for many years. Our efforts have brought significant progress to date, but we must do more. This is why we have defined a more ambitious strategy to reduce CO2 emissions by 2030 and to deliver net-zero CO2 concrete by 2050,” said Fernando A. Gonzalez, CEO of CEMEX.\nTo fulfill this strategy, we have a detailed CO2 roadmap to accelerate the roll-out of proven technologies in all of our facilities, including investing in energy efficiency, using alternative fuels, expanding the use of renewable energy, and increasing the substitution of clinker with alternative cementitious materials.\nFurthermore, our new net-zero CO2 concrete aspiration for 2050 sets us on a path of open innovation that requires strategic partnerships and cross-industry collaboration in the development of breakthrough technologies like carbon capture, utilization, and storage; novel clinkers with low heat consumption, alternative decarbonated raw materials, carbonation of concrete waste for use as recycled aggregates, and the promotion of circular economy models that transform waste into fuel. CEMEX currently consumes as either alternative fuel or alternative raw material 32 times more waste from other industries than the waste it generates and sends to landfill.\nFor more information on the company’s new Climate Action strategy, please visit: www.cemex.com/climate-action\nCEMEX is a global building materials company that provides high-quality products and reliable services. CEMEX has a rich history of improving the well-being of those it serves through innovative building solutions, efficiency advancements, and efforts to promote a sustainable future. For more information, please visit: www.cemex.com\nThis press release contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. federal securities laws. CEMEX intends these forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements in the U.S. federal securities laws. In some cases, these statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as “may,” “assume,” “might,” “should,” “could,” “continue,” “would,” “can,” “consider,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “plan,” “believe,” “foresee,” “predict,” “potential.” “target,” “strategy,” “intend” or other similar words. These forward-looking statements reflect CEMEX’s current expectations and projections about future events based on CEMEX’s knowledge of present facts and circumstances and assumptions about future events, as well as CEMEX’s current plans based on such facts and circumstances. These statements necessarily involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from CEMEX’s expectations.\nJorge Perez\nEduardo Rendon","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line687923"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.706316351890564,"wiki_prob":0.29368364810943604,"text":"South Carolina Language Translation Service Professionals\nMultilingual Translation of Important Written Materials for Domestic and Global Business Enterprises & Organizations\nHome South Carolina\nSouth Carolina Translation Services\nASTA-USA Translation Services, Inc. has provided document translation services in South Carolina for 30 years. We are proud to have partnered with some of the state’s top businesses, organizations and prominent citizens to help them connect with their non-English speaking audiences and international business partners. We are a dependable constant in an ever-fluctuating market and are here to provide the best service possible. Our commitment to perfection and attention to detail make us the trusted choice for South Carolina translation services.\nState of South Carolina Businesses & Demographics\nThe Palmetto State became the 8th state of America in 1788. It’s beloved for its scenic attractions, diverse population and growing economy. Falls Park on the Reedy is located in downtown Greenville’s Historic West End. It’s a unique oasis in the middle of the city’s best shops, restaurants and entertainment. Brookgreen Gardens is more than just a garden. This top-rated destination is a combination of art, a zoo and history. Boat tours, art displays, walking tours, live animals and community festivals make this a favorite attraction for locals and tourists. Bike riders and outdoor enthusiasts can be found on the Hilton Head Island Bike Trails. This extensive network of trails is a fun way to explore the island, while having access to the best shops, hotels and restaurants around. Coligny Beach Park is a local and tourist favorite. Easy beach access, plenty of lounging space and shops and restaurants within walking distance make this beach one of the most visited areas in the state. Patriot Point is an American treasure and home to the USS Yorktown, Patriot Point Museum, a fleet of National Historic Landmark ships, Cold War Memorial, a Vietnam Experience Exhibit, the Congressional Medal of Honor Society and Medal of Honor Museum. This destination engages visitors and ignites patriotism within its guests. Different exhibits and events throughout the year keep residents and tourists coming back. For centuries, people have relocated to South Carolina in pursuit of a more successful life. People come from all over the world and establish themselves and their family within the Palmetto State. As they settle in the area, they share their languages, cultures and traditions, adding immeasurable value to South Carolina. Besides English, the most commonly-spoken languages in the state are Spanish, German, French and Gujarati. The main industries that support South Carolina’s economy are aerospace and aviation, automotive manufacturing, biotechnology and life sciences, transportation and recycling. Each of these industries is responsible for employing thousands of citizens, generating millions of dollars in income and making great strides in their respective fields. Some of the largest employers in South Carolina are:\nGreenville Health System\nThe Medical University of South Carolina\nBMW Manufacturing Company\nPalmetto Health Richland\nAll these companies and more need access to reliable, accurate document translation services in South Carolina. Translating things like websites, paperwork, distribution contracts and signs helps growing businesses thrive and expand their reach. By translating important written business documents, companies can connect with a larger audience and international business partners. ASTA-USA is the company you can trust. Our accredited translators are native speakers of the language you need, giving them an innate understanding of the language, culture, grammar and sentence structure they’re translating. They understand how to translate cultural sayings and keep the original thought and content of your document intact. Each of our certified translators have also completed an extensive education and at least 10 years of career experience. We understand how important your written business documents are, and therefore, only entrust them to our in-house professionals. These professionals are not only translation specialists, but industry experts as well. They have an understanding of nearly every industry, including business, legal, marketing, finance, government, technical, education, medical and science and research. They stay up-to-date on the latest trends and terminology in order to provide the most accurate and thorough translation possible. We have experts for 70 languages, including English, Spanish, French, German, Mandarin, Japanese, Italian, Dutch and Portuguese. No language pair is too rare for our linguistic experts.\nSouth Carolina Translation Services Free Quote\nAs part of the South Carolina business community, we want to continue partnering with the state’s top companies to help them grow and thrive on the local and international business market. We understand the significance and need of continued company growth and success within such a dynamic market. By utilizing South Carolina translation services, your company is making the most of every business connection and globally growing its brand. Contact us today for your free quote outlining our translation services within South Carolina. [/vc_column_text]","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line839795"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6848164200782776,"wiki_prob":0.3151835799217224,"text":"Excavation continues at Fort Hunter\nThis week in Pennsylvania Archaeology we review the foundation of an early smoke house uncovered by the archaeological excavations currently being conducted at Fort Hunter Mansion and Park by the Section of Archaeology of The State Museum of Pennsylvania. The structure was built by Colonel Archibald McAllister in the early 19th century on his plantation along North Front Street in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Col. McAllister started his plantation at the site of a French and Indian War fort in about 1787 by building a large stone house at the junction of Fishing Creek and the Susquehanna River. He was a very successful entrepreneur with his farming activities, eventually his operations included a grist and saw mill, a blacksmith shop and a tavern.\nThe smoke house was described in the agricultural newspaper Cultivator by Daniel Chandler in 1835 based on his visit to the farm in 1828. He described Col. McAllister as “a gentlemen of science and refined observation”. Chandler was especially impressed with his household conveniences notably the milk house, smoke house and clothes line, describing each in detail. The smoke house “was a wooden octagon building ….. perfectly tight except the door-way”. Chandler noted that the smoke house was unique in that it was elevated off the ground by a foot or more and that “no fire was admitted into the building” therefore reducing the chances of the building catching fire. The smoke for curing the meats was introduced into the building by a tube from a stove in an adjacent room. Typically, in a conventional smokehouse the smoke is generated by a brick fireplace in the center of the earthen floor or by an iron stove in the building. It was noted that McAllister’s arrangement provided a perfectly dry building allowing him to store his meats in the smokehouse until they were consumed.\nThe smokehouse foundation is not an artifact in the traditional sense, but is an archaeological feature, a technical term that applies to objects such as post molds, foundations, walk ways, roads and other remains that cannot be removed from the site. This treasure is the rocks which form the foundation of a structure – as in this case the base for the smokehouse. The archaeological footprint of Col. McAllister’s innovative smoke house design consists of a circular stone foundation 12 feet in diameter allowing for the unique octagonal building. The connecting room for the stove can be seen in the picture as an “L” shaped alignment of rocks to the right of the main foundation.\nExcavations at Fort Hunter will continue weekdays 9am - 4pm, through October 7th.\nLabels: Archaeology, Fort Hunter, State Museum of Pennsylvania\nIn the Public’s Eye - Out an...","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line292699"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9652546644210815,"wiki_prob":0.9652546644210815,"text":"New and Used Dakota Prices, Dodge Dakota Model Years and History\nDodge Dakota Models\n2010 Dakota\nThe 2010 Ram Truck Dakota is a mid-size pickup truck that separates itself from the class by offering a V8 engine.\nA mid-size pickup truck, the 2009 Ram Truck Dakota offers the utility of a larger vehicle with the maneuverability of a smaller one, making it a capable truck that gets the job done.\nA mid-size pickup with an brand new look outside and in, the 2008 Ram Truck Dakota is available with RWD or 4WD and offers the only V8 engine option in this class.\nThe 2007 Dodge Dakota is a mid-size pickup truck available with two or four doors, and 2WD or 4WD.\nA mid-size pickup truck with seating for five to six passengers, the 2006 Dodge Dakota is offered as a two-door Club cab or four-door Quad cab.\nA versatile mid-size pickup truck, the 2005 Dodge Dakota is available with both Club and Quad cab body-styles, and with RWD or 4WD.\nA pickup truck that straddles the line between compact and mid-size, the 2004 Dodge Dakota is available with a 260 hp V8 making it one of the most powerful in its class.\nNew Car Previews\nSee the latest and greatest features of the newly redesigned cars, trucks and SUVs headed to a dealer near you. Search by car manufacturer or specific models to get an in-depth preview of the latest tech, specs, features and photos for the latest model year.\n2023 Genesis Electrified GV70 Preview\n2024 Polestar 2 Preview\n2024 Mercedes-Benz CLA Coupe Preview\n2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray Preview\nSee All Previews\nAbout Dakota\nBuilt as a durable utility pickup for drivers seeking a smaller alternative to full-sized trucks, the Dodge Dakota featured smaller dimensions than the Dodge Ram but was also one of the most capable vehicles in its class. After a 1997 redesign that involved the adoption of a Ram-like front end, the Dodge Dakota was offered with a regular and Club Cab model.\nWith the regular cab version of the 1998 Dakota, a 6.5-foot and 8-foot bed box was available. For 1998, the performance ante of the medium-sized pickup truck was raised by the presence of an R/T version of the Dakota with a 250-horsepower 5.9-liter Magnum V-8 powerplant.\nA 5.2-liter Magnum V-8 engine also available for the 1998 Dodge Dakota pickup truck. Before the Chevrolet Colorado SS models arrival in 2009, the Dakota was the only commonly available mid-sized pickup truck in the United States with a V-8 engine. Other powerplants available on the 1998 Dakota also included a 2.5-liter four-cylinder and a 3.9-liter V-6 engine.\nRear-wheel drive as well as a part-time four-wheel drive system allowed power to the ground. For the 2000 model year, a four-door Quad Cab version of the Dodge Dakota was introduced. Also in 2000, the trucks 5.2-liter V-8 engine was replaced by a new 4.7-liter displacement PowerTech V-8. Given a new look mirroring its full-sized Dodge truck counterpart, the Dakota was refreshed in 2005 with an all-new suspension. The regular cab version of the Dakota was discontinued on the newer model leaving the Club Cab and Quad Cab.\nEngine choice for the 2005 Dodge Dakota consisted of a 3.7-liter V-6 or the 4.7-liter V-8 powerplant rated at up to 260 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. In 2010, the truck division of Dodge was divided into the Ram brand. As a result, the Dakota could be considered a Ram product for its final two years on sale. With dropping customer popularity, the Dakotas production ended after the 2011 model year.\nSee More Dodge Models and Years\nDodge Dakota","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1751058"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5099474191665649,"wiki_prob":0.49005258083343506,"text":"The purification of Holy Innocents Cemetery\nAt the centre of the square next to my Paris street - Rue de la Ferronnerie - is the Fountain of the Innocents. It is the oldest monumental fountain in Paris and a focal point for the groups of young people that gather there.\nThe other day I saw a very old map of the city. I noticed that the square was marked as a cemetery, and it included a church named after the Holy Innocents. Innocents refers to the male infants King Herod ordered massacred, according to the biblical narrative.\nI did some research and discovered that the space had indeed been a burial ground from the Middle Ages until the late 18th century. It was then condemned as a health hazard.\nThe corpses and bones were subsequently exhumed and transported to underground storage near Montparnasse, on the other side of the city. This site is now known as the Catacombs and open to the public as a tourist attraction. The Innocents church was demolished and the fountain moved to the centre, where it still stands.\nI’m now half way through a 2011 novel on the exhumation, by Booker Prize nominated British writer Andrew Miller. Titled Pure, it recreates the story of the removal of the corpses, which it depicts as a purification.\nThis took place on the eve of the French Revolution, which could crudely be described as the forces of reason replacing the cloud of religious superstition. A purification of sorts, though the term refers more directly to the foul smell that permeated the area. It would turn fresh produce rotten and taint the breath of the residents.\nThe main character is a young engineer named Jean-Baptiste Baratte, a fervent believer in rationality. The family he boards with are given to superstition and are hostile to his work once they discover what it is.\nMy interest is heightened by the coincidence concerning the historic Camperdown cemetery at the top of my street in Sydney. In the late 1940s, ghost stories and a murder led to demands for the ‘purification’ of a large section of the site.\nThis took the form of the transfer of headstones to the area next to adjacent church, and use of the space for the creation of the Camperdown Memorial Rest Park. Today it’s a well frequented meeting place for young people and dog owners.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line168312"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7592794895172119,"wiki_prob":0.7592794895172119,"text":"Interview US politics & policy\nFT Live subscriber webinar on the US midterms\nFT journalists and veteran commentator Norm Ornstein explain why Democrats face tough times in Congress in spite of a ‘good’ midterm election night for President Joe Biden. Ornstein, Ed Luce, Rana Foroohar and James Politi explore who might run for president and vice-president in 2024, and how Ron DeSantis might take on Donald Trump after his resounding re-election as Florida governor. Ornstein warns western allies to prepare for a curtailed American role in the world under a more dictator-friendly breed of Republicans\nShare on Twitter (link opens in a new browser window)\nShare on Facebook (link opens in a new browser window)\nShare on LinkedIn (link opens in a new browser window)\nShare on WhatsApp (link opens in a new browser window)\nSave to myFT\nYou can enable subtitles (captions) in the video player\n...and welcome to this special FT Live on the midterm elections. I'm Edward Luce, the US political commentator. I'm joined by my colleague Rana Foroohar, FT columninst and also fellow contributor to Swamp Notes, our newsletter, James Politi, one of the bureau chiefs here in Washington DC, and our guest today, Norm Ornstein, one of the best, most experienced scholars of American politics and also participant in American political reform and the author of, amongst many books, It's Even Worse Than it Looks.\nWell, I don't know what, Norm, your view is going to be on this week's election. Maybe that title won't describe it. But it has been a pretty surprising and a pretty remarkable midterm election. We were all... the conventional wisdom, at least, was anticipating a red tsunami, a red wave, a shellacking, a thumping.\nAnd what we've seen is something quite different, the least different, the least bad performance by a president in the midterms for 20 years, the least bad by a Democrat. Democratic president for 40 years. So Joe Biden, once again, has defied very, very low expectations.\nAlso an extremely bad night for Donald Trump. Not only did most of his favourite candidates, the more Trumpian candidates, like Don Bolduc in New Hampshire, Doug Mastriano, for the governorship in Pennsylvania, and many, many others across the board, lose, or look likely to lose, but Ron DeSantis, his potential challenger for the 2024 nomination, had a massive landslide to be re-elected as governor of Florida.\nRupert Murdoch also seems to have turned on Donald Trump. The New York Post's headline this morning is Humpty Trumpty. And just to finish off the poem, all the king's horses and all the king's men could not put Trumpty together again. So Norm, let me start with a question, a very direct question for you about Trump is, is this the beginning of the end for Donald Trump?\nSo when I saw the New York Post headline, my comment was, oh, a lover's quarrel.\nOf course, Rupert has dumped many in the past. But this is a really bad time for Trump. And we saw this on Fox and other places, even on Fox, that they were saying on election eve, where they had expected this red tsunami, that Trump was to blame. Trump himself had said, if we win, you can thank me, if we lose, blame somebody else, which was classic Trump.\nBut we also have to keep in mind what's lurking in the background, here. And it's not just whether Republicans have decided that he is a drag on their chances rather than a boost, but we've got indictments looming, many indictments looming, Georgia, to start with. And from everything we know about what Fani Willis, the prosecutor in Fulton County, Georgia, has said and done, probably fairly quickly there.\nThe Justice Department has moved slowly but almost certainly we will see indictments there. We know in New York that they've basically taken over his business. And it's quite possible that the Trump organisation will be dissolved.\nTrump is on a downward slide into some very bad things and very bad times. But Trumpism is still not dead. And that's the important part of this, Ed. If somehow Donald Trump just disappeared from the face of the Earth tomorrow, the pathologies in the American political system are there. And they're in many ways, more dangerous.\nAnd we can talk about that more. In spite of an election that, as you said, was a stunningly good one, in perspective, for Joe Biden and his presidency, although we're going to talk about the bumps in the road that will follow from that.\nBut we may still see Kari Lake, one of the most dangerous election deniers, win a governorship in Arizona. We've got some other races that are hanging in the balance. The cultural problems, the divide in the country, is still great enough that I'm not getting the good night's sleep that I had hoped I would even after an election that turned out to be less dangerous than we had thought.\nYou make a very good point that DeSantis and others are not auditioning to kill Trumpism. They're auditioning to be the new heads of the MAGA movement. And that's - we will get on to - and maybe James and Rana will have views on DeSantis in a moment. But just as a quick follow up, midterm elections for first-time incumbent presidents are traditionally seen as a referendum on those presidents.\nAnd clearly this became more of a split-screen midterm election because of Trump. And the party was in a complete panic on Monday night when it looked like Trump might actually announce his candidacy for 2024 and completely intrude on...\nFair to say, therefore, that the difference between what the conventional wisdom was expecting to happen on Tuesday night, which is this red wave, and what actually happened, which is this far more calibrated, even, outcome, that Trump was the difference, or are there other factors, such as the abortion Supreme Court ruling that played a role here, Norm?\nThere are definitely other factors. And I think the conventional wisdom believe that with Biden's approval rating in the low 40s, with a number of polls showing that the top issues were inflation, the economy, and crime, that the other things wouldn't matter.\nBut those other things, starting with the Dobbs decision and the abortion issue, including what now, for a lot of Democrats and independents, was a concern over the radical direction that the Republican party had taken, a substantial turnout among younger voters, more than we had expected, which I think was driven significantly by the abortion issue out there, all of that made a difference and turned it into a different kind of election.\nAnd I think we can talk more about the realities that it's not a uniform, national result, Florida going dramatically further in a red direction, Ohio, where you had a Senate candidate, a Democrat, Tim Ryan, who ran the best campaign of anybody this time against JD Vance, who ran a horrible campaign and who's a horrible person.\nBut Vance still won pretty comfortably because it's still a tribal world. And Ohio, which was once a swing state, is becoming firmly Republican as well, while we saw dramatically different results in places like Michigan, Pennsylvania, and in Minnesota.\nIt's not clear that there is a national set of issues themselves that can explain everything. But there's no doubt in my mind that if the Supreme Court had not ruled the way it did on Dobbs, we'd be looking at a much worse result for Democrats, as we look at it today.\nSo you mentioned Florida. Rana, I know you've also been paying attention to the pretty extraordinary Republican performance there, no longer a swing state. It's very clearly a red state now, as Ohio is.\nOne of the silver linings, perhaps - and you and I have talked about this and written about this - is, to America's political polarisation, is that the racial polarisation isn't as great. You do have a lot more Hispanics voting Republican. And you even have some African-Americans moving over into the Republican column. But this is particularly true for Hispanics in Florida. What do you think explains that?\nSo it's really interesting. For viewers who are listening, Ed and I actually did a Swamp Note on this a few days ago. And Ed, you posed, I think, quite correctly, that Hispanics are not a single block and that Democrats really hadn't gotten that. We've seen them vote totally differently in different parts of the country, in the Midwest, in Florida, in Texas. And this reflects the fact that they're coming from different places, from different socio-economic groups, with different kinds of interests.\nI've often thought in general that Democrats do better focusing on issues of class rather than slicing and dicing identity. I've thought for years that's made things very divisive within the party and has taken the party in the wrong way and alienated a lot of people. I think that's particularly true when you're dealing with the Hispanic community.\nI grew up in the rural Midwest, in Indiana, and there are a lot of Hispanics there that are small business owners, they're migrants. They still believe in the American Dream. They would respond to a message of less regulation, lower taxes, more than they might respond to social issues and identity messages. And I think that Florida reflects that.\nI'm also just fascinated - and I would love to hear what Norm thinks about this too - by the meaning of Florida. Florida has become the anti California, the anti New York. It's like the conservative answer to everything that they would believe is wrong with a place like, where I'm sitting, Park Slope, Brooklyn or San Francisco.\nIt's low taxes, private sector, we don't care if there's another hurricane, we're not going to worry about who can get flood insurance or not, but we're open for business and the money is pouring in. Now whether the latest crypto boom is going to be the beginning of the end of some of that or - I should say bust - is going to be the beginning of the end of some of that, I'm curious.\nBut there's a kind of, as always, with Florida, a no-holds-barred, live life, be prosperous, and it's almost a libertarian vibe. And Norm, I'm curious if you would say the same.\nSo Florida is fascinating. We used to think of Florida, when we thought of it as a swing state, of being multiple states. Miami-Dade County, it was a solidly blue area. Then you'd move to the panhandle, Pensacola, which was extraordinarily red. The middle of the state was more red. Miami-Dade County went red this time.\nBut beyond that, and there's some, perhaps, funny, good news for Democrats in all of this because I think one of the reasons that Florida moved from purple to red is that a lot of Republicans moved from Pennsylvania and Michigan and New York and New Jersey, down to Florida. And that provided enough of a cushion that the Democrats could do better in those states.\nEven having said that, that Ron DeSantis won so handily against a former governor who actually was fairly popular when he was governor, is striking, and that Marco Rubio, another example, an incumbent Senator but who - when Trump labelled him 'Little Marco,' it stuck in a lot of ways - running against what ought to have been a perfect Democratic nominee, Val Demings, a former police chief, a member of Congress, who ran quite an effective campaign. And she lost by a big margin as well.\nAnd that's really a sign that Florida has become a Republican state, period, I think for all the reasons you say, Rana. And I think if we look at Hispanics there, which is.. and that's a polyglot. We have Venezuelans and Guatemalans, a lot of Cubans, obviously, that they have turned as much as they have, I think, is a reflection of the fact that Republicans have very skillfully used the word 'socialism' to their advantage.\nAnd Democrats missed a beat in Florida this time. Recall that Ron DeSantis basically kidnapped a bunch of asylum seekers in Texas, dragooned them into or lured them to Florida the same way that the old man would lure a child into a van with candy..\n...and then flew them, using a large amount of taxpayer money, to Martha's Vineyard but... and called them illegal immigrants. These were Venezuelans fleeing the Maduro regime and going through enormous hardship to get to the United States to seek asylum.\nAnd that Democrats didn't pound away at that and say, Ron DeSantis, you're giving aid and comfort to Maduro, you want to talk about socialism, was political malpractice, not that it would have made all the difference but it's pretty clear that Democrats, if they're ever going to get back into the game in Florida, are going to have to do something about those Hispanics in Miami-Dade.\nCan I ask one question, just on the back of that? Why did the Democrats in Martha's Vineyard not show up and - where immigrants are being shipped off - not show up and say, thank you, we have a labour shortage in this country. We desperately need immigration. Please, hey, we're going to put these folks to work in the hospitality industry, here. Why did they not make just a huge political boondoggle of that?\nDemocrats are not very good at messaging, as we say. Now you could say they're terrible at messaging. They still did better than Barack Obama's midterm elections, when presumably, they were better at messaging than Bill Clinton, who was great at messaging. So we can't blame everything on that, or wherever they lost on that. But there was a tone deafness there to the opportunities available.\nAnd the same is true, let me say, Val Demings, in a debate with Marco Rubio, took on the crime issue by turning it into a gun issue and did it extraordinarily effectively. And there Democrats are on really solid ground. The overwhelming majority of Americans are appalled by the way guns have been out there and assault weapons killing people. They want background checks. They want bans on assault weapons.\nThat's the way to hit the crime issue. And they didn't do that at all. And that hurt, I think, in a number of places where - the last thing you want, in a campaign, is to be on the defensive. You want your opponents to be on the defensive. And that's an area where they're going to have to do some additional work.\nSo a very good point. And with all these instances of Democratic malpractice, to still get this result does bring us back to Donald Trump, I think. And James, you've been travelling a lot around the campaign, trail to the swing states. You've seen Trump. You've seen DeSantis.\nIf, as expected, Trump still goes ahead, ignores the advice of pretty much every senior Republican, and still goes ahead with his 2024 campaign launch in Mar-a-Lago next Tuesday - and I guess knowing what we know about Trump and his stubbornness and his pride, it's likely he will go ahead - then what would you imagine a DeSantis-Trump full-on battle looking like? Would Trump just blow him away? Does MAGA still... does the MAGA heart still beat with Trump or is that changing?\nWell, it's hard to tell at the moment. In a way, we've been here before in the sense that there have been other moments when, after electoral defeats, some Republicans have blamed Trump. And then he's continued to plough ahead because he has such a strong hold on the base.\nThe latest polling out, from Morning Consult, this morning, showed that Trump still has over 50 per cent of support for 2024 nomination compared to DeSantis, who has edged up, but is about roughly half that, half that level. And you can see how a sustained campaign by Fox and the Murdoch media and the conservative universe to get rid of Trump, in a certain sense, could have an impact on those numbers and really elevate DeSantis.\nBut I think that there's still a question about whether DeSantis will really survive the first big contacts with Trump. And we saw, there was a first swipe from Trump over the weekend, calling him Ron Desanctimonious. That didn't really seem to stick on Tuesday, but...\nToo many syllables, Ron\nSo that was a bit of a swing and a miss from Trump. But I don't know if the next swings are going to miss in the same way. And also, we don't really know if DeSantis really has it in him to take on Trump.\nHe's had opportunities, in previous moments, over the course of the year, to really criticise Trump or to take him on, such as the Mar-a-Lago raid, the January 6 hearings. He could have tried to hit him a little bit when he was down and he declined to do that. And he's been biding his time, maybe wisely picking his moment.\nBut we don't know, really, if DeSantis has the fight in him to go after Trump head on. And he still hasn't formally announced his candidacy. There are super PACs, donors, who are egging him on, trying to get him to make the first move. Maybe he's waiting for Trump to implode a little bit before going after him. Maybe that's the right approach. But we still haven't seen that big, big clash yet. And we don't really know how, once they're in the ring, how it's going to go.\nNorm, I'd like your thoughts on that, whether DeSantis has got the mojo. It seems to me, though, while agreeing with everything that James just said, that Trump might be putting him in the race by himself. DeSantis is being attacked so frequently and viscerally, and there's that tone of menace that Trump has when he targets a rival, that DeSantis just may have no choice but to be his rival. He's being attacked.\nNorm, I'm might be interested in your thoughts on that but also on your thoughts about Biden's declaration for 2024. He obviously looks stronger now. He continually confounds low expectations. And I think one of the key elements of Tuesday - and others have said this - is that a lot of people hate Trump. Of course, a lot of people adore Trump too. Nobody really hates Biden.\nAnd that's... it was very interesting to see one of Fox's stars, Jesse Watters, saying, well, there isn't this visceral hatred of Biden the way there was of Obama. And I thought, gee, I wonder why?\nThat's another angle here. On DeSantis, I think the attacks by Trump are good for him and here's why. Remember when Trump ran in 2016 and the Republican establishment was appalled? But what Trump did on the debate stage was to go after all the other Republicans, giving them nicknames, attacking them. And that was appealing to a group of Republicans who wanted a tough guy who was going to rip apart the opposition and blow up the establishment.\nRon DeSantis, despite doing some really horrific things in Florida, has had this popularity there, I think in part because he's seen as being tough. And if he takes on Trump and wins, that's going to be a positive for him with the rest of the electorate.\nHaving said that, anybody who watched the debate that Trump had with Charlie Crist, or that DeSantis had with Charlie Crist, he was not ready for primetime. He did very poorly. It's not clear to me that if you put him in the national spotlight, that the sort of chicanery that he uses with press conferences in Florida, where nobody is able to ask any questions, where he gets all the police behind him or when he signs a Don't Say Gay bill, having a bunch of little kids sitting around him, when he's under that scrutiny and really being pushed - and that means being pushed by Republicans, his rivals, because it's not just Trump.\nI've been actually gobsmacked to watch Mike Pence, out there now trying to make his pitch, basically, as a gentler version of Trump, having had Trump really call for him being hanged, but now saying nice things. But Mike Pence may have a little bit of a following out there. And Nikki Haley is out there.\nAnd Glenn Youngkin, the governor of Virginia, who's trying to be the nicer version of Trump - he's a full-on Trumpist but he has a fleece vest and he looks less menacing - all of them are going to be stirring things up. And whether DeSantis can make it through all of that is a real question mark.\nFrom the perspective of Democrats, first of all, the more they fight amongst themselves and the more they take on Trump, given what James said, which I think is entirely accurate, that for all of the travails of Donald Trump, for all of the reality that even Rupert Murdoch and his cronies are turning on him, Trump still has this deep following in the electorate with Republicans in the electorate.\nThere's still this outrage and a belief that he had his election stolen. They're going to be rising up when he is indicted. And if he stays in this game you're going to see a deep division among Republicans. That doesn't mean that they won't be united when it comes to actually voting in November of 2024. But from the perspective of Democrats, if they're in an internal battle that becomes really vicious, that's not such a bad thing.\nIn a moment, I'm going to ask Rana and you about the next Congress. But James, just whilst we're still focused on what the outcome of the midterm elections were, we're going to get another Senate runoff in Georgia between Raphael Warnock and Herschel Walker. Last time, of course, it decided the Senate. Those two runoffs going to the Democrats meant the Democrats had majority control.\nIt might boil down to - depending on what happens in Arizona, where they're still counting and in Nevada, where they're still counting - it could once again boil down to a Georgia runoff to decide which party controls the Senate. And now, clearly, you're going to be going down there and covering this. But tell me, what is your hunch about this Walker-Warnock run off? And will Trump get involved again because I suspect viewers will need no reminding, his involvement in the last runoffs caused Republicans to lose, becoming a very familiar story.\nWell, I think a lot will depend on whether it will be a decisive election for... a decisive runoff for control of the Senate. I think that if it's not decisive, if the Democrats have already gotten to 50, I think that most likely, Warnock will rather comfortably hold his seat just because you won't get that sense, from the Republicans, that this is the only way that they can... this is their path to gain control. You won't get as much national attention. And on that score, I think Warnock will do better.\nWhat I found... but on the other hand, if it will decide the fate of the Senate, I think that there's just going to be a massive amount of money, a huge effort. It'll be the Republican chance to reset the narrative in terms of what happened in this election. And I have to say, even though Herschel/Walker is a real classic - in some ways, classic Trump-backed candidate, it's very striking that he's at 48 per cent, 49 per cent.\nIn Georgia, it's a very fiercely-divided, ideological... this is the real battleground of American politics at the moment. Everyone feels very strongly about winning and prevailing. And I think Republican voters are willing to... they're willing to go with Walker if it means that they can overcome, win a Senate Majority.\nOf course, if it's not decisive, then I think plenty of Republican voters will stay home. They don't really like Walker as much as they like Brian Kemp, the governor. But they would take him, I think, if it's a decisive race.\nOK, let's move on to the next Congress. So Rana, assuming that Republicans do end up with a House majority, a very slim one, presumably, of 5-6, and that Kevin McCarthy becomes speaker, a very weakened speaker, I would presume because that slim margin will strengthen the far right, the Freedom Caucus, the Jim Jordans, the Marjorie Taylor Greenes, et cetera, what, if anything, other than performative impeachments, can we expect from a Congress like that?\nThat's a great question. In some ways, I think that there's going to be a continued bipartisan consensus over China. I think that that's actually interestingly, for a midterm, China was a campaign issue in about one fifth of the swing states, which is... that's something that comes up during presidentials but it's not such a big midterm issue.\nNext week, you're going to see the US-China Commission coming out on Wednesday with another report. It's going to be hawkish. It's going to be very bipartisan. And so I'm going to be interested to see, to the extent that we are moving into a more localised and more regionalised world, that decoupling is continuing, how does the rhetoric and the policy of that play out?\nAnd this is something that you and I discussed a bit in a past Swamp Note in the Ohio election, right, because that was Vance versus Tim Ryan. And both of them were saying, look, we need to reindustrialise the US. We need to... Vance being belligerent, America-first MAGA, Ryan taking a more constructive approach, but basically the same policies around trade. I think that you're going to see everybody rowing in that direction. It's just the tenor of it that will be different, depending on who you're talking about.\nThat's a very interesting point. In particular, I think it is worth emphasising that Ryan's defeat to Vance, whatever it's, seven points, correct me if I'm wrong, Norm, was considerably narrower margin of victory than Mike DeWine for the governorship, which is something like a 26-point margin for the Republican governor.\nSo Norm, Kevin McCarthy, you are one of the leading experts on Congress in the world. Kevin McCarthy, is it a safe bet he'll be speaker, assuming they have the majority? And if so, what will he have to do to keep his speakership?\nSo we know that the several of the Freedom Caucus members have already indicated that they're going to try to reinstate a rule that would keep Kevin McCarthy on a very short leash, that would allow for a vote at any time to remove a speaker if they don't like what's going on. And that's a shot across his bow.\nBut I've been around Congress for more than 50 years. And I've never seen a leader as weak or as craven as Kevin McCarthy. And that's saying something because there have been plenty of contenders for that position.\nHe achieved his position, not because of his tactical brilliance, his depth of knowledge, but because he was one of these people who kept tabs on all of the members, knew the birthdays, would send cards when their kids graduated from school or won a medal in an athletic competition. He is a glad hander. And it is trying to appease everybody, that is his trademark.\nAnd even if the majority were larger, the reality is that the Republican party in Congress has been taken over by the radical, election-denying MAGA faction. The Freedom Caucus started in 2015 because the existing rightwing caucus, the Republican Study Committee, wasn't right wing enough.\nWe've already seen a couple of groups form that believe that the Freedom Caucus isn't right wing enough. And the pressure on him from that faction, with no margin for error in what he's trying to do, will be intense.\nWhat he's already done is to try to appease that group by giving a lot of slack to the craziest of his members, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Matt Gaetz, and some of the others. He is going to give them prominent positions. He's going to focus on doing these hearings, not just about Hunter Biden but about Afghanistan and about the Justice Department.\nHe's not going to be able to be in a position to be responsible, if responsibility is what's important. And as you and I have talked before, Ed, and as I've written, my greatest fear is that if you have a divided government, you don't have the power to enact legislation yourself. You can use the investigative tools to drive the other side crazy and to bring them to their knees.\nBut your biggest power is the negative one of being able to block things. And that includes blocking spending. And it includes this odd device of the debt ceiling, which in 2011, when the Tea Party group came in with a midterm that was disastrous for Barack Obama, we came this close to a default, which would shake up the international financial community and the international economy in ways well beyond the United States. That would be a tsunami that would hit a lot of different shores.\nAnd I'm not sure that they're going to be able to avoid it. And what we have to keep in mind is, next Congress, where we are very likely to have that narrow Republican majority in the House, potentially in the Senate, that's the 118th. We will still have the 117th with a narrow Democratic majority in the House and a 50/50 Senate, where they still control it, until January 3.\nThe Democrats are going to have to find ways to head off the worst-case scenarios that back in 2011, the Republican speaker, John Boehner, managed to keep us from going over the cliff into default. Kevin McCarthy couldn't do that. And so there's going to be a big burden on Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer during this period of time.\nIf the Republicans somehow take the Senate, in early December, with that race in Georgia, then there will be no confirmations of judges or executive appointees for Joe Biden for two years. And if he wants and needs somebody in a cabinet post, for example, if it's vacated, they're going to try and hold that hostage and blackmail him into doing things that he doesn't want to do.\nSo they're going to have to work night and day, through December, to be able to head off some of the worst things. And whether all of those Democrats in the Senate - you need every single one - who want to take time off before they start the next time around, are going to be willing to do that, is another challenge.\nBiden's got plenty of headaches ahead. It was a wonderful night for him in many respects. But we cannot ignore the traumas and dangers ahead that come even with a two-vote Republican margin in the House.\nEd, can I just amplify one thing that Norm said? Because I completely agreed with your point about the financial market fallout of the debt-ceiling issues. And I think there is always fallout.\nThis time around, it's going to be hyper amplified by the fact that there is already a huge issue in international markets about trust in the US government. And you're seeing that in the volatility of the T-bill space. You're seeing that in growing concerns about the US fiscal position, particularly in the midst of decoupling, in the midst of who knows what in Taiwan. So I think it would have, actually, a really amplified effect this time.\nThat's a very, very good point. And I've heard that as they're looking at the lame-duck session between now and early January, Schumer and Pelosi, and James, I want you to respond to this, are thinking, really, of three priorities. First is to try and raise the debt ceiling now. The second is to try and prefund some of the Ukraine military and financial assistance because the MAGA wing of the Republican party is Putinista. A lot of it is pro Putin.\nAnd then third is slightly more esoteric, but maybe more important than the first two combined, is to reform the Electoral Count Act so that some of the discrepancies that led to, or could lead to another January 6, 2021, are just ruled out. James, are you hearing these things? And do you think that passage of any one or all of those three, in the lame-duck session, is realistic?\nI think I could see some sort of, in an optimistic scenario, I could see some sort of package coming together along those lines. But the problem is that there won't be much time left because I think they will want to wait until after the Georgia runoff to make some kind of calculation, actually, about what they want to do and how they want to do it, what kind of compromises need to be made.\nAnd on the debt ceiling, I don't think that there's a consensus, really, within the Democratic party about whether you want to be responsible and go ahead and raise it and take it off the table, or whether you want to use it as leverage, in a certain sense, to be able to depict the Republicans as the extremist brinkmanship champions of Congress. And I think that that's a decision that Biden and the Democrats are going to have to make.\nI think that it's in a way, it's not just about the debt ceiling when it comes to economic and financial issues for Biden. If we faced any kind of even other financial meltdown, I think that it would be very difficult for the White House and the administration to respond to it if... you couldn't see a scenario, like the Wall-Street bailout, where Janet Yellen goes begging for McCarthy to pass a rescue bill for the financial sector, and that he would say yes.\nIt would be much harder for anything like that to happen. Even something like the auto-sector bailout... would be very difficult to see if there was a recession. And so I think that from the economic point of view, Biden will have much less flexibility to respond to any kind of crisis.\nI think that's absolutely correct. Now just bearing in mind, we've got about 16, 17 minutes left. But we do have questions coming from viewers. And I'm going to throw them in here and there.\nI want to ask both Norm and Rana the big, Biden question on whether there's a deeper bench of potential successors for a competitive Democratic primary emerging. Gretchen Whitmer is performing exceptionally well in Michigan. Michigan, for the first time in decades, has a Democratic trifecta. They won back control of both chambers there, as well as her being re-elected. She's quite a strong figure.\nPeople mentioned Gavin Newsom in the Senate. Of course, there's Amy Klobuchar. Goodness knows, maybe even Bernie Sanders would try again. But the question to both of you, starting with Norm, is, will Trump, sorry, will Biden declare his candidacy? Will he run again? And...\n...run again? So will he and should he, Norm?\nSo I'm hearing from a lot of Democrats who are saying, well, he should just take himself out of it now. He's at a good point. I doubt very much that's going to happen.\nThe history that we have with presidents either in their second terms or who say they're not going to run again, that lame-duck status weakens you in a lot of respects. Now he's going to have all these issues that we know with a divided government.\nBut I would be sceptical, barring a health challenge that emerges, that he's going to announce anything one way or the other. And one of the reasons is that if you're not running, then everybody else comes right out of the woodwork to jockey for position and you have big, internal tensions that emerge.\nThe Democrats have a dilemma, here. If Joe Biden were to run again-- and what happens in 2023 is going to have a lot to do with whether he's even in a position to be able to do that-- he would be 86 at the end of his second term. That's pushing it, even in an era where 60 is the new 30 and 70 is the new 40. But 86 ain't the new 50.\nAt the same time, you have an heir apparent. And the reality is that Kamala Harris, who is the first woman of colour to be vice president, is not a strong presidential candidate. And if you have a bitter dispute among Democrats and in the aftermath of the Dobbs decision on abortion, you bypass a woman and pick a man as your presidential candidate at a time when you need a base that's enthusiastic, you're going to have a problem with a portion of your base.\nIf you pick somebody who isn't a person of colour, at the same time, you're going to have a problem with another portion of your base. And you're going to have a lot of other contenders out there, including some very attractive ones. Pete Buttigieg, a judge who ran the last time, has been a star for Democrats, appearing on Fox, basically flaying the opposition, there. And he's done quite well as the transportation secretary.\nYou have Cory Booker, who ran the last time, who's an attractive person. I would say if Catherine Cortez Masto somehow pulls out this victory in Nevada, along with the fact that you have a Hispanic governor in New Mexico who's quite attractive, who just won re-election again, there are going to be a lot of potential contenders but you're going to have a bitter internal contest, which is not anything that you want either.\nSo both parties have succession issues, here, with Trump on the ropes, with Biden in his 80s. I would be surprised, though, if Biden took himself out of the running before late next year at the latest-- at the earliest.\nEDWARD LUCE: That's interesting. Rana, let me just pick up something that Norm just said about Kamala Harris's weakness and what that might portend, in terms of the identity dimension, to a new Democratic nomination contest. That is, of course, the Achilles heel of the Democratic Party as well as its strength.\nRANA FOROOHAR: Right, right.\nEDWARD LUCE: What do you feel about that?\nRANA FOROOHAR: Well, it's interesting because Kamala gets right at both the identity issues and the failure of Democrats to really hold working people. Kamala really identifies much more with the middle of the road, corporatist wing of the party. And that's where she came up. And she took some flack in the beginning for that.\nI was hopeful that she would be a stronger candidate. I don't think she is. I would go with Norm and say that I think Biden should run. I think that he is absolutely the guy that still, even as he presents today-- and barring, as you say, any other kind of big, health issue-- that can win right now against, I think, either Trump or DeSantis.\nBut I would love to see him do it with a different veep. I would actually go with Pete Buttigieg because I think that he hits some of the diversity issues, actually. He's a he's a married, gay man.\nHe's a veteran. He hits to a lot of fields. He's a good messenger but he's also really strong on policy. I think nobody wants to see Biden going into this next election without a really safe pair of hands that represents something meaningful about the Democratic transition to a younger generation of politicians.\nEDWARD LUCE: James, do you do you share that? It seems like both Norm and Rana think that he should run and will run. Now I know as a reporter, you're more cautious about answering should questions. But can you give your take?\nJAMES POLITI: I think the Pennsylvania results was very important for Biden. I think that he campaigned there. He's from there. His wife Jill, is from there. He said it's close to his heart. It's the place that you went like 20 times over the past three months.\nAnd to see Fetterman, who was kind of in a bit of trouble the last few weeks, actually win pretty comfortably, I think will be a huge boost to Biden as he looks at 2024. And I felt like it was reflected in the way he talked about it yesterday, saying watch me, I'm going to go for it. And he said he was going to talk about it with Jill between Thanksgiving and Christmas, once they had a little bit of downtime.\nAnd so it looks like he's definitely feeling emboldened. On the other hand, it's also true that the exit polls showed that 66%, or more than 2/3 of Americans, think that he should not run and don't want him to run. And so I think that he has left a bit of an opening to make a decision the other way around.\nAnd he'll have to consider the fact that he is still quite unpopular and that it could be a bit of an uphill struggle. And if he decides to run he might he's going to have to face a lot of criticism in 2023 and beyond that maybe he's actually not up for it. And his legacy might end up losing to Trump or losing to DeSantis at the end of the day, which could be quite bruising because for now, he's the one who beat Trump and did better than expected in the midterms.\nEDWARD LUCE: I give you a first prize for understatement.\n[LAUGHTER]\nRANA FOROOHAR: Can we just state one thing about the Pennsylvania election, too? I found it so heartening that you cannot show up and be a total carpetbagger, like Mehmet Oz, and win. And it also speaks to the fact that even someone like Vance, that had Trump support, closer than you might have thought.\nSo I like the fact that voters are tuning in a little bit to authenticity. Here you've got the celebrity doctor that's campaigning against a guy that had a stroke mid campaign. And it was looking pretty dicey, probably because of Biden's support, but also, I think, because the voters just saw through someone like Mehmet Oz. They made the right decision.\n[INTERPOSING VOICES]\nEDWARD LUCE: --good point. A lot of people have been remarking, and I think correctly, in the last few days, that quality of candidates matters and the human connection matters. And whilst a lot of people were focusing on Fetterman's stroke and his difficulties with communicating, actually, the fact that he got back up, went back out there, and showed he had fight, tenacity, and therefore deserving of empathy, I think might have been underestimated.\nBut Norm, the thought did occur to me, in the last day or two, that the break-in and assault on Paul Pelosi, and Nancy Pelosi's husband, the speaker's husband, in the last few days-- in the closing days of the campaign-- and the fact that many Republicans, starting with Trump, expressed no sympathy for her, in fact, used to use that event as a way of further dissing Pelosi, that might be an underappreciated factor.\nWe all, of course, we're unusual. We pay attention to politics 365 days a year. But we're a rare breed. We're like stamp collectors. Most people don't pay that much attention to politics until the closing stretches of a campaign. And this happened in the closing stretch. Are we underestimating the backlash against how Paul Pelosi's assault was depicted?\nJAMES POLITI: I think you're exactly right, Ed. It's a jolt to Americans, with the fear and the threat of violence emerging through our political process and the tribalism that we have is enhancing that. And I'm concerned, as so many are. And that may have had a significant impact out there and the way in which Republicans have responded to it, the encouragement of violence, which is a problem that we have continuing ahead.\nAnd frankly, it's reinforced, for me, the reality that the Republican Party is no longer a traditional political party. It's a cult. And if he had given sympathy to Paul Pelosi or said, we need to rally behind Nancy Pelosi, as a Republican, you're going to face attacks. So we're in a very different place.\nBefore we go, Ed, I'd like to make two more points. We were talking about Pennsylvania. Viewers, listeners, should keep their eyes on Josh Shapiro, who won overwhelmingly as the governor of Pennsylvania, who actually is another one of those young, up-and-coming people. He's not going to be a presidential candidate in two years. But there's some talent on the bench there as people move forward.\nAnd then we haven't talked enough about the other implications of a even narrow Republican majority in the House, including, I think, what will be of interest to readers, foreign policy. We're going to have Republicans in the House who are going to try to interfere as much as they can with Biden's foreign policy.\nThey're going to use the Afghanistan hearings to try and tie down Tony Blinken and others in the State Department. They're going to use the power of the purse to cut back on diplomacy, not just aid to Ukraine. We're probably going to see Republicans in Congress go overseas and try to undermine Biden's ties to our alliances. There are obviously, as you said, a bunch of Putinistas there.\nSo there are headaches that emerge, even with an election that was far better than expected for Democrats. And they're going to have to do some very heavy lifting, here, to make sure that they can keep everybody on track and moving forward with the policies that they want, when they're going to be undermined, to some degree, from within.\nEDWARD LUCE: We have got four minutes left. So I'm going to ask each of you to give a one-minute answer to the following question. And Norm, thank you for pointing out-- FTV does. We're a global newspaper. And this isn't just an American event. This has a great implications for everyone else.\nSo each of you, starting with James, what should America's allies and partners take from this election? What do you think is significant for them?\nJAMES POLITI: I think what's significant is that there is a backlash to Trumpism. So the 2024 election will not necessarily yield a return to Trump. There's a big, red ocean out there. But there's also a very big blue ocean out there.\nAnd I think that that's very important to keep in mind. And American democracy is unsettled but it's continuing to churn and produce outcomes that maybe give some hope that the decline isn't a permanent feature.\nEDWARD LUCE: Rana.\nRANA FOROOHAR: That's a great question. I think that allies, overseas readers, listeners, sometimes don't understand deeply enough that there is rhetoric that has to be put forward in the US at this moment. Some of the America-First stuff, even the Buy-America stuff, from the Biden administration, which is much fuzzier around the edges than you might imagine-- it's basically Buy America and 60 allies-- that the rhetoric is important for Democrats who have lost working people.\nAnd if you don't want to see Trump in office, you have to be a little more patient with some of the rhetoric and look at the real policies underneath it. And I'm hopeful, I'm hopeful, that this is a moment, particularly with the US and Europe that there could be a little more coming together. I would love to see Macron, on his upcoming state visit in December, really get together with Biden. Let's do some horse trading.\nLet's get on the same page with climate. Let's look at the low-hanging fruit. Let's quit bashing the US for EV subsidies-- Hello, Germany, plenty of auto subsidies there, plenty of agricultural subsidies in Europe-- let's get real about politics and policy and get on the same page.\nEDWARD LUCE: Norm, the last word to you.\nNORM ORNSTEIN: So we can breathe a sigh of relief, momentarily, that the march towards the Orbanization of America has been halted for now. But we also-- for those all around the world, if Trump is fading, Trumpism is not. And Trumpism includes America first, a disdain for alliances.\nThe lure of dictators is a very strong with them. We have to guard against that as best we can. But everybody should prepare for the possibility of a future where America's role in the world is curtailed. The Reagan wing of the Republican Party is not consequential anymore.\nAnd that means that our allies have to do more, anticipating the possibility that we may not have the same kind of strong, American leadership that the world, I believe, needed and has come to rely on.\nEDWARD LUCE: Well, thank you. I saw one made a comment-- and I apologise for not getting through so many of them-- but one, saying, we wish this could have gone on for two or three hours, this fascinating discussion. I agree with that.\nThank you to all four of you, James, Rana, Norm, and his dog, Henry, who deserves a shout out.\nRANA FOROOHAR (LAUGHING): Henry.\nEDWARD LUCE: Thank you, all of you. That was a really, really substantive, useful discussion, which I greatly enjoyed.\nRANA FOROOHAR: Thanks Ed.\nNORM ORNSTEIN: Thank you, Ed.\nJAMES POLITI: Thanks Ed.\nScoreboard14 min\nHow India can revolutionise women's cricket | FT Scoreboard\nA successful league would bring money and prestige to the women's game around the world\nMarkets26 min\nFractured markets: the big threats to the financial system\nCracks form in global markets as central bankers get tough\nFT Financial Literacy and Inclusion Campaign32 min\nUS bank branch closures widen social inequality | FT Film\nThere are over 1,600 'banking deserts' in the US, with a lack of financial services hitting African-Americans hardest. Visit ftflic.com to find out more\nNews in-depthNews in-depth13 min\nFormer PLA officer says China is restraining Russia over use of nuclear weapons\nBeijing seeks good relations with Europe, its largest trading partner\nEnvironment6 min\nBattling the avian flu epidemic | FT Food Revolution\nThe FT's Anjana Ahuja reports on how virologists are unlocking the secrets of the latest H5N1 avian flu strain\nExplainerMoral Money3 min\nDavos: why stakeholder capitalism is under attack | FT Moral Money\nIs it building a better world, or just empowering an unaccountable global elite?\nExplainerMoral Money28 min\nFusion power: how close are we? | FT Film\nInside the race for a new era of clean energy\nFT Globetrotter5 min\nFirst look at celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson's new NYC restaurant | FT Globetrotter\nThe Swedish-Ethiopian restaurateur celebrates diversity and sustainability","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1891582"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.736503541469574,"wiki_prob":0.263496458530426,"text":"The 3 Essential Qualities of a Great Leader with Russ Hill\nThis week we sit down with Russ Hill, Co-Founder of Lone Rock Consulting. We talk about the3 essential qualities of a great leader, the importance of clarity, alignment, and movement as you lead your community bank.\nCheck out Lead In 30 here: http://leadin30.com/\nIntro: Helping community bankers grow themselves, their team, and their profits. This is the Community Bank Podcast.\nCaleb Stevens: Well, Hey everybody. And welcome back to the community bank podcast I’m Caleb Stevens. And today I am speaking with Russ Hill, the co-founder of Lone Rock Consulting. They work with some of the biggest companies in the country, and Russ is a leadership expert. This is a great discussion on how to engage your team, how to cast vision, how to create clarity, and also how to make sure that your vision gets throughout the entire organization. It’s one thing for the CEO to talk about the vision or to have the vision on the website, but it’s another to have every major leader within the organization, living it out and sharing it with their team and making sure that it sticks throughout the whole company. And so hope you enjoy this discussion with Mr. Russ Hill.\nWell, Russ, thanks for hopping on the podcast today, it’s great to be talking with you. I followed you for a couple of years and it’s great to finally put a face with the name. So how are things out in Phoenix?\nRuss Hill: Hot. At the time we’re recording this, this isn’t the place you want to be in January, February is the time to be in Phoenix, but things are going well at Caleb it’s great to meet you and I appreciate the opportunity to share some of the things that we’ve learned that I’ve learned working in this space over the years.\nCaleb Stevens: Give us a quick snapshot of your career. How did you get into the leadership consulting space? What do you do at Lone Rock Consulting? Give us the quick 30,000-foot flyover.\nRuss Hill: Yes. It’s not the most exciting story and it’s not that predictable, but I never viewed myself. I don’t think you, maybe some people grow up. No, I’m going to work as a consultant with senior executive teams of corporations I’m a teacher about leadership. I certainly didn’t grow up thinking that I wanted to be in the media I wanted to be a TV reporter, I wanted to travel the world and cover news events and so that’s what I did. That’s what I did for almost 20 years of my career and on the air in different, primarily radio stations and news and sports did that for a lot of years. And then worked my way into management, and started overseeing properties that our media company was acquiring. And that’s when I got interested in leadership because the teams I was leading did not like me and I thought they did. But then our company, the national broadcast company I was working for at the time started to do these things called employee engagement surveys. And the scores came back, I can laugh about it now, Caleb, but it was painful at the time. I have the distinct honor of being in the company that I worked for and have been rated the lowest leader in the company. In other words, the most toxic culture, the leader whose team disliked them the most man, that’s painful when you get that. And I was in my early twenties at the time and I had a choice to make at that time either lose my job because my team would all quit or change and so that’s when I became obsessed with culture.\nThat’s when I became obsessed with how you lead in a way that not only delivers results but that’s what you’re paid to deliver as a leader. But how do I do it in a way where my people like working for me, they like what we’re doing they feel a sense of purpose? We retain our best talent. How do I do that? It was a painful process and I read every book possible, I paid a lot of money out of my pocket to be developed I had leaders that mentored me and sent me to different things from universities to Gallup, to this, to that. And then long story short after a long time in the media career and no longer being the lowest rated leader growing and improving as a leader, I left the media world and went to join a consulting firm that had recruited me that specialized in the space of culture management.\nCaleb Stevens: So, making an assumption here, but I would guess, before you saying that survey, I’m guessing you’d probably read a leadership book or two, in the past, and then it sounds like it’s probably one thing maybe to know about leadership from a head knowledge perspective, but then to live it and to be accountable to it and to see real results in the workplace. Did you see a disconnect there? Had you read leadership books before and now what sort of a wake-up call? What was that like?\nRuss Hill: Yes, I had. And I wanted to be a good leader and so whether it was listening to at the time audiobooks write CDs at the time, now you can download them on audible or whatever, but or going to the Barnes and Noble back in the day and buying a book, I was doing that I was a student of leadership. So, that was part of my leadership development but I think the more pronounced or the part that affected me more was watching other leaders, and in my experience now working with leaders and as an executive coach and working as a consultant with leadership teams, what I’ve learned over the years is other leaders do exactly what I did, which is what are the traits in the leaders I hate that I don’t want to be around. That I just despise working for, or that man, there just don’t seem like pleasant people, or maybe they’re pleasant, but they just create an environment to where it, it doesn’t feel like we’re accomplishing things or my ideas don’t feel heard, or we’re not going anywhere as an organization. So, you look at those leaders and you go, okay, don’t do that, don’t be that and then you look at the leaders like, man, that person is amazing and what are they doing? And how do I become more like them? I think that’s probably where most of us have learned or what we’ve studied. And a lot of its unconscious we don’t even realize we’re doing it, but a lot of our leadership development in what I’ve seen is in watching and then modeling or repeating or cloning the behavior of other leaders.\nCaleb Stevens: Well, I can hear the broadcasting voice now that we’re talking. Any lessons from a communication standpoint that broadcasting and media taught you?\nRuss Hill: Yes, ton. I feel like I’m so blessed. I feel like there was this journey that I couldn’t see, yet my life was needing to go where it was the combination of these two worlds. And yes, if you think about it, most effective leaders, most good leaders, not all of them, but most of them are good communicators. And so I studied communications in college, not only because it was the easiest degree I could find that required the least amount of time in a classroom, but because I wanted to go into the media business. And so, effective leaders communicate and a lot of that starts with, and this is tied to Caleb. It’s tied to culture too, which we’ll get into, but a lot of it is effectively describing the vision, the destination you think about like Google maps. I would pay so much money if they charged me for that app on my phone. It’s so valuable to me, especially somebody who travels for a large part of what I do with clients and so you drop into a city and you just type in the destination, but you think about that app without the destination entered in, it’s kind of cool to look at the roads around you and whatever else, but it’s not that valuable. That app becomes valuable after you type in the destination and then it’s helping you. Hey, look out for this, that route’s closed. Don’t go there. You need to know this area’s under construction. This is the speed, this is where you’re likely to get there. Just like an effective communicator as a leader, we’re able to get up in a virtual meeting in an email in an in-person meeting and describe effectively this is not the only part of communications that has ties to the leadership, but it’s one part and it directly affects your culture.\nRuss Hill: There’s no question about it, which is, can I effectively describe the destination? I’m trying to take my team too because you think about the word leader. It implies we don’t think about this a lot, but I’m leading you, I’m leading our team somewhere. And so if I were to ask your team, where is Russ? Where is Caleb leading you? How would they answer that? Do they know what the destination is? What success have we defined success in a way? Or is it just being busy and kind of doing my job? And that’s not enough you think about the organizations that have a great culture and that are, you think about super effective leaders, they have a vision they’re taking the team somewhere.\nCaleb Stevens: Yes. Well, to hire you all, I would think that requires on your client’s part, a great deal of self-awareness to even know, hey, we need to invest and improve our leadership. And yet it seems like so many folks who are not the best leaders that’s one of the main issues is they don’t have the self-awareness to even know, Hey, we need to hire a guy like Russ, how do you sort of, think that through, because I would think you see a lot of opportunities to help leaders, but yet if they don’t have the self-awareness to know, we need to invest in ourselves, they’re never going to give you a call.\nRuss Hill: Yes. It’s a great point and our business or our interaction with leaders is driven a lot by two different categories. It is the self-aware leader and it’s the leader who may be or, isn’t thinking about how I need to change to be more effective. We never get a call or we hardly ever get a call from somebody saying, help me be a better leader. We usually don’t get that call. What we get is a direct message on LinkedIn that says we need help with our results. And so either we’re not retaining the people that we want to retain, or we’re in this incredibly competitive environment and how do we attract better talent or our people aren’t engaged. I was on the phone with a Fortune 10 company that’s a client of our healthcare company. And they got their most recent poll survey from employees. They went, man, we went down again, and we’ve been going down every year since this pandemic started a few years ago.\nAnd so, that that’s driving their need to get some help so it’s driven usually by results, and sometimes it’s a leader calling saying, or direct messaging us and saying, Hey, can you help us with this? And by the way, it’s not always a burning platform like Amazon’s a client of ours and Amazon didn’t have any problem with it, they’re people that hate Amazon, but most of us have boxes from them that are piling up on the front porch. And so what caused them to want to dig into this topic was we want to grow even faster and they have this hunger to be absolutely the best at every single thing that they do. So you have that group Caleb, and then you have another group that typically drives our interaction and maybe it’s the board. I could tell you plenty of stories where it’s a board of directors that goes, yes, our team needs help. Or it’s an executive saying, not calling for themselves, but saying, we’ve got this business unit or these locations or this team, can you help us with them?\nCaleb Stevens: Yes, well, I saw Gallup’s recent state of the workforce survey from, I think it was 2021 and it was something like 34% of US workers are engaged around 49 or 50% are disengaged, and then about 15 or so are actively disengaged. And I’ve been sort of thinking through, what’s the driver here? Is it leadership? Is it culture? Is it not connecting the vision of the company to the everyday experiences of the team members? I think that’s sort of putting your thumb on kind of hits on that. What’s your take on those engagement surveys? What’s sort of the root cause? Is it leadership from the top?\nRuss Hill: Yes. And it’s interesting because the year of that data, the year that you cite doesn’t matter, it’s the same in 2022, 2021, 2020, 2015, and 2010, there has been no movement. You can Google this, and do the research. We wrote the book, The Great Resignation a year and a half or so ago. And so we hired this team of data scientists to dig in and look at all the research because we had our theories based on working. We feel like we work in a leadership lab with, leaders of all these different organizations from manufacturing to financial, the world that you all live in retail, to restaurants, to healthcare, to whatever it might be. So we feel like, we had some real theories on what was causing all the movement in the workforce. And then we started looking at the data and one of the things that data uncovered was there’s been no movement in employee engagement in over 20 years. None. But there has been a change in the outcome or the effect of that. So, if you think about five years ago, if I’m disengaged, back to those numbers, you just said. If I’m disengaged from working at a bank or a Credit Union, and I’m not happy or I’m not satisfied. What do I do? Typically what I do is I keep showing up and I start poisoning the people around me. We call it the excuse trap. I’m blaming everyone and everything for why I’m dissatisfied. It’s that policy, it’s that leader it’s that other team it’s whatever it is that I’m justified in, in my frustration at work.\nRuss Hill: And a lot of it by the way is justifiable, but then you just go to this negative, vicious, poisonous place and I’m obsessed with everything I can’t control. Everything bad about this job, this company, this location, this branch, whatever it has nothing to do with me and everything to do with everyone else, so you externalize it. So five years ago, if I’m in that situation, I become poisonous and I do that. Now after the pandemic and the current environment that we work in. And by the way, the data suggests that it’s not guessing what the pandemic didn’t start this change it just accelerated it. And the fact that we’re hopefully continuing to come out of the pandemic, it’s not going to change it either that’s our theory. And we think we’re being proven right by the data we’ll see in the next, 6, 12, 18, and 36 months. But now what happens? I come into the branch I come into work, I’m frustrated I still poison everybody, and then I just don’t show up and I don’t stay, I leave because I have so many different options. So what’s driving your question? What’s driving that disengagement?\nSo much of it is leadership it’s all tied to leadership and yet you have leaders that go. “No, it’s the market. It’s the customer it’s the whatever, it’s all these different things. No, we just have to be honest. It’s just like me when I got those scores, two decades, three decades ago of Russ, you suck as a leader, your team doesn’t like you, they’re not engaged that’s what my team was not engaged. And what changed the level of engagement on that team Caleb was me as I started to change as a leader, there were other things, but once I took ownership of that and went, okay, what’s the culture I’m creating? What are the beliefs that my team holds? What experiences am I creating? What’s the mindset? What’s the narrative on this team? What are the stories that are being told once I started taking ownership of that and defining it, then I could shift it?\nCaleb Stevens: Well, I think that’s a good segue into one of the things that you preach is that there are two essential qualities of leadership. And of course, there’s been hundreds of books written on the subject, thousands of books, probably you could define in several ways you could come up with 30 great qualities of a leader, but there’s two that I’ve seen that you preach, that you hammer home. Would you mind kind of unpacking those for us?\nRuss Hill: Yes. And in fact, I’m going to expand it to three. So you’ve probably seen me talk about two, which means I need to do a better job of talking about all three. And the ones that we focus on the most with leaders and you’re right there’s a lot of different content that you can go into. For instance, you might have seen me posting on social media about transactional versus transformational leaders might be what you’re referring to. And so a transactional leader as I come in and my job is just too kind of maintain, just to run the place. My job is just to, kind of make sure, and don’t screw it up. Right. And then a transformational leader, somebody that comes in and says, okay, where are we headed? What’s the potential here? What’s possible back to my Google maps analogy, where could we be in two or three years?\nAnd they’re looking for movement and by the way, every employee wants to work for a transformational leader. Well, I’m going to say, not every employee, there are a few that are very happy not having any movement or growth, but there is this human need in most of us, a few people have suppressed it, but there’s a human need to grow, to create, to become something better than ourselves. And so we want to work for leaders that do that. So, that’s one distinction we make as we work with leaders transactional versus transformational and or transformative leaders. The other thing that I would talk about is just, that when it comes to culture, what great leaders do is focus on three areas and we call it the third leader.\nRuss Hill: And, let me walk you through this just real quickly, it’ll take me a minute or two. So the first leader, so I’m just going to define different leadership profiles. This is helpful in our experience because often we aren’t putting the mirror on ourselves and thinking about, okay, well, what kind of leader am I? I might think about what kind of leader I am, but I’m defining it by 50 million things let’s narrow it down. So, the first leader is somebody who’s got no vision, they haven’t defined anything. It’s not that their team’s not doing anything in fact, their team feels super busy. Tons are going on, but they feel like they’re on a treadmill, sweaty, exhausted, just they’re busy all day long, but we’re not going anywhere. We can’t point to any progress we’ve made as an organization or a team over the last, six, 12, or 36 months, whatever it might be.\nSo there’s no vision, the first leader, loves discussion, they hesitate to make decisions so they love meetings. There’s just endless discussion you log into their meetings, you walk into their meetings, just tons of dialogue and it’s because the first leader leans into consensus. So, what they care about more than anything else is I don’t want to create conflict that doesn’t want to make decisions because I just want consensus and there are all kinds of costs that an organization pays because of that. The second leader views themselves as an upgrade, they’re an evolution of the first leader, and they used to be the first leader now they’re not. And the second leader, they’ve got a vision the problem is it reads like a Broadway playbill they’re 150 priorities, 20 pages long and so everything’s a priority.\nSo, they think they’ve created a vision, but in fact, it’s way too complicated, nobody knows what to do with it. The second leader micromanages they’ve had your job and they can’t wait to tell you how to do it more effectively. And so they pride themselves on making decisions unlike the first leader, the second leader making decisions on a moment’s notice, they don’t have anybody coming along with them or taking ownership of it because they had no involvement in that decision. So, the second leader doesn’t seek to create conflict, but, by nature of the way they lead, they create tons of conflict, they create silos, okay. The third leader is what we advocate going into and the third leader does these three things, these are the three categories I was talking about.\nThe third leader creates clarity in its three to four key results, these are the most important things for our financial institution to deliver this year. And it might be a revenue number it might a profit number, it might be several new clients might be employee engagement whatever it is. These are the three things it’s not more than three or four because people can’t remember more than three or four. We want them top of mind and so, the third leader creates clarity. The second thing that they do is build alignment they understand that there’s a fundamental difference between my team being aware of things and that that’s what most leaders do they make their team aware of it. Here’s the new policy, here’s the plan for the next year, and here’s the new project. They create awareness and then wonder why they don’t have alignment. And alignment happens out loud it’s messy and so, the third leader not only creates clarity, but they build alignment around their vision the team’s not just aware of it. They are aligned to it and alignment’s different than an agreement by the way. And then the third thing that the third leader does is generate movement and this is where culture management comes in they define the mindset of the team.\nSo, whether you look at Chick-fil-A you look at Amazon, you look at Apple, just go down the list of companies that you think of as culture, as a competitive advantage, they have defined the culture they’re looking for. Well, how do you define culture? It’s not a bunch of old static, stale values that are sitting on a frame, somewhere gathering dust. It’s a living, breathing timely set of statements that can be three or four, and it shouldn’t be more than that. That defines how we need to be thinking and acting. So for instance, Amazon, I’ll hesitate it so I give you a chance to work it out Caleb, but you can tell I’m passionate about this, can’t you? So like Amazon, they call them leadership principles is biased for action we are hiring people who are this way. They are biased to take action they’re not biased toward discussion. They’re not biased for analysis. They’re biased toward action. You can Google Amazon biased for action you’ll see it’s one of their leadership principles. There’s a large defense contractor we worked with we’ve consulted their senior team for a lot of years. They just rewrote their set of culture, principles, whatever you want to call them leadership principles.\nAnd one of them is accelerating change. They’re way too stuck in the status quo, they need more people innovating, speaking up challenging the way we’ve always done it. If they’re going to compete for talent and clients and so accelerate change defines the narrative that they’re looking for. In other organizations, it’s the customer first, the patient first, or it’s one team. So you look at if I’m the leader of a financial institution, whether it’s just one location or a bunch of them, I’m looking at what’s the narrative. How do I want people to describe how we think and act here? Do we accelerate change? Are we one team? Customer-first, biased fraction. What are those few statements that define the way we need people to think and act? And you define the culture and you start managing it.\nCaleb Stevens: So clarity, alignment, and movements. So let’s say you’re working with a large company and let’s say the executive team says, yes, Russ, I get it, we’re all about that. There’s clarity on the executive team there’s alignment. They’re committed to making change happen. But, my gosh, when you get 5, 6, or 7 layers down into the organization, how do you cast vision and create clarity in such a way that it spreads in scales to the whole organization? I heard you say one thing, the bias fraction, that’s a short, frequently repeated sticky, portable phrase that can probably be disseminated throughout the whole company. But how do leaders who are trying to create movement and clarity and alignment with 5, 6,000 folks? How do they do that effectively?\nRuss Hill: Okay. So it’s a great question. And there’s a lot to that, but I’ll give you the 30,000-foot kind of, a thumbnail version of this. So the first thing is if I were to call all of your direct reports, whatever financial institution, whatever team you’re leading. So, I’m going to call your direct reports we’re going to do a quick zoom meeting I’m going to ask them what the three things that define success are. Would they all answer the same way? And in our experience of asking that question for over 15 years, in all kinds of industries, in all kinds of locations around the world, it is over 95% of the teams we interview do not answer the same. They don’t have clarity, you think they do? Yes, we’re clear. But you’ve shown them the plan for the year it’s got 50 million things in it and, or they’re aware of it, but they’re not aligned to it. So, they know you’re saying this is important, but they’re overworking on that and so how do you get it throughout the organization? You start with, you have to drill in on the leadership team with this. Do we have clarity? So, what are the three most important things? And we would tell you, and again, we teach all this in this thing called Leadin 30. People can find out about it at leadin30.com. It’s like, think about it like a 30-day fitness challenge, but it’s a 30-day leadership challenge anybody can sign up for it we offer it for free. We just require that people bring two leaders, other leaders from their company with them because then it gets traction and impact and that helps our organization.\nSo, leadin30.com and we start week one is all about clarity, we call them RPM Key results, repeatable, purposeful, measurable. Are they repeatable, a large pharmaceutical company we consult it’s 5, 1, 85 those are their key results? Everybody in the whole organization, tens of thousands of people knows 5, 1, 85 and those numbers 5 1 85 represent three different metrics that are incredibly important. The general motor is a client of our three zeros. If you look up Google GM, we could talk about this I can mention their name because it’s public. But general motors, six years ago, we were in the room when they wrote the three zeros that are the vision for general motors. How do you get, how do you get tens of thousands of people aligned? You start with clarity at the top. So we’re going to discuss what is clarity, what are RPM repeatable, purposeful, measurable, and key results we’re going to discuss and then we’re going to look for alignment. How aligned are we as a team?\nAnd alignment means, I feel heard I feel involved doesn’t mean I have to agree with you, but I feel like I had a chance to weigh in before you decided on anything. And teams don’t make decisions, leaders make decisions, but teams inform leaders to make the best decision. So, many organizations have that backward they think teams make decisions. No, your job as a leader of that leadership team is not to get them to help you make a decision, they help you make the decision, but you make the decision or you delegate one of the decisions to them and they’re the decision maker. So you create alignment there and then you start to define at the executive level, Caleb, how do we need people thinking and acting? Then you go, we just did this with a large manufacturing company, 425 directors VPS along with the ELT, they have 35,000 people underneath them. They’re at multiple warehouses around the US and the world. And so, we have them in leadin30 virtual set of meetings, 30 days long, one meeting a week. And so 425 top leaders going in to create clarity, alignment movement at that level because if we’ve spent months student the leadership team, the ELT level.\nNow they’re rolling it out and they’re recruiting into the conversation, these 425 directors and VPs and by the way, we just wrapped up that session with them last Friday, at the time we’re recording this and they came out of it going, my gosh, the directors are going. I’ve never had access to the ELT like that. Never been able to interact, they didn’t say it this way, but you could tell, I don’t feel like my voice was heard the way it has been the last four weeks. So now you’re moving down the org chart. Guess what the next step is the next layer. So, that’s an extreme example of a very large organization, but you take a company of 300 or a company of 3000 and it’s the same principle.\nCaleb Stevens: Yes. And it reminds me of the phrase people support our world that they help create they may not make the final decision, but if they feel like their voice is heard and they have some level of input that creates buy-in long term. And I would guess too, when you talk about transactional versus a transformational leader, you need transformational leaders at the middle management level to bring the vision to life across the whole company because it’s just status quo if it’s transformational at the top, but status quo in the middle, how much change are you going to make.\nRuss Hill: A hundred percent? And the phrase that we so often hear our clients referred to, especially our fortune 100 companies that we work with, the frozen middle, you might have heard that those leaders in the middle, we call it the clay layer, the roots go down from the ELT end of the next level. And then they kind of hit this clay and we can’t get the roots to go deeper in the organization. And how do we get that to change? Well, a lot of it’s recruiting them into the conversation and there are a lot of things that sucked were horrible about this pandemic, but one of the benefits of it is the change in the way we work in multiple ways where we can do this virtually you don’t have to fly everybody in. For me we just did it with this manufacturing company got 450 liters nobody got on a plane, and nobody came off the factory floor. All they did was log into a virtual meeting one hour a week and then went and consumed some content in their own time in between the meetings and we’re having these kinds of conversations. So, we can work our way through the organization and impact the culture and get buy-in at a lower level of the organization. More efficiently, more effectively than we ever, leaders, 10 years ago, would’ve been dying to have the ability to reach deeper in the organization the way we can now with the tools we have virtually.\nCaleb Stevens: That’s a good segue into something I wanted to ask you about COVID. How have you seen the best leaders navigate COVID because you talk about clarity? I mean, my goodness, how hard has it been for leaders to offer clarity to their team over the past three years? And what I’ve sort of landed on is you can’t offer everybody certainty, but you can’t offer them the clarity that you do have. How have you seen the best leaders navigate? I can’t offer certainty, but I can’t offer the clarity that I do have, but even that takes intention.\nRuss Hill: Yes. And what you’re speaking to is transparency and so nobody likes driving and fog. When we get behind the wheel, what we want is visibility. Please show me the road ahead. Because if I’ve got fog or I’ve got a limited field of vision, I’ve got to dramatically reduce the speed and I’m tense and I’ve got all these concerns about the danger because whenever I join an organization or I log into a meeting for the first time, the first human behavior I’m most concerned about is threat detection. Is it safe for me to be here? Am I in the right place? Am I looking stupid? Can I speak up? How’s that going to go? And so, I want visibility, I want to feel safe I want comfort. As sometimes as a leader, we can’t provide that. And the example you’re using Caleb of you think about those first few weeks or months after the pandemic began, who the crud had clarity, right? None of us did. It’s a great point and some things happen in our companies as senior leader leaves all of a sudden. We got a text yesterday from an executive we thought was in line to be CEO eventually of a Fortune 50 company.\nAnd all of a sudden the executive team was shocked yesterday when he announced his departure, I’m leaving, whoa, what we thought you were a lifetime person here. And so that creates uncertainty so it’s not just a pandemic or a global event there are things in our industry. Think about real estate right now, how much certainty is there in the real estate market? Like very little. And so when the field of vision is reduced, what I do as a leader is two things. I increase my visibility and I increase my transparency. In other words, my team wants to see me, they want visibility of me because they’re wondering what I’m thinking. Am I okay? Where’s the leadership team at? And so I increased my visibility and transparency to sound like this team. We know you’re concerned about this we know that you aren’t sure about this, whatever it is, you’re validating the emotion you know they’re feeling. You’re not pretending, there is nothing to see here, nothing’s wrong with the market, or just put your head down and go execute and everything’s going to be alright. I was talking to somebody that’s a developer and, and builds a bunch of homes in the west the other day.\nAnd he was talking about his sales team and he’s a friend, a great person, but this is a terrible leadership tactic. And he was talking about, yes, we met with our sales team I just told him again, real estate. He’s like, just put your head down like, so it’s never been this good, it’s awesome. And I’m thinking, that’s not what your team wants to hear. What they want to hear is man, things have changed it’s not as good as it was three weeks ago, three months ago. And they want you to hear, that we’re not sure where this is headed, but here’s what we do know, and here’s what we are working on. So, whatever level of transparency I can offer and then visibility so they know that they’re seeing me because a lot of leaders when something hits pandemic or a downward spiral or a downward turn in the market, whatever it is, they tend to go into hiding. And it’s not intentional necessarily they’re super busy and they don’t have certainty, but it just causes that organization like a driver and fog to slow down or even completely stop moving.\nCaleb Stevens: Yes. That’s good. Well, as we wrap up here, I’d love to get your take on culture and we talked a little bit about it earlier in the show, you know we’re bankers, Russ. So, we tend to think of culture as, the soft stuff, how do you quantify culture? Is that just the bean bags in the break room and PTO we’re all kind to each other and it’s a fuzzy place to work? Culture, can you put a number on that? We care about the P&L and balance sheet. How do you define culture? Because when you say results, I think that gets our attention as bankers well man, I want to get results. So where’s the connection there?\nRuss Hill: Right. That’s where the conversation about culture has to start and you’re right Caleb people think of it, there is a good number that you mentioned that where culture and people are like, I need to hit the pause button on the podcast now we’re getting into the soft stuff. No, think at Chick-fil-A they’re going, yes, cultures the soft stuff. We’ll get to it when we can get to it. You think at Southwest airlines are going yes, culture, if you guys have time to deal with culture, you might dig into it. No, it’s their competitive advantage it’s everything to them. And so, when you think about culture, the first place that you start is with the results. I’ve got two levers to pull as a leader to affect the results. One is a strategy and by the way, one of these without the other is not very valuable. So I’ve got a strategy, I got to build the business plan I got to come up with, what are we going to do? What’s the plan for the next 12, 24, or 36 months? Where are we headed? So that strategy, the other one is culture. How do I need our people to think and act? I’ll give you an example, just too kind of illustrate this. So the gym that I go to is just a few miles from my house been going there, and our family’s been going for years.\nSo you used to go and walk in and, and your check-in, you scan your phone or your gym membership card. If you go into the gym and you scan that and you go in and you do whatever you’re going to do, get on a machine and do some cardio, or you’re doing some strength training, you’re going to go, lifts some weights, whatever it is. So you walk in and there’s nothing notable about our gym it’s just like, whatever okay, nothing meaningful about it. Then one day I’m walking in and there’s somebody at the counter and they’re like, “Hey, how’s it going? Welcome in.” Like super friendly the moment I open the door and they’re at the desk right there at the front entrance. And I’m thinking, that’s nice, they hired somebody super friendly. Then I scan my phone and they’re like, “Hey Russ. How is it? How’s your day going? What are you doing today? What are you working on?” I said, “Well, I’m here, I’m going to do some strength training, chest day, whatever it is. Like, “Okay, great workout. If you need anything, let us know”. So as I’m going to the bench, what am I thinking Caleb about that employee?\nCaleb Stevens: You’re thinking, huh? Where did he come from?\nRuss Hill: Right. They hired someone super friendly or he’s in a good mood, they promoted somebody, and he’s super excited about his job. So then it happens the next day and it’s somebody else. Then it happens the next day and it’s somebody else then on my way out, they’re “Hey, have a great afternoon. Thanks so much for coming in. How was your workout?” So something shifted what happened in that location by the way and it’s been like two and a half years since that happened. Same experience and in a gym membership, if you know anything about that industry, it’s like restaurants and retail, massive turnover. The same people aren’t working at the gym, 50% turnover, in however many months. And so the people have changed yet the culture is staying the same. Why is that? Guess what I bet one of their metrics is. What do you think one of their key metrics Caleb at that gym is?\nCaleb Stevens: That’s a good point…\nRuss Hill: Tied to my experience. What do you think they’re measuring that’s affecting that?\nCaleb Stevens: Probably something related to customer engagement. I would think too or…\nRuss Hill: Yes, satisfaction.\nCaleb Stevens: Yes.\nRuss Hill: Yes. So, when you join our organization, you work at that gym. I don’t know this, I’m telling you this. This is my theory based on how I know this works inside organizations. But the gyms, not client, and this is a chain out in the Western US so they’re all over a bunch of states and it’s the same place I’ve gone into multiple locations when I travel same experience. So, what happens is they, you join the team and they say, Hey, by the way, here are the most important things. One of our most important metrics at this gym is member satisfaction. So to affect the culture I start with, what I define. So at Chick-fil-A, what’s one of the most important metrics, customer satisfaction, so McDonald’s tracking customer satisfaction I don’t think so. Maybe they are I don’t know, but have work to do, but Chick-fil-A that is it. Same thing you think united airlines is tracking customer satisfaction, not the way that Delta or Southwest is. And so, you start with the metric, Hey team, you’re joining the team, this is one of our most important that’s clarity, most important things. Then you need to help them get aligned to it back to my clarity, and alignment movements. So, alignment is, do you understand how you affect it? The way you affect it is in the drive-through, we need you to ask people their first name, and we need you to tell them, it’s my pleasure. At the gym when they walk through the door, we need you to be friendly you affect, your job is not to check people in. Your job is to deliver 90% customer satisfaction.\nRuss Hill: You see in the switch here Caleb?\nRuss Hill: So, your job is not just to help people with, get their withdrawals or deposits in the bank. Your job is customer satisfaction and here’s the metric how do you think you affect it? Because the most effective way to have that conversation is to ask them the new team member or the long-time team member, how do you affect it? “Well, I do this.” “Great.” And then I’m getting into movement, which is okay. So, how do we need people to think? Let’s define that when we hire them let’s interview them for that way of thinking. When we promote them let’s promote them based on the fact that they lean into that. So, that’s culture and in my experience, it’s not the soft side, it’s not optional, it is a competitive advantage. The reason most leaders are not most what the data shows is a lot of leaders will say culture is, a soft skill, and the reason they say that is they don’t know how to define it and they don’t know how to manage it. And so, what I’ve given you here is some high-level, how do you define it? And then we haven’t gotten into, but we talk about this in leading 30, then you have to start, well, how do I manage that on a day-to-day basis? How do I manage culture in my one-on-ones or our weekly meetings or those sorts of things, you have to continually manage it as well.\nCaleb Stevens: Yes. Well, that’s a great segue if folks want to find out more about what you offer for leaders. If the community bankers listening are saying, wow, Russ, I need more of this. Where do I find it? How can they engage with you leadin 30? What are all the resources you offer and how can they get in touch?\nRuss Hill: Yes. Leadin30.com is the best way we just had Utah in the state of Utah, the whole Utah bankers association sent a bunch of leaders from various financial institutions through, as I said, we don’t charge anything. And so if you go to leadin30.com, you’ll see that there is, I think the list price on its 497, $497 per participant now. But if you direct message me on LinkedIn and we’re making some changes to that sheet, we’ll get you in for free and we do it every six weeks, we kick off leadin 30, every six weeks. So, we had a credit union in the Seattle area that put 40 leaders through it. So, whether you go through it or not, doesn’t matter there are a lot of principles that you can see, you can see videos of leaders that have been through it. You can see everyone I’ve been mentioning Chick-fil-A DN Turner. Who’s a longtime C H R O head of human resources at Chick-fil-A.?\nCaleb Stevens: Yes, we had her on the show probably a year ago.\nRuss Hill: Did you? Yes. She’s awesome. So, DN Turners in there as well as Francis Fry, she’s a Harvard Business School Professor. She went on a sabbatical when Uber called and said they were desperate several years ago and said, can you help us turn around our culture? So we got interviews with a bunch of executives like that, that are in leadin 30, as well as our team so that’s the best way. And then LinkedIn, Caleb, just search Russ Hill and leadin 30. You’ll find me and I’d love to connect with anybody who wants to.\nCaleb Stevens: Well, I think we could go for another hour if you let me, but want to respect your time, Russ. Thanks for joining us. We’ll link to leading 30 in the show notes and we appreciate you being here.\nRuss Hill: Hey Caleb, you’re a great host man. I’ve been on a lot of podcasts I appreciate the questions, and I appreciate your efficiency and asking them and giving me a chance to kind of share what I’ve learned some observations, and working in this space for a few years. So thanks again, I’m honored by the invitation to speak with you.\nThis week we are taking a look back at 5 of our favorite episodes we recorded in 2022. We hope you enjoy! The views, information, or opinions expressed during this show are solely those of the participants involved and do not necessarily represent those of SouthState Bank and its employees. SouthState Bank, N.A. – Member…\nListen Now about Our Best Podcasts of 2022","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1352049"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9419998526573181,"wiki_prob":0.9419998526573181,"text":"Citizenship bill against indigenous people of Sikkim, says Bhaichung Bhutia\nThe legendary footballer expressed apprehension that there will be an influx of foreigners and people from other states in the Himalayan state once the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill becomes a law.\nBaichung Bhutia (File Photo)\nGANGTOK: Footballer turned politician Bhaichung Bhutia on Thursday said the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill was against the \"interest\" of the indigenous people of Sikkim as well as article 371(F) of the Constitution which grants special status to the state.\nBhutia, who is the working president of Hamro Sikkim Party (HSP) asked the state's ruling Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) and the opposition Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) to explain their alliance with the BJP after the latter rejected their concerns on the Citizens Amendment Bill passed by Parliament.\nALSO READ: Bangladesh Foreign Minister cancels India visit in protest over Citizenship Bill\n\"The future of next generation of Sikkimese people could be in danger once the CAB comes into force,\" the HSP leader.\nHe said, \"Since the BJP-led government at the Centre has rejected the concerns of the SKM and SDF on the CAB and has gone ahead with getting this bill passed by the parliament, it will be interesting to know the stand of Sikkim's ruling and opposition parties as both are allies of the BJP in NEDA,\" he said in a statement.\n\"The people of Sikkim would like to know about what steps both the parties (SKM and SDF) take on alliance with the BJP post-CAB,\" Bhutia said.\nALSO READ: Imran condemns passing of India's Citizenship Bill, terms it violation of human rights law\nHe suggested an agitation to prevent implementation of the proposed citizenship law in Sikkim and said that that it can't be left on the state legislative assembly to prevent the enforcement of the proposed law in Sikkim.\nThe SKM has repeatedly expressed reservation on CAB and its supremo Prem Singh Tamang had written a letter to the Union Home Minister Amit Shah requesting the latter to keep the tiny border state out of the purview of the proposed citizenship law.\nBoth MPs from Sikkim - Indra Hang Subba (Lok Sabha, SKM) and Hishey Lachungpa (Rajya Sabha, SDF) - had opposed the CAB during debate on the said bill in the two houses of the Parliament.\nThe Sikkim Congress President Bharat Basnett has also slammed the CAB saying that it was against the interest of the Sikkimese people.\nThe SDF led by former Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling was yet to spell out its stand on the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill.\nGANGTOK: Footballer turned politician Bhaichung Bhutia on Thursday said the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill was against the \"interest\" of the indigenous people of Sikkim as well as article 371(F) of the Constitution which grants special status to the state. Bhutia, who is the working president of Hamro Sikkim Party (HSP) asked the state's ruling Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) and the opposition Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) to explain their alliance with the BJP after the latter rejected their concerns on the Citizens Amendment Bill passed by Parliament. The legendary footballer expressed apprehension that there will be an influx of foreigners and people from other states in the Himalayan state once the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill becomes a law.ALSO READ: Bangladesh Foreign Minister cancels India visit in protest over Citizenship Bill \"The future of next generation of Sikkimese people could be in danger once the CAB comes into force,\" the HSP leader. He said, \"Since the BJP-led government at the Centre has rejected the concerns of the SKM and SDF on the CAB and has gone ahead with getting this bill passed by the parliament, it will be interesting to know the stand of Sikkim's ruling and opposition parties as both are allies of the BJP in NEDA,\" he said in a statement. \"The people of Sikkim would like to know about what steps both the parties (SKM and SDF) take on alliance with the BJP post-CAB,\" Bhutia said.ALSO READ: Imran condemns passing of India's Citizenship Bill, terms it violation of human rights law He suggested an agitation to prevent implementation of the proposed citizenship law in Sikkim and said that that it can't be left on the state legislative assembly to prevent the enforcement of the proposed law in Sikkim. The SKM has repeatedly expressed reservation on CAB and its supremo Prem Singh Tamang had written a letter to the Union Home Minister Amit Shah requesting the latter to keep the tiny border state out of the purview of the proposed citizenship law. Both MPs from Sikkim - Indra Hang Subba (Lok Sabha, SKM) and Hishey Lachungpa (Rajya Sabha, SDF) - had opposed the CAB during debate on the said bill in the two houses of the Parliament. The Sikkim Congress President Bharat Basnett has also slammed the CAB saying that it was against the interest of the Sikkimese people. The SDF led by former Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling was yet to spell out its stand on the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill.\nBhaichung Bhutia Citizenship (Amendment) Bill","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line383637"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8204619288444519,"wiki_prob":0.8204619288444519,"text":"Intelbrief / IntelBrief: Libya Slides Back into Chaos Amid Spiking Oil Prices\nIntelBrief: Libya Slides Back into Chaos Amid Spiking Oil Prices\nAP Photo/Matt Dunham\nBottom Line up Front\nLibya appears on the brink of renewed civil conflict, as rival factions in eastern and western Libya fail to reconcile.\nNo agreement has been reached on rescheduled presidential and parliamentary elections, which the United Nations assesses are keys to political reconciliation.\nThe infighting has caused temporary interruptions to Libya’s oil exports, as rival factions have sought control of some oil fields and installations.\nInterruptions of Libyan oil production render the country unable to help restore balance in a global oil market rattled by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.\nAs of late April, a 2020 United Nations-led roadmap to try to end the decade of conflict between factions based in eastern and western Libya appears to be unraveling. The floundering political process has reduced the prospects for stabilizing Libya, more than ten years after the 2011 overthrow of longtime dictator Muammar al-Qadhafi. The UN plan was based on holding presidential elections scheduled for December 24, 2021; however, the elections were postponed by disagreements among the major factions over election ground rules. The dispute escalated in February when the eastern Libya-based parliament asserted that the term of prime minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh, seated in Tripoli, had expired on the December 24 presidential election date. In March, the parliament confirmed a new prime minister, Fathi Bashagha, and a new cabinet and, in addition, endorsed a process to work toward holding national elections by May 2023. Dbeibeh has called the naming of a new government illegitimate and vows to remain in his post until national elections are held. Armed supporters have rallied to his side, and he has refused to allow Bashagha to enter Tripoli to take office. Dbeibah has proposed new election dates prior to the June 2022 expiration of the UN-backed reconciliation accord between the eastern and western factions. That election date favors his faction politically, because eastern Libyan leaders require time to build support among tribal groups and other factions in western Libya.\nAs the divisions between eastern and western Libyan leaders harden, signs of a potential return to armed conflict are growing with each day. Earlier this month, Khalifah Haftar, the commander of the Libyan National Army (LNA) and a key eastern Libyan political leader, withdrew his representatives from the joint military committee that was set up to de-conflict rival military movements. The committee has included five members from the Tripoli-based National Unity Government headed by Dbeibah and five representatives of Haftar's forces. Some activists in Libya accused Haftar of simultaneously ordering the closure of the coastal road linking Libya’s east and west, although there are no clear indications that the road is closed. A return to combat between contending factions would almost certainly hinder efforts to provide relief to the Libyan people who have been subjected to nearly constant fighting since Qadhafi’s overthrow. The United Nations estimates that at least 800,000 Libyans—more than 10% of the population—require humanitarian aid. Should the ceasefire break down, tensions will also increase among the various outside backers of the rival Libyan groups; Haftar and his eastern Libya allies are backed by Russia, neighboring Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates, whereas Tripoli-based Libyan leaders are supported primarily by Turkey. Qatar, which intervened militarily to help the rebellion against Qadhafi, reportedly has supplied some financial assistance to the Turkish effort. As of April, Russia might have redeployed Wagner Group mercenaries from Libya to Ukraine in order to reinforce its faltering war effort there, possibly reducing Haftar’s combat capabilities.\nU.S. officials are monitoring Libya closely, not only for the humanitarian impacts, potential spillover effects into other North African countries, and the possibility of destabilizing refugee flows to Europe, but also for the potential to further disrupt global energy markets. Oil prices have increased significantly since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, as U.S. and European sanctions have reduced Russia’s oil exportation. U.S. officials have failed in their efforts to convince various oil producers, particularly Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, to increase production as a step toward stabilizing oil prices. The dynamics in Libya have also contributed to the spike in oil prices, as rival factions seek to control Libya’s national assets and revenue sources. In March, Libya’s oil exports fell below 1 million barrels per day (mbd), from the usual baseline of 1.2 mbd. The drop was attributed to incursions by pro-Haftar armed tribal groups that shut down Libya’s al-Feel and Sharara oil fields; the latter, the country’s largest, produces 450,000 barrels per day. Both fields reopened after several days, following negotiations led by tribal leaders.\nIn mid-April, Libya’s national oil company said that it was forced to shut down Sharara again due to armed action by tribal groups protesting Dbeibah’s refusal to yield power. The company declared a force majeure—a legal move allowing it to free itself from contractual supply obligations due to factors beyond its control. On April 23, Libyan officials confirmed that an oil refinery at Zawiya, in western Libya, had been damaged by clashes among armed groups there. The infighting also largely rules out Libya from reaching and implementing the decisions necessary to increase exports of natural gas, the price of which has similarly spiked as a result of the Ukraine invasion. Libya is potentially able to supply more natural gas to Europe, which currently gets about 40% of its supply from Russia, given Libya’s strong gas production and close proximity to the continent. However, expanding natural gas exports requires investments that Libya cannot attract if it is on the verge of renewed civil conflict. In addition to the global impact on energy markets, a political solution is first and foremost critical domestically for the Libyan people, after more than a decade of instability. UN, U.S., European, and Arab mediators continue to try to work with all Libyan leaders to ensure a solution in the common interest.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line82313"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7024732828140259,"wiki_prob":0.2975267171859741,"text":"Held within the College are four entities that focus on specific and continuing creative research around particular needs. Each of these entities is an important part of the College, contributing knowledge and opportunities to students, faculty and staff both inside and outside the Mason community.\nBelow you’ll find brief descriptions of each of these entities, and links to explore the latest projects and initiatives that they are pursuing.\nThe LIVE Center (The Center for Live Interactive Virtual Education)\nThe LIVE Center (The Center for Live Interactive Virtual Education) is a home for innovative virtual education solutions for the College of Visual and Performing Arts. In 2019, Dance Heritage professor Christopher d’Amboise saw a need for video conferencing that allowed for life-sized, full body interaction. From this, the concept of the LIVE Center Window Wall was created: a teacher in a remote location could be projected live and life-sized onto the wall of a studio, while a live feed of the students are projected for the teacher.\nSchool of Dance Guest Artist Hope Boykin teaches a class at Mason through the Window Wall from her studio in New York.\nThis concept became the basis for the flagship initiative of the LIVE Center. The LIVE Center continues to involve new partners and connect incredible leaders and artists from around the world in educational opportunities with students at George Mason University and beyond.\nExplore The LIVE Center’s Work\nProvisions is committed to exploring new models for art and culture that lead to a more inclusive, equitable, and connected society. From its library home in George Mason University’s School of Art in Fairfax, Virginia, Provisions’ educational and research programs produce socially-engaged projects at sites throughout the US Capitol Region and across the globe. Projects include exhibitions, public art, residencies, screenings, workshops, lectures, curricula and publications. Participants include artists, activists, academics, students, professionals from a variety of disciplines, and everyday people.\nProvisions partners with organizations, artists, scholars, activists and students to develop and amplify new narratives and experiences across cultures utilizing grassroots modes of creative action to build knowledge of social change in its artistic and creative dimensions. The library, public programming, and research opportunities host artistic, intellectual, and activist endeavors that explore the educational and social promise of contemporary culture.\nLearn More About What Provisions Offers\nVeterans and the Arts Initiative\nThe Veterans and the Arts Initiative has served as an arts and community hub for 10,000 military-connected people since 2014. We offer free, hands-on workshops, art exhibitions featuring Veterans’ artwork, and concerts for our local Veterans, Servicemembers, and military family members (including military partners and kids).\nMason professor, Glenn McCarthy, teaches ukulele and guitar to a couple of veterans for the award winning Veterans and the Arts Initiative at the Hylton Performing Arts Center.\nDiscover What the Veterans and the Arts Initiative Offers\nVirginia Serious Game Institute (VSGI)\nThe Virginia Serious Game Institute (VSGI), located on Mason’s Science and Technology Campus in Manassas, is a business incubator that can get your early-stage game- and simulation-based business up and running. VSGI, the only facility of its kind in the United States, supports early-entry entrepreneurship into the simulation and game-design industry.\nVSGI student works on artwork for Legends of Aria, a game that has been released to market and is still being actively developed. Its designing company, Citadel Studios, is an alumni of the Virginia Serious Game Institute.\nDive Deeper Into the Work of VSGI","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line804656"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6718023419380188,"wiki_prob":0.6718023419380188,"text":"Tert-Amyl Alcohol Legality\nandon creative December 2, 2022\nFusel alcohols, including 2M2B, are a by-product of grain fermentation and are therefore present in many alcoholic beverages. [5] Traces of 2M2B have also been detected in various food substances, including fried bacon and cassava[6][7], rooibos tea[8] and fruits (such as apple and pineapple). We present the case of a 26-year-old patient with acute intoxication and dependence on 2-methyl-2-butanol (2m2b). This material is cheap, easily accessible, for example via the Internet, and is increasingly distributed. Especially for patients with polysubstance addiction or patients with legal restrictions on abstinence from alcohol, it is of great attraction. Due to its multiple psychotropic effects, this can easily lead to dangerous intoxication or withdrawal syndromes. Since the substance is not detectable by standard drug monitoring procedures, it is important to know its existence. However, once the substance is detected, detoxification appears to be manageable. Treatment of withdrawal symptoms using the CIWA-AR protocol (Sullivanâ et al., 1989), including diazepam and clonidine, has been shown to be effective and has prevented serious side effects.\nDoxepine was suitable for reducing internal tension and mild withdrawal symptoms. Our patient can be considered an excellent example of what Orsolini et al. called “psychonauts” (Orsolini, 2015). This formed group operates mainly online, orders substances via the Internet and has some knowledge of chemical and pharmacological properties. However, this is precisely where there is considerable danger, as potential health risks are trivialized. The concept of “e-psyconauts” could identify people who are close to this substance and be useful for colleagues in identifying patients at risk. Our case report offers possible clues for other treatment options and shows the difficulty of detecting this substance in clinical routine, as there is only a short window of about 2 days after consumption and sophisticated methods (more precisely: gas chromatography-mass spectrometry) are required to obtain positive results. TAA is a colorless liquid with a burning taste[6] and an unpleasant odor[7] similar to paraldehyde with a hint of camphor. [8] TAA remains liquid at room temperature, making it a useful alternative to tert-butyl alcohol.\nTapered alcohols such as TAA are by-products of cereal fermentation and, therefore, traces of TAA are present in many alcoholic beverages. [10] Traces of TAA have been detected in other foods such as fried bacon[11], cassava[12] and rooibos tea. [13] TAA is also present in rabbit milk and appears to play a role as a pheromone, which induces breastfeeding in newborn rabbits. [14] As with any other GABA receptor agonist, repeated use and increased tolerance eventually lead to a abrupt withdrawal syndrome similar to withdrawal from alcohol, barbiturates or benzodiazepines, up to delirium tremens (“shakes”). Chronic use of this compound can be considered moderately addictive with a high potential for abuse and may lead to psychological dependence in some users. If an addiction has developed, cravings and withdrawal symptoms can occur if a person suddenly stops using it. 2-2-Butanol inhibits binding to a proconvulsant site at the GABA receptor,[10] causing negatively charged chloride ions to enter neurons and increase the excitation needed to trigger neurons. Because it is a tertiary alcohol, it cannot be converted to aldehydes by alcohol dehydrogenase (which causes hangovers associated with consuming large amounts of ethanol). This makes 2M2B significantly safer than primary alcohols. [11] However, a consequence of this is that 2-methyl-2-butanol has a prolonged duration of action with effects that last up to 12 hours after consumption. Fatal overdose can occur when GABAergic substances are combined with other tranquilizers such as opiates, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, gabapentinoids, thienodiazepines or alcohol. [1] Compared to other tranquilizers of a similar nature, 2M2B is comparatively closer to alcohol than GHB in terms of subjective effect and is also significantly more sedative than alcohol, but less sedative than GHB.\nAn overdose causes symptoms similar to alcohol poisoning and is a medical emergency due to the sedative/depressive properties that manifest as life-threatening respiratory depression in the event of an overdose. Sudden loss of consciousness, concomitant respiratory and metabolic acidosis[17], rapid heartbeat, increased blood pressure, pupillary constriction, coma, respiratory depression[18] and death may result from overdose. The oral LD50 in rats is 1 g/kg. The subcutaneous LD50 in mice is 2.1 g/kg. [19] 2-Methyl-2-butanol (also known as tert-amyl alcohol or 2M2B) is a tertiary alcoholic substance that produces depressive, hypnotic and anxiolytic effects. In the past, it was used in anesthesia as a component of a warning liquid mixed with tribromoethanol and water. [3] It has a strong solvent smell reminiscent of gasoline, but has little taste. The simple structure and intoxicating effect of 2M2B led to its use as a recreational drug. [4] Tert-amyl alcohol (TAA) or 2-methylbutan-2-ol (2M2B) is a branched pentanol. 2-Methyl-2-butanol is also known as tert-amyl alcohol, 2M2B or amylene hydrate. 2-Methyl-2-butanol is an alcohol with the formula C5H11OH. 2-2-Butanol consists of butane, an alkyl chain of four carbons.\nThis chain is substituted in R 2 by a methyl group CH 3 and an alcohol group OH-. It is synthesized by the reaction of 2-methyl-2-butene with water in the presence of an acid catalyst. [9]. All source data on which the summaries on this page are based are provided by industry and stored in ECHA`s databases. Data from all registered dossiers for the same substance are used in the summary and aggregation process, as it is assumed that all data submitted by registrants are relevant for the substance to be registered. If the test material used differs from the substance to be registered, this shall be reported. Please note that the information contained in the free text fields will not be published in short profiles. It should also be noted that these effects do not necessarily occur predictably or reliably, although higher doses tend to induce the full spectrum of effects. Similarly, side effects with higher doses are increasingly likely and may include addiction, serious injury or death ?.\nThe min – max ranges of the PRIORITED values in the five highest priority groups of the data provided are displayed. Data are generally standardized and are displayed in milligrams per litre or moles per litre. It is possible that harmonisation will be introduced by amending the CLP. In this case, the ATP (adaptation to technical progress) number is displayed. More information about CLH can be found here. The release of this substance into the environment can take place through industrial use: in processing aids on industrial sites, as an intermediate step in the subsequent production of another substance (use of intermediates) and in the manufacture of products. The degradation rate constant (OH radicals) provides information about the degradation rate constant of the substance with OH radicals as a type of reaction in cm3molecule-1s-1, cm3molecule-1d-1, m3molecule-1s-1 or m3molecule-1d-1. Note: Registrants may also accept “BMD”, “BMC”, “Dose Level” and “conc. level” as a dose descriptor. If this is the case, the data provided will not be processed for the short profile. Prioritisation by test species: the substance identity section links substance identification information from all databases managed by ECHA.\nThe substance identifiers, where available and not declared confidential, displayed in the substance identity section of the profile are as follows: The substance properties indicated in this section (with the exception of PBT properties) are derived from harmonised classification and labelling information (CLH) and/or REACH registered dossier information. If the classification of the substance is not harmonised and the substance is not registered, the properties are derived from the classifications specified in the CLP notifications. PBT properties are derived from REACH-registered substance dossiers. CSID:6165, www.chemspider.com/Chemical-Structure.6165.html (accessed 08:12, 2 December 2022). The “substance description” provides an overview of the main identifiers of the substance, the classification of the substance, ongoing regulatory activities, major uses of the substance, and the notifiers who manufacture and/or import the substance. By bringing this information together on a single page, ECHA aims to make this information accessible in a user-friendly way, in line with the Agency`s objectives and standards. This substance is used in the following activities or processes in the workplace: chemical transfer, batch processing in synthesis or formulation with potential for exposure, mixing in open batch processes, transfer of substances in small containers, laboratory work, closed processes without risk of exposure, closed and continuous processes with occasional controlled exposure, and closed batch treatment in synthesis or formulation. It is strongly discouraged to combine these substances, especially in conjunction with high doses.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line712206"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7428164482116699,"wiki_prob":0.2571835517883301,"text":"Home Agile Project Management Recent Experience with Scrum (2010-2011)\nRecent Experience with Scrum (2010-2011)\nAgile Project Management admin — August 19, 2021 · Comments off\nIn 2010, a new opportunity to employ agile development presented itself: the FAA was seeking to upgrade their terminal ATC systems’ data recording capabilities. The deployed systems were recording data on outdated storage media. Specifically, data was recorded onto magnetic tapes using DAT (Digital Archive Tape) drives, and the FAA wanted to upgrade the system and software to perform data recording onto RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) storage devices, for many appropriate reasons such as reliability, redundancy, capacity, and performance. The effort was dubbed “CDR-R” for Continuous Data Recorder Replacement. The software changes required to make this transition were complex and non-trivial, requiring modifications to portions of the baseline code, some of which dated back to the 80s. Data recording is a critical component of the system – the FAA takes it very seriously, as they should, since this data is used not just for incident investigation purposes, but also to support data analysis of FAA operations.\nThe problem was that the scope of the changes that we estimated would be needed to implement the solution were such that they did not fit into the customer’s yearly budget and schedule… This seemed to me to be an opportunity to try a new delivery approach: First, inspired by Feature Driven Design (FDD,) I proposed that we divide the scope of changes into a set of ‘features’ such as ‘RAID recording’, ‘RAID synchronization’, ‘data transfer’, etc. Then, inspired by the spiral development model (described in section 3.3.2), I proposed an incremental delivery of the CDR-R changes in three phases: the first phase would provide basic RAID-based recording capabilities, the second would add additional monitoring and control capabilities for the RAIDs and provide data transfer tools to allow migration of data across various media and system installations, and finally the third phase would add some data maintenance functions. This new (in our program’s context) delivery model made the CDR-R transition more palatable for our customer and made for a better fit with their funding cycles, leading them to authorize the CDR-R development to begin.\nFor the first phase’s set of features, we employed our traditional waterfall approach: software requirements were developed to meet the system level requirements, and then a design to fulfill the software requirements, then code was developed to implement the design, then testing and integration. This phase completed with a software delivery containing the full scope of planned phase-1 modifications, however the performance of the development effort suffered from cost overruns and internal schedule slippage. A lot of rework was generated towards the end of the development phase, as we began to test the software and encountered complications when running in the target hardware environment. Several other problems required revisiting the requirements, the design, and underlying code implementation. In my opinion, at the root of these issues were two main root causes: Unclear/uncertain requirements, and a delayed ability to test the software.\nThese two issues have a compounding effect on each other: due to the waterfall approach of developing components in isolation of each other, the system functionality that we were trying to achieve only came to being at the tail-end of the development process, when all of the CSCIs (software components) were developed, tested in isolation, then integrated to produce the required functionality. Unfortunately, we typically only reach this point after 3/4ths or more of the schedule and budgeted effort have been consumed. This may not be problematic if requirements are well-defined, correct, complete, and unambiguous – but here we found this not to be the case. Identifying requirements issues that late in the development process meant several re-water-falling rework iterations of requirements/design/code at the very end of the development cycle when little time was left. Two key project performance measures, Schedule Performance Index (SPI) and Cost Performance Index (CPI), for this phase-1 of development were 0.82 SPI and 0.76 CPI, meaning that the software was behind schedule by 18%, and 24% over cost.\nFor the second phase, I proposed that we employ an Agile approach to development, based on the Scrum methodology (described later in this research.) Management was receptive to this proposition, and eager to support this effort, especially as the desire to “go agile” was being communicated top-down through the organization, exemplified by a corporate-backed initiative named “SWIFT” (Software Innovation for Tomorrow) that had begun piloting Agile practices on several other large programs in the company. Note that ours was not one of the SWIFT pilot programs, but an organic home-grown desire to employ Agile methods, with prior successes in AIG development and the PrOOD in mind.\nA small team of developers was assembled, trained in Scrum methodology, and produced the phase-2 software increment in three sprints of three weeks each. This is relatively fast in an organization where conducting a code inspection alone can eat up a week in development time. Phase-2 thus enjoyed an SPI of 1.07 (7% ahead of schedule) yet the CPI of 0.73 remained less than ideal.\nWhile the Scrum approach helped us beat schedule, our cost performance did not improve. Looking back, there are several factors that could explain this: The team was new to Scrum, required training sessions, and only had the chance to execute three sprints. We did not have a product owner or customer representatives involved so the requirements were still unclear and conflicting. A new web-based code review tool was deployed during our second sprint, but in retrospect was not optimally used and ended up causing wasted effort. We also had to deal with a slew of defects and issues from the phase-1 delivery; in other words we were building on top of a baseline that still had undiscovered defects. Finally, there was the overhead of trying to fit the agile software development model within an overarching heavyweight Integrated Product Development Process (IPDP) covering all of the phases of program execution.\nIt is important to note that the activity of “software development” fits within an integrated approach to product development that includes program processes such as business planning and requirements analysis, as shown in Figure 1.\nFigure 1 – Example Integrated Product Development Process\nPart of the problem with adopting Scrum within an environment such as shown in Figure 1 was that, as a Software Development Manager, only software development activities were within my purview, and thus only the software development team could adopt Scrum. Other parts of the engineering organization, such as System Engineering (SEs, producers of software requirements) and Software Integration and Test (SIs, integrators and testers of the system) were still operating in a traditional approach, where SEs hand off completed requirements to development, who in turn hand off completed code to SIs.\nSince Scrum was adopted just within the confines of software development, and not as a complete IPDP overhaul, this meant that the development team had to maintain the same “interfaces” to the other activities in the program, and had to produce the same work artifacts (e.g. design documentation, review packages), employ the same level of process rigor– all of which was monitored by the Software Quality Assurance (SQA) oversight group. This included holding all of the required inspections and feeding back progress to management, which expected clear Earned Value (EV) based reports of progress.\nYet with all of this, Scrum seemed to energize the development team, produce working code much faster, and speed up the experience gain of new engineers. Clearly there was some benefit to Agile. As a result I decided to pursue this research on Agile development for my graduate thesis in the M.I.T. Systems Design & Management (SDM) program. The research would take a “deep dive” into Agile, and take a close look at agile practices with the goal of understanding how to integrate them in a CMMI level 5 software engineering environment. During my time at SDM I also discovered the worlds of Systems Thinking and Systems Dynamics (SD), and found the SD approach to be the best tool for understanding the emergent behaviour of a ‘complex socio-technical system’, in this case the software development enterprise.\nThe Agile Genome\nA Brief Review of Agile Methodologies\nThe Software Capability Maturity Model (SW-CMM)\nWaterfall and Big Design Up Front (BDUF)","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1700066"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5503417253494263,"wiki_prob":0.44965827465057373,"text":"143.431. Missouri taxable income and tax. — 1. The Missouri taxable income of a corporation taxable under sections 143.011 to 143.996 shall be so much of its federal taxable income for the taxable year, with the modifications specified in subsections 2 to 4 of this section, as is derived from sources within Missouri as provided in section 143.451. The tax of a corporation shall be computed on its Missouri taxable income at the rates provided in section 143.071.\n2. There shall be added to or subtracted from federal taxable income the modifications to adjusted gross income provided in section 143.121, with the exception of subdivision (5) of subsection 2 of section 143.121, and the applicable modifications to itemized deductions provided in section 143.141. There shall be subtracted the federal income tax deduction provided in section 143.171. There shall be subtracted, to the extent included in federal taxable income, corporate dividends from sources within Missouri.\n3. (1) If an affiliated group of corporations files a consolidated income tax return for the taxable year for federal income tax purposes, then it may elect to file a Missouri consolidated income tax return. The federal consolidated taxable income of the electing affiliated group for the taxable year shall be its federal taxable income. All transactions between affiliated members of the affiliated group shall be eliminated on the Missouri consolidated income tax return.\n(2) So long as a federal consolidated income tax return is filed, an election made by an affiliated group of corporations to file a Missouri consolidated income tax return may be withdrawn or revoked only upon substantial change in the law or regulations adversely changing tax liability under this chapter, or with permission of the director of revenue upon the showing of good cause for such action. After such a withdrawal or revocation with respect to an affiliated group, it may not file a Missouri consolidated income tax return for five years thereafter, except with the approval of the director of revenue, and subject to such terms and conditions as he may prescribe.\n(3) No corporation which is part of an affiliated group of corporations filing a Missouri consolidated income tax return shall be required to file a separate Missouri corporate income tax return for the taxable year.\n(4) For each taxable year an affiliated group of corporations filing a federal consolidated income tax return does not file a Missouri consolidated income tax return, for purposes of computing the Missouri income tax, the federal taxable income of each member of the affiliated group shall be determined as if a separate federal income tax return had been filed by each such member.\n(5) The director of revenue may prescribe such regulations not inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter as he may deem necessary in order that the tax liability of any affiliated group of corporations making a Missouri consolidated income tax return, and of each corporation in the group, before, during, and after the period of affiliation, may be returned, determined, computed, assessed, collected, and adjusted, in such manner as clearly to reflect the Missouri taxable income derived from sources within this state and in order to prevent avoidance of such tax liability.\n4. If a net operating loss deduction is allowed for the taxable year, there shall be added to federal taxable income the amount of the net operating loss modification for each loss year as to which a portion of the net operating loss deduction is attributable. As used in this subsection, the following terms mean:\n(1) \"Loss year\", the taxable year in which there occurs a federal net operating loss that is carried back or carried forward in whole or in part to another taxable year;\n(2) \"Net addition modification\", for any taxable year, the amount by which the sum of all required additions to federal taxable income provided in this chapter, except for the net operating loss modification, exceeds the combined sum of the amount of all required subtractions from federal taxable income provided in this chapter;\n(3) \"Net operating loss deduction\", a net operating loss deduction allowed for federal income tax purposes under Section 172 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or a net operating loss deduction allowed for Missouri income tax purposes under paragraph (d)* of subsection 2 of section 143.121, but not including any net operating loss deduction that is allowed for federal income tax purposes but disallowed for Missouri income tax purposes under paragraph (d)* of subsection 2 of section 143.121;\n(4) \"Net operating loss modification\", an amount equal to the lesser of the amount of the net operating loss deduction attributable to that loss year or the amount by which the total net operating loss in the loss year is less than the sum of:\n(a) The net addition modification for that loss year; and\n(b) The cumulative net operating loss deductions attributable to that loss year allowed for the taxable year and all prior taxable years.\n5. For all tax years ending on or after July 1, 2002, federal taxable income may be a positive or negative amount. Subsection 4 of this section shall be effective for all tax years with a net operating loss deduction attributable to a loss year ending on or after July 1, 2002, and the net operating loss modification shall only apply to loss years ending on or after July 1, 2002.\n(L. 1972 S.B. 549, A.L. 2004 S.B. 1394, A.L. 2007 H.B. 444, et al., A.L. 2018 S.B. 884)\n*Paragraph (d) does not exist. The language for this reference appears to be contained in subdivision (4) of subsection 2 of section 143.121.\n(2002) Payments between corporate taxpayers and related companies resulting from exclusive licensing agreements and patents executed outside state did not constitute Missouri source income. Acme Royalty Company v. Director of Revenue, 96 S.W.3d 72 (Mo.banc).\n143.431 8/28/2007 8/28/2018","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1553354"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9987972378730774,"wiki_prob":0.9987972378730774,"text":"FLBC Men @SWC\nDate: January 27th, 2023 - January 27th, 2023","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1064047"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7925527095794678,"wiki_prob":0.7925527095794678,"text":"Apply to Roanoke\nDeposit to Roanoke\nStaying Closer to Home\nNew Student Experience\nadmissions@roanoke.edu\nReady to visit your campus? Let's set a date.\nFall 2023 Application - Apply Now!\nVisit Opportunities (Virtual & On Campus) - Register Today!\nMajors by Categories\nStill Searching?\nReal-World Learning\nMentoring Culture\nThe Roanoke Difference\nLanguages Offered\nIt's OK not to have a major right away. Find out why.\nLiving & Eating\nBeyond the Campus\nCregger & Colket Centers\nSomething for everyone. Over 140 clubs and organizations.\nInside Roanoke\nHistory Faculty\nIs Roanoke a Fit?\nCould this be the school you've been looking for? Take our quick quiz and find out if Roanoke is right for you!\nHistory is one of the three most popular majors at Roanoke College.\nWhen you study history you gain strong research, critical thinking and writing skills through extensive projects and one-on-one work with professors. Roanoke's History Department boasts as many tenured professors as some large state institutions. They teach everything from Latin American and African history to European and public history.\nAt Roanoke, you'll get to experience history firsthand. The earliest residents of what would become Salem have been documented through archeological evidence going back to 8000 B.C. Salem was a Civil War stronghold and was once was marketed as the \"Switzerland of the South.\" You'll search for artifacts during archaeological digs and intern with Virginia's Department of Historical Resources. You'll have opportunities to study in England, Germany, Argentina, South Africa, and many other places through Roanoke's May Term history classes and other study abroad opportunities.\nIf you enjoy the mental discipline history fosters, like analytical reading, library and archival research, writing and arguing interpretations, history can provide a great step towards careers in journalism, research, law and historic preservation. Studying European and world history can give you an advantage finding employment in international business and finance.\nWe offer both a major and a minor in history.\nDaniel Ayers: The Folk Storyteller\nA history major, Daniel channeled his love for folk music into his academic work, which opened the door to earning a Fulbright Scholarship to study in Scotland.\n“What I love most about Roanoke's history department is the interaction you have with professors and the passion they have for teaching and the subjects they teach.”\nJohn Stang '12\nStudent interns at United States Holocaust Memorial Museum\nAn internship at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum meant Tyler Merrill spent his fall days in downtown Washington, D.C., just a few blocks from the National Mall. Along with other participants in the Lutheran College Washington Semester program, he took classes, went on weekly field trips and volunteered with non-profit organizations. The Holocaust Museum was of particular interest to Merrill, a history major with plans to teach high school, coach a swimming team and possibly enter law school a little later in life.\nMerrill says his most memorable experience in the nation's capital was volunteering as an advocate for homeless and runaway youths. \"D.C. has wonderful programs for the homeless,\" he says. \"It's phenomenal...I was left with a passion for getting involved and doing my part to help right some wrongs.\"\nProfessor John G. Selby | History\nThe long-lost papers of Civil War veteran George Bernard have been collected and annotated by Dr. John G. Selby, former John R. Turbyfill professor of history at Roanoke. His book, Civil War Talks: Further Reminiscences by George S. Bernard and Fellow Veterans, was published by the University of Virginia Press. This book completes what Bernard had intended more than a century ago to be a two volume set covering his experiences with the Army of Northern Virginia. This volume, using key papers of Bernard's that were found by a collector in 2004, focus on the closing days of the Civil War, including the siege of Petersburg and a soldier's reaction to the surrender of the army by General Lee at Appomattox.\nThe Roanoke Times had high praise for Selby's work: \"Roanoke College's Dr. Selby has done a masterful job of organizing and introducing the material. His annotations are as detailed as a reader could wish.\"\nStudent researchers contribute to the Genealogy of Slavery\nSix students conducted in-depth research to help build a database of information about enslaved people who lived in Southwest Virginia before and during the Civil War.\nRoanoke College Receives $1.5M Endowment Gift from Trustee Joanne Leonhardt Cassullo ’78\nThe generous gift supports the College’s Center for Studying Structures of Race.\nSample Course Offerings:\nHIST 213: Age of Alexander the Great\nHIST 246: The Holocaust\nHIST 273: Latin American Revolutions\nHIST 277: American Tourist in Rome (May Term course in Italy)\nHIST 284: Modern Middle East\nOur grads work at great organizations.\nBreadth of Faculty Expertise is Exceptionally Large for a Small Liberal Arts College\nProfessor Jesse Bucher's research and teaching interests include modern Africa, South Africa, East Africa, world history, history of the Atlantic World, postcolonial studies and environmental history.\nProfessor Jason Hawke teaches the history of the Ancient Mediterranean World and Classical Latin. His research interests include ancient law, tyranny and democracy, and numeracy.\nProfessor Mark Miller's teaching fields include the U.S. in colonial and Civil War periods. Professor Miller likes to take advantage of local resources, from battlefields to newspaper archives, in teaching his courses. He is the author of Dear Old Roanoke, a history of Roanoke College, and is currently researching southern colleges and the coming of the Civil War.\nProfessor Rob Willingham's scholarship includes the history of German Jews, with an emphasis on the postwar lives of Jews in East Germany. He joined the History department at Roanoke in 2004, and has been nominated for the exemplary teaching award multiple times, winning in 2009. He has taught classes on modern Europe, the Holocaust, the Middle East, and the politics of memorialization.\nProfessor Whitney Leeson's research and teaching interests include economic anthropology, historical archaeology, gift exchange, medieval France, kinship and marriage, and New World contact and colonization. She is also the associate book review editor and secretary for the Sixteenth Century Journal, and book review editor for the Coordinating Council of Women in History.\nA specialist in early modern Europe, Professor Michael Hakkenberg's teaching fields include the Renaissance and the Reformation; his research interests focus on the history of the Netherlands during the Reformation. Professor Hakkenberg, a Dutch speaker, frequently travels to the Netherlands. He also enjoys teaching a May term course in Italy on the Renaissance.\nProfessor Mary Henold's areas of expertise include 19th and 20th century United States, women's and gender history, American Catholicism, advertising and consumer culture, and urban and suburban history. Professor Henold is currently researching how moderate Catholic \"women in the pews\" responded to both the Second Vatican Council and the Women's Liberation Movement in the 1960s and 1970s.\nProfessor John Selby teaches about the Civil War, 19th century American history, the Vietnam War, presidents and diplomatic history. His current research is on the leadership of General George G. Meade, commander of the Army of the Potomac from 1863-1865.\nPolitical turmoil, revolution in Latin America, Latin American history and politics, and the culture of food are areas of expertise for Professor Ivonne Wallace Fuentes. She has also led student trips abroad.\nThe history of China, Korea and Japan are areas of expertise for Professor Stella Xu. She was also awarded a grant from the Freeman Foundation and ASIANetwork for her students to conduct research in China, \"Reinvented Tradition in the Age of Globalization: the Silk Road and its Legacy in Contemporary China.\"\n(not pictured) Professor Gary Gibbs' teaching fields include medieval and early modern European History, British History, South Asia, and World History (ancient and medieval). His main research areas focus on society and religion in Tudor England. Professor Gibbs serves as the Book Review Editor for the Sixteenth Century Journal.\nSmithsonian exhibition makes stop at Roanoke\nHistory and International Relations alumna helped bring \"Journey Stories\" to the College.\nThe Historical Society—Roanoke’s oldest campus organization\nFounded in 1875 by the College's first president, David F. Bittle, the Society is the oldest student organization on campus. It is devoted to preserving historical memory at the College, offering historically-grounded programming to our students and the campus community, and serving as the social center of the department's relationships with students.\nFounder's Day\nOn Founder's Day, the Society puts on a series of events to honor the first president: David F. Bittle. The evening begins with a trek to the cemetery on the Hill to meet Bittle face-to-face, and concludes on the back quad with a bonfire and lots of activities and ceremonies.\nBittle's Bash\nAfter the sun sets on Founder's Day, the Society gets an opportunity to celebrate Bittle's Birthday in the Colket Center. Between the karaoke performances of the students and their faculty, it's always a night to remember.\nHistory Through the Lens\nThe Historical Society hosts a film series every year, with faculty introducing films dealing with, or from, the past. Recent films have included \"M\", \"Daisies\", \"The Seventh Seal\", and \"Downfall.\"\nHistorical Dress-up Day\nEach year on Founder's Day, the Living History Lab helps faculty, staff and students dress up for a particular era in time. Last year, the lab costumed 84 people and many other participated as well.\nDepartmental Colloquia\nEvery semester, the Historical Society hosts a series of events designed to promote historical understanding and the career prospects of our students. Typical offerings include \"What Can I do with a History Degree\", \"Study Abroad Options\", and a discussion on the importance of Hannah Arendt.\nEach year at the end of the spring semester, the department and the Historical Society host a picnic for our students on the department's deck.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1074161"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8944740891456604,"wiki_prob":0.8944740891456604,"text":"Dinosaur Jr. - Sweep It Into Space\nHome / Dinosaur Jr. - Sweep It Into Space\nStatus: SIGN UP FOR RESTOCK NOTICE\nSweep It Into Space is the fifth new studio album cut by Dinosaur Jr. during the thirteenth year of their rebirth. The record does more than stave off extinction, maintaining the band's signature sound with extra poignancy. It features the singles \"Garden\" and \"I Ran Away\".\nOriginally scheduled for release in mid 2020, this record's temporal trajectory was thwarted by the coming of the Plague. But it would take more than a mere Plague to tamp down the exquisite fury of this trio when they are fully dialed-in. The only extra musician used this time with Kurt Vile, who co-produced the album.\nAs is typical, Lou Barlow writes and sings two of the album's dozen tunes and Murph's pure vintage rock drumming drives the record like a go cart from Hell. They have a signature sound as sure as the Stooges or Sonic Youth or Discharge ever did. Dinosaur Jr. continues to expand their personal universe with Sweep It Into Space, without ever losing their central core.\nHeavyweight vinyl produced by Jagjaguwar in 2021. Includes download card.\nSonic Youth released their 5th studio album 'Daydream Nation' in the summer of 1988. It's widely considered to be their watershed moment, the album catapulted them into the mainstream and proved that indie bands could enjoy wide commercial success withou\nSonic Youth - Daydream Nation\nRetaining the urgency of their previous excursions, yet expanding their musical parameters, Pixies' 1989 cult classic \"Doolittle\" features the singles \"Monkey Gone to Heaven\", \"Here Comes Your Man\" and \"Debaser\".\nPixies - Doolittle\n'Last Splash' was recorded in 1993 by what is now regarded as the ‘classic’ Breeders line-up of Kim and Kelley Deal, Josephine Wiggs and Jim Macpherson. Including the twisted pop singles ‘Cannonball’ and ‘Divine Hammer’, it has become one of the defining\nBreeders - Last Splash\nSonic Youth completed their trilogy with 'Dirty'. 'Dirty' contains some brilliant political songs, namely \"Swimsuit Issue\", that is just as relevant today with its rants regarding sexual inappropriateness and consent.\nSonic Youth - Dirty\nThe compilation 'Quarantine The Past' takes the listener on a trip, from the scratchy and mysterious sounds of Pavement's early vinyl-only releases up to the rich, multilayered warmth of their final recordings. This 2010 collection from the indie rock leg\nPavement - Quarantine The Past (The Best Of Pavement)\nOn their debut album 'Surfer Rosa', the Pixies are at their starkest, harsh and trebly, with the drums right in your face, and songs edited to eliminate any note that's not absolutely necessary. Featuring \"Gigantic\" and \"Where Is My Mind\".\nPixies - Surfer Rosa\nContinuing to push boundaries of both music and genre, 'm b v' is otherworldly, intimate and a visceral listen. It's a startling and beautiful metamorphosis of what was known of the My Bloody Valentine sound, pushing the boundaries of genre unlike any oth\nMy Bloody Valentine - MBV (Deluxe Edition)","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line363844"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6837089657783508,"wiki_prob":0.31629103422164917,"text":"Wednesday, October 19 1921: KAMIKAZE Shoichi, a sumo commentator, was born.\n1921 (Taisho 10) Wednesday, October 19 KAMIKAZE Shoichi, a sumo commentator, was born in Sambommatsu-cho, Okawa-gun, Kagawa Prefecture (present-day Higashikagawa City). His real name was Shoichi Akazawa. Since my elementary school days, I have been so healthy that I was selected as one of the healthiest children by the Asahi Shimbun. Yokozuna Tamanishiki, who learned of the boy’s existence through newspaper reports, came to solicit him and entered Nishonoseki stable.\nIn 1937 (Showa 12), he graduated from Tokyo Municipal Ueno Junior High School (now Tokyo Municipal Ueno High School) under the old system and debuted in the May tournament. 1942 (Showa 17): He joined the Shogunate at the January Tournament. He was promoted to sekiwake, but retired after the January tournament 25 in 1950.\nWhen NHK TV broadcast of the Grand Sumo Tournament started in May 1953 (Showa 28), he joined Tama no Umi Umekichi as a sumo commentator. His unique narration became popular and contributed to the sumo boom in the Showa period. He served as a sumo commentator for 33 years until the March Grand Sumo Tournament in 1986 (Showa 61).\nHe died of pneumonia on May 15, 1990 at the age of 68.\nSaturday, October 22 Toshio Miyoshi, the Emperor of Matsushita Electric Works, was born in Neyagawa City, Osaka Prefecture.\nSunday, October 16 1921: Japan-US fixer, Capy Harada was born.\nThursday, September 8 1921: Famous Baseball Manager, Taki Masao was born.\nSaturday July 2 1921: Mizuho Matsuda, the founder of Yoshinoya, was born.\nWednesday, April 20 1921: Michiko Inukai, grand daughter of Takeshi Inukai, was born.\nWednesday, April 6, 1921: Kurataro Takamura was born.\nThursday, November 3 1921: Takeo Shigemitsu, the founder of Lotte group, was born in Korea.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line175521"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7375604510307312,"wiki_prob":0.2624395489692688,"text":"The Sterling Restaurant and Bar at the St. James Hotel\nOld Depot Museum\nAn 1891 railway depot containing artifacts and exhibits from the beginning of Selma's history through the Civil War and the Civil Rights Movement.\nLocated on 100-acre lake. Fishing, swimming, boat rentals, picnicking, improved and primitive camping, play areas, hiking trails.\nSelma City Marina\nSelma Interpretive Center (NPS)\nThe Selma Interpretive Center serves as a welcome center for the Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail and is located at the foot of the Edmund Pettus Bridge. Visitors can explore exhibits and a bookstore dedicated to telling the story of the m...\nFirst (Colored) Baptist Church\nA hub of civil rights activities in the early 1960s, this church was a host for the Student Nonviolent Coordination Committee and was the first congregation to open its doors for meetings and activities of the Dallas County Voters League. In 1964, me...\nBloch Park & Memorial Stadium\nThis baseball stadium has been home to both collegiate and professional baseball teams, although it is currently used for high school and American legion baseball. The park features a playground, walking trail, and is also home to the Farmer's Marke...\nNational Voting Rights Museum & Institute\nView memorabilia honoring the attainment of Voting Rights. Exhibits depict the voting rights struggle in America from \"Bloody Sunday,\" the Selma to Montgomery March, and the Civil Rights Movement.\nSelma Art Guild Gallery\nLocated in turn-of-century cottage, the Selma Art Guild Gallery features artwork by local artists each month.\nCraig Golf Course\nCity Marina\nAnglers from across the Southeast and throughout the country visit the Selma Marina to participate in fishing tournaments. Tourists and residents enjoy boating, fishing, and visiting The Sand Bar, a popular restaurant at the Marina.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1658797"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9197177290916443,"wiki_prob":0.9197177290916443,"text":"McIlroy plays down storm in a ‘tee’ cup with Reed\nThe feud between two of the world’s top golfers continued Wednesday with Rory McIlroy saying he did “not feel the need to acknowledge” Patrick Reed, who reportedly threw a tee towards the world number one on the practice range of the Dubai Desert Classic.\nThe incident, which occurred on Tuesday and was first reported by the Spanish website TenGolf, saw Reed apparently standing behind McIlroy while he was hitting balls.\nWhen McIlroy did not turn and speak to him, Reed left and threw a tee on the ground in anger.\nThe two have been at odds since McIlroy criticized players, including Reed, who joined the Saudi-backed LIV Golf circuit, although McIlroy played down the incident.\n“It was nothing,” the 33-year-old told a press conference.\n“Patrick came up to say hello and I didn’t really want him to. From my recollection, that was it. I didn’t see a tee. I didn’t feel a tee.\n“Obviously, someone else saw that. But it’s definitely a storm in a teacup. I can’t believe it’s actually turned into a story.\n“I didn’t see him. I was down by my bag and he came up to me, and I was busy working and sort of doing my practice, and I didn’t really feel the need to acknowledge him.\n“I didn’t see a tee coming in my direction at all but apparently that’s what happened.\n“And if roles were reversed and I’d have thrown that tee at him, I’d be expecting him to bring a lawsuit,” added McIlroy who was served a subpoena by Reed to appear as a witness in his case against the Golf Channel , Brandel Chamblee and the PGA Tour.\n“I was subpoenaed by his lawyer on Christmas Eve,” said four-time major champion McIlroy.\n“I was trying to have a nice time with my family and someone shows up on your doorstep and delivers that, you’re not going to take that well.\n“You can’t pretend like nothing’s happening, right?\n“So again, I’m living in reality. I don’t know where he’s living. If I were in his shoes, I wouldn’t expect a hello or a handshake.”\n– Wheels in motion –\nMcIlroy said he felt mentally drained towards the end of last season because of everything going on outside the ropes, supporting the PGA Tour against the rise of LIV Golf.\n“On reflection, I felt like I needed to take on quite a lot,” said McIlroy.\n“But I think getting the wheels in motion of how hopefully the new system and the new structure of professional golf will be, it took a lot of effort last year.\n“But now those wheels are in motion and we just have to try to tidy up the schedule for 2024. But I feel like most of the heavy lifting was done last year.”\nMcIlroy is in Dubai to start his new season as the world number one.\nLast year, he narrowly missed the title when he dumped his second shot on the 72nd hole into the water guarding the par-five green, and the resulting bogey forced him to miss the play-off by one shot.\nViktor Hovland prevailed on the first extra hole against Richard Bland.\n“I’ve had a lot of great memories and success over the years in the Emirates but feel like I have a little bit of unfinished business with how the tournament ended for me last year. (It) Wasn’t quite the way I wanted to finish it off,” said McIlroy, who won his first title as a professional at the event in 2009.\n“But I went on from that week and played really well and had a great year.\n“It’s been nice to try to take a little bit of time away and try to distance myself from the game of golf for at least a month or two, and recharge and reset and try to start 2023 with renewed optimism, a full tank and ready to go.”\nstr/bsp/jc\nThe global mobile health and fitness sensor market is expected to reach an estimated $8.6 billion with a CAGR of 15.9% from 2021 to 2027\nGarmin Venu GPS smartwatch with five-day battery life discounted by up to 43%\nLatest Microsoft results show the tech giant is still a buy, analysts say\nTrade back for a wide receiver","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1292380"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.719186007976532,"wiki_prob":0.719186007976532,"text":"The original 7 World Trade Center was a 47-story building, designed by Emery Roth & Sons, with a red granite facade. It opened in May 1987, becoming the seventh structure of the World Trade Centre. On September 11, 2001, the structure was substantially damaged by debris when the nearby North Tower collapsed. Construction of the new 7 WTC began in 2002 and was completed in 2006. The new building is 52 stories tall, making it the 28th- tallest in New York.\nAbout 7 World Trade Center in brief\nThe original 7 World Trade Center was 47 stories tall, clad in red granite masonry, and occupied a trapezoidal footprint. On September 11, 2001, the structure was substantially damaged by debris when the nearby North Tower collapsed. The building’s internal fire suppression system lacked water pressure to fight the fires. The collapse made the old 7 World trade Center the first steel skyscraper known to have collapsed primarily due to uncontrolled fires. Construction of the new 7 WTC began in 2002 and was completed in 2006. The new building is 52 stories tall, making it the 28th-tallest in New York. It is built on a smaller footprint than the original, and is bounded by Greenwich, Vesey, Washington, and Barclay Streets on the east, south, west, and north, respectively. A small park across Greenwich Street occupies space that was part of the original building’s footprint. The current building’s design emphasizes safety, with a reinforced concrete core, wider stairways, and thicker fireproofing on steel columns. It also incorporates numerous green design features. It was the first commercial office building to receive the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification, where it won a gold rating. The building was open below the 3rd floor, providing space for truck clearance on the shipping ramp. The original 7 WTC was a 47-story building, designed by Emery Roth & Sons,. with a red granite facade.\nIt opened in May 1987, becoming the seventh structure of the World Trade Centre. The ground-breaking ceremony was hosted on October 2, 1984, with the building’s opening ceremony being held on October 3, 1984. It had a gypsum-based fire-proofing elements, which had a three-hour fire rating for steel beams, and a three girders and three gusses for structural steel columns on floors 11-12. The substation had a caisson foundation designed to carry the weight of a future building of 25 stories containing 600,000 sq ft. The final design for 7 World trade Center was for a much larger building than originally planned when the substation was built. Above the typical 7th floor’s structure was a tube-frame design, with lateral stability and distribution of loads between the new caissons, providing a structural diaphragm for the building. The typical building’s structure is a typical seven-story structure with a cylindrical design. The 5th floor functioned as a typical typical seven floor structure, providing lateral stability for the 6th, 7th, and 8th floors. The 9/11 attacks destroyed the original structure, which served the entire World Trade center complex, which occupied the eastern quarter of the complex, and the entire eastern half of the WTC complex, occupied the western quarter. The 7 WTC site is now home to the New York City Museum. The museum is located on the corner of Greenwich and Washington Streets in Lower Manhattan.\nYou want to know more about 7 World Trade Center?\nThis page is based on the article 7 World Trade Center published in Wikipedia (as of Nov. 30, 2020) and was automatically summarized using artificial intelligence.\nConstruction of the World Trade Center City Investing Building Fire escape New York Tribune Building\nTags: 7 World Trade Center\nNext story Acra (fortress)\nPrevious story The Blair Witch Project","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1657891"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9612299799919128,"wiki_prob":0.9612299799919128,"text":"Ben Kortlang\nFounding Partner, G2 Venture Partners\nBenjamin Kortlang has served as a member of our board of directors since May 2010. Since August 2016, Mr. Kortlang has been a partner with G2VP, LLC, a venture capital firm. From February 2008 to April 2020, Mr. Kortlang was a partner with Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, a venture capital firm. From July 2000 to January 2008, Mr. Kortlang worked with Goldman, Sachs & Co., most recently co-heading Goldman’s Alternative Energy Investing business. From June 2005 to February 2008, Mr. Kortlang was a vice president within Goldman’s Special Situations Group, before which he was a vice president in Goldman’s investment banking group focusing on industrials and natural resources. From January 1996 to August 1998, Mr. Kortlang was an associate with A.T. Kearney, Inc., a global management consulting firm where he focused on strategic and operations consulting in the energy, manufacturing, packaging, transportation and communications industries. From February 1993 to July 1994, Mr. Kortlang was a business analyst at National Australia Bank in strategic planning and macroeconomic forecasting.\nMr. Kortlang holds a bachelor of business degree in economics and finance from Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, a bachelor of commerce and an honors degree in econometrics from University of Melbourne, and a master of business administration degree from the University of Michigan.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1499842"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8894200921058655,"wiki_prob":0.8894200921058655,"text":"Illinois Attorney General Forum: Democratic Candidates\nAlexandra Silets | March 12, 2018 2:59 pm\nIllinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan dropped a political bombshell last fall, announcing she would not seek re-election for a fifth term. The floodgates swiftly opened, and now there are eight candidates running on the Democratic side to replace her.\nRelated: Democratic AG Candidates Say Madigan Should Step Down as Head of Party\nOn Monday, meet those candidates during a special hourlong forum on “Chicago Tonight.” Joining us (in order of ballot appearance):\nPat Quinn, former Illinois governor and state treasurer. As a consumer advocate, he founded the Citizens Utility Board. He has practiced public interest law since 1980.\nRenato Mariotti, who spent 10 years as an assistant U.S. attorney. He is now an attorney in private practice and a political commentator on a number of news outlets.\nScott Drury, a former federal prosecutor and currently a state lawmaker representing the areas of Highwood, Deerfield, Northbrook and Lake Forest. He is an attorney in private practice and an adjunct professor at Northwestern University’s school of law.\nNancy Rotering, the mayor of Highland Park. She founded the Highland Park-Highwood Legal Aid Clinic and was a lawyer in private practice before becoming Highland Park’s mayor in 2011.\nKwame Raoul, a former prosecutor in the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office. He was appointed to fill Barack Obama’s state Senate seat in 2004 where he continues to serve. He is also a private practice attorney.\nJesse Ruiz, a former Illinois State Board of Education chairman, a former vice president of the Chicago Board of Education and the former interim CEO of Chicago Public Schools. He is now the president of the Chicago Park District Board and a lawyer in private practice.\nSharon Fairley, a former federal prosecutor and former assistant Illinois attorney general. She recently stepped down as chief administrator of the Civilian Office of Police Accountability, or COPA, to run for attorney general.\nAaron Goldstein, a former Cook County public defender. In his private practice, he served as one of former Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s attorneys. He is the 33rd Ward Democratic Committeeman and teaches criminal law and procedure at North Park University.\nLast week, we spoke with Republican candidate Gary Grasso, who is also running for attorney general. You can watch that discussion here.\nWe’d also like your participation in this forum. Do you have questions for any of the Democratic candidates for attorney general? Add them to the comments section below – you may see yours on air. You can also tweet your questions using the hashtag #ChicagoTonight or comment on Facebook.\n2018 Primary Election: Candidate Forums on ‘Chicago Tonight’\nAhead of the March 20 primary election, Chicago Tonight is hosting a series of candidate forums. Here’s what you need to know.\n2018 Voters’ Guide to the Cook County Primary\nWTTW’s 2018 Voters’ Guide to the Cook County Primary is an online resource designed to inform voters about the candidates running for office in the March 20 election. Learn more.\nEarly Voting for March Primary Gets Underway, Though Ballot Issues Persist\nMarch 5: Illinois voters can begin casting their votes in a series of heavily contested primary races, as early voting began in earnest Monday.\nPrimary Election 2018\nCandidate Forum\nPat Quinn\nNancy Rotering\nJesse Ruiz\nSharon Fairley\nAaron Goldstein\nAttorney General Appoints Special Counsel to Investigate Biden Docs\nChicago Police Extending Consent Decree Timeline by 3 Additional Years\nMore Than $1M in Stolen Retail Items Recovered in ‘Major’ Seizure: Illinois Attorney General\nBiden to Name Judge Merrick Garland as Attorney General\nKwame Raoul Declares Victory Over Erika Harold in Attorney General Race\nIllinois Attorney General Forum: Kwame Raoul, Erika Harold","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line106862"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.705676257610321,"wiki_prob":0.705676257610321,"text":"Business & Practice\nCapital Markets Results Are In, And There Are a Lot of Winners\nBy Roy Strom\nJan. 7, 2021, 10:30 AM\nHappy New Year, and welcome back to the Big Law Business column on the changing legal marketplace written by me, Roy Strom. This week, we look at the firms that got the work in a record-setting year for the Big Law capital markets practice. Sign up to receive this column in your inbox on Thursday mornings.\nI wrote a few times in 2020 about the red-hot capital markets practice for Big Law firms. It was a roller coaster year for lawyers who advise on initial public offerings, debt issuances, and other financings.\nBut now the full annual numbers from capital markets are in, and even if everybody knew what direction they were headed (up), it’s worth sharing the results. That’s because they could help to power a trend we’ve talked about and that we are already seeing in action a week into 2021: The largest, richest firms are investing in talented lawyers to bolster their leading positions.\nIn the U.S., the value of IPOs priced in 2020 hit nearly $150 billion, up 43% from the prior year.\nBetween advising issuers and underwriters, four law firms in 2020 advised on U.S.-based IPOs valued at more than $20 billion in total—a feat last accomplished by a law firm in 2012, when Simpson Thacher & Bartlett advised on $25 billion worth.\nDavis Polk & Wardwell advised on IPOs valued at more than $30 billion—more than any other firm, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. That is nearly double the value the firm advised on during 2019.\n“It was definitely a record year for us in capital markets and a very, very strong year for the firm,” said Michael Kaplan, a member of Davis Polk’s three-person management committee and head of its corporate department.\nLatham & Watkins came in at No. 2 by total value of IPO work, advising on more than $23 billion worth, compared to about $7.4 billion in 2019. Kirkland & Ellis and Ropes & Gray also advised on IPOs totaling more than $20 billion in 2020.\nCompanies navigating an economy stunted by the global pandemic and accompanying lockdowns also issued debt at record levels last year.\nThere was nearly $2 trillion worth of investment grade corporate bonds issued in 2020, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. That’s up almost 60% from 2019. Davis Polk again led the way, advising issuers and underwriters on deals valued at nearly $500 billion.\nIt wasn’t just blue-chip companies looking to raise capital. With the pandemic stressing a wide range of industries, lower-rated companies issued high-yield debt, or “junk bonds,” in huge amounts. Nearly $440 billion of high-yield debt was issued—up about 50% from 2019, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.\nCahill Gordon & Reindel advised on nearly $100 billion worth of these deals, leading the way among law firms. Latham & Watkins advised on the second-most, worth nearly $87 billion.\nWilliam Hartnett, chairman of the Cahill Gordon’s executive committee, said 2020 was “a very strong year” for the firm in both corporate and litigation.\n“It always puts wind in your sails when you finish a very good year,” he said. “But come January 1, we reset the odometer to zero. The challenge will be to continue the upward trajectory, which we are confident we can do.”\nMany firms with a highly rated capital markets practice will likely be reporting strong financial years in 2020. That could provide an opportunity to bolster those practices.\nLatham & Watkins’ corporate practice chair Marc Jaffe said it was a “record year” for the firm’s capital markets practice, and the firm has already been re-investing in the group. The firm hired Rick Kline and Sarah Axtell from Goodwin Procter in Silicon Valley and San Francisco in November. Last month, the firm hired Ali Haggerty in New York from Cooley.\n“That is something we’re going to continue to do,” said Ian Schuman, Latham’s head of capital markets. “We’re going to continue to use our market position to attract talent, and we are really well-positioned to do it.”\nJust days into 2021, some of the firms that gained major momentum off capital markets practices last year have already made moves in the lateral market.\nLatham hired from litigation boutique Hueston Hennigan up-and-coming partner Steven Feldman, whose clients have included Peleton Interactive Inc. and T-Mobile US Inc. Davis Polk also struck early with the hire of Daniel Stipano, an ex-Buckley LLP partner and former longtime official at the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.\nMany in the industry have told me they expect a surge in hiring this year, as Big Law’s higher performers continue to pull even further ahead of those that didn’t fair quite so well in the upheaval brought by 2020.\nOn the Election: Foley & Lardner’s Cleta Mitchell was embroiled in controversy this week after her work with President Trump to overturn the election was laid bare by her presence on his controversial phone call with the Georgia Secretary of State. She resigned from the firm on Tuesday, and in an exit memo blamed “leftist groups” for a pressure campaign.\nOn In-House Compensation: Apple Inc. General Counsel Katherine “Kate” Adams received a total compensation package of more than $26.4 million from the tech giant in 2020, my colleague Brian Baxter reports. It was a year in which the iPhone-maker posted record revenues of $274.5 billion and also faced myriad legal issues.\nOn Activism Defense: Sidley Austin was the most active law firm defending companies against activist investors, according to Bloomberg data. Wachtell Lipton Rosen & Katz and Vinson & Elkins followed directly behind.\nOn Law Firm Mergers: Law firm mergers plunged last year by 43%, according to an Altman Weil MergerLine report. The report pointed to the coronavirus pandemic as the culprit and indicated there could be more firm combinations this coming year due to a “pent-up appetite for growth.”\nThat’s it for this week! Thanks for reading and please send me your thoughts, critiques, and tips.\nTo contact the reporter on this story: Roy Strom in Chicago at rstrom@bloomberglaw.com\nTo contact the editors responsible for this story: Rebekah Mintzer at rmintzer@bloomberglaw.com; Chris Opfer at copfer@bloomberglaw.com\nRoy Strom\nBy the Numbers: 5 Practices That Could Drive Big Law in 2021\nDec. 23, 2020, 11:55 AM\nMoney-Moving Practices Power Big Law’s Growing Prestige Gap\nNov. 5, 2020, 10:31 AM\nAmerica’s Corporate Debt Binge Saving Big Law Jobs in Pandemic\nCahill Gordon & Reindel\nFoley & Lardner\nDavis Polk & Wardwell\nSimpson Thacher\nVinson & Elkins\nSidley Austin\nWachtell Lipton\nGoodwin Procter\nHueston Hennigan\nBuckley LLP\ninitial public offerings\nT-Mobile US Inc","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line25137"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5236071348190308,"wiki_prob":0.47639286518096924,"text":"Pain Galleries and auction houses that sell original works of art make up the Art Dealers market. The sector is extremely divided, with the majority of operators employing only one or four people.\nThere are only a few major auction houses in the industry, such as Sotheby’s and Christie’s. The Art Dealers sector has benefited from growth in disposable income and the percentage of households making more than $100,000 over the five years to 2020.\nHowever, the era was also characterized by political and economic instability, which caused sales declines sufficient to offset growth. Overall, sales for the Art Dealers sector is expected to fall by 5.9 percent on an annualized basis, totaling $7.5 billion.\nRevenue is expected to decline 28.7 percent in 2020 due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic and its economic implications. Profitability in the industry is also expected to fall.\nLearn more about business for sale industry economics, which can help you make informed decisions about the future of your business in the competitive marketplace of Mergers and Acquisitions. To learn more continue reading.\nAdditional Information about Art Dealers\nThe Art Dealers industry consists of businesses that mainly sell original and limited-edition art pieces. Art galleries that exhibit pieces of art for retail sale are not included. The Art Dealers sector has had a mixed five-year period from 2010 to 2020.\nHowever, income is projected to fall dramatically over the next five years, falling at an annualized rate of 5.9 percent to $7.5 billion. This involves a forecast 28.7 percent drop in 2020 alone.\nFor the next five years, sales for the Art Dealers market is expected to change direction and intensify. According to research, sales will rise at a 5.9 percent annualized rate to $10.0 billion in the five years to 2025.\nPer capita disposable income and the Consumer Confidence Index are projected to rise over the next five years, driving demand for business operators.\nFurthermore, modern art is expected to expand in importance, and interest from museums looking to protect potential client flows by purchasing prestigious works of art is expected to rise.\nThis business consists mainly of art galleries and art auction houses that sell original and limited-edition artwork. The corporations buy artwork from an artist or private owner and then market it to customers, with little to no further product creation. Auction houses that put buyers and sellers together and charge a fee are also included in the business.\nThe ratio of capital to labor determines the capital intensity. Depreciation and salary expenses are used as proxies in the lack of official statistics on capital and labor expenses. For every dollar spent on labor, the average Art Dealers business operator spends $0.05 on capital.\nThis ratio illustrates the industry’s concentration on hiring and maintaining high-quality workers and suggests a low degree of capital intensity. During this time, capital intensity has only marginally grown, and it is expected to stay low for the next five years.\nThe operations of sourcing and appraising artwork are critical to the profitability of an art dealer, and they necessitate highly skilled labor. Retailers and auctioneers must also have a thorough understanding of the items and the capacity to appraise new stock.\nMarketing, collecting an inventory of the objects for sale, generating estimates of how much an auction will make, and setting auction dates and locations are all responsibilities of auctioneers. They are first and primarily salespeople on auction day, convincing consumers to purchase stuff.\nSourcing, evaluating, and analyzing the saleability of artwork are critical to the success of a small art gallery. Dealers frequently build bonds with one another. In order to have access to artwork, dealers generally build connections with artists and purchasers.\nThe building of visually beautiful premises that inspire both a sense of expertise and creativity is the emphasis of capital spending. In addition, a corporation must safeguard exceptionally expensive merchandise against theft, damage, and the elements.\nThis critical success aspect necessitates the installation of a contemporary security system that protects not only the outside of a building from attackers after hours but also the artwork inside from theft or damage during business hours.\nTemperature, humidity, and light monitoring devices are also vital, especially for older pieces of art that are more susceptible to climatic fluctuations. Most insurance plans need the installation of sophisticated security and climate control system.\nThe demand for art is determined by affluent individuals’ household expenditures, consumer attitude, current trends, and the artwork’s restricted supply.\nBecause art is a luxury item, it is very sensitive to economic cyclical trends; demand is boosted when wealthy individuals have excess funds when the economy is doing well, but demand shrivels during downturns as consumer sentiment and expenditure plummet, resulting in far fewer art sales, contributing to the Art Dealers industry’s volatility.\nThe public and critical taste for artists of a certain style, locality, or topic determines demand for artwork, particularly contemporary art. Wealthy collectors are keen to spend surplus income on artwork that vendors are similarly willing to sell for big sums of money during periods of expansion.\nAs a result of this tendency, famous art dealers are building buzz around artists and speculative movements that are lauded as cutting-edge. This enthusiasm leads to an upsurge in the acquisition of modern and one-of-a-kind art.\nHowever, it is difficult to distinguish hype and short-term trends from more long-term demand or critical acclaim with these types of art sales, and as a result, they are subject to large drops in value as soon as the economy suffers a downturn or an artist is not as successful as they were expected to be.\nThe contemporary art market’s volatility adds significantly to the industry’s overall instability. Furthermore, artwork may only be offered for purchase on a periodic basis. When rare works of art are offered for sale, the proceeds are usually higher.\nSales of paintings by well-known artists are rarer and consequently more expensive. In November 2009, Sotheby’s auctioned off a renowned painting by Andy Warhol, ‘200 One Dollar Bills,’ for $43.8 million, which was double the estimated price, despite the economic slump.\nThis is especially true of artwork done during the time of the ancient masters. Prices soar as a result of such strong worldwide demand and the uncommon possibilities to purchase such items, contributing to big positive swings in industry revenue.\nArt and Office Supply Manufacturing\nArt Supply Stores","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1600926"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9276697635650635,"wiki_prob":0.9276697635650635,"text":"Twitter estimates that it has 10 million users in China\nTwitter has been blocked in China since around 2009. That seriously hampered any hopes that the U.S. firm — which is struggling to grow its userbase worldwide — had in China, but the service does still have a hardcore base of loyalists who use it in the country.\nPrevious estimates have pegged Twitter’s China-based following as being as high as 35.5 million users, but the actual number appears to be much lower. According to a source inside Twitter, who spoke to TechCrunch on the condition of anonymity, its service has around 10 million active users in China.\nThat number itself is an estimate, one that is used internally, because even Twitter isn’t fully sure. That’s because it is hugely challenging to tally up China-based users by virtue of them connecting to the service via VPN software which allows them to use an internet connection outside of China, thus bypassing the country’s web censorship system. So, a China-based user accessing Twitter on a VPN will show up as being located in the U.S., UK, Singapore or wherever else their VPN is set to.\n“We do not comment on specific number of users in any country. Our consumer service is censored and blocked in mainland China today,” a spokesperson told TechCrunch via email.\nEither way, the figure is small: 10 million represents a mere drop of Twitter’s 310 million total active users — it counts 65 million of those in the U.S., its largest single market, with the remaining 245 million overseas. It is also a tiny fraction of the 688 million internet users in the country, according to government data. That figure, taken from December 2015, means that, for the first time, over half of China’s population is now online.\nTwitter has a growing business in China, anchored by an executive who controversially spent time in her early career working on military security for the government, but its userbase in China isn’t part of that. Local services like chat app WeChat, which contains social features and has multiple hundreds of millions of active users in China, and microblogging service Weibo are the dominant social media. Instead, Twitter makes money in China by offering Chinese companies and media a gateway to global audiences by advertising on its service. That’s exactly the strategy that Facebook employs, with both services proving to be popular advertising and distribution channels for China’s state-run media, which among the most lucrative clients.\n“As a global platform, we are already engaged with advertisers, content providers and influencers across Greater China to help them reach audiences around the world. We are focusing on three Chinese business audiences that can leverage our global platform: continue to serve export advertisers, do more with publishers/creators, and reach out to developers,” Twitter added in a statement.\nIf it isn’t critical to its business, why is Twitter’s internal estimate for its China userbase worthy of note?\nWell, it helps sketch out a figure for the number of people who use VPNs in China, an oft-influential section that includes journalists, activists, prominent business leaders and decision makers. It is hard to fully quantify this block of internet users, though, even with Twitter’s estimate. Not everyone using a VPN will use Twitter, but it is likely that a large portion of VPN and Twitter users overlap. Certainly you can’t use Twitter in China without a VPN.\nIn that respect, Twitter’s China estimate — while not mission-critical for Twitter’s business — gives a glimpse at the number of ‘global web consumers’ who leap over China’s Great Firewall of censorship to read and consume whatever they want on the internet.\n“If there are 10 million Chinese on Twitter that is great news. Twitter is one of the last great bastions of relatively free speech. When was the last time 10 million Chinese could freely say what they feel, on any platform, without fear of reprisal?” Charlie Smith, one of the pseudonymous founders of anti-censorship group Great Fire, told TechCrunch via email.\nGreat Fire released a ranking index to give greater clarify around China-specific VPNs today, and Smith said he believes that “there are growing pockets of ordinary people who want to circumvent censorship so they can access whatever information they choose.”\n“It’s fantastic that Twitter can provide us with an indication of how big this group might be,” the Great Fire founder added.\nIt is highly unlikely that Twitter will take the necessary steps that might get it unblocked in China — that would mean caving in to censorship demands and self-policing user content, as LinkedIn has done — while there’s already fierce competition in social media, so don’t expect that China-based user number to grow much any time soon.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line705898"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.629988968372345,"wiki_prob":0.37001103162765503,"text":"This entrepreneur is a software engineer and neuroscientist: “The people creating the medications of tomorrow have scarce access to data and machine learning tools”\nScientists don't always know how to use AI tools. Because of this, the data they collect isn't per se accessible to them– BioRaptor wants to change that with their tool\nIdan Ben Tovim / 27 Nov 2022 • 3 min read\nCredit: BioRaptor\nScientific developments play a big part in tech and societal advancements, be it cultured meat, milk that does not come from cows, new medications and vaccines, and innovative climatic solutions to name a few. Most of these developments wouldn't be possible without other technological tools. But scientists often find themselves with mountains of data and don't know what to do with it. This is where the new Israeli startup BioRaptor wants to enter the picture.\nScientists don't have enough tools\nBioraptor is developing tools for the field of synthetic biology which is where biology and other technology come together to produce new products that can really change the way we live. But the R&D processes of companies in this field leave huge amounts of data unused and therefore slow down the development process. But by using BioRaptor's system, perhaps this will change. BioRaptor's development can take data, analyze it, decipher it, and with the help of AI also provide insights that will allow scientists to advance their research and development processes. \"We believe that to be successful, scientists and engineers need to be equipped with tools that they can use themselves. Only by making deep insights accessible to scientists will it be possible to really move forward quickly and turn what might be considered science fiction today into reality,\" explains Yaron David, co-founder and CTO of Bioraptor, a neuroscience Ph.D. turned software engineer.\nAccording to him, the conditions necessary for optimal production of products such as transgenic steak or cow-free milk are simply unknown. To find out what the optimal conditions are, scientists are busy with long experiments. But Bioraptor wants to guide them using artificial intelligence instead: \"One way is through artificial intelligence-based sensors. We use sensors that have been around for decades and by learning the conditions, create an image in real-time of what is happening inside the organism. This basically allows scientists a new way to take a look at what is happening inside the organism and predict what will make it grow larger or express more of the product.\"\nFinding their way back to one another\nDavid met his co-founder, Ori Zakin (CEO) when they founded the Emerge Clinical Solutions development center together, which developed NLP-based products to help doctors read information from patients' personal files and make it more accessible to them. The two split up to different jobs– one at Drivenets and the other at Assured Allies, but eventually met up again sometime later. David explained how they decided to focus on the world of biology by meeting with several companies in the field to try to understand what solutions they were looking for. \"After a few months, we noticed a recurring problem… Luckily, we knew we had an advantage since we could bring the knowledge we had accumulated from our pasts and help all those scientists and companies; We knew we could build them a product that would really improve the profit line.\"\nZakin says that he was surprised to discover how few tools there are for scientists: \"Along the way, we discovered that the people who produce the medicines of tomorrow, futuristic food, and solutions for global warming are the ones who receive the fewest tools for machine learning and access to complex data. This is an opportunity for me, as a software engineer, to create a real revolution in an industry that makes the world a better place.\" This past Friday (Nov. 25), Bioraptor also announces a fundraising round of 3 million dollars led by lool Ventures and CPT Capital, with the participation of FoodHack and several interesting entrepreneurs such as Danny Grander (from Snyk), Yuval Weisglass (from TowerSec and Ansa), and Saar Dickman (from Dynamic Infrastructure and TowerSec). The company plans to expand the capabilities of its platform, while also broadening its relevant fields from imaging, fermentation, and cell cultures to genetics.\ninvestments startups biotech Startup news Startup Nation\nBorn with a joystick in hand, this guy has way too many gadgets but too little time to play with them. When he’s not busy writing about technology, he loves to talk about it, a lot.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1250709"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.688856303691864,"wiki_prob":0.688856303691864,"text":"FDA Seeks to Ban Unhealthy Trans Fats\nNovember 7, 2013 2013-11-07 10:59\nPhoto courtesy of Bigstock.\nThe Food and Drug Administration (F.D.A.), this morning, announced a proposal that would all but eliminate the use of artificial trans fats, the artery clogging substance that raises bad cholesterol while possibly lowering good cholesterol, in processed foods, in an effort to prevent deaths from heart disease in the United States.\nUnder the proposed measures, which are open for 60-day public comment period, the regulatory agency would declare partially hydrogenated oils, the source of trans fats, to no longer be “generally recognized as safe,” a legal standard that permits the use of ingredients like salt and caffeine.\nFood processing companies would be forced to prove scientifically that the commonly used trans fat-laden oils are safe to eat, which is unlikely given the mountains of scientific evidence to the contrary. The Institute of Medicine at the National Academy of Sciences, an independent, nonprofit that aims to provide unbiased, authoritative advice to policymakers, has concluded that there is no safe level of artificial trans fats consumption.\nHeart disease and strokes cause about 800,000 deaths in the U.S. every year (and kill more people worldwide than any other cause), and trans fats contribute to hardening of the arteries, which can lead to heart attack or stroke, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).\nTo learn more, see the FDA Consumer Update on the issue.\nSprouting | SPE Certified Food\nThe Top 24 Must-Have Mobile Apps for Gardeners\nContainer Gardens","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1689224"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9464014172554016,"wiki_prob":0.9464014172554016,"text":"The story appears on\nPage A12\nGET this page in PDF\nHome » Sports » American Football\nSaints tie mark for best start\nSource: Agencies | November 4, 2009, Wednesday | Print Edition\nTHE New Orleans Saints tied a franchise-record 7-0 start to the season by holding off a spirited challenge from the Atlanta Falcons in a 35-27 victory on Monday.\nDrew Brees threw for 308 yards and two scores while capping an 81-yard drive with a one-yard TD toss to running back Pierre Thomas that gave the hosts a 35-24 cushion with 3:03 remaining.\nThomas also had a rushing touchdown to go with 91 yards on the ground to help the Saints survive a late rally.\nAtlanta kicker Jason Elam made a 40-yard field goal with 28 seconds left and the Falcons recovered an onside kick to set up a final \"Hail Mary\" play which was intercepted by the Saints defense.\n\"It wasn't perfect, it wasn't clean,\" New Orleans coach Sean Payton said of the win. \"I'm proud of our players, responding the way they did.\"\nMichael Turner steadied the Falcons (4-3) with 151 yards rushing and a score but with his team mounting a charge trailing 24-28 quarterback Matt Ryan was intercepted by Tracy Porter when the visitors were on the Saints' 10-yard line.\nNew Orleans started the game badly and fell 0-7 behind on Turner's 21-yard run and then 14-7 when Atlanta defensive lineman Kroy Biermann recovered a Brees fumble and ran it in for a four-yard score with 2:14 left in the first.\nHowever, the potent Saints registered 21 straight points to take a 28-14 lead at halftime.\nJabari Greer capped the spurt with 42 seconds left in the second where he returned an interception 48 yards for a score, the team's fifth touchdown from an interception this campaign, tying a single-season franchise mark set in 1998.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1262043"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7070986032485962,"wiki_prob":0.7070986032485962,"text":"This image provided by Novo Nordisk shows packaging for the company’s Wegovy drug. Children struggling with obesity should be evaluated and treated early…\nThis image provided by Novo Nordisk shows packaging for the company’s Wegovy drug. Children struggling with obesity should be evaluated and treated early and aggressively, with medications for kids as young as 12 and surgery for those as young as 13 who qualify, according to new guidelines released by the American Academy of Pediatrics on Monday, Jan. 9, 2023. A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine in December 2022, found that Wegovy helped teens reduce their body mass index by about 16% on average, better than the results in adults. (Novo Nordisk via AP)\nNew guidance: Use drugs, surgery early for obesity in kids\nby: JONEL ALECCIA, Associated Press\nChildren struggling with obesity should be evaluated and treated early and aggressively, including with medications for kids as young as 12 and surgery for those as young as 13, according to new guidelines released Monday.\nThe longstanding practice of “watchful waiting,” or delaying treatment to see whether children and teens outgrow or overcome obesity on their own only worsens the problem that affects more than 14.4 million young people in the U.S. Left untreated, obesity can lead to lifelong health problems, including high blood pressure, diabetes and depression.\n“Waiting doesn’t work,” said Dr. Ihuoma Eneli, co-author of the first guidance on childhood obesity in 15 years from the American Academy of Pediatrics. “What we see is a continuation of weight gain and the likelihood that they’ll have (obesity) in adulthood.”\nFor the first time, the group’s guidance sets ages at which kids and teens should be offered medical treatments such as drugs and surgery — in addition to intensive diet, exercise and other behavior and lifestyle interventions, said Eneli, director of the Center for Healthy Weight and Nutrition at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio.\nIn general, doctors should offer adolescents 12 and older who have obesity access to appropriate drugs and teens 13 and older with severe obesity referrals for weight-loss surgery, though situations may vary.\nThe guidelines aim to reset the inaccurate view of obesity as “a personal problem, maybe a failure of the person’s diligence,” said Dr. Sandra Hassink, medical director for the AAP Institute for Healthy Childhood Weight, and a co-author of the guidelines.\n“This is not different than you have asthma and now we have an inhaler for you,” Hassink said.\nYoung people who have a body mass index that meets or exceeds the 95th percentile for kids of the same age and gender are considered obese. Kids who reach or exceed that level by 120% are considered to have severe obesity. BMI is a measure of body size based on a calculation of height and weight.\nObesity affects nearly 20% of kids and teens in the U.S. and about 42% of adults, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.\nThe group’s guidance takes into consideration that obesity is a biological problem and that the condition is a complex, chronic disease, said Aaron Kelly, co-director of the Center for Pediatric Obesity Medicine at the University of Minnesota.\n“Obesity is not a lifestyle problem. It is not a lifestyle disease,” he said. “It predominately emerges from biological factors.”\nThe guidelines come as new drug treatments for obesity in kids have emerged, including approval late last month of Wegovy, a weekly injection, for use in children ages 12 and older. Different doses of the drug, called semaglutide, are also used under different names to treat diabetes. A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that Wegovy, made by Novo Nordisk, helped teens reduce their BMI by about 16% on average, better than the results in adults.\nWithin days of the Dec. 23 authorization, pediatrician Dr. Claudia Fox had prescribed the drug for one of her patients, a 12-year-old girl.\n“What it offers patients is the possibility of even having an almost normal body mass index,” said Fox, also a weight management specialist at the University of Minnesota. “It’s like a whole different level of improvement.”\nThe drug affects how the pathways between the brain and the gut regulate energy, said Dr. Justin Ryder, an obesity researcher at Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago.\n“It works on how your brain and stomach communicate with one another and helps you feel more full than you would be,” he said.\nStill, specific doses of semaglutide and other anti-obesity drugs have been hard to get because of recent shortages caused by manufacturing problems and high demand, spurred in part by celebrities on TikTok and other social media platforms boasting about enhanced weight loss.\nIn addition, many insurers won’t pay for the medication, which costs about $1,300 a month. “I sent the prescription yesterday,” Fox said. “I’m not holding my breath that insurance will cover it.”\nOne expert in pediatric obesity cautioned that while kids with obesity must be treated early and intensively, he worries that some doctors may turn too quickly to drugs or surgery.\n“It’s not that I’m against the medications,” said Dr. Robert Lustig, a longtime specialist in pediatric endocrinology at the University of California, San Francisco. “I’m against the willy-nilly use of those medications without addressing the cause of the problem.”\nLustig said children must be evaluated individually to understand all of the factors that contribute to obesity. He has long blamed too much sugar for the rise in obesity. He urges a sharp focus on diet, particularly ultraprocessed foods that are high in sugar and low in fiber.\nDr. Stephanie Byrne, a pediatrician at Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, said she’d like more research about the drug’s efficacy in a more diverse group of children and about potential long-term effects before she begins prescribing it regularly.\n“I would want to see it be used on a little more consistent basis,” she said. “And I would have to have that patient come in pretty frequently to be monitored.”\nAt the same time, she welcomed the group’s new emphasis on prompt, intensive treatment for obesity in kids.\n“I definitely think this is a realization that diet and exercise is not going to do it for a number of teens who are struggling with this – maybe the majority,” she said.\nAn insider’s guide to the UP200\nEntrepreneur in Residence Program launches at Innovate …\n8 Meth dealers sentenced from the Western Upper Peninsula","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1428367"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5255736112594604,"wiki_prob":0.47442638874053955,"text":"Biden-Harris Administration Announces $160 Million Available for Smart Transportation Technology – LATF USA\nThe U.S. Department of Transportation announced today that it is accepting applications for two programs that will make approximately $160 million available annually for the next five years for projects that use technology to improve our transportation infrastructure and make communities safer.\nThe first program is the new Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation (SMART) Grants Program. The SMART Grants Program is made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, signed by President Biden on November 15, 2021. The program will offer up to $100 million in grants annually over the next five years and will fund projects that use data and technology to solve real-world challenges facing communities today.\n“As we undertake the most ambitious infrastructure investment in generations, thanks to the President’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we can and must plan for the transportation needs of the future,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “From connected vehicles that make driving safer, to smart traffic signals that reduce congestion, to sensors to detect the quality of pavement to help prioritize repair, our SMART grants will fund technology that makes people’s lives better in communities across America.”\nThe SMART program will fund purpose-driven innovation and focus on building data and technology capacity and expertise. The Program seeks proposals from public sector entities that will carry out demonstration projects in the following domains to address key transportation priorities:\n“Achieving our transportation priorities related to safety, economic strength, equity, and climate requires bold investment in new technologies and approaches,” said Dr. Robert C. Hampshire, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology and Chief Science Officer at US DOT. “SMART supports a broad portfolio of projects across the country that will serve as beacons as we move toward a transportation system that is data-driven, values-based, and technology-enabled.\nThe second is the Federal Highway Administration’s $60 million Advanced Transportation Technology and Innovation (ATTAIN) program to promote advanced technologies to improve safety and reduce travel times for drivers and transit riders and that can serve as national examples. As a result of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, ATTAIN-eligible projects will be evaluated on how they consider climate change and environmental justice impacts – including how they reduce transportation-related air pollution and address the disproportionate impacts on disadvantaged communities. In addition, projects are evaluated on their economic impact and potential to create jobs.\nThe SMART Notice of Funding (NOFO) is open now and can be found at www.grants.gov Applications must be submitted by 5:00 PM EDT on Friday, November 18, 2022. Eligible entities are state, local, and tribal governments and agencies. For more information visit https://www.transportation.gov/grants/SMART.\n“No gossip, just news.” The latest stories in entertainment and lifestyle, with exclusive celebrity interviews.\nSwansea City headlines as Swans and Sunderland battle for coach and Wolves loanee makes promising pledge – Wales Online\nUAE's DMCC, ICA to host annual congress in 2023 – Gulf Business","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1403878"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5975942611694336,"wiki_prob":0.4024057388305664,"text":"Oct 14-15, 2019 Rome, Italy\nGlobal Meet on Stem Cell Research and Molecular Biology\n“New Trends and Technologies in Stem Cell Research and Molecular Biology ”\nBrochure Download Advertising Webinars\nCME CPD Accredited\nBriefly Know About This Event\nLONGDOM proffers our immense pleasure and honour in extending you a warm invitation to attend Euro Stem Cells 2019 It is focusing on Theme to \"New Trends and Technologies in Stem Cell Research & Molecular Biology\" Providing the right stage to present stimulating Keynote talks, Plenary sessions, Discussion Panels, B2B Meetings, Poster symposia, Video Presentations and Workshops.\nEuro Stem Cells 2019 is a platform to accomplish the prevailing gaps in the renovation of this multidisciplinary science of hope, to serve quickly with solutions to all in the need. Stem Cell Research will have an anticipated participation of 120+ delegates across the world to discuss the tenacity of the conference.\nDates: Oct 14-15, 2019\nVenue: Rome, Italy\nImportance & Scope:\nStem Cell Research determination involve modern researches and findings in Stem Cell Therapies and Research,Tissue Engineering and relocation, scope of regenerative medicine, modern understanding of nanotechnology in regenerative medicine of stem cells, and advancements in Tumour stem cells research, Tissue Engineering of Genome Impact in stem cell research.\nStem cells and Molecular Biology has developed as a new and most innovative field of life science in view of its potential clinical applications. Stem cell research plays an advanced role in regenerative medicine, which also extents the disciplines of tissue engineering, developmental cell biology, cellular therapeutics,Gene Therapy, Biomaterials (scaffolds and matrices), chemical biology and nanotechnology. Promoting stem cell research, regenerative medicine and advanced therapeutics more broadly is a priority for researchers.\nWe’re International event organizer and professionals and we love to connect with people and guide our every client across the globe. This will be a splendid feasibility for the researchers, delegates and the students from Universities and Institutes to interact with the world class Scientists, speakers, surgeons, Medical Practitioners and Industry Professionals.\nI am confident that myself as all attendees, will find it to be a perfect opportunity to enhance professional and scientific networking. We are experts in event management and Passionate Professionals for working in different sectors to interact and collaborate with CEO’s with a community of support, allow them to explore the latest strategies in their respective fields and also providing them with a platform. With my best wishes for a significant and successful conference.\n& Tracks\nWelcome Note\nScientific Tracks\nGenetics and stem cell biology\nCancer stem cells\nStem cell transplantation\nStem cell niche\nAdult stem cells\nEmbryonic stem cells\nOur Brilliant Speakers\nLONGDOM conferences speaker bureau map future challenges through ideation sessions by designing and validating new ideas with end users by placing right speakers in front of right audience at the right time.\nRosangela Alquieri Fedato Develis\nDr. Rosangela Alquieri Fedato Develis was born in Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil and is a graduate of Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná. Her residency was at Hospital de Clínicas, in the area of Orthopaedic Surgery, and she completed her training with fellowship in the same Hospital in Foot and Ankle Surgery. Dr. Fedato followed her academical life with his Master of Sciences in Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná, in the area of Tissue Repair and Regeneration, wich lead to the publication of the paper “Stem Cells and Platelet-Rich Plasma Enhance the Healing Process of Tendinitis in Mice”, published in Stem Cells International in June, 2019 (Article ID 1497898).\nClive Reginald Hayler\nClive Hayler has over 30 years’ experience in the pharmaceutical and life science industry. A first-class hons graduate in microbiology with postgraduate experience in the USA & Europe with BP Biotechnology, Filtration companies and SmithKline Beecham. He has won awards for Technical Innovation in the Cleanroom Industry. He has been the owner of 3 successful start-up pharma/ life sciences supply and advisory companies. Currently he works as a senior consultant to the pharmaceutical industry, UK National Health Service and NHSBT in ATMP strategy, design, operation and GMP compliance for stem cell therapy, regenerative medicine, tissue culture and bioprocessing. He is a qualified HACCP practitioner, (certified by the Royal Institute of Public Health), specialist in environmental monitoring and sterile product operations he is a Fellow of the Society of Environmental Engineers and FIOD.\nKeiichi Fukuda\nKeiichi Fukuda, Professor of the Department of Cardiology, Keio University, is pioneer of the cardiac regeneration field and has been at its cutting edge for the past 20 years. He has made several contributions to both the fundamental biology of the stem cells and how to regenerate cardiomyocytes and to transplant them into the in vivo heart. He first reported that bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells can be induced to differentiate into cardiomyocytes in vitro. He first developed a method to generate iPS cells from peripheral circulating T lymphocytes using Sendai virus containing Yamanaka factors. He found several factors such as noggin, Wnt and G-CSF, and applied them to induce cardiomyocytes. He also developed novel method to purify the cardiomyocytes by the difference of metabolic energy pathway. He is planning to examine the transplantation of iPS-derived regenerated cardiomyocytes to the patients with congestive heart failure. He published more than 300 top-ranked papers including Nature- and Cell-sister journals. He served as an associate editor of JMCC and JCF, and a consulting editor of Circulation Research. He also worked as editorial board members for more than 10 international journals.\nSoukaina El Massoudi\nSoukaina El Massoudi is a PhD student in the 3rd year under the theme \"Henna enhancement for cosmetic use\" at the Laboratory of Functional Ecology and Environment Faculty of Science and Technology Fez-Morocco, Holder of a Master's degree in Biodiversity Management and Conservation, Soukaina grew up in Fez the oldest Moroccan city, passionate about the environment and the preservation of natural resources.\nHye-Jeong Cho1\nLongdom\nGachon University Gil Medical Center, College of Medicine, Gachon University, Incheon 21565, Republic of Korea\nSrimanta Misra\nConsultant haematologist Hopital Saint Antoine Paris Formerly Consultant Haemaatologist Unid hospital of North Staffordshire Stoke on Trent UK Graduate in Pure Mathematics Special interest in hematology Autoimmunity\nCristina Mimma Ruggiero\nCristina Mimma Ruggiero holds a 1st-level degree in Biological Sciences at Sapienza University of Rome (Italy) and a 2nd-level degree Master’s Degree programme in Cellular and Molecular Biology and Biomedical Sciences at Tor Vergata University of Rome (Italy). She currently is a PhD student in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Tor Vergata University of Rome (Italy). Her predoc and ongoing PhD research in Gambacurta’s group is focused on epigenetic modifications during cancer cell differentiation. In the same time she has worked on Blood Derived Stem Cells (BDSCs) to treat different un-induced pathologies in horses, dogs and cats. She also has worked on the “Mission VITA” project and she believes that the results of this research will probably be very relevant for human health. In these two years spent in Gambacurta’s group she published two papers and she hope to submit the third paper in the next few months as a first author.\nGiulia Merlini\nGiulia Merlini holds 1st-level degree in Biomedical Laboratory Technician al Tor Vergata University of Rome (Italy). She currently is a student in 2nd-level degree Master’s Degree programme in Cellular and Molecular Biology and Biomedical Sciences student at Tor Vergata University of Rome (Italy). She tooks part in the project in the laboratory of Dr. Gambacurta to study the epigenetic and molecular mechanisms involved in human and animal stem cell differentiation. During her time in this laboratory, she works at how Blood Derived Stem Cells (BDSCs) are able to differentiate in bone. This work allowed her to participate in the \"Mission VITA\" project coordinated by the Italian Space Agency (ASI) in collaboration with NASA. In the frame of Mission VITA she studied the Space Osteoporosis, using BDSCs as osteogenic model. During this time spent in Dr. Gambacurta’s laboratory she published two papers.\nJun Xu\nJun Xu is a M.D. Ph.D. student in Fuwai Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College. She holds a Bachelor of Medicine degree from Wuhan University, China. As a student and doctor, Jun holds great passion in developing novel therapy for cardiovascular disease. Her recent works on the optimal strategy of MSC therapy in acute myocardial infarction has published on Stem Cells Translational Medicine. Currently, Jun has joined Dr.Li Qian’s lab in University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill as a joint Ph.D student and worked on the development of novel cardiac reprogramming method with CRISPR activation platform.\nAhmed Nour Eldine Abdallah\nAhmed is a veterinarian, researcher and stem cell biologist interested in stem cell biology fields, regenerative medicine applications, associated biotechnology, clinical and experimental tissue engineering, Regenerative neurology and neurosurgery (PhD), Regenerative orthopedics (MVSc) and general surgery practitioner with +8 years of experience in this field. He holds many international publications and won many local prizes and now he is the executive manager of the stem cell research lab at Animal Health Research Institute in Egypt. And his passion is decreasing the gap between basic research and clinical applications.\nJaroslav Michalek\nJaroslav Michalek, MD PhD, obtained his MD and PhD at the Masaryk University in Brno, Czech Republic. He is trained and board-certified in Clinical Oncology, Immunology, and Pediatrics with main research and clinical interest during last 20 years in stem cell therapies, regenerative medicine, anti-aging and cancer immunotherapy using minimally invasive, safe and effective treatment approaches. He holds a patent for isolation of stem cells from the adipose tissue and he is also an inventor of several new medical technologies related to cell therapies. Since 2011 he has served as the president of International Consortium for Cell Therapy and Immunotherapy (www.iccti.eu). He holds authorship of more than 150 scientific publications in reputed journals and books.\nFarid Menaa\nDr. Farid Menaa is an inter- and multi-disciplinary professional with worldwide reputation. He has three international post-doctoral terms in Oncology, Dermatology, and Hematology; MBA Entrepreneurship and MD candidate. During his ongoing career, he has mainly contributed to the identification and functions of new human disease-causing genes and variants, formulated natural products for anti-aging and developed innovative theranostic strategies against cancers, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, obesity and infectious diseases. He has more than 10 years’ experiences either in the academic, hospitals or industrial sectors. As Chief Scientific Officer and Vice-President R&D at Fluorotronics, Inc. he actively participated in the development of the disruptive “Carbon-Fluorine Spectroscopy”. Dr. Menaa collaborates with various organizations worldwide. He is a member of several prestigious medical and scientific organizations and editorial boards in the field of medicine, science, technology and business, including in the nano-segment. He has authored more than 100 articles including research and review articles, books, book chapters, textbooks, proceedings, and has participated to over 200 scientific international events including as co-organizer, keynote speaker, chairman. Dr. Menaa’s worldwide collaborations, holistic point of view and strong expertise in various fields led him to prevent, implement early diagnosis, and develop efficient and safer therapy.\nMohammed Adil S\nMohammed Adil is a post graduate in Drug Design and Biomedical Science. One of the RA/QA specialists in India who is instrumental in implementing regulatory and quality compliance process for a cord blood bank to secure the first public cord blood banking license. He has developed regulatory compliance strategies for implementing medical device and in-vitro diagnostic regulation and currently works as consultant for medical device manufacturers. Consulting in regulatory / quality Compliance for stem cell banking and medical devices for 10+ years, Adil has worked with number one cord blood bank in India and top 10 medical device manufacturers in the world assuming responsibilities as a quality / regulatory engineer, SME for DHF/TechFile remediation, technical lead for system verification and validation and computer system owner.\nGiovanni Camussi\nGiovanni Camussi MD, is Professor Emeritus, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Torino, Italy. He has been Research Associate Professor in Microbiology and Pathology at the University at Buffalo, State University of New York, USA, and subsequently Full Professor of Nephrology at the University of Naples, at the University of Pavia and finally at University of Torino. He has been President of Medical Biotechnology, Director PhD program in Medical Pathophysiology, Director of the Laboratory of Renal and Vascular Pathophysiology Research Center for Experimental Medicine and of the Renal Pathology Laboratory of the Department of Medical Sciences. He has been also Director of the Department of Internal Medicine at the University of Torino and Adjunct Professor of Medicine at the Department of Medicine, Brown University, RI, USA. He is currently Scientific Coordinator of research projects of the Renal/Liver Stem Cell Laboratory at the Molecular Biotechnology Center/ 2i3T Scarl, University of Torino. He has over 530 publications in PubMed-indexed journals (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=camussi+g), dealing with inflammatory mediators, renal immunopathology, neo-angiogenesis, transplantation, stem cell biology and extracellular vesicles.WEB of Sciences All Databases h-index:81.\nXiang Ma\nMr. Ma is a first-year anesthesiology doctoral student at the Shanxi Medical University. He received a bachelor’s degree in anesthesiology from Shanxi Medical University and a master’s degree in anesthesiology from Shanxi Medical University, China. During school years, He spent most of his time to do scientific research about the effect of Oligodendrocytes in spinal cord injury. In this study, he found APC-Cdh1 played an important role in the proliferation and activation of Oligodendrocytes following spinal cord injury, which may be valuable for the targeted therapy of spinal cord injury to some extent.\nAbdelmonem Awad Mustafa Hegazy\nDr. Abdelmonem A. Hegazy is currently working as Professor of Human Anatomy and Embryology Department in Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University (Egypt); as well as he is a Consultant of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Infertility. He is the former chairman of the Anatomy and Embryology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University (Egypt); and Professor in King Saud and Majmaah Universities (KSA) 2009-2013 and Misurata, Faculty of Medicine (Libya) 2000. He is the Editor-in-Chief of National and International Journals including Journal of Human Anatomy (USA); Zagazig University Medical Journal (ARE) & Women Health and Complications (UK). Dr. Hegazy is also a referee member of scientific research submitted for promotion of professors in Egyptian Universities. Dr. Hegazy participates in a Zagazig University academic, scientific, educational and professional development activities in the fields of medical sciences development, including basic and clinical research, policy implementation, design programs, set coursework plans, curricula, syllabi, scientific conference paneling, as well as designing and delivering a wide scope of continuous professional development programs, including training, strategic planning, research methodology, scientific thesis and dissertation writing; research proposal, medical ethics, organization’s behavior issues, all with emphasis on system and staff development. Dr. Hegazy is a member of Institutional Research Board (IRB) unit, Egyptian Medical Syndicate, Egyptian Society of Anatomy, and Postgraduate and Scientific Research Affairs Committee, Faculty of Medicine. His pool of academics consists of original research articles/books/book chapters in various national and international accredited publishing houses. Dr. Hegazy has plenty of scientific publications and projects with many citations. He has got many national and international honors and awards. Dr. Hegazy has been supervising post graduate students in their thesis works. Dr. Hegazy is the Executive Editor of the Zagazig University Medical Journal. He is also a well-known reviewer/referee/editorial board member in many national/international indexed journals.\nPravin D Potdar\nDr. Pravin D Potdar has completed his PhD from Tata Memorial Centre, Mumbai in 1991. Last 30 years, he has been working in the field of Cellular & Molecular Biology of Cancer. His present interest is in molecular profiling of cancer, cancer stem cells, understanding the mechanism of metastatic cancer, Circulating Tumor cells, personalized medicine immunotherapy of cancer and early biomarkers of cancer. Dr. Potdar is a recipient of National Cancer Institute, USA award and also holds Faculty position at M D Anderson Cancer Centre; Houston TX, USA. Dr. Potdar retired from Jaslok Hospital & Research Centre, Mumbai as a Head, Department of Molecular Medicine & Biology, after servicing there for 12years. Dr. Potdar had established Molecular Diagnostics & Stem cell Research Laboratory at Jaslok and carried out various research Programs in the field of Cancer Genetics & stem Cell Research. He has developed several innovated technologies which can help to diagnose and treat various cancers. Dr. Potdar also carried out extensive research in the field of stem cell research and developed several mesenchymal and hematopoietic cell lines from various normal and tumor tissues, adipose tissue, dental pulp cells, blood cells etc. So far, Dr. Potdar has published 81 papers in national & international journals. He holds position on Editorial Board of various international journals. Dr. Potdar was a Guest Editor for special issue on “ Circulating Tumor Cells” published by Journal of Cancer Metastasis & Treatment (JCMT), USA. Dr. Potdar’s name is included in Marquis “Who’s Who in World” Book 2012. Presently Dr. Potdar is a Faculty & Professor of Genetics and Stem Cell Biology at Dr. A.P J. Abdul Kalam Education & Research Centre, Mumbai. India as well as he holds the position of “Chairman” of their Ethics Committee of this Centre.\nJonathan Schwartz\nJonathan Schwartz has over 30 years doing international business consulting for emerging medical technologies and has been focused on stem cell technologies and regenerative medicine for the past six years. He currently is the Managing Director of the Regenerative Cellular Institute in the United States and does business consulting for several companies globally, including, Mystem, Bioquark, WinCell, StemCells21, IntellihealthPlus, Al Mediq, Glo PRP, WeHealPlus, and Arpwave. He has previously worked in many capacities with Spacelabs Medical, GE Healthcare, Intellicell Biosciences, Coloplast, and Smith and Nephew. He has degrees from Queens College, Almeda University and NYU Medical School.\nZodwa Dlamini\nProfessor Zodwa Dlamini is the Deputy Vice Chancellor; Research, Innovation & Engagements at Mangosuthu University of Technology and a Professor of Molecular and Functional Genomics. She was previously the Deputy Executive Dean at UNISA. She is also the current Vice-Chairperson of the South African Medical Research Council Board. She obtained her BSc and BSc.Hons. in Biochemistry from the University of the Western Cape, MSc from the University of Natal and PhD from the University of Natal. Her research interests include the “omics” technologies including the use of bioinformatics to provide unprecedented possibilities to identify the underlying molecular basis of cancer.\nTafesa Hailu\nDr. Tafesa Hailu is a veterinarian by profession and works with one of the government organisation in Ethiopia. He holds a BSc in veterinary medicine at Haramaya University. Tafesa has 3 years of drug quality and efficacy analysis. He has also been involved in fungal zoonotic Disease investigation in Ethiopia. Daniel grew up in one of the remote villages of Ethiopia and is passionate about controlling infectious diseases.\nGirmaye Kenasa\nGirmaye Kenasa Rundasa (PhD) is a Lecture and Director for Energy and Environment Research Center in Wollega University, Ethiopia. I hold BSc degree in Biology, MSc and PhD degree in Applied Microbiology. During my PhD study I used to do molecular experiments such as sequencing of Prokaryotic organisms in University of Georgia, USA. My PhD research dissertation was rated as “Excellent/A+”. I have been teaching High school Biology, Microbiology and Molecular Biology courses of BSc and MSc students for 17 years in home university and other Ethiopian Universities. I have been advising 13 MSc students from Microbial biotechnology, Food biotechnology and Agricultural microbiology, and Environmental Microbiology specializations.\nWhat Client's Say\nWe let our ground-breaking work and our amazing clients speak for us…… LONGDOM conferences\nPharmaceutical biotechnologist with a PhD in neuroscience, today I work in scientific communication as a medical writer. LONGDOM Conferences is giving me the opportunity of being in contact with amazing researchers and being part of high-level scientific events.\nDr. Simona Caporali\nI would like to thank you very much that you gave me a chance to participate in such great conference since all thing organized very well and I have a good new relation with new scientists from different countries. My university proud about my participation and especially it is as speaker. Thanks again.\nDr. Anita Sahu-Osen\nUniversity graduates all arrive with us buzzing from what they've done and wanting to see if the ideas they had and the approaches they took on can translate. LONGDOM conferences experience a close knit of networking and career guidance that's so valuable to us\nDr. Duygu Selcuklu\nLONGDOM conferences are a great place to make new contacts, source new products and do some research. I’ve brought my team with me and we all get something from it. You can achieve a lot in three days here.\nDr. Aoife Kiely\nGenetically encoded sensor isolates hidden leukemic stem cells\nResearchers have devised a novel biosensor that can isolate and target leukemic stem cells. It can provide a prototype for precision oncology efforts to target patient-specific cells to fight the deadly disease.\nSquishing blood stem cells could facilitate harvest for transplants\nHow deformable cells are, and thus how stiff or squishy they are, plays an important role in retaining blood-forming stem cells in their marrow niches and thus preserving their long-term repopulation capabilities.\nTissue engineering: Hydrogel for enhanced cell encapsulation and delivery\nCellulose nanofibers (CNF) hydrogel has great potential as a cell-encapsulation delivery carrier for sustained release of paracrine factors and for tissue regeneration, with unique versatility for injection, scaffolding, and 3D bioprinting.\nBiologists find a way to boost intestinal stem cell populations\nBiologists have found that aging takes a toll on intestinal stem cells and may contribute to increased susceptibility to disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. The researchers could also reverse this effect in aged mice by treating them with an NAD prec\nNew gene essential for making ears of corn\nNew research extends the growing biological understanding of how different parts of corn plants develop, which is important information for a crop that is a mainstay of the global food supply.\nA step toward recovering reproduction in girls who survive childhood cancer\nLeukemia treatments often leave girls infertile, but a procedure developed by researchers working with mice is a step toward restoring their ability to be biological mothers.\nMutation stands in the way of healthy blood cell maturation\nIn a new study, researchers have learned how a specific genetic mutation affects the maturation of blood cells in mouse models. Leukemia patients often have a mutation in this gene, often seen before the disease sets in. The researchers are working on a s\nDiscovery of 'kingpin' stem cell may help in the understanding of cancerous tumors\nBhatia's team spent more than six years delving down to the cellular level to examine what they say are previously overlooked cells that form on the edges of pluripotent stem cell colonies. Having characterized these cells, the team also observed them for\nScientists 'reverse engineer' brain cancer cells to find new targets for treatment\nlioblastoma is one of the most devastating forms of cancer, with few existing treatment options. It is also a leading cause of cancer-related death in children and young adults. Scientists have 'reverse engineered' brain cancer stem cells gene by gene, un\nFactors behind embryonic stem cell state\nAn international collaboration has found for the first time that two new epigenetic regulators, TAF5L and TAF6L, maintain self-renewal of embryonic stem cells. The scientists also found that these proteins activate c-Myc (a well-known cancer gene), and it\nA light-activated remote control for cells\nWhat if doctors had a remote control that they could use to steer a patient's own cells to a wound to speed up the healing process? Although such a device is still far from reality, researchers have taken an important first step: They used near-infrared l\nWelding with stem cells for next-generation surgical glues\nScientists have invented a new technology that could lead to the development of a new generation of smart surgical glues and dressings for chronic wounds. The new method involves re-engineering the membranes of stem cells to effectively 'weld' the cells t\nStem cells from hair follicles have potential to repair damaged neurons in mice\nA subset of the stem cells in hair follicles have the potential to regenerate the coating that insulates neurons in mice, report scientists.\nBlood cancer's Achilles' heel opens door for new treatments\nNew findings about an aggressive form of leukemia could aid the development of novel drugs to treat the condition.\nPluripotency or differentiation? That is the question\nInduced pluripotent stem cells can turn into any type of cell in the body or remain in their original form. In a new study, scientists describe how cells 'decide' which of these two directions to take\nPigment-producing stem cells can regenerate vital part of nervous system\nNeurodegenerative diseases like multiple sclerosis (MS) affect millions of people worldwide and occur when parts of the nervous system lose function over time. Researchers have discovered that a type of skin-related stem cell could be used to help regener\nStem cells provide information about neuron resilience in ALS\nResearchers have developed a stem cell based model in order to study the resilience and vulnerability of neurons in the neurodegenerative disease ALS. The results can aid in the identification of new genetic targets for treatments protecting sensitive neu\nStem cells make more 'cargo' packets to carry cellular aging therapies\nScientists report that adult cells reprogrammed to become primitive stem cells, called induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), make tiny 'cargo packets' able to deliver potentially restorative or repairing proteins, antibodies or other therapies to aged c\nPrince Charming's kiss unlocking brain's regenerative potential?\nResearchers find that 'waves' of Hes1 and Ascl1 gene expression control the quiescent and active state of adult neural stem cells. Hes1 expression promotes quiescence and suppresses Ascl1, and knocking out Hes1 increases Ascl1 expression and subsequent ad\nEarly in vitro testing for adverse effects on embryos\nResearchers have combined embryonic cells and liver cells in a new cell culture test. This combination lets them detect adverse effects that new medications may have on embryos early on in the drug development process.\nA new way to wind the development clock of cardiac muscle cells\nA study published in the journal Stem Cells describes a new and unexpected way to accelerate the maturation of induced pluripotent stem cells into cardiac muscle cells.\nCancer drugs promote stem cell properties of colorectal cancer\nScientists have now discovered that a certain group of cancer drugs (MEK Inhibitors) activates the cancer-promoting Wnt signalling pathway in colorectal cancer cells. This can lead to the accumulation of tumor cells with stem cell characteristics that are\nCancer cells are quick-change artists adapting to their environment\nNew research shows that cancer cells of glioblastomas -- conspicuously aggressive solid brain tumors -- manifest developmental plasticity and their phenotypic characteristics are less constrained than believed.\nStem cell study determines most harmful vape liquids\nA novel approach reveals vaping's effect on endothelial cells and the most harmful flavors.\nIntranasal stem cell therapy restores smell in mice\nA stem cell therapy delivered into the nose can restore the sense of smell in a mouse model of olfactory loss. The findings provide proof of principle for an approach that has the potential to be of broad utility for a range of clinical conditions causing\nNew genetic weapons challenge sickle cell disease\nResearchers advancing gene-editing techniques to help patients with sickle cell disease discover an unexpected boost in fetal hemoglobin production, which mutes the effect of the disease.\nImproved human brain organoids to boost neurological disease research\nResearch has optimized the process of making human brain 'organoids' -- miniature 3D organ models -- so they consistently follow growth patterns observed in the developing human brain. Researchers can use this reproducible experimental system to test drug\nResearch sheds new light on how brain stem cells are activated\nScientists have found that neural stem cells use molecules that form a complex called STRIPAK to 'wake up' and produce new neurons (nerve cells) and surrounding glial cells in the brain.\nIntroduced a new paradigm of cell transplantation with scaffold microrobots\nScientists developed a microrobot that can precisely transplant stem cells in various in vivo and vitro environments. Expects to improve the efficiency of treating degenerative neural disorders such as Alzheimer by accurately and safely delivering to a desired location.\nTapping into the way cells communicate\nFor the first time, scientists can record cells communicating in real time, opening the floodgates for new developments in cell therapy and other areas within cell biology.\nScientists developing way to help premature babies breathe easier\nResearchers suggest a possible cell-based therapy to stimulate lung development in fragile premature infants who suffer from a rare condition called Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD), which in the most severe cases can lead to lifelong breathing problems and even death. Scientists studied genetic signatures in donated human neonatal lungs by using single-cell RNA sequencing analysis and mouse models of BPD.\nFunctional hair follicles grown from stem cells\nScientists have created natural-looking hair that grows through the skin using human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), a major scientific achievement that could revolutionize the hair growth industry.\nGrowing embryonic tissues on a chip\nResearchers have developed a method to stimulate human stem cells to organize themselves into ordered layers of different cell types. The method is based on microfluidics and can help better understand how tissues are formed in the embryo, setting the stage for fabricating functional tissues and organs for drug testing and transplantation.\nWorld first: Homing instinct applied to stem cells show cells 'home' to cardiac tissue\nIn a world first, scientists have found a new way to direct stem cells to heart tissue. The findings could radically improve the treatment for cardiovascular disease, which causes more than a quarter of all deaths in the UK (1).\nRepair of aged tissue can be enhanced by inhibiting signals from neighboring cells\nResearchers have discovered how regenerative capacity of intestinal epithelium declines when we age. Targeting of an enzyme that inhibits stem cell maintaining signaling rejuvenates the regenerative potential of an aged intestine. This finding may open ways to alleviate age-related gastrointestinal problems, reduce side-effects of cancer treatments, and reduce healthcare costs in the ageing society by promoting recovery.\nMaking cancer stem cells visible to the immune system\nLeukemia stem cells protect themselves against the immune defense by suppressing a target molecule for killer cells. This protective mechanism can be tricked with drugs. Scientists now describe a new therapeutic approaches that can possibly be derived from these results.\nResearchers explain muscle loss with menopause\nNew research has shown that estrogen is essential to maintaining muscle stem cell health.\nLiver transplants could be redundant with discovery of new liver cell\nResearchers have used single cell RNA sequencing to identify a type of cell that may be able to regenerate liver tissue, treating liver failure without the need for transplants.\nUncovering secrets of bone marrow cells and how they differentiate\nResearchers mapped distinct bone marrow niche populations and their differentiation paths for the bone marrow factory that starts from mesenchymal stromal cells and ends with three types of cells -- fat cells, bone-making cells and cartilage-making cells. Respectively, those cells are called adipocytes, osteoblasts and chondrocytes. This non-hematopoietic cell system is distinct from another production line in the bone marrow -- the hematopoietic system -- that makes red blood cells, blood-clotting cells and cells of the immune system.\nResearchers make immunotherapy work for treatment-resistant lymphoma\nResearchers have developed a way to use immunotherapy drugs against treatment-resistant non-Hodgkin's lymphomas for the first time by combining them with stem cell transplantation, an approach that also dramatically increased the success of the drugs in melanoma and lung cancer.\nA new method of tooth repair? Scientists uncover mechanisms to inform future treatment\nStem cells hold the key to wound healing, as they develop into specialized cell types throughout the body -- including in teeth. Now an international team of researchers has found a mechanism that could offer a potential novel solution to tooth repair.\nMini kidneys grown from stem cells give new insights into kidney disease and therapies\nMedical researchers have grown 'miniature kidneys' in the laboratory that could be used to better understand how kidney diseases develop in individual patients. These kidney organoids were grown outside the body from skin cells derived from a single patient who has polycystic kidney disease. This method has paved the way for tailoring treatment plans specific to each patient, which could be extended to a range of kidney diseases.\nCertain metabolites linked to stem cell function in the intestine\nResearchers have found that high levels of ketone bodies, molecules produced by the breakdown of fat, help the intestine to maintain a functional stem cell pool, which are crucial for intestinal regeneration.\nResearchers engineer antibodies that unlock body's regenerative potential\nOur body makes antibodies to fight infections. But the synthetic versions of these molecules could hold the key to stimulating the body's ability to regenerate.\nAddition of growth factors to unique system helps new bone formation\nThe development of new bone can be a multistep process: first, stem cells differentiate into cartilage cells. Next, the cartilage cells become bone cells. But that's not all: the cells must experience some mechanical stresses during the transformation in order to transform efficiently from stem cells to bone cells.\nAbnormal expression of genes in psychopathy\nThe expression of many genes that have previously been associated with autism is abnormal also in violent psychopathy, a new study shows. The researchers used stem cell technology to analyse the expression of genes and proteins in the brain cells of psychopathic violent offenders.\nInfant with deadly leukemia saved by drug for adult liver cancer\nDoctors have successfully treated an infant with a rare childhood leukemia using a targeted therapy approved for adults with inoperable liver cancer and advanced kidney cancer. The decision to use the drug, sorafenib, was made after pathologists identified a unique mutation of two genes being fused together instead of on separate chromosomes.\nStem cell researchers reactivate 'back-up genes' in the lab\nScientists have unraveled parts of a mechanism that may one day help to treat Rett syndrome and other genetic disorders linked to the X chromosome.\nAlzheimer's disease risk gene APOE4 impairs function of brain immune cells\nA study carried out with a new human stem cell-derived model reveals that the most prevalent genetic risk factor of Alzheimer's disease (AD), apolipoprotein E4 (APOE4), impairs the function of human brain immune cells, microglia. These findings pave the way for new, effective treatment approaches for AD.\nGene editing enables researchers to correct mutation in muscle stem cells in DMD model\nDuchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a rare but devastating genetic disorder that causes muscle loss and physical impairments. Researchers have shown in a mouse study that the powerful gene editing technique known as CRISPR may provide the means for lifelong correction of the genetic mutation responsible for the disorder.\nSuntanner, heal thyself: Exosome therapy may enable better repair of sun, age-damaged skin\nIn a proof-of-concept study, researchers have shown that exosomes harvested from human skin cells are more effective at repairing sun-damaged skin cells in mice than popular retinol or stem cell-based treatments currently in use. Additionally, the nanometer-sized exosomes can be delivered to the target cells via needle-free injections.\nEngineered killer T cells could provide long-lasting immunity against cancer\nIn experiments with mice, researchers have shown they can harness the power of iNKT cells to attack tumor cells and treat cancer. The new method suppressed the growth of multiple types of human tumors that had been transplanted into the animals.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line475626"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9216555953025818,"wiki_prob":0.9216555953025818,"text":"Mukhtaṣar Kitāb al-Buldān by Ibn al-Faqīh al-Hamadhānī\nMuktasar kitab al-buldan / talif Abi Bakr Ahmad Ibn Muhammad al-Hamadani al-maruf bi-Ibn al-Faqih. M.J. de Goeje’s Classic Edition (1885) with Index and Glossary\nBibliotheca Geographorum Arabicorum, Volume: 1-5\nM.J. de Goeje\nIbn al-Faqīh was the Iranian author of a Geography in Arabic entitled Kitāb al-buldan written around the year 903. The original work is lost, but the abridged version, possibly composed around 1022, has survived in a handful of manuscripts. Only three manuscripts were known during De Goeje’s life and he used them all for his edition, which was originally published in 1885. Its introduction includes a summary of Ibn Faqīh’s life on the basis of the classical sources by De Goeje. Ibn al-Faqīh’s Kitāb al-buldan offers geographical and historical details not found in other sources, and it was in itself an important source for later works, for example by Muqaddasī and Yāqūt.\nLogin via Institution\nPrices from (excl. shipping):\nView PDF Flyer\nAll interested in Middle Eastern History\nhttps://brill.com/abstract/title/24572\niv, 438 pp.\nMiddle East and Islamic Studies\nAḥsan al-taqāsīm fī maʿrifat al-aqālīm by al-Muqaddasī\nKitāb Ṣūrat al-arḍ by Abū l-Qāsim Ibn Ḥawqal\nKitāb al-Masālik wa l-mamālik by Abū Isḥāq al-Iṣṭakhrī","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line828507"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5097136497497559,"wiki_prob":0.49028635025024414,"text":"The first thing that comes to mind when you think about Switzerland is its natural beauty, high mountains, skiing resorts, chocolate, and Swiss Cheese along with Swiss banks. Due to the Swiss Banking system’s secrecy and privacy, the world’s top politicians, business people, moneylenders, drug lords, and criminals keep their billions of dollars in the Swiss banks. Until 2021 total amount of deposit money at Swiss banks was more than 2 trillion Swiss Franc (2.25 trillion CHF), where foreign clients held 1.5 trillion Swiss Franc. In 2021, Swiss Banks Bangladeshi clients’ money totaled 871.1 million Swiss Franc or BDT 8,265 core, which was about BDT 5,333 core in 2020. Due to the highest level of security and privacy provided by Swiss banks, people love to deposit their both legal and illegal money in those banks.\nPeople love to deposit both legal and illegal money in those Swiss banks because of their highest level of security and privacy.\nWhat is the Swiss Bank?\nThe Swiss bank does not identify any specific bank, rather it is a collection of more than 240 banks in Switzerland that are considered as Swiss banks. Switzerland’s banking system was established around the 16th century. In 1713, the “Grand Council of Geneva” decided not to disclose their financial information for their upper class citizens. Swiss banks started giving them this facility when kings and queens, lords and ladies along with top business personalities were looking for a safe place to store their money, gold, and other precious jewels. Later at the beginning of the 18th century, several bankers from France, which was closely associated country of the Grand Council of Geneva, started living in Switzerland. As Switzerland and Germany are neighboring countries, in 1865, a Swiss credit bank was established in Switzerland, where half of the total funding capital was financed from Germany. In 1912, the first banking association in Switzerland, the Swiss bankers association, or SBA, was founded.\nPrivateness, political stability, and economic consensus are the pillars of the Swiss banking system. However, during the great depression in the 1930s, two Swiss bankers leaked their client’s bank account information. As a result, under French and German pressure in 1934, the Swiss Banking Act was enacted in Switzerland to prevent such things from happening again. However today, to supervise all types of banking activities in Switzerland, three organizations: the Federal Office of Private Insurance (FOPI), the Swiss Federal Banking Commission (SFBC), and the Anti-Money Laundering Control Authority were merged, and the Financial Market Supervisory Authority or FINMA was formed. Apart from the legalization of financial markets and operating the market’s general function, FINMA’s primary objective is to protect creditors, investors, and insurance holders.\nTotal of 240+ banks in Switzerland are considered Swiss banks.\nSwiss Bank’s Secrecy & Privacy\nAccording to article 47 of the Swiss banking act, without the client’s consent, no Swiss bank or its officials can disclose any banking information of their client to any country’s government or tax authorities. If any bankers violate this rule, he/she will be imprisoned for five years. Furthermore, it is also mentioned in the article that, if any criminal activities are confirmed against a client and his/her direct involvement in the crime can be proven, the client’s banking information will be eligible for sharing.\nHowever, in 2014, a contract was signed under the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development or OECD by a total of 50 countries along with Switzerland, where under the terms, countries can share the financial information of their respective taxpayers with the government or tax authorities. Even after that, from the very beginning to now, Swiss banks maintain the tradition of keeping account holders’ information totally private and secure. Because of its strict privacy maintenance procedure, Swiss banks have become a go-to place for many tax frauds, money launderers, and wealthy people worldwide to keep their assets as they don’t want to reveal their amount of assets and their source. In the last 100 years, many tried to sabotage the secrecy of the Swiss banks. But none of them were successful which is evident from the popularity of Swiss banks.\nThe rules for opening an account in Swiss banks are the same as opening an account in any other bank. However, there are a few documents that must be submitted for opening an international resident account like passport, address verification, deposit amount source, and client beneficiary identification etc. However, to open an account in a Swiss bank, the client must be over 18 years old and physically present at the bank. Before opening an account, the bank authority verifies these documents, and if any record or financial transaction turns out to be illegal, then the bank authority cancels the application.\nRequirements for opening international resident’s account\nMostly, the applications to open accounts for politicians, drug lords, or wealthy individuals to deposit their ill-gotten gains have the biggest cancellation rate. But still, these individuals use their power to create shell corporations and entities, forge transaction histories through them, open bank accounts in Switzerland against illegal funds and assets, and keep their money there for years. Several banks in Switzerland provide numbered accounts to their account holders. In the case of such statements, the real identity of the account holder is kept secret by allocating a multi-digit number and providing a code name like Cardinal, Octopussy, and Cello as a supplement to that number which is restricted only to the client and selected banking officials. Swiss bank account holders don’t use Swiss bank checks, debit or credit cards for regular transactions because they fear losing their privacy.\nSwiss bank account holders don’t use checks, debit, or credit cards because of their privacy purpose.\nThe real identity of the account holder is kept secret by allocating a multi-digit number and providing a code name like Cardinal, Octopussy, and Cello as a supplement to that number\nMoreover, to maintain the secrecy and security of account holders’ deposited assets, Swiss Bank vaults and bunkers are kept at various secret locations. According to Swiss Defense Department estimates, 6 out of 10 military bunkers were available for sale in the 1980s, which were bought by some Swiss bank back then. Also, several Swiss bank vaults are made by cutting mountains under the Swiss Alps.\nAccording to Bloomberg, the main chamber of the vault has to be passed through highly skilled security guards and two levels of defense gates. There, the 3.5-tonne metal vault door can be opened only after an authorized bank official inputs a secret code on the security screen of the vault door and completes an iris scan and facial recognition. Because of this high-end security, wealthy individuals and business people from different countries feel confident about keeping their money and other valuables in Swiss banks.\nBesides protecting client privacy, Swiss banks provide investment-related advice and wealth management services to their depositors.\nIn addition, Swiss banks also provide consultation services to general customers on various issues, like current and savings accounts, mortgages, loans, pensions, insurance management, and digital banking. However, the amount of return on investment against depositing money in Swiss banks is much lower than in other countries. According to the central bank in September 2022, the policy rate of Switzerland is -0.25 percent. However, Switzerland’s economy is relatively stable and robust. Even in this ongoing global inflation, the country’s economy and currency stand firm where the per dollar is exchanging at 0.95 Swiss Franc. That means the Swiss Franc is stronger than the US Dollar.\nAccording to Bloomberg, Switzerland’s inflation rate hit a four-decade high of 3.4 percent because of the Russia and Ukraine war in 2022. In comparison, the USA’s inflation rate over the same period exceeded 9 percent. However, according to the Swiss central bank’s June forecast, the country’s inflation rate will fall to 1.9 percent in 2023 and 1.6 percent in 2024. Therefore, Switzerland’s economy is in a very stable position despite various adverse economic conditions. Therefore, there is a low possibility of a liquidity crisis in the country. A strong economy also ensures that money does not decline in value much, even if it is deposited in a bank.\nIn fact, in 2000, if someone had deposited $1 million in Swiss francs in a Swiss bank, the value of that money would have increased to about $1.8 million dollars today. Because of such economic stability, privacy, and security, the world’s rich, wealthy and unscrupulous feel comfortable storing money and assets in Swiss banks.\nIn 2000, If someone had deposited $1 million in Swiss francs in a Swiss bank, the value of that money would have increased to about $1.8 million dollars today.\nWhy American Express (AMEX) is So Popular and Successful?\nWhy Amazon is So Successful and Popular?\nWhy is PlayStation More Popular Than Xbox or Nintendo?","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1135478"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6636236906051636,"wiki_prob":0.6636236906051636,"text":"Lost Ember is a game that fizzles and dies before ever bursting into flame\nBy Matthew Smail On Jan 22, 2020 3\nLost Ember has all the hallmarks of a critical darling — and you only need to look at its Metacritic and Steam ratings for confirmation. Unfortunately, for me, it was yet another walking simulator with a twist.\nYes, I’m sorry to preempt my own conclusion somewhat, but the reality is that no matter how it is dressed up — whether as a psychological horror, or against the backdrop of an electropunk alternative universe — wandering along a linear path watching a story unfold is beginning to wear thin on me.\nWhere Lost Ember is concerned, the player takes control of a wolf that was formerly a member of the Yanrana, a race of fictional Mesoamerican-esque native people who believe that their souls ascend to The City of Light upon death. For some reason, our wolf has been denied access to this promised land, and is instead forced to wander the land watching the story of their life unfold whilst a second spirit — also chained to the mortal realm — narrates for them.\nAside from the fact that players control a wolf for most of Lost Ember, the game introduces a further unique element in that the player can possess other animals that they encounter. Some of these animals have unique abilities such as flight, or the ability to crawl into small spaces or dig beneath walls. These abilities are generally the only form of puzzle in the game, and the player will begin to recognise the presence of certain animals and associate them with a particular kind of exploration.\nThe aim of Lost Ember is purely narrative. There are no enemies to fight, no bosses to defeat and no proper challenges to solve. Instead, the game draws players in through the extremely high standard of voice acting and the generally intriguing story. I won’t provide any spoilers here, but this is a tale of twists, turns, betrayals and tragedy, as well as undertones of rebellion and revenge.\nMost of the cutscenes (of which there are many) are signposted by red smoke that billows out across the expansive levels. One of the reasons why I get a Mesoamerican vibe from the Yanrama is because the game feels very much as though it is set in the breathtaking mountainous regions of South America, and the crumbling architecture is often square and highly symmetrical in nature.\nThere is certainly some merit in exploring the world of Lost Ember both because of where it is set and because you’ll do so from the perspective of a handful of different animals, but ultimately the experience is largely as linear as any other game in this genre. Where it does allow players the freedom to explore – when playing as a bird, for example — it often rewards with largely pointless collectables and a good degree of disorientation, so I was generally happier to find my way back to one of the more obvious paths.\nOf course, much of what games like Lost Ember offer is in the actual journey, and I find the experience of hopping from one animal to another quite mixed. As the wolf, our heroine moves beautifully, flowing gracefully through deep grass and up steep hillsides with ease, but when the jump button is pressed, a clunky and unnatural animation takes over, and the poor collision detection and lack of physics betray that this is not an action game or a platformer.\nPick another animal and you’ll usually find something to smile about. Ducks, for example, are easy to fly with lots of manoeuvrability, but can’t really gain height once they have taken off. Ducklings, on the other hand, can barely fly at all. A hummingbird can zip around extremely rapidly and can hover at any height but makes for quite a jarring method of flight.\nSome of the ground-based mammals (which I can’t easily identify) have little abilities that the game actually calls “Silly Things” that activate when the D-Pad is pressed. These include features like eating fruits, or lying down for a snooze. One of these creatures can roll up into a ball and speed down hills, whilst another can dig beneath loose stone walls to knock them down — or simply dig for underground mushrooms.\nPlaying around with these animals is always mildly entertaining, but for me, it was never more than that. The visuals in Lost Ember are decent but more stylish than they are detailed, so whilst others might use words like “cute” to describe them, I simply didn’t feel that level of affection for anything in the game. With that in mind, I played with the simple intention of getting to the next cut scene most of the time.\nAs I mentioned earlier, these cutscenes are very well done and the voice acting, in particular, is superb. Each one is played out by ghost-like characters that represent people from the distant past, and the game achieves a lovely juxtaposition of the animals and natural things that exist in the now, compared with the human ghosts and their technologies – now long since destroyed — of the past.\nUltimately, when the game ended, I felt satisfied with the narrative outcome and relieved that the actual gameplay had reached an end. I’m not saying that I didn’t enjoy the overall experience of Lost Ember, but I would say that I felt that the unique aspects of the game had run their course, and that I was ready to move onto the next, perhaps more exhilarating game.\nIf you’re a big animal fan and you like walking simulators, then Lost Ember might certainly be worth a look. It certainly has a strong narrative and some great voiceovers that easily match the best in the business. What it lacks is a sense of fear, or wonder or anything else that is truly emotive.\nYes, the story tugs at the heartstrings and is certainly interesting, and there’s no doubt that the gameplay is unique in the genre, but are those things enough to raise Lost Ember above mediocrity? If so, I’d say only just, and only if this is a genre that you’re really interested in.\nPurchase Lost Ember on Humble Bundle.\nYou can find Lost Ember on PS4, Xbox One and Steam.\nLost EmberMooneye StudiosPCPS4Xbox One\nMatthew Smail 514 posts 47 comments\nMatt is B3's resident Head of Board Games. As a life-long fan of all things gaming he'll also occasionally be found covering video games with the team,\nElizabeth L Burner says 3 years ago\n“There are no enemies to fight.”\nSenior citizen and animal lover checking in here.\nI don’t want to have enemies to fight; I’ve seen enough war and violence in my life.\nIt is hard to find games that are appropriate and entertaining (you can tell by my statement above what I feel is appropriate) for children through their grandparents; Lost Ember is one of them.\nWe are a niche clientele but we are out there; we are retired; we still game.\nDann Sullivan says 3 years ago\nI think that there’s been an increasing want for passive/exploration-based games as time goes on. I know that I like the control-over-pace that we’re given in games which aren’t continually pushing us from encounter to encounter. Have you played Sky: Children of the Light on mobile? It hits all of the notes of Journey but has a lot more depth and scale.\nAnonymous says 3 years ago\nI have not, thank you, I will!","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line41742"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6218090653419495,"wiki_prob":0.6218090653419495,"text":"Justia Patents Particular Communication Authentication TechniqueUS Patent for Transport layer security session man-in-the-middle attack prevention Patent (Patent # 11,381,595)\nTransport layer security session man-in-the-middle attack prevention\nNov 9, 2018 - IBM\nPreventing Transport Layer Security session man-in-the-middle attacks is provided. A first security digest generated by an endpoint device is compared with a second security digest received from a peer device. It is determined whether a match exists between the first security digest and the second security digest based on the comparison. In response to determining that a match does not exist between the first security digest and the second security digest, a man-in-the-middle attack is detected and a network connection for a Transport Layer Security session is terminated with the peer device.\nLatest IBM Patents:\nEMS assisted fault handling in virtual network function components\nReduction of drain leakage in nanosheet device\nChat interaction with multiple virtual assistants at the same time\nDetermining peripheral device position relative to a primary display\nSetting timers based on processing of group communications using natural language processing\nBACKGROUND 1. Field\nThe disclosure relates generally to network security and more specifically to preventing Transport Layer Security session man-in-the-middle attacks between data processing devices connected to a network.\nIn network security, a man-in-the-middle attack is where an attacker secretly intercepts, relays, and possibly alters data, such as messages or transactions, between two network devices. For example, the man-in-the-middle attacker makes independent connections with both network devices and relays data between them, making the devices believe that they are directly communicating with one another over the network connection. Thus, the attacker is able to intercept, read, and then pass data between the two devices. In addition, the attacker may alter intercepted data and possibly inject new data. However, a man-in-the-middle attack can only succeed when the attacker remains undetected by impersonating each endpoint to their satisfaction.\nAccording to one illustrative embodiment, method for preventing Transport Layer Security session man-in-the-middle attacks is provided. A first security digest generated by an endpoint device is compared with a second security digest received from a peer device. It is determined whether a match exists between the first security digest and the second security digest based on the comparison. In response to determining that a match does not exist between the first security digest and the second security digest, a man-in-the-middle attack is detected and a network connection for a Transport Layer Security session is terminated with the peer device. According to other illustrative embodiments, a computer system and computer program product for preventing Transport Layer Security session man-in-the-middle attacks are provided.\nFIG. 1 is a pictorial representation of a network of data processing systems in which illustrative embodiments may be implemented;\nFIG. 2 is a diagram of a data processing system in which illustrative embodiments may be implemented;\nFIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a Transport Layer Security session man-in-the-middle attack detection system in accordance with an illustrative embodiment;\nFIGS. 4A-4B are a flowchart illustrating a process for a Transport Layer Security session endpoint device in accordance with an illustrative embodiment; and\nFIGS. 5A-5B are a flowchart illustrating a process for a Transport Layer Security session peer device in accordance with an illustrative embodiment.\nThe present invention may be a system, a method, and/or a computer program product at any possible technical detail level of integration. The computer program product may include a computer readable storage medium (or media) having computer readable program instructions thereon for causing a processor to carry out aspects of the present invention.\nThe computer readable storage medium can be a tangible device that can retain and store instructions for use by an instruction execution device. The computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but is not limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device, an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, a semiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of the computer readable storage medium includes the following: a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), a static random access memory (SRAM), a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD), a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such as punch-cards or raised structures in a groove having instructions recorded thereon, and any suitable combination of the foregoing. A computer readable storage medium, as used herein, is not to be construed as being transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freely propagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagating through a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g., light pulses passing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical signals transmitted through a wire.\nComputer readable program instructions described herein can be downloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a computer readable storage medium or to an external computer or external storage device via a network, for example, the Internet, a local area network, a wide area network and/or a wireless network. The network may comprise copper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers, wireless transmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and/or edge servers. A network adapter card or network interface in each computing/processing device receives computer readable program instructions from the network and forwards the computer readable program instructions for storage in a computer readable storage medium within the respective computing/processing device.\nComputer readable program instructions for carrying out operations of the present invention may be assembler instructions, instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions, machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, state-setting data, configuration data for integrated circuitry, or either source code or object code written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including an object oriented programming language such as Smalltalk, C++, or the like, and procedural programming languages, such as the “C” programming language or similar programming languages. The computer readable program instructions may execute entirely on the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider). In some embodiments, electronic circuitry including, for example, programmable logic circuitry, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), or programmable logic arrays (PLA) may execute the computer readable program instructions by utilizing state information of the computer readable program instructions to personalize the electronic circuitry, in order to perform aspects of the present invention.\nAspects of the present invention are described herein with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of the invention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer readable program instructions.\nThese computer readable program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. These computer readable program instructions may also be stored in a computer readable storage medium that can direct a computer, a programmable data processing apparatus, and/or other devices to function in a particular manner, such that the computer readable storage medium having instructions stored therein comprises an article of manufacture including instructions which implement aspects of the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.\nThe computer readable program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other device to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus or other device to produce a computer implemented process, such that the instructions which execute on the computer, other programmable apparatus, or other device implement the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.\nThe flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods, and computer program products according to various embodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of instructions, which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). In some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the blocks may occur out of the order noted in the Figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions or acts or carry out combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.\nWith reference now to the figures, and in particular, with reference to FIGS. 1-3, diagrams of data processing environments are provided in which illustrative embodiments may be implemented. It should be appreciated that FIGS. 1-3 are only meant as examples and are not intended to assert or imply any limitation with regard to the environments in which different embodiments may be implemented. Many modifications to the depicted environments may be made.\nFIG. 1 depicts a pictorial representation of a network of data processing systems in which illustrative embodiments may be implemented. Network data processing system 100 is a network of computers, data processing systems, and other devices in which the illustrative embodiments may be implemented. Network data processing system 100 contains network 102, which is the medium used to provide communications links between the computers, data processing systems, and other devices connected together within network data processing system 100. Network 102 may include connections, such as, for example, wire communication links, wireless communication links, and fiber optic cables.\nIn the depicted example, server 104 and server 106 connect to network 102, along with storage 108. Server 104 and server 106 may be, for example, server computers with high-speed connections to network 102. In addition, server 104 and server 106 may provide one or more services, such as, for example, e-commerce services, financial services, banking services, governmental services, educational services, reservation services, data services, and the like, requiring secure connections with client devices for data security. Also, it should be noted that server 104 and server 106 may each represent clusters of servers in data centers. Alternatively, server 104 and server 106 may each represent computing nodes in cloud environments hosting different services.\nServer 104 and server 106 may utilize, for example, Transport Layer Security to provide the secure network connections for data security. Transport Layer Security is a cryptographic protocol designed to provide data communication security over a network. The network connection is secure or private because symmetric cryptography is used to encrypt the transmitted data. Session-specific cryptographic keys for the symmetric cryptographic encryption are uniquely generated for each network connection and are based on a shared secret that was negotiated at the start of the network session during the Transport Layer Security handshake procedure. The involved network devices negotiate the details of which encryption algorithm and cryptographic keys to use before data is transmitted. It should be noted that if one of the handshake procedure steps fails, then the secure connection is not created. Transport Layer Security is the most widely deployed security protocol used today and is used for Web browsers and other applications that require data to be securely exchanged over a network, such as, for example, financial transactions, file transfers, virtual private network connections, email, instant messaging, voice over Internet Protocol, and the like.\nTo increase network security, server 104 and server 106 may also utilize Completely Automated Public Turing test to tell Computers and Humans Apart (CAPTCHA) puzzles. CAPTCHA puzzles are a type of challenge-response test used to determine whether the service requesting user is a human or another computer where human interaction is essential to security. CAPTCHA puzzles require the user to simultaneously use invariant recognition, segmentation, and parsing to correctly answer the puzzle.\nNetwork activities, such as, for example, online e-commerce transactions, search engine submissions, Web polls, Web registrations, free e-mail service registration, and other automated online services, are subject to software programs (e.g., Web bots) that mimic human user behavior in order to skew results of automated tasks or perform malicious activities, such as gathering e-mail addresses for spamming or placing hundreds of orders causing denial-of-service. In order to validate the requesting user, the user is presented with a CAPTCHA puzzle, such as, for example, a distorted word placed on top of a distorted background. The user must input the correct word into a field in order to complete the validation process. Computers have a difficult time decoding the distorted word while humans can readily decipher the text. Some CAPTCHA puzzles utilize pictures or images instead of distorted words. For example, a user may be presented with a series of pictures and asked what is the common element among all of the pictures. By inputting the correct common element, the user is validated and the computer knows it is dealing with a human user and not a Web bot.\nClient 110, client 112, and client 114 also connect to network 102. Clients 110, 112, and 114 are client devices of server 104 and/or server 106. In this example, clients 110, 112, and 114 are shown as desktop or personal computers with wire communication links to network 102. However, it should be noted that clients 110, 112, and 114 are examples only and may represent other types of data processing systems, such as, for example, laptop computers, handheld computers, personal digital assistants, smart phones, smart watches, smart televisions, gaming devices, kiosks, and the like. Users of clients 110, 112, and 114 may utilize clients 110, 112, and 114 to access and utilize the services provided by server 104 and/or server 106.\nStorage 108 is a network storage device capable of storing any type of data in a structured format or an unstructured format. In addition, storage 108 may represent a plurality of network storage devices. Further, storage 108 may store identifiers and network addresses for a plurality of different client devices, identifiers for a plurality of different users, CAPTCHA puzzles and their corresponding answers, hash functions, and the like. Furthermore, storage unit 108 may store other types of data, such as authentication or credential data that may include user names, passwords, and biometric data associated with client device users, for example.\nIn addition, it should be noted that network data processing system 100 may include any number of additional server computers, client devices, storage devices, and other devices not shown. Program code located in network data processing system 100 may be stored on a computer readable storage medium and downloaded to a computer or other data processing device for use. For example, program code may be stored on a computer readable storage medium on server 104 and downloaded to client 110 over network 102 for use on client 110.\nIn the depicted example, network data processing system 100 may be implemented as a number of different types of communication networks, such as, for example, an internet, an intranet, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), or any combination thereof. FIG. 1 is intended as an example only, and not as an architectural limitation for the different illustrative embodiments.\nWith reference now to FIG. 2, a diagram of a data processing system is depicted in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. Data processing system 200 is an example of a computer, such as server 104 in FIG. 1, in which computer readable program code or instructions implementing processes of illustrative embodiments may be located. However, it should be noted that data processing system 200 is not limited to a server. In other words, illustrative embodiments may be implemented in other types of data processing systems, such as, for example, peer devices. In this illustrative example, data processing system 200 includes communications fabric 202, which provides communications between processor unit 204, memory 206, persistent storage 208, communications unit 210, input/output (I/O) unit 212, and display 214.\nProcessor unit 204 serves to execute instructions for software applications and programs that may be loaded into memory 206. Processor unit 204 may be a set of one or more hardware processor devices or may be a multi-core processor, depending on the particular implementation.\nMemory 206 and persistent storage 208 are examples of storage devices 216. A computer readable storage device is any piece of hardware that is capable of storing information, such as, for example, without limitation, data, computer readable program code in functional form, and/or other suitable information either on a transient basis and/or a persistent basis. Further, a computer readable storage device excludes a propagation medium. Memory 206, in these examples, may be, for example, a random-access memory (RAM), or any other suitable volatile or non-volatile storage device. Persistent storage 208 may take various forms, depending on the particular implementation. For example, persistent storage 208 may contain one or more devices. For example, persistent storage 208 may be a hard drive, a flash memory, a rewritable optical disk, a rewritable magnetic tape, or some combination of the above. The media used by persistent storage 208 may be removable. For example, a removable hard drive may be used for persistent storage 208.\nIn this example, persistent storage 208 stores Transport Layer Security session manager 218. However, it should be noted that even though Transport Layer Security session manager 218 is illustrated as residing in persistent storage 208, in an alternative illustrative embodiment Transport Layer Security session manager 218 may be a separate component of data processing system 200. For example, Transport Layer Security session manager 218 may be a hardware component coupled to communication fabric 202 or a combination of hardware and software components. Transport Layer Security session manager 218 controls the process of establishing a Transport Layer Security session with a peer device connected to a network, such as network 102 in FIG. 1. In addition, Transport Layer Security session manager 218 detects and prevents Transport Layer Security session man-in-the-middle attacks between data processing system 200 and the peer device.\nAfter establishing the Transport Layer Security session with the peer device, Transport Layer Security session manager 218 sends CAPTCHA puzzle 220 to the peer device. CAPTCHA puzzle 220 may represent a plurality of different CAPTCHA puzzles that Transport Layer Security session manager 218 utilizes for data security. Answer 222 represents the correct answer to CAPTCHA puzzle 220. It should be noted that Transport Layer Security session manager 218 may store CAPTCHA puzzle 220 and answer 222 in persistent storage 208 or may alternatively retrieve CAPTCHA puzzle 220 and answer 222 from a remote storage, such as storage 108 in FIG. 1, of a CAPTCHA puzzle service provider.\nFurther, Transport Layer Security session manager 218 selects segment 226 from Transport Layer Security session data 224, which corresponds to the Transport Layer Security session with the peer device. Segment 226 may be, for example, an initial or first portion of Transport Layer Security session data 224 that includes a predetermined number of bytes, such as the first 20, 30, 40, or 50 bytes of session data. However, it should be noted that segment 226 may consist of any portion or any number of bytes from Transport Layer Security session data 224. Transport Layer Security session data 224 represent information corresponding to the Transport Layer Security session that Transport Layer Security session manager 218 established between data processing system 200 and the peer device. Transport Layer Security session manager 218 sends information regarding the selection of segment 226 to the peer device in addition to CAPTCHA puzzle 220.\nFurthermore, Transport Layer Security session manager 218 utilizes hash function 228 to generate security digest 230. Security digest 230 is a hash of answer 222 and segment 226. Hash function 228 may be, for example, one-way cryptographic hash function.\nMoreover, Transport Layer Security session manager 218 compares security digest 230 with received security digest 232 to determine whether a match exists between security digest 230 and received security digest 232. Received security digest 232 represents a security digest, which Transport Layer Security session manager 218 received from the peer device, consisting of a hash of a user inputted answer to CAPTCHA puzzle 220 and segment 226. Transport Layer Security session manager 218 determines that a match exists between security digest 230 and received security digest 232 when the hash values contained in security digest 230 are the same as, or are equivalent to, the hash values contained in received security digest 232. Conversely, Transport Layer Security session manager 218 determines that no match exists between security digest 230 and received security digest 232 when the hash values contained in security digest 230 are different from, or are nonequivalent to, the hash values contained in received security digest 232. However, it should be noted that in alternative illustrative embodiments, Transport Layer Security session manager 218 may utilize other criteria to determine whether a match does or does not exist.\nIf security digest 230 and received security digest 232 match based on the comparison, then Transport Layer Security session manager 218 continues the Transport Layer Security session with the peer device. If security digest 230 and received security digest 232 do not match, then Transport Layer Security session manager 218 determines that a man-in-the-middle attack is occurring and performs mitigation action steps 234. Mitigation action steps 234 may include, for example, Transport Layer Security session manager 218 terminating the Transport Layer Security session with the peer device and/or sending an alert to a security analyst for review and possible action. However, it should be noted that if Transport Layer Security session manager 218 determines that security digest 230 and received security digest 232 do not match, then Transport Layer Security session manager 218 may allow a predefined number of retries, such as, for example, one, two, or three retries, before determining that a man-in-the-middle attack is occurring and performing mitigation action steps 234. Security session manager 218 may allow the predefined number of retries just in case the user, for example, inadvertently inputted a wrong answer to CAPTCHA puzzle 220 during an authentication attempt.\nCommunications unit 210, in this example, provides for communication with other computers, data processing systems, and devices via a network, such as network 102 in FIG. 1. Communications unit 210 may provide communications through the use of both physical and wireless communications links. The physical communications link may utilize, for example, a wire, cable, universal serial bus, or any other physical technology to establish a physical communications link for data processing system 200. The wireless communications link may utilize, for example, shortwave, high frequency, ultra high frequency, microwave, wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi), Bluetooth® technology, global system for mobile communications (GSM), code division multiple access (CDMA), second-generation (2G), third-generation (3G), fourth-generation (4G), 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE Advanced, fifth-generation (5G), or any other wireless communication technology or standard to establish a wireless communications link for data processing system 200.\nInput/output unit 212 allows for the input and output of data with other devices that may be connected to data processing system 200. For example, input/output unit 212 may provide a connection for user input through a keypad, a keyboard, a mouse, a microphone, and/or some other suitable input device. Display 214 provides a mechanism to display information to a user and may include touch screen capabilities to allow the user to make on-screen selections through user interfaces or input data, for example.\nInstructions for the operating system, applications, and/or programs may be located in storage devices 216, which are in communication with processor unit 204 through communications fabric 202. In this illustrative example, the instructions are in a functional form on persistent storage 208. These instructions may be loaded into memory 206 for running by processor unit 204. The processes of the different embodiments may be performed by processor unit 204 using computer-implemented instructions, which may be located in a memory, such as memory 206. These program instructions are referred to as program code, computer usable program code, or computer readable program code that may be read and run by a processor in processor unit 204. The program instructions, in the different embodiments, may be embodied on different physical computer readable storage devices, such as memory 206 or persistent storage 208.\nProgram code 236 is located in a functional form on computer readable media 238 that is selectively removable and may be loaded onto or transferred to data processing system 200 for running by processor unit 204. Program code 236 and computer readable media 238 form computer program product 240. In one example, computer readable media 238 may be computer readable storage media 242 or computer readable signal media 244. Computer readable storage media 242 may include, for example, an optical or magnetic disc that is inserted or placed into a drive or other device that is part of persistent storage 208 for transfer onto a storage device, such as a hard drive, that is part of persistent storage 208. Computer readable storage media 242 also may take the form of a persistent storage, such as a hard drive, a thumb drive, or a flash memory that is connected to data processing system 200. In some instances, computer readable storage media 242 may not be removable from data processing system 200.\nAlternatively, program code 236 may be transferred to data processing system 200 using computer readable signal media 244. Computer readable signal media 244 may be, for example, a propagated data signal containing program code 236. For example, computer readable signal media 244 may be an electro-magnetic signal, an optical signal, and/or any other suitable type of signal. These signals may be transmitted over communication links, such as wireless communication links, an optical fiber cable, a coaxial cable, a wire, and/or any other suitable type of communications link. In other words, the communications link and/or the connection may be physical or wireless in the illustrative examples. The computer readable media also may take the form of non-tangible media, such as communication links or wireless transmissions containing the program code.\nIn some illustrative embodiments, program code 236 may be downloaded over a network to persistent storage 208 from another device or data processing system through computer readable signal media 244 for use within data processing system 200. For instance, program code stored in a computer readable storage media in a data processing system may be downloaded over a network from the data processing system to data processing system 200. The data processing system providing program code 236 may be a server computer, a client computer, or some other device capable of storing and transmitting program code 236.\nThe different components illustrated for data processing system 200 are not meant to provide architectural limitations to the manner in which different embodiments may be implemented. The different illustrative embodiments may be implemented in a data processing system including components in addition to, or in place of, those illustrated for data processing system 200. Other components shown in FIG. 2 can be varied from the illustrative examples shown. The different embodiments may be implemented using any hardware device or system capable of executing program code. As one example, data processing system 200 may include organic components integrated with inorganic components and/or may be comprised entirely of organic components excluding a human being. For example, a storage device may be comprised of an organic semiconductor.\nAs another example, a computer readable storage device in data processing system 200 is any hardware apparatus that may store data. Memory 206, persistent storage 208, and computer readable storage media 242 are examples of physical storage devices in a tangible form.\nIn another example, a bus system may be used to implement communications fabric 202 and may be comprised of one or more buses, such as a system bus or an input/output bus. Of course, the bus system may be implemented using any suitable type of architecture that provides for a transfer of data between different components or devices attached to the bus system. Additionally, a communications unit may include one or more devices used to transmit and receive data, such as a modem or a network adapter. Further, a memory may be, for example, memory 206 or a cache such as found in an interface and memory controller hub that may be present in communications fabric 202.\nMan-in-the-middle attacks are one of the most common attacks for intercepting network session data between two connection endpoints. Man-in-the-middle attacks allow the attackers to eavesdrop and/or modify data content of a network session. A CAPTCHA puzzle can be easily solved by a human, but is more difficult for a machine to solve. However, CAPTCHA puzzles are still vulnerable to some well-articulated man-in-the-middle attacks, which allow the attackers to manipulate the data content of network sessions. Thus, illustrative embodiments also utilize Transport Layer Security on top of CAPTCHA puzzles. For those Transport Layer Security sessions where man-in-the-middle attacks are occurring, the Transport Layer Security session data on one peer device side is different from the other peer device side. Illustrative embodiments utilize a security digest, which consists of a cryptographic hash of a correct answer to a presented CAPTCHA puzzle and a selected Transport Layer Security session data segment, to detect and prevent man-in-the-middle attacks. The selected Transport Layer Security session data segment may be, for example, the first 32 bytes of the Transport Layer Security session data.\nUtilizing these two factors (i.e., CAPTCHA puzzle and Transport Layer Security session data segment), a Transport Layer Security session endpoint device and its peer device are both able to generate a security digest during the Transport Layer Security session negotiation between the two network devices. The two network devices generate the security digest using a hash function, such as a one-way cryptographic hash function (e.g., Secure Hash Algorithm 256). If the security digests do not match, then the Transport Layer Security session endpoint device ends the network connection. One reason the security digests do not match is because the Transport Layer Security session data segments do not match, which indicates a man-in-the-middle attack. Another reason the security digests do not match is because of wrong CAPTCHA puzzle answer, which indicates either the user input the wrong answer or a man-in-the-middle attack is occurring. As a result, illustrative embodiments can effectively prevent Transport Layer Security session man-in-the-middle attacks and can be widely applied since Transport Layer Security is commonly used to protect network connections.\nWith reference now to FIG. 3, a diagram illustrating an example of a Transport Layer Security session man-in-the-middle attack detection system is depicted in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. Transport Layer Security session man-in-the-middle attack detection system 300 may be implemented in a network of data processing systems, such as network data processing system 100 in FIG. 1. Transport Layer Security session man-in-the-middle attack detection system 300 is a system of hardware and software components for detecting and preventing Transport Layer Security session man-in-the-middle attacks between a Transport Layer Security session endpoint device, such as, for example, data processing system 200, and a Transport Layer Security session peer device, such as, for example, client 110 in FIG. 1.\nIn this example, Transport Layer man-in-the-middle attack detection system 300 includes Transport Layer Security session endpoint device 302 and Transport Layer Security session peer device 304. However, it should be noted that Transport Layer man-in-the-middle attack detection system 300 may include any number and type of Transport Layer Security session endpoint devices and Transport Layer Security session peer devices.\nTransport Layer Security session peer device 304 sends Transport Layer Security session request 306 to Transport Layer Security session endpoint device 302 to initiate establishment of a Transport Layer Security session between Transport Layer Security session peer device 304 and Transport Layer Security session endpoint device 302. In response, Transport Layer Security session endpoint device 302 performs a Transport Layer Security handshake procedure with Transport Layer Security session peer device 304. Upon successful completion of the Transport Layer Security handshake procedure, Transport Layer Security session endpoint device 302 establishes a Transport Layer Security session with Transport Layer Security session peer device 304 and sends CAPTCHA puzzle 308 and Transport Layer Security session data segment information 310 to Transport Layer Security session peer device 304. CAPTCHA puzzle 308 and Transport Layer Security session data segment information 310 may be, for example, CAPTCHA puzzle 220 and information regarding selection of segment 226 of Transport Layer Security session data 224 in FIG. 2.\nSubsequently, Transport Layer Security session peer device 304 sends security digest 312 to Transport Layer Security session endpoint device 302. Security digest 312 is a hash of a user inputted answer to the CAPTCHA puzzle and the Transport Layer Security session data segment corresponding to the segment selection information sent to Transport Layer Security session peer device 304 by Transport Layer Security session endpoint device 302. Security digest 312 may be, for example, received security digest 232 in FIG. 2. If Transport Layer Security session endpoint device 302 determines that a match exists between security digest 312 and a security digest generated by Transport Layer Security session endpoint device 302, then Transport Layer Security session endpoint device 302 sends security digest validation acknowledgement 314 to Transport Layer Security session peer device 304 and continues the Transport Layer Security session with Transport Layer Security session peer device 304. Alternatively, if Transport Layer Security session endpoint device 302 determines that a match does not exists between security digest 312 and the security digest generated by Transport Layer Security session endpoint device 302, then Transport Layer Security session endpoint device 302 detects a man-in-the-middle attack and discontinues the Transport Layer Security session with Transport Layer Security session peer device 304.\nWith reference now to FIGS. 4A-4B, a flowchart illustrating a process for a Transport Layer Security session endpoint device is shown in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. The process shown in FIGS. 4A-4B may be implemented in an endpoint data processing system, such as, for example, Transport Layer Security session endpoint device 302 in FIG. 3.\nThe process begins when the endpoint device receives a request to initiate a Transport Layer Security session with the endpoint device from a peer device (step 402). The peer device may be, for example, Transport Layer Security session peer device 304 in FIG. 3. The endpoint device performs a Transport Layer Security handshake procedure with the peer device (step 404). The endpoint device establishes a network connection with the peer device for the Transport Layer Security session upon successful completion of the Transport Layer Security handshake procedure (step 406).\nThe endpoint device selects a CAPTCHA puzzle to send to the peer device (step 408). The CAPTCHA puzzle may be, for example, CAPTCHA puzzle 220 in FIG. 2. In addition, the endpoint device retrieves a correct answer to the CAPTCHA puzzle (step 410). The correct answer may be, for example, answer 222 in FIG. 2.\nThe endpoint device sends the CAPTCHA puzzle to the peer device via the network connection (step 412). Further, the endpoint device selects a segment of Transport Layer Security data corresponding to the Transport Layer Security session (step 414). The segment of Transport Layer Security data may be, for example, segment 226 of Transport Layer Security session data 224 in FIG. 2. The endpoint device sends information regarding the selection of the segment of Transport Layer Security data to the peer device via the network connection (step 416).\nFurthermore, the endpoint device, using a one-way cryptographic hash function, generates a first security digest based on a hash of the correct answer to the CAPTCHA puzzle and the selected segment of Transport Layer Security data (step 418). The one-way cryptographic hash function may be, for example, hash function 228 in FIG. 2. The endpoint device also makes a determination as to whether a second security digest was received from the peer device within a defined period of time (step 420). The defined period of time may be, for example, thirty seconds, one minute, two minutes, three minutes, five minutes, or the like.\nIf the endpoint device determines that a second security digest was not received from the peer device within the defined period of time, no output of step 420, then the process proceeds to step 434. If the endpoint device determines that a second security digest was received from the peer device within the defined period of time, yes output of step 420, then the endpoint device compares the first security digest generated by the endpoint device with the second security digest received from the peer device (step 422).\nAfterward, the endpoint device makes a determination as to whether a match exists between the first security digest and the second security digest based on the comparison (step 424). If the endpoint device determines that a match does not exist between the first security digest and the second security digest, no output of step 424, then the endpoint device detects a man-in-the-middle attack (step 426) and the process proceeds to step 434 thereafter. If the endpoint device determines that a match does exist between the first security digest and the second security digest, yes output of step 424, then the endpoint device sends a security digest validation acknowledgement to the peer device (step 428). The security digest validation acknowledgement may be, for example, security digest validation acknowledgement 312 in FIG. 3. In addition, the endpoint device continues the Transport Layer Security session with the peer device (step 430).\nSubsequently, the endpoint device makes a determination as to whether an input was received from the peer device to end the Transport Layer Security session (step 432). If the endpoint device determines that an input was not received from the peer device to end the Transport Layer Security session, no output of step 432, then the process returns to step 430 where the endpoint device continues the Transport Layer Security session with the peer device. If the endpoint device determines that an input was received from the peer device to end the Transport Layer Security session, yes output of step 432, then the endpoint device terminates the network connection with the peer device (step 434). Thereafter, the process terminates.\nWith reference now to FIGS. 5A-5B, a flowchart illustrating a process for a Transport Layer Security session peer device is shown in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. The process shown in FIGS. 5A-5B may be implemented in a peer data processing device, such as, for example, Transport Layer Security session peer device 304 in FIG. 3.\nThe process begins when the peer device sends a request to initiate a Transport Layer Security session with an endpoint device (step 502). The endpoint device may be, for example, Transport Layer Security session endpoint device 302 in FIG. 3. The peer device performs a Transport Layer Security handshake procedure with the endpoint device (step 504). The peer device establishes a network connection with the endpoint device for the Transport Layer Security session upon successful completion of the Transport Layer Security handshake procedure (step 506).\nAfterward, the peer device receives a CAPTCHA puzzle from the endpoint device via the network connection (step 508). Subsequently, the peer device receives an answer to the CAPTCHA puzzle from a user of the peer device (step 510). In addition, the peer device receives information regarding a selection of a segment of Transport Layer Security data corresponding to the Transport Layer Security session from the endpoint device via the network connection (step 512). In other words, the peer device receives the Transport Layer Security session data segment selection information and gets that selected segment of data from the Transport Layer Security session according to the segment selection information.\nThe peer device, using a one-way cryptographic hash function, generates a security digest based on a hash of the answer inputted by the user to the CAPTCHA puzzle and the segment of Transport Layer Security data corresponding to the segment selection information received from the endpoint device (step 514). Afterward, the peer device sends the security digest to the endpoint device for validation via the network connection (step 516).\nThe peer device makes a determination as to whether a security digest validation acknowledgement was received from the endpoint device within a defined period of time (step 518). If the peer device determines that a security digest validation acknowledgement was not received from the endpoint device within the defined period of time, no output of step 518, then the peer device detects a man-in-the-middle attack (step 520) and the process proceeds to step 526 thereafter. If the peer device determines that a security digest validation acknowledgement was received from the endpoint device within the defined period of time, yes output of step 518, then the peer device continues the Transport Layer Security session with the endpoint device (step 522).\nSubsequently, the peer device makes a determination as to whether an input was received from the user of the peer device to end the Transport Layer Security session (step 524). If the peer device determines that an input was not received from the user of the peer device to end the Transport Layer Security session, no output of step 524, then the process returns to step 522 where the peer device continues the Transport Layer Security session with the endpoint device. If the peer device determines that an input was received from the user of the peer device to end the Transport Layer Security session, yes output of step 524, then the peer device terminates the network connection with the endpoint device (step 526). Thereafter, the process terminates.\nThus, illustrative embodiments of the present invention provide a computer-implemented method, computer system, and computer program product for preventing Transport Layer Security session man-in-the-middle attacks between data processing devices connected to a network. The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration, but are not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments. The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain the principles of the embodiments, the practical application or technical improvement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein.\n1. A method for preventing Transport Layer Security session man-in-the-middle attacks, the method comprising:\ncomparing a first security digest generated by an endpoint device with a second security digest received from a peer device;\ndetermining whether a match exists between the first security digest and the second security digest based on the comparing;\nresponsive to determining that a match does not exist between the first security digest and the second security digest, detecting a man-in-the-middle attack and terminating a network connection for a Transport Layer Security session with the peer device;\nselecting a segment of Transport Layer Security data corresponding to the Transport Layer Security session;\nsending information regarding selection of the selected segment of Transport Layer Security data to the peer device via the network connection; and\ngenerating the first security digest based on both a hash of a retrieved correct answer to a CAPTCHA puzzle and the selected segment of Transport Layer Security data corresponding to the Transport Layer Security session.\n2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:\nresponsive to determining that a match does exist between the first security digest and the second security digest, sending a security digest validation acknowledgement to the peer device and continuing the Transport Layer Security session with the peer device.\nreceiving a request to initiate the Transport Layer Security session with the endpoint device from the peer device;\nperforming a Transport Layer Security handshake procedure with the peer device; and\nestablishing the network connection with the peer device for the Transport Layer Security session upon successful completion of the Transport Layer Security handshake procedure.\nselecting a CAPTCHA puzzle to send to the peer device; and\nsending the CAPTCHA puzzle to the peer device via the network connection.\n5. The method of claim 1, wherein the selected segment of Transport Layer Security data is an initial portion of Transport Layer Security data corresponding to the Transport Layer Security session that includes a predetermined number of bytes.\n6. The method of claim 1, wherein the second security digest is generated based on a hash of a user inputted answer to the CAPTCHA puzzle and the selected segment of Transport Layer Security data corresponding to the information regarding the selection received from the endpoint device by the peer device.\ndetermining whether the second security digest was received from the peer device within a defined period of time;\nresponsive to determining that the second security digest was not received from the peer device within the defined period of time, terminating the network connection for the Transport Layer Security session with the peer device; and\nresponsive to determining that the second security digest was received from the peer device within the defined period of time, comparing the first security digest generated by the endpoint device with the second security digest received from the peer device.\n8. A computer system for preventing Transport Layer Security session man-in-the-middle attacks, the computer system comprising:\na bus system;\na storage device connected to the bus system, wherein the storage device stores program instructions; and\na processor connected to the bus system, wherein the processor executes the program instructions to: compare a first security digest generated by the computer system with a second security digest received from a peer device; determine whether a match exists between the first security digest and the second security digest based on comparing the first security digest and the second security digest; detect a man-in-the-middle attack and terminate a network connection for a Transport Layer Security session with the peer device in response to determining that a match does not exist between the first security digest and the second security digest; select a segment of Transport Layer Security data corresponding to the Transport Layer Security session; send information regarding selection of the selected segment of Transport Layer Security data to the peer device via the network connection; and generate the first security digest based on both a hash of a retrieved correct answer to a CAPTCHA puzzle and the selected segment of Transport Layer Security data corresponding to the Transport Layer Security session.\n9. The computer system of claim 8, wherein the processor further executes the program instructions to:\nsend a security digest validation acknowledgement to the peer device and continue the Transport Layer Security session with the peer device in response to determining that a match does exist between the first security digest and the second security digest.\n10. The computer system of claim 8, wherein the processor further executes the program instructions to:\nreceive a request to initiate the Transport Layer Security session from the peer device;\nperform a Transport Layer Security handshake procedure with the peer device; and\nestablish the network connection with the peer device for the Transport Layer Security session upon successful completion of the Transport Layer Security handshake procedure.\n11. A computer program product for preventing Transport Layer Security session man-in-the-middle attacks, the computer program product comprising a computer readable storage medium having program instructions embodied therewith, the program instructions executable by a computer to cause the computer to perform a method comprising:\ncomparing a first security digest generated by the computer with a second security digest received from a peer device;\n12. The computer program product of claim 11 further comprising:\nreceiving a request to initiate the Transport Layer Security session from the peer device;\n15. The computer program product of claim 11, wherein the selected segment of Transport Layer Security data is an initial portion of Transport Layer Security data corresponding to the Transport Layer Security session that includes a predetermined number of bytes.\n16. The computer program product of claim 11, wherein the second security digest is generated based on a hash of a user inputted answer to the CAPTCHA puzzle and the selected segment of Transport Layer Security data corresponding to the information regarding the selection received from the computer by the peer device.\n8321955 November 27, 2012 Feng et al.\n9813411 November 7, 2017 Thibadeau et al.\n20030226017 December 4, 2003 Palekar\n20090210712 August 20, 2009 Fort\n20110296509 December 1, 2011 Todorov\n20130080769 March 28, 2013 Cha\n20140108800 April 17, 2014 Lawrence\n20140137224 May 15, 2014 Todorov\n20160381080 December 29, 2016 Reddem\n20170346851 November 30, 2017 Drake\nKarapanos et al., “On the Effective Prevention of TLS Man-in-the-Middle Attacks in Web Applications,” Proceedings of the 23rd USENIX Security Symposium, Aug. 20-22, 2014, San Diego, CA, pp. 671-686.\nFiled: Nov 9, 2018\nDate of Patent: Jul 5, 2022\nAssignee: International Business Machines Corporation (Armonk, NY)\nInventors: Wei-Hsiang Hsiung (Taipei), Sheng-Tung Hsu (Taipei), Kuo-Chun Chen (Taipei), Chih-Hung Chou (Yilan)\nPrimary Examiner: Farid Homayounmehr\nAssistant Examiner: Suman Debnath\nCurrent U.S. Class: Particular Communication Authentication Technique (713/168)\nInternational Classification: H04L 9/40 (20220101); G06F 21/60 (20130101);","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line453686"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9119744300842285,"wiki_prob":0.9119744300842285,"text":"Memorable Manitobans: Edwin Elcome “Ted” Dafoe (1894-1981)\nBorn at Montreal, Quebec on 24 April 1894, son of John Wesley Dafoe and Alice Parmelee (1866-1961), in 1910 he took employment at his father’s workplace at the Manitoba Free Press, starting as a printer’s devil, and worked his way up, becoming a reporter by 1916, and later, a telegrapher, Cable Editor, News Editor, and Managing Editor. He worked with the company for over 50 years. He enlisted with the Lord Strathcona’s Horse during the First World War, and served overseas with the regiment for two years before transferring to the Royal Flying Corps. In the Second World War, he served with the Manitoba Reserve Battalion of the Veterans’ Guard of Canada. He was the Managing Editor of the Regina Leader-Post (1944) and Managing Editor of the Winnipeg Free Press (1944-1952). He retired from the Free Press in 1962. On 17 August 1921, he married Ruth Pauline Williams (1896-?) at Killarney and had two children. He would later move from Winnipeg to London, Ontario where he died on 30 September 1981.\nBirth and marriage registrations, Manitoba Vital Statistics.\nAttestation papers, Canadian Expeditionary Force, Library and Archives Canada.\n“Former Free Press editor dies at 87,” Winnipeg Free Press, 1 October 1981, page 2.\nThis page was prepared by Nathan Kramer.\nPage revised: 6 September 2014","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line410096"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6061486601829529,"wiki_prob":0.3938513398170471,"text":"Education System in Bengaluru and Opportunities\nBangalore officially Bengaluru, the IT Capital of India is a mega city and the Capital of the State of Karnataka. Its location is on the Deccan Pleatue 3000 ft above sea level which is highest for any Indian city. In the ancient times education system was in the hands of religious leaders and not accessible to all. This was the Maharaja Krishnaraja Wadiyar-III who first introduced western system of education in Bangalore.\nLater in 1832 first English school named Wesleyan Canarese School was established. Subsequently, Bangalore High School and Bishop Cotton Boy’s School was started in 1858 and 1865 respectively. The World War ended in 1945 and King George VI established King George Royal Indian Military College also popularity called Bangalore Military School.\nAfter India become free from British in 1947 Play Schools also called Nursery Schools or Kindergarten were established for the education of small children in the age group 16 months to 5 years. With the growth of IT industries in Bangalore the number of Play Schools risen significantly.\nFormal education in Bangalore comes under the administrative control of Ministry of Education of the Government of Karnataka. Children get enrolled in formal schools at the age of 5. Bangalore follows 10 2 3/4 system of Education. Broadly speaking, Bangalore has three types of educational institutions; Government, Private and Semi-Government. Schools are affiliated with different school boards like;\nIndian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE)\nCentral Board for Secondary Education (CBSE)\nInternational General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE)\nNational Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS)\nKarnataka Secondary Education Examination Board\nDepartment of Pre-University Education, Karnataka\nAfter completion of 10 years of school education students chose for either Pre University (PUC) of Senior Secondary education in one the three disciplines arts, science or commerce. Also many chose to study diploma programmes.\nBangalore has many International Schools due to presence of expats and vast IT industry.\nAfter completion of 12 year of formal education students go for college programme. At this stage they study either General Degree Course of 3 years duration or chose for technical / professional qualification which takes 4 or more years to complete. The students who acquire Diploma qualification get choice to study technical / professional under graduate programme through Lateral Entry Scheme.\nMany colleges in Bangalore are affiliated with Bangalore University. However, presence of other university colleges and autonomous institutions is also obvious. College programmes are delivered acording to guidelines of University Grants Commission while professional programmes also have to follow guidelines of technical /professional regulatory bodies. For exclusive details about technical / professional regulatory bodies please see our Apex Body Hub.\nMany students after completion of Under Graduate programme chose for Post Graduate programmes like Masters and PhD etc. Bangalore attracts students from all across India and other parts of world too. Due to huge presence of higher education institutions and industrial houses students consider Bangalore as one the Hot Bed of Education.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line802241"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8987794518470764,"wiki_prob":0.8987794518470764,"text":"Security sweeps netting illegals\nThis month 105 foreign workers were arrested near Seattle, part of a crackdown on sensitive sites.\nBy Daniel B. Wood Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor\nNovember 22, 2005 | LOS ANGELES\nIn October, three illegal immigrants were arrested at Fort Bragg in North Carolina using false IDs. In August, six Mexican nationals were arrested at Fort Irwin, Calif. In July, six more illegal immigrants were found at Homestead Air Reserve Base in Homestead, Fla.\nA division of the Department of Homeland Security has continued to ramp up post-9/11 investigations of what it considers key strategic sites across America: airports, power plants, and military installations. These investigations are routinely turning up so many illegal workers that concern is mounting - from Congress to terror watch-groups - that serious security breaches are possible at some of the most strategic and critical sites in the country.\nIn the light of such arrests, immigration groups also complain that illegal workers are once again being unfairly singled out as terror risks.\nGovernment officials counter that they are more concerned that if illegal immigrants can so easily and regularly gain access to so many sites, the opening for possible terrorists to do so as well must be wide indeed.\n\"The main concern in all this is that we are looking for any potential vulnerabilities that could be exploited by terrorists or others with ill intent,\" says Jamie Zuieback, head spokeswoman for the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Washington, the largest investigative arm in Homeland Security. \"If we are seeing these egregious violations at our sites of highest strategic value, we need to find out how it is happening and shut it down.\"\nNumbers of arrests mount\nLess than two weeks ago, 105 foreign nationals were arrested in Seattle at a customs warehouse work site. In the past 12 months, more than 150 illegal immigrants have been discovered at sensitive installations in Mississippi, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and Iowa - among several other states. The illegal workers had jobs as building contractors, teachers, chefs, and custodians. From 2004 to 2005, the number of ongoing ICE investigations has increased from 465 to 511.\nOver that time, such investigations netted nine illegal workers at Boeing's helicopter plant in Phoenix, which manufactures US military aircraft. Nine more were found working at the Army Ammunition Plant in Middletown, Iowa. Nine others were performing contract work at a facility in Winston-Salem, N.C., that refits the US Navy's P-3 Orion aircraft. Many have been deported. Others face criminal charges and have been released on bond pending court hearings.\n\"When I see how many of these illegals are being caught and with such regularity, I feel the US has not learned one of the key lessons of our recent terrorist past,\" says Bruce Hoffman, a senior researcher at the RAND Corp.'s Center for Terrorism and Risk Management Policy in Washington.\nHe cites the case of Ali Mohamed, who was not an illegal immigrant but who was a key Al Qaeda operative of Osama bin Laden who served as an instructor on the US Army base at Fort Bragg. It shows how terrorist groups have been able to infiltrate US military bases, he says. In 1998, Mr. Mohamed was convicted for his role in the 1998 US Embassy bombing in Kenya.\n\"My main question is why, four years after 9/11 and a decade after Mohamed was unmasked, are the credentials of [those who have] routine access to military bases not more closely scrutinized,\" says Mr. Hoffman. \"One of the most successful tactics of insurgents in Iraq is to infiltrate military and police operations.\"\nNew security measures\nICE officials say they are working closely with military installations to improve security, including the identification and background-check procedures of personnel both at the bases and of contract workers the bases use.\nThough Congress has not focused its attention on the string of security breaches, individual representatives are conducting further review in their own districts. One is North Carolina Rep. Robin Hayes (R), whose district includes Fort Bragg, home to the US Army's Special Operations Command.\n\"This is extremely disturbing to us that the three arrested here were giving language instruction to some of our most trained special forces,\" says Carolyn Hern, communications director for Representative Hayes.\nHayes is working with military officials at Fort Bragg to design new pilot programs for security measures. Some include new mobile technology, implemented at other US bases, to instantly verify someone's identification.\nOthers include ways to instantly query for IDs on federal, state, and local \"most wanted\" lists as well as military law enforcement databases.\nSome objections to searches\nThough ICE and military officials say their investigations are not specifically targeting illegal workers, some immigrant and civil libertarian groups say the continued crackdown fits a pattern of unfair suspicion of immigrants.\n\"This has to be put in the context of this administration's action over the past four years in which the war on terror has become a war on immigrants,\" says Ahilan Arulanantham, an attorney at the American Civil Liberties Union who works on security and immigration issues.\n\"Their actions have resulted in the deportation of thousands but no terrorists. This makes good headlines but doesn't make the US any safer,\" he says.\nOthers say the reason so many illegal immigrants are repeatedly found at military bases and other strategic sites is not because of security breaches but because of the country's heavy reliance on undocumented workers in every industry.\n\"There are 11 million undocumented [workers] laboring in every sector of the US economy, so of course they are going to be found at bases too,\" says Anjelica Salas, director of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles.\n\"We are zeroing in on cooks and cleaners and not really paying attention to terrorist elements. We are using resources in the wrong way,\" she says.\nCut defense to fund a border wall? How a US military town weighs the choice.\nWhy House Republicans blocked 'military amnesty' for illegal immigrants\nFear of being deported turns immigrant hurricane victims to churches for help\nhttps://www.csmonitor.com/2005/1122/p01s01-ussc.html","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line168825"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.557704746723175,"wiki_prob":0.44229525327682495,"text":"Marc Viquez\nUnited Center – Chicago Bulls\nUnited Center 1901 W Madison St Chicago, IL 60612\nChicago Bulls website\nUnited Center website\nYear Opened: 1994\nBulls Fans Stand United\nThe Chicago Bulls moved into the United Center for the beginning of the 1994/1995 NBA season, at the time Michael Jordan was still retired and playing baseball but would rejoin the team later on that year and help usher in a string of three more NBA championships from 1996 to 1998. Twenty years later after his retirement, it is hard not to notice MJ’s accomplishments throughout the building and how magnetic that era was to the fans in Chicago.\nThe United Center replaced the iconic Chicago Stadium which debuted in 1929 and had been the home to the Bulls since its inaugural year of 1966. The plan to build the multipurpose arena was created by Chicago Blackhawks owner Bill Wirtz and Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf. The cost of construction was $175 million and would have a capacity of 23,129 for basketball. The arena was also designed with an Art Deco style much like its predecessor providing a nod to the past and progress towards the future.\nThe United Center introduced an 8,600-square feet of screen display giving it the most high-definition space of any NBA arena. It is four times larger than the previous one that was installed in 2005. Fans on the 100-section level will be able to see videos and stats on a continuous LED inner ring underneath the main screens.\nThe outer concourse of the arena is somewhat narrow and gives off a feeling of an airport terminal, which would make sense in a building named after United Airlines. However, recent upgrades to the area have created stands offering Chicago-style menu items, hang out areas, and upscale areas for fine food and beer.\nThe local favorites include Italian beef, Maxwell Street Polish, gyros, deep-dish pizza, and Vienna beef hot dogs dragged through the garden. Giordano’s has a stand-alone area that bakes pizza and offers tabletops to enjoy your meal. Chicago’s own Goose Island is also served on tap and is featured at many concession spots or at its own bar area on the lower concourse where tabletop stools and TVs are available.\nBig Star is another concession area offering tabletops and Mexican-style food that is somewhat more premium. Here you can get carne asada tacos, marinated chicken fajitas, and margaritas. If you still are hungry for Mexican cuisine there are other spots serving chicken and steak nacho grande and steak and chicken tinga tacos.\nThe United Center also features pulled pork nachos, pulled pork platters, tri-tip smoked beef, carved turkey, and smoked brisket sandwiches. They’re also single and double all-beef grilled burgers and plenty of other options to satisfy your cravings. There is even an item called the garbage salad.\nThe Bulls are still a popular draw at the United Center and many games are filled at or near capacity. The main concourse aisles are usually buzzing with commerce, folks grabbing something to eat or checking out many of the interactive video screens that highlight the history of the team including those six NBA titles between 1991 and 1998.\nThere are also various areas such as the Goose Island Bar and Giordano’s where patrons can relax and enjoy a few drinks and Chicago-style eats while being away from their seats in the main bowl. The upper concourse also offers four social area bars at each corner that open up to the seating area for views of the game.\nThe attention grabber at the United Center is definitely the championship banners that hang from the rafters of both the Bulls and the Blackhawks. One only has to gaze at the six championship banners by the Bulls and the retired jersey numbers of Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen to breathe in the rich history of the team from two decades ago.\nThe massive seating bowl is large and never feels too steep or cramped. The main aisles open up in the middle resulting in a very easily accessible way to your seat. You never feel as if you’re hiking up a mountain to get to your seat. The same goes for the lower concourse where you feel almost on top of the action taking place on the hardwood.\nThe Madhouse Team Store, located in the east addition to the arena, is a 10,000-square foot retail store offering official team merchandise and exclusive Madhouse apparel. Fans have the opportunity to make play-by-play calls via interactive touchscreens located inside repurposed CTA train cars. They can also insert themselves into iconic team photos to share on social media. There are also special sale prices on certain gear and giant-size replicas of both the Stanley Cup and Larry O’Brien Trophy for more photo ops.\nHowever, the main spot for photo opportunities is just outside the store at the Michael Jordan statue. The 12-foot high bronze and black granite is now located indoors inside the atrium and is a work of art.\nWhen there is an event at the United Center the surrounding neighborhood is buzzing with fans heading to the game and grabbing a bite to eat and drink before a Bulls game. The West End of Chicago does have a reputation, but just like the South Side where the Sox play, the neighborhood is fine during hockey and basketball games.\nHawkeye’s is known for its homemade chili and $1.50 hamburger specials. There is also an array of wine, spirits, and beers. On warmer days, the sidewalk patio makes for a nice choice before a game. Park Tavern serves $3 drafts before every Bulls game, a savings of 70% off the price of beer at the arena, and The Ogden and WestEnd offer incredible food, chef-driven dishes, and plenty of flat-screen TVs.\nIf you are looking for a popular spot in all of Chicago, The Billy Goat on Madison is a few blocks away and is known for its “cheezborgers,” made popular from Saturday Night Live. The restaurant is also part of Chicago lore as being the architect of the Billy Goat Curse that saw the Chicago Cubs go 108 years between World Series victories.\nThe Bulls are still one of the top drawing clubs in the league averaging well over 20,000 as of last season with the NBA lead in overall attendance. You would have to go back to 2009 to the last time Chicago did not finish on top of average attendance figures.\nCTA buses are the best option for public transportation – either the #20 Madison or the #19 United Center Express. After the game, a fleet of #20 buses will be lined up on Madison heading back to the Loop. Buses run past CTA elevated and subway lines as well as Ogilvie Station for connections via Metra rail to the Chicago suburbs.\nThe #9 Ashland and #50 Damen buses are options for travelers heading north/south instead. CTA elevated trains are within walking distance via the Ashland/Lake station (Green/Pink Lines).\nOnce inside, the seating areas are divided evenly to make for easy access to all sections of the seating area. The upper and lower concourses are somewhat narrow in certain parts but large enough to keep traffic flowing smoothly.\nTicket prices usually begin around $45 online or at the box office and can differ depending on who the Bulls are playing and if it is a weekend night. There are tickets on the secondary market and you can find prices around $22 against less popular opponents or on weekday evenings. With that being said, a little research and flexible time would be beneficial for finding the most affordable ticket.\nConcession prices are somewhat high but not anything different from other NBA arenas, expect to pay around $10 for sandwiches, $9-$11 for beers, and up to $18 for premium food items. Parking lots are $24 to park a car, a definite steal in Chicago, or park along Wood Street under the elevated train line for free–if available.\nThe United Center gets an extra point for its design that pays homage to the old Chicago Stadium that existed from 1929 to 1994. The signage inside the concourse aisles all have Art Deco fonts and there are plenty of other nods to this design in the interior and exterior of the building.\nThe second point goes to all those championship banners that hang from the rafters and provide a defiant exclamation point and wow factor to any first-time visitor walking to their seats.\nThe third point goes to the atrium that houses the Michael Jordan statue, Queenie’s Supper Club, and the Madhouse Team Store. There will be further additions to the atrium in the future and perhaps creating a festive vibe just outside the building and underneath the roof.\nThe final point goes to the extensive video screens located on the lower concourse that showcase team history, player profiles, and photo opportunities for fans. There is also a trophy case that displays all six NBA championship trophies.\nThe United Center has enough of what you need for an enjoyable evening of professional basketball. The history of the Bulls is on display all over the building, the social areas are great for spending time away from the game, and there is always an energetic crowd to liven up the mood of the building.\nIllinois USA\nUnited Center\nUnited Center – Chicago Blackhawks","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line989397"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7548049092292786,"wiki_prob":0.7548049092292786,"text":"Sony is breaking its camera section into a separate company\nSean Berry\nSony has just announced it’s moving its entire camera business section into an intermediate holding company named “Sony Electronics Corporation.”\nStarting April 1st, the entire “Electronics Products & Solutions” (EP&S) segment, which includes Sony imaging and mobile business, will be held by Sony Electronics Corporation. The company has stated that its Imaging Products & Solutions, Home Entertainment & Sound, and Mobile Communications businesses would all now be run under the new name.\n“Through the establishment of Sony Electronics Corporation, Sony will not only accelerate the integrated operation of the EP&S businesses,” the release reads, “but also aim to optimize its organizational structure, talent and business portfolio, while further enhancing competitiveness and creating new business.”\nHow to Make a\nDIY Green Screen\nThanks! We will email your free eBook.\nSony is shedding some businesses\nCompany investor Daniel Loeb recently said he was increasing his substantial stake in the company to “push for changes that include shedding some businesses.” Now, we aren’t sure if Loeb did in fact influence the company’s decision to move its camera business into a separate company. However, he has been a huge advocate for the company to break apart into separate businesses for a while now.\nFor instance, last year, he called on Sony to split off its image sensor business. The company has refused to listen to Loeb’s demands in the past. However, it seems the company’s stance on the matter has changed.\nWhile it is impossible to tell what kind of effect this will have on Sony’s Imaging Division, it is likely not to have any effect on consumers. Things like this happen all the time in business and it isn’t something that will likely hurt user experience. However, this is in regards to one of the largest camera manufacturers in the world. It’s still a huge deal.\nImage courtesy: CE Pro\nSean Berry is Videomaker's Managing Editor.\nLaowa launches Proteus 2x anamorphic lens series\nSony will release a new 300 mm G Master prime lens\nApple launches new MacBook Pro line with M2 Pro and M2 Max chips\nApple reveals new Mac mini with M2 and M2 Pro\nFujifilm releases X-H2S update to improve its autofocus\nHal Fisher April 4, 2020 At 6:14 AM\nHmm. This reminds me of the time a few years ago when SONY decided to sell off all their software (Vegas, Sound Forge, etc.) and leave its user base gasping for air.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1151931"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7955502867698669,"wiki_prob":0.7955502867698669,"text":"Home On-Campus Parking Restrictions\nOn-Campus Parking Restrictions\nThe university discourages all students from bringing vehicles to the Foggy Bottom or Mount Vernon campuses. Freshmen and sophomores in particular are prohibited from bringing vehicles and parking them in the Foggy Bottom/West End area other than in exceptional circumstances where an exception is documented and granted by the university. For those few granted exceptions, the vehicle must be parked in a university parking facility.\nThis policy is needed because of the limited number of parking spaces on the streets around the Foggy Bottom and Mount Vernon campuses, the availability of public transportation, and the need to limit the impact of parked vehicles on the surrounding residential neighborhoods. This policy is also needed to effectuate campus plan zoning requirements and other obligations of the university.\nFoggy Bottom Campus Parking Restrictions\nDue to the limited number of parking spaces on the streets in and around the Foggy Bottom Campus and the availability of public transportation, the D.C. Zoning Commission imposed a condition in the 2007 Foggy Bottom Campus Plan restricting student parking.\nPursuant to this condition, the university discourages all students from bringing vehicles to the Foggy Bottom Campus. Freshmen and sophomores are prohibited from bringing vehicles and parking them in the Foggy Bottom/West End area, except in exceptional circumstances. Exceptional circumstances may include, for example, transportation needs related to a disability or health condition of the student or member of his/her family. Requests by freshmen and sophomores for a policy exception due to exceptional circumstances must be submitted via the Parking Requirement Exemption Request Form. Students seeking an exception due to disability or health condition should visit Disability Support Services for further assistance. Any exemptions will be granted in consultation with Business and Auxiliary Services & Disability Support Services. If an exception is granted, the vehicle must be parked in a university parking facility.\nMount Vernon Campus Parking Restrictions\nPursuant to the 1999 Mount Vernon Campus Plan zoning order, students, faculty and staff who bring vehicles to the Mount Vernon campus are required to park on the campus itself. Parking is prohibited on the streets adjacent to and surrounding the Mount Vernon campus.\nAll freshmen and sophomores living in GW housing must confirm by their signature of the George Washington University Undergraduate Housing License Agreement that they have read and understood this parking policy, regardless of whether the student drives to the university or is eligible to have a car on campus. Student violations of this policy are subject to disciplinary action pursuant to the university's Code of Student Conduct.\nFoggy Bottom/West End area: The area bounded by 19th Street on the east, E Street on the south, Rock Creek Park on the west, and N Street on the north.\nStudents seeking an exception due to disability or health condition should visit Disability Support Services for further assistance.\nParking Requirement Exemption Request Form\nHousing License Agreement\nSmarTrip Card\nZoning Commission of the District of Columbia, Zoning Commission Order No. 06-11/06-12, regarding the Foggy Bottom Campus Plan, dated March 12, 2007, effective October 26, 2007.\nZoning Commission of the District of Columbia, Zoning Commission Order No. 09-19, regarding the Mount Vernon Campus Plan, dated April 26, 2010.\nParking Services Office 202-994-7199 [email protected]\nDisability Support Services 202-994-8250 [email protected]\nDivision for Student Affairs 202-994-6555 [email protected]\nFaculty and Staff Service Center 202-994-8500 [email protected]\nCampus Planning [email protected]\nResponsible University Official: AVP & Dean of the Student Experience; and Senior Associate Vice President for Operations\nResponsible Office: Office of the Student Experience; & Division of Operations\nLast Reviewed: December 22, 2021","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1817290"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9829519391059875,"wiki_prob":0.9829519391059875,"text":"First foal a filly for Taylor Made Stallions’ Knicks Go\nclick here for larger\nTaylor Made Stallions’ Horse of the Year Knicks Go, a five-time Grade 1 winner and two-time Breeders’ Cup winner, sired his first reported foal when a filly bred by Alex and Kendra Penn was born on Thursday evening, Jan. 12. The filly is produced from the Pioneerof the Nile mare Seeking a Star, a half-sister to 2-year-old stakes winner Miss Interpret and out of a half-sister to multiple Grade 1 winner Paulassilverlining, the dam of Artorius, impressive winner of the 2022 Curlin S. at Saratoga.\nAs a 5-year-old in 2021, Knicks Go was in a class by himself. Gate-to-wire winner of the $6,000,000 Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) at Del Mar in a final time of 1:59.57 for the 1 ¼ miles—just two clicks off Candy Ride’s (ARG) 18-year track record—Knicks Go also annexed that year’s $3,000,000 Pegasus World Cup Invitational S. (G1) at Gulfstream Park, and the prestigious $1,000,000 Whitney S. (G1) at Saratoga en route to being named Longines World’s Best Racehorse and Eclipse Award Horse of the Year, as well as Champion Older Male at year’s end.\nAt four, Knicks Go became the fastest miler in Keeneland history after winning the 2020 Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) in a new track record time of 1:33.85. He demonstrated his precocity at two, winning the $500,000 Breeders’ Futurity (G1) at Keeneland by a dominating 5 ½ lengths. All told, Knicks Go banked $9,258,135 in a stellar racing career and was a Grade 1 winner at two, four, and five. Knicks Go recorded eight triple-digit Beyers, including a 113—ranking as the fastest stakes winner of 2021.\nWith 151 mares in his first book, Knicks Go ranked as a Top 5 Freshman Sire by 2022 CI and CPI and he saw his first in-foal mares sell for up to $480,000 last year. His stud fee is $15,000 S&N for 2023. For more information on Knicks Go, contact Travis White at (859) 396-3508 or Brock Martin at (270) 498-3722.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line207677"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7115635871887207,"wiki_prob":0.7115635871887207,"text":"Alone Among Senate Democrats, Kirsten Gillibrand Is Standing Against Trump’s Cabinet\nBy Christina Cauterucci\nJan 26, 20172:51 PM\nSen. Kirsten Gillibrand was the only senator to vote against retired Gen. James Mattis, right, for secretary of defense.\nAaron P. Bernstein/Getty Images\nSen. Kirsten Gillibrand is getting all kinds of props this week for being the only Democrat to vote against all Donald Trump’s appointments besides Nikki Haley for United Nations ambassador. High school student and Democratic activist Rachel Gonzalez tweeted out the news on Tuesday afternoon, imploring readers to remember Gillibrand’s votes “in 2020.” The tweet has been liked 81,000 times as of Thursday afternoon.\nInsofar as hearts on a tweet can offer insight into the conventional wisdom of a political party, it seems like Gillibrand’s principled stance is setting her up as a recognizable Trump opponent if she decides to run for president, as many have speculated she might, in two years or so. The Senate, with its filibuster, is one of the only bulwarks the country has left against an authoritarian administration that is already following through on its most damaging campaign promises. Massive marches, like the ones that went down in hundreds of communities around the world the day after Trump’s inauguration, are good for keeping the people engaged and energized. But without leaders in office who will turn progressive, humane values into votes, the worst those people can imagine of a Trump regime will likely come to fruition.\nThat’s why liberals were incensed to learn that Sen. Elizabeth Warren, another oft-proposed 2020 presidential candidate, gave Ben Carson her vote to lead the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Carson has never worked in government, knows not one thing about housing nor urban development, and has repeatedly expressed contempt for the marginalized and low-income Americans he’d be tasked with serving as HUD secretary. Thanks to the likes of Warren and fellow progressive darling Sen. Sherrod Brown, who claim Carson is better than any likely alternative because he’s never literally threatened to demolish the department he may lead, Carson now has a unanimous mandate from the Senate’s banking committee.\nGillibrand, meanwhile, is proving that she won’t back down from her beliefs, even if her vote is symbolic. She was the only senator, period, to vote against retired Gen. James Mattis for secretary of defense, on the grounds that federal law prevents a military leader from taking that civilian leadership post until she or he has been retired for seven years. (Mattis retired in May 2013.) The Senate had to pass a special waiver to allow Mattis to take on the role; Gillibrand and 16 other Democrats voted against it. When the waiver passed anyway, Gillibrand was the only one of the 17 who stood her ground.\n“Our American democracy was built around the concept of civilian control of the military,” she wrote in a New York Times op-ed about her opposition to Mattis’ appointment. “New presidents are typically allowed latitude to appoint their cabinet members. But President-elect Trump is not entitled to ignore our laws and change the fundamental government constructs that have enabled our country’s success.”\nGillibrand has also promised to oppose Betsy DeVos, Trump’s zealot of an education secretary pick. Haley, Gillibrand’s one “yes” vote so far, is far from an ideal candidate for a U.N. representative. She’s spoken against the Black Lives Matter movement and helped restrict women’s access to health care by signing unconstitutional abortion laws in her state. But she’s also been humble enough to give credit to Hillary Clinton’s leadership and firm-footed enough to oppose Trump’s nativism in her State of the Union response. For a position Trump would like to eliminate, Haley seems like the best person he’s capable of putting forward.\nSince Gillibrand’s Cabinet votes attracted applause from the left, a spokesman for the senator has assured the Washington Post that “the only race [Gillibrand] is interested in is her reelection to the Senate in 2018.” But anti-Trump dedication promises to be a major plus for any 2020 candidate, and the senator is already setting herself up as a beacon of principle in unprincipled times. Gillibrand has already made a name for herself as a fierce advocate for equal pay, women’s health care, and accountability for sexual assault perpetrators and their apologists. And since Trump and the new Congress took office, she’s registered her opposition to their agenda with a proposed amendment that would have protected the no-cost birth control, maternity care coverage, and gender-neutral premiums guaranteed by the Affordable Care Act.\nSen. Cory Booker of New Jersey, another name often mentioned in whispers of the Democratic presidential pipeline, has also been laying breadcrumbs for good anti-Trump publicity in recent weeks. (Booker voted against John F. Kelly for secretary of homeland security and Mike Pompeo for CIA director, as well as against the Mattis waiver, but ended up voting for Mattis and Haley.) Booker made a grand to-do about going against Senate conventions to testify directly against Sen. Jeff Sessions for the U.S. attorney general gig. “In a choice between standing with Senate norms and standing up for what my conscience tells me is best for our country, I will always choose conscience and country,” he said. The stump speech writes itself.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line197772"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6585793495178223,"wiki_prob":0.6585793495178223,"text":"December 4, 2019 Fascinating Politics\nDewey Short: Hillbilly Intellectualism\nIn 1928, a young man gave a stunning speech before the Republicans of Springfield, Missouri called “Republicanism and Americanism”, in which he stated: “Republicanism is Americanism. It is part of my religion and if I can convert any democrat, I will have served God as well as my country…(We), with unflinching courage and unswerving loyalty, will march together under the united, inspiring and intrepid banner of Republicanism to victory next November” (Rafferty, 95). This speech was so well-received that he was frequently demanded for speaking engagements. Richard Nixon himself would refer to this man as the finest orator he had ever heard. This man was Dewey Jackson Short (1898-1979).\nShort the Congressman\nIn 1928, Herbert Hoover won the presidential election by a landslide and with him came many Republicans on his coattails. Of the 43 newly elected House Republicans, only 11 would be in Washington after the 1932 election, Short among them. Although he lost reelection in 1930 in the wake of the stock market crash and the Great Depression, he was not done yet. In the meantime, he traveled through Europe and visited the Soviet Union. In 1934, he was elected to the much safer 7th district and his Congressional career truly got its start. Short quickly gained a reputation as the finest orator in the Republican Party and peppered his speeches with alliteration, insults and wit. One of the finest examples of his speeches was his reaction to the Roosevelt Administration’s request for work relief in 1935, which can be read on a previous post:\nhttps://fascinatingpolitics.com/2018/12/19/the-abdication-of-congressional-responsibility/\nSome Shortisms include:\n“Mr. Jefferson founded the Democratic Party, President Roosevelt has dumfounded it”.\n“He is not exactly like some men I know who care no more for their word than a tomcat cares for a marriage license in a back alley on the blackest night”. – Referring to Postmaster General Jim Farley.\n“I have always been old-fashioned enough to believe it is much better to ‘git up and get’ than it is to ‘sit down and set.’ The only animal I know which can sit and still produce dividends is the old hen”.\n(Wiley)\nShort was a frequent critic of New Deal legislation as he thought its use of federal power went too far and was uncompromising in his opposition save for Social Security and flood control legislation. He was also a staunch foe of getting the United States involved in European affairs and in 1940 non-interventionists sought to nominate him Vice President. Instead, the nomination went to the moderate Senate Minority Leader Charles McNary of Oregon. That year, Short was one of the leading opponents of the peacetime draft and after World War II he led the opposition to the concept of universal military training. He would similarly oppose the Truman Doctrine and the Marshall Plan. Short was at times lonely in his state in opposition to the Democrats: from 1935 to 1941 and from 1949 to 1951 he was the only Republican representative from the state.\nShort liked to play up his origins, stating in a Chicago speech, “Really, I am just a plain, ordinary country boy, a native hillbilly from the Ozarks in southwest Missouri, where we still cover our houses with bull hides and use their tails for lightning rods” (Wiley). However, this “ordinary country boy” also earned a Bachelor’s in Divinity from Boston College, attended Harvard Law School, and studied at the universities of Heidelberg and Oxford. He thereafter became a Professor of Philosophy and Psychology at Southwestern College in Winfield, Kansas before pursuing his political career.\nShort on Other Issues\nOn civil rights, Short has a mixed record. He voted for anti-lynching bills and early anti-poll tax measures, but after World War II, he mostly voted against as he feared the concentration of federal power, an echo of his opposition to the New Deal. Short also staunchly opposed the Eisenhower Administration’s approach on foreign policy as he continued to oppose foreign aid. Most domestic policy that even smelled slightly of Harry S. Truman’s Fair Deal was out as well. In 1956, he was defeated for reelection in an otherwise Republican district on account of a regional issue. Despite Short’s disagreements on foreign policy with the Eisenhower Administration, he was appointed Assistant Secretary of the Army, a post he served in until 1961.\nRafferty, M.D. (2001). Ozarks: Land and life. Fayetteville, AR: University of Arkansas Press.\nWiley, R.S. Dewey S. Short: The Silver Tongued Orator from Galena. The History of Stone County, Vol. 1, 236-237.\nhttp://stone.mogenweb.org/biography/dshort.html\nPrevious PostA Tale of Two ThanksgivingsNext PostHusband E. Kimmel and Walter Short: Scapegoats for Pearl Harbor","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1550597"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7427944540977478,"wiki_prob":0.2572055459022522,"text":"posted January 2nd, 2023 at 7:01 AM\nIt's always the same. I don't speak it out loud. I don't even silently think the words in my head but the same thoughts are always there. I'm sitting across from someone, but it won't ever happen again in real life , and a decade ago when it did it never went the way I hoped anyway.\nYes 47 year old here\nposted January 1st, 2023 at 6:36 PM\nInternet 12 hours a day ...tv 7 hours a day.....twitter & tik Tok most of the time....on my iPhone all the time looking for likes & stupid shit...watched porn too as I ate my Christmas dinner at my house..... pretty pathetic.....but hey....at least I wear deodorant every day.\nTake Your Medicine Peter Pan\nI often thought Pan refused to grow up and was obsessed with death. Then I learned what medicine constituted in his time. Alcohol and morphine. Tonics to lull children into submission and slumber. What happens to children who are neglected and learn not to express their needs? Nothing good. Isn't medication better now though? Every drug has its all healing heyday in culture. Medicine could also mean bitter truths to take in. What did Pan need to process in order to heal?\nLife can be cruel\nWhen my daughter was born in 2000 I so wished for her to be a strong intelligent young woman, like Greta Thurnberg. Instead I got this; \"Dad,you know that show \"Pretty Little Liars\"?\" \"No\" \"Well that's what mom and me are.\" \"Mom and I\" \"What?\"\nposted January 1st, 2023 at 3:18 AM\nKinda hypocritical all the people in government against guaranteed income getting paid it. Pathetic reasoning, securing their lofty lifestyle at low incomes expense. Maybe its time to bring back that musical chairs game, to the tune of Talking Heads, watch them go around in circles for a change, fight for scraps, the way the majority do, taking away the last left chairs until none's left. Resolutions.\nLoyal to a fault\nposted December 31st, 2022 at 11:59 PM\nI’ve been a member of a social club for12 years and it is feeling really stale. They don’t invest in the future. With a new year, I think, can I endure the same boredom, mismanagement and egos for an other yrar? Time to leave for a change of scenery.\nposted December 31st, 2022 at 2:03 PM\nI had a dream last night, a nightmare really ! In my dream no one would rent me an apartment and no one would even help me find one, people were being mean and uncaring and shifty. In my dream I couldn't understand why I was being left to the wayside and overlooked. Then I woke up and realized it wasn't a dream at all.\nWe’re Still Here\nposted December 30th, 2022 at 7:48 PM\nRemember that once again we lived through history this year. Looking back, our lives have been filled with change, intrigue, and adventurous uncertainties. I’ll take it as a win and will drink a cup of kindness for auld lang syne. Cheers to us.\nI remember damage. Then escape.\nI hear and read the phrase narcissist thrown around a lot. Admittedly I’m afraid. What if that’s me? The intention is to do no harm, but what if I am? How do you find out if you’re what you fear the most. And what things can be done to mitigate.\nposted December 29th, 2022 at 11:06 AM\nThere's a story on repeat in the back of my mind. If I pay attention I notice something - It influences every decision I make. But what is the truth of that story. How to go about rewriting the unseen controls that manage this life.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line893250"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6149629950523376,"wiki_prob":0.6149629950523376,"text":"The Unalienable Right of the People to Bear Arms has Been Made Clear\nThis Forum is Closed > Forum > General > Constitutional Matters > The Right To Bear Arms (Moderator: JTCoyoté) > Topic: The Unalienable Right of the People to Bear Arms has Been Made Clear\nAuthor Topic: The Unalienable Right of the People to Bear Arms has Been Made Clear (Read 1183 times)\n2nd Amendment Quotes\nhttp://www.godseesyou.com/2nd_amendment_quotes.html\nRead this in light of the last article about the Well-Regulated Militia.\nWhoever said that the founding fathers didn't think that all citizens should have guns is living in their own little world.\nThe following quotes by the authors of the Second Amendment, their contemporaries, various state and federal courts, and others should be useful in the debate over whether that amendment protects a right of individuals or only the military.\nThe Second Amendment states: \"A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.\"\n\"On every question of construction (of the Constitution) let us carry ourselves back to the time when the Constitution was adopted, recollect the spirit manifested in the debates, and instead of trying what meaning may be squeezed out of the text, or invented against it, conform to the probable one in which it was passed.\" (Thomas Jefferson, letter to William Johnson, June 12, 1823, The Complete Jefferson, p. 322)\n\"The whole of the Bill (of Rights) is a declaration of the right of the people at large or considered as individuals.... It establishes some rights of the individual as unalienable and which consequently, no majority has a right to deprive them of.\" (Albert Gallatin of the New York Historical Society, October 7, 1789)\n\"The right of the people to keep and bear arms has been recognized by the General Government; but the best security of that right after all is, the military spirit, that taste for martial exercises, which has always distinguished the free citizens of these States....Such men form the best barrier to the liberties of America\" - (Gazette of the United States, October 14, 1789.)\n\"No Free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms.\" (Thomas Jefferson, Proposal Virginia Constitution, 1 T. Jefferson Papers, 334,[C.J.Boyd, Ed., 1950])\n\"The right of the people to keep and bear...arms shall not be infringed. A well regulated militia, composed of the body of the people, trained to arms, is the best and most natural defense of a free country...\" (James Madison, I Annals of Congress 434 [June 8, 1789])\n\"A militia, when properly formed, are in fact the people themselves...and include all men capable of bearing arms.\" (Richard Henry Lee, Additional Letters from the Federal Farmer (1788) at 169)\n\"What, Sir, is the use of a militia? It is to prevent the establishment of a standing army, the bane of liberty.... Whenever Governments mean to invade the rights and liberties of the people, they always attempt to destroy the militia, in order to raise an army upon their ruins.\" (Rep. Elbridge Gerry of Massachusetts, spoken during floor debate over the Second Amendment [ I Annals of Congress at 750 {August 17, 1789}])\n\"...to disarm the people - that was the best and most effectual way to enslave them.\" (George Mason, 3 Elliot, Debates at 380)\n\"Americans have the right and advantage of being armed - unlike the citizens of other countries whose governments are afraid to trust the people with arms.\" (James Madison, The Federalist Papers #46 at 243-244)\n\"the ultimate authority ... resides in the people alone,\" (James Madison, author of the Bill of Rights, in Federalist Paper #46.)\n\"Before a standing army can rule, the people must be disarmed; as they are in almost every kingdom of Europe. The supreme power in America cannot enforce unjust laws by the sword; because the whole body of the people are armed, and constitute a force superior to any bands of regular troops that can be, on any pretense, raised in the United States\" (Noah Webster in `An Examination into the Leading Principles of the Federal Constitution', 1787, a pamphlet aimed at swaying Pennsylvania toward ratification, in Paul Ford, ed., Pamphlets on the Constitution of the United States, at 56(New York, 1888))\n\"...if raised, whether they could subdue a Nation of freemen, who know how to prize liberty, and who have arms in their hands?\" (Delegate Sedgwick, during the Massachusetts Convention, rhetorically asking if an oppressive standing army could prevail, Johnathan Elliot, ed., Debates in the Several State Conventions on the Adoption of the Federal Constitution, Vol.2 at 97 (2d ed., 1888))\n\"...but if circumstances should at any time oblige the government to form an army of any magnitude, that army can never be formidable to the liberties of the people, while there is a large body of citizens, little if at all inferior to them in discipline and use of arms, who stand ready to defend their rights...\" (Alexander Hamilton speaking of standing armies in Federalist 29.)\n\"Besides the advantage of being armed, which the Americans possess over the people of almost every other nation. . . Notwithstanding the military establishments in the several kingdoms of Europe, which are carried as far as the public resources will bear, the governments are afraid to trust the people with arms.\" (James Madison, author of the Bill of Rights, in Federalist Paper No. 46.)\n\"As civil rulers, not having their duty to the people before them, may attempt to tyrannize, and as the military forces which must be occasionally raised to defend our country, might pervert their power to the injury of their fellow citizens, the people are confirmed by the article in their right to keep and bear their private arms.\" (Tench Coxe in `Remarks on the First Part of the Amendments to the Federal Constitution' under the Pseudonym `A Pennsylvanian' in the Philadelphia Federal Gazette, June 18, 1789 at 2 col. 1)\n\"Congress have no power to disarm the militia. Their swords, and every other terrible implement of the soldier, are the birthright of an American... The unlimited power of the sword is not in the hands of either the federal or state government, but, where I trust in God it will ever remain, in the hands of the people\" (Tench Coxe, Pennsylvania Gazette, Feb. 20, 1788)\n\"The prohibition is general. No clause in the Constitution could by any rule of construction be conceived to give to Congress a power to disarm the people. Such a flagitious attempt could only be made under some general pretense by a state legislature. But if in any blind pursuit of inordinate power, either should attempt it, this amendment may be appealed to as a restraint on both.\" [William Rawle, A View of the Constitution 125-6 (2nd ed. 1829)\n\"I ask, sir, what is the militia? It is the whole people, except for few public officials.\" (George Mason, 3 Elliot, Debates at 425-426)\n\"The Constitution shall never be construed....to prevent the people of the United States who are peaceable citizens from keeping their own arms\" (Samuel Adams, Debates and Proceedings in the Convention of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, 86-87)\n\"To preserve liberty, it is essential that the whole body of people always possess arms, and be taught alike especially when young, how to use them.\" (Richard Henry Lee, 1788, Initiator of the Declaration of Independence, and member of the first Senate, which passed the Bill of Rights, Walter Bennett, ed., Letters from the Federal Farmer to the Republican, at 21,22,124 (Univ. of Alabama Press,1975)..)\n\"The great object is that every man be armed\" and \"everyone who is able may have a gun.\" (Patrick Henry, in the Virginia Convention on the ratification of the Constitution. Debates and other Proceedings of the Convention of Virginia,...taken in shorthand by David Robertson of Petersburg, at 271, 275 2d ed. Richmond, 1805. Also 3 Elliot, Debates at 386)\n\"The people are not to be disarmed of their weapons. They are left in full possession of them.\" (Zachariah Johnson, 3 Elliot, Debates at 646)\n\"Are we at last brought to such humiliating and debasing degradation, that we cannot be trusted with arms for our defense? Where is the difference between having our arms in possession and under our direction, and having them under the management of Congress? If our defense be the real object of having those arms, in whose hands can they be trusted with more propriety, or equal safety to us, as in our own hands?\" (Patrick Henry, 3 J. Elliot, Debates in the Several State Conventions 45, 2d ed. Philadelphia, 1836)\n\"The best we can hope for concerning the people at large is that they be properly armed.\" (Alexander Hamilton, The Federalist Papers at 184-8)\n\"That the said Constitution shall never be construed to authorize Congress to infringe the just liberty of the press or the rights of conscience; or to prevent the people of The United States who are peaceable citizens from keeping their own arms...\" (Samuel Adams, Debates and Proceedings in the Convention of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, at 86-87 (Peirce & Hale, eds., Boston, 1850))\n\"And what country can preserve its liberties, if its rulers are not warned from time to time that this people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms....The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time, with the blood of patriots and tyrants\" (Thomas Jefferson in a letter to William S. Smith in 1787. Taken from Jefferson, On Democracy 20, S. Padover ed., 1939)\n\"Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect everyone who approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force. Whenever you give up that force, you are inevitably ruined\" (Patrick Henry, 3 J. Elliot, Debates in the Several State Conventions 45, 2d ed. Philadelphia, 1836)\n\"The strongest reason for people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.\" -- (Thomas Jefferson)\n\"Firearms stand next in importance to the Constitution itself. They are the American people's liberty teeth and keystone under independence ... From the hour the Pilgrims landed, to the present day, events, occurrences, and tendencies prove that to insure peace, security and happiness, the rifle and pistol are equally indispensable . . . the very atmosphere of firearms everywhere restrains evil interference - they deserve a place of honor with all that is good\" (George Washington)\n\"A strong body makes the mind strong. As to the species of exercises, I advise the gun. While this gives moderate exercise to the body, it gives boldness, enterprise, and independence to the mind. Games played with the ball and others of that nature, are too violent for the body and stamp no character on the mind. Let your gun therefore be the constant companion of your walks. (Thomas Jefferson, Encyclopedia of T. Jefferson, 318 [Foley, Ed., reissued 1967])\n\"The supposed quietude of a good mans allures the ruffian; while on the other hand, arms like laws discourage and keep the invader and the plunderer in awe, and preserve order in the world as well as property. The same balance would be preserved were all the world destitute of arms, for all would be alike; but since some will not, others dare not lay them aside...Horrid mischief would ensue were one half the world deprived of the use of them...\" (Thomas Paine, I Writings of Thomas Paine at 56 [1894])\n\"...the people are confirmed by the next article in their right to keep and bear their private arms\" (from article in the Philadelphia Federal Gazette June 18, 1789 at 2, col.2,)\n\"Those, who have the command of the arms in a country are masters of the state, and have it in their power to make what revolutions they please. [Thus,] there is no end to observations on the difference between the measures likely to be pursued by a minister backed by a standing army, and those of a court awed by the fear of an armed people.\" (Aristotle, as quoted by John Trenchard and Water Moyle, An Argument Shewing, That a Standing Army Is Inconsistent with a Free Government, and Absolutely Destructive to the Constitution of the English Monarchy [London, 1697])\n\"No kingdom can be secured otherwise than by arming the people. The possession of arms is the distinction between a freeman and a slave. He, who has nothing, and who himself belongs to another, must be defended by him, whose property he is, and needs no arms. But he, who thinks he is his own master, and has what he can call his own, ought to have arms to defend himself, and what he possesses; else he lives precariously, and at discretion.\" (James Burgh, Political Disquisitions: Or, an Enquiry into Public Errors, Defects, and Abuses [London, 1774-1775])\n\"Men that are above all Fear, soon grow above all Shame.\" (John Trenchard and Thomas Gordon, Cato's Letters: Or, Essays on Liberty, Civil and Religious, and Other Important Subjects [London, 1755])\n\"The difficulty here has been to persuade the citizens to keep arms, not to prevent them from being employed for violent purposes.\" (Dwight, Travels in New-England)\n\"What country can preserve it's liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance. Let them take arms.\" (Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, Dec. 20, 1787, in Papers of Jefferson, ed. Boyd et al.)\n(The American Colonies were) \"all democratic governments, where the power is in the hands of the people and where there is not the least difficulty or jealousy about putting arms into the hands of every man in the country. (European countries should not) be ignorant of the strength and the force of such a form of government and how strenuously and almost wonderfully people living under one have sometimes exerted themselves in defence of their rights and liberties and how fatally it has ended with many a man and many a state who have entered into quarrels, wars and contests with them.\" [George Mason, \"Remarks on Annual Elections for the Fairfax Independent Company\" in The Papers of George Mason, 1725-1792, ed Robert A. Rutland (Chapel Hill, 1970)]\n\"To trust arms in the hands of the people at large has, in Europe, been believed...to be an experiment fraught only with danger. Here by a long trial it has been proved to be perfectly harmless...If the government be equitable; if it be reasonable in its exactions; if proper attention be paid to the education of children in knowledge and religion, few men will be disposed to use arms, unless for their amusement, and for the defence of themselves and their country.\" (Timothy Dwight, Travels in New England and NewYork [London 1823]\n\"It is not certain that with this aid alone [possession of arms], they would not be able to shake off their yokes. But were the people to posses the additional advantages of local governments chosen by themselves, who could collect the national will, and direct the national force; and of officers appointed out of the militia, by these governments and attached both to them and to the militia, it may be affirmed with the greatest assurance, that the throne of every tyranny in Europe would be speedily overturned, in spite of the legions which surround it.\" (James Madison, \"Federalist No. 46\")\n\"The right of the citizens to keep and bear arms has justly been considered, as the palladium of the liberties of a republic; since it offers a strong moral check against the usurpation and arbitrary power of rulers; and will generally, even if these are successful in the first instance, enable the people to resist and triumph over them. And yet, though this truth would seem so clear, and the importance of a well regulated militia would seem so undeniable, it cannot be disguised, that among the American people there is a growing indifference to any system of militia discipline, and a strong disposition, from a sense of its burthens, to be rid of all regulations. How it is practicable to keep the people duly armed without some organization, it is difficult to see. There is certainly no small danger, that indifference may lead to disgust, and disgust to contempt; and thus gradually undermine all the protection intended by this clause of our national bill of rights.\" (Joseph Story, Commentaries on the Constitution of the United States; With a Preliminary Review of the Constitutional History of the Colonies and States before the Adoption of the Constitution [Boston, 1833])\n\"The tank, the B-52, the fighter-bomber, the state-controlled police and military are the weapons of dictatorship. The rifle is the weapon of democracy. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military. The hired servants of our rulers. Only the government-and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws.\" (Edward Abbey, \"The Right to Arms,\" Abbey's Road [New York, 1979])\n\"You are bound to meet misfortune if you are unarmed because, among other reasons, people despise you....There is simply no comparison between a man who is armed and one who is not. It is unreasonable to expect that an armed man should obey one who is unarmed, or that an unarmed man should remain safe and secure when his servants are armed. In the latter case, there will be suspicion on the one hand and contempt on the other, making cooperation impossible.\" (Niccolo Machiavelli in \"The Prince\")\n\"You must understand, therefore, that there are two ways of fighting: by law or by force. The first way is natural to men, and the second to beasts. But as the first way often proves inadequate one must needs have recourse to the second.\" (Niccolo Machiavelli in \"The Prince\")\n\"As much as I oppose the average person's having a gun, I recognize that some people have a legitimate need to own one. A wealthy corporate executive who fears his family might get kidnapped is one such person. A Hollywood celebrity who has to protect himself from kooks is another. If Sharon Tate had had access to a gun during the Manson killings, some innocent lives might have been saved.\" [Joseph D. McNamara (San Jose, CA Police Chief), in his book, Safe and Sane, (c) 1984, p. 71-72.]\n\"To prohibit a citizen from wearing or carrying a war arm . . . is an unwarranted restriction upon the constitutional right to keep and bear arms. If cowardly and dishonorable men sometimes shoot unarmed men with army pistols or guns, the evil must be prevented by the penitentiary and gallows, and not by a general deprivation of constitutional privilege.\" [Wilson v. State, 33 Ark. 557, at 560, 34 Am. Rep. 52, at 54 (1878)]\nFor, in principle, there is no difference between a law prohibiting the wearing of concealed arms, and a law forbidding the wearing such as are exposed; and if the former be unconstitutional, the latter must be so likewise. But it should not be forgotten, that it is not only a part of the right that is secured by the constitution; it is the right entire and complete, as it existed at the adoption of the constitution; and if any portion of that right be impaired, immaterial how small the part may be, and immaterial the order of time at which it be done, it is equally forbidden by the constitution.\" [Bliss vs. Commonwealth, 12 Ky. (2 Litt.) 90, at 92, and 93, 13 Am. Dec. 251 (1822)]\n\" `The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.' The right of the whole people, old and young, men, women and boys, and not militia only, to keep and bear arms of every description, and not such merely as are used by the milita, shall not be infringed, curtailed, or broken in upon, in the smallest degree; and all this for the important end to be attained: the rearing up and qualifying a well-regulated militia, so vitally necessary to the security of a free State. Our opinion is that any law, State or Federal, is repugnant to the Constitution, and void, which contravenes this right.\" [Nunn vs. State, 1 Ga. (1 Kel.) 243, at 251 (1846)]\n\"The provision in the Constitution granting the right to all persons to bear arms is a limitation upon the power of the Legislature to enact any law to the contrary. The exercise of a right guaranteed by the Constitution cannot be made subject to the will of the sheriff.\" [People vs. Zerillo, 219 Mich. 635, 189 N.W. 927, at 928 (1922)]\n\"The maintenance of the right to bear arms is a most essential one to every free people and should not be whittled down by technical constructions.\" [State vs. Kerner, 181 N.C. 574, 107 S.E. 222, at 224 (1921)]\n\"The right of a citizen to bear arms, in lawful defense of himself or the State, is absolute. He does not derive it from the State government. It is one of the \"high powers\" delegated directly to the citizen, and `is excepted out of the general powers of government.' A law cannot be passed to infringe upon or impair it, because it is above the law, and independent of the lawmaking power.\" [Cockrum v. State, 24 Tex. 394, at 401-402 (1859)]\nRe: The Unalienable Right of the People to Bear Arms has Been Made Clear\nQuote from: Route http://forum.prisonplanet.com/index.php?topic=21395.0\nhttp://www.islandpacket.com/opinion/letters/story/124605.html\nThe Second Amendment to the Constitution as written by our nation's Founding Fathers states that \"the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.\" James Madison, the author, praised \"the advantage of being armed, which the Americans possess over the people of almost every other nation.\"\nA look at the history of gun control confirms their insight. In 1911, Turkey established gun control; 1.5 million Armenians, unable to defend themselves, were exterminated. In 1929, the Soviet Union established gun control; more than 20 million dissidents were exterminated. In 1935, China established gun control and 20 million political dissidents were exterminated. In 1938, Germany established gun control;\n13 million Jews and others were exterminated. In 1956, Cambodia established gun control; one million people exterminated. In 1964, Guatemala established gun control; 100,000 Mayan Indians were exterminated. In 1970, Uganda established gun control; 300,000 Christians were exterminated.\nViolent crime has increased in Australia, Canada and Great Britain following adoption of legislation restricting firearms. Contrast this with the fact that gun ownership U.S. citizens is at an all-time high, and \"right-to-carry\" laws have been implemented in 40 states. And violent crimes have fallen dramatically. The most flagrant exception to this trend is in Washington (murder capital of the U.S.) and New York City, where you have the most restrictive \"gun control\" laws in the country.\nYes, our Founding Fathers knew exactly what they were doing when they wrote the Second Amendment.\nAllan Walker Jr.\nRebelitarian\nThank God, damned CIA and the haplophobic response from the left.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line324692"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9699485898017883,"wiki_prob":0.9699485898017883,"text":"We have joined forces with One Direct Advisory, expanding our services to include expert advice across business strategy, finance, corporate structuring, governance and HR. Find out more here.\nSydney - 02 9994 0345\nCentral Coast - 02 4305 3500\nhello@pbl.legal\nEnviro Court Disputes\nCommercial Law and Business Law\nBanking Finance\nConstruction and Major Projects\nConstruction & Major Projects\nStrata Law\nDefects Litigation\nMark Lea\nBorn in 1944, Mark Lea was educated in England at Eton College, where he was President of the Eton Society. He was qualified as a solicitor in 1970 in London, before joining the Merchant Bank N.M. Rothschild & Sons Limited, where he worked closely with the Chairman Lord Victor Rothschild KCMG GC at a time when he was Head of the UK Government Think Tank. Mark Lea became a Director of Rothschild’s Trust Companies and of its Guernsey Bank. Since 1971, Mark Lea has been concerned with international estate planning and structure and international comparative taxation. Having been a partner and then Chairman in one of the UK’s most successful provincial law firms, he moved permanently to Asia and was admitted to practice as a solicitor in Hong Kong in 1995. He continues to advise families with international members and interests.\nMark Lea was a Member of the Inland Revenue Board of Review of Hong Kong. For some 5 years he served on the executive committees of Hong Kong Trustees Association and of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (Hong Kong Branch). He has since been a member of their Joint Law Reform Committee. Mark Lea advised the Government of Singapore with regard to the Trustees Act of Singapore. He originated the proposals for changes to the Trust Law of Hong Kong and advised on such changes. He advised the Malaysian Government on changes to the laws of Labuan. He remains an international adviser to that government. He advised the Government of Samoa on and has drafted new Trust Law, new Foundations Law and a new Trustee Companies Bill and has advised on and drafted changes to other relevant laws in consequence.\nHave an Idea ? Call us Now\nPeggie Pantsos\nAlex Ilkin\nCopyright © 2021 PBL Law Group.\nConstruction and\nSuite 505 / 350 George Street, Sydney NSW 2000\nCentral Coast Office\nSuite 119 / 159 Mann Street, Gosford NSW 2250\nCopyright 2021 @ PBL Law Group","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line930072"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8592018485069275,"wiki_prob":0.8592018485069275,"text":"Veturitie\nMaa- ja pohjarakentaminen\nVeturitie – a new main road in Pasila\nOpened on October 8, 2019, the first phase of the new Veturitie will greatly increase the capacity of car traffic in Pasila. Together with Mall of Tripla and Pasila station, both of which are scheduled to open in mid-October, it also represents a significant improvement in the daily life of cyclists, pedestrians and public transport users in the area.\nThe grand opening of Mall of Tripla and the new Pasila station will be celebrated in mid-October. The area was taken over by pyrotechnic effects and bright lights of a different sort at the beginning of the month, when the Rescue Department used smoke machines and scrap vehicles to conduct two rescue drills in the Teollisuuskatu tunnel under Tripla. Both of the rehearses went well, and the fire safety authorities gave the green light to have the road opened to the public.\nThe permission from the authorities was the final confirmation for opening the new connections in Pasila — the Teollisuuskatu tunnel and part of Veturitie — to car traffic on October 8. It was also a big joy for everyone who has put in long days over the past several years to ensure that the new roads, shopping centre and station are completed on schedule.\n“It’s not every day that nearly a kilometre of entirely new road is opened for use in the middle of Helsinki. I hope that people will come see both the shopping centre and the new traffic arrangements. We’ve been building this for four years and the end result represents the work of thousands of professionals,” says Construction Manager Aapo Urjanheimo from YIT.\nProject Director Harri Verkamo from the City of Helsinki echoes his sentiments. He is certain that the new streets will make daily life easier for a large number of people in Helsinki.\n“We are seeing the concrete realisation of several major changes that we have been working on for quite some time. Veturitie will become one of the largest routes for cars entering and passing through Helsinki. The first section of Veturitie has now been reopened to traffic in a different location than where it was previously. The new and improved Veturitie provides convenient access to Tripla and the area to its north. We have also introduced an entirely new route for people to use in the Pasila area: a direct tunnel connection between Teollisuuskatu and Veturitie. In the past, drivers have had to use a narrower route through Ratapihantie and Pasilansilta bridge,” Verkamo explains.\nVerkamo points out that the opening of Veturitie and the Teollisuuskatu tunnel does not involve the replacement or closure of any existing roads. Instead, they are entirely new shortcuts that will make it more efficient for people to get around the city.\n“Our simulations have shown that the new connection will significantly reduce car traffic on Pasilansilta bridge. Now, we will see how it pans out in real life.”\nRoads designed for larger traffic volumes\nWhile the new roads will bring immediate relief to traffic in the Pasila area, they are mainly designed with future needs in mind. As Pasila and the nearby areas will be the subject of major development going forward, the capacity of roads has been calculated to accommodate much larger traffic volumes than at present.\n“Plans for the street network are usually made with a time horizon of 15–20 years. The new Veturitie is designed to be a permanent solution with the capacity to serve a substantial increase in traffic volume. It takes into account the population growth in the area as well as the major traffic projects that will affect the nearby areas, such as the upgrades to Tuusulanväylä and Hakamäentie,” says Verkamo, who previously worked as a traffic planner for the City of Helsinki.\n“Simulations served as the foundation of traffic planning when we were deciding what kind of traffic network we should create in Pasila. We tested many different options. The alternative we have now implemented proved to be the best. It enabled us to have two intersecting primary routes on different levels. Some of the other alternatives in our simulations resulted in bad congestion on the streets of Pasila.”\nThe main simulations were conducted using projected data for the year 2035. Forecasts indicate that the Teollisuuskatu tunnel will be used by an average of approximately 15,000 vehicles per day. The traffic volumes increase further towards Hakamäentie: Tripla will have some 35,000 vehicles passing by every day, and Hartwall Areena in excess of 45,000. Currently, in autumn 2019, the traffic volumes are much lower.\n“We have worked hard to ensure that this solution will function as well as possible. The tightest spots are the traffic lights closest to the roundabout and tunnel in different directions,” Verkamo says.\nAccording to Urjanheimo, there may also be some initial congestion as people start using the new roads for the first time.\n“It’s only natural that people are a bit more cautious when they are driving on roads they haven’t been on before. The lack of familiarity means you have to think and look more carefully to determine which way you should be driving.\nUrjanheimo has one tip for people driving to the shopping centre: if you want to enter the parking facility at Tripla, you should choose the lane for the street-level roundabout rather than the tunnel that goes under Tripla.\nA tunnel under Tripla\nThe roundabout mentioned by Urjanheimo is a special feature of the Veturitie project. The lower level of the split-level solution sees through traffic from Veturitie enter a tunnel that passes under Tripla, while on the upper level, Tornikuja and Teollisuuskatu connect with Veturitie as well as Tripla’s parking and service areas. The area can also be reached from the north.\nThe foundation construction for the roundabout and tunnel has included various work phases: sheet pile driving, jet grouting, bedrock injection, impact pile driving and bored pile driving. The tunnel’s concrete trough goes 15 metres deep. To reinforce the foundation, the entire trough has been piled using approximately 500 bored piles and anchored to the bedrock. The bedrock has also been injected with cement to ensure that the anchors and bolts hold.\n“The Teollisuuskatu tunnel actually consists of two separate tunnel passageways. There are separate passageways for the roads going east and west. The tunnel’s technical systems have been connected to a traffic management system that is operated from the Traffic Management Centre. While completely eliminating the sound of cars in the tunnel is not possible, we have worked together with the City of Helsinki to make the passage under Tripla as pleasant as possible. We have put thought into the user experience and focused on lighting and acoustics,” Urjanheimo says.\nMore space for bicycles, pedestrians and public transport\nThe benefits of the new streets and tunnels in the Pasila area go beyond just people who drive. According to Verkamo, the opening of the shopping centre and station marks an improvement in the daily life of public transport users, cyclists and pedestrians as well.\n“When drivers learn to use the new Veturitie and the Teollisuuskatu tunnel, car traffic on the Pasila bridge will be reduced. Wider footpaths and bicycle lanes will be introduced on both sides of the Pasila bridge, and stylish shelters have been built in the Pasila station area. In addition, all of the station’s pedestrian areas are heated. There is parking for 500 bicycles next to the station, and many times more in Tripla,” Verkamo says.\nThe access routes for public transport users with connections in Pasila are better than usual. The bus and tram stops and taxi stands are all located in front of the station hall. Their areas are larger than before and there is more room to wait.\nThe station hall that serves train passenger has also been upgraded. Now larger than before, it is directly connected to the adjacent shopping centre.\nThe opening of Mall of Tripla and the station hall means that the temporary Pasila station can be retired. Demolition work on the facility will begin in January 2020. Most of the work will take place at night.\n“The temporary station has served its purpose well. If it hadn’t been built, the old station would have had to be demolished and the new one built in several phases, which would have extended the construction time for Tripla as a whole by nearly two years,” Urjanheimo explains.\nA large project that has been met with an emotional response\nThe construction and opening of the new Veturitie and Mall of Tripla has been met with an emotional response among the city’s residents and the people who use the area. But can the same be said for those who built it?\n“I would describe my feelings as a mix of pride and excitement. Not many of the people who worked on this project are likely to be involved in something of this magnitude again,” Urjanheimo says.\nAccording to the City of Helsinki’s plans, work in Pasila and the nearby areas will continue for quite some time yet, but the projects that are now being completed hold a special place in Harri Verkamo’s heart as well.\n“What we are seeing this October is the realisation of a number of things we have spent a lot of time planning over the past few years. These are exciting times. I’m sure this is among the biggest projects in all of our careers. You can never anticipate everything that might happen in a project of this size, but the way we react to surprises and new circumstances is crucial. The cooperation between the parties involved in this project has been very smooth,” Verkamo concludes.\nRead more about Tripla\nPictures: Auvo Takkinen\nWater treatment contributes to ambitious environmental construction\nTakt production provides a schedule for material deliveries on a construction site – order processing automation is developed in cooperation","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line647155"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5460236072540283,"wiki_prob":0.5460236072540283,"text":"A Very Merry Phoenix TubaChristmas\nI’m a trombone player. But I also play other instruments as well, and some unusual ones, like the serpent. One of the nice things about playing historical instruments like the serpent is that I get to play music and do things with people that I couldn’t do with a trombone in my hand.\nLike play at TubaChristmas. Yup.\nThe brainchild of the late Harvey Phillips – Professor of Tuba at Indiana University for many years – TubaChristmas has been going for 43 consecutive years. What started at Rockefeller Center in New York City on January 1, 1974 as a tribute to Phillips’ teacher, tuba great William “Bill” Bell (who played tuba with the Sousa Band and the New York Philharmonic Orchestra for many years among many outstanding contributions to the music world) blossomed into a world-wide event. This year, my wife, Pat, and I took part in our first TubaChristmas.\nThe Phoenix TubaChristmas was led by my ASU Tuba Professor colleague, Dr. Deanna Swoboda . Deanna is a tremendous teacher, player and person, one of my best friends, and she brought her musical expertise and great, fun personality to lead a group of 122 players – a record number for the Phoenix TubaChristmas event – of every type, size and shape of tuba related instrument. Contrabass tubas, bass tubas, Sousaphones, euphoniums, baritones. And a contrabass serpent. The photo above shows me with my “anaconda” serpent, “George,” along with Deanna and Pat (with her British style baritone horn – she played baritone horn in the New England Brass band from 1998-2008 when I was the Band’s music director) at Tempe Marketplace near Phoenix, Arizona.\nOK, a word about “George.” Made in 1990 by the late Christopher Monk, “George” was the second contrabass serpent ever made, the first being constructed in the 19th century in Huddersfield, England. “George” was commissioned by the late Philip Palmer and after Phil’s death, I purchased this extraordinary instrument from his widow, Connie Palmer.\n“George” got its name because it was on April 23 – St. George’s Day – in 1990 that this instrument first received breath from Christopher Monk. 16 feet long, it is in CC; it is made of choice sycamore covered with leather. It was built to be a double size French church serpent with brass keys since the holes are too large to be covered by one’s fingers. The boxwood mouthpiece was made for me by the late Keith Rogers who succeeded Christopher Monk as serpent and cornet maker of Christopher Monk Instruments in England. The serpent is considered the ancestor of the tuba family, a bass wind instrument with a cup shaped mouthpiece that had its origins in – well, it all depends on where you come down on serpent scholarship. Certainly it was being used in France by 1590 but it very likely had origins in Italy somewhat before that time. You can get a lot more information about the serpent by visiting The Serpent Website where you can also download past issues of The Serpent Newsletter. Seriously!\nBringing “George” along to TubaChristmas – and I should say that this is a real, serious instrument, capable of playing with a beautiful sound; I used this instrument on my CD of music for serpent, Le Monde du Serpent – was great fun. Deanna asked me to say a few words about the serpent both at the rehearsal and the performance, and I played a verse of “Good King Wenceslas” to demonstrate its capabilities. I posed for a photo with many audience members who wanted to be seen with “George,” and I enjoyed many conversations with people who wanted to know more about the serpent.\nOur playlist featured 18 well-known Christmas tunes, both popular songs and traditional carols. The audience was enthusiastic and appreciative. Well, you don’t exactly see 122 tuba-type instruments gathered in one place, with players from age 13 to in their 70s, celebrating “the most wonderful time of the year” in a festive way. Part of the fun was knowing that this same kind of event was going on all around the world. Not every place could have their TubaChristmas outside like we did here in Phoenix; Chicago, for instance, had their TubaChristmas in a ballroom at the Palmer House Hotel. But no matter whether it was inside our out, with few or many players, TubaChristmas has developed into a very special event that bring people together with music. A big thank you to Deanna Swoboda for her great leadership, and to all participants and audience members. Merry TubaChristmas!\nCliff Barrows (1923-2016): A man of song. And the trombone.\nDID: Christmas music","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line160716"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7382384538650513,"wiki_prob":0.7382384538650513,"text":"https://apnews.com/article/business-health-china-coronavirus-pandemic-global-trade-f42829cdeabd83019dc07180888c6074\nChina’s trade accelerates in August despite coronavirus\nBy JOE McDONALDSeptember 7, 2021 GMT\nIn this aerial photo, container ships are docked at a port on the Yangtze River in Nantong in eastern China's Jiangsu Province, Monday, Sept. 6, 2021. China's import and export growth accelerated in August despite disruptions due to the spread of the coronavirus's delta variant. (Chinatopix via AP)\nBEIJING (AP) — China’s import and export growth accelerated in August despite disruptions due to the spread of the coronavirus’s delta variant.\nExports rose 25.6% over a year earlier to $294.3 billion, up from July’s 18.9% growth, customs data showed Tuesday. Imports rose 33.1% to $236 billion, up from the previous month’s 28.7%.\nThat came despite lingering disruptions in industrial production chains due to last year’s global economic shutdown and a renewed rise in infections in the United States and some other markets that has dampened consumer sentiment.\nChina has so far defied forecasts that export demand would level off as anti-disease controls eased, entertainment and other service industries reopened and foreign rivals returned to global markets.\n“Exports and imports were much stronger than anticipated last month thanks to buoyant demand, even as the data point to some lingering supply shortages,” Sheana Yue of Capital Economics said in a report.\nThis year’s trade figures are distorted by comparison with 2020. Global demand plunged in the first half after governments shut factories and shops to fight the pandemic. Chinese exporters reopened after the ruling Communist Party declared the virus under control in March 2020, while its foreign competitors were hampered by anti-virus curbs.\nChina’s exports to the United States rose 15.5% in August over a year earlier to $51.7 billion, accelerating from July’s 13.4% growth despite U.S. tariff hikes imposed in an enduring battle over Beijing’s technology ambitions. Imports of American goods increased 33.3% to $14 billion, up from the previous month’s 25.5% gain.\nPresident Joe Biden, who took office in January, has yet to say whether he might roll back penalties imposed on Chinese imports by his predecessor, Donald Trump. Envoys from the two sides have talked by video link but have yet to announce a date for negotiations.\nChina’s global trade surplus narrowed by 1% in August over a year earlier to $58.3 billion.\nThe politically volatile surplus with the United States widened by 10% to $37.7 billion.\nChinese exports to the 27-nation European Union declined 9.9% from a year ago to $46.2 billion while imports of European goods fell 22% to $25.3 billion. The trade surplus with Europe widened by 10.9% to $20.9 billion.\nChina’s economic growth slowed to a still-robust 7.9% over a year earlier in the latest quarter as a rebound from the pandemic leveled off.\nEconomic growth in the April-June period compared with the previous quarter, the way other major economies report results, was 1.3% as factory and consumer activity returned to normal. That was up from the January-March period’s 0.6% expansion over the final three months of 2020 but still among the past decade’s weakest quarters.\nGeneral Administration of Customs of China (in Chinese): www.customs.gov.cn","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1874091"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8085594773292542,"wiki_prob":0.8085594773292542,"text":"Kathryn Schulz, Kathryn Schulz (Read by)\nPaperback, Large Print (2/8/2022)\nJanuary 2022 Indie Next List\n“Schulz explores love, loss, and everything in between with empathy and nuance. A feat of pure brilliance that speaks directly to our humanity in these challenging times. It found me at a necessary moment, and I will always be grateful.”\n— Lesley Rains, City of Asylum Bookstore, Pittsburgh, PA\nNATIONAL BESTSELLER • NEW YORK TIMES EDITORS’ CHOICE • A “profound and beautiful” (Marilynne Robinson) account of joy and sorrow from one of the great writers of our time, The New Yorker’s Kathryn Schulz, winner of the Pulitzer Prize\n“I will stake my reputation on you being blown away by Lost & Found.”—Anne Lamott, author of Dusk, Night, Dawn and Bird by Bird\nLONGLISTED FOR THE NATIONAL BOOK AWARD • FINALIST FOR THE NATIONAL JEWISH BOOK AWARD • LONGLISTED FOR THE ANDREW CARNEGIE MEDAL\nONE OF THE TEN BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR: People\nONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR: Time, NPR, Oprah Daily, The Washington Post, The Boston Globe, Esquire, Vulture, She Reads, Book Riot, Publishers Weekly\nOne spring morning, Kathryn Schulz went to lunch with a stranger and fell in love. Having spent years looking for the right relationship, she was dazzled by how swiftly everything changed when she finally met her future wife. But as the two of them began building a life together, Schulz’s beloved father—a charming, brilliant, absentminded Jewish refugee—went into the hospital with a minor heart condition and never came out. Newly in love yet also newly bereft, Schulz was left contending simultaneously with wild joy and terrible grief.\nThose twin experiences form the heart of Lost & Found, a profound meditation on the families that make us and the families we make. But Schulz’s book also explores how disappearance and discovery shape us all. On average, we each lose two hundred thousand objects over our lifetime, and Schulz brilliantly illuminates the relationship between those everyday losses and our most devastating ones. Likewise, she explores the importance of seeking, whether for ancient ruins or new ideas, friends, faith, meaning, or love. The resulting book is part memoir, part guidebook to sustaining wonder and gratitude even in the face of loss and grief. A staff writer at The New Yorker and winner of the Pulitzer Prize, Schulz writes with curiosity, tenderness, and humor about the connections between joy and sorrow—and between us all.\nPraise For Lost & Found: A Memoir…\n“In an ocean of churning cynicism and despair, this is a winning bet.”—The New York Times\n“Sublime, compassionate . . . brilliant.”—Minneapolis Star-Tribune\n“Lost & Found exemplifies the best of what memoir can do.”—Oprah Daily\n“An extraordinary gift of a book, a tender, searching meditation on love and loss and what it means to be human. I wept at it, laughed with it, was entirely fascinated by it. I emerged feeling as if the world around me had been made anew.”—Helen Macdonald, author of H Is for Hawk and Vesper Flights\n“An unfolding astonishment to read.”—Alison Bechdel, author of The Secret to Human Strength and Fun Home\n“Kathryn Schulz has created a masterpiece of metaphysical insight, at once richly lyrical and piercingly specific.”—Andrew Solomon, author of The Noonday Demon and Far from the Tree\n“Our lives do indeed deserve and reward the kind of honest, gentle, brilliant scrutiny Schulz brings to bear on her own life. The book is profound and beautiful.”—Marilynne Robinson, author of Housekeeping and Gilead\n“Lost & Found is the most daring of books: a memoir by a happy person. Deeply felt and exquisitely written, it’s an absorbing exploration of love and loss—not to mention meteorites, Dante, and bears. The prodigiously talented Kathryn Schulz has written about her life in a way that will change yours.”—Andy Borowitz, of “The Borowitz Report”\n“Lost & Found is a deeply moving, richly illuminating exploration of loss and bliss. Schulz is never anything but the very best company, speaking nuanced truths from and about the deepest reaches of the heart.”—Leslie Jamison, author of Make It Scream, Make It Burn\n“Kathryn Schulz has a singular way of turning a familiar idea around and around until it becomes cosmic, geological, wondrous. In Lost & Found she turns a memoir of love and death into an exploration of the way chance becomes fate and grief intertwines with gratitude. To read her is to be quietly amazed at hidden depths and histories—as if you were to discover a map of a continent written in the palm of your hand.”—Jia Tolentino, author of Trick Mirror\n“By the end of these exquisite existential wanderings, Schulz comes to a quiet truce with her finding that ‘life, too, goes by contraries . . . by turns crushing and restorative . . . comic and uplifting.’ Schulz’s canny observations are a treasure.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)\n“Deeply felt. More than a reflection on the loss of a parent. It is about the idea of loss in general and the passage of time. Fresh and evocative . . . a poignant, loving, wise, and comforting meditation on grief from both a personal and collective perspective.”—Booklist (starred review)\nPublication Date: February 8, 2022\nKathryn Schulz is a staff writer at The New Yorker and the author of Being Wrong. She won a National Magazine Award and a Pulitzer Prize for “The Really Big One,” her article about seismic risk in the Pacific Northwest. Lost & Found grew out of “Losing Streak,” a New Yorker story that was anthologized in The Best American Essays. Her other essays and reporting have appeared in The Best American Science and Nature Writing, The Best American Travel Writing, and The Best American Food Writing. A native of Ohio, she now lives on the Eastern Shore of Maryland.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1757123"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6749064922332764,"wiki_prob":0.32509350776672363,"text":"Rethinking Lectures, Learning, and Engagement\n­­­I have, for quite a long time, not been a big fan of lectures as a primary way of fostering learning and the positive transformations that accompany learning at its best—particularly when the learning is centered around training sessions for adults in workplace settings. Within the learning environments onsite and online in which I most frequently work, learning is doing and doing is learning—which leaves lengthy formal lectures near the bottom of my learning toolkit in most situations. And I can’t say that I have changed my mind substantially. But reading an article—“Good Riddance to Boring Lectures? Technology Isn’t the Answer—Understanding Good Teaching Is,” by Christopher Charles Deneen and Michael Cowling for TheConversation.com—brought to my attention by ShapingEDU colleague Kim Flintoff, has inspired some rethinking on the subject—particularly after engaging in an unexpected set of asynchronous exchanges with colleagues via Facebook.\nThe article by Deneen and Cowling is thoughtful, balanced, and inspiring. The writers begin by describing how a vice chancellor at an Australian university is suggesting that as students return to onsite learning this year, lectures “would be much less common and not a ‘crutch for poor pedagogy.’” They deftly dive into an exploration of the idea that lectures will “be replaced by superior, technology-enhanced substitutes.” And after exploring our long-standing love-hate relationship with lectures in learning, they circle back to what is, for me, a perfect, well-reasoned conclusion: “We need to reject the notion that lectures will sink our students and technology will save them. Instead, let’s dig deeply and critically into both, reflect upon how to improve our practices, and apply sound teaching methods and practices to create learning engagements that are captivating and profound.”\nKim Flintoff\nKim, in posting (on Facebook) a link to the article, offered the briefest of comments: “I think the issue is engagement. Some lecturers can be very engaging. Many are not. Creating space for the learner is one of the criteria for engagement.” And that’s where the fun starts, for Barry Altland, a cherished ATD (Association for Talent Development) colleague here in the United States, responded to Kim’s comment with this opening salvo: “This [comment] states the ‘lecturers can be engaging.’ By their very definition, they are not. Facilitators are. But lecturers, presenters, speakers and instructors are not. Nor are teachers. For those are all movements that one does ‘at’ another, not ‘with’ another. Only a Facilitator invites the voices of many others into the learning conversation.”\nMy response did little to hide my surprise: “I’m seeing the ‘lecture’ format evolve in engaging ways, and don’t sense that an appreciation for what first-rate facilitators inspire and accomplish precludes an appreciation for what a first-rate lecturer inspires and accomplishes. 2) I wouldn’t trade memories of lectures I have attended by Stephen Jay Gould, David Halberstam, Ann Patchett, Eric Whitacre, Jeremy Gutsche, R. David Lankes, and numerous others for anything. Furthermore, TED talks I’ve seen or attended suggest how vibrant, engaging, and transformative a lecture can be when the lecturer uses the power of storytelling to draw us into powerful communal experiences. And the best of the teacher-lecturers I’ve found in formal academic settings have had a lifelong impact on my approach to work, learning, and play. Really sorry if you haven’t had experiences along those lines. As Lankes would say: Expect More!”\nBarry Altland\nDave himself, tagged in my response on Facebook, almost immediately joined the conversation: “The best lectures stimulate a dialog within the individual. A good book can be engaging, a song can change a life.” Which drew a response from Barry: “Books and songs are inanimate. When human beings come together, they both have something to offer the learning moment.”\nR. David Lankes\nWith the ball back in Dave’s court, the exchange continued: “You used the word ‘engagement.’ A good lecture spawns conversations, internal and between people. Also, a lecture can absolutely be interactive one to many and many to one. I absolutely know the power of facilitated learning and workshops. Mastery requires going beyond lectures to practice. But to dismiss lectures as a simple broadcast of inherently less value I find problematic.”\nJill Hurst-Wahl\nOther colleagues contributed to the exchange. My T is for Training colleague Jill Hurst-Wahl, in a series of posts, began by saying “I would add Larry Lessig as a person who gives engaging lectures. From what I’ve seen of her, I think Rep. Katie Porter would be a very engaging lecturer.”\nQuoting from the original article, Jill continued: “‘Instead, let’s dig deeply and critically into both, reflect upon how to improve our practices, and apply sound teaching methods and practices to create learning engagements that are captivating and profound.’ I like the phrase ‘how to improve our practices.’ We are not taught as teachers how to improve our lectures. I remember when I joined my academic institution, I asked for advice on how to prepare for three-hour class and was told that what I did was up to me. I would have welcomed advice and training! Over the years, I have learned from workshops, by watching others, and by doing. Imagine if all teachers—no matter how they got into the profession—were taught on how to be engaging when they needed to lecture?”\nAnd directing her final contribution to Dave, she added the following: “Like a lecture, if a book, song, video, etc. causes me to think deeply and have a conversation with myself, I will learn.”\nLaura Fothergill\nThe final contribution (at least up to this moment) comes from long-time ATD (Association for Talent Development) South Florida Chapter colleague Laura Fothergill: “Loved the article, really dislike the title and perpetuation of us vs them (lecture vs technology). Can we stop even putting this into the ethos? Why not title it ‘Be critical, be reflective, be better’ or ‘Lose your Assumptions.’ By spinning the concepts into either or and inviting that conversation we are not helping individual faculty with their own personal professional development.” So, in a relatively brief period of time, we went from lectures and learning to whether lectures and lecturers (and presenters, speakers, instructors, and teachers) could even be engaging or whether engagement was exclusive to facilitators. And, just for good measure, Dave and Jill took us down the intriguing path of what learning is and how we learn, with Laura advocating for elimination of the us vs. them element of our explorations.\nAlthough the obvious starting point for me is a preference for a “learners as co-conspirators in the learning process” approach to learning (as compared to the boringly passive approach to learning that is obvious in the worst of lectures and lecturers) in the settings in which I work, I was intrigued by the fond memories of what I had learned from the best lecturers I have heard—and I also thought about how my own approach to “lectures” has continued to evolve. When I work synchronously face-to-face onsite, online, or in blended environments (combining onsite and online learning into a cohesive, seamless package), I play with and combine numerous approaches. I find it rewarding, for example, to follow a Flipped Classroom model approach by providing learners with pre-session prep work (videos or short articles) so that our time together “face to face” onsite or online focuses on application of what we have learned—with a strong emphasis on what the learners will do with their newly-acquired knowledge/skills the minute our time together comes to an end. In asynchronous settings (e.g., through the four-week online courses I design and facilitate for the American Library Association), I start with weekly “typed lectures” that provide my own content interspersed with plenty of links to other people’s videos, articles, and online, easily accessible resources to support the learners’ explorations. I also include focused exercises that encourage the learners to apply what they are learning, interact with other learners, and even adapt the assignments in ways that produce something they can use in their own workplaces while and after the course is underway. The emphasis is always on having learners define what they need to know and encouraging them to focus on what addresses their learning needs as quickly as possible.\nJust as participation in a creative online learning opportunity exploring The Innovator’s Mindset (led by George Couros in 2017) made me rethink my perceptions about what “reading” is in the early 21st century, the exchanges via Facebook have inspired me to further rethink my perceptions about what a great “lecture” is in contemporary times. It is focused. It is engaging. It inspires inquisitiveness by serving as an invitation to explore a topic further. It can—but doesn’t necessarily have to—be creative in its use of tools available to the lecturer and the people sharing in that learning experience. (I often think, for example, of how Jonathan Haidt so effectively turned the TED Talk lecture format on its head by doing a formal lecture that “ended” a few minutes early so he could offer an entirely different version, during the final few minutes of his allotted time, by seamlessly and in the most stunningly successful of ways completely integrating video into the live presentation. I also think of how effectively Eric Whitacre incorporated a demonstration of a virtual choir into a live lecture on virtual choirs at a conference I attended a few years ago.) The learning, in each of these cases, was effective, engaging, inspirational, and transformative—because of, not in spite of, the “lecture” format. The rethinking continued over the weekend when I finally made time to watch the first couple of lectures in The Great Courses’ series on “The Learning Brain”—a series of 24 30-minute lectures captured on a CD and accompanied by a course guidebook. As I sat there in the comfort of my own home with the book in hand and the first few minutes of the video playing, an obvious revelation struck: The lecture can very much be a like a part of a spoken (audio) book, and the book can very much be like a set of printed lectures–even if it isn’t actually one of those lovely books providing the text of lectures. Both, when produced effectively, can be and are engaging. Dropping them completely from our learning toolkits makes no sense to me, and arguing against them in absolute, non-nuanced terms, seems counterproductive. The important decision to be made is when each is the best tool for a particular learning situation, and then to produce the best version of the learning resource that we possibly can produce. So we learn. With our learners. To inspire the best results possible.\nLeave a Comment » | technology, training | Tagged: ann patchett, christopher charles deneen, co-conspirators, david halberstam, engagement, eric whitacre, good riddance to boring lectures, great courses, innovator's mindset, jeremy gutsche, jill hurst-wahl, jonathan haidt, katie porter, kim flintoff, laura fothergill, lawrence lessig, learning, learning brain, lectures, michael cowling, paul signorelli, r. david lankes, reading, stephen jay gould, ted talks, the conversation, training | Permalink\nChanging the World Using YouTube and Podcasting\nIf the thought of reaching your current or prospective community of activists and other collaborators via YouTube or podcasts feels daunting, start simply, openly, and honestly—with something you know—as Phillip “Brail” Watson does. Watson, on his Facebook “Our Story” page, describes himself as “a classically trained vocalist, cellist, songwriter, rapper, clinician, producer and Berklee College of Music graduate” who wants to “change the world through music.” His extensive, well-developed, engaging presence on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, and other social media platforms fully integrates his commitment to music, spirituality, and social change in ways that make it seem like the easiest thing in the world to do. And it can be for you, too, if you pursue it as diligently and purposefully as he does.\nIf you spend time with Watson online by exploring his use of social media, you begin to see and appreciative the possibilities available through the effective use of a platform like YouTube. His stunningly moving TEDxTopeka talk “Giving Back” on YouTube begins with a brief, beautiful, sung prayer—obviously an element of his work that flows from the core of all he is. He then quickly pulls you in by admitting “I’m going to do this all wrong”—an admission that challenges and begs you to stay with him to see where he is going in the 18 minutes he has under the standard TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design) talk format. He asks you—just as he asks the live audience he is addressing in that recorded talk—to walk with him; to see what he sees, from his perspective; and to “feel the places” where he has been—in the hope that you, as he has, will come to understand the value of giving something back to the community you cherish. It’s an invitation to be part of something positive, something greater than you already are or might ever be—and it is an effective call to action because Watson draws upon his highly-developed use of language, poetry, musicianship, and inspirational skills to integrate all of those elements into the wonderfully moving video that documents his TEDxTopeka talk in 2015.\nThis is about far more than making and placing content on a social media site; it is about using everything you have developed and will continue to develop to effectively reach audiences and inspire positive action. It is about developing a body of work that weaves through everything else you do. It is about integrating that work in unexpectedly creative ways with other work you do and other opportunities you pursue. It is about transforming the (sometimes) simple act of recording and sharing your thoughts on YouTube and through podcasts into an act of inviting engagement with people you may never actually meet—and recognizing that you don’t have to physically meet someone to very much be drawn into their causes and being inspired to action by them, or inspiring them and drawing them into yours.\nDescribing the unexpected sequence of events that led to me finding and being inspired by Watson provides some lessons worth learning:\nAlthough you want to have a specific audience in mind as you prepare a YouTube video or podcast, you will have no idea initially of how broad and diverse an audience you will eventually reach and inspire.\nA presentation given in one venue, e.g., the TEDxTopeka talk, that is recorded, posted, and shared online, gains an extended life far beyond anything you could have provided if you had simply given that presentation and then moved on to something else.\nThe efforts you make to reach your audience produce only a small part of what is accomplished when others see and share your work; those efforts offer the same expansion you see when others retweet your tweets or share your Facebook posts in ways that produce rhizomatic expansion of what you thought might be little more than a moment lived and then forgotten.\nMy initial unplanned step toward finding Watson online was taken when my Topeka-based colleague David Lee King and I were doing another in our series of interviews for Change the World Using Social Media, my book-in-progress for Rowman & Littlefield. I had asked David for examples he had seen of how YouTube was part of the process of promoting positive change within a community. He did not mention Watson; instead, he responded with a description of a magnificent activist’s-dream initiative, Go Topeka’s Momentum 2022, which is described on the project’s website as “a comprehensive, actionable, and consensus-based plan…to make Topeka-Shawnee County a better place to live, work, play, and do business.” King pointed me toward a two-minute video that very much impressed me: “Topeka & Shawnee County Have Momentum,” posted on YouTube by the citizen-activists in the Greater Topeka Partnership. It seemed to have everything that a video call-to-action should have: high production values, a clear message (that Topeka has lots to offer and can become even better if community partners work together to build upon its existing strengths to chip away at its weaknesses), and an obvious call to action—until I heard from Jill Hurst-Wahl during separate conversations for part of the book.\nThere is no gentle way to express what Jill noted after viewing the video I had so enthusiastically shared: it didn’t have many images of people, but the images included in the video did little to hint that nearly 25 percent of Topeka’s population is African-American or Hispanic. That’s when Jill found and offered a different video version of the topic: Watson’s “Topeka Proud” video, posted on Vimeo. Same city, much different viewpoint—and one that aligns with parts of the Momentum 2022 initiative calling for efforts to foster and promote greater diversity and inclusivity in Topeka. And seeing what Watson had produced led me to seek out much more of what he was doing—on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, and elsewhere.\nThis provides another opportunity for a reminder worth repeating: you can certainly choose one specific social media platform that best suits your goals as someone attempting to foster positive change in your community, but creating an integrated presence over multiple platforms tremendously increases the chances that you will reach the largest possible group of community partners to help you reach those goals.\nAs you move into a more complete exploration of YouTube and podcasts as tools you can use in your efforts, it’s worth noting that there is at least one more encouraging piece to the Go Topeka/Topeka Proud story: a second video, posted on YouTube by the Greater Topeka Partnership eight months after the first one appeared, pushes the story forward with a much broader cast of characters featured: the ethnic diversity that is obvious through the inclusion of Enimini Ekong (Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Site), Leo Espinoza (College and Career Advocate, Topeka USD 501 Schools), Marcus Clark (senior pastor, Love Fellowship Church, East Topeka), Angel Zimmerman (Zimmerman & Zimmerman, PA), and others. This is clearly a community that is effectively and creatively working to promote the most positive results it can imagine.\nN.B. — Paul is currently writing Change the World Using Social Media, scheduled for publication by Rowman & Littlefield in 2020. This is the fifteenth in a continuing series of excerpts from and interviews for the manuscript in progress.\nLeave a Comment » | change the world, change the world using social media, technology, writing | Tagged: activism, angel zimmerman, brail watson, change the world, change the world using social media, david lee king, engagement, enimini ekong, go topeka, jill hurst-wahl, leo espinoza, marcus clark, momentum 2022, paul signorelli, phillip brail watson, rowman & littlefield, social change, social media, tedxtopeka, topeka proud, youtube | Permalink\nChanging the World Through #NeverAgain\nWhen we look at what has happened in the five months that have passed since the shooting of students at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School took place in Parkland, Florida on Valentine’s Day earlier this year, we’re left with a clear-cut vision of the difference a few people can make in promoting positive change out of the worst of circumstances.\nIf the situation had played out differently, David Hogg and his sister Lauren would not have survived the shooting, and we would not have the short, gripping first-hand account of the shooting and its aftermath they provide though #Never Again: A New Generation Draws the Line, recently published by Random House.\nThe basic details have been abundantly covered: 17 students and others on campus that day were killed by a former student. An Instagram video taken and posted by a student and numerous text messages provided some of the earliest, most graphic images and descriptions of what was taking place. The survivors immediately began asking what they could do to help stop the cycle of violence involving shootings on school campuses, followed by meaningless expressions of sorrow and prayer, followed by inaction, and then followed by more shootings. David Hogg, Emma Gonzalez, and other Marjory Stoneman Douglas (MSD) students began meeting within days to create a plan of action, which led to their formation of Never Again MSD (also known as #NeverAgain and #EnoughIsEnough); spawned the global March for Our Lives movement that helped organize events in more than 850 cities worldwide the following month; and has also spawned the Vote for Our Lives movement currently mobilizing young (prospective) voters across the United States in an effort to respond positively to a situation that they—and many of us—feel is completely intolerable and could more effectively be addressed than it has up to this point.\nThe human part of the story comes through loudly and clearly in the book, as this excerpt (written by Lauren) shows: On the night of the day that the Parkland shooting took place, “I basically passed out. I couldn’t physically stay awake. The same thing happened the next night and the next night and on like that for weeks. During the day I’d have to take naps, then I’d pass out at eight or nine every night and wake up in the middle of the night, so I’d start the next day exhausted again. It’s still hard for me to get a normal night’s sleep. So many of the kids at my school are like that. I never thought trauma could take that kind of toll, but it does” (p. 68).\nMany have expressed shocking cruel and brutal disbelief in online posts that students as young as these writer-activists are could help mobilize and inspire the level of action they have already inspired through social media platforms and other resources—boycotts that caused “big companies from Delta Airlines to Hertz” to distance themselves from the NRA; gun-control legislation in New York, Vermont, (Deerfield) Illinois, Florida, and Maryland; and those marches themselves (pp. 124-126): “Then we left Dr. Phil and went home with friends to our old neighborhood, and I had to go to sleep again because I was falling asleep even in the car. The next morning, really early, something like four a.m., my phone started buzzing and buzzing,” Lauren writes (p. 81). “I finally got up and looked at Instagram to see why people were on there, and I saw all these white supremacists and neo-Nazis saying horrible stuff on my Instagram account, like You’re going to hell, you’re an actress, your whole family is going to hell. There was one that read, Your whole school is not real, you’re all actors. I thought that was just so bizarre that someone would even think that. My whole school?”\nThe narrative throughout the book responds to that disbelief. David describe how what they learned at home from their father (a retired FBI agent) about remaining as calm as possible under the most trying of circumstances helped carry them through the moments during which the shooting was occurring. David also writes about how his experience gathering and posting news reports through coursework he was completing led him to actually take videos of himself describing what was occurring and sending those for posting before that initial day of horror was over. Both acknowledge the positive impact their instructors and coursework had in preparing them for their transition from learner to activist—a much-needed tribute to what is good in our educational system at a time when so many critics complain bitterly about how ineffectual that system is. And they explicitly acknowledge how that magnificent community of learning pulled together in ways that brought friends together to apply what they had learned so they could attempt to change a world that so clearly is far from the world of their dreams.\nMarch for Our Lives, San Francisco (3/24/18)\nThe #NeverForget chapter at the end of the book provides a resource we would do well to read and reread on a regular basis if we do not want to lose sight of the human tragedy at the heart of this political movement: a list of some of the people who “have been killed in gun violence” since 1999, along with brief, often-poignant descriptions of those who are no longer with us. It’s difficult to imagine being able to read those descriptions without feeling a tremendous sense of loss and a desire to be part of the community attempting to respond positively to those losses with more than expressions of sorrow and prayer.\nWhat we’re left with at the end of the final chapter is an inspiring call to action that again circles back to the importance of a well-functioning educational system that prepares our learners/youngest citizens to use all the resources available to them to not surrender to despair: “We learned to love people for what they are instead of hating them for what they’re not. And like the namesake of our high school—Marjory Stoneman Douglas, who changed her world by a full-on engagement with it, every day, as a journalist, a suffragette, and conservationist—we are learning to change the world by presuming that we can” (p. 141).\nN.B. — Paul is currently writing Change the World Using Social Media, scheduled for publication by Rowman & Littlefield in 2020. This is the thirteenth in a continuing series of excerpts from and interviews for the manuscript in progress.\n1 Comment | change the world, change the world using social media, technology, writing | Tagged: #marchforourlives, #voteforourlives, activism, change the world, change the world using social media, david hogg, emma gonzalez, engagement, gun control, instagram, lauren hogg, march for our lives, marjory stoneman douglas high school, paul signorelli, rowman & littlefield, social change, social media, vote for our lives | Permalink\nChanging the World Through Imagery: Snapchat, Instagram, and Flickr\nEphemeral moments, briefly captured and briefly shared through imagery, are at the heart of Snapchat—a social media platform used by nearly 75 percent of teens in America, a Pew Research Center report released in May 2018 suggests; it is a tool that is designed to playfully combine text captions and imagery through a here today, gone tomorrow approach. What you post there is generally meant to last no longer than 24 hours before disappearing. The tremendously world-changing impact a Snapchat post can have, however, became clear in early 2018, when a teenaged Snapchat user captured the horrendous moments of the mass shooting of students, by a former student, at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.\nThis was a snap that did not—and will not—disappear. Copied and reposted online and included in mainstream media coverage of the tragedy, it has taken on a life of its own; was part of a student-driven online social media presence that helped spur the March for Our Lives (#MarchForOurLives) protest movement that has attracted participation from students and adults in more than 800 cities worldwide and its companion initiative, Vote for Our Lives (#VoteForOurLives); and, within one month of the shooting, had produced gun-control legislation in Oregon and Florida unlike any that previously came out of years of fruitless conversations between those in favor of somehow limiting access to guns and those who firmly believe that the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution provides absolute, uncontrolled access to guns.\nWatching that snap or looking at March for Our Lives images on the Instagram and Flickr photo-sharing sites takes you to the heart of one of the most divisive debates in America today. You don’t just see people affected by an issue seeking some sort of positive resolution: you see the debate itself playing out in sometimes spiteful, vicious comments between those who find themselves on opposite sides of a debate that was producing few concrete results—until that snap went viral, the students became advocates with often very sophisticated approaches to the social (and mainstream) media tools available to them, and those students joined the voices of those insisting that “enough is enough” and that a positive response to the most awful of situations had to come sooner than later.\nThe fact that Snapchat was the initial vehicle for providing painfully jarringly intimate glimpses into another tragedy unfolding was probably something that those creating Snapchat could never have predicted when they created a platform for capturing and briefly disseminating ephemeral moments.\n“I don’t think [Facebook Co-founder, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer] Mark Zuckerberg ever dreamed that Facebook would be involved in presidential election scandals and the fake-news cycle. Nor do I think that Snapchat leadership pictured teens snapping violent and traumatic injury in the midst of a horrific crisis,” Samantha Becker, the independent consultant and President of SAB Creative & Consulting, says. “It’s not necessarily something you envision from the get-go, but it makes sense that social networks would be effective vehicles for spreading news, exposing real-life events in progress, etc. But there can definitely be backlash. I’m thinking about the Logan Paul YouTube scandal from a couple months ago, where he showed footage from a suicide. People are rightfully concerned that social media can glamorize the tragic. It’s a very delicate balance and there is a fine line between sharing something that spurs positive action vs. negative reactions. The in-situ experience of social media means that people aren’t always thinking before they post—and they can be greatly penalized for that or end up inspiring the wrong kind of action.\n“I don’t have a solution for how and where to draw the line, but we could use more guidance around that and more ways to educate forthcoming generations and provide proper digital literacy training.”\nBriefly tracing the early, rapid growth of #MarchForOurLives provides a strong reminder that specific social media platforms do not operate in a vacuum; they are part of an overall combination of traditional and relatively new media formats available to those who want to take the small- and large-scale steps that can lead to changing the world. #MarchForOurLives at least in part grew rapidly because those Snapchat images inspired action in a variety of ways: through mainstream and cable news programs; postings on other social media platforms including Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, Instagram, and YouTube; fundraising efforts coordinated by the nonprofit March for Our Lives Action Fund and others; and the personalization of the story through Parkland student-activists including Emma Gonzalez and David Hogg. In fact, it is the personalization of that message through the voices of Gonzalez, Hogg, and others that draw us and inspire us to action through the power of storytelling—through Snapchat, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and book-length explorations that bring these stories to people who might otherwise be overwhelmed and be unable to see that the road from observer to activist can be traveled in many different ways and in relatively short periods of time. Hogg and his sister Lauren appear to understand this implicitly: less than six months after the shooting in Parkland, they were able to publish #NeverAgain, a call to action published by Random House Trade Paperbacks.\nN.B. — Paul is currently writing Change the World Using Social Media, scheduled for publication by Rowman & Littlefield in 2020. This is the twelfth in a continuing series of excerpts from and interviews for the manuscript in progress.\n2 Comments | change the world, change the world using social media, technology, writing | Tagged: #marchforourlives, #voteforourlives, activism, change the world, change the world using social media, david hogg, emma gonzalez, engagement, flickr, gun control, instagram, logan paul, march for our lives, marjory stoneman douglas high school, paul signorelli, pew research center, rowman & littlefield, samantha adams becker, samantha becker, snapchat, social change, social media, vote for our lives | Permalink\nChanging the World With Jeff Merrell (Part 2 of 2)\nThis is the second part of a two-part interview conducted with Jeff Merrell, Associate Director of Northwestern University’s Master’s Program in Learning & Organizational Change, for my book Change the World Using Social Media (Rowman & Littlefield; projected publication date is autumn 2018). The interview was conducted online using a shared Google Doc, and has been lightly edited.\nIn a world where employers encourage employees to be available around the clock via the use of mobile devices, is the old rule of thumb “don’t talk politics at work” even a realistic approach anymore, given that lines between personal and professional activities are being inadvertently erased–through actions rather than by design?\nAh. There’s the $1,000,000,000 question.\nLook, for me, it starts and ends with the organizational culture. I would not attempt to have “let’s talk social issues” discussions on a large scale if my company or organization did not do that naturally, in other forms. I am going back to my blog post rant a bit here, but I think some things like #MeToo, news around things like Charlottesville, can inspire some short-term discussions of topics within an organization’s online spaces. Maybe it allows people to—in a tiny way—share something that they’ve wanted to say. I’ve heard examples of this. But, for longer term impact, I think organizations need to think about how they “talk” about these issues routinely, in hybrid ways, where the online conversations are extensions or variations of what happens in other ways.\nIf your organizational culture isn’t strong enough to handle that, or your organizational philosophy does not incorporate some strong element of social impact, then you are not going to get very far.\nIt’s. Not. About. Social media.\nThanks. That’s really helping me to clarify something I’ve been exploring through these interviews: the impact that social activism through efforts including #MeToo have in settings far beyond what those involved may have originally thought would occur. I’m finding that few people are looking at the professional social media tools, e.g., LinkedIn, Slack, and Yammer, as means to foster social change. Thoughts on how those might fit in to what you just said in terms of conversations among our professional colleagues onsite as well as online?\nWell, let’s start with LinkedIn. LinkedIn is about your “brand.” So right there, you are screwed unless you as an individual are seeking to be branded as social activist. But I would suspect—maybe I am wrong—that someone with that mindset would find LinkedIn just not a fit. It’s about people trying to create professional brand in the traditional corporate model.\nSlack and Yammer, and similar, allow more co-construction of “space.” A group of social activists, within an organization, could easily start up a Slack community of trusted peers etc., set norms for participation, and maybe have a go of it.\nBut again, if the organizational culture is not accepting, respecting of that kind of conversation, then it will likely just be some dark secret thread. Where there is hope is when these spaces become places where people might be able to explore difficult topics and the organization is OK with that.\nAbout halfway through the “There is hope in pushing a conversation” section of your “Revisiting: A critical pedagogy for organizational learning?” post, you talk about a “kind of collision between the ‘outside’ social world and internal organizational world…” Have you seen positive change result among those with whom you work as a result of the interactions taking place in the layered communities you mentioned earlier in this conversation?\nLet me start over with a couple of examples.\nTwo of the most powerful “open” discussions we’ve had within our community (so…open to the entire community, but not open to the public) have been about 1) Being a Muslim—visiting student—in the U.S. and 2) the challenges of being a female in tech.\nIn both cases, these are very strong, female leaders who opened these discussions. And each was spurred by some outside event. Each also said—they would not write what they wrote anywhere else than within the community we created. And each, also, were very savvy social media users—blogging, on Twitter, etc.\nAnd the discussion threads—and related conversations outside of the online space—I found productive for the community as a whole. That was also the general sense of the leaders in this program, and from what I could gather, the community itself,\nPositive change coming from it? Not sure I can point to the lives of Muslim students being any “safer” or that women in tech are better off now. But there is a history here that now proves and demonstrates that our [learning] community—MSLOC—can take on these topics and explore them and learn from them.\nThat sort of takes us into the area of the same blog post that discusses “intentionally subverting the norm” as a way of fostering change. Any additional guidance you would offer readers in terms of the impacts that approach can have within organizations as well as onsite and online communities?\nYes, this is an interesting question. I recognize that there is some “power” at play here in what I am about to write, but I think a key is calling out (in a positive way) when “subverting the norm” happens. So, say I am a community manager or a leader and recognize that some set of voices are challenging our assumptions, but the challenge is productive in some way. For me, a key is just calling that out: Hey, this is great! We may not agree on all of it, but we love the critical thinking. And maybe engage in some true active listening—online or off—that results in some change in practices or routines.\nI see those moments in facilitating classes. So, my perspective comes from that. If I am doing my job well, I am recognizing and encouraging multiple voices to be heard and to challenge assumptions.\nHow can you foster trust and safety in online environments when incivility is rampant?\nWithin organizations, don’t hire people who are incivil. 🙂\nI say that half-jokingly. But it gets to my culture bit. If you bring in people who want to be civil participants, and you create a culture that allows for all voices to be heard and respected, then you’ve got a chance. But if all you are about is brand, making as much profit as possible by taking advantage of employees or customers, and beating the competition by any means possible, you’re hosed.\nN.B. — Paul is currently writing Change the World Using Social Media, scheduled for publication by Rowman & Littlefield in Winter/Spring 2020. This is the eleventh in a continuing series of excerpts from and interviews for the manuscript in progress.\nLeave a Comment » | change the world, change the world using social media, technology, writing | Tagged: #metoo, activism, change the world, change the world using social media, critical pedagogy for organizational learning, engagement, jeff merrell, linkedin, me too, msloc 430, northwestern university, paul signorelli, rowman & littlefield, slack, social change, social media, unite the right rally, writing, yammer | Permalink\nThis is the first of a two-part interview conducted with Jeff Merrell, Associate Director of Northwestern University’s Master’s Program in Learning & Organizational Change, for my book Change the World Using Social Media (Rowman & Littlefield; projected publication date is autumn 2018). The interview was conducted online using a shared Google Doc, and has been lightly edited.\nLet’s start with an attempt to set context: can you provide a brief summary of the enterprise technology and organizational learning course you’re currently facilitating or simply cut and paste the course description into this document here?\nLet me do both.\nhttp://www.sesp.northwestern.edu/masters-learning-and-organizational-change/designing-for-organizational-effectiveness-certification/creating-and-sharing-knowledge.html\nThis course explores enterprise social networking technology and its impact on organizational knowledge and organizational learning in the workplace. The course will introduce theory, concepts and frameworks to help you understand knowledge sharing and learning within communities and networks of practitioners, the unique attributes of social networking technology as it applies to organizations, and current uses of network technology to change the way people work or learn (i.e., crowdsourcing and personal learning networks). Finally, you will learn to apply course concepts through prototyping, class projects and business cases.\nSocial-practice perspectives of organizational knowledge and learning\nEnterprise social networking technologies\nCommunities and networks in organizations\nInnovative models (MOOCs, communities, personal learning networks, crowdsourcing, narrating-your-work)\nPrototyping new models\nAssessing opportunities for new digital solutions to organizational challenges\nAligning digital solutions to strategic organizational challenges\nMy own words here:\nOur M.S. program, for the past 6+ years, has used Jive as our “learning” platform. We intentionally tried to create more of a workplace feel for our program, rather than using an academic LMS [learning management system]. Jive is an enterprise social network platform that allow us to have dialogue and interactions within courses—privately—and across our entire community of learners, faculty, staff, and alumni. All within one space—and it very much looks like a corporate social intranet.\nSo, in my course, I have the advantage of leveraging our platform to talk about the issues of enterprise social media. But we also look at things like Yammer, Slack, and, sometimes, other platforms—Chatter—to get a sense of what the field looks like.\nBut at the end of the day, the course focuses on how enterprise social media and people co-construct/co-constitute the environment. We’re not techno-determinists.\nA phrase you just used—“across our entire community of learners, faculty, staff and alum”–perfectly captures what has been so attractive to me in all the work I’ve seen you do since we first met in a MOOC several years ago. Is there a strong sense in your course community that the classroom is the entire world since you so frequently engage participation that encourages collaboration between those enrolled in a course and those who are practitioners, participating with you and your learners through social media?\nI think what student come away with, appreciating—I hope!!—are the “layers” of community and networks created by different levels of privacy. So, our class group—community—of maybe 25 to 30 people is only visible to those enrolled in the course. We work hard to create a safe learning space there. The next layer above that is the MS Learning and Organizational Change “community”—some 250 to 300 people. And then, finally, the outside world—Twitter, etc.\nWhat we look at is: What does it feel like to exist across those communities? And why is that important to understand?\nThe conversation tend to get at safety, trust—“knowing people,” as in close social ties. Keep in mind that all of our students meet face to face as well, so they do know each other.\nBut for anyone leading in today’s organizations, my bias is that it is important to understand these layers of privacy and community and how that impacts experience.\nRemembering that readers of this book are people interested in better understanding how to use social media to foster social change, what specific guidance would you offer them in the following areas: What does it feel like to exist across those communities? And why is that important to understand?\nPersistence and visibility—two of the affordances of enterprise social media—scare people, especially in a professional setting. In smaller-scale communities, with a community manager or facilitator who maybe speaks the professional language of the community, you can begin to create a safe place to share. You can create norms that—hopefully—prevent and mitigate the risk of unproductive comments.\nBut that does not mean that the culture you create in that smaller community necessarily translates to something more public. The more visibility, the more people just freak out, or self-monitor what they do or do not say.\nSo, if my goal is to have open discussions about critical, tough issues—and I want a variety of voices to be truly heard—don’t assume that because people are open in one tight community that they would be willing to say the same elsewhere. We have amazing, sensitive conversations in our class groups. They rarely “leak out” to the larger community, even when we nudge students to do so. It’s a difficult trick.\nN.B. — Paul is currently writing Change the World Using Social Media, scheduled for publication by Rowman & Littlefield in 2020. This is the tenth in a continuing series of excerpts from and interviews for the manuscript in progress.\nLeave a Comment » | change the world, change the world using social media, technology, writing | Tagged: activism, change the world, change the world using social media, chatter, engagement, jeff merrell, jive, linkedin, msloc 430, northwestern university, paul signorelli, rowman & littlefield, slack, social change, social media, writing, yammer | Permalink\nChanging the World Through LinkedIn and Collaborative Online Tools\nShortly before the devastating recession of 2008 began, I accepted invitations from two business associates to join LinkedIn—the social media tool designed to help business colleagues stay in touch with each other and with those who might be able to provide job and other business opportunities. As the recession deepened in 2009 and my work and flow of income diminished to a trickle, I became more committed to staying in touch with a variety of colleagues and potential clients through updates I posted on LinkedIn—which, at the time, was the only social media tool I was exploring and using.\nMy posts on that account—generally no more than five each week, and sometimes none at all because I didn’t post anything unless I thought it would be of interest or use to those in my slowly growing LinkedIn network—were always very focused. I would share links to articles and other resources my colleagues and prospective clients might not otherwise see. I posted brief (Twitter-length) updates documenting the efforts I was making with colleagues on a board of directors engaged in what was ultimately a successful effort to help a struggling chapter of what was then ASTD (the American Society for Training and Development) and later became ATD (the Association for Talent Development) survive and once again begin to thrive. I occasionally posted summaries of what I was learning and doing as a volunteer in the marketing department of the Asian Art Museum here in San Francisco. There were also posts leading to articles and other resources I was devouring while completing work on my Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) degree through an online program at the University of North Texas.\nAbout halfway through 2009—a period of time when my income had dwindled to a trickle and prospects for new contract work were non-existent—I started hearing comments from friends and colleagues who, with the words “You seem to be everywhere these days,” made me realize I still very much had a presence in my business communities even though I wasn’t seeing much in the way of cash flow or new contract work. Curious about the disparity between the reality of my situation and the comments I was hearing, I started asking people to define what “being everywhere” meant to them. The unanticipated answer, of course, was that those LinkedIn posts about the volunteer work I was doing to support major local community groups and the consistent sharing of resources my friends and business colleagues valued left them with the (incorrect) impression that I was weathering the recession well.\nRecognizing the value of being actively, positively present on LinkedIn and continuing to contribute to my various overlapping and increasingly well-integrated communities—business, volunteer, learning, and social—helped me to focus even more on remaining engaged at a time when engagement felt almost completely futile. I spent at least an hour each week looking for ways to make my own LinkedIn account a valuable resource to anyone who spent time looking at it—beefing up sections with links to articles I was writing; reviews of books of interest to those to whom I was connected in LinkedIn; and links to slide decks others could use or adapt in their own work.\nThe combination of remaining tremendously active as a community volunteer throughout 2009, completing work on that MLIS degree, and sharing highlights of what I was doing led, unexpectedly, to an entirely new (paid) business opportunity in early 2010: becoming part of a team of trainers who, for six months, traveled throughout Northern California helping hospice workers learn to use software on mobile devices to more efficiently serve their patients. This, in turn, led to projects that introduced me to collaborative social media tools including Yammer and, more recently, Slack (Searchable Log of All Conversation and Knowledge) and Trello—tools designed to facilitate blended conversations that help bring projects to fruition.\nIn thinking about how LinkedIn can be an important, productive, and often-overlooked element in our toolkits to foster positive social change, I keep returning to the idea that LinkedIn as well as Yammer, Slack, and many other social media collaboration/project-management tools are seen primarily as business resources—tools that can be and occasionally are used by activists, but seldom seem to be to the full extent possible. A fabulous comprehensive paper written in 2012 by Andrew M. Calkins and published in 2013 as a Julie Belle White-Newman MAOL Leadership Award winner at St. Catherine University, “LinkedIn: Key Principles and Best Practices for Online Networking Advocacy by Nonprofit Organizations,” leads me to believe that little has changed over the past six years in terms of LinkedIn making the transition from being a potentially rewarding resource to becoming a resource widely used by those committed to fostering positive change in their communities.\nWith a bit of creativity and effort, I suspect we can better take advantage of the potential of LinkedIn, combined with many other social media collaboration/project-management tools, to better reach and engage members of our professional/business communities into our efforts to help change the world.\nN.B. — Paul is currently writing Change the World Using Social Media, scheduled for publication by Rowman & Littlefield in 2020. This is the ninth in a continuing series of excerpts from and interviews for the manuscript in progress.\nLeave a Comment » | change the world, change the world using social media, technology, writing | Tagged: activism, andrew calkins, association for talent development, atd, change the world, change the world using social media, engagement, key principles and best practices, linkedin, paul signorelli, rowman & littlefield, slack, social change, social media, trello, writing, yammer | Permalink\nChanging the World With Samantha Adams Becker (Part 2 of 2)\nThis is the second half of an interview conducted with Samantha Adams Becker, President at SAB Creative & Consulting and former New Media Consortium Publications & Communications Senior Director, for my book Change the World Using Social Media (Rowman & Littlefield; projected publication date is autumn 2018). Part 1 of this interview is accessible on “Building Creative Bridges” through this link. The entire interview was conducted online using a shared Google Doc, and has been lightly edited.\nWhat major differences (positive and negative)—if any—do you see between your use of Twitter and Facebook?\nI think I’m far more liberal in terms of what I share on Twitter. I view it as more of platform for experiments and iteration of thoughts. That’s interesting because my twitter profile is public while my Facebook one is private. You’d think I’d be more discerning about sharing in a public platform but that’s the exact principle that makes me more prone to share on Twitter. It’s a public, come-as-you-are community. Things move so fast that typos are par for the course.\n[#covfefe]\nOn Facebook, because it’s private, I’m specifically friends with people who have requested a friendship or whose friendship I have requested. It’s more personal in that regard, so my posts are generally about my personal life—photos of my baby, my dog, my vacation. And I try not to post too many times per day out of fear of saturating people’s newsfeeds. Social media politeness! On Twitter, as I mentioned above, it’s not uncommon to tweet five times in a row in the span of a couple minutes—which makes it far more conversational.\nAnd I think that’s the gist—to me, Facebook is more of a one-way street for personal use whereas Twitter is a vibrant continuous conversation!\nWhat is one strikingly positive example of a way that you’ve used or seen Twitter used to promote social change?\nThe #MeToo movement is an obvious, but powerful, one. Suddenly, people who were scared to share something deeply personal were empowered to tell their stories because other people were doing it. I don’t think that movement could have spread as rapidly on any other platform because of continuous conversation factor. There’s Snapchat, Instagram, and new social platforms emerging all the time, but Twitter has remained loyal to the idea of words. And in spite of the growth of videos and infographics, etc. words. Are. Still. Powerful currency.\nTips to readers of this book who are interested in knowing how to most effectively use Twitter to facilitate social change?\nStart by following people you are genuinely interested in. Some percentage of those people will follow you back and become part of your community.\nDon’t just tweet how you are feeling, what you believe, etc.—pay attention to what other people are saying and doing. It’s a two-way street. You’d never have a conversation with a friend that’s just you sharing about your life; you’d ask questions and you’d listen to their responses thoughtfully.\nIf you’re interested in a subject, a simple Internet search of what related hashtags are popular will open up a whole world to you to learn more on that subject. And, if you use those hashtags in your own tweets, they (and you!) become more discoverable.\nAnything else I haven’t asked that you think we should be discussing in terms of introducing Twitter for social change to the readers of this book?\nNobody likes an egghead. [The egg icon is the default image accompanying a new account until a user provides a customized image, so the egg suggests a new, inexperienced user to those familiar with Twitter.] Add a real profile photo!\nAlso, if you’re just starting out on Twitter as an individual or a business, do not purchase followers. You may get a lot of followers, but will they really be interested and prone to act on your calls to action? Relevance is key. You want to surround yourself with people relevant to your work life/personal life etc. Authenticity! Quality over quantity, every time.\nN.B. — Paul is currently writing Change the World Using Social Media, scheduled for publication by Rowman & Littlefield in 2020. This is the eighth in a continuing series of excerpts from and interviews for the manuscript in progress.\nLeave a Comment » | change the world, change the world using social media, technology, writing | Tagged: #metoo, activism, backchannels, change the world, change the world using social media, continuous conversation, covfefe, engagement, me too, paul signorelli, rowman & littlefield, samantha adams, samantha becker adams, social change, social media, twitter, writing | Permalink\nThis is the first half of an interview conducted with Samantha Adams Becker, President at SAB Creative & Consulting and former New Media Consortium Publications & Communications Senior Director, for my book Change the World Using Social Media (Rowman & Littlefield; projected publication date is autumn 2018). The interview was conducted online using a shared Google Doc, and has been lightly edited. The interview began with an exercise that involved jotting down as many words that came to mind after hearing the word “Twitter.”\nObvious things I see as I have all three [of our interview] transcripts in front of me: “sharing” and “networking” came up in all three—no surprises there. Anything stand out to you as you look at your responses to “Twitter?”\nI think the idea of continuous conversation and PD [personal development] jump out the most—plus the “unedited” version of Twitter, because it’s a very “respond in the moment” platform.\nLet’s go with three themes you mentioned, one at a time: “heart,” “continuous conversation,” and “professional development.” How does Twitter suggest “heart” to you?\nTwitter features the heart button, which is the equivalent of “like” on Facebook and LinkedIn. However, in Facebook it seems more common to “like” something rather than share it; whereas on Twitter, sharing (or re-tweeting) appears to be more common. It’s an important distinction that a user makes deciding whether to simply “heart” something vs. re-tweet it. Re-tweeting essentially means you are agreeing with it or find enough merit in it to share it with your own community (unless you add a comment clarifying your own stance). So, offering up a “heart” is like saying, “I like your idea enough to say that I do, but not enough to expose my whole following to it.” It’s very interesting social-psychologically.\nThanks; sort of like second-class social, isn’t it…As for “continuous conversation”: initial thoughts behind that one?\nYes, I think Twitter—more so than any other social media platform—allows for continuous conversation. If one of your Facebook friends made 10 posts per day, you might find that a bit excessive. However, you may find it completely acceptable that a friend tweets 10 times in a day. That reaction alone points to Twitter as a much more embraced conversation/sharing platform. Not only can a discussion continue between multiple users, but you can continue your own conversation. That is to say, if you tweet an article about artificial intelligence in education, and then you go to a workshop on that subject the next day, you’re able to follow up with your reactions and opinions using a specific hashtag.\nPerhaps most essentially, a conversation you may have started in person can continue on Twitter. This seems to be very popular at conferences where you may have a brief encounter with a person who winds up being a lifelong friend because you’re able to transition your connection to Twitter and respond to each other’s Tweets.\nThat very much parallels a theme I’m already exploring in the first-draft-in-progress: the value and inherently unique nature of conversation online—what has become a “moment” that extends over days, weeks, months, even years as a strange variation of a “moment.” You seeing extended conversations like those and, if so, how is that changing the way you view the concepts of time and conversation?\nI love the way you are interpreting a “moment.” Twitter now has a moments feature that allows you to add a series of tweets or photos that represents a moment in your life.\nNow, a conversation doesn’t have to take place in real-time to be considered deep and meaningful; it can stretch on for our entire lives. I think about the “moment” I met my husband—online. Granted, it was a specific online dating platform, but our correspondence was through a series of messages before we met in person. I’d say that’s a 21st-century way to describe the “moment” you meet someone, but I also liken it to earlier centuries where people wrote to each other via snail-mail back and forth, and maybe saw each other once [a year] or every few years. Twitter is like that, but responses can instantaneous—if the user sees fit. A user can be inspired by a tweet and meditate on it for an evening or a few days before responding, and that is perfectly acceptable within the frame of a conversation.\nI see extended conversations take place all the time, oftentimes organized by hashtags. I think this is what Tweet-Ups are essentially—scheduled conversations (or unscheduled) that are continued once a week, once a month, etc.\n[here’s a link to the article that initiated that thought process a few years ago among a few of us in #etmooc [the Educational Technology & Media massive open online course in early 2013]: http://www.irrodl.org/index.php/irrodl/article/view/1023/2022]\nAnd it actually initiated an ongoing conversation I’ve had in bits and pieces with the authors over the past few years; I was just in touch again with one of them in November—just before I was doing a blended-learning presentation in Los Angeles. A very long, wonderfully extended moment that hasn’t yet ended!\nGoing back to what you said in the penultimate full paragraph you wrote: what does that suggest in terms of how we can use Twitter (and other social media tools) to promote positive social change? [the one that starts with “Now, a conversation doesn’t have to take place in real-time to be considered deep and meaningful”]\nTwitter enables positive social changes by transcending the necessity of a specific time and place. A conversation about climate change, for example, may begin between two people. Another person sees the tweet and then joins. And then another. And then another. The people are geographically dispersed and may not be using Twitter at the exact same time but, because Twitter sparks continuous conversation, people can join on their own time whenever they have something to contribute. And the asynchronous nature of it doesn’t detract from the subject matter or substance of it. In fact, pausing to think deeply about something before joining in is an important part of change.\nWhen Paolo Gerbaudo wrote his wonderful book Tweets and the Streets in 2012, he pretty much saw social media (Facebook and Twitter, in particular) as prequels to social change—that’s where the organizing took place—but the real action was on the streets. Your last comments make me think you and I are on the same page in thinking that social change can actually take place as much online as in the streets—say, through the NMC [New Media Consortium] and #etmooc, for example, where we have spread ideas that filter into online as well as online learning spaces. Thoughts?\nIt’s not just the concept of a conversation that has evolved, but also the concept of the streets. Think about it—if conference organizers are savvy enough to encourage Twitter backchannels as an essential part of conference participation to extend organic hallway conversations, than that’s the concept of an online hallway.\nA street may not be a private or more intimate conversation the way a hallway one may be, but, instead, a giant public space for conversation and action.\nAt the NMC [which closed upon entering bankruptcy proceedings in December 2017], we were good at carrying forward conversations from face-to-face and virtual events on Twitter. Our goal was to always extend the rich discussions that took place at a set event and ensure that they did not exist within a vacuum. You didn’t have to be physically present to “be present.”\nWe came up with the Horizon hashtag (#NMChz) as a way for people to respond to Horizon Reports—but also share articles, stories, projects, etc. that were Horizon-worthy. Twitter can take a static report and allow the related discussions to continue year-round. Horizon Street! Population: Whoever wants to be there.\n“Horizon Street” is gorgeous! And I agree that the hashtag was part of the experience. Instead of leaving conferences and feeling depressed by impending separations, I always left with a sense of anticipation that the conversations were continuing. I’m struggling to train myself, at this point, that #NMChz is no longer open to through traffic and continuing conversation—but appreciation that #BeyondTheHorizon is a wonderful replacement road that is well on its way to bridging the gap. OK, enough with the road metaphors…for a moment. Let’s hit the third of the three topics you mentioned earlier: professional development. Care to pick up right where you left off and wrap together social media, Twitter, “moments,” and professional development into an operatic grand finale?\nIt’s true—all these features are connected, and they can add up to one hell of a professional development experience. I think some people may still envision professional development as something that takes place in a room—workshop or boot-camp style—that you or the institution has to invest in. But the integration of formal and informal learning has opened up the idea of personal development to be much more fluid and open to each user’s interpretation. If you feel an experience has enriched your professional life and given you new tools, skills, or knowledge to improve your own work and work environment, then why not call it professional development?\nTwitter conversations and moments are ripe for professional development opportunities—the hard part is often the lack of organization and ability to archive. We’re even seeing helpful tools like Storify—that helped create something linear and meaningful from tweets—disappear.\nThat being said, following specific users, hashtags, lists, etc can be part of a user’s professional development strategy. It’s very much connected with the notion of a personal learning network (PLN) where there is a fixed or expanding community of peers and leaders where you teach other things.\nI, for example, love to see what articles my Twitter friends in #edtech share. Just clicking on the links to three to five articles per day and reading them helps expand my own vision and ideas. Even if I don’t agree with an article or a theme, it generates new ideas and new knowledge in me. It seems so basic, but it’s like show and tell. I’m learning something new about a subject as well as how the sharer views it.\nN.B. — Paul is currently writing Change the World Using Social Media, scheduled for publication by Rowman & Littlefield in 2020. This is the seventh in a continuing series of excerpts from and interviews for the manuscript in progress. The next post will include the second half of this interview.\nLeave a Comment » | change the world, change the world using social media, technology, writing | Tagged: activism, backchannels, change the world, change the world using social media, continuous conversation, engagement, paolo gerbaudo, paul signorelli, rowman & littlefield, samantha adams, samantha becker adams, social change, social media, tweets and the streeets, twitter, writing | Permalink","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line26277"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9482271671295166,"wiki_prob":0.9482271671295166,"text":"The risk for myocarditis among people with COVID-19 is 16 times higher than among those without the infection, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Jeudy and his colleagues said that myocarditis has been linked to up to 20% of sudden deaths in young athletes.\nConcern had been raised that myocarditis can occur after being vaccinated for COVID-19, especially among young males like those in this study. According to the CDC, however, there are approximately 50 cases of myocarditis for every 1 million young men vaccinated, far below the risk of myocarditis from COVID-19 itself. Based on its data, the CDC says the benefit from the vaccine far outweighs the risk of getting myocarditis.\n\"We know that COVID can affect the heart, and we know there's no reason to risk the potential for the kind of long-term effects of COVID,\" Jeudy said.\n\"So getting vaccinated is probably the No. 1 thing to think about,\" he stressed.\nFor this study, Jeudy's team took advantage of the Big Ten Athletic Conference's ability to get data on the frequency of myocarditis in student athletes recovering from COVID-19.\nThe conference required all athletes who had COVID to get a series of heart tests before returning to play. Tests included cardiac MRIs, echocardiograms, ECGs and blood tests.\nJeudy reviewed the results of nearly 1,600 cardiac MRIs from 13 participating universities. Thirty-seven of these athletes (2.3%) had myocarditis related to COVID-19. What was surprising, however, was that few had symptoms.\nTwenty of these patients with COVID-19 myocarditis (54%) had no cardiac symptoms or heart abnormalities seen on other tests. Only MRIs found the problem.\nFor some of the athletes studied, myocarditis was limited and went away within a month, but others continued to show abnormalities on MRIs, Jeudy said.\nMRIs are expensive, and most patients hospitalized for COVID-19 don't get them, so it's likely that many cases of myocarditis go undiagnosed, he said.\nThe long-term consequence of myocarditis among those infected with COVID-19 will only become clear over time, Jeudy said. He noted that persistent inflammation or heart scarring can increase the risk of an irregular heartbeat known as arrhythmia.\nWhen can athletes resume play?\n\"At the very least, this athlete is going to be out for six months, with evaluation, making sure that they have a gradual return to play,\" Jeudy said. \"It's largely connected with symptoms. If there are signs of decreased function or underlying arrhythmia, that would be a concern for that particular athlete.\"\nThe findings were released Monday at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America. Findings presented at medical meetings are considered preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal.\nDr. Marc Siegel, a clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center in New York City, said COVID-19 can affect many parts of the body.\n\"It's a virus that sets off a lot of alarms around the body, inflammatory alarms that go off,\" said Siegel, who was not involved with the study.\n\"Those inflammatory alarms occur in organs where the virus isn't even present,\" he said. \"It's the body fighting back against the virus systemically. We're seeing it in the brain. We're seeing it in the heart. We're seeing it in the lungs. It's a multi-system organ risk of inflammation.\"\nSiegel said the best way to prevent getting COVID-19 and its complications is to get vaccinated.\n\"This study is yet another motivation to get vaccinated before you ever get COVID,\" he said.\nFor more on COVID-19, see the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.\nSOURCES: Jean Jeudy, MD, professor, radiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore; Marc Siegel, MD, clinical professor, medicine, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York City; presentation, Radiological Society of North America, Nov. 29, 2021","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1691162"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7211622595787048,"wiki_prob":0.27883774042129517,"text":"Please feel free to browse our websites and applications. In Touch Ministries (“ITM”) provides these digital assets for your spiritual edification, information, and education.\nBy accessing websites and digital applications provided by In Touch Ministries (collectively, the “Site”), you agree to be bound by the terms and conditions stated below (\"Terms and Conditions\") and all applicable laws. Moreover, you accept, without limitation or qualification, these Terms and Conditions and acknowledge that these Terms and Conditions are the only agreement between you and In Touch Ministries (“ITM”) that applies to your use of our Site. We reserve the right to make any modifications we believe are necessary at any time, so feel free to review this site and these Terms and Conditions at any time. Each time you use the Site, you agree to these Terms and Conditions in the version then current at the time you access the Site. The current version of these Terms and Conditions will always be available for your review.\nUnless expressly stated to the contrary, everything you see, hear, read, or access in any way on the Site is and shall remain the copyrighted intellectual property of ITM. ITM authorizes the download of material displayed on the Site solely and exclusively for non-commercial, personal use. Your authorized use of ITM materials, including the text, images, audio, video, blog posts, comments, forums, and any other content created with extant or future tools (“the materials”), means (1) the materials must not be modified in any way, (2) the materials must not be used in a way that indicates or implies a representative association of any kind between the user and ITM, 3) your use of the materials must abide by these Terms and Conditions, the In Touch Ministries Reprint Permission Guide, and express statements regarding use of the materials in the text of the Site. Any other use requires express written authorization and permission from ITM. ITM neither warrants nor represents that your use of materials displayed on the Site will not infringe rights of third parties not owned by or affiliated with ITM or infringe the laws of any jurisdiction outside the United States of America.\nTo the best of our ability ITM includes accurate and up to date information in the Site, ITM makes no warranties or representations as to its accuracy. ITM assumes no liability to you or to any third party for any errors or omissions in any content that may be made available to you through the site.\nYour use of and browsing of the Site are entirely at your own risk. Neither ITM nor any other party involved in creating, producing, or delivering the site is liable for any direct, incidental, consequential, indirect, special, or punitive damages arising out of your access to, or use of, the site, or your inability to do so. Even if an exception were to apply which might allow such damages, your recovery will not be greater than the amount you paid to ITM to access the site. Without limiting the foregoing, everything on the Site is provided to you \"as is\" without warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or non-infringement. Please note that some jurisdictions may not allow the exclusion of implied warranties, so some of the above exclusions may not apply to you. Check your local laws for any restrictions or limitations regarding the exclusion of implied warranties.\nTo the best of our ability ITM ensures that any content that may be made available to you through your access to the Site will not deleteriously affect any computer system or systems that you may use to access the Site, and continuously works to maintain the highest possible standards of information security and integrity throughout all ITM computer systems, including the Site. Notwithstanding, ITM assumes no responsibility, and shall not be liable for, any software or content (commonly called “malware”) that may damage your computer equipment or other property consequent on your access to, use of, or browsing in the site or your downloading of any materials, data, text, images, video, or audio from the site.\nBecause ITM cannot guarantee the security of any device you may use to access the Site, nor the security of the public Internet, ITM cannot guarantee the confidentiality or integrity of any material you transmit publicly or privately to the Site by electronic mail or otherwise, including but not limited to any data, text, software, music, sound, videos, messages, tags, blogs or forum postings, questions, comments, suggestions, or the like. While ITM uses reasonable efforts to preserve your privacy, ITM reserves the right to use, at ITM’s sole discretion, anything you transmit or post for any purpose, including, but not limited to, reproduction, disclosure, transmission, publication, broadcast, and posting, provided that such use does not include your personally identifiable information. Please see the current version of the ITM Privacy Policy.\nImages displayed on the Site are either the property of, or used with permission by, ITM. Your use of these images, or use by anyone else authorized by you, is prohibited unless specifically permitted by these Terms and Conditions, or specific permission provided elsewhere on the Site. Your use of these images may violate copyright laws, trademark laws, the laws of privacy and publicity, and communications regulations and statutes.\nThe trademarks, logos, service marks and product and service names related to ITM (collectively the \"Trademarks\") displayed on the Site are registered and unregistered Trademarks of ITM and others. Nothing contained on the Site should be construed as granting, by implication, estoppel, or otherwise, any license or right to use any Trademark displayed on the Site without the written permission of ITM or such third party that may own the Trademarks displayed on the Site. Your use of the Trademarks displayed on the Site, or any other content on the Site, except as provided in these Terms and Conditions, is strictly prohibited. You are also advised that ITM will enforce its intellectual property rights to the full extent of the law, including the seeking of criminal prosecution where appropriate.\nWhile ITM continuously reviews sites and services that may be available to you through links on the Site, ITM may not have reviewed all of the sites linked to the Site at any given time, and is neither responsible for nor liable to you or any third party for the content of any off-site pages or any other sites linked to the Site. Your use of any link on the Site to browse to any other off-site pages or other sites is entirely at your own risk.\nITM may at its discretion provide you with notices, including those regarding changes to these Terms of Use, including but not limited to email, regular mail, SMA, MMS, text message, postings on In Touch Sites, or other reasonable means now known or hereafter developed.\nMember Conduct\nAlthough ITM may from time to time monitor or review discussions, chats, postings, transmissions, bulletin boards, and the like on the Site, ITM is under no obligation to do so and assumes no responsibility or liability arising from the content of any such resources nor for any error, defamation, libel, slander, omission, falsehood, impersonation of any person or entity obscenity, pornography, profanity, danger, or inaccuracy contained in any information within such locations on the Site. You may not use the Site to post, to transmit, or to upload any unlawful, threatening, libelous, defamatory, obscene, scandalous, inflammatory, pornographic, invasive of another’s privacy, discriminatory, harmful to minors or profane material or any material that could constitute or encourage conduct that would be considered a criminal offense, give rise to civil liability, or otherwise violate any law.\nITM will fully cooperate with any law enforcement authorities or court order requesting or directing ITM to disclose the identity of anyone posting any such information or materials.\nITM is organized under the laws of the state of Georgia in the United States of America, and these Terms of Use and Terms and Conditions are governed by Georgia law. If any provision of this agreement is unlawful, void or unenforceable, it will not affect the validity and enforceability of any remaining provisions. This is the entire agreement regarding the matters discussed on this page.\nSoftware and content from this Site is further subject to United States Export Controls. No software from this Site may be downloaded or exported intentionally or unintentionally (i) into (or to a national or resident of) Cuba, Iran, Libya, Myanmar, North Korea, Sudan, Syria or any other country to which the United States has embargoed goods; or (ii) anyone on the United States Treasury Department’s list of Specially Designated Nationals or the U.S. Commerce Department’s Table of Deny Orders. By downloading or using the software, you represent and warrant that you are not located in, under the control of, or a national or resident of any such country or organization(s) designated by the United States government as a foreign terrorist organization pursuant to section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act or on any such list.\nStorage of information regarding your activities on the Site\nLogging Information: intouch.org (apps) logs and stores anonymous information each time you visit the site. This information includes: Time and Date of visit, IP address, host, client (browser type) and the referrer by which you came to intouch.org. This information is used strictly for statistical analysis. This information is NOT shared or sold to any unaffiliated third parties under any circumstances, the only exception being inquiries by local, state, federal, and international authorities.\nUpon completing ITM’s registration process, you will receive a password and account designation. You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of the password and account, and you are fully responsible for any activities that occur under your password or account. You agree to notify ITM of an unauthorized use of your password or account or any other breach of security and ensure you exit from your account at the end of each session.\nITM can for any reason or not reason without prior notice, at its sole discretion, immediately terminate your Site account and access to Your account at any time and for any reason, and shall not be liable to you or any third party for any termination of your account or access to ITM. ITM also reserves the right to log off and completely remove accounts that remain inactive for an extended period of time.\nSMS communications\nIn Touch Ministries (hereinafter, “We,” “Us,” “Our”) is offering a mobile messaging program (the “Program”), which you agree to use and participate in subject to the Mobile Messaging Terms and Conditions and this Privacy Policy (the Terms and Privacy Policy are referred to collectively as the “Agreement”). In Touch Ministries respects your privacy. We will only use information you provide through the Program to transmit your mobile messages and respond to you, if necessary. This includes, but is not limited to, sharing information with platform providers, phone companies, and other vendors who assist us in the delivery of mobile messages. WE DO NOT SELL, RENT, LOAN, TRADE, LEASE, OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER FOR PROFIT ANY PHONE NUMBERS OR CUSTOMER INFORMATION COLLECTED THROUGH THE PROGRAM TO ANY THIRD PARTY. Nonetheless, We reserve the right at all times to disclose any information as necessary to satisfy any legal, regulatory or governmental request, to avoid liability, or to protect Our rights or property. When you complete forms online or otherwise provide Us information in connection with the Program, you agree to provide accurate, complete, and true information. You agree not to use a false or misleading name or a name that you are not authorized to use. If, in Our sole discretion, We believe that any such information is untrue, inaccurate, or incomplete, or you have opted into the Program for an ulterior purpose, We may refuse you access to the Program and pursue any appropriate legal remedies.\nThe California Consumer Privacy Act (“CCPA”) and California Civil Code Section 1798.83 permits Users of the Program that are California consumers or residents to request certain information regarding our disclosure of the information you provide through the Program to third parties for their direct marketing purposes.\nTo make such a request, please contact us at the following address:\npartnerrelations@intouch.org\nThis Privacy Policy is strictly limited to the Program and has no effect on any other privacy policy(ies) that may govern the relationship between you and In Touch Ministries in other contexts.\nNo waiver of terms\nFailure to exercise or enforce these Terms of Use or any part or parts of these Terms of Use shall not constitute waiver of any terms or provision incorporated in these Terms of Use\nIf any provision of these Terms of Use is found by a competent court of jurisdiction to be invalid, the parties (“You” and “ITM”) nevertheless agree that the court shall endeavor to give effect to the parties’ intention as reflected in the provision, and all other provisions shall remain in full force and effect.\nYou acknowledge, consent and agree that ITM may access, preserve and disclose your account information and content if required to do so by the law or in a good faith belief that such access preservation or disclosure is reasonably necessary to comply with legal process; Enforce Terms of Use; respond to claims that any content violates the rights of third parties; Respond to your requests for service; or Protect the rights, property or personal safety of ITM, its users and public.\nLegal inquiries\nPlease forward any questions or concerns you may have about these Terms and Conditions to ITM at PartnerRelations@intouch.org or by U.S. Postal Service to P0 Box 7900, Atlanta GA 30357.\n©2014 In Touch Ministries. All rights reserved.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line368299"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8803856372833252,"wiki_prob":0.8803856372833252,"text":"SPECIAL FEATURE: ‘Dr. Jekyll and Mr....\n2015-16 season, Features, Organ, Special\nSPECIAL FEATURE: ‘Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde’\nBy: Butch Rigby, Screenland Founder\nThis year’s Screenland at the Symphony Halloween concert features John Barrymore — patriarch of one of the great American film-acting dynasties — as the protagonist in the silent-film adaptation of the Robert Louis Stevenson classic, “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.” The story itself is one of great intrigue. Dr. Jekyll, criticized for his dispassionate manner, becomes fascinated with the idea of two personalities residing within one person. He then embarks on a “scientific” journey not only to discover this other side of himself, but to give it a life of its own in the form of an alter ego, Mr. Hyde. Unfortunately, this extreme “evil twin” becomes dominant, leading inevitably to the good Dr. Jekyll’s demise.\nWhile many have attempted to bring this famous character to life on screen over the years, it was Barrymore who most genuinely captured the grotesque spirit of Stevenson’s character. And although he adapted to “talking pictures” quite well, Barrymore always will be remembered for his work in silent films and especially the performance you will see tonight.\nJohn Barrymore was the son of actors and the brother of Lionel Barrymore, who many will recognize as “Mr. Potter” in Frank Capra’s “It’s a Wonderful Life.” His sister, Ethel Barrymore, was considered one of the finest actresses of her time, and he was the grandfather of modern cinema star, Drew Barrymore. Barrymore was often referred to as “The Great Profile” due to his handsome features and incredible popularity. His life — and death — are the stuff of Hollywood legend. It is rumored that after his passing at the age of 60, Barrymore’s buddies Errol Flynn and director Raoul Walsh commandeered his corpse and had a final drink with him at Flynn’s home before his funeral.\nRegardless of whether you believe the legend, tonight, we have a rare opportunity to watch a true master of the silent-film era on the big screen. The music, courtesy of Dorothy Papadakos and the Julia Irene Kauffman Casavant Organ, will make it once in a lifetime.\nTo purchase tickets to the Thursday, Oct. 29 Screenland at the Symphony: “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” performance featuring organist Dorothy Papadakos, call the Symphony Box Office at (816) 471-0400 or select your seat online.\nWhy is Schubert’s No. 9 “The Great” so Great?\nRemembering Leonard Bernstein\nNew Concerts Added for 2017/18 Season","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1861194"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5479576587677002,"wiki_prob":0.5479576587677002,"text":"Carden’s Capitol Corner: Remembering Geraldine Ferraro\nAndrew Carden March 31, 2011\nLooking back, there have been countless people and events which fueled my interest in politics. Among them are the engrossing train wreck that was the 2008 primary between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama and, perhaps first and foremost, my utter bewilderment over how George W. Bush prevailed on election night in 2004.\nAlso near the top of this list would be Geraldine Ferraro’s televised address at the 1984 Democratic National Convention. Ferraro, a New York congresswoman running as vice president to presidential candidate Walter Mondale, was the first woman and the first Italian-American to be selected for a major party’s presidential ticket. To date, she is also the last New Yorker to grace a Democratic presidential ticket.\nThis speech, which I first saw in a high school class, was among the most exciting and well-delivered addresses I’d ever seen. Ferraro came off as the antithesis of your typical boring, safe politician. She was warm and engaging, yet tough and fiery, and it disappointed me to learn that the Mondale/Ferraro ticket lost 49 of 50 states in that election against the incumbent, Ronald Reagan.\nOn Saturday, March 26, Ferraro, 75, died after a decade-long battle with multiple myeloma.\nHaving greatly admired Ferraro and hoped for years that she would stage a political comeback, her passing marked a sad end to my spring break. It was, however, a heartening sight to see the likes of figures across the political spectrum, from Sarah Palin, the second-ever female vice presidential candidate, to Hillary Clinton, gush over Ferraro’s impressive career. Despite her progressive credentials, she was admired by figures of all ideologies and political parties; a rarity in today’s hyper-polarized political environment.\nFollowing Ferraro’s 1984 loss, she took eight years off before attempting a political comeback in her home state. The 1992 New York U.S. Senate race found Ferraro pitted against the daunting likes of then-Attorney General Bob Abrams, former Congresswoman and feminist icon Elizabeth Holtzman and Rev. Al Sharpton. After maintaining a lead throughout most of the race, Ferraro lost ground amid negative attack ads from Abrams and Holtzman. Ferraro went onto lose to Abrams by just one percentage point.\nShe mounted another comeback attempt in 1998, but lost to then-Congressman Chuck Schumer by a margin of 2 to 1. That loss was viewed as the final stake through the heart of Ferraro’s political career. Commentators suggested that Ferraro didn’t have a fresh message and that she was merely riding name recognition from 1984.\nPerhaps she ran poor political campaigns, but I couldn’t help but root for Ferraro when former Gov. David Paterson was mulling over a replacement to Hillary Clinton’s U.S. Senate seat, after Clinton vacated it to join the Obama administration. Though I’m perfectly fine with Paterson’s eventual selection, Kirsten Gillibrand, I thought it would’ve been poignant to see a trailblazer like Ferraro finally get her due.\nI don’t think it’s quite hyperbole to think that America has lost one of its most important modern-day political figures.\nPosted in OPINIONTagged #1992 New York U.S. Senate Race #Andrew Carden #Attorney General Bob Abrams #Barack Obama #Democratic National Convention #Elizabeth Holtzman #George W. Bush #Geraldine Ferraro #Gov. David Paterson #Hillary Clinton #Kirsten Gillibrand #Rev. Al Sharpton #Ronald Reagan #sarah palin #SUNY New Paltz #Walter Mondale\nAndrew Carden\nUndiscovered New Paltz: Truss Bridge\nThu Mar 31 , 2011\nThe Springtown Truss Bridge is an enchanting place. The view of the Wallkill River from the bridge makes you feel like you are in one of those famous Hudson Valley River paintings from the 1800s. The river cuts through the temperate New Paltz forest. Trees curl over the river banks […]\nKaren Wallace Visits New Paltz\nWell-being with Meaning: Making Finals Week Easier (Continued)\nMedia Ethics: A Clockwork Media\nNo Way!… Procrastination Enrichment, Chavez Dies and Rugrats Throwbacks…\nNo Way!…First Lady’s Moves, Bye-Bye Pope?, Mean Girl Moments and More!\nNovel Ideas: Killing Yourself to Live: 85% of A True Story by Chuck Klosterman","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line358634"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7210943102836609,"wiki_prob":0.2789056897163391,"text":"Waukegan CUSD #60 » Our District » Student Registration » Forms » Freedom of Information (FOIA) Request Information\n{ padding: 5px; text-align: left;vertical-align:top; } th { padding: 2px; text-align: left; }\nThe current COVID-19 pandemic and State directives have impacted the ability of school staff to comply with the requirements of the Illinois Freedom of Information Act. State law has not changed, however. The provisions of 5 ILCS 140 remain in full force and effect, despite the fact that almost all school employees are working from home and ordinary operating resources and working conditions related to document recovery and reproduction are not available to them. Illness may create further complications for key staff. Nonetheless, recognizing the need for transparency in public business matters, WPS60 staff will do their best to fully comply with the letter and spirit of FOIA.\nAs a reminder, 5 ILCS 140/3(e) allows a public body to extend the time for response by 5 additional days for certain situations, several of which are likely to be present for the near future, and to work with requesters when even more time is needed. On that basis, we request that you allow 30 calendar days for the District's initial response, and if that is unacceptable to you, we ask that you contact the undersigned in writing to establish a mutually agreed reasonable schedule for the District's response to your request. Thank you for your anticipated cooperation as we all face the challenges created by the current public health crisis.\nKayla Wolf\nFOIA Officer\nWaukegan Community School District #60\nInformation for Members of the Public\nResolution Concerning Freedom of Information Act Requests - Important, please read\nSchool District FOIA Officer: Ms. Kayla Wolf\nFOIA Requests should be submitted to:\nWaukegan Community Unit School District #60\n1201 North Sheridan Road\nFax to:\nPlease submit your request in writing and include your name, your address, the date and a daytime phone number so that we can contact you in case we have any questions. Describe the information you are seeking in sufficient detail so that we can find the requested information. Providing as much detail as possible in your request may expedite our search process.\nSchool District Description: The Waukegan Community School District #60 is a public school system providing educational services to students in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade. The School District has an annual Education Fund budget of approximately $149 million dollars. The School District employs approximately 2000 staff.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1321555"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7786446213722229,"wiki_prob":0.7786446213722229,"text":"Rolls-Royce Luxury Interior Features\nRolls-Royce has been producing some of the most pleasing vehicles in the world for decades, and their latest models continue that legacy of style, innovation, and quality. Rolls-Royce is known for its luxurious and driver-friendly features. The company's current models are no exception, with a variety of interior features that are sure to please. Rolls... Read More\nRolls-Royce Cullinan for Sale in Greenwich\nIf you're in the market for a high-end car, Rolls-Royce has a Cullinan SUV for sale in Greenwich that is sure to impress. This luxury vehicle is perfect for anyone who wants power and performance while still enjoying all the amenities of an SUV. A car that makes you take this fantastic beauty for a test drive. You won't be disappointed! Engine Performance The... Read More\nReasons To Buy The Rolls-Royce Phantom Series II\nWhen most people think of a Rolls-Royce, they think of the classic Phantom. The Series II is the latest and greatest version of this luxury car, and there are many reasons to buy one. For starters, it's incredibly luxurious. The interior is decked with all sorts of high-end features, from wood trim to leather upholstery. It also has a ton of power under... Read More\nLow Mileage 2022 Rolls-Royce Black Badge For Sale\nWe've all dreamed of what it would be like to own a Rolls-Royce at some point in our lives. And nowadays, we can make that dream come true: here is your opportunity for an extremely low mileage, top-of-the-line 2022 Rolls-Royce Black Badge edition in our inventory. a superb choice for buyers looking for an excellent driving experience. With its stylish... Read More\nAll-Electric Rolls-Royce Spectre Coming In 2023\nRolls Royce stands for producing luxury tech cars, and Rolls Royce's legend of doing that in 2023 continues. In 2023, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars will introduce an all-electric car model called the \"Spectre.\" It is a fully electric vehicle version of the Phantom Coupé. It has a reduced carbon footprint at the same time. It also has more spacious interiors... Read More\n2017 Rolls-Royce Wraith For Sale\nThe Rolls-Royce Wraith is one of the most luxurious cars on the market. With its sleek design and powerful engine, it's perfect for anyone who wants to make a statement. If you're looking for a car that will turn heads, the 2017 Wraith is worth considering. Take a closer look at some of the features that come with this amazing vehicle. Performance... Read More\nRolls-Royce Cullinan Vs Bentley Bentayga\nRolls-Royce and Bentley are two of the most prestigious luxury SUVs brand in the world. Rolls-Royce is known for its luxury cars, while Bentley is known for its performance cars. So which one is better? Let's compare the Rolls-Royce Cullinan and the Bentley Bentayga to see which one comes out on top! Compare Rolls-Royce Cullinan And Bentley Bentayga When... Read More\nIntroducing the 2022 Rolls-Royce Cullinan\nRolls-Royce has just announced its newest model, the Cullinan. Named after the largest diamond ever found, this luxury SUV is sure to impress. It will be available in 2022, and there are already a lot of people excited about it. The Cullinan is set to have many upgrades over the previous models, including better performance and a more luxurious interior.... Read More\nLooking for a luxurious car to lease? Look no further than Rolls-Royce! The dealership has just announced its latest lease specials, and there are some amazing deals waiting for you. Whether you're interested in the new Rolls-Royce Ghost or the classic Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud, we've got something perfect for you. So what are you waiting for? Come down... Read More\nPre-Owned Rolls-Royce Lease Specials\nLooking for a luxurious car to lease? How about a Rolls-Royce? We have some amazing pre-owned Rolls-Royce lease specials available right now! These cars are sure to turn heads when you drive them around town. They are perfect for business executives or anyone who wants to feel like a celebrity. Come see us today and take one for a test drive! What... Read More\nNew Rolls-Royce Ghost Black Badge For Sale\nThe Rolls-Royce Ghost is one of the most popular models in the Rolls-Royce lineup. The company has just announced a new version of the Ghost, called the Black Badge. This model features enhanced performance and styling that is sure to appeal to luxury car enthusiasts. New Rolls-Royce Ghost Black Badge for Sale The Rolls-Royce Ghost Black Badge is... Read More\nUsed Rolls-Royce Dawn For Sale\nLooking for a Used Rolls-Royce Dawn? Our dealership is proud to offer an inventory of used Rolls-Royce models, including the Dawn. This car is sure to turn heads when you drive it down the street. Whether you're looking for a luxury car or something more practical, we have something for everyone. Stop by our dealership today and take a look at our current... Read More\n2022 Rolls-Royce Black Badge Ghost\nWhen you think of the Black Badge model of the popular ultra-luxury Rolls-Royce staple, you may think of a more sinister, dark car. And that is precisely the case with the all-new Black Badge Ghost. This latest iteration is all about power and status, offering drivers and passengers an even more exhilarating experience while behind the wheel or riding... Read More","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line596506"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7404516935348511,"wiki_prob":0.7404516935348511,"text":"Abortion, Abortions, Roe v. Wade\nSupreme Court says draft opinion that would overturn Roe v. Wade is ‘authentic’\nChief Justice John Roberts said he has ordered the marshal of the court to launch an investigation to determine who leaked the document to Politico.\nSource: Rebecca Shabad\nWASHINGTON — The Supreme Court on Tuesday confirmed that the leaked draft opinion suggesting there are enough justices to overturn Roe v. Wade is authentic.\nIn a statement, the high court said that while the document is “authentic, it does not represent a decision by the court or the final position of any member on the issues in the case.” The statement added that it is routine for justices to circulate opinions internally.\n“To the extent this betrayal of the confidences of the court was intended to undermine the integrity of our operations, it will not succeed,” Chief Justice John Roberts said. “The work of the court will not be affected in any way.”\nRoberts said the court’s workforce, including justices’ law clerks and permanent employees, are “intensely loyal to the institution and dedicated to the rule of law.” He said he has ordered the marshal of the court to launch an investigation to determine who leaked the document to Politico.\n“This was a singular and egregious breach of that trust that is an affront to the court and the community of public servants who work here,” he said.\nAbortionRoe v. Wade\nPrevious Previous post: Reporter’s Notebook: What the Supreme Court’s leaked draft opinion means for Congress\nNext Next post: Did Communist Jews Engage in Satanic Rituals?","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line349412"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6693398356437683,"wiki_prob":0.3306601643562317,"text":"Master Elök Etrelpa’s Report and Assessment\nBy Fabian\nReport by Master Elök Etrelpas Of The Elders, Deputy Archivist of The Scrollhouse At Ämetatilelël, Realm of Ën Ümel.\nASSESSMENT ON THE ONTOLOMAGICAL STATUS OF THE ACCOUNT GIVEN BY HRËND LAKLO ON THE EVENTS AND FINDINGS OF MIDDLEDAY THE FIFTEENTH.\nBackground: three days preceding the holy day of St. Ïpït, Hrënd Laklo, son of Ilkren Laklo, claims to have discovered a bag of items nearby the pond of an abandoned farmhouse a day’s ride outside of Äkulel.\nThe bag reportedly contained a range of “magical items”, including a Robe, that Laklo frothily described as “rare” and “Divine”, gloves, presumably made of dragonskin, a ring, made of Titanium, which Laklo characterized as “absolutely perfect”, and a wand made of what appears to be bones of canine origin, such as a wolf or a fox, though Laklo inexplicably insists on it being “clearly of the Fox”. The bag contained some other items which this report will not bother to expand on, as we shall find that the nature of the items is anything but what Laklo claims they are, and we have a more parsimonious explanation for the bizarre series of events that did indeed seem to occur on that day.\nRobe: This report does not deny the existence of so-called “magical robes”, even though the vast majority of them are nothing more than expensive and ostentatious clothing. This is not the case with the Robe in question, which is in fact a genuine article of magical power. It is not, however, a particularly powerful item, and its effects are mostly limited to making the wearer look more attractive and commanding.\nGloves: These are, as Laklo correctly surmised, made of dragonskin, and are thus quite valuable. They are not, however, magical, and their only purpose is to protect the hands of the wearer from cold weather.\nRing: This is indeed a titanium ring, yet we do not share the assessment of “perfection”, given the limited epistemological meaningfulness of such an assessment.\nAs for the events that followed Laklo’s discovery, we will first attempt to summarize these from a purely perceptual point of view, in other words, as it must have appeared to the rather simple minds of the witnesses on that day.\nUpon opening the bag, Laklo first took out the ring and put it on his finger. He then proceeded to put the Robe on, and take out the bone wand, at which point he said some words in a language that no one present could understand. Laklo then appeared to have started to emanate a sort of glow, and his eyes turned “orange”. He then levitated off the ground and started to float around the area of the pond.\nFrom the perspective of those who witnessed these events, it would have appeared as if Laklo had indeed discovered a bag of magical items, and that these items had imbued him with magical powers.\nHowever, we must remember that Laklo is a known pathological liar, and that he has been known to invent stories in order to garner attention. In light of this, it is more likely that Laklo simply put on a show, using mundane items to create the illusion of magical powers.\nThe most likely explanation for the glowing and levitation is that Laklo used some kind of light source, such as a lantern, to create the illusion of magical powers. As for the orange eyes, this is most likely due to Laklo wearing paint on his eyelids.\nIt is also worth noting that Laklo’s story changes depending on who he is speaking to. For example, he told the farmers that the Robe made him feel “divine and special\", as if he \"had been granted special access to commune with others of similar standing”, yet he told the Elders that the Robe made him feel “as if I could fly”. It is clear that Laklo is simply making up stories as he goes along, and that he is not to be believed.\nFurther, Laklo has no magical experience or credentials whatsoever, and is not registered with any known guild of sorcery within the Realm, so even if he had indeed found a bag of magical items, it is inconceivable that he would have any idea how to use them.\nWe should also not make the mistake of not carefully examining the merit of our witnesses, as they are, for the most part, farmers with little to no education, and whose testimony must thus be taken with a grain of salt. For example, the shepherd Röplin Hlarbert, when questioned by Master Flololömen on the very evening of the day of the event, was unaware of the role of The Archive’s Elders, and mistook Master Flololömen for a “scribe or a monk\".\nHis wife, Lïsbren Hlarbert, even called Master Flololömen a “moronic codger” when he found her to be completely unable to bring her outrageous testimony in line with the Third Ontic Principle. Their boy, Fërdin Hlarbert, was the only one of the three who seemed to be telling the truth with respect to a complete absence of magic in the matter, though his testimony is nevertheless too confused to be of investigative value, claiming that Laklo’s “floating around” did indeed not involve anything magical, as he was “simply flying like birds do, which have no magic to them either”.\nIn conclusion, it is the opinion of this report that the events of Middleday the Fifteenth, as related by Hrënd Laklo and witnesses, are to be considered apocryphal, and that the items in question are nothing more than mostly mundane objects with negligible magical powers. This report therefore recommends that no further public investigation be made into the matter of the event itself, and the items be kept in the Archive’s vault to avoid any further mischaracterization of their nature.\nLastly, and unfortunately, it must be noted that some items seem to have been stolen or lost in the aftermath of the investigation. Specifically, the bone wand, the robe and the ring seem to have gone missing sometime between the original event and the subsequent delivery of the entire bag to the Archive by Master Flololömen. It is our opinion that they were clearly stolen by one of the witnesses or even Hrënd Laklo himself, which is further corroborated by the fact that Laklo seems to have gone missing himself after his interrogation.\nWe recommend that a search be made for Hrënd Laklo and the missing items, and that he be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law if found guilty of theft.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1151167"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8404332995414734,"wiki_prob":0.8404332995414734,"text":"*. For younger people living in the third decade of the twenty-first century it may be hard to understand how big a deal television once was. In the 1950s it was conquering the world, much like the Internet would do fifty years later. A switchboard operator in The Apartment doesn’t want a date that will interfere with her watching The Untouchables. That’s how much it meant. Colour broadcasting, however, wouldn’t start taking over until the mid-1960s, which meant that movies were still giving audiences something most people couldn’t see at home. Though this didn’t always mean colour, as it didn’t in this case, or in Psycho, released the same year.\n*. Television is both a direct and indirect presence in The Apartment. According to Bruce Block on the DVD commentary Billy Wilder hated television, and once said that the only time he watched it was when they were showing a movie by a director he couldn’t stand, since it would then be the perfect medium. Hence the joke of Jack Lemmon’s C. C. Baxter doing the usual lonely-guy routine of frozen dinner while channel surfing on the couch, but never getting to actually watch Grand Hotel because of all the words from our sponsors. That’s no way to see a movie!\n*. But then Baxter and Miss Kubelik (Shirley MacLaine) are small-screen types. When she’s recovering at his place Baxter offers to move the TV into the bedroom for her. That’s being a gent. And there’s Fred MacMurray in a very dark turn. David Thomson thought Sheldrake “would shock a new age used to MacMurray’s benevolence on TV in My Three Sons,” but in 1960 he’d already played a heel in Double Indemnity and My Three Sons hadn’t started yet. Also, Block notes how all of the supporting cast here were well-known television actors.\n*. I mentioned Psycho for the use of black-and-white, but it was also a movie shot as a TV production, with Hitch using most of his crew from his show Alfred Hitchcock Presents. And both films make something out of the incongruity between the new family hearth and decidedly transgressive subject matter.\n*. Nobody gets killed in a shower in The Apartment, but while it’s a step down from Sunset Boulevard (ten years earlier) it was still breaking norms. I think it marks the end of Wilder’s great run of movies that were fresh and shocking then and can still capture an audience today.\n*. First and foremost there are the two leads. Sure their work environment is toxic. Wilder even thought of the story primarily as that of two people becoming emancipated from the office, which is full of male predators whose casual cruelty would make one of the Mad Men cringe. But are Baxter and Kubelik any better?\n*. They’re both young people on the rise, immoral and unscrupulous. Nor are they much angels outside of the office. Baxter has no qualms about sleeping with the married woman he picks up in a bar. Kubelik does go back to Sheldrake after all (as does Baxter). You could say either that they’re redeemed at the end or that they just suit each other. Will they stay together or are they more likely to bounce at the first opportunity to move up a level?\n*. Roger Ebert: “while Baxter and Miss Kubelik may indeed like each other — may feel genuine feelings of the sort that lead to true love — they are both slaves to the company’s value system. He wants to be the boss’ assistant, she wants to be the boss’ wife, and both of them are so blinded by the concept of ‘boss’ that they can’t see Mr. Sheldrake for an untrustworthy rat.”\n*. The studio was worried that Baxter might be too unlikeable, and it was suggested that they give him a limp or some kind of disability. I’m glad they kept him as just a weasel, and Lemmon plays the part perfectly. I’ve always thought there was more to Lemmon than just comedy and Wilder was able to bring it out. Meanwhile, MacLaine does a great job of balancing “sexy, funny, and sad” (screenwriter Izzy Diamond). But how dumb is she? She can’t spell well enough to be a secretary and the only job she can get is as an elevator operator. She also can’t see that Sheldrake is playing her. I know nobody is stupid all the time, but that’s pretty thick.\n*. Dealing with suicide was tricky, but it’s nicely balanced out with the echoing scenes where they the two lovebirds mistakenly think the other has gone all the way. Overall it’s a beautifully plotted movie (I’m not as fond of the dialogue), with all sorts of cues that have to be stored away to be picked up later. Diamond, who had also written Some Like It Hot, was obviously still on top of his game.\n*. Also worth praising is the set design by Alexandre Trauner. The office and apartment sets are perfect complements, and expressive of both theme and character. To return to the movie/television blending I started off talking about, the wide-open spaces of the office are big-screen, the cluttered apartment small.\n*. It’s testimony to how ahead of his time Wilder was that while this movie shows some lightening of his darker vision it’s still has twice the bite of today’s rom-coms, whose plots were often derived from the same “wrong guy vs. the right guy” formula. I’m not a fan of rom-coms, but that may be because my favourite examples of the genre all go back half a century or more. Progress in the arts is a mirage.\nThis entry was posted in 1960s on February 13, 2022 by Alex Good.\n← Lincoln (2012) The Tempest (1979) →\n7 thoughts on “The Apartment (1960)”\nBookstooge February 13, 2022 at 5:26 am\nI can only think of McMurray in his disney roles. He’s definitely type-cast in my mind.\nAlex Good Post author February 13, 2022 at 5:48 am\nYou would not like him in this then!\nI feel bad for actors when that happens. It’s not even his fault. It’s all a mental thing with me.\nfilm-authority.com February 13, 2022 at 5:35 am\nWhat light does this throw on Boba Fett?What does it tell us about The Mandalorian series 3? Will Fennic Shand return the dark sabre to Cad Bane to sort out his womp-rats?\nIf it’s in black and white, no one is interested. Fact!\nThe Mandalorian took a lot from Wilder. And the series was shot in black and white and only later colourized. True story.\nSaw this in the cinema a few years ago, and it really stands up. I do like One, Two, Three but the public didn’t. Wilder’s acerbic take on life went shonky in the 60’s, but his best work is superb.\nAlex Good February 13, 2022 at 7:33 am\nHe seems to have been one of those weird cases of being way ahead of his time and then becoming old-fashioned. The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes is downright stodgy.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1491868"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9915844798088074,"wiki_prob":0.9915844798088074,"text":"Four OSCE observers freed by pro-Russian rebels in Ukraine: official 27 июня 2014, 12:42\nFour OSCE observers who were abducted on May 26 by pro-Russian rebels in eastern Ukraine have been freed and have arrived at a hotel in Donetsk, a separatist leader said.\nUnidentified members of OSCE Special Monitoring Mission in Ukraine get out of a vehicle next to Alexander Borodai (R), Prime Minister of the self proclaimed \"Donetsk People's Republic\". ©Reuters/Shami\nFour OSCE observers who were abducted on May 26 by pro-Russian rebels in eastern Ukraine have been freed and have arrived at a hotel in Donetsk, AFP reports citing a separatist leader.\n\"They have been freed without conditions. They are a Dane, a Turk, a Swiss national and I believe an Estonian,\" said Alexandre Borodai, the \"prime minister\" of the self-proclaimed Republic of Donetsk, which has declared independence from the Kiev government after a disputed referendum\nHe said they had been held by a rebel chief in the neighbouring restive region of Lugansk.\nThe four observers from the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe appeared tired and tense and they declined to speak to journalists in Donetsk.\n\"We are happy at the return of four members of the mission who have been absent for 31 days,\" said Mark Etherington of the OSCE mission in Ukraine.\n\"We are still very worried about the fate of four other colleagues,\" he added, referring to a second OSCE team held since May 29 somewhere in east Ukraine by the pro-Moscow separatists.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1924692"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8544893860816956,"wiki_prob":0.8544893860816956,"text":"New Zealander Stamp Catalogues\nOverview New Zealand Stamp Catalogues\nNew Zealand Stamp Catalogues (books)\nNew Zealand Stamp Auctions/Marketplaces\nNew Zealand Online Stamp Catalogues\nNZ Post Stamp Releases\n2023 Scott Catalogue VOLUME 5 (Countries N-Sam)\nStanley Gibbons New Zealand Stamp Catalogue 7th Edition\nACS New Zealand Stamps 2022\nThe Len Jury 2021 New Zealand Stamp Catalogue\nMichel Britische Kolonien und Gebiete, Band 2: I-Z\nMichel Australia/Oceania/Antarctica 2021 – Volume 2 N-Z\nUnificato AUSTRALIA and NEW ZEALAND – 2020-21\nYvert & Tellier – The world stamp catalog of the year 2019\nYvert&Tellier World Classics: 1840-1940 (Edition 2020)\nAuckland City Stamps (English) – Official catalogue online\nNew Zealand Post (English) – All New Zealand stamps\nStamps NZ (English) – All New Zealand stamps\nLatest Stamp Releases by NZ Post\nNew Zealand – 2023 Year of the RabbitNovember 23, 2022The story of Chinese New Year starts with Jade Emperor, who created the Zodiac calendar, a 12 -year cycle to help track the passage of time. The Rabbit was chosen to represent the fourth year in the Zodiac after it came fourth in the Jade Emperor’s great race. Chinese believe that the Zodiac and the animal years in which people are born have a tremendous influence on their lives and personalities. Despite the rabbit coming fourth in the Jade Emperor’s great race, being a Rabbit is considered fortunate. The Year of the Rabbit will be commemorated with stamps and collectables in December ahead of the New Year in 2023. Stamps The design of the 2023 Year of the Rabbit stamps is inspired by the style of the Chinese nianhua poster, which traditionally show gods, animals and babies enacting Chinese folklore. The style of the posters can be traced back to the Ming Dynasty when woodblock printing was popularised. The stamps, created by Wellington designer Ying-Min Chu, are intended to evoke a sense of nostalgia while also looking forward to a prosperous year ahead. This stamp issue includes a miniature sheet, first day covers and a presentation pack. [...]\nNew Zealand – Ross Dependency – Science On IceOctober 12, 2022Antarctic sea ice is a key element in the global climate system. Its growth each winter creates cold, deep ocean conditions that help sustain Antarctica’s ice sheets, it modifies storms in the Southern Hemisphere, and it affects the rate of global warming. The images featured in this series of Ross Dependency stamps represent the work of New Zealand’s leading Antarctic sea ice scientists who are conducting ground-breaking research in McMurdo Sound, investigating how the changing climate may impact the fragile sea ice balance in Antarctica. This issue includes four stamps, a stamp first day cover, a miniature sheet, a miniature sheet first day cover, a presentation pack and a Limited Edition, and the stamps issue on 2 November. [...]\nNew Zealand – Women in ScienceOctober 12, 2022In celebration of all the women scientists in Aotearoa New Zealand, this stamp issue highlights the remarkable work of four trailblazing women Mākereti Papakura, Lucy Moore, Joan Wiffen and Beatrice Hill Tinsley achieved in the scientific fields of ethnography, botany, palaeontology and cosmology in the 20th century. Born between 1873 and 1941, the women featured on these stamps achieved in the face of institutional and societal structures that often made things difficult for women. Mākereti Papakura drew on her whānau and consulted hapū elders to collate years of letters, notebooks and sketches that provided insights into the lives of Māori women, who were often ignored or undervalued by men writing about Māori society. New Zealand’s main science employer, the DSIR, did not employ any women as scientists until the late 1930s, when Lucy Moore was finally able to secure permanent work more than 10 years after her graduation. Many other women worked as unpaid research assistants to their scientist fathers or husbands, and their contributions were often not acknowledged. Even in the 1980s, when she made most of her discoveries, Joan Wiffen had trouble being taken seriously by the country’s almost exclusively male geology workforce. When Beatrice Hill Tinsley followed her husband to the United States, she shouldered the bulk of the housework and childcare responsibilities, and nepotism rules prevented her getting a job at the same university as him. With lives that spanned the course of the 20th century, these women scientists were trailblazers, setting out on careers of discovery and achievement in spite of the barriers they faced. Date of issue: 2 November 2022 [...]\nNew Zealand – 2022 The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers 20th AnniversaryAugust 15, 2022After 12 long months of eagerly anticipating part two of the trilogy, in late December 2002 fans were rewarded with the release of The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers. After the unbridled success of The Fellowship of the Ring, which was nominated for 13 Academy Awards, the second instalment had a tough act to follow. Nevertheless, the enthusiastic audiences for the sequel ensured it was not only the highest grossing film of that year but, at the time of its release, the third-highest grossing film of all time. The principal photography for all three The Lord of the Rings films took place in New Zealand from 11 October 1999 to 22 December 2000. New Zealand’s mountains, rivers, forests, fields and plains all played a part, and vast studio sets stood in for the more fantastical environments required to build the world of Middle-earth. Weta Digital, the creator of visual effects for the trilogy, doubled its staff for the vast post-production requirements presented by The Two Towers, with challenges that included a large-scale battle scene and the digital rendering of a speaking character. Thousands of everyday New Zealanders played a part in contributing to this film – from a stadium full of cricket spectators recording an Uruk-hai war cry, to local equestrians riding their horses as extras in the plains of Rohan. Most Kiwis will recognise at least one place as their New Zealand, whether it’s a favourite walking spot near their home or a family holiday destination. The Two Towers is part of a larger legacy left by the trilogy, which gave countless New Zealanders unique experiences, memories to cherish and stories to tell for generations to come. Date of issue: 7 September 2022 [...]\nNew Zealand – Artwork from IHC Art AwardsAugust 1, 2022NZ Post’s new stamps showcase artwork from IHC Art Awards Four winning artworks from the IHC Art Awards L’affare People’s Choice Award (2019 – 2021) category will feature in NZ Post’s newest stamp release. IHC is New Zealand’s leading provider of services for people with intellectual disabilities and its Art Awards are an annual highlight for the organisation. The four artworks selected for the stamp collection are by Matthew Tonkin (2021), Katie McMillan (2020), Malachi Oldridge (2019) and Charlize Wilson (2018). NZ Post Collectables Programme and Content Manager Lynette Townsend says NZ Post is proud to support IHC by showcasing the talents of Kiwis with an intellectual disability. “These stamps allow the artists to tell their stories through their creations, and we feel honoured to be able to feature their outstanding artworks on our stamps and support these talented people,” Townsend said. The work of IHC Art Awards artists, especially the prize winners, is exceptional says IHC Programmes General Manager Janine Stewart. “The stamp issue recognises this and it’s great more New Zealanders will get to see their work.” This year the awards attracted entries from 412 artists from all over New Zealand. The top 100 artworks, selected by the judging panel made up of actor Libby Hunsdale, sculptor Simon Lewis Wards, and Student Volunteer Army CEO Sam Johnson, will go on display in a pop-up gallery at 69 Willis St, Wellington from 28 July. To see and purchase the full range of stamps visit collectables.nzpost.co.nz About the stamps: $1.70 Matthew Tonkin, ‘Aeroplane’ – Matthew’s screen print, the L’affare People’s Choice Award winner in 2021, was created at Two4nine art studio in Auckland. It is the result of his time spent mastering techniques and experimenting with colours and his own unique designs. $3.00 Katie McMillan, ‘Colourful Unicorn’ – “I love all the bright colours and making this. I hope when people see it, they are happy,” says Katie about her 2020 winning artwork, which is made from coloured acrylic pompoms over a paper-mâché support, mounted on a shield. $3.80 Malachi Oldridge, ‘My Nani as a Māori Girl’ – Malachi won in 2019 with a graphite pencil drawing on paper, paying tribute to his grandmother. The artwork is influenced by the late E. Mervyn Taylor’s artwork, ‘Māori Girl (Hina)’. $5.10 Charlize Wilson, ‘Looking Out from the Inside’ – Charlize was only 13 when she won the L’affare People’s Choice Award in 2018 for her acrylic piece. She says art helps her “be herself” and that she likes doing art, “because it’s so much fun”. available on ebay [...]\nNew Zealand – Māori Language PetitionJuly 11, 2022Statement NZ Post on 3 August 2022 We’re writing to notify you that the stamp issue titled ‘Māori Language Petition’ will not be issued on 3 August 2022 as previously announced. This decision has been made following additional feedback from key stakeholders that was received after products were printed. While extensive consultation took place in the development of the designs, some expectations were not met and as a result the stamps cannot be issued in their current form or on the planned date.We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience or disappointment caused by this decision. The 50th anniversary of the presentation of the Māori Language Petition is an important commemoration for New Zealand, and we hope to acknowledge it at a future date. Details For most of the 20th century, New Zealand‘s governments discouraged and banned people from speaking openly in the Māori language (te reo Māori). Then 50 years ago, te reo champions calling for it to be taught in schools presented the Māori Language Petition to Parliament. The petition carried the signatures of more than 30,000 New Zealanders. In 1972, 14 September became Māori Language Day, an occasion that eventually expanded to what we know today as Māori Language Week. The peaceful protest also led to the successful te reo Māori claim (WAI 11) to the Waitangi Tribunal and the enactment of the Māori Language Act 1987. The Act recognised te reo as an official language of our country and created the Māori Language Commission (Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori). As well as marking 50 years since the presentation of the Māori language petition to Parliament, there are several other significant milestones for te reo Māori in 2022. It will be 35 years since te reo became an official language and Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori (Māori Language Commission) began, 50 years since the launch of Māori performing arts festival Matatini and 40 years since the launch of kōhanga reo, an early childhood Māori language education and care service. In 2022 we will also see Matariki Day, the first public holiday to acknowledge te ao Māori, which the Māori Language Commission began lobbying for more than 20 years ago. Matariki celebrates the first rising of the Pleiades star cluster and marks the beginning of the new year in the Māori lunar calendar. The 50th anniversary of the presentation of the Māori Language Petition at Parliament is led by Te Whare o te Reo Mauriora with Te Mātāwai guiding iwi and Māori initiatives and Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori (Māori Language Commission) leading government initiatives. Date of issue: 3 August 2022 [...]","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1540894"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9324302077293396,"wiki_prob":0.9324302077293396,"text":"Flag Status Half-Staff Regionally\nOffice of the Texas Governor | Greg Abbott\nGovernor Abbott\nGovernor Abbott Overview\nDuties, Requirements & Powers\nGovernor's Budget 2022-2023\nFirst Lady Overview\nTexanthropy\nVolunteerTX\nNetwork of Nurture\nFirst Lady Blog\nGovernor's Mansion\nContact First Lady Office\nBudget and Policy\nCommission for Women\nCommittee on People with Disabilities\nPublic Safety Office\nRegulatory Compliance Division\nStrike Force to Open Texas\nTexas Military Preparedness Commission\nTexas Office of State-Federal Relations\nTexas Workforce Investment Council\nGovernor Abbott Appoints Three To Texas Racing Commission\nNovember 6, 2015 | Austin, Texas | Appointment\nGovernor Greg Abbott has appointed Margaret Martin and Rolando Pablos, and has reappointed Gary Aber, to the Texas Racing Commission for terms set to expire on February 1, 2021. The Commission oversees pari-mutuel wagering on horse and greyhound racing.\nMargaret Martin of Boerne is an independent international business woman who specializes in bringing companies and individuals together in business development and energy. She was appointed by Gov. Rick Perry to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission in 2007 and served there until 2015. She is a member of the World Affairs Councils of San Antonio and Austin, San Antonio FBISACAA and Infragard. Martin received a Bachelor of Business Administration from Laredo State University, now Texas A&M International University, and she is Certified in International Protocol.\nRolando Pablos of El Paso is CEO of the Borderplex Alliance. Previously, he served on the Public Utility Commission, Nueces River Authority Board of Directors, and as chair of the Texas Racing Commission. He is a member of the State Bar of Texas, University Houston Conrad Hilton College Dean’s Advisory Board, Bridge of Southern New Mexico Board of Directors and the Border Trade Alliance Board of Directors. Additionally, he is former chairman of the Free Trade Alliance and the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Pablos received a Bachelor of Arts from St. Mary’s University, Master of Business Administration from The University of Texas at San Antonio, Master of Hospitality Management from the University of Houston and a Juris Doctor from St. Mary’s University School of Law.\nGary Aber of Simonton is a veterinarian and owner of Simonton Veterinary Clinic, as well as a member of the American Association of Equine Practitioners. He was appointed by Gov. Rick Perry to the Texas Racing Commission in 2012. Dr. Aber received a Bachelor of Science from Texas Tech and a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Texas A&M University.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line318500"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6904335021972656,"wiki_prob":0.6904335021972656,"text":"Chantilly families come in all sorts of sizes\nSachi Chitre, Business and Online Manager\nFamilies come in all sorts of sizes and dynamics. They have their imperfections, can be frivolous at moments and generally support each other in times of need.\nOlder siblings are the bridge between their family as they have a unique bond with their parents and their siblings. Students who are the oldest in their family are often considered to be role models to their younger siblings. While older children don’t have anyone to look up to, except for their parents and sometimes extended family such as cousins, they are the first in their family to experience important life stages, for instance getting a driver’s license or going to college.\n“I like being the oldest because everything I do is new and exciting,” junior Olivia Grindal, who has two younger siblings, said. “I feel protective over my siblings and I help them with school and friends.”\nYounger brothers and sisters can be bothersome at times to their older siblings, but they frequently look up to them for advice ranging from what classes to take in school to how to resolve arguments with friends.\n“I like having older siblings I can go to for advice,” sophomore Graceyn Jones, who has two older brothers including junior Garrett, said. “One thing that’s hard about being the youngest is seeing my older siblings have more privileges, like having a later curfew or being allowed to make more plans than I am.”\nBeing a middle child has its benefits and disadvantages. Middle children are able to be an older and younger sibling at the same time. They can give advice to their younger sibling as well as have someone to look up to when needed. Some middle children can develop middle child syndrome, which is when the middle child can feel excluded from their family. They can believe that their parents give more attention to their older or younger siblings, instead of them.\n“I was the youngest of five and now I’m the middle of seven children,” senior Renae Knisely said. “The pro of being a middle child is that when you mess up, your parents don’t care as much versus if you were the youngest or oldest, they pay attention to you more.”\nBeing an only child means having everything to yourself and not having to compete for attention from parents. Only children often have a close relationship with their parents, but they can get lonely at times with no siblings to share special moments with.\n“I have a more direct relationship with my parents with no standards set in stone,” freshman Tanish Dora said. “On long holiday breaks it gets boring and lonely as there is no one else to share ideas and interact with.”\nEvery family has its ups and downs, the ability to support one another during sorrowful times, the power to create cheerful memories and be grateful for one another.\n“They are very reliable and help with emotional problems I go through,” freshman Nithya Muthukumar, who is the oldest of two, said. “I can count on them to make me feel better and cheer me up.”\nSachi Chitre, Online Manager, Business Manager","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line255339"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6047389507293701,"wiki_prob":0.6047389507293701,"text":"How do we fix medicine? Atul Gawande at TED2012\nPhoto: James Duncan Davidson\nHow do we get good at anything? Doctor Atul Gawande opens his talk at TED2012 by asking that question. He writes as well as practices medicine, and constantly has to confront that question about everything in his life. But there’s a new crisis, the incredible cost of healthcare. The fight is framed as: Is government the problem, or are the insurance companies? “The answer is yes. And no.” It’s more subtle than that.\nHe quotes Lewis Thomas, the great physician and writer of science, on the days before penicillin, when a hospital was mostly a place to rest. The doctors were custodians more than healers, and any benefit was from having shelter, food and attention.\nOf course, the doctors were still frenetically busy. Was there a diagnosis they might have missed? Something they could have done to make one person better? There were a few conditions they could cure, a few options that might work, but not a lot, and they weren’t great.\nNow, Gawande says, only a few generations later the changes are unfathomable, “The volume of knowledge and discovery have eclipsed the imagination.”\nOur institutions were developed to handle a situation where a doctor could be an autonomous individual, could know about all diseases, write prescriptions, plate the culture, and set the fracture, spun the blood — could do everything themselves. None of that is true anymore. There are MRIs to run, physical therapy to do, and highly intricate surgeries to perform.\nWe have treatments for tens of thousands of conditions. There are 4000 medical and surgical procedures, 6000 drugs he is legally allowed to prescribe — and that’s the new problem. We’re starting, Gawande argues, to realize, as doctors, “that we can’t do it all.”\nHere’s some data. In 1970, the number of doctors a patient at a hospital saw, on average, was 2. By the end of the 20th century, it was 15. Each doctor is a specialist now, even primary physicians. Gawande says that has been a disaster, “We’ve trained, hired and rewarded people to be cowboys, but it’s pitcrews we need.” There’s data: 40% of coronary heart disease patients receive incomplete care, and 60% of pneumonia patients. Two million people walk into hospital and get infection they didn’t have because someone forgot to wash their hands.\nWe have amazing clinicians, and access to incredible technologies, but our experience is that it rarely comes together successfully. The unmanageable cost is one of the signs we need pit crews rather than cowboys. Doctors tend to think that that’s just the way it is. More complicated care costs more.\nBut that’s not true. There is a wide gap between the best results and the worst results, and the outcomes don’t match the cost. The highest price doesn’t necessarily produce the best health outcome. And that, oddly, is a point of hope. “If to have the best results required you to get the most expensive care, we really would be talking about rationing.” But if you look at successful cases, it’s not quality components, but getting everything to come together in the right way. Here’s a thought experiment: “What if you built a car from the very best car parts… What would you have? A very expensive pile of junk that doesn’t go anywhere.” Medicine feels like that. It’s not a system.\nA huge part of the problem is that we don’t have some very important skills for making systems.\n1) To really evaluate succes and failure. “When you’re a specialist you can’t see the whole story. You have to be incredibly interested in data. That’s not sexy.”\n2) Finding solutions to the failings. Gawande got interested when the World Health Organization asked his team for a way to reduce deaths in surgery around the developing world. The normal response would be to do more training, but everyone was well trained. But they looked at other industries. It turns out that a very basic tool of aviation, skyscraper construction, and high risk industries was… a checklist.\nIt’s surprising, but a checklist is a way make a recipe for how to have a team that’s prepared for the unexpected. So they designed a checklist for surgery and, “We implemented the checklist in 8 hospitals around the world from rural Tanzania to Seattle. After they adopted it the complication rates fell 35% in every hospital it went into. Death rates fell 47%.”\nIt’s hard to get physicians to do this. It’s not part of their jobs, they don’t want to think about every little problem. But the lists are powerful. They force us to admit to certain things, to admit humility, to value teamwork. The opposite of the cowboy model.\nGawande once met an actual cowboy. He asked him he he did all the corralling of herds of cattle. The answer: Electronic communications, managed by checklists.” “Even cowboys are like pitcrews now”\n“Making systems work in medicine is the great task of my generation of physicians and sciences.” In fact, it’s the great task of our generation in all fields. Knowledge has become too complex to handle as individuals which means that, “As individualistic as we want to be, complexity requires group success. We all need to be pit crews now.”\nThe talk ends, and moves back to the dinner table, to take questions.\nRyan Phelan: You’re one of my heroes. Have you thought about how checklists could be used in the communication between doctors and terminally ill patients.\nAG: We’re working on it. With the whole death-panel scare, the government is afraid of it. But we have private funding, and we’re making a list of questions, not about what they want, but about what their biggest fears are, what their goals are. When we understand that we can make recommendations.\nStewart Brand: It strikes me that robotized medicine can replace the checklist.\nAG: Yes, we can automate more. But the question is, when should that automated thing to pop the cataract out of your eye. Maybe we could automate that. But we should not cut the human out, we need structure to make us better as teams.\nKen Robinson: I gave a talk to a set of pathologists, at the end I was offered a free autopsy. People give what they can. What they were afraid of was the increasing beaurocratization of the field. Is there something peculiar in the culture of medicine that attracts this? Perhaps I’m naive, but you’d expect if you went into surgery they’d check what they’re doing.\nAG: It’s less than norm in most fields. In medicine we’ve become specialized atomized units have not been able to find out how to herd the cats, and how to be interested in building organizations that are highly successful. That’s not necessarily something we think we do.\nChris Anderson: Are you trying to create a science of simplicity?\nAG: Yes. There are simple solutions to address increasingly high complexity. But, if we believe it’s only technology that handles complexity, we’ll go adrift. Even the tech needs to fit to the people we’re trying to help.\nRyan Phalan: What you’re doing is truly disruptive. It’s not just about new tools, but about changing the arrogance of healthcare.\nWhat did you love? Reactions from the TED crowd\nHow to spark inner creativity Julie Burstein at TED2012","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1754696"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.656949520111084,"wiki_prob":0.343050479888916,"text":"Westwood Magnolia Parkway Improvement District Organization\nHere you can find information on the Westwood Magnolia Parkway Improvement District organization, recent meeting agendas, minutes and annexation request to have land added to the District. If you need any additional information - contact us.\nCounty Community Centers\nMany Community Centers through out Montgomery County.\n(https://www.mctx.org/departments/departments_l_-_p/parks/community_centers.php)\nMontgomery County boasts numerous Parks through out its communities.\n(https://www.mctx.org/departments/departments_l_-_p/parks/index.php)\nCrighton Theatre\nThe Crighton Theatre is a truly historic theatre built in 1934, and is the home base for performances offered by Stage-Right Productions, Sounds of Texas Music Series and Christian Youth Theatre.\n(http://www.crightontheatre.org/)\nCynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion\nOur foundation is built on the future and through numerous educational outreach programs, we seek to put the arts in the hands of the next generation.\n(https://www.woodlandscenter.org/)\nFernland Historical Park\nFernland Historical Park and Museum and Memory Park are two beautiful additions to Montgomery.\n(http://www.fernland.org/)\nThe Heritage Museum of Montgomery County is housed in the Grogan-Cochran home.\n(http://heritagemuseum.us/)\nLake Creek Greenway Partnership\nThe Lake Creek Greenway Partnership is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt non-profit corporation formed to promote initiatives that preserve the quality of Lake Creek and surrounding areas. Our emphasis is on enlisting the support of the community to protect water quality and other ecological services for the benefit of current and future generations.\n(http://lakecreektx.org/)\nLone Star College System Small Business Development Center (SBDC)\nWe are part of the University of Houston, and are funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.\n(https://www.sbdc.uh.edu/sbdc/default.asp)\nLone Star College University Center\nThe LSC-University Center allows students to earn their bachelor's and master's degrees close to home from our partner universities at our facilities in The Woodlands and at University Park.\n(http://www.lonestar.edu/university-center/)\nLSC-Conroe Center\nLSC-Conroe Center is a full-service Lone Star College center that offers affordable college education accessible to north Montgomery County.\n(http://www.lonestar.edu/conroecenter.htm)\nOLLU offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in\nweekday, evening, weekend and online formats.\n(https://houston.ollusa.edu/)\nSaint Francis Wolf Sanctuary\nSaint Francis Wolf Sanctuary is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charity in Montgomery, Texas, whose mission is to rescue and provide a loving, exceptional home to non-releasable wolves and wolfdogs, and to educate the public about these animals.\n(https://saintfranciswolfsanctuary.org/)\nSam Houston National Forest\nThe Sam Houston National Forest WMA has 161,508 acres with 47,609 acres in Montgomery County, 59,746 acres in San Jacinto County, and 54,153 acres in Walker County.\n(https://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/hunt/wma/find_a_wma/list/?id=30)\nSam Houston State University: The Woodlands\nDiscover a great name in education in your own backyard and become a Bearkat!\n(https://www.shsu.edu/academics/woodlands-center/)\nWe can be your confidant, your cheerleader and your accountability partner on your path to achieving success.\n(https://houston.score.org/)\nSouthern Economic Development Council (SEDC)\nWe assist in your professional development by providing seminars and education opportunities.\n(https://www.sedc.org/)\nTamina Farmers Market\nFounded in October 2016, we have undoubtedly become a foodie's farmer's market! Located west of The Woodlands, you will find us just off of FM 1488 & FM 2978 in Magnolia, TX within the Westwood subdivision. Central to Montgomery, Conroe, Spring, Tomball & the Woodlands, we boast a large variety of high-quality farmer and artisan vendors that will keep you coming back each week.\nAside from our amazing vendors and fun, family-friendly vibe; our market is also unique in that it is held on a gravel and grass lot and backs to a beautiful 15 acre tree farm and a future arboretum. The farmer's market is also adjacent to The Culinary Courtyard, which is home to Victory Pie Co. Café, Toffee Cellar, The British Depot, The Chipper and coming soon, Brick & Brews!\n(http://www.farmersmarketontamina.com/)\nTexas Economic Development Corporation\nRanked #1 by CEOs For the 15th consecutive year, Texas was named the “Best State for Business” by Chief Executive Magazine.\n(https://businessintexas.com/)\nTexas Energy Economic Development\nEntergy Corporation, providing reliable electric power at very competitive rates and extensive support for business relocation and expansion.\n(https://goentergy.com/)\nTexas Expansion and Relocation Guide\nThe office provides various services to assist companies and their legal representatives with the expansion and relocation process.\n(https://businessintexas.com/resources/expansion-relocation-guide)\nThe Owen Theatre\nThe Owen Theatre is an intimate soft seat venue that seats approximately 250 people and is home to The Players Theatre Company.\n(http://owentheatre.com/)\nWoodforest Golf Club\nDesigned by the PGA’s own Steve Elkington, Woodforest features 27 holes on a spacious course carved through the majestic pines and towering oaks of Northwest Houston. Since 2001 this classic design has appealed to golfers of all skill levels, deeming it a “player’s course.” Facilities include a pro shop, the Woodforest Grille, driving range, separate putting and chipping greens, and fairway and greenside practice bunkers. Daily private and group instruction is also available from their onsite PGA staff. Woodforest Golf Club is open for daily fee play seven days a week.\n(https://www.woodforestgolf.com/)\nSearch all Links: -- Select a Category --RecreationBusiness ResourcesHigher Learning\nView Custom Report","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line495792"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5753002762794495,"wiki_prob":0.5753002762794495,"text":"Elon Musk is no longer the richest man in the world\nThe takeover of Twitter and the decline in the value of Tesla did not suit the billionaire.\nElon Musk was on the first step of the podium for the richest men in the world. He succeeded Bill Gates, or even Jeff Bezos. Famous names in the world of technology and social networks. But today it seems that the world of technology is giving way to the world of fashion. Elon Musk must now give way to the top of the ranking of the richest men in the world in favor of the French billionaire Bernard Arnault, according to the ranking “Bloomberg Billionaires”, published on Wednesday.\nThe 73-year-old is president of the French luxury empire LVMH (Louis Vuitton, Dior, Moël & Chandon). According to Bloomberg estimates, Elon Musk’s personal fortune has shrunk by more than $100 billion since January to $163.6 billion. Bloomberg has estimated Bernard Arnault’s fortune at $170.8 billion (about €160.6 billion).\nAlso read> Sleepless nights, layoffs…: A look back at Elon Musk’s first week on Twitter\nIn the latest “Forbes” ranking, Elon Musk’s fortune is estimated at $176.8 billion, well behind Bernard Arnault ($188.6 billion). These charts are usually based on publicly available information about assets such as stocks, real estate, art and other luxuries owned by celebrities. They are therefore not accurate and can be contested. Bloomberg attributes Musk’s decline in fortune to the takeover of the micro-blogging service Twitter. Shares in electric car maker Tesla have also lost more than 50% of their value this year.\nWhat is this new baguette served in canteens?\nRescued after losing mother, baby wombat caught on camera sucking thumb in caregiver’s arms","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1437781"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5943723917007446,"wiki_prob":0.40562760829925537,"text":"Former DCI Bob Gates - New Secretary of Defense\nThe probable next Secretary of Defense brings a unique background to the table that may have the unintended consequence of healing the rift between current Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and the recently created Director of National Intelligence (DNI) John Negroponte.\nRobert Gates began his government service as a United States Air Force intelligence officer, followed by a career as an analyst with the Central Intelligence Agency. He rose to the position of Deputy Director for Intelligence in 1982, then deputy director in 1986. There was a break in CIA service when he served on the National Security Council. Although he was nominated to be the Director of Central Intelligence (DCI) in 1987, he withdrew his name because of controversy over his role in the Iran-Contra affair. Gates served as the deputy National Security Adviser for President George H.W. Bush from 1989 to 1991, after which he was named the DCI.\nGates served in the senior Bush White House with Brent Scowcroft, James Baker and Colin Powell, all three now against the current policy in Iraq. Gates himself has been somewhat critical of the conduct of the war - not the war itself, but the execution of it.\nBesides being a perceived breath of fresh air at the Pentagon, Gates may be able to lessen the tension between the Department of Defense and the DNI. After the creation of the DNI, Secretary Rumsfeld directed that all intelligence matters in the Defense Department be coordinated by the Undersecretary of Defense for Intelligence, and that office to be the primary point of contact between the department and the DNI.\nIn essence, it was Rumsfeld's way of maintaining Defense control over the majority of the country's intelligence assets. Gates, with his intelligence background, may be able to come up with a better arrangement and improve the ailing intelligence system.\nLabels: intelligence\nIraq Descends into Civil War\nIsrael Seeks More Aerial Refueling Capability\nAnother perspective - from a friend\nIraq-Syria: Restoration of Diplomatic Relations\nGaza - the next Lebanon?\nIran - \"Existential Threat\" to the State of Israel...\nIsrael's Security Fence\nDefense Language Institute Hall of Fame","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1316646"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7900157570838928,"wiki_prob":0.7900157570838928,"text":"Britain’s “Iron Lady” Dead At The Age Of 87\nApril 8, 2013 8:02 pm by Nancy Miller\nFormer British Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher. Work provided by Chris Collins of the Margaret Thatcher Foundation\nMargaret Thatcher was the Prime Minister of England from 1979 to 1990. That was the longest time for any British prime minister since the early 19th century.\nThatcher was Britain’s only female prime minister and she was considered an important leader around the world.\nOn Monday Thatcher died of a stroke; she was 87 years old.\nWhen she was Prime Minister, Thatcher was considered by most people to be very strong-willed. Her nickname was “The Iron Lady.” Once when her own Conservative party members asked her to tone down her hard decision, she said to them: ‘The lady’s not for turning.’\nOn the other hand, Thatcher had a vision for her country and she was loyal to it to the end.\nShe believed strongly in lowering government spending, letting private companies buy government agencies and letting companies compete with each other without government help.\nWhen a terrorist bomb, meant for her, killed five people, she made a speech that evening telling her own party that the British would never give in to terrorism.\nOne of her best friends was then-U.S. President Ronald Regan, who shared her values. Together they pushed for the collapse of communism and when the Berlin wall (a symbol of communism around the world) came down in 1989, the two leaders felt rewarded.\nFinally, Maggie Thatcher’s right-wing (conservative) policies were too hard for the people to take.\nWhen Thatcher approved a new tax for all ordinary citizens, the British people had had enough. After 11 years in power, Thatcher left the Prime Minister’s office.\nBy Kathleen Tilly\nMargaret Thatcher was known as a tough and strong-willed prime minister. Some people loved her and others didn’t.\nDo you think all leaders need to be tough and strong-willed? Why or why not?\nReading Prompt:\nThis article includes many political words and concepts. Some key words are: Conservative, communism and right-wing.\nWhat do these words mean? Use a dictionary or the Internet to look up these terms. Explain what each of them mean in your own words.\nPredict the meaning of and rapidly solve unfamiliar words using different types of cues (OME, Reading: 3.2).\nGrammar Feature: Proper and Common Nouns\nIn this article, ‘prime minister’ is written several times. Read through the article carefully and explain why some sentences have ‘prime minister’ written with capital letters while other sentences don’t.\nTags: Britain, communism, Conservative, England, grade 5, grade 6, grade 7, grade 8, history, international, Iron Lady, Margaret Thatcher, Prime Minister, Ronald Regan","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1515620"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5084875226020813,"wiki_prob":0.4915124773979187,"text":"Trainer Support\nPromoting Best Practice\nSchool of Improvement\nConsultants and Doctors in Training\nDoctors in Training\nJunior Doctor Induction\nGuardian of Safe Working\nSAS Drs\nConsultant Mandatory Training\nNurses, Midwives and AHPs\nStudents & Practice Assessors/Supervisors\nStudent Practice Assessor and Supervisor\nGuys St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest teaching hospitals in the UK. We always strive for excellence in education, supporting our diverse range of pre-registration and post-registration learners. In total we now support over 1,000 students per year, including adult child and learning disability student nurses, midwives, Apprentice Nursing Associates, Registered Nursing Degree Apprentices and Return to Practice students nurses, We also support Internationally Educated Nurses through our comprehensive and state of the art education programmes.\nAt Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust we strive to innovate in education and cultivate learning culture in all areas. We actively support the Future Nurse: Standards of proficiency for registered nurses (2018) NMC proficiencies (pg 27-37).\nGuys St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust has close links with it’s partner universities: Kings College London King’s College London – Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing & Midwifery, London South Bank University Home | London South Bank University, Greenwich University and Coventry University. Once a place at university is secured, an NHS Trust is appointed where clinical placements will be offered with 50% of the course in university and 50% in clinical practice.\nGuys St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust is an integrated Trust offering in-hospital and out of hospital (community) placements. The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) stipulates the students require a ‘rounded’ experience during their training. This includes medical, surgical, critical care and community experience. Our supportive and engaging placements are planned throughout the duration of training, ensuring diversity and variety of learning experience. This is achieved by provided excellent placements across our integrated services in South East London.\nStudent are valued members of each team on every placement. Students are welcomed and nurtured in all clinical areas and are supported by our highly experienced and dedicated Practice Supervisors and Assessors. All have been trained in the Standards for Student Support and Assessment. Teaching is also provided on a weekly basis delivered by clinical experts. Student voice is developed and listened to through placement evaluations and we are always open to receiving feedback to improve.\nThere is a designated email address for students to contact the Clinical Education Team with any queries or concerns. Student Nurses can join our Trust Bank as a Nursing Assistant after 6 months of training to enable them to increase their knowledge and skills, as well as to supplement their income while they are training.\nEducation Centre, 75-79 York Road, London SE1 7NJ\nEmail: [email protected] Privacy PolicyCookiesAccessibility\n© Redactive. All rights reserved","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1321810"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.58436119556427,"wiki_prob":0.58436119556427,"text":"\"Pretty Little Liars\" Recap: Hanna and Caleb's Wedding Bells, and Rosewood Jail Cells\nCan't have the good without the drama.\nBy De Elizabeth\nPRETTY LITTLE LIARS - \"Choose or Lose\" - With the Rosewood police closer than ever, A.D. tries to split the Liars apart in an all-new episode of Freeform’s hit original series “Pretty Little Liars,” airing TUESDAY, JUNE 13 (8:00 - 9:01 p.m. EDT). (Freeform/Byron Cohen)SASHA PIETERSE, TYLER BLACKBURNPhoto: Freeform/Byron Cohen\nWelcome back to Pretty Little Investigation, a weekly Pretty Little Liars column that will take you into the deepest secrets that Rosewood has to offer. We’ll examine every last loose thread, shady character, and unanswered question in order to crack the prettiest little mystery of all: Who is Uber “A?”\nWhen we last left our favorite Liars, there was serious ~drama~ about to go down in Rosewood. Hanna and Caleb had just gotten engaged (yay!), Spencer was having secret meetings with Mary, and Aria was fully in black hoodie mode. With only three episodes left to go, this season is getting more and more intense. It’s almost too much to handle!\nTonight’s episode opens with Emily and Ali drinking coffee together and being generally adorable. TBH, I barely held it together when Emily tells Ali that she “looks beautiful in the morning.” We’ve waited seven years for this, and it’s too cute.\nAli apologizes for tossing and turning all night, and Emily reminds her that they can still have a good morning even if they had a rough night’s sleep. They start to head into the bedroom when suddenly they stop in their tracks: the Liar’s Lament board game is perched against the bed, and it seems to have moved rooms all on its own. Before they can wonder what might have happened, they are startled by a banging on the front door: it’s the Rosewood Police...with a search warrant. Turns out that officers are showing up at all of the Liars’ houses at the same time, looking for evidence linked to the murder of Archer Dunhill.\nWe then cut to Spencer, storming into the Rosewood Police Department building looking for Marco, except he’s nowhere to be found. Instead, she encounters Detective Tanner (!!!), who informs her that she’s now on the Dunhill case. Tanner explains that Marco had been “too conflicted” in his approach to solving the murder, and so he took himself off the case. Before Spencer leaves, Tanner promises to get to the bottom of the mystery.\nAt the Brew, we see police officers leaving with boxes of evidence. Once Aria is alone, we start to hear a cell phone ringing. The sound is coming from the vents, and Aria removes the cover in the wall to reveal a phone hidden in the crevice. She picks it up and notes a missed call from A.D. Upon calling back, we hear A.D. on the other line in a deep, distorted voice.\nA.D.: Since the police took your phone, I got you a new one.\nAria: I want to meet you.\nA.D.: IDK if that’s a good idea.\nAria: Please, I’ve literally done everything you asked.\nA.D.: Fine. Wear the uniform. I’ll text you the details.\nWhile Aria is busy planning a date night with A.D., the rest of the Liars – plus Caleb – are holed up in a room at the Radley together. Spencer presents the other girls with burner phones, and Caleb says he’s going to start trying to locate the game, which has disappeared yet again from Ali’s house. Hanna goes to open a room service dish and finds the game’s phone lying on a bed of lettuce. The phone immediately lights up with the words: “Choose or lose. Just one plea, the rest go free. If no one steps up, you all go down.” They realize that A.D. is asking one of them to turn themselves in for Archer’s murder – or else they will all face jail time. A countdown clock appears on the phone; they have 36 hours to make the decision.\nSuddenly, Mona storms into the hotel room and casually suggests that they should talk to Aria – since she’s on the “A” team. Naturally, the other girls are shocked to hear this, so Mona starts revealing all the things we’ve seen Aria do over the past couple of weeks, right on down to the phone call she had with A.D. in tonight’s episode. The Liars are all stunned, but they want concrete proof.\nLater that day, Spencer is getting coffee at the Brew when Toby comes in, sporting some new facial hair. He reveals that Tanner had called him, which is why he returned to Rosewood from his cabin on the lake. Toby admits that he thinks Tanner is building a solid case, and Spencer appears nervous. Before she leaves, he mentions that she’s welcome to come visit his cabin anytime. Aw, #Spoby.\nA few hours later, we see Aria sporting the black hoodie, wandering through the woods. She gets a text from A.D., who tells her that she looks good in the uniform. Suddenly, Aria hears the sound of a branch breaking and she runs towards it...only to find herself face to face with the Liars.\nNaturally, the girls are furious at Aria, who tries to explain. She tells her friends that A.D. had been blackmailing her with the report that she had written about Ezra but never filed. The girls don’t accept her explanation, with Ali snapping: “Was it a no-brainer to pick Ezra over us?” But it’s Spencer who seems the angriest, in light of the recording that Aria had planted in her home in the previous episode. Their argument is broken up by a phone call from Tanner, who demands to see all five girls at the police station. Spencer tells Aria that she can find her own ride, and they leave her in the woods – alone. Yikes.\nSome time later, the Liars are all waiting in the police station for Tanner. The detective joins them and announces that she wanted to discuss some of the evidence that the officers have found. She then reveals that they discovered windshield glass in Spencer’s shower drain that matches the fragments that were underneath Archer’s fingernails. Tanner also announces that they analyzed the Liars’ computer search history, as well as the Radley video footage from the night that Archer went missing. She explains that she wants to give the girls a chance to tell their side of the story before “her side becomes the only side.” Spencer, speaking for all of the Liars, asks Tanner if they’re done, and the Detective reluctantly agrees that they can leave. OK, this does not look good.\nOn the drive home, Aria calls A.D. on her new cell phone. She’s clearly upset and starts yelling that A.D. got her to turn against all of her friends. “I’ve done everything you asked me to do and you’ve given me nothing,” Aria shouts. “I’m done.”\nUnfortunately, it won’t be that easy. A.D. reminds her that their relationship isn’t over until they say it is, and that something big would happen the following day. Sorry, Aria; looks like you’ll have to hold onto that black hoodie a little while longer.\nThe next day, the Liars (minus Aria) are together discussing their “choose or lose” dilemma. Hanna suggests that she turn herself in, since she’s the one who hit Archer with the car. Spencer says she should turn herself in, because of the snafu with Archer’s credit card at the Radley. And Ali insists that it’s really her fault, since she married him in the first place. Emily points out that this is exactly what A.D. wants – for them to turn on one another. She adds that what happened to Aria could have happened to any of them, and reminds Spencer that she was once convinced to play for the “A” team, too. That seems to resonate with Spencer, who gets up suddenly, telling the others that she has something to do.\nMeanwhile at the Radley, Caleb is busy on his laptop trying to locate the game when Ashley walks up and demands to know what’s going on with Hanna, inquiring if she is covering for someone in relation to Archer’s murder.\nWe then cut to the loft, where Hanna is incredulous that Caleb told her mom the truth about everything. But he reminds her that they’re in this together, and that he couldn’t lie to her mom. Hanna apologizes for “involving him in this mess,” and he takes her hand, clearly saying a million things without uttering anything at all.\nAcross town, Spencer shows up at Aria’s apartment with an old photo of the Liars. Clearly feeling nostalgic, she tells Aria that she’s sorry for some of the things she said the previous night, and Aria apologizes too. Before they can fully patch things up, the police arrive to return boxes of evidence that they had taken from the apartment and the Brew. Tanner is with the other officers, and she tells Aria that she’s no longer a person of interest in the Dunhill case, as she was “spotted” in New Hampshire the night of his murder. Clearly this is A.D. stepping in to “help” Aria, and Spencer knows it too, because she storms out the door, glaring icily at Aria before she leaves. Just as Spencer is leaving, Ezra walks in. Seeing the cops, he turns to Aria to ask what’s going on.\nAfter the police leave, Aria sits down with Ezra to talk. She confides in him about the file that A.D. had been holding over her head, but to her surprise (and ours), he already knew about it. He admits that he found it the other night after she had fallen asleep. However, he’s not upset about it; he says that Aria had every right to be angry with him for lying to her about the book he was writing about Ali, and for taking advantage of her and her friends when they first met. (Um. Yep. He’s right, because it was a seriously messed up thing to do.) Aria says she wants to tell him everything, but first she leans in for a kiss, noting that he might not want to kiss her again after he knows the truth about her time on the “A” team.\nMean. While.\nCaleb takes Hanna to...a court house. OMG. And he has rings in his pocket! He tells her that they should “do this while they still can” and he points out that if they’re married, they can’t testify against one another. (I’m not really on the “Caleb is A.D. train,” but this would be a mastermind move if he were A.D. Just saying.) Ashley walks up just then, holding a bridal bouquet for Hanna. She tells them that tomorrow, it’s going to be all hands on deck with the lawyer she hired, but tonight, they’re celebrating. They head into the courthouse … and … CALEB AND HANNA GET MARRIED. That sound you just heard? That’s all of the #Haleb shippers squealing in delight.\nIt’s certainly an evening of romance, because while Caleb and Hanna are tying the knot, #Emison are having a sweet night of their own. Ali surprises Emily with a candlelit picnic in the woods, complete with pillows and blankets. “If this is our last chance at freedom, let’s make the most of it,” Ali says before they kiss under the night sky. Aww.\n#Spoby shippers weren’t left out of the equation, as the next scene shows Spencer arriving at Toby’s cabin. Or, wait…is that Spencer? Sorry, but I have to point out that she’s not wearing her signature watch (an accessory that was also missing in that airport scene), she’s dressed in all black, and her hair is super-straight. At one point, she makes a flippant comment and Toby literally says: “That doesn’t sound like the Spencer I know.” They end up kissing, and while their scene is just as romantic as the others, it’s hard to shake that feeling that Spencer is acting so strange and unlike herself. All aboard the twin theory train!\nLater that night, the Liars are all gathered together (minus Aria, once again) as they await the timer to run out on the game phone. When it does, the phone flashes the words: “Choose or lose. What’s your choice?” To everyone’s surprise, Spencer responds by saying, “I’ll tell you what our choice is,” and smashes the phone with a rock.\nHanna: Why didn’t we think of that earlier?\nMe: SRSLY, GUYS.\nJust then, Caleb announces that he finally got a location on the game board, so he leaves to enlist Ezra’s help.\nOver at Aria’s apartment, she’s calling A.D. yet again – this time to announce that she’s going to turn herself in. Unfortunately, A.D. tells her that it’s too late, the time has run out, and she’s already won the game. Suddenly, her phone legit catches fire and she drops it on the floor in shock. She grabs her real cell phone from the evidence box and sprints to the door.\nIn the car, Aria is en route to Spencer’s house when all of a sudden, her car stalls to a full stop. Aria gets out of the car and slowly walks around it, inspecting the vehicle. When she reaches the trunk, she opens it hesitantly...and..OMG THERE’S A DEAD BODY AND IT’S MISSING A FINGER. Clearly this is Archer’s dead body, which Aria realizes as well, and she slams the trunk...just as a cop car pulls up behind her. Oh. No.\nAs the episode comes to a close, Ezra and Caleb are together, trying to locate the game. They’ve traced it to an apartment...which belongs to Mona. We then see Mona standing over the board game, looking fascinated. She’s wearing her old glasses from high school, and appears to be completely entranced with the structure of the game in front of her. Aaaand then, blackout.\nGaaaaaahhhhh!\nBurning questions from tonight’s episode:\nReal talk: is Mona helping the Liars? What does she know that they don’t know?\nIs Mama Marin going to save the day? Can’t all of the PLL moms just get together and take care of this trouble?\nSoooo was that Spencer in Toby’s cabin? Or was it #Twincer? All these twin clues have to mean something!\nSpeaking of Spencer’s twin, are we ever going to find out what happened with her meeting with Wren?!\nWill the girls ever forgive Aria?!\nSpeaking of Aria, will she have to give back her black hoodie?\nMost importantly: how are we going to make it another week before we get more answers?!?!?!\nRelated: The Pretty Little Liars Cast Couldn't Stop Crying When They Filmed THIS Scene\nKeywordspretty little liarstv recaps\nWednesday Season 2 Is Officially Happening\nFind out everything you need to know about season 2 HERE.\nBy Kaitlyn McNab\nScream 6 Trailer Shows A Bloody Jenna Ortega Battling Ghostface\nThe “most aggressive and violent” Ghostface we’ve ever seen.\nGinny & Georgia Season 2 Will Make Fans Upset, Says Antonia Gentry\n“It’s a messy, messy situation.”\nWill There Be a Ginny & Georgia Season 3?\n“I love a good cliffhanger,” says the showrunner. 👀","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1190233"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6597142815589905,"wiki_prob":0.6597142815589905,"text":"Air Force seeks software for distributed adaptive planning\nBy Sean Lyngaas\nThe Air Force Research Laboratory is looking for software that will allow continuity of air, space and cyber operations even when communications capabilities are reduced.\nThe Air Force Research Laboratory's Information Directorate seeks software that will allow distributed users to autonomously assess Air Force operations, identify deviations from plans and recommend adjustments during periods of reduced communications.\nAir Force officials, like their counterparts in other military services, believe warfare is increasingly multifaceted and involves the ability to disrupt an information environment. In the event that a command and control system is hindered by anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) efforts, the service wants its software to keep operations running.\nThe goals of the broad R&D efforts described in the announcement, dubbed the Distributed Operations program, are to fill technology gaps for planning, execution and assessment and to apply those capabilities within a distributed architecture to boost resiliency.\n\"By developing these capabilities and achieving this goal, AFRL expects an order-of-magnitude improvement in the duration of maintaining continuity of air, space and cyber operations at a forward node subject to contested communications,\" the document states.\nRespondents are asked to consider the Air Force's Theater Air Control System and Theater Air Ground System as examples of operational environments for candidate technologies.\nThe program’s total funding is expected to be $9.9 million through fiscal 2019, with close to half ($4.5 million) being awarded in fiscal 2018.\nClick here to read the announcement.\nThis article originally appeared on FCW, a sister site to GCN.\nNEXT STORY: School in Silicon Valley aims to train more software engineers","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line369088"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5353989601135254,"wiki_prob":0.4646010398864746,"text":"Seven in the Past\nTimes and Epochs\nMoreover\nТурнир святого Георгия\nАндрей Залунин\nTHEY WERE READY TO KILL. WE ARE NOT\nMedieval tournament: then and now\nWho is stronger, a medieval or a modern knight? Which armour is more solid – the original or the one made by the reenactors? What was a medieval tournament like then and what is it now? Let’s try to find out together with the St. George’s Tournament organiser, a knight who took part in many international tourneys, Dmitry Savchenko.\n— – What’s the difference between physical training for modern and medieval knights? Who is stronger and why (if we can compare them at all)?\n— Who is stronger: a hedgehog or a rabbit? It’s a very complicated thing, to make a hedgehog fight with a rabbit to find out who is stronger. And it’s literally impossible to compare modern jousters with their medieval counterparts. They lived then, we live now.\nProbably a modern knight has more tournaments in his career. However even the grandest ones, like St. George’s Tournament are incomparable with those held in the Middle Ages, when hundreds of fighters could come and participate.\nAs for the armour, we make it from a modern shaped steel and it seem to be more solid. Physically we are also rather healthier: we eat better. Although if with the medicine of the epoch one lived till 20, he was such a weather-beaten guy who was afraid of nothing.\nMaybe if a modern knight met with a famous fighter Jacques de Lalaing, I would bet on the latter. This choice doesn’t have a foundation though.\nThey were different people. They had a different attitude to risk, life or death. For us it’s an entertainment, for them it was their life. It’s a different level of risk, and that’s important. They were ready to kill. We are not.\nWe are unable to reenact the mind of a medieval man. It is impossible. That’s why I always say: we’re not playing as if we were knights. To be a medieval knight nowadays is inconceivable.\n— What it meant to be a knight in the 15th century?\n– A knight was a title one had to deserve. Even kings and dukes were not born knights, but got this title for their service, even if nominal.\nThus the question what was it like to be a knight in 15th century is easy on the one hand, because it meant to serve. On the other hand, one can serve in different ways. A lot depended on a person, his qualities and origin. Some are better known to us as the military, some – as noble men, others as politicians. In this case there’s no single answer.\n– A modern man doesn’t have to serve to become a knight. But how can he take part in the St. George’s Tournament? How much to train?\n– It’s always better to train more, than to train less.\nApart from, let’s say, physical training a would-be participant is to have good reenactment preparation. There has to be right armour, a civilian dress, a saddle… On the whole, lots of expensive and absolutely useless in the ordinary life things and skills.\nThus there are very few people who can take part in the St. George’s Tournament.\n— And how did the knights get to the 15th century tournaments, who had the right to compete?\n— Some knights were invited by the organisers, the other were members of the tournament teams of the noblemen. There were no common requirements. For example, in the end of the 15th century — beginning of the 16th in Augsburg there was a full-fledged tournament with jousting, and even not noble people were able to participate.\nHowever the spectacular tournaments organised by the elite had among the participants only the knights of the same rank. For example, I can hardly imagine a situation from the film ‘A Knight’s Tale’ with Heath Ledger happening in the 15th century. There his character presents a false patent of nobility to take part in the tournament. In the real Middle Ages the career of such an adventurer would be short, and his destiny rather unenviable.\n— How many years have you been training? Did it become easier or more difficult for you? Is it still interesting to joust, the way it was during your first tournaments?\n— I got up on the horse in 2005, my first serious tournament (trainings and performances don’t count) was in 2006. Whether it became easier… Well, on the one hand, I feel more confident, with the experience and everything. On the other… 13 years ago I felt better physically.\nAs for the interest, there is no such flame like before, when it doesn’t matter where, how and with whom, just to fight. Now I agree to take part not in each tournament: no time for everything, and not many tournaments can surprise me.\nAlthough if there was no interest, I wouldn’t do it. It’s just the interest became selective.I like a lot the tournaments overseas. There are new adversaries, and the trip itself, and in general it’s pleasant to joust at a tournament you don’t have to organise! Nothing to worry about, and you can concentrate on performing, without thinking of some organisational matters.\nBy the by, speaking about the organisation. At some point I understood that it’s more interesting to organise cute tournaments than to take part in them. It’s very difficult to refuse participation in the St. George’s though, it’s objectively a cool tournament.\n— Indeed, you can compare. By the way, you mentioned a modern knight has more tournaments in his career than his medieval counterpart. Can you describe your experience, what tournaments did you partake in?\n— The geography is already impressive, I can well boast: the US, Great Britain, France, Denmark, Australia, the Netherlands. To say nothing of Ukraine and Belarus. And also the biggest tournaments in Russia.\nThe most important one is certainly my first international tournament at the festival Times and Epochs in 2013. Then the ambulance came for me right after the first tilt… And three months later I already won a tournament in Kiev.\nIn 2014 I went to the US, to the Tournament of the Phoenix. Met lots of interesting people there, later it helped me in my career. In 2016, in Denmark, took part in the championship with 22 horsemen from all over the planet.\nIn 2017 won the Tournament of the Order of St. Michael in France, and in 2018 visited the St. Ives Tournament in Australia, thus I have taken part in all the three grandest international historical solid tournaments. By the way, the Australian one is the toughest tournament I have ever done.\n— Nowadays the organisation of a tournament is a very expensive and complicated work. Only rare enthusiasts do it. How expensive and complicated it was in the 15th century?\n— Expensive and complicated. We have many descriptions of the pompous medieval tournaments made by the eyewitnesses.\nFor example, description of the ‘Golden Tree’, one of the most spectacular tournaments of the time. John Paston, Tommaso Portinari, Giacomo Panigarola, Georges Chastelain, Jean de Wavrin, Jean d’Henin, Olivier de la March and many other wrote about it.\nSome descriptions are full of details of costumes, decorations, feasts and armours. Even then it was a tremendous budget. We can only dream of it!\nEthnographic methods of food preservation\nMARCH TO ESKI-KERMEN\nPart 2. The march\nTIMES & EPOCHS 2018","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1754745"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7517398595809937,"wiki_prob":0.7517398595809937,"text":"Vatican Researcher Has Revealed The Date The World Will End\nI'll be partying on Mont-Royal, who's down?\nTeddy Elliot\nID 97900531 © Ig0rzh | Dreamstime.com\nNew analysis has revealed when exactly the end of the world is happening. Of course, we all know that the world was supposed to end in 2000 and in 2012 and last year and...you get it, the world has ended a lot. This time, however, the evidence is quite conclusive.\nWhether or not it has already happened and we're all living in some flat-earth simulation doesn't matter. Point is, according to science, Leonardo da Vinci's The Last Supper (you know the one), has a sinister message somewhere in the painting.\nThe message? The world will end thanks to a \"universal flood\", according to Italian art expert Sabrina Sforza Galitzia.\nTL;DR An Italian art expert has evaluated Leonardo da Vinci's \"The Last Supper\" and has discovered a definitive end of the world date. Sabrina Sforza Galitzia works at the Vatican Archives and deduced that da Vinci left us a message that the world would for sure end by the year 4006.\nSforza Galitzia based her predictions on Leonardo da Vinci's \"The Last Supper\" painting. According to The Express U.K., she discovered a \"mathematical\" puzzle regarding the half-moon window above Christ's head. She's apparently deciphered it.\nAccording to her calculations, the world will definitely end sometime around March 21st, 4006. But will definitely be gone by November 1st, 4006.\n[rebelmouse-image 26893299 photo_credit=\"Wikimedia Commons\" expand=1 original_size=\"2000x1000\"] Wikimedia Commons\nShe believes that this puzzle accurately predicts the year that the world will end. That year is 4006 and that a great flood will consume humanity as we know it. Yikes.\nAfter publishing a study on da Vinci for the Vatican, Sforza Galitzia continued her tireless work into deciphering the so-called \"da Vinci code\". She's currently writing a book that will attempt to explain the code which involved signs of the zodiac and 24 letters of the Latin alphabet.\nLeonardo da Vinci was a renowned Renaissance painter that is shown in galleries all over the world. His most famous, \"The Mona Lisa\", occupies the Louvre in Paris.\nda Vinci was a man shrouded in mystery, with many people throughout the years trying to decipher his apparent code. Many have tried and failed to figure out what da Vinci was trying to tell us in his art.\nAs recently as 2003, Dan Brown's \"The da Vinci Code\" captured the world's imagination after he made claims that Mary Magdalene was married to Jesus and pregnant with his child.\nIf the year 4006 seems fake to you, it's because it's 1,987 years away. If we are still alive, we'll see what actually happens.\nWhile this is a laughable prospect it is interesting to note that this is one of the first times I've seen a world-ending prediction that isn't in the immediate future.\nSince the end of the world predictions come and go without much happening, let's not put too much stock into this one.\nIf it is true, let's enjoy our remaining 1,987 years on this planet, shall we?","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1186989"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8570324778556824,"wiki_prob":0.8570324778556824,"text":"Segregation used to ‘manage’ mentally ill women prisoners\nNew report finds some prisoners with complex mental health problems were experiencing up to 82 days in segregation.\nReport looked at treatment of women at Cornton Vale Prison. iStock\nBy STV News\nAlmost 80% of women inmates ‘have had significant head injuries’\nYoung offenders institute healthcare staff ‘overstretched’\nScotland’s shame: How do we solve the poverty pandemic?\nCustody peer mentor scheme aims to break reoffending cycle\nScotland’s only all female prison appears to be using segregation as a way to manage “high levels of distress” experienced by inmates with complex mental health problems, a new report has claimed.\nThe Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland looked at the treatment of prisoners with complex mental health problems, and found some were experiencing up to 82 days in segregation.\nThis could see women spending some 22 hours a day in cells in Cornton Vale Prison, which were described as “sparse and lacking in comfort”.\nHowever the Commission noted that the women “seemed more disturbed in the SRU (Separation and Reintegration Unit) environment and accounts of their stress and distressed behaviours more pronounced”.\nThe report added: “For women who were floridly unwell with acute psychosis or manic psychosis, the severity of their symptoms and level of disturbance significantly worsened in the SRU.”\nThe Commission went on to say it was “concerning to see how little mental health staff were sometimes able to engage with and support women who were acutely mentally ill or distressed”.\nA total of 23 women prisoners were kept under Rule 41 – where a health professional requests they are either confined to their cell or put into segregation – for mental health reasons during 2020.\nA total of 25 of these episodes were recorded, with these lasting from one day to 82 days, with an average length of just over a month (32 days).\nIn 17 cases, women were in the SRU for at least part of the time they were subject to this rule – with the length of time this applied ranging from one to 70 days.\nThe Commission said: “For those women with more complex mental health problems and vulnerabilities, for whom hospital care was often not an option, segregation appeared to be used as a way to manage their high levels of distress and behavioural disturbance in the custody environment, though it appeared to only lead to escalation.”\nWith a contract awarded last year to replace the existing Cornton Vale women’s prison with a new facility on the same site outside Stirling, the Commission noted that it was “planned that women with mental health needs will no longer be cared for in the SRU”.\nInstead, the report told how the segregation unit in the new building would be “used solely for women requiring segregation for disciplinary issues” and that women with “high care needs due to mental health” should be cared for in what was described as an “enhanced needs area”.\nThe Commission said it has also been told by the Scottish Prison Service that it had updated training for new prison officers in autumn of 2020, to include “a more prominent focus on mental health and trauma-informed care”.\nThe report was produced in the wake of work by the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT), which visited prisons and police facilities in Scotland in 2018.\nAnd while the Commission reviewed the records of nine women, who all received mental health care while in prison between 2017 and 2020, it said its report posed questions for the wider prison system.\nIt found cases of delays in transferring mentally unwell prisoners to hospital, saying that the records showed “patterns of escalating symptoms, indicating that each woman’s acute illness was evolving whilst they were not receiving the inpatient care and treatment they urgently required”.\nIt also highlighted “repeated inequalities” of women in prison being unable to readily access intensive psychiatric care unit (IPCU) beds or secure forensic female beds, due to a lack of facilities and pressure on local services.\nClaire Lamza, senior manager at the Mental Welfare Commission, said: “This document opens a window on the lives of some of the most marginalised women in society.\n“It gives some insight into the irreparable damage that is being done to those individuals, and we can only imagine the wider impact on their families and communities.\n“We hope this detailed review will be read and acted upon by those who are examining Scotland’s future approach to the best ways to care for mentally unwell people in prison.\n“While changes are being made at Cornton Vale, the wider situation needs to be addressed, and Scotland as a society needs to do more.”\nCornton Vale\nMental Welfare Commission\nScottish Prison Service","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1686726"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5230822563171387,"wiki_prob":0.47691774368286133,"text":"Advancing Women’s Learning Without Any Fanfare\nBy Steve Lipman May 16, 2017 2:57 pm\nIn Orthodox feminist circles, Rabbanit Chana Henkin is considered a pioneer. A native of Spring Valley in Rockland County and a graduate of Stern College, she moved in 1972 with her husband, Rabbi Yehuda Henkin, to Israel, where she founded Nishmat, an independent institution of higher Torah learning for women.\nIn the last 27 years, Rabbanit Henkin has played a role in educating thousands of women, and training more than 100 to serve as Yoatzot Halacha, experts in the laws of family purity and other health issues.\nRabbanit Henkin, who was a torch-lighter during Israel’s recent official Yom Ha’Atzmaut celebration, spoke to us by phone last week in advance of Nishmat’s annual gala dinner, Sunday, June 4, at Espace in Manhattan.\nQ.: Israel has a number of seminaries where young women go for advanced Jewish learning. How does yours differ?\nA.: Most of the seminaries are post-high school years, which is very important in grounding a high school graduate’s Jewish identity. Nishmat, which has multi-year studies, reaches far beyond that identity-establishing year.\nWhat type of learning opportunities were open to young Jewish women when you were growing up?\nThere really wasn’t anything outside of the academic world. If what you were looking for was development of textual proficiency, there wasn’t an avenue available for women. Advanced Torah scholarship is based on years of advanced study in a beit midrash [study hall] … that’s where you develop the ability to analyze the broad base of knowledge.\nWe Jews are people of the book. It doesn’t make sense that 50 percent of your people should be excluded from the book.\nWe’re finding that women from all over the world come to us for a Jewish learning experience. Some have a rudimentary knowledge of Hebrew, or have no knowledge at all. If their interest is sincere, we’re there for them.\n“On the whole, the tide has turned against the slippery slope argument, in favor of women as partners in sustaining Jewish life.”\nSome critics of women learning traditional “men’s subjects” are concerned such programs will lead to women becoming ordained, which they see as contrary to halacha.\nI see a sea of change in the climate in the United States … since the Orthodox Union statement [on female rabbis, issued in February]. What is germane to me is not what they ruled out but what they ruled in … [recognizing] the need for contributions by women Torah scholars. On the whole, the tide has turned against the slippery slope argument, in favor of women as partners in sustaining Jewish life.\nThere is certainly greater receptivity in the Orthodox community.\nWe have not expanded into the charedi world, because the charedi world does not promote women’s study of Talmud.\nIt seems that advances in women’s ritual roles in the Orthodox community seem to stir up less controversy in Israel than here in the U.S.\nIn Israel, the women’s learning movement preceded the Orthodox feminist movement. It was not viewed as threatening, but rather as a natural outgrowth of women’s changing position in the world. [In the United States], some of the militant statements [made] as Orthodox “feminism” brought many rabbis and lay people to circle the wagons. That never happened in Israel. We’re in the business of addressing women’s needs. We never aroused vocal opposition. The rhetoric was never divisive.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1302375"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7308359146118164,"wiki_prob":0.2691640853881836,"text":"Profitez des frais de port offerts à partir de 200 € d’achat ($, £, CHF).\nChardonnay vs Sauvignon Blanc: What’s the Difference?\nroyal glass\nChardonnay grapes at a vineyard. Image by jane2494 from Pixabay\nChardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc are arguably the two most popular white wines in the world. They’re both very widely grown and sold- you will probably be able to find both of them in every store that sells wine, and in every restaurant that sells wine. However, the two wines being produced from green-skinned grapes and popular is almost where the similarities end. Chardonnay is a full-bodied wine, made from a grape that is relatively neutral, taking on various flavors from both the terroir and the way that it is aged- or if it is aged at all. Sauvignon Blanc on the other hand is one of the oldest kinds of wine, as the grapes originate from South-West France. It is a light-bodied wine that has crisp and fresh flavors, with a noticeable acidic component to it.\nThe Chardonnay grape originates from Eastern France but is now grown in every winery region of the world. The Chardonnay grape is the main component in many different Champagnes, and much of the flavor of Chardonnay comes from the terroir- that is, the environmental factors that it was grown in. Chardonnay that is grown in a cooler climate typically has a more medium body, with a crisp and mineral flavor, often with notes of green fruits, such as green apples, pears, and green plums. In contrast to this, Chardonnay that is grown in warmer climates is much fruitier, with notes of peach, melon, and citrus fruits. This chardonnay also typically has a heavier body, owing to the higher levels of sugar in the grape at the time it was picked. Chardonnay that is grown in very warm climates, however, has positively tropical flavors like mango, fig, and even banana. Chardonnay can be made in almost any wine making style, making it one of the most diverse wines on the market. The most common two variants of Chardonnay production is whether the winemaker uses malofermatic fermentation which is the process of converting the tart malic acid into the more mellow lactic acid. This is done during the second fermentation in order to reduce the acidity of the wine and give the wine the tell-tale Chardonnay ‘butter’ flavors and texture. The other factor is how much the wine is given oak-influence, which affects the colour and tannic flavor profile of the wine. Chardonnay is one of the few white wines that has tannins- the naturally occurring bitterness found in stems, seeds, and skins of grapes. White wines, unlike reds, are fermented without these, making them much less tannic. Chardonnay gets its tannins from the oak barrels that are used in the wine making process. It is also one of the few white wines that are appropriate for aging- although certainly not all Chardonnay is. If you want an aged Chardonnay, or even to do it yourself, ensure that you find one that is a high quality, oak barreled wine that has a high level of natural acidity. The acidity is what will help the wine to survive the aging process, and the oak barrel provides valuable tannins that will mellow out over the course of time. As mentioned, Chardonnay is extremely versatile as a grape and a wine, owing to the various influences and methods of production. This means that pairing Chardonnay with food can be as easy as it can be complicated. It is most commonly served with white meat such as chicken and turkey, but is especially good if the meat is roasted, as it brings out extra flavor to stand up to the wine. If your Chardonnay is oaked then it will pair well with Asian style food and smoked fish. The bold flavors of these foods will overpower a non-oaked Chardonnay, and most other white wines- but will be very difficult to match with red wine, making Chardonnay the perfect choice.\nSauvignon Blanc originates from Southwest France, gaining popularity in the Bordeaux Region. It is grown in many different wine regions across the world, including South America with Chile and Brazil, the United States and Canada, New Zealand and Australia, and more. Like many wines, the flavors of Sauvignon Blanc are greatly affected by the terroir (the environment that it was grown in), most recognizably, the climate in which it was grown. Sauvignon Blanc grown in a cooler climate can be positively grassy, with notes of nettles, green bell peppers, and floral notes such as elderflower. Cooler climate Sauvignon Blanc can be very acidic and crisp, sometimes expressed through tropical fruits such as passion fruit. In contrast to this, warmer climate Sauvignon Blanc becomes much more tropical, with suggestions of tree fruits, and much more heavily influenced by tropical fruits than its cooler counterpart. However, overripe Sauvignon Blanc loses a lot of its flavors and notes so many wine producers try to avoid this. Sauvignon Blanc, unlike Chardonnay, is usually produced in a relatively similar style across all wineries. Generally, it is fermented in large stainless steel tanks at low temperatures, done deliberately in order to maximize the potential of the grape. Something that does differ from region to region is the amount of time the grape is allowed to be in contact with its skin. Some regions in France leave a small percentage of the skins prolonged exposure to the grape throughout the production process, which gives the wine more natural acidity. In contrast to this, in the United States the skins are removed as quickly as possible in order to allow the wine to age better. Despite this, Sauvignon Blanc is not a wine that is made for vintage. It’s properties are not fit for long term aging, only so as appropriate for a maximum of 3-5 years (depending on where it was made), and the wine was made to be drunk young, so don’t try to age it. Sauvignon Blanc pairs very well with delicate and light dishes, such as white fish, salads, sandwiches. It also works very well with dishes that have a lot of herbs and spices in them, such as a pesto. It can also contrast very well with creamy dishes like chicken alfredo. What’s the Difference Between Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc? The differences between Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc are the flavor profile, the method of fermentation, and the body of the wine. They pair with different foods, and while they can hold similar properties dependent on the climate that the grapes were grown in they rarely cross paths. Chardonnay is a heavy and hearty white wine, whereas Sauvignon Blanc is much lighter and crisper. Sauvignon is made to be drunk young, and Chardonnay can be aged for a few years- especially if it is fermented in oak barrels. The two can both be paired with similar food though. Their distinct flavor profiles mean that Chardonnay can pair congruently with creamy dishes, while a Sauvignon Blanc can complement it by cutting through the creaminess and making a contrasting but delightful pairing. Pairing wine with food can be an intimidating start but there are a few tricks to help you on your way. The fundamental difference between Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc is that they are different types of wine- meaning that they have very different properties and styles of fermentation. Find out what you need to know about types of wine with our https://royal-glass.com/the-blog/.\nSubscribe to our NEWS & More\nCopyright © 2021, Royal Glass","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line591073"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6444238424301147,"wiki_prob":0.35557615756988525,"text":"Sheldon W. Boyce, Jr.\nSecond Amendment Lawyer | Protecting Constitutional Rights\nNY Pistol Permits\nAfter graduating with honors from Albany Law School, Mr. Boyce spent two years doing research and writing for the Justices of the New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division. He then served as an Assistant District Attorney in Monroe County, New York, where he was assigned to the Special Investigations Bureau. Now in private practice with Brenna Boyce, PLLC, he is an accomplished civil trial lawyer. Mr. Boyce is a Life Benefactor Member of the National Rifle Association, an NRA Certified Rifle and Pistol Instructor, and a member of the New York State Rifle and Pistol Association. He has represented gun owners for more than 25 years.\nBenefactor Life Member, National Rifle Association of America\nNRA Certified Rifle and Pistol Instructor\nNew York State Rifle and Pistol Association\nEmpire State Arms Collectors Association, Life Member\nShooters Committee on Political Education (SCOPE), Life Member\nRotary Club of Honeoye Falls-Mendon (President, 2005-2006)\nListed in The Best Lawyers in America ®\nDiplomate, Civil Trial Advocacy, National Board of Trial Advocacy, 1996.\nAV rated, Martindale-Hubbell\nBrenna Boyce, PLLC, Rochester, New York, 2007-Present, Partner.\nChamberlain, D'Amanda, Oppenheimer & Greenfield, Rochester, New York, 1983-2007, Partner. Member, Management Committee\nTown of Mendon, New York. Town Attorney 1992-1994; 2005-Present; Trial Counsel and Deputy Town Attorney, 1996-2005.\nMonroe County District Attorney's Office, Rochester, New York. Assistant District Attorney, 1981-1983. Assigned to Special Investigations Bureau; responsible for investigation and prosecution of narcotics, organized crime and vice-related offenses. Also extensive experience in Town and City Courts.\nNew York Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Third Department, Albany, New York. Confidential Law Research Assistant to the Justices of the Appellate Division, 1979-1981.\nNew York State (1980); Federal District Court for the Northern (1980) and Western (1983) Districts of New York.\nAlbany Law School of Union University\nJ.D. Cum Laude, June 1979. Member, Albany Law Review; Justinian Honor Society; Recipient of Albany Law School Scholarship\nUtica College of Syracuse University\nB.S. Cum Laude, May 1976. Major: Accounting (CPA). Secretary, Accounting Society; Member, College Judicial Committee; Treasurer, Vice-President, Inter-Fraternity Council; Treasurer, Vice-President, President, Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity (Social)\nAmerican Board of Trial Advocates, Rochester Chapter\nNew York State Academy of Trial Lawyers (Director, 2006-2007)\nNew York State Trial Lawyers Association (Director, 1990-2004; Secretary, 1997-1998; Treasurer, 1996-1997; Parliamentarian, 1995-1996)\nNew York State Trial Lawyers Institute (Dean, 1992-1994; Treasurer, 1996-1997)\nGenesee Valley Trial Lawyers Association\n(President, 1989-1991; Judicial Committee, 1989-1998)\nNew York State Bar Association (Member, Trial Lawyers and Municipal Law Sections)\nMonroe County Bar Association\n(Trustee, 1990-1992; Co-Chairman, Bench/Bar Committee, 1997-1999; Chairman, Ethics Committee,1999-2001; Chairman, Strategic Planning Committee, 1992-1994; Chairman, Personal Injury Committee, 1987-1989; Member, Judiciary Committee, 1993-1997; Member, Judicial Fair Comment Committee, 1997-1999)\nGreater Rochester Association For Women Attorneys (Member, Gender Bias Committee, 1992-1993)\nMaster, Rochester American Inns of Court (1998-1999)\nAssociate Editor, National Trial Lawyer - New York Edition, 1991-1994\nEditorial Advisory Board, New York Motor Vehicles (James Publishing, 1999)\nLecturer and Moderator of Bar Association Seminars\n31 E Main St #2000,\nboyce@brennalaw.com\nDisclaimer: The material on this Website is for general informational purposes only. It is not legal advice or provided in the course of an attorney-client relationship. As a result, we are not responsible for any information contained on or omitted from this website or any site hyperlinked to this website. We practice law only in jurisdictions we are properly authorized to do so and do not seek to represent anyone in any jurisdiction where this site does not comply with applicable laws and bar rules. DO NOT send us any information that you regard as privileged or confidential unless and until we authorize you to do so.\nCopyright © 2017 Sheldon W. Boyce, Jr. | Designed by Joshua R. Porter","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1866248"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6983294486999512,"wiki_prob":0.6983294486999512,"text":"UN Report: Many More Zimbabwean Health Workers Could Emigrate\nA United Nations report says two-thirds of Zimbabwe's remaining health care workers intend to leave the country, pointing to a bleaker future for a national health system that is already overburdened by the demands of the HIV-AIDS pandemic.\nThe report from the United Nations Population Fund said 68% of health professionals still living and working in Zimbabwe want to emigrate. Already, 11% of doctors and 43% of nurses have emigrated seeking better pay and working conditions.\nThe state-appointed Health Services Board said the country’s five major hospitals are operating with 36 senior doctors where 145 were needed and 72 specialists instead of the 189 required. It said 44% of senior nursing positions, 88% of primary care nurse openings and 89% of lab technician positions were unfilled as of late 2005.\nThe Population Fund said the exodus has hurt the fight against HIV-AIDS.\nHarare has established an “intellectual desk” in the Ministry of Higher Education in the aim of stemming the brain drain in medicine and other professions. It proposes to lure professionals back on a short-term basis in medicine, mining, education, engineering and other fields. But health experts have called this an exercise in futility.\nAn opposition spokesman on health, Dr Henry Madzorera, said that unless Harare addresses the economic crisis, medical specialists will continue to migrate.\nDr Samukheliso Dube, a Zimbabwean doctor now living and working in South Africa, told reporter Blessing Zulu of VOA's Studio 7 for Zimbabwe that the Population Fund's projection of a 68% emigration rate might in fact be conservative.\nMore reports from VOA's Studio 7 for Zimbabwe...","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1357322"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6641140580177307,"wiki_prob":0.3358859419822693,"text":"Libel tourism, online defamation and multiple publication\nIn the UK, the Ministry for Justice has just begun a consultation process seeking views on the “multiple publication rule” at common law under which each publication of defamatory material can form the basis of a new defamation claim, and in particular on the effects of this rule in relation to online archives. If this rule is reformed, then a major plank of the libel tourism phenomenon, by which London has become the libel capital of the Western world and home to libel actions that have little to do with its jurisdiction, will quite properly have been removed (see BBC | ComputerWorld | Greenslade | Guardian | Index on Censorship Free Speech blog | Information Overlord | OUT.law | Slaw | TechWatch | Times Online).\nThe multiple publication rule was established in Duke of Brunswick v Harmer (1849) 14 QB 185 (already discussed on this blog), reaffirmed in Loutchansky v Times Newspapers [2002] QB 783, [2001] EWCA Civ 1805 (05 December 2001), and upheld by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in Times Newspapers Ltd (Nos 1 and 2) v the United Kingdom Applications 3002/03 and 23676/03, [2009] ECHR 451 (10 March 2009). However, it seems to have been excised from Irish law by section 11 of the new Defamation Act, 2009, which provides\nMultiple publication\n11.—(1) Subject to subsection (2), a person has one cause of action only in respect of a multiple publication.\n(2) A court may grant leave to a person to bring more than one defamation action in respect of a multiple publication where it considers that the interests of justice so require.\n(3) In this section “multiple publication” means publication by a person of the same defamatory statement to 2 or more persons (other than the person in respect of whom the statement is made) whether contemporaneously or not.\nThis is not an easy section to parse; but it seems to me that two subsequent clicks on the same internet archive article constitute “the same defamatory statement” to two persons, but not contemporaneously; and if this is right, then section 11 reverses the common law position. The UK consultation, in effect, then, is whether UK law should come into line with Irish law. The Ministry places this consultation in the context of a wider reform of defamation law currently underway, which includes the decriminalisation of seditious libel currently before Parliament, and a consultation earlier this year on controlling costs in defamation proceedings (update: more here). Moreover, it is plainly a response to the ECHR decision in the Times Newspapers, which, whilst upholding the multiple publication rule, nevertheless emphasised that\n48. … while an aggrieved applicant must be afforded a real opportunity to vindicate his right to reputation, libel proceedings brought against a newspaper after a significant lapse of time may well, in the absence of exceptional circumstances, give rise to a disproportionate interference with press freedom under Article 10.\nIn other words, although the multiple publication rule still survives in the UK, it is not necessarily entirely compatible with free speech norms. From the webpage on the multiple publication consultation:\nDefamation on the internet: Ministry of Justice seeks your views\nA debate on aspects of defamation law, and how it works in the internet age, was launched today by the Ministry of Justice. Part of the law on defamation originates from the 1840s, long before the internet arrived and changed the way that opinions and comment are often communicated. Today’s consultation seeks views on specific issues that could interest anybody who posts or publishes on the internet, particularly those who maintain online archives. …\nJack Straw, Secretary of State for Justice, said:\n… Freedom to hold and express opinions is a right that is vital to democracy, as is respect for the rights and freedoms of others. How these principles are balanced in the fast-changing internet age is a fascinating debate.\nTo encourage responses, there is a short list of 8 questions, to which my off-the-top-of-my-head answers are as follows:\n1. The multiple publication rule in the UK should be abolished and replaced by a single publication rule, just as the new Irish Act has done.\n2. If the multiple publication rule is retained, there should be a prime facie obligation to place a notice on an archive once the person responsible has been notified that the material is subject to defamation proceedings.\n3. A single publication rule should be applicable to all defamation proceedings and not just those relating to online publications.\n4. In the first instance, the primary remedy for a defamatory electronic publication should be an appropriate form of correction (ranging from an appended note to the effect that the article was subject to successful defamation proceedings to a full rewrite). Hence, existing voluntary regimes relating to the correction of inaccurate and misleading material should be given statutory protection. More than that, strong encouragement should be given to prompt apologies; of course, in principle, this should apply both online and offline, though more use is likely to made of it online.\nHowever, since a book publisher may have defamatory books pulped, it follows that defamatory material in other forms should be prime facie amenable to similar orders. Hence, in the context of an electronic copy of defamatory material under the defendant’s control, if a correction would be insufficient to give appropriate protection to the plaintiff’s interests, then that electronic copy should be prima facie amenable to an order to remove or amend it. However, the fact that the material is in electronic form and can therefore be relatively easily deleted could lead too readily to an order to that effect; and just because it is easy to do doesn’t mean that it is the right thing to do. An order to this effect should not be routine or a matter of course; instead, every case must be carefully judged on its merits; and such an order should only be made where correction is judged insufficient.\nSince someone who re-publishes a libel becomes independently responsible for the libel, there is no good reason why this should not also be the case for an online re-publisher. In other words, a single publication rule should only apply to accessing the original publication, rather than to a subsequent re-publication.\n5. I would leave the development of the details of a single publication rule to the courts. The US approach relating to the single publication rule would be persuasive, but not necessarily binding. In particular, whether modification of online content should be regarded as a new publication is a matter of degree. I regularly tweak my blogposts to update them, correct errors spelling and grammar, or to amend or delete dead links. But they are still substantially the same posts, and their modifications do not change that.\n6. I would not tamper with another aspect of the law of defamation (such as the defence of qualified privilege) simply to draw the sting of an unworkable multiple publication rule. That would be to have two illogical rules rather than one rational one. On the other hand, I would strengthen the position of ISPs under the innocent dissemination defence.\n7. If the multiple publication rule is retained, the limitation period should be the same for both off-line and on-line publications (which is one year from the date of publication, with discretion to extend).\n8. If a single publication rule is introduced, the limitation period should be the same for both off-line and on-line publications (one year from the date of publication, with discretion to extend). A limitation period based upon date of knowledge would in effect reintroduce the multiple publication rule by the back door.\nOf course, I retain the right to change my mind once I have actually thought about these issues! :-)\nDefamation, libel tourism, Libel tourism, Multiple publication\n| Tags: internet\nThe Free World Centre\nHello blasphemy … Bye bye debate?\n3 Reply to “Libel tourism, online defamation and multiple publication”\nPingback: Tweets that mention cearta.ie » Libel tourism, online defamation and multiple publication -- Topsy.com\n21 September, 2010 at 11:57 am\nFor more, see\nItai Maytal (blog) (Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law) “Libel Lessons from Across the Pond – What British Courts Can Learn from the United States’ Chilling Experience with the ‘Multiple Publication Rule’ in Traditional Media and the Internet” (2010) 3 (1) Journal of International Media and Entertainment Law 121 (via SSRN); and\nFredrick Oduol Oduor (Deakin University) The Evolution of Internet Defamation Law: Will Dow Jones v. Gutnick Survive the International Legal Schisms and Legislative Onslaught? (via SSRN)\nPingback: The UK’s libel reform proposals are a good start | cearta.ie","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1412943"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7529013752937317,"wiki_prob":0.7529013752937317,"text":"Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee 2022 - National Service of Thanksgiving\nLONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 03: Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, and The Lord Mayor Vincent Keaveny depart the National Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul's Cathedral on June 03, 2022 in London, England. The Platinum Jubilee of Elizabeth II is being celebrated from June 2 to June 5, 2022, in the UK and Commonwealth to mark the 70th anniversary of the accession of Queen Elizabeth II on 6 February 1952. (Photo by Dan Kitwood - WPA Pool/Getty Images)\nDan Kitwood / Employé\ndk1_0816_c5dafdb6-16c2-4cf2-8925-23277fb446db\n8135 x 5426 px (68,88 x 45,94 cm) - 300 dpi - 26 MB","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line279129"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6703821420669556,"wiki_prob":0.32961785793304443,"text":"Fappening Pro > Berengere Krief > Berengere Krief Leaked (14 Photos)\nBerengere Krief Leaked (14 Photos)\nLeaked photos of Berengere Krief Nude. The French actress poses completely Nude for private selfies and shows off her luscious body. Despite the fact that Berengere is not the most slender and attractive girl, these photos turned out to be very hot! Funny girl in funny photos!\nBerengere Krief\nBerengere Krief is a French comedian, she began acting at the age of 9 (in 1992) and continued throughout her schooling. From then on, she regarded theatre as a vocation.\nIn 2001, she passed her literary Baccalaureate and continued with a DEUG arts du spectacle at the University of Lyon 2, which she obtained in 2003. In Lyon, she plays in several plays including the Midsummer Night Dream where she meets Simon Astier with whom she will work between 2008 and 2010 on the series Hero Corp (the role of Britney, first love of the main character).\nAida Yespica Naked (7 Photos)\nKitty Jane TheFappening Nude (37 Photos)\nVeronica Lopez Nude (24 Photos)\nIn 2003, she joined the Acting Studio in Lyon and continued to play in several plays.\nIn 2005 she decided to come to Paris where she continued the theatre by enrolling in the Academy Oscar Sisto. She will continue with other schools such as The One Man Show course and school.\nShe moved closer to the café théâtre Le Bout where she accepted a replacement in a children’s show. From then on, she joined the theatre team, where she held the cashier at night but also performed many shows, including Martin Leloup’s plays for young audiences – “Pierre et la princesse bewitched” (created for her by custom and for Yoann Chabaud, her accomplice to the roommates), “La princesse au petit pois dans la tête” – and adult shows such as “sit on the couch, I sharpen my knife” by Alexandre Delimoges. In June 2009, she performed for the first time her One Woman Show entitled My mother, my cat and Doctor House… directed by Yoann Chabaud.\nShe performed between Lyon and Paris (2 years at the Théâtre Le Bout in Paris from 2009 to 2011) then from May 2011, thanks to her meeting with Grégoire Dey, her co-author, she played at the Point comma, famous Parisian scene. During the summer of 2011, she met the authors of the series Bref, a short program on Canal+, and was hired to play the role of Marla.\nMy mother, my cat and Doctor House were originally composed of texts written by Christine Berrou, Jean-Marc Joachim (both authors and humorists) and Julie Dousset. Directed by Yoann Chabaud. In August 2009, the comedian Jérôme Daran offers him to meet his own director Grégoire Dey (also author for Nicolas Canteloup, Anthony Kavanagh…). They rewrote the show together and renamed it Bérengère Krief, whom she will play in 2012 at the Grand point comma (new and second room of the ” point comma “).\nAt the end of each performance, Berengère photographs his audience and then posts the photos on his Facebook page so that each spectator can tag himself.\nShe also did a stint at the show We do ask only to laugh on 29 September 2011.\nIn 2012 she made a show with Jamel Debbouze at the Marrakech of laughter.\nIn 2014, she appeared in the mini-series Les Tutos by Jérôme Niel, which aired in the Grand Journal on Canal+ in the episode of mini-sugars.\nSince the beginning of the 2014 school year, she has also appeared as a columnist for the newspaper Le Point, under the heading “L’écume du jour” 1.\nBetween December 2014 and June 2015, Berengère made more or less regular appearances on the radio show Les Grosses Têtes by Laurent Ruquier on RTL.\nIn July 2018, she starred in the film L’école est fini, directed by Anne Depetrini.\nBerengere Krief Leaked\nIn early 2020 an icloud account belonging to a French actress was hacked and we received photos of Berengere Krief Nude for our fappening collection!\nThis entry was posted in Berengere Krief and tagged Berengere Krief Leaked, Berengere Krief Naked, Berengere Krief Nude on 08/09/2021 by fapman.\n12 thoughts on “Berengere Krief Leaked (14 Photos)”\ngino 24/01/2020 at 9:41 pm\nSo fucking cute\nManagement 25/01/2020 at 3:07 pm\nThank you for removing all of Berengere Krief’s photos due to violation of his image rights. Please do so within 3 days otherwise we will have to take legal action. Berengere Krief’s management team.\ndavid ingro 20/06/2020 at 11:08 pm\nmay i see please\nalbert arcure jr 26/09/2020 at 1:53 pm\nasd 10/10/2020 at 12:54 am\nsend please\nGehrigsdad 11/10/2020 at 2:38 pm\ndany 11/02/2021 at 9:39 pm\nplz send\nalex 19/02/2021 at 8:19 pm\nbruno 02/09/2021 at 3:45 pm\nSawyer 21/10/2021 at 4:21 am\n← Kate Hudson Sexy In Venice (6 Photos) Elsa Hosk Sexy In A Vintage Dress (3 Photos) →\nAlice Shea TheFappening Nude (19 Photos)\nCaylee Cowan Sexy (28 Photos And Videos)\nMegan Fox Hot In Mugler Mini Dress (4 Photos)","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line439988"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7022086381912231,"wiki_prob":0.29779136180877686,"text":"Porn Set Free: Age Record Keeping Deemed Unconstitutional\nCreators of porn websites have been set free of onerous confirmation of age record keeping laws, after the Unites States Court of Appeals found that the law requiring the keeping of these records was unconstitutional.\nPreviously, porn websites hosted in the United States had to keep records confirming that all performers shown on their sites were of a legal age. More recently there has been some suggestion that these requirements would be extended to all sites showing porn, potentially destroying sites such as YouPorn.com and Pornotube.com (both NSFW) who rely on user generated content and therefore would not have access to records.\nA majority ruling of the Appeals Court found that “the purpose, and the legislative history of the statute make clear that Congress was concerned with all child pornography and considered record keeping important in battling all of it, without respect to the creator’s motivation” in that it impedes free speech rights.\nLaw.com notes that “the decision is a significant First Amendment ruling that directly implicates the controversial subjects of legal adult pornography and illegal child pornography.” For anyone in a Web 2.0 related porn business, it’s simply a sign that they have a future. See our overview of porn sites in this space here.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line941647"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6307652592658997,"wiki_prob":0.36923474073410034,"text":"Home > Releases > World Development Indicators > Refugee Population by Country or Territory of Asylum for the United States\nRefugee Population by Country or Territory of Asylum for the United States\nRefugee Population by Country or Territory of Asylum for the United States 2019-06-28 2022-07-05\nWorld Bank 2019-06-28 2022-07-05\nWorld Development Indicators 2019-06-28 2022-07-05\nRefugees are people who are recognized as refugees under the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees or its 1967 Protocol, the 1969 Organization of African Unity Convention Governing the Specific Aspects of Refugee Problems in Africa, people recognized as refugees in accordance with the UNHCR statute, people granted refugee-like humanitarian status, and people provided temporary protection. Asylum seekers - people who have applied for asylum or refugee status and who have not yet received a decision or who are registered as asylum seekers - are excluded. Palestinian refugees are people (and their descendants) whose residence was Palestine between June 1946 and May 1948 and who lost their homes and means of livelihood as a result of the 1948 Arab-Israeli conflict. Country of asylum is the country where an asylum claim was filed and granted.\nWorld Bank Source: Data before 2018 are from United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Statistics Database, Statistical Yearbook and data files, complemented by statistics on Palestinian refugees under the mandate of the UNRWA as published on its website. Data from UNHCR are available online (www.unhcr.org/en-us/figures-at-a-glance.html). The data for 2018 are from UNHCR Global Trends report 2018 and World Bank's estimates (for Palestinian refugees in the UNRWA areas of operation).\nSource Indicator: SM.POP.REFG\nRefugee Population by Country or Territory of Asylum for Ethiopia\nMigration Population Population, Employment, & Labor Markets Indicators International Data\nRefugee World Transnational Population World Development Indicators World Bank Annual Nation Public Domain: Citation Requested Not Seasonally Adjusted United States of America","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line770890"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7870776057243347,"wiki_prob":0.7870776057243347,"text":"Nesi’s Notes: Jan. 21\nFILE – A 2021 Ford Mustang Mach E charges at a Ford dealer in Wexford, Pa on May 6, 2021. Major automakers wrote a letter to Congress Monday, June 13,…\nFILE – A 2021 Ford Mustang Mach E charges at a Ford dealer in Wexford, Pa on May 6, 2021. Major automakers wrote a letter to Congress Monday, June 13, 2022, to lift the cap on the number of tax credits available to buyers of qualifying hybrid and fully electric vehicles. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)\nRI’s electric vehicle rebate program begins\nby: Melanie DaSilva\nPosted: Jul 7, 2022 / 02:10 PM EDT\nUpdated: Jul 7, 2022 / 02:10 PM EDT\nPROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — Rhode Islanders who switch to electric vehicles can now get financial incentives for doing so.\nThe state’s new electric vehicle (EV) rebate program called “DRIVE EV” began on Thursday.\nDRIVE EV offers rebates of up to $2,500 for those who buy or lease battery or fuel-cell EVs, and up to $1,500 for new plug-in hybrid EVs. Rebates of up to $1,500 will be available for used EVs.\nFor qualified small businesses, nonprofits and public sector entities, DRIVE EV FLEET will provide rebates of up to $2,500 for new EVs and $1,500 for used EVs. Fleets can also get an additional $1,000 rebate based on the location.\nDrivers can apply for the rebate program online, and qualified applicants will have 120 days from the date of purchase or lease to apply.\nTo be eligible, the purchase or lease date for a new or used EV must be on or after July 7, 2022.\nProvidence / 24 hours ago\nDuxbury mom to be charged with murdering 2 of her …\nWatching Winter Live: Snow/rain from Mexico to Maine","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line639353"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6128138303756714,"wiki_prob":0.6128138303756714,"text":"ProMach Announces New Ownership by Leonard Green & Partners\nCINCINNATI, Ohio – ProMach, a leader in packaging machinery solutions, announced today the completion of its acquisition by affiliates of Leonard Green & Partners from affiliates of AEA Investors. Financial terms were not disclosed. ProMach's management team and employees will continue to operate from their facilities across the globe.\nFounded in 1998, ProMach is a family of best-in-class packaging solution product brands serving manufacturers of all sizes, geographies, and industries. ProMach product brands operate across the entire packaging spectrum providing solutions for nearly every application, including integration and engineering services for complete turnkey packaging lines.\n\"We are very excited to be working with Leonard Green,” said Mark Anderson, President and CEO of ProMach. \"It's a tremendous next step in ProMach's development and I am confident they will be an exceptional partner as we enter into our third decade of serving the packaging industry. The ProMach management team is fully committed to continue building our company by expanding our capabilities and services to bring value to our customers and by providing a great place for our people to work. The Leonard Green team shares our vision and has a stellar reputation for partnering with management teams to deliver growth, following up on our successful partnership with AEA which helped us nearly double our business over the last three years.\"\n\"Our entire management team and employees look forward to working with Leonard Green to continue growing and developing our remarkable organization and continue bringing the best overall customer experience to the packaging industry,\" added Mr. Anderson.\nLeonard Green & Partners, based in Los Angeles, is a leading private equity investment firm with more than $25 billion of assets currently under management. Since its founding in 1989, the firm has invested in over 90 companies primarily in the consumer services, business services, healthcare services, and retail sectors.\n\"We feel ProMach is well positioned for long-term success,\" said Chris McCollum, Partner at Leonard Green & Partners. \"They have a superb reputation for innovation and product excellence combined with outstanding customer service, an excellent management team, and a significant footprint in the packaging industry. We look forward to continuing to build on ProMach's strong foundation as the world's premier provider of complete packaging line solutions.\"\nAbout Leonard Green & Partners\nLeonard Green & Partners, L.P. (“LGP”) is a leading private equity investment firm founded in 1989 and based in Los Angeles. The firm partners with experienced management teams and often with founders to invest in market-leading companies. Since inception, LGP has invested in over 90 companies in the form of traditional buyouts, going-private transactions, recapitalizations, growth equity, and selective public equity and debt positions. The firm primarily focuses on companies providing services, including consumer, business, and healthcare services, as well as retail. For more information, please visit www.LeonardGreen.com.\nAbout AEA Investors\nAEA Investors LP was founded in 1968 by the Rockefeller, Mellon, and Harriman family interests and S.G. Warburg & Co. as a private investment vehicle for a select group of industrial family offices with substantial assets. AEA's active individual investors (the \"Participants\") include an extraordinary network of more than 75 highly successful business executives, industrial families, and former government leaders. Today, AEA's approximately 70 investment professionals operate globally with offices in New York, Connecticut, London, Munich, and Shanghai. The firm manages funds that have approximately $10 billion of invested and committed capital, including the leveraged buyouts of middle market companies and small businesses and mezzanine and senior debt investing. AEA Private Equity invests across four sectors: value added industrial products, specialty chemicals, consumer products / retail and services. For further information about AEA, please visit www.AEAInvestors.com.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line772255"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6169443130493164,"wiki_prob":0.3830556869506836,"text":"Manor House in Malacky\nAbout Manor House\nManor House Park\nThe stablishment of the park and construction of the manor house took place at the same time in the 17th century.The original French garden was turned into an English landscape garden at the turn of the 18th and 19 th century.\nThe area of the park was more than 39 hectares at the end of the 19th century. However, its area was reduced in the third quater of the 20th century due to the construction of the hospital and the road network. Today it is less than 30 hectares.\nThree gates led to the park in the past. The Black Gate made of iron, which was connected by the tree-lined avenue to the Black Monastery, has been preserved. Above the main gate, there was a wrought-iron, later painted, Pálffy coat of arms. The White Gate was originally made from wood, and it is situated north of the manor house. It led to the park from erea of Malacky called Rádek. the smaller Red Gate, which is currently not in use, is situated south-east of the Black Gate. It led to the park from a farmstead. In addition to the gates, there were also several entrances for pedestrians.\nMalina brook flowed through a small part of the park not far from the Black Gate. Today, it is hidden in a pipeline.\nApart from the manor house, the original buildings that still stand nowadays include only a gardener°s house and a concierge°s house at the Black Gate. The gardening area consisted of three small greenhouses, a large palm tree greenhouse with water jets and gardens.\nThere is still the lourdes cave from1934 with a statue of the Virgin Mary. Whenn the Pálffy family left, sports areas were built in the park. over the years some changes have taken place but they still exist today.\nPark is open to the public, and is registered in the Central List of Cultural Monuments.\nManor House Park Events Photos Articles about us\nCOPYRIGHT 2019 MCK Malacky.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1316299"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7725006341934204,"wiki_prob":0.7725006341934204,"text":"Longmire Was Just Cancelled In A Shocking Move By A&E\nBy Mack Rawden\nBoasting almost five million viewers an episode and a pretty rabid fanbase, it was widely assumed Longmire would be auto-stamped for approval by A&E to film another season, but shockingly, the network decided to go in a different direction. Last night, the adaptation of Craig Johnson’s mystery novels was up and cancelled with little more than a short, overly professional statement. It deserved so much better.\nAccording to Deadline, Warner Horizons, the studio that funds and produces Longmire is planning to try and sell the show to another network as soon as possible. Given the show’s excellent ratings (4.6 million per episode average), it’s likely someone else will take a bit if the price is right. It’s one thing to cancel a popular show with slumping ratings after it’s already been on the air for seven or eight years and has ballooned in cost. It’s another thing to cut a show down in its prime just because it’s off its Season 2 average (6.1 million).\nThere’s some speculation that the move is the result of a shift in behind the scenes strategies at A&E. Executives are allegedly pushing for more control over their programs and perhaps more importantly, a larger profit margin. As such, they supposedly want to focus on putting together projects they own, as well as air. That’s obviously the ideal in theory, but it’s hard to see why they couldn’t just phase in the plan as they start generating new content, as opposed to blowing it up and starting immediately, especially when it means bailing on hits.\nHere’s the transcript of the official statement released by A&E…\n“We would like to thank the phenomenal cast, crew and producers of Longmire, along with our partners at Warner Horizon, for their tireless work on three seasons of quality dramatic storytelling. We are incredibly proud of what we have achieved together.”\nFor those of you who don’t watch Longmire, I will be as vague as possible when talking about the character arc of the show. That being said, if you’re overly cautious, you may want to bail now.\nSeason 3 of Longmire ended with one of the lead characters possibly being straight up murdered. We don’t know for sure, but something really shady went down. Sometimes shows deliberately end on cliffhangers in order to nudge the network toward another season, but it’s hard to imagine that was actually the case here. As the highest rated scripted show (see: not Duck Dynasty) on A&E, the producers likely thought they would skate forward for a number of years without even worrying about their fates. In fact, it’s likely the biggest worry on their minds was the possibility of Katee Sackhoff getting too popular to carry forward with the show.\nWe’ll keep you updated on the fate of Longmire once it becomes clear whether or not another network is planning to bite. Until then, go to church and light a candle in Walt Longmire’s honor. He needs it right now.\nMack Rawden\nEnthusiastic about Clue, case-of-the-week mysteries, the NBA and cookies at Disney World. Less enthusiastic about the pricing structure of cable, loud noises and Tuesdays.\nThe Orville's Penny Johnson Drops Humorously Relatable Video About Waiting For Season 4 Renewal At Hulu\nAnne Hathaway Recalls Being Asked A Creepy Question By A Journalist When Just 16 Years Old\nM&Ms Is Replacing Animated Spokescandies With Maya Rudolph For Super Bowl Ad, And The Internet Isn't Handling Things Well\nRita Ora Addresses Claims That She, Taika Waititi And Tessa Thompson Were A Throuple\nWhoopi Goldberg Got Called An ‘Old Broad’ On The View, And Actually Handled It Really Well","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1113116"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9205402731895447,"wiki_prob":0.9205402731895447,"text":"D&C deliveryman rescues man who fell in his home\nA 76-year-old man was hospitalized Sunday after he was rescued by his newspaper carrier in Wayne County.\nChris Kowalski, who delivers Democrat and Chronicle newspapers in Ontario, had noticed that a man on his home delivery route had not been retrieving his papers for several days.\nKowalski, 27, said that he knew that the man was an early riser who typically retrieved his newspaper shortly after delivery each morning.\nWhen several newspapers piled up, Kowalski said he was concerned something was wrong and took action. He telephoned the man several times and, on Saturday, pounded on the door of the man's Ridge Road home without receiving a reply.\n\"Frequently, people go out of town and don't stop their paper,\" said Kowalski's supervisor Phil McDonald. \"But Chris felt uncomfortable and had a gut feeling that something was wrong.\"\nKowalski called 911 Sunday morning and, along with McDonald, met a sheriff's deputy at the man's home.\nAccording to Chief Deputy Steve Sklenar of the Wayne County Sheriff's Office, deputies on Sunday morning found that a 76-year-old man had fallen inside his home and was unable to get up. The man, whose name was not released, was taken to Rochester General Hospital for treatment, he said.\n\"This is why it is so important to be aware of what goes on in your community and to check on each other,\" Sklenar said. \"We welcome the concerns like this and are glad to help.\"\nDeputies did not share details of the man's injuries, but Kowalski said the man remained hospitalized as of Tuesday.\nMcDonald said he thought it was encouraging that at a time when many are stressed by a global pandemic, Kowalski \"was looking out for others and was able to help someone in a time of need.\"\nKowalski said he was simply doing his job.\n\"There are a lot of alert people out there,\" he said. \"You don't ignore things, especially during a pandemic. When you see something, you say something.\"\nKowalski, who is also an Ontario, Wayne County resident, has worked for the Democrat and Chronicle since August 2018. He works full time as a factory worker at Baldwin Richardson Foods in Wayne County.\nNewspaper delivery runs in his family. His mother also works as a D&C newspaper carrier and has delivered newspapers for more than two decades, McDonald said. Several other relatives, including his stepfather and aunt, are also longtime newspaper carriers.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1297769"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8171579837799072,"wiki_prob":0.8171579837799072,"text":"People v. Mirabal\nCourt New York Supreme Court Appellate Division\nWriting for the Court &lt;P&gt;Mugglin, J.&lt;/P&gt;\nParties THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, Respondent,&lt;BR&gt;v.&lt;BR&gt;ARGELIS MIRABAL, Appellant.\nDecision Date 07 December 2000\n278 A.D.2d 526\n717 N.Y.S.2d 404\nTHE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, Respondent,\nARGELIS MIRABAL, Appellant.\nMugglin, J.\nDecided December 7, 2000.\nMercure, J.P., Crew III, Rose and Lahtinen, JJ., concur.\nAs a result of these convictions, defendant was sentenced to a determinate term of imprisonment of 12½ years for sodomy in the first degree, a concurrent term of three months on the conviction of sexual abuse in the third degree and a concurrent term of one year for endangering the welfare of a child.\nThe principal argument of defendant on this appeal is that the evidence presented at trial was legally insufficient to establish beyond a reasonable doubt the element of forcible compulsion required under the charge of sodomy in the first degree, and that the verdict was against the weight of the evidence. \"`Forcible compulsion'\" is defined as compulsion either by \"a. use of physical force; or b. a threat, express or implied, which places a person in fear of immediate death or physical injury\" (Penal Law § 130.00 [8]). Viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the People, as we must (see, People v Contes, 60 NY2d 620, 621; People v Nunez, 186 AD2d 317, lv denied 81 NY2d 765), we find the proof insufficient to establish beyond a reasonable doubt that defendant used physical compulsion to engage in deviate sexual intercourse as alleged in the indictment. Here, the prosecution's case consisted of two witnesses,\n[278 A.D.2d 527]\nthe victim and her friend who observed her before and after the events in question.\nWith respect to the use of physical force, the victim testified that defendant placed his penis in her mouth and had his hands on the back of her head. The victim further claimed, without detailed elaboration, that she unsuccessfully attempted to stop the act. Although we recognize that corroboration is not necessary, the record does not contain any evidence to support the victim's contention that defendant used physical force to compel her to engage in the sexual act. The defense, on the other hand, presented several witnesses who claimed to have been told by the victim that no physical force was used and that she did not feel threatened in any way. Defendant, although admitting that the sexual act took place, denied the use of any physical force and in fact maintained that the victim initiated and perpetrated the sexual act, without resistance on his part.\nWe recognize that the trial court's determination and assessment...\nPeople v. Mack\nNew York Supreme Court Appellate Division\n...fashion that she felt threatened, the grand jury was not presented with detailed facts to support the claim ( cf. People v. Mirabal, 278 A.D.2d 526, 527, 717 N.Y.S.2d 404 [2000] ). More to the point, the grand jury heard no evidence from which it could have been inferred that the complainan......\nPeople v. Stewart\n...these convictions must be reversed and the counts dismissed ( see Vehicle and Traffic Law § 511[3]; § 509[1]; People v. Hogabone, 278 A.D.2d at 526, 716 N.Y.S.2d 836). Next, defendant contends that he did not voluntarily plead guilty to resisting arrest and his conviction of that crime shou......\nPeople v. Alford, 12321\n...(see, People v Soulia, 263 A.D.2d 869, 872, lv denied 94 N.Y.2d 829; Matter of Dakota EE., supra, at 782; see also, People v Mirabal, 278 A.D.2d 526, 527). Additionally, corroboration is not required for sex offenses such as rape in the third degree where a victim's incapacity to consent is......\nPeople v. Hogabone\n...count jurisdictionally defective (see, Penal Law § 265.02 [4]). As we recently iterated, \"[i]t is bright line law that if the offense [278 A.D.2d 526] charged has an exception contained within the statute, the indictment must contain an allegation that defendant's conduct does not come with......","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line262954"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8146673440933228,"wiki_prob":0.8146673440933228,"text":"Terry O'Neill\nSean Connery playing golf on the moon\nSean Connery in bath tub\nElton John at the Dodgers Stadium LA 1975\nSean Connery & Honor Blackman\nJean Shrimpton & Terence Stamp\nPaul Newman & Clint Eastwood\nKeith Moon\nElton John at the Dodgers Stadium\nBob Hoskins & Michael Caine\nPaul Newman & Lee Marvin\nPeter Sellers & Roger Moore\nSteve Martin & Michael Caine\nSean Connery and his camera\nHis work features at the National Portrait Gallery in London and is considered one of the great British photographers of our time. He gained renown documenting the fashions, styles, and celebrities of the 1960s, and for over six decades he has photographed the frontline of fame, from the greats of screen and stage, to presidents, prime ministers and rock stars.\nTerry O'Neill's photographs display his knack for capturing his subjects candidly, or in unconventional settings, and is one of the great recorders of 20th century celebrity. He was awarded The Royal Photographic Society's Centenary medal 'in recognition of a sustained, significant contribution to the art of photography' in 2011.\nNo other living photographer has embraced the span of fame, capturing the icons of our age from Winston Churchill to Nelson Mandela, from Frank Sinatra and Elvis to Amy Winehouse, from Audrey Hepburn and Brigitte Bardot to Nicole Kidman, as well as every James Bond from Sean Connery up to Pierce Brosnan.\nHe photographed The Beatles and The Rolling Stones when they were still struggling young bands in 1963, pioneered backstage reportage photography with David Bowie, Elton John, The Who, Eric Clapton and Chuck Berry and his images have adorned historic rock albums, movie posters and international magazine covers.\nTerry O'Neill still mixes with many of the stars that he photographed in their prime. Perhaps this explains how he achieved such access - he was often as good a friend as he was a photographer.\nThe beginnings:\nTerry O'Neill began his career working in a photographic unit for an airline at London's Heathrow Airport. During this time, he photographed a sleeping figure in a waiting area whom, by happenstance, was revealed to be Britain's Home Secretary. O'Neill thereafter found further employment on Fleet Street with The Daily Sketch in 1959. His first professional job was photographing Laurence Olivier.\nHis reputation grew during the 1960s. In addition to photographing the decade's show-business elite such as Judy Garland, the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, he also photographed members of the British Royal Family and prominent politicians, showing a more natural and human side to these subjects than had usually been portrayed before. Becoming good friends with Michael Caine and Richard Burton propelled O’Neill instantly to unique access to more stars, including the introduction of Elizabeth Taylor to David Bowie, creating a series of classic photographs. O’Neill spent his evenings at London’s Ad Lib Club where designers, photographers, actors and musicians spent time together discussing ideas. His long term relationship with academy award winner Faye Dunaway and friendship with the stars set’s Terry O’Neill apart.\nAs Terry O’Neill has said, “The Sixties was an incredible time. Young people took over, creating their own cultural landscape on stage, in music, fashion and on the film set. I was lucky. Seriously lucky. I was in the right place at the right time. But I never realized then that we were remaking the world in our own image – or that mine would become such a testament to the time. And the freedom I was given, on film sets, backstage and just rubbing shoulders with my mates who became these icons, simply isn’t allowed to photographers today. Now image is everything; the stars are brands and their managements control access and publication, so we never get to see them as they really are at work, rest or play.”\n© Mark Ransom Gallery London","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1728251"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.730974018573761,"wiki_prob":0.730974018573761,"text":"As COP18 gets underway, Qatar University unveils biofuel research progress\nDoha News Team\nAs world leaders convene in Doha for the UN Climate Change conference, COP18, which began today, Qatar University (QU) has revealed details of its research into an environmentally-friendly fuel designed for use in the aviation industry.\nIt’s the sort of good news Qatar needs as it comes under the inevitable global scrutiny that such a conference brings.\nWorking in collaboration with Qatar Airways and the Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP), QU researchers have developed a biofuel based on single-celled organisms (cyanobacteria and microalgae) that are unique to Qatar.\nThese organisms grow well in Qatar’s extreme heat, strong sunlight and highly saline waters. When fully grown, fat is extracted from them to make the fuel, which is being specifically designed for aircraft.\nQatar produces nearly 50 tons of carbon dioxide a year for each of its 1.8 million residents, leading environmental campaign group WWF to name Qatar as the country with the largest ecological footprint in the world.\nThis is why this new fuel – which recycles Co2 rather than pumps it back into the atmosphere – is of such interest to the government.\nSo far, the research team has been growing the organisms in 1,500-liter outdoor tanks at QU’s research farm in Al Khor. Having grown them successfully for six weeks, they will now carry out a trial in 25,000 liter, specially-designed outdoor research ponds.\nBiofuels Project Director Dr. Malcolm Potts explains:\n“There is a real push for fuel derived from organisms living on the planet – biofuels. The problem is that in many countries arable land is used for growing them. What we are doing here is working with photosynthetic micro-organisms which can be grown anywhere, and which are particularly suitable to the environment of Qatar. We are trying to develop a biofuel industry here in Qatar, using new technologies not found anywhere else in the world.”\nQatar Airways has long been keen to utilize alternative fuel sources, which will help it reduce the airline’s carbon footprint and its costs simultaneously.\nIn 2010, it conducted the world’s first commercial passenger flight using a Gas-to-Liquid (GTL) fuel blend. GTL fuel is derived from natural gas, which although still a fossil fuel, is a “cleaner burn”, meaning that it will reduce the airline’s emissions significantly.\nQatar’s hosting of COP18 is not without its critics, but Abdullah Bin Hamad Al-Attiyah, Qatar’s deputy prime minister and the conference president, insists Qatar is committed to bringing about real environmental change:\n“We hope the conference will produce tangible results and reinforce international cooperation”, he told Al Jazeera. “Qatar is also one of the 10 developing countries predicted to be most affected by rising sea levels. Environmental sustainability is a key pillar of our national vision.”\nHowever, Jamie Henn, co-founder of the environment campaign group 350.org, sees things differently:\n“It is hard to avoid the irony of Qatar hosting the event,” he says. “This is a little bit like McDonald’s hosting a conference on obesity. If anything, it shines a bit more spotlight on Qatar and on the steps that can be taken to address the problem.”\nCredit: Photo courtesy of Qatar University\nFootball: Qatar beats Lebanon, meets Korea next\nPHOTOS: Muslims commemorate Eid with prayer in Qatar\nBreakdown of changes for next four academic calendars in Qatar","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1601109"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6468436121940613,"wiki_prob":0.6468436121940613,"text":"Popular Science Monthly/Volume 39/June 1891/Survivals from Marriage by Capture\n< Popular Science Monthly‎ | Volume 39‎ | June 1891\nThe Natchez Indians\nPopular Science Monthly Volume 39 June 1891 (1891)\nSurvivals from Marriage by Capture by Alfred Burdon Ellis\nThe Characteristics of Insects\nrelated portals: Marriage.\n889118Popular Science Monthly Volume 39 June 1891 — Survivals from Marriage by Capture1891Alfred Burdon Ellis\nSURVIVALS FROM MARRIAGE BY CAPTURE.\nBy Lieutenant-Colonel A. B. ELLIS.\nAMONG those races of man which have made the least progress in civilization we find that the men of a group or community are in the habit of procuring wives by seizing and carrying off the women of other groups or communities. It is the practice, for instance, among the Fuegians, the Australians, the tribes of the Amazon, some of the aborigines of the Deccan, several of the Malay peoples of the Indian Archipelago, many African tribes, and other peoples too numerous to be here given in detail. Shortly summarized, it may be said that the practice is caused by the scarcity of women, which results from female infanticide, which in its turn is due to the struggle for existence, necessarily hard among savage races who trust wholly to the chase and the spontaneous fruits of the earth for their supply of food. Wherever man lives under such precarious conditions each extra mouth to fill becomes a matter for serious consideration, and as male infants, future hunters and braves, are of more value to the group than female, the latter are slain in a larger proportion. As man emerges from these conditions and cultivates the soil or domesticates animals, the struggle for existence becomes less hard, infanticide diminishes, and the sexes become more equally balanced. But the former condition lasts long. It is probably within the mark to say that several centuries passed away before man commenced to till the soil, and many more before he began to domesticate animals; and during the whole of this time, to judge the past by the present, he probably obtained wives by capture from his neighbors.\nNow, after man had for a great number of generations been in the habit of associating marriage with a violent abduction of women, he would inevitably come to regard the two as necessary complements of each other. Man is a creature of habit, and continually perseveres in old customs when their necessity has long passed away, and when even their meaning and intention have been forgotten. Hence, as he has been in the habit of seizing women for wives, he would, even when the necessity for violence no longer existed, still continue to preserve at least the form of it; regarding the acquisition of a wife without some semblance of force as improper, because unusual, and at variance with old custom. As time passed on, this form, or rite, of capture would necessarily become disintegrated, passing from an actual capture to a symbolic capture, and finally dwindling away into a variety of minor ceremonies. These, which we may call forms of survival ​from marriage by capture, it is the purpose of this paper to classify. They are numerous, examples being forthcoming from every part of the world, and from peoples in every phase of civilization. This, however, is as might be expected, for it is certain that almost every race of man must have passed through the initial stages which gave rise to the practice. The marriage by capture de facto, it must be observed, is a violent abduction, regarded as an act of hostility. With this class it is not proposed to deal. The hostile abduction is the actuality; and what we are now about to inquire into are the ceremonial abductions, and practices derived therefrom, the symbols of the former reality.\nThe different forms of survival so blend one into another, and two are so frequently found combined together, that it is impossible to make a classification that will meet every case; but what it is here proposed to do is to group the forms under general heads, from which the more disintegrated varieties may be traced. For this purpose it will be convenient to divide them into two groups, viz.: (1) Forms which precede the consummation of the marriage; (2) forms which follow it. These two groups may again be divided, the first into (a) forms symbolizing a conflict between opposing parties or clans; (b) forms symbolizing a capture of a woman, either by a party or by an individual; and (c) bride-racing; and the second into (d) forms symbolizing an escape or attempt to escape from the husband; and (e) forms limiting social intercourse between the young couple and their relatives by marriage.\nThe form which approaches nearest to the reality, and which is therefore probably the most archaic, is that in which the bridegroom, assisted by his friends, attempts to seize and carry off the bride, the seizure being resisted by her friends. There is a good deal of violence, and the bridegroom is not always successful. We find a good example of this form in Captain Johnstone's Maoria.[1] Among the New Zealanders an indispensable preliminary to every description of tawa, or expeditio—whether a tawa muru, a tawa to confiscate, a tawa tango, a tawa for carrying off a woman, or a tawa toto, a tawa to kill or destroy—was to send and give notice, otherwise it would have been stigmatized as a koharu, a murder, or act of treachery. The notice once given, the march of the raiding party might follow immediately, or be delayed for an indefinite time, which was sometimes done with the view of throwing the enemy off his guard. In the tawa tango described by Captain Johnstone, a young man of the Ngatiroa tribe had fallen in love with a girl of the Mania tribe, and, as there was no reason to hope that a demand for the hand of the ​lady would prove successful, the chief of the Ngatiroa was induced, through the influence of a new wife, the sister of the suitor, to proclaim a tawa tango. An ambassadress was sent to give notice to the Mania tribe, and two large canoes full of men accompanied her. The ambassadress saw the tawa received at a friendly village, where it was arranged it should remain for a day or two, and then went on to the settlement of the Mania. There she was received with great respect and distinction, nor was there the slightest change made in the manner of her hosts when she announced that a tawa would arrive the next day or the day after to carry off a certain maiden. \"Of whom did the tawa consist?\" she was asked; and when the Mania learned that it was only composed of about one hundred and sixty men in two canoes, they felt rather offended at so small a tawa coming to attempt the abduction of one of their maidens. However, in the mean time, and without the knowledge of the ambassadress, who would have been obliged by custom to declare the true strength of the party, the tawa had been reenforced by seven more canoes full of men, which had started a few hours after the first two. The warriors in these canoes reached the Mania settlement and hid in a gully close below the pa, or stockaded fort, leaving the two original canoes to approach alone. When the Mania saw only these two canoes, they opened the gates of their pa, and the chiefs, having marshaled their men, performed the customary dance of welcome. The Ngatiroa who had landed below the pa, formed in a long, oblong phalanx, the rear of which rested upon the gully in which their friends lay concealed, and, upon the conclusion of the dance of the Mania, commenced their share in the performance. The oblong wedge, the Maori order of battle, advanced singing in a low tone, and gesticulating in what they would have called a mild manner. On they advanced, the movement raising no suspicion in the breasts of their adversaries, it being part of the customary ritual of the war dance, until the thin end of the phalanx overlapped the Mania, and stood between them and the gates of the pa. Suddenly a change was visible in the antics of the Ngatiroa; their gesticulations became violent, their eyes protruded, their heads were thrown back, and their throats uttered a mighty shout. As the cry passed their lips, a stream of warriors rushed up the banks of the gully and joined the cluster of their comrades, now swollen to a compact mass of six hundred men. When the Mania realized the ruse practiced upon them, they never for a moment thought of giving up the fair cause of the incursion without a struggle. Into the pa poured both parties—the Mania to rally round the girl; the Ngatiroa, except the small party expressly told off to carry away the lady, seeking every man an opponent to wrestle with. Each ​party was anxious to avoid bloodshed, both being \"Tribes of the River.\" The uproar was therefore greater than had they been engaged in actual warfare, it being more difficult to master a man by strength of muscle than to knock a hole through him. At length superior numbers prevailed. Those who fought around the lady were dragged away; she was roughly seized, and such a tugging and hauling ensued that, had she not been to the manner born, she must have been rent in pieces. At last but one young man, a secret admirer of the lady, retained his hold. An active young fellow, he had so twisted his hands and arms into the girl's hair, and fought so vigorously with his legs, that he could not be removed until he was knocked down senseless. The contest ended, and the bride being borne in triumph to the canoes, both parties proceeded to pick up their weapons and smooth their feathers. Everything had been conducted in the most honorable and satisfactory manner. The Ngatiroa had duly declared their intention, and, if they had surprised the Mania, the latter had learned a lesson, and had only succumbed to superior numbers. No lives had been lost; only a few bones broken, which would soon mend, and it would be their turn next time. In the mean time their own characters required them to fulfill the duties of hospitality, and the tawa was requested to remain until food was cooked and placed before it,\nThe Wa Kamba (Africa) observe a form of capture very similar to the foregoing. Among them the bridegroom is required to carry off his bride by force after the preliminaries are completed. This is attempted by the help of all the friends and relatives that the man can muster, and resisted by the friends and relatives of the woman, and the conflict now and then terminates in the discomfiture of the unlucky husband, who is reduced to the necessity of waylaying his wife when she may be alone in the fields or fetching water from the well.\nIn these examples resistance is offered by both the men and women of the bride's party, even to the extent of causing a failure of the marriage, at all events for a time. The first disintegration, therefore, appears to be when such resistance is still offered, but where, if it be successful, the bride is finally produced and given up to the party of the bridegroom.\nThis form is observed by the Kookies of the northeastern frontier of India, of whom Colonel McCulloch says: \"When they go to bring away the bride, after having paid for her, they usually receive more kicks than halfpence from the village—that is, they usually get well beaten. But, after the fight is over, the woman is quietly brought from her home and given to the party that came for her, outside the village gate.\" The custom of the Karens (Burmah), mentioned by Sir John Bowring, is a survival, ​in a disintegrated condition, of this or of the foregoing form. He says, \"A candidate for the hand of a virgin must escalade her cabin, and is expected to overthrow a strong man placed in her defense.\"[2] A still more disintegrated form is found in Turkey, where the bridegroom is chased by the guests, who slap him on the back and pelt him with their slippers. A curious variation of this ceremony survives among the Arab tribes of Upper Egypt, where, at the marriage feast, \"the unfortunate bridegroom undergoes the ordeal of whipping by the relations of his bride.\" Sometimes the punishment is exceedingly severe, it being administered with a whip of hippopotamus-hide; but, if the bridegroom wishes to be considered a man of gallantry, he must receive the chastisement with an expression of enjoyment. After the flogging, the bride is led to the bridegroom's residence.[3]\nThe next disintegration appears in those cases in which resistance is offered only by the women of the bride's party, the men remaining passive. This form prevails among the Khonds in the hill tracts of Orissa (India). The bridegroom, assisted by a party of twenty or thirty young men, carries off the bride, in spite of the desperate attacks of her female friends, who hurl stones and bamboos at the head of the devoted bridegroom, until he reaches the confines of his own village. The same form is observed by the Kolams of the Pindi Hills (India), by the Mosquito Indians (Central America), and by the Eskimos of Cape York. A variation is found in the kingdom of Futa, Senegal, West Africa, where the bridegroom and party come to the house of the bride by night and endeavor to carry her off. In this they are resisted by all the girls of the village. A very disintegrated form of this variety seems to have been in vogue at royal marriages in Ceylon. Dr. Davy tells us that the king and queen threw perfumed balls and squirted scented water at each other. In this the wives of the chiefs took part, and were at liberty to pelt and bespatter even royalty itself as much as they pleased.[4]\nWe pass now from cases in which actual violence is offered to those in which violence is merely simulated. The first of these is that in which there is a sham fight between the opposing parties. This form is very widely distributed. Colonel Dalton mentions that, among the Kols of central India, when the price of a girl has been arranged, the bridegroom and a large party of his friends of both sexes enter with much singing and dancing and sham fighting into the village of the bride, where they meet the bride's party, and are hospitably entertained.[5] The Malays of the Strait ​of Macassar have first a sham, fight outside the town, then a feigned resistance at the gates, and afterward, from point to point, a show of disputing the advance of the bridegroom and his party, until they have made their way to the bride's house.[6] In Abyssinia, the party of the bridegroom go through a sham fight outside the bride's house, then enter it, and the bridegroom, taking the bride, hurries her out and hands her over to some of his friends. Returning to the house again, he then takes part in the deball, or war-dance, which is a simulated combat with guns, spears, and swords, and in which the parties of the bridegroom and bride are ranged on opposite sides.[7] \"In New Zealand,\" says the Rev. R. Taylor,[8] \"even in the case when all were agreeable, it was still customary for the bridegroom to go with a party, and appear to take her away by force, her friends yielding her up after a feigned struggle.\" In Berry, France, the house of the bride is barricaded, and a sham assault of it takes place. After some parley the bridegroom's party is admitted, and a struggle for the possession of the hearth is then simulated. In Little Russia, in peasant weddings, when the bride's tresses have been unplaited and the cap is being put on her head, she is bound to resist with all her might, and even to fling her cap angrily on the ground. Then the groomsmen, at the cry of \"Boyars to your swords!\" pretend to seize their knives and make a dash at the bride, who is thereupon surrounded by her friends, who come rushing as if to her rescue.[9]\nIt is interesting to note that this form survived among the Celtic inhabitants of the British Isles until very recent times. Lord Karnes describes it as it existed in his day among the Welsh, as follows: \"On the morning of the wedding-day the bridegroom, accompanied by his friends on horseback, demands the bride. Her friends, who are likewise on horseback, give a positive refusal, on which a mock scuffle ensues. The bride, mounted behind her nearest kinsman, is carried off, and is pursued by the bridegroom and his friends with loud shouts. It is not uncommon on such an occasion to see two or three hundred sturdy Cambro-Britons riding at full speed, crossing and jostling, to the no small amusement of the spectators. When they have fatigued themselves and their horses, the bridegroom is suffered to overtake the bride. He leads her away in triumph, and the scene is concluded with feasting and festivity.\"[10] Sir Henry Piers's description of it, as observed by the Irish, is: \"On the day of bringing home, the bridegroom and his friends ride out and meet ​the bride and her friends at the place of meeting. Being come near each other, the custom was of old to cast short darts at the company that attended the bride, but at such a distance that seldom any hurt ensued. Yet it is not out of the memory of man that the Lord of Hoath on such an occasion lost an eye. The custom of casting darts is now obsolete.\"[11] Among the Highlanders of Scotland it was the custom for the parties of the bride and bridegroom to go in procession to a point of meeting midway between their dwellings, and, when they came near each other, to fire volleys at one another from pistols and muskets.\nThe next disintegration seems to be found in those cases in which all show of resistance to the party of the bridegroom is limited to closing the house against it. Several varieties of this form occur among the southern Slavs. In Croatia, the bride and her friends being assembled, all the doors of the house are closed to prevent a surprise by the bridegroom's party. The assembled guests are on the alert, and, as soon as they hear the party approaching, all the lights are put out and all keep silence. The visitors knock repeatedly without getting any answer, but at length they advance various pretexts to get admission, and at last, after a long parley, are admitted. In Dalmatia and Bulgaria the door is similarly closed against the bridegroom's party, and admission only obtained on payment. In Transylvania the doors are closed, and the bridegroom must, as best he can, climb over into the court, open the door from within, and admit his companions.\nWe now come to those forms in which no resistance, either real or feigned, is offered by the party of the bride, who merely simulate grief or terror, and it is the party of the bridegroom alone which makes a show of violence. This was the form observed by the Romans in plebeian marriages, and a full description of it is given in the Golden Ass of Apuleius, in the story of the Captive Damsel, where the bride, describing how she was carried off, says that a band of men, armed with swords, rushed in, and, without meeting with any resistance from the inmates, tore her from her mother. The Circassians have the same ceremony, it being the custom to give a feast, in the midst of which the bridegroom rushes in and, with the help of some companions, carries off the bride by force. This form, in a very disintegrated condition, is found in the isle of Skye and the west Highlands of Scotland, in the ceremony known as \"stealing the bride.\" It occurs in the middle of a reel. The groomsman and bridesmaid slip into the place in the dance of the bridegroom and bride, while the bridegroom suddenly jerks the bride out of the room.\n​The foregoing are the general types of the forms of survival in which the party of the bride is represented. We have traced the various stages of disintegration from actual resistance offered by both the men and women of the bride's party, to the offering of such resistance terminated by a surrender of the bride, and then to resistance being offered by the women only. Thence, from feigned resistance evinced by a sham fight, it passed to the mere closing of the house, and finally to the form in which no resistance is simulated. The semblance of hostility to the party of the bride gradually dwindles away till it is reduced to merely tapping the father and mother of the bride on the shoulder with a small stick, as is done by the Samoyeds, or to the pretense of tearing the bride from the arms of her mother, as is the custom in Sardinia. To come down to ourselves, it is very probable that the practice of throwing an old shoe after the departing bride and bridegroom is a last surviving relic of the form of a struggle between opposing parties.\nIt is difficult to say to what class such ceremonies as that observed by the Mundaris of Bengal, where an arrow is fired through the loophole formed by the arm of the bride as she holds a pitcher of water on her head, and by the Romans, where the bride's hair was parted with a spear, belong; but the use of weapons seems to justify us in regarding them as very disintegrated survivals of our subhead (a). Perhaps the custom observed in Anglo-Saxon marriages, where the father delivered the bride's shoe to the bridegroom, and the latter tapped her on the head with it, is also one.\nWe come now to our subhead (b). The forms of capture of this class seem to be symbolic of a capture of a woman by surprise or stratagem. In these, though the bride is carried off with real or pretended violence, her friends offer no opposition and feign no grief. It is no longer a struggle between clans, and there is no longer a party supporting the bride.\nFirst of this class is that form in which the girl is carried off nolens volens. The consent of the parents to the marriage has been obtained, and all the preliminaries settled, but in most cases the girl has received no warning of what is about to take place. Sometimes, of course, she may have received a hint, but in this form she is not necessarily a consenting party, and her resistance is violent. Among some peoples it is usual for the bridegroom to be assisted by one or two friends; among others he carries out the abduction alone. The first represents capture by a war party, the second by an individual, but the latter form is comparatively rare.\nOf cases in which the bridegroom is assisted by his companions we find examples—1. Among the Mandingo tribes settled along ​the banks of the river Gambia, in West Africa, where, after the \"head\" or purchase money has been paid to the parents, the bridegroom, aided by two or three friends, seizes the girl while she is engaged in her ordinary domestic vocations, and, in spite of her frantic struggles, carries her off. 2. Among the Bedouin Arabs of the Sinai Peninsula, where, after all the arrangements have been made with the parents, the bridegroom, assisted by two friends, seizes and carries off the bride. \"If she entertains any suspicion of their designs,\" says Burckhardt, \"she defends herself with stones, and often inflicts wounds on the young men, even though she does not dislike the lover; for, according to custom, the more she struggles, bites, kicks, cries, and strikes, the more she is applauded ever after by her own companions.\"[12] 3. Among the Indians of the Amazon Valley, of whom Wallace says: \"When a young man wishes to have the daughter of another Indian, his father sends a message to say he will come, with his son and relations, to visit him. The girl's father guesses what it is for, and, if he is agreeable, makes preparations for a grand festival. This lasts, perhaps, two or three days, when the bridegroom's party suddenly seize the bride and hurry her off to their canoes. No attempt is made to prevent them, and she is then considered as married.\"[13] Of cases in which the bridegroom is unaided we have an example among the Fijians, with whom it is clear that the consent of the girl is not first obtained, for, says Mr. Williams, \"on reaching the home of her abductor, should she not approve of the match, she runs to some one who can protect her; if, however, she is satisfied, the matter is settled forthwith.\"[14]\nThe first disintegration of this form is seemingly when the bride is a consenting party, knows well enough what is about to take place, and merely offers a feigned resistance. This appears to be the form observed by the southern tribes of Tierra del Fuego, where, according to Captain Fitzroy,[15] the youth, having obtained the consent of the girl's relations, and having provided himself with a canoe, watches an opportunity and carries off the bride. If she is unwilling, she hides herself in the woods until her admirer is heartily tired of looking for her and gives up the pursuit. The Spartans also observed this form. In most cases the bride is carried to the house of the bridegroom, but among the Indians in the neighborhood of Concepcion, the bridegroom carries off the bride to the woods, the happy pair returning home after a day or two. Among the Tangutans (Mongolia) wives may be abducted. Lieutenant-Colonel Prejevalsky says: \"They ​have a curious custom of stealing their neighbors' wives, of course not without their secret assent. In such cases the stolen wife belongs to her ravisher, who pays the husband a good sum as compensation.\"[16]\nThe next disintegration is, perhaps, to be found in those cases in which the women seize the bride and drag her to her suitor's house. This form occurs among the Greenlanders.\nThe next is where the violence, or feigned violence, takes the form of tearing the bride's clothes. This form is found among the Tunguses and Kamchadales, of whom Ernan says a matrimonial engagement is not considered as definitely concluded till the lover has got the better of his bride \"and has torn her clothes.\"[17] A variety of this form is found in Circassia, where an important part of the marriage ceremony consists in the bridegroom drawing his dagger and cutting open the bride's corset.\nThe next is where the appearance of violence is still further eliminated, and custom only requires the bridegroom to carry his bride to his house. This form is observed by the Indians of Canada, where the bridegroom takes his wife on his back, and, amid the plaudits of the spectators, carries her to his tent.[18] The Western tribes of North America \"regard it as an important part of the marriage ceremony that the bride should be carried to her husband's dwelling. In Mexico, also, the husband took the bride on his back and carried her a short distance. Bruce, in Abyssinia, observed an identical custom.\"[19] Speke witnessed a similar ceremony at Karague, East Africa, and this form is also observed by the Susus, West Africa, with whom, however, the bride is sometimes carried on the back of a woman.\nFrom carrying the bride on the back, to simply lifting or forcing her over the threshold of the bridegroom's house, the transition is easy. In the patrician marriages of the Romans the bridegroom had to carry the bride over the threshold of the house, and among the Bedouin Arabs it is necessary for the bridegroom to force the bride to enter his tent. A similar custom existed among the French, at least in some provinces, in the seventeenth century. At Sparta, after the actual carrying off of the bride had fallen into desuetude, the bridegroom had to take up the bride and carry her from one room to another. In China, before the bridal procession starts, the young sisters and female friends of the bride come and weep with her till it is time to leave the house of her parents; and when the procession reaches the bridegroom's house the bride is carried into the house by a matron, and lifted over a pan of charcoal at the door. A variation of this ​form is found in North Friesland, where a young man, called the bride-lifter, lifts the bride upon the wagon in which the married couple are to travel to their house. The last stage is reached in the form seen by Denham at Sockna, North Africa. The bride is taken on a camel to the bridegroom's house, and, upon arriving there, \"it is necessary for her to appear greatly surprised, and refuse to dismount; the women scream, the men shout, and she is at length persuaded to enter.\"[20]\nFinally, an affectation of grief on the part of the bride is the sole demonstration of a feigned compulsion. Such a case was witnessed by Mrs. Atkinson, in Siberia,[21] It is there the custom for the bride to be taken to the bath on the eve of her wedding-day by her young companions, and in this case the road to the bath led past the house where Mrs. Atkinson was stopping. Startled by most heart-rending sobs, that lady hastened to the gate and found a bride being supported by her young friends to the bath. She thought it was a case in which a girl had been forced to accept an unwelcome suitor, and was filled with compassion. When the girl returned from the bath she was still sobbing and quite bowed down with grief. An hour or two later, Mrs. Atkinson went to the bride's cottage and found the damsel eating supper, her face radiant with joy. She asked if she had done it well, and Mrs. Atkinson then learned, to her great surprise, that the weeping was part of the ceremony.\nWe now come to that form of survival which has been termed \"bride-racing,\" and which we have placed under subhead (c). The least disintegrated variety of this form of capture is that in which there is a bona fide chase, out of doors, and which does not always end in favor of the lover.\nWe find this form among the Calmucks, with whom, says Dr. Clarke, the ceremony of marriage is performed on horseback. \"A girl is first mounted, who rides off in full speed. Her lover pursues; if he overtakes her she becomes his wife, and the marriage is consummated on the spot; after this she returns with him to his tent. But it sometimes happens that the woman does not wish to marry the person by whom she is pursued; in this case she will not suffer him to overtake her. We were assured that no instance occurs of a Calmuck girl being thus caught, unless she have a partiality to the pursuer.\"[22] This is slightly varied among the Kirghiz, the young woman, who is pursued by all her suitors, being armed with a formidable whip, which she does not hesitate to use if overtaken by a lover who is disagreeable to her. Among the Turkomans the bride carries in her lap the carcass of a sheep or goat, which the pursuer has to snatch from her. The Malays, ​who are eminently an aquatic people, carry out this ceremony on the water. The bride is given a canoe and a double-bladed paddle, and allowed a start of some distance; the suitor, similarly equipped, then follows in chase. If he succeeds in overtaking her, she becomes his wife; if not, the match is broken off.[23] Among the wild tribes of the Malay Peninsula the chase takes place in the forest, on foot.\nThe first modification of this form is when the chase takes place in a set race-course, instead of in the open country. This is done by the Malays when there is no stream suitable for the boat-chase near at hand. A circle of a certain size is formed, the damsel, stripped of all but a waistband, is given a start of half the circle, and, if she succeeds in running three times round before her suitor catches her, the marriage is off. Among the Koriaks (northeastern Asia) the race takes place in a large tent, containing numerous separate compartments, called pologs, arranged in a continuous circle around its inner circumference; and the girl is clear of the marriage if she can run through the series of pologs without being caught. In this case the women of the encampment throw every obstacle in the way of the bridegroom—try to trip him up, and strike him with switches; so that here we have a combination of bride-racing with that form of capture in which resistance is offered by the women of the bride's party. A man has scarcely any chance of succeeding unless the woman wishes it. In a chase witnessed by Mr. Kennan[24] the bride distanced the lover, but waited for him in the last polog.\nFrom this variety the form passes through various stages of disintegration. Among the Aenezes (Arabs) the girl runs from the tent of one friend to another. Here, however, she is caught by the women, and conducted to the tent of the bridegroom, who stands at the entrance and forces her in. Among the Oleepa Indians of California the girl runs away and hides herself. \"The lover searches for her, and, should he succeed in finding her twice out of three times, she belongs to him. Should he be unsuccessful, he waits a few weeks and then repeats the performance. If she again elude his search, the matter is decided against him.\"[25] Among the Ahitas, or Aetas, the Negrito race of the Philippine Islands, the girl is sent away into the forest, by her parents, before sunrise. She has an hour's start, after which the lover goes in search of her. If he finds her before sunset, the marriage is acknowledged; if not, the affair is at an end. Among the Wateita (eastern Africa) the bride hides with distant relatives. Finally, the form becomes merely an elopement of the happy ​pair, as among the Soligas (India), where the girl and her lover run away to some neighboring village.\nThe survivals which follow are in such a disintegrated condition that it is impossible to decide to which class they may properly be referred. It will have been observed that, in all the ceremonies that have been described, the bridegroom is pretended to be regarded as an enemy, a person to be avoided. Hence we can understand the Abyssinian custom described by Mr. Mansfield Parkyns,[26] who says that, as soon as a young man has become betrothed to a girl, he may not see her face. If he should chance to see her by stealth, she covers her face, screams, runs away, and hides; and this though the greatest intimacy may have prevailed between them before the betrothal. A modification of this custom is found in Ceylon, where, if a young man wishes to see the bride whom his father has selected for him, he must go clandestinely. If he enters the house it must be under a feigned name, and if he sees his intended he must not address her.[27]\nIf the bridegroom is to be regarded as hostile to the bride, he must, by a similar fiction, be regarded as hostile to her family also; and hence the many cases in which proposals for marriage must be made through the intervention of third parties, a custom which has neither utility nor convenience to recommend it. Among the Turkomans \"the young man does not dare to breathe his wishes to the parents of his beloved, for such is not etiquette, and would be resented as an insult.\"[28] In Siam marriages are the subject of much negotiation, undertaken not directly by the parents, but by \"go-betweens,\" nominated by those of the proposed bridegroom, who make proposals to the parents of the intended bride.[29] Davis says the same of the Chinese,Chinese, vol. i, p. 266. and that the two persons principally interested never see each other. In Dahomey it is the custom for a suitor to dispatch two emissaries, a man and a woman, to open negotiations with the family of the girl he wishes to marry. In Samoa, Mr. Pritchard says,[30] a man never personally woos his lady-love, and, in the case of a chief, it is the privilege of his attendants to do the courting for him.\nThese customs are evidently disintegrations of that observed by Caillié in the western Soudan. There, as soon as the suitor has declared himself, he is not allowed to see the father and mother of his future bride. He takes the greatest care to avoid them, and if by chance they perceive him they cover their faces, as if all ties of friendship were broken. The custom extends beyond the relations; for, if the lover is of a different camp, he ​avoids all the inhabitants of the lady's camp, except a few intimate friends, whom he is permitted to visit. A little tent is generally set up for him, under which he remains all day, and if he is obliged to come out, or to cross the camp, he covers his face.[31]\nWe now pass to the second group of survivals, namely, those which follow the consummation of the marriage. Our first sub-head of this group symbolizes an escape, or attempted escape, from the husband.\nThe least disintegrated example appears to be that which occurs in Zululand, where custom requires that the bride should make three attempts to run back to her old home, but the last attempt, made on the second day, and after she has been installed in her position as wife, is the only serious one. Should she succeed in escaping, the whole marriage ceremony has to be gone through again.[32]\nThe first modification of this is when the bride simply returns to her parents' house for a certain time. There is no appearance of flight, but there is a complete rupture of cohabitation. This custom is found among the Ewe-speaking tribes of the Slave Coast (West Africa), the wife, after a week's cohabitation with her husband, returning to her old home for a week. In Chittagong, husband and wife are on no account permitted to sleep together until seven days after marriage.\nThe next modification is where the bride returns to her former home, but sees her husband by stealth. This form is observed by some of the Turkoman tribes, the bride returning to her father's house, \"where, strange to say, she is retained for six months or a year, and sometimes two years, according, as it appears, to her caprice or the parents' will, having no communication with her husband, unless by stealth.\"[33]\nAccording to Plutarch, the Spartans had the same custom, and some husbands even had children by their wives before they could see them otherwise than clandestinely.[34] Among the Fijians husband and wife do not usually pass the night together, except as it were by stealth; and Lafitau says the same of some of the North American Indians. In Crete it was the custom for married people to see each other clandestinely for some time after the wedding, and a similar custom is said to have existed among the Lycians.\nA variation of these forms exists among the Arabs of the Mezeyne tribe (Sinai Peninsula), where the bride runs away to the mountains every evening, being followed by her husband, and returns to her mother's tent every morning. This is done for several days, after which she returns to her mother, and she does not ​go to live with her husband till she is far advanced in pregnancy. If she does not become pregnant, she may not live in her husband's tent till a full year from the wedding-day.[35]\nOur second subhead of this group comprises those forms in which social intercourse between the husband and the tribe, relations, or parents of the wife is forbidden. He is pretended to be regarded as an enemy who has robbed them of one of their number.\nAn example of the most complete form of this custom, occurring before marriage, has already been quoted from Caillie[36], and, apparently, the restrictions remain in force after marriage, at all events for a time. In most cases, however, the restriction is limited to the relations of the bride. This, according to Rochefort,[37] was the case with the Caribs. He says: \"All the women talk with whom they will, but the husband dares not converse with his wife's relatives, except on extraordinary occasions.\" Baegert describes a similar custom among the Indians of California, with whom the son-in-law was not allowed to look in the face of his mother-in-law, or his wife's nearest relations, but had to step on one side, or to hide himself when they were present.[38] In Florida, the parents-in-law did not enter the son-in-law's house, nor he theirs, nor his brothers-in-law, and, if they met by chance, they went a bow-shot out of their way, with their heads down and eyes fixed on the ground, for they held it a bad thing to see or speak to one another.[39]\nAmong other peoples the restriction is limited to the mother-in-law, and this form is very wide-spread. It is, or was, observed by the Indians of North America generally, and by many tribes in South America. In Africa the custom is found among the tribes of the Gold Coast, the Mpongwe of the Gaboon, and the Bushmen. The Zulu and his mother-in-law may not mention one another's names, nor look in one another's faces. If they chance to meet they pretend not to see each other, the man hiding his face with his shield. \"In Australia\" it is compulsory on the mothers-in-law to avoid the sight of their sons-in-law, by making the mothers-in-law take a very circuitous route on all occasions to avoid being seen, and they hide the face and figure with the rug which the female carries with her.\" The custom which, among the Banyai of South Africa, compels a man to sit with his knees bent in presence of his mother-in-law, and forbids him to put out his feet toward her, has perhaps something to do with this form, as, no doubt, has also the proverbial hostility ​between men and their mothers-in-law of which modern humorists make so much.\nThat a similar series of prohibitions should exist, limiting the social relations of the wife with the family of her husband, is what we might expect to find; the husband's relatives being of the party of the feigned abductor, and so enemies. Among the Calmucks the daughter-in-law must not speak to her father-in-law, nor sit in his presence. In China, the father-in-law, after the wedding-day, never sees the face of his daughter-in-law again; he never visits her, and, if they chance to meet, he hides himself. With the Ostiaks of Siberia and the Basutos of South Africa the young wife must not look in the face of her father-in-law, and must avoid him as much as possible, till she has borne a child. The Armenian wife must conceal her face from her husband's father and mother. A more archaic form of these varieties is found among the Kaffirs of South Africa, with whom a married woman is cut off from all intercourse, not only with her father-in-law, but with all her husband's male relations in the ascending line. \"She is not allowed to pronounce their names, even mentally; and whenever the emphatic syllable of either of their names occurs in any other word, she must avoid it, by either substituting an entirely new word, or at least another syllable in its place.\"[40]\nThis terminates our collection of examples, though we might probably add to those which follow the consummation of the marriage the widely distributed custom which forbids husband and wife to eat together. The numerous cases we have given show how very universal marriage by capture de facto must have been, and also, since it has left such enduring traces, for what a long period of time it must have been practiced. Among ourselves it influenced public opinion until comparatively recent times, for it was not until the reign of Henry VII that the violent seizure of a woman was made a criminal offense, and even then the operation of the statute was limited to the abduction of women possessed of lands and goods. A man might still carry off a girl, provided she was not an heiress; but in spite of the law and its severe penalties, the abduction of heiresses continued to be a common occurrence, especially in Ireland, down to the close of the last century, and to be regarded by the general public as but a venial offense at most.\n↑ Pp. 126 et seq.\n↑ Kingdom and People of Siam, vol. ii, p. 45.\n↑ Sir S. Baker, Nile Tributaries of Abyssinia, p. 125.\n↑ Account of Ceylon, p. 166.\n↑ Ethnology of Bengal.\n↑ Moore's Marriage Customs, p. 196.\n↑ Life in Abyssinia, p. 51.\n↑ Te Ska Amani, p. 163.\n↑ Ralston's Songs of the Russian People, pp. 284, 285.\n↑ History of Man, p. 449.\n↑ Description of Westmeath.\n↑ Notes, vol. i, p. 263.\n↑ Travels on the Amazon, p. 497.\n↑ Fiji and the Fijians, p. 174.\n↑ Voyages of the Adventure and Beagle, vol. ii, p. 182.\n↑ Mongolia, vol. ii, p. 121.\n↑ Siberia, vol. ii, p. 442.\n↑ Carver's Travels, p. 274.\n↑ Origin of Civilization, p. 88.\n↑ Travels in Africa, vol. i, p. 39.\n↑ Tartar Steppes, pp. 218, 219.\n↑ Vol. i, p. 433.\n↑ Cameron's Malayan India, p. 116.\n↑ Tent Life in Siberia.\n↑ Bancroft's Native Races of the Pacific States, p. 389.\n↑ Life in Abyssinia, vol. ii, p. 41.\n↑ Fraser's Journey, vol. ii, p. 372.\n↑ Bowring, vol. i, p. 118.\n↑ Polynesian Reminiscences, p. 134.\n↑ Travels to Timbuctoo, vol. i, p. 94.\n↑ Eraser's Journey, loc. cit.\n↑ Leslie's Among the Zulus, pp. 116-118.\n↑ Lycurgus, c. 15.\n↑ Burckhardt, vol. i, p. 269.\n↑ Tylor, Early History of Mankind, p. 289.\n↑ Hist. Nat. des ties Antilles, p. 545.\n↑ Lubbock, p. 14.\n↑ Smithsonian Reports, 1863-'64, p. 368.\n↑ Maclean, Compendium of Kaffir Laws and Customs.\nRetrieved from \"https://en.wikisource.org/w/index.php?title=Popular_Science_Monthly/Volume_39/June_1891/Survivals_from_Marriage_by_Capture&oldid=8847507\"","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line87927"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9580230116844177,"wiki_prob":0.9580230116844177,"text":"Democracy Home AGM Student Senate\nScrutiny Referenda policy\nElections Home Nominate Get Informed vote\nCampaign Officers Associations Campaigns\nThis February, LGBTQ+ History month will be so important to not only celebrate how far we have come as a society, but to also acknowledge the struggle and sacrifices of those who helped the community get where we are now. There is still a huge war ahead of us, but it is important to celebrate our community and all the progress that we have made. We hope we are able to spread more awareness about LGBTQ+ history month through all these events\nPrEPare Outreach stall - CSL\n3rd February 10am - 1pm\nThe outreach stall aims at promoting PrEP (a pill that prevents the contraction of HIV) amongst students while handing out free condoms, lubricants and information.\nPRIDE: Film Screening\n7th February 5:30pm - 9pm\nRoom 3F, Cardiff SU\nWe will be showing the BAFTA winning film PRIDE which is a retelling of inspiring true events during the 1984 miners’ strike, telling the story of a group of London gay and lesbian activists who banded together to support the miners.\nPrEPare Outreach stall - Heath Park Campus\n9th February 10am - 1pm\nPride Showcase\n13th February 6pm - 9:30pm\nY Plas\nThe Pride showcase is a celebration of talent in support of LGBTQ+ History Month!\nBook Club: Infamous\n17th February 4pm - 6pm\nRoom 3G, Cardiff SU\nJoin us to discuss the historical, queer romcom Infamous by Lex Croucher, a non-binary, bisexual author. You will receive a free copy of the book with your very own Cardiff SU LGBTQ+ Bookmark!\nTaf Karaoke: LGBTQ+ History Month\n21st February 7pm - 11pm\nThat's right... The Taf Karaoke is back. Warm those vocal chords up, let your hair down and let loose! Get ready for a night of singing your favourites!\nKinky Boots: Film Screening\n28th February 5:30pm - 9pm\nBefore Stonewall (1984) dir. Greta Schiller & Robert Rosenburg\nCommon Threads: Stories from the Quilt (1989) dir. Rob Epstein & Jeffrey Friedman\nDisclosure: Trans Lives on Screen (2020) dir. Sam Feder\nHow to Survive a Plague (2012) dir. David France\nParis Is Burning (1990) dir. Jenny Livingston\nThe Celluloid Closet (1995) dir. Rob Epstein & Jeffrey Friedman\nThe Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson (2017) dir. David France\nThe Times of Harvey Milk (1984) dir. Rob Epstein\nIt’s a Sin (2021-present) created by Russell T. Davies\nPose (2018-present) created by Ryan Murphy\nQueer as Folk (1999-2000) created by Russell T. Davies\nQueers (2017) created by Mark Gatiss\nWhen We Rise (2017) created by Dustin Lance Black\nMilk (2008) dir. Gus Van Sant\nPride (2014) dir. Matthew Warchus\nSummerland (2020) dir. Jessica Swale\nThe Imitation Game (2014) dir. Morten Tyldum\nBad Gays (2019-present) hosted by Huw Lemmey and Ben Miller\nMaking Gay History (2016-present) hosted by Eric Marcus\nBefore Wilde: Sex between Men in Britain's Age of Reform by Charles Upchurch (2009)\nChasing a Ghost by D. A. Ravenscroft (2019)\nChasing a Legacy by D. A. Ravenscroft (2020)\nComing Out: The Emergence of LGBT Identities in Britain from the 19th Century to the Present by Jeffrey Weeks (2016)\nDisturbing Practices: History, Sexuality and Women's Experience of Modern War by Laura Doan (2013)\nDrag Queens at the 801 Cabaret by Leila J. Rupp and Verta Taylor (2003)\nFingersmith by Sarah Waters\nForbidden Lives: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Stories from Wales by Norena Shopland (2017)\nFun Home: A Family Tragicomic by Alison Bechdel (2006)\nMaking Gay History: The Half-Century Fight for Lesbian & Gay Equal Rights by Eric Marcus (2002)\nMaurice by E.M. Forster\nOdd Girls and Twilight Lovers: A History of Lesbian Life in Twentieth-Century America by Lillian Faderman (1991)\nOranges are Not the Only Fruit by Jeanette Winterson (1985)\nPride: The Unlikely Story of the True Heroes of the Miner’s Strike ed. by Tim Tate (2017)\nQueer City: Gay London From the Romans to Present Day by Peter Ackroyd (2017)\nQueer Wales: The History, Culture and Politics of Queer Life in Wales ed. by Huw Osborne (2016)\nReports from the Holocaust: the Making of an AIDS Activist by Larry Kramer (1989)\nStone Butch Blues by Leslie Feinberg (1993)\nStonewall: The Riots That Sparked the Gay Revolution by David Carter (2010)\nStrangers: Homosexual Love in the Nineteenth Century by Graham Robb (2005)\nThe Celluloid Closet: Homosexuality in the Movies by Vito Russo (1987)\nThe Night Watch by Sarah Waters\nThe Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller (2012)\nThe Stonewall Reader ed. by Jason Baumann (2019)\nTroublemaker for Justice: The Story of Bayard Rustin, the Man Behind the March on Washington by Walter Naegle (2019)\nWhen We Rise: My Life in the Movement by Cleve Jones (2016)\nThe House of Swann: Where Slaves Became Queens by Channing Joseph (2021) (2016)\nA timeline of LGBTQ+ History\n1909:The transgender writer Irene Clyde publishes Beatrice the Sixteenth, a science fiction utopian novel set in an egalitarian post gender society.\n1912:London's first gay pub Madame Strindgberg's The Cave of the Golden Calf opens in Heddon Street, off Regent Street.\n1945: Sir Harold Gillies and his colleague Ralph Millard carried out female-to-male confirmation surgery on Michael Dillon. Initially developed as reconstructive surgery, phalloplasty is now offered as a genital surgery option for trans men. Dillon underwent at least 13 surgeries between 1946 and 1949 and was elected for surgery on the pretext of treating a malformation of the Urethra (hypospadias), in order to conceal the exact nature of the surgery.\n1951:Roberta Cowell becomes the first British person to undergo male-to-female confirmation surgery on 16 May.\n1956:The Sexual Offences Act recognises the crime of sexual assault between women.\n1959:Alan Horsfall, Labour councillor for Nelson, Lancashire, tables a motion to his local Labour party to back the decriminalisation of homosexuality. The motion is rejected, but Horsfall and fellow activist Antony Grey later form the North West Homosexual Law Reform Committee.\n1959:ITV, at the time the UK's only national commercial broadcaster, broadcasts the UK's first gay TV drama; South, starring Peter Wyngarde.\n1965:In the House of Lords, Lord Arran proposed the decriminalisation of male homosexual acts (lesbian acts had never been illegal).\n1969: Campaign for Homosexual Equality (CHE) formed as the first British Gay Activist Group. In Scotland, Gay Rights Organisation the Scottish Minorities Group is founded.\n1972: The First British Gay Pride Rally was held in London with 1000 people marching from Trafalgar Square to Hyde Park.\n1972:Gay News, Britain's first gay newspaper was founded.\n1974: Maureen Colquhoun comes out as the first Lesbian MP for the Labour Party.\n1977: The first gay lesbian Trades Union Congress (TUC) conference took place to discuss workplace rights for Gays and Lesbians.\n1980:The Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 1980 decriminalised homosexual acts between two men over 21 years of age \"in private\" in Scotland. British documentary A Change of Sex aired on BBC2, enabling viewers to follow the social and medical transition of Julia Grant. This programme also provided a snapshot of the Gender Identity Clinic at Charing Cross Hospital in London.\n1982:Terry Higgins dies of AIDS in St Thomas' Hospital London, his friends and partner Martyn Butler set up the Terry Higgins Trust (which became the Terrence Higgins Trust), the first UK AIDS charity.\n1988: Section 28 of the Local Government Act 1988 is enacted as an amendment to the United Kingdom's Local Government Act 1986, on 24 May 1988 stated that a local authority \"shall not intentionally promote homosexuality or publish material with the intention of promoting homosexuality\" or \"promote the teaching in any maintained school of the acceptability of homosexuality as a pretended family relationship\". The Act was introduced by Margaret Thatcher\n1989: The campaign group Stonewall UK is set up to oppose Section 28 and other barriers to equality.\n1991: Gay Activist, Derek Jarman makes the Christopher Marlowe play Edward II from the early 1590s into a film which used modern costumes and made overt reference to the gay rights movement and the Stonewall riots. Queen singer Freddie Mercury announced that he had AIDS; he dies the following day.\n1996:A breakthrough is made in the area of AIDS treatment; Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) is found to significantly delay the onset of AIDS in people living with HIV. The NHS makes the treatment available in the UK. HAART has a dramatic effect and many bed ridden AIDS patients return to work.\n1997:Angela Eagle, Labour MP for Wallasey, becomes the first MP to come out voluntarily as a lesbian. Gay partners were given equal immigration rights. Equality Network established in Scotland.\n2001:The last two pieces of unequal law regarding gay male sex are changed.\n2002:Same-sex couples are granted equal rights to adopt. Alan Duncan becomes the first Conservative MP to admit being gay without being pushed. Brian Dowling becomes the first openly gay children's television presenter in the UK on SMTV Live.\n2003:Section 28, which banned councils and schools from intentionally promoting homosexuality, is repealed in England and Wales and Northern Ireland.\n2004:The Civil Partnership Act 2004 is passed by the Labour Government, giving same-sex couples the same rights and responsibilities as married heterosexual couples in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales. The Gender Recognition Act 2004 is passed by the Labour Government. The Act gives binary trans people legal recognition as members of the sex appropriate to their gender allowing them to acquire a new birth certificate, affording them full recognition of their acquired sex in law for all purposes, including marriage.\n2007:The Equality Act (Sexual Orientation) Regulations becomes law on 30 April making discrimination against lesbians and gay men in the provision of goods and services illegal.\n2008:Treatment of lesbian parents and their children is equalised in the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008. The legislation allows for lesbians and their partners equal access to legal presumptions of parentage from the moment the child is born.\n2009:The Labour Government Prime Minister Gordon Brown makes an official public apology on behalf of the British Government for the way in which Alan Turing was chemically castrated for being gay, after the Second World War. Opposition leader David Cameron apologises on behalf of the Conservative Party, for introducing Section 28 during Margaret Thatcher's third government\n2011:England, Wales and Scotland allow gay and bi men to donate blood after a 1-year deferral period.\n2014:Same-sex marriage becomes legal in England and Wales on 29 March under the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013. Legislation to allow same-sex marriage in Scotland was passed by the Scottish Parliament in February 2014, received Royal Assent on 12 March 2014 and took effect on 16 December 2014. Queen Elizabeth II praises the London Lesbian and Gay Switchboard for their 40-year history, the first time the Crown has ever publicly supported the LGBT community. The Switchboard receives a comment from the Queen saying: \"Best wishes and congratulations to all concerned on this most special anniversary.\"\n2016:There are 40 LGBT MPs in the Parliament of the United Kingdom, which in 2016 is the most in any parliament around the world.\n2018:Lord Ivar Mountbatten married his same-sex partner, James Coyle, on 22 September 2018, becoming the first member of the British Monarch's extended family to have a same-sex wedding.\n2019:Laverne Cox was one of fifteen women chosen by guest editor Meghan, Duchess of Sussex to appear on the cover of the September 2019 issue of British Vogue; this made Cox the first openly transgender woman to appear on the cover of British Vogue\n2020: On 2 January 2020, UK MP Layla Moran revealed in an interview with PinkNews that she is pansexual; she is believed to be the first UK parliamentarian to come out as pansexual.\n2020: On 13 January same-sex marriage becomes legal in Northern Ireland. In February, the first same-sex marriage takes place in Northern Ireland.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line348199"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9118823409080505,"wiki_prob":0.9118823409080505,"text":"Northern Heights – Walk 3\nArchway to High Barnet (8.3 miles total)\nThis walk is the longest of the five. It visits the stations that became the only successful part of the Northern Heights plan. It starts with a trek on the surface over the present-day Northern Line between Archway and East Finchley and ends with a picturesque stroll along the Dollis Valley Greenwalk to High Barnet.\n© OpenStreetMap contributors / (adapted)\nNote – On the map, the route is marked in green.\nTo start, get an Oyster / Travel Card that includes at least Zones 3-5 and get yourself to Archway.\nArchway (1907) was the starting point for the first phase of the Northern Heights plan. The project called for the extension of the line from the terminus here through tube tunnels to a new deep level station under the LNER Highgate station and then onwards through more tunnels to reach the surface just before the LNER station at East Finchley.\nThe station had been opened in 1907 as the second northern terminus (Golders Green was the first) of the Charing Cross, Euston & Hampstead Railway (CCE&HR), commonly known as the “Hampstead Tube”.\nAdvertisment 1907 / Unknown / Public Domain\nArchway was originally named Highgate when it opened. As we have already seen, the 1867 GNR (later LNER) station further north was also known as Highgate and the village of Highgate itself lay between the two. In the 1930s the station became Archway (Highgate) and then simply “Archway”. The name derives from the Archway Tavern which still stands just outside the station.\nThe extension work was begun in 1936 and completed as planned; the new line was opened to East Finchley in July 1939; services to High Barnet commenced in 1940, and to Mill Hill East in 1941. Although the station never gained the planned direct services to Edgware and Bushey Heath , the project transformed its connectivity dramatically.\nThe station was originally only provided with an elevator and stairs, escalators were added later along with other exits. The surface buildings have been modified several times over the years and nothing original survives.\nFrom Archway the Northern Line makes its way to Highgate under Archway Road (A1) but the following route makes a more pleasant (although very hilly!) workaround.\nHead up Highgate Hill for about a half a mile until you see Waterlow Park on the left. It is quite a stiff climb; an early version of San Francisco’s famous cable cars used to run along this stretch.\nThe park is worth a wander around if you have time.\nTurn right into Cholmeley Park. You cannot easily miss the turning as there is a large pink “Highgate Heritage” sign that commemorates Barbara Castle, the Labour politician, who once lived in the building behind.\nWalk (downhill) along Cholmeley Park until reaching a roundabout. Turn left here into Cholmeley Crescent and almost immediately head right along a footpath (Peacock Walk). At the end of the footpath bear right into Highgate Avenue and follow It until it meets Archway Road. Highgate Station is just opposite here (1.0 mile).\nHighgate (Deep Level 1941) would have enjoyed a service of 21 trains an hour via Archway in the initial timetable for the full Northern Heights plan. A third of these would have terminated at Finchley Central, another third would have gone to High Barnet and the remainder to Bushey Heath via Edgware. Passengers would also have been able to change to the 14 trains an hour between Moorgate and Alexandra Palace / Finchley running from the surface platforms above.\nHighgate was opened in January 1941 almost 18 months after the new tube lines that ran through it from Archway to East Finchley had been completed. The two platforms here were the only new tube platforms planned for the whole Northern Heights project.\nRoom to spare\nThey are still decorated in the original (and very pleasing) tiling scheme which includes the usual excellent signage from the 1930s London Transport era. They are also longer than any other tube platform on the network as they were built as part of an experiment to accommodate longer 9-car trains. The idea was never pursued and so today trains look a bit short as they stop in the middle of the platforms.\nHighgate was also used from 1941 until the end of the war as an air raid shelter. Apparently, Jerry Springer, the US TV personality was born in the station whilst his mother was sheltering there in 1944.\nThe new tube platforms were linked to the new concourse that had been built underneath the LNER platforms. The station functioned briefly as an interchange whilst the LNER continued to offer its steam service between Alexandra Place and Finsbury Park until 1954.\nArchway Road entrance\nDesigned by Charles Holden, London Transport’s most-favoured architect, the pre-war plans for the whole station included a large Art Deco entrance building at the top of the hill on Archway Road next to The Woodman public house. It would have been topped by a statue of Dick Whittington and his cat.\nPriory Gardens entrance\nSadly, there is no entrance there today. Instead, the prospective passenger needs to head further east along Archway Road and descend steps to the station car park. From a corner of the car park there is a single depressing entrance with steps leading down to the concourse under the old LNER station.\nThe only other entrance is from Priory Gardens on the north side. This side is level with the concourse, but it looks almost as depressing as the Archway Road entrance.\nBizarrely though, whilst there are only two entrances, there are three exits!\nFrom the concourse a single long escalator leads up to a lonely lobby….\nThe way out is then signposted through what first appear to be emergency exit doors….\nWhen you get closer you can see that the doors are marked with a series of paper notices that instruct the user only to exit via the single door on the right. The signage here is totally amateurish and is in total contrast with that found on the platforms below.\nOpen the door and prepare yourself for a surprise….\nYou are now at the exact spot next to the Woodman public house on Archway Road where the grand Art Deco entrance hall with the statue of Dick Whittington on the top was planned to have been.\nIt seems that by the time the station was being completed in 1957 (after the old surface platforms had closed) the money had run out and a one-way escalator was all they could afford.\nAs it is “exit only”, the building is totally anonymous, but just in case there is any doubt, they have put up a little sign on the outside that says, “this is not the correct entrance to Highgate station”.\nThey can say that again!\nContinue to follow Archway Road ( following the same route as in Walk 2 but this time not turning into Highgate wood) and when the main road heads left, bear right, and continue along Great North Road.\nWe are now following two routes between Highgate and East Finchley. Underneath us is the 1939 tube route, whilst just next to us on the surface is the old LNER line.\nTake a brief detour into Woodside Road and peer over the railway bridge. Looking towards Highgate, the old LNER line (now part of Highgate Depot) can be seen reaching as far as the western tunnel portals. Looking in the other direction, the line reaches towards East Finchley Station.\nLooking back towards Highgate\nContinue along Great North Road passing the Old White Lion pub on the left before reaching East Finchley Station (2.1 miles).\nEast Finchley (1867) was completely rebuilt for the Northern Heights plan; It is the most significant surface building to have resulted from the entire project and is perhaps the last example of Charles Holden’s reworking of London Transport stations in the 1930s.\nThe original station had first opened at the same time as the rest of the GNR line in 1867 but it had just two platforms. Under the Northern Heights plan East Finchley had to be reconfigured with four. The extra tracks were needed because the new 1939 tube lines from Archway came to the surface just before the station and met the old LNER tracks from Highgate and Finsbury Park.\nThe inner pair of tracks were intended to serve the surface route from Moorgate via Finsbury Park, whilst the outer pair would serve the new tunnel from Archway. Passengers would have enjoyed cross-platform interchange between the two routes in each direction. The initial timetable suggested that 7 trains an hour would have arrived from Highgate on the surface line and 21 via the new tube. All 28 would have gone forward towards Finchley Central.\nUnderground trains first reached East Finchley in July 1939 and were extended to High Barnet in April 1940 and to Mill Hill East in May 1941. Although it was certainly not the plan at the time, this completed the shape of today’s Northern line.\nLNER only operated trains from the new station for 2 years, but the oval shape where their logo was once displayed remains above the Underground roundel.\nThe LNER steam trains continued to operate a shuttle to Highgate until 1941 but the post-war cancellation of the electrification of the surface line from Finsbury Park meant that the inner platforms were only ever used for depot movements.\nAlthough it never reached its full potential as an interchange, the station is a classic Art Deco/Streamline Moderne design by Charles Holden and is a Grade II listed building. It is dominated by a 10-foot statue of an archer (Eric Aumonier). It is perhaps not the best Holden station, but it is still worth a wander around.\nContinue along High Road, passing the Phoenix Cinema (previously the Rex and the Coliseum) on the right. With its prominent neon sign, it is another Art Deco classic. It is Grade II listed and its interior has appeared in many period films including most recently, “Films Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool”.\nAt the next crossroads make a left turn into East End Road followed by a right turn into Market Place. There used to be a pig market in the area at one time, but now the street is residential. There is an interesting Royal Mail sorting office (1901) about halfway along,\nFollow Market Place until it widens and splits into two, take the left fork and then continue onto the footpath at the end. Continue along the footpath (which becomes “the Walks”) as it crosses several streets: Oakridge Drive, Park Gate, Leslie Road and Leopold Road before passing the Windsor Castle public house on the left.\nTurn left at the crossroads after the pub into Church Lane and then right into Long Lane. Follow Long Lane until it passes under the North Circular Road. Note the fire station on the right as you emerge from under from the bridge, it was completed in 1936 in modernist style.\nImmediately after the North Circular Road take the footpath to the left and cross over the Northern Line. During the early planning for the Northern Heights, consideration was given to having a tube train depot here as well as an extra station that would have been known as Finchley Manor. The plan was dropped due to lack of space.\nAfter crossing the line make a right turn into Rosemary Avenue. Follow Rosemary Avenue as it eventually becomes Station Road until the junction at the end with Regents Park Road.\nIgnore the south entrance of the station and turn right onto Regents Park Road and cross the railway again. Chaville Way with the main entrance to Finchley Central is on the right. (4.1 miles)\nFinchley Central (1867) was first linked to the Northern Line in April 1940 and if the full Northern Heights plan had been implemented it would have had up to 28 trains an hour arriving according to the initial proposed timetable.\nUp to 21 trains would have travelled here using the new tube route via Archway. 7 of these would have terminated here, whilst the remaining 14 would have been split equally between the High Barnet branch and the line to Bushey Heath via Edgware. An additional 7 trains would have arrived from Moorgate via Finsbury Park. These would have been extended to High Barnet at peak periods.\nThe station retains much of its original Victorian character. There were plans for Charles Holden to reconfigure the station with buildings either side of the road bridge, but they fell through.\nThe station has three platforms. The shuttle service to Mill Hill East normally departs from platform 1, with the trains to and from High Barnet use the other two.\nJust after the station the tracks to High Barnet branch off quite sharply to the right; the line to Mill Hill East goes straight on. Yet if you look at the diagrammatical map of the Underground, you could assume that it is Mill Hill East that is on a branch.\nGiven this “illusion”, it is quite appropriate perhaps that Harry Beck, the designer of the diagrammatical tube map (who lived nearby), is commemorated by a display on platform 3. Ironically, Finchley Central was not yet a tube station when he designed the first map.\nContinue east along Ballards Lane past Falkland Avenue and then turn left onto a footpath (it is called Lover’s Walk but signposted as “Footpath to Nether Street”) ) and follow it over the railway. At the end of the footpath turn right into Nether Street and continue walking. West Finchley is on the righthand side. (4.9 miles)\nWest Finchley (1933), like the other stations on the High Barnet branch, was first linked to the Northern Line in April 1940.\nThe station was a late addition to the High Barnet line; it was opened by the LNER to serve new housing developments.\nIt was made from used parts that the LNER brought in from Yorkshire and it looks more like a station from a quiet country branch line. It is incredible to think that at the same time as the LNER were putting this together, just a few miles away Charles Holden was creating modernist masterpieces like Arnos Grove on the Piccadilly line.\nMuch as I am a fan of Holden’s stations, I think West Finchley is quite charming.\nContinue along Nether Street (now on the other side of the tracks) and then turn left into Argyle Road. Just before the railway bridge there is a footpath on the right. Walk down this footpath, with the railway on the left side (crossing Holden Road about halfway down), until you reach Woodside Park (5.6 miles).\nWoodside Park (1872) was never rebuilt, and it still retains much of its original Victorian architectural character today, even the little signal box on the down platform remains in situ.\nCross the tracks via the station footbridge (there is no need to enter the station to do this) and emerge into Station Approach, turn right into Holden Road and then soon after turn left into Tillingham Way. Cross the river and then turn right onto the Dollis Valley Greenwalk path.\nFollow this path alongside the river. At first it is gravel but after Laurel View it becomes a paved track. It ends at Totteridge Lane. Turn right onto Totteridge Lane and Totteridge & Whetstone station is in front of you. (6.7 miles)\nTotteridge & Whetstone (1872) was never modernised and, although the exterior seems a little worse for wear, it also retains much of its original Victorian character today.\nRetrace your steps slightly and turn right back onto the Dollis Valley Greenwalk. Now the paved path splits into two and threads through a wide-open space. In theory one path is for walking and one for cycling, but in practice the distinction does not seem to be observed much.\nWhen the path eventually emerges at Barnet Playing Fields, take the footpath on the right hand side of the field, keep walking north (with the fenced-off school field on the left) until exiting into Priory Grove. Walk up Priory Grove with the school (Ark Pioneer Academy) on the left.\nTurn left into Westcombe Drive and soon after right onto a path which leads to Underhill. Cross Barnet Hill Common and High Barnet is visible in front of you on the right. (8.5 miles).\nHigh Barnet (1872) became a terminus for the Northern Line on April 14th, 1940 when the new electric service from East Finchley was inaugurated.\nOn the same day, British troops first landed in Norway at the start of what would become a disastrous campaign.\nDespite the worsening war situation, London Transport created a poster to advertise the new electric trains. Perhaps in honour of the new statue at East Finchley, it used an archery theme and talked optimistically about the benefits of the new line for “sightseeing” in London!\nIf the war had not intervened, High Barnet would have had up to 14 trains an hour terminating in the initial full Northern Heights plan. These would have included 7 electric trains direct from Moorgate via Finsbury Park which would have been extended here at peak periods.\nIt is hard to argue that any of the four stations on the High Barnet branch lost too much from the abandonment of the full plan. Users of the line today enjoy very frequent services via both the Charing Cross and Bank branches of the Northern line; one would assume that the lack of a direct service to Finsbury Park, or a one change connection to Edgware, is not too much of an inconvenience to most of them.\nThe station was never modernised in the 1930s, and like the previous two it still retains much of its original Victorian character today. When you approach it from the long sloping narrow pedestrian lane that leads down from Barnet town centre, it looks quite enchanting; more like a halt in a quiet village than a terminus in a busy metropolis.\nIn 1872, much to the chagrin of the locals, the line stopped short of the main centre, but it is certainly worth the effort to make the final short climb up to the centre for a look around.\nFrom High Barnet it is obviously easy to return to Archway using the Northern line.\nMore information on the Northern Heights\nWalk 1 – Moorgate to Finsbury Park (3.6 miles)\nWalk 2 – Finsbury Park to Alexandra Palace (4.4 miles)\nWalk 4 – Finchley Central to Edgware (4.5 miles)\nWalk 5 – Edgware to Elstree & Borehamwood (6.6 miles)","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1671892"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5199642777442932,"wiki_prob":0.4800357222557068,"text":"Imagini ale paginilor\nHearings, Reports and Prints of the Senate Committee on Labor and Public Welfare\nDe United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Labor and Public Welfare\nthat he felt that any injection of funds into our educational system for oceanography, regardless of what level they go in on, I do not think it can help but assist the whole program. In other words, It would have its effect whether the bill says so or not on the entire education.\nSenator Pell. Beyond the fact that this bill will obviously not be administered by the Navy, do you have any thoughts as to where it might best be administered in the Federal Government?\nAdmiral WATERS. No, sir.\nSenator PELL. Any of the ideas that have been advanced, though, the Office of Education, the National Science Foundation, Smithsonian Institution, they would be in our view of equal merit.\nAdmiral' WATERS. Yes, sir. My reply to that I think would have to be confined to the fact that it does not seem to be within the Navy's purview.\nSenator PELL. Right. I thank you. It is always particularly nice as a Senator from Rhode Island to welcome a representative of the Navy because the Navy and Rhode Island are pretty well intertwined and even our coats of arms are the same. We have an anchor and so do you, but the difference is ours is un fouled and the Navy anchor is fouled. (Laughter.]\nWe are delighted you were here, and the session will now recess until tomorrow morning at 10 o'clock. We are going to wind up tomorrow at noon, so we seek the 10-minute rule, if any\nof tomorrow's witnesses are here. My colleague and the senior member of this committee, Senator McNamara's funeral service is at 12 tomorrow and we will not be in session during his funeral service.\n(Whereupon, at 11:55 a.m., the committee recessed to reconvene at 10 a.m., on Wednesday, May 4, 1966.)\nSEA GRANT COLLEGES\nU.S. SENATE,\nSPECIAL SUBCOMMITTEE ON SEA GRANT COLLEGES\nOF THE COMMITTEE ON LABOR AND PUBLIC WELFARE,\nWashington, D.C. The special subcommittee met, pursuant to notice, in room 4232, New Senate Office Building, at 10 a.m., Senator Claiborne Pell (chairman) presiding.\nPresent: Senator Pell (presiding).\nCommittee staff present: Fitzhugh Green, special assistant to Senator Pell; Stewart E. McClure, chief clerk; Roy H. Millenson, minority clerk.\nSenator PELL. The third session of the Special Subcommittee on Sea Grant Colleges will resume its hearing today. We will be terminating at 12 in deference to the funeral of Senator McNamara. So I trust we can get through the scheduled witnesses this morning.\nAre either Representative Clausen or Representative Keith here?\nPending their arrival, we will go on with the executive branch and private witnesses.\nThe first witness this morning, then, will be Captain Snyder of the Interagency Committee on Oceanography, who is appearing in behalf of Mr. Morse, and Mr. Abel is with him, a fact of which I am glad.\nCaptain Snyder, will you proceed ?\nCaptain SNYDER. Good morning. Dr. Morse is still on the sick list. He sincerely regrets his inability to appear this morning.\nHe did write this statement and, with your permission, I will read it as if he were here.\nSenator PELL. All right.\nSTATEMENT OF HON. ROBERT W. MORSE, ASSISTANT SECRETARY\nOF THE NAVY (RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT), AND CHAIRMAN\nOF THE INTERAGENCY COMMITTEE ON OCEANOGRAPHY, AS\nPRESENTED BY CAPT. J. EDWARD SNYDER, JR., U.S. NAVY, AC-\nCOMPANIED BY ROBERT B. ABEL\nCaptain SNYDER. Mr. Chairman, members of the subcommittee\nSenator PELL. Excuse me. If anybody in the back of the room can't hear, raise your hand.\nWill you talk more into the microphone, Captain, and raise your voice, and if you can't hear me, let me know, too.\nCaptain SNYDER. It gives me great pleasure to appear on behalf of the Interagency Committee on Oceanography (ICO) to discuss the ICO's view of the sea grant college concept, as put forward in Senator Pell's bill, S. 2439.\nSince the essential components of this legislation are presented in a very straightforward manner, and because they represent not an entirely new concept in terms of applied research, education, and training—but rather an ingenious twist on an educational approach which has already established itself as a success—I feel that I can be equally direct and precise in expressing those views which are the reason for my being here today.\nThere is no doubt of the general need for the continuance of Federal assistance in developing and maintaining centers of oceanographic excellence in our universities. The establishment of such centers of excellence necessarily includes the support of means whereby a broad range of skilled manpower can be developed to handle theoretical and practical problems soon to be encountered by the research scientist, the development engineer, and the technician who supports the ocean operators. All of this contemplates progress in instrumentation, resource development, intelligently integrated academic curricula, purposefully defined research goals, improvement in operational techniques, and last but not least--dissemination of the knowledge acquired to those people who daily work will eventually exploit the ocean to the fullest.\nI can say without reservation that the Interagency Committee on Oceanography supports the concept of sea grant colleges as outlined in S. 2439. If I might also depart from cusiom, I might add i hat my personal views are identical to that of the ICO.\nI would like us to look at a problem of administration—and from your vantage point, gentlemen, one of legislation-which I think we will all agree is most difficult—the question of implementation. Or said in other terms: \"What is the best way to go about getting this done?\" S. 2439 calls for the deposit, in a special account in the I'reasury, of 10 percent of all bonuses, rentals, and royalties paid to the Federal Government after June 30, 1965, in accordance with the provisions of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act.\nThe conclusion that the ICO has reached is that no program of this nature should look to funds earmarked from another source for its subsistence. If the principle is worthwhile, which this one is, it should stand on its own merit. Thus the ICO feels that needs and the means to meet them should be analyzed and then funds to support them can and should be provided through the normal budget and appropriation processes. This would insure that funding is planned in reÎation to the required program and that funding is adequate to meet the challenging opportunities.\nI feel certain that State enthusiasm for this program can best be effected by a stipulation in this bill that Federal moneys allocated for the development of these \"centers of excellence\" be paralleled by funds from individual State legislatures, according to an apportioned formula.\nAnother aspect of “State participation,\" which the ICO feels is deserving of careful attention, is the question of which States should receive the benefits of such a bill were it to become law. I do believe that some means should be devised whereby all of the 50 States, regardless of their location in proximity to the oceans or the Great Lakes, could qualify. Surely the call to the sea has not in the past been confined to residents of coastal areas nor is that likely to be the case in the future.\nBut of even more substance are the declarations of purpose in S. 2439 calling for the use of marine resources to provide greater economic opportunities, expanded employment and trade, new sources of food, and new means for the utilization of fresh and salt water. These, we believe, are the most obvious opportunities for true State participation, particularly in the case of our landlocked States. Therefore, we urge that due consideration be given to recovery, conservation, processing and marketing techniques, and to the \"home economics of marine products.\" These subjects should be well within the meaning of \"*** education, training, and research in the marine sciences and a program of advisory services * * *.\"\nConcerning the point of an executive agency to administer the use of allocated sea grant funds, the Interagency Committee on Oceanography concurs with Senator Pell's designation of the National Science Foundation. The ICO feels that the considerable experience of the Foundation in the interaction of the academic community and the Federal Government makes the NSF the best agency to administer the bill. We do feel strongly that members of the ico-particularly Navy, Commerce, and Interior-have essential roles to play and also should provide advisory services to the Science Foundation in view of the complex ends to be served by S. 2139. The ICO stands ready to assist the Science Foundation in the performance of its administrative duties under the act, thus recognizing these essential roles and insuring direct participation by other agencies in the sea grant college structure.\nIn closing, the ICO is in full agreement with the three basic premises of S. 2439—first, that the time is ripe for an aggressive move toward fuller exploitation of the resources of the seas; second, that our universities and colleges must pay a key role in this movement; and third, that while ocean science itself is in good shape, the exploitation of ocean resources requires a forward thrust.\nThank you very much, Mr. Chairman. I will be happy to try to attempt to answer any questions.\nSenator PELL. Thank you very much, indeed. Returning to the three points you mentioned, first, the relationship of the amount of money that would be authorized through the revenues from the rents and royalties, the reason for that is to show that this would be a self-generating measure.\nI realize that there are executive branch reasons why they don't like to create separate trust funds and I am conscious of this fact.\nIn this connection, have you been in touch with the Bureau of the Budget? Have you any idea what their general viewpoint is in this bill?\nCaptain SNYDER. Yes, sir. Dr. Morse had this statement which he wrote taken to the staff of the Bureau of the Budget and to the Office of the Secretary of Defense, and this particular statement represents the official position of the Department of Defense, his own personal viewpoint, the position of the Department of the Navy, the concensus of the Interagency Committee on Oceanography, and the Bureau of the Budget had no objection.\nSenator PELL. Do you think a letter could be forthcoming from the Bureau of the Budget that if these measures, the suggestions, were\n« ÎnapoiContinuă »","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line772523"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8303565979003906,"wiki_prob":0.8303565979003906,"text":"Hanjin chief defends merger amid criticism\nHanjin Group Chairman Cho Won-tae said on Nov. 18 that the merger of the nation’s two largest carriers, Korean Air and Asiana Airlines, will not lead to a price hike or workforce restructuring.\nAfter attending the Korea-US Business Meeting at the Federation of Korean Industries in Seoul, Cho told reporters, “There may be concerns about such a (monopoly),” but “there will be no (lower) customer convenience or price hikes.”\n(Korean Air)\nRegarding the restructuring of workforce after the merger, he said, “We have no plans to restructure our workforce,” adding, “We will create an opportunity to embrace all employees and welcome them as a family.”\n“I will do my best to ensure that no one is left behind. I will meet (the unions of both companies) as soon as possible and find a way to coexist.”\nWhen pointing out that it is not realistic to overcome the COVID-19 crisis without restructuring, he said, “It is true that there are many overlapping routes and personnel when considering the size of the two companies.”\nBut he added the firm can fully utilize the overlapping personnel if it considers expansion of routes and business.\nCurrently, Korean Air and Asiana Airlines have about 18,000 and 9,000 employees, respectively. Korea Development Bank Vice President Choi Dae-hyun estimated at a press briefing Monday there would be 800 to 1,000 overlapping employees once they are merged.\nRegarding the plan to respond to a three-way alliance opposing the takeover of Asiana Airlines, he said he had no plans. The three-way alliance, consisting of activist investor KCGI, Bando Engineering & Construction and former Korean Air Vice President Cho Hyun-ah, is at odds with Cho Won-tae over control of Hanjin Group.\nTo the criticism that the support of KDB is a special favor, he said, “I don’t think so,” adding, “When KDB asked about my intention first, I said I could do it, and it proceeded after meeting several times and talking for a long time.”\nDespite Cho and KDB’s strong willingness for the companies to merge, the process does not appear to be on course for smooth sailing.\nThe interests of the two firms’ labor unions are currently sharply divided, with Korean Air workers supporting the merger and the Asiana Airlines union opposing it.\nOn Tuesday, the Korean Air union issued a statement that it respected the decision to take over Asiana.\n“We agree that the decision was made to enhance the competitiveness of the air transport industry, which is a national key industry, and to solidify the value of existence,” the Korean Air union said. “The acquisition is the best choice for maintaining employment of aviation workers.”\n“The government and the management of both companies should make clear their commitment to job security for workers who are anxious about employment.”\nThe next day, the Asiana Airlines union called for an immediate withdrawal, labeling the merger plan as “secret collusion.”\nThe Asiana Airlines union issued a statement Wednesday, saying, “Because the merger of the two national airlines is a monopoly in the market and the public will bear the cost, it is prohibited by the law. But, (KDB and the management) are trying to justify (the merger) by decrying Asiana as an unrecoverable company.”\n“We cannot help but suspect that another conspiracy and interests are involved in collusion for KDB -- just because it has a little more shares -- to push the merger, which the survival of many workers depends on.\n“As KDB announced, Asiana Airlines is already a bankrupt company. But its stock price soared for several days before the announcement of the merger,” it added.\nThe Asiana Airlines union called for the withdrawal of the merger plan, warning workers will fight it to the end.\nLater in the day, private equity fund KCGI, a shareholder of Hanjin Kal, released a statement opposing the merger plan following several similar statements over the past days.\nThis time, it argued that the investment agreement signed between KDB and Cho Won-tae is not effective because the stakes Cho provided as collateral to KDB is very small.\nKCGI said, “Of Cho’s 3.85 million shares, 3.26 million shares (84.32 percent) are already provided as collateral to other financial institutions and the National Tax Service, which means nothing as collateral.”\nOn Monday, KDB said it would inject 800 billion won ($723 million) into Hanjin KAL, a major stakeholder of Korean Air Lines, by buying 10.6 percent of newly issued common shares as well as exchangeable bonds in a capital increase in December.\n(shinjh@heraldcorp.com)\nHanjin Group Chairman Cho Won-tae answers reporters’ questions after attending the 32nd Korea-US Business Meeting at the Federation of Korean Industries in Seoul on Wednesday. (Yonhap)","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line441537"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7866802215576172,"wiki_prob":0.7866802215576172,"text":"Outdoor Books\nOne Day as a Tiger: Alex MacIntyre and the Birth of Light and Fast Alpinism\nVertebrate Publishing One Day as a Tiger: Alex MacIntyre and the Birth of Light and Fast Alpinism\nAuthor: John Porter\nFormat: Paperback (flapped\nPublication date: May, 2015\nPublisher: Vertebrate Publishing\nNr pages: 256\nPage size: 156 x 234 mm\n\"The wall was the ambition, the style became the obsession.\"\nIn the autumn of 1982, a single stone fell from high on the south face of Annapurna and struck Alex MacIntyre on the head, killing him instantly and robbing the climbing world of one of its greatest talents. Although only twenty-eight years old, Alex was already one of the leading figures of British mountaineering's most successful era. His ascents included hard new routes on Himalayan giants like Dhaulagiri and Changabang and a glittering record of firsts in the Alps and Andes. Yet how Alex climbed was as important as what he climbed. He was a mountaineering prophet, sharing with a handful of contemporaries – including his climbing partner Voytek Kurtyka – the vision of a purer form of alpinism on the world's highest peaks. One Day As A Tiger, John Porter's revelatory and poignant memoir of his friend Alex MacIntyre, shows mountaineering at its extraordinary best and tragic worst – and draws an unforgettable picture of a dazzling, argumentative and exuberant legend.\nJohn Porter was born in Massachusetts and he started climbing at the age of twelve, serving his apprenticeship in the White Mountains, Rockies, Cascades and Yosemite. He moved to the UK in the early 1970s to do postgraduate work at Leeds University where he joined a team of climbers dedicated to clean ethics, alpine-style and the fostering of international partnerships. Ascents of the North Face of Koh-i-Bandaka (1977) and the south face of Changabang (1978) with Alex MacIntyre and Polish friends were achieved in the middle of the cold war. Other climbs include lightweight attempts of the west ridge of Everest in winter, the north-west ridge of K2, the east face of Sepu Kangri, first ascents of Chong Kundam I and V in the Eastern Karakoram, and many other notable climbs around the world over a period of fifty-five years. In 1980 he founded the Kendal Mountain Festival with Brian Hall and Jim Curran, a","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1721932"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6064614057540894,"wiki_prob":0.39353859424591064,"text":"Reflections on Erie’s Waters is a collaborative project between the Erie Canal Museum and the Canal Society of New York State that explores from multiple perspectives the physical and social landscape created by the Erie Canal and how that legacy is still alive today.\nThis digital exhibit will focus on the people who have made an impact on and been impacted by the Erie Canal. As we compile even more stories, this exhibit will continue to expand over time. For that, we need your help! Please share your stories in our Reflections Collector.\n← Introduction\nCanallers\nTownspeople & City Dwellers\nLaborers & NYS Employees\nHaudenosaunee\nReflections Map\nThis exhibit was made possible with funding from the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature.\n© 2023 Reflections On Erie's Waters. Website by The Lab Creative","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1876217"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6887940168380737,"wiki_prob":0.6887940168380737,"text":"Jan 4, 2018 in Member Spotlights, News by DIACC\nSpotlight on Plurilock\n1. What is the mission and vision of Plurilock?\nPlurilock’s mission is to provide the most reliable, continuous proof-of-presence and identity assurance cybersecurity solution to protect government agencies and corporations from insider threats. Using behavioral analysis, machine learning and a frictionless user experience, Plurilock’s system detects and stops suspicious behavior in real time to secure the organization and solve compliance challenges without interfering with user productivity.\nNearly every day it seems, we hear news of yet another high-profile data breach involving insider threats, and statistics show that some 2,500 such incidents occur in businesses every day. While most of these are the result of accidental or careless user activities, we can’t ignore the fact that malicious cyberattacks are also on the rise, making insider threats a major national security risk for government agencies, not to mention a threat to the financial and IP security for businesses and our overall economy. Companies are spending more on cybersecurity than ever, yet still not getting the robust security and peace of mind they need.\nAs the threat landscape heats up, businesses and governments need solutions that can stay ahead of the attackers, and the ability to provide continuous, trustworthy identity assurance is critical in doing so. Other solutions, like two-factor authentication, CAC and even biometric authentication, provide only a single point in time user validation at log-in, but do nothing to continuously validate that the current user is the authorized user—if an employee gets up and walks away from a workstation or loses a laptop with credentials saved, this creates an opportunity for a breach. Not to mention, most other systems do not protect against lost, stolen or counterfeit credentials, and because these events can go unnoticed or unreported, it takes an average of 200 days to even detect an insider breach. By that time, significant—if not devastating—damage can be done.\nContinuous, real-time proof of presence technology overcomes those hurdles, detecting and stopping even unknown threats before they can inflict damage. This allows businesses and agencies to operate confidently, with peace of mind, and focus on achieving key business objectives rather than constantly looking over their shoulders or remediating threats.\n3. How will digital identity transform the Canadian and global economy? How does Plurilock address challenges associated with this transformation?\nThe trend toward digitizing products and services depends on a solid foundation of core applications: secure payments, secure connectivity and assured identity. Reliable solutions in these three areas are in extremely high demand on a global scale and across every market sector. By taking a leadership role in digital identity, Canada can enable the next generation of innovation (be they blockchain, quantum, or otherwise), both domestically and around the world by safeguarding the networks and IP of both businesses and government organizations.\nPlurilock provides one of the most reliable and robust solutions for enabling this transition to digital identity. By leveraging artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies, our solution provides a frictionless service that just works, without interfering with user efficiency and productivity. Not only does it detect and stop an intrusion in under 5 seconds, allowing organizations to move quickly to protect themselves, but it also saves a tremendous amount of time and money typically invested in identifying and remediating threats and breaches—resources that companies can instead invest in business-driven initiatives.\n4. Why did Plurilock join the DIACC?\nWe believe that a strong economy depends on safety and security, and that’s doubly so in cybersecurity. We support DIACC’s mission in this regard, and look forward to collaborating with the organization and its members to develop secure, scalable digital identification and authentication solutions that enable economic growth.\n5. What else should we know about Plurilock?\nPlurilock is the only behavior-based, real-time authentication system on the market that works by identifying authorized users by their behavior patterns—how they use their mouse, keystroke speed, and other unique attributes. After just a few minutes of learning, the software builds a behavioral profile of each user and then continuously verifies every 3-5 seconds that the current user is the authorized user. When suspicious behavior is detected, the software challenges the user to re-authenticate, quarantines the threat and/or alerts management and security teams in real-time.\nOur solution is built upon 30,000 hours of research and has been awarded 3 U.S. patents. We are honored to have among our team of advisors some of the western hemisphere’s leading cybersecurity visionaries, including former director of the U.S. National Security Agency, Vice Admiral Mike McConnell, and several retired and current NSA and Department of Homeland Security executives.\nJan 24, 2023 in Member Spotlights by DIACC\n1. What is the mission and vision of the ADI Association? The mission of the ADI Association is to create a global digital identity framework for creating, managing, and using digital identity as well as...\nJul 26, 2022 in Member Spotlights by DIACC\nSpotlight on PXL Vision\n1. What is the mission and vision of PXL Vision? PXL Vision has one vision - A world full of trust built on verifiable digital identities to make secure, frictionless and reliable identity verification available...\nSpotlight on the University of Sherbrooke\n1. What is the mission and vision of the University of Sherbrooke? As a leading research university recognized for the originality of its programs, the University of Sherbrooke is committed to working with its communities...\nJun 10, 2022 in Member Spotlights by DIACC\nSpotlight on PlainID\n1. What is the mission and vision of PlainID? Our mission: PlainID’s mission is to provide frictionless user experiences while maintaining security and the highest levels of data privacy and compliance. PlainID helps businesses advance...\nMar 11, 2022 in Member Spotlights by DIACC\nSpotlight on CIRA\n1. What is the mission and vision of CIRA? As a nonprofit organization, CIRA’s mission is to build a trusted internet for all Canadians. Leveraging more than 30 years of experience managing .CA domains, CIRA...","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line859179"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5789168477058411,"wiki_prob":0.5789168477058411,"text":"Alicia Keys Debuts ‘We Are Here’ [VIDEO]\nBy Danielle Young, Hello Beautiful\nAlicia Keys released her video for “We Are Here” on her Facebook page today. In the video, Keys can be seen rocking the braided and beaded hairstyle that we all met her with, from her first video, “Fallin’.”Keys took to social media to tease the video several times over the last few days, saying “This is how I’ve been feeling” when she shared a snippet on Instagram.\nMUST READ: Nicki Minaj + Iggy Azalea To Go Head-To-Head At The 2014 BET Hip-Hop Awards\nThe sound of the tune is rooted in Keys’ typical anthem style, but is riddled with calls to action for people to start talking about tragedies like Gaza, Israel, Nigeria and more. In an interview with AP, Keys shared details of her new album, saying, “What I know for a fact is it’s the best music I’ve ever done in my life yet and it’s really exciting to be able to have this kind of growth, this type of opportunity.”\nThe day I wrote this song, I was sitting in a circle of people of all ages and we were asked, “Why are you here.” Why am I here?? This really hit me on a deep level. I realized no one had ever asked me that question before. As I prepare to give birth to a new child, I can’t help and think about the world I’m bringing my baby into. No matter where we come from, when we see the state of the world today, we can all feel the growing frustration and desire to make a difference. And we all have a voice – we just need to know how to make it heard.\nIt is time to end all forms of racial injustice for our black brothers and sisters and all people of color. I believe in an end to the prison industrial complex in America and a renewed justice system that is based on fairness and truth. I believe in universal global health care based on Integrative Medicine, so that our bodies are acknowledged and treated as one system, and we can help control the spread of diseases like AIDS, Malaria, TB and Ebola. I believe we have an ability to end poverty, oppression, and hopelessness that often breeds despair, terror, and violence. I believe in common sense gun laws that serve to protect children and families and society from unnecessary violence.\nLike TheUrbanDaily.com on Facebook!\nMORE LINKS ON THE URBAN DAILY\nThe Chris Lighty Compilation Album We Wish We Could Have\nChris Brown Gets Candid About Rihanna And Jail\nSAD NEWS: Simone Battle Of G.R.L. Dead At 25\nalicia keys We are Here song","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1811779"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9384914636611938,"wiki_prob":0.9384914636611938,"text":"Get Up Dates Daily > Blog > Entertainment > Meg Ryan’s Love Life Has Been Full Of Ups And Downs, But She Refuses To Settle For Less Than She Deserves\nMeg Ryan’s Love Life Has Been Full Of Ups And Downs, But She Refuses To Settle For Less Than She Deserves\nEntertainment 64 Views Posted by Susan Rodriguez November 30, 2022\nSteps To Easily Learn Social Media Dances\nIt is hard to figure out why Meg Ryan has not yet gotten an Oscar nod. The coveted gold statuette has eluded her thus far. She has wowed audiences for years in crowd-pleasing films like Top Gun (1986), When Harry Met Sally (1989), and You’ve Got Mail (1998).\nRyan has dated famous men such as John Mellencamp and Russell Crowe. She was married to fellow actor Dennis Quaid for a decade. Fans are curious about whether Meg Ryan currently has a husband or if she is romantically involved with anyone at the moment.\nWe checked it out and this is what we discovered.\nRyan Was Married To Dennis Quaid From 1991 To 2001\n(Dan Callister/Online USA)\nRyan and Quaid met when they were filming Innerspace in 1987. The pair started dating when they were making another film the following year, D.O.A. They were envied for many reasons: great looks, successful Hollywood careers, endless charisma, and what seemed at the time to be the prospect of a happy future together.\nThey got married in 1991 and had a son, Jack, on April 24, 1992.\nThis couple who outwardly had it all separated in 2000. The news came as a huge surprise to many. A longtime friend of Ryan’s told People she was “flabbergasted.”\nPeople noted that someone said they saw Ryan on a flight to London with Russell Crowe, with whom she was making a film called Proof of Life. According to this eyewitness, they were behaving too intimately to be just pals, with Crowe allegedly “kissing her on the neck and stroking her hair.”\nThose who knew Ryan and Quaid well said they had led a quiet, no-frills family life and loved it that way. Quaid did the cooking. They were the antithesis of what you might expect from a superstar Tinseltown couple.\nSome speculated that Crowe was the cause of the tension in the Quaids’ marriage. People reported that the British media was on the verge of making Ryan’s and Crowe’s attraction public when Quaid’s friends alerted him to the bombshell news that was about to drop. Quaid was said to be deeply jarred by it.\n“He was devastated. He almost started crying,” said an unnamed source. He was also worried about what their split would do to their son.\nTheir reps denied that anything was afoot between Crowe and Ryan, but those who saw them interacting told a different story. One claimed they were “cuddling, hugging, kissing.”\nThere was more trouble in paradise. On the set of the film Any Given Sunday in 1999, some women reportedly said that Quaid was allegedly acting in an unwelcome manner with them, “touching them and grabbing their butts.”\nQuaid denied a woman’s assertion that he kissed her in a restroom. People who knew him said they doubted these women’s stories.\nRyan’s and Quaid’s divorce was finalized in July 2001. In 2016, their son, Jack (an actor himself), said that it was rough on him when he was a child to watch the very public demise of his parents’ marriage.\nOn the podcast Allegedly with Matthew Cole Weiss, Jack explained, “It’s hard to ignore when you’re at a grocery store and you’re checking out and you look at [magazines] … and there’s a photo of them with a little paper rip graphic between them. It’s a hard deal.”\nRyan put the ball back in Quaid’s court when she claimed that he cheated on her while they were married. “Dennis was not faithful to me for a very long time,” Ryan said (per The Sydney Morning Herald), “and that was very painful.”\nRyan told Oprah Winfrey in 2006 that her marriage to Quaid was “very unhealthy.” “It was pretty much not a happening marriage for a long time. I probably should have left much earlier.”\nAnother factor that led to the couple’s split was the stress of seemingly competing careers in the same industry. In 2018, Quaid told Today that when Ryan’s career seemed to eclipse his, things got more difficult. Nevertheless, Quaid said that his relationship with Ryan was the “most successful” one of his life.\nShe Dated Russell Crowe After Co-Starring In Proof of Life In 2000\n(Photo by Warner Brothers/Getty Images)\nAs for Crowe, Ryan shared with Winfrey that in her opinion, he was “not a home-wrecker.” Ryan said, “I did not leave my marriage for Russell Crowe. My marriage was not working.” They dated briefly and Ryan still spoke appreciatively of him long after.\nRyan Adopted Daughter Daisy True In 2006\nIn January 2006, Ryan adopted a little girl from China. Her rep told People that it was not something she wanted to discuss publicly.\nShe And John Mellencamp Were In A Relationship Twice\n(Tinseltown via shutterstock/Larry Busacca via Getty Images)\nAfter Crowe, Ryan had another relationship with someone prominent in the entertainment industry: singer John Mellencamp. According to People, they reportedly began dating in late 2010, but they supposedly broke it off in 2014 because Mellencamp was unwilling to give up his Indiana roots.\nThere must have still been a romantic spark smoldering between them though, because in 2017, Ryan and Mellencamp rekindled things. They announced their engagement in 2018, with Ryan posting one word on Instagram: “Engaged.”\nThey ultimately called their nuptials off. According to The Things, a source said, “They love each other, but there are disagreements which can become issues.”\nMeg Ryan has yet to find the right man who can give her life a perfect romantic-comedy-style ending. We’re rooting for this lovable star whose romantic life has had many starts and stops.\nSusan Rodriguez November 30, 2022\nPrevious Article Two Hospitalized after Two-Car Accident on 15 Freeway [Hesperia, CA]\nNext Article CBD Gifts Perfect for the Wellness Conscious People in Your Life\nMonica Lewinsky Unwillingly Became Famous 25 Years Ago This Week\nMonica Lewinsky Unwillingly Became Famous 25 Years Ago This Week January 26, 2023","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1328737"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8232515454292297,"wiki_prob":0.8232515454292297,"text":"Matt Wedel\nLive From the Artist’s Studio: Sculptor Matt Wedel Via L.A. Louver\nShana Nys Dambrot March 30, 2020\nTheir openings are always on a Wednesday, but in the new version of time and space, your next visit to L.A. Louver Gallery should be Tuesday morning. At 11am Pacific Time on Tuesday, March 3t, the vaunted Venice art emporium goes live on their Instagram with a remote studio visit to the ceramics workshop of gallery artist Matt Wedel.\nAlthough known for his often large-scale and exquisitely, lumpily surreal and art-historically engaged sculptures of alien plant life and terrestrial beings, for the moment Wedel has been re-exploring the less avant-garde history of the pottery traditions he grew up with. He’s been making a series of personable, accessible and affordable — but no less colorful and eccentric — small pots he’s calling “Face Bowls” in a tribute to both the personality of clay and the people we are missing in these times of isolation.\nMatt Wedel, Face Bowls (courtesy of the artist and L.A. Louver)\nAs the artist states, “I love the directness of the pinch pot. They are unencumbered by art which humbles them as objects. When they are held, you can feel the hand of the maker…Similar to a potter, I am in love with the labor of making. It is the exploration of thought through form and the constant search for clarity about the world. Each work is like a puzzle piece to a larger story that is unfolding. They are markers of thought in a process of knowing.”\nTune in Tuesday morning for more of the conversation, and don’t be surprised if it leaves you inspired. For more information, follow the L.A. Louver blog, Instagram and Twitter.\nMatt Wedel, Face Bowl (courtesy of the artist and L.A. Louver)","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line24201"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6915255784988403,"wiki_prob":0.30847442150115967,"text":"Hybrid Freight and Production Ship\nRecycled Plastics\nHydrogen energy involves the use of hydrogen and/or hydrogen-containing compounds to generate energy to be supplied to all practical uses needed with high energy efficiency.\nResearching hydrogen energy for ships, cars and trains\nto increase the sustainability of our planet: its oceans and seas, the land and the soil, and most importantly, its future.\nNext stop, hydrogen-powered trains\nFor our shareholders and investors, we are committed to our values today and in the future: reliability, responsibility, transparency and innovative strength. We at Planet Clean Recycle Industries Corp. know that only with know-how, systems and many years of experience can the opportunities of tomorrow be identified, evaluated and exploited today.\nHydrogen-powered trains\nIn the midst of the climate crisis, the demand for decarbonisation across transport industries has grown.\nIn order for hydrogen power to be truly sustainable, other methods of producing it that don’t rely on fossil fuels would need to become mainstream.\nElectrolysis creates hydrogen by separating oxygen from water using an electric current. That current can be created using energy from renewable energy sources, but it has yet to be done outside of small test demonstrations. In order to be a truly green form of travel, the hydrogen would need to be created and stored using renewable energy sources, like off-shore wind farms and solar grids, rather than fossil fuels.\nThere are benefits to passengers too. Hydrogen-powered trains, like electric trains, are also incredibly quiet compared to their diesel counterparts. And unlike electric trains, they are more resilient to network-wide disruption. A hydrogen powered train could switch over to its fuel cells if the electricity lines went down, for example.\nThe end of car battery technology?\nHydrogen-powered cars\nAll around the world, governments are implementing policies to promote electric vehicles to reduce oil consumption, climate-related emissions, and improve local air quality. Most of the attention has been dedicated to plug-in electric vehicles.\nThe secret of the hydrogen fuel cell-powered vehicle lies in its battery, which is able to generate electricity through a chemical reaction between oxygen and hydrogen.\nHydrogen cars are electric vehicles that are powered by a fuel cell supplied with dihydrogen (H2). The gas, stored under pressure in dedicated tanks, comes into contact with the dioxygen (O2) which is contained in the surrounding air inside the cell. An oxidation reaction takes place here, producing electricity and water vapor (H2O).\nIs Hydrogen Energy a model for the future of the shipping industry?\nMarine transport emits 940 million tonnes of CO2 annually and is responsible for 2.5 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, thanks to the dirty oil and diesel that's burned for propulsion. PlanetClean will run ships powered by hydrogen energy and emitting only clean water in its wake, whilst processing PVC plastic granules from the recycled plastics that have been collected worldwide.\nHydrogen-powered ships\nHydrogen 'can power virtually all container ships crossing the Pacific' - The fuel that could transform shipping!\nDevelopers across the world are for the first time testing the use of hydrogen to power ships as the maritime industry races to find technologies to cut emissions and confidence grows the fuel is safe to use commercially.\nTo reach goals for the shipping industry set by the United Nations, industry leaders say the first net-zero ships must enter the global fleet by 2030. Ships powered by green hydrogen could help meet the target.\nMade from electrolysis to split water into hydrogen and oxygen using electricity from renewable energy, green hydrogen is emissions free.\nA hydrogen-powered, sustainable future starts with us. Looking to invest? Click here to register your interest.\nSubscribe to our newsletter to receive the latest news and updates\nCLEANING OUR PLANET\nHybrid Freight & Production Ship\nContact PCRI\nPlanet Clean Recycle Industries Corp. Copyright 2020 © All rights reserved.\n© Planet Clean Recycle Industries Corp. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy\nCertain statements made in this website are not historical fact and are considered forward looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties as described in our private placement memorandum and other marketing materials which could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by the content of this website. Forward looking statements made on this website are made only as of the date of their initial publication and we undertake no obligation to publicly update any of these forward looking statements as actual events unfold. Any historical information or information based on past performance included herein is for informational purposes only, and is not intended to be a representation, warranty or guarantee of future performance.\nPlace of jurisdiction: The question of which law is applicable shall be determined in accordance with the statutory provisions. It is noted that the investor acquires shares in a corporation under Canadian law. The relationship between the shareholder and the corporation is therefore governed by Canadian law in Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada.\nRisk factors: An investor should be aware that an investment in companies whose shares are not yet traded on a stock exchange is always speculative. Even though the risk from the purchase of these shares is spread over many shareholders, anyone subscribing to these shares should be aware of the risk they are taking with newly issued shares of a company in the development stage. The Company expects its shareholders to share not only the highs but also the lows of its business development. It is not an investment that can be liquidated from one day to the next. Should the liquidation of the company be appropriate due to unsuccessfulness, it is possible that the investor will lose his investment.\nDealers, sellers, agents, distributors: There is a possibility that the project will fail. In case of insolvency, force majeure, war, economic circles ect. the respective dealer, seller, agent or distributor of the share placement, is released from any responsibility. No dealer, seller, agent or distributor has been authorized to disclose any information or make any representation. If such information is given or such representations are made or have been made, there can be no reliance on any authorization to do so by the Company. No dealer, salesman, agent or distributor is authorized to collect on behalf of the Company, nor has the right to enter into or challenge contractual relationships on behalf of the Company. Only the Company and its affiliate are authorized to collect funds. This offering does not constitute an offer to sell in any jurisdiction in which such offer is unlawful, nor may any adviser to these shares be engaged in any transaction in any jurisdiction in which such offer or solicitation would be unlawful. This offer to invest share capital in Planetclean is not a so-called gilt-edged investment, but a risky investment in a company. A capital investment in a company shareholding, like any entrepreneurial activity, represents a risk. Therefore, a loss of the investor’s invested capital cannot be ruled out in principle. The investor should therefore should always be able to cope economically with a partial or even total loss from this investment. The seller has given neither investment strategy recommendations nor investment recommendations pursuant to § 34b WpHG and Article 20 of the Market Abuse Regulation. The seller therefore does not fulfil the legal requirements to guarantee the objectivity of investment strategy recommendations & investment recommendations.\nNO OFFER TO SELL ANY SECURITY IS MADE BY THIS WEBSITE\nNo offer to sell any security is made by this website. The information on this web site is not an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy an interest in any investment or for the provision of any investment management or advisory services. Any such offer or solicitation will be pursuant to exemptions from registration requirements set out in applicable securities laws and made only by means of delivery of a confidential private offering memorandum relating to a particular investment to qualified investors in those jurisdictions where permitted by law. This website is a summary only of certain important matters relating to Planet Clean Recycling Industries Corp.. and is qualified in its entirety by the detailed information in the offering materials for particular investments. Prospective investors should take note of the risk factors described therein.\nTHE PLANET CLEAN RECYCLING INDUSTRIES CORP. DOES NOT OFFER LEGAL ADVICE OR SERVICES\nPlanet Clean Recycling Industries Corp. (the “Company”), its employees and members, do not function as your attorneys or legal counsel and do not attempt to interpret tax law for you and do not provide or offer legal advice or legal services to you. A potential investor should seek legal counsel from a private tax attorney of their choice. The Company is not authorized to provide investment advice.\nREGARDING LINKS FROM THIS SITE\nThe Company has not reviewed unaffiliated sites linked to this site, if any, and is not responsible for the content of off-site pages or any other site linked or linking to the site. Your linking to any off-site pages or other sites is at your own risk. The Company makes no representations whatsoever about the opinions of any third party appearing on a linked site, neither regularly monitors nor has control over the contents of such sites, and does not endorse, and disclaims all responsibility for, the content of such statements or web sites.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line791151"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.516293466091156,"wiki_prob":0.516293466091156,"text":"Commons: 5 April 1977\nBusiness Of The House\nVolume 929: debated on Tuesday 5 April 1977\nMr. Carlisle\nOn a point of order, Mr. Speaker. May I inquire, while the Lord President is here, and since there seems to be some doubt about the matter, whether the proposed debate on Mr. Agee and Mr. Hosenball will take place tonight? Can you assist us, Mr. Speaker?\nMr. Newens\nFurther to that point of order, Mr. Speaker. I understand that notice of appeal to the House of Lords has been given today, and in that case I take it that there is unlikely to be any debate because the matter would be sub judice. Can it be confirmed whether that is the situation and whether it will apply equally to both Mr. Agee and Mr. Hosenball? While on that point of order, I also ask whether, when the debate eventually takes place, we can try to clear the situation because it is very confusing when people do not know what the situation is and when debates are continually cancelled at short notice.\nThe Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons\n(Mr. Michael Foot)\nIn view of the appeal that has been made, the debate will not take place tonight. It would obviously be hopeless to proceed with the debate in this situation. We proposed the debate in response to requests from many of my hon. Friends, and if we had not done so we might have been laid open to the charge that we were not seeking an opportunity for debate.\nI give an assurance to my hon. Friend the Member for Harlow (Mr. Newens) that of course we shall seek to arrange a debate, as we have promised, at a time that is convenient to the House. I shall do my best to notify hon. Members who have shown a special interest in the matter, to give them some indication beforehand.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1651239"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7700459957122803,"wiki_prob":0.7700459957122803,"text":"New Coronavirus Safety Measures Pose Challenges For The Deaf And Hard-Of-Hearing\nBy Mikaela Lefrak\nPublished April 29, 2020 at 11:44 AM AKDT\nMikaela Lefrak\nMikaela Lefrak is WAMU’s Arts and Culture reporter. Before moving into that role, she worked as WAMU’s news producer for Morning Edition.Lefrak is a Northern Virginia native and a graduate of Middlebury College in Vermont. She received a master’s degree in broadcast journalism from Boston University, where she had the honor of working as the graduate assistant to renowned New York Times media columnist David Carr.Prior to working at WAMU, Lefrak was an editor at The New Republic, where she produced politics and culture podcasts. She has also produced at PRI’s The World and WGBH Boston, and served as an AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer in Oakland, California.\nSee stories by Mikaela Lefrak","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line879901"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5220643877983093,"wiki_prob":0.4779356122016907,"text":"The Novel Challenge\nDavid W Stewart, Author\nI’m into a rewrite of Angel of Mortality after receiving comments from my developmental editor. Simultaneously, I’m working on the first draft of the second volume and the outline for Book 3. I believe it’s important to write on them in parallel to keep track of the time and synchronize the plots. Of course, each volume also must read as a complete story in its own right regardless of whether the reader has read either of the other two books.\nI’ve noticed two points from the editor’s comments. First, in science fiction, readers want details. How did the scientist perform her experiments? How does she expand the scientific applications? Second, subplots need recognition and completion. Nothing is more frustrating than to have the novelist introduce a dilemma and then neglect to solve it.\nIn providing details, it is important not to give a newspaper description. The main character must experience it and the novelist must create an image. My editor compared it to hearing a movie without watching the picture. The vision is filtered through the point-of-view character’s mind, so it is essential to be in that character’s head.\nI have changed my idea of what constitutes a subplot. Any matter that requires the attention of the main characters constitutes a subplot, even if it’s brief or delayed. As such, it should have much the same structure as a main plot, i.e. a beginning, a middle, and an end. Also, it must contribute to the principal story and eventually fold into the main plot. In my story, there is a subplot involving Raisa Ilyushkin’s time in Moscoe when she had an affair with Pyotr Kosterlovovich, a prominent TASS journalist. Pyotr shows up again in Raisa’s life when she is put in charge of stopping the nanobot plague. Eventually, Raisa confronts him in Russia.\nArs Gratia Artis\nA novelist is an artist in words and sees the world through his own experiences.–real, imagined, or virtual, happening to others. As with any art, the artist pleases himself first, letting the creative juices flow and producing an original story complete and comprehensible in his mind. A thing of beauty.\nAn editor analyzes this work from the viewpoint of a reader, much as an art or music critic beholds a painting or listens to a symphony. What pleases the artist may not find an audience with the public. Occasionally, the artist goes on to establish himself and finds his own audience, but almost always, some corrections are made, in technique, content, or presentation.\nHow does she satisfy the expectations of the reader but retain her creativity? I believe it is an iterative process between what she wants to say and how she says it. If the sole purpose of the novel is entertainment, she might believe that how she says it is paramount, as in writing humor. But no one wants to hear the same jokes over and over.\nAs he rewrites and edits, his message, story, and presentation will be clearer, until he arrives at the closest he can achieve toward his Picasso or Beethoven. It won’t guarantee a best seller, especially in this era of e-books and sensationalist literature, but the author will be able to go on knowing he has a grasp of the realities of writing creatively.\nAfter the First Draft\nYou’ve finished the first draft of your manuscript. One hundred thousand words carefully constructed over the last twelve months. Now, what happens?\nIt’s probably a good idea to set it aside for a while. There’s no rule I know of for how long. When you come back to it, read it through. Odds are, you’ll stil love it, but you’ll notice places where it slows down, gets off track, or isn’t interesting. Ask yourself, why?\nI usually overdo descriptions of food and location in the first draft. It’s fun when I’m writing and discovering, but it often doesn’t add to the plot or characterization. Is your piece heavy on narrative, endless dialogue with nothing going on? Just make notes. You’ll come back to it. What about filter words like: to hear, to think, to touch, to wonder, and a dozen more? Words that pull the reader out of the character’s actions–that tell instead of showing.\nAs you get into the first edit and revision, you’ll discover much about writing you didn’t know before. How do you show character emotions? Discover not what you would think or do, but how your character would respond.. Know your characters not as words on a page but as living, thinking entities–speaking not for you but for themselves.\nNow, dig into the structure and form of each sentence–varying length and words, finding the lyrics and making sure each statement is clear. Do the paragraphs have form–beginning, middle, and end–even if the paragraph is only a sentence? Do your scenes have style, a clear point of view, time frame, location, and relevance to plot and character arcs.\nAre your chapters complete within themselves? Do they make sense in that they start with certain conditions and they end with well defined new conditions that move the plot along. Is the story a story? Does it have a theme in that it has a definite purpose that fulfills your objective–humor, moral, adventure, intrigue–whatever you intended? Is it a page turner?\nOnly after you’ve answered all these requirements, plus a decent grammar check, are you ready to hand it over to beta readers.\nCompleting the story\nJust as a shaggy dog joke isn’t funny if the teller forgets the punchline, a novel isn’t complete if it doesn’t finish the main story. This requires knowing what is the story.\nThree people walk into a bar is not a story and sets few expectations. A Rabbi, a Priest, and a Monk walk into a bar isn’t a story but it sets certain expectations. The first sentence of my novel, Angel of Mortality: “All her life, Dr. Raisa Ilyushkin loved tiny things that performed great miracles.” is also the last line. Somewhere in the 85,000 words between the opening and closing something must occur that elucidates the meaning behind that statement.\nThe novel includes monsters, plagues, marriage, and global politics but what completes the story is that the protagonist, Raisa Ilyushkin sees the same message in a different light. Tiny things and great miracles take on a new meaning to Raisa and to the reader. Like Raisa, we form an attachment to these tiny things, intelligent nanobots that make up continent-spanning robots–the great miracle.\nMeanwhile, Raisa evolves from a hermit-like lab rat to an outgoing global leader, beloved for her understanding and compassion. To finish the story, I must satisfy the reader that Raisa’s evolution is complete and the tiny things have indeed completed a great miracle.\nStarting a Frame Novella\nA frame story is exactly what it sounds like, a tale or series of tales bounded by an encompassing story. I am choosing to write Julie’s Story as a framed narrative for several reasons:\n(1) Julie is the narrator and the subject. By telling her story in bits and pieces from the distancing perspective of death, she can move from the present to the past in an experiential manner.\n(2) By acting as the framing narrator, she can communicate with Bonnie, the woman she has possessed, in a conversational tone.\n(3) By framing Julie’s story within the mystery of the present (What happened to her daughter?) I can create suspense.\nThis is the opening section:\nCody’s on the terrace. Older, handsome, grey at the temples, wearing a sports coat, and two-hundred-dollar shirt. “So,” he says, “you’re Bonnie and want to know what happened to Julie’s baby?”\nI scream. “I’m Julie! What happened to our daughter?”\nHe laughs, a Mephistophelean howl. “Julie’s dead, and our daughter? She’s probably a whore.”\nEvil spirits surround him. “You sold her and have adoption papers. Your lawyer told me.”\nThe demons stop swirling. “So, you’ve come back.” He approaches. “Why didn’t Marilyn tell you?”\nAs if you care. “She died of a brain hemorrhage.”\nHe was looking at Bonnie’s body. “I can offer you bourbon, Coke. We can look at photographs.”\nI follow down to a cellar, made into a gentleman’s lounge. “Make mine a Cuba libre. Old times’ sake.”\n“Myer’s Original Dark Rum.” He holds up the bottle. “Kept it here just for you.” He adds the Coke, lime, and ice and hands it to me. He makes himself a Chivas and soda, leaves, and comes back with a photo album. “Open it. It’s our youth.”\nMe and Rosie playing with a beach ball on Daytona sand. 1984, thirteen, nothing mattered. We tied on bikinis, played, and found a mark―a meal, drinks, and a bed. Two girls at a bargain price with no pimps, no drugs, no overhead.\nMy fake ID said I was Lisa Hamilton, eighteen, a student at Ohio State. No y’all, or yessir, say hi instead of hey. No one gave a shit.]\nJulie’s Story\nAs you can see, there are three unidentified characters within the narrative–Marilyn, Bonnie, and Rosie–indicating there is a second frame within the frame. What went on in the immediate past as compared with what occurred in the distant past, so the story begins at the seventy-five percent mark–the beginning of the end.\nI’m making it a novella because I don’t believe the story will require more than thirty-five thousand words. Framing a story is a new challenge for me. I haven’t finished outlining it yet, so that’s the next step.\nThe Moment of Truth\nOpen any novel to the middle and read the content. Somehow, at this point, the protagonist has a revelation. Through the first half of the story, our hero has worked her fanny off chasing a false goal. Things didn’t pan out the way she expected but suddenly it hits her–there’s something she has to do, something she’s needed to do all along but has only seen vaguely.\nNow, she must get to work, not chasing will-o’-the-wisps, but getting to the core of the issue. In my work in progress (WIP), Raisa has been in a reactive mode ever since the plague in Mombasa. She blamed Ai-mei, then al-Shabaab, and then the Transnational Crime Syndicate, but now the International Court of Justice has summoned her to account and she feels guilty.\nActually, no one is blaming her, but now she realizes she has been fighting back and not fighting forward–retreating instead of advancing. Armed with knowledge of who is the true enemy and the will to use her knowledge to defeat Nikolai Kabulov’s scheme to destroy civilization, she can develop a superior organism that can destroy any nanobot plague and advance civilization to a new future.\nHow does it all end? There’s a bright side and a dark side to everything. With a baby on the way, Raisa wants to make sure her daughter lives in a better world than that into which she was born.\nMultiple Points of View\nIn my previous four novels, I stayed with the recommended four point of view characters: protagonist, antagonist, love interest, and confidant. In my current work in progress (WIP), The Kabulov Conspiracy (TKC), I found it necessary to add point-of-view characters who spend a short period of time on stage (since they die in the scene) but serve a profound purpose in the novel.\nReaders don’t want to witness carnage without purpose, but in TKC, people will die by the billions and it is necessary to ensure the reader is empathetic to their demise. In several scenes, I introduce a sympathetic character–a cleaning lady in a soccer stadium, a dock worker in Mombasa, a child in the Philippines, and others who contract the plague Kabulov is spreading and die, but who put a face and a personality to the event.\nAs each minor character comes on the scene, I try and show how interconnected we are, one to another, throughout the world. While the plague and its solution take place on a monumental scale, there are still individuals involved as its victims, not just row upon row of faceless names. Following the life story for each of them would make the novel much too long, but a brief glance at who they were and what they were doing gives us a realistic perspective.\nI’ll try and make it work.\nWe refer to arts such as dance, music, and theater as performance arts, but writing, painting, musical composition, and other art forms are also performance arts even though not performed directly in front of an audience. The solitary performance of the writer begins with the concept and ends with publication of the novel, short story, or article. Like other arts, once the author finishes the opus, it completes the exhibition. The result may exist in material form, just as a dance performance may be on videotape, but the performance is over.\nI liked what I heard the famous ballet dancer, Svetlana Zakharova say, that the best performances are during preparation, back in the studio where the dancer feels freer to make bold moves without fear of an occasional stumble. How many times in writing have I written something much more lyrical or expressive than what I include in the novel because it doesn’t fit the finished work. The rare times when one can capture those passages in a way that fits the overall composition is when one feels a sense of accomplishment.\nEven if our first novel, or second, or third…or sixth novel is not what we wish it might have been, we must continue to the next performance. This time, we may not stumble or muff that high note.\n“Final” drafts\nThe word final often doesn’t apply to writing. When you finish that first draft and type\nas a writer, you know it isn’t the last time you’ll be there. After putting your manuscript away for a while, you’ll begin rewrite. The first rewrite is agonizing as you discover the loose ends, blind alleys, and the blandness of it all, lacking emotion and sensuality. In cleaning it up, you discover a new story, filled with deeper characters, intricate plot twists, and scenes you missed in writing the first draft. Once again, you type:\nBut, it’s not, is it? In that rewrite, something emerged, a deeper meaning for your story, that elusive greater message, the theme. A simple story about a scientist who invents a device that can kill billions becomes a journey. Now is the time to climb into the souls of your characters–where they live, how they think, what they feel. The rainbow of your story becomes clear and the theme, character, plot, and description all follow the same path–starting at the horizon and ending at the pot of gold. You type:\nand send it to an editor. When it comes back, you ask yourself how many red pens that woman must own and return to the keyboard. Eventually, you will publish something, but for you. it will never be the final draft as the characters continue to live with you for the rest of your life.\nInside your characters\nI’m one of those writers who lets my character do the acting. Quite often, I’m not sure what particular character will do and am often surprised by their actions. When I’m describing the who, what, where, when, and why, the scene is quickly boring. I must get inside the body and mind of the character and let him or her see, feel, and respond to the situation. If I can lose my ego and become the character, the scene flows well and is authentic. This isn’t always easy to do.\nOf course the character is my invention, so she will have my thoughts as the genesis of her will, but as a story progresses, she personifies her role and becomes an actor on the stage, with unique patterns of behavior and judgement. As an example, Take Ai-mei, the villain’s accomplice in The Ruby Spider Conspiracy. She believes fervently that all the world’s troubles result from overpopulation and the only solution is to kill off ninety percent of the people on earth. Crazy, you say. Not to her.\nAi-mei has only a few POV appearances in the book, but when she is on-stage, I must enter the mind of this woman and identify with her concerns and prejudices. I see the people she has seen suffering and struggling, living in overcrowded slums, unable to get enough food, medical attention, or education. I’m angry at a world that allows this and keeps bringing more children into this veil of tears.\nDamir, on the other hand is not concerned with any of this. he smuggled weapons to both sides of many conflicts and was eventually caught. He retained his freedom by going to work for international security firms that smuggle weapons to nations favored by the United Nations. He lives dangerously, but has been infatuated with Raisa from the time he first met her. His main goal in the story is to marry Raisa.\nRaisa, the antagonist, is driven by guilt. She created the tool that allows manufacturing the nanobot plagues that kill billions. When used as weapons, these nanobot cultures are capable of\nSubplots February 1, 2021\nArs Gratia Artis September 19, 2020\nAfter the First Draft February 22, 2020\nCompleting the story January 1, 2020\nStarting a Frame Novella August 13, 2019\nhttp://davidwitheringtonstewart.com/about.html\nDavid W Stewart\nDavid Witherington Stewart, Author\nMeanwhile Back at the Ranch","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1835338"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7203944325447083,"wiki_prob":0.27960556745529175,"text":"RiverCell Consortium announces Successful Demonstration of Advent Serene Fuel Cells to the Maritime Sector\nPosted on December 20, 2021 by Advent Technologies\nBOSTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Advent Technologies Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADN) (“Advent”) today announced that its fuel cell unit for the Maritime Sector – developed within the frame of the RiverCell Consortium – has passed safety testing, as well as a safety assessment completed by DNV, one of the world’s leading classification societies.\nRiverCell, a demonstration project supported by a consortium of partners, was initiated in 2015 and is expected to be completed by the end of this year. Funded by Germany’s Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport and led by Meyer Werft, it consists of a range of experienced partners throughout the maritime sector, including DNV, HADAG, Helm Proman Methanol, Neptun Werft, Pella Sietas, Technische Universität Berlin, Viking River Technical Cruises, and Advent.\nThe project is dedicated to the design and development of a fuel cell hybrid system for inland vessels, and its realization has provided valuable insights in terms of the suitability, practical use, and economic efficiency of hybrid powertrains. In addition to cutting greenhouse gas emissions, the hybrid concept – featuring energy storage combined with sustainable fuel cell-powered energy production – demonstrated an increase to both safety and efficiency in shipping.\nAs part of the demonstration, a section of a river cruise vessel was set up on dryland at Neptun Werft, in Rostock, Germany. There, the prototype of Advent’s Serene marine fuel cell unit was successfully integrated into a modern hybrid DC electric energy grid, which was equipped with all relevant ship systems, including battery storage as well as a conventional diesel genset.\nWith current regulations still based on the traditional use of diesel-powered energy sources, another core objective of the demonstrations has been to encourage the development of new global regulatory frameworks for the shipping sector, thus paving the way for future use of sustainable technologies.\nCommenting on the project, RiverCell’s Project Manager, Ragnar Christenson from Meyer Werft, stated. “The maritime industry needs to find new ways to reduce all its emissions. Not only in the long run, but starting immediately, the shipping industry needs to deploy sustainable technologies and in particular speed up the change to renewable fuel sources. By RiverCell, we have demonstrated how fuel cell technology can be a safe, clean and efficient alternative to today’s diesel gensets in marine use. We have also been able to demonstrate how hydrogen for fuel cells, in the form of methanol, can be safely and efficiently stored on ships. The HT PEM fuel cells developed and manufactured by Advent Technologies can use methanol, carrier of hydrogen, as the fuel source, and we consider methanol one of the most promising and practical future fuels for the shipping sector. At Meyer Werft, we are happy to pioneer alongside our partners with our demonstrations of fuel cell technology, both to gain a competitive edge but also to influence global standards, paving the way for this sustainable alternative.”\nAdvent’s Senior Vice President, Morten Hougaard Sørensen, similarly highlighted the importance of the project and its potential influence on future standards: “Fuel cell technologies to replace diesel gensets for inland and sea-going vessels will significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Using methanol produced from natural gas offers reduction of local pollution (NOx, SOx emissions), and methanol produced from renewable sources can substantially contribute to reducing GHG emissions from shipping. In recent years, interest in methanol as a fuel for the shipping industry has grown significantly, but the industry is also waiting for the final regulatory frameworks to come into place before committing to large-scale investments. Now, with our prototype design of the marine fuel cell unit successfully passing its safety testing, and the safety assessment successfully completed with DNV, we hope to see this data included alongside equivalent standards using the technology, so the industry understands that fuel cells are both efficient, safe, and practical in use. And on that basis, we look forward to continuing our journey with Meyer Werft and lots of new customers in the industry. At Advent, we believe that only together can we build a better future”.\nAdvent Technologies Holdings, Inc. is a U.S. corporation that develops, manufactures, and assembles complete fuel cell systems, and the critical components for fuel cells in the renewable energy sector. Advent is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, with offices in California, Greece, Denmark, Germany, and the Philippines. With more than 100 patents issued for its fuel cell technology, Advent holds the IP for next-generation HT-PEM that enable various fuels to function at high temperatures under extreme conditions – offering a flexible “Any Fuel. Anywhere.” option for the automotive, aviation, defense, oil and gas, marine, and power generation sectors. For more information, visit www.advent.energy.\nThis press release includes forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of words such as “anticipate,” “expect,” “plan,” “could,” “may,” “will,” “believe,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “goal,” “project,” and other words of similar meaning. Each forward-looking statement contained in this press release is subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statement. Applicable risks and uncertainties include, among others, the Company’s ability to maintain the listing of the Company’s common stock on Nasdaq; future financial performance; public securities’ potential liquidity and trading; impact from the outcome of any known and unknown litigation; ability to forecast and maintain an adequate rate of revenue growth and appropriately plan its expenses; expectations regarding future expenditures; future mix of revenue and effect on gross margins; attraction and retention of qualified directors, officers, employees and key personnel; ability to compete effectively in a competitive industry; ability to protect and enhance our corporate reputation and brand; expectations concerning our relationships and actions with our technology partners and other third parties; impact from future regulatory, judicial and legislative changes to the industry; ability to locate and acquire complementary technologies or services and integrate those into the Company’s business; future arrangements with, or investments in, other entities or associations; and intense competition and competitive pressure from other companies worldwide in the industries in which the Company will operate; and the risks identified under the heading “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K/A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 20, 2021, as well as the other information we file with the SEC. We caution investors not to place considerable reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. You are encouraged to read our filings with the SEC, available at www.sec.gov, for a discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties. The forward-looking statements in this press release speak only as of the date of this document, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise any of these statements. Our business is subject to substantial risks and uncertainties, including those referenced above. Investors, potential investors, and others should give careful consideration to these risks and uncertainties.\nAdvent Technologies Signs Memorandum of Understanding with BASF to Secure Supply Chain for Large Scale Projects\nAdvent Technologies Announces Signing of Distribution and Service Agreement with Calscan Solutions","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line171624"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.635976254940033,"wiki_prob":0.635976254940033,"text":"Roger Clemens Reveals Which Ex-President He’d Love To Golf With\nAdofo-Mensah, O’Connell Were Successful In Year 1, But Vikings Need Much More Going Forward\nSelema Masekela On X Games’ Past, Its Present, And His Journey Back After 10 Years Away\nHow Being Injured Is Making Tyrese Haliburton’s All-Star Case Stronger\nNew England Patriots Officially Hire Bill O’Brien As Offensive Coordinator And Quarterbacks Coach\nIMSA Season Kicks Off With Tremendous Storylines In Rolex 24 At Daytona\nBears Positioned To Upgrade At Defensive Line, Wide Receiver\nForbesBusinessSportsMoney\nLou Gehrig Autographed Baseball Mitt Goes For $287,500 At Auction\nMaury Brown\n2020 Natl Sportswriter Of The Year Nominee, BBWAA, MLB, Motorsports\nJul 15, 2014, 04:53pm EDT |\nA Lou Gehrig autographed baseball mitt c. 1935 went for $287,500 on Tuesday as part of the MLB All-Star FanFest in Minneapolis. The auction was held by at Hunt Auctions.\nThe glove was given by Lou Gehrig to Howard Brost Henderson in the mid 1930s after a visit by Gehrig at the Henderson family home in Bronxville, NY. Mr. Henderson has kept the glove in his possession for close to 80 years until now consigning it in the auction.\n“I was very lucky to have known Lou Gehrig as a young man growing up. He was a friend as well as a famous baseball player. For the past 80 years my family and I have enjoyed sharing the story of how I acquired the autographed glove with friends. The glove was the first item I moved from my boyhood home to the home I shared with my bride 66 years ago. To the new owner of the glove I hope you enjoy owning this piece of baseball history. Lou Gehrig will always be recognized as one of the greats in baseball. A big thank you to the team at Hunt Auctions for making this sale a reality,” Howard Henderson.\nLou Gehrig of the New York Yankees, cropped from a posed picture of 1937 Major League Baseball... [+] All-Stars in Washington, DC. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)\n“Lou Gehrig’s name remains to date one of the more revered in the history of American Sport. The price obtained today for the Lou Gehrig baseman’s mitt was a clear reminder of the incredible demand for memorabilia related to his storied career,” David Hunt, President of Hunt Auctions.\nThe glove has additional significance this year as it marks the 75th anniversary of Gehrig’s infamous “Luckiest man on the face of the earth” speech made on July 4, 1939. The event was “Lou Gehrig Day\" at Yankee Stadium where he was recognized after being diagnosed two weeks earlier amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or as it is more commonly known now as Lou Gehrig’s disease.\nIn addition to the Gehrig glove, a Roy Campanella Hall of Fame induction ring sold for $86,250 and a Jackie Robinson bat sold for $80,500. Many items related to the career of Minnesota Twins players were sold among them a 1958 Harmon Killebrew Washington Senators professional model home jersey with a price of $40,250.\nAutographed Lou Gehrig mitt (front)\nAutographed Lou Gehrig mitt (back)\nImages courtesy of Hunt Auctions","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line426453"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5758556127548218,"wiki_prob":0.5758556127548218,"text":"Home / Pittsburgh / Something More Pastoral\nSomething More Pastoral\nDonald Wuerl is one of the most accomplished and influential churchmen of the last half-century—a time of great seismic shifts in society and in the Church. Ordained a priest in the 1960s, he served as a Vatican official during the pontificate of Pope Paul VI. Ordained a bishop by Pope John Paul II, he came to lead two major American sees. Created a Cardinal by Pope Benedict XVI, he emerged as a world leader in Catholic thought and pastoral practice. He has played key roles in several Roman synods. He remains a close and trusted advisor of Pope Francis.\nThis book is an account of his pastoral years, his years as bishop and archbishop. He has lived as a public figure for most of his life; and even among public figures he has been known for his professional transparency. Yet he has made his reputation not by bombast, grand gestures, or provocative public statements. He has chosen instead to work quietly and work hard, to unify, to gain consensus, and to serve the Catholic Church and its faith.\nSomething More Pastoral quantity\nSKU: 9780692587423 Categories: Biography, Pittsburgh\nThis book shines a light on his quiet work in the last three decades—work accomplished in the churches, in the fields, all across the world, and over coffee breaks in meetings of bishops and cardinals.\nAs a bishop, archbishop, and cardinal, Donald Wuerl has learned from great mentors. He has learned from his own successes and his own mistakes. And he has emerged as a great leader and example for anyone who desires a life of service—anyone looking for “something more pastoral.”\nThe Saints at the Chapel: Thrilling Tales of History’s Holiest Heroes\nPraying for Freckles","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line349277"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7323976159095764,"wiki_prob":0.2676023840904236,"text":"On December 17, 2022 By Will VDIn Uncategorized\nThe song “How Much a Dollar Cost” is featured on Kendrick Lamar’s Grammy award winning album, “To Pimp a Butterfly.” This album dives deep into the recesses of racial oppression and materialism as well as serving as an anthem for the Black Lives Matter movement. Songs such as “Alright” and “Hood Politics” are both notable examples of the powerful message Lamar sends, but “How Much a Dollar Cost” stands out amongst the rest.\nThe song focuses on a specific incident that Lamar, the speaker, found himself in at a gas station in South Africa. The song is a combination of Lamar’s internal thoughts and conflicts and an interaction with a persistent homeless man, who asked him for 10 rand (one US dollar). Throughout the song, Lamar ponders the true value of money and why people such as himself make such a big deal out of it. His questions and wonderings all contribute to a bigger, deeper question: Can money cost someone their place in heaven? The song begins with a description of the environment Lamar is in and how he feels in this specific instance. In order to convey the sense that Lamar has a feeling in his gut that something is wrong, he uses the metaphor of a parasite in his stomach.\nParasites in my stomach keep me with a gut feeling, y’all\nGotta see how I’m chillin’ once I park this luxury car\nHopping out feeling big as Mutombo\nParasites are well known for their detrimental effects on their hosts, who gain nothing from the parasites being attached to them. The parasites in this case are Kendrick’s sins that are feeding off of his soul, which is described as his stomach. This line very creatively and powerfully demonstrates the feeling of guilt that people get when they are aware of any wrong doing on their part. The reference to Mutombo shows the vain attitude that Lamar has at the beginning of the song, even though he was driving past many homeless and poor people. This excerpt foreshadows the following verses to come, which includes Kendrick facing the homeless man that sparks a profound internal realization.\nHe’s starin’ at me in disbelief\nMy temper is buildin’, he’s starin’ at me, I grab my key\nHe’s starin’ at me, I started the car, then I tried to leave\nAnd somethin’ told me to keep it in park until I could see\nThe reason why he was mad at a stranger\nLike I was supposed to save him\nLike I’m the reason he’s homeless and askin’ me for a favor\nHe’s starin’ at me, his eyes followed me with no laser\nHe’s starin’ at me, I notice that his stare is contagious\n‘Cause now I’m starin’ back at him, feelin’ some type of disrespect\nIf I could throw a bat at him, it’d be aimin’ at his neck\nI never understood someone beggin’ for goods\nAskin’ for handouts, takin’ it if they could\nAnd this particular person just had it down pat\nStarin’ at me for the longest until he finally asked\n“Have you ever opened up Exodus 14?\nA humble man is all that we ever need”\nTell me, how much a dollar cost?\nIn this verse, Lamar pours effort into the details of the interaction he has and sets the final verse up for a climactic ending. The repetition of the phrase “he’s starin’ at me” emphasizes the power that the homeless man had over him in that moment. Kendrick could have easily ignored this man, but something urges him to stay. He becomes intrigued and angry and expresses his desire to make the man stop what he was doing. Lamar’s thoughts are interrupted by the homeless man asking him if he has ever read Exodus 14, a biblical story that includes God choosing Moses to lead his people through the Red Sea. This describes the power that one man in an influential position can have on people that look up to them. Kendrick knows that he is a man in that position and is reminded of the importance of staying humble. This line is also the first clue that the homeless man represents God. From this point on, Kendrick starts to have the realization that seems to be a divine intervention.\nGuilt trippin’ and feelin’ resentment\nI never met a transient that demanded attention\nThey got me frustrated, indecisive and power trippin’\nSour emotions got me lookin’ at the universe different\nI should distance myself, I should keep it relentless\nMy selfishness is what got me here, who the fuck I’m kiddin’?\nSo I’ma tell you like I told the last bum\nCrumbs and pennies, I need all of mines\nAnd I recognize this type of panhandlin’ all the time\nI got better judgment, I know when n***a’s hustlin’, keep in mind\nWhen I was strugglin’, I did compromise, now I comprehend\nI smell Grandpa’s old medicine, reekin’ from your skin\nMoonshine and gin, n***a you’re babblin’, your words ain’t flatterin’\nI’m imaginin’ Denzel but lookin’ at O’Neal\nIn this section of the final verse, Lamar starts to have a realization that he is wrong in his thinking and begins to ask himself why he is getting so angry over something so small. Nevertheless, he continues to come up with excuses and recognizes that his selfishness caused him to become wealthy. At the end of this excerpt, he ironically alludes to the fact that when he was struggling himself, he would have given the man some money, which exemplifies the effect being rich has had on him. He uses another excuse of alcoholism and tries to validate his claims by remembering when his grandpa had a drinking problem. He mentions Denzel (Washington) and O’Neil (Shaquille), which is a reference to the 1998 film “He Got Game”, a film in which Denzel Washington did not take Shaquille O’Neil seriously as an actor just as Kendrick isn’t taking this homeless man seriously either. The song ends with a climactic ending that reveals the true identity of the homeless man.\nAnd I’m insensitive, and I lack empathy\nHe looked at me and said, “Your potential is bittersweet”\nI looked at him and said, “Every nickel is mines to keep”\nHe looked at me and said, “Know the truth, it’ll set you free\nYou’re lookin’ at the Messiah, the son of Jehovah, the higher power\nThe choir that spoke the word, the Holy Spirit\nThe nerve of Nazareth, and I’ll tell you just how much a dollar cost\nThe price of having a spot in Heaven, embrace your loss—I am God”\nLamar’s ego takes a hit at the beginning of the excerpt when the homeless man calls his potential bittersweet. Kendrick is provided with a global platform that can affect people in many positive ways, but that is tainted by his greed and lack of humility. The dialogue also alludes to another biblical verse in which Jesus decides who will enter the gates of Heaven. Kendrick has a revelation that causes a rebirth within him. He refused to lend the man a dollar before he realized that he was God incarnate. Kendrick’s unwillingness to give the man (God) a dollar costs him his spot in Heaven.\nThere are many possibilities as to how much a dollar truly costs. For the homeless man, a dollar meant everything. To Kendrick, a dollar meant nothing. This was a test to see whether or not Kendrick would give anything that God gave him back to those who truly needed it. This song took a situation that many people reading this are familiar with and, through the use of many powerful metaphors, made the listener contemplate how they choose to act and evaluate their true level of selflessness.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line958342"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8614766597747803,"wiki_prob":0.8614766597747803,"text":"Congress could be running out of time for GDPR-style federal privacy law\nWhile there’s now widespread consensus among tech giants on the need for a GDPR-style federal privacy law in the US, progress has been slow, and some are now concerned that Congress could be running out of time.\nWhen Europe first implemented the gold-standard GDPR privacy law, Apple was one of the first companies to pledge to offer similar protections to its customers globally, not just to EU citizens …\nHowever, the company went on to argue that it’s not enough to rely on companies to voluntarily do the right thing and that the US needs its own version of GDPR.\nOthers have since joined the call, including Microsoft, Google, and even Facebook. This is less surprising than it might seem even for companies where users are the product: it’s better for a company to know ahead of time what it can and can’t do than to make business decisions based on practices which may later be outlawed.\nThere is bipartisan support for federal privacy legislation, but an Axios report today notes that little progress has been made to date.\nThe most closely-watched effort to produce a national privacy law is a working group with six members of the Senate Commerce Committee, traditionally a leader on internet issues.\nMembers of the group had indicated that they hoped to have produced a proposal by Memorial Day, sources said.\nThat milestone has now come and gone — although the group has added influential members, a possible sign of progress — with multiple sources telling Axios they expect to see a draft proposal this summer […]\nOther lawmakers have also failed to produce privacy proposals.\nThe Senate Judiciary Committee sent letters earlier this year to companies asking about their data collection practices, according to a source. But there’s no indication of plans to move forward with a specific bill.\nDemocrats had signaled privacy legislation would be a priority when they retook the House last year. But major House committees haven’t moved forward with a bill, either.\nThere seem to be three main sticking points. First, ensuring that the law doesn’t place too great a burden on small businesses, who are not as well placed as large companies to absorb compliance costs. Second, disagreement between Republicans and Democrats on the role of the FTC. Third, concern among Democrats in particular that the federal government would be overriding privacy laws already being created at the state level.\nThe piece does, however, note concern about the clock ticking on a GDPR-style federal privacy law.\nReaching consensus on bipartisan legislation is historically more difficult in an election year, so policymakers intent on crafting a stricter standard for the likes of Google and Facebook are running out of time.\nIn Europe, GDPR just had its first anniversary, with a total of €56M ($62M) in fines issued to date. As consumer concerns grow, even Apple has had to boost its privacy standards, and there is a focus now on the sharing of personal data by iPhone apps.\nPrivacy is a growing concern in today's world. Follow along with all our coverage related to privacy, security, and more in our guide.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1480999"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7417753338813782,"wiki_prob":0.7417753338813782,"text":"District court dismissed all charges\nBishop Juhana Pohjola in front of the Helsinki District Court on 24 January 2022.\nHelsinki District Court issued a decision on 30 March 2022 at 1:00pm regarding the charges of incitement against a group of people, “hate speech”, brought against Päivi Räsänen, Member of Parliament, and Bishop Juhana Pohjola. The three-judge panel unanimously delivered a judgment of acquittal and dismissed all charges.\n– “The District Court’s decision was to be expected. This is not only a victory for us, but for freedom of speech and religion in Finland and beyond. In seeking to criminalize Christian teachings on sexuality, the prosecution cast a shadow of fear over society. It was important to receive a strong signal from the District Court defending our fundamental rights as citizens and Christians. It was essential we heard from the court that we have not committed a crime of incitement, because we have always denounced defamatory speech. On the contrary, we have taught the concept of humanity and marriage in accord with natural law and the Bible. This is what we have taught and will always preach as a Church, both in private and in public. While I rejoice over this decision, I nonetheless find it problematic that in its deliberations the District Court considered Päivi Räsänen’s booklet “Male and female He created them” to contain offensive speech, even though it does not consider that Räsänen’s writing was denigrative as outlined in the intentions of the Criminal Code,” Pohjola commented on the decision.\nHelsinki District Court heard the prosecution’s case against Dr. Räsänen and the Rev. Dr. Pohjola in two hearings, 24 January and 14 February 2022. Bishop Pohjola was charged as editor-in-chief responsible for the publication and distribution of the booklet Räsänen wrote “Male and female He created them”. According to the prosecutor, the pamphlet denigrated and defamed homosexuals. The prosecutor had demanded 60 day-fines for Pohjola and a EUR 10,000 corporate fine for Luther Foundation Finland.\nBishop Pohjola’s lawyer Jyrki Anttinen commented on the District Court’s decision:\n– “The case was decided on the basis of an assessment of the evidence, taking into account the background and context of the writing. The booklet was not written to insult or defame, but to defend a religious view of marriage. The District Court held that the quotations were not in themselves disputed, but that they could not, in a broad sense, be interpreted to the detriment of Päivi Räsänen.\nThe District Court held that passages from the writing could be considered offensive, but were not of such severity as to violate the equality or dignity of homosexuals or to arouse contempt or hatred. Thus, Päivi Räsänen’s writing did not insult homosexuals and Juhana Pohjola was not guilty of criminal conduct. The claim for punishment against the Luther Foundation must also be dismissed.\nThe rationale in the District Court’s decision must be examined in more detail, but in principle I do not entirely agree with the District Court on the general offensiveness of the passages in the writings in the indictment.”\nThe Bible trials have received a lot of attention both at home and abroad. There have been many expressions of support, both privately and publicly, throughout the process.\n– “I would like to thank all of those who have provided support and encouragement during this long process. There has been a tremendous outpouring of intercession from all around the world. Ultimately, this a spiritual battle and a matter concerning the Gospel of Christ,” continued Pohjola.\nThe prosecutor has the possibility to appeal the decision to the Appellate Court, so the decision of the District Court is not yet final.\nSami Niemi\nSecretary of the Diocese\nHämeenlinna ,\nProsecutor places appeal with Helsinki Appellate Court\nBlog: What am I grateful for following the verdict of the District Court?","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1355566"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7184658050537109,"wiki_prob":0.28153419494628906,"text":"The Master of Public Policy (MPP) degree is designed for individuals seeking employment in state, federal, or municipal government, non-profit organizations, and business, trade, or labor associations. The MPP degree is a great option for students who want to continue their education at the graduate level or for fully-employed individuals interested in career advancement, professional development, or a career change.\nThe program's graduates will:\nGain a knowledge of the policy process, public management, and public finance with analytical and research skills in applied policy analysis and specialized knowledge in a \"concentration area\" such as public management or environmental policy;\nDevelop the ability to reason and analyze from both a normative and problem-solving perspective;\nDevelop technical methodological skills; and,\nDevelop substantive policy or management expertise in one concentration area.\nThe Department of Public Policy also offers a Environmental Policy Certificate, Educational Policy Certificate and Public Management Certificate.\nClick here for more information on the Master of Public Policy.\nRegistration is administered through Online & Continuing Education at UMass Dartmouth. Students will be invoiced. Please see Fee Schedule below.\nTuition $1,659\nTechnology Fee $150\nCollege Fee $51\nLibrary Access Fee $18\nRegistration Fee (One time per semester) $30\nTotal Per Course $1,908\n* Courses can vary from one to six credits; this total represents a standard 3 credit course\nUniversity of Massachusetts Dartmouth has earned several awards for its online programs including:\nFirst UMass approved as a SARA Institution in Massachusetts – September 12, 2018\nUMass Dartmouth is ranked as a Tier 1 National Research University - U.S. News & World Report\nRanked 3rd for best online colleges in Massachusetts - College Choice, Affordable Colleges Online\nThe College of Nursing is listed among the \"Best Graduate Schools\" in the U.S., 98th of 1,000 - U.S. News & World Report\nRanked 10th in the nation for best online bachelor's degree in accounting - College Choice\nRanked 11th for online MBA in healthcare management programs - The Best Schools\nRanked 6th of 33 Massachusetts schools for affordability of online programs - College Choice\nRanked 26th nationally for the MS in Healthcare Management offered by Charlton College of Business - Master's Program Guide\nExcellence in Online Teaching - Sloan-C Excellence Awards\nRanked 7th nationally for most affordable online colleges for bachelor's degrees - College Choice\nRanked 10th for best online master's programs in public policy nationwide - Best Colleges\nRanked in the top 11% nationally for best value college, based on return on investment. - Payscale\nIn the top 10 for undergraduate accounting programs in Massachusetts - Accounting Degree Review\nOnline MBA program ranked in the top 33% nationwide - U.S. News & World Report\nDesignated a Military Friendly School ® with leading practices in the recruitment and retention of students with military experience - Military Friendly\n1. Earned Baccalaureate Degree- All applicants to the Master of Public Policy (MPP) must have an earned baccalaureate degree from an accredited 4-year college or university in the United States or comparable non-U.S. degree/diploma from a recognized foreign institution of higher education at the time of matriculation. Undergraduate seniors may apply in their final semester with expectation that they will have graduated prior to enrolling in MPP courses.\n2. Graduate School Application for US Citizens/International Applicants - All applicants to the Master's of Public Policy must complete and submit UMass Dartmouth's Graduate School Application electronically or by mail.\n3. Statement of Purpose (Essay) - The MPP at UMass Dartmouth requires an essay of 600-900 words explaining the applicant's interest in the program and purpose for applying to the program. Graduate study objectives, previous policy-related or public management experience, and undergraduate preparation for the course of study. The applicants should also submit resumes or a curriculum vita.\n4. Other Materials Required for Application to the Master of Public Policy\na: Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT): Applicants to the Master of Public Policy must submit GRE (general test), or GMAT scores taken within 5 years of the application. Official score reports must come directly from the Educational Testing Service (ETS). [UMass Dartmouth's GRE Code for reporting scores is 3786].\nb: Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth does not require a TOEFL from U.S. citizens or citizens of countries where English is the official language (i.e., Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa). Applicants whose native language in not English must demonstrate that they are proficient in English. English proficiency can be demonstrated by taking the TOEFL, which is administered worldwide.\nA $60.00 application fee is needed at the time of processing. You will not be able to submit your application without credit card payment of the non-refundable application fee at the time of submission. We currently accept Visa and MasterCard. The process should take approximately 10 minutes.\nYour UMass Dartmouth education is an investment in your future. There are a number of ways to finance your education including grants, scholarships, and loans. Your workplace may offer reimbursement for education if you check with the Human Resources Department where you work.\nTo be eligible for grants and loans, students must be enrolled in a degree or certificate program, and be taking at least 6 credits per semester.\nFAFSA application\nYou must fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year to receive UMassD need-based education loans and grants. You must be enrolled in an eligible degree or certificate program, and taking at least 6 credits per semester.\nBy submitting your completed FAFSA, you may be eligible for a number of need-based grants or loans. Learn more about need-based aid\nProfessor and Student Research\nUMass Dartmouth Public Policy Professor and online graduate student collaborate to publish peer-reviewed article\nChad J. McGuire, an Assistant Professor of Public Policy and Director of the Graduate Online Environmental Policy Certificate Program (EPCP); and Helen Perivier, an online graduate student currently enrolled in the EPCP, have successfully collaborated on a research article to be published in the February 2011 issue of the International Journal of Sustainable Development. Click to read a preview of the article.\nOnline & Continuing Education\nCriminal Justice and Legal\nFine Arts, Design and Communications","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1808019"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6549620628356934,"wiki_prob":0.6549620628356934,"text":"New Image Shows the Rugged Landscape of Comet 67P\nThe landscape of Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko (67P/C-G), captured by the Rosetta spacecraft before crashing on the surface. Credit: ESA/Rosetta\nIn March of 2004, the European Space Agency’s Rosetta spacecraft blasted off from French Guiana aboard an Ariane 5 rocket. After ten years, by November of 2014, the spacecraft rendezvoused with its target – Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko (67P/C-G). Over the more than two years that followed, the spacecraft remained in orbit of this comet, gathering information on its surface, interior, and gas and dust environment.\nAnd on September 30th, 2016, Rosetta came closer than ever to the surface of 67P/C-G and concluded its mission with a controlled impact onto the surface. Since that time, scientists have still been processing all the data the spacecraft collected during its mission. This included some awe-inspiring photographs of the comet’s surface that were obtained shortly after the spacecraft made its rendezvous with 67P/C-G.\nThe photograph shown at top was taken on September 22nd, 2014, when the spacecraft was at a distance of 28.2 km (17.5 mi) from the center of the comet – roughly 26.2 km (16.3 mi) from the surface. This image, which shows a portion of the comet’s surface, was processed by amateur astronomer Jacint Roger Perez by combining three images taken in different wavelengths by the OSIRIS narrow-angle camera on Rosetta.\nThe image is significant in part because it captured some of 67P/C-G’s more prominent surface features. For example, to the center and left of the frame is Seth, one of the geological regions on the larger of the two comet lobes that is characterized by layered terraces. This region declines towards the smoother Hapi region, the boulder-strewn region which forms the “neck” of the comet that connects the two lobes.\nIn the background, one can see bits of the Babi and Aker regions, both of which are located on the large lobe of 67P/C-G. In the sharper, lower right area of the image is the Aswan cliff, a 134 meter-high (440 foot) scarp separating the Seth and Hapi regions. Shortly before the image was taken, a chunk of this scarp collapsed as a result of the comet reaching perihelion – it’s closest distance to the Sun – on August 13th, 2015.\nBasically, as the comet drew closer to the Sun, its temperature increased, causing an outburst of gas and dust that caused a piece of the shelf to break off. Observations performed by Rosetta at the time not only showed the section where this happened, but was able to get a look at the comet’s pristine, icy interior as a result. It also allowed scientists to make the first definitive link between an outburst and a crumbling cliff face on a comet.\nThis latest image to come from Rosetta is also significant because it demonstrates the vital role that amateur astronomers are playing in the new era of space exploration. Much like the Juno mission, the processing of images is being handled more and more by skilled enthusiasts, freeing up mission scientists to process other mission data.\nRosetta images showing the cliff collapse on 67/C-G, before and after. Credit: ESA/Rosetta\nBut most of all, the image manages to capture the accomplishments of that historic mission. For starters, Rosetta was the first spacecraft to orbit a comet’s nucleus or fly alongside a comet as it approached the inner Solar System. It was also the first spacecraft to see how the warmth of our Sun transforms the surface of frozen comets up close.\nThe mission was also the first to dispatch a robotic lander (Philae) to a comet nucleus, which took place on November 27th, 2014. While the lander bumpy landing, it still managed to obtain images from a comet’s surface. And even though the mission ended two years ago (the anniversary of which was last Sunday), scientists continue to find gems in all the data it sent back.\nOn top of that, the Rosetta mission will also help inform future missions to study comets. Be sure to check out this ESA video from the 49th Rosetta science workshop (which took place from May 28th to June 1st, 2018 ), where Rosetta project scientist Matt Taylor discusses how the mission’s results will help guide future exploration:\nFurther Reading: ESA\nMatt Williams is a space journalist and science communicator for Universe Today and Interesting Engineering. He's also a science fiction author, podcaster (Stories from Space), and Taekwon-Do instructor who lives on Vancouver Island with his wife and family.\nNext Carnival of Space #581 »\nPrevious « Microsoft and Partners Hope to Create a Time Capsule... On the Moon!\nTags: 67P/C-G67P/Churyumov-GerasimenkoEuropean Space Agency (ESA)Featuredphilae landerRosetta mission\nIs Europe Building its Own Starship? Not Exactly\nFive Rover Teams Chosen to Help Explore the Moon’s South Pole\nJames Webb’s Upper Stage is off to the Launch Site\nStudy Shows How Cells Could Help Artemis Astronauts Exercise\nNew research aims to ensure astronauts' health by mimicking the human body's response to exercise.\nSpectacular Images of the Rare ‘Green Comet’ Gracing Our Skies\nA rare ‘green’ comet is passing through our Solar System and astrophotographers have been out…","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line67562"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7207733988761902,"wiki_prob":0.2792266011238098,"text":"Capetown is a dramatic Late Victorian (circa 1895) antique bar brooch that was converted into a ring in the 1940s. This 14k yellow gold ring is designed using three vertically set Round natural sapphires with a total weight of approximately 0.55ct. Each deep blue sapphire is surrounded by a glittering halo of Old Mine Cut diamonds, twenty-four in total, with an estimated weight of 0.70ct. This unusual ring radiates from the classic combination of sapphires and diamonds. The ring is currently a size 7 and can be sized to fit.\nMuch of the popular Victorian jewelry was inspired by Queen Victoria’s style. For example, birthstones were popular in engagement rings because Victoria wore hers with an emerald. The Victorian era is further divided into Early (1837–1860), Mid (1860–1885), and Late (1890–1901) periods, reflecting changes in Victoria’s life and personal style. Early and late Victorian period jewelry is often described as having a romantic look, but mid-Victorian style is darker and more sentimental, reflecting Victoria’s personal period of mourning after the loss of her husband and mother.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1769042"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7593513131141663,"wiki_prob":0.7593513131141663,"text":"north carolina. state board of health. (12)\nschuster, rudolf mathias, 1921- (10)\nnorth carolina pharmaceutical association.; north carolina pharmaceutical association. proceedings of the annual meeting.; north carolina pharmaceutical association. year book.; north carolina. board of pharmacy. annual report. (8)\nclark, henry t. (henry toole), 1917- (3)\nnorth carolina neuropsychiatric association.; north carolina. dept. of mental health.; university of north carolina at chapel hill. dept. of psychiatry. (3)\nuniversity of north carolina at chapel hill. school of medicine. (3)\nuniversity of north carolina at chapel hill. school of medicine.; medical alumni association (university of north carolina at chapel hill) (3)\n9 x 15 cm. (3)\n35mm (24 x 36mm / 15/16 x 1 7/16 in.) (1)\nbuttons (information artifacts) (1)\ncolor mounted slide (1)\nsheet music (1)\ndentistry -- congresses.; societies, dental -- congresses. (8)\nnorth carolina pharmaceutical association -- periodicals. (8)\npharmacists -- north carolina -- periodicals. (8)\npharmacy -- periodicals. (8)\npublic health -- north carolina -- periodicals. (8)\ndentistry -- north carolina -- periodicals.; societies, dental -- north carolina -- periodicals. (6)\nAll fields: Superimposed\nHealth occupations schools--North Carolina.; Academic medical centers--North Carolina.\n120 INTERVIEW 9 July 17, 1996 FRANCES WEAVER: This is an interview with Dr. Henry Toole Clark, Jr., first administrator of The Division of Health Affairs at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The interview is taking place in Dr....\nMedical students--North Carolina.; Medical students--New York (State)\n17 INTERVIEW 2 November 16,1990 FRANCES WEAVER: This is an interview with Dr. Henry Toole Clark, Jr., former administrator of the Division of Health Affairs of the University of North Carolina. The interview is taking place in Dr. Clark's home on...\nSir Walter Hotel\nHearts (Symbols);Aerial views;Aerial photographs;Business districts\nChapel Hill (N.C.); Health occupations schools--North Carolina.; Academic medical centers--North Carolina.\n67 INTERVIEW 5 February 13, 1992 FRANCES WEAVER: This is an interview with Dr. Henry Toole Clark, Jr., first administrator of the Division of Health Affairs at the University of North Carolina. The interview is taking place in Dr. Clark's home on...\n[Bussel and Knoring (publishers) WWI Russian postcards]\nShows domestic Christmas scene in a small room: a young wife, back turned toward viewer, prays beneath an icon, her young daughter standing nearby and looking at a small Christmas tree on a small table, shown simultaneously with a circular picture...","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line623033"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8973594307899475,"wiki_prob":0.8973594307899475,"text":"Life & Travel/\nI Attended Usher’s Las Vegas Show And This Is What Happened/\nDenise Truscello/Getty Images for Dolby Live at Park MGM\nI Attended Usher’s Las Vegas Show And This Is What Happened\nThis would be my first time experiencing the fullness of Usher and it gave everything and more.\nxoStaff\nLife & TravelI Tried ItCulture & Entertainment\nAh, Las Vegas! The city of lights, magic and show-stopping performances. And one of those performances that can be added to the list of legendary is from none other than Usher Raymond IV.\nThe world-renowned artist, who is known simply as Usher, only further solidified his legendary status after putting on a top-tier show night after night to sold-out audiences. I had the opportunity to finally experience what everyone was talking about. While I am no stranger to witnessing the “Superstar” singer’s greatness live (I attended his 2004 Truth tour which followed his highly regarded and Grammy award-winning album Confessions), this would be my first time experiencing the fullness of Usher as a father and icon.\nThe Las Vegas desert heat quickly disappeared after I walked into the Dolby Live theater at the Park MGM where his Usher: My Way Las Vegas residency was held. As my friends and I sat down to wait for the show, suddenly a male figure took to the stage.\nThe DJ announced that the male figure was looking for ladies to join him on stage to turn up in the meantime. Little did we know, the last woman that graced the stage would break out into a seductive dance with the male figure, which kicked off the show. More dancers trickled onto the stage and finally, the man that many people traveled far and wide arrived, which sparked thunderous applause from the audience.\nAs Usher performed hit after hit, he also told a story through each song using his dancers to illustrate his words. It was definitely giving Vegas while also mixed with what we love about the 44-year-old: undeniable talent, charming personality, and sex appeal. There’s a portion in the show where he gives a nod to his Atlanta roots by skating and having exotic dancers perform mind-blowing tricks on the pole. The icon’s smooth dance moves on and off the skates had the audience in a trance as he sang every note effortlessly. We felt every emotion as he took us from his club bangers like “Love In This Club” and “I Don’t Mind” to his popular ballads “Climax” and “Burn.”\nHe even shared a vulnerable moment with his fans as he reflected on his remarkable nearly 30 years in the game and even teased a new song. Usher’s “My Way” show took his audience on a musical journey that was filled with the highs and lows of love, but overall he reminded everyone why he’s the G.O.A.T. Here’s why:\n​There’s been a lot of discussions around who should be crowned the king of R&B and it’s safe to say that Usher’s epic Las Vegas run laid that debate to rest. His vocals are just as pristine as they were when he captivated everyone with his debut self-titled album and he’s one of the few artists with excellent breath control while performing.\n​Usher continues to dance into our hearts with his hypnotic steps that make the ladies swoon. From his signature glide across the floor to more seductive and risqué movements and impressive 8-counts, the decorated talent is in a class of his own.\n​It’s Vegas baby! So, there’s no such thing as ordinary when it comes to putting on a show and Usher made sure to give the world something to talk about. His “My Way” show was well-produced and well-thought-out. The effort he put in to create a fun, unique experience while also catering to his fans was noticeable and appreciated.\nUsher didn’t just get on stage to sing and dance, he created many moments for the audience to remember such as skating, pole dancing, pouring water on his bare chest (whew!), the recreation of his viral “watch this” bit from Tiny Desk and last but not least, the crowd participation.\nFeatured image by Denise Truscello/Getty Images for Dolby Live at Park MGM","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line624185"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6903162598609924,"wiki_prob":0.6903162598609924,"text":"Sportcar Pictures\nStreetbike Rider\nSportbike Rider Picture Website\nTweets by @SBRPW\n2003 Triumph Daytona 600 - Added by webmaster.sportbikerider.us on 15-Sep-2020\nUploaded for: Wade Mc Fadyen\nTotal Views:\n385 Vote for this picture: 012345678910\nAverage Vote: 5.00 from 2 Votes Please log in to leave comments, keep a favorites list,\nand get e-mail alerts on pictures.\nClick on photo to view full size\nSimilar Photos: (Click for full size images)\nMore Information on the Triumph Daytona 600\nThe Triumph Daytona 600 is a name given to two different motorcycles.\nThe first model was sport bike manufactured in 1983 by Triumph Motorcycles out of their Meriden factory that was claimed to do over 100 miles per hour but fell within a lower insurance price bracket than the preceding 650cc Triumph TR65 Thunderbird in order to attract younger buyers. Although simply a shorter-stroked, twin-carburettored version of their earlier 650 cc Triumph TR65 Thunderbird but with an 8.5:1 compression ratio, it was exhibited as a new model for their 1983 range at the 1982 motorcycle show at the National Exhibition Centre. Unique for that year's home market models, it featured rear set foot rests and a plastic 'ducktail' rear end over the short chromed rear mudguard from the Triumph T140 TSX. Although sporting a front disc brake, the model retained the drum rear brake of the TR65 Thunderbird.\nTwo prototypes were made, one electric start version for the press and shows, the other a kick start version for factory road-testing; the latter, the only one left after the Meriden factory closed in 1983, was, from 2010, displayed at the London Motorcycle Museum.\nThe new Triumph company based at Hinckley, which was started after the original Triumph company went into administration, has made a far better known and more numerous Daytona 600. It is powered by a liquid-cooled 599 cc (36.6 cu in) four-cylinder in-line engine and was superseded by the Daytona 650 from 2005.\nTriumph Tiger Daytona\nhttp://www.motorbikestoday.com/reviews/Articles/tri_daytona600.htm\nCopyright by Sportbike Rider Picture Website 2023\nThe photo 2003-Triumph-Daytona-600-98164-GP.jpg (2003 Triumph Daytona 600 - Uploaded for: Wade Mc Fadyen) was uploaded by: [email protected]\nPlease note, we do not have accessories, motorbikes, motor cycles, motorcycles, or motorcycle gear for sale. This site is dedicated to displaying bike images of Aprilia, Bimota, Harley Davidson, Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Triumph, Yamaha, and other sportbikes.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1928767"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8305408954620361,"wiki_prob":0.8305408954620361,"text":"Jessica Hernandez & The Deltas: The Best of What's Next By Jeff Milo July 1, 2014\nJessica Hernandez & The Deltas: Secret Evil Review By Jim Vorel August 19, 2014\nPhotos: Jessica Hernandez & The Deltas - Seattle, Washington By Paste Staff December 23, 2014\nWatch Jessica Hernandez & the Deltas' New Video for \"Don't Take My Man to Idaho\" By Bryan Rolli July 29, 2015\nJessica Hernandez & The Deltas - Daytrotter Session - Sep 25, 2013 September 25, 2013\nJessica Hernandez & The Deltas - Daytrotter Session - Aug 3, 2014 August 3, 2014","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1616391"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7131149768829346,"wiki_prob":0.28688502311706543,"text":"Management of the Distributed Learning Environment for a National Education Institution in Brazil\nAdvanced, user-friendly platform that grows to fit ongoing learning requirements of a major, multi-campus educational organization\nA large and leading educational institution in Brazil, with 1,304 learning centers and schools operating in two organizations across 27 states, offering a multitude of programs and serving millions of students.\nThe Challenges\nThe organization faced several significant challenges affecting its operations and processes:\n– The institution offered similar courses in different centers, each with different content. Due to lack of central management, the courses created in one center were not available to the others. Enormous effort and resources were spent in retrieving course content from various systems, each with its own proprietary interface and processes.\n– Existing systems lacked support for advanced learning features, such as collaborative learning, project-based learning, support of remote laboratories and simulators and live (online) classes, which is a mandatory requirement for large distributed educational systems.\n– Existing systems lacked support for advanced administrative processes such as workflow self-registration, e-commerce, budget, project and workplan management, autonomous portals development and advanced staff administration, which is a solid requirement for large distributed educational systems.\n– Lack of integration with other systems, which were required by regulations.\n– Lack of a central 360⁰ view and alerts for learning and administrative processes, and the ability to intervene in a timely manner.\n– The need for system operations support with state-level independence, utilizing advanced hardware and communication infrastructure that the customer had already invested heavily in.\n– The institution was not reaching its full potential due to an inability to provide learning programs to users in remote areas and lack of qualified teachers.\nThe client sought a comprehensive solution to support content creation and publishing; integrate advanced learning aids (such as project-based learning and live classes); administrate educational processes; permit all parties, including secretaries, teachers, students and content creators to work on the same platform; and yet allow for independent operation and system hosting at the regional level.\nAfter a long and thorough bidding process, the client chose the Blossom platform to manage its distributed learning environment in a much more efficient and cost-effective manner, with the capability of reaching hundreds of thousands of more users.\nPromoting uniformity of content, courses and schools’ independence:\nWhile adhering to corporate policies and being hosted on different server farms, each school can now monetize itself, using its own portal, logo, and repository of content. The school’s independence is mediated by corporate administrators who centrally monitor the creation, sharing and maintenance of content.\nEncouraging teachers to combine online and social learning in their teaching methods:\nUsing Blossom’s advanced interactive learning and content features, the students can now interact and collaborate with peers and teachers online. Via the platform’s project, research and learning tools, teaching staff can boost the level of user engagement and acquire more students from remote locations who were previously unable to participate in learning programs.\nOvercoming the elephant in the room – Migration and integration from and with dozens of systems\nMost of the 27 states had one or two systems already in use, and some used other information systems which could not be disposed of, due to regulatory reasons, and therefore needed to be integrated into the new platform. With Blossom’s smart migration tools and dynamic API, the client could easily integrate with other systems and migrate all the needed data, so that users could continue to work without being affected by the change.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1458190"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8983049988746643,"wiki_prob":0.8983049988746643,"text":"The War on Murder: Sharon Tate and the Victims' Rights Movement\nMarch 31, 2013 • By Rachel Monroe\nROSIE BLANCHARD BEGAN SENDING Mother’s Day cards to Doris Tate in the 1990s, even though the two women had never met. One day in August, Blanchard trekked to the Tate family house for the first time; P.J., Doris’s husband, answered the door. “Hi,” Blanchard said cheerfully. “I’m your daughter, Sharon.”\nThis was, of course, untrue. P.J. and Doris’s oldest daughter, Sharon, had been stabbed to death by members of the Manson Family two decades earlier, just weeks before she was due to give birth. P.J. Tate slammed the door in Blanchard’s face, but the young woman continued to pester the family for attention. In her mind, this was perfectly justifiable: she was Sharon Tate reincarnated, she told anyone who’d listen, and she just wanted to reconnect with her family.\nYears later, after Doris’s death, Blanchard turned her attentions to Sharon’s youngest sister, Patti. Patti tolerated the harassment for years, until she was diagnosed with cancer. As Alisa Statman writes in Restless Souls: The Sharon Tate Family’s Account of Stardom, the Manson Murders, and a Crusade for Justice, Patti realized that, should she fail to survive her illness, she “didn’t want [her] kids to pick up the phone and hear, ‘Hi, it’s Aunt Sharon.’” Eventually, Patti mustered the courage to trek to Blanchard’s Burbank apartment to ask her to stop. But when Patti told Blanchard that she didn’t believe in the reincarnation story, the younger woman was unexpectedly understanding. “I’m glad you said it,” Blanchard replied. “Because there’s something I’ve been wanting to tell you, but I haven’t had the nerve — I’m Sharon’s baby! I’m your niece! I’ve been alive all this time!”\nOn August 8, 1969, five followers of Charles Manson — Tex Watson, Leslie Van Houten, Patricia Krenwinkel, Linda Kasabian, and Susan Atkins — drove to Sharon Tate’s house at 10050 Cielo Drive in Benedict Canyon, northwest of Beverly Hills. They were carrying knives (Tex also had a gun) and wearing all black. At the time, Sharon’s husband, Roman Polanski, was filming in Europe; keeping her company in his stead were Sharon’s ex, hairstylist-to-the-stars Jay Sebring; coffee company heiress Abigail Folger; and Holocaust survivor Woytek Frykowski. Just after midnight, Watson, Van Houten, Krenwinkel, Kasabian, and Atkins arrived at the house, cut the phone lines, and scrambled over the fence. The first person they killed was 18-year-old Steven Parent, who’d just been visiting the house’s caretaker, William Garretson. Tate, Sebring, Folger, and Frykowski were next.\nFaced with a gruesome crime scene the next day, the Los Angeles police immediately assumed that the teenaged Garretson was the guilty party. After all, Garretson, who lived in a small house at the edge of the Tate–Polanski property, was alive and intact, while everyone else at the house had been stabbed, shot, or bludgeoned to death. (Or all three, in the case of Frykowski.) But forensic evidence quickly exonerated Garretson, who maintained that he’d been asleep the whole time and hadn’t heard a thing.\nOr that’s what he said in 1969, at least. These days, Garretson claims that most of his earlier testimony was a fabrication. What actually happened, he now swears, was that the eight-months pregnant Sharon delivered her baby that night, just before she died. Mysterious men in black suits let Garretson hold the baby for a few minutes, before spiriting it away to an undisclosed location. That baby grew up in New York as Rosie Blanchard, unaware until she was 24 years old that she was actually the daughter of one of the most famous murder victims in the world. In the late 1990s, around the same time she began harassing the Tate family, Blanchard got in touch with Garretson. Within six months, they had moved in together and become engaged. For the 31st anniversary of Sharon’s murder (and thus, ostensibly, of Blanchard’s birth), they threw a party: “The room, adorned with photos of the Manson victims, candles, confetti and Sharon Tate memorabilia, could hold 50,” wrote a reporter for the Columbus Dispatch who attended the party, held in a room at the Best Western in Lancaster, Ohio. “But the only guests in attendance were two Ohio University journalism students and me.”\n“[Garretson] and I have seen some ups and downs,” Blanchard told the reporter. “But we both survived the same murder, and he was the only one who could empathize with my pain. We never knew, 31 years ago, that we’d meet again.”\nMurder ruptures the habits and functions of daily life. It dismantles the castle. It turns the bricks back into sand. “I say a murder is abstract,” a character in Jean-Paul Sartre’s 1948 play Dirty Hands says. “You pull the trigger and after that you do not understand anything that happens.” He’s talking about people who commit crimes, but murder’s meaning-draining properties apply just as much to those who witness violent acts: they find they can’t sleep, or they sleep all the time. Words start to seem nonsensical. The world is new, and worse.\nWhat, then, of famous murders — ones we didn’t commit or witness, but still live with, in a sense? We stare at a house ringed by crime scene tape during the evening news; if we’re truly devoted, we can follow Court TV’s live coverage of the indictment six months later. But our lives aren’t split into a before and after; in fact, they haven’t changed much at all. Maybe, if we’re Joan Didion, we have a panic attack and start to lock our front door. Meanwhile, the rest of us eat our oatmeal and do the crossword puzzle as always, only with an occasional shiver of dread: something horrible happened somewhere else today. Most of us, at least. But there are many ways to be a victim of a crime, and not all of them look like you might expect.\nWhen Sharon Tate left her family (then stationed on a military base in Italy) to try and make it in Hollywood in 1961, her mother, Doris, lapsed into a pill-induced stupor. She had never been separated from her oldest daughter for an extended period of time, and the emotional strain proved too much. A psychiatrist diagnosed her with “acute separation anxiety disorder,” and Sharon reluctantly returned to Europe.\nSharon Tate in Eye of the Devil (1966)\nEight years later, after Sharon’s murder, Doris once again turned to Valium, according to Restless Souls. While her husband, P.J., spent hours consulting with cops and pursuing suspects on his motorcycle, Doris stayed home, popped some pills, and missed her daughter.\nMore than a decade after Sharon’s death, Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney Stephen Kay stopped by Doris’s hair salon to ask for her help gathering signatures for a blanket petition against the release of any member of the Manson Family. The task brought her the sense of purpose she’d been missing, and Doris soon became an early and prominent voice of what has come to be known as the victims’ rights movement.\nThe victims’ rights movement was a conservative offshoot of 1970s-era radical feminism, when activists mobilized on behalf of victims of rape and domestic violence, arguing for restitution, psychological counseling, and a defined role for victims in legal proceedings. By the 1990s, the movement — a coalition of crime victims, prosecutors, prison officials, and conservative politicians — was one of the most powerful lobbying forces in the state of California. In the early days, though, it was just a group of grassroots activists trying to make themselves heard.\nEncouraged by Kay, Doris began attending meetings of Parents of Murdered Children, which functioned as both support group and advocacy organization. At POMC meetings, New Age-y therapeutic language (“finding a voice”) dovetailed with a deeply conservative attitude toward criminal justice; campaigning for “rights” was a way for victims to assert agency in the face of tragedy, while also attacking a judicial process that many saw as overly favorable to defendants. The movement brought renewed purpose to Doris’s life. Her daughter’s killers “should have to sit in a four-by-four cell where they can think about what they did for eternity,” Doris told P.J. after a POMC meeting, according to Statman. “And, if you stopped numbing your mind [with beer] you’d see that.”\nAs she finds her place within the victims’ rights movement, Doris emerges as Restless Souls’s most nuanced and well-drawn character, a woman who bakes cookies, calls everyone “darlin,” and tenaciously argues legal niceties at parole hearings. By 1985, Doris was a board member of Citizens for Truth, Justice for Homicide Victims, the California Justice Committee, and Believe the Children, as well as serving as president of Parents of Murdered Children. The next year, she led the charge to oust the first female Chief Justice of the California Supreme Court, Rose Bird, who had consistently overturned death penalty verdicts that came before her. To press her cause, Doris appeared on The Phil Donahue Show. “One thing is certain,” she told Donahue. “[the death penalty] will cut down on recidivism, because the guy that goes to the gas chamber well, my dear, he’s one less we have to worry about.” That November, voters supported Bird’s removal by a 66–33 margin. It was the first time a sitting Chief Justice had ever been ousted, and the first time since 1934 that any State Supreme Court Justice had been removed.\nDoris’s dramatic journey of self-actualization through criminal justice activism aside, Restless Souls is ultimately not a very satisfying read. The book’s account of Sharon Tate’s early years is not particularly revealing; like an adorably ditzy rom-com heroine, “[Sharon’s] clumsiness got the best of her,” and “balancing a checkbook was a challenge she didn’t care to master.” Statman’s chapter on the night of the murders rehashes Vincent Bugliosi’s canonical account in Helter Skelter (1974), but with some movie-scenario color thrown in for good measure (“The knife slashes through the open window like a rabid dog’s gnashing”). And then there are sentences like this one: “My gaze turned to a glaring punch.” And this one: “[P.J. and Doris Tate] were as set in their ways as a grape stain to white pants and equally as stubborn. Despite it all, their love was as preserved and age-worn as a pressed rose hidden in a Bible.” Italics are used liberally, and verb tenses jump all over the place. Cops say things like “Go on home folks. There’s nothing to see here,” while bad guys betray themselves with sinister winks.\nBut let’s be real: no one picks up a book like this for its writing. (If “[y]ou can always count on a murderer for a fancy prose style,” as Nabokov’s Humbert Humbert once claimed, the adage does not hold for true crime historians.) As its breathless title suggests, Restless Souls is a Lifetime movie of a book, and it delivers the drama with requisite zeal. More troubling than the bad writing, though, is the narrative awkwardness that stems from the fact that Statman has chosen to write the book in the alternating first-person voices of Doris, P.J., and Patti Tate — all of whom are now dead. Although Statman certainly had access to plenty of personal documents and knew the Tate family well (more on that in a bit), her habit of inserting thoughts into her characters’ heads reflects a general tendency to overassume and overreach. This is most disconcerting during the murder scenes, in which Statman writes her way into the minds of those about to kill or be killed, as when “Sharon flings her arms defensively, wildly, not knowing what she is hitting, and too terrified to feel the pain as the knife gashes her forearms.”\nInserting herself into the Manson story seems to be something of a compulsion for Statman. Although you wouldn’t know it from Restless Souls, in 1990, the 21-year-old Statman signed a lease on the house at 10050 Cielo Drive. She was in need of a place to live, and the isolated house in Benedict Canyon just happened to be available, she recalled in a 2012 interview. Though she knew of the house’s tragic history — a disclosure about the murders was in her lease — she claims not to have been overly concerned about it. “I can’t begin to explain it, but the moment you drove through the gates there was an overwhelming, peaceful easy feeling that was felt by all those who came to visit me,” Statman has written. “And for me, that feeling out-weighed the past atrocities.” (In the conspiracy-rife world of Manson studies, there are some who believe that Statman’s renting the house wasn’t as coincidental or innocent as she claims. Debra Tate, Sharon’s sister, alleges that Statman rented the house because she was “fascinated” by Sharon’s murder and was already planning to write a book about the case.)\nWhatever her initial motivation for moving in, Statman’s rental of the Tate house ensured that she quickly became obsessed with the famously engrossing Manson case. Statman (who currently works an assistant director on Modern Family) agreed to help producer Bill Nelson make a documentary about the case, hoping to get a foothold in Hollywood in the process. In the course of their research, Nelson and Statman paid a visit to retired LAPD detective Earl Deemer. As Nelson and Statman asked about the case, Deemer began pulling photographs out of his personal files, including photographs of murder victims in the last weeks of their lives. Statman assumed, correctly, that the detective had taken the images as souvenirs from the Tate house in the aftermath of the murders. “I was so angry,” Statman recalled. “He’d been sitting on these photos for years. The second they left the room, I pocketed them, with the intention of returning them to whoever I could find.”\nAfter she returned home, Statman contacted Sharon’s youngest sister, Patti, to see about returning the images. At the time, Patti was unhappily married to a professional basketball player and living in Southern California with her three young children. Within a few years, Patti and her husband divorced; Statman and Patti had fallen in love, and soon moved in together as domestic partners. A decade later, when Patti died at 42 of breast cancer, Statman was awarded custody of her children — one of whom, Brie Tate, is credited as a co-author of Restless Souls.\nWhen Charles Manson listened to the Beatles’ White Album in 1969, he heard things: praise for Manson Girl Sexy Sadie (Atkins), the subliminal message “Charlie, Charlie, send us a telegram” buried in the sonic chaos of “Revolution Number 9,” and, most of all, ominous proclamations of an imminent race war to be known as “Helter Skelter.” “Manson had a hypnotic rap about how the modern blacks were arming themselves, how he, Manson, had talked to blacks in prison and he had learned of heavy arms caches here and there,” Ed Sanders wrote in The Family: The Story of Charles Manson’s Dune Buggy Attack Battalion (1971). Any day now, Manson preached, blacks would rise up, kill whitey, and assume control of the government — only to fail miserably, in the end, because of their innate inferiority. That’s when Manson’s gang would emerge from their secret hiding place — a mystic chamber located somewhere underneath Death Valley — and assume ultimate control of the country. When they committed the 1969 murders, Family members wrote RISE and HEALTER SKELTER [sic] and POLITICAL PIGGY on the walls in their victims’ blood, in an attempt to pin the crimes on the Black Panthers (and thus usher Helter Skelter along).\nIn a sense, Manson’s schizophrenic premonition was not so far off. Helter Skelter never happened, but something else did. By the 1980s, the people most likely to be the victims of violent crime were young black men from low-income neighborhoods, while the leadership of the victims’ rights movement was dominated by white women. This is not to discount the good work accomplished by these groups: the grieving mothers who formed Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) made drunk driving into a national issue, and the various victim advocacy groups helped instate restitution policies that have changed people’s lives. But its rhetorical positioning has meant that the victims’ rights movement has managed to inure itself from criticism — it’s difficult to campaign against a group called Parents of Murdered Children — while at the same time calling attention to certain kinds of victimhood and consistently eliding others. In Restless Souls, the growth of the victims’ rights movement is presented as a straightforward story of tenacious, motherly good winning out against insidious, inhuman evil (which occasionally colludes with bleeding-heart liberal judges). But a deeper examination of the role of the movement reveals a story that’s more complicated and more unnerving than the one that Statman wants to tell.\n“‘Victims’ suggests a nonprovoking individual hit with the violence of ‘street crime’ by a stranger,” Indiana law professor Lynne N. Henderson, an early and outspoken critic of the movement, wrote in a 1985 paper called “The Wrongs of Victim’s Rights.” “‘Victims’ are not prostitutes beaten senseless by pimps or ‘johns,’ drug addicts mugged and robbed of their fixes, gang members killed during a feud, or misdemeanants raped by cell mates.” As Henderson points out, the victims’ rights movement relied heavily on the symbolism of blameless, female victimhood. The “victim” in question was, more often than not, a grieving mother like Doris Tate.\nThe movement’s emphasis on punishment and retribution also set the criteria for which victims’ voices counted, and which responses were considered legitimate. In 1990, Rosemary LaBianca’s daughter Suzan LaBerge attended Tex Watson’s parole hearing to argue that the convicted killer deserved to be released; she and Watson had been corresponding, and she believed that his conversion to Christianity was sincere. (Ironically, LaBerge was allowed to testify in the first place because of a 1982 law that Doris Tate helped pass, which allowed those most closely affected by a crime to make a Victim Impact Statement at parole hearings.) “You know, Suzan, that you dishonored your mother today,” Doris hissed at her in the parking lot afterward, according to Statman. “Every mother within the sound of my voice would cringe if their kid went into a parole hearing to beg for their killer’s release. You make me so sick I can’t even stand to look at you, you dumb shit.”\nIf the victims’ rights movement had limited its appeal to actual victims of violent crime, it would never have grown to be as large or as powerful as it did. The movement’s genius — the thing that made it enough of a political force that we now have a federal Office for Victims of Crime, and most states now have constitutional amendments enshrining victims’ rights — was creating a strategic alliance between those who had been the victims of violent crime and people who had not been victimized but still lived in a state of heightened anxiety. The sex and drugs and activism of the 1960s felt like social chaos to a large segment of the population (closely related to, if not totally coextensive with, Nixon’s famous “silent majority”). Who knew whose daughter might be murdered by the next sex-crazed hippie cult? In a 1968 Gallup poll, 81 percent of Americans agreed that “law and order has broken down in this country,” with the most commonly identified culprits being “Negroes who start riots” and “Communists.” The victims’ rights movement appealed to non-victims who nonetheless felt threatened by a polarized society and rising crime rates. The movement was, in a way, an attempt to turn back the clock on the social and judicial reforms of the 1950s and ’60s — and a remarkably successful one at that.\nThere is a tricky logic at work here. While victims of past crimes might want vengeance, financial restitution, counseling, or even (in rare cases) more lenient sentencing, victims of future crimes simply want to avoid becoming victims. “Past victims may be said to represent individual and private interests, while future victims represent the public’s fear of crime and its interest in crime control,” Henderson writes. “Proponents of the crime control model [of criminal justice] confuse the images of past and future victims by exploiting the public’s emotional identification with the anguish of past victims simultaneously with its fear of crime and victimization.”\nAnd so the grieving mothers of the victims’ rights movement told their heart-wrenching stories, and the movement lobbied for increasingly conservative, tough-on-crime policies: mandatory minimum sentencing guidelines; 15-year parole denials; three- (or even two-) strike laws for repeat offenders. After learning that Tex Watson had fathered a couple of children while in prison, Doris Tate made it her personal crusade to eliminate conjugal visits for those sentenced to life in prison.\nWhile the prominent narratives of the victims’ rights movement told of serial murderers or sex crimes against children, most of the people who got caught up in these “tough-on-crime” policies were nonviolent drug offenders, the vast majority of them black. The effects of these policies have been devastating. As the legal scholar Michelle Alexander points out in The New Jim Crow (2010), there are currently more black men under correctional control in the United States than were enslaved in 1850. In 2009, California prisons — once some of the most well run and progressive in the nation — were so underfunded and overcrowded that the Supreme Court mandated that 30,000 prisoners be released over the next few years.\nMeanwhile, the victims’ rights movement continues to see itself as keeping politicians honest by pressing them to be ever-harsher on crime: “Nana [Doris Tate] and the multitude of other victims’ advocates became the guardian angels of the state as they worked tirelessly to keep the violent offenders behind bars,” Brie Tate, Patti’s daughter, claims in Restless Souls’s final chapter. “They did their job right, but California didn’t, as the state continually neglected to build more prisons to house its offenders.” An odd claim, considering that since 1980, higher education spending in California has decreased by 13 percent, while investment in prisons has grown 436 percent; the state now spends far more money on prisons than it does on colleges and universities. Meanwhile, violent crime rates held relatively steady between 1973 and 1993, and dropped precipitously over the past two decades. But, as Alexander writes, “by locking millions of people out of the mainstream legal economy, by making it difficult or impossible for people to find housing or feed themselves, and by destroying familial bonds by warehousing millions for minor crimes, we make crime more — not less — likely in the most vulnerable communities.” Charles Manson’s acid-fueled dream of an annihilating race war has come to pass, after a fashion. It’s just been a longer, slower fight, more like a war of attrition, than anyone ever imagined it would be.\nEven on death row, a murderer projects a certain omnipotence. It’s not so surprising, then, that some adolescents (boys and girls both) fetishize serial killers. Teenagers have been wearing Charles Manson T-shirts for 40 years now. Maybe if I’d been more goth, it would’ve gone that way for me, too. But I was mostly a good girl, I thought, and in my daydreams about murder, I was always the one being killed.\nI know I wasn’t the only one to fall for the victim instead of the killer. In a way, both Alisa Statman and Rosie Blanchard have inserted themselves into tragedy. As a rhetorical position, victimhood can be paradoxically powerful. The victim is both blameless and immune from criticism; she can claim access to specialized knowledge of what crime and criminals are “really” like, and demand deference from those less experienced. The victim may be wounded — she may be dead! — but she retains the charisma that comes from righteous anger. She knows things. She has been initiated.\nThis is, of course, an oversimplification. I am sitting here telling you what victimhood is, when the difficulty is that it can look like many different things. The early years of the victims’ rights movement were about encouraging a diversity of victims’ voices in courtrooms, parole hearings, support groups, and in the media. Instead, we now have a movement that purports to speak on behalf of victims everywhere, and even on behalf of anyone who might someday become a victim. This is an attempt to tidy up the aftereffects of violent crime by sifting the world into victims and criminals, good and evil, the sinned-against and the irredeemable. Such a cynical reduction is more than just a rhetorical problem, as The New Jim Crow makes appallingly clear.\nBut who am I to judge? I, too, am a murder groupie of sorts. Right now I’m looking at a small plastic bag with a shard of gray stone pinned to the bulletin board over my desk. SHARON’S STONE, it says, in someone’s idea of a tasteful font. “This stone was removed from the original fireplace in 10050 Cielo Drive,” the caption reads, “where Sharon Tate, Abigail Folger, Voyteck [sic] Frykowski, Jay Sebring and Steven Parent were murdered late in the evening of August 8, 1969. The House was destroyed in 1993.” It’s a macabre relic, and I don’t know why I have it around, except for the occasional dark compulsion to get close to the place that frightens me the most — that place where the victim and the voyeur and the criminal all collapse into one, when I don’t know which one I want to be anymore.\nRachel Monroe\nRachel Monroe is a writer living in Marfa, Texas.\nErrol Morris and The Mask of Fatality: An Interview by Julie Cline\nTriptych image: Illustration from A Wilderness of ErrorCredit: Pentagram 2012 THE INCIDENT REPORT is dated “17 Feb 70.” The report states that upon the MP’s arrival “the number of deaths had not been determined.” The ...\nFor Better or Worse: Marriage Promotion, Cohabitation, and American Politics\nMARRIAGE, BY THE NUMBERS: In 2002, the Bush administration diverted over $100 million dollars from existing welfare programs to create the Healthy Marriage Initiative, a national program to disseminate the importance of matrimony. Displaced funds included $14 million from ...\nPrivatizing Paradise in the Murder Capital of the World\nWHAT WOULD IT BE LIKE for a corporation to not only run an entire city, but to have built that city from scratch, to its own specifications, according to a planned, privatized model of everyday life? The blurring of the lines ...\nThis American Gothic\nMARK DERY’S WORK IS BAT-SHIT CRAZY — in the best possible way. Though a brief scan of his output might lead one to mistake the cultural critic for a mere artifact of the cyberculture-chattering class — those techno-savvy theorists ...\nLost Highway Revisited: Ginger Strand’s “Killer on the Road”\n\"No other feature of our national landscape has the same lonely menace, the same panoramic yet stifling dread of an empty highway.\"...\nThe Most Dangerous Place in the Western Hemisphere\nIN THE WINTER OF 2009 I took a job as a \"fixer\" — this is a nice way to say errand girl — for an American writer on assignment in Mexico City. The writer didn't speak Spanish or know his way ...\nRivers of Blood: On Guillermo Fernández García\nOn the murder of the poet and translator Guillermo Fernández Garcia....\nReturning to the Scene\nJANET MALCOLM'S Iphigenia in Forest Hills: Anatomy of a Murder Trial, an expansion of a 2010 New Yorker essay, explores Mazoltuv Borukhova’s trial for the murder of her husband, Daniel Malatov. Malatov was brazenly assassinated in a Queens playground in ...","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1042955"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7169653177261353,"wiki_prob":0.28303468227386475,"text":"The story behind the operating table.\nThe modern operating table is a marvel of engineering, designed to allow surgeons maximum access to the patient while keeping them safe and comfortable. But it wasn’t always this way. In fact, the history of the operating table is a long and fascinating one, full of twists and turns. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at the evolution of the operating table from its early days to the present day. We’ll explore how the needs of surgeons have changed over time and how technology has helped to meet those needs. So whether you’re a medical professional or just someone with a curiosity for all things surgical, read on to learn more about the story behind the operating table.\nLos diferentes tipos de mesas de operaciones\nOperating tables have come a long way since their inception. The first operating tables were little more than slabs of stone or wood on which the patient was placed. Today, there are many different types of operating tables available, each designed for a specific type of surgery.\nThe most common type of operating table is the general surgery table. This table is typically used for surgeries that do not require a special table. General surgery tables have a flat surface and may be equipped with stirrups for the legs.\nAnother common type of operating table is the obstetric table. This table is designed for delivering babies and has a hole in the center for the baby to pass through. Obstetric tables also have stirrups for the legs to prevent the mother from moving during delivery.\nThere are also speciality operating tables such as those used for orthopedic surgeries, brain surgeries, and eye surgeries. These tables are designed to provide stability and support during these delicate procedures.\nHow the operating table came to be\nIn the early days of surgery, operating tables were little more than boards or planks of wood on which patients were placed. Sometimes a hole was cut in the board for the surgeon to sit or stand, but more often surgeons performed their operations while standing next to the patient’s head. This meant that they had to lean over the patient, which made it difficult to see what they were doing. It also meant that they were often working in a cramped and uncomfortable position.\nOne day, a surgeon named James Syme was performing an operation on a patient’s leg. He was having difficulty seeing what he was doing, and he asked his assistant to hold a mirror so that he could see better. The assistant did as he was asked, but he accidentally dropped the mirror and it shattered on the floor.\nLooking around for something else to use, Syme’s eyes fell on a table that was being used to hold instruments. He had his assistant bring it over, and he found that it was just the right height for him to work comfortably. He quickly finished the operation, and afterwards he decided that all surgical procedures should be performed on a table like this from then on.\nThe operating table has come a long way since Syme’s day. Today’s tables are much more sophisticated, with many different features that make them ideal for surgical procedures. But it all started with one man’s idea to use a simple table in order to improve his view during surgery.\nLos beneficios de usar una mesa de operaciones\nMesas de operaciones are an essential piece of equipment in any operating room. They provide a sturdy and level surface on which the surgeon can work, and they allow for easy access to the patient’s body during surgery.\nOperating tables come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and they can be equipped with a variety of features to meet the needs of different surgeries. Some common features include:\n-Adjustable height: This allows the surgeon to work at a comfortable height for them, which can improve accuracy and reduce fatigue.\n-Headrest: This supports the patient’s head during surgery and helps maintain their position.\n-Arm rests: These support the patient’s arms during surgery and help keep them from moving around too much.\n-Leg rests: These support the patient’s legs during surgery and help keep them from moving around too much.\n-Foot rests: These support the patient’s feet during surgery and help keep them from moving around too much.\nLos inconvenientes de usar una mesa de operaciones\nWhen it comes to operating tables, there are a few drawbacks that should be considered. First and foremost, they can be quite expensive. Additionally, operating tables are not always readily available when needed, which can lead to delays in treatment. Finally, operating tables can be quite heavy and difficult to move, which can make it challenging to transport patients to and from the operating room.\nCómo elegir la mesa de operaciones adecuada para usted\nThere are many factors to consider when choosing an operating table. The first is the type of surgery you will be performing. If you plan on performingopen-heart surgery, then you will need a different type of table than if you were performing a laparoscopic procedure. Other factors to consider include the size of the patient, the type of anaesthesia used, and the surgeon’s preference.\nWhen it comes to open-heart surgery, there are two main types of tables: those with a heart-lung machine and those without. If you are using a heart-lung machine, then you will need an operating table that has perfusion lines built in. These lines allow for the blood to be pumped through the machine and back into the patient’s body. Tables without a heart-lung machine do not need these lines and are typically used for less invasive procedures.\nThe size of the patient is another important factor to consider when choosing an operating table. You will need to make sure that the table can accommodate the patient’s body size and that there is enough room for the surgical team to work around them.\nThe type of anaesthesia used can also affect which type of table is best suited for your needs. If general anaesthesia is being used, then you will need a table that has headrests and leg supports so that the patient can remain still during surgery. If regional anaesthesia is being used, then you may not need these extra features and a\nIt is one of the most important pieces of equipment in a hospital. It is where surgeons perform life-saving operations and where patients’ lives are literally in their hands. The operating table has a long and fascinating history, and it is amazing to think about how far medical technology has come since the first operating tables were used in ancient times.\nEntrada anterior Five Questions About Connecting Suspension Surgical Bridge You Should Answer Truthfully.\nFive Questions About Connecting Suspension Surgical Bridge You Should Answer Truthfully.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1316977"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7908080220222473,"wiki_prob":0.7908080220222473,"text":"Bible-Waving QAnon Congresswoman Calls for Jesus to ‘Install’ ‘Righteous Men and Women of God’ to Run Government\nSeptember 13, 2021 at 01:21 PM ET\nKyle Mantyla – Right Wing Watch\nRepublican Rep. Lauren Boebert of Colorado spoke Saturday at a conference held by the Truth & Liberty Coalition, a religious-right political organization founded by right-wing pastor Andrew Wommack.\nAddressing a crowd of conservative Christian activists gathered in the auditorium at Wommack’s Charis Bible College, Boebert called on the audience to put faith into action by calling on God to remove ungodly leaders in Washington, D.C., and replace them with “righteous men and women of God” who realize that the government should be taking orders from the church.\n“When we see Biden address the nation and the world and show more contempt and aggravation and aggression towards unvaccinated Americans than he does terrorists, we have a problem,” Boebert said. “And that’s why I have articles of impeachment to impeach Joe Biden, Kamala Harris.”\n“We cannot take another 18 months, we cannot take another three years of this poor, failed leadership,” she continued. “We are sons and daughters of revolutionaries. They went to battle for a lot less. They took a stand for a lot less. And it’s time we get involved. I need you involved in every local level. I need you speaking up. I need the world to hear your voice. You know the word of God, and you know that there is power in your words, that the world was framed by words. You have the Lord God Almighty on your side. I need you to use your voice and speak.”\n“What if Jesus showed up today and said, ‘From this point forward, everything you say you will have it’?” Boebert asked rhetorically. “He said it! That’s exactly what he said to us. So, what are we saying? Are we going to sit and agree with the enemy? Are we going to agree with what the enemy is doing? Are we going to sit back and complain and murmur? Or are we going to speak life into this nation? Are we going to speak victory? Are we going to declare that God removes these unrighteous politicians, these corrupt, crooked politician, and installs righteous men and women of God?”\n“You have the God kind of faith, and that faith speaks,” she added. “That faith speaks to mountains, those impossible, immovable situations, and I think there’s some mountains they need to hear your voice. … It’s time the church speaks up. The church has relinquished too much authority to government. We should not be taking orders from the government; the government needs to be looking at the church and saying, ‘How do we do this effectively?’”\nThis article was originally published by Right Wing Watch and is republished here by permission.\nRelated Topics:extremismLawNewsPoliticsReligion\nFar Right Republican Hijacks Hearing, Accuses Biden of Treason, Tries to Stop Secretary of State From Speaking\n‘Look at Me!’ Anti-Masker Repeatedly Yells at School Board President – Then Screams About ‘Nuremberg Trials’\nKristen Doerer – Right Wing Watch\nIn a bright pink, purple, and red-lit ballroom in downtown Washington, D.C., last Thursday, anti-choice activists gathered to listen to prominent activists in the anti-choice movement.\n“For 49 years, our role has been to influence five people on the court,” said Maureen Ferguson, a senior fellow for The Catholic Association. “Now, we have to persuade 330 million.”\nThe comment marked a shift in focus for the anti-choice movement. With the dismantlement of Roe v. Wade last summer, the anti-choice movement’s focus has shifted from the Supreme Court to a bevy of other places: state legislatures, Congress, and the court of public opinion.\nOf course, the movement has already been hard at work in all those arenas. Trigger laws were set in place to ban abortion in scores of states after Roe was overturned, the new Republican Congress immediately set about trying to pass national anti-abortion legislation, and the March for Life has always targeted young Catholic kids in their messaging about abortion to change public opinion for the future. But their biggest goal—getting five sympathetic justices to the high court to dismantle the right to abortion—had been completed.\nThe panel, dubbed “Capitol Hill 101,” was a kickoff to the March for Life being held the following day and started, of course, with celebration.\n“All the justices deserve our praise,” said Robert P. George, a Princeton University professor, contributor to the Federalist Society, and the author of an amicus brief in support of anti-choice petitioners in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which overturned Roe.\nBut there were limitations, George said: Justice Samuel Alito’s opinion “only went part of the way to vindicate the Constitution. … The Supreme Court did not declare the right of the unborn, but it did declare that Roe took away the right to legislate.” He pointed to the fifth section of the 14th Amendment, arguing that that “the equal protection of the laws” applies to “any person,” including the “unborn.” In an amicus brief George had submitted in Dobbs, he argued that states should be required to treat abortion as homicide.\nThe next panelist, Maureen Ferguson, tackled what she called “disinformation” from abortion-rights activists. “The abortion moment has flooded the national debate with disinformation,” she said, focusing on 10 talking points.\n“No. 1: Women will die,” Ferguson said. “False. Every pro-life law contains a life for the mother exception.”\nThis goes against what medical professionals say. Jen Villavicencio, a physician with the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, told Forbes that “as the forced pregnancies now continue to term”—including those with life-threatening complications—“we will see more people die.” The New York Times recently reported that exceptions to abortion bans are rarely granted, even to women who qualify under state law.\nAnd there are plenty in the pro-life movement—including representatives of organizations sitting in that ballroom—who are seeking to do away with the life of the mother exception. As The Atlantic’s Mary Zeigler reports:\nAnti-abortion-rights groups, like Pro-Life Wisconsin, have described the “life of the mother” exception as unnecessary and wrong. The Idaho GOP just approved a platform with no lifesaving exception. Republican candidates like Matthew DePerno, the Republican running to be Michigan’s attorney general, oppose all exceptions to abortion bans, and that includes to save a mother’s life. Conservative states are rushing to eliminate or narrow existing exceptions to their laws. Powerful groups like Students for Life, Feminists for Life, and the American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists (AAPLOG) argue that “abortion is never medically necessary” and that doctors should always be punished for intentionally taking a fetal life.\nDespite numerous outlets reporting that some women are being denied miscarriage treatment because hospitals are worried of running amok of new anti-abortion laws, Ferguson claimed that nothing of the sort was happening and that “every doctor knows the difference between miscarriage and abortion.”\nShe also said that women would not be thrown in jail with the end of Roe. But there are male lawmakers who are seeking to do just that. Throughout the country, a faction of self-proclaimed “abolitionists” are eager to punish women who receive an abortion with prison time. In Louisiana, one piece of legislation that would land women who have abortions “with the same criminal consequences as one who drowns her baby” made it one step closer to becoming a law, CNN reported.\nFerguson also claimed in vitro fertilization was not a target of the anti-choice movement, arguing that Roe’s decision was very narrow and only applied to abortion. But the following minute, she went on to claim that we know exactly when life begins—“at the fusion of sperm and egg.” Of course, by that definition, in vitro fertilization would be a target for the anti-choice movement, as it fuses sperms and eggs in a petri dish, picks the best embryo to implant and often discards the others.\nOther panelists representing the Susan B. Anthony List and the Senate Pro-Life Caucus spoke about the need to pass federal legislation to limit abortion and encouraged attendees to pester their lawmakers to pass anti-choice legislation.\nAs the panel wound down, George urged attendees to “keep the baby in view. And we’ll win.”\nFerguson followed his lead by encouraging attendees to download the sound of an embryo at six weeks, so they could play the sound to anyone they speak to who favors abortion rights. “Well, here’s what a baby’s heartbeat sounds like at six weeks,” she said, playing the audio for the ballroom from her phone.\nAs the panel closed, attendees, which included hundreds of high school students, funneled out of the ballroom to the March for Life Expo. At the entrance was a booth for Alliance Defending Freedom, a multimillion-dollar anti-choice, anti-LGBTQ litigation shop, handing out free swag to excited students. ADF was central to the overturning of Roe and represented Mississippi in the Supreme Court case; its lawyers have previously bragged that they helped write the Mississippi law as part of their strategy to ban all abortions in the country.\nAcross from them was the Heritage Foundation, which handed out a packet of flyers and advertised a raffle for a prize of $500. Concerned Women for America advertised their Young Women for America program. Focus on The Family—a platinum sponsor of the March for Life and whose activists worked behind the scenes to get right-wing judges nominated to the federal court—had another stand, while GiveSendGo, the Christian fundraising site, also had a booth featuring a cash grab, a handwritten prize wheel, and a timeline of its company that featured its decision to offer a crowdfunding platform for Kyle Rittenhouse.\nImage: Drew Petrimoulx / Shutterstock\n‘X-Rated’: Christian Nationalist Mastriano Promises Bill to Ban Public Drag Shows After High School’s ‘Queer Prom’\nFailed Pennsylvania Republican gubernatorial nominee Doug Mastriano, a state senator, is saying he will submit legislation to ban drag shows in public by reclassifying them as “adult-oriented businesses,” amid right wing uproar over a high school’s “queer prom.”\n“In the near future, I plan to introduce a bill to ban drag shows on public property or in areas that can be seen by minors,” Mastriano, a Trump-endorsed far right wing Christian nationalist who lost the 2022 gubernatorial race by a massive 14-point margin.\n“In Pennsylvania, there has been an alarming uptick in drag performances that appeal to children,” Mastriano lamented in a memo to fellow lawmakers, as Fox 43 reports. “In April 2022, parents at a school district in Lancaster were shocked to learn about after-school X-rated drag shows occurring on school property. In October 2022, a sexually charged drag show for audience members as young as 13 was performed at the Rainbow Room in Bucks County.”\n“Drag shows that appeal to minors on school property, libraries, and other public places should not be accepted in any functioning society,” Mastriano added.\nRELATED: Video Appears to Expose Christian Nationalist Republican Lawmaker’s Participation in January 6 Insurrection\nSen. Mastriano was caught on film leading a group in prayer just two weeks before the 2021 insurrection, asking God for the MAGA movement to overthrow the federal government, praying they would “seize the power” and “rise up” on January 6.\nIn one of his examples, Mastriano was referring to the Bucks County Rainbow Room’s Queer Prom, but his characterizations of drag shows and the queer prom are disputed.\nBucks County Courier Times reports that the Rainbow Room is part of Democratic state Sen. Steve Santarsiero’s district.\nSantarsiero “attended the 2020 prom as legislator and a parent of a gay child. He said his younger son had come out as gay about eight months before and was compelled to comment after seeing the proposal.”\nSantarsiero published his open letter to lawmakers responding to Mastriano’s announcement.\n“I take particular exception to his distorted characterization of the Rainbow Room’s Queer Prom, a dance specifically arranged for LGBTO+ youth in Bucks County,” Santarsiero tells his fellow lawmakers. “The Rainbow Room, which Planned Parenthood established over 20 years ago to be a safe place for LGBTQ+ youth to come together and build self-esteem, first held the prom in February 2020 I was at that event, both as an elected official sponsoring it and as a parent (our younger son had come out as gay about 8 months before and was excited to attend the prom with his friends).”\nRELATED: ‘Yes’: Mastriano Supports Charging Women With Murder if They Have an Abortion After a 6 Week Ban (Audio)\nHe explains what he saw was kids who were “happy,” and “happy to be in a loving environment where it was OK to be themselves.”\n“What I observed in person in 2020 – and again by watching the video of the 2022 prom – was a large group of teenagers having fun. What struck me, in fact, was that they could have been kids -gay or straight – at any school in the country. For the most part, they danced with the same awkwardness as any other teenager – I say that endearingly as someone who even in late middle- age is still awkward on the dance floor. What was apparent was that each one of them was happy. They were happy to be with their friends and happy to be in a loving environment where it was OK to be themselves.”\nCalling it “an important point,” Santarsiero observes: “Many of these students do not feel accepted by their peers – although it has been my experience both as a teacher and a parent that the younger generations are far more open to them than older ones – and at times by adults, which, sadly, can include family members Indeed, the Central Bucks School District, where many of these students attend school, is presently led by a board majority that has created an educational environment that is openly hostile to LBGIQ+ youth. So, having an organization like the Rainbow Room and an event like the Queer Prom can very literally save the lives of kids who otherwise experience feelings of depression and isolation. I can share from personal experience that Ronni and I are deeply indebted to the Rainbow Room for how it helped our son on the road to becoming the confident young man that he is.”\nHe appeared to take particular exception to Mastriano calling it “sexually charged.”\n“As for it being sexually charged, I will not attempt to get into the gentleman’s mind to decipher what exactly he meant by that phrase, although I note that it is one that is most often used by those, who, solely on their own authority, take on the mantel of arbiter of morality in ironic disregard of the biblical admonition against judging. I would simply suggest that it might be a challenge to find a prom in America at which someone would not be offended by what they would consider inappropriate behavior or dress. With that in mind, we should be careful not to hold LGBTQ+ youth to a different standard than that of straight young people,” Santarsiero said.\nRIGHT WING EXTREMISM1 hour ago","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line540295"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6762093901634216,"wiki_prob":0.6762093901634216,"text":"Rishikesh Sreehari\nRedefining Probabilities\nLife Update Plan Review\n2023: A Year of Execution\nAs the year 2022 comes to a close, I look back to see how I’ve done and set more meaningful goals for 2023.\nPost author By Rishikesh\nNo Comments on 2023: A Year of Execution\nInspired by interesting creators and personalities online, 2022 was the first year of my life in which I made a rough plan for the year ahead. As 2022 has come to a close, when I look back, even though I didn’t all the things I aimed for, I’m still happy that I had some direction over the course of the year. As I did in 2022, the main areas of this 2023 planning will be revolving around the topics of health, wealth, and career. Unlike 2022, where I tried many things and hoped for the best, this year I’m embracing with a lot of clarity. Thus 2023 is a year of execution where I stick to my principles and routine. I’ve also decided to take fewer things on my plate to make this plan more sustainable. One issue I faced last year was that I revisited the planning only a handful of times during the course of the year. This year I’m attempting bullet journaling and I’m hoping that it will keep me aware of the goals I’ve set for the year.\nInstead of doing a separate blog post about last year’s review, I thought of including the same in this year’s plan. To sum up the 3 main highlights of 2022 were:\nSwitching my career to a field that I’m interested in at the intersection of data, sustainability, and writing.\nGetting engaged to my girlfriend and one step close to getting married.\nBecoming a super randonneur by completing 200,300, 400, and 600-kilometer cycle rides in a calendar year.\nTo be fit and healthy by end of 2023.\nCreate a consistent recurring passive income by end of 2023.\nContinue learning to code and create a portfolio by the end of the year.\nTo achieve the goals mentioned in the previous section, the following objectives have been laid out. Some of these objectives are interconnected and contribute to more than one of the goals.\n🏋 Weight\nThe goal for 2022 is to end the year at a healthy weight of 65 which puts me in the normal range on the BMI scale. Last year also I had a similar goal and reached 67 kgs by August, but failed miserably as the year came to a close. A lot of it has to do with less exercise during the last quarter of the year when I shifted to New Delhi and had an erratic schedule and diet.\n🛌 Sleep\nMy goal for this year is to have an average of 7 hours of sleep throughout the year. I had a similar goal last year and more or less achieved it for the first half of the year. Second half I struggled miserably and it is quite evident that I didn’t hit the target. Also, I’m yet to find a sustainable way to track sleep that gives me better insight without using a wearable. I’m looking at ways to track it using my phone usage or by manual entries.\n🚴Cycling\nThe goal for 2023 is to ride 4000 km in Delhi and complete a few 200 km rides in and around Delhi. I’ve kept the goal quite realistic as I’m in a new city where winters and summers are extreme.\nAlso, the lack of community so far and the air pollution have bothered me a lot in Delhi. Last year the goal was to ride 6000 km and even with no serious cycling in the last quarter of the year due to relocation, I ended the year with 5,642 which was quite close to the goal I had set. Another goal was to complete 200 and 300 BRMs which are self-supported time-based cycling events. But to my surprise, last year I did 200, 300, 400, and 600 km rides to become a super randonneur, something I never anticipated. I really pushed my limits for this and was super happy about the same.\n🏃‍♂️ Running\nMy goal for 2023 is to run a total of 600 km and complete a half marathon. Last year there was no tangible goal in terms of kilometers but there was a 10km goal that I achieved in March. This year I’m setting my standards high with hopes of consistent running and my first-ever half marathon.\n🏊‍♂️ Swimming\nThe goal for 2023 is to at least swim once a week and clock at least 30 km of swimming distances by the end of the year. The goal for last year was to achieve a fitness to swim 800kms continuously, but that never happened and I could achieve a fitness to swim only 250 meters max. My swimming also took a toll due to the winters in Delhi and the access to pools. I will have to start from square one to achieve this goal.\n🧘‍♂️Meditation\nIn 2023 the goal is to remaster the art of meditation and end the year with at least 220 mindful days with at least 10 minutes of meditation. The goal is to immediately start meditation first thing in the morning when I wake up such that I don’t postpone it further. I had 110 mindful days in 2022 on the Waking Up app. which was even lower than in 2021. If time persists, I would love to do a silent retreat for a few days or something like Vipassana in 2023.\n⏲ Fasting\nThe goal for 2023 is to fast for a total of 4000 hours which was calculated by assuming five 16-hour fasts in a week. Last year the target was 4500 but I failed to track it and logged only 2100 hours of fasting. I even set up an NFC sticker-based easy tap system to log in to my fasting on the Zero app but failed to cultivate a habit for the same. The goal for this year is to be more consistent in terms of logging and I’m tracking the same on my journal as well.\n🍲 Diet\nThe goal for 2023 is to have 65% or more days with less than 200 calorie consumption. There were no tangible goals in 2022 in terms of diet and I failed quite a bit. Another goal also this year is to have a well-balanced protein-rich diet on training days at least.\n🍺 Alcohol\nIt’s very hard to have a tangible goal for this but I’ve set a monetary goal of a maximum of 15,000 INR (~$180) spent on alcohol this year. As with diet, there was no tangible goal last year the goal was to just drink as much less as possible. Even though I sort of achieved it for a major part of the year, the goal fell apart when I moved to Delhi and had those long weekends. The goal for this year is to have no compromise on weekends or sleep due to alcohol and preserve as much precious time as possible.\n💻 Programming\nIn terms of programming, I felt like I had too much on my plate and my focus was all over the place. The goal for 2023 is to master Python and brush my skills further by completing all exercises on Exercism and a full-stack Python Bootcamp. I also want to gain more AI/ML skill sets this year as I see my career moving in that direction. Since I work in the field of energy and power system modeling, I also want to learn PyPSA, TIMES, and other modeling tools to enhance my skillsets. If time permits, learning processing is also part of the plan. Another project that is currently in work is the migration of my current WordPress blog into a static one using Hugo.\n2022 was a complete failure in terms of art. The goal was to complete 3 art projects but I couldn’t even complete one. 2022 saw a decline in the number of photographs I’ve taken and I really want to work on that. In 2023, I want to click more photos, go on photo walks, and complete at least 2 photography projects by the year’s end. When I mean complete, I want it to be compiled and published on my portfolio website.\n📰 Newsletter\nThe goal for 2023 is to hit a target of 4000 subscribers by the end of the year and explore ways to go paid by the end of the year with a solid plan for 2024. In 2022, my goal was hitting 2000 subscribers, and to my surprise even without being consistent, I hit my target in October itself. If I hadn’t been lazy, I would’ve ended the year with 2500 subscribers conservatively. I wanted an ambitious goal for this year and thus the target of gaining close to 1700 subscribers this year. I’ve found that cross-promotion works best for increasing your subscriber base. So if you’re a newsletter writer, happy to collaborate with you!\n✍️ Blogging\nI ended 2022 with just 9 articles and didn’t even achieve half of the target of 30 articles I had set for the year. In 2023, I want to be more practical and publish more meaningful content and I aim to publish 20 blog posts by the end of the year.\nReading also took quite a toll in 2022 where I read only 22 books against the target of 45. Even though setting a number in terms of reading is absurd, it sets the tone for the year and I aim to read 30 books by the end of the year.\n💸 Side Hustles\nThe goal for last year was to earn a minimum of 50000 INR (~ $670) per month from the side hustles by the end of the year. As the year came to a close, my maximum earning month was one in which the newsletter generated close to 25000 INR (~ $330) in revenue. Rather than a monthly goal, the goal for 2023 is to generate a total passive income of 3,60,000 INR (~ $4300) by the end of 2022. This I feel is quite realistic and I hope to achieve it by the year’s end.\n💰 Emergency Fund\nOne goal I had for 2022 was to create a buffer for myself in case of any emergency such that I can survive for 6 months. Even though I was able to achieve it, I had to spend it due to some home renovations, travel, and relocation. I want to be very strict on this and I aim to set up an emergency fund of at least 3 months by end of 2023.\n💰 Investment Portfolio Risk Management\nLast year the goal was to reduce the exposure of crypto in my portfolio by 20% and invest more in debt/index and retirement funds. I achieved this goal successfully and my crypto allocation is standing at 18% of my total allocation. This year the goal is to reduce my crypto exposure to less than 10% and have at least 20% of assets as cash for liquidity.\n💭 Other Objectives\nApart from these main objectives, some other plans I have for this year are:\nTo get married by end of 2023.\nCreate a sustainable training plan for my long-term goal of participating in a triathlon.\nMove to Europe/America/Dubai and create opportunities or gain skillsets to achieve this in terms of career.\nTravel very less nationally/internationally and save as much money as possible.\nPublish at least one peer-reviewed paper in a journal or conference.\nReduce my screen time and addiction to my smartphone, which feels like an eternal quest.\nAs said in the introduction, I had too much on my plate in 2022 and felt out of focus most of the times. This year I want to avoid that and move on with more clarity. Contrary to the beginning of 2022, I’m in a much better head space in terms of career and life direction. It’s all about consistent execution this year and I hope to write a much more positive and happy report in 2024.\nEnjoyed this article? If so, check out my 10+1 Things Newsletter that I send out every Sunday. It contains 11 interesting Things I thought were worth sharing including books, articles, projects, and other things I’m curious about. Click here if you would like to check out the previous issues and may be subscribe!\n← 28 Lessons I’ve learned in 28 Years → The Super Randonneur Journey\n10+1 Things\n© 2023 Rishikesh Sreehari","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line658780"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.707148551940918,"wiki_prob":0.29285144805908203,"text":"More Impact Online”: The ASA looks to the future with strengthened focus on regulating online ads and the potential use of machine learning to aid regulation\nThe ASA’s strategy\nIn November 2018, the Advertising Standards Authority (“ASA”) released its latest five-year corporate strategy vision, outlining its plans, aims and focus over the next five years (the “Strategy”). We have picked out below some of the more interesting objectives and commitments made by the ASA, which are likely to be of interest to brand owners and advertisers across the industry, as well as looking a bit more closely at some ways in which the ASA may realise its aim of using new technologies to improve regulation and enforcement.\nOnline focus\nThe headline statement of the Strategy is a renewed and strengthened focus on the regulation of online advertising. No reader will be surprised to learn that an increasing number of brands will be focusing their advertising spend on the online market – and given the meteoric ongoing rise of programmatic advertising – this trend is undoubtedly set to continue. In terms of regulation, the ASA’s figures back this point up, with the vast majority (88%) of the 7,099 ads amended or withdrawn following ASA action in 2017 being online ads. Similarly, over two third of all the cases resolved by the ASA last year were regarding ads that appeared online.\nOnline advertising has long been seen as a bit of a “wild west” in terms of regulation and we will all have personal experience of seeing misleading, incorrect and potentially offensive or harmful advertising when browsing online. With the vast consumption of media taking place online across multiple devices and in new and immersive ways, it makes sense that the ASA should redouble its attention to protect us in the online sphere. But in a world where advertising or promotional content can be created and uploaded by anyone within seconds to a national or global audience, how can the ASA go about ensuring it is fair, responsible and not harmful? And equally importantly how can it ensure it is addressed, amended or removed in good time?\nAnother of the key strands for the Strategy will be getting the “buy-in” of both the public and the industry. The ASA will be seeking to work a lot more closely with the “large online platforms”, invite their engagement and collaboratively explore ways to ensure advertising compliance. It remains to be seen exactly how this will work, but the goal at least appears to make sense, both from a technological and practical context.\nWe have seen recently – particularly in the context of targeting – both the ASA and advertisers under investigation relying on or referring to tools, statistics and data from the likes of YouTube as part of the analysis of the ad in question – be it the ad’s viewership, exposure, tagging etc. If the ASA can work more closely with platforms such as YouTube, it is hoped the result is that – through new technology and tools – brands and ad agencies will be able to more effectively tailor and direct videos to their intended audiences. However, particularly with platforms such as YouTube where there is no requirement to “sign-in” to watch a video (and therefore YouTube has no data about, for example, the age of the viewer) – it appears that ads unsuitable for children may continue to be viewed by them in this context.\nPlatforms engaging with, and addressing, regulation is something which has already happened with other social media giants such as Instagram, whereby functionality now exists during the process of uploading content to allow brands and other users to identify such content as paid for advertising, using a check-box tool. This has helped to in some way address the regulatory issue of clearly labelling content as paid-for – where ensuring an ad is labelled prior to a user engaging with it is not always technologically straightforward. This is a classic example of technology adapting to incorporate regulation – something which the ASA will be keen to continue to promote.\nAs well as achieving the engagement of the giant social media platforms, the ASA also stresses the importance of getting small business and indeed social media influencers themselves on board. Much work has already been done in this area, including the ASA’s recent guidance – prepared to educate influencers and raise awareness of the potential issues and pitfalls to avoid when advertising both on behalf of themselves and when promoting brands by way of paid-for content. The ASA hopes this engagement will assist in educating the content creators and pro-actively reduce the number of misleading or irresponsible ads appearing online.\nOne of the key challenges facing the ASA in an online context will always be enforcement – or rather effective, prompt enforcement. The Strategy looks to explore the ASA’s “decision making processes and governance”, to, “simplify our regulation” and to ensure the ASA acts, “more nimbly”. Given the instant nature of the online world, the ASA’s procedures will need to be streamlined to ensure that an ad can be identified, investigated and if necessary removed or amended within a relatively short timeframe. There is reduced worth in an online advertiser being told to remove an ad many months after it has been promoted to the public, garnered attention and “gone viral” – potentially causing harm and offence along the way while generating significant publicity for the brand. To that end, as discussed below, the ASA will be looking to target the ads that matter most to the public and to ensure cases are dealt with and resolved more rapidly to maintain confidence and ensure the enforcement is effective.\nThe nature of the investigative process means that enforcement and removal are never going to be in real-time and there is always likely to be a delay. However, if the timeframes can be streamlined and reduced then it will undoubtedly assist in making the ASA more visibly effective.\nAd regulation and machine learning\nInterestingly, the ASA has also set out in its Strategy a desire to explore how machine learning could improve its regulation. Although this is a broad and fairly vague commitment at this stage, it is no different to what corporates in all industries have been doing of late – i.e. assessing how efficiencies and improvements can be achieved through exploitation of new technologies such as “AI” or machine learning.\nElsewhere in the Strategy there are further hints as to how the ASA may utilise the latest technological developments to aid its cause. For example, there is an indication that some form of machine learning will be used to pore over and analyse social media “chatter” in order to identify and assess what irresponsible advertisements are causing a stir. This is a specific example, but more broadly the Strategy talks of “more technological tools (including machine learning)” that will assist in trawling the web to identify non-compliant advertising – thus enabling the ASA to, for example, root out scams earlier for referral to other statutory regulators.\nThe ASA also plans to use “data driven intelligence gathering” in order to assess which ads to target with enforcement action – i.e. which mean most to people and which are likely to have the biggest or most harmful impact. This will enable the ASA to better prioritise and focus its resources on those ads that matter most. What form this intelligence gathering takes remains to be seen, but it appears the targeted approach at the most impactful ads would be a deviation from the ASA’s previous remit of addressing each and every complaint with at least some form of action.\nIt is difficult to see how machine learning may impact on the regulation itself in terms of decision-making and enforcement. Given the inherently subjective nature of any decision and the scope for interpretation of the CAP Code – as well as the need to consider and interpret arguments and data provided by both the complainant and the advertiser – it is difficult to see what part machine learning may play. As a supplementary tool however, it is easy to see how it could assist in the data gathering process in order to identify inappropriate ads, make the most efficient use of ASA resources and to achieve the most prompt outcome.\nInappropriate targeting\nData, its value and importance are inextricably linked with advertising in the modern day. The very functioning of programmatic and other online advertising is built on a wealth of data about consumers. As such it makes sense that the ASA is also intending to increase its work with the ICO and to have more meaningful input into the use of data for “data-driven marketing”. With targeted advertising becoming ever more sophisticated and with the wealth of enriched data that advertisers now have access to – it is easy to see why inappropriate targeting will be firmly on the ASA’s agenda. The significant number of ASA adjudications in the past year surrounding ads inappropriately targeted at children (e.g. pre-rolls prior to a YouTube video for kids, or as banners or pop-ups as part of a child-focused website) are likely to continue as the ASA redoubles its efforts in this area – with a particular focus stated in the Strategy on protecting children and other vulnerable sectors of society.\nWhat does this mean for brands and advertisers?\nAt Bristows we regularly advise client brands and ad agencies on the interpretation of the CAP Code and how best to ensure compliance while retaining the artistic aim or purpose of an ad. In terms of the effect of the Strategy for such clients – given the nature of the document, the plans involved are long term and therefore no immediate changes are expected. While we can expect to see greater focus and enforcement by the ASA in targeting online ads, it remains to be seen how its processes and tools will evolve to meet this significant challenge. We will follow further updates from the ASA in this area with interest.\nRob Powell\nThe AI Liability Directive\nFinancial regulation in the metaverse\nWorking in the metaverse – what employers need to know\nData protection in the metaverse\nOnline harms and safety in the metaverse\nCan we monitor our employees? The ICO outlines its new guidance","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line24037"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6198419332504272,"wiki_prob":0.6198419332504272,"text":"UNEXPECTED Max Schenzel pleads guilty to another felony, also guilty of probation violation\nAsa Hawks April 8, 2020 Chloe Mendoza, Max Schenzel, Unexpected\nIt appears as though Unexpected dad Max Schenzel’s ability to continually skirt the law with little repercussion has finally reached its limits. The 20-year-old pleaded guilty to a felony earlier this month and is scheduled for sentencing in late May. The guilty plea also triggered an automatic probation violation from his previous felony theft conviction in December of 2018. That hearing is scheduled for the same time as his new sentencing.\nAccording to court documents, Max pleaded guilty to a felony count of Unlawful Use of Means of Transportation on April 1. The charge stems from an incident on February 26 when a man called police to report that Max had stolen his vehicle. A second call to police was later made reporting that Max was in another vehicle that also wasn’t his.\nMax reportedly tried to run from the police, and as he was being handcuffed, he allegedly tried to kick an officer in the groin. Max was facing four felony counts when he was initially booked. In addition to Unlawful Use of Means of Transportation, he was also charged with Aggravated Assault on an Officer, Resisting Arrest, and Theft. Prosecutors dropped all but the single class 5 felony count of Unlawful Use of Means of Transportation prior to Max pleading guilty.\nIn a bit of good fortune for Max, the owner of the second vehicle did not want to press charges.\nAccording to PhillipsLaw.com, a class 5 felony in Arizona has a presumptive sentence of 1.5 years.\nUntil his sentencing and probation violation disposition hearing in late May, Max is under the supervision of Pretrial services, “to include drug monitoring, alcohol monitoring and electronic monitoring.”\nMax is also still facing two separate assault charges stemming from altercations with Chloe Mendoza in December and February. There is a pre-trial conference scheduled for both cases later this week.\nUPDATE – Max’s assault cases have been continued until June.\nMax has all but vanished from social media over the past month. Just prior to his arrest for auto theft, Max shared a YouTube video answering fan questions. “I don’t belong in jail,” he stated at one point in the video. “I’m a good father to the point where I’m not hanging around the wrong people getting high,” he insisted. “The only time I mess up or do drugs or break the law is when I’m around my old friends that break the law.”\nFive days after posting the video, Max was arrested for Unlawful Use of Means of Transportation.\nI would assume that Max will FINALLY be spending a good amount of time behind bars. But, given his propensity for avoiding jail time, combined with the current incarceration issues due to the coronavirus, he might be able to avoid it once again. We will continue to monitor the case and will be sure to update after his sentencing.\nAsa Hawks is a writer and editor for Starcasm. You can contact Asa via Twitter, Facebook, or email at starcasmtips(at)yahoo.com\nUNEXPECTED Lexus Scheller has COVID, worried about newborn Amethyst and daughter Scarlett\nUnexpected dad Anthony Vanelli arrested for shooting his former stepdad’s house\nUNEXPECTED Max Schenzel sentenced to jail, probation in sleeping grandma theft case\nAsa Hawks","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1294457"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9996241331100464,"wiki_prob":0.9996241331100464,"text":"Ken Block Net Worth 2023 – Bio, Career, Wife, Death News\nJanuary 5, 2023 by DRFreport Editor\nKen Block Net Worth 2023: Pro rally driver, a big name in the world of action sports and co-founder of DC Shoes, Kenneth Paul Block, better known as Ken Block, has passed away in a snowmobile accident near his home in USA on 2 January 2023. We are going to tell you about Ken Block’s personal and professional life today in this page. Ken Block was an American rally driver from the United States. He began his National rallying career in 2005 with the Vermont Sports Car squad.\nHis first rallying event of the season, where he finished seventh overall and sixth in the Group N class. He was named Rally America Rookie of the Year at the completion of his debut rallying season. Before he died in 2 January 2023, Ken Block had an estimated net worth of $200 million. Here in this page now we will tell you about Ken Block Net Worth 2023, Ken Block’s Biography, Career of Ken Block, Ken Block’s Wife and Death News of Ken Block.\n1 Who was Ken Block?\n2 Ken Block Wiki/Biography 2023 Details\n3 Ken Block Net Worth 2023\n4 Career of Ken Block\n5 Ken Block’s Wife/ Kids\n6 Death News of Ken Block\nWho was Ken Block?\nKen Block was born on 21 November 1967 in United States. His parents name has not been made public yet. Ken Block aspired to be an architect as a kid, he enjoyed drawing. Ken Block also enjoyed extreme activities such as skateboarding and dirt bike riding. Growing up in California, he had the resources he needed to pursue both of his loves.\nHe was a well-known rally driver and participated in various sports like snowboarding, ATV etc. as well as made the famous video series. Ken Block also entered into a partnership with Audi and made stunt videos with the company’s electric Audi cars and Porsche race cars.\nLionel Messi Net Worth 2023\nAndrew Tate Net Worth 2023\nCristiano Ronaldo Net Worth 2023\nBob Iger Net Worth 2023\nWill Smith Net Worth 2023\nKen Block Wiki/Biography 2023 Details\nName Kenneth Paul Block\nKnown as Ken Block\nDOB November 21, 1967\nDate of death January 2, 2023\nAge at death 55\nCause of death Road accident\nProfession Professional Rally driver, Businessman.\nKen Block Net Worth 2023\nKen Block’s net worth has been estimated to be around $200 million and repots suggest that he had a $200 million fortune in 2012 but that this had gone by up to half by 2023. He had owned an extensive car collection and at least two large properties. Ken Block’s main home was in Park City, Utah, while he also had a house in Rancho Santa Fe, California. His wealth came mainly from his rallying career and the 2 companies he co-owned, DC Shoes and motor apparel brand Hoonigan Industries. And viewers are already interested in knowing him, but now suddenly the whole world is looking for Ken Block Death.\nThe whole social network is full of Death News of Ken Block. Some want to know about Ken Block’s personal life, on this page, we have discussed his personal and professional life, including his Biography, career, family, Death, Cause of Death, and Tv Shows, sister, father, mother, lifestyle, wife, and much more.\nCareer of Ken Block\nKen Block began his rallying career in 2005 and was named Rookie of the Year in RAC. Ken Block competed in the WRC and won several rallycross medals. He competed in the X Games XIII rally event in 2007, finishing second overall and earning a silver medal. Then he made an appearance on the driving show Top Gear. Gymkhana 2, a popular YouTube video, was recorded by Ken Block.\nHe finished third in the Norway round of the FIA World Rallycross Championship and first in the European Rallycross Championship in 2014. He opted to race full-time in the World Rallycross Championship in 2016. In 2017, Ken Block finished ninth in points, with top finishes of seventh in Britain and seventh in France.\nDrake Net Worth 2023\nRihanna Net Worth 2023\nTaylor Swift Net Worth 2023\nKanye West Net Worth 2023\nKim Kardashian Net Worth 2023\nKen Block’s Wife/ Kids\nKen Block, a professional rally driver, was married to Lucy Block on 10 July 2004. They dated for many years before getting married. His wife is also a rally racer and has raced alongside her husband. The couple lived together for 15 years.\nThey have three children, his daughter Lia block is 16 years old. Ken Block wanted his wife and kids to be part of sports, so he scheduled a racing with them. Ken Block always made sure to protect the privacy of his wife and kids.\nDeath News of Ken Block\nKen Block died in a snowmobile accident near his ranch in Park City, Utah, on the afternoon of 2 January 2023. According to police, he was riding the snowmobile down a steep slope when the vehicle upended and landed on top of him.\nKen Block was riding in a group, but was alone when the accident happened and died at the age of 55. Ken Block was confirmed dead at the spot after a search and rescue team discovered his party in the extreme weather.\nDamar Hamlin Net Worth 2023 – Bio, Career, Age, Family, Heart Attack News\nOSSTET Admit Card 2023 – Direct Link Hall Ticket @ bseodisha.ac.in","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line188071"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9710256457328796,"wiki_prob":0.9710256457328796,"text":"Indians look to keep rolling in series vs. Royals\nDerek Holland struggles in Rangers' loss to Blue Jays\nBlues drop Game 4 3-2 in OT as Stars even series\nST. LOUIS -- In short order, the Dallas Stars went from embarrassed to triumphant.\nCody Eakin scored at 2:58 of overtime and the Stars beat the St. Louis Blues 3-2 on Thursday night, bouncing back smartly from a blowout loss two days earlier to tie the second-round series at two games apiece.\n\"I said, 'It's time for us to man up,' and I thought we did,\" coach Lindy Ruff said. \"I thought our leaders were our leaders.\"\nPatrick Sharp set up the winner and also scored for the Stars, coming off a 6-1 loss in Game 3. Rookie Radek Faksa had the other goal, his third of the postseason.\n\"I know it was ugly for a lot of the guys and the team in general for Game 3,\" Sharp said. \"Credit to the team, we were able to put it behind us.\"\nVladimir Tarasenko scored his sixth goal of the playoffs on a first-period breakaway and added an assist for St. Louis, giving him five points in the last two games. Paul Stastny had his first of the postseason with a deflection from Tarasenko.\nThe Stars, who finished first overall in the Western Conference, regained home-ice advantage heading into Game 5 on Saturday in Dallas.\n\"It doesn't matter if we're in Dallas, if we're in St. Louis, if we're in the middle of nowhere,\" Blues captain David Backes said. \"We've got to play our same style of game, put it out there and when we do that the chips fall on our side of the table more often than not.\"\nEakin has a goal and seven assists in the postseason and hustled to get into position on the deciding score. He beat Brian Elliott on a 3-on-2 break after getting a stick on Jori Lehtera's shot in tight on the other end against Kari Lehtonen.\n\"That's the nice thing about finishing first, we've got home-court advantage back,\" Eakin said. \"It's a race to two, and it's going to be a lot of fun.\"\nThe Stars are 1-2 in overtime in the playoffs and the Blues are 2-2.\nDallas is 5-1 with Lehtonen, who made 24 saves, in the playoffs. Ruff also has used Antti Niemi extensively, and joked about the daily controversy.\n\"Now, we've got a decision to make next game with these two goalies,\" Ruff said.\nElliott stopped 25 shots for St. Louis and thought he was in good position on the winner.\n\"It almost looks like it goes on the outside of the net and in, that's how close it was,\" Elliott said. \"Just regroup and go take a game from their barn.\"\nTarasenko's goal was an exception to the rule in a tight-checking first period. Somehow he found the defense napping and scored his 16th career goal in 24 playoff games, beating Lehtonen between the pads.\nThe Stars looked worse on the play given they had six men on the ice, an infraction that went undetected.\n\"We still couldn't defend Tarasenko, which is kind of ironic,\" Ruff said. \"But that was my mistake.That was on me.\"\nFaksa, who had the deciding goal in the Stars' Game 1 victory, tied it on an unassisted goal off a giveaway by fellow rookie Joel Edmundson. Sharp had a tap-in for his first point of the series on a power play off an assist by Jamie Benn, giving the Stars two goals in 1:09 and the lead.\nThey'd been 0 for 12 with the man advantage before Sharp's fourth of the playoffs overall.\nEdmundson played sparingly the rest of the period, totaling 2:38 in four shifts. He totaled 10:39, by far the fewest among the Blues' defensemen.\n\"I don't want to get into going after a guy. Wrong time to do it,\" coach Ken Hitchcock said. \"Young player, they're going to make mistakes.\"\nStastny's first goal of the playoffs on a deflection from Tarasenko tied it on a 4-on-3 power play at 13:06 of the second.\nNOTES: Tarasenko leads the Blues with 11 points in the postseason. ... F Colton Sceviour, who scored the Stars' lone goal in Game 3, was among their scratches along with F Curtis McKenzie, who was pummeled by Ryan Reaves late in Game 3. Brett Richie played for the first time in the postseason, and Valeri Nichushkin played in his seventh game. ... The Blues have been outscored 14-7 in the second period in the playoffs. ... Several Cardinals players attended the game, including Yadier Molina and Carlos Martinez. ... The Blues raised funds from a 50-50 raffle for victims of the Fort McMurray, Alberta, wildfires. ... Hitchcock has 82 playoff victories, tied with Mike Babcock and Toe Blake for ninth on the career list.\nMLB Power Rankings: Blue Jays up; how dominant are the Dodgers?\nNHL odds: Every team's 2022-23 Stanley Cup title futures\nNHL odds: Conference semifinals odds, results, picks\nNHL odds: Lines, picks, results for Stanley Cup playoffs\nNHL Odds: Lines, betting on who skates away with Hart Trophy","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1153123"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7279427647590637,"wiki_prob":0.2720572352409363,"text":"Tag Archives: Government Sector\nBeing a Graduate with International Relations Degree: What You Can Become\nAre you interested in pursuing an international relations degree? This study field has become more and more popular today, especially with the number of global events that also have an impact in political, economic, cultural, and social life. Not only is this an attractive discipline, it is also broad and versatile. Pursuing this degree will provide great insights on laws, public policies, social issues, political affairs, and economic trends, in which everything’s linked together to create the big picture. Even so, it’s also understandable if this becomes your concern: your career prospects.\nCareer Prospects for International Relations Degree\nOpportunities in government and politics.\nWith this degree, you can pursue a career in the government sector, especially foreign services career at national level. Or you can opt for joining the diplomacy department if you’ve got knowledge about other countries, including their language, culture, political environment, and so on. Other options you can consider when working in the government sector with a degree in international relations also include intelligence specialist (in the navy, the military, or security departments) and political analyst (as researchers; the opportunities are also within research institutes or media companies).\nOpportunities in international law and business.\nBeing a lobbyist is also another career opportunity as someone with international relations degree. Lobbyists are hired to convince members of government institution so they’d make a decision to benefit the organization represented. Alternatively, you can also work as an international lawyer, be it in the government sectors, corporations, or even non-profit organizations. There are various issues the international lawyers will need to deal with, such as finance, banking, and trade law.\nOpportunities in a non-profit organization.\nYou can also work to improve the welfare of the society with this degree. Join the non-profit organizations operating on the international level so you’ll get the chance to shape your career with opportunities to travel to other countries.\nGraduates from international relations major often impress many employers due to the qualities they possess, such as the extensive knowledge and interdisciplinary skills. In addition to that, they also often demonstrate an exceptional communication and language abilities. This is why graduating an international relations degree may open up a vast opportunity to pursue career in various fields, such as journalism, economics, or research analysis. This is why you should also develop the set of skill during your study, such as learning foreign languages, communication skills, problem-solving skills, and negotiation and persuasion abilities.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1486516"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9083691835403442,"wiki_prob":0.9083691835403442,"text":"PayPal Announces New Employee Inducement Grants\nSAN JOSE, Calif., Jan. 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- PayPal Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: PYPL) today announced it has granted equity awards on January 15, 2023, under its 2022 Inducement Equity Incentive Plan (the \"Plan\") to new employees who joined PayPal. The grants were previously approved by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of PayPal Holdings, Inc. Information regarding the equity awards can be found on the company's investor relations website at: https://investor.pypl.com/news-and-events/news/\nPayPal has remained at the forefront of the digital payment revolution for more than 20 years. By leveraging technology to make financial services and commerce more convenient, affordable, and secure, the PayPal platform is empowering more than 430 million consumers and merchants in more than 200 markets to join and thrive in the global economy. For more information, visit https://www.paypal.com.\nContact: mediarelations@paypal.com\nSOURCE PayPal Holdings, Inc.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1115783"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.78910231590271,"wiki_prob":0.78910231590271,"text":"Pete Rock Returns With 'One, Two, A Few More' & A New Album\nBy Ivory\nThis is clearly the season of comebacks. Who could forget that after 15 long years, D'Angelo finally graced us with his long-awaited follow-up Black Messiah. Well, it seems that artists are waking up out of their slumbers to bring new music to the masses. DJ/producer Pete Rock is the latest to get in on the fun with the announcement of his upcoming Petestrumentals 2 album, set to hit stores June 23rd. Though he's released several projects in recent years, fans of his 2001 album Petestrumentals have been anxiously awaiting the follow-up to the project.\nThe first single from the album, \"One, Two, A Few More,\" premiered yesterday via The FADER. According to Pete, the song, in addition to some of the other songs from the album, are old beats that have been sitting in his vault. \"'One, Two, A Few More' is actually a beat I made in 1995 and just sat on for years for the right moment,\" he explained in a statement. \"Now, I get a chance to release this and new and unreleased music never heard by my fans with Mello (Music Group).\" Pete is hopeful that the album inspires fans to keep striving for success. Meanwhile, I am hoping that this trend of long-awaited returns keeps going. (Yes, I'm looking at you Dr. Dre, Lauryn Hill and Maxwell.)\nPetestrumentals 2 is available for pre-order via iTunes, Mello Music Group's website and on vinyl.\nEric Benet Continues Monthly R&B Showcase With Goapele, CeeLo Green & More\nSpend Some Time At 'Home' With Jeff Bradshaw & Friends","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1046202"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9430758357048035,"wiki_prob":0.9430758357048035,"text":"600 Booksellers Unite To Pull 4 Million Titles Off AbeBooks As Platform Relents To Protest\nVICTORIA, CANADA — Antiquarian booksellers triumphantly united against bookselling giant AbeBooks this week after the retail platform said it was going to drop five countries from selling on the platform. Aghast at the company’s decision, more than 600 booksellers from 27 countries pulled more than 4 million titles from the website’s inventory in what they dubbed “Banned Booksellers Week.” AbeBooks, which is owned by Amazon, relented after only two days, reversing their decision and apologizing for it.\nConflict arose when AbeBooks issued a statement in October saying they were going to drop all sellers from South Korea, Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic and Russia without any further explanation. Once word crept around and a further explanation demanded, the company released a statement that said, “our third-party payment service provider is closing at the end of the year.”\nThat was not a good enough excuse for booksellers all over the world, who remain a tight-knit community. The company faced a deluge of criticism, including from major bookselling organizations such as the London Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association, which pledged to drop AbeBooks as a sponsor of its 2019 book fair.\nMeanwhile, the Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association of America (ABAA) remained neutral on the issue before and during the protest, releasing a statement saying, “While the ABAA acknowledges Abe’s authority to manage its subscriber base, the Association was dismayed at the seemingly abrupt and peremptory manner in which this authority was exercised.”\nAccording to the New York Times, “The matter was apparently resolved when Sally Burdon, an Australian bookseller who is president of the International League of Antiquarian Booksellers, spoke with Arkady Vitrouk, chief executive of AbeBooks. In a Wednesday email to her members after their talk, Ms Burdon said Mr Vitrouk apologized for the platform’s behavior ‘a number of times’ and said booksellers in the affected countries would not be dropped as scheduled on Nov. 30.”\n“I share my colleagues’ relief at a speedy resolution to the issue, and Abe’s decision to allow the booksellers in the Czech Republic, Hungary, Russia, Poland and South Korea to able to continue business on the Abe platform,” ABAA president Vic Zoschak told Antiques and the Arts Weekly.\n“I think this particular issue, and its resolution, has brought the two parties closer together, with a greater appreciation of each sides’ concerns,” Zoschak continued. “Time will tell whether my view is accurate.”\nFlares between dealers and online selling platforms have popped up regularly in recent years. A dealer-led protest against antique and art retail platform 1stDibs in 2016 came after an increase in seller fees. It remains to be seen if the success of the antiquarian booksellers will alter the discourse between dealers and selling platforms moving forward.\nLoud, Naked & In Three Colors: The Liberty Boys & The History Of Tattooing In Boston\nThe Boston Book Fair Goes Global\n2020 Holiday Book Roundup","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line547497"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8720917105674744,"wiki_prob":0.8720917105674744,"text":"Articles tagged: film\nOctober 2017 The sci-fi noir world of Blade Runner\n... the future would later become an inspiration for countless films, including the obvious Dark City, Matrix and Minority ...this wake-up call. The imagery and feel of the original film is maintained in the sequel three decades later. Humanoid slave ...\nAuthors: Guerric de Crombrugghe\nJanuary 2019 Space for Art – Love letter to Earth\n...of the image using the Apollo 8 astronauts themselves together with film and television clips from during and after the mission. The ...by the image and the story behind it and he sees his film as a love letter to the Earth. “What touched the astronauts...\nEarthrise documentary film\nSpace for Art Foundation\nAuthors: Nicole Stott\n04 October 2021 Russian film crew to head to the ISS, 5 October\n..., veteran Roscosmos cosmonaut Anton Shkaplerov, a former Commander of the ISS, will join actress Yulia Peresild and film director Klim Shipenko for the launch from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at 4:55 am EDT (1:55 pm Baikonur time). Their...\nSoyuz MS-19 spacecraft\nYulia Peresild\n“Vyzov”\n06 October 2021 Russian crew arrives at ISS to film first movie in orbit\n...NASA and Elon Musk's SpaceX. Actress Yulia Peresild, 37, and film director Klim Shipenko, 38, took off from the Russia-leased Baikonur ... ISS. The crew travelled in a Soyuz MS-19 spaceship to film scenes for \"The Challenge\". The movie's plot, which has...\nSeptember 2017 Science searches for cosmic company\n... when the development of modern rocketry encouraged the idea that we might eventually send humans to other worlds. Films and television were quick to depict a universe stuffed with clever and sophisticated, although frequently unattractive, creatures...\nextra-terrestrial life\nAuthors: Seth Shostak\nOctober 2021 Space in the movies – lessons for spacefarers\n... of some modern-day catastrophists. By the same token, Avatar (2009), which is one of the world’s highest grossing films (at around US$3 billion), depicts a very plausible scenario whereby humans snatch resources from another inhabited planet. Where...\nAsgardia\nspace and culture\nspace cinema\nAuthors: Lembit Öpik","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line982632"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7078874111175537,"wiki_prob":0.2921125888824463,"text":"Eastwhich Academy\nBy FindingMe SILVER, Richmond, Virginia\nFindingMe SILVER, Richmond, Virginia\nThe greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love...and be loved in return. (Moulin Rouge)\n“Come on, Kristi, let’s go!” My best friend, Nathan, yelled as he continued to pull me down the long, deserted hallway. We were late for first period class. Going to a private boarding school, that was simply intolerable. At Eastwhich Academy, anything that wasn’t ‘perfect’ was simply intolerable.\n“Okay, I’m coming!” I said, while trying to tie my shoe one handed. It was much harder than it appeared to be in the movies. Nathan continued to tow me down the hallway, ignoring me when I tried to yank my arm away from his grasp. “Let go of my arm! I need to get my shoes tied,” I said, trying unsuccessfully to win the tug of war going on with my arm.\n“You can tie your shoe when we get to class. We’re already 20 minutes late,” Nathan replied.\n“And get scolded for not looking ‘presentable’? I don’t think so!” I retorted, pulling on my arm again. Nathan let go, and I immediately bent over, dropping my backpack that must have weighed more than 30 pounds with all the books packed inside, to tie my shoe and adjust my skirt. I looked up and saw Nathan fiddling with his tie. He hated wearing dressy clothes, but the school required uniforms.\nOur uniforms consisted of the school colors, black and light blue. My blouse was white and had the school crest, an old goblet, sewed over my chest—my heart. My skirt was black and light blue plaid. Nathan wore a black shirt and khaki pants. His tie was striped black and light blue. Once we felt like we looked presentable, we began moving toward the dreaded classroom.\nNathan and I both had biology first period, and we both detested it. Well, not so much the class, at which we were both exceedingly good, it was the teacher we detested. I wanted to major in science when I got to college, so I had a special interest in this class. My religious beliefs were centered on scientific theories as well. As a result of this, I was atheist.\nWhen we arrived at the classroom door, we both looked at each other. I silently prayed Ms. Abbott would be in a good mood, which was a fifty-fifty chance. Then I quickly opened the door and peered into the classroom. We were in luck; Ms. Abbott was facing the board and had her back to us. I snuck through the door and moved toward my seat. It was in the back of room, closest to the door. I sank down into my seat, grateful for not getting caught. I was in no mood to face Ms. Abbott’s wrath.\nI turned and saw Nathan slip silently into his seat as well. He shot me a relieved smile, and I returned it.\nMany people at Eastwhich assumed Nathan and I were dating, but they couldn’t have been more wrong. I didn’t know how to make anyone understand that Nathan and I were no more than friends, but I would love to figure out how. It would spare me all the dirty looks I receive from the girls at the school. Even though Nathan was just a freshman, he was considered one of the best looking guys in the school. He was tall, had black hair and beautiful green eyes. Basically, he was an undiscovered model in the making.\nReaching down into my backpack, I pulled out my Biology notebook and a pen. Looking up, I saw that Ms. Abbott was making a chart that explained the transformation from gorilla to man. It looked like we were beginning evolution today. Opening my book to a new page and uncapping my pen, I began to copy what Ms. Abbott was creating. Looking over at Nathan, I saw that he wasn’t taking notes.\n“So as you can see, gorillas are in the Hominoid family,” Ms. Abbott said, turning from the board to face the class. “Open your books to page—well, it looks like we have two new additions to our class. Miss Rita and Mr. Cabot, welcome. I’m glad that you finally decided to grace us with your presence,” Ms. Abbott sneered. I winced inside. My luck had run out; Ms. Abbott was in her bad mood today.\n“I apologize, Ms. Abbott,” Nathan replied, turning on the charm that only Nathan Cabot possessed. “We had an incident in Kristi’s dorm room.”\n“Oh, and what might that incident have been?” Ms. Abbott asked.\n“There was a freak spider,” I responded. “There must have been at least 11 in my room. They were all over, on my bed, desk, and even the walls.” Even the memory made me shudder. I was deathly afraid of spiders. When I had seen the swarm in my room, I locked myself into the bathroom and prayed there wasn’t a way for them to come in. After Nathan had helped me kill each one, he had laughed and mocked me for my coward ness.\n“Why, may I ask, was Mr. Cabot in your dorm room, Miss Rita?” Ms. Abbott asked, smirking. It was against school policy for a girls and guys to stay overnight in the same dorm room. She thought she had caught us in a lie. Of course, Ms. Abbott wouldn’t be worried about me, because, after all, it only mattered if Nathan and I were busted. That was Ms. Abbott—she had no compassion.\n“Kristi and I always meet at the cafeteria before we come to class. I was worried when she didn’t show up, and decided to check her room,” Nathan answered for me. Ms. Abbott scowled at him.\n“You both know school rules. Being late for class is unacceptable. Both of you report to the principal’s office,” Ms. Abbott said. I could have sworn her voice sounded satisfied, and I was probably right. When Ms. Abbott was in a bad mood, she was really in a bad mood, and usually decided to take it out on her students.\nI never knew what caused those bad moods. Sometimes I guessed that she and her boyfriend had had a major fight. Around that time, the voice in the back of my head would wonder what kind of idiot would ever be in a relationship with her. I wasted a lot of time imagining the man who was naïve enough to be with her. In fact, I couldn’t imagine anyone, man or woman, approaching her on their own free will. So, no matter how much thought I put into it, I could never figure out the mystery of Ms. Abbott’s dating life.\nSighing, I closed my notebook and pen and threw them into my bag. I slipped out of my seat and headed toward the door, hearing Nathan behind me. I could feel all thirteen pairs of my classmates’ eyes bore on my back as I exited through the door I had come through not ten minutes ago. Nathan closed the door as I slumped against the wall.\n“I just love Ms. Abbott,” I grumbled. I heard Nathan’s chuckle beside me.\n“Cheer up, Kristi. What’s one trip to the principal’s office going to do?” Nathan asked as he grabbed my wrist and began towing me toward the office of the principal, Mr. Sergio. I groaned, pulling my wrist from his grasp. His carefree attitude irritated me to no end. Nathan didn’t care about getting into trouble, and he most certainly didn’t care who got busted with him. He lived life on the edge. I, on the other hand, was not so carefree. I cared about getting into trouble and bringing others down with me. Life wasn’t a big game to me.\n“I know where the principal’s office is, thank you very much,” I snapped as I pulled my arm away from his grip. I saw a flash of hurt cross Nathan’s features, but after a second it was gone.\nHe shrugged. “Fine, suit yourself,” he replied, stuffing his hands in his pockets and picking up his pace. I mentally cursed myself. Nathan was just being his joking old self, and I snapped at him. Today was just not my day. Sighing, I ran to catch up with him.\n“Nathan, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to snap at you like that,” I said, practically jogging to keep up with his pace.\n“It’s fine, Kristi,” he replied, keeping his eyes trained straight forward. I looked down. I hated upsetting Nathan; he usually didn’t deserve it. Even if he did, I still felt bad. He was my best friend, and I loved him for him—joking self and all. Sometimes he was just too much. We climbed the winding stairs up to the floor that held all the faculty offices.\nWith its gothic looking buildings, huge classroom and dorms, and winding staircases, Eastwhich Academy looked more like a castle than a school. The Academy treated their few students like royalty, too. It was an exclusive school that only accepted the brightest or the richest.\nNathan fell into the richest category. I fell into the brightest category.\nMr. Sergio’s office was down at the end of the hallway, with a huge door that was intimidating on its own. As soon as I entered the room, I could tell we were in the right place. Bookcases lined the west wall, and leather-bound books sat neatly in place on them. A giant portrait of Mr. Sergio glared down at us from the wall right in front of us. Oh, and the fact that Mr. Sergio sat at the desk in front of the portrait was a pretty big tip off that we were in the correct office. He glared at both Nathan and I as we stepped through the threshold.\n“So, you were late for class because a bird flew through your window, Miss Rita?” Mr. Sergio asked me.\n“Yes, sir,” I replied. Instead of meeting the glare Mr. Sergio was leveling at me, I stared down at the desk.\n“You won’t mind if I send someone to go check this out.” It wasn’t a question, it was a demand.\n“Not at all, sir,” I said.\n“Mr. Cabot, this is the final straw for you,” Mr. Sergio said, turning his gaze to Nathan. “You always find a way to be in trouble, one way or another. You will both receive detention. I will talk to your parents about your behavior,” Mr. Sergio said, with a satisfied smirk on his face as he watched Nathan. Apparently Mr. Sergio was in a bad mood as well. Nathan glared back at him.\n“I highly suggest you don’t do that, sir. My parents won’t be happy,” Nathan said, sitting up straighter in his chair.\n“Oh, so you think you deserve special treatment, do you?” Mr. Sergio snapped.\n“No, I don’t,” Nathan mumbled, slouching in his chair once again.\n“Good, I’m glad we’ve come to a decision,” Mr. Sergio replied sarcastically. Nathan glared at him, again. “You will both report to detention for the remainder of the school day.” I could feel my eyes widening. For the rest of the day?! We were only twenty minutes late for class!\n“Sir—” I started, but his glare cut me off mid-sentence.\n“Go!” He practically snarled at us. I jumped out of my chair and walked so fast that I was almost running out the door. I heard the door shut behind me, and turned to see Nathan.\n“Well, that was fun,” he said sarcastically. I nodded and sighed.\n“I’m sorry I snapped at you, Nathan,” I said. He smiled at me.\n“It’s fine. I’m sorry that I overreacted,” he replied, still smiling.\n“Well, I don’t mind. I’m used to it by now,” I said, pushing him playfully. He feigned a hurt look and held his heart.\n“You’ve wounded me,” he teased. I snorted.\n“I’m sure that you’ll get over it. It happens often,” I retorted.\n“I would push you back, but I hear it’s impolite to push ladies…though I would hardly call you one,” Nathan countered, smiling at me.\n“That’s right. I’m no lady and darn proud of it,” I said, putting my hands on my hips and sticking my tongue out at him. Nathan stared at me for a second, and then started laughing.\n“That was a bit strange,” Nathan gasped as he tried to compose himself.\n“Come on, Pretty Boy. Let’s get to detention,” I spit out the word detention, and began guiding Nathan down the hallway. The detention room was on the lowest level of the building in which academic classes were held, known at other schools as the basement. Nathan allowed me to pull him down the stairwell.\n“Excuse me, but, ‘Pretty Boy’? I believe that’s the worst nickname I’ve ever had,” Nathan said. I rolled my eyes, even though he couldn’t see.\n“I think it suits you, actually,” I teased. Nathan grumbled incoherently beside me.\nWe made our way down the stairs and to the room we would be spending until 3:20. I wondered if they would even let us out to eat lunch.\n“Well, this is quite a surprise,” Ms. Aphra said looking at me.\nMs. Aphra was my favorite teacher. I had her for Art. She was never moody, unlike all the other teachers here and always had a smile on her face. She moved here last year; she had just graduated with a degree in art and art history from The Art Institute of Portland. Her classes were extremely interesting. Instead of just making her students paint, she helped us find meaning in our paintings that weren’t obvious to the untrained eye. As an added bonus, I never heard her yell at her students.\n“What do you mean by that?” Nathan asked her.\n“I expect trouble from you, Mr. Cabot. I’ve seen you here at least a half dozen times. Kristi, on the other hand, never gets into trouble. You, I would expect to see here, but not Kristi,” Ms. Aphra said.\n“Well, I guess you can’t say that anymore,” I told her, smiling slightly.\n“What happened?” She asked me. I sighed.\n“We were twenty minutes late for class,” Nathan replied. Ms. Aphra snorted.\n“Late to class and you get a full day of detention? This school is tougher than I ever imagined it would be,” she mused, mostly to herself. “Take a seat anywhere you want. I suggest you read a book or catch up on work, because this is going to be one long day,” she advised.\n“Are we allowed to go to lunch?” I asked. Ms. Aphra raised an eyebrow.\n“Hmm…well, Mr. Sergio never told me one way or another. Would you mind if I brought you lunch from the cafeteria? I don’t want to get into trouble,” Ms. Aphra asked. I saw Nathan make a face out of the corner of my eye, but before he could say anything rude, I nodded. Ms. Aphra gestured for us to take a seat. Nathan followed me as I took a seat in the back of the room, a couple of desks away from the windowless wall.\nNathan sat down next to me, took out a book from his backpack, and began reading. I took out some extra credit work I had been meaning to do in history, and began working. As I worked, I thought back to my past.\nMy parents had died when I was very young; I barely remember them. People who knew my parents said I got my height from both of them, my dark hair from my father, with the occasional red highlight from my mother. I was said to have inherited my bright blue eyes from both of them. Plus, my bone structure was a mix of them as well. I got my delicate nose from my mother, my strong cheekbones from my father, and my long legs from both of them. Basically, I was an even genetic mix of the two.\nAfter my parents had died, a young couple had taken me in. I was the closest thing they had to a child of their own. My adoptive mother couldn’t have kids. I had an excellent life with them. As far as I was concerned, I was their child. I lived with them until my adoptive father had a job transfer and had to move to Switzerland. I didn’t want to move all the way to Switzerland, so my parents agreed that I could go to a boarding school. After loads of research, we found Eastwhich Academy. I was always a bright student, and was accepted to start immediately.\nI knew it was horrible to be a new girl in the beginning of the year. However, I was the new girl in the middle of 8th grade. It was extremely awkward and scary to walk into the castle-like school, feeling like a freak because mostly everyone stared at you. I felt out of place, and was soon regretting the decision not to move to Switzerland with my parents.\nBecause I didn’t read completely through the trusty handbook that Eastwhich Academy had been so kind to give me, I didn’t know the school song. Unfortunately, I was told to sing it one day in music class. I was the talent show winner four years in a row at my school. Every year I won by singing. Every year, the judges would come up to me after my performance and try to convince me something ridicules such as going for a record deal or trying out for American Idol. I was known to have a siren’s voice. That reputation traveled with me to Eastwhich Academy. As the teacher waited eagerly to hear my voice, I stood at the front of the class, sweating bullets.\nNathan came to my rescue that day, and no matter how he did it, I viewed him as my knight in shining armor. He pulled the fire alarm. By the time everyone figured out it was a false alarm, class had ended. I thanked him, and he offered to help me memorize the school song. It came in handy the next day when the teacher asked me to sing again. When I asked him later why he helped me, he replied that he couldn’t bear to see anyone with that deer in the headlights look. We became good friends right then.\nSighing, I pulled myself out of my reminiscence and glanced at the clock. I had been staring off into space for an hour. I glanced over at Nathan, and saw him staring right back.\n“What?” I asked. Nathan smirked.\n“You’ve had that spaced look on your face since we sat down. What’s on your mind?” He asked me. I shrugged, and Nathan chuckled. “Is it something embarrassing? I promise I can keep a secret,” He said, crossing his heart.\nSmiling, I shook my head. “You know you can never keep secrets. Besides, I’m not thinking about anything secret. I was just thinking about my parents; wondering what they’re doing. You know, the usual,” I replied. Nathan raised an eyebrow, but didn’t push further on the topic. I assumed he wanted to hear something interesting, not me thinking about my parents. Nathan slouched in his seat and picked up his book.\n“You might want to do something to occupy yourself, because this is going to be a long day,” he said, his eyes never leaving the page of his book. I sighed and began working on my history extra credit again, only to be pulled back into my past.\nOh yes, this was going to be one long, tough day.\nI sat with Nathan in the cafeteria the next day. Detention had been long and boring. By the end of the day, Nathan and I had given up on being quiet and had started throwing things at each other. Nathan threw balled up pieces of paper, and I threw sharp objects at him—but never at his face. No matter how badly Nathan annoyed me, I would never try to hurt him.\n“I can officially say I have learned my lesson,” Nathan said, picking at the food on his plate.\n“Right,” I said sarcastically, “you never learn your lesson, Nathan. That’s one of the reasons all the teachers hate you.”\n“Whatever,” Nathan narrowed his eyes at me. I smiled to myself; Nathan only said ‘whatever’ when he couldn’t think of a good comeback. The ‘whatever’ moments came very rarely.\n“Okay, I surrender. No more sarcasm—well, no more sarcasm until you finish telling me what lesson you’ve learned,” I said, holding my hands up in defeat. Nathan smirked.\n“Thank you. As I was saying before I was so rudely distracted, I have learned my lesson never to break the rules. I hate making Ms. Abbott angry on her off days,” Nathan said.\n“Why do you think she has so many off days? Could she be in the middle of doing…lady things?” I stuttered; Nathan smirked.\n“That’s probably the reason. If you really want to know, I’m sure you could go ask her,” he said, smirk still in place.\n“The day I do that is the day the sky turns green,” I said, shuttering at the thought of asking Ms. Abbott why she was so moody. Nathan laughed at my expression.\n“Okay, new topic,” I said, glaring at him. Nathan continued laughing. I picked up a piece of lettuce from my sandwich to throw at him, but he held up his hands in surrender. His laughter died down slowly.\n“All right, new topic,” he agreed.\n“Parents’ Day is coming up; you know how much I love that day,” I said sarcastically. Nathan raised his eyebrow. “Hey, I promised not to use sarcasm while you were telling me your learned lesson, not after,” I defended myself while Nathan chuckled and shook his head.\n“Yes, you seemed to enjoy it so much last year,” he agreed dryly. I could tell he was remembering the same thing I was.\nLast year my parents had promised to come and visit me. All the contact we had had was exchanged by letters and phone calls. I was so excited; Nathan even made fun of me. Even though Parents’ Day was about the parents being shown the school they paid vast amounts for their kids to attend, I was excited. However, on day my parents had called, telling me they were sorry, but couldn’t make it because they had to be out of town that day.\nI was so upset. After waiting months to see them in person, they couldn’t come. I just stayed in my dorm room that day and moped. Nathan tried to cheer me up a couple of times, but eventually gave up when I kicked him out of my dorm room. Nobody likes someone with a bright sunshiny—well, in Nathan’s case, sarcastic mood when you’re down, so I did what anyone else would have. I screamed at him until he left.\n“Are your parents coming this year?” He asked.\nI shook my head. “Nope, they have to be in…I think it was Taiwan this time for business.” Nathan gave me a sympathetic look.\n“Well, you can hang with me and my parents this year. I’m sure that they wouldn’t mind,” he offered.\n“Are you sure? I wouldn’t want to impose,” I said carefully. I would’ve loved to hang out with Nathan, but I had never met his parents.\nNathan didn’t talk about them much, but I got the feeling they didn’t like the idea of him dating. Even though we weren’t dating, I was pretty sure they would get the wrong idea. Everyone else on the campus had.\n“Yeah, I’m sure. I don’t want to leave you alone again and have a repeat of last year, so this is the next best option. Besides, I’ve told my parents about you, and they’re very interested. I think they would demand to meet you this year, even if you weren’t hanging around with me,” Nathan said. I raised an eyebrow.\n“How many lies have you fed them to make them so ‘interested’ to meet me?” I asked him.\n“I just told them how I met you; they both laughed. I’ve also told them that you refuse to be a part of my big pranks, which they also liked,” Nathan said.\n“I don’t know anyone who would want to be a part of your pranks,” I told him. He just smiled mischievously.\n“Whatever you say, Kristi. So, are you in? Are you going to meet the folks when they come?” Nathan asked me. I shrugged.\n“That’s the best offer I’ve gotten so far. Yeah, I’ll come with you,” I replied and Nathan smiled gratefully.\n“Thank you. You have no idea what a relief it is. If you’re with me, maybe my parents won’t full out yell at me after they get the call from Mr. Sergio,” Nathan said. I rolled my eyes.\n“So the part you were saying before, about them ‘demanding to meet me’. Was that just some big lie to get me to agree to stick with you for the day?” I asked.\n“No, it wasn’t a lie. I’m just saying that you should remember what Mr. Sergio said about making a call to my parents. I can promise you that they aren’t going to be happy. After all, I’m supposed to live up to their legacy.” His tone had turned sour by the time he stopped talking. I remembered what Mr. Sergio had said about Nathan not getting any ‘special treatment’ because his parents wouldn’t be happy. That was an odd thing for Nathan to say to Mr. Sergio, but he was Nathan after all.\nI wanted to ask Nathan about it, but I asked a different question instead. “What do your parents do?” Nathan seemed to snap out of his trance as I spoke. It was like he was remembering that he wasn’t the only one here.\n“My father is a lawyer, and my mother organizes charity events,” he replied. Ah, so that was what the lives of the rich were like. A nice job that paid a truck load of money and a job that paid nothing.\n“Do your parents want you to be a lawyer?” I asked. Nathan looked uncomfortable, but he nodded and sighed.\n“Yeah, and I don’t want to be one. It’s a lot to live up to, you know?” He asked me. No, I didn’t know. My parents encouraged me to be whatever I wanted to be. I had never lived under the pressure to live up to someone else’s achievement, but I wasn’t going to tell Nathan that.\n“Yeah, I’m really sorry I even brought it up,” I said. Nathan smiled at me.\n“No, it’s cool. You didn’t know,” he said.\n“Okay, so newer new topic,” I said, causing Nathan to chuckle.\n“Hmm…let’s see…” He mused. He opened his mouth to say something when someone calling his name cut him off.\n“Nathan! Over here.” We both turned to see Amanda Jacobina jogging over to us. Amanda was a part of Nathan’s group: rich and richer. She was tall, but shorter than my five foot nine, had long, dirty blond hair, and dark brown eyes. She had a pretty face, high cheekbones and full lips.\n“Yes, Amanda?” Nathan asked once she was in front of us.\n“Could I talk to you in private, Nathan?” Amanda asked, shooting a disgusted glance my way.\nAmanda was spoiled. All the money she had made her a stuck up person. We hadn’t exactly seen eye to eye the from first time I met her.\n“Anything you want to say to me, you can say in front of my friend, Amanda,” Nathan replied in a cool tone. Shooting another look at me, Amanda sighed and continued.\n“I was wondering if your parents are coming for Parents’ Day,” she stated, but the way she said it made me think her words had a double meaning.\n“The last time I checked, yes, they are coming. Is that all, Amanda?” Nathan asked, still using that cool tone. Amanda nodded. “Well, then I suggest you leave. Kristi and I were having a pleasant conversation.”\nAmanda shot me one last look before turned and walking back to her posse of friends. Once she was out of hearing range, Nathan heaved a sigh.\n“I’m guessing you like her as much as I do,” I said. Nathan smiled and nodded.\n“Yeah, I like her about as much as I like Mr. Sergio,” he agreed.\nHearing the bell ring, Nathan and I threw our lunches into the trash, shoved our things into our backpacks, and headed our separate ways. We didn’t have any classes together after lunch.\nAs I was walking into my class, someone grabbed my arm and pulled me around the corner of the hallway. I was so surprised I didn’t have time to make a noise. I looked into the face of the person who had grabbed me and was faced with Amanda. Wait, Amanda?\n“Amanda? What do you want?” I asked her. She scowled at me.\n“I want you to stay away from Nathan. He’s stressed enough, and he doesn’t need you adding to it,” she said. I raised an eyebrow. She sounded like some jealous girlfriend.\n“Wait; don’t tell me you like Nathan. If you do, I’m not standing in your way for him. We’re just friends,” I tried to explain to her. Her grip on my upper arm tightened so much that it was painful. From the look in Amanda’s eyes, though, it looked like she had much, much more strength where it came from. I yelped out in pain.\n“Just stay away from him,” she repeated, before she released me and walked down the hallway.\nI rubbed the arm she had grabbed. It looked like it was going to bruise, badly. I groaned quietly. Now I would have to explain to Nathan that preppy, girly Amanda had bruised me. I would never be able to escape his mocking. Sighing, I turned and headed back to my classroom.\nAs it turned out, Nathan didn’t mock me. He met me halfway to my dorm and immediately zeroed in on my arm.\n“What happened to you?” He asked as he held my arm closer to his face to get a better look. I could already feel myself blushing.\n“Uh…well, you see, I had a run-in with Amanda,” I stuttered, hanging my head and waited for the mocking to begin. Nathan surprised me, however, and didn’t start laughing.\n“When did she do this?” He asked, and his voice was filled with anger. Taking a glance up at his face, I noticed he looked angry, too.\n“After we left lunch, before I got to class,” I said. Nathan’s face was angry, really angry.\n“I think I’ll go discuss this with her,” he said, releasing my arm and turning toward his dorm, which was across campus from mine. His pace was quick, and his back was ridged. He was seriously angry. I wasn’t sure if I should go after him when he was that livid, so I let him go. Instead, I turned and headed to my dorm.\nMy dorm was smaller than Nathan’s. While his appeared big and pricy, mine was smaller and quaint. If I could bet on it, I would bet that his room was bigger than mine, also. Well, that could’ve been because he didn’t have a roommate, thanks to his parents, and had the whole room. However, he did have three huge windows, while I only had two small ones.\nAs I walked up the stairs I once again was grateful that I didn’t have a room on the fifth floor like I had had last year. First, it was a hassle to walk up five flights of stairs everyday—even though Nathan had pointed out that it got me in top shape. Secondly, I was afraid of heights and, even though I had a great view, I hardly ever looked out of my window because of my phobia. Finally, that floor was so loud. Sometimes, I felt like I could barley hear myself think, let alone study. I swear I had pounding headaches everyday because of the noise.\nI opened my door and saw my roommate, Sophie, studying at her desk. Sophie was an exchange student from Jamaica. She had chocolate colored skin, shiny, dark hair and dark eyes. When Sophie first transferred here, she had seemed nice, but there was nothing special about her. Then, I started noticed the look she had in her eyes. It was as if she knew everything. Whenever I looked into them, I felt like she had seen so much in the world. Like me, she was in the smartest grouping at Eastwhich Academy. Actually, everyone in this dorm was in that category. Eastwhich must have separated the smartest and the richest into different buildings. It was as if we lived in the times when the “separate but equal” laws were still used.\n“Hey, Sophie,” I greeted her as I shut and locked the door. Sophie turned and smiled at me.\n“Hey, Kristi—oh my God! What happened to you?” She asked me as she rushed forward to look at my arm. I winced as she probed it lightly.\n“Nothing, Amanda was just a little angry today. I guess she forgot to take her medication,” I joked as Sophie stared at me wide eyed.\n“Amanda? As in, Amanda Jacobina? Kristi, unless Amanda works out everyday, she couldn’t have done this,” Sophie said, looking doubtfully at me.\n“Well, Amanda must work out everyday because she did this,” I replied, pulling my arm from her grasp.\n“Kristi, did something happen between you and Nathan?” Sophie asked me. I could feel my eyes widening.\n“What?! Sophie, how could you say that?” I asked her, shocked. Sophie shrugged.\n“That bruise looks like something a guy could easily inflict, not Amanda,” she replied, studying me closely.\n“This was not Nathan. Amanda did it,” I said, staring into her eyes the entire tine to prove I wasn’t lying. Sophie could tell when I was lying when my eyes darted around everywhere.\n“Alright, I believe you. You may want to cover that up, it looks pretty bad,” Sophie said, giving me one more worried look before she went back to her work. I went into the bathroom—unlike other boarding schools, our school put bathrooms in each dorm room—and shut the door. I walked up to the mirror and held my arm up in the light, gasping at what I saw.\nThe place on my upper arm where Amanda had squeezed me was so bruised it looked as if I had taken black marker and drawn the bruises there. As I stared at it, the bruise began to throb.\nSophie was right; it looked like a muscular man had done this to me, not someone like Amanda. How could a girl her size have that much strength? I didn’t think I even possessed that much strength.\nI headed over to the counter and did the only thing I could think to do, I covered it up with some makeup.\nNathan had called that night and apologized for running off so quickly. He had asked if I was still up for meeting his parents, and I told him yes. So, here I stood, next to Nathan, who was once again fiddling with his tie. He seemed even more nervous than I, which made me even more nervous than I already was.\n“Nathan, why are you so nervous?” I asked him in a panicked tone. Nathan grimaced.\n“It’s nothing, Kristi. Sometimes I don’t enjoy my parents’ visits as much as I should,” Nathan replied as he sighed. I raised an eyebrow and was about to push for more information, when Nathan smiled suddenly and waved. Following his line of sight, I saw his parents.\nHis mother had long, dark, wavy hair and Nathan’s green eyes. From a distance, she appeared to be tall, maybe a little shorter than I. Nathan’s father had dark hair and hazel eyes. He also appeared to be tall, taller than Nathan’s six foot two. They appeared to be in their early thirties, or late twenties. I made a mental note to later ask Nathan what they did to look so young.\n“Mom, Dad, it’s so good to see you,” Nathan said as he pulled both of his parents into a hug. They smiled and embraced him back.\n“It’s wonderful to see you again, too. We’ve missed you, honey,” Nathan’s mother said, smiling so that it lit up her whole face. Nathan’s father looked equally as happy.\n“So, where is this girl you’ve been telling us about?” Nathan’s father asked his son. Nathan turned toward me, grabbing my upper arm instinctively. When I flinched, however, he released my arm. Thankfully, none of the cover-up I had applied came off.\n“This,” Nathan began, “is my friend, Kristi Rita. Kristi, these are my parents.” I smiled at his parents shyly, and they returned the smiles.\n“It’s a pleasure, Kristi. Nathan has told us much about you, as my husband already said,” his mother said, shaking my hand.\n“No, the pleasure is all mine. Thank you for letting me intrude on your time with Nathan,” I replied. Mrs. Cabot laughed.\n“She’s a keeper, Nathan. I like her,” she declared. I blushed, causing his father to laugh, too. So they had gotten the wrong impression of Nathan and me, even though Nathan had introduced me as his ‘friend’.\n“So, my dear, are you of فمبري inheritance?” Mr. Cabot asked me. I gave them a confused look and shot one at Nathan as well.\n“No, Dad, she isn’t,” Nathan replied, raising an eyebrow. I saw his parents’ smiles lessen a fraction, but I could’ve been imagining things.\n“She’s not of فمبري inheritance, Nathan?” His mother asked lowly. Her face looked like a mask, her smile was still there, but her eyes weren’t warm anymore. They were cold.\n“No, Mother, she isn’t. Is that a problem?” Nathan asked. His mother looked like she was going to say something, but his father beat her to it.\n“No, it’s no problem at all,” he said, quickly, shooting a glance in my direction.\n“Nathan, may I talk to you, please?” Mrs. Cabot asked Nathan. He grimaced but nodded. She led him away, inside the deserted cafeteria. I couldn’t tell what she was saying, but there seemed to be shouting going on. I hesitantly turned back to Mr. Cabot. He was watching his wife and son with a guarded expression.\n“If you don’t mind my asking, sir, what’s…that inheritance you were asking about?” I asked. I wasn’t even going to try to repeat what Mr. and Mrs. Cabot had pronounced so flawlessly. Mr. Cabot shot a glance at me.\n“People whose families have been at this school for generations have had family who have been فمبري. It’s just a part of their family history,” He explained to me rather awkwardly.\nI nodded as if I understood, but I truly didn’t understand anything. Not why it mattered so much to have that kind of inheritance. I certainly didn’t understand why not having it would cause Nathan’s mother to yell at him.\n“Where are you from, Kristi?” Mr. Cabot asked me. I glanced over and saw him studying me.\n“I was born in Forks, Washington. When I was two years old, my parents were killed in an accident, and I was adopted by a couple in Lansing, Michigan,” I replied, not wanting to bore him with my history.\n“I’m very sorry for your loss,” Mr. Cabot said sincerely. I shrugged.\n“It was hard at first, but I’ve grown up most of my life without my parents—well, my biological parents. It doesn’t exactly get easier, but I suppose I adjusted over time,” I said, meeting his gaze. Mr. Cabot nodded.\n“Why did you come to Eastwhich Academy?” He asked me.\n“My parents were relocated out of the country. I didn’t want to move with them, so we researched and found Eastwhich Academy,” I replied.\n“It sounds like you’ve had a very different life than any other student here,” Mr. Cabot commented. I shrugged again.\n“I think my wife has had enough time with Nathan,” Mr. Cabot said as he began to weave through the crowd. Not knowing what else to do, I followed him. When we arrived at the cafeteria, Mr. Cabot held the door open for me and slipped through after I entered.\n“—know what she is, Mother!” We had caught Nathan in the middle of yelling at Mrs. Cabot. “I’ve known all along, and accepted it, as you should!”\n“Accept it? Accept it?! Nathan Boden Cabot—” His mother was yelling until his father cleared his throat. Both of their heads whipped toward us at the same time. Nathan looked tired and angry. His mother just looked angry.\n“I think it’s time we should be going, Kristi,” Nathan said, as he walked up, grabbed my hand, and led me toward the door.\n“Don’t think we’re finished with this conversation, young man!” Mrs. Cabot snapped before the door shut, creating a barrier between his parents and us.\nNathan continued to drag me across the campus, into his dorm and up the stairs to his room. When he closed his door, he slouched against it, sighing. He rubbed his fingers against his temples. I waited until he opened his eyes and looked at me. Once he did, he sighed again and sat down on the bed. I grabbed the seat at his desk and brought it toward him, sitting down once I was a few feet in front of him.\n“Do you want to tell me what happened, or should I just sit here and be a friend?” I asked him after a few seconds of uncomfortable silence. Nathan groaned and fell back on his bed.\n“Friend it is,” I answered myself. Nathan closed his eyes and breathed deeply.\n“I hate them,” he whispered, mostly to himself. I got out of the chair and sat on the bed next to him.\n“You know you don’t really mean that,” I said quietly.\n“Don’t I?” He countered. “You know what, you’re extremely lucky to have had your parents die. I would trade places with you in a heartbeat.”\n“Nathan,” I whispered, “I wouldn’t call losing my parents before I was old enough to remember them ‘lucky’. You have no idea how lucky you are to have them both alive and well.” Nathan laughed a cold, bleak laugh.\n“I wish I could be you. You have it so easy,” he said, closing his eyes again. That was all I could take, the last straw. I stood up and moved away from the bed, away from him.\n“I don’t have it easy, Nathan. You do. You think you have it hard because mommy yells at you? Well, at least you see your parents long enough to have them yell at you. You think you have it hard because your parents want you to follow them in their footsteps, and have enough money to send you to the moon and back?” I asked him in a deadly cool voice. Nathan turned to glare at me, and when he turned, I had never seen this part of Nathan before. His whole face had turned cold, flat.\n“You have no idea what you’re saying,” he replied in a voice that barely contained his anger.\n“I don’t? Then explain to me what I’ve missed,” I said, staring him down. He continued to glare at me. I smirked and shook my head. “Because all rich people have such hard lives,” I hissed before I darted out of his dorm room. I could feel the tears stinging in my eyes, so I ran. I burst out of his dorm and sprinted across campus until I got to my room. Sophie wasn’t inside, and I was grateful. I didn’t want to have to explain why I was crying. I collapsed on my bed and cried.\nNathan and I never fought. We were always laughing and teasing, never hissing and glaring. We were never even angry at each other for more than an hour. Everything was different now. I wasn’t even sure if Nathan and my friendship could survive this one. I screamed into my pillow, beating it with my fist. After some time of crying, I pulled myself together. Parents’ Day was still going on, but I didn’t want to go out ever again. Instead, I cleaned the dorm room. Well, my side. Sophie’s was always perfectly organized and tidy. It would’ve bugged anyone else to live with a neat freak, but not me. Sophie was like a sister to me, and vice versa. We accepted each other’s faults unconditionally.\nAfter I cleaned up, I took a nice long, hot shower. Even with all the time I took blow drying my hair, I knew I would have to face Nathan eventually. I had two scenarios in my head. One, he would forgive me and we would laugh our butts off thinking about this later. Two, he would kick me out of his dorm room and we would never speak again.\nBy the time I got out of the bathroom, it was dark outside and Parents’ Day was over. Sophie wasn’t back yet, which was a good thing. I didn’t want to talk with her or anyone yet. I wasn’t ready.\nSighing, I made my decision. I would go to Nathan’s dorm room with movies. His room was the only one with a TV in it. How he had managed that, I will never figure out. But he did. I grabbed two random movies and headed across campus. I replayed the two scenarios over and over in my head, and tried to think of comebacks for whichever scenario would really happen.\nWhen I walked into the dorm, no one was downstairs. They were probably at a party—that’s usually where you could find any rich kid at this time of night. I walked up the stairwell, marveling how quiet it was. It must have been a really big party for the whole dorm to have been there. When I arrived at Nathan’s door, I took a steadying, calming breath. I slowly eased the door open and stopped dead. The videotapes clattered to the floor as they slipped from my grasp. There, in the middle of the room, was Nathan. He was holding Sophie, and her neck was tipped back so he could get more access to it. It looked like he was kissing her.\nUntil he turned around.\nWhatever turned around wasn’t Nathan. It looked like Nathan, but his eyes were blood red. They matched the blood running down his chin. Nathan was a monster. He wasn’t human.\n“Kristi,” he breathed as soon as he saw me. His eyes changed back to the color of Nathan’s, but the blood stayed where it was, no matter how hard I blinked and tried to tell myself it wasn’t real. He took a step toward me, still holding Sophie, and I took a step backward. This continued until I was in the hallway, my back against that wall. Sophie groaned in his arms, and he looked down at her. Gently, he laid her on the ground and wiped the blood from his mouth.\n“What are you?” I whispered, trying to get as far into the wall, away from him, as I could. Nathan slowly stood up and reached a hand toward me. I recoiled from him and he brought his hand down, an anguished expression on his face.\n“What are you?” I repeated, louder this time. Nathan sighed, looked down at Sophie, and back up at me.\n“If we’re going to discuss this, let’s do it in my room,” he pleaded with me.\n“No! I’m not going to go anywhere with you!” I shrieked. Nathan sighed again, and looked down at Sophie, avoiding eye contact with me.\n“For Sophie’s sake, let’s go to my room,” He said quietly. I looked down at Sophie; blood was trickling down from the two…fang marks on her neck.\nAfter a lot of coaxing on Nathan’s part, I agreed to talk in his room with him. He picked up Sophie and carried her into the room, gently laying her on the bed. I sat at his desk, as far away from him as I could manage. He took a cloth and pressed it to her neck wounds. Almost instantly, the cloth turned from white to red.\n“I’m guessing you want me to start from the beginning,” Nathan stated. He wouldn’t look at me; he kept his eyes trained on Sophie.\n“The beginning would be nice,” I agreed in a cool voice. Nathan sighed and finally looked up at me.\n“My family has had connections to Eastwhich Academy for many, many centuries. Even when this property wasn’t a school, we had connections. فمبري is an Arabic word. It means ‘vampire’,” Nathan started.\n“Wait a minute,” I interrupted, “if you’re a vampire, then how can you go out into sunlight and eat…human food?” I had to pause a bit at the ‘human food’ part, because I still couldn’t accept that Nathan was anything but human. Was it even possible to be a vampire? Or, was Nathan pulling a big time prank on me? It would be so like Nathan to do that sort of thing.\n“If you don’t interrupt me, you’ll find out why,” Nathan replied, smiling at me. I didn’t have it in me to smile back at him, though. He seemed to understand that, and his smile faltered a little, but he continued with his explanation.\n“My family…well, all of the people with فمبري inheritance, have the ability to eat ‘human food’ and go out into the sun because of, this may sound crazy, evolution. A long, long time ago, and I’m now talking about centuries ago, a vampire died. She wanted to feel the sun’s warmth, and experience stepping into the light for the very first time…I guess she was a little delusional to forget that sunlight burned her,” Nathan added, almost thoughtfully, “but the stories never mention that. So, she stepped into the sunlight, and was burned to death.\n“This vampire had a young child, about 19 months old. Once her mother died, she was raised by a different family, a human family. She adapted to her surroundings, and soon, she was able to eat human food and stand in the sunlight without being burned. It took some time, but, when vampires at young age are separated from their parents, they adapt to their own surroundings. Her descendents are all over the school; I am one of them. Every vampire who can withstand the sunlight and eat ‘human food’ and enjoy it is a descendent of that vampire,” Nathan finished, gazing intently at me, assessing my reaction closely.\n“If you enjoy human food so much, then why do you suck blood?” I asked coolly, keeping my face blank of emotion.\n“I said that I enjoyed it, not that I was sustained by it. Human blood is the only thing that I really hunger for, and it’s the only thing that satisfies me,” Nathan explained. I raised an eyebrow.\n“Okay, where is it?” I asked. Nathan’s eyebrows furrowed as he looked at me with a confused expression.\n“Where’s what?” He asked me while I glared at him.\n“Where’s the punch line? Where’s the part that you say, ‘I can’t believe you fell for that, Kristi’?” I asked him. Nathan looked at me for a second, and then stood up. As he approached me, I flinched back into the chair I was sitting on. Nathan’s expression turned hurt, and he sat back down on his bed, next to Sophie.\n“Better?” He asked me as he lifted the cloth from Sophie’s neck. I gasped at the sight. The fang marks were gone; Sophie’s neck was fine.\n“This is real, Kristi,” Nathan murmured as he picked Sophie up. “I’m not going to come out with a punch line. This is who—or what I am.”\n“How did you do that?” I asked, shocked. Nathan gave me a funny look.\n“Did you think I was going to let her die?” Nathan asked. When I didn’t answer, he sighed. “I may be a vampire, but I’m no murderer, Kristi. There’s a special coating on my…fangs, so when I bite someone, their healing process is sped up. After that, they’ll sleep for about a half-hour before they wake up. Sophie will be fine, and she won’t remember a thing that happened.”\n“But I will,” I whispered almost inaudibly. Nathan seemed to hear it, though, and nodded his head.\n“Yes, you will,” he agreed, “and we will talk about this later. Right now, I need to get Sophie back to her dorm.” With that, he adjusted Sophie so that one of his arms was supporting her, while the other opened the door. He held the door open for me, and I inched forward, flinching away from him when I exited through the threshold—the closest I got to him.\nWe walked in silence to my dorm; I was concentrating on keeping as far away from him I could manage. Once we were in my room, Nathan set Sophie down on her bed. She sighed and curled up while I watched her enviously. The very thing I had thought was fictional, and never in my wildest dreams had imagined was real, was standing in my room, a couple of yards away from me.\nNathan stared at me for a moment. When he made another move toward me, I flinched away. His expression once again turned hurt, and he took a few steps backward. He looked away, down at the floor.\n“That argument I was having with my mother this morning was about you. When she realized you weren’t a vampire, she tried to convince me that you would never accept me for what I am. I disagreed with her and said you would understand what I was no matter what, because I was your friend. Please don’t prove my mother right,” Nathan whispered. He didn’t give me a chance to answer, because he was out the door in the next second.\nThe second the door clicked shut, I sank down on the ground and held my knees to my chest. Was having an emotional breakdown? I had seen so many impossible things happen today, that my mind seemed to have shut down. The only thing I could think of was Nathan and the blood running down his mouth.\nThis was crazy! Was I becoming irrational? I had just seen my best friend, apparently a vampire, sucking the blood of my roommate. What were the scientific theories for that? I felt sick and woozy. Before I passed out on the floor, I went to my bed. Even though I tried to sleep, my mind was whizzing in a thousand directions.\nWhat if Nathan had sucked all of Sophie’s blood? What would he do then? Did it happen often? Did his parents know about him being a vampire? Then, it clicked. Nathan had said he was arguing with his mother about my not being a vampire. So, at least his mother knew. For all I knew, she was a vampire as well. I knew nothing about his father, but I assumed he knew what they were talking about when he cleared his throat to interrupt their argument.\nSomething else clicked together in my mind. When Nathan’s father was explaining the فمبري to me, he had said, “People whose families have been at this school for generations have had ancestors who were فمبري. It’s just a part of their family history.” That meant that Nathan wasn’t the only vampire attending the school. If I had to bet who else was a vampire at Eastwhich, Amanda would be at the top of my list.\nI gasped when realization hit me on the head, but snapped my mouth shut when Sophie groaned again and rolled over. I didn’t want to talk to her tonight; the image of the blood dripping down her throat was too vivid. As silently as I could, I tiptoed to my desk, grabbed my cell phone, and tiptoed into the bathroom. Once inside, I shut the door and locked it. I needed to call someone, anyone. Eventually, I decided to call my parents. If Nathan tried to suck my blood, but he drained me instead, I wanted to tell my parents I loved them one last time. It was lunchtime around there, and my mother picked up on the third ring.\n“Kristi? Is everything all right?” she asked with a panicked tone in her voice. I smiled. Mom always overreacted about everything. I had fallen off my bike when I was little, and she almost had a heart attack. I hadn’t even scraped anything; I just had a nasty bruise.\n“Yeah, Mom, everything’s fine,” I replied.\n“Well, I’m glad. Your father and I miss you terribly. We both felt horrible when we couldn’t make your Parents’ Day, again,” Mom said, her voice turning sad. I sighed.\n“Really Mom, it’s fine,” I said. I heard a murmuring in the background. “Who’s that?” I asked\n“It’s your father. He would like to speak with you. Do you mind if I put him on?” Mom asked.\n“No, not at all,” I said. I heard rustling and then my dad’s booming voice.\n“Hello, Kristi. It’s so good to talk to you. I miss you so much!” Dad said. “Between you and me, your mother isn’t any fun,” he stage whispered. I heard a slapping noise in the background and my mother grumbling at him. I giggled.\n“I miss you too, Dad,” I said, smiling.\n“Is there a reason you called, honey?” Dad asked. My smile disappeared almost instantly.\n“I just wanted to call you guys. I haven’t talked with you in a while,” I said.\n“Well, you know you can call whenever you like. We’ll always be here for you,” Dad replied.\n“I know, Dad…Listen Dad, I have to get to bed. I’m exhausted, but I’ll talk to you soon, alright?” I said.\n“Alright, we’ll be seeing you,” Dad said.\nBefore he could disconnect the phone call, I said, “Dad, there’s one more thing.”\n“Yes, Kristi, what is it?” Dad asked. The curiosity was evident in his voice.\n“I love you,” I said.\n“Well, I love you too, Kristi,” Dad said, the bewilderment thick in his voice.\n“Give Mom my love,” I said before snapping the phone shut.\nI exited the bathroom and checked on Sophie. She was still out cold. I didn’t even bother to change into my pajamas; I took of my shoes and crawled into bed.\nThat was the first night I had ever had a nightmare my whole life.\nSophie was fine in the morning. Like Nathan had said, she didn’t remember a thing and felt fine. I kept shooting her worried glances, though.\nI avoided Nathan like a plague. When I saw him in the cafeteria waiting for me, I stuck close to Sophie and ate breakfast with her. Nathan didn’t eat; I saw him exit the cafeteria halfway through breakfast. In all of my classes with him, I pretended like he wasn’t there.\nAs I was sitting with Sophie at lunch, Nathan came to our table.\n“Sophie, would you mind terribly if I borrowed Kristi for a second?” he asked her, turning on all of his charm.\n“No…not at all,” Sophie breathed. I shot her a look, but got up and followed Nathan. He led me out of the cafeteria and to a bench out of sight of any windows. I sat down on the bench, but he remained standing. He began to pace.\n“What are you doing, Kristi?” he asked me, turning his green eyes on me.\n“I’m surviving,” I snapped at him. Nathan flinched, but he composed himself. I instantly felt terrible. I hated hurting Nathan, but I wasn’t going to take it back.\n“You don’t need to keep away from me to survive,” he murmured, looking at the ground instead of meeting my gaze. I didn’t answer him, and an uncomfortable silence hung over us.\n“How many of you are there?” I asked. Nathan glanced at me.\n“How many vampires are in the school?” When I nodded, he replied, “About half of the student body and almost every teacher.”\n“Wait, what?!” I asked in a panicked voice. All of those vampires in one school…\n“You heard me,” Nathan replied, his gaze intense.\n“What students? What teachers?” I asked,\n“All of the students that live in my dorm,” Nathan said. All of the rich people, I automatically corrected in my mind. “The only teacher that isn’t a vampire is Miss Aphra. The reason why the teachers are all so moody is because they’re hungry. They don’t feed as regularly as us.”\n“How much blood do you need to drink to satisfy yourself?” I asked him.\n“About once every week,” Nathan said. I could feel myself pale. All of those vampires fed once a week?\n“How many times have they fed on me? How many times have you?” I asked. Nathan looked away from me again.\n“I fed off you once,” he admitted. “The night I helped you memorize the school song, I fed off you. But that’s all, I swear to you,” he said.\n“And how many times have others fed off me?” I asked him in a cold voice. Nathan’s head whipped toward me. I saw the desperation in his look.\n“Never! I swear, no one else has ever fed off you,” he said.\n“Why, is my blood not tasty enough for them?” my voice was still cold.\n“No, I won’t let them,” Nathan said. I raised an eyebrow.\n“Why would they listen to you?” I asked. Nathan sighed.\n“Remember when I was telling you about living up to their legacy? In the vampire community, there are…ranks. My parents are second in command. So, I’ll be second in command whenever I get married,” he grimaced when he said the married part and shot a look at me.\n“So who’s in command?” I asked. Nathan studied me for a second.\n“I’ll take you to meet them tonight, if you would like to. I promise they won’t suck your blood,” he said, watching me closely. As much as I didn’t want to go meet another vampire—it made me feel like Little Red Riding Hood going to meet the Big Bad Wolf, I wanted to understand how being a vampire worked. Who could answer my questions better than the leader? So, against my better judgment, I agreed to go with him tonight.\nNathan met me at my dorm room after school ended. I followed him into his dorm. I shot him a confused look, but he ignored it and headed into the kitchen. We came toward a door that I had always assumed held extra food in it, like the one in my dorm did. Apparently not. Nathan took a key from his pocket and unlocked the door. I raised an eyebrow, but didn’t say anything. Instead of a room of stashed food, like I had expected, there was a staircase. I couldn’t see where it led, though. It was too dark. Nathan reached around the doorframe and turned on the lights. We walked down the staircase and down a long hallway, where I saw another door. Nathan took out another key and unlocked it.\nWe entered a room that was filled with rows of chairs. There must have been enough to seat half of the school—so about enough to seat all the vampires at the school. All of the seats faced a platform. The room was empty, except for the two people sitting on the platform, heads together, murmuring quietly.\n“Mom?! Dad?!” I gasped.\n“Hello, Kristi,” Mom said.\n“You—you’re vampires?! You’re the leaders of this coven?!” I screeched. Dad nodded. Both of my parents’ faces were calm and collected.\n“You knew they were vampires and you didn’t tell me?” I asked, whirling toward Nathan.\n“He wasn’t allowed to tell you, Kristi,” Dad said. Nathan didn’t meet my gaze; he stared at the carpet instead.\n“Why not?” I asked. I was beginning to feel lightheaded. I was having another emotional overload, but this one was extreme.\n“We wanted to tell you in our own time, when you were ready. However, that plan was ruined when you caught Nathan feeding,” Dad replied.\n“Kristi, are you alright? You’re looking a bit woozy,” Mom said, rising from her seat on the platform and coming toward me. I flinched away from her, and sank down on the chair closest to me. I rested my elbows on my knees and my face in my hands.\nI took a few deep breaths and lifted my face. Mom’s face was a couple of inches from mine. I yelped and fell backwards in the chair. She hadn’t made any noises when she moved, and I hadn’t expected her there.\n“Kristi!” Mom exclaimed as she pulled me up. She had grabbed onto the part Amanda had bruised, so I winced and yanked my arm away from her. Dad and Nathan were at my side in a flash.\n“Are you okay?” Nathan demanded. I nodded and rubbed my arm. My parents stared at Nathan for a second.\n“Amanda go a little rough with her the other day,” Nathan explained quietly. He gently grabbed my arm and brushed the makeup I had applied off. I heard my parents gasp as they stared at my arm.\n“I’m fine,” I reassured them. I sank back down into the chair again and rubbed my temples.\n“Are you sure you’re okay?” Dad asked as his hands roamed my head for an injury and traced over my bruises.\n“I’m fine,” I assured them again. They didn’t look convinced, but took a few steps back to give me breathing space.\n“Why would you adopt me, or any human for that matter?” I asked my parents. They exchanged glances before looking back at me.\n“Your mother really can’t have kids. We can’t exactly adopt a vampire child. The only kind of vampire we would ever think to adopt is one from our own coven. Otherwise, the child would be a normal vampire. It was no use to adopt from our own coven since no one had died, and the children weren’t in need of parents,” Dad explained. “So we adopted you. We were supposed to take our time looking for a child, a girl, but we fell in love with you instantly.”\n“Why would you need to take your time adopting a human girl?” I asked. Again, my parents exchanged glances.\n“We’ll tell you later, honey. I’m not sure if you’re ready,” Mom said. “How about we answer some of your other questions?”\n“Where have you really been this whole time? Because right now, I really doubt it was Taiwan,” I said. Dad grinned.\n“You’re just as perceptive as ever,” he commented. “We were traveling the world, looking for vampire covens like our own. Nathan told you how our ancestor adapted to her environment. We have not been able to find any vampires like us, but we’re trying,” Dad explained.\n“How exactly were vampires created?” I asked.\n“No one is sure. Some, who believe in evolution, claim we evolve and adapted, but no one can come up with a reason to have had to evolve into a parasitic human. Others, who believe in creation, claim we were created by a higher power. No one can disown that theory, but no one can understand why a higher power would create something like a vampire,” Dad tried to explain.\n“Did you ever feed on me?” I asked them. They both shook their heads.\n“We also made sure no one would feed off of you after Nathan did. Nathan may have given the order that no one feed off of you, but we reinforced it,” Mom said.\n“How old are you?” I asked.\n“Your mother and I are 200 years old this year,” Dad replied. I could feel my eyes widen. “After a vampire turns 20, their aging slows down to a rate where, appearance wise, they look like they age one year every three decades,” Dad explained. So that’s why they always looked too young to be the parents of a teenager.\n“You look better, the color is coming back to your cheeks,” Nathan commented. I nodded and stood up, stretching my legs.\n“I am feeling better,” I agreed. “But…I still don’t understand. Well, I understand what you explained to me, I just don’t understand why you had to adopt a girl.” Mom sighed.\n“Your father and I are in command of this coven, as you know. We have always trusted Nathan’s family, the second in command, with our lives. They have proved themselves very loyal many times.\n“About a century ago, we made a pact with them. When they decided to have a baby, and it was a boy, we would marry our daughter off to them. The two families would join forces. Of course, it wasn’t until a few decades later we found out about my birth defect.\n“Once the Cabots decided to have a child, and it was a son, knew our time was up to try and have a child. Instead, we adopted you. Everything we did from there was leading up to this moment.\n“We convinced you to transfer to Eastwhich Academy, and put you in most of Nathan’s classes. At the time of course, Nathan did not know you were his destined bride. That is why he drank from you that night—he didn’t realize who you were. After we told him you were to be married, he protected you from all the other vampires looking for a meal,” Mom explained. What little color had come back to my face drained away.\nI looked over at Nathan with wide eyes, and he returned my gaze, his own calm and collected. He already knew that we were betrothed and he didn’t have any objections.\n“What?” I whispered.\nI felt my knees buckle under me. Everything was spinning, and I couldn’t see my parents or Nathan anymore. Before I could collapse, however, I felt two strong arms wrap around my waist, holding me up against a hard chest. I looked up, and my eyes met two green ones. Nathan. I tried to pull away from him, but he held me. I was trapped.\n“How?! How could you agree to this?!” I demanded. I realized I was close to tears, but not because I was sad.\n© Julia R., Bethesda, MD\nMore Than Friends? MAG\nKYRA'S REALIZATION\nSee the Little Ones\nWhite Washed Asylum\nTonite BRONZE said...\non Nov. 9 2011 at 5:22 am\nTonite BRONZE, Toronto, Other\n1 article 21 photos 27 comments\n\"I am just two and two. I am hot. I am cold.\nI'm the parents of number that cannot be told.\nI'm a gift beyond measure, a matter od course,\nAnd I'm yielded with pleasure - when taken by force.\"------Julian\nomygod this is awesome pls pls pls pls write more\nNatChick SILVER said...\non Jul. 6 2011 at 1:47 pm\nNatChick SILVER, Muskegon, Michigan\n\"Not everything that is faced can be changed. But nothing can be changed until it's faced.\"-James Baldwin\nAmazing!please write more!\nTanazMasaba GOLD said...\non Apr. 6 2011 at 5:56 am\nTanazMasaba GOLD, Dhaka, Other\n\"You've gotta dance like there's nobody watching,\nLove like you'll never be hurt,\nSing like there's nobody listening,\nAnd live like it's Heaven on Earth.\"\n---William W. Purkey\nhey its been a way too long while n0ow, are you going to continue this?\nmal12 said...\non Jan. 14 2011 at 1:44 am\nmal12, California\nit's classy-not classic.\nwow i loved it! CRAZY GOOD! it kept me interested the whole time :) i can't wait to find out what happens!! please write more soooonnnnn!!!\nLastChapter said...\non Dec. 21 2010 at 8:20 pm\nLastChapter, Hempstead, New York\n(couldn't think of anything better at the time) \"Take the first step in faith. You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.\"-Dr.Martin Luther King Jr.\nthis is a very interesting piece. twilight--of course twilight--already had me hooked on vampires. i have to say i was totally surprised to find out this was of the vampire genre, but definitely not disappointed. there are some edits that could improve this story, such as making some reactions more realistic, and emphasizing her relationship with her adoptive parents (i was confused on whether they were close or not, what with them avoiding her, and her always referring to them as her adoptive parents, opposed to simply her parents.). also, her relationship with nathan seems a little unstable. she didn't think their friendship could survive that small fight, and she immediately rejected him when she found out he was a vampire, but when she sees that her parents are the head vampires, she listens to their side, trying to understand. also, if you're trying to introduce a little romance between the two, as i think you are, then i think you should've added little hints here and there that they were more then friends. if they start getting lovey-dovey now, it looks a little sudden because there was never any clues to that side of the relationship until after she found out she didn't really have a choice i.e. she had to marry him one way or another. i know it sounds like i'm bashing your story, but its just because i think this is a really good piece that is worth the effort of going back to and editing. if you get the chance, please comment on my work:)\nnot sure, but i think she meant this better be in the magazine.\nHeyAmanda SILVER said...\non Dec. 21 2010 at 10:23 am\nHeyAmanda SILVER, Rancho Cucamonga, California\nplease please please write more! it could be my xmas present! :D\nfer reals tho. this is very awesome! most \"vampire stories\" are a cheap imitation of twilight but this was completely original and unique! PERFECTION!\nFindingMe SILVER said...\non Sep. 4 2010 at 10:01 pm\nhaha well i'm glad i could trick you into reading it ;)\nif i do post more, i hope you enjoy it!\ni'm so glad you enjoyed it! it's so nice to hear you liked it dispite you're usual distaste for vampire stories!\ni promise as soon as school settles down i'll definitely write more!\nkielymarie SILVER said...\nkielymarie SILVER, Sandy Hook, Connecticut\n\"When you do dance, I wish you a wave 'o the sea, that you might never do nothing but that.\" -William Shakespeare\nhaha i forgot to ask for MORE!!!\nThis. Is. So. Amazing.\nCrazyWriter GOLD said...\nCrazyWriter GOLD, Lorton Station, Virginia\n\"Once you have given up on the most important thing in your life, you begin to die, because then, you gradually lose your true self\"~Hana Kimi\n\"Someone who can lie to themself. . . is lonely, and in pain\"~Hana Kimi\nokI'm not a vampire stories but this is seriously good. you have to write more. i didnt think that it was going to be a vampire story anyway i was really surpriesed!\n~CrazyWriter\nmidnightelement SILVER said...\non Jul. 19 2010 at 8:40 am\nmidnightelement SILVER, Queens Village, New York\n\"This is who I've been hiding and she's dying to be set free\"\nok i must say i loved it and i really want to read more.....so please write more. I'm not a fan of vampire stories but this one got me, it was good i did not see that one coming, a well developed story dont stop. (Danielle)\non Apr. 29 2010 at 3:28 pm\nthanks! I agree with with spicing up Kristi and Nathan's romance a little--that will definitely happen in the future.\nI read your story, Public Love. It's really good!! but perhaps moves a bit quickly...and don't worry--age doesn't matter at all when you write!\non Apr. 29 2010 at 6:53 am\nno......i dnt think it'll b gud if kristi turns out 2 b a vamp too. By the way I LOVED it!!! cud u PLS see som of mine. dey r no gud as im just 13 n dats why im in need of ur opinion. Abt da story, i think u cud try making nathan-kristi's relationship just slightly romantic....slightly n get amanda involved som how n u kno.....add a little spice!! ur really gud at dat. dnt worry ur story's gonna com out great n i cant wait till u write again!!\nalibi SILVER said...\non Apr. 24 2010 at 11:00 am\nalibi SILVER, Corry, Pennsylvania\n\"I'm always positive, except when I'm not.\"\nur welcome.\naw, thanks! that's a really good idea!! i may do that...but for some reason i feel like i don't want to make it that easy for nathan and kristi to get together. but i'm not sure--thanks for the suggestion!!\nomg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg!!!!!!!!!!!! That is so amazing!!!!!!!!!!! Y dont u have kristi b a vampire, but have no one realize it until she drinks from someone, and have it b a total surprise to everyone, including her, and then she and Nathan could get married, and it would b so sweet!!!!!!! Great story so far, though!!!!!\nthanks! that means a lot! if you have any ideas with how you would like it to continue (because I honestly cannot decide) you can tell me if you like\ni'm glad you enjoyed it so much...haha but i'm sorry, i have noo idea who maggg is","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1375854"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6049759984016418,"wiki_prob":0.6049759984016418,"text":"Captain America #19 Review\nSee all that history Steve Epting jams on the cover? Yeah, that’s all in the book, too. And it’s stellar.\nCaptain America #19\nWritten by Ed Brubaker\nArt by Steve Epting\nColor Art by Frank D’Armata\n‘Tis a sad day. Today, Ed Brubaker’s Captain America epic came to an end. 8 years. Over 100 issues. 2 volumes. Gene Colan. Multiple industry awards and the nigh universal endearment of comics fandom. Of course, we still have Winter Soldier for a few (short) months, but Captain America is the series that Brubaker will forever be associated with in the history of the House of Ideas. It will always be “Brubaker’s Cap” just like it’s “Claremont’s Uncanny X-Men” or “Simonson’s Thor” or “David’s X-Factor/The Incredible Hulk;” the writer and character are one. Since the first issue back in late 2004, Brubaker has [warning: 8 year old spoilers!!!] assassinated the Red Skull, introduced one of the greatest character arcs of the 21st Century in the Winter Soldier, reignited the Sharon Carter/Steve Rogers romance, assassinated Captain America himself, and turned Arnim Zola and Dr. Faustus into formidable supervillains! He has crossed sci-fi with noir and reality-bending fantasy with World War II reel-footage and flashbacks. He has explored the nature of heroism and the weight of legacy. He has always laced his narrative with the idea of redemption and the necessity of pursuing good. The last 8 years have been a master-class in long-form comics storytelling, and I sincerely recommend searching for back-issues or trades of Brubaker’s Cap as soon as you are done reading this review.\nThe final issue reads a lot like some of the earlier issues from Brubaker’s run. Having Steve Epting on as artist probably helps recapture some of that initial synergy between story and image, but Brubaker seems more comfortable on this issue than he has been since the Captain America relaunch last year. Unlike any of the last 18 issues of volume 6 (some of which were excellent; some of which were absolutely terrible), Brubaker writes this issue around elements from the initial 50 issues of the volume 5 run: The 1950s Captain America, the extensive use of flashbacks, and a spectacular action sequence involving a train and some terrorists that long-time readers will recognize as a direct parallel to issue #1. Full-circle, much? The entire book revolves around a conversation between Steve Rogers and the 1950s Captain America, William Burnside—a character used to expound upon ideas of legacy and madness back around issue #40 of Brubaker’s initial volume of Captain America. No spoilers here; just go read the book.\nAfter that initial action sequence, the book takes on a decidedly more meditative mood. Steve Rogers spends the majority of the book reflecting on the nature of Captain America as a symbol. He tells the story of what motivated him to first take the super-soldier serum and tracks the ups and downs of his tenure as the star-spangled Avengers and those that took up the mantle when he couldn’t. It is a story we’ve heard before—the weight of the shield and standing as a symbol of hope and heroism during times of international or interstellar war—but it quickly becomes evident that Brubaker is speaking through Steve’s words. When Brubaker has Cap say, “And if I don’t wear this uniform, then someone else will… someone else always will… because that’s the hardest part about being Captain America… understanding that the mission is too big… and it’ll never end,” he’s acknowledging the importance of Captain America as an icon—a piece of mythology—that millions of readers and viewers will experience in its various incarnations and learn from and admire and aspire to be like. Because that’s what mythology is—the sacred narrative of those heroes that stand for that special something deep and hidden in the human condition. That little bit of goodness or heroism, of drive or promise, of patriotism or passion expounded and expounded through a fictional construct. Cap is that. Spider-Man is also that, but that’s a different story for another time. But Cap is that, and Cap has been that for over 70 years. In times of crisis, Captain America has punched Hitler in the jaw. Captain America once abandoned a corrupt president and fought for American ideas of fairness and equality as the Nomad. He’s an icon on the panels; he’s an icon in real life. And Brubaker has contributed to that mythos; he has contributed mightily. But, as he says in his thank you text at the back, it’s time to turn a new page.\nThank you, Mr. Brubaker, thank you. Captain America never needed to find an audience; the audience needed to find Captain America.\nBuy it. Even if you’ve never picked up an issue of Captain America, #19 reads as a stand-alone piece. It provides all of the necessary history and background within its pages, and it promises to be one of my favorite issues of one of my favorite comics series by one of my favorite comics writers of all time. Steve Epting and Frank D’Armata put together a visually stunning comic book, and Ed Brubaker ends his story by hitting all the right emotional beats. Bravo.\nPS – When Winter Soldier ends, I don’t know what I’m going to do… (edit: Read Fatale)\nTags:captain americacomic bookcomic book reviewcomicsEd Brubakerfinal issuefrank d'armatahistorymarvelsadnesssteve eptingtearsWWII\nHack/Slash #19 Review\nGambit #4 Review\nFavorite Comic Book Covers of the Week: 02/27/13\n* SPOILER WARNING !!! * The crowning cover of this week's Favorite Comic…\nThe Life of Captain Marvel #1 Review\nWriter: Margaret Stohl Penciler for Present Day: Carlos Pacheco Inker for…","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1050074"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9339901804924011,"wiki_prob":0.9339901804924011,"text":"Four schools cut ties with American Studies Association over Israel boycott\nTransgender swimmer at Yale loses after switching from women's to men's team\nBy Alexia Bianchi '22\nUniversities are lowering expectations for pandemic-era students\nSterling Beard | Former Director Content Creator Recruitment, Zenger News\nFour universities are leaving the American Studies Association (ASA) after the group called for a boycott of Israeli academic institutions.\nIndiana University, Kenyon College, Brandeis, and Penn State Harrisburg have all announced they will discontinue their membership with the ASA, the self-described “oldest and largest association devoted to the interdisciplinary study of American culture and history,” on the grounds that the boycott infringes on academic freedom.\nEarlier this month, the ASA launched the boycott after it was approved by 66.05 percent of a member vote. The ASA stated that the boycott, which had been brought before the group’s Executive Committee by its Academic and Community Activism Caucus, was “ in solidarity with scholars and students deprived of their academic freedom and it aspires to enlarge that freedom for all, including Palestinians.”\n“The ASA’s endorsement of the academic boycott emerges from the context of US military and other support for Israel; Israel’s violation of international law and UN resolutions; the documented impact of the Israeli occupation on Palestinian scholars and students; the extent to which Israeli institutions of higher education are a party to state policies that violate human rights; and finally, the support of such a resolution by a majority of ASA members,” the ASA said.\nCritics of the boycott argue that it will harm academic freedom but the ASA insists that it only applies to Israeli institutions and does not cover “collaboration on research and publications between individual scholars.”\nAccording to Legal Insurrection, those four schools are the only ones to end their memberships with the ASA but 57 others are rejecting the boycott.\nFollow the author of this article on Twitter @SterlingCBeard\nSterling Beard\nFormer Director Content Creator Recruitment, Zenger News\nSterling Beard was the former Director Content Creator Recruitment at Zenger News, Campus Reform's Director of Journalism Training, and Editor in Chief. In 2017, Sterling was named to The Chronicle of Higher Education's Influence List, one of nine people who \"affected federal policy, campus culture, and the national conversation about education in 2017 — and who are likely to remain influential in the year ahead.\"","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1109203"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6813961863517761,"wiki_prob":0.6813961863517761,"text":"Christopher Strain is Professor of American Studies at the Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College of Florida Atlantic University. A historian by training, he specializes in recent U.S. history with an emphasis in African-American history. His research interests include civil rights, hate crime, violence, the American Dream, and the 1960s.\nHe is the author of four books: Pure Fire: Self-Defense as Activism in the Civil Rights Era (Athens: University of Georgia Press, 2005), Burning Faith: Church Arson in the American South (Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2008), Reload: Rethinking Violence in American Life (Nashville: Vanderbilt University Press, 2010), and The Long Sixties: America, 1955-1973 (New York: Wiley-Blackwell, 2016).\nIn addition to his books, he has published work in several edited volumes and journals, including The American Historical Review, The Journal of American History, The Journal of Southern History, The Journal of African American History, The Journal of Civil and Human Rights, The Journal of Hate Studies, The Florida Historical Quarterly, and The Journal of Florida Studies. He has presented papers at numerous regional, national, and international conferences, including one at Centre de Recherches sur l’Histoire des Etats-Unis (CRHEU) at the University of Paris.\nIn both 2006 and 2011 he was named Researcher of the Year at FAU, the top academic honor at the university. In 2006 he also participated in the National Endowment for the Humanities Summer Institute, “African American Civil Rights Struggles in the Twentieth Century,” as a Visiting Fellow at the W. E. B. Du Bois Institute for African and African American Research at Harvard University. He has been awarded several grants and fellowships from agencies such as the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the William R. Kenan Charitable Trust, the Florida Department of Education, and the Florida Humanities Council. He serves on the editorial board of The Journal of Civil and Human Rights at the University of Illinois Press. He is also founding Co-Director of the Kenan Social Engagement Program.\nProfessor Strain has been interviewed about his scholarship for local (The Palm Beach Post, The Sun-Sentinel), regional (The Charlotte Observer, The Daily Advertiser), national (Time, The New Republic, The Washington Post, NBC News, VICE News, Vox), and international (The Guardian, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) news outlets, radio shows (NPR’s BackStory, WNUR 89.3FM Chicago’s This is Hell!), and documentary films (Soul City).\nHe attended the University of Virginia (B.A., 1993), the University of Georgia (M.A., 1995), and the University of California at Berkeley (Ph.D., 2000).\nHe lives in Jupiter, Florida.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1378338"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6363352537155151,"wiki_prob":0.6363352537155151,"text":"Serbia – (not) just a stopover on the Silk Road?\nStrahinja Subotić\nProgramski menadžer i viši istraživač\nDuring her first annual State of the Union Address at the European Parliament Plenary, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, addressed how the current fight against the COVID-19 pandemic brought into sharper focus the “planetary fragility”. Furthermore, she highlighted that this notion mirrors the fragility of the “community of values” (how she described the European Union) whose survival and continued relevance was called into question by both outsiders and its members.\nWhile addressing this complicated context, von der Leyen also mentioned the Western Balkans in her speech. However, the way in which she did this was particularly striking, given that she highlighted that “[t]he Western Balkans are part of Europe – and not just a stopover on the Silk Road.” Even though the Commission is often accused of using technocratic language, such statement from the Commission President presents direct criticism of the ever-growing presence of China in the region, especially in Serbia.\nMoreover, it is important to highlight that this statement adds to previous warnings from senior EU officials, such as the former Enlargement Commissioner, Johannes Hahn, who emphasized that the EU underestimated China’s influence in Serbia, similar to former president of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, who stated that China has a strong influence in Serbia as it is a place where the EU has failed to meet its obligations. However, the strength of von der Leyen’s statement, in comparison to those made by Hahn and Juncker, lies in the fact that she made it at the beginning of her mandate, unlike the two of her colleagues. In other words, it appears as if the Commission under the guidance of von der Leyen is straightforward in its readiness to prioritise Serbia and approach the issue with more determination than the previous administration.\nThis is salient especially considering von der Leyen’s reiteration that China is a “systemic rival” of the EU. Such assertion is likewise highlighted in her statement that the EU should react faster and more voraciously to Beijing’s repressive actions in Hong Kong and the human rights abuses of the Uyghurs in Xinjiang. By doing this, von der Leyen is a step closer towards the realisation of the “Geopolitical Commission“, despite some inaction on this field since her leadership began.\nAdditionally, such statements should be regarded as a sign of warning for Serbia. This warning is in response to a country that has so far refused to join the Union’s declarations which condemned China’s actions in Hong Kong while simultaneously supporting China at the UN when Uyghurs’ rights were discussed. A recent study by CEP (whose publication is planned for November) demonstrated that out of the total number of EU’s declarations regarding China since 2008 onwards, Serbia refused to side with them 19 times. Put simply, whether it was regarding human rights or geopolitical questions, Serbia has preferred siding with Beijing instead with Brussels.\nAs the rivalry between the Union and China intensifies and escalates, stronger pressure can be expected on Belgrade to progressively align with the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), both by EU institutions and member states, which are increasingly concerned about the almost unconditional support that Belgrade has so far provided to Beijing.\nPhoto: Chinese workers are working on the reconstruction of the railway in Serbia. © Vesna Andić, RFE/RL","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line155565"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8028718829154968,"wiki_prob":0.8028718829154968,"text":"Home News Liberian president hails ‘Feed the Future’ program\nLiberian president hails ‘Feed the Future’ program\nLiberian president hails 'Feed the Future' program\nWASHINGTON – The Feed the Future initiative — which seeks to enhance food security and reduce hunger, poverty and malnutrition — is exactly the right program at the right time for Liberia, Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf said May 20, while also applauding the Obama administration’s strong support for the Global Agriculture Development Initiative.\n“What is most appealing from the Liberian perspective about these initiatives is that they encourage the participation of key groups, including farmers, civil society organizations, women, and they also promote strong regulatory policies such as governance and accountability,” she told the Symposium on Global Agriculture and Food Security in Washington.\n“We see this new [Feed the Future] initiative as a complement to the Millennium Challenge Corporation,” she said. The Millennium Challenge Corporation recently qualified Liberia for its Threshold Development Program, which supports home-grown strategies and rewards governments that invest in their own people and govern responsibly.\nSirleaf said Liberia is pleased to have been selected as one of Feed the Future’s 20 potential target countries and that it “will strive hard to achieve status as an investment plan country.” The other potential Feed the Future target countries are Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Mali, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Senegal, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia in Africa; Bangladesh, Cambodia, Nepal and Tajikistan in Asia; and Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras and Nicaragua in Latin America.\nSirleaf commended the U.S. Embassy and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) teams in Liberia “who support our goals in the development of Liberia’s agriculture and rural sector in promoting sustainable peace.”\n“We strongly believe that with our commitments, with our hard work, together with your continued support, we can indeed bring stability” to Liberia, she said. “We can bring prosperity to a nation once characterized as a ‘failed state.’ We can become a post-conflict success story, building upon our agriculture potential.”\nSirleaf, a former banker, chronicled the important role agriculture is playing in the development process in Liberia, a country that has been traumatized by years of civil war.\nThe Liberian leader told her audience she was dressed in bright green to denote the great agricultural potential of her nation.\n“In 2006, Liberia started the long road back from a civil conflict that decimated the country’s infrastructure and institutions,” she said. The country’s development potential has also been hobbled, she said, by a population that fled to the urban areas during the unrest — leaving the land unproductive.\nIn the past four years, Sirleaf said, her government has made progress: restored economic growth to an average annual rate of 7 percent; tackled a $4.9 billion external debt; made strong advances in consolidating peace and national security; reactivated the country’s mining, agriculture and forestry sectors; promoted the institutions of good governance, including the rule of law; and rehabilitated infrastructure to extend basic services to the Liberian people.\nDespite such progress, the “challenges remain awesome,” she said, and the nation remains “fragile in the face of raised expectations and the several stumbling blocks” in its path, such as the global financial crisis, which “has slowed the pace of recovery and reform.”\nPoverty in Liberia, she said, continues to be the most significant determination of food access, even though some 70 percent of all Liberians depend on agriculture for their livelihoods. “Recognizing that agriculture growth is more effective in reducing poverty than any other effort in any sector, our government is placing emphasis on this strategic sector both in terms of exports and food security at home,” she said.\nThe immediate goal, she told her audience, is to revitalize operations and activities that contribute to sustainable economic growth and development to provide food security and nutrition and to increase farmer employment and income — all aimed as well at measurably reducing poverty.\nSirleaf said while her government’s commitment to agriculture is “unequivocal,” public financing of the sector is still “woefully inadequate,” with the share of the national budget allocated to agriculture still at only 2 percent.\nThe Liberian people are still “highly vulnerable” to chronic food insecurity stemming from physical and human capital constraints, poor natural resource and farm management practices and poor health and nutrition practices, she said.\n“We are, nevertheless, intensifying our efforts to achieve the desired results,” she said. Her government, she added, has embarked on a “back-to-the-soil campaign” that has resulted in significant increases in food production, particularly in staples such as rice and cassava.\nRice production has increased from 85,000 metric tons in 2006 to more than 200,000 metric tons in 2009, a 43 percent increase. That increase, she said, has led the World Food Programme for the first time to purchase locally produced rice for use in the school feeding program. Additionally, Sirleaf said, more than 30,000 farmers have now been trained in new farming methods and some 15,000 vulnerable farmers and more than 100 farmer groups have been provided with seed rice.\nSuccess in the agricultural sector will be even greater, she said, if farmers are able to make greater use of fertile lowlands to grow rice where yields are the highest and where up to three crops can be harvested annually.\nAt present, farmers are not able to make full use of the lowlands because of health concerns brought on by schistosomiasis and other waterborne diseases, which multiplied during the country’s long civil war, she said.\n“It is very clear to us that agriculture has the potential to become a major source of employment — most especially for thousands of our citizens, women and youth, who as casualties of the war lack essential skills but who can learn to farm the land.”\nHer government’s objective, she said, is to “consolidate them into a productive and dynamic entity for national development.” Creating jobs in the farming sector, she added, is one way to accomplish that aim.\nThe Liberian agriculture sector, she said, is transitioning from emergency status to that of a key development sector, which will include sustainability and improved livelihoods that are well integrated into private sector markets.\nThe private sector is playing a pre-eminent role in developing Liberia’s agricultural sector she said, while the government is charged with creating the enabling environment in which private sector–based agricultural development can flourish.\nFeed the Future is a U.S. government development initiative based on partnership, not patronage, and seeks to coordinate the efforts of many U.S. government agencies to contribute to global food security efforts.\nThe Global Agriculture and Food Security Initiative is administered by the World Bank. The United States has donated $475 million to that program in concert with a host of other international donor nations.\nAt the Group of Eight meeting of major industrialized nations in L’Aquila, Italy, in July 2009, President Obama pledged at least $3.5 billion for food security. More than 1 billion people, or one-sixth of the world’s population, suffer from chronic hunger.\nAbout Charles W. Corey\nPrevious article Arizona’s immigration law: A concern for all minorities\nNext article Delta to launch flights to Liberia","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line769805"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7647023797035217,"wiki_prob":0.7647023797035217,"text":"Schlagwort: National Council of Jewish Women\nKenneth L. Marcus’ Oxymoron: Trump and Civil Rights\nVon Dr. Clemens Heni, 12. März 2018\nThe Times of Israel (Blogs)\nFighting for civil rights and working for Donald Trump is an oxymoron. Activist Kenneth L. Marcus was nominated as assistant secretary for civil rights in the U.S. Department of Education. A first committee hearing took place on December 5, 2017 with a result of 12 to 11 in his favor, and finally the full Senate will vote. Given the GOP majority he will be confirmed.\nI know Ken Marcus personally, ever since he gave a talk when I was at Yale in 2008/09. He regularly appears at international conferences on antisemitism, be it in London, Jerusalem or New York City. He is a smart person and I always thought of him as a mainstream guy, who analyzes various forms of today’s antisemitism in order to fight them. His main field is defending Israel, which is important and makes good sense. However, I failed to realize some important things.\nIt was instructive for me to follow his nomination becoming a major topic in public discourse in the US, including articles in the New York Times, the Washington Post and the Jewish Telegraph Agency (JTA). The JTA reported on January 19, 2018:\n“Patty Murray, D-Wash., the top Democrat on the committee, focused almost entirely on Marcus’ support of Education Secretary Betsy DeVos’ rollback of Obama administration guidelines that emphasize the rights of alleged victims in campus sexual assault cases.\nMarcus, who served in similar civil rights positions in the George W. Bush administration, also has opposed affirmative action and resisted pursuing bias cases without evidence that there is intent behind the bias. He has also opposed equities for LGBTQ Americans, but told the committee that his views in that area had ‘evolved’.”\nThe crucial failure of Kenneth Marcus, who mentioned his wife and family being with him at the hearing, is the following:\n“Murray asked Marcus to ‘name a single example of something President Trump has said or done when it comes to discrimination or women’s rights or civil rights you disagree with.’ Marcus could not, which in the current political environment would doom any candidate from accruing substantive Democratic support.”\nDonald Trump abused women and proudly told other men that a celebrity such as he is, can “grab her by the pussy.” What would Marcus say if one of these abused women was his wife or his neighbor?\nTrump ridiculed journalist Serge Kovalevsky from the New York Times, he ridiculed a handicapped person. That was the moment that broke the heart of actress Meryl Streep, as she said at the Golden Globe in January 2017.\nThen, after a neo-Nazi had killed an antifascist counter-protester in Charlottesville and hundreds of neo-Nazis screamed “Jews will not replace us,” the US President said that there were “very fine people” among those neo-Nazis.\nTrump called Mexican immigrants “criminals and rapists,” aiming at an undefined group of people from Latin and South America and he wanted to ban all Muslims from entering the US.\nThese are all topics of women’s and civil rights abuse in the US by Trump before and after his election.\nAgain, listen to Senator Murray’s question and read the answer by Kenneth Marcus:\nThis disqualifies Marcus from every single post dealing with civil rights and women’s rights. He takes side with a sexist criminal, plain and simple.\nThat is of course nothing unusual in our world. Many men have no problem with sexism, the abuse of women in particular; take the #metoo campaign as an example. But a high-profile politician in a department dealing with civil rights should or; must know much better.\nMany nation-wide civil rights groups and umbrella organizations have objected to the nomination of Marcus. This holds for the biggest Hispanic civil rights organization, the UnidosUS:\n“UnidosUS (formerly NCLR) and the National Urban League joined today in opposing the nomination of Kenneth L. Marcus as the next Assistant Secretary for the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at the U.S. Department of Education. The groups noted his troubling record with regard to enforcing the rights of immigrant students and English learners, and past attempts to undermine critical policies aimed at remedying racial discrimination, including affirmative action.\nMarcus’ nomination had been met with opposition from a broad range of civil rights groups who have raised concerns about the nominee’s hostility to affirmative action and other equal opportunity initiatives. Marcus did nothing to assuage those concerns during a recent nomination hearing where he failed to commit his office to enforcing the law on a number of civil rights issues in which the OCR has played a pivotal enforcement role in the past.”\nThe defense of Marcus by groups such as Scholars for Peace in the Middle East (SPME), StandWithUs, the Algemeiner or the American Jewish Committee (AJC) and many other Christian and Jewish groups is frankly ridiculous as they insinuate that opposition to his nomination is based on anti-Israel bias. There might be a very few groups that oppose Marcus because of his take on anti-Zionist antisemitism, like the Arab American Institute (although they do not reject Zionism and the Jewish state as such in their long statement, only “policies of Israel”). The main opponents of Marcus, though, have an issue with his analysis and policies regarding racism and sexism.\nThe biggest and best-known Jewish civil rights organization, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) does not come out in support of Marcus. That speaks volumes.\nThen, take a leading pro-Israel Senator such as Elizabeth Warren – she did not even address the topic of Israel or BDS, as Marcus’ positions in that respect are not controversial at all to her. However, she rejects him for this job, because he fails to send a clear civil rights message when it comes to racism, for example, according to the Washington Post:\n„Here’s another exchange between Warren and Marcus:\nWARREN: Mr. Marcus, if confirmed, you would be responsible for protecting the civil rights of American students at a time when Nazis and white supremacists are marching across college campuses with tiki torches, and many young people are literally afraid to go to school because of the hateful climate that has been fostered by Donald Trump. If confirmed, will you commit to fully enforcing civil rights laws and protecting all students from discrimination and harassment?\nMARCUS: Yes.\nWARREN: Good. So, I just want to find out a little more detail about what that commitment means to you, and I thought we might go through a few fact situations. So, let’s start with an easy one. Say there’s a school district that has some mostly white schools and some mostly black schools, and let’s say that the mostly black schools have less experienced teachers, teachers with fewer qualifications, those schools have fewer books, they have fewer computers in the library, fewer AP courses available. By any objective measure, those schools have clearly been shortchanged. If confirmed, would your office step in to protect the civil rights of that district’s black students?\nMARCUS: If I were confirmed, I would ensure that any complaints alleging violation of Title VI would be — would be reviewed.\nWARREN: Mr. Marcus, I don’t want to start a dance here. This is a set of facts that come to you in your position, if you are confirmed, and my question is are those facts adequate? Will you step in to protect the civil rights of the district’s black students?\nMARCUS: Senator, I would certainly hope to be able to provide protection for the civil rights of those black students to the extent possible under law, but what . . .\nWARREN: But, that’s the question I’m asking how you see this. You’re allowed to answer hypotheticals, here, so this one should be easy. A yes or a no, would you step in on those facts, or not?\nMARCUS: I appreciate that, senator, but unfortunately in my experience the cases that OCR deals with are much more complicated than hypotheticals.\nWARREN: So, you don’t think that’s enough evidence, what I’ve just said?\nMARCUS: I think I would need to look at it very carefully.\nAfter questioning him, Warren said: “I don’t think we need someone in this position whose view of civil rights enforcement is to do as little as possible to protect as few students as possible. I think that would be bad for students overall, and with Betsy DeVos as secretary of education, I think it would be even worse.”\nA leading pro-Israel group, the National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW), which is part of the Leadership Conference, a major umbrella organization of civil rights groups in the US, also rejects the nomination of Marcus. Why?\n“Hillel would not address Marcus’ views on federal policy and sexual harassment. Marcus endorses the decision by Education Secretary Betsy DeVos to remove the Obama-era guidelines that advocates said made it easier for victims to level sexual assault charges on campus. The guidelines discouraged universities from allowing an alleged assaulter to directly cross-examine his accuser, and discouraged what until then was the common practice of requiring that the accused and the accuser first attempt to resolve the issue face to face or through mediation.\nAs leverage, the Obama administration made the rules under Title IX, a law that prohibits federal funding for schools that allow discrimination against women.\nFeminists said that before the Obama guidelines, the process revictimized assault victims. DeVos has said that Obama’s rules instead made victims of the accused.\nThat was the nomination killer for the NCJW, said Faith Williams, the group’s senior legislative associate.\n“In light of growing number of #MeToo moments and the scandal at Michigan State University, we need these Title IX protections,” she said, referring to the explosion of sexual assault allegations by women and the recent conviction of a sports therapist at the university who was accused of assaulting nearly 200 women in his care.\nAlso opposing the Marcus nomination is Jewish Women International, which has developed programs in partnership with Jewish fraternities and sororities to counter sexual assault on campus.\n“We are deeply concerned by the answers given during his confirmation hearing last week supporting Secretary DeVos’ rescission of important guidance clarifying the responsibilities of colleges and universities in cases of sexual assault,” Jewish Women International said in a statement last month.\nIn my view, and I think I am not alone, Kenneth L. Marcus’ stance helps to delegitimize the entire pro-Israel camp, a camp he stands pars pro toto, as he has a blind eye concerning the civil rights abuses by Donald Trump. In addition he seems to be supporting very dangerous policies by DeVos, downplaying if not affirming sexist and racist policies by the current Trump administration.\nMost people who will gather, again, at the Global Forum for Combating Antisemitism, organized by the Israeli Foreign Ministry (including Netanyahu himself), March 19–21, 2018, will enjoy handshakes and have drinks, celebrating themselves as the elite of true fighters against antisemitism. Real heroes.\nI myself participated in that conference in 2008, 2009, 2013 and 2015. No longer. In a time when major participant organizations of the conference including the AJC, the Simon Wiesenthal Center and the Zionist Organization of America (see Bret Stephens’ attack in the New York Times on the ZOA’s invitation to fascist antisemite Steve Bannon) embrace a sexist, racist and Holocaust distorting president, that kind of conference is a joke, a self-congratulatory farce. As long as women, Hispanics, the handicapped, Muslims and the Dreamers behold the reluctance of a leading pro-Israel activist to genuinely support their civil rights, even while he is being considered for a high civil rights position, in the midst of his loving embrace of Trumpism, the pro-Israel camp is in deep trouble.\nZionism and Israel deserve better!\n©ClemensHeni","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line348218"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9651791453361511,"wiki_prob":0.9651791453361511,"text":"The First Concours d’Elegance Wynn Las Vegas Shows Why It Could Take on Pebble Beach\nWith support from partner Rolls-Royce, other leading marques and collectors alike, the resort aims to soon be on par with the biggest players in car culture.\nBy Viju Mathew\nViju Mathew\nViju Mathew's Most Recent Stories\nRolls-Royce Just Had Its Best Sales Year Ever, a Marque Exec Says\nA 1937 Talbot-Lago Teardrop Coupe Led Gooding & Company’s Robust $212 Million Sales in 2022\nForget Leasing. The Porsche Drive App Lets You Rent a 911, Taycan and Other Models for a Whole Month.\nLike a struggling sports franchise that lands a coach who truly believes in its full potential, a fledgling car show in Sin City has found its catalyst to greatness by teaming with one of the regions most renowned hotels. The result is the Concours d’Elegance Wynn Las Vegas, which debuted on Saturday, October 29. For anyone in attendance, it was clear that there was now another player that could eventually compete with the likes of Pebble Beach as an annual epicenter for car culture.\n“You’re very fortunate, because the crowd will never be this small again,” said Grand Marshall Jay Leno to those assembled at the entrance moments prior to sparklers and streamers commencing the contest. “This is a world-class event at a world-class resort, I mean, this is doing it right. Hey, it’s Vegas—you’re not going to get this at the Walmart Cars & Coffee.”\nJay Leno fires up the automotive festivities. Denise Truscello/Getty Images for Wynn Las Vegas\nGracing the final fairways of the Wynn Golf Club, 230 show vehicles were grouped in 15 classes, from Antiques thru 1924 to Supercars: 1967-2012. Also in the mix were various prewar and postwar sports car and racing categories, a division devoted to important Japanese cars and classes specific to Cadillac, Corvette and Shelby variants.\n“With Shelby being in Las Vegas, it’s great having something like this in our backyard—we were excited to participate this year,” says Aaron Shelby, grandson to the late automotive icon Carroll Shelby. “It’s fun to see the Cobras and 427s, but it’s also really neat to see some of the unique cars that have come out,” says Shelby of the mobile history that wears his family’s name. Among them was a 1964 Shelby 289 Cobra that was made even more significant by the fact that it was both the final example built and was owned by Carroll himself.\nAaron Shelby stands next to a 2022 Shelby Super Snake Sport. Denise Truscello/Getty Images for Wynn Las Vegas\nAlso catching the eye was a 1967 Shelby Cobra 427 owned by Marvin and Shelley Smith. “This is the street Cobra, it hasn’t been fettered or fussed with,” says Marvin. “It’s numbers-matching and didn’t have an accident, so that was the big deal for me . . .. and I do drive it.”\nMotorsport was well represented in an all-encompassing racing segment that focused on cars campaigned from the early 1960s to 1990s, such as Bill Pope’s 1960 Maserati Tipo 61 “Birdcage” featuring a mere 81-pound spaceframe chassis and the distinction that only two more examples were made after it. Then there was Tony Hart’s 1966 Lola T70, a Can Am racer in period and a winning concours car, named best in class at the Quail in 2018 and taking third in class at the Wynn.\nBill Pope’s 1960 Maserati Tipo 61 “Birdcage” race car. Denise Truscello/Getty Images for Wynn Las Vegas\nTwo outliers in the aforementioned field were stunning continuation cars from Jaguar Classic, a 1953 Jaguar C-Type—the first example of the C-Type to be built by the automaker in nearly 70 years—and a 1955 Jaguar D-Type. These period-correct clones, owned by local resident Joel Laub, resurrect a true automotive power couple as both bygone models were responsible for five overall victories at the 24 hours of Le Mans from 1951 through 1957.\n“I owned an original C-Type and D-Type, which I raced, rallied and subsequently sold,” says Laub. “These cars are probably higher quality because they [Jaguar] had more time to build them,” says Laub when asked how the new doppelgängers compare. “Back then, they had to rush the cars to get them ready to race.” Pointing to the redux D-Type, Laub adds, “you can drive this one from here to New York.”\nJoel Laub’s continuation-car examples of the Jaguar D-Type (left) and C-Type from Jaguar Classic. Denise Truscello/Getty Images for Wynn Las Vegas\nNot to be left out, Leno drew from his own renowned collection to bring a 1968 Bronco originally “gifted” to him in disrepair as a gag from fellow entertainer and late-night host Craig Ferguson. For Leno, restoration also meant giving it an engine from a Shelby GT500. “It’s got a short wheelbase and 800 hp—it’s the more-money-than-brains club” Leno told attendees. “I’m glad I didn’t have this when I was 16, because I would be dead now.”\nAs diverse as the field was, the team of judges used the same overarching criteria in evaluating cars across categories. “In any class, we look for originality and preservation,” chief judge Gary Bobileff told Robb Report. “The whole objective is to preserve the car when it comes to the shape, the body, what it should represent.”\nJay Leno’s 1968 Ford Bronco makes roughly 800 hp thanks to the engine from a Shelby GT500. Denise Truscello/Getty Images for Wynn Las Vegas\nThe owner of eponymous restoration house Bobileff Motorcar Company, the veteran judge cites his own work on concours-quality vehicles as an example. “For a lot of the Italian cars—Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati—you can’t buy original exhaust systems, so you put on stainless-steel systems that last forever; the mild-steel ones rot out in no time. But the stainless ones sound completely different and take away half the fun of the car. We make an exact duplicate of the original exhaust systems that are guaranteed to rust out in 10 years, but that’s part of it. You try to keep everything the same, you don’t improve it.”\nAt the end of the day, a 1933 Duesenberg “20 Grand” and a 1951 Delahaye 235 epitomized these qualities to the judges, who named each Best of Show for the Prewar and Postwar classes, respectively. The Duesenberg “20 Grand,” named for its asking price so egregiously out of touch for the time, was the exact one presented at the Chicago World’s Fair that year and is now in the Nethercutt Collection. Peter and Merle Mullin’s Delahaye roadster, on the other hand, seems more in tune with its era of optimism and glamour—the automotive manifestation of Hollywood’s golden age.\nA 1933 Duesenberg “20 Grand” (left) and a 1951 Delahaye 235 were named Best of Show for the Prewar and Postwar classes, respectively. Denise Truscello/Getty Images for Wynn Las Vegas\nComplementing the competitors, an exhibition of the industry’s latest and greatest included hypercars from Bugatti, Czinger and Koenigsegg, the current line of supercars from McLaren and luxury models from Bentley and Rolls-Royce.\nOf that impressive roll call, perhaps Rolls-Royce looked most at home on the grounds of the Wynn due to a collaboration that dates back decades between the legacy automaker and the hospitality provider who happens to be one of its biggest customers. Currently, there are 30 Rolls-Royce Phantoms that comprise Wynn’s combined fleet between resorts in Macau and Las Vegas, the latter having 10 with another five soon to be delivered.\nFour examples of the new Rolls-Royce Phantom Series II accent the entrance of the Tower Suites at Wynn Las Vegas. Denise Truscello/Getty Images for Wynn Las Vegas\nThe model’s presence was also prominent on the show lawn. “We are using this opportunity to showcase the Phantom Series II,” says Martin Fritsches, president and CEO of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Americas. Of the Goodwood-based marque’s relationship with the hotelier, Fritsches says, “It started out as a partnership but turned into a friendship, and it is simply growing.” When asked whether the recently debuted Spectre, the brand’s first foray into electrification, could be expected at the concours next year, Fritsches was confident if noncommittal, saying only that “the chances are very, very high.”\nA 2023 Rolls-Royce Phantom Series II adds gravitas and glamour to the exhibition lawn. Denise Truscello/Getty Images for Wynn Las Vegas\nThe weekend culminated with Sunday morning’s Tour d’Elegance that had many of the entrants cruising the Las Vegas Strip with police escort and Leno leading the pack. Surprisingly, there were more than a few spectators on hand despite the relatively early start in a town synonymous with 24-hour night life. But then support has been shown throughout the process of bringing this concours to fruition.\nThe Wynn’s Tour d’Elegance, a winning roll on the Las Vegas Strip. Denise Truscello/Getty Images for Wynn Las Vegas\n“We just started working on this six months ago and we’ve had so much help from the exhibitors and museums, it couldn’t be a more supportive community and we’re humbled by that,” says Brian Gullbrants, president of Wynn Las Vegas. “Everyone is telling us we have the opportunity to evolve this into something quite mightier. We are forming an advisory committee because we want experts in the industry guiding us to make sure this is the ultimate automotive show on the planet.”\nThat same goal drives Stuart Sobek, founder and chairman of the event. “The partnership with Wynn and this Concours d’Elegance is a magical thing to come together,” says Sobek, who marvels at how the feat was pulled off so well in such a truncated timeframe. “We now have a full year to do the next show, and it’s going to be stellar.”\nSobek, Gullbrants and a Wynn team that’s 12,000 strong are certainly on track, considering that the 2023 edition is scheduled the week before the inaugural Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix. Cars, it seems, have become the city’s new vehicle for tourism—as if it needed one.\nClick here for more photos from the 2022 Concours d’Elegance Wynn Las Vegas.\nThe Best of Show winners from the 2022 Concours d’Elegance Wynn Las Vegas.\nConcours d'Elegance Wynn Las Vegas\nhypercars\nBoygenius Reveals Kristen Stewart Will Direct Three of the Supergroup’s Upcoming Music Videos","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line742279"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5942752957344055,"wiki_prob":0.5942752957344055,"text":"Story of St. Thenaw, the Mother of St. Mungo\nST. Thenaw, or Tennoch (latterly corrupted into Enoch), is said to have been a believer in the Christian faith, but not baptised until after the birth of her famous son. Her earnest longing is said to have been to preserve her virginity, and to dedicate her life to the service of the Church, but her semi-Pagan father insisted on her marrying the Prince of Strathclyde.\nMuch obscurity rests on the early part of her history; but she seems to have incurred her father’s dire displeasure, and to have fled, or been driven, from his court. She returned to it, and her enraged parent is stated to have ordered her to be stoned to death. As the courtiers, or servants, did not wish to lift a stone against the daughter of the king, they placed her in a two-wheeled cart, and hurled it over a precipice, in order that she might be dashed to death against the stones beneath; but the cart, so says the story, descended with \"a gently gliding motion to the ground,\" and she escaped unhurt, to the great joy of many.\nSt. Enoch’s Church, Square, and Burn, instead of being named after, and dedicated to the antediluvian patriarch, as many suppose, were, without doubt, so named in honour of the mother of St. Mungo.\nIt is also on record that the original name of Trongate was \"St. Thenaw’s Gate.\"","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line800025"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8329058885574341,"wiki_prob":0.8329058885574341,"text":"Mike Pence is known as a former U.S. congressman and governor of Indiana. He is most famous for becoming the vice president of the United States with President Donald Trump in 2016.\nRelated Biography: Jared Dudley\nBackground and Age\nMichael Richard Pence was born on June 7, 1959, in Columbus, Indiana. One of six children of Nancy and Edward Pence, a U.S. Armed force veteran who operated a series of service stations, Mike Pence was politically impacted by the Irish Catholic leanings of his family. He grew up loving former President John F. Kennedy, and volunteered for the Bartholomew County Democratic Party as an understudy at Columbus North High School.\nCareer and Net Worth\nOn November 8, 2016, Pence was chosen VP of the United States when Donald Trump won the presidential race, overcoming Democratic competitor Hillary Clinton. The staggering Trump-Pence triumph was viewed as a reverberating dismissal of foundation legislative issues by working class Americans.\nIn the early hours of the next morning after the race had wrapped up, Pence talked at the campaign's triumph party at the Hilton Hotel in New York City. He told the crowd it was a noteworthy night and a memorable time. He was proud to say that American individuals have spoken and the American citizens have chosen their new victor.\nInside the Trump organization, Vice President Mike Pence is known as a port of quiet and calmness in the midst of the stir of mayhem. So in July 2019, when he suddenly relinquished an arranged trip to New Hampshire after he had just boarded Air Force Two at Joint Base Andrews in rural Maryland, it brought up questions.\nIt is uncommon that something makes a VP forsake an advanced outing once on board a plane. Mr. Pence's assistants said that there was no national security crisis or individual medical problem that prompted the change. They said that he had loaded onto the plane however that it never took off. They would not say much else about the issue. Some assume that it had to with President's upcoming military parade to celebrate the 4th of July.\nMarriage, Wife and Kids\nPence has been married to spouse Karen since 1985. A former grade teacher, Karen has been included with youth-related nonprofit associations. The couple has three children together. Their names are Michael, Charlotte, and Audrey. Unlike President Trump, Pence has kept his children out of the spotlight. With a better grasp of how the public spotlight can harm his children, he has done all that he can to protect them from the negative backlash of the American public.\nFAQ: How old is Mike Pence?\nFAQ: What is Mike Pence networth in 2020?\nAlso Read: Jeff Green\nBirth Date: 7 Jun, 1959\nOccupations: Politician\nCitizenship: United States of America\nBirth Place: Columbus\nDescription: 48th Vice President of the United States\nSpouse: Karen Pence [M. 1985]\nNet Worth 2021: 1 million\nLast Modified: Nov 3 2020","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line75440"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6090908050537109,"wiki_prob":0.6090908050537109,"text":"John Philip Mathews 1931-2020\nJohn Philip Mathews, age 89, of Faribault, died Tuesday, December 15, 2020 at Abbott Northwestern Hospital, Minneapolis.\nJohn Philip Mathews\nPrivate family services will be held at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Faribault, at a later date. The Reverend Jeff Sandgren will officiate.\nArrangements are being completed by the Boldt Funeral Home, Faribault.\nJohn Philip, the son of John William and Alma (Throne) Mathews, was born on September 28, 1931 in Albert Lea. He was the third of seven children. In September of 1937, John was enrolled at the Minnesota School for the Deaf, and he graduated in 1950. After graduation, John began working for the Austin Daily Herald as a printer. It was during that time that his deaf co-worker, Sol Schwartzman, encouraged John to enroll at Gallaudet College. The encouragement to do so changed the trajectory of John’s life. He graduated from Gallaudet College in 1958 with degrees in PE and teaching. He worked for the Ohio School for the Deaf from 1958 – 1961. A Physical Education teacher and coach position opened up at his alma mater in 1961. During this time, he courted his college sweetheart, Paula Ball, as she was teaching Home Economics at the South Dakota School for the Deaf. He won her heart, and they were married in June of 1962. From the union, three children were born. While working as the PE teacher and coach for the Minnesota School for the Deaf, John moved into the printing and graphic arts teaching position so that he could be home more with his young family. John retired from MSD/MSAD in June of 1992. He and Paula were sponsors for MSD Class of 1975, he was a #1 fan at MSAD and his grandchildren’s sporting events. As John aged, he came to take over Maurice Potter’s seat of honor in Lauritsen gym.\nThroughout his life, John was very involved with the deaf community. John was a founding member of the MSAD Alumni Association and its Hall of Fame in 1992, one of several authors of MSAD Sesquicentennial History Book in 2013, inducted into the MSAD Alumni Hall of Fame at MSAD’s 150th Anniversary Banquet in 2013, and he was a field agent for the National Fraternal Society of the Deaf for many years, treasurer of Minnesota Association of Deaf Citizens for many years, Minnesota delegate to N.A.D. Convention for a number of years, Miss Deaf America Pageant treasurer during Doug Bahl’s term as pageant chairperson, Faribault Emergency Response Committee as representative for the deaf community, field representative for Harris Communication and he was a founding member of the Minnesota Chapter of Gallaudet University Alumni Association which was the first in the country.\nJohn enjoyed golfing and participating in MDGA tournaments. John and Paula often traveled with Buddy and Bernice Singleton and various deaf travel groups. He loved to put together puzzles and he framed nearly every single puzzle he ever met! A favorite puzzle was the 2,000 piece jigsaw puzzle of Neuschwanstein Castle. He also enjoyed O’Hell and poker card clubs.\nSurvivors include his daughters Deb (and Paul) Kasper of Faribault and Amy (and Jeff) Amundsen of Faribault; grandchildren, Brynn (and Kyle Statsman), Noah (and Faith), Emilee and Jack; siblings, Ron of Albert Lea and Karen of Mamaroneck, NY.\nJohn was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Paula in 2016, stillborn son, Michael in 1967 and siblings, Carolyn, Richard, Sena and Sue.\nVisit boldtfuneralhome.com for information and guestbook.\nMore NO PAYWALL\nBetty Brooks\n051631-F1","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line44060"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6652988195419312,"wiki_prob":0.33470118045806885,"text":"Filling the Gaps in Clinical Trial Education, Literacy\nThis article appears in the September 2022 issue of Applied Clinical Trials Magazine.\nJumo Health, a global provider of age appropriate, culturally sensitive medical education resources for patients and caregivers, branched into the clinical trials space three years ago. In this Q&A, Kevin Aniskovich, president and CEO of Jumo Health, discusses its foray into the clinical trials arena, which includes delivering multimedia educational resources to more than 200 trials spanning 90-plus languages in more than 75 countries.\nACT: Jumo Health has experienced significant growth. Could you explain where the clinical trials program was a few years ago compared to now? How has it evolved?\nKevin Aniskovich: Prior to 2019, our work was focused on condition-specific resources for pediatric patients, primarily through our comic book line, Medikidz. In 2019, while researching areas for expansion, we uncovered massive deficiencies in clinical research within the areas of informed consent, enrollment, retention, and compliance. After further investigation, we developed a thesis that these issues stem from several incorrect assumptions that people understand their condition; appreciate the complexities of study protocols and how it can impact their participation and the expectations therein; and comprehend the written word, particularly as it relates to sophisticated legal language use in documents surrounding informed consent/assent.\nWe decided to focus on creating actionable educational materials for use in clinical trials. The initial go-to-market strategy was simple—as experts in pediatrics, we sought to provide age-appropriate resources for children and further segmented those resources by age cohort. We quickly expanded beyond comic books to include digital and video solutions to better reflect the way in which our target populations consume information.\nACT: What prompted Jumo Health to identify the need for more health literacy?\nKA: With each trial, our learnings continued to inform product development, but also provided a greater understanding of the role that health literacy and culture play in the success or failure of a trial. What started out as providing resources for a pediatric population, began to include adult participants as we saw the impact that health literacy and reading comprehension plays within all ages.\nWe sought the root cause for the deficiencies in clinical trial recruitment and retention and compliance-related issues. What we found was staggering—only 10% of adults are considered proficient in matters of health care; 50% of adults are able to read above an 8th-grade level. As we examined the types of materials that most sites and sponsors provided to participants and caregivers, we learned that most materials were written at elevated grade levels—often beyond 12th grade—which is simply unacceptable. We can’t expect compliance if we don’t take the time to provide the requisite information in a way the recipient can understand and act upon.\nACT: What types of media are you using to teach patients about diseases and clinical trials?\nKA: Jumo Health endeavors to meet the patient in a place that is familiar and convenient to how they learn best. To that end, we provide a broad range of resources in multiple mediums, including print, which includes graphic novels to flip charts; digital media, such as online activities to virtual reality; and both live action and animation videos. Our resources can be provided throughout the patient journey.\nACT: These resources are customized based on the age and culture of their target audience. Could you explain or give an example of how they can be so different?\nKA: For example, the story line and 2D animation that will resonate with a 17-year-old white female with type 2 diabetes from Boston, MA, may not have the same impact with a 48-year-old Black male with type 2 diabetes from Jackson, MS, who may wish to watch a live-action video from someone sharing past experiences. We deliver evidence-based information in a relatable way that takes into account health literacy, reading comprehension, and cultural sensitivities, if the sponsor desires.\nACT: What’s next for Jumo Health in clinical trials?\nKA: Without giving too much away, we will say that COVID shined a beautiful bright light on clinical research—including the lack of health equity—and the aspects that require a collective effort to cure. Jumo Health will focus squarely on its role to increase participation rates within traditionally underrepresented populations, which we will do alongside a local advocacy network across all our markets. An informed patient is a successful patient.\nFor more information about Jumo Health or this article, call (646) 895-9319 or email media@jumohealth.com.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line283830"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6302841901779175,"wiki_prob":0.6302841901779175,"text":"Gordon S. Wood\nGordon S. Wood is Alva O. Way University Professor and Professor of History Emeritus at Brown University.\nBooks by Gordon S. Wood\nThe Americanization of Benjamin Franklin\nby Gordon S. Wood\nRead expert recommendations\n“Gordon Wood is just a great historian. I’ve enjoyed his work for such a long time. I leaned heavily on this book in writing my own, and he does a really good job with the creation of Franklin.” Read more...\nThe best books on Benjamin Franklin\nD.G. Hart, Historian\nBuy now Listen now\nEmpire of Liberty: A History of the Early Republic, 1789-1815\nThe Radicalism of the American Revolution\n“He’s a terrific writer. In this book he maps out the movement from a pre-revolutionary society focused on monarchy, hierarchy and privilege to a revolutionary society. He explains how the Americans gradually found themselves championing republicanism. Republicanism can mean a secular government, where there is no king, or republicanism can mean a system in which all people have a say. It’s a masterly book about how Americans moved from a monarchical society to a republican society, that documents each stage of this change clearly and carefully.” Read more...\nThe Best Books on the American Revolution\nT.H. Breen, Historian\nCreation of the American Republic, 1776-1787\nWood explains changes that took place in American constitutional thinking between independence and the signing of the federal constitution\nInterviews with Gordon S. Wood\nThe Best Fourth of July Books, recommended by Gordon S. Wood\nThe Glorious Cause: The American Revolution, 1763-1789\nby Robert Middlekauff\nThe Ideological Origins of the American Revolution\nby Bernard Bailyn\nAmerican Scripture: Making the Declaration of Independence\nby Pauline Maier\nRevolutionaries: A New History of the Invention of America\nby Jack Rakove\nOn the Fourth of July, Americans celebrate the Declaration of Independence from the British Empire. In its assertion that all men are created equal, the declaration was a milestone in the journey towards the more democratic world we have today. But it was still a product of the 18th century colonial society that created it. Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Gordon S. Wood talks us through five books, including his own, for understanding the history we celebrate on the Fourth of July.\nInterviews where books by Gordon S. Wood were recommended\nThe best books on The US Constitution, recommended by Jack Rakove\nNovus Ordo Seclorum\nby Forrest McDonald\nPlain, Honest Men: The Making of the American Constitution\nby Richard Beeman\nA Revolution in Favor of Government\nby Max M Edling\nRatification: The People Debate the Constitution, 1787-1788\nThe Pulitzer prize-winning history professor tells us how the Constitution came to be written and ratified and explains why, after more than 200 years, Americans are still so deeply wedded to it.\nThe Best Books on the American Revolution, recommended by T.H. Breen\nThe Stamp Act Crisis: Prologue to Revolution\nby Edmund Morgan & Helen Morgan\nThe Marketplace of Revolution: How Consumer Politics Shaped American Independence\nby T.H. Breen\nThe Will of the People: The Revolutionary Birth of America\nThe American Revolution began as a war for independence but, by its end, the war had transformed the thirteen colonies into a republic. Historian T.H. Breen recommends the best books which relay the revolutionary impact of the American War of Independence.\nThe best books on Benjamin Franklin, recommended by D.G. Hart\nBenjamin Franklin: The Shaping of Genius: the Boston Years\nby Arthur Bernon Tourtellot\nThe Puritans: A Transatlantic History\nby David D. Hall\nThe Enlightenment in America\nby Henry May\nWilliam Penn’s Legacy: Politics and Social Structure in Provincial Pennsylvania 1726-1755\nby Alan Tully\nThe Founding Fathers of the United States were a remarkable bunch of people, but Benjamin Franklin might have been the most remarkable of them all. Coming from humble stock, he became a businessman, scientist, diplomat and politician—a giant of the Enlightenment. Historian D.G. Hart sheds some light on his character and background and puts him in his broader social and political context.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1442650"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8955734968185425,"wiki_prob":0.8955734968185425,"text":"WTO meeting opens in Hong Kong\nRich and poor nations were at odds as a World Trade Organization meeting opened here Tuesday, with trade ministers saying a breakthrough is unlikely on the thorny issue of agricultural trade that has held up negotiations for months. At least 1,000 protesters, mostly South Korean farmers wearing red bandanas, gathered at a downtown park to chant slogans against the WTO, driven by fears that opening up their agricultural markets would destroy their livelihoods.\nPolice have blocked off access to roads near the conference site, set up barricades and even glued bricks onto the sidewalks in the hopes of preventing violence that has flared at previous WTO summits. The six-day meeting was meant to lay the groundwork for a global treaty by the end of 2006 that would cut trade barriers across a wide array of sectors, from agriculture to services, wrapping up the so-called Doha round of talks.\nBut an impasse over farm trade has brought the negotiations to a virtual halt, with developing nations accusing the U.S., EU and other rich economies of not cutting agricultural tariffs and farm subsidies enough, keeping out exports from poorer nations that depend heavily on agriculture as an income source.\nIndia's trade minister, who has emerged as a key figure in the talks, said that while it would be hard for 149 WTO members to reach an agreement on farm trade, he didn't foresee an outright collapse like the previous ministerial gathering in Cancun, Mexico, two years ago, which fell apart amid acrimony. Differences over agriculture was the culprit there, too.\n\"I don't see a repeat of Cancun,\" Indian Commerce Minister Kamal Nath told the Associated Press. \"Cancun was an outburst of a lack of hope. Now countries are hoping.\"\nStill, Nath insisted that \"developing countries do not want to see the perpetuation of inequities in global trade.\"\nHe urged members to stay engaged in the negotiations, and predicted that all parties would strive to make some progress at the Dec. 13-18 gathering.\n\"The next six days are going to see efforts by everybody to move forward,\" Nath said. \"But efforts do not necessarily mean there will be results, because the issues are very, very contentious.\" EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson has said that the European Union won't change its offer of an average 46 percent cut in farm tariffs unless he sees some movement from developing nations on offering to reduce their trade barriers on manufactured goods and services.\nMandelson said that parties gathered in Hong Kong summit should try to narrow their differences so that a treaty can be completed by year's end, saying that developing nations depend on a successful round.\n\"Whilst we cannot solve the problems of the round in Hong Kong, Hong Kong must help us to find solutions of balance and of ambition in the endgame of the round,\" he said.\nHowever, he warned against focusing too much on farm trade: \"Concentrating on agriculture, important as it is, to the exclusion of other areas, will defeat that ambition.\"\nWith expectations so low, some delegates have been saying another gathering of all 149 members would be needed to hammer out \"modalities,\" WTO jargon that refers to the specific formulas that will form the basis for a final treaty.\n\"This meeting has already been downgraded as a midterm stocktaking,\" said Mari Pangestu, Indonesia's trade minister, who heads a grouping of 45 poorer countries within the WTO. \"We hope by April to reach an agreement on full modalities.\"\nOutside the convention center, various protest groups staged demonstrations to vent their anger and concerns about the WTO and globalization, which many of them believe benefit primarily the rich and powerful.\nGathering for a march at a downtown park, farmers from South Korea, Japan, India, the Philippines and Brazil punched their fists in the air and beat drums and gongs. I.L.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1610417"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8235089182853699,"wiki_prob":0.8235089182853699,"text":"Biden lays out plan to end hunger by 2030\nThe president announced more than $8 billion in new commitments as a call to action from academic, civic, and charitable leaders.\nThe president announced more than $8 billion in new commitments as a call to action from academic, civic, and charitable leaders at the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health.\nBy Nicole Neuman\nPublished: Sep. 28, 2022 at 4:16 PM EDT\nWASHINGTON (Gray DC) - President Joe Biden is laying out his administration’s plan to address our nation’s struggles with food insecurity.\n“I really know we can do this end hunger by 2030,” said Biden. “First help more Americans access the food that will keep their families nourished and healthy.”\nThe president’s comments were at the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health. It’s the first such meeting to be held in more than 50 years.\nDuring the conference, the president announced more than $8 billion in new commitments as a call to action to end hunger and reduce diet-related diseases by 2030.\nU.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack says this is an opportunity to better integrate food and its impact on healthcare.\n“The USDA is excited about the opportunity to look for ways that we can provide more incentives under SNAP for fruit and vegetable opportunities for SNAP families,” said Vilsack. “We’re excited about the opportunity to expand the WIC bonus so that WIC participants will be able to access healthier foods.”\nIn Michigan, food insecurity is a growing problem.\nFeeding America estimates more than $556 million is needed to keep Michiganders from going hungry.\nThat’s including the state’s most vulnerable with one in seven children not knowing if they’ll receive healthy food to eat.\nDr. Phil Knight is the executive director of the Food Bank Council of Michigan.\n“When children are dependent on parents and parents are working, but they’ve got more ‘month’ than they do money that’s where we as a culture, as a society have to come along side of them,” said Dr. Knight.\nThis historic package to address hunger is being backed by academic, civic and charitable leaders.\nCopyright 2022 Gray DC. All rights reserved.\nRepublicans and Democrats spar over committee snubs\n‘Life at conception’ act reintroduced in Congress as Republicans control the House\nSD state lawmakers aim to prevent \"kid friendly\" drag shows","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1881539"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9399557709693909,"wiki_prob":0.9399557709693909,"text":"Rumor: The first PlayStation State of Play event of 2023 could take place next month\nRumor has it that there could be a new PlayStation State of Play event, the first of 2023, that will see a plethora of gameplay footage, content, and news from many different games released throughout the year. Fans are always excited to learn more about PlayStation and learn about their favorite games, which is why they look forward to each of the State of Play events throughout the year.\nThe last PlayStation State of Play event took place in September 2022, which featured the trailer for God of War Ragnarok, the announcement of the multiplayer game Synduality, the introduction of the exclusive Hogwarts Legacy quest, and more. So there’s bound to be even more exciting news and gameplay at this year’s State of Play events as more game and hardware releases are expected in the coming months.\nPlayStation Lifestyle magazine has compiled a bunch of news, which can be found online on 4chan, Twitter and other sources, about rumors of a PlayStation State of Play event in February. The rumor is based on the fact that PS VR2, the second generation of PlayStation VR games, is due out on February 22nd, which will certainly require a State of Play-style event to showcase the headset’s capabilities. .\nHowever, in a PlayStation Lifestyle article, they found the rumors to be unfounded and unrelated to an official PlayStation or Sony source. This seems to be mostly a prediction based on the fact that PS VR2 will release in February. Plus, with Hogwarts Legacy getting a PlayStation-exclusive quest line and Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 coming out in the fall, it only makes sense that Sony decided to set the state of the game in the first quarter.\nPlayStation has been collecting tons of content for a long time to show it at State of Play events. Last year, PlayStation showed some great gameplay footage of Stellar Blade that further inspired fans to play a game that seems to merge the best parts of the Nier games with Bayonetta. Through these events, players will learn more about exactly what to expect from upcoming games. Whether State of Play comes out next month or not, fans can still expect plenty of exciting PlayStation releases and news in the coming months.\nWin your games for free by taking advantage of a contest organized by our partner Instant-Gaming. Choose from the video games of your choice, prepaid cards (PS+, PSN, Xbox Live, Switch, FIFA credits…), DLC or even V-bucks.. Contest FREE !\nEnter the Instant Play Contest\nevent month place Play PlayStation Rumor State","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line166537"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9481478929519653,"wiki_prob":0.9481478929519653,"text":"Do residents of border city McAllen, Texas want a border wall?\nBy: Chris Welch\nMcAllen, Texas is a city of about 150,000 people and sits just a few miles from the U.S.-Mexico border. The city has found itself thrust into the spotlight, especially after President Trump stopped in the city to talk about what he calls the crisis at the border.\nThe city, which Mayor Jim Darling calls the “American city that speaks Spanish,” has been turned into ground zero for the debate over a border wall, whether its residents like it or not.\nMayor Darling doesn't like it, but he's taking it in stride.\n“We're kind of amused by everybody coming down and doing their press conferences and all that, with very little input from local people one way or the other,” he says.\nThe mayor believes a wall is not a simple solution. He says sections of barrier--like ones put up in certain areas over the years, especially along the border in California, Arizona, and New Mexico--do have a use. However, he says building along the natural border that is the Rio Grande makes no sense.\n“If you build a wall, there’s a significant portion of property sometimes miles between the wall and the real border. So, we don't want a new border created. So, what is that land? Is that, do we cede that to the cartels?” he says.\nJust outside McAllen, there’s Progreso International Bridge, a popular spot for U.S. citizens to cross into Mexico and shop.\nAmerican Gary McCool was in the area. When asked if he supported the build of the wall, he replied he does.\n“You have to have something to slow them down,” McCool says. “You can’t stop them, but you have to have something to slow ‘em down.”","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1398615"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6483480334281921,"wiki_prob":0.35165196657180786,"text":"Psychedelic Stock News: Nextleaf (CSE: OILS) Licenses U.S. Patent to Hempcrete Natural\nMay 9, 2022 33 views0\nVancouver, British Columbia – May 9, 2022 (Newsfile Corp.) (Investorideas.com Newswire) Nextleaf Solutions Ltd. (CSE: OILS) (OTCQB: OILFF) (FSE: L0MA) (“Nextleaf” or the “Company”), a federally regulated manufacturer and distributor of cannabis vapes and oils, is pleased to announce that it has entered into a strategic agreement (the “Agreement”) with Hempcrete Natural Building Ltd. (“Hempcrete Natural”), an international construction company creating carbon neutral communities through sustainable, renewable, and stronger buildings.\nThe Agreement permits Hempcrete Natural, on a non-exclusive basis, to commercialize certain Nextleaf intellectual property, specifically, a U.S. patent related to hemp biomass processing.\nHemp ash processed using Nextleaf’s patented technology shows promise as a key ingredient and replacement for fly ash in the manufacturing of Portland cement. Research suggests Portland cement production is responsible for 2-3% of global energy use and approximately 5% of man-made CO2 emissions.\nGovernment funded R&D led by Nextleaf Engineering Manager, Dr. Krupal Pal, PhD, P.Eng., demonstrated superior performance of hemp ash as both a valorized biofuel and as a cementitious material. Dr. Pal co-authored, with leading academics, a research paper titled ‘Hemp Waste Valorization as Biofuel and Cement Replacement in Cement and Concrete Production’ which can be accessed here.\nWhen leveraged as a biofuel during hemp ash production, power is generated, and metric tonnes of biomass can be diverted from landfills and used as a supplementary cementitious material. Current estimates indicate close to a billion kilograms of biomass being harvested annually by the marijuana and hemp industry with tonnes of waste sent to settlement pits and landfills.\n“Nextleaf identified carbon lifecycle management as an opportunity to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while launching a new vertical. We are excited to license our technology to a team of subject matter experts with decades of experience with hempcrete building materials,” said Nextleaf CEO and co-founder Paul Pedersen.\nNextleaf to present at Canaccord Genuity’s 6th Annual Cannabis Conference\nNextleaf CEO Paul Pedersen will be presenting at Canaccord Genuity’s 6th Annual Cannabis Conference on May 11, 2022, at 8:00 AM Eastern Time. For more information about joining this virtual event, please visit: https://www.canaccordgenuity.com/capital-markets/about-us/events/cg-2022-us-cannabis-symposium/\nThe Company’s award-winning prohibition-era brand, Glacial Gold(TM), outsold Canada’s largest cannabis producers in the oil and vape category in British Columbia during Q1 2022. Glacial Gold(TM) Anytime Vape is the #1 selling CBD forward vape SKU in B.C. Nextleaf has developed a competitive advantage in the production of cannabis oil by leveraging its patent stack to control the cost and quality of the ingredients used to manufacture vapes and oils. Nextleaf has been issued 10 U.S. patents for what the Company believes to be the most efficient technology to produce high-purity distilled cannabinoids in a regulated market.\nAbout Hempcrete Natural Building Ltd.\nHempcrete Natural is a British Columbia based, international construction company focused on building carbon neutral communities and affordable housing to create a more sustainable future. Hempcrete Natural removes petrochemicals from the construction process by replacing them with fibre-reinforced lightweight concrete, free of concerns such as pests, mould, and fire. With over 20 years of experience and a network of strategic partners for supply chain needs, Hempcrete homes use 60% less energy, are less expensive to build, and last for multiple generations. For more information visit: www.hempcrete.ca\nAbout Nextleaf Solutions Ltd.\nNextleaf(R) is a federally regulated manufacturer and distributor of cannabis vapes and oils under its award-winning prohibition-era brand, Glacial Gold(TM). The Company’s multi-patented ingredient processing technology transforms cannabis and hemp biomass into high-purity distillate at an industrial scale. Nextleaf is a low-cost producer of cannabis oils, and supplier of THC and CBD ingredients to qualified wholesale partners across Canada. Nextleaf is the first publicly traded company to be issued a U.S. patent for the industrial extraction and purification of cannabinoids. The Company has been issued 18 U.S. patents, and over 95 patents globally, on cannabinoid processing including distillation and acetylation. Nextleaf develops cannabinoid-based formulations and proprietary delivery technology through its Health Canada Research Licence with sensory evaluation of cannabis via human testing. For more information visit www.nextleafsolutions.com and www.Glacial.Gold\nNextleaf trades as OILS on the Canadian Securities Exchange, OILFF on the OTCQB Market in the United States, and L0MA on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange.\nFollow the Company: Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.\nFollow Glacial Gold(TM): Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.\nJason McBride, Corporate Development\n604-283-2301 (ext. 219)\njason@nextleafsolutions.com\nOn behalf of the Board of Directors of the Company,\nPaul Pedersen, CEO\nCertain statements contained in this press release constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements other than statements of historical fact contained in this press release, including, without limitation, statements regarding the Company’s intellectual property(“IP”), expected IP licensing revenues, and those regarding the Company’s strategy, plans, objectives, goals and targets, and any statements preceded by, followed by or that include the words “believe”, “expect”, “aim”, “intend”, “plan”, “continue”, “will”, “may”, “would”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, “forecast”, “predict”, “project”, “seek”, “should” or similar expressions or the negative thereof, are forward-looking statements. These statements are not historical facts but instead represent only the Company’s expectations, estimates and projections regarding future events. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve assumptions, risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual results may differ materially from what is expressed, implied or forecasted in such forward-looking statements. Additional factors that could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially include, but are not limited to the risk factors discussed in the Company’s MD&A for the most recent fiscal period. Management provides forward-looking statements because it believes they provide useful information to investors when considering their investment objectives and cautions investors not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Consequently, all of the forward-looking statements made in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements and other cautionary statements or factors contained herein, and there can be no assurance that the actual results or developments will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on, the Company. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release and the Company assumes no obligation to update or revise them to reflect subsequent information, events or circumstances or otherwise, except as required by law. The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed or approved the contents of this press release.\nDisclaimer/Disclosure: Investorideas.com is a digital publisher of third party sourced news, articles and equity research as well as creates original content, including video, interviews and articles. Original content created by investorideas is protected by copyright laws other than syndication rights. Our site does not make recommendations for purchases or sale of stocks, services or products. Nothing on our sites should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell products or securities. All investing involves risk and possible losses. This site is currently compensated for news publication and distribution, social media and marketing, content creation and more. Disclosure is posted for each compensated news release, content published /created if required but otherwise the news was not compensated for and was published for the sole interest of our readers and followers. Contact management and IR of each company directly regarding specific questions.\nMore disclaimer info: https://www.investorideas.com/About/Disclaimer.asp Learn more about publishing your news release and our other news services on the Investorideas.com newswire https://www.investorideas.com/News-Upload/ and tickertagstocknews.com\nGlobal investors must adhere to regulations of each country. Please read Investorideas.com privacy policy: https://www.investorideas.com/About/Private_Policy.asp\nBuy a cannabis guest post on Investorideas.com\nRex Nutting: Which jobs have come back, and which ones haven’t\nSilver Stock News: IMPACT Silver (TSXV: IPT) Announces Q1 2022 Results Revenue of $4.6 Million, EBITDA $0.4 Million","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1300513"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9295251369476318,"wiki_prob":0.9295251369476318,"text":"Directed by Nisha Ganatra\nStarring Emma Thompson and Mindy Kaling\nReview by Jon Kissel\n​A famously instructive cultural scenario occurred on NBC in the mid-2000’s, wherein two new shows about sketch comedy debuted at the same time. One, Aaron Sorkin’s Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, made its writers into heroes battling the forces of ignorance, one comedy bit at a time. The other, Tina Fey’s 30 Rock, deliberately made its show-within-a-show a badly-rated-and-received series of fart jokes and desperate attempts to create merchandising. Despite having less of a pedigree, 30 Rock ran for seven seasons while Studio 60 was quickly canceled. There were surely dozens of reasons for this divergence, but one was that Studio 60 never had a believable sketch show in its center, especially if it was going to be posited as some central part of American cultural life. A show can’t convince me that their writers or performers are some kinds of treasured icons and then include scenes from the show-within-a-show that make that treasuring implausible. Director Nisha Ganatra and writer/star Mindy Kaling haven’t taken this to heart in Late Night, a film about an inexperienced writer starting her first gig on a revered-but-fading host’s show. All involved need to convince the viewer that they’re good at their jobs, but Kaling may have been too consumed with her excellent work on The Office to pay attention to what was happening in NBC’s other time slots and file that information away for later use.\nKaling plays Molly Patel, a cheerful employee in a chemical plant who fancies herself the office jokester. She’s hired by venerable late-night host Katherine Newbury (Emma Thompson) as an explicit diversity hire, a last-ditch effort by Katherine to spice up a writers’ room solely stocked by white, male Harvard alums. What follows is the predictable assortment of initial setbacks and underestimations, followed by breakthroughs and an uncommon bond formed between Molly and Katherine, her boss’ boss’ boss. I doubt Molly went out for drinks with her plant director, but here nor there. The Studio 60 problem is most apparent with Molly’s arc, wherein her first accepted joke is an abortion-rights gag that framed as a brave stance but is something the hackiest hack Twitter lefty constantly pushes out everytime a gaggle of Republican men passes a new restrictive bill. The instinct for the joke is solid, but the material is tired. As a shorthand and a way to keep things moving, that single joke of Molly’s serves as a calling card, despite the fact that each night’s show requires dozens of jokes and one-liners.\nThe lack of imagination in Late Night continues from there. Katherine is closer to lead of the film than co-lead, as the film is just as much about her breaking out of her rut than it is Molly finding a new profession. Thompson, who doesn’t hide her English accent or play down her patrician manner, seems an odd choice as a colleague of Conan O’Brien or Jay Leno, and her guest line-ups (Doris Kearns Goodwin and Dianne Feinstein on the same night) are more appropriate for Nightline. The film never considers that Thompson might not want to continue doing the same monologue/bit/first guest/second guest/musical act format, or that she would be better suited to the kind of long-form show John Oliver is doing, a show that the film knows exists because it includes references to him. Instead, Late Night tries to force Katherine to mimic her rivals and coddle her audience, instead of finding a new niche in a crowded landscape. One doesn’t cast Thompson because they think she’d be good at doing man-on-the-street gimmicks, or that she’d envision herself as Jimmy Fallon instead of Terry Gross. It’s another instance of the film insisting that something that has not been suitably established (Molly is a good writer, Katherine cares about the lives of her youtube star guests) is instead written in stone.\nWhat the film does get out of Thomspon is a withering turn as a cruel boss, but one that retains audience sympathy through raw aspirational charm. It’s easy to imagine why someone would stay with Katherine, as a drop of praise would cover over barrels of criticism. She wills the film into watchability alongside the earnest Kaling and a supporting cast of heavy hitters like Denis O’Hare, Hugh Dancy, Amy Ryan, and Paul Walter Hauser. Late Night doesn’t communicate any authenticity in its depiction of the talk-show industry, or of a post-#metoo environment where workplace relationships are especially fraught with power dynamics, but it has a greater sense of the writers’ room itself, no doubt a symptom of Kaling’s years of experience on all sides of one. Late Night’s fun in its behind the scenes back-and-forths, and Ganatra makes a film that has existed in one form or another on TV into something that belongs on big screens. It’s shockingly Kaling who emerges as the disappointment with a script that’s far beneath her earlier work. Late Night needed its own writers’ room, not for comedy punch up but to find a better way into its plot and its characters. C","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1155120"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5086590051651001,"wiki_prob":0.5086590051651001,"text":"The story of Corrie Ten Boom\nIn 1837, Willem and Elizabeth ten Boom opened a watch shop in their house in Harlem, Holland. They lived above the shop with the rest of their family. The home was later passed down to Willem’s son, Casper, and then to Casper’s daughter, Corrie.\nThe Ten Boom family were devoted Christians who dedicated their lives in service to their fellow man. Their home was always an “open house” for anyone in need.\nDuring the Second World War, the Ten Boom home became a refuge, a hiding place, for fugitives and those hunted by the Nazis. By protecting these people, Casper and his daughters, Corrie and her sister Betsie, risked their lives. This non-violent resistance against the Nazi-oppressors was the Ten Booms’ way of living out their Christian faith. This faith led them to hide Jews, students who refused to cooperate with the Nazis, and members of the Dutch underground resistance movement.\nDuring 1943 and into 1944, there were usually 6-7 people illegally living in this home: few Jews and a Few members of the Dutch Underground. Additional refugees would stay with the Ten Booms for a few hours or a few days until another “safe house” could be located for them. Corrie became a ringleader within the network of the Haarlem underground. Corrie and “the Beje group” would search for courageous Dutch families who would take in refugees, and much of Corrie’s time was spent caring for these people once they were in hiding. Through these activities, the Ten Boom family and their many friends saved the lives of an estimated 800 Jews, and protected many Dutch underground workers.\nOn February 28, 1944, this family was betrayed and the Gestapo (Nazi secret police) raided their home. The Gestapo set a trap and waited throughout the day, seizing everyone who came to the house. By evening about 30 people had been taken into custody! The Gestapo suspected Jews were in the house, but the Jews were safely hidden behind a false wall in Corrie’s bedroom. Casper, Corrie and Betsie were all arrested, because underground materials and extra ration cards were found in their home.\nCasper, Corries father (84 years old) died after only 10 days in Scheveningen Prison. Corrie and Betsie spent 10 months in three different prisons, the last was the infamous Ravensbruck Concentration Camp located near Berlin, Germany. Betsie (59) died in Ravensbruck, but Corrie survived.\nThe Ten Booms gave their lives for this family’s commitment, but Corrie came home from the death camp. She realized her life was a gift from God, and she needed to share the family story after the war. Corrie received many tributes: she was knighted by the Queen of Holland. In 1968, the Holocaust Museum (Yad Vashem) asked Corrie to plant a tree in the Garden of Righteousness, in honor of the many Jewish lives her family saved. Corrie’s tree stands there today. In the early 1970’s Corrie’s book THE HIDING PLACE became a bestseller and World Wide Pictures released the major motion picture “The Hiding Place.” Corrie went on to write many other inspiring books and make several videos.\nCorrie died on her 91st birthday, April 15, 1983. It is interesting that Corrie’s passing occurred on her birthday. In the Jewish tradition, it is only very blessed people who are allowed the special privilege of dying on their birthday!\nIn 1987, the Corrie ten Boom House Foundation purchased the building To continue this family’s witness, in 1988 the Foundation opened this home as a museum.\nPastor Jack Graham\nChaim Herzog: President, Ambassador, General & Defender Of Zionism\nWe held a WONDERFUL event for Hannukah, in which we hosted over 400 widows and orphans\nSan Remo Conference Of 1920: Reshaping The Middle East\nA greeting from grandfather\nOperation Moses: Airlifting Our Brothers Back Home\nStand with Israel - Become a Friend of Zion\nBy submitting your name & email you agree to receive emails from Friends of Zion with news and information that we think may interest you.\nWebsite policy​\nThe site was created by MXI – digital marketing\nGet your Free FOZ hat\nCertificate of Apprecation\nBy submitting your name & email you agree to receive emails from friends of Zion","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1871161"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8079394102096558,"wiki_prob":0.8079394102096558,"text":"This article originally appeared on March 14, 2013 in The Alamedan. Michele Ellson, editor.\n“Gonzo Journalist” Jon Ronson\nAt Spank Salon, getting your makeup done “includes lash application,” according to their price list. Ouch! But that’s not the only reason it’s hard to sit still at this super hip parlor: Compelling art lines its walls, with new work rotated in frequently to keep heads turning.\nWe’ve come a long way from when redheads were targeted as witches or vampires in the infamous Malleus Maleficarum, but gingerism and its stereotypes linger. Megan Lynn Kott, who describes herself as “a lifelong redhead – in actuality and spirit” and her artistic partner Justin DeVine give some long overdue love to carrot-tops in their show “GINGERLY: an ode to all our favorite redheads,” which opens at Spank Salon on Saturday, March 16.\n“We were specifically shopping for a salon rather than a gallery,” Kott said. “Spank Salon is the perfect venue for such a show: combining both pop-culture and hair-culture.”\nSinger Tori Amos\nThese Oakland-based artists whipped up nearly two dozen paintings, mostly of actors — including cast members from Chris Carter’s “X-Files” and Joss Whedon’s “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and “Firefly” TV shows — and musicians like Tori Amos and Neko Case. But they also include several downright obscure pieces, including those of “gonzo journalist” Jon Ronson and Grace Coddington, creative director of Vogue magazine. “It’s more a counterculture kind of thing than pop culture,” said Kott, who attended fashion school.\nKott fully expects that visitors will present them with lists of perceived omissions. “There are many more that we would have liked to do,” Kott said, including “Buffy” actress Alyson Hannigan; Fred and George Weasley from “Harry Potter” and Captain Kathryn Janeway from “Star Trek: Voyager.” But they pared their list down “due to time constraints and sanity.”\nViewing each artist’s solo work – Kott with her swirling watercolors and DeVine’s detailed fantasy drawings – it is remarkable that the two were able to sync their styles to create such a cohesive body of work for “GINGERLY,” united to the point that they don’t intend to identify which artist created which piece. “We’re slowly but surely coming into this as a partnership, a little more nameless and collaborative,” Kott said of the teamwork that grew out of the Wednesday night “Drinking & Drawing Club” they started at Café van Kleef in Oakland almost two years ago. “Creating art as a team, you share the glory and the pain of it.”\nA reception for “GINGERLY” will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, March 16. Children are welcome but, per the salon’s website, “Don’t bring your little brats up in here and let them run around like the little demons they are … unless they are really really good.” (Maybe the parents would get another application of the lash?) The work will be on display for six weeks.\nSpank Salon is located at 1912 Clement Avenue. (510) 521-9100. http://spanksalon.com. They are open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and on Sunday by appointment.\nTags: Adam Savage, Alameda, Alan Tudyk, Alyson Hannigan, Art Garfunkel, Beaker, Brian Posehn, Cafe Van Kleef, Captain Janeway, Chris Carter, Claire Danes, Felicia Day, Gillian Anderson, Grace Coddington, Harry Potter, Jon Ronson, Joss Whedon, Justin DeVine, Louis CK, Megan Lynn Kott, Neko Case, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Rose Leslie, Simon Pegg, Spank, Star Trek, The Alamedan, Tilda Swinton, Tori Amos, Woody Allen\nhttp://www.postdiluvianphoto.com/blog/feed/","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line918139"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7366538047790527,"wiki_prob":0.7366538047790527,"text":"Depeche Mode / Devotional\nPosted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on December 10th, 2004\nReleased Tuesday, September 21, 2004\nMusic / Concert\nWEA Corp.\nI’ve got to be honest. I was never a Depeche Mode fan. My lack of interest in them didn’t really come from their music, which I always thought was different – in a good way. It was just that in the 80’s and 90’s, MTV played their videos 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The video for “Enjoy the Silence” was burned into my eyelids. I couldn’t get away from the band no matter how hard I tried.\nMy, how things have changed. MTV doesn’t play Depeche Mode videos anymore, or any videos for that matter, and after wat…hing Depeche Mode’s concert DVD, Devotional, I have come to appreciate the band to the point where I would proudly say that I am now a fan. In an age where your choices range from over-saturated pop, to recycled rap music, Depeche Mode is a breath of fresh, nostalgic air. Front-man Dave Gahan’s overstated baritone voice is completely different from anything you hear nowadays and Martin Gore’s lyrics are actually quite deep for a techno-rock band, peppered with religious images and undertones. Far more introspective than most of the “music” that is mass produced today.\nIn Devotional, all the aforementioned traits and qualities about Depeche Mode ring true. Filmed over two 1993 tour dates in Barcelona and Frankfurt, by the band’s longtime video collaborator Anton Corbijn, the group performs its most acclaimed songs in front of a frenzied throng. Dave Gahan knows how to work a crowd, as evidenced by his patented tush-waiving and getting the crowd to sing along. He also takes off a shirt and rings the sweat from it before tossing it into the crowd. He then jumps into the crowd himself much to the dismay of the security. Anton Corbijn films the concert straight up, not sensationalizing the performances, and in the process makes the show an intimate evening with the band. The religious imagery present in Gore’s lyrics are featured visually on stage, meshing with the music just as they did in the videos Corbijn directed throughout the band’s career.\nDepeche Mode fans will no doubt find plenty to get excited about in Devotional. For those of us less familiar with the band, there are plenty of occasions to get acquainted, so that by the time we’ve finished watching their performance on stage, we’ll call ourselves Depeche Mode fans too. You’d almost be crazy not to.\nDevotional’s lone shortfall is the picture. Filmed in 4:3 fullscreen, the picture is stained in pinks and blues, is grainy as all hell, and not sharp at all. It looks like Corbijn lit the stage in a black light. While it does give a certain mood to the performance, it almost takes away from the connection between the band and the viewer. At certain points in the concert, I felt like I was watching the band in “Predator-Vision.”\nThis is where the disc really comes to life. Although I’ve only come into contact with one other concert DVD, that being The Last Waltz, I can tell you that the Dolby Digital 5.1 sound present on Devotional is amazing. The sound is so full, so crisp and so engulfing; you’ll feel like you are a member of the crowd. The bass in “Personal Jesus” will shake your house like a tremor.\nHowever, to achieve the best sound from this DVD, you may need to play around with your audio receiver. I used the “Rock Concert” function on my receiver and the sound was enhanced greatly, adding to concert feel of the DVD. In normal Surround Sound, the sound is too separated, giving the surround speakers more crowd noise than they can handle, and Gahan’s vocals are also masked in echoes. If your receiver comes with a function for concerts, I would seriously recommend using it.\nThe DVD’s other sound option is PCM Stereo. While it’s severely lacking when compared to the disc’s superior DD 5.1 track, the PCM Stereo mix is competent enough to get enjoyment from. While the subwoofer gets less of a work out here, in concert mode the PCM Stereo track still thumps enough to make you feel like you are at the show. However, the PCM Stereo track in regular Pro Logic is far too jangly, and the subwoofer takes the day off. There are too many highs and not enough lows to equal out the track. Again, if your audio receiver has a “concert” mode, use it.\nDevotional Live Projections – Here you have only the stage projections and artwork displayed to eight of the band’s live songs. The audio options are DD 5.1 and PCM Stereo.\nPromotional Videos – Here we have some of the music videos from Songs of Faith and Devotion, the album Depeche Mode was promoting while on tour. Audio options here are only PCM Stereo.\nMTV Documentary: Depeche Mode Rockumentary – As the title states, this is the 1993 MTV documentary about the make-up of the band, and the relationship Depeche Mode has with their visual collaborator, Anton Corbijn. This is where we learn that Gahan was not always the crowd-worker he is during Devotional. Audio – 2.0 Stereo.\nMonologue by Anton Corbijn – The band’s visual collaborator speaks on how he translates the band’s music into visual images throughout their relationship from the early 80’s to the early 90’s when the concert was filmed. Audio – PCM Stereo.\nDevotional Tour Programmes – Here you can thumb through the actual programs for the concert.\nDevotional really gets beneath the surface of Depeche Mode and will allow fans both old and new to appreciate what is presented. While the picture could be better, the excellent audio more than makes up for it, and the many extras will allow fans to learn more about the performance as well as the band. Although the disc has its shortcomings, I’d be a fool not to recommend it.\nDevotional Live Projections\nMTV Documentary: Depeche Mode Rockumentary\nMonologue by Anton Corbijn\nDevotional Tour Programmes\nFacing Windows Garden State","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1597099"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.723268985748291,"wiki_prob":0.723268985748291,"text":"In “The Lion King,” the ghost of Mufasa reminds Simba to “remember who you are.” Animation legend Floyd Norman thinks that Disney Feature Animation might be advised to do the same.\nFloyd Norman\nIt was only a small change. No one even noticed that Disney’s premiere animation department had stopped using Disney pegs. It was the early eighties and Disney’s animation department had just been spared from an early death. Vice chairman, Roy Edward Disney had just given animation a new lease on life, and animation had to do whatever was necessary. It was understandable of course. When one’s head is on the chopping block, compromise is expected. Though only an animation geek would notice that the horizontal pegs were a bit wider and 5000 was no longer center, this ushered in a series of changes that would in time transform the animation unit from being uniquely Disney to becoming simply generic.\nThen again, why not be generic? Why not follow the crowd? Wouldn’t Walt Disney have done that? For arguments sake, why not get rid of Disney pegs, paint and paper? After all, that put you in conflict with every other studio system that used the Acme standard. If Disney animation was going to be in sync with studios around the globe, it only made sense to adopt the standard. It’s efficient, it’s practical, and it’s the way business is done. The reinventing of Disney had slowly begun.\nI loved Hollywood’s animation studios. Back in the old days, each studio had it’s own trademark look. It was a distinct in-house style that set it apart from all the others. Today, there might as well be one studio producing movies. It’s a generic, plastic world where the animation is so sterile, the stories so devoid of charm, wit and humor, it hardly matters which “factory” churned them out. Gone are the days when Clever writers and inspired artists worked together to painstakingly craft an animated motion picture that would entertain generations of adults and children. Still, many say this 3-D world is the wave of the future, and it very well may be. To be sure, the images on screen have depth, even though the stories may lack the same.\nI suppose it’s no secret that the Disney organization in the nineties was a corporation that seemed uncomfortable in its own skin. That’s what prompted Feature Animation to remove Mickey Mouse from its official logo, and business units removing Disney art from their offices. Executives were happy to take the Disney paycheck but wanted nothing to do with “cartoons.” Ironically, for a company that was so obsessed with “branding,” I was amazed at the lengths executives would go to disassociate themselves from the company. Yet, like it or not, there was a Disney image. An image carefully constructed over time by the Old Maestro himself. In time, people began to recognize that image and what it represented. Family entertainment of course, but Disney also meant creativity, innovation and quality. Values not immediately embraced by the new marketers now in charge of the mouse house in the early eighties. They served the contemporary gods of relevance, edginess, and the latest trends in entertainment. If the Disney organization was going to survive in Hollywood’s brave new world, they had better get on board.\nIf you think perhaps I protest too much, let’s consider how the Old Maestro himself felt about these things. After laboring long and hard on “Sleeping Beauty,” Disney designers, Ken Anderson, Tom Oreb and Walt Peregoy decided to come up with a new, fresh look for the next feature, “101 Dalmatians.” Though the movie was a hit, I can tell you for a fact that Walt Disney hated the look of the film. Though the artists were going for a modified rendition of a style created by British cartoonist, Ronald Searle, Walt was not pleased and made his feelings known to all. A few years later, development was underway on “Mary Poppins.” Midway through the film an animated sequence takes place within the world of Bert’s fanciful chalk drawings. Once again, Walt’s designers decided to push the envelope and come up with an animation style that would emulate moving chalk drawings. And, again Walt Disney said no. Clever and inventive though the style may have been, it was not the Disney house style, and Walt was having no part of it. Some may have thought the Old Maestro was growing old and stodgy for once again giving thumbs down on an innovative new style. But, Disney stood his ground, and once again the house style prevailed.\nHowever, Disney could occasionally be persuaded to step outside the box. Animation directors, Ward Kimball and C. August Nichols were allowed to produce two wonderful short films in the series, “Adventures in Music.” The first film was entitled, “Melody,” followed by the stunning, “Toot, Whistle, Plunk and Boom.” both films traded the standard Disney style in favor of a simplified stylized technique full of color, energy and verve. Yet, even the skeptical Walt managed a grin when “Toot, Whistle” won an Academy Award for best-animated short. Still, Walt Disney remained a tough man to convince when it came to moving too far a field from his standard style, and didn’t hesitate to let it be known. I was lucky enough to attend a screening of Kimball’s “Mars and Beyond” back in the fifties. At the time, I was dazzled by what I had just seen, but Walt Disney felt otherwise. Once again, he dressed Kimball down for his handling of the cartoon characters. Not Disney enough for Walt, it appeared. Lest you think this is hearsay, let me remind you again — I was there.\nAs the Disney Company embraces new film making techniques, one might consider what pit falls lie ahead. Outsourced animated fare such as “Valiant” drew only stunned silence from the audience as I watched the trailer in a local multiplex. And, I doubt “The Wild,” another bargain basement cartoon movie will do much better. Walt was continually concerned about his creations being clearly recognizable as “Disney.” Because of the look of digital filmmaking, Disney’s creations could become indistinguishable from the competition. I’m not about to enter into a debate over which film making medium is superior, but the marketers who depend on Disney’s trademark style to keep earning the company millions should be. As more and more digital films crowd the multiplexes, wouldn’t it have been something if the Disney Company had embraced its signature style and produced an incredible motion picture that looked nothing like the competition? In so doing, Disney wouldn’t have been like everybody else. They would have been the leader, not the follower. Besides, Disney had already led the CGI revolution some time ago. They financed, distributed and nurtured a production back in 1995. In case you’ve forgotten — it was called “Toy Story.”\nMajor corporations spend millions developing and maintaining an image. They nurture and protect that image because it reflects who and what they are. Walt Disney was no fool. He knew the Disney look, and the Disney style was recognized around the world. If that “recognition factor” becomes just a little bit blurred, the results may not be pleasant. As Disney moves forward in the next few years they would be wise to remember the things that made the company great. Wonderful, timeless stories well told. Delightful, memorable characters imbued with charm and appeal. And, of course, beautiful art that nourishes the soul. These things cannot be replaced by superficial flash and dazzle, and the audience will know the difference.\nDid you enjoy Floyd’s cautionary tale today? well, if so, please be aware that there are three great collections of Norman’s writings & cartoons currently on the market: his original collection of cartoons and stories — “Faster! Cheaper! The Flip Side of the Art of Animation” (which is available for sale over at John Cawley’s excellent www.cataroo.com web site) as well as two follow-ups to that book, “Son of Faster, Cheaper” & “How the Grinch Stole Disney.” Which you can purchase by heading over to the Afrokids.com website.\nHollywood name-dropping, Disney style\nCrash Landings\nI need help from a Disney World employee. To be specific, someone who used to work at the Magic Kingdom back in the late 1980s / early 1990s.\nThe reason I’m asking for help is that there used to be this one-page newsletter that that theme park printed & distributed weekly to Cast Members who worked JUST at the Magic Kingdom.\nWalt Disney World Cast Member Newsletter Request\nI want to stress that this newsletter was different from the Eyes & Ears – which (back then, anyway) was a weekly newspaper (not a newsletter) that the Resort then printed & distributed to ALL Cast Members who worked on property.\nThis publication – which might have been called Kingdom Cast (Sorry. It’s been almost 30 years now. I’m old after all and I’m now blanking this newsletter’s name) – was typically printed on different colored paper stock every week.\nI just need some help here when it comes to recalling the specific name of this newsletter which was primarily intended for Disney World employees who worked at the Magic Kingdom.\nIf you know of the newsletter we are looking for leave a comment below.\nMagic Kingdom Newsletter – August 1994\nAnyway … I was living down in Orlando at this time. Where I was trying to make a living writing about The Walt Disney Company. Which was challenging in those pre-Internet days. On the upside, I had lots of friends who worked at the Resort at the time. Who would then slip me copies of all sorts of in-house publications. Which then allowed me to stay on top of what was actually going on on-property.\nAnywho … In late August of 1994, I got sent a copy of this particular Magic-Kingdom-only newsletter. Which included a brief item (That I’m recalling from memory now) that said …\n… any & all Cast Members who had worked at “20,000 Leagues Under the Seas” over the past 23 years are invited to come by this Fantasyland attraction on the night of Monday, September 5th. We’d like to get together as many current & former 20K employees as possible for a group photo in front of that attraction’s marquee. This image will then be used to commemorate the closing of this Disney World favorite.\nThis item in that newsletter then went on to say that – after the Magic Kingdom had officially closed for the night – all WDW Cast Members were then welcome to come by the Subs and get in one last ride before “20,000 Leagues” closed for good.\nSo I immediately realized that this was huge, huge news.\nDisney World is closing the Subs at the Magic Kingdom.\nAnd since I was friendly with Leslie Doolittle, the reporter who was wrote the “On Tourism” column for the Orlando Sentinel, I give Leslie a call and read her this item straight out of this Magic Kingdom employee newsletter verbatim. Which Ms. Doolittle then reports in her very next “On Tourism” column. Which then prompts WDW officials to lose their minds.\nInitially senior management at the Resort flat-out denies that this Opening Day attraction is actually closing and they demand that the Sentinel immediately print a full retraction. After I provide Ms. Doolittle with a physical copy of this Magic Kingdom employee newsletter and she then shares that with WDW’s PR team … Well, the Resort’s senior management then changes its tune.\nThey now say … Well, yes. “20,000 Leagues” WILL be closing on September 5, 1994. But what was published in that Magic Kingdom employee newsletter was incorrect. This Fantasyland favorite is NOT closing permanently. But – rather –- 20K will be going down for a lengthy rehab. A REALLY lengthy rehab. The longest ever in this ride’s history.\nMaintenance Issues with WDW’s “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea”\nTo explain: Anyone who loved this WDW attraction back in the day will talk about how frustrating it would be back then to visit the Magic Kingdom and then find that “20,000 Leagues” was down for maintenance … again.\nBetween the harsh Florida sun bleaching the color out of the fake coral & all those plastic fish (which is why – every year – the lagoon had to be drained & dried so these items could then be repainted) not to mention all of the mechanical challenges associated with keeping that fleet of 14 diesel-powered Subs up & running … “20K” was an operational nightmare.\nNot to mention being a huge money suck when it came to the Magic Kingdom’s annual operating budget.\nSo what Disney World senior management said – on the heels of that Orlando Sentinel story — was that “20K” was now closing for a top-to-bottom overhaul. This would be a two year-long project. But the good news was work would be completed in time for WDW’s 25th anniversary celebration. Which was supposed to begin in October of 1996.\nWhich – I have to tell you – wasn’t the truth at all.\nThat Magic Kingdom employee only newsletter had actually gotten everything right. Disney World’s “20,000 Leagues” ride WAS closing for good on September 4, 1994. But not for the reason you might think.\nEuro Disney Financial Troubles\nEuro Disney had opened back in April of 1992. The park itself did well, attendance-wise. Not so much when it came to those 6 on-site hotels. Weighed down by enormous debt, Eisner actually talked about closing the place down in December of 1993 unless a new financial arrangement could be worked out with the 30+ banks that had originally funded construction of this $4.4 billion resort. A deal was reached in the late Winter / early Spring of 1994. But one of the conditions of this deal is that The Walt Disney Company would suspend the collection of any royalty payments that the Company was due from the Euro Disney Project from 1994 through 1998.\nThis new agreement / financial restructuring may have saved Euro Disney (which then got rebranded / relaunched as the Disneyland Paris Resort). But it also choked off a huge revenue stream at The Walt Disney Company. Which is why word then came down from on high that ALL divisions at the Mouse House now needed to tighten their belts. Economize.\nAnd down at Walt Disney World … Well, managers then saw this edict as an opportunity to finally pull the plug on the Magic Kingdom’s expensive-to-maintain / difficult-to-operate “20,000 Leagues” ride. And the beauty part was … This wasn’t their fault. They were just following Corporate’s orders.\nFan Backlash for “20,000 Leagues” Closing Announcement\nWhat Walt Disney World senior management hadn’t anticipated was – on the heels of Leslie Doolittle’s story about how “20K” would be closing – that the Resort would then be flooded with letters begging Magic Kingdom managers to change their minds. Save this opening day attraction.\nWhich – again – brings us back to that “The-Subs-will-be-back-up-and-running-by-1996-just-in-time-for-WDW’s-25th-anniversary” story. Which – I’ll again remind you – just wasn’t true. This was a lie that the Company quickly put out there to deflect & divert from what quickly had become a PR nightmare for the Magic Kingdom.\nMichael Ovitz – Save or Close “20k Leagues”\nSo okay. We now jump ahead to August of 1995. Which is when Michael Ovitz – previously the head of CAA and once rumored to be the most powerful man in Hollywood – becomes the President of The Walt Disney Company. Michael Eisner hires Ovitz to be his new second-in-command (Following the tragic death of Frank Wells back in April of 1994).\nAnd Ovitz … He wants to hit the ground running. Prove to Eisner that he’s now going to be an extremely valuable member of the Disney team.\nCredit: Deadline\nSo picture this. It’s now September of 1995. And Michael Ovitz – because he wants to learn about every aspect of The Walt Disney Company – is now on a familiarization tour of the entire corporation. And one of his very first stops is The Walt Disney World Resort.\nAnd Michael (Ovitz, not Eisner) is a very data-driven guy. And he knows about the now-thousands of letters & phone calls that the Walt Disney World Resort has received about “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.” Which – again (remember) – WDW managers have been saying publicly is only temporarily closed. At this point, they’re still insisting that that this Opening Day Attraction will be back up & running in time for WDW’s 25th anniversary. Which is supposed to start on October 1, 1996.\nSo Ovitz – once he arrives on WDW property says – “Hey, I’ve heard about the Magic Kingdom’s 20K problem. And I’d like to personally check out that ride while I’m down here in Florida. Maybe once I see it, I can then make some recommendations. Perhaps help speed along the funding you need to get that ride up & running again.”\nAnd seeing as Michael Ovitz is the newly installed second-in-command at the Mouse House, WDW senior management – after they hear this request – says “Sure. Absolutely. We’d love to do that, Mr. Ovitz. We’ll come by your hotel first thing tomorrow morning and take you straight over to the Magic Kingdom before that park opens to the public. That way, you can see for yourself the challenges that we’re now facing with bringing this Fantasyland ride back up online in time for Disney World’s 25th anniversary celebration. We’d LOVE to hear your recommendations.”\nWhich is why — the following morning at 7 a.m. — Mike Ovitz found himself standing in the queue at “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea” as a sub that was loudly belching smoke came rumbling up to the dock. The Disney Company’s brand-new President then climbed down the stairs and found a quarter inch of water sloshing around in the bottom of the boat. When Mike pointed this out, a WDW ops staffer said “Well, you have to understand that a lot of our subs are over 20 years old, Mr. Ovitz. So many of them have developed small pinhole leaks over time.”\nThe sub then lurched away from the dock and took Ovitz & the ops crew on a somewhat jerky trip around the “20K” ride track, with the attraction’s soundtrack barely audible through the ship’s crackling loudspeakers.\nAs you might imagine, once the boat pulled up to the dock, Michael quickly climbed out of the mildewed interior. He then turned to WDW’s ops staff and then asked what it would cost to bring “20K” back online. Ovitz was then quoted a number that was reportedly more than the Resort was planning on spending on its entire year-long 25th anniversary celebration.\nOvitz knew that a redo of the Subs that was going to be that expensive would be a non-started with Eisner. Especially at that time in the Company’s history, where – on the heels of the Euro Disney debt reorg and Disney deferring any royalty payments they were supposed to take out of that Resort ‘til 1998 – word was coming down from on high to every division at Disney to economize & cut back.\nOvitz wanted to show Eisner that – as The Walt Disney Company’s new president – that he could make the tough calls. So after hearing how much it would supposedly now cost the WDW Resort to bring the Subs back online, Ovitz then supposedy said “Well, maybe we’d just better cancel this rehab project and close 20K for good.” And those WDW managers standing with Ovitz in the Subs Load / Unload area then said “Oh, no. Really? Are you sure?”\nNot Reopening by Summer – 20,000 Leagues “Delayed”\nWhich is why – in the early part of 1996. Just a few months after Michael Ovitz visited the Walt Disney World Resort on that fam trip — Bruce Laval, who was (at that time, anyway) the Resort’s Vice President for Operations – did an interview with the Sentinel. Where Bruce told Leslie Doolittle that …\n“We were originally pursuing a short-term strategy with 20K. Something would have then allowed us to reopen the Subs with minor enhancements. But we found that there was no way we could accomplish that by this Summer.”\nNow please note that what Bruce is saying in early 1996 is very different from what the Resort had been putting out back in the Fall of 1994. Back then, the Magic Kingdom was going to shut down “20K” for a nearly two-year-long, top-to-bottom redo so that this Fantasyland attraction could then be part of WDW’s 25th anniversary celebration looking bigger & better from ever. But come April of 1996, that story has significantly changed. The Park was now looking to re-open the Subs with “minor enhancements.” But even that would be impossible for the Resort to now pull off by the Summer of 1996.\nWhich bring us to what Laval next told the Sentinel:\n“We are abandoning those plans for the Subs and are now exploring other long term options.”\nCredit: Orlando Sentinel\nSo would it surprise you to learn that – in the middle of all the hoopla associated with the officially launch of WDW’s 25th anniversary celebration in October of 1996 – Disney World’s PR very quietly realizes the news that 20K is now closed permanently. That – on the recommendation of Michael Ovitz, the president of The Walt Disney Company — the Magic Kingdom is now abandoning any plans to rehab / revitalize that attraction.\nPoor Guest Experience for Michael Ovitz\nYou wanna know the kicker to this story. Those WDW managers – when they brought Michael Ovitz into the Magic Kingdom early that September morning back in 1995 – had totally sandbagged the new president of The Walt Disney Company.\nTo make sure that Ovitz had the worst possible ride experience that morning …\nWell, out of the fleet of 14 subs that had been built for this Fantasyland attraction, those managers deliberately picked the one that was in the worst possible shape.\nThey then recruited a veteran ride operator and quietly gave this Cast Member the expressed instructions to “Give Ovitz the roughest ride possible.”\nThen – to seal the deal — they threw a couple of buckets of water down into the bottom of that Sub to simulate a pinhole leak.\nAnd all of this was done to give Ovitz the impression that WDW’s subs were now beyond salvaging.\nThe real irony here is that Michael Ovitz, the man who made the permanent closure of the Subs at WDW’s Magic Kingdom possible because he fell for the elaborate ruse that those Disney World managers staged back in September of 1995 … wasn’t all that long-lived at the Mouse House.\nEisner fired Ovitz in December of 1996 (just 15 months after he’d taken the job) largely because Eisner felt that Ovitz just wasn’t a good fit at Disney.\nCredit: WDWMagic\nI have to tell you that WDW managers were thrilled that Ovitz was on the job at Disney for as long as he was. For – in September of 1995 — he made it possible to do what they couldn’t. Which was close the Subs for good. Which then left that huge chunk of Fantasyland open for redevelopment.\nMind you, it would take nearly another 13 years (from when the WDW Resort finally officially announced that the Subs at the Magic Kingdom were closed in October of 1996 ‘til the first D23 Expo back in September of 2009. Which was when the WDW Resort officially confirmed that the long-rumored expansion of the Magic Kingdom’s Fantasyland section was in the works) before that redevelopment effort would then move forward. But as anyone who’s been watching the construction of “TRON Lightcycle Run” limp along at the Magic Kingdom these past five years, things move slowly these days at the Magic Kingdom.\nAnd – speaking of the Magic Kingdom – if anyone who worked at that theme park back in the late 1980s / early 1990s could please get back to me about that newsletter-for-Cast-Members-who-worked-specifically-at-that-Park (I’m 90% certain this weekly newsletter was called Kingdom Cast. But – again – I could be wrong), I’d really appreciate it.\nThis article is based on research for The Disney Dish Podcast “Episode 390”, published on September 5, 2022. The Disney Dish Podcast is part of the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network.\nSince we’ve gotten such strong reaction to previous “Disney Dishes” where Len & I talked about original Disneyland lessees like Swift Meats (who sponsored the Red Wagon Inn at the Park, which was the precursor to Disneyland’s Plaza Inn Restaurants) and Monsanto (who sponsor the Hall of Chemistry AND the House of the Future), I thought that we’d take a moment to shine a spotlight on another company that helped make up the original 48 lessees at Disneyland.\nOriginal Disneyland Lessees\nWhen Disneyland first opened in July of 1955 – the Park had 48 lessees. A number of those were short-lived outfits like Hollywood Maxwell’s Intimate Apparel Shop and the BlueBird Shoes for Children Shop that came & went within the first few years that Disneyland was operational. By 1966 / 1967, the number of lessees that the Park had had shrunk down by nearly a third. To 33, to be exact.\nThat’s an interesting number – 33.\nSeems significant for some reason. Can’t place why, though.\nVan Camp Seafood Company\nSome 67 years ago (August 29, 1955, to be exact), the Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship Restaurant (the quick service restaurant that Van Camp Seafood sponsored at the Park) first opened for business.\nKind of appropriate that Van Camp Seafood came to sponsor a restaurant at Disneyland. After all, this fish canning company actually got its start some 95 miles to the south of Anaheim in San Diego, California back in May of 1914 – founded by Frank Van Camp & his son Gilbert.\nChicken of the Sea Fancy Tuna and Frank Van Camp. Credit: MyCompanies & Flickr/Shushmuckle\nAnd as for that “Chicken of the Sea” thing … That was a bit of branding Van Camp embraced back in 1930. You see, the type of tuna that they initially specialized in canning (i.e., white albacore) was acclaimed for its mild flavor & color.\n“Tastes like chicken” = “Chicken of the Sea.”\nBy 1952, Van Camp Seafood further refined their brand by introducing the Company’s icon: Catalina the Mermaid.\nInteresting side note: If Catalina the Mermaid looks kind of familiar to all you Trekkies out there … Well, there’s a good reason for that. Grace Lee Whitney – who played Yeoman Rand on the original “Star Trek” television series – was actually the inspiration for Van Camp Seafood’s corporate icon.\nPeter Pan & Mermaid Lagoon\nWe jump ahead now to February of 1953, which is when Walt Disney Studios releases its feature-length animated version of “Peter Pan” (which is based on J.M. Barrie’s 1904 play about “The Boy Who Wouldn’t Grow Up”). This animated feature includes a scene where Peter takes Wendy Darling to Mermaid Lagoon. Where those mermaids then try to drown Wendy. I guess Catalina hangs out with a rough crowd.\nJump ahead to 1954. Walt is looking to lock in sponsors for his new family fun park. And Disney’s animated version of “Peter Pan” is still very front of mind. Which is why – when Disney representatives reach out to Van Camp Seafoods to ask if this fish canning company would be willing to sponsor some sort of attraction at Disneyland – Frank & his son Gilbert are interested.\nThe Van Camps do have some conditions, though. As part of whatever their Company sponsors at Disneyland, this shop, restaurant or attraction has to prominently feature Catalina the Mermaid, the Chicken of the Sea icon.\nThe folks at Disney go away for a bit to ponder this proposition … and then eventually come back with a proposal for the Van Camp family. What about a restaurant that’s also an attraction? As in: The Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship Restaurant.\nThe Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship Restaurant\nThis massive structure – we’re talking 79 feet long and 80 feet tall (That includes the ship’s three masts. Which were each 60 feet tall) – was to be a recreation of the Jolly Roger, Captain Hook’s ship from Disney’s animated version of “Peter Pan.” Guests would have the opportunity to board this vessel and explore the upper deck. Below decks, there’d be a quick service restaurant that only served food items that could be made with Van Camp Seafood products. We’re talking:\nA Tuna Sandwich\nA Tuna Burger\nA Tuna Pie served in a Pastry Shell\nA Tuna Boat Salad\nA Tuna Clipper Salad (a clipper is a slightly bigger boat)\nShrimp Cocktail (Van Camp Seafood also sold canned shrimp)\nand Fruit Tart with Whipped Cream (which must have had a little tuna in it)\nReminds me of that Monty Python bit. “It’s only got some spam in it. Spam, spam, spam, span, baked beans & spam.”)\nCredit: iCollector.com\nFrank & Gilbert Van Camp loved this idea. Even so, it took a while to Van Cap Seafood & Walt Disney Productions to negotiate the final contract. Not to mention draw up the construction blueprints for this Fantasyland restaurant / attraction. I’ve seen a set of these blueprints that Fred Stoos (he was one of the original construction coordinators on the Disneyland project) drew up that are dated May 7, 1955.\nBuilding the Jolly Roger\nThat’s basically 10 weeks before Disneyland first opens to the public. So as soon as those blueprints were signed off on, they immediately began building the Jolly Roger out behind the park’s lumber mill. Which – after the Park was completed – this building would then become the Main Street Opera House.\nThe ship itself was built out of Douglas Fir. And as for this pirate ship’s trim, that was genuine mahogany which had been shipped in from Honduras.\nNow remember that condition that Frank & Gilbert Van Camp insisted upon? That Disneyland’s Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship Restaurant had to feature their company’s icon – Catalina the Mermaid – in some way?\nChicken of the Sea Pirate Ship Restaurant Hand-Colored Brownline Print (Walt Disney, 1955)\nCredit: Comics.ha\nCatalina the Mermaid – Figurehead\nDisney honored this sponsorship condition by making Catalina the Jolly Roger’s figurehead. Chris Mueller (who sculpted all of the animals that Guests saw on Disneyland’s “Jungle Cruise.” Not to mention the giant squid in Disney Studio’s “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea” film. In addition to creating “The Creature from the Black Lagoon” for Universal Pictures’ 1954 film of the same name) not only created that beautiful 6-foot-tall piece, Mueller also sculpted an enormous piece for this ship’s stern. Which replicated the way Catalina the Mermaid was depicted on each can of “Chicken of the Sea” tuna. With Catalina seated atop her shell throne which is then borne on the back of a giant sea turtle. Beautiful piece.\nCredit: Pinterest/Chicken of the Sea\nThe Flying Jolly Roger\nRemember how this pirate ship restaurant was quickly being built backstage at Disneyland out behind that park’s lumber mill? When it came time for this building to finally be moved into place over in Fantasyland … Well, remember how the Jolly Roger flew in Disneyland’s animated version of “Peter Pan” ? This structure flew as well. It was lifted by a construction crane over all of those still-under-construction Tomorrowland buildings and then dropped into place behind the Park’s Mad Tea Party flat ride.\nPainting and Camera Tricks\nThe only problem was … The night before that “Dateline: Disneyland” special aired live on ABC, Walt realized that he was running out of time & money. And the Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship Restaurant (while it was now in its proper place in the Park) was still unpainted. And if the Van Camp family saw the restaurant / attraction that they’d paid for show up on live television looking like that, Frank & Gilbert would be furious.\nWalt’s solution to this not-enough-time / not-enough-money problem was kind of ingenious. He only had his painters paint the side of the Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship Restaurant that faced into the Park (i.e. the side that would appear on camera). Walt then had a bunch of Disney Studios employees placed on deck. When the cameras came on, these folks rushed to the rail and then wave frantically towards the camera. That way, no one would notice that the props or rigging on this ship weren’t in place either.\nThis trick worked. The Jolly Roger looked great on camera. And just so you know: It would take another six weeks of hard work after the “Dateline: Disneyland” TV special aired before the Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship Restaurant was finally ready to serve food / begin entertaining Disneyland Guests.\nCredit: Disney Parks\nPopularity and Expansion of The Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship\nThis eatery became so popular with Disneyland Guests that … Well, after Walt finally wrestled ABC’s partial ownership of the Park away from that broadcast company in June of 1960 (He had to pay that company $7.5 million for its one third ownership of the Park) … One of the very first thing Disney did was to create a secondary seating area for this Fantasyland eatery.\nCredit: MickeyMousePark.com\nHere’s how that expansion project was described in the October – November 1960 issue of the “Disneylander” (i.e., the park’s employee newsletter back then):\nThis article’s headline read: “Pirate Ship To Have New And Exotic Setting”\nAnd here’s a quote from this piece:\n“By the time you read this, you’ll be aware that the Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship is closed for extensive rehab. It is scheduled to reopen about December 15th. Isolated by craggy cliffs covered with lush tropical foliage will be ‘Pirate’s Cove,’ where the Park’s well known Pirate Ship resides at anchor. WED designers have included in their plans the familiar landmark of Skull Rock from the Peter Pan story with three waterfalls cascading from rocky heights.”\nConstruction of Pirate’s Cove & Skull Rock actually took a little longer than expected. This Fantasyland addition wouldn’t open ‘til just before Christmas. December 23, 1960, to be exact.\nCredit: Yesterland / Fred M. Nelson, Sr., 1973\nVan Camp Seafood Partnership\nThe folks at Van Camp Seafood initially seemed very pleased with their association with Disneyland Park. They renewed their original sponsorship agreement with the Park in 1962 for another seven year-long lease. Unfortunately, in 1963, Frank & Gilbert sold their fish canning company to Ralston Purina. And when the sponsorship contract for the Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship Restaurant came up for renewal in 1969, Ralston Purina opted out.\nCaptain Hook’s Galley\nDisneyland management responded to this loss of sponsor by changing the name of this Fantasyland restaurant from The Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship Restaurant to Captain Hook’s Galley. They also made minor tweaks to the ship’s figurehead and the giant stern piece so that the mermaids there no longer looked just like Catalina, Chicken of the Sea’s corporate icon.\nA triumphant Peter Pan poses in front of Captain Hook’s Galley (formerly Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship and Restaurant) in Fantasyland at Disneyland, 1976. pic.twitter.com/IUQG4OW4Y1\n— Walt Disney Archives (@TWDCArchives) March 30, 2019\nMoving to New Fantasyland\nWe now jump ahead to the Fall of 1981. Work has just begun on Disneyland’s New Fantasyland. Which – when this side of the Park re-opens in the Summer of 1983 – will feature all-new versions of Disneyland’s classic dark rides like “Snow White’s Scary Adventures” & “Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride” featuring then-state-of-the-art effects like fiber optics & digital sound.\nAmong the changes that are in the works for this side of the Park is that the ship that houses Captain Hook’s Galley is once again going to be lifted by a crane. Only this time, it’s going to lifted over a 100 feet or so that this full-sized pirate ship could then became the finale of Disneyland’s Storybook Land Canal Boats ride. The canal boats – after floating by all of those miniaturized recreations of settings from famous Disney films – would now find themselves, in the final moments of this ride, right alongside of the Jolly Roger.\nCredit: Walt Disney Family Museum\nThe Imagineers thinking here was … Well, Disneyland’s Storybook Land Canal Boats ride starts off with a big moment (the canal boat you’re riding in gets swallowed up by Monstro the whale from “Pinocchio”). It should then have a similarly big moment at the moment at the end. Besides – by moving the structure that previously housed Captain Hook’s Galley from the centerbackmost portion of Fantasyland over to the eastern edge of this land at Disneyland – this then opened some very valuable real estate right in the middle of one of the more popular / most crowded corners of the Park.\nSo okay. So once this part of the Imagineers’ plans for a new Fantasyland at Disneyland was signed off on by Park Management … Phase One of Operation “The Jolly Roger Flies Again” was to first gently pry Chris Mueller’s now 26-year-old mermaid sculptures off of the bow & the stern of the Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship Restaurant and then take them backstage to be restored. Then the pirate ship would be hoisted into its new location at the edge of Small World Plaza. Whereupon the load / unload area for the Storybook Land Canal Boats ride would be expanded to create a brand-new lagoon space that this pirate ship could be anchored in.\nJust so you know: I’ve never been able to confirm that Skull Rock was to have then be recreated in this new location. The insinuation here was that – once both phases of the New Fantasyland project were complete (Phase One was to be ready for the Late Spring of 1983. While Phase Two – which involved the revamped version of the “Alice in Wonderland” dark ride, the relocation of Disneyland’s “Mad Tea Party” dark ride and the Mad Hatter’s Hat Shop – would open in the Spring of 1984) — the Imagineers would then attempt to ram through the creation of a second version of Skull Rock. Which would then help hide where the maintenance dock for the Storybook Land Canal Boats would be taken every night.\nI have also been told that the below-decks area (which was initially supposed to be closed off to Guests once the Jolly Roger was flown into its new location of the Eastern edge of Small World Plaza) was to have then been completely renovated. And that – for the Summer of 1985 (Just in time for Disneyland’s 30th birthday celebration) what had previously been a quick service restaurant would then be turned into a pirate-themed juice bar. Which was kind of a cool idea.\nProblems with the Move & Demolition of the Jolly Roger\nThis was the plan anyway. Unfortunately, after those two mermaid pieces were carefully pried off of the bow & the stern of Captain Hook’s Galley, the forklift that was taking both of these pieces backstage made a sudden stop. The mermaid pieces then fell off and shattered to smithereens.\nWorse that that: When the New Fantasyland construction crew went to go arrange the harnesses that were necessary to hoist this 26-year-old pirate ship high in the air over to its new location, they then discovered that the old Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship Restaurant (which — remember – had originally built out of Douglas Fir outside of Disneyland’s old lumber mill and then been trimmed with genuine Honduran mahogany) was now riddled with termites. Long story short: This structure would have immediately crumbled into pieces as soon as that construction crane starts to pull on those harnesses.\nAs a direct result, the Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship Restaurant was left at anchor right where it was until a demolition team could come along and pull this ship-shaped structure down. While they were at it, this demolition team also destroyed one of Disneyland’s favorite photo spots (Skull Island Cove). In its place today, you’ll now find Disneyland’s relocated Dumbo the Flying Elephant ride.\nWhich – of course – makes us OG Disneyland fans sad. I mean, that’s something that Walt put in place and then plussed. But it’s worth noting that the Jolly Roger — as well as Pirate Cove & Skull Rock — do live on. Only at a different Disney theme park.\nAdventure Isle at Disneyland Paris\nWhen the Imagineers opted to build Adventure Isle at Disneyland Paris in the early 1990s, they included a full-sized pirate ship that was then placed at anchor in front of a large-ish version of Skull Rock. And inside of this pirate ship, you’ll find yet another Captain Hook’s Galley. This one’s a counter-service restaurant, though. Not a pirate-themed juice bar.\nDisneyland Tuna Burger and Fruit Tart with Whipped Cream\nJust so you know: If you’re a Disneyland completist and wonder what it was like to actually dine at the Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship Restaurant, if you Google “Disneyland Tuna Burger,” you can find a number of recipes online that will then allow you to replicate this signature item from the menu of this now-gone-for-nearly-40-years restaurant.\nMe personally, given that whole everything-served-here-must-make-use-of-items-that-Van-Camp-Seafood-makes-or-sells condition, I still have to wonder just how much tuna there was in that one dessert item the Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship Restaurant sold. Which was the fruit tart with whipped cream.\nThis article is based on research for The Disney Dish Podcast “Episode 389”, published on August 29, 2022. The Disney Dish Podcast is part of the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network.\nDid you ever hear about … “Khrushchev at Disneyland”?\nIt was back in October of last year that Disney+ revealed that they were now working on a film about the creation of Disneyland.\nGiven that Evan Spiliotopoulos – who crafted the screenplay for the Company’s live-action reimagining of “Beauty & the Beast” (which then went on to earn $1.26 billion at the worldwide box office back in 2017) – is reportedly writing the script for this yet-to-be-titled film, I have high hopes for this movie about the making of The Happiest Place on Earth.\nAfter all, if we go by “Saving Mr. Banks” (i.e., That 2013 Walt Disney Pictures release about the making of “Mary Poppins,” where Emma Thompson played “Poppins” author P.L. Travers and Tom Hanks turned in a masterful performance as Walt Disney), this company-of-storytellers has already proven that it can turn its own history into entertaining motion pictures.\nBut that said, if The Walt Disney Company is now actively looking for moments from its past that it can possibly turn into motion pictures … Well, might I suggest a moment that Walt himself might make one hell of a movie. And that’s Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev’s non-visit to Disneyland.\nKhrushchev’s US Visit (1959)\nI don’t know how many of you are familiar with the details surrounding this incident. Which occurred during Khrushchev’s 11-day trip to the US in September 1959. The Soviet Premier and his entourage arrived in Washington D.C. and — after making a brief stop at the UN in New York City — flew out to LA … And that’s when all the trouble started.\nThe Los Angeles leg of Nikita’s nationwide tour really did get off to an awful start. By that I mean: As the Premier’s motorcade sped away from LAX, the limousines were actually pelted with tomatoes.\nThen Khrushchev was taken to 20th Century Fox, where he and his family were supposed to be feted at a luncheon that featured hundreds of Hollywood’s top stars. Bob Hope, Frank Sinatra, Marilyn Monroe, Shirley MacLaine, David Niven and Maurice Chevalier were there.\nCredit: PBS\nWhich (you’d think) would have been enough to entertain the Soviet Premier.\nNot Nikita. He stood up at this luncheon and — in front of the entire Hollywood press corps — had a hissy fit. Here’s an excerpt from the remarks that Khrushchev made that afternoon:\nWe have come to this town where lives the cream of American art. And just imagine (that) I, a Premier, a Soviet representative, when I came here to this city, I was given a plan. A program of what I was to be shown and whom I was to meet here.\nBut just now I was told that I could not go to Disneyland. I asked ‘Why not? What is it? Do you have rocket-launching pads there?’ I do not know.\nAnd just listen – just listen to what I was told – to what reason I was told. We, which means the American authorities, can not guarantee your security if you go there.\nWhat is it? Is there an epidemic of cholera there or something? Or have gangsters taken over the place that can destroy me? Then what must I do? Commit suicide?\nThis is the situation I am in. Your guest. For me, this situation is inconceivable. I can not find words to explain this to my people.\nVisiting the “Happiest Place on Earth”\nTruth be told, the Soviet Premier was somewhat mistaken. The original itinerary for the Los Angeles leg of his U.S. tour called for just Khrushchev’s wife and children to tour the “Happiest Place on Earth,” while Nikita was scheduled to tour a housing development out in Granada Hills. But when the Russian leader learned where his family was headed, he reportedly told his State Department handlers “Well, I wanna go to Disneyland too.”\nThis — unfortunately — was just impossible to pull off on such short notice. Los Angeles Police Chief William Parker immediately put the kibosh on Khrushchev’s request. Citing the difficulty of providing adequate security for the Soviet Premier and his motorcade all the way out to Anaheim.\nWalt Disney Interested in Khrushchev Visiting Disneyland\nNow where this gets interesting is that — somewhere along the way, as US officials were preparing for Khrushchev’s arrival in America — Walt Disney was told that the Russian Premier and his family were interested in visiting Disneyland. And Walt (of course) immediately saw this official state visit as a huge opportunity to generate some publicity for his then-four-year-old theme park.\nDisneyland’s PR staff envisioned creating a photo opportunity by having Walt and Khrushchev stand on the “Submarine Voyage” ‘s loading dock as all eight of the ride’s faux subs floated by. Disney’s gag writers even provided a quip for Walt to casually toss off at this photo op. As Nikita looked out at all of those subs, Disney was supposed to say: “Well, now, Mr. Khrushchev, here’s my Disneyland submarine fleet. It’s the eighth largest submarine fleet in the world.”\nWalt was — of course — disappointed when he learned that, due to security concerns, only Mrs. Khrushchev and the kids would be coming out to the Park that afternoon. So imagine Disney’s delight when this firestorm of publicity suddenly rose up when the Soviet Premier was told that he wouldn’t be allowed to go to “The Happiest Place on Earth” too.\nDisneyland Trip Cancelled for Nikita Khrushchev\nBecause — once Nitika learned that his own trip out to Anaheim had been axed — he fell into a truly foul mood. In a fit of pique, the Soviet Premier declared that — since it wasn’t safe for him to go to Disneyland — then it wasn’t safe for his wife and children to go out to Anaheim either. So their long planned Disneyland excursion got canceled ASAP.\nImmediately after the luncheon broke up, Khrushchev was taken to a nearby soundstage where the Russian Premier observed the filming of a scene from a forthcoming 20th Century Fox musical, “Can Can.” But — rather than being titillated by the sight of Juliet Prowse flashing her 19th century bloomers as she performed the film’s title number — Nikita reportedly declared the whole episode “horribly decadent.” Which embarrassed State Department officials as well as offending the Soviet Premier’s Hollywood hosts.\nFrom there, Khrushchev’s motorcade was taken to Granada Hills, where the Russian Premier was supposed to tour model homes along Sophia Avenue. But — since Nikita was still sulking about not being allowed to go to Disneyland — he refused to even get out of his limousine.\nAs he pouted inside the car, Khrushchev reportedly told his State Department handlers that “… putting me in a closed car and stewing me in the sun is not the right way to guarantee my safety. This (not being allowed to go to Disneyland) development causes me bitter regret. I thought I could come here as a free man.”\nTo add insult to injury, four Soviet newsmen (who had been assigned to cover Khrushchev’s US trip) slipped away to Anaheim for the afternoon. They spent four happy hours touring Disneyland, then told US reporters that they believed that the Russian Premier and his family would have really enjoyed the theme park.\nCredit: Politico/AP\nLater that evening, Khrushchev gave a speech at a Los Angeles area hotel. But there was, understandably, very little written about whatever remarks the Soviet Premier made at that long-forgotten dinner. Given that the next day’s newspapers devoted page after page to coverage of Nikita’s very public tantrum once he learned that he was not going to be allowed to visit Disneyland.\nCredit: NY Times\nKhrushchev and his party tried to put some distance between themselves and the Disneyland debacle by quickly boarding a train and heading up to San Francisco. From there, the Russian Premier flew off to Des Moines and eventually returned to Washington D.C. Where Nikita spent a few days at Camp David with President Eisenhower talking about Cold War-related issues.\nWhich (you’d think) would be how history would remember the Soviet Premier’s 1959 trip to the United States. That Khrushchev & Eisenhower actually sat down and then tried to find a solution to their Germany & Berlin problem. But (picture John Belushi saying this) N-O-O-O-o-o-o. All the US press corps could talk about is how upset Nikita seemed when he had been told that he wouldn’t be allowed to visit Disneyland.\nMedia Covers Khrushchev’s Disneyland Denial\nWithin a day or so, there were political cartoons in newspapers nationwide that made fun of the Premier’s very public tantrum. Even Bob Hope eventually got into the act. As part of his annual Christmas television special, Hope stood in front of hundreds of military personnel at a U.S. Air Force base in Nome and quipped: “Here we are in America’s 49th state, Alaska. That’s halfway between Khrushchev and Disneyland.”\nAnd of course, all this talk about how upset the Russian Premier was about not being allowed to visit “The Happiest Place on Earth” generated tons of positive publicity for Walt’s theme park. Newspapers around the world printed article after article about this amusing international incident. Even Herman Wouk (best known as the author of “The Caine Mutiny” and “The Winds of War”) chimed in: “I really don’t blame Khrushchev for jumping up and down in a rage over missing Disneyland. There are fewer things more worth seeing in the United States or indeed anywhere in the world.”\nAnd Walt just didn’t want this fun to end. He kept looking for ways to perpetuate the story. Which is why Disney insisted that clippings highlighting the whole Khrushchev affair be included in the official Disneyland press kit for a number of years after this incident.\nMovie About Khrushchev’s “Disneyland Trip”\nBut as the 1950s slipped into the 1960s and Khrushchev was forced from power by Leonid Brezhnev in October 1964, this story lost some of its charm. But still Walt loved to tell the tale of Nikita’s tantrum. And Disney began to wonder: might there be a way that his company could continue to capitalize on this incident? Like perhaps by maybe making a movie that would put a comic spin on the whole “Khrushchev denied access to Disneyland” incident?\nSo Walt turned to his very best producer, Bill Walsh (best known these days as the guy who wrote and produced “Mary Poppins,” “The Love Bug” and “Bedknobs & Broomsticks”) and told him to create a screenplay for a live-action comedy that would then be based on this infamous incident. So Walsh got together with his long-time collaborator, Don DaGradi. And eventually the two of then crafted a script or a film they wanted to call “Khrushchev at Disneyland.”\nThis screenplay (at least for the first 30 pages or so) pretty much follows how the real-life events played out. It recounts — in a light, breezy manner — how the Soviet leader had supposedly flown over to America to meet with President Eisenhower. But — in reality — Nikita had actually traveled all this way because what he really wanted to do was go to Disneyland.\nCredit: Past Daily\nSo Khrushchev flew into Southern California, all excited that he was finally going to get his chance to visit “The Happiest Place on Earth.” Only to discover that — due to safety concerns — the State Department had canceled his trip out to Anaheim. Moviegoers were then supposed to see a slightly comic take on the Soviet Premier’s infamous tantrum at 20th Century Fox. And then …\nWell, then the film morphs into your typical Walt Disney Productions live-action comedy of the 1960s. First Khrushchev is seen moping around his hotel suite in downtown Los Angeles later that evening. Then the Premier realizes that Disneyland is only 30 miles away. More importantly, that the theme park is open ’til midnight that night.\nSo Nikita decides that he’s going to sneak out of his hotel and somehow make his way out to Anaheim. Using a goofy disguise, he gives both his Soviet security detail as well as all of his State Department handlers the slip. Then Khrushchev somehow makes his way out to Disneyland, with all of these US & Soviet officials in hot pursuit … and hilarity ensues.\nOkay. Admittedly, we’re not talking about “Lawrence of Arabia” here. Walt wasn’t really looking to make a historically accurate film based on this amusing, relatively minor international incident. Disney, Walsh, and DaGradi envisioned “Khrushchev at Disneyland” as being a film that would be very similar in tone to “That Darn Cat!” A comedy caper picture that was aimed straight at the family audience.\nSo — once this script was completed — how close did “Khrushchev at Disneyland” actually come to getting made? So close that Walt had already lined up an A-List actor to play the Soviet Premier. And that was Academy Award winner Peter Ustinov.\nIf all had gone according to plan, “Khrushchev at Disneyland” would have been Peter’s follow-up project for Disney Studios once work was completed on “Blackbeard’s Ghost.” Bill Walsh was slated to produce the picture, while the prolific Robert Stevenson would be directing.\nBy the fall of 1966, all of the necessary pieces were already in place. Disney Studio had a script in hand that was ready to shoot. They also had an A-List actor that was positively eager to get in front of the cameras and then do his impression of the Soviet Premier. Not only that, but Disney’s top producer was slated to ride herd on this project and the studio’s very best director would be helming this picture.\n“Khrushchev at Disneyland” Movie Halts Production\nSo why didn’t “Khrushchev at Disneyland” get made? Well, because Walt Disney died before production could officially get underway. And given that all the studio execs that Walt had left behind were … Well … The polite term for them is “cautious corporate citizens.” The not-so-polite term is “gutless wimps.”\nAnyway, these guys shied away from this project. Largely because they were concerned that there would were film fans out there who wouldn’t see the humor in “Khrushchev at Disneyland.” Their genuine fear was – because of Peter Ustinov’s sure-to-be-charming performance as Nikita Khrushchev – there were certain segments of the US population that would then accuse Walt Disney Company of corrupting America’s youth / of going soft on Communism by suggesting that – GASP ! — the Russian people were actually a lot like us. That they too like to do fun things like – say – go to Disneyland.\nOf course, the real irony here is that one of the main reason that Walt really wanted his Studio to make “Kruschchev at Disneyland” was because he’d already seen that a Russians-are-people-too family comedy could succeed at the box office without controversy.\n“The Russians Are Coming, The Russians Are Coming”\nI’m talking – of course – about “The Russians Are Coming, The Russians Are Coming.” Which MGM had released to theaters in May of 1966 and had then gone on become the seventh highest grossing film of the year at the North American box office.\nAnd I know for a fact that Walt was well aware of “The Russians Are Coming, The Russians Are Coming” for a couple of reasons.\nThis Norman Jewison movie starred Brian Keith, who – just 5 years previous – had co-starred in Disney’s “The Parent Trap” along with Hayley Mills & Maureen O’Hara\nThe year after Disney’s “Parent Trap” had been released to theaters, Jewison had directed “40 Pounds of Trouble.” Which was the first live-action film that Walt had ever allowed to be shot on location at Disneyland Park.\nFor the entire Summer of 1966, “The Russians Are Coming, The Russians Are Coming” and Disney’s own “Lt. Robin Crusoe, U.S.N.” were duking it out at the North American box office. Seeing which family comedy would then go on to sell more tickets domestically. In the end, Disney came out on top. With that Dick Van Dyke movie selling $22 million worth of tickets in North America, while MGM’s Russians-are-people-too picture sold $21 million worth of tickets domestically.\nThis is why – when Walt made his very last trip to the Disney lot in November of 1966 – “Khrushchev at Disneyland” was very much on his mind. As far as Disney was concerned, this project was a go. Something that his Studio would start shooting in 1967 and then release to theaters the following year.\nThis is why Walt made a point of dropping by the set of “Blackbeard’s Ghost” that November morning. He wanted to let Peter Ustinov & Bill Walsh know how much he was looking forward to “Khrushchev at Disneyland.” And Ustinov … Well, Peter was supposedly even more excited about this back-then-soon-to-begin-shooting-movie than Walt was. Ustinov reportedly told Disney that – to insure that he look as much like the Soviet Premier as possible – this acclaimed actor was actually planning on shaving his head.\nUstinov then cracked up Walt by saying that he was thinking of basing his portrayal of Khrushchev on Peter’s mother back in England. As Disney laughed, Ustinov insisted that his Mom was a dead ringer for Nikita. “I didn’t know that your Ma was bald,” Walt replied.\nHaving really enjoyed his visit to the “Blackbeard’s Ghost” set, Disney then quietly excused himself and left the soundstage. Once Walt had left, Walsh and Ustinov quietly talked amongst themselves about how pale and gaunt the studio head had looked.\nOf course, neither Peter or Bill knew that Walt had – just days earlier – been diagnosed with lung cancer. Or that – at this point – Disney had just weeks left to live.\nAnd when Walt Disney died in December of 1966, “Khrushchev at Disneyland” pretty much died with him. In spite of all the preparation that had already been done on this project up until that point, Walsh and DaGradi’s script got shelved. And I’d imagine that this screenplay is now stashed away in some filing cabinet, where “Khrushchev at Disneyland” has been gathering dust for over five decades now.\nPotential for “Khrushchev/Disneyland” Film\nI bring up this project today … Well, for a couple of reasons.\nDisney+ has this unending appetite for new content. And wouldn’t it be cool if the Studio were to revive a project that Walt himself once wanted to make and then make that movie available to customers of the Company’s subscription streaming service.\nGiven what’s going on in the Ukraine right now and how the Cold War keeps threatening to become a hot one … Well, while I am no fan of Vladimir Putin, I think that a movie which reminds us that the Russian people (NOT the Russian government, mind you. But the Russian PEOPLE) are people too … That might be a smart, hopeful message to put out in the world these days.\nMaking-of-Disneyland Movie on Disney+\nAnyway … If the Company is looking for a follow-up for that making-of-Disneyland movie they’re prepping for Disney+ …\nBy the way … Interesting side note: The gentleman that Disney has tapped to direct this movie is David Gordon Green. He directed last year’s smash hit horror film, “Halloween Kills.” Which might make David seem like an odd choice to helm a film about The Happiest Place on Earth.\nBut then again, Gordon also executive-produces “The Righteous Gemstones.” Which is this wonderfully funny TV series about a family of televangelists who also own & operate a theme park. Which perhaps makes Mr. Green the perfect person to direct a movie about the creation of Disneyland.\nAnyway … If Disney+ is looking for the perfect follow-up for their making-of-Disneyland movie, might I suggest that someone dig out a copy of “Khrushchev at Disneyland.”\nMore to the point, someone go ask Josh Gad if he’d be willing to shave off all those curly locks so that he could then play a certain Soviet Premier.\nCredit: Wikipedia Commons","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1424240"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5890144109725952,"wiki_prob":0.5890144109725952,"text":"H.B. 404 Enacted by the General Assembly\nLast week, the Ohio General Assembly enacted H.B. 404. The bill extends and expands several temporary laws enacted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of the new law’s provisions impact schools and their operations. The bill contains an emergency clause and will become effective immediately when signed by the Governor.\nExtension of Authority for Remote Board Meetings\nThe new law extends the temporary law permitting political subdivisions, including boards of education, to continue to conduct meetings and hearings by teleconference, video conference, or other similar electronic technology through July 1, 2021. The previous law was set to expire December 1, 2020.\nRelief from Penalties for Failure to Administer Assessments to Certain Individual Students\nThe new law provides school districts may not be penalized for failing to administer in the fall of 2020 an otherwise required Kindergarten Readiness Assessment, diagnostic assessment, or third-grade English Language Arts achievement assessment to a particular student, if:\nThe student is being quarantined;\nThe student, or a member of the student’s family, is medically compromised, and the student cannot attend school, or another physical location outside of the home, for the testing;\nThe student resides in a geographic area subject to an order issued by the Governor, the Department of Health, or the board of health of a city or general health district requiring all persons in that area to remain in their residences; or\nThe student is receiving instruction primarily through a remote learning model up through the deadline for the prescribed assessments, and the assessment cannot be administered remotely.\nKindergarten and First Grade Health Screenings\nThe new law provides school districts may not be penalized for failing to conduct an otherwise required health screening for a particular student in kindergarten or first grade prior to November 1, 2020, if:\nThe student was being quarantined;\nThe student, or a member of the student’s family, was medically compromised, and the student could not attend school, or another physical location outside of the home, for the screening;\nThe student resided in an area subject to a stay-at-home order from the Governor, Department of Health, or local board of health; or\nThe student was receiving instruction primarily through a remote learning model, and the screening could not be administered remotely.\nThe law requires boards to conduct these screenings for the 2020-2021 school year; however, the district may forego screenings until they can be conducted safely.\nOptional Transportation and Funding for Community Schools\nThe new law permits a community school to accept responsibility to provide or arrange for transportation of its students for the 2020-2021 school year by December 31, 2020 (rather than January 1 of the preceding school year as otherwise required under continuing law). If a community school accepts responsibility to provide or arrange for transportation, it must receive state transportation funding for the entire school year.\nThe new law extends and expands several changes to educator evaluations. H.B. 404:\nSpecifies for the 2020-2021 school year a board of education may elect not to complete a performance evaluation of a district employee, including a teacher, school counselor, administrator, or superintendent if the board determines it is impossible or impracticable to do so.\nExtends to the 2021-2022 school year a prohibition against using value-added data, other high-quality student data, any other metric used to evaluate positive student outcomes, or any other academic growth data to measure student learning attributable to a teacher, principal, or school counselor while conducting performance evaluations.\nExtends to the 2020-2021 school year a separate authorization for a board to complete a principal’s performance evaluation without a student growth measure.\nExtends the authority for a school district that did not participate in the OTES 2.0 pilot program to continue evaluating teachers on two-year or three-year evaluation cycles, even if the district completes an evaluation for those teachers in the 2020-2021 school year without using a student growth measure.\nSpecifies a teacher who did not have a student growth measure as part of an evaluation for the 2019-2020 or 2020-2021 school year must remain at the same point in the teacher’s evaluation cycle, and retain the same evaluation rating, for the 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 school year as for the 2019-2020 school year.\nCollege Credit Plus Extension, Waiver & Modification Authority\nThe new law extends the authority for the Chancellor of Higher Education to extend, waive, or modify requirements of the College Credit Plus Program for the 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 school years. Under H.B. 197, this authority was granted for the 2019-2020 school year only.\nExtension of Food Processing Exemption for Certain Summer Food Programs\nThe new law extends from December 1, 2020, to July 1, 2021, the termination date of provisions authorizing the Director of Agriculture to exempt certain schools or entities from regulation as food processing establishments.\nAdditional Extension of HB 197 Deadlines\nThe Act extends from December 1, 2020, until July 1, 2021, certain deadlines initially extended by H.B. 197, enacted this past spring. The new law:\nExtends, from December 1, 2020, until July 1, 2021, the temporary extension of deadlines under H.B. 197 of the 133rd General Assembly, which a state agency must meet if the deadlines occur on or before April 1, 2021.\nExtends, from December 1, 2020, until July 1, 2021, the deadline for any action needed to maintain a valid license, if that deadline originally was set to expire between March 9, 2020 and April 1, 2021.\nExtends, from December 1, 2020, until July 1, 2021, the deadline for renewing a license, if that license originally was set to expire between March 9, 2020 and April 1, 2021.\nAs a reminder, issues related to COVID-19 are fluid and subject to rapid change. Please note this new law supplements and supersedes prior updates. Additional information about Coronavirus and the State’s response can be found here.\nThis communication is intended as general information and should not be relied upon as legal advice. If legal advice is required, please contact any of our attorneys.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1931922"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7404297590255737,"wiki_prob":0.25957024097442627,"text":"Home Business Finance - Management [Get Solution] Risk/Return Relationship\n[Get Solution] Risk/Return Relationship\nRETURN AND RISK RELATIONSHIP: CAPITAL ASSET PRICING MODELThe CFO of Baldwin Corporation, Gregg Williams has decided to invest some money in the financial market to diversify the risks of business operations and increase the rate of return. He has been reading corporate finance books and journal articles to enhance his knowledge of risk/return relationships, capital asset pricing model (CAPM), cost of capital, and valuation.On the risk/return relationship, Gregg has learned that there is a positive relationship between risk and return. This implies that the higher the risk, the greater the expected return on investment. This relationship is clearly explained by the capital asset pricing model in this equation:RE = RF + ? x (RM – RF)where RE = expected return of the security, RF = the risk-free rate, ? = Beta of the security, RM = the expected return on the market, and (RM – RF) represents the difference between the expected return on the market and the risk-free rate.According to the CAPM, the expected return of any security depends on its risk measured by its beta. Gregg found out that the beta is a measure of the risk of security arising from exposure to general economic and market movements i.e. systematic risk as opposed to business-specific risks or factors (i.e. unsystematic risk). The higher the beta, the greater the systematic risk and vice versa. The market portfolio of all investable assets has a beta of 1. Gregg learned that If ? = 0, then the asset has no risk of financial loss. Therefore, the expected return of the security should be equal to the risk-free rate. If ? = 1, that asset has the same risk as the market and the expected return should equal the expected return on the market such as the S&P 500 market index. To Gregg, this makes sense because the beta of the market portfolio is exactly 1. However, if a security’s ? = 2, then that security is twice riskier than the market and the expected return should be higher than the return of the market portfolio.Gregg understands that the risk-free rate used in the CAPM is the government-issued treasury bill rate. Since the treasury bill has no risk, any other investment having some risk will have to have a higher rate of return than the risk-free rate in order to induce an investor to invest in that security. Gregg is considering the stock of Adobe Inc. and Exxon Mobil. Adobe Inc. has a beta of 1.5 and Exxon Mobil has a beta of 0.8. The risk-free rate is 3%, and the difference between the expected return on the market and the risk-free is 8.0%.Baldwin Inc. is retaining you as the financial consultant to work with Gregg to analyze these investment options.1. Using the capital asset pricing model, calculate the expected return for Adobe Inc. and Exxon Mobil stocks.2. You want to calculate the average return of Adobe Inc. to see how the stock has performed over the past five years:Exhibit 1: Historical Returns of Adobe Inc.(((Please Check Attachment))a. Using the historical returns above, what is the average return for Adobe Inc. stock?3. You notice that stock returns fluctuate daily in the financial market making it risky to invest in. You want to use standard deviation, ? to assess the volatility of Adobe Inc. stock if mean return is 15.20% and standard deviation is 12%. What is the possible return of this stock one standard deviation from the mean if the return is normally distributed? (Note: expected return = mean return ± 1?).4. You want to use the total market return approach to estimate the rate of return on another stock which Gregg wants to consider for the investment portfolio. The stock is selling for $25 and pays a dividend of $2 per share during the year. You think that because of the profitable capital investment that the company is undertaken, its stock price will appreciate to $28 by the end of next year.a. Calculate the dividend yield and the percentage capital gain of this stock.b. What is the expected total return of this stock?5. You are looking at sources of risk for the investment portfolio and came across systematic risk and unsystematic risk in a financial journal. The systematic risk is defined as any risk that affects the whole economy or a large number of assets to a greater or lesser degree. And the unsystematic risk is a risk that affects specific assets or small groups of assets.a. List two examples each of systematic risk and unsystematic risk.6. Gregg wants you to estimate the weighted average cost of capital (WACC) for Verizon LLC. The IRR computed on a capital project for Verizon is 12%. Gregg wants to see if it will be a good investment. He thinks that if IRR > WACC then it will be a good investment to consider. The market values for Verizon’s debt and equity are $40 million and $60 million respectively. The total value of the firm is $100 million, implying that the weight of debt is 40% ($40 million /$100 million) whereas the weight of equity is 60% ($60 million /$100 million). Assume a tax rate of 35% for Verizon.a. Estimate WACC for Verizon if the cost of equity is 13.32% and cost of debt is 5%. (note: WACC = cost of debt (1 – tax rate) (weight Debt) + cost of equity (weight Equity).\nThe writer went above and beyond for this assignment. I am so grateful for the help.\nThe paper is impressive. Very professional and per the instructions\nAlways perfect!!! Don is the best!","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line586558"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7226089835166931,"wiki_prob":0.2773910164833069,"text":"NDC to Celebrate Grand Opening of Senior Housing Community in Indianapolis, IN\nFlorence Fay School Senior Apartments is the renovation of an iconic school building to meet a need for senior housing in an aging neighborhood. Located in the Twin Aire neighborhood in Indianapolis, the development will serve area seniors through the creation of 73 units of quality affordable housing in a centralized location. The rehabilitation will convert the vacant IPS Florence Fay School No. 21 into housing through the creative reuse of the 65,203 square foot school along with 24,557 square feet of new construction. One hundred percent of the 73 units will be low income, handicapped accessible or adaptable, and serve seniors aged 55 and better.\nBuilt in 1913, School No. 21 was named after Florence Fay, who lived from 1853 – 1912. Florence was a beloved teacher and principal, but her biggest impact was made in her pioneering efforts that brought civic improvements such as sidewalks, street lights, and running water to the previous school building and “suburban” neighborhood.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line313985"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8101782202720642,"wiki_prob":0.8101782202720642,"text":"Peter Vose, Falmouth: A family’s history and a child’s future\nOn a late July day a few summers ago, my wife and I were wandering around the stunning campus of the Getty Museum in Los Angeles when my wife’s phone rang. After listening for a minute, she burst into tears.\n“Our newest grandchild,” Peter Vose says. Courtesy photo\nPeter Vose lives in Falmouth.\nClueless, as is often the case with me, I immediately jumped to the worst possible conclusions until my wife managed to convey to me that nothing was wrong. Why, then, the tears? When the call concluded she explained that our younger daughter’s husband had just received the results of a test that verified that he was not a carrier for cystic fibrosis, and that now the baby-making could begin.\nWe were thrilled, but it reminded us of our own fraught history with this decision.\nShortly after the birth of our first daughter, my sister gave birth to her second daughter, Emily. Within hours of her birth, the doctors knew something was wrong, and they quickly suspected cystic fibrosis. My family knew nothing of this disease, but we all soon learned that it affected lung function and that it nearly always (at that time) resulted in an early death.\nEmily herself complained little as she endured frequent hospitalizations and various therapies intended to help clear her lungs. She was an exceptionally articulate little girl who knew the words to the movie “Grease” by heart because it was one of the first VHS tapes her parents possessed.\nSarah ‘Sally’ Mackenzie: Life after death, and a sister’s journey\nMy wife and I had assumed we would have another child in a couple of years, but Emily’s birth made us more cautious. Would we want to have a child who faced such obstacles and whose life would be cruelly shortened? We discussed and debated. Then we consulted a doctor at the Center for Blood Research in Scarborough.\nAt that time, no tests like the ones my daughter and son-in-law could take to determine their risks of having a child with CF existed. We had learned that CF is especially common among people with English and Irish ancestries – something my wife and I share to some degree. The doctor explored our genetic history and reviewed what the science at the time revealed, and, although there was a chance of having a child with CF, we felt encouraged to proceed.\nPerhaps because her parents were teachers, Emily desperately wanted to go to school. She did attend kindergarten, for one day. The next day she went to the hospital and died there a few days later. By that time, our daughter Julia – a healthy baby – had arrived. And the baby who seemed possible that July day when we spoke to Julia at the Getty was born last March and is a happy and healthy child.\nDecisions, Meetinghouse\nPast Meetinghouse Topics\nInstructions - December 2022\nGames - November 2022\nDecisions - October 2022\nBorrowed - September 2022\nUp all night - August 2022\nFirst Impressions - July 2022\nBroke - June 2022\nGuests - May 2022\nGrit - April 2022\nMischief - March 2022\nQuitting - February 2022\nNew Kid - January 2022\nOverheard - December 2021\nGhosts - November 2021\nOld Friends - October 2021\nHometown - September 2021\nMoving Day - August 2021\nKeepsakes - July 2021\nMistakes - June 2021\nSiblings - May 2021\nGardens - April 2021\nHaircut - March 2021\nRural Life - February 2021\nSilver Linings - January 2021\nSurprise - December 2020\nReunion - November 2020\nThe Attic - October 2020\nLocked Out - September 2020\nAfter The Storm - August 2020\nInheritance - July 2020\nIn The Driver's Seat - June 2020\nThe Last Time - May 2020\nForgive Me - April 2020\nA Fish Out of Water - March 2020\nLet's Go - February 2020\nAsk Your Mother - January 2020\nHow to submit to:\nOn the first Sunday of each month and every Thursday for the rest of that month, we will publish stories by readers on the following topics:\n“Maps” – deadline for submissions Dec. 30.\n“Style” – deadline for submissions Jan. 27.\n“Bikes” – deadline for submissions Feb. 24.\nSubmissions should be roughly 200 to 500 words in length. Please include your name, hometown and a daytime phone number for verification. Also, give us a one-sentence description of who you are, and a digital photo of yourself or something that speaks to the theme of your piece.\nStories can be emailed to [email protected]; or mailed to Meetinghouse, Portland Press Herald, P.O. Box 1460, Portland, ME 04104-5009 (mailed photos should include a return envelope).","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1223656"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9338564276695251,"wiki_prob":0.9338564276695251,"text":"Overlord Season 4 – Release Date, Cast, and Plot in 2022\nBy Mindy Graves April 15, 2022 No Comments4 Mins Read\nDespite the fact that the genre has been present for decades, with great series such as “Visions of Escaflowne” and “Inuyasha,” isekai anime has grown in popularity in recent years. Some of the most successful anime of the past ten years can be categorized under the isekai umbrella, from “That Time I Got Reincarnated Into a Slime” to “Re: Zero — Starting Life in Another World.”\nIn simple terms, isekai is a fictional story in which a character from one realm, which is often similar to our own, is transported to a completely different, fantastical universe. The word is written in Japanese, with the first character suggesting weird or unusual, and the second and third characters,, denoting globe.\n“Overlord,” which debuted in 2015, is one of the many popular isekai anime series that have been out in the last ten years.\nIn 2018, the third (and final) season of the show aired. Despite the passage of time since the last episode of “Overlord,” the chance of a fourth season exists. Season 4 of “Overlord”: Here’s what we know so far.\nWhen is Season 4 of Overlord coming out?\nMadhouse, the company behind “Overlord,” has yet to confirm a fourth season of the show. However, there are other grounds to believe that a Season 4 is on the way, whether it comes out soon or years from now.\nRelated – Jojo Part 1 Anime – Updates on Release Date, Cast, and Plot in 2022\nIn 2019, an anime event in Germany provided the first encouraging indicator that “Overlord” would return for a fourth season. Yukie Sugawara, the show’s scriptwriter, acknowledged the possibility of a fourth season as “very likely” during the event (in so many words, given that her statement was in Japanese and translated into German for the attendant audience). After the message went viral online, several people misinterpreted it as confirmation of a new season before retracting their statements, according to a Reddit member who described the story. For example, an earlier Reddit post referencing Sugawara’s statement has subsequently been removed. Nonetheless, while this isn’t an official confirmation, Sugawara has stated that “Overlord” Season 4 will be released at some time in the future.\nIn addition, in Japan, the light novel series on which “Overlord” is based is still quite popular. For example, in the first half of 2020, volume 14 of the series placed third in light novel sales, trailing only novelizations of the enormously successful Demon Slayer series. Given how well-received “Overlord” is like a light novel, a new season of the anime could do well. Season 4 is unlikely to be released until at least 2022, considering the recent radio silence.\nWhat is the plot for Season 4 of Overlord?\nMomonga, a human child, is transported into the world of a massively multiplayer online role-playing game in the opening episode of “Overlord” (think “RuneScape”). Momonga takes on the role of Ainz Ooal Gown, rather than simply commanding him. However, Momonga was an accomplished player, and Ainz is a formidable character in the YGGDRASIL universe. He then embarks on his first journey through YGGDRASIL’s realm as a fanciful necromancer rather than a human playing a video game.\nAinz has decided to rule his own kingdom, the Sorcerer Kingdom, towards the end of Season 3 of “Overlord.” Ainz’s hardships and tribulations as the ruler of his own kingdom become more or less the emphasis of the plot as it progresses in the “Overlord” light book series in succeeding storylines. Given Ainz’s plunge into fantasy politics, Volume 10 of the light novel series, which should serve as the primary material for the start of Season 4, also introduces the rulers of opposing nations with whom he must now fight or make peace.\nRelated – My Hero Academia Season 6 – Updates on Release Date, Cast, and Plot in 2022\nWhat will the Overlord Season 4 cast look like?\nIt’s hard to confirm the voice acting talent that will be featured in the series’ forthcoming season without official word from “Overlord” Season 4, assuming it ever happens. If the show does come back, it will almost certainly feature the same cast of characters that have defined it thus far.\nSatoshi Hino is the sole actor who has appeared in every episode of the series thus far. The role of Sai from “Naruto” is arguably Hino’s most well-known. He also plays the fiery samurai Kyojuro in “Demon Slayer” and team leader Daichi in the volleyball anime “Haikyuu!!.”\nPrevious ArticleSummer Time Rendering – Release Date, Cast, and Plot in 2022\nNext Article Love All Play – Release Date, Cast, and Plot in 2022\nDemon Slayer Season 3 Release Date Sets for April 2023! Stunning Visuals from Trailer Teases Fans!\nJobless Reincarnation Season 2 Release Date Scheduled For 2023! Check Further Details!\nHaikyuu Season 5 Release Date Announced? Latest Updates in December 2022!\nIs Mato Seihei No Slave Anime Coming in 2023? Latest Updates on Release Date!\nRon Kamonohashi Anime Release Date Announced? Latest Updates in 2022!\nOshi No Ko Anime Release Date Sets For April 2023! Check Trailer & Other Details!","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1403682"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6677041053771973,"wiki_prob":0.6677041053771973,"text":"Teacher Application\nAbout Musical Associates\nIn-Home Lessons\nFOG Cuartet Concerts\nMusical Associates was founded in 1986 and provided quality music instruction in homes throughout Westchester County, New York. Over the years the company expanded into New York City, Boston, and the Washington, DC metropolitan area.\nIn the mid-nineties we added an after-school division to provide group instruction in recreation centers and after-care centers in all three areas. In 2005 we founded the early-childhood division offering an innovative approach to teaching pre-k children guitar and piano. A general music class was began in 2008 at the request of the director of Bright Horizons IMF children’s center.\nThe instructional side of Musical Associates was turned over to The Village Music School in 2019 with a 501(c)(3) public charity being formed slightly thereafter. The Village Music School Foundation has been helping Title 1 famlies participate in music classes since 2020 and continues its work in a variety of areas.\nWith a roster of international performers, it was merely a logical step to begin representing musical acts for concerts and clubs around the country and the world. A recording and publishing division under the name Cornwall Records was begun in 2018.\n© 2023 Musical Associates | Template design by andreasviklund.com","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1113650"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6375225782394409,"wiki_prob":0.3624774217605591,"text":"by Catherine Frakas 01 Jul 2001\ngestures QUESTION from marie October 25, 2000 During the Lord's Prayer, is the priest the only one to put his arms up? I thought the deacons usually stand with their hands folded. The faithful have been gesturing as the priest with their arms outstretched. I thought this gesture was for the ministerial priesthood only. Is there any reference in any Church documents either way?\nANSWER by Mr. John Miskell on October 25, 2000 Dear Marie,\nPraying while holding the hands up is called the orans position. It's an ancient posture dating back to pre-Christian times. Customarily only the priest prays in the orans position while the deacon and assembly pray with their hands folded. When concelebrating the Mass notice that all the priests use the orans position during the Lord's Prayer but only the principal celebrant continues this position during the doxology; for the kingdom, the power, and the glory… Lately many people seem to be using the orans. I think it's a spillover from the charismatic movement.\nThe liturgical documents call for the celebrant and in some cases, the concelebrant(s) to use the orans posture as they pray ON THE BEHALF of the community. Note that it is never done by the Deacon, who does not represent the People before God but assists him who does. Nowhere do the rubrics call for the laity to assume this posture.\nWhile no official position is prescribed in the Sacramentary for the congregation during the Lord's Prayer, the Holy See has pointed out that confusion has entered the Church about the hierarchical nature of her worship and in my opinion this gesture does nothing but to contribute to that confusion.\nWhen the U.S. Bishop's Committee on the Liturgy submitted their recommendations for the updated Sacramentary they included much inclusive language in the prayers and made specific mention of using the orans position for the faithful. The final edition approved by Rome cut out most of the inclusive language and dropped any mention of the orans position being used by the faithful. This might suggest that they prefer the people to pray with their hands folded instead of using the orans. I personally think people look silly praying in this position. But what the heck, who am I to judge?\nJohn Miskell","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1071965"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5523665547370911,"wiki_prob":0.44763344526290894,"text":"Court Upholds Privilege for Discussion of Insurance Coverage Between Insured‘s Associate General Counsel and Its Board of Directors\nInsurance Coverage Alert\nBy: David A. Grossbaum\nState vs. Lead Industries Association, Inc., Rhode Island Supreme Court, No. 2010-288-Appeal (May 10, 2013)\nThe state of Rhode Island sued several lead paint companies for property damage and other damages caused by the presence of lead paint in state-owned buildings. State of Rhode Island vs. Lead Industries Association, Inc., et al., 951 A 2d 428 (R.I. 2008). After defendants prevailed on appeal, they moved for an award of costs under the Rhode Island Rules of Civil Procedure. The state opposed the motion, in part, on the basis that one of the defendants, a paint manufacturer, had not actually incurred the defense costs because those were paid by insurance. In support of its opposition, the state attached three PowerPoint slides from a larger PowerPoint presentation made by the manufacturer’s Associate General Counsel to its board of directors. The slides were entitled “Insurance and Lead Litigation,” “Reimbursement of Lead Defense Costs,” and “Potential Insurance Coverage for Lead Liabilities.” The manufacturer had not disclosed the PowerPoint in the litigation or in any other public forum and immediately demanded to know how the state had received a copy of it. The state refused to provide an explanation. Unfortunately, the manufacturer had provided copies of the state’s memorandum containing the PowerPoint slides to a blogger and to the Mealey’s Litigation Report: Lead and immediately demanded that these sources not use the disputed slides.\nThe manufacturer moved for a protective order trying to seal the PowerPoint slides from further disclosure and to permit discovery into the question of how the state obtained them. The manufacturer submitted an affidavit from its in-house counsel stating that part of his responsibilities were advising the manufacturer’s board of directors as to the available insurance coverage. He further stated that he intended the documents to be protected under the attorney-client privilege and the work product doctrine. The blogger had not disclosed any of the materials that were provided to her, and Mealey’s agreed not to publish them.\nThe trial court denied the motion for protective order, but found that there was an attorney-client relationship between the Associate General Counsel and the manufacturer’s board. The court found that the material did not qualify as legal advice as it was “merely a collection of numbers and statistics, lacking any legal opinions or conclusions” and there was a fact question requiring discovery as to whether the associate general counsel was actually acting in his capacity as a lawyer at the time of the PowerPoint presentation. After discovery, the court concluded that the Associate General Counsel was transmitting “factual and business information rather than serving as a lawyer when he prepared or caused to be prepared” the presentation. Although the Associate General Counsel may have provided legal advice based on the slides, the slides themselves did not contain this legal advice.\nOn appeal, the Supreme Court of Rhode Island began by stating that the trial court had not made a determination as to whether the lack of protection was pursuant to the work product doctrine or the attorney client privilege.\nAs to the work product doctrine, the Rhode Island Rule of Civil Procedure 26(b)(3) follows the federal and most state formulations of it. In other words, it is framed in the form of a rule permitting disclosure, unless a party seeking discovery can show that the material is incapable of being obtained from other sources without undue hardship and that all “mental impressions, conclusions, opinions, or legal theories of an attorney or other representative of a party” are to be protected.\nThe Supreme Court declined to find that the documents at issue here were “opinion work product,” worthy of absolute immunity from discovery. The Court found that the material here was “factual work product“ (not including the thoughts or mental impressions of counsel), but that the state failed to show that it had substantial need for the materials in preparation of its case and was unable to obtain to the information by other means. The state was forced to admit that the manufacturer had already produced the policies in discovery. Moreover, the state did not have a “substantial need“ for the data because the trial court’s decision allocating the costs did not give a substantial weight to the PowerPoint slides, but rather held that the financial need of the prevailing party for reimbursement was to be balanced against the harm that would be inflicted on a “non-affluent, non-prevailing party,” as well as the good faith of the state in filing the action.\nThe Supreme Court also rejected the waiver argument made by the state based on the fact that the slides had been disclosed to a blogger and to Mealey’s and the PowerPoint slides had never been listed on a privilege log anywhere and that third parties were actually at the board of directors meeting when the slides were shown.\nFirst, it found that the third parties in the meeting were all high-ranking officers or employees of the manufacturer and that this disclosure did not increase the likelihood the protected content would be revealed to an adverse party.\nAs to disclosing the material to the blogger and to Mealey’s, the manufacturer did not voluntarily disclose the slides to the state by means of the blogger or Mealey’s, but that the state had already disclosed these in its own pleadings. While the manufacturer’s counsel who provided the materials to the blogger and to Mealey’s should have done a better job of reviewing the material first, the Court found that this did not constitute much carelessness as to waive the privilege. Last, the Court stated that the manufacturer was not obligated to list the slides in a privilege log because the state had never requested documents that fell within that category and courts are, and should be, reluctant to find a waiver simply because a document was not included in a privilege log.\nPractice Note\nInternal discussions by a client, without outside counsel present, are often the subject of discovery requests by opposing parties. The best way to secure such information from disclosure is to make sure that outside counsel is involved in the discussion. Furthermore, taking appropriate steps to secure documents provided at meetings by collecting them at the end of meetings and making sure that they are only retained by those people who are required to review them will limit the risk of disclosure to an adverse party and claims of waiver. Additionally, before providing documents to media sources it is important to make sure that nothing contained in those documents is something that is arguably privileged. Finally, counsel should be careful that privilege logs are complete and that any document that is covered, or arguably so, by an opponent‘s document requests is listed in the privilege log. Courts do find waivers when counsel fails to designate a document on a log.\nDavid A. Grossbaum","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line402122"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5498419404029846,"wiki_prob":0.4501580595970154,"text":"BREAKING: George Soros Caught In SICK Plot…\n(BLP) – During an interview he gave at Kossuth Radio, Hungarian Prime Minister Orban said that the Russo-Ukrainian war could go on for a while, which will make 2023 and the ensuing years increasingly unstable.\nOrban is particularly concerned with inflation, which is greatly impacting his country and the rest of the Collective West.\n“This is an inflation caused by war… it is different from inflation in the time of peace. Energy prices are rising partly because of the war, and partly due to the Western sanctions.”\nOrban added that “the government adopted a budget which can handle the inflation caused by the war.” In addition, the Hungarian leader said that the government moved to create a fund for utility cuts and a separate one for national defense.\nThe Hungarian Prime Minister stressed that “We should be financing peace, not war” and pointed out that the Hungarian government is the only government in the EU that’s pushing for peace.\nOrban declared that “if the politics of sanctions is to continue, this will ruin the entire European economy because of the inflation caused by war.” He is of the view that European leaders should reconsider their approach to this war.\nOrban emphasized that “Those agitating for war must be reined in.” The Hungarian leader claimed that there are business interests who want this war to continue.\n“They are symbolized by George Soros. He has spoken openly about the need to prolong the war. These are agitators who want to make money from the war,” Orban stated.\nOrban cited experts, claiming that the cuts on food prices, gas prices, and on utility costs have kept inflation at 10% as opposed to the 15-16% which experts claim would be in effect if these cuts were never implemented.\nThough Orban admitted that it’s impossible to contain the inflation through Hungary’s policy tweaks alone.\nHe believes that as long as the European Union continues financing and prolonging the West’s proxy war against Russia, inflation will continue increasing. Orban believes that the best way to stop inflation is through bringing the Russo-Ukrainian War to a close.\n“Ukraine has the right to defend itself. If a government decides to fight, one must not question their decision, even if their chances are not the best” Orban said.\nIn his opinion, the question is how Europe will react, what kind of proposals it will have for a solution. He added that “the trouble is, that other than us, Hungarians, nobody is speaking the language of peace. We should be speaking the language of peace.”\nUnder Orban’s stewardship, Hungary has been one of the most rational nationalist governments on the world stage. Orban has made it a point to protect traditional values and defend the country’s national character from the wave of mass migration that has swept across Europe over the past decade.\nMoreover, Orban is a hard-nosed realist on foreign policy. Instead of joining the West’s two-minutes hate against Russia, he has taken a balanced approach to Russia, recognizing that his country is reliant on Russia for energy needs. On top of that, Hungary acknowledges that it shares common interests with the Eurasian behemoth with regards to their opposition to the globalist consortium of organizations Soros uses to subvert national sovereignty.\nRight-wing populists in the US should look at the Hungarian example and use it as a template, albeit with modifications to adjust to the realities of American politics, to build a viable nationalist movement with staying power.\nbigleaguepolitics.com/viktor-orban-claims-george-soros-is-profiting-off-the-russo-ukrainian-war/\nJUST IN: Democrats Get TERRIBLE News… Biden Panics\nSHOCK REPORT: Republican RINOs CAVE… 2nd Amendment Under ATTACK","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line446050"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9437074661254883,"wiki_prob":0.9437074661254883,"text":"Photo by drmm.co.uk\nPhoto by dRMM\nCo-Founder & Architect\nWhat makes Sadie Morgan a Global Shaker?\nIn 1995, Sadie Morgan and her former classmates at London’s Kingston Polytechnic, Alex de Rijke and Philip Marsh, established dRMM Architects to take part in—and ultimately win—a competition to design a public education building for the London Docklands Development Corporation (LDDC). In 2003, after a series of small-scale projects, their new firm completed its first building – No. One Centaur Street, a £1 million apartment block in London. The building won seven awards, and over the following two years, dRMM won the Best New Architectural Firm award and the MIPIM Next Generation Award.\nSince then, dRMM projects have included many civic and educational buildings. In 2017, the London-based firm won the RIBA Stirling Prize for its renovation of Hastings Pier on the south coast.\nSadie sits on numerous official bodies. She is a member of the board for the National Infrastructure Commission UK and the Thames Estuary 2050 Growth Commission. She is also the chair of the Independent Design Panel for High Speed Two and a Mayor’s Design Advocate for the Greater London Authority. She is also a fellow of the UK Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce, a professor at London’s University of Westminster, and a director at the Major Projects Association.\nAmong her many accolades, she was awarded an honorary doctorate from the London South Bank University in 2016. Sadie was named one of Debrett’s 500 most influential people in Britain and became the first woman to receive the Building Magazine Personality of the Year award. In 2017, she received the New London Architecture (NLA) New Londoner of the Year Award for her work in championing architectural design.\nTags: architecture\nVedad Ibišević, Football Star in Germany, Donates Entire Salary To Charity\nWhy Has Bruce French Spent His Life Cataloguing Edible Plants?","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line303065"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8678911328315735,"wiki_prob":0.8678911328315735,"text":"Posted 2019-December-28, 17:05\njohnu, on 2019-December-28, 16:25, said:\nWorld's Richest Gain $1.2 Trillion in 2019 as Jeff Bezos Retains Crown\nWhen you are talking about wealth disparity, and income disparity, there is this. 25% increase in wealth To be fair, much of it is stock market paper profits that could dive in value tomorrow, but much has been converted into real estate, various businesses, intellectual property, cash equivalents, etc.\nObviously not all are Americans, but for those that are, they wouldn't even notice a 2% wealth tax when their net wealth would still have increased 23% instead of 25%.\nThis thread continues to be useful to me in unexpected ways.\n1. I had never heard of Kylie Jenner, of Kylie Cosmetics, or Ulta Beauty. My wife Becky has also never heard of Kylie Cosmetics but she did buy something from Ulta. She does not know if Ulta is the same thing as Ulta Beauty.\n2. I live in D.C. so I was aware that the Nationals won the World Series. I have never heard Baby Shark ,doo-doo,doo doo, doo doo. I am very grateful for this.\n3. I have no idea what a viral earworm is. Sounds like something that needs medical attention.\n4. I do know who Jeff Bezos is. I have no idea what Blue Origin is. I didn't know that he got a divorce, Sorry about that Jeff. About Amazon. I remeber when Amazon was just getting started and there were all of these financial experts warning against investing any money in this stupid idea.\nPerhaps I will post something with more substance later, don't hold your breath, but right now I am just stunned by the extent to which I have no idea of what's going on. In high school a teacher suggested that I write a term paper on Freud and I asked \"Who's Freud?\" I seem to be returning to that state.\nFrom Brad Plumer and Coral Davenport at NYT:\nWASHINGTON — In just three years, the Trump administration has diminished the role of science in federal policymaking while halting or disrupting research projects nationwide, marking a transformation of the federal government whose effects, experts say, could reverberate for years.\nPolitical appointees have shut down government studies, reduced the influence of scientists over regulatory decisions and in some cases pressured researchers not to speak publicly. The administration has particularly challenged scientific findings related to the environment and public health opposed by industries such as oil drilling and coal mining. It has also impeded research around human-caused climate change, which President Trump has dismissed despite a global scientific consensus.\nBut the erosion of science reaches well beyond the environment and climate: In San Francisco, a study of the effects of chemicals on pregnant women has stalled after federal funding abruptly ended. In Washington, D.C., a scientific committee that provided expertise in defending against invasive insects has been disbanded. In Kansas City, Mo., the hasty relocation of two agricultural agencies that fund crop science and study the economics of farming has led to an exodus of employees and delayed hundreds of millions of dollars in research.\n“The disregard for expertise in the federal government is worse than it’s ever been,” said Michael Gerrard, director of the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law at Columbia University, which has tracked more than 200 reports of Trump administration efforts to restrict or misuse science since 2017. “It’s pervasive.”\nHundreds of scientists, many of whom say they are dismayed at seeing their work undone, are departing.\nAmong them is Matthew Davis, a biologist whose research on the health risks of mercury to children underpinned the first rules cutting mercury emissions from coal power plants. But last year, with a new baby of his own, he was asked to help support a rollback of those same rules. “I am now part of defending this darker, dirtier future,” he said.\nThis year, after a decade at the Environmental Protection Agency, Mr. Davis left.\n“Regulations come and go, but the thinning out of scientific capacity in the government will take a long time to get back,” said Joel Clement, a former top climate-policy expert at the Interior Department who quit in 2017 after being reassigned to a job collecting oil and gas royalties. He is now at the Union of Concerned Scientists, an advocacy group.\nMr. Trump has consistently said that government regulations have stifled businesses and thwarted some of the administration’s core goals, such as increasing fossil-fuel production. Many of the starkest confrontations with federal scientists have involved issues like environmental oversight and energy extraction — areas where industry groups have argued that regulators have gone too far in the past.\n“Businesses are finally being freed of Washington’s overreach, and the American economy is flourishing as a result,” a White House statement said last year. Asked about the role of science in policymaking, officials from the White House declined to comment on the record.\nThe administration’s efforts to cut certain research projects also reflect a longstanding conservative position that some scientific work can be performed cost-effectively by the private sector, and taxpayers shouldn’t be asked to foot the bill. “Eliminating wasteful spending, some of which has nothing to do with studying the science at all, is smart management, not an attack on science,” two analysts at the conservative Heritage Foundation wrote in 2017 of the administration’s proposals to eliminate various climate change and clean energy programs.\nawm, on 2019-December-28, 16:58, said:\nIf you invested in the S&P500 you would’ve gained about 25% on the year (between rise in the index and the dividends). This was an unusually good year for the market (for contrast, in 2018 you would’ve more or less broken even). Stock market valuations have a lot to do with the wealth of billionaires, but probably aren’t the driving factor behind wealth inequality. Although I’d support a small wealth tax (2% seems okay to me, 6% not so much) the real problem is getting wages to rise in line with productivity for the rest of the work force.\nFor average wealth folks, most of their wealth is tied up in their house (if they even own a house) which may have gone up around 5% on average (some areas may have gone up more, some areas had no increase or even negative growth). Most of their other \"wealth\", auto/truck, furniture, household goods are depreciating in value. And if they do have stock, a diversified portfolio would include a good percentage of fixed income type of investments that wouldn't come close to 25% increases.\nMaybe the problem with average people is that they don't manage their money well, not that they need higher wages. Fernando Marcos accumulated maybe 10 billion dollars on an official salary of no more than $13,500 a year. His wife was reported to have had 3000 pairs of shoes which I believe was explained as due to using coupons and buying during sales.\nA wealth tax seems to be an equitable solution to the fact that the tax code has been perverted so that billionaires pay a smaller overall tax rate than working class people.\nAlthough I’d support a small wealth tax (2% seems okay to me, 6% not so much) the real problem is getting wages to rise in line with productivity for the rest of the work force.\nAccording to Noah Smith (Feb 2019) at Bloomberg, wages have largely kept pace with productivity since 2010 which is not to suggest that the gap that opened in the 70s, 80s and early 90s is not a big problem that remains to be solved.\nIt sounds so reasonable for moderate Democratic politicians to find common ground with right fringe Republicans.\n‘Nothing Less Than a Civil War’: These White Voters on the Far Right See Doom Without Trump\nBut this October morning was “Trumpstock,” a small festival celebrating the president. The speakers included the local Republican congressman, Paul Gosar, and lesser-known conservative personalities. There was a fringe 2020 Senate candidate in Arizona who ran a website that published sexually explicit photos of women without their consent; a pro-Trump rapper whose lyrics include a racist slur aimed at Barack Obama; and a North Carolina activist who once said of Muslims, “I will kill every one of them before they get to me.”\n“They label us white nationalists, or white supremacists,” volunteered Guy Taiho Decker, who drove from California to attend the event. A right-wing protester, he has previously been arrested on charges of making terrorist threats.\n“There’s no such thing as a white supremacist, just like there’s no such thing as a unicorn,” Mr. Decker said. “We’re patriots.”\nUnfortunately, Democrats are more likely to get cooperation from these fringe groups than most elected Republicans in Congress.\nFrom Ross Douthat at NYT:\nNothing much happened in America in the 2010s. The unemployment rate declined slowly but steadily; the stock market rose; people’s economic situation gradually improved. There were no terrorist attacks on the scale of 9/11, no new land wars to rival Iraq and Vietnam. The country was relatively calm: Violent crime and illegal immigration trended downward, teenage delinquency diminished, teen birthrates fell and the out-of-wedlock birthrate stabilized.\nIn Washington, D.C., only two major pieces of legislation passed Congress, both of them predictable — a health insurance expansion under a Democratic president, a deficit-financed tax cut under a Republican. No enduring majorities were forged; control of government was divided for seven out of the 10 years. There were few bipartisan deals, even as the policy fads that came and went — education reform, deficit hawkishness — left underlying realities more or less the same. Inertia and inaction were the order of the day.\nIf this doesn’t sound like a complete description of the decade — well, it isn’t. It’s a provocation that leaves out a lot of important indicators (the opioid epidemic and the collapsing birthrate above all), that deliberately doesn’t mention populism, the Great Awokening or Donald Trump, and that ignores the feeling of crisis, the paranoia and mistrust and hysteria, that have pervaded our public life throughout the later 2010s.\nBut the provocation represents a truth that’s important for interpreting all that paranoia and polarization and mistrust — because even if you believe that the mood of crisis, the feeling that the liberal order might be cracking up, is the defining feature of the departing decade, you still have to reckon with why that feeling has crested so powerfully in a period surprisingly short on world-altering events.\nConsider, by way of contrast, the prior decade to this one. Between 2000 and 2009, the United States experienced the Florida recount and the dot-com bust, suffered the worst attack on our shores since Pearl Harbor, launched two major foreign invasions, attempted and failed at the transformation of the Middle East and entered the worst economic meltdown since the Great Depression. Meanwhile disruption was everywhere: Newspapers perished, partisan cable networks ascended, the smartphone took over the world, and the Amazon-Google-Facebook internet consolidated into something like its current shape.\nCompared to this litany, the 2010s look a little uneventful, don’t they? Even if you declare Obamacare a big [expletive] deal and grant Trump’s election world-historical significance, even if you bring in European dramas like Brexit and the Syrian refugee crisis, even if you pretend self-driving cars are really happening (just as soon as they learn to drive in rain …) … even then, the last decade’s disruptions don’t quite measure up.\nSo why does the psychology of the 2010s, relative to the country’s mental situation in the Bush or Clinton era, feel so disappointed, distrustful, and deranged?\nLet me suggest, as one possible answer, that we consider American history since the end of the Cold War as a three-act play. The first act, the 1990s, was a period of hubris, when we half-believed that we were entering a new age of domestic dynamism and global power — that our leaders deserved trust again, that the emerging digital age would be a blessing, that our innovators were on the threshold of great discoveries and our military was ready to spread liberty’s blessings round the world.\nThe 2000s, in turn, were an era of nemesis — when the most overstretched expressions of that ’90s hubris, from the Pets.com version of the new economy to the Bush doctrine to the exurban housing boom, all met their grimly-predestined fate. In one bust after another, in failed wars and Wall Street fiascos alike, the confidence of the Nineties collided with unavoidable realities, and Rudyard Kipling’s gods of the copybook headings made their inevitable return.\nBut as the 2000s ended, the revenges of reality had not yet been properly interpreted. The failed administration of George W. Bush was there as a scapegoat, Barack Obama was there to play the savior, and first liberals and then some ideological conservatives insisted that in fact everything would have been fine, the optimism of the 1990s indefinitely extended, if only Bush taken their preferred policy course instead.\nBush was, indeed, an unsuccessful president, but this conceit was false, and the gradually-unfolding revelation of its falseness made the 2010s an era of disillusionment, in which the knowledge we gained mattered more than the new events that we experienced. The sense of crisis, alienation and betrayal emerged more from backward glances than new disasters, reflecting newly-awakened — or awokened, if you prefer — readings of our recent history, our entire post-Cold War arc.\nThus, for instance, our Afghanistan and Libyan follies weren’t nearly as important or destructive as our Iraq debacle of the prior decade, but they were more revelatory — in the sense of demonstrating that humanitarian interventions and nation-building projects don’t work out any better with liberal technocrats in charge than under Cheneyites, that there wasn’t a simple “good war” waiting to be fought by smarter people once the Bush-era cowboy spirit went away.\nOr again, the election of Trump probably wasn’t the moment of authoritarianism descending — but it was an important moment of exposure, which revealed things about race relations and class resentments and the rot in the Republican Party and the incompetence of our political class that inclined everybody to a darker view of the American situation than before.\nOr yet again, what changed in our relationship to Silicon Valley in the 2010s wasn’t some new technology or business model, but our gradual realization of what those technologies and business models were doing to our minds, what they probably weren’t doing for social or economic progress, and how the internet might need to be resisted rather than just happily embraced.\nEven the apparent trend toward secularization, the decade’s most notable religious shift, partially reflected a pattern in which Americans who had effectively ceased practicing Christianity years earlier finally made that disaffiliation official.\nMeanwhile, in case after case the 2010s were a decade when cranks were proven right and the establishment wrong about developments from prior decades — about the wisdom of establishing Europe’s common currency, about the economic and political consequences of the turn-of-the-millennium opening to China, about the scale and scope of sexual abuse in elite institutions (not just the Catholic Church, though the cranks were right there, too).\nIn this sense the Jeffrey Epstein scandal was an appropriate capstone for the decade. Epstein’s worst crimes belonged to the 1990s and the 2000s rather than the 2010s, but the full revelations only arrived now, in the age of disillusionment, adding to the retrospective shadow cast across the entire political and journalistic class.\nAnd that shadow feels deeper, in a way, because of the stability with which this essay opened. The 2010s were filled with angst and paranoia, they pushed people toward radicalism and reaction — but they didn’t generate very much effective social and political activity, beyond the populist middle finger and the progressive Twitter mob. They exposed the depth of problems without suggesting plausible solutions, and they didn’t produce movements or leaders equipped to translate disillusionment into programmatic action, despair into spiritual renewal, the crisis of institutions into structural reform.\nIt is this peculiar cultural predicament — the combination of disillusionment with stability, radicalization with stalemate, discontent and derangement with sterility and apathy — that I keep calling decadence. Whether it will last another 10 years is an open question; a catastrophe or a renaissance might be just around the corner. But as we usher out the 2010s, this decade of distrustful stability and prosperous despair, it has no rival as the presiding spirit of our age.\nre: \"The sense of crisis, alienation and betrayal emerged more from backward glances than new disasters\" -- perhaps I'm overreacting but it feels like the countdown to the end of the world as we knew it before the advent of climate change has started and that the sense of crisis has everything to do with this and the absence of recognition and leadership needed to avoid even worst case scenarios.\ny66, on 2019-December-29, 00:16, said:\nI get the sense that this feels like Rome would have felt circa 28 B.C.E.\n#14548 sharon j\nLocation:San Tan Valley Arizona\nInterests:golf, boating, camping\nI Live in the Phoenix area of Arizona. I have driven through the area where \"Trumpstock\" was held. As I drove through this area, I always wondered \"what do these people do? I also wondered \"why would you choose to live here?\" There is no obvious source of employment nearby. There are no signs of farming (no water I imagine) or livestock (again no water or anything for the animals to graze on, I imagine). I read the wiki and it appears the area was sold in 2.5 acres parcels for $695.00 each, $10.00 down and $10.00 per month. (The wiki doesn't say when this happened) Perhaps they love the President so much because a \"threat of Muslim and Latino immigrants\" might want to take away their jobs? I don't know. But I would be very surprised if most of them don't need and receive public assistance. The very idea they think Trump cares about them makes me scratch my head and wonder why?\nsharon j, on 2019-December-29, 13:09, said:\nI like to think that I have a fair intuitive grasp of people from various backgrounds. I seem to get along with cops and with professors, for example, so there might be something to it. But the location you describe? Small town, isolated, in the desert? Prison industry? It's not me. And at some point I just have to walk away.\nI once drove from Las Vegas to LA so maybe I drove through it or near it. It was long ago, maybe 50 years ago, but I do recall that a good part of the trip was very barren.\nFrom Katherine Stewart and Caroline Fredrickson at NYT:\nWhy would a seemingly respectable, semiretired lion of the Washington establishment undermine the institutions he is sworn to uphold, incinerate his own reputation, and appear to willfully misrepresent the reports of special prosecutors and inspectors general, all to defend one of the most lawless and corrupt presidents in American history? And why has this particular attorney general appeared at this pivotal moment in our Republic?\nA deeper understanding of William Barr is emerging, and it reveals something profound and disturbing about the evolution of conservatism in 21st-century America.\nSome people have held that Mr. Barr is simply a partisan hack — willing to do whatever it takes to advance the interests of his own political party and its leadership. This view finds ample support in Mr. Barr’s own words. In a Nov. 15 speech at the Federalist Society’s National Lawyers Convention in Washington, he accused President Trump’s political opponents of “unprecedented abuse” and said they were “engaged in the systematic shredding of norms and the undermining of the rule of law.”\nIt is hardly the first time Mr. Barr stepped outside of long-established norms for the behavior of attorneys general. In his earlier stint as attorney general, during the George H.W. Bush presidency, Mr. Barr took on the role of helping to disappear the case against Reagan administration officials involved in the Iran-contra affair. The situation demonstrated that “powerful people with powerful allies can commit serious crimes in high office,” according to Lawrence Walsh, the independent prosecutor in that case. According to some critics, Mr. Barr delivered the partisan goods then, as he is delivering them now.\nAnother view is that Mr. Barr is principally a defender of a certain interpretation of the Constitution that attributes maximum power to the executive. This view, too, finds ample support in Mr. Barr’s own words. In the speech to the Federalist Society, he said, “Since the mid-’60s, there has been a steady grinding down of the executive branch’s authority that accelerated after Watergate.” In July, when President Trump claimed, in remarks to a conservative student group, “I have an Article II where I have the right to do whatever I want as president,” it is reasonable to suppose this is his CliffsNotes version of Mr. Barr’s ideology.\nBoth of these views are accurate enough. But at least since Mr. Barr’s infamous speech at the University of Notre Dame Law School, in which he blamed “secularists” for “moral chaos” and “immense suffering, wreckage and misery,” it has become clear that no understanding of William Barr can be complete without taking into account his views on the role of religion in society. For that, it is illuminating to review how Mr. Barr has directed his Justice Department on matters concerning the First Amendment clause forbidding the establishment of a state religion.\nIn Maryland, the department rushed to defend taxpayer funding for a religious school that says same-sex marriage is wrong. In Maine, it is defending parents suing over a state law that bans religious schools from obtaining taxpayer funding to promote their own sectarian doctrines. At his Department of Justice, Mr. Barr told law students at Notre Dame, “We keep an eye out for cases or events around the country where states are misapplying the establishment clause in a way that discriminates against people of faith.”\nIn these and other cases, Mr. Barr has embraced wholesale the “religious liberty” rhetoric of today’s Christian nationalist movement. When religious nationalists invoke “religious freedom,” it is typically code for religious privilege. The freedom they have in mind is the freedom of people of certain conservative and authoritarian varieties of religion to discriminate against those of whom they disapprove or over whom they wish to exert power.\nThis form of “religious liberty” seeks to foment the sense of persecution and paranoia of a collection of conservative religious groups that see themselves as on the cusp of losing their rightful position of dominance over American culture. It always singles out groups that can be blamed for society’s ills, and that may be subject to state-sanctioned discrimination and belittlement — L.G.B.T. Americans, secularists and Muslims are the favored targets, but others are available. The purpose of this “religious liberty” rhetoric is not just to secure a place of privilege, but also to justify public funding for the right kind of religion.\nMr. Barr has a long history of supporting just this type of “religious liberty.” At Notre Dame, he compared alleged violations of religious liberty with Roman emperors forcing Christian subjects to partake in pagan sacrifices. “The law is being used as a battering ram to break down traditional moral values and to establish moral relativism as a new orthodoxy,” he said.\nBarr watchers will know that this is nothing new. In a 1995 article he wrote for The Catholic Lawyer, which, as Emily Bazelon recently pointed out, appears to be something of a blueprint for his speech at Notre Dame, he complained that “we live in an increasingly militant, secular age” and expressed his grave concern that the law might force landlords to rent to unmarried couples. He implied that the idea that universities might treat “homosexual activist groups like any other student group” was intolerable.\nThis form of “religious liberty” is not a mere side issue for Mr. Barr, or for the other religious nationalists who have come to dominate the Republican Party. Mr. Barr has made this clear. All the problems of modernity — “the wreckage of the family,” “record levels of depression and mental illness,” “drug addiction” and “senseless violence” — stem from the loss of a strict interpretation of the Christian religion.\nThe great evildoers in the Notre Dame speech are nonbelievers who are apparently out on the streets ransacking everything that is good and holy. The solutions to society’s ills, Mr. Barr declared, come from faith. “Judeo-Christian moral standards are the ultimate utilitarian rules for human conduct,” he said. “Religion helps frame moral culture within society that instills and reinforces moral discipline.” He added, “The fact is that no secular creed has emerged capable of performing the role of religion.”\nWithin this ideological framework, the ends justify the means. In this light, Mr. Barr’s hyperpartisanship is the symptom, not the malady. At Christian nationalist gatherings and strategy meetings, the Democratic Party and its supporters are routinely described as “demonic” and associated with “rulers of the darkness.” If you know that society is under dire existential threat from secularists, and you know that they have all found a home in the other party, every conceivable compromise with principles, every ethical breach, every back-room deal is not only justifiable but imperative. And as the vicious reaction to Christianity Today’s anti-Trump editorial demonstrates, any break with this partisan alignment will be instantly denounced as heresy.\nIt is equally clear that Mr. Barr’s maximalist interpretation of executive power in the Constitution is just an effect, rather than a cause, of his ideological commitments. In fact, it isn’t really an interpretation. It is simply an unfounded assertion that the president has what amount to monarchical powers. “George III would have loved it,” said Douglas Kmiec, a law professor at Pepperdine who once held Mr. Barr’s position as head of the Justice Department’s Office of Legal Counsel, of Mr. Barr’s theory. It’s almost beside the point to note, as the conservative lawyers group Checks & Balances recently wrote, that Mr. Barr’s view of history “has no factual basis.”\nMr. Barr’s constitutional interpretation is simply window dressing on his commitment to religious authoritarianism. And that, really, gets to the heart of the matter. If you know anything about America’s founders, you know they were passionately opposed to the idea of a religious monarchy. And this is the key to understanding the question, “What does Bill Barr want?”\nThe answer is that America’s conservative movement, having morphed into a religious nationalist movement, is on a collision course with the American constitutional system. Though conservatives have long claimed to be the true champions of the Constitution — remember all that chatter during previous Republican administrations about “originalism” and “judicial restraint” — the movement that now controls the Republican Party is committed to a suite of ideas that are fundamentally incompatible with the Constitution and the Republic that the founders created under its auspices.\nMr. Trump’s presidency was not the cause of this anti-democratic movement in American politics. It was the consequence. He is the chosen instrument, not of God, but of today’s Christian nationalists, their political allies and funders, and the movement’s legal apparatus. Mr. Barr did not emerge in order to serve this one particular leader. On the contrary, Mr. Trump serves a movement that will cynically praise the Constitution in order to destroy it, and of which Mr. Barr has made himself a hero.\nThis guy is way scarier than Trump.\nWho would have thought Christians would become the enemy, because they have such a great history of tolerance - if you discount a few small details like the Crusades and Inquisitions.\nThe great American tax ripoff of 2017 continues.\nIn Trumpworld, corporate malfeasance is just another word for job creation.\nFrom Joe Nocera at Bloomberg:\nTwenty years ago, writing in Fortune magazine, I dubbed the 1990s “the Nasdaq Decade.” And why not? Practically from the moment the browser company Netscape went public, the tech stocks that dominated the Nasdaq stock exchange only went up. Cisco Systems Inc. rose 125,000% in the 1990s. Dell Technologies Inc. was up 72,000%. Shares of EToys quadrupled on their first day of trading in 1999. The Nasdaq itself rose 685%.\nBut a few months after the decade ended, the internet bubble burst, and by 2002 the Nasdaq had declined 78%. The tech highfliers that had soared in the 1990s either went bankrupt or their valuations crashed back to earth.\nFinancially speaking, the 2010s have been characterized by corporate mergers, aggressive activist investors, out-of-control CEO pay and “maximizing shareholder value.” But more than anything, it has been a decade awash in private equity deals. I therefore dub it the private equity decade. And I’ll admit that I’m rooting for private equity to get a comeuppance similar to the one that took place in tech after the Nasdaq decade.\nPrivate equity deals have been part of the financial landscape for decades, of course. Who can forget KKR’s $25 billion leveraged buyout (as they were called then) of RJR Nabisco in the late 1980s — a deal memorialized in the classic book “Barbarians at the Gate?” Indeed, some of the biggest private equity deals on record — TXU Energy, First Data, Alltel, Hilton Worldwide — took place in the frothy years before the 2008 financial crisis.\nWhat was different in the 2010s was less the size of the deals as their proliferation. In 2009, private equity firms completed 1,927 deals worth $142 billion, according to the financial data firm Pitchbook. By 2018, there were 5,180 private equity deals worth $727 billion.\nWhat has also become clear this decade is the high-minded rationale the private equity industry once used to justify its deals has largely evaporated. You don’t hear much anymore about how taking a company private will remove short-term incentives, impose necessary restructuring, yadda, yadda, yadda.\nThe main thing private equity has done this decade is to pile debt onto companies — imposing repayment costs while pulling out fees and dividends that have no bearing on what the private equity firm has actually done. Famously, Toys “R” Us went bankrupt because it was buried in private equity debt. So did Gymboree, Sports Authority, Linens ’n Things, and many others. In 2017, when the Limited announced it was shutting down its 250 stores — and throwing its employees out of work — the private equity firm that owned it, Sun Capital Partners Inc., reported to investors that it had nearly doubled its money, thanks to the dividends and fees it had paid itself.\nOne private equity skeptic, Daniel Rasmussen, conducted a study to see the effect private equity firms had on the companies they bought. Using a database of 390 deals with more than $700 billion in enterprise value, he found that:\nInstead, he continued, there is a new paradigm for understanding the PE model:\nAs an industry, PE firms take control of businesses to increase debt and redirect spending from capital expenditures and other forms of investment toward paying down that debt. As a result, or in tandem, the growth of the business slows. That is a simple, structural change, not a grand shift in strategy or a change that really requires any expertise in management.\nIn other words, whatever larger purpose private equity might have once had, the 2010s exposed an industry that cared about lining its own pockets — often at the expense of the companies it bought. It has become dealmaking for its own sake.\nIt seems to me that there are two likely consequences for the devolution of private equity in this decade. The first is that when the business cycle finally turns, the consequences for the thousands of companies carrying private equity debt are likely to be severe. As increasing amounts of capital have chased deals this decade, purchase prices have increased drastically. Rasmussen reports that in 2013, private equity deals were done at an average of 8.9 times adjusted earnings. Today, that number has risen to 11 times adjusted earnings. That means the debt loads are becoming heavier.\nThe second consequence is political. If the Democrats take the Senate or the presidency — or both — the private equity model is going to be under sustained attack. Titans like Henry Kravis and Steve Schwarzman will be hauled before Congress and berated for the industry’s practices. Already, Elizabeth Warren has put forth a proposal to rein in private equity — she calls it the “Stop Wall Street Looting Act.” Among other things, it would give workers rights when a bankruptcy takes place and would put private equity firms “on the hook for the debts of companies they buy.”\nOne other thing: In this decade of growing income inequality, nothing symbolized the gap between the haves and the have-nots like private equity. When it can walk away enriched while companies it owns go bankrupt — is that really the way capitalism is supposed to work? Perhaps the 2020s will be the decade when it starts to work for everyone again.\nTalk about finding hope again.\n#14554 barmar\nAnd remember when they said that the tax breaks would pay for themselves? They aren't.\nFrom Joe Biden Confronts a Demagogue and a Dilemma by Francis Wilkinson at Bloomberg:\nThe New York Times headline, dated December 27, was clear: “Joe Biden Says He’d Defy Subpoena to Testify in Trump’s Senate Trial.”\nThe New York Times headline, above an Associated Press story, dated the next day, December 28, was fuzzier: “Biden Leaves it Unclear if He Would Honor Senate Subpoena.”\nOne day later, December 29, the New York Times headline reached a possibly final — but who can say? — conclusion after the meandering journey of the preceding days: “Joe Biden Says He Would Comply With a Senate Subpoena, Reversing Course.”\nThe road to the White House may be winding, but that’s a lot of swerving.\nPresident Donald Trump has made it abundantly clear that he intends to keep smearing Biden, falsely alleging that the Democrat abused his power as vice president to insulate Biden’s son and his son’s Ukrainian employer from a criminal investigation. (That Trump still lacks a shred of evidence for this charge, months after deploying wide swaths of the executive branch to advance it, is strong indication that no evidence exists or ever will.) In addition to pressuring Ukraine to investigate Biden, with the intent of spritzing his smear with a vapor of legitimacy, Trump has publicly requested that China investigate Biden as well.\nTo beat these scurrilous attacks, the former vice president needs more than consistent headlines; he needs a steady strategy. So here’s the question for armchair political strategists: Which one of the three distinct positions announced in the headlines above offers Biden the best chance of defanging Trump?\nAnswer: None of the above.\nYes, it’s a trick question. But more than that, it’s a democratic crisis. Biden bungled his response both to the smear and to the question of whether he would testify about it under oath. (Democrats must contest Republicans while also buttressing the Trump-battered rule of law; a legitimate Senate subpoena must be obeyed.) Trouble is, there is rarely a good way to respond to such smears, because the advantage almost invariably rests with the liar.\nWhoever wins the Democratic nomination in 2020 will face some version of Trump’s attacks — like “crooked” Hillary and “corrupt” Biden — and will confront a similar quandary about responding. Ignore the smear and it spreads unchallenged. Engage and you generate hot embers to be fanned by an eager news media, which can generally be counted on to ignore even the most blatant bad faith by one of the disputants.\nThe asymmetry between a Democratic Party largely seeking to preserve democratic norms and government accountability and a GOP increasingly devoted to accumulating and exercising white Christian conservative power free of traditional legal or ethical constraint has been apparent for years. Books have been published. Academic papers have been written. Essays have detailed the danger. Yet bothsidesism, the unwillingness of mainstream arbiters to differentiate fact from fantasy or good faith argument from deliberate deception, persists.\nThe failure is more pronounced, and more perilous, when it comes to Trump, whose mental plumbing has leaked bad faith over a lifetime of personal corruption. Almost seven decades after Senator Joseph McCarthy slashed through the tapestry of American political culture, varying the number of communist spies he claimed to have found in the State Department in accord with the trajectory of the sun or the severity of his hangover, here we are — once again flummoxed by a demagogue so contemptuous of truth that he can’t be bothered to keep his lies straight.\nBiden, and whomever Trump attacks next, cannot count on the news media to hold Trump accountable. And the proliferation of right-wing propaganda ensures that every emerging fact-based consensus will be targeted for destruction. McCarthy, who lacked a White House balcony from which to rally the nation’s dark side, had fewer political resources at hand than Trump has now yet still managed to be a “galvanizer of mobs,” as Richard Rovere called him.\nDemocratic candidates will have to get used to defending themselves with a sufficiently strong counterpunch that it puts Trump on the defensive. David Doak, a former Democratic strategist (and my one-time partner) Tweeted that Biden should agree to testify under oath before the Senate impeachment trial — provided Trump does likewise.\nTrump, who instinctively kicks “for the groin” as McCarthy once did (Rovere again), lacks the courage or character to survive a bout of sworn public testimony. He’ll never agree to it. But in an asymmetrical political environment, in which non-demagogues pay a truth tax, Doak’s suggestion is the kind of defensive/offensive combo that a Democrat will have to level against Trump. It entails risk. But it beats three days of rhetorical wandering, seeking a safe passage that doesn’t exist against a man who will say anything, and frequently does.\nSome people are prepared to say: \"Here is who I am. If you like who I am, vote for me. If you do not like who I am, vote for the other guy.\"\nBiden might have once had that trait. It's pretty clear he does not now have that trait.\nThere is a cost to making your position clear, people might not like your position. I think there is a bigger cost in having one position one day, another position the next day, and a third position the third day.\nFor some reason this rule does not apply to DT. Maybe it is the tweet mentality. Nobody expects a tweet to actually be a thought out statement. More like a burp.\nFrom Adam Liptak at NYT:\nWASHINGTON — As Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. prepares to preside over the impeachment trial of President Trump, he issued pointed remarks on Tuesday in his year-end report on the state of the federal judiciary that seemed to be addressed, at least in part, to the president himself.\nThe two men have a history of friction, and Chief Justice Roberts used the normally mild report to denounce false information spread on social media and to warn against mob rule. Some passages could be read as a mission statement for the chief justice’s plans for the impeachment trial itself.\n“We should reflect on our duty to judge without fear or favor, deciding each matter with humility, integrity and dispatch,” he wrote in the report. “As the new year begins, and we turn to the tasks before us, we should each resolve to do our best to maintain the public’s trust that we are faithfully discharging our solemn obligation to equal justice under law.”\nThe nominal focus of the report was the importance of civics education, but even a casual reader could detect a timely subtext, one concerned with the foundational importance of the rule of law.\nChief Justice Roberts began his report, as is his custom, with a bit of history, recalling a riot at which John Jay, an author of the Federalist Papers and later the first chief justice, was struck in the head by a rock “thrown by a rioter motivated by a rumor.”\nJay and his colleagues, Chief Justice Roberts wrote, “ultimately succeeded in convincing the public of the virtues of the principles embodied in the Constitution.”\n“Those principles leave no place for mob violence,” the chief justice wrote. “But in the ensuing years, we have come to take democracy for granted, and civic education has fallen by the wayside. In our age, when social media can instantly spread rumor and false information on a grand scale, the public’s need to understand our government, and the protections it provides, is ever more vital. The judiciary has an important role to play in civic education.”\nThe report seemed to continue a conversation with Mr. Trump about the role of the courts.\nIn 2018, the two men had a sharp exchange, with Mr. Trump suggesting that federal judges carry out the wishes of the presidents who appointed them and Chief Justice Roberts defending the independence and integrity of the judicial branch.\nThe exchange started when Mr. Trump called a judge who had ruled against his administration’s asylum policy “an Obama judge.” In response, the chief justice said the president had misunderstood the role of the federal courts in the constitutional system.\n“We do not have Obama judges or Trump judges, Bush judges or Clinton judges,” Chief Justice Roberts said in a statement. “What we have is an extraordinary group of dedicated judges doing their level best to do equal right to those appearing before them. That independent judiciary is something we should all be thankful for.”\nMr. Trump took issue with the chief justice’s statement on Twitter. “Sorry Chief Justice John Roberts, but you do indeed have ‘Obama judges,’” Mr. Trump wrote, “and they have a much different point of view than the people who are charged with the safety of our country.”\nOn Tuesday, the chief justice returned to his theme. “We should celebrate our strong and independent judiciary, a key source of national unity and stability,” he wrote. “But we should also remember that justice is not inevitable.”\nThe friction with the president has only added to the delicate spot the chief justice will find himself in when he takes on his constitutionally assigned duty to preside over Mr. Trump’s Senate trial. Mr. Trump has repeatedly pinned the future of his presidency on the trial, the details and timing of which have not been set.\nChief Justice Roberts’s report concentrated on the central role the judiciary has played in educating the public, notably by issuing accessible decisions, in both senses of the word.\n“When judges render their judgments through written opinions that explain their reasoning, they advance public understanding of the law,” he wrote. “Chief Justice Earl Warren illustrated the power of a judicial decision as a teaching tool in Brown v. Board of Education, the great school desegregation case. His unanimous opinion on the most pressing issue of the era was a mere 11 pages — short enough that newspapers could publish all or almost all of it and every citizen could understand the court’s rationale. Today, federal courts post their opinions online, giving the public instant access to the reasoning behind the judgments that affect their lives.”\nCurrent Supreme Court decisions in major cases are much longer than the ruling in Brown. Citizens United, the 2010 campaign finance decision, was 176 pages long, with roughly the same number of words as “The Great Gatsby.”\nChief Justice Roberts praised the many educational programs offered by federal courts across the nation in which students are invited to visit courthouses. He did not address the role that camera coverage of arguments at the Supreme Court, currently forbidden, could play in civics education.\nThe chief justice singled out, but did not name, a colleague, praising his exemplary educational work. “As just one example,” Chief Justice Roberts wrote, “the current chief judge of the District of Columbia Circuit has, over the past two decades, quietly volunteered as a tutor at a local elementary school, inspiring his court colleagues to join in the effort.”\nThat judge is Merrick B. Garland, who was nominated to the Supreme Court by President Barack Obama in 2016 but denied a hearing by Senate Republicans. Mr. Trump appointed Justice Neil M. Gorsuch to fill the vacancy.\nThat was an encouraging note to end the year on.\nPosted 2020-January-01, 17:56\nFrom Dan Charles at NPR:\nIn 2019, the federal government delivered an extraordinary financial aid package to America's farmers. Farm subsidies jumped to their highest level in fourteen years, most of them paid out without any action by Congress.\nThe money flowed to farms like Robert Henry's. When I visited in early July, many of his fields near New Madrid, Mo., had been flooded for months, preventing him from working in them. The soybeans that he did manage to grow had fallen in value; China wasn't buying them, in retaliation for the Trump administration's tariffs.\nThat's when the government stepped in. Some of the aid came from long-familiar programs. Government-subsidized crop insurance covered some of the losses from flooding. Other payments were unprecedented. The U.S. Department of Agriculture simply sent him a check to compensate him for the low prices resulting from the trade war.\n\"'Trump money' is what we call it,\" Henry said. \"It helped a lot. And it's my understanding, they're going to do it again.\"\nIndeed, a few weeks later, the USDA announced another $16 billion in trade-related aid to farmers. It came on top of the previous year's $12 billion package, for a grand total of $28 billion in two years. About $19 billion of that money had been paid out by the end of 2019, and the rest will be paid in 2020.\n\"President Trump has great affection for America's farmers and ranchers. He knows that they're fighting the fight and that they're on the front lines,\" Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue told reporters while announcing the aid package.\nThe announcement aroused little controversy. \"I was surprised that it didn't attract more attention,\" says Joe Glauber, the USDA's former chief economist, who's now a senior research fellow at the International Food Policy Research Institute.\nGlauber says it deserves more attention, for a whole collection of reasons.\nFor one thing, it's an enormous amount of money, more than the final cost of bailing out the auto industry during the financial crisis of 2008. The auto industry bailout was fiercely debated in Congress. Yet the USDA created this new program out of thin air; it decided that an old law authorizing a USDA program called the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) already gave it the authority to spend this money.\n\"What's unique about this is, [it] didn't go through Congress,\" Glauber says. Some people have raised questions about whether using the CCC for this new purpose is legal.\nGlauber sees a risk of \"moral hazard\" — a situation in which someone is shielded from the consequences of poor decisions. The decision to start the trade war was costly, he says, and the Trump Administration, by tapping the federal treasury, is avoiding the political fallout from that decision. \"The sector that is hurt the most, and which would normally complain, all of a sudden it's assuaged by these payments. To me, that's a problem,\" he says.\nAlso, the payments are quite generous. According to studies by several independent economists, the USDA is paying farmers roughly twice as much as the actual harm that they suffered from the trade war. And the payments are based on production; the bigger the farm, the bigger the payments. Thousands of farmers got more than $100,000 each. According to an NPR analysis of USDA records of payments made through July 2019, 100,000 individuals collected just over 70 percent of the money.\nCatherine Kling, an economist at Cornell University, says the government could at least have demanded some public benefits in exchange for that money. \"I think it's a real lost opportunity,\" she says.\nWhat farmers do with their land has a huge impact on water quality, wildlife and climate change, Kling says. The USDA has programs that pay farmers to help the environment, doing things like restoring wetlands.\nThe budget for those environmental programs is just a quarter of the size of this year's trade-related payments. So Kling's reaction to this year's farm bailout is, \"Wow, [there are] so many things that money could get spent on that could really be beneficial to taxpayers, who are ultimately footing the bill.\"\nOn Capitol Hill, there has long been a quiet alliance between lawmakers who support farm subsidies and those who support food stamps, or SNAP. Together, they've supported the budget of the USDA, which runs both programs.\nEvents in 2019 tested that alliance, as the USDA helped farmers while restricting SNAP payments.\n\"They've already given out $19 billion to farmers, but they're cutting $5 billion from people in need!\" says Congresswoman Marcia Fudge (D-OH), who sits on the House Agriculture Committee. \"I don't even know how to describe it except to say that it is cruel, it is unfair, and it is clearly designed to support the president's base, as he sees it, as opposed to those whom he sees as being undeserving.\"\nThe USDA has not yet announced whether it will deliver another round of trade-related payments to farmers in 2020.\nFor one thing, it's an enormous amount of money, more than the final cost of bailing out the auto industry during the financial crisis of 2008.\nIsn't a big difference that the farmers needed this aid as a direct consequence of Trump's tariffs, while the financial crisis was not created by the government (except indirectly due to reduced oversight)?\nbarmar, on 2020-January-02, 11:04, said:\nThat's a fair point. However, it does not change the fact that tax payers are getting thricely screwed: by the tariffs on imported goods, by the taxes they pay to compensate farmers and at the polls by farmers who are happy to support our anti president as long as the cash keeps coming. Or that these payments are being made without explicit congressional approval.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line468137"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.514738142490387,"wiki_prob":0.514738142490387,"text":"View of Wikipedia & Museums: Community Curation\n9 0 Download (0) ✓\nShow more ( 8 Page)\nCommunity Curation\nLiam Wyatt\nJames Murray, first editor of the Oxford English Dictionary in the \"Scriptorium\" built to compile the first edition.\nMurray represents both the exclusivist and flattening approaches to curation as he received suggestions from the public but also held absolute editorial authority.\nPicture by an unknown photographer.\nThis is the vision upon which Wikipedia is built, a born-digital project with a spirit straight from the European Age of Enlightenment. It was an age when there was a desire to see the world and understand everything in it; an age when collectors and classifiers built the great encyclopedias, dictionaries and museums that still play a central role in our cultures. It was also an age of polymath amateurs, working to shorten the shadow of ignorance just a little bit further. In the www\nImagine a world in which everyone has free access to the sum of human knowledge in their own language.\npresent day those amateurs are very much still at work and many go by the name of Wikipedians:\nmillions of Wikipedians, aggregating our cultural heritage piece by piece into a coherent but ever- changing text. However, the tension between knowledge professionals and interested amateurs remains. That tension and the unnecessary opposition of two groups with passion and conviction - one with the authority and one without - can be seen in debates over the term\n\"curation\" and debates about what, if anything, professional curators and Wikipedians have in common. This essay presents three points of curatorial policy that differentiate Wikipedia from professional curation and argues that Wikipedia can be regarded as a meeting ground between the two groups - a place of \"community curation\".\nIn recent years \"curation\" has become a word with contested meaning. At one extreme is an exclusivist understanding that sees the curator as a focal point of cultural understanding, commanding deference as the museum-sensei. At the other extreme is a radical flattening of the term's connotations to the point of being merely synonymous with \"selecting\". This latter perspective is one that simplifies the art of building, conserving, researching and narrating a col- lection down to making a playlist. However, neither of these extremes is particularly helpful in envisaging successful museum projects which require community engagement - which museums are increasingly being asked to do.\nHow one feels about Wikipedia is probably indicative of where an individual stands on the issue\nof defining the term \"curator\". The former (exclusivist) group might likely see Wikipedia as a well-intentioned but ultimately unhelpful intrusion into the museum space - akin to the\nproverbial large enthusiastic dog in the small cluttered room: every time it wags its tail it knocks over a piece of furniture. The latter (flattening) group might likely see Wikipedia as a playpen of the technorati with editorial rules and content guidelines designed to make participation by the interested amateur increasingly difficult.\nBetween these extreme viewpoints, perhaps unsurprisingly, lies a productive, mutually beneficial relationship. Such a relationship is built upon a collaborative understanding of the idea of curation. It respects expertise but demands engagement; it is focused neither on giving nor taking knowledge but on building a shared understanding.\nWikipedia is frequently described as a product of User-Generated Content (UGC) sitting alongside blogging, social-networking and video sharing websites. However, it is far better understood as a place of Community Curated Works (CCW) . For those in the cultural sector, 2\nespecially for the professional curator, this differentiation might explain why Wikipedia should be approached differently from other online outreach ventures that your organisation might be in- volved in. \"Community\" rather than \"user\" recognises that Wikipedia is more than merely a series of individuals, it is a movement. The individual Wikipedian is not merely a \"user\" of a cor- poration's infrastructure but also potentially the author, reader, reviewer and maintainer of every aspect of the project content, code and community. \"Curated\" rather than \"generated\"\nemphasises that Wikipedians not only add new content but also delete and merge, poke and prod content to build a better encyclopedia and not merely a larger one. \"Works\" rather than \"content\"\nsignifies that content on Wikipedia is not just a collection of discrete pages but a coherent whole.\nNo one page should stay orphaned from or compete with the rest (either through links, editorial style or content) but should increase the depth and breadth of the larger work.\nIf Wikipedia were a museum it would be part catalogue, part exhibition, all community curation.\nMoreover, it has a global breadth and depth of content and an audience of massive scale. That these stars should align for a free, non-profit, knowledge-sharing project makes Wikipedia a per- fect place for curators to look when investigating ways to engage with \"the people formerly known as the audience\" . 3\nThat said, it is not altogether self-evident how to engage with Wikipedia even with the best will in the world. Like any collaborative product the documentation is not consistent (let alone complete!) and the rules are not fixed. Further, like any open community, there is no application form to join. For any risk-averse cultural institution this is daunting but it also opens up many opportunities for those willing to invest the time in building a relationship with the Wikipedia community. There may be no neat listing of what you can do, but equally there is no fixed list of what you cannot do. It is a negotiated relationship either way and the possibilities are quite broad and often unexpected.\nWell designed GLAM-Wikimedia collaborations in the past have gone further than achieving 4\ntheir stated aims. In some cases, they have led to other, largely unanticipated, positive outcomes.\nIn 2008 the German Bundesarchiv decided after long negotiations to release copyright in the medium resolution digitised version of thousands of images and to upload those to Wikimedia Commons with attribution back to the originals in their online catalogue . The project's explicit 5\npurpose was to increase use and awareness of their little-known photographic collection (through incorporation into relevant Wikipedia articles) and to assist in the task of categorising the subject matter of the images - a dauntingly large and hitherto incomplete task. This project was well designed as it married the advantages of the archive (the collection, its associated records and the expertise) with the advantages of Wikipedia (the encyclopedia, its breadth and depth and the community). Within the year the stated purpose had been largely completed with great success. For example the Bundesarchiv's portraits of political leaders had become the headline images for their respective biographies across dozens of Wikipedia language editions and the collection as a whole had been categorised into extremely fine details such as \"Category: Public Relations in Forestry in the GDR\" and \"Category: Black and White Photographic Portraits of Politicians\" - categories that are easily imported back to the original collection record. Achieving these intended outcomes was noteworthy enough, but the unintended ones turned out to be even more remarkable ...\nBy 2011 the images have been added to 65 thousand different articles in over 200 language editions with combined pageviews of more than 100 million per month . Not only were these the 6\nexpected articles (such as the aforementioned biographies) but Bundesarchiv images had begun to be used as illustrations for such disparate subjects as \"Random Access Memory\", \"Magnesium\"\nand even \"Leprosy\"! Photographs such as these illustrate subjects, not merely objects, giving\nless expected, but more valuable, were the copious suggestions for improving metadata - the high number matched by the gloriously pedantic detail of some - a cataloguer's dream . Of course, this 7\nmeant that the previous problem of too little interest in the collection was replaced by the opposite (but welcome) problem of too much interest.\nthem a far wider audience and varied con- textualisation.\nThe Bundesarchiv has had its images used more widely due to their being the first to provide access. Multimedia (particularly photographs) used in Wikipedia articles are often make-do solutions, chosen from the limited range of options available under an appropriate co- pyright license to illustrate the given subject.\nGood quality historical multimedia is espe- cially scarce, so any professional or historical multimedia shared by a cultural institution is very likely to quickly become the default illustration on the encyclopedia. Multimedia offered subsequently from other institutions would need not only to prove its relevance to the article but also that it was superior to the existing image in illustrating the subject at hand. Thus, there is a significant first-mover advantage in sharing good quality historical multimedia.\nDue to this marked increase in collection vi- sibility, the clickthrough statistics to the Bun- desarchiv website instantly jumped, producing a corresponding spike in high-resolution ima- ge sales. Moreover, this was no short-lived trend. Statistics for Wikipedia pageviews, Bun- desarchiv clickthroughs and high-resolution image sales have continued to grow ever since putting paid to the oft-cited fear, \"if people can see it over there, they won't bother visiting the institution's website\". Instead, the in- creased visibility \"out there\" led to a marked increase in the relevance, visitation and sales revenue of the Bundesarchiv's own site. Even less\nPicture by Thomas Uhlemann.\nDeutsches Bundesarchiv (German Federal Archive), Bild 183-1988-0719-38 One of the images donated by the Bundesarchiv.\nNow seen thousands of times a day including in the article \"Rock music\".\nEven within the relatively tight framework of GLAM-Wikimedia photographic collaboration there are many ways of modifying the project to elicit specific outcomes. The Tropenmusem of Amsterdam has embarked on a project over the last few years that leverages the uniquely global nature of Wikipedia. By sharing its collection of images of early 20 Century Javanese culture, th\nthe Indonesian Wikipedia community has set about identifying locations and identifying information that was not known to the curators as well as translating the museum's captions . 8\nSome Wikipedia-generated captions have even made it to the museum walls during recent exhibitions. Such a collaboration is both an effective route to lowering the cost of time- consuming work as well as a means of engaging the society from which the collection items originated. In an institution with a collection that spans cultures, these outcomes can be achieved in ways that are neither patronising nor exploitative.\nFor Wikipedia, the desired outcome of any project is always the same - to increase the scope, reach and quality of \"free knowledge\". Wikipedia itself is a staunchly non-commercial project so it would seem incongruous that collaborative projects often founder before they begin because of concerns over copyright and the fact that Wikipedia cannot accept any content which restricts commercial re-use. The reason Wikipedia appears to be so pernickety about copyright is that it tries to adhere to the principle that anyone can view the content for no cost and also that they may do whatever they want with the contents. This dual freedom - known as \"Gratis & Libre\" - is fundamental to the \"free knowledge\" mission of the community and it is why no content that is\n\"for Wikipedia only\", \"non-commercial\" or \"non-derivative\" may be used. The only restrictions placed upon any re-use of Wikipedia's texts is that it be attributed and that any changes be shared under the same terms. This very essay includes sections of text incorporated from the policy page\nA plantation in Suriname.\nWatercolor. Painted by G.P.H. Zimmermann.\nOne of the images used in a 2010 Tropenmuseum exhibition \"Art of Survival: Maroon culture of Suriname\"\nthat was first digitally restored and provided with multilingual captions on Wikimedia commons.\n\"Wikipedia: Advice for the Cultural Sector\" and the whole of it (as it legally must be) is provided under the Creative Commons Attribution Share-Alike license (CC-By-SA) . Therefore you are 9\nfree to use this very essay in any way you chose so long as you abide by those two criteria. Most importantly, the Share-Alike clause ensures that what is shared freely once stays free forever and that any other works into which this free-content is integrated become free themselves - hence its nickname as \"the viral clause\".\nThere are a few other key policies that differentiate Wikipedia from normal curatorial practice and they bear noting. These are the \"three N's\" - notability, neutrality and no original research . 10\nUnlike the aforementioned stance on copyright which is key to the mission of sharing free knowledge, these three policies are instrumentalist ones borne out of necessity. They enable the theory of a mass-collaboration encyclopedia to turn into reality. It is through these policies that Wikipedia addresses the most common criticisms against it - that it is \"anti-expert\" or \"anyone could just write anything\".\nWikipedia is a subject-centric encyclopedia: cultural institutions are object-centric. Their res- pective criteria for growth in their collections are notability and significance. That is, in Wikipedian usage the word \"notable\" is a term of art meaning that the subject at hand warrants an article in its own right. It is determined by the existence of reliable third-party sources to verify any statements of fact. \"Notability\" should not be confused with the term \"significance\" as used by professional curators for whom it expresses the preservation value of an object. However, even though there could be a \"statement of significance\" for every item in a collection, this does not mean that Wikipedia should have an article about each and every item. For example, an ancient coin is an object and a museum must make an assessment to determine its significance and worthiness for accessioning. However, for Wikipedia, even if the coin is a good representation of its type, it may not in itself be \"notable\" unless there is significant coverage from reliable sources about that specific ancient coin. On the other hand, the subject of that coin's denomination would be notable, and Wikipedia will have an article about that, whilst the museum would not.\nHighly significant headline objects in any major cultural collection are also likely to be notable (and therefore worthy of their own Wikipedia article) but there is no direct correlation between the two measures. Indeed, there are copious Wikipedia articles about subjects which would not be considered to have any wider significance at all. Examples include the myriad articles about sporting statistics and individual asteroids or proteins. Whilst it may seem perverse that these topics are considered worthy of stand-alone articles yet many significant objects accessioned into cultural institutions are not, this is merely the consequence of the fact that there are detailed, structured and easily discoverable publications made for each individual subject by recognised experts in the respective fields. Just as notability is not synonymous with significance, equally, non-notability is not synonymous with insignificance. Information about a non-notable subject could perhaps be included as a section of a higher-order article in the encyclopedia.\n\"Neutrality\" is the second key editorial principle that differentiates Wikipedia from the cultural sector. Whilst the encyclopedia attempts in all ways possible to maintain neutrality, by virtue of its position as an official arbiter of cultural heritage, the cultural sector is obliged to make wwwwwwww\njudgements and tell narratives on behalf of society at large - a process that is inherently non- neutral. Yet, it is this specific divergence that forms the greatest bond of dependency between Wikipedia and the cultural sector. Wikipedia is dependent upon verifiable reliable sources for its information and it is the publication of that information by cultural organisations (most especially the scholarly research about that information) that grounds Wikipedia in reality.\n\"If anyone can edit, what's stopping people taking my knowledge and just replacing it with their own opinions?\" is a very common concern raised by experts and is it precisely the one that the editorial principle of neutrality is designed to address. In practice, the opposite problem is more common - what happens when the editing public make the expert's information better? In Wikipedian usage the word neutral is shorthand for \"neutral point of view\" or \"NPOV\". The neutral point of view neither sympathises nor disparages its subject; endorses nor opposes specific perspectives. It is not a lack of viewpoint, but is rather a specific, editorially neutral, point of view. Professional curators have gone to much effort in the last few decades to make descriptions and publications engaging and embracing the controversies surrounding an object.\nThis is in contradistinction to past practice of writing simple, uncontroversial (even bland) item descriptions. By insisting on \"neutrality\" Wikipedia is not asking for enforced simplicity or an avoidance of controversial topics but is rather asking for opposing views (and the editors that hold them) to co-operate to produce a single, as-close-as-we-can-get-to-neutral understanding of a subject that uses reliable sources to verify all claims. For example, Wikipedia's article on the theory of evolution includes a well referenced section on social and cultural responses and therefore also discusses the theory of creationism. The two ideas are not separate articles written by opposing viewers but integrated topics written by encyclopedists.\nThe final point that differentiates Wikipedia most directly from the cultural sector is the editorial policy of no original research (also known as “NOR”). As primary sites of cultural inquiry, cultural institutions are accustomed to research being undertaken using their collections. Indeed, the level of research output is a measure of their success. Research not only sheds new light on hitherto unloved sections of a collection but is crucial for driving social debate. This process is therefore one of necessary elitism as it requires acquired, analytical skill, scholarship, expertise and earned respect to draw conclusions that are insightful and reliable. However in Wikipedia, where any one person can modify any other's work, the opposite paradigm holds. The real-world credentials of the author are deliberately ignored and the focus is purely on the quality of the output. Of course, the model of blind peer review is common in research as a way of proving the quality of a work independent of the author, but that system still relies on a structure of experts and reputation-driven publications. This is not to suggest that this is a bad thing, indeed it is an extremely good thing, but as “the encyclopedia that anyone can edit” Wikipedia cannot make use of that model. Instead, Wikipedia enforces the dual principles of \"Verifiability\" and “no original research” in effect to outsource truth .11\nAll facts included in Wikipedia must be verified to a reliable third party source - the more controversial the statement the more sources are required. Naturally, the definition of \"reliable\" is highly contestable but this is a contestation that occurs in every professional discipline already and is not unique to Wikipedia. The principal advantage of this \"outsourcing\" system is that it\nHoxne_Hoard.\nSome of the Roman spoons from the \"Hoxne Hoard\" held at the British Museum being shown to Wikipedians during a behind-the-scenes tour. Whilst the individual spoons are not notable, the article about the Hoard as a collection is now arguably the best in the entire encyclopedia. Picture by Fae\nobviates all discussions about which editor is more correct than the other because the criterion for including facts is always verifiability - not truth. Experts dipping their toe into the waters of Wikipedia often feel affronted when their offer to write their latest research directly in the encyclopedia is rebuffed with cries of “show us your footnotes”. Yet it is clear that without NOR any theory is just as valid as any other and the viability of the collaborative project would degenerate rapidly into bickering of whose version of a truth can garner more popular votes.\nHowever with the NOR guideline the published research output from cultural institutions becomes absolutely crucial for Wikipedia as a source of reliable references. Far from competing with experts and research publications Wikipedia (after all, a tertiary source) is dependent upon the authoritative voice of cultural institutions to provide citations. Wikipedia's use of this information in turn drives traffic back to the original materials and institutions from whence it came. This cycle draws more people into the deep collections records of cultural institutions than ever before.\nWikipedia is like nothing that has ever gone before it and yet it is a direct successor to the enlightenment tradition of naming, classifying and describing the universe. This essay has itself tried to shed some light on some of those historical correspondences and policy parallels. Whilst very complex, often confusing and constantly changing, it is one of the most important cultural resources ever developed. Wikipedia and the cultural sector are often doing the same thing, for the same reason, in the same medium and for the same audience. Why not do it together?\nFor more information on how cultural organisations can work with Wikipedia, visit www.glamwiki.org\n1. CC-By-SA\n2. This differentiation was first elaborated by former Wikimedia Australia president Brianna Laugher in 2008 3. A phrase articulated by Jay Rosen in 2006\n4. GLAM is the acronym used by Wikipedians to describe the professional cultural sector - Galleries, Libraries, Archives and Museums (and sometimes covering related fields of broadcasting or education). Wikimedia, as opposed to Wikipedia, refers to the gamut of sister-projects (and their respective communities) alongside Wikipedia including Wikimedia Commons, WikiBooks, Wiktionary....\n5. More information about this project is at\n6. Whilst this data is publicly available, it is quite obscure to find.\n7. The “Error reports” page can be seen at .\nMost commentary is in German.\n8. The homepage of this project is\n9. The advice page can be found at and the full legal information about\nthis copyright license can be found at\n10. The full policies for these can be read at www.//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:N, www.//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:NPOV and\n11. This policy can be seen at\nhttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/\nhttp://brianna.modernthings.org/article/137/community-curated-works-ccw http://journalism.nyu.edu/pubzone/weblogs/pressthink/2006/06/27/ppl_frmr.html\nhttp://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Commons:Bundesarchiv\nhttp://toolserver.org/~magnus/glamorous.php?doit=1&category=Images+from+the+German+Federal+Archive&use_g lobalusage=1&ns0=1&depth=9\nhttp://toolserver.org/~magnus/baglama.php?group=Images+from+the+German+Federal+Archive&date=201105 http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Commons:Bundesarchiv/Error_reports http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Commons:Tropenmuseum\nhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:GLAM http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0\nhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:NOR http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Verifiability\nThe 7 conference of Wikimania 2011, Haifa, Israel. Attendees from all over the world passionate about working together th\nto share knowledge freely. Picture by Wikimedia Israel's photostream\nDownload (N/A - 9 Page - 557.05KB)\nWikipedia and the Myth of Universality\nCrafters of &#34;universal&#34; knowledge organiza- tion systems have consistently aimed to facilitate access to vast information resources across cultural and political borders in\nView of Part Objects and Their Location\nThe references used in the implementation of an Address list are qualified by Address and they reference the Address part object of the objects, and not the whole Person\nView of Technology Meets Postmodern Epistemology: The Discourse of Hebrew Wikipe...\nIn this study we analyze deletion discussion pages on the Hebrew Wikipedia in order to examine the ways in which definitions of “worthy”\nView of ADIEU WIKIPEDIA: UNDERSTANDING THE ETHICS OF WIKIPEDIA AFTER GAMERGATE\nWales, in a series of tweets written in September 2014 (during the thick of edit warring on the gamergate article) compared the conflict to “a controversy at Wikipedia about a breed\nView of 410 Gone - Infocide in Open Content Communities\nI then explore the complexities of infocide in open content communities (e.g., Python, Wikipedia, Ruby, Debian and Ubuntu) with respect to reasons, enactment, and community\n“The sum of all human knowledge”: A systematic review of scholarly research on t...\ncomprehensiveness, currency, readability, and reliability aspects of content quality, as well as featured articles (Wikipedia articles identified by the community as high-quality)..\nWikipedia in the eyes of its beholders: A systematic review of scholarly researc...\npresented summaries of scholarly studies grouped according to topics covering the ranking and popularity of Wikipedia; Wikipedia as a knowledge source for news, health information, and\nHPR news\nWhat has, however, also become clear over many years of research in that area is that the way people conceive of their own personal risk is highly complex and often very different from\nbut in ancient Persian; and consequently that all their words and forms cannot justly be expected to agree altogether with Zend: but that there should be,\nAalborg Universitet The Global Energy Challenge A Contextual Framework Connolly,...\nAs well as the inevitable decline of fossil fuel production, there are also significant issues regarding the location of reserves. In particular, oil and gas\nCitations in Wikipedia\nFinn ˚ Arup Nielsen h-index (8 May 2017):. h\nSexual Harassment in Higher Education Experiences and Perceptions among Students...\nInterestingly, for the same categories in which women are more likely to experience situations of (potential) sexual harassment, people who report their nationality to be\nThe Book Out of Bounds: Essays Presented to Lars Ole Sauerberg\nFrye and the Opposition between Popular Literature and Bestsellers\nSexual Harassment in Higher Education - Experiences and Perceptions among Studen...\nThe Development of Gender-Responsive Indicators: Towards a Participatory Approac...\nHvilken Oversættelse! Hvilken Galskab! Translating the poetry of Grundtvig\nForeword : Wikipedia and the Sum of All Human Information\nWikipedians' Knowledge and Moral Duties\nAquatic Environment 2004State and trends – technical summaryNERI Technical Repor...\nPart I: Self-Reference","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line581579"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.995907723903656,"wiki_prob":0.995907723903656,"text":"Monthly Archives: January, 2023\nSanjay Dutt and Arshad Warsi's collaboration in Rajkumar Hirani's Munna Bhai M.B.B.S and Lage Raho Munna Bhai was highly successful and the characters of Munna and Circuit continue to be beloved by audiences. The two actors will once again...\nSriti Jha and Shabir Ahluwalia captivated audiences with their chemistry in Kumkum Bhagya nine years ago. The ZEE TV show has been consistently popular since its premiere. Currently, Mugdha Chaphekar and Krishna Kaul are the lead actors in the...\nBollywood actor Vicky Kaushal has expressed interest in performing in a historical film. He previously committed to projects such as Takht and The Immortal Ashwatthama, but they have been delayed. In the meantime, Vicky has signed another historical biopic...\nIn the 1990s, Rajkumar Santoshi and Sunny Deol formed a successful partnership with films like Ghayal, Damini, and Ghatak achieving iconic status. Despite attempting to collaborate again in the past, the two were unable to do so until 27...\nThe fifth season of Cobra Kai premiered on Netflix in September 2022 and it has been announced that the series will return for another season. However, amid the excitement of the fans, the upcoming sixth season of Cobra Kai...\nThe highly praised cult favourite, Laal Rang, starring Randeep Hooda, is making a comeback on the big screen with its sequel Laal Rang 2: Khoon Chusva. Randeep Hooda, the actor, announced on Friday that he will be reprising his...\nZwigato, starring Kapil Sharma, set to hit theatres on March 17, 2023; Read more\nThe release date for the highly-awaited film Zwigato, featuring Kapil Sharma and Shahana Goswami, has been announced by Applause Entertainment and Nandita Das Initiatives. The movie will be in theatres on March 17, 2023. Zwigato takes audiences to the lesser-explored...\nRakhi Sawant arrested in Mumbai following complaint by Sherlyn Chopra\nOn Thursday, Mumbai police arrested actor Rakhi Sawant following a complaint filed by model-actor Sherlyn Chopra. Chopra's complaint alleged that Sawant had made and distributed inappropriate videos and photos of her without her consent. An FIR was registered against...\nSalman Khan to have a 20-minute extended cameo in SRK’s Pathaan? Find out\nThe upcoming Hindi film Pathaan, starring Shah Rukh Khan, is generating a lot of excitement in the film industry. As YRF is launching their spy universe with this film, it is expected that characters from the Tiger franchise and...\nAli Fazal to star in psychological thriller ‘The Underbug,’ premiering at Slamdance Film Festival\nAli Fazal continues to take on diverse film roles, with another unique project in the pipeline. He will star in the psychological thriller The Underbug, directed by Shujaat Saudagar and also featuring Hussain Dalal in a lead role, among...","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line111054"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7420296669006348,"wiki_prob":0.7420296669006348,"text":"UN General Assembly Down The Memory Lane\nNEW YORK - Marking the 70th anniversary of the first meeting of the United Nations General Assembly on 11 January 2016, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said the body has truly become the “Parliament for all people.”\nIn fact, before there was a UN Secretary-General, a Security Council or an iconic Headquarters in New York, there was the General Assembly, the most representative body ever of world nations, meeting for the first time in a London hall facing Westminster Abbey, the 1,000-year-old coronation site of Britain’s kings and queens.\nIt was here on 10 January 1946 that representatives of the then 51 Member States came together in Westminster Central Hall, a Methodist church and conference centre, before a semi-circular dais beneath the now famous UN emblem of a world map as seen from above the North Pole, flanked by olive wreaths – affixed back to front on the wall.\nWhat a difference seven decades make.\nNow, Heads of State and Government from 193 nations gather in the majestic, newly renovated General Assembly Hall at UN Headquarters in New York at the beginning of the new session in September each year against a gold-leafed background, beneath that equally gleaming emblem – this time the right way round.\nUN News says in a feature: This Hall has echoed with the soaring rhetoric of monarchs, presidents, popes and prime ministers. It has also resounded to more doubtfully memorable interventions.\nOn 12 October 1961, the echo was the sound of Soviet Prime Minister Nikita Khrushchev pounding his shoe on his desk when the Philippines delegate accused his country of swallowing up Eastern Europe.\nOn 20 September 2006, then Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez, taking the podium a day after United States President George W. Bush, announced that it still smelt of sulphur because “the devil came here yesterday.” He made the sign of the cross, clasped his hands as if in prayer, and looked briefly upwards as though to invoke God, eliciting giggles from some delegations.\nIn 1977 and 1978, Sir Eric Gairy, Prime Minister of the Caribbean island nation of Grenada had flying saucers, officially called unidentified flying objects (UFOs), put on the Assembly’s agenda.\nOn 23 September 2009, Libya’s then leader Muammar Ghaddafi extended his allotted 15-minute speech time to one hour and 40 minutes of diatribe, during which he tore up the UN Charter on this self-same podium.\nAnd for 22 years after the People’s Republic of China (PRC) had taken control of Beijing and its then 700 million or more people, the UN still recognized the Taiwan-based Republic of China, with less than a fiftieth of that population, as the representative of the Chinese people and holder of UN Security Council permanent membership – until the General Assembly on 25 October 1971 passed Resolution 2758 giving recognition to the PRC.\nCommemorating the UNGA’s 70th anniversary, Ban told UN officials on 11 January: “The resolutions adopted by the General Assembly may not all be acted on right away. Yet they stand as our common position on the most pressing issues of our times.”\n“These resolutions tell the story of our resolve. They reflect our conviction that the countries of the world coming together can do far more collectively than they ever could alone. Each delegate who speaks, each vote that is cast, every gavel that opens a new meeting adds a little more hope to the world,” said the Secretary-General. [International Press Syndicate – 11 January 2016]\nPhoto: A view of the delegations gathered for the first session of the UN General Assembly when it opened on 10 January 1946 at Central Hall in London, United Kingdom. UN Photo/Marcel Bolomey\nHillary Clinton World Humanitarian Summit G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Hiroshima Senegal FAO IRENA Ukraine Opiates Leopold Senghor Slavery Vietnam Yemen UNIDO Southeast Asia Oil price Europe Technology Climate Action Brazil Donald Trump","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line368805"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5267367362976074,"wiki_prob":0.5267367362976074,"text":"Hinduism In Interreligious Dialogue\nDaniel Acharuparambil, OCD\nIn this article, Prof. Acharuparambil outlines a Christian's view of Hinduism and interreligious dialogue.� It is valuable not only for its view of how the Catholic Church is dealing with the discussions on mission and dialogue, but also for its analysis of Hinduism.� Considering his conclusions, it could be said that devotees of Krsna have much the same problems with 'proselytism' in the West as Christians might do in India. On reading the quotes from typical 'Hindu' sources such as Vivekananda, Ramakrishna, Tagore and Gandhi, one may also question whether they still adequately represent the opinions of Hindus involved in dialogue today or whether contemporary Hinduism needs to be reassessed.\nIt is well-known that many religions, including Hinduism, look mistrustingly at Christian attempts at interreligious dialogue ― considering them to be merely the old 'proselytism' with a new face. In this presentation I will attempt to uncover, after first briefly examining the concept of interreligous dialogue in relation to the Church's official point of view, some of the rather difficult problems that a Christian encounters in his effort to undertake serious dialogue with a Hindu.\nFirst of all, interreligious dialogue is a method of communication among followers of different religions.[1] It means not only discussion, but also includes all positive and constructive interreligious relations with individuals and communities of other faiths which are directed at mutual understanding and enrichment. [2] It is a meeting among people religiously strong in their own tradition, all trying to witness what is specific and personal in their religious convictions and experiences regarding man and his destiny, his place in the universe, his dependence on the Supreme Being and other questions of common interest, while at the same time welcoming other testimonies with respect and sympathy.\nReligious systems do not meet, but religious people, deeply-rooted in their own heritage, do; and what brings them together is love, contributing as well to a reciprocal enrichment in their faith. In fact, to find ourselves faced with the real testimony of a different faith, always entails an invitation; a positive challenge to return to our own faith in a deeper, more conscious and personalised way. Dialogue therefore means a witness given and received for mutual advancement on the road religious enquiry and experience, and at the same time, for the elimination of prejudice, intolerance and misunderstandings.[3] It allows one to discover and� respect the prodigiousness and variety of God's work in human history.\nIn this respect, the Second Vatican Council signals the beginning of a new age in the Church's official view of other religions. This is characterised by the dialogue, as envisaged by Nostrae Aetate, the declaration on the Church's relationships with non-Christian religions. The Post-councillor Magister has been deeply committed to developing and further deepening the doctrine and discipline of dialogue at every level. Pope John Paul II has stated, 'Dialogue does not originate from tactical concerns or self interest, but is an activity with its own guiding principles, requirements and dignity. It is demanded by deep respect for everything that has been brougth about in human beings by the Spirit who blows wherever he wills. Through dialogue the Church seeks to discover the seed of the Word, a ray of the Truth which enlightens all men.'[4]\nBut the recognition of the positive values of other religions and the encouragement to sincere dialogue with them, far from being an obstacle to proclaim Christ, must be an incentive to do so. The Pope teaches vigorously: those who are incorporated in the Catholic Church ought to sense their privilege and for that very reason their greater obligation of bearing witness to the faith and to the Christian life as a service to their brothers and sisters and as fitting response to God.[5]\nAccording to the Church, missionary activities are an intrinsic need of the Christian faith. Fidelity to Her Divine Founder's mandate requires that the Church should never tire of her commitment to bring everyone the Good News of Christ. Therefore, all her activities and enterprise have always had, more or less evidently, a missionary feel. Interreligious dialogue cannot be an exception to this; on the contrary, it is an important added dimension of� it.\nThe problem is that it is exactly these implications in the Christian's approach to dialogue which create suspicion on the part of the Hindu. Hindus dislike external interference in their own tradition, desiring a peaceful cohabitation with other religions. Their principle is 'live and let live'. According to Hinduism, it is necessary that all interreligious dialogue respects that principle, without excluding the reciprocal enrichment which can be had from an 'unselfish' dialogue. From that point of view, it can be said that Hinduism is particularly open to interreligious dialogue, and for the same reason, it is very resistant to a Christianisation of that dialogue.\nIt is sufficient to identify some fundamental Hindu doctrines on the attitudes that emerge therefrom to discover the reasons of that affirmation.\nHinduism and religious pluralism\nFor Christianity, which believes in the uniqueness of God's revelation in Christ and the universality of His message, other religions are an inevitable target of its missionary engagement. The Hindu vision is completely different. It doesn't want to grant to any religion, including itself, the attributes of uniqueness and universality. Its approach can be qualified as religious relativism, recognising the intrinsic value of individual religions and the consequent spirit of religious tolerance, accompanied by an intolerant attitude for any external interference in its own religion. This is not a vision of religious indifference, but rather a deep esteem for its own tradition and the engagement to live up to its ideals, while at the same time there is a sincere respect for other traditions and what they represent.\nWe can affirm that this position is as old as Hinduism itself, but in modern times, Hindu leaders have seriously deepened it. They have articulated it strongly, publicising it widely. They propose a religious philosophy which justifies such an approach. The starting point is this main principle: Religion, in an absolute sense, is only one and consists of the personal realisation of the Supreme Being. From this point of view, the profession of a doctrinal body and the observance of a ritual system are of secondary importance. 'Religion,' remarks Dr. Radhakrishnan, 'is not a creed or codex, but the intuition of reality, the direct experience of Supreme, the achievement of the state of Illumination.'[6]\nThe phenomenon of religious pluralism is explained by the fact that people define the Supreme Being according to their social and cultural genius and their own moral and spiritual evolution. Individual religions are historically formulations of a single religion that transcends all forms. Thus, every religion is deeply sacred for its respective followers because it is closely bound to their history and is an integral part of the interior soul; it characterises the identity of that people and determines the nature of their spiritual quest.\nThe following observation of Radhakrishnan is significant: if a Hindu chants the Vedas on the banks of the Ganges, if the Chinese meditates upon Analects, if the Japanese worship the image of Buddha, if the European is convinced of Christ's mediatorship, if the Arab reads the Koran in the mosque and if the African bows down to a fetish, each one of them has exactly the same reason for his particular conficence. Each form of faith appeals in precisely the same way to the inner certitude and the devotion of its followers. It is their deepest apprehension of God and God's fullest revelation to them.[7]\nReligion isn't an external imposition, but an internal heritage, often simply because one is born at a certain place and time. 'We can not condemn someone for not having chosen his parents,' says Radhakrishnan, 'so we cannot convict him for not having chosen his religion.' Every religious tradition is worthwhile and precious, provided that it is able to enlighten the human soul.\nSwami Vivekananda, following the teaching of his venerable master, Sri Ramakrishna, insists that we must respectfully accept every religion, and be ready to join every religious tradition to worship God, who is only one, whatever His name. In that spirit, he expressed the following prayer, at the conclusion of his talk at the World's Parliament of Religions in Chicago (1893): 'May He who is the Brahman of the Hindus, the Ahura Mazda of Zoroastrians, the Buddha of Buddhists, the Jehovah of the Jews, the Father in Heavens of Christians, give strength to you to carry out your noble ideas!'[8]\nDefending religious pluralism, Tagore added another intuition. God has manifested himself in this world through the immense variety of his Creation; he never wanted the world to be characterised by monotony and uniformity. Similarly, in the expression of our return to our Creator, a constant variety of individuality is required. The world would be extremely poor if one religion assimilates all the others into it. If such a flood occurs, affirms Tagore, God will provide another ark to save his creatures from the catastrophe of spiritual desolation. [9]\nNo religion is definitive\nAfter justifying that religious pluralism is necessary for humanity and wanted by the Creator Himself, Hindu thinkers insist that no religion can properly boast to be final and absolute, because everyone is defective and imperfect. This is inevitable because religion is formulated and interpreted by men, who are limited and fallible. Every religion is subject to evolution and re-interpretation; the progress towards truth will be possible only through that evolution. Therefore Gandhi confesses: 'It was impossible for me to consider Christianity as the perfect religion, or as the greatest of all religions (...), neither was I convinced of Hinduism being such.' [10] The reasoning that he uses to confirm his position is this: the pious lives of Christians didn't give me anything that the lives of men of other faiths had failed to give. From the point of view of sacrifice, it seemed to me that the Hindu greatly surpassed the Christians.\nEvery religion is worthwhile\nEven if no religion can claim to be absolute and decisive, every religion, according to Hindu tradition, is worthwhile and efficacious. Sri Ramakrishna tirelessly teaches that all religions are safe paths which lead men to the unique source of eternal happiness, the Divine, and so everyone must faithfully follow his way and respect the same freedom of the others.\nGandhi was particularly eloquent when defending the variety of religions. He writes: 'After long study and experience, I have come to the conclusion� that 1) All religions are true; 2) All religions have some errors in them; 3) All religions are almost as dear to me as my own Hinduism.'[11] 'All religions are true,' explains Gandhi, 'because they contribute efficaciously to the spiritual progress of humanity.' But since men, their heirs and interpreters are imperfect, they are stained by some imperfections. If we are open and welcoming enough, we will be able to purify them of these faults. So Gandhi's advice is that we must not only appreciate, but also integrate into our own faith, the best elements of other religions.\nThe logical conclusion of the principle of unity in diversity of religions, and the consequent insistence on the essential validity of all religions, is precisely the need for religious tolerance. Practically all great Hindu figures are given to that ideal. Religious tolerance is the necessary condition for peace among men. The affirmation by an individual religion that it has the light and that others are groping in darkness, is actually a challenge to other religions, a provocation to fight. Never forget: the recognition in other religions of the presence of the seed of the Word and of the ray of truth which enlightens all men, though generous and� positive on the part of Christianity, is far from satisfying for the followers of those religions.\nDr. Radhakrishnan points out that the spirit of tolerance, (dialogue is its current development), must not spring from a vague feeling of sympathy or compassion for the faults of others, but from the belief that Truth always transcends human understanding; that God contains in Himself more then man knows. For that reason he affirms: 'Toleration is the homage which the finite mind pays to the inexhaustibility of the Infinite.' [12]\nGandhi was, if we can say such, the incarnation of religious tolerance. Perhaps no-one else in human history has engaged himself with so much dedication to remove fanaticism and to spread religious tolerance. In fact that kind of effort cost him his life!\nHindu tolerance is not at all a passive attitude; but rather it is strongly active and intolerant towards every expression of intolerance and interference with other religions. Hindus react in an aggressive way against so-called 'proselytism', which is seen as the most odious manifestation of religious intolerance. That kind of reaction is part of a self-defence mechanism which came to be consolidated among the Hindus in the light of long years of sad experiences from Islam and Christianity. From the time the Portuguese landed on Indian soil (1498) until the independence of India from British Rule (1947), Christianity and missionary activity were seen as deeply bound to Western Imperialism and to oppressive Colonialism. In addition, the missionaries not only converted many Hindus to Christianity, but also expressed severe criticism of the errors, real or supposed, of Hinduism. All this contributed to create the impression that Christianity and missionary activity were against Indian interest, creating many militant Hindu movements.\nThus, in 1875, Swami Dayananda Saraswati founded the Arya Samaj association with the aim of both reviving in the Hindu society a deep pride of her millenary religion and culture and purging it of every extraneous 'contamination', particularly from Christianity and the West. Inspired and incited by those ideals, there are some political parties working in India today (Hindu Maha Sabha, Rama Rajya, Rashtriya Seva Samgha, Jana Samgha and Bharatya Janata Party) with the declared purpose of transforming the country into a Hindu theocracy and assimilating the minority religions as much as possible. All these movements are resolutely hostile to missionary activity and to conversion. In fact they have introduced a 'purification' ritual to resume in Hindu society, those who have been converted to Islam or Christianity.\nThere are still other cultural and religious elements in Hindu tradition that make the dialogue between Hinduism and Christianity extremely� difficult.\nThe refusal of an institutionalised religion\nAlthough Hindu social life is strictly institutional, religious and spiritual life, especially at its advanced levels, is very liberal and individualistic, and consequently it instinctively refuses a rigorously organised religion. Hindu thinkers believe that when religion is articulated in a dogmatic way, it curtails man's freedom and prevents the spontaneous and efficacious blooming of his spiritual energy. The variety of human character and temperament also needs variety in its quest of the Divine.\nHinduism traditionally respects the Adhikara-Bheda principle, that is the variety of people's spiritual competence. In fact, the different currents of Yoga,[13] that outline as many orientations in spiritual path, are designed to serve people according to their natural tendencies. The institution of guru assures that the candidate has made the most suitable choice.\nThus, the outward observances of rites, sacraments and of other expressions of a religious cult, even if important and compulsory for popular religions, are ignored in spiritually advanced stages. The only things that matter at that level, they say, is contemplation, accompanied by asceticism and detachment, to be crowned by the Divine experience.\nDivine revelation is not definite\nAccording to Hinduism, the affirmation that revelation, both in the form of sacred books and of Divine Incarnation is definite, is unacceptable. It asserts, contrarily, that God's revelation is a continuous and unceasing process. As for the scriptures, Swami Vivekananda states: 'The Bible, The Vedas, The Koran and all the other sacred books are but so many pages of revelation and an infinite number of pages remain yet to be unfolded.' [14] His advice, therefore, is that we must be open to welcome divine light that comes from all sources at all times.\nAs for Divine Incarnation, specifically in Jesus, many Hindus accept willingly that he is an incarnation of God. But in general they respect him as a great master (guru) and a thaumaturge like a famous ancient yogi. Testimonies abound which show how deep is the fascination that Jesus Christ exerts on the Hindu heart especially for his extraordinary dignity, his moral integrity, his courage, his patience, his unselfish love, the beauty and the depth of his teachings. But if we affirm that Jesus Christ is the unique and definite incarnation of God, then Hindu refusal will be unequivocal.\nThe reason for this refusal must be found in the Hindu tradition itself which, many centuries before the Christian age, believed in a similar well-rooted doctrine that talked about different incarnations of God. The word used is avatara, meaning descent. It is the belief in the repeated descents of God in a visible form with the intent to save people. Whenever humanity finds itself in particular difficulty, God comes visibly to its help. Krsna, the incarnated God, says in the Bhagavad-gita: 'Whenever there is a decline of righteousness, O descendant of Bharata, and a rise of unrighteousness then I descend Myself. In order to deliver the pious and to destroy the miscreants, as well as to reestablish righteousness, I came in to being from age to age.'[15]\nAccording to that vision, Sri Ramakrishna teaches: 'It is the same universal God that assumes different shapes of incarnation: diving in the ocean of life he manifests himself here as Rama, there as Krsna, somewhere else as Christ!' Similarly, Vivekananda exhorts: 'Let us find God not only in Jesus of Nazareth, but in all the great Ones that proclaimed Him, in all who have came after him and in all who are yet to come.' [16]\nHistoricity has no special appeal to the Hindu\nThe Hindu religion, its beliefs and observances, are not founded on historical events. At a popular level, the Hindus live, one might say, their mythologies; at a higher level, to the contrary, they devote themselves to seek the Divine that transcends every configuration of time and space. In this way, contrary to the Jewish and Christian approach, Hindus are not inclined to ascribe any importance to a sacred history. A religion, deeply bound to the historical events of a people, may be pertinent only for those that can share them; whereas a universal religion must be founded on truths and principles that transcend history. This explains why many of the events and characters of the Hindu tradition are lost in the jungle of legends and mythologies!\nThe non-historical Hindu mentality is rooted in its cyclic vision of time, world and human life. While for the Jewish and Christian traditions time is linear, entailing a certain beginning and a decisive ending, for Hindus it is circular, nearly eternal. The belief of the soul's reincarnation is closely bound to this cyclic conception: man is subject to the cycle of birth and rebirth, determined by the relentless law of retribution (karma-samsara).[17] � Man's final destiny is not decided with just one life; he can hope in many attempts to finally and certainly reach the Summus Bonum of life.\nFor Hindus, history therefore is less significant; what matters instead in the religious field, is the authenticity of truth and the integrity of the message. To transmit this doctrine, Hinduism uses different methods, such as mythological tales, parables, dialogues and doctrinal discussions. In fact, the mythological tales have always been used as a very effective vehicle to communicate sublime religious and spiritual ideals to the people. Critics can continue to discuss the historicity of the great figures like Rama and Krsna, but the fact remains that they continue to inspire and strengthen the religious devotion and mystic dedication of many people. This is the justification for the Hindu non-historical approach!\nThe following quote from Gandhi shows with extreme clarity the typical Hindu mentality: 'I must say that I was never interested in an historical Jesus. I should not care if it was proved by someone that the man called Jesus never lived, and that what was narrated in the Gospel was a figment of the writer's imagination. For the sermon on the Mount would still be true to me.'[18]\nI have tried to spell out clearly and objectively some fundamental, doctrinal and practical elements that make dialogue with Hinduism understood in the sense of the official Christian teaching a quite difficult enterprise. This presentation clearly shows that the fundamentals of Hinduism and the attitudes rooted within it make it, in one sense, particularly open to dialogue, yet in another, more resistant to it when it bears the stamp of missionary activity.\nIn this, we should remember Sri Ramakrishna's advice: 'As you remain firm in your faith and opinion, so leave the others the same freedom to remain firm in their faith and opinion.'[19] With this perspective in mind, the fruit of every religious dialogue, according to Gandhi, must be: 'Want the Christians to be good Christians, the Moslems to be good Moslems, the Sikhs to be good Sikhs and the Hindus to be good Hindus under all circumstances. That to me is real conversion.'[20]\nAll this does not mean that there is no room for dialogue between Hinduism and Christianity. On the contrary. But we must state it in a way that doesn't provoke the Hindu's immediate refusal. It is sufficient to remember the open orientation offered by the Second Vatican Council that tells us: 'Prudently and lovingly, through dialogue and collaboration with the followers of other religions, and in witness to Christian faith and life, acknowledge, preserve and promote the spiritual and moral goods found among these men, as well as the values in their Society and Culture.' [21] Christ did not come to abolish, but to fulfill!\n[1] Two official Vatican documents expressly treat this theme, obviously from a Christian point of view: a) Pontifical Council for the Interreligious Dialogue, The attitude of the Church towards the Followers of Other Religions: (Reflections and Orientations upon Dialogue and Mission), Vatican City 1984.\nb) This was further completed with the following document, subscribed also by the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples: Dialogue and Proclamation: Reflection and Orientations on Interreligious Dialogue and the Proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, Vatican City, 1991.\n[2] DM, n. 3.\n[3] The Encyclical, Redemptoris Missio, n. 56.\n[4] Ibid., n. 56.\n[5] Ibid., n. 11; cfr. Also nn. 55–6.\n[6] cf. Religion in a Changing World, London 1967, pp.102-3.\n[7] Eastern Religions and Western Thought, New York 1969, pp. 326–7.\n[8] Hinduism, in The World's Parliament of Religions, J. H. Barrows (Ed.), Vol. II, Chicago 1893, p. 978.\n[9] cf. R. Tagore, The Reality of Religion, in Vedanta for Modern Man, C. Isherwood (Ed.), New York 1972, p. 100.\n[10] Selected Works of Mahatma Gandhi, S. Narayan (Ed.), Vol.I, Ahemedabad 1968, pp. 202–3.\n[11] Selected Works of Mahatma Gandhi, cit., vol. VI, p. 269.\n[12] Eastern Religions and Western Thought, cit., p. 317.\n[13] cf. D. Acharuparambil, Spiritualite Mistica Indu, Rome 1982.\n[14] What Religion is in the Words of Swami Vivekananda, S. Vidyatmananda (ed.), Calcutta 1972, pp. 24–5.\n[15] Bhagavad-gita, 4, 7-8.\n[16] What Religion is in the Words of Swami Vivekananda, S. Vidyatmananda (ed.), Calcutta 1972, p. 325.\n[17] cf. D. Acharuparambil, Spiritualite Mistica Indu, cit., pp. 56-72.\n[18] The Message of Jesus Christ, Bombay 1940, p. 35\n[19] S. Ghanananda, Sri Ramakrishna and His Unique Message, London 1970, p. 139.\n[20] Selected Writings of Mahatma Gandhi, R. Duncan (Ed.), Fontana 1971, p. 199.\n[21] Nostra Aetate, n. 2\nOther items in this Volume\nHare Krishna and Sanatan Dharma in Britain\nThe Education of Human Emotions\nThe Sampradaya of Sri Caitanya\nOn Making a Simple Problem Insoluble\nDialogue with ISKCON\nReflections on Spiritual Leadership\n\"Vedic\" in the Terminology\nHas ISKCON Anything to\nCharisma and Religious Innovation","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line762650"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8205691576004028,"wiki_prob":0.8205691576004028,"text":"Sports Team are an English indie rock band who formed in 2016. The six-piece released their first EP Winter Nets in January 2018, and their debut album Deep Down Happy was released in June 2020, debuting at Number 2.\nUK Number 1s\nUK Top 10s\nWeeks at Number 1\nWeeks in Top 10\nLatest news about Sports Team\n5SOS triumph with third UK Number 1 album: \"We're f*cking Number 1!\"\nSports Team's Alex on Gulp!'s four-way race to Number 1\nD-Block Europe, Mark Owen, 5 Seconds of Summer and Sports Team in four-way charge for the UK’s Number 1 album\n2021 is set to be the best year for new British groups in over a decade\nDEEP DOWN HAPPY\nBIG DESERT/ISLAND 872862\nBuy Listen\nISLAND 4579637","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1644413"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5475444793701172,"wiki_prob":0.5475444793701172,"text":"Tag: cate blanchett\nAnatomy of a Scene – The Letter\n“For what it’s worth, it’s never too late, or in my case too early, to be whoever you want to be. There’s no time limit, start whenever you want. You can change or stay the same. There are no rules to this thing. You can make the best or worst of it, and I hope you make the best of it. I hope you see things that startle you. I hope you feel things you never felt before. I hope you meet people with a different point of view. I hope you live a life you are proud of. If you find that you’re not, I hope you have the strength to start all over again.”\n-The Curious Case of Benjamin Button\nSometimes, you can watch an entire movie and not feel moved by it. Whether it’s a stirring of your emotions or being introspective about your feelings, few movies will touch the viewer personally. Luckily, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is an exception to the rule, especially when it comes to the scene where the main character, Benjamin Button, writes a letter to his daughter, whom he barely knew in life.\nWith her mother on her death bed, the daughter finally opens and retrieves many letters from a father whom she barely knew and is startled to have a keepsake from someone who was rarely in her life.\nBenjamin Button has a unique condition where instead of getting older like he the rest of us as he goes through life, the opposite happens to him and he gets younger and younger allowing him to experience life backwards. Still, despite this inconvenience he can live a full life and that is what this movie scene so special because he encourages his daughter to do the same. While he is not around to see her have her own adventures, he wants the best for her and wants to her to “live a life that she’s proud of.”\nWhen we first are introduced to this scene, we see that Benjamin’s daughter realizes that he went to India and many other places years ago based on the kind of parchment that his letters are written on. There are many letters addressed to her from the time she was two years old and onward when he was not around to be with her. Despite the sadness and disappointed associated with that, she is relieved that he was writing to her and thought of her even when he was far away. For him to think of her while writing ‘the letter’ in such faraway places show that despite his curious condition, he loved her dearly and wanted to express that even after he passed away.\nThis movie scene is brilliant because it shows Benjamin travelling around India while narrating to his daughter that he wants her to ‘be whoever you want to be’ whether that’s a traveler or a janitor or a toll booth manager. You can make the ‘best or the worst of it’ as he states to her depending on your perspective on life, but he wants her to make the ‘best of it’ as he did. A father imparting this important message on to his daughter that it’s okay to ‘start over’ again in life is important for her to hear but also for the audience to understand.\nIf you find that you are not ‘living a life that you’re proud of’, then there is nothing wrong with changing it in order to finally be proud of. While he did a lot of travelling, there is still the humdrum of daily life involved such as cleaning your clothes, talking with the locals, and even drinking from a water hose. “There are no rules to this thing.” Sometimes, we tend to think of life as a narrow path when really there are going to be numerous zigs or zags, and when you become an adult, you have to make the rules for how you want to live, what is important to you, and what to care about.\n“I hope you see things that startle you, I hope you feel things that you’ve never felt before…” This part of the scene is brilliant in showing the beauty of Benjamin’s travels and how he would sleep, brush his teeth, and move around by motorbike through beautiful mountain passes and rivers. Benjamin wanted his daughter to experience the world and for her to enjoy what it had to offer in her own life. Part of doing just that is adapting to the places you visit and to seek out the adventures yourself in order to make the most of it.\n“I hope you meet people with a different point of view…” Benjamin encourages his daughter also to get to know other people, whether from another city or another country, and how it’s necessary to be open to them and to be kind. The locals help Benjamin fix his motorbike as he drives through their village on one of his journeys.\n“I hope you have the strength to start all over again.” Benjamin’s last words to his daughter ask of her to be strong in not being afraid to change your life or decide that you want to live it a different way than before. The mother imparts at the end of the scene that “he had been gone a long time…”\nUnfortunately, this scene shows both the beauty and tragedy of life in that sometimes, we can’t be there for the people we love but are with them in spirit. Benjamin could not be with his daughter in life but he wished that he had been there to wish her a happy birthday, to kiss her goodnight, to take her to her first day of school, to teach her to play piano, to chase away boys, and to be her Father. “Nothing he ever did would replace that.” Even after all the adventures that Benjamin had, the most important role he ever had was being her father and he wanted to make sure she knew that by leaving her with his diary.\nEven in his absence, this scene shows us the power of a father’s love for his daughter and how he wanted the best for her and to live a life that would yield happiness and fulfillment for her. In one minute, this scene in ‘The Curious Case of Benjamin Button’ has more of an emotional impact than many movies do in more than two hours. Breaking down this narrative and the beautiful cinematography and filmmaking of travelling at its most challenging yet most rewarding was quite an achievement by the film’s director and crew. Not only would this movie scene have an impact on Benjamin’s daughter by also on the rest of us watching in the movie theater or at home. If you have a chance, watch this scene to appreciate the scenery, the message, and the power of love between a father and a daughter. A powerful movie scene worth a watch and a couple of re-watches as well.\nAuthor Ben W.Posted on July 31, 2019 August 20, 2019 Categories 2008, 21st century, acting, brad pitt, cate blanchett, cinema, cinematography, film, genres, life, motivation, movie scenes, movies, the curious case of benjamin button, travelTags 2008, 2019, acting, brad pitt, cate blanchett, cinematography, film, life, motivational, movie scenes, movies, relationships, the curious case of benjamin button, the letter, travelLeave a comment on Anatomy of a Scene – The Letter","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line437762"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7593041062355042,"wiki_prob":0.7593041062355042,"text":"Roger McManus\nBorn December 15, 1923, Roger McManus grew up in Greensboro, North Carolina. Roger went on to win many amateur events in that area before moving to Cincinnati, where he played out of Kenwood Country Club, winning the club championship five times, and also set the course record in 1962 with a score of 63.\nThe McManus family moved to Hartville, Ohio in the 1960’s and Roger became a member of Congress Lake Club winning a total of nine club championships, where the library is named in his honor recognizing his outstanding amateur career and overall dedication to the game.\nRoger qualified seventeen times for the United States Amateur Championship, advancing as far as the quarter finals, and was also a two-time U.S. Open qualifier. He qualified for both the U.S. Senior amateur and the Ohio Senior Open three times. He also competed in the British Amateur Championship, played three times in the British Senior Amateur, and twice in the British Senior Open. Roger was invited to compete in the Masters as an amateur twice in the 1950’s. In fact, in an April, 2012 Golf Digest article, Jack Nicklaus recalled being paired with Roger the first time he faced the infamous swirling winds at Augusta National’s 12th hole in 1959.\nThe Western Amateur, North-South Amateur, Eastern Amateur, Porter Cup, Ohio Senior Amateur, and Ohio Senior Open are all among the prestigious events which Roger competed in over the years. He played in the Sunnehanna Amateur Invitational twenty-nine times, including a victory in 1963. Another very impressive win came at famed Congressional Country Club in the 1970 Middle Atlantic Amateur Championship. Roger also recorded three victories in the Great Lakes Seniors. His final title came at the 1988 Southern Seniors.\nRoger passed in 1992 following a long battle with ALS. Friends recall Roger as a true gentlemen who always made the time to share his talents and love of golf with others as they strived to improve their own games.\n* Enter a club name, city, county, or zip code","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line296194"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5013107061386108,"wiki_prob":0.5013107061386108,"text":"June 20: Day of the Week\nJune 20, 2023 is the 171st day of the year 2023 in the Gregorian calendar. There are 194 days remaining until the end of the year. The day of the week is Tuesday.\nIf you are trying to learn Japanese then this day of the week in Japanese is Kayōbi.\nHere’s the June calendar. You can also browse the full year monthly calendar.\nGemini is the zodiac sign of a person born on this day. Pearl is the modern birthstone for this month. Moonstone is the mystical birthstone from Tibetan origin that dates back over a thousand years.\nHoly Toledo! Did you know that coffee and word games are an excellent combination to sharpen your vocabulary? Let’s give it a quick spin. Within 30 seconds, how many words can you think of from these letters OGUABVO? Check your answers here: Make words with these letters OGUABVO. (Sponsored by WordFinder.Cafe)\nJune 20: This Day in History\nOn leap years, this day usually marks the summer solstice in the northern hemisphere and the winter solstice in the southern hemisphere.\nJune 20 Historical Event(s)\nThe U.S. Congress adopts the Great Seal of the United States.\nVictoria Terminus, the busiest railway station in India, opens in Bombay.\n150 die at the Teatro Yaguez fire, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico.\nA Venezuelan Super-Constellation crashes in the Atlantic Ocean off Asbury Park, New Jersey, killing 74 people.\nThe so-called “red telephone” is established between the Soviet Union and the United States following the Cuban Missile Crisis.\nWatergate scandal: An 18½-minute gap appears in the tape recording of the conversations between U.S. President Richard Nixon and his advisers regarding the recent arrests of his operatives while breaking into the Watergate complex.\nAsteroid Eureka is discovered.\nThe German Bundestag votes to move the capital from Bonn back to Berlin.\nThe WikiMedia Foundation is founded in St. Petersburg, Florida.\nDuring the Iranian election protests, the death of Neda Agha-Soltan is captured on video and spreads virally on the Internet, making it “probably the most widely witnessed death in human history”.\nWho were born on June 20?\nFrederick Gowland Hopkins, English biochemist, recipient of the Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine (d. 1947)\nAnne Weale, British writer (d. 2007)\nStephen Frears, English film director\nBrian Wilson, American musician (The Beach Boys)\nJosef Clemens, German bishop and Secretary of the Pontifical Council for the Laity\nPaul Muldoon, Northern Irish poet\nMichael Anthony, American musician (Van Halen)\nPeter Paige, American actor\nGordan Giriček, Croatian basketball player\nMatt Flynn, American football player","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1916092"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5895645618438721,"wiki_prob":0.41043543815612793,"text":"Home » Issues » April 1965 » A book about the Lancaster\nA book about the Lancaster\nThere must be many amongst our readers who remember with affection the Lancaster bombers of the last war. So we make no excuse for recommending the latest book from that conscientious publisher of aeronautical works, Harleyford Publications Ltd., of Letchworth, Herts.\nA companion to the other great Harleyford book about the Spitfire fighter, “Lancaster—The Story of a Famous Bomber,” which costs 60s., is a unique work. It describes the evolution of the most famous World War Two bomber from the two-engined Manchester to the Lancaster with its four Rolls-Royce Merlin engines.\nThis is essentially a technical work, so that the evolution, mods., failures and successes of the Avro Lancaster, of which 7,374 were built, plus three prototypes, are dealt with from that angle. One reads again of the breeching of the dams, of the battle of the Ruhr, of the bombing of the Tirpitz, not as glamour stories but from the engineering and strategic standpoint.\nThe book is crammed with remarkable pictures, drawings and cut-away views of Lancasters, and its most remarkable achievement of all is an individual history of every one of the 7,377 Lancasters built, this enormous appendix giving contractor, date, mark No., fate, and in many cases the aircraft’s total living hours and details of operations undertaken. Prodigious! The book is a tribute to D. A. Russell, M.I.MECH.E., who produced it, to author Bruce Robertson, and artist J. D. Carrick. The tone paintings are by W. F. Hepworth, M.S.I.A. The book has 216 11-1/5 x 8-1/5 in. pages and should give pleasure to all who flew, crewed, helped to create or owe their freedom to the Avro Lancaster.—W. B.\nAustin Seven items\nFrom the 750 M.C. Bulletin we glean the interesting fact that Colin Chapman disclosed at the Club dinner that for old times’ sake he always uses an Austin Seven part on all Lotus cars. For the current F.1 car he says this is a wheel nut, which caused the 750 M.C. to remark that they hope it is not that “horrible brass tapered-seat monstrosity! ” It has become fashionable to run vintage Austin Sevens in M.C.C. trials, John Bonnett removing the front mudguards of his Chummy before the “Exeter” to avoid damaging them, replacing them with strip wings. A M-type M.G. competed in the Club’s Salisbury Trial, this kind of rival entry being amongst the original intentions of the 750 M.C.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1273737"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9359305500984192,"wiki_prob":0.9359305500984192,"text":"News Coverage About Dai Qing\nFormer political prisoner detained during Baker visit\n(November 18, 1991) Dai Qing, a former political prisoner who is one of China’s most famous women journalists, was detained this weekend while trying to arrange to see U.S. Secretary of State James Baker, sources here said Sunday.\nToday, Dai’s family was told she would be returned home later today.\nA second woman, Hou Xiaotian, the wife of a jailed dissident, also was detained in a separate arrest aimed at preventing her from meeting a Baker aide. After her release Sunday evening, Hou said that she had been well-treated while in confinement at a guarded guest house outside Beijing and had spent much of the time playing mah-jongg with her women guards.\nHou was to have met Saturday with Richard Schifter, assistant secretary of state for human rights. Her husband, Wang Juntao, is serving a 13-year sentence for helping to organize pro-democracy demonstrations in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square in 1989.\nDai apparently remained in detention late Sunday.\nWhen asked about Dai’s arrest at a news conference just before he left to return to Washington, Baker said that he did not know much about what may have happened. ”If it’s true, it would be distressing news, and it’s something that I would like to ask our ambassador to inquire into of the Chinese government,” he said.\nThe treatment of Dai – who has been unable to get permission to leave China to accept a Nieman fellowship at Harvard University – contrasts sharply with promises Baker said he received from Chinese leaders during weekend meetings with them here. One of those promises seemed specifically aimed at people such as Dai and, if honored, should mean that she would soon be allowed to travel to the United States.\n”Having raised the issue of denial of exit permits to prominent intellectuals and families of Chinese personalities now abroad, we were assured that any person against whom no criminal proceedings were pending would be allowed to leave after completing the usual formalities,” Baker said.\nSome human-rights advocates in the United States had publicly urged Baker to meet with Chinese dissidents at the American Embassy during his visit here, and apparently some embassy staff members put out discreet feelers before Baker’s arrival to see if any of Beijing’s tiny band of active government critics wanted to meet him.\nU.S. officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said later that Baker was unlikely to meet with any dissidents because he feared they might suffer reprisals if he did so.\nBy Los Angeles Times, November 18, 1991\nRead the original article here\nCategories: News Coverage About Dai Qing\nU.S. wins no concessions in Beijing\nFoiled in bid to see Baker, Chinese dissident missing","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line964048"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5868504047393799,"wiki_prob":0.4131495952606201,"text":"Striiv Fitness Device Demo’d At Medicine 2.0 Summit\nScott Jung etc., Public Health\nThis weekend at the Medicine 2.0 Summit at Stanford University, fitness device company Striiv gave a demo of its flagship product (also called Striiv), a smart pedometer that does far more than merely count your steps.\nAccording to Striiv, the device is the only one of its kind that can detect when you are walking, running, or climbing steps. But it doesn’t stop there. The Striiv device is built on special software that translates your fitness stats into something more fun and tangible. For example, you can set a daily goal to walk the length of the Golden Gate Bridge, or climb the Eiffel Tower. For the gaming folk, your fitness activity can also translate into “energy points” that can be used to grow crops in a Farmville-like game built right into the Striiv. And, of course, you can share your accomplishments with other Striiv users through its social networking features.\nMost unique of all is that Striiv has partnered with a number of charities that allow you to exercise for a cause. For example, three miles of running could provide a family with a day of clean water, with no financial cost to you.\nStriiv is currently in beta and is expected to be released in October, but you can pre-order one now on their website.\nProduct Page: Striiv…\nScott Jung\nScott Jung (@scottjung) is a Silicon Valley-based medical and health technology reporter and advocate, with a focus on wearables, telemedicine, and health technology in emerging countries. He has represented Medgadget at CES and Digital Health Summit, TEDMED, Stanford Medicine X, and SXSW. Always on the lookout for innovative medical technology worldwide, Scott has been invited to visit Colombia, Poland, and many other countries around the world to share how medtech is enriching the lives of its people. Scott holds a B.S. degree in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Southern California and an M.S. degree in Medical Product Development Management from San José State University. Scott is always looking for the next big thing in medical technology and digital health. Interested in helping him transform lives? Get in touch with him at http://scottju.ng","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line131926"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7907869219779968,"wiki_prob":0.7907869219779968,"text":"Remembering Camelot: Best of the old and new official publications about John F. Kennedy\nFor the World War II generation, it was December 7, 1941 that was a “date which will live in infamy.” For today’s Americans it is September 11, 2001. For my parents’ generation, November 22, 1963, is the infamous day that everyone remembers where they were when they heard the news that President Kennedy had been shot. The assassination of President John F. Kennedy is one of the most historic—and horrific— days of the 20th century, and its impact is still being felt today. It’s hard to believe it has been 50 years this week since the tragic events unfolded in Dallas, Texas.\nIn commemoration of this important milestone in our Nation’s history, the U.S. Government Printing Office has assembled a number of Official Federal publications that help us reflect on the huge legacy left by “JFK” in his short but impactful 1,000 days in office.\nJFK as a Senator and Presidential Candidate\nWhen John F. Kennedy was running for President, he was a United States Senator from Massachusetts. These publications give insight to the man during this period of transition from active Senator to President-elect.\nSenate, 1789-1989, Volume 3: Classic Speeches, 1830-1993 contains the text of some of the most famous speeches by United States Senators, including a young Senator John F. Kennedy.\nGetting To Know the President: Intelligence Briefings of Presidential Candidates, 1952-2004 (Paperback) and the Audiobook-MP3 edition are new publications that tell the story of how the CIA and the US Intelligence Community begin to brief Presidential candidates and Presidents-elect, including JFK and Lyndon Johnson, on vital intelligence issues even before they take office.\nJFK’s Army for World Peace\nImage: Candidate Senator John F. Kennedy at the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor. Source: JFK Library\nTwo weeks after an improvised presidential campaign speech in October 1960 to a crowd of 10,000 cheering students at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor where he asked “How many of you are willing to work in the Foreign Service and spend your lives traveling around the world?” Senator Kennedy proposed “a peace corps of talented men and women” who would dedicate themselves to the progress and peace of developing countries. Encouraged by more than 25,000 letters responding to his call, newly elected President Kennedy took immediate action to make the campaign promise a reality and established the Peace Corps on March 1, 1961, with his brother-in-law, R. Sargent Shriver, as its leader.\nThe lasting legacy of the Peace Corps’ and its ongoing inspiration to America’s younger generations is clearly shown in these two books. A Life Inspired: Tales of Peace Corps Service (Paperback) (it also available as an eBook) is a collection of autobiographical reminiscences by 28 former Peace Corps volunteers, while Crossing Cultures With the Peace Corps: Peace Corps Letters From the Field is a collection of actual letters from Peace Corps volunteers serving in various nations.\nJFK’s Foreign Policy: Cold War Warrior\nPresident Kennedy was confronted with some dramatic foreign policy issues from his first days in office, not least of which was how to avoid nuclear war with the Soviet Union over their missiles in Cuba.\nHistory of the Office of the Secretary of Defense: The McNamara Ascendancy, 1961-1965 (eBook) tells the story of Kennedy’s Secretary of Defense, Robert McNamara, including his relationship with Presidents Kennedy and Johnson, the transformation of the Department of Defense as a part of Kennedy’s New Frontier, and the Pentagon’s handling of the Cuban Missile Crisis, Bay of Pigs episode, and the onset of the Vietnam War.\nMore than a mere historical text, The Joint Chiefs of Staff and National Policy, Vol. 8, 1961-1964 provides a fascinating inside look at the Joint Chiefs’ participation and their point-of-view in dealing with the following foreign crises from the U.S.S.R. arms race, Berlin Wall construction, Cuba, to Laos, expansion of NATO, support for Israel, and more – while working with new thinking in the Kennedy and Johnson presidential administrations.\nPart of the Department of State’s famous Foreign Relations of the United States (FRUS) Series, Foreign Relations of the United States, 1961-1963, V. 5, Soviet Union presents a full accounting of the overall nature and structure of United States-Soviet relations that made up the Kennedy Administration’s Cold War diplomacy. It also refers to some of the intelligence and analysis of the initial build-up of Soviet missiles in Cuba that ultimately led to the Cuban Missile Crisis, as well as the complete official record of President Kennedy’s meetings with Soviet Chairman Premier Nikita Khrushchev at the Vienna Summit Conference, June 3-4, 1961.\nFor more in-depth information about the Cuban Missile crisis and Cold War Kennedy style, read the new Penetrating the Iron Curtain: Resolving the Missile Gap With Technology (Book and DVD) from the CIA which contains analysis and hundreds of recently declassified intelligence documents about the Soviet missile build-up and perceived US missile gap.\nAlso interesting is the recently released CIA Analysis of the Warsaw Pact Forces: The Importance of Clandestine Reporting (Book and DVD) which studies the reaction by the Soviets to the West’s formation of NATO including West Germany by establishing a military bloc of Communist nations with the Warsaw Treaty of May 1955. This study continues CIA’s efforts to provide a detailed record of the intelligence derived from clandestine human and technical sources from that period.\nMany around the world have heard the famous quote from the Kennedy anti-Communist speech at the Berlin Wall on June 26, 1963, in which he says: “Today, in the world of freedom, the proudest boast is ‘Ich bin ein Berliner.’” The Berlin Wall became a symbol of Cold War hostilities between the US and the Soviets. A City Torn Apart: Building of the Berlin Wall (Book and DVD) is a new multimedia book with DVD that covers the period of 1945 to the end of 1961, during the Kennedy administration with a vast collection of recently declassified CIA documents, videos, and photographs that show Berlin’s journey from a battered post war region occupied by the Allies to a city literally divided – with its western half becoming an island of freedom surrounded by a sea of Communist repression.\nHow JFK inspired America to “Send a Man on the Moon”\nIn response to both real and perceived Soviet threats, President Kennedy gave his “Urgent National Needs” speech to Congress on May 25, 1961, where he stated that “I believe that this nation should commit itself to achieving the goal, before this [1960s] decade is out, of landing a man on the Moon and returning him safely to the Earth.” This statement turned to real policy and eventually manned missions to the moon. JFK’s lasting legacy to the U.S. space program is incalculable.\nExploring the Unknown: Selected Documents in the History of the U.S. Civil Space Program: V. I: Organizing for Exploration is part of the NASA historical collection and provides a selection of expert essays and key official documents about the organizational development of NASA and the U.S. civil space program, including Senator then President Kennedy’s memos and inspirational speeches and Vice President Johnson’s early involvement that intensified after becoming President.\nExploring the Unknown: Selected Documents in the History of the United States Civil Space Program: V. VII: Human Spaceflight: Projects Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo expands Kennedy’s vision of manned spaceflight into reality with Projects Mercury, Gemini and Apollo, providing essays and the key documents that outlined manned space program budgets, proposals, and even the selection of lunar landing spots and choices of symbolic items to bring to the moon.\nIn this thoughtful retrospective, NASA’s First 50 Years: Historical Perspectives; NASA 50 Anniversary Proceedings, a wide array of scholars turn a critical eye toward the achievements of NASA’s first 50 years, probing an institution widely seen as the premier agency for exploration in the world, carrying on a long tradition of exploration by the United States and the human species in general.\nCivil Rights and the Brothers Kennedy\nAfter the Supreme Court ruled unanimously in Brown v. Board of Education in 1954 that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional, desegregation was a slow process in many Southern school districts and universities.\nImage: The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library’s account of James Meredith, the African-American student whose attempt to register at the University of Mississippi in 1962 led to a showdown between state and federal authorities and the storming of the campus by a segregationist mob. Source: JFK Library “Ole Miss” microsite\nBy President Kennedy’s election, civil rights activists were pushing for more equality, resulting in violent attacks and confrontations by staunch segregationists that required Federal involvement such as Federal marshals being called in by JFK’s brother and Attorney General Robert Kennedy to protect Alabama freedom riders, as well as forced integration at “Ole Miss” University of Mississippi.\nThe book Role of Federal Military Forces in Domestic Disorders, 1945-1992 (Paperback) and (Hardcover) chronicles the U.S. Army’s response to major social events in contemporary American society, particularly the civil rights movement, including the integration showdown at the University of Mississippi in 1962 and other racial disturbances of the 1960s, all the way to the 1992 race riot in Los Angeles.\nThe End of Camelot\nThe practice of referring to the Kennedy Administration as Camelot came from a post-assassination interview for Life magazine with First Lady Jacqueline (Jackie) Kennedy, who referred to the years of Kennedy’s presidency before his assassination as an “American Camelot.” She said that President Kennedy was fond of the music to the popular 1960-63 smash Broadway musical, Camelot, the lyrics of which were penned by Kennedy’s Harvard classmate, Alan Jay Lerner. The First Lady mentioned that the President and she often listened to a recording of the hit title song before going to sleep, with JFK particularly enjoying the phrase: “Don’t ever let it be forgot, that once there was a spot, for one brief shining moment that was known as Camelot.” Once the article was released, other journalists picked up on Mrs. Kennedy’s reference, and the world has used it ever since.\nJackie Kennedy’s historic role as First Lady is outlined in the beautifully done First Ladies of the United States of America book by the White House Historical Association which profiles the many courageous First Ladies, from Martha Washington to Jacqueline Kennedy, up to Hillary Rodham Clinton and Laura Bush.\nThe end of Camelot came with President Kennedy’s assassination by Lee Harvey Oswald. Afterwards, President Lyndon Johnson created a commission, chaired by Chief Justice Earl Warren to investigate the events that led to the assassination and any possible conspiracies.\nThe U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO) produced, in what was perhaps its single most important publication of the 1960s, the official results of this investigation in the Report of the President’s Commission on the Assassination of President Kennedy. It became known unofficially as the Warren Commission Report or the Warren Report, named for Supreme Court Chief Justice Earl Warren who chaired the commission.\nImage: Chief Justice Earl Warren presenting the Final Report of The President’s Commission on the Assassination of President Kennedy– printed by the U.S. Government Printing Office. September 24, 1964. Source: White House\nBefore it was released to the public on September 27, 1964, special security measures were set up at GPO to prevent any unauthorized disclosure of the manuscript. A half century later, GPO is releasing a FREE digital version of the full, 900-page original Warren Commission Report from GPO’s FDsys (Federal Digital System) database.\nToday it is still fascinating to re-live the events surrounding the events in Dallas in 1963 from eye witnesses. In addition to witness testimony, the Report contains numerous photos, maps, diagrams, and illustrations.\nThe post-President Kennedy assassination audio tape recordings of conversations between various individuals in Washington, DC, and Air Force One pilots and officials on board during the flight from Dallas to Andrews Air Force Base are also available on FDsys.\nImage: John F. Kennedy, Jr. salutes his father’s coffin at President Kennedy’s funeral, with his widow First Lady Jacqueline (Jackie) Kennedy, daughter Caroline, and brothers Edward (Ted) Kennedy and Robert (Bobby) Kennedy.\nThese Official publications are part of the legacy of President John F. Kennedy and help us remember his 1,000 days of an American Camelot.\nHOW DO I OBTAIN THESE JFK PUBLICATIONS?\nYou can find these official John F. Kennedy publications by clicking on the links above or through any of these methods:\nShop Online Anytime: Buy them online 24/7 at GPO’s Online Bookstore under the 35- John F. Kennedy collection (found under the US & Military History category Presidential History section).\nVisit our Retail Store: Buy a copy of any print editions from this collection at GPO’s retail bookstore at 710 North Capitol Street NW, Washington, DC 20401, open Monday–Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., except Federal holidays, Call (202) 512-0132 for information or to arrange in-store pick-up.\nGo to a Library: GPO provides copies of these publications to Federal Depository libraries worldwide. Find them in a library near you.\nAbout the Author: Government Book Talk Editor Michele Bartram is Promotions Manager for GPO’s Publication and Information Sales Division in Washington, DC, and is responsible for online and offline marketing of the US Government Online Bookstore (http://bookstore.gpo.gov) and promoting Federal government content to the public.\n5 Comments | African Americans, Award Winning Books, Center of Military History, Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), Civics and Citizenship, Cold War, Commission report, Congress, Department of Defense, Department of Justice, Department of State, Digital Publishing, Executive Branch, Federal Budget, Foreign Relations, Government Printing Office (GPO), Human Rights, International, Military History, NASA, Notable Government Documents, Presidential Commissions, Presidents, Senate, The White House, U.S. Army, U.S. Department of State | Tagged: free ebooks, government ebooks, JFK, John Fitzgerald Kennedy, kennedy administration, kennedy assassination, kennedy library, kennedy presidency, warren commission | Permalink","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line752591"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5435141324996948,"wiki_prob":0.5435141324996948,"text":"MOFA has prepared this public document in response to the provincial government’s consultation on performance-based funding. It is our hope that the provincial government will reconsider this policy direction, which could cause long-term damage to Manitoba’s universities. The full document is available here:\nMOFA Submission on the Post-Secondary Accountability Framework\nThe Manitoba Organization of Faculty Associations (MOFA) is comprised of members of faculty associations from Brandon University, Université de Saint-Boniface, University of Manitoba, and the University of Winnipeg representing over 1,600 individual academic staff.\nMOFA is a proud member of the Canadian Association of University Teachers. We are based on both Treaty 1 and Treaty 2 territories, and the homeland of the Métis Nation.\nMOFA strongly believes that we need a post-secondary education system that:\nWill be provided with adequate public funding, with clear multi-year funding commitments that will allow our institutions to best serve Manitobans.\nWill be affordable and accessible to all, with the long-term objective of reducing the use of student loans and private finance to pay for our education.\nWill be of high quality and will continue to provide our graduates with the flexible critical thinking skills that will continue to shape our society.\nWill exist free of political interference, with institutions being allowed to make decisions about how to serve the public.\nWill lower barriers to participation for Indigenous people and members of other equity-seeking groups, and will provide supports to ensure that all students can succeed in post-secondary education.\nMOFA is strongly opposed to measures proposed by the provincial government through performance-based funding (PBF) that will only dilute the quality of education offered at Manitoba’s universities while also attacking their autonomy. Furthermore, the provincial government has yet to present any evidence that moving to a PBF model would improve the outcomes of Manitoba’s universities. Instead, the provincial government has chosen to follow a model implemented in Ontario and Alberta and a number of American states. These models have been introduced under the guise of improving “efficiencies” in the post-secondary system.\nThe results of this work, examined in greater detail below, find that the performance of performance-based funding in higher education wanting[1]. A large body of research on the impact of performance-based funding, especially at American universities and colleges, shows that performance-based funding fails to achieve the stated policy goals, either having no or minimal effect on student retention and graduation[2]. Moreover, that same body of work shows that performance-based funding for universities comes with large and often unintended costs that are difficult to resolve, including unfairly restricting access to post-secondary education to marginalized students; gaming of the system by administrators to artificially improve performance metrics; pitting different institutions against each other in competition for limited and often shrinking resources; and adding an extra level of bureaucracy to gather the performance data needed for the performance metrics that do not improve outcomes. The review of the impact of performance based metrics below examines what they would mean for Manitoba’s public universities.\nPerformance-based funding reduces access for marginalized students\nPerhaps the greatest flaw with performance-based metrics is that they disadvantage already marginalized students, such as students from ethnic or racial minorities and from students from low-income backgrounds. This model fundamentally undermines the core mission of our universities, including improving equity and access to higher education. Tying funding to graduation rates creates incentives for administrators to make admission criteria more selective to favour students with a higher probability of graduating on time. This results in what is known as “creaming”. That is, restricting admission to those students who have the very best prospects for success based upon entry criteria such as grade-point average or standardized test scores on entrance exams[3]. Abundant evidence shows that ‘creaming’ disproportionately harms historically marginalized students including those from low-income backgrounds and/ or minority groups[4]. Interestingly, the first evidence of ’creaming’ was found in Tennessee and Florida, early adopters of performance-based funding[5].\nFailure is not an option: performance-based funding erodes educational quality\nImproving graduation rates of poorly performing students is a resource-intensive exercise. It requires close monitoring of the academic progress of each student, and the provision of extra resources such as counselling, one-on-one tutoring, and direct funding to students so they don’t need part-time work to support themselves. Where performance-based metrics are imposed without the provision of funding to cover such costs, the American experience with performance-based metrics suggests that colleges and universities take a different approach: lower academic standards, something not routinely included in the performance funding metrics.\nPerformance-based funding exaggerates inequalities among universities\nA large body of research on the experience of performance-based funding in American state systems shows that over time such metrics increase the disparity in funding among institutions.\nIn Manitoba there are clear disparities among the four public universities, with the smaller universities having less financial flexibility than the one large university, the University of Manitoba. With a lower fiscal capacity at the outset, performance-based funding clearly has the potential to do great harm to the three smaller universities. The PBF model will only undercut the capacity of these institutions to meet their mission, forcing them to be less inclusive rather than more.\nPerformance based funding does more harm than good\nResearchers[6] note that the preponderance of evidence shows that performance-funding policies fail to improve postsecondary outcomes, which raises the obvious question: why bother? If there are no benefits and large costs, a straightforward cost-benefit analysis suggests one should not proceed. But governments across the world, including a majority of American states, have introduced performance-based funding schemes. Why?\nPerformance-based funding is associated with Conservative / Republican governments: in the United States, the introduction of PBF at the state level was associated with Republican-dominated legislatures as well as New Public Management schemes[7]. In Canada it was and is associated with Conservative governments, also embracing a neo-liberal agenda[8]. It was pioneered in Ontario by the Conservative government of Premier Mike Harris while he was implementing the ‘Common Sense Revolution’ framed upon reducing government expenditures and lowering taxes. In short, performance-based funding was a tool to reduce higher education funding[9].\nIn many cases the real intent is not to enhance student outcomes, but rather to use performance-based funding as a tool to defund post-secondary education. In many cases, performance-based funding is used to withdraw public funding from public education and shift the burden to students by raising tuition fees[10].\nAustralia, where another Conservative government implemented PBF, has cut hundreds of courses and majors at their universities in fields as wide ranging as science, information technology, mechanical engineering, gender studies, music, theatre, mathematics, religious studies and economics. At Macquarie University in Australia 31 degrees or combined degrees in the faculty of science and engineering were on the chopping block, along with 30 out of the current 56 offered majors in the faculty of arts.\nThere is every reason to think that Manitoba’s experience with PBF will have the same inequitable consequences that it has had in Tennessee, Australia and elsewhere. As the Manitoba government interferes directly with university budgets and tuition levels, as well as emphasizing labour market alignment over quality education (see Horizon Manitoba and the aptly named Government of Manitoba’s Skills, Talent and Knowledge Strategy document) we can expect similar consequences here.\nChanges to the Advanced Education Administration Act (Bill 33) allows the Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Immigration the authority to set guidelines for tuition charged by universities. Performance-based funding means the provincial government can use the provincial grant to cut programs not deemed to be contributing to the labour market as they define them, while reducing the provincial grants to Manitoba’s universities.\nManitoba universities follow and contribute to the standards established by the national and international university community and professional certifying organizations so that their students can enter graduate programs and qualify for jobs around the world. Manitoba universities already train the vast majority of the province’s professionals in health sciences, agriculture, engineering, science, social work, social sciences, humanities business and education. MOFA implores the government to publicly identify what exactly our universities are failing to do.\nBill 33 represents a further attempt by the PC government to interfere in the internal governance and academic programming of our universities. What are they trying to fix, based on what information or expertise? The effect of Bill 33 is a politicization of academic programming at university and allows the minister to pick and choose which programs are politically acceptable. This intrusion of government into the internal affairs of the university undermines the very concept of university, as the courts have ruled, and the essential principle of both academic freedom and university autonomy.\nIn conclusion, the introduction of a PBF framework for Manitoba will only worsen outcomes for Manitoba’s students and our universities. The introduction of a PBF system will:\nWill reduce access to students from historically and currently marginalized groups, specifically Indigenous students in Manitoba.\nA focus on graduation rates and timelines will incentivize institutions to enroll fewer students who may require additional assistance and time to complete their degrees.\nWill reduce educational expectations to ensure students can meet them more easily, thus diluting the quality of the educational experience.\nWill further erode academic freedom and institutional autonomy, as additional bureaucracy will hinder our universities from focusing on our core mission.\nThe provincial government has failed to present a compelling case for the introduction of a PBF system in Manitoba and has also neglected to identify where the post-secondary education system has fallen short. In the absence of this data, it is the opinion of MOFA that such a scheme would only be introduced with the long-term objective of further reducing government funding for post-secondary education.\nIn response to consultations on this issue, MOFA calls on the provincial government to do the following:\nImmediately suspend the implementation of a PBF model in Manitoba, and recognize the detrimental effects of such a policy.\nPublicly identify where the government feels the current system is falling short, and instead work to fund initiatives such as student counseling, academic advising and reducing barriers for marginalized students to access education.\nTake steps to reduce the cuts that have resulted from reductions to the provincial grant to our universities. If we recognize that post-secondary education has a positive effect on our society and economy, then we must allocate sufficient funding to allow our universities to achieve our core objectives. Further cuts will only worsen the outcomes of our universities.\nIn addition to abandoning the PBF model, the provincial government should consult in good faith with faculty on improving the learning and working conditions for students and faculty.\nMOFA thanks the provincial government for the opportunity to provide feedback on this crucial issue that will provide a direction for our universities, faculty, and students. We encourage the government to engage in sober second thoughts and to reconsider these proposed policies, which could have a disastrous effect on our universities and indeed, the future of our province. MOFA also wishes to thank MOFA and UMFA past president, Robert Chernomas, for their contributions and research on this issue.\nOn behalf of the MOFA Executive Council,\nScott Forbes Orvie Dingwall\nMOFA President UMFA President\nGautam Srivastava Patrick Noel\nBUFA President APPUSB President\nUWFA President\n[1]Ortagus JC, Kelchen R, Rosinger K, Voorhees N. 2020. Performance-based funding in American higher education: A systematic synthesis of the intended and unintended consequences. Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis 42(4): p.0162373720953128.\n[3] Umbricht MR, Fernandez F, Ortagus JC. 2017. An examination of the (un) intended consequences of performance funding in higher education. Educational Policy 31: 643-673.\n[4] Pascarella ET, Terenzini PT. 2005. How College Affects Students: A Third Decade of Research. Volume 2. Jossey-Bass, An Imprint of Wiley. 10475 Crosspoint Blvd, Indianapolis, IN 46256; Dougherty KJ, Jones SM, Lahr H, Natow RS, Pheatt L, Reddy V. 2016. Performance Funding for Higher Education. Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins University Press; Kelchen R, Stedrak LJ. 2016. Does performance-based funding affect colleges’ financial priorities? Journal of Education Finance 41: 302–321; Umbricht MR, Fernandez F, Ortagus JC. 2017. An examination of the (un)intended consequences of performance funding in higher education. Educational Policy 31: 643–673.\n[5] Banta TW, Rudolph LB, Van Duyke J, Fisher HS. 1996. Performance funding comes of age in Tennessee. The Journal of Higher Education 67: 23-45; Colbeck CL. 2002. State policies to improve undergraduate teaching: Administrator and faculty responses. The Journal of Higher Education 73: 3-25; Dougherty KJ, Reddy V (eds). 2013. Performance funding for higher education: What are the mechanisms. What are the impacts? ASHE Higher Education Report Vol. 39, No. 2. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley.\n[6] Hillman NW, Hicklin Fryar A, Crespín-Trujillo V. 2018. Evaluating the impact of performance funding in Ohio and Tennessee. American Educational Research Journal 55: 144-170; Ortagus et al. 2020. op cit.\n[7] Dougherty KJ, Natow, R. 2015. The politics of performance funding. Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins University Press, pp. 64-66; Li AY. 2017. Covet thy neighbor or “reverse policy diffusion? State adoption of performance funding 2.0. Research in Higher Education, 58: 746-771; McLendon MK, Hearn JC, Deaton R. 2006. Called to account: Analyzing the origins and spread of state performance-accountability policies for higher education. Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis 28: 1–24.\n[8] Dougherty KJ, Natow R. 2019. Analysing neoliberalism in theory and practice: The case of performance-based funding for higher education. Centre for Global Higher Education Working Paper No. 44 (March 2019).\n[9] Jones GA. 2004. Ontario higher education reform, 1995–2003: From modest modifications to policy reform. Canadian Journal of Higher Education/Revue Canadienne d’Enseignement Superieure 34: 39–54.\n[10]CAUT Bulletin: The rise of performance-based funding; April 20, 2020: https://www.caut.ca/bulletin/2020/04/rise-performance-based-funding\n← <strong>Students and faculty give the government failing grades on post-secondary consultation</strong> MOFA and RRCFA: Faculty members leave consultations with more questions than answers →","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line94409"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6091060638427734,"wiki_prob":0.39089393615722656,"text":"The Dark Pictures: House of Ashes Hands-on Preview\nPlaying through the latest entry in the Dark Pictures anthology has quickly become a favourite yearly pastime in my household, so I was excited to get the opportunity to check out a preview of this year’s entry – House of Ashes – ahead of the game’s release next month. It’s due near the end of October (so, near Spooky Christmas aka Halloween), which will once again be a fitting time to experience the chills that await. This time, the horrors are to be found underground, in the ruins of what seems to be a buried temple that was under previous excavation.\nAs is often the case in this anthology, it seems that the game will touch on two different time periods – one surrounding the events of the original research into the temple, and one set closer to the present day. The preview picks up just after the prologue (which, if it’s following the pattern of the previous entries in the series, is likely to be set at least a few decades in the past – but that’s just a guess), and centres on a group of soldiers in 2003 Iraq, during the Iraq War. After an earthquake, the group is plummeted down into the ruins of the temple and separated, left to navigate the dark abyss with limited equipment, and in some cases, life-threatening injuries.\nWith the exception of one character, Salim, whose background isn’t explored in detail but who is certainly intriguing, the group seems to be composed entirely of American soldiers. The Americans, at least at the early point in the game, form two conveniently organised groups. We have Rachel (Ashley Tisdale, the token Recognisable Actor) and Eric, who clearly have a whole past and a heap of drama surrounding them. There’s some big unfinished business between them, and it seems like they’re going to be the couple of this latest entry. Am I here for their relationship? I’m not sure yet. The preview foreshadowed that while Eric might be interested in rekindling their romance, Rachel has options. One is Eric, but the other is Nick, who forms half of the game’s other stranded pair. Nick and Jason, our other two soldiers, are tasked with caring (or not caring) for the incredibly injured Merwin, who has truly just lost a lot of blood. It’s clear even from the preview that there are going to be some big choices in this game, and I’m already excited to see how they’re going to play out.\nOf course, this is a horror game, and the horrors aren’t limited to the stress of navigating personal relationships or the fact that buried ruins (or really just caves in general) are kind of inherently terrifying. In what seems to be record time for the series so far, some of our protagonists are introduced to the monsters of the game. Or at least, one of them. I don’t want to spoil it too much here, but appropriately for its Sumerian Temple setting, the spooky mystery seems to be somehow related to a Mesopotamian demon, who is more well-known than I originally realised when I first heard the name. Rachel, upon finding a statue of the demon, recognises it immediately, chastising Eric (who hasn’t heard of them) with a scathing “don’t you watch horror movies?” and I’m sure many horror fans will have a similar reaction.\nIn terms of gameplay, House of Ashes is unsurprisingly very similar to the games that came before it. You’ll guide the protagonists through various areas, investigating objects, and making crucial choices in the heat of the moment. Quick time events may impact who lives or dies throughout the story, but past games have taught us that relationship (and even personality) management might be just as important. This game will see the return of the three familiar modes – Play Alone (for those who want to go it alone in single-player), Movie Night (for those who want a pass-the-controller experience in a room with up to four friends, with each person controlling a different character) and Shared Story (which allows you to play online with a partner, with each of you experiencing different parts of the action). Premonitions are back too – objects that you can pick up in the environment that give you a glimpse into a possible future for the characters. Sometimes they’re helpful, sometimes they show you things to avoid, sometimes they’re just confusing – but they’re always intriguing, giving you an insight into what’s to come.\nThe preview section was definitely just long enough to leave me with a lot of questions but also get me excited about how the story might unfold. I feel like there are a lot of possibilities here, and I’ve come to learn that no matter the direction they take, each of the Dark Pictures games tends to provide a fun, interactive horror movie experience. Despite a heap of commonalities, both of the entries so far (and also, it seems, this latest offering) have their own personality and unique twist, and I’m very much looking forward to (and am obviously terrified by) what the complete House of Ashes game will bring.\nJess Zammit\nJess is a writer and researcher who loves games with good puzzles, good stories, and a tendency to punch you straight in your feelings. She is one of the directors of not-for-profit organisation Queerly Represent Me and is particularly interested in games told from unique perspectives that highlight themes or characters from groups that are often underrepresented. She also just really loves coffee, hot chips, and terrible superhero TV shows, and is always secretly hoping that one day the world will give her a good Sherlock Holmes game.\nPrevPreviousDisciples: Liberation – Closed Beta Preview\nNextThe Resistance – Resistance Retribution – Part 11 – Chrysalis LairNext","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line619632"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6916112303733826,"wiki_prob":0.30838876962661743,"text":"Hartman Institute Launches Study of Jewish Media Worldwide\nThe Shalom Hartman Institute of Jerusalem is launching a major study focused on Jewish media journalists outside of Israel and North America.\nThe purpose of the new research project is to identify the challenges that Jewish media professionals from Europe, Asia, Latin America, Africa, and Australia face when reporting on local communities, Jewish issues worldwide, and Israel. The project’s goal is to increase awareness of the unique issues facing Jewish media in the Diaspora in order to strengthen and assist them in conducting their important work.\nThis new study comes three years after the Hartman Institute published the groundbreaking report, ‘Reporting Jewish: Do Journalists Have the Tools to Succeed.’ This first-ever study of journalists working for Jewish media in North America identified the skills, challenges, and attitudes of hundreds of media professionals.\n“In crafting this new research project, the Institute wants it to be developed in conjunction with the participating journalists in order to succeed in accurately portraying the issues, challenges, and successes they have,” said Alan D. Abbey, Hartman Institute Media Director, who is leading the research team. “Journalists are encouraged to participate, provide early-stage input, and feedback.”\nQuestions under study include whether journalists for Jewish media have the security, safety, tools, resources, freedom, support, and independence they need to succeed in their profession.\nThe core element of the research is an online, confidential, questionnaire now available on the Shalom Hartman Institute website. They intend to publish and publicize their results later next year.\nVolunteers are being sought to translate the research survey questions from English into French, Spanish, Russian, German, or other languages.\nFor more information and to offer input into the survey, email Alan D. Abbey (Alan.Abbey@shi.org.il), Media Director, Shalom Hartman Institute.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1906159"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8279692530632019,"wiki_prob":0.8279692530632019,"text":"Scale Model of a Metro Station with Underground, Subway and Rapid Transit Trains in HO Scale\nThis video is meant to be a reminiscence of Pilentum’s home town Frankfurt am Main, Germany. We see a diorama, scale model or replica of the metro station “Hauptwache”, which is located in the center of Frankfurt am Main in reality. There are four platforms and four train tracks, the two outer tracks are used by the subway - also known as underground, heavy rail, metro, metropolitan or U-Bahn, while the inner tracks are used by the rapid transit - also known as urban-suburban rail or S-Bahn. The layout was built in 1/87 scale, i.e. H0 gauge or HO scale, by the German model railway club called “Modellbahnfreunde Riederwald”. The rolling stock of the Frankfurt public transport in miniature was made in a limited special edition.\nhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-_T7TuZVC8\nscale model metro underground subway Pilentum diorama replica rapid transit mass rapid transit heavy rail metropolitan urban-suburban rail layout 1:87 H0 gauge HO scale model railway model railroad rolling stock trains rail transport modeling model railroading railway modelling railroad railway model trains 鉄道模型","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line873691"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8608723878860474,"wiki_prob":0.8608723878860474,"text":"Azerbaijan significantly improves position in National Cybersecurity Index\nICT Materials 25 January 2023 13:28 (UTC +04:00)\nBAKU, Azerbaijan, January 25. Azerbaijan has improved its rank in the National Cybersecurity Index by 34 positions to 52-nd, Association of Cybersecurity Organizations of Azerbaijan (AKTA) told Trend.\nAccording to the association, success in the field of digital development and cybersecurity have allowed Azerbaijan to improve its position in the international National Cybersecurity Index.\n“The National Cybersecurity Index ranks and evaluates 46 indicators of the digital environment of 161 countries. Our country has improved its rank by 34 positions - from 86-th to 52-nd,\" the association said.\nAzerbaijan's previous rating stood at 37.66, while jumping to 59.74 in the latest report.\nIt was noted that the National Cybersecurity Index, developed by the Foundation of the Estonian e-Governance Academy, is a global index that, in real time, measures the readiness of countries to ensure cybersecurity and manage cyber incidents.\nPresident Ilham Aliyev has repeatedly stated that the development of cybersecurity in all areas, as well as strengthening the cyber protection of crucial information resources, is one of the country's top priorities. The head of state gave appropriate instructions on taking steps toward the development of this sphere.\nThe national strategy of Azerbaijan in the field of cybersecurity and information is being developed by a number of departments and organizations, including the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport, the Electronic Security Service, the State Security Service, and a number of other institutions.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line434895"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.669836163520813,"wiki_prob":0.330163836479187,"text":"Home Internet MyFlixer Alternatives – Top 20 MyFlixer for Online Movie Streaming\nMyFlixer Alternatives – Top 20 MyFlixer for Online Movie Streaming\njones April 24, 2022 Leave a Comment\nMyFlixer is a free movie streaming service that opens up a whole new world of legal movie watching to you.\nWith a single click, you may watch the most popular movies on MyFlixer. Filters for movies include genre, release date, and IMDB rating. MyFlixer works in a similar way to Netflix, however there are no monthly fees. Instead, it provides you with unrestricted access to their whole library of information. You only need to download and install their programme on your computer, and you’re ready to go!\nMyFlixer now has a mobile app with hundreds of movies and TV series that you can watch while on the go on your smartphone or tablet. As a result, no matter where you are, you will always have access to the highest quality HD 720p films for your entertainment needs.\nMyFlixer Alternatives for Online Movie Streaming\n1. 123Movies\n2. Vumoo\n3. CMovies HD\n4. Tubi\n5. Afdah\n6. Popcornflix\n7. PrimeWire\n8. SolarMovie\n10. WatchSeries\n11. FMovies\n12. MoviesJoy\n13. YesMovies\n14. Viooz\n15. SeeHD\n16. AZ Movies\n17. GoMovies\n18. Look Movie\n19. MovieNinja\n20. 5Movies\nThere are presently a number of sites available that provide comparable online streaming services for watching your favourite TV series and films, such as MyFlixer or MyFlixer Alternatives. Here are our best picks for flawlessly streaming your favourite entertainment.\nOne of the largest libraries of movies and TV shows is 123Movies. The interface is user-friendly, and you can quickly find the most recent TV series or movies. Because you can view movies for free without needing to register, this is a great MyFlixer option. You may sort by genre, year of release, and other criteria.\nVumoo is yet another amazing MyFlixer option. It gives a fantastic streaming experience, with a wealth of interesting stuff available for free. Numbers, it is commonly believed, never lie. Vumoo is used by almost three million individuals every month. Moviegoers are familiar with it. You have a multitude of options to explore on our site.\nYou’ll find something to fit your mood, whether you want to watch horror, thrillers, or light comedy and romance.\nThe video quality on the platform is pretty decent. You are not necessary to register or establish an account. All you have to do is go to your device’s webpage and view your favourite movie or television show.\nThe platform transmits high-definition video, as the name suggests. CMovies HD provides a big number of TV series and movies to choose from. An easy-to-use interface is provided for navigating all of the material. As a result, no registration is required to see the material on the site. If you do, you may create a favourite watch list and pick up where you left off with your movie or show. On this page, you’ll find the most current releases conveniently accessible. There will be some adverts and pop-ups, but they will not annoy you. Simply put, all you need is a bowl of popcorn, a cool can of Coke, and a visit to the website to enjoy your evening. It is the most effective MyFlixer substitute.\nTubi offers legal content for free. You may access a large number of titles and meet your leisure needs without having to form an account. The app is compatible with a variety of devices. Roku, iOS, Android, Fire TV, PS4, Xbox, and any other device you can think of are all supported by Tubi. You won’t have to worry about your privacy or pirated content. The films and television series are all lawful. You may notice advertising while viewing the videos.\nThese advertisements, however, are few and far between, and they do not display once the repeat begins.\nAfdah is a free platform that curates content from open internet sources and makes it accessible to people from all over the world. Afdah is not responsible for the correctness, consistency, copyright, validity, or conventionality of any content added hastily. Afdah is an excellent alternative to other platforms if you’re weary of all the annoying pop-ups.\nThe internet not only allows you to watch new and recent movies and TV episodes, but it also allows you to watch older ones. All you have to do is look for your favourite content and watch it without interruption. You get free access to all of the platform’s features. You are not required to spend any money on your end.\nPopcornFlix is a website that provides free entertainment. It presents a wealth of content choices that may be seen for free. The video quality and caption language may both be customised. The platform is extremely user-friendly.\nAll of the most recent films are available to view on the website. There are also pre-determined categories to look into. You may also use the search bar to locate and see your favourite content. Whether you want to watch old movies or discover new ones, this platform offers it all. Whether you want to watch Indian, American, kid’s shows, TV series, or films, you’ll have a variety of options with only a few mouse clicks.\nPrimeWire is a renowned online movie streaming service that is also absolutely free. The website’s operators update it as regularly as possible in order to deliver the most up-to-date movies to their customers. Because of its easy user interface, Primewire is a good option to MyFlixer. You may also look for new and old movies by organising them by release date, stars, and studio reviews. There is a search bar where you may hunt for your favourite movie or TV programme to make things easier for you. Use PrimeWire to view your favourite movie. There are divisions for movies and television series. Year, category, and Top IMDB may all be used to filter the material. In addition, the cinema and television area has a number of pre-sorted categories.\nSolarMovie also has a fantastic user experience that provides the idea of being a premium movie/show subscription service. The movie titles are divided into categories and groupings. There’s also a filter option that lets you search for movies depending on their kind, quality, genre, release nation, and year. Although there are significant distinctions in terms of movie/show availability, the site is built similarly to Putlocker. If you want to use SolarMovie as an alternative for MyFlixer, you should mix it up with Putlocker from time to time.\nThe user interface is straightforward, making it simple to explore the website. You’ll notice that select movie titles are highlighted and displayed in the carousel when you first enter the site. The films included in this section are generally the most recent releases that have gained the greatest attention. There’s a suggestion widget you may use if you can’t think of a movie or show to binge-watch. The MyFlixer alternative website also has the most up-to-date celebrity and film news. Commercials aren’t all that bad. Some of these will pop up now and again, but not often enough to interrupt your movie marathon.\nThis is the greatest There are a lot of adverts and pop-up notifications on the MyFlixer alternative website.\nIt does, however, have a big library of classic and contemporary films and television series. You may also use your Android phone to download a mobile app. You’ll also see a Request option on the menu, where you may tell the administration about a certain movie or TV show you’d like to have added to the library.\nAnother video-based website where you may get movies is Fmovies. It’s an excellent MyFlixer alternative.\nA big variety of movies and TV series are available on the internet. The site contains something for everyone, regardless of their preferred genre. There are horror, science fiction, romance, thrillers, action, adventure, and more genres available. To access the content, you do not need to watch anything. To view all of your options, all you have to do is open up your laptop and explore the site. It allows you to watch the movie in a variety of video quality settings. It offers a wide range of possibilities, from CAM print to 720p HD.\nWithout registering, you may view TV series and movies on MoviesJoy.You may also use an Android app to view your favourite shows without having to leave your phone. Animated animations and Korean novels are among the titles.\nWhile YesMovies offers movie/show streaming for a wide range of films, the most popular genres on the platform are horror and thrillers. You do not need to register to view the videos, but you will need to do so if you want to use the website’s features. A What’s Hot section notifies you about the most current movies/episodes scheduled for release on the website. All of the films are also in high definition, which enhances the experience, especially for horror fans.\nViooz is an intriguing MyFlixer option if you want to watch your favourite movie in HD quality with as little interruptions as possible. You may watch Bollywood, Hollywood, and other international entertainment. Some films are subtitled, while others include multilingual subtitles. Viooz offers an extensive collection of both new and vintage shows. It does not need registration and does not charge a fee to view or download content. You can discover any title instantly and use the UI with ease. With only a few clicks, you can go to and enjoy your favourite content.\nThe names of films and television shows are organised alphabetically and by genre. There are no unique tabs or features on this website. The UI of See HD is simpler than the rest of our MyFlixer alternatives, making navigation easier. As the name says, the movies/episodes may be seen in high definition. You may alter the video quality using the video player’s function. This website has very few adverts, making it excellent for watching movies without interruption.\nAZ movies is an intriguing MyFlixer option if you want to view your favourite movie in HD quality with as little interruptions as possible. You may watch Bollywood, Hollywood, and other international entertainment. Some films are subtitled, while others include multilingual subtitles. AZ Movies has a large library with both new and classic series. It does not need registration and does not charge a fee to view or download content. You can discover any title instantly and use the UI with ease. With only a few clicks, you can go to and enjoy your favourite content.\nThis is a free online TV platform with a large selection of movie/episode titles . Unless you wish to engage with the website, you don’t need to register an account. There’s a category for movie news, as well as a section called “Top IMDb.” While it’s a fantastic alternative to MyFlixer, when you hit the play button, you’ll be bombarded with advertisements.\nThis online TV streaming site like MyFlixer is dominated by cartoons, fiction, thrillers, and other millennial-friendly genres. The vast majority of the videos are in high-definition. The user interface is simple, yet it’s also modern.\nAlthough there is a lot of advertising, it isn’t thrown everywhere.\nMovieNinja is a website where you can get all of your favourite movies in high definition (HD) rather than standard definition (SD). Browsing starts with the most current releases and progresses to earlier releases until arriving at masterpieces. It will also offer you with a list of the week’s most popular films. As a consequence, once you start watching movies on our site, it will automatically suggest movies in your preferred genre.\nIt is the most effective MyFlixer substitute. a total of twenty-five films twenty-five films twenty-five films twenty-five films twentyDespite the fact that the top YesMovies alternative website is awash in adverts, it provides a diverse selection of movies and TV episodes. It is not necessary to register. The names of TV series and movies are alphabetized and categorised by genre.\nCheck Also : VIPBox Alternatives Sites For Live Sports Streaming in 2022","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1089347"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5800252556800842,"wiki_prob":0.41997474431991577,"text":"ABB Smart City\nFebruary 12, 2021 Maria Cooper SOLUTIONS\nABB Smart City via pioneering technology\nWith a history of innovation spanning more than 130 years, ABB is a pioneering technology leader with a comprehensive offering for digital industries supported by a common ABB Ability™ digital platform. ABB operates in 100 countries with 147,000 employees.\nA smart city is a continuously evolving ecosystem, empowering individuals to live, work and move in a safer, smarter, and more sustainable way. Innovations from ABB support aspirations for improved quality of life, safety, efficiency, and sustainability.\nBy leveraging achievements in digital and operational technologies, ABB helps societies to manage the pressures of rapid urbanization and to meet the growing demand for sustainable, intelligent, and reliable energy and water supply, transportation solutions, buildings, and industries.\nThe interactive landscape shows some of the safe, smart, and sustainable solutions that can contribute to the design of a comprehensive ‘smart city.\nHalf the world’s population now lives in towns and cities, which are at the forefront of several global challenges, such as energy demand and carbon dioxide emissions. ABB Electrification’s products and solutions are enabling industries, public services, and communities across the world to tackle these challenges.\n“Our online tool breaks down the collective technical elements of smart buildings, e-mobility, energy management, and data centers, all of which can contribute to the design of a comprehensive ‘smart city.”\nThe online tool can be accessed via abbsmartcities.com. It is accessible via desktop and pad, and there is a limited mobile version that will be further developed to display all desktop and pad functionalities.\nThe tool will continue to be developed further with regard to content and usability, as more innovations and solutions are introduced.\nchallenges, cities, city, Content, countries, data, design, digital, display, ecosystem, efficiency, emissions, employees, energy, history, innovation, intelligent, interactive, life, live, management, mobile, mobility, online, platform, population, quality, safe, safety, services, Smart City, smarter, solutions, sustainability, sustainable, technical, technologies, technology, transportation, water","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1449435"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.83873051404953,"wiki_prob":0.83873051404953,"text":"Intelbrief / IntelBrief: U.S. Designates Houthis as a Terrorist Organization\nIntelBrief: U.S. Designates Houthis as a Terrorist Organization\nShiite Houthi tribesmen hold their weapons during a tribal gathering showing support for the Houthi movement, in Sanaa, Yemen (AP Photo/Hani Mohammed)\nDesignating the Houthis as a Foreign Terrorist Organization is intended to complicate Biden administration policy toward Iran and the Gulf states.\nThe Houthis’ designation was widely opposed by aid agencies and diplomats attempting to resolve Yemen’s civil war.\nThe terrorist designation represents a U.S. assessment that Iran is using the Houthis to expand its regional influence and project power.\nThe U.S. designation and associated sanctions are unlikely to roll back Houthi gains on the battlefield or deprive them of Iranian weapons.\nWith one week left in office, Secretary of State Michael Pompeo announced the designation of the Ansarallah movement, dominated by Yemen’s Houthis, as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO). Three Houthi leaders were simultaneously named as ‘specially designated global terrorists’ (SDGTs). The Trump administration had been considering the FTO designation for several months, but had refrained from doing so due to opposition from international diplomats and aid agencies who argued that the move would hinder delivery of humanitarian assistance and complicate negotiations to end the conflict in Yemen. The FTO designation makes criminal the provision of ‘material support’ (funding, donations, etc.) to an FTO and will likely deter international engagement with the Houthis, who control major ports of entry into Yemen. Secretary Pompeo sought to mitigate criticism of the designation by stating that the Treasury Department would issue ‘licenses and guidance’ that would ‘reduce [the impact of the designation] on certain humanitarian activity and imports into Yemen.’ Such mechanisms have been used elsewhere, like Somalia, but many aid agencies argue that these do little to facilitate the delivery of timely assistance. Moreover, they have raised concerns that the “chilling effect” of counterterrorism measures on local partners diminishes humanitarian access and capacities in the field. The International Committee of the Red Cross has just also issued a statement cautioning about the negative impacts of counterterrorism measures on humanitarian assistance. Approximately 80 percent of Yemen’s population—some 24 million people—rely on humanitarian aid, and the United Nations considers Yemen to be the world’s worst humanitarian crisis.\nThe Trump administration justified its decision, in large part, based on the December 30, 2020 attack on the airport in Aden, apparently perpetrated by the Houthis. The rocket attack appeared to target members of the newly formed Yemeni government arriving at the airport, but it killed at least 26 people. The attack helped the State Department rebut critics who argue that the Houthis have not generally committed deliberate acts of violence against civilians. The State Department stated that the move was also an attempt to ‘free [Yemen] from Iranian interference.’ Yet, the sanctions imposed as a result of the designation are unlikely to deprive the Houthis of a steady supply of Iranian weapons, including short range ballistic missiles. Additionally, there are no indications that the designation will enable the Saudi-led Arab coalition backing the Yemen government to roll back Houthi forces. The Houthis control roughly 40% of Yemen’s territory and an estimated 70% of Yemen’s population, including its capital, Sanaa. The added value of a terrorist designation remains unclear in this case. In some cases, where unilateral sanctions are enhanced by international action, sanctions may assist states in holding terrorist groups accountable and improving investigations and prosecutions. However, these projected outcomes need to be balanced with humanitarian imperatives, and against the backdrop of a complex framework on international legal obligations on counterterrorism and international humanitarian law.\nWith little likely practical effect on Houthi military capabilities, the designation appears intended mainly to disrupt the Biden administration’s plans to distance the United States from Saudi Arabia and the UAE and to impact future policy on Iran. By associating the Houthis with Iran’s efforts to project power throughout the region, the designation hopes to stoke opposition to the Biden administration’s intent to rejoin the 2015 multilateral Iran nuclear deal that President Trump abrogated in 2018. Secretary Pompeo has been the primary implementer of the Administration’s ‘maximum pressure’ campaign. He and other Trump administration officials have argued that the Biden administration should not return to the nuclear deal, which would require lifting U.S. sanctions on virtually every sector of Iran’s economy. Yet, the maximum pressure strategy has failed to prevent Iran from nurturing the Houthis into a proxy war with which to pressure Saudi Arabia and threaten international shipping in the vital Bab el Mandeb Strait. Iran has supplied the Houthis with drones and missiles that it has fired regularly at airports, oil facilities, and other infrastructure in the Kingdom, as well as sea-skimming coastal cruise missiles that it has fired on ships in the Strait.\nThe designation also appears intended to hinder efforts by the Biden administration to assume a more critical posturetoward Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Both countries have been on the receiving end of significant criticism from members of Congress, human rights groups, and humanitarian organizations for contributing to the humanitarian consequences of the Yemen conflict. The criticism, coupled with the lack of military progress, caused the UAE to withdraw its ground forces in 2020; nonetheless, UAE forces remain in southern Yemen, and the UAE backs the Saudi hardline on a potential peace settlement that gives the Houthis a significant share of power in Yemen. The Trump administration has been aligned with both governments for their hardline stances on Iran and for their willingness to build ties with Israel. As Inauguration day draws closer, the Biden administration will have the authority to revoke the FTO designation. However, doing so requires a lengthy inter-agency evaluation and would take several months, at least, by which time the humanitarian situation in Yemen will likely worsen.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line334309"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7053793668746948,"wiki_prob":0.2946206331253052,"text":"Isobar > The Squeeze >Archive>Skittles.com, Canary In A Mine or Beacon of Hope?\nSkittles.com, Canary In A Mine or Beacon of Hope?\nIf you consider yourself a Twitter-addict or happen to visit new media blogs regularly you’re probably aware of the buzz […]\nIf you consider yourself a Twitter-addict or happen to visit new media blogs regularly you’re probably aware of the buzz that was generated the relaunch of the Skittles.com corporate website a few weeks back. If you haven’t heard about it or haven’t yet seen what all the talk is about you should take a look for yourself at www.skittles.com.\nThe site has generated a lot of discussion within the interactive community, and this includes the folks here at Roundarch. The opinions expressed have been strong and varied, ranging from those who think this is the beginning of the end to those who think this is a publicity coup and harbinger of a very different web.\nGiven the level of discourse around the “Skittles Gambit” we decided to take a moment to discuss the topic and walk through some of the aspects we think are the most interesting.\nWhat am I seeing?\nIn keeping with Skittles’ irreverent and somewhat quirky brand identity, their updated site blurs (some might say erases) the boundaries between brand and customer identity. It does this through the wholesale integration of social media services and content.\nOf course we’ve all seen social media incorporated into websites before, however, the difference here is that Skittles has replaced four out of six site areas with external social media pages; Wikipedia (Home), Facebook (Friends), Twitter (Chatter), and YouTube (Media/Video), Flickr (Photos). To summarize, Skittles has virtually reduced their site to a navigational aid/overlay.\nThe concept is pretty simple; create an in-page frame that automatically resizes to fit the content, load a specific location on the social media site inside it, and position a transparent overlay with your “global navigation” on the page to tie it all together. While Skittles technically owns or manages the look of some pages on those third-party sites, the nature of social media content means the messaging itself comes from customers.\nThe idea of leveraging social media sources is nothing new; many brands monitor chatter to understand how their brand is perceived, and the last few years has seen a growing trend towards integrating third-party services and content into brand sites (e.g., Digg, Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, etc.). At the same time the basic interface concept behind the idea (using a global navigation element to unify disparate sites together under a common identity) is well established; major media companies like Lycos have been doing this since the ‘90s.\nWhat’s different here is the degree to which Skittles has decided to decentralize and deregulate their brand. Skittles has transformed their web site from an arm of their marketing group to a window on their market, nearly replacing “managed” brand messaging (most of the pages still belong to Skittles) with user generated content from third-party sources. This has wide range of implications that are worth paying attention to.\nWhat are some of these “implications”?\nThere are a lot of ideas to digest here, maybe more than you initially considered. How do you manage content generated by customers on third party sites? What’s your liability for comments on “your pages”? How do you facilitate experiential continuity when using the disparate websites and applications? What do you do if a critical third-party service is unavailable (e.g., Twitter.com’s problematic uptime numbers)?\nAll important questions that should be answered as part of an initial strategy. However, aside from the operational concerns, a few of the more interesting implications involve strategic concepts around Brand Strategy and Cloud computing. Yes, THAT Cloud computing… hang tight, we’ll come back to that in a minute.\nBrand as a Mirror, or Is That a Window?\nThe feedback in the community and within our company has been fairly divided around the topic of brand strategy. Some people feel that Skittles.com is a good example of everything not to do when managing your online brand identity. Others feel that Skittles campaign has been effective in the near term and could be substantially so in the long term. Who’s right?\nAmong the former group the feeling is that true brand strategy engages customers, keeps them involved, and provides compelling content and services to reinforce the identity the brand has fostered and marketed. For this group a decentralized and laissez faire approach to content leads to a stale and uninspiring experience, subsequently undermining the brand’s effectiveness and inspirational capabilities.\nOn the other side of the aisle we have a slightly larger group who believe that the Skittles.com redesign, while poor in certain respects, hits or comes very close to the mark. For this group the site is at least an effective viral campaign (look at the press), and at most the introduction of a nimble brand platform.\nSo where does this leave us. Any decentralized model that leverages customer content to the degree that Skittles.com does runs the risk of become an outdated novelty. However, this is as true of an owned corporate site as it is a fully deregulated one, perhaps even more so. The main success of either approach lies in the brand’s ability to selectively introduce the content necessary to support and incite their community.\nIf we accept this commonality the big difference becomes one of reach; an owned corporate site relies on pulled traffic and unique visits, while a decentralized site pushes content into ancillary networks that can propagate and disseminate the material faster and more widely than virtually any corporate campaign.\nCloud Computing, The Early Years…\nAt the same time, the Skittles strategy provides a great example of something much larger than brand perception and marketing. That is Cloud computing, a term you’ve probably heard bandied around by media pundits and technology gurus, but which you likely only have a fuzzy and general perception on. Yeah, we know, wha?!?\nCloud computing is a lot like Web 2.0; the exact definition you get depends on who you ask. For some folks Cloud computing conjures up ideas of dynamic data repositories accessible to an assortment of different applications across a variety of devices and mediums. For others the “Cloud” is about bringing disparate services and applications together to form a larger experience.\nThe short answer is that both of these descriptions are correct. The web as we know it is migrating towards a paradigm where content and services are decoupled and decentralized. In this “web of the future,” online services will likely be both intelligent and portable, with content from one site sourceable to an application on another that is then integrated into a larger suite of services somewhere else.\nOf course this isn’t going to happen overnight… not only does the technology and infrastructure not exist, but the basic interaction and behavioral patterns needed to support these kinds of services haven’t been adopted yet. Instead it’s going to involve a progressive evolution, with a variety of different solutions appearing along the way.\nEnter Skittles.com, which as lowly as it is, provides a protozoan example of this new paradigm in action. Yes, it’s kind of ugly, and yes, it’s a little raw. However, Skittles.com is forcibly assembling third party applications into a self-serving agglomeration, the site becoming a thin skin on a much broader set of distributed services. The power of Skittles.com is thus its ability to provide a digestible “Cloud” example to people who have difficulty conceptualizing this far reaching future.\nBringing It Full Circle\nSo where does that leave us… Skittles.com, a canary of danger or a beacon of a compelling future? The truth is that it’s probably too early to make a definitive call either way, and the success of the approach – both as a brand venue and as a harbinger of Web 3.0 – will depend in large part on how Skittles manages and uses their new toy.\nHowever, what we can say is that this example is symptomatic of an accelerating trend towards an interactive medium in which there are fewer and less distinct boundaries between discreet digital applications and services. Previously formal distinctions between brands and their customers are becoming increasingly less relevant, with companies looking to leverage the viral and associative aspects of social media networks to extend their message and increase the granularity of their touch points.\nScary and exciting all at the same time… now to wrap up and take a look at status alert I just received from my close friend, Jif. Maybe you know him?","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1555657"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6726059913635254,"wiki_prob":0.3273940086364746,"text":"Home Fishing Safety Emergency Cut Off Switches Required as of April 1\nEmergency Cut Off Switches Required as of April 1\nCaptainJerry\nBeginning on April 1, 2021 operators of most small recreational boats can no longer go strapless. The primary drive of new regulations that become effective that day is that any time someone is operating an open boat of less than 26 feet long at above trolling speed, they must be connected to the engine cutoff switch. This new regulation is part of the National Defense Authorization Act that was passed on January 1, 2021and implements a 2018 federal law requiring the emergency cut off devices be installed on all new boats. The purpose of the legislation is to prevent any boat traveling on plane or above displacement speed from continuing on if the operator falls overboard while under way.\n​This is not an April Fool’s joke; just the opposite – it is deadly serious. Every year, people are injured or killed when operators somehow fall from their boats running at speed. When this happens, boats with hydraulic or no feedbacksteering will continue on their course until they either hit something that stops them or run out of gas. The torque from propeller rotation on tiller handle boats, or those with non stabilizing steering, will turn the boat in a tightening circle that has been called the “circle of death” as many times the operator and/or any passengers thrown from the boat may be struck by the spinning propeller.\n​The emergency cut off device is either a lanyard attached to a switch that shuts down the motor when pulled free or an electronic fob, carried by the operator, that activates an engine shut off switch when it gets wet or is moved more than a set distance from the switch. The electronic fob operates similar to the fobs being used to control the ignition switch on many new automobile models. Both turn off the motor to help prevent injury and damage.\n​The 2018 law requires that manufacturers equip new recreational boats of less than 26 feet and an engine capable of at least 3 horsepower with an engine cut-off switch. These switches have been installed on many boats for more than 20 years, but as of 2019 it is a federal requirement. The lanyard switch has been standard, but the wireless, fob operated switch links, have begun to be offered as standard on upscale boats and optional on other boats.\n​The great majority of recreational boats have come equipped with the lanyard style engine cut-off switches for year, but most were not used. They have been snapped in place so the engine would run, but wrapped around the binnacle controls or otherwise put out of the way instead of being worn. The National Defense Authorization Act of 2021 requires recreational vessel operators of vessels under 26 feet to use the engine cut-off link under certain circumstances.\n​The basic premise of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2021 is that when the helm station is not inside a cabin and a boat of 26 feet or less is operating on plane or above displacement speed, the operator must have the emergency cut off switch lanyard attached to themselves or be carrying the fob of a wireless emergency cut off system and the system is activated.\n​Boat operators should read and understand the regulation. There are situations where attaching the emergency cut off switch lanyard or carrying the fob are not required. These are all low speed situations. The ones that stand out are when trolling, operating in a no-wake zone, while docking and while loading or unloading the boat from a trailer. Another exemption is if the boat’s motor produces less than 115 lbs. of static thrust (approximately equal to a 2 HP engine).\n​With the current exception of seven states (Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Louisiana, Nevada, New Jersey and Texas) that have their own emergency cut off switch regulations, this is a federal regulation and applies to all federally navigable waterways. In a press release, BoatUS stated they expect most states to amend their regulations to match federal law over the coming years and noted that 44 states already have emergency engine cut-off switch laws for personal watercraft.\n​The new regulation carries a $100 civil penalty for the first offense. BoatUS said they didn’t expect the Coast Guard’s initial focus to be ticketing boaters, but to warn them and request compliance. This was confirmed by a US Coast Guard officer.\n​“BoatUS supports responsible use of cutoff devices and wants to get the word out to boaters to be aware of this new requirement so they can prepare,” said BoatUS Manager of Government Affairs David Kennedy. “We believe the new requirement allows recreational boaters to operate their vessels in a practical manner while increasing boating safety.”\n​For more detailed information on this regulation and other safety regulations, visit the USCG website at www.uscg.mil. There is also information at the BoatUS website at www.BoatUS.com.\nBoating Kill Switch\nPrevious articleUnderstanding Tides – Fishing 101\nNext articleLowen Earns First Bassmaster Elite Series Victory At Pickwick\nCapt. Jerry Dilsaver has been fishing since he was a child and writing about fishing, hunting and the outdoors since 1986. He is from Southport-Oak Island, N.C. and continues to live there in semi-retirement. His writing features this area prominently, but he has fished and written about the East Coast from Virginia to Florida, the Gulf Coast, California, Alaska and several of the Great Lakes in the U.S., plus several countries in Central America and several Caribbean Islands. He has been on staff at Carolina Adventure, North Carolina Sportsman and South Carolina Sportsman Magazines and his byline has appeared in several other magazines and newspapers.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1004464"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5573601126670837,"wiki_prob":0.44263988733291626,"text":"VAR with 10 cars in 3 championships at the Red Bull Ring\nOver the years, VAR broke countless records, but last weekend a special mile-stone was reached. For the first time in its history, VAR ran a total of 10 cars during one race event.\nAt the Red Bull Ring we participated with Alexandre Bardinon, Andreas Estner and Sebastian Estner in the F3 EuroFormula Open. We brought Pierre-Louis Chovet and Alessandro Famularo to the FIA F3 Regional European Championship and competed with Jonny Edgar, Jak Crawford, Francesco Pizzi, Cenyu Han and Bence Válint in the Italian Formula 4. During 20 free practice sessions, 20 qualifying sessions and 27 races, our drivers covered 4.979 kilometers in one weekend. An absolute mile-stone for the team.\nAs we currently experience an overloaded schedule, expressed lightly, this report reaches you later than normal. The above statistics already indicate how heavy of a schedule we are dealing with, but we can add more to it. Around the Corona restrictions, to date we have completed 138 car-test-days and 81 race starts. We had 5 back-to-back race weekends in July / August and, after one weekend not at a circuit, we continued with the current tour of another 4 back-to-back race weekends. We love it, but hardly have the time to report to you what we are doing…\nLooking back at the historical Red Bull Ring race event, which of course is special as we now run two Red Bull Junior drivers in our Tatuus-Abarth Formula 4 team, we celebrated Jak Crawford’s first victory in the Italian F4 Championship. Jak also secured a 3rd place in the last race, whereas his teammate Jonny Edgar did the same during the first race of the weekend. New team members Cenyu Han and Bence Válint gained valuable experience and improved their performances by the day. In the standings our Francesco Pizzi takes up second position, while Jonny and Jak (who both missed the first round of the Championship) are positioned third and fourth in the overall rankings. Therefore, the expression “it’s looking good in F4” certainly is an understatement.\nIn FIA Formula Regional we welcomed Alessandro Famularo back in the car as teammate of Pierre-Louis Chovet, who already raced at Misano and Paul Ricard for round 1 & 2 of the season. After a podium finish at his home track Paul Ricard, Pierre-Louis scored this event a well-deserved 4th position in race 2. Despite not having raced for some months, Alessandro did exactly the same in race 3, securing P4. These results are a clear indication of the progress we have made in this highly competitive FIA Formula Regional European Championship, in which we race with a Tatuus chassis powered by Alfa Romeo engines.\nSince our return in the EuroFormula Open F3 Championship, which we run with the Dallara chassis and HWA engines, we are competitive. We have secured podium finishes with Sebastian Estner and his brother Andreas. Unfortunately, Alexandre Bardinon was dealt some bad luck and became victim of circumstances on track while battling with other competitors more than once. At the Red Bull Ring both Andreas and Alexandre had to retire in race 3 after collisions. However, looking at overall performances, we definitely carry competitive speed and look forward to the remaining rounds in the Championship.\nLooking both back and forward, CEO Rob Niessink explains: “Of course, due to Corona we are experiencing the strangest season we’ve ever had. First, there was the wait during which our hands were tied to our backs and nothing could be initiated. Next thing we know, we run around from circuit to circuit doing nothing else than testing and racing. I am very grateful for the dedication and effort our staff put into the season so far. I am equally impressed by the drivers who are dealing with a format in which there is hardly time to recover before moving to the next pit lane and see the next starting lights go off!”\nNiessink continues: “Looking at the results so far, it is clear that we are very happy when any of our three teams end up on the podium, grab pole positions, register fastest race laps and of course, above all, win races! It will be a challenge to maintain sharp and stay focused, but I have confidence in our drivers and teams. In this weird season we will do everything we can to bring home results that we will remember for a long time to come and make it an historical year in more than one way!”\nAt the time we send this report, our F4 team is literally getting ready for the first race of the ADAC German F4 third round of the Championship at the Hockenheimring. The team moved straight from the Red Bull Ring, Austria to the famous Hockenheimring in Germany, only to move on to the Nürburgring (R4 German Championship) the weekend after, and Mugello (R4 Italian Championship) the weekend thereafter.\nThe remainder of the ADAC German F4 Championship is scheduled as follows: Round 5 takes place at the Red Bull Ring in Austria, after which the team moves to Zandvoort, located in the dunes of the Dutch coastline. The season finale takes place at the Motorsport Arena Oschersleben early November.\nThe Italian Championship runs all the way through to early December. For round 5 of the Championship, the team visits the historic circuit of Monza. Round 6 brings the team back to Imola again, whereas the season finale is scheduled early December at the circuit of Vallelunga.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1843021"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5535576939582825,"wiki_prob":0.5535576939582825,"text":"Book review: Shadow Prowler\nShadow Prowler\nBy Alexey Pehov\n(Simon and Schuster, 1 April 2010)\nAlexey Pehov, by all accounts, is something of a genre superstar in his Russian homeland. His books - which have sold over a million copies - have won various awards, and are among the most popular fantasy novels in Russia. His first book Shadow Prowler - known as Stealth in the Shadows in his native Russia - has been heralded (rather bizarrely) by X-Men creator Chris Claremont as \"an exciting take on classical themes.\" According to Pehov's website, Shadow Prowler was sold to both Tor in the USA and Simon and Schuster in the UK, both in six-figure deals.\nNot bad going for a book that allegedly began life as a piece of fanfiction based on the popular Thief video games series.\nThen again, perhaps 'began life' is a spurious phrase - by all accounts Stealth in the Shadows was still fanfiction when it was published in Russia; the main character - a thief - was even called Garrett, which is the name of the protagonist from the Thief games. The protagonist's name was changed to 'Harold' when the book was picked up for US/UK publication (presumably for fear of a lawsuit), though amusingly they didn't quite manage to eradicate all the references to his former name: on page 374 of Shadow Prowler, Harold is referred to by another character as 'Garrett' - a jarring reminder of the novel's dubious origins.\nStill, to judge any book based on its background is to do it a disservice; as we all know, you have to review the book itself, not the noise that comes with it.\nSo, Shadow Prowler. A book in which the RELUCTANT HERO™ - a thief by the name of Garrett Shadow Harold - must embark on a DANGEROUS QUEST™ to retrieve the MAGICAL ARTIFACT™ in order to defeat the EVIL DARK LORD™ known as THE NAMELESS ONE™ who wants to DESTROY THE WORLD™.\nYou think I'm joking? I wish. I try not to be too sarcastic in reviews, but in this case I think I'm justified. It's no exaggeration to say that Shadow Prowler is probably the most derivative, clichéd fantasy novel I think I've ever read - and given some of the rubbish I've read in my time, that's saying something.\nHonestly, the extent to which Pehov has just trotted out the same old tropes - not to mention ripped off other sources - is staggering.\nDon't get me wrong; clichés are not necessarily a bad thing - they're clichés because they've been overused, and they've been overused because they're popular. There's nothing wrong with using them - so long as you do something different with them. You don't have to reinvent the wheel, just riff on a familiar trope and try and spin it in a different direction.\nIn Shadow Prowler, Pehov makes no such attempt to freshen up these overfamiliar tropes. And that's easily the novel's greatest failing: it just regurgitates the same old storyline that you've seen hundreds of times before and brings nothing new whatsoever. Oh sure, Pehov's dwarves don't have beards and his elves have fangs, but so what? These are merely token gestures that serve no purpose whatsoever and are classic examples of \"change for change's sake\" which is never a good thing. Regardless of their appearances, the dwarves and elves still act much as you'd expect them to.\nAs if this reliance on such a tired premise wasn't bad enough, Shadow Prowler is further undermined by what appears to be sheer laziness on Pehov's part when it comes to the history of his world, and the novel's backstory.\nFor example, we're told that the Nameless One (who was once called Grok, so he's not actually nameless at all) refused to aid his noble brother (who, bizarrely, is also called Grok) during a battle, and so was executed for treason. Except that we're not told why he failed to aid his brother. Apparently, \"history is silent on that question.\" Indeed. Nor is a valid explanation offered for why the one artifact that can stop the Nameless One (who has somehow survived his execution, though that's not explained either) was hidden for 'safekeeping' in one of the most dangerous, hostile locations in the kingdom. Perhaps it's just me, but taking the one thing that can help you against your enemy and hiding it in a location that will be extremely difficult to recover it from, just strikes me as unbelievably stupid. Yet this is one of the fundamental problems with Shadow Prowler - so much of the backstory has clearly been devised to support the plot, leaving gaping holes in the novel's internal logic.\nThe laziness doesn't end there. Not content with falling back on the most clichéd premise in the epic fantasy genre, Pehov has also ripped much of his world's magic straight out of D&D: we have fireballs, we have one-use scrolls, we have fire- and cold-imbued crossbow bolts, and we have wizards that have to memorise spells before they can cast them. All lifted straight from the annals of D&D. It's brazen to the point of being appalling. Embarrassing, even.\nThe writing is no better. Admittedly, given that Shadow Prowler has been translated from Russian, it's hard to know how much of the prose's fluency has been lost in translation. The answer is either a hell of a lot, or that the writing was just poor in the first place. The actual prose is not that bad; it's rather stiff at times, but ultimately it's serviceable. Unfortunately Pehov has no idea how to handle exposition, with the result that the first few chapters of Shadow Prowler descend into a truly terrifying mess of info-dumps that completely ruin the flow of the narrative. Worse, Pehov feels the need to tell the reader everything about a particular creature when we meet it for the first time. So, Harold will find himself in a confrontation with a peculiar creature, but before the action can commence, we have to put up with several paragraphs giving us a brief run-down of the creature's habits and characteristics (get used to it, as this trait appears as early as the second page). It's painfully amateurish and only serves to suck whatever tension there is straight out of the scenes.\nShadow Prowler's plot offers little in the way of excitement. The first half of the book is set-the-scene stuff (quite literally; we have pages and pages of endless exposition) and also sees a rather odd sub-plot play out (which seems to have no apparent relevance to anything important). The second half witnesses Harold and his bunch of companions setting out on their venture, with a distinct lack of twists and turns on the way. There's a few incidents here and there, but for the most part it's all rather pedestrian and almost entirely lacking in excitement or tension. There's nothing interesting to be found in Pehov's world either. It's a depressingly bog-standard world of kings, wizards, orcs and elves. There's even a place called the 'Desolate Lands'. Well, the dark lord has got to live somewhere, right?\nCharacterisation is perhaps the one aspect where Pehov shows a glimmer of ability, and the likability of his characters was the only thing that kept me reading. Harold, as a protagonist, lacks depth and possesses no intriguing quirks or flaws. Yet he does possess a certain wry humour, and as the story is told in the first person, his narrative does inject a bit of lighthearted humour to the proceedings. The goblin jester Kli-Kli brings further humour; he's a genuinely amusing little fellow that is good fun to read about. The gnome and dwarf duo of Hallas and Deler, and their constant sniping, provides further entertainment.\nThere are other isolated flashes of Pehov's ability. The chapters of the novel set in the city's 'Forbidden Territory' are handled well and are vastly more interesting than anything else in the novel; Pehov can do tension and intrigue when he really tries. Furthermore, the 'flashback' chapters (depicting incidents that often happened hundreds of years before) are arguably the strongest in the book, and are written in third-person, which seems to suit Pehov much better. They're the only moments when the novel seems to get anywhere near to the quality you'd expect from a book that was sold for such high sums.\nSpeaking of the sums involved, I'm bemused by Simon and Schuster's decision to take this novel on. To my knowledge, they've not had a fantasy imprint since they closed down Earthlight, and this apparent lack of expertise appears painfully obvious with this particular deal. They've shown no understanding of the current state of the genre, and have offered a huge amount of money for the kind of novel that peddles a brand of fantasy that the genre has more or less left behind. Sure, no doubt some readers still go for this sort of thing, but if you look at the popular authors in the genre these days, none of them are writing this sort of book anymore.\nVerdict: For the most part, Shadow Prowler is a mess of lazily-used clichés, uninspired worldbuilding, amateurish writing and linear plotting. Some relief is provided by a few of the more amusing characters, and now and again Pehov shows hints of genuine ability. Yet this isn't enough to save a novel that represents the end of the fantasy spectrum that the genre has thankfully been moving away from (in other words, sub-par, unimaginative Tolkien rip-offs). There's nothing new here. To some readers, that might be an attraction in itself. But even so, this is a story that has been told a million times - and far better than it is here.\nThe allure of the assassin\nAs I mentioned in my review of Jon Sprunk's Shadow's Son, it seems that assassins are becoming increasingly popular in epic fantasy these days. Of course, they've long been a staple of the genre: from Fritz Leiber's Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser stories (1939 onwards), to M. John Harrison's A Storm of Wings (1980, part of his wonderful Viriconium sequence), to the likes of Robin Hobb's Farseer trilogy (1990s) Steven Erikson's Malazan Book of the Fallen (1999 onwards). No doubt there's plenty of other examples; I can't claim to be well read enough to be able to give a definitive guide.\nYet it's only in recent years that we've really seen a growing emphasis on assassins as the main protagonists in fantasy novels, perhaps most notably with Brent Weeks' popular The Night Angel trilogy. Col Buchanan's Farlander and Jon Sprunk's Shadow's Son have quickly followed, while Jon Courtenay Grimwood's The Fallen Blade is in the works.\nThis growing emphasis on the assassin - and the apparent popularity of such characters - has led me to ponder a question - why? What is it about these shady figures that readers find so appealing?\nAssassins kill people in cold blood - for money. In real life, there's nothing remotely glamourous about it; it's a despicable way of making a living. Yet assassins are rapidly becoming the rockstars of fantasy literature; there seems to be a certain glamour about the way they live their lives on the edge, dicing with death every other night.\nSo how come there's such a distinction between real life and literature? Rapists are treated the same way in fantasy books as they are in real life: with disgust and contempt. Yet assassination in the real world is a heinous crime, it's murder, yet in fantasy literature it's somehow acceptable - cool even.\nSo how come? It's a question that I can't really think of an answer for. What sort of odd psychology is at work, that makes it acceptable to root for characters that kill in cold blood? Often these assassin protagonists have experienced traumatic events earlier in their lives that have shaped them into what they have become (this is true of both Weeks' and Sprunk's characters) but is this enough to justify what they do? Does it even matter?\nFood for thought. If you've got any opinions or theories on the subject, I'm very interested to hear them.\nI am Legend: the darkest post-apocalyptic book ever written?\nThat's the question that's been asked over on the Orbit blog by Terry DeHart:\nWhat is it about early postwar sci-fi that makes its worlds seem so dark and realistically shabby? Proximity to nuclear annihilation? The poorly forgotten horrors of World War Two? The rote mediocrity of peace after the time of global death and flame ended, the famished beginning of the age of mass consumption? Or is it only that we’ve been conditioned by the black-and-white movies of that time?\nWhatever it is, Richard Matheson’s I AM LEGEND is shot through with it. This book is wonderfully dark. Neville drinks. He sweats and laughs and cooks and eats and cries and, in between bouts of near-insanity, he kills people. It seems as if killing is the most rational thing left to do. And Matheson puts the reader right there with him.\nI'm not able to offer an answer as to whether I am Legend is the best post-apocalyptic book ever written (I'm not nearly well read enough to even begin considering that question) but having read Richard Matheson's famous novel I can certainly understand why it's considered to be a contender for this accolade.\nAlthough I've only read I am Legend once, and that being several years ago, so many of the novel's scenes have stuck in my mind and even now I can recall them with clarity.\nWhat I love most about this book is the psychology of it all, the way Robert Neville goes from being the hunter during the day to being the hunted at night. The desolation and loneliness of the urban landscape is wonderfully portrayed by Matheson, yet the sheer isolation and claustrophobia that he imbues Neville's nights with is even more striking and shocking. Imagining Robert Neville - the last man on Earth - sitting in his living room, drinking liquor and listening to classical music as the hordes of vampires shriek out his name and throw themselves against his defenses, is just such a powerful image - it speaks of both hope and hopelessness, determination and despair.\nMatheson's prose is also wonderfully blunt, yet evocative. The opening sentence is one of the best I've ever read:\nOn those cloudy days, Robert Neville was never sure when sunset came, and sometimes they were in the streets before he could get back.\nWith that one line Matheson says so much: he reveals the significance of the sunset, the vulnerability of Neville in his inability to gauge it effectively, and of course the oppressive threat that he faces. One sentence, so much meaning. Brilliant.\nI am Legend is available as part of the Gollancz Masterworks series, and if you've not read it - why not? - then you can pick it up for a fiver on Amazon.\nOh, and forget the recent film adaptation - it's total garbage and barely reflects the novel at all, let alone reflect its brilliance.\nLabels: Articles, Comment/opinion\nBook review: Shadow's Son\nShadow's Son\nBy Jon Sprunk\n(Gollancz, 8 July 2010)\nAssassins seem to be becoming the dominant figures in epic fantasy these days. While they don't yet have a stranglehold over the subgenre the way vampires do in the paranormal romance sector, they certainly appear to be in the ascendency. Brent Weeks' popular Night Angel trilogy arguably started the recent trend, which has been carried on by new authors Col Buchanan, in his debut novel Farlander, and now US debutant Jon Sprunk in his novel Shadow's Son.\nThe novel's protagonist is Caim, a freelance assassin working out of the city of Othir. After one particular assignment goes wrong, Caim realises he's been set up - and the only person who might be able to offer an explanation as to who is behind it all is the daughter of the man he was meant to kill. Unfortunately for Caim, this unknown enemy also want to get their hands on the daughter - Josie - for their own sinister reasons. Before long, Caim finds himself embroiled in a sinister game of conspiracy, with Othir's future as the stakes. If he is to stand any chance of survival, Caim is going to have to look inside himself and unleash the darkness that he has been holding back all these years...\nThe greatest asset of Shadow's Son is the sheer pace at which the story unfolds. The story rips along at speed, aided by short chapters and a pleasing lack of unnecessary detail or exposition. Furthermore, the plot is crafted well and enough hints are dropped throughout to keep the reader guessing, with the pay-off coming further down the line as various revelations come to light. Sprunk also manages to engineer one or two twists that keep things interesting.\nThe other elements of the novel are much more of a mixed bag.\nCaim is a solid protagonist and - despite his profession - is easy to empathise with. His motivations are believable and partly drive both the plot and his personal development, while his background - and unnerving ability to control shadows - creates an air of mystery about him. His companion Kit - an ethereal, spirit-like young woman - is another intriguing figure, at least in terms of what her possible origins are.\nJosie on the other hand, is a walking stereotype - a whinging adolescent who quickly grows up and matures into a headstrong, independent young woman over the space of a couple of weeks. Needless to say she's also beautiful, and the way her relationship develops with Caim can be seen coming from a mile off. While generally this relationship is handled well, there are unrealistic moments (such as when she and Caim are falling from a pier towards the sea, yet Josie is strangely preoccupied with marveling at how taught Caim's muscles are beneath his clothes).\nThe rest of the characterisation is uneven: Levictus is a brooding, sinister menace, though his backstory is a little rushed and would have benefited from more exploration to fully flesh his motives out. In truth, this is true of many of the major players in the novel: Ral and Vassili are defined well enough, but lack sufficient depth to truly explain their motives and smooth their rough edges. They're engaging enough, just a little superficial at times. The worst culprit though is Markus, who rarely rises above the level of pantomime villain.\nPerhaps the most disappointing aspect of the characterisation though is the lack of strong female characters, with the arguable exception of Kit. Josie is little more than a damsel in (very frequent) distress and constantly requires rescuing, while the rest of the females in the novel are either tavern 'wenches' (a terribly clichéd word that I would be happy never to see used again) or prostitutes. I suppose you could argue that this merely reflects the male-dominated nature of Sprunk's world, though personally I prefer to see some strong females challenging such gender conventions.\nSpeaking of Sprunk's world, it's portrayed well enough but ultimately it's nothing you've not seen before numerous times. It's a feudal medieval world, with all the usual trappings. While not inherently a problem - and to be fair it serves its purpose - it nonetheless lacks the depth you find from those of other authors working in the genre. Sprunk does deserve credit though for placing the focus firmly on the story and characters, and not the world (which is the way it should be).\nSprunk's prose, on the whole, is a positive point: while he won't be winning plaudits for style, his writing is sharp and flows well. As mentioned above, he doesn't allow unnecessary details to bog down his narrative, and he handles exposition well. The only flaw in his prose is his insistence on using similes in his descriptive writing - this is a reliance Sprunk needs to overcome in future books, mainly because many of the similes he uses in Shadow's Son simply aren't that good, and add nothing to the descriptive quality of his prose.\nOther details niggle as well. The surfacing of a major cliché halfway through the book isn't particularly welcome, Kit seems to vanish on a whim when it suits the plot and for no other discernible purpose, while the book's climax is marred by over-dramatic dialogue and an encroaching sense of predictability. The ascendency of one character to a position of power, despite apparently having no evidence at all to support their right to that position, was also rather hard to swallow.\nVerdict: Shadow's Son undoubtedly has its flaws, namely its uneven characterisation, a reliance on cliché and stereotype, and a rather generic world. Yet its story is constructed well (save for perhaps the predictable final act) and unfolds at great pace, with plenty of action and intrigue along the way. Caim is a decent protagonist, and his development and relationship with Josie are handled well. A flawed novel then, but a reasonably entertaining one. Hopefully the next instalment in the trilogy will tread less familiar ground.\nInteresting interview with Lou Anders...\n...over at BSC. For those of you wondering who Lou Anders is and why you should bother reading an interview with him, Lou is the editorial director of Pyr in the States, a genre imprint with a very good reputation and various award nominations.\nNaturally Lou has plenty of thought-provoking views on the current state of the genre:\n\"I’ve been very interested in the return of sword & sorcery to prominence. This dovetails with an opinion of mine that what the majority of genre readers want are “good stories well told.” I tend to avoid slipstream or literary fantasy in favor of recognizable science fiction and fantasy stories told at a higher level of craft. I think the reason so many adults are migrating to the Young Adult category is that they have a craving for action and adventure that isn’t being served, and I think the return of S&S is part of that trend, as is the fascination with steampunk.\"\nCheck out the full interview.\nPosted by James at 16:52 1 comment:\nYet more Villjamur artwork, plus Friday links\nBeen a bit of a slow week blogging-wise, though I'm hoping next week will be a bit busier. As always though, there's been plenty of stuff going on elsewhere, so here's a few links worth checking out.\nBefore that though, here's yet another cover for Nights of Villjamur (this one's the audiobook version).\nNow linky links :)\nWert has reviewed Chris Wooding's The Black Lung Captain and while his opinion generally matches my own, he seemed to enjoy it a little more.\nMark has reviewed Gavin Smith's Veteran (still got this one my reading pile...).\nAidan's reviewed The Prince of Mist by Carlos Ruiz Zafon (another author I've been meaning to check out).\nThe Speculative Scotsman has assessed the preview chapters that have been released of Brandon Sanderson's The Way of Kings, and his article is worth checking out as he's never read Brandon Sanderson before, so is unbiased. I didn't bother posting the info about these chapters that I received by email, since every man and his dog across the blogosphere had done so already...).\nNeth has reviewed The Passage by Justin Cronin (get used to hearing about this book - it's not going away any time soon).\nGraeme has reviewed the much-heralded Swords and Dark Magic anthology - might try and see if I can wangle a copy of this, sounds excellent.\nThe Jub Jub Bird has got an excellent write-up of Neil Gaiman's The Sandman.\nAmanda has reviewed Courage and Honour by Graham McNeill.\nLabels: Lazy linkage\nFirst glimpse of HBO's 'Game of Thrones'\nAnd it's literally a glimpse.\nThe teaser doesn't reveal much, but we do get a look at the haunted forest - and I think they've totally nailed the atmosphere, which is encouraging.\nPlus, Sean Bean looks totally boss as Eddard Stark.\nEarly days still, and it's hard to draw any serious conclusions, but these hints are promising.\nAlt. Fiction 2010\nYesterday I made my way down to Derby for the one-day genre extravaganza that is Alt. Fiction. The journey from Manchester to Derby is fairly short (about 90 minutes both ways) and is a lovely one to undertake in the summer when the sun has deigned to show itself - miles of rolling green hills glimmering with an emerald radiance beneath the azure skies. Mmm, azure skies...not seen nearly enough of them recently. But I digress.\nThe last Alt. Fiction I attended was in 2008 and while it was a good day, it still had the feel of a fledgling convention that was still finding its feet. Pleasingly, this year's incarnation improved on pretty much every aspect: the events (panels/workshops/signings) were more plentiful and specific in their topics, the facilities (the con was held in Derby's QUAD centre) were superior, and the attendance was greater (with a very healthy blend of editors, authors, agents, bloggers and general readers). The free bag of swag wasn't too shabby either, with a nicely-produced programme, a couple of free books and few other bits and bobs.\nUpon arriving (slightly later that anticipated, as I was relying on the map application on my iPhone for guidance...and naturally it refused to work for some reason) I nipped straight into the panel on publishing . I found it interesting that the bulk of the advice offered by the panelists (including agents John Jarrold and John Berlyne, PS Publishing supremo Peter Crowther, and Gollancz publicity guru Jon Weir) focused more on how to approach publishers and agents, rather than how to actually write a novel and get it published (let's face it, that's not something you can really teach). And in any case, knowing how to approach publishers is a crucial element of the process - there's no point writing a brilliant novel if you then fail to use the proper etiquette when sending it out, as you'll just blow your chances. John Jarrold mentioned that he receives thirty submissions a week from writers who have completely failed to read his submission policy properly - and that he deletes such emails without reading them in full. As he said, \"If you don't treat me in a professional manner, I won't treat you in a professional manner.\" Words worth listening to. Interestingly, the topic of how to behave at conventions came up - another important issue, as some people clearly have no idea how to present themselves properly (such as the writer who, despite attending the panel, clearly failed to pay attention as she spent twenty minutes after the panel bombarding Jon Weir with a load of guff about her paranormal romance novel). Needless to say, Jon was the consummate professional.\nI then grabbed a quick beer with Jon, along with Veteran author Gavin Smith, and bloggers Amanda Rutter and Mark Chitty, before heading to the fantasy panel on sparkly vampires versus hack n' slash (a bit of an odd angle to take). The panel featured, among others, Mark Charan Newton and Alex Bell. To be honest, the resulting discussion was rather pedestrian at times - \"Mark, what sort of fantasy do you read?\" - and one gentleman in the front row actually fell asleep and began snoring. Still, you can't win them all.\nFollowing the fantasy panel, I popped downstairs with Adrian Faulkner (nice chap I knew through Twitter) and we attended a podcast conducted by the tireless Adele from UnBound, featuring Mark and Alex (both fresh from the fantasy panel) as well as Kate Griffin. The resulting conversation was more lively than the earlier panel, though Adrian (unintentionally) did his best to distract the participants with his extremely fizzy bottle of coke, which threatened to drown everything out. ;)\nAfter the podcast, Adrian and I accompanied Mark and his lovely editor Julie to the bar for some more drinks and decent chat. Then it was back upstairs for a final hour of mingling, in which I managed to grab a few words with Gavin Smith, M. D. Lachlan and John Berlyne, before saying my goodbyes at 5 pm (would have liked to stay longer, but the small matter of England's match against the US in the world cup was something I couldn't miss - although as usual it turned out to be a disappointment, so perhaps I shouldn't have bothered getting back for it).\nSo yeah, a good day in all, though as usual I didn't manage to chat with everyone I wanted to. Alt. Fiction is certainly establishing itself as a crucial convention, which is great to see, and I'll hopefully be back next year.\nBook review: The Black Lung Captain\nThe Black Lung Captain\nBy Chris Wooding\n(Gollancz, 29 July 2010)\nThe first novel in Chris Wooding's Ketty Jay series, Retribution Falls, was one of my top five reads of 2009. A thrilling yarn of dastardly rogues, dogfights and double-crossings, it was a novel that succeeded on every level: the plot was finely crafted, the characters were well developed, and the world was vivid and intriguing. Of course, it helped that the novel resonated with wry humour and that the fun factor was well and truly cranked up to eleven.\nNeedless to say, my expectations when I picked up The Black Lung Captain were rather high - and that's rarely a good thing. When you pick up the sequel to a personal favourite, it's impossible not to compare the new novel to everything that went before. And more often than not, the latest effort struggles to emerge from the shadow of its illustrious predecessor, and you end up feeling disappointed.\nWas this the case with The Black Lung Captain?\nYes. And no.\nFortunately, most of the factors that made Retribution Falls such a triumph remain intact. As before, the characters drive the story. Wooding explores some of their background details that were only hinted at previously, and pleasingly makes these details relevant (even crucial) to the unfolding events. These are all people that battle personal demons, and their individual struggles are convincingly portrayed. Their various relationships are also deftly handled - Frey's and Trinica's in particular is very well rendered, and their evolving emotions make for some genuinely touching moments. Wooding has a strong understanding for relationship dynamics, and this lends a very believable edge to those in The Black Lung Captain.\nAs for the characters themselves, most of the principle figures from Retribution Falls make a welcome return - including Slag the cat, who takes his personal battle with the nervy Harkins to amusing new levels (their entertaining escapades aren't just for comic relief - at one point they have a vital impact on the story, which is a nice touch). Wooding also throws some new folk into the mix as well, most notably the fearsome Captain Grist, whose gruff, almost affable exterior hides something altogether darker. The whispermonger Osric Smult is another new addition, and his unsettling appearance and personality leaves a lasting impression that belies his solitary appearance in the novel. Most of the characters that appear however are familiar faces, and with good reason - they're such an eclectic bunch that there's simply no need for a lot of new faces. This is borne out by the fact that arguably the most intriguing character is Trinica - charting her psychological journey throughout the book is extremely satisfying.\nAs mentioned above, Wooding explores various facets that were only glimpsed in the previous novel, and as the story progresses a number of revelations come to light that develop both the story and the world itself, adding a welcome sheen of intrigue to proceedings. The pacing is good, and as with the first novel there are double-crossings and some frantic (and quite epic) aerial battles, while the familiar sense of wry humour is present and correct.\nUnfortunately, all these positives are undone to an extent by the plot, which is limited and makes for a rather linear storyline (it effectively boils down to Frey and his gang chasing from A to B to C, pursuing a nemesis that is always one step ahead of them). The odd well-judged twists that proved so delightful in the first book are this time conspicuous by their absence, and while the story does allow for some exciting sequences and satisfying character development, it's just not as gripping as its predecessor was (see, I told you the comparison was unavoidable). Perhaps more to the point, it's not quite as much fun either, though it's hard to identify the exact reason for this. It will have to suffice to say that The Black Lung Captain didn't enthrall me nearly as much as Retribution Falls, though that's not to say that it's a bad book - it's not by any means.\nVerdict: Perhaps predictably, The Black Lung Captain doesn't match the brilliance of its predecessor. The characters are as strong as before, but the sense of excitement just isn't quite there. Perhaps this is merely because of expectations heightened by Retribution Falls, but it's equally likely to be due to the plot, which doesn't allow for the surprises that the first novel managed to fling the reader's way. That said, aside from the good characterisation, the events are supplemented by some interesting revelations about certain people and other aspects of the world, while the humour - again, as before - is well observed, with plenty of amusing moments to lighten the tone (which is perhaps a little darker this time around). In all, an enjoyable read - it just lacks the panache that made Retribution Falls exceptional.\nI went to see this film partly because it received very good reviews, but also because the principle dragon kinda looks like one of my cats, which naturally I found quite amusing (obviously I'm referring to the feline on the left. And no, I don't still have that horrendous sofa).\nAnyway, the film was very enjoyable indeed. The story is a classic misfit-comes-good gig: young viking is frustrated at not being given the chance to prove himself to his dragon-slaying peers, yet ends up playing a vital role in building bridges in dragon/viking relations and eventually becomes a hero. A simple, classic tale then, but it's a heck of a lot of fun. Let's face it, dragons and vikings are COOL, so what's not to like?\nThe relationship between our intrepid hero Hiccup, and his dragon Toothless, is very well portrayed and packs a surprisingly emotional punch, as does Hiccup's relationship with his father (there's no doubt this is a kids' film, but there's perhaps a few themes that are aimed at the more discerning older viewer). Toothless himself is an amusing creature, and the cause of much of the film's humour. The story moves at a good pace, with plenty of 'action' sequences to keep things ticking over. The climax is somewhat predictable (like I said, it's a film made for a young demographic) yet is pleasingly epic and handled well.\nThe soundtrack is one of the film's genuine surprises - some lovely classical compositions in the mix. Anyway, How to Train Your Dragon is well worth a look if you're stuck for something to watch at the cinema.\nLabels: Film reviews\nLast reminder for Alt Fiction!\nJust a reminder that Alt. Fiction is this coming Saturday, at the QUAD centre in Derby.\nThe schedule for the day is packed with panels, readings, Q&A sessions and book signings, so there's plenty to get stuck into if you can drag yourself away from the bar. The full schedule can be found here.\nThere's a load of authors who have confirmed their attendance - Steven Erikson, Mark Charan Newton, Tim Lebbon, MD Lachlan and Mark Chadbourn to name just a few - as well as load of editors, agents, and general hangers-on like myself. If you're going, do say hello - always nice to meet other genre fans. If you're lucky, I might give you one of my 'business' cards (not that there's any point, but it makes me feel important). If you're really, really lucky, I might be persuaded to let you buy me a drink. Mine's a Guinness or a Jack and coke. Cheers.\nLast I heard tickets were getting rather scarce, so you'll need to move quickly if you want to attend.\nTwilight fan in amusing Wolfman rant\nThis made me laugh this morning, so thanks to Mihir over at Fantasy Book Critic for the heads-up on this one.\nLatino Review have posted an email they received from an irate Twilight fan, who was fuming at the fact that Universal's film The Wolfman 'gives the werewolves a bad name.' No, really. You can find the full email here.\nHere's my favourite snippets:\nThis movie was a complete waste and I feel that it offends ALL Twilight Fans around the world, that including myself. For one, it was a COMPLETE remaking of the Wolf Pack from the Twilight Saga: New Moon.\nUm...no. It was a re-make of THE WOLFMAN, a film that was released in 1941. Hence the name.\nIt gives the werewolves a bad name and makes them look like some deformed mutation of a rabid dog.\nNo shit, Sherlock. That's kinda what werewolves are, or were, before Stephanie Meyer pissed all over several centuries of European folklore and changed them into ludicrously buff blokes that turn into cute, fluffy wolves.\nThat was until I saw your crappy remake of what you call to be a \"were wolf\". I don't see how you live with yourself for making it the way you did. If I made this movie, I would be ashamed to even admit that I owned it.\nGee, I don't know how Universal can live with themselves either. I mean, they only distributed a film that reminded everyone what werewolves are MEANT to be like, and which is a re-make of THEIR OWN FILM.\nHow can a werewolf be killed with a silver bullet?\nBecause werewolves are mythical creatures, and folklore suggests weapons constructed from silver can harm them. Was that really so bloody hard to figure out for yourself?\nBetter yet, have you saw the transformation of the man that is \"supposed\" to be the wolf? He sits in some chair and his entire body turns in to some mutated freak.\nHow inconsiderate of him. How dare he not pout moodily and flex his muscles beforehand.\nSo, there you have it. Universal are nefarious plagiarists that should be hung, drawn and quartered for ruining countless Twilight fans' precious werewolves. And let us state this clearly for future posterity: Stephanie Meyer INVENTED werewolves, and they look like this. Anyone that thinks werewolves actually look like this, and that they even EXISTED before Stephanie Meyer wrote the Twilight series, is a FILTHY LIAR.\nAn interview with Mark Charan Newton - Part the Second\nAs promised, here's the second instalment of the interview with Mark Charan Newton. The interview turned out to be bigger than expected, so look out for a bonus third final part in the near future!\nHere we go...\nYou’ve recently signed a new contract with Tor UK for another two books, along with a two-book deal in the US. Your first novel for Tor, Nights of Villjamur, received a very positive critical reaction both online and in print, and the early signs point towards a similar reaction to your new novel City of Ruin. As if that wasn’t enough, you recently took part in a book signing alongside China Mieville, who is one of your biggest influences. Surely, when you were living in that caravan all those years ago and first embarking on your writing career, you never expected to achieve this sort of success so quickly?\nNo. And I'm still aware that it could all disappear just as quickly. I've been very lucky to get where I am (but I essentially wrote off six years of my life to get here), and I've just got to keep doing what I'm doing. Though of course every struggling writer dreams of success, it was more of an issue while I was unpublished. Now I'm published, if I'm honest, I try not to think in terms of such things. I'm just focussing on hitting deadlines and keeping things ticking over.\nYou’re fairly young for an author – you were only 26 when you wrote Nights of Villjamur. Has this inspired any negativity towards you?\nHard to say. I think writing is one of those deeply personal and emotional pastimes, and one of the most popular \"ideal\" jobs, so to see someone younger make a success of things is bound to irritate some people. Combine that with the very British quality of not wanting others to succeed, then I guess you could understand mutterings from certain quarters, and - online, behind avatars - that has the potential to manifest in any number of bitter ways. But again, it's an abstract problem, and one that, ultimately, I can't really afford to worry about.\nCan you pinpoint a specific moment in time when you first thought “Yeah, I want to be a writer”? If so, what proved the catalyst?\nI never thought I wanted to be a writer. I just gave it a go, because I couldn't find the type of book I wanted to read, and tried writing it myself. Simple as that. There are a hundred tiny influences, other writers who inspire, but the main thrust was really a dissatisfaction with what was on the shelf. You want to write, then write. If you're lucky, you get paid for it, but it doesn't mean you can't enjoy the process. There wasn't really any other driver.\nTell us about that moment when the news came through that you’d first been offered a book deal – what were you doing, and how did you feel?\nI was actually staying at my friend's house - George Mann, who's also a writer. We'd been out drinking, and I was hungover the next day. I tried reading my emails on my primitive phone (how do we cope without the iPhone?) and saw that my agent had tried to contact me the night before to tell me that Peter Lavery at Pan Macmillan wanted to buy my book. As you can imagine, I was delighted, though still hungover. In fact, I probably did a silly dance, but it was a while ago now. The buzz lasted for a good few days, and I still get after shocks: when I see my book on a shelf, or get a good review.\nIt’s said that writers need a thick skin, though personally I think these days a titanium-alloy full body suit would be more appropriate. You’ve been fortunate to have enjoyed a great critical reception on the whole, but how do you deal with the negative reviews that now and then come your way? Does it become easier to deal with them, or do they always hurt you as much as they first did?\nI know I've been pretty lucky with reviews. If anything, this has created a cause for a few bad reviews on Amazon, from people who were surprised the book wasn't the Second Coming. Of course bad reviews hurt - writers have huge egos, and want praise by the hour, every hour - but I'm not ridiculous to think that everyone should like my books, and in fact, if I'm pissing a few people off too, then I think I've done a good thing. And yes, it gets easier - though for any new book, I think you want people to respond well - first month sensitivities, perhaps.\nAs mentioned, your first novel received an excellent critical reception, and you thank several reviewers – this humble blogger included – in the acknowledgements to City of Ruin. You’ve stated elsewhere that this online support was important to your early success, but exactly how important was it? Is it vital these days for a new author to win over the online reviewers?\nIt's not strictly speaking because of the reviews. Many bloggers have helped promote me - with interviews, or links or opinions on my own blog posts, and that has siginficiantly raised my profile. It takes an extremely egocentric author to think that they get where they are without help, be it from editors, agents, publicists, cover artists, or this newfangled blogosphere. But I don't think of it as winning over online reviewers - I just do whatever I do, and if people love it, great. If they don't, not so great. Besides, trying a charm offensive is ultimately fruitless, because there are hundreds of bloggers these days, and I just don't have the time. Those acknowledgements were exactly that - a thank you to the folk who helped me.\nHow surprised were you by the online reaction to, and the support for, Nights of Villjamur? It must have been a huge boost.\nIt's easy to look back and see the positive online reaction - but at the time, it was a slow, week by week, month by month, gradual - and very pleasing - process. The reviews were spread over a long period, so there wasn't an explosion. Mixed with that were grumpy forum comments, a disgruntled Amazon review or two etc., so it's all watered down. I can look back and just be very proud and know that I'm lucky. And realise - also - that it could turn against me at any moment...\nYou wrote City of Ruin mostly while Nights of Villjamur was awaiting publication, but now you’ve had to write the third novel in the series while all the praise and plaudits for Nights of Villjamur rolled in. Did this add extra pressure, perhaps a new-found need to meet people’s expectations? Do you feel like you’re specifically writing for an audience now, as opposed for yourself (if indeed you ever were)?\nI'm always writing for myself. I'm conscious that an audience exists, somewhere, but it's a dangerous way of thinking to start writing for any other reasons for the enjoyment it gives me - because when I do that, it becomes a chore. Which isn't to say these elements aren't all mutually exclusive - I've got a bunch of ideas I want to write about, and I'm trying to persuade my perceived audience to buy into that.\nWhat words of advice would you give your younger, unpublished self? Or would you just give yourself a good slap?\nQuite simple: keep calm, be patient, and don't worry about what other people think.\nDo you ever find writing a struggle, or is it all plain-sailing? Surely you must have days where you can’t find your mojo, or for some reason the writing doesn’t quite flow?\nIt's really not a struggle - and I don't mean that in any self-important way. Putting down creative stuff on paper is something that feels natural. Sure, I get days where I'm not in the mood - and I just don't do it, don't even think about it, and it's worth saying that the text I do put down is actually any good - it might get sliced out later - but putting the crap there in the first place certainly isn't an issue! No, the part I hate is editing...\nBooks on writing, and writing courses – worthwhile or a waste of time?\nThey have their place. There are a lot of things out there that actually stop people writing, that create fertile ground for procrastination, so I think it's striking a balance. Whatever works for people, really, though I'm sceptical you can learn all that much about an art from a book. As Neil Gaiman says, just write - and finish what you write.\nLastly, do you have any particular writing rituals? Certain music you listen to perhaps, or a certain place you like to write? Vegetable-fondling, perhaps?\nI guess the only thing I try to adhere to is writing around a thousand words a session - no more, no less - if I'm in the middle of a great scene, I'll know exactly where to pick up the next day, which prevents writer's block. I think it was a Hemingway technique, but he also wrote standing up, and I'm not doing that. I tend to plan ahead during the day - often my lunchtime run in order to unpick certain plot knots.\nI stick on iTunes. When I wrote City of Ruin, there was a lot of heavy music playing, though strangely for Book Three, I need either ambient stuff, soundtracks, or just silence. I go through fads. And I've started using Scrivener, for Book Three, which is a wonderful writing programme for Macs, and has helped me think in different ways, to plan more effectively.\nMany thanks to Mark for his time, once again. Final part to follow shortly!\nClassic genre video games #3 - Barbarian II\nAnother golden oldie from my C64 days, Barbarian II: The Dungeons of Drax was the sequel to the surprise success that was Barbarian: The Ultimate Warrior (a game that amusingly caused outrage over its cover artwork, which featured a scantily-clad tabloid model by the name of Maria Whittaker - a cover that by today's standards is utterly tame).\nBarbarian II, like most games at the time, had a highly-complex storyline: the player, as either a buff barbarian or a lithe princess, had to trek through three levels (a desert region, a cave network, and a dungeon), battling various critters along the way, before confronting the evil wizard Drax in his lair and giving his sorry ass a good kicking.\nWhen you're a six-year-old kid though, you don't much care for storylines - you're far more interested in killing things. And in Barbarian II, you got to do that quite a lot. Every level had different enemies to face, ranging from mere critters to larger, tougher opponents. Some of these enemies were fairly conventional, while others were...rather odd. The first level, for example, had hulking neanderthals wielding clubs, as well as apes and dragon-like creatures. But it also had EVIL CHICKENS (Terry Goodkind, eat your heart out) and these bizarre things that looked like giant peas on legs, which attacked you with what appeared to be a large, yellow penis. Hmm.\nOn a more serious note, the animation of the barbarian sprite was actually pretty advanced for the time, and you could pull of various moves - including a dramatic spinning axe slash, which if you timed just right would decapitate your enemy, and their head would fly through the air and then bounce off the screen. Naturally, to a six-year-old boy, this was the COOLEST THING EVER. Interestingly, the Kung-Fu masters on the last level were so huge that your axe only hit them in the chest rather than the head, so their heart would fly out and flop around instead. Almost as cool was the fact that enemies could decapitate you as well - the dragon-creatures had a nasty tendency to bite off your head and swallow it.\nA Kung-Fu master, shortly before having his heart CHOPPED OUT\nSadly I never managed to finish the game (this was an age where computer games were a couple of quid, so you could buy a new one every week, leading to short attention spans) but nonetheless the experience of battling mutant apes and evil chickens - and squealing when I managed to pull off a successful decapitation - are still very clear in my mind...\nLabels: Classic genre video games\nAn interview with Mark Charan Newton - Part the First\nToday marks the release of Mark Charan Newton's City of Ruin in hardback in the UK, along with the paperback of his acclaimed novel Nights of Villjamur (for those of you in the US, 29 June is the date of release for the hardback of Nights of Villjamur). I therefore thought it would be a good time to throw some questions Mark's way. This first part concentrates entirely on City of Ruin, while the second part will focus more on writing and the fantasy genre in general.\nSo, here we go...\nYou’ve freely admitted that you had to reign in your fondness for weirdness in Nights of Villjamur (NoV) in order to make it commercially viable, but that with City of Ruin (CoR) you were free to crank the weirdness up a few notches. Was CoR subsequently a more enjoyable book to write, and did your approach to writing it differ in any way?\nCity of Ruin was more enjoyable for so many reasons, really. This was the first book I wrote within a publication deal, with a contract, to a deadline. It felt fantastic, so yeah, it certainly helped with my enthusiasm. The release of that combined with the freedom, which was largely within my head, to just let go and enjoy the ride. It also combined with my natural competitiveness to want to do better myself, to see how far I could push myself - because what keeps this interesting is the challenge. On the other hand, it was also more difficult to write with the spotlight slowly turning towards me – there is something to be said for the writing conditions of being unpublished, without the surrounding fluff, but it's minor compared to the smile you have when you've got that first novel out.\nThe city of Villiren shares several similarities with Villjamur – it’s sprawling and rather oppressive at times, and has the same brooding atmosphere – but overall it’s a very different place. How important was it for you to set the bulk of the book in a different location – do you feel the need to keep things fresh, to maintain your own interest?\nI enjoy the construction of a world, and the logical thoughts that come from the effort of creation. But yes, I certainly wanted to try my hand at a very different fantasy city, one which leans towards modern cities, than dwelling in the glories of yesteryear, and again that comes down to the challenges and hurdles being something that drives me to write.\nThere are strong echoes of M. John Harrison in CoR – most notably with regards to the often bleak atmosphere and the streak of absurdity that occasionally pervades the book. Would you say he was your primary influence when it came to writing CoR? What do you think you learned from reading his own work?\nMuch less so for this one, I think. In fact, I had fewer influences for CoR overall - I wanted to simply try my own thing and make an effort to create something fairly new, although I will always continue to give nods to books and writers who inspire - it almost seems rude not to do so. CoR was my quest for a significantly more modern epic fantasy - modern in the city, modern in the cultural and political references, modern in the character types. Viriconium does a very good job of distilling the essence of melancholy, of faded cultural glories - and there isn't't much of that to be found in Villiren. It's a brutal, forward-looking environment that embraces a more laissez-faire economy.\nCoR reveals quite an epic history that was only really hinted at in NoV – since it drives the overall story arc in the first two books, you clearly had worked out much of these details prior to writing NoV. But how much did you know about your own world as you started writing CoR? Did you have a comprehensive knowledge of your own world, or did you fill in some of the gaps as you went along?\nI had a fairly good idea of what I wanted, and a lot of these ideas have in fact been simmering away for years, though much of it was only sketched out. After selling NoV, I made a significant effort to flesh that out for the full four books. But part of the fun is creating a novel that can stand on its own, without needing the other books in the series to function fully, and I do enjoy the organic elements of creation at the start of each novel. So it's a bit of both.\nIt could be argued that NoV lacked a strong female protagonist, but CoR rectifies this with the character Beami who is a wilful, confident young woman. Were you specifically looking to subvert the gender roles so often found in epic fantasy, and did you find it difficult to enter the mindset of such a character?\nNot so much as subvert gender roles - rather, I just wanted to write a realistic woman. I'm keen that, as a writer I want to develop, and I felt that female characters were my weak point, so I wanted a strong, independent woman, which didn't resort to the other end of the spectrum and be all ZOMG super kick-ass in tight costumes, since that's heading towards male fetish territory.\nBut yes, it's always difficult to write characters that aren't, well, oneself - and one of the great things about writing various characters with this in mind is empathising with various gender roles. For example, decisions such as how much does or should an intelligent woman trade on her looks to make her way in a culture that is, essentially, a patriarchy? And I know I'm not perfect at answering these questions - but it's important to try, surely.\nMalum is particularly fascinating; an individual whose aggressive exterior hides his more fragile centre. Was there any particular influence behind the creation of this character?\nHe came from nowhere, if I'm honest, and he changed throughout. But one thing I was intrigued about was creating a tough character with deep flaws, and reason and fragility and purpose behind such brazen machismo - since one of the fascinating things about violent exteriors is exploring the reasons why people are like that. I refuse, for example, to see a barbarian as just a barbarian - there are reasons that person has become that way, and you can't ignore that.\nKeeping on the subject of characters, you pay very close attention to your characters’ personal lives. Furthermore, their personal lives often clash with their professional careers, with a variety of results. The result of this approach is that it injects a real dose of realism to proceedings. Was this a specific intent of yours when you began working on the Legends of the Red Sun series, and do you think this approach is generally lacking in modern epic fantasy?\nI'm glad you noticed that because yes, without a doubt that was my intention. From the outset, I wanted the personal lives to get in the way of the big events - because they do in the real world, too, and these things are very often glossed over. It's something that's common in most other genres, but I think occasionally gets sacrificed from epic fantasy because so much airtime is given to huge, culture-changing events, or to world-building. Which is not to say it happens all the time. I do want personal lives and vendettas and concerns to get in the way. Picking a gay character to be the head of an elite military organisation was a big declaration of this intent.\nIn CoR you explore a number of themes, along them masculinity, racism and sexuality. Did these themes arise as you began writing the novel, or did you have them firmly in mind beforehand and tailor your characters around them?\nMost of it happens organically, throughout the shaping of the novel, and around half way through I'm usually aware of what the themes are. Though with CoR I wanted to write Malum as an examination of masculinity, and juxtapose him against Brynd as another examination of what it means - if anything. The racism - yes, that's often been lurking in the subtext, and it was a natural development in CoR - the story demanded it. And race doesn't have to be split down the colour line - race can be divided down the species line in secondary worlds, too. But I do think many fantasies shy away from confronting race issues (unlike the real world, in which they are very apparent), which is a problem with the genre, though there are good examples to counter this, and good writers are making efforts to talk about race. Is it a problem of the nature of escapist fiction to - often - avoid confrontation? Who knows.\nIt could be argued that organised religion is portrayed in a negative light in your world – does this reflect your personal beliefs, or is it merely a reflection of the way religion is regarded in a dying world where the sun is slowly fading?\nI don't personally see religion as a negative thing, though yes of course there are problems - this is a subject that defies generalisations. Faith is hugely important to people, and I respect that. But the church in my creation (as we'll see in the next novel, as well as City of Ruin) is playing a special role. I won't go into details here, because that will give spoilers, but the problems so far encountered are more issues with power and influence of such an organisation rather than religion per se.\nTwo words: HUGE SPIDER. Was the inclusion of such a creature in CoR the culmination of some personal geek fantasy of yours?\nDo I have fantasies about giant spiders? What kind of sick dude do you think I am?! More seriously: I love a good monster, and the giant spider has been used famously in the genre, but I hope I've put my own unique spin on things. I'm writing fantasy because I want to exercise my imagination, and I'd be too bored writing a pseudo medieval world that didn't possess a little weirdness.\nI do think you're the kind of sick dude that has geek fetishes for giant spiders, hence the question! Moving on...like NoV, CoR is largely set in a bleak urban environment – what is it about such urban settings that appeal to you as a writer?\nI have a strange relationship with the city. I admire many things about it (their multiculturalism for example), but I also find them hugely depressing places. It might be from having grown up in the countryside, and appreciating not inhaling Nitrogen Dioxide fumes or having thousands of shoppers looking for the Next Shiny Thing, so I suspect my opinion of cities sneaks through whether I like it or not. I don't think they appeal aesthetically - but they're certainly more interesting in which to create, and there are more types of people in one place, and more potential scenarios... The city, arguably, offers a lot to a writer.\nFinally, I personally consider CoR to be a dramatic improvement on NoV in practically every aspect. How do you feel now that the book is finished – do you think it is a more comprehensive demonstration of your abilities as a writer?\nI'm glad you think there was an improvement, too. After Nights, I still felt I wasn't writing quite as well as I could, that I had a few problems, though these things are always with the benefit of hindsight. Which isn't to say I'm not proud of NoV - I am, immensely so - but I can rest happy knowing that City of Ruin is out there, because it contains the weirdness I truly love with many of the cultural and political leanings that inform the work, more so than Nights. And writers grow - they get better at plotting and characterisation etc - but I think I've ironed out some flaws, and that comes with more practice. Though ultimately it's not up to me to declare whether or not the improvements are welcomed by all.\nMany thanks to Mark for his answers; keep your eyes peeled for part two of the interview in the near future...\nI am Legend: the darkest post-apocalyptic book eve...\nAn interview with Mark Charan Newton - Part the Se...","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line215978"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8945790529251099,"wiki_prob":0.8945790529251099,"text":"College football: Union topic looms over ’Cats\nANDREW SELIGMAN\nEVANSTON, Ill. — When members of Northwestern’s football team had the chance to sign union cards back in January, some players signed their names, others did not.\nRunning back Venric Mark said Tuesday that he wondered if the ones who did realized the ramifications of the decision and where it would lead.\n“I don’t know if people kind of knew what they were going to get into or if they thought it was going to turn out the way it did,” he said. “But at the end of the day, now it’s time to get back to work. I mean, we have a job to do.”\nWhether being a student athlete is a job is at the center of a national debate over whether college athletes should unionize. The Wildcats resumed spring practice Tuesday for the first time after a decision from a regional labor official that cleared the way for the formation of a union, setting up Northwestern as ground zero for the effort to organize athletes. The school is appealing.\nFormer Wildcats quarterback Kain Colter has been serving as the face of the movement. Former UCLA linebacker Ramogi Huma, the designated president of the would-be union, said that the scholarship players would vote April 25 on whether to authorize the College Athletes Players Association to represent them. The pair were in Washington on Wednesday to meet with members of Congress.\nFor now, there’s a long list of unanswered questions before the team, such as when exactly the vote would be held, whether scholarships would be counted as taxable income and how it would affect the training schedule in a “work week” for those who play on the team.\nCould there be a division between players who signed union cards and those who did not? And what about the team’s relationship with coach Pat Fitzgerald?\n“It doesn’t threaten anything,” said Mark, who would not say whether or not he signed a union card.\n“Northwestern has treated us all well and we know that. And we know that it is a privilege to be here so at the end of the day we’re all going to support our former teammate, but we also know we’re here to get a degree and we’re also here to play football.”\nIf Fitzgerald felt he was in an awkward spot, he wasn’t about to say so on Tuesday.\n“No. Any football questions?” he said.\nFitzgerald had not addressed the ruling from a regional director of the National Labor Relations Board with the team as of Tuesday morning. He and athletic administrators had an afternoon meeting with the school’s lawyers.\n“You know there’s a lot of things that we’ll discuss here (with the team), but from the standpoint of the way that we’ve operated here, I’ve got full confidence in the way we run our program and the guys have been terrific and I think they’ve shown the commitment to the program,” Fitzgerald said. “So it’s no change for us.”","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line153604"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7122774124145508,"wiki_prob":0.7122774124145508,"text":"Buck Donaldson Oral History\nThis collection consists of a transcript of an interview with Buck Donaldson by Kurt Piehler and Tiffany Davis conducted on October 21, 2002 in Knoxville, Tennessee as part of the Veteran's Oral History Project. In the interview, Donaldson speaks about his childhood in the Depression, his experiences in the Navy during World War II, and his postwar life as a missionary in Africa.\nDates: 2002 October 21\nCharles Bray Collection\nThis collection features photographs, news articles, book excerpts, and other papers from Charles Bray's military service during World War II and his time living in Vietnam while working with the Central Intelligence Agency.\nDavid F. Ross Collection\nThis collection features various military documents, photographs, and books from David F. Ross, a Lieutenant in the 5th Air Force deployed in the Pacific Theater during World War II.\nDates: 1944-1949, 1984, undated\nFoster Arnett Oral History\nThis collection houses a typescript of an oral history interview conducted with Foster Arnett by G. Kurt Piehler and Johnny Goins for the Veteran's Oral History Project at the Center for the Study of War and Society. The interview documents Arnett's childhood in East Tennessee, his experiences in the Pacific Theater during World War II, and his postwar legal practice.\nDates: 2000 July 7\nFrank Baghetti Collection\nThis collection includes a copy of World War II soldier Frank Baghetti's memoir, \"As I Witnessed World War II,\" along with aa photograph of Baghetti's plane, \"Hubba Hubba.\"\nFrank Kersnowski Collection\nThis collection consists of materials regarding Lt. Frank L. Kersnowski, a staff sergeant at a hospital in Honolulu, Hawaii during World War II. This collection includes military documents, newspapers, publications, photographs, and a scrapbook. Most publications are photocopies.\nDates: 1939-1946, 1986, 1989, undated\nFreytag Family Papers\nThis collection gives a glimpse into the life of the Freytag family, a miltary family from Wartburg, TN. The collection includes correspondence, press clippings, photographs, and certificates regarding the Freytag children, Albert Jr., Fred, and Maxwell. Albert Jr. was enlisted in the U.S. Marines, Fred was enlisted in the U.S. Navy, and Maxwell was enlisted in the U.S. Army. All materials are photocopies, donated by the family matriarch, Ethel H. Freytag.\nGus W. Dyer Collection\nThis collection contains Gus W. Dyer’s memoirs, essays, diary entries, and correspondence from his time serving in World War II in the Pacific Theater.\nDates: 1942-1945, 1985\nHarold S. Fink Collection\nThis collection contains material regarding the military career of Harold S. Fink, a Lieutenant in the U.S. Naval Reserve who served during World War II.\nHarry H. Mittenthal Collection\nThis collection includes a typed copy of Statement of Capt. Harry H. Mittenthal which details Mittenthal's experience as a Japanese prisoner of war during World War II from 1942 to 1945.\nHogins Family Collection\nThis collection consists of correspondence, photographs, press clippings, recollections, and ephemera collected by Evelyn Hogins concerning World War II. It also includes material concerning Evelyn's mother, Annie Hogins, and Evelyn's brothers: Clifford, Lawrence \"Buster\", and Marshall Hogins. The brothers all served in the U.S. military. A significant portion of the collection is comprised of photocopies.\nDates: 1942-1945, 1966, 1984-1991\nJ. Harold Harveston Papers\nThis collection consists of correspondence between J. Harold Harveston, a radioman in the U.S. Navy during World War II, and his parents. It also contains an undated newspaper clipping regarding Harveston from the Knoxville News Sentinel.\nDates: 1938 February 12; 1939 November 28; undated\nJames Harold Fox Collection\nThis collection features three letters and a newspaper clipping regarding James Harold Fox's service during World War II as a member of the Bombing-Fighting Squadron 89 and the Fleet Tactical Support Squadron 21.\nDates: 1945, 1964, undated\nJames R. Eddy Collection\nThis collection contains materials pertaining to James R. Eddy, member of the U.S. Army Air Force during World War II. The documents include Eddy's correspondence and military papers, newspaper articles, and photographs taken in Tinian, Saipan, and Guam during the war.\nDates: 1940s-1950s\nJames W. Howland Collection\nThis collection contains correspondence and other papers of World War II veteran James W. Howland’s experience in the Pacific Theater.\nJohn H. Allen Collection\nThis collection includes two maps of the China-Burma-India theater, headquarters documents, membership records of John H. Allen, a World War II soldier. Also included is Allen's journal of places and connected events and an interview transcript of Allen detailing his time serving in WWII.\nMorton L. Gubin Collection\nThis collection contains three separate command operation orders and instructions from Morton Gubin's time serving in World War II in the Pacific Theater.\nOmar L. Ash Correspondence\nThis collection includes several letters penned by Omar L. Ash, mainly to his mother and Lela Ann, during his World War II service. Other letters included are addressed from Ash's commanders.\nDates: 1943 March 13-1945 September 27, undated\nOwen Musgrove Collection\nThis collection contains photographs of the Philippines and a transcript of a Japanese diary donated by Owen Musgrove who was deployed with the Army during World War II in the Pacific Theater.\nRobert A. Page Collection\nThis collection features photographs, documents, and currency from Robert A. Page's service during World War II in the United States Army.\nDates: 1944 May 10-1946 March 26, undated\nSubject: World War, 1939-1945 -- Veterans -- United States. X\nSubject: World War, 1939-1945 -- Campaigns -- Pacific Area. X\nUnited States. Navy. 9\nUnited States. Army. 8\nWorld War, 1939-1945 -- Correspondence. 4\nWorld War, 1939-1945 -- Campaigns -- Europe. 3\nWorld War, 1939-1945 -- Japan. 3\nWorld War, 1939-1945 -- Personal narratives, American. 3\nWorld War, 1939-1945 -- Photography. 3\nWorld War, 1939-1945 -- Veterans -- Tennessee. 3\nUnited States. Air Force. 2\nUnited States. Army Air Forces. 2\nUnited States. Army. Air Corps. 2\nWorld War, 1939-1945 -- Campaigns -- Japan. 2\nWorld War, 1939-1945 -- Campaigns -- Philippines. 2\nWorld War, 1939-1945 -- Philippines. 2\nAtomic bomb -- Japan -- Hiroshima-shi. 1\nBaptists -- Missions -- Africa. 1\nGreat Depression. 1\nHiroshima-shi (Japan) -- History -- Bombardment, 1945. 1\nKnoxville (Tenn.) -- History. 1\nLawyers -- Tennessee. 1\nLeyte Gulf, Battle of, Philippines, 1944. 1\nLouisiana -- History. 1\nMissionaries -- Africa, Sub-Saharan. 1\nMorgan County (Tenn.) 1\nOral history -- United States. 1\nPearl Harbor (Hawaii), Attack on, 1941. 1\nUnited States. Army. Division, 40th. 1\nUnited States. Army. Parachute Infantry Regiment, 511th. 1\nUnited States. Marine Corps. 1\nUniversity of Tennessee, Knoxville -- Faculty. 1\nVietnam War, 1961-1975. 1\nWorld War, 1939-1945 -- Campaigns -- Burma. 1\nWorld War, 1939-1945 -- Campaigns -- Italy. 1\nWorld War, 1939-1945 -- Campaigns -- Saipan. 1\nWorld War, 1939-1945 -- Naval operations, American. 1\nWorld War, 1939-1945 -- Prisoners and prisons, American. 1\nWorld War, 1939-1945 -- Prisoners and prisons, Japanese. 1\nWorld War, 1939-1945 -- Prisoners and prisons. 1\nWorld War, 1939-1945 -- Propaganda. 1\nWorld War, 1939-1945 -- United States. 1","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line606577"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9992517232894897,"wiki_prob":0.9992517232894897,"text":"ABC Primetime\nNathan Fillion talks about season 3's dramatic finale of 'The Rookie' on ABC\nJennifer Matarese interviews Nathan Fillion about \"The Rookie's\" season 3 finale on ABC.\nNEW YORK -- Season three of ABC's \"The Rookie\" is coming to a dramatic ending that fans won't see coming, at least according to its star.\nNathan Fillion, who plays Officer John Nolan, says that the bitter drug cartel involving La Fiera has been getting deeper and more serious as lines have been crossed and people have been killed.\n\"I don't think it's going to end the way people think it's going to end,\" Fillion said. \"The stakes have been very high; the stakes are going to go up from there.\"\nAlso, Emily Deschanel of \"Bones\" is playing John's ex-wife Sarah in a guest-starring role.\n\"Back when we were doing our respective shows, 'Castle' and 'Bones,' Emily and I presented an award together, I want to say the Emmys, what a lovely, lovely, lady, what an incredibly talented actress. I'd been looking forward to working with her for years and we finally got to do it and in a role where we will more than likely get to see her again,\" Fillion said. \"I can't tell you how excited I am.\"\nThis season of \"The Rookie\" was 14 episodes instead of 20 like in seasons 1 and 2 due to the pandemic, but Fillion says it was packed with plenty of story.\n\"People come first, the show comes next, and that allowed us to be safe enough to work through a pandemic, I'm not going to lie to you, it was scary, it was scary for all of us,\" Fillion said. \"Tedious protocols and frequent testing, people taking care of each other allowed us to pull out 14 episodes and it could have been 10.\"\nFillion says he's hoping to bring more action and drama to season 4 of the show, but time will tell.\nYou can watch the season 3 finale of \"The Rookie\" on Sunday, May 16 at 10 p.m. EDT.\nALSO READ: Former 'Bachelorette' Kaitlyn Bristowe engaged to Jason Tartick\nARTS & ENTERTAINMENT ABC PRIMETIME ABC\nCharacters in 'Will Trent' as interesting as the cases they solve\nQuinta Brunson surprises Jim Gardner during Thanksgiving Day Parade\nSheryl Lee Ralph receives Honorary Order of Jamaica award\nNiecy Nash-Betts stars in the spin-off series 'The Rookie: Feds'\nRepublican lawmakers to appeal court decision to delay Krasner trial","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1299793"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6919431090354919,"wiki_prob":0.30805689096450806,"text":"Top Kiesza Songs\nKiesza was around 25 years old when her first singled charted. Kiesza first charted in 2014. Her last appearance in the charts was 2014. She had chart topping singles covering a span of 1 year.\nGiant in My Heart\nList of Singles for Girls Aloud\nThe list of top singles for Girls Aloud come from the Playback.fm charts. Chart appearances and counts span from 1900-2016 only. Chart appearances include Pop, R&B, Country and Rock. Other genres are not yet included. This list only includes the first billed artist for the given track. It may include writing credits and featured credits in the near future. The data is for entertainment purposes only.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line343301"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7851181626319885,"wiki_prob":0.7851181626319885,"text":"Control of TH17 cells occurs in the small intestine\nEnric Esplugues1,2,3 na1,\nSamuel Huber1,4 na1,\nNicola Gagliani5,\nAnja E. Hauser2,\nTerrence Town6,7,\nYisong Y. Wan8,\nWilliam O’Connor1,\nAnthony Rongvaux1,\nNico Van Rooijen9,\nAnn M. Haberman10,\nYoichiro Iwakura11,\nVijay K. Kuchroo12,\nJay K. Kolls13,\nJeffrey A. Bluestone14,\nKevan C. Herold1 &\nRichard A. Flavell1,15\nNature volume 475, pages 514–518 (2011)Cite this article\nImmunopathogenesis\nInflammatory diseases\nT-helper 17 cells\nInterleukin (IL)-17-producing T helper cells (TH17) are a recently identified CD4+ T cell subset distinct from T helper type 1 (TH1) and T helper type 2 (TH2) cells1. TH17 cells can drive antigen-specific autoimmune diseases and are considered the main population of pathogenic T cells driving experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE)2, the mouse model for multiple sclerosis. The factors that are needed for the generation of TH17 cells have been well characterized3,4,5,6. However, where and how the immune system controls TH17 cells in vivo remains unclear. Here, by using a model of tolerance induced by CD3-specific antibody, a model of sepsis and influenza A viral infection (H1N1), we show that pro-inflammatory TH17 cells can be redirected to and controlled in the small intestine. TH17-specific IL-17A secretion induced expression of the chemokine CCL20 in the small intestine, facilitating the migration of these cells specifically to the small intestine via the CCR6/CCL20 axis. Moreover, we found that TH17 cells are controlled by two different mechanisms in the small intestine: first, they are eliminated via the intestinal lumen; second, pro-inflammatory TH17 cells simultaneously acquire a regulatory phenotype with in vitro and in vivo immune-suppressive properties (rTH17). These results identify mechanisms limiting TH17 cell pathogenicity and implicate the gastrointestinal tract as a site for control of TH17 cells.\nDysregulated thrombospondin 1 and miRNA-29a-3p in severe COVID-19\nIn Soo Kim\n, Sung-Gwon Lee\n… Chungoo Park\nScientific Reports Open Access 08 December 2022\nIκBζ controls IL-17-triggered gene expression program in intestinal epithelial cells that restricts colonization of SFB and prevents Th17-associated pathologies\nSoh Yamazaki\n, Naohiro Inohara\n… Hiroyasu Nakano\nMucosal Immunology Open Access 24 August 2022\nCell-autonomous Hedgehog signaling controls Th17 polarization and pathogenicity\nJoachim Hanna\n, Flavio Beke\n… Maike de la Roche\nNature Communications Open Access 14 July 2022\nFigure 1: Accumulation of T H 17 cells in the small intestine after CD3-specific antibody treatment.\nFigure 2: The axis CCR6/CCL20 is essential for the recruitment of T H 17 cells to the small intestine.\nFigure 3: Functional and molecular characterization of rT H 17 cells.\nFigure 4: T H 17 cells are recruited to the small intestine during sepsis.\nKorn, T., Bettelli, E., Oukka, M. & Kuchroo, V. K. IL-17 and Th17 cells. Annu. Rev. Immunol. 27, 485–517 (2009)\nLangrish, C. L. et al. IL-23 drives a pathogenic T cell population that induces autoimmune inflammation. J. Exp. Med. 201, 233–240 (2005)\nBettelli, E. et al. Reciprocal developmental pathways for the generation of pathogenic effector TH17 and regulatory T cells. Nature 441, 235–238 (2006)\nMangan, P. R. et al. Transforming growth factor-β induces development of the TH17 lineage. Nature 441, 231–234 (2006)\nManel, N., Unutmaz, D. & Littman, D. R. The differentiation of human TH-17 cells requires transforming growth factor-β and induction of the nuclear receptor RORγt. Nature Immunol. 9, 641–649 (2008)\nYang, L. et al. IL-21 and TGF-β are required for differentiation of human TH17 cells. Nature 454, 350–352 (2008)\nHirota, K. et al. Preferential recruitment of CCR6-expressing Th17 cells to inflamed joints via CCL20 in rheumatoid arthritis and its animal model. J. Exp. Med. 204, 2803–2812 (2007)\nMerger, M. et al. Defining the roles of perforin, Fas/FasL, and tumour necrosis factor α in T cell induced mucosal damage in the mouse intestine. Gut 51, 155–163 (2002)\nChatenoud, L. & Bluestone, J. A. CD3-specific antibodies: a portal to the treatment of autoimmunity. Nature Rev. Immunol. 7, 622–632 (2007)\nHerold, K. C. et al. Treatment of patients with new onset type 1 diabetes with a single course of anti-CD3 mAb teplizumab preserves insulin production for up to 5 years. Clin. Immunol. 132, 166–173 (2009)\nCarpenter, P. A. et al. Non-Fc receptor-binding humanized anti-CD3 antibodies induce apoptosis of activated human T cells. J. Immunol. 165, 6205–6213 (2000)\nSmith, C. A., Williams, G. T., Kingston, R., Jenkinson, E. J. & Owen, J. J. Antibodies to CD3/T-cell receptor complex induce death by apoptosis in immature T cells in thymic cultures. Nature 337, 181–184 (1989)\nPerruche, S. et al. CD3-specific antibody-induced immune tolerance involves transforming growth factor-β from phagocytes digesting apoptotic T cells. Nature Med. 14, 528–535 (2008)\nChatenoud, L., Primo, J. & Bach, J. F. CD3 antibody-induced dominant self tolerance in overtly diabetic NOD mice. J. Immunol. 158, 2947–2954 (1997)\nAlegre, M. L. et al. An anti-murine CD3 monoclonal antibody with a low affinity for Fc gamma receptors suppresses transplantation responses while minimizing acute toxicity and immunogenicity. J. Immunol. 155, 1544–1555 (1995)\nBettelli, E. et al. Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein-specific T cell receptor transgenic mice develop spontaneous autoimmune optic neuritis. J. Exp. Med. 197, 1073–1081 (2003)\nAnnunziato, F. et al. Phenotypic and functional features of human Th17 cells. J. Exp. Med. 204, 1849–1861 (2007)\nReboldi, A. et al. C-C chemokine receptor 6-regulated entry of TH-17 cells into the CNS through the choroid plexus is required for the initiation of EAE. Nature Immunol. 10, 514–523 (2009)\nBrown, S. J. & Mayer, L. The immune response in inflammatory bowel disease. Am. J. Gastroenterol. 102, 2058–2069 (2007)\nPetitto, J. M., Streit, W. J., Huang, Z., Butfiloski, E. & Schiffenbauer, J. Interleukin-2 gene deletion produces a robust reduction in susceptibility to experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in C57BL/6 mice. Neurosci. Lett. 285, 66–70 (2000)\nPestka, S. et al. Interleukin-10 and related cytokines and receptors. Annu. Rev. Immunol. 22, 929–979 (2004)\nMcGeachy, M. J. et al. TGF-β and IL-6 drive the production of IL-17 and IL-10 by T cells and restrain TH-17 cell-mediated pathology. Nature Immunol. 8, 1390–1397 (2007)\nKohm, A. P. et al. Treatment with nonmitogenic anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody induces CD4+ T cell unresponsiveness and functional reversal of established experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. J. Immunol. 174, 4525–4534 (2005)\nKhader, S. A., Gaffen, S. L. & Kolls, J. K. Th17 cells at the crossroads of innate and adaptive immunity against infectious diseases at the mucosa. Mucosal Immunol. 2, 403–411 (2009)\nRodriguez-Creixems, M. et al. Bloodstream infections: evolution and trends in the microbiology workload, incidence, and etiology, 1985–2006. Medicine (Baltimore) 87, 234–249 (2008)\nMartin, G. S., Mannino, D. M., Eaton, S. & Moss, M. The epidemiology of sepsis in the United States from 1979 through 2000. N. Engl. J. Med. 348, 1546–1554 (2003)\nOchi, A., Yuh, K. & Migita, K. Not every superantigen induces tolerance in vivo . Semin. Immunol. 5, 57–63 (1993)\nSoos, J. M., Schiffenbauer, J. & Johnson, H. M. Treatment of PL/J mice with the superantigen, staphylococcal enterotoxin B, prevents development of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis. J. Neuroimmunol. 43, 39–43 (1993)\nChowell, G. et al. Severe respiratory disease concurrent with the circulation of H1N1 influenza. N. Engl. J. Med. 361, 674–679 (2009)\nWan, Y. Y. & Flavell, R. A. Identifying Foxp3-expressing suppressor T cells with a bicistronic reporter. Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA 102, 5126–5131 (2005)\nNakae, S. et al. Antigen-specific T cell sensitization is impaired in IL-17-deficient mice, causing suppression of allergic cellular and humoral responses. Immunity 17, 375–387 (2002)\nYe, P. et al. Requirement of interleukin 17 receptor signaling for lung CXC chemokine and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor expression, neutrophil recruitment, and host defense. J. Exp. Med. 194, 519–528 (2001)\nKamanaka, M. et al. Expression of interleukin-10 in intestinal lymphocytes detected by an interleukin-10 reporter knockin tiger mouse. Immunity 25, 941–952 (2006)\nThe authors would like to thank F. Manzo for expert administrative assistance, L. Evangelisti and C. Hughes for generating embryonic stem cells and chimaeric mice, respectively, J. Stein for initial screening of knock-in mice, T. Ferrandino for assistance with the mouse colony, E. Eynon and J. Alderman for managing the mouse program and A. Lin for assistance with Gene Array analysis. We also thank T. Taylor and G. Tokmoulina for expert help with the FACS sorting and D. Gonzalez for help with the multiphoton microscopy. We would like to thank J. P. Allison for providing the anti-CTLA-4 antibody, F. Waldron-Lynch and J. S. Pober for providing peripheral blood mononuclear cells, and the NIH Tetramer core facility for providing the tetramers. W.O. was supported by a fellowship from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. S.H. was supported by the DFG (HU 1714/1-1) and by a James Hudson Brown–Alexander B. Coxe Fellowship. E.E. was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science postdoctoral fellowship and by a James Hudson Brown–Alexander B. Coxe Fellowship. R.A.F. is an Investigator of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. The generation of mice for this work was supported by the Transgenic Core of the Yale DERC DK45735 and some of the work supported by a Pilot project from DK45735. This work was also supported by the JDRF.\nEnric Esplugues and Samuel Huber: These authors contributed equally to this work.\nDepartment of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, 06520, Connecticut, USA\nEnric Esplugues, Samuel Huber, William O’Connor, Anthony Rongvaux, Kevan C. Herold & Richard A. Flavell\nGerman Rheumatism Research Center (DRFZ), A Leibniz Institute, Berlin 10117, Germany\nEnric Esplugues & Anja E. Hauser\nCluster of Excellence NeuroCure, Charite-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin 10117, Germany\nEnric Esplugues\nI. Medizinische Klinik, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg 20246, Germany\nSamuel Huber\nSan Raffaele Diabetes Research Institute (HSR-DRI), Milan 20132, Italy\nNicola Gagliani\nDepartments of Biomedical Sciences and Neurosurgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, 90048, California, USA\nTerrence Town\nDepartment of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, 90048, California, USA\nDepartment of Microbiology and Immunology, Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of North Carolina, School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, 27599, North Carolina, USA\nYisong Y. Wan\nDepartment of Molecular Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, 1081 BT, The Netherlands\nNico Van Rooijen\nDepartment of Laboratory Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, 06520, Connecticut, USA\nAnn M. Haberman\nCenter for Experimental Medicine, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan\nYoichiro Iwakura\nCenter for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, 02115, Massachusetts, USA\nVijay K. Kuchroo\nDepartment of Genetics, LSU Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, 70112, Louisiana, USA\nJay K. Kolls\nDiabetes Center at the University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, 94143, California, USA\nJeffrey A. Bluestone\nHoward Hughes Medical Institute, New Haven, 06520, Connecticut, USA\nRichard A. Flavell\nAnja E. Hauser\nWilliam O’Connor\nAnthony Rongvaux\nKevan C. Herold\nE.E., S.H. and R.A.F. designed the study and wrote the manuscript; N.G. did the in vitro suppression assays and the flow analysis for IL-10 expression; A.E.H. and A.M.H did the two-photon laser-scanning microscopy experiments; T.T. did the immunohistochemistry analysis; W.O. supported the work with key suggestions and by editing the manuscript; E.E. and S.H. did all other in vitro and in vivo experimental work; Y.Y.W. provided Foxp3–mRFP mice; A.R. did the viral infection experiments; N.V.R. provided clodronate-loaded liposomes, V.K.K provided 2D2 mice and feedback on the manuscript; Y.I. provided Il17a–/– mice and feedback on the manuscript; J.K.K. provided the Il17ra–/– mice and feedback on the manuscript and J.A.B. provided CD3-specific antibodies and feedback on the manuscript; K.C.H. provided teplizumab and key suggestions. E.E. and R.A.F. co-directed the project.\nCorrespondence to Enric Esplugues or Richard A. Flavell.\nThe authors declare no competing financial interests.\nSupplementary Figures\nThe file contains Supplementary Figures 1-18 with legends. (PDF 2421 kb)\nSupplementary Movie 1\nThe movie shows Multiphoton analysis of the small intestine of IL17A–eGFP x FoxP3–mRFP double reporter mice during CD3-specific antibody treatment. (MOV 6677 kb)\nPowerPoint slide for Fig. 1\nEsplugues, E., Huber, S., Gagliani, N. et al. Control of TH17 cells occurs in the small intestine. Nature 475, 514–518 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1038/nature10228\nIssue Date: 28 July 2011\nDOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nature10228\nIL-17 and IL-17-producing cells in protection versus pathology\nKingston H. G. Mills\nNature Reviews Immunology (2023)\nTH17 cell heterogeneity and its role in tissue inflammation\nAlexandra Schnell\nNature Immunology (2023)\nIdentification of two migratory colon ILC2 populations differentially expressing IL-17A and IL-5/IL-13\nHongzhi Liu\nLiang Li\nBing Su\nScience China Life Sciences (2023)\nInduction of T-helper-17-cell-mediated anti-tumour immunity by pathogen-mimicking polymer nanoparticles\nSejin Son\nJutaek Nam\nJames J. Moon\nSphingosine 1-phosphate modulation and immune cell trafficking in inflammatory bowel disease\nBram Verstockt\nStefania Vetrano\nSeverine Vermeire\nNature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology (2022)\nEditorial Summary\nKeeping TH17 cells under wraps\nInterleukin-17-producing T helper (TH17) cells serve an important role in the immune system, but are strongly implicated in the pathogenesis of numerous autoimmune diseases including rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis. How the immune system controls TH17 cells in vivo remains unclear. Using mice in which tolerance was induced by CD3-specific antibody, a model of sepsis and influenza A viral infection, Esplugues et al. demonstrate that TH17 cells are kept in check by redirecting the cells to the small intestine where they are eliminated or re-programmed to acquire immunosuppressive and regulatory properties. This work identifies the gastrointestinal tract as a site for control of TH17 cells.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1780125"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9526592493057251,"wiki_prob":0.9526592493057251,"text":"Autopsy - Severed Survival\nAvailable On LP\nLP - £21.99 GBP\nSevered Survival is the debut album by Autopsy released in 1989. This album somewhat continues in the style of Reifert's former band Death. Lyrically the band thrives heavily on horror, death and gore concepts; nevertheless these are not inspired directly by horror movies, although the title track is based on Stephen King's short story \"Survivor Type.\" The album was very influential for future death metal acts such as Cannibal Corpse, Entombed, and Dismember. It was also a pioneer of gore lyrics. The album features Steve DiGiorgio on bass.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1072654"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5558264255523682,"wiki_prob":0.44417357444763184,"text":"U-M programming team competes at highest level in ACM-ICPC competition\nThe Victors, a U-M student programming team, competed in the prestigious 2018 ACM International Collegiate Programming Contest (ICPC) World Finals in Beijing, China.\nL-R: Nathan Fenner, Lawrence (Larry) Wu, Aman Karunakaran, and Prof. Kevin Compton\nThe Victors, a U-M student programming team, competed in the 2018 ACM International Collegiate Programming Contest (ICPC) World Finals in Beijing, China, on April 15 – 20, 2018.\nThe ACM-ICPC is the largest and most prestigious computer programming competition in the world. The competition pits teams of three university students against eight or more complex, real-world problems, with a grueling five-hour deadline. Huddled around a single computer, competitors race against the clock in a battle of logic, strategy, and mental endurance.\nThe U-M team, including Nathan Fenner, Aman Karunakaran, and Lawrence (Larry) Wu, placed 56th out of the 120 teams that advanced to the world finals. Over 46,000 students worldwide had competed in regional competition for the honor of participating in the world finals.\nTo reach the world finals, the Victors competed in the 2017 ACM East Central North America Regional Programming Contest, where they placed fourth out of the 140 teams that participated.\nDuring the world finals, the teammates collaborated to rank the difficulty of the problems, deduced the requirements, designed test beds, and built software systems that solve the problems under the intense scrutiny of expert judges. The Victors were able to solve four out of nine problems correctly.\nThe U-M programming team was coached by longtime programming team coach Prof. Compton. Assistant coaches were CSE graduate student Yujie An (who was on UM teams that advanced to World Finals in 2014 and 2015) and U-M alumnus Dennis Matveyev, who has assisted with training for many years.\nClick here to view pictures of the competition, courtesy of Dennis Matveyev.\nStudent News; Undergraduate Students","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line606439"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5415441393852234,"wiki_prob":0.4584558606147766,"text":"Boys Ranches in Paris, Texas\nHome » Boys Ranches in Paris, Texas\nTrying to Find A Boys Ranch in Paris, Texas? Teen Challenge Adventure Ranch for Boys in Arkansas May Actually Be a Better Option\nTeen Challenge Adventure Ranch helps boys from Paris, Texas on its Northwest Arkansas Campus. It is exceptional in that it has private bedrooms for each of the boys, an exciting wilderness program, and it includes mission trips and equine therapy.\nFor teen boys coping with anger, emotional issues, depression, behavioral problems, legal problems, or drug use or addictions, hope exists. A chance at a new life is available through Teen Challenge Adventure Ranch. We lovingly train struggling boys to choose a new path in life, leading them to be godly and upright young men.\nIf you would like to find boys ranch in Paris, Texas, be aware that Teen Challenge Adventure Ranch may be exactly what you are looking for, since getting away from your hometown — away from the negative impact of friends and familiar places — away–away from the pressure of friends and familiar places—could be precisely the right thing to start a transformation. Parents from all over the nation, including Paris, Texas, select Teen Challenge Adventure Ranch for their boys.\nSince we became the initial residential Teen Challenge program for boys, Teen Challenge Adventure Ranch has been serving families for more than five decades. We are certain that a relationship with Christ is the surest way to change in the lives of the young men we serve. Every significant part of our program is biblically-based. We believe that centering our program on Christ explains why so many young men have realized success here, even where other programs didn’t work.\nA number of factors set Teen Challenge Adventure Ranch for boys apart from other therapeutic ranches:\nMORE STAFF — First, we keep student-to-staff ratios low to ensure boys have an abundance of supervision and one-on-one attention. Our staff are highly trained and most have bachelor or master’s degrees in their area of work.\nPRIVACY FOR EACH BOY — Rather than housing all the boys in a large dorm filled with bunk beds, our students have their own bedrooms, separate from the noise and influence of the other boys.\nFAMILY VISITS — Residents are allowed to make visits to home on seasonally scheduled breaks.\nEXTENSIVE AFTERCARE PROGRAM — After completion of Teen Challenge Adventure Ranch, boys go back home with a strong aftercare program to prevent relapse. Aftercare is included in our tuition package.\nEducation means a lot to us at Teen Challenge Adventure Ranch for Boys, because we feel education holds the key to future success. In our private school with fully accredited courses, students work on courses led by certified teachers, with individual tutoring available to help those who need it. We offer a GED opportunity for students with too many missing credits to finish senior high school in an appropriate time frame. Credits earned can transfer to private or public schools at home. Boys may also study basic vocational skills like woodworking, basic electrical, construction and carpentry, shop skills, basic automotive, and more.\nStudents at Teen Challenge Adventure Ranch take part in numerous recreational activities, both on and off campus. We operate an adventure program second to none. Besides being fun and physically challenging for the boys, it teaches them about reaching goals, communicating and working well with others.\nMany young men have put their lives back on track and have gone on to make a difference for Christ after completing the program at Teen Challenge Adventure Ranch for Boys. We would love to talk with you to determine if our boarding school is a good fit for your son. Whether you select Teen Challenge Adventure Ranch, a school in Paris, Texas, or another option, we hope your family can find the healing that Christ can bring. Please read the rest of our website and use our inquiry form or call us today.\nMore about therapeutic ranches for boys in or near Paris, Texas:\nParis, Texas is a city located Convert northeast of the DallasFort Worth Metroplex in Lamar County, Texas, in the United States. It is situated in Northeast Texas at the western edge of the Piney Woods. Physiographically, these regions are part of the West Gulf Coastal Plain. In 1900, 9,358 people lived in Paris; in 1910, 11,269; in 1920, 15,040; and in 1940, 18,678. As of the 2010 census, the population of the city was 25,171. It is the county seat of Lamar County and serves as a business and employment center for the county.\nThe film Paris, Texas by Wim Wenders was named after the city, but was not set there.\nLocal residents like the humorous slogan “Second Largest Paris in the World.” Following a tradition of American cities named “Paris”, a Convert replica of the Eiffel Tower was constructed in 1993. In 1998, presumably as a response to the 1993 construction of a Convert tower in Paris, Tennessee, the city placed a giant red cowboy hat atop the tower. The current tower is at least the second Eiffel Tower replica built in Paris; the first was constructed of wood and later destroyed by a tornado.\nIt is governed by a city council as specified in the city’s charter adopted in 1948. It has fewer than 100 police officers, and fewer than 100 fire fighters. It is rated Risk Zone 1 for earthquake potential, the lowest rating.\nExcerpt about therapeutic ranches in Paris, Texas, used with permission from Wikipedia.\nboys ranches in or near Paris, Texas.\nBoys Ranches in Arlington, Texas\nShould you need help finding best troubled teen schools, homes for troubled teens, schools for troubled teenagers, boarding schools for troubled youth, or therapeutic ranches for teens, please let us know. Teen Challenge Adventure Ranch is a Christian therapeutic boarding school and boys home. Boys come to our therapeutic school and home in Northwest Arkansas from across the United States. We help at-risk boys who struggle with behavioral issues. Therapeutic boarding schools and boys homes like Teen Challenge offer behavioral therapy and a rehab for troubled teen boys with teen counseling for boys.\nBoys Ranch with Wilderness and Adventure-Based Therapy, for Troubled Boys from Paris, Texas","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1736905"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9581619501113892,"wiki_prob":0.9581619501113892,"text":"Home / Read / 18 Excellent Women-Led Movies To Stream...\n18 Excellent Women-Led Movies To Stream Over Your Holiday Break\nFull-on relaxation season is officially upon us.\nBetween all the family time, shopping, wrapping, baking, traveling and bubbly drinking, there’s no better time than the holidays for plopping oneself in front of a screen for an extended period of time.\nAnd while it’s true that it’s all but impossible to watchElftoo many times, there’s no reason you can’t stray beyond holiday flicks and catch up on a bunch of female-led stunners, both new and classic.\nBelow, catch 14 movies you can catch for free so long as you have a Netflix, Hulu or Amazon Prime account.\nFrances Ha\nBefore Lady Bird,there was Frances Ha.The 2012 movie landed Greta Gerwig a Golden Globe nomination and scored a 92 percent “fresh” on Rotten Tomatoes. It’s a black and white comedy for the modern age, all about a young dancer trying to make a career for herself, and shimmering with pop music hits from Paul McCartney to Bowie. Frances Ha is streaming on Hulu.\nThe thrice-Oscar-nominated film portraying the story of three black female mathematicians working for NASA in the 1960s was one of the standout films last year, starring Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer and Janelle Monáe in the lead roles. Hidden Figures is available for streaming with a subscription to HBO.\nKill Bill (Volumes 1 and 2)\nUma Thurman stars in this iconic revenge action series directed by Quentin Tarantino, and it’s the perfect movie to stream when you’re feeling a little bit fiery. The movie won three MTV Movie Awards and Thurman was nominated for a Golden Globe for her role as the Bride. Catch Kill Bill on Hulu.\nFirst of all: Oprah. Second of all, this film is based on the remarkable true story of a black woman who was diagnosed with cervical cancer in the 1950s, and whose cancer cells would forever change the trajectory of treatment. In the lead role, Oprah plays the role of Deborah Lacks, daughter of Henrietta Lacks, in her search for answers about what her mother went through. Stream Henrietta Lackswith an HBO subscription.\nGirl Most Likely\nKristen Wiig, Annette Bening, and Natasha Lyonne come together in this beautiful, lighthearted film about family and oddballs. Christopher Schobert for Indie Wirecalled the film “a big-screen sitcom, elevated by Kristen Wiig and Annette Bening” Girl Most Likely is streaming on Amazon Prime.\nThis iconic buddy film, starring Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon, came out in 1991, but it’s as poignant was it ever was—perhaps even more so in the continued dialogue surrounding rape culture. This six-time Academy Award nominee is both heavy and heartening, and an excellent pick if you’re hanging out with your bestie or any other strong AF female in your life. Thelma & Louise is streaming on Hulu.\nThe Incredible Jessica James\nThe incredible Jessica Williams stars in this rom com about a struggling playwright who’s also majorly struggling with her love life. Williams is, as to be expected, hilarious and charming in her first feature role. Stream The Incredible Jessica James on Netflix.\nHello, My Name Is Doris\nThis sweet rom com stars Sally Field as a quirky and lovable 60-something who falls for her younger co-worker. Field is adorable in the role, naturally, and it’s an all-around charming film that touches on ageism—a subject that gets far too little airtime in cultural discussions. Catch Hello, My Name Is Doris on Amazon Prime.\nIs there a more apt time to revisit the story of Anita Hill than right now? The impeccable Kerry Washington stars in this biopic about the infamous sexual harassment cases involving the attorney and Supreme Court nominee (and now Supreme Court judge) Clarence Thomas. This HBO film is available with a subscription.\nIf you loved 30 Rock, there’s a very good chance you’ll love WTF, as it features two of the masterminds behind Liz Lemon’s shenanigans: Tina Fey stars as a television journalist that takes an assignment in Afghanistan, and writer Robert Carlock adapted the screenplay based on a memoir by Kim Barker. While the film is decidedly less of an outright comedy than 30 Rock, Fey and Carlock’s signature styles are still palpable. Stream WTF on Amazon Prime.\nLooking for a tear-jerker? Based on the widely acclaimed novel of the same name by Emma Donoghue, Room tells the story of a woman and her young son who have been living in forced captivity under the boy’s father, but eventually escape. Brie Larson won an Academy Award for Best Actress in 2015 for her stellar performance in the lead role. Catch Room on Amazon Prime.\nGirl, Interrupted\nWhile Winona Ryder stars in the lead role of this psychological drama about a young woman’s 18-month stay in a mental institution, it was Angelina Jolie who caught critics’ eyes, winning an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in 1999. Stream Girl, Interrupted on Amazon Prime.\nFollowing the success of Beginners, this Mike Mills film stars Annette Bening in the role of Dorthea, who runs a boarding house and has a young son (a plot that is largely based on Mills’ own childhood). Elle Fanning and Greta Gerwig also star in this superbly written and acted film. Find 20th Century Women on Amazon Prime.\nWhen superstar singer Amy Winehouse passed away unexpectedly at the age of 27 in 2011, she’d already left an indelible impression on pop music. This documentary takes a gutting dive into her longtime struggle with drugs and alcohol, her relationship with her now-infamous boyfriend, and the people closest to her who tried (and often failed) to give her the help she needed. Watch Amy on Amazon Prime.\nIn A World…\nThis delightful comedy written by, directed by and starring Lake Bell follows the story of Carol Solomon, a vocal coach looking to eke out a career for herself as a voiceover actress. The small-budget indie made big waves, with a 92 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes. In A World…is available for streaming on Netflix.\nThis gorgeous period drama tells the story of a forbidden love affair between two women in the 1950s. With Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara in the lead roles, this 2016 film picked up five Golden Globe nominations and six Academy Award nominations. Watch Carol on Netflix.\nThis French coming-of-age film is remarkable for a number of reasons, chief among them the performances from leads Léa Seydoux and Adèle Exarchopoulos, who play two young women who fall into a fast-paced, deeply tumultuous love. Based on a graphic novel by the same name, this 180-minute film features some seriously intense sex scenes and stellar acting—particularly from newbie Exarchopoulos. Catch Blue Is The Warmest Color on Netflix.\nAnother noteworthy French coming-of-age film, Girlhoodstars Karidja Touré and follows a narrative of a young girl growing up in a banlieue—an economically depressed neighborhood that borders Paris and is home to a diverse population. Directed by Céline Sciamma, the film’s intent was to tell a story about young black girls growing up in this part of the world—a narrative that has largely been left out of French filmmaking traditions. Girlhoodis streaming on Netflix.\nWords: Deena Drewis and Eva GrantPhoto: GIPHY","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line591081"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7069551348686218,"wiki_prob":0.2930448651313782,"text":"Africa Chris Edwards\nTensions in South Sudan: Peaceful Solution or Inevitable Conflict?\nPosted on June 19, 2013 August 6, 2013 Author Chris EdwardsComments Off on Tensions in South Sudan: Peaceful Solution or Inevitable Conflict?\nRelations between Sudan and neighbouring South Sudan have historically been less than amiable. However, recent tensions over the funding of rebel groups in both countries are steadily bringing the two countries closer to larger conflict than at any time since South Sudan’s independence in 2011. As a response to purported South Sudanese support of rebels operating within their territory, on June 9th Sudan declared that it would close all oil pipelines flowing north from South Sudan to export markets within 60 days. If implemented, this move would have devastating effects on the South Sudanese economy, which derives over 90% of its government revenue through its oil exports. In the wake of this threat, South Sudanese President Silva Kiir called the move a “declaration of war”, and rebuffed the accusation of his government’s support for the rebels in Sudan.\nMap of oil pipelines in Sudan prior to the South's independence. The dotted green line is now the border between Sudan and South Sudan.\nUltimately, the ongoing dispute between Sudan and its southern counterpart rests on three issues: oil, land, and internal security. South Sudan’s independence in 2011 deprived Sudan of a majority of its oil deposits, but at the same time, the oil infrastructure that had been built only supported the flow of oil north to refineries and ports in northern Sudan. While South Sudan controls the majority of the oil, it has no other choice but to ship it through Sudan in order to sell it. The two countries are also still in an ongoing dispute over three border regions; the Blue Nile Province, the Nuba Mountains, and the Abyei region. Finally, while Sudan is currently accusing South Sudan of aiding anti-government forces in its own territory, in the past South Sudan has also accused its neighbour of aiding anti-government rebels in its territory.\nWhile these recent developments may make it clear that conflict between the two states is imminent, it should be noted that the secession process in 2011, which was the largest opportunity for Khartoum to block such a large loss of territory and wealth, occurred largely without incident. Conflict between the two states, despite having previously fought one of Africa’s longest civil wars, is still not inevitable. The two countries are still greatly dependent upon one another economically, mainly through the export of oil. The proposed blocking of all Southern oil exports, while potentially devastating to the government revenue of South Sudan, would damage the Northern economy as well. Neither government can truly afford for such a ban to go on indefinitely.\nIn 2011, Sudan and South Sudan came to a broad set of agreements meant to alleviate tensions and foster development. Known as the Cooperation Agreements, the nine-point plan established rules such as a demilitarized zone at the border, agreements on oil revenues, financial assistance, and a ban on supporting rebels within each other’s territory. Alongside accusing the South of supporting anti-Khartoum rebels, Sudan has unilaterally revoked these agreements along with its oil ban. In terms of moving closer to war, it is the former move that is more dangerous, because it deprives the two countries of the progress they have made in resolving their longstanding issues. Its cancellation, if not undone, is a serious regression in the peace process. For its part, South Sudan is arguing that these accusations and subsequent responses by Sudan are purely political, aimed at damaging their economy to allow more leverage in future negotiations.\nThe two countries are still linked through their dependence on oil exports, and will remain so for the foreseeable future. South Sudan has been in negotiations with Kenya, Ethiopia and Uganda to build a new pipeline that travels south through Kenya to the Indian Ocean, which would in time free its hand to trade with other neighbours. While on the one hand, this will allow South Sudan to avoid potential conflict with Sudan over oil exports in the future, it may also further destabilize their relationship because Sudan will be wary of losing their bargaining chip as the only means of exporting South Sudanese oil. If war is to be avoided, the Cooperation Agreements must be reinstated and accusations of rebel support need to be verified by an independent body, such as the African Union. As long as the two countries have the ability to use these threats as a rationale for larger, more dangerous actions, then larger conflict will remain a possibility.\nTagged oil, South Sudan, Sudan\nChris Edwards\nChris Edwards is a Research Analyst at the NATO Association of Canada. He recently completed his undergraduate studies in International Relations and English at the University of Toronto. In light of his studies concerning the history of the United Nations and NATO, his current research interests include topics related to Canada-US relations and diplomacy, the politics of intervention and human security in Africa, and energy security and cyber warfare in the global context. In the future Chris hopes to continue his studies in International Relations at the graduate level.\nAfrica Alexander Langer Defense Development Energy & Resources Security Society Society, Culture, and Security The Middle East and North Africa Trade\nNeither Guns Nor Butter: An Evaluation of the Conflict Trap\nPosted on October 24, 2014 October 23, 2014 Author Alexander Langer\nIn his latest article, Alexander Langer discusses the phenomenon known as the ‘conflict trap.’\nAfrica Arjun Singh Central Africa Energy & Resources Europe France Human Rights Society, Culture, and Security Sudan United Nations\nRumble in the Jungle: A Special Report on the Central African Civil War\nPosted on May 28, 2021 May 28, 2021 Author Arjun Singh\nWhile the West looks away, Arjun Singh examines the civil war, ethnic cleansing and foreign intervention in the Central African Republic, and its implications for NATO and regional security.\nAfrica James M. Bridger\nA Somali Quagmire Part I – A Guide to the Players\nPosted on January 25, 2012 May 10, 2012 Author James Marcus Bridger\nBy: James Marcus Bridger As was the case for much of the Cold War, Somalia once again finds itself playing host to a number of competing local, regional, and international actors. The beleaguered Transitional Federal Government (TFG) now controls the capital Mogadishu, thanks to an offensive launched by the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM)—a Read More…\nA Historical Case Study on Asymmetric Warfare: Were French Counter-Insurgency Tactics Successful in the Algerian War of Independence?\nTransnational Terrorism: Reasons that US and NATO need to remain involved in the Middle East","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1172427"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8627009391784668,"wiki_prob":0.8627009391784668,"text":"As the inauguration of Barack Obama in January 2009 ushered in a new U.S. presidential administration, things remained business-as-usual for regulators charged with enforcing the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (\"FCPA\"). The number of FCPA prosecutions initiated by the Department of Justice (\"DOJ\") and the Securities and Exchange Commission (\"SEC\") during the past six months continued the recent explosion of FCPA enforcement activity, and the number of ongoing investigations suggests that this trend will not soon subside.\nBeyond the overall trend of increased activity, the first half of 2009 has brought several other interesting FCPA enforcement developments. In June 2009, two individual criminal defendants opted to try their cases before juries, rather than enter into plea agreements with DOJ, as has been the norm in FCPA cases. Both trials are currently underway, and the defense bar will be watching closely to see how these defendants fare in the first FCPA trials in nearly five years. Outside of traditional FCPA enforcement circles, interest in anti-corruption enforcement issues has also increased. There is legislation pending in Congress that could alter the FCPA enforcement landscape, and the House Financial Services Committee recently held a hearing on combating global corruption. In addition, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (\"FINRA\"), the self-regulatory organization of the U.S. securities industry, recently announced that FCPA compliance would be one of its primary areas of focus during 2009 examinations, and the New York State Insurance Department similarly indicated its intention to focus on FCPA compliance in future licensee examinations. Overseas, a number of foreign regulators have recently stepped up their own anti-corruption enforcement activities.\nThis update provides an overview of the FCPA and a survey of U.S. and foreign anti-corruption enforcement activities during the first half of 2009, as well as a discussion of the trends that we see from that activity and practical guidance to help companies avoid or limit liability under these laws. A collection of Gibson Dunn’s publications on the FCPA, including prior enforcement updates and more in-depth discussions of the statute’s complicated framework, may be found on our FCPA Website.\nFCPA Overview\nThe FCPA’s anti-bribery provisions make it illegal to offer or provide money or anything of value to officials of foreign governments or foreign political parties with the intent to obtain or retain business. The anti-bribery provisions apply to \"issuers,\" \"domestic concerns,\" and \"any person\" that violates the FCPA while in the territory of the United States. The term \"issuer\" covers any business entity that is registered under 15 U.S.C. § 78l or that is required to file reports under 15 U.S.C. § 78o(d). In this context, the approximately 1,500 foreign issuers whose American Depository Receipts (\"ADRs\") are traded on U.S. exchanges are \"issuers\" for purposes of this statute. The term \"domestic concern\" is even broader and includes any U.S. citizen, national, or resident, as well as any business entity that is organized under the laws of a U.S. state or that has a principal place of business in the United States.\nIn addition to the anti-bribery provisions, the FCPA’s books-and-records provision requires issuers to make and keep accurate books, records, and accounts, which, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the issuer’s transactions and disposition of assets. Finally, the FCPA’s internal controls provision requires that issuers devise and maintain reasonable internal accounting controls aimed at preventing and detecting FCPA violations. Regulators have frequently invoked these latter two sections – collectively known as the accounting provisions — in recent years when they cannot establish the elements for an anti-bribery prosecution or as a mechanism for compromise in settlement negotiations. Because there is no requirement that a false record or deficient control be linked to an improper payment, even a payment that does not constitute a violation of the anti-bribery provisions can lead to prosecution under the accounting provisions if inaccurately recorded or attributable to an internal controls deficiency.\n2009 Mid-Year Figures\nThe continuing explosion of FCPA prosecutions is best captured in the following table and graph, which each track the number of FCPA enforcement actions filed by the DOJ and SEC during the past six years. In just the first six months of 2009, more FCPA prosecutions were brought than in any other full year prior to 2007. Moreover, the nineteen enforcement actions initiated to date in 2009 exceeds the enforcement activity undertaken during the first half of any prior year, including the sixteen enforcement actions filed during the first half of 2008 and the nine enforcement actions filed during the first six months of 2007.\n(through June 30)\nIt is clear that this trend of heightened enforcement activity will not soon subside. Mark F. Mendelsohn, the Deputy Chief of the Fraud Section in DOJ’s Criminal Division and the government’s top criminal FCPA enforcer, recently confirmed that at least 120 companies are the subject of ongoing FCPA investigations.\n2009 Mid-Year Enforcement Docket\nUnited Industrial Corp. and Thomas Wurzel\nOn May 29, 2009, United Industrial Corporation (\"UIC\"), an aerospace and defense systems contractor, settled administrative charges with the SEC alleging violations of the FCPA’s anti-bribery, books-and-records, and internal controls provisions. The SEC claimed that, in 2001 and 2002, UIC subsidiary ACL Technologies, Inc. (\"ACL\"), made more $100,000 in payments to an agent with the expectation that the agent would pass portions of those payments to officials of the Egyptian Air Force in order to influence the award of a contract to construct and staff a military aircraft depot in Cairo. The SEC noted the agent’s position as a retired Egyptian Air Force general, his friendship with a current high-level Air Force official, and the belief within ACL that \"it’s a very small community of high-level military people\" in Egypt. The payments to the agent included $50,000 for \"marketing services,\" which were unsupported by any marketing agreement, and $100,000 in \"advance\" payments to the agent that UIC later forgave through a fraudulent \"repayment\" plan involving inflated invoices. Taking UIC’s remedial efforts into account, the SEC issued a cease-and-desist order that required UIC to pay $337,679.42 in disgorgement and prejudgment interest, but it did not assess a civil penalty.\nOn the same day, Thomas Wurzel, the former president of ACL, settled his own civil charges with the SEC. Alleging violations of the anti-bribery, books-and-records, and internal controls provisions of the FCPA, the SEC cited numerous e-mails between Wurzel and ACL’s Egyptian agent to establish that Wurzel \"knew or consciously disregarded the high probability that the agent would offer, provide or promise at least a portion of [his agency] payments to Egyptian Air Force officials\" in order to influence the award of contracts to ACL. Wurzel consented to the entry of a permanent injunction against future violations of the FCPA and agreed to pay a $35,000 civil penalty.\nJuan Diaz and Antonio L. Perez\nOn May 15, 2009, DOJ announced FCPA guilty pleas by the former controller of an unnamed Miami-based telecommunications company and the agent that it used as an intermediary for acquiring contracts with Telecommunications D’Haiti, the Haitian state-owned telephone company and sole provider of landline telephone service to and from the island nation. The criminal informations charge that, between 2001 and 2003, the defendants authorized and paid bribes to officials of Telecommunications D’Haiti to reduce the amounts owed to the state-owned company, including by reducing per-minute rates and the number of minutes for which payment was owed.\nAntonio L. Perez, the former controller of the unnamed Miami telecommunications company, pleaded guilty to a one-count information charging him with conspiracy to violate the FCPA’s anti-bribery provision and to commit money laundering. Perez admitted to personally authorizing more than $36,000 in bribes to Haitian officials, while his co-conspirators within the company, including the President and Executive Vice President, allegedly authorized approximately $675,000 in bribe payments.\nJuan Diaz, the President of a shell company that served as an intermediary between the Haitian government and three unnamed Miami-based telecommunications companies, including Perez’s company, likewise pleaded guilty to a two-prong conspiracy count involving the FCPA and the money laundering statute. Diaz admitted to collecting more than $1 million in \"commissions\" and \"vendor payments\" from these three companies, keeping $73,824 for himself and passing the balance to officials of Telecommunications D’Haiti. As part of his scheme, Diaz structured his transactions to evade the obligation to file currency transaction reports on checks of more than $10,000.\nBoth Perez and Diaz face up to five years in prison at their respective sentencings, currently scheduled for later this year. In addition, both have agreed to forfeit to the United States all funds traceable to their violations.\nNovo Nordisk A/S\nIn yet another prosecution stemming from the United Nations Oil-for-Food Program, Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk A/S settled civil and criminal FCPA charges on May 11, 2009. According to the charging documents, Novo Nordisk paid approximately $1.4 million, and agreed to pay an additional $1.3 million, to the Iraqi government in connection with thirteen contracts that netted the company more than $4.3 million in profits. The eleventh company to settle FCPA charges arising from the Oil-for-Food Program, Novo Nordisk admitted to inflating its contract submissions to the United Nations escrow account by 10% and to passing the difference to the Iraqi government as \"after sales service fee\" payments.\nThe SEC’s complaint alleges that Novo Nordisk violated the FCPA’s books-and-records and internal controls provisions. To settle those allegations, Novo Nordisk agreed to pay a civil penalty of $3,025,066 and to disgorge $6,005,079 in profits plus prejudgment interest. To resolve the criminal charges, Novo Nordisk entered into a deferred prosecution agreement with DOJ, agreeing to pay a $9 million criminal fine, and consented to the filing of a criminal information charging the company with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and to violate the books-and-records provision of the FCPA. Assuming that Novo Nordisk successfully complies with the deferred prosecution agreement’s terms, DOJ will defer prosecution for the agreement’s three-year term and dismiss the charges in 2012.\nNumerous Executives of Control Components, Inc.\nAs part of its ongoing investigation of Control Components, Inc. (\"CCI\"), a California-based manufacturer of service control valves, on April 8, 2009, DOJ indicted six former CCI executives on charges of violating the FCPA’s anti-bribery provision and the Travel Act. The indictment alleges a conspiracy to cultivate \"friends-in-camp\" at CCI’s government-owned and private customers worldwide by making corrupt payments to influence these individuals either to award CCI contracts or to influence the technical specifications of competitive tenders to favor CCI. The defendants charged in this indictment include the following:\nStuart Carson – former Chief Executive Officer;\nHong \"Rose\" Carson – former Director of Sales for China and Taiwan;\nPaul Cosgrove – former Head of Worldwide Sales;\nDavid Edmonds – former President of Worldwide Customer Service;\nFlavio Ricotti – former Head of Sales for Europe, Africa, and the Middle East; and\nHan Yong Kim – former President of CCI’s Korean office.\nThe government’s allegations are far-ranging, claiming that the co-conspirators authorized and made 236 payments, totaling approximately $6.85 million, to customers in more than thirty countries to secure contracts for CCI that generated approximately $46.5 million in profits. Indeed, so expansive are the government’s charges that Stuart Carson’s attorneys successfully moved the Court for a bill of particulars, resulting in DOJ filing a ten-page chart, with endnotes, ostensibly identifying, where known, the dates, beneficiaries, and recipients for each of the 236 allegedly unlawful payments. Pre-trial litigation continues in this matter, and trial is set to begin on December 8, 2009.\nThe April 2009 indictment followed a February 3, 2009 guilty plea by CCI’s former Finance Director, Richard Morlok, to charges of conspiring to violate the FCPA. And, in December 2008, former Director of Worldwide Factory Sales Mario Covino also pleaded guilty to FCPA conspiracy charges. Covino and Morlok are both presently scheduled to be sentenced in July 2009, but look for these dates to move as they continue to cooperate in DOJ’s ongoing investigation. The company, CCI, has yet to be charged in this matter, although IMI plc, CCI’s parent company, announced on March 4, 2009, that it expects to \"reach final agreement in the near future on a settlement with [DOJ] in respect of certain irregular payments by [CCI] that violated the [FCPA].\" IMI’s 2008 preliminary results announcement also noted that an investigation concerning other \"possible incidental breaches of US trade law by CCI\" has been completed and that the company will \"have to deal with a number of collateral issues in other jurisdictions.\"\nLatin Node, Inc.\nOn April 7, 2009, Latin Node, Inc., a Miami-based telecommunications provider, pleaded guilty to criminal FCPA charges filed in connection with allegedly unlawful payments made to government officials in Honduras and Yemen in return for the award of new contracts and the negotiation of favorable terms on existing contracts, including reduced per-minute connectivity rates. DOJ alleged that, between 2004 and 2007, Latin Node paid approximately $2.25 million in bribes, directly and through intermediaries, to officials at Hondutel and TeleYemen, the state-owned telecommunications companies in Honduras and Yemen, respectively.\nLatin Node’s payments came to light after eLandia International, Inc. (\"eLandia\"), a public telecommunications provider that acquired Latin Node in June 2007, discovered irregularities during its post-acquisition financial integration review. Within three months of uncovering the suspected misconduct, eLandia voluntarily disclosed the payments to the DOJ and SEC. eLandia then conducted an extensive internal investigation and took substantial remedial actions, most notably shutting down Latin Node’s business operations at a cost to the company of millions of dollars. DOJ’s sentencing memorandum makes clear that all of the alleged improper payments were made prior to eLandia’s acquisition, but it also implicitly suggests that eLandia conducted little, if any, FCPA due diligence in connection with its acquisition.\nLatin Node, which eLandia maintained as a separate legal entity solely for purposes of resolving the criminal investigation, pleaded guilty to a one-count information charging it with violating the anti-bribery provisions of the FCPA and agreed to pay a $2 million fine. A corporate guilty plea may well seem a harsh result in light of eLandia’s remediation and the presumed availability of the commonly employed deferred and non-prosecution agreements, but this might well have been eLandia’s choice resolution. Although corporate entities with ongoing operations typically prefer a deferred or non-prosecution agreement to a guilty plea, eLandia had already ceased Latin Node’s business operations and therefore likely had lesser concerns relating to potential collateral actions, such as debarment proceedings. Indeed, a deferred or non-prosecution agreement would have entailed substantial future reporting obligations that eLandia may have preferred to avoid.\nHalliburton, KBR, Wojciech Chodan, and Jeffrey Tesler\nOn February 11, 2009, Kellogg, Brown & Root LLC pleaded guilty to criminal violations of the FCPA, and Halliburton Co. and KBR, Inc., its former and current parent companies, respectively, settled related civil FCPA charges. The road that led them there was long and winding, even by FCPA standards.\nIn 1998, Halliburton acquired M.W. Kellogg Co. and merged it with an existing Halliburton subsidiary to form Kellogg, Brown & Root LLC. At the time of the acquisition, M.W. Kellogg was a member of a four-party joint venture that had allegedly been engaged for several years in the practice of bribing Nigerian officials, through purported consulting payments to two different third-party agents, in return for the award of natural gas pipeline engineering, procurement, and construction (\"EPC\") contracts. Halliburton conducted minimal due diligence on the agents, and the payments continued for another six years. All told, between 1995 and 2004, the joint venture allegedly paid nearly $182 million in consulting fees to the two agents with the expectation that some or all of the payments would be passed along to Nigerian officials. These unlawful payments allegedly led to the award of $6 billion in contracts to the joint venture, netting approximately $235.5 million in profits to Kellogg, Brown & Root.\nTo settle the charges, Kellogg, Brown & Root LLC pleaded guilty, paid a $402 million criminal fine, and agreed to retain an independent compliance monitor for a term of three years. Both Halliburton and KBR settled civil FCPA charges filed by the SEC, agreeing to be held jointly liable for $177 million in disgorgement of ill-gotten gains. This resolution, both individually at the DOJ and SEC, and in the aggregate, represents the second largest FCPA settlement in the statute’s history, behind only the record-shattering Siemens settlement of 2008.\nOn February 17, 2009, less than one week after finalizing the Halliburton/KBR settlements, DOJ filed a sealed indictment against two British citizens for their alleged roles in the bribery scheme. The indictment charges Wojciech Chodan, a former sales vice president for M.W. Kellogg who was retained as a consultant after its acquisition by Halliburton, and Jeffrey Tesler, a U.K. solicitor and agent of the joint venture, with one count of conspiracy and ten substantive counts of violating the FCPA’s anti-bribery provision. Chodan and Tesler allegedly participated in \"cultural meetings\" at which the joint venture members agreed to hire two agents to pay bribes to Nigerian officials in order to secure the EPC contracts. Tesler was retained to bribe top-level officials in the Executive Branch of the Nigerian government, including three successive vice presidents, while a second, as yet uncharged Japanese agent was hired to bribe lower level Nigerian officials.\nThe Chodan/Tesler indictment was unsealed on March 6, 2009, after London police arrested Tesler at DOJ’s request. Extradition proceedings have just begun, with Tesler \"strongly den[ying] any wrongdoing\" and promising a \"hotly contested\" fight. Chodan has not yet been arrested, and press reports suggest that he has not been seen recently at his Somerset Village home.\nThe Halliburton, KBR, Chodan, and Tesler cases follow the 2008 guilty plea by former KBR Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Albert \"Jack\" Stanley. Stanley’s sentencing has been delayed as he continues to cooperate in DOJ’s investigation with the hope that DOJ will file a pre-sentencing motion under § 5K1.1 of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines requesting a reduced sentence due to Stanley’s \"substantial assistance in the investigation or prosecution of another person.\" Stanley is currently scheduled to be sentenced on August 27, 2009.\nITT Corp.\nOn February 11, 2009, the SEC filed a settled civil complaint against global conglomerate ITT Corporation, alleging violations of the FCPA’s books-and-records and internal controls provisions. The SEC’s complaint alleges that, from 2001 to 2005, ITT’s Chinese subsidiary, Nanjing Goulds Pumps, Ltd. (\"NGP\"), paid approximately $200,000 to officials at Chinese state-owned entities that designed the specifications for large infrastructure projects on which NGP was a bidder. The payments, which were allegedly transmitted directly by NGP and through NGP’s third-party agents, were tendered for the purpose of influencing the officials to formulate bid specifications that would favor NGP’s products. NGP then allegedly improperly recorded the payments to the government officials as \"commissions\" in its corporate ledger, which was then consolidated into ITT’s financial statements at year end.\nUpon discovering the potentially unlawful payments, ITT voluntarily disclosed the payments to the government. Without admitting or denying the allegations, ITT agreed to pay a $250,000 civil penalty and to surrender $1,428,650 in disgorgement of profits and prejudgment interest. DOJ has not yet filed any charges against ITT, and it remains unclear whether any criminal prosecution will be brought.\n2009 Mid-Year Sentencing Docket\nIn addition to the settlements described above, on April 7, 2009, Shu Quan-Sheng, who pleaded guilty to violating the FCPA and the Arms Export Control Act in November 2008, was sentenced to fifty-one months incarceration followed by two years of supervised release. This sentence is demonstrative of the significant periods of incarceration that may follow from an FCPA conviction.\nOngoing Criminal Litigation\nThroughout more than three decades of FCPA enforcement, only a handful of defendants charged with criminal violations of the statute have opted to take their cases before a jury rather than settle before trial with DOJ. Indeed, coming into this year, the most recent FCPA trial occurred nearly five years ago, with the fall 2004 prosecution of David Kay and Douglas Murphy. But, with the significant uptick in FCPA enforcement, trials are beginning to line up for the next several years. DOJ’s recent focus on individual defendants, who face a much different calculus in weighing their settlement options due to the prospect of incarceration, appears to be driving this trend. As we go to press with this publication, two FCPA cases are currently in trial, and verdicts will soon follow.\nFrederic Bourke Trial\nFor years, we have been reporting on the winding progress in the prosecution of Frederic Bourke. First indicted in 2005 along with alleged co-conspirators Victor Kozeny and David Pinkerton, Bourke is presently on trial in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York for conspiring to bribe senior Azeri government officials, including the nation’s former President, to influence these officials to privatize Azerbaijan’s state-owned oil company (\"SOCAR\"). Specifically, Bourke is alleged to have invested $8 million with Kozeny, while knowing that Kozeny was paying millions of dollars in bribes to Azeri officials and had promised these officials a two-thirds share of the profits from the privatization effort. Bourke stands alone in this trial, with Pinkerton having been dismissed from the case in the wake of a significant statute-of-limitations decision in 2008 by Judge Shira Scheindlin and Kozeny remaining a fugitive in the Bahamas, which has refused U.S. extradition requests.\nIn the months leading up to the June 1, 2009 trial date, both DOJ and Bourke continued to aggressively litigate against each another. On May 26, DOJ filed a second superseding indictment, dismissing the substantive FCPA count against Bourke and foreshadowing that the government would focus on Bourke’s knowledge of (or willful blindness to) the alleged corrupt payments, rather than his facilitation of the payments themselves. Just three days later, Judge Scheindlin issued a significant evidentiary ruling permitting DOJ to introduce background evidence relating to corruption in Azerbaijan. Judge Scheindlin held that evidence demonstrating that (i) Azerbaijan was widely known to be a corrupt nation, (ii) post-Communism privatization efforts in other states had been tainted by corrupt practices, and (iii) Kozeny was notoriously known as the \"Pirate of Prague\" due to alleged prior corrupt dealings arising from privatization efforts in the Czech Republic, all made it more probable that Bourke was aware that Azeri officials were being bribed in connection with the SOCAR privatization effort. Further, Judge Scheindlin ruled that DOJ could present evidence that Bourke’s alleged co-conspirators, with whom he had substantial direct contacts, were aware of corruption in Azerbaijan in order to demonstrate that Bourke likely also had such knowledge.\nOn June 2, 2009, DOJ Attorney Robertson Park opened the government’s case before the jury by stating: \"This is a case about money – lots of it. This is a case about bribes. This is a case about lies.\" As the opening statements for each side unfolded, it became clear that a central piece of evidence in the case would be a tape-recorded conversation between Bourke and his attorney in which Bourke can be heard to ask, if he learned that Kozeny was bribing government officials in Azerbaijan, \"What are you going to do with that information? … You got knowledge of it. What do you do with that?\" DOJ characterized these statements as evidence that Bourke knew of, or was willfully blind to, the bribery scheme. But the defense, which itself turned the tape over to DOJ during proffer negotiations, claimed that the tape is \"the best piece of evidence in the case of Mr. Bourke’s innocence,\" because it shows that Bourke took his concerns about Kozeny to his attorneys so that he would not break the law.\nAfter three weeks of testimony from more than a dozen witnesses, the prosecution rested its case on June 26. The two star witnesses for the prosecution were Hans Bodmer and Thomas Farrell, a former attorney and aide to Kozeny, respectively, who each have pleaded guilty to their own FCPA violations and were testifying as cooperating witnesses for the government. Bodmer and Farrell both testified that they told Bourke that Kozeny was using the investments he raised to bribe Azeri officials, but the defense countered with its own witnesses undercutting their recitation of events and affirmatively testifying that, although Bourke knew that Azeri officials had financial interests in the privatization scheme, Bourke had been told that the officials had paid for their stake and that the arrangement had been blessed by their lawyers.\nThe defense rested on June 30, electing not to call Bourke to testify on his own behalf. One highlight of the defense was more than four hours of testimony from former Democratic Senate Majority Leader and current Special Envoy to the Middle East, George Mitchell. Mitchell, a friend of Bourke’s, testified that he personally lost approximately $200,000 when the SOCAR privatization investment that Bourke had recommended to him failed, but that Bourke never suggested to him that bribes were being paid to ensure that the deal succeeded.\nClosing arguments began on July 6, with DOJ concurrently putting forward two theories of its case. First, relying principally on the testimony of Bodmer and Farrell, prosecutors argued that Bourke actually knew of the alleged conspiracy to bribe Azeri officials. And second, as an alternative theory, the government argued that Bourke \"stuck his head in the sand\" and \"consciously avoided\" the \"high probability\" that his co-investors were paying bribes (the FCPA provides that knowledge of improper payments may be established by evidence that the defendant was \"aware of a high probability of the existence of [the payments]\"). Bourke’s defense team is scheduled to deliver its summation on July 7, and the jury should see the case before the week is out.\nWilliam Jefferson Trial\nOn June 9, 2009, just one week after the first FCPA trial in nearly five years began, a second FCPA trial kicked off before U.S. District Court Judge T.S. Ellis in the Eastern District of Virginia with the long-awaited trial of former U.S. Congressman William Jefferson. Jefferson faces a sixteen-count indictment alleging nearly a dozen distinct bribery schemes in which Jefferson variously plays the role of briber and bribee. With respect to the FCPA, Jefferson is charged with substantive and conspiracy counts alleging that he attempted to bribe then-Nigerian Vice President Atiku Abubakar to induce favorable regulatory action for iGate, Inc., a Kentucky-based technology company for which Jefferson was acting as an agent. A cooperating witness allegedly provided Jefferson with $100,000 in marked bills for ultimate delivery to Abubakar, $90,000 of which agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (\"FBI\") recovered from Jefferson’s freezer during a 2005 raid of his Virginia home. Other evidence to come out at trial includes an allegation that Jefferson accepted $100,000 in bribes from Abubakar in return for introducing him to other congressmen so that Abubakar could build political contacts to support his bid for the Nigerian presidency. As we go to publication, the government’s case continues with the fourth week of prosecution testimony.\nPre-trial litigation in the Jefferson case illustrates how it can be quite difficult for defendants to obtain foreign-based testimony and documentary evidence. Several months before his trial began, Jefferson sought a court order requiring the U.S. government to invoke its Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (\"MLAT\") with Nigeria to secure a deposition of Abubakar and Suleiman Yahyah, another alleged Nigerian co-conspirator. Judge Ellis denied Jefferson’s request, holding that the MLAT process is available only to its signatories and cannot be invoked by private parties. As an alternate route, Jefferson asked the Court to issue letters rogatory to secure deposition testimony from Abubakar and Yahyah. Noting that such a request requires \"exceptional circumstances\" not present in this case due to the likelihood that the alleged co-conspirators would invoke their Fifth Amendment right not to testify, the Court instead issued only a preliminary letter rogatory seeking Nigerian judicial assistance in questioning Abubakar and Yahyah about their willingness to waive their Fifth Amendment rights. After several months of silence from Nigerian judicial authorities, the Court ultimately directed the government to withdraw the preliminary letter rogatory, meaning that Jefferson will not have the testimony of either party available for his defense.\nOther Ongoing Criminal Litigation\nOther post-indictment FCPA matters currently set for trial in 2009-2010 include the following:\nDefendant(s)\nMid-Year 2009 Developments\nTrial Date (Venue)\nGerald Green\nThe husband and wife film producers are accused of paying more than $1.7 million in bribes to a senior official with the Tourism Authority of Thailand in exchange for at least $14 million in contracts to administer a film festival and to market an \"elite privilege card\" to wealthy foreigners.\nThe 9th Circuit dismissed an appeal from the District Court ordering the Greens’ attorney to testify before a grand jury because the attorney had not yet submitted to a contempt citation, and, alternatively, in camera review provided a basis for concluding that the communications at issue were subject to the crime-fraud exception to the attorney-client privilege.\nDOJ filed a second superseding indictment, adding a 22nd count alleging that Gerald Green sought to alter and falsify business records to disguise the bribe payments after learning of the FBI’s investigation.\n(C.D. Cal.)\nPaul Novak\nJames Tillery\nThe former President (Tillery) and consultant (Novak) of Willbros International are accused of conspiring to pay more than $6 million in bribes to Nigerian government officials in return for the award of more than $380 million in gas pipeline contracts and agreeing to make an additional $300,000 in corrupt payments to officials of the Ecuadorian state oil company in return for the award of a $3 million gas pipeline project.\nMultiple continuances to facilitate discovery, including interviews in foreign jurisdictions, in the Novak prosecution.\nTillery remains a fugitive.\n(S.D. Tex.)\nLeo Winston Smith\nThe former Director of Sales and Marketing of Pacific Consolidated Industries is accused of paying more than $300,000 to secure U.K. Ministry of Defense contracts.\nTrial date continued.\nNexus Technologies\nJoseph Lukas\nAn Quoc Nguyen\nKim Anh Nguyen\nNam Quoc Nguyen\nThe export company and its executives are all accused of bribing Vietnamese officials to influence purchases of a wide variety of equipment and technology, including underwater mapping equipment, bomb containment equipment, helicopter parts, chemical detectors, satellite communication parts, and air tracking systems.\nLukas pleaded guilty to FCPA conspiracy charges on June 29, 2009. His sentencing is currently scheduled for April 2010.\nThe Court ordered DOJ to \"work out the declassification and production of documents\" to the remaining defendants by September 18, 2009.\n(E.D. Pa.)\nCollateral Civil Litigation\nMuch as individuals implicated in foreign bribery schemes are increasingly finding themselves targeted for prosecution, companies unfortunate enough to find themselves under investigation by the DOJ and SEC are increasingly finding themselves embroiled in follow-on private civil litigation. Although the FCPA does not provide for a private right of action, enterprising plaintiffs’ lawyers have not been deterred from shoehorning alleged FCPA violations into a variety of civil causes of actions that do provide for private redress, including securities fraud actions, shareholder derivative suits, contract claims, and tort claims. On the other side of the coin, some corporate defendants in government enforcement actions have brought suit against the individuals responsible for those violations.\nSecurities Fraud Actions\nThe protracted securities fraud litigation initiated in 2004 against the former executives and the controlling shareholder of UTStarcom, Inc., gathered momentum in the early months of 2009. Among the numerous claims, the plaintiff-shareholders allege that UTStarcom knowingly violated the FCPA by bribing officials in China, Mongolia, and India to secure contracts, ultimately forcing the company to restate its financial results and leading to joint DOJ/SEC investigations. In March 2009, the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California denied the defendants’ motion to dismiss the plaintiffs’ fourth amended complaint, leading the Court to finally set a class certification hearing for September 21, 2009. Additionally, the Court outlined a schedule for pre-trial motions and discovery continuing through the latter part of 2010.\nShareholder Derivative Suits\nPerhaps no company better exemplifies the myriad pains that can accompany an FCPA investigation than FARO Technologies, Inc. (\"FARO\"). In 2009, FARO appears finally to have closed the book on the legal actions stemming from its alleged improper payments to Chinese government officials. As originally reported in our 2008 Mid-Year FCPA Update, FARO settled FCPA charges in June 2008 with the DOJ and SEC, immediately after settling a § 10(b) suit with investors, who alleged that the company knowingly or recklessly attested to the adequacy of its internal controls, when it knew that they were inadequate. As if this series of settlements was not enough, in April 2009, FARO settled a shareholder derivative lawsuit alleging that its officers and directors breached their fiduciary duties by failing to properly oversee the company’s internal activities. The shareholder derivative settlement mandates the implementation of certain corporate governance changes at FARO and the payment of $400,000 in plaintiffs’ attorneys’ fees. Personifying the axiom that crime doesn’t pay, FARO has now shelled out more than $10.2 million in criminal and civil settlements, not including its own attorneys’ fees or the costs of remedial measures, arising from roughly $450,000 in allegedly improper payments that netted it less than $1.9 million in profits.\nThe defendants in two other shareholder derivative lawsuits arising from settled FCPA enforcement actions fared somewhat better than FARO in 2009. On May 26, 2009, Judge Vanessa Gilmore of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas dismissed a derivative claim filed by the Midwestern Teamster Pension Trust Fund on behalf of Baker Hughes, Inc., against twenty-five current and former directors. Originally filed in June 2008, the lawsuit alleged that the company’s directors breached their fiduciary duties by not ensuring adequate oversight of Baker Hughes’s FCPA and Exchange Act compliance efforts. Under Delaware law, a plaintiff filing a derivative claim must, with few exceptions, initially request that the Board of Directors bring the lawsuit on behalf of the corporation. Judge Gilmore held that the exceptions did not apply in this case and that Baker Hughes’s Board was improperly denied the opportunity to decide whether the corporation should seek redress from its current and prior directors. She therefore rejected the plaintiff’s demand futility argument and dismissed the claim because of the plaintiff’s failure to make an initial demand on the Board.\nSimilarly, on March 10, 2009, Superior Court Judge David Flynn dismissed a 2007 derivative lawsuit filed in California state court on behalf of Chevron Corporation. The plaintiffs originally filed the complaint after media reports described a then-pending FCPA settlement arising from Chevron’s participation in the United Nations Oil-for-Food Program. But rather than dismiss the plaintiffs’ complaint, the Court instead treated the claim as a formal demand on Chevron’s Board of Directors to investigate whether a claim should be brought. That challenge was accepted, with the Board appointing a special investigative committee to investigate the allegations, including by interviewing thirty-four witnesses and reviewing more than 150,000 pages of evidence. After reviewing the results of the rigorous inquiry, the Board determined that a lawsuit would not be in Chevron’s best interest. A board’s refusal to pursue a legal claim, after an initial demand is made, is protected by the business judgment rule under Delaware law. A plaintiff can only overcome this obstacle in rare instances in which there is reasonable doubt about whether the board acted in good faith, with independence, or in a thorough manner. Judge Flynn found that the plaintiffs offered little evidence that Chevron’s Board acted improperly in refusing to bring a lawsuit and therefore dismissed the derivative claim.\nLitigation surrounding two other recently filed derivative lawsuits arising from potential FCPA violations is ongoing. On April 8, 2009, a shareholder filed a derivative action in the District of Massachusetts against BG Group P.L.C.’s current directors. The complaint alleges that BG Group participated in a consortium of large oil companies that made at least $90 million in payments to Kazakh officials to secure oil and gas drilling opportunities in violation of the FCPA and other laws. The plaintiff-shareholder further claims that BG’s Board wasted corporate assets when it later sold the company’s interest in this consortium for a fraction of its true market value. And on May 14, 2009, three months after settling FCPA claims with the DOJ and SEC, numerous current and former directors of Halliburton and KBR found themselves named as defendants in a Texas state derivate suit filed by the Policemen and Firemen Retirement System of the City of Detroit. The lawsuit alleges that the defendants breached their fiduciary duties by failing to oversee the companies’ operations, citing the FCPA settlement, alleged illegal exports to Libya, over-billing on government contracts in Iraq, hazardous waste dumping, and impermissible business with Iran. The plaintiff further asserts that making a demand upon either company’s board of directors would be futile and, thus, should be excused. On June 19, 2009, the defendants filed a notice of removal to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas.\nLawsuits Brought by Foreign Governments and Business Partners\nAs reported in our 2008 Mid-Year FCPA Update, on June 21, 2008, the Republic of Iraq filed suit in Manhattan federal district court against ninety-one companies and two individuals, alleging that the defendants conspired with Saddam Hussein’s regime to corrupt the United Nations Oil-for-Food Program by diverting as much as $10 billion in funds intended for the humanitarian use of the Iraqi people to the illicit use of Hussein’s government. After a long period of stagnation, during which the Iraqi government sought and received continuances to effect service on the many defendants, this action picked up steam in February 2009, with Iraq applying to the Court to issue letters rogatory to courts in Austria, Jordan, Malaysia, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates to effect services on numerous of the foreign defendants. Since then, attorneys for more than fifty of the defendants have appeared in the case, and Judge Gerald Lynch has set a motion to dismiss briefing schedule that runs into February 2010.\nLitigation continues in the previously reported civil dispute pitting Supreme Fuels Trading FZE (\"Supreme Fuels\") against its competitor, International Oil Trading Co. (\"IOTC\"). A civil claim filed by Supreme Fuels in October 2008 alleges that IOTC bribed Jordanian officials to receive the only license for transporting fuel through the country to Iraq. IOTC filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit on March 13, 2009, and Supreme Fuels has requested that the court schedule oral arguments on the motion. The trial in this matter is tentatively set to begin on January 11, 2010, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida.\nDiscovery proceeded during the first half of 2009 in Argo-Tech Corporation’s civil case against Yamada Corporation and its subsidiary, Upsilon International Corporation. Yamada served as an authorized distributor of Argo-Tech’s fuel pumps and related equipment, as well as the products of many other defense contractors. A Japanese government investigation launched in 2007 uncovered evidence suggesting that Yamada bribed a Vice Defense Minister and fraudulently over-billed the Japanese Ministry of Defense for equipment. Argo-Tech alleges that Yamada’s unlawful acts, including FCPA violations, breached its distributorship contract. The complaint seeks damages resulting from the breach and attorneys’ fees. The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio recently extended discovery into early 2010 and intends to refer the case to mediation during the summer of 2009.\nLawsuits Filed by Companies That Have Settled FCPA Actions\nIn a legal battle certain to be repeated in the coming years, given the government’s increasingly aggressive stance in successor liability FCPA actions (as discussed below), eLandia filed suit in June 2008 in Florida state court against Retail Americas VoIP, LLC, Latin Node’s former parent company, and Jorge Granados, the former Chief Executive Officer of Latin Node. eLandia alleged breach of contract, breach of the obligation of good faith and fair dealing, and fraudulent inducement in connection with the defendants’ failure to disclose during acquisition due diligence information concerning the improper payments that ultimately led to Latin Node’s post-closing FCPA conviction. On February 12, 2009, the defendants settled the matter, agreeing to return 375,000 of the 3.2 million shares of eLandia stock that they had received in connection with the acquisition.\nThere has been little movement thus far in 2009 on the December 2008 civil claim filed by Willbros International, Inc. (\"Willbros\"), in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, against several former executives and consultants. Willbros pleaded guilty to violating the FCPA in 2008 and now alleges that the defendants were responsible for the unlawful conduct. Of the five defendants named in the lawsuit, only Paul Novak has responded, and he is currently embroiled in a parallel criminal proceeding stemming from the same acts. The Court is currently considering Novak’s motion to dismiss. No trial date has yet been scheduled.\nInternational Anti-Corruption Enforcement Activities\nAs the DOJ and SEC have accelerated FCPA prosecutions, governmental authorities in a number of other countries have likewise stepped up their own anti-corruption enforcement efforts. This internationalization of the fight against graft has resulted in an increasing pace of prosecutions for violations of foreign anti-corruption laws and further fostered cooperation between U.S. regulators and their foreign counterparts.\nAnd yet, despite the increasingly global focus on combating corruption, international anti-corruption watchdog Transparency International is not prepared to rest. In its fifth annual progress report on member states’ adherence to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions (\"OECD Convention\"), Transparency International makes the case that there is still much progress to be made in the fight against international graft. Never afraid to name names, Transparency International categorized the enforcement efforts of thirty-six of the thirty-eight OECD member states, finding that twenty-one are engaged in \"little or no enforcement.\" Only four nations were classified as actively enforcing the OECD Convention, while eleven countries moderately enforce the Convention.\nDevelopments Across the Pond\nOn January 8, 2009, the British Financial Service Authority (\"FSA\") announced a settlement with London-based reinsurer Aon Ltd. According to the FSA, between 2005 and 2007, Aon made nearly $7 million in payments to multiple firms and individuals as a consequence of the company’s alleged failure \"to properly assess the risks involved in its dealings with overseas firms and individuals who helped it win business.\" In announcing the £5.25 million fine, the highest ever imposed by the nongovernmental U.K. financial regulator, FSA Director Margaret Cole noted that the action \"sends a clear message to the U.K. financial services industry that it is completely unacceptable for firms to conduct business overseas without having in place appropriate anti-bribery and corruption systems and controls.\"\nBut the FSA was also clear in commending Aon’s current management for identifying the past issues and substantially improving upon the firm’s systems and controls, an approach that the regulator called \"a model of best practice that other firms may wish to adopt.\" In accordance with FSA settlement procedures, the company’s substantial cooperation and early agreement to settle qualified it for a 30% discount on what would otherwise have been a £7.5 million fine.\nCoupled with the U.K. Serious Fraud Office’s (\"SFO\") £2.25 million settlement with Balfour Beatty plc in 2008, described in our 2008 Year-End Update, the Aon settlement suggests that British authorities are seeking to put behind them their reputation for lax anti-corruption enforcement. And they may receive some assistance from Parliament in the near future. On March 25, 2009, the U.K. Ministry of Justice introduced draft legislation to modernize and tighten anti-bribery laws in the U.K. The bill, offered in response to sharp criticism by the OECD, contains several important changes to the U.K.’s foreign and domestic anti-bribery laws, including the creation of a new, stand-alone offense for bribing foreign officials, the extension of British anti-bribery law to cover foreign nationals living and working in the U.K., and the creation of a corporate offense of negligently failing to prevent bribery.\nSimilar legislative reforms may be needed in France, according to a report published on March 12, 2009, by the Group of States Against Corruption (\"GRECO\"). GRECO, established in 1999 by the Council of Europe to monitor member states’ anti-corruption efforts, explained, \"France has severely restricted its jurisdiction and its ability to prosecute cases with an international dimension, which, given the country’s importance in the international economy and the sale of many of its companies, is very regrettable.\" According to the report, anti-corruption offenses committed outside of France can be investigated by French officials only \"at the request of the state prosecution service and must be preceded by a complaint from the victim or his or her beneficiaries, or an official report by the authorities of the country where the offense was committed.\" Moreover, French prosecutors also lack the power to prosecute foreign companies that have bribed French public officials abroad.\nThe report stands in stark contrast to a decision handed down by the most senior French investigating judge, Françoise Desset, on May 7, 2009. In his decision, Judge Desset ruled that a case brought by the French chapter of Transparency International could proceed, demanding that French authorities investigate how three African presidents acquired a large amount of expensive French real estate. Transparency International hopes that the investigation \"will uncover the truth about the origin of the contested assets, and eventually lead to the concrete implementation of the right to restitution – a fundamental principle of the United Nations Convention against Corruption,\" which France ratified in 2005.\nElsewhere in Europe, German authorities are following their blockbuster 2007 and 2008 settlements with Siemens AG, described in our 2008 Year-End Update, with another substantial corruption investigation concerning MAN AG. The Munich Public Prosecutor’s Office is investigating allegations that MAN paid approximately €14 million in bribes to customers between 2002 and 2005 to secure business. More than 300 police personnel are reported to be involved in the investigation of the company and more than 100 individuals. MAN has announced that it is fully cooperating with prosecutors, and it has promised to terminate any employees involved in the corruption and to share the results of the internal investigation with prosecutors.\nRounding out European enforcement efforts, on June 26, Danish authorities announced settlements with seven different companies arising from their alleged payment of after-sales-service fees to the Government of Iraq in connection with the United Nations Oil-for-Food Program. Collectively, the companies agreed to disgorge $8.4 million in profits. Among the defendants was Novo Nordisk, which disgorged $5.6 million in profits to Danish authorities after settling the above-described joint DOJ/SEC enforcement actions filed earlier this year.\nDevelopments in Asia\nNot to be outdone by their counterparts in Europe, anti-corruption enforcement authorities in Asia have also recently stepped up their fight against international graft.\nOn January 29, 2009, Tokyo-based consulting company, Pacific Consultants International, and three of its former executives, were convicted in a Japanese court of bribing a senior Vietnamese official to secure contracts for road projects backed by Japanese aid money. The executives admitted at trial to paying $820,000 in bribes to a senior transport official in Ho Chi Minh City. After the conviction and issuance of a ¥70 million fine, however, the judge suspended the sentences of all three convicted men, a common result for white-collar criminals in Japan who admit the allegations against them. The convictions represent Japan’s first foreign bribery prosecution.\nAs a result of the Pacific Consultants investigation, Japan suspended all aid to Vietnam, including low-interest loans for infrastructure projects. In response, Vietnamese officials arrested the alleged recipient of the bribes for \"abuse of power\" and asked Japan, the country’s largest source of aid, to resume the loan program. The Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced its intention to do so.\nProsecutors in Bahrain are in the midst of an investigation concerning $8.7 million in bribes allegedly paid by the Sojitz Group, a large Japanese commodities-trading firm, to two employees of Aluminum Bahrain BSC (\"Alba\"), Bahrain’s state-operated aluminum producer. Affiliates of Sojitz Group and Swiss commodities trader Glencore International AG are alleged to have made the improper payments, between August 1998 and April 2004, in exchange for negotiated discounts on the purchase of aluminum. State prosecutors filed money-laundering charges against the two Alba employees in March 2009. And, according to news reports, Glencore has agreed to pay Alba more than $20 million in connection with a settlement of Alba’s internal probe into the payments.\nLegislative Anti-Corruption Developments\nIn Congress, the first six months of 2009 have seen the reintroduction of legislation that would create a private right of action under the FCPA and a hearing before the Financial Services Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives that suggests that Congress may be interested in adopting stricter anti-corruption legislation.\nIn an effort to level the playing field between firms subject to the FCPA and their foreign competitors not subject to the same stringent levels of anti-corruption scrutiny, Representative Ed Perlmutter (D. Colo.) reintroduced H.R. 2152, The Foreign Business Bribery Prohibition Act. Similar to the proposed legislation of the same name that Representative Perlmutter introduced in 2008, the bill would create a private right of action enabling individuals and entities subject to the FCPA to sue foreign concerns not subject to the statute for actions that would be FCPA violations if the jurisdictional element of the statute were satisfied. Successful plaintiffs would be awarded treble damages for the value of any contract that they had lost because of the defendants’ corrupt practices or for the value of any contract that the defendants thereby gained.\nBecause the bill implicates issues under the jurisdiction of both the House Judiciary Committee and the House Energy and Commerce Committee, portions of it were assigned to each committee in April 2009. Although the 2008 bill never received much attention, the 2009 bill was mentioned during the House Financial Services Committee hearing described below as one possible way to discourage foreign corruption. Neither committee has held any hearings specifically considering the bill, however, and no immediate action is expected. Nevertheless, Representative Perlmutter’s Office continues to solicit comments and suggestions on the proposal.\nOn May 19, 2009, the House Financial Services Committee held a hearing regarding \"Capital Loss, Corruption and the Role of Western Financial Institutions.\" During that hearing, the Committee members heard impassioned pleas for greater international anti-corruption cooperation from the representatives of nongovernmental organizations and former top-level law enforcement officials of Nigeria and Romania. The witnesses’ chief concern was the huge transfer of wealth, which one witness claimed to be between $850 billion and $1 trillion per year, from developing nations to developed countries in the form of illicit money transfers, the use of tax havens, and graft by local officials invested in developed countries.\nNuhu Ribadu, the former Chief of Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission who obtained more than 275 corruption convictions and was the target of two assassination attempts, testified, \"In a globalized and networked world, we all need to believe that the fight against corruption must assume a transborder dimension.\" He then asked that Congress \"push the boundaries of the [FCPA] to be expanded … to bite both givers and takers of bribes\" and proposed \"that Congress support civil society monitoring programs and direct support for programs building investigative journalism, which can support transparency and anti-corruption efforts.\" Similarly, Anthea Lawson of Global Witness urged the Committee to consider legislation requiring banks to know the identity of the beneficial owners of accounts and to take steps to ensure that the funds that they accept are not the fruits of government corruption. And Raymond Baker of Global Financial Integrity called for the creation of an international database of \"Politically Exposed Persons,\" whose transactions would be subject to particular scrutiny because of their political power and opportunities for corrupt behavior.\nAlthough no formal legislative proposals have yet emerged from the hearing, it is clear that Committee Chairman Barney Frank (D. Mass.) intends to pursue concrete legislative action: \"I will reiterate that we have the entire legislative jurisdiction in this committee and it is our intention to move legislation, so I thank the witnesses. You are helping us with a process that we think is going to result in better law.\"\nRegulatory Anti-Corruption Developments\nComplementing the heightened enforcement and legislative focus on the FCPA, on March 9, 2009, FINRA sent out its 2009 Examination Priorities Letter to broker-dealers and other financial services firms outlining the areas on which the self-regulatory organization intends to focus during its 2009 routine examinations, including FCPA compliance. More generally, the letter suggests that the financial services industry may be the subject of increasingly FCPA scrutiny. Accordingly, firms subject to FINRA’s examination authority should take steps to assess the effectiveness of their anti-corruption compliance programs and implement any required enhancements prior to undergoing a FINRA examination.\nAnd, on June 29, 2009, New York’s then-Insurance Superintendent, Eric Dinallo, issued Circular Letter No. 11 (2009), admonishing all companies subject to his state’s insurance regulations to \"assess their business models and circumstances to determine the extent to which they should formulate or revisit their policies to ensure proper compliance\" with the FCPA and various other federal laws. Dinallo warned that in future examinations, his Department \"may make limited inquiry into a licensee’s compliance function to assess how well the licensee takes into consideration the risks of money laundering, bribery of foreign persons, and recognition of federal economic sanctions, … [including by] specifically ask[ing] the members of a licensee’s senior most governing body or senior management about those policies.\"\nAvoiding Successor Liability through Acquisition Due Diligence\nFor years now, we have consistently emphasized the perils associated with failure to conduct adequate pre-acquisition FCPA due diligence. In recent years, the DOJ and SEC have frequently addressed this topic in public speeches and have initiated multiple enforcement actions against companies that merged with or acquired entities that had paid bribes. Indeed, three of the five corporate FCPA enforcement actions filed during the first half of 2009 implicate successor liability issues.\nThe Latin Node case is the first FCPA enforcement action ever filed based entirely on pre-acquisition conduct that was unknown to the acquirer when the transaction closed. As described above, eLandia appears to have conducted little, if any, FCPA due diligence in connection with its acquisition of Latin Node, discovering the alleged unlawful payments only after the acquisition closed. Sufficient pre-acquisition due diligence could possibly have enabled eLandia to avoid purchasing an entity that it subsequently had to shut down, at great expense to the business, not to mention the attendant headache of the government enforcement action.\nThe Halliburton/KBR settlement further highlights the substantial penalties that companies may face if they fail to conduct adequate pre-acquisition due diligence and then follow up with targeted post-integration FCPA reviews (which, in the Latin Node case, at least prevented the problem from growing on eLandia’s watch). As described above, Halliburton did not know about M.W. Kellogg’s participation in a joint venture that was making unlawful payments because it did not conduct FCPA due diligence prior to acquiring the company. Subsequently, it did not implement an effective compliance program in the newly formed subsidiary or conduct sufficient due diligence on M.W. Kellogg’s legacy operations or agents. Consequently, the unlawful conduct continued long after the acquisition, and both Halliburton and KBR were subjected to FCPA enforcement actions and more than $575 million in fines and disgorgement.\nUIC‘s2009 civil settlement with the SEC also implicates the assessment of successor liability. By the time of UIC’s settlement, the company had been acquired by Textron, Inc. But Textron was on notice of the FCPA investigation due to UIC’s pre-acquisition public filings, and thus was able to factor any attendant liability into the purchase price. Textron was then mentioned only as a footnote to the UIC settlement documents, making clear that the improper payments occurred entirely prior to the acquisition.\nThe topic of successor liability is one that U.S. authorities have often discussed publicly, providing some guidance to companies considering international mergers or acquisitions. Most recently, in September 2008, Mendelsohn stated at an FCPA Conference in Washington, D.C. that the \"nature and quality\" of pre-acquisition due diligence is \"one of the most critical factors\" DOJ considers when making charging decisions in the context of a merger or acquisition. If a company is unable to conduct effective pre-merger due diligence, Mendelsohn noted that DOJ expects the acquirer to move \"aggressively and quickly\" post-acquisition to investigate high-risk areas. Although he declined to establish a specific timeline, he advised that waiting a full year to look for and remediate FCPA issues would be inadequate.\nAnd in 2007, then-Assistant Attorney General Alice Fisher described the specific steps that DOJ expects companies to take when conducting effective pre-acquisition FCPA due diligence. In prepared remarks delivered at a 2007 FCPA Conference, Fisher set forth the following five pieces of information that an acquirer should know, at a minimum, about a potential target:\nThe extent to which the company’s customers are government entities, including state owned companies;\nWhether the company is involved in any joint ventures with government entities;\nWhat government approvals and licenses the company needs to operate abroad, how it obtained them, and when they require renewal;\nThe company’s requirements relating to Customs in foreign countries and how it fulfills those requirements; and\nThe company’s relationships with third party agents or consultants who interact with foreign officials on the company’s behalf, including how those agents were chosen and vetted by the company.\nAdvising that \"an acquiring company should be comfortable that it has assessed [these five] risks before closing a deal,\" Fisher further noted:\nIf any of these due diligence exercises result in the discovery of a potential FCPA problem, we, of course, encourage the company to voluntarily disclose that problem to the Department. If a company does not conduct some sort of due diligence, and it finds out a year later that the conduct has continued, the Department will want to know why there wasn’t any effort to assess whether there had been criminal conduct?\nAccordingly, the quality of an acquirer’s pre-acquisition due diligence efforts and voluntary disclosure of any potential FCPA issues uncovered during that process may influence the government’s position regarding successor liability in the FCPA context.\nFor additional guidance on the topic of acquisition due diligence, please see the article by F. Joseph Warin, et al., Acquisition Due Diligence: A Recipe to Avoid FCPA Enforcement, TEXAS STATE BAR OIL, GAS & ENERGY RESOURCES LAW SECTION REPORT 2 (June 2006).\nThe number of recent enforcement actions and ongoing investigations suggests that the heightened FCPA enforcement environment that we have observed over the past several years is here to stay. This increased enforcement activity has created an ever-changing anti-corruption enforcement landscape, and we anticipate that new developments in enforcement and compliance will continue to emerge in the coming years. It is essential that companies with international operations stay abreast of these developments to avoid running afoul of the FCPA and to address effectively any potential corruption issues.\nGibson, Dunn & Crutcher lawyers are available to assist in addressing any questions you may have regarding these issues. We have more than 20 attorneys with substantive FCPA expertise. Joe Warin, a former federal prosecutor, currently serves as a compliance consultant pursuant to a DOJ and SEC enforcement action and as FCPA counsel for the first non-U.S. compliance monitor. The firm has 20 former Assistant U.S. Attorneys and DOJ attorneys. Please contact the Gibson Dunn attorney with whom you work, or any of the following:\nF. Joseph Warin (202-887-3609, fwarin@gibsondunn.com)\nDaniel J. Plaine (202-955-8286, dplaine@gibsondunn.com)\nJudith A. Lee (202-887-3591, jalee@gibsondunn.com)\nDavid P. Burns (202-887-3786, dburns@gibsondunn.com)\nJim Slear (202-955-8578, jslear@gibsondunn.com)\nMichael S. Diamant (202-887-3604, mdiamant@gibsondunn.com)\nJohn W.F. Chesley (202-887-3788, jchesley@gibsondunn.com)\nPatrick F. Speice, Jr. (202-887-3776, pspeicejr@gibsondunn.com)\nJoel M. Cohen (212-351-2664, jcohen@gibsondunn.com)\nLee G. Dunst (212-351-3824, ldunst@gibsondunn.com)\nMark A. Kirsch (212-351-2662, mkirsch@gibsondunn.com)\nJim Walden (212-351-2300, jwalden@gibsondunn.com)\nAlexander H. Southwell (212-351-3981, asouthwell@gibsondunn.com)\nRobert C. Blume (303-298-5758, rblume@gibsondunn.com)\nJ. Taylor McConkie (303-298-5795, tmcconkie@gibsondunn.com)\nNicola T. Hanna (949-451-4270, nhanna@gibsondunn.com)\nDebra Wong Yang (213-229-7472, dwongyang@gibsondunn.com),\nthe former United States Attorney for the Central District of California,\nMichael M. Farhang (213-229-7005, mfarhang@gibsondunn.com)\nDouglas M. Fuchs (213-229-7605, dfuchs@gibsondunn.com)\nBenno Schwarz (+49 89 189 33-110, bschwarz@gibsondunn.com)\nMichael Walther (+49 89 189 33-180, mwalther@gibsondunn.com)\nMark Zimmer (+49 89 189 33-130, mzimmer@gibsondunn.com)\n© 2009 Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP\nAttorney Advertising: The enclosed materials have been prepared for general informational purposes only and are not intended as legal advice.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1489793"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9954153299331665,"wiki_prob":0.9954153299331665,"text":"The Psychedelic Furs‎\nThe Psychedelic Furs in Portmouth, UK\nIf you sit and talk to many of the alternative rock artists dominating today’s music, you’ll find that many of them pay homage to the The Psychedelic Furs. Led by front man and songwriter Richard Butler, the Furs won over fans and critics alike by combining poetic lyrics, innovative rhythms and melodies driven by an aggressive, punk desperation. Through it all, the band scored major hits with “Love My Way,” “Pretty In Pink,” “Heaven,” “The Ghost In You,” and “Heartbreak Beat” in all releasing seven studio albums and spawning several compilations, a boxed set, and a live concert DVD.\nThe Psychedelic Furs came together in England’s emerging punk scene in 1977 initially consisting of Richard Butler (vocals), Tim Butler (bass guitar), Paul Wilson (drums), Duncan Kilburn (saxophone), and Roger Morris (guitars). By 1979, this line up had expanded to a sextet with Vince Ely replacing Wilson on drums and John Ashton being added on guitar.\nThe Furs debut, a self-titled album from 1980 was produced by Steve Lillywhite. The LP quickly established the band at radio in Europe and was a top 20 hit in the UK. The album also found success in Germany, Italy, France, Spain, New Zealand and Australia.\nThe Furs found success in the U.S. with their next release, 1981’s Talk Talk Talk, which saw the band making its debut on the US album charts. In New Zealand, meanwhile, the band became immensely popular, as Talk Talk Talk reached the top ten in the charts, the first in a string of Furs’ albums to chart in the New Zealand Top 10.\nIn the UK, the album spun off two charting singles, “Dumb Waiters” and the original version of “Pretty in Pink”. The latter song served as inspiration for the 1986 John Hughes film of the same name, and was re-recorded for the film’s platinum-selling soundtrack.\nIn 1982, the Furs, now a four-piece with the departures of Morris and Kilburn, recorded Forever Now, with producer Todd Rundgren in Woodstock, New York. This album included “Love My Way”, which became yet another UK and US chart hit.\nEly left the band after Forever Now, although he would return for the 1988 single “All That Money Wants” and the 1989 album Book of Days.\nThe Furs’ 1984 release Mirror Moves was produced by Keith Forsey, and featured the songs “The Ghost in You” and “Heaven”. Both charted in throughout the world, and “Heaven” became the band’s highest charting UK hit at the time.\nBy the mid-80s, the band had become a staple on both U.S. college and modern rock radio stations. Simultaneously, they were experiencing consistent mainstream success, placing several singles in the pop charts on both sides of the Atlantic.\nIn 1986, the band recorded a sax-infused version of “Pretty in Pink” for the soundtrack of the film of the same name. Released as a single, it became their biggest hit to that time in the U.S., and their biggest-ever UK hit.\n“Midnight to Midnight”, was their biggest Top 40 album success to date, but also a more overtly commercial effort than the Furs had ever recorded before. The album also featured the single “Heartbreak Beat”, which became the Psychedelic Furs biggest hit yet on the U.S. Top 40. The album also featured drummer Paul Garisto and sax player Mars Williams, both of whom continue to tour with the band.\nIn the wake of Midnight To Midnight, the Furs subsequently returned to a rawer sound with “All That Money Wants”, a 1988 track especially recorded for a best-of compilation album “All Of This And Nothing”. 1989’s Book of Days and 1991’s World Outside also saw a return to the earlier Furs’ style.\nThe Furs’ steady chart success continued with three #1 hits on the newly-established U.S. Modern Rock chart between 1988 and 1991. “All That Money Wants” was a #1 hit in 1988, while “House” topped the chart in 1990, and “Until She Comes” was #1 in 1991.\nThe band went on extended hiatus in the early 1990s, with the Butler brothers going on to create the band “Love Spit Love” along with guitarist Richard Fortus and drummer Frank Ferrer. Love Spit Love released two albums and enjoyed some chart success as well.\nAfter spending most of the decade apart, the Butlers and Ashton reignited The Psychedelic Furs in 2001, and released a live album Beautiful Chaos: Greatest Hits Live, which also featured a new studio recording, “Alive (For Once In My Lifetime).” A DVD version of the performance included live versions of “Alive” and three other previously unreleased songs: “Anodyne (Better Days),” “Cigarette” and “Wrong Train.”\nSince then, lead singer Richard Butler has released an eponymous solo album produced by Jon Carin, and has hinted at the possibility of a new Psychedelic Furs album.\nThese days, the band continues to tour around the world. The current Psychedelic Furs touring lineup remains Richard Butler (vocals), Tim Butler (bass), Rich Good (guitar), Mars Williams (saxophone), Amanda Kramer (keyboards), and Paul Garisto (drums).\nChina Crisis 40th Anniversary Tour\nNew Order & Pet Shop Boys – The Unity Tour","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1432154"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.720984697341919,"wiki_prob":0.720984697341919,"text":"EHS/HS Programs\nVOALA COVID-19 Update\nRecovery & Re-entry\nVOALA JOB FAIRS\nVOA National Services awarded $3 million grant from Wells Fargo Foundation to develop innovative veteran housing solutions\nALEXANDRIA, Va. November 11, 2020—Wells Fargo Foundation has awarded Volunteers of America National Services(VOANS) with a $3 million grant to develop permanent supportive affordable homes for previously homeless veterans using innovative construction techniques while also supporting much needed construction job training for veterans.\n“VOANS is grateful for Wells Fargo’s leadership in the housing market and its focus on vulnerable populations in need of a stable, safe home,” said Sharon Wilson Geno, EVP, chief operating officer, National Services. “This is an exciting project to blend our areas of expertise and provide homes for our nation’s veterans.”\nTogether VOANS and Volunteers of America’s geographic affiliates will build new properties, and convert and repurpose existing structures to become permanent housing. Through innovative construction techniques—modular, container, and 3-D printing— Volunteers of America will create homes for veterans. While developing the properties, Volunteers of America will also provide job training for previously homeless veterans in the construction trades. Over the next three years, VOANS will develop at least 125 units in Los Angeles, CA; Austin, Texas; Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn.; and Raleigh-Durham, N.C. markets, beginning in Los Angeles in 2021.\n“Having a safe and affordable place to call home is an essential pathway for wellness, dignity, and economic opportunity,” said Eileen Fitzgerald, head of housing affordability philanthropy with the Wells Fargo Foundation. “Lack of affordable housing puts millions at the edge of crisis. Wells Fargo is committed to the importance of home for everyone in our nation, especially veterans who have sacrificed so much, and we are proud to support Volunteers of America’s efforts to address veteran homelessness, job training and stable housing.”\nSince 2015, the Wells Fargo Foundation has provided more than $31 million in grants to support sustainable housing and homeownership for veterans. Wells Fargo’s collaboration on NeighborhoodLIFT® with NeighborWorks America has resulted in helping veterans across the country achieve the dream of homeownership by providing down payment assistance grants. To date, over $7 million in grant assistance has been provided, resulting in more than 525 veterans purchasing a home. Additionally, Wells Fargo donates homes and vehicles to wounded veterans or Gold Star families, who also receive financial mentoring. Since 2012, Wells Fargo has donated more than 400 homes valued at over $60 million to support veterans and their families in all 50 states.\nAs part of the national Volunteers of America organization, VOANS serves to advance, support, promote and administer health, housing and supportive services, employing more than 3,000 professionals across the country to operate its housing and health care programs. In addition to developing affordable housing, VOANS owns and operates one of the largest housing portfolios located in 42 states and Puerto Rico, which includes more than 240 properties containing more than 15,000 affordable housing units. It also operates six comprehensive campuses (skilled nursing and independent/assisted living), five skilled nursing facilities, four assisted living facilities, three licensed home health agencies, three Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly sites and one senior meals program.\nFor more information or to see a list of VOANS properties, visit www.voaseniorliving.org.\nNew San Pedro Veterans Facility Opens\nMLB Host Ribbon-Cutting at VOALA’s THouse\nChristina Rheingold receives the CalVet Women Veterans Advocates of the Year\nNewsletter feed\nBattle Buddies Veterans Xavier Becerra\nSign up to receive information about upcoming events and opportunities to connect.\nEmpowering Los Angeles since 1896.\nVolunteers of America is a non-profit human services organization committed to serving people in need, strengthening families, and building communities.\nFair Housing Statement | USDA Non-Discrimination Policy | LA-OC Privacy Notice\n3600 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 1500 Los Angeles, CA 90010\n(213) 389-1500 | TDD: (213) 388-8280\ninfo@voala.org\nCopyright © 2014-2023 Volunteers of America Los Angeles\nSitemap | Privacy | Terms & Conditions","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line657383"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5640103816986084,"wiki_prob":0.5640103816986084,"text":"By the \"Media Aetas - Sancti Victoris\" Association\nmediaaetas2011@libero.it\n\"Media Aetas - Sancti Victoris\"\n​Stay in touch with us also\non Facebook and Instagram\nSan Vittore del Lazio. A thousand-year history.\nThe Municipality of San Vittore del Lazio stands on a hill overlooking the last stretch of the Liri Valley at an altitude of 210 m a.s.l. and has about 2,700 inhabitants.\nFrom a climatic point of view, San Vittore enjoys particular privilege. The climate is dry and rarely hot in the summer. In winter, very rigid temperatures are hard to reach and rainfall is rather limited. The only drawback, perhaps, is the very strong wind which in some periods of the year sweeps the whole territory from east to west with gusts of considerable intensity. However, it is one of the most characteristic phenomena of the area and, paradoxically, it preserves the territory from more extreme atmospheric phenomena. The town has always had an agro-pastoral vocation which has expressed itself with the production of a very good olive oil, wine and dairy products of excellent quality. Still today there are ancient oil mills and two very modern plants for the production of extra virgin olive oil. In the past it was a thriving center for the production of bricks and cast bronze. In this regard, it should be remembered that, even today, some descendants of the Marinelli family live in the municipality, one of whose branches was the architect of the creation of the very famous Pontifical Bell Foundry based in Agnone (IS).\nWith the Council Resolution of 11 October 1862, \"del Lazio\" was added to the traditional name of \"San Vittore\" to distinguish it from other homonymous towns in the Italian peninsula. Until 1927 it was part of the province of Caserta. From this date, following the reorganization of the Italian provinces wanted by the fascist government, it was incorporated into the newborn province of Frosinone. The last municipality in Lazio south of Rome, its territory is wedged between Campania and Molise, bordering the municipalities of Cassino, Cervaro and Viticuso as regards the Lazio side, Rocca d'Evandro, San Pietro Infine and Mignano Montelungo for the Campania side and Venafro and Conca Casale for the Molise side. This particular geographical location has always made it an important center of cultural and commercial exchanges, as well as making it a strategic point of extreme importance in the context of the numerous conflicts it has been the scene of, starting from the Middle Ages up to the two world wars, which has paid a considerable toll of blood and destruction.\nAlthough there are evident traces of pre-Roman and Roman human settlements (which we will discuss in the section dedicated to the Samnite city of Aquilonia), as for almost all the towns of the Land of San Benedetto, the origins of the current town are to be placed on horseback. of the year one thousand, in the middle of the Middle Ages, when the fortification work commissioned by Abbot Aligerno of Montecassino (948? -985?), in addition to the administrative reorganization of the territory, favored the birth of fortified inhabited centers able to defend themselves from the greatest danger looming, the raids of the Saracens who terrorized much of southern Italy. In this process, a pre-existing agriculturally run “monastic cell”, dedicated to San Vittore, a Milanese martyr beheaded in the Lodi forest in 303, became one of the best equipped centers for the defense of the whole territory. According to some sources, the castle of San Vittore was well equipped, with about 23 quadrangular and semicircular towers, some of which are still visible today. Probably these estimates are exaggerated, but there is no doubt that the strategic position of San Vittore required a fairly powerful defensive system.\nAlthough it is presumed to have belonged to the Land of San Benedetto since 744, by virtue of the donation of the territories from Sant'Andrea to San Pietro Infine made to the Monastery by the Duke of Benevento, the Lombard Gisulfo II, the castle of San Vittore is mentioned for the first time in 1045. In this year the Normans, expelled from San Germano (the present Cassino), barricaded themselves in the castles of Sant'Andrea and San Vittore. The castle was conquered after a few days by Abbot Richerio with the help of the Counts of the Marsi and other monasteries. In 1123 the castle of San Vittore allied itself with that of Sant’Angelo in Theodice against Montecassino, probably the object of the dispute was the payment of tithes, but the revolt was suppressed by Abbot Oderisio.\nBut probably, one of the most important years for San Vittore was 1139, during the conflict between Pope Innocent II and Roger II. The latter was none other than Roger II of Altavilla, Norman and founder of one of the most important kingdoms of the Middle Ages, that Kingdom of Sicily which for a very long time represented an unparalleled example of political-administrative modernity in the eyes of contemporaries. Ruggero was officially recognized as king of Sicily and duke of Puglia and Calabria starting from 1139 (perhaps in the castle of Mignano). But this came after a devastating conflict with Pope Innocent II which took place between the territories of San Germano and Galluccio, where the Pope fell victim to an ambush by the Normans. During the numerous battles the Benedictine monastery was plundered and some castles, including San Vittore were devastated and set on fire. It was a scar that probably took a long time to heal.\nOther devastations occurred in 1199 by the German leader Markualdo, in 1382 by the troops of Louis II of Anjou and in 1421 by the lord of Capua Braccio da Montone.\nThe churches. An inestimable heritage.\nVisit our churches\nThe historical center\nVisit the historic center\nThe myth of Aquilonia\nVisit Aquilonia\nSan Vittore il Moro: the martyr who gives the town its name.\nCome in and read\nAncient oil mills\nVisit the oil mills\nNavigator - come in San Vittore","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line8914"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.864172637462616,"wiki_prob":0.864172637462616,"text":"Janina Gavankar Net Worth: Janina Gavankar is an American actress and musician who has a net worth of $500 thousand\nSophia Myles Net Worth: Sophia Myles is an English actress who has a net worth of $5 million. Sophia Myles\nActor Entrepreneur Film director Film Producer\nRichard Attenborough Net Worth\nRichard Attenborough Net Worth: Richard Attenborough was an English actor, director, producer, and entrepreneur who had a net worth of\nKatherine Kelly Lang Net Worth\nKatherine Kelly Lang Net Worth and salary: Katherine Kelly Lang is an American actress who has a net worth of\nGolshifteh Farahani Net Worth\nGolshifteh Farahani net worth: Golshifteh Farahani is an Iranian actress, musician, and singer who has a net worth of $1\nActor Comedian Writer\nT’Keyah Crystal Keymáh Net Worth\nT’Keyah Crystal Keymáh net worth: T’Keyah Crystal Keymáh is an American actress, writer, and singer who has a net worth\nAishwarya Rai Bachchan Net Worth\nAishwarya Rai net worth: Aishwarya Rai is an Indian actress who has a net worth of $100 million. Aishwarya Rai\nActor Singer Voice Actor\nShawn Pyfrom Net Worth\nShawn Pyfrom net worth: Shawn Pyfrom is an American actor who has a net worth of $1 million dollars. Shawn\nActor Businessperson\nChristy Chung Net Worth\nChristy Chung net worth: Christy Chung is a Canadian actress and restauranteur who has a net worth of $10 million.\nG.W. Bailey Net Worth\nOctober 31, 2022 TheRichestCelebs\nG.W. Bailey Net Worth: G.W. Bailey is an American actor who has a net worth of $5 million. G.W. Bailey","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line360832"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9288544654846191,"wiki_prob":0.9288544654846191,"text":"H-PAD Notes 10/23/20: Links to recent articles of interest\nOctober 23, 2020 Historians for Peace H-Pad 0\n“Which Constitution Is Amy Coney Barrett Talking About?”\nBy Jamelle Bouie, New York Times, posted October 16\nBased on work by Eric Foner and other historians, the Times columnist argues that that the Civil War and Reconstruction made radical changes in the meaning of the Constitution. As Foner put it, the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments “created a fundamentally new document with a new definition of both the status of blacks and the rights of all Americans.”\n“The Framers of the Constitution Didn't Worry about 'Originalism'”\nBy Jack Rakove, Washington Post, posted October 16\n“History shows that the original text is far more complex than the legal doctrine might indicate.” The author teaches history and American Studies at Stanford University. His book Original Meanings: Politics and Ideas in the Making of the Constitution won the 1997 Pulitzer Prize in history.\n“Toward a Global History of White Supremacy”\nBy Daniel Geary, Camilla Schofield, and Jennifer Sutton, Boston Review, posted October 16\n“The simultaneous success of Trump and Brexit was no coincidence: white supremacist politics are international in scope and often share entwined histories.” Daniel Geary and Camilla Schofield teach history at Trinity College Dublin and the University of East Anglia, respectively; Jennifer Sutton is an independent scholar with a PhD in history from Washington University.\n“The Right's War on Universities”\nBy Ruth Ben-Ghiat, NYR [New York Review of Books] Daily, posted October 15\n“Authoritarians from Mussolini onward have seen colleges as holdouts of liberal democracy–and attacked them relentlessly.” The author teaches history and Italian studies at New York University.\n“Republican Judges Are Quietly Upending Public Health Laws”\nBy John Fabian Witt, New York Times, posted October 15\nRepublicans' “campaign to take over the federal and state courts” threatens “a long and deeply embedded tradition of upholding vital public health regulations.” The author teaches law and history at Yale University and is the author of American Contagions: Epidemics and the Law from Smallpox to Covid-19 (Yale U. Press, forthcoming October 27).\n“America Has No Reason to Be So Powerful”\nBy Stephen Wertheim, New York Times, posted October 15\n“Eighty years ago, the United States made a tragic decision to pursue global supremacy. The project has outlived its purpose.” The author is a staff member of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft and author of Tomorrow the World: The Birth of U.S. Global Supremacy (Harvard U. Press, forthcoming October 27).\n“How Do Pandemics End? History Suggests Diseases Fade But Are Almost Never Truly Gone”\nBy Nűkhet Varlik, The Conversation, posted October 14\nA warning against expecting the complete eradication of the coronavirus. The author teaches history at Rutgers University and specializes in the early modern history of medicine and health in the Mediterranean world.\n“Military Bases Never Go Unused”\nhttps://davidswanson.org/military-bases-never-go-unused\nBy David Swanson, Let's Try Democracy blog, posted October 13\nA review essay on David Vine's new book The United States of War: A Global History of America's Endless Conflicts, from Columbus to the Islamic State (U. of California Press, October 2020). David Swanson is a prolific antiwar writer and radio commentator and campaign coordinator of RootsAction.org.\n“Demon vs. Monster: The Vice-Presidential Debate and an Historian's Harassment”\nBy Hank Reichman, Academe Blog, posted October 13\nOn threats by the administration of Collin College in Texas to discipline historian L. D. Burnett for her tongue-in-cheek characterization of Vice President Pence as a “demon” (in a blog entry on the Harris-Spence debate).Hank Reichman is a professor emeritus of history at California State University, East Bay and is the Chair of the AAUP's Committee A on Academic Freedom and Tenure. On this episode, see also October 16 commentary on the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education website.)\n“My Memories of Voter Suppression”\nhttps://historynewsnetwork.org/article/177743\nBy Lawrence Wittner, History News Network, posted October 12\nA historian's personal account of working for voting rights in Louisiana in the summer of 1962, The author is a professor emeritus of history at SUNY Albany.\n“Fragments from a Past – La Lotta Continua”\nBy Jeffrey L. Gould, Against the Current, posted September 10\nAnother personal experience account by a historian, this one drawing lessons from the author's highly varied experiences in labor and solidarity movements from the mid-1960s to the late '80s in the US, Italy, and Central America. The author now teaches history at Indiana University.\nThanks to Kevin Young and an anonymous reader for flagging some of the above articles. Suggestions can be sent to jimobrien48@gmail.com.\nRacial Justice and Peace History: Is it “Different” This Time?\nPrevent Stealing of the Election","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1117792"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7732049226760864,"wiki_prob":0.7732049226760864,"text":"Democrats: The Party of Dinkelspiels\nEmmett Tyrrell | Feb 14, 2019\nManhattan Courthouse Criticized for 'Demonic' New Statue Atop Roof Leah Barkoukis\nAP Photo/Steve Helber\nWASHINGTON -- As President Donald J. Trump climbs to the highest approval rating he has reached in his presidency, we keep hearing about how much trouble he is in. He cannot possibly be re-elected, the critics tell us, while his approval rating rises above 50 percent and his disapproval rating detumesces.\nWell, I would agree with the critics if his opponent in 2020 were Abraham Lincoln or George Washington or Franklin D. Roosevelt, or even Ronald Reagan -- he was the president that the left still calls stupid, though he figured out how to win the Cold War without firing a shot and wrote many more of his own public utterances than any president since Woodrow Wilson -- that is, professor Woodrow Wilson. Yet in 2020, Trump will be running against a Democrat, a living Democrat. No deceased Democrat can run, and the living Democrats constitute a melange of dinkelspiels.\nPresident Trump will be up against Pocahontas; or Crazy Bernie; or the mayor of South Bend, Indiana, whose name I have forgotten or possibly never knew. And then there is the youngest woman to win a seat in the United States House of Representatives, the Hon. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, whose problem is that she also sounds like the youngest woman ever to win a seat in the United States House of Representatives. She sounds like she is about 14 years old, and last week she seemed intent on proving it when she unveiled her Green New Deal, whose cost has gone through the stratosphere and includes eliminating whole industries in 10 years: the airlines, the beef industry -- even McDonald's -- oil rigs and gas stations and coal mines, and other means of employment. However, the Green New Deal will cover the unemployed by providing \"economic security for all who are unable or unwilling to work.\" There will be a lot of them.\nOn that last point, there is debate. Her aides and counselors say she did not mean it, and the statement has disappeared from her website. Others say she did mean it. At any rate, the cost of her Green New Deal is estimated to reach some $7 trillion.\nSo there is debate about the cost, but there is no debate about this. Some 70 Democrats in the House of Representatives have singed on to Rep. Ocasio-Cortez's Green New Deal, along with 12 Democratic senators, including four candidates for President Trump's high office. How feeble is the political party from which the president's 2020 opponent will be chosen? Consider the commonwealth of Virginia.\nThere, Gov. Ralph Northam, who won his office in 2017 by claiming his Republican opponent is a racist, is now claiming that he was wrong when he admitted to being in a yearbook picture 35 years ago dressed in blackface next to a masked man wearing a Ku Klux Klan outfit. He is neither person, he says, and henceforth, he will parade around the state lecturing us on how not to dress in blackface and Klan garb. I am serious. He says now is the time to \"heal\" Virginia and \"a doctor\" is just the man to do it. Dr. Northam has learned so much about race in the last week or so. He now calls slaves \"indentured servants.\" Yes, I, too, think he is deranged. Now Virginia Attorney General Mark R. Herring might join the governor on his anti-racist song and dance because last week, he, too, admitted to having worn blackface, though he is mum on the question of wearing Ku Kluxian attire. As to his opinion on indentured servants, you will have to ask him.\nThese two clowns have now been joined by a third Democrat from the Virginia hierarchy, Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax. In less than a week, two women accused him of having sexually abused them. More may be out there. Amazingly, Democratic leaders from all over the country are asking this African-American to resign, a far larger number of Democrats than are asking the white governor or the white attorney general to resign.\nPresident Trump's economy already has the lowest rate of black unemployment of any of his predecessors. Is it possible a few million of these employed blacks will thank him by voting for him in 2020? The same can be said of the Latino vote.\nHow can the Virginia Democratic Party extricate itself from this chaos? Well, it has in its number a gentleman of unusual achievement and talent. He has served as governor. He has served as mayor of Richmond. He has never been involved in any scandal, and I have always admired him. He is L. Douglas Wilder, and he is black. As editor of The American Spectator, I have had a series of dinners featuring politicians for years. Wilder is one of the few Democrats who have agreed to attend, and he wowed my audience of conservative journalists with his knowledge, his decency and his savoir faire.\nWilder is 88 years old, so I am not suggesting him for high office, but I am suggesting him as a model for the Virginia leaders, and even for Democrats throughout the country. Wilder has demonstrated in his public career that one does not have to be a clown to be a leader.\nR. Emmett Tyrrell Jr. is founder and editor in chief of The American Spectator. He is a senior fellow at the London Center for Policy Research and the author, most recently, of \"The Death of Liberalism,\" published by Thomas Nelson, Inc.\nTags: RALPH NORTHAM","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line363331"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9525727033615112,"wiki_prob":0.9525727033615112,"text":"Orange and Blue game takeaways: Florida's first-team offense shines, injuries appear to be low\nGraham Hall\nIn Florida head coach Billy Napier’s first Orange and Blue game, the format was ultimately more competitive than the contest.\nLed by quarterback Anthony Richardson and the first-team Florida offense, the Blue team jumped all over the Orange team in Thursday’s Orange and Blue game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, securing a 34-0 victory in the intrasquad scrimmage.\nRichardson finished 15-for-20 passing for 191 yards and a pair of passing touchdowns while, most importantly, looking like the clear-cut starter at signal-caller. The redshirt sophomore consistently looked confident in the pocket, showing little sign of the hesitance he displayed at times during his injury-riddled 2021 campaign.\nHe flashed his speed in the open field, too; adding a rushing touchdown from 12 yards out that further extended the Blue team’s commanding lead.\nRecap:A look back at Billy Napier's first Orange and Blue game at Florida\nStar of the game:Quarterback Anthony Richardson gives Florida Gators fans reasons for hope | David Whitley\nGator Nation:Florida football fans excited to get first look at Napier-led Gators at spring game\nGoing dark? Are the Florida Gators going to wear black uniforms? Reports say they're in the works\nThe Jack Miller-led Orange team struggled to string together consistent drives against the defense’s second unit, though the Ohio State transfer did complete 13-of-23 passes for 121 yards before Jalen Kitna entered in relief of Miller in the final minute of the third quarter.\nThe Orange team struggled when it came to taking care of the football, including a pair of fumbles, as well as an interception by safety Donovan McMillon on an underthrown pass from Kitna.\nWalk-on linebacker-turned-tight end Noah Keeter, a Gainesville native, led the Blue team in receiving with three receptions for 53 yards and a touchdown. Keeter, who transferred from UCLA to UF, hauled in the longest reception of the night, a 29-yard grab down the sideline in the second quarter.\n“I can't compliment the players’ work ethic enough, their competitive spirit,\" Napier said. \"One thing about this group now, when you put the ball down, they're gonna compete. And I think tonight you can see them competing.\"\nHere are takeaways from Thursday’s Orange and Blue game.\nSpecial teams don’t initially live up to name\nDuring pre-game warm-ups with the Orange team, redshirt sophomore running back Demarkcus Bowman was seen fielding punts — an enticing sign for a unit that as of late has lacked explosive plays in the return game.\nBowman was deep nearly half an hour later to receive the open kickoff, though it didn’t go nearly according to plan. After catching the kick low at the 12-yard line, Bowman made it 13 yards upfield before fumbling the ball away, and Derek Wingo on the Blue team appeared to come up with the football. Being a scrimmage, the Orange team retained possession, but it was hardly a convincing start, especially for a group designated as “gamechangers” by Napier.\nIt didn’t get much better for the special teams unit as kicker Chris Howard missed a 32-yard field-goal attempt that would have opened the scoring.\nLess than four minutes into the second half, Bowman fumbled again, and defensive tackle Jalen Lee proceeded to recover the football at the 12-yard line, setting up a touchdown run by Richardson that pushed the Blue team’s lead to 28-0 following the successful extra point attempt.\n\"The Blue team took care of the ball and played with poise and discipline. We're going to look at this tape and it's going to be a microcosm of every football game we play next Fall. So you've got to take care of the ball and you've got to play the situations really well,\" Napier said. \"Fundamentally, you've got to be sound in what you do. Blue team made some explosive plays. They were aggressive, and they finished possessions, which the Orange team didn't. We missed a field goal, and then a turnover in the red area. So, that game's different if the Orange team executes and scores touchdowns in the red area, doesn't turn the ball over. These are simple things, but they're hard to do consistently.\"\nA bright spot in the kicking game would come, however.\nWith 1:29 remaining in the third quarter, the Blue team extended its lead to 31-0 on a 52-yard field goal that just narrowly cleared the crossbar by walk-on kicker Adam Mihalek. The Tampa native’s kick tied the longest successful field-goal in Orange and Blue game history. Chris Hetland and Eddy Pineiro each notched 52-yarders in previous spring contests, in 2006 and 2016, respectively. He wasn’t done either. Mihalek would add a 47-yarder on the ensuing possession to continue his impressive performance at a position of need.\nLate scratches for the Gators\nAs expected, tight ends Nick Elksnis and Jonathan Odom missed the Orange and Blue game due to injuries suffered in spring camp, as did safety Jadarrius Perkins.\nBut Florida’s list of sidelined players grew in the build-up to the contest with the additions of Avery Helm, Dakota Mitchell, Antwaun Powell-Ryland Jr. and Tre’Vez Johnson.\nPowell-Ryland Jr. was seen practicing Tuesday in an orange non-contact jersey, and the redshirt sophomore appeared to be moving gingerly while trying to battle through whatever ailment he’d suffered.\nUnexpected returns to the field\nBowman and Montrell Johnson spent the final two weeks of spring camp in orange non-contact jerseys, putting their availability in doubt for the spring camp. Ultimately, both players competed Thursday without issue. Bowman rushed 17 times for 61 yards, while Johnson had 13 carries for 55 yards and a touchdown.\n\"Montrell’s extremely bright, picks things up quickly. He certainly was a very productive back for us last year. I think rushed for 800 or 900 yards and was the conference player the year. He belongs out there,\" Napier said of Johnson, who transferred from Louisiana to Florida. \"He’s got a big lower half. He’s got contact balance. He can protect. He can catch.\"\nJohnson's play also served as a reminder of just how beneficial the transfer portal has been for the Florida program.\n\"At a point right there at the end, we had two running backs get injured. (Lorenzo) Lingard had a hamstring, (Gabriel) Ortiz had a knee, and we’re sitting out there. What if we didn't have Montrell Johnson out there, right?\" Napier said. \"I think that's where we were able to take advantage of the portal: bring in a player that allowed us to practice. We’ll be excited to get Nay’Quan (Wright) back. He’s certainly going to bring something to our team, but Montrell is what the doctor ordered. He’s certainly going to provide depth and production for our team.”\nIn a bit of a surprise, Jalen Kimber and Jaydon Hill, a pair of cornerbacks working their way back from injuries sustained in the fall, each participated in Thursday’s scrimmage after going through camp in non-contact jerseys.\nKimber, who missed most of the 2021 season with a shoulder injury that required surgery, saw the field quite a bit for the Blue team and finished with six tackles, including a game-high four solo tackles, to go along with a pair of pass break-ups of which were solo. Kimber capped his active night by intercepting Kitna on a deep throw as the fourth quarter waned, one of two interceptions by the Blue team defense. Competing in the Orange’s defensive backfield, Hill recorded one solo tackle.\n\"Kimber’s really good, he’s going to be a really good player for us,\" Miller said of his fellow transfer. \"I see it everyday. All these guys you saw play tonight, how they did, you see it everyday in practice.”\nGators appear to come out without major injuries\nWith 3:09 remaining in the second quarter, junior defensive tackle Gervon Dexter came up limping following a four-yard run by Richardson. Dexter walked to the nearby sideline and, in a promising sign, proceeded to stand with his teammates rather than get examined in the medical tent by UF’s training staff.\nDexter returned to the game with 33 seconds remaining in the first half, alleviating any concerns the standout defensive lineman had picked up anything severe.\nAmari Burney, who led all players in tackles with 11, appeared to injure his shoulder late in the fourth quarter, though it’s unclear how significant the injury was, as Burney didn’t have a chance to return to the game due to the result.\nAside from the initial concern for Dexter and the uncertainty surrounding Burney’s shoulder, the Gators appeared to come out of Thursday’s scrimmage relatively healthy as no other UF players appeared to suffer any noticeable injuries.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1206749"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9257196187973022,"wiki_prob":0.9257196187973022,"text":"English|Français|Español|Русский|العربية|中文\nICAO / About ICAO / Edward Pearson Warner (United States)\nICAO Strategic Objectives\nInvited Organizations\nHow ICAO Develops Standards\nInternational Civil Aviation Day\nICAO Museum\nAir Navigation Commission\nAir Navigation Bureau\nLegal Affairs and External Relations Bureau\nTechnical Cooperation Bureau\nICAO's Leaders\nPresident of the ICAO Council\nICAO Secretary General\nHistory of ICAO\nHistory of ICAO and the Chicago Convention\nStudent-focused activities at ICAO\nSliderRevolution\nEdward Pearson Warner (United States)\nFIRST PRESIDENT OF THE PICAO AND ICAO COUNCIL\nTERM OF OFFICE: 1947-1957\nEdward Pearson Warner was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on 9 November 1894. He grew up in Boston, Massachusetts, where he attended the Volkmann School. He entered Harvard University in 1916 and specialized in mathematics. After graduating he went on to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and graduated in 1917 in mechanical engineering with additional credits in naval architecture.\nDuring the spring of 1918, Dr. Warner was in charge of teaching a 15-week course in aeroplane design for MIT. At the end of the War, he was appointed Chief Physicist of the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) in charge of aerodynamic research at the station which NACA had just established at Langley Field. In September 1920, he returned to MIT on a full-time basis as an associate professor in charge of teaching in aeronautical engineering. He continued his teaching career until 1926. From 1924 to 1925, he was a consultant to the U.S. Air Mail service in connection with the selection of equipment, the establishment of an experimental station, and the development of aids to navigation. During the winter of 1925, he was a Director of Colonial Airlines. In 1926, he was appointed Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Aeronautics. From the Navy Department, he went on to become the editor of \"Aviation\" for the next five years. He continued to participate in various public and organizational activities and, in particular, served from 1929 to 1945 as a member by presidential appointment of the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics. In July 1934, President Roosevelt appointed him as a member of the Federal Air Commission and he was subsequently elected as its Vice-Chairman. He returned to \"Aviation\" for a few months and then resigned to open a consulting business at which he worked for the next three years. Dr. Warner received an honorary Doctor of Science degree from Norwich in 1938. He also remained active in NACA, serving for a number of years as Chairman of its Aerodynamics Committee and subsequently of the Committee on Operating Problems. In November 1938, Dr. Warner joined the staff of the Civil Aeronautics Authority as an economic and technical consultant. He remained a member of the Authority and of the Civil Aeronautics Board, its successor, for more than six years and served as its Vice-Chairman in 1941 and again from 1943 to 1945. In 1945 he received an honorary fellowship at the Institute of the Aeronautical Sciences.\nDr. Warner was a member of the United States delegation to the Chicago Conference and took an active part in its work on economic and technical problems, serving as Rapporteur of the Technical Committee. During the months following the Chicago Conference, his time was largely devoted to preparation for the new international organization that has been provided for in the Convention. In the spring, he assisted the Preparatory Committee that had been set up by the Canadian Government in anticipation of the first meeting of the Interim Council at the Organization's temporary headquarters in Montreal. He was later appointed by President Truman to be the Representative of the United States on this Organization's first executive body. On 15 August 1945, he was elected President of the Council of the Provisional International Civil Aviation Organization (PICAO). He served as President of the Council of PICAO and ICAO from 1945 to 1957 and retired on 18 April 1957. On 11 July 1958, Dr. Edward Pearson Warner died in Duxbury, Massachusetts. He was 63.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line850845"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6156520843505859,"wiki_prob":0.38434791564941406,"text":"Stories from Tuesday, August 23, 2016\nAlivia Barber born June 1 (Births ~ 08/23/16)\nAlivia Don Barber born June 1 Alivia Don Barber was born at 5:42 a.m. June 1, 2016, to Ashley and Mitchell Barber of Manila. She was 19 inches long and weighed 7 pounds. She is the baby sister of Madoxx Barber...\nBrantley Diesel Eaton born (Births ~ 08/23/16)\nCollin and Marlana Eaton of Caraway announce the birth of their son, Brantley Diesel Eaton. Brantley was born at 9:46 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 11, 2016, at NEA Baptist Memorial Hospital. He weighed seven pounds and four ounces...\nBIC hears from Aramark representative (Local News ~ 08/23/16)\nBuffalo Island Central School Board members along with cafeteria employees attended an informative presentation given by Becky Head of Aramark Aug. 18 during the monthly meeting...\nManila board fills positions (Local News ~ 08/23/16)\nFollowing an executive session at the Aug. 18 meeting, Manila School Board voted unanimously to accept Superintendent Pam Castor's recommendation to hire Kendra Lesley as high school chemistry, physics and physical science teacher. Mrs. Lesley was hired as a long-term substitute until she completes the teacher Praxis testing requirements...\nPlans completed for upcoming Childress High School Reunion (Local News ~ 08/23/16)\nPlans were completed last week for the upcoming Childress High School reunion slated for Saturday, September 3, in Monette...\nLake City Fire Chief addresses council (Local News ~ 08/23/16)\nLake City Mayor Jon Milligan introduced Fire Chief Chris Snyder who addressed city council members at the regular Aug. 15 meeting. Chief Snyder presented a tool recently purchased for the testing of water hydrant pressure. Periodic pressure testing of water hydrants and records are to be kept in a timely manner for presentation to ISO inspectors. Testing is to begin immediately...\nLeachville City Council to move forward with grant process (Local News ~ 08/23/16)\nLeachville City Council members discussed moving forward in a grant application process at a special called meeting on Monday, Aug. 15. Council members have been discussing the possibility of applying for a matching grant for a splash pad to be placed at the city park...\nScouts address Manila Council (Local News ~ 08/23/16)\nJessica Warrenfells, Boy Scout leader, addressed the Manila City Council Monday evening, Aug. 15, about work needed on the buildings used by the Scouts. She said they are presently using the old Girl Scout hut...\nMrs. Pauline Payne celebrates 100th birthday (Local News ~ 08/23/16)\nMrs. Pauline Payne smiled and greeted family and friends from across the state of Arkansas, Texas, Mississippi, Indiana and Massachusetts on Saturday, Aug. 20, as well wishers came to share in her 100th birthday celebration. The event was held at Monette Manor where Mrs. Payne has lived for a little over a year. She was recently crowned 2016 Pageant Queen at Monette Manor...\nLuther Almer (Jack) Bearden to celeberate 100th brithday (Local News ~ 08/23/16)\nA drop in celebration of Bro. Jack Bearden's life and 100th birthday will be held from 2-4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 3, at Prospect Missionary Baptist Church. The church is located at 3106 Hwy 351, Jonesboro. All friends and family are invited...\nWildy Farms included in U.S. Senator's Agriculture on Tour (Local News ~ 08/23/16)\nA tour of the Wildy Farms near Manila and Leachville was part of U.S. Senator John Boozman's sixth annual agriculture tour on Wednesday. Senator Boozman and staff were welcomed by the David Wildy family, 2015 Arkansas Farm Family of the Year. ...\nBlytheville Police Reports (Aug. 19-22) (Local News ~ 08/23/16)\nThe following are reports from the Blytheville Police Department. --Police investigated a burglary report in the 200 block of East Missouri. A television was reported missing. -- Police investigated a theft at Hampton Inn in the 300 block of the North Service Road. Missing were two cell phones, $80 and a handgun...\nElizabeth Williamson (Obituary ~ 08/23/16)\nElizabeth Ann \"Beth\" Williamson, 77, of Jonesboro, passed away Saturday, August 20, 2016 at her home. Born in Blytheville to Andrew and Narmeize (Stokes) White, Beth graduated from Dell High School. Beth was retired from the Blytheville Airport Authority in Blytheville where she was the bookkeeper. ...\nJ.L. Smith (Obituary ~ 08/23/16)\nMr. J.L. Smith, 68, of Trumann, passed away on August 21,2016 in Jonesboro, he was born on June 20, 1948 in Florence, AL. to the late Homer L. and Nellie Scott Smith, he was a farm worker of the Pentecostal Faith. In addition to the death of his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife, Donna Manes, two sisters Nancy Smith and Ivydean Russell, and a brother, Charles Smith...\nJerry Maness (Obituary ~ 08/23/16)\nMr. Jerry Gane Maness, 60, of Manila, passed away on August 17, 2016 at his residence. Born on August 3, 1956 to the late Vernon and Cora Hardy Maness, he was a retired farmer of the Pentecostal Faith. In addition to the death of his parents, he is preceded in death by two sisters, Diane Smith and Lela Guthrie, and a brother, Jimmy Darrell Maness...\nSherri Edwards (Obituary ~ 08/23/16)\nMrs. Sherri Ann Edwards, 49, of Bono, formerly of Osceola, passed away on August 19, 2016 at her residence, She was born on Feburary 11, 1967 in Pine Bluff to the late Wayne Freeman and Linda Freeman of Osceola, She was a CPA of the Pentecostal Faith...\nErick Perez (Obituary ~ 08/23/16)\nErick Nazare Perez, age 34 of Leachville, passed from this life August 22, 2016 from a drowning accident near Monette. Born in Rio Bravo, Mexico he had been a Leachville resident for the past 20 years and had attended Buffalo Island Central Schools. He was employed by Industrial Mill Services and was a member of St. Cecilias Catholic Church in Kennett, Missouri. Erick was an avid outdoorsman, he loved fishing and spending time with his family...\nEstelle White (Obituary ~ 08/23/16)\nMrs. Estelle O. White, 96, of Blytheville, died August 17, 2016 at Forestdale Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Birmingham, Alabama. She was born on September, 27, 1919 in Blytheville, the daughter of Ella Spivey Orr and Dike Orr, stepfather, and Reverend Fred Tate, father. ...\nMarkita Jackson (Obituary ~ 08/23/16)\nMrs. Markita Ann Brown Jackson, 39, of Blytheville, passed away on August 21, 2016 in Blytheville. She was born on Janurary 1, 1977 in Osceola to Mr. Eddie Lee Brown Jr. and Jaunita Johnson Brown. She was employed at Blytheville Public Schools as the Parent Center Coordinator, she was a member of Mr. Moriah M.B. Church and graduated from Gosnell High School in 1995, Graduated from Arkansas Northeastern College on May 16, 2003...\nNo decision on BHS New Tech coordinator (Local News ~ 08/23/16)\nOn Monday night, the Blytheville School Board met for the first time since school started back, hearing reports from parents on \"First Things First\" and from head football coach Ben Fisher, who spoke on how the Chickasaws are ready for football to start...\nGov. Hutchinson visits Manila (Local News ~ 08/23/16)\nManila High School staff and students welcomed Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson on Tuesday. MHS was on the Governor's computer coding tour of 10 schools across the state. Superintendent Pam Castor and high school principal Mark Manchester welcomed Gov. Hutchinson and his staff as they toured the computer labs, visited with students, and took a lesson in computer coding...\nHospital financials continue to improve (Local News ~ 08/23/16)\nFinancial matters for the Mississippi County Hospital System have improved fairly drastically in recent years, and have gotten better still since the passing of the hospital tax last October. MCHS C.F.O. Randy Nichols reported to the system's Board of Governors on Monday that the system's main operating account at the end of July held around $2.7 million, enough for just over 66 days cash on-hand. ...\nGosnell, Paragould tie in scrimmage (High School Sports ~ 08/23/16)\nThe host Gosnell Pirates and Paragould Rams played one 30-minute half and tied, 0-0, Tuesday evening.\nChicks win scrimmage (High School Sports ~ 08/23/16)\nPOCAHONTAS -- The Blytheville Chickasaws outscored Pocahontas in the Arkansas Activities Association benefit game, 28-6, Tuesday night. Both offenses had two 15-play series in the first half with Blytheville scoring twice and Pocahontas once during the series...","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1750014"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9407451748847961,"wiki_prob":0.9407451748847961,"text":"https://www.oxfordmusiconline.com/browse?t=music_Topics%3A68&t0=music_Eras%3A10\nFamily Article (1)\nSubject Reference (4)\nOpen Section Ethnomusicology (2)\nApplied Ethnomusicology (1)\nMusic Business, Institutions and Organizations (1)\nOpen Section Music Theory and Analysis (1)\nAcoustics (1)\nHistory of Theory (1)\nModal Theory (1)\nDance and Music (1)\nOpen Section Peoples and Music Cultures (118)\nJewish Music (108)\nNative American Music (3)\nRoma Music (5)\nPhilosophy of Music (1)\nOpen Section Voice (1)\nBaritone (Voice) (1)\nAerophones (Blown Instruments) (3)\nFlute and Piccolo (2)\nReed Instruments (1)\nChordophones (Stringed Instruments) (2)\nBowed Chordophones (2)\nPlucked Chordophones (1)\nKeyboard Instruments (3)\n20th c. (1900-2000) (118)\n21st c. (2000-present) (118)\nKashmir (historical) (1)\nCentral Europe (20)\nBohemia (historical) (1)\nRussia [Russian Federation] (12)\nUSSR [Soviet Union] (historical) (2)\nSoutheastern Europe (10)\nAustralasia (3)\nThe Americas (46)\nNorthern America (40)\nComposer or Arranger (75)\nInstrument Maker (1)\nMusic Educator (11)\nOpen Section Performer (52)\nConductor (24)\nInstrumentalist (30)\nSound Artist (1)\nPublisher or Editor (1)\nScholar (11)\nPeoples and Music Cultures x\nAdler, Samuel\nMarie Rolf\n(Hans)\n(b Mannheim, March 4, 1928). American composer and conductor of German birth. Both of his parents were musical, his father being a cantor and composer of Jewish liturgical music. The family came to the USA in 1939 and Adler attended Boston University (BM 1948) and Harvard University (MA 1950). He studied composition with Aaron Copland, Paul Fromm, Paul Hindemith, Hugo Norden, Walter Piston and Randall Thompson; musicology with Karl Geiringer, A.T. Davison and Paul A. Pisk; and conducting with Sergey Koussevitzky at the Berkshire Music Center. In 1950 he joined the US Army and organized the Seventh Army SO, which he conducted in more than 75 concerts in Germany and Austria; he was awarded the Army Medal of Honor for his musical services. Subsequently he conducted concerts and operas, and lectured extensively throughout Europe and the USA. In 1957 he was appointed professor of composition at North Texas State University, and in ...\nAhronovich, Yury\nNoël Goodwin\n[Georgy]\n(b Leningrad [now St Petersburg], May 13, 1932; d Cologne, Oct 31, 2002). Israeli conductor of Soviet birth. He studied at the Leningrad Central School of Music and the Leningrad Conservatory, and also with Natan Rakhlin and Kurt Sanderling. In 1956 he was appointed conductor of the Saratov PO; he also taught at the conservatory there and conducted his first operas. The next year he became conductor at Yaroslav, remaining there until his appointment as chief conductor of the Moscow RSO in 1964; his guest engagements included appearances with the Bol′shoy Ballet. Ahronovich left the USSR in 1972 and became an Israeli citizen. After concerts with the Israel PO he began touring, appearing in London with the RPO and with the New York PO in the USA. He made his operatic début in the West with Otello at Cologne, where he was conductor of the Gürzenich Concerts from ...\nAnhalt, István\nJohn Beckwith\n(b Budapest, April 12, 1919; d Kingston, ON, February 24, 2012). Canadian composer, conductor and pianist of Hungarian birth. He studied with Kodály at the Budapest Academy (1937–41). As a young man he spent a period with other Jewish youths in a forced-labour contingent of the Hungarian Army; his later war experiences – escape, then concealment by friends during the winter of 1944–5 – are described in the memoirs of the novelist Theresa de Kerpely (Teresa Kay). After a season as assistant conductor at the Budapest Opera (1945–6), he went to Paris for further studies in piano (Soulima Stravinsky), conducting (Fourestier) and composition (Boulanger), remaining there for three years. He moved to Canada in 1949 (taking Canadian nationality in 1955), and for three years held a Lady Davis Fellowship and an appointment as assistant professor at McGill University. There he founded the electronic music studio and served for six years as chair of the department of theoretical music. He held grants for electronic music research from the Canada Council (...\nAshkenazy, Vladimir\nStephen Plaistow\n(Davidovich)\n(b Gor′kiy [now Nizhniy Novgorod], July 6, 1937). Russian pianist and conductor, naturalized Icelandic. He was born into a musical Jewish family and entered the Moscow Central School of Music in 1945; his teacher there for the next ten years was Anaida Sumbatyan. His first major recital, devoted entirely to Chopin, was in the Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory in April 1955, and later that year he gained second prize at the fifth Warsaw International Chopin Competition. In 1956, now a pupil of Lev Oborin at the Moscow Conservatory, he was awarded first prize at the Queen Elisabeth Competition in Brussels. While still a student he made his first tour outside the USSR the following year, to East and West Germany. After graduating, it was inescapable that he should be groomed for the second International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow in 1962 (the American Van Cliburn having won the first), and he duly restored national honour by carrying off a shared first prize (with John Ogdon). His London début followed in ...\nAtlas, Dalia\nMichal Ben-Zur\n( b Haifa, Nov 17, 1933). Israeli conductor . She studied the piano at the Rubin Academy of Music in Jerusalem, and subsequently studied conducting in Europe and the USA with Franco Ferrara, Celibidache, Hans Swarowsky and Boulez. From 1954 to 1960 she taught piano at the Rubin Academy of Music. Atlas won several international conducting awards, including the Dimitri Mitropoulos Competition (1964), the Leopold Stokowski Prize (1978) and the Eugene Ormandy Award (1980). In 1981 she was appointed associate professor and director of musical studies at the Technion in Haifa. She is the founder and principal conductor of the symphony orchestra and choir of Technion, the Israel Pro Musica Orchestra and the Atlas Camerata. She has also appeared as a guest conductor with the RPO in London, the Royal Liverpool PO and the Stockholm PO, among others. Atlas has given the first performances of works by the Israeli composers Amy Maayany and Zvi Avni, and has recorded Stravinsky's ...\nAvitsur, Eitan\nEliyahu Schleifer\n(b Jerusalem, Sept 15, 1941). Israeli composer and conductor. He studied at the Rubin Academy of Music (teacher's diploma 1967, BMus 1972) and at the Salzburg Mozarteum (1976). From 1968 to 1973 he served as the director of Renanot, the Institute of Jewish Music, Jerusalem. In 1971 he joined the music department at Bar-Ilan University, where he founded an electro-acoustic laboratory in 1995. He has conducted numerous concerts in Israel, as well as national television and radio broadcasts. In 1973 he helped establish the Natanya SO, with which he has performed concerts of contemporary Israeli music. An award-winning youth orchestra conductor, he became music director of the Jerusalem Youth Orchestra in 1987.\nAvitsur's compositions express a deep commitment to Jewish and Israeli culture. Many of his works are large-scale vocal compositions based on scenes from recent Jewish history. Much of his music, such as the Symphony no.2 ‘Shirat Hadorot’ (‘Generations’ chanting’, ...\nAvni, Tzvi\nMiri Gerstel\n(b Saarbrücken, Sept 2, 1927). Israeli composer of German origin. He studied composition with Erlich, Ben-Haim and Seter, and the piano with Pelleg, graduating from the Israel Academy of Music, Tel-Aviv, in 1958. From 1961 to 1975, Avni served intermittently as the director of the AMLI Central Music Library. Between 1962 and 1964 he continued his studies in the USA: at the Columbia–Princeton Electronic Music Center with Ussachevsky and in Tanglewood with Copland and Foss. Avni later taught composition and served as director of the electronic music laboratories at the Jerusalem Rubin Academy of Music and Dance (1971–95); he was appointed head of the department of theory and composition there in 1976. From 1968 to 1982 he also served as editor of Guitite, the bi-monthly publication of the Israeli Jeunesses Musicales, and from 1978 to 1980 he was chairman of the Israeli League of Composers. Avni was appointed chairman of the jury of the Arthur Rubinstein International Piano Master Competition in ...\nBar-Am, Benjamin\nRonit Seter\n[Berman, Bernhardt]\n(b Wiesbaden, July 20, 1923). Israeli critic, composer and musicologist. He moved to Mandatory Palestine in 1936. After studying composition with Paul Ben-Haim, his most influential teacher, Bar-Am attended the Ecole Normale de Paris (1949–51). He studied musicology at Tel-Aviv University (BA 1977), where he became the principal lecturer for courses on Jewish music and Israeli contemporary music (1973–96) and the first director of the Archive of Israeli Music. The secretary general of the Israeli League of Composers (1960–76, 1976–8), he became chair of the organizing committee of the ISCM in Israel in 1980. Though most influential as the music critic of the Jerusalem Post between 1958 and 1995, Bar-Am also wrote many essays on Israeli music in Hebrew, English and German, notably ‘A Musical Gateway between East and West’ (Jerusalem Post, 20 April 1988). He ceased composing in the early 1970s but resumed in ...\nBardanashvili, Ioseb\nKetevan Bolashvili\n(b Batumi, Nov 23, 1948). Georgian composer. He studied composition with A. Shaverzashvili at the Tbilisi State Conservatory (1968–76) and taught at the College of Batumi Music (1973–95). In 1987 he was awarded the Z. Paliashvili State Prize and in 1995 he emigrated to Israel.\nBardanashvili came to notice in the 1970s when, in his first serious experiments in composition dating from his student years, he set himself complex creative tasks and constantly endeavoured to find uncommon ways of solving them. His creative thinking was formed by a synthesis of national traditions – Georgian and Jewish – and contemporary methods such as dodecaphony, in addition to aleatory and sonoristic techniques, all applied in a non-dogmatic manner.\nHe seeks to reveal the complex, multi-faceted aspects of the human soul, and the rich spectrum of its emotional world; the varied literary sources of his inspiration include, in particular, Jewish medieval poetry and the work of Marcus Aurelius and Michelangelo. His Symphony (...\nAlan Blyth\n(b Buenos Aires, Nov 15, 1942). Israeli pianist and conductor. He was first taught by his parents and made his début as a pianist in Buenos Aires when he was seven. In 1951 the family moved to Europe where he played at the Salzburg Mozarteum, and thence to Israel. Back in Salzburg in 1954, he met Edwin Fischer and Furtwängler, both major influences on his future career. Studies at the Accademia di S Cecilia in Rome and with Boulanger completed his education.\nBarenboim made his British début as a soloist in 1955 and his American début two years later, and first conducted, in Israel, in 1962. From 1964 he worked for some years with the English Chamber Orchestra as conductor and pianist, recording with them symphonies by Mozart and Haydn, and a series of Mozart piano concertos. Meanwhile he began an international career as a conductor. He directed the South Bank Summer Festival in London (...\nBen-Shabetai, Ari\n(b Jerusalem, Jan 22, 1954). Israeli composer. He studied composition at the Guildhall School in London (1978–9), with Mark Kopytman at the Rubin Academy in Jerusalem (graduated 1983), and with George Crumb and Richard Wernick at the University of Pennsylvania (PhD, 1987). Since 1987 he has been teaching at the Rubin Academy. He was the chairman of the Israeli Composers' League (1994–5).\nHis compositions tend to amalgamate different styles, for example aleatory means and proportional notation in Rubaiyat (1982) and atonal, extreme chromaticism with heterophony in the Sinfonia cromatica (1993). In the latter, each of the three movements represents a family of colours (magenta, aquamarine and white light) and the chromatic scale is developed as an important motif. In the Elegy for Anna Frank he uses a metalphone, an instrument of his own invention made of 11 gongs of different sizes, to evoke the sound of a railway. Ben-Shabetai's compositions have been performed in Europe and in the USA....\nBerman, Boris\nDavid Fanning\n(b Moscow, April 3, 1948). American pianist of Russian birth. He studied at the Moscow Conservatory with Lev Oborin from 1965 to 1971, and took part in the Russian premières of works by Ligeti, Berio, Stockhausen and Cage, as well as the first performances of Denisov’s Ode and Schnittke’s ...\nBertini, Gary\nWilliam Y. Elias\n(b Brichevo, Bessarabia [now Moldavia], May 1, 1927; d Tel Hashomer, Israel, March 17, 2005). Israeli conductor and composer of Russian birth. Taken to Palestine as a child, he began violin lessons at the age of six. He later studied at the Milan Conservatory (1946–7), in Israel, and at the Paris Conservatoire (1951–4) while taking further studies with Nadia Boulanger, Chailley, Honegger and Messiaen. In 1954 he returned to Israel and taught conducting at the Music Teachers’ College, Tel-Aviv, and later at the Rubin Academy of Tel-Aviv University, where he was appointed a professor in 1975. In 1955 he formed the Rinat Choir, which quickly acquired a wide reputation and became the Israel Chamber Choir. Bertini’s orchestral début was also in 1955 with the Israel PO, with which he first toured the USA and East Asia in 1960. His British début was in 1965...\nBraun, Yehezkel\nJehoash Hirshberg\n(b Breslau, Jan 18, 1922; d Tel Aviv, August 27, 2014). Israeli composer. His parents settled in Palestine in 1923. After studying at the Israel Academy of Music with Alexander Boskovitch, among others, he was appointed to teach there when it merged with Tel-Aviv University in 1966. In 1975 he completed the MA in classical studies at the University, and studied Gregorian chant with Dom Jean Claire at Solesmes. He served as a jury member for prizes in Gregorian chant at the Conservatoire National Supérieur, Paris (1990, 1996, 1997).\nIn his early works Braun adopted the ideology of a national Israeli music, merging folklike dance patterns with cantillation motifs and modal chromaticism, as in his transparent Piano Sonata (1957). During the late 1950s and 1960s he composed several 12-note compositions, such as the Prelude and Passacaglia for harp (1967), retaining his predilection for simple melodic lines and consonant harmonies within the dodecaphonic context. Later works are more stylistically diverse. His Piano Trio no.1 (...\nBronner, Mikhail Borisovich\nAlla Vladimirovna Grigor′yeva\n(b Moscow, Feb 25, 1952). Russian composer. He graduated from the Moscow Conservatory where he studied composition with Khrennikov; he completed his postgraduate studies in 1981 and had become a member of the Composers’ Union in 1979. Notable landmarks in his career were the premières of his ballets Optimistichskaya tragediya (‘An Optimistic Tragedy’) and Ukroshcheniye stropivoy (‘The Taming of the Shrew’) at the Stanislavsky–Nemirovich-Danchenko Theatre in Moscow (1985, 1996) and the performance of the Yevreyskiy rekviem (‘Jewish Requiem’) in Germany in 1994.\nBronner writes music predominantly for the theatre and makes extensive use of theatrical elements in other genres: the monumental examples of this can be found in Yevreyskiy rekviem for soloists, chorus and orchestra in which he sets a poem by Chaim Byalik in Yiddish alongside prayers, the address of Maimonid in Tvrit, lines from the diary of Anne Frank, lyric poetry from the Song of Songs...\nCohen, Arnaldo\nBryce Morrison\n(b Rio de Janeiro, April 22, 1948). Brazilian pianist of Russian-Jewish extraction. He studied with Jacques Klein (a student of William Kapell) in Rio de Janeiro and later with Bruno Seidlhofer and Dieter Weber in Vienna. In 1972 he won first prize in the Busoni International Competition and made his début at the Wigmore Hall, London. Wary of instant acclaim, however, he declined Deutsche Grammophon's offer of a contract and in 1976 returned to Brazil, where he gave concerts and taught maths and physics. A decisive change of direction came in 1981, when he replaced Martha Argerich at a concert in the Netherlands; his success in Bach's First Partita, Chopin's Four Ballades and Prokofiev's Seventh Sonata prompted his return to Europe. Cohen's distinctive elegance and dynamism create their own ambience, especially in the music of Liszt, several of whose works, including the rarely heard Grande fantaisie sur Les Huguenots...\nComissiona, Sergiu\nCharles Barber and José A. Bowen\n(b Bucharest, June 16, 1928; d Oklahoma City, March 5, 2005). Israeli and American conductor of Romanian birth. He studied the violin and conducting at the Bucharest Conservatory, continuing his conducting studies with Silvestri and Lindenberg. After his début with the Romanian State Opera with Faust in 1946, he joined the Bucharest Radio Quartet and the Romanian State Ensemble as a violinist, becoming musical director of the latter (1950–55). He was principal conductor of the Romanian State Opera (1955–9) in Bucharest and won the 1956 conducting competition in Besançon. He emigrated to Israel (becoming naturalized in 1959) and became musical director of the Haifa SO (1959–66) and founder-conductor of the Ramat Gan Chamber Orchestra (1960–67). He made his British début with the LPO in 1960, and his US début with the Philadelphia Orchestra in 1965; his success led to many engagements as a guest conductor, including the Boston SO, Cleveland Orchestra, San Francisco SO, New York PO and the Berlin SO. His musical directorships included the Göteborg SO (...\nCzernowin, Chaya\n(b Haifa, Israel, 7 Dec 1957). Israeli composer.\nShe studied at the Rubin Israel Academy of Music, Tel Aviv University (BA 1982) with Abel Ehrlich and Yitzhak Sadai, in Berlin with Dieter Schnebel (1983–4), at Bard College (MFA 1987), where her teachers included Eli Yarden and Joan Tower, and at the University of California at San Diego (PhD 1993) with Roger Reynolds and Brian Ferneyhough. She has taught at the Darmstadt summer courses (1990–98, 2004, 2010), where she received the Kranichstein prize (1992), at the University of California, San Diego (1997–2006), at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna (2006–9), and at Harvard University (from 2009), where she became the first woman composer to serve as a senior professor of composition. Her honors include an Asahi Shimbun Fellowship for a year residency in Tokyo (...\nDa-Oz Daus Ram\nNathan Mishori\n[Avraham]\n(b Berlin, Oct 17, 1929). Israeli composer of German birth. He moved to Palestine with his parents in 1934 and began studies of the piano in 1945 and the oboe in 1947. Blinded in the [Israel] War of Independence of 1948, he studied theory and composition privately with Hajos for three years, and he graduated from the Israel Academy of Music, Tel-Aviv, in 1953. Two years later he had a string quartet, a piano sonata and some songs publicly performed. Parts of these works showed a personal expressive quality, which reached a highpoint in the sombre orchestral Alei yagon va’nocham (‘Metamorphosis of Grief and Consolation’). Earlier tendencies toward fast chromatic modulations developed into atonal writing in the piano Capriccio, the String Trio and the Lea Goldberg Songs (1962); the influences of Prokofiev and Bartók gave place to those of Schoenberg. The dodecaphony ruling the Movimenti quasi sonata...\nDavidovsky, Mario\nNoel B. Zahler\n(b Buenos Aires, March 4, 1934; d New York, Aug 23, 2019). American composer of Argentine birth. He studied the violin as a child and began to compose at the age of 13. Subsequently he studied composition, theory, and history in Buenos Aires, where his principal teacher was Graetzer. In 1958 he studied at the Berkshire Music Center with Copland and while there met Babbitt, who encouraged him to move to New York to work at the Columbia-Princeton Electronic Music Center. He taught at the University of Michigan (1964), the Instituto Torcuato di Tella of Buenos Aires (1965), the Manhattan School (1968–9), Yale University (1969–70), and City College, CUNY (1968–80). His association with Columbia University began in 1960 with his appointment as associate director of the Columbia-Princeton Electronic Music Center and ended with his tenure as professor of music (...","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line721776"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9272558689117432,"wiki_prob":0.9272558689117432,"text":"Noosa finds luck betting on yogurt\nJosie Sexton\njsexton@coloradoan.com\nBELLVUE – Two weeks before Christmas, Noosa Yoghurt stopped producing.\nMachines filling 500 cups per minute, for 22 hours a day, stopped running. Thousands of 12-cup boxes, stacked 5 feet high and spread across a large shipping warehouse, sat waiting.\nInside the company's temporary trailer offices, workers packed up a wide-screen TV and various electronics as they took off early. At Noosa, production has become a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week operation. But just for the night, 90 employees took a step back from yogurt and attended an office holiday party, Monte Carlo-themed, for the chance to win some prizes.\nThe theme was fitting for a company that five years ago made a gamble on yogurt and in 2014 continued to see near triple-digit growth in sales of its single product.\nIn the past year, Noosa has risen to become the third-best-selling yogurt brand in the region. It has nearly doubled its staff, tripled plant capacity and sold a majority of the business to a private equity firm, for an undisclosed amount, in order to continue on its unlikely trajectory.\nCo-founder Koel Thomae, together with her business partners, built the company for five years on traditional bank financing. But sales grew from $43 million to $74 million in the last year, which Thomae said is difficult to keep up with.\nIn selling Noosa to Boston-based Advent International, she said her company gets to stay the same, with the addition of Advent's advisers, and keep up with a growing national demand for yogurt.\n\"Based on the investment that our new partner is willing to make,\" Thomae said, \"I think we've got huge opportunities.\"\nWith $74 million in annual sales, Noosa controls about 11 percent of the Rocky Mountain region market and less than 1 percent of the $7 billion U.S. yogurt industry. The brand has come this far without any traditional advertising.\n\"Please don't use Noosa as a case study,\" Thomae tells aspiring food entrepreneurs. \"I mean, this is unheard of.\"\nBetting on Australia\nFrom 2004 to 2007, Thomae traveled twice from Boulder to Australia's Sunshine Coast to see her family. On the first trip, she stopped at a corner store and happened upon an unbranded, clear container marked Queensland yogurt.\nIt didn't taste like the traditional blended yogurts Thomae had grown up with in Australia. Queensland was thicker — but not so thick as Greek — and it was creamy, with passion fruit puree on the bottom. It wasn't just the best yogurt Thomae had ever had, \"it was like the best food I had ever tasted.\"\nAt the time, Thomae was working for the Boulder-based Izze Beverage Co., which was about to be bought by Pepsi. After her first Queensland experience, she went back to the U.S. and back to work at Izze. But she also began tracking the yogurt industry, which was starting to boom in Greek varieties. Even to her boss, Thomae said, \"I wouldn't stop talking about yogurt.\"\nOn her next trip to Australia, Thomae made her mother call Queensland yogurt's family owners. Mom obliged and set up a meeting with the Mathewsons. They got together for lunch and beers at the local beach's surf club in a town called Noosa.\nBy the end of lunch, Thomae and her mom had convinced the Mathewsons to bring their product to the U.S. market.\n\"We created a business partnership out of one lunch,\" Thomae said. \"Obviously, 20 million people (in Australia) versus 300 million (in the United States) … It's very compelling.\"\nBetting on Colorado\nBack in Colorado, as Thomae sought a milk supplier, dairy owner Rob Graves was looking for ways to expand his own product line with Whole Foods Market.\nGraves, a fourth-generation owner of Morning Fresh Dairy in Bellvue, said he didn't really like yogurt until he tried the Queensland recipe. He lights up when he talks about making those first 5-pound yogurt batches, in buckets, with the help of Thomae and the Mathewsons.\n\"We'd make a batch a week, and if we could sell that batch within a week, we thought we were doing really, really good,\" he said of the business' first months.\nTaking a cue from the original transparent Australian packaging, Thomae searched for clear cups in the U.S.; the most readily available came in an unusual wide-mouthed and flattened 8-ounce container.\nThe new company set up shop in one room of the Bellvue dairy. Graves prepared fruit puree on his home stove, following his own grandmother's jelly recipe, reducing fruits with sugar and simmering slowly.\nThe trick is \"just patience and balance,\" he said. It's a combination hard to maintain in the recent yogurt industry.\nNoosa Yoghurt, as it was renamed for the American consumer, was first sold in 5-pound batches to Whole Foods Markets. Four months after Noosa's start in January 2010, Horizon Organic stopped producing yogurt, leaving shelf space open at King Soopers and Kroger, the country's largest supermarket chain.\nBetting on Greek\nNoosa's growth in five years was aided by those initial two large retailers, and the later addition of Target and Super Target in all 50 states. Even so, Noosa's gains are dwarfed by the yogurt industry's disruptor: Chobani.\nLaunched in 2008 by a Turkish immigrant, Chobani grew its revenue in five years to $1 billion. In national sales, the maker of Greek yogurt falls closely behind yogurt giants Danone (Dannon) and General Mills (maker of Yoplait).\nWith the help of Chobani, about half of the American yogurt market is now Greek style, with companies such as Fage, Oikos (Danone) and Stonyfield (Danone) competing.\nBut Thomae said there is only so much supermarket shelf space for one trend in yogurt.\n\"At the time it felt like, oh my gosh, we're going to be behind this curve,\" she said of opening Noosa during the Greek explosion. \"And it ended up actually being great timing, because (Greek) just exploded the entire (yogurt) category, and there continues to be so much press around Greek.\"\nAs Greek continues to soar, Thomae said people are wondering what might be the next trends in yogurt. Noosa, with a high-protein alternative to the thicker Greek variety (a container of Noosa packs 14 grams of protein to Chobani's 11), is waiting patiently.\n\"So as everybody jumped on the Greek bandwagon, we just kept focused on what we do best,\" Thomae said. \"And that sort of created the next subcategory in the yogurt aisle.\"\nBetting on taste\nIn that next yogurt aisle subcategory, Noosa stands apart.\nCalifornia-based Wallaby boasts an Australian-style yogurt, but more blended and organic. New York's Siggi's has introduced a strained, nonfat Icelandic yogurt, and a handful of other regional and occasional styles have emerged, such as dessert yogurts.\nBut Wade Groetsch, Noosa's president and chief operating officer, said, \"We don't want to pigeonhole ourselves\" with the product.\nThe brand continues to diversify only in fruit purees — most recently coconut and pumpkin — without adding a Greek subset or dessert line of products.\nThe Australian recipe remains the same, though the fruit now comes from California. And what Thomae modestly calls accidental packaging has become a large part of Noosa's identification.\nGroetsch joined the company in 2012 to focus on sales and finances and has since become the big-picture thinker with the big-yogurt experience behind Noosa's last two years of growth and development.\nBefore coming to Noosa, he spent 11 years with the Yoplait division of General Mills. He went on to run Dannon's largest yogurt-producing factory in Minster, Ohio.\nNow he is watching the U.S. yogurt industry, which has quadrupled in production over the past two decades to nearly 4.5 billion pounds annually, and the European industry, where in countries such as Sweden, a person will eat 62.8 pounds of yogurt annually. In comparison, an American by 2008 was eating 11.8 pounds annually.\nGroetsch said Noosa's secret to continued growth is its taste; the company's main marketing plan in four years has been to get people just to try the yogurt, in free samples.\nThat will have to change slightly as business moves forward with Advent's investment, focusing on national growth and brand recognition outside Colorado through \"guerrilla marketing\" tactics and social media.\nIf its owners are any indication, Noosa as a whole isn't phased by the transition.\nThomae heads the company's sales and marketing from a shared workspace in Boulder, a few small Noosa posters hanging on otherwise bare walls of her small office. Graves continues to run between Noosa and Morning Fresh Dairy from the companies' shared Bellvue headquarters. And Groetsch oversees the day-to-day operations of the yogurt facility, in the midst of its $10 million expansion.\nThe \"Australian partners,\" as everyone refers to the Mathewsons, have moved back to Australia to focus on their own family business, with an undisclosed but imaginably hefty takeaway from the buyout. And after four years of playing catch-up with hungry consumers, Thomae said, \"it's nice to finally be at a point where we're over-investing.\"\nIn January, Noosa's new \"world headquarters,\" as Groetsch refers to the Bellvue Morning Fresh and Noosa campus, will finish construction, starting with a 6,000-square-foot administrative building, in a farmhouse style, and continuing with a 35,000-square-foot warehouse. About 10 new jobs will be created from the expansion.\nMeanwhile, Morning Fresh is building a new milking parlor and converting corn fields to grass as it doubles its cattle numbers to continue supplying Noosa.\nTogether, the businesses hope to start offering tours and hosting events at the idyllic canyon-side setting, all of which should solve what seems to be Noosa's only big current business problem, according to its owners: \"People don't even know we're here.\"","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line414092"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5572458505630493,"wiki_prob":0.5572458505630493,"text":"NAB Show 2022: Self-Guided Tour of All Things Data, AI & Automation\nBy Pickle &nbspJanuary 30, 2022\nWhy is Intelligent Content a key destination — along with the Create, Connect and Capitalize pillars — at the 2022 NAB Show? Because it has become a real, transformational element of today’s media and entertainment ecosystem, with practical applications all across the content value chain.\nIntelligent Content is relevant and important to your business. Whether you’re ready for it or not, it is the future. Perhaps that sounds like a bold statement, but if you look at the modern media business, you already see Intelligent Content everywhere, in broadcast, OTT and all manner of digital and social platforms.\nIntelligent Content is content that uses smart technology before, during and after creation. It is informed by and embedded with data that can be traced, analyzed and applied. Thanks to this data, intelligent content can more easily be discovered, reused and adapted. It can be used for more than one purpose and on more than one platform. And in the end, intelligent content can make great storytelling more intuitive and enable a curated viewing experience for every single consumer.\nUsing Intelligent Content, Fox Entertainment and Blockchain Creative Labs have built on the hit show “The Masked” singer with the launch of “The MaskVerse,” an NFT marketplace and community designed to make buying, selling and trading of digital goods — Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) — part of the mainstream consumer experience.\nIntelligent Content also drives the Squid Game NFT collection, which is likewise engineered to increase engagement with fans and develop a broader reach, with greater revenue-generation potential. Fans can purchase “Squid Game” NFTs, such as characters, honeycomb candy (Dalgona) and backgrounds, and eventually use them to participate in online games mirroring those in the popular show (with big cash prizes but without so much gore).\nHow does it actually work? Data, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning are being used to make content work harder. It’s a circular flow in which data informs content creation, and the data harvested through delivery and consumption across various devices and platforms informs further content creation and delivery. Used in this way, data drives smarter, richer and more meaningful connections between the producers and consumers of content. It supports new channels of engagement and new ways to generate revenue. This is the Intelligent Content showcase you’ll discover at the 2022 NAB Show.\nWithin Intelligent Content, you’ll find three focus areas: AI and Automation, New Engagement Channels, and New Business Models. It’s no accident that these areas respectively align well with Create, Connect and Capitalize, though AI and automation truly make an impact along the entire value chain, from camera to consumption.\nAs broadcasters, streamers and networks pursue more direct relationships with consumers, AI manages the data that drives better-informed decisions that lead to greater success. Supporting behavioral analytics and demand-led commissioning, it allows for more accurate viewership predictions, enabling more effective monetization of content, and even helps media organizations extend their reach, target new audiences, try new ideas and capitalize on new opportunities while minimizing risk. In conjunction with integrated tech stacks, AI also enables greater automation of production workflows, improving efficiency and reducing costs across the board.\nAll of these gains give media organizations the opportunity to explore new engagement channels and to connect with consumers in new ways. As audiences increasingly expect personalization at scale, content creators and distributors will need to engage with them differently and empower them to consume content in different ways. They will need to consider new business models, new methods for capturing data about audiences and viewing patterns, and additional platforms through which to reach consumers. (Social influencers, mobile and other always-on platforms, wearable devices, connected electronics, appliances and homes, and more!)They also need to understand the infrastructure and technical requirements needed to support all these new efforts and ventures.\nThe 2022 NAB Show will offer an in-depth look at all these aspects of engagement, giving you a better understanding of how your business can move forward in making content work harder for you. Building on that idea, the New Business Models focus area will examine exactly that: new business models. More specifically, it will reveal how consumer data is redefining the value exchange between content creators and content consumers — and driving the shift away from subscription and advertising dependent models. Here you’ll learn more about monetization and reaching the connected consumer in a data-driven media ecosystem.\nWhile data has powered various parts of the industry for some time now, the idea of Intelligent Content isn’t necessary intuitive. That’s why this area of the 2022 NAB Show will feature a self-guided tour of all things data, AI and automation, complemented by a new content series on NAB Amplify. Exhibitors are utilizing Intelligent Content to help showcase a more holistic approach to how these technologies are impacting all levels of the workflow from create to connect to capitalize.\nEliminating much of the technical jargon while also providing opportunities for deeper learning, the show will make it easy to build foundational knowledge and discover the possibilities for your business. You’ll learn what Intelligent Content actually means for you, whether you’re in broadcast, streaming, or another area of content creation or delivery.\nUltimately, if you’re an attendee, this approach will help you to make meaningful connections so that you can make informed decisions, which in turn can allow you to create better content, connect with the right people, and make money. That’s always been the strength of NAB Show, and it’s truer than ever as the media and entertainment industry expands into new forms of creating, connecting and capitalizing on content.\nIf you’ve been in the industry for a while, you’ve seen that every time a new form of media is invented, people throw up their arms and say, “The world is over. That’s the end.” But in reality, the way people consume media is multifaceted and varied. It depends on the moment, how people feel, what they want to do, how much time they have.\nThere is always a place for these additional forms of media, the new along with the old.NAB Show is the only show that focuses on all of it — the entirety of the media and entertainment ecosystem. That’s why the 2022 NAB Show is the perfect place to learn more about Intelligent Content, how it relates to what you’re doing today and how it will affect your media business in the coming days, months and years.\nWhat’s India Looking for at European Film Market","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1738277"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.774562418460846,"wiki_prob":0.774562418460846,"text":"Tag: Galerie Wouter van Leeuwen\nAmerican Winter by Gerry Johansson\n“For me it is important not to create a story with the pictures,” says Gerry Johansson. “Normally when you edit you try to sequence the photographs. But for me it is important that each picture is considered as a single, individual image.”\nJohansson’s photography is largely driven by intuition, but when it comes to making a book, logic and order triumph. Almost all of his 31 photobooks are defined by their geography, if not the subject matter, and their equally-sized photographs are generally organised either alphabetically or chronologically, a bid to encourage readers to interpret them individually.\nDocumentary, Exhibition, Photobook\nMarigold Warner 23 January 2019\nObituary: Jacqueline Hassink, photographer 1966-2018\n“I was trained as a sculptor, and this was the first time I had used the camera,” wrote Jacqueline Hassink in the Financial Times in 2011, of her breakthrough project The Table of Power. Between 1993 and 1995 Hassink contacted forty of the largest multinational corporations in Europe, asking to photograph their boardrooms. “I wanted to find a table that symbolised modern society’s most important value: economic power,” she writes. Nineteen refused, while the remaining 21, in Britain, the Netherlands, Germany, France, Switzerland and Italy, eventually agreed.\nThe book was published in 1996; it was the first time that photographs of these places had been made public, and in the spring of 2009, after the global recession, Hassink decided to revisit the boardrooms. With The Table of Power 2, she examined how boardroom design, revenue and employee numbers had changed over the intervening years.\nHassink, who has died aged just 52, was born in Enschede, the Netherlands, on 15 July 1966. She trained to be a sculptor at the Royal Academy of Art in The Hague, and then at the Trondheim Academy of Fine Art in Norway, but after graduating in 1992, presented herself mainly as a photographer, publishing nine books – including another celebrated title, Car Girls, in 2009. It was shot over five years at car shows across seven cities in three different continents, including New York, Paris, Geneva, Tokyo, Detroit, and Shanghai, focusing in on differing cultural standards on ideals of beauty on the women paid to pose with the cars.\nDocumentary, Exhibition, Features, Landscape, News, Photobook\nMarigold Warner 28 November 2018","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1224683"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7674850225448608,"wiki_prob":0.7674850225448608,"text":"Tag Archives: bangalore\nStepping About with Tushar Mathur: An Interview\nBangalore-based Tushar Mathur has made quite a splash in the short time since he’s gone solo. With two singles out already, “Mend” and “Groove Pool”, he’s earned a sizable following for his signature chill R&B sound and sharp production quality. He’s been featured on BBC, VH1 and countless media publications for his fresh and unique sound.\nBut as laid-back and breezy as his music may sound, Tushar Mathur’s work ethic is quite the opposite. In launching his music career, he’s learned to don many hats: songwriter, producer, video editor and social media manager, to name a few. Fittingly enough, his upcoming track “Stepping About”, talks about our generation’s struggle to strike a balance between hustle culture and self-care. The track features Shayan Roy, a Mumbai-based rapper and producer of Buzzfeed fame and releases on May 1st.\nWe sat down with Tushar Mathur last week for a detailed chat about his music, his influences and what it means to be a musician in the social media age.\nLet’s start with the name. My name is Tushar Mathur and I’m originally from Coimbatore. I’m a chemical engineer. I finished my degree and didn’t want to pursue engineering at all. I moved to Bangalore around three years ago to do music full time.\nI have a band that mainly plays blues-rock, and now I’m working on launching my solo career. The song I’m coming out with, “Stepping About”, is my third single; “Mend” and “Groove Pool” were my first two tracks and they released last year.\nWe really enjoyed your first two tracks! What made you interested in music? What would you say is the starting point for you?\nThe starting point for me, I’d say, is my family. I have a very musical family. My parents and grandparents sing Hindustani classical music. But the moment I really got interested in English music was when my brother went to Jaipur for his summer vacation and he came back with a CD. That CD had 12 tracks – mostly hits by Guns and Roses and Deep Purple. We’d sit down and listen to that CD on repeat, the entire day. That sparked an interest in me and I took it forward from there.\nMy dad also used to play a lot of John Denver and country music around the house. I grew up listening to a lot of guitar-centric music. My brother would also introduce me to a lot of metal and rock. My music has been centred around the guitar ever since.\nSo would you say these are your primary influences? Or has this evolved as you’ve evolved as an artist? What would you say your main influences are now?\nRight now, I’m hugely inspired by Tom Misch. He’s a guitarist and producer from London. My music has been hugely inspired by him- the style that I have now is mainly because of how much Tom Misch I listen to. Another recent influence of mine has been FKJ. When I start touring and playing live, my idea is to incorporate a lot of loop work onstage. FKJ has sort of been a pioneer in that field.\nYour first two tracks feel so effortless and breezy! How was the process of writing, producing and releasing these songs?\nMy first track “Groove Pool” is about an introvert at a party who wants to let loose. I’m not exactly why I wrote about it.. I’m not usually an introvert, but maybe I felt that way and just wanted to write about it. (Laughs)\nMy writing always starts off with simple guitar work. I usually start with a basic chord structure and build on top of that. The vocals, for me, usually come at the end. I tend to work on all the instruments and then sit down at the end of the day with the finished instrumentals, and write the lyrics and put in a nice vocal melody. That’s my process.\n“Mend” was pretty similar. Groove Pool was released in July 2019 and Mend was out by November 2019. “Mend” was special because I worked quite hard on the music video for it. I had dancers, directors and photographers coming in so that took quite some time, but I’m happy with the result.\nAnd how has the reception been for these tracks?\nIt’s been great! The songs have been on BBC Radio, both my videos were featured on VH1, and I’ve been featured on radio stations across the world. The response has been phenomenal, and people have been so supportive!\nAs a musician who’s transitioned between cities, how would you say the Bangalore scene compares to the Coimbatore scene?\nThe scene in Coimbatore is basically non-existent, which is why I moved to a city like Bangalore. Even before, we’d always travel to Bangalore for shows and competitions with my band. Bangalore has always been a great place for music; there are always people who play and appreciate different styles of music, especially when it comes to English music. Coimbatore’s scene is slowly developing as well, but the live music culture is yet to pick up. I’d say Bangalore is a hundred times better, in that aspect.\nIt must be an interesting experience to have to release music during this pandemic. Has it been a challenge to work on and promote your new track in these times?\nI’ve actually been working on this third song for the last six months. It’s been a very long process. I’m usually very picky about my music, and with “Stepping About”, I was even more particular. It’s about our generation’s battle between hustle culture and self-care. Productivity has become a measure of self-worth, and it took me a while to gather my thoughts and pen them down, given how much this affects our generation.\nThe pandemic hasn’t really affected my release schedule- I’d say I’ve been going about my work as usual. Whenever I release music, I give myself an entire month to promote. I’ve been doing what I’ve done for every song. But I think during this pandemic, a lot of people are sitting at home and consuming more content than they usually would. I don’t think it’ll negatively affect the reception of the song per se; but my touring and live sets have definitely been impacted.\nEven though it wasn’t written recently, the song’s subject matter seems more fitting than ever.\nSomehow it’s become very relevant. Even in this situation, everyone’s constantly doing something, or learning something new. People of our generation constantly make themselves feel bad about not being productive enough, and that’s something I had felt six months ago when I came up with this song as a concept. It’s suddenly become way more relevant to the situation that’s going on right now.\nYour track also features Shayan Roy, who’s popular for his viral Buzzfeed videos and his burgeoning rap career. How did this collab happen, and how was it working with Shayan?\nI was looking for a rapper for my track. I got in touch with a lot of people but it wasn’t working out. Somehow I came across Shayan and I just sent him an email. That’s all I did. I attached my track and told him “Your part would be between these timestamps”, and asked if he’d be interested in laying something down for me. He actually got back to me instantly saying he loved the track and he would give it a shot.\nIt was that easy! A lot of people have asked me this: “How did you end up working with Shayan? How did this happen?” I’ve actually never met him- this has entirely been through email, Instagram and WhatAapp. And this all happened because of a single email. People don’t realize how important an email can be. That’s how I’ve got VH1, BBC and interviews like this.\nYou seem like quite the hustler!\n(Laughs) Technically yes. It sounds a bit ironic that I’m writing a song about self-care. You’re right, I do hustle, and I do a lot of things. But there are times when I feel that I do need to chill out and take it easy. This song is to remind me to take a break. One of the lines actually is “At times I need to chill out” – that’s me telling myself I need to chill. So it’s very relatable to me and kind of a message to myself.\nI’m always telling people to take it easy, but my friends tell me that I don’t follow my own advice and that I’m constantly doing something or the other. So I think that this song would be good for me as well, as a reminder that sometimes, I should take it easy.\nDo you find it challenging to be a musician at this time? Between the music, the promotions and the social media, it feels like you’re doing the work of a three or four-member team!\nThat’s true, but the thing is: I love doing this! The music part is amazing, of course, but I believe that if you’re a musician, you need to see that music is a business. I think a lot of newer musicians think they’re above everybody, and think “I’m not going to learn how to promote myself, who wants to do that?” or “I’m just going to send this song out to a couple of my friends and it’ll blow up on its own.”\nBut I feel that with the music industry nowadays, the actual music makes up 30-40% of your success- the remaining 70% is just marketing and promotion. You might write the best song in the world, but if nobody’s going to hear it then what’s the point?\nYou’re right, it definitely is a three-person job, but I enjoy it, and I find the producing, marketing and promotion aspect of it extremely interesting.\nDo you produce all your own tracks? How did you get into that?\nYeah, I’ve produced all my own tracks. I’m such a fidgety person, the type that loves to mess around with controls and buttons for hours, and that’s how I got into producing. I have a friend called Sandeep who’d take my calls and kind of guide me through some of the questions I had, but apart from that there’s always YouTube and Google. You can literally learn anything on the internet! This was essentially a product of me having a lot of time on my hands and being able to sit down and figure out how to achieve different sounds.\nThere was another advantage of getting into producing. I was already a musician at that point. Earlier, when we’d jam, I’d know what I want from the sound. Now it’s become easier to achieve that sound on my own and manage the different aspects of the final product. It’s given me more control over my music, in a way.\nSo you’re a self-taught musician as well as a producer!\nI actually did go to guitar classes for a year, but I didn’t like it back then. It was mainly Carnatic stuff, and all I wanted to do was play Zeppelin. So yeah, I’d say I’m self-taught.\nI’ve also taught myself video editing- all the videos you see are edited by me. I also take up a couple of freelance projects on the side, to support myself financially.\nWow, so it’s more like you’re doing the work of a six-member team!\nYeah I do quite a lot, you’re right. But I really enjoy the whole process.\nRAPID FIRE:\nTop Five Desert Island Album/Songs:\n1. Beat Tape 1 by Tom Misch\n2. Geography by Tom Misch\n3. Dark Side of The Moon by Pink Floyd\n4. Led Zepellin 1 by Led Zepellin\n5. My own music!\nWhat are you currently listening to?\nI really make use of Spotify’s daily mix feature- lots of times I’m not really sure who the artists even are!\nI’ve been very excited about FKJ’s new album, Tom Misch’s stuff and this artist called Raveena.\nDescribe your sound in two words.\nLet’s make it three: Smooth. Like. Butter. (Laughs)\nWhat’s been your favourite gig? And why?\nMy favourite gig is actually my very first one. I had a gig back in Coimbatore, in this Punjabi Association that we were a part of and my dad had pushed us to go play a show there. A lot of my friends and family were at the show, and they still fondly recall the gig to this day. That was the first-ever time I got up on stage to perform and it felt magical- it’s my most cherished performance that I’ve given.\nDream collab?\nTom Misch, if I could, but I wouldn’t be able to function if that happened. If not him, then I’d really like to collaborate with a Hindi rapper – maybe Divine (I love his style) or Raja Kumari.\nIs there anyone you’d like to shout out for helping you along the way?\nI’d like to shout out my friend Pavithra. She’s been with me the entire way, and she’s supported me throughout!\nYou can visit Tushar’s website here for more information. His music is available wherever you regularly stream music. Listen to “Stepping About” now!\nTags: bangalore, chill, groove pool, indie, mend, r&b, shayan roy, stepping about, tushar mathur\nCategories Indian, Interviews\nIyer’s Filter Coffee – coldturkey\nArtwork by Saloni Sinha and Vishal Gulve\nDisclaimer: the writer has a long personal history with three out of four of the band members of Iyer’s Filter Coffee.\nThe early/mid-2000s were a great time to be an indie rock fan. There was a perfect balance between good bands, access (thank you LimeWire and Myspace), and discoverability. The fact that so many of the stalwarts of that early scene have gone on to become mainstream monoliths in their own right shows how much that era of music still resonate today.\nBangalore-based Iyer’s Filter Coffee and their debut EP, coldturkey are a throwback to that early indie rock sound. The four-piece band stick to the basics of two guitars, a bass and drums (with the odd keys) to deliver up a solid first release.\nFirst up is “Elanor.” What starts off with an Audioslave-esque lead by guitarist Pushkara Ravindra ends up in a freewheeling melodic shred-fest, with front-man Rushil Mishra’s vocals and rhythm guitar harmonising to tie together a sound that stops short on the right side of self-indulgent.\nUp next is “Beach,” with its easy toe-tapping lazy groove that gets me smiling every time (thanks to namesake Sachin Iyer). The real pleasure lies in the final third of the song (a common thread throughout the album), which has this delightful break down/sine-wave thing going on for it that’s just sonically gorgeous.\n“Soma” is IFC’s signature song, a wailing mix of wah-wah filled fuzz and three-chord guitar grunge with a driving bass that’s bound to get the crowd pumping, even if I’m not completely sold on what the song tries to do. There’s something about the mix that I can’t quite place that undercuts some of the guitar riffs, but I doubt that’ll matter when you’re three beers down, so…\nSoma, from coldturkey\nThe penultimate song, “Moonlight” opens with a most Indian-indie-sounding riff, before switching things up and veering towards an AM-circa-Suck-it-and-See sound. It’s a surprisingly mature and well-crafted piece, and displays a range and depth to the band that bodes well for their future releases.\n“Why Don’t You Come Over” rounds out the nostalgia trip with a dream-pop/shoe-gazy reverb-laden late-night call to lovers past. It’s mellow, it’s airy, it’s a delight to listen to.\ncoldturkey doesn’t reinvent a genre, nor does it break from long-standing musical traditions, but it ultimately doesn’t have to. It’s a solid debut by a good band that’s slowly etching their mark on the Bangalore music scene, filling a niche and gaining an organic following in the process. They’ve also got a brilliant album cover, which is always a bonus.\ncoldturkey is available on Apple Music, Soundcloud, and Spotify. Go check them out!\nTags: alternative rock, bangalore, indie rock, iyer's filter coffee\nCategories Album Reviews Indian\nAuthor xiodyn\nStriking a Balance: A Conversation with Ketan Bahirat\nAs we previously mentioned, we were very impressed with electronica/ambient/post-rock band Until We Last’s recent performance at Counter Culture. New writer Anindita Nayak recently got a chance to speak to Ketan Bahirat, founder of Until We Last, about the band, his early start in music and challenges.\nPhoto courtesy Until We Last’s Facebook page.\nLet’s talk a little about their music first. Until We Last songs transport your mind to different level with their unusual mix of melodies, making them sound a little like God is an Astronaut or Explosions in the Sky (though the band does dislike the comparisons sometimes). One of our favorite songs of theirs is “Water”, which sounds even better live than it does on the album. Unfortunately, their SoundCloud channel doesn’t have all of the songs they had performed at CounterCulture, but maybe we’ll find them on their upcoming EP, which is launching in a month’s time. Now, let’s move on to Until We Last’s journey.\nCurrently in his penultimate year of college, Ketan Bahirat took formal Hindustani lessons back in 6th grade. He picked up guitar skills from YouTube videos and played with two metal bands before forming Until We Last in 2011. Until We Last has been performing live since late 2012, culminating in the launch of an album, copies of which they were more than happy to give away free at Counter Culture. When quizzed about his personal favorite gig so far, Ketan speedily answers with Magnetic Fields, an impressive festival in the middle of the Rajasthani desert.\nThe name of the band stems from a philosophical note that revolves around travel, our home planet, nature and the quest to strike the perfect balance between sustainability and development. When it comes to song names, it’s usually based on circumstances. Their most popular song, “Rain”, was so named because it was raining when they were composing it! And there is, of course, a conscious decision of keeping a close reference to nature or travel.\nThe initial few compositions were recorded in Ketan’s bedroom. When looking for potential band members, he remained close to the local music artists and often jammed with them. It hasn’t been an easy ride for Until We Last, considering that the lineup has had over ten changes so far. The longest time without a lineup change was for a year, ending when the bassist, Anjan Bhojaraj, left for higher studies and was replaced by Paul Dharamraj, a former member of the Bicycle Days. This aspect is probably one of the major challenges for any band, especially when the band members are so young and other aspects will tend to take higher priorities.\nHowever, working with so many artists has also helped Until We Last’s music evolve. One of their former band members, Bhargav, continues to send across pieces of compositions from Singapore and they are continuing to reach out to other artists who could collaborate with them to produce more music.\nOne good thing that struck us about Until We Last is that they don’t seem very concerned about the prevalent culture of piracy, especially in a country like ours. Admittedly, the growing number of music festivals and venues is changing that culture in India, but the fact remains that platforms for indie artists to sell music are uncommon and finding people who are willing to buy music is even less common. Until We Last has also seen a good amount of traction from countries like Germany and Russia, where listeners are willing to pay for their music.\nBut in the end it’s all about sustainability: fans need to buy music to support good artists. On that note, please do listen to Until We Last’s music and maybe buy it too. And be sure to follow their updates on Facebook and Twitter too. We wish them all the success with their upcoming album!\nTags: ambient, bangalore, electronica, ketan bahirat, post rock, until we last\nIndie March Night at Counter Culture, Bangalore (22/3/2014)\nThe month of March was a great time to visit Counter Culture, an excellent, aesthetic live music venue in the bustling Bangalore suburb of Whitefield. March 8 fielded an eclectic and wholly excellent bevy of women artists in honor of Women’s Day; this weekend features Avial, Agam and Lagori in a delicious palette of modern Indian music. But last weekend was truly the centerpiece of the whole mad March extravaganza: five gifted, exciting bands that form a rough outline of where Indian indie is today and where it has the potential to go.\nFirst on the billing at the Indie March night on March 22nd was the intriguingly-named post-rock Bangalore act Space Behind the Yellow Room. This was the first time I’d heard them, and the little that I did hear that night was magical: the ethereal, frenetic music setting the tone for the night that was just unfolding. Interspersed throughout their mostly instrumental pieces were some rather unfathomable, but wholly enjoyable shrieks and screams from the drummer (we’ll never know if they were parts of the composition, or in-situ improvisation). Unfortunately, due to a number of reasons including Bangalore traffic and unfashionable lateness, I only managed to catch a few snippets of their music, but it definitely made a great first impression. And raised questions, too: what is behind the yellow room?\nWhich space? Why yellow?\nSpace Behind the Yellow Room was followed by Until We Last, another post-rock band from Bangalore. From what I could gather, there were two different impressions that people had about Until We Last following Space Behind the Yellow Room. Some, like myself, thought it wasn’t the smartest of lineups: post-rock is great for quiet introspection and expensive headphones, but by this time, most people had had a drink or three in them and wanted, well, dance music.\nThey were dancing, but in a more post-rock way.\nOthers disagreed. Another Top Five member found the band to be top-notch, and arguably one of the centerpieces of the music that evening. Either way, though, Until We Last definitely did not disappoint. I had first seen them at the Bangalore Weekender last year, where they completely transformed a lawn on a bright Bangalore morning into a dreamlike, almost ethereal space. Here, too, they brought the same ethos, but perhaps their music is more suited for the aforementioned bright mornings: a few hundred tipsy twenty-somethings aren’t the best vessels of contemplation. Special note must be given, though, to their track “Water” as well as the way they signed off: “We are Until We Last.” Think about it. It’s pretty deep.\nLike I said, two post-rock bands back-to-back wasn’t the greatest of ideas. In essence, the atmospheric drama carefully draped over the crowd by these two bands was ripped apart the second the F16s took to the stage. The young Chennai indie rock band were coming off of strong wins at IIT Madras, JD Rock Awards, Hornbill and pretty much anywhere else they went. It only took a few minutes into their tight, spotless set to realize that they deserve every damn one of those awards. The F16s have really got it all together: the suaveness, the confidence, the professionalism and, yeah, the hair.\nFor me, one of the greatest moments of the night was when they broke into an absolutely perfect cover of “Mansard Roof” by Vampire Weekend. And these guys really are real rock stars. Of the five bands that played at Counter Culture that night, the F16s were the only band that had the audience singing along to every one of their tracks: the beautifully executed “Light Bulbs” was a particular stand-out. Last month at the JD Rock Awards, the F16s won “Best Emerging Band” and I have to say, Rolling Stone pretty much got that one exactly right.\nAfter an amazing one-hour set, the F16s handed over the stage to Skrat, their fellow indie rockers from Chennai. Theatrical and energetic, Skrat are quintessential entertainers, led by the instantly likeable Sriram TT. The clock was ticking around midnight at that point (Whaddup, extended Bangalore curfew!) and most people in the venue were quite well sloshed. The crowd basically went wild during Skrat’s well-known and well-loved tracks like “Samurai Badass” and “Tin Can Man”, but things reached a different level of pandemonium when the band proclaimed their love of motorbikes and immediately got a guy to ride a motorbike to the front of the stage. Unfortunately, I don’t have photos to prove it, but I assure you it was awesome.\nShortly before the motorcycle arrived.\nMost people didn’t really get over the F16s-Skrat double blast, which meant that the final band of the night, Parvaaz, unfortunately didn’t get the audience it deserved. The few people who remained sober until the end claimed that Parvaaz was pretty good too, and that they boasted of a heady mix of technical competence and soaring Urdu vocals. Apologies for our inability to verify that claim.\nClocking at a little under six hours, Indie March Night was a mini-festival in itself, and a really great way to spend a Saturday evening/night.\nWords, photos and video by Neeharika Palaka and Subhayan Mukerjee\nTags: bangalore, chennai, counter culture, parvaaz, Skrat, space behind the yellow room, the f16s, until we last","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1926688"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8850452899932861,"wiki_prob":0.8850452899932861,"text":"​The Real Winners and Losers of the Presidential Election\nIt's not just Trump and Clinton\nLiz Raftery Nov. 9, 2016 at 9:32 a.m. PT\nThe 2016 presidential election is finally behind us, with Donald Trump upsetting Hillary Clinton to be declared the next president of the United States early Wednesday morning. But Trump wasn't the only person who emerged a winner after the campaign -- and Clinton wasn't the only loser. Here's a look at some of the television personalities and other celebrities who emerged from the election much stronger or weaker than they were before.\nWinner: Samantha Bee\nThe host of TBS' Full Frontal with Samantha Bee shattered her own glass ceiling this election season, solidifying her place within the boys club of late-night TV. The former Daily Show correspondent provided sharp, poignant and hilarious commentary throughout the campaign, and made her fledgling show a must-watch for anyone seeking thought-provoking political analysis, as well as a few laughs. The only downside of Bee's success was that it made us yearn for the days of the Jon Stewart-helmed Daily Show. Which brings us to...\nLoser: Trevor Noah\nWhat was your favorite bit of Daily Show commentary this election? Oh, you didn't have one? That's because no one pays attention to The Daily Show anymore, because why would they? Whereas Stewart's Daily Show was practically required viewing in the presidential elections of 2008 and 2012, the entire 2016 campaign represented nothing more than a missed opportunity for Noah, who continues to merely flail around in the gigantic shoes left by his predecessor while struggling to connect with viewers on either end of the political spectrum. We're guessing Comedy Central execs are seriously regretting passing Bee over for the job.\nLoser: Jimmy Fallon\nJimmy Fallon has made a career out of being a softball interviewer who's much more interested in playing games or joking around with his guests, as opposed to getting real information out of them. But the shtick took on an air of tone-deafness when Fallon took it upon himself to tousle Trump's hair on live television as if he was a petulant child, while his late-night counterparts, including Seth Meyers and Stephen Colbert, were going out of their way to denounce Trump's racist and sexist proclamations from the campaign trial. Fallon's behavior even drew a rebuke from the godfather of late night himself, David Letterman.\nWinner: Seth Meyers\nMeyers led the late-night charge against Trump from the very beginning, banning the GOP candidate from his show all the way back in June (in response to Trump's claim that he would ban The Washington Post from covering his rallies). And, aside from Bee, Meyers consistently offered the most on-the-nose commentary on the events of what is sure to go down as one of the most bizarre elections in American history. Must be all that practice he got on \"Weekend Update.\" And, speaking of Saturday Night Live...\nWinner: Alec Baldwin\nMuch like Tina Fey's impression of Sarah Palin lives on in infamy, Alec Baldwin's spot-on imitation of Trump will take its deserved place in the Saturday Night Live Hall of Fame. As with Fey's skewering of Palin, Baldwin needed to do little more than repeat Trump's own words back in order to discredit him as a viable candidate for elected office. When the campaign was nothing short of depressing, it was a relief to know that SNL could provide some political humor week after week. (Honorable mention: Kate McKinnon also deserves a shout-out for her Clinton impersonation, but SNL was another area where Trump bested Clinton.)\nLoser: Billy Bush\nIt remains to be seen what President-elect Trump will do to the national unemployment rate, but there's already at least one person who lost his job as a direct result of the election: former Today show host Billy Bush, who was dropped by NBC days after the infamous 2005 \"locker room talk\" tape surfaced. Rather than being remembered for co-hosting Access Hollywoodand Today, Bush will forever be remembered for his snickering during a recorded conversation with Trump as the presidential nominee discusses his penchant for \"grabbing women by the p----.\"\nLoser: Donna Brazile\nBush isn't the only TV personality who got fired during the 2016 campaign. Political commentator (and former Clinton advisor) Donna Brazile was given a pink slip by CNN after the investigation into Clinton's emails revealed that Brazile had given the Democratic nominee a heads-up about one of the topics that would be covered in the first head-to-head meeting between her and Trump.\nWinner: Chris Wallace\nThe Fox News anchor, who moderated the third and final presidential debate, is universally viewed as the best of this year's debate moderators. Wallace kept both candidates on topic and pressed for concrete answers on controversial issues such as Clinton's emails and the sexual abuse allegations against Donald Trump. Even critics of Fox News had to applaud Wallace for his truly fair and balanced performance.\nWinner: Megyn Kelly\nFox News personality Kelly got on Donald Trump's bad side early, way back during the primary debates over the summer. Even before the \"locker room talk\" tape and the sexual abuse allegations against him, Kelly hammered Trump on his alleged sexism, and he responded by speculating that she was \"bleeding out of her... wherever.\" Charming! Kelly also found herself in the headlines several months later, when her (and other employees') allegations of sexual harassment against Fox News chairman/Trump supporter Roger Ailes directly led to his ouster from the network. Those newsmaking events, combined with Kelly's popularity among viewers on both sides of the political aisle, put her in a prime position as she renegotiates her contract with Fox News. Who knows where she'll end up next?\nWinner: Ana Navarro\nRepublican strategist/commentator Ana Navarro became a household name during the campaign as she appeared on cable news channels to discuss her decision to vote for Hillary Clinton over Donald Trump. Navarro was particularly vocal in relation to the \"p----gate\" scandal, and her impassioned, informed commentary gave news viewers an idea of the mindset of female and Hispanic voters.\nLoser: Antonio Sabato Jr.\nSoap star and Dancing with the Stars alum Antonio Sabato Jr. was one of only a few Hollywood celebrities who publicly came out in support of Trump. But, unlike his fellow Republican National Convention speaker Scott Baio, Sabato managed to alienate even a few Republicans when he doubled down on the birther issue, reiterating in an interview Trump's previous claim that President Obama is actually a Muslim (he's not).","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line356143"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9064980745315552,"wiki_prob":0.9064980745315552,"text":"Counts v. Meriwether\nUSDC, C.D., California March 9, 2016\nFollowing dismissal of two screenwriters’ copyright infringement claims against writers, producers, broadcasters and distributors of television series “New Girl,” district court grants defendants more than $760,000 in attorneys’ fees under fee-shifting provision of Copyright Act.\nStephanie Counts and Shari Gold sued defendants, including Elizabeth Meriwether and Twenty-First Century Fox Inc. (the Fox defendants), and William Morris Endeavor Entertainment LLC (WME), alleging that the defendants’ television series “New Girl” infringed their unpublished screenplay “Square One.” On December 30, 2015, the district court granted summary judgment in favor of the defendants on the plaintiffs’ copyright infringement claim, finding that the plaintiffs had not presented a theory of access qualitatively stronger than that of bare corporate receipt, and, even assuming there was access, no reasonable jury could find substantial similarity as to any of the protected [TMP1] components of the two works. (Read our summary of the district court’s decision here.)\nDefendants then moved for attorneys’ fees as the prevailing parties under the Copyright Act. The district court noted there is no precise rule or formula for making fee determinations, but that several “nonexclusive factors” guide a court’s discretion: (1) the degree of success obtained on the claim, (2) frivolousness, (3) motivation, (4) objective unreasonableness (both in the factual and legal components of the case) and (5) the need to advance considerations of compensation and deterrence.\nThe district court concluded that these factors weighed in favor of granting fees, and awarded the Fox defendants their requested $548,772 in attorneys’ fees and WME $220,063 in attorneys’ fees.\nFirst, as to the degree of success obtained, the district court found that defendants achieved “complete and total success on the merits,” which weighed in favor of an award of fees. Second, it found that the plaintiffs’ lawsuit was objectively unreasonable, in both the factual and legal components of their case. Third, in terms of motivation or frivolousness, the district court noted that a finding of bad faith or improper motive is not a prerequisite to an award of attorneys’ fees, but that a court may be influenced by the plaintiff’s culpability in bringing or pursuing the action. The district court decided that, to the extent the plaintiffs presented unsupported allegations and mischaracterized the works at issue, they acted unreasonably. It did not, however, find a clear indication that the plaintiffs acted in bad faith, making frivolousness and motivation neutral factors in the analysis.\nThe district court also found that furthering the primary goals of the Copyright Act, as well as considerations of compensation and deterrence, weighed in favor of awarding fees. Defendants’ successful defense vindicated the purpose of the Copyright Act because their success secured the public’s access to an original work and encouraged the creation of additional original works. Moreover, an award of fees would serve the purposes of compensation and deterrence by encouraging valid copyright owners to fight for the protection of their works, and discourage other plaintiffs from bringing similarly meritless copyright suits.\nThe district court held that the Fox defendants’ request for $548,772 in attorneys’ fees for 1,120.4 hours of work between February 27, 2014, and December 15, 2015, was reasonable, and that counsel’s billing rates were consistent with the prevailing rates in the Central District of California. It also held that the $220,063 in attorneys’ fees sought by WME for 413.2 hours of work between Jan. 30, 2014, and Nov. 30, 2015, was similarly reasonable and consistent with prevailing rates. The court found that all fees were recoverable under the Copyright Act, even those incurred with respect to defending a claim for breach of implied contract, because that claim was “related” to the copyright claim and based on the same allegations.\nClick here to download a PDF of the full decision.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line481623"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9731928110122681,"wiki_prob":0.9731928110122681,"text":"Neighbors patient as $1 billion redevelopment of County Square proceeds quietly\nCounty leaders form public corporation to handle the business of University Ridge's redevelopment\nAnna B. Mitchell\nOne of the largest, most ambitious redevelopment plans in Greenville history took another baby step toward reality on Tuesday.\nAt a lunch meeting in Greenville's County Square, about a dozen county leaders gathered to create and establish officers for a public facilities corporation that now controls 37 acres of prime, publicly owned real estate at University Ridge and Church Street, County Administrator Joe Kernell said.\n\"We will release the property as it is sold,\" Kernell said. \"We will retain what the county needs for our facility and public improvements. The rest of it will be sold.\"\nKernell, County Council Chairman Butch Kirven and county finance committee Chairman Bob Taylor are the sole members of the public facilities corporation and will meet as needed, Kirven said. The corporation, Kernell said, provides the administrative mechanism necessary for the county to do business with developers.\n\"This will be kind of the quiet time where you don't see a lot. But there's a lot going on,\" Kernell said. \"Till you start knocking buildings down and building buildings up, it doesn't appear like a lot is going on, but really a lot is going on.\"\nGreenville County reached a final deal in May with Atlanta-based RocaPoint Partners on a multiyear plan to redevelop the grounds and former shopping mall where local government has conducted business for more than 30 years.\nThe size of 28 football fields, the area includes County Square — home to the county's tax office, County Council chambers and other key local offices — as well as buildings the county leases to the state Department of Motor Vehicles, the health department and Cobb Tire, among others.\nIf market forces play out as forecast under the deal, the redevelopment project a block off downtown Greenville's Main Street will add a planned $1.1 billion shopping-working-residential neighborhood to Greenville's West End over the next decade.\nAnd the first building that will go up will be a five-story glass-and-steel county office building — smack on top of Cobb Tire and Auto Repair at the corner of Church Street and University Ridge.\nWorking nearby at the tire shop he has operated since 1979, Darrell Cobb said he is not in a hurry to vacate the county-owned building where he works with several members of his family. But, he said Tuesday, he is also not fazed about the inevitable.\n\"We are on a month-to-month lease and have been for the last 12 years,\" Cobb said. \"We are here until they develop the property.\"\nDevelopers and consultants will spend the next few months surveying and inspecting the land for environmental and stormwater issues as they prepare the site's county-owned buildings, streets, parking lots and sidewalks for demolition, Kernell said. RocaPoint representatives were in Greenville as recently as last week to go over final details of their agreement with the county, he said.\nThe county will need 5 to 7 acres for its planned 250,000-square-foot office tower.\n\"You are looking at 12 to 18 months before anything happens,\" said RocaPoint principal Phil Mays. \"We also have land use and zoning to go through with the city.\"\nKirven has said ground could break on the project as soon as next year.\nAt the heart of the redevelopment is a creative $100 million deal with Atlanta-based RocaPoint Partners and its parent company, The Georgetown Co. out of New York.\nMore:Greenville County chooses Atlanta developer for $1.1 billion County Square redevelopment\nMore:Greenville County opens up books, releases details on $1B County Square redevelopment\nMore:Greenville County Council green-lights $1B redevelopment of 37 acres downtown\nKernell, who helped craft the University Ridge land deal, negotiated with RocaPoint for more than nine months. Under the deal, county leaders are counting on a threefold increase in the value on the roughly $32 million tract along University Ridge. Developers will get a 35 percent cut of land sales, and the county will keep 65 percent, enough to build a new $60 million government building designed by London-based Foster & Partners\nDevelopers estimate the improved land, which will have realigned, pedestrian-friendly streets as well as a public square and up-to-date lighting, will sell in pieces for a total of $100 million. At full build-out, with retail, apartments, office space and the government building, the development will be worth more than $1 billion, they estimate.\nThe county owns all the land and buildings within the 37-acre redevelopment zone, and all of the tenants — some of whom have been there for decades — will have to find a new home.\nCobb said that his second shop on Wade Hampton Boulevard will easily absorb his downtown business and six employees.\n\"We are very happy with the way things are,\" he said, adding that county leaders have been talking about redeveloping County Square since 2000.\n\"It's now 2018. I think they will eventually develop it. When? I have no idea. We will stay until they do.\"","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1489785"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5639361143112183,"wiki_prob":0.5639361143112183,"text":"Conserving Land On Zion’s East Side\nThe Zion Forever Project understands that caring for our parks will always be a group effort as we continue to build a coalition of voices elevating the call of responsible stewardship in the parks and highlighting the increasing needs Zion faces in its second century as a National Park.\nWorking with our partners, we have helped conserve thousands of acres of land near to and surrounding the borders of Zion. These lands are now conserved in perpetuity, for their natural resource and recreational values. The holdings are integral to the park experience and recognizes the adjacent public lands values which draw tens of millions of visitors each year to the state of Utah and the southwest region. Maintaining a margin of excellence affirms the shared mission of ensuring our National Parks and all public lands remain spaces for emotional connection, healing, and inspiration for the next century of park visitors.\nWith gap funding provided by the Zion Forever Project, partners like The Trust for Public Land, The Nature Conservancy and the Virgin River Land Preservation Association have worked diligently to conserve parcels near Zion’s borders. Your gifts leveraged and unlocked dollars across state, federal, and private sectors targeting holdings critical to future conservation efforts across the Zion region, and that includes Zion’s east side.\nEast Zion remains the last unprotected gateway to a national park in the lower 48 states. With more than 5 million visitors this past season, the urgency to find sustainable solutions and perpetuate a high-quality visitor experience has never been greater.\n“The East Zion Initiative is founded on a shared conservation vision. A balanced approach that protects the eastern gateway to Zion National Park in perpetuity, while providing new experiences and recreational opportunities that expand the Zion experience beyond the park’s traditional gateways.” –Jeff Bradybaugh, Superintendent, Zion National Park\nThe sense of place created by our collective actions on the park’s eastern plateaus benefits millions of Zion visitors and the rural communities and residents who call the Zion region home. This creative collaboration is the right people, coming together at the right time, with one chance to get it right.\nThe most recent success was a prominent 37.7-acre parcel adjacent to the park eastern entrance. Zion Forever grassroots supporters alongside significant partners including the George S. and Dolores Dorè Eccles Foundation, the National Park Foundation, the Donnell family, The Conservation Fund, and the State of Utah’s McAllister Critical Lands Conservation fund contributed a combined $1.28 million to secure a conservation and trail easement on this critical parcel. In addition, Steve Neeleman and his family, owners of the Zion Ponderosa Ranch, working with The Trust for Public Land, generously donated more than 1900 acres of land surrounding the Orderville Gulch area, providing public access through Orderville Canyon into the famous Narrows hike.\nWith some of the essential easements now complete, this continuing campaign seeks to work with landowners to focus on similar critical tracts. These acquisitions are at the heart of future planning on the east side, and without their conservation, the integrity of the East Zion Initiative would be in jeopardy. Your contributions are the catalyst to providing recreational access, complimentary visitor experiences and protecting sensitive habitats. The parcels are home to threatened species like the Mexican spotted owl and migration corridors for Zion’s iconic herd of bighorn sheep. Beyond wildlife, these lands also hold precious springs, streams, and creeks that affect downstream watersheds into Zion Canyon.\nThe eastern entrance to one of America’s most popular and revered national parks is fully deserving of our efforts, and with your generosity, we have an opportunity to enhance the Zion experience in collaboration with neighbors and partners . . . and you.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1901235"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9708812236785889,"wiki_prob":0.9708812236785889,"text":"Nationalist\nAleksey Semenenko\nNational Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine\nVolodymyr Sirenko\nBoris Lyatoshynsky\nCadogan Hall\nThursday October 19, 2023 at 19:30\nCadogan Hall, London\n£49, £45, £37, £30, £24, £20\nPhone for tickets: 020 7730 4500\nPhone lines open: Monday – Friday 12 noon – 6pm\nOther Sources: Box Office\nAleksey Semenenko (violin)\nVolodymyr Sirenko (conductor)\nDon Juan Op 20 - Richard Strauss\nConcerto for Violin and Orchestra No 1 in G minor Op 26 - Max Bruch\nFinlandia - Jean Sibelius\nSymphony No 2 in B minor Op 26 - Boris Lyatoshynsky\nThe National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine has long been one of the most distinguished European orchestras, achieving worldwide recognition through its many international tours which include Australia, the US, Europe and Asia.\nIt has announced it will return to the UK for the first time in over 20 years next autumn with a rich programme of music by Richard Strauss, Bruch, Sibelius, and Ukrainian composer Borys Lyatoshynsky.\nRichard Strauss is most well-known for his collection of great tone poems, of which Don Juan is perhaps the most exuberant and best loved by concert audiences. Composed in 1888, it is a work by a young man at the top of his form; a life-affirming inclusion in this programme.\nBruch belongs to that small group of composers who are really only known for one work – the Violin Concerto in G minor. But what a work it is, perhaps the most performed of all violin concertos, simply – and justifiably – because it is beloved by audiences the world over for its poetic beauty, deeply moving melodies and elegant musicality. Almost all violinists include this great Concerto in their repertoire and with good reason.\nSibelius wrote his patriotic Finlandia in response to the Russian invasion of his own beloved country. It is therefore understandable that Ukrainian musicians identify with this work of resolute defiance. It is aptly chosen for inclusion in this programme and we look forward to the NSOU’s heartfelt performance.\nBoris Lyatoshynsky who died in 1968 is regarded as the father of Ukrainian contemporary music. His Second Symphony is a particularly fine work and in its dramatic accessibility is a major statement of Ukrainian national solidarity.\n‘We are deeply grateful to the UK venues and tour promoters who are working with us to ensure this ambitious tour happens. We can’t wait to return to the UK after more than two decades and have the opportunity to perform to UK audiences all over the country.’ (Alexander Hornostai, NSOU managing director and producer)\n5 Sloane Terrace\nSW1X 9DQ\n@cadoganhall\nPromoter’s webpage for this concert\nThis advertisement was submitted by Cadogan Hall Ltd.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1408508"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7315749526023865,"wiki_prob":0.7315749526023865,"text":"Mideast Tensions Force Arab-Israeli Writer To Leave Jerusalem\nBy Steve Inskeep,\nNext, we'll report on a casualty of war. The war was the recent conflict between Israel and Hamas.\nAnd this particular casualty is not one of the many killed and injured. Instead, he is a man who feels like he is losing his country. His name is Sayed Kashua. He is an Arab, a Palestinian who has lived all his life within the borders of Israel but doesn't think he can do it anymore.\nSAYED KASHUA: I would like very much to find a different place, at least for now. I need to be very far away, and I need - I need to be a little bit more protected.\nINSKEEP: He was already planning to spend a school year at the University of Illinois. And now says he might be leaving Israel for good. It's significant because this Arab man is a prominent writer in the Jewish state. He writes novels in Hebrew. He is a columnist for the Israeli newspaper Haaretz and the creator of an Israeli sitcom. Until recently, he lived with his family in an overwhelmingly Jewish section of Jerusalem.\nWhat was it that happened in the last weeks that changed your plans?\nKASHUA: The major thing that changed my plan was extremists in the streets of Jerusalem, the place that we live. I think that we were the only Arab family in our neighborhood in western Jerusalem. And there were groups of Jewish, extreme right-wing people beating Arabs in the streets of Jerusalem and just because they are Arabs. And when Mohammed Abu Khdeir, the young Palestinian teenager, was kidnapped and executed, I felt that I cannot really let my daughter take the buses in the streets of Jerusalem. But I think that more than anything else, it was this very strong feeling that I lost my world, in my case - because it's true. I was writing, and my writing, the novels and the TV shows and the movies, were doing huge success. But that was not the major reason that I started writing in Hebrew. It was because I wanted to create one story that both Palestinians and Israelis, Jewish Israelis sharing that land, can relate to or can live in peace with one story, not two stories, not two narratives that cannot live together.\nINSKEEP: I want to make sure that Americans understand the group of people of whom you are a part, or of whom you could identify. People are, of course, familiar with Israelis and Palestinians. People are familiar with Muslims and Jews. You are an Israeli Arab. Would you describe who the Israeli Arabs are?\nKASHUA: Sometimes, we are called to Israeli Arabs - sometimes, the Palestinian citizens of Israel. We're talking about 20 percent of the population of Israel, people that became citizens of Israel after '48. Our villages and towns were occupied, and we were forced, actually, to carry the Israeli citizenship. So we are Palestinian citizens of Israel. We are carrying Israeli passports and Israeli ID. But still, we are considered not equal citizens, and there is no way to compare between our situation and the Jewish people, citizens, inside Israel.\nINSKEEP: How are you not equal? Do you not have the same voting rights, for example?\nKASHUA: Yes, we do have - we have the right to vote. But we are discriminated in everything that you can imagine. It's the investment per person; if you are Jewish and Arab, it's completely different. And there's this very strong feeling that we are a threat, that we are a national threat, that we are considered still, in Israel, like, fifth column, like a mistake. So it's - we have the right to vote, and I'm not sure for how long we are going to practice it because sometimes it looks like a fig leaf for the fake Israeli democracy. And we cannot really talk about Israel as a democracy, and even Israeli sociologists would call it ethnocracy. It's a democratic country only if you belong to the Jewish people.\nINSKEEP: You said that one frustrating thing was that Palestinian citizens of Israel are regarded as a fifth column, as a threat.\nKASHUA: Yes.\nINSKEEP: Is there a way in which people like you actually are a threat? Not a terrorist threat, but in a sense that there are Jews who would like Israel to remain a Jewish state, and they want it to be a majority Jewish state where Jews can make decisions for themselves and control their destiny as a people. And Arabs threaten that in some way, demographically threaten it,\nKASHUA: So yes. So if people - yes. I think that there are a lot of Israelis who do not agree with my opinions and with my writings. But, you know, we are talking here about religions. Can you imagine a democratic state in Europe that Christianity, or Islam, or Judaism is the religion and the only religion of the state? It's a problem. I can understand the history of the Jewish people and the sad history of the Jewish people. And they can understand the fact that maybe because, as a result of the history, the Jewish people might need a shelter, a state like a shelter - of course. But also, the Palestinians, who used to have that land, have to have the same shelter. It's not enough to be born for a Jewish mother in California in order to become a citizen of Israel and to be more citizen than me. Of course, if you are under a threat and you are under - and you are persecuted because of your Judaism, you should maybe be a citizen of that state. But also, if you are a Palestinian persecuted because of being Palestinian, you should also find the shelter in that state. Of course, it's a dream. But that's the only dream I have meanwhile.\nINSKEEP: Sayed Kashua, thank you very much.\nKASHUA: Thank you, thank you.\nINSKEEP: That's Arab Israeli writer Sayed Kashua on his recent decision to leave Israel. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.\nSteve Inskeep is a host of NPR's Morning Edition, as well as NPR's morning news podcast Up First.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line718672"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.847602367401123,"wiki_prob":0.847602367401123,"text":"Home » Liverpool FC’s Anfield Stadium Expansion To Move Forward\nLiverpool FC’s Anfield Stadium Expansion To Move Forward\nSeptember 22, 2021 No Comments By oladisquare\nThe redevelopment of Liverpool FC’s Anfield stadium is expected to be ready in time for the 2023-24 season.\nPlans to increase the capacity of the stadium to 61,000 by adding,\n7,000 seats to the Anfield Road Stand were backed by councillors in June.\nThe build will take place throughout the season while matches continue to be played throughout.\nAndy Hughes, managing director of Liverpool FC, said the club was now in a position to move forward.\nRead Also: Wednesday’s Transfer Gossip: Martial, Henderson, Kante, Lewandowski, Oyarzabal, Asensio\nLiverpool:\n“We have been clear from the beginning that in order for this expansion to go ahead.\nWe needed the co-operation of local residents and the community,\nto successfully navigate the complex planning landscape.\nAnd to ensure the project is financially viable,”\n“We began this journey in 2014 and are grateful to everyone for the contributions,\nthey have made to bring the project to this stage.”\nLiverpool City Council’s planning committee voted to allow the club to increase capacity of the Anfield Road Stand,\nwhich currently holds 8,819, with six in favour and two against the plans.\nThe Premier League club was also awarded permission to hold up to six concerts.\nAnd major events at the stadium for a period of five seasons.\nWhen complete, the expanded Anfield Road Stand is expected to create about 400 matchday roles, a spokesman for the club said.\nThis is in addition to the 2,200 people currently employed in various operations at each home game, of which 95% are known to live in the Liverpool City Region.\nThe proposals, which follow the expansion of Anfield’s Main Stand in 2016, include:\nA covered “fan zone” within the stadium\nA renewed “public realm” outside the ground similar to 96 Avenue outside the Main Stand\nAnfield Road will be re-routed around the back of the new stand","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1250374"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5152093768119812,"wiki_prob":0.4847906231880188,"text":"Temperature and Entropy of a Black Hole\nM/\nJ/Mc\nAccording to the \"no hair theorems\" of general relativity, the properties of an electrovac black hole (i.e., a black hole whose exterior is a vacuum and whose interior contains electromagnetic but no other charges) are completely determined by just three parameters: mass , angular momentum , and electric (or magnetic monopole) charge . While this suggests a possible violation of the second law of thermodynamics, since the entropy of the universe could be reduced by creating single-microstate black holes, the black hole region is classically experimentally inaccessible. Thus, it is possible that a quantum mechanical black hole can possess additional microstates. Moreover, in a series of papers starting in 1973, Jacob Bekenstein showed that the area of a black hole seemed to be a measure of the entropy of a black hole, in precisely the correct magnitude to preserve the second law. In 1974, Stephen Hawking proposed, based on quantum field theory (QFT), that the immense energy density of a black hole's gravitational field could give rise to continual creation and annihilation of virtual particles and antiparticles, with lifetimes consistent with the uncertainty principle, . Should one of the virtual pair be swallowed up by the black hole, its partner would become a real particle which, to an outside observer, would appear to have been radiated by the black hole. Moreover, the effective temperature of the black hole corresponded nicely with Bekenstein's classical derivation, giving a physical justification for the earlier ad-hoc identification.\nThus, Hawking and Bekenstein worked out the principles of black hole thermodynamics. We limit our considerations to the case , a rotating Kerr black hole. The horizon has a radius (for , this reduces to the Schwarzschild radius ). The spherical horizon is surrounded by an oblate spheroidal ergosphere, which corotates in the same direction, a consequence of frame dragging. The ergosphere, shown in gray, is just a region of spacetime containing no matter. According to the Bekenstein–Hawking theory, the temperature of a black hole is given by and the emitted radiation follows a blackbody distribution. The temperature is inversely proportional to the mass: K, where g, the Planck mass. For the Earth's mass, K, while for a solar mass, nK, both less than the temperature of the cosmic microwave background radiation (2.725 K). Evidently, smaller black holes are hotter and, when radiating into empty space, should eventually evaporate.\nIn the graphic, variations in temperature at the event horizon are simulated by colors of the visible spectrum, but with the scales of space, time, and temperature being grossly exaggerated for display purposes. Black holes of the order of the Planck mass are considered.\nThe Bekenstein–Hawking entropy of a black hole is given by , where is the area of the event horizon, equal to , expressed in units of the Planck area, , where cm, the Planck length. Thus each element of area on the horizon represents one Planck unit of entropy. Since a Planck mass contains over proton masses, it can be surmised that 1 Planck unit corresponds to something of the order of bits of information on the atomic level.\nWhile Hawking radiation provides a physical basis for black hole entropy, it also raises new questions. According to the no-hair theorems, the radiation must be perfectly blackbody and therefore devoid of any information. All research into the QFT of black holes supports this conclusion. When the black hole evaporates completely, all of the information from the particles it absorbed disappears, leading to the so-called black hole information paradox. In a more radical direction, since the state of a three-dimensional system can, in concept, be represented on its two-dimensional boundary, Gerard 't Hooft and Leonard Susskind (2001) proposed a general \"holographic principle\" of nature, which suggests that consistent theories of gravity and quantum mechanics can be represented by lower-dimensional structures. Both the information paradox and the holographic principle remain active areas of investigation.\nContributed by: Itai Seggev and S. M. Blinder (January 2012)\n[1] Wikipedia. \"Black Hole.\" (Dec 19, 2011) en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_hole\n[2] Wikipedia. \"Black Hole Thermodynamics.\" (Dec 19, 2011) en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermodynamics_of_black _holes\nBlack Hole (Wolfram ScienceWorld)\nItai Seggev and S. M. Blinder \"Temperature and Entropy of a Black Hole\"\nhttp://demonstrations.wolfram.com/TemperatureAndEntropyOfABlackHole/\nPublished: January 4 2012\nEinstein Rings from Light Flash at Black Hole\nGeodesic Precession on a Timelike Circular Orbit around a Schwarzschild Black Hole\nEffective and Inertial Masses of a Photon Near a Black Hole for a Family of Envelope Orbits\nWladimir Belayev\nThe Planck Scale\nTrajectory of a Particle around Two Black Holes\nNora Finegan and Jiamin Huang\nOrbits around a Spinning Black Hole\nDavid Saroff, Glenna Clifton, and Janna Levin\nScalogram of Gravitational Wave from a Binary Black Hole Inspiral\nParticle Moving around Two Extreme Black Holes\nEnrique Zeleny V.\nSpacetime Curvature for a Falling Object near the Earth's Surface\n3D Kerr Black Hole Orbits\nDavid Saroff\nGravitation Theory","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line939723"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.837680995464325,"wiki_prob":0.837680995464325,"text":"Romania wins €2.36bn lawsuit against spirits producer\nThe Drinks Business | 10 March 2020\nby Phoebe French\nAccording to a statement from the Romanian Ministry of Public Finance, the country won the case at the arbitration court at the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes in Washington D.C.\nThe Micula brothers accused Romania of allowing the development of a black market for the sale of alcohol, and failing to properly enforce taxation. They alleged that authorities had taxed their distilling operations, but had not applied the same measures to other investors.\nThey demanded total compensation of €2.36 billion euros from the Romanian state.\nHowever, the court found in favour of Romania, and ordered the twin brothers to pay 75% of court costs – approximately €4.5 million – at 2.91% interest per year.\nIt stated that the country had adequately imposed its tax laws and noted that there was a “sophisticated mechanism” already present to enforce these regulations.\nThe ruling added: “Romania has shown that it has a complex mechanism for applying its laws, a strategy that ensures its effective application from a cost perspective, and an execution structure both at the level of individual households and at the level of industrial producers, involving ANAF, customs and anti-fraud.\n“In the view of this tribunal, Romania has engaged in ‘serious and visible’ efforts to enforce its taxation laws relating to alcohol. The claimants’ argument that Romania has failed to enforce its alcohol taxation laws is really a disagreement about how Romania has gone about enforcement.\n“This does not demonstrate that there have been no ‘serious and visible’ efforts at enforcement or that there has been a ‘manifest, systematic and sweeping failure’ to enforce the law.”\nThe brothers, who own companies including European Drinks, European Foods, Scandic Distilleries, Rieni Drinks and Transilvania General Import Export, won a separate dispute against Romania in 2013 worth €78 million.\nkeywords: agriculture | farmers | food, investor-state disputes | ISDS, Romania\nsource: The Drinks Business","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1723602"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9779512882232666,"wiki_prob":0.9779512882232666,"text":"College Baseball: Eddie Emerson already a winner for Black Bears\nBy Kalle Oakes, Staff Writer\nEddie Emerson’s journey to the University of Maine and Division I baseball was rated ‘PG,’ for postgraduate.\nNot that there was anything deficient about his run at Lewiston High School, where Emerson was the left-handed ace on the baseball diamond, not to mention an outstanding football quarterback and hockey defenseman.\nTo get where he wanted to go, however, Emerson knew he needed to hit the road for a year. He had to specialize. He had to develop his craft. He had to grow, physically and mentally.\n“I had a velocity jump to the middle and upper 80s (miles per hour). I definitely worked on my mechanics,” Emerson said. “And the big thing I think is that I’m 15 pounds heavier than I was in high school.”\nThe late bloomer is making an early impact in his rookie season at Maine.\nEmerson registered the first win of his career this past Wednesday night, working two perfect innings in an extra-inning win over Lehigh, 11-6, in Winter Haven, Fla. The verdict snapped a four-game losing streak for the Black Bears, who were 5-12 through Friday.\nIt was the second scoreless appearance by the 6-foot-3, 190-pound southpaw.\n“He doesn’t pitch like a freshman,” Maine coach Steve Trimper said. “He pitches like he’s been doing this for a while.”\nAfter graduating from Lewiston in 2014, Emerson elected to forgo the American Legion season and accepted a spot on a select team out of Worcester, Mass.\nHis first extended conversation with Trimper took place at a tournament that summer in Manchester, N.H. Not that the former Blue Devil was a complete unknown to the coach.\n“A lot of our success has come from the Maine kids,” Trimper said. “Not to stereotype too much, but Maine kids are just tough. Eddie is from the same mold. The ceiling is high.”\nEmerson took that potential to IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla.\nAlthough its roots are as a tennis factory founded by Nick Bollettieri in the 1970s, the school now houses 12,000 athletes from 80 countries in nine major sports. The price tag for its baseball prep program is more than $60,000 per year.\n“It was all kids in the same boat, all 2014 graduates who wanted to improve their chances of playing in college,” Emerson said. “We played a lot of junior colleges. It was similar to the level of play we’re seeing now.”\nIn addition to the extra oomph on his fastball, Emerson’s exceptional curve evolved into something more closely resembling a slider or cutter.\nEmerson also perfected a change-up, something he said wasn’t a significant part of his repertoire in high school.\n“He’s a three-pitch guy, and most guys as a freshman you don’t see that all the time,” Trimper said. “He is cool as a cucumber out there. He has a lot of confidence.”\nFreshman initiation also includes growing accustomed to a reduced, but important, situational role.\nLike all pitchers at the major college level, Emerson was a top-of-the-rotation guy in high school, often throwing 100 or more pitches on three and four days’ rest. His new challenge: Being mentally prepared in the late innings and taking the mound to face one or two batters at a time.\nIncluding non-countable game situations, Emerson has appeared in only eight innings this spring for the Black Bears.\n“That’s more than I expected. I know my role is to come out of the bullpen like I have been,” Emerson said. “It’s definitely different, but that’s why you have the older guys, to help you learn and develop through that.”\nThat could change in a hurry. Trimper noted that Justin Courtney of Bangor started the season in a similar role last spring as a true freshman, yet he ascended to No. 2 in the rotation by the meat of the America East conference schedule.\nEmerson will return to Worcester this summer, where his coach expects him to see longer stints.\n“We try to develop a pitching staff, and then once we get into the conference schedule we kind of settle things,” Trimper said. “We wanted to get Eddie’s feet wet early.”\nHomegrown arms and bats are becoming the rule again at Maine.\nTrimper said his philosophy is to recruit infielders from the Southeast, “where they’ve fielded 10,000 more groundballs” than players in New England. But Maine pitchers, in particular, bring a toughness that excites the coach.\n“Every kid we have from Maine was a three-sport athlete in high school, and everybody on our team was the best player on his high school baseball team,” Trimper said. “Guys like Justin Courtney, Trevor DeLaite and Eddie Emerson were great high school hockey players. The same with Scott Heath, who just graduated. We need to get athletic kids and develop them.”\nCody Laweryson of Bingham and Matt Pushard of Brewer will join Bangor’s DeLaite in next year’s freshman class.\nIt took Emerson a little longer to join them on the Black Bears’ radar screen, but the time and investment have proven well worth it, so far.\nThe PG already has a ‘W.’\n“We haven’t played that well, but we have a good team from what I can see,” Emerson said. “Once we get into the conference, I think it can only go up from here.”\nbaseball, Black Bears, emerson, lewiston maine, Maine","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1568574"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7510275840759277,"wiki_prob":0.7510275840759277,"text":"Graft Chimera\nKaushik Patowary Aug 4, 2020 2 comments\nOn a small traffic island on Rodney Road, in Backwell, in the English county of North Somerset, stands a horticultural curiosity—a cherry tree producing two distinct colors of blossom: pink on one side and white on the other. The dual-color tree is thought to have been planted in the late 1950s. Its name, Strawberries and Cream Tree, was given by the town’s children.\nThe Strawberries and Cream Tree in Backwell, North Somerset, England. Photo: Mojo0306/Wikimedia Commons\nThe Strawberries and Cream Tree is a graft chimera of a native wild cherry tree (Prunus avium) and a Prunus 'Kanzan', an ornamental cherry variety from Japan. The wild cherry produces the white blossom, while the 'Kanzan' produces the pink blossom. A graft chimera arises when tissues of two genetically different plant partially fuses following grafting to form a single growing organism that preserves both types of tissue in a single shoot. A well-known example of a graft-chimera is the Laburnocytisus 'Adamii', caused by the fusion of a Laburnum and a broom. The resulting tree bears the typical yellow flowers of a Laburnum and purple flowers of a broom.\nLaburnocytisus 'Adamii', also known as Adam's laburnum or broom laburnum. Photo: Simon Garbutt/Wikimedia Commons\nChimerism or chimera is an unusual phenomenon. In animals, a chimera forms by the fusion of two or more fertilized eggs, which can result in an individual who possess genetic materials of more than one type. This gets expressed in the individual through subtle variation in form, such as different eye color in both eyes, or the possession of both female and male sex organs. In plants, chimeras is often due to mutation during ordinary cell division. But sometimes a chimera can result from grafting.\nProbably the world’s first graft chimera was the Bizzaria, a graft between the Florentine citron and sour orange. The tree produces both regular Florentine citron and sour oranges, as well as a bizarre ugly, lumpy, yellow and green fruit with the morphological features of both species.\nBizzaria. Photo: Labrina/Wikimedia Commons\nDescription of Bizzaria first appeared in horticultural literature in 1674, when the Florentine gardener Pietro Nati discovered the chimera growing from a graft junction. The repeated emergence of such unusual specimens initially puzzled the scientific community leading to extensive speculation about the nature of genetic inheritance and plant hybridization.\nCharles Darwin proposed that these new hybrids are the result of the rootstock and scion fusing with each other at the graft-junction site to asexually generate a new plant. He called them “graft-hybrids”. But German botanist Hans Winkler in 1907 reinvestigated this phenomenon by grafting black nightshade (Solanum nigrum) into tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), and discovered that the shoots arising at the junction of the two tissues had the characters of both the nightshade on one side and tomato on the other. Winkler called this shoot a chimera, inspired by the fire breathing Greek monster composed of a lion's head, a goat's body, and a serpent's tail.\nChimera is still a rare phenomenon, although many have been created through grafting. Today there are chimeras of roses and apples and pears.\nA chimera apple. Photo: flyingbrickciderco.com.au\n# Margaret H.Frank, Daniel H.Chitwood, Plant chimeras: The good, the bad, and the ‘Bizzaria’, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0012160616300902\n# Britannica, https://www.britannica.com/science/chimera-plant-anatomy\n# Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strawberries_and_Cream_Tree\nEngland Natural Wonders Plants\nThe Strawberries and Cream Tree is not a chimera. Read the first reference about plant chimeras.\nthe first reference is of no help in the matter. the strawberries & cream tree is either a simple graft where a shoot developed from the rootstock, or a mericlinal chimera [which allows the difference to appear in different sections of the tree, as opposed to periclinal chimeras]. the problem is that every available description is by someone who doesn't know the difference between the two things, and very likely trying to describe the latter using their limited grasp of the former. the best picture i can find is not definitive, but looks very like the tree has a single trunk until well above any possible graft ... which would mean it's a mericlinal chimera afaik","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1195974"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9222771525382996,"wiki_prob":0.9222771525382996,"text":"IACC Series > Blog > 19th IACC > In an Activist Era, Artists Ignore Corruption at Their Own Risk\nIn an Activist Era, Artists Ignore Corruption at Their Own Risk\nby lunah\nWhat role do music and artists play in fighting corruption and holding governments accountable?\nThis was the big question during the panel “Music for Accountability” at the 19th International Anti-Corruption Conference.\nDrawing on the role of musicians such as Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Miriam Makeba, Fela Kuti, and several others who used music as a powerful tool to tackle social injustice in the past, the panellists urged contemporary musicians to produce music that would spark serious conversations around corruption, electoral fraud, inequality, and other social ills.\nNora Rahimian, a creative consultant and the co-founder of CultureFix, a global network of artists, entrepreneurs, and activists, said audiences are expecting more from their favourite artists nowadays and that it was no longer appropriate for artists to be silent.\n“If your power comes from your fans then you have to speak on the things your fans care about,” Rahimian explained. “There is a shift where a lot of artists could have gotten away with being silent, and now if you are silent, you will get called out. Your fans will hold you accountable, and they will push you until you say something.”\nShe said ignoring important social issues would do artists more harm than good. There are millions of rappers and singers in the world; she continued, so one way to differentiate oneself as an artist would be to speak out on issues that matter to their fans.\n“It is really about looking at the relationship between artists and audience and being able to leverage both for the wellbeing of the fan and the wellbeing and long-term sustainability of the artist’s career,” she said.\nNigerian hip hop artist Jude Abaga, popularly known as M.I. Abaga, also discussed the role of musicians in a more activist and socially conscious era. He referenced the recent #EndSARS protests, which began in early October in response to police brutality by the Nigerian Police’s Special Anti-Robbery Squad. M.I. pointed to well-known Nigerian musicians like Wizkid, Davido, Falz and many others supporting their fans’ calls for police reform.\nMusic has become a necessity in the fight against social ills in Nigeria, from corruption to poverty to unemployment, M.I. said and added that the #EndSARS protests called for self-reflection from the entertainment industry.\n“For most people in the music business and entertainment, it was a moment for us to reflect in some way on the impact of what we are doing on culture, on how culture informs behaviour and [how] what we normalize comes back to haunt us,” he said.\nAnother member of the panel, Matt Clark, Programs & Marketing Director at J.M. International (JMI), the world’s largest youth-music non-profit organisation, said people want change and artists have to speak on behalf of people who don’t have a voice.\n“I think it is crucial that we start building a community around these issues and start helping one another,” he said. “We can’t change the world unless we stick together.”\nClark introduced the winners of Fair Play, a global competition for songs by young artists with themes related to anti-corruption and social justice. Winners this year included the Nigerian singer Cill (born Chioma Ogbonna); the Congolese rapper and producer Alesh (real name Alain Chirwisa); and the Italian band Shantipowa. Their videos were selected after a review of submissions from activist musicians from more than 20 countries around the world.\nIn her award-winning song, “Sound the Alarm,” Cill sang she was “tired of sitting and waiting for change” and challenged her audience not to fold their arms and do nothing. She joined the panel and thanked them for the award: “Winning this award gave me the validation that I am doing something right, and I am on the right path.”\nEnlisting Gatekeepers in the Fight Against Corruption – Where Do We Go from Here?\nCryptocurrencies Aid Money Laundering. Can AI Stop It?","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1253068"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9531145095825195,"wiki_prob":0.9531145095825195,"text":"Juventus' 15-point deduction and the 'plusvalenza' scandal, explained\nHenry Bushnell\nTURIN, ITALY - JANUARY 18: Roberto Spada, Monica Tardivo, Andrea Agnelli, Pavel Nedved during the Juventus Shareholders' Meeting at Allianz Stadium on January 18, 2023 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Daniele Badolato - Juventus FC/Juventus FC via Getty Images)\nJuventus, Italy's most powerful soccer club, will be forced to forfeit 15 Serie A points after an Italian court essentially found that it had rigged finances related to transfer deals.\nThe point deduction will be applied to the current season, pending a potential appeal, and will be a crushing blow to Juve's hopes of remaining among European soccer's elite. It will take the Turin-based club from third place all the way down to joint-10th at the midway point of the season — just a few years after it won nine consecutive titles.\nItaly's soccer federation announced the point deduction Friday after prosecutors reopened the \"plusvalenza\" case. The term is Italian for \"capital gains,\" which is what Juventus allegedly made by inflating the values of outgoing players when they were traded away from the club.\nThe 'plusvalenza' case\nJuve, which doubles as a publicly listed company, first attracted the scrutiny of the Italian government in or before 2021. CONSOB, the government authority responsible for regulating the stock exchange, probed dozens of transfer deals that, it suspected, had run afoul of either soccer's financial rules or even criminal law.\nJuventus wasn't the only club investigated, but it was the primary one. After a lengthy investigation, all involved were acquitted in May. But the Italian soccer federation announced last month that a federal prosecutor had decided to appeal and re-take up the case.\nA month later, on Friday, it announced the sanctions stemming from the appeal. In addition to the point deduction, Juventus chairman Andrea Agnelli will be banned from Italian soccer for two years. Other executives involved were also suspended.\nThe Italian court responsible for the ruling will reportedly lay out its reasoning in 10 days. Juve will then have 30 days to appeal. It's unclear whether the Serie A table would be modified while a potential appeal is ongoing.\nWhat did Juventus do?\nThe case hinged on a loaded question: Who, exactly, gets to decide what a soccer player is worth?\nIn many high-profile transfers, the answer is simple. Two clubs negotiate a price. A player moves in one direction, millions of dollars go to the selling club, and those millions become the player's value on the club's accounts.\nThe answer gets murky, though, when a transfer is not just player-for-cash, but rather player-for-player(-and-cash). Take, for example, a 2020 swap between Juventus and Barcelona. On aggregate, Juve sent Miralem Pjanic and roughly $14 million to Barca in exchange for Arthur Melo. So how much, in dollar terms, was each player worth?\nWhat Juve and many other clubs realized is that they could inflate the values of players in those swap deals. Juve and Barca decided that Pjanic was 60 million euros ($67.8 million) and Arthur was 72 million euros ($81.4 million), despite neither player being even remotely that good. They could then log those inflated values on their books to help their accountants.\nThey have argued — and in May, authorities agreed — that only they, the clubs, have the right decide how much a player is worth. Juve, on these grounds, has denied wrongdoing.\nWhy would Juventus do that?\nThe \"capital gains\" — the difference between reported sale price and market price — were short-term solutions that helped Juve (and other clubs) comply with soccer's \"Financial Fair Play\" rules.\nFFP, which has since been overhauled, prevented clubs from spending far beyond their means. Under the rules, a given club's transfer fees and player wages could not exceed its income by more than 30 million euros over a three-year period.\nBut there were loopholes — namely, that transfer fees were amortized over the length of the player's new contract. If Juventus bought a player for $50 million, and signed him to a five-year deal, the transfer fee would only count for $10 million toward the team's spending limit each season.\nThe transfer fees it received for outgoing players, though, were simply income. When it sold Pjanic, technically for some $68 million, the sale immediately boosted its spending cap by $68 million.\nSo, by inflating the values of players in swap deals, Juve would give itself more room to maneuver in that season's transfer market — more financial flexibility to build a squad capable of challenging for the Champions League crown.\nBut of course, over a longer time horizon, this type of dealing has sent clubs like Juve careening toward financial ruin. The Bianconeri, as they're known, had already fallen off their pedestal atop Serie A and among the true Champions League contenders. They were, even before Friday's penalties, struggling to keep up with AC Milan and Napoli on the field, not to mention the top English Premier League clubs' bank accounts off it.\nNow, pending the appeal, they risk missing out on next season's Champions League and the revenue it guarantees. Their short-term thinking has come at a grave long-term cost.\nWhy is only Juventus being punished?\nJuventus is not the only Italian club that has engaged in this type of transfer dealing — and by rule, soccer's rules, it was permitted.\nBut this was not an investigation by European soccer authorities. It was an investigation by Italian government authorities. Juve is, at this point, the only club that has been punished presumably because, as a publicly traded company, it allegedly misled shareholders and engaged in illicit accounting practices.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line809089"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8969584703445435,"wiki_prob":0.8969584703445435,"text":"Mbombela (Nelspruit)\nLoad-shedding schedule\nLight rain with a 22 km/h wind from the South-East. The temperature will range between 17°C and 29°C and approximately 3 mm of rain is expected.\nOvercast with a 13 km/h wind from the East. The temperature will range between 18°C and 28°C.\nClear sky with a 18 km/h wind from the East. The temperature will range between 15°C and 34°C.\nSat, 28 January 2023\nSun, 29 January 2023\nModerate rain with a 18 km/h wind from the North-East. The temperature will range between 18°C and 35°C and approximately 11 mm of rain is expected.\nLight rain with a 12 km/h wind from the East. The temperature will range between 18°C and 25°C.\nLight rain with a 9 km/h wind from the East. The temperature will range between 17°C and 24°C and approximately 2 mm of rain is expected.\nmyDorpie Weather uses meteorological data from OpenWeatherMap.org\nWeather in other Regions\nPretoria Movies","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1761110"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6621558666229248,"wiki_prob":0.6621558666229248,"text":"Freedom Stations\nWarrior Stories\nDonate Car\nMeet our Warriors: Junior Rodriguez\nJunior Rodriguez\nPetty Officer Second Class, FMF Corpsman U.S. Navy (ret.)\nBy Erin Cartaya\nI’m Here for a Reason\nWhen does failure turn into success? When do feel like you are here for something greater than what you thought life had to offer?\n“I felt like a failure; because I couldn’t even take my own life.”\nWhen Junior Rodriguez reflects on the dark times in his life, he often wonders who is up there looking out for him. He knows there’s a reason he’s here. He knows he has a purpose and will continue searching for it as long as possible. Being a part of the Warrior Foundation and becoming the Program Director of the Wolfpack (the San Diego wheelchair basketball team) has been one of the most meaningful things for Junior since his time in the Military. You won’t see him boasting or touting his accomplishments. You will, however, see him celebrating with his athletes and bonding with the Wolfpack. “Wolfpack is my family. Like family at Thanksgiving.”\nPTSD is a quiet Devil that continuously haunts your mind – no matter who you are with or what you’re going through. Some days are Hell. Some days maybe not so much. Each day, you never know. When the physical pain subsides and injuries heal, the stress and emotion from PTSD never fade. But even when you feel alone, it’s important to remember that you’re not alone. That’s what the Warrior Foundation taught Junior. He finally found people around to talk to, to listen, and to support him. When Junior found the Warrior Foundation, he found himself. With a renewed sense of purpose, Junior can face these demons and come out the other side, stronger. Working with the Wolfpack, Junior knows he has a support system that will always be by his side, no matter what each ay brings.\nWhen you can’t run away from even your own mind, you hit rock bottom. But you have to hit rock bottom, says Junior, because at the bottom is where you can look up to see what you have on the other side.\n“You have to go through Hell to get to Peace.”\nJunior continues to fight through Hell. One day at a time. “Sometimes, one hour at a time.” This time, however, he has a purpose, a belonging, a family.\nServing His Time\nJunior joined the Military partly through college, following in his family’s footsteps. His dad was in the Navy; his sister was in the Army, and his great uncle was a Marine Corp Officer during the Vietnam War; he thought it was the right thing to do. He was deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan and faced several injuries that he would recover from….physically. It wasn’t long after healing from an injury that a more permanent injury surfaced: PTSD. Seeing, dreaming, and remembering; it would ultimately become what Junior thought would take him from this world. It wouldn’t be until years later that Junior understood how his role in service and now after impacts his own life, his daughters, and his brothers (the WolfPack).\nThe Warrior Foundation Finds Junior\nDealing with PTSD wasn’t easy for Junior. He never accepted the severity of it; he only got angry. But while serving as an intern at the medical center, Junior was approached by a woman. Not thinking anything of it, Junior dismissed this approach and carried on. Soon after, he was encouraged to head to the Health & Wellness center one morning.\nIt was a Saturday, 8 am.\nIt would be the day that changed Junior’s life. It would be the day Junior learned about wheelchair basketball, the Warrior Foundation, and its Co-Founder and CEO, Sandy Lehmkuhler. Talking with Sandy, all she said to him was “to embrace it.” But when Junior saw himself retiring, still angry, unsure where his life was going, he was recommended to the Warrior Foundation and saw Sandy waiting for him when he arrived.\n“This is your home now,” she said. But Junior didn’t want to believe it. Instead, he got into his car and drove to his dad in Houston. It was then Junior realized he had a choice. He could stay home and find a job or go back to California to “finish what he started.” When Junior found himself back in California, Sandy was there waiting. And he hasn’t left her side since.\nThe Warrior Foundation led Junior to the Wolfpack, San Diego’s adaptive sports team. The military wheelchair basketball team includes active duty and veteran U.S. Army, Marine Corps, and Navy players. While the players have sustained life-changing injuries such as amputations, spinal cord injuries, and traumatic brain injuries, they see this program as much more than a sport. The Wolfpack, and the wheelchair basketball community, have enabled its players to improve their mental health, physical health, and self-confidence by creating a peer group that focuses on what can be achieved – not what has been lost.\nFor Junior, it was the same. It wasn’t just a sport to keep busy or to distract himself. It was a group of individuals, warriors, and soldiers, continuously fighting and looking for something to give back to others. With the Wolfpack, Junior has not only become a coach and program director, but he serves on tournament committees, has been the commissioner for the women’s league, and helps people all over the country. But most of all, it allows Junior to share with others, to help give back–it gives Junior a reason to be here.\nBecause of the Wolfpack, Junior has felt a part of something. There is a special kind of bond that he has developed through this basketball program that gives him a sense of purpose. He’s been able to focus his mental energy on others, making his role with the program impactful. When Junior talks about this group of athletes, he does so with a sense of pride. Their success is his success. His success is because of this bond. Whether on the court winning games or hanging out grilling food, their humor and camaraderie remind Junior that he is here for a reason. What that reason is, he doesn’t know (or it changes), but having this brotherhood allows Junior to live one day at a time, or one hour at a time if need be.\nWe rely on your kindness, compassion and commitment to make miracles happen daily for those who need it most.\nWarrior Foundation Freedom Station\n1223 1/2 28th Street, Suite A\nSign up for our email newsletter and get the latest info on events, fundraisers and ways to make an impact.\n© 2022 Warrior Foundation Freedom Station","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line625668"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7498816251754761,"wiki_prob":0.7498816251754761,"text":"You are here: Home » Government & Governance » U.S. government & governance 2012\nU.S. government & governance 2012\nWritten by Diana Thebaud Nicholson // December 31, 2012 // Government & Governance, U.S. // 1 Comment\nOne thing we can count on with respect to this Congress is that if there is even one second left before you have to do what you’re supposed to do, they will use that last second. – President Obama\nRead the Label — The new political group No Labels shows why labels exist.\nWhat does No Labels really want?\nSalon talks to John Avlon, co-founder of the well-funded “centrist” advocacy group that launched earlier this week\nAre Super PACs Harming U.S. Politics?\n(U.S. News Debate Club) Proponents of super PACs argue that free speech is protected under the First Amendment, and they contend that it’s a fair system since candidates are not allowed to coordinate with them. Opponents disagree, and many are disturbed by predictions of upwards of $2 billion being spent by super PACs on the upcoming presidential election. They also hold that the non-coordination caveat is impossible to uphold and are upset by the proliferation of negative ads.\nObama’s “fiscal cliff” remarks leave GOP angry, confused\n(CBS News) In the latest twist of the “fiscal cliff” saga, President Obama today seemingly spiked the football before crossing the goal line, applauding a deal that hasn’t been finalized and raising the ire of some Republicans who accused him of moving the goalposts. To top things off, he took the opportunity to rib Congress for their dysfunction – a curious move at a time when it’s their votes the president should be seeking, not their criticism.\nU.S. goes over cliff: Deal close but no votes scheduled\n(Politico) Washington inched closer to a deal that would avert massive tax increases, but Congress will still fall short of passing legislation before a new year deadline, sending the country over the fiscal cliff at least temporarily as the two sides struggled to iron out the final details of a high-stakes package.\nThe main holdup right now: Automatic spending cuts poised to kick in during the year, which the two parties have vowed to reverse but have failed to broker an agreement over how to do just that.\n112th Congress Set To Become Most Unproductive Since 1940s\nAs 2012 comes to a close, the 112th Congress is set to go down in American history as the most unproductive session since the 1940s.\nAccording to a Huffington Post review of all the bills that hit President Barack Obama’s desk this session, Obama has signed 219 bills passed by the 112th Congress into law. With less than a week to go in the year, there are currently another 20 bills pending presidential action. In comparison, the last Congress passed 383 bills, while the one before it passed 460.\nThe 104th Congress (1995-1996) currently holds the ignominious distinction of being the least productive session of Congress, according to the U.S. House Clerk’s Office, which has records going back to 1947. Just 333 bills became law during that two-year period, meaning the 112th Congress needs to send nearly 100 more bills to Obama’s desk in the next few days if it wants to avoid going down in history — an unlikely prospect, considering that both chambers are squarely focused on averting the “fiscal cliff” before the new year.\nThe 112th Congress has done far less than the 80th Congress (1947-1948), which President Harry Truman infamously dubbed the “Do-Nothing Congress.” Those lawmakers passed 906 bills that became law.\nThe Fiscal Cliff: Poll Shows Americans Blame Republicans More Than Democrats\n(Reuters) – Americans blame Republicans in Congress more than congressional Democrats or President Barack Obama for the current “fiscal cliff” crisis, as the deadline approaches for action to avert big tax increases and spending cuts, a Reuters/Ipsos poll showed on Thursday.\nWhen asked who they believed to be more responsible for the “fiscal cliff” situation, 27 percent blamed Republicans in Congress, 16 percent blamed Obama and 6 percent pointed to Democrats in Congress. The largest percentage – 31 percent – blamed “all of the above.”\nDavid Bromwich: Chuck Hagel and the Trial-Balloon Method\n(HuffPost) Chuck Hagel would make a superb secretary of defense. There is not another American of high reputation in public life who has proved himself so free of the disastrous illusions that led to the Global War on Terror. Is there any consolation in the loss, if it happens? Obama’s first choices for state and defense were Susan Rice and Hagel. The sickly trial-balloon method — so susceptible to the gradual buildup of an intimidating opposition — may end by sinking them both; yet they were contradictory choices in what they stood for: much harder to reconcile than, say, Robert Gates and Hillary Clinton. Rice is a careerist of the national security elite. Her only idiosyncrasy, if one can call it that, is excessive enthusiasm for “humanitarian intervention” and the remote-control wars that such enthusiasm breeds. Hagel, by contrast, is an independent thinker and a dissident, far more than the president himself: a man so alienated from the Republican war madness and other kinds of madness that he walked away from his party in 2008. A Kerry-Hagel team would have been interesting; but Obama’s original choice was the incoherent combination of Hagel and Rice.\nIn Barack Obama’s lexicon of prudential juggling, to go ahead and nominate Chuck Hagel now, after the opposition in the last two weeks has used the time it was given to grow, would be merely a “distraction” from the serious aims of his presidency. And in the playbook that is the constant guide of the maturity of Obama’s judgment, a distraction can never be allowed. Recall Obama’s expedient surrender of his early opposition to immunity of the telecoms from prosecution for illegal surveillance, and remember: that, too, was explained as a necessary avoidance of distractions in the 2008 campaign. Cap-and-trade legislation was pursued but ditched as a distraction in 2010. Work on nuclear proliferation was a hopeless distraction from 2009 through 2012 inclusive, and global warming, as the president has said, may be a catastrophe that is already upon us, but it is a secondary concern for most Americans now, and therefore may be filed away as a distraction in his second term. At best, global warming will be given the Commission Treatment and the slow boat to the next presidency.\nJohn Boehner Proposes Millionaire Tax Hike In Exchange For Steep Entitlement Cuts\n(HuffPost) Signaling new movement in “fiscal cliff” talks, House Speaker John Boehner has proposed raising the top rate for earners making more than $1 million, a person familiar with the negotiations said. President Barack Obama, who wants higher top rates for households earning more than $250,000, has not accepted the offer, this person said.\nThe proposal, however, indicated progress in talks that had appeared stalled.\nSoured History Hampers Talks Between Obama and Boehner\n(NYT) Unlike last year, when Mr. Obama and Mr. Boehner negotiated while looking toward the 2012 elections, they now meet knowing that in all likelihood they will be dealing with each other for the foreseeable future and that their legacies and the good of the country depend on constructive engagement.\n“Neither one can afford to win an absolute victory over the other,” said one Republican lawmaker who is close to the speaker but did not want to be identified commenting on the delicate talks. “If you push him into a deal that costs him his speakership, the next guy up is not going to be to the left of John Boehner. And we don’t want a weak president.”\nRush Limbaugh: Liberals, mainstream media will blame GOP\n(Politico) Rush Limbaugh said Friday that liberals and the mainstream media will look to blame the Newtown, Conn., elementary school shooting on Republicans and he added it was “sickening” some in the press were already pushing for more gun control.\nPaul Rosenberg: A grand bargain is a grand betrayal: The forgotten, lonely world of facts\nThat the United States is centre-right and Obama must needs compromise on slashing the welfare state is a myth.\n(Al Jazeera) In the world of stubborn and stupid, America is a centre-right nation, and it really does make no sense that Barack Obama beat Mitt Romney. He’s trying to compromise with the Republicans because he has to: Their insistence on slashing the welfare state represents the overwhelming consensus of American political opinion, regardless of the last election’s results. But in the forgotten, lonely world of facts, none of that is true.\n… Robert L Borosage warned in a cover story for the Nation magazine, which cites some of these same strong views opposing what the fantasy rhetoric hides. “The grand bargain not only offers the wrong answer; it poses the wrong question,” Borosage writes. The right question, of course, is what to do about the stranglehold of wealth and income inequality that has developed over the past 30+ years, and how to secure the future of the 99 percent that have been left behind. “The call for shared sacrifice makes no sense,” Borosage argues, “given that in recent decades, the rewards have not been shared.”\nA truly progressive vision, stubbornly rooted in the world of facts would focus like a laser beam on the right question. This is what FDR’s New Deal was all about at bottom – rebuilding the nation’s prosperity from the bottom up. The economic soundness of his approach can be seen in the decades of broadly shared prosperity that followed in his wake. The political soundness can be seen in the polling data cited above – particularly the measures of conservative support. Those are the stubborn facts that President Obama ought to be attending to. And leave the stubborn fantasies behind. It’s time he set aside his love affair with Ronald Reagan. John Adams is waiting in the wings.\n“David [Jones] Versus David [Kilgour]” Yahoo Blog Forecasting President Obama’s Second Term\nJones: Obama’s second term: He must balance economics with international issues\nKilgour: Obama’s second term: Tackling economic woes must be his first priority\nThe Rise of 99Rise\n(The Nation) The impact of the Supreme Court’s 2010 decision Citizens United v. the Federal Election Commission allowing unlimited and anonymous campaign spending has been profound and could yet be decisive in this election.\nWith an estimated $9.8 billion set to be spent during this electoral cycle, the 2012 elections will be the most expensive in history and have completely saturated the media and cultural environment in so-called swing states. As a result, according to the 99Rise.org, “One in four Americans say they are less likely to vote than in 2008, and 75 percent of Americans believe money buys results in Congress.\nIn response, 99Rise, a new grassroots group seeking to expose corporate spending in the most expensive election in United States history and get “big money out of politics” once and for all, has recently risen up. Coming out of the tradition of the Optor! movement in Serbia and the more recent Occupy protests in the US, 99Rise believes that strategic, nonviolent direct action is the only way to redress legislative loopholes that benefit profit over people.\nWhile the 2012 elections have shaped our political climate in the past months, 99Risers are planning to continue nonviolent actions against banks well beyond the election, promising the kind of mass mobilization that Occupy Wall Street attempted in 2011. Our generation needs to learn from the model of organizing that acknowledges the success of direct action and legislative pressure working in tandem in order to build a broad movement and put ourselves on the line, strategically, when and where it really counts.\nSuper PACs\n(OpenSecrets.org) Super PACs are a new kind of political action committee created in July 2010 following the outcome of a federal court case known as SpeechNow.org v. Federal Election Commission.\nTechnically known as independent expenditure-only committees, Super PACs may raise unlimited sums of money from corporations, unions, associations and individuals, then spend unlimited sums to overtly advocate for or against political candidates. Super PACs must, however, report their donors to the Federal Election Commission on a monthly or quarterly basis — the Super PAC’s choice — as a traditional PAC would. Unlike traditional PACs, Super PACs are prohibited from donating money directly to political candidates.\nAs of October 21, 2012, 946 groups organized as Super PACs have reported total receipts of $528,125,579 and total independent expenditures of $419,516,557 in the 2012 cycle.\nElection 2012: top seven super PACs\n(CSM DC Decoder) News organizations, public interest groups, and bloggers have covered super PACs extensively, especially in a bid to identify donors and their interests. Groups such as The Sunlight Foundation, The Center for Public Integrity, and the Center for Responsive Politics are tracking super PAC spending down to the dollar. The top 1 percent of donors (105 people) have contributed 58 percent of all super PAC funding, mainly directed to help conservatives.\nDecoder has compiled a report on the seven top super PACs – the organizations that have spent the most and still have the most money in the bank – the candidates they support, and the donors behind them. Here is the bigger picture on the new groups funding this election.\nHow 17 people funded the Republican super PAC world — in one chart\nThat the rise of super PACs has given a small number of wealthy donors an outsized level of influence in our political discourse isn’t a secret.\nAfter all, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich wouldn’t have even been in the Republican primary game if it wasn’t for a supportive super PAC funded by casino magnate Sheldon Adelson. And super PACs supportive of Mitt Romney have kept him within financial shouting distance of President Obama in critical swing states like Florida and Virginia.\nCheck out this awesome infographic that spells it all out. The most important point? In 2011, 17 people made contributions of $1 million or more to the nine biggest conservative super PACs. That $28 million in donations accounted for half, yes HALF, of all the money these groups collected.\nUnshackling the Presidency to Fix the Government\n(NYT) In all the discussion these days about how dysfunctional Washington has become, attention usually centers on a fractious Congress riven by partisanship and paralyzed at times by rules and obstruction. Often lost in that conversation is the possibility that the presidency itself may need fixing.\nAt least that is the conclusion of a bipartisan group of former advisers to presidents and would-be presidents who have drafted what they call a plan to make the presidency work better. With the help of several former White House chiefs of staff, the group, called No Labels, has fashioned a blueprint that would make whoever wins in November both more powerful and more accountable.\nThe idea is to cut through some of the institutional obstacles to decisive leadership that have challenged President Obama and his recent predecessors, while also erecting structures to foster more bipartisanship, transparency and responsiveness. If the proposals were enacted, the next president would have more latitude to reorganize the government, appoint his own team, reject special-interest measures and fast-track his own initiatives through Congress. But he would also be called on to interact more regularly with lawmakers, reporters and the public.\nThe plan is a follow-up to a similar blueprint from No Labels for making Congress work better.\nThe plan advances 11 proposals, some of them relatively minor but symbolically important and others fairly sweeping in scope. Many of them may be unlikely to be adopted, but the authors hope at least to prompt a debate about ways to address the dysfunction they see.\nTo build accountability, the plan calls on the next president to hold monthly news conferences and twice-a-year citizen news conferences; meet quarterly with the Congressional leadership of both parties; bill his political party for travel that involves fund-raising, rather than schedule extraneous official events so that taxpayers pick up part of the tab; and submit to 90-minute question-and-answer sessions each month on the floors of Congress, much as the British prime minister does in Parliament.\nTo build presidential power, the plan proposes that the next president be given expanded authority to send individual items in spending bills back to Congress for up-or-down votes. It also proposes renewing presidential power that lapsed in 1984 to consolidate and even eliminate parts of the federal government.\nThe next president would also have more freedom to appoint his administration, a process now widely considered broken.\nPerhaps most provocative is a proposal to allow the president to send legislation to Congress twice a year that could not be amended but only approved or rejected. That is patterned after what is known as fast-track authority, often applied to trade agreements. By preventing lawmakers from changing such legislation, a president could get yes-or-no answers on his top priorities.\nWilliam A. Galston, an aide to President Bill Clinton who is now a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, suggested that one possible subject of fast-track authority could be the bipartisan plan to reduce the deficit that was created by a presidential commission led by Alan K. Simpson, a former Republican senator from Wyoming, and Erskine B. Bowles, a White House chief of staff under Mr. Clinton. The Simpson-Bowles plan included a cornucopia of unpopular tax increases and spending cuts, but under this proposal Congress would have to accept or reject the whole plan.\nMark McKinnon, a Democratic media consultant who crossed lines to work for Mr. Bush’s campaigns and later helped found No Labels, said that the fast-track idea “would be a big game changer” by itself, but that the overall effect of the various proposals would go a long way toward restoring faith in the presidency.\nPACs, Big Companies, Lobbyists, and Banks and Financial Institutions Seen by Strong Majorities as Having Too Much Power and Influence in DC\nSmall business and public opinion seen as having too little\n(Harris Interactive) When one thinks about how Washington, D.C. works, certain groups are always seen as being too powerful and wielding too much influence whether in the halls of Congress or the White House. Almost nine in ten Americans say that political action committees or PACs (88%) and big companies (86%) have too much power and influence in Washington, D.C. More than four in five U.S. adults believe political lobbyists (85%), and banks and financial institutions (81%) carry too much influence inside the Beltway while almost three-quarters believe the news media (73%) has too much power.\nThese are some of the results of The Harris Poll of 1,016 adults surveyed by telephone between April 10 and 17, 2012 by Harris Interactive.\nThe Republicans 2020 – February 15 2021\nDonald Trump Impeachment Inquiry/hearings 2019\nThe 45th President of the U.S. Chapter III\nOne Comment on \"U.S. government & governance 2012\"\nTB December 28, 2012 at 12:03 pm · Reply\nFollowing the discussion around Hagel’s nomination makes one wonder whether he is being appointed to head the US Army or IDF.\nEurope & EU September 2022-\nMiddle East & Arab World Lebanon August 2021-","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line50366"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6661474108695984,"wiki_prob":0.6661474108695984,"text":"Aura Rosenberg\nAdjunct Professor - CCE\narosenbe@pratt.edu\nMonographs include Head Shots (Stop Over Press, 1996), Berlin Childhood (Steidl, 2002), and Who Am I? What Am I? Where Am I? (Hatje Cantz, 2008); exhibitions include The European Month of Photography (2014), Martin-Gropius-Bau (Berlin), MUSA (Vienna), Art Center Casino Luxembourg, Museum der Moderne (Salzburg), Institute of Contemporary Art (Philadelphia), KW Institute for Contemporary Art (Berlin), Deichtorhallen (Hamburg), the Sculpture Center (Long Island City), Le Magasin, Centre D’art Contemporain (Grenoble), Musée d’art Moderne et Contemporain (Geneva), Martos Gallery (New York), Metro Pictures Gallery (New York), Meliksetian Briggs Gallery (Los Angeles), OHWOW Gallery (Los Angeles); collections include Guggenheim Museum, Bard College Center for Curatorial Studies Museum, Bass Museum of Art (Miami), Cincinnati Museum of Art, New Museum (New York), Lhoist Collection (Brussels), Norton Foundation (Los Angeles), Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art and Design (Kansas City).\nB.A., Sarah Lawrence College; M.A., Hunter College; participated in the Whitney Museum of American Art’s Independent Study Program.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line957347"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7788751721382141,"wiki_prob":0.7788751721382141,"text":"2 guys win the Internet's heart with their epic performance of 'evolution of dance'\nBy Manuela Cardiga\nTwo students made a video for their graduation celebrating the history of dance.\nTwo young men unexpectedly became social media stars when a video they made paying homage to the different dance styles of the 20th Century went viral.\nThey posted it on Youtube/ Jānis Šķēls where it went viral with thousands of viewings and share.\nBefore the 20th Century dance was strictly structured, with people moving to music in choreographed steps, and personal expression was not seen as \"proper.\" and everyone danced in exactly the same way, like clock-work dolls. But a revolution was on its way - or rather an evolution.\nThe \"Great\" World War I shattered social restrictions, and men and women eager to forget death and destruction and enjoy life threw themselves into the feverish era known now as \"The Roaring Twenties.\" Dance would never be the same again\nSource: YouTube/Jānis Šķēls\nThe Roaring 1920s\nDances from the 1920s were wild and carefree, danced by the jazz babies with their short skirts and their rouged knees. The rage of the era was the energetic \"Charleston\" which was performed in speakeasies and in dance-til-you-drop dance competitions.\nThe 1930s and 1940s\nIn the 1930s and 1940s, jazz and swing were kings, just as the depression hit the world economy, and people needed something to enjoy. Dance became an escape from the harsh reality of a starving world.\nAfter WWII the young wanted to distance themselves from what they saw as the staid and steady musu«ic of their parents and that rebellion birthed rock and roll - not just a dance but a whole attitude and fashion style.\nDances from the 1950s like \"the bop\" and \"the twist\" influenced movies like \"Grease\" and \"Hairspray\".and are still popular today.\nIn1960s dancing became individual. A person didn't need a dance partner. A dancer simply jumped onto the dance floor and \"did your own thing\" didn't include a dance partner. Dances like the \"Mashed Potato\", the \"Monkey\" and the \"Funky Chicken\" were the rage - at least for a while. Over 400 new dances were invented and nearly every month a new craze appeared.\nThe 1970s saw the rise of glamorous disco and dances like the \"Hustle\", or the \"YMCA\". Disco dragged sex out of the bedroom and onto the dance-floor with sexy and sensual dance moves, as is so beautifully exemplified by \"Saturday Night Fever\" and John Travolta's inimitable dance moves.\nAcrobatics took over the dance floor with \"Breakdancing\" and street dancing became the most influential genre.\nThis was also the era of punk and heavy metal with \"moshing\" to the sounds of loud heavy metal music the rage in certain circles.\nThe 1990s saw the ascendency of \"hip-hop\" and \"line dancing\" which influenced world dance culture and is still growing and developing to this day.\nJennifer Grey Was Married to Clark Gregg for 19 Years and Share a Child — She Cried When They Separated\nMom Uses Videos of 4-Year-Old Daughter to Gain More Followers until Girl Nearly Dies Making One — Story of the Day\nPatrick Swayze Never Got to Be a Father after Declaring His Strong Devotion to Wife of 34 Years\nTHE 50s IN THE 80s\nhttps://stars.amomama.us/94998-john-travolta-stuns-dance-moves-cult-mov.html\nOne peculiar anachronism was the movie \"Grease\" which depicted the rise of the rock and roll culture in the 50s. Actor John Travolta, now 64, played the rocker hero Danny in love with a teeny-bopper played by Olivia Newton-John.\nThe movie is now a cult classic, and in June 2018 Travolta appeared on \"The Tonight Show\" and had to teach the fascinated Fallon the dance moves called 'four corners dance,' which can be seen in the finale \"You're The One That I Want.\"\nMusic and dance never really go out of fashion, and shows like \"Dancing With The STars\" have brought back all the old moves to a new generation.\nIn a related story, Danelle Umstead, a visually impaired alpine skier, is dazzling the public with her grace on \"Dancing With the Stars.\"\nInside Patrick Swayze & Widow Lisa Niemi’s 7,261-Acre 'Dream Ranch' They Owned for 23 Years\nInside Tom Bergeron's Marriage with Wife of 39 Years Who Helped Him with His Anger Management\n'Law & Order's' Camryn Manheim Turns 61 - Meet Her Son Milo Who Is All Grown-up & Is Also an Actor\nPatrick Swayze's Last Words Before He Slipped into a Coma\nGrieving 96-Year-Old Widower Charms Dancing World Champion with His Moves\n18-Year-Old Dancer Cuts Parents Out of Her $3M Prize After They Urge Her to Get Rid of Her Baby — Story of the Day\nWhen Is the New Florence + the Machine Album Coming Out? Everything We Know About 'Dance Fever'\nLisa Ann Walter Is a Mother of 4 Children Including Identical Twins - Meet Her Family\nIs Jacob Elordi Dating? Inside the 'Euphoria' Star's Dating History That Includes Zendaya & Kaia Gerber\nJenna Bush Hager Proposed to Her Future Husband a Few Months after the ‘Worst First Date’ - He Said ‘No'\nSon Who Lived with Biological Mom Asks Dad's Wife to Adopt Him\n15-Year-Old Son Storms into Mom's Boyfriend's House after She Came Home Crying – Story of the Day\nJeremy Renner Broke 30+ Bones Risking His Life to Save Nephew — The Latter Saved Uncle in Return\nLorraine Martin Smothers Is a Mother of 6 Kids, an Author, and a Chef","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1843776"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7118780016899109,"wiki_prob":0.7118780016899109,"text":"At NoobSpace, accessible from https://noobspace.com, one of our main priorities is the privacy of our visitors. This Privacy Policy document contains types of information that is collected and recorded by NoobSpace and how we use it.\nThis Privacy Policy applies only to our online activities and is valid for visitors to our website with regards to the information that they shared and/or collect in NoobSpace. This policy is not applicable to any information collected offline or via channels other than this website.\nNoobSpace follows a standard procedure of using log files. These files log visitors when they visit websites. All hosting companies do this and a part of hosting services’ analytics. The information collected by log files include internet protocol (IP) addresses, browser type, Internet Service Provider (ISP), date and time stamp, referring/exit pages, and possibly the number of clicks. These are not linked to any information that is personally identifiable. The purpose of the information is for analyzing trends, administering the site, tracking users’ movement on the website, and gathering demographic information. Our Privacy Policy was created with the help of the Privacy Policy Generator and the Disclaimer Generator.\nYou may consult this list to find the Privacy Policy for each of the advertising partners of NoobSpace.\nThird-party ad servers or ad networks uses technologies like cookies, JavaScript, or Web Beacons that are used in their respective advertisements and links that appear on NoobSpace, which are sent directly to users’ browser. They automatically receive your IP address when this occurs. These technologies are used to measure the effectiveness of their advertising campaigns and/or to personalize the advertising content that you see on websites that you visit.\nNote that NoobSpace has no access to or control over these cookies that are used by third-party advertisers.\nThird-Party Privacy Policies\nNoobSpace’s Privacy Policy does not apply to other advertisers or websites. Thus, we are advising you to consult the respective Privacy Policies of these third-party ad servers for more detailed information. It may include their practices and instructions about how to opt-out of certain options. You may find a complete list of these Privacy Policies and their links here: Privacy Policy Links.\nNoobSpace does not knowingly collect any Personal Identifiable Information from children under the age of 13. If you think that your child provided this kind of information on our website, we strongly encourage you to contact us immediately and we will do our best efforts to promptly remove such information from our records.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1880673"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5020471215248108,"wiki_prob":0.4979528784751892,"text":"What’s Happening In Iraq? Will John Key Get His Way And Send Troops?\nNot that you’d read about it in our MSM but horrible things are happening in Iraq.\nIraq, once touted as the successful annexation of major oilfields by the 1% liberation from a horrible dictator madman is deteriorating so rapidly it actually influences the oil prices and is leaving entire regions devastated with hundreds of thousands of refugees on the move trying to find a safe haven from the terror inflicted upon them.\nFalluja, Mosul, Tigrit are being destroyed and occupied by some of the most extreme Islamist warriors. In fact they are deemed so extreme even al Qaeda wants nothing to do with them.\nSo what is going on? I honestly need to study this more in order to come up with a decent explanation but thought to bring it up to get the research going.\nIs this a prolonged false flag to be able to bring large amounts of troops back into the country and will John Key who signed us on to NATO with a brand spanking new treaty in 2012 finally get his way and send Kiwi’s to Iraq?\nIs this an unforeseen consequence of arming Jihadi extremists in Syria?\nJust when one thought US foreign policy couldn’t sink any deeper into the hole of its embarrassment, it takes out a shovel and starts digging. Overnight, in what AP describes as a stunning assault that exposed Iraq’s eroding central authority, Al Qaida-inspired militants from ISIS, or the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham, overran much of Mosul on Tuesday, seizing government buildings, pushing out security forces and capturing military vehicles as thousands of residents fled the second-largest city.\nFor those who may have forgotten, Iraq was one of those countries “liberated” by the the United States, which unlike Afghanistan where the opium trade is still important, did pull out its troops two and a half years ago.\nThs shocking takeover of Mosul took place months after Al Qaeda-linked fighers took over another Iraqi town, Fallujah, earlier in the year and which they have successfully defended against government attempts to reclaim it.\nThat however, was just the appetizer: Mosul is a much bigger, more strategic prize. The city and surrounding Ninevah province, which is on the doorstep of Iraq’s relatively prosperous Kurdish region, are a major export route for Iraqi oil and a gateway to Syria.\nThis entry was posted in Economic meltdown and tagged Civil war, Iraq, John Key, Nato. Bookmark the permalink.\n« On The USS Liberty Attack Or How Israel Loves False Flag Attacks\nChildren Exterminated Like Rats So You Can Enjoy Soccer! »\nOne thought on “What’s Happening In Iraq? Will John Key Get His Way And Send Troops?”\nbedsewq says:\nINFERNAL BARONS THAT CONTROL BIG CORPORATIONS PUSH FOR A NEW WORLD ORDER MADE OF SLAVERY AND GENOCIDES ROTHSCHILDS ARE PUSHING FOR NEW TRADE LIBERALISATION AGREEMENTS ( TTIP AND TPP ) TO GAIN SPEED IN 2014 AND 2015. ” The threat of the US-EU trade deal http://morningstaronline.co.uk/a-6dea-The-threat-of-the-US-EU-trade-deal Friday 28th Februay 2014 The TTIP will allow companies to control governments, writes JEREMY CORBYN An ominous veil of secrecy surrounds negotiations on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership – a sweeping trade deal between the European Union and United States. Members of national and European parliaments, like their counterparts in the US Congress, have been kept in the dark about the details. What we do know is that its backers claim that the eventual agreement will boost economic jobs and create vast numbers of new jobs on both sides of the Atlantic. It is claimed that economic growth will be increased by 0.5 per cent a year by 2027 as a result of this deal. There is no hard evidence to back up such figures, but we know for certain that there are going to be big prices to pay along the way. In the Commons this week there was a rare discussion by parliamentarians on the potential impact of the TTIP. Front benchers were keen to press the idea that fewer barriers between the US and Europe would be an overwhelmingly good thing. But there were also serious concerns voiced on the power of corporate lobbyists to undermine parliamentary democracy because the deal will allow them to demand and exercise commercial “rights” that over-ride national sovereignty when it comes to public services and other areas of policy. Paisley & Renfrewshire North MP Jim Sheridan expressed concern that “the TTIP will allow companies to wield control over national governments and in the long run may not help those we’re told it will. “We should have an agreement that helps ordinary people and not big corporations,” he said. The disastrous experience of the North American Free Trade Agreement (Nafta) between Canada, Mexico and the US provides cause for deep concern about the TTIP. Then, as now, it was promoted as having the potential to create millions of jobs. In fact Nafta has resulted in job losses and a race to the bottom as US farm exports flood into Mexico and US companies transfer operations to their poorer neighbour to exploit lower wage rates. Today there is huge opposition in all three countries to Nafta. War on Want, in an excellent briefing on the TTIP, characterised the deal not as a negotiation between two competing trading partners, but as “an assault on European and US societies by transnational corporations seeking to remove regulatory barriers to their activities on both sides of the Atlantic.” This is not a traditional trade agreement but it is all about deregulating society, removing social standards and environmental regulations and ensuring that public services are opened up to private enterprise. The secrecy surrounding its contents is so great that not even government officials from EU member states have been allowed to see the documents up front. Eventually a final agreement will be released and will be imposed on citizens of EU member states and the US. The omens are not good. The negotiators see collective labour agreements as a challenge and restriction on business. The US has refused to sign most International Labour Organisation conventions on core standards including freedom of association and the right to organise, so it’s hard to see where the TTIP is leading to other than a transatlantic attack on trade unions. Rights at work, the working time directive, health and safety legislation, redundancy payments and employment protection were all hard-fought-for gains by trade unions on both sides of the Atlantic. Now all this may be put at risk in a levelling down of protections. Food standards are also threatened, with enormous pressure from US-based global brands to water down European legislation on GM crops, food safety and animal welfare. But the biggest prize of all for those who stand to gain from TTIP are our public services. Currently the NHS is required to provide health care free at the point of use for everyone. So far Britain’s Tories have retained that principle, but they have built on a lot of what new Labour was trying to do in “opening up” the NHS to private-sector companies. Already US health companies are lining up in the hunt for big profits by running sections of the NHS with fewer staff earning lower wages and on worse conditions. The threat posed to health services is similar in other European countries, yet tellingly the EU has not sought to exclude health from the TTIP negotiations. Public debate on the deal remains strangely absent, but it remains possible that strong trade union opposition to assaults on working conditions could significantly alter the process of negotiations. It’s also quite possible that the more isolationist elements in the US Congress will seek to block its passage. What’s certain, though, is that the stakes are extremely high. The EU is continuing to pursue its central goal of being a place where big business has free rein to operate. At the same time US corporations are eyeing up a greater global role. And from what little has penetrated the veil of secrecy surrounding negotiations, it appears increasingly that any potential positives for workers, and on environmental issues and public services are being sidelined in favour of greedy bankers and multinationals which see vast profits to be made. Jeremy Corbyn is Labour MP for Islington North. ” ” There is a particular focus working against generic medicines, on behalf of the pharmaceutical companies that rank amongst the most profitable US and UK firms – for example patents could be extended ensuring more expensive drug therapies. A version of SOPA could be introduced by the backdoor, limiting internet freedom and internet privacy rights. It would also shield foreign capital from domestic laws, essentially deregulating finance even further, at a point when there are calls for greater not less regulation. But overarching all of this, is the transfer of sovereignty from nations to private corporate tribunals who will be empowered to compel governments to change their laws or pay unlimited fines. Foreign companies will essentially not be bound by domestic laws… Human rights, environmental protection and employment rights could all be contested and overturned by private corporate tribunals. The post-democratic age will have been enshrined in binding legislation… and all of it will be done in secret! ” http://think-left.org/2013/02/20/are-we-already-in-the-post-democratic-era/ http://morningstaronline.co.uk/a-d49b-The-TTIPing-point ” The language that was written for the TTIP could open doors for companies like Monsanto, allowing them to push their genetically engineered food production overseas as well as in the United States. ” http://21stcenturywire.com/ 1) THE BIGGEST SHAREHOLDER OF MONSANTO IS VANGUARD THAT IS RELATED WITH DICK CHENEY AND WITH THE QUEEN OF ENGLAND FRONT OF THE ROTHSCHILDS. https://jonrappoport.wordpress.com/2014/03/22/money-web-cia-cheney-whole-foods-everybody/ http://jonrappoport.wordpress.com/2014/03/22/facebook-and-monsanto-top-shareholders-are-identical/ http://www.cbsnews.com/news/queen-visits-jamestown-with-cheney/ http://narcosphere.narconews.com/notebook/brenda-norrell/2009/11/profiteering-misery-private-prison-scams-target-american-indians http://whale.to/a/monsanto_h.html http://whale.to/c/cartels.html http://naturalsociety.com/monsantos-gmo-seeds-farmer-suicides-every-30-minutes/ http://jonrappoport.wordpress.com/2014/04/22/gmo-plants-gmo-people-and-cancer/ http://www.naturalnews.com/044446_Monsanto_GMO_seeds_poison.html CHENEY IS ALSO A FRIEND OF JACOB ROTHSCHILD. ” Israel has granted a U.S. company the first license to explore for oil and gas in the occupied Golan Heights, John Reed of the Financial Times reports. A local subsidiary of the New York-listed company Genie Energy — which is advised by former vice president Dick Cheney and whose shareholders include Jacob Rothschild and Rupert MURDOCH — will now have exclusive rights to a 153-square mile radius in the southern part of the Golan Heights.” http://www.globalresearch.ca/srael-grants-first-golan-heights-oil-drilling-license-to-dick-cheney-linked-company/5347779 http://aanirfan.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/madeleine-mccann-cover-up-lelievre.html THE BRITISH ROYAL FAMILY IS LINKED WITH JACOB ROTHSCHILD, BENJAMIN DE ROTHSCHILD, ARIANE DE ROTHSCHILD, EVELYN DE ROTHSCHILD, ERIC DE ROTHSCHILD AND DAVID DE ROTHSCHILD. http://www.newstatesman.com/blogs/the-staggers/2011/03/queen-state-territories JACOB ROTHSCHILD “is also a Member of the Council for the Duchy of Cornwall for HRH The Prince of Wales…”, a “Trustee of the Prince of Wales’ Prince’s Charities Foundation. ” and in ” 2002 awarded the Order of Merit by Her Majesty the Queen. Members of the Order are limited in number to 24 and the order is given to those who have rendered exceptionally meritorious service in the field of the arts, learning, literature and science ” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacob_Rothschild,_4th_Baron_Rothschild ” Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, President, Arts and Business awards The Prince of Wales Medal for Philanthropy 2013 to Lord Jacob Rothschild, one of the five recipients, during a ceremony on December 11, 2013 in London, England. ” http://www.zimbio.com/photos/Prince+Charles/Jacob+Rothschild/Reception+Held+Prince+Charles+London/08Isgaq04Qa The Royal Bank of Scotland, a bank controlled by the British Royal Family, is also connected with the bank Edmond De Rothschild owned by BENJAMIN DE ROTHSCHILD and by his wife ARIANE DE ROTHSCHILD FOR EXAMPLE THROUGH THE PERSON OF MARK PHILLIPS. http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/prince-charles-dumps-rbs-boss-372885 http://aanirfan.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/banks-100-billion-black-hole.html Mark Phillips, Current Vice President at Banque Privée Edmond de Rothschild, was Vice President at RBS Coutts Bank Ltd, Geneva from March 2003 to September 2011. http://www.linkedin.com/pub/mark-phillips/4/5b9/772 [getty src=\\\"170740077\\\" width=\\\"396\\\" height=\\\"594\\\"] #170740077 / gettyimages.com ” Prince Charles already played polo with EVELYN DE ROTHSCHILD in his student years and later set up the Interfaith consultations with him. ” http://www.gnosticliberationfront.com/people_with_the_endless_bios.htm Evelyn de Rothschild ” In 1989, he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II, for whom he serves as a financial adviser. ” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evelyn_Robert_de_Rothschild http://www.breathingenglishair.blogspot.fr/2012/04/ascott-house-buckinghamshire.html EVELYN DE ROTHSCHILD IS ALSO A FRIEND OF PRINCE ANDREW. https://wikispooks.com/ISGP/organisations/introduction/PEHI_Evelyn_de_Rothschild_bio.htm ERIC DE ROTHSCHILD IS ANOTHER BIG FRIEND OF THE BRITISH ROYAL FAMILY AND A BIG OWNER OF ROTHSCHILD & CIE TOGETHER WITH DAVID DE ROTHSCHILD. ” Red wine and champagne generously donated by Baron Eric de Rothschild ” http://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/kate-middleton-speaks-of-blissful-marriage-181174 http://www.rothschild.com/David_de_Rothschild/ http://www.gettyimages.nl/detail/nieuwsfoto's/queen-elizabeth-ii-meets-sir-evelyn-de-rothschild-lady-nieuwsfotos/72668835 VANGUARD IS ALSO A BIG SHAREHOLDER OF COCA COLA, PEPSI, NESTLE AND KRAFT. http://investors.morningstar.com/ownership/shareholders-major.html?t=KO http://investors.morningstar.com/ownership/shareholders-major.html?t=PEP http://investors.morningstar.com/ownership/shareholders-major.html?t=NSRGF http://investors.morningstar.com/ownership/shareholders-major.html?t=KRFT http://fracturedparadigm.com/2013/04/02/boycott-monsanto-a-simple-list-of-companies-to-avoid/ ” Pepsi, Nestle scandal – flavour ‘enhanced’ by aborted foetal cells ” http://www.investigatemagazine.co.nz/Investigate/2437/pepsi-nestle-scandal-flavour-enhanced-by-aborted-foetal-cells/ http://truthseeker1313.com/2013/12/04/coke-supports-gmos-sign-the-petition/ 2) NATO, THAT PUSH FOR TRANSATLANTIC DICTATORSHIP, IS CONTROLLED BY THE ATLANTIC COUNCIL THAT HAS STRONG RELATIONS WITH ROTHSCHILDS CORPORATIONS. http://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/natosource/us-ambassador-to-germany-trans-atlantic-cooperation-is-indispensable http://www.atlanticcouncil.org/about/international-advisory-board CAIO KOCH-WESER, VICE CHAIRMAN OF DEUTSCHE BANK IS ALSO CO-CHAIRMAN OF THE BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS ADVISORY GROUP (BEAG) OF THE ATLANTIC COUNCIL. http://www.atlanticcouncil.org/images/upload/beag_roster.pdf ” On April 28 the Atlantic Council held its annual awards dinner at the Ritz-Carlton hotel in the Foggy Bottom neighborhood of Washington, D.C. where the U.S. State Department is also situated. The honorees were headed by former President Bill Clinton, who was given the Distinguished International Leadership Award for his intervention in the Balkans in the 1990s, expanding the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and launching the North American Free Trade Agreement. Josef Ackermann, Chairman of the Management Board and the Group Executive Committee of Deutsche Bank AG, was presented with the Distinguished Business Leadership Award…. ” http://usa.mediamonitors.net/content/view/full/74126 ALSO MERKEL HAS STRONG RELATION WITH DEUTSCHE BANK http://www.germany.info/Vertretung/usa/en/__pr/P__Wash/2013/06/19-TTIP-Berlin.html “The German government’s policy on debt restructuring for Greece is lifted directly from policy papers prepared by the Deutsche Bank, it has emerged…… The revelation that the Finance Ministry in Berlin just takes over the contents of policy papers of Deutsche Bank offers yet more proof that Chancellor Angela Merkel and Wolfgang Schäuble are puppets of the commercial banks. Merkel and Deutsche Bank CEO Josef Ackermann attended this year’s Bilderberg conference in Switzerland and would have had ample opportunity to discuss ways and means to expropriate yet more money from the tax payers under one pretext or another. ” http://waterpressure.wordpress.com/2011/06/17/jane-burgermeister-report-deutsche-bank-writes-german-finance-ministry%e2%80%99s-greek-debt-policy-ard-documentary-reveals/ THE CRIMES OF THE NAZI BARONS THAT CONTROL DEUTSCHE BANK IN GREECE: a) REFUSED HOSPITALIZATIONS TO UNINSURED DISABLED A woman, 35 years old, with psychological problems attempted suicide by falling from the roof of a house located in Nea Ionia. 23 days have passed and still she has not had surgery because is uninsured. http://news.disabled.gr/?p=46899 http://www.keeptalkinggreece.com/2013/09/20/more-than-3-million-greeks-have-no-access-to-public-health-care-system/ b) Greek Christmas present: state cuts poverty allowance to 20,000 people with disabilities http://www.keeptalkinggreece.com/2013/12/20/greek-christmas-present-state-cuts-poverty-allowance-to-20000-people-with-disabilities/ c) Greek Health Minister: “Cancer is not urgent unless in final stages” http://www.keeptalkinggreece.com/2014/02/27/greek-health-minister-cancer-is-not-urgent-unless-in-final-stages/ ( Devastation of health care in Greece http://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2014/02/28/gree-f28-f28.html ) d) GREECE IN CRISIS-DRAMATIC INCREASE OF SUICIDES: 3,124 PEOPLE IN 2009-2012 http://www.keeptalkinggreece.com/2012/11/22/greece-in-crisis-dramatic-increase-of-suicides-3124-people-in-2009-2012/ e) GREECE IS ONE OF THE FEW STATES OF THE WORLD THAT KEEPS THE PRISON FOR STATE DEBTORS AND THE UNIQUE IN EUROPE http://beforeitsnews.com/international/2013/04/greek-govt-seeks-military-camp-to-serve-as-prison-for-state-debtors-2455920.html http://www.keeptalkinggreece.com/2014/03/02/athens-police-arrests-alzheimers-patient-90-for-e5000-debt-to-the-tax-office/ http://www.keeptalkinggreece.com/2014/03/05/greeces-new-hobby-chasing-arresting-grannies-for-debts-to-the-state/ WHO CONTROLS DEUTSCHE BANK ? DAVID HAYSEY HEAD OF PUBLIC EQUITIES AT RIT CAPITAL PARTNERS AND IN THE PAST DIRECTOR AT J ROTHSCHILD CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, BOTH OWNED BY JACOB ROTHSCHILD, HAS BEEN MANAGING DIRECTOR AT DEUTSCHE BANK. http://uk.linkedin.com/pub/david-haysey/1b/470/bb3 https://wikispooks.com/ISGP/organisations/introduction/PEHI_Jacob_de_Rothschild_bio.htm LYNN FORESTER DE ROTHSCHILD, THE WIFE OF EVELYN DE ROTHSCHILD, IS A DIRECTOR OF DEUTSCHE BANK. ” In addition, she serves as a Trustee of the ERANDA Foundation …, the Outward Bound Trust, the Alfred Herrhausen Society of International Dialogue of Deutsche Bank and the Global Commercial Microfinance Consortium Advisory Board of Deutsche Bank. ” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lynn_Forester_de_Rothschild https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evelyn_Robert_de_Rothschild DEUTSCHE BANK HAS LINKS ALSO WITH THE BANK EDMOND DE ROTHSCHILD OWNED BY BENJAMIN DE ROTHSCHILD AND BY HIS WIFE ARIANE DE ROTHSCHILD. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benjamin_de_Rothschild https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ariane_de_Rothschild NICOLAS HINDI, THAT WORKED AT THE BANQUE PRIVEE EDMOND DE ROTHSCHILD, IS M&A ANALYST AT DEUTSCHE BANK. http://in.linkedin.com/pub/nicolas-hindi/31/912/265 ROTHSCHILD & CIE, CONTROLLED BY DAVID AND ERIC DE ROTHSCHILD, HAS RELATIONS WITH DEUTSCHE BANK, FOR EXAMPLE THROUGH ROMAIN PREVOST. http://fr.linkedin.com/pub/romain-pr%C3%A9vost/12/b2/2b3 CORRUPT AND CRIMINAL EUROPEAN UNION HAS PREPARED BIG FUND (EUROPEAN STABILITY MECHANISM) WITH THE MONEY OF THE EUROPEAN CITIZENS TO SAVE SOME BANKRUPT BANKS. http://larouchepac.com/node/23172 ITALY IS INCREASING ITS DEBT IN ORDER TO POUR, IN SEVERAL INSTALLMENTS, OVER 125 BILLIONS TO THE ESM. http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2013-04-29/728-trillion-presenting-bank-biggest-derivative-exposure-world-hint-not-jpmorgan ” Currently it is even difficult to find corruption affairs in which Deutsche Bank does not result in any way involved. Even in the health care system scandal in Abruzzo, which has engulfed the governor Ottaviano Del Turco, Deutsche Bank could not miss. Indeed, we can understand from a flight in London of Ottaviano Del Turco in 2006, to meet with the heads of Deutsche Bank, the possibility to know that the top decision heads of Deutsche Bank do not operate even more in Germany, but precisely in London.” http://translate.google.com/translate?sl=it&tl=en&js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&eotf=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.comedonchisciotte.org%2Fsite%2Fmodules.php%3Fname%3DNews%26file%3Dprint%26sid%3D8812 . http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-01-17/deutsche-bank-derivative-helped-monte-paschi-mask-losses.html 3) “The governments of Europe and the United States are planning the” Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership “(TTIP). BMW and Monsanto rejoice with Deutsche Bank and JP Morgan Chase, BASF and Google, Bertelsmann and ExxonMobil.” http://translate.google.com/translate?sl=de&tl=en&js=y&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dieuniversitaet.net%2F2013%2F06%2F18%2Fttip-bmw-und-monsanto-freuen-sich%2F&edit-text= ALSO CHEVRON HAS INTERESTS IN THE TTIP. http://justinvestment.org/2013/05/chevron-fracks-europe-transatlantic-trade-investment-agreement-favors-big-energy-companies-and-threatens-the-environment/ http://www.thenewage.co.za/123292-1021-53-Oil_drilling_possible_trigger_for_deadly_Italy_quakes A) ” German Chancellor Angela Merkel is under fire for accepting a nearly 700,000-euro donation to her conservative party by owners of popular car maker BMW, so much so that the country’s president is being forced to clamp down on massive political gifts….. The Quandt dynasty, which owns 46.7 percent of the BMW auto concern, was reported on the German parliament’s website to have made the transaction to Merkel’s Christian Democratic Party in the first days of October. … The catalyst seemed to be that, just days before the transfer, Europe’s environment ministers caved in to Berlin’s demands to cancel an agreement that would limit the country’s car emissions. ” http://rt.com/news/merkel-criticism-bmw-carbon-305/ THE QUANDT FAMILY IS CONNECTED WITH THE DRESDNER BANK AND COMMERZBANK. Susanne Hanna Ursula Quandt and Stefan Quandt worked for Dresdner Bank. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Susanne_Klatten http://www.whoislog.info/profile/stefan-quandt.html ” On August 31, 2008, Commerzbank announced that it would acquire Dresdner Bank for EUR 9.8 billion. Dresdner Bank was legally merged with Commerzbank on 11 May 2009 and ceased to be an independent entity. ” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dresdner_Bank COMMERZBANK IS CONNECTED WITH DEUTSCHE BANK AND THE ROTHSCHILDS. ” Martin Blessing is Chairman of the Board of Managing Directors of Commerzbank AG… His father was a member of the Board of Deutsche Bank.” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Blessing ” Edmond de Rothschild Buys BMW After ‘Nightmare’ Year ” http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=ateEqIsD4EfE B) THE BIGGEST SHAREHOLDER OF EXXONMOBIL AND CHEVRON IS ALSO VANGUARD. http://finance.yahoo.com/q/mh?s=XOM http://finance.yahoo.com/q/mh?s=CVX https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exxon_Valdez VANGUARD IS THE BIGGEST SHAREHOLDERS OF PFIZER. http://www.4-traders.com/PFIZER-INC-4821/company/ ” The UK Prime Minister David Cameron has given his blessing to the idea of the American pharmaceutical company Pfizer’s taking over the UK firm AstraZeneca The American oil company Exxon Mobil may take over the UK oil firm BG… Pfizer is a company known for buying rivals, cutting costs, absorbing the best parts of the business and then selling off the remainder…..” http://aanirfan.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/traitors-exposed.html http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2012/apr/20/david-cameron-jersey-panama-geneva http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/exclusive-red-cross-launches-emergency-food-aid-plan-for-uks-hungry-8872496.html https://syrianfreepress.wordpress.com/2014/05/27/most-bloody-jihadists-are-uk-extremists/ http://jhaines6.wordpress.com/2014/05/17/presstv-uks-hague-car-bombers-are-us-by-finian-cunningham/ http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2624385/Milliband-accused-major-error-refusing-meeting-Viagra-firm-Pfizer-60billion-takeover-deal.html Benjamin de Rothschild says:” These days it’s good to hold shares of international corporations, companies that sell globally and especially in the East. There are quite a few Swiss firms like that, such as NESTLE, but also American firms such as Johnson & Johnson and PFIZER. ” http://intellibriefs.blogspot.com/2011/01/interview-baron-de-rothschild.html http://www.lejdd.fr/Economie/Images/Les-plus-grosses-fortunes-de-France/Benjamin-de-Rothschild-206941 ” Benjamin de Rothschild, only son of the late Edmond de Rothschild, was a classic case of great expectations gone astray. Despite being groomed for greatness from a young age, as a teenager he skipped university and instead headed for Los Angeles with dreams of being a film producer. In LA he started taking drugs, and ended up on heroin. Meanwhile, he failed to make it into Hollywood’s charmed circle and bombed as a film-maker. ” http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/poor-little-rich-boys-1097744.html C) WE FIND VANGUARD ALSO IN GOOGLE. http://www.brighthub.com/internet/google/articles/69966.aspx ” …..Many of Google Federal’s top managers come from the biggest and baddest military and intel outfits: US Army, Air Force Intelligence, Central Intelligence Agency, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, Director of National Intelligence, USAID, SAIC, Lockheed… the list keeps going on and on. Take Michele R. Weslander Quaid, Google’s Chief Technology Officer of Public Sector and “Innovation Evangelist.” …Weslander Quaid took the top spot in Entrepreneur Magazine’s list of the seven most powerful women to watch in 2014. The reason? She helped bring the Google mindset to federal intelligence agencies…” http://pando.com/2014/04/23/the-revolving-door-between-google-and-the-department-of-defense/ ” Google appears to be part of the NAZI-ZIONIST-MAFIA-ROBBER-baron elite. They invade people’s privacy, make money from people’s intellectual property and work with the spooks. ….” http://aanirfan.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/google-and-mind-control.html ” Google uses various tax avoidance strategies. Out of the five largest American technology companies it pays the lowest taxes to the countries of origin of its revenues. The company accomplishes this partly by licensing technology through subsidiaries in Ireland, Bermuda, the Bahamas, and the Netherlands.This has reportedly sparked a French investigation into Google’s transfer pricing practices…” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google 4) JP MORGAN PRESSES ITS PUPPET, THE PRIME MINISTER OF ITALY matteo renzi, FOR THE CONCLUSION OF THE TTIP THROUGH THE NEWSPAPER ” IL SOLE 24 ORE”. http://translate.google.com/translate?sl=it&tl=en&js=y&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ilsole24ore.com%2Fart%2Fnotizie%2F2014-04-09%2Fun-accordo-utile-anche-italia-063845.shtml&edit-text= https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matteo_Renzi matteo renzi IS WELL CONTROLLED BY TONY BLAIR. ” Former English Prime Minister Tony Blair was recently spotted in Florence having dinner with several important figures, among them being Florence Mayor Matteo Renzi. Italian Minister of Economic Development Corrado Passera and Italian Vice Minister of Economy Vittorio Grilli, as well as several other important international personalities were also at the gathering. The dinner was organized by JP Morgan and took place on the terrace of Palazzo Corsini….” http://theflorencenewspaper.com/new/tony-blair-sighted-in-florence/ THE ROTHSCHILDS CONTROL JP MORGAN THROUGH THEIR AGENT TONY BLAIR. http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2012/05/28/heckler-brands-tony-blair-a-war-criminal-over-jpmorgan-payments/ http://hat4uk.wordpress.com/2012/09/15/money-laundering-jp-morgan-in-the-frame-for-venezuelan-drugs-link/ ( Tony Blair. Illegitimate Son Of JACOB ROTHSCHILD….Evidence http://the-tap.blogspot.com/2012/06/can-you-spot-it.html ) http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1359330/Gaddafi-heir-Saif-inevitably-friend-Andy-Mandy.html ” Since leaving office Mr BLAIR has used a number of Gulfstream planes, including a South African-registered Gulfstream V jet based at Luton Airport. In November last year he is believed to have hired a Gulfstream IV owned by British-based banker Sir EVELYN DE ROTHSCHILD for a three-day return trip to Rwanda at an estimated cost of £83,000, including fuel. Sir Evelyn, 77, who was one of a number of billionaires to dine at Downing Street in Mr Blair’s final days in power, has owned the plane since 2002 through a company called Metropix. ” http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1138789/Now-Tony-Blairs-finally-got-private-jet-hes-wanted-rented.html ” Tony Blair Visits Caesarea, an Israeli Rothschild Estate Caesarea is a curious place for war criminal, and the Quartet’s Middle East envoy Tony Blair to wander off to, but so it is according to the Israeli ynet news. But that is where the home of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is – useful for slipping out of the limelight of citizen arrest, supporting the recent bloody Egyptian coup, and the ongoing bloodletting of millions Iraqis. … ….Today, the Chairman of the Caesarea Foundation and the CDC is Baron BENJAMIN DE ROTHSCHILD ” http://hwaairfan.wordpress.com/2014/02/13/tony-blair-visits-caesarea-an-israeli-rothschild-estate/ http://aanirfan.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/cover-up-of-blair-minister-child-abuse.html http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/battle-scarred-italian-town-now-defeated-by-debt/2012/01/02/gIQA421dhP_story.html ” It is worth noting that in 2003 after the invasion of Iraq, during Tony Blair’s mandate as Prime Minister JP Morgan Chase was designated to run the Trade Bank of Iraq. ” http://www.globalresearch.ca/suicides-of-bank-executives-fraud-financial-manipulation-jpmorgan-chases-advisor-tony-blair-is-not-involved/5368627 http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/commentators/fisk/robert-fisk-the-children-of-fallujah–the-hospital-of-horrors-7679168.html ( Blair in Jerusalem: War on Iran, War on Syria, Save the Banks Above All http://larouchepac.com/node/27043 ) ( A REAL HORRORS GALLERY OF THE FRIENDS OF BLAIR IN SYRIA https://syrianfreepress.wordpress.com/2014/05/16/london-meeting-of-those-who-call-themselves-friends-of-syria-contribute-to-more-killing/ http://www.globalresearch.ca/us-nato-water-war-against-syria-turkey-suspends-pumping-euphrates-water/5386059 http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/2sG70uzyZa8/Queen+Duke+Edinburgh+During+Their+State+Visit/qdxFjAPANkj/Recep+Tayyip+Erdogan ) THE BIGGEST SHAREHOLDER OF JP MORGAN IS VANGUARD RELATED ALSO WITH DAVID AND ERIC DE ROTHSCHILD. http://finance.yahoo.com/q/mh?s=JPM+Major+Holders matteo renzi “WINS” THE ELECTIONS BECAUSE IS THE LOVED PUPPY OF THE BRITISH AND FRENCH BRANCH OF THE ROTHSCHILDS ? https://www.ansa.it/english/news/2014/06/02/grillo-suspects-vote-rigging-in-european-election-loss_0c72cfb7-d96e-448e-8724-2810303f771a.html The article 13 paragraph 2 of the law 124/2007 provides the possibility of access of the SECRET SERVICES to all the informatic systems of public administrations… With this law is possibile move IN FULL IMPUNITY MILLION OF VOTES in the final calculation. THE TEXT OF THE LAW 124/2007 WAS DRAFTED BY THE FORMER MINISTER OF INTERIOR giuliano amato, FORMER SENIOR ADVISOR OF DEUTSCHE BANK AND KNIGHT OF THE QUEEN. https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=it&tl=en&js=y&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.informarexresistere.fr%2F2014%2F05%2F30%2Fe-se-il-vero-segreto-di-stato-fosse-proprio-renzi%2F&edit-text= http://www.potiori.com/Order_of_St_Michael_and_St_George.html THE SHAMEFULL renzi’S GOVERNMENT IS REDUCING IN POVERTY THE ITALIAN PEOPLE IN ORDER TO SAVE SOME BANKRUPT BANKS AND TO BUY THE AIRPLANES F-35 OF LOCKHEED MARTIN. ” With a perfect synchronism (with Obama’s visit) the minister of defence Pinotti and the head of the Democratic Party Speranza have yesterday supported the purchase of the F-35 … About the military spending, both spoke of “economic compatibilities” and of the necessity to reduce the wastes. Among the wastes evidently there are not the 14 billion euro to be spent in the next years for 90 fighter-bombers able to make the war and to carry nuclear weapons and that are from the point of view economic and technological real frauds…..” http://translate.google.com/translate?sl=it&tl=en&js=y&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.unita.it%2Fpolitica%2Fpinotti-ai-militari-state-sereni-br-su-f35-nessun-passo-indietro-1.560093&edit-text= https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roberta_Pinotti ” Lynne Cheney [the wife of Dick Cheney ] served on Lockheed Corporation’s board of directors from 1994 to 2001.” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lynne_Cheney ” Perry [son-in-law of Dick Cheney] returned to Latham & Watkins as a partner….. serving as counsel on behalf of Fortune 500 clients such as Monsanto, defense contractor Lockheed Martin and others. ” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philip_Perry http://aanirfan.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/prince-william-sir-david-manning-and.html A) INPS (NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR SOCIAL SECURITY) CUTS THE PENSION TO ELDERLY OF THE CITY OF GELA (ITALY) THAT COMMITS SUICIDE. http://translate.google.com/translate?sl=it&tl=en&js=y&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&u=http%3A%2F%2Fricerca.gelocal.it%2Faltoadige%2Farchivio%2Faltoadige%2F2012%2F04%2F04%2FAB8PO_RA501.html&edit-text= B) 89 YEARS OLD THAT WAS IMMOBILIZED IN A BED AND LIVED ALONE, CARED BY NEIGHBORS, HAD ASKED FOR EIGHT TIMES THE DISABILITY BENEFIT THEN DIED WITHOUT RESPONSE. http://translate.google.com/translate?sl=it&tl=en&js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.superabile.it%2Fweb%2Fit%2FREGIONI%2FAbruzzo%2FSulla_stampa%2Finfo-443100957.html C) STORM OF SUICIDES RELATED TO LOSS OF JOBS AND DEBTS http://translate.google.com/translate?sl=it&tl=en&js=y&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stopcensura.com%2F2012%2F03%2Fraffica-di-suicidi-legati-alla-perdita.html&edit-text= D) ON 27 APRIL 2014 THE TRAITOR PRIME MINISTER OF ITALY matteo renzi HAS MET LARRY FINK, CEO OF BLACKROCK, IN ORDER TO AGREE THE SELLING OUT OF THE ITALIAN PUBLIC COMPANIES. https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=it&tl=en&js=y&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.lanotiziagiornale.it%2Fcomprare-tutto-e-rock-anzi-blackrockil-fondo-usa-al-5-della-popolare-di-milanouna-passione-per-le-banche-che-sa-tanto-di-mordi-e-fuggi%2F&edit-text= BLACKROCK IS CONTROLLED BY THE QUEEN AND THE ROTHSCHILDS. DERYCK C. MAUGHAN, A KNIGHT OF THE QUEEN, IS A DIRECTOR OF BLACKROCK. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deryck_Maughan ” Professor Joseph Stiglitz, former Chief Economist of the World Bank, ..goes public over the World Bank’s, “Four Step Strategy,” which is designed to enslave nations to the bankers….. Step One: Privatization. This is actually where national leaders are offered 10% commissions to their secret Swiss bank accounts in exchange for them trimming a few billion dollars off the sale price of national assets. Bribery and corruption, pure and simple. ” http://www.iamthewitness.com/books/Andrew.Carrington.Hitchcock/Synagogue.of.Satan/1998-2002.htm renzi, padoan AND company ARE PREPARING TO PUT IN THEIR POCKETS THE HUGE TANGENT OF 10%+++ ? https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pier_Carlo_Padoan 5) obama THAT WILL COCLUDE THE FREE TRADE DEAL TTIP ACTS LIKE A PROSTITUTE OF THE QUEEN. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-13489879 EUROPEAN UNION, THAT ALSO WILL CONCLUDE THE TTIP, IS WELL CONTROLLED BY GOLDMAN SACHS BECAUSE MARIO DRAGHI, THE CHIEF OF THE EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK, IS A MAN OF GOLDMAN SACHS. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/analysis-and-features/what-price-the-new-democracy-goldman-sachs-conquers-europe-6264091.html http://www.globalresearch.ca/bilderberg-2014-war-criminals-big-oil-and-too-big-to-jail-banksters-meet-in-secrecy/5384502 VANGUARD IS A BIG SHAREHOLDER OF GOLDMAN SACHS. http://investors.morningstar.com/ownership/shareholders-major.html?t=GS 6) ” The TPP is a massive, controversial “free trade” agreement currently being pushed by big corporations and negotiated behind closed doors by officials from the United States and 11 other countries – Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, and Vietnam. …………. Although it is called a “free trade” agreement, the TPP is not mainly about trade……….. We only know about the TPP’s threats thanks to leaks – the public is not allowed to see the draft TPP text. Even members of Congress, after being denied the text for years, are now only provided limited access. Meanwhile, more than 600 official corporate “trade advisors” have special access. The TPP has been under negotiation for five years, and the Obama administration wants to sign the deal by early 2014. Opposition to the TPP is growing at home and in many of the other countries involved.” http://www.citizen.org/tpp THESE DANGEROUS FREE TRADE DEALS ( TTIP TPP ) HAVE ECONOMIC NATURE BUT, VERY PROBABLY, IN THE FUTURE CAN LEAD TO MONETARY UNIONS AND AT THE END WE WILL HAVE A GLOBAL CURRENCY. ALSO THE EUROPEAN UNION STARTED LIKE ECONOMIC UNION BUT THEN BECAME A NAZI TOTALITARIAN MONETARY UNION. http://www.singleglobalcurrency.org/documents/ArticleEconomist1988GetReadyforthePhoenix_001.doc http://www.strategic-culture.org/news/2014/05/14/referenda-expose-illegal-western-regime-change-ukraine.html http://www.globalresearch.ca/the-wests-weaponization-of-democracy-elections-pushed-ahead-in-ukraine-obstructed-in-syria-so-mass-murder-can-continue/5384629 http://www.keeptalkinggreece.com/2014/06/02/eu-approves-genetically-modified-gm-food-crops-for-our-table/ 7)THE CRIMES OF THE ROTHSCHILDS IN MONTENEGRO, KOSOVO AND ITALY A) ” Montenegro: Mafia as Guarantor of Euro-Atlantic Integration ……. Milo Djukanovic, the Montenegrin dictator, said that joining NATO is a political priority for his country. http://www.strategic-culture.org/news/2012/04/10/montenegro-nato-doorstep-engagement-costs-steadily-rising.html It is emphasized that 2014 is a decisive year because Montenegro must be ready for the NATO’s September summit to be held in the United Kingdom. The expansion of the Alliance to the East will be an issue on the agenda………..According to documents in the possession of Italy’s prosecutor’s office and inquiries of independent journalists, Milo Djukanovic has had close ties with Italian and American mafia since a long time. A 409 – page report is added to the indictment brought by Italian prosecution. Prosecutor Giuseppe Scelsi has formally stated that Milo Djukanovic is the top boss of Montenegrin mafia. In the 1980s well-known mafiosi Della Torre organized large heroin supplies from Italy to the US East Coast. There was solid evidence that Della Torre was involved in money laundering. He got profit from heroin trade through Swiss banks, but Americans never brought charges against him with a string attached – he had to cooperate with the US special services. In 1996 the Italian mafiosi started to run his own chain involved in counterfeit cigarettes business. As sources confirm, he worked with Milo Djukanovic. The counterfeit cigarettes trade brought millions of dollars into the pockets of US intelligence. Many of truth pursuers, who stood in the way of the CIA and mafia alliance, paid with their lives, including two journalists: Dusko Jovanovic, the Editor of Montenegrin newspaper Dan, and Ivo Pukanic, Editor-in-Chief of Croatian weekly magazine National. Pukanic has published facts providing ample evidence of the Djukanovic and Subotić involvement in illegal cigarette trade. In March 2011 US Senator Richard Lugar formally proposed to make Georgia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia and Montenegro full-fledged NATO members. According to him, the expansion is of crucial importance for security and democracy in the Balkans. At the beginning of October 2013 Lugar met Djukanovic and said that «Montenegro is the number one candidate for membership in NATO». At the very same time Italian prosecutor Giuseppe Scelsi, who possessed irrefutable evidence of the fact that Djukanovic was involved in criminal activities, was charged in October 2013 with abuse of office. Today Washington lets Djukanovic know that if he makes Montenegro a NATO member, then all the accusations related to criminal activities will be lifted… In 1999 NATO started its expansion to the Balkans by committing a grave crime – an aggression against Yugoslavia. Nowadays the creation of criminal regimes on the territory of former Yugoslavia is a logical continuation of its policy. ” http://www.strategic-culture.org/news/2014/02/24/montenegro-mafia-as-guarantor-of-euro-atlantic-integration.html ” Celebrating: Nat Rothschild [SON OF JACOB ROTHSCHILD], left, Peter Munk and Milo Djukanovic, right, enjoy the celebrations…” http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2012882/Peter-Mandelson-parties-super-rich-Nat-Rothschild-Montenegro.html ( Montenegro Bought by Rothschild Family http://macedoniaonline.eu/content/view/19712/46 ) http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1080664/Nat-Rothschild-naughty-boy-says-mother-law.html B) ” Officially, the Americans are working hard to stamp out heroin production in Afghanistan, but in reality they, namely the CIA, are using the proceeds from the drug trade, including the illegal drug traffic to Kosovo from Afghanistan which is facilitated mainly via the Bondsteel Base, to replenish their secret coffers, at least that’s what American newspapers have recently been writing about. Milovan Drecun reports. Other reports mention a U.S. connection with a member of the terrorist Kosovo Liberation Army and a close friend of Kosovo Premier Hashim Taci who are believed to have been smuggling up to 150 kilos of heroin and cocaine at a time. These criminals were chummy with a cafй owner close to the Bondsteel Base and were doing business with the American officers there, Milovan Drecun adds. ” http://natomission.ru/en/security/article/security/artnews/69/ “The withdrawal of the Serbian police from Kosovo enabled Thaci’s gangsters to kidnap people in the province with no risk of meeting with resistance. Some sources are convinced that the kidnapped were placed and subjected to illicit extractions in the NATO bases. Indeed, 6 – 14 aircrafts took off at Camp Bondsteel NATO base in Kosovo daily, and suspicions multiply that the flights could be used to deliver human organs to recipients in West Europe, mostly in Great Britain. On January 7, 2011, 50 British surgeons voiced a call for the legalization of human organs trade, citing the steady increase in demand and the freedom of choice for those eager to be donors due to financial regards. No doubt, human organs trafficking has a potential to become a source of criminal enrichment on pars with the drug business. Der Spiegel argues that, in the global distribution of roles in the market of illicit transplantations, most of the buyers are found in the US, Canada, Israel, and Saudi Arabia while most of the donors – in China, India, the Philippines, Egypt, and Moldova. The independent Kosovo, a territory with a reputation of horror land, acts as a major trafficking hub in the framework” http://www.strategic-culture.org/news/2012/08/31/independent-kosovo-gangland-spills-savagery-worldwide-ii.html ” As side result U.S. created Bondsteel, one of the biggest U.S. military base in center of Europe – completely outside European/international jurisdiction – to serve also as secret torture/detention/investigation center of CIA.” https://arirusila.wordpress.com/2011/01/12/captured-pseudo-state-kosovo/ ” The plans to build Camp BONDSTEEL under a lucrative multibillion dollar DoD contract with HALLIBURTON’s Texas based subsidiary KBR were formulated while DICK CHENEY was HALLIBURTON’s CEO.” http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/02/390745.html ” It comes as no surprise that the VANGUARD Group is also currently a major shareholder in HALLIBURTON, the longtime war profiteer in Iraq. CHENEY’s investments in the VANGUARD Group are estimated at between $25 and $86 million, since exact numbers have not been released.” http://november.org/stayinfo/breaking08/Cheney_Gonzales_Indicted.html http://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/04/national/04halliburton.html C)BLOODY BARONS THAT CONTROL DEUTSCHE BANK AND NATO ARE INSTALLING THE POWERFUL AND DANGEROUS RADAR MUOS IN THE CITY OF NISCEMI (ITALY) WITH THE AID OF THEIR LOCAL MAFIA ” There are only three other ground stations like the Muos in the world, producing very high electromagnetic fields. And they’re all built in some desert areas of Virginia, Hawaii and Australia. In Sicily, for some mysterious reasons, it looked OK to place the Muos five kilometres from the town of Niscemi, in a unique nature reserve and way too close to the civil population. …….with serious risk of causing, in the short and long term, severe degenerative disease in the population, such as cancer and leukemia.” http://www.nowitaly.com/now-italy/15488/muos-an-ecological-bomb-in-the-mediterranean https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobile_User_Objective_System The Muos ” will be “an instrument of war that will contribute to change worldwide radically the conflict management”. The three antennas mounted at Niscemi are part of the collection of parables of one of the four planned terrestrial terminals provided worldwide. The Mobile User Objective System installed in Sicily will be connected with those located in Hawaii, Virginia and in Australia, through satellites orbiting at 15,000 kilometers from the Earth. The architecture of the system will be ready in 2016, when will be sent into orbit the last 3 satellites. Task of the Muos: accelerate, even 10 times the speed of sending informations and commands to all u.s. military equipment in the world. Including drones, which the Pentagon now uses “in large numbers” in its attack strategy: Niscemi, near Sigonella, will “cover” Africa, the Mediterranean and the Middle East.” http://translate.google.com/translate?sl=it&tl=en&js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&u=http%3A%2F%2Fcampagnadisobbedienzaciviledimassa.blogspot.it%2F2014%2F03%2Fniscemi-la-protesta-di-cui-i-media-non.html ” With the start of works, appeared as subcontractor “Calcestruzzi Piazza Srl”, company under observation by the investigative bodies for alleged criminal contiguity. According to Senator Giuseppe Lumia (Pd) that the 14 February 2012 presented a specific question to the Ministers of Defence and Interior, “Calcestruzzi Piazza” has as its sole director Concetta Valenti, whose husband is Vincenzo Piazza, that, on the basis of investigations of the anti-Mafia directorate (DDA) of Caltanissetta as well as other elements of info-investigative reports of the Police, appears strongly related to the well-known exponent of the mafia clan Giugno-Arcerito, Giancarlo Giugno, currently free in Niscemi… The program Muos was assigned in 2002 to the Lockheed Martin, the most powerful U.S. companies in the defense sector, manufacturer of the notorious fighter F-35, with over 126.000 employees and an annual turnover of 45,8 billions of dollars…. The total cost of the MUOS ? …the Government Accountaibility Office (GAO ), the Court of Auditors of the United States of America, … in a report of March 2011 has estimated a FINAL COST NOT LESS THAN $ 6.83 BILLION, excluding unforeseen events. ” http://therearenosunglasses.wordpress.com/2014/05/08/muos-and-drones-sicily-platform-of-the-wars-of-the-twenty-first-century/ AS WE HAVE ALREADY FOUND, LOCKHEED IS STRONGLY RELATED WITH DICK CHENEY AND THE ROTHSCHILDS. 8) THE DIRTY WAR OF THE ROTHSCHILDS IN AFGHANISTAN FOR THE DRUG AND THE GOLD. A) ” Afghan H-bomb: Record opium harvest, billions burn in ‘war on drugs’ It cannot be overemphasised: drugs were the real reason Coalition forces invaded Afghanistan and toppled the Taliban. Poppy fields in HELMAND Province. In 2000, the year before the U.S. led invasion the then ruling Taliban banned the cultivation of poppies as a sin against Islam. By spring of the following year Afghanistan’s once thriving drugs trade was all but dead. In less than one growing season the edict brought to a close a narcotics industry that had formerly produced three-quarters of the world’s opium. Or so it seemed. By the end of 2001, the U.S. led invasion also brought a revival of Afghanistan’s drugs trade. From that point on Afghanistan’ narcotics trade went from strength to strength. So that from having produced virtually no narcotics in the final year of the Taliban’s rule, Afghanistan is now producing over 80% of the world’s opium and heroin. This is the real legacy of the U.S. led invasion. Not “freedom” or even the eradication of the Taliban, who will remain a potent threat for whoever sits in Kabul when Coalition forces finally withdraw at the end of the year. Apart from the many thousands of wounded, maimed and dead, the real legacy of the U.S. led invasion is a revived drugs trade and millions of drug addicted Afghans. According to a recent U.N. estimate between 3% and 4% of Afghans are now addicted to drugs. This is what the U.S. led invasion has really brought Afghanistan. Transforming it in little more than a decade from a nation that was well on the way to becoming free of narcotics to one of the most drug dependent nations on Earth….. The British Empire had done pretty much the same thing during the Opium War, when China prohibited the sale of opium imported from India. Britain had been trading the narcotic from its Indian Crown Colony for Chinese silk and tea. However, recognising the growing number of addicts it produced the Chinese had outlawed the trade and war followed. Being the pre-eminent global power at the time assured Britain of victory and a continuation of the opium trade …” http://www.thetruthseeker.co.uk/?p=94277 ( U.K. IMPLICATED IN AFGHANISTAN DRUG TRADE http://theunhivedmind.com/wordpress/?p=15655 ) WHO HAS CONCRETE INTERESTS IN THE CULTIVATION OF OPIUM POPPIES IN AFGHANISTAN ? ” PRINCE CHARLES INSPECTS HIS MOTHER’S POPPY FIELDS IN HELMAND April 15, 2010 • 9:00AM On March 25-26, Prince Charles visited British troops in Afghanistan, becoming the most senior royal to visit British troops there. He received a briefing from Gen. Stanley McChrystal, U.S. commander [editor confused whether it is “British” or “U.S.” commander] of all foreign troops in the country. The Guardian reported that “during a two-day visit amid tight security, he was flown by Chinook helicopter to Lashkar Gar, capital of Helmand province, where he met local leaders, the Governor Gulab Mangal, and British soldiers at a patrol base surrounded by opium poppy and wheat fields (emphasis added).”…….” http://larouchepac.com/node/14178 http://www.globalresearch.ca/the-worlds-most-powerful-private-club-bilderbergs-silent-takeover-of-britains-60bn-defense-budget/5382698 AND PRINCE HARRY SUPERVISES HIS GRANDMOTHER’S POPPY FIELDS ? http://www.cnn.com/2013/01/21/world/asia/prince-harry-afghanistan-foster/index.html ” By the 19th century – British Queen Victoria was the biggest drug trafficker. Even Queen Victoria used Opium ( Laudanum ), and records exist in the Royal Apothecary at Balmoral, as to how many times Opium was passed on to the royal palace. A lot of British noblemen were Opium eaters………. .. http://greatgameindia.wordpress.com/2013/04/14/the-rothschild-colonization-of-india/ “Wait, Why Is J.P. Morgan Chase Mining Gold In Afghanistan? ” http://nyulocal.com/national/2012/09/14/wait-why-is-j-p-morgan-chase-mining-gold-in-afghanistan/ 9) GENOCIDAL SATANISTS TRY TO SAVE THE FRANKLIN TEMPLETON WITH THE BLOOD OF THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN UKRAINE USING THEIR AGENT lagarde. http://www.globalresearch.ca/imf-regime-change-with-christine-lagarde-us-corporations-enter-the-french-government/24895 http://www.zimbio.com/photos/Hrh+Prince+Charles/Christine+Lagarde A)…Overall, Franklin Templeton holds about $6.4bn, MORE THAN A THIRD OF THE COUNTRY’S INTERNATIONAL DOLLAR BONDS, according to filings. Some of the group’s biggest funds bought Ukrainian bonds at the end of last year, before the violence sparked the strong swings in the market, according to Bloomberg data. You can thus argue that Franklin Templeton was saved by the IMF… ” http://ipezone.blogspot.ro/2014/03/imf-bails-out-ukraine-bails-out.html ” The IMF money comes with stringent terms, asking for various cuts and economic reforms. In the case of Ukraine, the requirements include a 50 percent increase in the price of gas for households, as well as a quick pension reform and lower government spending. ” http://www.strategic-culture.org/news/2014/05/01/imf-gives-green-light-for-17-bn-ukraine-aid-package.html MARK MOBIUS, A KEY PERSON OF FRANKLIN TEMPLETON, IS CLOSELY CONNECTED WITH JOHN TEMPLETON, THE QUEEN OF ENGLAND AND THE ROTHSCHILDS. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Mobius ” In 1987, Queen Elizabeth II bestowed him [John Templeton] the honor of knighthood …” http://seekingalpha.com/article/1322121-investment-wisdom-from-the-late-sir-john-templeton http://wikimapia.org/6825620/fr/Chateau-de-Pregny http://www.panoramio.com/photo/77169200 http://www.waddesdon.org.uk/ http://www.thefullwiki.org/Waddesdon_Manor http://www.thefullwiki.org/Ascott_House FRANKLIN TEMPLETON IS ALSO THE BIGGEST SHAREHOLDER OF BP . http://investors.morningstar.com/ownership/shareholders-major.html?t=BP https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deepwater_Horizon_oil_spill http://beforeitsnews.com/financial-markets/2011/04/uk-memos-reveal-iraq-invasion-oil-industry-ties-581474.html http://www.thomhartmann.com/forum/2014/03/lord-jacob-rothschild-connection-madeleine-albright-and-george-soros B) ARE JACOB ROTHSCHILD, BENJAMIN DE ROTHSCHILD, EVELYN DE ROTHSCHILD, ERIC DE ROTHSCHILD AND DAVID DE ROTHSCHILD INVOLVED IN THE GENOCIDES OF THE RUSSIAN PEOPLE IN UKRAINE ? ” The US, Britain and other Western allies have emerged as allies to the revival of Nazism in Ukraine. The regime that the Western powers helped to illegally install in Kiev in February earlier this year, by covert CIA-sponsored murderous street agitation, are the self-proclaimed heirs to the legacy of former Ukrainian fascists who collaborated with Nazi Germany in its attempted conquest of Russia, beginning in June 1941 with Operation Barbarossa. …. Bear in mind, too, that the Americans and British did not launch their European offensive against Nazi Germany until the summer of 1944, despite several appeals from the Soviet leader, Josef Stalin, for the Western allies to join the struggle sooner and thus alleviate Russia…. The British ruling class was particularly instrumental in Hitler’s aggrandizement of power….” http://www.strategic-culture.org/news/2014/05/10/western-reset-of-fascist-aggression-towards-russia.html http://aangirfan.blogspot.ca/2014/03/nato-troops-shot-both-sides-in-ukraine.html http://tonyseed.wordpress.com/2014/03/08/nato-trained-ukrainian-fifth-column/ http://www.globalresearch.ca/stop-the-nato-war-games-on-russias-doorstep-the-petition-the-british-government-tried-to-ban/5384360 CIA IS RELATED WITH ROTHSCHILDS CORPORATIONS, AMONG THEM THERE IS ALSO JP MORGAN. http://wallstreetonparade.com/2014/02/jpmorgan-vice-president%E2%80%99s-death-in-london-shines-a-light-on-the-bank%E2%80%99s-close-ties-to-the-cia/ AL QAEDA IS A CREATION OF CIA. http://www.strategic-culture.org/news/2013/09/12/us-created-al-qaeda-and-their-global-domination-rick-rozoff-on-9-11.html http://sarabia.blogspot.ro/2010/10/saudis-and-9-11.html http://aanirfan.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/nato-attacks-iraq.html https://syrianfreepress.wordpress.com/2014/05/23/kiev-nato-junta-joins-al-qaeda/ http://www.globalresearch.ca/is-boko-haram-an-intelligence-asset-terror-attack-in-nigeria-opens-door-to-africom/5381612 http://www.strategic-culture.org/news/2014/02/19/cold-war-cia-coup-templates-back-in-business-around-world.html http://www.strategic-culture.org/news/2013/12/16/ukraine-nato-eastern-prize.html ” The root of the problem is the NATO expansion to the East and the US attempts to re-orient Ukraine and make it turn to the West. Americans view Ukraine as a backward state at the Russian border going out of control. ” http://www.strategic-culture.org/news/2014/05/05/is-german-chancellor-authorized-to-rule-europe.html ” “When the Soviet Union was collapsing in late 1991, [Defense Secretary Dick Cheney] wanted to see the dismemberment not only of the Soviet Union and the Russian empire but of Russia itself, so it could never again be a threat to the rest of the world.” That can serve as an early marker for the new cold war while the corpse of the old one was still warm. Soon thereafter, NATO began to surround Russia with military bases, missile sites, and NATO members, while yearning for perhaps the most important part needed to complete the circle – Ukraine.” http://politicalfilm.wordpress.com/2014/05/09/anti-empire-report-128/ “…Biden seems to have been given the «Ukraine file» since he has taken an inordinate personal involvement in supporting the Maidan protests which sparked last November against the incumbent elected President Viktor Yanukovych. It was Biden who phoned Yanukovych days before he was forced out of office by the fascist Svoboda and Right Sector paramilitaries on February 22 to say «game over»…” http://www.strategic-culture.org/news/2014/05/04/kiev-murders-civilians-with-orwellian-western-collusion.html joe biden IS A PUPPET OF THE NATO-ROTHSCHILDS. ” Biden was also co-chair of the NATO Observer Group in the Senate ” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Biden http://www.globalresearch.ca/polish-death-squads-fighting-in-ukraine-cia-covert-operation/5384210 [getty src=\\\"491924679\\\" width=\\\"391\\\" height=\\\"594\\\"] #491924679 / gettyimages.com “.. Nuland [ former US ambassador to NATO] was caught on tape choosing “Yats” [Arseniy Yatsenuk] to be the frontman for US/NATO interests… Arseniy Yatsenuk’s own foundation website prominently lists, as William Blum noted: NATO, the National Endowment for Democracy, the US State Department, Chatham House (Royal Institute of International Affairs in the UK)…..” http://www.strategic-culture.org/news/2014/05/15/odessa-massacre-carefully-staged-covert-intelligence-operation.html http://openukraine.org/en/about/partners http://www.globalresearch.ca/the-u-s-has-installed-a-neo-nazi-government-in-ukraine/5371554 http://www.globalresearch.ca/farcical-elections-in-ukraine-staging-ground-escalation-of-conflict-hostilities/5383868 C) ” On April 12, 2014 the Ukrainian military first clashed with the people of Slavyansk, a small city eastern part of Ukraine …… Slavyansk was founded in 1696 by Don Cossacks upon the order of Tsar Alexey to defend Russia from raids of Crimean Tatars…….After the revolution the lands populated by Don Cossacks became part of Ukraine but the population remained Russian and continued to speak Russian language. In 2013 Shell made known its plans to start extraction of shale gas here in violation of ecologic norms. The contract envisioned taking property away from owners in case it stood in the way of cleaning the space for drilling. Slavyansk is where the first wells are to appear according to the plans. …. It’s not an occasion that Slavyansk and Kramatorsk have become the areas of the fiercest battles between the regular military and insurgents while the city of Izium serves as the main springboard for launching operations against Russians and Russian speakers in the south-east of Ukraine. The regular forces are supported by irregular formations of Neo-Nazi organization Pravy Sector, private units created for punitive actions by Ukrainian tycoon Igor Kolomoisky and mercenaries hired by US private military company Greystone. The choice of area for waging combat actions is a proof that the Kiev regime serves the business interests of Shell… ” http://www.strategic-culture.org/news/2014/05/17/ukraine-military-crimes-and-interests-transnational-corporations.html https://syrianfreepress.wordpress.com/2014/06/06/ukraine-ethnic-cleansing-in-course-of-work/ SHELL IS RELATED WITH DEUTSCHE BANK AND THE ROTHSCHILDS. Josef Ackermann, former CEO of Deutsche Bank, is a director of Shell. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josef_Ackermann THE NAZI PRAVY SECTOR IS CONNECTED WITH JP MORGAN AND THE ROTHSCHILDS. ” Kolomoyskyi is the co-founder of the PrivatBank … and was appointed Chairman of its Board of Directors in 1997.” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Igor_Kolomoisky ” The annual JP Morgan Chase Bank’s confirmation of PrivatBank’s high quality proceedings has already become a tradition. For the sixth year in a row the leader of the global financial market handed PrivatBank its prestigious Quality Recognition Award that is adjudicated to the best correspondent banks for their exquisitive and high skill quality of their automatic processing of payments.” http://old.privatbank.ua/info/eng/pressrelise/readrelease_new.stm?fileName=dpr_DNH0_257e.html http://www.sott.net/article/279192-Paris-Match-exposes-the-hands-of-fascists-in-Krasnoarmeysk-killings http://www.strategic-culture.org/news/2014/05/14/nazism-immunity-to-change.html ” ..Moscow has said that it has evidence that up to 300 mercenaries from the US-based private security firms Blackwater (renamed Academi) and a subsidiary, known as Greystone, are active in Ukraine..” http://www.strategic-culture.org/news/2014/05/04/kiev-murders-civilians-with-orwellian-western-collusion.html BLACKWATER IS RELATED ALSO WITH MONSANTO, CIA AND BILL GATES, A KNIGHT OF THE QUEEN. http://disinfo.com/2011/01/a-link-between-monsanto-blackwater-bill-gates/ http://archive.today/20120711183804/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/3428673.stm http://www.globalresearch.ca/ukraine-the-corporate-annexation-for-cargill-chevron-monsanto-its-a-gold-mine-of-profits/5375170 ” The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation’s investments in MONSANTO and CARGILL ” http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/poverty-matters/2010/sep/29/gates-foundation-gm-monsanto http://www.globalresearch.ca/big-pharma-and-the-gates-foundation-guinea-pigs-for-the-drugmakers/5384374 D) THE MASSACRE OF RUSSIAN PEOPLE IN ODESSA BY PRAVY SECTOR-ROTHSCHILDS ” man was shot in the head. Judging from clearly visible blood puddle, the murderer fired at point-blank so the bullet passed through the skull.” ” Dead woman near the elevator with clothes absent below her waist. Most likely, she was raped, then doused with a flammable mixture and set aflame.” ” a pregnant woman, who was one of the employees working on holidays, cleaning offices and watering flowers. She was strangled by an electric wire. She tried to resist – one can see discarded flower on the floor. ” http://www.strategic-culture.org/news/2014/05/06/how-thugs-killed-odessa-inhabitants-in-trade-unions-house-details-bloody-scenario.html http://www.strategic-culture.org/news/2014/05/06/genocide-novorossiya-swan-song-ukrainian-statehood.html http://www.strategic-culture.org/news/2014/05/15/odessa-massacre-victims-died-in-seconds-not-from-smoke-emergency-service-chief.html E) ” The foreign chiefs of 28 EU member-states are going to get together in the capital of Belgium on May 5 to discuss more sanctions against Russia. Meeting President Obama Angela Merkel already said the EU is ready to introduce a new package of anti-Russian sanctions. The German Chancellor appears to take the reins into her hands and rule Europe without asking for partners’ consent…. But Ukraine has special importance for Germany. Kiev uses Western money to form «death squadrons» to fight Novorossia the same way the Nazi Germany used Ukrainian nationalists. They manned police units, the battalions Nachtigall and Roland, the division Galicia, the local administrations of occupants and were trained in German intelligence training camps. Hundreds of thousands became their victims: Poles, Jews and Ukrainians while Russians were always the main target…… ” http://www.strategic-culture.org/news/2014/05/05/is-german-chancellor-authorized-to-rule-europe.html http://www.sott.net/article/279245-Is-Germany-involved-in-Ukraine-and-to-what-extent http://www.theguardian.com/world/gallery/2011/may/24/barack-obama-uk-state-visit-in-pictures?picture=374933181 http://www.zimbio.com/photos/Queen+Elizabeth+II/Angela+Merkel https://syrianfreepress.wordpress.com/2014/06/04/terrorist-attacks-on-aleppo-homs-kill-73/ http://www.strategic-culture.org/news/2014/05/07/obama-bloodbath-odessa-and-west-demonization-putin-continues.html http://www.globalresearch.ca/obamas-foreign-policy-a-us-military-intelligence-agenda-which-seeks-to-destabilize-the-planet/5384367 https://syrianfreepress.wordpress.com/2014/06/09/usa-admission-of-sending-lethal-aid-in-syria-strategy-for-invasion/ ” Chancellor Angela Merkel has an unusual obsession with the works of the occult composer Richard Wagner, who was a Satanist. She made her obsession known in an interview with the newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung in July 2005…and Hitler stated that the music of Wagner occupied his mind…” http://www.his-forever.com/angela_merkel_and_adolph_hitler.htm ” economic sanctions constitute a business, obviously not for those who suffer them, but for those who can offer the service to bypass them…. A country hit by “Western” sanctions can indeed safely continue to do its business, but obviously paying a bribe more than fair to the “Western” banks…” https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=it&tl=en&js=y&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.comedonchisciotte.org%2Fsite%2Fmodules.php%3Fname%3DForums%26file%3Dviewtopic%26t%3D71157&edit-text= https://ph.news.yahoo.com/jpmorgan-fined-breaking-us-sanctions-cuba-iran-194222324.html","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1138487"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7812875509262085,"wiki_prob":0.7812875509262085,"text":"Quincy Pondexter Bio: Family, Career & Net Worth\nBasketballNBA\nSanjib Sah\nThis article was last updated by krishna Gurung on January 20, 2023\nBecoming a great player is not easy as it takes hard work, perseverance, and strength to rise above all outer and inner doubts and fulfil your goals.\nQuincy Pondexter is a mentionable name in the history of the National Basketball Association (NBA) history; he always went forward to build his career no matter what the situation was.\nThe shooting guard, Pondexter, is a professional basketball player. He played in NBA for multiple teams like New Orleans Hornets, Memphis Grizzlies, New Orleans Pelicans, Chicago Bulls, and San Antonio Spurs.\nMoreover, Quincy played basketball in high school and all four years in college.\nPondexter gained popularity early on from his high school years, and it continues to the present day.\nHis uncle Cliff Pondexter played for NBA for three seasons, and his father, Roscoe, played basketball for Italy and Argentina for ten years. Now Quincy is adding his name.\nQuincy Pondexter, an American Basketball Player\nThe forward Quincy was born on March 10, 1988, in Fresno, California, USA. He has strong family support for his career. Pondexter feels lucky to have his family; he says his family provided him everything when he was a kid.\nLet’s check quick facts before we can go further into Quincy’s life.\nQuick Facts about Quincy Pondexter\nFull Name Quincy Coe Pondexter\nBirth Date March 10, 1988\nBirth Place Fresno, California, USA\nNick Name Not Available\nReligion Not Available\nEthnicity Afro-American\nEducation University of Washington\nTeam New Orleans Hornets, Memphis Grizzlies, New Orleans Pelicans, Chicago Bulls, San Antonio Spurs\nFather’s Name Roscoe Pondexter\nMother’s Name Doris Pondexter\nSiblings Myisha Pondexter (Sister)\nBody Measurement Not Available\nBuild Not Available\nMarried No\nProfession Professional Basketball Player\nPosition Small Forward/Shooting Guard\nRetirement Active\nSocial Media Facebook, Twitter, Instagram\nPondexter | Age | Weight | Height | Horoscope\nThe NBA star, Pondexter, is 32 years old. He is taller than most, with 6 feet and 7 inches in height, and weighs 230 lbs (104 kg).\nQuincy got an attractive personality and athletic body for a successful basketball career.\nPondexter, an athletic personality\nBeing born on the 10th of March makes Quincy a Pisces. Pisces are kind, creative, and family-oriented. Pondexter is close to his family.\nWe often catch him thanking his family member for his achievements. The kind soul has his moments of ups and downs, which he dealt with his family’s support.\nPondexter, an attractive personality on the basketball court\nYet, in Chinese astrology, Quincy is a Dragon. Dragons are ambitious and seek leadership.\nAccording to sources, Pondexter often wanted to lead his team; sometimes, he wanted it bad. He is a powerful player and likes adventure.\nYou might be interested in reading: Dante Cunningham Bio: NBA, CBA, Controversies & Salary>>\nQuincy Pondexter | Family | Education\nEarly Life | Family\nQuincy Pondexter was born to Roscoe Pondexter and Doris Pondexter. Roscoe himself played basketball internationally. Roscoe’s brother Cliff also was an NBA player.\nMoreover, Quincy has a sister named Myisha Pondexter and a brother named Clifford starred.\nMyisha has a unique role in Quincy’s life. She has a very protective instinct for her brother.\nMoreover, Myisha fought with boys on the Fresno basketball court so that Quincy can play. Myisha admits that she would be Quincy’s bodyguard to make sure no one could create any obstacles in his path.\nQuincy, as a kid\nIn addition to Myisha’s protective instinct, Quincy’s father kept pushing him further. Roscoe told him to focus on the opportunity he had in front of him and keep going forward.\nFurthermore, Roscoe assured him to fulfil all his needs so that Quincy can concentrate on playing.\nThe international star, Roscoe, did not want his son to face the hardship he had. Roscoe is very close to his son Quincy; let’s check the fun tweet dedicated to his father.\nMore than anything else, Pondexter needed his family’s counsel and to be around them.\nWhether Pondexter was doing well or not, his family was always there to support him. He says his family has always come first.\nFurthermore, the NBA veteran Pondexter went to San Joaquin Memorial High School in Fresno, California, where he started playing basketball.\nAfter that, he continued playing, carving out his excellent NBA career.\nPondexter | Wife | Girlfriend\nEveryone would love to know whether the good looking player Pondexter is dating someone or not. He is not married but does he have someone in his life?\nIt can be an excellent question to ask. Quincy is active on social platforms, but he has never said or written anything about his special someone.\nPondexter’s female fans will be eagerly waiting to get the news and cherish him more.\nQuincy Pondexter | Career\nBefore Quincy has had a decade long NBA career, he became famous from his high school years and college years.]\nCollege Career\nThe basketball shooter joined the University of Washington in Seattle to further his education and basketball career. He played basketball all his four years of college, being the Huskies.\nThere were times when Quincy’s college completion was questionable, but he completed his education and moved forward toward his basketball career.\nJayson Tatum Bio: Basketball Career, Son & Net Worth>>\nDuring freshman year, Pondexter was chosen as a starter when he scored 21 points and 7 rebounds against Pepperdine. He completed his first year with a mention on the Pac-10 All-Freshman team.\nMoreover, Quincy got his starting lineup position back at the beginning of the sophomore year. But he lost his position for 7 games.\nPondexter finds his Sophomore year most difficult as his fellow team members started transferring, and he was left alone.\nHis performance dipped that, and he struggled to go up again. Yet Quincy rebound with an average score of 15.2 points and 6.4 rebounds in total 5 games.\nQuincy, playing as the Huskies.\nIn addition to better performance, Pondexter won the Industrial Award for the hardest worker.\nMoreover, the rising star Quincy got to be captain of his team with Justin Dentmon and Jon Brockman just before his junior season.\nAfter few losses, Pondexter took the Huskies to the top of the Pac-10 conference standings, and he also delivered a victory against USC with 22 points and 5 rebounds.\nHis junior seasons were both good and bad for the team, but Quincy had a good year.\nDuring senior year, Quincy won a bronze medal while participating in the World University Games. He started his senior year with 25 points and 11 rebounds in a 96-78 victory against Belmont.\nMoreover, the Huskies won against San Jose State, scoring 30 points and 15 rebounds. Pondexter concluded his college career with the third-highest scoring player in school history.\nRJ Barrett: Family, Basketball Career & Net Worth>>\nIn the 2010 NBA draft, Quincy got selected by the Oklahoma City Thunder, but the New Orlean Hornets acquired him in an exchange setting.\nAgain in 2011, New Orleans exchanged Pondexter with Greivis Vasquez to the Memphis Grizzlies.\nJalen McDaniels Bio: Basketball Career, Brother, Salary & Wiki >>\nAfter three seasons with New Orleans, Quincy got injured in the 2013-14 season, which led to missing the season. He went through foot surgery at the end of the year.\nAfter the first few months with Memphis in the 2014-15 season, Quincy was traded back the New Orleans. His second-time entry with the Orleans, now called the Pelicans, was better than before.\nPondexter in 2014-15 stint gave his best performance with an average of 9 points per game with 25 points against the Brooklyn Nets.\nIn the following years, from 2015 to 2017, Quincy went through multiple knee surgeries, leaving me out of the basketball court.\nHe could not appear in the 2015-16 and 2016-2017 seasons for the Pelicans. Further, he suffered from a life-threatening skin infection.\nIn September 2017, Pondexter entered the Chicago Bulls, the team his uncle Cliff played for. In October, he played his first game against the Toronto Raptors and was again released by the Bulls in February 2018.\nIn August 2018, the iconic player Pondexter yet again signed a one year contract with the San Antonio Spurs based in San Antonio.\nYou can watch Quincy’s career statistics on the website of basketball-reference.\nQuincy Pondexter | Personal Life\nQuincy and Dorothy Wang\nPondexter dated Rich Kids of Beverly Hills star Dorothy Wang. The duo was seen together numerous times. They also sent on basketball outings together.\nHowever, Dorothy later made it clear that they were just friends and would love to be in each other’s life without romantic involvement.\nQuincy and Dorothy, along with some friends, provided gifts and donations to some staff members from Valley’s Children hospital’s oncology department in 2015.\nQuincy Pondexter (fourth from the back) and Dorothy Wang (third from front)\nQuincy Pondexter loves mentoring children and youths. He is often seen conducting youth camps back home every year.\nIt’s almost inevitable for a sportsperson to get injured. Quincy has injured himself quite a few times, but the incident in 2016/2017 turned out to be deadly.\nHe was on the bed rest for almost a year. It was a life-threatening infection which made Quincy think that he might die.\nIt started after a game when his knee bothered him. The pain worsened with time, with nothing seen in the reports.\nWith several surgeries and medication, he finally made it to the field. The miracle of faith and prayers from his wellwishers worked for the basketball player.\nQuincy Pondexter | Net Worth | Salary\nCurrently, Quincy is playing for the Spurs. He has been playing with the NBA since 2010, starting with the New Orleans. In his decade career, he has accumulated quite a net worth.\nAs of 2023, Quincy has an estimated net worth of $20 million.\nIn Quincy’s starting the year 2010/11 with the New Orleans Pelicans, he was paid approximately $1,073,280.\nWith Memphis Grizzlies, it went up to $2.2 million, and with the Chicago Bulls, it was almost $3.8 million.\nMoreover, Pondexter made a one year contract with the San Antonio Spurs of around $2 million in 2018/19.\nIn his entire career, Quincy has made a total of $21,852,359.\nThe iconic phenomenon Quincy has a bright future ahead of him, which will increase his net worth.\nYou may also want to read about another basketball star, DeAndre’ Bembry.\nDeAndre’ Bembry Bio: Basketball Career, Family Tragedy, Contract, & Wiki >>\nIs Quincy Pondexter active on social platforms?\nThe kind soul Quincy seems to be quite active on social platforms. He has Facebook, Instagram, and a Twitter account.\nPondexter looks friendly and in a celebrating mood in most of his posts.\nBesides career moves, Pondexter has posts related to his family, fans, and fellow players. Quincy has set very positive energy through his social accounts.\nQuincy openly talks about injustice and demand justice for everyone. Moreover, he wants to spread only love through social media. Quincy stays very active in the community work, which we can see on various posts.\nInstagram 77.5k followers, 860 followings\nTwitter 69k followers, 869 following\nFacebook 48k followers\nVisit NBA Stats to know more about Pondexter’s career.\nCommon Queries about Quincy Pondexter\nIs Quincy Pondexter dating?\nNot sure. Pondexter is secretive about his personal life. He cherishes his family a lot, and we can see that clearly through his social media posts, but he has never talked about his dating history.\nIs Cliff Pondexter related to Quincy’s?\nYes. Cliff Pondexter is Quincy’s uncle. He was a centre/forward player, played three seasons with the Chicago Bulls from 1975-1978.\nIs Quincy retired from the NBA?\nNo. Pondexter is still playing for the San Antonio Spurs. There is no news on renewing his contract with the Spurs, but he is still active.\nDid Roscoe Pondexter play for NBA?\nNo. Roscoe is Quincy’s father. The Boston Celtics picked Roscoe as a third pick, but he chose to play basketball overseas.\nVelda Weaver April 29, 2021 At 6:42 am\nNice article. Quincy’s brother’s name is Jason. Clifton is his uncle.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1538413"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.656855583190918,"wiki_prob":0.34314441680908203,"text":"Home defibrillators gain in popularity\n​CBC News interviewed W21C Researcher and PhD Student Nicole Percival about the purchasing of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDS) for home use for an article published in March 5, 2012. Nicole has extensively studied the design of AEDs in our Health Care Human Factors Laboratory.\nAs cardiac defibrillators become more commonplace in public spaces, some people are even buying the expensive devices for their home.\nDemand for the machines is on the rise, said Brianna Welsh, a purchaser at a Calgary medical supply store.\n“I’m not sure if it’s that we have an aging population, or that the status of the health of our population, but that could be one of the factors,” she said.\n“Definitely I think it will be going up and it has been going up.”\nDefibrillators can help save a person who is in cardiac arrest by shocking the heart back into its normal rhythm.\nDrugstores are now stocking them for the health conscious consumer.\nBut before spending more than $1,300, talk to your doctor to assess whether you need one, said Nicole Percival, who studies defibrillator design at the University of Calgary’s faculty of medicine.\n“I think it’s a good idea if you’re high risk population, especially if you can have your family members trained on how to use the defibrillator. Just to have them really comfortable in the use of it in case of an emergency,” she said.\nOfficials at the Canadian Red Cross agree, but caution consumers that a defibrillator doesn’t replace first aid training.\nW21C welcomed the Royal Tour\nAllowing a seamless transition from the hospital back into the community","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line99933"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9554814100265503,"wiki_prob":0.9554814100265503,"text":"Students find research, publication opportunities as undergraduates\nPenn State World Campus Student Affairs encourages and supports students participating in undergraduate research and provides funding for student engagement and co-curricular activities.\nBy Hilary Appelman\nUNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Rachel Foster and Shannon Ryan collaborated for months on a research project about sexual violence and the #MeToo movement, but the two Penn State World Campus undergraduates didn’t meet in person until they presented their findings together at an academic conference.\nFoster and Ryan were invited to present at the Northeastern Association of Criminal Justice Sciences conference in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, in June. This week they will present at the Midwest Criminal Justice Association conference in Chicago on “#Metoo, Interrupted: How Media Framing Affects Public Perceptions of Pervasive Sexual Violence.”\nThe chance to conduct research “opened up a lot of opportunities I didn’t know existed,” said Ryan, who is pursuing a dual degree in criminal justice and integrated social sciences. The project has been a high point of her Penn State career so far, she said.\nFoster and Ryan received support to attend both conferences from Penn State World Campus Student Affairs, which provides funding for student engagement activities and co-curricular activities. The office also provided support that made it possible for five students to virtually co-present at a national conference for student affairs professionals in March.\nWorld Campus Student Affairs Director Ashley Adams said her office strongly encourages and supports students participating in undergraduate research.\n“Co-curricular learning opportunities like these — and others such as study abroad, alternative breaks, leadership and service programs — allow students to apply what they are learning in their courses to improve the world around them,\" she said.\nShauntey James, assistant teaching professor of criminal justice at the Penn State Harrisburg School of Public Affairs, supervised Foster and Ryan’s research, which she said demonstrated Penn State’s commitment to providing opportunities for undergraduates — including online learners — to carry out research.\n“Just because you’re online doesn’t mean you can’t take advantage of university experiences,” James said.\nRyan and Foster got to know each other through discussion posts and video sessions while taking courses online with James. When James invited them to do research outside of class, “they jumped right on board,” James said.\n“We all kind of recognized a similar passion,” Ryan said.\nOver the summer, the two conducted their research into internalized misogyny and sexual assault — Ryan working from Philadelphia and Foster from Nescopeck, Pennsylvania, 120 miles away. The two took part in regular Zoom video conversations with James.\nRyan and Foster said they cherished the opportunity to do research and make professional contacts in the criminal justice field while still undergraduates. There were only a few other students, and no other online students, at the Williamsport conference.\nJames “guided us through everything from the basics to understanding different aspects of research,” said Foster, who is studying criminal justice with a particular interest in immigration and civil rights law. “She’s really been a great mentor.”\nJames “has really gone out of her way for us,” Ryan said. “Even though we’re separated across the state, Dr. James has really been able to pull us together and collaborate.”\nRyan and Foster have also created the Society for Collegiate Social Science Researchers, a club aimed at encouraging undergraduates and faculty from all Penn State campuses to collaborate on research.\nMike Dawson\n• [email protected]\nVIEW ALL NEWS AND FEATURES\nMilitary Student Experience Webinar\nJanuary 26, 2023 / 8:00 pm (EST) – 8:30 pm (EST)\nLearn More about Military Student Experience Webinar View All Events","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line279529"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6498621106147766,"wiki_prob":0.3501378893852234,"text":"Puri Rath Yatra Tour Package – The Gateway to Heaven\nOdisha Tour\nRath Yatra, so-called the Car Festival, is one of the much-anticipated Hindu festivals that celebrated every year on the second day of the Shukla Paksha (waxing cycle of the moon) in the period of Ashadha, the third month as per the lunar schedule of India. On this auspicious day, the deities come out of the temple, breaking the barrier of caste, religion, & creed, giving the message of oneness to the world.\nThe festival commemorates Lord Jagannath’s annual visit to The Shree Gundicha Temple via Mausi Maa Temple (Dedicated to Goddess Ardhashini), along with his elder brother Lord Balabhadra, and younger sister Devi Subhadra. The universal lord is accompanied by Sudarshana chakra. The deities remain there for nine days. During the return journey (Bahuda yatra), the chariot of the deities stops for a while near Mausi Maa temple and offer their favorite “Poda Pitha”, a special type of pancake meant for the poor.\nThe world famous “Puri Rath Yatra” is well-known among sightseers for its religious flavor. And, the premier epicenter for this celebration is Puri, Odisha; one of the four noteworthy Hindu places of worship (“Char Dhams”) – The Badrinath Dham in the north, The Ramanath Dham (Rameswaram) in the south, The Dwarikanath Dham (Swarika) in the west. Millions of devotees from all around the globe land in Puri to participate in this festival & pull the chariots with full eagerness.\nEvery year, the chariots are constructed new with the wood of specified trees. Lord Jagannath’s chariot is called Nandighosa. It’s forty-five feet high and forty-five feet square at the wheel level, & has sixteen wheels. Each wheel is of seven-foot in diameter, and the chariot is decked with a cover made of red and yellow cloth. The chariot of Lord Balabhadra is called the Taladhwaja & its forty-four feet high. It has fourteen wheels & each of them is seven-foot in diameter, & is decked with a red and green cloth. The chariot of Devi Subhadra is known as Dwarpadalana & is forty-three feet high. It has twelve wheels & each of them is seven-foot in diameter. This chariot is decked with a covering of red and black cloth.\nThe festival has many names – Gundicha Jatra, Ghosa Jatra, Navadina Jatra, Dasavatara Jatra, etc., to name a few. According to the Hindu beliefs, the power of ‘‘Yama’’ (the god of death) has been nullified in Puri due to the presence of universal Lord Jagannath. Once touching the “Ratha Daudi” (chariots rope), is certain to guarantee liberation, discharge (mukti) from the cycle of birth & death.\nThe nine-day long holy festival is the time when the universal lord spends time with people, the Puri Badadanda becomes the heaven on earth. And, only the lucky ones get a chance to live the moment! If you want to be the lucky one, book your ride now with Sand Pebbles’ Puri Rath Yatra Tour Package. Contact Now at +91-993.702.7574 India and +1-315.215.1309 UK or you can also mail to web@sandpebblestours.com.\nTop 4 Hill Stations of Odisha to Visit This Summer\nHeritage Tours Odisha: Pilgrimage & Spiritual Tours\nExperience The Best And Memorable Odisha Tribal Tour\nCar Rent in Bhubaneswar\nTravel Agency in Bhubaneswar, Odisha\nA Tour Through Europe: The Abode of Great Historical Significance\nTop 7 Places To Take A Tour This Winter","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line517852"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7295912504196167,"wiki_prob":0.2704087495803833,"text":"Viewing entries posted in January 2022\nHolocaust Memorial Day 2022\nLowestoft Town Council would like to announce that it will be holding an event to commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day 2022. The service will be held at Lowestoft Railway Station on Thursday 27th January at 10am. All welcome to attend.\nHolocaust Memorial Day takes place annually on 27th January , the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, to remember the six million Jewish people that were murdered during the Holocaust alongside the millions of other people killed under the Nazi regime and the subsequent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda , Bosnia and Darfur.\nThe Kinder Transport commenced in November 1938, when the British Government agreed to allow temporary admission for up to 10,000 unaccompanied children from Germany, Austria and Czechoslovakia who were at risk from the Nazis. Some 520 child refugees arrived at Lowestoft Central Station the following month. In all it is believed that 9,500 children came to the UK, hosted by foster families, hostels and camps, before the Kinder Transport ended with the outbreak of War. The majority of children saved never did see their families again.\nWhilst there are currently no legal restrictions, could all those attending please pay a part in making the event as safe as possible for all attending. The event is taking place outside. Please wear a mask, do not attend if you are feeling unwell and during the service keep as much space as you can around you. We reserve the right to cancel or change the event.\nLowestoft Town Council would like to take this opportunity to thank Wherry Lines Community Rail partnership and Lowestoft Central Project in supporting this event.\nRead more on Holocaust Memorial Day 2022\nUpdate regarding Anglian Water works in the Links Road area\nAnglian Water has provided the following update regarding the pipe relocation works in the Links Road area:\nClearance work along the new pipeline route has been completed and some trees will need to be removed. Anglian Water will be removing a 30 metre corridor of trees along the pipeline route, which is currently dominated by sycamore and holm oak, which offer little ecological value to the area.\nExpert ecologists will be on site throughout this work to ensure there are no other species found in the working area. This should take around three weeks, following this the main work will start which is expected to take 10-12 months.\nFrom 4 January and for the duration of this project (between 10 and 12 months) the Links Road Car Park will be closed to the public to ensure work can be carried out while protecting the public and the workforce. Safety is Anglian Water's top priority. There are three complex sewer connections to complete in the car park, which will require a large working area, and space is also needed to store materials and new pipes. The temporary site compound will also be erected here, to ensure the team has the facilities needed to complete the work.\nLater in the project there will be a need to temporarily close Links Road whilst the connection in the highway is completed and the footpath adjacent to Links Road along the coastline. The dates of this closure will be published as soon as they are known and will give advance warning to the public and stakeholders.\nThe dedicated project webpage will show updates and latest information https://www.anglianwater.co.uk/lowestoft-pipeline-relocation\nRead more on Update regarding Anglian Water works in the Links Road area\nAnglian Water Work to Relocate Sewer Pipes\nAnglian Water is using the Links Road car park as its compound for an important piece of work due to start at the Gunton Warren Nature Reserve.\nThree sewer pipelines running through the Nature Reserve are being put at risk by a rapidly eroding coastline, meaning that the pipes need to be relocated urgently to ensure residents can continue to use their washing and toilet facilities for years to come and protect the natural environment.\nConstruction work should cover a period of 44 weeks from 4 January, during which time the use of Links Road will be restricted and the Links Road car park will be out of use.\nRead more on Anglian Water Work to Relocate Sewer Pipes","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1146498"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7950300574302673,"wiki_prob":0.7950300574302673,"text":"Military events\nFilters (3 applied)\nbattle honours : Menin Road (remove)\nrelated places : Mouquet Farm (remove)\nrelated units : Australian Imperial Force (remove)\ncommanding officer (24)\nLane, Denis Arthur (2)\nWhitham, John Lawrence (2)\nAllen, Arthur Samuel 'Tubby' (1)\nArrell, William Llewellyn (1)\nBateman, William Joseph (1)\nBeevor, Miles Fitzroy (1)\nBrazenor, William (1)\nBrearley, Montague Sharpe (1)\nChristie, Robert (1)\nDenton, James Samuel (1)\nFethers, Wilfred Kent (1)\nHurcombe, Frederick William (1)\nJames, William Edward (1)\nKnox, George Hodges (1)\nLeane, Raymond Lionel (1)\nLorenzo, Francis Maxwell de Frayer (1)\nMorton, George Frederick (1)\nPaul, Harold (1)\nPerry, Stanley Llewellyn (1)\nPope, Harold (1)\nRidley, John Cecil Thomas Edmund Charles (1)\nRoss, Arthur Murray (1)\nSalisbury, Alfred George (1)\nWatson, William Walker Russell (1)\ncasualties (7)\n650 killed, 1438 wounded (1)\n686 killed, 2317 wounded (including gassed) (1)\nFirst World War, 1914-1918 (7)\n52nd Australian Infantry Battalion\nThe 52nd Battalion was raised at Tel el Kebir in Egypt on 1 March 1916 as part of the \"doubling\" of the AIF. Approximately half of its recruits were veterans from the 12th Battalion, and the other hal...\n23rd Australian Infantry Battalion\nThe 23rd Battalion was raised in Victoria in March 1915 as the third battalion of the 6th Brigade. After initial training, it left Australia in March and arrived in Egypt, where it would complete its ...\n51st Australian Infantry Battalion\nThe 51st Battalion was raised in Egypt in the first week of March 1916, as part of the \"doubling\" of the AIF. Approximately half of its recruits were Gallipoli veterans from the 11th Battalion, and th...\nThe 48th Battalion was raised in Egypt on 16 March 1916 as part of the \"doubling\" of the AIF. Roughly half of its new recruits were Gallipoli veterans from the 16th Battalion, and the other half, fres...\nThe 24th Battalion was raised in a hurry. The original intent was to raise the fourth battalion of the 6th Brigade from the \"outer states\", but a surplus of recruits at Broadmeadows Camp in Victoria l...\nThe 49th Battalion was raised in Egypt on 27 February 1916 as part of the \"doubling\" of the AIF. Approximately half of its recruits were Gallipoli veterans from the 9th Battalion, and the other half, ...\nThe 50th Battalion was raised in Egypt on 26 February 1916 as part of the \"doubling\" of the AIF. Approximately half of its recruits were veterans from the 10th Battalion, and the other half, fresh rei...","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line196445"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7215193510055542,"wiki_prob":0.7215193510055542,"text":"Frances Rubio Honors Her Father's Life While Addressing Caretaking and Mental Health in 'Recording for Dodie'\nBy WORLD CHANNEL\n'The Lookout' is presented as part of Asian American Stories of Resilience and Beyond.\nIn 'Recording for Dodie,' filmmaker Frances \"Frankie\" Rubio (she/they) turns the camera on themself as she copes with caretaking while separated from their father, Eduardo \"Dodie\" Rubio, who is quarantined at a nursing facility during the pandemic. Through personal narrative and archival home video, she tells their story of father and daughter in a delicate, loving tribute to the quick-witted, kind-hearted man she grew up with. Rubio's father passed away on May 10, 2022 (this interview with Rubio occurred on April 15, 2022).\nRubio also presents a vulnerable portrait of the mental and physical toll caregivers experience day-to-day and over an extended period of time. The film recognizes the millions of unpaid Americans who take on the responsibility of caregiving and how they manage.\n\"I wanted 'Recording for Dodie' to mostly be about caregivers and the things that they might feel, but it became this sort of love letter to my dad,\" Rubio said. \"It was very much about holding onto the memories of my dad, wanting to honor and appreciate who he was, and is now, and providing a framework of how I felt about this moment.\"\nRubio spoke with WORLD Channel about their favorite memories of \"Dodie,\" and how, through filmmaking, she can uphold the legacy of compassion and strength he has left behind.\nWORLD Channel: As an Asian American filmmaker, what does storytelling mean to you?\nFrances Rubio: For so long, Asian Americans have never been seen as part of the American experience. The perpetual idea of Asians being foreign is something that I've experienced in my life. I'm American; I'm also Asian American. I wanted our story to provide empathy and compassion for people who may or may not know the Asian community.\nWe are often underrepresented, misrepresented, and oftentimes, our stories are simplified. There isn’t enough nuance nor conversation. It's all blanket statements when we think about Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) in a way that is detrimental to our community. Highlighting our humanity in our stories and our experiences, the commonalities of what we're going through, is what I wanted to share. After never seeing myself and my story [on screen] for my entire life, I finally saw films coming out about the Asian American experience, first-generation and immigrant. I wanted to be part of that.\nI had been documenting my experience as a first-generation Asian American caregiver – someone who had moved from New York to Los Angeles, who is the eldest daughter of divorced parents and became a caregiver at a really young age. But it wasn't until my dad got sick that I felt the most alone. I wanted one person in the world to tell me it was going to be okay and that there was a way to talk about the nuance of what that experience was, but I couldn't find anything. I realized the power of storytelling in that moment and decided I was going to dedicate the rest of my life to making more people feel seen, heard, validated and comforted.\nStorytelling can encapsulate all these different experiences and intersectionality. I want to tell these stories in a nuanced way; being sick, navigating the healthcare system, dealing with mental health and burnout, struggling with separation – things [almost] everyone can relate to. I truly hope that sharing my story, and what my family went through, provides compassion, empathy and a better understanding of the fact that we are just as American as anyone else.\nWC: How does your film preserve your father’s legacy?\nFR: To me, family is everything. It's why I do what I do. It was hard to watch the archival [footage], because that's how I remember my dad – this incredibly joyful, silly, deeply caring and sensitive individual. I thought I lost this when my dad got sick, [and while] it’s a different version of my dad now, it’s still very much him in so many ways. Every now and then, I captured him joking and pulling a prank on me and my family.\nI feel so lucky that my parents came to America from the Philippines. I think about the struggles of coming to a new country, the sacrifices they made and trying to fit into a society that didn’t necessarily always welcome them. I saw how much my dad wanted to preserve these memories of me and my brother growing up in America – our family, the parties, the graduations, the birthdays and the holidays. As I was going through the archival, I recognized how much I also wanted to do the same.\nI wanted to capture who my dad is and highlight the fact that this amazing human being, [with] my mom, did a difficult thing by coming here, building a life, raising kids and doing what they could to build their legacy. I feel privileged that at this age, in my 30s, there is opportunity to share our stories now.\nWC: How does your story represent resilience?\nFR: One of the hardest things to grapple with was even sharing the story. It was wanting to be vulnerable and showing that our family was going through this. Even now, I'm nervous. But I did want to share that this is happening; some of us are struggling with this, I was struggling [with this] and my heart was breaking. It was also [about] taking the pandemic in stride, one day at a time, not knowing what was going to happen, continuing to document this and trying our best to show that we were there for my dad.\nResiliency is dealing with adversity, persevering and coming out on the other side. My family coming here and dealing with the everyday things an American does and then some, as an immigrant – that feels like 100 percent resiliency. Telling the story and showcasing resiliency allows us to show the adversity we experience and highlights the obstacles and hardships we run into. I hope that we can change the system.\nWC: What does your film say about the state of caregiving in America?\nFR: There are so many amazing people in my and my dad's life who have been helpful – nurses, doctors, and social workers – and many people who have cared and supported us. As much as there are resources, I also feel like there weren't enough. There's not enough financial support for families to be together or enough options for families to have [their loved ones] be at home. My best case scenario was bringing my dad home, and I was looking into programs and organizations, but there is no available funding or support.\nCaregiving has been really difficult, and it was hard to capture the breadth and depth of that experience, because there were many joyful, funny and amazing moments. It's been about managing the realities of what caregiving and being sick in America is like while also seeing that there is still the human spirit of who my dad is.\nI want to change the way we think [and talk] about caregiving in America. It's often difficult to talk about certain things within our families, but if we could have open conversations, it would help us prepare for caring for our aging populations and caregiving in general in America.\nWC: How were you able to be so vulnerable with your film?\nFR: The process of filmmaking was mostly capturing this for myself, first and foremost. I was trying to problem-solve, navigate bills and track COVID at my dad's nursing facility. I was barely understanding what was happening in the world and how my dad got COVID and what that meant. Filming was really difficult, and I felt like I was reliving it over and over again. [But I also had a] group who helped me work through the story and supported me from an emotional standpoint. The fact that they all happened to be Asian women was a joy.\nNo one knows the things that I was going through. I was feeling guilt, not knowing how to give [my dad] support, letting him know we're here and we care, and that we were trying to find ways to bring him home. I felt like I had to put up a front, to save face, when, really, I wanted to be honest that this is a real struggle that was plaguing me. Talking about my own mental health and my struggles with it feels like a level of vulnerability that terrifies me. I don't want [my family and peers] to see me in this state, which I think is a weakness. [But] I can't just do this behind closed doors and struggle on my own.\nThe other piece of what scares me about telling this story is that it's my family's story. I’m protective of them, protective of our experience. I worry about what it does to our family name; what it might do to my brother, to my mom, to my dad's side of the family and to my dad. To me, the exchange is bringing down the wall of saving face to hopefully open up the conversation and make change.\nWC: What do you want audiences to take away from 'Recording for Dodie'?\nFR: I want people to understand the nuances that different people were experiencing during [the COVID-19 pandemic] and to shed a light on one particular experience that came out of it – the story of what my dad means to me and my experience in going through this.\nI hope that [my film] can help others who might feel alone or not seen or heard and let them know that they're not alone. That's what I wanted when I became a caregiver, to discuss all the parts that come with it. The guilt, the stress, the moments of joy that we do have with our loved ones; the entire multifaceted experience of caregiving is something I wanted to share. And on top of it, to then share it from a first-generation American experience with immigrant Asian parents.\nFrances Rubio's 'Recording for Dodie' is now streaming on the PBS app and WORLD Channel’s YouTube. Asian American Stories of Resilience and Beyond is presented in partnership with the Asian American Documentary Network and the\nCenter for Asian American Media.\nAsian American Stories of Resilience and Beyond\nRecording for Dodie\nA daughter captures the experience of being distanced from her father during the pandemic.\nAsian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month: What to Watch on WORLD in May\nThis Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, watch films on WORLD Channel that channel the inspiring and impactful resilience of the AAPI community is, honoring incredible struggles while recognizing strengths and successes.\nAsian American Stories of Resilience and Beyond: AAPI Filmmakers Explore Identity Through Family and Community\nTo commemorate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, an exclusive, digital-first series will turn the lens on AAPI filmmakers: Asian American Stories of Resilience and Beyond features seven short films by both emerging and established creators, all focusing on the theme of resilience.\nAsian American Pacific Islander Stories\nSince the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Asian American and Pacific Islander community has been plagued by heightened hate. This AAPI Heritage Month, watch films that honor the struggles faced and celebrate the accomplishments of this vibrant community.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line275047"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5050269961357117,"wiki_prob":0.49497300386428833,"text":"Maternal and neonatal care critical\n0 September 17, 2021 3:25 PM\nSource: Maternal and neonatal care critical | The Herald\nMr Huni\nRumbidzayi Zinyuke Health Reporter\nImproved maternal and neonatal care has been classified as a critical strategy to reduce the number of women and newborns who die every day due to preventable causes.\nGlobally, approximately 810 women die every day from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth, while about 6700 newborns also die daily and another two million babies are stillborn.\nAccording to the World Health Organisation, the provision of safe and quality care by health professionals could help avoid such deaths and this can be achieved through the engagement of all stakeholders and the adoption of comprehensive health systems and community-based approaches\nToday, Zimbabwe joins the rest of the world in commemorating World Patient Safety Day, which is being held under the theme “Safe maternal and newborn care.”\nThis year’s campaign becomes even more important considering the significant burden of risks and harm women and newborns are exposed to due to unsafe care, compounded by the disruption of essential health services caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.\nRadiation exposure could be one of the most harmful things for patients, particularly pregnant women.\nPrenatal Radiation Exposure is the exposure of a foetus to radiation, which might occur when a pregnant mother’s abdomen is exposed to radiation for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.\nRadiation Protection Authority of Zimbabwe (RPAZ) corporate communications officer Mr Shingirai Huni said exposure of pregnant women to radiation could be harmful for both the mother and the child and there is need to protect patients from its effects.\nHe said the organisation had embraced the WHO’s urge to ‘Act now for safe and respectful childbirth!’ as well as the government’s strategic thrust towards improving the quality of life for citizens.\n“In fulfilment of the mandate of protecting people and the environment from harmful effects of radiation, RPAZ recognises the need to ensure protection of patients which includes pregnant patients. The possibility of severe health effects depends on the gestational age of the foetus at the time of exposure and the amount of radiation it is exposed to. The health consequences can be severe, even at radiation doses considered too low for the mother. The consequences can include stunted growth, deformities, abnormal brain function, or cancer that may develop sometime later in life,” he said.\nHe said RPAZ had come up with regulations that specify requirements for protection of patients for diagnostic of therapeutic procedures involving the use of radiation.\nThe requirements also specify justification and optimization of protection for pregnant patients to ensure safety for both the mother and foetus.\n“All the strides are crucial in ensuring patient safety which also includes safety of pregnant patients leading to delivery of healthy babies,” said Mr Huni.\nWorld Patient Safety day was established in 2019 to enhance global understanding of patient safety, increase public engagement in the safety of health care and promote global actions to enhance patient safety and reduce patient harm.\nThis year’s campaign seeks to raise global awareness on the issues of maternal and newborn safety, particularly during childbirth while engaging multiple stakeholders to adopt effective and innovative strategies to improve maternal and newborn safety.\nIt will also advocate the adoption of best practices at the point of care to prevent avoidable risks and harm to all women and newborns during childbirth.\nZanu PF to hold extraordinary Politburo\nZimbabwe Seeks Investors for Dollar-Bond Years After Default","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1582195"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5218311548233032,"wiki_prob":0.4781688451766968,"text":"Them 'Bones'... Them 'Bones'... Them Season Four 'Bones' on Blu-ray\nPosted Thu Jul 2, 2009 at 11:30 AM PDT by Tom Landy\nFox has revealed specs and details for the high-definition release of the hit drama's fourth season.\n'Bones: Season Four' will make its Blu-ray debut on October 6.\nThe 5-disc set will feature 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 (1.78:1) video, English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements set to include three extended episodes, deleted scenes, a gag reel, and two featurettes: Androgeny: Playing Haru Tanaka and Squints in training.\nYou can find the latest specs for 'Bones: Season Four' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under October 6.\nBones: Season 4 (Blu-ray)","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1848879"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9511113166809082,"wiki_prob":0.9511113166809082,"text":"Why did Eagles coach Doug Pederson bench Jalen Hurts for Nate Sudfeld vs. Washington?\nDelaware News Journal\nPHILADELPHIA – Eagles coach Doug Pederson said he was trying to win the game even though he benched quarterback Jalen Hurts for third-stringer Nate Sudfeld in the fourth quarter with the Eagles trailing by three points.\nPederson said he had made the decision before the game that Sudfeld would play at some point in the second half.\nHe said it had nothing to do with intentionally trying to lose the game. The Eagles lost 20-14 to Washington on Sunday night, finishing their season 4-11-1.\nBy losing, the Eagles will pick No. 6 overall in the NFL draft. If they had won, they would be picking No. 9.\nNFL WEEK 17:32 things we learned\nNFL PLAYOFF PICTURE:Field finalized as Ravens, Browns, Titans, Colts, Rams, Bears and Washington clinch\n2021 NFL DRAFT FIRST-ROUND ORDER:Picks Nos. 1-18 are locked in place\n\"Yes, I was coaching to win,\" Pederson said, adding that no one from management directed him to pull Hurts. \"That was my decision solely. Nate has obviously been here for four years, and I felt he deserved an opportunity to get some snaps.\"\nStill, it seemed rather odd.\nIf Hurts was surprised in being pulled in a three-point game, he didn't let on.\n\"I knew Nate’s worked really hard all year,\" Hurts said. \"I think he’s a great player and Coach wanted to give him an opportunity at some point in the game … Me being a competitor, I talk about winning all the time, and that’s what I’m all about. I trust Coach with it. That’s all I can do.\"\nHurts was 7 of 20 for 72 yards and an interception. He also ran 8 times for 34 yards and two touchdowns, both from 6 yards out.\nHurts' last play was on a 4th-and-goal from the Washington 4 yard line late in the third quarter, the Eagles trailing 17-14. Pederson decided to pass up a 22-yard field goal that would have tied the game to go for the go-ahead touchdown.\n\"My mindset down there is when you’re that close, just go ahead and continue to stay aggressive and try to score,\" Pederson said.\nHurts, under pressure from Washington's defensive line, got off a throw to a wide-open Quez Watkins that was just beyond Watkins' reach as he dove for it.\n\"Just a throw that Jalen would probably like to have back,\" Pederson said, adding that wasn't the reason why he pulled Hurts.\n\"I couldn’t get the oomph on it like I wanted to,\" Hurts said. \"A situation like that, you score a touchdown, it’s a throw that I make often.\"\nThe next time the Eagles got the ball, Sudfeld was in the game.\nSudfeld was only on the game-day roster in the season opener and on Sunday. He had thrown just 25 career passes coming into Sunday, and he does not fit into the Eagles' longterm plans as a possible starting quarterback.\nSudfeld went 5 of 12 for 32 yards. He threw an interception, lost a fumble on a bad snap and was sacked twice.\nYet there he was, trying to lead the Eagles back from a three-point deficit in the fourth quarter.\nHe didn't come close and neither did the Eagles.\nContact Martin Frank at mfrank@delawareonline.com. Follow on Twitter @Mfranknfl.\nIf you enjoy talking football, we have the perfect spot for you. Join our Facebook Group, The Ruling Off the Field, to engage in friendly debate and conversation with fellow football fans and our NFL insiders. Do the right thing, sign up now!","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1159108"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9616772532463074,"wiki_prob":0.9616772532463074,"text":"Should I Watch..? 'Wild Wild West' (1999)\nBenjamin Cox\nBenjamin is a former volunteer DJ at his local hospital radio station. He has been reviewing films online since 2004.\nPoster for \"Wild Wild West.\"\nWild Wild West is an action-comedy western film released in 1999 and is a very loose adaptation of the TV series of the same name that ran from 1965 to 1969. The film stars Will Smith (who also contributed to the film's theme music), Kevin Kline in dual roles, Salma Hayek and Kenneth Branagh and follows two US Government Marshalls who are on the trail of a murderous Confederate general and a wheelchair-bound scientist ready to wreak havoc on the old West. The film was released to a chorus of critics who slammed the film for being idiotic, unentertaining, and significantly different from the original show. Audiences agreed and although the film made over $222 million worldwide, the high budget and lackluster reviews meant that a sequel was dead in the water. Thankfully.\nThe year is 1869 and US Marshal Artemus Gordon has teamed up with US Army Captain James West in his pursuit of Confederate general and war criminal \"Bloodbath\" McGrath across the southern states. After failing to capture him at a brothel, President Ulysses S. Grant orders the two men to investigate the disappearance of a number of key scientists which may be linked to a plot by McGrath. Their only clue is the severed head of one of the scientists, which was found wearing a strange metal collar.\nGordon, who is an inventive technical genius, is able to determine that McGrath is involved and working alongside ex-Confederate scientist Dr. Arliss Loveless who is confirmed to a steam-powered wheelchair. Taking their gadget-filled train The Wanderer to New Orleans, West and Gordon are about to discover that Loveless has much bigger plans (and machines) than either man ever dreamed of...\nWhat's to Like?\nSeriously, not much. There is an oh-so-short glimpse of Hayek's behind and Levine gives the only performance worth more than the film deserved. That's it - the rest of the picture is the sort of unmitigated failure that Hollywood hopes people like me forget over time. But this is such a colossal misfire that it's actually hard to salvage anything from the wreckage.\nYou couldn't possibly accuse the film of having no lack of imagination, given how many gadgets and gizmos are on screen. Granted, most of them are useless or only used for a running gag like Kline's pop-up notebook. I'm always wary of screenplays that have multiple writers because, with so many ideas thrown into the mix, the end result is either a significant watering down of the initial premise or a film so chaotic that it's impossible to tell what's going on. Wild Wild West has ideas coming out of its ears but sadly, not a clue about how to make an entertaining and coherent film. This is the sort of film that stops me from losing hope that any of my screenplays will be sold because if this nonsense can get funding, I don't see why I shouldn't. And I like to hope that it makes me more positive as a person.\nAll the cast members get screwed but none more so than poor Kevin Kline, seen here in the least convincing drag act in movie history.\nSmith turned down the role of Neo in The Matrix in order to make this movie, a decision he later said was the worst he had ever made in his career.\nWhen the film scooped five prizes at the 2000 Razzies ceremony, star of the TV series Robert Conrad accepted three of the awards in person. It was his way of expressing anger at the movie's lack of loyalty to the show and the quality of the film. Smith later apologized to Conrad for the movie.\nAdding to the film's mighty budget was the cost of re-shoots which was intended to inject more humour into the film. Test audiences didn't even know the film was supposed to be a comedy. At a rumoured $170 million, it's still the most expensive film Warner Bros have ever made (at time of writing).\nRight, where do I start? The screenplay is appalling with no laughs and no logic behind anything that happens on screen. The cast all appear to be in it for the money, with the exception of Levine who plays the role like the one guy who doesn't get the joke. Branagh is hopelessly miscast, as is poor Kevin Kline whose career never really recovered from this. Smith, while bringing his usual charisma to the screen, never really convinces as a gunslinger and plays the part more like a lady's-man than an actual hero for audiences to get behind.\nThe effects were adequate but hardly mind-blowing, considering how much was spent on them and director Sonnenfeld makes a real dog's dinner of the production. The story barely has enough juice to last the distance, not that anyone cares about the story because you're too busy wondering why there are giant mechanical spiders in a western. The soundtrack is a bizarre blend of familiar western themes and hip-hop tracks which was no doubt hoping to capitalize on Smith's rapping career. The annoying thing is, I might have actually gotten on board if the script made me care about these characters but it doesn't. It appears on screen, shows us a lot of nonsense, and disappears again without leaving the viewer with any sort of impression other than a sense of bewilderment.\nThe movie's steampunk leanings are ill-advised and unwelcome. This is supposed to be a western!\nShould I Watch?\nI'm trying very hard to think of anybody who might actually like this film and other than complete morons and Meccano addicts, this film is best avoided by almost everyone. It's noisy, stupid, and bears no relation to not just the TV show but Westerns in general. There have, of course, been films that are as illogical and meaningless as Wild Wild West but none that have made such a wretched product masquerading as popular entertainment. It's enough to get me reaching for my six-shooter...\nGreat For: idiots, Meccano addicts, anybody who has never seen a film before or knows what one is.\nNot So Great For: fans of the show, children, adults, humanity.\nWhat Else Should I Watch?\nPersonally, I'd rather watch The Human Centipede or A Serbian Film, either of which is a disgusting spectacle that will leave most viewers (including myself) reaching for a sick bag. Anyone looking for a western is spoilt for choice with classics like High Noon or The Good, The Bad And The Ugly to more modern examples like Tarantino's The Hateful Eight and Django Unchained as well as remakes of The Magnificent Seven and True Grit. All of these are considerably better than this tripe. But then again, so is sand in your underwear.\nWill Smith has also made better movies - highlights include Enemy Of The State and I Am Legend which sees Smith play possibly the last man alive in a deserted New York crawling with hungry mutants. Lastly, I wish to do right by Kevin Kline because I felt sorry for him. He is a much better actor than this film deserved and he has an exceptional range but I prefer him as a comedy performer - he was just brilliant in A Fish Called Wanda, playing the psychotic boyfriend of Jamie Lee Curtis to absolute perfection and winning an Oscar for it. If you've not seen it then check it out and purge the memory of this film from your brain. I have.\nCapt. James T. West\nMarshal Artemus Gordon / President Ulysses S. Grant\nDr Arliss Loveless\nRita Escobar\nMiss East\nGeneral \"Bloodbath\" McGrath\n* story by Jim & John Thomas, based on the TV show created by Michael Garrison\nBarry Sonnenfeld\nS.S. Wilson, Brent Maddock, Jeffrey Price and Peter S. Seaman *\nFeels longer than 106 minutes...\nRelease Date (UK)\nAction, Comedy, Sci-Fi, Western\nRazzie Awards\nWorst Picture, Worst Screen Couple (Smith & Kline), Worst Director, Worst Screenplay, Worst Original Song\nRazzie Award Nominations\nWorst Actor (Kline), Worst Supporting Actor (Branagh), Worst Supporting Actress (Hayek), Worst Supporting Actress (Kline dressed as a prostitute)\n© 2017 Benjamin Cox\nGeography, Nature & Weather\nAir Pollutant: Particulate Matter\nBy Sonal Shrivastava Jan 26, 2023","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line43430"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7276524901390076,"wiki_prob":0.27234750986099243,"text":"La Delicata\nThis sculptural work belongs to the severe style of Greek art, but already at a time, such as the end of the 6th century BC, which is considered a mature phase and prior to what will be in the next century the classical sculptural art par excellence, the period in which works such as Myron's Discobolus or Polykleitos' Doryphorus are created.\nBut returning to this figure called La Delicata, we are dealing with a work made of marble and that was found in the Acropolis of Athens, along with two other contemporary marbles also of female characters that have been called La Malcarada and la Doncella. Given its origin, this work is currently part of the archaeological collection of the New Acropolis Museum in Athens.\nLa malcarada\nThese three works, although partially found, allow us to get an idea of ​​what full-body sculptures would be like. And in all three cases it can be seen that they would be taking a slight step with their left foot. Much more restrained to the big steps posed by the kuroi, the male representations of the time.\nAlso another typical feature of the koré or female figures is that usually her left hand is holding her skirt, at the same time that she moves it to one of her sides, letting the folds of the skirt fall free.dresses. At the same time the right hand is extended forward, in a gesture that would correspond to an offering.\nHis dresses are usually two pieces. A long tunic that would be very fine, called a chiton, and over it a much stronger mantle is placed, whose name is himation. Generally this cloak is placed over the right shoulder and reaches under the left arm, covering the chest forming a curved diagonal. An elegant composition that gives complexity to the whole.\nIn fact, it brings a lot of dynamism and also contrasts with the vertical folds of the himation, which are usually very heavy and cover a large part of the figure's trunk. Which makes the subtlety and lightness of the chiton that is capable of revealing the shape of the legs more striking.\nThis is an interpretation of the whole from pieces of sculptures. And we would still be missing a very important piece of information to be able to imagine them completely, since these works would be completely and heavily painted, as descriptions of the time indicate.\nHowever, there are also some works that have come down to us that are more complete, such as the Kore del peplo, whose posture is very similar to that of La Delicata, but her costume, with a peplo, is an interesting variant.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1382856"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7482125163078308,"wiki_prob":0.2517874836921692,"text":"Government report says Irish countryside under increased pressure\nA new report by the Irish Government says that the rural environment is being placed under increased pressure as a result of agricultural intensification, population growth near urban areas, industrial development, rural depopulation in remote areas, afforestation and the growth of the tourism sector.\nPublished 22nd June 2001\nShare Government report says Irish countryside under increased pressure from edie on Facebook\nShare Government report says Irish countryside under increased pressure from edie on Twitter\nShare Government report says Irish countryside under increased pressure from edie on LinkedIn\nShare Government report says Irish countryside under increased pressure from edie via Email\nRural Environmental Indicators: A Discussion Document on Key Indicators in Ireland, compiled by the Irish Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), presents 29 key indicators describing the various economic sectors and their impact on the countryside, which is undergoing rapid change as a result of population growth near urban areas, rural depopulation in more remote areas, industrial development, and growth in the tourism and forestry sectors. The rural environment is of special significance in a nation where 42% of the population live in the countryside, a proportion almost unheard of in developed nations, and where it is the key attraction for the booming tourist industry.\nThe main findings of the report, which will soon be available on the Irish EPA website, are:\nchanges in agricultural practices over the last few decades have impacted on the environment to a significant degree, with main concerns including the emission of methane and nitrous oxide), detrimental impacts on soil and biodiversity and the increasing incidence of water pollution (see related feature);\nin a ‘business as usual’ scenario, Ireland will significantly exceed its international obligations in relation to limiting emissions of greenhouse gases, and has already exceeded them by 5%;\nIreland’s current booming tourism industry is increasingly putting pressure on natural resources and the environment, with the main challenge identified as the need to achieve a wider seasonal and regional distribution to contribute to the sustainable development of the industry;\nloss of habitats due to agricultural intensification, building development and afforestation means that Ireland’s natural resources, flora and fauna are coming under increasing pressure; and\nmost of the current 9% of afforested land consists of coniferous species, which can lower the amenity value of an area and have an intrusive affect on the landscape.\nIt is intended that the environmental indicators in the report will contribute to the National Spatial Strategy presently under development. Among the reports main recommendations are:\nappropriate farm management and nutrient management planning on all farms in order to minimise pollution of rivers and lakes;\nfull implementation of the National Climate Change Strategy (also see this months feature) in order to control and reduce emissions of greenhouse gases;\nintegration of all policies sections such as land-use planning, transport, energy and the environment into an integrated rural policy;\ncareful management and planning of tourism and recreational activities to minimise environmental damage; and\nimprove the availability of data on biodiversity and natural resources to guide their protection and conservation.\nThe climate is right for environmental disclosure\nBig businesses with net-zero targets not planning to reduce flights for staff, report finds\nBen & Jerry’s pilots regenerative agriculture scheme to cut dairy farm emissions","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1578790"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9404886960983276,"wiki_prob":0.9404886960983276,"text":"Tag Archives: Alfredo John Ascani\nAugust 17, 2022 Aviation51-2721, 51-2724, Alfredo John Ascani, Browning Aircraft Machine Gun Caliber .50 AN-M3, F-86E-10-NA, FAI, Fédération Aéronautique Internationale, Fred Ascani, Fred J. Ascani, General Electric J47-GE-13, Mackay Trophy, North American Aviation F-86E Sabre, North American Aviation Inc., Test Pilot, THIS'LL KILL YA, Thompson Trophy, World Record for Speed Over a Closed Circuit of 100 KilometersBryan Swopes\nColonel Fred J. Ascani, United States Air Force\n17 August 1951: In order to demonstrate the capabilities of the United States Air Force’s new day fighter, Colonel Fred J. Ascani, Vice Commander, Air Force Flight Test Center, Edwards Air Force Base, California, had been assigned to take two new North American Aviation F-86E Sabres from the production line at El Segundo, California, to the National Air Races at Detroit, Michigan. He was to attempt a new world speed record.\nColonel Ascani selected F-86E-10-NA 51-2721 and 51-2724. They received bright orange paint to the forward fuselage and the top of the vertical fin. Bold numbers 2 and 4 were painted on their sides.\nNorth American Aviation F-86E-10-NA Sabre 51-2721. (FAI)\nColonel Fred J. Ascani with the Thompson Trophy, 1951. (AP)\nFlying Number 2, F-86E 51-2721, Fred Ascani flew a 100-kilometer closed circuit at an average speed of 1,023.04 kilometers per hour (635.69 miles per hour), and set a new Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) World Record for Speed Over a Closed Circuit of 100 Kilometers.¹\nFor his accomplishment, Colonel Ascani was awarded both the Thompson Trophy and the MacKay Trophy.\nThe North American Aviation F-86 was a single-seat, single-engine day fighter designed by Edgar Schmued and the same team at North American that designed the World War II P-51 Mustang fighter. The Sabre was the first fighter to incorporate swept wings, which improved flight at high subsonic speed by reducing aerodynamic drag and delaying the onset of compressibility effects. The leading edges of the wings and tail surfaces were swept 35° based on captured German technical data and extensive wind tunnel testing.\nNorth American Aviation F-86E-10-NA Sabre 51-2721. (U.S. Air Force)\nThe F-86E Sabre was an improved F-86A. The most significant change was the incorporation of an “all flying tailplane” in which the entire horizontal tail moved to control the airplane’s pitch. The tailplane pivoted around its rear spar, allowing the leading edge to move up or down 8°. The elevators were mechanically linked to the tailplane and their movement was proportional to the tailplane’s movement. Control was hydraulic, and this provided improved handling at high speeds where compressibility could “freeze” control surfaces. There were systems improvements as well, with “artificial feel” to the hydraulic controls to improve feedback to the pilot and prevent over-controlling. Beginning with Block 10 aircraft, the “V”-shaped windscreen of the earlier models was replaced with an optically flat laminated glass windshield.\nFred Ascani in the cockpit of North American Aviation F-86E-10-NA Sabre 51-2724. (U.S. Air Force)\nThe F-86E was 37 feet, 6.5 inches (11.443 meters) long with a wingspan of 37 feet, 1.4 inches (11.313 meters) and overall height of 14 feet, 1 inch (4.293 meters). Its empty weight was 10,555 pounds (4,787.7 kilograms) and the maximum takeoff weight was 16,436 pounds (7,455.2 kilograms).\nThe F-86E was powered by a General Electric J47-GE-13 turbojet engine. The J47 was an axial-flow turbojet with a 12-stage compressor and single stage turbine. The J47-GE-13 was rated at 5,200 pounds of thrust and 6,000 pounds (“wet”). The engine was 12 feet, 0.0 inches (3.658 meters) long, 3 feet, 3.0 inches (0.991 meters) in diameter and weighed 2,525 pounds ( kilograms).\nThe F-86E Sabre had a maximum speed of 679 miles per hour (1,092.7 kilometers per hour) at Sea Level and 601 miles per hour (967.2 kilometers per hour) at 35,000 feet (10,668 meters). Its service ceiling was 47,200 feet (14,386.7 meters).\nThe F-86E carried 437 gallons (1,654.2 liters) of fuel internally and could carry two 200-gallon (757.1 liter) drop tanks under the wings. Maximum range was 1,022 miles (1,645 kilometers).\nThe F-86A, E and F Sabres were armed with six Browning AN-M3 .50-caliber aircraft machine guns with 1,602 rounds of ammunition.\n6,233 F-86 Sabres were built by North American at Inglewood, California and Columbus Ohio. Another 521 were assembled by Fiat and Mitsubishi. 1,815 CL-13 Sabres were built by Canadair, and 115 CA-26 and CA-27 Sabres by Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation in Australia. Total production for all types and manufacturers was 8,684. North American Aviation built 336 F-86Es and 60 more were built by Canadair (F-86E-6-CAN).\nIn order to emphasize that Colonel Ascani’s record-setting Sabre was a standard production airplane, it was immediately sent into combat with the 25th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, 51st Fighter Interceptor Wing, at Suwon Air Base, Korea. There, it was christened THIS’LL KILL YA. On 3 May 1953, 51-2721 was damaged during a landing accident at Kimpo Air Base, but it was repaired and returned to service.\nA group of Allied pilots stand with the FAI World Speed Record holder, North American Aviation F-86E-10-NA Sabre 51-2721, at Suwon Air Base, Korea, circa 1952. Its pilot, Lieutenant Jack L. Price, has named it THIS’LL KILL YA.\n¹ FAI Record File Number 10429","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1752804"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8413369059562683,"wiki_prob":0.8413369059562683,"text":"Ap blethind History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms\nFrom the Celtic land of Wales came the name of Ap blethind. This name initially evolved from the Welsh personal name Blethyn.\nEarly Origins of the Ap blethind family\nThe surname Ap blethind was first found in Denbighshire (Welsh: Sir Ddinbych), a historic county in Northeast Wales created by the Laws in Wales Act 1536, where Meredith Ap Blethyn was Prince of North Wales in the 11th century. William the Conqueror seized Prince Meridith's castle at Oswestry in Shropshire after 1066 but he retained his Welsh estates. [1] [2]\n\"At the Survey we see that King William was Lord of this manor (Mileham), but soon after Alan, son of Flaald, obtained it by the gilt of William the Conqueror; also the castle of Oswaldstrey in Shropshire, which belonged to Meredith ap Blethyn, a Welshman or Briton.\" [3]\nEarly History of the Ap blethind family\nThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Ap blethind research. Another 137 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1273, 1366, 1391, 1524, 1579, 1601, 1627, 1669, 1590, 1579 and 1590 are included under the topic Early Ap blethind History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.\nAp blethind Spelling Variations\nWelsh surnames are relatively few in number, but they have an inordinately large number of spelling variations. There are many factors that explain the preponderance of Welsh variants, but the earliest is found during the Middle Ages when Welsh surnames came into use. Scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, which often resulted in a single person's name being inconsistently recorded over his lifetime. The transliteration of Welsh names into English also accounts for many of the spelling variations: the unique Brythonic Celtic language of the Welsh had many sounds the English language was incapable of accurately reproducing. It was also common for members of a same surname to change their names slightly, in order to signify a branch loyalty within the family, a religious adherence, or even patriotic affiliations. For all of these reasons, the many spelling variations of particular Welsh names are very important. The surname Ap blethind has occasionally been spelled Blevin, Blevyn, Ap Blethyn, Ap Plethyn, Plethen, Blethin, Blethen, Blevins and many more.\nEarly Notables of the Ap blethind family (pre 1700)\nProminent amongst the family during the late Middle Ages was William Blethyn, (d.1590), Bishop of Llandaff in 1579. He was born in Wales, and educated at Oxford, at either New Inn...\nAnother 31 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Ap blethind Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.\nMigration of the Ap blethind family\nIn the late 19th and early 20th centuries, many people from Wales joined the general migration to North America in search of land, work, and freedom. These immigrants greatly contributed to the rapid development of the new nations of Canada and the United States. They also added a rich and lasting cultural heritage to their newly adopted societies. Investigation of immigration and passenger lists has revealed a number of people bearing the name Ap blethind: G. Blethen, who arrived in San Francisco in 1851.\n^ Page, William (ed), A History of the County of Norfolk. London: Victoria County History, 1906. Print\nAp blethind (Welsh)","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1130276"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8002740144729614,"wiki_prob":0.8002740144729614,"text":"What Is an Irish Traveler?\nBy Brendan Koerner\nSept 24, 20021:17 PM\nMadelyne Toogood, the woman accused of beating her 4-year-old daughter in an Indiana parking lot, is an “Irish Traveler.” What’s an Irish Traveler?\nIrish Travelers, also known as “White Gypsies,” are members of a nomadic ethnic group of uncertain origin. Scholars often speculate that they are descended from a race of pre-Celtic minstrels and that their ranks were swelled by displaced farmers during Oliver Cromwell’s bloody campaigns of the mid-1600s. Travelers once roamed from town to town in horse-drawn carts, earning their keep by busking and tinsmithing; because of the latter vocation, they were nicknamed “Tinkers,” a word that’s now considered something of a slur.\nModern Travelers in Ireland, who number around 25,000, frequently live in ad-hoc trailer encampments, though some have settled in permanent housing. Though prejudice against Travelers has abated over the years, they are still widely stereotyped as thieves and troublemakers; according to a recent poll, 70 percent of Irish citizens wouldn’t accept a Traveler as a friend. A new law which criminalizes trespassing, thus making it easier for police to shut down encampments, has been criticized by Travelers as an attempt to destroy their culture.\nA few Irish Travelers emigrated to America during the Potato Famine of the mid-19th century. Their 7,000-10,000 descendants still speak the secret Traveler language, a dialect alternately known as Shelta, Gammon, or Cant, which includes elements of Irish Gaelic, English, Greek, and Hebrew. They are also devout Roman Catholics who rarely marry outside the group. Their tightknit, insular clans spend the winters in such sunny locales as White Settlement, Texas, and Murphy Village, S.C., then hit the road come spring. Many U.S.-based Irish Travelers, including Toogood’s husband, work as itinerant roofers, pavers, and painters.\nPolice frequently warn the elderly about home-improvement scams operated by a few Irish Travelers. Wandering contractors have been known to charge gullible customers thousands for “sealants” that are nothing more than watered-down lubricant; the con artists quickly leave town once the check is cashed.\nNext question?","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line142227"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9765501618385315,"wiki_prob":0.9765501618385315,"text":"The National Children's Chorus (NCC) Launches Opera Division and New VAIL OPERA CAMP Initiative Under the Leadership of Artistic Director Luke McEndarfer\nNCC Appoints Johnathan McCullough as Opera Program Director and Dylan F. Thomas as Opera Program Coordinator\nNational Children's Chorus\nNEW YORK, Jan. 25, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The GRAMMY® Award-winning National Children's Chorus is teaming up with its newly appointed Opera Program Director, GRAMMY®-nominated Johnathan McCullough, to launch the organization's new VAIL OPERA CAMP initiative and Opera Vocal Studies program.\nThe VAIL OPERA CAMP is an all-encompassing program where the next generation of singers, directors, conductors, stage managers, and designers can go to hone their skills with guidance from faculty and guest artists working at opera houses around the world. This season, the NCC is opening enrollment to grade school and high school students across the country and is actively looking to recruit young artists interested in opera for summer 2023.\nThis August, all participants will convene in Vail, Colorado, to mount a fully staged opera and learn opera history, stagecraft, design, and acting. The opera camp will offer fellowships in directing/stage management and artistic conducting, building a unique opera company for youth where students ages 10-18 will be able to gain practical experience that can be powerful for their futures as they continue studies in higher education.\nFor more information about VAIL OPERA CAMP and to set up an audition, please visit https://nationalchildrenschorus.com/opera-camp/ or scan the QR code (https://imgur.com/a/RjFsVt8). Scholarship opportunities are available for all families who qualify. Enrollment is open through April 1, 2023.\nIn addition to directing NCC's VAIL OPERA CAMP, McCullough and Dylan F. Thomas (Opera Coordinator) will hold courses throughout the year for NCC members, covering a variety of topics, including opera history, acting, performance, and audition techniques.\n\"It is an honor to appoint GRAMMY® Award-nominee Johnathan McCullough to lead this exciting new program. He is a distinguished NCC alumnus and looks forward to rejoining the organization — this time as a Program Director,\" said Luke McEndarfer, Artistic Director and CEO.\nThe opera presented for summer 2023 will be \"The Tinker of Tivoli,\" an original opera pastiche drawn from the works of Gioachino Rossini, including \"The Barber of Seville\" and \"Cinderella.\" The storyline is adapted from the Grimm Brothers' tale \"The Gallant Tailor,\" by Michael Jacobsen.\nThe performance will be presented at the AVON Performance Pavilion at the base of the Rocky Mountains on the evening of Aug. 11. The event is free and open to the general public. It will be directed by Johnathan McCullough and conducted by Maestro Allan Laiño.\n\"I'm very excited to step into this new role directing the opera program of the very chorus that started my love for singing. The NCC is where I was first introduced to classical music, which then led me to pursue my first role with Los Angeles Opera's Opera Camp. There, I discovered my passion for opera, which led to a professional career,\" said McCullough. \"I'm truly thrilled to build an unparalleled resource where students can choose to train in multiple areas of operatic disciplines. I'm also honored to have Dylan F. Thomas, a brilliant director, educator and co-founder of Valley Opera & Performing Arts, on staff throughout the year, leading acting classes for our students in his new role as Opera Program Coordinator.\"\nTo access high-definition photos that are freely available for distribution across all media platforms, please refer to this link: https://imgur.com/a/d6wb6wr.\nAbout National Children's Chorus:\nThe GRAMMY® Award-winning National Children's Chorus, under the leadership of Artistic Director Luke McEndarfer and Associate Artistic Director Dr. Pamela Blackstone, has quickly become one of the world's leading children's choirs. Among the most exciting and fastest-growing music institutions for youth in the nation, the chorus provides its unparalleled training to talented singers locally and abroad, with more than 35 choirs and 1,000 students based in the chapter cities of Los Angeles, New York City, Washington, D.C., San Francisco, Austin, Dallas and Boston. Now in its second decade, the NCC's groundbreaking Season 2022/23, entitled Resounding Voices, expands on the chorus' recent success, featuring an array of special projects, demonstrating the organization's firm commitment to eclectic programming, new music, world culture and extraordinary collaborations.\nAbout Luke McEndarfer:\nLuke McEndarfer is a GRAMMY® Award-winning American conductor and one of the most compelling forces in the choral world today, with a dynamic career shaped by ambitious innovation, artistic creativity and musical excellence. Currently, he serves as Artistic Director, President and CEO of the National Children's Chorus, one of the fastest-growing and most successful youth arts organizations in the United States. His conducting collaborations include work with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, American Youth Symphony, Los Angeles Master Chorale, Los Angeles Opera Company, New York City Master Chorale, Musica Angelica Baroque Orchestra, the Joffrey Ballet, Opera Parallèle, Kronos String Quartet, and Stephen Petronio Dance Company. Over the years, he has prepared choruses and soloists for Gustavo Dudamel, Grant Gershon, James Conlon, Stephen Layton, David Alan Miller, Ibrahim Maalouf, John Rutter, Helmuth Rilling, David Willcocks, Eric Whitacre and the late Paul Salamunovich, among others. To date, his premiere conducting performances include music by Morten Lauridsen, Sharon Farber, James Wright, Stephen Cohn, Thomas Hewitt Jones, Daniel Brewbaker, Sage Lewis, Shawn Kirchner, Paul Gibson, Rufus Wainwright, and Nico Muhly. Visit nationalchildrenschorus.com/team/.\nAbout Johnathan McCullough:\nGRAMMY®-nominated baritone and director Johnathan McCullough recently premiered his production of David T. Little's Soldier Songs produced by Opera Philadelphia, which was nominated for an International Opera Award and won the Artistic Creation Prize at the inaugural Opera America Awards for Digital Excellence. The film is currently streaming on the Opera Philadelphia Channel and Marquee TV. He will make his Canadian directing debut this season with the Atelier Lyrique of Opéra de Montréal in a program entitled \"Emily,\" centered around works written by Emily Dickinson, co-created by conductor and pianist Christopher Allen.\nHe has sung leading roles at Opera Philadelphia, Komische Oper Berlin, English National Opera, Opéra de Lausanne, Portland Opera, Wolf Trap Opera, Opera Theatre of Saint Louis and many more. McCullough was selected by Renée Fleming to participate in the Weill Institute Song Studio at Carnegie Hall where he has also performed in concert. Upcoming singing engagements include Carnegie Hall Citywide Series recital with pianist Carol Wong; the baritone soloist in Britten's \"War Requiem\" at Walt Disney Concert Hall with the National Children's Chorus and American Youth Symphony; and appearances in leading roles with Pittsburgh Opera, Boise Philharmonic, and Opera Philadelphia.\nHe holds a B.M., M.M., and Artist Diploma from the Curtis Institute of Music and has been engaged as a guest speaker with institutions including Yale, Curtis, UCLA, Mannes Opera, Young Arts: The National Foundation for the Advancement of the Arts, and Pacific Opera Victoria. As a director, McCullough's work has been noted by The New York Times as \"a pacesetter for cinematic opera.\" Visit https://mcculloughbaritone.com/.\nAbout Dylan F. Thomas:\nDylan F. Thomas is the co-founder and Principal Stage Director of Valley Opera & Performing Arts, currently in its 17th season in Los Angeles' San Fernando Valley, where he has directed full productions of numerous operas, musicals, and concerts. Over the years, he has directed several family productions for the Pacific Symphony and Opera Pacific, where he also acted as both Resident Outreach Director and Education Stage Director, as well as Program Director for Opera Pacific's Opera Camp. Metropolitan Opera soprano Ana Maria Martinez described Dylan F. Thomas as an artist who \"thinks out of the box in an intriguing and captivating way ... an inspiring director and mentor, particularly for young artists.\" Visit https://dylanfthomas.com/.\nJennifer Buonantony\nPR Contact for National Children's Chorus\njennifer@presspassla.com\nImage 1: National Children's Chorus\nThis content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1159539"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9757393002510071,"wiki_prob":0.9757393002510071,"text":"\"Obi-Wan Kenobi\" Review: An Exciting Addition to the \"Star Wars\" franchise\nIn Star Wars, the original 1977 film, Obi-Wan Kenobi (Alec Guinness) was an enigmatic older man living out his days on Tatooine, a desolate desert planet. The prequels reintroduced Obi-Wan (Ewan McGregor) as a young apprentice, training under the tutelage of Qui-Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson).\nAt the end of the prequels, the once-mighty Jedi were betrayed by Obi-Wan’s apprentice Anakin Skywalker. The original cinematic series began decades later when Jedi, like Ob-Wan, were in hiding. Little is known about what transpired between the two trilogies but the new Disney + series Obi-Wan Kenobi seeks to explore that dark period when the Empire gained strength and the Jedi were hunted.\nThe story in Obi-Wan Kenobi begins years after the events of the prequels and reveals Luke to be a young farmer growing up dreaming of becoming a pilot while his sister Leia (Vivien Lyra Blair) lives in wealth on a distant planet. Separated at the end of the prequels, these two siblings don’t know about each other with only a few high-ranking officials aware of their importance in the galaxy.\nWhen this story begins, Obi-Wan lives a secluded life on Tatooine while keeping watch over Luke (from a distance). While Luke keeps to himself, the outspoken Leia wanders around freely, leaving herself vulnerable to a group of conniving thugs. After these thugs surround Leia and kidnap here from her home planet, Obi-Wan is called in to rescue her.\nDirector Deborah Chow, who previously directed two episodes of The Mandalorian, helmed all six episodes this new limited series and she quickly establishes the familiar world here. In the first episode, she relies on familiar faces and locations to re-establish where everything stood at the end of the prequels. At the same time, the program also establishes great new characters like the Grand Inquisitor (Rupert Friend) and the cunning Reva (Moses Ingram), an inquisitor obsessed with finding Obi-Wan.\nThe show introduces young Leia with mixed results. In the original trilogy, Carrie Fisher commanded the screen as the headstrong Leia. In the new series, it often feels like the writers are working too hard to present Leia as overtly tough and wary. She’s constantly questioning everyone around her. It was undeniably difficult for everyone to fill in the shoes once filled by Fisher but the writers here seem to be struggling with the character. At some points, she's a smart and savvy youngster finding her place in the universe but at other times, she's completely naive and reckless, putting her character needlessly in danger\nAs the star of the program, Ewan McGregor easily steps back into the role of Obi-Wan (the actor also serves as an executive producer of the project). He’s one of the main reasons why the show works so well. He brings a gravitas to the story that elevates even as the story hits some over-the-top beats.\nAlthough the universe here feels familiar, the story itself feels like a unique addition to the canon. It never detracts from the prequels and sequels even though it features characters and plot points that were previously well-established. In the three episodes that have aired so far though (the first two were originally available for review), the most frustrating element of the series has been some of the dialogue and some of the choices the writers have made, especially when it comes to Leia.\nDespite its issues though, Obi-Wan Kenobi offers enough intrigue to remind viewers of why they love franchise (especially the thrilling third episode). Even though people know where the lives of these characters are headed, there’s still a lot of excitement here that offer a fresh appreciation for the character relationships that many viewers believe they already know.\nThis content was written by John Hanlon and is used here with permission.\nEntertainment Television Reviews\nTop 10 Most Inspirational Movies of 2022\nTake our Inspirational Movies Quiz\n\"She Said\" Review: Reporters take on Hollywood producer in captivating drama","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1797316"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5453712940216064,"wiki_prob":0.45462870597839355,"text":"Another Juror Speaks\nDrama Jury juror David Rooney (critic for Variety) takes the Pulitzer Prize override in stride:\n\"I think Charlie is right in thinking that you hire a jury to do a job to be supportive of their area of expertise and then to kind of disregard that because no one really got it on the page [is disappointing]... I'm thrilled at least that a prize was awarded and that it was a musical that had been in our discussions. So, I would have been very upset if we had put in all the work and they had made the decision not to give a prize this year. So, I'm less upset about it being Next to Normal, though it would not have been my choice.\"\nIn other words...better than nothing?\nHe also makes the following salient obervations:\n\"If you look at the history, particularly in recent years, I think it's very clear that things that are actually on the boards and playing in New York have a better chance.[...]Any of us who cover theatre know that the nature of theatre itself is that you are there, you are experiencing it, you have a direct emotional impact. Whatever they're seeing physically represented on a stage in front of them has a greater emotional impact than something they're reading on the page. Seeing it on the stage [is seeing it] in its intended form. Aside from the people on the board who saw the Sarah Ruhl play during its Broadway run, or perhaps who saw the Chicago or L.A. productions of the other two short-listed titles, no one is experiencing the play fully as it was intended. So, Next to Normal already has a huge advantage there. As did other things they might have seen in New York, The Orphans' Home Cycle, Next Fall.\"\nI gotta wonder, though: did the Board bother to see Next Fall, let alone all three parts of Orphans' Home?\n\"If you look down the disciplines that the Pulitzer acknowledges and rewards, theatre is really the only one that is so penalized by the limitations of just appreciating it on the page. Photography, journalism, fiction, poetry, everything else, the jury whittles down to their shortlist of three, hands that shortlist onto the board, and the board gets to appreciate that shortlist to its fullest extent. Whereas in theatre, the jury wades through the scripts and the productions they've seen, passes those onto the board and the board [is] then forced to consider a play and to think in their head how that play would work on stage. Often, the majority of the board members are not people with direct experience at reading and interpreting plays and gauging what is going to work on stage. So, I think something that they actually go and see a production of has a clear advantage.\"\nEmphasis mine--since a look at this year's Board will reveal not just a \"majority\" without such expertise but a flat out zero.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1285954"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7904734015464783,"wiki_prob":0.7904734015464783,"text":"Rich Hofmann: Flyers rally around emergency goaltender\nBOSTON - The temptation is to say that the Flyers have now experienced just about every malady there is to experience at this point (except maybe pestilence). But then you remember that this is the Year of the Seven Goaltenders, and that you really never know when the orthopedist's phone is going to ring again - even if it is in the second period of a Stanley Cup playoff elimination game.\nby Rich Hofmann | Columnist\nThe temptation, also, is to write off this Flyers team as a group defined by its inconsistency - and falling behind by three games to none in a playoff series against the Boston Bruins was just going to be the final example. But then you see the way they play when they are cornered, and you see the definition of this group becoming more and more complex.\nAnd so, when goaltender Brian Boucher ended up on the bottom of a pile in his crease early in the second period last night - and couldn't get up because of two knee injuries - it was both frightening and frighteningly fitting, somehow. Then, when Michael Leighton came off the bench for the first time in nearly 2 months and played shutout hockey the rest of the way - and when the team in front of him just seemed to gain energy from the predicament, as with so many others during the season - it was another impressive line on this team's resume.\nAnd now they can see it. Now they are in a series again. With their 4-0 pummeling of the Bruins at TD Garden last night, the Flyers have brought the series to 3-2. They remain the underdog but they now have a realistic shot, even as they are forced to change goaltenders yet again, at such a precarious time.\nAsked if he thought they would win the series, Leighton said, \"We know we can. In my eyes, we've outplayed this team in most of the games. The first game, we came out slow [after having] a long break. But we're right there every game. It's not like they're blowing us out. We're confident, as long as we come out and be ready to play every game, that we can win each game.\"\nBut how? The goalies on this team have come full-circle so many times this season that they must be dizzy. Ray Emery, Boucher and Leighton have all now had the starting job at one point, lost it because of injury and then regained it again. In this game of last-man-standing, it is now Leighton. The fact that, since severely spraining an ankle on March 16, he didn't even back up in the series until last night just adds to the legend.\n\"We're a good team,\" Leighton said. \"Look at our lineup. As long as we play well and are confident in the way we can play, we're a good team. We've shown that. Throughout the season, we've won the games we needed to win. We've beat good teams.\nWe've obviously lost against some teams we should have beat, but we beat Detroit. We beat Chicago. We've beaten good teams. Confidence shouldn't be much of a problem. We know we can play with those teams.\"\nLast night, though, when Boucher went down, there was no way to know what Leighton might have. Rust is rust, and 2 months is 2 months, and trying to simulate game intensity in practice is swell in theory but, well, who knew?\nHopping off the bench and stretching as they ministered to Boucher at the other end of the ice, Leighton's mind had to be filled with both confidence and dread. As he skated past Boucher and into the net, he admitted to the obvious emotions.\n\"The first few minutes, just knowing the situation, my knees were shaking a little bit,\" he said. \"I was a little bit nervous. But it's just like any other game. You're nervous for a few seconds, or a few minutes, and then you just kind of settle in.\n\"You know guys are doing everything they can. We played great tonight. As soon as I went in, we played great defensively. We definitely held back their shots and their goal-scoring.\n\"They gave me an opportunity to get comfortable,\" Leighton said. \"If they came in and peppered me right away, it might have been a different outcome.\"\nBut they didn't and it wasn't. A 1-0 lead grew to 3-0 by the end of the second period - at which point it was all over but the message-sending. A fair reading of where things stand is that the Bruins are still in control of the series - as along as they can convince themselves that they are still in control. That is the tricky part after getting run out of their own arena.\nThe Flyers, meanwhile, are in their element: battered, cornered, and changing goaltenders one more time.\n\"I actually couldn't even believe it happened,\" Leighton said. \"Obviously, we had Ray going down early, and then Boosh goes down, and then Ray comes back, and I get hurt. It's definitely been a roller coaster for the goalies this year. But the team has done great playing in front of all of us.\n\"Ray is a great goalie and we wish him back. Boosh, obviously he's done well for this team, he's got us in the position we're in.\"\nThen Leighton said, \"You can go a whole year without seeing a goalie injured.\" He kind of laughed when he said it.\nSend e-mail to\nhofmanr@phillynews.com,\nor read his blog, The Idle Rich, at\nhttp://go.philly.com/theidlerich.\nFor recent columns go to\nhttp://go.philly.com/hofmann.\nRich Hofmann\narrived at the Daily News in 1980 for a job whose status was officially designated as \"full-time, temporary.\" A senior at Penn at the time, he was hired to fill in on the copy desk during a staff illness. The notion of him covering the Eagles or being a columnist did not exist in anyone's imagination. It was supposed to be six weeks and out, but he never left. It is only one of the reasons why so many people have concerns about him as a potential house guest. Rich has blogged the postseasons of the Flyers and Eagles. E-mail Rich at","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1008821"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8119575381278992,"wiki_prob":0.8119575381278992,"text":"US Government Strikes Back at Silicon Valley Support for Apple\nThe Justice Department struck back at Silicon Valley’s outpouring of support for Apple Inc., reasserting its claim that forcing the company to help unlock a terrorist’s iPhone is legal.\nLast week, Amazon, Google, and Microsoft were among the dozens of technology companies that decried what they called an unprecedented expansion of government power that endangers the privacy of hundreds of millions of people. The Justice Department on Thursday tried to narrow the focus back to the iPhone 5c used by a San Bernardino County employee who, with his wife, murdered 14 at a holiday work party and died about four hours later in a police shootout.\nFederal prosecutors won a court order on Feb. 16 requiring the company to help the FBI bypass the phone’s security features to access encrypted data. The US, arguing the phone could provide critical information, seeks to undermine claims by Apple and its tech industry chorus that the order should be reversed. Prosecutors contend that the cooperation they’re seeking isn’t different in nature than what courts have ordered Apple and other companies to provide in the past.\n“Apple deliberately raised technological barriers that now stand between a lawful warrant and an iPhone containing evidence related to the terrorist mass murder of 14 Americans,” prosecutors said in the filing. “Apple alone can remove those barriers so that the FBI can search the phone, and it can do so without undue burden.”\nApple and companies normally competing against it argue that the Justice Department, in trying to force the iPhone-maker to create a back door to the iPhone’s security features, is claiming an authority that Congress has deliberately refused to grant it.\nThe magistrate judge in Riverside, Calif., who directed Apple to help the FBI unlock the phone used by Syed Rizwan Farook in the December 2 attack that also wounded 22, is set to consider at a March 22 hearing whether to leave that order in place.\nLast month, Apple won a victory in a similar case in Brooklyn, N.Y., where a magistrate judge ruled the government can’t force Apple to unlock the iPhone of a drug dealer. The US has appealed that ruling to a district judge and whoever loses in the Riverside case is expected to appeal, too.\nIn both in the Riverside and the Brooklyn cases, the underlying question is whether an 18th Century US law allowing judges to issue orders in unusual situations where no specific law applies, can be used to make Apple unlock an iPhone that was seized under a search warrant. Apple and its supporters argue that the Justice Department can’t rely on the 1789 All Writs Act because the reason there’s no law forcing companies to help the US access encrypted information is that Congress has refused to create one.\nApple at Back for Government Silicon Strikes Support US Valley 2016-03-11","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line536508"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6241390705108643,"wiki_prob":0.6241390705108643,"text":"Ten Years of Protests in the Middle East and North Africa\nDynamics of Mobilisation in a Complex (Geo)Political Environment\nby Silvia Colombo (Volume editor) Daniela Huber (Volume editor)\n©2022 Edited Collection 216 Pages\nSeries: Global Politics and Security, Volume 8\nDespite being challenged by authoritarian counter-revolutionary responses, the Coronavirus\npandemic, and a complex (geo)political context, the uprisings that started ten\nyears ago in many countries of the Middle East and North Africa are still very much\nalive. By adopting a comparative approach, this comprehensive volume investigates\nthe ongoing protests on three levels of analysis (local, national, regional) and through\nseven case studies (Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Lebanon, Morocco, Sudan, and Tunisia). Particular\nattention is also placed on the role of the European Union and its member\nstates in this historical transformation.\nForeword – Preserving Tyrannies (Lorenzo Kamel)\nChapter 1: Ten Years of Arab Uprisings: A Conceptual Appraisal (Daniela Huber)\nChapter 2: Iraq’s Tishreen Movement: A Decade of Protests and Mobilisation (Hafsa Halawa)\nChapter 3: The Two Souls of the Egyptian Revolution and Its Decline. A Socio-Political Perspective (Mattia Giampaolo)\nChapter 4: From Revolt to Community-Driven Resistance: Beirut’s Year of Hell (Carmen Geha)\nChapter 5: Hirak’s Trajectory and the ‘New Algeria’ (Aurora Ianni)\nChapter 6: Sudan’s Transition in the Balance (Theodore Murphy)\nChapter 7: Morocco: A Decade of Popular Struggles and Monarchy Resistance (Francesca Caruso)\nChapter 8: Tunisia’s Quest for Democracy: Unfinished Domestic Revolution and Regional Geopolitical Entanglements (Silvia Colombo)\nChapter 9: A Decade Later: Revising European Approaches towards the MENA Region (Arturo Varvelli, Mattia Giampaolo and Lorena Stella Martini)\nChapter 10: Popular Mobilisation and Authoritarian Reconstitution in the Middle East and North Africa: Ten Years of Arab Uprisings (Andrea Dessì)\n←6 | 7→\nLorenzo Kamel\nForeword – Preserving Tyrannies\n‘The Arab uprisings failed’. This claim, repeated as a mantra by countless analysts and observers (mainly non ‘Middle Easterners’), is both largely misleading and arrogant. It is misleading because it tends to cherry-pick the parameters through which it is allegedly possible to assess the failures and successes of movements and efforts that have involved millions of human beings. It is arrogant inasmuch as it implicitly fosters the idea that ‘we [Westerners] are better than them’ (or, quoting Steven A. Cook on Foreign Policy,1 ‘Maybe Tunisians never wanted democracy’) and denies or downplays the role played by external actors in the alleged failure of those very same movements and trajectories.\nFrom Tul’it rihetkun – the ‘You Stink!’ movement born out of spontaneous protests that took place in Lebanon in 2015 and 2016 – to the Hirak protests in Algeria in 2019, and to dozens of other recent movements mentioned in this volume, the spirit of the revolts is indeed far from extinguished. More than focusing on a simplistic dichotomy (failure/success), Ten Years of Protests in the Middle East and North Africa sheds light on a number of little known bottom-up dynamics and perspectives. These appear even more meaningful and ‘revolutionary’ in light of the two main competing regional and international agendas for the region in the last decade, both of them underpinned by uncompromising and autocratic ideologies, and by an interest in fostering proxy wars.\nThe first of these agendas aims at maintaining and strengthening an intra-regional geopolitical line across Tehran, Baghdad, Damascus and Beirut: while searching for a less externally-dependent order, the regimes and most of the leaders in power in these cities/countries perceive their citizens as passive ‘subjects’ in need of guidance. The second aims at imposing a new, largely Western-led order in the region. At the moment, this second agenda – which also involves Israel and three local ‘tyrannies’ considered useful by many Western countries (Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt) – would seem to have higher chances of success. This was also confirmed by the 2018 US sanctions on Iran (despite the appearances, a despotic and uncompromising Iran appears far more useful to Washington and its allies), which followed the ←7 | 8→unilateral breach of the Iran nuclear deal by the Trump administration, as well as by numerous other strategic dynamics. The latter include, for instance, the decision whereby Mohammed Bin Salman (2017) was made first in line to the throne at the expense of his cousin Mohammed Bin Nayef: a strategy that was first accepted and then employed by Washington on the condition of compliance with US and Israeli goals in the region.\nA hundred years ago the Sykes-Picot mentality (the Sykes-Picot Agreement, on the other hand, was never implemented) hindered or postponed the rise of a new order shaped from within the region. In some respects, what many areas in the Middle East have witnessed in recent years is the final point of an historical impasse that lasted for a century. The final result, however, will most likely be not the one hoped for by most of the region’s inhabitants. Particularly under the Trump administration (and with no change in sight under the current US President Joe Biden), oppressive regimes are once again considered part of the solution, rather than the problem. As one Israeli ex-general said in 2015 to Michael Oren, his country’s former ambassador to Washington: ‘Why won’t Americans face the truth? To defend Western freedom, they must preserve Middle Eastern tyranny’.2\nLocal ‘tyrannies’, for their part, are ready to pay a high price to guarantee their survival. This explains, for instance, the reason why over the last decade Riyadh has invested an enormous amount of resources in opposing the rise of any government or party that, in the Arab world, could have represented a credible alternative to the ‘Saudi model’. It also sheds light on the deeper reasons connected to Riyadh's decision to support the Egyptian army in its coup against former Islamist president Mohamed Morsi (1951–2019), as well as the attempt made by the UAE leadership to interfere in the internal affairs of a number of countries, including Tunisia, where the Ennahda party was (and is still) seen by many as an example of how Islamists can participate in democratic transitions to power (winning the elections in 2011 and stepping down in 2013).\nIn the short term, ruling families and regimes will gain much from these strategies and the new order in the making. The long-term scenario, however, is far less promising for them. The region has changed substantially from the previous decades and particularly since 2011: grab-and-go ‘solutions’ and ideologies used in the past to divert the attention of the region’s people (including sectarian strategies conceived by autocratic and cleptocratic elites) will have much less appeal ←8 | 9→in the near future. This further confirms that the new Western-supported order fostered by Riyadh and its allies has high chances of backfiring. It will in fact lead to an even more externally dependent Middle East, but also to the further weakening of the Saudi Kingdom itself and, more in general, of a large part of the region.\n←9 | 10→\n1 Steven A. Cook, ‘How the West Misunderstood Tunisia’, in Foreign Policy, 27 July 2021, https://bit.ly/3l11M50.\n2 Michael B. Oren, Ally. My Journey Across the American-Israeli Divide, New York, Random House, 2015, p. 302.\nDaniela Huber\nChapter 1: Ten Years of Arab Uprisings: A Conceptual Appraisal\nAlmost ten years since the onset of the Arab uprisings, protest, mobilisation, and contestation in the Middle East and North Africa are continuing. While research has grown substantially,1 it has typically focused either on internal factors (comparative politics)2 or the regional dimension (international relations),3 while neglecting dynamics between these levels. Therefore, a more comparative and comprehensive approach is crucial, particularly also from a policy perspective which necessarily needs to take all factors into account.4 On top of this, covid-19 has also substantially impacted the uprisings and the EU’s response.\nIn light of these observations, three research institutions based in Italy – the Istituto Affari Internazionali (IAI), the European Council of Foreign Relations (ECFR) Rome office and the Centro Studi di Politica Internazionale (CeSPI) – have joined forces in this research project which has been financially supported by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, as well as the Fondazione Compagnia di San Paolo. It has been guided by two research questions:\n1.How has contestation evolved over time regarding the protest movements themselves and the (geo)political context in which they occurred? How has the covid-19 crisis impacted the trajectory of the protests?\n2.How has the EU reacted to the uprisings over time and what feasible paths for EU engagement exist, particularly in light of the covid-19 crisis?\nObserving these questions for seven cases – Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Lebanon, Morocco, Sudan and Tunisia – the project has aimed to foster a better understanding of both local agency (the protest movements), as well as the dynamics at the national level (authoritarian resilience / relation to organised opposition) and the regional level (involvement of regional powers). This allowed us to assess how the political space has evolved over time, and what major political fault lines this may imply for the near and medium futures, whilst also taking account of the impact of covid-19.\nIn addition to this, observing the EU response in terms of rhetoric (perceptions of uprisings and stated goals) and practice (towards the movements, as well as the government/opposition, and regional powers) over time served to assess how the EU has imagined its own place in the region over time, also in light of the covid-19 crisis, and how (dis)connected this is from the regional political space assessed in the seven case studies. Indeed, one of the core objectives of this research project has been to identify paths towards a more attune EU engagement on the local, national and regional levels.\n1. Rationale and analytical framework for the seven country case studies\nThe chapters of this book cover seven case studies, a comparative analysis, as well as a study of EU policies. The in-depth case studies include countries where protests have been substantially proliferating since 2005 (Lebanon), since 2010/11 (Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia), since 2015 (Iraq) and since 2019 (Algeria, Sudan). This wide range of case studies ensures variance over diverse histories of protests, political systems and their reactions/changes, and different geopolitical configurations. Such a cross-temporal comparative analysis helped us not only to identify continuity, change and processes of sequencing across time, but also to inductively reveal potential categories by which these protests can be compared.\nThe evolution of contestation over time in each case study is analysed across three levels of analysis, which are: 1) the local level (the protest movements); 2) the national level (government response and relationship to major political forces); and 3) the regional level (support for or opposition to protests by regional/global ←12 | 13→powers). Whilst these levels of analysis are useful for the comparative purpose of this project, as well as for devising comprehensive policy recommendations, the authors of each case study have addressed the interlinkage and interaction between these levels differently, while also keeping in mind a gender perspective.\n2. First level of analysis: The protest movements\nRegarding the protest movements themselves, their composition, strategies and demands of mobilisation converge rather than differ across the cases, but there are processes of learning from each other over time, as well as particularities in light of different histories of each country.\nThe composition of the mobilisation has typically been broad, cross-sectarian and diverse, spanning all classes, sectors, ethnicities, gender and age groups of societies with whole families participating, including the youngest and the oldest. As Asef Bayat has framed it, this has in many respects been a revolution without revolutionaries.5 They have mobilised not only in the centres and capitals, but across the countries, including in ‘peripheries’.6 Women have played a prominent role in political resistance since the uprisings began.7 Whilst research in the past ten years has put much focus on the interclass, age-group and male/female participation features of the protests, a lacuna exists in shedding more light on the ideational side of the movements. This is, however, necessary to explain why demands from the ‘square’ and policies of governments have never met, not even in Tunisia. This point directly links to the dimension of strategy, as the (lack of) political organisation within the ‘squares’ shaped the ‘revolution without revolutionaries’ or ‘mobilisation without change’.\nThe rather loose strategy of mobilisation of the protest movements8 has meant that they have been difficult to control; at the same time such loose strategies lead to difficulties in representing coherent alternatives to existing policies and ←13 | 14→political systems. Whilst this is a similarity across countries, protest movements have learnt from each other over time. Firstly, in light of the experiences of Egyptian counterparts, protesters in both Sudan and Algeria have, for example, been very wary of deals with the respective armies. At the same time, they continue – for now – to mobilise the square as ‘guardians of the transitions’ to promote an alternative in terms of political organisation as protagonists. Secondly, the strategies have been influenced by the memory of protests in the past which is particularly important for countries such as Lebanon, Iraq or Algeria which have been shaken by civil wars. How are protesters dealing with this memory? In both Iraq and Lebanon, for example, protesters argued for cross-sectarian solidarity and against any form of foreign intervention. Thirdly, more recently protesters have needed to deal with the covid-19 crisis. As the latter evolved many of the protest movements also needed to decide how to deal with lockdowns as governments imposing the standard global containment measures. How have activists dealt with this crisis in terms of strategy?\nLike all uprisings, the Arab uprisings have developed their own ‘language’. What are the demands and dreams of these uprisings? As Sune Haugbolle and Andreas Bandak have pointed out, ‘[t]‌aking the practice of politics seriously means that we pay attention to what revolutionaries do – their repertoires of contention – as much as we pay attention to what they say and write as they seek to create a new political world’.9 Protestors have asked for social and ecological justice, and for provision of education and health services. In many of the protest countries, #metoo movements have also been growing.10 The movements have also criticised austerity measures which have been imposed by international financial institutions but also by the EU, as for example in Lebanon or Tunisia. This critique has intensified with the covid-19 crisis particularly, because basic health services are generally underfunded and ill-prepared for a pandemic. Sudan, for example, has practically no intensive care units for a population of almost 42 million people. In Lebanon, health services are often private, which reduces access to healthcare or makes it conditional on identity criteria. Leeway for expanding access to healthcare is limited, as the country is undergoing an existential economic crisis. After the blast in Beirut’s harbour, it has been the ←14 | 15→Lebanese Red Cross/Red Crescent and local groups and volunteers that have provided the services the government has failed to deliver.\nThus, at a first level of analysis, all chapters investigate the composition, strategies and demands of the protest movements, including from a gender perspective and also in light of the covid-19 crisis, vis-à-vis their respective governments, but also regional powers and international actors such as the European Union. This sets the stage to explain why these movements have experienced a rather huge mobilisation, but have had relatively little impact on alternative policies and change (like similar movements in other world regions such as the Occupy movements, the Indignados in Spain or Orange Revolutions in Ukraine). It exposes potential weaknesses inherent in these movements which make it difficult for them to create a new political community, particularly when they interact with power structures, as addressed next at the second level of analysis.\n3. Second level of analysis: National political dynamics\nAt a second level, the dynamics between these movements and the respective governments and major political forces in each country are investigated. Governments have reacted with diverse strategies to the protest movements. The first strategy has been violence, including particularly gendered violence,11 and it is indeed important to also observe the role of the military and the security apparatus here, as evident in the case of Egypt.12 Such responses are typically justified with the claim of preventing the emergence of a ‘Syria situation’ (in denial of the fact that violence in Syria also escalated due to the violent response of the regime to the protests). In Iraq which has more hybrid governance structures than Egypt, also non-state actors have exercised violence against protestors. Furthermore, authoritarian regimes have learnt from each other how to respond to protests.13 As Steven Heydemann has pointed out, the reassertion of authoritarianism in Arab states after 2011 does not ‘represent a ‘back-to-the-future’ ←15 | 16→process’. Rather, Arab regimes have responded to the uprisings ‘through the imposition of repressive-exclusionary social pacts in which previously universal economic and social rights of citizens are being redefined as selective benefits’.14 A second strategy has been some minor reforms, reshuffling of government or the co-optation of protest movements, as happened in different forms in Morocco, Algeria, Iraq or Lebanon. A third path has been a genuine change of the political system as in Tunisia.\n2021 (December)\nBern, Berlin, Bruxelles, New York, Oxford, Warszawa, Wien, 2022. 216 pp.\nSilvia Colombo (Volume editor) Daniela Huber (Volume editor)\nSilvia Colombo is Senior Fellow in the Mediterranean, Middle East and Africa Programme at the Istituto Affari Internazionali (IAI). Daniela Huber is Head of the Mediterranean, Middle East and Africa Programme at the Istituto Affari Internazionali (IAI) and Editor of The International Spectator.\nApplication of International Relations Theories in Asia and Africa\nGlobal Politics in the 21st Century\nThe Middle East: Thinking About and Beyond Security and Stability\nThe English Protestant Churches since 1770\nThe Self-immolation of Oskar Brüsewitz Compared to Other Suicides Committed as a Political Protest\nDynamics of International Advertising\nPolitical Music\nBlack Protest Thought and Education\nAfrica in 21st Century US and EU Agendas\nLiterature in Exile of East and Central Europe\nEmpire and Education in Africa\nEmpowering Africa\nDynamic Optics in Economics: Quantitative, Experimental and Econometric Analyses\nSpaces of Expression and Repression in Post-Millennial North-American Literature and Visual Culture\nWater and the Development of Africa\nDiversity of Migration in South-East Europe\nMapping Cinematic Norths\nDiverse Voices in Translation Studies in East Asia\nIreland and the North\nExhaustion and Regeneration in Post-Millennial North-American Literature and Culture","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line799493"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9210959672927856,"wiki_prob":0.9210959672927856,"text":"FILE. French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron attend a national memorial ceremony for Hubert Germain at the Hotel des Invalides, Friday…\nFILE. French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron attend a national memorial ceremony for Hubert Germain at the Hotel des Invalides, Friday Oct.15, 2021 in Paris. A group of “atypical journalists,” on the autism spectrum, got France’s 45-year-old president to talk about himself with unusual and illuminating candour in a televised interview this weekend. (Ludovic Marin, Pool Photo via AP)\nFrance’s Macron opens up about love to autistic interviewers\nby: JOHN LEICESTER, Associated Press\nLE PECQ, France (AP) — The question for France’s president about his teenage romance with a teacher at his high school was so close to the bone, so eye-popping in a country where politicians largely keep their private lives to themselves, that the interviewer couldn’t quite rustle up the courage to ask it.\nSo he got Emmanuel Macron to pose it to himself.\n“He is the president,” the French leader said, reading the question out loud from a piece of paper his interviewer handed to him.\n“He should set the example and not marry his teacher.”\nA group of interviewers on the autism spectrum, described by their publication as “atypical journalists,” got France’s 45-year-old president to talk about himself with unusual and illuminating candor in a televised interview this weekend, with frank but fair no-filter questions that professional journalists mostly don’t dare ask of the French leader.\nThe interviewers from Le Papotin, a journal founded in 1990 in a Paris-region day care center for young people with autism, playfully grilled Macron about his marriage to Brigitte, his friends (he said he doesn’t have many), Russian President Vladimir Putin and other matters in his heart and thoughts.\nIn the process, they winkled out some remarkably intimate details and gave Macron a platform to show a more personal side at a critical juncture in his second term as president. His government is embarking on a high-risk effort to push back France’s retirement age, a promised reform of the pension system that is infuriating critics and threatens to bring protesters onto the streets.\nLe Papotin’s interviewers have over the years questioned numerous people of note, including former Presidents Jacques Chirac and Nicolas Sarkozy, and actor Vincent Cassel (“Ocean’s Twelve,” “Black Swan”). Their Macron interview was filmed in Paris in November and broadcast by France Televisions, which said the only rule was: “Anything can be said to the Papotin but, most of all, anything can happen!”\nMacron responded gamefully, even to the probing about his romance with Brigitte, 24 years his senior. She was Brigitte Auzière, a married mother of three children, when they met at the high school where he was a student and she was a teacher. She later moved to the French capital to join Macron and divorced. They married in 2007.\n“It’s not about setting an example or not, you see? When you’re in love, the choice isn’t yours,” Macron said in his defense.\n“She wasn’t really my teacher. She was my drama teacher. It’s not quite the same,” he additionally ventured, a wiggle-round that Macron himself chuckled at and which provoked peals of laughter and a teasing “he’s crafty!” from one of the interviewers sat beside him.\nTo another delicate question — “Do you have a lot of dough?” — the former banker said he earns less now as president, without divulging figures.\nOn friendship, he said: “It’s not the best job to have lots of friends.”\nAnd of Putin, whom he’s met, and the Russian president’s war in Ukraine, the French leader said: “When you meet him like that, he’s not unpleasant. That’s the paradox.”\nAt the end of the half-hour question-and-answer session, Macron thanked his interviewers for a job well done.\n“Your questions took me onto grounds … where I’d not been in other interviews, with other journalists,” he said.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line671713"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9957507848739624,"wiki_prob":0.9957507848739624,"text":"Justin Bieber Promises \"Surprises\" In 2013: \"You Are Not Expecting This\"\n18 December 2012, 13:26 | Updated: 18 December 2012, 14:10\nThe 'Boyfriend' star says no one will guess what he has planned for his fans next year.\nJustin Bieber has been teasing fans that he has \"some surprises\" planned for 2013, while continuing to work on his newly announced acoustic album.\nThe 'As Long As You Love Me' singer confirmed on The Ellen Show last week that he will launch an acoustic record in January next year, as a thank you to his fans for supporting him ever since his early days on YouTube.\nJustin has now promised that fans will not expect any of the surprises he is working on for next year, but failed to give any more hints to what he has planned.\n\"Studio today. I got an acoustic album to finish,\" Justin tweeted last night (17th December), before adding: \"2013 I got some surprises.\n\"I promise you what I got planned for 2013 u r not expecting :).\"\nIt is already known that Justin will return with an acoustic album in January 2013, as well as a string of newly announced 'Believe' tour dates, but the Canadian singer has yet to confirm plans for a new full studio album.\nCheck out a picture of Justin Bieber in the recording studio this month working on his next record below (Credit: Twitter):\nJustin also spoke out last week about being left off the 2012 Grammy nominations list, claiming he knows he has plenty of time to be nominated in the future and \"knows\" it will happen one day.\nJustin Bieber will also reportedly be the subject of a brand new ABC sitcom set to launch in the 2013/2014 TV season.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line187191"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6438814401626587,"wiki_prob":0.3561185598373413,"text":"Postdoc - Bioinformatics & Genomics\nLocation: Charlotte, North Carolina\nPosition Number: POST40\nDepartment: Coll of Computing&Informatics (Col)\nEmployment Type: Temporary - Part-time\nMonths Per Year: 12\nThe Yohe Lab is seeking a postdoctoral researcher position to investigate the developmental origins of bat diversity. The project investigates craniofacial anatomy and the development of sensory systems in relation to dietary diversification. The candidate will leverage data from more than 100 soft-tissue µCT-scans of bat embryos at varying stages and of varying species to identify key structures that are important in dietary niche divergence. The postdoc will be expected to be a part of the vibrant and growing North Carolina Research Campus in Kannapolis, NC.\nMinimum Experience / Education:\nCandidate must have a PhD by June 30, 2023, in ecology and evolutionary biology, computational biology, or genomics, or a related field to one of the three\nPreferred Education Skills and Experience:\nCandidate must be familiar with morphometric analyses, R coding environment, HPLC, and phylogenetic comparative methods. Knowledge of anatomical sciences, image microscopy, mammalian biology (particularly in bats), and embryology is desirable. Demonstration of previous peer-review publications is also a strong factor.\nAbout The University of North Carolina at Charlotte\nUNC Charlotte is North Carolina's urban research institution. Our campus is located in the piedmont of North Carolina, just two hours from the mountains and three hours from the Atlantic Ocean. A large public university with a small college feel, more than 27,200 students consider UNC Charlotte’s 1,000-acre campus their home away from home.\nConnections working at The University of North Carolina at Charlotte\nhttps://careers.ashg.org/jobs/18064736/postdoc-bioinformatics-genomics","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line411784"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9483652710914612,"wiki_prob":0.9483652710914612,"text":"Berlin 2023 - Golf\nDennis Gaines\nUnified Partner | Lexington, Kentucky\nDennis Gaines of Lexington, Kentucky, has been involved with Special Olympics Kentucky as a coach in basketball, bocce, flag football, golf and softball. He will represent Special Olympics USA as a Unified partner in golf, competing with his stepson Wake Mullins. In 2018 and 2022, he competed as a Unified partner in the Special Olympics USA Games. Dennis is active in fundraising efforts for Special Olympics Kentucky, contributing to local Polar Plunge® events. A mentor for Global Messengers, Dennis has advocated alongside athletes at the annual Special Olympics Capitol Hill Day, lobbying for funds and rights for individuals with intellectual disabilities.\nDennis is employed as a technician at Toyota’s Production Engineering and Manufacturing Center. His hobbies include fishing, cooking and volunteering for Fayette County Public Schools, supporting at-risk elementary children by teaching them the game of golf. He admires his wife for raising her child with special needs, his stepson Wake, and the sacrifices she made to give him a better life. He calls Wake his “biggest hero.”\nSee all of the Special Olympics USA athletes who will be competing in golf in Berlin at the 2023 Special Olympics World Games.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line555504"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7150031328201294,"wiki_prob":0.7150031328201294,"text":"Emmys: Schitt's Creek's Annie Murphy Wins Best Supporting Comedy Actress\nBy Michael Ausiello / September 20 2020, 5:54 PM PDT\nShe’s a Lamborghini, a Hollywood star and now… an Emmy winner!\nSchitt’s Creek‘s Annie Murphy derailed Alex Borstein’s anticipated threepeat, prevailing over the Marvelous Mrs. Maisel scene-stealer to win Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for her work in the Pop TV phenom’s sixth and final season.\nMurphy prevailed over a crowded crop of nominees that included the aforementioned Borstein, Betty Gilpin (GLOW)\nYvonne Orji (Insecure), Cecily Strong (Saturday Night Live), Kate McKinnon (SNL), D’Arcy Carden (The Good Place) and Marin Hinkle (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel).\nSchitt’s Creek received 15 total Emmy nods. It entered Sunday’s soiree having already one won two Creative Arts trophies, for casting and contemporary costumes. During Sunday’s show, it picked up seven additional awards, including Outstanding Comedy Series, Outstanding Lead Actress for Catherine O’Hara, Outstanding Lead Actor for Eugene Levy, Outstanding Supporting Actor for Dan Levy, best writing and best directing.\nView the 2020 Primetime Emmys winners list (updated in real-time) here.\nTAGS: Annie Murphy, Pop TV, Schitt's Creek\nGET MORE: Awards, Emmys, Video\n5Succession Season 4 Premiere Date Set at HBO — Watch New Teaser Trailer\n5Sistas' Devale Ellis Defends Karen Over Pregnancy Drama: 'As Much as…37\nSundance Review: Cynthia Erivo & Alia Shawkat In Anthony Chen's…\nKristen Stewart Will Direct 3 Music Videos for Boygenius'…\nCourt Finds Live Nation Not Responsible for Fatal Backstage…","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1381354"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6547713279724121,"wiki_prob":0.3452286720275879,"text":"Future Infrastructure Systems Symposium identifies challenges to delivering integrated infrastructure systems. New workshops announced\nAs part of the KTN’s Complex Systems programme, 4 workshops have been announced to address challenges to delivering integrated infrastructure systems.\nThe KTN’s Complex Systems programme got off to a flying start at our Symposium featuring Complex Systems at the heart of Future Infrastructure, held in March at Digital Greenwich. Since then we have been developing a follow on programme of workshops and activities that will culminate in a series of events early in 2018.\nThere will be two events featuring case studies from successful Infrastructure Systems competition winners. These workshops will allow delegates to learn more about the process of developing a strong proposal using live examples from previous competitions. There will also be an opportunity to network and seek possible collaborators with the view to strengthening the proposition and consortium to deliver it. They will be held in January and February.\nAt the Future Infrastructure Systems Symposium, several challenges to delivering integrated infrastructure systems were identified. We have taken these on board and are planning 4 workshops in the areas of Business Models for Infrastructure Systems Innovation; Applying Artificial Intelligence in Infrastructure Systems; Data Management in Infrastructure Systems and Security and Resilience of Infrastructure Systems. Dates have been set for 3 of these events, as follows:\nBusiness Models for Infrastructure Innovation is on January 16th 2018. This workshop will focus on identifying the key contributions and value added by investment in an Infrastructure System development. Critical for public sector officers looking to evaluate and justify their proposals for change and innovation in Smart Cities, Smart Energy and Connected Transport services. Professor Alan Brown from the University of Surrey will be leading the workshop, which allows delegates to raise their challenges and issues, and will seek to provide a tool kit to be applied in developing a justification for business investment.\nSecurity and Resilience in Infrastructure Systems is scheduled for February 7th 2018. This session will centre on the application of the new EU Directive on Network and Information Systems to Infrastructure Systems including Utilities, Connected Transport, Future Cities. Professor Chris Hankin of Imperial College will lead the exercise with support from experts Robin Bloomfield of City University and Siraj Shaikh of Coventry University, all leading academic/practitioners with solid theoretical and application experience close to our National Cyber Security Strategies for Critical National Infrastructure. Again the event will encourage delegates to raise their concerns and discuss them with colleagues and the experts present. This event will be held in London.\nThe Digital Transformation using data in public services and utilities workshop is scheduled for March 20th as part of The Data Lab Data Fest 2018 to be held in Scotland. There are many issues related to use of data in delivery of information services and this session will seek to highlight strategies for success in data aggregation, cleansing and analytics. We are delighted that Professor Dave Robertson from Edinburgh University will be able to join us for this event and we plan to include several local organisations with an interest and experience in using data to develop and deliver services.\nFinally, we are pioneering a special event in the Application of Artificial Intelligence in Infrastructure Systems; we will look at tools for machine learning, pattern recognition, guidance for optimising routing and augmenting decision making in control centres. Colleagues from the KTN Robotics and AI Special Interest Group will assemble a cast of experts, case studies and opportunities to get your key questions answered. This event is planned for January/February and will take place in London.\nThe events will shortly be confirmed and registration will be opened up. There will only be space for up to 40 people at each event, to ensure that there is time to respond to queries and get involved in working through challenges to find solutions.\nEvents will be listed here when registration opens.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line647714"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9883404970169067,"wiki_prob":0.9883404970169067,"text":"UK possesses impressive regional diversity in unicorn generation ⁠— report\nLondon posseses more unicorns, but there's a strong showing also for a handful cities with populations below 500,000.\nCallum Cyrus 21 December 2022\nIt may have been cut off from the EU's common market but the UK's tech ecosystem has a lot of positives to take away from 2022.\nA new study from Dealroom, prepared for the UK government's Digital Economy Council (part of the digital, culture, media and sport department), suggests UK tech will this year retain its command as Europe's leading innovation ecosystem in terms of venture dollars.\nThe authors of the report believe £24 billion in venture funds was poured into UK tech companies, just shy of its biggest haul on record and more than fellow economic powers France (£11.4 billion) and Germany (£9.1 billion) combined. Over the last five years, UK growth companies raised almost £100 billion and the valuation of its startups soared above the $1 trillion mark earlier this year.\nThe UK's ability to get funds flowing into cities away from London is another highlight in the report.\nA total of eight British cities are said to now possess at least two unicorn companies. Provinces away from London have fostered 42 unicorns since the turn of the century, versus four provincial $1bn+ startups in France and 30 in Germany. The UK's overall unicorn tally since 2000 (of 144) also surpassed that of France and Germany (36 and 63 respectively).\nLondon still possesses more unicorns, but there's a strong showing also for cities with populations below 500,000, like Bristol, Cambridge, Nottingham and Oxford, together with London, Manchester, Leeds and the Scottish capital Edinburgh.\nCambridge was recently named by Dealroom as the world's best university for producing successful tech founders, stealing a march on US innovation factories like Harvard and MIT. Dealroom's figures show Cambridge has produced over 500 alum founders who have raised at least $10 million in funds.\nOxford's university came third while universities in Bristol, Nottingham and London all made the top 20, on the back of deep tech and science-led programmes.\nYoram Wijngaarde, founder of Dealroom, said: \"The UK's startup ecosystem is unignorable. UK startups are worth over a trillion dollars collectively, with over 130 unicorns, and many of the world's most important investors use London as a logical launchpad into the rest of Europe.\n\"While the lofty rounds and valuations of 2021 are long gone, healthy startup ecosystems with strong fundamentals don't disappear overnight.\n\"We're now seeing a \"return to normal\" in startup markets, which for the UK's startup ecosystem means returning to its roots of ambitious, outward-focussed, open entrepreneurship.”\nDCMS\n2022 by the numbers: the Baltic startup ecosystem\nIt should come as no surprise that 2021 was a banner year for investments in Baltic startups.…","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line949333"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6786410808563232,"wiki_prob":0.32135891914367676,"text":"New AW119Kx “Koala” Helicopter Now Providing Service for Northern Idaho and Eastern Washington from Life Flight Network’s Sandpoint, ID Base\nLife Flight Network, the nation’s largest not-for-profit air medical transport service with headquarters in Aurora, Oregon, announces one of the first AgustaWestland 119Kx “Koala” medical helicopters developed for the company has been placed into service at its Sandpoint, Idaho base. This top-of-the-line helicopter provides the fastest air medical transport for critically ill or injured patients in the region and is perfectly suited to meet the area’s unique weather conditions and geographic terrain. The Sandpoint base regularly provides emergency critical care air medical transport throughout northern Idaho, eastern Washington and western Montana.\nMichael Griffiths, Life Flight Network’s CEO states, “Our new Koala helicopters are designed to assist our critical care teams in delivering the highest quality air transport care in the nation. Life Flight Network employs Flight Nurses and Flight Paramedics with a minimum of five years’ experience, the highest experience level required in the region. These Koala helicopters provide our teams with the finest suite of mobile critical care medical equipment available and have a spacious medical cabin capable of transporting two critical care team members and two patients with full-body access.”\nAcquisition of these state-of-the-art aircraft began in February of 2012, when Life Flight Network signed an agreement with AgustaWestland. Prior to deciding on the Koala, Life Flight Network conducted substantial research in order to ensure the new platform would meet and exceed the needs of Life Flight Network’s Pacific Northwest and Intermountain West service area. A decision was made early in the process to incorporate the high-tech Garmin G1000H avionics package with synthetic vision and satellite weather reporting. These navigation and monitoring systems provide the pilot with greater situational awareness, which is so important with the changing terrain and weather conditions found within Idaho, Oregon and Washington.\nLife Flight Network’s Koala helicopters went through extensive testing and a FAA certification process prior to being put into service. The first nine helicopters are scheduled to be in service throughout Life Flight Network’s service area by the end of July; three more will be in service by the end of the year.\nHighlights of Life Flight Network’s Koala helicopters and critical care teams:\nAbility to transport a two-person critical care team and two patients with full-body access\nSpeeds up to 175 miles per hour\nState-of-the art Garmin G1000H avionics package with synthetic vision, enhancing safety and situational awareness\nNight vision goggles, satellite weather and tracking, and a Helicopter Terrain Avoidance Warning System (HTAWS)\nAppareo video and data cockpit recording system\nA fully-equipped emergency medical cabin, including a LTV 1200 ventilator, blood products, Zoll Propaq MD cardiac monitor and a C-MAC PM video laryngoscope\nCritical care Flight Nurses with a minimum of five years of ICU, ED, and Trauma experience and Flight Paramedics with a minimum of five years of experience\nLife Flight Network’s highly-skilled critical care teams have the ability and resources to provide a multitude of essential medical functions during transport of pediatric and adult patients\n15 bases throughout Idaho, Oregon, and Washington, all dispatched from Life Flight Network’s Communications Center in Boise, Idaho\nThe Koala helicopters will be providing emergency air transport in conjunction with three of Life Flight Network’s AW109E “Power” twin-engine helicopters in western Oregon and southwest Washington. The AW109E aircraft have advanced avionics and are capable of flying under Instrument Flight Rules, making them ideally suited to take advantage of Life Flight Network’s low-level route structures currently under development.\n← Late Night with Life Flight Network: La Grande (6/2/2016) Life Flight Network achieves Medical Transport Accreditation - NAAMTA →\nLife Flight Network Announces New Base Opening in Hermiston, Oregon in Early 2023\nPacific Northwest-based Life Flight Network Neonatal/Pediatric Transport Team receives prestigious Neonatal & Pediatric Transport Award of Excellence from the Association of Air Medical Services\nAurora, Ore., 10/24/2022—The Life Flight Network Neonatal/Pediatric Transport Team has been selected as the winner of the Neonatal & Pediatric Transport Award of Excellence by the Association of Air Medical Services. This award, sponsored by International...\nLife Flight Network to Expand Fleet with 4 Additional Bell 407GXi Helicopters\nAurora, Ore., 07/13/2022—Life Flight Network, the nation’s largest not-for-profit air ambulance provider, has signed a purchase agreement for four (4) new Bell 407GXi helicopters for its air medical fleet. Delivery of the aircraft will begin in May 2024 and will bring...","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line213359"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7278475165367126,"wiki_prob":0.27215248346328735,"text":"Atorvastatin Efficacy and Safety in Patients With Ulcerative Colitis\nStatins exert numerous pleiotropic effects including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant properties, endothelial function improvement, and immunomodulation independent of their basic lipid-lowering properties.\nAtorvastatin in Patients With Ulcerative Colitis\nUlcerative colitis (UC) is an idiopathic, chronic inflammatory disease characterized by diffused inflammation of the colon and rectum mucosa; however, the exact underlying mechanisms of UC remain poorly understood. Statins exert numerous pleiotropic effects including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant properties, endothelial function improvement, and immunomodulation independent of their basic lipid-lowering property.\nBroccoli Sprouts for Mild Ulcerative Colitis\nThe goal of this study is to determine the number of servings of broccoli sprouts sufficient to (1) increase sulforaphane levels in the stool and blood and (2) reduce inflammatory markers in patients with mild ulcerative colitis. This is a pilot feasibility study to prepare for a larger randomized controlled trial.\nBudesonide Multimatrix(MMX) Versus Prednisolone in Management of Mild to Moderate Ulcerative Colitis\nMy study aims to directly compare the efficacy and safety of Budesonide MMX versus Prednisolone in the management of mild to moderate cases of ulcerative colitis.\nCan Intermittent Fasting Induce Weight Loss and Improve Gut Health as Compared to Standard Medical Care in Patients With Obesity/High BMI and Crohn's Disease.\nDiet is a determinant of gut microbial diversity and composition and is recognized as a potential environmental trigger for IBD; for example, high-fat diets are associated with increased risk of CD in pre-clinical models, with effects mediated through dysbiosis and altered gut permeability. Diet is also a potential non-pharmacological therapy for weight loss and for reducing the occurrence of disease flares and the reliance on dose escalation of biologic agents. Indeed, there is accumulating evidence for the role of diet in the treatment of CD, and diet-induced improvement of microbial dysbiosis is associated with induction of...\nClinical Study of Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells in the Treatment of Moderate and Severe Crohn's Disease\nThis is a prospective, single-arm, open-ended study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of human umbilical cord MSCs in the treatment of refractory moderate-to-severe Crohn's disease. The study protocol is either MSC injection into the patient's diseased intestinal mucosa or intravenous MSC injection + MSC injection into the patient's diseased intestinal mucosa. Follow-up time points were pre-treatment (week 0), week 4, week 8, week 12, and week 24 post-treatment, and the primary evaluation at follow-up was the number of subjects with clinical and endoscopic response or remission.\nClinical Study on the Distribution of Digestive Tract Microbiota Before and After Ileocecal Resection in Crohn's Disease\nIn this study, the microbiota sequencing was used to investigate the changes of microbiota in the terminal ileum and the middle part of ascending colon, the mesenteric adipose tissue of ileum and ascending mesocolon, and oral cavity of patients with Crohn's disease before and after ileocecal resection, so as to further explore the role of ileocecal region in inducing remission of disease.\nCombined Application of EEN in the Induction of Remission in PUC\nThe role of exclusive enteral nutrition (EEN) in the induction of remission in pediatric patients with Crohn's disease had been well documented. But the role of EEN in children with Ulcerative Colitis (UC) was not clear. In this study, EEN will be combined with corticosteroids or infliximab in the induction of remission in pediatric UC patients with moderate to severe disease activity. The mucosal healing rate at week12 will be compared between the two groups (combine with EEN group VS non-combine group).\nComparative Study of Intestinal Color Ultrasound and Capsule Endoscopy in Monitoring Crohn's Disease\nThe disease activity index under intestinal color ultrasound was evaluated by SUS-CD, and the disease activity index under capsule endoscopy was evaluated by CECDAI. All subjects underwent intestinal color ultrasound and capsule endoscopy at baseline and at the third month of treatment. To compare the correlation between SUS-CD and CECDAI before and after treatment, and to compare the role of intestinal color ultrasound and capsule endoscopy in monitoring Crohn's disease in small intestine.\nComparing Hand-sewn (END-TO-END or Kono-S) to Stapled Anastomosis in Ileocolic Resection for Crohn's Disease\nThe aim of this multicenter randomised controlled trial is to compare the handsewn (end-to-end and Kono-S) to the stapled side-to-side ileocolic anastomosis after ileocolic resection for Crohn's disease with respect to 6 months endoscopic recurrence, functional outcome and health care consumption.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1446201"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6265043020248413,"wiki_prob":0.6265043020248413,"text":"How School Choice Is Lifting Thousands of Kids Across America\nCOMMENTARY Education\nLindsey M. Burke, Ph.D. @lindseymburke\nDirector, Center for Education Policy\nLindsey Burke researches and writes on federal and state education issues.\nFive states have adopted education savings accounts to give parents new options for their kids, and several other states are considering them. Klaus Vedfelt/Getty Images\nToday, 65 private school choice options are operating in 29 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico.\nThe innovation afforded through education savings accounts can put children on an entirely different educational trajectory.\nThis National School Choice Week, let’s renew our work to extend those benefits to every single child in America.\nIt’s amazing how far school choice has come since the first National School Choice Week was held in 2011. That year, 18 states and Washington, D.C., offered 31 school choice programs (vouchers, tax credits, and education savings accounts) enabling some 212,000 students to attend a private school of choice.\nToday, 65 private school choice options are operating in 29 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. More than 482,000 students across the country are exercising private school choice—more than double the number of programs and students since National School Choice Week first launched in 2011.\nIt’s why this week, we’re celebrating the ninth annual School Choice Week to keep the progress going.\nInnovative Options Across the Country\nNot only have the number of schooling options swelled in recent years, but so has innovation within the education sector. Education savings accounts, also established in 2011, enable families to direct the funds that would have been spent by the state on their child in the public system.\nState funds for each pupil are deposited directly into a parent-controlled account, and families can then use those funds to pay for private school tuition, online learning, special education services and therapies, private tutoring, and a host of other education-related services, products, and providers.\nTake the story of one Arizona woman, whose son was diagnosed at 18 months with autism and a severe sensory and auditory processing disorder. Although the district system said he would need to be in the maximum restrictive environment in school, this mom wanted something different.\nShe entered Arizona’s education savings account program, and uses her son’s account to pay for personal tutors, specially tailored curriculum, and art and music specialists. Thanks to education choice, her son is getting a customized education that is helping him reach his full potential.\nA total of five states—Arizona, Florida, Mississippi, Tennessee, and North Carolina—currently have education savings account options in place, and several other states are seriously considering them this year.\nFederal Spotlight\nNational School Choice Week is also a great opportunity to consider possibilities for federal policymakers to advance education choice. Although education is primarily a state and local issue, the federal government does have a constitutional warrant to advance education choice options for a few special student populations: children from military families, children living in Washington, D.C., and Native American students on tribal lands.\nLast year, Rep. Jim Banks, R-Ind., and Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb., introduced a proposal to provide children of military families with education savings accounts. Providing education choice to military families is sound education policy and meets a critical national security need.\nIn 2017, the Military Times conducted a survey of its readers in which 35 percent of respondents said that dissatisfaction with their child’s education was a “significant factor” in their decision to remain in or leave military service. And in a nationally representative survey of active-duty and veteran families conducted by EdChoice last year, three-quarters of active-duty respondents supported the idea of providing their children with education savings accounts to ensure they can find education options that are the right fit for them.\nMaking 2019 a Record Year for School Choice\nAcross the country, states like Texas, West Virginia, Oklahoma, and Indiana are considering establishing education savings accounts to provide education flexibility to as many families as possible. And at the federal level, the Trump administration’s support for parental choice in education bodes well for federally appropriate options, such as education savings accounts for military families.\nWe Americans experience choice and customization in nearly all aspects of our lives—from food delivery and television to transportation and even tele-medicine—so choice and customization in education should be the norm, rather than the exception.\nEducation choice improves academic outcomes, leads to more satisfaction among parents, enhances school safety, reduces criminal behavior, and can have positive impacts on later life outcomes, such as earnings.\nThis article has been modified since publication to remove the names of two individuals, after a request from one of the individuals.\nBreaking the K-12 Education Monopoly\nDeSantis Deals Blow to Woke Takeover of Education\nIowa Marks National School Choice Week by Enacting Students First Act","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1575852"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8982870578765869,"wiki_prob":0.8982870578765869,"text":"BRANDY MCDONNELL\nInterviews, photos and video: National Cowboy Museum showcases Native American pottery traditions with 'Colors of Clay' exhibit\nA version of this story appears in the Sunday Life section of The Oklahoman.\n'Colors of Clay': National Cowboy Museum's exhibit showcases diverse Native American ceramics\nIn 2009, Oklahoma artist Chase Kahwinhut Earles literally began lighting a fire under one of his tribe's recently rekindled traditions.\n\"I got help from Jeri Redcorn, who revived the Caddo pottery tradition out of nothing. No one was doing it anymore. And I kind of went from there and really researched in-depth and furthered what she was doing by learning how to dig my own clay and pitfire in the old ways without a kiln,\" Earles said.\n\"I wanted to really perfect the old traditions so that we could have that reconnection to the past. I felt like that was really important so that way we can kind of know where we came from as far as our pottery and where we can go in the future, in the evolution of our tribe's art.\"\nThe Caddo pottery tradition, including examples of Earles' work, is part of the multihued history of Native American ceramics featured in the exhibition \"Colors of Clay\" at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum.\n\"We highlight not only the American Southwest - which is really known for their ceramic traditions - but we also talk about the Great Plains and the American Southeast and Eastern Woodlands. We talk about the different types and styles of ceramics that were created in North America, as well as the different uses,\" said Eric Singleton, the museum's curator of ethnology.\n\"In each region they do a different type of clay, and each of those clays has a different color. That's why each of these pieces are typically multiple colored. It really depends on what clay you're bringing to the occasions.\"\nSince the museum was closed for two months due the coronavirus pandemic, the museum has extended \"Colors of Clay\" through June 21.\nDiverse uses\nThe exhibition showcases 60 vibrantly colored, intricately adorned clay pots, bowls, pitchers, jars and figures skillfully sculpted by hand.\n\"In this digital world that we live in, with these patterns and things, it's hard to remember that this was not laid out in Photoshop,\" said Seth Spillman, the museum's chief marketing officer. \"It's all done by hand, and the precision on all of that is just incredible.\"\nThe exhibit includes a timeline that puts the ancient North American pottery traditions in the context of the ancient Mesopotamian, Greece and Egyptian cultures.\n\"We have a timeline that goes back to the first ceramics found here in North American in Georgia - that's about 3,000 years,\" Singleton said.\n\"In this exhibition, our ceramics go back a thousand years, and the point of that is to show this ongoing cultural continuation that's occurred. It's really an unbroken line of ceramic tradition that goes back thousands of years. So, the goal here is to see the ceramics for what they are, which is these beautiful, utilitarian works, but also today, works of fine art and comparable to any other tradition anywhere in the world.\"\nThe uses for the ceramic vessels were as varied as the tribal peoples, he said.\n\"In the American Southwest, typically a lot of these are being used as water vessels, so they're highly stylized on the exterior but they're water tight. When you get into the Eastern Woodlands and Great Plains, a lot of times they're not fired as long, but that means they're also being used in a different capacity. They're being used in a much more ceremonial way or they're being used for storage for seeds and other products,\" Singleton said.\nThe exhibit includes work from the late Margaret Tafoya, who was the matriarch of the Santa Clara Pueblo potters in New Mexico; Joel Queen, a ninth-generation Eastern Cherokee potter from North Carolina; and Oklahoman Richard Zane Smith, a respected Wyandot potter based in the small Oklahoma town of Wyandotte, and others. Images by famed 19th-century photographer Edward J. Curtis decorate the bright orange gallery walls.\n\"Color just adds so much depth and richness to the artwork - and sets the tone,\" Singleton said. \"There is a stunning artistic tradition in ceramics here in North America. It's very varied but it's wonderful. ... And we should be proud of that.\"\nTribal culture\nEarles comes from a long line of artists, and growing up, he admired Pueblo pottery.\n\"I finally realized, 'Hey, I need to look at my tribe and my culture,' and I was just blown away by how huge, prolific, skilled and just incredible our pottery tradition is compared to any tribe - period - and nobody knew about it anymore. ... And I found my calling. I found my purpose,\" said the artist, who is based in southeast Oklahoma.\n\"When I started, it was really daunting. ... I really got obssessed and really dove headfirst in and learned everything I could. I talked to elders, researched, talked to archeologists and all kinds of stuff to kind of bring this forward ... and get our Caddo pottery known again.\"\nAlthough the tradition had nearly faded away before Redcorn set out to resurrect it, Earles said he learned how vital it was to his ancestors.\n\"Pottery for the Caddo was part of their way of life. ... There's little tiny pots you can see in museums that little kids made and played with, and then when you passed away, your pots went with you. So, from birth to death, pottery was part of every single part of your life as a Caddo,\" he said.\n\"One of the reasons why Caddo pottery almost disappeared is because of the culture. ... When you die, your pottery's supposed to go with you as part of the ceremony. Because of that, all ancient pottery that's Caddo is actually a burial item. There's hardly any that are found above ground. Most all Caddo pottery is found underground in graves, so it's not supposed to be viewed. So, the public doesn't really see it ... because it's locked away in the back rooms of all the museums in this state and Texas and Arkansas.\"\nRather than making ceremonial or utilitarian pots, he and Redcorn are creating fine art pieces that can be sold so that others can share in the rich, renewed Caddo ceramics tradition. Earles has recently had pieces added to the permanent collections at the Dallas Museum of Art, Tulsa's Gilcrease Museum and the National Cowboy Museum. In the latter's \"Colors of Clay\" exhibit,\" photos and videos document the traditional way he crafts his works.\n\"It's a pretty big deal for me. I'm very excited about it and very appreciative,\" Earles said.\n\"I'm doing everything I can to get our tribe's pottery back ... and in front of collectors and museums. It's just a beginning, but we gotta start somewhere.\"\n\"Colors of Clay\"\nWhen: Through June 21.\nWhere: National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, 1700 NE 63.\nInformation: nationalcowboymuseum.org.\n-BAM","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line422003"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5819016695022583,"wiki_prob":0.5819016695022583,"text":"INSIGHT: Why the time was right for Andretti to pursue Sauber\nCharles Coates/Motorsport Images\nBy Edd Straw November 1, 2021 1:38 PM\nBy Edd Straw | November 1, 2021 1:38 PM ET\nWhen the proposed takeover of the Sauber Group, which runs the Alfa Romeo Formula 1 team, collapsed, some might have felt it was a good thing for Andretti Autosport. After all, grand prix teams are notorious money pits and Sauber hasn’t exactly set the F1 world alight in recent times, so what possible sense did this deal make for an organization that’s thriving, with teams involved successfully in six categories around the world? Why would it need F1?\nThat view might have held water a few years ago, but F1 has been transformed recently. The very fact that Andretti was eager to acquire an 80% stake in Islero Investments, the Sauber holding company, and that the ownership – effectively low-profile Swedish billionaire Finn Rausing – ultimately wasn’t willing to do a deal on workable terms confirms this. For the first time in the 21st century, F1 teams are on the brink of existing as consistently profitable and stable companies rather than being reliant on continual shareholder cash injections or hand-to-mouth struggles to survive.\nLooking at the big picture, F1 teams now have to operate to a cost cap. That first appeared this year with a baseline level of $145million (that’s based on 21 races, with adjustments up and down should that number be different), and will drop a further $5m in each of the next two years. The cost cap doesn’t cover everything, with driver costs, the pay of the three highest-paid team executives and myriad other things excluded, but crucially it does cover the design, build, development and operation of a couple of F1 cars over a season.\nThe cost cap is a hard line, enshrined in a 49-page document that sits alongside the technical and sporting regulations that F1 runs to. And while it has yet to be challenged by a test case, a chunk of those financial regulations are devoted to the procedures for punishing transgressors with draconian sporting sanctions. As F1 managing director Ross Brawn said when it was first announced, the cost cap “has teeth”, and could cost you a championship or worse.\nThe cost cap means that outgoings are far more under control than they once were. Teams will spend every dollar and cent they can on making the car go faster and this is the mechanism that has driven costs ever-upwards in recent decades, for a period creating a system where only the three biggest teams – Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull – could realistically aspire to sustained success. Now, if you are running an F1 team, you have a good idea what you will have to spend.\nThe income is also better structured thanks to the new Concorde Agreement, the document that binds together the FIA, F1 and the 10 teams commercially, agreed last year. A more equitable split of the chunk of revenue shared by the teams means that all the entries will get a fairer slice of the pie as opposed to under the previous commercial terms, whereby the biggest teams were paid disproportionately purely based on what they could negotiate under the pretense of historic success.\nPrior to the arrival of F1’s current commercial regulations, teams like Ferrari negotiated advantageous terms on the basis of their historic value to the sport, regardless of their recent performance. Glenn Dunbar/Motorsport Images\nThis means all of the F1 teams should be viable and sustainable. And although it’s fanciful to imagine that there won’t still be a hierarchy based on resources, facilities and expertise, over a long enough timeline things should even up. Potentially, this means it won’t only be the biggest teams that can aspire to a valuation of well over a billion dollars. NFL franchises are often used as an aspirational comparison, and you won’t get much change from $2.5 billion even for the lowest-value one of those.\nSo for Andretti, or any aspiring F1 team owner, the long-term incomings and outgoings were not only more predictable, but also more realistic. This is dramatically different to the past, where even measures such as the resource restriction agreement agreed in late 2008 proved impotent and preceded a period where the likes of Red Bull, Mercedes and Ferrari stoked the spending rises ever more aggressively.\nThis explains why owning an F1 team might be appealing. But why Sauber, a team that has finished eighth, ninth or 10th in every constructors’ championship since the switch to 1.6-litre V6 turbo hybrids in 2014, and that has only won a single GP in its 28 years in F1?\nThe simple answer is that it’s a privately-owned team that just might have been willing to sell. Those with manufacturer ownership, even Mercedes (one-third owned by each of Mercedes, Toto Wolff and INEOS), are not for sale, and even if they were, many would be prohibitively expensive. That doesn’t leave many options, especially given two teams that have been available in recent teams are now owned by a Lawrence Stroll-led consortium (Aston Martin) or New York private investment firm Dorilton Capital (Williams). As for Red Bull’s second team, there have been times that AlphaTauri (formerly Toro Rosso) has unofficially been open for offers, but it now suits the company very well to have two teams.\nSo that realistically leaves Sauber and Haas. The latter, despite some suggesting it would make sense, would not have been a sensible option. It’s a team that has enjoyed some success since joining F1 in 2016, finishing fifth in the constructors’ championship, before its current slump. But it falls far short of Sauber in terms of appeal given its dependence on Ferrari for the supply of the majority of parts that make up the car – effectively, it’s a partial F1 team. What’s more, despite owner Gene Haas’s publicly aired concerns about F1 a couple of years ago, the changes in the financial basis of F1 that have already been discussed and the financial injection from Russian company Uralkali, owned by Nikita Mazepin’s father Dimitry, mean it’s currently not for sale.\nSo too, it turned out, was Sauber. It’s understood that Rausing was uninterested in selling but eventually acquiesced and at least formulated some basic terms that meant the sale of 80% might be possible. This was the point when the Andretti side seemed confident a deal could be concluded, potentially over the United States Grand Prix weekend, before the amount that needed to be pumped in rose. The bottom line is that now is not a good time to sell a grand prix team.\nAlfa Romeo, Andretti Autosport, Michael Andretti, Sauber, Formula 1, Insights & Analysis\nEdd Straw\nEdd Straw is a Formula 1 journalist and broadcaster, and regular contributor to RACER magazine. He started his career in motorsport journalism at Autosport in 2002, reporting on a wide range of international motorsport before covering grand prix racing from 2008, as well as putting in stints as editor and editor-in-chief before moving on at the end of 2019. A familiar face both in the F1 paddock, and watching the cars trackside, his analytical approach has become his trademark, having had the privilege of watching all of the great grand prix drivers and teams of the 21st century in action - as well has having a keen interest in the history of motorsport. He was also once a keen amateur racing driver whose achievements are better measured in enjoyment than silverware.\n35 shares10hr ago\nhttps://sportnewspoint.com/insight-why-the-time-was-right-for-andretti-to-pursue-sauber/ INSIGHT: Why the time was right for Andretti to pursue Sauber - SportNewsPoint\nhttps://f1newshubb.com/2021/11/01/insight-why-the-time-was-right-for-andretti-to-pursue-sauber/ INSIGHT: Why the time was right for Andretti to pursue Sauber - F1 News Today\n[…] Read More:INSIGHT: Why the time was right for Andretti to pursue Sauber […]\nInsights & Analysis 11m ago\nINSIGHT: Daytona's '24 Hours of the mechanics'\nWith nine new racecars making up the GTP class, there’s been much speculation that reliability is going to play a major part in the 61st (…)\nGTP 101: The Acura ARX-06’s internal combustion engine","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1640851"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6756741404533386,"wiki_prob":0.6756741404533386,"text":"Mars Will Be the Closest to Earth This Week Until 2035\nYou'll have to wait another 15 years for another chance.\nBy Paolo Chua | Oct 5, 2020\nIMAGE WIKIMEDIA COMMONS\nIf you've been looking up a lot, then you've probably noticed that Mars has been getting brighter and brighter. No, your eyes aren't playing tricks on you. And, it's going to get even brighter this week.\nREAD MORE ABOUT MARS AND SPACE\nNASA Is Sending My Name to Mars. Here's How You Can Send Yours\nThe 10 Best Alien Movies Ever Made\nThat's because, on October 6, Mars will be 62 million kilometers away from Earth. It will be unusually close, and you'll get to see all of its brilliance—dazzling yellow-orange glow and all—better.\nIt's common knowledge that Earth takes 365 days to orbit around the sun, but what's less known is that Mars takes 687 days to do the same. Every 26 months and some days, however, Earth catches up and, as a bonus, we see Mars better.\nWith Mars being our second closest cosmic cousin, you'd think this wouldn't be that big of a deal. But, this is the last time the planet will be this close for the next 15 years. In fact, the last time the same phenomenon happened was 2003... ah, better days.\nHow close will it be actually? Well, you can easily see Mars with or without a telescope. The only thing you need to do is to make sure you check a sky chart to figure out when it will be in your area.\nPaolo Chua\nAssociate Style Editor\nPaolo Chua is the Associate Style Editor at Esquire Philippines, where he writes about fashion and grooming. Before joining Esquire Philippines, he was a writer at Town & Country Philippines.\nView Other Articles From Paolo\nGoogle, Apple, and Microsoft Are This Year's Best Employers in the World\nHow Hackers Stole the Facebook Page of a Filipino Racing School and Racked Up $10,000 in Credit Card Debt","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1472719"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8339120745658875,"wiki_prob":0.8339120745658875,"text":"COVID-19: Trump threatens to freeze WHO funding, accuses it of being ‘China centric’\nBy Press Trust of India on 10:44 am April 8, 2020 No Comment\nWashington: President Donald Trump has threatened to put a “very powerful” hold on US’ funding to the World Health Organization, accusing the UN agency of being “very China centric” and criticising it for having “missed the call” in its response to the coronavirus pandemic.\nTrump slammed the global health agency for its early guidance aimed at countering the international spread of the coronavirus.\n“We’re going to put a hold on money spent to the WHO. We’re going to put a very powerful hold on it and we’re going to see. It’s a great thing if it works. But when they call every shot wrong, that’s no good,” Trump told reporters at his daily White House news conference on Tuesday.\nThe Geneva-headquartered World Health Organization (WHO), receives vast amounts of money from the United States.\n“We pay for a majority or the biggest portion of their money. They actually criticized and disagreed with my travel ban at the time I did it. They were wrong. They’ve been wrong about a lot of things. They had a lot of information early and they didn’t want to – they’re very – they seem to be very China centric,” Trump said.\nThe president said his administration was going to look into the US funding to the WHO.\n“We give a majority of the money that they get, and it’s much more than the USD 58 million. USD 58 million is a small portion of what they’ve got over the years. Sometimes they get much more than that. Sometimes it’s for programs that they’re doing, and-it’s much bigger numbers. If the programmes are good, that’s great as far as we’re concerned,” he said.\n“But we want to look into it, WHO, because they called it wrong. They (WHO) called it wrong. They missed the call. They could’ve called it months earlier. They would have known and they should have known and they probably did know. So, we’ll be looking into that very carefully, and we’re going to put a hold on money spent to the WHO,” Trump said.\nMeanwhile, Senator Jim Risch, chairman of Senate Foreign Relations Committee, called for an independent investigation into the WHO’s handling of the COVID-19 response.\n“The WHO has failed not only the American people, it has failed the world with its flagrant mishandling of the response to COVID-19,” said Risch.\nWHO Director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus’ apparent unwillingness to hold the Chinese Communist Party to even the minimum standard of global health and transparency hindered the world’s ability to blunt the spread of this pandemic, he said.\n“It is completely unacceptable that the world’s global health organization has become a political puppet of the Chinese government,” he alleged, adding that “an independent investigation into the WHO’s handling of the COVID-19 response is imperative.”\nThe United States is the largest contributor to the WHO.\n“Our valuable tax payer dollars should go towards investments to prevent the spread of disease, not to aid and abet cover-ups that cost lives and isolate portions of the world’s population on political grounds, as has been the case with Taiwan,” Senator Risch said.\nA bipartisan group of nearly two dozen lawmakers announced Tuesday to introduce a resolution to defund the WHO until Ghebreyesus resigns and an international commission investigates the organisation’s role in covering up the Chinese Communist Party’s failed COVID-19 response.\n“The WHO helped the Chinese Communist Party hide the threat of COVID-19 from the world and now more than 10,000 Americans are dead, a number that is expected to rise dramatically in the coming weeks,” Congressman Guy Reschenthaler alleged.\n“The United States is the largest contributor to WHO. It is not right that Americans’ hard-earned tax dollars are being used to propagate China’s lies and hide information that could have saved lives. This bill will hold the WHO accountable for their negligence and deceit,” he asserted.\nThe United States’ intelligence community has reported that the Chinese government hid the threat of COVID-19 and, as a result, made it difficult for the rest of the world to respond early, appropriately and aggressively, said Congressman Fred Keller.\n“For reasons beyond understanding, the WHO acted as a silent partner in this effort instead of protecting the lives of millions across the world, including hundreds of thousands of American citizens. Our hard-earned tax dollars should not go to a global organization more concerned with not offending the Chinese government than providing accurate information and protecting innocent lives,” Keller said.\nSenator Marco Rubio accused the Chinese Communist Party of using WHO “to mislead the world.”\n“The organisation’s leadership is either complicit or dangerously incompetent. I will work with the Trump Administration to ensure that WHO is independent and has not been compromised by the CCP before we continue our current funding, he added.\nAccording to Johns Hopkins University, there are over 1.43 million confirmed coronavirus cases across the world and over 82,000 people have died due to the disease. The US has nearly 400,000 infections, the highest in the world.\nCOVID-19: Trump threatens to freeze WHO funding, accuses it of being ‘China centric’ added by Press Trust of India on 10:44 am April 8, 2020","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1152521"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8535292148590088,"wiki_prob":0.8535292148590088,"text":"Latest News / Headline\nFIA post-race press conference - Spain\nLewis Hamilton Spain Sebastian Vettel Nico Rosberg\nDRIVERS: 1 - Nico Rosberg (Mercedes), 2 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes), 3 - Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari)\nNext Previous Enlarge\nLewis Hamilton (GBR) Mercedes AMG F1 and Nico Rosberg (GER) Mercedes AMG F1 in the Press Conference at Formula One World Championship, Rd5, Spanish Grand Prix Race, Barcelona, Spain, Sunday 10 May 2015. © Sutton Motorsport Images\nSebastian Vettel (GER) Ferrari in the Press Conference at Formula One World Championship, Rd5, Spanish Grand Prix Race, Barcelona, Spain, Sunday 10 May 2015. © Sutton Motorsport Images\nL to R): Lewis Hamilton (GBR) Mercedes AMG F1, Tony Ross (GBR) Mercedes AMG F1 Race Engineer, race winner Nico Rosberg (GER) Mercedes AMG F1 and Sebastian Vettel (GER) Ferrari celebrate on the podium at Formula One World Championship, Rd5, Spanish Grand Prix Race, Barcelona, Spain, Sunday 10 May 2015. © Sutton Motorsport Images\nRace winner Nico Rosberg (GER) Mercedes AMG F1 celebrates with Lewis Hamilton (GBR) Mercedes AMG F1 in parc ferme at Formula One World Championship, Rd5, Spanish Grand Prix Qualifying, Barcelona, Spain, Saturday 9 May 2015. © Sutton Motorsport Images\nRace winner Nico Rosberg (GER) Mercedes AMG F1 celebrates in parc ferme at Formula One World Championship, Rd5, Spanish Grand Prix Race, Barcelona, Spain, Sunday 10 May 2015. © Sutton Motorsport Images\nInfo Close\nPODIUM INTERVIEWS\n(Conducted by Maria Serrat)\nQ: Well, Nico, first win here in Barcelona and first win of the season.\nNico Rosberg: It was a prefect weekend. Great to be on pole and great to win the race like this. Very, very happy. Also thanks to the team, the car has been awesome, all weekend perfect, so yeah, really great.\nQ: You looked very strong, especially strong in the first stint and at the start, where you held onto [the lead].\nNR: Yeah, finally I got a great start as well. It's been a while coming but today it worked out really well.\nQ: Congratulations. Lewis, the biggest chance was at the start, what happened there?\nLewis Hamilton: I just clearly got a bad start. I had lots of wheelspin. But as Nico said, it was a good race, he did a fantastic job and I'm grateful that I could get back up to the podium for the team.\nQ: You're on the podium, your 75th podium, and also looking at the championship you're still leading the championship.\nLH: Yeah, but there's a long, long way to go. This was a difficult weekend for me, I'll definitely take it… looking forward to Monaco. It's going to be a very tough race for sure but I'm looking forward to it.\nQ: Congratulations. Moving on to third. Sebastian, once again on the podium this season. Was the second position and option?\nSebastian Vettel: I think it was. Obviously we were hanging in there pretty well. We had a good start, we were able to get past Lewis and then we did the right thing, covering him at the first stop. But then unfortunately they switched to a three-stop and they were just too quick. So we couldn't really keep up with the pace they had today, third is the best we could do and very happy. The car is great and it's great to see the fans, all the Ferrari flags, so very happy.\nQ: You didn't mirror their strategy and also you were complaining a little bit about traffic. Do you think that maybe a three-stopper would have given you a chance?\nSV: I think as a racing driver you always complain about something, especially if you're German! I think we tried everything we could. Obviously going through traffic is never easy but in the end it's the same for all of us – sometimes you're a bit luckier and other times you lose a little bit more.\nQ: Thanks and congratulations. Nico, last question for yourself. Now you're bouncing back. Turning point here in Barcelona and we're going to Monaco. Home race, pole last year and victory last year.\nNR: Yeah, but I'm just enjoying the day today, you know. Winning here in Barcelona was great and just enjoy that with the team tonight and then we look towards the next race.\nQ: Nico, many congratulations on this first victory of 2015 and just tell us what this win means to you really and where you go from here?\nNR: Just a fantastic weekend. Everything worked out on Saturday and Sunday. It all came together. I'm very happy and that's it.\nQ: Closing in a bit on the points?\nNR: Yeah, of course, seven points. At one point I thought maybe, who knows, maybe Sebastian can keep Lewis behind, which on the one side isn't good for the team, but in terms of my points… it's always a compromise, for my points that would have been better. But that's the way it is. Seven points is better than nothing and a fantastic team result today to be first and second, especially after the two-and-a half-week break. Everybody brought upgrades here but still we're dominating in such a way and that's fantastic to see and more than at the last race.\nQ: A 45-second margin between you and Sebastian at the end there. Lewis, coming to you, a lot of talking points from your afternoon. Essentially you ended up where you started but the work you had to put in to get back to that second place was pretty phenomenal. Tell us about your race, your start and then the decision to switch to a three-stop strategy.\nLH: Yeah, obviously I had quite a poor start. It's been a long time since I've had such a poor start. I tried my best to recover – I nearly dropped back to fourth at the start so I was very fortunate to keep third – and then it was just trying to fight… Unfortunately, this track isn't very good for overtaking. Actually it's the worst for overtaking. It's impossible to follow here, which is a shame. I don't know how it was further back but for the guys at the front it's just… it doesn't matter what you do you cannot get close enough even with the DRS, which is a shame. Nonetheless, I did everything I could behind Sebastian and did enough, I think, in the first stint but then I had a very long pit stop and then had to kind of do it all again. But fortunately towards the end it was enough to get it done on a three-stopper, I was able to get by. Yeah, if I was behind him in traffic I wouldn't have got past. I'm grateful I could gain those points for the team and it's kind of damage limitation for me, so it's not bad.\nQ: Very well done. Coming to you Sebastian, obviously the good: you're on the podium again. The bad: the 45-second margin back to the race winner, which I'm sure you didn't probably expect through here. Did you think it was on to keep Lewis behind you or did you feel that once he started to gain pace on those harder tyres that it was getting away from you?\nSV: To be honest I thought it would be tricky to keep him behind because they were a fair amount quicker, as we saw, at the end of the race. Obviously we were a bit lucky with the first pit stop – Lewis had a problem – so we were able to stay ahead, I think we reacted well and we did everything we could. Then obviously they decided to pit very early, go for a three-stop. I think it was our best chance to stay out, which is what we did. Unfortunately then I came out a bit in traffic after the second stop and lost maybe a couple of second, maybe two or three seconds, which would have been maybe just enough to stay in front but arguably with the speed they had you have to be fair and accept that they deserved to finish in front of us today, so well done to both of them. For us I'm pretty confident we will get closer again pretty soon, so hopefully in two weeks' time it's a different picture. I think we have done a step forward as a team in terms of performance. Obviously it doesn't really show here but I'm quite confident that in the next couple of race we'll be stepping up our game again and I'm looking forward to that.\nPodium ceremony viewed form the grandstand with fans on track at Formula One World Championship, Rd5, Spanish Grand Prix Race, Barcelona, Spain, Sunday 10 May 2015. © Sutton Motorsport Images\nNico Rosberg (GER) Mercedes AMG F1 celebrates in parc ferme at Formula One World Championship, Rd5, Spanish Grand Prix Race, Barcelona, Spain, Sunday 10 May 2015. © Sutton Motorsport Images\nRace winner Nico Rosberg (GER) Mercedes AMG F1 W06 celebrates in parc ferme at Formula One World Championship, Rd5, Spanish Grand Prix Race, Barcelona, Spain, Sunday 10 May 2015. © Sutton Motorsport Images\nRace winner Nico Rosberg (GER) Mercedes AMG F1 celebrates with the trophy at Formula One World Championship, Rd5, Spanish Grand Prix Race, Barcelona, Spain, Sunday 10 May 2015. © Sutton Motorsport Images\nSebastian Vettel (GER) Ferrari SF15-T at Formula One World Championship, Rd5, Spanish Grand Prix Race, Barcelona, Spain, Sunday 10 May 2015. © Sutton Motorsport Images\nRace winner Nico Rosberg (GER) Mercedes AMG F1 W06 crosses the line at Formula One World Championship, Rd5, Spanish Grand Prix Race, Barcelona, Spain, Sunday 10 May 2015. © Sutton Motorsport Images\nQ: (Livio Oricchio - GloboSport.com) Sebastian, you think the big gap you have, for example, to Nico, you have on the same strategy, is it related to the characteristics of the track or maybe the reality now between Ferrari and Mercedes?\nSV: I don't think it's the reality. If you take the average of the first five races, then you have your reality. I think you have to be fair and expect that on some tracks you're a bit more competitive than on others. It seems that for some reason we were not that competitive here - even though I think we have improved our car. So, not happy with the gap, to be honest. Not happy at all. Obviously they had a pretty easy race at the front, controlling the gaps, controlling the tyres, which then obviously allows you to push when you need to. Whereas for us, we are pushing as hard as we could and that's where we were at the end. So, not happy with today's result in terms of the gap to the front - but in terms of points scored and global result, I think we can be very happy. It's nice to be back on the podium.\nQ: (Heikki Kulta - Turun Sanomat) Nico, congratulations. Is this the best Mothers' Day gift you have given to your mother - and all in all, was this a so-called ‘perfect weekend' for you?\nNR: Well, I hope my Mum is happy - that would be great. And I'm sure she is, and I'm sure they're having a good time at home now. So that's nice. And then, perfect weekend? Yeah, it was a perfect weekend. Everything worked out: the car was great, nailed the setup for the race, for qualifying. Everything came together so very happy with that.\nQ: (Peter Farkas - Auto Motor) Sebastian, do you think it would have been worth to cover Lewis when he went in for his second stop? It was a bit strange that you went in about seven or eight laps later. And, considering this gap, which is pretty big, do you still think you're fighting in the championship?\nSV: The fact that we stayed seven- or something laps longer is obviously due to the fact we were on a different strategy: we were on two stops, Lewis was on three stops, so I think covering him would have been difficult. Obviously in the first stop, I guess we reacted because Lewis has such a poor stop - I don't know what happened to him - so we were able to cover him. That was a nice invitation and we took it. After that, as I said earlier, him pulling in so early was clear he's diverting, or going on a three stop, which was not our plan today, so we stayed out. All in all, they were probably a little bit too quick to really put more pressure on them.\nYes, I think I'm in the fight. We are able to improve our car. I think there's some good steps coming. Obviously our opponent is the favourite for the whole year and was untouchable last year to be fair, so I think the way you need to look at it is not that Mercedes is so strong, the way you need to look at it is that Ferrari was able to close the gap more than anyone else. I think we can be proud of that and we are very much willing to take our chance. Obviously we need to start turning things around very soon - but we are pushing to our maximum, trying to beat them soon.\nQ: (Barna Zsoldos - Nemzeti Sport) Nico, in terms of preparation, is there anything significant that you did otherwise in the past period - because in the whole weekend you were so much more dominant than in the past few weeks.\nNR: No, no, nothing different. Sorry. Just the same approach, keep on going, and this weekend it all came good. That's all.\nQ: (Andrea Cremonesi, La Gazzetta dello Sport) Question for Nico. How important is it to break the domination of Lewis until now - and how did you manage the situation after Bahrain? In Bahrain you seemed a little bit upset. And how do you think now in having Monaco next race… you won last year and were quite strong.\nNR: So, Bahrain was a long time ago and I'm not really thinking about the past too much. Bahrain was an exciting race, which gave me a boost and the only thing that was wrong as the result - and I wanted to change that for this weekend. Now the result came as well so I'm very happy with that today. We're just going to enjoy this win as an individual race. It's great to close up seven points to Lewis, great to go to Monaco next - I really like that track - that's it. Early days.\nQ: (Michael Schmidt - Auto, Motor und Sport) Lewis, what exactly happened at the start? Was it just the worse line you were standing on, that left you out to Sebastian? And then, theoretically, would it have been possible to finish the race on the third set of tyres - the hard one - if you wanted?\nLH: Wheelspin off the start - nothing different just wheelspin. I don't know if the inside line got worse but mine definitely wasn't good. And it wouldn't have been good to stay out, no. We chose to do a three stop quite early on.\nQ: (Luigi Perna – La Gazzetta dello Sport) Seb, at the end of the weekend, can you judge the updates you've had on the car as really a step forward or in your opinion do you have to reconsider them or change them a little bit?\nSV: It's a good question. Obviously, if you look at the gap in the race it was the biggest gap we've had so far so your conclusion might be that it's not so good, but I think we're quite confident that we're going in the right direction. For some reason, I don't think we were so competitive here which explains the gap. Now we're obviously trying to understand and find the reasons. Either this track didn't suit us or the conditions really suited Mercedes. I think it's more likely to be one of the two, because if you take the average, obviously we've been closer in the last couple of races, so I'm looking forward to Monaco and looking forward to being closer to them again.\nQ: (Chris Eichenberger - Motorsport Aktuell) Nico, what exactly did you change on the clutch?\nNR: I just went to a different spec, back to last year's one.\nQ: (Sebastian Scott - racedepartment) To you all: the next race is Monaco - Nico your home race - what do you particularly look forward to for this Grand Prix?\nNR: It's the most legendary race in the calendar and it's the most exciting track to drive on and the most challenging track. The whole weekend, the atmosphere is very very special, everything very unusual, so all these things come together. And of course, sleeping at home is an awesome thing also, and also very strange to be home and then walking or taking the scooter to the racetrack. It's very cool. Those are the things\nLH: The girls!\nSV: He stole my answer, there. Just really the event as a whole, I think, mostly enjoying the track, as Nico says, it's quite challenging and you have to be quite brave and take low risks to get the reward. I hope that we are able to have a very very good qualifying, otherwise it could be quite a boring race if you're stuck behind another car, it's not so exciting, because overtaking is not really... it's not the best track for overtaking, let's put it that way.\nQ: (Peter Farkas - Auto Motor) Lewis, when did it become clear to you that you were in fact not racing Nico but only Sebastian and did you think in the last stint that it was still possible to catch Nico?\nLH: Well actually, I think Nico was quite far up ahead. He was 22 seconds ahead by the time I got onto my last stint and I had 15 laps to go so that was a huge amount of time for me to try and catch up. I pushed very hard to see if I could have the pace on him in order to close it but it was than less than a second really - on occasions sometimes a second so I think I pushed right until there was like six laps to go and I still had 13 seconds to go so after that I kind of realised that I should bring the car home and live to fight another day.\nQ: (Peter Farkas - Auto Motor) Nico, did you fear that you had to push or even before Lewis's last stop, you were just cruising for the victory?\nNR: From the team, it was pretty clear that my position was very safe because the gap was so big so it was comfortable but of course you never know, so I still tried to keep my pace up in some way and then I could see the gap, that it was under control so it was good.\nQ: (Flavio Vanetti - Corriere della Serra) To both Mercedes drivers: we know you are running a dominant car but in some ways the advantage you had today is surprising you or not?\nNR: Well yes, because it's much more than we've seen recently, much more than Bahrain, much more than Shanghai, Malaysia, so it's really a big step in the right direction for us. That is a bit of a surprise but it just shows that we have an awesome team at the moment, everybody's doing a fantastic job and in the development race, again we won the development race this weekend, compared to Ferrari so that's an important indication for the rest of the season.\nLH: Nothing to add, really. Good question, good answer.\nQ: On that subject, they always say the final sector here is a good indicator for the Monaco Grand Prix. Looking at yesterday's qualifying, you were half a second faster than the Ferraris. Is that giving you a lot of encouragement, the performance in that final sector?\nNR: I don't know how... well, yeah, for sure it's not a bad thing definitely. I don't know if it's 100 percent representative but it's definitely looking good, yeah.\nQ: (Christopher Joseph - Chicane) Lewis, you spoke yesterday about tinkering quite a lot with the set-up of the car for qualifying. Are you now very conscious that you have to do something like that in qualifying for the rest of the season? Is it something that you approach differently?\nLH: Well, you can't change the car in qualifying but throughout practice I was tinkering, trying to get it ready for qualifying and ultimately it wasn't ideal. It wasn't bad in the race but yeah, today was a very very tough day, obviously, because I had to make up from the bad start and perhaps my true pace... I wasn't really able to show it compared to Nico, as I was further behind.\nQ: (Christopher Joseph - Chicane) So are you then, in Monaco, looking at practice to aggressively...\nLH: No, I'm just going to do what I did in the previous times. This is just a hiccup, I guess, this weekend.\nQ: (Vanessa H Rado - Revista Enki) Hamilton, I wanted to know if you have been able to adapt to all the changes that have been made this year in the regulations?\nLH: Well, not very much changed in the regulations. The things that we have... the front nose changed and the rear tyres. What else? Otherwise it's pretty similar to last year so this year is really trying to improve on last year. We had such an amazing year, kind of record-breaking as a team. For us it was hard to imagine trying to do that again or trying to beat it and that's our goal this year and I think we're definitely on the right route to doing that so I'm proud of everyone and very much enjoying the car.\nF1®ACCESS\nFree and simple registration required to view this content\nREGISTER OR SIGN IN\nIn quotes - Sunday in Barcelona","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1709869"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9852325320243835,"wiki_prob":0.9852325320243835,"text":"Apple TV+ Review: 'The Banker' is a well-mounted historical tale\nStephen Silver | Mar 20, 2020\nFollowing multiple delays, The Banker, the first Apple TV+ prestige dramatic film, has finally arrived.\nAnthony Mackie, Nia Long, Samuel L. Jackson and Nicholas Hoult in The Banker (Apple)\nIf there's such a thing as a cursed movie, The Banker would appear to be just that.\nThe film, a star-studded prestige drama about two black men who established a small banking empire in the '50s and '60s, had its distribution rights acquired by Apple in the summer of 2019. The acquisition was made with an eye towards a streaming future on the then soon-to-launch Apple TV+, along with a late-2019 theatrical release that would give it an outside shot at awards season consideration.\nThen, last November, about 24 hours before The Banker was set to premiere at the AFI Fest, the film's debut was abruptly cancelled, upon news that the half-sister of Bernard Garrett Jr., a producer of the film and the son of one of its subjects, was accusing Garrett of sexual abuse.\nThe controversy scuttled the film's release and pushed the film out of awards season. Then, in January, two different ex-wives of the elder Garrett made a public request of Apple to not release the film.\nThe Banker was eventually re-scheduled for a two-week theatrical release beginning on March 6, to be followed by a March 20 streaming release, with Garrett Jr. removed from the credits and from profit participation. But then the theatrical bow, of course, ran directly into the coronavirus pandemic, which closed the majority of the nation's movie theaters. The film made so small a dent at the domestic box office that it doesn't even have a page on the box office analysis site Box Office Mojo.\nA delayed arrival\nNow, The Banker has finally arrived on Apple TV+. And it turns out the film is a fine dramatic effort that combines elements of the fact-based civil rights genre with the feel of a heist movie. With much of North America quarantined in their homes and looking for entertainment, The Banker has a chance to get some significant viewership.\nThe Banker debuts as just the third feature film of the Apple TV+ era, after the nature documentary The Elephant Queen and the family drama Hala, which arrived in the service's earliest days. But The Banker has prestige elements, as well as star power, that those earlier efforts lacked.\nDirected by George Nolfi, best known as the director of the 2011 Matt Damon thriller The Adjustment Bureau and the 2016 Bruce Lee biopic Birth of the Dragon, the film stars Samuel L. Jackson and Anthony Mackie, a pair of prominent actors who, among much other work, are mainstays of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.\nNick Fury and the Falcon\nThe film stars Jackson and Mackie as Bernard Garrett and Joe Morris, a pair of African-American entrepreneurs seeking to make a fortune in the real estate and banking businesses, and ultimately break the regime of racial segregation in Los Angeles neighborhoods. Faced with racial barriers, they pull a Cyrano de Bergerac and bring in a white guy (Nicholas Hoult) to serve as their frontman. Later, Morris and Garrett pose as a chauffeur and janitor in order to watch the heist play out.\nEventually, the two bring their scheme to Garrett's Texas hometown, where they acquire banks and make loans to the area's underserved black community. But there they run into even more resistance than they had in California, leading to attention from the federal government.\nIt leads up to a climactic scene in which Anthony Mackie testifies before a Congressional committee, much as he did at the climax of Spike Lee's notorious 2002 film She Hate Me. Although this movie, and scene, are far better.\nJackson is charismatic and funny, as usual, with Mackie serving as more of a straight man. There's also a strong supporting cast, including a welcome Nia Long as Garrett's wife and Colm Meaney as an early partner. It's a handsomely photographed picture, full of period detail, and the costumes are outstanding too, including some beautiful vintage men's suits.\nThe film, though, doesn't break a ton of ground. If you're looking for a movie about a duo of black men and the legacy of mid-20th century California real estate, last year's The Last Man in San Francisco, directed by Joe Talbot, is a much more revolutionary film. That movie is available for rental and purchase from Apple.\nThere's not much competition, but The Banker is pretty clearly the best original film of the three in the Apple TV+ era. While it's likely not going to end up in the awards conversation for 2020, it represents exactly the sort of adult-oriented drama that Apple should be pursuing as they built out the original movie section of their streaming service.\nsacto joe\nsaid about 2 years ago\n“While it's likely not going to end up in the awards conversation for 2020...”\nBoy, do I disagree with that! Heck of a movie! Well done, all involved!\nAnd for Apple+ users, no extra charge.\nsidrictheviking\nJust watched it. Best thing on TV+ so far. Excellent! Keep ‘em coming, Apple.\nIs it just me or is it slightly ridiculous that every Apple site has decided they’re qualified to review tv and films now that Apple are producing their own content? I mean, there are places I’d go to find an honest opinion and critique of the Banker, or the Morning Show, and it’s not AppleInsider..\npetri said:\nIt's not the same authors on every article. This one is by:\nhttps://screenrant.com/author/silv/\nhttps://muckrack.com/stephen-silver\nThis site and others aggregate articles from multiple sources. Having a film critic review an Apple produced movie for an Apple fan base, a significant amount of whom likely have the service seems quite appropriate.\nMike Wuerthele\nGiven that Stephen Silver has been a media critic for decades (and so has William Gallagher), this is off-base, and frankly, insulting.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line167838"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9325675964355469,"wiki_prob":0.9325675964355469,"text":"Home → Articles → California → Rounding Up\nMark Burton was on the team that won the first jury verdict—$285 million—in the Roundup cases against Monsanto, and he’s not done yet\nPublished in 2021 Northern California Super Lawyers magazine on July 7, 2021\nFor years, Dewayne “Lee” Johnson worked as the groundskeeper for Benicia Unified School District, spraying Monsanto’s Roundup—“the juice,” as he called it—to kill weeds. When he was diagnosed in 2014 with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, he called Monsanto to find out if Roundup caused cancer. The company said someone would call him back.\nNo one called.\nSo Johnson found a lawyer and made history.\nHis case, claiming the weedkiller causes non-Hodgkin lymphoma, was the first Roundup verdict against Monsanto. The $285 million verdict brought out all the evidence for the first time. Mark Burton, with Audet & Partners in San Francisco, was the Northern California member of the six-attorney trial team for Johnson, and he has continued to represent plaintiffs suing Monsanto. The flood of other lawsuits included a class action, and a single case—which Burton also helped handle—that resulted in $2 billion in punitive damages.\n“To see Monsanto held responsible is very satisfying,” says Burton.\nWhen the Johnson case was filed in 2018, thousands of cases already had been filed against Monsanto in state courts, as well as a federal multidistrict litigation. Because Johnson was gravely ill, the court granted the trial team’s motion for the case to be given preference.\nWith the plethora of existing cases, discovery was already in the works. “There were many videotaped depositions of Monsanto employees that the trial team combed through for the Johnson case,” says Burton.\nThe team filed two claims against Monsanto: failure to warn of the danger, as well as the consumer expectation test—a law unique to California—which asks if the product performed as safely as an ordinary consumer would expect.\n“Both of these claims rely on causation: Does Roundup cause cancer?” says Burton. “And that’s where the main battle of the trial took place.”\nTiming is everything. When the Johnson case was filed, science had finally caught up. In 2015, the International Agency for Research on Cancer, which is part of the World Health Organization, made a determination that glyphosate was “probably carcinogenic to humans.” Dr. Christopher Portier, former director of the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, served as a consultant to IARC, and was a critical expert witness for Johnson.\n“The International Agency for Research on Cancer is the gold standard,” says Burton. “Top experts serve on the agency’s panels, and everyone is cleared of conflicts. It was the first time Dr. Portier testified in a case against Monsanto, and he was probably motivated to do so because Monsanto tried to publicly discredit him.”\nThe link between Roundup and cancer was further strengthened by a report from Dr. James Parry, a toxicologist whom Monsanto had hired as a scientific adviser. Burton says Dr. Parry had told the company its past testing was insufficient because glyphosate was tested in isolation and recommended further studies.\nDuring the trial, Burton says, the trial team introduced internal Monsanto memos that established these studies were never done.\nIn addition, Burton says, his team introduced into evidence that Monsanto’s company employees “ghostwrote” scientific articles about Roundup’s safety and compensated outside scientists to publish the articles under their names.\nWhile the experts were critical to winning the case, so was the jury.\n“We wanted a well-educated jury that could understand the science,” says Burton.\nSince Monsanto is a well-known company that evokes strong views, at least 200 prospective jurors were brought in, and Burton and his team managed to secure a jury that included several members with PhDs in science. This would be a strategy repeated in subsequent cases. In the second Roundup case to go to trial, Edwin Hardeman v. Monsanto, this time in federal court, prospective jurors were sent a questionnaire to help with jury selection. “Monsanto wanted to strike the jurors with advanced degrees in science,” says Burton, who assisted with jury selection. “The judge was shocked when we tried to save them.”\nThe Johnson trial team used a mock jury to ensure the arguments it was making were clear. The judge allowed the opening statements to be videotaped, and the mock jury watched the tapes and told the lawyers what seemed important.\n“We had an email from one of the Monsanto sales reps that called Californians ‘zombies’ and ‘liberals,’ a real derogatory tone,” says Burton. “We thought it was a great piece of evidence, but the mock jury didn’t care about it at all. They wanted to hear about the science.”\nOn August 10, 2018, the jury awarded Johnson $39 million for economic and non-economic losses, and $250 million in punitive damages. The trial judge subsequently reduced the punitive damages to $39 million to match the compensatory damages; on appeal, the total of both was reduced to $20 million.\nFor Burton, the battle against Monsanto didn’t end there. On March 27, 2019, the Hardeman case in federal court resulted in a verdict of $80 million (later reduced, and upheld by the 9th Circuit Court this May). In April 2019, a class action was filed for future cases, but this May, a proposed $2 billion settlement was rejected by U.S. District Judge Vince Chhabria in San Francisco. In May 2019, Burton was part of the trial team that represented Alva and Alberta Pilliod, husband and wife, and won a verdict of $55 million in economic and non-economic damages, and $2 billion in punitive damages, the ninth-largest verdict in American history.\nRoundup is still on the shelves, but Burton hopes the class action settlement will result in a cancer warning on the product’s label. “That would be a silver lining,” he says.\nAugust 10, 2018: Dewayne Johnson wins verdict against Monsanto: $39 million in economic and non-economic damages, $250 million for punitive damages.\nMarch 27, 2019: Jury awards Edwin Hardeman $200,967 in economic damages, $5 million in future and non-economic damages, and $75 million in punitive damages.\nApril 24, 2019: Audet & Partners files first class action against Monsanto based on the established link between Roundup and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.\nMay 13, 2019: Jury awards Alva and Alberta Pilliod $55 million in economic and non-economic damages and $2 billion total in punitive damages against Monsanto.\n2020: Bayer, the parent company of Monsanto, announces $11 billion in settlements for 80,000 cases involving dozens of law firms.\nMark E. Burton\nTop Rated Class Action & Mass Torts Lawyer\nAudet & Partners, LLP\nThe Most Popular Guy in the Neighborhood\nHow Jim Hacker became the Beyoncé of the New York Bar Featuring James E. Hacker\nSix pillars of the legal community look back on three decades of law Featuring Nancy Zalusky Berg, Michael V. Ciresi, Joseph S. Friedberg, Earl P. Gray, Kathleen M. Newman, Lewis A. Remele, Jr.\nCoast to Coast to Coast\nGetting into the class-action weeds with 20-for-20 lawyer Graham LippSmith Featuring Graham B. LippSmith","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1078870"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7173260450363159,"wiki_prob":0.7173260450363159,"text":"The Trauma Hero: From Wilfred Owen to “Redeployment” and “American Sniper”\nJanuary 25, 2015 • By Roy Scranton\nEVERY TRUE WAR STORY is a story of trauma and recovery. A boy goes to war, his head full of romantic visions of glory, courage, and sacrifice, his heart yearning to achieve heroic deeds, but on the field of battle he finds only death and horror. He sees, suffers, and causes brutal and brutalizing violence. Such violence wounds the soldier’s very soul.\nAfter the war the boy, now a veteran and a man, returns to the world of peace haunted by his experience, wracked by the central compulsion of trauma and atrocity: the struggle between the need to bear witness to his shattering encounter with violence, and the compulsion to repress it. The veteran tries to make sense of his memory but finds it all but impossible. Most people don’t want to hear the awful truths that war has taught him, the political powers that be want to cover up the shocking reality of war, and anybody who wasn’t there simply can’t understand what it was like.\nThe truth of war, the veteran comes to learn, is a truth beyond words, a truth that can only be known by having been there, an unspeakable truth he must bear for society.\nSo goes the myth of the trauma hero.\nThis myth informs our politics, shapes our news reports, and underwrites our history. It dominates critical and scholarly interpretation of war literature, war movies, and the visual culture of war. It shapes how we understand Iraq, Afghanistan, Vietnam, and World War II, and it affects whom we vote for. Like all myths, this story frames and filters our perceptions of reality through a set of recognizable and comforting conventions. It works to convince us that war is a special kind of experience that offers a special kind of truth, a truth that gives those who have been there a special kind of authority.\nThe trauma hero myth also serves a scapegoat function, discharging national bloodguilt by substituting the victim of trauma, the soldier, for the victim of violence, the enemy. Take Clint Eastwood’s recent adaptation of Chris Kyle’s memoir, American Sniper. The story, as everyone knows, is of the life and death of Navy SEAL Chris Kyle, who as a shooter in Iraq racked up more confirmed kills than any other sniper in American military history. Kyle served four tours in Iraq as a trigger-puller, then retired and began to work with disabled and traumatized veterans. One day one of these veterans shot him.\nThe opening scene sets the moral stakes: Our hero, played all lockjaw, thousand-yard stare, and darting eyes by Bradley Cooper, must decide whether or not to shoot an Iraqi child whose mother gave him a grenade to throw at an American convoy. Never mind the tired Vietnam-era trope of the bomb-wielding child, a fiction that Eastwood grafted onto Kyle’s less sensational autobiographical account of shooting a woman. What’s important here is that we’re being shown what extremes of psychological torment our hero must endure — and this is only the beginning. Such suffering is the upshot of the whole narrative, which is an account of Kyle’s increasing combat stress and the toll that takes on his family, layered over with a simplistic dueling snipers plot, both of which culminate in a climactic rooftop battle scene.\nIn this scene, Kyle draws on his years of training and warrior wisdom to make an “impossible” shot, killing the sniper “Mustafa.” As a gibbering horde of Iraqi insurgents descends upon our American heroes, Kyle calls his wife by satellite phone and tells her he’s ready to come home. A dust storm envelops the battle and the Americans fight their way out, barely escaping, in a visually striking chaos that serves as a symbolic baptism: Kyle is sucked into the whirlwind and only barely makes it out, leaving his weapon and his lucky Bible behind him. He has been reborn.\nThe last scenes of the film intimate Kyle’s recuperation. Cooper loses his thousand-yard stare and lets his jaw relax, revealing a man who has learned how to turn the lessons of war into the lessons of peace. Instead of helping endangered soldiers by killing Iraqis, he has learned to help wounded soldiers by talking with them and mentoring them in shooting-range therapy. The final scene, before the documentary footage of Kyle’s flag-bedecked funeral, is of Kyle as father and husband, warm, joking, engaged with his wife and children.\nAmerican Sniper focuses in tight on one man’s story of trauma, leaving out the complex questions of why Kyle was in Iraq being traumatized in the first place. The Iraqis in the film are villains, caricatures, and targets, and the only real opinion on them the film offers is Kyle’s. The Iraqis are all “savages” who threaten American lives and need to be killed. There’s some truth in this representation, insofar as this is how a lot of American soldiers thought. Yet the film obviates the questions of why any American soldiers were in Iraq, why they stayed there for eight years, why they had to kill thousands upon thousands of Iraqi civilians, and how we are to understand the long and ongoing bloodbath once called the “war on terror.” It does that precisely by turning a killer into a victim, a war hero into a trauma hero.\nThe myth of the trauma hero, like all great myths, has a history. It goes back to the birth of Romanticism in the 18th century, and is first seen taking shape in Stendhal’s The Charterhouse of Parma and Tolstoy’s War and Peace. The myth achieved its mature form in 20th-century war literature, and is often now read as the very definition of war literature itself, even though as the 20th century has worn on, the myth has become increasingly conventional and increasingly self-referential. Tracking this myth through the poetry of Wilfred Owen, the prose of Ernest Hemingway and Tim O’Brien, and Kevin Powers’s Iraq war novel The Yellow Birds can help us see how the myth works, how it has been used by writers eager to capitalize on the moral authority it offers, and how it has turned from being a frame for understanding reality into a mirroring surface that reflects back only our own expectations.\nIn June 1917, while recuperating from shellshock at Craiglockhart War Hospital, British Lieutenant Wilfred Owen wrote the first draft of a bitter poem describing the death of a fellow soldier in a gas attack. This draft was dedicated “To Jessie Pope,” a widely published female civilian poet known for her patriotic poems. Owen’s dedication, later amended “To a certain poetess,” was as facetious as the poem’s now-famous ending is ironic: the vividly depicted horror of a comrade’s choking death was intended to chasten pro-war civilians like Pope and repudiate the “old Lie” that “dulce et decorum est pro patria mori.”\nOwen begins his poem in the perspective of marching soldiers, identifying a speaking “we” that shifts between subjective sensation and close description of physical suffering: “Bent double, like old beggars under sacks, / Knock-kneed, coughing like hags, we cursed through sludge […]” Vivid images strike a scene as if out of Bosch, and details such as the caliber of the artillery rounds help establish the narrator’s authority. The men come under gas attack, and we, with our narrator, helplessly watch one die choking, drowning in air. We see through the narrator’s eyes, through the “misty” lenses of his gas mask. This shift via perceptual detail into the narrator’s subjectivity is pushed further in the next stanza’s free-standing couplet, where the death recurs as a traumatic repetition within the narrator’s dreams: “In all my dreams, before my helpless sight, / He plunges at me, guttering, choking, drowning.”\nIn the final stanza, the narrator turns from his dream to the reader’s, indicting the one who doesn’t know the experience of war: “If in some smothering dreams you too could pace / Behind the wagon that we flung him in […]” The details press on, one after the other, but now instead of describing the scene itself, or even its memory, Owen describes the dream that you, the reader, would be tortured by — if you’d seen what he’d seen and felt what he felt. If you could see, the narrator tells Jessie Pope, if you knew what it was really like, then you wouldn’t write poems supporting the war.\nThe Latin tag ending the poem, from Horace’s Carmina III.2, translates roughly as “It is dear and honorable to die for one’s nation.” This tag stands for what Owen is aiming to attack, to dispel, to silence: the “old Lie” taught in English schoolbooks and put forth by civilian poets. I know the truth, Owen claims, not because I read about it in Horace, but because I’ve seen it, heard it, and felt it. Owen means to malign war, but according to his logic, it is his very experience of war that gives him privileged access to moral truth beyond anything civilians like Jessie Pope can ever hope to achieve. Owen asserts that war’s truth is the truth of the soldier’s experience, which puts the issue of war beyond debate.\nThe Israeli military historian Yuval Harari has argued that the practice of hallowing the experience of war as trauma grows out of a larger historical shift from recording external deeds as evidence of valor to recording internal experiences as evidence of developing sensibility. Revolutions in military technology and organization in the early 17th century created the conditions for detaching personal glory from military experience. In the 18th and early 19th centuries, the growth of sensationalism, the cult of sensibility, and Romanticism combined with increasing literacy and a more professionalized and middle-class officer corps to make “war-as-revelation” the predominant frame for interpreting the individual experience of war in the West. Once a field of accomplishment, war became a kind of sentimental education.\nIn the US, this interpretive frame has led to contradictory attitudes about war. On the one hand, Americans denounce war as something uncivilized and exceptional, something only other countries do, something America only does under duress. On the other hand, Americans indulge in what historian David Bell has described as “an unabated fascination with war, considering it a test of their society’s worth. They treat members of the armed forces with respect verging on reverence and take for granted that no one who has not been in combat can ever really understand ‘what it is like’ or how it changes a person.”\nMost Americans seem to believe that war can only be known through direct, physical, sensory experience on the battlefield, such as the moment of vision Owen describes in “Dulce et Decorum Est.” Ernest Hemingway, who in contrast to Owen’s long front-line service lasted only a few weeks as a noncombatant before being wounded and returning to the US, stands in American letters as the high priest of combat gnosticism. In Hemingway’s work, the emphasis on physicality, embodiment, and materiality we see in Owen’s representations of the soldier’s truth opens into a metaphysical bias against representation itself. In Hemingway’s novel of World War I, A Farewell to Arms, Lieutenant Frederic Henry delivers a famous denunciation of martial ideals and abstract language, founded in the moral authority of his earlier wounding, that makes this point explicit.\nDuring a conversation between Lieutenant Henry and an Italian ambulance driver named Gino, in an area of the front that had recently been taken back, Gino comments that the summer fighting “cannot have been done in vain.” Lieutenant Henry silently disdains not just Gino’s patriotism, but the very words he uses:\nI was always embarrassed by the words sacred, glorious, and sacrifice and the expression in vain. We had heard them, sometimes standing in the rain almost out of earshot, so that only the shouted words came through, and had read them, on proclamations that were slapped up by billposters over other proclamations, now for a long time, and I had seen nothing sacred, and the things that were glorious had no glory and the sacrifices were like the stockyards at Chicago if nothing was done with the meat except bury it. There were many words that you could not stand to hear and finally only the names of places had dignity. Certain numbers were the same way and certain dates and these with the names of the places were all you could say and have them mean anything. Abstract words such as glory, honor, courage, or hallow were obscene beside the concrete names of villages, the numbers of roads, the names of rivers, the numbers of regiments and the dates.\nFor Hemingway’s Lieutenant Henry, the soldier’s truth becomes a formal truth: it determines not only who can speak, but what words can be spoken. Gino, after all, has seen as much or more war than Lieutenant Henry has. The difference between them is in their sensibility. For Hemingway, Gino is a crude nationalist who thinks and speaks in clichés, while Lieutenant Henry is a refined and sensitive soul who knows the true words for war. Those words must be concrete, sensory, metonymic: place names, regimental numbers, and dates must stand in for the battles that were fought there. Any recognition of social value, any judgment of character or worth, Hemingway finds repugnant. War and combat can only be properly addressed by invoking the temporal and geographic markers by which those who were present will remember them.\nUpping the literary stakes, Tim O’Brien’s influential collection of linked stories The Things They Carried pushes beyond Hemingway’s repudiation of idealism and abstraction to a repudiation of civic discourse and truth as such. Where Hemingway still allows invocation to retain the dignity of battlefield presence, O’Brien refuses any connection at all between social norms and combat. Where Hemingway insists on the concrete, O’Brien avows the obscene. “A true war story,” he writes in The Things They Carried, “is never moral.”\nIt does not instruct, nor encourage virtue, nor suggest models of proper human behavior, nor restrain men from doing the things men have always done. If a story seems moral, do not believe it. If at the end of a war story you feel uplifted, or if you feel some small bit of rectitude has been salvaged from the larger waste, then you have been made the victim of a very old and terrible lie. There is no rectitude whatsoever. There is no virtue. As a first rule of thumb, therefore, you can tell a true war story by its absolute and uncompromising allegiance to obscenity and evil.\nThe Things They Carried is presented as a series of reminiscences, partly fictionalized, ambiguously true, from O’Brien’s time as an infantryman in Vietnam. In “How to Tell a True War Story,” much as in Owen’s poem, O’Brien offers the voyeuristic drama of watching a fellow soldier die as evidence against “a very old and terrible lie.” On patrol in the jungle, two infantrymen, Rat Kiley and Curt Lemon, are playing catch with a smoke grenade, when Lemon steps on a booby trap and gets blown up. Like Owen, O’Brien revisits the moment of death again and again. Where Owen’s choking soldier comes back first as a dream, then as the reader’s dream, O’Brien’s exploding Curt Lemon comes back and back and back in a fictional model of traumatic repetition.\nWhat O’Brien ultimately works toward, in this story and throughout The Things They Carried, is the assertion of an encounter with truth that transcends communicability — not only for his characters, but for the writer. The knowledge Tim O’Brien claims to have experienced in Vietnam can’t be understood or even discussed, but only felt.\nFor the common soldier, at least, war has the feel — the spiritual texture — of a great ghostly fog, thick and permanent. There is no clarity. Everything swirls. The old rules are no longer binding, the old truths no longer true. Right spills over into wrong. Order blends into chaos, love into hate, ugliness into beauty, law into anarchy, civility into savagery. The vapors suck you in. You can’t tell where you are, or why you’re there, and the only certainty is overwhelming ambiguity. In war you lose your sense of the definite, hence your sense of truth itself, and therefore it’s safe to say that in a true war story nothing is ever absolutely true.\nFor O’Brien, a true war story is about the failure of language to communicate experience altogether, which is an assertion that the soldier’s truth is a mystic truth. Illumination here takes the form of negative theology, apophatically denying that the experience of war can be described, thereby denying both the truth of prior descriptions and the possibility that the experience can ever be communicated at all.\nConfronting O’Brien’s total negation of language, Kevin Powers’s 2012 Iraq war novel The Yellow Birds flips the script by representing war trauma as the font of poetic transcendence: instead of negating language, the experience of war inspires it. Through flashbacks, The Yellow Birds tells of Privates John Bartle and Daniel Murphy, a wartime George and Lennie who deploy to Iraq under the tyrannical rule of one Sergeant Sterling. While downrange, Murphy loses his mind and goes AWOL; Bartle and Sterling eventually find his mutilated corpse. In the novel’s present, Bartle has returned to the US, struggles with PTSD, and is wrongly imprisoned by the military’s Criminal Investigation Division for his alleged involvement in an atrocity committed by Sergeant Sterling, who has in the meantime committed suicide. What redeems Bartle in the end is the novel itself, his story, his voice: the novel dramatizes the transformation of Bartle’s trauma into Powers’s poetry.\nPowers’s literary ambitions are signaled in the novel’s first lines, a lyrical meditation on war that builds metaphor upon metaphor into a surreal montage of sensation beyond meaning, and extends from its tortuously elaborate sentences through its melodramatic plot to its hyper-conscious symbolism of hyacinths. Private Bartle’s narration is a perpetual cry of pain, a constant ache of swollen language that breaks into traumatic revelation when he commits violence:\nI moved to the edge of the bridge and began firing at anything moving. I saw one man fall in a heap near the bank of the river among the bulrushes and green fields on its edges. In that moment, I disowned the waters of my youth. My memories of them became a useless luxury, their names as foreign as any that could be found in Nineveh: the Tigris or the Chesapeake, the James or the Shatt al Arab farther to the south, all belonged to someone else, and perhaps had never really been my own. I was an intruder, at best a visitor, and would be even in my home, in my misremembered history, until the glow of phosphorescence in the Chesapeake I had longed to swim inside again someday became a taunt against my insignificance, a cruel trick of light that had always made me think of stars. No more. I gave up longing, because I was sure that anything seen at such a scale would reveal the universe as cast aside and drowned, and if I ever floated there again, out where the level of the water reached my neck, and my feet lost contact with its muddy bottom, I might realize that to understand the world, one’s place in it, is to be always at the risk of drowning.\nNoctiluca, I thought, Ceratium, as the tracers began to show themselves in the sifted twilight […]\nPowers ascends from description to meditation, from simple declarations to disordered hyperbaton, from the concrete names of rivers now turned foreign to the abstract stymying of pluperfect desires (“until the glow of phosphorescence in the Chesapeake I had longed to swim inside again someday became a taunt against my insignificance”), and finally to esoteric Latin terms deployed in a telling inversion of Owen’s rhetorical move ending “Dulce et Decorum Est.” Where Owen marshals sense data to controvert the authority of Latinate literariness, Powers takes flight from materiality into literature. Where Owen inscribes a vision, Powers poetizes: “Noctiluca, I thought, Ceratium […]”\nFor Powers, the conventional tropes of war lit are not a means of conveying truth, but the truth of war itself. The transformation of experience into literature is here characterized as a dissociation from one’s own embodied memory (“I disowned the water of my youth”), a process of evacuation in which concrete facts, Hemingway’s “names of rivers,” become not only interchangeable but also alienated, pure signs operating in a closed economy of literary signification in which Powers (or Bartle) is an interloper (they “all belonged to someone else, and perhaps had never really been my own”) — an economy we might read as the system of MFA programs and New York publishing circles that shaped The Yellow Birds and its reception. Powers’s climactic turn from experience to literature rather than the other way around suggests that the conventions of traumatic revelation have become purely formal expectations of an audience more interested in war as myth than in war as reality, or even as literature.\nIn one of the most substantial recent articles on contemporary war lit, George Packer in The New Yorker reads the genre as a set of variations on the trauma hero myth, focusing on the Owen-Hemingway-O’Brien lineage while ignoring works that don’t fit that frame, such as John Dos Passos’s epic U.S.A. trilogy, James Jones’s masterful combat novel The Thin Red Line, John Horne Burns’s acidic portrait of American-occupied Naples, The Gallery, or Stephen Wright’s surreal, elusive novel about media and surveillance in Vietnam, Meditations in Green. Shoehorning more recent war lit from Iraq and Afghanistan into his narrow rubric, Packer extends his interpretation from the literature of those wars to the wars themselves, writing: “The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan fully meet [Paul] Fussell’s description of the ironic: they were worse than expected. Both began with hubris and false victories, turned into prolonged stalemates, and finally deserved the bitter name of defeat.” This is, we should note, a partial view. Packer was one of the liberal hawks calling for an American invasion of Iraq in 2002 and 2003, against the advice of State Department officials, Middle East experts, UN weapons inspector Hans Blix, and the US Army Chief of Staff. Only after spending time on the ground in Baghdad, “seeing what it was really like” and realizing that wars are messy, bloody, dumb, and wasteful, did Packer recant his earlier jingoism.\nIn light of his own experience, as understood through the lens of Fussell’s canonical reading of World War I poetry in The Great War and Modern Memory, Packer sees the novels, poems, and stories coming out of Iraq and Afghanistan as bearing the truth of a traumatic and disillusioning revelation. He reads Kevin Powers’s rather banal poetry as “meditative and convalescent,” evincing “the poet’s mind reopening after a great shock,” and finds “one of the best distillations of combat” he’d ever read in a dull comparison The Yellow Birds makes between combat and a car accident. Packer interprets Benjamin Busch’s lyrical memoir Dust to Dust as the formal embodiment of PTSD, writing, “Fragments are perhaps the most honest literary form available to writers who fought so recently.” It’s difficult to know what it would mean for a literary form to be “honest,” unless you are predisposed to understand experience as having a certain shape. Brian Turner, the pre-eminent American poet of the Iraq War, fits rather more easily into Packer’s trauma hero reading, since Turner’s poetry is already deeply Romantic in sensibility. For Turner, poetry itself is already experience-as-revelation; the fact that he is a war poet is practically accidental, except insofar as we seem to expect our war poets to write precisely that kind of poem. Packer ends his essay by considering Phil Klay’s award-winning short story collection Redeployment, lauding the book as a paragon not of literary sophistication and suspended judgment, which it is, but of “rigorous honesty” and, of course, irony. Klay’s virtues are, for Packer, the essential virtues of war literature: not art, but experience. This itself is ironic, considering Klay spent his war behind a desk as a Public Affairs Officer — what the military calls a publicist.\nBy focusing strictly on writers who happen to be veterans, Packer misses not only some of the most interesting novels published so far about the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, including Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk, by Ben Fountain, The Watch, by Joydeep Roy-Bhattacharya, and They Dragged Them Through the Streets, by Hilary Plum, but also essential work in translation by Iraqi writers, such as Sinan Antoon’s elegiac novel The Corpse Washer and Hassan Blasim’s devastating, surreal short stories in The Corpse Exhibition. What’s more, Packer ignores veteran writers who don’t fit the conventions of the trauma hero myth. A stirring diversity of short stories, novels, poems, essays, and memoirs by a growing community of writers are effaced and reduced to a handful of works that conform to expected conventions.\nWhere Packer missteps most precipitously, however, is where he considers war literature in its historical and political contexts.\nJournalists and historians have to distort war. In order to find the plot — causation, sequence, meaning — they make war more intelligible than it really is. In the literature by veterans, there are virtually no politics or polemics, in stark contrast to the tendentious way in which most Americans, especially those farthest removed from the fighting, discussed Iraq. This new writing takes the war, though not its terrible cost, as a given.\nThis isn’t just wrong, it’s dangerous. It presumes that journalists and historians adhere to conventions of understanding (“causation, sequence, meaning”) whereas novelists and poets do not, which not only offers a patently nonsensical way of approaching literature but also makes extravagant demands upon it: how could a writer possibly communicate any experience without making it “more intelligible than it really is”? Making experience intelligible is just what language does. Further, Packer makes the specious assumption that ignoring the causes, background, and motivating forces for a war represents an absence of politics, rather than seeing it for what it is, which is a kind of politics — namely, a politics of forgetting that actively elides the question of what US soldiers were fighting for and the bigger problem of who they were killing, in favor of the more narrow and manageable question of “what it was like.”\nPacker’s tendentious argument highlights the most troubling consequence of our faith in the revelatory truth of combat experience and our sanctification of the trauma hero: that by focusing so insistently on the psychological trauma American soldiers have had to endure, we allow ourselves to forget the death and destruction those very soldiers are responsible for. Consider the title story of Phil Klay’s Redeployment. Klay’s collection opens with a US marine reflecting on his experience in Iraq as he returns home, declaring: “We shot dogs.” This short, powerful sentence, while factually true, offers readers a comforting moral lie. “We shot dogs” is as accurate as “We built schools” or “We brought democracy,” and works much the way we seem to want our war literature to function: by foregrounding a peripheral detail, it obscures much more significant big-picture realities. By focusing on how “We shot dogs,” Klay allows American readers to ignore the unpleasant fact that we shot people.\nThe story “Redeployment” tells is of a traumatized marine veteran, Sgt. Price, who returns home from Iraq to his wife, Cheryl, and his dog, Vicar. Vicar, he finds, is terminally ill. As Sgt. Price adjusts to peacetime life and processes his experience of the war, he is troubled by Vicar’s worsening condition, and eventually decides to take the dog out to the river and shoot him.\nKlay’s Old Yeller narrative of masculine hardening is layered over with a deliberate conflation between Iraqis and dogs. It is telling that Sgt. Price’s dog is named “Vicar.” A vicar is a representative or substitute, as the Pope is the Vicar of Christ, and in “Redeployment,” the tumorous Vicar is a substitute for the narrator’s trauma and guilt. Yet Vicar also stands in as a substitute for the thousands of Iraqis killed during the American occupation. The comparison is made explicit at the story’s end, as Sgt. Price is preparing to shoot his dog, when he remembers his marines killing an insurgent in Fallujah. The insurgent had been found in a cesspool, “hiding beneath the liquid and only coming up for air. […] like a fish rising up to grab a fly.” The insurgent has no face, no name, no body: he is no more than a mouth breaking the surface of a fetid pool.\nThe sad fact Klay plays on is that most American readers will care more about a dead dog than they will about a dead Iraqi, and in this way “Redeployment” opens up an emotional conduit for those readers to feel the pang of grief that can come with killing, but without having to connect that feeling to the political reality of the war in Iraq. Whereas an Iraqi victim would have to be reckoned with as a fellow human being, with all the complexity that entails, a dog can simply be pitied and his killer simply empathized with. This moral simplification comes at a cost.\nKlay, embodying the moral authority of a veteran, assures American readers that a dead Iraqi needn’t trouble them any more than a dead dog would. And since most of us already feel that way, his story provides a much-desired release, freeing us from the worry that we ought to feel guilty about the havoc the American military unleashed and the blood American soldiers and marines spilled. Sgt. Price is our trauma hero — he pays the “price” for our bloodguilt. Rather than forcing us to face our collective complicity in a brutal war of aggression that has left thousands upon thousands dead, Klay asks us to feel bad for how much psychological pain one sensitive marine has suffered doing what had to be done.\nRead in the context of Klay’s other stories in Redeployment, or with the other stories it was published alongside in the collection I co-edited with Matt Gallagher, Fire and Forget: Short Stories from the Long War, Klay’s trauma hero narrative can be read productively and provocatively as one perspective among many. Yet when the trauma hero myth is taken as representing the ultimate truth of more than a decade of global aggression, as with American Sniper, we allow the psychological suffering endured by those we sent to kill for us displace and erase the innocents killed in our name. As in Klay’s story, the real victims of American political violence disappear under a load of shit.\nThe Yellow Birds, “Redeployment,” and American Sniper may portray a loss of innocence that makes the dirty war in Iraq palatable as an individual tragedy, but they only do so by obscuring the connection between American audiences and the millions of Iraqi lives destroyed or shattered since 2003. Focusing on the suffering of Private Bartle, Sergeant Price, or Chief Petty Officer Kyle allows us to forget the suffering of the very people whose land was occupied in our name. There are almost no Iraqis in The Yellow Birds or Redeployment at all, and where they do appear, they are caricatures. If the point of literature is to help us “recognize [our] own suffering in the stories of others,” as George Packer sententiously asserts, rather than soothing our troubled consciences with precisely the stories we want to hear, then novels such as The Yellow Birds and stories such as “Redeployment” are gross moral and literary failures. But the failure does not belong to the writers. It belongs to all the readers and citizens who expect veterans to play out for them the ritual fort-da of trauma and recovery, and to carry for them the collective guilt of war.\nSuch an expectation is the privilege of those who can afford to have others do their killing for them. Off-loading the problem of war onto the figure of the traumatized veteran, however, has long-term costs we have yet to reckon. The imperative to see war clearly is persistent, and as urgent today as ever, as US military forces return to Iraq and a new kettle of hawks cry for war in Ukraine and Syria. Understanding the problem of American political violence demands recognizing soldiers as agents of national power, and understanding what kind of work the trauma hero is doing when he comes bearing witness in his bloody fatigues.\nRoy Scranton is the author of Learning to Die in the Anthropocene (City Lights, Fall 2015) and co-editor of Fire and Forget: Short Stories from the Long War (Da Capo, 2013).\nRoy Scranton\nRoy Scranton is the author of Learning to Die in the Anthropocene: Reflections on the End of a Civilization and the novel War Porn. He teaches at the University of Notre Dame.\nPerpetual War for a Perpetual Piece (of the Action)\nThe bad news from one of the finest national security journalists working today....\nMichael Hastings Skewers Them From the Grave (with a Scoop of Gawker)\nPoint of view will always be there consciously or unconsciously — but if it’s there unconsciously, it gets feral and doesn’t serve your work....\nReporting on Afghanistan in the Shadow of the “I”\nBut after reading a chapter or two a shadow seemed to lie across the page. It was a straight dark bar, a shadow shaped something like the letter ‘I’. One began dodging this way and that to catch a glimpse of ...\nThe CIA Goes To Hollywood: How America’s Spy Agency Infiltrated the Big Screen (and Our Minds)\nAT A TIME WHEN THE CIA is still hiding the details of its extrajuridical drone strike assassination program from congressional watchdogs and the media, one would think it an awkward moment for Hollywood to confer Academy Awards on films that celebrate ...\nEndless War: Rachel Maddow and America’s Power Addiction\nAS ANYONE WHO’S TRIED to do antiwar work over the last few years knows, not only can the President pretty well get away with murder any time he wants to these days, but it can sometimes be hard to ...","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1265449"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6214171051979065,"wiki_prob":0.6214171051979065,"text":"KELLER WILLIAMS REALTY, INC.\nAs a real estate franchise company, Keller Williams Realty, Inc. (\"KWRI\") understands the importance of property, especially intellectual property (\"IP\"). KWRI does not tolerate the abuse of third parties' IP on KWRI's systems, websites owned by KWRI, and/or websites where KWRI operates the website infrastructure (each a \"KWRI Site\"). Our agreements with those that use and/or post content or material to KWRI Sites specifically prohibit the uploading, posting, emailing, or transmittal of content or material that infringes the IP of others. In order to enforce this policy and protect the IP of others, KWRI provides a process for submitting complaints that content or material posted on a KWRI Site is in violation of U.S. copyright law.\nPursuant to the Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998 (17 U.S.C. ? 512), the full text of which is available at http://www.copyright.gov/title17/92chap5.html#512, KWRI has implemented procedures for receiving notices of claimed copyright infringement (\"Notices\") and has designated an agent to receive those Notices. KWRI has also implemented procedures for submitting counter-notices should you receive a notice of copyright infringement you believe to be erroneous (\"Counter-Notices\"). Notices and Counter-Notices must be truthful and must be submitted under penalty of perjury. Submitting a false Notice or Counter-Notice could lead to personal liability. You may want to seek the advice of counsel prior to submitting a Notice or Counter-Notice.\nKWRI reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to block or remove any objectionable content or material. Regardless of whether KWRI removes or blocks content or material, KWRI will make a good-faith effort to notify you if a copyright infringement complaint is made against you.\nNotice of Copyright Infringement\nIf you have a good-faith belief that content or material on a KWRI Site infringes upon a copyright you own or the copyright of a person or entity for which you have been authorized to act on behalf of the owner, you may submit a Notice to KWRI. The Notice must be in writing (email or letter) and must contain the following:\nYour name and contact information (full name, email address, phone number, and mailing address). NOTE: KWRI regularly forwards Notices (including personal information received) to the person that posted the allegedly infringing content. A description of the copyrighted work you claim has been infringed, including the name and contact information of the copyright owner if the owner is someone other than yourself. When available, please provide the registration number and date for the copyrighted work you claim has been infringed.\nA description of the content or material on a KWRI Site you claim infringes your copyright. The best way to provide this information is to describe the content or material and provide the URL where the allegedly infringing content or material may be found. Computer screenshots depicting the allegedly infringing content or material and its location are welcomed, but not required.\nA statement by you that you have a good faith belief that use of the content or material in the manner complained of is not authorized by the copyright owner, its agent, or the law.\nA statement by you, made under penalty of perjury, that the information in the notification is accurate and that you are the copyright owner or authorized to act on behalf of the owner of an exclusive right that is allegedly infringed. Your electronic or physical signature.\nCounter-Notice\nIf you have a good-faith belief that a Notice of copyright infringement has been improperly submitted against you, you may submit a Counter-Notice pursuant to Sections 512(g)(2) and (3) of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. The Counter-Notice must be in writing (email or letter) and must contain the following:\nYour name and contact information (full name, email address, phone number, and mailing address). NOTE: KWRI will forward your Counter-Notice (including personal information received) to the person or entity that originally submitted the Notice against you.\nA description of the content or material that has been removed or to which access has been disabled and the location at which the content or material appeared before it was removed or access to it was disabled. The best way to provide this information is to describe the content or material and provide the URL where the allegedly infringing content or material was located prior to being removed or to which access was disabled.\nA statement, made under penalty of perjury, that you have a good-faith belief that the content or material was removed or disabled as a result of mistake or misidentification of the material to be removed or disabled.\nA statement that the you consent to the jurisdiction of Federal District Court for the judicial district in which the address you provide in the Counter-Notice is located, or if the address you provide is outside of the United States, the Federal District Court of the Western District of Texas, and that you will accept service of process from the person or entity who provided Notice to KWRI or an agent of such person or entity.\nDelivery of Notices and Counter-Notices\nNotices and Counter-Notices may be sent to KWRI's Designated Agent via email to [email protected] or via mail to:\nAttn: Legal Department (DMCA Designated Agent)\n1221 South MoPace Expressway, Suite 400\nOnly DMCA Notices and Counter-Notices should be sent to KWRI?s DMCA Designated Agent.\nKWRI Procedure\nWhen KWRI receives a Notice, KWRI will make a good-faith effort to forward the Notice to the person reasonably believed to be responsible for posting the allegedly infringing content or material. KWRI will use the information in the Notice to determine whether to remove or disable the allegedly infringing content or material. If a Notice is incomplete, KWRI is under no obligation to act. When KWRI receives a Counter-Notice, KWRI will forward the Counter-Notice to the person or entity that submitted the original Notice. If KWRI does not receive notice of an action seeking a court order to restrain the allegedly infringing material within ten (10) business days of receiving a Counter-Notice, KWRI may, in its sole discretion, reinstate the removed or disabled content or material. If KWRI chooses to do so, KWRI will do so within ten (10) and fourteen (14) business days of receiving a Counter-Notice. In some cases, KWRI will not be able to reinstate removed or disabled content or material due to technical limitations. In such instances, KWRI may choose to notify the person that filed the Counter-Notice that he or she may repost the content or material at his or her discretion.\nKWRI is not an IP tribunal and has no obligation to adjudicate claims of infringement and is not responsible for determining the merits of such claims. The parties submitting Notices and Counter-Notices are encouraged to settle any disagreements amongst themselves. KWRI may, in its sole discretion, use the information provided in Notices and Counter-Notices to determine whether to remove or disable content or material.\nNothing herein is intended to constitute legal advice.\nThis website uses cookies to improve your experience when browsing our website. By clicking on the “Accept” button or continuing to use this site, you are agreeing to their use. Learn more about our use of cookies and how to restrict usage in our Cookie Policy. By visiting this website and using our services you agree to our Terms of Service.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line160760"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5840613842010498,"wiki_prob":0.5840613842010498,"text":"Given-Wilson, Patrick\nPatrick Given-Wilson (Singapore, 1947) took his first degree in Classics and Classical Philosophy at Cambridge University, England, and later took an MBA at Stanford University, California. He worked as an investment banker in London for seven years, and emigrated to Australia in 1978.\nHe and his wife Ginnie took their first Vipassana course with S.N. Goenka in 1977, and were appointed Vipassana teachers in 1984. As Vipassana teachers they serve for Dhamma Bhumi and Dhamma Pasada, as well as for South East Australia. They have two children and live in Sydney. Patrick has also conducted courses in New Zealand, England, Spain, Switzerland, India, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, China, Russia and Israel. His articles have been published in Vipassana newsletters, his art in the Pariyatti Journal, and he has recorded an interesting series of eight video talks exploring the lives and teachings of the lineage of Vipassana Meditation Teachers in our tradition, the lineage that led to the Vipassana courses as taught by S.N. Goenka.\nThe talks touch on the setbacks and challenges the different teachers faced, and the ways in which they presented and taught Vipassana to suit the different times, audiences and cultures that they encountered—while always maintaining its essence and pristine purity. The talks show how, as a result, the teaching of Vipassana—which for generations was only limited available to a few monks in Burma—was able to spread to so many people throughout the world today. The series covers Ashoka, who first sent monks to Burma, Ledi Sayadaw, Saya Thet, Webu Sayadaw, Sayagyi U Ba Khin, and S.N. Goenka. The talks are offered to explain the history and origins of this noble tradition, and above all to inspire Vipassana meditators.\nPatrick Given-Wilson will be the guest at the Pariyatti Presents... online event on February 19, 2023 (February 20 in Australia)\nSort by: Use Default Sorting TitleNewestPrice: Low to HighAvg Review\nThe Importance of Friendship, Harmony and Right Speech\n(Download and Streaming Audio)\nS.N. Goenka: a talk by Patrick Given-Wilson, Part 3 (Video Streaming and Download)\nVipassana Meditation Talk by Patrick Given-Wilson (Video Streaming and Download)\nAshoka: An Ideal Ruler by Patrick Given-Wilson (Video Streaming and Download)\nSayagyi U Ba Khin: a talk by Patrick Given-Wilson (Video Streaming and Download)\nNow with Japanese subtitles!\nSaya Thetgyi: a talk by Patrick Given-Wilson (Video Streaming and Download)\nVen. Ledi Sayadaw: a talk by Patrick Given-Wilson (Video Streaming and Download)\nVen. Webu Sayadaw: a talk by Patrick Given-Wilson (Video Streaming and Download)","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line237564"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6640167236328125,"wiki_prob":0.6640167236328125,"text":"Commentary January 26, 2009\nThe key topic of this double issue of Diplomaatia is terrorism.\nIn the opening article, Mart Nutt, a member of the Estonian Parliament, gives an overview of the history of terrorism. “Broadly speaking, if we treated terrorism as a form of illegal political violence, we could claim that terrorism is as old as politics and that the first act of terrorism – the killing of Abel by Cain – was described in the Bible,” claims Nutt. He is convinced that there is no standard definition for terrorism; the more so that the line between freedom-fighting and terrorism is but vague – what some see as freedom-fighting is terrorism for others and vice versa.\nRein Tammsaar, an official of the General Secretariat of the Council of the European Union, writes about the ‘war on terrorism’ as it has become known after September 11, 2001. “One of the mistakes made in the launching of the war on terrorism was that the long-term negative impact of the achievement of short-term military objectives – the substantial radicalisation of great masses of people – was not taken into account. By now, radicalisation at local level has reached a global scale,” claims Tammsaar.\nIn addition, the foreign policy of the United States was almost completely subjected to the goals of the war on terrorism. However, diplomacy usually recedes when military force starts to gain dominance. “Anyway, compared to military force, diplomacy is complicated, arduous, expensive and, more importantly, it does not yield quick and tangible results. Alas, the old saying used on the other side of the big pond – when you have a hammer, everything looks like a nail – is quite accurate. This is why its strong military component could, paradoxically, be the main weakness of the war on terrorism, as it sows the seeds of anger and desperation.”\nThirdly, the gravest miscalculation concerning the US-led global war on terrorism was using simple black-and-white logic: if you are not with us, you must be against us. However, value-based foreign policy can play only a marginal role in a black-and-white world.\nTomas Jermalavicius, a researcher at the International Centre for Defence Studies, agrees with Tammsaar that terrorism cannot be solved by using only military means. “Bringing soldiers into the streets can be as frightening as it can be assuring. It may serve the purpose of underlining the desperation of a government that is unable to manage the situation with ordinary means of law enforcement,” writes Jermalavicius. “Armed forces often find it difficult to culturally adapt themselves to quite different imperatives of combating terrorism, compared to fighting conventional wars. Firstly, the military like to think in terms of clear objectives and end-states, which are observable and measurable. This is not something one may always expect in a complex and muddled psychological game of suasion and counter-suasion, or shaping of perceptions of relevant audiences, that terrorists and governments play. Secondly, the military usually are predisposed to delivering quick, decisive and tough solutions. This kind of mentality is often at odds with drawn-out anti-terrorist campaigns lasting for years or even decades, during which exercising self-restraint and careful calibration of the use of force are dominant requirements for the behaviour of governments and their agencies. So, it is no wonder that poorly thought through and hasty use of military tools in combating terrorism may come to resemble the use of a cannon to hunt mosquitoes – it makes a lot of noise and causes destruction, but has little impact on tormentors.”\nIndrek Elling, a researcher at the International Centre for Defence Studies, analyses the progress made in rebuilding the Afghan army and police force – if these do not operate effectively, the coalition forces cannot leave Afghanistan. Elling asserts that even though the conditions in Afghanistan will probably not become similar to those in Europe in the coming decades, there is no reason to be too pessimistic and to underestimate Afghanistan’s positive achievements.\nPeeter Oissar, a security police officer, claims that Estonia is also vulnerable to attacks by Islamist terrorists. “On the one hand, Estonia could became a target for Islamist terrorists because we as a NATO member state participate in the US-led coalition forces in Iraq and in Afghanistan, whereas in addition to military operations we have taken part in anti-terrorist operations in both of these countries. On the other hand, there are many Muslims from Europe who fight the US-led and other coalition forces. These fighters will return to their homes, having acquired new skills and contacts in the conflict regions, which is why they will become a serious security threat. Although there are no domestic Islamist groups in Estonia, various foreign Muslim organisations showed an interest in the Estonian Muslim community in 2008. The Security Police has reasons to believe that some of these organisations or their single members who visited Estonia have supported radical Islamists. Their interest in the Estonian Muslim community was expressed in the form of making visits to Estonia and offering financial support. In addition, local Muslims have been invited to various events in foreign countries,” asserts Oissar.\nRiina Kaljurand, a researcher at the International Centre for Defence Studies, describes the situation in Northern Ireland where terrorism is now practically non-existent, despite the fact that until recently the region was a classic example of the ‘older generation’ terrorism that was pursued in the name of clear political objectives.\nLiterary researcher Mihhail Lotman writes about the history of terrorism in Russia and the reputation of terrorists in Russia at the end of the 19th century and at the beginning of the 20th century. “The intellectual elite in Russia became convinced that an act of terrorism did indeed involve monsters and innocent martyrs: the targets were the monsters and the perpetrators were the victims. Terrorists were surrounded with the halo of martyrdom or even holiness: they sacrificed their lives for the nation,” writes Lotman.\nJournalist Andrei Soldatov gives an overview of the current activities of Russian security services in their war on terrorism and journalist Jaanus Piirsalu describes the situation in the Northern Caucasus after the Chechen Wars.\nLastly, Maria Mälksoo, a researcher at the International Centre for Defence Studies, pays tribute to Samuel Huntington who died in December. In addition, this issue includes the bibliography for 2008.\nFiled under: CommentaryTagged with: Nr 65/66 • Jaanuar/Veebruar 2009","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line66616"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5241053700447083,"wiki_prob":0.47589462995529175,"text":"Adult Worship\nMain Building: Auditorium\nSundays at 8:30, 10:00, 11:30 A.M.\nYouth Building (7th–12th Grade)\nSundays at 10:00, 11:30 A.M.\nKids Worship\nChildren’s Building (K –6th Grade)\nSpanish Worship\nMain Building: Upstairs Auditorium\nSundays at 11:30 A.M.\nUnlimited (Ages w/ Special Needs 14+)\nMain Building: Unlimited\nThe Landing Coffee & Provisions\nYouth Building\nM-F: 2-8pm, Sun: 10:00, 11:30am\nCrossroads Sports®\nArlington Christian Church (ACC) began with a group of 40 people meeting in Mrs. Schaffer's school to worship and dream about doing big things for God.\nAfter 8 years, the congregation had outgrown their school meeting place and ACC moved into their new home in the facility they built at 5200 Bowen Road.\nThe Elders at ACC brought Barry Cameron and his family from Florida and he became the new Lead Pastor, bringing with him a vision for continued growth and discipleship.\nHaving once again outgrown their worship space, ACC added the Family Life Center to the building at Bowen Road, enabling them to make new spaces for worship, Bible studies and kid's classes.\nAs more and more room was needed to reach the kids in the surrounding community, the Castle was built for the Children's Ministry and the Student Life Center soon followed, giving the Youth Ministry a space of their own.\nACC had expanded as much as the bounds of the Bowen Road location would allow, and so the Elders took a step of faith and purchased a 150-acre plot of land off of South Highway 360 at the crossroads of Arlington, Mansfield and Grand Prairie.\nArlington Christian Church officially became Crossroads Christian Church as they moved into their brand-new facility and celebrated all that God had done for them and all He was still planning to do.\nThe congregation at Crossroads celebrated together as they had followed God's financial guidance and were officially debt free!\nConstruction of the SportCenter was completed bringing an indoor gymnasium, outdoor volleyball courts, soccer fields and tennis courts to the developing campus, allowing the newly formed Sports Ministry to reach even more children and adults in the surrounding community.\nThe new Children's Building opened allowing kids from Kindergarten through 6th grade to have their own unique space to sing, dance, play and celebrate being a child of God. Opening an additional building also gave Crossroads the opportunity to host events like Night to Shine and CIY SuperStart in a new and exciting way!\nThe next step in expanding the Kingdom and reaching the lost came with the opening of the Youth Building, a place specifically designed with teens in mind to come and gather and find community.\nCrossroads' mission is Connecting People To God And To One Another and this starts with a clear, biblical foundation.\nCrossroads is led by a board of Elders, a leadership team, and a dedicated staff who are committed to exemplifying God and carrying out the mission He has given Crossroads here in the Dallas - Fort Worth metroplex.\n6450 S State Highway 360\n© 2023 Crossroads Christian Church |","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1399759"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7670992016792297,"wiki_prob":0.7670992016792297,"text":"FILE – The logo for chemical and consumer products maker 3M appears on a screen above the trading floor of the New York Stock Exchange on Oct. 24, 2017.…\nFILE – The logo for chemical and consumer products maker 3M appears on a screen above the trading floor of the New York Stock Exchange on Oct. 24, 2017. The company said Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022, that it will phase out manufacturing of “forever chemicals” and try to get them out of all their products by the end of 2025. (AP Photo/Richard Drew, File)\nSpurred by regulators, 3M to phase out “forever chemicals”\nby: MATT OTT, Associated Press\nWASHINGTON (AP) — 3M will phase out the manufacturing of so-called “forever chemicals” and try to get them out of all their products within two years, the chemical and consumer products maker said Tuesday.\nThe decision announced Tuesday arrives after U.S. environmental regulators designated the chemicals — used in nonstick frying pans, water-repellent sports gear, stain-resistant rugs, cosmetics and countless other consumer products since the 1940s – as hazardous substances under the Superfund law.\nWhile the designation is not an outright ban, polyfluoroalkyl substances, better known as PFAS, require a report to federal, state or tribal officials if the amount released into soil or water meet or exceed a certain level. The Environmental Protection Agency could then require cleanups to protect public health and recover cleanup costs.\nPFAS have been voluntarily phased out by U.S. manufacturers but are still in limited use and remain in the environment because they do not degrade over time.\n3M said its decision was based on multiple factors, including “accelerating regulatory trends focused on reducing or eliminating the presence” of the chemicals in the environment.\nThe chemicals can accumulate and persist in the human body for long periods of time, and evidence from animal and human studies indicates that exposure to PFAS may lead to cancer or other health problems, including damage to organs including the liver, kidneys and thyroid gland.\n3M, based in Saint Paul, Minnesota, said it will exit all PFAS manufacturing and “work to discontinue use of PFAS” in all its products by the end of 2025.\n3M makes a broad range of consumer products, including Post-it notes, Scotch Brite cleaning supplies, adhesives and personal protective equipment.\nChemical and other industrial companies have been sued frequently in recent years for downplaying the dangers of the chemicals.\nIn a November lawsuit, the state of California accused 3M, Dupont and 16 smaller companies of covering up the harm caused to the environment and the public from chemicals manufactured by the firms that have over decades found their way into waterways and human bloodstreams.\nLast year, the Biden administration launched a broad strategy to regulate the toxic industrial compounds that the EPA said are increasingly turning up in public drinking water systems, private wells and even food.\nThe Defense Department, Food and Drug Administration and Agriculture Department were all tapped to join the effort intended to restrict PFAS from being released into the environment and accelerate cleanup.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line870864"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7393616437911987,"wiki_prob":0.7393616437911987,"text":"Justia Dockets & Filings Second Circuit New York Northern District Mitchell v. SUNY Upstate Medical University et al Filing 8\nMitchell v. SUNY Upstate Medical University et al\nORDER adopting Report and Recommendations re 5 Report and Recommendations: The Court hereby ORDERS that Magistrate Judge Baxter's Order and Report-Recommendation is ADOPTED in its entirety for the reasons stated therein; and the Court further ORDERS that this matter is referred to Magistrate Judge Baxter for review of the amended complaint and application for leave to proceed in forma pauperis. Signed by U.S. District Judge Mae A. D'Agostino on 6/22/2017. (Copy served via regular mail)(ban)\nUNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT NORTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK ____________________________________________ ROBBIE O. MITCHELL, Plaintiff, vs. 5:17-CV-546 (MAD/ATB) SUNY UPSTATE MEDICAL UNIVERSITY; BRIAN C. REED, Materials Management Admin; and LINDA A. MAZZONE, Leave Coordinator, Defendants. ____________________________________________ APPEARANCES: OF COUNSEL: ROBBIE O. MITCHELL 1924 E. Genesee Street, Apt. 4 Syracuse, New York 13210 Plaintiff pro se Mae A. D'Agostino, U.S. District Judge: ORDER Plaintiff commenced this action on May 18, 2017, alleging employment discrimination in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (\"ADA\"), 42 U.S.C. § 12101 et seq. See Dkt. No. 1. In an Order and Report-Recommendation dated May 22, 2017, Magistrate Judge Baxter recommended that the Court dismiss with prejudice the claims against Defendants Reed and Mazzone because individuals cannot be held liable under the ADA. See Dkt. No. 5 at 4. As to Defendant SUNY Upstate, Magistrate Judge Baxter recommended that the complaint be dismissed without prejudice since it is not clear that amendment would be futile. See id. at 7-8. Although Plaintiff did not object to the Order and Report-Recommendation, on June 15, 2017, Plaintiff filed an amended complaint. See Dkt. No. 6. Currently before the Court is Magistrate Judge Baxter's Order and Report-Recommendation. When a party files specific objections to a magistrate judge's report-recommendation, the district court makes a \"de novo determination of those portions of the report or specified proposed findings or recommendations to which objection is made.\" 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1). However, when a party files \"[g]eneral or conclusory objections or objections which merely recite the same arguments [that he presented] to the magistrate judge,\" the court reviews those recommendations for clear error. O'Diah v. Mawhir, No. 9:08-CV-322, 2011 WL 933846, *1 (N.D.N.Y. Mar. 16, 2011) (citations and footnote omitted). After the appropriate review, \"the court may accept, reject, or modify, in whole or in part, the findings or recommendations made by the magistrate judge.\" 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1). Having reviewed the May 22, 2017 Order and Report-Recommendation, the Court finds that Magistrate Judge Baxter correctly determined that the claims against the individual Defendants should be dismissed with prejudice and that the claims against Defendant SUNY Upstate should be dismissed without prejudice. Since Plaintiff has since filed an amended complaint and renewed application for leave to proceed in forma pauperis, the Court will refer this matter to Magistrate Judge Baxter for review of those filings. Accordingly, the Court hereby ORDERS that Magistrate Judge Baxter's Order and Report-Recommendation is ADOPTED in its entirety for the reasons stated therein; and the Court further ORDERS that this matter is referred to Magistrate Judge Baxter for review of the amended complaint and application for leave to proceed in forma pauperis. IT IS SO ORDERED. Dated: June 22, 2017 Albany, New York 2","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line927586"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6312623023986816,"wiki_prob":0.6312623023986816,"text":"Tag: king crimson\nREVIEW: MARYLYNN GILLASPIE- SECRET LANGUAGE\nColorado is known for world class jazz, strange as that might sound. Colorado is also known historically for world class vocal jazz. Denver native Dianne Reeves has earned five Grammy Awards and an honorary Doctorate from Julliard for her work in that genre.\nBoulder based Rare Silk earned two Grammy nominations for their vocalese / vocal jazz in the early ’80s, and Lannie Garrett blessed area stages into the 21st century with her torch and big band jazz stylizations.\nMaryLynn Gillaspie started out with Rare Silk, a vocal quartet that she, her sister Gaile and Marguerite Juneman formed in the late seventies as a trio to sing songs influenced by and in the style of swing-era acts like the Andrews Sisters. Their debut, New Weave, was nominated for a Grammy Award in the Best Jazz Vocal–Duo or Group category. Rare Silk ended their run in 1988.\nMaryLynn Gillaspie wouldn’t be heard from again until 2012, when she began showing up with local Boulder/Denver musicians, sitting in for a song or two. That gave her the confidence to step into the studio, twenty-five years after Rare Silk ended.\nHere’s a collection of songs MaryLynn has recorded since re-emerging in the scene a decade ago.\nSecret Language (2022)\nTo be honest, with the exception of the standards, Dolphin Dance and Fly Me to the Moon, I knew almost nothing about the rest of the songs on the album. They could have all been self-penned for all I knew before opening it up and reading about it.\nFortunately, I listened without any real bias that way – it was a clean listen. And then I looked to see who wrote what.\nIt’s a shame really that I can’t find any liner notes. It would be nice to see who played what on each track. Based on the bits and pieces I have been able to collect, the notes read like a who’s who of Denver/Boulder talent, produced by Grammy winning Boulder composer and producer Kip Keupper at Coupe Studios.\nDophin Dance is a genuine joy. MaryLynn took the Herbie Hancock tune and wrote an original set of lyrics and a vocal melody for it. She also penned an original set of lyrics to Pat Metheny‘s (It’s Just) Talk. Not limited to being inspired by and influenced by jazz (old or new), MaryLynn turned to King Crimson‘s 1981 album Discipline for an utterly original retelling of Matte Kudasai.\nAs it stands now, on May 15 2022, MaryLynn’s return to full length “vinyl” (euphemistically speaking) is the stand out jazz album of the year from Colorado. It’s great to hear that voice again after more than THIRTY-FIVE years.\nAuthor goatPosted on May 15, 2022 June 1, 2022 Categories ReviewsTags Boulder music, Colorado jazz, Colorado music, Coupe Studios, herbie hancock, jazz, Keupper, king crimson, Kip Keupper, pat methenyLeave a comment on REVIEW: MARYLYNN GILLASPIE- SECRET LANGUAGE","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1712030"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6235121488571167,"wiki_prob":0.3764878511428833,"text":"The Best Looking 911 Won The 24 Hours Of Le Mans As Porsche Owns Both GT Classes\nStef Schrader\nPorsche celebrated its 70th anniversary this year with utter domination of both GT classes at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Porsche’s beloved “pink pig” livery finally redeemed itself with a commanding win of LMGTE Pro, and that’s on top of the No. 77 Dempsey-Proton Racing Porsche 911 RSR winning the LMGTE Am class.\nThe original Pink Pig Porsche 917/20—the visually unappealing product of aerodynamic research that was redeemed by a cutesy pink and red diagram of pork parts overlaid on it—wasn’t very successful, crashing out of the 1971 race. But this year, the cute lil’ piggie livery was revived for the No. 92 Porsche 911 RSR, which finished well ahead of its fellow retro-liveried No. 91 Porsche 911 RSR after maintaining this position for much of the race.\nPorsche brought a total of four 911 RSRs in the LMGTE Pro to celebrate its seventieth anniversary, but the two cars it painted up in retro liveries became instant fan favorites, especially when a cute stuffed pig from Ikea was whipped out to enjoy the race with the team. Porsche was all-in on tossing delicious pork to us fans, even going so far as to calling the No. 92's pit stops “pigstops”—which were illuminated with pink headlamps in place of the usual white as soon as the car turned on its pit speed limiter.\nMeanwhile, in LMGTE Am, it seemed as though the No. 77 Dempsey-Proton Racing car was untouchable—and it cruised home to an easy win with a one-lap lead over the second place No. 54 Spirit of Race Ferrari 488 GTE.\nFull results are available here. In the meantime, enjoy a few more good shots of the winning 911s, courtesy of our man on the ground Kurt Bradley.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1020183"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6205424666404724,"wiki_prob":0.3794575333595276,"text":"Creeping China\nPosted on December 3, 2013 by Chellaney\nBy Brahma Chellaney\nA Project Syndicate column internationally syndicated\nBrahma Chellaney picks apart China’s self-described “cabbage” strategy, designed to secure hegemony in Asia.\nChina’s growing geopolitical heft is emboldening its territorial creep in Asia. After laying claim formally to more than 80% of the South China Sea, it has just established a so-called air defense identification zone in the East China Sea, raising the odds of armed conflict with Japan and threatening the principle of freedom of navigation of the seas and skies. Meanwhile, the People’s Republic continues to nibble furtively at territory across the long, disputed Himalayan border with India.\nFew seem to fathom the logic behind China’s readiness to take on several neighbors simultaneously. China is seeking to alter the status quo gradually as part of a high-stakes effort to extend its control to strategic areas and resources. President Xi Jinping’s promise of national greatness — embodied in the catchphrase “China dream” — is tied as much to achieving regional hegemony as to internal progress.\nChina’s approach reflects what the Chinese general Zhang Zhaozhong this year called a “cabbage” strategy: assert a territorial claim and gradually surround the area with multiple layers of security, thus denying access to a rival. The strategy relies on a steady progression of steps to outwit opponents and create new facts on the ground.\nThis approach severely limits rival states’ options by confounding their deterrence plans and making it difficult for them to devise proportionate or effective counter-measures. This is partly because the strategy — while bearing all the hallmarks of modern Chinese brinkmanship, including reliance on stealth, surprise, and a disregard for the risks of military escalation — seeks to ensure that the initiative remains with China.\nThe pattern has become familiar: construct a dispute, initiate a jurisdictional claim through periodic incursions, and then increase the frequency and duration of such intrusions, thereby establishing a military presence or pressuring a rival to cut a deal on China’s terms. What is ours is ours, the Chinese invariably claim, and what is yours is negotiable. For example, China says “no foundation for dialogue” with Japan exists unless the Japanese accept the existence of a territorial dispute over the uninhabited Senkaku Islands.\nHere, as elsewhere, China has painted its rival as the obstructionist party. As Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi put it, “Japan needs to recognize that there is such a dispute. The whole world knows that there is a dispute.” But there is a dispute only because China has succeeded in shaking the status quo in recent years by popularizing the islands’ Chinese name (“Diaoyu”) and staging incursions into their territorial waters and airspace.\nAfter steadily increasing the frequency of those incursions since September 2012, China has recently begun increasing their duration. The establishment of a new air defense identification zone extending over the islands is its latest cabbage-style security “layer” — a unilateral power grab that US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel quickly branded “a destabilizing attempt to alter the status quo in the region.” The zone even covers the sky over the Leodo (Suyan) Reef, a submerged rock that both South Korea and China claim. As China escalates its campaign of attrition against a resolute Japan, it increases the risk of armed conflict, whether by accident or miscalculation.\nChina’s strategy has had more success — without provoking serious risks — against the weaker Philippines. This is apparent from China’s effective seizure last year of Scarborough Shoal, located well within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, and the controlling presence of Chinese vessels this year around the Second Thomas Shoal, part of the disputed Spratly Islands. China has not yet tried to evict the eight Filipino marines still living on the Second Thomas Shoal, but Zhang has included this shoal in the country’s “series of achievements” in the South China Sea.\nChina is not aiming for control of just a few shoals or other tiny outcroppings; it seeks to dominate the South and East China Seas strategically and corner maritime resources, including seabed minerals. The combined land area of the Senkaku and Spratly Islands amounts to barely 11 square kilometers; but the islands are surrounded by rich hydrocarbon reserves. While seeking to enlarge incrementally its military footprint in the more than 80% of the South China Sea that it claims, China’s aim in the East China Sea is to break out of the so-called “first island chain,” a string of archipelagos along the East Asian coast that includes the Senkaku Islands and Taiwan.\nBy contrast, vast tracts of disputed land are at stake in the resource-rich Himalayan region. Here, too, China’s incursions, after increasing in frequency, are now being staged intermittently for longer periods.\nMake no mistake: China’s territorial creep is contributing to Asian insecurity, fueling political tension, and turning the world’s economically most vibrant continent into a potentially global hot spot.\nTo be sure, China is careful to avoid any dramatic action that could become a casus belli by itself. Indeed, it has repeatedly shown a knack for disaggregating its strategy into multiple parts and then pursuing each element separately in such a manner as to allow the different pieces to fall into place with minimal resistance.\nThis shrewdness not only keeps opponents off balance; it also undercuts the relevance of US security assurances to allies and the value of building countervailing strategic partnerships in Asia. In fact, by camouflaging offense as defense, China casts the burden of starting a war on an opponent, while it seeks to lay the foundation — brick by brick — of a hegemonic Middle Kingdom. Chinese leaders’ stated desire to resolve territorial disputes peacefully simply means achieving a position strong enough to get their way without having to fire a shot.\nBrahma Chellaney, Professor of Strategic Studies at the New Delhi-based Center for Policy Research, is the author of Asian Juggernaut; Water: Asia’s New Battleground; and Water, Peace, and War: Confronting the Global Water Crisis.\n(c) Project Syndicate, 2013.\nThis entry was posted in Asian Security, International Security by Chellaney. Bookmark the permalink.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1883423"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7476520538330078,"wiki_prob":0.7476520538330078,"text":"Latest Events, Information & Tickets. Independent Guide not sponsored by Live Nation!\nDon McLean with Judy Collins at NYCB Theatre at Westbury\nDon McLean with Judy Collins Tickets\nNYCB Theatre at Westbury | Westbury, NY\nWhen he proclaimed ‘the day the music died’, it struck an emotional chord with music fans. Since then, music afficionados have looked-up to him as reverent music icon capable of stirring deep emotions and comforting the soul. Master story-teller, legendary singer-songwriter, Don McLean, will be hitting the live concert route once again. Experience the magic of music nostalgia as Don McLean dishes out his anthemic hits “American Pie”, “Vincent”, “And I Love You So”, and many more…, happening on the 13th of July 2013, at the Westbury Music Fair, Westbury, New York. Don McLean is joined by a featured performance by fellow folk-pop-standards singer-songwriter, Judy Collins.\nFor the record, Don McLean was rejected 72 times by music labels. This did not deter the young singer-songwriter from writing and pursuing his flair for writing melodies with folk-pop-rock sensibilities. Slowly but surely, McLean’s album charted two years after its release; yet to this day, more than 42 years after it topped the charts, we still hear radio airwaves and voices echo with the epic strains of “American Pie”. In 1991, “American Pie” was re-issued as a single in the UK, and still charted at the Top 20. In 2002, he was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame; and in 2004, the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame inaugurated him into their fold and cited his body of work, stating: “Don McLean: his work, like the man himself, is very deep and very compassionate. His pop anthem ‘American Pie’ is a cultural phenomenon”.\nFans of NYCB Theatre at Westbury\nWant the latest gig announcements?\nMike Epps [CANCELLED] 28/01/2023\nOh What A Night Of Doo Wop & Rock N Roll 11/02/2023\nMarisela & Alvaro Torres 12/02/2023\nL. Shankar 04/03/2023\nTommy James and The Shondells 18/03/2023","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line645692"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.561955451965332,"wiki_prob":0.43804454803466797,"text":"April 23rd, 2019 By Andy Kuhn\nNew school constructs are the appetizer portion\nIt’s exciting to attend a ground breaking of a new school, apparently around here it is also quite rare.\nA conversation with a few in attendance gave rise to the question, “When was the last groundbreaking for a new school construction in Washington County?”\nWe aren’t talking renovation, or new addition on existing, but a genuine ground breaking for new construct. Near as any of us could surmise, we put it at least 40 years. Here was our best estimate…..\nOriginal Warren High School 1959\nBelpre High and Belpre Elementary 1949 give or take a couple years\nFort Frye High and Middle 1958?\nFrontier High and Middle ?\nWaterford Middle ?\nMarietta High on Davis Drive\nIn any event, the building boom of schools coincided with the baby boom itself post WW2, and much to the chagrin of residents over the last 30 years, the schools have long exceeded their shelf life.\nSo let’s usher in the next era of school construction that sees our education center’s improved for the next 40 years………………but let’s also consider where Education improvements exist on our economic continuum.\nIn the larger mechanism education is a vital component, but it is a service of larger components namely; economic development, housing, and social and community supports. In the grand scheme, social and community supports have no price tag because they cannot be bought, but they are essential to the growth and stability of our communities. The supports are built and used through a stable housing stock, health services, recreation activities, and mores elements like religious institutions. Having all of these serving an active role in the development of citizens allow our efforts in regard to economic development, educational attainment, and transportation enhancement the opportunity to be successful.\nWhich is why the education construct is so vital to community enhancement efforts……………\nEducation is an arms race, so is most everything else on this framework. Education improvements without site development to house new businesses that will employ those graduates is a lost opportunity. Education improvements without housing stock improvements to entice persons to start and grow their families to inhabit those schools, is a lost opportunity. Education improvements without a focused effort to maximize the potential of a newly educated and skilled workforce into the community through business pathway partnerships is a poor investment.\nOur area leaders need to continue to push forward with reforms and innovative partnerships to ensure we not only attract outsiders to our new facilities, but retain the existing talent we are investing in and keep our community cycling education and wealth.\nThere’s a lot still left to do, but I can assure you having new and modern education facilities in the community makes everything an easier sell.\nTo read more about the new construction at Warren Local, take a look at their website. It is impressive\nhttp://www.warrenlocal.org/content/Building_Project\nCensus Figures Report Reaction\nMore Opportunity Zone Information","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1670812"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9359201192855835,"wiki_prob":0.9359201192855835,"text":"Campbell, John W(ood), Jr. All Study Guides Homework Help Lesson Plans\nCampbell, John W(ood), Jr.\nSam Moskowitz\nRichard Lupoff\nRichard Hodgens\nLESTER del REY\nAlgis Budrys\nJack P. Rawlins\nThomas J. Remington\nLast Updated on June 7, 2022, by eNotes Editorial. Word Count: 700\nIn the pantheon of magazine science fiction there is no more complex and puzzling figure than that of John Campbell, and certainly none odder. Under his own name,… he wrote gadgety, fast-moving, cosmic-scaled science fiction in the E. E. Smith tradition, and became, after Smith himself, its acknowledged master; as \"Don A. Stuart,\" he began a one-man literary revival which eventually made that tradition obsolete. As editor of Astounding, he forced the magazine through a series of metamorphoses…. More clearly than anyone, Campbell saw that the field was growing up and would only be handicapped by the symbols of its pulpwood infancy; he deliberately built up a readership among practicing scientists and technicians; he made himself the apostle of genuine science in science fiction…. (pp. 34-5)\nIn the hasty, ill-composed and ill-considered introduction to … Who Goes There?, Campbell says of the first Don A. Stuart story, \"Twilight,\" that \"it was entirely different from any science fiction that had appeared before.\" He ought to have added, \"in Gernsback's Amazing Stories or any of its successors\"; so qualified, the statement would have fallen at least somewhere near the truth.\n\"Twilight\" is what Campbell says it is, a pure mood story—and as such is the lineal descendant of H. G. Wells' \"The Time Machine,\" Rudyard Kipling's \"A Matter of Fact\" (both circa 1890), Stephen Vincent Benét's \"By the Waters of Babylon\" and many others. By the late thirties,… magazine science fiction was fast settling towards a dismal status as just another variety of pulp; Campbell's great achievement was to rescue it from its own overspecialized preoccupations and start it back toward the mainstream of literature. Although he later tried to nudge the pendulum the other way, the movement has continued; the revolution is a success.\nThe second Campbell-Stuart collection, Cloak of Aesir, contains seven stories that justify the author's cheerful boast: every one is a landmark in science fiction history. The germs of countless later stories are in them; indeed, it seems reasonable to doubt that the field ever could have developed as it has if they had not been written.\nAll these stories belong to what might be called the \"Oh, yeah?\" school of science fiction, though they are so cloaked in the Stuart mood-writing and in what still seems to me, in some of them, a real beauty, that probably few people realized it till Campbell himself pointed it out.\n\"Forgetfulness,\" for instance, is nothing at bottom but an irreverent iconoclast's-eye view of the proposition, \"Machine civilization represents progress.\" So is \"The Machine\"; and \"The Invaders\" takes a similar look at \"It would be awful if the Earth were conquered from outer space.\" \"The Escape\" is a \"tragic\" love story with a happy ending—and Campbell defies you to prove it isn't.\nCampbell, a capable writer, never has been a stylist, and he didn't alter his natural prose style, with its short, blurted, agrammatical sentences, for the purpose of creating \"Don A. Stuart.\" What makes the difference is partly the tone—a kind of high-pitched sing-song—and partly the point of view, a subtle thing that resists exact definition. The visual quality of every writer's work differs somewhat from every other's; probably it also differs, at least as widely, between one reader and the next, so that if I say that the Don A. Stuart quality, to me, is like a series of images shifting in and out of focus through a pearl-gray haze, nobody else is likely to sit up and say, \"That's exactly it,\" least of all the author; readers who aren't visually oriented will not even know what I'm talking about. But the quality does exist and, I should think, is capable of being detected in some form by almost everybody; it's an important factor in making these stories what they are.\nClearly enough, the Don A. Stuart stories were only one experiment among many to Campbell; but modern readers may find in these two volumes [Who Goes There? and Cloak of Aesir] his most important and lasting contribution to the literature. (pp. 35-6)\nDamon Knight, \"Campbell and His Decade,\" in his In Search of Wonder: Essays on Modern Science Fiction, revised edition, Advent: Publishers, 1967, pp. 34-46.\n\"Campbell, John W(ood), Jr. - Damon Knight\" Contemporary Literary Criticism Ed. Jean C. Stine. Vol. 32. Gale Cengage 1985 eNotes.com 27 Jan. 2023 <https://www.enotes.com/topics/campbell-john-w-ood-jr/critical-essays/damon-knight>\nDownload the entire Campbell, John W(ood), Jr. study guide as a printable PDF!\nby Natalie Babbitt\nLyddie\nby Katherine Paterson\nWalk Two Moons\nby Sharon Creech\nThe Face on the Milk Carton\nby Caroline B. Cooney, Caroline Bruce\nby Walter Dean Myers\nSeedfolks\nby Paul Fleischman\nThe Watsons Go to Birmingham—1963\nby Christopher Paul Curtis\nBecause of Winn-Dixie\nby Kate DiCamillo","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1717353"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5758787989616394,"wiki_prob":0.5758787989616394,"text":"Home » Hunting News\nDNREC Announces Delaware’s 2015/16 Deer Harvest as All-Time High\nAmmoland Inc.https://www.ammoland.com/ Posted on February 25, 2016 by DeltaOperatorMan\nDelaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC)\nDover, DE -(AmmoLand.com)- Delaware hunters harvested 14,681 deer during the 2015/16 season – the highest number since the state’s first modern-day deer season was held in 1954 and harvest record-keeping began, DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife announced today.\nThe total number of deer taken in Delaware this season topped the previous record of 14,669 set in 2004/05, and also eclipsed last season’s harvest of 14,269 deer which had been the second-highest on record.\n“We anticipated that hunters would have a successful season this year due to overall favorable hunting conditions experienced during most of the season,” said Joe Rogerson, Division of Fish & Wildlife biologist.\nDuring the 2015/16 season, hunters harvested more females than males, with 54.3 percent does (7,975) and 45.7 percent bucks (6,706) taken, he said. Antlerless deer – does, juvenile bucks without antlers known as button bucks, antlered bucks with antlers measuring less than three inches, and bucks that had already shed their antlers when harvested – represented 71.3 percent of the total harvest.\nIn addition to the new harvest record for Delaware, hunters helped establish several other harvest records during the past season:\nSussex County: 7,960 deer harvested (Though not record-setting, New Castle County’s harvest totaled 2,548 while Kent County’s deer harvest was 4,173.)\nAdult does harvested in a single season: 6,869\nAntlered bucks taken: 4,218\n“Many hunters enjoyed success this year as indicated by the total harvest as well as several other new records set, and we fully expect hunters to continue to enjoy Delaware’s deer hunting opportunities for years to come due to the sustainable deer population,” said Wildlife Section Administrator Rob Hossler. “As we continue to analyze the harvest data, we anticipate finding other harvest records that were broken this past season and will share those on our website when they become available.”\nFor more information about the Delaware deer harvest or any other deer-related issue, please contact Joe Rogerson at 302-735-3600, or visit the Division of Fish & Wildlife’s Delaware Deer Information webpage.\nFollow the Division of Fish & Wildlife on Facebook, www.facebook.com/DelawareFishWildlife.\nAbout the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC):\nDNREC is committed to preserving the quality of Delaware’s environment, maintaining the health and safety of its residents, and protecting the natural systems upon which life depends. DNREC’s Division of Fish and Wildlife’s mission is to ensure that the freshwater, marine and wildlife resources of the State of Delaware will be conserved and managed for equitable and sustainable use.\nFor more information, visit: www.dnrec.delaware.gov.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line838259"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.629041314125061,"wiki_prob":0.629041314125061,"text":"Tag: Who wrote the Pledge of Allegiance\nDonald Trump’s Basket of Deplorable Loyalists verses the Never Trump Patriots\nNever Trump Patriots are ahead of the Always Trump Loyalists by more than 21-million registered voters.\ncrime, crime fraud scams, federal government, God and Scripture, Lloyd Lofthouse, media news, politics, propaganda, The United States of America\nHow can Donald Trump win the 2020 election, What is more important The Pledge of Allegiance or The Oath of Office, What is the difference between a patriot and a loyalist, what is the most important thing to Donald Trump, When Donald Trump accuses someone of treason what does he really mean, Who wrote the Oath of Office, Who wrote the Pledge of Allegiance, Why do Trump loyalists think god wanted Trump to be president of the United States\nThe U.S. Pledge of Allegiance or The Oath of Office\nI will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic.\nfederal government, Lloyd Lofthouse, politics, The United States of America\nHow many Americans are required to recite the Oath of Office, What does the United States Oath of Office mean, When was the first Oath of Office recited and who recited it, Who recited the first Oath of Office, Who wrote and approved the Oath of Office used by the United States, Who wrote the Pledge of Allegiance","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1926384"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5337392091751099,"wiki_prob":0.5337392091751099,"text":"IPS Academy, IBMR Indore gets an A++ grade by NAAC\nIndore (Madhya Pradesh) [India], August 18: Once again, in the field of Higher Education, Madhya Pradesh has outshined in the Nation. IPS Academy, Institute of Business Management and Research, Indore, is now on the list of the country’s elite colleges with the highest NATIONAL ASSESSMENT AND ACCREDITATION COUNCIL (NAAC) grading. The NAAC team visited the institute on the 28th & 29th of July 2022; The Executive Committee constituted a further standing committee to examine the peer team reports and declare the Accreditation Result on 10th Aug. 2022; the institution has been accredited with a CGPA of 3.53 on a seven-point scale at A++ Grade.\nThe President of IPSA Group of Institution, Architect Achal K. Choudhary, congratulated Director Dr. Vivek Singh Kushwaha, IQAC Coordinator Dr. C.K. Goyal, Dr. Kali Charan Modak and Dr. Shailesh S. Thakur and the team for achieving this milestone, he also mentioned that this achievement would bring the institute closer in attaining autonomous status.\nDr. V.S. Kushwaha was pleased to inform that the institute has become the first private college in the state to get the highest grade in the first cycle of NAAC with CGPA among the private management Institute.\nPrevious articleThe celebration of freedom and fitness: Dwarka Cyclothon held at Vegas Mall\nNext articleBALCO’s journey: a story of growth, determination, and transformation\nImage Classes: Aligarh’s best coaching centre for AMU, BHU, & JMI entrance exams\nPrana Institute of Allied Medical Sciences & Pachyderm Tales Co organises Prana Sci Fest 2023","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1631041"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.64919513463974,"wiki_prob":0.64919513463974,"text":"Consciousness (disambiguation)\nConsciousness (Pat Martino album)\nConsciousness is the state or quality of awareness, or, of being aware of an external object or something within oneself. It has been defined as: sentience, awareness, subjectivity, the ability to experience or to feel, wakefulness, having a sense of selfhood, and the executive control system of the mind. Despite the difficulty in definition, many philosophers believe that there is a broadly shared underlying intuition about what consciousness is. As Max Velmans and Susan Schneider wrote in The Blackwell Companion to Consciousness: \"Anything that we are aware of at a given moment forms part of our consciousness, making conscious experience at once the most familiar and most mysterious aspect of our lives.\"\nWestern philosophers, since the time of Descartes and Locke, have struggled to comprehend the nature of consciousness and pin down its essential properties. Issues of concern in the philosophy of consciousness include whether the concept is fundamentally coherent; whether consciousness can ever be explained mechanistically; whether non-human consciousness exists and if so how can it be recognized; how consciousness relates to language; whether consciousness can be understood in a way that does not require a dualistic distinction between mental and physical states or properties; and whether it may ever be possible for computing machines like computers or robots to be conscious, a topic studied in the field of artificial intelligence.\nThis page contains text from Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia - https://wn.com/Consciousness\nConsciousness may refer to:\nThe process of cognition, i.e. the focus of cognitive science.\nThe opposite of unconsciousness, i.e. the opposite of a comatose state or coma.\nThe process of awareness as in \"I was not conscious of the wind blowing.\"\nConsciousness! (Eric Kloss album), 1970\nConsciousness (Pat Martino album), 1974\nThis page contains text from Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia - https://wn.com/Consciousness_(disambiguation)\nConsciousness is an album by guitarist Pat Martino which was recorded in 1974 and first released on the Muse label.\nIn his review on Allmusic, Michael G. Nastos notes that this is \"Martino on the way up. Mostly quartet recordings for the brilliant guitarist... Guitar students should study this one.\"\nAll compositions by Pat Martino except as indicated\n\"Impressions\" (John Coltrane) - 4:33\n\"Consciousness\" (Danny Depaolo, Eric Kloss) - 11:48\n\"Passata on Guitar\" - 2:48\n\"Along Came Betty\" (Benny Golson) - 5:22\n\"Willow\" - 6:09\n\"On the Stairs\" - 5:29\n\"Both Sides, Now\" (Joni Mitchell) - 2:06\n\"Along Came Betty\" [Alternate Take] (Golson) - 5:16 Bonus track on CD reissue\nPat Martino - guitar\nEddie Green - electric piano, percussion\nTyrone Brown - electric bass\nSherman Ferguson - drums, percussion\nThis page contains text from Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia - https://wn.com/Consciousness_(Pat_Martino_album)\nLatest News for: Sustainable consciousness\nThree reforms that may shape the real estate industry in 2023\nFinancial Express 26 Jan 2023\n... will boost the rental market, a sustainable alternative for households that currently cannot afford to purchase a home ... Conscious efforts by all real stakeholders with help from the government are vital to sustaining real estate as an attractive investment asset for buyers.&nbsp;.\nHow Indian fashion designer Dhruv Kapoor mixed high couture and streetwear at Milan Fashion Week Menswear Show\nKhaleejtimes 26 Jan 2023\nHe debuted in Milan last year and had a triumphant return to Moda Uomo a few days ago ... wknd ... You have a solid commitment to sustainability. You create eco-conscious collections mixing designs and colours with upcycled and responsibly sourced materials ... Honestly, it is not so challenging to be mindful of maintaining a sustainable approach ... Miuccia Prada.\nBeing a “regenivore”: healing the Earth through sustainable food choices\nDaily Californian 25 Jan 2023\nBut someday I’ll probably want to eat meat again, and at that point I hope to turn to being a regenivore, maintaining my consciousness of sustainable food practices while enjoying my tasty, sustainably sourced hamburger.\nSUSTAINABILITY CHALLENGE: The moment to act has arrived\nWhile these individual measures will undoubtedly make a positive impact to foster the natural habitat; organisations and enterprises are taking cognisance of adopting sustainable practices and technology that enables them to operate with conscious efforts to give back to society and the natural ecosystem.\nTourist car hits, hurts Alcoy mayor\nSun Star 25 Jan 2023\nTHE mayor of Alcoy town, southern Cebu was hurt after a tourist transport sedan hit him while he was riding his bicycle in the neighboring town of Dalaguete at dawn Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023 ... According to officials from Alcoy, Sestoso sustained minor wounds on his back and thigh. Luckily, he sustained no fractures and is currently conscious.\n4 ways to shop eco-friendly clothing for your baby — without breaking the bank\nPurcell Register 25 Jan 2023\nSeek out companies committed to sustainable clothing production ... You can feel good about choosing \"conscious clothing\" for your little ones that comes from sustainably-sourced materials, and is made with maximum wearability and reusability in mind.\nHow meditation leads to compassion\nHindustan Times 25 Jan 2023\nWhen we talk about meditation, it’s inherent in us to give it religious coloring, but before we assign such labels, it’d be worth our while to understand the psychological benefits accrued over time with a sustained practice. Meditation makes the mind more conscious about the ...\nOrganto Announces 2023 Business Outlook Webinar\nOrganto is an integrated provider of branded, private label, and distributed organic and non-GMO fruit and vegetable products using a strategic asset-light business model to serve a growing socially responsible and health-conscious consumer around the globe.\nHow Digitization Revolutionizes the Fashion Industry\nLA Weekly 25 Jan 2023\nDigitization has the inherent objective of increasing sustainability, protecting the environment, and ensuring that fair labor practices are upheld ... As a result, digitization is actively transforming the industry to become more sustainable and have a much lower impact on the environment.\nHigh school theater censorship — Some things never change | Young Thespians\nThe Willoughby News-Herald 25 Jan 2023\nMaybe we shouldn’t be surprised ... In the 1920s!. Hey, it was a conservative time ... “If they are raised on a diet of ‘Alice in Wonderland’ and ‘The Wizard of Oz’ (both currently very popular in the high school repertoire), how can we expect more challenging work, new work, or socially conscious work to sustain itself 20 years on?” ... ....\nHow to Help Fight Climate Change: Sustainable Living in LA\nMost eco-conscious people often say that we go “plastic-free.” And you’ve probably also seen those aesthetic glass and bamboo containers that some influencers have in their fridge and pantry — but if you’re headed to the nearest store just to get your hands on those, it’s not a ...\nSharjah Taxi launches new corporate identity\nUrdu Point 24 Jan 2023\n... step towards unifying efforts and enhancing awareness of the company’s goals, ambitions, services and initiatives, through which Sharjah Taxi looks forward to helping the emirate achieve a bright future in line with its vision of sustainability and environmental consciousness.\nTwo Hongkongers on a road trip in Hokkaido hospitalized after a crash\nThe 25-year-old male driver once passed out after the crash but soon regained consciousness and could talk. The 28-year-old female passenger sustained minor injuries, on the other hand.&nbsp; ... .\nBabcock & Wilcox Awarded $65 Million Contract to Provide Engineering and Advanced Technology for UK ...\nHastings Tribune 24 Jan 2023\n... approximately $65 million by Lostock Sustainable Energy Plant Ltd ... The company’s SPIG dry cooling technologies can be tailored for many applications and are a sustainable and environmentally conscious cooling solution, eliminating water discharge and protecting the environment.\n5 lifestyle changes to keep your body, mind, soul happier and healthier in 2023\n1 ... One important aspect of healthy eating is choosing the right oil. There are a variety of cooking oils in the market, and a conscious consumer should choose an oil that has the goodness of olive oil, antioxidants, and a high smoke point for everyday cooking ... 2 ... 3 ... 4 ... 5 ... Make a conscious and purposeful choice like adopting sustainable practices ... ....","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line657273"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6085454225540161,"wiki_prob":0.6085454225540161,"text":"sunday scene with noor ale\nSunday Scene with Noor Alé\nSun Sep 11 2022\nThe Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery\nSunday Scene\nSundayScene_Website-Banner---TPP-(30).png\nWe are inviting you for a Sunday Scene with Noor Alé, The Power Plant’s Associate Curator who will examine Meriem Bennani’s viral video piece ‘2 Lizards’. Narrated by two animated lizards living in New York City during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the film unpacks the unsettling, mundane, and humorous realities of living in confinement, a time marked by global protests and community organizing in response to economic, racial, and social inequities.\nAlé will speak about activist movements that gained momentum through social networks during the pandemic. Although these acts of solidarity predated this moment, their emergence in this age of precarity strengthened a resolve toward a more just society, resonating from cultural institutions and their reckoning with systemic racism to homeless encampments and their violent removal from the parks of Toronto.\nNoor Alé is a curator, writer, and art historian. Her curatorial practice examines the intersections of contemporary art with geopolitics, decolonization, and social justice in the Global South. She has contributed to curatorial research, exhibition management, and public programmes at the National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa; Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, NY; and Art Dubai.\nMeriem Bennani was born in Rabat, Morocco. Her work has been exhibited internationally, including at the Whitney Biennial, New York; MoMA PS1, New York; and Palais de Tokyo, Paris. She lives and works in Brooklyn, New York.\nThe Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery is excited to present two moving image works by Bennani as part of the Toronto International Film Festival’s Wavelengths. On view daily between September 9 and 18, The Power Plant invites the public to experience the Canadian premiere of Bennani’s works!","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1594578"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5881000757217407,"wiki_prob":0.5881000757217407,"text":"LIBERO COPPER ANNOUNCES CLOSING OF PRIVATE PLACEMENT\nLibero Copper & Gold Corporation (TSX-V: LBC) (OTCQB: LBCMF) (DE: 29H) is pleased to announce that it has closed the final tranche of its non-brokered private placement consisting of a cumulative total of 12,583,666 units, with each Unit consisting of one common share and one share purchase warrant at a price of $0.15 per Unit for aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $1.9 million. Each Warrant shall entitle the holder thereof to acquire one additional Share at a price of $0.22 until expiry on January 6, 2025. The net proceeds will be used for exploration at the Mocoa and Esperanza porphyry copper projects and general working capital.\nExisting strategic investor, Anglo Asian Mining Plc, invested in the final tranche of the Offering to maintain their 19.9% interest in Libero Copper by purchasing 2,600,000 Units, which, along with 70,000 Units purchased by the CEO, will be subject to a four month hold period ending May 7, 2023 pursuant to applicable policies of the TSX Venture Exchange. Ian Slater, Chairman, participated in the Offering for 1,000,000 Units which will be subject to a four month hold period ending May 1, 2023 pursuant to applicable policies of the TSX Venture exchange.\n8,913,666 Units under this Offering were sold pursuant to the listed issuer financing exemption under Part 5A of National Instrument 45-106 – Prospectus Exemptions. Since the Offering was completed pursuant to the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption, the securities issued in the Offering will not be subject to a hold period pursuant to applicable Canadian securities law.\nThe securities described herein have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “U.S. Securities Act“) or any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, United States persons absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable U.S. state securities laws. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in the United States, nor in any other jurisdiction.\nAbout Libero Copper & Gold\nLibero Copper is unlocking the value of a collection of porphyry copper deposits throughout the Americas in prolific and stable jurisdictions. The portfolio includes the Mocoa deposit in Putumayo, Colombia; Esperanza in San Juan, Argentina; and Big Red and Big Bulk in the Golden Triangle, BC, Canada. These assets are being advanced by a highly disciplined and seasoned professional team with successful track records of discovery, resource development, and permitting in the Americas.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1520084"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5660951137542725,"wiki_prob":0.5660951137542725,"text":"Liz Jellema Joins Creative Fundraising Advisors as Chief Operating Officer\nCreative Fundraising Advisors (CFA) announced today that Liz Jellema will join the firm as its new Chief Operating Officer, effective January 5, 2022.\nIn her role, Jellema will provide oversight of the operations, culture, values, talent, marketing and communications, and financial performance of the full-service, fundraising consulting firm.\nJellema joins CFA from the University of Chicago where she served as Director of Operations and Strategic Initiatives for the Rustandy Center for Social Sector Innovation at the Booth School of Business.\n“Liz is an action-oriented leader with a growth mindset,” says Paul Johnson, President of CFA. “She is highly strategic, collaborative, and detail oriented, which will serve our firm and our clients well. Liz has the skills to effectively co-lead our firm through a period of rapid growth and development.”\nSince CFA was founded in 2014, it has grown from sole practitioner practice to a full-service, nationally focused, strategic fundraising firm with consultants based in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, and Pittsburgh. CFA principally supports clients in the arts, education, environmental, and human services sectors.\nCFA’s client base has grown to include The Actors Fund (NYC), Gotham Film & Media Institute (NYC), Philadelphia Contemporary (Philadelphia), St. John’s College (Annapolis), Northside Achievement Zone (Minneapolis), North Carolina Museum of Art (Raleigh), Friends of the Mississippi River (Minneapolis), Headlands Center for the Arts (San Francisco), Santa Fe Community Foundation, Academy Museum of Motion Pictures (Los Angeles), Street Poets (Los Angeles), Orange County Museum of Art (Costa Mesa), and numerous others.\nJohnson notes that Jellema’s rich work experience positions her well for the COO role. “Liz has held leadership positions at a start-up, a government-related economic development agency, and at one of the world’s top business schools. Her background is ideal for CFA as we continue to build a robust portfolio of clients from numerous sectors and locations across the U.S.”\nPrior to joining the Booth School, Jellema served as vice president of engagement for CityBase in Chicago, director of research at World Business Chicago, and as an analyst at AECOM Economics. She earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration, real estate and urban land economics at the University of Wisconsin, a master’s degree in urban planning at the University of Michigan, and a certificate of civic leadership at the Harris School of Public Policy at the University of Chicago.\nJellema was drawn to the COO position because of CFA’s reputation in the nonprofit arena and its significant growth potential. “I am energized by opportunities where I can make a difference by translating strategy to operations and where the culture is client-centered,” she says. “CFA is in the right place at the right time to continue along its trajectory from start up to a powerhouse. I look forward to working with this team to support the mission-driven clients we serve.”","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line781675"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9387639760971069,"wiki_prob":0.9387639760971069,"text":"Tom Verde\nAlthough the building that held Cairo’s Dar al-’Ilm, or House of Knowledge, disappeared long ago, it stood not far from the Mosque of al-Aqmar, right, along Muizz Street, a thoroughfare that dates back to the founding of Cairo in the 10th century.\nCairo’s House of Knowledge\nJanuary/February 2019PDF\nWritten by Tom Verde\nOn March 24, 1005, a man reputed for madness came to his senses long enough to establish one of the most progressive and influential academic institutions of the Middle Ages.\n“On this Saturday ... the so-called House of Knowledge in Cairo was inaugurated,” wrote the chronicler al-Musabbihi, a friend of the new institution’s founder, Caliph al-Hakim, who had assumed his title nine years before. Though al-Musabbihi’s original manuscript is lost, copied sections survive in the writings of 14th-century Egyptian historian al-Maqrizi.\nAs al-Musabbihi and others at court well knew, staying on al-Hakim’s good side could be tricky. The “Mad Caliph,” as he was later called, could be mingling jovially with his subjects in the streets at one moment and ordering the summary execution of an esteemed courtier the next—or the extermination of the city’s dogs because their barking annoyed him.\nLoaka1 Creative Commons\nAl-Hakim ruled as caliph in Cairo from 996 to 1021 ce. Although he vanished without a trace, he left a cultural and scientific legacy in Dar al-‘Ilm, which furthered astronomy, mathematics, medicine, law and other fields of knowledge.\nSo al-Hakim—the name means “the Wise”—must have been having an especially even-keeled day when, as al-Musabbihi reported, he commanded that books and “manuscripts in all the domains of science and culture, to an extent to which they had never been brought together for a prince” fill the shelves of his new Dar al-‘Ilm, or House of Knowledge.\nFor more than 100 years, Dar al-‘Ilm distinguished itself as a center of learning where astronomers, mathematicians, grammarians, logicians, physicians, philologists, jurists and others conducted research, gave lectures and collaborated. All were welcomed, and it remained unfettered by political pressures or partisan influences.\n“There is no evidence that it ever served as a propaganda institution. It was created simply as a public academy,” says historian Paul Walker of the University of Chicago, who has written on the Fatimid dynasty of which al-Hakim was a member.\nAmong the breakthroughs that emerged from Dar al-‘Ilm were discoveries in optics by polymath astronomer, mathematician and philosopher Ibn al-Haytham and in astronomy by Ibn Yunus, an astronomer who lived during the late 10th and early 11th centuries. Their charts, tables, experiments and empirical research would inform the work of later scientists and thinkers in Europe. (See “Legacy of Knowledge,” sidebar.)\nIt was sectarian infighting and philosophical clashes that ultimately ran roughshod over the founding aims of Dar al-‘Ilm 114 years after its opening. Its doors closed in 1119, and attempts to revive it veered from its founding, nonsectarian principles.\nYet during its heyday in the first half of the 11th century, Dar al-‘Ilm, as its name implied, advanced the knowledge of its era, the pursuit of which, according to a famed hadith, or saying, of the Prophet Muhammad, “is an obligation upon every Muslim.”\nThe History Collection / Alamy\nDar al-’Ilm drew scholars from across the Muslim world. It was established in 1005 with books donated by Caliph al-Hakim, whose own palace library was said to hold some 400,000 volumes.\nEgypt was a real center of learning during this whole classical period, and Cairo in particular. People came there to learn from all over the Islamic world.\n—Paula Sanders, author of Ritual, Politics, and the City in Fatimid Cairo\nWhile unique in some ways, Dar al-‘Ilm was not the first of its kind. Baghdad’s Bayt al-Hikma (House of Wisdom), established early in the ninth century by the Abbasid Caliphate, is the most famous of its predecessors.\nJundaysabur Academy, founded around 555 ce in the province of Khuzestan, near the current Iran-Iraq border, was perhaps closer in spirit to the Cairo academy. It was devoted mostly to the study of medicine and philosophy and attracted scholars from many corners of the Middle East.\nOther models included an early ninth-century palace library, Khizanat al-Hikma (Library of Wisdom)—maintained by Yahya ibn Abi Mansur, chief astronomer to Abbasid Caliph al-Ma’mun, patron also of the Bayt al-Hikma. Scholars from throughout the caliphate, especially those keen on astronomy, traveled there to learn. In 10th-century Mosul, in modern Iraq, a wealthy patron named Ja‘far ibn Muhammad al-Mawsili founded a library where he lectured on poetry, while students studied a variety of topics—and were supplied with free paper. In Basra and Ramhormoz, in southern Persia, a certain Ibn Sawwar established libraries where research scholars were offered stipends. To the north, in Rayy—“the finest city of the whole east,” barring Baghdad, as 10th-century geographer Ibn Hawqal wrote—more than 400 camel-loads of books lined the shelves of its Bayt al-Kutub (House of Books). And around 993 in the Baghdad suburb of al-Karkh, a vizier named Abu Nasr Sabur ibn Ardashir founded the Abode of Knowledge, whose library was said to keep more than 10,000 volumes.\nThis last institution, founded just 12 years before Dar al-‘Ilm, was likely al-Hakim’s most direct inspiration, according to Heinz Halm, professor of Islamic studies at the University of Tübingen. It was through al-Hakim’s contacts in Baghdad that the caliph learned of Sabur’s institution, and he was thus “encouraged to promote the sciences in his own empire in a similar and even more generous manner and to raise the cultural level of his followers,” Halm wrote in his 1997 study, The Fatimids and their Traditions of Learning. Yet al-Hakim did not merely copy: He incorporated elements of the other earlier institutions, including stipends for scholars, support staff and free writing supplies.\nThe time and place were just right.\n“Egypt was a real center of learning during this whole classical period, and Cairo in particular. People came there to learn from all over the Islamic world,” says historian Paula Sanders of Rice University, author of Ritual, Politics, and the City in Fatimid Cairo.\nPerhaps not surprisingly, Dar al-‘Ilm’s founding coincided with the rise of Fatimid regional power. Expanding west from Syria in the 10th century, the Fatimids seized Egypt and North Africa from local client rulers of the Iraq-based Abbasids. In 969, Caliph al-Mu‘izz li-Din Allah founded Cairo—al-Qahira (the Victorious) in Arabic—which became the dynasty’s political and economic capital.\nDown Muizz Street, the intricately decorated facade of the mosque, together with the rest of the street’s surviving medieval architecture, now all rub shoulders with storefronts advertising cell phones, sweets and bric-a-brac.\nOne of Dar al-’Ilm’s best-known scholars was Ibn al-Haytham, whose discoveries in optics included the correct hypothesis that human sight involved light rays entering the eye—rather than emanating from the eye, as previously believed.\nBy the time al-Mu‘izz’s grandson al-Hakim took the throne 30 years later, Fatimid governing authority was located in Cairo’s Eastern and Western Palaces. These royal administrative and residential quarters—now gone—stood facing one another in the heart of the city, separated by a 2.5-hectare parade ground called Bayn al-Qasrayn (literally meaning “between the two palaces”) along all that now remains: Muizz Street, one of Cairo’s oldest, most atmospherically historic thoroughfares.\nAl-Maqrizi (quoting al-Musabbihi) pointed out that Dar al-‘Ilm was located in a house that formally belonged to a slave-steward of al-Hakim’s father, Caliph al-Aziz. That house, explains Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities for Legal Affairs Archeologist Ahmed Maher, was lost long ago. But it was once appended to the northern wing of the four-and-a-half hectare, staple-shaped western palace, opposite the Mosque of al-Aqmar, which still stands and dates from about a century and a quarter later.\nDown Muizz Street, the intricately decorated facade of the mosque, together with the rest of the street’s surviving medieval architecture, now all rub shoulders with storefronts advertising cell phones, Arab sweets and touristy bric-a-brac. Maher, who specializes in the medieval Islamic period, peers through the modernity and hazards an educated guess as to what Dar al-‘Ilm’s interior may have been like when it opened its doors some 10 centuries ago.\n“I think there would have been a great hall,” for lectures, in addition to cubicles for individual study and shelves for books, Maher says. Al-Musabbihi’s eyewitness description all but confirms Maher’s speculation:\nAfter the building was furnished and decorated, and after all the doors and passages were provided with curtains, lectures were held there by the Qur’an readers, astronomers, grammarians and philologists, as well as physicians.\nThis scholarly staff was supported, al-Musabbihi wrote, by “[g]uardians, servants, domestics and others.” In addition to these “blessings, the like of which had been unheard of,” al-Hakim “granted substantial salaries to all those who were appointed by him there to do service.”\nSalaries and other financial support flowed from a waqf (endowment) established by al-Hakim, the terms of which have survived in fragments of Dar al-‘Ilm’s original deed, quoted by al-Maqrizi. While records of the scholar salaries are absent, tallies of Dar al-‘Ilm’s annual budget for support staff and upkeep have survived:\nFor the purchase of mats and other household effects, 10 dinars; for paper for the scribe, i.e. the copyist, 90 dinars—that is the greatest single item—‘for the librarian 48 dinars; for the purchase of water 12, for the servant 15, for paper, ink and writing reeds for the scholars studying there 12; for repairing the curtains 1 dinar; for the repair of possibly torn books or loose leaves 12; for the purchase of felt for blankets in the winter 5; for the purchase of carpets in the winter 4 dinars.\nHere the deed fragment breaks off, and the distribution of the remaining 48 dinars of Dar al-‘Ilm’s annual 257-dinar budget remains a mystery. (One dinar averaged 4.25 grams of gold.)\nLeonardo da Vinci addressed “the problem of Alhazen” (as Ibn al-Haytham was known in the West) in the early 16th century in his encyclopedic Codex Atlanticus. The problem posed by Ibn al-Haytham concerned calculating the angle at which a ray of light is reflected by a concave mirror.\nAl-Maqrizi also makes clear that the largest expense was the cost of paper. Per al-Hakim’s edict, people “of all walks of life, whether they wanted to read books or dip into them” were not only permitted to browse Dar al-‘Ilm’s collection of around 1,500 books but were also provided with free “ink, writing reeds, paper and inkstands” should they wish to walk in and copy any book they pleased.\n“That’s astonishing. People didn’t know what to make of it,” says Walker, though Sanders stipulates that given its setting in the royal palace, Dar al-‘Ilm would have been frequented by a literate and sophisticated clientele, as opposed to the general public.\nThe books were gifts from al-Hakim, whose own personal library was said to house no fewer than 400,000 volumes on history, jurisprudence, grammar, philology, biography, astronomy, alchemy and other sciences.” This included 2,400 boxed Qur’ans, each illuminated in gold, silver and lapis lazuli. By the fall of the Fatimid dynasty in 1171, al-Maqrizi reported that the royal library housed an estimated 1.6 million books, and not long after him, poet Ibn Abi Tayyi of Aleppo praised the palace library as “one of the wonders of the world.”\nSuch anecdotal reckonings were likely inflated. But even if the shelves of al-Hakim’s library contained but one-tenth of its reputed inventory, it “would have been larger, by a factor of fifty or more, than any contemporary library in Christendom,” observed scholar Jonathan Bloom, author of Paper Before Print: The History and Impact of Paper in the Islamic World.\nBut Dar al-‘Ilm’s greatest asset was its brain trust. Among the most notable drawn to it was Ibn al-Haytham, who today is regarded as the father of modern optics.\nLegacy of Knowledge\nResearch at Dar al-’Ilm would inform the works of later European scientists and thinkers, including 13th-century philosopher Vitello and Roger Bacon, both of whom drew upon Ibn al-Haytham when writing their own tomes on optics. Enlightenment-era astronomer Johannes Kepler explicitly credited Ibn al-Haytham when developing his theory of retinal imagery, as did Kepler’s contemporary mathematician-philosopher René Descartes when wrestling with the question of where light lands when reflected off a curved or spherical surface, a puzzle that later became known to mathematicians as “Alhazen’s problem.” (“Alhazen” was Ibn al-Haytham’s Latinized name.) Ibn al-Haytham solved the problem using geometry and a study of curved planes; an algebraic solution was not discovered until the mid-1960s. Artists and art historians also theorize that Ibn al-Haytham’s work on optics enhanced the use of perspective in Renaissance art, particularly the paintings of 15th-century artist Lorenzo Ghiberti, who quoted Ibn al-Haytham in his commentaries.\nIbn Yunus’s critical reassessment of the Greco-Roman astronomer Ptolemy, whose Amalgest placed Earth at the center of the universe, helped pave the way for the kind of thinking that led to the theory of heliocentrism posed by 15th century Polish astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus. As late as the 19th century, Ibn Yunus’s time-keeping tables were still being used in Cairo, while his observations on planetary conjunctions remained useful to astronomer Simon Newcomb of the United States Naval Observatory in Washington, D.C., while formulating his theories on lunar motion in the 1870s.\nToday, Ibn Yunus’s intellectual descendants–-Arab astronomers from Morocco, many of them members of the Arab Astronomical Society—continue to contribute to global scientific efforts with telescopes such as those at the Oukaïmeden Observatory in Morocco’s Atlas Mountains. In 2016 data from the observatory helped identify TRAPPIST-1, a planetary system composed of a central, ultra-cool red dwarf orbited by seven exoplanets within the constellation Aquarius.\n“The primary motivation for the search for extrasolar planets is identifying how frequent habitable worlds and life may be within the Galaxy … [ and] to better know about the formation of our own solar system,” said Zouhair Benkhaldoun, director of the observatory and president of the Moroccan National Committee for Astronomy, speaking to a writer for the website Nature Middle East. And in Cairo, scientists like Yehea Ismail of The American University in Cairo recognize the contributions of their predecessors and continue to build upon their foundations. Ismail’s research is in nanoelectronics, which seeks to reduce transistors to increasingly microscopic sizes that may add power and functionality to products from smartphones to biochips that could, for example, help analyze blood chemistry.\n“What I am doing is cutting edge, but it is a continuation,” he says. “The European Renaissance and Industrial Revolution stood on the shoulders of medieval Arabs.”\nBorn in Basra, Iraq, in 965 ce, little is known of Ibn al-Haytham’s early years, beyond that he served there as a vizier. Preferring science to politics, he spent most of his time studying Aristotle, Euclid and other Greeks while developing his own passions for mathematics, physics and astronomy.\nExactly when Ibn al-Haytham traveled to Cairo to join the faculty at Dar al-‘Ilm is unknown, but by the time he got there, his opinion of himself seems to have grown as inflated as some of the estimates of the caliph’s book collection. Standing before al-Hakim, he bragged that he could accomplish something the Egyptians never had achieved: control the annual flooding of the Nile. Al-Hakim enthusiastically funded the project, and Ibn al-Haytham set off on an expedition upriver.\nAfter examining the Nile’s powerful flow at Egypt’s southern border, Ibn al-Haytham realized the task was beyond his capabilities. He further rationalized that any civilization capable of such engineering wonders as the Great Pyramids would surely have regulated the flow of the Nile long ago, were it possible. He quietly tiptoed back to Cairo, where in order to avoid al-Hakim’s anticipated wrath, he feigned madness. He spent the rest of his days, before passing away around 1040, earning a modest living copying manuscripts in his quarters at Dar al-‘Ilm.\nHe also continued to study mathematics, physics and astronomy, as well as optics, which he helped pioneer as a physical science. In his greatest surviving work, Kitab al-Manazir (Book of Optics), he became the first to correctly postulate that the “act of vision is not accomplished by means of rays” that emanate from the eyes to fall upon objects, as some of his classical predecessors, notably Euclid and Ptolemy, believed. Rather, he surmised, “vision is accomplished by rays coming from external objects and entering the visual organ.”\nHe arrived at his conclusion via experimentation using lenses, mirrors and what he called his al-bait al-muzlim, or in Latin, camera obscura, which translates simply as “dark room.” Noting that light entering a darkened room through a pinhole cast an inverted image of the outside world onto the opposite wall, he concluded from this and other observations and experiments that light itself traveled in rays, a fundamental principle of optics. In doing so, he anticipated the modern scientific method by refusing to take at face value the writings of those who had come before him, relying instead on his own experiments and accumulated data—and even then he reserved judgment:\n“A person studying science with a view to knowing the truth ought to turn himself into a hostile critic of everything that he studies,” he observed in Al-Shukuk ‘ala Batlamyus (Doubts Concerning Ptolemy). “He should criticize it from every point of view and in all its aspects. And while thus engaged in criticism he should also be suspicious of himself.”\nResearch at Dar al-’Ilm laid foundations for later studies by scientists, philosophers and artists from other parts of the world. Ibn al-Haytham’s work in optics influenced the use of perspective in Renaissance art, and in the early 15th century, Italian artist Lorenzo Ghiberti quoted him in his commentaries.\nAnother of Dar al-‘Ilm’s most famous scholars, and also a champion of empiricism, was astronomer-poet Abd al-Rahman ibn Yunus. Born between 950 and 952 in Fustat, the first Muslim capital in Egypt, he was an almost stereotypically absent-minded professor, known to be careless and even comical in his attire and appearance, according to al-Musabbihi. Yet while he may have come across as sartorially slap-happy, he was keenly observing, recording and calculating the movements of the heavens.\nHis most famous work is the monumental al-Zij al-Hakimi al-kabir, an astronomical handbook (zij) with records of observations and tables. The title also reflects its dedication to al-Hakim, his patron, as well as its ponderous length (kabir means “large”). At 81 chapters, it was indeed twice the length, and contained twice as many tables, as earlier works of its genre.\nHe not only recorded astronomical observations he made between 977 and 1003, but he also compared them to those of earlier astronomers. This comparative, empirical approach was previously unknown in Islamic astronomy. The text reveals other insights: For instance, where applicable, his calculations took into account the atmospheric refraction of the sun’s rays at the horizon. His tables of solar, lunar and planetary longitudes and latitudes are considered the most accurate of the medieval Islamic period.\nHe also provided instructions for the conversion of dates among the Muslim, Coptic and Syrian calendars, as well as finding the meridian and determining the position of the qibla (the direction of Makkah) and the phases of the moon. Such knowledge was critical, explains Doris Behrens-Abouseif, professor emerita of Islamic Art and Archaeology at the University of London’s School of Oriental and African Studies.\n“Astronomers were always very important in Islamic culture, to calculate prayer time, to calculate when Ramadan begins, when you begin fasting, when you have to stop. All of this is not possible without looking at the moon,” she says.\nIbn Yunus’s calculations were uncannily precise, even to the point of his own life. One day in 1009, even though he appeared to be in good health, the astronomer announced that he would die in seven days. He locked himself in his house and began to recite from the Qur’an while washing ink off his manuscripts. A week later, he was dead.\nThe death of Dar al-‘Ilm was not quite so neatly planned. Nor was that of its founder.\nPictorial Press Ltd / Alamy\nA page from Polish astronomer Johannes Hevelius’s Selenographia (A Description of the Moon), published in 1647, recognizes the influence of Alhasen, or Ibn al-Haytham, left, and Galileo, right, on his pioneering description of the lunar surface.\nUniversity of Oklahoma History of Science Collections\nPolymath Ibn al-Haytham wrote his seven-volume study of optics, Kitab al-Manizir (Book of Optics), at Dar al-’Ilm. Printed in Latin in 1572 as part of German scholar Friedrich Risner’s Optical Thesaurus, it enhanced the study of optics in the West.\nBy 1020 the caliph had taken to donning a rough cloak and riding alone at night on a donkey into the hills east of Cairo, ostensibly for purposes of meditation. In February 1021, during one such outing, al-Hakim disappeared. Foul play was suspected after a search produced nothing but his riderless mount and bloodied cloak.\nThe caliphate began to gradually unwind. Under al-Hakim’s grandson al-Mustansir, who ruled from 1036 to 1094, clashes among the army’s Berber, Turkic, Persian, Arab and Sudanese troops intensified. A famine contributed to political instability and weakened the economy. Soldiers went unpaid, and though al-Mustansir sold off personal treasure to compensate them, they wanted more. In 1068 they looted the palace, including the royal library and Dar al-‘Ilm. According to al-Maqrizi, some of the books fell into the hands of Berber tribesmen who reputedly used some of the covers to make sandals. As for the pages, they were burned for fuel, and their ashes “formed great hills” that in al-Maqrizi’s day were called tilal al-kutub—hills of books. Others, al-Maqrizi noted, “reached the great metropolises” of other countries.\nWhen religious zealots took over Dar al-‘Ilm in 1119, the government shut it down. It reopened, briefly, in 1121 but was shut down once more for the same reasons. In 1123 Caliph al-Amir ordered its reopening but, to keep a closer eye on its proceedings, had it relocated to the Eastern Palace, where he resided. Although it appears to have survived another 48 years, until the end of the Fatimid caliphate in 1171, there are no records of research conducted there at any time after 1119.\nDespite political tides and storms, this period of Egyptian history was one of economic success, and Cairo remains a preeminent capital to this day. Historians further credit that success also to the era’s intellectual legacies, when Dar al-‘Ilm shone brightest of all.\nJanuary/February 2019View PDF\nTom Verde (tomverde.pressfolios.com) is a senior contributor to AramcoWorld. Like the majority of those who responded to a 2015 global survey, his favorite color is blue.\nTravelers of Al-Andalus, Part 1: The Travel Writer Ibn Jubayr\nWritten by Daniel Grammatico and Louis Werner // Art by Belén Esturla\nOur six-part series begins with a two-year pilgrimage by one of the great founders of the literary genre of rihla, or travelogue. Over later centuries, his style was widely emulated (and plagiarized), and today the rihla of Ibn Jubayr uniquely illuminates a 12th-century Mediterranean world of paradoxical complexity.\nMalika VI: Sayyida Al-Hurra\nWritten by Tom Verde // Art by Leonor Solans\nWhen she governed the Moroccan coastal city of Tétouan, the Spanish accused her of organizing piracy, while at home she won respect from both Moroccans and post-1492 Andalusian émigrés. On land and sea, hers was a life charted by crisis.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1887146"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.687574565410614,"wiki_prob":0.312425434589386,"text":"The Cosmopolitan Hotel and Restaurant\nThere is no other building in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park that more clearly symbolizes the transition of San Diego from a Mexican pueblo into an American city. The lower floor of The Cosmopolitan was built of adobe by Juan Bandini, a wealthy Californio, in 1827 as a family home. The upper story was added in 1869 by Albert Seeley as a hotel for weary travelers on Seeley’s stagecoach line between San Diego and Los Angeles. The building has been meticulously restored to its original 1870s glory and is now, once again, home to a boutique hotel and a lively restaurant. Dine outdoors on the orchard patio or indoors in the Grand Sala, scene of many an elegant party attended by some of San Diego’s most notable early characters. For more information about the Cosmopolitan including menus and hotel info, Click Here.\nOld Town San Diego Attractions.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line289832"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5005962252616882,"wiki_prob":0.49940377473831177,"text":"Galaxy Note 8 is Not going to be the First Dual-Camera Device from Samsung\n0 0 Admin Thursday, 8 June 2017 Edit this post\nAfter exploding Samsung Galaxy Note 7, Note 8 is here.\nThere have always been a constant flow of news and updates from the field of technology as new smartphones are always in the news. Most of the news and updates speak of the probable features as well as the release date of the smartphones of which many do not eventually turn out to be real. But a lot of those rumors turn out to be true at the end which makes it all the more important to keep an eye on the rumors and updates.\nNow among the smartphone developers whose devices come out on the headlines, we have Samsung. More often than not the headlines of the news feed from the field of technology concern Samsung. The types of devices vary from one to the other. Often it is a new smartphone. At times, it is a phablet and on occasions there comes news regarding wearables from Samsung. But in the last few months the rumors and speculations which are hitting the headlines from Samsung concern the Samsung Galaxy Note 8. Particularly after the unveiling of the Samsung Galaxy S8, there has been a considerable rise in the frequency of the updates regarding the Samsung Galaxy Note 8.\nThe latest news which has come out, however, does not sound too great for all those who have been waiting for an incredible Galaxy Note 8. It has been reported that Samsung Galaxy note 8 will hit the market with a single-lens rear camera setup. Instead of the Galaxy Note 8, it is going to be the Samsung Galaxy X which will feature the dual-lens camera on its rear camera setup. Previously it has been rumored that Samsung Galaxy Note 8 will be the first handset from the South Korea-based smartphone developers which will come out with a dual-lens camera setup. However, the latest report certainly provides a major blow to such speculations.\nBut that does not at all hint at the fact that Samsung Galaxy Note 8 will not be one of the better handsets which will hit the market. This is because the phablet is going to come out with a number of new features which are not there in most of the popular smartphones or phablets developed by other manufacturers. In fact, Samsung Galaxy Note 8 seems t be the biggest bet for Samsung in order to establish their supremacy in this section of the market.\nThe Samsung Galaxy Note 7 did not do them any favor with the exploding issues. And hence, it is reported that Samsung is much more cautious regarding the battery in its upcoming flagship device in the Note line-up. It's believed that the upcoming flagship will have a better backup and won’t bear any risk of any sort of an explosion.\nOther than that, there are lots of things which will resemble the Samsung Galaxy S8 which has already grabbed the eyeballs of the experts. For the time being, Samsung Galaxy Note 8 promises a lot, and the rest depends on how it fares when it comes out on the market. For that to happen, we need to keep on waiting for a bit longer, that is the second half of the year 2017.\nMobile News Tech\nYouth Voice: Galaxy Note 8 is Not going to be the First Dual-Camera Device from Samsung\nhttps://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dqmI_aJ8pCY/WRHuHNFgIFI/AAAAAAAADZA/ZQjXRwLvonQNmseSwD9nV-dsKq5F_hwQACLcB/s640/Samsung%2BGalaxy%2BNote%2B8.jpg\nhttps://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dqmI_aJ8pCY/WRHuHNFgIFI/AAAAAAAADZA/ZQjXRwLvonQNmseSwD9nV-dsKq5F_hwQACLcB/s72-c/Samsung%2BGalaxy%2BNote%2B8.jpg\nhttps://www.ywfyouthvoice.com/2017/05/galaxy-note-8-is-here.html\nhttp://www.ywfyouthvoice.com/2017/05/galaxy-note-8-is-here.html","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line278033"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5395957231521606,"wiki_prob":0.46040427684783936,"text":"What diseases are caused by chromosomal mutations?\nAdmin September 29, 2019 Advice\n1 What diseases are caused by chromosomal mutations?\n2 What are examples of chromosomal diseases?\n3 What are the signs and symptoms of chromosomal abnormalities?\n4 What are the symptoms of chromosomal abnormalities?\n5 Can a human have 49 chromosomes?\n6 What is Paris Trousseau syndrome?\n7 What are the most common chromosomal disorders?\n8 What are the five types of chromosomal mutations?\n[1][2] Other common types of numerical disorders include trisomy 13, trisomy 18, Klinefelter syndrome and Turner syndrome. Chromosomal deletions, sometimes known as partial monosomies, occur when a piece or section of chromosomal material is missing. Deletions can occur in any part of any chromosome.\nWhat are examples of chromosomal diseases?\nExamples of chromosomal abnormalities include Down syndrome, Trisomy 18, Trisomy 13, Klinefelter syndrome, XYY syndrome, Turner syndrome and triple X syndrome.\nWhat are the five common chromosomal disorders?\nWhat You Need to Know About 5 Most Common Genetic Disorders\nDown Syndrome.\nThalassemia.\nCystic Fibrosis.\nTay-Sachs disease.\nSickle Cell Anemia.\nWhat is the Jacobsen syndrome?\nJacobsen syndrome is a condition caused by a loss of genetic material from chromosome 11. Because this deletion occurs at the end (terminus) of the long (q) arm of chromosome 11, Jacobsen syndrome is also known as 11q terminal deletion disorder.\nWhat are the signs and symptoms of chromosomal abnormalities?\nSymptoms depend on the type of chromosomal anomaly, and can include the following:\nAbnormally-shaped head.\nBelow average height.\nCleft lip (openings in the lip or mouth)\nInfertility.\nLearning disabilities.\nLittle to no body hair.\nLow birth weight.\nMental and physical impairments.\nWhat are the symptoms of chromosomal abnormalities?\nWhat is the most common cause of chromosomal abnormalities?\nA chromosomal abnormality occurs when a child inherits too many or two few chromosomes. The most common cause of chromosomal abnormalities is the age of the mother. As the mother ages, the ovum is more likely to suffer abnormalities due to longer term exposure to environmental factors.\nWhat are the 10 common genetic disorders?\nAlbinism. Albinism is a group of genetic conditions.\nAngelman syndrome. A rare syndrome causing physical and intellectual disability.\nAnkylosing spondylitis.\nApert syndrome.\nCharcot-Marie-Tooth disease.\nCongenital adrenal hyperplasia.\nCystic fibrosis (CF)\nCan a human have 49 chromosomes?\n49,XXXXY syndrome is an extremely rare aneuploidic sex chromosomal abnormality. It occurs in approximately 1 out of 85,000 to 100,000 males. This syndrome is the result of maternal non-disjunction during both meiosis I and II. It was first diagnosed in 1960 and was coined Fraccaro syndrome after the researcher.\nWhat is Paris Trousseau syndrome?\nDefinition. Paris-Trousseau thrombocytopenia (TCPT) is a contiguous gene syndrome characterized by mild bleeding tendency, variable thrombocytopenia (THC), dysmorphic facies, abnormal giant alpha-granules in platelets and dysmegakaryopoiesis.\nHow do you know if you have chromosomal abnormalities in pregnancy?\nChorionic Villus Sampling ( CVS ) and amniocentesis are both diagnostic tests that can confirm whether or not a baby has a chromosome abnormality. They involve sampling of the placenta ( CVS ) or amniotic fluid (amniocentesis) and carry a risk of pregnancy loss of between 0.5 and 1 per cent.\nWhat is the most common chromosomal abnormality?\nDown syndrome, on the other hand, is by far the most common chromosomal abnormality, affecting 1 in 800 babies. The risk of having a child with this condition increases with maternal age, rising exponentially after a woman reaches age 35.\nWhat are the most common chromosomal disorders?\nThere are many types of chromosomal disorders. The most common is Down syndrome, which is most often caused by an extra copy of chromosome 21. Fragile X is a disorder that has DNA abnormalities on the X chromosome .\nWhat are the five types of chromosomal mutations?\nThese mutations make considerable changes in the genomic DNA. Furthermore, the five types of chromosomal mutations are translocations, gene duplications, intra-chromosomal deletions, inversions, and loss of heterozygosity.\nWhat disorders are caused by genetic mutations?\nGenerally, genetic disorders that are caused by mutations in single genes include cystic fibrosis, Marfan syndrome, and sickle cell anemia. These genetic disorders occur in approximately one of 200 births, and are referred to as monogenetic disorders.\nWhat are three types of chromosomal alterations?\nChromosome mutation is a large-scale alteration of the chromosomes of an organism, where either the number or the structure of the chromosomes changes. There are three main types of chromosomal mutations namely duplications, inversions, and deletions.\nPrevious Previous post: What do you do when an employee is always on their cell phone?\nNext Next post: What is the role of impurities present in zinc?","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1756560"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.748164176940918,"wiki_prob":0.748164176940918,"text":"Lifeway trade publishing ends 2022 with abundance of accolades\nBy Aaron Wilson\nNASHVILLE, Tenn. – B&H Publishing Group wrapped up the year in a highly decorated fashion. In November and December, the trade publishing arm of Lifeway Christian Resources received awards and recognitions from several organizations including Christianity Today, The Gospel Coalition and the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA). These recognitions come on the heels of B&H Español winning a record 13 awards earlier in the year from the Spanish Evangelical Publishers Association (SEPA) including best Bible and best book.\n“It’s hard to overestimate the impact books have had in my life,” said Lifeway President and CEO Ben Mandrell. “I’m deeply grateful we’re able to contribute beautiful titles and meaningful design work. Prior to coming to Lifeway, I didn’t understand the enormous amount of work required to produce a quality book or Bible. Our teams work hard, and I’m proud of them.”\nTop Shelf Book Awards\nFor the fifth year in a row, B&H Publishing was recognized by the ECPA for creating some of the best cover design in Christian literature.\nLifeway took home two Top Shelf Book Cover Awards this year for the “CSB Notetaking Bible, Stained Glass Editions” and for the pair of books, “The Risen One” and “The Expected One” by Scott James. Art direction for the Bibles and books was overseen respectively by graphic designers Jeff Godby and Jade Novak.\nWinners were announced November 17 at the Design Forward event held at Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee. A panel of 38 judges representing multiple Christian publishing houses voted on the nominations.\n“Book design is one of the most intimate, meaningful forms of product design in the world, because designers are crafting objects that people live with every day,” said Devin Maddox, B&H publisher. “I am so proud of our designers and the countless freelancers we work with because they are being recognized for excellence in work that really matters.”\nThe Top Shelf Award program is managed by the ECPA to recognize design excellence in the Christian publishing industry. This year marked the 10th anniversary of the annual award program.\nOn December 5, The Gospel Coalition released their favorite reads of 2022 and named the following two B&H titles winners in their respected categories:\n“Spurgeon the Pastor: Recovering a Biblical and Theological Vision for Ministry” by Geoffrey Chang (History & Biography)\n“Does God Sleep: A Book About God’s Power” by Amy Gannett (Children’s)\n“The Boy from the House of Bread” by Andrew Wilson also received an Award of Distinction in the Children’s category.\nClosing out the year, on December 13, Christianity Today named “Heaven and Nature Sing: 25 Advent Reflections to Bring Joy to the World” by Hannah Anderson winner in the Bible & Devotional category for its 2023 Book Awards.\nChristianity Today also named B&H a finalist for the following titles:\n“Logic and the Way of Jesus: Thinking Critically and Christianly” by Travis Dickinson (Apologetics & Evangelism)\n“You’re the Worst Person in the World” by Scarlet Hiltibidal (Young Adults)\n“Fruitful Theology: How the Life of the Mind Leads to the Life of the Soul” by Ronni Kurtz (Theology: popular)\n“God in Eternity and Time: A New Case for Human Freedom” by Robert E. Picirilli (Theology: academic)\nMore information about each of these award-winning titles can be found at Lifeway.com.\nAaron Wilson is a writer for Lifeway Christian Resources.\nAbout Lifeway Christian Resources\nIn operation since 1891, Lifeway Christian Resources is one of the leading providers of Christian resources, including Bibles, books, Bible studies, Christian music, Vacation Bible School and church supplies, as well as camps and events for all ages. Lifeway is the world’s largest provider of Spanish Bibles. Based in Nashville, Tennessee, Lifeway operates as a self-supporting nonprofit. For more information, visit Lifeway.com.\nFiled Under: B&H, News","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1643713"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7431133985519409,"wiki_prob":0.7431133985519409,"text":"Home » climate and security » RELEASE: The Council on Strategic Risks Significantly Expands Its Ecological Security Program\nRELEASE: The Council on Strategic Risks Significantly Expands Its Ecological Security Program\nOctober 20, 2021 — To fill an urgent gap in understanding and addressing the security implications of global ecological disruption, the Council on Strategic Risks (CSR) has significantly expanded its Ecological Security Program over the past months, with the help of a grant of close to $1 million from the V. Kann Rasmussen Foundation. The program, housed within CSR’s Converging Risks Lab, addresses all elements of global ecological disruption, including biodiversity loss and beyond, caused by drivers such as habitat change, direct (and often illegal) exploitation of organisms, climate change, pollution, and the spread of damaging invasive or otherwise destructive organisms.\nEcological disruption–from the loss of biodiversity and their ecological benefits that support life or through the emergence of new ecological harms–remains largely absent from the agendas of the U.S. and international security communities. This absence persists despite its profound implications for political instability, geopolitical clashes, food and water stress, mass displacements of people, and other adverse security outcomes.\nThe warnings on biodiversity loss are increasingly dire. In 2020, a World Wildlife Fund report declared that losses were occurring at a rate unprecedented in history, with an average 68 percent decline in mammals, birds, reptiles, and fish since 1970. These global statistics underplay the extreme destruction in some regions, such as the tropics, while failing to capture declines in insects and other invertebrates that underpin ecological networks in soil, marine, and freshwater systems. UN Secretary General António Guterres echoed these sentiments last week during a major international conference devoted to combating biodiversity loss, warning of humanity’s “suicidal war against nature” and looming ecological collapse.\nAt the same time, new ecological harms are emerging from conditions created by the rapid reconfiguration of Earth’s terrestrial, marine, and freshwater systems. Intensifying human-wildlife interactions, especially in newly-disrupted habitats, catalyze zoonotic spillovers that can lead to pandemics and their associated political, social, and economic disruptions. Freshwater pollution spurs increasingly harmful algal blooms–and their powerful neurotoxins– that pose risks to human health, economic livelihoods, and critical infrastructure. Irruptions of insects and other pests, such as the desert locust swarms afflicting large regions in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East beginning in 2019, can devastate food security and economic stability. The emergence of antimicrobial resistance, already viewed by many nations as a critical security concern, is amplified by human-altered environments.\nSecurity risks also accompany many forms of environmental crimes, such as illegal fishing, illegal logging, and wildlife trafficking. In addition to driving large losses of biodiversity, these risks include benefits to the transnational organized criminal organizations that perpetrate these crimes, the corrupt entities that facilitate them, and the proceeds of such crimes to malign actors.\nIn an effort to bring long overdue attention to and additional research on this issue, the Council on Strategic Risks (CSR) has initiated a major effort to: conduct research and analysis on the inextricable connections between threats to national and international security and the disruption of the biosphere; to develop measures to deepen the capabilities of national security agencies to analyze and assess these connections; and to inform policies that, if adopted and funded in the near term, can mitigate these threats.\nThe program deepens and expands upon the analytical framework that underpins CSR’s landmark ecological security report The Security Threat That Binds Us and the programmatic and policy responses recommended in that report.\n“Accelerating losses of biodiversity and their associated ecological functions undermine the foundation on which humanity depends, a harrowing predicament whose importance cannot be understated. At the same time, we have created conditions that benefit many harmful ecological agents, such as pathogens, pests, and other organisms evolutionarily predisposed to take advantage of such changes. The set of risks to people and institutions arising from ecological disruption, whose consequences are as serious as those posed by climate change, is a persistent blind spot for the security community.” – Dr. Rod Schoonover, Head of the Ecological Security Program at CSR’s Converging Risks Lab\n“Launching and now expanding this program was a strategic move to fill an urgent need: We see evidence of the security implications of various forms of ecological destruction daily, yet the analytical, community building, and policy implementation work required were not being done in a concerted enough manner. The Council on Strategic Risks team, including our Center for Climate and Security, has unique methods and a long track record of filling such gaps, and we knew we needed to act.” – Christine Parthemore, CEO, The Council on Strategic Risks\n“I first began working on environmental security issues as Deputy Undersecretary of Defense (Environmental Security) in the 1990s and into the early 2000s. Since then, ecological risks, from biodiversity loss, ocean health, and ecosystem decline, have rapidly accelerated. A major part of the drive to launch the Council on Strategic Risks nearly five years ago was to address urgent yet underappreciated security issues like this one. The Ecological Security Program is of critical importance to fulfilling this mission.” – Sherri Goodman, Chair of the Board, the Council on Strategic Risks\n“Unfortunately, in a complex world with increasingly serious and converging risks, we can’t afford to choose to deal with just a few. We must deal with them all. The climate crisis goes hand in hand with a major ecological security crisis, and it must be taken seriously and acted upon, by the highest levels of government, before it’s too late. Our Ecological Security Program, led by a team of key experts on the intersection of ecological and security risks, is designed to help us address this crisis — both in terms of better understanding it and better understanding what to do about it. It’s essential to our founding mission of addressing systemic risks to society.” – Francesco Femia, Co-Founder and Research Director, The Council on Strategic Risks\n“Tackling ecological security in the long-run requires the development of a new generation of national security leaders that understand the risks and how to address them. I’m thrilled that a key pillar of this effort is a fellowship program, modeled on our successful Climate Security Fellowship program, to do just that.” – Erin Sikorsky, Director, The Center for Climate and Security\n“At CSR, we know first-hand how powerful it is to bring together diverse experts that do not normally collaborate in order to develop solutions to existential, multi-faceted risks. By establishing an innovative community of practice—known as The Alliance for Ecological Security—we will be once again breaking down silos to facilitate conversations, policy recommendations, and collaborative action aimed at tackling ecological disruption.“ – Andrea Rezzonico, Deputy to the CEO and Deputy Director, The Converging Risks Lab\n“Nowadays, it’s not enough to produce cutting edge research in order to have desired effects, it’s also necessary to articulate compelling narratives that reach a broad audience.” – Dr. Natasha Bajema, Director, The Converging Risks Lab\n“It is axiomatic that threats to the national security of the United States and our allies and partners are not static; new threats emerge, other long-standing threats grow and diminish in their nature, location, and intensity. As these threats evolve, so too must the responses of the United States and our allies and partners. We have begun to deal in serious ways with the security threats of climate change; now we must also begin to deal in serious ways with the ecological security threats highlighted by the Ecological Security Program.” – Brigadier Gen. Bob Barnes (Ret.), Member, Council on Strategic Risks Board of Directors\nContact: Francesco Femia, ffemia at csrisks dot org\nFor further information on the Ecological Security Program, see the program page here.\nFor further information from The Council on Strategic Risks, follow our blog.\nTags: ecological security, program\nBy Francesco Femia & Caitlin Werrell in climate and security on October 20, 2021 .\n← Climate Security Fellows Report 2021 Climate Change and Health Featuring CSR’s Andrea Rezzonico →","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line653663"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6413040161132812,"wiki_prob":0.35869598388671875,"text":"Ask the Author: Meg Cannistra\nThe Proust Questionnaire, popularized by the French essayist and novelist Marcel Proust, is said to reveal a person’s true nature through a series of probing, soul-searching questions. In the hot seat today: Meg Cannistra, author of the MG magic-realism debut, THE TROUBLE WITH SHOOTING STARS (S&S, 2019).\nWhat is your idea of perfect happiness? A drizzly fall morning with my cats curled up next to me.\nWhat is your greatest fear? Settling. Getting too comfortable.\nWhat is the trait you most deplore in yourself? I’m a neverending worrier. I start many sentences: “I’m just worried that…”\nWhat is the trait you most deplore in others? Anger and entitlement that harm others.\nWhich living person do you most admire? It’s corny, but I think my dad. Growing up he was always working and often away on business trips. He moved us from Chicago to Florida when I was little, so it wasn’t always easy seeing our family. I resented him for these things until I got older and understood that he worked so hard to take care of my mom, sisters, and me. To me, that’s admirable.\nWhat is your greatest extravagance? Makeup and skincare. I love a good moisturizer.\nWhat is your current state of mind? Excited. I’m going on my bachelorette trip to New Orleans. I’ve never been and can’t wait.\nWhat do you consider the most overrated virtue? Politeness. It’s important to be respectful and kind toward others, but never at the expense of your boundaries.\nOn what occasion do you lie? If the server gets my order wrong at a restaurant I usually say everything’s fine and pretend like it’s what I ordered. I don’t want to put anyone out and I’m not a picky eater, nor do I have any allergies.\nWhich words or phrases do you most overuse? When I’m writing I overuse words like “well” “smile” and “nod.” It gets out of control in early drafts!\nBesides writing, which talent would you most like to have? I’d love to learn magic tricks and perform magic. That would be a lot of fun.\nWhat do you consider your greatest achievement? Publishing a book!\nIf you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, what would it be? I’m hoping the well-loved and pampered cat of a rich, older woman.\nWhat is your most treasured possession? My engagement ring. My fiancé used the diamond from my mom’s engagement ring and set it in this beautiful custom setting. It’s so precious to me.\nWhat do you regard as the lowest depth of misery? Living for other people’s dreams.\nWhat do you most value in your friends? Their warmth and humor.\nWho are your favorite writers? This list could be super long, but I’ll keep it short. I love Libba Bray, Neil Gaiman, Toni Morrison, Edith Wharton, Gabriel García Márquez.\nWho is your hero of fiction? Harriet the Spy! She’s my all-time favorite character and still a huge hero of mine. <I concur, Meg. 🙂 >\nWhich historical figure do you most identify with? Vincent Price. He lived an eccentric life and loved working on horror movies. He made horror so much fun and was so passionate about the genre. He was also a cook and had several cookbooks with his wife, which I love!\nWhat is your motto? “Passion is energy. Feel the power that comes from focusing what excites you.” – Oprah Winfrey\nMEG CANNISTRA grew up in Sarasota, Florida, where she spent her childhood chasing after older sisters and cousins and learning how to cook. After living in New York City and northern New Jersey for a few years, Meg now resides with her two cats, Gloom and Doom, in Charlotte, North Carolina. She has a BA in English literature from Flagler College and an MFA in creative writing from Hamline University. When she’s not taking pictures of her cats or wandering around grocery stores, she writes magical, mysterious, and sometimes scary stories. The Trouble with Shooting Stars is her debut novel. Learn more about Meg on her website and follow her on Twitter and Instagram.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1398911"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7313022613525391,"wiki_prob":0.26869773864746094,"text":"Tom Verdoot at Pexels\nMountains reaching down\nTo the chilly waters’ flow\nSecluded meeting\nCruising Oslofjord\nNovember 25, 2017 November 24, 2017 / padresramblings / Leave a comment\nOslofjord from the City\nThe Oslofjord is about 100 kilometres long and connects the city of Oslo with the North Sea. As we had traveled the northward passage at night, we had the opportunity to take in the scenery and history of the bay on our southward exit.\nThe “fjord” in its northern section (Drøbak to Oslo) is lined with tree-lined hills, and small settlements, and it is dotted with islands of various sizes.\nThe October voyage was cool and crisp, but allowed for much of the changing colours of autumn to be taken in. While much of the coastline was rocky, there remained a sense of tranquility, with calm seas, and natural beauty.\nIslands and inlets\nAs we traveled further south the clouds came down to meet the hilltops and made for some really spectacular views. The islands, some no more than large rocks, and others tree-topped with small settlements of their own gave a variety and diversity to the scenery.\nOscarsborg Battery\nOn one of the larger islands, we came across the Oscarsborg Fortress, which played a vital role in Norway’s defense on the 9th of April 1940. In what has come to be known as the Battle Drøbak Sound, the island’s batteries, and the torpedo batteries on the main land came into action to repel the Nazi invasion. The valiant defense led intentionally to a Norwegian victory with the sinking of the German cruiser Blücher, and the damaging of the Lützow. The success was short-lived as the Germans continued their assault on Oslo via a different route, it remained important as it allowed time for the Norwegian Royal Family, the parliament, and the national gold reserves to escape before the Nazi arrival.\nAfter Oscarsborg we continued into the ever widening bay as it extends southwards towards the North Sea. We soon were into the shipping lanes, and the coastline and islands blurred into the distance.\nLeaving Islands Behind Us\nCoastline beginning to fade into distance\nThis was a wonderful passage, and while Oslofjord is not a true fjord in geographical terms, it has made me want to make a “fjords cruise” in the future.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line949163"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7223603129386902,"wiki_prob":0.7223603129386902,"text":"To Die On Kilimanjaro, Part 3\nAround 750,000 years ago, give or take a few centuries, an apocalyptic explosion along one of East Africa’s many fault lines, vomited up lava and fire for thousands of years, giving birth to the first of Kilimanjaro’s three separate but closely aligned peaks. Shira, the mountain’s first volcanic cone, eventually collapsed. Mawenzi arose soon after, then went dormant. Forty thousand years later came the last and most famous cone, Kibo.\nKibo holds the summit and its famed and imperiled snows. The first non-Africans to see Kilimanjaro were mostlikely Arabs who traveled the contient’s caravan route in the sixth century C.E. However, Ptolemy wrote of a ‘snow mountain’ around 100 C.E. The next known reference to Kilimanjaro came from an Arab geographer and Chinese writer who, at the turn of the 15th century, wrote of a ‘great mountain’ west of Zanzibar. In the early 16th century, a Portuguese geographer noted the existence of an “Ethiopian Mount Olympus.” No one in the West was aware that a “giant, snow-crowed mountain existed so close to the equator until 1848.\nIf one follows the history of Kilimanjaro [even from a distance] you know that the first known ascent was in 1889 by Hans Meyer, who, along with Ludwig Purtscheller, predicted that all of the mountain’s ice would disappear within three decades.\nIn 2001, the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change predicted that Kilimanjaro’s ice cap would be gone by 2020. This latter prediction has proved more accurate than the first. A third of the ice has disappeared since 1990. Mayer, however, was not entirely wrong; more than 80 percent of the glaciers have melted since Meyer’s time, and it is thought that as recently as the 15th century the snows of Kilimanjaro began at the upper edge of what is now the forest zone.\nGlobal warming has a way of killing people on Kilimanjario. In January 2006, at the Western Breach while approaching what is called ‘Kibo’s Arrow Glacier, three Americans were killed by a rockslide estimated to have been traveling at more than 125 feet per second. The cause of the slide was linked to Kibo’s receding ice, which causes rocks previously frozen to the mountain’s face to loosen and slip. The Western Breach route to the summit, once one of the most popular, has since been closed and may never open.\nThousands of people climb Kilimanjaro every year, and have been doing so since the 1930s. It is estimated that this year about 30,000 will make the attempt, which as we are told in promotional literature printed by such companies as Thomson Safaris (www.thomsonsafaris.com); Tusker Trail (www.tusker.com) and Mountain Madness (www.mountainmadness.com) or the more expensive (www.africacalls.com) and Tanganyika Film & Safari Outfitters (www.tanzania-safari.com) requires no “technical skill.” It is true that of those 30,000 only about 18,000 will make the summit. And each year between 8-9 people do die, from heart attacks and Acute Mountain Sickness.\nBack in the summer of 1958 Gina’ husband and his “boys” had no ‘technical skill’ and little equipment when they went for a long walk up Kilimanjaro, but as the Brits in Arusha would learn people die from other causes on the mountain, not just heart attacks or AMS. Phillip, however, would not die on Kilimanjaro. On the terrace of the British Club he turned to Gina and said he wouldn’t leave her.\n[End of Part 3]\nAdo John Sule on “The Nzeogwu I Knew” by Tim Carroll (Nigeria)\nMarnie Mueller on Former Peace Corps Director Slams Trump for Racist Remarks on Asian Americans\nLiz Fanning on Former Peace Corps Director Slams Trump for Racist Remarks on Asian Americans","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line592775"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8248931765556335,"wiki_prob":0.8248931765556335,"text":"Home > Instruments Virtuels > SDX New York Studios Vol.1\nSDX New York Studios Vol.1\nToontrack SDX\n159,- €169,-$ 179.-\nFactory sounds of Superior Drummer 2 for the new Superior Drummer 3\nThis SDX expansion includes the full core sound library from the now discontinued Superior Drummer 2, a drum recording that has truly become an industry staple.\nThe New York Studios Vol.1 SDX is the first volume in Toontrack’s project of capturing the three most famous drum rooms in the New York area – studios that changed the face of the music industry and that bear witness to some of the most groundbreaking recordings in modern pop and rock history. Avatar Studios, in which this library was captured, has won several industry awards and is known for having one of the finest acoustic environments in the world for drums.\nSince its inception in the 1970s, it’s hosted bands and artists like Aerosmith, Bon Jovi, Journey, Kings of Leon and The Clash. The sounds were recorded by engineer duo Neil Dorfsman and Pat Thrall together with drummer Nir Z. Between them, they have won several awards and over the past three decades worked with a wide range of top artists such as Meatloaf, Celine Dion, Nick Lachey, Sting, Bruce Springsteen, Dire Straits, Beyoncé, Björk, Kiss, Joss Stone, Genesis, John Mayer and Chris Cornell. “The room is tailor-made for drum recording. It’s large, it’s ambient, it’s punchy, it sounds fantastic. We really captured all of the things this room has to offer,” comments Grammy Award-winning engineer Neil Dorfsman.\nIn total, you get approximately 20 GB of raw, unprocessed drum sounds captured in meticulous detail in one of the most acknowledged drum rooms in modern music history. These classic drum tones have over the years seeped through to almost every facet of the music industry. In fact, you likely hear them on a regular basis in TV features, movies and top productions, regardless of where in the world you are. This goes to show that properly captured quality drum tones never get old, worn or dated. Combined with the powerful sound shaping tools of Superior Drummer 3, this collection of drums offers some genuinely raw and unadulterated creative power. Welcome to New York and the Avatar Studios.\nApprox. 20 GB of meticulously sampled drums\nSamples available with drum sticks, rods, brushes and felt mallets\nRecorded at the renowned Avatar Studios in New York City by Pat Thrall, Neil Dorfsman and Nir Z\nExtensive MIDI library included\nNew graphics and presets optimized for Superior Drummer 3\nAmazing sound and easy to use! Very realistic results!\nGute Sounds\nThe New York vol.1-2-3 are the best sound libraries on earth, combined with the SD3 core. Pure joy!\nTo use this product, an installed and activated Version of Superior Drummer 3 (or higher) is required.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line74695"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5133526921272278,"wiki_prob":0.4866473078727722,"text":"You are here: Home / Articles / Poverty Safari: growing up with ACEs and toxic stress\nPoverty Safari: growing up with ACEs and toxic stress\nFebruary 5, 2018 by Carol Craig 1 Comment\nIn his semi-autobiographical book Poverty Safari Darren McGarvey reports that when he talked to the media and spoke at meetings, people wanted him to tell them about ‘his dead mum’.\nDarren’s personal story is acutely dramatic and it’s easy to see how the media would be drawn to its more sensational elements. But humans, as a species, think and communicate in stories. So, Darren’s dramatic tales of his childhood and adolescence were bound to have a compelling effect on listeners.\nIn contemporary Scotland there’s a rising tide of interest in the effects of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). These refer to a growing body of research on the negative effects of household dysfunction on a child’s life. These effects don’t simply undermine the child’s physical and mental well-being. They can also affect that individual’s mental and physical health for their whole life. McGarvey doesn’t ever directly mention ACEs but he certainly understands some of the science underlying this research and Poverty Safari undoubtedly helps readers to understand the significance of childhood experiences on mental and physical health.\nThe ACE research\nAs a result of their research the two doctors at the heart of the ACE concept, Anda and Felitti, drew up a questionnaire which asks respondents ten questions about their experience of household dysfunction until their late teens. Were they hit, sexually abused, emotionally/verbally abused, or emotionally neglected? Did their parents split up? Was their mother beaten up? Did someone in the household abuse alcohol or drugs or suffer from depression or take their own life? Was someone in the household imprisoned? And were their physical needs (for food and shelter) catered for? Respondents get a point for each yes.\nThe story Darren recounts of his childhood and adolescence involves many ACEs. His mother was an alcoholic and a hard drug user. McGarvey was often physically abused by his mother. He was also verbally abused and humiliated. His emotional needs for love and affection were not routinely met. He often went hungry and could go to school not properly dressed. And his parents split up.\nThe ACE questionnaire is not a precise instrument and is simply trying to measure the amount of ‘toxic stress’ to which a young person was subjected. Darren does not say anything about his mother being hit but he does recount watching his siblings being physically abused. For example, he recalls ‘a child being tied to a chair for being cheeky’ and ‘a baby being booted across the floor for crying by the faceless male drunk she had in occasionally’. Incidents like these would have a similar effect to watching your mother being beaten. Also, his mother’s drink and drug habit was so acute, finally leading to her death at the young age of 36, that this is akin to a parent having a mental health problem or committing suicide. So according to McGarvey’s story he scored at least 8 ACE points.\nThis is a conservative estimate of the amount of toxic stress McGarvey endured. The ACE questionnaire only looks at ten common causes of household dysfunction. It doesn’t include factors which also have this impact on young people but which occur outside the home such as community or peer violence (something Darren McGarvey reports he suffered from) and homelessness, (which he also experienced as a teenager). Nor does the ACE questionnaire give extra points for the severity of the adverse experience. It’s certainly clear from Darren’s story that things happened to him that no child should have to endure.\nDownhill slope\nAccording to the ACE research there is a very clear ‘dose dependent’, graded relationship between adversities and future outcomes in mental and physical health, addictions and violence to name only a few of the damaging effects. Some of the figures are startling. For example, studies show that only one per cent of those with an ACE score of zero have ever tried to commit suicide but someone with a score of 4 or more is 1220 times more likely to attempt suicide. The American research shows that a child who scores 7 or more ACEs grows up with a 360 per cent higher chance of developing heart disease. People with an ACE score of 6 or higher are at risk of their lifespan being shortened by 20 years. This is a figure that Scots should pay attention to since we have one of the worst, but as yet unexplained, premature death statistics in Western Europe.\nACEs may also explain our problems with drugs and alcohol. An ACE study in Wales has shown that someone who scores 4 or more is four times more likely to be a high-risk drinker and 16 times more likely to have used crack cocaine or heroin than someone who scores zero. Higher ACE scores reveal even more staggering correlations with health-harming behaviours. For example, a boy with an ACE score of 6 has a 4,600 per cent increase in the likelihood of using illicit intravenous drugs, such as heroin, later in life than someone who scores zero. Violent behaviour also correlates with ACEs. The Welsh study shows that individuals who scored 4 or more ACEs were 15 times more likely to have committed violence against another person in the last twelve months than someone who scored zero. McGarvey’s life is testimony to these trends. When he was in his late teens he became an alcoholic and a user of hard drugs.\nACEs and toxic stress\nBut why should ACEs lead to substance misuse and have such a profound effect on mental and physical health? The answer is ‘toxic stress’. Our stress response involves the release of certain hormones. It is designed to be activated when there is danger, then switch off when that danger has passed. But when a child grows up in a fearful, unpredictable environment their stress response can stay permanently on. Stress hormones have a profound effect on the developing brain and immune system. They can set the child up for future, if not current, ill health. The term ‘toxic stress’ is used to convey the idea that this is a particularly injurious type of stress because the child has no escape. They can’t flee or fight. They can only freeze.\nACE researchers use the term ‘hypervigiliance’ to explain how stress becomes the dominant state and it’s a term Darren uses to explain what happened to him:\nThe hypervigilance that had helped me to navigate my difficult childhood was now turning like a screw in the back of my waking mind, making it almost impossible for me to feel relaxed. Drugs relieved me of this burden. They soothed those difficult emotions. They did exactly what they were designed to do: they killed the pain. And they were so effective that life without them quickly became too difficult to bear. Before long, a life without drink or drugs was too abstract to contemplate.\nThis is such a succinct explanation of one of the reasons why ACEs can undermine lives. Many people who suffer from multiple ACES can never relax and switch off. The constant feeling of pain leads so many to self-medicate. They turn to the numbing effects of drugs and alcohol, something we can see in the ACE data.\nMcGarvey also argues that hypervigilance is an issue for many people in Pollok. He maintains that day to day violence is common for many living there but that even when there is no reason to be fearful ‘the state of hypervigilance keeps you on alert regardless, making daily life considerably stressful.’ These feelings of anxious expectation of violence or trouble are then heightened by day to day feelings of insecurity which emanate from poverty.\nThe existence of emotional stress, how it affects us and what we do to manage it throughout our lives, is one of the most overlooked aspects of the poverty experience.\nThe class dimension\nHe points out that everyone, regardless of class, can experience stress and that sometimes stress can be positive as it motivates people to take action. He also acknowledges that middle-class people can also suffer from stress- induced illnesses. McGarvey paints a positive picture of life in Glasgow’s west end, for example. He went there as a young lad to attend therapy and the way he describes his first visits is memorable. He immediately thought the atmosphere on the busy street was oddly that of ‘relaxation’ – the pavements were clean, docile dogs went by on leads (unlike the feral hounds he was used to), and people dressed to suit themselves and not because they are ‘afraid of being stabbed’.\nBut household dysfunction can lurk behind the tranquil exterior of houses in more up market neighbourhoods. There too it can undermine children’s lives. This is one of the central messages in my new book Hiding in Plain Sight where I explore what it was like to grow up in Milngavie’s upmarket council estate in the 1950s and 60s. Few people suffered from the type of extreme experiences that Darren recounts in his own life. There was little violence in the street but nonetheless the health of some of my peers has been poor. For reasons I outline in the book, I put much of this down to ACEs.\nIn a recent blog entitled ‘It happens in Nice Middle Class Families Too’ Mairi Stones describes living in a big house in a village in a family that owned a yacht and two cars. Her father ran his own successful business employing over a hundred people. They had all the things that money can buy including lovely annual holidays. But ‘hidden beneath this façade of loveliness lurked some giants’. She now knows they would be called ACEs but she has always just thought of them as her ‘dysfunctional alcoholic upbringing’. She discloses that she lived with ‘physical, emotional and sexual abuse’ and witnessed domestic violence.\nStones reminds us that deprivation takes many forms. Even though she grew up in a family with a ‘cushion of cash’ she was deprived of feelings of love, protection and security. The result was ‘devastating’. What’s more, as a rich girl she perpetually doubted her right to feel unhappy with her lot. This reinforced her poor sense of self-worth.\nResearch in the UK shows that ACEs affect people from all classes. However, those though who score 4 or higher tend to come from poor backgrounds. That said all of us interested in ACEs have to maintain a balanced perspective. Alleviating poverty and better and more generous public services have a big role to play in reducing ACEs. So such changes are of fundamental importance. But it is also important that professionals don’t focus on ACEs in a way that suggests that the problem is all about poor kids. It isn’t. It simply isn’t true that it is only the poor and those living in deprived communities who grow up with adversities.\nIn my book I argue that bringing up children is Scotland’s Achilles heel. Historically, many of us have suffered not just from harsh punishment but also from the emotional abuse and neglect which is endemic in our culture. This is hard to accept but we won’t see improvement in health or other social indicators until we start looking closely at children’s experiences.\nHope and resilience\nDarren McGarvey suffered acutely from a variety of ACEs. His is a tragic story but it also offers hope. Despite what happened to him he has grown up to become a creative, original thinker. An astute social commentator. And we must always remember that ACEs do not completely predict someone’s destiny. Resilience also matters.\nIf we examine McGarvey’s story we see that he survived because various people helped to foster his resilience. School was not only a safe space. It allowed him to come into contact with people who looked out for him and showed they were interested in his welfare. Despite his dysfunctional mother, who was also a victim of her own upbringing, there were other people in Darren’s family who gave him support and encouragement. Later he received some helpful psychological therapy. A few years in the Fire Station project for homeless young people also helped enormously.\nI think it telling that Darren McGarvey ends Poverty Safari on the subject of child-rearing. He writes:\nToday, I realise that the best contribution I can make to society is to raise a healthy, happy secure child. Today, I realise that the most practical way of transforming my community is to first transform myself and, having done so, find a way to express how I did that to as many people as possible.\nHe’s aware that many on the left will see this as a cop out but he’s ready with his reply. Of course, the left must continue to argue and campaign for structural change, he tells us, but no real change can happen unless poor people begin to feel powerful in their own lives.\nIndeed, Darren McGarvey ends his book with a challenge to us all. Personal change, he asserts, ‘is the most radical thing a person can do’. And for many that means changing not just their lives but the way they bring up their children.\nThe first part of Carol Craig’s two-part review of Poverty Safari was published here in January\nPoverty Safari (Luath Press) is available in bookshops and online via Amazon, i-Tunes etc\nFiled Under: Articles, Culture, Education, Health, Inequality Tagged With: Glasgow, health, inequality, mental health, poverty, young people\nAbout Carol Craig\nCarol Craig, chief executive of the Centre for Confidence and Well-being, is a trustee of Upstart. She is an author and series editor for Postcards from Scotland. Her latest book is Hiding in Plain Sight: Exploring Scotland’s ill health.\nflorian albert says\n‘bringing up children is Scotland’s Achilles heel.’\nI did not consider this to be true before reading Carol Craig’s article. Reading it has not changed my mind.\nCarol Craig accepts that Darren McGarvey’s childhood experiences were extreme and atypical. Few parents attack their children with a bread knife. Beyond that she writes that the health of ‘some of her peers has been poor.’\nIt is entirely possible that adverse childhood experiences contributed to this (somewhat vague) state of affairs. It is much more likely that later poor health is associated with the huge social changes which afflicted the Scottish working class after the 1950s and 1960s.\nMy own recollection of a council scheme upbringing is of an overwhelmingly secure environment. It was a security, economic and emotional, which was to evaporate in the near future.\nWhen working class society collapsed, the middle classes ruthlessly looked after themselves in the new society which emerged from the 1980s onwards. (Many of these were recent ‘escapees’ from the working class; first generation graduates.)\nIt was at this point that an underclass beset by ill health, physical and emotional, emerged. Such people had always been there, but not in sufficient numbers to constitute a distinct class.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line715094"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6278195381164551,"wiki_prob":0.6278195381164551,"text":"Work gets under way on new state-of-the-art Buckie nursery\n21st February 2018 by insideMoray\n[responsivevoice_button voice=”UK English Female” buttontext=”Listen to Post”]\nWORK IS UNDER WAY on refurbishment of Lady Cathcart in Buckie for the provision of a new nursery.\nDorroch & Allan are contractors for the project that will transform the building over the next six months to include new changing facilities, development of a family room and specialist provision for children with additional support needs.\nThere will also be an outdoor learning area, space for messy play and a modern garden will also be created as part of the £672,000 investment delivered by Moray Council.\nThe project is the first phase of the fully-funded commitment by the Scottish Government to offer 1140 hours of Early Learning & Childcare for three and four year-olds, and eligible two year-olds, by 2020.\nMoray Council’s Director of Education and Social Care, Laurence Findlay said the refurbishment would bring a “new lease of life” to the former school, adding: “Lady Cathcart has been a feature of education in Buckie for nearly 150 years so to see it have a new lease of life will be wonderful for locals and of great benefit to the children who’ll receive their nursery education here.\n“This is an exciting time for early learning and childcare in Moray – we have the opportunity to modernise our approach to the service delivery and that means being able to provide new nursery facilities like the one we’ll see in Buckie.”\nMaree Todd MSP, Minister for Childcare and Early Years, said: “The work being undertaken in Moray to deliver this expansion is extremely exciting; it will not only provide up to date facilities and a new outdoor play area, it will also bring a building back to life to benefit the children in the area for years to come. I look forward to seeing the final result.”\nFurther refurbishments and building programmes for nurseries in Moray will be announced alongside the publication of the Early Learning & Childcare delivery plan later this year.\nCall for way-markers to be placed in popular Keith woodland\nMoray alerted to national rural business and tourism awards","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line836329"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5600442290306091,"wiki_prob":0.5600442290306091,"text":"[Rachel Marsden] Stupid immigration reform idea\nBy 류근하\nPublished : Jun 10, 2011 - 18:59 Updated : Jun 10, 2011 - 18:59\nAs Barack Obama inches toward reforming the immigration mess in America ― whenever that might be ― here’s a stunning example of political rhetoric over substance.\nThe idea comes courtesy of far-right leader Marine Le Pen, a serious contender for the French presidency in next year’s elections. That is, until she self-immolated with this doozy.\nLe Pen sent a note to all 577 members of French parliament calling for an end to dual citizenship. Her rationale? “The patent failure of dual citizenship has reached various sporting events, after which young French bi-nationals don’t wave our flag, but rather that of another nation.”\nLe Pen also questions whether France would have intervened militarily in Libya if there weren’t so many Franco-Libyans on French soil, and considers the disastrous implications of any future French military intervention in Algeria, predicting a “potentially explosive situation” on French soil because of the number of Algerians in France.\nFirst off, people hoisting Third World flags at sporting events in France aren’t necessarily dual citizens. They could be residents, or illegals, or maybe even anti-imperialist French (in the same way that Noam Chomsky, who never has anything good to say about America, is 100 percent American). Citizenship doesn’t automatically elicit national loyalty or pride, even by birth.\nIn theory, French naturalization requires five years of residency, an interview and careful selection. If France has failed to properly select in awarding citizenship, then that’s the crux of the problem. Fixing it by stripping everyone of every origin of any sort of dual citizenship will hardly force integration. If anything, it’s a surefire way to alienate immigrants. Personally, nothing would peeve me off more than moving to a country, fully integrating and wanting to be considered an equal in the eyes of the law, and being told that officially I would always be considered second class. My response to that, as a self-employed entrepreneur, would be to not give that country a cent of my tax dollars and send it all to my country of origin.\nThis is what politicians forget when they make stupid, sweeping propositions regarding immigrants: Not all are looking for handouts. Some of us come from countries with better handouts if we were really interested, thanks. We are producers, entrepreneurs, wealth creators. Rupert Murdoch is an immigrant. He became a citizen of America for practical business reasons: so he could own TV stations. Highly desirable immigrants often choose to pursue citizenship to avoid all sorts of paperwork hassles and everyday barriers. In France, for example, you can’t even get financing for a stereo without citizenship or a 10-year permanent residency card.\nIf France ever started stripping bi-nationals of their French citizenship or forcing them to choose ― and perhaps they can start with President Nicolas Sarkozy’s wife, Carla Bruni, an Italian-born naturalized French citizen, and his father, who was born in Hungary ― it’s not like you could ever force them to forget where they came from.\nThe far right is proposing a superficial solution to a much deeper problem. The answer is in revamping economic policy to attract precisely the kind of immigrants you want.\nStop taxing businesses to death and instead offer them tax incentives for hiring locally so they don’t have to import cheap labor for jobs that locals won’t do (at least not without one day off out of every three, and incessant whining). To this end, French kids need to be better educated about the value of tradesmanship. A 2007 Ipsos poll revealed that nearly 70 percent of the French would encourage their kids to strive for a job shuffling paper in the civil service. The rest, judging by the popularity of business-management programs, want to sit around running things. That simply isn’t feasible, lest the French managers all have to move to China, India or Africa ― or continue to bring in workers from “undesirable” countries for labor that needs to be done on-site.\nFacilitating bi-citizenship, rather than threatening to strip it across the board, could in fact help resolve economic and societal woes. Making the process as easy as possible for the right kind of workers would strengthen that country’s competitiveness in the global economy and create more wealth and opportunity for others in the long run. And chances are, those people aren’t the kind of boors who would feel the need to wave a foreign flag while setting fire to cars in celebration of a sporting win.\nAnd if you’re curious about where this idea would place France in relation to the rest of the world on the same issue: more restrictive than America, which doesn’t strip dual citizens of their American citizenship, but less restrictive than China and Russia (and Rupert Murdoch’s native Australia), which generally only allow you to hold one citizenship at a time. Even the most hardcore anti-subversion attempts related to citizenship are silly, since someone can renounce their citizenship of origin as needed, then reapply for it later. None of this posturing amounts to a solution.\nBy Rachel Marsden\nRachel Marsden is a columnist, political strategist and former Fox News host who writes regularly for major publications in the U.S. and abroad. Her website can be found at http://www.rachelmarsden.com. ― Ed\n(Tribune Media Services)","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1542173"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6301652789115906,"wiki_prob":0.3698347210884094,"text":"#1061 – Dick Bernard: September 11\nSeptember 11, 2015 /0 Comments/in Community, History, Immigration, Media, Peace & Justice, Politics, Technology, War /by dickbernard\nNOTE: I’ve added a postnote to this post.\nNuclear weapons, from display at Hiroshima Nagasaki Exhibit at Landmark Center, St. Paul Aug 23, 2015\nSeventy years ago today, September 11, 1945, my mother’s brother – my Uncle and Navy Lieutenant George Busch – was on board the Destroyer, the USS Woodworth, which had anchored the day before in Tokyo Bay. (WWII was over, the surrender signed nearby on September 2, 1945.)\nI know this from the ship daily log books which I had requested back in the 1990s. Uncle George was on the Woodworth, from January, 1943, through the end of the war, till docking in Portland Oregon October 20, 1945, thence reentering into American civilian peace-time society.\nPresumably on September 11, 1945, those on the Woodworth had an opportunity to take a look at what was left of Tokyo.\nfrom Bombers over Japan WWII, Time-Life Books 1982, page 198\nPerhaps some of them – perhaps my Uncle George? – did as my Dad’s cousin and best man, Marvin, an Army veteran, who was field promoted to Colonel by the end of the war, and was for a short time head of a Prefecture on Japan. He told me once that his first act on reaching Japanese soil was to “piss on it”. So it is with showing dominance over enemies after conquest, and disrespecting the vanquished, even though his Prefecture was far from the seat of things militarily – it was just a rural area in northern Japan.\nThe war in the Pacific had been a vicious one for all, and in addition, Marvin’s cousin, my Dad’s brother Frank, had gone down with the Arizona at Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941.\nMarvin and Frank, circa 1935, probably Oakwood ND\nThere have been lots of September 11ths before and since 1945.\nSeptember 11, 2015, in addition to the obligatory nod to THE 9-11, will probably feature, on TV tonight, the endless commercials attacking one of our MN Congressmen who apparently is not condemning the Nuclear Agreement with Iran and is viewed as politically vulnerable. One ad ends with a horrific fireball, a “mushroom cloud”, as if it is some unique invention to be pioneered by the Iranians if we don’t see to it that they’re kept under our heel. Such propaganda is expensive and persuasive. We have become slaves to sophisticated media messages which are difficult to escape.\nBut there are alternative realities as well. Tomorrow somewhere in the Twin Cities a large number of new citizens will proudly take the oath, and graduate to full citizenship in the United States. It is doubtless a ritual shared in all countries, all that differs is the precise way it is done.\nAnd these new citizens will be proud of their new citizenship, as they’re proud of their own homeland, and are likely more aware than the vast majority of us about what it means to be an “American”. They’ve had to study our system, and they are knowledgeable. Sorry, more of us aren’t as aware….\nWe all will do as we will do today, and tomorrow and next week and on and on and on.\nThree simple suggestions:\n1. To become acquainted with the organization Green Card Voices, which is doing very significant work to bring to life those who have spent years as Green Card holders in the U.S. enroute to citizenship.\n2. If you’re in the Twin Cities, take time to go to the Landmark Center in St. Paul, and see the exhibit provided by the City of Nagasaki about the bomb and its affect August 9, 1945. It is a relatively small exhibit, but if you pay attention to it, you’ll easily be there more than an hour. It’s on till November 28. The schedule is here:\n3. To pick up and reread, or read for the first time, George Orwell’s “1984”, published in 1949, which I probably didn’t see till college days. It is rather disquieting to translate his novel to present day American terms: actors like “telescreen”, “Proles”, and all of that. (I looked up September 11, 1984, and there really wasn’t all that much happening that particular day. But Orwell was in many ways a visionary, and most of us are todays Proles, who allow life happen to us without much regard to the consequences.)\nEach one of us has a certain command of our own “ship”, and we can impact positively or negatively on how it sails, and how it impacts ourselves, and others.\nSame source as above, Aug. 23, 2015\nPOSTNOTE: After publishing the above I watched the 9-11-2015 evening news which, as expected, emphasized again, on this 14th anniversary of 9-11, the continuing national mourning of what seems to be our now perpetual “Pearl Harbor”.\nNo “mushroom cloud” ads appeared, as erroneously predicted by myself, perhaps because a concerted effort to stop the deal failed in the U.S. Congress on Sep. 11 – a date probably specifically strategically selected for the vote.\nNo doubt, we experienced a tragedy 9-11-01, but the biggest tragedy of all is our continual obsession of the need to be in control; and the seeming narrative that the only way to prevent war is to be stronger and more threatening than the other party in preparing for the next war…more or less the narrative of George Orwell’s 1984. We seem to need to have an enemy to validate our existence. We are made to live in constant fear of some other.\n9-11-01 took the lives of 3 Minnesotans, it was reported tonight. In the 2000 census there were 4.9 million Minnesotans. (There were 281 million Americans in 2000.) After 9-11 has come continuous war, Iraq, Afghanistan, ISIS/Syria, with all the attendant loss of life and disruption of normal lives, including the present day refugee crisis. ISIS/ISIL is a direct outgrowth of our actions in Iraq, including regime change.\nWe don’t seem to learn, we need to change the conversation, beginning within ourselves.\nI wonder if we have the capacity to do this….\nhttps://thoughtstowardsabetterworld.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/thoughts-300x138-1.jpg 0 0 dickbernard https://thoughtstowardsabetterworld.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/thoughts-300x138-1.jpg dickbernard2015-09-11 16:15:582015-09-11 16:15:58#1061 – Dick Bernard: September 11\n#1060 – Dick Bernard: The First Day of School #1062 – Dick Bernard: The \"Debates\"","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line551994"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9153687357902527,"wiki_prob":0.9153687357902527,"text":"Our family tradition began more than 68 years ago with Sam Perrella — or as we like to call him, Grandpa Sam.\nAs World War II soldiers returned home from Italy telling tales of their favorite food, the popularity of pizza in the U.S. grew. Sam Perrella, a former miner who owned a small café in Keewatin, picked up on this growing trend. Having connections in Chicago, Sam visited with some pizza makers and returned home with an idea that sparked and gave birth to what is now Sammy’s Pizza.\nIn October 1954, armed with enthusiasm and their own secret recipes, Sam and wife, Louise, opened the doors of the first Sammy's Pizza restaurant in Hibbing, MN.\nAs their business flourished, they helped their family and a close friend open their own pizza restaurants. Today, some 68 years, 15 locations and more than 25 million pizzas later, Sammy's is now in it's fourth generation of pizza makers, who all still use Sam’s original recipes.\nIn 2015, PMQ Pizza Magazine, the pizza industry’s No. 1 publication, inducted Sammy’s into its Pizza Hall of Fame — which pays tribute to popular pizzerias in business for 50 years or longer.\nIn 2018, Sammy's was also voted 'Best Pizza in Minnesota' in Minnesota Monthly Magazine's Pizza Bracket Challenge.\nSammy's Pizza & Deli was opened in 1958 by Jim and Marguerite (Perrella) Acheson.\nThe restaurant has remained in the family ever since — and today is owned and operated by Mike Acheson, who purchased the restaurant from his brother Jim Acheson Jr. (the son of the original owners) in 2019. Jim Acheson Jr. has previously owned and operated the restaurant for more than 41 years.\nIt was at Sammy's in Lakeside where Mike first got his start in the pizza business. There he worked for more than 17 years with his brother Jim, and mother Marguerite before eventually opening his own restaurant in Cloquet in 2000. Mike, along with his son, Michael, who has been a key part in the success of Sammy's Cloquet over the past 8 years, will be regularly present managing the daily operations at both locations moving forward.\nWhen you visit, our hope is that you’ll realize Sammy’s makes much more than great pizza — we make works of art inspiring traditions with family and friends, as well as in our local Lakeside community.\nThank you for making Sammy’s Pizza a part of your family tradition. We look forward to your next visit!","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line786611"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5452063083648682,"wiki_prob":0.45479369163513184,"text":"Japanese Rail\nPosted on December 6, 2020 by bakatsundoku\nAfter writing a post absolutely excoriating certain aspects of Japanese culture (and rightly so), maybe this is a good time to post about something I really love about Japan.\nOne of my favorite things to do of late, especially as I’ve been a little ill lately, is to watch YouTube videos of the Japanese rail system. No talking, no narration, just hours of trains going through the Japanese countryside and cityscape.\nAmerica really could never make such a system work. It’s simply too big. Even as we’re planning to build a shinkansen-style high speed rail in Texas, even that’s just from Houston to Dallas. Which, I suppose, is about the same distance (give or take) from Tokyo to Nagoya. That gives you an idea of the scale of America – just two cities within Texas are about a third of the distance throughout the entirety of Japan. Japan is a small, dense country. The United States is a very large, sprawling country\nSo I don’t think to myself “why does Japan get such a comprehensive rail system and we don’t?” I already know the answer. But that doesn’t mean I don’t absolutely love the Japanese rail system.\nAs a child, I used to be a roadgeek. Still am, to some degree. I would judge a city by two criteria: the size of its downtown, and the complexity of its freeway system. I few up in a city in Ohio that didn’t have much in the way of interesting roads, so I would love to go to places like Detroit or Cleveland that had cool roads and interchanges. The country has changed a lot lately, and we have taken to favoring aesthetics and social concerns over complexity and sheer impressiveness. I understand the reason for that, but something special has been lost. The cities in America just aren’t what they used to be.\nJapan’s road and rail system still has some of the aesthetics of American cities that were list decades ago. Dense, narrow roads criscrossing all over each other. Rail stations, one after another, teeming with people. In densely populated areas like Shibuya and Shinjuku, the rail lines go underground, overground, left, right, crossing over and under, expresses, locals and even shinkansen jockeying for position and yet somehow managing to make it work with almost clockwork precision. It’s damned impressive. Here in America we have… Amtrak… and a few light rail and subway lines in cities that don’t even come close to the comprehensiveness of Japan’s rail system.\nThe sad thing was, at the turn of the 20th century, we were well on our way. We had streetcars and passenger rail systems that were the envy of the world. But auto manufacturers paid cities and states off to remove the rails, and switch to an automobile-based infrastructure. That’s why we have such good roads and such horrible rail.\nSomething was lost. But not in Japan. There, it’s still going strong.\nI don’t know if I’ll ever go to Japan. It’s not looking good for that eventuality. But I can’t imagine not taking a Shinkansen across the country, hopping the enoden or the “romance line”, taking a rail line around Mt. Fuji, or even the nichinan line around the south of Japan. Seems like a fun thing to do.\nMaybe someday.\nUncategorized enoden, Japan, Nichinan, Rail\n← What in the Ever Loving @#$%\nMikan →","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1396542"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5450399518013,"wiki_prob":0.5450399518013,"text":"20 Jun, 2011 08:00\nHomeRussia & FSU\nJustice Ministry considers canceling registration for political parties\nThe Justice Ministry \"should react to specific violations of law and not to a hypothetic possibility\"\nJustice Minister Aleksandr Konovalov has stated that registration for political parties should be canceled. Instead, he suggested that their leaders only notify the ministry of their intentions.\nIn an interview with Profile weekly, Aleksandr Konovalov said that the Justice Ministry “should react to specific violations of law and not to a hypothetic possibility.”He also said that some forces use the registration process as a kind of publicity. “I sometimes think that the fight for registration for some political forces becomes liquid political capital. But if we register such a party and allow it to take part in elections, it will soon become clear that it has nothing to offer,” Konovalov added. In April the Justice Ministry refused registration to the ROT-Front party for the fifth time, saying that its emblem, a fist within a star, symbolizes “a fight against the existing order” and that its name is the same as a well-known confectionary brand. The party then stated that the refusal was illegal and it was going to fight for its rights.Several parties are pushing for the cancellation of the obligatory registration of parties. Among them is the unregistered nationalist party the Other Russia, led by Eduard Limonov. The party was set up last December, but was refused registration on the grounds that their program contradicts federal legislation. The Party of National Freedom (Parnas), a newly-established opposition party in the making, has the same point in its program. They also say there should be a simple notification procedure. Parnas is now undergoing registration, their documents are now being considered by the Justice Ministry, which is expected to come up with a decision by June 23. For a party to be registered, it should fulfill the main requirement that is to have at least 45,000 members. Before 2001, there was no threshold at all, while in 2006 a party needed to have 10,000 members to be able to file for registration. In the past two years not a single party has been registered in Russia. And within the last ten years their number has decreased by almost half from several dozen to the current seven.\nRegistration request by Pirate Party of Russia turned down\nOpposition party denied registration for extremist connotations and brand confusion","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line673042"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.829737663269043,"wiki_prob":0.829737663269043,"text":"Nicolas Cage’s Private Island in the Bahamas for Sale at $7.5 Million (PHOTOS)\nAlicia Selin Published: June 10, 2022\nPrivate Islands Inc. / Frazer Harrison, Getty Images\nNicolas Cage's 30-acre private island is for sale at $7.5 million. The actor purchased the island in the center of the Bahamas in 2006 and now it could be yours.\nCage has owned the 30-acre private island for the last 16 years. With its superb sandy beaches and bright blue water, it literally looks like paradise. The island, which is named Leaf Cay, is located just south of Bock Cay and is part of the Exuma Cays string of islands, which span over 120 miles.\nAccording to Private Islands Online, the Exuma Cays are considered to be among the best places in the Bahamas for sailing. The listing states that \"this island has it all: three great beaches, protected deepwater access suitable for anchorage and docking of large yachts and great elevations.\"\nCage started his acting career in high school, when he joined his school production of Golden Boy. The actor dropped out of high school when he was 17 and landed his first television role in 1981 in the pilot for The Best of Times. He landed his first movie role in Fast Times at Ridgemont High and has since starred in films including Gone in 60 Seconds, City of Angels and many, many more.\nInside Nicolas Cage's Private Island in the Bahamas\nThe actor bought the 30-acre private island in 2006. It's for sale at $7.5 million now/\nTake a Tour: Brangelina's Former $13.6M Hamptons Home\nBrad Pitt and Angelina Jolie's former 8,500-square-foot home in Southampton has a 40-foot pool, multiple fireplaces and a tennis court. Take a look inside!\nSource: Nicolas Cage’s Private Island in the Bahamas for Sale at $7.5 Million (PHOTOS)\nFiled Under: nicolas cage\nNicolas Cage Reveals First Plot Details For ‘Face/Off 2’\nNicolas Cage Says ‘Face/Off 2’ Would Be An Exciting Movie to Make\nNicolas Cage Plays Nicolas Cage in the ’Massive Talent’ Trailer\nNicolas Cage Will No Longer Play Joe Exotic In Shelved Amazon Series\nThe Actors Who Swear the Most Onscreen\nThe Real Reason Why ‘National Treasure 3’ Never Happened\nDisney Is Finally Working on ‘National Treasure 3’\nNicolas Cage Spotted Filming In Oregon\nReview: ‘Into the Spider-Verse’ Is a Spider-Man Movie Beyond Your Wildest Dreams","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line682462"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5373277068138123,"wiki_prob":0.5373277068138123,"text":"Home - LocalHome Slider Feature\nHonolulu, HI (KTRS) The “Mighty Mo” is getting underway on the 75th anniversary of her commissioning.\nThe U.S. Postal Service is honoring the battleship Missouri with a forever stamp, and dedicated the stamp Tuesday during a ceremony in Pearl Harbor.\nThe Missouri was commissioned on June 11, 1944 and joined the military efforts in the Pacific theater during the final months of World War II.\nOn Sept. 2, 1945, in a ceremony that was broadcast around the world, military officials from the Allied powers and imperial Japan convened on her deck to sign the documents confirming Japan’s surrender, ending the war.\nPolice: 2 students dead, adult hurt in Des Moines shooting\nGoogle axes 12,000 jobs as layoffs spread across tech sector\nPolice: Man killed in Missouri after aiming gun at officers\nUkraine helicopter crash kills interior minister, others\nMissouri Democrats say House dress code debate a distraction","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line131162"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6366722583770752,"wiki_prob":0.3633277416229248,"text":"Eclectic Commentary on Law, Religion, and Food and Wine\nBio and Policies\nMy Scholarship\nThe Corporate Law Professors' Hobby Lobby and Conestoga Wood brief crops up at SCOTUSblog\nIn the SCOTUSblog symposium on the contraceptive mandate cases, Elizabeth Wydra argues that:\nAllowing the religious values of the individual owners of a company to be passed through to the corporation itself would not only run counter to well-established constitutional law, but it would also run counter to fundamental principles of corporate law. As a brief filed by corporate law scholarsexplains, “[t]he first principle of corporate law is that for-profit corporations are entities that possess legal interests and a legal identity of their own—one separate and distinct from their shareholders.” In fact, as recounted in the brief, this legal separateness is “the corporation’s most precious characteristic,” according to one early American treatise writer, because it creates “limited liability” for business founders and investors, shielding their personal assets. If the Court were to accept attempts by Hobby Lobby and Conestoga Wood to blur the distinction between a corporation and its owners, it could undermine key features of corporate law.\nThe difficulty with Wydra's argument, of course, is that the Brief is a crock. As I explain in A Critique of the Corporate Law Professors’ Amicus Brief in Hobby Lobby and Conestoga Wood, which is now forthcoming in the Virginia Law Review Online:\nThe Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) effected numerous changes in the legal regime governing health care and health insurance. Among the ACA’s more controversial provisions is the so-called contraceptive mandate, which requires employer-provided health care insurance plans to provide coverage of all FDA approved contraceptive methods.\nOn March 25, 2014, the Supreme Court will hear oral argument in the Hobby Lobby and Conestoga Wood cases, in which the shareholders of two for-profit family-owned corporations argue that requiring them to comply with the contraception mandate violates the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.\nForty-four law corporate law professors filed an amicus brief in these cases, arguing that the essence of a corporation is its “separateness” from its shareholders and that, on the facts of these cases, there is no reason to disregard the separateness between shareholders and the corporations they control. The Brief is replete with errors, overstated claims, or red herrings, and misdirection.\nContrary to the Brief’s arguments, basic corporate law principles strongly support the position of Hobby Lobby and Conestoga Wood. In particular, the doctrine known as reverse veil piercing provides a clear and practical vehicle for disregarding the legal separateness of those corporations from their shareholders and thus granting those shareholders standing to assert their free exercise rights.\nKeywords: Hobby Lobby, contraceptive mandate, free exercise, piercing the corporate veil, reverse veil piercing, amicus brief, corporate law professors, constitution, supreme court, Affordable Care Act, Obamacare, RFRA, Religious Freedom Restoration Act\nShould Christian businesses reincorporate as B Corps? If they did, would they have a stronger case against the Obamacare mandate?\nThe import for Hobby Lobby of Obama's unilateral relief from the Obamacare mandate for businesses\nBainbridge on Hobby Lobby & Calistoga Wood\nReverse Veil Peircing and The Duty of Majority Shareholders\nPosted at 01:38 PM in Religion, SCOTUS and Con Law | Permalink | Comments (1)\nNY Court Gets the Geography of Revlon Correct\nA client memo from Reed Smith informs us that:\nThe recent decision in Badowski v. Corrao, No. 652986/2011, NYLJ 1202642854864 (Sup. Ct. N.Y. County, Commercial Division), is a timely application by a New York court of the limitations of so-called Revlon duties to stock-for-stock mergers.\nIn Badowski, the court dismissed with prejudice a class action brought by a shareholder of the target (Vertro, Inc.), challenging Vertro’s stock-for-stock merger with Inuvo, Inc. The court applied Delaware law under the internal affairs rule because Vertro is incorporated under the laws of Delaware. In applying Delaware law, the court clearly adhered to the principle that Revlon duties are not implicated where the challenged transaction does not result in a true change of control. ...\n... Revlon duties are only triggered when a company embarks on a transaction, whether on its own or in response to an unsolicited offer, that will result in a change of control. Citing well-established Delaware authority, the court in Badowski stated as follows:\nIn the context of a stock-for-stock merger, a change of control for Revlon purposes can be triggered if the target's shareholders are relegated to a minority in the resulting entity, and the resulting entity has a controlling stockholder or stockholder group. Where, however, ownership of the merged company will remain in \"a large, fluid, changeable and changing market,\" Revlon is not implicated.\nThe court in Badowski found that the facts, as pleaded, would not support the imposition of Revlonduties in part because there was no allegation that the shares of the resulting entity will not be freely traded in the marketplace, or that the former Vertro shareholders will be subjected to a controlling shareholder or block of shareholders. Badowski, at *7-*8. The court also recognized that the allegations of the complaint were contradicted by the proxy statement, as the final proxy statement stated that upon completion of the merger, current Vertro stockholders would hold approximately 52.8 percent of the outstanding shares of the new company, which would change to 51.4 percent, assuming exercise of all outstanding options (whether or not vested) and warrants. Id. at *8 n.3.\nPlaintiff also argued that Revlon duties were implicated because the Vertro board had actively solicited a merger with a party other than Inuvo, and because Vertro’s officer and director contracts contained \"change in control\" provisions that were triggered by the merger. The court, however, rejected both of these arguments. The court held that the board’s initiation of an active bidding process does not render Revlon applicable unless the board seeks to sell control or takes other actions that would break up the company. Id. at *8. As to the officer and director contracts, the court found that plaintiff had cited no authority that change in control provisions in employment contracts establish change of control for Revlon purposes. Id.\nSadly, the Court did not cite my article The Geography of Revlon-Land, but the Court's analysis is consistent with the approach I advanced therein. Like the Court, I argued that:\nAcme and Ajax are both public corporations listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). Acme offers to acquire Ajax in a merger of equals in which Acme shareholders would receive Ajax stock for their Acme shares. This is an easy case. Recall that in Time, Chancellor Allen had said that Revlon was not triggered because there was no change of control. This was so, he explained, because control of the combined entity after the merger remained “in a large, fluid, changeable and changing market.” The same is true here. Accordingly, because the merger does not involve a sale or other change of control, the Acme “board's decision . . . is entitled to judicial deference pursuant to the procedural and substantive operation of the business judgment rule.” In contrast, if the acquiring firm has a controlling shareholder, the merger would result in the requisite change of control and Revlon would trigger.\nStart with the same facts as in the preceding hypothetical, but now assume Acme proposes a triangular merger in which Ajax would be merged into a wholly owned Acme subsidiary. Despite the change in form, the substantive effect of this transaction is precisely the same. The combined entity ends up being owned by dispersed shareholders “in a large, fluid, changeable and changing market.” Only by elevating form over substance could Revlon apply here.\nOf course, this is easy. The more difficult questions are presented when cash constitutes some of all of the consideration to be paid by the acquirer. Some Delaware Chancery Court decisions suggest that Revlon would be triggered in such cases. In my article, I argue that those decisions are inconsistent with Delaware Supreme Court rulings and sould policy.\nPosted at 05:46 PM in Dept of Self-Promotion, Mergers and Takeovers | Permalink | Comments (0)\nMy reply to the corporate law professors' brief in Hobby Lobby and Conestoga Wood is up on SSRN\nBainbridge, Stephen M., A Critique of the Corporate Law Professors’ Amicus Brief in Hobby Lobby and Conestoga Wood (February 21, 2014). UCLA School of Law, Law-Econ Research Paper No. 14-03. Available at SSRN: http://ssrn.com/abstract=2399638:\nAbstract: The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) effected numerous changes in the legal regime governing health care and health insurance. Among the ACA’s more controversial provisions is the so-called contraceptive mandate, which requires employer-provided health care insurance plans to provide coverage of all FDA approved contraceptive methods.\nIn an ideal world, some law review will accept it and publish it more or less as is (block quotes and all) before the March 25th oral argument in these cases or, at least, before the end of the Supreme Court term. [Hint, hint.] In a less than ideal world, some law review will decide it should be published next fall as a document of historical interest. [Hint, hint.]\nBut the main point is to rebut the Brief and to defend my argument in Using Reverse Veil Piercing to Vindicate the Free Exercise Rights of Incorporated Employers, 16 Green Bag 2d 235 (2013), from the attack directed at that article by the Brief.\nMy article on reverse veil piercing used in ACA mandate litigation brief\nA corporate conscience? I don't think so\nSupreme Court Agrees to Decide if Christian-Owned Businesses Must Violate Faith to Obey Obama\nAdmin. reaffirms birth control stance\nDouglas Laycock on the government's \"shell game\" in the Hobby Lobby contraceptive mandate case\nLaycock writes:\nThe threshold issue in Sebelius v. Hobby Lobby Stores and Conestoga Wood Specialties Corp. v. Sebelius is whether any plaintiff’s free exercise of religion is substantially burdened within the meaning of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.\nOn that issue, the government’s argument is a shell game. Only the individuals have religious-liberty rights; only the corporations are regulated. And more: Even the individuals have no rights when they act or refuse to act as directors, officers, or managers of the corporation. Not only are the individuals separate persons from the corporation, but the individuals are divided into additional separate persons, depending on the capacity in which they act. This is formalism in the extreme.\nWhatever one thinks about the corporations, the individual plaintiffs are clearly exercising their religion. The government appears to believe that these individuals forfeited their religious-liberty rights with respect to the business when they incorporated the business, and therefore forfeited any right not to pay for emergency contraception and IUDs when the business grew to more than fifty employees.\nCongress left a clear and explicit record that the public meaning of RFRA covers for-profit corporations and their owners.\nOf course, as regular readers know, reverse veil piercing would also stop the government \"shell game.\"\nPosted at 05:43 PM in SCOTUS and Con Law | Permalink | Comments (1)\nSmith on Dooley\nGordon Smith has posted a nice tribute to the late Michael Dooley.\nPosted at 02:09 PM in Law School | Permalink | Comments (0)\nHenry Manne's tribute to Mike Dooley\nHenry Manne sent along this tribute to our mutual friend Michael P. Dooley, who passed way this week, and kindly authorized me to post it:\nI suspect that your relationship with Mike was a lot like mine with Armen Alchian. In each case they really got us started on a serious intellectual journey. My own relationship with Mike was a delight from its beginning when he showed up with a large U Va contingent at one of the summer programs in economics for law professors. From day one of that program, Mike was, I believe, hooked on the significance of economics for legal studies, and his earliest work reflects that keen understanding. I mention that because such an approach already indicated a degree of intellectual integrity and indeed braveness that few law professors at that time would exhibit. But his integrity in this regard became a part of a “grand awakening” of the intellectual life of the U Va Law School, and I know that he was a leader in making that school the powerhouse that it became. Over the years, I always looked forward to my infrequent but happy meetings with Mike, and, for a long time, his work in corporations, while distinctively his own, was that rarity, scholarship that took my work very seriously. I am sure that he died with the satisfaction of knowing that we won that intellectual battle and that it was a fight worth waging. RIP, Mike.\nMike was the man who put my feet on the path my intellectual journey has followed, but I should also gratefully acknowledge the huge role Henry has played in that journey, even when the directions I followed did not always please him, he remains--along with Mike--the standard of excellence to which I aspire.\nKeith Paul Bishop on the Hobby Lobby Corporate Law Professors' Brief\nA truly great post that made me very happy.\nDocumenting the misrepresentations in the corporate law professors' Hobby Lobby brief: Part 1\nThe more I read the brief filed by 44 corporate law professors in the Obamacare contraceptive mandate cases pending before the Supreme Court, the angrier I get. The brief has a lot of whoppers. Here's one:\nThe Brief claims that:\nHobby Lobby and Conestoga want to argue, in effect, that the corporate veil is only a one-way street: its shareholders can get protection from tort or contract liability by standing behind the veil, but the corporation can ask a court to disregard the corporate veil on this occasion.[1]\nTo the best knowledge of this author, that claim is false. No one arguing on behalf of Hobby Lobby or Conestoga Wood has claimed that they are somehow immune to the ordinary rules of corporate veil piercing. They are not asking for a one-way street. Rather, they are asking that the law as it stands be applied them both forward and in reverse.\nI'm hard at work on a comprehensive reply to the Brief. Watch this space for further documentation of the problems with the Brief and, I hope soon, the full rebuttal.\n[1] Brief at 14.\nPosted at 09:38 AM in SCOTUS and Con Law | Permalink | Comments (0)\nMichael P. Dooley, University of Virginia law professor, scholar, and friend. RIP.\nI have heard from several reliable sources that my teacher, mentor, and friend Michael Dooley, the William S. Potter Professor of Law Emeritus at the University of Virginia School of Law, has passed away. Up until his 2012 retirement, Mike taught corporations, corporate financial transactions, mergers and acquisitions, and contracts. In 1984-1985, I was privileged to be his student in three classes and his research assistant.\nMike became not just a boss and teacher but also a mentor. Through his support and advice, he gave me the confidence to believe I could make it as a legal academic. And, when I went on the teaching market, Mike took a dispositive hand. His influence paid particular dividends when I applied for a position at the Illinois College of Law. Mike had started his teaching career at Illinois and many of his friends from those days were now senior faculty there. Needless to say, my new colleagues later told me that Mike’s endorsement had been the decisive factor in their decision to hire me.\nAs an academic, I have been tremendously influenced by Mike’s scholarship, especially his article Two Models of Corporate Governance[1] and its progeny. One of the chief insights of the law and economics movement was the identification of agency costs as a critical corporate governance problem. Unfortunately, as a result, several generations of scholars came to “believe that the fundamental concern of corporate law is ‘agency costs.’”[2]\nIn Two Models, Mike restored needed balance. To be sure, he acknowledged, deterrence and punishment of misconduct by the board and senior management is a necessary function of corporate governance. But accountability standing alone is an inadequate normative account of corporate law. Instead, as he persuasively explained, a fully specified account of corporate law must incorporate a value he called Authority:\nIf the board is never made accountable for its decisions, it is liable to exercise its power irresponsibly vis-à-vis the shareholders. On the other hand, the power to hold a party accountable is the power to interfere and, ultimately, the power to decide. Thus, affording shareholders the right to demand frequent judicial review of board decisions has the effect of transferring decision-making authority from the board to the shareholders.[3]\nMike went on to explain why such a transfer would significantly reduce the efficiency of corporate decision making, ultimately harming shareholder interests. Accordingly, he explained, the core problem was figuring out whether Authority or Responsibility values predominated in any given setting. My work on director primacy grew out of that insight.\nI like to think that I also had something to do with that course correction, but I have always acknowledged that my role in many respects was that of a popularizer of Mike’s work. “Professor Michael Dooley was the first to make the connection between the work of Kenneth Arrow and the structure of Delaware corporate law. … Professor Bainbridge has adopted Professor Dooley's application of Arrow's theory and readily acknowledges the contribution Professor Dooley has made in the development of his director primacy model.” Bernard S. Sharfman, Why Proxy Access is Harmful to Corporate Governance, 37 J. Corp. L. 387, 399 n.83 (2012).\nI am deeply saddened both personally and professionally by this loss. My thoughts and prayers go out to his wife Jean, his family, and all the many people who loved him.\n[1] Michael P. Dooley, Two Models of Corporate Governance, 47 Bus. Law. 461 (1992).\n[2] Kent Greenfield, The Place of Workers in Corporate Law, 39 B.C. L. Rev. 283, 295 (1998) (emphasis supplied).\n[3] Two Models, supra note 1, at 470.\nPosted at 11:17 AM in Law School | Permalink | Comments (2)\nWhat do Obamacare and the draft have in common?\nWeekly Standard:\nPresident Obama defended Obamacare and called signing up for the health care program \"just part of growing up ....\"\nKind of like signing up for the draft back in my day, I guess. Both entail huge government program and infringements on personal liberty that Washington wants to make us view as routine.\nHappy President's Day\nA survey for lawyers and legal academics on the role of experiential learning in legal education\nI've been asked to announce that:\nAs you may know, an ABA task force has recently proposed to establish minimum requirements within ABA-accredited law schools for \"experiential\" learning related to building practical skills and competencies. (Similar proposals are percolating up from state bar association task forces as well.) We believe this endeavor to be an intriguing and important invitation for law schools to re-imagine how they deliver legal education, and on this basis we are generally supportive. At the same time, a challenging question that the ABA and other task forces face is the question of what topics constitute \"skills and competencies.\" Within business law, this challenge is perhaps greatest for attorneys whose practice is principally \"transactional\" in nature (in contrast to work that is oriented around litigation). It is unclear how much input transactionally-oriented business law practitioners (attorneys, other professionals, educators) have had on the process of drafting the proposed guidelines, or whether there has been much systematic analysis of what topics constitute important \"skills\" for entering transactional attorneys.\nTo address these gaps, we have developed an on-line survey instrument to help gauge what sorts of core competencies established professionals in transactional practice areas consider important. We hope the results of the survey will help both practitioners and legal educators assess (and if necessary, work to amend) the current proposed guidelines. Although largely directed to practicing attorneys, the survey is also open to other professionals who work closely with practicing attorneys in transactional practices (such as bankers, accountants, financial advisers, etc.).\nHere are the two favors we ask of you:\n(1) Please take a few moments yourself to fill out the survey. It will not take longer than 5-10 minutes of your time.\n(2) Please ask your colleagues, partners, associates, co-workers, and other professional contacts to consider filling out the survey.\nThe more input we can get from experts in the area the better advice we'll both receive and be able to give.\nThe survey is available on-line, at\nhttps://www.surveymonkey.com/s/K6HQFR7\nWhen complete, results of the survey will be made available on the website for the Berkeley Center for Law, Business and the Economy (BCLBE), at http://www.law.berkeley.edu/bclbe.htm.\nLaw Professors Spend too Much Time Thinking About the US Supreme Court\nI've been reading an otherwise very fine law review article on the relationship of law and equity, which is flawed (IMHO) by its exclusive focus on US Supreme Court cases. Would the author's analysis not have been better served by also considering the unique status of the three remaining state judicial systems--Delaware, Mississippi, and Tennessee--that retain separate equity courts? Might he not especially have wanted to examine the workings of the Delaware Court of Chancery, of which prominent federal judge Jed Rakoff has written that:\nI think it is substantially wrong to view the Delaware Chancery Court as a specialized court, at least in the sense of a court of limited subject matter jurisdiction. In actuality, the jurisdiction of the Delaware Chancery Court is very broad, comprising the extensive equity jurisdiction that marked the reach of the English High Court of Chancery back in the days when the courts of England were divided between the courts of law and the courts of equity. If, then, the Delaware Court of Chancery speaks with the clarity and vision of a generalist court, it is because it really is, fundamentally, a generalist court. Because, however, its jurisdiction includes so much of Delaware corporate law, and because so many large corporations are incorporated in Delaware, its decisions have a huge impact on the development of corporate law everywhere.\nSurely that unique blend deserves at least mention, yes?\nPosted at 12:03 PM in Law School, SCOTUS and Con Law | Permalink | Comments (2)\nEverything The Economist says about shareholder activism is wrong\nFrom this week's leader:\nAn analysis of around 2,000 interventions in America during 1994-2007 found not only that the share prices and operating performance of the firms involved improved over the five years after the intervention, but also that the improvement was greatest towards the end of the five-year period. The firms activists targeted tended to be underperforming relative to their industry.\nYes, there was such an analysis, but for one thing is was a study solely of interventions by hedge funds. It says nothing--nada, zip, zilch--about the merits of activism by, say, union pension funds.\nSecond, the analysis was done by folks with skin in the game--a deep ideological commitment to shareholder activism, so deep that they set up a Harvard law school clinic to promote it. I'm not saying they skewed their numbers. They are too good scholars to do that. I am just saying that all empirical studies need to be taken with a grain of salt and those by folks with an agenda need a larger than usual grain. (And, yes, I have skin in this game too.)\nBTW, you'll want to compare Wachtell Lipton's critique of the analysis (available here and here) and Bebchuk's defense thereof (available here).\nBack to The Economist:\nRather than making life harder for activists, America’s regulators should make it easier. They could adopt Britain’s practice of allowing activists to call a shareholder meeting at which individual board members can be voted out. “Poison pills” that are triggered when activists buy shares should be banned.\nStuff and nonsense. As I explained in Preserving Director Primacy by Managing Shareholder Interventions:\nThere are strong normative arguments for disempowering shareholders and, accordingly, for rolling back the gains shareholder activists have made. Whether that will prove possible in the long run or not, however, in the near term attention must be paid to the problem of managing shareholder interventions.\nThis problem arises because not all shareholder interventions are created equally. Some are legitimately designed to improve corporate efficiency and performance, especially by holding poorly performing boards of directors and top management teams to account. But others are motivated by an activist’s belief that he or she has better ideas about how to run the company than the incumbents, which may be true sometimes but often seems dubious. Worse yet, some interventions are intended to advance an activist’s agenda that is not shared by other investors.\nThis chapter proposes managing shareholder interventions through changes to the federal proxy rules designed to make it more difficult for activists to effect operational changes, while encouraging shareholder efforts to hold directors and managers accountable.\nI've said it before and, sadly, I must say it again: The Economist is ineducable on shareholder activism.\nManaging Shareholder Interventions: An Updated Director Primacy Critique of Shareholder Empowerment\nCarl Icahn On The New Shareholder-Director Exchange\n\"Are activist shareholders good for investors?\"\nMemo to Harold Myerson: Shareholder Wealth Maximization is a Norm not a Myth\nPosted at 05:41 PM in Shareholder Activism | Permalink | Comments (0)\nIn the WaPo, Harold Myerson opines that:\nIn a well-intentioned op-ed in The Post [“Dialing up the power in people’s phone calls,” op-ed, Feb. 9], Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales recently extolled his new phone venture, which has pledged to devote a quarter of its profits to “good causes” selected by an independent foundation. Now, I support good causes as much as the next fellow, and I have nothing negative to say about this initiative. I am compelled, however, to note that in delineating the obligations that corporations must meet, Wales made an error at once so common and so fundamental that it screams for correction.\nIn his discussion of the ways in which increasingly unpopular big businesses defend themselves against their critics, Wales wrote: “They argue, correctly, that the legal requirement of for-profit companies to maximize returns to shareholders limits their behavior.”\nI never sought the opportunity to correct Wikipedia’s founder. Nevertheless, facts are facts, and the fact is that there is no legal requirement for for-profit companies to maximize returns to shareholders. When a company is for sale, its directors are required to do all they can to maximize its value. At any other time, corporate law simply dictates that directors are supposed to help the company prosper and do nothing to benefit themselves at the company’s expense. ...\nThe idea that corporations exist to reward their shareholders arose not in a body of law but from the work of ideologically driven economists. ...\nI suppose he could be more wrong, but it is hard to see how.\nCorporate law’s classic answer to the question of the proper objective of the directors famously was articulated in Dodge v. Ford Motor Co.[1] Henry Ford embarked on a plan of retaining earnings, lowering prices, improving quality, and expanding production. The plaintiff Dodge brothers contended an improper altruism towards his workers and customers motivated Ford. The court agreed, strongly rebuking Ford:\nA business corporation is organized and carried on primarily for the profit of the stockholders. The powers of the directors are to be employed for that end. The discretion of directors is to be exercised in the choice of means to attain that end, and does not extend to a change in the end itself, to the reduction of profits, or to the nondistribution of profits among stockholders in order to devote them to other purposes.[2]\nConsequently, “it is not within the lawful powers of a board of directors to shape and conduct the affairs of a corporation for the merely incidental benefit of shareholders and for the primary purpose of benefiting others.”[3] Dodge’s theory of shareholder wealth maximization has been widely accepted by courts over an extended period of time. Almost three quarters of a century after Dodge, for example, the Delaware chancery court similarly opined: “It is the obligation for directors to attempt, within the law, to maximize the long-run interests of the corporation’s stockholders.”[4]\nTo be sure, despite the powerful rhetoric of cases like Dodge, current law allows boards of directors substantial discretion to consider the impact of their decisions on interests other than shareholder wealth maximization. This discretion, however, exists not as the outcome of conscious social policy but rather as an unintended consequence of the business judgment rule.[5] To be sure, some scholars find an inconsistency between the business judgment rule and the shareholder wealth maximization norm. In contrast, I concede that the business judgment rule sometimes has the effect of insulating a board of directors from liability when it puts the interests of nonshareholder constituencies ahead of those of shareholders, but deny that that is the rule’s intent.[6] Instead, as the Delaware supreme court has explained:\nUnder Delaware law, the business judgment rule is the offspring of the fundamental principle, codified in [Delaware General Corporation Law] § 141(a), the business and affairs of a Delaware corporation are managed by or under its board of directors.... The business judgment rule exists to protect and promote the full and free exercise of the managerial power granted to Delaware directors.[7]\nThe business judgment rule thus operationalizes the intuition that fiat— i.e., centralization of decision-making authority—is the essential attribute of efficient corporate governance. As Nobel laureate economist Kenneth Arrow explains, however, authority and accountability cannot be reconciled:\n[Accountability mechanisms] must be capable of correcting errors but should not be such as to destroy the genuine values of authority. Clearly, a sufficiently strict and continuous organ of [accountability] can easily amount to a denial of authority. If every decision of A is to be reviewed by B, then all we have really is a shift in the locus of authority from A to B and hence no solution to the original problem.[8]\nThe business judgment rule prevents such a shift in the locus of decision-making authority from boards to judges. It does so by establishing a limited system for case-by-case oversight in which judicial review of the substantive merits of those decisions is avoided. The court begins with a presumption against review.[9] It then reviews the facts to determine not the quality of the decision, but rather whether the decision-making process was tainted by self-dealing and the like.[10] The questions asked are objective and straightforward: Did the board commit fraud? Did the board commit an illegal act? Did the board self-deal? Whether or not the board exercised reasonable care is irrelevant, as well it should be.[11] The business judgment rule thus erects a prophylactic barrier by which courts pre-commit to resisting the temptation to review the merits of the board’s decision.\nThe business judgment rule, however, has no application where the board of directors is disabled by conflicted interests.[12] In such cases, concern for director accountability trumps protection of their discretionary authority. In corporate takeovers, for example, a well-known conflict of interest taints target company director decision making. Not surprisingly, therefore, the law denies directors discretion to consider the interests of nonshareholder constituencies in the takeover setting.[13] To be sure, the interests of shareholders and nonshareholder may be consistent in takeover fights, just as they are in many settings. In light of the directors’ conflict of interest, however, we can no longer trust them to make an unbiased assessment of those competing interests. The conflict between management and shareholder interests requires skepticism when management claims to be acting in the stakeholders’ best interests. A board decision to resist a hostile offer may have been motivated by concern for potentially affected nonshareholder constituencies, but it may just as easily have been motivated by the directors’ and managers’ concern for their own positions and perquisites. Selfish decisions thus easily could be justified by an appropriate paper trail of tears over the employees’ fate. Consequently, in the takeover setting, rigorous application of the shareholder wealth maximization norm properly becomes the standard of judicial review.\nShareholder wealth maximization is not only the law, it is also a basic feature of corporate practice. Although some scholars claim that directors do not adhere to the shareholder wealth maximization norm, the weight of the evidence long has been to the contrary. A 1995 National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) report stated: “The primary objective of the corporation is to conduct business activities with a view to enhancing corporate profit and shareholder gain.”[14] A 1996 NACD report on director professionalism set out the same objective, without any qualifying language on nonshareholder constituencies.[15] A 1999 Conference Board survey found that directors of U.S. corporations generally define their role as running the company for the benefit of its shareholders.[16] The 2000 edition of Korn/Ferry International’s well-known director survey found that when making corporate decisions directors consider shareholder interests most frequently, although it also found that a substantial number of directors feel a responsibility towards stakeholders.[17]\nWhat people do arguably matters more than what they say. Director fidelity to shareholder interests has been enhanced in recent years by the market for corporate control and, some say, activism by institutional investors. Hence, for example, the widespread corporate restructurings of the 1990s are commonly attributed to director concern for shareholder wealth maximization.[18] In addition, changes in director compensation have created additional hostages ensuring director fidelity to shareholder interests.[19] Directors have long given shareholders reputational hostages. If the company fails on their watch, after all, the directors’ reputation and thus their future employability is likely to suffer. In addition, it is becoming common to compensate outside directors in stock rather than cash and to establish minimum stock ownership requirements as a qualification for election.[20] Tying up the proportion of the director’s personal wealth in stock of the corporation creates another hostage, further aligning the director’s interests with those of shareholders.[21]\n[1] 170 N.W. 668 (Mich. 1919).\n[4] Katz v. Oak Indus., Inc., 508 A.2d 873, 879 (Del. Ch. 1989).\n[5] The business judgment rule, of course, pervades every aspect of corporate law, from allegedly negligent decisions by directors, to self-dealing transactions, to board decisions to seek dismissal of shareholder litigation, and so on. See, e.g., Sinclair Oil Corp. v. Levien, 280 A.2d 717 (Del. 1971) (fiduciary duties of controlling shareholder); Shlensky v. Wrigley, 237 N.E.2d 776 (Ill. App. 1968) (operational decision); Auerbach v. Bennett, 393 N.E.2d 994 (N.Y. 1979) (dismissal of derivative litigation). Two conceptions of the business judgment rule compete in the case law. One treats the rule as having substantive content. In this version, the business judgment rule comes into play only after one has first determined that the directors satisfied some standard of conduct. See, e.g., Cede & Co. v. Technicolor, Inc., 634 A.2d 345, 360 (Del. 1993) (holding that plaintiffs rebut the business judgment rule’s presumption of good faith by “providing evidence that directors, in reaching their challenged decision, breached any one of the triads of their fiduciary duty—good faith, loyalty or due care”). Alternatively, the business judgment rule is seen as an abstention doctrine. Under this version, the court will abstain from reviewing the substantive merits of the directors’ conduct unless the plaintiff can rebut the business judgment rule’s presumption of good faith. See, e.g., Shlensky v. Wrigley, 237 N.E.2d 776, 779 (Ill. App. 1968) (holding that: “In a purely business corporation ... the authority of the directors in the conduct of the business of the corporation must be regarded as absolute when they act within the law, and the court is without authority to substitute its judgment for that of the directors.”). For the reasons developed below, I find the abstention version more persuasive. See infra notes Error! Bookmark not defined.-11 and accompanying text.\n[6] To be sure, a few cases can be read to suggest that directors need not treat shareholder wealth maximization as their sole normative objective. Upon close examination, however, most of these cases in fact are not inconsistent with the shareholder wealth maximization norm. In Shlensky v. Wrigley, 237 N.E.2d 776 (Ill. App. 1968), for example, a minority shareholder in the Chicago Cubs sued Wrigley, the team’s majority shareholder, over the latter’s famous refusal to install lights at Wrigley Field. Shlensky claimed the decision against lights was motivated by Wrigley’s beliefs that baseball was a day-time sport and that night baseball might have a deteriorating effect on the neighborhood surrounding Wrigley Field. Id. at 778. Despite Shlensky’s apparently uncontested evidence that Wrigley was more concerned with nonshareholder than with shareholder interests, the Illinois Appellate Court dismissed for failure to state a claim upon which relief could be granted. Id. at 778-80. Although this result on superficial examination may appear to devalue shareholder wealth maximization, on close examination the case involves nothing more than a wholly unproblematic application of the business judgment rule.\n[7] Smith v. Van Gorkom, 488 A.2d 858, 872 (Del. 1985). Cf. Marx v. Akers, 666 N.E.2d 1034, (N.Y. 1996) (noting that “shareholder derivative actions infringe upon the managerial discretion of corporate boards…. Consequently, we have historically been reluctant to permit shareholder derivative suits, noting that the power of courts to direct the management of a corporation's affairs should be ‘exercised with restraint.’”); see also Pogostin v. Rice, 480 A.2d 619, 624 (noting that “the derivative action impinges on the managerial freedom of directors”).\n[8] Kenneth J. Arrow, The Limits of Organization 78 (1974).\n[9] See, e.g., Aronson v. Lewis, 473 A.2d 805, 812 (Del. 1984) (explaining that the rule creates a presumption that the directors or officers of a corporation acted on an informed basis, in good faith, and in the honest belief that the action taken was in the best interests of the company).\n[10] See, e.g., Kamin v. American Express Co., 383 N.Y.S.2d 807, 811 (N.Y. Sup. 1976) (stating that absent “fraud, dishonesty, or nonfeasance,” the court would not substitute its judgment for that of the directors).\n[11] See, e.g., Joy v. North, 692 F.2d 880, 885 (2d Cir. 1982) (stating: “While it is often stated that corporate directors and officers will be liable for negligence in carrying out their corporate duties, all seem agreed that such a statement is misleading.... Whatever the terminology, the fact is that liability is rarely imposed upon corporate directors or officers simply for bad judgment and this reluctance to impose liability for unsuccessful business decisions has been doctrinally labeled the business judgment rule.”); Brehm v. Eisner, 746 A.2d 244, 262-64 (Del. 2000) (rejecting plaintiff’s contention that the business judgment rule includes an element of “substantive due care” and holding that the business judgment rule requires only “process due care”).\n[12] See Bayer v. Beran, 49 N.Y.S.2d 2, 6 (Sup. Ct. 1944) (explaining: “The ‘business judgment rule’ . . . yields to the rule of undivided loyalty. This great rule of law is designed ‘to avoid the possibility of fraud and to avoid the temptation of self-interest.’”).\n[13] Under the Delaware supreme court’s decision in Revlon, Inc. v. MacAndrews & Forbes Holdings, Inc., 506 A.2d 173 (Del. 1986), a target’s board of directors may not protect stakeholder interests at the expense of shareholder interests. Id. at 182. Rather, any management action benefiting stakeholders must produce ancillary shareholder benefits. Id. In addition, once an auction of corporate control begins, stakeholders become entirely irrelevant. In such an auction, shareholder wealth maximization is the board’s only appropriate concern. Id. Indeed, in this context, considering any factors other than shareholder wealth violates the board’s fiduciary duties. Id. at 185.\n[14] National Association of Corporate Directors, Report of the NACD Blue Ribbon Commission on Director Compensation: Purposes, Principles, and Best Practices 1 (1995) (noting, however, that “long-term shareholder gain” requires “fair treatment” of nonshareholder constituents).\n[15] See National Association of Corporate Directors, Report of the NACD Blue Ribbon Commission on Director Professionalism 1 (1996).\n[16] The Conference Board, Determining Board Effectiveness: A Handbook for Directors and Officers 7 (1999).\n[17] Korn/ Ferry International, 27th Annual Board of Directors Study 33-34 (2000).\n[18] See, e.g., Michael Useem, Investor Capitalism: How Money Managers Are Changing the Face of Corporate America 137-67 (1996) (discussing corporate restructurings as a consequence of investor pressure).\n[19] Hostages—reciprocal transaction-specific investments—are a central concept in institutional economics. Giving and taking hostages is a mechanism for making credible commitments. I’ll pay the ransom, because I know that you will kill the hostage if I do not. See Williamson, supra note Error! Bookmark not defined., at 75-78 and 124-29 (discussing the hostage model of contracting).\n[20] See generally Charles M. Elson, The Duty of Care, Compensation, and Stock Ownership, 63 U. Cin. L. Rev. 649 (1995) (discussing stock-based director compensation and incentives created thereby).\n[21] See Outside Directors: The Fading Appeal of the Boardroom, The Economist, Feb. 20, 2001, at 67, 69 (relating an anecdote in which one outside director who owned $500,000 worth of corporate stock stated: “If this company faces a challenge, I lose sleep at night”).\nPosted at 09:41 AM in Corporate Social Responsibility | Permalink | Comments (0)\nCooking with ProfessorBainbridge.com\nStephen M. Bainbridge: Outsourcing the Board: How Board Service Providers Can Improve Corporate Governance\nStephen M. Bainbridge: Limited Liability: A Legal and Economic Analysis\nStephen Bainbridge: The New Corporate Governance in Theory and Practice\nStephen M. Bainbridge: Corporate Governance after the Financial Crisis\nBujold, Lois McMaster: The Assassins of Thasalon (Penric & Desdemona)\nDauphinais, Michael: The Wisdom of the Word\nCatton, Bruce: A Stillness at Appomattox (Army of the Potomac, Vol. 3)\nNoll, Mark A.: Protestantism: A Very Short Introduction\nMore of My Books\nBainbridge, Stephen: Mergers and Acquisitions (Concepts and Insights)\nStephen Bainbridge: Insider Trading Law and Policy (Concepts and Insights)\nStephen Bainbridge: Agency, Partnerships & LLCs (Concepts and Insights)\nStephen M. Bainbridge: Corporate Law (Concepts and Insights)\n© Stephen M. Bainbridge 2021\nAbout PB.com and Prof B\nMy Article and Essay Archive\nOpinions Mine Alone\nPB's Google Scholar Page\nPolicy: Comments\nPolicy: No Legal Advice\nAgency Partnership LLCs (125)\nCatholic Social Thought & the Law (37)\nCorporate Law (1109)\nCorporate Social Responsibility (325)\nDept of Self-Promotion (431)\nEconomic Analysis Of Law (145)\nExecutive Compensation (197)\nFood and Wine (268)\nInsider Trading (329)\nLaw School (600)\nMay Amuse Just Me (4)\nMergers and Takeovers (229)\nRestatement of Corporate Law (12)\nSCOTUS and Con Law (587)\nSecurities Regulation (719)\nShareholder Activism (376)\nThe Economy (172)\nThe Stock Market (132)\nWall Street Reform (302)","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1310104"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7903345823287964,"wiki_prob":0.7903345823287964,"text":"San Diego Chargers Weekly Poll Question: How do you feel about the Tom Telesco hiring?\nWe've had nearly a week to digest the news. Let us know how you feel about it.\nBy Richard Wade@RichardWade Jan 14, 2013, 9:00am PST\nShare All sharing options for: San Diego Chargers Weekly Poll Question: How do you feel about the Tom Telesco hiring?\nKirby Lee-US PRESSWIRE\nTom Telesco, who had been with the Indianapolis Colts Organization since 1998, was named General Manager of the San Diego Chargers last week. He had been one of the key members of the Colts front office for over a decade most recently as the Vice President of Football Operations.\nIt had been reported widely that Jimmy Raye III would be promoted within. This was almost certainly because of Kevin Acee's report to that effect and it now seems that Acee's source was most likely Raye. Based on the results of last week's poll question, a majority of you are happy that the new General Manager of the Chargers isn't Raye. This week's question seeks to find out if you're happy with who will be assuming that role.\nTelesco's role in the Colts' drafts of the last decade plus has already been broken down in detail by John Gennaro, so we won't rehash those details here. The short version is that they were very successful up until about the time the younger Polian took a bigger role in the process. Prior to that time, it is said that Telesco was the older Polian's number two.\nIt's impossible to say whether or not he'll be able to replicate his former boss' success, but there's certainly some amount of reason to be optimistic that he may be the right man to have pulling the trigger on draft day. We'll certainly find out soon enough, but for now vote in the poll and let us know in the comments how you feel about this decision.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line417174"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6487962603569031,"wiki_prob":0.6487962603569031,"text":"Hokies go bowling…once again\nBlacksburg, Va. – Dec. 11, 2017: The Camping World Bowl, previously referred to as the Russell Athletic Bowl, takes place on Dec. 28, 2017 in Orlando, Florida. The Hokies hold the trophy in their bowl memorabilia museum in Merryman Athletic Center on the Virginia Tech campus. Photo Credit: Mary Desmond\nby Mary Desmond, Freddy Mesmer–\nThe Virginia Tech football team is preparing for a trip to Orlando, Florida to compete in the Camping World Bowl game. This is familiar territory for the Hokies.\n“For us, it was really nice to be playing in the Camping World Bowl, which is where we played last year for the ACC Championship, so it was nice to kind of remember being there and doing this and that,” Danielle Bartelstein, senior director of Football Operations, said.\nThe Hokies also have been in Orlando for the Russell Athletic Bowl back in 2012 against Rutgers. The Hokies won this matchup 13-10 in overtime.\nThe Hokies have a significant history in Bowl games. They currently lead the NCAA with twenty-five consecutive bowl games. According to the Hokiesports website, the Hokies are one of only six programs in college football history to go to a bowl in at least 20 straight years (Nebraska, Michigan, Florida State, Alabama, Virginia Tech and Florida).\nIt started back in 1993 when the Hokies traveled to Shreveport, Louisiana where they took on the Hoosiers of Indiana. Virginia Tech downed the Hoosiers 43 to 20 at Independence Stadium. They have played at Independence stadium three times over the years. Once in 1984 and again most recently in 2015 for a matchup with Tulsa where the Hokies came out on top in a high scoring affair, 55-52.\nDuring former head coach Frank Beamer’s time in Blacksburg, he led the Hokies to twenty-three straight bowl games. His overall bowl game record was 11-12. Beamer brought the Hokies to a total of five BCS Bowl games.\nThese games are the most highly rated of the bowl games and are typically played on New Year’s Day. This exposure helped shape Virginia Tech football into the program it is today. Retiring in 2015, he ended his coaching career in Shreveport with the win over Tulsa.\nWith the end of an era with Coach Beamer, the athletics department hired current head coach Justin Fuente. Fuente has led the Hokies to consecutive bowl games in his first two years at the helm. In his first season in 2016, Fuente found himself coaching a ten win team.\nThe Hokies capped off the 2016 regular season by winning the ACC Coastal division and playing Clemson for a shot at the ACC championship. The Hokies fell short of this goal but ended up pulling off a miraculous comeback in the 2016 Belk Bowl.\nThe Hokies go into the final game of the season hoping to finish strong. The team will play Oklahoma State on Dec. 28, 2017 on ESPN.\nAuthor marymichaeladesmondPosted on December 18, 2017 Format ImageCategories Sports\nPrevious Previous post: TOP STORIES: Winter Break Business, Bowl game preps, Pets as gifts\nNext Next post: NRV Mall hopes for a brighter future","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1213995"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.899162232875824,"wiki_prob":0.899162232875824,"text":"News Media Alliance tries to pump some life into the case for advertising with its members\nBy: Rick Edmonds\nEven within the newspaper industry, there is talk that print advertising revenue remains in free fall and that print editions in many markets may disappear sometime in the next decade.\nThe industry's trade association, the News Media Alliance, begs to disagree. A new marketing book, \"News Media Panorama,\" released today, tries to reframe the case for print and digital advertising in its member publications.\nHistorically, the newspaper ad buy was sold as having unequaled reach within communities. That is still on a list of benefits, but falls eighth among eight. Instead, the top two selling points are placing advertising alongside \"trusted local journalism\" and in a \"brand-safe environment.\"\nThe book cites positive credibility studies from Gallup, Pew Research and Kantar Media, particularly findings documenting a big gap in trust in favor of print compared to social media.\nAs for the brand-safe environment, Rebecca Frank, the Alliance's vice president for research and insights, said in a phone interview, \"We are still working through exactly how we define it.\" Clearly, though, the implication is that an advertising placement on social media could end up adjacent to raunchy material, hate speech or made-up news stories.\nPutting trust in journalism as the top feature, Frank said, makes the point that readers \"trust news media for their information about the world and for purchase decisions, too.\"\nIn her introduction to the 78-page market book, Frank puts it this way:\n\"When looking at the relationship between the news media industry and advertising, one often thinks of the monetary side of the partnership. But there’s more to it than that. The most valuable asset to an advertiser is a respected and reliable partner that their audience trusts. With news media, you get that respected partner.\"\nThe Alliance has opened its membership to digital-only sites, but newspapers still dominate. The Panorama book makes the point that newspapers now offer digital, video and audio options. That gives the news organizations growing ability to customize \"creative and innovative advertising and marketing solutions.\"\nAnd the news audience tends to be affluent and well-educated. Households of print readers out-earn the national average by $5,900 a year, according to Nielsen-Scarborough Research. And online news media readers enjoy an even larger advantage: $19,000 a year ($73,600 vs. $54,700).\nOther sections of the book make more familiar points — that consumers pay particular attention to circulars and coupons in news media as they shop and that the publications, in one format or another, reach 136 million U.S. adult consumers in the course of a week.\nThe Alliance does not represent broadcasters (who have trade association of their own), and there are no comparisons in the book to the effectiveness of broadcast ads.\n\"We don't want to say (advertisers) need to choose one or the other,\" Frank said. \"We do make the point that news media catch them (readers) at an important moment when they are consuming information.\"\nMy own take is that a big local advertiser — a car dealership, for instance — these days is typically going heavy into targeted digital ads and broadcast, with a supplement of some direct mail and print.\nFrank joined the Aliance staff in November 2017, after working in public relations and at a business news aggregation site. Talking to publishers and advertisers and pulling together relevant research has been her main emphasis in the year since, she told me.\nThe American Press Institute is overseen by the alliance's foundation. It has taken the lead in audience and content research on such topics as matching topics to the particular areas of interest in a given community and refining an approach to adding paid digital subscribers.\nSo that cedes research on advertising and other area of revenue growth to Frank's operation.\nFrank said that her hope is that this report will be a template for future ones — adding some statistics as they become available, for instance, on the brand safety issue.\nNear the end of the book, the Alliance presents a pitch for two unorthodox advertising categories: voting and charitable giving. That is a bet on the future, Frank said, since millennials and the Parkland generation seem particularly attracted to issues and a reform agenda.\nI posed the inevitable question, \"Is print dead?\" Frank replied, \"The industry is changing and consumer behavior is changing. But while it is changing, it hasn't completely changed yet. So we want advertisers to consider all available channels.\"\nRick Edmonds\nRick Edmonds is media business analyst for the Poynter Institute where he has done research and writing for the last fifteen years. His commentary on…","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line212019"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5629526972770691,"wiki_prob":0.4370473027229309,"text":"Yakov Plyassunov\nDeputy Head of the Department of Preventive Medicine in Russia ASI\nNutrisionist. Author of the Human Bio Upgrade System\nVeaceslav Manolachi\nRector of the State University of Physical Education and Sport\nIlia Stambler\nDirector of Research and Development at Shmuel Harofe Geriatric Medical Center in Beer Yaakov, Israel\nIlia Stambler (born in Balti, Republic of Moldova), PhD, is Director of Research and Development at Shmuel Harofe Geriatric Medical Center in Beer Yaakov, Israel (Affiliated to Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University) and Chief Science Officer of “Vetek” (Seniority) – the Movement for Longevity and Quality of Life (Israel). He received his PhD at the Department of Science, Technology and Society, Bar Ilan University, Israel. His research has focused on the historical and social implications of aging and life extension research. He is also involved in mathematical modeling of aging and aging-related diseases. He is the author of the books A History of Life-extensionism in the Twentieth Century and Longevity Promotion: Multidisciplinary Perspectives. He is actively involved in advocacy for aging and longevity research, serving as the chairman of the Israeli Longevity Alliance and executive committee member of the International Society on Aging and Disease and International Longevity Alliance. His papers have appeared in Progress in Neurobiology, Aging and Disease, Cancer Detection and Prevention, Rejuvenation Research, Current Aging Science, Global Aging, Mechanisms of Ageing and Development, Frontiers in Genetics, Geroscience, Encyclopedia of Gerontology and Population Aging, Encyclopedia of Biomedical Gerontology, and other scientific journals and books.\n5E Moara Rosie Street, of. 4\nMD-2005, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova\niamfuture.foundation@gmail.com\n71-75 Shelton Street Covent Garden London WC2H 9JQ","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1714802"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9334549307823181,"wiki_prob":0.9334549307823181,"text":"Ethiopian refugee children who fled the Tigray conflict wait in a line for a food distribution by Muslim Aid at the Um Raquba refugee camp in Sudan. Photograph: Yasuyoshi Chiba/AFP/Getty Images\nEthiopia’s leader must answer for the high cost of hidden war in Tigray\nSimon Tisdall\nAbiy Ahmed should hand back his Nobel peace prize over his actions in the breakaway region that have raised the spectre of famine again\nSun 24 Jan 2021 02.30 EST\nSeyoum Mesfin, Ethiopia’s long-serving former foreign minister, was one of the foremost African diplomats of his generation. He was gunned down this month in Tigray by the armed forces of a lesser man – Abiy Ahmed, Ethiopia’s prime minister and Nobel peace prize winner. Some suggest it was the Eritrean military, Abiy’s allies, who killed Seyoum, although their presence in Tigray is officially denied. The circumstances of his death remain murky.\nAs with much of the unreported, unchallenged murder and mayhem currently occurring in northern Ethiopia, murky is what Abiy prefers. When he ordered the army’s assault on the breakaway Tigray region in November, he blocked the internet, shut out aid agencies and banned journalists. It’s a conflict he claims to have won – but the emerging reality is very different. It’s a war fought in the shadows, with the outside world kept in the dark.\nAfter humanitarian workers finally gained limited access this month, it was estimated that 4.5 million of Tigray’s 6 million people need emergency food aid. Hundreds of thousands are said to face starvation. The UN warns that Eritrean refugees in the Mai Aini and Adi Harush camps are in “desperate need of supplies” and harassed by armed gangs. Some are said to have been forcibly, illegally repatriated.\nAccess continues to be denied to two other camps, Shimelba and Hitsats, which have been set ablaze. Many of the camps’ residents are believed to have fled marauding Eritrean and Amhara militiamen. Satellite images published by UK-based DX Open Network reportedly show damage to 400 structures at Shimelba. Filippo Grandi, head of the UN refugee agency, points to “concrete indications of major violations of international law”.\nThere are persistent, unconfirmed reports of massacres, torture, rapes, abductions, and the looting or destruction of centuries-old manuscripts and artefacts across Tigray. Last week, EEPA, a Belgium-based NGO, described a massacre of 750 people at a cathedral in Aksum that reputedly houses the Ark of the Covenant. Ethiopian troops and Amhara militia are accused of the killings at the Church of St Mary of Zion, part of a UN World Heritage site. The report has not been independently verified.\nEthiopia’s prime minister Abiy Ahmed speaks during a question and answer session with lawmakers in Addis Ababa in November. Photograph: Tiksa Negeri/Reuters\nDespite Abiy’s claims that the war is over and no civilians have been harmed, sporadic fighting continues, an analyst familiar with government thinking said. Thousands of people have died, about 50,000 have fled to Sudan, and many are homeless, sheltering in caves. Intentional artillery attacks have destroyed hospitals and health centres in an echo of the Syrian war, the analyst said.\nMeeting this month in Mekelle, Tigray’s capital, aid workers complained Ethiopia’s government was still hindering relief efforts and demanded full access. “People are dying of starvation. In Adwa, people are dying while they are sleeping. [It’s] the same in other zones,” a regional administrator, Berhane Gebretsadik, was quoted as saying. But there has been scant response from Addis Ababa.\nOfficial Ethiopian and Eritrean denials that Eritrean forces are operating in Tigray are contradicted by eyewitness accounts. Amid the murk, it seems clear Eritrea’s dictator-president, Isaias Afwerki, has made common cause with Abiy. The two met in Addis Ababa in October, shortly before the war was launched, to discuss the “consolidation of regional cooperation”.\nAfwerki is an old enemy who runs a brutally repressive regime. But he shares Abiy’s hatred of the Tigrayan leadership that dominated the government of former prime minister Meles Zenawi during Ethiopia’s 20-year border war with Eritrea. Abiy, an Oromo from Ethiopia’s largest ethnic group, made peace with Eritrea in 2018, ousted his Tigrayan rivals, and has been feuding with them ever since.\nFurther evidence of secret alliances comes from Somalia. The Somali Guardian reported this month that 2,500 Somali recruits were treated as “cannon fodder” after being sent to a military base in Eritrea for training, then deployed in Tigray with Eritrean forces. Dozens are reported to have been killed.\nInternational scrutiny of Abiy’s Tigray war has been largely lacking. An exception is the EU, which has indefinitely suspended €88m in aid to Addis Ababa. “We receive consistent reports of ethnic-targeted violence, killings, looting, rapes, forceful return of refugees and possible war crimes,” Josep Borrell, the EU foreign affairs chief, said.\nThe UN and EU warnings, coupled with the shocking murder of the internationally respected Seyoum Mesfin, may now bring closer scrutiny. I met Seyoum, a co-founder in 1975 of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front, in Addis in 2008. He was a master diplomat. According to Alex de Waal, the Africa specialist, Seyoum was a skilled peacemaker in Rwanda and Sudan who “presided over the rehabilitation of Ethiopia’s international standing” after 1991.\nAbiy now risks destroying that standing. “The circumstances of Seyoum’s killing aren’t clear. The Ethiopian government is not a reliable source of information. Eritrea – which may well have carried out the assassinations – is remaining silent. The official report that Seyoum and his colleagues ‘refused to surrender’ is opaque,” De Waal wrote.\nHe noted that the two other elderly Tigrayans killed alongside Seyoum, aged 71, were Abay Tsehaye, who had just had heart surgery, and Asmelash Woldeselassie, who was blind. This trio hardly posed a physical threat to heavily armed troops.\nAbiy seems to have lost control of events. There is anger in Mekelle, where a puppet administration has been installed, about ongoing security issues, including rapes. The threat of rural famine looms large. In the mid-1980s, mass starvation in Ethiopia shocked the world. About 1 million people died. Those horrors were subsequently vanquished by decades of hard work.\nTo Abiy’s great shame, the spectre of famine now haunts Ethiopia again. The good work of the past is being undone. He should hand back his Nobel peace prize and answer for his actions in Tigray.\nConflict and arms","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1195181"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5001635551452637,"wiki_prob":0.5001635551452637,"text":"Fidus Investment Corporation Announces Fourth Quarter 2011 Portfolio Activity\nEVANSTON, Ill., Feb. 6, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Fidus Investment Corporation (Nasdaq:FDUS) (\"Fidus\"), a business development company, today announced that it made new investments totaling $40.3 million during the three months ended December 31, 2011. During the same period, Fidus received repayments totaling $17.9 million on outstanding loans.\nQ4 2011 New Portfolio Investments:\nACFP Management, Inc. — Fidus invested $7.4 million in subordinated debt in ACFP, doing business as Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza, a restaurant chain specializing in coal-fired pizza and Italian Soul Food with locations in Florida and the Northeast.\nMalabar International — Fidus invested $6.9 million in subordinated debt and preferred equity in Malabar, a supplier of ground support equipment for commercial and military aircraft.\nTrantech Radiator Products, Inc. — Fidus invested $9.7 million in subordinated debt and common equity in Trantech, a supplier of radiators to the North American power transmission and distribution industry.\nQ4 2011 Existing Portfolio Company Activity:\nK2 Industrial Services, Inc. — Fidus refinanced its outstanding loan investment in K2 with $13.2 million of subordinated debt and preferred equity. K2 is a provider of industrial cleaning and coating services.\nMedsurant Holdings, LLC — Fidus invested $3.0 million in subordinated debt with warrants in Medsurant, a provider of intraoperative monitoring technology and services.\nThis press release may contain certain forward-looking statements. Any such statements, other than statements of historical fact, are likely to be affected by other unknowable future events and conditions, including elements of the future that are or are not under Fidus's control, and that Fidus may or may not have considered; accordingly, such statements cannot be guarantees or assurances of any aspect of future performance. Actual developments and results are highly likely to vary materially from these estimates and projections of the future as a result of a number of factors, including those described from time to time in Fidus's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Such statements speak only as of the time when made, and Fidus undertakes no obligation to update any such statement now or in the future.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1895669"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9761690497398376,"wiki_prob":0.9761690497398376,"text":"The Alamo Drafthouse, Fantastic Fest and fans: one year later\njgross@statesman.com\nOne year ago, the Alamo Drafthouse was embroiled in a sexual harassment scandal the beginnings of which went back nearly 20 years, a scandal that broke before and during Fantastic Fest, the chain’s signature film festival celebrating all things genre — think horror, crime, science fiction.\nHere was a company, homegrown in liberal Austin, that prided itself on being progressive, the sort that held women-only screenings of “Wonder Woman,” with an owner and extremely public face who was a well-known Bernie Sanders supporter, and which presented itself as not only a high-quality entertainment experience but as a community you could join just by participating in this high-quality entertainment experience.\nThe more you went, the more like a community the Drafthouse seemed, a place for folks who might not fit in elsewhere, who identified with nerd culture and film fanaticism.\nOver a week in 2017, many saw that sense of community vanish. Some fans took it personally and felt betrayed.\nRecently, the American-Statesman spoke to fans, former fans and Alamo Drafthouse executives to discuss where the Drafthouse community is a year later, before the next Fantastic Fest opens Sept. 20.\nSteph Beasley left the Alamo South Lamar in the middle of Fantastic Fest 2017 nearly in tears.\nShe didn’t expect to. Beasley was a longtime fan and supporter of the Drafthouse in general and Fantastic Fest in particular.\n“I genuinely love the Drafthouse and feel like it is an important part of the fabric of Austin,” Beasley, an Austin native, said recently.\nBeasley started covering the festival for the now-defunct website Austinist years ago, then returned each year as a fan.\n“I enjoyed the insanity that (Alamo Drafthouse CEO and Fantastic Fest founder) Tim League somehow managed to conjure up every single year,” she said, “wackiness that you don’t experience at other film festivals.”\nShe and her husband went for the past couple of years; his sister would come down from Canada to join.\nThey had tickets for last year’s festival and went, somewhat reluctantly, as the scandal enveloping one of Austin’s most beloved businesses seemed to grow by the minute.\nBeasley went to a screening of the movie “The Square,” a complex film by Ruben Östlund about art, civility and freedom of expression. During the film, a performance artist, played by actor Terry Notary, menaces people at a banquet, like an alpha male ape.\n“At the end of this scene,” Beasley said, “he begins menacing this woman, and then drags her from her seat by her hair, and begins the act of rape, essentially.” Eventually, people in the banquet stand up and stop what is happening.\n“It’s done really, really well,” Beasley said. “The movie raises the question, ‘How are you going to act as a decent member of society?’ It was a really smart screening for that particular year.”\nThat wasn’t what sent her out of the theater crying. After the screening, while folks stayed in their seats, the fest brought out Notary in character as the aggressive performance artist.\n“Having seen him drag a woman by her hair in the movie and then presenting that character into a screening that was already a very tense experience during a fest that is also very tense. …” Beasley trailed off for a moment.\n“I cried in the car on the way home, because I was so upset that they didn’t understand why that was inappropriate, and why that would make people really scared. I felt unsafe, and I’ve never felt unsafe at the Drafthouse. It felt like a massive betrayal of trust.”\nThough she and her husband still patronize the Drafthouse, they are not returning to the fest. (Beasley also said cost was a factor. In 2017, superfan badges were $490; this year, they were $640. Fan badges, once $375, are now $520.)\n“That’s the thing,” Beasley said. “I’m not the best ally because I still go to the Drafthouse all the time, and I still love it. It’s a huge part of my life.”\nHere is a short version of the events:\nIn October 2016, Birth.Movies.Death editor Devin Faraci stepped down from the Alamo Drafthouse-owned magazine after allegations of sexual assault made by a fellow film critic. Faraci did not deny the allegations. He tweeted, “I do not remember this. I can only believe you and beg forgiveness for having been so vile.”\nIn September 2017, news emerged that the Drafthouse had resumed working with Faraci, who was writing internal copy for the organization. Fantastic Fest director of international programming Todd Brown resigned from the fest in protest. Faraci resigned again Sept. 14. Fox Searchlight announced that “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri,” a movie concerning the aftermath of a sexual assault, would not participate in the fest as planned.\nLeague did not attend the fest, which ran Sept. 21-28.\nAs the 2017 festival progressed, Ain’t It Cool News founder and Fantastic Fest co-founder Harry Knowles was accused of groping incidents in 1999 and 2000 by Austinite Jasmine Baker in a story in the film publication IndieWire, charges Knowles denied. Ain’t It Cool dropped out as a sponsor of the festival and cut ties with Knowles.\nIn a Sept. 25 post on Facebook, a former Drafthouse employee named Jill Lewis said she was sexually harassed, groped and physically assaulted by a regular Drafthouse customer.\nBaker’s and Lewis’ stories were amplified and discussed in a Feb. 8 story by Austin-based journalist Dan Solomon for the publication Splinter.\nThe American-Statesman reached out to Baker and Lewis for comment on this story; Baker did not respond to the request, and Lewis declined to comment.\nOn Sept. 26, League announced a new board of directors for the festival headed by Fantastic Fest executive director Kristen Bell, who had been with the company in various capacities since 2003.\nEarlier this year, the Drafthouse rolled out an official code of conduct for anyone who attends a Drafthouse event, applicable to employees, vendors and patrons.\nFantastic Fest programming is more diverse than it has ever been. The festival’s board of directors is majority women. According to the Drafthouse, the board is designed to “further enhance and refine the experience of the festival and to provide the best, most open and inclusive environment for our family of film-loving fanatics.”\n“Since the 2017 festival, Fantastic Fest has made developments around how it operates, with increased communication and transparency, gender diversity, workplace harassment training for all staff and volunteers and the further growth of the advisory board,” the board said in a statement. “Arts organizations play an important role in steering and providing a platform for cultural conversations and we take the responsibility seriously.”\nAustin writer Amy Gentry is a former patron who says she feels as if she cannot go back. And she was a big fan.\n“We bought our house a few blocks away from the place where there was going to be a new Drafthouse,” Gentry said. “It wasn’t even there yet.”\nHer biggest question? “Why hasn’t Tim stepped down from his leadership role?” Gentry said. “There’s supposed to be these sort of new policies that are extremely robust, and I believe that there is a real good faith. Some people, and particularly from within, have been trying to make these changes. At the same time, those people are not Tim League. I guess I feel like if any other CEO made those kind of blunders repeatedly in the public eye, I just feel like that person should step down. I don’t think that person is sending a message that the culture there has changed.”\nGentry said she and her husband have attended films at local theaters in the past year, but not the Drafthouse.\n“I wonder if they understand why people are still boycotting, why people are still angry,” Gentry said.\nDid League ever consider stepping down?\n“That’s a challenging question,” League said.\nWe’re sitting in a karaoke room upstairs at the Highball, next to the Alamo South Lamar, along with Amy Averett, senior director for culture and community at the Drafhouse. Averett has been with the company since 2011.\n“I’ve dedicated most of my waking moments for the past 21 years to building this (company) and trying to build something special. The last thing I want to be is a detriment to that,” League said.\nAverett jumped in to offer a staff perspective.\n“I think even as we were sort of sloughing our way through early fall last year,” Averett said, “even the staff that were frustrated or upset about the situation were very clear that Tim is the person that’ll lead us out of it. He set the tone for other leaders within the company that this wasn’t just lip service and that we weren’t just sort of going through the motions but that we were really going to take a fundamental look at things.”\nThe Drafthouse shared an internal survey conducted using the Workify app, which allows employees to comment anonymously about their work environment. According to statistics provided by the Drafthouse, 1,325 staff members have completed comprehensive harassment training. Current employees (60 percent participated) consistently rank the Drafthouse as “excellent” at providing a safe, respectful work environment. The Statesman could not independently verify these numbers.\nThough League and Averett said it was heavily debated and considered, ultimately, the Drafthouse decided not to include a sequence regarding abuse and harassment in their pre-show programming or a slide with their code of conduct. (Thanks to pre-show bumpers, if there’s one thing that all Drafthouse patrons know, it’s that you “don’t talk, text or arrive late.”)\n“We did try out a few things just to sort of see how they felt,” League said, “We didn’t necessarily feel that that was appropriate. The more important thing for us was to train our staff to respond if there are people who are upset, whether it’s vendors, whether it’s staff, whether it’s customers.”\n“Talking and texting, that’s annoying the person next to you, that’s distracting people from a movie,” Averett said. “But when you’re talking about things that go into the area of sexual harassment, sexual assault, treating somebody in a racist way, it’s so much more serious, and it’s so much more traumatic for the person that it happens to.\n“I think what works about our ‘don’t talk, don’t text’ messaging is that we can be lighthearted about it,” she said. “But that’s just not the right tact for this kind of behavior. We would never want to treat this stuff with the same kind of lightness and playfulness that we would treat this stuff. That’s the main reason that it’s not on-screen.”\nBoth League and Averett emphasized that interactions between staff and customers are of primary concern.\n“Any code of conduct complaint that comes in, I see, chief people officer (Drafthouse human resources head Tara Furiani) sees and Amy sees,” League said.\n“What was missing was something that set clear intention when problems occurred between guests and staff or the guy who brings in the beer keg or the comedian that’s on stage,” Averett said. “I’m a female server and you’re a guest and you’re flirting with me in a heavy-handed way, I think that we’ve set a really clear line that she can come to a manager and say, ‘I don’t feel comfortable with this. I feel like this person’s harassing me,’ and we’re going to handle that.”\nAfter speaking with League and Averett, I sat down with Fantastic Fest executive director Bell and FF creative director Evrim Ersoy.\nBell is also on the new board with former Drafthouse programmer Kier-la Janisse; shorts programming director Peter Kuplowsky; queer transmedia arts festival OUTsider director Curran Nault; “On Story” writer/producer Maya Perez; producer Suki-Rose Simakis; and actor Elijah Wood.\nRegarding Fantastic Fest this year, it seems unlikely that you will see any extreme performance art a la “The Square,” nor are you likely to see a secret screening that involves soft-core porn, as happened last year with an American Genre Film Archive screening of Ed Wood’s final film, “Take It Out in Trade,” which Bell said was a mistake to show.\n“We have held ourselves more accountable at what we are doing in terms of the choice of films and context,” Ersoy said. “If there is any film that we think might be more difficult for the audience, we have gotten an expert to write the blurb to contextualize the film.”\nFantastic Fest uses a series of icons in its promotional material to note a film’s content. Ersoy says they will be part of the signage during the fest.\n“We have used the icons better and more extensively and are going to have them more visible around the venue, printed, so people know exactly what the film entails,” he said. “And we also make sure that any secret screenings, we still give good background or context to the people so that they know what they are going into.”\nBell said she saw the events of 2017 as an opportunity.\n“This has always been a community that has been worth fighting for and a team worth fighting for,” Bell said. “There’s a lot of really powerful people outside of the top leadership that contributed to the decisions that are being made, and I think that that contributing effort gave me hope.”\nFantastic Fest has also started providing more diverse activities “that weren’t quite so alcohol-driven,” Bell said. Look for a podcast by the Switchblade Sisters, a VHS swap, a Leonard Maltin book signing and a panel called “Ghouls to the Front: Rethinking Women’s Horror Filmmaking.”\nWhen I ask League what he would say to women who are not sure if they want to go to the Alamo because they don’t feel safe, he seems to answer the question at its most literal.\n“Anybody that would come to me directly and express those concerns, then I would meet with them one-on-one and talk it through,” he said. “I’ve had, I don’t know how many, 50 of those conversations, and I’ll continue to do that. I want to be open and transparent and available, and if people have concerns then I want to be able to answer them, and have.”\nI ask Bell the same thing.\n“I completely understand,” she said. “I respect everyone’s decision to attend or not attend. I hope that our actions can shine through and that we can get to a place where they feel comfortable coming back again. And I think we have taken a lot of important steps in that direction.”\nFor some, the Drafthouse can’t come back from the events of the past year. Others continue to patronize it, but perhaps at an emotional distance.\nBut it is hard not to think that the most significant thing the Drafthouse sells is an idea of a very cool community, and it’s hard not to think of it in those terms.\n“The Drafthouse is bigger than Tim, it’s bigger than Devin, and it’s bigger than all of the people who enabled them to make such poor choices and increase the harm that had already been done,” Beasley said. “I’m happy to support the hundreds of Austinites that still make their living through the Drafthouse, but I’ll remain skeptical of leadership until they are more open about the changes they have made.”\nTHE ALAMO DRAFTHOUSE CODE OF CONDUCT","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line284033"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.640941858291626,"wiki_prob":0.640941858291626,"text":"Sulzer – the unknown philosopher\n05.12.2016 von Tom Leonhardt in Research, Science\nAt present, it’s hard to get hold of the writings of Swiss philosopher of the Enlightenment Johann Georg Sulzer or find much literature about his work. This is set to change in the coming years: Humboldt Research Award winner Professor Hans Adler from the University of Wisconsin–Madison is planning a complete edition of the works and letters of Sulzer together with Halle’s Humboldt Professor Elisabeth Décultot.\nHans Adler and Elisabeth Décultot are working on a complete edition of Sulzer’s writings. (Foto: Markus Scholz)\nHans Adler is one of the world’s leading experts in 18th century literature and has been studying the history of the Enlightenment for many years. The renowned German studies scholar received the Humboldt Research Award of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation in 2016 in recognition of his research achievements to date. The award is endowed with 60,000 euros. Adler plans to use this money to fund several research stays at the University of Halle’s Interdisciplinary Centre for European Enlightenment Studies (IZEA) to further his work on the complete edition of Sulzer’s works.\nIn contrast to many other authors of his day, Sulzer attempted to add a sensual dimension to the concept of the Enlightenment. “The Enlightenment has been too narrowly defined as a purely rational concept,” says Hans Adler. “But Sulzer knew that reason and intellect were not everything.” He advocated a holistic approach to education that focuses on aesthetics and the senses as well as rational thinking, as he believed that a broad-based education of this kind is essential in enabling people to develop into enlightened individuals. To this end, the philosopher also studied religion, poetry and education. Sulzer’s works also included travel reports, testimonies and extensive correspondence which he maintained with numerous academics and writers for more than 30 years.\nThe two scholars now want to collect all these works, and edit, annotate and categorise them in order to make them available to other researchers. This is an arduous project requiring painstaking attention to detail: “It really involves checking every comma. After all, our work will serve as a reference for all further work on Sulzer,” says Elisabeth Décultot.\nHans Adler (Foto: Markus Scholz)\nThe first volume of the edition – Sulzer’s overview of the current status of science, entitled “A Concise Notion of All Sciences and Other Aspects of Learning” – was already published in 2014. The other nine volumes will be published in quick succession in cooperation with an international team of editors.\nAdler and Décultot hope their publications will give new momentum to the debate on the Enlightenment. They emphasise that it is not about rehabilitating Sulzer or to present him as a lost hero of the Enlightenment. But Adler is convinced that Sulzer’s ideas have much to contribute: “Our modern-day society is based on the foundations of the Enlightenment. If we continue to use the term Enlightenment in a too narrow sense, this is bound to lead to problems.” For this reason, a comprehensive understanding is needed of what makes for an enlightened, responsible individual.\nRead on one page\nShare articlePrint article\nResearchScience","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1413107"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5157530307769775,"wiki_prob":0.48424696922302246,"text":"2023: APC And PDP Are Just Business Ventures – Prof. Labdo\nIn preparation for the 2023 general elections, Prof. Umar Labdo has reportedly made it known that both the All Progressives Congress, APC, and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP are just business ventures.\nThe Prof of the Faculty of Humanities, Maitama Sule University, Kano (formerly North-West University), made an outcry that the two dominant parties lacked meaningful manifestos to improve the lot of the common man.\nAccording to him, “APC and PDP, as far as I am concerned, are two sides of the same coin and I have reasons to believe that this is what many of my fellow Kano compatriots think.”\nHe noted, ‘’The two parties lack real meaningful manifestos or programmes aimed at improving the lot of the people and are, therefore, no better than business ventures.”\nHe added, “This is evidenced by the frequent defection by members of both parties. The current crisis between the two factions of Ganduje and Ibrahim Shekarau is not a result of ideological differences or adherence to any principle. Therefore, the possibility of reconciliation between the two factions is real, but it may not affect the course of politics in the state.’’\nHe noted, “We used to have politics of service in Kano, service to the people and the common man. This is why our politics was known as the politics of Talakawa. Prior to the coming of the Europeans, Kano was known for its radicalism in politics and for its strong pro-people activism.”\nHe made it known, ‘’This trend had its genesis in the political thought of Abdullahi Dan Fodiyo, the most radical of the Sokoto jihad leaders. Abdullahi broke away from the Sokoto jihad during the revolution under the leadership of his brother, Usman Dan Fodio when he felt that the Jihad movement leaders were deviating from its original principles and objectives.’’\nhttps://punchng.com/apc-pdp-mere-business-ventures-don/?utm_source=auto-read-also&utm_medium=web&amp\nTags2023\nAisha Buhari: NANS Threatens Protest Over Detained Student\nFG Approves Mother Tongue As Medium Of Instruction In Schools\nWe’re Doing Our Best To Ensure Justice And Fairness – Buhari\n2023: Nobody Is More Qualified For Presidency Than Myself – Wike\nFG Approves Paternity Leave For Civil Servants\nOsun Assembly Objects Reversal Of State’s Name\nDonald Trump’s Casino Demolished\nFantom (FTM) $ 0.45459","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1812972"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6486168503761292,"wiki_prob":0.6486168503761292,"text":"The Vast Right Wing Conspiracy: Hillary Clinton Strikes Back at Her Critics.\n(Originally published in the Hillary Clinton Quarterly, Fall 1994)\nEdited by Frank Marafiote\nEvidently, we're not the only ones who have noticed an increase in the anti-Clinton invective (see Editor's Notebook). After enduring months of highly personal attacks against herself and her husband, First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton lashed back at her most outspoken critics in a discussion of health care reform with reporters. The White House faxed HCQ a copy of her remarks. Here is a verbatim transcript of the highlights.\nReporter: You told Peter Maier that there are right-wing radical ideologues who don't want people to have health care in this country. Who are you talking about? Who are these folks?\nMrs. Clinton: Well, you know I think they are a combination of the same kind of people who have been around in our country since its beginnings, the sort of ideologically-opposed who think that nobody should get anything from anybody else. And there's a streak of that in American politics. There always has been.\nThere are people who opposed social security, opposed civil rights, opposed minimum wage, opposed Medicare, opposed Medicaid. I mean at every step along the way, there is this small core of people who do not believe that government should do anything. Now they're the same people who drive down highways paid for by government funds. They are the same people who love the Defense Department which is funded by government money, but they have a different mind set when it comes to social policy in trying to be a compassionate and caring nation.\nThen there are the people who for opportunistic reasons are opposing health care reform both because it is in their financial interest to do so because they want to be able to maintain the status quo and they are not above inciting other people to be very emotional about helping them to sustain their favored position. And then there are those who are for political reasons opposing health care reform because there are lots of people who don't want any changes and particularly don't want changes by this President to occur.\nNow, most of the people I've just described are ones who pull the strings of others and inflame people by making charges of socialized medicine, for example, or the government is going to take over the health care system. And there's a very well-organized and well-financed effort to convey that message so that, for example, when you see people protesting in the streets as we saw a couple of weeks ago, as I personally saw in Seattle, they were there in large measure because they'd been inflamed by a local radio talk show host who finds it in his own personal financial opportunistic interest to take this position. I had no idea whether the man was insured or not, but he inflames people who are sitting at home that somehow the Clintons are going to take over the government and they're going to find themselves without a doctor or whatever their arguments are.\nAnd if you talk to these people very often they don't have a clue about what health care reform is about. They are responding to these emotional kinds of attacks. And I just think that's part and parcel of what you always find when you look at moments of a lot of change converging at the same point in American history. You will find that strain of people. And I think it's very unfortunate, but it's something that is part of our political scene.\nWhat I do not like and what I find regrettable is the amount of hatred that is being conveyed and really injected into our political system. I don't have any problem with anybody disagreeing with this President on any policy position. I don't have a problem with any member of Congress opposing health care reform because he doesn't think it's a good idea or he wants to use it as a political weapon. I mean, that's politics.\nBut this personal, vicious hatred that for the time being is aimed primarily at the President, and to a lesser extent myself, I think is very dangerous for our political process. And I think those who are encouraging it should think long and hard about the consequences of such encouragement. And in a free society, certainly people are free to say or do what they think furthers their political agenda.\nBut we have to draw the line on violence, and you have to draw the line on protests that incite violence. And a lot of the talk that is coming out is, to me, very sad, and I think we'll have very unfortunate consequences for our entire body politic and not just for this Administration.\nReporter: Mrs. Clinton, you said earlier that the debate has heightened public understanding of the health care issues. But as we approach the elections the rhetoric is getting increasingly more partisan. Do you think that helps public understanding or just adds to some of the confusion?\nMrs. Clinton: I think that's a fair question because it has, in the last couple of weeks, gotten increasingly partisan and it's brought out all the old bromides. I see some of these signs that look like they've been around since Social Security, about socialism. And I don't think that's particularly beneficial for the substantive debate. But actually, it may be helpful in sharpening the differences, because when someone gets on TV as a member of the Congress and says health care reform which is meant to guarantee you private insurance is socialism, I think it's fair then to ask, well, you must be against Social Security and Medicare, right? Oh, no, that's different.\nSo I think that, in effect, the partisan rhetoric which is now filling the airwaves and the halls of Congress may help politically because it's so far-fetched. And I think that once that becomes clear to people, then we can go back to hammering out the substance of what needs to be done.\nReporter: You talk a lot about the power of special interests. And I don't want to prejudge the outcome of the debate at all, it seems like a toss-up to me, but should health care reform fail, what do you think that history will record as the reason? Have you been -- you talk a lot about special interests, have you been sobered at all -- discovered the American electorate is --\nMrs. Clinton: No, no. But I think it's just reinforced what is an unfortunate fact of life, which is that huge amounts of money spent to convey an intense negative message has a very powerful impact. We know that. It's one of the real unfortunate effects in our political life of negative advertising. And it is always easier to be against something than to be for something, particularly if being for something means you are for changes that affect a lot of people and which have a very broad constituency instead of a narrow focused constituency.\nSo nothing about this has been surprising. It's been right in line with what has always happened. I mean I saw a study that seemed to suggest that in 1947 or '48 the special interests -- largely at that time, organized medicine against Harry Truman's health care reform -- spent $60 million. Now $60 million in the late '40s was a whole lot of money.\nAnd that was before commercial insurers took off; it was before a lot of the interests we're up against today that have a vested stake in how the system currently runs were very well established. So now the latest survey or the latest amount of money that has been guessed at having been spent against us in the whole campaign for health care reform and trying to get the message out to people is about $120 million. I think that's what the Annenberg Institute or somebody -- the Annenberg Institute which has followed the debate said their estimate was that $120 million had been spent against the idea of health care reform.\nSo when you've got that kind of money being spent when its message is very simple -- its message is, don't do it -- whereas the positive message ranges from physicians who are for universal coverage but concerned about a willing provider, to pharmaceuticals that are for universal coverage but are concerned about any impact on drug pricing, to community action groups that are for universal coverage but want a single-payer system.\nI mean, you go down the line of everybody who's for health care reform, particularly defined as universal coverage, it's a very broad group of organizations and interests. They cannot possibly have the intensity that the negative forces have. That is just, I think, to be expected.\nReporter: You just said, and the President has said a lot, that every time you moved toward the Republicans, they step back. Well, there are actually a number of Democrats that have also been equally as unyielding, and some -- Senator Breaux, for example, has actually moved away from positions he held earlier, like the trigger mandate. What do you have to say for them? Does that frustrate you; does it anger you? Or why hasn't the Democratic Party been more united on this issue?\nMrs. Clinton: Oh, please, Hillary. (Laughter.) I mean, this is part of being a Democrat. (Laughter.) Think of where we were a year ago -- the budget would never pass, you'd never get a majority, the Democrats were deserting the President, it will never work, it will raise unemployment, it will destroy interest rates, and on and on and on and on.\nWell, we got it done and, by golly, it worked. And we got it done with all Democrats. And actually, we don't need quite as many Democrats because Senator Jeffords understands health care reform, unlike many others. And in fact, his support for health care reform has increased, as I understand it, his ratings in Vermont by 20 points.\nSo we're going to have a hard-fought battle down to the very end with a small group of Democrats and all but one of the Republicans claiming the sky is falling and that all kinds of terrible things will happen. And then, eventually, we will get a vote that will be a majority vote for a decent bill.\nReporter: Will you get it done with all Democrats again?\nMrs. Clinton: No, we've got Senator Jeffords. (Laughter.)\nWell, we didn't have him on the budget and, I mean, I don't think you should -- that's not insignificant. And I think that -- the thing about those who understand the issue -- and I cannot stress this enough because many of the opponents of health care reform get away with rhetoric. It's like Senator Gramm going on TV and saying, it's socialized medicine, socialized medicine. And because our TV culture is such that the idea of getting at the truth is to have one side say the sky is falling and the other side say no it's not, then at the end of 30 minutes they say, thank you very much. And nobody presses these guys to say, oh, really? And how is it that it's socialized medicine? What does that mean? Does that mean that private insurance is going to start telling Americans what doctors they can use? Does that mean Medicare, which is paid for by a payroll tax, which is certainly a mandate, is going to all of a sudden start telling my mother what doctor she can use?\nNobody ever presses these guys. They get away with it day in and day out. So my hope is that as the debate actually is joined, and people have to defend their positions in public over a sustained period of time, this will become clearer to the American public about what really is at stake in this debate. And I have a lot of confidence that the outcome is going to be positive. And if it's a 51 vote, fine. If we hadn't had a 51 vote on the budget, we would not have 4 million new jobs, in my view.\nSo these are the kinds of trade-offs you make in life. And if you are trying to stand for something, and you believe it's bigger than yourself and you think it's the right thing to do, you stand up and get counted, no matter what the opposition or the political flack might be.\nReporter: Do you want to comment on the press coverage, print and press coverage?\nMrs. Clinton: Oh, I think the print press has been terrific. (Laughter.) No, I'm serious. If this debate had been played out based on what most of you -- not all -- but the vast majority of you have written, we would be further along. And I really mean this. Most of you have really gotten into the issue; you have studied it. What you've written has been clear and understandable to people. You've covered all sides of it, you've asked the hard questions.\nAnd again, that's the difference between 1994 and 1934. I mean, it is not thoughtful print journalism, unfortunately, in many respects which drives these social policy debates. It is the 30-second ad; it is the very well organized direct mail campaign; it is the radio talk show network. So I wish that all this debate were played out on the basis of what the majority of you have written, because I think you've done a real service.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1795677"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.665580153465271,"wiki_prob":0.334419846534729,"text":"ALDA IS SEARCHING FOR 3 VOLUNTEERS (FRENCH OR RESIDENTS IN FRANCE)\nThe Association of Local Democracy Agencies (ALDA) is preparing a proposal for the “Youth in Action. Action 2 – European Voluntary Service” whose deadline is the 1st of September. The proposal (entitled “VOICE”) consists of group exchanges of volunteers between several European Structures and South Eastern Europe organizations.\nALDA holds an accreditation as Coordinating and Sending organization inside the European Voluntary service (EVS). It will coordinate “VOICE” and send volunteers towards three of the project’s partners.\nALDA’s staff would like to select 3 volunteers that will be sent as EVS:\n– one in Bosnia and Herzegovina (city of Mostar) for a period of 9 months\n– one in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (city of Prilep) for a period of 9 months\n– one in Bosnia and Herzegovina (city of Kljuc) for a period of 6 months\nThe starting period of the exchange should be May 2012.\nEligibility of candidates:\n– French citizens or legal residents in France\n– Aged between 18 and 30\n– Interested in abroad experiences and cultural exchanges\n– Motivated to be inserted in multi-cultural, multi-linguistic environments\n– Intersected in European Cooperation, Local Development, Balkan culture and languages, History, Political Sciences or International Relations\n– Dynamic and well-organized; Capable of working in group as well as individually\n– Responsible and enthusiastic about comprehending less-developed European countries\n– World-oriented; tolerant towards other cultures, religions and social groups than those of its origin\n– Good level of English; Bosnian or Macedonian are an extra-point but not compulsory\nIf you are interested in this experience, contact as soon as possible (to the e-mail: elia.meurisse@aldaintranet.org) attaching a CV with photo and letter of motivation. The letter should contain any relevant information as qualities, qualifications and interests that will help us comprehend candidates’ profile. It should not exceed 3 pages.\nFor any other requests of information, you could contact Elia Meurisse at elia.meurisse@aldaintranet.org or +39 0444 540 146\nINTACT PROJECT: NEW KNOWLEDGE, NEW MOTIVATION\nYoung participants from Croatia, France, Italy, Malta, the Republic of Macedonia and Romania took part in the summer school “Get involved. Participate for Europe and your Town”. After presentations, workshops and visits to different institutions, they left Strasbourg for their hometowns on Saturday – spreading the message of European cooperation to their communities.\nThe summer school was part of ALDA’s project INTACT. It familiarized the participants with the concepts of youth involvement and democracy on local and European level. Moreover, it also gave them the opportunity to learn about project management and creating youth participation projects themselves.Participants were actively involved in activities and discussions andit was their contribution that made the event a success.\nActivities included presentations given by representatives of the Municipality of Strasbourg, the Council of Europe and the Director of the Association of Local Democracy Agencies. Working groups on European values and democratic principles were organised. The summer school was animportant occasion to deepen these topics and share opinions.Although each participant expressed his or her own ideas, there was a common feeling about the most important values for the whole group. This agreement on basic principles can be considered a first achievement of building European identity.\nA simulation of European Parliament work was also organized to make participants more familiar with EU institutions and to put into practice the knowledge gained in the workshop on EU institutions.\nTo top the programme off, two visits were organized. The first one led the participants to the European Parliament,where the MEP Rainer Wieland received them warmly. They thenand one at the Council of Europe where François Friederich held a lesson about democratic principles and a presentation of the role that the Council has in this field.\nThe Summer School concluded with a workshop about Project Management.This was a useful opportunity for participants to learn how create their own projects. They also developed ideas about how to improve active citizenship and encourage young people to become more active both locally and at EU level.\nThe project INTACT is co-funded by the European Commission in the framework of the “Europe for Citizens” programme. ALDA wishes to thank the Municipality of Strasbourg and the CréditMutuel for their generous support.\nINTACT PROJECT SUMMER SCHOOL\n“Get involved. Participate for Europe and your Town” is the claim of INTACT Project Summer School that will take place in Strasbourg from Wednesday 20th to Saturday 23rd, 2011. Young participants from five European countries will meet at the Summer School of ALDA’s project INTACT. The Summer School will treat the issues of youth involvement and democracy on local and European level.\nThis event has a double aim: on the one hand to improve the knowledge and to boost the discussion of the participants about issues like European values and political participation. On the other hand, they will develop ideas and activities to bridge the democratic gap and think about how to encourage young people to become more active both locally and at the EU level.\nIt will bring together citizens from local communities across Europe in order to promote mutual understanding, learning about other cultures in Europe and the emergence of European identity to complement local and regional ones. The programme includes working groups to deepen these topics and a simulation of the European Parliament to make participants familiar with EU institutions. An added value of the Summer School will be given by the participation of representatives of the Municipality of Strasbourg, the Council of Europe and the director of the Association of Local Democracy Agencies. Moreover, the participants will visit the European Parliament, where MEP Rainer Wieland will welcome them. Participants will thus learn about the main aspects of the Summer School as democratic principles, active citizenship and local democracy.\nThe Summer School is part of a European project setting up a network of towns on town twinning and active citizenship (INTACT). This project is led by the Association of Local Democracy Agencies (ALDA) and unites partners from seven European countries (Bulgaria, Croatia, France, Italy, Malta, Republic of Macedonia and Romania). One of its aims is to create and strengthen the links between participating towns, particularly involved in citizen participation issues and the promotion of EU values in the process of EU integration.\nThe Summer School is financially supported by the European Commission in the framework of the “Europe for Citizens” programme, the Municipality of Strasbourg and the Crédit Mutuel.\nLOCAL DEMOCRACY AGENCY ARMENIA TO OPEN IN GYUMRI, ARMENIA IN OCTOBER 2011\nOn July 13 and 14 a preparatory partner meeting for LDA Armenia took place in Yerevan to discuss the establishment of an LDA in Armenia. The participants in the meeting were among others Region Rhône Alpes, Regional Administration of Friuli Venezia Giulia, Union of Communities of Armenia, Urban Foundation for sustainable development and CISP Italy. Furthermore Mr. Nersisyan mayor of Ijevan, Mr. Manukyan, Vice Mayor of Gyumri, Ministry of Territorial Administration in Armenia, Counterpart International and GIZ also participated in the meeting.\nThe future partners of the LDA decided that LDA Armenia will be hosted by Gyumri municipality with a satellite office in Ijevan. Gyumri is the second largest city in Armenia and was selected since it will provide a good basis to allow the LDA to work on a national level. Furthermore the vibrant civil society in Gyumri and the possibilities to improve the situation for cooperation between civil society and local authorities were stressed as important factors. In addition to this, Gyumri is also linked with Kutaisi which provides a strong basis for developing the cooperation with Kutaisi city and LDA Georgia, which is located in Kutaisi.\nThe LDA will work to improve local democracy and involvement of citizens and NGOs in the work of local authorities. It is important to ensure that the LDA is independent of the local authorities in Gyumri and to ensure that it can work on a national level. The LDA will aim to serve as a bridge between Europe and Armenia and will bring Armenian practice to Europe and European experience to Armenia – and at the same time operate as a link between Local Authorities and NGOs in Armenia. Finally the LDA will also work to ensure cross border cooperation in South Caucasus and will work to promote peace and understanding in the South Caucasus region.\nThe meeting confirmed Region Rhône Alpes as lead partner for the LDA, while Regional Administration of Friuli Venezia Giulia, CISP Italy, Union of Communities of Armenia, Ijevan and Gyumri will be partners of the LDA. There will be a further process during the coming months to involve more international partners and to select national and local Armenian NGOs to be partners of the LDA.\nThe partners at the meeting confirmed October 27 as the official day for the opening ceremony of LDA Armenia in Gyumri and will work to initiate the selection of a delegate and registration of the LDA as a Foundation before that date.\nThe LDA will be located in the right wing of the building (see photo) which hosts other public associations and NGOs in Gyumri.\nFor further information please contact peter.sondergaard@aldaintranet.org\nBackground document on the LDA in Armenia (هنا).\nWOMEN TAKE THE FLOOR THANKS TO THE EUROPEAN CITIZENS' INITIATIVE!\nALDA is glad to share the information about the “Women for Europe and the Citizens’ Initiative”. In 2011, with the support of the European Commission and in partnership with the Konstantinos Karamanlis Institute for Democracy and the Polish Robert Schuman Foundation, the Robert Schuman Foundation has launched an awareness raising campaign amongst women in Europe. “Women for Europe and the Citizens’ Initiative” aims to raise women’s awareness of this new tool – the European Citizens’ Initiative. The partners are organising a conference on Wednesday 21st September 2011 at the European Parliament entitled “Women for Europe and the Citizens’ Initiative”.\nKnowledge about the beginning and the background to the ECI, appreciating its scope, its limits and what is at stake, understanding European women’s expectations thanks to an exclusive study on key issues which affect them, debating the link between the ECI and fostering the women’s cause, notably via parity: its aim is to create real links between the European Citizens’ Initiative and parity.\nMore information on the project:\non the website: www.femmes-europe.eu\non Facebook : Femmes Initiative Citoyenne\non Twitter : @femmeseurope\nMore information on the conference on 21st September 2011\nProgramme of the conference\nCIVIL SOCIETY FORUM FOR EASTERN PARTNERHIP’S MEETING\nThe Steering Committee of the Civil Society Forum for Eastern Partnership met in Brussels on the 14th and 15th of July 2011 and had also ameeting with Commissioner Stefan Fuele (Enlargement and Neighbouring Policy Commissioner) to decide about further steps for cooperation. ALDA was represented by the Director, Antonella Valmorbida, elected co-chair of the Steering Committee in February 2011.\nThe 17 members of the Steering Committee also finalized the short list for the participants of the next Forum, which will be held on the 28th and 29th of November 2011, in Poznan. The NGOs selected are 250 and they come from the six Eastern Partnership Countries and from the European Union. The selection is the result of a call for interest launch this year and the shortlist proposed by the National Platforms and by the Working groups.\nThe SC members met on the 15th the Commissioner Fuele in order to decide about the further steps of the Civil Society Forum for Eastern Partnership, which is now widely recognised as one of the very active tools of the EaP multilateral track. The Commissioner Fuele confirmed his support to the work of civil society and the interest in establishing a permanent Secretariat of the CSF in order to increase its impact. A strong emphasis has been given to the role of the National Platforms, which could became a channel of information and cooperation for the EU policy in the EaP countries. To this respect, the European Commission could launch and support consultation meetings between civil society National Platform, the national institutions and the EC Delegation in the second part of the year.\nSeveral meetings were organised these days, in particular with the Member of the Parliament, Mr. Werner Schulz, who has been actively promoting the cause of the Civil Society Forum for Eastern Partnership at the European Parliament. The members of the SC met also Mr. Sandy Boyle, President of the External Relations of the European Economic and Social Committee and Mr. Adrian Klecynsk, of the Polish Delegation to the European Union, in the context of the Polish Presidency of the European Union.\nThe Steering Committee also discussed the steps to be undertaken to finalize the new Concept Paper for the upcoming Civil Society Forum for Eastern Partnership as well a as a Position Paper for the future Summit of the Heads of States, which will take place in Warsaw at the end of September. During these days, a side event for Civil Society will be organised with the cooperation of the CSF (see programme attached).\nAt the centre of the photo M. UladVialichka, co chair of the Civil Society Form for Eastern Partnership\nDAYS OF PORTUGAL IN NIS\nLDACSS in partnership with the Embassy of Portugal in Belgrade, the Office for European Affairs in Nis, Film Institute in Lisbon, City Municipality Mediana and Student Cultural Centre (SKC) in Nis is organizing cultural event entitled “Days of Portugal in Nis”.\nBetween 18th and 27thof July we will present the colorful program of cultural events at various locations in Niš. Activities have been prepared by LDA volunteers from Portugal involved in the project of international cooperation between Serbia and Portugal under the title “Share Yourself” which is supported by the European Commission through the Youth in Action programme – European Voluntary Service.\nMUNICIPALITY OF MEDIJANA AND LDA NIS: TOGETHER TOWARD EU\nMunicipality of Medijana, central and biggest municipality in the City of Nis, started the process of developing a ten-year Local Sustainable Development Strategy, 2011 – 2021. This document will be developed with the support from the Standing Conference of Towns and Municipalities of Serbia and Delegation of the European Union in Serbia through the “Exchange 3” programme.\nAs proved partner of Mediajna municipality, LDACSS, Nis, is actively involved with this process and will be facilitating a working group on EU integrations and active citizenship. First workshop with relevant stakeholders took place on 12th of July. SWOT analysis, vision, priorities, strategic and specific goals have been defined.\nLocal Sustainable Development Strategy of the Municipality of Medijana will identify priorities for local community in the areas of environmental protection and infrastructure, economic and social development, involving as many local stakeholders and citizens as possible. It will include a ten-year period but will be flexible and will allow all necessary adjustments throughout the period of its implementation.\nCIVIL SOCIETY IN ACTION FOR PARTNERSHIP AND DIALOGUE.FIRST STEERING GROUP MEETING OF IPA2009BOSNIA PROJECT.MOSTAR, 5TH OF JULY 2011\nThe first Steering Group Meeting of the Project Civil Society in Action for Partnership and Dialogue was held in Mostar on 5th July and hosted by the partner organisation Local Democracy Agency Mostar. Introductory information on the project background and preparatory phase was prepared by Stanka Parac, ALDA Southeast Regional Programme Coordinator, DzenanaDedic Delegate of LDA Mostar and MajaVejzovic, LDA Mostar Project Coordinator.\nEight NGO – partner organisations included from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Serbia were present to discuss the activity plan proposed, the contents of the local awareness raising actions, the capacity building programme envisaged in the year one and to design the thematic framework of the opening conference scheduled for the beginning of October in Tuzla considering the recent developments and surveys conducted as regards the municipal co-operation agreements with civil society organisations. The conference coordinated by the partner organisation Citizens’ Forum Tuzla will serve as the launch event of the two year project aiming to reinforce the role of civil society organisations in building partnerships with public sector with particular focus on the areas of local development strategies, antidiscrimination policies, gender equality, youth and environment protection. Further to this, the conference will help determine the modality and methods of local awareness raising actions and CSO-s capacity building in support to increased citizen participation at local level which will be organised in cities of Tuzla, Zavidovici and Prijedor during the first year of the project.\nIn order to achieve the objectives set with particular regard to strengthening the issue based networking at local level, it was decided to establish two working groups which will become operational after the launching conference for CSO and LA capacity building and for monitoring the adoption/implementation of the municipal co-operation agreements whose members will be proposed/recruited by the partner organisations.\nPartners in the action also agreed on establishing the communication procedures and close collaboration in information dissemination through existing CSO networks. Necessary administrative decisions were adopted in order to fulfil the requirements of the contracting procedures of the action taking place in Bosnia and Herzegovina.\nDuring the next four weeks, the project first visibility and promotion products will be designed (logo and leaflet) and the preparatory activities for the launching conference in Tuzla initiated.\nPartners in the project with substantial expertise in CSO networking and promoting citizen participation: LDA Mostar, LDA Zavidovici, Citizens’ Forum Tuzla, DON Prijedor, Democratic Centre Bihac, Centre for local development Breza, LDA Osijek and LDA Subotica.\nBUSINESS FORUM - \"DOING BUSINESS TOGETHER\". Kutaisi 28th of May 2011\nWithin the framework of the project “Georgian Diaspora for Development in Kutaisi”, in order to support local entrepreneurship and promote locally produced goods, Business Forum “Doing Business Together” has been held in Kutaisi on 28 May, 2011.\nThe forum was arranged by Georgian Foundation / Georgian Diaspora in the Netherlands and Local Democracy Agency (LDA) Georgia in partnership with Kutaisi Local Self-Government (LSG) and Kutaisi Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry.\nIn scope of the forum two events were successfully organized. Presentation of permanent exhibition hall “Expo-Imereti” with exhibition and sales of locally produced goods, and Business conference with workshops on important business issues.\nThe business forum was officially opened by the Metropolitan Kalistrate, Mayor of Kutaisi Mr. Giorgi Tevdoradze and executive director of Georgian Foundation / Georgian Diaspora in the Netherlands Mrs. Marekhi Togonidze.\nThe participants of the exhibition and the conference were greeted with a warm welcome speech by: Ioseb Khakhaleishvili, executive director of LDA Georgia, Malkhaz Chrelashvil, head of the Economic Policy and Strategy Development office in Kutaisi City Hall, Emzar Gvinianidze, the executive director of Kutaisi Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry.\nThe interesting presentations were provided by the international experts of Dutch consulting companies and Jan Koenraad Veenstra (Brainport Development) and Rob van de Gevel (ECORYS).\nUp to 100 representatives of SMEs, commercial banks, Governmental sector and NGOs from Imereti region were participated in the event.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1694606"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6400852203369141,"wiki_prob":0.6400852203369141,"text":"SICOM, a technology provider to the restaurant industry, has signed an eight-year office lease for 92,104 square feet in The Pinnacle building at 1684 S. Broad St. in Lansdale, PA.\nThe three-story, 344,280-square-foot office building was constructed in 1999 in the West Montgomery County submarket. SICOM's lease includes a part of the first and third floors in the building, the remainder of which is vacant and available for lease from 43,470 square feet up to 252,176 contiguous square feet in the building.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1040017"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7220993041992188,"wiki_prob":0.7220993041992188,"text":"Mostly law professors | Sometimes contrarian | Often libertarian | Always independent\nAbout The Volokh Conspiracy\nVolokh Daily Email\nPerhaps the S. Ct. Will Reconsider the \"Actual Malice\" Libel Test—but Not in Palin v. N.Y. Times\nEugene Volokh | 2.15.2022 4:35 PM\n[UPDATE 3/11/2022: A new New York state intermediate appellate decision suggests the chance of the U.S. Supreme Court taking Palin is higher than I thought, though I think still very low; see here for details.]\nSarah Palin will doubtless appeal the verdict against her, and will almost certainly lose. Under existing libel law, she could only prevail if she could show so-called \"actual malice,\" which basically means that the Times knew that the statement about her was false (knowing falsehood), or at least published it with a \"high degree of awareness of … probable falsity\" or \"entertain[ing] serious doubts as to the truth of his publication\" (reckless disregard of the risk of falsehood). Mere negligence or even gross negligence isn't enough. The jury has resolved against Palin this factual question about the Times editors' mental state, and the Second Circuit Court of Appeals is highly unlikely to overturn such a factual ruling.\nIn principle, of course, Palin could then petition the Supreme Court, asking it to exercise its discretion to review the case, and perhaps reconsider whether the \"actual malice\" test really should apply—the Supreme Court could reverse that precedent, even though the Court of Appeals can't. (Technically, the precedent isn't New York Times v. Sullivan, which required the actual malice test for public officials, but follow-on cases, such as Curtis Publishing v. Butts, which extended that to so-called \"public figures.\")\nBut it seems to me extremely unlikely that the Court would agree to hear Palin's case, because it arises under New York law—and a recent New York statute adopts the \"actual malice\" test as a matter of state law, whether or not it applies as a matter of First Amendment law.\nWhether the Court overrules some of its First Amendment libel precedents thus wouldn't affect Palin's case, because one way or the other the jury had to be instructed under New York law. (In theory, Palin could have argued that Alaska law applies, since she's a resident of Alaska, even though the case is being litigated in New York; but the plaintiffs expressly declined to make such an argument.) That legal irrelevance of the First Amendment question is basically a dispositive reason for the Court not to exercise its discretion to hear this case.\nThere is one possible twist: The new New York statute was enacted after the case was filed, so one could argue that it shouldn't be applied in this case. But in late 2020, Judge Rakoff concluded that the statute should be so applied; I doubt that the Second Circuit would revisit that question, because that question is unnecessary to its decision (since the Second Circuit has to apply the \"actual malice\" test in any event under the First Amendment). And the chances of the Supreme Court agreeing to hear the Palin case when the first step would have to be interpreting a New York statute—and when an interpretation of the statute that affirms Judge Rakoff's would make the meaty First Amendment issue go away—strike me as very low.\nOf course, many of the Justices might in any event be reluctant to reconsider important First Amendment precedents in a case that's so politically laden. (Some Justices might not care about that, but I expect some would.) But even apart from this, I just don't see the Palin case as procedurally suitable for that question.\nI think it's possible that the Court will indeed reconsider some of those precedents in some case. Justices Thomas and Gorsuch have so suggested recently, and then-Professor Kagan had so suggested back in the early 1990s. A Justice has recently called for a response in one case calling for such reconsideration, Coral Ridge Ministries Media, Inc. v. Southern Poverty Law Center, though the Court has also passed up some opportunities to do this in recent years. But Palin v. New York Times, I predict, won't be the Court's vehicle to do this.\nTo get the Volokh Conspiracy Daily e-mail, please sign up here.\nNEXT: Are Public Ignorance and Misinformation Getting Worse?\nEugene Volokh is the Gary T. Schwartz Distinguished Professor of Law at UCLA. Naturally, his posts here (like the opinions of the other bloggers) are his own, and not endorsed by any educational institution.\nFree SpeechLibel","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1085689"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5132681727409363,"wiki_prob":0.5132681727409363,"text":"Harry Gruyaert – Congratulations, for your 80th birthday\nArticle: PREVIOUS | NEXT\n“If you work in colour, you have to compose differently. If you shoot in colour, it has to come first.” While these statements, once made by the photographer in an interview, sound simple, the timing that led him to focus entirely on colour was unusual. Born in Antwerp in 1941, Gruyaert can look back over a career spanning many decades. When he began, it was far from evident that colour photography could be used for anything other than advertising, illustration and fashion. Until the 1980s, serious documentary photography, as well as photojournalism, were exclusively black and white. Even though New Color Photography had emerged in the United States in the seventies, Europe still had firm reservations concerning the new colour aesthetic. This was something Gruyaert was confronted with when he applied to the renowned Magnum Photo Agency in 1982. “Some photographers argued that it would be the end of Magnum, if they accepted me,” he remembers. From today's perspective, this is hard to imagine. Magnum has changed; and the path for many next-generation photographers, who confidently work in colour, was paved by Gruyaert and his creative use of colour.\nWhether taken in Morocco, India, Egypt, the USA or his home country of Belgium, Gruyaert's pictures are fascinating. It is rare that he uses his images to tell concrete stories. He sees himself as belonging to the street photography genre; yet, in his case, it is less about a spontaneous moment or randomly captured people; and more about the interplay between all the items and objects present in the motifs. Light, shadow, clearly defined shapes and, above all, the rich colour palette, transform each picture into a fine still life. His photographs are impressive, even though they may have been taken decades ago. They appear timeless. They make people feel happy.\nCongratulations on the occasion of your birthday, esteemed Harry Gruyaert! (Ulrich Rüter)\nThe current issue 6/2021 of the LFI magazine is presenting a comprehensive portfolio of Harry Gruyaert's work in the Leica Classic segment.\nPortrait Harry Gruyaert, 2002 © Magnum Collection / Magnum Photos / Agentur Focus","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1838998"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5786263346672058,"wiki_prob":0.5786263346672058,"text":"Speech to Japan External Trade Organisation in Tokyo: Ireland’s perspective on the future of the EU: Brexit and beyond\nI am delighted to be here today to take part in this event and to talk to you about Ireland and the future of Europe.\nSt Patrick’s Day gives us an opportunity to reflect on the warm relationship between Japan and Ireland. 2017, I was pleased to discover, marks 60 years of diplomatic ties between our two countries, something which is being marked by event in both countries.\nSo today I want to talk to you about Ireland’s perspective on the future of Europe, and not just in the context of Brexit.\nIRELAND’S FUTURE IN THE EUROPEAN UNION\nAnd let me start by being clear about one thing: Ireland’s future is in the European Union.\nForty four years have now passed since Ireland joined what was then the European Economic Community. In those four and a half decades we have benefitted enormously from EU membership.\nIt has given us unfettered access to a market of more than 500 million people and has seen a dramatic increase in trade and foreign direct investment.\nIt has supported job creation, with an estimated 700,000 jobs created in Ireland during the years of our EU membership.\nAnd Irish citizens have the right to move, to work and to live freely throughout the Union.\nDuring that period Ireland has been a major recipient of financial support from the European Union. Between 1973 and 2014 Ireland received more than €70 billion from the EU.\nDuring the same period we contributed approximately €30 billion to the EU’s budget.\nSurely the best measure of the success of that investment is that Ireland now contributes more to the EU budget each year than it receives from it.\nBut more than that, Irish views and interests are now reflected in the policies of the European Union towards the rest of the world. We are no longer a small island on the fringe of Europe, but an active participant in the world’s biggest union.\nMembership of the European Union has brought great benefits to our country and remains in our interests.\nWe value our access to the single market and the benefits our exporters derive from EU trade agreements with other countries.\nMore broadly, we value being part of a Union with other likeminded countries who share our values and interests\n60 YEARS OF THE EUROPEAN UNION\n2017 also marks sixty years since the Treaties of Rome – establishing what is now the European Union – were signed.\nIn the period since then the European Economic Community first grew into the European Community and then the European Union.\nIt now includes 28 Member States and more than 500 million people. It stretches from the borders of the former Soviet Union in the east to Ireland on the Atlantic seaboard in the west, and from the Arctic Circle in the north to the Mediterranean in the south.\nAnd it has grown from being a Customs Union into a Single Market, with people, goods, services and capital flowing freely between Member States.\nBecause the Four Freedoms of the Single Market are just that, freedoms. They are not a vague legal concept but the basis on which we travel around Europe and trade around Europe. They are the freedoms that unite us.\nOf course it has not all been plain sailing over those sixty years. Of course there have been challenges along the way. And of course there are new challenges we need to address.\nBut let us not forget the very real achievement of the European Union as it has grown from a union of just six member states to a union of twenty eight.\nAnd as we celebrate the sixtieth anniversary of the Treaties of Rome, let us not lose sight of the vision of the founding fathers in the years following the catastrophe that was the Second World War.\nThe period since then has been one of unparalleled peace in Europe, and the European Union has played no small part in that. For many Member States whose post-war histories have not been as benign as Ireland’s, membership of the European Union has been part of their road to freedom.\nThe European Union is rightly described as one of the great post-war peace projects. So it was fitting that in 2012 the European Union itself was awarded the Nobel Prize for PEACE. Why did it receive the award? In the words of the Nobel Committee, it was because the Union and its forerunners had\nfor over six decades contributed to the advancement of peace and reconciliation, democracy and human rights in Europe.\nTHE NORTHERN IRELAND PEACE PROCESS\nFor its part, the peace project that is the European Union has played a key role in the peace process in Northern Ireland. One of the EU’s key policies is its regional policy, known as Cohesion policy. Spending in support of Cohesion policy accounts for around one third of the EU’s budget. ‘Cohesion’ means sticking together. It is what the European Union is all about.\nIn Ireland I am the Minister responsible for Cohesion policy, and one of the ways the European Union has supported the peace process is through the PEACE Programme between Northern Ireland and the border region of Ireland. Over a period of more than 20 years the EU has provided significant funding to support the process of peace building and reconciliation in the region.\nLast December I travelled to the border city of Derry in Northern Ireland where, along with my Northern Ireland counterpart, I visited peace projects funded by the European Union.\nThe progress that has been made since the Good Friday Agreement in 1998 was really brought home to me by when – in the company of a unionist Mayor and a republican Minister – I walked across the spectacular EU-funded Peace Bridge that lies at the heart of the city and brings the two communities together.\nThe Irish Government is determined to see such programmes continue, even after the UK leaves the EU.\nThe Irish Government has also emphasised the need for the swift resumption of the power-sharing institutions after the recent elections in Northern Ireland, and we will remain closely engaged with the political parties and the British Government in the days and weeks ahead.\nTHE FUTURE OF THE EUROPEAN UNION\nNext week, sixty years after the historic Treaties were signed at a ceremony in the Palazzo dei Conservatori on the Capitol Hill in the heart of Rome, EU Heads of State and Government will gather in the city to mark the occasion. As well as recalling the achievements of the Union, they will discuss the future direction of Europe. I hope it will be a lively discussion.\nRecently the European Commission published a stimulating White Paper on the Future of Europe. It is an important contribution to the debate and its publication is timely. I have no doubt there will be many other contributions over the coming months to what will be an important debate that will have implications not just for Europe but also for the wider world.\nAnd I hope it will be a positive debate aimed at building on the achievements of the Union into the future.\nTHE CHALLENGE OF BREXIT\nThe sixtieth anniversary of the Union will also see the start of a process that will lead to the first Member State leaving it.\nLike most people in Ireland I was disappointed that the UK – our closest neighbour – made the decision to leave. Like most people in Ireland, I believe the UK has been stronger because of its membership of the EU. And I believe that the EU has been stronger because of UK membership.\nBut we accept that the UK will be leaving the European Union. We are under no illusion about the nature and scale of the challenged posed by Brexit. And we are prepared.\nOur priorities for the negotiations ahead are clear:\nwe want to minimise the impact of Brexit on trade and the economy;\nwe want to protect the peace process in Northern Ireland;\nwe want to maintain the Common Travel Area between Ireland and the United Kingdom;\nand we want to influence the future direction of the European Union itself.\nBecause we cannot allow the future of the European Union to be defined by one Member State leaving it. We need to look to a future of a stronger, vibrant Union.\nIRELAND’S ECONOMIC OUTLOOK\nIreland is the EU member state that is most likely to be impacted by Brexit. But we are well placed to deal with that challenge.\nThe recovery in the Irish economy is continuing at a robust pace. GDP grew by 7.2% in the fourth quarter on an annual basis. As a result, full year growth of 5.2% was recorded for the year.\nThe exporting sector appears to be holding up reasonably well despite the weakness in sterling.\nPrivate consumption has softened in recent quarters but is still solid with annual growth of 3% recorded in 2016.\nRecovery is perhaps most clearly evident in the labour market with annual employment having increased in each of the last seventeen quarters, representing an increase of 212,000 jobs since the low-point in 2012. The number of people in employment has exceeded the 2 million mark since Q2 2016 and is now at its highest level since Q4 2008.\nStrong employment gains have helped reduce unemployment which has fallen from a peak of over 15% to 6.6% cent in February.\nThe growth outlook for this year has been revised downwards by approximately 0.5% reflecting the UK decision to leave the European Union.\nNevertheless the Irish Department of Finance is forecasting real GDP growth of 3.5% in 2017 and 3.4% cent in 2018 in the Budget 2017 forecasts\nDomestic demand is set to drive growth this year with strong contributions expected from both consumption and investment spending.\nWhile the indicators of domestic activity are encouraging, the international outlook, including Brexit, illustrates the need for caution supported by prudent economic and fiscal policies.\nThe prudent economic and fiscal policies implemented over recent years have placed Ireland in a stronger position to weather this shock. Competitiveness has improved, employment has grown, and unemployment has fallen.\nThe strong economic recovery of recent years is testament to our resilience.\nThe best way to deal with such risks is through competitiveness oriented policies and prudent management of the public finances. That is what the Irish Government will continue to do.\n60 YEARS OF IRELAND AND JAPAN\nAs I said at the outset, Ireland and Japan have sixty years of close cooperation.\nOver those sixty years we have developed an important business and trading relationship. Japan is Ireland’s eighth largest export market and is the largest source of foreign direct investment into Ireland from Asia.\nBilateral trade between Ireland and Japan is worth more than €7 billion a year, and we are very fortunate that more than 50 Irish companies are active in the Japanese market. Many of those have developed a substantial presence on the ground, and have found the Japanese market to be full of potential.\nOn the other side of the coin, there is continued strong investment by Japanese companies in Ireland. They are among the longest established and most respected overseas investors and employers in Ireland.\nIreland and Japan are likeminded countries. We are committed to human rights, to the rule of law and to the peaceful settlement of disputes. We have shared values in the United Nations, in Development Cooperation and in issues such as Disarmament and Non-Proliferation.\nThis is a relationship we want to see prosper and grow. And we have a lot to offer:\nwe have a strong pool of highly skilled, multilingual workers in the only native English speaking country within the EU and the Eurozone, providing barrier-free access to an EU market of over 500 million consumers;\n40% of the population is under 29, giving us the youngest population in the EU;\nour education system ranks in the top ten in the world and over 50% of Irish 30-34 year olds have a third-level degree – higher than any other country in the EU;\nthe Competitiveness Index ranks Ireland first in the world for the flexibility and adaptability of its workforce;\nwe offer a pro-business environment, attracting 9 out of 10 of both the world’s top pharma and top software companies;\nour dynamic research and development eco-system continues to go from strength to strength, reflected in our enhanced performance in the EU’s Innovation Union Scoreboard.\nIreland consistently ranks as one of the best countries in the world for doing business – a testament to Ireland’s favourable business and regulatory climate.\nAnd we offer an attractive location for people and companies looking to establish or expand operations in the EU.\nEU-Japan Free Trade Agreement\nIreland is fully supportive of the EU trade negotiations with Japan. The Agreement will hopefully be a positive achievement for the EU and Japan, who together account for more than one third of the world’s GDP.\nAn ambitious free trade agreement with Japan will open opportunities for our exporters and companies across a wide range of sectors. And an agreement with Japan will send a powerful and positive message on global trade and the value of these agreements.\nIreland would like to see a comprehensive and ambitious agreement concluded as soon as possible. We hope that Japan will continue to engage actively in the negotiations to achieve an ambitious agreement.\nLOOKING TO THE NEXT SIXTY YEARS\nSo I am delighted to be here on the eve of St Patrick’s Day to reflect with you on the last sixty years of Ireland’s relationship with Europe and with Japan. But I also want to look to the future.\nDespite the challenges we face, I look to the next sixty years with optimism. In particular I look forward to a broadening and deepening of the relationship between Ireland and Japan and the European Union.\nTo the next sixty years.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1915105"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9055561423301697,"wiki_prob":0.9055561423301697,"text":"Yale University is a Coward and a Hypocrite [incl. Jytte Klausen]\nby Peter Pappas\nThe Tax Lawyer's Blog\nhttps://www.meforum.org/campus-watch/16019/yale-university-is-a-coward-and-a-hypocrite-incl\nSo much for intellectual courage and journalistic integrity.\nAtlas Shrugs blogged about the Yale University Press decision to delete 14 cartoons depicting the Islamic prophet Mohamed (cartoons that literally shook the world) from a newly published book by author Jytte Klausen titled Cartoons that Shook the World:\nThe big brass non-existent balls of our heaviest heavyweight intellectual elites: they are weeping like little girls, wetting their bloomers for fear of insulting Islam.\nYes, those giant amoebas at Yale University Press published a book about the cartoon jihad: The Cartoons That Shook the World by Jytte Klausen, but would not publish the cartoons. Got that?\nJohn Donatich, the director of Yale University Press, explained that \"the cartoons are freely available on the Internet and can be accurately described in words,\" and thus \"reprinting them could be interpreted easily as gratuitous.\" He said he had \"never blinked\" when publishing controversial material before, but \"when it came between that and blood on my hands, there was no question.\"\nThis is crazy stuff.\nWhy publish the book at all if you're going to leave out the cartoons that are the most controversial (i.e. the most world-shaking). Isn't that the entire point of the friggin book?\nThat would be like omitting World War I and World War II from a book on the \"Great Wars of the 20th Century\" on account of you don't want to offend Germans.\nIf You Aren't Willing to Kill, You Deserve to be Offended in a Cartoon\nLet me see if I have this straight: The cartoons that speak ill of Christianity, Buddhism and Judaism stay in the book because proponents of these religions won't kill people for publishing them.\nSounds about right, doesn't it? Reward the most murderous of the religious crazies and bludgeon the least murderous.\nIf Yale were honest it would retitle the book \"Cartoons that Offend Only Christians and Jews.\"\nIt could be aggressively marketed in Islamic countries. I am sure it would sell like hotcakes there.\nAnyone who buys this bowdlerized piece of junk is a living, breathing sucker and deserves to be ripped off – repeatedly and often.\nThe Radical Left and the Righteous Path of Least Resistance\nDid you ever wonder why the radical left focuses its vitriol on America and Christianity rather than (the truly dangerous) Arabia and Islam?\nHere's a hint: It's yellow and runs the length of a nutroot's spine.\nFor all the self-congratulatory gibberish about their courage to \"speak truth to power\" radical lefties are secure in the knowledge that when they protest against America nothing untoward will happen to them. They know it doesn't kill 200 random people merely because someone published a cartoon it didn't like.\nAnd these chronic malcontents may be wackjobs but they aren't suicidal. (Unless, of course, their guyloses an election to a conservative.)\nFor instance, you won't see a radical leftist speak \"truth\" to Islamic clerics who stone women or to genocidal tyrants like Saddam Hussein and his sadistic sons, Lenny and Squiggy, unless he can do it anonymously and from afar. Yet, he'll travel anywhere, at anytime to speak ill of his own country.\nTypically you'll find him gushing to a foreign audience chosen carefully in advance for its allegiance to his views.\nBallsy, huh?\nFrequency of Protests against America Prove it's Greatness\nOnly militant imbeciles and those who stand to gain from the defamation of America's reputation will see the frequency of anti-American protests as evidence of the insidiousness of America's policies. In truth, the fact that there are frequent demonstrations in protest of America is an indication that the U.S. tolerates dissent and respects the freedom and liberty of individuals to speak their minds. In short, it's proof of America's civility and greatness, not, as the America bashers would have you believe, its wickedness.\nExcuse my crudeness, but a radical protests against America for the same reason a dog licks himself: Because he can!\nYale University Press, left wing activists and the Michael Moore's of the world reserve their faux outrage for those who are least likely to retaliate against them – and this is almost always America – not, as they would have you believe for those who most deserve that outrage.\nDo you really think Michael Moore will ever have the testicular fortitude to do a jerkumentary about the ravages of Islam?\nIf he does, I have a title he can use: \"Stoning for Palestine.\"\nRelated Topics: Brandeis University, Yale University receive the latest by email: subscribe to the free mef mailing list","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1196267"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7072747349739075,"wiki_prob":0.7072747349739075,"text":"Jeff Pinkney CPA, Inc.\nQUICKBOOKS TIPS\nJeff Pinkney CPA, Inc. is proud to serve clients throughout the Northwest Kansas area. Our practice is comprised of sixteen employees with locations in Hays, Ellis and Oakley. We pride ourselves in providing excellent service and top-quality tax planning, preparation, bookkeeping and payroll services to meet the needs of our individual and business clients. Our goal is to partner with you to identify the goals and objectives you have for your business and work with you to achieve those goals.\nJeff Pinkney CPA, Inc. was founded in 2014 by Jeff Pinkney upon the purchase of Robert L. Wolf - P.A., Inc., who has been serving the Kansas community for over 35 years. Robert L. Wolf founded his accounting firm in 1976 and has practiced public accounting ever since. He and his staff have continued with Jeff Pinkney CPA, Inc. and remain dedicated to providing the high-quality service and commitment to excellence that has always been a part of the success of Robert L. Wolf and staff.\nJeff Pinkney, CPA\nJeff is the President and owner of Jeff Pinkney CPA, Inc. He is a graduate of Fort Hays State University with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting. He has been in public accounting since 2008.\nBrittany Jestice\nBrittany joined our firm in September of 2016. She is a graduate of Fort Hays University with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting.\nErik Scott\nErik joined our firm in October of 2020. He graduated from Fort Hays State University with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting and Finance.\nKendra Maydew\nKendra joined our firm as an intern in December of 2021. She is a student at Fort Hays State University and is double majoring in Finance and Accounting.\nBob Wolf, EA\nBob started his accounting practice in 1976 and has practiced public accounting ever since. Bob sold his firm to Jeff Pinkney in December of 2014, and he and his staff has continued with Jeff Pinkney CPA, Inc.\nColton Bobek\nColton joined our firm in January of 2022. He graduated from Fort Hays State University with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting.\nJenna Berkgren\nJenna joined out firm in January of 2019. She graduated from Fort Hays State University with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting.\nMarissa Befort\nMarissa joined our firm in September of 2021. She graduated from NCK Tech with an Associate of Applied Science in General Business.\nAbby Schulte\nAbby joined our firm in February of 2017. She is a graduate of Fort Hays State University with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting and Finance.\nEddie Perrett, CPA\nEddie joined our firm in October of 2016. He graduated from the University of Kansas with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting and a Masters in Accounting and Information Systems.\nJosie Frisbie\nJosie joined our firm in June of 2022. She is a student at Fort Hays State University and is studying to obtain a Bachelor of Business Administration in Public Accounting and a minor in Agriculture.\nShelby Jacques\nShelby joined our firm in May of 2016. She graduated from Fort Hays State University with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting.\nBethany Weber\nHays - Office Manager\nBethany joined our firm in December of 2019.\nMelinda Dreiling\nMelinda joined our firm in July of 2007.\nLisa Cox\nEllis - Office Manager\nLisa has been with the firm, in the Ellis office, since 1994.\nPat Schippers\nOakley - Office Manager\nPat joined our firm July of 2022.\n© 2020 by Jeff Pinkney CPA, Inc.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line516821"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6875578165054321,"wiki_prob":0.6875578165054321,"text":"Retreat Edition\nIn Lisbon\nOur intention is to share our joy and passion with the community and to bring more aliveness and presence into this world by gathering other dance and meditation lovers.\nDHYANA VARGAS\nCo-founder & organizer\nAlso known as Dhyana Danceleg (born in Colombia, based in Berlin), she has been a big lover of music and dance since her early childhood. Soon she would discover the night life and the joy of dancing for long hours in the clubs, disappearing in the dance and loud beats. Already in Berlin she encountered the OSHO active meditations, which use movement as a way to stillness and silence. She discovered a totally new approach to movement: dance with totality and awareness as a doorway to oneself, as the fastest path to feelings, as a form of unity with the whole. Dance plays a main roll in her life as it fills her with joy and opens a space for her to relax.\nDhyana is a certified facilitator of OSHO Meditations and OSHO Meditative Therapies, Sufi Whirling and Dance Alchemy teacher as well as an Aquafloating and Thai Massage practitioner. She works also as a graphic designer and event organiser, and is the creator of Whirling in Berlin as well as OSHO Colombia and co-founder of the Conscious Dance Festival.\nKABIRO (Lara UBAGO)\nDance has always been very important in Kabiro´s life. Her father owned one of the very first discotheques in Spain and from an early age and through her own body she learned how free and total dance can be of great benefit for the soul.\nLater on in life she engaged deeply in other forms of dance, becoming an oriental dance teacher and a very keen practitioner of 5 Rhythms, Authentic Movement, Rio Abierto and Ecstatic Dance.\nShe is a certified breath worker, bodyworker and art therapist, as well as a producer for fashion films.\nOmid Mohadjeri\nFilm, for Omid, started in front and not behind the lens. From his first day on his father was filming every step and bite he’d take, for his family archive. His grandfather was a theatre director and actor in Kerman, Iran, readapting ancient Persian myths and bringing them on the modern stage.\nAs a young boy he discovered his interest for music and started exploring the world of sounds through all kinds of instruments as Persian Santur, Piano, Handpan amongst others.\nHis passion for sound had led him to create his first band as a teenager and the production of the first music video for this very band was his first encounter and opening to the world of visual arts.\n7 years of film and photography in 17 different countries around the globe and 3 long format films later, today, Omid is continuing to deepen his relationship with the queen of arts through exploring all her different moods and faces, slowly but steadily mastering my craft.\nCarmen Escudero\nIn the late 80s, Carmen took an interest in photography and gradually consolidated her place in the market as a fashion and portrait photographer.\nWith a university degree in Psychology, she now works as a coach and Gestalt therapist, combining this with art photography and occasional returns to fashion for designers who request her work. She has always found similarities in both fields when exploring the world of emotions and human communication, and photography as a testimony for information, documentary or advertising. This twofold activity, being a psychologist and a photographer, gives her the chance to create dialogues where she can explore the world of emotions and human communication, and use photography as a witness and “cleansing” of different emotional landscapes.\nGabriela Albertoni\nGabi (Brazilian based in Madrid) graduated in communication and journalism and has worked in many countries, both in production and in digital media. For a few years, she founded \"Turn Marketing\", a project that she started with another partner, specialising in personal development, educational or sustainable brands. Since then, she managed to unite her two passions: communicate and delve deeper into therapies, especially through the body and movement.\nJens Wazel\nThe dance found Jens at the famous Esalen Institute in CA almost 20 years ago. He is an authorized Soul Motion teacher, and has been teaching since 2006, in Seattle, San Francisco, Hawaii, on various retreats in the US, and in Berlin. He is the founder of the Bay Area Soul Motion Collective, and was the teacher organizer for the annual Dance Camp Northwest near Seattle.\nJens is a long-time practitioner of various other forms of dance and movement, including 5 Rhythms, Open Floor, Continuum, and Contact Improvisation, and is experienced in movement theatre, performance art and meditation.\nHe is also a photographer/videographer and is currently working on a documentary project about the history of conscious dance.\nhello@consciousdancefestival.com\nAbout | Cookie Policy\n© 2023 All rights reserved – Conscious Dance Festival® is a registered mark","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line28587"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6798039674758911,"wiki_prob":0.6798039674758911,"text":"By Steven Vallas\nOf Mice, Men, and the Workings of Popular Culture\nLately, I’ve become convinced that those of us who study work organizations have kind of missed the boat. Which boat? I suppose that vessel can best be described as popular culture. Let me explain.\nI teach social theory pretty often, and if you do that, you more or less have to come to grips with the relation between power, culture, and social inequality. With me so far?\nSo. When I put on my sociology of work hat, and read through our various efforts to understand the working out of power, I find it hard not to feel as if this field is culturally deprived. Oh sure, there’s a slew of studies focusing on organizational culture (whatever that means). But very, very little that asks where and how workers acquire the images of work and authority which they bring with them into their work situations.\nIt’s as if we’ve missed the “cultural turn” entirely, abandoning the whole field of popular culture to the cultural studies types (most of whom wouldn’t know honest employment if they fell over it).\nKidding there! But I am serious when I opine that we need to pay much closer attention to media, television, movies, advertising, magazines, and children’s literature.\nWhich brings me to the odd-looking image shown above. One of my department’s graduate students gave me as a Christmas present Richard Scarry’s book, What Do People Do all Day? A classic kid’s book, it uses animals to represent the division of labor that exists in Busytown. On a lark (so to speak), I googled the book, and eventually came up with a brilliant piece of analysis by John Levi Martin (see his 2000 article, “What Do Animals Do All Day?” in Poetics). To oversimplify greatly: Martin constructs a sophisticated empirical analysis of nearly 300 children’s books, and finds that there is a marked tendency for these texts to represent certain animals in particular kinds of jobs. Jobs that allow the occupant to exercise authority over others tend to be held by predatory animals (especially foxes), but never by “lower” animals (mice or pigs). Pigs in particular are substantially overrepresented in subordinate jobs (those with low skill and no authority), where their overweight bodies and (judging from the plots of these books) congenital stupidity seems to “naturally” equip them for subservient jobs. Here, see this additional image from Scarry’s book, showing construction work being performed by the above-mentioned swine.\nIn effect, Martin’s point is that there is a hidden language or code inscribed in children’s books, which teaches kids to view inequalities within the division of labor as a “natural” fact of life –that is, as a reflection of the inherent characteristics of the workers themselves. Young readers learn (without realizing it, of course) that some species-beings are simply better equipped to hold manual or service jobs, while other creatures ought to be professionals. Once this code is acquired by pre-school children, he suggests, it becomes exceedingly difficult to unlearn.\nLevi Martin’s paper reminds me of the important 1997 paper in ASR by Bernice Pescosolido and her colleagues, who studied the portrayal of blacks in children’s books (and found some very interesting patterns, involving the “symbolic annihilation” of African Americans in this literary genre). So it seems reasonable to ask: Why don’t we have more such studies in the sociology of work and social inequalities? In answering the question, “How do people learn to labor?” (the play on Paul Willis’s classic title is fully intended), haven’t we focused too narrowly on the workplace itself, to the neglect of earlier stages of life or extra-organizational life (e.g., popular culture) as such?\nTo be sure, there is a small handful of studies that have examined how work is represented in popular culture –but reviewing this literature doesn’t take much time. Beth Montemurro has written an interesting analysis of how sexual harassment is transformed into the substance of comedy on television (see her 2003 article, “Not a Laughing Matter,” in Sex Roles).\nKelly Massoni has a smart analysis called “Modeling Work: Occupational Messages in Seventeen Magazine” that appeared in Gender and Society, in 2004. The latter piece argues that the skewed occupational images presented to teenage girls generate highly distorted occupational aspirations, ill-equipping them to navigate the world of paid employment. But these studies are really the exception, with the larger patten a pronounced silence in this field. And there is virtually nothing that traces the “reception” of cultural objects by those who listen to, read, or watch them.\nWhich leads me to suggest that it’s time for us to think anew about work organizations. In a culture such as ours, which provides few if any outlets for discussion about the nature of work, maybe there’s a reason why “The Office,” and “Dilbert” are so popular. Or why some of the best and most engaging television shows –“The West Wing,” “House,” and even “The Wire” –are at their heart dramatizations of workplace life. The only puzzling thing is why we sociologists of work have largely neglected this point.\nimages of workers\noccupational socialization","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line898954"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9167947769165039,"wiki_prob":0.9167947769165039,"text":"McKinney throws 5 TDs including game-winner for EKU\nOct 22, 2022, 4:19 AM | Updated: 4:25 pm\nRICHMOND, Ky. (AP) — Parker McKinney threw a 6-yard touchdown pass to Cornelius McCoy with eight seconds remaining for his fifth touchdown toss of the game to give Eastern Kentucky a 56-53 win over North Alabama on Saturday.\nNorth Alabama had taken a 53-49 lead with 1:13 remaining after Noah Walters passed to Demarcus Lacey and Takairee Kennebrew for TDs under four minutes apart.\nEKU (4-3, 1-1 Atlantic Sun) led 35-21 at halftime before the Lions (1-6, 0-3) rallied with 32 second-half points.\nMcKinney was 22 of 33 for 310 yards without an interception. He went over 2,000 yards passing for the second straight season, a first in Colonels history. He also ran for a score. McCoy had 145 yards receiving and three touchdowns.\nWalters threw for 215 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. ShunDerrick Powell rushed for 218 yards on 29 carries with three scores for North Alabama.\nMore AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football and https://twitter.com/ap_top25. Sign up for the AP’s college football newsletter: https://tinyurl.com/mrxhe6f2","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1873170"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9879404306411743,"wiki_prob":0.9879404306411743,"text":"At Least 9 Killed, Dozens More Feared Dead After Fire Rips Through Oakland Warehouse Party\nThe fire erupted in a warehouse where an estimated 50 to 100 people were attending a party.\nBy Rhea Mahbubani, Jessica Rice and NBC Bay Area staff • Published December 3, 2016 • Updated on June 20, 2017 at 6:22 pm\n9 people confirmed dead and 25 others missing\nVenue was under investigation for structural problems before deadly fire\nPeople affected can call 510-382-3000 for help and information\nAt least nine people were killed and 25 others unaccounted for after a massive blaze ripped through a warehouse party in Oakland late Friday, but officials are preparing for the death toll to rise.\nIn what is being described as one of the deadliest structure fires in the U.S. in recent history, the fire gutted the 1300 block of 31st Avenue at about 11:30 p.m., Oakland Fire Chief Teresa Deloach Reed said. Officials found no evidence of smoke alarms or sprinklers at the now-destroyed building, where the charred roof collapsed onto the second floor, which in places dropped onto the first floor.\nOn social media, people referred to the building as the “Oakland Ghost Ship,” an artist's conclave. City officials described as a “a labyrinth of artist studios.\"\nA Facebook event page indicates that the fire sparked during a Golden Donna show, which was promoted by Los Angeles-based dance label 100% Silk. Bob Mule, a survivor, said the space is also occupied by a 24-hour artist collective that he belongs to.\nBattalion Chief Lisa Baker said the building was \"subdivided into other occupancies\" and between 50 and 100 people were partying on the upper floor. Mark Hoffman, operations chief at the Oakland Fire Department, described the building as a \"labyrinth,\" dotted with wood workers, sculptors, painters and more.\nHowever, Darin Ranelletti, of the Oakland Planning Department, said the building was only permitted for use as a warehouse. City officials are investigating whether people were living in the warehouse illegally before Friday's lethal fire.\nCalifornia 2 hours ago\nThe party that young electronic music fans flocked to, Ranelletti said, \"would require a special permit from the city, and such a permit had not been issued.\"\nAt least nine people were killed and 25 others are unaccounted for after a three-alarm fire erupted at a warehouse party in Oakland late Friday, but officials “expect the death toll to rise.” Raj Mathai reports.\nReed confirmed there were \"nine known fatalities\" around 7 a.m. Saturday, and that at least 25 others were unaccounted for. Around 9 a.m., Alameda County sheriff's Sgt. JD Nelson said officials are preparing for about 40 deaths based on the number of confirmed fatalities and numerous reports of missing people.\nSix coroners' tents were set up outside the building Saturday, while friends and strangers alike left flowers on a fence near the destroyed building.\nLater in the day, Sheriff's spokesman Ray Kelly said nine bodies had been recovered and taken to the coroner's office, but declined to \"play the numbers game.\" Several dozen people initially reported as missing have been located and reunited with their families, but a few dozen more remain unaccounted for, he said.\nWhile some families' fears were put at ease, others remain in an \"unknown stage\" and are \"grieving,\" Kelly said.\nThe inferno reduced the building to a smoldering skeleton, and Kelly said that weakened walls have complicated and delayed the recovery and identification process. Fire crews were forced to withdraw from the unstable structure because it needs to be shored up.\nOfficials will need to use heavy equipment, including cranes, dump trucks, excavators and bulldozers, to create a safe path into the building. Crews have to work carefully, though, Kelly said, so bodies aren't scooped up with debris.\nIt may take \"considerable\" time before victims are identified, according to Kelly. Investigators will be at the scene through late Sunday, and possibly into early Monday.\nReed emphasized that just because someone is unaccounted for does not mean the person is dead. Officials are working to determine if attendees had taken themselves to the hospital or simply left the warehouse.\nDeadly Fire Rips Through Converted Warehouse in Oakland\n\"One of the issues,\" Reed said, was that the building had only \"one way up and down from the second floor and it’s my understanding that stairwell was kind of like a makeshift, that they put it together with pallets.\"\nWhen she tried to enter the building, Reed said she was \"just able to get in about 10 feet.\" Kelly added that it has proven \"tricky\" to maneuver in the building because of debris, downed beams, a collapsed roof and leaking water.\n\"This is not an easy task by any means,\" Kelly said.\nThe victims are primarily people in their 20s and 30s, but some hail from foreign countries, Kelly said.\n\"It appears that people either made it out or didn’t make it out,\" he said. \"There’s not a lot of other injuries that have been reported to us at this time.\"\nThe first fire crews on the scene \"found a building that had smoke and flames coming out of three sides,\" Baker said. They made an \"aggressive\" attack to put the fire out, but conditions changed, forcing them to \"retreat\" from the then-\"defensive\" blaze.\nIt took 11 fire engines, three fire trucks and 52 firefighters \"four hours to get the fire out,\" Baker said.\nCity officials react to the fatal fire in Oakland that killed at least nine people. Cheryl Hurd reports.\nReed said that 25 people were killed in the 1991 Oakland Hills fire, but \"as a single-structure fire, I don't think Oakland has had a fatality of this magnitude in a while.\"\n\"It's going to be a huge impact, not just on the firefighters but on the families, on this community and the city as a whole,\" she added.\nOakland Mayor Libby Schaaf said in a statement that the fire was an \"immense tragedy\" and thanked emergency responders.\n\"Our focus right now is on the victims and their families and ensuring that we have a full accounting for everyone who was impacted by this tragedy,\" she said.\nThe Oakland Athletics tweeted their support for those affected by the fire. \"We will work together to heal our community,\" the team wrote. The A's also sought donations and pledged to match contributions up to $30,000.\nEvent organizers have created a list on Facebook to try to figure out who is alive and accounted for. Families and friends took to Facebook and Twitter to express condolences for those who had died in the fire and search for those still missing. Vigils were also held Saturday evening.\nBut some, like Daniel Vega, who was anxiously awaiting news about his brother, Alexander, questioned those responsible.\n\"If there was any kind of things wrong with that building, like maybe it was an old, dilapidated building or something like that, why would somebody have a rave there?\" he asked. \"And if the rave was there, and it was an underground rave, why did the cops let it happen?\"\nOakland property records indicate that the warehouse is owned by the Chor N. Ng trust.\nA family member speaking on behalf of Ng said they were \"trying to figure out what happened just like everyone else\" and were \"sorry to hear of [the tragedy] and those injured and killed.\"\nMultiple complaints have been filed against the property's owner, records show. A Housing Habitability Complaint, involving an illegal interior building structure, was filed as recently as Nov. 14. City officials were in the process of investigating the complaint when the fire broke out.\nA complaint was also filed on Nov. 13 for garbage piling up on the property, some of which was hazardous, records show. There have also been reports of blight at the building.\nOn Nov. 17, investigator tried to inspect the building but could not even enter, Ranelletti said.\nAt least nine people were killed and 25 others are unaccounted for after a three-alarm fire erupted at a warehouse party in Oakland late Friday night, fire officials said.\nHowever, in its defense, the Ng family said they didn't regularly communicate with the tenants, who had been renting the property for a few years. They also disputed Reed's comments about the makeshift staircase and said it is a full stairway in the back of the building, which was constructed to code.\nA neighbor, who asked not to be identified, said the area is home to a mixture of Latinos and artists. When the warehouse first caught fire, many said, \"Oh, that must be the hippie house.\"\nIt is common knowledge, the neighbor said, that artists lived inside the warehouse and left all sorts of junk — including RVs and odds-and-ends —outside, drawing scavengers.\nAn arson task force is investigating the cause of the fire, but there’s no reason to suspect arson at this time, officials say. \"We will be at this crime scene for weeks to come,\" Kelly said.\nThe Alameda County Sheriff's Office and American Red Cross have set up a family assistance center at 2425 E. 12th St. Grief counselors will be on hand. People can call 510-382-3000 for help.\nNBC Bay Area's Liz Wagner contributed to this report.\nLIVE on #Periscope: Richard Kelly alameda sheriff sgt talking about Oakland warehouse fire https://t.co/jJNZaisjJN\n— Mark Matthews (@MarkMatthewsNBC) December 4, 2016\nhttps://twitter.com/bymichaelrosen/status/805145622298828800\nOaklandFacebookLos Angelessocial mediaTwitter\n5 Arrested After Robbery, Shooting at Campbell Camera Store","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line814681"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6885775327682495,"wiki_prob":0.3114224672317505,"text":"Power Generation Technician - GE 1.5 MW Wind Turbines - Kodiak, Alaska\nManager of Power Generation - Kodiak, Alaska\nOperations & Maintenance Technician\nArkansas Electric Cooperative Corporation\nMagnet Cove, Arkansas\nDispatch System Engineer\nChugach Electric Assoc.\nDispatch Analyst\nPost-Doctoral Fellow - AU Fish Ecology Group\nAuburn University at Auburn\nMaintenance Technician II - Plumber\nWestchester Campus,\nLocation: Kodiak, Alaska\nSalary: $80,000 - $110,000 per year\nAbout Kodiak Electric Association, Inc.\nKodiak Electric Association, Inc. (KEA) is a progressive and innovative standalone generation, transmission and distribution electric cooperative located on spectacular Kodiak Island in the Gulf of Alaska, 252 air miles southwest of Anchorage, serving approximately 6,000 meters. The cooperative is recognized as an industry leader in implementing sustainable, renewable energy solutions with environmental stewardship, and in 2021, our renewable portfolio of hydro and wind generated 99.4% of our power. KEA operates and maintains one hydroelectric plant, one wind farm, a Battery energy storage system (BESS), a Flywheel energy storage system (FESS), two diesel generator power plants, one combined cycle plant, six substations and 388 miles of distribution lines. Our Vision Statement: Endeavor to maintain 98% of energy sales with cost effective renewable power solutions for the future of our members and the community.\nThis exempt position is responsible for applying sound engineering and land surveying principles to solve design, development, and system improvement problems of the electric distribution system. High School education or equivalent required. Must have a basic understanding of electrical theory, or a strong background with computer skills and GIS/CAD drawings. Must be able to complete staking certification program or equivalent.\nThe starting salary within the range of $80,000 - $110,000 per year is based on experience and qualifications and benefits include an excellent comprehensive NRECA benefit package including medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, a matching 401(k) plan, and a defined pension plan fully funded by the cooperative. A signing bonus/relocation assistance will be offered.\nKodiak Island has breathtaking pristine scenic beauty, is a sportsman's paradise, and offers numerous fishing, hunting and recreational activities. This is the land of wild Sockeye Salmon, Silver Salmon, King Salmon, and the mighty Kodiak Brown Bear. Approximately two-thirds of the island is National Wildlife Refuge. The Port of Kodiak is consistently ranked as one of the top four fishing ports in the United States. Alaska’s Emerald Island has a mild, ever-changing maritime climate.\nVisit www.kodiakelectric.com for a complete job description and application. Contact Nancy B. Sweeney, Human Resources, at nbsweeney@kodiak.coop or call 907.486.7709, for more information and to submit your completed application and resume. This position is open until filled. KEA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.\nKodiak Electric Association, Inc. (KEA) is recognized as an industry leader in implementing sustainable, renewable energy solutions with environmental stewardship, and 99.4% of our 2021 generation portfolio came from renewable hydro and wind resources. KEA owns, operates, and maintains a hydroelectric facility, a cutting edge wind farm with a battery energy storage system integrating hydro and wind resources as an integrated renewable generation system, two diesel generator power plants, one combined cycle plant, six substations, and 388 miles of lines serving approximately 6,000 meters. Kodiak Island has breathtaking pristine scenic beauty and a mild, ever-changing maritime climate, is a sportsman's paradise, and offers numerous fishing, hunting, and recreational activities. As of December 21, 2022, KEA had 35 employees working in three divisions of the Cooperative, all under the direction of the President/CEO. The President/CEO, in turn, is responsible to a nine person Board of Directors. Cooperative members elect directors to staggered three-year terms. An appointed U.S.C.G. Liaison also serves on the Board to promote open communications between the KEA Board of Direc...tors and the U.S.C.G. The KEA Board of Directors and staff work together with the membership to make Kodiak a better community in which to live. Our Vision Statement is: Endeavor to maintain 98% of energy sales with cost effective renewable power solutions for the future of our members and the community. Our Mission Statement is: Kodiak Electric Association, Inc. is committed to providing safe, reliable energy and a high level of service excellence to enhance the quality of life of its members and of the community.\nConnections working at Kodiak Electric Association, Inc.\nhttps://careers.hydro.org/jobs/17950984/staking-technician-kodiak-alaska","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line434740"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7261011600494385,"wiki_prob":0.2738988399505615,"text":"Evil Angel Photos\nThe Evil Angel studio is known for producing the highest quality docu-porn and feature films. Its films are extremely well produced and often include top porn actors. The films also include excellent sex scenes of the highest quality, and are directed by top directors such as John Stagliano and Evil Chris. European model Misha Cross also makes her directing debut on this label.\nThe studio is one of the most successful and profitable porn production companies around the globe. The year 2007 saw Evil Angel was named the most profitable production studio for porn according to US News and World Report. The studio received over 100 nominations in the prestigious Adult Video News awards for the fourth year in a row.\nIf you’re interested in viewing hardcore porn videos, then you’ll be interested in checking out Evil Angel porn review site. Evil Angel porn reviews site. It’s packed with high-quality videos as well as interesting scenes. The site also showcases the most popular porn director around. You’ll get to view some of the most arousing scenes and anal sex online.\nWhile it may seem like a simple site with few video clips, Evil Angel is actually a professional porn site. The site offers a wide collection of hot HD videos, an extensive collection of updates, and a daily update.\nIf you’re in search of an internet site that is dedicated to pornstars, then you’ll want to visit Pornstars Evil Angel. The website is available in two different versions, both monthly and annually. If you sign up for a yearly account, you’ll also be charged at the same rate each year. If you’d like to test the service first, you can enroll for a 2 day trial for free. Trial members can stream unlimited content the duration of the account on a regular basis, however they cannot download videos.\nOf the many pornstars who comprise Evil Angel is Zoey Monroe. The actress, who stands 5’2, is blonde with piercing blue eyes. Her body is stunning and her sexy scenes have earned her awards as well as nominations. She made her sex scene first in the year 2012, and has been on the rise since then. In 2014 she was nominated for “Best Young Starlet” at the AVN and XRCO Awards. In 2015, she was nominated for “Female Artist of the Year.”\nIf you join Evil Angel Porn, you can enjoy up to 82 percent off their exclusive products and movies. Also, you’ll have access to their sales catalog. Moreover, this site offers many bonuses that can be of great help to you. One of the great things about this website is the fact that it features male and female pornstars. It’s not your typical porn site.\nThis site has a yearly and monthly membership plan. A yearly membership will cost around $100 per year, however it rebills automatically for the following year. Additionally, this site provides a trial period of two days, where you can watch unlimited films for the price of $1.00. During the trial, you will also have an unlimited stream, but there is no download option.\nIf you are looking for pornographic content, you can’t go wrong with Evil Angel. With more than 8,000 episodes that are available, it will be a site that will delight any fan of adult entertainment. It is possible to watch the videos for free and don’t need to spend a fortune to watch these videos. Its newest content is automatically displayed on the main page, so you don’t have to waste precious time scrolling through the old stuff.\nYou can sign up to Evil Angel with a discount If you’re in search of an online porn website that’s reliable. The site is well-known for its wide variety of content, which you’ll discover on a variety of platforms. It also provides advanced access to world premieres and 24 hour customer support. You can even try a two-day trial for just $1.00! The trial period does not include downloads, you’ll be able to enjoy a variety of porn videos.\nCraving Anal 02 Evil Angel\nPop Evil War Of Angels Songs","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line236369"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7148001790046692,"wiki_prob":0.2851998209953308,"text":"AI, Featured\nIs Alexa an Example of Artificial Intelligence?\nMarch 19, 2021 • Shannon Flynn\nFor something so popular and influential, artificial intelligence seems to be rather tricky to define. Ask ten different people what AI is, and you’ll get ten unique answers. Some people say that Amazon’s Alexa is an example of artificial intelligence, but is it?\nA lot of people give Alexa as an example of AI in everyday life. At the same time, you might’ve heard some people argue that Alexa isn’t really AI. So which one is it? Is Alexa AI or not?\nGenerally speaking, yes, Alexa is an example of AI. It’s not an instance of “strong” or “true” AI, though. Let’s take a closer look.\nDifferent Levels of Artificial Intelligence\nTo understand the discrepancy here, you need to know that there are multiple levels of AI. You can categorize AI in various ways, but most people divide it into two categories: strong AI and weak AI. Alexa and other voice assistants are examples of the latter.\nStrong AI, sometimes called true AI, is like what you see in the movies. It describes machines that possess intelligence and consciousness like a human and isn’t a reality yet. People argue over how you can tell if AI is strong, but everyone agrees that we won’t have strong AI for a while.\nWeak or narrow AI is what you see today in things like Alexa, Apple’s Siri or Google Assistant. Weak AI isn’t actually intelligent but gives the appearance of human intelligence. These machines can learn and fake consciousness, but they don’t think for themselves.\nHow Alexa Uses Artificial Intelligence\nIt’s easy to see why Alexa isn’t strong AI, but where does AI come in at all? The first and most basic place you can see AI in Alexa is in how it talks. Alexa uses a process called natural language processing to understand and replicate human speech.\nAlexa also uses machine learning — a process in artificial intelligence where machines are allowed to use data to learn and make decisions, rather than humans having to program every single response — to learn about your habits and preferences. If it notices a pattern in the things you ask or when you ask them, it’ll adapt to it. The more you use it, the more it understands what you want, so it gets better at answering you.\nSimilarly, Alexa is always improving. When it makes a mistake, or is unsure what to do, or sees that you reacted unfavorably to its response, Alexa will try to learn from the encounter and adapt for the next time a similar situation occurs.\nIf you use Alexa to turn your lights on and off, it learns when you tend to do so. If you forget to shut off the lights one night, Alexa may ask you about it. That’s just one example of Alexa using AI to be a better assistant.\nAlexa’s Advancing AI\nAs with any AI, Alexa’s becoming more advanced all the time. Take its natural language processing, for instance. It used to break down words into parts, but now it uses deep neural networks to process entire sentences at once.\nThis approach to language can help it sounds more natural when it talks to you. It can also lead to better understanding when you say something. As Alexa uses these features more, it will find what works and what doesn’t, improving it further.\nAlexa is even learning to pick up on sounds like breaking glass when you’re not home. That way, it can alert you that something could be wrong. With more advancement, Alexa’s AI could become a helpful safety feature.\nAI Is All Around Us\nYou may not see strong AI for a long time, but AI itself isn’t some futuristic concept. You can find examples of artificial intelligence everywhere, even in your home; if you don’t have Alexa, you probably have Siri, Microsoft’s Cortana or any number of voice assistants. Alexa’s not the most advanced AI in the world, but it is a remarkably common one, and it will continue to learn and improve.\nPrevious Post 4 Tips To Get the Best Experiences When Using Apps To Make Money\nNext Post What Is an App? Everything You Need to Know\nUnderstanding 3 Major Artificial Intelligence Ethical Issues\nThe Top Trends in Artificial Intelligence in 2023\nAI, Data\nWhat is AI: The Somnium Files?\nWhy Is Artificial Intelligence Good? 5 Ways It Helps People\nNovember 14, 2022 • Shannon Flynn","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1767372"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9667291641235352,"wiki_prob":0.9667291641235352,"text":"Chicago United States Illinois state government Illinois State General Assembly Donald Trump General news School curricula Education Social affairs Legislature Government and politics Legislation Race and ethnicity Social issues State legislature State governments Primary and secondary education Immigration Bills Human rights and civil liberties Higher education Racial and ethnic discrimination Discrimination Coronavirus Infectious diseases Diseases and conditions Health Lung disease Hate crimes Crime Social science education COVID-19 pandemic\nIllinois tackles anti-Asian hate with the TEAACH Act\nBy RITA OCEGUERA of Injustice Watch - May. 29, 2021 01:01 AM EDT\nCHICAGO (AP) — Illinois is poised to become the first state to require that public schools teach their students the history of Asian Americans, who have endured an increase in anti-Asian hate crimes amid the Covid-19 pandemic.\nThe Illinois Senate passed the Teaching Equitable Asian American Community History Act, known as the TEAACH Act, by a unanimous vote of 57-0 on Tuesday. The legislation, introduced in January by Illinois State Rep. Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz, D-Glenview, passed the state House in April. The House has to approve a Senate amendment before it will head to Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s desk for his signature.\nThe bill would require every elementary and high school in the state to devote a unit of curriculum to the history of Asian Americans in the United States, including in Illinois and the Midwest. School districts would have until the start of the 2022-2023 school year to comply.\nThe nonprofit news outlet Injustice Watch provided this article to The Associated Press through a collaboration with Institute for Nonprofit News.\nThe TEAACH Act requires schools to include in U.S. history courses the role that Asian Americans have played in advancing civil rights and highlight their contributions to the country’s development.\nState Sen. Ram Villivalam, D-Chicago, who sponsored the bill in the Senate, said education is one part of a “multipronged” strategy to tackle the rise in discrimination against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. Addressing the issue will also require better hate crime reporting, more representation in government, and training people to be better bystanders who intervene when they witness anti-Asian harassment, he said.\nIllinois Sen. Ram Villivalam — the first Asian American in the Illinois Senate — said laws like the TEAACH Act can help deter anti-Asian hate crimes and dispel the model minority myth that all Asian Americans are successful.\n“We are also minorities,” said Villivalam, who is Indian American. “We need to make sure that our issues are also being taken in that same lens (as other minorities) and we stand together in solidarity.”\nThe TEAACH Act’s backers expressed hope that the legislation could help combat stereotypes and ignorance about Asian Americans that they said dehumanize and marginalize the group and create an environment in which acts of hate and violence against Asian Americans are accepted.\nThe bill gained momentum in the aftermath of a series of mass shootings, first at several Atlanta-area spas in March that killed eight people, including six Asian women, then at a FedEx facility in Indianapolis in April that killed four members of the Sikh community.\n“Unfortunately, this really stark rise in anti-Asian violence has played a role in people’s willingness to take action,” said Grace Pai, director of organizing at Asian Americans Advancing Justice ' Chicago, which helped draft the legislative language, worked closely with the bill’s sponsors, and coordinated outreach efforts.\nIf the TEAACH Act is signed into law, the superintendent of the Illinois State Board of Education could prepare free teaching materials for local school boards to use in developing curricula about Asian American history. But the bill leaves most of the details up to individual districts and schools.\nOne of the bill’s sponsors is Illinois State Rep. Theresa Mah, D-Chicago, who became the first Asian American elected to the Illinois General Assembly in 2016. Mah was also one of the first Asian American studies professors at Northwestern University, after students went on a hunger strike to demand the creation of an Asian American Studies Program in the 1990s.\nMah said she hopes teaching Asian American history in schools will help dispel the stereotype of Asian Americans as perpetual foreigners. During debate about the bill, she shared a story about sitting outside the Faneuil Hall Marketplace in Boston, when a group of middle-school-aged kids passed by and one of them asked, “Who are the Ching Chongs?” while the others laughed.\n“Asian Americans tend to experience this othering,” she said. “People see us as not belonging to the country, not ‘real’ Americans.”\n‘Forever foreigners’ or a ‘model minority’\nSohyun An, a professor of social studies education at the Kennesaw State University whose work is grounded in critical race theory, said the way that schools teach Asian American history has real-world implications.\nIn 2016, An examined how Asian American history is taught in 10 states and found that history lessons about Asian Americans tend to focus almost exclusively on early Chinese immigrants and Japanese internment camps during World War II. These lessons reinforce stereotypes about Asian Americans as “forever foreigners” and teach students that Asian Americans are “an economic and military threat to the United States,” An said.\nThese racist stereotypes of Asian Americans fueled the rise in anti-Asian violence during the pandemic, she said.\n“What’s being written in class, what’s being included or not included — or when they’re included, how they’re being represented — it’s not just a scholarly or academic debate,” An said. “It’s a life-and-death issue.”\nAlbert Chan, a history teacher in Skokie, a Chicago suburb, said a close read of American history shows that events such as the Atlanta-area shootings or the anti-Asian hate stoked by former President Donald Trump are nothing new. Since the 1800s, Asian Americans have been depicted as dirty and carrying diseases, and Asian women as sex workers, Chan said. Such characterizations have been used to stoke resentment against Asians living in America that has erupted into violence before.\n“It’s a resurgence of those old stereotypes,” he said, “that now explode into these acts of violence against Asian people.”\nAn said what’s often missing in school curricula are lessons highlighting the history of Asian Americans fighting for civil rights, including the 1965 Filipino farmworker unionization, the 1885 California Supreme Court decision in Tape v. Hurley that desegregated schools for Chinese Americans, and the Yellow Power Movement of the 1970s. Instead, Asian Americans are depicted as a “successful, hardworking, law-abiding, compliant minority,” which serves to erase their long history of resisting oppression, An wrote in an article in the journal Theory & Research in Social Education.\nEducation scholars call the lack of representation and accuracy in curricula “curriculum violence.” An said the phrase refers to the ways that lack of representation in school “kills the spirit and humanity of nonwhite youth” and sends a message to white students that others are racially inferior and unworthy of this country.\n“The dominant white group (is) using the model minority myth to control minority groups who are suffering under a white supremacist system,” An said. “They are pitting minority groups against minority groups, so they are fighting each other when they should be united to fight against this whole system.”\nSkokie teacher offers a model for Asian-American history\nThough the TEAACH Act doesn’t dictate exactly how Asian American history must be taught in Illinois schools, Chan’s class at Niles North High School could be a model.\nStarting from the first Filipinos who set foot in America in 1587, Chan covers the mass migration of immigrants from various Asian countries, looks at laws that discriminated against them, and ends with Asian American activist movements. In his lessons, he unravels how Asian Americans have struggled to assimilate and survive in America, covering identity, stereotypes, and critical race theory.\nChan first proposed an Asian American studies course in the north suburban school district in 2005, but it took until 2017 for Chan and a fellow teacher to generate interest and convince school administrators to approve a pilot class.\nSince then, the class has become a staple, with 40 students at Niles North taking the course this school year. Since 2019, Chan has also taught the course at Niles West High School.\n“If you don’t have access to people, knowledge, culture, all of the things that make you ‘foreign’ become normalized,” Chan said. “The same is true when (students) see a lack of representation and invisibility of themselves and their people in the curriculum; they internalize that.”\nBetty Huynh, a 17-year-old student at Niles North, said taking Chan’s Asian American studies course helped her contextualize and validate her lived experience of feeling like an outsider while simultaneously feeling the need to assimilate and stay within a box of Asian stereotypes that society imposed on her.\nBetty Huynh, a 17-year-old Niles North High School student helped organize to pass the TEAACH Act. Huynh said taking an Asian American Studies class helped validate and contextualize her lived experience as an Asian American.\nOne time in summer school, she remembers other students asking why she was taking extra math classes — because “Asians are supposed to be good at math.”\nIn high school, she has felt an immense pressure to be a good student. There were moments in which students hovered over her shoulder because they thought she had the right answers to an assignment and yanked the paper from her hands, Huynh said.\nShe ignored these microaggressions growing up because her parents would say, “Don’t talk about it, don’t tell anyone about it because we’re in America. And it’s not really our country. And so we have to obey by their rules because we’ve been given this opportunity,” she said.\n“When I started taking Asian American studies, I finally realized that I’ve ignored a lot of things growing up,” Huynh said.\nHunyh and other students who took Chan’s class organized with the HANA Center, a community organization focused on empowering Korean American and multiethnic immigrant communities, and lobbied to help get the TEAACH Act passed. They spoke to different student groups about the bill, collected witness slips, and successfully encouraged some of their state representatives to sign on as co-sponsors of the bill.\nZaina Anarwala, a senior at Niles North, said she thinks the bill will reduce anti-Asian bias by teaching students about different groups of Asian Amerians and “humaniz(ing) them.”\n“I think it’s really easy to direct your hate towards a group of people that you don’t know about,” Anarwala said.\nHuynh said she advocated for the TEAACH Act because she wants to educate others about how Asian Americans have been placed on a pedestal as exemplary minorities, when the reality is that they don’t fit into that stereotyped image. Since organizing, she said, she is no longer afraid to voice her opinion.\n“I never understood why I always felt different or like I didn’t belong,” Huynh said. “Now I know how to be in control of my life and understand what it means to be Asian American.”\nThis article was produced in partnership with Report for America.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line226860"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7480807304382324,"wiki_prob":0.7480807304382324,"text":"1991:073 - White Abbey Rd., Crosskeys, Kildare., Kildare\nCounty: Kildare Site name: White Abbey Rd., Crosskeys, Kildare.\nAuthor: Finola O'Carroll, Grand Canal Dock, South Dock Road, Ringsend, Dublin 4.\nSite type: Urban potential\nThe site lies immediately to the north of the ‘Harp Bar’, which is on the west side of White Abbey Road, Kildare town. This area is inside the zone of archaeological potential as designated by the Urban Archaeological Survey, (Bradley, Halpin and King, 1986).\nWork was carried out over a period of two days, 9th-11th March 1991. In all, a total of five trenches was opened. Trench A ran the width of the east end of the site and was set 1m from the wall at the road. Trenches B and C were each 27m long and ran east-west. Trench D was 12m long also running east-west and Trench E was 12.50m long and ran north-south.\nThe subsoil was a pale yellow clay, dry with some gravel inclusions. The topsoil was dark and humic and averaged 20cm in depth over most of the area examined, however it deepened at the western end of the site.\nFour features were uncovered by trenching.\nTwo were of modern date, a soak hole containing modern glass associated with two sherds of wheel-thrown glazed ware, (resembling Dublin glazed ware) in Trench B, and a depression at least 2.50m wide connected with the burning of lime, most likely associated with the building of the outhouses nearby in Trench E. A third pit which produced no finds but some animal bone was uncovered in Trench D.\nThe fourth was a ditch which occurred at the junction of trenches D and E. It was 1.20m deep and 1.45m in width, running in an east-west direction and was not noted in any of the other trenches. The fill was of sandy loam with some of the yellow clay through it, especially noticeable in a band near the top, and there were stones clustered at its centre, 0.4m above the base, which seemed to be acting as a drain. The fill beneath these stones was clearly affected by water. It may have been an existing ditch reused as a field drain but there was no evidence to indicate re-cutting. The stones which were seen may simply have been part of the fill. The fill was quite uniform. A small quantity of animal bone was recovered from near the base. No other finds occurred.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line633736"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8825335502624512,"wiki_prob":0.8825335502624512,"text":"Loan Repayment for Providers Serving the Poor Becomes Political Football\nPractitioners serving low-income and rural patients in North Carolina have had their federal student loans repayment grants placed in jeopardy by wrangling in Congress.\nby Rose Hoban January 5, 2018 January 23, 2019\nThe team at Rosewood Dental Services. Frank Diaz is on the far left, wearing green antlers. Photo courtesy: Frank Diaz\nFrank Diaz really likes his job.\nHe’s has been working as a dentist at Rosewood Dental Services, which is part of the Goshen Medical Center in Goldsboro for coming on two years.\nThe clinic serves a primarily rural population of low-income patients, many of whom live below the poverty line.\nDiaz, 30, started there after finishing school at UNC Chapel Hill’s School of Dentistry in 2015. He was first exposed to the Rosewood clinic one summer during school.\n“It really opened my eyes to really helping people out with their needs,” he said.\nThe patients in the chair reminded Diaz of himself when he was younger, one of a family of Mexican immigrants.\n“We were very poor. We didn’t have Medicaid or anything like that,” he remembered. “So I went through a lot of dental problems when I was a little boy.”\nWorking in the clinic that summer sealed Diaz’ decision to work in that setting. “I felt like I could make a bigger impact… rather than just working in a private dental office or a chain clinic.”\nWhat made it possible for him to take Goshen Medical Center’s lower salary was his acceptance into the National Health Service Corps, a 46-year-old federally funded program which will help pay Diaz’ $140,000 student loan debt. In four years of service in the clinic, the program will pay off $100,000.\n“I didn’t hesitate,” he said. “If I didn’t have it, it’d be very difficult.”\nBut the NHSC has been in jeopardy this fall because Congress has not reauthorized funding for the program.\nTemporary fixes\nIn late December, both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate voted on a “continuing resolution,” which is the technical term for a temporary extension of last year’s federal budget.\nThe CR, as it’s known on Capitol Hill, will fund the National Health Service Corps through March.\nBut the damage may already have been done.\nCurrently in North Carolina, there are 237 people receiving loan repayment from the NHSC. More than 100 of those people work in community health centers across the state. Some of those folks did not get their checks in November.\nPamela Tripp calls herself the “Chief Encouragement Officer” at CommWell Health. Photo courtesy: CommWell Health\n“It’s already a bit of a challenge to get providers, dentists, people who care for AIDS patients in our clinics,” said Pam Tripp, CEO of CommWell, a network of federally funded community health centers scattered across five southeastern North Carolina counties.\nTripp said she had seven or eight providers who were getting loan repayment from the NHSC and that two of them had not received their loan checks in November.\n“They’ll have to go somewhere else where they can make the most bang for the buck, no matter if their heart is in working in rural health or not,” she said.\n“I cannot hire a dentist full time without loan repayment,” said Katrina Mattison-Chalwe, the dental services director for Piedmont Health, which has 13 dentists scattered among its clinics in Orange, Chatham, Alamance and Caswell counties. Three of Mattison-Chalwe’s young dental hires were denied loan repayment this year, one after working full time for a year, based on the belief he’d receive help paying off his large debt.\n“The benefits at a community health center are really good but the pay is not that great,” she said. “We offset that by saying you’re a new student out of school, you don’t have any experience, you can learn here with us and we’ll employ you and in addition you can get your loans paid back.”\nThis is the first time since 2011 that Mattison-Chalwe has not been able to guarantee the loan repayment for one of her employees.\nAccording to Elaine Ellis from the North Carolina Medical Society, her organization has provided some stop-gap money. The society already has a different loan repayment program that supports about 40 nurse practitioners, physician assistants and physicians around the state. On top of that commitment, she said they were able to find funds help four or five people who are part of the NHSC and who did not get federal loan repayment checks in November.\n“We don’t have unlimited funding,” she said. “This is in addition to the people already part of our program, this is something extra.”\nCraig Kennedy, who runs the Washington, DC-based Association of Clinicians for the Underserved, has been calling Congress and talking to people on Capitol Hill about reauthorizing funds for the NHSC. While he was relieved by the CR that moved late last month to provide a temporary fix, he said clinic leaders can’t make workforce decisions based on month-to-month funding.\n“[We’re] not happy that Congress can’t find a way to fund effective and bipartisan programs,” he texted to NC Health News. “We have been told all year by both sides not to worry, ‘We will fund you.’ Well, we are worried.”\n[sponsor]\nIn the fall, House Republicans introduced the Championing Healthy Kids Act, which would have reauthorized funding for both the NHSC and the nation’s community health centers. But the bill paid for the programs by slashing the Prevention and Public Health Fund, which was created by the Affordable Care Act. It also would reduce the time that people have to pay for their Affordable Care Act insurance premiums from 90 days to 30 days, creating a short-term windfall for federal coffers.\n“That was the reason Democrats didn’t go for the Champions bill, the pay-fors were unreasonable,” said Ben Money, who heads the North Carolina Community Health Center Association. He expressed aggravation at the stalemate.\n“Congress is letting the community health center program degrade unnecessarily by their delaying,” he said. “It’s squandering investments that’ve been made by both the Bush and Obama administrations.”\nResearch shows that the longer a rural practice can retain a provider, the better the chances that person will stick around for life, said Kennedy.\nHe worried that the uncertainty may have longer term ramifications for the rural and community health center workforce. He’s heard that people who had missed payments in November are particularly frustrated.\n“Right now who wants to extend for another year?” he asked. “Say you were in western North Carolina and you’ve been there for two years and you want to extend your NHSC obligation for one more year. But the federal government is going to say we don’t have the money?”\nHe also worried that the political drama would deter students finishing up their training from applying for the program.\n“People are really making lifetime decisions about where they want to serve,” he said. “But then they’ll say they don’t have confidence this is going to get resolved, and ‘I have to pay my loan, my loan payments are due every month.’\n“Your medical school debt doesn’t go away while you wait for Congress to act.”\n<h1>Loan Repayment for Providers Serving the Poor Becomes Political Football</h1> <p class=\"byline\">by Rose Hoban, North Carolina Health News <br />January 5, 2018</p> <h4><b>By Rose Hoban</b></h4> <p>Frank Diaz really likes his job.</p> <p>He’s has been working as a dentist at Rosewood Dental Services, which is part of the Goshen Medical Center in Goldsboro for coming on two years.</p> <p>The clinic serves a primarily rural population of low-income patients, many of whom live below the poverty line.</p> <p>Diaz, 30, started there after finishing school at UNC Chapel Hill’s School of Dentistry in 2015. He was first exposed to the Rosewood clinic one summer during school.</p> <p>“It really opened my eyes to really helping people out with their needs,” he said.</p> <p>The patients in the chair reminded Diaz of himself when he was younger, one of a family of Mexican immigrants.</p> <p>“We were very poor. We didn't have Medicaid or anything like that,” he remembered. “So I went through a lot of dental problems when I was a little boy.”</p> <p>Working in the clinic that summer sealed Diaz’ decision to work in that setting. “I felt like I could make a bigger impact… rather than just working in a private dental office or a chain clinic.”</p> <p>What made it possible for him to take Goshen Medical Center’s lower salary was his acceptance into the National Health Service Corps, a 46-year-old federally funded program which will help pay Diaz’ $140,000 student loan debt. In four years of service in the clinic, the program will pay off $100,000.</p> <p>“I didn't hesitate,” he said. “If I didn't have it, it'd be very difficult.”</p> <p>But the NHSC has been in jeopardy this fall because Congress has not reauthorized funding for the program.</p> <h4><b>Temporary fixes</b></h4> <p>In late December, both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate voted on a “continuing resolution,” which is the technical term for a temporary extension of last year’s federal budget.</p> <p>The CR, as it’s known on Capitol Hill, will fund the National Health Service Corps through March.</p> <p>But the damage may already have been done.</p> <p>Currently in North Carolina, there are 237 people receiving loan repayment from the NHSC. More than 100 of those people work in community health centers across the state. Some of those folks did not get their checks in November.</p> <p>“It’s already a bit of a challenge to get providers, dentists, people who care for AIDS patients in our clinics,” said Pam Tripp, CEO of CommWell, a network of federally funded community health centers scattered across five southeastern North Carolina counties.</p> <p>Tripp said she had seven or eight providers who were getting loan repayment from the NHSC and that two of them had not received their loan checks in November.</p> <p>“They’ll have to go somewhere else where they can make the most bang for the buck, no matter if their heart is in working in rural health or not,” she said.</p> <p>“I cannot hire a dentist full time without loan repayment,” said Katrina Mattison-Chalwe, the dental services director for Piedmont Health, which has 13 dentists scattered among its clinics in Orange, Chatham, Alamance and Caswell counties. Three of Mattison-Chalwe’s young dental hires were denied loan repayment this year, one after working full time for a year, based on the belief he’d receive help paying off his large debt.</p> <p>“The benefits at a community health center are really good but the pay is not that great,” she said. “We offset that by saying you’re a new student out of school, you don’t have any experience, you can learn here with us and we’ll employ you and in addition you can get your loans paid back.”</p> <p>This is the first time since 2011 that Mattison-Chalwe has not been able to guarantee the loan repayment for one of her employees.</p> <p>According to Elaine Ellis from the North Carolina Medical Society, her organization has provided some stop-gap money. The society already has a different loan repayment program that supports about 40 nurse practitioners, physician assistants and physicians around the state. On top of that commitment, she said they were able to find funds help four or five people who are part of the NHSC and who did not get federal loan repayment checks in November.</p> <p>“We don’t have unlimited funding,” she said. “This is in addition to the people already part of our program, this is something extra.”</p> <h4><b>Stalemate</b></h4> <p>Craig Kennedy, who runs the Washington, DC-based Association of Clinicians for the Underserved, has been calling Congress and talking to people on Capitol Hill about reauthorizing funds for the NHSC. While he was relieved by the CR that moved late last month to provide a temporary fix, he said clinic leaders can’t make workforce decisions based on month-to-month funding.</p> <p>“[We’re] not happy that Congress can’t find a way to fund effective and bipartisan programs,” he texted to NC Health News. “We have been told all year by both sides not to worry, ‘We will fund you.’ Well, we are worried.”</p> <p>[sponsor]</p> <p>In the fall, House Republicans introduced the <a href=\"https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/3922?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%22HR+3922%22%5D%7D&amp;r=1\">Championing Healthy Kids Act,</a> which would have reauthorized funding for both the NHSC and the nation’s community health centers. But the bill paid for the programs by slashing the Prevention and Public Health Fund, which was created by the Affordable Care Act. It also would reduce the time that people have to pay for their Affordable Care Act insurance premiums from 90 days to 30 days, creating a short-term windfall for federal coffers.</p> <p>“That was the reason Democrats didn’t go for the Champions bill, the pay-fors were unreasonable,” said Ben Money, who heads the <a href=\"http://www.ncchca.org/\">North Carolina Community Health Center Association</a>. He expressed aggravation at the stalemate.</p> <p>“Congress is letting the community health center program degrade unnecessarily by their delaying,” he said. “It’s squandering investments that’ve been made by both the Bush and Obama administrations.”</p> <h4><b>Retention</b></h4> <p>Research shows that the longer a rural practice can retain a provider, the better the chances that person will stick around for life, said Kennedy.</p> <p>He worried that the uncertainty may have longer term ramifications for the rural and community health center workforce. He's heard that people who had missed payments in November are particularly frustrated.</p> <p>“Right now who wants to extend for another year?” he asked. “Say you were in western North Carolina and you've been there for two years and you want to extend your NHSC obligation for one more year. But the federal government is going to say we don't have the money?”</p> <p>He also worried that the political drama would deter students finishing up their training from applying for the program.</p> <p>“People are really making lifetime decisions about where they want to serve,” he said. “But then they'll say they don't have confidence this is going to get resolved, and ‘I have to pay my loan, my loan payments are due every month.’</p> <p>“Your medical school debt doesn't go away while you wait for Congress to act.”</p>\nThis <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https://www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/2018/01/05/loan-repayment-for-providers-serving-the-poor-becomes-political-football/\">article</a> first appeared on <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https://www.northcarolinahealthnews.org\">North Carolina Health News</a> and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.<img src=\"https://i0.wp.com/www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/cropped-favicon02.jpg?fit=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1\" style=\"width:1em;height:1em;margin-left:10px;\"><img id=\"republication-tracker-tool-source\" src=\"https://www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/?republication-pixel=true&post=21774&ga=UA-28368570-1\" style=\"width:1px;height:1px;\">\nTagged: Affordable Care Act, Alamance County, Association of Clinicians for the Underserved, Caswell County, Chatham County, community health centers, CommWell Health, dental clinic, ECU Dental School, Federally Qualified Health Center, Goshen Medical Center, Medicaid, National Health Service Corps, NC Community Health Center Association, NC Medical Society, Orange County, Prevention and Public Health Fund, UNC School of Dentistry, US Congress\nPrevious GenX Bills Expected During January Session\nNext GenX Bill Orders Studies, Provides No Money","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1010473"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9037392139434814,"wiki_prob":0.9037392139434814,"text":"Call Us: +91-965-0035345\nEmail: drvaishalisharma1@gmail.com\nFertility Centre in Delhi\nBest IVF Centre in Delhi\nIUI Treatment in Delhi\nICSI Treatment in Delhi\nIMSI Treatment in Delhi\nUterine Malformation Treatment in Delhi\nWomb and Fallopian Tube Blockage Treatment in Delhi\nEgg Donor Programmes in India\nFrozen Embryo Transfer Procedure in Delhi\nFertility Preservation in India\nOvulation Induction Treatment in Delhi\nLaparoscopic Treatment for Infertility in Delhi\nBest Ovarian Cyst Treatment in Delhi\nBest Fibroid Treatment In Delhi\nIVF Cost in Delhi\nIVF Cost in India\nIUI Cost in Delhi\nDr Vaishali Sharma / Vocabulary / Facts about India\nAbout India:\nIndia is the largest country in the South Asia Region, which is filled with many adventures, fun, crazy, history, the beauty of nature and interesting facts. India has rich and multi-layered cultures are dominated by religious and spiritual themes. And India is home to thousands of languages. India prides itself on being the largest democracy on Earth.\nFacts on Geography of India:\nIndia is situated in the continent of South Asia.\nBy area, India is the seventh-largest country in the world.\nIndia is about 13 times bigger than the United Kingdom.\nIndia has a long coastline. The west coast borders with the Arabian Sea and the east coast borders with the Bay of Bengal.\nIndia (Bharat) is official short names for the Republic of India.\nIt stands the second-most populous country and the most populous democracy in the world.\nThe Indus is the longest river in India.\nThe very term India is an adaptation of the word Indus.\nThere are nine postal zones in India, including eight regional zones and one functional zone.\nIndia lies to the north direction of the equator between 6° 44′ and 35° 30′ north latitude and lies 68° 7′ and 97° 25′ to the east longitude.\nIndia is formed by 46 metropolitan cities, and 8 of them are considered as Mega-Cities including Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Kolkata & Surat.\nIndia international telephone Number code is +91.\nThe National Capital Region (NCR) is a central planning region which is the world’s largest agglomeration in India.\nThere are 29 states and seven Union territories in India.\nAccording to research, Indian Railways is the biggest employer in the world.\nKaramchand Uttamchand Gandhi also known as Mahatma Gandhi, is the father of the nation in India.\nIndia is bordered by Nepal, China to the northeast and Bhutan to the northwest and Burma to the east.\nIndia pride to offers world-class medical treatments at low costs as compared to other developed countries.\nIndia is also a trending country for affordable IVF Treatments with high success rate.\nExciting Historical Facts:\nHere are some exciting ancient India facts :\nThe period of time when India was ruled by Britain is called the British Raj, also called as the Crown rule in India.\nIndia remained a Dominion of the Crown until 26 January 1950.\nIndia’s constitution has completed in 1950, and the Dominion of India became the Republic of India.\nThe independence leaders of the Indian independence movement are Mahatma Gandhi, Subhash Chandra Bose, Bhagat Singh, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Bhagat Singh, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Rani Lakshmibai, Chandrashekhar Azad, Tipu Sultan, Lal Bahadur Shastri, Vallabhbhai Patel and many more.\nThe most commonly used system of numerals invented by India and Zero was invented by Aryabhatta.\nThe University of Nalanda is an international and research-intensive university located in India\nMajor Achievements of the Education Sector in India in the ancient time, i.e. The University of Nalanda built in the 4th century BC and Takshila University in 700BC which is the first university established in World.\nIndia recognizes six languages as Classical Languages of India are Tamil, Sanskrit, Kannada, Telugu, Malayalam and Odia.\nIndians mathematicians Budhayana who discovered Pythagoras theorem and the value of Pi is 3.14.\nIndia was the only source of diamonds in the world until 1896.\nHindi is the natively spoken by about 44% of the population\nRishikesh is considered as “Yoga Capital of the World”.\nCharaka Samhita referred to as the Father of Indian Medicine (Ayurveda) was first originated in India.\nCultural and Traditions Facts:\nHinduism is the largest religion in India, about 80% of the population identifying as Hindus in India.\nAbout 75 % of the population identifies as Hindu, and About 14.2 % of Indians are Muslim.\nThe official language of India is Hindi and English\nJana Gana Mana is the national anthem of India written by the poet Rabindranath Tagore.\nThe National Song of India is Vande Mataram.\nThe National Flag of India is Tiranga, the official flag of the Dominion of India.\nThe official currency of India is Indian rupee which is subdivided into 100 paise.\nIndia has 22 official languages including Assamese, Bengali, Bodo, Dogri, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri etc.\nIndia is a secular nation filled with so many religions like Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, Jainism Hinduism and Buddhism so the Government of India treats people of all religions with equal respect.\nIndia is rightly called the Land of Spices No other country in the world produces as many varieties of spices as India.\nClothing in India varies from region to region depending on one part of the country to another based on geographical, climatic, ethnic, and cultural differences. i.e. Sari, dhoti or lungi, shalwar kameez, kurta–pyjama etc.\nArchitecture and Art Facts:\nThe most popular example of Indian architectural evolution throughout history is the Taj Mahal, built by Mughal emperor.\nIndia is well known for its film industry known as Bollywood which is formerly as Bombay cinema.\nIndian art consists of a variety of art forms including painting, sculpture, pottery, and textile arts such as Wall painting, woven silk.\nIndus Valley civilization is the first known sculpture in Indian art.\nIn India, there are many recognized classical dances traditions like Bharata Natyam, Kathak, Odissi, Manipuri, Kuchipudi, Kathakali and Mohiniattam.\nIndia has many popular historical places such as Red Fort, Taj Mahal, Qutub Minar, India Gate, Dholavira and Nalanda Jallianwala Bagh, Humayun’s Tomb, Hawa Mahal, Konark Temple, Konark, Mysore, Elephanta caves and many more.\nVaranasi is the holiest city in the world located in India.\nFacts Sports about India:\nThere are some popular sports which have originated in India such as Cricket, Chess, Snooker, Kabbadi and Khido Khund.\nCricket remains the most-watched sport in India.\nThe national game of India is Hockey.\nIndia won eight Olympic gold medals so from 1928 to 1956, was the golden period for the Indian Hockey team.\nThe other most popular indigenous sport in India is Kabaddi. India has taken part in four Asian Games in kabaddi.\nTop popular sports in India played in India are football, basketball, chess, badminton, boxing, tennis, squash, gymnastics, athletics, Kho kho table tennis etc.\nChess was derived from the Indian game in the 7th century.\nNational Games of India is also known as the 35th National Games of India was held from 31 January 2015.\nIndia is the regular medal holder at the Asian Games and Commonwealth Games. And India won 69 medals at the Asian Games 2018.\nFacts Related To Indian Food:\nIndia is rightly known as the Land of Spices, and It is the only producer of saffron in the world.\nEveryone is aware of the popularity of Indian food across the globe.\nIndian Food has 6 different flavours are sweet, salty, bitter, sour, astringent and spicy.\nIndian snacks are incomplete without chutney.\nMithais (sweets) are an important part of Indian cuisine and celebrations.\nPayasam is one of the favourite sweet dishes of South India and most-served in wedding ceremony party.\nThe Indian food system is classified into 3 categories which are Sattvic food, Raajsic food, Taamsic food.\nThe most popular local drink in India is chai.\nRelated vocabulary\nFemale Reproductive System\nIntra-Uterine insemination (IUI)\nFallopian Tube\nOvulation Induction\nSupplements for Ensuring Normal Pregnancy\nThe Success Rate of an IVF Cycle\nIs Covid-19 (Coronavirus) Affecting IVF and Pregnancy\nCauses of Failed IVF Cycle – Solutions and Success\nWhy it is Important to Choose Infertility Specialist\nIMSI Treatment\nIUI Treatment\nOutstanding Reviews\nRating: 5 - Reviewed by 179 Patient\nRating: 4.9 - Reviewed by 38 Patient\ndrvaishalisharma1@gmail.com\nBest Gynaecologist in Delhi\nIVF Success Stories\nCopyright 2023 by Dr Vaishali Sharma | Designed & Marketing By IMMWIT PVT LTD","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1867242"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9596891403198242,"wiki_prob":0.9596891403198242,"text":"House Passes 2 Bills Aimed At Overhauling The Immigration System\nBy Barbara Sprunt,\nPublished March 18, 2021 at 1:49 PM HST\nJemal Countess\nGetty Images for Communities Uni\nAn installation erected near the U.S. Capitol showcases support for the American Dream and Promise Act and the Farm Workforce Modernization Act on March 17, 2021.\nThe House has overwhelmingly passed a pair of immigration bills that offer a targeted approach to amending the immigration system but have an uncertain future when it comes to passage in the Senate.\nThe American Dream and Promise Act, which previously passed in the House in 2019, would create a process for undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children — otherwise known as \"DREAMers\" — to earn permanent resident status and eventual citizenship. It also includes a path to citizenship for people with temporary protected status and beneficiaries of deferred enforced departure. It passed by a vote of 228-197.\n\"Millions in this country live in fear, holding their breaths every day, that they could be deported to faraway lands that are not their homes,\" House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer said Thursday. \"Because America is their home. For Dreamers, it has been their home since their earliest days. And today, this House is going to take action – as we did last Congress – to help them breathe easier.\"\nThe House also approved the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, which would establish a system for agricultural workers to earn temporary status with an eventual option to become a permanent resident. The act would also amend the existing H-2A temporary agricultural worker visa program.\nThe bills are aimed at tackling pieces of a larger immigration proposal put forth by President Biden at the start of his term. But passing that broad approach through both chambers of Congress is a tall order.\nThursday's votes follow a week in which immigration was front and center on both sides of the aisle. On Monday, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy led a dozen Republican lawmakers to visit the southern border in El Paso and blamed President Biden for the surge of migrants at the border.\nAfterwards, Democratic Rep. Veronica Escobar said the GOP delegation used her district as a \"prop\" and that the numbers of unaccompanied migrant children had increased during the Trump administration and wasn't properly addressed.\nIn an interview on NPR's Morning Edition Wednesday, she pushed back on the GOP messaging that the surge is driven by Biden taking office.\n\"The drive to get here, the impulse to get here, the necessity to get here, it doesn't change depending on who's in the White House,\" she said.\nGOP response\nNext week, Texas GOP Sens. John Cornyn and Ted Cruz will lead a Senate delegation to tour the Texas-Mexico border and meet with local officials. Both have taken aim at the Biden administration, telling reporters in recent days that immigrants who attempt to enter the United States illegally don't face consequences and that's fueling a surge at the border.\nHouse Republicans are also laying out their rebuttal to Democrats' immigration plans. Rep. María Elvira Salazar, R-Fla., rolled out her own immigration proposal during a press conference at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday.\nHer proposal includes increased funding for border security and would give immediate legal status for DREAMers with pathways to permanent legalization.\nAdditionally, the draft plan creates the \"Dignity Program,\" which establishes a path for undocumented immigrants who pass a criminal background check, remain employed and pay income taxes to receive renewable five-year visas to maintain legal status. After completing the Dignity Program, participants have the option to participate in the \"Redemption Program\" to earn eventual permanent resident status.\n\"No political party holds a monopoly on compassion in our county,\" she said. \"We Republicans, we're compassionate too. We want to give dignity to those who have lived here among us for years, and to those who want to come into this country — but they have to follow the law.\"\nAddressing the surge at the border\nTestifying before a House panel on Wednesday, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said the United States is on track to see the highest number of migrants on the country's southern border than at any time in the last 20 years.\nHe said the U.S. needs to \"finally fix the immigration system\" and to address the root causes of migration from countries like Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador.\n\"The president is committed to restarting that critical element of an overarching approach to our border and the issues of migration that have challenged our nation for so many years,\" he said.\nAs NPR's Franco Ordoñez reports, the U.S. government had over 4,000 unaccompanied migrant children in custody as of Sunday. By law, children are meant to spend no more than 72 hours in the detention facilities before moving to more hospitable facilities run by the Department of Health and Human Services. On average, they are now spending 117 hours in Border Patrol custody.\nTo respond to the increasing numbers of migrants at the border, the Biden administration has mobilized the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, to assist with processing the uptick in migrants over the next 90 days. The federal government aims to move unaccompanied children from U.S. Customs and Border Protection to HHS more quickly and then place them with a family member or sponsor while their asylum claims are adjudicated.\nSenate faces tougher immigration fight\nSenate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin, a key figure in the Senate's efforts to move comprehensive immigration legislation forward, has sounded pessimistic about the chances of passing any major overhaul of the system in the near future.\nDurbin has said the fact that the House is moving forward with only piecemeal provisions of Biden's proposal is a reminder that neither chamber has the bipartisan support needed to take up the larger effort now.\n\"Even with a majority, this comprehensive [bill] is still a very difficult thing to achieve,\" Durbin told Capitol Hill reporters.\nThe two provisions approved by the House were previously part of legislation that won Republican support, as well as a 2013 bipartisan bill put together by a so-called Gang of Eight, which included Durbin. However, the legislation has failed to get final passage in Congress.\nSome, including West Virginia Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin, has pointed to the 2013 bill as a potential path to compromise. However, other previous members of the Gang of Eight, which includes Republican Sens. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Marco Rubio of Florida, now argue the window has passed for such a proposal.\nNew Jersey Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez has said he's not ready to \"wave the red flag\" before the Senate can get going on bipartisan talks in earnest.\nRather, Menendez has said he sees a potential to get the larger legislation or smaller version of it done one way or another, and Democrats are working to negotiate with Republicans.\n\"It's a constant effort to build a coalition,\" said Menendez, the lead senator on Biden's larger proposal.\nHowever, Menendez said the party could also consider taking up immigration overhaul efforts by way of reconciliation, the legislative vehicle Democrats used to work around Republican opposition to approve a $1.9 trillion pandemic relief bill that was signed into law last week.\nIn the end, a pathway for legal residency for 11 million people remains the goal, he said.\n\"We're in a constant effort to try to achieve that and we'll see. All of the options are on the table,\" Menendez said. \"If we think that getting there through different segments can make it happen, great. We're looking at reconciliation as a vehicle, as a possibility for some, if not all of it. We're looking at appropriation bills, some of the things that we call for in our reform bill are about appropriation-related issues. So we're looking at all the options.\"\nBarbara Sprunt\nBarbara Sprunt is a producer on NPR's Washington desk, where she reports and produces breaking news and feature political content. She formerly produced the NPR Politics Podcast and got her start in radio at as an intern on NPR's Weekend All Things Considered and Tell Me More with Michel Martin. She is an alumnus of the Paul Miller Reporting Fellowship at the National Press Foundation. She is a graduate of American University in Washington, D.C., and a Pennsylvania native.\nSee stories by Barbara Sprunt\nMore from Hawai‘i Public Radio\nOil refineries release billions of pounds of pollution into waterways each year, according to regulatory data. NPR found that pollution is concentrated near places where people of color live.\nSocial media's role in Jan. 6 was left out of the final report\nWashington Post reporter Drew Harwell says the unpublished report shows that tech companies didn't respond to employees' warnings about violent rhetoric on their platforms.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1489796"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8571789264678955,"wiki_prob":0.8571789264678955,"text":"Finally Missing Indonesian Jetliner Crashes Into the Sea With 62 On Board, Black Box Sited\nA passenger jet carrying more than 60 people crashed into the Java Sea on Saturday, minutes after taking off from the Indonesian capital, Jakarta, Indonesian officials said, bringing renewed attention to a nation long cursed by aviation disasters.\nRescuers on Saturday say they have located the plane’s black box flight recorder and obtained communications data.\nThe fate of the plane, a Boeing 737-500, also carried the potential to ensnare the troubled American aviation giant in more bad publicity, even though the cause of the crash had yet to be determined.\nIndonesia’s Transportation Ministry said that the last contact with the plane, Sriwijaya Air Flight 182, was at 2:40 p.m. local time. The plane was bound for the city of Pontianak on the island of Borneo.\nIt had 62 people aboard, according to the Transportation Ministry. Four minutes after taking off amid a heavy monsoon season rain, following a bad weather delay, the 26-year-old plane lost more than 10,000 feet in altitude in less than 60 seconds, according to Flightradar24.\nOn Sunday morning, the Jakarta police said that body parts and some clothes from the passengers had been found in waters just northwest of the Indonesian capital. The Indonesian National Search and Rescue Agency also said it had found pieces of debris believed to be from the plane’s wreckage. The area where the remains and debris were discovered is known as the Thousand Islands.\nRelated Topics:featured, Featured Story, Google","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line963838"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.633834719657898,"wiki_prob":0.633834719657898,"text":"Meet the Haven Leadership Team\nHospice FAQ\nRequest a Referral\nCamp Safe Haven\nHaven Educational Offerings\nMartinez Philanthropy Dinner\nViVA! 2022\nDonate Now – The Haven Foundation\nMemorial Walkways\nPlan a Fundraiser\nHaven Women of Philanthropy\nLight up a Life 2022\nAttic Resale Stores\nMeet Our Providershaven2022-09-26T16:43:12-04:00\nShirley Codada, M.D.\nMeet Dr. Codada\nDr. Codada is board-certified in hospice and palliative care as well as internal medicine, and she is a fellow of the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine. Dr. Codada earned undergraduate degrees at Miami Dade College and Barry University, and then went on to earn her Doctor of Medicine at the University of Florida in Gainesville. She is a member of the American College of Physicians, American Medical Association, and American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine. Dr. Codada regularly volunteers for medical missions to Haiti, where she was born.\nDr. Codada has decades of medical experience and a true passion for serving advanced illness and end of life needs.\nJohn Abernethy, M.D.\nAssociate Medical Director\nMeet Dr. Abernethy\nDr. John Abernethy is board certified in both family practice and addiction medicine. He joined Haven as an Associate Medical Director in 2020. In addition to his role at Haven, he also serves as the Director of Addictions at Meridian Behavioral Healthcare and as the Medical Director at Ology Bioservices, Inc.\nDr. Abernethy graduated from the University of Miami with a Bachelor of Science degree and went on to medical school at the University of Florida, where he earned his medical degree in 1992. After medical school, he completed a family practice residency at the University of Florida.\nLeanne Artigas, M.D.\nMeet Dr. Artigas\nDr. Artigas is a board certified internal medicine physician who joined Haven as an Associate Medical Director in 2018. Prior to Haven, she was an Associate Medical Director at Tidewell Hospice in Sarasota, Florida. Her previous clinical experience includes Assistant Clinical Professor at Vanderbilt University and Associate Staff Physician at Cleveland Clinic, where she completed her residency in internal medicine.\nDr. Artigas graduated with honors from the University of Miami with a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry. She then went on to earn her medical degree in 2004 from the University of Miami School of Medicine. Dr. Artigas is fluent in Spanish.\nGeraldine S. Bichier, M.D.\nMeet Dr. Bichier\nPrior to joining the Haven Medical Group in February 2008, Dr. Bichier held the position of assistant medical director at the Center for Clinical Trials Research at the University of Florida where she was intimately involved in the screening and study of volunteers while ensuring the safety of subjects and interpreting clinical data.\nShe earned her medical degree from the University of Wales in the United Kingdom. Dr. Bichier was a fellow in nephrology at the University of Florida, completed her residency in internal medicine at UCSD Medical Center in San Diego, California, and she served patients in a nephrology and internal medicine practice at the Valley Nephrology Medical Group in Fresno, California.\nPreviously, she was a registrar in cardiology, nephrology, neurology, gastroenterology and pulmonology for several hospitals in the United Kingdom.\nMore about Dr. Bichier: Some of Dr. Bichier’s interests include gardening and horseback riding. During her free time she also enjoys exploring Payne’s Prarie in the Gainesville area.\nChristine Chapman, M.D.\nMeet Dr. Chapman\nDr. Christine Chapman is a board-certified family physician who joined Haven in 2022 as an Associate Medical Director.\nDr. Chapman graduated from Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine as a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed a family practice residency in the North Broward Hospital District in Fort Lauderdale. Dr. Chapman has experience in pediatric and adult urgent care and primary care medicine as well as infectious diseases. She also has military healthcare experience, having served as the medical officer on duty at the West Palm Beach Veteran Affairs Medical Center and case manager for Afghan guests at Fort Pickett Military Base.\nKaren Laauwe, M.D., FACEP\nMeet Dr. Laauwe\nDr. Karen Laauwe is a board-certified emergency medicine physician who joined Haven in 2020 as an Associate Medical Director. In addition to her role at Haven, she serves as Assistant Professor at UF Health Spring Hill Emergency Center.\nDr. Laauwe graduated from the University of Bridgeport with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and went on to earn her MD from the Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara. She completed an internship at St. Vincent’s Medical Center in Connecticut before going on to residency at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, where she became Chief Resident. Dr. Laauwe is also in the process of earning a Master’s Degree in Palliative Care and Hospice. In 1999, she earned the status of Fellow in the American College of Emergency Physicians.\nTiffany Massey, M.D.\nMeet Dr. Massey\nDr. Tiffany Massey was a hospitalist for five years prior to joining Haven. She worked as the nocturnist at two large Jacksonville-based hospitals, both with open intensive care units, providing her with extensive experience managing complex patients. Dr. Massey provides inpatient hospice care at the Custead Care Center in Orange Park. She is the associate medical director for the care center and hospice home team. She is also the palliative care physician to Orange Park Medical Center. Dr. Massey considers it a privilege to help patients and their families as they navigate through end-of-life issues.\nApril Jessica Pinto, M.D.\nMeet Dr. Pinto\nDr. Pinto is an Associate Medical Director for the Gainesville area. Dr. Pinto completed her residency at the University of Florida in Emergency Medicine. She received her Bachelor of Science in Integrative Neuroscience from Binghamton University, State University of New York; her Master of Arts in Medical Sciences from Boston University School of Medicine; and her Doctor in Medicine degree from The Ohio State University School of Medicine. She has certifications in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS), Emergency Neurologic Life Support (ENLS) and the Resident as Teacher Longitudinal Certificate Program (RAST).\nKristin Scott, M.D.\nPrior to joining Haven Medical Group as Associate Medical Director in April 2018, Dr. Scott completed neurology residency as well as hospice and palliative medicine fellowship at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida. She is board-certified in both neurology and hospice and palliative medicine. Before joining the Haven team she worked with palliative care patients in the home and hospital setting.\nShe has published articles in the Journal of Palliative Medicine, Northeast Florida Medicine, and Neurology. In 2012, she received the Mayo Clinic Above and Beyond Award. Her volunteer work includes outreach clinics, a domestic violence shelter, and a medical mission trip.\nShe earned her medical degree in 2010 from Indiana University, where she previously earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology with highest distinction. From 2002-2006, she used her psychology degree to serve people with developmental disabilities by assisting them in the acquisition and refining of behavioral, practical, and social skills so that they were able to participate more fully in the community.\nEllen Laura Talos, M.D., FAAHPM, HMDC\nMeet Dr. Talos\nPrior to joining the Haven Medical Group in June 2011, Dr. Talos had her own private practice in family medicine at the Putnam Community Medical Center. She holds a certification as a hospice medical director and is currently an affiliated clinical assistant professor at the University of Florida College of Medicine. In 2019, Dr. Talos became a Fellow of the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (FAAHPM).\nIn 2009, Dr. Talos was named 2009 Resident Teacher of the Year at Beaumont Hospital in Grosse Pointe, Michigan, and in 2008, she was the recipient of the Beaumont Hospital SEMMES/Resident of the Year Award.\nDr. Talos has served as a volunteer physician at the Gary Berstein Community Health Center and was a volunteer research assistant at Grady Hospital Emory School of Medicine. She is a member of the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Care and the Putnam Community Medical Society. She earned her medical degree at St. Christopher’s College of Medicine in Dakar, Senegal (Luton-England Campus) in 2006.\nDarrel Wyatt, M.D.\nMeet Dr. Wyatt\nDr. Wyatt is a board-certified physician who joined Haven in 2019. He also continues to run his women’s health and gynecology practice in Palatka, Florida. Previously, he served in the National Guard and in the Army, from which he retired in 2009. Dr. Wyatt earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry at Arkansas State University in 1974 and earned his MD in 1978 at the University of Arkansas College of Medicine. In his spare time, Dr. Wyatt serves as a Certified Layspeaker for the United Methodist Church.\nPatrick F. Woloszyn, M.D.\nMeet Dr. Woloszyn\nPrior to joining the Haven Medical Group in June 2014, Dr. Woloszyn provided outpatient, family practice care and medical oversight for public health concerns as the Suwannee County Health Department Medical Director for 20 years.\nPrior to his position at the Suwannee County Health Department, he was a medical consultant for Quality Care Assurance from 1994 to 1995 where he provided consultation to long-term care facilities, conducted risk management reviews and assisted in legal case preparations. For eight years, he served as a long-term care physician at the Texas Department of Health.\nIn 1978, Dr. Woloszyn earned his bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering at Clarkson University in Potsdam, New York, and earned his medical degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch in 1985.\nSherika Newman, D.O.\nMedical Director of Palliative Care and Fellowship Program\nMeet Dr. Newman\nDr. Sherika Newman has practiced palliative medicine since 2009, joining Haven in 2022 as the Medical Director of Palliative Care and Fellowship Program. Dr. Newman received her DO from Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed both her family medicine residency and fellowship in hospice and palliative medicine at Broward Health. In 2012, Dr. Newman was a nominee for the Robert Wood Johnson Young Leadership Award. Immediately prior to joining Haven, Dr. Newman was the Associate Medical Director at Vitas Healthcare-Atlanta.\nDanielle DiGennaro, MSN, ANP-BC, ACHPN\nDirector of Palliative Care\nImmediately prior to joining Haven, Danielle focused on home palliative care as a nurse practitioner for the Palo Alto Medical Foundation in Fremont, CA. At the beginning of her career, Danielle spent 7 years (5 as an RN and 2 as an NP) practicing inpatient cardiology at Duke University Medical Center. Her focus was advanced heart failure.\nMore about Danielle: Danielle enjoys biking with her toddler and visiting child-friendly events in north central Florida. Danielle also enjoys knitting in her spare time.\nShirley Aldrich, APRN\nMeet Shirley\nShirley joined Haven Medical Group in 2012. She earned her Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Florida in 2004 in addition to a Bachelors of Science in Nursing from the University of North Florida in 2000.\nJustin Chamberland, APRN\nMeet Justin\nJustin Chamberland is a APRN who joined Haven in 2022. He graduated from University of Purdue Global with a master’s degree in nursing, specializing in adult-gerontology acute care, and received his bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Central Florida.\nAmong other experiences, Justin has worked at UF Health Shands’ surgical critical care unit in Gainesville, Florida, and as a practitioner in motion in Melbourne, Florida. He is a member of the American Nurses Association, American Association of Nurse Practitioners, American Association of Critical Nurses and the Society of Point of Care Ultrasound.\nJennifer Conlon, APRN\nJennifer Conlon is a board-certified family nurse practitioner who joined Haven in 2020. She attended Florida State College, where she earned her Associate Degree in Nursing. She then went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and ultimately a Masters of Science in Nursing from Chamberlain University College of Nursing in 2016. Jennifer has served as a nurse in many roles, including traveling nurse, medical-surgical ICU, open heart recovery, post-surgical/trauma, organ procurement coordinator and neuro-surgical ICU. As a nurse practitioner, she has served Celebrate Primary Care, Gator CES and Flourish Health Network, of which she is also a co-owner. All told, her experience in the medical field spans more than 20 years. She was the recipient of the Nurse of the Year Award at UF Health Shands Jacksonville in 1999.\nSusan “Lyn” Fort, MSN, APRN\nMeet Lyn\nSusan “Lyn” Fort is a board certified nurse practitioner who joined Haven in 2020. She attended Santa Fe Community College, where she received her Associate of Science in Nursing degree in 1998. She also received a Bachelor of Science in Education from Western Kentucky University in 1989. She also attended the University of South Alabama, where she received her Master of Science in Nursing degree in 2010. As a nurse practitioner, she has 10 years of experience in geriatrics in skilled nursing facilities and assisted living facilities. Prior to becoming a nurse practitioner, she had five years of intensive care experience and 7 years experience as a Liver Transplant Coordinator as an RN.\nDavid Free, DNP\nMeet David\nImmediately prior to joining Haven, David was the Director of Palliative Operations and Senior Nurse Practitioner at Vitas Healthcare, where he led a team of physicians and nurse practitioners across four hospital sites in Central Florida. With 10 years of experience as an NP in hospice and palliative care, David has published and presented his work both nationally and internationally.\nDavid earned his medical degree at Chatham University in 2015 with a focus on palliative care program development. He completed a one-year fellowship in pain medicine and palliative care at Beth Israel/Mount Sinai, NY. He also served in Naval Public Affairs from 1990 to 1995 and was honorably released at the Petty Officer 2nd Class rank. He discovered his interest in nursing after being cross-trained as a medic during the 1991 Persian Gulf crisis. David’s volunteer experience includes playing oboe and English horn for various symphony orchestras and providing disaster relief during Hurricanes Katrina, Sandy, and Harvey.\nKinsley Giebeig, APRN, FNP-C\nMeet Kinsley\nPrior to joining Haven, Kinsley was a registered nurse at Lake City Medical Center Intensive Care Unit, after working almost 3 years at Shands at the University of Florida in the Trauma/Vascular Intensive Care Unit. She earned her MSN (Master of Science in Nursing) at the University of South Alabama where she graduated with a dual degree (AGACNP/FNP).\nMore about Kinsley: In her spare time, Kinsley enjoys going to the movies, watching Florida Gator football, and going to the beach or river with her friends and family.\nD’Jenie Helne, DNP, FNP-BC, ACHPN\nMeet D'Jenie\nD’Jenie Helne is a board-certified family nurse practitioner who joined Haven in 2020. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University in 2007 and then went on to earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice from Loyola University in 2015. Prior to becoming a nurse practitioner, she served as a Trauma ICU and Medical ICU as long with various other settings for 8 years. Djenie has 5 years of APRN experience in primary care, long-term care, rehabilitation, heart failure, infectious disease, academia, palliative care, and hospice. D’Jenie earned the Advance Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse certification from the Hospice and Palliative Credentialing Center in 2018.\nAmanda Hill, DNP, AGACNP-BC\nAmanda Hill is a board certified adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner who joined Haven in 2020. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of South Florida in 2009 and went on to earn a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from the University of Florida in 2015. She earned the Lois Knowles Award for Excellence in Gerontological Nursing in 2015. Prior to joining Haven, Amanda worked with Critical Care Specialists at AdventHealth in Central Florida.\nOlayinka Ogedengbe, APRN\nMeet Olayinka\nOlayinka Ogedengbe is a board-certified family nurse practitioner who joined Haven in 2020. She attended Santa Fe College in Gainesville, Florida, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2016. She went on to attend South University in Savannah, Georgia, where she earned her Master of Science in Nursing in 2019. Olayinka has more than 10 years of experience in health care. She has worked in psychiatric medicine, trauma, rehabilitation, women’s health, infusion, and primary care. As a nurse practitioner, she has worked in medical oncology at UF Health Shands since 2019.\nAngela Renaud, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC, ACHPN\nAngela Renaud is a board-certified family nurse practitioner who joined Haven in 2019. She attended Jacksonville University, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2012 and her Master of Science in Nursing in 2014. Angela worked at St. Vincent’s Healthcare in Jacksonville, Florida, from 2005 until 2018, starting out as an ICU RN and working her way up to Director of Nursing Operations. Her experience as an APRN prior to joining Haven includes work as a hospitalist, in addition to work in physical medicine and rehab, as well as hospice. Angela became an Advanced Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse in September 2020.\nMore about Angela: In her spare time, Angela enjoys playing super competitive board games with her family, watching objectively bad disaster movies, and traveling to places with unique cuisine, sand or snow.\nEl Agathe Tembeng, MSN, APRN-BC\nMeet El Agathe\nPreviously, El Agathe was an APRN at My Home Doctor and a rounding nurse practitioner at Fish Memorial and Central Florida Regional Hospital in Sanford, Florida. An adjunct nursing instructor at Bamenda University of Science and Technology and fluent in the French language, she earned her master’s degree at South University in Savannah, Georgia.\nAmanda Trespalacios, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, CCRN\nAmanda earned her master’s of science in nursing at the University of South Florida, and she is a member of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. In her previous position as a hospital liaison with Haven, she was a clinical liaison for patients, families and referral sources. She also provided education to patients and families as well as facilitated the admissions process.\nMore about Amanda: Amanda enjoys any activity that includes water and her pets. On weekends, she browses local farmers’ markets and teaching Sunday School at her local church.\nMelissa Weaver, PA\nMelissa Weaver is a board-certified physician assistant who joined Haven in 2020. She has a diverse educational background; she earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from the University of South Florida as well as a Master of Education in Educational Leadership from St. Leo University before venturing into the healthcare sector when she earned her Master of Physician Assistant Studies in 2015 from the University of Florida. In her capacity as Physician Assistant, she has served UF Health/Shands in neurovascular medicine and orthopaedic surgery. In addition to her current role at Haven, she is also employed by North Florida Regional Medical Center as on the critical care medicine and interventional neurology teams.\nTransitions Program\nNotice of Nondiscrimination | Español | Kreyòl Ayisyen | Tiếng Việt | Português | 繁體中文 | Français | Tagalog | Русский | Italiano | Deutsch | 한국어 | Polski | ગુજરાતી | ภาษาไทย Accessible Version\nEmployee Connection\nCopyright 2022 Haven Hospice - site by Liquid Creative\n`).join(\",\"):text;if(seperator&&seperator!=','){html.replace(',',seperator)}jQuery(this).html(html)}})};const inViewport=(entries,observer)=>{entries.forEach(entry=>{if(entry.isIntersecting)animNum(entry.target)})};jQuery(\"[data-auicounter]\").each((i,EL)=>{const observer=new IntersectionObserver(inViewport);observer.observe(EL)})}function aui_init(){aui_init_counters();init_nav_sub_menus();aui_init_tooltips();aui_init_select2();aui_init_flatpickr();aui_init_iconpicker();aui_init_greedy_nav();aui_time_ago('timeago');aui_init_carousel_multiple_items();aui_init_lightbox_embed()}jQuery(window).on(\"load\",function(){aui_init()});jQuery(function($){var ua=navigator.userAgent.toLowerCase();var isiOS=ua.match(/(iphone|ipod|ipad)/);if(isiOS){var pS=0;pM=parseFloat($('body').css('marginTop'));$(document).on('show.bs.modal',function(){pS=window.scrollY;$('body').css({marginTop:-pS,overflow:'hidden',position:'fixed',})}).on('hidden.bs.modal',function(){$('body').css({marginTop:pM,overflow:'visible',position:'inherit',});window.scrollTo(0,pS)})}});var aui_confirm=function(message,okButtonText,cancelButtonText,isDelete,large){okButtonText=okButtonText||'Yes';cancelButtonText=cancelButtonText||'Cancel';message=message||'Are you sure?';sizeClass=large?'':'modal-sm';btnClass=isDelete?'btn-danger':'btn-primary';deferred=jQuery.Deferred();var $body=\"\";$body+=\"","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1143132"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6389517188072205,"wiki_prob":0.36104828119277954,"text":"Now reading: Mixing CBD And Alcohol: Is It Safe?\nMixing CBD And Alcohol: Is It Safe?\nThose who've experienced the effects of mixing marijuana and alcohol may have had a less than graceful outcome.\nCBD, or cannabidiol, is THC's counterpart from the cannabis plant that's non-psychotropic. CBD products made from hemp plants have been taking over the health and wellness space as a relatively safe and gentle compound to support various health goals.\nUnlike THC, CBD doesn't get most people high, so its interaction with alcoholic drinks is much more subtle—and it may have some benefits for when you've had a night of excess alcohol consumption.\nIn this article, we'll discuss everything you need to know about taking CBD and alcohol— Is it safe to mix? What are the possible consequences? Does taking CBD help for alcohol hangovers? And does CBD have health benefits for alcohol withdrawals?\nAlcohol And CBD Interaction\nHuman beings have been crafting boozy beverages as early as 7000–6600 BCE. The residues of fermented juice were recovered from pottery artifacts from the Jiahu, a Neolithic village in the Yellow River Valley, China [1].\nTwo of the main reasons people drink alcohol are coping with stress and releasing inhibitions, especially in social situations [2]. These generalizations come from studies that sample the general adult population and college students rather than alcoholics or problem drinkers.\nSimilarly, people turn to CBD products for relaxation and avoid additional intoxicating effects that would normally come with marijuana (due to THC).\nTo answer the question about the safety of mixing CBD and alcohol, it's helpful first to understand how each substance interacts with the body to exert its effects.\nBlood Alcohol Levels & Effects On The Body\nAlcohol is a compound that's absorbed into the bloodstream via the digestive system. It's then broken down by the liver and eliminated from the body. As the blood alcohol concentration rises, the more intoxicated one feels.\nWith a slight increase in blood alcohol levels, one can feel temporarily excited and relaxed. The effects of intoxication from alcohol can vary from one person to the next.\nYou may have heard that alcohol is a depressant. The common factor in alcohol use is that it slows down central nervous system function, meaning that it inhibits some of our major functions, including slowing the heart rate, breathing, and significant impairments in cognitive function, and movements [3].\nIncreased alcohol intake can also lower serotonin and norepinephrine levels in the brain, which helps to regulate mood. With lower levels of these neurotransmitters, one can feel depressed and may even worsen anxiety leading to more adverse health effects.\nWhen you drastically exceed the liver's rate of metabolizing alcohol in the system, you put yourself at risk for a dangerously low heart rate, breathing, and liver toxicity. Additionally, the inhibition and lack of motor control can place intoxicated people at higher risk of injury and death.\nWhat Is Alcohol Use Disorder?\nAlcohol use disorder is a term used for when someone has an alcohol problem. This may affect their work performance, interpersonal relationships, and physical health—putting them more at risk for chronic disease. There are many different stages of this disease so it's important to seek the appropriate help to address excessive alcohol consumption.\nAlcohol abuse is common in those who have family members who are addicted to alcohol and depressed individuals. When drinking becomes a habit, it can put you at risk for alcohol addiction, diabetes, mood disorders, liver toxicity, and cardiovascular disease [4].\nProblematic drinking can be caused by environmental factors, genetics, personality traits, drug abuse, and mental health problems that are not due to substance abuse. Treatment for binge drinking includes psychotherapy with trained professionals who specialize in addiction treatment (therapists) and support groups for people with the same condition as you do like Alcoholics Anonymous (Al-Anon).\nHow Does CBD Interact With The Body?\nWhen it comes to relaxation, many people are turning to naturally-derived CBD products. In this way, CBD oil and alcohol have positive effects towards promoting a feeling of calmness.\nCBD's interaction in the body has to do with the endocannabinoid system (ECS).\nThe ECS is the largest neural network that relays messages to moderate vital systems that control our stress response, sleep-wake cycle, mood, and metabolism.\nCBD or cannabidiol is a plant-based cannabinoid. But our body also naturally produces cannabinoids called \"endocannabinoids.\" These are the messengers that interact with receptors in the ECS to regulate our vital systems.\nCBD has been found to increase the levels of natural endocannabinoids by inhibiting the breakdown of our endocannabinoids. With more endocannabinoids in our system, ECS works efficiently to maintain homeostasis (balance). When the body is in balance, it can perform its functions optimally. Conversely, when we're out of balance, we're more prone to disease.\nOn top of its effects on the ECS, CBD has been observed to interact with receptors outside the ECS. For example, CBD has a unique interaction with GABA receptors in the brain. You can think of GABA as the brake pedal to the body's stress response, as it slows down hyperactivity [5].\nCBD has also been shown to interact with specific pain-receptor sites to inhibit pain signals to relax tense muscles and increase comfort [6].\nUnlike THC, CBD doesn't produce intoxicating effects that alter one's audio and visual perceptions. CBD effects are much more subtle as they feel relaxing and can even make you feel sleepy. However, the effects of CBD oil can vary drastically from person to person, depending on their genetics and physical state.\nWhat Are The Effects Of Mixing CBD And Alcohol?\nThe endocannabinoid system is a complex system that we're only beginning to scratch the surface of. Because of this, the full effects of CBD oil on the body are still unknown.\nHowever, based on our current understanding of CBD use, it's been observed that mixing CBD and alcohol may amplify some effects of intoxication. At the same time, CBD may also mitigate some of the harmful effects of alcohol when used moderately.\nIn one study, alcohol mixed with CBD produced \"significant impairment of motor and psychomotor performances, overestimations of time production, and subjective responses indicating an accurate self-perception of their intoxication and deficits\" [7]. The same effects were not observed with CBD use on its own.\nOne explanation that may account for this is likely due to CBD's relaxing effects on the body, which may lower your inhibitions and increase the depressive effects of alcohol, making you feel clumsy and tired.\nIn the same study, it was observed that combining alcohol consumption with CBD significantly reduced blood alcohol levels compared to alcohol on its own [7].\nIt's also important to point out this study was conducted in 1979 and involved high doses of CBD oil out of the normally recommended doses of CBD from off-the-shelf products. Existing research on this remains quite polarizing. More research needs to be carried out to understand the effects of CBD and blood alcohol levels further.\nIs it Safe To Mix CBD And Alcohol?\nSuppose you're a regular CBD user looking to answer, \"can you drink alcohol on CBD?\"\nThe short answer is \"yes\"—for most people.\nHowever, it's safest to do so in low doses of both alcohol and CBD oil—and to do so in moderation. An increase in blood alcohol concentration can put you at risk of injury and serious hangovers the next morning. Overall, you don't have to worry about enjoying your alcoholic drink while using CBD to support your physical and mental health.\nStill, it's important to remember that one's CBD experience can vary from one person to the next, so if you're new to using CBD, we don't recommend mixing it with other compounds. This way, you can better understand how your body responds to CBD oil and can find the right dose to feel its potential health benefits.\nTaking CBD and Alcohol-Related Damage\nCBD is found to reduce the effects of chronic drinking and neurodegeneration in animal studies [12].\nThe CBD was found to prevent alcohol-induced liver steatosis in mice and rats from excessive binge drinking. CBD's liver-protective benefits are due in part to CBD ability to inhibit oxidative stress and increase autophagy and risk for chronic diseases.\nAutophagy is the body's mechanism that clears damaged proteins or organelles while eliminating unnecessary factors so that tissue and cell regeneration can be achieved quickly. CBD inhibited the reduction of neural cells in the hippocampus and entorhinal cortex.\nOne study found that CBD may help reduce some of the damage caused by alcohol cravings [13]. CBD has been shown to help people drink less frequently which could lessen some of its related side-effects like fatty liver disease or nausea after binge drinking.\nCBD Cocktails\nMore CBD companies are experimenting with CBD-infused drinks.\nCBD drinks are non-alcoholic beverages mixed with unflavored CBD oil for alternatives to traditional alcoholic drinks. On top of this, CBD beverages can mask the naturally grassy taste of CBD, which isn't everyone's cup of tea.\nThe new FDA (Food and Drug Administration) approval of CBD cocktails and CBD-infused beer is bringing more controversy to Washington. The FDA reminds the public that scientific evidence supporting or disproving CBD's efficacy in treating these medical conditions is limited.\nWhat about CBD mixed with alcoholic beverages? As far as we know, pre-mixed CBD and alcoholic beverages aren't permitted for sale, as the effects of mixing these two substances aren't well understood.\nMixing alcohol with CBD can prove to be dangerous for some, especially if they're prone to alcohol abuse. While CBD and alcohol are generally considered safe for most people, you should still be cautious in consuming alcohol with CBD. The CDC says this study suggests a lack of definitive data on how cannabinoids in adults affect brain development in many ways.\nCBD For Alcohol Hangover\nSo, you've had a night out and enjoyed one too many drinks. Now you're experiencing the dreaded hangover—your head is pounding, every movement makes you nauseous, and your body aches.\nWe've heard our fair share of bizarre hangover cures, from blue cheese and beer to downing a glass of pickle juice.\nYou might not have to go through such absurd lengths to recover your day. More and more people swear by CBD oil to support some of the discomfort brought on by hangovers.\nWhy Do We Experience Hangovers In The First Place?\nYou may have heard that alcohol hangovers are a mild form of withdrawal, and this is somewhat true, but there's a lot more going on in the body.\nAlcohol is essentially toxic to our bodies. The liver works tirelessly to process the alcohol, so while it's in our system, it wreaks havoc on our body's ability to maintain homeostasis.\nLet's look at some of the effects of alcohol intoxication that may be responsible for the dreaded hangover symptoms.\n1. Alcohol Causes Dehydration\nWe need water to carry out virtually all cell functions in the body. When we're dehydrated, we're prone to headaches, lethargy, and poor digestion.\nAlcohol is a diuretic compound, which essentially means it makes us urinate more frequently. On top of this, it disrupts the hormone vasopressin that tells the kidneys to retain fluid, meaning we're more prone to dehydration [8].\nGet some water and electrolytes back in your system when you wake up, or better yet, keep hydrated as you're drinking.\nAs for your headaches or hangover migraines, CBD may provide you with comfort thanks to its interaction with the vanilloid receptors (TRPV1 receptor) that regulate the sensation of pain [9].\n2. Alcohol Disrupts Quality Sleep\nWe've briefly discussed alcohol as a depressant that causes our central nervous system to slow down, which may cause sleepiness. However, excess alcohol intake is linked to poor sleep quality, which is why you'll often wake up exhausted after drinking too much.\nAlcohol may help you fall asleep faster, but it doesn't allow you to fall asleep deeply to get into REM sleep, the vital part of the sleep cycle where most of our recovery occurs.\nThe best thing you can do in this case is try to get back to sleep. If that's not possible, take it easy throughout the day and make sure you get a full eight hours of sleep the next night. CBD oil may help you get to sleep easier when taking it an hour before bed.\n3. Alcohol Irritates The Stomach\nNausea is a common side effect of too much drinking. It happens because alcohol irritates the stomach lining, and nausea is a protective reaction to prevent us from taking something that may harm us, like poison.\nThe urge to vomit and nausea is our body's way of eliminating toxic substances from our digestive system.\nOne of the many reasons people reach for CBD is to support nausea symptoms. The ECS regulates nausea and vomiting responses. Because THC is generally better known to support nausea symptoms, thanks to its interaction with CB1 receptors, full spectrum CBD is ideal for supporting healthy nausea and vomiting responses after a night out [10].\nWhat CBD Products Work Best For Alcohol Hangovers\nThe CBD product you choose for your hangover will come down to preference. There is no shortage of the different types of CBD methods on the market.\nThe only product category that won't help you out with hangover symptoms is topical products, as they don't ever enter the bloodstream.\nFor the fastest-acting effects, smoking or vaping CBD is the answer. The cannabinoids can enter the bloodstream nearly instantaneously via the oxygen exchange in the lungs.\nIn the cases that smoking CBD isn't accessible to you, capsules, gummies, or oils are excellent options, but it may take up to 45 minutes to feel its effects.\nCBD Oil 3000MG Full Spectrum\nCBD Oil 3000MG (2oz) features our family's distinctive take on CBD; filled up with a full entourage of cannabinoid ingredients to help support a sense of calm in the body...\nAnother factor to consider is the extract type of your product.\nFull spectrum CBD extract is regarded as the gold star for CBD to support a wide range of lifestyle needs because the range of cannabinoids and terpenes work together to increase CBD effects. If you need an option that is 100% THC-free, then broad spectrum extracts are the next best option.\nThat being said, THC, in small amounts, may help support some of the effects of drinking too much alcohol like nausea and vomiting—but it can be difficult to find the right balance between and it's not always suitable for many people.\nCBD, Alcohol Addiction, & Alcohol Withdrawal\nAlcohol withdrawal symptoms (AWS) occur in people who have developed a dependency on alcohol from chronic alcohol abuse and then suddenly stop drinking.\nAlcohol dependence may bring on a combination of physical and emotional symptoms from depression, nausea, and fatigue to more severe symptoms, including hallucinations and seizures. It's extremely dangerous for people with a severe dependency to stop drinking alcohol cold-turkey—It can be life-threatening.\nPlease seek advice from your licensed health care professional to support you if you believe you have an alcohol addiction. Treating alcohol addiction should be conducted under the care of a professional, and you shouldn't self-prescribe even safe substances like CBD to address alcohol dependence.\nThere are anecdotal cases you can find on the web of people using CBD to support their alcohol withdrawals. While it may be okay for some people to use, we strongly advise you to speak with a professional to consult on your case, as there isn't enough scientific literature to support its use for alcohol withdrawals [11].\nThe Takeaway: Mixing CBD And Alcohol\nFor most people, mixing alcohol and CBD shouldn't be an issue—as long as the drinking and CBD doses are moderately low.\nCBD and alcohol can induce relaxation and lower inhibitions, which is why many people gravitate towards these substances.\nIn some cases of mixing CBD with alcohol, you may experience amplifying effects, especially relaxation. However, some interesting research also suggests that CBD may reduce blood alcohol levels and diminish some of the oxidative damage and inflammation caused by drinking.\nMore clinical data is needed as far as science can tell us about the effects of mixing CBD and alcohol.\nWhile many people swear by CBD's health benefits and effectiveness as a perfect hangover cure, most of the evidence to support it for alcohol withdrawal is anecdotal.\nIf you're suffering from alcohol abuse, we strongly recommend seeking advice from your doctor to support you in coming off of alcohol safely. Alcohol abuse is a serious disease and some of the consequences of alcohol withdrawal syndrome can be life-threatening.\nFor more articles like this regarding how you can safely use CBD to support a healthy lifestyle, be sure to check out our blog.\nMost people should be fine mixing alcohol and CBD as long as the drinking and CBD levels are moderately low. CBD and alcohol can both produce relaxation and lessen inhibitions, which is why many people enjoy them. In rare situations, combining CBD with alcohol may result in amplified effects, particularly relaxation. However, some intriguing evidence indicates that CBD may lower blood alcohol levels and mitigate some of the oxidative damage and inflammation induced by alcohol.\nDrinking alcohol while using CBD oil can put you at risk of injury and severe hangovers. It's best to do so in small dosages of both alcohol and CBD oil, and in moderation. Overall, you shouldn't be concerned about drinking alcohol while using CBD to enhance your physical and mental wellness. But, remember that everyone's CBD experience differs, so if you're new to taking CBD, don't mix it with other chemicals.\nWhat CBD Products Are Most Effective For Alcohol Hangovers?\nYou must determine which CBD product is ideal for your hangover. Only topical products will not help you because they do not penetrate the bloodstream. For the quickest benefits, CBD should be smoked or vaped. Another factor to consider is the type of extract in your product. While THC may help support some of the effects of excessive alcohol intake, such as nausea and vomiting, finding the right balance can be difficult, and it is not always suitable for many people.\nLee, M., Regu, M., & Seleshe, S. (2015). Uniqueness of Ethiopian traditional alcoholic beverage of plant origin, tella. Journal of Ethnic Foods, 2(3), 110-114.\nAbbey, A., Smith, M. J., & Scott, R. O. (1993). The relationship between reasons for drinking alcohol and alcohol consumption: An interactional approach. Addictive behaviors, 18(6), 659-670.\nDasgupta, A. (2011). The science of drinking: how alcohol affects your body and mind. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers.\nDoll, R., Peto, R., Hall, E., Wheatley, K., & Gray, R. (1994). Mortality in relation to consumption of alcohol: 13 years' observations on male British doctors. Bmj, 309(6959), 911-918.\nRey, A. A., Purrio, M., Viveros, M. P., & Lutz, B. (2012). Biphasic effects of cannabinoids in anxiety responses: CB1 and GABA B receptors in the balance of GABAergic and glutamatergic neurotransmission. Neuropsychopharmacology, 37(12), 2624-2634.\nRusso, E. B. (2008). Cannabinoids in the management of difficult to treat pain. Therapeutics and clinical risk management, 4(1), 245.\nConsroe, P., Carlini, E. A., Zwicker, A. P., & Lacerda, L. A. (1979). Interaction of cannabidiol and alcohol in humans. Psychopharmacology, 66(1), 45-50.\nHarper, K. M., Knapp, D. J., Criswell, H. E., & Breese, G. R. (2018). Vasopressin and alcohol: a multifaceted relationship. Psychopharmacology, 235(12), 3363-3379.\nMeents, J. E., Hoffmann, J., Chaplan, S. R., Neeb, L., Schuh-Hofer, S., Wickenden, A., & Reuter, U. (2015). Two TRPV1 receptor antagonists are effective in two different experimental models of migraine. The journal of headache and pain, 16(1), 1-10.\nParker, L. A., Rock, E. M., & Limebeer, C. L. (2011). Regulation of nausea and vomiting by cannabinoids. British journal of pharmacology, 163(7), 1411-1422.\nDe Ternay, J., Naassila, M., Nourredine, M., Louvet, A., Bailly, F., Sescousse, G., ... & Rolland, B. (2019). Therapeutic prospects of cannabidiol for alcohol use disorder and alcohol-related damages on the liver and the brain. Frontiers in pharmacology, 10, 627.\nLiput, D. J., Hammell, D. C., Stinchcomb, A. L., & Nixon, K. (2013). Transdermal delivery of cannabidiol attenuates binge alcohol-induced neurodegeneration in a rodent model of an alcohol use disorder. Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior, 111, 120-127.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line961176"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.677411675453186,"wiki_prob":0.32258832454681396,"text":"Search Results (15 titles)\nWells, H. G. (X) English (X) Science Fiction Collection (X)\n* Science Fiction Collection\nRecords: 1 - 15 of 15 - Pages:\nInvisible Man, The (Version 2)\nSubjects: Fiction, Adventure, Science fiction\nCollections: Literature, Invisible Man, The (Version 2), Audio Books Collection, Science Fiction Collection\n...Terrifically popular science fiction novel by renowned writer HG Wells, about a scientist discovering how to achieve invisibility. But, in his case, being out of sight evidently does NOT mean out of mind. (Summary by Cathy Barratt)...\nTime Machine, The\nCollections: Literature, Time Machine, The, Audio Books Collection, Science Fiction Collection\n...The Time Machine is a novel by H. G. Wells, first published in 1895, later made into two films of the same title. This novel is generally credited with the popularization of the concept of time travel using a vehicle that allows an operator to travel purposef...\nSleeper Awakes, The\nSubjects: Fiction, Science fiction, Adventure\nCollections: Literature, Sleeper Awakes, The, Audio Books Collection, Science Fiction Collection\nWorld Set Free, The, Version 2\nSubjects: Fiction, Fantasy\nCollections: Literature, World Set Free, The, Version 2, Audio Books Collection, Science Fiction Collection\n...Radioactive decay is a major theme in the novel The World Set Free, published in 1914. Wells explores what might happen if the rate of decay could be sped up. The book may have encouraged scientists to explore theories of nuclear chain reaction. It also served as a vehicle for Wells to develop his ideas on surv...\nInvisible Man, The\nCollections: Literature, Invisible Man, The, Audio Books Collection, Science Fiction Collection\n...The Invisible Man (1897) is one of the most famous science fiction novels of all time. Written by H.G. Wells (1866-1946), it tells the story of a scientist who discovers the secret of invisibility and uses it on himself. The story begins as the Invisible Man, with a bandaged face and a heavy coat and gloves, takes a train t...\nTime Machine, The (Version 4)\nCollections: Literature, Time Machine, The (Version 4), Audio Books Collection, Science Fiction Collection, Law\n...The Time Machine is a science fiction novella by H. G. Wells, published in 1895 for the first time and later adapted into at least two feature films of the same name, as well as two television versions, and a large number of comic book adaptations. It indirectly inspired many ...\nWorld Set Free, The\nCollections: Literature, Social Sciences, History, World Set Free, The, Audio Books Collection, Science Fiction Collection\n...The World Set Free is a novel published in 1914 by H. G. Wells. The book is considered a prophetical novel foretelling the advent of nuclear weapons. A constant theme in Wells's work, such as his 1901 nonfiction book Anticipations, was the role of energy and technological advanc...\nFirst Men in the Moon, The\nCollections: Technology, Literature, First Men in the Moon, The, Audio Books Collection, Science Fiction Collection\nIsland of Dr. Moreau, The\nCollections: Literature, Sociology, Religion, Island of Dr. Moreau, The, Audio Books Collection, Science Fiction Collection\n...The Island of Doctor Moreau is an 1896 science fiction novel written by H. G. Wells, addressing ideas of society and community, human nature and identity, religion, Darwinism, and eugenics. When the novel was written in the late 19th century, England's scientific community was engulfed by debates on...\nWar in the Air, The\nSubjects: Fiction, Adventure, Fantasy\nCollections: Political Sociology, Military Science, Literature, Naval Science, Political Science, History, War in the Air, The, Audio Books Collection, Science Fiction Collection\n...War in the Air was written during a prolific time in H. G. Wells's writing career. Having withdrawn from British politics to spend more time on his own ideas, he published twelve books between 1901 and 1911, including this one. while many British citizens were surprised by the adv...\nIn the Days of the Comet\nCollections: Military Science, Literature, Naval Science, Education, Astronomy, History, In the Days of the Comet, Audio Books Collection, Science Fiction Collection\nFood of the Gods and How it Came to Earth, The\nCollections: Agriculture, Literature, Language, Recreation, Biology, Chemistry, Food of the Gods and How it Came to Earth, The, Audio Books Collection, Science Fiction Collection\nWar of the Worlds, The (version 2)\nCollections: Military Science, Literature, Naval Science, History, War of the Worlds, The (version 2), Audio Books Collection, Science Fiction Collection\n...War of the Worlds by Herbert George Wells (H.G. Wells) was published in 1898 at a time when he wrote a series of novels related to a number of historical events of the time. The most important of these was the unification and militarization of Germany. The stor...\nWar of the Worlds, The\nCollections: Military Science, Technology, Literature, Language, Sociology, Naval Science, Music, History, Chemistry, War of the Worlds, The, Audio Books Collection, Science Fiction Collection\n...H. G. Wells wrote The War of the Worlds in 1898, when there was much speculation about life on the planet Mars. The book is considered to be one of the first science fiction novels. In the story, an English gentleman narrates th...\nSecret Places of the Heart, The\nCollections: Military Science, Literature, Law, Sociology, Naval Science, History, Gynecology and Obstetrics, Secret Places of the Heart, The, Audio Books Collection, Science Fiction Collection\n...f the British gentry, tries to resolve problems in his marriage as he travels with a psychiatrist. The book is to a great extent autobiographical. H. G. had read some brillliantly composed articles by a writer who wrote under the name Rebecca West. In one piece she called H. G. pseudo-scientific. He contacted her and asked what she meant. When they met for lunch, it was th...","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line551179"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5281461477279663,"wiki_prob":0.5281461477279663,"text":"You are here: Home / Comcast / NBC / NBC SPORTS GROUP 2019 BRIDGESTONE NHL WINTER CLASSIC® MEDIA CONFERENCE CALL – TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18, AT 11 A.M. ET\nNBC SPORTS GROUP 2019 BRIDGESTONE NHL WINTER CLASSIC® MEDIA CONFERENCE CALL – TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18, AT 11 A.M. ET\nMike ‘Doc’ Emrick, Eddie Olczyk, Pierre McGuire & Executive Producer Sam Flood\nDial 334-323-0522 to Participate\nSTAMFORD, Conn. – Dec. 17, 2018 – NBC Sports Group’s NHL broadcast team of Mike ‘Doc’ Emrick (play-by-play), Eddie Olczyk (analyst), Pierre McGuire (‘Inside the Glass’ Analyst), and executive producer Sam Flood, will preview the upcoming 2019 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic®, featuring the Boston Bruins and Chicago Blackhawks at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Ind., on a media conference call tomorrow, Tuesday, December 18, at 11 a.m. ET.\nMedia interested in participating should call 334-323-0522; Passcode: 1222273.\nWHAT: 2019 NHL Winter Classic® Media Conference Call\nWHO: Mike ‘Doc’ Emrick, Eddie Olczyk, Pierre McGuire, Sam Flood\nWHEN: Tomorrow, Tuesday, December 18, at 11 a.m. ET\nNUMBER: 334-323-0522\nThe Bruins and Blackhawks will be making their third and fourth appearances, respectively, in the NHL Winter Classic®. Chicago’s previous appearances in the NHL Winter Classic include the 2009 NHL Winter Classic against the Detroit Red Wings at Wrigley Field (6-4 loss); a road trip to play the Washington Capitals in 2015 at Nationals Park (3-2 loss); and a matchup against the St. Louis Blues in 2017 at Busch Stadium (4-1 loss). Boston was the home club in its two NHL Winter Classic games; a 2-1 overtime win against the Philadelphia Flyers at Fenway Park in 2010 and a 5-1 loss to the Montreal Canadiens in 2016 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough.\n-NBC SPORTS GROUP-","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1911192"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6630168557167053,"wiki_prob":0.3369831442832947,"text":"The AM5 socket Ryzen 7000 processors arrive in the second half of 2022.\nAMD returned to the game with its Ryzen processors and once again became competitive with Intel at a time when we thought it was no longer possible. The constant and concrete advancement of processors on Zen architecture has brought much-needed excitement to the processor market, which is why the presentation of what is to come soon is eagerly awaited.\nAt CES 2022, AMD did not unveil the fifth-generation Ryzen desktop processors but confirmed the Ryzen 7000 arrives in the second half of 2022. It will be Zen 4 processors, built with a new 5-nanometer manufacturing process. AMD has revealed that it will move to a new socket, after using AM4 since 2016.\nSocket AM5 will be based on LGA design, which is a big change for AMD processors. From now on, the \"pins\" will be on the motherboard, instead of on the processors themselves, as has been the case with AMD so far. The exact standard for the AM5 socket will be the LGA1718. The good news though is that the coolers for the AM4 socket will still be compatible with the AM5.\nThe new processors will be compatible with PCIe 5.0 and DDR5 standards, which means that the transition to the new generation of Ryzen will begin to move to a new standard of working memory. As DDR5 memories have just gone on sale, their prices are high, so count on the fact that switching to the Ryzen 7000 series will not be a cheap investment if you go for the DDR5 solution as a \"stake\" for the future. However, there is still a lot of time until then, and according to the latest information, it is possible that we could get alternative solutions such as an adapter that converts DDR4 memory into DDR5 type.\nTags: Hardware News","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1246026"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8293784260749817,"wiki_prob":0.8293784260749817,"text":"Washington State Justices’ Ruling Ignores Election\nBy Heather Kays\nThe Washington state Supreme Court on Sept. 4 rule the state’s charter school law as unconstitutional. The justices dug deep to justify their decision, referencing a definition of public schools from a 1909 case, School District 20 vs. Bryan. Instead of citing a particular right spelled out in the U.S. Constitution or Washington state’s constitution, the court based its ruling largely on its own, distinctive interpretation of the term “common schools.”\nThe ruling essentially claims charter schools are not public schools, which could not be more blatantly false. Charter schools are public schools that have somewhat more autonomy than traditional public schools. Most states now have charter school laws on the books, so Washington’s law was not some kind of weird experiment, but rather right in line with other programs dozens of states and cities have already implemented.\nThe court ruling is based on the absurd premise that charter schools are not accountable to taxpayers because they are not run by elected school boards. But the state’s 2012 charter law came into being because of a ballot initiative voted on directly by — you guessed it — the taxpayers of Washington state. They gave their approval at that time.\nUnlike traditional public schools, charter schools are also directly accountable to the parents of the children who attend them. Charter schools typically close within three years if they are not doing a good job. Failing public schools just go on and on, dooming more children to a poor education. The teachers unions and their allies who sued to stop the state’s charter law are forcing those students to remain trapped in their failing schools. Just who is it that’s acting as if they’re not accountable to the taxpayer here?\nIt was particularly irresponsible for the court to delay making this decision until the school year was about to start, thus leaving hundreds of students in the lurch. Again, just who is it that’s acting as if they’re not accountable here?\nLiv Finne, director of education studies at the Washington Policy Center, notes the people of Washington passed the charter school law through the ballot initiative process because they wanted serious educational reform. The court is denying them their right to decide how their schools should be structured.\n“Just as schools across Washington open their doors to students, the state Supreme Court placed school reform in serious jeopardy,” Finne said. “For technical reasons, the court struck down the charter school law passed by voters in 2012. The state teachers union — the Washington Education Association, which funded the lawsuit against the charter school law — celebrated the ruling.”\nFinne says the state’s teachers unions have undue influence over education policy in Washington. She’s obviously right.\n“The ruling has shocked and upset the parents and families of the 1,300 children enrolled in one of Washington’s nine new charter schools,” said Finne. “Questions are now being raised about union influence on the Supreme Court. Public records show seven of the nine Supreme Court judges took maximum contributions from the state teachers union during their election campaigns.”\nThe technical fixes necessary to correct this ridiculous ruling are simple: either change or remove the term “common schools” from state law or rewrite the definition of the term to include charter schools, which are, as noted earlier, public schools. That just happens to be what the voters of Washington have expressly communicated they want. Since the state’s courts won’t do the right thing for Washington’s children, it’s up to the Legislature to do so.\nThe court made a disappointing decision in this case, and parents, teachers and taxpayers will all have to stand up and demand more.\n[Originally published at the Washington Herald]\nHeather Kays\nHeather Kays is a policy advisor to The Heartland Institute and former managing editor of School Reform News, a national monthly publication.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1533503"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9795920848846436,"wiki_prob":0.9795920848846436,"text":"News & Awards >\nSkelly & Couch projects triumph in RIBA regional awards 2021\nThe Malthouse, The King's School Canterbury: winner of 3 RIBA South East Awards 2021 © Philip Vile\nSkelly & Couch projects feature strongly in this year’s RIBA Regional Awards with five accolades presented by RIBA South East alone.\nIn addition to a main prize, Tim Ronalds’ The Malthouse at The King’s School in Canterbury scooped two of the special awards for the South East region’s Building of the Year title as well as its 2021 Conservation Award. Earlier this year, the building also won in the Cultural and Religious Buildings £5 million and over category at the AJ’s Retrofit Awards. The state-of-the-art theatre at the Kent independent school was hailed by the judges as an ‘absolute exemplar of how to repurpose an existing building in an imaginative, honest and sensitive way’.\nThe International College at The King’s School, Canterbury by Walters & Cohen Architects was also honoured with an Award.\nAnother outstanding Skelly & Couch project, Brighton College School of Science and Sport by OMA, was honoured with a RIBA South East Award.\nContinuing the winning streak, the new student residential Dorothy Wadham Building by Allies and Morrison at 400-year old Wadham College was given an award by RIBA South.\nAnd that’s not all. Two further Skelly & Couch projects remain shortlisted for regional RIBA Award schemes yet to be announced.\nCambridge Central Mosque by Marks Barfield features on the RIBA East shortlist, with winners announced on 18 August, while Mountview Academy by Turner Works is on the RIBA London shortlist, with honours announced on 26 August.\nAll regional award winners will now be considered for the highly prized RIBA National Awards, to be announced on Thursday, 9 September.\nThe shortlist for the RIBA Stirling Prize for the best building of the year will be drawn from the RIBA National Award-winning projects later in the year. The Stirling Prize winner will be announced on Thursday, 14 October.\nOwing to the pandemic, the 2021 RIBA UK Regional Awards are being selected from the shortlists for the 2020 RIBA Regional Awards.\nAs a well-known building services engineering company, Skelly & Couch regularly appears in the press and media. We provide updates on our projects, award wins, industry commentary and appointments.\nTo find out more contact Anna Barlow - Head of PR and Marketing.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line565999"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7042397856712341,"wiki_prob":0.29576021432876587,"text":"This website uses cookies to help us enhance your browsing experience. By using this website you consent to our use of these cookies. To find out more about how we use cookies and how to manage them, please see our Privacy Policy and our Terms & Conditions.\nListing guide\nWhy Cayman Islands\nExplore the diverse areas and communities around Grand Cayman\nGlobal Citizen Programme\nResidency by Investment\nAbout Provenance Properties\nMarket data Guides News Contact\nProvenance Properties\nProvenance supports art exhibit\nProvenance Properties Cayman Islands, Dart Real Estate’s sole real estate brokerage and the exclusive Christie’s International Real Estate affiliate in the Cayman Islands, is showcasing an outdoor art exhibit in Camana Bay throughout the winter season.\nCurated by the National Gallery, the installation includes 10 iconic works from the official “Cayman Islands National Collection” developed by the National Gallery, featuring works that were created over the past four decades. The collection features works by well-known and highly respected local artists, such as Gladwyn “Miss Lassie” Bush, that were created over the past six decades.\n“Provenance Properties has a direct connection to the art world through its exclusive affiliation with Christie’s, the world’s leading art auction house, and we believe it’s fitting for us to showcase this collection because art, in its many forms, inspires our business,” said Jackie Doak, Dart’s President Business Development.\nDirector and chief curator of the National Gallery Natalie Urquhart said the Cayman Islands’ National Collection offers an unparalleled record of the islands’ rich artistic and cultural history.\n\"At the heart of the National Gallery of the Cayman Islands is the Cayman Islands’ National Collection, samples from which form the basis of this exhibition,\" she said. “They’re a testament to the country’s vibrant history of art. The National Gallery is delighted to continue its creative partnership with Camana Bay and Provenance Properties through this exhibition of iconic works.”\n“The exhibit is beautifully curated,” said Doak, who also explained that Provenance Properties’ approach to curating its own luxury listings portfolio has many similarities to the way a gallery curator might assemble a collection of works. \"Our luxury properties are works of art and we value their form and function. We also share in Christie’s high standards by representing some of the world’s most desired properties right here in the Cayman Islands.”\nDoak encourages residents and visitors to head to Camana Bay to experience the exhibit, which can be seen along the Paseo, as well as viewing the original works at the National Gallery of the Cayman Islands. “Everyone should see it and be reminded that you don’t need to fly to London or New York to experience fine art – it can be found in our own backyard.”\nAbout Provenance Properties Cayman Islands\nProvenance Properties is the exclusive Cayman Islands Christie’s International Real Estate affiliate, the sole real estate brokerage for Dart Real Estate and a member of the Cayman Islands Real Estate Brokers Association (CIREBA).\nProvenance provides access to a large and growing portfolio of private residences, condominiums, hotel residences and land in the Cayman Islands. In addition to premium entry to the Cayman Islands most desirable properties, Provenance leverages the experience and reputation of the region’s premier real estate developer.\nFor more information, visit provenanceproperties.com, keep up with the latest information on Facebook and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.\nAbout Camana Bay\nA destination within a destination, Camana Bay is a vibrant town located in the heart of Grand Cayman in the Cayman Islands, a British Overseas Territory.\nSituated on 685 acres between Seven Mile Beach and the North Sound, this mixed-use master-planned community is one of the first examples of New Urbanism in the Caribbean.\nDeveloped by Dart Real Estate, Camana Bay offers more than 650,000 square feet of commercial office and retail space as well as 63 luxury apartments available for long-term lease, and condos, townhomes and duplexes at OLEA, Camana Bay’s first for-sale residential project. The town also offers public spaces for all to enjoy, world-class shopping and dining, as well as family-friendly entertainment, events and attractions.\nFor more information, visit camanabay.com and keep up with the latest developments on Facebook and follow us on Instagram.\nAbout National Gallery of the Cayman Islands\nEstablished in 1996, the National Gallery of the Cayman Islands (NGCI) is the country’s leading visual arts museum and education centre, charged with promoting and encouraging the appreciation and practice of the visual arts in the Cayman Islands. The mission is achieved through exhibitions, education and outreach programmes, school tours, community festivals, and ongoing research projects. Holding up to six exhibitions annually at our central exhibition space, and satellite venues around Grand Cayman and the Sister Islands, the curatorial team strives to create a balance between exhibitions of quality Caymanian artwork with art from further afield. This is achieved by working with a broad cross-section of artists and ranging from site-specific work to more traditional gallery-based projects. For more information, visit the National Gallery website.\nAnna Wootton\nDigital Marketing & PR Manager, Dart Real Estate\nAnna.Wootton@dart.ky\nDiscover luxury living at Seafire\nCayman Art Week’s inaugural celebration\nDart shares solutions for globally mobile high-net-worth individuals seeking privacy and safety in the Cayman Islands\nCayman Islands homes for sale\nNotable property sales\nReal estate developments\nCayman Islands vacation rentals\nLong-term rentals in Cayman\nWhy choose the Cayman Islands?\nCayman Islands neighbourhoods\nCamana Bay\n© 2023 Provenance Properties of Cayman Ltd. All Rights Reserved","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line87444"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.927435576915741,"wiki_prob":0.927435576915741,"text":"Maryland Workers’ Compensation: New case on average weekly wage\nOn Behalf of Cohen, Snyder, Eisenberg & Katzenberg, P.A. | Mar 27, 2018 | Workers' Compensation\nWhen a Maryland employee gets a work-related injury or disease, he or she is eligible for Workers’ Compensation. When the worker is found to be temporarily totally disabled, he or she receives wage replacement benefits equal to two-thirds of average weekly wage.\n(The statute caps the weekly benefit at the statewide average weekly wage and applies a different formula for average weekly wages under $50.00.)\nAt our law firm, we advocate for correct and fair calculation of this figure for our Workers’ Compensation clients.\nImportant Maryland case\nOn March 1, the Court of Special Appeals of Maryland issued an opinion about calculating average weekly wage. Richard Beavers Construction, Inc. v. Wagstaff concerns a construction worker who was severely injured when he fell through a roof at the worksite after six weeks on the job. He had been hired for full-time work as a lift operator, but had not worked full time in his first six weeks because of bad weather. The employer had instructed him not to work in rain or snow.\nThe issue became whether his average weekly wage should be based on the first six weeks of work, all of which were less than full time, or whether it should instead be calculated based on what a full-time wage would have been without missing work. These figures were $317.38 and $758.00, respectively.\nReasonable interpretation\nThe court said that when it interprets a Workers’ Compensation statute or regulation, it looks at its plain or ordinary meaning. However, if the words are not “sufficiently clear,” it should be interpreted to “carry out [the law’s] general purpose.” The Workers’ Compensation Act is “remedial” and uncertainty in meaning should be resolved in favor of the worker.\nThe court found that average weekly wage also includes a “projection of what an employee would have gone on to earn” but for the injury — that it looks at “loss of earning capacity.”\nThe court ultimately found that the Maryland Workers’ Compensation Commission’s decision, after a hearing, that granted benefits based on a full-time average weekly wage of $758.00, was “a reasonable approximation of what he would normally earn in his position.” (A lower court had also affirmed that decision.)\nWhen the issue of average weekly wage is before the Commission at a hearing, it is free to determine the appropriate time period on which to base the calculation, the court said, and the Commission had made no legal error.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1755569"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6956009268760681,"wiki_prob":0.6956009268760681,"text":"Locking Up Our Own by James Forman Jr.\nIn recent years, America’s criminal justice system has become the subject of an increasingly urgent debate. Critics have assailed the rise of mass incarceration, emphasizing its disproportionate impact on people of color. As James Forman, Jr., points out, however, the war on crime that began in the 1970s was supported by many African American leaders in the nation’s urban centers. In Locking Up Our Own, he seeks to understand why.\nForman shows us that the first substantial cohort of black mayors, judges, and police chiefs took office amid a surge in crime and drug addiction. Many prominent black officials, including Washington, D.C. mayor Marion Barry and federal prosecutor Eric Holder, feared that the gains of the civil rights movement were being undermined by lawlessness―and thus embraced tough-on-crime measures, including longer sentences and aggressive police tactics. In the face of skyrocketing murder rates and the proliferation of open-air drug markets, they believed they had no choice. But the policies they adopted would have devastating consequences for residents of poor black neighborhoods.\nA former D.C. public defender, Forman tells riveting stories of politicians, community activists, police officers, defendants, and crime victims. He writes with compassion about individuals trapped in terrible dilemmas―from the men and women he represented in court to officials struggling to respond to a public safety emergency. Locking Up Our Own enriches our understanding of why our society became so punitive and offers important lessons to anyone concerned about the future of race and the criminal justice system in this country.\n← History of Wolves by Emily Fridlund\nRestless in L.A. by Robin Finn →","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line781534"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9878895878791809,"wiki_prob":0.9878895878791809,"text":"Andrew McDonald takes over as Australia’s full-time coach\nby Vishal Bhawani April 13, 2022 April 13, 2022\nAndrew McDonald has been named the full-time, all-format head coach of the Australian men’s cricket team, according to Cricket Australia.\nFollowing Justin Langer’s departure in early February, the former Victorian all-rounder had been functioning as an interim replacement. McDonald has been offered a four-year contract after a successful tour of Pakistan, where he oversaw Test and T20I victories.\nMcDonald earned accolades from Test captain Pat Cummins after leading the squad to a 1-0 series win over Pakitan. During Langer’s four-year stint, McDonald coached Australia on many occasions while the former coach was on leave.\nMoreover, the 40-year-old has vast coaching experience having coached Victoria and Melbourne Renegades to domestic and BBL titles respectively. Previously, Andrew has also been head coach of Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the IPL.\nFollowing Langer’s resignation, CA used a recruitment consultancy to conduct a global search for a new men’s coach.\nPotential candidates were Australia captain Ricky Ponting, former England coach Trevor Bayliss and current Australia women’s coach Matthew Mott.\nMcDonald, though, was an easy pick due to his popularity among the players and the team’s recent success.\nChief of Cricket Australia (CA) on selecting Andrew McDonald as new head coach\nAustralia's new men's head coach said he won't hesitate to hand responsibility to assistants in the coming years.https://t.co/7sJ6EklnOL\n— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) April 13, 2022\nOn making Andrew as the new coach, CA chief Nick Hockley said\n“Andrew has already shown he is an outstanding Head Coach and the vision he outlined for the role during the appointment process was both impressive and exciting, making him our clear choice,”\nHockley further added saying\n“We are proud of the way the team played and the respect shown throughout the tour of Pakistan under the leadership of Andrew, Pat [Cummins] and Aaron [Finch] and really pleased Andrew is taking on the role permanently.”\nMeanwhile, In a statement, McDonald said he was ‘honoured’ to be given the opportunity. The 4o-year-old expressed his views further saying\n“My plan is to build on the growth, depth and experience of the squad while working collectively with the group and across the game,”\n“There are many challenges in the short-term which I know excites the leadership group, the players and the staff.\nMcDonald’s will have a difficult first year in the post, with away Test tours to Sri Lanka and India. Moreover, Andrew McDonald will also be looking forward to Australia’s title defense in the T20 World Cup later this year. It will be interesting to see how the Australian team now approach games under the guidance of a new head coach.\nCricket AustraliaShare00\nBayern Munich crashed out of Champions League by Villarreal\nIPL 2022: RR vs GT – Team News, Predicted Lineup & Match Preview\nShivam Dube gets maiden India call-up, credits Kohli, De Villiers for teaching him play ‘fearless cricket’\nMridul October 25, 2019 October 25, 2019\nVirat Kohli advised young batsmen to not follow the first half of his innings\nRajendra Prasad December 7, 2019 December 7, 2019\nIPL 2022: Losing streak for KKR continues as DC clinches 6th spot\nVishal Bhawani April 29, 2022 April 29, 2022","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1510766"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6854303479194641,"wiki_prob":0.6854303479194641,"text":"Juice Bar launches Live Chat\nThe Juice Bar has launched a new Live Chat service to provide people with easy access to image and performance enhancing drug (IPED) advice online.\nThe new initiative has been introduced by the Juice Bar a specialist IPED service delivered by the East Riding Partnership, as a convenient, modern, interactive way to help people get support and information from expert staff, and can be accessed on the Juice Bar web page www.ads-uk.org/thejuicebar\nThe Juice Bar lead Paul Martindale said: “We’re delighted to be introducing Live Chat as an additional way for people to make contact with our service.\n“We know that many people access information on IPED’s on-line but much of it is misleading and it can be difficult to separate out the facts. We already offer evening drop-in services, a help line and specialist email address but Live Chat provides a convenient and confidential way to access advice and is good news for people who may find it difficult accessing services due to work or family commitments.”\nThe Juice Bar’s Live Chat will initially be available Mondays and Wednesdays from 5pm until 7pm, but if people find this useful it will gradually be increased.\nPaul added: “It takes great courage to seek help or advice for yourself or a loved one and we know many IPED users are in full time work, so our aim is to make this service as accessible as possible. If we’re not online, people can leave a message and their contact details and we’ll contact them as soon as we’re back online.”\nFor a confidential chat about drug or alcohol issues please visit The Juice Bar’s Live Chat","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1107591"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8500708937644958,"wiki_prob":0.8500708937644958,"text":"FILE – In this photo taken on Oct. 5, 2015 a woman walks by the entrance to the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg. The European Union’s top court…\nFILE – In this photo taken on Oct. 5, 2015 a woman walks by the entrance to the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg. The European Union’s top court says Google has to delete search results about people in Europe if they can prove that the information is clearly wrong. People in Europe have the right to ask search engines to delete links to outdated or embarrassing information about themselves, even if it is true, under a principle known as “right to be forgotten.” (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert)\nAP Technology\nby: KELVIN CHAN, Associated Press\nLONDON (AP) — Google has to delete search results about people in Europe if they can prove that the information is clearly wrong, the European Union’s top court said Thursday.\nThe European Court of Justice ruled that search engines must “dereference information” if the person making the request can demonstrate that the material is “manifestly inaccurate.”\nPeople in Europe have the right to ask Google and other search engines to delete links to outdated or embarrassing information about themselves, even if it is true, under a principle known as “right to be forgotten.”\nStrict data protection rules in the 27-nation bloc give people the right to control what appears when their name is searched online, but the regulations frequently pit data privacy concerns against the public’s right to know.\nGoogle said it welcomed the decision.\n“Since 2014, we’ve worked hard to implement the right to be forgotten in Europe, and to strike a sensible balance between people’s rights of access to information and privacy,” the company said in a statement.\nThe case stems from a complaint filed in Germany’s highest court by two managers at a group of investment companies who asked Google to remove search results based on their names that linked to articles criticizing the group’s investment model.\nThey said the articles made false claims. Neither the managers nor the company were identified.\nThe pair also asked Google to remove thumbnail photos of them that came up in image searches without any context.\nGoogle refused because it didn’t know whether the articles were accurate or not, according to a press summary of the ruling.\nThe court disagreed, saying that if someone submits relevant and sufficient evidence proving the “manifest inaccuracy” of the information, the search engine must grant the request.\nThe judges said the right to freedom of expression and information can’t be taken into account if “at the very least, a part — which is not of minor importance — of the information” turns out to be wrong.\nTo avoid making it too hard to get false results removed, the ruling said a court decision isn’t needed and that people can “provide only evidence that can reasonably be required.”\nGoogle said the links and thumbnails in question in this particular case aren’t available through web and image search anymore. “The content at issue has been offline for a long time,” it said.\nSearch engines wouldn’t have to investigate the facts of each case to determine whether content is accurate, the court said, because it could amount to extra work that companies would be able get around by proactively removing results.\n“This will hopefully push Google and similar Big Tech firms to invest in a sufficiently trained and well-employed workforce capable of handling such requests, instead of outsourcing crucial content curation work to underpaid workers or an unaccountable algorithm,” said Jan Penfrat, senior policy advisor at digital rights group EDRi.\nIn a previous ruling, the court sided with Google in deciding that the “right to be forgotten” doesn’t apply outside the 27-nation EU. France’s privacy regulator had wanted the rule applied to all of Google’s search engines, even those outside Europe.\nGoogle has deleted 5.25 million weblinks since it started handling “right to be forgotten” requests in 2014, or nearly half of all requests processed, according to the company’s latest transparency report.\nWhen Google receives a takedown request, it doesn’t remove the links from all web searches, just when a person’s name is typed in. It will still show up when other search terms are used.\nThe best Wisconsin restaurant visited by Guy Fieri: …","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1661616"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9586357474327087,"wiki_prob":0.9586357474327087,"text":"News | North Dakota\nNorth Dakota’s gas flaring rate 7 times higher than next-highest state, study finds\nNorth Dakota now captures 95% of natural gas, the vast amount of which comes from oil wells, but still stands out as a major source of flaring, which releases climate-warming methane.\nA natural gas flare on an oil well ad burns as the sun sets outside Watford City, North Dakota, in 2016.\nBy Patrick Springer\nBISMARCK — North Dakota is one of five states that together account for 90% of the nation’s flared natural gas and is an “outlier” with flaring intensity that is seven times greater than the next-highest state.\nThose are among the findings by consultants Rystad Energy in a study commissioned by the Environmental Defense Fund that determined infrastructure capacity limits are by far the greatest cause of flaring gas that can’t be captured and processed.\nNorth Dakota greatly exceeded the other four major flaring states in flaring intensity, the percentage of flared gas as a percent of total produced gas, according to the report.\nNorth Dakota accounted for 35% of the flaring by the group of five leading states — second to Texas, with 41% — but had a flaring intensity of 7.1%, seven times greater than the next-highest state, New Mexico, which flared 1% of the gas it produced in 2021, the Rystad Energy report found.\nFlaring in New Mexico was 11% of the total for the five states. Texas, the leading oil and gas state, flared 0.9% of the gas it produced in 2021, the report said. Wyoming flared 0.2% of its natural gas, followed by Colorado with 0.1%.\n“It’s a huge source of waste. It’s unconscionable, really. It’s also a huge source of pollution,” Jon Goldstein, the Environmental Defense Fund’s senior director of regulatory and legislative affairs, said of flaring. “That’s a big problem, particularly in North Dakota.”\nLynn Helms, director of the North Dakota Department of Mineral Resources, said the vast majority of natural gas produced in the state is a byproduct of oil wells, making it more difficult to capture.\nElsewhere, most natural gas is produced from natural gas wells, specifically designed to capture the gas for processing, he said.\n“I don’t believe that the way they did that analysis is a good method,” Helms said. “The problem is North Dakota is the only one of these five states that the vast majority of our gas comes from oil wells.”\nIn North Dakota, 65% of natural gas is from oil wells, compared to 10% in Texas, he said. Flaring occurs at oil wells, not natural gas wells, Helms said.\nNatural gas is flared at an oil well in Williams County, North Dakota.\nAmy Dalrymple / Forum Communications Co.\nStill, Helms acknowledged that even if only “associated” gas is taken into account — gas production associated with oil production — North Dakota still tops the list, but at a rate that is closer to 1.5 times the next-highest state, he said.\n“I’m not happy being at the highest percentage,” Helms said. “We still have a significant amount of work to do.”\nIn September, the most recent figures available, North Dakota petroleum producers captured 95% of natural gas — achieving all-time highs both for gas produced and captured. The statewide flared gas volume from August, when 94% of gas was captured, decreased 35,000 cubic feet per day to 156.4 million cubic feet per day, according to state figures.\nTo further reduce flaring, North Dakota is focusing on four oil fields that lag far below the overall capture rate, ranging from 52% to 87%, Helms said. Three of the four oil fields are located on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation.\n“If we can bring those up to the 95%, associated gas capture would fall in line with other states,” Helms said.\nCompanies are preparing to capture the gas, and Helms anticipates that in a year or so much of the gas on the problematic oil fields will be captured and delivered to the market.\nPlans also call for reversing two pipelines, originally designed to carry natural gas from Wyoming to North Dakota, allowing more gas to be exported for processing, Helms said.\nIncreased pipeline capacity also would allow two or three gas processing plants in North Dakota to expand, adding half a billion cubic feet per day of capacity, he said.\nNatural gas processing capacity in North Dakota quadrupled from one billion cubic feet per day in 2013 to four billion cubic feet per day in 2021, which Helms said helped to significantly reduce flaring.\nGas processing infrastructure continues to expand. In a project expected to start construction in 2023, a Canadian company called Cerilon plans to develop a $2.8 billion plant in Williams County that will convert natural gas into liquid fuels. Plans call for the plant to produce 24,000 barrels per day of ultra-low sulfur diesel and other specialty products.\nIn 2011, flaring peaked in North Dakota, when 36% of natural gas was captured. In 2020, North Dakota, which has 2.4% of the nation’s natural gas reserves, accounted for 24% of total vented and flared natural gas, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.\nNorth Dakota has a goal of capturing 91% of natural gas, a level that in 2018 was reduced from 95% by 2020 when the policy was adopted in 2014.\nToday, most major petroleum producers aim to capture 95% to 98% of natural gas, and the state is considering increasing its capture goal, Helms said.\nThe most productive area of the Oil Patch’s Bakken formation is 80% to 85% developed, prompting oil producers to extend beyond the core, where oil and gas are not as easy to reach, he said.\nThat will make it more difficult to increase the gas capture rate, Helms said. “It’ll be an interesting challenge,” he said. The industry’s use of horizontal drilling is now extending up to three miles laterally, up from the one mile laterals that once were standard, making drilling more efficient.\n“It’s very exciting,” Helms said, but added it will be a challenge to build gas-capturing infrastructure in time to reduce flaring.\nThe study by the Environmental Defense Fund found that flaring in North Dakota is largely driven by a lack of infrastructure. Infrastructure capacity constraints account for 84% of flaring in North Dakota and 64% in Texas.\nNorth Dakota is one of five states that contributed 90% of total flared volumes in 2021. North Dakota flares an amount similar to Texas, which produces more than nine times as much gas, causing North Dakota's flaring intensity to be much greater than other states.\nMethane, the main component of natural gas, is a potent greenhouse gas. Over a period of 20 years, methane is more than 80 times as potent, pound for pound, as more abundant carbon dioxide.\nA recent study has found that flaring isn’t as efficient at destroying methane as commonly assumed, both by industry and government.\nFlares burn off excess natural gas from oil well sites.\nJoshua Komer/Grand Forks Herald\nA team of researchers led by the University of Michigan, in findings published in Science , determined that flaring is the source of five times more pollution than previously thought due to inefficient burning.\nIndustry and government generally assume flared gas is burned with 98% efficiency, but the researchers found that only 91.1% of methane is destroyed by flaring, due to unlit flares and inefficient combustion.\n“This represents a five-fold increase in methane emissions above present assumptions and constitutes 4% to 10% of total U.S. oil and gas methane emissions,” the study found.\nThe Environmental Protection Agency has published a new, 505-page draft rule on regulating flaring and venting of methane.\nThe proposal would reduce methane emissions from covered sources by 87% below 2005 levels, according to the EPA.\nLisa DeVille of Mandaree, a member of the Dakota Resource Council, applauded the new methane rule, which she said would help reduce flaring.\n“Fort Berthold Reservation, where my family and I live is where the most flaring occurs, in North Dakota – the state with the most flaring!” she said. “Quickly finalizing strong EPA rules will protect communities like mine from the immediate threats from flaring and other oil and gas activities and the threats we already experience because of climate change.”\nThe proposed rule, which is open to public comments, focuses attention on methane “super emitters,” such as unlit flares or major equipment leaks, an approach Helms said makes sense.\n“I think that’s healthy,” he said, adding that North Dakota is taking a similar approach by focusing on the four oil fields that flare at much higher rates.\nOn the other hand, Helms has concerns with provisions in the rule involving certification of methane emissions that he said conflict with North Dakota law. Emissions measurement is highly technical and requires special training, Helms said.\nIn the new rule, the EPA is tightening down on routine flaring, but doesn’t go as far as the states of Colorado and New Mexico, Goldstein said. Although an improvement, he said the government should go further in requiring methane emission reductions.\nRelated Topics: ENERGY AND MININGNORTH DAKOTAENVIRONMENT\nPatrick Springer first joined The Forum in 1985. He covers a wide range of subjects including health care, energy and population trends. Email address: pspringer@forumcomm.com\nThe consumer protection division of the attorney general's office opened an investigation in October of 2021 into Glasser Images and its sudden closure.\nBy David Olson\nThe bill’s passage in the House marks the first win for socially conservative lawmakers who have promoted a series of bills aiming to restrict gender expression for LGBTQ residents.\nBy Jeremy Turley\n\"They lost everything they owned in the explosion and will have no place to return to when they do get released\" from the hospital, according to a sister of one of the victims.\n'Shark Tank' star to oversee new North Dakota investment program\nThe North Dakota Development Fund chose O'Leary Ventures to manage the $45 million Wonder Fund North Dakota program\nBy Jack Dura / The Bismarck Tribune\nSport shorts: Thursday Blue Jay events postponed.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1096559"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9631785154342651,"wiki_prob":0.9631785154342651,"text":"Ryuichi Sakamoto has been an enormously respected artist for decades, starting with his work in the '70s and '80s as a member of Yellow Magic Orchestra in his native Japan to his deeply affective, Grammy and Oscar-winning scores for film and within his numerous avant-electronic solo experimentations. Those experimentations...\n'This is not entertainment': John Zorn, all over Big Ears\nJanuary 26, 2023 - 11:04am\nContent warning: This episode contains explicit language.\nTrick question: How do you chronicle the creative plenitude of John Zorn? It's a fool's errand, considering his body of work, which at least resists categorization if not the very limits of description. Still, there's copious insight, and no small amount...\nJanuary 26, 2023 - 9:13am\nAs a youngster in rural Pennsylvania, Missy Mazzoli knew she didn't want to become an astronaut or a nurse. Instead, she announced at age 10 that she was a composer — even though she hadn't yet written a note. The adults in her life figured she'd get over it....\nTiny Desk meets globalFEST: Septeto Santiaguero, Bia Ferreira, Moonlight Benjamin\nFor the third year, Tiny Desk concerts team up with globalFEST for a thrilling online music festival — Tiny Desk meets globalFEST.\nHosted by Angélique Kidjo, the series echoes globalFEST's live flagship event in spirit but is centered in the framework of the Tiny Desk concert series. This...\ndeem spencer, '27'\nAlongside the announcement of his sophomore album adultSW!M, Queens-raised rapper deem spencer, drops an introspective new single, \"27\" featuring singer DaVionne, that vulnerably depicts the heartache of loss and the power of living fully and making it to the age of 27.\nIn the track he floats from...\nFor the Beatles-obsessed, here are 3 never-before-seen photos from 1964\nWhen the Beatles embarked on the tour that helped launch the British Invasion in 1964, Paul McCartney had a 35mm camera on hand to help document the history-making mayhem. Now, more than half a century later, McCartney's never-before-seen photos from that tour are getting the coffee-table book treatment — as...\nOvermono, 'Is U'\nIn Britain in the late 2000s, Tom Russell and his brother Ed were still forging their identities as dance-music producers — it wasn't until the following decade that they really found themselves: Tom would work in prismatic industrial modes, while Ed found himself part of the thriving post-dubstep scene known...\nTiny Desk meets globalFEST 2023: Dakh Daughters, Khadija El Warzazia, Cui Jian\nSenators slam Ticketmaster over bungling of Taylor Swift tickets, question breakup\nIt's been 13 years since the Justice Department allowed a merger between corporate giants Live Nation and Ticketmaster to go through, creating the largest live event company in the country, if not the world. The deal was subject to an agreement with the government that set certain conditions and limitations...\nPanic! at the Disco is ending after nearly two decades\nPanic! at the Disco, the emo-pop band that began in 2004, is ending its run after seven albums and nearly two decades.\nBrendon Urie, the band's frontman and last remaining original member, made the announcement on Instagram Tuesday. The post said the band's upcoming European tour for...\nAdeem the Artist refines their ability to tell country tales from where they stand\nIs there a more pointed or pleasing satire of what it's like being newly visible at the margins of country and roots music than Adeem the Artist's \"Redneck, Unread Hicks\"? \"Everybody gather 'round, we got another one here,\" they taunt in character. \"It's got the pronouns listed; it's a...\nAndy Shauf, 'Telephone'\nHow many hundred-plus-year-old pieces of technology still have songs written about them today? No matter how fast the world progresses and expands, or how many times the device's whole design changes, the telephone call, with all its immediacy and intimacy, is still as fruitful and rich a songwriting subject as...\nKasien, 'BREATHE (SLOW IT DOWN)'\nIf you're not hip to U.K. born Nigerian-Jamaican artist Kasien, his latest EP, FOLLOW ME, will have you trying to keep up — track after track, bar after bar. His lyrical conviction is contagious, revitalizing the listener through a robust global soundscape. Kasien is the life coach we didn't know...\nThe Senate's Ticketmaster hearing featured plenty of Taylor Swift puns and protesters\nThe Senate Judiciary Committee held its much-anticipated hearing into Live Nation and the lack of competition in the ticketing industry on Tuesday.\nWhile lawmakers grilled entertainment executives and antitrust experts, some of Ticketmaster's most vocal critics protested just steps away on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol: Taylor Swift...\nDos Santos' sound is a cultural melting pot as eclectic as their Chicago home\nLast April, the city of Chicago rolled out their new tourism slogan: \"The Middle of Everything.\" It's a phrase that not only applies geographically, as Chicago is essentially in the middle of the country, it also extends to the music scene and our guests today, Dos Santos.\nFor...\nSan Francisco Chinatown seniors welcome in the Lunar New Year with rap\nA cabaret dance troupe of elders from San Francisco's Chinatown has released a rap track and video celebrating ​the Lunar New Year.\nThat Lunar Cheer, a collaboration between the Grant Avenue Follies and Los Angeles-based rapper Jason Chu, hippety-hops into the Year of the Rabbit with...\nReneé Rapp wants to burn out by 30 — and it's all going perfectly to plan\nReneé Rapp has a plan: she's going to burn out by 30.\nThe 23-year-old Broadway star, TV actor, and musician would never recommend this to anyone else, but that's her vision.\nYou may know about Rapp from TikTok, where she has more than a million followers, or her...\nJohn Cale, ever restless, returns with the deeply collaborative 'Mercy'\n\"If you go and end up in a corner that you feel uncomfortable in, something will happen and you'll come up with a solution,\" explains the influential, always restless John Cale. \"That's kind of my mantra.\"\nSince co-founding The Velvet Underground with Lou Reed late in 1964,...\nWhat's making us happy: A guide to your weekend viewing\nThis week, we snuck a peek at Sundance Film Festival, watched another \"screenlife\" horror movie, and got behind our favorite pop culture icons.\nHere's what the NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour crew was paying attention to — and what you should check out this weekend....\nTWICE, 'MOONLIGHT SUNRISE'\nTWICE has always had traces of Atlanta bass in its DNA, but the K-pop girl group fully embraces the regional style on \"MOONLIGHT SUNRISE,\" a new English-language single. Glossy synths and warbled vocals begin the track with a beguiling charm, and then singer Sana arrives to capitalize...","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line219746"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5986053347587585,"wiki_prob":0.5986053347587585,"text":"Luther DickinsonNewsNews and EventsSouthern Music Collection\nAn Article by Brenda Germany\n“I was just obsessed with the inspiration that art gave me. I’ll be working on it for the rest of life – I’ll always be working on it.” Mississippi Hill Country Blues guitarist and vocalist Luther Dickinson, of the famed North Mississippi Allstars, admittedly has a passion for not only the Blues, but, also, for Ocean Springs artist Walter Anderson’s “Seven Climates of Ocean Springs”. In September 2018, The Southland Music Line had the pleasure of attending Dickinson’s third musical suite in the series based on Walter Anderson’s beautifully detailed paintings of coastal wildlife, nature and inhabitants. Gracing the walls of the Ocean Springs Community Center, this celebrated work is described by Anderson as the “Seven Climates,” in the sense of “a belt of the earth’s surface contained between two given parallels of latitude”- namely Ocean Springs, MS. His lushly, expansive murals conjoin each season with a harmonious planetary body: the Sun, Jupiter, Mars, Mercury and the Moon, Saturn, Uranus and Venus.\nOriginally born in Tennessee, Luther Dickinson moved with his parents, Mary Dickinson and well-known Memphis musician and producer Jim Dickinson, to the North Mississippi Hill Country in 1985. There, he and his brother, Cody, cultivated their promising musical talents while listening to Otha Turner’s Fife and Drum Blues band and Junior Kimbrough’s guitar prowess. Making his recording debut at age 14, Luther progressed to work with such outstanding artists as Mojo Nixon, Toy Caldwell (Marshall Tucker Band), Beck, Billy Lee Riley, John Hiatt, George Porter and the Dirty Dozen Brass Band prior to forming the acclaimed North Mississippi Allstars band with his brother. Luther later produced two of Otha Turner’s albums “Everybody Hollerin’ Goat” and “From Senegal to Senatobia” before receiving six Grammy nominations for his own albums.\nLuther Dickinson (Sun. Sept. 23, 2018)\nUndoubtedly attuned to the theory that each of the seven planets featured in Anderson’s paintings produce their own distinctive tone and in combining together create celestial music, Dickinson draws on his deep musical roots to write each “Season’s” unique composition. He invites fellow musicians to collaborate with him in each year’s performance, taking their inspiration from Anderson’s much-loved work. This year Dickinson united the talents of trombonist Big Sam (Big Sam’s Funky Nation), sousaphonist Kirk Joseph (The Dirty Dozen Brass Band), vocalist and granddaughter of Otha Turner, Sharde “Fifemastor” Thomas (The Rising Star Fife and Drum Band), and, as always, legendary New Orleans drummer Johnny “V” Vidacovich to weave this third spectacular musical tapestry for the “Seven Climates of Ocean Springs”. Also taking part were local favorites Blackwater Brass (including museum Dir. of Development, Corey Christy) and the Rock U2 dance troupe.\nIn addition to many familiar and original songs in the New Orleans and Hill Country Blues tradition, our audience was treated to a reading of Walter Anderson’s short story detailing the courage of a particular frog in pursuing “the sweetest and most seductive frog voice he had ever heard” in order to be near that beautiful music on the other side of the road. Walter Anderson’s son, John, explained, “Our father didn’t want us to be afraid of the world, so he wrote stories to help us be brave.” To conclude the evening of inspiring and spirited music and dance, Luther and his fellow musicians led the audience in a joyful New Orleans style “Second Line” procession throughout the Community Center to “When the Saints Come Marching In”. Dickinson said of the event, “Everybody there was just so happy and friendly. It was cool seeing families dancing and getting involved. It was beautiful, man.”\nFrom Left: Sharde “Fifemastor” Thomas (The Rising Star Fife and Drum Band), Luther Dickinson, Kirk Joseph (The Dirty Dozen Brass Band), Sammie “Big Sam” Williams (Big Sam’s Funky Nation) and Johnny “V” Vidacovich\nThe Line would like to thank Walter Anderson Museum Manager, Bea Ketchum and Director of Development, Corey Christy for their kindness and hospitality, and all those who had a part in organizing this wonderful event. We encourage our readers to join us in 2019 to attend the next chapter in this exceptional seven part series combining outstanding music and cherished art.\nWe now invite you to enjoy two pages of photos taken at event by Stephen Anderson.\nClick Here for the Walter Anderson Museum’s official website.\nClick Here for Luther Dickinson’s official website.\nReferences: Luther Dickinson quotes – Sun Herald, “Luther Dickinson Finds Inspiration in Walter Anderson, Col. Bruce” by: Jeff Clark, May 03, 2017; Walter Anderson Museum of Art – “Third Annual Performance of Luther Dickinson’s Music Inspired by Walter Anderson’s “Seven Climates of Ocean Springs” August 24, 2018\nBig Sam's Funky Nation Blackwater Brass Brenda Germany Corey Christy Gulf Coast Music Scene Johnny Vidacovich Kirk Joseph Mississippi Mississippi Gulf Coast Ocean Springs Sharde “Fifemastor” Thomas Stephen Anderson Photography Walter Anderson Walter Anderson Museum\nHannah McFarland & Friends Live at Callaghan’s","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line357057"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8556744456291199,"wiki_prob":0.8556744456291199,"text":"Pixel Scroll 6/26/22 You Read 16 Scrolls, What Do You Get?\n(1) SURVIVAL THROUGH STORIES. John Wiswell’s Locus Award acceptance speech is well worth a moment to read: “’That Story Isn’t The Story’ wins the Locus Award for Best Novelette! Plus, my acceptance speech.” at Patreon.\n…“That Story Isn’t The Story” is about growing while our trauma lives on inside of us, and while the sources of our trauma continue to live on around us, and often pursue us and belittle us. It’s about surviving by controlling our own stories, and the breath of life that comes from someone believing in you.\nI’m certainly sitting here in part because of such believers….\n(2) NOT SOMETHING SHE CONSIDERED A PREDICTION. In “Margaret Atwood: The Court Is Making Gilead Real “ the author comments on the draft decision of the ruling that was released this week.\n…In the early years of the 1980s, I was fooling around with a novel that explored a future in which the United States had become disunited. Part of it had turned into a theocratic dictatorship based on 17th-century New England Puritan religious tenets and jurisprudence. I set this novel in and around Harvard University—an institution that in the 1980s was renowned for its liberalism, but that had begun three centuries earlier chiefly as a training college for Puritan clergy.\nIn the fictional theocracy of Gilead, women had very few rights, as in 17th-century New England. The Bible was cherry-picked, with the cherries being interpreted literally. Based on the reproductive arrangements in Genesis—specifically, those of the family of Jacob—the wives of high-ranking patriarchs could have female slaves, or “handmaids,” and those wives could tell their husbands to have children by the handmaids and then claim the children as theirs.\nAlthough I eventually completed this novel and called it The Handmaid’s Tale, I stopped writing it several times, because I considered it too far-fetched. Silly me. Theocratic dictatorships do not lie only in the distant past: There are a number of them on the planet today. What is to prevent the United States from becoming one of them?\nFor instance: It is now the middle of 2022, and we have just been shown a leaked opinion of the Supreme Court of the United States that would overthrow settled law of 50 years on the grounds that abortion is not mentioned in the Constitution, and is not “deeply rooted” in our “history and tradition.” True enough. The Constitution has nothing to say about women’s reproductive health. But the original document does not mention women at all….\n(3) STAKING A CLAIM. Emily Temple offers “A Close Reading of the Best Opening Paragraph of All Time” at Literary Hub. Surprise: it isn’t the first paragraph of Pride and Prejudice.\nOne hundred and one years ago today, Shirley Jackson was born. During her lifetime, she wrote “The Lottery,” and The Haunting of Hill House, and We Have Always Lived in the Castle, the latter of which features what I consider to be the best first paragraph of all time, or at least of any novel that I have ever read. Here it is:\n“My name is Mary Katherine Blackwood. I am eighteen years old, and I live with my sister Constance. I have often thought that with any luck at all I could have been born a werewolf, because the two middle fingers on both my hands are the same length, but I have had to be content with what I had. I dislike washing myself, and dogs, and noise. I like my sister Constance, and Richard Plantagenet, and Amanita phalloides, the death-cup mushroom. Everyone else in my family is dead.”\nIt almost seems like overkill to explain why this paragraph is so wonderful….\n(4) PRESENT AT THE CREATION. Here’s Rich Horton’s latest look at potential Hugo winners and nominees from the 1950s — this time, stories published in 1952 (first eligibility year of the Hugos): “Hugo Nomination Recommendations, 1953” from Strange at Ectbatan.\nContinuing my project of suggesting potential Hugo nominees (and winners) for the early years of the Hugo — basically, pre-1958. Here’s a look at 1952. This is the year covered by the very first Hugos, from the 11th Worldcon, Philcon II, in Philadelphia, in September 1953. The only Fiction Hugo actually awarded went to Alfred Bester’s novel The Demolished Man. Apparently there were plans to name a Short Fiction winner, but there were insufficient votes….\n(5) FANZINES ARCHIVED AT HARVARD. The article doesn’t have that much to say, but that it appears in Harvard Magazine might interest you: “The Geeky Underground”.\nBEFORE HE WAS the acclaimed author of The Martian Chronicles and Fahrenheit 451, Ray Bradbury was just another teenage boy with a science-fiction zine. Pronounced “zeen,” these self-published, often-low-budget magazines are staples in subcultures and underground movements—including punk-rock devotees, palindrome-writers, and the riot grrrl feminists of the 1990s—but the medium first got its start in the 1930s, in the bedrooms and basements of devout sci-fi fans. Their zines, which helped launch genre legends like Bradbury and Robert A. Heinlein, were handmade, wacky, and delightful. A single issue might house a hand-drawn comic titled “The Return of the Space Boggle,” a poem about a ghost with dry skin, and an epistle from a teenaged sci-fi author on “the various problems connected with space travel that make it difficult to write up sex properly.”…\n(6) SFF NONFICTION. Cora Buhlert’s new Non-Fiction Spotlight introduces us to By Your Side: The First 100 Years of Yuri Anime and Manga by Erica Friedman: “Non-Fiction Spotlight: By Your Side: The First 100 Years of Yuri Anime and Manga by Erica Friedman”.\nSome people claim that the reason that SFF-related non-fiction books have increasingly been crowded out of the Best Related Work category at the Hugos is that there are not enough non-fiction books published every year to fill the Hugo ballot. This is wrong, since there is a wide spectrum of non-fiction books covering every SFF-related subject imaginable released every year. Today’s featured non-fiction book proves how wide that spectrum truly is, because it is a book about the history of lesbian relationships as portrayed in manga and anime.\nTherefore I’m thrilled to welcome Erica Friedman, author of By Your Side: The First 100 Years of Yuri Anime and Manga to my blog today.\nTell us about your book.\nMy book is By Your Side: The First 100 Years of Yuri Anime and Manga.\nLesbian-themed animation and comics (and related media), known as “Yuri,” is the newest genre of Japanese pop culture. Even though it’s only been acknowledged as a separate genre for a little over a decade, Yuri has a literary and artistic history that can be traced back to the early 20th century. My book is a series of interlocking lectures and essays that trace that history and bring the story of Yuri to the present. I cover key series and creators, as well as the efforts by creators and fans to carve out a space for ourselves in the larger Japanese pop culture fandom.\n(7) CROMCAST PODCAST COVERAGE OF HOWARD DAYS. The good folks of The Cromcast have posted yet more recordings of the 2022 Robert E. Howard Days.\n“Howard Days 2022 – Part 3 – The Glenn Lord Symposium!”\nThis recording from Friday, June 10th includes academic papers delivered by Drs. Dierk Guenther, Gabriel Mamola, and James McGlothlin. The panel is moderated by Dr. Jason Ray Carney.\nThe Robert E. Howard Celebration Banquet: “Howard Days 2022 – Part 4 – The Robert E. Howard Celebration Banquet!”\nThis recording is from Friday, June 10th, and is from the Robert E. Howard Celebration Banquet. The guest of honor is Fred Malmberg, who shares comments and stories about his years in the gaming industry, as well as the influence of Robert E Howard on the history of gaming. The guest of honor is introduced by Rusty Burke.\nInterviews with Howard Days attendants: “Howard Days 2022 – Part 5 – Late Night Conversation at the Pavilion!”\nFor this recording, Josh and Luke are joined by various attendees for afterhours conversations on Friday, June 10th.\n(8) BEYOND GAME OF THRONES. [Item by Cora Buhlert.] The Guardian has a very extensive interview with Emilia Clarke, which is easy to miss, because it was posted in the theatre section rather than the film or TV sections: “Emilia Clarke: ‘The best place in the world is backstage at a theatre’”.\n…The actor is no stranger to the divisive power of art – on which more later – but the spare and lean production marks a pronounced change from the jobs she has done since being catapulted into superstardom by Game of Thrones in 2011. Following the phenomenally successful HBO series, in which she portrayed Daenerys Targaryen, Clarke has starred alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger in Terminator Genisys, played Han Solo’s love interest in Solo: A Star Wars Story and dressed as an elf in Paul Feig’s Emma Thompson-scripted romcom Last Christmas. She has won a Bafta Britannia award and been nominated for numerous Emmy, Screen Actors Guild and Critics’ Choice awards; in 2019, she was one of Time’s 100 most influential people….\n(9) WOULD THAT BE A TOTAL OF SIX BODIES? Two adaptations of The Three Body Problem are moving forward.\n“The Three-Body Problem: New Chinese Trailer, Key Art Poster Released”. Bleeding Cool covers new publicity for the Chinese adapation – see the poster at the link.\nThe Three-Body Problem by Chinese author Liu Cixin is the Science Fiction trilogy that’s made the biggest splash in the 21st Century, and a TV series adaptation is highly anticipated by fans. Just this week, Chinese studio Tencent released a poster and the second trailer for the Chinese TV adaptation.\n…The first trailer for the Chinese version of The Three-Body Problem was released back in November 2021. So far, no premiere date for the series has been announced. Reports on Chinese social media suggest that the series is currently being re-edited to get approval from government censors before a release date can be determined. That means the whole series has been shot….\nIn the U.S., The Hollywood Reporter named new members of the cast: “Netflix’s ‘3 Body Problem’ Casts Another ‘Game of Thrones’ Alum”.\nThe drama series adapted from Liu Cixin’s Hugo Award-winning trilogy has added four more actors to its sprawling ensemble, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.\nJonathan Pryce (The Crown), Rosalind Chao (Better Things), Ben Schnetzer (Y: The Last Man) and Eve Ridley (Peppa Pig) have joined the show….\n(10) THIS FILM HAS NO DICK. Den of Geek’s Ryan Britt and the headline writer did not have a meeting of the minds about his post “Blade Runner Became a Sci-fi Classic by Being a Terrible Philip K. Dick Adaptation”.\nThe title of the 1982 film Blade Runner is taken directly from a book. Well, from two books: the 1979 novella Blade Runner (a movie) by William S. Burroughs, which, in turn, was based on the 1974 novel The Bladerunner by Alan E. Nourse. Both of those books are science fiction stories set in the near future, but have nothing to do with escaped androids. Instead, the movie’s plot is based on the 1968 novel by Philip K. Dick called Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? It’s tempting to say that Ridley Scott’s science fiction masterpiece took the name Blade Runner and slapped it on a Philip K. Dick story, but the truth is, Blade Runner succeeds because it’s not really an adaptation of anything….\n(11) MEMORY LANE.\n1963 – [By Cat Eldridge.] So fifty-nine years ago on this evening, like peanut butter and chocolate two great monsters united when King Kong Vs. Godzilla premiered. Really would I kid you? (Well I would and you well know it, but that’s why for a different discussion, isn’t it?)\nNot at all surprisingly, this Japanese kaiju film was directed by Ishirō Honda, with the special effects by Eiji Tsuburaya. Nine years previously, Honda directed and co-wrote Godzilla of which Tsuburaya is considered the co-creator.\nThe script was Shinichi Sekizawa, mostly known, again not surprisingly, for his work on the Godzilla films but he did some other genre work such as Gulliver’s Travels Beyond the Moon and Jack and the Witch.\nIt started out as a story outline written by King Kong stop motion animator Willis O’Brien in the early Sixties in which Kong battles a giant Frankenstein Monster. The idea was given to the Tojo film company without his permission and they decided Godzilla would be a bigger draw.\nAn individual by the name of Merian C. Cooper filed a lawsuit against the film showing here claiming he had exclusive right to the King Kong character in the United States, a claim that the film distributor quickly refuted as it turned out many individuals did.\nIt had already been the single most popular Godzilla film in Japan before it showed here and remains so to date. It made nearly three million here, not bad considering its tiny budget of four hundred thousand— two men in suits don’t cost much, do they? — so the film made twenty times that in its first run. Monsters rock!\nThe Hollywood Reporter liked it: “A funny monster picture? That’s what Universal has in “King Kong Versus Godzilla.” Though the New York Times noted “The one real surprise of this cheap reprise of earlier Hollywood and Japanese horror films is the ineptitude of its fakery. When the pair of prehistoric monsters finally get together for their battle royal, the effect is nothing more than a couple of dressed-up stuntmen throwing cardboard rocks at each other.”\nAudience reviewers at Rotten Tomatoes give a so-so rating of fifty six percent.\n(12) TODAY’S BIRTHDAYS.\n[Compiled by Cat Eldridge.]\nBorn June 26, 1904 — Peter Lorre. I think his first foray into genre was in the Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea film as Comm. Lucius Emery though he was in an Americanized version of Casino Royale as Le Chiffre which was an early Fifties episode of the Climax! series. (James Bond was called Jimmy. Ooh the horror!) Other genre roles were in Tales of Terror as Montresor in “The Black Cat” story, The Raven as Dr. Adolphus Bedlo and The Comedy of Terrors as Felix Grille. (Died 1964.)\nBorn June 26, 1910 — Elsie Wollheim. She was one of the original Futurians of New York, and assisted them in their publishing efforts, and even published Highpoints, her own one-off fanzine. She married Donald A. Wollheim in 1943. When he started DAW Books in 1972, she was the co-founder, and inherited the company when he died. Their daughter Elizabeth (Betsy) now runs the company along with co-publisher and Sheila E. Gilbert. (Died 1996.)\nBorn June 26, 1950 — Tom DeFalco, 72. Comic book writer and editor, mainly known for his work at Marvel Comics and in particular on the Spider-Man line. He designed the Spider-Girl character which was his last work at Marvel as he thought he was being typecast as just a Spider-Man line writer. He’s since been working at DC and Archie Comics.\nBorn June 26, 1965 — Daryl Gregory, 57. He won a Crawford Award for his Pandemonium novel. And his novella We Are All Completely Fine won the World Fantasy Award and a Shirley Jackson Award. It was also a finalist for the Sturgeon Award. I’m also fond of his writing on the Planet of The Apes series that IDW published.\nBorn June 26, 1969 — Lev Grossman, 53. Most noted as the author of The Magicians trilogy — The Magicians, The Magician King and The Magician’s Land. Winner of the Astounding Award for Best New Writer. He wrote the screenplay for The Map of Tiny Perfect Things film which was based off his short story of that name. I hear his Magicians trilogy has been made into a series — who’s seen it?\nBorn June 26, 1969 — Austin Grossman, 53. Twin brother of Lev. And no, he’s not here just because he’s Lev’s twin brother. He’s the author of Soon I Will Be Invincible which is decidedly SF as well as You: A Novel (also called YOU) which was heavily influenced for better or worse by TRON and Crooked, a novel involving the supernatural and Nixon. He’s also a video games designer, some of which such as Clive Barker’s Undying and Tomb Raider: Legend are definitely genre.\nBorn June 26, 1980 — Jason Schwartzman, 42. He first shows up in The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy as Gag Halfrunt, Zaphod Beeblebrox’s personal brain care specialist. (Uncredited initially.) He was Ritchie in Bewitched, and voiced Simon Lee in Scott Pilgrim vs. the Animation. He co-wrote Isle of Dogs alongwith Wes Anderson, Roman Coppola, and Kunichi Nomura. I think his best work was voicing Ash Fox in Fantastic Mr. Fox.\nBorn June 26, 1984 — Aubrey Plaza, 38. April Ludgate on Parks and Recreation which at least one Filer has insisted is genre. She voiced Eska in recurring role on The Legend of Korra which is a sequel to Avatar: The Last Airbender. She was in Scott Pilgrim vs. the World as Julie Powers. And she was Lenny Busker on Legion.\n(13) COMICS SECTION.\nShoe today is about a cat, so of course it belongs in the Scroll.\nFunky Winkerbean is about vows from a sacred text – of sorts.\n(14) BELLE REVISIONED. “For the Most Complex Heroines in Animation, Look to Japan” says the New York Times.\nAt a time of widespread debate over the depiction of women in film, the top Japanese animators have long been creating heroines who are more layered and complex than many of their American counterparts. They have faults and weaknesses and tempers as well as strengths and talents. They’re not properties or franchises; they’re characters the filmmakers believe in.\n… Because Japanese animated features are made by smaller crews and on smaller budgets than those of major American films, directors can present more personal visions. American studios employ story crews; Hosoda, Hayao Miyazaki, Makoto Shinkai and other auteurs storyboard entire films themselves. Their work isn’t subjected to a gantlet of test audiences, executive approvals or advisory committees….\n(15) BOTTOM OF THE BARREL. Slashfilm curates the worst times to come: “Dystopian Sci-Fi Movie Worlds Ranked By How Horrible They’d Be To Live In”.\nWe love dystopias. There’s something shuddery and intriguing about exploring a world that’s a lot like ours, but there’s something wrong with it. We fall to the allure of it. Sure, this brave new world is terrible, but how cool would it be to survive? Maybe even become a hero? And for many of our favorite dystopian stories, survivability feels possible — at least for a while. These scenarios borrow from today and hold warnings about what tomorrow could be unless we act. We feel prepared by watching them. We feel, for a little while, empowered.\n… These stories are about people’s extraordinary efforts to thrive, and sometimes they fail. Let’s explore some of our favorite dystopias and imagine what it would be like to try and live in them.\n5. Snowpiercer\nStylistically similar to Terry Gilliam’s “Brazil,” “Snowpiercer,” directed by Bong Joon-ho, is an adaptation of a French comic that foretells a world of few survivors on a frozen Earth. Society is packed into trains that run ceaselessly across the world. Classism allows the elite to feast on the plight of the poor. If you were trapped in a world like this one, imagine the smell. Even in the forward cars, people smell in closed quarters. Water is at a premium. The stink of the train’s oils and electricity will always be in the air.\nAs in “Elysium,” there’s a chance you might find yourself among the privileged, but it’s far likelier you’ll be in the cattle cars. Sure, there’s a guy that looks like Chris Evans, but your fate could be as simple as winding up an awful-tasting protein bar for your friends to eat. It’s life, of a sort, but it’s not desirable. The end of the film suggests that the world beyond the train is healing, and someone with a gift for survivalism and the right gear to keep warm might make it — but to do what? It’s going to be decades of hard living and starvation before the first villages thrive.\n(16) UP AGAINST THE WALL-E. Proving that sf has plenty of painful futures to go around, this Inverse article is about one film that didn’t even make Slashfilm’s list: “The best post-apocalypse movie of the century reveals a dark debate over humanity’s future”.\n… Released by Pixar in 2008, Wall-E was ahead of its time on AI sentience, automation of the workforce, and interstellar travel. But perhaps the movie’s most timely theme is its complicated environmental message.\nWhile the climate crisis isn’t overtly mentioned, it’s probably safe to assume it had a role in turning our planet teeming with life into a barren wasteland devoid of sentient life — save for the garbage-collecting robot known as “Wall-E.” And in the years since, this kind of lifeless apocalyptic setting has become far more common in Hollywood sci-fi movies, reflecting the growing trend of “climate doom” in real life.\nBut what is “climate doom” and are we really doomed to the future seen in the movie. Or can climate optimism win out and save our planet before we turn it into a gloomy garbage heap a la Wall-E?…\n(17) SPLAT. NASA spotted a couple new holes in the Moon, and they know what made them, but not who: “Rocket Impact Site on Moon Seen by NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter”. Photo at the link.\nAstronomers discovered a rocket body heading toward a lunar collision late last year. Impact occurred March 4, with NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter later spotting the resulting crater. Surprisingly the crater is actually two craters, an eastern crater (18-meter diameter, about 19.5 yards) superimposed on a western crater (16-meter diameter, about 17.5 yards).\nThe double crater was unexpected and may indicate that the rocket body had large masses at each end. Typically a spent rocket has mass concentrated at the motor end; the rest of the rocket stage mainly consists of an empty fuel tank. Since the origin of the rocket body remains uncertain, the double nature of the crater may indicate its identity.\n[Thanks to Mike Kennedy, Martin Morse Wooster, JJ, John King Tarpinian, Cora Buhlert, Daniel Dern, Michael J. Walsh, Chris Barkley, Andrew Porter, Michael Toman, and Cat Eldridge for some of these stories. Title credit belongs to File 770 contributing editor of the day Cora Buhlert.]\nThis entry was posted in Pixel Scroll and tagged Blade Runner, Cora Buhlert, dystopia, Emilia Clarke, Erica Friedman, Fanzines, Godzilla, John Wiswell, King Kong, Locus Awards, Margaret Atwood, NASA, Rich Horton, The Cromcast, Three-Body Problem by Mike Glyer. Bookmark the permalink.\n15 thoughts on “Pixel Scroll 6/26/22 You Read 16 Scrolls, What Do You Get?”\nCat Eldridge on June 26, 2022 at 7:12 pm said:\nThat first paragraph by Jackson is interesting but the entire idea of the best first paragraph is like trying to pick the best ice cream flavor — you simply cannot do it as it is absolutely subjective.\nSoon Lee on June 26, 2022 at 7:50 pm said:\nDe gustibus non est disputandum et alia…\nRich Horton on June 26, 2022 at 8:34 pm said:\n@12 — Daryl Gregory has written a ton of wonderful stories, but I’d plump most for his 2017 novel SPOONBENDERS, which was shortlisted for both the World Fantasy and Nebula awards for Best Novel.\nJim Janney on June 26, 2022 at 8:55 pm said:\nMeredith Moment: Nancy Springer’s Sea King Trilogy: Madbond, Mindbond, and Godbond is $2.99 at the usual suspects, and American Science Fiction: Four Classic Novels 1960-1966 is $1.99. The latter contains The High Crusade, Way Station, Flowers for Algernon, and what may or may not be the author’s preferred text for And Call Me Conrad\n(1) I was not much impressed by The Handmaid’s Tale when it came out, mainly because I was annoyed that Atwood thought she wasn’t writing SF, and because I thought Kate Wilhelm did it all much better and at shorter length in “The Funeral”, but also because I thought the premise was too unrealistic and backward-looking to be interesting. Alas.\n(3) The main criterion Ms. Temple outlines, how well does the opening paragraph encapsulate the rest of the book, seems anything but subjective to me.\n(10) I’m sorry to hear that android isn’t a cool name. Too bad nobody told poor Mr. Lucas about that. But Ryan Britt nails the main difference: the androids aren’t anyone you want to feel sorry for. Rachel cuts the legs off a spider because she’s bored, and it’s there, and why not? And the earth is either nearly deserted or else heavily overpopulated, because it’s almost the same thing. In many ways the movie is almost a photographic negative of the book.\nJoe H. on June 26, 2022 at 9:07 pm said:\n12) Before he was in Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, Peter Lorre was in 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. And before that (in 1935), he was in Mad Love, which IMDB describes thusly:\nIn Paris, a demented surgeon’s obsession with a British actress leads him to secretly replace her concert pianist husband’s mangled hands with those of a guillotined murderer with a gift for knife-throwing.\nAnd the poster proclaims: SUITABLE FOR ADULTS ONLY\nI think that’s his earliest genre credit, although there are also some I believe German films that don’t have any plot summaries or anything, so I’m not sure if they have any genre elements.\nPaul King on June 26, 2022 at 10:36 pm said:\nWe do this every year. Peter Lorre was in FP1 Fails to Answer (A rather literal translation of the German title) which is definitely genre. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0022869/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_100\nEric Simonson on June 26, 2022 at 11:33 pm said:\n(12) Aubrey Plaza was also in the wonderful Safety Not Guaranteed.\nTodd Dashoff on June 27, 2022 at 2:17 am said:\n(12) Aubrey Plaza’s first movie was Safety Not Guaranteed, which depending on how you view the ending, either is or isn’t genre. If it isn’t, it’s certainly close, as it deals with a man inventing a machine to travel in time.\nPaul Weimer on June 27, 2022 at 2:27 am said:\nGiven that Humanity gets off of the planet in Wall-E, that might be considered an optimistic scenario…\nI also recall a 80’s Twilight Zone episode where diaspora humans come back to a ruined Earth, and ghosts of their ancestors are involved.\nAndrew (not Werdna) on June 27, 2022 at 3:54 am said:\n@Todd: You beat me to the reference to Safety Not Guaranteed – a great little film.\nrcade on June 27, 2022 at 8:24 am said:\nDoes anyone know the author on Facebook telling other authors to keep quiet on politics because it’s their job to entertain?\nIn honor of the documentary I saw yesterday about “Company”:\n“Don’t tell Paul that he’s not being Muad’Dib, today!”\njayn on June 27, 2022 at 10:20 am said:\n3) Great article. I do disagree with the bit where the author tries to figure out which “Richard Plantagenet” is the one Merricat says she likes, and concludes,\n“She could be referring to a number of people, including Richard the Lionheart, but she probably means the third Duke of York, whose claim to the throne (then-occupied by a weak and mentally ill Henry VI) was a primary cause of the Wars of the Roses. In 1460, the English Parliament compromised and declared that Richard would succeed to the throne after Henry VI’s death, but he was killed in battle by the Lancaster forces, and his son wound up becoming king instead.”\nMyself, I happen to think that the “Richard Plantagenet” Merricat likes best is Richard III, for…reasons.\nbill on June 27, 2022 at 1:38 pm said:\n(3) Cat is right about the subjectivity of “best paragraph” rankings. However . . .\n“The Haunting of Hill House” clearly has a better first paragraph. For one thing, when reading from “We Have Always Lived in the Castle”, you get to the line “I dislike washing myself, and dogs, and noise”, and you hit a mental speed bump — does Merricat dislike washing dogs? — that the comma does too little to prevent, and that isn’t resolved until you get to “noise”. You cannot wash noise, but you can dislike it; therefore, she dislikes dogs. Parallel structure works best when the structured items are indeed parallel. The paragraph would be better if that sentence had been recast.*\n“The Haunting of Hill House”, though, is as near perfect as prose gets.\nOTOH, Jackson was such an excellent stylist that she must have recognized what I’m calling a fault, and had reasons for doing it anyway. I’d love to ask her what she was up to, there.\njayn on June 27, 2022 at 2:33 pm said:\n@bill\nI think Jackson may have been trying to convey Merricat is both younger mentally than her age, and also is disobliging in her communication to others; you are going to have to work to get clear information out of her, a tendency that continues throughout the novel to its end, when all is revealed.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1445732"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7301228046417236,"wiki_prob":0.26987719535827637,"text":"Viewpoint from Rev Albert Cadmore 09/01/2014\nRev Albert Cadmore\nParish Priest at Horsey and West Somerton\nJust a couple of weeks ago, many of us attended Christmas services and, for many of us, the Christmas truce on the Western Front in 1914 was on our minds as we recalled the historic football played between opposing soldiers in “No Man’s Land”. As we sang carols, I’m sure many held in mind how carols were sung in the trenches in the stillness of the night the sound travelling across the unusual stillness and peacefulness of that special Christmas night\nEvery year there seems to be something almost magical about Christmas Eve, as thousands who rarely attend churches at other times attend community carols and “Midnight Mass” services. Christmas is often termed the season of peace and goodwill, and it is amazing to reflect on how peace and goodwill “broke out” so spectacularly amidst the horrors of trench warfare a century ago\nSadly, as we know, that peace did not last, and those soldiers who had met together, played football together, and exchanged gifts with one another, were back at war, killing one another a day or so later, and officers, on both sides, would ensure that no further such truces would occur for the duration of the war\nIn our everyday lives, and in the lives of our communities and nation, as we set off on our journey of life into a New Year, the warm glow of the season of peace and goodwill can often seem a long way off as conflicts seem so readily to come to prominence again and again\nSadly, “man’s inhumanity towards man”, seems to be an inbuilt aspect of the human condition. Albert Einstein once said, “Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding” and, on the same theme, from the Bible, we can read that Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God”. St Paul, writing to the church in Corinth, once stated, “The peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” There is no doubt that if only such peace could be more widespread and more widely sought, the world would certainly be a better and more peaceful and hopeful place for everyone\nAs we venture into 2015, my profound hope is that a search for such peace can become an overarching goal for people of all cultures and faiths and nations\nMother Teresa once said, “Peace begins with a smile”. It may seem simplistic, but that’s a guideline we can all follow in our daily lives","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1710873"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6449152827262878,"wiki_prob":0.6449152827262878,"text":"Posted: Nov 07, 2016\nNanoshells: Potential catalysts and cradles of life (w/video)\n(Nanowerk News) A way to coax simple, inorganic nanoparticles to spontaneously assemble into shells has been discovered, potentially paving the way for more efficient industrial chemical processing, gene delivery and clean-up of chemical contaminants in the environment, researchers say (Nature Chemistry, \"Self-Assembly of Nanoparticles into Biomimetic Capsid-Like Nanoshells\").\nAnd it explores how life may have started.\n“This work brings up the deeper questions linking self assembly and the origin of life,” said Nicholas Kotov, the Joseph B. and Florence V. Cejka Professor of Chemical Engineering at the University of Michigan. “Cells, viruses—all life relies on compartmentalization.”\n3D electron microscopy reveals the outer structure of the nanoshells. These nanoshells, which form naturally, could be useful in chemical industry and in medicine. (Image: Zhang Lab, University of Pittsburgh)\nKotov’s team demonstrated the self-assembly of simple nanoparticles into spherical shells about 20 to 50 nanometers across, or about half the diameter of a virus. The nanoparticles are made of cadmium sulfide, a semiconducting material that can be used to make solar cells. To clarify how the self-assembly occurred, Petr Král, a professor of chemistry at the University of Illinois, Chicago, and colleagues made detailed simulations of the self-assembled nanoparticle shells, down to the level of individual atoms.\nThis high-fidelity modeling takes months to simulate less than a millionth of a second, so the Chicago team could not show the entire one-second process of the shells assembling. Still, they could show that once a shell had formed, the forces on the particles kept it together.\nThe individual cadmium sulfide particles, roughly shaped like four-sided pyramids, have a negative charge. This causes them to repel one another. But in close quarters, this repulsion is overcome by an attraction between the surfaces: The electrons on each particle run away from one another, creating positively and negatively charged regions on the atoms that are aligned so that the particles attract one another.\nA 3D electron microscope image of the nanoshell, cut in half to reveal the inside. These nanoshells, which form naturally, could be useful in chemical industry and in medicine. (Image: Zhang Lab, University of Pittsburgh)\nBut when many particles come together, the repulsion from the overall negative charge becomes strong enough that despite the close-range attraction, they can’t form a solid sphere—particles on the inside get pushed out. Instead, they form shells. Peijun Zhang, a renowned expert in the shells of viruses and professor of structural biology at the University of Pittsburgh, and her group obtained precise three-dimensional images of the nanoshells with an electron microscope.\nIn order to cause the shells to form, the team needed to adjust only the pH, making the water moderately basic, which causes the negative charge on the nanoparticles.\n“The nanoparticles formed compartments without careful chemical organization. There was no need for peptides, amino acids or any organic molecules,” said Kotov, explaining how the work connects to the origin of life. “If there are particles from rocks, and liquid for mobility, compartments can form.”\nNanoshells could be catalysts, creating shortcuts in industrial chemistry by cutting the energy required to produce useful chemicals or reducing the waste products. The self-assembly mechanism may enable the shells to self-repair if they are damaged by the reactions, a common problem for catalysts. As catalysts, they may also be useful for cleaning up chemical spills.\nTake an Orson-Wells-style trip through a nanoshell in this interpretation of electron microscope images. Cadmium sulfide nanoparticles arranged themselves into spherical shells about 10 to 15 nanometers across, or about half the diameter of a small virus. The nanospheres were made at the University of Michigan and sent to the University of Pittsburgh for analysis.\nKotov is particularly interested in their potential for gene delivery, mimicking the natural viral shells currently used. His lab is currently exploring the viability of the nanoshells as capsules for gene therapy, a treatment for cancers and other disorders. The genes must be protected until they reach their target site in the body.\n“It is a beautiful system with a lot of interesting science. It is much simpler than the systems of compartments in living organisms, but we can modify it, learn how to control it, and eventually engineer it for applications,” Král said.\nAs for the origin of life, the nanoparticles leave holes in the shells large enough for small molecules to pass through. Kotov plans to explore whether the shells can catalyze reactions to build organic molecules.\nSource: University of Michigan","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line380521"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9038899540901184,"wiki_prob":0.9038899540901184,"text":"Posted on June 12, 2015 by Times Gazette\nDog shooting stirs social media\nA family dog was shot and killed at a residence on South High Street in Hillsboro last weekend by a neighbor who said he felt threatened by the animal.\nThe incident has gained considerable attention on social media, particularly on Facebook where most comments question whether the shooting was justified.\nHillsboro Police Chief Todd Whited said Friday that the shooting was investigated and it was determined that the person who shot the dog, which was a Great Dane, was acting within the law.\n“That’s how we have to look at it, whether we like it or not,” said Whited.\nAccording to the Ohio Revised Code, when a dog “is chasing or approaching in a menacing fashion or apparent attitude of attack” and a person feels they will be harmed, they are within their rights to shoot the dog.\nThe dog’s owner, Eric Willis, on Friday said he and Kevin Barreras have been next-door neighbors for about 10 years, but have never spoken.\nWillis has Great Danes, and while he said they can be intimidating to some because of their size, they are gentle, he said.\nWillis said the dogs are like children to his wife.\nAnd while his yard isn’t fenced, there’s an underground electric fence.\nHe said he confronted Barreras after his dog was killed, and that the neighbors engaged in a verbal altercation.\nOn Friday, Barreras told The Times-Gazette that on Saturday, June 6, he was out mowing his yard. He said that he occasionally carries a pistol on him because his neighbor’s dogs are sometimes “threatening.”\nAs he mowed Saturday, the dog came at him twice, he said. It “scared me,” he said, and he spun his zero-turn mower around so he would be facing the animal. He drew his pistol intending to fire a warning shot, Barreras said, and then the dog “lunged” and he fired.\nHe said he wasn’t even sure if he hit the dog, but he said it yelped and went down the hill to its own yard.\n“It’s not anything I wanted to do,” he said, adding that he never wants to do it again.\nAccording to Whited, Barreras said the Great Dane had been in his yard in the week leading up to the incident and that it had cornered his wife, who fled into their house.\nAccording to Whited, that incident was not reported.\nBarreras said he never reported any issues to the police because he “didn’t want to complain.”\nThe police chief said that any time an issue with a dog occurs, the department suggests that people notify law enforcement so they can handle it, “so it doesn’t escalate to this,” he said.\nThe police chief said the department has not had any prior complaints on the Great Dane that was killed.\nHe said the department has consulted with Hillsboro City Prosecutor Fred Beery who said this was a civil matter and could be pursued as such by the dog’s owner.\nWhited said the owner of the dog will not be cited for having an unrestrained dangerous animal, even though the prosecutor said such a citation could be issued.\nReach Angela Shepherd at 937-393-3456, ext. 1681, or on Twitter @wordyshepherd. Jeff Gilliland contributed to this story.\nHi! A visitor to our site felt the following article might be of interest to you: Dog shooting stirs social media. Here is a link to that story: https://www.timesgazette.com/news/288/dog-shooting-stirs-social-media","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line448360"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.788481593132019,"wiki_prob":0.788481593132019,"text":"Delaware Achievers Sept. 21\nM&T Bank has named Ryan Craig as branch manager for its branch in Georgetown. He is responsible for business development, branch sales growth, and managing branch personnel. Craig, a graduate of Schenectady County Community College, joined M&T Bank in June as manager of its Seaford branch, and has been working in the financial industry since 2007. He came to M&T Bank from First National Bank in Erie, Pennsylvania, where he worked as treasury management sales manager.\nCNB Shore Bancshares Inc., welcomed Teresa Swartz as an assistant vice president and will be serving customers in Kent and Sussex counties. Swartz, of Clayton, comes with 27 years of experience in the banking industry. She began her banking career in 1987 with the Bank of Illinois as a corporate non-credit processing clerk in Champaign, Illinois. In 1993, she took a position with The First National Bank of Wyoming, where she worked for over 21 years before joining. In her most recent role at First National, she served as assistant vice president and branch manager at the Wyoming Delaware branch. She is a member of the Smyrna-Clayton Rotary club.\nPennoni Associates, an engineering, design and consulting firm in Wilmington, Newark, Milton and West Chester, Pennsylvania, announced Pamela J. Nelson has joined the firm as the director of marketing. Nelson, of Wilmington and a graduate of Drew University, has more than 30 years of marketing experience including 15 years with engineering, environmental and natural resource consulting firms. Her background includes developing marketing processes, overseeing business development programs, implementing online and offline marketing campaigns, managing events, branding and administering customer relationship management databases.\nLouis K. Rafetto, of Wilmington, was voted president-elect of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons during the association’s annual meeting in Honolulu. Prior to his election, he served a one-year term as vice president and four years as District II Trustee on the AAOMS board of trustees where he represented the oral and maxillofacial surgeons in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and the District of Columbia. Dr. Rafetto, a graduate of Temple University School of Dentistry who completed his oral and maxillofacial surgery residency training at the Medical Center of Delaware, is a diplomat of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial surgery. He maintains a private oral and maxillofacial surgery practice in Wilmington and serves as chairman of the section of Oral and Maxillofacial surgery and also as the director of Implantology and Alveolar Reconstruction at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial surgery and hospital dentistry at Christiana Care Health systems Wilmington. He is chair of the Delaware Institute for Dental Education and Research and a past president of the Delaware Valley Society of Oral and Maxillofacial surgeons. He has also been president of the Delaware State Dental Society and is a member of Health Volunteers Overseas.\nKeith Morton has been named executive director of the Parent Information Center of Delaware. Prior to this position, he worked in private business, seamlessly integrating technology with effective service delivery. His work included serving as the operations manager of the City of Atlanta Empowerment Zone and a consultant on a health project for children with special needs. Morton, a graduate of Harvard University and Columbia University, is a member of Red Clay Consolidated School District Diversity committee. Marie-Anne Aghazadian, who served as the executive director of the Parent Information Center of Delaware for more than 25 years, is retiring from her position, but will continue to work at PIC in a part-time role to facilitate the center’s leadership transition and to serve on committees and task forces on behalf of the center. The PIC is a nonprofit organization with a mission to advance effective parent engagement in education. It is the state’s designated parent training and information center, a federally funded program mandated by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.\nSend items to Business People, c/o The News Journal, Box 15505, Wilmington, DE 19850; or email business@delawareonline.com (with Business People in the subject line); or fax (302) 324-2849, or call news assistant Ricardo Rodríguez at (302) 324-2351. Individual facial photos may be submitted, but publication or return are not guaranteed.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1090464"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6760656833648682,"wiki_prob":0.32393431663513184,"text":"WHY YOU NEED IONIC MINERALS\nMinerals, the Universe, and You\nWhat are minerals anyway? Minerals are nothing more than elements—the very same elements that grace the periodic table inside a high school chemistry text book like chromium, magnesium, iron, zinc, and so on. They are the elements that comprise the entire universe, this earth, and everything on it, including you.\nYour body is truly a masterpiece formed from these same elements. As such, it is important to constantly replenish your body with the elements it expends on a daily basis.\nChemical and electrical processes are occurring within your body at every moment. These processes can only function correctly if the proper balance of minerals is continually being supplied to your system. Iron for your blood, sulfur for your muscles, calcium for your bones, and an aggregation of many other elements in balanced trace amounts help to ensure the proper function of your body.\nWhat Are Ions?\nAn ion is a mineral or element that has a positive or negative charge. On the molecular level, that means the element has either too many or too few electrons. This unstable ionic state allows the element to bond readily with water, making it possible for the body to absorb it. In this state, an element has specific positive or negative electrical signatures that cause a dynamic equilibrium to take place. The body can then facilitate changes to move nutrients to the areas that need them.\nWhat Are Trace Minerals?\nYou may collect silver coins, wear a platinum ring, or have a gold filling. You’ve likely sipped tea poured from a copper kettle, eaten a cookie from a fancy tin container, or traveled on an airplane made of titanium. But did you know that these elements and many others—in very small, balanced trace amounts—are critical to your health? Although trace minerals are no longer as plentiful in the foods you eat, they exist plentifully in their proper proportions in the mineral-rich waters of the earth’s oceans and seas.\nThe Stripping of Mother Earth\nTraditionally, eating fresh grains, fruits, and vegetables grown in nutrient-rich soil has been the primary supply for a full spectrum of ionic minerals.\nUnfortunately in today’s world, naturally occurring, nutrient-rich soil is becoming increasingly rare. Eons of vegetation growth and aggressive modern farming techniques have brought many of the earth’s minerals to the surface where they have been washed away.\nSynthesized fertilizers are routinely applied to farms and fields where minerals have been depleted. But man-made fertilizers provide only enough mineral substance to support basic plant life. Numerous trace minerals essential to human life don’t get replenished.\nWhere Have All the Minerals Gone?\nMany of the trace elements once abundant in soil have been washed into the oceans. In the oceans they are found in their proper proportions—the same basic proportions that are found in healthy human bodies.\nIn a few surviving inland seas such as the Great Salt Lake of western North America, these essential elements exist in highly concentrated, salubrious proportions. This healthy, intricately balanced proportion of minerals and trace elements found in sea water is beneficial to the human body.\nToday, these life-sustaining sea waters contain all of the minerals and elements necessary to support human life. Most importantly, these minerals and elements are ionic and in perfect balance—prime for being absorbed into the cells of your body.\nThe Importance of Ionic Minerals\nEvery second of every day your body relies on ionic minerals and trace minerals to conduct and generate billions of tiny electrical impulses. Without these impulses, not a single muscle, including your heart, would be able to function. Your brain would not function and the cells would not be able to use osmosis to balance your water pressure and absorb nutrients. To ensure you are getting the ionic minerals and electrolytes your body needs, only choose ionic mineral supplements or supplements that contain ionic minerals.\n“Experts estimate 90 percent of Americans suffer from mineral imbalance and deficiency.”\nA Disturbing Trend: Mineral Imbalance\nBecause your body requires nearly two thirds of all the elements currently known to man in order to maintain health, keeping these minerals in balance is a complex, yet incredibly vital task. The events of everyday living demand a continual ingestion of minerals.\nThere are 92 known elements, 22 hypothesized others, and hundreds of isotopic variations. It’s no wonder that scientists are only now beginning to discover the effects and interrelationships of minerals in our human systems, such as how minerals help maintain a healthy balance, and what adverse effects are created by a mineral imbalance. Experts estimate that 90 percent of Americans suffer from mineral imbalance and deficiency.\nIf you are one of them—whether because of frequent exercise, stress, or a diet of overly refined, nutrient-poor foods—your body will attempt to correct the situation in futility, usually resulting in food cravings, muscle cramps, and general fatigue.\nThe Key Role of Absorption\nThe absorption of minerals primarily takes place within the small intestines. As food matter passes through the intestines, minerals transfer into the blood stream through the walls of the intestines by way of the villi (see Figure 3). This can only happen if the minerals are in an ionic form. Although stomach acid helps ionize the minerals in foods, a mineral supplement should contain already naturally ionized minerals to be fully absorbed.\n“Trace minerals do not exist by themselves but in relationship to one another. Too much of one trace element can lead to imbalances in others…Most trace elements need to be in ionic form to be well absorbed in the intestine.” —Alexander G. Schauss, Ph.D.\nThe Secret of Life in a Dead Inland Sea\nWestern North America’s Great Salt Lake is the world’s oldest inland sea. A remnant of the last great Ice Age, the Great Salt Lake in Utah has been collecting and concentrating the minerals and trace elements of the surrounding Rocky Mountains for tens of thousands of years. The result is nutrient rich waters which contain over 72 ionic minerals and trace elements that are eight to ten times more concentrated than regular seawater—in precisely the same proportion as healthy human fluids. It is from this source that Trace Minerals Research harvests the elements and trace minerals that go into every product.\nYou can start by making sure you’re getting enough minerals in your diet. Right? Eat organically grown fruits and vegetables, wholegrain breads and fortified cereals. In addition, take a multivitamin or mineral supplement. That’s a good start, but even those measures are likely to leave your body wanting for a full spectrum of properly proportioned, readily available ionic minerals and trace minerals.\nThat’s Where We Can Help\nFor over 35 years, Trace Minerals Research has been dedicated to combating the growing problem of mineral deficiency and imbalance in modern society. By harvesting the health-promoting ionic minerals found in the Great Salt Lake and making them available to the general public, we are committed to being the immutable source for the minerals necessary to maintain proper health.\nToday, Trace Minerals Research offers over 100 different health promoting products that contain ConcenTrace®, the premier ionic mineral mixture produced from the waters of the Great Salt Lake. Over the years, thousands of people who lacked essential trace elements in their diets have felt a difference in their health and well-being when replenishing these vital nutrients. Perhaps it’s time you did, too.\nEach Trace Minerals Research Product Includes ConcenTrace®\nWe ensure the following elements are included in every Trace Minerals Research product (listed in approximate descending order):\nMagnesium, Chloride, Potassium, Sulfate, Sodium, Boron, Bromide, Calcium, Carbonate, Silicon, Nitrogen, Selenium, Phosphorus, Iodine, Chromium, Iron, Manganese, Titanium, Rubidium, Cobalt, Copper, Antimony, Molybdenum, Strontium, Zinc, Nickel, Tungsten, Scandium, Tin, Lanthanum, Yttrium, Silver, Gallium, Zirconium, Vanadium, Beryllium, Tellurium, Bismuth, Hafnium, Terbium, Europium, Gadolinium, Samarium, Cerium, Cesium, Gold, Dysprosium, Holmium, Lutetium, Erbium, Ytterbium, Neodymium, Praseodymium, Niobium, Tantalum, Thorium, Thallium, Rhenium, plus other minerals found in seawater.\nConcenTrace® Trace Mineral Drops\nThis naturally occurring, liquid trace element and food supplement contains a full spectrum of trace and ultra-trace elements in ionic form. These minerals have been derived from the weathering and erosion of the huge variety of soils and rocks found in the drainage basin of the Great Salt Lake of Utah.\nMore about ConcenTrace® Trace Mineral Drops\nFeel the Difference Trace Minerals Can Make Today\nFor more information regarding our products, or to locate a retailer in your neighborhood who carries Trace Minerals Research, call us at 801-731-6051. To purchase our products online from one of our preferred retailers, click here.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1213067"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.959625244140625,"wiki_prob":0.959625244140625,"text":"Sue Cremin, Michael Manuel and More Complete Casting of THE FATHER Starring Alfred Molina at Pasadena Playhouse\nPasadena Playhouse, The State Theater of California, has completed casting for The Father, written by Florian Zeller, translated by Christopher Hampton and directed by Jessica Kubzansky, that comes to the Playhouse February 5 to March 1, 2020.\nThe production stars previously announced Alfred Molina (Frieda, An Education, Enchanted April) in a tour-de-force role in perhaps one of the most awarded plays of recent times on two continents - winning the 2014 Molière Award, and nominations for the Evening Standard Theatre Award, Olivier Award for Best New Play, and Tony Award for Best Play.\nMolina will be joined by Sue Cremin (Neva at Kirk Douglas Theatre, La Jolla Playhouse, SCR) as \"Anne;\" Michael Manuel (Buried Child at A Noise Within) as \"Pierre;\" Pia Shah (Orange at SCR) as \"Laura;\" Hugo Armstrong (Mysterious Circumstances at The Geffen Playhouse) as \"Man;\" and Lisa Renee Pitts (Sweat on Broadway) as \"Woman.\"\nAndré was once a tap dancer. He lives with his daughter, Anne, and her husband, Antoine. Or was André an engineer, whose daughter Anne lives in London with her new lover, Pierre? The thing is, he is still wearing his pajamas, and he can't find his watch. He is starting to wonder if he's losing control.\nA New York Times Critics' Pick, Ben Brantley said that The Father is \"harrowing ... one of the most disorienting experiences in town ... The Father operates from an exceedingly ingenious premise ... that's presenting the world through the perspective of a mind in an advancing state of dementia, making reality as relative and unfixed as it might be in a vintage Theatre of the Absurd production ... [however] André's ego is too large and impregnable to be deflated by senility. Dementia is inherently tragic. That's what Shakespeare saw in King Lear, himself a precursor to this absurdist existential hero.\" Lyn Gardner said in The Guardian that The Father is \"hugely rewarding ... a play that constantly confounds expectations and works almost like a thriller, with a sinister Pinteresque edge.\"\nPasadena Playhouse Producing Artistic Director Danny Feldman said, \"Alfred Molina is one of the greatest actors of our time. We've been searching for a play to do together here at the Playhouse since I started a few years ago. The Father had a profound impact on me. I distinctly remember reading the script in my office and getting to the end and feeling breathless. I sent it to Fred and he quickly said 'this is the one'. I think it will be a performance that people will be talking about for years to come.\"\nAlfred Molina says, \"It is so exciting when a play comes along that offers so much to explore from both the perspective of an actor, and as importantly, if not more so, the perspective of the audience one performs for. The Father provides a deep and searing look into a world we still know so little about from the point of view of a person afflicted with Dementia. It is my deepest wish that this work will shed new light and understanding on what is fast becoming a worldwide epidemic.\"\nThe creative team features direction by Jessica Kubzansky; scenic design by David Meyer; costume design by Denitsa Bliznakova; lighting design by Elizabeth Harper; sound design by John Zalewski; and stage management by Sara Sahin.\nTickets for The Father start at $25 and are available at pasadenaplayhouse.org by phone at 626-356-7529, and at the box office at 39 South El Molino Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91101.\nThe Father is underwritten, in part, by the Sheri and Les Biller Family Foundation.\nAlfred Molina (André) - Alfred hails from London and has lived and worked in the USA since the early '90s. His career spans over 45 years with more than 200 credits in theater, television, and film. He made his film debut in Steven Spielberg's Raiders of the Lost Ark and quickly followed up with appearances for directors as diverse as Richard Donner, Mike Leigh, Jim Jarmusch, Lasse Hallström, Mira Nair, Stephen Frears, and Julie Taymor. His theater work includes the Royal Shakespeare Company, National Theatre, London's West End, and Broadway where he has been a three-time Tony Award nominee. He has also worked extensively in Los Angeles, with productions at the Mark Taper Forum, Geffen Playhouse, and The New American Theatre. This is his first full production with Pasadena Playhouse.\nSue Cremin (Anne) appeared in the title role of Neva (Kirk Douglas, La Jolla Playhouse, SCR) as well as world premieres at The Mark Taper Forum, South Coast Repertory, Baltimore's Center Stage, Actors Theater of Louisville, and Yale Repertory. Favorites include Twelfth Night (The Old Globe) and Candida (Two River Theater). New York: Such Things Only Happen In Books (Keen Company), Honey Brown Eyes (Clurman Theatre), Killing The Boss (Cherry Lane Theatre), A Part Of The Story (MCC) and Dinosaur Dreams (NY Stage & Film). Film includes California Love,Homeland, The Good War and The Tao of Steve. Television includes NCIS, Grey's Anatomy, The Good Wife, Nurse Jackie, Monk, Law & Order. Currently recurring on ABC's new series For Life. MFA Yale School of Drama.\nMichael Manuel (Pierre) was most recently seen at A Noise Within as Tilden in Buried Child, The Creature in Frankenstein and Iago in Othello. Michael has worked in regional theaters across the country including Alley Theatre, South Coast Rep, Berkeley Rep, Shakespeare Theatre Company, Mark Taper, Yale Rep, Seattle Rep, Empty Space, Group Theatre, New Jersey Shakespeare Festival, Theatre for a New Audience, Cornerstone, Ojai Playwrights Conference, Geffen, UCB, Interact, Main Street and Impro Theatre, among others. Some of his television, movie and narration credits include Wonderland, National Treasure and the upcoming Lafayette Escadrille. Michael is a graduate of the Yale School of Drama.\nPIA SHAH (Laura) Pia Shah most recently starred in the HBO anthology series Room 104, by the Duplass Brothers, opposite Charlyne Yi in the episode \"FOMO.\" She also starred in the role of Leela, a young woman on the spectrum, in Orange at South Coast Repertory. Shah recently made her first short film, The Shower, which she wrote, produced and starred in, while 8 months pregnant, opposite Emily C. Chang. Shah has workshopped dozens of new plays including Getting There (Geffen Playhouse), Dry Land (Ojai Playwrights Conference), Noms de Guerre (Pasadena Playhouse) and Basketcases (Seattle Rep). Film/TV credits: Grey's Anatomy, Good Trouble, Futurestates, Disney's Planes, Mercy, The Wonderful Maladys, Dirty John, Pearson. Shah starred in and co-wrote Grass, winner of Best Narrative Feature at the Austin Asian American Film (now streaming on Netflix). Shah is the voice of Qadira in the video game Indivisible. She has an MFA in drama from USC and a BA from The Johns Hopkins University.\nHugo Armstrong (Man) Hugo Armstrong has most recently been seen in Michael Mitnick's Mysterious Circumstances at The Geffen Playhouse. Other theater roles include Lyndon B. Johnson All The Way/South Coast Repertory, Lucky Waiting for Godot/The Mark Taper Forum, Jim the Hanger BleedRail/Boston Court, Ted Backyard/Echo Theatre Company, and Sabertooth in Burglars of Hamm's Land of the Tigers at Sacred Fools. Movie/TV work includes Room 104, Coherence, Fear the Walking Dead, Into the Dark, For the People, Roman J Israel Esq., Cuck, LUCKY, Criminal Minds, Blacklist, Into the Dark, The Passing Parade, OK Good and the new Netflix series Messiah.\nLisa Renee Pitts (Woman) is overjoyed to make her Pasadena Playhouse Debut! Broadway: Tony nominated play Sweat by Lynn Nottage. Selected Regional Credits: Tiny Beautiful Things and Doubt (Portland Center Stage/ Critics Circle Award) A Raisin in the Sun (Virginia Stage Company/NAACP Theater Award Nominee), Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike (Syracuse Stage), Proposals (Norris Center Perf Arts) La Ronde (Williamstown) and Intimate Apparel (San Diego Rep/ Critics Circle Award). Selected Film and Television Credits; Dr. Dre's mother, Verna, in Straight Outta Compton (Dir. F. Gary Gray) ;True to the Game 1 & 2 (Dirs. Preston Whitmore & Jamal Hill); XX (Dir. Karyn Kusama); Her (Dir. Spike Jones) and Baselines (Dir. Nate Parker). Up next, Lisa will appear in Stephen Kings The Stand based on his best-selling novel. As a multi- award winning narrator, she has narrated over 100 audiobooks spanning all genres. Lisa holds a BFA degree from Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University. LisaReneePitts.com \"victory\"\nJessica Kubzansky (Director) has been an Artistic Director of Boston Court Pasadena since its inception and is also an award-winning director working nationally specializing in new works and reenvisioned classics. Previously for The Pasadena Playhouse: Jeanne Sakata's Hold These Truths, GB Shaw's Pygmalion and Theresa Rebeck's Mauritius. Recently for Boston Court: world premieres of Kit Steinkellner's Ladies, Sarah B. Mantell's Everything That Never Happened, Stefanie Zadravec's Colony Collapse, RII (her own three-person re-envisioning of Shakespeare's Richard II), Michael Elyanow's The Children, as well as Luis Alfaro's Mojada, A Medea in Los Angeles (a co-production at the Getty Villa), and the New York and world premieres of Sheila Callaghan's Everything You Touch (a co-pro with Rattlestick Playwrights Theatre at the Cherry Lane) among many others. Recently elsewhere: Othello (A Noise Within), Jeanne Sakata's Hold These Truths (Arena Stage, San Diego Rep), Sofia Alvarez's Amos & Boris, Aditi Kapil's Orange (South Coast Rep), Aaron Posner's Stupid f-ing Bird (ACT Theatre Seattle). Upcoming: Sarah B. Mantell's Everything That Never Happened for the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. Kubzansky has received numerous awards and honors, among them the Los Angeles' Drama Critics' Circle's Margaret Harford Award for Sustained Excellence in Theater.\nCalendar Listing for The Father\nby Florian Zeller\ntranslated by Christopher Hampton\nDirected by Jessica Kubzansky\nStarring Alfred Molina\nFeaturing acclaimed actor Alfred Molina (Frida, An Education, Enchanted April) in a tour-de-force role that will captivate audiences and leave you breathless.\nPasadena Playhouse, 39 South El Molino Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91101\nWednesday, February 5 to Sunday, March 1\nPress opening Sunday, February 9 at 5:00 p.m.\nPrices start at $25\nOnline -- pasadenaplayhouse.org\nBy phone at 626-356-7529\nIn person -- Pasadena Playhouse Box Office,\nlocated at 39 South El Molino Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91101\nPerformance Schedule:\nTuesday-Friday evenings at 8:00 p.m.\nSaturday at 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m; Sunday at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.\nRelated Stories View More Los Angeles Stories\nPasadena Chorale Presents The MISSA PANGE LINGUA of Josquin Desprez\nOn March 4 and 5, for two performances only, the Pasadena Chorale will present the Pange Lingua Mass of Josquin Desprez. The concerts will be at the Altadena Community Church, where the intimate setting and gorgeous acoustics will play a vital role in bringing this music to life.\nEugene O'Neill Theater Center Now Accepting Applications For 2023 Cabaret Junior Fellows\nThe Junior Fellows program is a part of the O'Neill's annual Cabaret & Performance Conference, which brings leading Cabaret artists to perform at the organization's seaside campus in Waterford, CT and provides development opportunities for up-and-coming artists.\nInterview: Kristina Wong Brings Her SWEATSHOP OVERLORD to the Kirk Douglas Theatre\nKristina Wong’s Pulitzer Prize finalist “Kristina Wong, Sweatshop Overlord” will open at The Kirk Douglas February 15, 2023 (with previews beginning February 12th). Chay Yew directs this coproduction of Center Theatre Group and East West Players, with additional support from the Skirball Cultural Center. I managed to catch the ever-in-motion Kristina in Tempe, Arizona where she is the ASU Gammage Artist-in-Residence for three years.\nInterview: Peter Noone Talks Touring with Herman's Hermits\nHerman's Hermits featuring lead singer Peter Noone formed in Manchester in 1964 and then took the world by storm during the Beatles-inspired British Invasion era. The group's success continues internationally, with the group touring to entertain not only fans from the 1960s but their children and grandchildren as well. So when I heard Herman's Hermits was set to appear at the Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills on January 27, I decided to speak with Peter about the group's beginning and how life on the road has kept the band going for so many years.\nFoolish Production Co To Present TWELFTH NIGHT and MEASURE FOR MEASURE In Rep\nFoolish Production Co will return to their artistic roots with Measure For Measure and Twelfth Night performed in repertory at the Broadwater Studio in Hollywood.\nWorld Premiere of SCINTILLA to Open at The Road Theatre Company This Spring\nTHE ROAD THEATRE COMPANY has announced the second show of its 2022-2023 Season, the world premiere of SCINTILLA, written by Alessandro Camon and directed by Ann Hearn Tobolowsky.\nCreatives Share Talent, New Work & Network at Placer Rep's First 2023 Collaboration LAB\nThe Divine Spark is the theme explored at Placer Repertory Theater’s first Collaboration LAB of 2023 on January 29 in the Tamraloo Studio E black box in Lincoln, CA.\nPhillips & Alabado to Star in SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE\nLos Angeles SHOWS\nCalvin Berger\nThe Colony Theatre (2/16-3/26)\nSonoma Country Day School (5/18-5/19)\nMustang Hall (7/21-7/23)\nAnnie Jr\nSinai Akiba Academy (2/02-2/02)\nIlluminati (4/13-4/26)\nDisney's The Lion King Jr\nNapa Christian Campus Of Education (3/16-3/16)\nDisney's The Lion King Kids\nBaywood Elementary School (7/27-7/27)\nJackson Theatre (1/13-1/29)\nHAND TO GOD\nCoachella Valley Repertory (3/28-4/09)\nGarbo's Cuban Lover\nCasa 0101 Theatre (2/10-2/25)\nTesoro High School (6/13-6/17)\nTheatre School @ North Coast Rep (8/04-8/04)\nDisney's Moana Jr.\nBergeson Elementary School (5/05-5/07)\nThe Addams Familt School Edition\nWhitney High School (1/26-2/04)\nCall Me Elizabeth\nSierra Madre Playhouse (2/10-2/19)\nGet Los Angeles News","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1386194"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5641986131668091,"wiki_prob":0.5641986131668091,"text":"Marquette +3.5\nXavier -3.5\nOver 165.5 (-110)\nUnder 165.5 (-110)\nCommunity Picks: Marquette 0% vs Xavier 0%\nMarquette and Xavier Thread\nMarquette men's basketball games can sometimes feel like “The Markus Howard Show.” The 5-foot-11 senior guard is talked about a lot by fans and pundits and rightfully so. When he is in the middle of a scoring outburst, Howard is a must-watch performer. But in order for the Golden Eagles (2-0) to Continue to Article\nNovember 15, 2019 10:04:pm EST\nOn Tuesday night, Marquette men's basketball started off the 2019-20 season with a resounding victory over Loyola Maryland by the final score of 88-53. There was a lot to like, and also a few things that were not so great. What we're going to do here is explore those type of things in depth as Continue to Article\nNovember 08, 2019 5:15:pm EST\nOn Tuesday night, when Marquette kicked off their 2019-20 season, senior guard Markus Howard was 30 points away from tying and 31 points away from breaking Jerel McNeal's all-time Marquette scoring record of 1,985 points. It took the Chandler, Arizona, native exactly 30 minutes and 53 seconds of Continue to Article\nITEM #1: Marquette jumped out to a 21-0 lead against Loyola Maryland on Tuesday night, and I feel like I don't have to tell you twice that starting off your season on a 21-0 run is a very good way to start. Ending the night with a 35 point win, 88-53, is also a very good way to wrap up that good Continue to Article\nJerel McNeal's all-time scoring record at Marquette was going to fall. Golden Eagles senior guard Markus Howard entered the season just 30 points behind McNeal's 1,985, and Howard averaged 25 points per game last season, so it probably wasn't going to take long. It turns out that Howard only Continue to Article","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1761954"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6849510073661804,"wiki_prob":0.6849510073661804,"text":"link group\nparagon housing association\nmarshall construction\ntigh grian\nLink and Paragon complete new development for social rent in Alva\nA new housing development for Link Group Ltd and Paragon Housing Association at Queen Street, Alva has been opened officially opened by the minister for local government and housing, Kevin Stewart.\nThe £5.3 million construction of 48 homes for social rent began in February 2016, and was supported by a grant of £3,076,916 from the Scottish Government’s Greener Homes Initiative scheme.\nQueen Street is Scotland’s first volumetric off-site manufactured housing development built to the Gold Standard of Sustainability and is an innovative addition to Link and Paragon’s development programmes. Volumetric Construction is a type of off-site manufacturing which increases build quality, while providing the opportunity to reduce construction costs, time and waste.\nDeveloped by Tigh Grian Ltd, on behalf of Link and Paragon, the development was built by Marshall Construction Ltd and comprises a mix of one-bedroom cottage flats, and two and three-bedroom homes. Following completion, 14 units were transferred to Paragon, while Link retained ownership of the remaining 34 units.\nAs this is the first development of its kind in Scotland, Link and Paragon are working with Construction Scotland Innovation Centre, who have provided project support to enable them to work with Edinburgh Napier University to carry out an occupancy study of these new properties to measure temperature, sound and energy use over the first 12 months of tenants living in their new homes.\nCraig Sanderson, chief executive of Link Group Ltd, said: “We are very pleased to have been supported by the Scottish Government and the Clackmannanshire Council to enable us to build new high quality, affordable, energy efficient homes in Alva.\n“Queen Street has allowed to us to meet our design vision of creating sustainable homes using innovative design and constructive technology. I would like to thank all of our partners involved in this project – together I feel we have demonstrated the benefits of successful partnership working.”\nHousing minister Kevin Stewart said: “I am delighted to officially open the Queen Street development. It will provide more homes for social rent, breathe new life into the community, and developed in an innovative way that provides great opportunities for low cost but high quality housing – core to our drive for a fairer Scotland.\n“Supported with almost £3.1m in Scottish Government funding, it is a great example of how we are helping to provide more eco-friendly homes, and also helping people bring down the costs of things like heating, benefitting communities across Scotland.\n“We are committed to delivering at least 50,000 affordable homes over this Parliament, with at least 35,000 of those for social rent - backed by £3 billion of investment. As the Queen St development shows, working together with housing associations and others, I know that target can be achieved.”\nMargaret Torrance, director of Paragon Housing Association, added: “Queen Street is an exciting and innovative project. It has produced energy efficient homes which we hope will have real benefits for the tenants, and will also help the social housing sector grow and develop its knowledge around the use of the volumetric construction techniques. We would like to thank all the tenants and partners involved.”\nDr Jon Stinson of Edinburgh Napier University’s Institute for Sustainable Construction said: “The project partners and the tenants of these new homes have ventured into the future of low-energy housing in Scotland. We are learning a lot about these Golden Homes, and the lessons learned will shape the development of the next generation of houses.”\nGordon Campbell, director of Tigh Grian, added: “Queen Street is an exemplar of partnership working, with the Scottish Government, local authority, housing associations, banks and developers all contributing to deliver an exceptional outcome. It is home to a Scottish first – this is how new-build energy efficient housing should be delivered, and I hope it will be repeated nationwide.”\nLink Group names Jon Turner as new CEO from 2019\nLink Group achieves A+ credit rating\nLink Group named in top 50 UK companies for diversity\nLink Group takes the Scottish Business Pledge","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line6029"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9538422226905823,"wiki_prob":0.9538422226905823,"text":"Bella Thorne Criticizes Director Who Accused Her Of ‘Flirting With Him’ When She Was 10 Years Old\nBella Thorne is speaking out against a director who once accused her of “flirting with him” when she was just 10 years old.\nIn a conversation during Tuesday’s episode of actor and model Emily Ratajkowski’s podcast “High Low with EmRata,” the “Midnight Sun” actor recalled the shocking moment she thinks back on “every day” that drives her “crazy.”\nWhile discussing how young girls are all-too-often sexualized early in their Hollywood careers, the Disney “Shake It Up” alum shared it was “fucking stressful” being a child actor in the public eye.\nDetailing a particularly inappropriate audition she had with an unnamed male director, the 25-year-old star said he claimed she was flirting with him and making him “uncomfortable” during a casting session when she was a child.\n“I had a director give me feedback once, and I was 10. The casting director calls my agent and the agent calls my mom, and they’re like, ‘So, she’s not moving forward because the director felt like she was flirting with him, and it made him really uncomfortable,’” Thorne recalled.\nThorne said the incident made her “almost [find] fault in myself.” Though she reminded herself that she was “not the problem” at age 10, she added the moment left her spiraling in a sea of frantic thoughts.\nSee also Anne Heche Had No Illicit Substances Present at Time of Crash\n“‘What did you do, Bella? What did you do? You made him feel like this,’” she recalled thinking at the time.\nStunned by the accusations of inappropriate flirting at such a young age, Thorne added, “I don’t give a fuck what the fuck I said. I don’t care if I said, ’Eat my pussy right now. [I was] 10 years old. Why would you ever think that [I was flirting]?”\nThorne continued, “Also, you’re in a director session; you can’t really say or do anything. You do the scene; you say hello, and you walk out. There is no time to go sit on your lap or make you uncomfortable. What the fuck are you talking about?”\nElsewhere in the interview, Thorne — who also shared she was once nearly cut from Disney after wearing a bikini and body chain to a beach — got candid about the struggles of discovering her sexuality with “not only the whole world watching you but specifically men.”\nSpeaking on how society pressures young celebrities into a “box,” Thorne shared, “I feel like I’ve rocked the word ‘sex’ for a long time and I’ll always keep rocking this word because it’s what’s been put on me since I was so little, and yet it’s still something that I’ve taken so much of my own power back by owning that word.”\nSee also (Exclusive) Yung Joc & Kendra Robinson Step Into TSR As She Clarifies What She Meant About Not Wanting Joc's Sons To Follow In His Footsteps\nTelling Thorne to “forgive” herself because she was a “fucking kid,” Ratajkowski, who starred in 2014’s “Gone Girl,” went on to open up about her own story of an inappropriate interaction with her agent at 16 years old.\n“They pointed to my picture, and I was with my friend who was also modeling at the time with the same agency, and they were like, ‘This face. This is how we know this girl gets fucked. You’ve got to give a lesson, Emily, on this,’” the star recalled.\n“I remember being like flattered and also obviously so embarrassed and horrified, and now, of course, looking back, that is so fucked up that they said that,” she added.\nIn January 2018, Thorne opened up on social media about suffering from sexual abuse at a young age.\n“I was sexually abused and physically growing up from the day I can remember till I was 14. when I finally had the courage to lock my door at night and sit by it. All damn night. Waiting for someone to take advantage of my life again. Over and over I waited for it to stop and finally it did. But some of us aren’t as lucky to get out alive. Please today stand up for every soul Mistreated. #timesup,” she wrote on Instagram at the time.\nSee also Mariska Hargitay and Peter Hermann's Entire Relationship Timeline\nNeed help? Visit RAINN’s National Sexual Assault Online Hotline or the National Sexual Violence Resource Center’s website.\nBillie Lourd Shares Carrie Fisher Tribute With Throwback Photo – Hollywood Life\nBest LGBTQ+ Television Of 2022","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line159844"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5919061899185181,"wiki_prob":0.5919061899185181,"text":"Full text of Safety Code for Rubber Mills and Calenders : Recommended American Practice, Approved March, 1927, American Engineering Standards Committee : Bulletin of the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, No. 447\nView original document\nThe full text on this page is automatically extracted from the file linked above and may contain errors and inconsistencies.\nU . S. DEPARTM ENT OF LABOR\nJAMES J. DAVIS, Secretary\nBUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS\nETHELBERT STEWART, Commissioner\nBULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES }\nBUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS) * # #\n• No. 447\nSAFETY CODE\nFOR RUBBER MILLS AND\nINTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF INDUSTRIAL\nACCIDENT BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS AND THE\nNATIONAL SAFETY COUNCIL, RUBBER SECTION\nRECOMMENDED AMERICAN PRACTICE\nApproved March, 1927\nAmerican Engineering Standards Committee\nADDITIONAL COPIES\nOF THIS PUBLICATION MAY BE PROCURED FROM\nTHE SUPERINTENDENT OF DOCUMENTS\nWASHINGTON, D. C.\n5 CENTS PER COPY\nCOMMITTEE WHICH DEVELOPED THE SAFETY CODE FOR RUBBER\nJ o h n E . C ongdon ,\nChairman.\nE rn est W . B ec k ,\nSecretary.\nRepresenting-\nErnest W. Beck, supervisor of United States Rubber Co., 1790 Broad­ American Society of Safe­\nway, New York, N. Y.\nty Engineers and Na­\ntional Safety Council,\nrubber section.\nRaymond H. Blanchard, engineer. Hood Rubber Co., Watertown, Mass... National Safety Council,\nDaniel C. Butts.......... ................ International Association of Machinists, U. S. Department of\nroom 619, St. Denis Building, Eleventh\nStreet and Broadway, New York,\nN. Y.\nDr. Lucian W. Chaney..\nBureau of Labor Statistics, Washington, International Association\nof Industrial Accident\nBoards and Commis­\nsions.\nJohn E. Congdon, supervising en­ United States Rubber Co., New Haven, National Safety Council,\ngineer, general division.\nH. A. Cozzens, jr., mechanical American Hard Rubber Co., 11 Mercer\nengineer.\nStreet, New York, N. Y.\nEzra D. Davidson, sales engineer.. Farrel Foundry & Machine Co., An- American Society of Me­\nchanical Engineers.\nsonia, Conn.\nHarry A. Dodge, electrical engi­ United States Rubber Co., New Haven, National Safety Council,\nneer.\nC. W. Drake, general engineer___ Westinghouse Electric & Manufacturing Electrical Manufactur­\nCo., East Pittsburgh, Pa.\ners’ Council.\nAmerican Mutual Alliance Co., 730 Fifth National Association of\nJohn M. Eaton, secretary..\nMutual Casualty Com­\nAvenue, New York, N. Y.\nW. T. Edgell................................ General Electric Co., Schenectady, N. Y. Electrical Manufactur­\nE. T. Foote................................ . Cutler-Hammer Manufacturing Co., Mil­\nwaukee, Wis.\nW. A. Gordon, engineer of design.. Birmingham Iron Foundry, Derby, Conn. B i r mi n g h a m Iron\nFoundry.\nHarry H. Qraef, manager employ­ Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., Akron, Department of Labor,\nState of Ohio.\nees’ service division.\nArthur Halstead, electrical engi­ Bureau of Standards, Washington, D. C. Bureau of Standards.\nneer (alternate for P. L. Wormeley)......................................... .\nA. E. Hoener, assistant superin­ Firestone Tire & Rubber Co., Akron, National Safety Council,\ntendent of engineering.\nRobert E. Lee.............................. ___do.................................................. International Associa­\ntion of Industrial Acci­\ndent Boards and Com­\nmissions.\nRowland H. Leveridge, chief, bu­ New Jersey Department of Labor, Tren­\nton, N. J.\nreau of electrical and mechanical\nHarold T. Martin, manager health The Fisk Rubber Co., Chicopee Falls, Rubber Association of\nand safety department.\nF. H. Oberschmidt....................... Cutler-Hammer Manufacturing Co., Electrical Manufactur­\nStewart, J. Owen, jr..................... Bureau of Standards, Washington, D. C. Bureau of Standards.\nWalter S. Paine, research engineer.. Aetna Insurance Co., Hartford, Conn__ National Bureau of Cas\nualty and Surety Un­\nderwriters.\nAlfred Peabody, business repre­ International Association of Machinists, U. S. Department of\nsentative.\nStreet and Broadway, New York, N. Y.\nE. W. Pilgrim.............................. General Electric Co., Schenectady, N. Y. Electrical Manufactur­\nF. W. Sehl, engineer (alternate for Aetna Insurance Co., Hartford, Conn_ National Bureau of Cas­\nWalter S. Paine).\nLeroy Sweetser............................ State Department of Labor and Industry, Association of Govern­\nBoston, Mass.\nment Labor Officials.\nJoseph W. Thropp, secretary-treas- William R. Thropp &Sons Co., Trenton, William R. Thropp &\nurer.\nSons Co.\nL. A. Vaughn, vice president and Vaughn Machinery Co., Cuyahoga Falls, Vaughn Machinery Co.\ngeneral manager.\nP. L. Wormeley............................ Bureau of Standards, Washington, D. C. Bureau of Standards.\nIntroduction________________________________________________________\nScope_______\n______________________________________ ; ____________\nInterpretations and exceptions_______________________________________\nDefinitions_________________________________________________________\nP art 1.—New and existing installations______________________________\nGeneral____________________________________________ ___________\nSafety-trip controls and qnick-stop facilities______________________ _\nDetermination of distance of travel-_______________ _____________\nStopping limits—\nIndividually driven mills_____________________________________\nMills driven in groups_______________________________________\nIndividually and group driven calenders______________________\nOperating rules_______________________________________________________\nP art 2.—Discussion_________________________________________________\nBULLETIN OF THE\nU. S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS\nn o 447\nj u n e 1927\nSAFETY CODE FOR RUBBER MILLS AND CALENDERS\nThe mechanical hazards involved in the rubber industry are of\nsuch a character that the American Engineering Standards Com­\nmittee has recognized the necessity of standardized practice in the\nsafeguarding and the quick stopping of all machines used in breaking\ndown, washing, milling, cutting, molding, and vulcanizing of rubber,\ntogether with calenders, spreaders, coaters, and dryers, and similar\nmachinery used in the manufacture of rubber goods.\nOne purpose of this code is to serve as a guide to State or other\nsupervising authorities. It is also intended for use directly by the\nconcerns operating machines of this or a similar character and may\nbe adopted by any manufacturing concern as a standard to be fol­\nlowed by its superintendents, foremen, designers, mechanics, and\noperators. It is also intended for use by machinery concerns manu­\nfacturing rubber-working machinery.\nThe entire code shall cover the mechanical hazards encountered in\nthe manufacture of rubberized fabrics, rubber tires, fire and garden\nhose, footwear, molded rubber goods, rubber belting, reclaimed\nrubber, rubber solution and products made therefrom, and miscel­\nlaneous rubber materials; shall cover the machines used in breaking\ndown, washing, milling, cutting, molding, and vulcanizing of rub­\nber, together with calenders, spreaders, coaters, and dryers, and\nother machinery used in the manufacture of rubber sheeting; special\nmachines used in the manufacture of rubber tires included, but\nspinning and weaving fabrics excluded.\nOn account of the broad field to be covered, it was decided by the\nsectional committee to consider in this preliminary issue the safe­\nguarding of mills and calenders at the point of operation, and this\nis the limited work that is dealt with in the following rules.\nINTERPRETATIONS AND EXCEPTIONS\nThe purpose of this code is to provide reasonable safety for life,\nlimb, and health. In cases of practical difficulty or unnecessary hard­\nship, the enforcing officers or body may grant exceptions from the\nliteral requirements of this code, or permit the use of other devices\nor methods, but only when it is clearly evident the equivalent pro­\ntection is thereby secured.\nLaboratory equipment varies so much from manufacturing equip­\nment in size, speeds, and heights that exceptions may be made from\nrequirements indicated in this code, provided equivalent protection\nis given.\nThis code does not apply to the internal type mixer, washer, and\nmasticator, except in so far as there may be exposed in-running rolls\nattached or used in connection with this type of equipment.\nN o t e .—To secure the uniform application of this code, enforcing officers are\nurged before rendering decisions on disputed points to consult the committee\nwhich formulated it—the Committee on Safety Code for Rubber Machinery, in\ncare of American Engineering Standards Committee, 29 West Thirty-ninth\nStreet, New York City.\nThe word “ shall ” is to be understood as mandatory and the word\n“ should ” as advisory.\nThe word “ approval ” means approved by the authority having\nThe word 6 bite ” means the point of meeting between any two\nin-running rolls.\nThe term “ mill ” shall mean machines with rolls used in the\nbreaking down, cracking, washing, grating, mixing, refining, and\nwarming of rubber or rubber compounds.\nThe term u calender ” shall mean machines with rolls used for\nfrictioning, sheeting, coating, and spreading of rubber or rubber\ncompounds.\nPART 1.— NEW AND EXISTING INSTALLATIONS\nRule 100. New installations.\nAfter the date on which this code becomes effective, all new instal­\nlations shall be in conformity with the intent and purpose of this\nRule 101. Existing installations.\nA ll existing installations within a period of three years from the\ndate this code becomes effective shall be made to comply with the\nintent and purpose of these requirements consistent with the physical\ncharacteristics of the drive and the general characteristics of the\nplant layout.\nN o t e .—It is the purpose of rule 101 to recognize the difficulty of bringing\nexisting installations up to the full intent and purpose of this code without\nincurring an expense inconsistent with the results obtained.\nRule 102. Reference to other codes.\n(a) Lighting.— Rubber mills and calendars should be so located\nwith respect to sources of both natural and artificial light that light\nof sufficient intensity will fall on the work; direct or reflected glare\nand shadows, including moving shadows, should be avoided.\nN o t e .—For specific requirements see Code of Lighting for Factories, Mills,\nand Other Work Places (American standard), obtainable from the American\nEngineering Standards Committee and from the Illuminating Engineering\nSociety, both of 29 West Thirty-ninth Street, New York City.\n(&) Belt, pulley, gear, and shaft guards.— A ll belts, pulleys,\ngears, shafts, and other moving parts shall be guarded as required\nN EW AND EXISTING INSTALLATIONS\nby the Safety Code for Mechanical Power-Transmission Apparatus\n(American standard), obtainable from the American Engineering\nStandards Committee, of 29 West Thirty-ninth Street, New York\nCity, or in accordance with the State laws of the particular operating\nStates.\n(< Switches and other electrical apparatus.— A ll switches and\n?)\nother electrical apparatus shall be of a type or guarded as required\nby the National Electrical Safety Code (American standard), issued\nby the United States Bureau of Standards, Washington, D. C., or\nin accordance with the State laws of the particular operating States.\nBuie 103. Mill-roll height.\nA ll mills should be installed so that the top of the front roll is not\nless than forty-six (46) inches above the working floor level or\nplatform on which the operator stands, irrespective of the size of\nthe mill.\nSAFETY-TRIP CONTROLS AND QUICK-STOP FACILITIES\nRule 110. Safety-trip control— Hills.\n(a) A safety-trip rod or tight-wire cable for each individual mill\nshall be provided front and back of all mills, extending the length\nof the face of the rolls. It shall operate sensitively if it is pushed\nor if it is pulled.\n(&) The normal location of the safety-trip rod over the front roll\nshall be two (2) inches to four (4) inches in from the edge of the\nfront roll and not more than sixty-nine (69) inches above the work­\ning floor level on which the operator stands, with provision made\nfor adiustment of three (3) inches either up or down. (See illustra­\ntion No. 1.)\n(c) The normal location of the safety-trip rod at the back of the\nmill shall be two (2) inches to four (4) inches in from the edge of\nthe back roll and shall be in the same horizontal plane as the safetytrip bar over the front roll, and the length of the lever from fulcrum\nshall be the same.\nRule 111.\nThe fixed center rod or tie running the length of the roll, some­\ntimes used for construction purposes, shall be omitted.\nThe locations of safety trips apply to all sizes of mills.\nRule 113. Dry grinding.\nIn dry grinding and in mixing processes, where the material\nis shoveled into a trough over the bite of the rolls, the foregoing\nrules 110 to 112, inclusive, will not apply, provided the throat of\nthe trough over the bite of the rolls is screened with heavy three (3)\ninch by three (3) inch mesh of not less than No. 8 gauge wire and\nthe trough and the screen are made a permanent fixed part of the\nmachines and are so designed with regard to openings therein that\nit is impossible for an operator’s hand, intentionally or otherwise,\nto come in contact with the bite of the rolls.\n46881°—27------2\nIn dry grinding processes similar in character to the above\nand where the machine is fed through a long trough— as, for in­\nstance, from an upper floor level— the foregoing rules 110 to 112,\ninclusive, will not apply, provided the trough is so designed and is\nof such a character that it is impossible for an operator in any man­\nner to come in contact with the bite of the rolls.\nRule 120. Safety-trip control— Calenders.\n(a) A safety-trip rod or a tight-wire cable shall be provided\nacross the front and the back of all calenders, extending the length\nof face of rolls, to operate sensitively if it is pushed or if it is pulled.\nThis rod shall be at a height not more than sixty-nine (69) inches\nabove the working floor level or platform on which the operator\nstands and shall be within easy reach, with provision made for ad­\njustment either up or down of three (3) inches in each direction.\n(See illustration No. 2.)\n(&) On each side of all calenders and near both ends of the face\nof the roll there shall be a vertical tight-wire cable connecting with\nthe bar tipping mechanism at the top and fastened to the frame\nwithin twelve (12) inches of the floor. These cables should be posi­\ntioned at a distance of not more than twelve (12) inches from the\nface of the roll and at a distance of not less than one (1) inch from\ncalender frame. (See illustrations Isos. 2 and 2A.)\nA t the bite of in-running rolls where sheeting, duck, or other fab­\nric is fed, a barrier should be placed across the full length of the\nface of the rolls so designed and applied that the operator’s fingers\ncan not come in contact with the bite. (See illustration No. 3.)\nDETERMINATION OF DISTANCE OF TRAVEL\nMeasurements on mill shall be taken on the front roll; meas­\nurements on calender shall be taken on the drive roll. A ll measure­\nments shall be taken under normal operating conditions, with rolls\nrunning idle.\nAn approved instrument consisting of a pen or pencil or\nequivalent, electrically or mechanically operated, shall be used in\nmeasuring distances traveled. This instrument shall be so designed\nand attached that the pen or pencil will come in contact with a strip\nof paper coincidently with the tripping of the safety control. The\nstrip of paper shall be wrapped around the outside of the mill or\ncalender roll. (See illustrations Nos. 4 and 4A.)\nSTOPPING LIMITS— INDIVIDUALLY DRIVEN MILLS\nEvery mill having a diameter of the front roll up to and\nincluding sixteen and one-half ( 16^ ) inches and running empty\nat any speed shall be stopped within a distance of not more than\nten (10) inches’ travel after the safety is tripped.\nI l l u s t r a t io n\nNo. 2A\nEvery mill having a diameter of the front roll over sixteen\nand one-half (16!/2) inches and up to and including twenty-two and\none-half (22y2) inches and running empty at any speed shall be\nstopped within a distance of not more than fifteen (15) inches’\ntravel after the safety is tripped.\n( c ) Every mill having a diameter o f the front roll over twentytwo and one-half (22 1\n/2) inches and lip to and including twenty-six\n(26) inches and running empty at any speed shall be stopped within\na distance o f not more than eighteen (18) inches’ travel after the\nsafety is tripped.\nSTOPPING LIMITS—MILLS DRIVEN IN GROUPS\n(a) Mills driven in groups of two or more and having a diameter\nof the front roll up to and including sixteen and one-half (161/2)\ninches and running empty at any speed shall be stopped within a\ndistance of not more than eighteen (18) /inches’ travel after the\n(5) Mills driven in groups of two or more and having a diameter\no f the front roll over sixteen and one-half (16^ ) inches and up to\nand including twenty-two and one-half (2214) inches and running\nempty at any speed shall be stopped within a distance of not more\nthan twenty-four (24) inches’ travel after the safety is tripped.\n(< Mills driven in groups of two or more and having a diameter\nof the front roll over twenty-two and one-half (22^ ) inches and\nup to and including twenty-six (26) inches and running empty at\nany speed shall be stopped within a distance of not more than\nthirty-six (36) inches’ travel after the safety is tripped.\nSTOPPING LIMITS—INDIVIDUALLY AND GROUP DRIVEN\nEvery calender, irrespective of the size of the rolls, shall be\nstopped within a distance as shown below on the chart when meas­\nured at the maximum peripheral speed. Illustration: Suppose the\nroll is going at one hundred and twenty-five (125) feet per minute,\nthen by reading the chart we note the stopping distance should not\nbe more than thirty (30) inches.\nI l l u s t r a t io n N o. 4 A\nCalenders the drive roll o f which travels at a maximum peripheral\nspeed of fifty (50) feet per minute or less shall be stopped within\na distance o f not more than twelve (12) inches measured on the\ndrive roll after the safety is tripped.\nSpeeds above two hundred (200) feet per minute measured on the\ndrive roll are special and require special consideration.\nOPERATING RULES\nSafety stops on mills and calenders should be tested daily, and\naccurate measurements of distance of travel shall be taken at least\nonce every thirty (30) days.\nROLL SPEED - FEET PER MINUTE*\nC hart\nS t o p p in g D\nis t a n c e\nV a r io u s\nPART 2.— DISCUSSION\nIt is realized that the quick stopping of mills and calenders is a,\nvery important factor in accident prevention in that it limits the\ninjury to a worker if caught between the rolls. A t the present time,\ndue to the different type of drives and controls for stopping, there\nis a wide variation in the distance that a roll will travel after the\nsafety trip has been operated.\nSome form of braking device is absolutely necessary. With stock\nin the mill or calender the stop is much quicker than when the mill\nor calender is running empty, but in order to have a standard condi­\ntion for testing and comparison it is necessary to make tests for quick\nstopping with all the equipment running empty.\nA great many tests have been made to determine the distance a roll\nwill travel after the safety control is operated, and the rules given\nherein show what may reasonably be expected with average good con­\nditions and with as quick a stop as can be obtained without seriously\njarring the machinery or breaking some part of the equipment.\nBelt guards, Rule 102 (6)____________________________________________________\nBraking device, some form of, necessary, discussion_____________________________\nCalenders:\nDefinition_______________________________________________________________\nDistance of travel, drive roll measurement, Rule 130_______________________\nIndividually and group driven, stopping limits, Rule 135___________________\nIn-running rolls, barrier and “ bite,” Rule 121______________________________\nQuick stopping of, discussion--------------------------------------------------------------------Safety-control trip, Rule 120----------------------------------------------------------------------Codes:\nLighting for Factories, Mills, and Other Work. Places, reference to, Rule\n102 (a)______________________________________________ _________________\nMechanical Power-Transmission Apparatus, reference to, Rule 102 (ft)_______\nNational Electrical Safety Code, reference to, Rule 102 (c )_________________\nUniform application of, suggestion to enforcing officers______________________\nDefinitions---------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------Dry grinding, Rule 113------------------------------------------------------------------------------------\nGuards, belt, pulley, gear, and shaft, Rule 102 (b)—-----------------------------------------\nInstallations:\nExisting, Rule 101------------------------------------------------------------------------------------New, Rule 100------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------\nM ills:\nGroup driven, stopping limits, Rule 132-----------------------------------------------------Height of front roll from working floor, Rule 103-----------------------------------------Individually driven, stopping limits, Rule 131---------------------------------------------Quick stopping of, discussion--------------------------------------------------------------------Safety-trip control, Rule 110---------------------------------------------------------------------Travel distance, front roll measurement, Rule 130----------------------------------------\nOperating rules, safety stops on mills and calenders, Rule 150----------------------------\nPulley guards, Rule 102 (6)----------------------------------------------------------------------------S\nSafety-trip control:\nCalenders, Rule 120-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------Mills, Rule 110------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------Shaft guards, Rule 102 (ft)------------------------------------------------------------------------------Speed of rolls, and stopping distance, chart-------------------------------------------------------Stopping limits:\nCalenders, individually and group driven, Rule 135-------------------------------------Mills, individually and group driven, Rules 131, 132-----------------------------------Switches and other electrical apparatus, Rule 102 (a)----------------------------------------\nTravel, roll, distance of, determination:\nInstrument, pen or pencil, electrically or mechanically operated, Rule 130 (b)—\nMill and calender, front and drive roll, Rule 130 (a )-------------------------------------\n(id\nLIST OF BULLETINS OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS\nThe following is a list of all bulletins of the Bureau of Labor Statistics published since\nJuly, 1912, except that in the case of bulletins giving the results of periodic surveys of the\nbureau only the latest bulletin on any one subject is here listed.\nA complete list of the reports and bulletins issued prior to July, 1912, as well as the bulle­\ntins published since that date, will be furnished on application. Bulletins marked thus (*)\nare out of print.\nConciliation and Arbitration (including strikes and lockouts).\n♦No. 124. Conciliation and arbitration in the building trades of Greater New York.\n[1913.]\n♦No. 133. Report of the industrial council of the British Board of Trade in its\ninquiry into industrial agreements. [1913.]\n♦No. 139. Michigan copper district strike. [1914.]\nNo. 144. Industrial court of the cloak, suit, and skirt industry of New York City.\nNo. 145. Conciliation, arbitration, and sanitation in the dress and waist industry\nof New York City. [1914.]\n♦No. 191. Collective bargaining in the anthracite coal industry. [1916.]\n♦No. 198. Collective agreements in the men’s clothing industry. [1916.]\nNo. 233. Operation of the industrial disputes investigation act of Canada. [1918.]\nNo. 255. Joint industrial councils in Great Britain. [1919.]\nNo. 283. History of the Shipbuilding Labor Adjustment Board, 1917 to 1919.\nNo. 287. National War Labor Board: History of its formation, activities, etc.\nNo. 303. Use of Federal power in settlement of railway labor disputes. [1922.]\nNo. 341. Trade agreement in the silk-ribbon industry of New York City. [1923.]\nNo. 402. Collective bargaining by actors. [1926.]\nNo. 419. Trade agreements, 1925.\nCooperation.\nNo. 313. Consumers’ cooperative societies in the United States in 1920.\nNo. 314. Cooperative credit societies in America and in foreign countries. [1922.]\nNo. 437. Cooperative movement in the United States in 1925 (other than agricul­\ntural) .\nEmployment and Unemployment.\n♦No. 109. Statistics of unemployment and the work of employment offices in the\nUnited States. [1913.]\nNo. 172. Unemployment in New York City, N. Y. [1915.]\n♦No. 183. Regularity of employment in the women’s ready-to-wear garment indus­\ntries. [1915.]\n♦No. 195. Unemployment in the United States. [1916.]\nNo. 196. Proceedings of the Employment Managers’ Conference held at Minneap­\nolis, Minn., January, 1916.\n♦No. 202. Proceedings of the conference of Employment Managers’ Association of\nBoston, Mass., held May 10, 1916.\nNo. 206. The British system of labor exchanges. [1916.]\n♦No. 227. Proceedings of the Employment Managers’ Conference, Philadelphia, Pa.,\nApril 2 and 3, 1917.\nNo. 235. Employment system of the Lake Carriers’ Association. [1918.]\n♦No. 241. Public employment offices in the United States. [1918.]\nNo. 247. Proceedings of Employment Managers’ Conference, Rochester, N. Y., May\n9-11, 1918.\nNo. 310. Industrial unemployment: A statistical study of its extent and causes.\nNo. 409. Unemployment in Columbus, Ohio, 1921 to 1925.\nForeign Labor Laws.\n♦No. 142. Administration of labor laws and factory inspection in certain European\ncountries. [1914.]\nHousing*\n*No. 158. Government aid to home owning and housing of working people in foreign\nNo. 263. Housing by employers in the United States. [1920.]\nNo. 295. Building operations in representative cities in 1920.\nNo. 424. Building permits in the principal cities of the United States, 1925.\nIndustrial Accidents and Hygiene.\n♦No. 104. Lead poisoning in potteries, tile works, and porcelain enameled sanitary\nware factories. [1912.]\nNo. 120. Hygiene of the painters’ trade. [1913.]\n♦No. 127. Dangers to workers from dust and fumes, and methods of protection.\n♦No. 141. Lead poisoning in the smelting and refining of lead. [1914.]\n♦No. 157. Industrial accident statistics. [1915.]\n♦No. 165. Lead poisoning in the manufacture of storage batteries. [1914.]\n♦No. 179. Industrial poisons used in the rubber industry. [1915.]\nNo. 188. Report of British departmental committee on the danger in the use of lead\nin the painting of buildings. [1916.]\n♦No. 201. Report of committee on statistics and compensation-insurance cost of the\nInternational Association of Industrial Accident Boards and Commis*\nrdons. [1916.]\n♦No. 207. Causes of death, by occupation. [1917.]\n♦No. 209. Hygiene of the printing trades. [1917.]\nNo. 2.19. Industrial poisons used or produced in the manufacture of explosives.\nNo. 221. Hours, fatigue, and health in British munition factories. [1917.]\nNo. 230. Industrial efficiency and fatigue in British munition factories. [1917.]\n♦No. 231. Mortality from respiratory diseases in dusty trades (inorganic dusts).\nNo. 234. Safety movement in the iron and steel industry, 1907 to 1917.\n♦No. 236. Effects of the air hammer on the hands of stonecutters. [1918.]\nNo. 249. Industrial health and efficiency. Final report of British Health of\nMunition Workers Committee. [1919.]\n♦No. 251. Preventable death in the cotton-manufacturing industry. [1919.]\nNo. 256. Accidents and accident prevention in machine building. [1919.]\nNo. 267. Anthrax as an occupational disease. [1920.]\nNo. 276. Standardization of industrial accident statistics. [1920.]\nNo. 280. Industrial poisoning in making coal-tar dyes and dye intermediates.\nNo. 291. Carbon monoxide poisoning. [1921.]\nNo. 293. The problem of dust phthisis in the granite-stone industry. [1922.]\nNo. 298. Causes and prevention of accidents in the iron and steel industry, 1910 to\nNo. 306. Occupational hazards and diagnostic signs: A guide to impairments to be\nlooked for in hazardous occupations. [1922.]\nNo. 339. Statistics of industrial accidents in the United States. [1923.]\nNo. 392. Survey of hygienic conditions in the printing trades. [1925.]\nNo. 405. Phosphorus necrosis in the manufacture of fireworks and the preparation\nof phosphorus. [1926.]\nNo. 425. Record of industrial accidents in the United States to 1925.\nNo. 426. Deaths from lead poisoning. [1926.]\nNo. 427. Health survey of the printing trades, 1922 to 1925.\nNo. 428. Proceedings of the Industrial Accident Prevention Conference, held at\nWashington, D. C., July 14-16, 1926.\nIndustrial Relations and Labor Conditions.\nIndustrial unrest in Great Britain. [1917.]\nChinese migrations, with special reference to labor conditions. [1923.]\nIndustrial relations in the West Coast lumber industry. [1923.]\nLabor relations in the Fairmont (W. Va.) bituminous-coal field. [1924.]\nPostwar labor conditions in Germany. [1925.]\nWorks council movement in Germany. [1925.]\nLabor conditions in the shoe industry in Massachusetts, 1920 to 1924.\nLabor relations in the lace and lace-curtain industries in the United States.\nLabor Laws of the United States (including decisions of courts relating to\nlabor).\nNo. 211. Labor laws and their administration in the Pacific States. [1917.]\nNo. 229. Wage payment legislation in the United States. [1917.]\nNo. 285. Minimum-wage legislation in the United States. [1921.]\nNo. 321. Labor laws that have been declared unconstitutional. [1922.]\nNo. 322. Kansas Court of Industrial Relations. [1923.]\nNo. 343. Laws providing for bureaus of labor statistics, etc. [1923.]\nNo. 370. Labor laws of the United States, with decisions of courts relating thereto.\nNo. 408. Laws relating to payment of wages. [1926.]\nNo. 434. Labor legislation of 1926.\nNo. 444. Decisions of courts and opinions affecting labor, 1926. (In press.)\nProceedings of Annual Conventions of the Association of Governmental Labor\nOfficials of the United States and Canada.\n*No. 323.\nSeventh, Seattle, Wash., July 12-15, 1920.\nEighth, New Orleans, La., May 2-6, 1921.\nNinth, Harrisburg, Pa., May 22-26, 1922.\nTenth, Richmond, Va., May 1-4, 1923.\nEleventh, Chicago, 111., May 19-23, 1924.\nTwelfth, Salt Lake City, Utah, August 13-15, 1925.\nThirteenth, Columbus, Ohio, June 7-10, 1926.\nProceedings o f Annual Meetings of the International Association of Industrial\nAccident Boards and Commissions.\n♦No. 210.\nThird, Columbus, Ohio, April 25-28, 1916.\nFourth, Boston, Mass., August 21-25, 1917.\nFifth, Madison, Wis., September 24-27, 1918.\nSixth, Toronto, Canada, September 23-26, 1919.\nSeventh, San Francisco, Calif., September 20-24, 1920.\nEighth, Chicago, 111., September 19-23, 1921.\nNinth, Baltimore, Md., October 9-13, 1922.\nTenth, St. Paul, Minn., September 24-26, 1923.\nEleventh, Halifax, Nova Scotia, August 26-28, 1924.\nIndex to proceedings, 1914-1924.\nThirteenth, Hartford, Conn., September 14-17, 1926.\nProceedings of Annual Meetings of International Association of Public Em­\nployment Services'*\nNo. 192. First, Chicago, December 19 and 20, 1913; Second, Indianapolis, September\n24 and 25, 1914 ; Third, Detroit, July 1 and 2, 1915.\nNo. 220. Fourth, Buffalo, N. Y., July 20 and 21, 1916.\nNo. 311. Ninth, Buffalo, N. Y., September 7-9, 1921.\nNo. 337. Tenth, Washington, D. C., September 11-13, 1922.\nNo. 355. Eleventh, Toronto, Canada, September 4-7, 1923.\nNo. 400. Twelfth, Chicago, 111., May 19-23, 1924.\nNo. 414. Thirteenth, Rochester, N. Y., September 15-17, 1925.\nProductivity of Labor.\nNo. 356. Productivity costs in the common-brick industry. [1924.]\nNo. 360. Time and labor costs in manufacturing 100 pairs of shoes. [1924.]\nNo. 407. Labor cost of production and wages and hours of labor in the paper boxboard industry.\nNo. 412. Wages, hours, and productivity in the pottery industry, 1925.\nNo. 441. Productivity of labor in the glass industry. [1927.] (In press.)\nRetail Prices and Cost of Living.\nSugar prices, from refiner to consumer [1913.]\nWheat and flour prices, from farmer to consumer. [1913.]\nButter prices, from producer to consumer. [1914.]\nForeign food prices as affected by the war. [1915.]\nCost of living in the United States. [1924.]\nThe use of cost-of-living figures in wage adjustments. [1925.]\nRetail prices, 1890 to 1926. (In press.)\n(HI)\nSafety Codes.\nCode of lighting factories, mills, and other work places.\nSafety code for the protection of industrial workers in foundries.\nSafety code for the use, care, and protection of abrasive wheels.\nSpecifications of laboratory tests for approval of electric headlighting\ndevices for motor vehicles.\nSafety code for the construction and use of ladders.\nSafety code for mechanical power-transmission apparatus.\nSafety code for laundry machinery and operations.\nSafety code for woodworking plants.\nCode of lighting school buildings.\nSafety code for paper and pulp mills.\nSafety code for power presses and foot and hand presses.\nSafety codes for the prevention of dust explosions.\nVocational and W orkers’ Education.\n♦No. 159. Short-unit courses for wage earners, and a factory school experiment.\n♦No. 162. Vocational education survey of Richmond, Va. [1915.]\nNo. 199. Vocational education survey of Minneapolis, Minn. [1916.]\nNo. 271. Adult working-class education in Great Britain and the United States.\nW ages and Hours of Labor.\n♦No. 146. Wages and regularity of employment and standardization of piece rates in\nthe dress and waist industry of New York City. [1914.]\n♦No. 147. Wages and regularity of employment in the cloak, suit, and skirt industry.\nNo. 161. Wages and hours of labor in the clothing and cigar industries, 1911 to\nNo. 163. Wages and hours of labor in the building and repairing of steam railroad\ncars, 1907 to 1913.\n♦No. 190. Wages and hours of labor in the cotton, woolen, and silk industries, 1907\nto 1914.\nNo. 204. Street railway employment in the United States. [1917.]\nNo. 225. Wages and hours of labor in the lumber, millwork, and furniture indiistries, 1915.\nNo. 265. Industrial survey in selected industries in the United States, 1919.\nNo. 297. Wages and hours of labor in the petroleum industry, 1920.\nNo. 358. Wages and hours of labor in the automobile-tire industry, 1923.\nNo. 365. Wages and hours of labor in the paper and pulp industry, 1923.\nNo. 374. Wages and hours of labor in the boot and shoe industry, 1907 to 1924.\nNo. 376. Wages and hours of labor in the hosiery and underwear industry, 1907 to\nNo. 394. Wages and hours of labor in metalliferous mines, 1924.\nNo. 407. Labor cost of production, and wages and hours of labor in the paper box^\nboard industry. [1925.]\nNo. 413. Wages and hours of labor in the lumber industry in the United States,\nNo. 416. Hours and earnings in anthracite and bituminous coal mining, 1922 and\nNo. 421. Wages and hours of labor in the slaughtering and meat-packing industry,\nNo. 422. Wages and hours of labor in foundries and machine shops, 1925.\nNo. 431. Union scale of wages and hours of labor, May 15, 1926.\nNo. 434. Wages and hours of labor in the men’s clothing industry, i911 to 1926.\nNo. 438. Wages and hours of labor in the motor vehicle industry, 1925. (Inpress.)\nNo. 442. Wages and hours of labor in the iron and steel industry, 1907 to 1925.\nNo. 443. Wages and hours of labor in woolen and worsted goods manufacturing,\n1925. (In press.)\nNo. 446. Wages and hours of labor in cotton-goods manufacturing, 1910 to 1926.\n(In press.)\nWelfare Work.\n*No. 123. Employers’ welfare work. [1913.]\nNo. 222. Welfare work in British munitions factories. [1917.]\n♦No. 250. Welfare wotfk for employees in industrial establishments in the United\nStates. [1919.]\nW holesale Prices.\nNo. 284. Index numbers of wholesale prices in the United States and foreign\nNo. 440. Wholesale prices, 1890 to 1926. (In press.)\nWomen and Children in Industry.\nNo. 116. Hours, earnings, and duration of employment of wage-earning women in\nselected industries in the District of Columbia. [1913.]\n♦No. 117. Prohibition of night work of young persons. [1913.]\n♦No. 118. Ten-hour maximum working-day for women and young persons. [1913.]\n♦No. 119. Working hours of women in the pea canneries of Wisconsin. [1913.]\n♦No. 122. Employment of women in power laundries in Milwaukee. [1913.]\nNo. 160. Hours, earnings, and conditions of labor of women in Indiana mercantile\nestablishments and garment factories. [1914.]\n♦No. 167. Minimum-wage legislation in the United States and foreign countries.\n♦No. 175. Summary of the report on conditions of woman and child wage earners\nin the United States. [1915.]\n♦No. 176. Effect of minimum-wage determinations in Oregon. [1915.]\n♦No. 180. The boot and shoe industry in Massachusetts as a vocation for women.\n[1915J\n♦No. 182. Unemployment among women in department and other retail stores of\nBoston, Mass. [1916.]\nNo. 193. Dressmaking as a trade for women in Massachusetts. [1916.]\nNo. 215. Industrial experience of trade-school girls in Massachusetts. [1917.]\n♦No. 217. Effect of workmen’s compensation laws in diminishing the necessity of\nindustrial employment of women and children. [1918.]\nNo. 223. Employment of women and juveniles in Great Britain during the war.\nNo. 253. Women in the lead industries. [1919.]\nWorkmen’s Insurance and Compensation (including laws relating thereto).\nCare of tuberculous wage earners in Germany. [1912.]\nBritish national insurance act, 1911.\nSickness and accident insurance law of Switzerland. [1912.]\nLaw relating to insurance of salaried employees in Germany. [1913.]\nCompensation for accidents to employees of the United States. [1914.]\nProceedings of the conference on social insurance called by the Interna­\ntional Association of Industrial Accident Boards and Commissions, Wash­\nington, D. C., December 5-9, 1916.\nWorkmen’s compensation legislation of the United States and foreign\ncountries, 1917 and 1918.\nComparison of workmen’s compensation insurance and administration.\nNational health insurance in Great Britain, 1911 to 1920.\nComparison of workmen’s compensation laws of the United States as of\nJanuary 1, 1925.\nWorkmen’s compensation legislation of the United States and Canada.\nMiscellaneous Series.\n♦No. 174. Subject index of the publications of the United States Bureau of Labor\nStatistics up to May 1, 1915.\nNo. 208. Profit sharing in the United States. [1916.]\nNo. 242. Food situation in central Europe, 1917.\nNo. 254. International labor legislation and the society of nations. [1919.]\nNo. 268. Historical survey of international action affecting labor. [1920.]\nNo. 282. Mutual relief associations among Government employees in Washington,\nD. C. [1921.]\n(V )\nMiscellaneous Series— Continued.\nNo. 299. Fersonnel research agencies: A guide to organized research in employment\nmanagement, industrial relations, training, and working conditions.\nNo. 319. The Bureau of Labor Statistics: Its history, activities, and organization.\nNo. 326. Methods of procuring and computing statistical information of the Bureau\nof I.abor Statistics. [1923.]\nNo. 342. International Seamen’s Union of America: A study of its history and\nproblems. [1923.]\nNo. 346. Humanity in government. [1923.]\nNo. 372. Convict labor in 1923.\nNo. 386. The cost of American almshouses. [1925.]\nNo. 398. Growth of legal-aid work in the United States. [192G.]\nNo. 401. Family allowances in foreign countries. [1926.]\nNo. 420. Handbook of American trade-unions. [1926.]\nNo. 439. Handbook of labor statistics, 1924-1926. (In press.)\n(V I)","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1135662"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5990904569625854,"wiki_prob":0.5990904569625854,"text":"It has been said that “Penney dreams in Technicolor and translates those dreams into her exquisite ART WEAR!” Color, texture and pattern have always fascinated her and been magnets for her attention.\nLearning about yarns and fibers from her father, a cotton yarn broker, was just the beginning. After obtaining a degree in Speech and Drama, she pursued her love of all-things-fashion, obtaining a Fashion Merchandising degree from Tobe-Coburn in New York City with an emphasis on Textiles. Her career then led her to a very successful stint as a department store buyer in New Orleans. But challenges in “the fashion capital” lured her back to the New York world of apparel design and manufacturing where she honed her design skills with various women’s apparel companies. In the mid-1970s she was blessed with the life-changing opportunity to spend several years living in the sun-soaked paradise of Nairobi, Kenya.\nLife in East Africa reinforced Penney’s life-long sense of the dramatic synergy found in the realm of texture and color. Serendipitously, an introduction to the intriguing world of antique trade beads led to a Kenya Art Center course in Fabric Painting/Batik. Always fascinated by the interplay of surface designs and dramatic colors, she bartered her first animal-inspired batiks for a handful of very old, richly-colored and patterned African beads. Innately creative, she immediately translated those evocative bead designs onto fabric and her first wearable, FIBER ART pieces were born!\nOn her return to the States she focused her energies in the textile and design realms. Combining her years of fashion industry color expertise with her new love of the magic of dyes floating across fabric, she became a Textile Designer and, eventually, held the position of Design Director for a major international textile firm. At the same time, she formed her own hand-knit sweater business, Cocoons by Penney Clarke, which sold her hand knits to upscale boutiques and shops. Penney is a member of the National Association of Professional Women.\n\"Travelling with her family as a creatively-awakened child, she was exposed to the diversity and colors of the Caribbean, Central and South America\"\nIn the mid-1980s Penney relocated to south Texas eventually settling into the slow-paced life of the arts haven of Rockport on the Gulf Coast, then relocating to San Antonio following the devastation of Hurricane Harvey in August of 2017. Since leaving New York, she has continued to knit and paint on silks in Batik, to teach workshops on silk painting and, while in San Antonio, was a partner in The Textures Gallery of Fiber Arts where she exhibited her hand-dyed silks as well as her own line of semi-precious stone jewelry.\nMany factors have influenced Penney’s artistic sensibilities but her repeated forays into the cultures of other countries have played an integral role in her journey. Travelling with her family as a creatively-awakened child, she was exposed to the diversity and colors of the Caribbean, Central and South America and, then, at age seventeen, spent her first summer travelling throughout Europe. And, through the years, for both business and pleasure, she has continued to travel whenever and wherever possible.\nPenney says “A perfect blending of design and coloration is essential for a piece to be spectacular, for it to really ‘pop’….and that is always my aim.” With her innate sense of style, Penney eclectically picks and chooses from among her yarns and ribbons, translating the snippets and images from her sensory memories into ethereal and very feminine wearable art treasures. Therefore, each of Penney’s KnitPicks and WEARABLE ART pieces is not only luxurious but is also truly unique.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1037534"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6151047348976135,"wiki_prob":0.6151047348976135,"text":"COMMERCIAL VEHICLE WRECKS\nPEDESTRIAN & BIKE\nTRUCK WRECKS\nDRIVING WHILE DISTRACTED\nRIDESHARE (UBER)\nAUTOMOBILE DEFECTS\nDRUG LITIGATION\nPRESCRIPTION DOSAGE ERRORS\nMARK D. FRENKEL\nSCOTT BENNET FRENKEL\nGENE BURKETT\nDAVE ADEST\nJASON BOORSTEIN\nANDREW GROSS\nCARLOS A. FERNANDEZ\nAARON SPAHR\nCall Us Now - 214-333-3333\nFrenkel & Frenkel Blog in Dallas, Texas\nSettlement Reached in Teen’s Wrongful Death\nWritten by Frenkel and Frenkel PC on March 11, 2014 . Posted in Negligence, Wrongful Death.\nA settlement has been reached in the wrongful death suit filed by the parents of a 15-year old boy who died after being swept away while on a kayaking and hiking trip in Hawaii. The terms of the settlement between Michael and Marianne Madoff, the boy’s parents, and the defendants—Bold Earth Teen Adventures and Hawaii Pack and Paddle—were sealed. Accident Details The Madoff’s son, Tyler, a student at Scarsdale High School in White Plains, N.Y., was on a hiking and kayaking tour led by Bold Earth on July 4, 2012. After kayaking in Kealakekua Bay, the group was hiking near the Captain Cook monument when they stopped to rest at a tide pool. The area where tour guides led the group was out of a state-permitted area, even though there were high surf warnings. Large waves came over the group and Madoff was washed away. His body never recovered. Tour Group Negligence\nThe family of a teenager swept out to sea while on a hiking and kayaking tour in Hawaii has reached a settlement for his wrongful death.\nAccording to court documents, Madoff’s parents claimed that the group was negligent for allowing the teenagers to be led to an area that was not only off-limits, but was dangerous. The parents claimed that Bold Earth was responsible for the safety of their son, and they failed to provide that safety, leading to his death. Their reason for filing the lawsuit was to keep other families from suffering as they have since Tyler’s death. Attorneys for Bold Earth did not release a statement. Awareness Fund One of the things the parents want to do with the settlement is to set up a fund in Tyler’s name to raise awareness of the need for safety in that area of Hawaii. In addition, they want to provide funding that supports the search and rescue efforts in the area. The parents told the Journal News that, although Tyler’s body was not recovered, the search and rescue personnel were “amazing” as they tried to locate their son. When the negligence of another person is suspected as the cause or contributing factor in an accident that causes injury or death, a wrongful death claim may be in order. Contact Dallas-Fort Worth lawyers at Frenkel & Frenkel to schedule a free initial consultation regarding an accident where injuries or death may have been caused by someone else’s negligence.\nDallas: 214.333.3333\nFt. Worth: 817.222.2222\n1-800-LAWYERS\n12700 Park Central Drive Suite 1900","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1081601"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.753835916519165,"wiki_prob":0.753835916519165,"text":"Gallery Text\nAlbers made his first important glass work in 1918, when he created a stained-glass window for a church in his hometown. As a student and later technical master of the Bauhaus’s stained-glass workshop, he designed large-scale windows and compositions using discarded glass. In the mid-1920s he developed a technique, used here, of sandblasting abstract designs through a stencil onto panels of layered opaque glass, which were meant to be hung on the wall like paintings. Albers’s exploration of the artistic possibilities of glass parallels the rigorous “material studies” that were central to the preliminary course he led at the Bauhaus. He took great satisfaction in the precise, machine-produced quality of his glass pictures, and the fact that, with proper instructions, they could be reproduced by any skilled technician.\nJosef Albers, American (Bottrop, Germany 1888 - 1976 New Haven, Conn.)\nLevel 1, Room 1520, Modern and Contemporary Art, Art in Germany Between the Wars\nOpaque black glass flashed on milk glass\n58.4 x 27.9 cm (23 x 11 in.)\n[Egan Gallery, New York].\nHarvard Art Museums/Busch-Reisinger Museum, Kuno Francke Memorial and Association Funds\n© Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York\nCharles Werner Haxthausen, The Busch-Reisinger Museum, Harvard University, Abbeville Press (New York, NY, 1980), p. 17, repr.\nPeter Nisbet and Joseph Koerner, The Busch-Reisinger Museum, Harvard University Art Museums, ed. Peter Nisbet, Harvard University Art Museums and Scala Publishers Ltd. (Cambridge, MA and London, England, 2007), p. 114\nDavid Bindman, Suzanne Blier, and Vera Grant, ed., Art of Jazz: Form, Performance, Notes, exh. cat., Ethelbert Cooper Gallery of African and African American Art (Cambridge, MA, 2017), p. 50, ill. (b/w)\nFrom Werkbund to Bauhaus: Art and Design in Germany 1900-1934, Busch-Reisinger Museum, Cambridge, 05/12/1980 - 04/26/1980\n19th- and 20th-Century Paintings and Sculpture from the Museum's Collection, Busch-Reisinger Museum, Cambridge, 06/11/1980 - 08/31/1980\n19th- and 20th-Century Works on Paper from the Permanent Collection, Busch-Reisinger Museum, Cambridge, 02/08/1982\nArt of the Weimar Era, Busch-Reisinger Museum, Cambridge, 04/05/1982 - 05/22/1982\nBauhaus Art and Design, Busch-Reisinger Museum, Cambridge, 06/07/1982 - 10/30/1982\n32Q: 1520 Art in Germany Between the Wars (Interwar and Bauhaus), Harvard Art Museums, Cambridge, 11/16/2014 - 08/03/2017; Harvard Art Museums, Cambridge, 08/05/2019 - 01/01/2050\n\"Overlapping (Josef Albers) , BR49.261,” Harvard Art Museums collections online, Jan 26, 2023, https://hvrd.art/o/219628.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line642928"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6480996012687683,"wiki_prob":0.3519003987312317,"text":"The Gender and Sexuality of Armenia: A Debut Conference\nThe Gender and Sexuality of Armenia: A Debut Conference Shirinian, Tamar;Hayes, Jarrod 2018-07-01 00:00:00 REVIEW ESSAY The Gender and Sexuality of Armenia A Debut Conference TA M A R S H I R I N I A N Gender and Sexuality in Armenian Studies Graduate Student Workshop University of Michigan April 21–23, 2017 In April 2017 the Armenian Studies Program (ASP) at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, held the Eighth Annual Graduate Student Workshop, “Gender and Sexuality in Armenian Studies.” The workshop, organized by Jeremy Johnson, a PhD candidate in anthropology and history, and Kathryn Babayan, the director of ASP, is the first academic event in the United States that places Armenian studies in direct conversation with gender and sexuality studies, bridging what many of us in the field understand as a major gap. Armenian studies in the West has for a long time focused on the interrelated matters of genocide and diaspora. The systemic violence against Christian populations and later mass deportations and massacres of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire at the end of the nineteenth and beginning of the twentieth century—most notably the genocide of 1915—produced a large archive of objects for interrogation and have informed a great deal of scholarly inquiry. A smattering of academic works published in the http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Journal of Middle East Women's Studies Duke University Press http://www.deepdyve.com/lp/duke-university-press/the-gender-and-sexuality-of-armenia-a-debut-conference-mHQaIY0QeC\nShirinian, Tamar; Hayes, Jarrod\nJournal of Middle East Women's Studies\n, Volume 14 (2) – Jul 1, 2018\n/lp/duke-university-press/the-gender-and-sexuality-of-armenia-a-debut-conference-mHQaIY0QeC\nJournal of Middle East Women s Studies /\nCopyright © 2018 by the Association for Middle East Women’s Studies\n10.1215/15525864-6680257\nREVIEW ESSAY The Gender and Sexuality of Armenia A Debut Conference TA M A R S H I R I N I A N Gender and Sexuality in Armenian Studies Graduate Student Workshop University of Michigan April 21–23, 2017 In April 2017 the Armenian Studies Program (ASP) at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, held the Eighth Annual Graduate Student Workshop, “Gender and Sexuality in Armenian Studies.” The workshop, organized by Jeremy Johnson, a PhD candidate in anthropology and history, and Kathryn Babayan, the director of ASP, is the first academic event in the United States that places Armenian studies in direct conversation with gender and sexuality studies, bridging what many of us in the field understand as a major gap. Armenian studies in the West has for a long time focused on the interrelated matters of genocide and diaspora. The systemic violence against Christian populations and later mass deportations and massacres of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire at the end of the nineteenth and beginning of the twentieth century—most notably the genocide of 1915—produced a large archive of objects for interrogation and have informed a great deal of scholarly inquiry. A smattering of academic works published in the\nJournal of Middle East Women's Studies – Duke University Press\nPublished: Jul 1, 2018\nShirinian, T., & Hayes, J. (2018). The Gender and Sexuality of Armenia: A Debut Conference. Journal of Middle East Women's Studies, 14(2), 217-220.\nShirinian, Tamar, and Jarrod Hayes. \"The Gender and Sexuality of Armenia: A Debut Conference.\" Journal of Middle East Women's Studies 14.2 (2018): 217-220.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1755184"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8859826922416687,"wiki_prob":0.8859826922416687,"text":"DISNEY+ and TCM\nLet's start with news about DISNEY+. The streaming service has been up and going for months now and all I have to show for it is MUPPETS NOW. Six episodes. I got it for all the great new content -- that never came.\nWhere's that Wanda show? The Scarlet Witch and Vision? Well, we finally got to see the trailer for it if not the actual series. I get that Covid came along. I also get that it came along all over the world but every week I see NETFLIX offering a new series, a new movie, every week. And DISNEY+ launched last November -- it's almost been a year.\nNBC's PEACOK launched in July and they keep adding new stuff.\nI love Miss Piggy but six episodes of MUPPETS NOW really isn't enough to justify me paying a year's subscription for DISNEY+.\nSo DEADLINE reports:\nDisney Plus’ “Ms. Marvel” series has cast its titular lead.\nNewcomer Iman Vellani has been chosen to play Ms. Marvel a.k.a. Pakistani American Kamala Khan, Variety has confirmed with a source close to the project.\nThe character she will play is a 16-year-old Muslim teenager who lives in Jersey City, New Jersey, and looks up to superheroes like Captain Marvel. According to Marvel, she has an “an Inhuman ability to alter shape and size [and] employs an idealistic attitude as much as any power to make the world a better place.”\nYes, I'd watch that. But, note, they just cast the lead. They aren't filming, who knows how long it's going to be before they start filming.\nIn another complaint, has TCM ever been as useless as it is lately?\nSince they ended their August tributes, they have not aired one movie that I wanted to see. I have not watched one movie in all of September on TCM.\nWednesday, September 30, 2020. SON OF TRUMP: THE DEBATE.\nSon of Trump. In the tradition of past sequels like THUNDERHEAD, SON OF FLICKA and THE SON OF MONTE CRISTO and SON OF FRANKENSTEIN, last night a new film was delivered: SON OF TRUMP.\nChris Wallace moderated a debate between US President and GOP nominee Donald Trump and Democratic Party nominee Joe Biden. No others were invited -- not the Green Party's Howie Hawkins, not the SEP's Joseph Kishore, not the PSL's Gloria La Riva and not the Libertarian Party's Jo Jorgensen.\nIt was just Donald and Joe. Or Donald and Donald Jr. We'll get back to it.\nChris Wallace did not try to fact check. Thank goodness. Big boned Candy Crawley ending her sad career in disgrace as a result of her 'fact checks' which, as she herself admitted on CNN immediately after she completed 'moderating,' were incorrect. The moderator's job is to keep the debate going. It is the job of the candidates on the stage to hold one another accountable. So at least Chris avoided that nonsense.\nDonald Trump won the debate.\nOne of the reasons for that is Chris Wallace. Both candidates interrupted one another throughout the debate, both spoke snide remarks while the other was speaking. Chris, at one point, corrected Donald Trump who then noted Joe was doing the same thing and Chris replied that Donald was doing it more.\nA friend who was -- and still is -- planning to vote for Joe said that moment stood out to him (a well known liberal comic). Why? Because it was unfair and reminded him of high school. He was a class clown. He was not the only one. He sat with four others and a high school English teacher would always call him out. It might be any of the other three but she would always single him out. In part, it was because the other three included the superintendent's son. But it wasn't fair.\nAnd Chris Wallace, in that moment, made this anti-Trump (\"I hated him with all my heart\") feel sorry for Donald Trump.\nFairness is something Americans count on. And that wasn't a fair moment. When Donald said Joe was doing it to, it was up to Chris to call them both out.\nAnd Joe was doing it too.\nWhich is how we got SON OF TRUMP.\nThe bar for Joe was never going to be that high. Going into the debate, we all knew Joe was going to lie and the media would look the other way or rush to say it didn't matter. We all knew that the media would ignore Joe's mental issues and they did. On the latter, for example, no one's reporting over Joe, in the debate, confusing Medicare and Medicaid. On the former?\nCamille Caldera (USA TODAY) claims to fact check whether or not Joe Biden called US troops \"stupid bastards.\" She concludes:\nBased on our research, the claim that former Vice President Joe Biden called the troops \"stupid bastards\" is missing context. Biden did make the remark in 2016 as part of a call to applaud a fellow soldier. It was a joke, per a spokesperson for his campaign. During the same speech, he praised the troops as the \"finest generation of warriors\" in the world and thanked them for their \"incredible sacrifices.\"\nCamille is missing context and demonstrating that she can't fact check -- either she's an idiot or she's a partisan who can't control her whoring.\nIn the debate, Donald stated Joe called the troops \"stupid bastards.\" Camille tells you he did but it was supposed to be a joke. What's the liar leaving out?\nThe most important thing.\nJoe didn't keep his mouth shut. Joe responded to Donald that it never happened, that he never said it.\nThat's the claim that Joe presented. He didn't say, \"I was joking.\" He didn't insist, \"I said it but . . .\" He said he didn't say it.\nThat would be lying. Lying Camille, like what you do with your fact check.\nThat's not fair and, again, when people aren't fair in their treatment of Donald, it helps him.\nThe media's reputation is in the sewer. And it belongs there. They lied about the Iraq War, they lied for eight years insisting there were no scandals in the Barack Obama administration (Lois Lerner, Eric Holder being in contempt of Congress, Solyndra's half a billion unpaid loan that should never have happened to begin with, etc.). Barack employed the media and their spouses. In Ben Rhodes case (a disgusting piece of filth, Ben Rhodes), the brother of the CBS NEWS president David Rhodes. It was all across the board -- every element of the media. At THE NATION, for example, they let Chris Hayes cover the White House. No. His wife was -- oh, I'm being told that CRAPAPEDIA has scrubbed Chris' entry. To read it, you don't know now that his wife worked for the White House. That's okay, the whores of CRAPAPEDIA are not the final word. We can go to Barack's archived White House pages and grab the information:\nPresident Obama Announces Key Additions to the Office of the White House Counsel\nWASHINGTON, DC – Today, President Barack Obama announced more key members of the Office of the White House Counsel, including Deputy Counsels and Special Counsel, Associate Counsels, Deputy Associate Counsels, Research Director, and Staff Assistants and Administrative Assistants. The full list of appointees named today is below.\nPresident Barack Obama said, \"The White House Counsel’s office is tasked with making sure that we are operating under the highest standard of ethics and transparency for the American people. Ensuring that we have an open and honest government is one of our top priorities, and this team brings together people of exceptional experience and dedication to public service. I trust they will serve the American people well.\"\nThe following announcements were made today:\nDeputy Counsels and Special Counsel\nDaniel Meltzer\nThe President has named Daniel Meltzer to be Principal Deputy White House Counsel to the President and Deputy Assistant to the President. Mr. Meltzer is the Story Professor of Law at Harvard Law School and the Vice Dean for Physical Planning. He joined the faculty of Harvard Law School in 1982, teaching courses in federal courts, criminal law, and criminal procedure. Prior to his tenure at Harvard, Mr. Meltzer served as Special Assistant to Joseph A. Califano, Jr., Secretary of the United States Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, and, after leaving the government, practiced law for three years at Williams & Connolly in Washington, D.C. Earlier, Mr. Meltzer served as a Law Clerk to the Judge Carl McGowan of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit and for Justice Potter Stewart of the United States Supreme Court. Mr. Meltzer earned his bachelor’s degree from Harvard College and his J.D. from Harvard Law School, where he served as President of the Harvard Law Review and was awarded the Fay Diploma. From 1988-1992, he served as Associate Counsel, Office of Independent Counsel Lawrence E. Walsh, Iran-Contra Prosecution. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and has served as a member of the Committee on Rules of Practice and Procedure, Judicial Conference of the United States and on the Council of the American Law Institute.\nMary DeRosa\nThe President has named Mary DeRosa to be Deputy Counsel to the President for National Security Affairs and Legal Adviser to the National Security Council. Ms. DeRosa most recently served as Chief Counsel for National Security to the Senate Judiciary Committee, working for the Chairman, Senator Patrick Leahy. Prior to that, she was a Senior Fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Earlier, she served on the Clinton Administration National Security Council staff as Special Assistant to the President and Legal Adviser and Deputy Legal Adviser. She has also been Special Counsel to the General Counsel at the Department of Defense and an Associate in the Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles offices of Arnold & Porter. Ms. DeRosa served as a Law Clerk for Judge Richard J. Cardamone of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia and her J.D. from the George Washington University Law School, where she served as an editor of the George Washington Law Review.\nNeal Wolin\nThe President has named Neal Wolin to be Deputy Counsel to the President for Economic Policy and Deputy Assistant to the President. Mr. Wolin most recently served as the President and Chief Operating Officer for Property and Casualty operations of The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. Prior to that, Mr. Wolin worked as Executive Vice President and General Counsel to the Hartford Financial Services Group. Earlier in his career, Mr. Wolin served as the general counsel of the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Prior to joining the Treasury Department, Mr. Wolin served in the White House as the executive assistant to National Security Advisor Anthony Lake. Prior to that, Mr. Wolin was the deputy legal adviser of the National Security Council, providing foreign affairs and national security legal advice to the National Security Advisor and the Counsel to the President. Mr. Wolin has also served as special assistant to three directors of Central Intelligence: William H. Webster, Robert M. Gates, and R. James Woolsey. Before joining the federal government, Mr. Wolin practiced law in Washington D.C. with the law firm of Wilmer, Cutler, and Pickering, and as Law Clerk for Judge Eugene H. Nickerson of the Eastern District of New York. Mr. Wolin received a bachelor’s degree from Yale College, a Masters degree from the University of Oxford, and a J.D. from Yale Law School.\nNorman L. Eisen\nThe President has named Norman L. Eisen to be Special Counsel to the President for Ethics and Government Reform. Mr. Eisen most recently served as the Deputy General Counsel to the Transition, where his duties include serving as lead ethics advisor. He will reprise that ethics role in the White House, as well as helping to advance the President's overall government reform agenda. Before joining the Transition, Mr. Eisen was a partner at Zuckerman Spaeder LLP in Washington D.C. acting as outside counsel to governmental clients in a wide array of matters. He also handled white-collar and Congressional investigations during his 17 years at the firm. He is the co-founder of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), a progressive government watchdog group. Mr. Eisen received his bachelor’s degree from Brown University and his J.D. from Harvard Law School.\nAssociate Counsels\nKendall C. Burman\nThe President has named Kendall C. Burman to be Associate Counsel to the President. Ms. Burman most recently served as Chief Staff Counsel to the Obama for America campaign. Earlier in her career, she served as an Associate at Latham & Watkins, LLP. Ms. Burman received her bachelor's degree from Bowdoin College and her J.D. from the University of Chicago Law School, where she was an editor of the University of Chicago Law Review.\nSusan Davies\nThe President has named Susan Davies to be Associate Counsel to the President. Ms. Davies recently served as General Counsel to the United States Senate Judiciary Committee. Earlier in her career, she served in the Department of Justice in the Antitrust Division, the Office of the Solicitor General, and the Office of Policy Development. Prior to that, Mrs. Davies worked as a litigator at Sidley and Austin in Chicago. Ms. Davies also served as a Law Clerk to Justice Anthony M. Kennedy and Justice Stephen G. Breyer, and as a special counsel to President Bill Clinton. Ms. Davies received her bachelor's degree from Yale University and her J.D. from the University of Chicago Law School, where she was an editor of the University of Chicago Law Review.\nKaren Dunn\nThe President has named Karen Dunn to be Associate Counsel to the President. Ms. Dunn most recently served as Deputy to Chief Strategist David Axelrod on the Obama for America campaign. Prior to that, Ms. Dunn served as a Law Clerk to Justice Stephen Breyer of the Supreme Court of the United States and to Judge Merrick Garland of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. Earlier in her career, Ms. Dunn worked for Senate candidate and then-Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton as her press secretary and later as her communications director and a senior adviser. Prior to that, Ms. Dunn served as an aide to Congresswoman Nita M. Lowey. She received her bachelor’s degree from Brown University and her J.D. from Yale Law School.\nDanielle Gray\nThe President has named Danielle C. Gray to be Associate Counsel to the President. Ms. Gray recently served as Deputy Policy Director for Obama for America, focusing on domestic policy as well as law and judicial issues. Prior to this, she was an associate with the law firm of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom in New York. Earlier in her career, she served as a Law Clerk to Justice Stephen Breyer on the Supreme Court of the United States and to Judge Merrick Garland on the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. She also worked on the policy and research staff of the President-elect's 2004 United States Senate campaign. Ms. Gray received her bachelor's degree from Duke University and her J.D. from Harvard Law School, where she served as an editor of the Harvard Law Review.\nMichael Gottlieb\nThe President has named Michael J. Gottlieb to be Associate Counsel to the President. Mr. Gottlieb recently served as an Assistant United States Attorney in the United States Attorney's Office for the Central District of California. Prior to this, he was an associate with the law firm of Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale & Dorr. Earlier in his career, he served as a Law Clerk to Justice John Paul Stevens on the Supreme Court of the United States and to Judge Stephen Reinhardt of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Mr. Gottlieb received his bachelor's degree from Northwestern University and his J.D. from Harvard Law School, where he served as an editor of the Harvard Law Review.\nRoberto J. Gonzalez\nThe President has named Roberto Gonzalez to be Associate Counsel to the President. Mr. Gonzalez recently served as an associate at Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale & Dorr LLP. Earlier in his career, he served as a Law Clerk to Justice John Paul Stevens of the Supreme Court of the United States and a Law Clerk to Judge Guido Calabresi of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. Mr. Gonzalez received his bachelor's degree from Duke University and his J.D. from Stanford Law School, where he served as an editor of the Stanford Law Review.\nVirginia Canter\nThe President has named Virginia Canter to be Associate Counsel to the President. Ms. Canter most recently served as Associate Director of the Office of Foreign Assets Control at the Department of the Treasury. Earlier in her career, Ms. Canter was Senior Ethics Counsel at the Department of the Treasury, General Counsel of the National Endowment for the Humanities, Associate Counsel to President Clinton, and Assistant Ethics Counsel at the Securities and Exchange Commission. Ms. Canter received both her bachelor’s degree and her J.D. from the University of Baltimore.\nCaroline Krass\nThe President has named Caroline Krass to be Associate Counsel to the President for National Security Affairs. Ms. Krass recently served as Senior Counsel in the Office of Legal Counsel at the Department of Justice. Prior to this, she served as Deputy Legal Adviser at the National Security Council. Earlier in her career, she served as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney in the National Security Section of the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. Ms. Krass also worked as an Attorney Advisor in the Office of Legal Counsel, as the Special Assistant to the General Counsel at the Department of the Treasury, and as an Attorney Advisor at the Department of State. Ms. Krass served as a Law Clerk to Judge Patricia M. Wald of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. Ms. Krass received her bachelor’s degree from Stanford University and her J.D. from Yale University, where she served as an editor of the Yale Law Journal.\nJonathan Kravis\nThe President has named Jonathan Kravis to be Associate Counsel to the President. Mr. Kravis recently served as an Assistant United States Attorney in the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. Prior to this, he was an associate at Williams & Connolly in Washington, D.C. Earlier in his career, he served as a Law Clerk to Justice Stephen Breyer of the Supreme Court of the United States and to Judge Merrick Garland of the United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. Kravis received his bachelor’s degree from Williams College and his J.D. from Yale Law School, where he served as an editor of the Yale Law Journal.\nTrevor Morrison\nThe President has named Trevor Morrison to be Associate Counsel to the President for National Security Affairs. Mr. Morrison is on leave from Columbia Law School, where he is a Professor of Law. Earlier in his career, he served as a Law Clerk to Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg of the Supreme Court of the United States and to Judge Betty Binns Fletcher of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Mr. Morrison received his bachelor's degree from the University of British Columbia and his J.D. from Columbia Law School.\nThe President has named Alison J. Nathan to be Associate Counsel to the President. Ms. Nathan was recently the Fritz Alexander Fellow at New York University School of Law and a Visiting Assistant Professor at Fordham Law School. Prior to academia, Ms. Nathan was an associate at Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr. She served a Law Clerk to Justice John Paul Stevens of the Supreme Court of the United States and Judge Betty B. Fletcher of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. During the 2008 Presidential campaign, Ms. Nathan was the National Voter Protection Senior Advisor to the Obama campaign and a member of the campaign’s LGBT Advisory Committee. Ms. Nathan received her bachelor’s degree from Cornell University and her J.D. from Cornell Law School, where she served as Editor-in-Chief of the Cornell Law Review.\nKate Shaw\nThe President has named Kate Shaw to be Associate Counsel to the President. Ms. Shaw most recently served as an Associate Counsel in the office of the General Counsel to the Transition. Prior to this, Ms. Shaw served as a Law Clerk to Justice John Paul Stevens of the Supreme Court of the United States and to Judge Richard A. Posner of the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. Ms. Shaw received her bachelor’s degree from Brown University and her J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law, where she served as Editor-in-Chief of the Northwestern University Law Review.\nAnd we can stop right there because Kate Shaw is Chris Hayes' wife. January 20, 2009 he was sworn in and eight days later he announces Kate Shaw's in his administration. Which means the transition team had already vetted her. Which means Chris Hayes should not have been allowed cover any White House story or issue for THE NATION. That's not me slamming Chris. I don't think he was swayed by his wife's position. But I shouldn't have to think about it. Even if there's no conflict of interest, the appearance of a conflict of interest was there. That's why NPR, for years and years, would not allow Michele Norris (ALL THINGS CONSIDERED host from 2002 to 2011) to cover various topics because her husband Broderick D. Johnson because of his various positions (in the Clinton administration, in the Obama administration, etc.)\nThe press repeatedly lied for Barack. Sometimes it was because he screamed and yelled at them -- or his minions did. And sometimes they'd get honest as they retired.\nOh, look, here's ABC NEWS' Ann Compton, retiring in 2014, talking about Barack's tantrums.\nPlease be clear that while she was the working press, while she was covering the White House for ABC NEWS, she never made these statements. She never reported those facts.\nBarack got a free ride. That's the reality.\nBarack born in Kenya?\nBob Somerby loves to lie and pretend that Donald Trump started that.\nBarack Obama, THREE RIVERS PRESS (TIMES BOOKS, a book imprint of THE NEW YORK TIMES, was the original publisher but we're talking an article by AP when Barack was running for the US Senate and THREE RIVERS PRESS is the publisher that re-issued the book in 2004) and AP started that rumor. Add GOOGLE to it. In 2008, as Americans were beginning to discover Barack -- Hillary had seemed inevitable to many in 2007. In 2008, GOOGLE had some anniversary and allowed people to search old news items. (Later that year they would institute GOOGLE NEWS ARCHIVES which is still up but they no longer maintain.) It was then that the rumors of Barack being born in Kenya really took hold. People found the AP articles, the first ones written about Barack, and he was described as being from Kenya in the article. AP never issued a retraction or correction (to this day).\nDid AP lie?\nNo. Their report may be inaccurate, but they didn't lie. They based that report on the press material for Barack's book DREAMS OF MY FATHER. That material was put out by THREE RIVERS PRESS. That material identified Barack as such.\nAuthor Barack has to approve promotional material that the publisher releases. He was running for the Senate and apparently missed the mistake. But this whole controversy is on Barack and THREE RIVERS PRESS>\nIt's amazing how we can blame everyone but the press.\nIt's like with Jean Seberg. How many years online did I have to scream about NEWSWEEK before it finally got added to the record. The lie, when I came online, promoted by FAIR and every Indymedia outlet, was that Joyce Harber ran a blind item about Jean and Jean lost her baby as a result.\nIt was a lie. That was months prior. Jean went into the hospital when NEWSWEEK magazine ran an item claiming to have interviewed Jean -- they did not -- and telling the world that the child she was carrying was not her husband's -- now that didn't happen, I'm talking about the press, back then, if you were married and pregnant, end of story. Joyce Harber's item didn't mean a thing to Jean. The NEWSWEEK story did. And she and Romain sued NEWSWEEK and won and NEWSWEEK had to print an apology.\nJanaury 3, 2006, at this site, I'm discussing Jean Seberg:\nThe first time I mentioned Jean Seberg a few months ago at The Third Estate Sunday Review a few members wrote to ask if I was sure what I was talking about -- the government spying on an actress? They did their own research and learned that, yes, it was true and that it went way beyond that. Someone asked at one point (the third or fourth time I'd mentioned Seberg) why I brought her up as opposed to others? That's a good question because there are a long list of victims (some who managed to continue their lives and some who weren't as fortunate).\nWe focus on the press here. And Seberg (Breathless is a good place to start if you never seen one of the films she made) is a solid example, to me anyway, of the problems with the press. Just to recap (and sorry for those who've followed comments at The Third Estate Sunday Review on this topic), Seberg is attacked by two press organs. The FBI wanted to plant a rumor about Seberg. She was an actress and she was also involved in politics. That included the Black Panthers which appeared to be a source of some of the \"nervousness\" about her (my term). (The reports from that period, clandestine spying by the FBI, the CIA and military intel, focus on any sexual aspect they can to the point that you visualize a bunch of prigs with their noses pressed to a bedroom window. There's a scene in Coming Home where Jane Fonda and Jon Voight are being spied upon and the comments focus on sex which is a good reflection of what the reports focused upon.)\nSo Seberg's on the enemy list (Nixon's) and she's spied upon. And the FBI floats the idea of planting a rumor that she's pregnant by a Black Panther in order to attempt to destroy her with the oft cited \"middle America.\" At one point J. Edgar Hoover writes a memo saying not to go through with the plan. Either there are memos that were never released or someone elected to\nact upon their own. So a blind item pops up in Joyce Haber's gossip column about an actress who's pregnant by a Black Panther. The item is written in such way that it could be any number of actresses (including Jane Fonda -- Seberg was married and living in Paris at the time) except for noting that the actress was filming a musical (that would be Paint Your Wagon).\nHaber was the fall guy for that blind item in the eyes of many. But Haber didn't just come across the information. It was fed to her by her editor. Her editor, who claimed later that he couldn't recall anything about the matter, passed it to Haber by Bill Thomas who wrote on the tip that it came from a good source. He couldn't remember anything though when, in the seventies, it was revealed that the FBI had planned to plant a story like that with the press. When it came out in the seventies (as a result of the committees), Thomas struck the pose of \"I don't remember.\" Haber was quite clear that she didn't take planted information from the FBI and, if this was planted information, Thomas was the one who needed to answer for it.\nBut, big surprise, everyone looked the other way. That shows you the problems with the press (mainstream) right there. But that's only the first example. Apparently the attempts to shock America over an interracial romance weren't completed. There were additional blind items. (And Nixon's staff, Erlichman, Mitchell, etc. received reports from Hoover that they presumably passed on in some form.) But then the \"news organ\" Newsweek, supposedly not a gossip rag, runs with it as well.\nEdward Behr was the author of the piece. His claim is that he included at the end of the article to demonstrate his knowledge of the subject but didn't intend for it to be included. (It being that Seberg was pregnant by an African-American and not her husband, Romain Gary.) Behr may be genuine in his remarks because in his report that section was labeled \"strictly FYI.\" Somehow (or \"somehow\") this false fact made it into Newsweek. The editor (Kermit Lansner) offered an excuse (my opinion, lame) that he hadn't checked the edition as he usually did because he'd had a scooter accident that day. (Late in the day, by the way. I'm thinking it was three or four o'clock, as Lansner told the story, when he had his scooter mishap.) True or not, the \"fact\" that Seberg was pregnant by \"a black activist\" makes it into Newsweek.\nI'm sure that was just a coincidence. I'm sure that these coincidences just happen. It just happens that a rumor the FBI was interested in planting gets pushed onto Haber by her editor (Thomas) and it just happens that a false fact labeled \"strictly FYI\" ends up in Newsweek which did have fact checkers and was aware of the issue of libel. It didn't even run as a rumor, it ran as a fact in an item on Jean Seberg. I'm sure that all of that just magically happened and Nixon and his crowd were just, by magic, getting all the breaks when it came to this false story.\n(Yes, that was sarcasm.)\nWhen the Times (New York) ran a story about Jane Fonda and John Kerry in 2004, about the photo (doctored or genuine, I don't remember) people rolled their eyes because one of the claims (false) was that Fonda and Kerry were at another event together (the doctored photo).\nWhere Jane Fonda was in the early seventies should never be in question because the government recorded her every move. (Kerry was somewhere on the east coast. The undoctored photo was taken by Al Franken's brother, I believe, who immediately noted that the new one featuring Fonda and Kerry onstage together was a fake. To end this out, Fonda was in Los Angeles, as the FBI noted, at a fund raiser -- I believe for the Black Panthers.)\nNow maybe the reporter who worked on that story for the Times suffered the same fate that so many did -- we expected would learn about COINTELPRO and other activities in their schooling and they didn't learn of it. Or maybe the reporter was just lazy. I don't know. But, my opinion, the false rumor never should have been floated in the paper in 2004 when it could have easily been dismissed via the government's own records.\nI'm off on a tangent where even I've lost my place. But the point here is that Seberg was engaged in lawful activities protected by the Constitution. Those activities made the government nervous so she was (illegally) spied upon. The government floated the idea of creating false rumors about her and planting them with the press. (That happened also with a number of other actors, by the way.) And two large press organs, the Los Angeles Times and Newsweek, just happened to print the items that the FBI was interested in having planted.\nJust happened.\nIt's just a coincidence that the government's smear plan on Seberg makes it into the press.\nIf you're a trusting soul, I guess. And I guess I'm not. And that's why we don't highlight Newsweek here and why I don't purchase the magazine. Robert Parry has rightly documented serious problems (more than that) at the magazine in the eighties when he worked for it. That should be enough to bother many people. But it didn't start there and if it ended there . . .\nThis isn't \"wild talk.\" I've not offered my own theories. This is public record. And it was embarrassing for the Los Angeles Times when it came out in the mid-seventies. I don't remember Newsweek being embarrassed. (I don't remember the Times being that embarrassed. If they had been, the Reagan defense of \"I don't recall\" wouldn't have flown.)\nSo that's why I focus on Seberg. She was on the enemies list (Nixon's), she was spied on by the government, Nixon received reports on her (via Ehrlichman), the FBI devised a smear campaign to attempt to shock \"middle America\" and devalue Seberg and that smear campaign appeared in the Los Angeles Times and Newsweek. In terms of Harber's piece, it was a blind item (an obvious one). In terms of Newsweek, the magazine that never prints that an actor is gay or lesbian until they come out, they ran it as fact. And somehow no one thought that this was something worthy of checking out. It's interesting the way Nixon's interests were so well served by the mainstream press with regards to Seberg but, of course, it was all some big coincidence. That's what the story supposedly is. Like the supposed story on Valerie Plame is that the outing just happened without planning on the part of anyone.\nWe covered it many times after that (here when FAIR was lying).\nThey lie and they cover for themselves.\nAnd they lied like crazy for Barack which is one of the reasons you ended up with Donald Trump.\nThey've always lied -- Marilyn Monroe killed herself because she didn't have a job anymore! No, she was already going to return to SOMETHING'S GOT TO GIVE. They lie constantly and the American people are sick of it.\nThey're lying now.\nJoe Biden did not do well.\nHe had one job: Draw a line between himself and Trump.\nAll he had to do was appear mature and thoughtful.\nInstead, he argued with Trump, he belittled him with insults, he interrupted him.\nThis is who we replace Trump with? Son of Trump.\nJoe was a disaster. He lost.\nWhen they go low, Michelle Obama said, we go high.\nWell Joe didn't last night. Joe didn't just step into the gutter, he wallowed in the gutter -- with glee.\n\"The party is me,\" he insisted. Then heaven help us all.\nThen he claimed that Roe v Wade was on the ballot. Questioned, he insisted, \" It's on the ballot in the Court.\" No, it's settled law. And when Joe claims otherwise, he weakens it. Settled law is settled law. If you support Roe v Wade, that's the argument you make. The majority of adults in the US favor it. The decision was made decades ago. It's settled law. People who argue otherwise aren't arguing law, aren't arguing fact, they're weakening Roe v Wade.\nI'm no where near done with this debate. I may do a brief entry tonight, otherwise we'll continue it in tomorrow's snapshot.\nJason Isbell And Amanda Shires: Tiny Desk (Home) Concert\nJoe Trump Biden\n2 deaths in the music world\nWomen for Biden\nJoe blew the debate\nJoe Biden belongs in an assisted living facility\nRonnie Spector?\nFight over the Mediterranean: France’s Proxy War and the Budding Turkish-Russian Alliance\nAmerican Foreign Policy: The Problem of Applying the Monroe Doctrine Everywhere\nKatie Halper's toxic mascunlity needs to stop\nBarack was briefed?\noh, katie halper, i wish i missed it\nGorilla Radio with Chris Cook, Ken Boon September 29, 2020\nPunished for Reporting Sexual Harassment: How One Law School Almost Got a Student Survivor Banned From the Bar\nHow I Made It: Chicano Batman\nFrom DEADLINE:\nUPDATED: I’ve learned that A24 will team on the Ronnie Spector film with New Regency. The two partnered previously on the Robert Eggers-directed The Lighthouse, and they are part of the Malcolm & Marie film.\nEXCLUSIVE: A24 is putting together a film package that will have Emmy-winning Euphoria star Zendaya attached to play singer Ronnie Spector in a film about her life. Deals have just closed for Spector’s life rights and for Be My Baby, the memoir she wrote with Vince Waldron. I’m hearing that early conversations are happening with Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Jackie Sibblies Drury to write the script.\nSo Ronnie Spector?\nBack in 2019, I wrote:\nA Bee Gees movie?\nHonestly, I'd pay to see that. Just for the music, in fact. That includes the songs they wrote and had hits with and the songs they wrote for their brother Andy Gibb. It also includes the songs they wrote for others like Diana Ross (\"Chain Reaction,\" \"Experience,\" \"More and More,\" etc) and for Barbra Streisand (\"Guilty,\" \"A Woman In Love\").\nAndy's death would be part of the movie. Even without that tragedy, there's a ton to work with.\nMy issue, though?\nIt is nothing against the Bee Gees. But I do question why we have had a Freddie Mercury film, an Elton John film and now we're about to have a Bee Gees film.\nWhere's the Diana Ross film?\nShe's a damn inspiration.\nWhere's the Aretha Franklin film? Even GIRLS LIKE US appears to have hit a roadblock (the film based on the bestseller about Carly Simon, Joni Mitchell and Carole King).\nWhere's the Dusty Springfield film?\nGrace Slick just turned 80 on Wednesday so where's her film?\nWhy are we busy doing yet another movie about male performers when we don't ever do them about women?\nHelp me out here, what was the last theatrical film about a female performer?\nThere's the Judy Garland film that just came out. Before that what? Diana Ross' Academy Award nominated performance as Billie Holiday in LADY SINGS THE BLUES?\nWhere's the Doris Day film?\nWhere's the Mama Cass film?\nWomen get nothing when it comes to big budget films.\nI left out Tina Turner (WHAT'S LOVE GO TO DO WITH IT), other than that, I stand by what I wrote. Is Ronnie supposed to be an inspiration film?\nThe way I see it, she's got about a year or two of fame and solid recording, then Phil Spector leaves his wife to get with Ronnie and her life goes to hell. There's the wasted seventies. An eighties -- late-to-mid eighties -- hit with Eddie Money where she just sings the chorus to \"Be My Little Baby\" (his \"Take Me Home Tonight\") and that's it for the charts.\nDo they focus on the abuse from Phil Spector?\nI don't get what the point of a Ronnie film is. I like her, I just don't see a film story. I wouldn't see one in Mary Weiss of The Shangri-Las.\nGoing out with C.I.'s \"Iraq snapshot:''\nTuesday, September 29, 2020. One day till the big debate . . .\nI woke up this morning and, while working out, thought, \"Oh, I missed the debate last night!\" Then, after a moment, I was okay with that. But I didn't miss it, it's tonight. They're calling it a presidential debate. That's not really true.\nDonald Trump is the president of the United States. He's not debating, for example, Emanuel Macron -- the president of France. He's debating another person who would like to be president of the United States: Joe Biden.\nAnother person.\nSingular.\nThere are other people running for that office.\nHowie Hawkins, for example, is running on the Green Party ticket, Gloria La Riva is running on the Party for Socialism and Liberation's ticket and Joseph Kishore is running on the Socialist and Equality Party's ticket.\nIn addition, there's Jo Jorgensen.\nFor years, the claim has been that limiting the 'debate' to the Republican and Democratic candidates makes sense because they are the only ones who could logically win due to ballot access issues. That is not a valid reason for limiting the debates.\nHowever, in 2020, that 'reasoning' is even more problematic. Jo Jorgensen, the Libertarian Party's presidential candidate, is someone who can be voted on in every state.\n'Wait, wait, wait, you can do a write-in in any state.' You can do that but if the name you write-in is not a recognized write-in candidate, your vote may not count depending upon your state's laws. If you write in Bernie Sanders, for example, in Texas, your vote will go to Joe Biden because, in that state, they 'interpret.' If you write in any Democrat -- living or dead -- your vote will go to whomever's the top of the ticket. Rebecca noted that in \"why would you write-in bernie sanders?\" last week.\nJo Jorgensen can be voted on in every state. She's met the rules and guidelines. She should be on the stage tonight. We should point out that Jo's had it a little bit easier than Howie Hawkins. Both have had to fight to meet the various rules and guidelines -- which differ from state to state. But for Jo, meeting those guidelines was largely the end of it. For Howie?\nHe's had to meet the guidelines and then face legal challenges from the Democratic Party. They've spent a lot of money keeping him off the ballot. And we call this a democracy? And Democrats often want to chant \"Count every vote!\" The hypocrisy needs to be called out. We need a better system and we need one that has fairness built in.\nDisenfranchising voters is something we on the left love to point out when Republicans do it. Greg Palast, in fact, has built a career out of doing just that. But disenfranchising voters is also keeping candidates off the ballot. And partisan judges -- Democrats -- who go along with these efforts need to be called out and probably removed from office because they're not holding office to promote the Democratic Party, they're holding office to upholds the law.\nWhy do we allow this to happen? Clearly, the Democratic Party does not value We The People -- two primaries in a row, they've rigged it so Bernie Sanders couldn't get the nomination. Two general elections in a row, they've given us distasteful candidates who don't run on issues. And they don't trust the voter enough to allow choices. There's nothing that Howie Hawkins is offering, issues he's running on, that Joe Biden couldn't co-opt and grab. But Joe doesn't want to run on issues. He is against Medicare For All, he is for destroying the environment (as evidenced by his recent pro-fracking comments). Instead of trying to grab voters from Howie, the Democratic Party uses their energy to keep Howie off the ballot -- the ultimate act of disenfranchisement.\nThis year's game plan is to keep every left or left leaning candidate for president off the ballot and present only two choices: Joe or Donald -- with Donald being the man the party and their media counterparts have demonized non-stop. They're trying to ensure that you have no choice. And the media is disgusting. Playing games, choosing sides. They want to pretend that they're part of a vibrant democracy but they aren't. They lie for Joe, they fluff for Joe. Anyone watching this, anyone impartial, should be appalled by how the system has been gamed this go round.\nB-b-b-but it's different, it's the election of our lifetime!!!!\nNo, it's really not. And that lie's been used over and over -- in 2004, THE NATION called it the torture election, remember? That's what was on the table. And we'd never be the same and we'd never and we'd never that and blah blah blah.\nSome crazys insisted Donald would postpone the election because it was a pandemic. Didn't happen. But I'm seeing a lot of people postponing ethics and truth this cycle to give Joe a 'break' because this is such an important election, so important that facts and standards no longer matter. So we all pretend, for example, that it's okay Jill Biden is campaigning more than her husband. In what world? He's hiding behind her skirts. If he can't campaign for the job, he's not up for it. How pathetic that he hides away and he knows the bulk of the press will go along with it and offer excuses and justifications.\nThere are no legitimate excuses. He's trying to promote social distancing? Were that the case, his wife wouldn't be on the campaign trail.\nAnd the media won't point that out, they won't do their job. She slaps down Jake Tapper who has a legitimate questions about Joe's 'gaffes' (lies) and says that Donald Trump makes that question moot. No, Jill, he doesn't.\nIf you're going to lie, I'm going to have to call you out. And I avoided mentioning you the whole time your husband was president (violating that only once for a veterans issue) because I do like you and if I noted you, it was only fair that I criticized you if you were wrong.\nJill, you're wrong.\nJoe's running to be president. If he succeeds, Donald is an ex-president. So how are Joe's gaffes (lies) moot? They're not. They go to several important issues and Jake should have pushed back on you. The press should push back on you.\nYour husband is allegedly running for president -- apparently, Jill's his legs, the new First Lady Roosevelt -- and that means every question deserves answers. He is answerable to We The People if he wants to be president and it is really shameful to pretend otherwise.\nThis is just one more election. The country will still be standing after election day. And all the people who've whored and lied better grasp that no one needs them anymore. Norman Solomon, you're a joke. I tried to forgive you but we clearly can't.\nYou're a little whore who forgot that Lt Ehren Watada was the issue. Not some journalist covering him (I'll leave her name out of it, apparently she didn't ask for Norman's repulsive actions). Instead of supporting Ehren, you chose to publicly insist that he do this or that. In the midst of his Article 32 hearing? While his future hung in the balance? You wanted to put additional pressure on him?\nF**k you, Norman, f**k you.\nYou followed that nonsense with injecting yourself into a couple's relationship and the couple divorced, you know who I mean. To this day, you were the instigator and that is on you.\nThen you decided to go PACIFICA RADIO and other stations trashing Hillary Clinton in 2008 -- while failing to inform listeners that you were a supporter of Barack Obama, a pledged delegate. Now you included that in your syndicated columns and you made that disclosure there because you knew that failing to do so could end your syndicated career -- your writings not good enough to justify syndication and you know it.\nSo you lied to people over and over.\nThen you show up in 2019 and you start trashing Elizabeth Warren because that's what you do, what you've always done, when it comes to women. That's who you are, a pig. You were for Bernie!!!! But then you were for Joe. And it wasn't enough to support Joe, you then had to trash third party candidates.\nI get it, Norman, not only are you a whore, but you also couldn't write convincingly of Joe Biden. So you instead teamed up with others and start trashing third party candidates. (The previous sentence originally included one name and the question of: \"___ why did you send me into a meeting with a CIA recruiter -- a meeting you passed off as an academic meeting.\" I've long told the story here about how I refused CIA recruitment in college. And I've been very kind by leaving ____'s name blank. As with Saint Beau, people can be put on notice that I'm pretty damn tired of holding my tongue. ____ should get honest about their CIA ties. Or they should retire from public life because I've been about as kind to _____ as I plan to be.)\nNorman, you're useless. Your trash and now your trash with an odor that everyone can smell. Clearly, you do not value independent thought or the American people. The 2024 election cycle will be much better without you. A reality that you, and many others, will be forced to face.\nOnce upon a time, Norman pretended to give a damn about the Iraq War. He used for publicity. These days, he pimps War Hawk Joe Biden. These days, he refuses to demand accountability for the ongoing war.\nNot everyone's as cowardly and pathetic as Norman Solomon.\nGeneral debate Item 4: Human rights situations that require the Council’s attention\nThank you, President,\nWe are deeply concerned about the systematic and widespread human rights violations in Iraq. We have raised this issue many times before UN relevant bodies and are still of the firm belief that the situation requires special attention by this Council.\nIt is appalling that international crimes committed by powerful states against other states are too often erased from humanity’s collective memory and replaced with propaganda to cover up the millions of lives destroyed and extinguished through these crimes. We call attention to the 2003 illegal invasion and occupation of Iraq for which not a single person responsible has been brought to justice. The victims of that heinous war are entitled to the protections of international law and cannot be removed from our collective memory.\nTherefore, International-Lawyers and Geneva International Centre for Justice repeat their calls to establish an international, independent Commission of inquiry to investigate all human rights violations in Iraq since 2003 in order to hold all perpetrators accountable.\nIt is also appalling that the Iraqi government continues to evade calls for accountability for thousands of disappeared persons by branding them as terrorists solely on the basis that they derive from certain ethnic regions in Iraq. Human rights defenders in Iraq are subjected to abductions and assassinations merely for exercising their fundamental rights.\nImpunity enables these violations to persist and we repeat our call upon the Council to take all necessary measures to stop these grave violations.\nMeanwhile Nahal Toosi, Lara Seligman and Natasha Bertrand (POLITICO) report:\nPresident Donald Trump is weighing closing the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad as intelligence agencies in recent weeks have picked up specific threats against American forces in Iraq, including against the embassy itself, according to three people with knowledge of the intelligence.\nOver the past week, senior U.S. officials have told their Iraqi counterparts that they will close the massive, heavily fortified embassy within days unless Iraqi leaders do more to rein in the Iranian-backed militias lobbing rockets at and otherwise threatening the diplomatic outpost, people familiar with the issue said.\nIt’s not clear how imminent any potential attack might be, or whether it is the driving factor in the administration’s recent push to reduce the number of U.S. troops in Iraq. But the situation bears echoes of another fraught incident: the attack on the U.S. consulate and another facility in Benghazi, Libya, that killed four Americans, including U.S. Ambassador Chris Stevens.\nLooking at the same basic details, Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr insists that civil war will break out in Iraq if this issue isn't addressed while an unsigned piece at ALJAZEERA insists that the Iranian government will see it as a sign of impending war with Iran if US diplomats pull out of Iraq.\nHow will you read the tea leaves?\nLay down your arms\nLay 'em down lay 'em down now\nNewsreels rattle the Nazi dread\nThe able-bodied have shipped away\nMolly McGee gets her tea-leaves read\nYou'll be married in a month they say\n\"These leaves are crazy!\nLook at this town there's no men left!\nJust frail old boys and babies\nTalking to teacher in the treble clef\"\nShe plants her garden in the spring\nShe does the winter shovelling\nTokyo Rose on the radio\nShe says she's leavin' but she don't go\nOut of the blue just passin' thru\nA young flight sergeant\nOn two weeks leave\nSays \"Molly McGee no one else will do!\"\nAnd seals the tea-leaf prophecy\nOh these nights are strong and soft\nPrivate passions and secret storms\nNothin' about him ticks her off\nAnd he looks so cute in his uniform\nHe does the winter shovelling\nBut summer's just a sneeze\nIn a long long bad winter cold\nShe says \"I'm leavin' here\" but she don't go\n\"Sleep little darlin'!\nThis is your happy home\nHiroshima cannot be pardoned!\nDon't have kids when you get grown\nBecause this world is shattered\nThe wise are mourning\nThe fools are joking\nOh what does it matter?\nThe wash needs ironing\nAnd the fire needs stoking\"\nThe three of 'em laughing 'round the radio\nThey do the winter shovelling\nThey sit up late and watch the\nJohnny Carson show\nShe says \"I'm leavin' here but she don't go\n-- \"Tea Leaf Prophecy,\" written by Joni Mitchell, first appears on her CHALKMARK IN A RAINSTORM.\nIsaiah's THE WORLD TODAY JUST NUTS \"The Set Up\" went up last night. The following sites updated:\nThe Fourth Circle\nan important article from dr. margaret flowers\nAMAZON's THE BOYS\nJoe can't stop lying\nJulian Assange and Disgraceful Pelosi\nKim Petersen has a new article\nSick of apologists for corporatist Democrats\nWe cannot afford Nancy Pelosi\nWe need better\nThe latest on Julian\nDiscredited Russian Bounty Story Exposes Media’s Role in Status Quo\nDIVAS Simply Quarantined – Fabulous In Isolation. Jody Watley Joins Sheryl Lee Ralph For A Lively, Fashionable, Honest And Intimate Conversation.\nWi-Fi is Another Way We Can Be Tracked 24/7\nIraqi PM rallies allies to stop US closing embassy after Pompeo threats\nArtemis Brings Together An International, Inter-Generational Band Of Women\nEgg Prices SKYROCKET: What Is Going On? | Breaking Points\nWhat I won't miss about 2020\nRATCHED and that awful Marvin Gaye album\nOne life ends and another begins, little Lindsay\nI support John Lequizamo\nShe-Hulk and other MARVEL super heroines\nThe death of SNL\nQueen of the Field\nMore crap coming to NETFLIX\nOne more time on THE GOLDEN GIRLS\nAgain on Chadwick\nAnna Farris is leaving MOM\nMarie Osmond\nChadwick, Latinos on TV and ignored by the Emmys, ...\nJoe Jr Third flames out -- thank God","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line740616"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5606703162193298,"wiki_prob":0.43932968378067017,"text":"December 5, 2022 - what\nWhat Is 11 Weeks From Today\nHello If you are looking for ? Then, this is the place where you can find some sources that provide…\nWhat Is 5% Of 2000\nHola If you are looking for ? Then, this is the place where you can find some sources that provide…\nWhat Are Wag Bars\nWhat Is The Author’s Purpose In This Excerpt?\nWhat Is The Halo Challenge Tiktok\nWhat Percent Is 15 Out Of 20\nHi If you are looking for ? Then, this is the place where you can find some sources that provide…\nWhat Is 38 As A Fraction\nWhat Does 1012 Mean\nWhat Is 5/9 As A Decimal\nWhat Does It Mean To Turn Someone Out","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1436684"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6202693581581116,"wiki_prob":0.6202693581581116,"text":"UUncategorized\nWorld War 3: Russia Promises Something “Worse Than A Nuclear Bomb”\nOn Saturday, Russian president Vladimir Putin addressed the youth at the XIX World Festival of Youth and Students, which is held in Russia from October 14th to 22nd.\nIn any issue that one engages in, one should never “forget the moral and ethical pillars,” the Russian president said in his speech in the Russian city of Sochi, reports RT.\nVladimir Putin argued that in the near future genetic programming will open the door to advances in pharmacology and also to modify the genetic code of humans. And this can be “more fearsome than a nuclear bomb.”\n“You can practically imagine how a human being can create a human being with specific characteristics,” reflected the president of Russia. “He can be a great mathematician, he can be a great musician, but he can also be a military man, a person who can fight without fear, without compassion or commiseration, without pain, ” he continued.\n“And this, what I said now, can be more fearsome than a nuclear bomb,” Putin said. He also stressed that everything we do “should strengthen the person, not destroy it.”\nThis year the XIX World Festival of Youth and Students is celebrated in Russia, which hosts the event from 14 to 22 October.\nThe opening of the festival took place in Moscow, while the main activities take place in Sochi from the 15th.\nIn recent years and with the rapid advance of human genetic engineering there have been growing fears about the possible military applications of this technology and the implications it would have for the world.\nIn 2014, the United States created the Office of Biological Technologies (BTO) in the Advanced Defense Research Projects Agency (DARPA), which is responsible for developing new technologies for the United States. since 1958, being one of its most important inventions computer networks (Internet and its predecessor ARPANET).\nIt is believed that the BTO is an office specialized in the development of projects that allow the military use of genetic engineering, something that China would be doing at the same time , facts that have caused great concern worldwide.\nWorld War 3 says:\nWhy have none of the former US Presidents made sure that North Korea could not amass such an arsenal of nuclear weapons – what was Hilary Clinton doing in office, and Obama, Bush and Clinton?\nHow could any roque state have built up nuclear weapons sufficient to threaten the entire world, under their noses?\nThis is a ‘nothing burger’.\nJust some speculation about the distant future. But I like Putin. He “gets” what is happening in Western Europe – what Douglas Murray called in his recent book “The Strange Death of Europe”.\nHe recently gave the example of the rapefugee in Germany who r.ap.ed a young boy, and was released without charge because he said ‘he didn’t realise the young boy didn’t like such a thing done to him”.\nHe commented;\n“A society which cannot protect its children today, has no tomorrow. It has no future”.\nWorld War 3: 93-Year-Old Former President May Be The Last Chance For Peace\nWith World War 3, President Trump Is Prepared For Anything\nArcher Season 12 Episode 7 Release Date In USA, UK, India l Platforms To Watch\nArcher season 12 episode 7 release date is a lot trending topic nowadays and a lot of people…\nOne dead, two injured in car attack in Germany\nA man drove into a crowd standing by a bakery in the southwestern German town of Heidelberg on…\nSuicide Bombers Target Shi’ite Mosque In Pakistan\nA suicide bomber was killed, and another injured after security forces foiled an attempt to strike an Eid…\n3 soldiers killed by PKK bomb attack in SE Turkey\nThree Turkish soldiers were killed by a roadside bomb attack in southeastern Turkish province of Madrin, Milliyet News…\nBulgaria detains French terrorism suspect\nBulgaria has detained a French citizen suspected of links to terrorism on Paris’s request after he tried to…\nUS “Mother of All Bombs” Kills 36 ISIS Militants\nThe Afghan Defense Ministry announced on Friday that the attack on a tunnel complex in remote eastern Afghanistan…","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line663293"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9398373961448669,"wiki_prob":0.9398373961448669,"text":"Tech ·Bitcoin\nA year into El Salvador’s grand crypto experiment, ‘No one really talks about Bitcoin here anymore’\nBYMichael McDonald and Bloomberg\nSeptember 3, 2022, 4:19 PM UTC\nEl Salvador President Nayib Bukele.\nEl Salvador President Nayib Bukele took the stage last year to fireworks and AC/DC’s “You Shook Me All night Long,” announcing to a cheering crowd of crypto enthusiasts at a beachside confab that Bitcoin would revolutionize his country. It was November, the digital token had just notched new all-time highs and El Salvador was at the very beginning of its experiment as the world’s first nation to use the cryptocurrency as legal tender.\nNow, a year into the journey, there are far fewer fireworks. Adoption has moved slowly, and steep declines in Bitcoin’s price from those lofty levels last fall have dampened the early euphoria that swept across the nation. Bitcoin hasn’t replaced El Salvador’s hard currency, the U.S. dollar—it’s not even close—but it also hasn’t brought the financial ruin that some warned of either. Or not yet anyway.\n“No one really talks about Bitcoin here anymore. It’s kind of been forgotten,” said former El Salvador central bank chief Carlos Acevedo. “I don’t know if you’d call that a failure, but it certainly hasn’t been a success.”\nBukele captivated the world last year when he made Bitcoin an official currency alongside the dollar, stirring a craze in the cryptocurrency community while also drawing criticism from skeptics, including bond traders and the International Monetary Fund. Bitcoin’s Sept. 7 debut was beset with technical glitches, making for an inauspicious beginning. Undaunted, Bukele — sporting “laser eyes” on his Twitter profile picture — barked back at detractors while welcoming Bitcoin backers and crypto executives to his presidential office, where he continues to host them to this day.\nAs part of the rollout, Salvadorans were offered government-issued digital wallets preloaded with $30 worth of Bitcoin to help kick things off. Under the law, taxes can be paid in Bitcoin and businesses should accept it as a form of payment, unless they are technologically unable to do so. But the coin’s volatility has spooked users, and cryptocurrency has seen broader acceptance in countries with poor payment networks or strict currency controls, such as Argentina, Venezuela and Cuba, Acevedo said. “In El Salvador we have a good payments network, so why transfer money with cryptocurrency?” he said.\nMost Salvadorans haven’t poured large amounts of money into Bitcoin, saving many from the recent bear market, Acevedo said. The same can’t be said of the government itself, which started purchasing the token last year in the run-up to its launch as legal tender and has continued to add to its stockpile, conspicuously “buying the dip” during periods when Bitcoin declined. The result? It’s sitting on losses.\nA series of recent surveys found that only a relatively small minority of respondents continue to use digital wallets and few businesses have registered transactions in Bitcoin. And the central bank says only 2% of remittances have been sent via cryptocurrency wallets.\nThe government is still claiming victory, however. Bitcoin has attracted foreign investment and tourism and increased financial access to a largely unbanked population, according to Finance Minister Alejandro Zelaya. The government says its digital wallet, Chivo, has more than 4 million users. Tourism is on pace to surpass pre-pandemic levels this year and the central bank says 59 cryptocurrency and blockchain companies have registered offices in El Salvador.\nZelaya says the administration still plans to issue a Bitcoin-backed bond, dubbed the “volcano token,” using blockchain technology, though admits recent price declines have hurt sentiment. Advocates say El Salvador is in a position to woo companies in a promising industry and become a hub for financial services in the future, creating high-tech jobs.\n“Assuming cars were a failure because after the very first year Ford started production in 1896 no more than 2% of the population had a car would’ve been quite myopic,” said Paolo Ardoino, chief technology officer at Bitfinex. “The government has a long-term vision. The crypto industry is highly technological and that is the type of industry that everyone should want in its country.”\nBitfinex will serve as a trading platform for the volcano bond and will apply for a license to operate in El Salvador once the government passes a digital securities law to underpin the issuance. Canada-based crypto lending and savings company Ledn saw a 678% increase in users in El Salvador over the past year, according to co-founder Mauricio Di Bartolomeo. New-York based AlphaPoint was hired to fix bugs in the Chivo wallet and a series of other companies have also worked on the country’s rollout.\n“I don’t see adoption as low. I see a country where everybody has a Bitcoin wallet and everybody knows what Bitcoin is,” Simon Dixon, founder of crypto financial startup Bank to the Future, said during an August visit to El Salvador in which he met Bukele. Bank to the Future is currently hiring people in El Salvador and planning to open an office there, he said. “This is the first time I’ve ever met a government that has a president who has assembled a team that really operates with the urgency and impact of a fast growing company.”\nBut Bukele’s desire to win over Bitcoiners has come with a downside. The IMF has held off on approving a $1.3 billion program for the country citing risks from Bitcoin. The government’s 2,381 Bitcoin bought with public funds are worth $47.2 million at current prices, less than half what the administration paid for them. Moody’s estimates the government has spent $375 million in total on the rollout, including a $150 million fund to back Bitcoin-dollar conversions and the money for the $30 sign-up bonus given to Chivo users.\n“The Bitcoin experiment promoted by the Bukele administration has significantly raised the market’s risk perception of the country,” said Fabiano Borsato, Chief Operating Officer of Torino Capital LLC. “It’s being implemented in a context of fragile public finances, high and persistent fiscal deficits and doubts about the rule of law in the country. This, in our opinion, will prevent El Salvador from accessing financing in the international markets under favorable conditions in the short and medium term.”\nOverall, Bukele remains enormously popular among Salvadorans, largely because of his crackdown on gangs, investments in infrastructure and efforts to boost tourism, even as many remain wary of Bitcoin.\nA May poll by El Salvador’s Universidad Centroamericana Jose Simieon Canas found that 71.1% respondents said the Bitcoin law did nothing to improve their family finances. Those polled ranked Bitcoin as Bukele’s second-biggest policy failure over the past year behind accelerating inflation.\n“If you go to any market in El Salvador, you’re more likely to receive an insult than be able to purchase something in Bitcoin,” said Laura Andrade, director of the university’s public opinion institute, which conducted the poll. “It’s not a part of people’s daily routine.”","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1479762"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6064565181732178,"wiki_prob":0.6064565181732178,"text":"General Technology, Quantum Companies\nIQM announces new quantum computing breakthrough in Nature\nOctober 4, 2020 by Jeremy G\nIQM recently revealed their new breakthrough. Its new high-speed nanoscale radiation detector is now on par with the most powerful quantum computer readers available. The research for the detector was carried out at Aalto University and VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland by many of IQM’s present employees.\nProfessor Mikko Möttönen’s research group from the university and his collaborators worked together to engineer this quick and ultra-sensitive nanoscale bolometer. It can detect miniscule levels of microwave radiation. The radiation is so weak that heating coffee up at room temperature in a microwave oven by 1°C would have taken 50 septillion times more energy. For reference, that is the number 5 with 25 zeroes behind it.\n‘The device is so tiny; it could even fit inside a bacterium.’\nProfessor Mikko Möttönen, joint Professor of Quantum Technology at Aalto University and VTT, also a Co-Founder of IQM.\nThis new bolometer will assist in making extremely accurate and quick measurements of the energy of photons. This is important for quantum computers as measuring the energy of qubits is at the heart of quantum algorithms. The device is also easily integrated into superconducting quantum processors due to its small size, making it practical in real-world applications.\n‘We started the proof-of-concept using gold-palladium for the bolometer. It worked but at the same time we also figured out how to make it even better. This is where graphene comes in as a replacement. The end result is indeed a much better sensor that can operate at higher speed, so much better that it can be useful in reading out the state of a superconducting qubit, the building block of a superconducting quantum processor.’\nM.Sc. Roope Kokkoniemi\nThis work was a collaborative effort involving Professor Pertti Hakonen’s NANO group at Aalto University and M.Sc. Roope Kokkoniemi, the first author of the Nature paper and IQM’s new member. The NANO group has world-leading expertise in the fabrication of graphene-based devices. The collaboration is indeed the work of tech giants towards a great goal.\nThis detector technology will be useful in all types and makes of quantum computers, including IQM’s own products. Conventional readers can be replaced and future quantum processors can be scaled up because of the small size of the detector. As IQM is the key figure in Finland’s quantum community, it has the unique position of being able to commercialise its findings through collaborating with the up and coming local quantum ecosystem.\nBoth authors of the Nature paper on the new bolometer: Roope Kokkoniemi (left) and Kuan Yen Tan (right).\n‘We consider this an exciting milestone in the field of quantum technology. IQM is constantly looking for new ways to enhance its quantum-computer technology and this new bolometer certainly fits the bill.’\nDr. Kuan Yen Tan, Co-Founder of IQM who was also involved in the reported research\nIQM is a great example of a success story in technology transfer, showing how research can be commercialised in swift fashion. It is now the leading quantum computer company in Europe and reached this status remarkably quickly as well as making its way to sell quantum computers commercially. The company achieved this because not only it managed to recruit many of the talented quantum engineers available, but also because it could collaborate with universities and industry partners across the European continent.\nA significant part of IQM’s rapid growth and high level of expertise comes from the close interplay with academia. IQM is actually very integrated in academia, and most of its employees have backgrounds in research. As a whole, they have more than 640 scientific articles published and over 27000 citations.\nAbout IQM\nIQM‘s goal is to become a pan-European quantum provider and work with more research teams in all of Europe.\nPrevious Article How Classic software developers can learn Quantum Computing\nNext Article Microsoft unveils Archai Neural Architecture search platform","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1447654"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8907879590988159,"wiki_prob":0.8907879590988159,"text":"Hospital De Sant Pau\nPhoto Credit: David Willinger\nBarcelona, Spain | C.1401\nSimilar to the ever-changing field of medicine, the Hospital De Sant Pau has evolved over the centuries. Rooted in the medieval tradition, the institution’s beginnings date back to 1401 when six Barcelona hospitals merged into one, creating the Hospital de la Santa Creu.\nAt the time, the Hospital de la Santa Creu was a prime example of Catalan Gothic style, a type of architecture commonly used on civil structures. This style was notorious for its sparse design and the employment of few windows due to reduce high quality of light that poured in from the coast of the Mediterranean Sea.\nBy the 19th century, healthcare services in Spain were advancing toward scientific medicine and utilizing hygienic principles. As Barcelona continued to grow, so too did the advances in medicine and plans to expand the Hospital came underway. Banker Pau Gil began funding expansion of the structure in 1902. Once completed, the hospital was renamed Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau to honor his legacy.\nDesigned by famed Catalan modernist architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner, Pau’s new hospital took roughly 28 years to complete. By 1930, it was revered as the most important civil building in the Catalan modernist style. Sadly, Domènech i Montaner had passed away years earlier and never saw his masterpiece come to fruition.\nPau’s Catalan modernist building operated as a fully functioning hospital until 2009, when a new, modern hospital was built next door. Today, the Hospital De Sant Pau is comprised of a modern health complex linked to five independent buildings, and the former structure is used as a museum and cultural center.\nKnow more? Share with the community!\nCreate an account to comment! Login/Sign Up.\nBlue Pink Turquoise White Interiors Museum\nAWA Sites Nearby\nMontjuïc Cable Car\nPort Vell Aerial Tramway\nRenaissance Barcelona Fira\nMore Places Tagged: White See All >\nChartres, France\nIlliers-Combray Station\nThis French train station is located in a town renamed after the famed writer Marcel Proust's fictional name for the village.\nLukács Baths\nModern thermal baths touted for the healing powers of their waters - just don't forget your bathing suit.\nFremantle, Western Australia, Australia\nNorth Mole Light\nThe North Mole Lighthouse is one of a pair of \"twin\" lighthouses found at the entrance to Fremantle Harbour in Western Australia.\nMore Places Tagged: Museum See All >\nFunen, Denmark\nEgeskov Castle\nThis floating castle appears to be from an enchanted fable, but in actuality it is Europe's best preserved Renaissance water castle.\nPico Island, Portugal\nMuseu do Vinho\nSurrounded by scenic views and ancient dragon forests, this Portuguese museum is dedicated to the love of wine.\nMorgan Library & Museum\nThe Morgan Library & Museum, once the private office and library of financier J.P. Morgan, is now a museum and scholarly research center in New York City.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1039494"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6455455422401428,"wiki_prob":0.6455455422401428,"text":"\"I am a kid playing for his boyhood club - it's a dream come true\"\nKiernan Dewsbury-Hall speaks to Becky Ives about a breakthrough season at Leicester after scoring the Foxes' fourth in a comfortable 4-1 victory over Randers in the Europa Conference League.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1220270"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6243913173675537,"wiki_prob":0.6243913173675537,"text":"Race 2B Drug Free Big3 series announced for speedway\nSpeedway offering additional $75,000 with new deal for three 'Big' races in 2020\nThe Carlos Vieira Foundation and their Race 2B Drug Free Campaign have joined forces with the Madera Speedway to support the MAVTV-televised Nut Up Pro Late Model Series.\nAn additional $75,000 will be up for grabs during the Race 2B Drug Free BIG 3 races on March 14, July 25, and October 3.\nBoth the season opener on March 14 and the Summer Speedfest on July 25 will pay $5,000 to win with $3,000 for second and $2,000 for third. The Short Track Shootout finale on Oct. 3 pays $10,000 to win, $5,000 for second, and $2,500 for third. Each night’s B Main event will also see exciting purse increases, with $1,500 to win followed by $750 for second and $500 for third.\nDrivers in the BIG 3 will be competing for a special point fund with $5,000 for the champion, $2,500 for second, and $1,000 for third.\nA $10,000 bonus has been offered if any driver can sweep all three races. A $10,000 “Triple Main Challenge” will be offered for the fast-time qualifier. If that driver can win the C Main, B Main, and feature all from the rear of the field they will win the bonus.\nAn additional $5,000 bonus will be awarded if a driver can sweep all three fast-time awards. Also, $5,000 bonuses have been posted for finishing in the top-three in all three races, leading the most laps in all three BIG 3 races, and a bonus for winning all three B Mains.\n“I love the sport of racing and I believe that this sport is a great way to help in deterring some kids and adults from going down the wrong path in their life. Through our foundation and our Race 2B Drug Free Campaign, we are continually supporting ways to help kids stay away from drugs,” Carlos Vieira said.\nThe Race 2B Drug Free sponsors motivational speakers to visit schools, speaking first-hand about the consequences associated with experimenting with drugs.\nThe foundation also helps by providing a safe place for kids to go after school. Carlos Vieira Foundation sponsors a free, afterschool boxing and Jujitsu program where kids can positively release aggression and self-threatening behavior. They help youth replace it with learning discipline, camaraderie, and self-wellness.\n“By sponsoring the BIG 3 Race Series, we are hoping to support a successful event in which kids and adults can look forward to the sport of racing, which is thrilling and exhilarating but does not involve being out in the streets and getting in trouble,” Vieira said.\n“We are passionate about youth in our community and partnering with the Carlos Vieira Foundation to gain more awareness for the Race 2B Drug Free campaign is a great way to bring more people to the Madera Speedway that would otherwise not gain exposure to our sport,” promoter Kenny Shepherd said. “I also see this as a great opportunity for us to use the platform we have with the speedway and our MAVTV show to raise awareness for the campaign. We came up with the three-race series that will create record amounts of prize money available for the drivers while at the same time promoting a great cause.”\nAll nine races for the Nut Up Pro Late Models are televised on MAVTV as well as the 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model Series. $2,000 will be offered to the Pro Late Model winner on April 4, April 28, May 23, June 27, Aug. 22, and Sept. 19 in addition to the Race 2B Drug Free BIG 3 events.\nFor information about Madera Racing on MAVTV, visit www.racemadera.com or www.mavtv.com. The Carlos Vieira Foundation is online at www.carlosvieirafoundation.org\nMadera Speedway is presented by major partners Nut Up Industries, 51FIFTY Energy Drink, iPull-uPull, and Color Fast Industries. Contingency sponsors include Five Star Bodies, Maita Motorsports, McAllister Precision Marketing, Shenanigan’s Restaurant and StopTech Brakes.\nMadera Racing on MAVTV airs Thursdays every week. The show airs at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. and is also available on the Lucas Oil Racing TV app. The seventh round of the 2019 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model Series airs on Dec. 5.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1876716"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7000979781150818,"wiki_prob":0.2999020218849182,"text":"Learning the state-value function\nUnsupervised Learning, Recommenders, Reinforcement Learning\ndeeplearning.ai\n4.9 (762 évaluations)\nCours 3 de 3 dans Apprentissage automatique Spécialisation\nIn the third course of the Machine Learning Specialization, you will: • Use unsupervised learning techniques for unsupervised learning: including clustering and anomaly detection. • Build recommender systems with a collaborative filtering approach and a content-based deep learning method. • Build a deep reinforcement learning model. The Machine Learning Specialization is a foundational online program created in collaboration between DeepLearning.AI and Stanford Online. In this beginner-friendly program, you will learn the fundamentals of machine learning and how to use these techniques to build real-world AI applications. This Specialization is taught by Andrew Ng, an AI visionary who has led critical research at Stanford University and groundbreaking work at Google Brain, Baidu, and Landing.AI to advance the AI field. This 3-course Specialization is an updated and expanded version of Andrew’s pioneering Machine Learning course, rated 4.9 out of 5 and taken by over 4.8 million learners since it launched in 2012. It provides a broad introduction to modern machine learning, including supervised learning (multiple linear regression, logistic regression, neural networks, and decision trees), unsupervised learning (clustering, dimensionality reduction, recommender systems), and some of the best practices used in Silicon Valley for artificial intelligence and machine learning innovation (evaluating and tuning models, taking a data-centric approach to improving performance, and more.) By the end of this Specialization, you will have mastered key concepts and gained the practical know-how to quickly and powerfully apply machine learning to challenging real-world problems. If you’re looking to break into AI or build a career in machine learning, the new Machine Learning Specialization is the best place to start.\nCollaborative Filtering, Unsupervised Learning, Recommender Systems, Reinforcement Learning, Anomaly Detection\nIt simply exceeded my expectations. I recommend it to whoever who is trying to learn the concepts and need tips related to industry practices, and overall wants an applied approach.\nThis course is an excellent course for introductory machine learning. All of the topics are covered in great detail and It is an honor to be taught by Andrew N.G, the Great teacher.\nThis week, you will learn about reinforcement learning, and build a deep Q-learning neural network in order to land a virtual lunar lander on Mars!\nExample of continuous state space applications6:24\nLunar lander5:53\nLearning the state-value function16:50\nAlgorithm refinement: Improved neural network architecture3:00\nAlgorithm refinement: ϵ-greedy policy8:59\nAlgorithm refinement: Mini-batch and soft updates (optional)11:43\nThe state of reinforcement learning2:54\nAndrew Ng\nEddy Shyu\nCurriculum Architect\nAarti Bagul\nCurriculum Engineer\nGeoff Ladwig\nLet's see how we can use reinforcement learning to control the Lunar Lander or for other reinforcement learning problems. The key idea is that we're going to train a neural network to compute or to approximate the state action value function Q of s, a and that in turn will let us pick good actions. Let's see how it works. The heart of the learning algorithm is we're going to train a neural network that inputs the current state and the current action and computes or approximates Q of s, a. In particular, for the Lunar Lander, we're going to take the state s and any action a and put them together. Concretely, the state was that list of eight numbers that we saw previously, so you have xy, x dot, y dot, Theta, Theta dot, and then LR for where the legs are grounded, so that's a list of eight numbers that describe the state. Then finally, we have four possible actions: nothing, left, main, a main engine, and right. We can encode any of those four actions using a one-hot feature vector. If action were the first action, we may encode it using 1, 0, 0, 0 or if it was the second action to find the left cluster, we may encode it as 0, 1, 0, 0. This list of 12 numbers, eight numbers for the state and then four numbers, a one-hot encoding of the action is the inputs we'll have to the neural network, and I'm going to call this X. We'll then take these 12 numbers and feed them to a neural network with say, 64 units in the first hidden layer, 64 units in the second hidden layer, and then a single output in the output layer. The job of the neural network is the output Q of s, a. The state action-value function for the Lunar Lander given the input s and a. Because we'll be using neural network training algorithms in a little bit, I'm also going to refer to this value Q of s, a as the target value Y that were training the neural network to approximate. Notice that I did say reinforcement learning is different from supervised learning, but what we're going to do is not input a state and have it output an action. What we're going to do is input a state action pair and have it try to output Q of s, a, and using a neural network inside the reinforcement learning algorithm this way will turn out to work pretty well. We'll see the details in a little bit so don't worry about it if it doesn't make sense yet. But if you can train a neural network with appropriate choices of parameters in the hidden layers and in the upper layer to give you a good estimates of Q of s, a, then whenever you're Lunar Lander is in some state s, you can then use the neural network to compute Q of s, a. For all four actions, you can compute Q of s, nothing, Q of s, left, Q of s, main, Q of s, right, and then finally, whichever of these has the highest value, you pick the corresponding action a. For example, if out of these four values, Q of s, main is largest, then you would decide to go and fire the main engine of the Lunar Lander. The question becomes, how do you train a neural network to output Q of s, a? It turns out the approach will be to use Bellman's equations to create a training set with lots of examples, x and y, and then we'll use supervised learning exactly as you learned in the second course when we talked about neural networks. To learn using supervised learning, a mapping from x to y, that is a mapping from the state action pair to this target value Q of s, a. But how do you get the training set with values for x and y that you can then train a neural network on? Let's take a look. Here's the Bellman equation, Q of s, a equals R of s plus Gamma, max of a prime, Q of s prime, a prime. The right-hand side is what you want Q of s, a to be equal to, so I'm going to call this value on the right-hand side y and the input to the neural network is a state and an action so I'm going to call that x. The job of the neural network is to input x, that is input the state action pair, and try to accurately predict what will be the value on the right. In supervised learning, we were training a neural network to learn a function f, which depends on a bunch of parameters, W and B, the parameters of the various layers of the neural network and it was the job of the neural network to input x. Hopefully I'll put something close to the target value y. The question is, how can we come up with a training set with values x and y for a new network to learn from. Here's what we're going to do. We're going to use the lunar lander and just try taking different actions in it. If we don't have a good policy yet, we'll take actions randomly, further, left fasser, further, right fasser further, main engine, do nothing. By just trying out different things in the lunar lander simulator we'll observe a lot of examples of when we're in some state and we took some action, may be a good action, maybe a terrible action either way. Then we got some reward R of s for being in that state, and as a result of our action, we got to some new state, S'. As you take different actions in the lunar lander, you see this S, a, R of s, S', and we call them tuples in Python code many times. For example, maybe one time you're in some state S and just to give this an index and we call this S^1, and you happen to take some action a^1, this could be nothing left, main thrusts there or right. As a result of which you've got some reward, and you want up at some state S^'1. Maybe at different times you're in some other state S2, you took some other action, could be good action, could be bad action, could be any of the four actions, and you got the reward, and then you want up with S '2 and so on multiple times. Maybe you've done this 10,000 times or even more than 10,000 times, so you would have to save the way with not just S^1, a^1 and so on, but up to S^10,000, a^10,000. It turns out that each of these tuples will be enough to create a single training example, x^1, y^1. In particular, here's how you do it. There are four elements in this first tuple. The first two will be used to compute x^1, and the second two would be used to compute y^1. In particular, x^1 is just going to be S^1, a^1 put together. S^1 would be eight numbers, the state of the lunar lander, a^1 would be four numbers, the one-hot encoding of whatever action this was and y^1 would be computed using the right-hand side of the Bellman equation. In particular, the Bellman equation says, when you input S^1, a^1, you want Q of S^1, a^1 to be this right hand side, to be equal to R of S^1 plus Gamma max over a' of Q of S^1'a' prime. Notice that these two elements of the tuple on the right give you enough information to compute this. You know what is R of S^1? That's the reward you've saved the way here. Plus the discount factor gamma times max over all actions, a' of Q of S'^1, that's a state you got to in this example, and then take the maximum over all possible actions, a'. I'm going to call this y^1. When you compute this, this will be some number like 12.5 or 17, or 0.5 or some other number. We'll save that number here as y^1, so that this pair x^1, y^1 becomes the first training example in this low dataset we're computing. Now, you may be wondering, where does Q of S', a' or Q of S'^1, a' come from. Well, initially we don't know what is the Q function. But it turns out that when you don't know what is the Q function, you can start off with taking a totally random guess. What is the Q function? We'll see on the next slide that the [inaudible] will work nonetheless. But in every step Q here is just going to be some guess. They'll get better over time it turns out of what is the actual Q function. Let's look at the second example. If you had a second experience where you are in state S^2 to got to a^2, got that reward and then got to that state. Then we would create a second training example in this dataset, x^2, where the input is now S^2, a^2, so the first two elements go to computing the input x, and then y^2 will be equal to R of s^2 plus gamma max of a' Q of S' to a', and whatever this number is, y^2. We put this over here in our small but growing training set, and so on and so forth, until maybe you end up with 10,000 training examples with these x, y pairs. What we'll see later is that we'll actually take this training set where the x's are inputs with 12 features and the y's are just numbers. We'll train a new network with, say, the mean squared error loss to try to predict y as a function of the input x. What I describe here is just one piece of the learning algorithm we'll use. Let's put it all together on the next slide and see how it all comes together into a single algorithm. Let's take a look at what a full algorithm for learning the Q-function is like. First, we're going to take our neural network and initialize all the parameters of the neural network randomly. Initially we have no idea, whether it's a Q function, let's just pick totally random values of the widths. We'll pretend that this neural network is our initial random guess for the Q-function. This is a little bit like when you are training linear regression and you initialize all the parameters randomly and then use gradient descent to improve the parameters. Initializing it randomly for now is fine. What's important is whether the algorithm can slowly improve the parameters to get a better estimate. Next, we will repeatedly do the following; We will take actions in the lunar lander, so float around randomly, take some good actions, take some bad actions. It's okay either way. But you get lots of these tuples of when it was in some state, you took some actually gathering what R of S and you got to some state s prime. What we will do is store to 10,000 most recent examples of these tuples. As you run this algorithm, you will see many steps in the lunar lander, maybe hundreds of thousands of steps. But to make sure we don't end up using excessive computer memory, common practice is to just remember the 10,000 most recent such tuples that we saw taking actions in the MTP. This technique of storing the most recent examples only is sometimes called the replay buffer in reinforcement learning algorithm. For now, we're just flying the lunar lander randomly, sometimes crashing, sometimes not and getting these tuples as experienced for our learning algorithm. Occasionally then we will train the neural network. In order to train the neural network, here's what we'll do. We'll look at these 10,000 most recent tuples we had saved and create a training set of 10,000 examples. Training set needs lots of pairs of x and y. For our training examples, x will be the s, a from this part of the tuple. There'll be a list of 12 numbers, the 8 numbers for the state and the 4 numbers for the one-hot encoding of the action. The target value that we want a neural network to try to predict would be y equals R of S plus Gamma max of a prime, Q of s prime a prime. How do we get this value of Q? Well, initially is this neural network that we had randomly initialized. It may not be a very good guess, but it's a guess. After creating these 10,000 training examples we'll have training examples x1, y1 through x10,000, y10,000. We'll train a neural network and I'm going to call the new neural network Q new, such that Q new of s, a learns to approximate y. This is exactly training that neural network to output f with parameters w and b, to input x to try to approximate the target value y. Now, this neural network should be a slightly better estimates of what the Q function or the state action value function should be. What we'll do is we're going to take Q and set it to this new neural network that we had just learned. Many of the ideas in this algorithm are due to Mnih et al. It turns out that if you run this algorithm where you start with a really random guess of the Q function, then use Bellman's equations to repeatedly try to improve the estimates of the Q function. Then by doing this over and over, taking lots of actions, training a model, that will improve your guess for the Q-function. For the next model you train, you now have a slightly better estimate of what is the Q function. Then the next model you train will be even better. When you update Q equals Q new. Then for the next time you train a model Q of s prime a prime will be an even better estimate. As you run this algorithm on every iteration, Q of s prime, a prime hopefully becomes an even better estimate of the Q function so that when you run the algorithm long enough, this will actually become a pretty good estimate of the true value of Q of s, a, so that you can then use this to pick, hopefully good actions or the MTP. The algorithm you just saw is sometimes called the DQN algorithm which stands for Deep Q-Network because you're using deep learning and neural network to train a model to learn the Q functions. Hence DQN or DQ using a neural network. If you use the algorithm as I described it, it will work, okay, on the lunar lander. Maybe it'll take a long time to converge, maybe it won't land perfectly, but it'll work. But it turns out that with a couple of refinements to the algorithm, it can work much better. In the next few videos, let's take a look at some refinements to the algorithm that you just saw.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1221241"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9956390857696533,"wiki_prob":0.9956390857696533,"text":"News:2008:6:10\nAcademy grants $500,000 to film and cultural organizations\nJun 10, 2008 by Ian Evans\nAs we’ve said before, if you think the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is just about the Oscars®, think again. As part of its support of education the Academy Foundation’s Institutional Grants Program has awarded a total of $500,000 to 58 film-related nonprofit organizations — including universities, museums and career development programs — throughout the United States and in Canada.\nSince its establishment in 1968, the Foundation, which is the educational wing of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, has distributed more than 573 institutional grants.\n“One of our primary goals is to increase access to professional opportunities in the motion picture industry,” said Grants Committee Chair Andrew Marlowe. “These grants also will help generate greater public interest in film events and screenings throughout the U.S.”\nThe Academy Foundation’s Grants Committee selected the following programs for 2008—2009:\nCalifornia Institute of the Arts (Valencia)\nColumbia University School of the Arts (New York City)\nNew York University — Kanbar Institute of Film & TV\nUniversity of North Carolina (Chapel Hill)\nUniversity of Southern California Master of Professional Writing Program\nUniversity of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts\nColumbia College Hollywood (Tarzana, CA)\nNorth Carolina School of the Arts (Winston-Salem)\nNew York University Archiving Program\nUniversity of California, Los Angeles — Film & Television Program* *\nWorkplace Hollywood (Hollywood, CA)\nYale University Film Studies\nEmerson College (Boston)\nHampshire College (Amherst, MA)\nPennsylvania State University (University Park)\nUniversity of North Carolina (Wilmington)\nUniversity of the Arts (Philadelphia)\nInstitutional Grants\nFilmAid International (New York City) — African screening program\nFacets Multi-Media (Chicago) — Facets Film School and Facets CineChat\nHollywood Cinema Production Resources (Los Angeles) — Job training program\nThe MacDowell Colony (Peterborough, NH) — Filmmaker residency\nTufts University (Medford, MA) — Filmmaker-in-residence\nUCLA Film & Television Archive — Screening series\nWhitney Museum of American Art (New York City) — Alice Guy Blache retrospective program\nAustin Film Festival, Inc. — Writers’ Ranch and seminar series\nBerklee College of Music (Boston) — Visiting artists\nCalifornia State Summer School for the Arts (Los Angeles) — Visiting artists\nDrexel University (Philadelphia) — Visiting filmmakers\nEcho Park Film Center (Los Angeles) — Filmmaking workshop and screening programs\nFrameline (San Francisco) — Screening series\nHarvard Film Archive — Visiting filmmakers\nInstitute of American Indian Arts (Santa Fe) — Summer film workshop\nMedia Arts Center San Diego — Screening and workshop programs\nMiami Film Society — MIFF Abroad\nMuseum of Fine Arts, Houston — Visiting filmmakers\nNew York Women in Film & Television (New York City) — Female filmmakers screening series\nSalt Lake City Film Center — Visiting artists\nVisual Effects Society (Encino, CA) — Training and mentoring program\nWinnipeg Film Group (Manitoba, Canada) — Documentary film conference\nNorthwest Screenwriters Guild (Seattle) — Visiting speaker series\nBard College (Annandale, NY) — Filmmaking workshop\nCineaste Magazine (New York City) — Film Editing supplement\nCinestory (Idyllwild, CA) — A Film from the Screenwriter’s POV\nColumbia College (Chicago) — Artist-in-residence\nThe Drawing Center (New York City) — Drawing on Film exhibition\nKentucky Film Lab (Lexington) — Filmmakers’ Studio\nNiles Essanay Silent Film Museum (Fremont, CA) — Silent film screening series\nNinth Street Independent Film Center (San Francisco) — Canyon Cinema screening series\nOutfest (Los Angeles) — Access LA Seminar Series and Screenwriting Lab\nParamount Center for the Arts (Peekskill, NY) — Screening series\nSan Francisco Cinematheque — Artist-in-residence\nSquaw Valley Community of Writers (CA) — Screenwriting workshop\nUniversity of Houston — Visiting filmmakers\nWalker Art Center (Minneapolis, MN) — Filmmakers in Conversation\nUniversity of Colorado at Boulder — Brakhage Symposium\nFilm Forum (New York City) — Screening series","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line300650"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9779229760169983,"wiki_prob":0.9779229760169983,"text":"Snap has confidentially filed for an IPO\nThat was fast.\nBy Kurt Wagner Nov 15, 2016, 5:35pm EST\nShare All sharing options for: Snap has confidentially filed for an IPO\nScott Olson / Getty Images\nSnap, the company previously known as Snapchat, has privately filed documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission for an IPO, according to sources with knowledge of the company’s plans.\nThis isn’t a surprise. The paperwork has been in the works for months, and these sources say Snap could go public as early as March 2017. The company is targeting a valuation range somewhere between $20 billion and $25 billion, though the official target will be set closer to the IPO date. Reuters was the first to report on Snap’s S-1 filing.\nBut while it isn’t a surprise the company filed, the whole process was still quick. Very quick, in fact, even if Snapchat doesn’t ultimately go public in spring of 2017. What’s significant here is that the company filed for IPO before its automated ad product has had time to make a significant addition to its business. The API launched just last month. That’s important to note because right now almost all of its revenue comes from hand-cut deals.\nThat’s been a successful way to do business thus far. Snapchat was targeting $300 million to $350 million in ad revenue this year, and sources say the company will beat that goal easily.\nBut automating ad sales should significantly boost Snapchat’s bottom line, which is likely why investors are expecting as much as $1 billion in revenue from the company next year. It’s interesting that Snap pulled the trigger on its IPO before giving its API a chance to gain some momentum. If Snapchat wants to provide a serious alternative to Facebook and Google for mobile advertisers, that API, and automating those ad sales, will be key to the equation.\nA Snap spokesperson declined to comment.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line302574"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9415080547332764,"wiki_prob":0.9415080547332764,"text":"From Norway With Horsepower: Soprano Lise Davidsen Is Conquering Opera\nJames Hole\nDecca Records\nNorwegian soprano Lise Davidsen's voice has been called one-in-a-million.\nA young, mild-mannered soprano from Norway with a huge voice has been turning heads in the opera world.\nLise Davidsen is an emerging star whose voice has been called one-in-a-million. It can soar like a rocket over enormous orchestras. And yet on her new album, in the Verdi aria, \"Pace, pace mio Dio!\" it can dial down to a single gleaming strand of polished silver.\nNot so long ago, Davidsen was a guitar-strumming, handball-playing kid from Stokke, a rural town in southern Norway. It took her a while to discover opera; she was 20 before she saw her first staged production. Now, only in her early 30s, Davidsen sings at distinguished venues such as New York's Metropolitan Opera and London's Covent Garden. Her second album, simply titled Beethoven, Wagner, Verdi – with Mark Elder leading the London Philharmonic – shows us where she's at today, but also hints at her destiny. And that destiny points directly to Wagner.\nDavidsen's performance of Wagner's set of songs called Wesendonck-Lieder offers moments of tenderness and torrential power. Opera mavens are always on the lookout for the next great Wagnerian soprano, and Davidsen's voice appears tailor-made for the mammoth Wagner roles like Isolde and Brünnhilde. Those will come in time, perhaps, but only if she's smart and doesn't try on roles that are too big too soon.\nWielding this super-charged instrument must be like driving a high-performance sports car. In the big aria from Beethoven's opera Fidelio, Davidsen can push from zero to sixty on a dime, in terms of amplitude, but the key factor is that she knows how to control her voice.\nWhile Davidsen might be considered a specialist in the German repertoire – especially Richard Strauss and Wagner – this new album displays her Italian appetite. Along with scenes from Verdi's Otello and La forza del destino, she includes arias from two operas she's already sung on stage: Pietro Mascagni's gritty thriller Cavalleria Rusticana and Luigi Cherubini's gut-wrenching Medea.\nReally big voices like Davidsen's can sometimes be steely and cold. But hers has both heft and beauty up and down the registers. Recordings, alas, rarely do justice to the real thing. For instance, there are places on the album where Davidsen's voice is inexplicably too far back in the audio mix for my taste.\nThis is the kind of voice you need to hear in person. Still, until we can safely take our seats in the opera house, Lise Davidsen's album shows off a beautiful, formidable instrument, and a singer poised for the history books.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1893614"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7692379355430603,"wiki_prob":0.7692379355430603,"text":"Write a 3 pages paper on the life and death of stars.\nHome Uncategorized Write a 3 pages paper on the life and death of stars.\nThe most prominent stars were grouped and the brightest of them all were given names. The grouping of stars also helped astronomy to track the motion and positions of other heavenly bodies. It was by this tracking that an idea came up of creating calendars where they used the motion of the sun against the background stars. The widely used calendar in the world, The Gregorian Calendar, was based on the angle of the earth’s rotational axis and the sun. How was the star formed according to astronomy?\nAll stars are born from collapsing dust and cloud of gases which are concentrated at temperatures for a period of years. When the protostars settle down at average temperatures to form a main-sequence star. For most of its life, the stars use nuclear fusion which is generated through the fusion of hydrogen atoms at the core of the main sequence star. The reason behind ganging up of stars in pairs or multiple around the milk way may be because of the spinning dust and clouds of collapsing dust causing a break up of two or three blobs.\nDuring the formation of a star, not all gas and dust is used up, The remaining materials become planets, comets, asteroids or may remain as dust. For a star to be as big as the sun it requires 50 million years from the beginning of the collapse till adulthood, where else our sun will remain in that state for 10 billion years. The helium formed in the interiors by the reaction of hydrogen fuels provides pressure which keeps the stars from collapsing under their own weight and produces energy that keeps on shinning.\nWhen the helium at the core of the star is nearly exhausted, all-natural occurring elements heavier than Helium are formed via supernova nucleosynthesis or stellar nucleosynthesis. Supernova nucleosynthesis occurs when massive stars explode while stellar nucleosynthesis occurs during their lifetimes. During the end lifetimes of the star, there is degenerated matter is also formed. For instance, 1 gram of the mass converted entirely to energy would equally produce an explosion rough of 22,000 tons of TNT.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line413835"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6759316325187683,"wiki_prob":0.3240683674812317,"text":"African Census Analysis Project (ACAP)\nIn the initial phase of ACAP, we created a unique data bank that saved data from the 1970, 1980, and 1990 rounds of census enumerations from destruction, and we developed the Pan-African Census Explorer (PACE). ACAP continues to be the repository of African Census data. African census micro-data are an invaluable source of information for understanding demographic processes and history in Africa. Over the past decade, ACAP has assembled the largest collection of complete census data in the world. Our expanding data collection currently consists of census micro-data from 55 censuses for 26 African nations. New national censuses are added to the collection on a regular basis. Most African nations and various other regional organizations are collaborating with us in this international effort.\nThe Pan-African Census Explorer (PACE) will facilitate easy access to census data for demographic and statistical analysis. Eventually, country specific versions of PACE could be available to the government agencies to facilitate easy distribution of the data.\nType: Microdata, Open Data, Statistics\nURL: http://www.acap.upenn.edu/index.php All Users\nAfrobarometer\nAfrobarometer is an independent, non-partisan research project that measures the social, political, and economic atmosphere in Africa.\nAfrobarometer surveys are conducted in more than 30 African countries and are repeated on a regular cycle. Because the instrument asks a standard set of questions, countries can be systematically compared. Trends in public attitudes are tracked over time. Results are shared with decision makers, policy advocates, civic educators, journalists, researchers, donors and investors, as well as average Africans who wish to become more informed and active citizens.\nURL: http://www.afrobarometer.org/ All Users\nAfrobarometer: An African-led series of national public attitude surveys on democracy and governance in Africa\nAfrobarometer is an African-led, non-partisan survey research project that measures citizen attitudes on democracy and governance, the economy, civil society, and other topics.\nWe are the world’s leading research project on issues that affect ordinary African men and women. We collect and publish high-quality, reliable statistical data on Africa which is freely available to the public.\nWe currently conduct surveys in more than 30 African countries. We are proud of what we have achieved so far and our goal is to have Afrobarometer surveys in all African countries.\nType: Open Data, Statistics\nAidData: Open Data for International Development\nAidData engages in a variety of data collection and value addition activities to publish its ever-expanding suite of data products. Data collection takes place along two distinct product lines: Aggregate Data (or data represented as a single, composite value) and Project-Level Data (or data consisting of distinct, project activities with accompanying project information). AidData's data is sourced from various locations, including but not limited to the OECD-DAC's Creditor Reporting System (CRS), donor systems (such as official data from individual donor governments), and recipient systems (such as Aid Information Management Systems). Value addition activities include (1) activity and purpose coding, (2) geocoding (to produce our expanding repository of sub-national, geospatial research datasets) (3) data curation (the linking, deduplication and presentation of project records gathered from different sources or data collection activities), and (4) data quality assurance (the transformation and verification of data according to standard AidData practice). AidData also collects official project-level data on the development finance activities of non-OECD bilateral and multilateral donors, as well as data on Chinese development finance, collected using AidData's unique Tracking Under-reported Financial Flows (TUFF) methodology.\nURL: http://aiddata.org/ All Users\nA source for population, housing, economic and geographic data from Census 2000, the 1990 Decennial Census, the 1997 Economic Census, the American Community Survey, and the Population Estimates Program\nType: Statistics\nURL: http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/nav/jsf/pages/index.xhtml All Users\nArab Barometer\nThe Arab Barometer was established in 2005 by scholars in the Arab world and the United States. Leadership was initially provided by the University of Michigan and Princeton University in the U.S. and by universities and research centers in Jordan, Palestine, Morocco, Algeria and Kuwait. In 2010, a partnership was formed with the Arab Reform Initiative (ARI: www.arab-reform.net) in order to expand the project’s scope and range of activities, building off ARI’s regional survey work carried out in 2006-2008.\nThe Arab Barometer was developed in consultation with the Global Barometer project, a network composed of regional barometers in Latin America, Sub-Saharan, East Asia and South Asia (http://www.globalbarometer.net/). Like other regional Barometers, the objectives of the Arab Barometer are to produce scientifically reliable data on the politically-relevant attitudes of ordinary citizens, to disseminate and apply survey findings in order to contribute to political reform, and to strengthen institutional capacity for public opinion research.\nType: Microdata, Open Data\nURL: http://arabbarometer.org/ All Users\nAustralian Government Open Data\nData.gov.au provides an easy way to find, access and reuse public datasets from the Australian Government. Please see ourdraft data.gov.au roadmap, the new data.gov.au launch pageand our Government Data Landscape mind map for more information about related policies and initiatives.\nType: Open Data\nURL: http://data.gov.au/ All Users\nBank for International Settlements (BIS) Statistics\nBIS statistics, compiled in cooperation with central banks and other national authorities, are designed to inform analysis of financial stability, international monetary spillovers, and global liquidity.\nURL: https://www.bis.org/statistics/index.htm?m=6%7C37 All Users\nBank of Canada: Banking and Financial Statistics\nA compilation of banking and financial indicators, including the Bank of Canada’s assets and liabilities, credit and monetary aggregates, chartered banks data, and selected financial market statistics. On this website, you can also search the statistical data tables. View the Historical Banking Financial Statistics and Weekly Financial Statistics publications.\nURL: https://www.bankofcanada.ca/rates/ All Users\nBEA is one of the world's leading statistical agencies.\nBEA produces some of the most closely watched economic statistics that influence the decisions made by government officials, business people, households, and individuals. BEA's economic statistics, which provide a comprehensive, up-to-date picture of the U.S. economy, are key ingredients in critical decisions affecting monetary policy, tax and budget projections, and business investment plans. The cornerstone of BEA's statistics is the national income and product accounts (NIPAs), which feature the estimates of gross domestic product (GDP) and related measures.\nURL: http://www.bea.gov/index.htm All Users\nCanadian Census and Election Data, 1908 - 1968\nThis data collection contains seven files of Canadian census and election data, each corresponding to a particular electoral period when the number of constituencies was fixed. The data files include returns from the federal elections of 1908 and 1911 and data from the 1911 Census (Part 1), the elections of 1917 and 1921 and the 1921 Census (Part 2), the elections of 1925, 1926, and 1930 (Part 3), the elections of 1935, 1940, and 1945 (Part 4), the election of 1949 and the 1951 Census (Part 5), the elections of 1957, 1958, 1962, 1963, and 1965 and the 1961 Census (Part 6), and the election of 1968 (Part 7). The election data include information on the total valid vote cast and the percentage of the total vote received by each of the major parties, including the Conservative, Liberal, Socialist, Labor, Independent, Progressive, CCF, Social Credit, NDP, and Creditiste parties, as well as a total for all other parties. The census data provide demographic information on religion, including Anglican, Baptist, Jewish, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Roman Catholic, United Church, and other denominational sects, and ethnic origin, including British, French, German, Italian, Scandinavian, Russian, Polish, Asiatic, Native, and others, as well as information on age, education, occupation, and income from the 1961 Census.\nURL: https://www.icpsr.umich.edu/icpsrweb/ICPSR/studies/39 All Users\nCanadian Century Research Infrastructure: Census of Canada 1911\nThe CCRI represents an infrastructure that facilitates research on the transformation of Canadian society in the twentieth century. The CCRI's mandate is to provide researchers with a body of data and information that can be used to acquire a better understanding of how modern-day Canada has developed. The CCRI is composed of microdata, namely, data created from Canadian census enumerations between 1911 to 1951, a geographical framework constructed to enable the location, selection, aggregation, and analysis of census data, and contextual data, namely the textual data used to situate the census in time and to enhance appropriate analysis of the data.\n1911 Census located on the left of this web page provides researchers with the 1911 database, 1911 codes, 1911 data entry manual, 1911 enumerator instructions, 1911 geography component, Contextual Data (1911 to 1951), and 1911 Nesstar Webview.\nType: Microdata\nURL: https://ccri.library.ualberta.ca/en1911census/database/index.html All Users\nCanadian Dairy Information Centre - Dairy Facts and Figures\nThis website provides detailed statistics related to dairy cattle improvement, quota exchanges & prices, milk production at the farm, shipments to processors, dairy farming revenue & expenses, processing, sales of fluid milk and cream, supply and disposition, consumption of dairy products, imports and exports, world export prices, retail prices and index prices in Canada.\nURL: http://www.dairyinfo.gc.ca/index_e.php?s1=dff-fcil All Users\nCanadian Motor Vehicle Traffic Collision Statistics\nTransport Canada's National Collision Database (NCDB) contains data on all reportable motor vehicle collisions in Canada that the provinces and territories provide each year. Every year, the number of fatalities and serious injuries on Canada's roads continue to decrease despite the fact that the number of vehicles continue to increase.The year 2010 saw fewer motor vehicle casualty collisions in Canada than in previous years. The number of motor vehicle fatalities and serious injuries also continued their downward trend. In fact, they were the lowest since the data were first collected in the early 1970's.The federal, provincial and territorial governments in Canada work to improve road safety to reduce the number of fatalities and serious injuries and to achieve the safest roads in the world.\nURL: https://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/motorvehiclesafety/tp-1317.htm All Users\nCanadian Post-secondary Performance Indicators\nWhat is the relationship between performance and cost? In this full report, you'll find 34 indicators of university performance, organized into three sub-components: access, value to students and value to society. Here you may select them all or choose your own custom subset from the indicators, in the bubble chart explore performance relative to money spent and compare performance across the country in the map view.\nURL: http://postsecondaryperformance.ca/Default?sector=U All Users\nCanadian Statistics - Summary Tables\nThese summary tables provide an overview of statistical information on Canada's people, economy and governments.\nURL: http://www.statcan.gc.ca/tables-tableaux/sum-som/index-eng.htm All Users\nCANSIM\nTime series statistics ranging from social to economic aspects of Canadian life.\nURL: http://library.mcmaster.ca/articles/cansim All Users\nCDC: National Center for Health Statistics\nFastStats – Statistics by Topic\nThe FastStats site provides quick access to statistics on topics of public health importance and is organized alphabetically. Links are provided to publications that include the statistics presented, to sources of more data, and to related web pages.\nURL: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/default.htm All Users\nCensus 2006 Aboriginal Population Profile\nAboriginal identity population data where the population is above 250 people.\nURL: http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2006/dp-pd/prof/92-594/Index.cfm?Lang=E All Users\nCensus of Canada (2011, 2006, 2001 and 1996)\nDescribing characteristics of Canadian population, dwellings and agricultural operations.\nURL: http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/index-eng.cfm All Users\nCenter for International Development at Harvard University (CID)\nThe Center for International Development (CID) at Harvard University is a university-wide center that works to advance the understanding of development challenges and offer viable solutions to problems of global poverty. The CID is Harvard’s leading research hub focusing on resolving the dilemmas of public policy associated with generating stable, shared, and sustainable prosperity in developing countries.\nURL: http://www.cid.harvard.edu/ciddata/ciddata.html All Users\nCIHI: Quick Stats\nQuick Stats are a series of free, publicly available, reports that provide aggregate-level data about health care in Canada. Unless otherwise indicated, the original data is provided to CIHI by Canada’s provinces and territories.\nYou can view this data in two different ways:\nAn interactive format lets you manipulate how you see the health system information. Choose from specific time frames, diagnosis groups, hospital types and so on.\nA static format has information in tables that are easy to print.\nURL: https://www.cihi.ca/en/quick-stats All Users\nCIRI Human Rights Data Project\nThe Cingranelli-Richards (CIRI) Human Rights Dataset contains standards-based quantitative information on government respect for 15 internationally recognized human rights for 195 countries, annually from 1981-2010. It is designed for use by scholars and students who seek to test theories about the causes and consequences of human rights violations, as well as policy makers and analysts who seek to estimate the human rights effects of a wide variety of institutional changes and public policies including democratization, economic aid, military aid, structural adjustment, and humanitarian intervention.\nURL: http://www.humanrightsdata.com/ All Users\nCity Mayors Statistics\nCity Mayors is a leading international source for urban statistics.\nURL: http://www.citymayors.com/sections/rankings_content.html All Users\nCity of Blainville Open Data\nIn 2016, the Québec government and the municipalities of Gatineau, Laval, Montreal, Quebec City, and Sherbrooke joined forces to create the new Data Québec open data portal. Several other municipalities then followed suit, and thanks to this collaboration, several hundred datasets are now available. The site contains digital data distributed in a structured way according to a particular method, with an open license guaranteeing their free access and reuse.\nURL: https://www.donneesquebec.ca/fr/organisation/ville-de-blainville/ All Users\nCity of Brampton Open Data\nThis is Brampton's public hub for exploring and Downloading Open Data, Learning about Brampton's Stories and Analyzing and Combining Open Datasets to tell your own story.\nURL: http://geohub.brampton.ca/pages/data All Users\nCity of Burlington Open Data\nIn partnership with Socrata, the City of Burlington has launched Open Budget, an e-Government Open Data pilot project to allow for visualization and exploration of the Capital and Operating Budgets. graphs and images are attractive, navigable, and easy to understand. Open Budget is an application intended to drive greater government accountability and financial transparency.\nURL: https://navburl-burlington.opendata.arcgis.com/pages/data All Users\nCity of Edmonton Open Data Catalogue\nThe City of Edmonton has been dedicated to using technology to make municipal information more open, transparent and accessible since early 2009. Through public and business engagement, collaboration and innovation Edmonton has become a leader in Open Government.\nURL: https://data.edmonton.ca/ All Users\nCity of Fredericton Open Data Portal\nThe City of Fredericton’s public platform is for exploring and downloading open data, discovering and building apps, and engaging in solutions important to local issues. The site is built on the Esri™ Open Data portal platform. The site includes various data sets and over 20 apps. In addition, they have featured some of their own datasets to provide additional insights into the data.\nNOTE: The City of Fredericton’s working language is English. While the functionality of Open Data site is provided in English and French, as well as titles, descriptions, and stories about the data, the actual datasets themselves are in English only.\nURL: http://data-fredericton.opendata.arcgis.com/ All Users\nBusiness/Financial (105)\n(-) Economics (147)\n(-) Education (102)\n(-) Health (101)\n(-) International Trade (36)\nPopulation and Demography (177)\nPublic Opinion (18)\nScience and Technology (68)\nSociety and Community (164)\nTravel and Tourism (44)\nAll Users (176)\nMcMaster Users (6)\nOpen Data (113)\nStatistics (134)","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line955129"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.57753986120224,"wiki_prob":0.42246013879776,"text":"Family Values: Reset Trust, Boundaries, and Connection with Your Child (Hardcover)\nBy Dr. Charles Sophy\nAn essential modern parenting guide for restoring trust and security to your home life from renowned psychiatrist and Dr. Phil Show regular, Dr. Charles Sophy.\nOver the last twenty years, Dr. Charles Sophy has been a staple on The Dr. Phil Show, where he has guided and coached millions of people begging for assistance with parenting their children. From conflict resolution to substance dependence, Dr. Sophy is the one with the answers.\nNow, in Family Values, Dr. Sophy has written a guide to rebuilding parent/child relationships to be stronger than ever. Structured around four essential strengths of relationship—trust, shared beliefs, family history, and forgiveness—this book will hit on the hot topics that Dr. Sophy gets asked most frequently for help on, including:\n-Dealing with power shifts/struggles\n-Defensive vs. offensive parenting styles\n-Building/rebuilding your parenting foundation\n-Eliminating the intergenerational cycle of parental neglect and abuse\nWith compassion and clarity, Dr. Sophy shows how to break free of generational wounds and learn how to create safety, stability, and permanence for your children.\nDr. Charles Sophy is a psychiatrist and the former medical director for the County of Los Angeles Department of Children and Family Services. He has been a staple on Dr. Phil for the last twenty years. He now brings his experience and expertise to his book, Family Values, continuing his work on repairing parent-child relationships, just as he did in his previous publication, Side by Side: The Revolutionary Mother-Daughter Program for Conflict-Free Communication. In addition to his work with Dr. Phil, Dr. Sophy has appeared on television programs such as Today, Good Morning America, CNN’s Larry King Live, Anderson Cooper 360, and on the FOX News Channel.\n\"Motivated readers will find plenty of tools for building a stronger family.\" –Publisher's Weekly\n\"Dr. Sophy is a doctor like no other. The compassion and committment he shows people in their darkest and scariest moments is unbelievable. He is a lifeline. His clearheaded advice cuts through the noise and provides simple effective steps to reset and uplift. He demonstrates how to meet your problems head on, without fear, and gives you tools to build a life that works for you. I'm so thankful for Charles and thrilled about this book.\" –Catherine Bach, actress\n“Family Values isn’t just a book, it is a manual. You will probably wear out your first copy and go pick up another one.” –Dr. Phil McGraw\n\"Dr Charles Sophy has spent decades helping individuals and families in the public healthcare system in addition to his private practice. In his book, Family Values, he elegantly shares his very detailed hybrid approach to treating every aspect of the individual and the family unit. He provides us his lasting framework for behavioral changes for all family members providing an overall increase in family values and relationships…. A must read for all parents….\" -Stacey Bendet, owner of Alice and Olivia\n“Dr. Sophy is an expert in all childhood development. He has been instrumental in guiding us through any bumps in the road that have occurred with all four of our children. This is a must read!” –Mark & Rhea Wahlberg\nPublisher: S&S/Simon Element\nFamily & Relationships / Conflict Resolution\nFamily & Relationships / Parenting\nPsychology / Psychopathology / Addiction","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1634017"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9814193248748779,"wiki_prob":0.9814193248748779,"text":"RFE/RL Homepage\nRadio Azadi Radio Mashaal\nLawmaker Says 3,700 Arrested In Iran, Khamenei Points Finger At U.S.\nIranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei addressed a meeting in Tehran on January 9.\nAn Iranian lawmaker says that about 3,700 people have been arrested during antigovernment protests, while Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is claiming that Tehran foiled what he called attempts by the United States and Britain to create unrest.\nThe number of arrests cited by reformist lawmaker Mahmud Sadeghi on January 9 is far higher than figures announced by the authorities.\nProtesters in dozens of cities across Iran have vented anger about high unemployment and official corruption since December 28. Some demonstrators have called for the overthrow of Khamenei and the powerful conservative clerics who maintain Islamic rule.\nIn a tweet, Khamenei repeated accusations -- rejected by the U.S. and other governments -- that foreign countries including the United States and its allies were behind the protests.\n\"Once again, the nation tells the U.S., Britain, and those who seek to overthrow the Islamic Republic of Iran from abroad that 'you've failed, and you will fail in the future, too',\" Khamenei said in a message on his official Twitter account on January 9.\nKhamenei said that some of the calls being made by the demonstrators were \"honest and rightful demands.\" He did not elaborate.\nAt least 22 people have been killed as a result of the unrest and government crackdowns surrounding the protests.\nCiting what he said were Iranian intelligence reports, Khamenei said that \"there's been a triangle pattern activating these events.\"\nHe said that \"the scheme was formed\" by the United States and Israel and \"the money came from a wealthy government\" near the Persian Gulf, an apparent reference to Tehran's regional rival, Saudi Arabia.\nKhamenei also claimed that protest leaders were \"henchmen\" and members of the \"MEK,\" a reference to the Mujahedin-e Khalq Organization (aka MKO), or People's Mujahedin of Iran, an exiled dissident group that backs the overthrow of Iran's leadership. He claimed the MKO had been \"hired as minions for this plot.\"\nState media outlets also have claimed that protest leaders have been either members of MKO or monarchists.\nPeople's 'Legitimate Right'\nBut President Hassan Rohani, a relative moderate who advocates warmer ties with the West, suggested on January 8 that the demonstrations were driven by opposition within Iran to his ultraconservative rivals in the ruling elite.\nThe Iranian people \"have a legitimate right to demand that we see and hear them and look into their demands,\" Rohani said, suggested the real targets of the protests had been the powerful conservative clerics who oppose his plans to expand individual liberties and promote better relations with Western countries.\n\"It would be a misrepresentation and also an insult to the Iranian people to say they only had economic demands,\" Rohani told the state-run Tasnim news agency. \"People had economic, political, and social demands.\"\n\"We must simply accept the fact that the people have the last word,\" Rohani said. \"We [politicians] must accept that we are now sitting in a glass house.\"\nKhamenei on January 9 appeared to acknowledge Rohani's call, saying on Twitter that \"there is a correct point commonly made\" in \"various analysis\" of \"the recent events.\"\nKhamenei said that \"people's honest and rightful demands\" must be separated from \"the violent and vandalizing moves by a certain group.\"\nKhamenei also rejected U.S. President Donald Trump's claim that Iran's Islamic establishment was \"terrified\" by U.S. power.\n\"If we were so terrified by you, how did we kick you out of Iran in the late 1970s and send you packing, out of the entire region, in the 2010s?\" Khamenei said.\nIran's religious establishment came to power following the 1979 overthrow of the U.S.-backed shah.\nThe United States has rejected Tehran's claims that Washington or U.S. intelligence agencies have been behind the protests.\nBut Trump has praised what he called the courage of the Iranian demonstrators and said that the United States would support them \"at the appropriate time.\"\nIranian authorities have said that the protests are waning and have staged rallies by government supporters across the country to counter the unrest.\ngandhara@rferl.org\nGandhara Newsletter Snippet for Regions-GR-1868\nAbout Gandhara\nGandhara Briefing\nRFE/RL's News App","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1351663"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5696823000907898,"wiki_prob":0.4303176999092102,"text":"Legislation Would Transfer the Tennessee Foreign Language Institute to UT’s Institute for Public Service\nCategory: State Issues\nHB2198/SB1842 by Rep. Tilman Goins (R-Morristown) and Sen. Dolores Gresham (R-Somerville) would transfer the Tennessee Foreign Language Institute (TFLI) to the UT Institute for Public Service, making a number of organizational changes and renaming the entity “The Tennessee Language Center.” The move would make the entity an official part of the University of Tennessee.\nUnder key amendatory language, the measure would eliminate TFLI’s governing board, transfer any resources and assets to the University of Tennessee, and tailor the mission of the Tennessee Language Center to providing language services to state and local government entities in support of industrial recruitment, economic development, and provision of government services. The changes present the acquisition of the Center an exciting opportunity for the UT Institute for Public Service to further its mission and work in the State of Tennessee.\nIf passed, the legislation will go into effect on July 1, 2018.\nTags: Tennessee Foreign Language Institute, The Tennessee Language Center, tn leg, UT Institute for Public Service","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1559560"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5272384285926819,"wiki_prob":0.5272384285926819,"text":"EPPE Lab\nChile - EPPE Cohort 2017-2018\nEducation Specialist, Teaching and Learning Centre at University of Chile\nCristian holds a Bachelors degree in Psychology from the Universidad Católica del Norte (Chile) and an MSc in Education, Public Policy and Equity from the University of Glasgow (UK), alongside various professional training accreditations from other institutions such as Columbia University (USA), UCL Institute of Education (UK), University of Texas at San Antonio (USA), Creative Education Foundation (USA), Icesi Univesity (Colombia), Inter-American Development Bank and the Instituto Andaluz de Tecnología (Spain). Cristian was formerly Director of the Laboratory of Education and USQAI Innovation Unit at the Universidad Católica del Norte. Due to his contributions in those positions, he was recognised as Honorary Lecturer by the university. Cristian was also founder and general manager of different agencies related to education and human resources in Chile. He is particularly interested in projects linked to education innovation and the promotion of school, classroom and teacher effectiveness in contexts of social vulnerability in Latin America. Currently, he is Education Specialist in the Teaching and Learning Centre at University of Chile (Chile). Also, he is Associate Advisor at the Universidad Católica del Norte (Chile) and an independent Education Consultant.\nChristian Celedón: Team Members\n©2018 by Education, Public Policy and Equity Network. Proudly created with Wix.com","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1667428"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6749059557914734,"wiki_prob":0.6749059557914734,"text":"HELVERING v. GERHARDT\nHELVERING v. GERHARDT, 304 U.S. 405 (1938)\nHELVERING v. GERHARDT(1938)\nArgued: Decided: March 7, 1938\nThe basis upon which constitutional tax immunity of a state has been supported is the protection which it affords to the continued existence of the state. To attain that end it in to ordinarily necessary to confer on the state a competitive advantage over private persons in carrying on the operations of its government. There is [304 U.S. 405, 422] no such necessity here, and the resulting impairment of the federal power to tax argues against the advantage. The state and national governments must coexist. Each must be supported by taxation of those who are citizens of both. The mere fact that the economic burden of such taxes may be passed on to a state government and thus increase to some extent, here wholly conjectural, the expense of its operation, infringes no constitutional immunity. Such burdens are but normal incidents of the organization within the same territory of two governments, each possessed of the taxing power.\nDuring the present term we have held that the compensation of a state employee paid from the state treasury for his service in liquidating an insolvent corporation, where the state was reimbursed from the corporate assets, was subject to income tax. Helvering v. Therrell, McLoughlin v. Commissioner, 303 U.S. 218 , 58 S.Ct. 539, decided February 28, 1938. But the Court has never ruled expressly on the precise question whether the Constitution grants immunity from federal income tax to the salaries of state employees performing, at the expense of the state, services of the character ordinarily carried on by private citizens. The Revenue Act of 1917, considered in Metcalf & Eddy v. Mitchell, supra, exempted the salaries of all state employees from income tax. But it was held in that case that neither the constitutional immunity nor the statutory exemption extended to independent contractors. In Brush v. Commissioner, supra, the applicable treasury regulation upon which the Government relied exempted from income tax the compensation of 'state officers and employees' for 'services rendered in connection with the exercise of an essential governmental function of the State'. The sole contention of the Government was that the maintenance of the New York City water supply system was not an essential governmental function of the state. The Government did not attack the regulation. No contention was made [304 U.S. 405, 423] by it or considered or decided by the Court that the burden of the tax on the state was so indirect or conjectural as to be but an incident of the co-existence of the two governments, and therefore not within the constitutional immunity. If determination of that point was implicit in the decision it must be limited by what is not decided.\nThe pertinent provisions of the regulation applicable in the Brush Case were continued in Regulations 77, Article 643, under the 1932 Revenue Act, until January 7, 1938, when they were amended to provide that 'Compensation received for services rendered to a State is to be included in gross income unless the person receives such compensation from the State as an officer or employee thereof and such compensation is immune from taxation under the Constitution of the United States.' The applicable provisions of section 116 of the 1932 Act do not authorize the exclusion from gross income of the salaries of employees of a state or a state-owned corporation. If the regulation be deemed to embrace the employees of a state-owned corporation such as the Port Authority, it was unauthorized by the statute. But we think it plain that employees of the Port Authority are not employees of the state or a political subdivision of it within the meaning of the regulation as originally promulgated-an additional reason why the regulation, even before the 1938 amendment, was ineffectual to exempt the salaries here involved.\nThe reasoning upon which the decision in Indian Motocycle Co. v. United States, supra, was rested is not controlling here. Taxation of the sale to a state, which was thought sufficient to support the immunity there, is not now involved. Whether the actual effect upon the performance of the state function differed from that of the present tax we do not now inquire. Compare WheelerLu mber Bridge & Supply Co. v. United States, 281 U.S. 572 , 50 S.Ct. 419. [304 U.S. 405, 424] As was pointed out in Metcalf & Eddy v. Mitchell, supra, page 524, 46 S.Ct. page 174, there may be state agencies of such a character and so intimately associated with the performance of an indispensable function of state government that any taxation of it would threaten such interference with the functions of government itself as to be considered beyond the reach of the federal taxing power. If the tax considered in Collector v. Day, supra, upon the salary of an officer engaged in the performance of an indispensable function of the state which cannot be delegated to private individuals, may be regarded as such an instance, that is not the case presented here.\nExpressing no opinion whether a federal tax may be imposed upon the Port Authority itself with respect to its receipt of income or its other activities, we decide only that the present tax neither precludes nor threatens unreasonably to obstruct any function essential to the continued existence of the state government. So much of the burden of the tax laid upon respondents' income as may reach the state is but a necessary incident to the coexistence within the same organized government of the two taxing sovereigns, and hence is a burden the existence of which the Constitution presupposes. The immunity, if allowed, would impose to an inadmissible extent a restriction upon the taxing power which the Constitution has granted to the federal government.\nREVERSED.\nMr. Justice CARDOZO and Mr. Justice REED took no part in the consideration or decision of this case.\nMr. Justice BLACK, concurring.\nI agree that this cause should be reversed for the reasons expressed in that part of the opinion just read pointing out that: respondents, though employees of the New York Port Authority, are citizens of the United States; [304 U.S. 405, 425] the tax levied upon their incomes from the Authority is the same as that paid by other citizens receiving equal net incomes; and payment of this nondiscriminatory income tax by respondents cannot impair or defeat in whole or in part the governmental operations of the State of New York. A citizen who receives his income from a State owes the same obligation to the United States as other citizens who draw their salaries from private sources or the United States and pay Federal income taxes.\nWhile I believe these reasons, without more, are adequate to support the tax, I find it difficult to reconcile this result with the principle announced in Collector v. Day, 11 Wall. 113, and later decisions applying that principle. This leads me to the conclusion that we should review and re-examine the rule based upon Collector v. Day. That course would logically require the entire subject of intergovernmental tax immunity to be reviewed in the light of the effect of the U.S.C.A.Const. Sixteenth Amendment authorizing Congress to levy a tax on incomes 'from whatever source derived'; and, in that event, the decisions interpreting the Amendment would also be re-examined. 1\nFrom time to time, this Court has relied upon a doctrine evolved from Collector v. Day, under which incomes received from State activities thought by the Court to be nonessential are held taxable, while incomes from activities thought to be essential are held nontaxable. The opinion of the Court in this case refers to that doctrine. Application of this test has created 'a zone of debatable ground within which the cases must be put upon one side or the other of the line by what this court has called the gradual process of historical and judicial 'inclusion and exclusion.\" Brush v. Cmm issioner, 300 U.S. 352, 365 , 57 S.Ct. 495, 498, 108 A.L.R. 1428. Under this rule the tax status of every State employee re- [304 U.S. 405, 426] mains uncertain until this Court passes upon the classification of his particular employment. The result is a confusion in the field of intergovernmental tax immunity which I believe could be clarified by complete review of the subject. Testing taxability by judicial determination that State governmental functions are essential or nonessential contributes much to the existing confusion. I believe the present case affords occasion for appropriate and necessary abandonment of such a test, particularly since recent decisions2 have already substantially advanced toward a re-examination of the doctrine of intergovernmental immunity.\nThe present controversy illustrates the necessity for further re- examination. New York created the Port Authority with power to engage in activities which that State believed to be essential. Yet, under this test, New York's determination is not final until reviewed in a tax litigation between the government and a single citizen.\nConceptions of 'essential governmental functions' vary with individual philosophies. Some believe that 'essential governmental functions' include ownership and operation of water plants, power and transportation systems, etc. Others deny that such ownership and operation could ever be 'essential governmental functions' on the ground that such functions 'could be carried on by private enterprise.' A Federal income tax levied against the manager of the state-operated elevated railway company of Boston was sustained even though this manager was a public officer appointed by the Governor of Massachusetts 'with the advice and consent of the council.' 3 On the other hand, the Federal government was denied- [304 U.S. 405, 427] although with strong dissent-the right to collect an income tax from the chief engineer in charge of New York City's municipally owned water supply. 4 An implied constitutional distinction which taxes income of an officer of a state-operated transportation system and exempts income of the manager of a municipal water works system manifests the uncertainty created by the 'essential' and 'non-essential' test.\nThere is not, and there cannot be, any unchanging line of demarcation between essential and nonessential governmental functions. Many governmental functions of today have at some time in the past been nongovernmental. The genius of our government provides that, within the sphere of constitutional action, the people-acting not through the courts but through their elected legislative representatives-have the power to determine as conditions demand, what services and functions the public welfare requires.\nSurely, the Constitution contains no imperative mandate that public employees-or others-drawing equal salaries (income) should be divided into taxpaying and nontaxpaying groups. Ordinarily such a result is discrimination. Uniform taxation upon those equally able to bear their fair shares of the burdens of government is the objective of every just government. The language of the U.S.C.A.Const. Sixteenth Amendment empowering Congress to 'collect taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived'-given its most obvious meaning-is broad enough to accomplish this purpose.\nMr. Justice BUTLER, dissenting.\nSo fa a concerns liability for federal income tax, the salaries paid by the Port Authority to its officers and employees are not distinguishable from salaries paid by [304 U.S. 405, 428] States to their officers and employees. The judgment of the Circuit Court of Appeals should therefore be affirmed on the principle applied in McCulloch v. Maryland, 1819, 4 Wheat. 316, that under the Constitution States are without power to tax instrumentalities of the United States and in Collector v. Day, 1871, 11 Wall. 113, that the United States is without power to tax the salary of a state officer. That principle has been followed in a long line of decisions. In Indian Motocycle Co. v. United States, 1931, 283 U.S. 570 , 51 S.Ct. 601, we held the United States without power to tax the sale of a motorcycle to a municipal corporation for use in its police service. The Court, speaking through Mr. Justice Van Devanter, said (page 575, 51 S.Ct. page 602):\n'It is an established principle of our constitutional system of dual government that the instrumentalities, means and operations whereby the United States exercises its governmental powers are exempt from taxation by the states, and that the instrumentalities, means and operations whereby the states exert the governmental powers belonging to them are equally exempt from taxation by the United States. This principle is implied from the independence of the national and state governments within their respective spheres and from the provisions of the Constitution which look to the maintenance of the dual system. Collector v. Day, 11 Wall. 113, 125, 127; Willcuts v. Bunn, 282 U.S. 216, 224 , 225 S., 51 S.Ct. 125, 126 (71 A.L.R. 1260). Where the principle applies it is not affected by the amount of the particular tax or the extent of the resulting interference, but is absolute. McCulloch v. Maryland, 4 Wheat. 316, 430; United States v. Baltimore & Ohio R. Co., 17 Wall. 322, 327; Johnson v. Maryland, 254 U.S. 51 , 55-56, 41 S.Ct. 16; Gillespie v. Oklahoma, 257 U.S. 501, 505 , 42 S.Ct. 171, 172; Crandall v. Nevada, 6 Wall. 35, 44-46.'\nFollowing that case, we recently applied the principle in N.Y. ex rel. Rogers v. Graves, January 4, 1937, 299 [304 U.S. 405, 429] U.S. 401, 57 S.Ct. 269, to prevent the State of New York from taxing the salary of counsel of the Panama Railway Company, a federal instrumentality, and in Brush v. Commissioner, March 15, 1937, 300 U.S. 352 , 57 S.Ct. 495, 108 A.L.R. 1428, to prevent the United States from taxing the salary of the chief engineer of the bureau of water supply for the city of New York. In Helvering v. Therrell, February 28, 1938, 303 U.S. 218 , 58 S.Ct. 539, holding that the federal government has power to tax compensation paid to attorneys and others out of corporate assets for necessary services rendered about the liquidation of insolvent corporations by state officers proceeding under her statutes, we said (page 542):\n'Among the inferences which derive necessarily from the Constitution are these: No state may tax appropriate means which the United States may employ for exercising their delegated powers; the United States may not tax instrumentalities which a state may employ in the discharge of her essential governmental duties-that is those duties which the framers intended each member of the union would assume in order adequately to function under the form of government guaranteed by the Constitution.'\nThe Court, seemingly admitting that it would be futile to attempt to distinguish the cases now before us from the Brush Case, overrules it by declaring that it must be limited by what is now decided. The Solicitor General did not in any manner raise the point on which the Court puts this decision. He sought reversal on the grounds that the Port Authority's activities are proprietary in nature; that it is not an agency created by the States alone; that it operates in nt erstate commerce subject to the paramount power of Congress. Indeed, he expressly disclaimed intention to ask re-examination of the doctrine of immunity on which the Brush Case rests. In substance, as well as in the language used, the decision just announced substitutes for that doctrine the [304 U.S. 405, 430] proposition that, although the federal tax may increase cost of state governments, it may be imposed if it does not curtail functions essential to their existence. Expressly or sub silentio, it overrules a century of precedents. Cf. James v. Dravo Contracting Co., December 6, 1937, 302 U.S. 134, 152 , 161 S., 58 S.Ct. 208, 217, 221, 114 A.L.R. 318; Helvering v. Mountain Producers Corporation, March 7, 1938, 303 U.S. 376 , 58 S.Ct. 623, 628, 629. As they stood when the cases now before us were in the Circuit Court of Appeals, our decisions required it to hold that the salaries paid by the Port Authority to respondents are not subject to federal taxation. I would affirm its judgments.\nMr. Justice McREYNOLDS concurs in this opinion.\n[ Footnote * ] Rehearing denied 59 S.Ct. 57, 83 L.Ed. --.[ Helvering v. Gerhardt 304 U.S. 405 (1938) ]\n[ Footnote 1 ] It follows that in considering the immunity of federal instrumentalities from state taxation two factors may be of importance which are lacking in the case of a claimed immunity of state instrumentalities from federal taxation. Since the acts of Congress within its constitutional power are supreme, the validity of state taxation of federal instrumentalities must depend (a) on the power of Congress to create the instrumentality and (b) its intent to protect it from state taxation. Congress may curtail an immunity which might otherwise be implied. Van Allen v. Assessors, 3 Wall. 573, or enlarge it beyond the point where, Congress being silent, the Court would set its limits. New York ex rel. Bank of New York v. Supervisors, 7 Wall. 26, 30, 31; see Thomson v. Union Pacific Railroad, 9 Wall. 579, 588, 590; Shaw v. Gibson-Zahniser Oil Corp., 276 U.S. 575, 581 , 48 S.Ct. 333, 335, and cases cited; James v. Dravo Contracting Co., 302 U.S. 134, 161 , 58 S.Ct. 208, 221, 114 A. L.R. 318.\nThe analysis is comparable where the question is whether federal corporate instrumentalities are immune from state judicial process. Federal Land Bank v. Priddy, 295 U.S. 229, 234 , 235 S., 55 S.Ct. 705, 707, 708.\n[ Footnote 2 ] 'The people of all the States have created the general governen t, and have conferred upon it the general power of taxation. The people of all the States, and the States themselves, are represented in Congress, and, by their representatives, exercise this power. When they tax the chartered institutions of the States, they tax their constituents; and these taxes must be uniform. But, when a State taxes the operations of the government of the United States, it acts upon institutions created, not by their own constituents, but by people over whom they claim no control. It acts upon the measures of a government created by others as well as themselves, for the benefit of others in common with themselves. The difference is that which always exists, and always must exist, between the action of the whole on a part, and the action of a part on the whole- between the laws of a government declared to be supreme, and those of a government which, when in opposition to those laws, is not supreme.' Chief Justice Marshall in McCulloch v. Maryland, 4 Wheat. 316, 435, 436.\n[ Footnote 3 ] In these cases, and particularly in Weston v. Charleston, 2 Pet. 449, as in McCulloch v. Maryland, emphasis was laid on the fact that by state action an impediment was laid upon the exercise of a power with respect to which the national government was supreme. In Weston v. Charleston, supra, Chief Justice Marshall said (pages 465, 466):\n'Can anything be more dangerous, or more injurious, than the admission of a principle, which authorizes every state and every corporation in the Union which possesses the right of taxation, to burden the exercise of this power (the borrowing power), at their discretion?\n'If the right to impose the tax exists, it is a right which in its nature acknowledges no limits. It may be carried to any extent, within the jurisdiction of the state or corporation which imposes it, which the will of each state and corporation may prescribe. A power which is given by the whole American people, for their common good, which is to be exercised, at the most critical periods, for the most important purposes, on the free exercise of which the interests, certainly, perhaps, the liberty of the whole, may depend; may be burdened, impeded, if not arrested, by any of the organized parts of the confederacy.' Compare Holmes, J., in Panhandle Oil Co. v. Mississippi ex rel. Knox, 277 U.S. 218, 223 , 48 S.Ct. 451, 453, 56 A.L.R. 583.\n[ Footnote 4 ] In 1871, when Collector v. Day was decided, the Court had not yet been called on to determine how far the Civil War Amendments had broadened the federal power at the expense of the states. The Slaughterhouse Cases, 16 Wall. 36, had not yet been decided, although they had already been once before the Court on motion for supersedeas, 10 Wall. 273. The fact that the taxing power had recently been used with destructive effect upon a state instrumentality, Veazie Bank v. Fenno, 8 Wall. 533, had suggested the possibility of similar attacks upon the existence of states themselves. Compare Lane County v. Oregon, 7 Wall. 71, 76, 77; Slaughterhouse Cases, 16 Wall. 36, 82.\n[ Footnote 5 ] Compare notes 1 and 2, supra.\n[ Footnote 6 ] The following classes of taxpayers have been held subject to federal income tax notwithstanding its possible economic burden on the state: Those who derive income or profits from their performance of state functions as independent engineering contractors, Metcalf & Eddy v. Mitchell, 269 U.S. 514 , 46 S.Ct. 172, or from the resale of state bonds, Willcuts v. Bunn, 282 U.S. 216 , 51 S.Ct. 125, 71 A.L.R. 1260; those engaged as lessees of the state in producing oil from state lands, the royalties from which, payable to the state, are devoted to public purposes, Group No. 1 Oil Corporation v. Bass, 283 U.S. 279 , 51 S.Ct. 432; Burnet v. A. T. Jergins Trust, 288 U.S. 508 , 53 S.Ct. 439; Bankline Oil Co. v. Commissioner, 303 U.S. 362 , 58 S.Ct. 616, and Helvering v. Mountain Producers Corp., 303 U.S. 376 , 58 S.Ct. 623, both decided March 7, 1938, overruling Burnet v. Coronado Oil & Gas Co., 285 U.S. 393 , 52 S.Ct. 443. Similarly federal taxation of property transferred at death to a state or one of its municipalities was upheld in Snyder v. Bettman, 190 U.S. 249 , 23 S.Ct. 803, cf. Greiner v. Lewellyn, 258 U.S. 384 , 42 S.Ct. 324; and a federal tax on the transportation of merchandise in performance of a contract to sell and deliver it to a county was sustained in Wheeler Lumber Bridge & Supply Co. v. United States, 281 U.S. 572 , 50 S.Ct. 419; cf. Indian Motocycle Co. v. United States, 283 U.S. 570 , 51 S.Ct. 601. A federal excise tax on corporations, measured by income, including interest received from state bonds, was upheld in Flint v. Stone Tracy Co., 220 U.S. 107, 162 , 31 S.Ct. 342, Ann.Cas.1912B, 1312, et seq .; see National Life Insurance Co. v. United States, 277 U.S. 508, 527 , 48 S.Ct. 591, 595; compare the discussion in Educational Films Corp. v. Ward, 282 U.S. 379, 389 , 51 S.Ct. 170, 172, 71 A.L. R. 1226, and in Pacific Co., Ltd., v. Johnson, 285 U.S. 480, 490 , 52 S.Ct. 424, 426.\n[ Footnote 7 ] Upon full consideration, the same principle was recently applied in James v. Dravo Contracting Co., 302 U.S. 134 , 58 S.Ct. 208, 114 A.L.R. 318, although the limitation there was upon the immunity of the federal government.\n[ Footnote 1 ] See Brushaber v. Union Pacific R.R. Co., 240 U.S. 1 , 36 S.Ct. 236, L.R.A.1917D, 414, Ann.Cas.1917B, 713; Peck & Co.v. Lowe, 247 U.S. 165, 172 , 38 S.Ct. 432; Eisner v. Macomber, 252 U.S. 189 , 40 S.Ct. 189, 9 A.L.R. 1570; Evans v. Gore, 253 U.S. 245 , 40 S.Ct. 550, 11 A.L.R. 519.\n[ Footnote 2 ] See, James v. Dravo Contracting Co., 302 U.S. 134 , 58 S.Ct. 208, 114 A.L.R. 318; Helvering v. Bankline Oil Co., 303 U.S. 362 , 58 S.Ct. 616; Helvering v. Mountain Producers Corp., 303 U.S. 376 , 58 S.Ct. 623 (overruling Gillespie v. Oklahoma, 257 U.S. 501 , 42 S.Ct. 171 and Burnet v. Coronado Oil & Gas Co., 285 U.S. 393 , 52 S.Ct. 443).\n[ Footnote 3 ] Helvering v. Powers, 293 U.S. 214, 222 , 223 S., 55 S.Ct. 171, 172.\n[ Footnote 4 ] Brush v. Commissioner, 300 U.S. 352 , 57 S.Ct. 495, 108 A.L.R. 1428; cf., Metcalf & Eddy v. Mitchell, 269 U.S. 514 , 46 S.Ct. 172.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1491972"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6426731944084167,"wiki_prob":0.35732680559158325,"text":"And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. Scripture Images\nGospel music is one of the oldest forms of music. With its origins being traced back as far as the 17th century, Gospel singers have preached the words of the good book for centuries and are making some of the best gospel and Christian songs of 2018. Gospel singers for a long time had to sing without musical accompaniment outside of clapping and stomping - black gospel music has a strong tradition of using the human hands and feet as instruments. More recently, these hymns and songs feature the same strong harmonies, but also organs to tambourines to electric guitars. Beginning in the 1920s and 1930s, gospel artists became some of the most popular singers in the world. The best gospel singers are wildly popular in the Christian community are closely associated with other Christian singers. Today, within the Christian community, gospel singers are as, if not more popular than Christian rock bands, which is saying a lot. Biblical Verses Image\nGoodNews, the Shop@Christ Church is a mission of the Episcopal Church Women (ECW) at Christ Church. We proudly feature books, cards, candles, lotions, jewelry, handbags, decorative pillows, baby and children gifts, tabletop accessories, men's accessories, crosses, paper products, linens, food items, and kitchen accessories. We offer free gift wrapping too! Please think of us first when you shop for gifts for all occasions. Christian Images\nEach Tuesday and Wednesday volunteers meet in the Church kitchen to prepare these delicious offerings that stock our freezer. If you enjoy prepping, cooking, and packaging in the kitchen, consider volunteering with us once a month for two hours, or as often as you like. It's a wonderful opportunity for fellowship! Contact Jane Coulter at jwcoulter@gmail.com to learn more. Christian Images\nGenesis 1:26-27 “Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” Scripture Images\nJesus knew the heart and since He is God, He knows the thoughts and motives of every human heart for He is also the Creator. God looked at the religious leaders and knew that they were hypocrites because they taught one thing but did another as Jesus said “on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness” (Matt 23:28). They liked to be seen and wanted others to think highly of them but Jesus knew that inwardly they were as dead as could be and were full of all sorts of evil and uncleanliness. It is never what others think about us that’s important; it is only what God knows about us that counts. We might be able to fool others but we can never fool God because “Lord, you know everyone’s heart” (Acts 1:24) “for the LORD is a God who knows, and by him deeds are weighed” (1 Sam 2:3).\nWhile many white musicians gravitated toward country, folk, and old-timey music to express their spirituality outside of traditional Christian hymns, Black Gospel music drew heavily upon the traditional spirituals that had been passed down from the days of slavery, picking up its more driving rhythmic emphasis from blues and early jazz. Composer and singer Thomas A. Dorsey crystallized the style in 1932 with his epochal \"Take My Hand, Precious Lord,\" and went on to compose a great many songs that later became standards. When performed in the churches, the music was traditionally sung by a choir, with individual soloists sometimes taking the spotlight; this often happened in a form known as \"call and response,\" in which either the choir or the soloist would repeat and/or answer the lyric which had just been sung by the other, with the soloist improvising embellishments of the melody for greater emphasis. As the music developed, these soloists became more and more virtuosic, performing with wild emotion (and, in the South, physicality) in order to properly express the spiritual ecstasy the music was meant to evoke. The music was quite egalitarian in terms of gender, as both male and female performers -- Brother Joe May, Rev. James Cleveland, Mahalia Jackson, the Clara Ward Singers, etc. -- gained wide renown among both black and white audiences. The small-group format was also prevalent, with major figures including the Five Blind Boys of Mississippi, the Soul Stirrers, the Swan Silvertones, and the Dixie Hummingbirds; in general, these groups placed a greater premium on smooth vocal harmonies, although some performances could approach the raucous energy (if not quite the huge sound) of a choir-with-soloist group. As the years progressed, black gospel and black popular music influenced and borrowed from one another, reflecting the gradual change of emphasis toward R&B; black gospel also had an enormous impact on the development of soul music, which directed gospel's spiritual intensity into more secular concerns, and included a great many performers whose musical skills were developed in the church. As a recognizable style unto itself, black gospel music largely ceased to develop around the 1970s; progressing racial attitudes had helped black popular music reach wider audiences (and become more lucrative) than ever before, and tastes had turned towards the earthy hedonism of funk and the highly arranged, sophisticated Philly soul sound. The former wasn't quite appropriate for worship, and it wasn't all that practical to duplicate the latter in church services. However, the traditional black gospel sound survived intact and was eventually augmented by contemporary gospel (an '80s/'90s variation strongly influenced by latter-day urban R&B); plus, singers like Whitney Houston continued to develop within its ranks. Christian Wall Art\nThe Bible is full of encouraging scriptures that are such a blessing to read and memorize. Here are ten of my favorite scripture quotes for encouragement. Feel free to share these with others as these encouraging Bible verses will brighten anyone’s day. The Scriptures used are filled with hope, comfort and inspiration. These famous Bible quotes are from the Old and New Testament. Christian Images\nPaul knew that the outward man or woman was perishing, day by day, and as he said “was wasting away” but the most important work was being done inwardly by the Spirit of God and this was the renewal that each believer in Christ is undergoing, day by day. God’s Spirit works to convict us of sin, He works to make us more like Christ, and our sanctification is a lifelong process and even though we might be falling apart outwardly, what is eternal is what is inside and that’s the only thing that counts. We are new creations in Christ (2 Cor 5:17) even though the outward appearance is decaying, so that’s why Paul didn’t want us to lose heart. Christian Images\nUnless otherwise indicated, individuals may post material from the Gospel Media portion of this site to another website or on a computer network for their own personal, noncommercial use. This right can be revoked at any time and for any reason. Organizations and legal entities desiring to use material from Gospel Media may request permission from our Permissions page. For more information about using and sharing Church media, check out our FAQ page.\nCountry music is a wildly popular genre, but there are other sub-genres that could exist beneath it, such as Christian country music (CCM). CCM, sometimes called country gospel or inspirational country, blends the style of country with biblical lyrics. Like country music itself, it is an expansive genre, and no two CCM artists will sound exactly alike. Christian Wall Art\nEach Tuesday and Wednesday volunteers meet in the Church kitchen to prepare these delicious offerings that stock our freezer. If you enjoy prepping, cooking, and packaging in the kitchen, consider volunteering with us once a month for two hours, or as often as you like. It's a wonderful opportunity for fellowship! Contact Jane Coulter at jwcoulter@gmail.com to learn more. Biblical Verses Image\nOur mission is simple: Art and Christianity no longer resonate as an inherent, magnificent pairing. Actually it is a feeling that goes both ways: most Christians no longer see Art as being important or even as a relevant way of promoting the faith; and non believers don’t value Christianity as having been at the forefront of the arts throughout the centuries, responsible for creating some of the most magnificent artworks out there. Our offering is simple: one newsletter a day where we simply send you the Gospel reading of the day, alongside a work of art that we believe is poignant, reflective and appropriate to that reading. We offer a short reflection on the artwork and the reading. We simply give you the tools for you to meditate on the daily Gospel alongside a work of art. We are an apostolate within the Roman Catholic Church, based in London. Christian Wall Art\nThis comprehensive Christian Image Directory includes every category of PowerPoint sets, background images, photographs, religious borders, Christian clipart and word art with Scriptures and phrases within the ShareFaith collection. With hundreds of categories in this index, you can quickly search for specific subjects and find several types of images together. For example, when searching on Easter, you can click on 7 different category types to make sure you don't miss out on any of the art related to that special holiday. The same is true for Christmas and other seasons, holidays and subjects. Christian Wall Art","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1432091"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.926409125328064,"wiki_prob":0.926409125328064,"text":"Jason Knauf: Where is Ex-Royals Communications Secretary Now?\nNetflix’s ‘Harry & Meghan’ is a documentary series about the Duke and Duchess of Sussex that tells the life stories of the royal couple and their struggles with the media. The show features Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, along with several of their confidants, as the viewers get the inside perspective of the lives and incidents that have been discussed by the public so often. As the high-profile duo delved into some very well-documented events, the audience could not help but be intrigued by the people showcased in the series.\nThis includes Jason Knauf, whose history with the Sussexes has been quite contentious. Though the former royal staff member was not part of the cast, he and his actions were often talked about in the Netflix documentary. Naturally, people are eager to learn more about Jason, and we are here to explore the same!\nWho is Jason Knauf?\nAfter completing his schooling, Jason Knauf enrolled at the Victoria University of Wellington in 2002. He graduated from the institution in 2004 with a Bachelor of Arts honors degree in Political Science and International Relations. In November 2004, Jason started working as a Media Assistant for the Government of New Zealand’s Office of the Minister for Social Development in Wellington, New Zealand. While there, he served as an adviser to Steve Maharey, Minister for Social Development and Employment, Tertiary Education, Broadcasting, and Youth Affairs.\nIn November 2005, Jason switched departments and became the Press Secretary for the Government of New Zealand’s Office of the Minister of Health. Additionally, he also advised Pete Hodgson, the Minister of Health, while working there. However, he left the position in December 2006 and became the Communications Adviser for the Government of New Zealand’s Office of the Prime Minister. During this time, he worked closely with Helen Clark, the Prime Minister of New Zealand.\nJason, once again, switched positions and started working as Press Secretary and Speechwriter for the Government of New Zealand’s Office of the Deputy Prime Minister in September 2007. Similar to his previous work positions, Jason often gave advice to Dr. Michael Cullen, New Zealand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Attorney-General, and Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations. In September 2008, Jason stopped working with the New Zealand government.\nImage Credit: Jason Knauf/LinkedIn\nThe New Zealand native started working as Senior Press Officer and Head of the Financial Services Desk for Her Majesty’s Treasury in October 2008, a position he retained until March 2010. In April 2010, Jason became the Head of Group Media Relations for the Royal Bank of Scotland Group. His role was changed to the Head of Media, Brand, and Digital Communications from July 2013 until May 2014, when he became the Director of Corporate Affairs. However, in January 2015, Jason departed from the Royal Bank of Scotland Group.\nIt was at this point that Jason started working intimately with the British royal family. He was assigned the role of Communications Secretary to The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and The Duke and Duchess of Sussex in February 2015. According to numerous reports, Jason’s departure from this particular position was apparently due to him filing a complaint against the Duchess of Sussex regarding her alleged bullying of staff members. Apparently, Meghan Markle’s actions had caused two personal assistants to leave, and another one was on the verge of leaving.\nThe complaint filed by Jason caused much tension between him and the Sussexes, and he resigned from his position as the Communications Secretary in March 2019. However, he was promptly offered the position of Senior Adviser to The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at Kensington Palace, and he agreed to work with Prince William and Catherine Middleton. In September 2019, Jason was declared the Chief Executive Officer of The Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.\nIn November 2021, Jason Knauf captured the headlines when he opened up about his role in the leaked letter that the Duchess of Sussex had written to her father, Thomas Markle. The contents of the letter, which was sent out in 2018, were revealed to the public by various media outlets, leading Meghan to sue Mail On Sunday and the MailOnline. After the royal family member won the case, Jason revealed to the public that the letter that Meghan had claimed to be “personal and private” was written with his help. Additionally, it had apparently been drafted with the mindset that it might get leaked.\n“When the Duchess was considering how to handle Mr. Markle’s increasing public interventions – both for concerns about his welfare and also to protect her reputation – she explored options for written communication that might convince him to stop giving interviews, but that could also set the record straight if he gave them to the media,” Jason shared in his statement. He went on to add, “She asked me to review an electronic draft of the letter saying, ‘obviously everything I have drafted is with the understanding that it could be leaked, so I have been meticulous in my word choice, but please do let me know if anything stands out for you as a liability.'”\nWhere is Jason Knauf Now?\nIn May 2021, The Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge announced that Jason Knauf would leave his position as the organization’s CEO at the end of December 2021. In the issued statement, it was explained that Jason’s departure was due to a planned international relocation by the ex-CEO. Jason has confirmed that he moved to India to join his husband on a diplomatic posting.\n“Working with The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge has been the privilege of my career. I will always be grateful for the opportunity I have had to support their leadership in the UK and internationally. The months ahead will be the busiest time in the Foundation’s history with the first awards for The Earthshot Prize and more progress on our early childhood work. We have a lot to do with our amazing team and all of our partners,” Jason shared in the statement from The Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.\nIn July 2022, Jason took up multiple roles at various organizations. Jason became the Founder of Mission Overstory and a Global Leadership Fellow of Conservation International, all within the same month. He also became a Board Member of The Earthshot Prize at the same time. It seems that Jason is determined to combine his passion for philanthropy and his skills for communications in his future work.\nRead More: The Tig: What Was Meghan Markle’s Business? Does It Still Exist?","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line63899"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7272417545318604,"wiki_prob":0.7272417545318604,"text":"Nicole Johnson (model): Bio, Height, Weight, Age, Measurements\nNicole Johnson is an American model and beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss California USA 2010. She went on to compete in the Miss USA 2010 pageant held in Las Vegas where she finished within the Top 10. Born Nicole Michele Johnson on July 12, 1985 in Colorado Springs, Colorado, to parents Rick and Annette Johnson, she spent her early childhood in Pennsylvania, and moved to Westlake Village, California. She attended Westlake High School. After graduating from Westlake High School in 2003, Johnson attended University of Southern California, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communication, concentrating in sports and entertainment in 2007. She has been married to swimmer Michael Phelps since June 13, 2016. They have three sons.\nNicole Johnson Personal Details:\nBirth Place: Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA\nBirth Name: Nicole Michele Johnson\nNickname: Nicole\nAlso known as: Nicole Michele Johnson Phelps\nOccupation: Model, Beauty queen\nNicole Johnson Body Statistics:\nBody Shape‎: ‎Hourglass\nBody Measurements: 35-27-36 in (89-68.5-91.5 cm)\nBreast Size: 35 inches (89 cm)\nWaist Size: 27 inches (68.5 cm)\nHips Size: 36 inches (91.5 cm)\nBra Size/Cup Size: 34B\nFeet/Shoe Size: 8 (US)\nNicole Johnson Family Details:\nFather: Richard ‘Rick’ Johnson (Pharmaceutical sales manager)\nMother: Annette Johnson (Teacher)\nSpouse/Husband: Michael Phelps (m. 2016)\nChildren: Boomer Robert Phelps (Son) (b. May 5, 2016), Beckett Richard Phelps (Son) (b. February 12, 2018), Maverick Nicolas Phelps (Son) (b. September 9, 2019)\nSiblings: Ricky Johnson (Younger Brother)\nNicole Johnson Education:\nWestlake High School (2003)\nUniversity of Southern California (2007)\nNicole Johnson Facts:\n*She was born on July 12, 1985 in Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA.\n*She graduated from Westlake High School in 2003.\n*She worked for Mercedes Benz as a Finance Assistant.\n*After previously being first runner-up in the 2007 pageant, she was crowned Miss California USA in 2010.\n*She was among the ten finalists in the Miss USA contest in 2010.\n*She became engaged to swimmer Michael Phelps in February 2015.\n*Follow her on Instagram.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1568158"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8011807203292847,"wiki_prob":0.8011807203292847,"text":"Panasonic Joins Linux Foundation\nBy The Linux Foundation3月 9, 20118月 22nd, 2017Press Release\nGlobal consumer electronics leader joins at Gold level to help inform the direction of embedded Linux and open compliance initiatives\nSAN FRANCISCO, March 9, 2011 – The Linux Foundation, the nonprofit organization dedicated to accelerating the growth of Linux, today announced that Panasonic is joining the organization as a Gold member.\nThe Linux Foundation merged late last year with the Consumer Electronics Linux Forum (CELF), of which Panasonic was a founder. CELF members were grandfathered into The Linux Foundation at the Silver level. With work on embedded Linux and open compliance accelerating, Panasonic chose to increase its level of work and commitment to The Linux Foundation at the Gold level of membership.\nGold membership is the second-highest corporate membership tier at The Linux Foundation. China Mobile was the last member to join at the Gold level just last November.\n“For more than 90 years, we’ve been committed to pushing the limits of innovation in consumer electronics,” said Kazuo Kajimoto, Director, System Engineering Center, Panasonic. “The rise of Linux in our market gives us new opportunities to push those limits. By joining The Linux Foundation, we will be able to work directly with the people and companies who can help us maximize this technology for next-generation devices and technologies.”\nPanasonic will participate in embedded Linux initiatives, such as the Consumer Electronics (CE) Workgroup (the successor of CE Linux Forum) and the Yocto Project, and will attend the Embedded Linux Conference in April. It will also participate in the Open Compliance Program, as well as collaborate with other companies at the Linux Foundation Legal Summit(s).\n“Panasonic’s increasing commitment to Linux is certainly another representation of how important the Linux operating system has become in the consumer electronics market,” said Jim Zemlin, executive director at The Linux Foundation. “Panasonic will provide importance perspectives on how embedded Linux and compliance work should mature in the months and years ahead.”\nThe Linux Foundation is a nonprofit consortium dedicated to fostering the growth of Linux. Founded in 2007, the organization sponsors the work of Linux creator Linus Torvalds and promotes, protects and advances the Linux operating system by marshaling the resources of its members and the open source development community. The Linux Foundation provides a neutral forum for collaboration and education by hosting Linux conferences, including LinuxCon, and generating original Linux research and content that advances the understanding of the Linux platform. Its web properties, including Linux.com, reach approximately two million people per month. The organization also provides extensive Linux training opportunities that feature the Linux kernel community’s leading experts as instructors. Follow The Linux Foundation on Twitter.\nTrademarks: The Linux Foundation, Linux Standard Base, MeeGo and Yocto Project are trademarks of The Linux Foundation. Linux is a trademark of Linus Torvalds.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1691863"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9457882046699524,"wiki_prob":0.9457882046699524,"text":"Rahman (Actor) Biography, Age, Height, Weight, Family, Wiki & More\n#88 | Most Popular\n#40 | Like\n23 May,1967 (Tuesday)\nRahman Photos\nRahman Popularity on Social Media\nRahman was born on 23-05-1967 in the state of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. He is an Indian Film Actor & Television Actor who known for his work in Malayalam, Tamil and Telugu films.\nRashin Rahman, Raghuman, Raghu\nMalayalam Tamil Telugu\nRahman Wiki Link\nRahman Complete Bio & Career\nRahman completed his initial education from the Naldwin Boys High School, Bangalore. After which, he studied at the St. Joseph’s, Abu Dhabi. He did his graduation from the MES Mampad College in his native Nilambur. His actual name is Rashin Rahman but use just Rahman as his screen name.\nHe started his cinematic career with the Malayalam film Koodevide in 1983. The film was a huge hit and he acted alongside Mammootty in this film. In addition to Malayalam, he was simultaneously working in Tamil and Telugu films as well. He took a break from Malayalm film industry in the decade of 1990s and worked predominantly in Telugu and Tamil films.\nHe made his Tamil film debut in 1986 with the film called Nilave Malare. He in his glorious career got the opportunity to work with legendary Shivaji Ganeshan in the Tamil film titled Anpulla Appa. In Telugu films, he is credited as Raghu. His Telugu movie Simha was arguably the bigets hit of his three-decade long acting career. To date, he has acted in excess of 150 films including Malayalam, Telugu and Tamil.\nRahman Popular Videos\nRahman Family, Relatives and Other Relations\nHe was born to KMA Rahman & Savi Rahman. He is older than two siblings include a sister named Shameema. He is married to Mehrunnisa since 1993. The couple is blessed with two daughters named Alisha Rahman and Rushda Rahman. His wife is a sister of Saira Banu (wife of A. R. Rahman).\nA. R. Rahman Co-brother (Sister-in-law's H..)\nLife's Important Dates Of Rahman\nRahman Age, Birthday Facts and Birthday Countdown\n55 years, 8months, 3 days old age Rahman will turn 56 on 23 May, 2023. Only 3 months, 26 days, 2 hours,27 minutes has left for his next birthday.\nRahman Born On Tuesday\nRahman has celebrated the total number of 56 birthdays till date. See the analysis by days count and bar graph.\nMaluma Biography, Age, Height, Weight, Girlfriend, Family, Wiki & More\nPeyton Meyer Biography, Age, Height, Weight, Girlfriend, Family, Wiki & More\nMadhubala Biography, Age, Death, Husband, Children, Family, Caste, Wiki & More","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1179790"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5960999727249146,"wiki_prob":0.5960999727249146,"text":"Bland, James Allen 22.oct.1854-5.may.1911 USA NY, Flushing - Pennsylvania, Philadelphia (tuberculosis)\nminstrel singer, banjoist, songwriter, of African descent, c1862 he moved with his parents to Washington DC, educated in the Washington public schools, 1873 graduated in law from Howard University in Washington DC, self-taught in music, 1875 joined the colored minstrel troupe the Original Black Diamonds of Boston, 30.jul.1881 performed with Haverley's Genuine Colored Minstrels at Her Majesty's Theatre in London, because of his huge success in England he returned to the US no earlier than 1890 at the peak of his fame, in the US his fame soon declined because he was no longer the dazzling entertainer and the black minstrel era was nearing the end, spent his last years as hotel servant in Philadelphia, he died in poverty and was buried in an unmarked grave ; son of schoolteacher/Patent Office examiner Allen M Bland (SC, Charleston 1833-) and Lydia 'Lilly' (Delaware 1834-)\n[] Carry me back to old Virginny. 1878\npub Oliver Ditson Company, 179 Tremont Street, Boston, Massachusetts\npub Charles H. Ditson and Company, 10 East 34 Street, New York City\nadopted as official state song for Virginia 1940-1997","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line367418"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7657722234725952,"wiki_prob":0.7657722234725952,"text":"What's the meaning of the Colorado Rapids Logo »\nColorado Rapids Logo\nThis page is about the meaning, origin and characteristic of the symbol, emblem, seal, sign, logo or flag: Colorado Rapids Logo.\nAviv Ben Efraim\nThe Colorado Rapids are an American professional men's soccer team, based in the Denver suburb of Commerce City, Colorado. The Rapids compete in Major League Soccer, as a member of the Western Conference in the league. The franchise began play in 1996 as one of the charter clubs in MLS.\nColorado have won the MLS Cup in 2010, in their second MLS Cup appearance. The first appearance was in 1997, losing to D.C. United. They were also runners up of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup in the 1999 tournament, where they lost to the Rochester Raging Rhinos, being the last time a non-MLS team has won the tournament. The Rapids play their home games at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City since its opening in the 2007 season.\nThe Rapids' image has evolved a great deal since their inaugural year. The team has undergone two complete re-brandings. Originally using green as the primary kit color, the team changed to black and blue for the 2003 season.\nAs Colorado were preparing to move into Dick's Sporting Goods Park for the 2007 season, the club re-invented themselves again to more closely align with the DNA and color scheme of other KSE teams, changing their colors to burgundy and blue, and creating a brand new shield logo to fit in with more traditional global soccer marks.\nColorado has had three logos in their history. They originally first used the \"river\" logo as their primary crest with the \"circular\" logo as a secondary one. In 2002, the two logos would switch, with the \"circular\" one becoming the primary. For the 2007 re-branding, the Rapids created the new shield-style logo, which is the one that is currently used today.\nThe original look of the Rapids sported a predominantly white kit with green trim, when the club's kit supplier was Puma. Other minor colors such as gold and blue were occasionally incorporated, with the club's association with Reebok. Eventually black became more heavily used and eventually overtook white as the more dominant color that accompanied the green, when the club switched to Kappa.\nThe Rapids underwent an image change prior to the 2003 season. Following the club's switch to Atletica, the kit colors switched to black and blue vertical stripes, similar to the uniforms worn by Italian Serie A club Internazionale. The blue and black vertical stripes remained almost unchanged when MLS adopted Adidas as their league wide kit sponsor.\nAsymmetric, Closed shape, Colorful, Contains curved lines, Has no crossing lines.\nCategory: Sports symbols.\nColorado Rapids Logo is part of the Major League Soccer group.\nMore symbols in Major League Soccer:\nMajor League Soccer (MLS) is a men's professional soccer league, sanctioned by U.S. Soccer, that represents the sport's highest level in both the United States and Canada. MLS constitutes o… read more »\nA.F.C. Bournemouth Logo\nArsenal F.C. Logo\nAtlanta United FC Logo\nBurnley F.C. Logo\nChelsea F.C. Logo\nChicago Fire Soccer Club Logo\nMore symbols in Sports symbols:\nSymbols team logos and popular crests used in all kind of sports. read more »\n1. FC Koln Symbol\n1. FSV Mainz 05 Symbol\nA.C. Milan symbol\n1. FC Union Berlin Symbol\nA.C. Milan\nHave a discussion about Colorado Rapids Logo with the community:\n\"Colorado Rapids Logo.\" Symbols.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2023. Web. 26 Jan. 2023. <https://www.symbols.com/symbol/colorado-rapids-logo>.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1878426"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.974759578704834,"wiki_prob":0.974759578704834,"text":"Michael B. Wallace\nNominee to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit\nNomination Returned December 11, 2006\nMichael Wallace is a well-respected Mississippi attorney who possesses extensive experience in the fields of constitutional and commercial litigation.\nMr. Wallace has been nominated to the Fifth Circuit, which hears appeals from the federal district courts of Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. The seat to which he has been nominated has been deemed a judicial emergency.\nHe has the strong support of both his home state senators, Senator Cochran and Senator Lott.\nMr. Wallace has a distinguished record as a practicing attorney in the public and private sectors.\nSince 1986, Mr. Wallace has worked as a partner for the highly respected Jackson, Mississippi, firm of Phelps Dunbar in the areas of constitutional and commercial litigation. He has handled several significant election law matters, including congressional redistricting and voting rights cases. Mr. Wallace’s clients have included Phillip Morris, Ford Motor Company, and Mississippi Baptist Health Systems.\nMr. Wallace served as an appointed member of the Administrative Conference of the United States from 1984 to 1994. The Conference’s primary responsibility was to examine administrative processes in Congress and federal agencies for the purpose of recommending improvements.\nFrom 1984 to 1990, Mr. Wallace served as a board member of the Legal Services Corporation, a private, non-profit corporation established by Congress to promote the availability of legal services to the indigent. He served as board chairman from 1988 to 1990.\nBetween 1983 and 1986, Mr. Wallace worked for the Jackson, Mississippi, firm of Jones, Mockbee & Bass. There he handled domestic legal matters, commercial litigation, and constitutional litigation, including a congressional redistricting case.\nFrom 1980 to 1983 Mr. Wallace served as counsel for then-Congressman Trent Lott, Republican Whip of the U.S. House of Representatives. In that position, Mr. Wallace advised Representative Lott on legal matters. Mr. Wallace returned to work for Senator Lott as a special counsel in 1999.\nMr. Wallace began his professional career in 1978 with the Biloxi, Mississippi, firm of Sekul, Hornsby, Wallace & Teel, where he focused on state court litigation, including divorces, child custody disputes, real estate disputes, and commercial litigation.\nMr. Wallace has excellent academic credentials and professional training.\nHe served as a law clerk for the Honorable Harry G. Walker of the Supreme Court of Mississippi and the Honorable William H. Rehnquist, then-Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.\nHe graduated cum laude from Harvard University in 1973. In 1976, he received his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Virginia College of Law, where he served on the Virginia Law Review and was named to the Order of the Coif.\nNominations Sent to the Senate","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line769633"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6606788039207458,"wiki_prob":0.6606788039207458,"text":"Miracle On The Skagit River Bridge\nBy all reasoning, this should have been a tragic event. Consider the basic physics of the force of an 18-wheel semitruck weighing a minimum of 35,000 pounds empty running over and crushing a compact Nissan Altima weighing approximately 3,300 pounds. The odds of anyone surviving inside the Nissan, without sustaining massive life-threatening injuries, would be near impossible…unless divine intervention interceded.\nThis horrific accident occurred on Tuesday, November 16th, 2021, at approximately 11:04am on the Skagit River Bridge in Mount Vernon, Washington. The State Police got an emergency call that a serious collision involving a large semi-truck on Highway I-5 had just occurred.\nFirst responders arrived on the scene and discovered a large semi-truck resting on a crushed red 2014 Nissan Altima. At first glance, it was assumed that whoever was inside the mangled and twisted wreckage was surly dead. No one could have possibly survived such an accident.\n\"There's no explanation to why she's alive.\"\nA woman in Washington made a miraculous escape, surviving her car being crushed under a semi-truck on the Skagit River Bridge. https://t.co/dxII7YT0AS pic.twitter.com/CZQ24pZewQ\n— ABC News (@ABC) November 21, 2021\nIn spite of the wreckage, that was not the case. Not only did the lone driver of the compact vehicle survive, she “miraculously walked away” without sustaining any major injuries.\nTrooper Rocky Oliphant, a 14-year veteran with the Washington State Patrol Division, still can’t believe what he saw when he arrived on the scene. He approached the mangled car and heard a female voice softly say “help”. The stunned officer immediately called for a tow truck to lift the front end of the semi-truck off the crushed Nissan. Once released, the women miraculously crawled out of a tiny gap where the passenger window once stood.\n“She was able to pull herself out with her own power which is incredible,” Oliphant said.\nThe 46-year-old woman was then ushered to a waiting ambulance and rushed to a nearby hospital where doctors examined her and found she had suffered only minor injuries.\n“It is nothing short of a miracle in my opinion, I don’t know how she survived this,” Oliphant said.\nAccording to eye witness accounts, the red Nissan was sandwiched between two semi-trucks when the one in front suddenly slowed down because of the stop and go traffic ahead. This in turn forced the Nissan to also slow down, however the semi-truck behind the Nissan wasn’t able to stop in time, causing the semi to forcefully smash into it’s rear. The sudden impact jolted the Nissan forward into the rear of the other semi-truck, causing the entire front-end of the Nissan to crumble. The semi behind the wrecked Nissan continued moving forward, crushing what was left of the intact vehicle and then coming to a rest on top of it.\nConfirmed MINOR INJURY crash on NB I-5 on the Skagit River Bridge. How? No one knows! pic.twitter.com/TZgjOZln3S\n— Breaking Skagit (@BreakingSkagit) November 16, 2021\nMotorist Mike DeWitt, who witnessed the horrific accident, said it was “Just a loud bang. They’re like there’s no way, no way somebody survived that.”\nDue to the unlikely probability that anyone could have survived without divine intervention, the story made national news.\nOliphant stated, “There’s really not a word to describe this collision. Miraculously believed to be minor injuries. The car was struck from behind, folded the car in half, and semi came to rest on top of the car. In my 14 year career, I have never seen anything like it.” He added, “The rubber seal for the trunk was actually resting on the driver’s headrest, so that’s how close the metal came when it folded to her head.”\nVideo: You Won’t Believe How This Hero Cat Saved Their Owner From a Life-Threatening Episode\nFormer NFL Player Turned-Army-Vet Wants To Bring The “Fear of The Lord” To Congress\nAccidental Text in 2016 Unites Granny and Former Teen for Their 6th Annual Thanksgiving Dinner\nUS Tribe Working Diligently to Bring Bison Back from the Verge of Extinction\nHomeless Pup Finds a Furever Home with a Soldier After Comforting Troops\nWATCH: Leap of Faith Sees Young Tike Takes First Steps in a Year After Living With This Disease\nThe $100 That Was Given to Two Sisters on a Plane Over 20 Years Ago Changed Their Lives. Now, Finding Them Has Changed the Givers Life","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1118711"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5549135208129883,"wiki_prob":0.4450864791870117,"text":"What Is Betterhelps Unlimited Messaging Basic – Discount Code\nMarch 22, 2022 by test\nWe are discussing What Is Betterhelps Unlimited Messaging Basic…\n” Well, you know, there’s depression and depression. What I imply by anxiety in my own case is that depression isn’t just the blues. It’s not similar to I have a hangover on the weekend … the girl didn’t show up or something like that. It isn’t that. It’s not really depression; it’s a type of psychological violence which stops you from functioning correctly from one moment to the next. You lose something someplace, and unexpectedly you’re grasped by a sort of angst of the heart and of the spirit …” -Leonard Cohen\nTherapy has actually ended up being such a big and crucial part of society. Where did it all start? Well, individuals have actually been helping each other through words for thousands of years. The first treatment took place over 3,500 years back when healing “magic” and stories were a way for people to come together and link and share problems, happiness, and love with others.\nToday, therapy is a tool that has an expansive reach. There are numerous types of treatment and hundreds of countless therapists that specialize in various locations of mental health and health care. Let’s take a look at the history of treatment and how it has actually affected our lives today.\nVitalik Buterin Wallet Bsc 2023\nHow Black And White Thinking Affects You Betterhelp – Discount Code","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1534673"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9897704720497131,"wiki_prob":0.9897704720497131,"text":"Tom Hanks to Host ‘Celebrating America’ – An Afterparty for the Biden/Harris Inauguration\nBy: Catie Housman\nCatie Housman\nAnt Clemons, Demi Lovato, Joe Biden, Jon Bon Jovi, Justin Timberlake, Kamala Harris, Tom Hanks, Trending\nThe Best, Worst, and Wildest Celebrity Cookbooks January 26, 2023\nCan Adult Swim Save ‘Rick and Morty’ from Itself? January 26, 2023\nThe Best Super Nintendo Games January 25, 2023\nThe Last of Us Episode 2 Recap: Infected January 25, 2023\nLeast Historically Accurate TV Shows January 24, 2023\nTonic Topics\nJoin the Convo on Facebook!\nAbout a year ago, Tom Hanks stopped the hearts of most Americans when he was diagnosed with the novel coronavirus. At the time, we had no idea about the impact the virus would soon have on our lives. But it had come for America’s dad, and that made matters extremely serious.\nThankfully, Tom fully recovered, and now, a year later, he’s making headlines again for hosting a televised party on the evening of Joe Biden’s presidential inauguration on Wednesday, January 20.\nWhile Biden and Kamala Harris will still be sworn-in at the Capitol at noon, the event will be quite small due to COVID-19 restrictions and beefed-up security measures. The Presidential Inaugural Committee has stated that the atypical inauguration will begin with the official swearing-in of the president-elect and vice-president-elect.\nThere will then be a “Pass in Review” with military members, followed by a virtual parade across America in lieu of the typical parade in Washington, D.C.\nThe primetime television special will thus be an afterparty of sorts featuring appearances from Biden, Harris, musical guests, and more performances that have yet to be announced.\n“Celebrating America” will air at 8:30 p.m. ET – you can watch the event’s 90-minute live broadcast on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Amazon Prime Video, Microsoft Bing, NewsNOW, DirecTV, U-Verse, ABC, CBS, NBC, and MSNBC.\nHost Tom Hanks will present several high-profile musical acts including Demi Lovato, Justin Timberlake, Ant Clemons and Jon Bon Jovi. More stars will likely be added to the lineup throughout the coming week.\nDemi Lovato shared her excitement on Instagram, writing, “I’m SO honored to announce that I will be joining @joebiden & @kamalaharris for their special event, ‘Celebrating America.'”\nThe 28-year-old “I Love Me” singer has become increasingly politically active throughout her career, focusing her efforts on issues such as gun reform, mental health awareness, anti-bullying, BLM, LGBT+ rights, animal welfare, and more.\nFor their part, Justin Timberlake and Ant Clemons will debut a song that they wrote sometime during the past year’s lockdowns called “BETTER DAYS.”\n“This past year brought a lot of frustration, grief, anger – and there were times when it was easy to feel powerless,” Timberlake posted on Instagram on January 13. “This song was our way of doing what little we could to encourage everyone to stay hopeful…and keep working towards a better, more equal future.”\nA post shared by Justin Timberlake (@justintimberlake)\nAlongside a montage of the pair working on the song, he continued, “I’m very honored to announce we will be performing this song on January 20th for the Presidential Inauguration. We have a long way to go to fix, undo, and rebuild this country…but I hope now, despite the past four years, we are on our way.”\nJon Bon Jovi has not yet spoken about his performance, but he is definitely a favorite of Biden’s. The legendary 58-year-old rocked out for the president-elect’s “I Will Vote” concert on October 25, 2020. Nine weeks ago, the singer also posted a photo series of himself in the process of voting, ending with an image of himself performing in front of a Biden/Harris banner with the caption, “LET THE HEALING BEGIN.”","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line475070"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9466385841369629,"wiki_prob":0.9466385841369629,"text":"A Telescope on the Moon Could Illuminate the Dark Ages of the Universe\nA radio telescope planned for the farside of the moon could plug a 500-million-year hole in cosmic history.\nBy Eric BetzMay 15, 2021 9:00 PM\nA massive galaxy cluster is intertwined with threads of dark matter (blue) and gas (orange). The formation of large-scale structures seen today are thought to have originated during the universe’s mysterious “dark ages.” (Credit: Illustris Collaboration)\nThis article appeared in the June 2021 issue of Discover magazine as \"In Search of the Dark Ages.\" Subscribe for more stories like these.\nSome 13.8 billion years ago, our universe burst into being. In a fraction of a second, it ballooned from subatomic to the size of a grapefruit. And as the cosmos grew and grew, it also cooled, until the building blocks of matter — subatomic particles called quarks and gluons — could form. Eventually, this quark soup aggregated into atoms. Atoms merged into larger molecules. Gas filled the universe. Yet the cosmos would sit like this — dark — for hundreds of millions of years before light shone from the first stars and galaxies.\nWe understand parts of what happened in the early universe. But a huge blank still haunts astronomers. They call it the “dark ages” because, with no starlight to study, they’re left guessing where all the familiar stuff came from. How did we go from a gas-filled universe to the one we now see in the night sky?\n“The early universe had no galaxies, just hot stuff. As things cooled off, something had to happen before the galaxies formed,” says Nobel Prize-winning astrophysicist John Mather of NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. “Honestly, we’ve got lots of stories and lots of predictions, but no measurements.”\nUnravelling this mystery is “one of the great objectives of modern-day astronomy,” he adds.\nTo solve it, scientists and engineers have identified an unlikely location for their work, one that could help shape the next generation of astronomical research: the farside of the moon.\nBefore the first stars, the universe didn’t emit visible light, but the primordial matter that pervaded the universe likely did emit radio signals. Astronomers have never seen these wavelengths because they’re so stretched out that they can’t be detected over the radio chatter bouncing around Earth. The farside of the moon is the one place in the inner solar system where radio astronomers can find some peace and quiet. Its surface always faces away from Earth, so if astronomers could build a radio telescope there, they’d have a natural noise barrier.\nTelescopes on the Moon\nIn 1986, nearly 100 of the world’s leading astronomers gathered at a hotel in Houston to present dozens of bold ideas for building telescopes on our natural satellite. Even before the Apollo program, scientists had argued that lunar telescopes were one of the best scientific justifications for going to the moon. That push helped land a small telescope on Apollo 16. And by the mid-1980s, the idea finally seemed ripe. NASA’s space shuttle program was thriving and plans for a space station were taking shape. A return to the moon seemed not far off.\nAstronomers understand parts of the early universe, but huge blanks still remain. (Credit: Roen Kelly/Discover)\nThen, less than three weeks after the Houston meeting, Space Shuttle Challenger crashed. America’s revived moon program would crash in the years ahead too.\nStill, not everyone gave up the idea. Ever since that meeting 35 years ago, Jack O. Burns has been the lead evangelist for building telescopes on the moon. He’s pushed for lunar telescopes through three separate return-to-the-moon initiatives.\n“My job since the 1980s has been leading the charge on what science we could do in terms of astronomy once we get to the moon,” says Burns, who directs the NASA-funded Network for Exploration and Space Science. For the first time, Burns thinks this crazy idea might actually become a reality. After Donald Trump was elected president in 2016, Burns served as the only scientist on the new administration’s NASA transition team. The ideas that the team came up with later became the Artemis program, which aims to land lunar astronauts by 2024.\nBurns also presented his ideas for using lunar telescopes to unravel the cosmic dark ages. He sees this as the “killer app” — the scientific case that finally makes lunar telescopes indispensable. Over dinner, he sold then-NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine on the idea, too.\nBurns has now completed a NASA-funded engineering study on a project he calls FARSIDE, or Farside Array for Radio Science Investigations of the Dark ages and Exoplanets. The entire radio telescope would pack into a robotic lunar lander that would touch down on the farside of the moon. Then, four small rovers would slowly uncoil nearly 30 miles of wire and 128 antennas into a spiral pattern covering some 6 miles.\nIn 1972, Apollo 16 placed the first Moon-based observatory.\nTechnology Catches Up\nIn the past, astronomers’ moon telescope proposals relied on lunar colonies and multibillion space programs. “The only way we could conceive of putting scientific instruments on the moon was with astronauts,” Burns says. But thanks to modern robotics and the emergence of private spaceflight companies, FARSIDE’s price tag is less than the cost of a Mars rover.\nFor more than a year, the FARSIDE team has been working with Jeff Bezos’ space company, Blue Origin. While Elon Musk dreams of Mars, Bezos’ ultimate goal is to have humans working and living on the moon — including doing science. To serve that goal, he’s pumped billions of dollars into reusable rockets and a cargo lander called Blue Moon that can carry several metric tons of weight to the lunar surface. With this spacecraft, Blue Origin aims to open the door to lunar colonies. For NASA, it’s also a way to get American astronauts back on the moon. But that kind of cargo capacity is more than enough to deploy a telescope, plus the rovers to build it, in a single trip.\nBurns isn’t the only one pursuing it. The science potential of the lunar farside has attracted interest from other researchers — and other countries.\nAstronomers have never observed in this part of the radio spectrum before, and researchers are eager to be the first to see what’s hiding there. It could offer a new test for standard cosmology. And the measurements are so sensitive, they potentially could even detect electromagnetic fields around exoplanets, helping identify habitable planets.\n“You’ve got this radio-quiet environment on the other side of the moon that enables very sensitive measurements that you just can’t get any other way,” says Steve Squyres, Blue Origin’s chief scientist. “That environment is very, very conducive to doing breakthrough science.”\nThe Moon Rush\nEven NASA recently funded another lunar telescope study. The proposal suggests using small robots to climb cliffs and suspend a radio observatory inside of a farside lunar crater.\nChina is chasing similar goals. The country has already deployed a small telescope on the lunar farside with its Chang’e 4 lander. Now, it’s moving forward with plans for missions surprisingly similar to the ones Burns has been pushing for decades.\nThe FARSIDE telescope and its attendant rovers would reach the moon using Blue Origin’s Blue Moon lander. (Credit: Courtesy Caltech/JPL)\nIn the meantime, Burns received NASA funding to complete a concept study and develop instruments for a project called the Dark Ages Polarimetry Pathfinder, or DAPPER. This small satellite will be deployed from a spacecraft “bus,” which the agency plans to launch as soon as 2022. And instead of sitting on the moon’s surface, it will make initial observations of the dark ages and cosmic dawn during the brief part of its orbit where it’s behind the moon.\nBut with NASA and private companies racing to put boots on the moon as quickly as possible, astronomers have grown nervous that the radio noise pollution problems will follow them off Earth.\n“There’s an imperative to do it soon,” Squyres says. “While the radio environment on the farside of the moon is quiet now, it’s not likely to stay that way.”\nIf scientists can start building research stations on the lunar farside, they may be able to create a long-standing precedent that this region is protected from development, like Antarctica. But wait too long, and they’ll miss the window.\n“We’re ready to go now,” Burns says. “There’s no question we can do this. And someone will do it, whether it’s NASA or the Chinese or Jeff Bezos. I’m convinced it will be done.”\nEric Betz is a science and tech writer for Discover, Astronomy and others\nThe Biggest Space Missions to Look For in 2023\nArtemis 1 Splashes Down Safely, Completes Historic Moon Mission\nWatch Mars Disappear Behind the Moon Tonight\nReady for a Fun Night Out? These Science Events Have You Covered\nHow the New Science of Biocosmology Redefines Our Understanding of Life\nThe Universe's Expansion Could End Surprisingly Soon, Say Cosmologists\nDust Grains Escape a Dismal Fate To Build Planets\nA New Idea for How Dark Matter Came to Dominate the Universe\nPicturing the Ancient Moon","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line689380"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5683851838111877,"wiki_prob":0.5683851838111877,"text":"DJ Pap\nDJ Pap aka Black Mamba has been on the Chicago dance scene since the early Eighties (80’s), with the influence of his older brother who introduced him to a variety of the 70’s dance music.\nAfter trading his electric guitar for a pair of turntables, he taught himself how to create and deliver sounding combination of incomparable Disco and 80’s underground dance music. With influences such as Legendary Djs: Ron Hardy (Music Box), Frankie knuckles (C.O.D.’s and Power Plant) and Producer Larry Heard. While spreading this tribal and deep groove rhythm he established resident spots around the Chicago area such as a weekly underground spot called “Bonnie’s Basement on Chicago’s Southside.\nBy the end of the eighties his name was all over the city of Chicago. Continuing his career as a DJ he played at the Future Shock with Mike Winston, Warehouse with Diz, Studio 57 with Brucio, Tequila Factory and established number of other guest and resident spots in the Chicago area, also being able to broadcast this\nsignature sound coast to coast.\nDeciding to take his art to higher level this veteran Dj decided to write and produce his own music. These skills were first introduced on Nitelife Collective “So Happy” with co-producer Will Paris. Also creating various sounds for Lamour Records “Voices of Ituri”, Distant Music “Talk to Me”, Seasons Recordings “Come Back Baby” and numerous other labels such as Trax Records, City Deep and with his newest venture Raisini Records.\nBesides being a Dj/producer, Dj Pap started Muzic Vision Records in 2003 with Dj Fritz (SoulChild). With releases such as “Brighter Day” and “It’s the Rhythm”. With the birth of his new label “Mtima Muziki Recordings” with his long-time friend and partner, Chicago House Radio’s very own Denise aka Ms. Nycy.\nDJ Pap is maintaining the vital part of personal growth with a balance of knowledge and wisdom, while still contributing to the world of house music and staying true to the roots of pure Chicago dance music.\nTribal Muzik\nDeep House Beats V2\nDJ Pap feat. Cei Bei - Its the Music (Rocco Remix)\n28.4K views · 255","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1645352"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6720194816589355,"wiki_prob":0.32798051834106445,"text":"Drew Harden\n5 Imaginative Ways Google Can Redesign Its Homepage\nIf you could change anything about the most visited web page in the world, what would it be? That's the question we recently asked ourselves about the world's most frequented homepage, www.google.com.* It's not only home to the world's most popular search engine, but Google has crafted it into a central hub for all of its online properties: Google+, Gmail, YouTube, Google Maps, and more.\nWe presented our designers and online marketers with a challenge: improve the web page that has defined clean design, beautiful simplicity, and unobtrusive functionality. It sounds impossible, but our team was up for the task. Here's a look at our re-imagined results:\nGoogle Redesign #1\nby Drew Harden\nOur first redesign retains the simplistic feel of the original Google.com, but with emphasis on the bold aspects of Google's color palette. The goal of this design is to allow the visitor to quickly and easily transition across Google's various brands, such as Google+, YouTube, and Google Drive. Each color represents a different Google property which can be quickly accessed. When clicked or touched, the color slides over and opens access to that brand. Gone are the unnecessary \"search\" and \"I'm Feeling Lucky\" buttons, giving the visitor the ability to simply hit \"Enter\" or speak to execute their search.\nby Cary Coppola\nWant quick access to your files or friends? This design includes interactive elements directly from Google+, Google Drive, Google Maps, or other Google properties in a easy-access dashboard. Visitors can to select which elements they would like to have on their personalized google.com page. This flexibility gives the visitor full control over how simple or complex to make his/her google.com experience.\nby Kayla Davison\nThis design takes each of the iconic colors of the Google logo and transforms them into a circle, with the first blue \"G\" as the largest. Each letter is represented by the next smallest circle in its respective color. As the circles decrease in size, the visitor's eye is drawn toward the center of the screen, which leads to a magnifying glass icon to initiate the search.\nWhen the visitor begins the search, the circles scatter into a horizontal pattern similar to the original logo layout. This design takes advantage of the simplicity of Google's layout by allowing visitors to utilize the page's functionality, even when letters, buttons, and other characteristics are eliminated.\nby Melissa Harden\nIf you feel Google should stick with search, this design is for you. Moving away from Gmail, Google+, and other properties, this home page focuses on pure search simplicity. Large font and a clean design focus all attention on the visitor's query, with a simplified search engine result page once the search is performed. Google Now technology could also be integrated, allowing a pre-populated search based on your location, search history, time of day, etc. to be present whenever the page is accessed.\nby Stephanie Campbell\nThis design features at-a-glance Google property icons, and an information feed area that allows the visitor to see favorite social feeds, news, weather, etc. These totally customizable feeds let the visitor keep up on the latest Google News for a particular subject, his/her Gmail inbox, or more, and can be minimized or expanded.\nWhich design do you like the most? What would you have done differently? Is it even possible to improve Google's design? Let us know in the comments below!\n*Alexa traffic rank stat, Feb 2014\nCEO and Co-Founder of Blue Compass, Drew Harden has grown and guided the company from a two-person startup in 2007 to one of the Midwest's leading digital marketing companies today. He's a published author, has been cited by PR News and USA Today, and has led web projects that have been honored by organizations like Adobe and American Design Awards.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1134719"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5376523733139038,"wiki_prob":0.4623476266860962,"text":"Robert Shiller on central banks and their role in a good society\nThrough co-ordinated action central banks have played a vital role in avoiding financial armageddon. But Robert Shiller tells Christopher Jeffery that more joined-up thinking is required\nRobert Shiller talks to Central Banking editor Christopher Jeffery\nRobert J Shiller is the Arthur M Okun professor of economics, Department of Economics and Cowles Foundation for Research in Economics, Yale University, and professor of Finance and Fellow at the International Center for Finance, Yale School of Management. He received his BA from the University of Michigan in 1967 and his PhD in economics from MIT in 1972. He has written on financial markets, financial innovation, behavioural economics, macroeconomics, real estate, statistical methods, and on public attitudes, opinions, and moral judgments regarding markets. His 1989 book Market Volatility (MIT Press) is a mathematical and behavioural analysis of price fluctuations in speculative markets. His 1993 book Macro Markets: Creating Institutions for Managing Society’s Largest Economic Risks (Oxford University Press) proposes a variety of new risk-management contracts, such as futures contracts in national incomes or securities based on real estate that would permit the management of risks to standards of living. His book Irrational Exuberance (Princeton University Press (PUP) 2000), 2nd edition (PUP 2005) is an analysis and explication of speculative bubbles, with special reference to the stock market and real estate. His book The New Financial Order: Risk in the 21st Century (PUP 2003) is an analysis of an expanding role of finance, insurance, and public finance in our future. His book Subprime Solution: How the Global Financial Crisis Happened and What to Do about It, published in September 2008 (PUP), offers an analysis of the housing and economic crisis and a plan of action against it. He co-authored, with George A. Akerlof, Animal Spirits: How Human Psychology Drives the Economy and Why It Matters for Global Capitalism, published in March 2009 (PUP). His book Finance and the Good Society is forthcoming in April 2012 (PUP).\nYou state in your published work that there is a ‘democratisation of finance’ taking place around the world and more people now have direct access to finance than at any time in the past – something you say might surprise Karl Marx. How far along that whole process are we?\nI would say less than halfway. It’s a question of whether you are talking about the world or about one country. Karl Marx said that power derives from capital and he seemed not to understand that elderly people owning capital don’t really exercise power – they delegate to someone else in the form of investing in some enterprise. As society grows more inclusive, which is a definite trend, people have access to that. If you are the kind of person who might manage an enterprise, you can raise capital – Marx didn’t seem to appreciate that. He banked his theory on a certain kind of cultural change that would be managed by the communist party. The idea was that the process of liberating capital would take the form of changing everyone’s thinking – but it hasn’t happened that way. It seems that a sense of justice has grown around the world, that it is a grave injustice for one tribe to dominate and leave the others enslaved or half-enslaved – that seems to have taken hold everywhere. Liberation of capital has taken a different form than Marx expected.\nFor people to participate in the financial system as equals they will need full access to information and the resources to make active and intelligent choices. What practical steps need to be taken to get closer to that?\nI can only give guidance because the thing that has to be done is experimentation. It’s not a matter of being ideologically pure – it’s about making financial devices that work, and incentivising people appropriately. It involves financial engineering but it should have a behavioural side because it’s inherently difficult to know how people or society will react to innovations. The process has been that experimentation is done locally, or in one country, and if it works after the experiment has been run for 30 years or so people in other countries will copy it.\nYou say financial innovation has the ability to transform people’s lives via instruments that protect people against being laid off or from a fall in the price of their home. How long will it take to get to such a state?\nThis is a process that unfolds over centuries. I’m thinking about important innovations such as indexed bonds – as far as I can tell, it was first tried in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in 1780, and then 100 years goes by before anyone tries it again. [Economist] William Stanley Jevens was advocating it in Britain in the 1870s. Britain didn’t adopt it until the 1980s – 100 years after him. It seems to me that everything happens more slowly than you might imagine – we’re talking about major changes in society.\nIs there anything you see at the moment that has perhaps been in the pipeline for the past 100 years that’s coming to the fore?\nOne of them is the arrival of the benefit corporation, which is in eight US states. The benefit corporation has in its charter both a profit-making goal and some ‘other’ stated goal for improving society or the environment – so it’s halfway between for-profit and non-profit. I keep coming back to a new formulation of economics, which is not so reliant on completely selfish behaviour. The experience of working for a benefit corporation is different from than that of a for-profit because you have a sense of the benevolence of the organisation and have a personal incentive to contribute to the activities of the corporation. It may end up making higher profits than conventional corporations because of the different social ambience. It’s too early to tell now – there’s only 18 months of history and the first ones aren’t necessarily the successful ones.\nThe second is the ‘social impact bond’ announced by the ministry of justice in the UK to help deal with recidivism at Peterborough prison. The problem they found is that 60% of people who are incarcerated for less than 12 months tend to end up back in jail after release – it is a deep social problem that’s hard to fix. They tried a different tack when they created a social impact bond, where the bond will pay out only if the recidivism rate falls by 7.5%, and it has a six-year term. Investors then bid for these bonds, and £5 million was transferred to charitable groups that work with the freed prisoners. The investors only get paid if they succeed, which means the investors had an incentive to look at the groups that are actually doing the work, review how they are doing it, and continue to review them. It’s a different incentivisation.\nThe third thing – just in the last month the US Congress passed a bill called the Jobs Act, with Jobs standing for ‘jumpstart our business start-ups’. It has a number of elements but the essential innovation is ‘crowd funding’. They want to facilitate websites to raise capital for new start-up businesses through thousands of small investments by individuals – again, this is really democratising. The ability to crowd fund depends on new information technology but also on protecting investors – a new law says that no investor can put more than 5% of his or her income into a crowd-funding investment in any given year.\nWhen one thinks of financial markets there seems to be a tremendous information asymmetry between big banks and sophisticated funds compared with retail and other investors. How does one address those sorts of issues?\nThat’s a difficult issue. We’re seeing an increase in income inequality, and it has many origins, but it seems like people who are better informed and make a point of staying informed about business opportunities, have a higher potential of getting really rich, and it seems unjust to many people. In my latest book I look at the list of the 400 richest Americans and it didn’t seem like there was a top scientist on it. The Nobel Prize is only something like $1 million – that’s lunch money for these people.\nIn some sense, that is testimony to the power of financial technology. For every one of those guys on the Forbes 400, there are probably hundreds more who didn’t make it. Having some fabulously rich people may not be a bad thing for society because it creates a sense of economic freedom and a sense of opportunity that I think motivates constructive activity. In my book, I talk about the fact that human nature by itself is not so benevolent – it has some benevolence in it, but people are ‘grabby’ and that’s another human element we have to work around. It’s not onerous to society that we have some billionaires, as long as everyone is taken care of and the scientist, for example, has his lab, lives comfortably and has children who are educated – that’s a good society, even if there are billionaires in it.\nThere are many academically well-qualified people earning large sums of money applying scientific models to finance in Wall Street. Should more of them be incentivised to work in science or industry?\nOne example is the new millisecond trading – what advantage to society could that possibly have? Then there is the idea of rent-seeking – that’s a term that Anne Krueger, the development economist, coined about 30 years ago. The classic example of rent-seeking is feudal – when a lord who owned the land on both sides of the river would put a chain across the river and lower it only after boats paid him – he’s trying to collect the rent on his river. There is no contribution to society from that kind of activity. Some of that happens in human activities and not just in finance. I said people are ‘grabby’ and that is a problem. The other side of it is that maybe the loss to these things is not as great as people imagine, and that more Wall Street activities are actually productive for society than they imagine.\nIn terms of models that economists and others are using – are they going the right way? It seems that whenever there are major shocks the models do not work and one has to recalibrate or reengineer them.\nWe have been going through a behavioural finance revolution in the last 20 years. Before was another revolution called efficient markets – that revolution had unfortunate consequences and left people thinking that financial markets are more perfect than anything else. There is really a change in thinking from 30 years ago to now. But it’s unfortunate that the modern university is divided up into different departments as rigidly as they are. The problem is that economists mostly don’t know any psychology, sociology or political science. At my university, Yale, there used to be one department until 1927 called the Department of Economics, Sociology and Government – that sounds like a good way to put all of these together. Once they split and they moved them into separate buildings, they stopped talking to each other. What is prominent is that economists almost never quote sociologists – it’s extremely rare. I think sociology is a very important discipline – it offers important perspectives on what happens in modern society.\nFinancial innovation is also aimed at getting around rules and regulations, which may or may not be a good thing. I’m thinking of hybrid regulatory capital securities, the use of SIVs and the use of collateral debt obligations (CDOs). How do you view some of these innovations?\nThe SIVs were a way of getting things off balance sheet and away from regulators, so they were evading regulators – I can’t think of an advantage to that. The CDOs were financial innovations that actually did benefit society if they were done right – there were flaws in the design so we have to come with a CDO version two. CDOs themselves divide income streams up into tranches and sell them off separately to different investor classes. The so called ‘AAA tranche’ – which turned out not to be AAA unfortunately – became a way that a broad class of investors could invest in mortgages or whatever else was underlying the CDO without having to go through due diligence and investigating. The idea was ‘let’s put the least-likely-to-default into a tranche and present it to an independent rating agency who would confirm that we have done that, and then someone can invest in that.’ You can’t always be investigating everything – you need investments that are just certifiably safe. That creates an increase in potential demand for investment products so it liberates capital.\nDo you see a big difference between over-the-counter and exchange-traded instruments?\nWe need both. Over-the-counter instruments tend to be designed expressly for a client and that is what some clients need, but the exchange-traded instruments are more democratic in that the process is open and visible and they provide better price discovery and, of course, they also provide liquidity. The US government is trying to encourage more exchange-trading. That is a good thing because the financial community may not provide sufficient incentives to make that happen. I worked with the Chicago Mercantile Exchange on developing futures markets for single-family homes, which we thought would be a democratising move because it makes a risk that had formerly been borne by individual households into something that has an organised market with liquidity and price discovery. We had the sense that Wall Street was not enthusiastic about this because it might take away some of their business in creating CDOs. They may make more money if there isn’t an organised market.\nWhat do you think of some of the new tools that are being invented at the moment to help the banks, such as contingent capital bonds, bail-in bonds and so on?\nI participated in the Squam Lake Report where we had a chapter on contingent capital and the idea is that you can issue a form of debt that is convertible into equity providing capital in times of stress. We thought it might be a good thing to have a dual trigger for the convertibility – one would be announced by the regulator in a defined economic crisis. If the regulator announces that we are in a systemic crisis they would automatically set off one of the two triggers. The other trigger would be something defined in terms of the balance sheet or income statement of the company that would automatically provide capital.\nA number of parties cite the ‘failure of markets’ – in terms of understating risk prior to the crisis and exaggerating it in the aftermath – for their approval of European Central Bank intervention perhaps above and beyond its mandate. What do you think?\nI’ve been a long-standing critic of market efficiency and wrote a book called Irrational Exuberance on it in 2000. Behavioural finance doesn’t accept the efficient markets hypothesis. Then, the question is: ‘what is the role of the central bank in dealing with crises like this?’ The general principle that I’ve talked about in my books is that when you have a crisis like this it seems to call for changing the rules of the game in the middle of the game, and that’s not desirable because it leaves people wondering ‘what am I doing, what are the rules?’. It leaves people on the wrong side of the bail-outs feeling wronged – such as the tax-payers who are paying for bail-outs of wealthy people.\nIt is important at times like this to think about changing the rules for future games so we don’t have to do it mid-game. In some sense, we do have an understanding that the central bank has an authority to respond to economic conditions as they evolve – so does the government. We set aside a separate central bank, which has now increasingly become independent, thinking that political pressures might inhibit correct action. The central bank and the government have the authority to change the rules when unanticipated events occur that couldn’t have been foreseen; that couldn’t have been written into the rules. They are doing that and they have some support for what they are doing. Still, we have to try to avoid interventions that make it difficult for people to know what the rules are.\nDo you think it is right that many central banks around the world have strayed from their monetary policy mandates into what increasingly looks like fiscal policy positions given the shocks we’ve had?\nI’m impressed with the coordinated activities of central banks around the world – it seems to be working. Often, our democratic institutions work better than you’d ever imagine. At the US central bank, we appoint the board of governors with 14-year terms and they can’t be removed except for extreme behaviour. The person comes in for relatively low pay with a mission. The measures the US central bank and other central banks have taken are well-meaning and somewhat effective. It comes around to human nature having a benevolent side to it – in the right environment that comes through. A high-minded culture has developed at central banks. I don’t know every central bank, but my general impression is that it’s not cynical and grabbing.\nDo any of the policies or activities now look like mistakes?\nWe brought Henry Paulson, the former head of Goldman Sachs, to the Treasury and in the bail-out of AIG he managed to direct something like $12 billion indirectly to Goldman. That creates a sense of corruption but it doesn’t involve the central bank. But central bank lending of tax-payer money to specific companies outraged many people and there is a sense the banks own the central bank in the US.\nGoing further back, the real mistake they made was not understanding the real estate bubble and not understanding the potential for collapse as a result. A flaw in central banks – that maybe we’re improving – is that they have a narrow mandate. I was talking about how university is divided up into departments – the same thing happens with the government, more so in the US than the UK. The central bankers didn’t see it as their mission to think about mortgages that are being written or to worry about the shadow-banking sector, because they weren’t banks so they weren’t under supervision, so they let things go. Those are mistakes, but understandable given the bureaucratic structure.\nMany central banks seem to say they have made the right decisions pre- and post-crisis given their mandates. Have they got a point, or is there a sense of denial?\nThe idea of supporting the markets with low interest rates is a very basic thing and that has probably worked to reduce the severity of this recession – and we had looked like we were going to fall into a worldwide recession. This time was different. The central banks of the world seemed to coordinate. They kept announcing new facilities and new programmes, and it gave the public a reason to hope.\nLooking specifically at the US with quantitative easing, Operation Twist, the new inflation target and the Fed stating it will keep rates low until 2014 – has the Fed taken the right steps?\nI find it inspiring that they are looking at new forms of policy. We are in the so-called ‘liquidity trap’ where interest rates – short rates at least – are zero, and long rates are very low, but the Fed succeeded in getting them even lower. That’s an innovative policy response that is probably helping a little bit. We have the lowest government bond rates in US history and I think it’s similarly low elsewhere. Japan did the same thing but it didn’t rescue them completely. But it meant that something that would have been a life-threatening disease is only a bad cold.\nDo you think Western central banks have learned their lesson from Japan?\nJapan had twin bubbles in the 1980s, in the stock market and the housing market. Both bubbles collapsed and it seemed to be a turning point for their economy. The government undertook fiscal policy and the central bank brought interest rates to zero, and the Japanese economy has generally grown between 1% and 2% a year over the last 20 years.\nWill the West fare any better?\nThere is this deep-seated fear that this is a Great Depression-like phenomenon and the Depression-era policies never managed to end the Depression until we had World War II, and that creates an anxiety. It is the most severe contraction since the Great Depression and there is a sense that we don’t understand it fully.\nCould the current range of measures just create another asset bubble?\nIn the US, the latest bubble was the third. There wasn’t any real national bubble until there was one in the 1970s, another in the 1980s, and another in the 2000s, each one bigger than the one before. It is conceivable that we could have yet a bigger one but that’s unlikely – maybe we have got it out of our system for a generation. After a really big event, people do change their thinking. Richard Florida has a book called The Great Reset and argues that this crisis is like pressing the reset button on a computer. On the other hand, I’ve been doing surveys of home-buyers and asking them about expectations – and for our latest survey last year people still think home prices will go up something like 5% a year over the next 10 years. Expectations have been coming down but they are still there, so I don’t know that we’ve had the great reset.\nPolicy-makers are saying they’ve got new macro-prudential tools and they are going to build in mechanisms for deflating asset bubbles as they are occurring. What do you think their chances are?\nThey’ll do better – but it’s all a matter of degree. They won’t let a bubble like the one we’ve seen go unchallenged. In countries such as China, which has had a bubble since our crisis, the government has taken steps against it. In Israel, there has been a real estate bubble and Stanley Fisher at the Bank of Israel introduced policies to cool mortgage lending.\nHow can central banks guard against the next financial crisis?\nThere is this idea about systemic risk and the interconnectedness of financial institutions. The first thing central banks can do is collect more data. For example, in the US there was no clear data on repo issuance and the kind of interconnectedness that financial institutions had. Central banks have to make their research departments understand bubbles. I went through the working paper series from the Federal Reserve a couple of years ago searching for the word ‘bubble’ in any publication before the crisis and I found one paper that talked about a possibility of a real estate bubble. Then it said in the same paper right afterwards “but one must view these claims of a bubble with some caveats”, and it listed a bunch of caveats and it seemed to take it all back. I called up the author of the paper and I said ‘you were the only guy who talked about bubbles at the Fed – why didn’t you go for it?’ He seemed very conflicted on the phone. I have a sense that underlying the thinking of central banks is that words like bubble are too loaded – it shouldn’t be in their language or vocabulary. This gets back to a basic issue about central bank policy that they have a sense that they are criticised whenever they rock the boat; whenever they say something that alarms markets. Maybe they should be saying things that alarm markets. There might be a bias in central bank thinking towards short-run stability when they should be making provocative statements from time to time. Even if they do cause market disruptions, they might actually help ensure a longer-term stability.\nWhat do you think about using data to feed more forward-thinking and dynamic models to test the system for potential risks?\nOne problem that led to this crisis is an over-reliance on econometric analysis of the recent past and a sense that it is unprofessional to be raising comparisons with the Great Depression. Modelling is not taking full account of the fact that economies go through major crises at long intervals and that complacency gradually grows between the crises. There’s a tendency to over-rely on data that was collected during an upswing.\nThere must have been some academic studies done on that – do you think they don’t get heard?\nWell, Ben Bernanke was a brilliant choice for the Federal Reserve because he wrote a book on the Great Depression. When the current crisis began, he was very aggressive in dealing with it – he didn’t want to make the same mistakes again.\nDo you think he’s been successful?\nI think so. But he’s not uniformly loved.\nSome nations want to implement higher capital standards than those agreed under Basel III. Are they correct to do so?\nCountries should do what they feel is right, and there might be some long-term advantage to having higher capital requirements. This is one of the ironies of life in the financial community – if you uphold standards, as a company or as a nation, you might go through decades of weak business because of upholding the standards and only be vindicated at a great distance. But I think it might be a good thing to do that.\nA lot of central banks have moved to the inflation-targeting approach – the Fed too, it seems. Do you think that is the right approach, or are there better policies?\nI know Ben Bernanke wrote another one of his books on this, with co-authors. Again, it reflects some enlightenment that expectations matter a lot so having an explicit target can be a useful tool. It had already struck me as a kind of subtlety, at least in normal times – you could announce an inflation target that implies that the real value of assets will be depreciating through time, and that might cause fundamental change. I haven’t been involved in this dispute – it seems kind of peripheral to me. It seems to me that when he wrote the book, having an unstated but implied target was good enough. It seemed to me that people were focusing on trivia, rather than the big thing that was happening, which was the housing bubble, so I didn’t feel that sympathetic to their book when it came out. Maybe it’s different now – maybe there is a sense that expectations are hampering us right now and that it could be more important to do something like this.\nLooking through the Federal Open Market Committee minutes, asset bubbles and the huge systemic risks they pose was not a subject that seems to come up at all prior to 2007. Why was that?\nIt is due to ‘groupthink’, which psychologist, Irving Janis led research on in the 1970s. It refers to how expert groups come together and interact and Janis argued that experts in a group like that are vulnerable to self-censorship – they are all harbouring doubts about a decision that is about to be reached, but view the doubts as something that they cannot articulate in a suitably professional way, so they quiet themselves and it creates an illusion of consensus. I once served on the Federal Reserve Bank of New York advisory committee and I know exactly the feeling. The discourse is at a high and professional level. I tried to bring up my concerns about bubbles. There were no minutes of our meetings but I found it difficult internally – it’s like bringing up astrology at an astronomer’s convention.\nSo what’s the solution?\nPeople should read Janis’s book and think about the vulnerability and their moral commitment to stand up and say things that are, ultimately, intuitive. We have this professional sense that everything is compartmentalised, that you have an expert in every department, and if you’re going to forecast unemployment or something you have to bring in the econometrician who has been sitting in a little room with his or her computer. I use the word ‘intuitive’, but ultimately people form valid views about economic issues by reading history and being broadly eclectic, and by reading social sciences more generally. It’s just not possible to quantify everything and it’s not possible to compartmentalise expertise. If people are aware of the problem, that goes a long way towards reducing it.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1017"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5222955942153931,"wiki_prob":0.5222955942153931,"text":"Jun 29, 2021 Supreme Court Holds That Private Companies Have A Right Under Federal Law To Seize State-Held Land To Build Natural Gas Pipelines\nPennEast Pipeline Co., LLC v. New Jersey, No. 19-1039\nIntroduction: Today, the Supreme Court held in a 5-4 decision that the Natural Gas Act delegates the federal eminent domain power to private parties, removing a barrier for the $1 billion PennEast gas pipeline project and reversing a Third Circuit ruling that project developers could not seize New Jersey-owned land.\nBackground: In January 2018, PennEast obtained under the Natural Gas Act (NGA) a certificate of public convenience and necessity from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to construct a 116-mile pipeline from northeast Pennsylvania to western New Jersey. To facilitate pipeline projects, the NGA delegates federal eminent domain power to private parties that have been issued certificates of public convenience and necessity by FERC.\nShortly after receiving the certificate, PennEast instituted condemnation proceedings in federal district court against the properties in which New Jersey held interests. New Jersey moved to dismiss PennEast’s complaints on sovereign immunity grounds. The District Court denied the motion and granted PennEast’s requests for a condemnation order and preliminary injunctive relief. The Third Circuit vacated the District Court’s order insofar as it awarded PennEast relief with respect to New Jersey’s property interests. The Third Circuit concluded that because the NGA did not clearly delegate the federal government’s ability to sue nonconsenting States, PennEast was not authorized to condemn New Jersey’s property.\nIssue: (1) Whether the Natural Gas Act delegates to FERC certificate holders the authority to exercise the federal government’s eminent domain power to condemn land in which a State claims an interest; and (2) whether the court of appeals properly exercised jurisdiction over the case.\nCourt’s Holding: In an opinion authored by Chief Justice Roberts, and joined by Justices Breyer, Alito, Sotomayor, and Kavanaugh, the Court concluded that a certificate of public convenience and necessity issued by FERC pursuant to the NGA authorizes a private company to condemn all necessary rights-of-way, whether owned by private parties or states.\nThe Court began by addressing the jurisdictional issue, finding that the Third Circuit properly exercised jurisdiction because New Jersey was defending against the condemnation proceeding rather than challenging the FERC certificate, which must be done in the D.C. Circuit.\nTurning to New Jersey’s sovereign immunity defense, the majority found that the NGA’s delegation of the federal eminent domain authority is categorical: By its terms, the NGA delegates to certificate holders the power to condemn any necessary rights-of-way, including land in which a state holds an interest. In response to the argument that the NGA cannot authorize condemnation actions because Congress may not use its Article I powers to abrogate state sovereign immunity, the Court concluded that States implicitly consented to private condemnation suits when they ratified the Constitution.\nJustice Barrett filed a dissenting opinion, in which Justices Thomas, Kagan, and Gorsuch joined, rejecting the majority’s argument that New Jersey did not have sovereign immunity to assert against federal eminent domain.\nJustice Gorsuch also filed a dissenting opinion, in which Justice Thomas joined, noting that even if the States consented, the Eleventh Amendment nonetheless divests federal courts of subject matter jurisdiction over a suit filed against a State by a diverse plaintiff.\nRead the opinion here.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line599187"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7167073488235474,"wiki_prob":0.28329265117645264,"text":"The European Chemicals Agency (hereinafter “ECHA”) maintains this website (hereinafter the \"ECHA website\") to enhance public access to information about its activities, and to fulfil its obligations falling under its mandate.\nWhen a person uses the ECHA website, the person (hereinafter the “User”) fully agrees to the terms and conditions set out below. These terms and conditions are without prejudice to any more specific terms and conditions applicable to IT tools or other content or data hosted on or provided through the ECHA website.\nECHA’s goal is to maintain this ECHA website and any information on this ECHA website available, accurate, up-to-date and functioning. However, ECHA makes no representations or warranties and accepts no liability for the availability, accuracy, content and/or errors of the ECHA website or any content thereof, unless expressly stated otherwise in this Legal Notice (see Section 3). This means that ECHA accepts no responsibility or liability whatsoever arising out of, or in connection with, the availability and/or use of the ECHA website or any information available on this website, unless stated otherwise.\nThe information that ECHA provides is largely of a general nature and is not intended to address the specific circumstances of any particular individual or entity. Further, the information is not professional or legal advice. ECHA cannot and does not guarantee that any document available on the ECHA website reproduces an officially adopted text precisely. Only the text of the Official Journal or the information listed in Section 3 is authentic and capable of producing legal effects.\nSimilarly, without prejudice to Section 3 to this Legal Notice, the information, documents, data and databases made available on the ECHA website, including that provided by third parties, are provided “as is” and without any warranty of any kind, either express, implied, or arising by statute, custom, course of dealing, or trade usage.\n2. Limited use of the ECHA website\nThe User shall not transmit to, from or via the ECHA website, or post on the ECHA website any material which could be unlawful, harmful, defamatory, offensive or objectionable in any way whatsoever.\n3. Information published on the ECHA website\nIn addition to the publication of general information related to its operational activities or otherwise, ECHA publishes the authentic versions of the following lists and information on the ECHA website:\nThe Candidate List of Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC). Pursuant to Article 59(10) of the REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 (REACH Regulation), ECHA is required to publish and update the Candidate List of SVHC on the ECHA website. This Candidate List is deemed to be the only authentic version.\nThe Biocidal Products Regulation (EU) No 528/2012 (BPR) list of relevant substances and suppliers. Pursuant to Article 95(1) and Article 95(7) of the BPR, ECHA is required to publish and update the list of relevant substances and suppliers on the ECHA website. This list is deemed to be the only authentic version.\nThe Community Rolling Action Plan (CoRAP). Pursuant to Article 44(2) of the REACH Regulation, ECHA is required to publish and update the CoRAP list on the ECHA website. This list is deemed to be the only authentic version.\nCertain other information, such as ECHA’s individual regulatory decisions and the decisions of ECHA’s Management Board (http://echa.europa.eu/about-us/the-way-we-work/procedures-and-policies/transparency).\n4. Linking policy\n4.1. Links from the ECHA website to external websites\nECHA provides links to many European institutions, bodies and agencies as well as to other third-party websites that are relevant to its work. The links are provided for information purposes only. The User should be aware of the following:\nIf the User accesses another website through a link ECHA provides, the User is subject to the terms of use and the privacy policy of that website.\nECHA does not endorse or accept any responsibility for the contents or use of these third-party websites.\nIf one of the links provided on the ECHA website is not working, the User is invited to notify ECHA.\n4.2. Links from external websites to the ECHA website\nECHA permits and encourages organisations and individuals to create links to the ECHA website under the following cumulative conditions:\nLinks can only be made to webpages that provide a link to this Legal Notice (http://echa.europa.eu/web/guest/legal-notice);\nWhen the ECHA website is accessed via an external link, it shall be clear to users that they are viewing information from the ECHA website and that it is free of charge and not exclusive;\nLinks should not create the impression that ECHA endorses or supports the objectives or contents of any product or service, or of any scientific or administrative output of the information or text in the context of which a link is published.\n5. Intellectual Property Rights Notice\n© European Chemicals Agency, 2007-2023.\nThe reproduction, distribution or further use of information, documents and data contained in the ECHA website and/or in ECHA’s databases may be subject to protection under intellectual property rights and other rights, and their utilisation without obtaining the prior permission from the rightholders(s) of the respective information, documents and data might violate the rights of the rightholder(s). ECHA does not accept any responsibility whatsoever, and shall not be held liable, for any copyright or other infringements related to information, documents and data made available via the ECHA website.\nFor further information about intellectual property and other rights, please see Sections 5.1 and 5.2.\nSome of the information on the ECHA website is subject to intellectual property rights and other rights of third parties (see in particular Section 5.1.2 below).\n5.1. Use of the information, documents and data from the ECHA website\n5.1.1 ECHA’s material\nA) General rule\nSubject to the terms and conditions of this Legal Notice, and subject to other binding limitations provided for under applicable law, the information, documents and data made available on the ECHA website, with the exclusion of materials subject to intellectual property rights or other rights of third parties and whole or substantial parts of databases, may be downloaded, reproduced, distributed and/or used, totally or in part, for commercial and non-commercial purposes provided that:\nthe User acknowledges that ECHA accepts no responsibility and/or liability for any use made of the information, documents or data;\nthe User does not alter the integrity (underlying meaning/message(s)) of the information, documents or data; and\nECHA is acknowledged as the source: \"Source: European Chemicals Agency, http://echa.europa.eu/”. Such acknowledgement must be included in each copy of the material.\nWithout limiting any other right or remedy available to ECHA, the permission herein granted shall automatically terminate in the event the User breaches any of the terms of this Legal Notice and, in such event, the User must destroy immediately all downloaded materials in its possession.\nB) Exceptions\nWhole or substantial parts of databases\nThe above general rule of permissibility of downloading and copying information from the ECHA website does not extend to whole or substantial parts of databases (a database is to be construed as a collection of independent works, data or other materials arranged in a systematic or methodical way and individually accessible by electronic or other means), with the exception of certain systematic data collection activities permitted below in this Section 5.1.1. The replication, in whole or in substantial part, of the ECHA databases is prohibited, unless ECHA’s prior written permission is given. All requests shall be submitted to ECHA through the information request forms on ECHA’s contact page.\nPlease note that the content of the databases may also be subject to pre-existing rights of third parties (see Section 5.1.2).\nSystematic data collection\nSystematic automated data collection activities (including scraping, data mining, and extraction and re-utilisation) of the whole or a substantial part of the ECHA website and the ECHA databases are generally prohibited. Notwithstanding, cultural heritage institutions and research organisations, as defined in Article 2 of Directive (EU) 2019/790 on Copyright in the Digital Single Market, may carry out text and data mining for the purposes of scientific research, in accordance with Article 3 of the Directive.\nSpecific terms for other uses may apply\nIn addition to the above, specific terms and conditions for other uses of materials protected by ECHA’s intellectual property rights or otherwise may apply, e.g. translations.\n5.1.2 Material subject to intellectual property rights or other rights of third parties\nThe permission mentioned under Section 5.1.1 does not apply to content protected by intellectual property rights or other rights of third parties. Therefore, for material subject to intellectual property rights or other rights of a third party, the User must comply with the use terms associated with such material or obtain the necessary permission for reproduction, distribution or any other use from the rightholder. ECHA does not accept any responsibility whatsoever, and shall not be held liable, for any violation of any such rights related to information, documents and data made available via the ECHA website.\nSuch materials include, by way of example, CAS Information and certain data contained in the EUCLEF database:\nCAS Information contained in the ECHA website is the property of the American Chemical Society and any use or redistribution, except as required to fulfil regulatory requirements and/or to produce reports required by national law or administrative policy, is not permitted without the prior written permission of the American Chemical Society.\nCertain data in the EUCLEF database (EUCLEF Data) is supplied to ECHA by Verisk Europe APS. The direct commercial sale of EUCLEF Data is prohibited. Use for non-commercial purposes and regulatory compliance is allowed.\nThe User is also reminded that pursuant to Article 10 of the REACH Regulation, the robust study summaries and study summaries that are made publicly available on the ECHA website may only be used for the purpose of registration if the potential registrant is in legitimate possession of the corresponding full study reports, or has permission to refer to the corresponding full study reports.\n5.2. ECHA's trademarks\nECHA’s trademarks are its exclusive property. Their use is prohibited without ECHA’s prior written permission. Requests shall be submitted to ECHA through the information request forms on ECHA’s contact page. Information specific to the exploitation of ECHA’s logo can be found on ECHA’s website (https://echa.europa.eu/corporate-identity).\n6. Personal data protection\nECHA is committed to the User's privacy. Without prejudice to cookies (see Section 8 below), the User can browse the ECHA website without giving away any personal information. However, in some cases, personal details are required in order for ECHA to be able to provide personal e-services, for instance helpdesk support, public consultations or software applications, in which case specific terms of use shall apply.\nFor ECHA’s personal data protection policy and more information on personal data protection, the User shall refer to ECHA’s webpage on personal data protection (http://echa.europa.eu/about-us/the-way-we-work/personal-data-protection).\nFor any general enquiry relating to the overall privacy policy of the ECHA website, the User may contact ECHA via the information request forms on ECHA’s contact page.\n7.1. Breach of the terms and conditions of the Legal Notice\nFailure to comply with the terms and conditions of this Legal Notice may have consequences for the User, including, but by no means limited to, the User being prohibited from accessing the ECHA website and databases by blocking the User's IP address.\nAny User may also be held liable for any damage to the ECHA website or for any damage resulting directly or indirectly from the impairment of the availability or accessibility of the ECHA website caused by the User’s actions.\n7.2. Applicable law, and dispute settlement\nThe terms and conditions of this Legal Notice are governed by Union law, complemented, where necessary, by the laws of Finland. Any dispute, which cannot be settled amicably, shall be brought before the courts of Finland.\n8. Cookies on the ECHA website\nTo ensure that the ECHA website functions properly, ECHA sometimes places small data files called cookies on the User's device.\n8.1. What are cookies?\nA cookie is a small text file that is saved on the User's computer or mobile device when visiting the ECHA website. It enables the ECHA website to remember the User's actions and preferences (such as login, language, font size and other display preferences) over a period of time, so that the User does not have to continually re-enter such preferences upon returning to the ECHA website or while browsing from one page to another.\n8.2. How does ECHA use cookies on the ECHA website?\nA number of pages of the ECHA website use cookies to remember:\nthe User's display preferences, such as contrast colour settings or font size;\nwhether the User has already replied to a pop-up survey, asking whether the content was helpful or not (so that the User will not be asked again);\nwhether the User has agreed (or not) to ECHA's use of cookies on the ECHA website.\nFurther information regarding the cookies used by the ECHA website and the purpose behind their use is provided below:\nSession ID cookies\nEnd of session The purpose of the Session ID cookies is to uniquely identify a User associated to the session and to receive indications that the User actively uses the ECHA website. The cookie-related information is not used to identify the User personally.\nCookie Notification 1 month It stores the Users' acceptance on the use of cookies by the ECHA website. Cookie notification is presented in every page unless the User accepts it.\nUser preferences 1 year COOKIE_SUPPORT indicates the User's support for cookies. GUEST_LANGUAGE_ID indicates the User's language preferences.\nGoogle Analytics cookies 2 years (to distinguish users and sessions) 10 minutes (to throttle request rate) The ECHA website uses Google Analytics, a web analytics service provided by Google, Inc. (\"Google\"). Google Analytics uses cookies. The information generated by the cookie about the User's use of the ECHA website (including the User's IP address) will be transmitted to and stored by Google on servers in the United States. Google will use this information for the purpose of evaluating the User's use of the ECHA website, compiling reports on the ECHA website activity for the ECHA website operators and providing other services relating to the ECHA website activity and internet usage. Google may also transfer this information to third parties where required to do so by law, or where such third parties process the information on Google's behalf. Google will not associate the User's IP address with any other data held by Google. The User may refuse the use of cookies by selecting the appropriate settings on its browser. However, if a User does this it may not be able to use the full functionality of the ECHA website. By using the ECHA website, the User consents to the processing of data about it by Google in the manner and for the purposes set out above. The User may refuse the use of cookies by downloading and installing Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on. The add-on communicates with the Google Analytics JavaScript (ga.js) to indicate that information about the ECHA website visit should not be sent to Google Analytics.\nInternet Explorer Warning End of session ECHAIExplorerWarning stores the User's acceptance on the informative message presented when IE 7 is used. The message informs the User that not all features of the portal might work well with IE 7\nDisclaimer 1 month Stores the User's acceptance on the legal disclaimer by clicking on the respective check box. Legal disclaimer is presented in Search for Chemicals page along with nearly all the search forms and \"View Substance\" portlets initialized by \"Information on Chemicals\" section\nAddThis cookies 30 minutes to 2 years\n_atuvc (2 years): makes sure that the User sees the updated count if it shares a page.\n_atuvs (30 minutes): used in cooperation with the __atuvc. Allows the User to share content via Social Networking websites and email. When ECHA provides links to third party services the User finds useful, they may place a cookie on its device to make their service easier to use.\nbt2 (8 months): allows the User to share content via Social Networking websites and email. When ECHA provides links to third party services the User finds useful, they may place a cookie on the User's device to make their service easier to use.\ndi2 (2 years): allows the User to share content via Social Networking websites and email. When ECHA provides links to third party services the User finds useful, they may place a cookie on the User's device to make their service easier to use.<\nloc (2 years): allows the User to share content via Social Networking websites and email. When ECHA provides links to third party services the User finds useful, they may place a cookie on the User's device to make their service easier to use.\nuid (2 years): allows the User to share content via Social Networking websites and email. When ECHA provides links to third party services the User finds useful, they may place a cookie on the User's device to make their service easier to use.\nuvc (2 years): allows the User to share content via Social Networking websites and email. When ECHA provides links to third party services the User finds useful, they may place a cookie on the User's device to make their service easier to use.\nvc (2 years): allows the User to share content via Social Networking websites and email. When ECHA provides links to third party services the User finds useful, they may place a cookie on the User's device to make their service easier to use.\nEnabling these cookies is not strictly necessary for the ECHA website to work but it will provide the User with a better browsing experience. The User can delete or block these cookies, but if it does that some features of the ECHA website may not work as intended.\nThe cookie-related information is not used to identify the User personally and the pattern data is fully under ECHA's control. These cookies are not used for any purpose other than those described herein.\n8.3. How to control cookies\nThe User can control and/or delete cookies as it wishes - for details, see aboutcookies.org. The User can delete all cookies that are already on its computer and can set most browsers to prevent them from being placed. If the User does this, however, it may have to manually adjust some preferences every time it visits a site and some services and functionalities may not work.\nVersion 7 – 18/01/2023","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1725773"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6804818511009216,"wiki_prob":0.6804818511009216,"text":"It’s About Time: Bad Robot Gets a Series Order from Hulu for Stephen King’s ‘11/22/63’\nPosted September 28th, 2014 by Nicholas Graff\nHot on the tails of Stephen King’s other books adapted into TV series’ (CBS’s ‘Under the Dome’ and ‘The Thing’s They Left Behind’ ), Bad Robot has recently gotten a series order from Hulu for King’s time-travel epic ‘11/22/63.’ The order is for a 9 episode, one hour each episode season, a welcome foray back into the land of “television” (despite it being on HULU) for Bad Robot, who started with such excellent shows as ‘Alias’ and ‘Lost.’\nThe title of ’11/22/63′ is quite a mouthful, and is indicative of the length and complexity of the novel itself. The story is about a divorced English teacher named Jake Epping, who stumbles on a time portal and resolves to go back in time and prevent the assassination of JFK. Arriving early in 1958, he studies Lee Harvey Oswald to devise a plan, encountering obstacles along the way in Oswald himself, a love interest he discovers in a school librarian, and the past itself, which does not want to be changed. In King’s words:\n“If I ever wrote a book that cries out for long-form, event TV programming, 11/22/63 is it. I’m excited that it’s going to happen, and am looking forward to working with J.J. Abrams and the whole Bad Robot team.”\nThe road to the production of ’11/22/63′ has been a rocky one, with the idea originally being that it would be a movie directed by Jonathan Demme (‘Silence of the Lambs’). Unfortunately, the length of the novel (over 900 pages!) and disagreements with King over which plot points were essential to the movie led to Demme abandoning the project. Luckily, that paved the way for Bad Robot to pick up the novel and prepare it for a TV adaption, with Hulu picking up the project for distribution in the US. Here’s hoping it is another homerun for King, Hulu and Bad Robot.\nSource: Screenrant, Deadline\nNicholas Graff\nA Southern California native (which seems to be a rarity as everyone seems to migrate here from outside the state, and everyone else born here ends up leaving for less crowded spaces), but for Nick, he loves it here. Nick has been writing since he was a teenager, self-published his first book trilogy, 'The Legacy of the Roras' back in 2011, and in 2014 published the inaugural issue of his first comic book, 'The Shadow of Aquaterra.' While not working on my own projects, he is working as a technical film editor at a major television network in their digital media division and recently began writing news and recap articles for ScienceFiction.com, a position which he has found extremely rewarding.\nWatch As Flan Solo Learns About Self-Control In This ‘Sesame Street’ Parody Of ‘Star Wars’\n‘Arrow’ News: Witness Wildcat’s Gym And More\nSerial Killer Richard Ramirez Made His Return In ‘American Horror Story: 1984’\nThe Season Finale For ‘American Horror Story: Coven’ Is Coming And We’ve Got 13 Promo Photos To Share\nTen Attractive (Male) Minds in Sci-Fi TV\nMichael Chabon Shares How Patrick Stewart Influenced ‘Star Trek: Picard’","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line805092"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7185094952583313,"wiki_prob":0.2814905047416687,"text":"Transition from pre-diabetes to diabetes and predictors of risk in Mexican-Americans\nShenghui Wu\nJoseph B. Mccormick, University of Texas Health at HoustonFollow\nJoanne E. Curran, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley\nSusan P. Fisher-Hoch, University of Texas Health at Houston\nBackground: No studies have examined risk factors for the transition from pre-diabetes to diabetes in populations with widespread obesity and diabetes. We determined proximal changes and factors affecting the transition among Mexican-Americans with pre-diabetes.\nMethods: Participants with pre-diabetes (n=285) were recruited from our randomly sampled population-based Cameron County Hispanic Cohort. These participants were followed for an average of 27 months with repeat examination every 3 to 4 months. Metabolic health was defined as having less than 2 metabolic abnormalities (e.g., hypertension, elevated low-density lipoprotein, etc). Diabetes was identified as fasting blood glucose ≥126 mg/dL, glycated hemoglobin ≥6.5% and/or on hypoglycemic medication.\nResults: Ninety-six of 285 (33.7%) participants transitioned to overt diabetes. The increased risk of diabetes in the metabolically unhealthy varying with follow-up time was 81% (adjusted odds ratio [OR]: 1.81; 95% CI: 1.09–3.02). The risk of diabetes increased 8% for each kg/m2 of increase in body mass index (BMI, OR: 1.08; 95% CI: 1.05–1.11) independent of covariates. Transition to diabetes was accompanied by a mean increase in BMI of 0.28 kg/m2, and deterioration in metabolic health of 9% (OR: 1.09; 95% CI: 1.003–1.18) compared with those who did not transition.\nConclusions: Deteriorating metabolic health and/or increasing BMI significantly raises the risk of transitioning from pre-diabetes to diabetes. Transition itself was accompanied by further increase in BMI and deterioration in metabolic health. These data underline the importance of improving metabolic health and avoiding weight gain in pre-diabetes as simple but clear diabetes prevention targets, and emphasize the importance of lifestyle management.\n© 2017 Wu et al.\nWu, S., McCormick, J. B., Curran, J. E., & Fisher-Hoch, S. P. (2017). Transition from pre-diabetes to diabetes and predictors of risk in Mexican-Americans. Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity: Targets and Therapy, 10, 491–503. https://doi.org/10.2147/DMSO.S136368\nDiabetes, Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity: Targets and Therapy\n10.2147/DMSO.S136368\nOffice of Human Genetics\nDiseases Commons","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line743850"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5381914377212524,"wiki_prob":0.5381914377212524,"text":"Dr. Bob Quotes Aristotle, Bill & Ted During Excellent ING Workshop\nBy Richard Lord\nWhen sports psychologist Dr. Robert K. Winters — or Dr. Bob for short — talks about “The Psychology of Excellence,” as he did at ING’s Spring Conference, you can’t help but listen.\nAfter all, who else can make his points by using quotes from the 1989 cult comedy classic “Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure,” Greek philosopher Aristotle and the religious figure Buddha in one seminar?\nIn both his enthusiastic speaking style and with his message, Winters oozes confidence and preaches the need to believe in one’s self in order to be excellent, whether that is in the business world or on the golf course.\nDr. Bob’s countless success stories with golfers and other athletes make it obvious that those who listen to him benefit from his insight.\nWinters, currently the resident psychologist at David Leadbetter’s World Headquarters in Orlando, Fla., said that from an early age he set a high goal for himself.\n“I wanted to be great,” he said. “Everyone has to start out thinking they can win. It has to be a mind-set.”\nAnd achieving the mind-set that leads to achieving excellence is not something that happens overnight. Which brings us to Winter’s quote from Aristotle, who lived between 384 and 322 BC.\n“Excellence isn’t an act, but a habit,” Aristotle said.\nOr as Winters puts it all these centuries later, “excellence is doing something over and over and over and getting it right.”\nIn an effort to gauge his golf students’ desires to achieve excellence, Dr. Bob asks several questions.\nThe first one is “are you good?\n“All my best say they are definitely good while about half add a ‘but.’ There’s always this contingency that creates conditional confidence,’ Winters said. “On one side of the scale there is trust and on the other side there is fear, doubts and worry.”\nSo, Dr. Bob’s goal is to eliminate the doubt and trepidation, but as those of us to play the game know, that is easier said than done.\n“I have talked to great athletes from other sports like Michael Jordan and there is no doubt that golf can be the most brutally emotionally devastating sport there is.”\nThe other questions Dr. Bob asks to figure out whether or not a student is willing to do the work it takes are: How do you know you are good? How good do you really want to be? How good would you be if you didn’t know how good you had to be? What are you willing to do to be as good as you can possibly be?\nAfter those questions are answered, it’s time for Dr. Bob to instill his “five golden keys’ to attaining excellence.\nNo. 1: Believe in yourself.\n“You are what you think you are,” Dr. Bob explains. “Your perception is your reality.”\nNo. 2: You need to build a life philosophy.\n“Know if it is to be, it starts and ends with me,’ is the way Winters put it.\nNo. 3: You need to know and understand that optimism and perseverance are not natural or inherent qualities to the human condition.\nThus, it takes hard work to acquire those traits.\nNo. 4: You must disregard the good intentions of others and trust your instincts.\n“You must become an expert on yourself,’ Dr. Bob said. “Don’t listen to the naysayers.”\nNo. 5: Don’t be afraid of making mistakes.\n“Take a missed putt for what it is,” he said. “Failure is the fertilizer for future success.”\nBy doing the work that it takes to achieve personal excellence, you will able to live up to a line Winters quoted from “Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure.”\n“Be excellent to yourself. Be excellent to others.”\nParty on, golfers.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line168182"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5430842638015747,"wiki_prob":0.5430842638015747,"text":"The very first Personal computer networks were committed Unique-reason devices such as SABRE (an airline reservation procedure) and AUTODIN I (a defense command-and-Management procedure), both equally made and implemented inside the late nineteen fifties and early 1960s. Because of the early 1960s Personal computer companies had started to employ semiconductor engineering in commercial solutions, and both equally typical batch-processing and time-sharing devices were in place in lots of significant, technologically Highly developed corporations. Time-sharing devices authorized a computer’s means being shared in quick succession with various users, biking in the queue of users so immediately that the computer appeared devoted to Just about every user’s jobs despite the existence of many Many others accessing the procedure “simultaneously.” This led on the Idea of sharing Personal computer means (referred to as host computer systems or just hosts) about an entire community. Host-to-host interactions were envisioned, in addition to access to specialized means (such as supercomputers and mass storage devices) and interactive accessibility by distant users on the computational powers of your time-sharing devices Found somewhere else. These Thoughts were first realized in ARPANET, which founded the very first host-to-host community connection on Oct 29, 1969. It absolutely was made through the Innovative Research Assignments Company (ARPA) on the U.S. Office of Protection. ARPANET was among the first general-reason Personal computer networks. It connected time-sharing computer systems at govt-supported analysis websites, principally universities in The usa, and it before long became a essential piece of infrastructure for the computer science analysis Neighborhood in The usa. Tools and purposes—such as the very simple mail transfer protocol (SMTP, commonly known as e-mail), for sending short messages, as well as file transfer protocol (FTP), for lengthier transmissions—immediately emerged. So as to obtain Price tag-powerful interactive communications amongst computer systems, which usually converse in short bursts of data, ARPANET utilized the new engineering of packet switching. Packet switching can take significant messages (or chunks of Personal computer info) and breaks them into scaled-down, workable parts (known as packets) that can travel independently about any offered circuit on the focus on desired destination, the place the parts are reassembled. So, compared with conventional voice communications, packet switching isn’t going to require a single committed circuit amongst Just about every pair of users. Professional packet networks were introduced inside the seventies, but these were made principally to supply efficient access to distant computer systems by committed terminals. Briefly, they changed long-distance modem connections by fewer-pricey “Digital” circuits about packet networks. In The usa, Telenet and Tymnet were two these kinds of packet networks. Neither supported host-to-host communications; inside the seventies this was even now the province on the analysis networks, and it might stay so for many years. DARPA (Protection Innovative Research Assignments Company; formerly ARPA) supported initiatives for floor-based mostly and satellite-based mostly packet networks. The ground-based mostly packet radio procedure furnished mobile access to computing means, whilst the packet satellite community connected The usa with several European nations and enabled connections with greatly dispersed and distant locations. While using the introduction of packet radio, connecting a mobile terminal to a computer community became feasible. Having said that, time-sharing devices were then even now as well significant, unwieldy, and costly being mobile or maybe to exist outside the house a local climate-managed computing ecosystem. A solid commitment Hence existed to attach the packet radio community to ARPANET in order to make it possible for mobile users with very simple terminals to accessibility enough time-sharing devices for which they had authorization. Equally, the packet satellite community was utilized by DARPA to backlink The usa with satellite terminals serving the United Kingdom, Norway, Germany, and Italy. These terminals, nevertheless, needed to be linked to other networks in European nations in order to reach the conclusion users. So arose the need to connect the packet satellite net, in addition to the packet radio net, with other networks. Foundation of the world wide web The net resulted from the effort to attach different analysis networks in The usa and Europe. 1st, DARPA founded a system to analyze the interconnection of “heterogeneous networks.” This system, referred to as Internetting, was depending on the newly introduced principle of open architecture networking, where networks with outlined standard interfaces could well be interconnected by “gateways.” A Functioning demonstration on the principle was planned. To ensure that the principle to operate, a brand new protocol needed to be made and created; indeed, a procedure architecture was also essential. In 1974 Vinton Cerf, then at Stanford University in California, which author, then at DARPA, collaborated on a paper that first explained this kind of protocol and procedure architecture—specifically, the transmission Management protocol (TCP), which enabled differing kinds of equipment on networks everywhere in the world to route and assemble info packets. TCP, which at first provided the world wide web protocol (IP), a worldwide addressing system that authorized routers for getting info packets to their ultimate desired destination, formed the TCP/IP standard, which was adopted through the U.S. Office of Protection in 1980. Because of the early 1980s the “open architecture” on the TCP/IP approach was adopted and endorsed by all kinds of other scientists and ultimately by technologists and businessmen around the globe. Because of the 1980s other U.S. governmental bodies were seriously associated with networking, such as the Countrywide Science Foundation (NSF), the Office of Strength, as well as Countrywide Aeronautics and Place Administration (NASA). Whilst DARPA had performed a seminal part in creating a little-scale version of the world wide web between its scientists, NSF worked with DARPA to grow access to your complete scientific and academic Neighborhood and to create TCP/IP the standard in all federally supported analysis networks. In 1985–86 NSF funded the very first 5 supercomputing centres—at Princeton University, the University of Pittsburgh, the University of California, San Diego, the University of Illinois, and Cornell University. Within the 1980s NSF also funded the event and operation on the NSFNET, a countrywide “spine” community to attach these centres. Because of the late 1980s the community was operating at countless bits for every next. NSF also funded different nonprofit community and regional networks to attach other users on the NSFNET. A handful of commercial networks also commenced inside the late 1980s; these were before long joined by Many others, as well as Professional World wide web Trade (CIX) was formed to allow transit targeted traffic amongst commercial networks that if not wouldn’t have already been authorized over the NSFNET spine. In 1995, right after comprehensive overview of your situation, NSF decided that aid on the NSFNET infrastructure was not essential, considering that lots of commercial providers were now keen and in a position to fulfill the needs on the analysis Neighborhood, and its aid was withdrawn. Meanwhile, NSF had fostered a aggressive collection of business World wide web backbones linked to one another by means of so-referred to as community accessibility points (NAPs).\nhttps://whoistheowner.enpatika.com/\nhttps://whataregardenrepellents.enpatika.com/\nhttps://whatisamotorcycle.enpatika.com/\nhttps://whatisabrowser.enpatika.com/\nhttps://whatislaserhairremoval.enpatika.com/\nhttps://howmuchiron.enpatika.com/\nhttps://howmuchis1ton.enpatika.com/\n← Enpatika\nPostegro Yerine Gelen Uygulama →","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line710546"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6606998443603516,"wiki_prob":0.33930015563964844,"text":"Get honest answers about treatments.\nI agree to terms and conditions and privacy notice.*\nI agree to personal data usage, specific data usage. and proceeding my data according to art 13 GDPR.*\nMediTrip Privacy Policy\nfor users of the Medic Travel Website on the following domains: meditrip.me.\nI. Use of the Medic Travel Website.\n1. The Medic Travel Website (“Website”/”Site”) published at www.meditrip.me is administered by MEDIC TRAVEL Sp. z o.o. – a corporation organized and existing under the laws of Poland, with its registered office in Poland, Lublin 20-325, at Droga Męczenników Majdanka 74, entered into the register of the National Court Register kept by the District Court for the Capital City of Warsaw, XIII Commercial Division of the National Court Register, KRS number 0000818765, with VAT PL 7393935227, and REGON (National Business Registry Number) 385066265, with its initial capital of 5000 PLN, hereinafter referred to as Site Operator.\n2. This document regulates use of the Website and provides information about the collection of personal data and the privacy policy. Reading, browsing or using content stored on the Website is equivalent to accepting these Privacy Policy.\n3. Any information provided on the Website is presented solely for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice or medical opinion or recommendations regarding proceedings in specific cases. If you are interested in obtaining individual pricing of medical services please fill out the contact form. The Site Operator does not recommend nor endorse any specific medical examinations, tests, physicians, medical procedures, opinions or other information contained on the Website.\n4. The Website’s contents and domain name are protected by law. The documents, articles, graphics, scripts, and other files forming the layout and contents of the Site are owned by the Site Operator or are used with permission from authorized persons. Copying and distribution using any printing or electronic method is prohibited, unless otherwise agreed upon with the Site Operator.\n5. The Site Operator makes every effort to ensure that the information contained on the Website comes from reliable sources, was tested and is reliable, but the Site Operator does not take any responsibility for any results that come about from using the presented information.\nII. Privacy Policy of the Medic Travel Website.\n1. The provisions of the Personal Data Protection Act of 29 August 1997 (Journal of Laws from 2002 No. 101, item 926) apply in connection with providing electronic services, unless the provisions of the Law on electronic services provide otherwise.\n2. The Privacy Policy summarizes the rules for processing and the protection of personal data of the Users of the Medic Travel Website published at www.meditrip.me. The Site Operator fully respects the privacy of Users. All personal information is confidential and protected from unauthorized access. Providing personal data by Users is voluntary. The Site Operator does not share any personal data about Users of the Website with third parties, except when this occurs with the User’s consent. User data can be made available to entities authorized to receive them under applicable laws, including competent justice authorities. Each User of the Site has the right to access and change the data they provided, as well as request data removal.\n3. The Administrator of personal data is Medic Travel Spółka z o.o. – a corporation organized and existing under the laws of Poland, with its registered office in Poland, Lublin 20-325, at Droga Męczenników Majdanka 74, entered into the register of the National Court Register kept by the District Court for the Capital City of Warsaw, XIII Commercial Division of the National Court Register, KRS number 0000818765, with VAT PL 7393935227, and REGON (National Business Registry Number) 385066265, with its initial capital of 5000 PLN\nIII. Basis for Personal Data Processing.\n1. The basis for personal data processing is the consent of Medic Travel Website Users given during the transfer of personal data. During the process of transfer of personal data, the User specifies the scope of use of these data and the purpose of processing in accordance with the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.\n2. When Users visit Medic Travel Website, Users can transfer personal data in order to take advantage of the services presented on the Site, including data on health status. The transfer of certain data, such as contact information, is essential to take advantage of the presented services. All data are processed with the consent of the User, and providing them enables use of all the functionalities of the Site. Personal data are subject to the highest protection provided by law. Providing data enables sending information via e-mail about services, appointment dates, and other information requested by the User on the principles laid down in the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.\nIV. Personal data collected during registration.\nIn order to take advantage of the features presented on the Website, the User provides their personal information by filling out the registration form or by calling the telephone numbers indicated on the Site. Providing personal data is entirely voluntary, but refusal to provide consent for their processing may cause the inability to use some of the services presented on the Site. Conditions of use of the Website are contained in the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy. By filling out the Contact form or making an oral declaration to an Infoline consultant, the User indicates the scope of personal data processing to which the User agrees.\nV. Use of User Personal Data\n1. The Website Users’ personal data will be processed to provide Users with a full range of services presented on the Medic Travel Website published at www.meditrip.me. Detailed information on the use and processing of data related to the use of the Website and related e-services is contained in the Terms and Conditions.\n2. You acknowledge and agree that in certain circumstances we may be obliged to disclose personal information that you have provided to us to third parties, including, but not limited to, any relevant regulator and law enforcement agencies for example, in order to conform to any requirements of law or to comply with any legal process, as well as to protect and defend our rights.\n3. We reserves the right to transfer information (including any personal information you provide) to a third party in the event of a sale, merger, liquidation, receivership or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of Medic Travel Group.\n4. We may from time to time transfer your data to one of our authorized service providers for customer service, business management or for any of the purposes described herein. We will ensure that service providers process your information under strict contractual instruction, in a secure manner and in accordance with this Privacy Policy.\n5. We may share your contact details with other patients interested in hearing your opinion about our service as long as you provide a separate consent.\nVI. How Can a User Inform of a Change in Personal Data?\nIf a User who would like to change their personal information, they are required to use the contact form on the Medic Travel Website published at www.meditrip.me. Data collected automatically cannot be changed or removed.\nVII. Personal Data Collected Automatically.\nWhen a User visits the Medic Travel Website published at www.meditrip.me , data about the visit are automatically collected. These include: IP address, domain name, browser type, operating system type, etc. These data are collected for security reasons for the Website and other Users.\nVIII. Cookies\nThe web browser you use may store text files called “cookies” on your computer’s hard drive. They allow a website, such as www.meditrip.me, to recognize repeat Users and facilitate access to our sites. Cookies do not damage your computers or files. We use cookies to offer information and services tailored to your individual needs and interests. Cookies do not contain any personal data.\nIX. IP address\nData on IP address are recorded on the system log of the Website and can be made available at the request of law enforcement authorities, in the case of reasonable suspicion of committing a crime, for example: defamation, slander, stalking. The Site Operator makes every effort to prevent such situations by moderating the opinions and comments on the principles laid down in the Terms and Conditions. If there is reasonable suspicion of a crime being committed, data on the User’s IP will be forwarded to the relevant authorities on the principles set out in the Criminal Procedure Code.\nX. How Do We Secure Sent Information?\nCommunication between your computer and our server, when we collect your personal information, is encrypted using the SSL (Secure Socket Layer) protocol. In addition, our databases are protected from access by third parties. The data Administrator keeps a register of persons authorized to process them.\nXI. Changes to Our Privacy Policy.\nMedic Travel Spółka z o.o. – a corporation organized and existing under the laws of Poland, with its registered office in Poland, Lublin 20-325, at Droga Męczenników Majdanka 74, entered into the register of the National Court Register kept by the District Court for the Capital City of Warsaw, XIII Commercial Division of the National Court Register, KRS number 0000818765, with VAT PL 7393935227, and REGON (National Business Registry Number) 385066265, with its initial capital of 5000 PLN, reserves the right to change this Privacy Policy by posting a new privacy policy at the Website: www.meditrip.me. The date of the last update is included on the first page of this document. Changes shall enter into force on the date specified by the Site Operator, not be less than 14 days of making them available on the Site and notifying Users.\nXII. Contact.\nIf you have questions about the protection of privacy, please contact us via the contact form available on the Medic Travel Website published at www.meditrip.me.\nThese Medic Travel Privacy Policy shall enter into force on August 01, 2021.\nSend enquiry to the best doctors abroad\nMedic Travel Sp. z o.o.\n10-683 Lublin, Droga Męczenników Majdanka 74, Poland\nPersonal data usage\nSpecific data usage\nArticle 13 GDPR\nCopyright (c) Meditrip 2021","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line20590"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7950819134712219,"wiki_prob":0.7950819134712219,"text":"MilitaryLeak\nBreaking Military News And Defense Technology.\nHomepage / Military Exercise / Timor-Leste Defense Force and US Navy Begin Bilateral Exercise CARAT Timor-Leste\nTimor-Leste Defense Force and US Navy Begin Bilateral Exercise CARAT Timor-Leste\nDecember 12, 2021 January 26, 2023 by admin\nTimor-Leste Defense Force (F-FDTL) and U.S. military are partnering in the 27th annual Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) maritime exercise, virtually, on land, and in the territorial waters surrounding Port Hera, December 6. The nine-day engagement focuses on naval and land force capabilities and features cooperative evolutions that highlight the ability of the U.S. and Timor-Leste to work together toward the common goal of ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific. The at-sea phase will take place near Port Hera, where F-FDTL members will embark on a U.S. Navy ship for partnered training focused on building interoperability and strengthening relationships. U.S. Navy ship and aircraft include Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18) and embarked MH-60S Seahawk helicopter of Helicopter Sea Combat (HSC) Squadron 21.\nThe at-sea training will serve to enhance F-FDTL sovereign ability to monitor and enforce maritime zones and develop personal and professional skills to support operations. The exercise will feature onboard subject matter expert exchanges on navigation, engineering and damage control, and visit, board, search, and seizure (VBSS). F-FDTL and U.S. Marines from I Marine Expeditionary Force will work together in a variety of combined trainings during the harbor phase. The harbor phase will include in-person instruction and practical application on Marine small arms, martial arts and urban combat as well as small boat maintenance and maritime security. U.S. personnel include staff from CTF 76, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7, U.S. 7th Fleet, U.S. Marine Corps, and U.S. Embassy Dili. Virtual subject matter expert exchange events will feature joint training opportunities on maritime law and enforcement and medical topics for seagoing personnel.\n“A common theme across the CARAT exercise series is the shared development of maritime capabilities in support of security, stability and prosperity throughout South and Southeast Asia. The United States and our CARAT partners depend on and provide security for the free flow of commerce that enables the global economy. CARAT is a demonstration of the consistent effort to build and maintain maritime capability. The Timor-Leste Defense Force has been part of CARAT since 2012, and we remain committed to strengthening this partnership through more frequent and sophisticated engagements,” said Capt. Tom Ogden, commodore, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7.\nChief Gunner’s Mate Ronald Clark, from Temecula, California, conducts .50 caliber machine gun training with members of the Timor-Leste Defense Force during Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) from the hangar bay aboard Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18).\nThe CARAT exercise series, celebrating its 27th anniversary, is designed to address shared maritime security concerns and strengthens partnerships between regional navies. With nearly a two decades of diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Timor-Leste, the two countries continue to work closely together to advance a shared vision of a free, open, inclusive, peaceful, and secure Indo-Pacific region. CARAT Timor-Leste 2021 underscores this shared commitment. As the U.S. Navy’s forward-deployed destroyer squadron in Southeast Asia, DESRON 7 serves as the primary tactical and operational commander of littoral combat ships rotationally deployed to Singapore, functions as ESG 7’s Sea Combat Commander, and builds partnerships through training exercises and military-to-military engagements. Under Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with 35 maritime nations in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region.\nSailors give a tour of an MH-60S Sea Hawk, attached to the “Blackjacks” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 21, to members of the Timor-Leste Defense Force from the flight deck aboard Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18), during Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercise. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ryan M. Breeden)\nRosyth Dockyard Cuts Keel on Royal Navy’s Second Type 31 Inspiration-class Frigate\nSpanish Navy to Procure New Anti-ship Missile System via NATO Support and Procurement Agency\nUS and Israel Begin Juniper Oak 23.2 Bilateral Live-fire Exercise\nUS Navy Amphibious Assault Ship USS America (LHA 6) Test Fires RIM-116 Missile\nSikorsky CH-53K King Stallion Helicopter Lifts Non-flyable F-35C Fighter in External Load Test\nRoyal New Zealand Air Force Farewells P-3K2 Orion Fleet with Formation Flight\nIndian Navy Commissions Fifth Kalvari-Class (Scorpene-class) Submarines INS Vagir\nPhilippine Coast Guard to Acquire 5 97-meter Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) from Japan\nFrench Navy Jet Fighters Conduct Exercise with Republic of Singapore Air Force Jet Fighters\nRoyal Navy’s First Future Multi-Role Oceanographic Survey Ship Arrives in United Kingdom\nIndonesian Navy Commissions Hospital Ship KRI Dr Radjiman Wedyodiningrat (992)\nHyundai to Cut Steel for Two Philippine Navy Corvettes in May and November\nLeonardo Signs Contract for Austria to Exercise Options for Additional AW169M LUH Helicopters\nSwedish Navy Joins NATO Naval Logistics Support Partnership (NLSP)\nUK Ministry of Defence Signs £1.6 Billion Contract for Three Logistic Support Ships\nPlasan Awarded Royal Australian Navy Contract to Supply Armour for Hunter-class Frigates\nUnited Shipbuilding Corporation Developing Design of New Advanced Aircraft Carrier\nMalaysian and Japanese Coast Guards Hold South China Sea Security Drill\nPhilippines Government Pushing for Philippine Coast Guard Modernization\nIndonesian Navy Sampari-class Fast Attack Craft KRI Panah Completes Sea Acceptance Test\nPosted in Naval Warfare, Military Exercise\nPrevious post Royal Navy HMS Queen Elizabeth Returns to Portsmouth After Completing Global Mission\nNext post Huntington Ingalls Industries’ Begins Fabrication of Destroyer George M. Neal (DDG 131)\nNon AMP Version\nMilitary Leak brings together all of the open-source intelligence, across defense technology, international news, equipments, contracts, procurements, and manufacturers. Open-source intelligence (OSINT) is the collection and analysis of information that is gathered from public or open sources. The use of such material falls under the Fair Use provisions of intellectual property laws. Every effort has been made whenever possible to credit the sources. The editors do not have the capacity to conduct private correspondence, give legal advice, and intercede in official institutions, as well as review and return materials that have not been ordered by it. The opinion of the editors may not coincide with the opinion of the authors. Syndication © Copyright Military Leak 2023, All Rights Reserved.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1341112"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9627549052238464,"wiki_prob":0.9627549052238464,"text":"« Four Questions with Andy Gill from Gang of Four Greil Marcus: Legends in Words and Music at the Old Town School »\nReview Thu Feb 19 2015\nSleater-Kinney Reminds Chicago They're the Queens of Rock & Roll\nBy Julian Ramirez\nBack in 2006, Sleater-Kinney announced an unelaborated and indefinite hiatus, leaving their fans with little to no hope of seeing the band together again. It may seem like an overreaction but that is at the very least how I felt as a burgeoning adult losing one of his favorite bands. Granted in the following years all the members continued making amazing music. Corin Tucker released a couple of albums that I gravitated to immediately. Drummer extraordinaire Janet Weiss played with nearly every other band I like including the Jicks, Quasi, and the Shins. Carrie Brownstein added writing and acting to her repertoire, all the while making more and more music. When Weiss joined Carrie Brownstein on Wild Flag, it was the closest thing to a Sleater-Kinney reunion most fans could clear see at the time.\nThankfully, with the release of their box set Start Together last year, new music emerged and a fully formed concept of the band returned. No Cities to Love, their first album in a decade, doesn't feel like a simple reunion album. I don't think Sleater-Kinney is capable of that. Every song on the album is a new classic that makes it seem like they never actually left. That was definitely the feeling at the Riviera, where the crowd jumped and sang along with Sleater-Kinney in an amazing show.\nLizzo and her crew opened the night with a riot grrl refresher lead by her DJ and fellow MC Sophia Eris. Segments of \"Cherry Bomb,\" \"Rebel Girl\" and a couple others set the stage for the night of women taking control of the crowd at Riviera. Lizzo, who came out to the Star Wars \"Imperial March,\" had the crowd bouncing to her alternative hip hop bangers in no time. Her drummer Ryan McMahon shredded through songs almost as quickly as Lizzo furiously dashed across the stage to the tremendous beats. The only breaks she took were to acknowledge the crowd and only to dance/twerk/jump in place. At one point her photographer Asha Efia joined the fray, dancing along and cueing the instrumentals for a song.\nLizzo's songs didn't all stick to the raucous mentally of their musical compositions. While those moments of throwing cookies to the crowd during \"Batches and Cookies\" or the amazing \"Werk\" were fun, it was the more serious twists that made Lizzo shine. Lizzo takes pride in every aspect of her identity, whether it's being a feminist, humanist, or her brown skin. A lot of her songs place a strong emphasis on cultural commentary, something she made a point of especially in her final song that reached near spiritual affirmation of her being. There is no backing down when it comes to Lizzo as she finds an understanding and balance through her songs.\nThere wasn't a moment wasted with the women of Sleater-Kinney. As soon as they stepped out from backstage they darted to their respective instruments and ripped into two songs off their latest album. \"Price Tag\" started it off with its cool opening riff before shifting to \"Fangless,\" capturing the audience at the Riviera with an immense urgency. This may have been the best takeaway from the show, seeing the crowd at an undeniable fever pitch with every song. It's a testament not only to the band's staying power, but their unbelievable talent and chemistry to create songs that sound as good and memorable as their past hits.\nEven so, the resulting setlist stayed true to Sleater-Kinney's massive and relentless catalog, mining the majority of their albums. Corin Tucker successfully burst through each of the songs with her magnificent voice. Her vocal cords stretched effortlessly to quivering notes that held together songs. It was absolutely riveting hearing her voice reach the astounding highs that she has always been capable of achieving. \"Surface Envy,\" one of my favorites off the new album, was one of those tremendous peaks of Tuckers voice. She pushed those lyrics \"We win/ We lose/ Only together do we break the rules\" with such force, letting them rise far past any sensible point of reason into a stratosphere reserved for rock stars like Sleater-Kinney.\nThe crowd reaction to the show was best reflected in Janet Weiss' drumming. She has been one of my favorite drummers and her manic drumming was at full tilt during the night. Seated at the center of the stage, Weiss looked like an explosion threatening to spill out of its confinements. There was never a moment where she didn't exude a massive amount of energy. Weiss hit hardest during \"Jumpers,\" shifting between the softer verses before slamming into the rollicking chorus, beating her drums to the edge of their capacity.\nBrownstein carried the verses of \"Oh!\" with a rapid fire precision as she strutted and shuffled all over the stage in her white jumpsuit. She looked like a giant above the crowd who were completely in her control. Brownstein really was the most commanding visage onstage, especially when she treated her guitar like an obvious extension of her body. During \"Entertain,\" her guitar became a tumultuous dance partner, jutting to and fro before finally having the tip of its head placed on the floor of the stage, practically propping Brownstein up. It's a move that only she could pull off with such poise.\nAs Sleater-Kinney returned to the stage for the encore, one audience member threw their bra on stage. Tucker picked it up and knew it was a sign. \"Tour has begun,\" she said before lauding touring partner Planned Parenthood and their support of reproductive health care. Other than a few thank yous and acknowledging the subzero temperatures, this was the longest moment of conversation between the band and the crowd. Sleater-Kinney's show was all about the music. No superfluous frills or unneeded banter, just enough to get you going headlong into their unabashed rock.\nTheir final songs encompassed the band perfectly, touching on the unsurprising range Sleater-Kinney has displayed over the years. Tucker focused entirely on her singing for \"Gimme Love,\" giving her guitar duties to tour member Katie Harkin. \"I Wanna Be Your Joey Ramone\" was dedicated to Kim Gordon, reworking the lyrics to reference Gordon's greatness instead of Thurston Moore. The band took a lovely step down with subversive \"Modern Girl\" before ending it all with the raucous \"Dig Me Out.\" These songs may not all immediately look or sound indicative of Sleater-Kinney's work, but I can assure you they are. The lighter and heavier notes spun together in a whirlwind of those final glorious songs, serving as a reminder that Sleater-Kinney is still more than what they seem after all these years.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line411585"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5709784030914307,"wiki_prob":0.5709784030914307,"text":"Davis Sr.\nLB - Free Agent\nExp 17th Season\nKeeper/Dynasty Rankings\n1 PHI 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0\n2 @ARI 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0\n3 @CLE 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0\n4 BAL 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0\n5 LAR 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0\n6 @NYG 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0\n7 DAL 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0\n9 NYG 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0\n10 @DET 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0\n11 CIN 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0\n12 @DAL 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0\n13 @PIT 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0\n14 @SF 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0\n15 SEA 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0\n16 CAR 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0\n17 @PHI 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0\n2006 14 90 67 18 1.5 0 0 2 0 0 0 5 0\n2007 16 87 70 16 3 0 0 2 1 0 1 5 0\n2008 16 114 93 21 3.5 12 0 2 1 0 0 6 0\n2009 7 61 48 12 1.5 5 1 0 0 0 2 6 0\n2011 2 12 6 6 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0\n2012 15 105 68 35 0 9 0 2 1 0 1 3 0\n2013 16 123 85 38 4 13 0 1 0 0 2 8 0\n2014 15 100 66 34 2.5 8 0 1 1 0 0 3 0\n2017 15 76 52 24 2.5 5.5 0 0 1 0 0 0 0\nThomas Davis Sr. does not have a full player profile. Our staff releases 300+ preseason player profiles each year, though even that does not include all players, especially free agents. You can still consult our season projections to see if this player has an individual projection and/or comment.\nNo recent news for Thomas Davis Sr.\nWeek 5 IDP Preview\nPrepping for Week 5 IDP action with Justin Varnes.\nJustin Varnes\nJustin Varnes goes game-by-game previewing the upcoming Week 3 action from an IDP perspective.\n2020 Team Betting Previews: Washington\nOver/Unders, Player Props, Bets, and more for Washington's 2020 season.\n2020 Team Betting Previews: Chargers\nJuly 9, 2020 9:31am EDT\nOver/Unders, Player Props, Bets, and more for the Los Angeles Chargers' 2020 season.\nOff-Season Tracker: LB\nTracking trades and acquisitions in free agency across the league at the Linebacker position.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line355792"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7097007632255554,"wiki_prob":0.7097007632255554,"text":"Back toMcCarthy Tétrault Employer Advisor\nBen Ratelband\nFilter by Authors Filter by Authors Ben Ratelband Alexander Steele\nService: Employment\nService: Pensions, Benefits, & Executive Compensation\nService: Immigration\nService: Health & Safety\nService: Labour & Employment\nService: Labour\nService: Pay & Employment Equity\nFilter by Services Filter by Services Employment Pensions, Benefits, & Executive Compensation Immigration Health & Safety Labour & Employment Labour Pay & Employment Equity\nDirectors and Officers in the Hot Seat: Maximum Fines Under the Occupational Health and Safety Act Now $1.5-million\nOn April 11, 2022, Bill 88, Ontario’s Working for Workers Act, 2022 (“Bill 88”) received Royal Assent. Bill 88 made significant amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Act (“OHSA”), including substantially increasing the maximum penalties for corporate directors and officers for convictions under OHSA. The amendments came into force on July 1, 2022.\nWhile Bill 88 made a number of changes to OHSA – including increasing the maximum fine amount for individuals from $100,000 to $500,000, extending the prosecutorial limitation period to two years, legislating aggravating factors to be considered on sentencing, and laying the groundwork for the use of “prescribed orders” on sentencing – one of the most noteworthy changes is the fifteen-fold increase in the maximum fine available for sentencing directors and officers of corporations for OHSA violations. Previously, directors and officers were subject to the maximum fine applicable to all individuals, including workers or supervisors ($100,000). The amendment adds a specific penalty provision for directors and officers, with a maximum fine of $1.5-million, which matches the maximum fine applicable to corporations themselves:\n“A director or officer of a corporation who contravenes or fails to comply with section 32 is guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable to a fine of not more than $1,500,000 or to imprisonment for a term of not more than twelve months, or to both.[1]\nSection 32 of OHSA is the general provision establishing the duties of directors and officers of a corporation:\n“Every director and every officer of a corporation shall take all reasonable care to ensure that the corporation complies with,\n(a) this Act and the regulations;\n(b) orders and requirements of inspectors and Directors; and\n(c) orders of the Minister.[2]\nWhere there are multiple offences, the total fine could be multiples of the maximum. As noted above, the maximum fine is in addition to a possible 12 month jail term (which was unchanged by the amendments).\nDirectors and officers convicted of offences under OHSA now face significantly greater potential liability on sentencing. This change, which is part of Bill 88’s apparent broader message that violations of OHSA are to be taken more seriously, seeks to distinguish directors and officers from other workplace parties by recognizing their leadership and decision-making role in workplace health and safety matters.[3] Increased scrutiny of director and officer conduct should be expected going-forward.\nManaging Liability: Due Diligence\nConvictions under OHSA are regulatory offences, which are typically strict liability offences that penalize the absence of due diligence.[4] Demonstrating “due diligence” – showing that a person took all reasonable care and executed the judgment, care, and prudence that a person would reasonably take under the circumstances is a complete defence to strict liability offences. This standard is already built into the primary OHSA provisions addressing workplace parties’ duties, including the director and officer provision in section 32 (“…shall take all reasonable care to ensure…”).[5]\nThis amendment reinforces the importance of ensuring that corporations and their directors and officers have developed and implemented appropriate systems to ensure that directors and officers are duly diligent in discharging their duties. What constitutes “due diligence”, or “taking all reasonable care” depends on the circumstances and the workplace party’s role. A duly diligent director or officer will not be expected to take the same steps as supervisors (i.e. directly overseeing and training workers) but must still take some role in ensuring workplace health and safety.\nEach workplace is different, but generally, some markers of a strong system for ensuring director and officer due diligence include:\nDirectors and officers are familiar with OHSA, its regulations, and the corporation’s obligations thereunder. While directors and officers may be familiar with the Act and its requirements generally (perhaps from prior industry experience or roles within the company), corporations might consider ensuring these leaders are also aware of how those requirements apply to the corporation’s operations specifically. A basic orientation to the regulatory regime and the company’s compliance procedures could be completed at on-boarding, and reviewed periodically or following significant regulatory or operational changes.\nDirectors and officers are regularly updated on significant health and safety issues or initiatives occurring at the company’s operational level. A company might consider establishing a corporate reporting system through which significant incidents, regulator interactions (such as inspections revealing significant issues or refusals), new standard operating procedures, or health and safety committee recommendations are reported to directors and officers.\nSignificant issues are followed-up on by directors and officers. It is important that critical injuries, near-misses, health and safety-related discipline, regulatory orders or investigations, or other major health and safety issues are properly managed. Depending on the circumstances, intervention or oversight by a director or officer could be required.\nThe corporation’s health and safety policies are reviewed periodically – either internally or with the assistance of an outside consultant. As regulatory requirements, industry best practices, and a company’s operations change, the corporation’s policies and practices may need to change as well.\nPeriodic internal compliance audits to ensure proper health and safety policy implementation. Regular, targeted compliance reviews may demonstrate that company leadership is proactively looking to identify and remedy any defects in health and safety compliance or identify opportunities to improve.\nGood documentation practices. Proving that directors and officers took an appropriately active role in ensuring worker safety can be difficult without proper documentation. Companies might consider ensuring that minutes and agendas, training sessions, correspondence, audit results, consultant opinions, and any other records that demonstrate proactive steps by directors and officers to ensure worker safety are gathered, organized, and stored – to build a defence to any charges or to assist with a fulsome response to any regulatory investigations.\nThese are only some of the many steps that corporations and directors and officers might consider implementing to ensure they are taking all reasonable precautions to safeguard worker safety – which not only improves health and safety outcomes, but also establishes a defence in the event of any charges.\nFor any questions regarding Bill 88, the amendments to OHSA, or their impacts on your business, please contact a member of our Labour & Employment Group.\n[1]Occupational Health and Safety Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. O.1, s. 66(2.1) [“OHSA”].\n[2]OHSA, s. 32.\n[3] Will Bouma, MPP, Third Reading of Bill 88: Working for Workers Act, Hansard Transcript, April 6, 2022.\n[4]Ontario (Labour) v. New Mex Canada Inc., 2019 ONCA 30 at para 71.\nLearn more about Ben Ratelband\nLearn more about Alexander Steele\n[form_control_label] [form_control_error]","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line28807"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5378475785255432,"wiki_prob":0.4621524214744568,"text":"California’s imperiled turtles require complex protections\nVIVIAN DU | STAFF\nMax Lambert\nIf you wander around California’s streams or ponds, you’re likely to spot a turtle trundling along the water’s surface. If you’re lucky, this animal is a western pond turtle, because not only are western pond turtles an exquisitely marbled reptile, but they are also one of California’s most imperiled species. Pond turtles have a relatively large natural range, extending throughout Western North America from British Columbia down to Baja California. But everything from climate change to a dramatic loss of habitat has dealt pond turtles a serious blow. During the California Gold Rush, people even used to eat pond turtles in large numbers and less than a century ago, you could buy a dozen wild pond turtles in San Francisco markets.\nWestern pond turtles are in such rough shape that they are under review for listing as “endangered” under the United States Endangered Species Act. Chances are, however, if you’re in a city or suburb, the animal you will see is a red eared slider turtle. Distinguished by a red stripe next to their eyes, sliders are very distinctive. Red-eared sliders are also common across California, but they are native to the central and Eastern United States. Additionally, because they are so common in the pet trade, sliders have been distributed in abundance throughout the rest of the United States and across the world. The problem is that red-eared sliders get big and mean in a short amount of time, which causes people to release their red-eared pets into the wild rather than finding them another home.\nPet sliders have been released in mass droves not only throughout California, but on every continent except Antarctica. Conservation biologists have been concerned for several decades as to whether or not feral slider turtles compete with native turtles for food and space in their habitats. Until recently, we had no evidence from wild populations that invasive sliders might impact native turtles anywhere. My colleagues and I recently published a study where we removed the majority of a red-eared slider population from a shared habitat — an incredible 177 sliders totaling over 200 pounds of turtle mass. Removing this slider population allowed native pond turtles to access more food and habitat space. Interestingly, we also found that so many pet sliders had been released into this habitat that the sliders were also impacting each other. This result showed that not only do released sliders pose a threat to native turtle conservation, but they also pose a threat to themselves.\nCities and suburbs can be rough places for California’s western pond turtles. Urban areas are feral slider hot spots. Because most invasive red-eared slider turtles are released pets, the slider invasion is concentrated in lakes, ponds and streams where people live. Red-eared sliders are not, however, the only problem facing urban pond turtles. Roads fracture the landscape and make it harder for pond turtles to move between habitats, and plenty of turtles get smashed by vehicles. This issue is often worse for females, which have to travel farther on land to find places to nest. Urban areas are also home to fierce predators, such as coyotes and raccoons, which dig up turtle nests and eat adult turtles. Beyond invasive competitors and lethal encounters, western pond turtles are timid animals and get stressed out when they see walkers, joggers or bikers. This causes them to abandon their habitat unlike sliders. Nevertheless, urban areas don’t have to be lost causes for imperiled pond turtles. In fact, cities and suburbs can be home to strong western pond turtle populations and may be exciting places to focus on pond turtle conservation.\nOur study provides pretty clear evidence that removing red-eared sliders can be an important part of pond turtle conservation, particularly in sensitive urban habitats. Removing sliders from habitats is, however, only a temporary solution. We must ban the sale of pet sliders to prevent them from being released into the wild. As our study shows, releasing sliders into the wild hurts both native turtles and pet sliders. Therefore, banning the sale of red-eared sliders will benefit pond turtles and sliders. Urban bodies of water can offer some relief from hot weather and droughts that will only get worse with climate change. We can also tweak urban habitats to favor pond turtles by adding more floating spaces, providing cover from people and minimizing the distance turtles must travel to nest. Urban habitats will always pose challenges for pond turtles, but they can also be part of a holistic effort to protect this Californian species. Conserving western pond turtles is going to take some serious work, but it’s worth it. Unlike the rest of the country, California doesn’t have an abundance of native freshwater turtle species. Therefore, protecting the western pond turtle means protecting an iconic piece of California’s natural history.\nMax Lambert is a postdoctoral research scientist in the department of environmental science, policy and management at UC Berkeley.\nEnvironmental Science Policy and Management\nWaitlisted students offer to pay classmates to drop courses\nRecently, multiple students on campus have offered to pay their classmates to drop out of classes they are waitlisted for, raising concerns about over-enrollment and advising.\nVolunteers build 12 tiny homes for homeless youth from Berkeley, Oakland\nYSA, a Berkeley art and job-training organization, has been planning its Tiny House Village since 2016. The village, which is projected to open July 1, 2020, will have 26 tiny houses in total — 22 for homeless youth and four for resident assistants.\nCaltrans clears Berkeley encampments\nA Berkeley homeless encampment by University Avenue and Interstate 80 was cleared on Wednesday by the California Department of Transportation, or Caltrans.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line919043"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6645001769065857,"wiki_prob":0.6645001769065857,"text":"Clinical Focus Areas\nOverview of Outpatient Clinics\nPCMH\nGrand Rounds Webcast Videos\nBehavioral Health in Primary Care\nCancer Screening and Prevention\nClinical Informatics and Technology\nDisability Health\nGlobal Primary Care\nIntegrative and Complementary Medicine\nFind Clinical Studies\nQuantitative Training, Research and Analysis Core (QTRAC)\nAntiracism and Health Equity\nIntegrative Family Medicine\nJapanese Family Health Program\nMDisability\nMichigan Mixed Methods\nHealth Providers\nMajor Donors\nPrograms »\nMDisability »\nCommunity Building »\nDocsWithDisabilities Podcast »\nEpisode 41: Dr. Dinesh Palipana\nIn this episode, Dr. Meeks and Poullos are joined by Dr. Dinesh Palipana. Dr. Palipana is a lawyer, doctor, researcher, disability advocate, and recipient of the 2021 Queensland Australia of the year award for his work advocating for doctors with disabilities. Dr. Palipana shares his personal experiences as a physician with a disability and how he works to create more inclusive medical spaces and attitudes, in Australia and the United States.\nLisa Meeks:\nDoctors with disabilities exist in small but measurable numbers. How did they navigate their journey? What were the challenges? What are the benefits to patients and to their peers? What can we learn from their experiences? My name is Lisa Meeks, and I am thrilled to bring you the DocsWithDisabilities podcast.\nJoin me as I interview Docs, Nurses, Psychologists, OT’s, PT’s, Pharmacists, Dentists, and the list goes on. I’ll also be interviewing the researchers and policymakers that ensure medicine remains an equal opportunity profession.\nSofia Schlozman:\nHello and welcome back to the Docs with Disabilities podcast. This episode is the fifth installment in our ongoing series on BIPOC voices. If you have not yet listened to the other episodes in this series, we highly recommend that you check them out as well.\nIn this episode, we are joined by Dr. Dinesh Palipana. Dr. Palipana is a lawyer, doctor, researcher, disability advocate, and recipient of the 2021 Queensland Australia of the year award for his work advocating for doctors with disabilities. We are so honored to have him on the show today to talk about his own experiences as a physician with a disability and to share his insight on how to create more inclusive medical spaces and attitudes in Australia and the United States. We begin with an introduction from Dr. Palipana.\nDinesh Palipana:\nMy name is Dinesh. I am a doctor working in the emergency department at the Gold Coast University Hospital in Australia. I am a lawyer and a researcher in spinal cord injury. I am a disability advocate and I work as a lecturer at the medical school at Griffith University.\nPeter Poullos:\nSo, knowing what you do about the landscape for disability in Australia and in the United States and in other countries, what would you say the differences are and similarities between disability inclusion in those countries?\nI was born in Sri Lanka, actually, and I lived there till I was 10 years old, and I spent a little bit of time thereafter I had the spinal cord injury as well. So, I did a little bit of work in Sri Lanka around people with spinal cord injuries and a few other things. So, I had those two countries to directly make comparisons to, and I feel extremely lucky. Australia has a lot of support systems in place, like a national insurance scheme, to provide care, and equipment, and support to people with disabilities. Whereas, when I was in Sri Lanka, even the hospital environment for people with spinal cord injuries were very, very difficult, because even things like air conditioning to thermoregulate, having access to physiotherapy space, and simple equipment like catheters were all lacking and all these patients with spinal cord injuries were put in one room, which wasn't very big. A lot of them went home and passed away because, particularly in rural Sri Lanka, there just isn't the medical and social care to help them stay alive.\nSo, having seen all that, I count my blessings every day to be living in a country where there's a necessary support to live, and to work, and to get around the community. Even to be having a conversation with you today is not an opportunity that most people will have. So, I feel very lucky to have done that and to have had this opportunity. And I think there are probably some strengths and challenges in comparing countries like Australia and the United States as well. From my brief time that I spent there, what I came to understand is that things, like the Americans with Disabilities Act, seem to have provided a really strong foundation to build on with protections. And again, that's with my very limited understanding of how the system works, in detail, in the United States, But in Australia, we've had some challenges in the past because until very recently there wasn't human rights registration and the constitutional rights were limited and the Anti-Discrimination Legislation, while it was there, I think the legal frameworks to protect the rights of people with disability weren't as strong and people struggled when they tried to fight for their rights.\nThat's something that's developing over a period of time, to become stronger. So now there is human rights legislation. Now, the body of law is being developed in disability, but when I was struggling to find employment as an intern, when I graduated, there was really no legal protection, even though I earned my degree and spent time at the hospital. I think the strengths are the social structures built for people with disabilities. So, a couple of years ago, we had the National Disability Insurance Scheme and the National Injury Insurance Scheme that was rolled out across Australia. And these schemes, again, while they're developing and are still being shaped, they provide everything from funding for care, equipment, and access in the community that everyone needs to live and to, hopefully, live according to what their goals are. So, I think those kinds of schemes have been a great strength. And if anyone sustains a spinal cord injury or disability, they are generally eligible for cover under one of these schemes.\nI think different countries have different challenges and different strengths. But I think developing nations, I feel for the people that live there, because while we're talking about challenges in education and employment and other things, I mean, these people were struggling to survive.\nWow, it's interesting when you reframe it. Earlier today I was thinking we had not pushed the needle enough. I was actually doing another interview where we were talking about how we have to continue to persist and continue to try to hold people accountable to, not only the laws, but best practice here, and then to come on and talk to you and think, \"Wow, how lucky are we that we even have these laws,\" is a totally different mind frame. I never lead with the law. To me, the law is kind of an ancillary device. I always lead with the human rights, social justice perspective. But it's nice to have the law there in the U.S. to bring in when it's necessary. But I'm, I'm wondering from your perspective, because you are a lawyer and were a lawyer prior to going into medical school, how you see that, almost like a dance or the balance of the legal protections and the legal stance, versus, the social justice kind of approach to inclusion. And because you've obviously probably utilized both and what is and is not effective in your work?\nI think the law should be a last resort because it's expensive, it's time-consuming, and it's complicated, and we shouldn't have to resort to that. And I think the more important thing that has really benefited me, is just having good people with a good culture that believe in the right thing that believe in the value of inclusion. I had this injury, spinal cord injury, halfway through medical school. And it was just about when I was starting my clinical rotations. So, I got to experience a wide range of different specialties. And I got to experience a wide range of different attitudes as well. And both as a student and as a resident, I can give you two different experiences. One was in the emergency department where I work in the busiest emergency department in Australia. It's a really dynamic environment, it’s full of people, it's full of different situations. And everything's completely unexpected.\nThe people in the department… when I first met my clinical supervisor there as a medical student, she took me out for coffee and she had a chat with me about what my life was like, what the injury was. She met my mom and talked to my mom because my mom was a big part of my life. And she's always going to be part of my life.\nSo, we had a coffee and I still remember it. And at the end of that chat, she just said, \"Okay, great, we'll make it work.\" And \" We can't wait to have you.\" And ever since that point, I've really felt at home and valued and respected and like a part of the team. And any day that I'm at work, the doctors and nurses, the radiographers, the physiotherapists, everyone, the environmental service people. Everyone just treats me like a normal person and a part of the team. I say hi to everyone. And it's just so nice wandering into work. So, I feel the culture is so inclusive. And I was talking to my girlfriend who also works in the same department, and we were just reflecting on the diversity of people, whether it be LGBTQ+ or, people with disabilities or whatever else, it's just not a thing. It never comes up. And everyone's a part of the family and we care about each other, we check in on each other. So that culture is so important. Whereas I worked, or I tried to get a spot in the radiology department and the attitude was completely different.\nAnd I was told that even though the emergency department has accepted me that they don't want someone with a spinal cord injury in that department. And so I wouldn't be able to work there. So, I think the reason I told that story is I think culture and attitude is way more important for inclusion than law, because even if you fight legally for inclusion, and even if you manage to get a court order to say that \"Yes, you can work in this place.\" And then, \"Yes, they have to take you.\" I think it still makes for a pretty tough environment to be in.\nSo, I think, while legal protection is very important, I think they just need to serve as a reminder and a message that this is our social structure. This is the framework that we need to exist in. But I think changing minds and attitudes to that which value inclusion is really important.\n[music transition]\nWhen you were talking earlier about how you were the last incoming intern to be offered a job. I think you were offered your job two days before the start date, right? And, reading that made me really angry (laughs) for you, the fact that they separated your application out from everybody else's and then just kept on dragging it along and delaying. But the thing that was even more disturbing was that after you were allowed to enter into your job after graduation, that they went, and then they tried to make it harder for medical students with your type of disability to enroll and complete medical school. Is that right? And if so, how did they attempt to do that? And did they succeed?\nYeah, well, Lisa would be very familiar with that piece of work that came out, around 2015 or 2016, and those medical deans of Australia and New Zealand, which released a set of inherited requirements that was designed to basically exclude people with disabilities from studying medicine. And it had a range of things like, your motor function should be this, and your sensory functions should be this. It had a really strict set of criteria. But I guess the most difficult part when that came out, is someone forwarded me an email from one of the committee members that helped draft that document. And I still have that email, but the email said something along the lines of, \"This policy should allow us the legal protection, if we want to exclude someone with a disability from studying medicine, or if we need to exclude someone who's acquired a disability, who's already studying medicine.\"\nAnd that just felt like, (laughs) when I just read the words, it feels like it's very directed at you, right? But it wasn't really legally challenged. And then this document filtered out through to the organization that administers the entrance exam for medical schools and some medical schools put it up on their websites. So, this was filtered through to a lot of places and it wasn't really challenged legally, but there was a lot of advocacy, which Lisa also supported. And this year I've been peripherally involved in the work that, with the community, has changed the documents, so there's a new one that's being developed, which is a really nice thing. And it's a lot closer to a more inclusive approach. So that's been really nice to see that transformation.\nYeah, well, we still have a ton of work to do in the US on that front, but it sounds like you're describing technical standards, right? And they vary considerably from one place to the next.\nYeah, but luckily we have some good people leading the way. And I have a set of technical standards that I can pull out at all these different events. “Look at this, this is how it should be.\"\nYou know, we're trying, and the AAMC is doing great education and outreach on this. And we have exemplar examples of technical standards. We have, certainly have, we have people like Pete Poullos, actively working in medicine, hundreds and thousands of physicians with disabilities actively and uneventfully practicing medicine. And so, it's just, it still surprises me when we happen upon the ignorance that is embedded in some of these standards and the writing and the kind of historical language that's used and it's disappointing.\nIn the next section, Dr. Meeks, Dr. Poullos, and Dr. Palipana discuss the value of welcoming people with disabilities into medical professions. Listen or read along as they discuss how improving inclusivity can promote innovation and improve efficiency.\nOne of the things that we share is this idea of innovation and how it very organically emerges as part of living with a disability and working with a disability. And I know just in, you know, my interactions, I actually could pose this to both of you. I'd love to get both of your perspectives on it. This idea that, you know, necessity is the mother of invention and how innovation has, has been a part of your life since the accident. And in what ways have you innovated in medicine in your daily routine, I guess both personally and professionally to the advantage or increased efficiency, or some sort of work around that you've come up with that has been helpful.\nYeah. You know, we were talking about the law and the social justice angle, if that's the right thing to do before. So, I think law, the law is probably the bottom of the rung, and you've got social justice and everything next up. But I think the highest level of what we're aiming for is that this is a really beneficial thing for us to do, because it will increase efficiency and innovation, and profits and whatever. And so, innovation has definitely been a part of practice for me because I had to figure out how to do things. And I wanted to figure out how to do things more efficiently than my counterparts. So, in my first year when I was an intern, I kept really detailed records of how many patients I was seeing and what was happening.\nAnd I wanted to demonstrate efficiency, and I've found ways of examining the patients, typing up my notes and having a workflow using things like iPads and voice recognition and whatever else that would allow me to be more efficient, while delivering high quality care. So, in the emergency department where we are often seeing so many patients, one of the things that I kept track of is how many patients I would see. So, in my first year I was seeing 24% more patients than the average intern using whatever tools and workflows that I had.\nSo, I was able to demonstrate that not only was inclusion a good thing, but it could be more efficient as well for me at the time. But since then, we have adopted so many different things, and I've been able to contribute to the rollout of technology now at other hospitals, including new electronic medical records and more voice-read voice recognition. I even fiddled around recently with one of the emergency physicians who helped me figure out how I might be able to intubate on a dummy using video assisted intubation. So, there's so much technology out there that can enable a person to practice and that can bridge physical gaps. We need that in medicine anyway. And I read this book by Dr. Eric Topol, which is a Creative Destruction of Medicine, and he talks about how medicine is so slow to adopt technology that would actually make it better. And we have so much, we have so much. And I think inclusion is one of the ways where we can improve and increase the uptake of technologies that will actually make us a better profession.\nYeah. I mean, thinking smarter, there are so many workarounds that we've created over the years for physicians and learners with disabilities that are then adopted as part of the protocol for the department, or if it's a procedural work around, that get adopted because it is more efficient with greater outcomes. So, I love that.\nIn the next section, the conversation transitions to a discussion of diversity and allyship. Listen or read along as our hosts and our guests explore how community involvement and allyship can help shift attitudes and force change in medical settings.\nWhat barriers of inclusion for doctors with disabilities who also identify as doctors of color do you still hope to dismantle through your advocacy?\nThat's such an interesting question because I was at an event earlier this year and one of my friends, they were saying, \"Man, do you realize that you not only have a disability, but you're a migrant, you tick all the boxes.\" I was like, \"Oh, well, I never actually thought about that.\" But yeah, the thing is I think the challenges for culturally and linguistically diverse people are widespread and real. But for me personally, I've never really been, I haven't been affected by it. And maybe it's because we moved to Australia when I was 10 years old and I grew up in a little seaside town.\nIt was just a, really, it was a tiny little town and you just feel, oh, I just always felt like part of it. So, my, I guess my identity as a person of color, I never really felt apart, if that makes any sense. So, I think that you can be two challenges stacked on top of each other. But the thing is there are so few doctors with disabilities in this country and there are even fewer doctors with disabilities that have visible disabilities. So I don't know if that challenge has really come to the forefront just yet. We have both of these issues going on, but in medicine broadly, I think there are challenges for doctors of different cultural and linguistically diverse backgrounds.\nThere are also challenges for my female colleagues. The really interesting thing is again, when I was an intern, I did a term in internal medicine which had two interns, and my colleague was a female. And there were periods when other healthcare professionals would prefer to talk to me and they've said it to her on the phone by virtue of being a male doctor. And there were patients that preferred a male doctor, and they would be patients that would mistake her for not being a doctor. So, there were, there were challenges like that for my female colleagues. And what I realized was that they had sometimes, and I've observed this in a variety of different specialties, that they had more challenge getting tasks done because they were female, than me who was unable to use my hands, which was a pretty grieving realization sometimes to come to.\nThe other important question on the point of this topic is that recently I was talking to a group of medical students and we were having a conversation. And one of them asked, actually asked, a really interesting question, \"Do you ever feel tired being an advocate for a minority group?\" And my answer was \"No,\" but I think the more interesting thing that comes out of that is that I think it's important to be an ally for people who are going through things or who are a minority group. I think allies are more important. And the reason I say that is because in my journey, with the spinal cord injury, when I was struggling to get a job and when I was faced with other challenges along the way, my allies, my mom obviously to be one, but a lot of the female, senior doctors were my allies. A group of them actually offered to give up their salaries to fund my internship. They said, \"Let's take money off the table. So, why don't you, why don't you let this guy become an intern.\" So I had allies like that along the way and they didn't have the spinal cord injury. But they stood with me. And I think that's the more important part, it's important to have allies, and it's important to have people that just support you and support the cause. So, when we were talking about being a person of color or culturally and linguistically diverse, I think it's important to have allies.\nIs disability consistently included in diversity initiatives in Australia or at your institution? Because here, we are sometimes an afterthought or left out altogether, not necessarily even on purpose, but just because people forget that we're here.\nYeah. Yes. I think the challenge is, again, touching on the internship issue, the broad organization or the state body that was employing interns had these, \"We are an inclusive employer, and we welcome people with disability and diversity,\" and whatever else. All the hospitals have, “Yes, we value diversity, and we have a disability inclusion plan and action plan”. So, all these institutions have had it, but when it comes to the crunch, when it comes to employing someone with a disability, when it comes to supporting someone who's acquired a disability, this becomes a different thing. And I think while there are action plans and while there are messaging and policy, I think the challenge lies on the ground and in middle management, where it becomes a very difficult thing. And while the leadership are behind the broad message, I think there are opportunities for them to be allies more, and there are opportunities for them to fight more and give people more, which doesn't really happen.\nI think that the whole idea of allyship being critical to raising awareness and pushing equity forward is absolute. I also, I think when you're trying to think about injustice, it is very hard to tease apart some of these things, right? The constructs that keep those injustices or discrimination active and weaved through all of these different marginalized populations. And sometimes too, it's the shifting of the power, who has the power in the situation, to fight. And so, in this, I love your story about the senior doctors that collectively were willing to give up part of their income to fund you because it forced a situation, right? It was all of a sudden if money is not the issue, it forces people to either say they're being discriminatory and they don't want someone who has a disability, or to come up with another reason.\nI just, I think that's such a unique and incredible approach. I've had students with disabilities where that person has been the recipient of some sort of discriminatory action or microaggression, or just flat out aggression, aggression. And when the community comes together to support the student and demands specific action be taken for the community, the power of that is so big, but it also diffuses the opportunities to make it an individual person issue, right? It, all of a sudden now, is a community issue. The community has decided that this is not in line with our morals or values or our goals. And so, it takes the pressure off of that person, the person with the disability, or the person who's the minority person in the room, or the person who has, well for any identity, you know, being the minority versus the majority representation. I think that is absolutely essential.\nYeah. Particularly in medicine where there are such big power differentials that are very hard to navigate. So I think that that is really, that's really cool because when people then get behind someone that becomes a community issue, it's a lot easier for someone to navigate. I like that.\nSome cultures are just more collective in their approach to things and community oriented. And in those cultures, people thrive regardless of their identity, whether it be because they're part of the queer community or because they have a disability or because they're a member of an ethnic or racial minority. And that brings it back to kind of your community to finding your people who are going to stand beside you and back you.\nGoing back to culture too recently, there was a trauma, in our emergency department and this group of people and one of the junior team from a surgical specialty was putting in a chest tube. And there was a surgeon in the room, there was an emergency physician in the room, and the surgeon started berating the person putting in chest tube, and the emergency physician stopped him. And he said, \"We don't tolerate that kind of attitude towards people in our emergency department. So please stop.\"\nIt was, it was great. It was amazing and that was it. And I think we need that, right? We need people to speak up, we need people to really uphold that culture.\nAnd the same thing for your example of women. Whether it's harassment or choosing to ask for, you know, a physician that's male, having a male walk into the room and say, \"My colleague, Dr. So-and-so is extraordinarily competent, and you will treat her with respect. The idea of somebody with the power showing up for the other person who is being kind of attacked in that power differential.\nI will actually teach the researchers in my research lab that the learners, students, the residents, how to respectfully, but forcefully stand up for someone with a disability or show up for somebody with a disability and, and do advocacy in a way that's respectful that calls people in that, you know, invites conversation and teaches people in a way, in a way that's educational.\nWe're all products of our environment, but we were all taught something by the people who, who've raised us, whether that's parents or family, or the community and family of medicine and what they've taught us. Um, but sometimes that has to be untaught. And so, if we approach it in this educational way where a person can have, well, we help them have a little bit more self-reflection about their actions or their words. I think that can be really powerful. And then, you know, while we're teaching students to do that in our lab, as part of just, how do you be a good ally and advocate, I think it's also important to teach them about the power in numbers, right? Going back to that community approach as well.\nTotally. And I think two things from that is when we were going through this inherent requirement or, you know, the equivalent of technical standards in Australia, there were two medical students from Melbourne University that reached out to me at their own accord and didn't know them previously. And they said, \"We've seen this document and we don't want our institution to be a part of that. How can we best the advocates to make sure that our institution remains inclusive?\" And then they went and talked to their deans and staff and whatever else. And I thought that was amazing, but there was a talk, a SMACC talk, by an emergency physician named Cliff Reid. And he talks about heroes in it. He defines a hero as someone who does something for the benefit of another or other people, weathering personal risk, overcoming fear while having a very strong moral compass. And I think that's what this is about, right. I think you're teaching the medical students to be heroes and those little acts of heroism that really matter. Because it is about fear, and it is about overcoming personal risk because you think there's risk to your profession, or your career, or your education. But you are still guided by your moral compass to do something for the benefit of another, without expectation of personal gain. I think that's a really powerful concept.\nAbsolutely. And I think the personal risk is it's hard. I mean, these students are in, at the lowest order of all things. But I look at institutions like Stanford, and I think about what Pete's built in just a little over three years and all of the students that are now coming up through Stanford and some of the things that they've done that have been, I think, pretty risky. But they did it for change. And they're doing it as, you know, at risk to themselves, but to force a change in the system.\nAnd yeah, I think it's honorable for sure.\nI know, I'm so proud of them for doing that. It's really spectacular. Yeah.\nBut these are the people, these are the people that can shape the future and the future of the profession, and the future of the world. We need people to take the reins and stand up for something that's right. And I think that there've been so many movements of late that have had a powerful impact in society. But I think the voice of the people matters in creating change. The voices of the community matter, because I think we often forget that institutions and politicians are accountable to the people rather than the other way around. I was actually talking to Grace Forrest, who is an anti-slavery activist. And she was saying that companies change direction if it's as little as 14% of their consumers are activists for a certain thing. So, it doesn't take much for an institution to change direction. So, if we have a small pocket of activists, you can really make an organization listen.\nWell, some of the big ones, you know, Google, Facebook, Amazon, Nike is hiring a disability specialist. I feel like in the last two years, many of the major corporations in America have hired on disability specialists or someone to come in and help, not only with informing the creation of products or the accessibility of the website or ordering or delivery, or in some way, shape, or form are employing people to help the company understand how to cater to the consumer that has a disability and I would say in the last year, I've seen it flip from not just catering to the consumer, but actually marketing to the disabled consumer. So, you know, we've seen the stories about the deodorant clothing, which is fantastic and you know, now sportswear. And so, I do think there is a big shift and companies are listening. It's, you know, when are the employers of major medical institutions going to hop onto that.\nYeah. And actually, I think some of those more mainstream conversations are important to contribute to the inclusion conversation in medical institutions as well. So, when you see it around the world and around big corporations and groups like that, I think you are compelled to at least think about it.\nThe conversation now shifts to consider how medical institutions can create and promote proactive strategies to support learners and colleagues with disabilities. Listen or read along as Dr. Meeks, Dr. Poullos, and Dr. Palipana discuss the value of open conversations, diverse spaces, and academic scholarship in not only supporting disabled learners but in showing that they are valuable and essential members of medical professions.\nHow do you think that our medical institutions can shift the burden of change away from people like us with disabilities so that the institutions end up being more proactive than reactive?\nIt's still gonna be attitudes, isn't it? I think the messaging that I've seen and some of the work that I've seen, most institutions are still driven by profits and efficiency in projects. And in fact, that's probably one of the broader challenges in medical care that we have is how do we deliver high quality care while dealing with these issues about budgets and whatever else that's coming from the high down. And I think inclusion is the same because I think that it's a costly thing, or they think that it might be a difficult thing in that it might be challenging. But I think if we can demonstrate that this is a beneficial thing and this has the potential to increase your efficiency and new profits and whatever else, then at least the top level of the institutions will start to buy into it a bit more.\nI just think we have to frame it as the benefit and then it has to just filter down from there. And I think from that level down, that probably has to be more stick than carrot. I think people just have to be, sadly, punished for not, not doing the right thing. I mean, I told you the story about radiology earlier. Our radiology department. When I took that to the director of human resources, that story, her response at the time was to move to a different hospital that might be more supportive. So, it just has to be something that the top level believes in. And then if there's anyone there below that's not willing to buy in, and that does things that are contrary to inclusion, then I think it has to be a little slap on the wrist.\nWhat you said earlier about, like, middle management is really true and it's just your story about radiology there versus emergency medicine and like, that's that one radiology department wasn't welcoming. It so happens that my radiology department is welcoming. But when you think about all the people with disabilities and all the hospitals throughout the world, you know, most people, nurses, therapists, CNAs, doctors, anybody who is taking care of patients, they're reporting to somebody and that supervisor, chances are, will not be well-trained in how to deal with employees with disabilities. And so, you might get lucky and your supervisor might be open-minded, might be familiar with the law, and might treat you well, but it's kind of like the luck of the draw.\nThese disability conversations are happening every day. Like everywhere all the time. Like, \"Hey, can I get off at four instead of five today? I have to go to a doctor's appointment,\" or “Can you cover my shift for me tomorrow? I'm not feeling well,\" you know, what is the attitude of your colleagues and the supervisors and what sort of, not even accommodations in the formal sense, but adjustments are people willing to make to support one another. Unfortunately, it's just, it's very random.\nYeah, I totally agree. But I also think that's why it's important that we shape the medical students of today, like you and Lisa are doing. You know, sometimes it's even, even when you have a group of juniors or people coming up, that to say \"Wait, that's not okay. Why are you saying that?\" Questioning these ancient attitudes that are getting around and sometimes that's enough for people to think about. So, I think having the next generation, I think that's important too, to kind of force the senior medical establishment to start thinking of it differently. But I also think the presence of more diverse people within hospitals and within different specialties is really valuable as well, because a lot of this is about the fear of the unknown, whether you're talking about people of color or people of different culture or people with disabilities, whatever else.\nI remember you know, at a certain point in my career, I worked with a very, very senior surgeon who actually, I was terrified of because I often hear them yelling and whatever else. So, I was really, I was really nervous to start spending my term with them. And so, on my first day I turned up and I was like, just terrified. But it went really well. This whole term went by and then we got to the end of it and it came time to do my evaluations. So, we sat in their room and they started talking to me about what it was like having a person in a wheelchair coming through their service. And they told me that initially there was a great deal of hesitancy and concern. And then as the term went on, they said that their thoughts started shifting, and by the end of it, they said that they were ashamed that they thought that way at the start because their whole attitude about medicine had changed about what a doctor is, and who, who could be practicing medicine.\nAnd that was a really nice moment from someone who is very traditional and very senior to have the humility to explain that their attitude had shifted over that period of time when it happened. Also, yesterday in our spinal cord research lab, I was talking to two of my colleagues. So, they have a very diverse range of religious, political and social beliefs, and lifestyles and whatever else. And we were having a conversation openly talking about those beliefs, sharing things together. And as we understood each other there was a great deal of respect and openness. And it was a very good conversation, but I think that's one of the things, right, if we share experiences, and we share time together. And if we openly understand each other with respect, those attitudes shift. I think that that is really valuable.\nThis sort of pattern, like people are scared or skeptical. They don't know what to do, and they make the adjustments because they have to, and then at the end of it, they look back and they say, \"Wow, that wasn't easy, but it was so worth it.\" And their attitudes change. It's just like one person at a time through this contact.\nPete and I have written about this and kind of taking the premise of contact theory and applying it to the inclusion of people with disabilities and the implications for reducing stereotypes and stigma around disability. And I think that's one mechanism for doing this. And we were responding and kind of writing up what someone had done at the University of Washington in emergency medicine actually, Dinesh, but I think there's one step further.\nThe people at Washington not only did this and were innovative in their approach to including this learner, but then wrote it up for the academic medicine scholarship. I think people have these moments where they have learners with disabilities, whether they were forced to, because, you know, we have to follow the law or because they wanted to just for the social justice perspective, you know, this is a learner in our program and we're going to be inclusive either way. They have that “aha!” moment. And what I generally do when I hear about those things, I just did it for our department of surgery and we just submitted a piece, I come in as kind of the cheerleader and I'm like, \"This is great. This is great. You have a great attitude.\"\nThe clerkship director is like, \"This was no big deal.\" And I'm like, \"I need you to put that in academic words, in a paper,\" because I think the thing that we failed to do in disability, where we do it with everything else is to see the potential for scholarship in this space and to write up these case studies or these theories, and to disseminate that to our peers, such that the next time a person is in a position where they're going to be including a learner with a disability, and they're fearful, if they were to look on PubMed or Google scholar, or what have you, there would be some guidance there. Somebody else that had gone through that would have been able to maybe squash those fears a bit. I think it's also a great resource for disability resource providers or other individuals that are in charge of determining reasonable adjustments or reasonable accommodations, to be able to go to a clerkship and say, \"This was successfully done at Stanford, and at the University of Washington, and at UCSF, and at Rush University and at Northwestern.\"\nAnd when we start talking about the inclusion of individuals with spinal cord injuries in medicine, I can give you coast to coast, examples of schools that have successfully done it. And you have this mounting evidence that it is not only not impossible at the end of the day, it's not a big deal. Then you have a really hard time justifying the exclusion of a learner and saying that it's not possible. And not only do you have a hard time doing that just as an ethical, moral, logistical issue. But also, if it were to become litigious and all of these other people have done it, and all of these other people have written about it, it becomes really difficult to legally defend your actions. So, I'm getting a two bird, one stone situation with the manuscripts, with the scholarship because it shifts the conversation, it changes the norms, and it gives people a defense if they need it.\nOh, Lisa, you, every time you talk, it reminds me of why I am your protégé.\n(laughs)\nI love, I love the grand plan. That's cool. Yeah.\nIn this final section, listen or read along as Dr. Palipana shares his advice for learners with disabilities seeking to enter medical professions and his advice for the educators who work in medical institutions.\nSo, the podcast was developed out of this need to provide mentorship in a situation where there are hardly any mentors available for learners.\nMm-hmm (affirmative).\nAnd so it’s this kind of asynchronous mentorship. The learner can log on, can look at the podcast, can choose who they wanna listen to and get some golden nuggets, some advice to help them kind of navigate the (laughs), the sometimes landmines of academic medicine, or whatever profession.\nTo the learners, and this is a bit more of a philosophical piece of advice. I've been at points in my life where I've looked back, and I've thought about the future. And I decided that I don't want to live with any regrets when I look back at my life. So, when it comes to the end of the day, and when it comes to certain checkpoints in life, you are going to be the only person there, and you are going to be the only person that can be held responsible for your choices. All the people that might've provided barriers, or that might've challenged you along the way, that might've tried to stop you, they're not going to be there. And they're gonna be living their own lives, doing whatever else. So, it's going to be you holding the check.\nSo, my advice is don't let them stop you from living the life that you want, and don't let them get you to a point where you have regrets, keep going and find places and find ways and challenge systems, and challenge people. Keep going so you can get to a point, look back and be happy that you've done everything you can to live the life that you want. And that is really, really important. To the faculty, educators, to senior doctors, and to whoever else, inclusion is really important for so many reasons. It's not just a legal requirement but it's beneficial. It increases efficiency. It benefits organizations and teams, and it's so valuable, but it's really up to you. It's up to you to be allies, it's up to you to be leaders, it's up to you to be thought leaders, and you have to be heroes to do it. So, please think about doing the right thing. Think about fighting for people and think about leading the way, because with you the change starts.\nThat was lovely. Well, it is a pleasure to have been in your company this evening. And I know I'm a huge fan, and I think we're all across the country, just watching you with amazement and everything you've done for Australia and New Zealand and educating people on the value of doctors with disabilities, and anything we can do to support you we're always here. But it was my pleasure, and I know Pete's pleasure, to speak with you this evening and thank you so much for coming on the show.\nThank you, you've supported me in ways that you probably don't even know. And there's a mutual fan club going on here, so I'm a big Lisa Meeks fan.\nSo thank you for everything that you've done for making the road easier for people like me, and people going through similar experiences.\nTo our guest, Dr. Palipana, thank you so much for joining us for this episode. I speak on behalf of the entire Docs with Disabilities team when I say that we are so grateful, not only for your willingness to share your thoughts and ideas in this interview, but for the work you do every day to advocate for people with disabilities across the world.\nTo our audience, we hope you found this conversation impactful and meaningful. If you have not done so already, we highly encourage you to check out the other episodes in our BIPOC voices series. Thank you so much for listening to our podcast. We hope you'll join us next time.\nThis podcast is a production of the Stanford Medicine, Stanford Medical Abilities Coalition, the Stanford Department of Radiology, and the University of Michigan Medical School Department of Family Medicine MDisability initiative. The opinions on this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of their respective institutions. It is released under creative commons attribution, non-commercial, non-derivative license. This episode was produced by Pete Poullos, Lisa Meeks, Sofia Schlozman, and Jacob Feeman.\n“Positive and Fun” by Blue Dot Sessions\n“Donnalee” by Blue Dot Sessions\n“Aspire” by Scott Holmes\n“Gambrel” by Blue Dot Sessions\nApple Podcasts (link is external)\nGoogle Podcasts (link is external)\nSpotify (link is external)\nDocsWithDisabilities Podcast\nEp 1: Nichole Taylor\nEp 2: Erene Stergiopoulos\nEp 3: Laura Pratesi\nEp 4: Marley Doyle\nEp 5: Nichole Taylor, Part 2\nEp 6: Michael Argenyi\nEp 7: Alexandra Adams\nEp 8: Satendra Singh\nEp 9: Bonnie Swenor\nEp 10: Sarah Sternlieb\nEp 11: Lina Mehta\nEp 12: Arghavan Salles\nEp 13: Monica Wood\nEp 14: Courtney Courter\nEp 15: Cheri Blauwet\nEp 16: Molly Fausone\nEp 17: Justin Bullock\nEp 18: Joseph Samona\nEp 19: Paige Church\nEp 20: After the Conference: A Critical Conversation about Next Steps\nEp 21: Medical School Admissions for Students with Disabilities\nEp 22: Diana Cejas and Alice Wong\nEp 23: Walker Keenan\nEp 24: Ruta Nonacs\nEp 25: Peter Poullos\nEp 26: Special Edition\nEp 27: Double Trouble: Introducing the Stanford Series\nEp 28: Chris Sterwald\nEpisode 29: Medical Students with Disability and Chronic Illness (MSDCI)\nEp 30: Dr. Julia Cron and Dr. Lauren Meis\nEpisode 31: Dr. Neera Jain\nEpisode 32 Dr. Rana Awdish\nEpisode 33: Dr. Cori Poffenberger and Richie Sapp\nEpisode 34: Dr. Laura Bulk\nEpisode 35: Dr. Bliss Temple\nEpisode 36: Dr. Lisa Iezzoni\nEpisode 37: Dr. Hammad Aslam\nEpisode 38: Dr. Emmanuel Asenso Jr\nEpisode 39: Dr. Diane Cejas and Dr. Justin Bullock\nEpisode 40: Dr. Daniel Woolridge\nEpisode 42: Dr. Omar Baig\nEpisode 43: Michael Kim, MD\nEpisode 44: Ken Sutha\nEpisode 45: Dr. Nathaniel Gleason\nEpisode 46: Payam Massaband, MD\nEpisode 47: Eugene Alford\nEpisode 48: Dr. Allison Kessler\nEpisode 49: Ramsay vs. NBME Panel\nEpisode 50: Part 1: Dr. Rex Marco\nfamilymedicinecontact@umich.edu\nInstitutional Resources\nIntegrative Family Medicine Program\nFormal Learning Activities\nIFM - Fellows\nJFHP - SMARTER\nVulvodynia Clinic\nCo-Chief Residents\nHouse Officers I\nHouse Officers II\nHouse Officers III\nChelsea Family Medicine Core Preceptors\nChelsea Family Medicine Service\nFamily Mother Baby Service\nUniversity Family Medicine Service\nYpsilanti Family Medicine Core Preceptors\nInpatient Training Sites\nOutpatient Highlights\nEducational Highlights\nInpatient Highlights\nElective Highlights\nSpanish Language and Community Medicine Residency Track\nAbout Ann Arbor\nAbout Michigan Medicine\nClerkship Goals\nClerkship Learning Objectives\nAcademic Fellowship\nAdvanced Primary Care Ultrasound Fellowship\nOverview of the Fellowship Year\nEducational Objectives\nIntegrative Medicine Fellowship\nMD-MPH Fellowship\nReproductive Health Care and Advocacy Fellowship\nSports Medicine Fellowship\nRequired Athletic Coverage and Elective Rotations\nPrimary Care Sports Medicine Faculty\nWomen’s Health Fellowship\nDiane M Harper Lab\nBackground and Resources\nPrimary Care Rural Screening Project\nImproving Colorectal Cancer Screening in Men and Women\nImproving Home Based Cervical and Colorectal Cancer Screening in Women\nReducing HPV Vaccine Hesitancy\nReducing Tobacco-related Disparities\nMDisability Core Team\nMDisability Partners\nMDisability Mission and Vision\nAdaptive Sports & Fitness\nCaring for Patients with Disabilities\nDisability Resource Professionals\nHealthcare Providers with Disabilities\nPatients with Disabilities\nStudents and Trainees with Disabilities\nDeaf Health Clinic\nFamily Medicine Disability Friendly Providers\nGuidelines for Accessible COVID-19 Testing & Vaccination Sites\nAdaptive Sports Scholars\nStaying Fit While Staying Put\nDeaf Health Talks\nMDisability Monthly Meetings\nASL Medical School Elective\nDisability Health Medical School Elective\nMDisability Provider Webinar Series\nSummer Internship Program\nMDisability 2023 Internship Application\n2022 Summer Interns\nMDisability Intern Alumni\nInvesting in Faculty","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line583542"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9572434425354004,"wiki_prob":0.9572434425354004,"text":"Tiger Woods practices at St Andrews ahead of return at The Open\nJuly 10, 2022 by PlayerN01\nTiger Woods practices at St Andrews as he prepares to make his latest return to the professional tour by competing at the 150th edition of the Open… with the 46-year-old looking to defy the odds to win at the Old Course for the third time\nTiger Woods has not played since pulling out of the PGA Championship in May\nHowever, he has arrived at St Andrews and is set to compete at the Open\nThe 15-time major winner played a practice round at the Old Course on Sunday\nAfter another spell on the sidelines, it is hard to predict how Woods will fare\nHe has won at St Andrews twice before, and will be hoping to do the same again\nBy Sam Brookes For Mailonline\nPublished: 08:13 EDT, 10 July 2022 | Updated: 08:13 EDT, 10 July 2022\nTiger Woods has been completing a practice round at St Andrews as he prepares to make his return to golf at the 150th edition of the Open this week.\nThe 15-time major winner has not been seen on the professional tour since he pulled out of the PGA Championship after the third round in May due to injury.\nHe did play in the JP McManus Pro-Am charity exhibition on Monday and Tuesday, and he has now given a further indication that he will make the start line in Scotland by practicing at the Old Course.\nTiger Woods looked to be enjoying himself as he played a practice round at St Andrews\nThose watching the 15-time major winner were treated to a trademark fist-pump at one stage\nWoods is set to compete at the 150th edition of the Open when it gets underway on Thursday\nWoods attempted his full array of strokes as he looked to be testing whether he is in condition to compete at the top of the leaderboard.\nThe American has previously claimed that he only enters into tournaments if he believes he is capable of winning them.\nWoods crashed his car in February 2021, which led to him suffering multiple leg injuries, and he appeared to still be feeling the effects of those at the PGA Championship.\nFans were in attendance to watch the American icon practice his full array of strokes\nWoods has won at St Andrews twice before, lifting the Claret Jug there in 2000 and 2005\nFans will be eager to see whether he looks to be in better shape this time around if he does opt to play at the Open.\nHe has come back from injuries before, famously winning the Masters in 2019 less than two years after undergoing his fourth major back operation.\nThe 46-year-old will want to prove that he still has plenty left in the tank this week, and he has an exceptional record at St Andrews.\nHe won at the iconic golf course in 2000 and 2005, and will hope to defy the odds and make it a hat-trick of victories next Sunday.\nCategories Golf Post navigation\nNovak Djokovic v Nick Kyrgios: Wimbledon men’s singles final – live! | Wimbledon 2022\nRaheem Sterling set for Chelsea medical\nMarsch laughs off ‘Ted Lasso’ jibes after hiring fellow American Armas as his new assistant at Leeds\nKolo Touré fired as Wigan manager after less than two months in charge | Kolo Touré\nRavindra Jadeja says ready for Australia series after seven-wicket haul against TN, Check OUT\nNike Done Playing ‘Whac-a-Mole’ With Bathing Ape: Lawsuit – Sourcing Journal\nNovak Djokovic’s full list of Australian Open outbursts as Serb chases tennis history","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line972303"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7375930547714233,"wiki_prob":0.7375930547714233,"text":"Amazon opens first disaster-relief logistics hub\nAmazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) said Tuesday it has opened its first facility dedicated to storing and distributing emergency supplies used in supporting disaster-relief efforts.\nThe 10,000-cubic-foot facility near Atlanta holds more than half a million relief supplies that were donated and pre-positioned by Amazon, the Seattle-based e-tailer said. The facility is designed to support relief groups responding to disasters in the U.S. Southeast, the Bahamas, the Caribbean and Central America, Amazon said. The announcement’s timing coincided with the official start of the Atlantic hurricane season.\nAtlanta was chosen because of its relatively close proximity to the affected areas, Amazon said. The site’s location will help Amazon’s humanitarian aid partners respond more swiftly to natural disasters, it said. The company did not specify the facility’s exact whereabouts.\nThe facility’s opening is the culmination of four years of study by Amazon into ways to expedite disaster-relief responses. Typically, emergency teams assess what supplies they have, procure items that they need and then consolidate, pack and ship the supplies into disaster zones. The process can take several days from start to finish. Amazon’s pre-positioning strategy is an effort to accelerate the process to quickly get supplies to where they’re needed, it said.\nThe strategy is designed to quickly ship out the supplies most commonly needed at the front end of disaster relief. Those goods include tarps, tents, water containers and filters, medical equipment, clothing items and kitchen supplies. Once those supplies are airborne on the first flight out, Amazon will work with its partners to identify other needed supplies from the company’s vast inventory.\nAmazon will likely expand its disaster-relief hub network at some point, a spokesperson said Tuesday.\nThe Atlanta disaster-relief hub will initially support six global humanitarian aid organizations: the American Red Cross, Direct Relief, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, International Medical Corps, Save the Children and World Central Kitchen.\nAmazon said it has donated more than $29 million in cash and in-kind products in response to 59 natural disasters around the world since 2017.\nNewer Does consumer behavior reflect the end of the pandemic? — The Stockout\nOlder Keeping up with the manufacturing industry — At Your Doorstep","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line669138"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.661747395992279,"wiki_prob":0.33825260400772095,"text":"Tag: Dyess Air Force Base\nAbilene, Texas Road Trip: Things to Do\nOn July 20, 2019 July 6, 2022 By Mike and Kellye HefnerIn Museums, National Historic Landmark, Picnicing on the Road, Places, State Parks3 Comments\nAbilene, Texas may now be known as the storybook capital of America, but the city is so much more. In 1881 when lots began being sold and cattlemen began shipping cattle on the Texas and Pacific Railway, a thriving city was born. Shortly thereafter, Abilene was named county seat of Taylor County, having won a vote to move it from Buffalo Gap. Today, Abilene is home to three universities, satellite campuses of a junior college and a technical college, as well as Dyess Air Force Base. Located 150 miles west of Fort Worth on I-20, Abilene is a can’t miss stop on a West Texas road trip. We highly recommend staying over for a day or two to experience this wonderful, historic city.\nOn the beaten path…\nFrontier Texas!\nLocated at 625 N 1st Street. This is a multimedia museum unlike any other we have ever seen, and we loved it. Go to learn about the history of West Texas from the people who settled the area. Exceptional western heritage exhibits, videos, and holograms. Yes, holograms, and they are amazing! Beautiful building, lovely grounds, and a nice gift shop, too. Open Monday – Saturday 9:00 – 6:00 and Sunday 1:00 – 5:00. Adults $10.00, Seniors/Military $7.00, Students/Teachers $6.00, Children (3-12) $5.00, Ages 2 and under are free.\nFlying Buffalo Herd at Frontier Texas\nThe Grace Museum\nThe Grace Museum is an art and history museum that includes a hands-on children’s museum area. The building was originally the Hotel Grace, built in 1909. We happened to visit on a free admission day, but we would have gladly paid the $6.00 per adult fee for the art exhibits alone. Located at 102 Cypress Street, The Grace Museum is open 10:00 – 5:00 Tuesday – Saturday.\nStorybook Sculptures\nThe Lorax in Everman Park\nStorybook sculptures can be found all over downtown Abilene. Dr. Seuss characters, among others, can be seen in Everman Park (across the street from The Grace Museum) and more at the Adamson-Spalding Storybook Garden (1008 N. 6th Street). Kids and adults of all ages will love these whimsical characters! Click here for a Storybook Adventure Guide: Abilene Storybook Adventure. While visiting downtown Abilene, be sure to check out the NCCIL (National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature) located at 102 Cedar Street for weekly children’s activities, an illustration gallery, and a children’s bookstore. The NCCIL (aka the nickel) is open 10:00 – 4:00 Tuesday – Saturday.\nCharacters emerge straight out of the pages of a storybook! This fabulous sculpture in Everman Park is called “Childhood’s Great Adventure”\nAbilene Zoological Park\n2070 Zoo Lane. Though smaller than some big city zoos, this is a clean, well-kept zoo with a variety of animals. In addition to the many animal exhibits, there are a couple of kiddie rides, a concession area, and a zoo store. There are picnic tables outside of the zoo in the adjacent Grover Nelson Park. A splash pad, playground, duck pond, walking trail, and dog park are also located in the park. The zoo is open 9:00 – 5:00 daily. Adults – $8.00, Seniors – $7.00, Children 3-12 $5.50, Children under 3 are admitted free.\nOther points of interest on the beaten path…\n12th Armored Division Memorial Museum – 1289 N. 2nd Street. Open 10:00 – 5:00 Tuesday – Saturday.\nCenter for Contemporary Arts – 220 Cypress Street. Open 11:00 – 5:00 Tuesday – Saturday.\nParamount Theater – 352 Cypress Street. Free self-guided tours 12:00 – 5:00 weekdays.\nDyess Air Force Base Visitor Center Memorial Park – Arnold Blvd & Military Drive. Open 7:30 – 4:00 weekdays.\n“Jacob’s Dream” sculpture on the Abilene Christian University campus. One of our favorite places in Abilene. Located off of N Judge Ely Blvd on Teague Blvd.\nAbilene State Park\nNot only is Abilene State Park a beautiful park, it is one of our favorite camping spots! Located approximately 30 minutes south of the city of Abilene, this park has a lot to offer in the way of recreation. Primitive campsites, water and electric sites, full hookup sites, playground, hiking and biking trails, swimming pool (summer), picnic areas, yurt rentals, group areas/facilities, fishing, boating, soccer and baseball fields, wildlife and bird watching can all be found at this park.\nThis happy little cardinal was visiting the campground\nSteps leading from the swimming pool concession building to a creek and meadow beyond\nOne of the gorgeous campsites at Abilene State Park\nTaylor County History Center\nThe original Taylor County courthouse is now part of the Buffalo Gap Historic Village, and it is on the National Register of Historic Places\nWe wondered who might have lived in this rustic old cabin. Buffalo hunter? Farmer? Rancher?\nApproximately 22 minutes southwest of Abilene, the Taylor County History Center is located at 133 N William, Buffalo Gap, Texas. Open 10:00 – 5:00 Tuesday – Saturday. Adults $7.00, Seniors/Military $6.00, Students $4.00, Ages 5 and under are free. All buildings are open for visitors to walk through unless it is raining/muddy.\nFort Phantom Hill\nRemains of the commissary/storehouse\nThe chimneys are all that remain of the hospital complex\nFort Phantom Hill is located about 20 minutes north of Abilene on West Lake Road (aka FM 600) and is open daily from dawn to dusk for self-guided tours. Very interesting, and as one of the highlights of our trip we highly recommend a visit.\nLake Fort Phantom Hill\nBeautiful lake for fishing, boating and other water sports\nLake Fort Phantom Hill is approximately 20 minutes north of Abilene, and is accessible from West Lake Road (aka FM 600) or from East Lake Road (aka FM 2833). Camping, boat ramps, picnic/barbecue areas, sand volleyball court, and a disc golf course are some of the recreational activities available at Lake Fort Phantom Hill.\nOther points of interest off the beaten path…\nTexas State Veterans Cemetery at Abilene -7457 West Lake Road. Open daily 8:00 am to 6:00 pm.\nPerini Ranch Restaurant – 3002 FM 89, Buffalo Gap. Make a dinner reservation! Here’s the website: Perini Ranch\nEating and sleeping…\nCypress Street Station – 158 Cypress Street (downtown). We recommend for lunch.\nLytle Land and Cattle Company – 1150 E South 11th Street. We recommend for dinner.\nHampton Inn – two locations to choose from. See our Places/Links tab above for website. Many other hotels along I-20, on the south side of town, and near downtown.\nSweetwater, Texas: National WASP World War II Museum at Avenger Field\nFifinella, the mascot of the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs), was designed by none other than Walt Disney\nApproximately 1,800 women served as WASPs during WWII. These unsung heroes worked long hours and performed dangerous jobs for very little pay. They did not receive veteran status or benefits until 1977. In 2009, the WASPs were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal.\nLocated 35 minutes west of Abilene off of I-20, this free museum is definitely worth a stop for some interesting WWII history. Open 10:00 – 5:00 Tuesday – Saturday and 1:00 – 5:00 on Sunday. Donations are appreciated.\n→While in Sweetwater, stop by Allen’s Family Style Meals for the best fried chicken and other mouth-watering home cooked food you’ll find anywhere. This is an all-you-can-eat, sit-with-your-neighbors, no-menu, eat-what’s-served, Sunday dinner-type restaurant. (How’s that for a description?) Located at 1301 E Broadway Street in the original Allen family home. Open 11:00 am – 2:00 pm Tuesday – Sunday.\nAlbany, Texas: Fort Griffin State Historic Site\nFort Griffin was a US military site from 1876 – 1881, during the Indian Wars. The fort housed both federal troops and buffalo soldiers. Some of Fort Griffin’s troops fought Comanche Indians at Palo Duro Canyon during the Red River Wars. The town of Fort Griffin, also called the Flat, was located just north of the fort, and was once the largest town between Dallas and El Paso. Famous locals included Wyatt Earp and Doc Holiday. During the mid-1870s as many as 1,500 buffalo hunters called the Flat their headquarters. As a side note, the Flat was a rambunctious town that included 21 saloons and 22 houses of ill repute. By 1949, the Flat was no more than a ghost town.\nLocated approximately 50 minutes northeast of Abilene via Texas Hwy 351 and US Hwy 180. Open daily from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. Adults $4.00, Seniors/Students $3.00, Ages 5 and under are admitted free.\nAt one time, Fort Griffin had 93 buildings on its grounds and housed as many as 469 soldiers. Now, almost 150 years later, ruins are all that remain.\nThe ruins of the Sutler’s Store. A sutler was a civilian merchant. Sutlers sold goods to buffalo hunters and local citizens, as well as the soldiers who were stationed at the fort.\nThis is a young longhorn. (Just look at that sweet baby’s face!) Fort Griffin has been the home of the Official Texas State Longhorn Herd since 1948.\nThe visitor center has an interesting museum and also a gift shop. Golf carts are available for those who want to ride rather than walk through the ruins of the fort. A recreation area is located across the highway, and offers a fabulous campground with water and electric sites as well as full hookups and tent sites. There is also an equestrian campground, hiking trails, access to the Clear Fork of the Brazos River, a playground, and a dump station. Fishing is allowed from the river bank without a license.\nThis is one of the well-maintained, beautiful campsites at Fort Griffin\nThat’s going to do it for our Abilene, Texas road trip. Please come back to our site each week for another great tip, trick, or trip. Become a follower so you never miss a post, and follow us on Facebook. Thank you for reading and for joining us on our journeys! We will close this post with a picture of a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher that we saw near Fort Griffin.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line877429"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9080555438995361,"wiki_prob":0.9080555438995361,"text":"Other Finding Aids\nA Finding Aid to the Charles W. White Papers, 1933-1987, bulk 1960s-1970s, in the Archives of American Art\nAddress/Contact Lists\nAAA.whitchar\nWhite, Charles, 1918-1979\nbulk 1960s-1970s\n12.9 Linear feet\nThe papers of Los Angeles painter, printmaker, and educator, Charles W. White, measure 12.9 linear feet and date from 1933 to 1987, with the bulk of the material dating from the 1960s to the 1970s. The collection contains biographical material, including a sound recording of an interview with White; personal and professional correspondence; writings by White and others about his philosophy of art, his life, and career; professional files documenting White's participation in a variety of boards, committees, juries, symposiums, professional projects, and commissions; teaching files documenting White's tenure at Otis Art Institute; extensive printed material charting White's career from the 1930s until his death; scrapbooks primarily documenting his early career; and a small series of photographs.\nThe papers of Los Angeles painter, printmaker, and educator, Charles W. White, measure 12.9 linear feet and date from 1933 to 1987, with the bulk of the material dating from the 1960s to the 1970s. The collection contains biographical material including a sound recording of an interview with White; personal and professional correspondence; writings by White and others about his philosophy of art, his life, and career; professional files documenting White's participation in a variety of boards, committees, juries, symposiums, professional projects, and commissions; teaching files documenting White's tenure at Otis Art Institute; extensive printed material charting White's career from the 1930s until his death; scrapbooks primarily documenting his early career; and a small series of photographs.\nBiographical material includes documentation of awards received by White, biographical notes, resumes, White's high school report cards, interview transcripts and a sound recording of an interview, and records related to Elizabeth Catlett from the 1940s.\nCorrespondence includes scattered letters from family and friends but is primarily professional. White's correspondence was often conducted by Benjamin Horowitz and, occasionally, by Frances White, although some scattered original drafts of letters by White can also be found in this series. The series documents many aspects of White's career including: his relationship with Horowitz and Heritage Gallery as his representative; sales, loans, and exhibitions of White's artwork at many museums, galleries, and art institutions; the publication of his work in journals, magazines, and books, and it's use in the film and music industries; and his relationships with others in the arts and the entertainment industry including Richmond Barthé, Margaret Burroughs, Bing Davis, David Driskell, Lorraine Hansberry, and Harry Belafonte's company, Belafonte Enterprises.\nWritings by White include two addresses made to the Annual Conference of Negro Artists, statements on his philosophy of art, and an autobiographical essay. Writings by others include drafts of Benjamin Horowitz's book Images of Dignity:The Drawings of Charles White.\nWhite's professional activities are further documented through records related to the many boards, committees, and exhibition and art contest juries he served on, as well as lectures he delivered, and panels and symposiums he participated in. White's professional files also contain records relating to fellowships he received and document projects such as designs for books, films, and magazines.\nWhite's teaching files primarily relate to Otis Art Institute and contain some records related directly to his work there as well as general faculty and board material. The records document, to some extent, White's role as spokesperson for the faculty and students during the transfer of the Otis charter to Parsons School of Design in 1979. Documentation of White's association with Howard University is minimal and includes letters related to his appointment and resignation in 1978-1979.\nGallery and exhibition files document specific solo and group exhibitions and include records on two visits White made to Germany in 1974 and 1978.\nPrinted material includes announcements, exhibition catalogs, articles in journals, magazines, and news clippings, and publications with artwork by White that provide extensive coverage of White's career from the 1930s to his death. Also found is printed material collected by White on other artists, and on subjects of interest to him.\nThree disbound scrapbooks provide compilations of printed material and occasional letters further documenting White's career. A small series of photographs includes holiday card photos of White, Frances White, and their two children, and photos of White and others taken at a workshop in 1969.\nThroughout the collection there are folders containing notes written by Frances White, circa 1980-1981, which provide important contextual information about people, organizations and subjects in the collection, and sometimes highlight the racism White encountered, particularly during his early career. The dates of these notes are not included in folder dates.\nThe collection is arranged as nine series.\nSeries 1: Biographical Material, circa 1934-1979 (Box 1; 0.2 linear feet)\nSeries 2: Correspondence, 1937-1984 (Boxes 1-4, 13; 3.64 linear feet)\nSeries 3: Writings, 1936-circa 1981 (Boxes 4-5; 0.45 linear feet)\nSeries 4: Professional Activities, circa 1942-1982 (Boxes 5-6, 13, OV 15; 1.81 linear feet)\nSeries 5: Teaching Files, 1950-1979 (Boxes 6, 13; 0.72 linear feet)\nSeries 6: Gallery and Exhibition Files, 1946-1980 (Box 7, Box 14; 0.98 linear feet)\nSeries 7: Printed Material, 1933-1987 (Boxes 8-14, OVs 15-17; 4.8 linear feet)\nSeries 8: Scrapbooks, 1936-1970s (Box 12; 0.15 linear feet)\nSeries 9: Photographic Material, 1940-1976 (Box 12; 0.15 linear feet)\nPainter, printmaker, and educator, Charles W. White (1918-1979), was a prominent figure in the Chicago Black Renaissance and became one of the most celebrated and influential African American artists of the twentieth century. Born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, White lived and worked in California beginning in 1956, and taught at the Otis Art Institute from 1965 until his death.\nWhite began painting at a young age, earning first prize in a nationwide high school art contest. He studied at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, where he was awarded a full scholarship, from 1937-1938. After graduating from the school, White worked as a muralist for the Illinois Federal Arts Project sponsored by the Works Progress Administration from 1939 to 1940. He then received two fellowships from the Julius Rosenwald Foundation in 1942 and 1943 and created the mural The Contribution of the Negro to American Democracy at the Hampton Institute. From 1943-1945 he taught at the George Washington Carver School in New York City, and was artist-in-residence at Howard University in Washington, D.C., in 1945.\nWhite's first marriage to Elizabeth Catlett ended in divorce and he married Frances Barrett in 1950. The couple relocated to Los Angeles where White was represented by Benjamin Horowitz's Heritage Gallery. White was widely exhibited in Los Angeles, and at the Art Institute of Chicago, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Newark Museum, the Santa Barbara Museum of Art, and elsewhere. Working primarily in black and white or sepia and white drawings, paintings, and lithographs, White's artwork was primarily figurative and depicted African American history, socio-economic struggles, and human relationships.\nCharles White received a number of awards and honors and in 1972 he was the third African American artist to be elected a full member of the National Academy of Design.\nRayna Andrews and Stephanie Ashley\nFunding for the processing of this collection was provided by the Henry Luce Foundation. Funding for the digitization was provided by the Roy Lichtenstein Foundation and the Alice L. Walton Foundation.\nThe bulk of the collection was digitized in 2020-2021 and is available on the Archives of American Art's website.\nMaterial lent for microfilming is available on 35mm microfilm reels LA7 and 3099 at Archives of American Art offices and through interlibrary loan.\nPhotographs on reel LA7 and material on reel 3099 were lent to the Archives of American Art for microfilming in 1965 and 1982, by Benjamin Horowitz, White's dealer, and by Frances White. Material on reel 2041 was donated by the George Arents Research Library, Syracuse University, 1976, who had originally received it from Horowitz. The remainder of the papers were donated by Charles White, 1975-1978, and after his death by Frances White and Benjamin Horowitz, 1981-1989.\nThe collection was minimally processed and a finding aid prepared by Rayna Andrews in 2019 with funding from the Henry Luce Foundation. The collection was further processed in preparation for digitization by Stephanie Ashley in 2019, and was digitized in 2020-2021 with funding from the Roy Lichtenstein Foundation and the Alice L. Walton Foundation.\nSeparated Materials\nThe Archives of American Art also holds microfilm of loaned materials (reels LA7 and 3099). Reel LA7 includes photographs of White, his work, and a career resume. Reel 3099 contains 31 items consisting of three travel diaries kept by Frances White, photographs and a recording of their trip to Russia in 1950, and 11 record album covers designed by Charles White. Loaned materials were returned to the lenders after microfilming and are not described in the collection container inventory.\nCharles White's \"Black Experience Archive,\" originally received with the papers, was donated to Howard University's Moorland-Springarn Research Center in 1985 at the request of Frances White.\nThis collection is open for research. Access to original papers requires an appointment and is limited to the Archives' Washington, D.C. Research Center. Researchers interested in accessing audiovisual recordings in this collection must use access copies. Contact References Services for more information.\nCharles W. White papers, 1933-1987. Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.\nThe Archives of American Art also holds the Charles W. and Frances White letters and photographs to Melvin and Lorraine Williamson, the Lucinda H. Gedeon research material on Charles W. White, and an oral history interview with Charles W. White conducted by Betty Hoag, March 9, 1965.\nA list of subject files on microfilm reels 3190-3195 is available at all Archives of American Art offices.\nPainters -- California -- Los Angeles Occupation Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid\nPrintmakers -- California -- Los Angeles Occupation Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid\nEducators -- California -- Los Angeles Occupation Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid\nSound recordings Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid\nAfrican American artists Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid\nAfrican American educators Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid\nAfrican American painters Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid\nAfrican American printmakers Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid\nWhite, Frances Barrett Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid\nHeritage Gallery Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid\nCatlett, Elizabeth, 1915-2012 Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid\nOtis Art Institute Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid\nBelafonte Enterprises Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid\nBarthé, Richmond, 1901-1989 Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1145240"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5403167605400085,"wiki_prob":0.5403167605400085,"text":"Home Tech News Washington DC Xiaomiyaffebellanybloomberg\nWashington DC Xiaomiyaffebellanybloomberg\nWashington DC Xiaomiyaffebellanybloomberg is a news site that provides a wealth of information on the latest news, events, and political issues that are taking place in the Washington DC area and around the world. Xiomiyaffebellanybloomberg covers a wide range of topics, including politics, the economy, and the state of the nation’s capital. It also features a series of articles that are written by experts in the field.\nAlso Read: twilio jeff sfknight san franciscochronicle\nParagraftan sonra paragraf Zamanlar SBF’nin\ntablodaki soz konusu isimlere yaptirilan aciklamalar uc d uc ayrintili ozetlere donus mektedir. Tezcan – aka the tez-te-cata-toe-stik – is a Turkish name – but the name is not terribly hard to pronounce. The company’s most notable asset is the aforementioned tablodaki soz konusu, a large, low-cost, fully automated air cargo system that has been a boon to the region’s economy. The company has also been a valuable partner in numerous military and government-sponsored initiatives, including the Iraqi Freedom and Afghan Freedom wars.\nThe aforementioned tablodaki is accompanied by a large suite of other products and services, including a proprietary trading platform that enables both corporate and private investors to participate in a range of securities, including futures and options, and a sophisticated, centralized securities processing system that can support a large number of clients at a palatable price point. The company is also a leading innovator in the field of air cargo, which has been instrumental in the delivery of millions of tons of goods across the globe.\nSBF’nin risk fonu FTX’in yatirimlar\nFTX aficionados would be hard pressed to find a company other than the venerable FTX to its right if not its left. In a recent FTX shareholder’s meeting, CEO Sam Bankman-Fried touted the company’s foray into the crypto space, which has attracted the attention of major players such as Amazon Studios and Morgan Creek Digital. It’s been an uphill battle, but the FTX may have found a new lease of life.\nThe company has been issuing bonds to a number of investors, including Morgan Creek Digital, and is touting its recent achievements, as well as its upcoming IPO. The company’s top executives are also on the roadshow circuit, presenting at industry conferences and laying out their plans for the near future. Among their more interesting projects is a new bitcoin exchange, the first such entity to be licensed in the US.\nFTX ve Alameda yakindan baglantiliydi\nFTX and Alameda are two of the most prominent crypto firms in the world. Both firms have a close relationship. Both firms are also reportedly under investigation by the US Department of Justice and the Bahamas for criminal violations. There are concerns that the two firms may be in a monopoly over market activity.\nFTX is a cryptocurrency exchange that launched in March. The firm’s founder, Sam Bankman-Fried, launched the exchange in order to capitalize on the growing market for digital assets. The company received funding from high-profile investors, including Tiger Global, Sequoia Capital, and SoftBank. FTX raised approximately $2 billion in equity early this year.\nFTX is known for its guaranteed liquidity. It makes money by making loans to traders and making money on transaction fees. It has been in contact with dozens of regulators in the past 72 hours. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and the US Attorney’s Office are also reportedly in communication with the firm.\nBay Bankman-Fried, ise almaya devam etmesine ragmen iddiali\nFTX, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, has been shut down after a tangled series of transactions. During a two-year period, executives purchased 19 properties in the Bahamas for tens of millions of dollars. Most of the purchases were luxury beachfront homes and condominiums. The company also bought prominent sports sponsorships with Formula One Racing and the Miami arena. FTX used its token to make its balance sheet appear robust, but this token was worthless. In a few months, FTX will be forced to pay more than one million creditors for losses of billions of dollars. FTX executives have not been named in the bankruptcy filings, and a Reuters report suggests that funds for the company came from a mysterious source.\nThe company bought naming rights to the Miami arena, and a number of prominent politicians invited the company to conferences. The company also ran ads featuring Larry David in Super Bowl commercials, and pledged to donate $1 billion to Democrats.\nPrevious articleTips: Yidu Tech Hong Kong Friday 531m\nNext articleDeliveroo Uber Europeclark Streetjournal\nUniversities With Mobile Network Testing & RF Drive Test Tools","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1906881"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5281598567962646,"wiki_prob":0.5281598567962646,"text":"Spatial Distribution of the Precipitations of the Intensive Energetic Electron Fluxes into the Ionosphere within the 23rd and 24th Solar Cycles\nM. G. Golubkov, A. V. Dmitriev, A. V. Suvorova, G. V. Golubkov\nDepartment of Space Science and Engineering\nAbstract: The intense precipitation of energetic electrons (with an energy of tens of keV) from the Earth’s radiation belt (ERB) is one of the most important sources of ionization in the ionosphere and atmosphere. In this paper, we analyze the spatial distribution of electron fluxes with energies greater than 30 keV at an altitude of 850 km using the maximum amount of statistical data available today. It is found that the region of electron precipitation from the outer zone of the ERB is shifting over North America to the pole, and over Siberia to the equator. Moreover, in the region of the Brazilian magnetic anomaly (BMA), the intensity of the energetic electron fluxes and its area in the 24th solar cycle decreases compared to the 23rd cycle. Based on the analysis of the distribution of quasi-trapped electrons under the radiation belt at low latitudes confirms the mechanism of their rapid radial transfer from the outer zone of the ERB to the Earth. The results obtained are mainly related to the change in the configuration of the Earth’s magnetic field, as well as to the decrease in solar and geomagnetic activity in the 24th solar cycle.\nRussian Journal of Physical Chemistry B\nEarth’s radiation belt\nsolar cycle\nDive into the research topics of 'Spatial Distribution of the Precipitations of the Intensive Energetic Electron Fluxes into the Ionosphere within the 23rd and 24th Solar Cycles'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.\nIonosphere Chemical Compounds 100%\nradiation belts Physics & Astronomy 76%\nelectron flux Physics & Astronomy 73%\nsolar cycles Physics & Astronomy 68%\nterrestrial radiation Physics & Astronomy 66%\nionospheres Physics & Astronomy 62%\nspatial distribution Physics & Astronomy 51%\nElectron Particle Chemical Compounds 31%\nGolubkov, M. G., Dmitriev, A. V., Suvorova, A. V., & Golubkov, G. V. (2022). Spatial Distribution of the Precipitations of the Intensive Energetic Electron Fluxes into the Ionosphere within the 23rd and 24th Solar Cycles. Russian Journal of Physical Chemistry B, 16(3), 537-542. https://doi.org/10.1134/S199079312203006X\nGolubkov, M. G. ; Dmitriev, A. V. ; Suvorova, A. V. et al. / Spatial Distribution of the Precipitations of the Intensive Energetic Electron Fluxes into the Ionosphere within the 23rd and 24th Solar Cycles. In: Russian Journal of Physical Chemistry B. 2022 ; Vol. 16, No. 3. pp. 537-542.\n@article{223750335d9a4856b1abeffe28318131,\ntitle = \"Spatial Distribution of the Precipitations of the Intensive Energetic Electron Fluxes into the Ionosphere within the 23rd and 24th Solar Cycles\",\nabstract = \"Abstract: The intense precipitation of energetic electrons (with an energy of tens of keV) from the Earth{\\textquoteright}s radiation belt (ERB) is one of the most important sources of ionization in the ionosphere and atmosphere. In this paper, we analyze the spatial distribution of electron fluxes with energies greater than 30 keV at an altitude of 850 km using the maximum amount of statistical data available today. It is found that the region of electron precipitation from the outer zone of the ERB is shifting over North America to the pole, and over Siberia to the equator. Moreover, in the region of the Brazilian magnetic anomaly (BMA), the intensity of the energetic electron fluxes and its area in the 24th solar cycle decreases compared to the 23rd cycle. Based on the analysis of the distribution of quasi-trapped electrons under the radiation belt at low latitudes confirms the mechanism of their rapid radial transfer from the outer zone of the ERB to the Earth. The results obtained are mainly related to the change in the configuration of the Earth{\\textquoteright}s magnetic field, as well as to the decrease in solar and geomagnetic activity in the 24th solar cycle.\",\nkeywords = \"Earth{\\textquoteright}s radiation belt, ionosphere, solar cycle\",\nauthor = \"Golubkov, {M. G.} and Dmitriev, {A. V.} and Suvorova, {A. V.} and Golubkov, {G. V.}\",\nnote = \"Publisher Copyright: {\\textcopyright} 2022, Pleiades Publishing, Ltd.\",\ndoi = \"10.1134/S199079312203006X\",\njournal = \"Russian Journal of Physical Chemistry B\",\nGolubkov, MG, Dmitriev, AV, Suvorova, AV & Golubkov, GV 2022, 'Spatial Distribution of the Precipitations of the Intensive Energetic Electron Fluxes into the Ionosphere within the 23rd and 24th Solar Cycles', Russian Journal of Physical Chemistry B, vol. 16, no. 3, pp. 537-542. https://doi.org/10.1134/S199079312203006X\nSpatial Distribution of the Precipitations of the Intensive Energetic Electron Fluxes into the Ionosphere within the 23rd and 24th Solar Cycles. / Golubkov, M. G.; Dmitriev, A. V.; Suvorova, A. V. et al.\nIn: Russian Journal of Physical Chemistry B, Vol. 16, No. 3, 06.2022, p. 537-542.\nT1 - Spatial Distribution of the Precipitations of the Intensive Energetic Electron Fluxes into the Ionosphere within the 23rd and 24th Solar Cycles\nAU - Golubkov, M. G.\nAU - Dmitriev, A. V.\nAU - Suvorova, A. V.\nAU - Golubkov, G. V.\nN1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2022, Pleiades Publishing, Ltd.\nN2 - Abstract: The intense precipitation of energetic electrons (with an energy of tens of keV) from the Earth’s radiation belt (ERB) is one of the most important sources of ionization in the ionosphere and atmosphere. In this paper, we analyze the spatial distribution of electron fluxes with energies greater than 30 keV at an altitude of 850 km using the maximum amount of statistical data available today. It is found that the region of electron precipitation from the outer zone of the ERB is shifting over North America to the pole, and over Siberia to the equator. Moreover, in the region of the Brazilian magnetic anomaly (BMA), the intensity of the energetic electron fluxes and its area in the 24th solar cycle decreases compared to the 23rd cycle. Based on the analysis of the distribution of quasi-trapped electrons under the radiation belt at low latitudes confirms the mechanism of their rapid radial transfer from the outer zone of the ERB to the Earth. The results obtained are mainly related to the change in the configuration of the Earth’s magnetic field, as well as to the decrease in solar and geomagnetic activity in the 24th solar cycle.\nAB - Abstract: The intense precipitation of energetic electrons (with an energy of tens of keV) from the Earth’s radiation belt (ERB) is one of the most important sources of ionization in the ionosphere and atmosphere. In this paper, we analyze the spatial distribution of electron fluxes with energies greater than 30 keV at an altitude of 850 km using the maximum amount of statistical data available today. It is found that the region of electron precipitation from the outer zone of the ERB is shifting over North America to the pole, and over Siberia to the equator. Moreover, in the region of the Brazilian magnetic anomaly (BMA), the intensity of the energetic electron fluxes and its area in the 24th solar cycle decreases compared to the 23rd cycle. Based on the analysis of the distribution of quasi-trapped electrons under the radiation belt at low latitudes confirms the mechanism of their rapid radial transfer from the outer zone of the ERB to the Earth. The results obtained are mainly related to the change in the configuration of the Earth’s magnetic field, as well as to the decrease in solar and geomagnetic activity in the 24th solar cycle.\nKW - Earth’s radiation belt\nKW - ionosphere\nKW - solar cycle\nU2 - 10.1134/S199079312203006X\nDO - 10.1134/S199079312203006X\nJO - Russian Journal of Physical Chemistry B\nJF - Russian Journal of Physical Chemistry B\nGolubkov MG, Dmitriev AV, Suvorova AV, Golubkov GV. Spatial Distribution of the Precipitations of the Intensive Energetic Electron Fluxes into the Ionosphere within the 23rd and 24th Solar Cycles. Russian Journal of Physical Chemistry B. 2022 Jun;16(3):537-542. doi: 10.1134/S199079312203006X","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1472401"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.691243052482605,"wiki_prob":0.308756947517395,"text":"The realities of ransomware\non April 8, 2022 Compliance and Risk, Cybersecurity\nBy Monica C. Meinert\nUnfortunately for banks and businesses, ransomware is all the rage these days.\nThese crippling attacks—through which cyber criminals install malware that encrypts data on computers or mobile devices and renders it useless until a ransom is paid—have been observed around the globe, and have grown in scope and sophistication in recent months. Anyone can be a victim, from individuals to global corporations, and criminals have grown increasingly focused on targeting critical infrastructure entities like oil pipelines, food processors, hospitals and municipalities.\nrisk and compliance articles\nRecent high-profile ransomware attacks included an incident affecting the Colonial Pipeline—a major supplier of fuel to the East Coast—which triggered widespread gas shortages. Another involved an attack on JBS Foods, the world’s largest meat processor, forcing temporary closures of all beef plants in the U.S. Both of these attacks were thought to have been perpetrated by state-sponsored Russian hackers. The Russian invasion of Ukraine has only amped up increased concerns about the potential for crippling ransomware hacks.\n“Those attacks demonstrated that ransomware was not just a nuisance, but present systemic risk when the very systems being held for ransom are the critical infrastructures that our nation’s economy relies upon in order to function,” says Juan Zarate, global co-managing partner and chief strategy officer at K2 Integrity, adding that ransomware has become the “issue du jour” for regulators and banks alike. Incidents like the Colonial Pipeline or JBS Foods attacks have “really quickened the pace of attention to threats from ransomware and the financial ecosystem that goes along with it,” Zarate told attendees at the ABA/ABA Financial Crimes Enforcement Conference in January. “Ransomware and the dynamics around the threat and risk have really become a center of gravity for how we think about cyber threats and cybersecurity.”\nConvergence with crypto\nThe rising threat of cybercrime has converged with the rapidly evolving cryptocurrency landscape, which has grown larger and more legitimate over the past few years—in fact, the market cap of all cryptocurrencies at the start of 2022 was hovering around $2 trillion, up from $345 billion in 2020.\nCryptocurrencies have become an important conduit for criminals to move illicit funds, and it’s not uncommon for hackers to demand that payments be made using cryptocurrencies. An analysis of Suspicious Activity Report filings conducted by CipherTrace (a cryptocurrency intelligence company that was recently acquired by MasterCard) found that as 2021 came to a close, more than $4 billion in cryptocurrencies and other digital assets had been lost due to hacks and fraud, and almost $1 billion had been lost due to ransomware.\nEssentially, “you have a convergence of cyber-related risk and threat through ransomware and vulnerabilities tied to the crypto economy for illicit purposes all coming to a head,” Zarate explains, which has led regulators and law enforcement agencies—including the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Office of Foreign Assets Control—to issue a number of advisories warning banks of these growing threats and ramping up sanctions and reporting expectations.\n(That’s not to say that cryptocurrencies provide a one-sided advantage for bad actors, however. In fact, Zarate adds that the open architecture blockchain ecosystems could actually allow for greater traceability of illicit funds by law enforcement, or a greater ability to claw back payments that have been made in a ransomware context, as was the case in the Colonial Pipeline incident: in June 2021, the Department of Justice announced that it was able to recover the majority of the bitcoins that Colonial Pipeline paid as ransom.)\nWhile many banks have not yet begun offering cryptocurrency products or services to their customers directly, CipherTrace CEO Dave Jevins cautions that even “if your bank isn’t doing crypto directly, it’s being done to you”—meaning that bank customers are engaging in the crypto and virtual asset markets, potentially exposing the bank to greater risk and fraud. Additionally, Jevins notes that “over half of cryptocurrency exchanges . . . have extremely weak or nonexistent know-your-customer procedures. This creates a risk scenario that banks need to understand.”\nWhen clients become ransomware victims\nThis convergence of threats and vulnerabilities leaves banks with a real tactical challenge, Zarate says. “Institutions have to deal with the question of whether they understand what attacks have taken place, where vulnerabilities are, what data has been taken, what the perpetrators may have—and then the cost-benefit analysis of whether putting those systems offline or at risk is worth it,” he says. “All of this resolves to greater cyber hygiene, greater adherence to [National Institute of Standards and Technology] protocols [and]greater devotion to ensuring that the basics of cybersecurity are being done so you’re not left with the very hard question: do you pay if you’re attacked?”\nBeyond being concerned about the bank itself falling victim to ransomware, banks also have to be prepared to respond if they suspect that their customers are making ransomware payments to criminal actors.\nThese transactions can be hard to identify—particularly if the ransomware payments are exiting the bank and moving through a third-party, like a cryptocurrency exchange—but Neil Eisenstadt, assistant general counsel for global financial crimes at JPMorgan Chase, notes that “there are some circumstances in which financial institutions are uniquely positioned to learn about a ransomware attack against a client, depending on what kinds of products or services you offer your customers.”\nFor example, clients using online payments products and services may reach out to the bank to have those services disabled if they’ve been subject to a ransomware attack. Given that, Eisenstadt recommends training customer-facing bank staff on how to engage clients in a “frank discussion” of the factors motivating such a request. “A lot of times, with the right approach to that conversation, [bankers]will be able to elicit if the client is subject to a ransomware attack.” His bank provides talking points to help them communicate with clients and explain that it’s in their best interest to inform the bank if they’re contemplating making a ransomware payment. “We want to at least give the client some comfort at the outset that our interests are typically aligned with theirs, and we have a joint interest in trying to get comfortable if the client is even considering making a ransom payment.”\nHaving a playbook prepared in advance to help guide the bank’s response to various ransomware scenarios can also be helpful. Eisenstadt recommends that banks have go-to response plans ready to address a scenario where a customer is considering making a payment, and one in which the payment has already been made.\nIn the first case, a bank will likely need to make a decision in a short amount of time about whether or not to allow the payment to go through, observes Sharon Cohin Levin, a partner at Sullivan and Cromwell, so “it’s best to have a playbook so you’re not caught off guard and scrambling to figure it out.”\nLevin adds that banks should carefully review their obligations for notifying their regulators and law enforcement in the event they suspect a customer may be a victim of a ransomware attack. “Regardless of the size of your institution, you’re going to encounter this issue,” says Levin. “Everything you can do in advance to prepare—to have that playbook, to know how to respond—is going to help your institution, and it’s also going to help your customer. They’re in a crisis, and you’re going to be working with them to find the most effective way to deal with that crisis, consistent with your legal and regulatory requirements.”\nCybersecurity Financial crimes Ransomware\nYounger consumers seek more digital security measures from banks","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1454940"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5942796468734741,"wiki_prob":0.4057203531265259,"text":"EDITORIAL-Let’s Stop This Evil Of Rape, Sexual Assault And Child Abuse\nThe latest rape and sexual assault statistics from May released by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) are just as alarming as the previous month’s report. It\nby jyoti pratibha, suva\nLessons of the Past Shape Rabuka’s Future Plans\n‘In Times Of Crisis And Change, Journalists Play A Critical Role’\nThe Significance Of Constitution Day\nRoko Tupou Shares Her Take On Visitor, Vulagi Controversy\nThe latest rape and sexual assault statistics from May released by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) are just as alarming as the previous month’s report.\nIt is disturbing to note that there are people in our society who are sick in their heads.\nThey walk among us and pretend that they are normal when in fact they are not.\nThey have gone ahead to allegedly commit heinous acts of rape and sexual assault.\nTwenty eight people were charged with a total of 72 separate incidents last month. The offences were rape (51), attempted rape (one), indecent assault (three), defilement (two) and sexual assault (15).\nThere were 33 victims of the 72 separate incidents of whom 21 victims were under the age of 18 years.\nThere were three accused persons under the age of 18 years. Of these three, one of the accused is alleged to have raped a three-year-old male. This is shocking and deplorable.\nWhat is more alarming is that there were 12 incidents where the accused and the victims were related to each other. In these cases, children and women are taken advantage of by their own family members.\nOf these 12, there were two serious sexual offences where the victims were 1-year-10-months old and 1-year-11-months old. The accused persons were a 22-year-old father and a 60-year-old grandfather.\nThere was another incident where the victim was three years old and the accused was his 32-year-old stepfather.\nAnother serious sexual offence involved a 73-year-old man who was charged with the rape of his daughter and daughter- in- law and sexual assault of his granddaughter.\nIn another incident, a 61-year-old man is alleged to have sexually assaulted a mentally challenged victim. Who in his right frame of mind would prey on a mentally challenged person? Only an insane person would do it.\nThe release of these figures co-incides with the release of child abuse figures. Between August 2016 and April 2017, 787 child abuse cases were recorded.\nThere has been a 34 per cent increase from the 2014-2015 statistics. Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation Mereseini Vuniwaqa says almost every week we hear of cases in the news of children who have been sexually abused.\nThe fight against this scourge in our communities begins at home, she adds.\nAll these sexual crimes beg the question: What is the role of our religious organisations? Can they do something and help?\nOur religious leaders need to move their focus away from politics and other activities and concentrate on the spiritual upbringing of their congregation members.\nThey need to focus on teachings that will lead to stopping rape and sexual assault.\nThey need to play a bigger role.\nWe all need to play a bigger role. The fact that toddlers are being allegedly raped by their family members is a national shame.\nWhere is the humanity in us? Let’s do something about it and stop this evil.\nFeedback: jyotip@fijisun.com.fj\nChild AbuseEditorialMereseini VuniwaqaSexual Assault\nRaj: Discrimination Begins With Distinction\nElders Move Away From Traditional To Sustainable Funeral Arrangement","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line865303"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8373501300811768,"wiki_prob":0.8373501300811768,"text":"Hydraulic Energy\nÉDITION Energy policy, Hydrogen energy\nHydrogen Aircraft: £84 million invested in the UK\nTue 2 February 2021\nMarine Beal\nThe Hydrogen Aircraft would be a real technological revolution for the aerospace sector, which has been hit hard by the health crisis. In this sense, the British government has decided to invest more than 84 million pounds sterling. This research would open new perspectives.\nThe hydrogen aircraft, a revolutionary green technology\nPriority to clean energy\nThe hydrogen aircraft could solve some of the pollution problems caused by conventional aircraft. Even though the use of cleaner energy has become a global priority.\nAgainst the backdrop of the pandemic, emissions from air traffic have been reduced by almost 60% in 2020. But not everything is due to the current crisis.\nRead on energynews.com: Is the UK’s energy white paper setting the bar too high?\nAccelerating travel with hydrogen\nIndeed, progress is being made in this sector, often ignored, notably with the development of hydrogen-powered aircraft.\nThe latter would allow travelers to go abroad in a more environmentally friendly way. It could also revolutionize our daily life with shorter flights. This would have two positive consequences: less congestion on the roads and faster travel.\nA £84 million bet\nThe creation of 5000 jobs\nThe British government has decided to bet everything on this new technology. To this end, it has decided to fund three projects to the tune of 84.6 million pounds. Nearly 5,000 jobs could be created in this way.\nGreat expectations are placed on these projects which could play a central role in the fight against global warming. According to Paul Scully, British Minister of State for Foreign Affairs :\n“These pioneering projects are expanding the horizons of future air transport, towards a greener future.\nThe goal is zero emission flight by 2023. It has become urgent for the country to end its dependence on polluting energies such as oil.\nThree innovative projects funded\nThe first elected project is H2GEAR with 27.2 million pounds: It is led by GKN, the world’s leading provider of greener aerospace solutions. He plans to set up an innovative system with liquid hydrogen propulsion, usable for all types of travel.\n12.3 million pounds is won by Hyfler II from ZeroAvia: leading developer of hydrogen powered aircraft. The funds will be used to increase the number of zero-emission engines.\nBlue Bear Systems Research ‘s Inception receives £2.4 million in funding: It wants to develop a fully electrified zero-emission propulsion system for all aircraft.\nRead on energynews.co.uk: Carbon neutrality: UK releases £12bn\nMassive investments in aerospace\n11 billion pounds in research and development\nDuring the health crisis, the British government was keen to support a key sector of its economy. A total of £11 billion has been mobilized.\nMassive expenditures have been directed towards research and development for several years\nIn 2012, the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) was born. It is more than 3.9 billion pounds invested in aerospace programs for the period 2013-2016. At the end of 2020, Boris Johnson presented his 10-point plan for a green industry that would create 250,000 jobs.\nFor example, under the Future Flight Challenge, £125 million for aerospace is being awarded to companies working on clean vehicles. There is also a partnership, called the Jet Zero Council, between the government and industry to find solutions to reduce CO2 emissions.\nDeveloping “green” soft power\nThe United Kingdom has the privilege of hosting COP26 in Glasgow this year. Its position as a pioneer in hydrogen aircraft is a considerable asset for its environmental diplomacy.\nThe UK government has set a target to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by at least 68% by the end of 2030. The hydrogen aircraft will undoubtedly be an ecological but above all economic asset for the United Kingdom.\nTag(s)s: Europe, Hydrogen aircraft, Hydrogen News, Innovation, News Politics, United Kingdom\nArticles Energy policy, Hydrogen energy\nTunisia: Call for tenders for 1.7 GW of renewable energy in\nUnited States: the new power of hydrogen\nWednesday 4 January 2023\nThe World Bank focuses on the Carbon Market\nGermany is the driving force behind Hydrogen\nUnited States: The 2022 Climate Action\nIndia Supports Hydrogen Production\nBloom Energy expands its presence in Taiwan\nBP completes purchase of Archaea Energy\nMexico boosts its oil exploration in 2023\nEurope’s solar sector to experience record growth in 2023\nIndonesia approves $3.07 billion for Tuna\nAlready have an account? connect here.\n1€ per week without commitment\nBilled per month\nEnjoy unlimited access to the latest industry news. Cancel online at any time.\nLimited articles per month\nAccess some of our articles and customize your newsletters according to your interests.\nNo commitment is required, you can cancel at any time.\nYour payment method will be automatically debited in advance every 4 weeks. All subscriptions are automatically renewed. You can cancel at any time. Other restrictions and taxes may apply. Offers and prices are subject to change without notice.\nNot yet registered? Join the community of energy professionals and access all our content. >>>","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line60375"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9288343191146851,"wiki_prob":0.9288343191146851,"text":"KHON2 News at 10 replay\nHawaii's Unsolved Murders\nHawaii’s Unsolved Murders: Who killed former Chaminade University basketball player Mark Wells?\nby: Brigette Namata\nPosted: May 3, 2021 / 11:11 PM HST\nUpdated: May 4, 2021 / 09:44 PM HST\nWEST MAUI, Hawaii (KHON) – Maui Police are renewing requests for information in the death of Mark Wells, who played a role in what’s considered the greatest upset in college basketball history.\nThe Chaminade University Silverswords defeated the University of Virginia Cavaliers on December 23, 1982.\nAt the time, the Cavaliers were the NCAA’s top-ranked team which included 3-time national player of the year Ralph Sampson.\nThe victory is widely regarded as college basketball’s “biggest upset” of all time.\nWells was unable to channel the fame from the surprise win in his later years. Maui Police say he suffered from substance abuse, and was a suspect in an alleged sex assault days before his death.\nThe 44-year-old’s body was found riddled with gunshot wounds in a remote area of West Maui.\nOn January 1st, 2005, a hiker came across Wells’ lifeless body at Nakele Point, 100 yards makai of Kahekili Highway in Kahakuloa.\nThe former basketball player was last seen alive on December 31st, 2004 in the Kaanapali area.\nMaui Police Detectives Michael Vai’tualala and Jeremy Pallone-De La Torre took over the investigation in 2021.\nThe area where Wells’ body was found, is “off the beaten path,” explained Pallone-De La Torre. “You have to really know how to get here. It appears as if he were lured to the area.”\n“What struck me with this case is the brutal way he was killed. This is Maui. We’re a tight knit community. The violence that took place is shocking for us here,” said Vai’tualala.\nHawaii’s Unsolved Murders: Who killed Sean Burgado?\nMPD says there are reasons to believe more than 1 person was involved in Wells’ death.\nYet 16 years after the crime, no one has come forward.\n“It’s very frustrating. We tell people, how would you feel if that’s your family? Your loved one? They would want police to do everything in their power,” said Pallone-De La Torre.\n“In Mark Wells’ case, his life was cut short. Whereas the perpetrator or perpetrators are still out there. Mark Wells didn’t have that chance,” he added.\n“There’s somebody here on Maui that knows what happened,” said Vai’tualala.\nIf you have information that can help Maui Police find out who killed Mark Wells, email mauicoldcases@mpd.net.\nHawaii Travel / 1 hour ago\nMaui News / 18 hours ago","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line219416"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6689868569374084,"wiki_prob":0.33101314306259155,"text":"Tag Archives: passing off\nRihanna you’re a Womble !\nThis is not child protection at all, and a solid 80% of what follows is nonsense, but it is all based on a commercial law case called Fenty and Others v Arcadia Group 2015 just decided in the Court of Appeal. (the case is really Rihanna v Topshop, but that’s the formal name – Fenty is Rihanna’s surname, and Arcadia own Topshop)\nThis is the original judgment\nhttp://www.bailii.org/cgi-bin/markup.cgi?doc=/ew/cases/EWHC/Ch/2013/2310.html&query=fenty&method=boolean\nand this is the appeal\nhttp://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWCA/Civ/2015/3.html\nQuickly, because this might confuse older readers, younger readers and No-Telly Neville. Rihanna is a current pop star, with a substantial batch of hit songs and is also a fashion icon for young people – she is cool. The Wombles are a group of fictional furry creatures who live on Wimbledon common and who make good use of the things that they find, things that the everyday folks leave behind. They pick up rubbish.\nMajor recording artist with a string of catchy hits\nPicks up rubbish (yes, I went there with the Chris Brown gag)\n[Note that use of any image of the Wombles or Rihanna does not imply that either of them endorse the Suesspicious Minds website – but let’s be honest, we all know that if they want to find out information about family law in the UK, they don’t go anywhere ELSE to find it]\nYou are probably asking yourself at this point, how the Wombles and Rihanna come together in the English Courts – and possibly also whether there is a musical collaboration in the offing. I will relate to you, how their histories enweave.\nThe case was about Topshop selling a T-shirt with a photographic image of Rihanna, and Rihanna suing them.\nThe Court of Appeal point out quickly that in England, unlike America, there is no such thing as “image rights” – Rihanna, as a celebrity, does not own the copyright in her image or photograph or appearance. The copyright lies with the creator of the photograph, who had consented to its use.\nThe case was, instead, dealt with under the umbrella-ella-ella of “passing off”\nthe law of passing off is not designed to protect a person against fair competition. Nor does it protect a person against the sale by others of the same goods or even copied goods. What it protects is goodwill and it prevents one person passing off his goods or services as those of another. As Lord Oliver of Aylmerton explained in Reckitt & Colman Products Ltd v Borden Inc & Ors [1990] RPC 341 at page 406, a claimant must establish three elements in order to succeed in such a claim. First, he must establish a goodwill or reputation attached to the goods or services which he supplies in the mind of the purchasing public by association with the particular name or get up under which the goods or services are offered to the public, such that the name or get up is recognised by the public as distinctive of the claimant’s goods or services. Second, he must demonstrate a misrepresentation by the defendant to the public leading or likely to lead the public to believe that the goods or services offered by him are the goods or services of the claimant. Third, he must demonstrate that he suffers or, in a quia timet action that he is likely to suffer, damage by reason of the erroneous belief engendered by the defendant’s misrepresentation that the source of the defendant’s goods or services is the same as the source of those offered by the claimant.\nFor this case, Rihanna would have to show that :-\nShe has a degree of goodwill in her name and reputation, particularly in fashion\nThat Topshop had led the public to believe that the T-shirt was a Rihanna product in some way\nThat she suffers loss or potential loss as a result of people believing that this was an official or endorsed product.\nWould she win, or would Topshop be able to say that Rihanna had found love, and a hopeless case?\nThe judgment is worth reading – the original trial Judge had been very switched on and in touch in relation to Rihanna, celebrity culture, young people, viral marketing and fashion, including that the item Rihanna was wearing on the unauthorised T-shirt being a “bralet” – and resisted, where I would have not, of saying it was a bralet for a starlet.\nThis was his original conclusion\nThere followed an overall evaluation by the judge of the various findings which he had made up to this point. He considered that the fact that the t-shirt was a fashion garment and the further fact that it was on sale in a high street retailer did not assist one side or the other. However, the nature of the image itself was a fairly strong indication that the t-shirt might be authorised and approved by Rihanna herself. So also, the public links between Topshop and famous stars in general and, more importantly, Rihanna in particular, would enhance the risk of consumers believing the garment had been authorised by her. He recognised that the fact that neither the swing tag nor the neck label carried the Rihanna name or the R slash logo pointed against authorisation but, in his view, this was not sufficient to negate the contrary impression. He summarised the position this way:\n“72. … Although I accept that a good number of purchasers will buy the t-shirt without giving the question of authorisation any thought at all, in my judgment a substantial portion of those considering the product will be induced to think it is a garment authorised by the artist. The persons who do this will be the Rihanna fans. They will recognise or think they recognise the particular image of Rihanna, not simply as a picture of the artist, but as a particular picture of her associated with a particular context, the recent Talk That Talk album. For those persons the idea that it is authorised will be part of what motivates them to buy the product. I am quite satisfied that many fans of Rihanna regard her endorsement as important. She is their style icon. Many will buy a product because they think she has approved of it. Others will wish to buy it because of the value of the perceived authorisation itself. In both cases they will have been deceived.”\nFinally, the judge dealt with damage. He considered that if, as he believed to be the case, a substantial number of consumers were likely to be deceived into buying the t-shirt because of a false belief that it had been authorised by Rihanna then that would obviously damage her goodwill. It would result in a loss of sales to her merchandising business and also represent a loss of control over her reputation in the fashion sphere. It was, he thought, for her to choose which garments she endorsed. In all the circumstances, Topshop’s sale of the t-shirt without her approval amounted to passing off.\nI enjoyed the detail that Topshop had commissioned some market research prior to the trial, getting people to look at the T-shirt and comment as to whether they thought it was an official piece of Rihanna merchandise. They called the author of that research.\nSadly, as she was a trainee solicitor working at the firm representing Topshop, one might think that she wasn’t the most impartial witness ever to take the stand. I think the Judge was very kind about that\nMrs Armstrong is a trainee solicitor in the defendants’ solicitors currently seconded to the legal team at Arcadia, the parent group of the defendants. She gave evidence of efforts she had undertaken to find out if Topshop staff were aware of any feedback from customers concerning the t-shirt. She was a good witness but I am not satisfied the exercise Mrs Armstrong described was sufficiently rigorous to establish the proposition advanced, that there had been no comments or relevant feedback relating to the product.\nBut where, Suesspicious Minds are the Wombles? Do not worry, I am about to go with the Orinoco Flow\nIn the original judgment, there are a number of legal authorities referred to. Two stood out for me\nIn the 1970s there were a number of cases in which merchandising rights were not found to exist before the English courts. These included Tavener Rutledge v Trexapalm (Kojak Lollipops, the “unauthorised” local lollipop retailer succeeded against the makers of the television program) [1977] RPC 275\n[I remember those Kojak lollipops! Also this story reminded me that when I was eight and a barber asked me how I wanted my hair cut (the only acceptable answers at the time being “short back and sides” or “just a little bit shorter all over”) I instead said “Well, I like the police, and I like lollipops, but I don’t want to look like Kojak” – this being the first time I wrote my own material rather than relying on the Big Daddy bumper joke book. Note for Neville, Kojak was a TV detective in the 70s who had two gimmicks – he was bald, and he sucked lollipops. He also had a catchphrase, see next gag]\nFor God’s sake, Suesspicious Minds, I hear you cry. I did not start reading an article called “Rihanna, who loves you baby?” – where the chuff are the Wombles?\nThe next merchandising authority where a celebrity was used to endorse a product without that celeb’s permission was this:-\nWombles v Womble Skip Hire (skips for collecting rubbish branded Womble, injunction refused) [1975] FSR 488\n[It is beyond the scope of this article, but the case that altered the Wombles precedent involved Teenaged Mutant Ninja Turtles. I am SERIOUSLY thinking about becoming a lawyer specialising in “passing off” cases if I would get to bring Kojak, Wombles and Ninja Turtles to Court in my bundle of authorities]\nI can’t really think about Wombles v Womble Skip Hire without envisaging the actual real wombles becoming outraged and sitting in a solicitors waiting room and bringing the case. Orinco sat behind counsel with his nose in a bowl of porridge, Tobermory with a pencil behind his ear rebuilding the witness box and Madame Cholet checking out the RCJ cafeteria. Or a procession of them walking purposefully down the hallways (possibly with a Womble cover version of “Little Green Bag” playing in the background)\nBut even better, in my mind, is that at some point, Rihanna’s legal team had to tell her that there was a case that would help in her litigation and that it is about Wombles. And them having to explain to Rihanna what a womble is. For some reason in my imagination, Rihanna’s lawyer sounds like a New York wise-guy (which he or she absolutely is not, in real life, in any way, and this should not be construed as any suggestion that they are anything other than amazing human beings)\n“So, they’re like sort of bears, see, but they wear clothes and hats. And they have snouts, and they have bright black shiny noses and one of them eats porridge and falls asleep – like all the time. That one is Orinoco, see? And the main man, he’s Great Uncle Bulgaria, and he sends his crew out every day to find a copy of the Times for him. They all live in a burrow, and the burrow is wallpapered with old newspapers. And they have a French chef, and she’s a womble too – they call her Madame Cholet. You know the Smurfs, right? Like smurfs, only not. Both have an old man leader, and only one girl. But wombles, they ain’t blue “\n“Are you billing me for this?”\nRihanna wins the Court of Appeal case, just as the Wombles won their own case about protecting other people using their image to sell unauthorised products. So Rihanna, you’re a womble.\nComments Off on Rihanna you’re a Womble !\nPosted in case law, stuff that isn't law at all and tagged celebrity image, fenty v arcadia, image rights, passing off, rihanna, wombles. Bookmark the permalink.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1062856"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7152664661407471,"wiki_prob":0.28473353385925293,"text":"Quizlet: Innovative Learning and Flashcard Tool\nQuizlet Concept and Main Selling Point\nQuizlet [1] is a platform designed to help students advance their learning through various worthwhile tools such as study sets and flashcards. It uses artificial intelligence to help learners with the aptly named AI Learning Assistance.\nThe main goal of Quizlet is to aid students in understanding lessons by providing easy and accessible explanations in 64 subjects available with millions of study sets and repetitive flashcards. Every material is science-based to further enable learning.\nWith the help of technology such as AI and other innovations, the company is able to distribute its materials to users worldwide. According to the company, 90% of learners who consult Quizlet get higher grades. This tool can be accessed using different devices such as desktop and mobile.\nAn Overview of Quizlet’s History\n2005 – Quizlet was founded by Andrew Sutherland and David Margulius.\n2015 – The company obtained capital through a later-stage venture capital funding.\n2018 – It underwent another funding round involving later-stage companies.\n2020 – Acquired additional funds through a venture capital investor.\n2021 – Quizlet acquired Slader.\nFounders and Key People\nAndrew Sutherland\nAndrew Sutherland is a co-founder and the Chief Technology Officer at Quizlet. He is also a Board Member of the California YIMBY.\nHe graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology with a degree in Computer Science. He also worked with a team of researchers at MIT’s Self-Labeling Speech group on their speech recognizer back in 2009.\nDavid Margulius\nDavid Margulius is a co-founder and a Board Member at Quizlet. Previously, he worked at Collectors Weekly, Churchill Club, Enterprise Insight, and Evite, just to name a few.\nHis educational background includes studying at Brown University for a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, and Stanford University Graduate School of Business for a master’s degree in business administration.\nMatthew Glotzbach\nMatthew Glotzbach is the Chief Executive Officer at Quizlet. Before this, he worked in various roles at YouTube, JobApp Network, Google, and Trilogy.\nHe is Cornell University-educated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. His skills include Product Management and Enterprise Software. He also has experience volunteering as part of the IT Advisory Board and California Board at Room to Read.\nA Look into Quizlet’s Finances and Funding\nQuizlet currently has a total funding amount of $62 million, which is obtained through three funding rounds. Namely Series A, B, and C throughout different years. Its biggest funding was during the Series C round with $30 million through General Atlantic with partner Peter Munzig.\nIt has seven investors, four of them are lead investors namely General Atlantic, Icon Ventures, Costanoa Ventures, and Union Square Ventures. Other investors are Altos Ventures, Industry Ventures, and Owl Ventures.\nQuizlet has also acquired the Math resources platform Slader on March 25, 2021. It is valued at $1 billion to $10 billion on May 14, 2020. This is a post-money valuation by PrivCo.\nMajor Competitors:\nNumerade – https://www.numerade.com/\nKahoot! – https://kahoot.com/\nPear Deck – https://www.peardeck.com/googleslides\nOuizlet Website\n[1] – https://quizlet.com/\n[2] – https://pitchbook.com/profiles/company/93045-34#overview\n[3] – https://www.linkedin.com/in/asuth/\n[4] – https://www.linkedin.com/in/davemargulius/\n[5] – https://www.linkedin.com/in/mglotzbach/\n[6] – https://www.crunchbase.com/organization/quizlet/company_financials\n[7] – https://craft.co/quizlet\nKide Science: STEAM Play-Based Learning","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line744485"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6364304423332214,"wiki_prob":0.36356955766677856,"text":"missouri-american-water-invests-5-million-to-replace-1930s-water-mains-in-affton\nAugust 12, 2022 | American Water (NYSE: AWK) |\nMissouri American Water invests $5 million to replace 1930s water mains in Affton\nAFFTON, MO (August 12, 2022) – Missouri American Water will replace nearly 8,000 feet (approximately 1.5 miles) of aging water main in Affton, MO starting this summer. The company is upgrading the aging 8- and 12-inch cast-iron water mains that were installed in the 1930s with new 12-inch and 16-inch ductile iron mains along the following streets:\nGravois Road from Tesson Ferry Road to New Hampshire Avenue\nNew Hampshire Avenue from Gravois Road to Weber Road\nWeber Road from Valcour Avenue to Gravois Road\nTraffic detours will continue around the New Hampshire Avenue railroad crossing for approximately one week followed by an approximate three-week detour of the Weber Road railroad crossing. Traffic will be detoured onto Valcour Avenue, Heege Road, and Mackenzie Road.\n“Investing $5 million to replace these 90-year-old pipes will enhance water service and reliability in Affton, both for everyday use and for community fire protection,” said Rich Svindland, president of Missouri American Water. “This improvement project is part of our $400 million investment this year to upgrade our water and wastewater systems across the state.”\nThe company will also replace eight fire hydrants and 140 service lines along the pipeline route.\nWeather permitting, work will be completed in late fall. Construction will take place between 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Some after-hour work may be necessary in high-traffic areas to minimize inconvenience to our customers. Final restoration of streets and yards will take place in the spring.\nTo view a map of pipe replacement projects, visit Missouri American Water’s new interactive map.\nMotorists should use caution when driving in the construction areas and obey traffic signs, detour routes and flaggers. Missouri American Water will provide continuous updates as work occurs. Customers may receive updates via door hangers and/or the company’s notification system that contacts customers via phone, text or email based on customer preferences. Visit missouriamwater.com for emergency alerts and create or update a MyWater account to sign up for notifications.\nMissouri American Water, a subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK), is the largest investor-owned water utility in the state, providing high-quality and reliable water and wastewater services to approximately 1.5 million people. For more information, visit www.missouriamwater.com and follow Missouri American Water on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.\nWith a history dating back to 1886, American Water (NYSE:AWK) is the largest and most geographically diverse U.S. publicly traded water and wastewater utility company. The company employs more than 6,400 dedicated professionals who provide regulated and regulated-like drinking water and wastewater services to more than 14 million people in 24 states. American Water provides safe, clean, affordable and reliable water services to our customers to help keep their lives flowing. For more information, visit amwater.com and diversityataw.com.Follow American Water on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.\nDaphne Kirksey\ndaphne.kirksey@amwater.com\nSamantha Williams\nManager, External Affairs\nSamantha.Williams@amwater.com","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1120680"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5163742899894714,"wiki_prob":0.5163742899894714,"text":"2016-12-22 10:17 PM -05:00\nIt Started with the Vesper\nLately I've been experimenting with \"mixers\". By \"mixer\" I mean aperitifs, liqueurs, and digestifs that almost always appear as secondary ingredients in a cocktail, but that one almost never thinks of drinking on their own. The intention here is to write a series of articles about each one.\nIt started with the Vesper, a mixed drink well known in cocktail circles. The recipe comes from an iconic scene in Ian Flemings's Casino Royale, where Bond instructs the bartender as follows:\nThree measures of Gordon's, one of vodka, half a measure of Kina Lillet. Shake it very well until it's ice-cold, then add a large thin slice of lemon peel. Got it?\nPlease note the reference to Kina Lillet. It's the most interesting part of the whole business.\nThere are a couple of problems with following this recipe verbatim. Casino Royale was written in the 1950's, and the Gordon's that you could buy in the 1950's was not the same as the Gordon's that you can buy today. Furthermore, though there is a French aperitif known as Lillet Blanc, and though it is quite delicious in its own right, it bears little resemblance to the Kina Lillet mentioned in Bond's formulation; that one had a bitter kick, due to the added quinine that was later removed from the recipe in the 1980's, thus transforming it into the Lillet sold now.\nSo what do you do if you want to make a Vesper cocktail today? Glad you asked!\nFor the gin, it's pretty easy - pick something high proof, as Gordon's was something like 47% when Casino Royale was written. You'll want something fairly classic, where the flavour is mostly juniper - when it came to gin, I don't think the 50's did fancy.\nFor the vodka too, pick something stronger - vodka was usually sold at 100 proof in Bond's day.\nFor the Kina Lillet, it's a bit more complicated. As I mentioned, Kina Lillet effectively doesn't exist anymore. So what can you do?\nIt turns out that there are still products that have a similar flavour profile to 50's era Lillet. One example is Cocchi Americano, an Italian aperitif that still includes quinine in the recipe. By all accounts, it's the closest you're going to get to the Kina Lillet of bygone days, and it's delicious, even on its own. It's readily available in the U.S., though for a long time it was hard to come by in Montreal, where I live. Luckily, Montreal is relatively close to the U.S.\nIn any case, armed with your substitutes, you can easily make a Vesper cocktail the way James Bond would have wanted. If he weren't, you know, fictional.\nSo, is it any good?\nWell...honestly...not really. I find that the Vesper makes for a better story than drink.\nLet me rephrase. If you really, really like ultra dry martinis, containing little to no vermouth, then you'll probably like the Vesper, but probably not as much as an actual ultra dry martini.\nIf you like your martinis somewhat \"wet\", containing an appreciable amount of vermouth, then the Vesper might be a welcome change.\nIf you're like me and you're not a huge fan of dry martinis at all, then the Vesper probably won't be that impressive for you.\nI find the Vesper tries a little too hard to be different things. It's kind of like a gin martini, but it has added vodka, so the gin isn't quite as sharp. It basically swaps out some flavour for strength - not a good trade, in my opinion. Also, despite the vodka, it's definitely nothing like a vodka martini - it contains way too much gin. And it's not very dry in the modern sense - it contains more than just a few drops of the Cocchi Americano. So I think the Vesper would kind of alienate a significant portion of the martini drinking population.\nWhen I first made this cocktail, I found that I was having a hard time detecting the presence of the Cocchi Americano. I wasn't convinced it was a necessary component to the drink and, in fact, I've seen so-called Vespers on drink menus consisting of nothing but gin and vodka. To satisfy my curiosity, I proceeded to make two batches of the cocktail to sample side by side: one with the aperitif and one without.\nI won't keep you in suspense: the Cocchi Americano is definitely detectable in the drink as...something, just not (to my taste) specifically as Cocchi Americano. The version without the aperitif lacks a certain smoothness that is present in the other. Bottom line: do not omit the aperitif. It definitely improves the drink.\nAt the end of the day, though, this just isn't one of my favourite concoctions. Dry martinis are, at the best of times (gin-based, with plenty of vermouth), bland affairs, designed to get you wasted quickly and efficiently (and don't get me started on vodka martinis). The Vesper has a little more spice to it, true, but it's still not very interesting.\nIn fact, the best thing about the Vesper was not the cocktail itself but my discovery of Cocchi Americano; that stuff is awesome, and deserves its own article. Stay tuned.\n#cocktails #recipes","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line878579"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5303730964660645,"wiki_prob":0.5303730964660645,"text":"Designing and Redesigning the Science Center\nMatt Fleury\nEditor’s Note: Since this article was published in the Association of Science and Technology Center’s magazine, Dimensions, the architect of the Connecticut Science Center building, Cesar Pelli, passed away at the age of 92.\nScience Center President & CEO Matt Fleury issued the following statement:\n“Cesar Pelli played a gigantic role in the creation of the Connecticut Science Center we know today, having won the building design competition in 2004. Pelli’s building has redefined the Hartford skyline in a contemporary, complimentary, inspiring and appropriate way, and it continues to serve the Science Center’s functional purposes very well, 10 years since it opened. No facility of this complexity and magnitude is built without its challenges, but those pale in comparison to the singular impact of the Science Center as an iconic statement of Connecticut’s heritage and future as a place of innovation, and as a vessel for the engagement of millions in science, learning and enjoyment.”\nOriginally published in the July/August 2019 issue of the Association of Science-Technology Centers’ Dimensions magazine.\nLink for Dimensions magazine: https://www.astc.org/publications/dimensions/\nThe Connecticut Science Center in Hartford celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. But the crucial planning choices that led to the institution’s success were made in the years before its doors opened in 2009. And since that time, the natural progression of updates to physical spaces and the interactive experiences they enable have fostered an equally important chapter in the museum’s service to our community.\nSCIENCE CENTER PLANNING PHASE\nWhen it was first conceived, the science center was called upon to be a magnetic presence that would make a strong statement about the future of its community in the context of an urban revitalization in Hartford.The science center’s high-profile site meant that it would become a new centerpiece of the state capital’s elegant skyline, and an appropriate architectural statement was essential. Much excitement accompanied a public competition among world-renowned architects. Ultimately, the science center selected Cesar Pelli’s vision, featuring a dramatic array of parallelograms and a sweeping roof reaching toward the Connecticut River. The unique building concept celebrates Connecticut’s history of invention and its vibrant new presence that would inspire hope and investment. The geometry of the building also emblematizes a rediscovery of science and engineering for all ages, which is ignited by the experiences inside.\nRealizing that the building’s statement would be hollow if we didn’t consider a science center’s operational and programmatic needs, we designed exhibitions in parallel with the building. One perspective informed the other. Exhibits that require full natural light are situated near extra large windows, while exhibits requiring darkness are tucked into windowless areas the natural light doesn’t reach. For example, an exhibit gallery about the local watershed features an extraordinary vista of the Connecticut River below, while the light controls needed to create an immersive exhibition about space exploration occupy an area where salient external views are not sacrificed. The science center’s planning team, with the help of museum planning experts at White Oak Associates, articulated many of these conditions in a detailed document on required program spaces. This document was provided to candidate architects in the final proposal phase of the competition so that all of the building designs would respond to basic needs, from 24-foot exhibition ceiling heights to parking spaces.\nAlthough the program space requirements were clearly specified, reconciling them with concept-level building schemes was an endeavor that was as challenging as it was crucial. As a start-up organization that had never occupied a facility or served a visitor, we recruited experienced museum professionals to our management staff and sought detailed advice from consultants, with particular attention to visitor movement through the vertical building, dictated by the relatively small 2.4-acre building site. Indeed, the natural tension between interior museum experience design and the requirements of a marquee location with architectural significance demanded fresh thinking from both perspectives. Members of the ASTC community and the ASTC Annual Conference were valuable resources throughout the process,which made it especially exciting when the Connecticut Science Center hosted the ASTC Annual Conference in 2018.\nREFINEMENTS IN MOTION\nIn the 10 years since it opened, the Connecticut Science Center has conducted an ambitious program of capital and operational improvements. In part, these comprised the further development of existing spaces. Other projects included developing fallow spaces that had not been completed in the original project. We made improvements that addressed immediately identified needs, such as building higher barriers on a main stairway to prevent visitors from dropping items. We also tackled projects such as reconfiguring the main ticketing area to afford more comfortable visitor interactions and add capacity. We reoriented the point of entry to the exhibitions to enhance visibility and supplemented the heating system in the lobby. Improvements of this nature were driven by careful observations of visitor and staff experiences as well as by documented visitor comments. The visitor-facing operations team strongly influenced these enhancements, as we channeled feedback from front-line ticketing and visitor services staff into the design process.\nMore apparent to the general audience, the 140-foot-tall main lobby space was transformed from an architecturally grand venue to the beginning of a museum experience that leverages the volume of space and better satisfies the expectations of an experience-seeking audience. While the architect proposed generalized visions of suspended artifacts, we had not developed this idea in time for the science center’s opening. As with other aspects of the project that were completed or re-imagined after the opening, we embraced this as an opportunity to observe tangible experiences in an operating environment in ways not possible in even the most rigorous design phase. After we reflected on the space in this context, we decided to create a mission-relevant story that would accompany visitors along the vertical flow of the main entry. Visitors are now greeted by a stylized presentation of natural and human-made science and invention from the ocean’s depths to outer space, evoking anticipation of what they’ll see in the exhibitions.\nWithin exhibit galleries, we carefully review multiple considerations before planning new or revised exhibitions. Across-functional team identifies opportunities to enhance coverage of subject matter areas. For example, the team developed a new Butterfly Encounter to strengthen the center’s life sciences offerings and because our research showed that butterfly exhibits are an audience draw. Metamorphosis, a powerful educational story of the cycle of life, shares the spotlight with a living tropical environment, as visitors take away a memorable lesson in natural science. The Butterfly Encounter occupies an area originally reserved for a greenhouse concept and reflects the evolution of exhibition ideas toward one that responded to multiple priorities.\nDESIGN TO SERVE TEACHERS\nLike other additions, the Butterfly Encounter project addresses school curricular priorities, supporting dozens of important concepts embedded in the most contemporary Connecticut classroom science standards. The Butterfly Encounter is popular with school field trip groups, driving strong group traffic. A new exhibition on earth and human impact is likewise keyed to specific curricular topics that will appeal to educators across Connecticut who use the science center as a resource to supplement their classroom work.\nDESIGN TO SERVE THE LOCAL ECONOMY\nThe team also considers the economic trajectory of the market to satisfy the workforce development aspect of the science center’s mission. In a recent case, we developed a new exhibition on engineering to drive awareness about trends in software, advanced manufacturing, and other careers in Connecticut. We also recently opened a public program lab and we are currently developing an exhibition to illuminate the increasing genetic sciences opportunities in the region’s biotech and healthcare fields. These projects are often inspired by input from members of the science center’s board of trustees, many of whom have special insights into industry trends and current and projected talent needs. The board adopted an updated strategic plan that establishes STEM career awareness as a specific priority.\nScience centers must continually balance the need to attract audiences with the promise of enjoyment and inspiration while delivering experiences and programs that draw visitors closer to science. The lenses of science, education, programs, fund development, audience development, marketing, and operations are all part of how we conceive of and develop public spaces and exhibitions that serve our communities.These perspectives can and do sometimes compete, and this creates an energetic dynamic that can enrich ideation and planning. Our job is to reconcile those interests as we develop and implement projects so that these inherent tensions are appropriately balanced to the benefit of those we serve.\nMatt Fleury is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Connecticut Science Center. He is a member of the Association of Science Technology Centers’ board and the Connecticut Board of Regents for Higher Education, and has driven major fundraising campaigns to effectively engage education, business, and government leaders.\nYoung Inventor Spotlight: Aarav & the Snow Pusher\nScience Sunday: Checking out an Infrared Camera\nScience Sunday: Christmas Tree Lights","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line951801"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6551921367645264,"wiki_prob":0.6551921367645264,"text":"​Tom Prill\nOutside Holliewood Productions\nEver since standing in line as a child to see Star Wars, Tom has loved films. During the indie film boom of the 1990's, he realized that making a film was actually possible. However, instead of applying to film school, he made the more practical decision to continue studying Finance/Accounting at California State University, San Bernardino. While that education has served him and his family well, leading to his becoming a CPA and, eventually, a Finance Director and Deputy City Manager, he never lost his desire to produce a film.\nIn 2016 he created his production company, Outside Holliewood Productions, LLC, and began getting on-set experience with shorts and features like Dark Specter 2 and Talk to the Hands.\nSince August 2019, he has produced (and recorded sound for) a number of films including Bitten by Love and Modern Family 2020, both award-winning 48-Hour Film Project films.\nA no-budget horror-comedy Lichlord Dan and the Fall of Man was halted due to COVID-19. However, during the pandemic he produced (and recorded sound for) the social justice thriller \"Trauma.\"\nHe is currently prepping a short film for his own directorial debut, slated for June 2021, after which he will be turning his sights to a feature film adaptation of a novel that he's had his eye for 30 years.\nThomas works full-time for the city in which he lives with his wife of 31 years. Their three children are all grown now, affording him the time needed to make his film dreams a reality.\nIn addition to serving as deputy city manager of the city of San Jacinto, Tom is owner/producer of Outside Holliewood Productions, LLC.\nContact Tom\nTarget (2020) short -- Associate Producer\nTwo covert \"acquisition\" agents at a meeting point, slightly ahead of schedule, with valuable cargo. As the two agents wait for the pick up team to arrive, they think about the road they are on, and where they would like their lives to go.\nModern Family 2020 (2020) short -- Producer, Sound\nMom is dating a new guy. Can he bond with her son? 48 Hr. Film Project winner: Best Acting, Audience Award\nBitten by love (2019) short -- Producer\n​Inland Empire 48 Hr. Film Project Award: Best Editing\nDark Spectre 2 (2018) short -- 2nd Asst Camera\nTalk to the Hands -- Grip","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line908473"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9470524191856384,"wiki_prob":0.9470524191856384,"text":"4 person teams\n2022-2023 Rules\nWednesday January 18, 2023 Weekly standings\nWednesday January 4, 2023 Weekly standings\nWednesday December 28, 2022 No Bowling Tonight\nWednesday December 21, 2022 Weekly standings\nWednesday December 7, 2022 Weekly standings\nWednesday November 30, 2022 Weekly standings\nWednesday November 23, 2022 No Bowling tonight\nWednesday November 9, 2022 Weekly standings\nWednesday October 26, 2022 Weekly standings\nWednesday October 5, 2022 Weekly standings\nWednesday September 28, 2022 Weekly standings\nWednesday September 7, 2022 Weekly standings\nWednesday August 31, 2022 Weekly standings","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1163207"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5312546491622925,"wiki_prob":0.4687453508377075,"text":"Effective date – February 23, 2022\nWelcome to https://vulgarhistory.com (the “Site”). We understand that privacy online is important to users of our Site, especially when conducting business. This statement governs our privacy policies with respect to those users of the Site (“Visitors”) who visit without transacting business and Visitors who register to transact business on the Site and make use of the various services offered by vulgarhistory.com (collectively, “Services”) (“Authorized Customers”).\nPersonally Identifiable Information collected by vulgarhistory.com is securely stored and is not accessible to third parties or employees of vulgarhistory.com except for use as indicated above.\nCookies are used for a variety of reasons. We use Cookies to obtain information about the preferences of our Visitors and the services they select. We also use Cookies for security purposes to protect our Authorized Customers. For example, if an Authorized Customer is logged on and the site is unused for more than 10 minutes, we will automatically log the Authorized Customer off. Visitors who do not wish to have cookies placed on their computers should set their browsers to refuse cookies before using https://vulgarhistory.com, with the drawback that certain features of website may not function properly without the aid of cookies.\nHow does vulgarhistory.com use login information?\nvulgarhistory.com uses login information, including, but not limited to, IP addresses, ISPs, and browser types, to analyze trends, administer the Site, track a user’s movement and use, and gather broad demographic information.\nvulgarhistory.com has entered into and will continue to enter into partnerships and other affiliations with a number of vendors. Such vendors may have access to certain Personally Identifiable Information on a need to know the basis for evaluating Authorized Customers for service eligibility. Our privacy policy does not cover their collection or use of this information. Disclosure of Personally Identifiable Information to comply with the law. We will disclose Personally Identifiable Information in order to comply with a court order or subpoena or a request from a law enforcement agency to release information. We will also disclose Personally Identifiable Information when reasonably necessary to protect the safety of our Visitors and Authorized Customers.\nVisitors and Authorized Customers may contact us to update Personally Identifiable Information about them or to correct any inaccuracies by emailing us at info@vulgarhistory.com\nhttps://vulgarhistory.com contains links to other websites. Please note that when you click on one of these links, you are moving to another website. We encourage you to read the privacy statements of these linked sites as their privacy policies may differ from ours.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line785278"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9510905146598816,"wiki_prob":0.9510905146598816,"text":"Arkansas officers were suspended after video on social media shows a police beating\nBy Emma Bowman\nUpdated August 22, 2022 at 2:17 AM ET\nThree law enforcement officers in Crawford County, Arkansas, have been placed on leave after a video shared on social media shows them beating and restraining a man in a parking lot. State police will investigate the incident, the governor said.\nIn the video, a law enforcement officer repeatedly and brutally punches a man that Arkansas State Police identified as Randall Worcester, 27, and slams his head against the cement ground several times. Another officer is seen kicking Worcester's lower body repeatedly while a third officer is seen holding him down.\nThe incident occurred at about 10:40 a.m. Sunday outside a convenience store in Mulberry, in Crawford County. Mulberry is located near Arkansas' western border with Oklahoma and about 140 miles northwest of Little Rock.\nWorcester is accused of threatening an employee at the convenience store and pushing and punching a deputy in the back of the head after being confronted, according to The Associated Press.\nWorcester was sent to the hospital, and was later released and sent to a county jail. He is being charged with second-degree battery, resisting arrest, refusal to submit, possessing an instrument of crime, criminal trespass, criminal mischief, terroristic threatening, and second-degree assault, state police said.\nTwo of the officers are deputies with the Crawford County sheriff's office and the third is an officer with the city of Mulberry Police Department, law enforcement confirmed.\nState police said they have opened a use-of-force investigation, and will submit their findings to the Crawford County prosecutor \"who will determine whether the use of force by the law enforcement officers was consistent with Arkansas laws.\"\nReaction has been swift from the highest levels of state government, with Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson commenting on what he called the \"arrest incident.\"\n\"I have spoken with Col. Bill Bryant of the Arkansas State Police and the local arrest incident in Crawford County will be investigated pursuant to the video evidence and the request of the prosecuting attorney,\" he said in a tweet.\nCrawford County Sheriff James Damante said in a statement hours prior that the two deputies involved in the incident have been suspended \"pending the outcome of the investigation.\"\n\"I hold all my employees accountable for their actions and will take appropriate measures in this matter,\" Damante said in the statement posted to Facebook.\nIn a separate statement from Mulberry Police, the department confirmed that the incident captured on video involved one of its officers, who it said has since been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of a state police investigation.\n\"The City of Mulberry and the Mulberry Police Department takes these investigations very seriously and holds all their officers accountable for their actions,\" officials said in the Facebook post. \"We will take the appropriate actions at the conclusion of the investigation.\"\nA user named Naomi Johnson uploaded a video of the incident to TikTok that she also shared on Twitter, and said: \"my sister witnessed this today.\" Johnson's video appeared to have been removed from TikTok on Sunday evening.\nEmma Bowman\nSee stories by Emma Bowman","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1177894"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6186383366584778,"wiki_prob":0.3813616633415222,"text":"The Andrew W. Marshall Foundation (AWMF) congratulates Jesse Ausubel, member of our Advisory Group and Director of the Program for the Human Environment at the Rockefeller University, on receiving the 2022 Nierenberg Prize for Science in the Public Interest by the Scripps Institution of Oceanography.\nThe Nierenberg Prize is an annual award honoring the late William A. Nierenberg, an American physicist and former director of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Previous awardees have included Warren M. Washington, Jennifer Doudna, Sir David Attenborough, and Jane Goodall.\nJesse is an integral member of the Andrew W. Marshall Foundation; his ever-curious nature and sage guidance are vital to our community, and we are honored that he has dedicated time and effort to our mission.\nJesse’s work includes the Census of Marine Life, the International Barcode of Life, the Encyclopedia of Life, the Global Library of Underwater Biological Sounds, and the Leonardo da Vinci DNA Project, among many other ground-breaking activities.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line200990"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8186700344085693,"wiki_prob":0.8186700344085693,"text":"UC Berkeley protesters block gate, get negative viral reaction\nThe Binghamton Review | Binghamton Review\nFriday, April 24, 2015 12:22 PM\nMembers of the UC Berkeley Black Student Union (BSU) and supporters from the Stop Mass Incarceration Network blocked the iconic Sather Gate on Saturday morning to protest the campus climate for black students and the administration’s failure to respond to the demands proposed by the BSU last month aimed at improving campus climate.\nBSU has proposed a plan to recruit and retain black students, which includes hiring black staff for the admission committees, hiring black psychologists, and renaming Burrow’s Hall to pay homage to Assata Shakur, a member of the FBI’s Most Wanted list and convicted cop killer.\nIn a video posted by The Daily Californian students can be heard chanting “UC Berkeley is racist as hell! Shut it down, shut it down!”\n“Several people have asked me, you know, what are you doing today, you are just making students mad,” Jonathan Verdugo, a UC Berkeley Student says in the video. “We are like, no look around. You see all this students standing around here? We are raising solidarity.”\nThe video shows students being aggressive towards anyone trying to cross the gate and pushing other students who attempted to walk through it. According to The Daily Californian a “UCPD spokesperson Lt. Marc DeCoulode said there were three reports of assault during the protest” however no arrests were made.\n“They are literally doing what we are talking about in trying to jump over us, and ignoring us, and saying like ‘look I’m going to try to kick somebody, I’m going to punch somebody, I’m going to try to jump over it,’” said Gabrielle Shuman, one of the protesters, criticizing the students who tried walking through the gate. “Like, they feel that entitled in that they don’t need to listen to what we are saying, honestly, it is frustrating.”\nAccording to The Daily Californian, the protest began around 11:30 Saturday morning, as students and activists marched to the gate and blocked passage until around 1 p.m. The event was held as hundreds of people walked through campus as UC Berkeley had its annual Cal Day—a day the school showcases the campus to prospective students.\nThe protest generated conflict both at the scene and on social media. During the protest, students started “bull-rushing” the blockade as people became frustrated with the protesters. The video by The Daily Californian has received mostly negative comments against the protesters.\n“This type of thoughtless, angry protesting is the essence of the problem of campus climate,” Nicholas Jaber, a UC Berkeley junior student told The Daily Californian. “As long as students resort to these tactics, we will never be able to come together and have a thoughtful discourse about race and gender.”\nAfter the protest at the Sather Gate, students and protesters marched to a similar demonstration called Millions March in Oakland, California.\nFollow the author of this article on Twitter: @gabnadales\nThe Binghamton Review\nBinghamton Review","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1231558"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.928512454032898,"wiki_prob":0.928512454032898,"text":"Customers Can Keep The Tip — Which Might Please Restaurant Workers\nBy Alan Greenblatt\nPublished October 9, 2014 at 11:58 AM MDT\nCourtesy of Packhouse Meats\nKurt Stephens (right) is general manager of Packhouse, a restaurant in Newport, Ky., that has eliminated tips in favor of a higher hourly rate for its servers, including Jessica Krebs, pictured here.\nImagine there's no tipping. By getting rid of gratuities, a few restaurants believe they'll make life easier for customers, while providing a more stable income to servers.\n\"It eliminates the pressure on the guest to worry about paying our staff,\" says Brian Oliveira, chef at Girard, a French-style restaurant opening in Philadelphia in a few weeks that intends to offer its staff up to $13 an hour in salary, plus health benefits, but with no tips.\nSuccessful ideas in the restaurant business always get copied. Oliveira said he and his partners were inspired by no-tipping experiments happening at a handful of restaurants in California, Texas and New York.\nThose restaurants say employees are more satisfied and that service has actually improved. Moving away from tipping may never spread industrywide, but it's a model that may help answer some complaints about poor salaries.\n, a no-tip meat emporium that opened in Newport, Ky., in January, pays servers $10 an hour and gives them the chance to earn 20 percent of their total sales per shift if they hit certain targets — whichever is higher. Servers bring home the bigger amount most days.\n\"If it's dead all day, they don't walk out making nine bucks,\" says Kurt Stephens, Packhouse's general manager.\nNot all servers will be better off under this type of arrangement, but lack of tipping makes for easier accounting for customers and the business itself.\nMenu prices might read a bit higher, but diners will know what they'll end up paying at meal's end — probably no more than they would have at an equivalent place where they'd tip.\nAnd lack of tips simplifies compliance for restaurateurs obligated to make up the difference between servers' base pay and the standard minimum wage, if they don't make enough in tips. Currently, the federal minimum wage for tipped workers is $2.13 an hour, although that baseline is higher in a majority of states.\nTipping creates winners and losers. The people who bring you your steaks at high-end restaurants are probably doing quite well off tips, but many restaurant workers can't count on bringing home big bucks, especially after slow shifts on off days. A recent study from the labor-backed Economic Policy Institute found that 17 percent of restaurant workers live in poverty.\n\"I'm very aware that at some establishments, people would do far better under the existing tipping model,\" says Bill Perry, who is about to open Public Option, a no-tipping pub in Washington, D.C. \"In our category, which is much more neighborhood-oriented, we're concerned that the variability of tips may not produce a good income.\"\nThis is an idea still very much in the making. Girard and Public Option aren't even open yet. With only a few other restaurants around the country having made the move away from tipping, it's not at all clear this will be a successful alternative.\nBut the increasing pressure on restaurants to pay their employees more — from fast-food workers to waiters hustling for tips — is one reason outlets should consider the tip-free approach, says Dennis Lombardi, a restaurant consultant based in Columbus, Ohio.\nWage increases are bound to translate into higher menu prices. \"By going to nontipping, they can pay that living wage,\" Lombardi says, \"without having the additional cost of tipping that will determine whether the customer comes back to the restaurant.\"\nIt works in Europe. But tipping has long been a part of the American way of dining out, a tool for diners to reward good service — and, less often, to punish those who fail to satisfy. The desire to earn good tips is part of what prompts people to give good service and \"promotes the spirit of hospitality,\" says Hudson Riehle, senior vice president of research at the National Restaurant Association.\n\"Along with flexible work schedules, tipping is part of what makes [being] a restaurant server an attractive profession for millions of Americans,\" he says.\nEven a labor advocate such as Saru Jayaraman, who directs the food labor research center at the University of California, Berkeley and calls the no-tip approach \"a fabulous model,\" worries that it won't pay off for all workers. An increased base wage is a step in the right direction, she says, but she worries that salaries of $10 or $13 an hour won't be enough.\n\"Restaurant workers are professionals and in other countries are paid like professionals — $18 or $20 an hour,\" Jayaraman says.\nBut many restaurant workers in the U.S. don't make anything near those amounts, she concedes. So the prospect of a guaranteed income will be enticing for many who have come home with hardly anything to show after a quiet Tuesday afternoon lunch shift, suggests Perry, the D.C. restaurateur.\n\"Some of the folks we spoke to really cited the variability — that they never know what to expect,\" Perry says. \"They can't wait to actually try [the no-tipping model] out.\"\nRestaurant workers have traditionally experienced either feast or famine when it comes to their own pay packets. Some workers might be content just knowing the exact amount of take-home pay they can count on — at least, that's what the number of applicants at the new no-tipping establishments would suggest.\n\"We're kind of taking the risk off the server and putting it back on the business,\" says Stephens, the Packhouse general manager. \"There's hardly any turnover, and everybody's making money.\"\nA former NPR staffer, Alan Greenblatt is a journalist based in St. Louis.\nAlan Greenblatt has been covering politics and government in Washington and around the country for 20 years. He came to NPR as a digital reporter in 2010, writing about a wide range of topics, including elections, housing economics, natural disasters and same-sex marriage.\nSee stories by Alan Greenblatt","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line311495"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6257197856903076,"wiki_prob":0.3742802143096924,"text":"Royal Society of Literature International Writer Lifetime Award\nWinner of the 2021 Newman Prize for Chinese Literature\nNominated For The Principe De Asturias Prize For Letters 2017\nNominated For The Man Booker International Prize 2017\nFinalist For The Man Booker International Prize 2016\nShortlisted For The FT/Oppenheimerfunds Emerging Voices Award 2016\nWinner Of The Franz Kafka Book Prize 2014\nNominated For Czech Award Magnesia Litera 2014\nWinner Of The Hua Zhong World Chinese Literature Prize 2013\nShortlisted For The Independent Foreign Fiction Prize 2012\nShortlisted For The Man Asian Literary Prize 2011\nHard like Water\nThe Day the Sun Died\nThe Years Months Days\nThe Explosion Chronicles\nThe Four Books\nLenin’s Kisses\nDiscovering Fiction\nDream of Ding Village\nBorn in 1958, Yan Lianke is the author of a huge number of novels and story collections, all remarkable for both their subject matter and their style. He has received many literary prizes, the most prestigious: the Lu Xun in 2000 and the Lao She in 2004. He currently teaches at university in Hong Kong and lives there and in Beijing.\nThe film adaptation of DREAM OF DING VILLAGE, renamed TILL DEATH DO US PART, was released in China on May 10 2011, starring Zhang Ziyi and Aaron Kwok. From acclaimed director, Changwei Gu, it was promoted at the Hong Kong International Film Festival and received excellent reviews (it’s still awaiting clearance by the Chinese censorship board).\nAn excellent in-depth article on Yan Lianke, his work and life appeared in The New Yorker:\nYan Lianke’s forbidden satires of China","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1483198"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8019888997077942,"wiki_prob":0.8019888997077942,"text":"“I support the Mental Wealth Festival because there is still a stigma around mental health. People don’t have anywhere to go – to get help, support and share knowledge – and this is exactly the point of the festival. It’s the Glastonbury of mental health.” – Jonny Benjamin MBE, award-winning mental health campaigner and contributor in 2017 and 2018.\nThe 2018 Mental Wealth Festival featured over 100 talks, debates and workshops by more than 100 contributors, from politicians to health sector innovators, mental health campaigners to business leaders, to famous art institutions and leading charities. We provided access across the community sharing knowledge and good practice and focused on mental health and wellbeing. We celebrated many aspects of life including personal development, home, work and the community that all contribute to people's mental wellbeing.\nDay one (10 September) took place at City Lit and the main theme for the day was mental health and the workplace. The Festival continued in the evening at Houses of Parliament for a debate and discussion on suicide prevention coinciding with World National Suicide Day.\nThe second day (11 September) took place at The National Gallery and focused on mental health at home and within communities. There was an emphasis on connecting the Gallery’s spaces and collection with events that inspire a sense of purpose and positive social empathy. The festival concluded with a conversation between Grayson Perry CBE and City Lit Principal Mark Malcomson at The National Gallery. Grayson received his Fellowship from his former City Lit tutor Kate Wickham.\nThere was an impressive line-up contributors and speakers including artist Grayson Perry CBE, journalist Bryony Gordon, mental health campaigner Jonny Benjamin MBE, dr Kathryn Mannix, mental health professional Mandy Stevens, mental health campaigner Geoff McDonald and many others…\nBaroness Sheila Hollins, Chair and Founder of Beyond Words said: \"Our festival presents a shared vision of a world where everyone can understand, talk about and support each other’s mental health and wellbeing.\"\nMark Malcomson, Principal at City Lit said: \"The idea of mental wealth catches everyone’s imagination. It needs no explanation, and is something we all want more of, regardless of our social circumstances, personal experience or professional interest.\"\nIn Conversation with Grayson Perry at The National Gallery\nBaroness Sheila Hollins\nCity Lit Fellow Baroness Hollins is the founder, editor and lead author of the Books Beyond Words series and Chairs the Board of Beyond Words, a not for profit Community Interest Company. She is Emeritus Professor of the Psychiatry of Disability at St George’s, University of London, and sits in the House of Lords as a crossbench peer.\nChris Underhill MBE\nChris is a leading exponent on global mental health practice, a social entrepreneur, and a mentor. Chris is the founder of BasicNeeds, co-founder of citiesRISE and the Chair of Spring Impact, a Global Director of Leaders Quest and the Chair of Carers Worldwide.\nDr Petra Simic\nDr Petra Simic is the interim Medical Director for Bupa Health Clinics. Since May 2018 she has been the Interim Medical Director for Bupa Health Clinics. Before joining Bupa, Petra was a GP partner in an NHS practice in Hertfordshire for 9 years.\nFahad al Saud\nFounder of TOMO, Fahad’s way of giving back to our community. He knows that simple, everyday habits build lasting change for the better. was born out of our personal experience managing mental health.\nGeoff is Co-Founder of a network called ‘Minds@Work’ and a Trustee of ‘Family Links’, a Charity educating parents and teachers to develop emotionally-healthy children and young adults. He has been asked to join the Prince’s Trust Youth Opportunity Taskforce with the purpose of creating change that will unlock the potential in the UK’s youth.\nGrayson Perry CBE\nCity Lit Fellow Grayson Perry CBE, is an award-winning artist who works in a variety of media, but is best known for his ceramic works. In 2003, Grayson became famous as the first ceramic artist to win the Turner Prize. Alongside his art, Grayson has written and presented documentaries including an hour-long documentary for Channel 4 entitled Why Men Wear Frocks.\nHelen Hayes MP\nHelen Hayes is Labour MP for Dulwich and West Norwood, first elected in 2015 and re-elected in 2017 with an increased majority. Helen takes a strong interest in mental health and autism, and has led a back bench business debate on young people's mental health, and co-sponsored a recent debate on the future of Transforming Care.\nJames Jopling\nJames is the Executive Director for Scotland at Samaritans. James’ role is to lead on work to prevent suicide through national relationships, partnerships and through work with national and local Government. He has worked in the sector for the past 20 years for charities such as Oxfam, Cancer Research UK, Shelter and Breast Cancer Now.\nJoanna Place\nJoanna was appointed the Bank of England’s Chief Operating Officer in July 2017 and previously was the Executive Director of Human Resources. Joanna is a Fellow of the CIPD; an Independent Director, Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment; a Trustee of Blind in Business; and a School Governor.\nJohnny Mercer MP\nJohnny serves on both the House of Commons Defence and Health Select Committees. He was reelected in 2017 after only two years in the job with an almost five-fold increase in his majority. Johnny speaks regularly in the House of Commons with a focus on defence, veterans, mental health and transport issues.\nJonny Benjamin MBE\nJonny Benjamin is an award-winning mental health campaigner, film producer, public speaker, writer and vlogger. Jonny spent 2017 writing the first of 2 books on mental health entitled The Stranger On A Bridge which was published by Pan Macmillan in May 2018.\nLaura Hearn\nLaura Hearn is the founder of the globally recognised online platform, 'Jiggsy' which uses it's unique creative tool 'The Jiggsaw' to connect people affected by an eating disorder and mental ill health.\nLaura Willis\nLaura Willis is the founder of Shine Offline, a consultancy that helps people and businesses understand the potentially negative impact our 24/7 culture could be having on their wellbeing, work life balance, productivity, creativity and relationships.\nMark Williamson\nDr Mark Williamson is co-founder and Director of Action for Happiness and has overall strategic and operational responsibility for the whole organisation.\nShammi Kapoor\nShammi completed a brain training program when a doctor referred him to the BrainRx concept after being diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD & Depression. After completing the program, Shammi, as well as family and friends, could see the difference brain training made to his life.\nTricia Driver\nTricia Driver is the Founder of A New Normal Ltd, a consultancy which supports its clients in creating and sustaining truly inclusive working environments. She is an expert in Unconscious Bias and Inclusion, a skilled and highly regarded coach and a compelling speaker.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1075471"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7579226493835449,"wiki_prob":0.7579226493835449,"text":"Supporting museums Art we've helped buy Joseph Mahoon Double-Manual Harpsichord\nPhoto © Anne Purkiss. Courtesy Gainsborough's House\nJoseph Mahoon Double-Manual Harpsichord\nJoseph Mahoon\nArt Funded\nThis extremely rare instrument is one of only two surviving British harpsichords made between the years 1730 and 1739.\nBoth examples were made by Joseph Mahoon, and this is the only double-manual instrument, making it unique.\nMahoon was born in Exeter and may have been apprenticed to the London harpsichord maker Benjamin Slade. In 1729, he was appointed ‘Harpsichord Maker to his Majestie’ George II.\nInstruments made by Mahoon were high-value luxury items, as can be seen from the inclusion of a Mahoon harpsichord by the maker in William Hogarth’s satirical series The Rake’s Progress (1735).\nMahoon made this particular harpsichord in London in 1738. Although there are numerous harpsichords surviving from the later 18th century, this example is of outstanding significance in providing information about how early 18th-century music might have sounded.\nThe artist Thomas Gainsborough (1727-88) had a great passion for music and is known to have owned a harpsichord. Among the new features in the project to restore and re-present Gainsborough’s House, his Suffolk birthplace, is a room exploring the artist’s musical interests (due to open in 2021). On show will be Gainsborough’s portrait of the composer Charles Ignatius Sancho (1768), loans of his portraits of composers Johann Christian Bach (1776) and Karl Friedrich Abel (1765), displays of sheet music and Gainsborough’s letters to musical friends.\nThe centrepiece of the room will be Mahoon’s double-manual harpsichord, now saved for the nation after the granting of an export licence was deferred by the government and the funds were raised for its purchase.\nThe Colt Clavier Collection\nWoodCase is oak with walnut veneer and decorative crossbanding, keys are ivory and ebony, brass strapwork hinges, stop knobs and lid hooks.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1035798"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9341084957122803,"wiki_prob":0.9341084957122803,"text":"Officials identify 68-year-old bicyclist killed crossing roadway in The Woodlands\nJose R. Gonzalez, Staff writer\nJan. 28, 2020 Updated: Jan. 29, 2020 8:28 a.m.\nA bicyclist was struck and killed by an SUV as she crossed a roadway near New Trails Drive and Forest Research Drive.\ncourtesy of Google Maps\nA 68-year-old woman on Friday afternoon was fatally struck in The Woodlands while bicycling across a roadway.\nQiaolian Chen, of The Woodlands, died at the scene after being hit by a 2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer on New Trails Drive and Research Forest Drive. The motorist stopped and is not facing charges, according to Texas Department of Public Safety spokesman Sgt. Erik Burse. Traffic was stalled for a couple of hours, Burse added.\nThis is at least the fifth person, a non-motorist or not in a vehicle, killed on a road in The Woodlands in the last nine months. Early last month, a 44-year-old man whose vehicle had stalled was fatally struck by a Land Rover on Woodlands Parkway and East Panther Creek Drive. No charges were filed in that incident.\nBREAKING NEWS UPDATES: Get your Houston breaking news alerts delivered to your Inbox\nIn June, a 30-year-old man near the Interstate 45 exit ramp to Texas 242 was killed by the driver of a Toyota pickup truck after his own truck had flipped over. The driver was convicted of intoxicated manslaughter and sentenced to 10 years prison.\nA month before, a 51-year-old woman trying to cross Interstate 45 near Rayford Road on foot was killed by a moving vehicle.\njose.gonzalez@chron.com\ntwitter.com/jrgzztx\nJose R. Gonzalez\nReach Jose R. on\nJose R. Gonzalez reports on crime, courts and public safety in Montgomery County, just north of Houston. Jose joined the metro desk at the Houston Chronicle at the end of 2017. He worked breaking news and general assignments before landing on the Chronicle's business desk.\nHe covered the U.S. Congress at two editorial internships in Washington, D.C., one of which was RealClearPolitics. In between, he freelanced for the Chronicle. He is a journalism graduate of Texas State University in San Marcos.\nBorn in Pasadena, Texas and mostly raised there, Jose as a kid moved a lot with his family. He has lived in all four contiguous time zones.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1668911"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5957098603248596,"wiki_prob":0.4042901396751404,"text":"Watch The Abraham's Testimony Now!\nImmaculee: The Real Life of a Refugee\nAbraham Deng and The Lost Boys of Sudan\nBy Kara Lavengood\nCBN.com – “The enemy was running after us, and my best friend was older than me. He was on the other side with me, and he told me, ‘Abraham, get into the water. Cross to the other side.’ But I told him I would not because I didn’t know how to swim.”\nAbraham Deng was just 10 years old when he and thousands of other children were driven from refugee camps in Ethiopia.\n“So we jump into the water, and we crawled to the other side. I thought I was going to die,” Abraham shares with The 700 Club. “About 2,000 lost boys and girls died in that river as a result of enemy attack. Some were eaten by crocodiles, and some got drown because they didn’t know how to swim.”\nThis wasn’t the first time Abraham’s life was threatened. The danger began the day he fled from Islamic militants attacking his home village in Sudan. He was just six years old.\nHe recalls, “As we’re attending cattle, we heard the sound of guns, and we tried to come back to the camp, but we met some kids who were running in different directions. They told us not to go to the camp because we would get killed.”\nAbraham and some other boys ran into the jungle.\n“I thought there would be a time for me to go back to the camp, and I’d eventually go and see my family in the village,” he says, “but that wasn’t possible, so we stayed in the jungle.”\nMost of the children were young men and boys. They became known as “The Lost Boys of Sudan.”\nAbraham didn’t know why he’d been separated from his family. He missed them and wondered if he’d ever see them again. Then a man came to their camp and gave him a message of hope.\n“After some weeks, there was an Evangelist by the name of Barnabas,” he explains. “He led me to Christ. He talked to me several times and also to the other kids about having hope.”\nOver the next decade, “The Lost Boys” searched for a place to call home.\nHe says, “I didn’t have any clothes. I had only a pair of shorts that I was wearing, and I didn’t have shoes with me. I didn’t know where I was going, so I thought eventually I would die.”\nAbraham walked more than 1,000 miles across Africa with bare feet. He stayed in a refugee camp in Ethiopia for four years and in a camp in Kenya for nine. Though he survived the journeys, many of his friends did not.\n“Some got killed, and some were eaten by the lion population in the area. Some died of exhaustion; they could not walk farther. Some died of starvation.”\nAbraham eventually heard that his own father and five uncles had been killed. His mother’s fate was unknown. Abraham only knew that he missed her.\n“There was nothing more significant than to be with your mother. You find [that you are] by yourself, missing all that comfort and parental love and care. It was so difficult.”\nIt would be 19 long years before he learned what happened to his mother.\nToday, Abraham is no longer a little boy trekking through Africa. He’s a young man living in the United States. He was one of nearly 4,000 “Lost Boys” resettled in America.\nOnce here, Abraham was on a mission.\nHe says, “I had been praying to God when I was over there that God would make it possible for me to go to school.”\nGod listened to Abraham’s prayers. Through hard work and faith, he made his way to Southern Wesleyan University in South Carolina. There he began studying to become a doctor.\n“I am going to touch people’s lives, spiritually and medically,” Abraham says. “I know for so many reasons that God brought me to the United States to impact the lives of other Christians here and to accomplish what He wants me to do. That is education.”\nAs Abraham followed God’s will for his life, his prayers continued to be answered. One day he got a phone call…\n“I went on the phone and talked to that guy [who] told me, ‘Abraham, you don’t know me, but I have good news for you. Your mom is alive, and she is a refugee in Ethiopia.’ I could not believe.”\nHis new friend helped arrange a phone call between Abraham and his mother in Africa.\n“Mom told me, ‘My son, your siblings want you to come and see them, and besides that, I’m getting old.’ It broke my heart, and I said, ‘Mom, I know you are getting old, and my siblings want to see me. I know God is going to open a way for me to see you all.”\nAnd God did. Through donations from other Christians, Abraham was able to return to Africa in 2006. He finally felt his mother’s arms around him again!\n“When I saw my mom for the first time in 19 years, my world was completely changed, and I could not help crying. My mom lifted me up into the air with my sister, and I ran into the small house. [She] has been kissing me and kept calling me all the nicknames she used when I was a little boy. I try to respond to her, but there is not a word that came out of my mouth. It’s very difficult to explain. It was amazing.”\nAbraham and his family were overjoyed by God’s answer to their prayers. But Abraham was saddened by his family’s living conditions.\n“There was a reason why God led me to go there. Not only to see my family, but to see what people are going through,” Abraham says. “My heart was broken when I was in camp.”\nHis own mother was suffering from both typhoid and chronic malaria. His brother-in-law needed immediate surgery. Fortunately, enough money had been raised for Abraham to pay for his brother’s surgery and to help many others. But Abraham wants to do much more.\n“I give my life to God. ‘You do with me whatever You want. Just whatever You want of me, so that people have to come into Your kingdom.’ That is what I consider of myself. The reason I want to be a doctor is because there is a great need for doctors in my country. People die because of simple diseases. People die with no hope, and if I become a doctor, I will impact the lives of these people. I will tell them about God and take care of them medically. If one dies, I will give them that hope to die in Christ. So that’s what my mission is, and I know God is going to let me accomplish that.”\nAbraham has returned to college to finish his degree. He plans to go to Africa again to see his family and to fulfill his calling. Though he’s had to overcome intense pain and tragedy in his 25 years, Abraham has also gained an indestructible faith.\n“I know God is going to use me in a number of ways, not only in Sudan, but in many places,\" Abraham says. \"Thank You so much for letting me suffer. Perhaps if I didn’t suffer, maybe I would not know God.\"","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1101436"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5192621946334839,"wiki_prob":0.5192621946334839,"text":"LEGO Came Out With Its First Sustainable Collection Which Is No Longer Made Of Oil-Based Plastic\nWe have become aware that plastic is a terrible thing for all of us and the planet. But what can be done about it? We can do something about it, of course, but is that enough? The answer is simple – no. Unless the major corporations take a move against plastic, we are almost helpless. And it is their corporate social responsibility to do something about it. Out of the many companies that are present in the market, LEGO has started a movement. We have all been through that LEGO phase. We made our own buildings and became engineers in our imaginary worlds. LEGO pieces were made of oil-based plastic. Now, we can’t really blame them. It was cheap and we did not know much about the harmfulness of plastic back then.\nBut now, things have changed. We know that plastic is hazardous for our health and for the planet. We need to do something about it. And LEGO is backing us up. Back in March last year, LEGO claimed that it will be producing goods by using plant-based products rather than human based plastic. The result is that a company, which used to produce goods with standard oil-based plastics, is now changing their ways and making products using a derivative of sugarcane plants. These products are made by using a new kind of polyethylene plastic made using ethanol which is produced from sugarcane. It has been certified and considered safe by the Bonsucro Chain of Custody Standard.\nIt is designed in such a way that your children will not face any harm. Plus, the designers have gone through the principles of botany and integrated a lot of their gathered knowledge in the making of this product. It has the same consistency that could be seen in the plastic products, but now, both our children and the environment won’t get sick. On the other hand, it will inspire the future generation by educating them about environmentally sustainable products and show other companies how it is possible to do so. According to Tim Brooks, LEGO wanted to make a major positive effect and it is slowly moving towards that route.\nBut we should not give LEGO credit for this action alone. Even though the change in production material from polyethylene to biodegradable ethanol has been a major one, for LEGO – this is not the first time. They have tried to counter pollution for quite some time now. The company had announced that it has successfully reached the point of getting all its energy from renewable sources. The best part is that they had done it three years before the scheduled time. The brand has also gone on to partner up with the World Wildlife Fund for Nature so as to fight against climate change and reduce carbon dioxide emissions. The company has come together with the Bioplastic Feedstock Alliance to develop a sustainable source for its bioplastic goals.\nAccording to LEGO, their bioplastic collection is made out of plant-based material developed out of sugarcane. The new items look like bushes, trees, and leaves. It is just the first step. The company plans to use sustainable materials for all its products by the year 2030. You can check out more on this LEGO collection on their website.\nLEGO as a company is taking firm actions for the wellbeing of our planet. We will just look forward to other companies doing the same. On the other hand, we can try to help the planet in our own small way too. Because every step counts! And together, we can move mountains.\n? Wolfdog Dumped At Kill Shelter Receives Second Chance At Shy Wolf Sanctuary Customs Officials Found 1,500 Live Turtles And Tortoises Smuggled In Luggage ?","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1567976"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9850042462348938,"wiki_prob":0.9850042462348938,"text":"New Bloc Leader evokes passion of Jack Layton in laying out party plan\nLes Perreaux\nThis article was published more than 11 years ago. Some information may no longer be current.\nNewly elected Bloc Quebecois leader Daniel Paille poses in his offices in Montreal, Dec. 12, 2011.Christinne Muschi\nWhen the federal election last May left the Bloc Québécois in tatters, Daniel Paillé entertained doubts about whether the party could be rebuilt.\n\"Everything is on the table,\" he wrote, going on to describe the May 2 election loss as \"a slap, a thrashing, a walloping.\" The defeat was too intense to blame on a simple desire for change, too profound to attribute to one man's smile, he said, referring to NDP Leader Jack Layton.\nAnd yet, the day after his election as the new leader of the Bloc on Sunday, Mr. Paillé offered a familiar answer to the question he described as so complex seven short months ago: What happened?\n\"In this election there were many phenomenons, but above all there remains Jack Layton. First, Jack Layton,\" Mr. Paillé said in an interview.\n\"He ran a different campaign, it was really quite exceptional, he made people dream. He said, 'We will do politics differently.' He made people dream of change, and there was change.\"\nWe'll never know what Mr. Layton, who died in August, might have accomplished with his 59 Quebec MPs, Mr. Paillé said. But instead of a refreshing change, he said, Quebeckers are watching a Conservative majority government reshape Canada into something unfamiliar.\nThe crackdown on crime, the elimination of the gun registry and the fact that Quebec didn't get a piece of a gigantic federal contract to build new ships are just the start, he said.\nMr. Paillé, 61, an economist, father of two adult sons and grandfather of two, has split his working life among politics, the provincial civil service and the executive suite of major Quebec corporations, including Quebecor and Canam Group.\nHe won the party leadership handily on Sunday, but with a dismal turnout among a dwindling number of party members. The party has slid from 50,000 members in May to 36,000 today. Around 14,000 bothered to vote.\nWithout a seat in Parliament, Mr. Paillé (who lost his on May 2, along with all but four Bloc MPs) plans to storm the province riding by riding to hear from activists, rebuild his party and make concrete proposals.\nMr. Paillé studied economics at the École des hautes études commerciales under Jacques Parizeau, and started his career by working for him at the Ministry of Finance in the late 1970s. Elected provincially under the Parti Québécois banner in 1994, he served in Mr. Parizeau's cabinet.\nMr. Paillé has never been described as an independence hard-liner along the lines of Mr. Parizeau, who he says taught him the importance of rigour and hard work. But the new leader said he plans to refocus the party on sovereignty after years of following a doctrine of defending Quebec's interests above all else.\n\"The Bloc often defended the consensus coming out of Quebec, even if it was the consensus of a federalist government. The Bloc must never forget it is a sovereigntist party,\" Mr. Paillé said.\nMr. Paillé's career as a politician consisted of two rather brief stints. He resigned from the National Assembly in 1996 after two years, to become a vice-president at the province's investment arm, the Société générale de financement, and also served two years as a Bloc MP in Ottawa before his defeat in May.\nHis time in provincial politics was brief but somewhat tumultuous. In 1994, on the eve of the election, he warned investment bankers they could be frozen out of government business for suggesting that anxiety over the PQ's looming victory was driving up interest rates. A year later, he used ministerial letterhead to complain to the mayor of Montreal about a daycare centre opening up near his home. He apologized.\nOnce described as cocky, Mr. Paillé said he has gained wisdom with age. \"But if I was described as cocky, it was because I was very direct, I didn't mince words. It was a bit hard, it was a bit shocking, but people like that now.\"\nMr. Paillé will have plenty of time to find out how much people like it. He has 46 months to rebuild his party, with the next federal election date fixed for October, 2015.\nFollow Les Perreaux on Twitter: @PerreauxOpens in a new window\nFollow the author of this article:","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line657924"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6906287670135498,"wiki_prob":0.3093712329864502,"text":"Home Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options. Finance\nAlaska Airlines is selling one-way tickets for just $49\nBenjamin Zhang\nAn Alaska Airlines Boeing 737.\nAlaska Airlines launched a one-day flash sale on Tuesday with tickets for as cheap as $49 one-way and $98 round-trip.\nGreat deals include $49 fares between Los Angeles and Las Vegas or round-trip flights between New York and San Francisco for $278.\nSale ends at 11:59 pm Pacific time on June 26, 2018.\nAlaska Airlines is holding a one-day flash sale with one-way tickets for as low as $49 and round-trip fares for a little as $98. However, you better act fast because these sale prices will disappear Tuesday night at 11:59 pm Pacific time.\nSome of the best deals include $49 one-way fares between Las Vegas and Los Angeles. That means a round-trip flight between Tinsel Town and Sin City is just $98.\nFlights between Alaska's home base in Seattle and Spokane, Washington or Boise, Idaho are also both available at the $49 price point.\nIn addition, tickets for flights between Seattle and San Francisco are on sale for just $79 one-way or $158 round-trip. However, if choose to fly into Oakland just across the Bay, the cost of a flight from Seattle goes down to $69.\nFlights between Seattle and Los Angeles are also available for $79 one-way or $158 round-trip.\nIn addition, there are several great deals on long-distance, trans-continental flights. For instance, round-trips between New York JFK International or Newark Liberty International and San Francisco are on sale for just $278. You also choose to fly between the Big Apple and San Jose, California for the same price.\nNeedless to say, there is some fine print for this sale.\nAll tickets must be purchased on June 26, for travel between September 12 and December 19, 2018. Sale prices are only available for flights on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. All tickets must also be purchased at least 21 days ahead of travel.\nIn addition, sale prices are not available for flights between the 15th and 29th of November.\nOddly enough, we found Alaska offering prices even cheaper than the advertised sale fare. For example, we found flights between LA and Vegas on September 5 and September 7 for just $44 one-way and $88 round-trip.\nSo it helps to look beyond the official sale period.\nAlaska Airlines officially merged operations with Virgin America in April. The Seattle-based airline acquired Virgin America for $2.6 billion in 2016 and is working to firmly establish itself as the carrier of choice for the Western United States.\nNOW WATCH: The world's largest cruise ship landed in Miami — here's what it's like on board\nBITranspo Alaska Air Virgin America","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1419578"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8488186001777649,"wiki_prob":0.8488186001777649,"text":"BL hosts training aimed at dangers of…\n1view\nLISBON — School administrators across the county are looking at ways to lessen the appeal of vaping, which appears to be affecting a younger demographic, Beaver Local Schools Superintendent Eric Lowe said.\nVaping is the use of electronic cigarettes, which allows users to inhale an aerosol into their lungs that is produced when the liquid contained in the e-cigarettes is heated.\nAccording to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), about two-thirds of 15-24 year olds using the most popular e-cigarette, JUUL, do not know that it always contains nicotine. Furthermore, the CDC also says that a single JUUL pod contains as much nicotine as a pack of 20 regular cigarettes.\nLowe said he and other county school superintendents gained valuable information about the dangers of vaping among minors from the county’s Drug Task Force during a recent training hosted by the district.\nThe Drug Task Force led the training that focused on drugs and school safety.\n“It was good to hear from the drug task force about additional information in regards to how many products associated with vaping are targeted at young people,” Lowe said.\nHe went on to say that all county districts are working to improve education surrounding vaping and the dangers “associated with this behavior that seems to be occurring at younger ages annually.”\nIn addition, the CDC says that parents should be aware that while JUUL is currently the top selling brand in the U.S., other companies are selling e-cigarettes that look like USB flash drives and that these devices can be used to deliver marijuana and other drugs.\nLowe provided the Beaver Local Board of Education with a brief overview of the training during the Monday board meeting.\n“We were pleased to host the training,” he said. “Schools continue to examine ways to be proactive in working to support social and emotional needs of both staff and students as we work to ensure that our school communities can reach their maximum potential.”\nHe added that the district is grateful for the relationship is has with the St. Clair Township Police Department and other county agencies that would provide support in the event of any emergency.\nIn other business during the board of education meeting, the board approved:\n— A reading of NEOLA policies relating to Copy of Use of Medications and Care of Students with Diabetes.\n— The student iPad user agreement.\n— The bus route master schedule.\n— An agreement with the Columbiana County Educational Service Center to participate in Project Inspire.\n— A resolution of intent not to provide career technical education for seventh and eighth grades.\n— Athletic season pass prices, set at $225 for family, $85 for adult, $45 for students, $45 for senior outside of district, and $125 for seasonal family.\n— Updated adult meal prices, which are $2.55 for breakfast and $4.05 for lunch.\n— The hiring of Anthony Meyer, elementary health/physical education teacher; Jodie Bock, middle and high school special education teacher; Kerry Bettross, third grade teacher; Barbara Morgan, 2-hour cafeteria worker; Pamela Wilson, bus driver; and Kasie Stevenson, bus driver.\n— Supplemental contracts for John Miller, head golf coach, and Shawn Dunn, assistant boys soccer coach.\n— Several volunteers and substitutes.\n— An unpaid leave of absence for Kathy Beaver for the 2022-23 school year.\n— An executive session to consider the employment of an employee. No action was taken.\nReplication Study Confirms Vapes Reduce Heart Risks…\nGovt's Smokefree Proposals Must Be Enforced, Say…\nPress Release | Press Releases | Newsroom…\nMore From: Vaping News","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1532382"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6239948272705078,"wiki_prob":0.6239948272705078,"text":"Bam Group Ireland, Main sponsor of Chambers Ireland CSR Awards 2015\nAwards to Recognise Excellence in Corporate Social Responsibility Launched\nChambers Ireland today (03/03/15) announced that the application process for the 2015 Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Awards is open. The awards recognise the work being carried out by companies of all sizes to improve the lives of their employees, the local community and the environment. This is a unique competition that offers the business community a chance to promote their efforts in CSR and gain recognition for best practice.\nAllan Shine, Chief Executive of North kIldare Chamber said ” The CSR Awards are an excellent opportunity for Kildare Businesses to highlight the various CSR initiatives that they undertake. I am delighted that once again BAM Group Ireland are sponsoring the awards. BAM are of course a well established Kildare company. I encourage Kildare businesses to enter into the various award categories available.”\nJohn Cunningham, Chair of the CSR Awards judging panel said, “Having chaired the judging panel for a number of years, I continue to be surprised by the exceptional ways that businesses are embracing CSR. Businesses in Ireland are unique in their unwavering commitment to running their businesses in a responsible and sustainable manner. These awards are an opportunity to recognise this hard work and dedication and to highlight best practice so that others can follow in their footsteps.”\nTheo Cullinane, BAM Group Ireland Chief Executive said “Sustainability is one of the core tenets of our business and we work closely with our employees, clients, stakeholders and supply chain on all aspects of CSR. We’re very proud to sponsor the CSR Awards, an initiative that promotes responsible business throughout Ireland. I’d like to wish all entrants and everybody in Chambers Ireland the very best of luck for this year’s awards.”\nAward categories include: Excellence in Environment, Community (divided into Charity, Volunteering and Community Programme), Workplace, Marketplace, International CSR, CSR Communication, Best SME and the overall Outstanding Achievement in CSR Award.\nNow in their twelfth year, the awards were launched in Dublin Castle. The awards are run in association with the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government, partnered by Business in the Community Ireland and kindly sponsored by BAM Group Ireland. For further information or to apply please visit www.csrawards.ie. The closing date for nominations is Tuesday 21st April 2015.\nJohn Cunningham, Chair of CSR Awards Judging Panel; Tina Roche, CEO, Business in the Community Ireland and Mike Jones, Business Development Director, BAM Group Ireland at the launch of Chambers Ireland’s CSR Awards in Dublin Castle.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line527563"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5858001112937927,"wiki_prob":0.4141998887062073,"text":"Ineos Chemical Company\nJubilant Bhartia was founded by brothers Shyam and Hari Bhartia in 2001, after an earlier incarnation as Vam Organic, a small chemical company. It has grown to become an international conglomerate estimated to be worth more than $3 billion, touching upon just about every facet of life, ranging from pharmaceuticals and life sciences, to oil and gas, performance polymers, and food product and services. Jubilant also serves as corporate consultant to the oil and aerospace industry. The conglomerate employs more than 36,000 workers around the world, 1,400 in North America.\nPrimary Operations\nHeadquartered in New Delhi, India, Jubilant Bhartia Group has six primary divisions.\nJubilant Energy is one of the largest oil exploration and producers of oil and gas in India. It has successfully collaborated with a number of leading oil and gas corporations across the globe, extending its reach into a large international marketplace, competing with other world leaders, such as China-based Sinopec Corporation.\nPharmaceuticals and Life Sciences\nOperating as Jubilant Life Sciences, Jubilant Bhartia is engaged in the development and production of an extensive variety of pharmaceutical and health related product, such as: allergy relief therapies, radiopharmaceuticals, APIs, solid dosage formulations and life science ingredients. Jubilant Life Sciences is also involved in drug development. Like fellow competitor, Sumitomo Chemical, Jubilant strives to bring the highest quality and most recent innovations in pharmaceutical and life science product to an international consumer marketplace. Its reach extends to more than 100 countries, with R&D operations in China, North America and Europe.\nAgricultural Products and Performance Polymers\nJubilant Bhartia is considered one of the world’s foremost producers of agricultural products, focusing especially on crop protection, growth and nutrition. Jubilant Industries, Ltd. is ranked second in the world in the manufacture of food polymers, such as PolyVinyl Acetate, the raw material used to make chewing and bubble gum. It ranks second in the world in the manufacture of Vinyl Pyridine Latex which is used in the production of automobile tires.\nJubilant MotorWorks sells and services Audi automobiles in Mangalore, Bangalore, Pune and Chennai. Audis are one of the world’s most recognized luxury cars.\nJubilant FoodWorks, Ltd., is the largest and fastest growing international food service company in India. Initiated in 1995, and opening for business a year later, Jubilant FoodWorks operates a network of 887 stores.\nJubilant Enpro is an international consultant assisting a diverse industry of companies, including aviation, oil and gas, and power and infrastructure services.\nJubilant Bhartia Group’s pharmaceutical wing—Jubilant Life Sciences—announced in early September, 2015 an initiative to market Technigas in the United States through its subsidiary Jubilant DraxImage. Technigas is an agent used in developing images, primarily in cases of pulmonary embolism. Following completion of phase III trials, which will be done in collaboration with Cyclopharm, an Australian pharmaceutical company, DraxImage will hold an exclusive license to market and distribute Technigas in America.\nThe Jubilant Bhartia Foundation was established in 2007. Its mission is focused principally on building sustainable communities and empowering local populations to develop skills and infrastructure that will last beyond the Foundation’s involvement. Core funding areas are: primary education in rural areas; healthcare facilities; and entrepreneurial and workforce development projects.\nPercatarse pareja es en la actualidad demasiado facil: Paso la epoca en la cual las timidos, o menor agraciados se quedaban solos acerca de por vida.\nWe got countless classes with the evenings and you may sundays therefore my personal free relationships go out are nonexistent","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1843595"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8555700778961182,"wiki_prob":0.8555700778961182,"text":"Flowers and balloons have been placed near the scene of a mass shooting at a Walmart in Chesapeake, Virginia. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)\nYoungest victim in Virginia Walmart shooting was a 16-year-old employee\nby: Jared Gans, Nexstar Media Wire\nUpdated: Nov 26, 2022 / 11:13 AM CST\n(The Hill) – The youngest victim of the shooting at a Walmart in Chesapeake, Virginia, on Tuesday was a 16-year-old employee, authorities announced.\nOfficials released the name of the boy, Fernando Chavez-Barron, on Friday, two days after they released the names of the five other victims, all of whom were adults. Family and friends held a vigil for Chavez-Barron in the Chesapeake Walmart’s parking lot on Thursday.\nA family friend, Rosy Perez, told The New York Times that Chavez-Barron worked an overnight shift at Walmart to help his family while attending high school.\n“He wanted to help a little bit,” she said. “He was a very good child.”\nThe five other victims were identified as 52-year-old Kellie Pyle, 38-year-old Brian Pendleton, 43-year-old Lorenzo Gamble, 70-year-old Randy Blevins and 22-year-old Tyneka Johnson. All the victims were from Chesapeake except Johnson, who was from the nearby city of Portsmouth.\nOfficials identified the shooter as a 31-year-old who was an employee at the store for more than 10 years. He was armed with a handgun and multiple magazines and died of self-inflicted gunshot wounds after fatally shooting the six people and injuring several others.\nAuthorities have said that the shooter purchased the gun legally hours before the shooting and released a note found on his phone that mentioned people he believed had betrayed him.\n“That’s why they suffer the same fate as me,” he wrote.\nMan arrested for fatal shooting on St. Charles Street\nMSDH struggles to manage medical marijuana program\nState’s first medical marijuana sale made in Brookhaven","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1591467"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9869228601455688,"wiki_prob":0.9869228601455688,"text":"Did the WHO mishandle the global coronavirus pandemic? | CBC News Loaded\nDid the WHO mishandle the global coronavirus pandemic?\nThe World Health Organization has come under fire for its response to the global coronavirus pandemic, but experts say it's only as powerful as its weakest link.\nExperts say agency made mistakes but responsibility also lies with member states\nAdam Miller · CBC News · Posted: Apr 30, 2020 4:00 AM EDT | Last Updated: April 30, 2020\nWHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus pictured at the WHO headquarters in Geneva on March 11. Experts say the organization is challenged because of its dual role of juggling the domestic interests of its individual members with the interests of the rest of the world. (Fabrice Coffrini/AFP/Getty Images)\nThe World Health Organization has come under fire for its response to the global coronavirus pandemic, with threats of funding cuts and investigations into its conduct.\nBut experts say that while the WHO may have made some missteps in its handling of the crisis, the organization is only as powerful as its weakest link.\nCoronavirus tracker: The cases, hospitalizations and vaccinations in your area\nThe United Nations agency was founded in 1948 with a mandate to act as an authority on international health.\nIts 194 member states fund the agency and set Its policies, and it is accountable to them. Conversely, it has discretionary power to investigate members' handling of public health crises, but it relies on their co-operation and information sharing.\n\"An organization like the World Health Organization can only be as strong and as effective as its member states want it to be,\" said Steven Hoffman, director of the Global Strategy Lab and a global health law professor at York University in Toronto.\n\"So, one of the challenges that the World Health Organization has faced over the last decades is that it keeps on getting new responsibilities and no new resources.\"\nIn 2005, its responsibilities increased with the adoption of the International Health Regulations (IHR), a legal agreement signed by all members that requires countries to report emerging disease outbreaks that are at risk of spreading worldwide.\nWATCH | WHO defends its record on COVID-19\n'We alerted the world on January the 5th:' WHO defends its record on COVID-19\nThe World Health Organization has defended its handling of the coronavirus outbreak after President Donald Trump orders withdrawal of U.S. funding for the organization.\nIn doing so, experts say the WHO took on a more political role in juggling the domestic interests of its individual members with the interests of the rest of the world.\n\"They have never performed well in that function — not once,\" said Amir Attaran, a professor in the Faculties of Law and School of Epidemiology and Public Health at the University of Ottawa, who told CBC's Sunday Edition the WHO should never again preside over a pandemic.\n\"They cave to diplomatic pressure. Or even if there is not diplomatic pressure, they self-censor.\"\nAttaran said an agency entrusted with ensuring compliance with an agreement like the IHR cannot also operate with the \"attitude of a diplomat.\"\nTedros shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping before a meeting in Beijing on Jan. 28. Amir Attaran says the WHO will consistently 'cave to diplomatic pressure.' (Naohiko Hatta/Reuters)\n\"It cannot simultaneously be constantly begging countries for co-operation in certain areas where it's expected at the next moment to turn on them severely and possibly fault them for hiding an epidemic.\"\nHoffman says the agency is \"doomed by its institutional design.\"\nChina announces additional $30M in funding for WHO\n\"The criticisms that WHO has faced are not fair in the sense that WHO is not an independent entity, it's essentially acting on behalf of its member states, who control it,\" he said.\n\"So, the criticism is really a criticism of those national governments' inability to create the kind of strong public health agency that the world needs in this globalized era.\"\nEarly response to pandemic criticized\nOn Dec. 31, China alerted the WHO to a mysterious outbreak of pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in the central Chinese province of Hubei.\nBut it would be weeks before the WHO declared the situation a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on Jan. 30, a key designation that determines whether a country's response to an outbreak has been effective and if more resources are needed.\nThe timing of that emergency declaration is critical at the beginning of an epidemic and can have ripple effects on how quickly countries around the world respond.\nChina didn't warn public of likely pandemic for 6 crucial days\n\"I think that happened probably a week too late,\" said Hoffman, adding that the organization was \"hung\" over whether the outbreak constituted an emergency.\nWhile the WHO considered the emergency declaration, Chinese officials acted swiftly to silence early informal releases of information from health care workers sounding the alarm in Wuhan, opting instead to carefully manage the release of information in the weeks before the WHO would be allowed on the ground.\nFormer Canadian ambassador to China David Mulroney said that information was put through a \"political prism\" in China and delayed as local officials determined how to put the best possible face on the crisis before sending it up the line to Beijing.\n\"You never want to give bad news to your boss in China,\" he said.\nHealth care workers attend to COVID-19 patients at the intensive care unit of a designated hospital in Wuhan, China, on Feb. 6. The WHO was quick to praise China for its efforts to contain the coronavirus outbreak but has been criticized for not declaring a public health emergency of international concern quickly enough. (China Daily/Reuters)\nMulroney said that problem highlights an inherent issue within the WHO: it can be \"stonewalled\" by a member country on the release of information — posing a \"significant risk\" at a critical time in an outbreak.\nLynette Ong, an associate professor of political science at the University of Toronto and a China specialist, said the WHO needed to maintain a diplomatic relationship with China in order to encourage the conducting of investigations and the sharing of key data.\nWhen Chinese health officials quickly genetically sequenced the virus from an infected patient, the WHO lauded the effort, calling it a \"notable achievement\" that \"demonstrates China's increased capacity to manage new outbreaks.\"\nCBC Investigates\nWhy some experts are questioning China's coronavirus claims\n\"But you do not also want to overdo it, to be too deferential and too friendly to the extent that you cannot take a step back and then question the things that they share with you,\" she said.\n\"WHO is being criticized, rightly so, and a lot of the criticism is justified to my mind because they have probably gone a little too far to the other side of being too deferential.\"\nOng said that while the WHO was \"outwardly praising\" China for its capacity to build hospitals and put in place strict lockdown of millions of its citizens that helped flatten their epidemic curve, the country did so by casting aside privacy and human rights with Draconian restrictions on citizens.\nHealth care workers walk a patient into a hospital in Wuhan on Jan. 27. Former interim Liberal leader and Canada's special envoy on humanitarian and refugee issues Bob Rae says there is no evidence to suggest the WHO actively suppressed the release of any information on the pandemic. (STR/AFP/Getty Images)\n\"The other side of the criticism, which I also think is justified, is the cover-up at the beginning, which I don't think the WHO has actually addressed at all,\" she said, adding the world lost two to three weeks at a \"very crucial time\" in tackling the outbreak.\n\"Had there not been any cover-up, I think the world probably, we would be in a different position.\"\nShould the WHO be held accountable?\nCalls for the WHO to be held accountable for its response to the global coronavirus have been been growing. Australia says it will call for an international investigation into the origin of the pandemic at next month's annual meeting of the World Health Assembly, the decision-making body of the WHO. And U.S. President Donald Trump has already cut funding to the organization, saying it \"failed\" in its duty.\nStill, the U.S. is working with the agency. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has, since late January, had a member on the WHO's emergency committee, which also includes Canada's Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tam as an adviser.\nTam said that while she would welcome a review of the pandemic advice provided by the WHO, she does not fault it for its initial response because health experts all over the world \"underestimated where this could go.\"\nWATCH | Dr. Theresa Tam says it would be 'worthwhile to examine' the WHO's response to COVID-19\n'Worthwhile to examine' WHO response to COVID-19: Dr. Tam\nIn an exclusive interview, Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tam tells CBC’s chief political correspondent Rosemary Barton that health experts underestimated the global COVID-19 spread and that it would be \"worthwhile to examine\" the World Health Organization's response.\nPrime Minister Justin Trudeau said Canada would continue to work with the WHO because the virus \"demands a global, co-ordinated response.\"\nHe added there will be \"plenty of time to reflect on challenges\" in the future.\nFormer interim Liberal leader Bob Rae and Canada's special envoy on humanitarian and refugee issues said that while the WHO does act as a source of information, alert and guidance for countries in a pandemic, that doesn't take away the responsibility of governments to take the steps they feel necessary.\nWuhan health officials raise death toll linked to COVID-19 by 50%\n\"You could never say, 'Well, you know, [the WHO] didn't tell us how serious it was.' Of course they did,\" Rae said. \"The question as to how each country should respond to the information is entirely up to each country. It's not up to the WHO.\"\nThe WHO doesn't issue directives \"to say you should carry out a lockdown, you should limit transportation, you should cut off all flights.\"\nRae said that while it can be difficult for the WHO to navigate the challenges of the Chinese political system, there's no evidence to suggest the organization actively suppressed the release of any information on the pandemic.\nHe says the criticism of the WHO is \"completely misguided\" and that cutting funding to the organization at a critical time is a strategic \"mistake.\"\n\"I think every crisis such as this one will prompt every governmental agency, both domestic and international, to reflect on what happened and to see how it can be improved,\" he said.\n\"That is an issue that is going to be quite legitimately placed at the doorstep of the WHO.\"\nSenior Health Writer\nAdam Miller is a senior health writer with CBC News. He's covered health, politics and breaking news extensively in Canada for over a decade, in addition to several years reporting on news and current affairs throughout Asia.\n@adamsmiller\nAdd some “good” to your morning and evening.\nA variety of newsletters you'll love, delivered straight to you.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1094912"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8918602466583252,"wiki_prob":0.8918602466583252,"text":"Allergopharma Begins Production at Reinbek Biopharmaceutical Facility\nThe company made a €42 million investment in a new building at its Reinbek site to support the production of biopharmaceuticals.\nOn March 2, 2017, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany’s allergy business, Allergopharma, began biopharmaceutical production in Reinbek, near Hamburg, Germany. The company made a €42-million (approximately $44.4 million) investment in a new building at its Reinbek site to support the production of biopharmaceuticals.\n‘‘By this €42-million investment our company is supporting the Reinbek site in order to expand the allergies business on a global scale. The new production building is part of this global expansion, and will support our growing business in the allergy market place,” said Simon Sturge, COO at the Healthcare business sector of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, at the inauguration in Reinbek in a statement.\nThe new biopharmaceutical factory covers 6000 m2 and includes a glass cleanroom, in which the company will manufacture its products for causal treatment, on the 2000-m2 ground floor of the building. Alongside the cleanrooms for biopharmaceutical production, the new building has a glass visitors’ foyer with a view of the cleanrooms and the potential for extension to accommodate further filling lines. Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, laid the foundations for the building in December 2013.\nSource: Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany\nManufacturingPharmTech Europe NewsFacility Design and EngineeringSupplier News\nProviding a Snapshot of the Industry","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line562885"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6943743824958801,"wiki_prob":0.6943743824958801,"text":"For The Love Of Bully\nDean Justifies His ‘Crime’\nNow in the Pitmen's colours......picture courtesy of www.hednesfordtown.com\nAlmost 20 years on, Dean Edwards is still ribbed by mates over the part he played in denying his beloved Wolverhampton Wanderers a second successive trip to Wembley in the Sherpa Van Trophy.\nThe former striker, now manager at Unibond Premier League club Hednesford after a spell in charge of Willenhall, scored home and away for Torquay in the 1988-89 area final to secure a shock 3-2 aggregate victory over the holders.\nAnd he reveals: “People who know that I’ve always been a big Wolves fan still ask me what on earth I was doing scoring a couple of goals and stopping the club getting back to Wembley.\nEdwards in action for Wolves in 1986.\n“But I’ve got a simple answer: Torquay’s final against Bolton was played in the same weekend as the Scotland v England international and, if I hadn’t scored, Steve Bull wouldn’t have gone on for his debut at Hampden Park and scored a great goal. So I did my bit after all!”\nEdwards, now 46, netted Torquay’s consolation in their 4-1 Wembley defeat against Bolton and was also on target when the Gulls returned to the twin towers two years later to win promotion from the Fourth Division via the play-offs.\nThe crowds he played to on those occasions, like the competition record attendance of 80,841 that watched the Wolves v Burnley final 20 years ago this summer, are a far cry from another match that’s probably etched in his memory.\nHe lined up alongside the likes of Jon Purdie and Robert Rosario when Wolves drew 1-1 with Torquay at Molineux in January, 1986, in the SVT’s forerunner, the Freight Rover Trophy. The turn-out then was a paltry 1,618.\nPosted on: Friday, August 1st, 2008.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1087922"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7328804135322571,"wiki_prob":0.7328804135322571,"text":"Homer: Iliad\n5. The Gods\nIn this module, we focus on the presentation of the gods in the Iliad, focusing in particular on two questions: What are the gods doing in a poem about the wrath of Achilles, a human being? And why are they presented in the way they are?\nIn this course, we explore several aspects of Homer’s Iliad. The course begins with a consideration of one of the most fundamental questions asked of the Homeric epics – the so-called Homeric Question – which asks whether the Iliad was the work of a single poet or many. After that, we examine one of the key episodes of the poem, the Embassy to Achilles, before exploring the concept of heroism in the epic: why is it, we ask, that heroes such as Sarpedon, Hector and Achilles risk life and limb on the battlefield? In the fourth module, we think about characterization in the epic, and in the fifth we focus on the gods in the epic: what are they doing in a poem about the wrath of Achilles, and why are they presented in the way they are? In the final module, we look in more detail at the final two books of the epic, up to an including the final scene of the poem.\nRichard Jenkyns was an undergraduate at Balliol College, Oxford. He was a Fellow of All Souls College, Oxford, from 1972 to 1981, Lecturer in Classics, University of Bristol, 1978-81, and from 1981 to 2010 he was a Fellow and Tutor in Classics at Lady Margaret Hall.\nHe became Professor of the Classical Tradition in 1999 and the University’s Public Orator in 2004. He was awarded a Leverhulme Major Research Fellowship 2007-10.\nJenkyns, R. (2018, August 15). Homer: Iliad - The Gods [Video]. MASSOLIT. https://www.massolit.io/courses/homer-iliad/the-gods-f691975b-e9fe-4dea-8efd-129bbcf65c12\nJenkyns, R. \"Homer: Iliad – The Gods.\" MASSOLIT, uploaded by MASSOLIT, 15 Aug 2018, https://www.massolit.io/courses/homer-iliad/the-gods-f691975b-e9fe-4dea-8efd-129bbcf65c12\n1. The Homeric Question (10:13)\n2. Book 9: The Embassy to Achilles (08:30)\n3. The Homeric Hero (09:37)\n4. Characterisation (09:53)\n5. The Gods (08:39)\n6. Books 23 and 24: The End of the Iliad (09:22)\nHomer: Odyssey\nHomer: The Worlds of the Iliad and Odyssey\nHomer: Iliad: Characterisation\nHomer: Women","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1369262"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6096717119216919,"wiki_prob":0.3903282880783081,"text":"Enterprise IT security news and advice\nIT Security Breaches\nBiggest Data Security Breaches\nHow to prevent phishing attacks\nHIPAA and HITECH Compliance\nHIPAA Privacy Rules\nHIPAA Encryption\nHIPAA Data Regulation\nHIPAA Password Requirements\nHIPAA Record Retention Requirements\nHIPAA Email Rules\nText Messaging and HIPAA Compliance\nWhat is Texas HB 300?\nHIPAA Laws\nGDPR News\nGDPR Compliance for US Companies\nGDPR Country List\nGDPR Password Policy\nGDPR for Small Businesses\nDuties of a GDPR DPO\nGDPR Training\nHIPAA Training\nThe General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) was introduced into EU law on the 25th of May 2018, and replacing the existing data protection framework. The regulations were designed to increase transparency, security, and accountability by data controllers and data processors. Furthermore, it was introduced to improve the rights of people in the EU to their data, while creating a EU-wide standard for data protection.\nGDPR is a now key piece of EU law. Any company that has offices within the EU is subject to the GDPR. The law states that “any processing of personal data in the context of the activities of an establishment of a controller or a processor in the Union should be carried out in accordance with this Regulation, regardless of whether the processing itself takes place within the Union.” Even if only a branch of subsidiary of the main organisation is located within the EU, the entire organisation is required to be GDPR-compliant.\nIt is important to note that it is not just companies that have physical locations within the EU who are required to comply with GDPR. Any business or organisation that collects or processes the data of people located within the EU, no matter where the organisation itself is located, are covered by GDPR. For example, if an Australian citizen was travelling in the EU and their data was collected while they were in France, this data exchange would be required to comply with GDPR. The same is not true for a French citizen travelling in Australia. It is the location of an individual when the data exchange occurs, not their nationality or citizenship, which is important.\nCountries Affected by GDPR\nAlthough GDPR will affect organisations around the world-particularly large, multinational organisations-its introduction will have the strongest affect organisations based within the EU, as these organisations are likely to process high amounts of data collected within the EU.\nHere is a list of EU member countries:\nRepublic of Cyprus\nFollowing the 2016 “Brexit” referendum, the United Kingdom is set to leave the EU. Despite their imminent departure, GDPR was introduced to their laws at the same time as the other member states. GDPR is now UK law, and they will remain as part of the law even when the UK is no longer in the EU.\nGDPR Outside of the EU\nAs mentioned above, it is not the physical location of an organisation which is important when considering whether it is covered by GDPR, but the location of the people whose data it handles. Although the impact of GDPR is likely to be less than that for the EU member states themselves, as data from people within the EU is likely to be only a small part of the overall quantity of data that they handle, they still must be fully aware of GDPR.\nMany organisations are likely to dismiss GDPR as irrelevant, as they do not reside within the EU. Ignorance about GDPR is not an acceptable excuse for a violation. The fines for non-compliance are hefty; either a fine of €20 million (around $23 million), or 4% of the company’s annual turnover-whichever is higher. No matter which country an organisation has their headquarters, they are liable to be fined by the EU for a violation.\nSome countries already have existing agreements with the EU regarding the handling of data of EU citizens. For example, data exchanges between the US and the EU was covered by the EU-US Privacy Shield. This framework covered exchanges of personal data for commercial purposes. GDPR covers a greater number of transactions than the EU-US Privacy Shield, and companies who are already compliant with the existing framework are still expected to update their business practices to comply with the new regulations.\nSome countries may struggle more than others to ensure that their organisations are fully GDPR compliant. Where there is a cultural expectation of privacy, GDPR protocol is likely to be easily adopted. If consumers do not expect privacy, and therefore organisations are unaccustomed in giving it, then difficulties may be encountered. An example of a country which falls into the latter category is the US. The US has no laws protecting “general data”. Some types of information are protected, such as health information covered by HIPAA. GDPR-type regulations don’t exist, and organisations may find it difficult to adjust their business practices to its stringent requirements.\nDue to the changes that GDPR brings, companies outside the EU-including US companies-are faced with a choice; either proceed operations with two different systems to process of personal data collected either inside or outside the EU, or create a single system that is compliant will all applicable laws.\nThe issue of sticking with two separate systems adds complexity to the operation, and may prove a hindrance for smaller organisations who may not have the resources to deal with these two datasets. Ensuring that all employees are familiar with two separate procedures requires costly and time consuming training programmes. Although the development and introduction of a single system may be costly upfront, in the long term, it may create a more streamlined and efficient process. For example, if a US organisation processes health data collected within the EU and the US, its data processing procedure must be HIPAA and GDPR compliant. In this way, US citizens may reap the benefits of GDPR despite not being directly covered by it.\nTransferring Data Outside of the EU\nChapter 5 of GDPR stipulates the stringent requirements which must be met when transferring personal data to a third country or to an organisation outside of the EU. Data transfers can only occur when an adequate level of legal data protection measures can be shown to be in place in the third country. This is to ensure that the personal data of an individual is secure, no matter which country in which it is stored. According to the EU Commission, the US does not have a high enough level of protection for it to allow personal data to be transferred there. It remains to be seen if the US will change its data security policies following GDPR.\n© 2023 Defensorum","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line832367"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.979572057723999,"wiki_prob":0.979572057723999,"text":"How Robert Mercer impacts local political battles in NY\n@JonCampbellGAN\nALBANY - Robert Mercer spent millions to help propel Donald Trump into the White House and back far-right outlets, causes and advocates, including Breitbart News and Stephen Bannon.\nAway from the national spotlight, however, the wealthy Long Island hedge-fund manager's financial influence is found at the most-granular, hyperlocal levels in his home state of New York through a nonprofit with a dramatic name that's quickly expanding its presence.\nReclaim New York, the four-year-old watchdog group, is the brainchild of its founder, chairman, treasurer and director: Rebekah Mercer, who runs a foundation that helps distribute her father's considerable wealth to a wide variety of mostly conservative causes.\nThe New York City-based nonprofit has been expanding its presence at the local-government level across the state, building up its considerable social media following in hopes of mobilizing citizens to push their local-government officials to reign in fees, taxes and other factors that drive up the cost of living.\nThe group touts itself as \"nonpartisan\" and \"independent.\"\nBut the conservative, small-government beliefs shared by the Mercers are present throughout the positions the group takes at both the local and state level, with Gov. Andrew Cuomo's administration accusing Reclaim of being a front to espouse Mercer's views.\nRobert Mercer leaving hedge fund, selling Breitbart stake\nBreitbart News funder Robert Mercer has Westchester roots\nIn a statement, Reclaim executive director Brandon Muir said the group's board members -- which include Rebekah Mercer and her sister, Jennifer -- \"believe deeply in our mission of supporting grassroot engagement.\"\n\"They helped launch Reclaim and continue to be supportive, because of programmatic work like fighting illegal fees and pushing local governments to be more transparent,\" Muir said. \"The outside political activities of board members do not involve Reclaim.”\nSome of the group's targets aren't convinced.\n\"It's an astroturf organization masquerading as a good-government group in order to cynically push a billionaire's extreme right-wing agenda into Albany's bloodstream,\" Cuomo spokesman Rich Azzopardi said.\nReclaim's beginnings\nReclaim's only known funders are Robert Mercer, who spent his early career at IBM in Westchester, and the Mercer Family Foundation, which contributed more than $1.3 million to the group from 2013 through 2015, according to state and federal tax documents reviewed by the USA Today Network's Albany Bureau.\nReclaim New York was founded in 2013 with $40,000 in seed money, according to state charity filings. Since then, it has expanded to a staff of 10 with three regional directors, including George Phillips, a former Republican congressional candidate from the Binghamton area.\nThe nonprofit received contributions of $1.25 million in 2015 -- all of which came from the Mercer Family Foundation, according to the group and foundation's tax filings.\nReclaim counted Bannon, Trump's controversial former chief strategist and current head of Breitbart News, as one of its founding directors, though he stepped down after joining Trump's campaign in 2016.\nEarlier this year, Reclaim expanded to create a lobbying branch funded with a $75,000 personal contribution from Robert Mercer, state ethics board filings show.\nReclaim frequently comments on state issues, knocking Cuomo, for example, for his support of $420 million a year in annual tax credits for film and television projects and ripping Albany for ethical lapses.\nLocal work\nBut the bulk of its work comes at the local level, where the nonprofit holds training sessions on pocketbook issues in the Southern Tier, Hudson Valley and Long Island.\nThe group has blanketed local governments and school districts with Freedom of Information Law requests seeking to build a database of local spending.\nWhen it doesn't get the information it's seeking, Reclaim sues. So far, it has sued 11 school districts and governments, including the Peekskill and Beacon school districts and the village of Spring Valley in the Hudson Valley.\nReclaim's social media following is formidable, including 118,000 likes on Facebook, where Reclaim touts its training sessions across the state.\nThe group's lobbying arm, the Reclaim New York Initiative, has taken to weighing in on inherently local issues: The Mount Vernon city budget. A push to curtail natural gas usage in a small Tompkins County town. A plan to build a new Cortland County jail. And a $200 fee on real-estate deals in Suffolk County, home to Mercer.\nOften, the group asks its supporters to mobilize and contact their local officials.\n\"Call or email your city councilmember,\" the Reclaim New York Initiative wrote on its blog about the Mount Vernon budget. \"Tell them you want a responsible budget, not one based on padding pockets and political handouts.\"\nIn Peekskill, Reclaim sued last November when the district didn't initially turn over check numbers when the group filed a FOIL request for various spending documents. The district pushed back publicly, claiming disclosure of check numbers would be an invasion of privacy; Reclaim pushed back harder.\n\"Unfortunately, for Peekskill Schools and their taxpayers, attempting to save face took precedent over admitting their failure to provide the basic transparency citizens deserve,\" the group wrote in a statement at the time.\nThe district ultimately provided the documents before the case made its way to a judge, who declined to force the district to pay Reclaim's attorney fees, according to John Gross, an attorney for the Peekskill schools.\nHe suggested the spat could have been solved with a phone call, not a lawsuit.\n\"Had they called us -- they never did,\" Gross said. \"They just started to litigate.\"\nMercer funding\nMercer's backing of the group has drawn the ire of some of those it criticizes, who say Reclaim is nothing more than a front for its wealthy backers.\nOne target has been Cuomo's administration, which has drawn frequent criticism from Reclaim on a variety of issues, including tax breaks. Cuomo is seeking re-election next year and is considered a potential presidential candidate in 2020.\nAzzopardi, the Cuomo spokesman, dismissed Reclaim New York's efforts.\n\"This outright deception should concern everyone,\" he said.\nThe Mercers, meanwhile, are often described as reclusive, rarely commenting on its political or governmental strategies and beliefs.\nThey have ownership stakes in Breitbart, the far-right news website run by Bannon that is loathed by liberals and centrists, though Robert Mercer recently said he will sell his stake to his daughter.\nA spokesman for Robert Mercer did not respond to a request for comment on his backing of Reclaim New York or his family's goals for the nonprofit.\nMercer did, however, offer a rare glimpse into his political beliefs last week when he sent an email to employees of Renaissance Technologies -- the Suffolk County-based hedge fund where he derived his wealth -- to tell them he would soon step down as co-CEO.\n\"I believe that a collection of individuals making their own decisions within the confines of a clear and concise set of laws that they have determined for themselves will advance society much more effectively than will a collection of experts who are confident in their knowledge of what is best for everyone else,\" Mercer wrote.\n\"This is why I support conservatives, who favor a smaller, less powerful government.\"\nReclaim is far from the only New York advocacy or watchdog group backed at least in part by funders on one side or other of the political spectrum.\nThe left-leaning, Ithaca-based Park Foundation, for example, has provided funding for various advocacy organizations in New York, including a wide array of anti-fracking groups and government-reform organizations like Common Cause/NY and the New York Public Interest Research Group.\nLabor unions, meanwhile, have long funded left-leaning think tanks like the Fiscal Policy Institute.\n'Right-wing billionaire'\nCuomo himself has taken aim at the Mercer family in recent weeks, with the Cuomo-controlled state Democratic Committee airing a television ad targeting Mercer's $1 million contribution to a PAC supporting Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino, a Republican.\nIn an email to Democratic supporters, Cuomo called the Mercers \"right-wing billionaires who bankrolled Donald Trump's presidential campaign and the extremist Breitbart News.\"\n\"Now they've set their sights on New York because we're fighting to elect Democrats now and in the 2018 elections,\" Cuomo wrote. \"It's up to us to stop them.\"\nAstorino ultimately lost Tuesday to state Sen. George Latimer, D-Rye, who was repeatedly critical of the Mercers' support for his opponent.\nReclaim's leaders, meanwhile, have fought off suggestions their group is tied to far-right causes, repeatedly painting the organization as \"nonpartisan\" and distancing it from its funders' political activities.\n\"There is no connection of any kind between Reclaim and the disgusting, racist 'alt right', and any suggestion otherwise is a lie,\" Doug Kellogg, Reclaim's communications director, said in a statement last week.\nMuir, Reclaim's executive director, called the group a \"non-partisan, non-profit organization that empowers citizens to take ownership of their government.\"\n\"More engagement from New Yorkers makes our state more affordable, grows our economy, more respectful of the taxpayer and ultimately less corrupt,\" he said.\n\"If public officials believe they can ignore workable solutions to make the state more affordable, putting special interests ahead of the real needs of people, things will only get worse.”\nJon Campbell is a correspondent with USA TODAY Network's Albany Bureau.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line741066"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8111445307731628,"wiki_prob":0.8111445307731628,"text":"Bangladesh government relocates hundreds of Rohingya refugees to remote Island\nSo far over 3,400 refugees have been sent to the island of Bhasan Char, located in the Meghna river’s estuary, 40 miles away from the mainland. Critics say the island is prone to flooding\nDecember 29, 2020 by Peoples Dispatch\nDespite strong concerns raised by rights groups, the Bangladesh government dispatched yet another batch of Rohingya refugees to a remote island prone to floods. Six vessels carrying around 1,800 refugees left Chattogram (Chittagong) early on Tuesday, December 29, to the island of Bhasan Char.\nThis was the second group of refugees sent to Bhasan Char, located in the Meghna river’s estuary, 40 miles away from the mainland. On December 4, the first batch of 1, 600 refugees were relocated to the island which, critics say, emerged from the sea just 20 years ago and is prone to flooding.\nUnited Nations’ High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi had raised concerns about the safety of the refugees and the allegations of their forced relocation after the first group was sent to the island, saying that “any transfer must follow a voluntary, informed decision.”\nI am concerned by reports of #Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh being moved to Bhasan Char.\nUNHCR and UN partners seek access to them in order to hear their voices, understand their wishes and see conditions on the island.\nAny transfer must follow a voluntary, informed decision.\n— Filippo Grandi (@FilippoGrandi) December 6, 2020\nThe Bangladeshi government claims that the shift to the island is voluntary and preparations were made to tackle flooding and other potential disasters before moving the refugees. The government also claims to have built a 12 km embankment to protect the island from flooding during high tide. It says it has built houses for over 100,000 people with all basic amenities.\nBangladesh’s foreign minister A.K. Abdul Momen dismissed the concerns raised by rights groups and argued that “the island is completely safe,” Reuters reported.\nBangladesh has over 1.1 million Rohingya refugees living in different camps in the country after they were forced to flee from their homes in Myanmar’s Rakhine province due to state-sponsored persecution and attacks against them. In the name of fighting separatist groups, the Myanmar army attacked Rohingya villages and burnt their houses, forcing millions to flee across the border to Bangladesh and other countries. The UN has accused the Myanmar army of carrying out genocide against Rohingyas.\nCategories BangladeshTags Abdul MomenBhasan CharFilippo GrandiMyanmar armypersecution of minoritiesRohingya refugeesRohingyas in BangladeshUNHCR\nFacing state persecution in two countries, Rohingya have been pushed to flee at an alarming rate\n20 Rohingya die on a boat stranded in the Andaman Sea\nOver 20 migrants dead in two separate boat accidents off Greek coast\nHey Buddy!, I found this information for you: \"Bangladesh government relocates hundreds of Rohingya refugees to remote Island \". Here is the website link: https://peoplesdispatch.org/2020/12/29/bangladesh-government-relocates-hundreds-of-rohingya-refugees-to-remote-island/. Thank you.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1668566"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5170925855636597,"wiki_prob":0.48290741443634033,"text":"Fires in Eastern Siberia\nJuly 25, 2010JPEG\nFires raged in eastern Siberia in late July 2010, sending a plume of thick smoke hundreds of kilometers wide over the Bering Sea. News sources attributed fires in the Russian Federation to drought, heat, and human activity.\nThe Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Terra satellite captured this natural-color image on July 25, 2010. Red outlines indicate areas with unusually high surface temperatures associated with actively burning fires.\nThis image shows the region north of the Kamchatka Peninsula. The largest collection of fires is clustered around a river that feeds into the Penzhinskaya Guba, part of the Sea of Okhotsk. Smaller clusters of fires also burn in the northwest, northeast, and south. Most of the fires send their smoke toward the northeast, but east of the burning fires, winds carry the smoke toward the southeast. Off the coast, the smoke plume is thick enough to completely hide parts of the Bering Sea.\nNASA image by Jeff Schmaltz, MODIS Rapid Response Team. Caption by Michon Scott.\nAcquired July 25, 2010, this natural-color image shows clusters of fires burning north of the Kamchatka Peninsula.\nTerra — MODIS\nFires burned across eastern Siberia north of the Kamchatka Peninsula throughout July 2010.\nStolmakevich, S. (2010). Russian fire season continues furious path. Wildfire. Accessed July 26, 2010.\nThe Voice of Russia. (2010, July 18). Siberia struck by forest fires. Accessed July 26, 2010.\nAcquired July 30, 2010, this natural-color image shows fires burning north of the Kamchatka Peninsula.\nSmoke pours from intense fires in northeastern Siberia in this true-color image from August 1, 2010.\nFires in Eastern Russia\nSmoke from wildfires fills this scene of Russia’s Far East on July 28, 2011.\nImage of the Day Land Fires\nSmoke over Western Russia\nThough fires across Russia appeared to be less intense than previously, these photo-like images show thick smoke rising from two regions in western Russia on August 15, 2010.\nAtmosphere Land Dust and Haze","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line95662"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7499414086341858,"wiki_prob":0.2500585913658142,"text":"Home » About ISWI » International Student Week in Ilmenau 2019\nDate: 17 – 26 May 2019\nVenue: Ilmenau, Germany\nThe “International Student Week in Ilmenau” (ISWI) is a conference for students organized by students. It takes place every alternative year at the campus of Technische Universität Ilmenau.\nOver 370 participants from more than 70 different countries took part in the last ISWI in 2017. Compared to other similar events ISWI is known for its focus on group work, lectures and debates on a certain main topic, to which the conference is dedicated. As main topic the organizing committee always tries to find areas of tension that include recent problems and developments in the world.\nThe main aim of the ISWI is to bring young people from all over the world together and serve as a platform for exchange and getting to know each other as well as for discussion and working out ideas to solve recent problems. The official language of the conference is English.\nEach ISWI adresses a different topic. For 2019 we have chosen the topic ‘Tradition and Transition’ with the motto:\nChanges and Choices: Good by(e) Tradition?\nWhat would our world be today if traditions had never been questioned? How would it be if people like Desmond Tutu and Nelson Mandela, Simone de Beauvoir and Rosa Parks or Martin Luther King hadn’t existed? They and many more have inspired us in finding the topic for the International Student Week in Ilmenau 2019: Tradition and Transition.\n“Changes and Choices: Good by(e) Tradition?” is the motto of the forthcoming conference. Driven by the tension and the seeming contradiction between tradition and transition, we would like to look at the global perspective. The motto invites us to recognize the interdependence of traditions, changes, and choices, and at the same time encourages a deeper examination and awareness. Are our changes and choices good by tradition or might it be time to say good bye tradition in some cases?\nDancing during World Food Festival at ISWI 2017 (Photo by Max Richter)\nIn many ways, our life is influenced by structures, behaviors, and attitudes that we did not develop ourselves, but have adopted from our ancestors, relatives or peers. Whether traditions are passed on orally or in writing, within a group or from generation to generation, it seems impossible to refuse from being affected by them. Rather than that, traditions form our cultures and have a decisive influence on our identity and community. Besides, they can result in complex religious, political, economic and scientific systems. The interconnection and dependence among themselves are driven by globalization. In this way, traditions nowadays function and impact beyond community and national boundaries. Nevertheless, this interdependence also challenges existing traditions.\n“Everything flows; nothing remains.” This 2,500 years old wisdom seems to be more appropriate than ever. Changes, especially technological changes, are taking place at unprecedented speed. The digital revolution and its disruptive technologies are just one example of a whole series of changes that affect almost all aspects of life, having an impact on society and environment as well as political and economic courses. But, tradition too claims to be consistent. This seems to be an insoluble contradiction and often leads to an insurmountable conflict between tradition and modernity. Fundamentalism, for example, is one outcome. But are tradition and transition mutually exclusive? Do we have to discard or deny one in order to achieve the other, or can they coexist without conflict? Can they possibly complement and promote each other?\nIn 30 workgroups, we offer the opportunity to dive into specific areas of interest beyond national borders. Instead of a quick and general answer, we would like to gain different perspectives and take a critical view of both sides – tradition and transition. In our eyes, this critical view is important in order to achieve a world community of solidarity in which every individual is socially and economically secure and can live free from discrimination and violence. It reinforces a mutual understanding as it invites us to question our own point of view and habits and understand the view of our counterpart at the same time. Taking a critical view can mean to question the roots, meaning, implications and impact, not only locally but globally. How might certain traditions be connected to human rights, climate change, and global justice? Which transitions are we facing, and which would we like to see in the future? How can we actively create them?\nDuring ISWI 2019 we want to discuss these matters together with you. Our students’ conference will enable people to gather in an understanding and tolerant atmosphere for exchanging ideas in an open-minded dialogue. During workshops, discussions, lectures, group work, and personal conversations, you will have the chance to share arguments, experiences and ideas related to topics that matter to you. We want to discuss our role as responsible persons within society in order to develop solutions for existing problems and take responsibility together. We would like to focus on the idea that everyone can influence our future – and be the change.\nThe people behind ISWI: The association ISWI e.V.\nInternational Brunch at ISWI 2015 (Photo by Max Richter)\nThe “Initiative Solidarische Welt Ilmenau e.V.” (ISWI e.V.), established in 1992, is an incorporated society and NGO led by students who organize the projects as volunteers. Its status is that of a non-profit and benevolent organization. We set ourselves the goal to fight against social inequality, racism and intolerance as well as to promote mutual understanding. To reach this aim, we organize projects that raise awareness to recent problems and offer an open platform to get to know each other, exchange views and work out solutions for these problems. Our main project, the “International Student Week in Ilmenau” (ISWI), takes place every two years since 1993 at the Technische Universität Ilmenau.\nIf you are interested in more information on ISWI e.V. and its projects, please visit our homepage http://iswi.org/\nOur Patron: Waris Dirie\nHuman Rights Activist, Author, former UN Special Ambassador, former Supermodel\nWaris Dirie\nBorn in 1965 to a nomadic family in Somalia, Waris faced oppressive socio-cultural circumstances. Through her resolve and determination, she journeyed against the odds to establish herself as a supermodel in London. Beginning by sharing her inspiring story through a book named “Desert Flower“ in 1997, later an internationally recognized bestseller, she changed her career path to become a human rights activist.\nAt the age of five, Waris forcefully underwent female genital mutilation (FGM). The harmful practice of FGM affects about 8,000 girls each day in different parts of the world. Having faced numerous struggles herself, Waris resolved to challenge long-held socio-culture norms to empower young girls and women through her mission to eliminate FGM. She served as the UN Special Ambassador for the Elimination of FGM from 1997 to 2003.\nOriginally founded in 2002 by Waris herself, the “Desert Flower Foundation” pursues the clear and important goal of eradication of FGM worldwide. Through programmes aiming at spreading awareness, enabling and providing education, direct sponsoring, and treatment of victims, the Desert Flower Foundation has continued to stay true to its mission. Recognizing the multiple aspects involved in addressing the issue, the foundation works on the ground with affected communities while also collaborating with partners around the world.\nWaris continues to make a difference to countless girls and to the world at large. Her grit and determination to pursue her chosen cause is a fine example of living a purposeful life.\nGreeting by Waris Dirie\n“With immense pleasure, enthusiasm and hope, I support the International Student Week in Ilmenau 2019 ‘Tradition & Transition’ bearing the motto “Changes and Choices: Good by(e) Tradition?”. Through this letter, I gladly accept the role of Patron of the conference and appreciate the efforts of its organisers at ISWI e.V.\nThe conference is a brilliant opportunity for the global youth to engage in discussions, discover variations of culture and to build bridges towards a worthwhile future. It is certainly an effective platform encouraging collective efforts to find solutions to the many challenges we face as a global community. Even as we make rapid technological advancements, the world we live in is shaped by the traditions that have evolved over generations. While many of our familiar traditions are worth treasuring, it is imperative to challenge harmful and demeaning practices. The thought-provoking topic of the conference invites its participants to introspect, reflect and understand how meaningful transitions can be possible while harnessing the positive influence of traditions.\nI am hopeful that the participants of ISWI 2019 will discuss and design the traditions of tomorrow, traditions that embody compassion, mutual respect, sustainability, and curious exploration. I extend my best wishes to the organisers for hosting this ambitious gathering. To the collaborators and contributors, I request your support to make this conference a success.”\nOur Patron: Rob Hopkins\nEnvironmental Activist, Co-founder of the Transition Network, Author, Social Entrepreneur\nRob Hopkins\nBorn in 1968 in Chiswick, London, Rob travelled through many countries in his early years and has several years of experience in education, teaching permaculture and natural building. He holds an MSc in Social Research and in 2010 completed a PhD at the University of Plymouth entitled ‘Localisation and resilience at the local level: the case of Transition Town Totnes’.\nRob is a dedicated advocate of the transitioning from conventional, non-renewable energy to more sustainable forms. As a prominent leader in the environmental movement, he has appeared on broadcasting channels like BBC Radio 4 and spoken on platforms like TEDGlobal. He has written several books including ‘The Transition Handbook’ and ‘The Power of Just Doing Stuff’.\nHis most notable creation, Transition Network, describes itself as “A movement of communities coming together to reimagine and rebuild our world.” Transition nurtures grassroots, community-driven efforts to solve pressing issues that affect us all. By enabling social and cultural inclusion, the Transition Network is a bold step in reimagining our lives. The network spans through 50 nations and engages hundreds of thousands of people.\nCurrently, Rob is working on a book called ‘From What Is to What If’, which explores the role imagination can play in making a difference in our personal and societal lives (due to be published by Chelsea Green Publishing in September 2019. He is also the Director of an innovative craft brewery, and a keen gardener.\nGreeting by Rob Hopkins\n“It is a great honour for me to have been asked to be the Patron of the 2019 ISWI conference. This year’s theme of ‘Tradition and Transition’ is a timely and fascinating one. It both challenges notions of ‘tradition’ and what from the past we should sort through and pick out to carry forward with us, and what we should leave behind. We are living through the sixth Great Extinction, and a time of climate emergency. The scale of the changes the science demands of us in terms of what needs to be done in order to ensure humanity survives is huge. Therefore, the exploration of what ‘Transition’ means, both in the terms the Transition movement uses it, and more widely, is deeply important. The Transition movement has been an experiment, now active in over 50 countries, of communities exploring how this shift might look if led by communities. It offers many learnings and insights. […]\nI urge the widest possible diversity of students and young people to participate. At a time when School Strikes for the Climate are rising up around the world, when a new spirit of rebellion around climate change is accompanied by imaginative and bold solutions-building work at all levels, this truly is a time of Transition. […] I wish everyone involved an amazing event, and I look forward to seeing how it unfolds.”\nGreeting by the Rector of Technische Universität Ilmenau Prof. Peter Scharff\nUniv.-Prof. Dr. rer. nat. habil. Dr. h. c. mult.\nProf. h. c. mult. Peter Scharff\nRector of Technische Universität Ilmenau\n“There is hardly any other conference at this university to which I more enjoy welcoming guests from all over the world than the International Student Week Ilmenau, or ”ISWI“. Not only because this is the biggest conference of its kind throughout Germany; it is about quality rather than quantity. For ten days, the International Student Week turns the Technische Universität Ilmenau into a peaceful microcosm crossing national borders. People from 70 different nations across all continents will gather in Ilmenau to discuss the question ”Changes and Choices – Good by(e) Tradition?“ in a peaceful atmosphere and to celebrate together. This is the reason why I am so happy to welcome you!\nThe guiding theme of ISWI – tradition this year, or justice, responsibility, freedom and human rights in the past – reflects the values we aim to promote with our Campus Family initiative at the TU Ilmenau: trust, openness, mutual respect, diversity and intercultural tolerance. I am very glad that ISWI fulfils this vision of a world family in having you, dear guests, here at the TU Ilmenau. During your days here, you become members of our Campus Family.\nOn each occasion, ISWI focuses on topics I very much support. They not only give the International Student Week at the Technische Universität Ilmenau an unmistakable character, but also lend the university as a whole a friendly atmosphere and a welcoming face. And with a smile I would like to welcome you to our university and wish you a wonderful time in Ilmenau.”\nHomepage of Technische Universität Ilmenau (German)\nHomepage of Technische Universität Ilmenau (English)","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line599929"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9839719533920288,"wiki_prob":0.9839719533920288,"text":"Venturing Out For Valentine’s Day? Here’s What’s To Love\nGetting Together with DNMO\n2023 Oscar Nominations Announced\nBody Language: Arts Calendar January 19-25\nHalleloo! Shangela’s Fully Lit Tour Heats Up L.A.\nLeon Gubler, Hollywood Chamber of Commerce president; Credit: Ted Soqui\nHollywood's Urban Cleansing\nPatrick Range McDonald January 3, 2013\nIn the 1960s, Mercedes Cortes arrived in Hollywood after fleeing her homeland of Guatemala, which was roiled by bloody unrest. After moving around a bit, she and her husband and their three sons settled in a two-bedroom apartment on Eleanor Avenue, a community of run-down apartment buildings and old Craftsman-style houses, which is a short walk from Paramount Pictures and Hollywood Forever Cemetery, where many stars are buried.\nA decade later, Cortes' world was shattered again — when gang violence and drug dealing hit her beloved neighborhood. This time, the affable, soft-spoken housekeeper bravely stood her ground as Hollywood was engulfed in the wave of bloodletting that gripped Los Angeles from the mid-1980s to the mid-1990s. A small, unimposing woman, she became a visible member of Neighborhood Watch, walking the dark streets in candlelight vigils to confront the thugs.\nAnd it worked. Cortes and her neighbors slowly won back Eleanor Avenue. She never dreamed that she'd be evicted — for being too poor to live in her improved, more livable community.\nBut in 2002 her apartment building changed hands during the real estate bubble, a particularly frenzied phenomenon in Hollywood, where the taxpayer-subsidized, nearly $1 billion Hollywood Redevelopment Project Area helped fueled a Wild West of land speculation, building flipping, profit-seeking — and skyrocketing rents. In 2003, projects such as the stylish face-lift of the Cinerama Dome were completed. In 2004, Cortes' new landlord told her she had to go.\n“I was working and doing good things for my neighborhood and they treated me like that,” Cortes says. “For what? They wanted more money.”\nA gracious, churchgoing woman, Cortes represents a Latino diaspora of working families priced out of Hollywood and East Hollywood, a mass departure that has fueled an unexpected — and, for City Hall, increasingly embarrassing — net population plunge of 12,878 people in those two neighborhoods between 2000 and 2010.\nHollywood, defined here as the huge flatlands roughly bounded by La Brea, Melrose, Western and Franklin avenues, has lost one in every 12 of its residents. Latinos are streaming out, as a much smaller number of higher-income whites takes their place. The Latino population plummeted 17 percent, about 6,000 adults and children gone.\nEast Hollywood, roughly bounded by Western, Beverly, Hollywood and Hoover, has seen a net loss of more than 5,000 Latinos.\nHollywood-area City Councilman Eric Garcetti, who is running for mayor in the March 5 primary and has for 12 years avidly led the urban renewal in Hollywood, won't discuss the census data, the outflow of Latinos or the area's net population loss, none of which were foreseen by his office. But Larry Gross, executive director of the Coalition for Economic Survival, a tenants' rights advocacy group, says, “It was an economic tsunami that pushed low-income people out. There was massive displacement.”\nRepresenting more than 8 percent of Hollywood and East Hollywood's population, the exodus of nearly 13,000 mostly Latinos is believed to be the largest mass departure from an L.A. neighborhood since “black flight,” between 1980 and 1990. In that demographic upheaval, 50,000 residents fled the violence and shattered neighborhoods of South Central and South Los Angeles.\nGarcetti and other L.A. politicians have insisted that growth is as inevitable as summer tourists, and that City Hall is merely facilitating Hollywood's unavoidable, denser future with smart planning. But census data and the stories of those who have fled suggest that city planners and political leaders are facilitating what some criticize as the urban cleansing of Hollywood.\nFather Michael Mandala, who was pastor at the landmark Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church on Sunset Boulevard from 1998 to 2011, repeatedly saw landlords drive out Latino families of three or four in order to rent the same space to one or two white tenants. “I'm wondering if the policymakers are on the mark with fixing Hollywood,” Mandala says, “or are they clearing out what they don't want?”\nIn mid-July, the Los Angeles City Council approved a new Hollywood Community Plan championed by Garcetti, which wipes out height limits in parts of Hollywood to allow skyscrapers, some of which would obscure the Hollywood Sign. At tense public hearings, hundreds of residents decried the plans for a Century City skyline in their community. Business owners, led by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, were among those who cheered the City Council's decision.\nThree neighborhood groups have sued the city over the new skyscraper zoning. Brad Torgan, an attorney at The Silverstein Law Firm, which represents one of the groups, describes the Hollywood Community Plan as Garcetti's personal “vision for Hollywood — good and bad.” But, Torgan says, “There's a perception that the plan was created for the development community at the expense of the residents.”\nGarcetti, the brainy, Ivy League–educated mayoral hopeful, revealed some of his thinking in a 2010 interview with Hollywood Patch: “We staged seminars in which we brought the New York banks to Hollywood and showed them the opportunities,” Garcetti said. “Whatever the project's size, my philosophy is to let the creative entrepreneurs in.” He added that “what we did was to use the nightlife to bring back the day life” — restaurants such as Beso, 25 Degrees, Cleo and Katsuya and night spots such as the Sayers Club, Drai's, My Studio and Eden.\nGarcetti's chief of staff, Yusef Robb, waves off the flight of Latino families and individuals as a sign of their own good fortune, arguing that Hollywood's Latinos did so well during the past decade that they bought homes in “the suburbs.”\n“We looked into the population shift in Hollywood,” Robb says, “and the situation tended to be people making choices to their own advantage.”\nRobb could not provide L.A. Weekly any data to back up his claim. In fact, it appears that Garcetti and his sizable staff — about 20 full-time personal aides — are unprepared to explain what is unfolding.\nThe hollowing out of Latinos in Hollywood is particularly dramatic in the dense, L-shaped chunk of six U.S. census tracts at the heart of Hollywood — tracts 1908.01, 1908.02, 1909.01, 1909.02, 1918.10 and 1918.20 — bordered by Western Avenue on the east, Seward Street on the west, Melrose Boulevard on the south and Sunset on the north.\nTracts 1909.01 and 1909.02 between Western, Gower, Sunset and Santa Monica Boulevard saw a net loss of 664 Latinos. Far fewer Latinos moved into than out of the neighborhood's increasingly costly apartments, condos and bungalows, resulting in a steep population decline. The same thing occurred in tracts 1908.01 and 1908.02 between Gower, Seward, Sunset and Santa Monica, where a net loss of 896 Latinos created a sharp overall population drop.\nJust south of there, in tracts 1918.10 and 1918.20 bordered by Gower, Seward, Santa Monica and Melrose, a net 1,402 Latinos took off. Having lost 2,962 Latinos, the historically affordable housing in these six flatland census tracts is now a thing of the past, creating ground zero in Hollywood's working-class diaspora.\nIn 2000, about 80,000 people lived in Hollywood, and L.A.'s Department of Planning announced that 85,489 would live there by 2008. By 2010, only 72,000 did.\nWhat's going on is clear enough to USC demographer Jared Sanchez. He says the data show “significant” gentrification, with wealthier households moving in — which inevitably contain fewer people than working-class households — while others get squeezed out.\nMany will cheer this turn of events. Hollywood, the neighborhood, is richer, flashier and more attractive than at any time since its golden era. Hollywood Chamber of Commerce president Leron Gubler says, “We've made significant strides in cleaning up Hollywood, restoring community pride and creating a vibrant economy here in Hollywood.”\nLongtime Hollywood resident and Garcetti ally Ferris Wehbe says, “There has been big change in the area. Hollywood is going to soar.”\nThe L.A. City Council in 1986 approved a 1,100-acre “redevelopment project area” with the aim of remaking Hollywood into a livable community. The nearly $1 billion Hollywood Redevelopment Plan was one of the most heavily subsidized projects in California, with taxpayers underwriting such items as a $32 million parking garage at the pricey Cinerama Dome and ArcLight Theaters and $98 million for Hollywood & Highland. Los Angeles County transportation officials broke ground in 1986 on the Red Line subway with stops along Hollywood Boulevard, at that time the haunt of heroin dealers and prostitutes.\nIn 1992, Leron Gubler, a soft-spoken, determined power broker, became president of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, which supervises the Walk of Fame and is one of the most influential champions of redevelopment. Politicians rarely run afoul of the Chamber, which counts among its members top executives from Paramount Pictures, Walt Disney Studios, real estate developer Millennium Partners, The CW television network, the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel and Hollywood & Highland.\nAt first, Gubler says, “We had a lot of homeless. The sidewalks were dirty. Businesses were closing left and right. … People had given up on Hollywood.”\nIn 1993, Jackie Goldberg was elected to represent Hollywood on the City Council, and she pushed hard for redevelopment. Gubler told her that first they should focus on “nuts-and-bolts” issues, which Gubler narrowed down to “crime and grime.” The Chamber and Goldberg's office launched much-publicized efforts to make Hollywood's streets cleaner and safer.\nBut beyond the headlines, Mercedes Cortes and her neighbors were already on the job, creating a successful Neighborhood Watch that teamed up with the Los Angeles Police Department. So were many other Spanish-speaking residents, including Manny Romero, who worked as a youth organizer in unstable El Salvador, escaped that country's violent civil war, which took the lives of his family and friends in the 1980s, and moved to Los Angeles.\nRomero eventually became the popular and well-respected groundskeeper at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, built in 1928, an important community center for Hollywood's Latino population.\nIn 1978, Romero moved with his wife and two children into a cheap bungalow on Las Palmas Avenue just south of Sunset. It was a few blocks west of De Longpre Park, which became a notorious cesspool of drug dealers and junkies in the late '80s and early '90s.\nRomero suddenly faced a new kind of war. He went to incredible lengths to save his community, joining a neighborhood patrol group called the Hollywood Sentinels, whose members put their lives on the line by running drug dealers and gang members off of street corners. Criminals threatened to kill Romero and his family.\n“I was scared of the gang members,” Romero recalls, “but it didn't stop me from doing my citizen's duties.”\nThe Chamber's Gubler and many journalists credit the 2001 opening of the concrete elephant–bedecked Hollywood & Highland mall, where the Academy Awards are held, for initiating Hollywood's turnaround. But low-income working folks like Cortes and Romero were key figures in first steadying the community's foundation.\nRomero was treated like anything but a hero. In 1996, his landlord sold the cluster of bungalows on Las Palmas Avenue, and the new owner doubled Romero's rent from $600 a month to $1,200. Romero was forced to abandon his dramatic but unsung quest to create a livable community. He and his family moved to then-affordable North Hollywood.\nFive years later, in 2001, Garcetti took over from Goldberg on the City Council. He was 30, fresh-faced and eager to move forward with a new kind of politics that would put residents, not big-moneyed special interests, first.\nCommunity activist Ferris Wehbe, who spearheaded the unsuccessful Hollywood secession movement in the early 2000s, supported Garcetti then and backs him today. “Eric played a big role” in turning around Hollywood, Wehbe says. “He saw that good changes took place. You need good leaders to make decisions and not try to please everyone.”\nBy the mid-2000s, land speculation in Hollywood turned into a frenzy. In 2003, Ralph Horowitz and developer Larry Worchell bought historic Columbia Square on Sunset Boulevard, the West Coast home of CBS, for a reported $15 million. Three years later, Horowitz and his partner sold the property to Las Vegas–based developer Molasky Pacific for $66 million. That land flipping, and the breathtaking $51 million profit for Horowitz and Worchell, were fed by the widely held belief that Garcetti, now the powerful arbiter of what could and couldn't be built, would let developers ignore the neighborhood's longtime height limit of a few stories to build a skyscraper.\nAbout the same time, Mercedes Cortes' landlord sold her building to Prime West Management chief executive officer Mercedes Anaya. In 2004, when the eviction notice arrived, Cortes was paying $450 a month. Although she had divorced, her three adult sons still lived with her and she enjoyed a vibrant social life as an active member of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church.\nShe drove each day to clean houses in West Hollywood or Beverly Hills. At 61, she fought eviction. She eventually won a settlement that paid her some “relocation” expenses, and she and two of her sons found a place far from home, in North Hollywood.\nAbout 20 of her Latino friends and acquaintances were similarly pushed out of Hollywood, she says. A neighbor still living in the flatlands recently told Cortes that her old $450 rental now goes for $1,200.\nIn the legal battle that ensued, Anaya claimed in 2004 that Cortes' sons were heavy-drinking gang members and nuisances. When that didn't work, says Cortes' lawyer Marty O'Toole, Anaya's lawyers claimed that Cortes didn't respond to a three-day notice that demanded she pay her rent or vacate. The landlord did not respond to emails requesting comment.\nDuring the six-month legal battle to keep her apartment, Cortes formed a prayer group with her friends at Blessed Sacrament. “I was asking for justice,” she recalls. “Because if I lost the case, I would've been in the streets.”\nHer prayers were partly answered. Just before the trial, Anaya's lawyers offered Cortes five months of free rent and several thousand dollars if she moved out. Emotionally drained, she took the deal.\nNot long after her battle, several blocks away, Roy Maule and his Latino neighbors faced their own war against eviction on tree-lined Camerford Avenue in a quaint bungalow complex built in 1912 for actors working at Paramount Pictures.\nMany of Maule's neighbors — mostly Latino families — had lived on the quiet block, near tony Larchmont Village, for decades. “It was great,” says Maule. “Everyone knew each other.”\nThey traditionally closed the street to celebrate Fourth of July, with adults lighting fireworks and kids running around. One day, a young man walked up to Maule's mailbox and snatched a package sticking out of it. Maule's neighbors, he recalls, “gave chase, got the package and beat up the guy. … The poor guy didn't know he was in a neighborhood like that.”\nBut the property was sold, and around 2006, the landlord made clear he wanted the families gone. Neighbors from Mexico and Central America told Maule that the landlord had threatened to make calls to federal immigration officials. Other tenants were offered money to leave.\nBut Maule hired a lawyer to fight his eviction and wrote to Garcetti's office for help. He did his own homework, finding in a title search that Santa Monica-based developer Watt Genton Associates owned the property.\nMaule says Garcetti “did nothing,” and at least 150 people were displaced from the bungalows and adjacent apartment units. In 2007, Maule was paid relocation money to leave, and the city put its political weight behind the developer, with the City Planning Commission and Garcetti backing his demolition of the historic bungalows and newer apartment buildings to create luxury condos for affluent professionals.\nToday, the corner property stands barren, a victim of the economic disaster that struck the nation, and the historic bungalows are long destroyed. A new plan calls for a luxury apartment complex with ground-floor retail. Developer Jonathan Genton and Watt Commercial Properties executives declined to take questions from the Weekly.\n“Here it is five years later,” Maule says. “There's nothing.”\nManny Romero says it's a maddening scenario he has seen over and over in Hollywood: “There are many, many people like us.”\nAt 41, having served as Hollywood's councilman and the area's chief land-use visionary and community policymaker for nearly 12 years of his life, Eric Garcetti wants to become the 42nd mayor of Los Angeles. He is clearly proud of Hollywood's turnaround and its bustling nightlife scene. In fact, Garcetti has publicly said that he wants to replicate Hollywood's style of urban renewal across communities in Los Angeles.\nDriving out thousands of Latino working and poor families in favor of affluent residents and high-end restaurants is not part of his pitch.\n“L.A. is full of bad planning,” Garcetti said at a recent mayoral debate in Hollywood with rival candidates Wendy Greuel, Jan Perry and Kevin James. “You look at places where there are four jobs for every one unit of housing, and wonder why they're stuck in traffic. Hollywood has become a template for a new Los Angeles.”\nExcept Hollywood's traffic is immeasurably worse than when Garcetti was elected to represent the area, even though one-twelfth of the population has left. For all their planning, the City Council, Los Angeles Planning Department and Garcetti have brought mass congestion to a residential community that is shrinking, not growing.\nGary Slossberg, a public-interest attorney who represents low-income clients and who ran for City Council against Garcetti in 2009, says, “A lot of his policies don't match what's best for the people in Los Angeles, but a lot of people are getting rich.”\nGarcetti has raised nearly $3 million for his mayoral bid by promising “bold, new ideas” and calling for the need to create more jobs for working families.\nThe urban cleansing some see unfolding in Hollywood puts Garcetti in an awkward position with activists like Ziggy Kruse. Kruse became an expert on fighting City Hall when, as a waitress at Hollywood Star Lanes in 2001, she stood up to the Los Angeles Unified School District's eminent-domain plans to destroy the bowling alley where she worked.\nNow a well-known whistleblower who tracks the sweetheart deals often granted to developers, Kruse sees Garcetti as a cold figure who is in denial about the high-end development he embraces.\nThere's palpable resentment among Kruse and other activists toward Garcetti, who was raised in an upper-class household in Encino and whose life has been eased by a bequest of property that provided him thousands of dollars in annual income starting when he was a young man.\nKruse says Garcetti “has gone more times against the community than with the community,” backing zoning variances and other exceptions that let developers ignore protective zoning laws, and supporting what Kruse sees as too-generous taxpayer subsidies. “The only time he goes with the community,” she says, “is when it's a politically smart move.”\nNow, Garcetti is wooing Latinos to elect him as mayor, even controversially claiming that he is a Latino candidate. Garcetti is half-Jewish, part Latino and part Italian. His great-grandfather was Italian and immigrated from Europe to Mexico, where Garcetti's paternal grandparents were born and raised. Three great-grandparents on his father's side were Latino. [Editor's note: This paragraph has been corrected. Please see correction at end of story.]\nRomero, the groundskeeper at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, has found the councilman to be “a nice person to talk to but different when you want to solve a problem.”\nSuch sentiments could pose a problem for Garcetti in the mayoral race. But he still has a deep well of voter support in Hollywood, having been easily re-elected more than once.\nMany people welcome the changes Garcetti has pushed through.\n“Development has been great for Hollywood,” says Laurie Goldman, president of Friends of the Hollywood Central Park, a nonprofit that's pushing an effort to build a park over the 101 Freeway. The neighborhood has improved so much, Goldman says, that she wants to move back to where she once lived, but “it's too expensive. My rent is cheaper in Beverly Hills.”\nWehbe, a longtime resident who walked the streets with the Hollywood Sentinels in the early 1990s, is more than happy with Garcetti's policies. Of Hollywood's transformation, he says, “It's day and night. It's amazing. You can walk around at any given time. Back then, you couldn't get out of your house.”\nManny Romero chuckles when he hears such talk, repeating an old saying: “El saluda con sombrero ajeno.” The church groundskeeper, who faced down violent gang members on Hollywood street corners before Garcetti's time, says the phrase essentially means that “someone else does the job and the person who's the opportunist takes the credit.”\nHollywood historian Greg Williams also gives voice to residents who are not pleased with Garcetti's sleek vision. “It's really bad development,” says Williams, who was born and raised in the community. “There's no variety. It's the same mixed-use with retail on the bottom floor and condos on top.” He's come to see Garcetti as “totally in the developers' pockets. He's not for the preservation of old Hollywood.”\nRobb, the aide speaking on behalf of the unavailable Garcetti, strongly disputes that notion. “What developers tell us is that community activists have too much of a say” in Garcetti's decision making. Robb says his boss completely supports preserving old Hollywood, while looking to the future. “It's always been about taking what Hollywood offers,” Robb says, “and enhancing it.”\nBut when asked by the Weekly, Garcetti's staff could not provide basic figures that might shed light on what their enhancement efforts have produced. Garcetti's team does not know how many “affordable” housing units have been built in Hollywood, or the total amount of housing built or lost, since 2001. Nor could Garcetti's aides, whose salaries and overhead cost L.A. taxpayers about $1.5 million a year, provide the Weekly even a ballpark figure for how much taxpayer money has subsidized Hollywood's makeover since 2001.\nRobb says one of Garcetti's top priorities has always been affordable housing. Yet Barbara Schultz, the directing attorney of the housing unit at the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles, which helps working-class and poor people in disputes involving housing rights and landlord-tenant disagreements, says Garcetti hasn't stood out. In fact, Schultz says, “There's not any top council member whose top priority is affordable housing.”\nDennis Frenchman, a well-regarded professor of urban design and planning at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, says smart policymakers always know how their planning strategies are playing out in communities. “They should have a sense of demographic changes and what's been happening,” says Frenchman, one of the world's leading experts on building and maintaining a sustainable city. “They should know if people have been pushed out.”\nFather Mandala knows what is happening at the neighborhood level. He has seen his mostly Latino parishioners leave Hollywood, while the Latino population grew in the rest of the city. He has seen parents take their kids out of Blessed Sacrament Elementary School. Between 2000 and 2010, student enrollment at that grade school plummeted from 250 to 100.\nContrary to Yusef Robb's claim, Mandala says these people did not want to leave. “If they could have bought a home in Hollywood,” says the priest, “they would have. … It's bad for Hollywood because if your goal is to have a mixed-income community, you're losing tax-paying citizens. These are the teachers, the contractors, the furniture makers of the community.”\nWehbe argues that Garcetti is very connected to what's happening, declaring, “I bet you anything there isn't a single councilmember who walks the neighborhoods every month and knocks on doors like Eric. To me, that's saying something.”\nBut Dowell Myers, a demographer and urban planning professor at the USC Sol Price School of Public Policy, who researched Los Angeles County's shrinking youth population, predicts that Hollywood's schools will drop in enrollment and Hollywood will become less family-oriented, with more of an emphasis on nightlife. That means fewer families will be around to keep an eye on the neighborhood. “They help to keep streets safer,” Myers says.\nGarcetti aide Robb said in a recent L.A. Weekly story reporting on the rise of Koreatown that Garcetti is not necessarily interested in duplicating Hollywood's urban-renewal template in Koreatown. Robb warned, “A robust nightlife is good for the economy, but too many night spots in a neighborhood can create dead spots during the day” and community “balance” is needed.\nMyers says L.A. political leaders and planners have already gone too far to draw a high-end crowd to Hollywood. “We don't need more condos,” he says. “We need more rentals. Rentals are where you house lower-income and poor people.”\nFrenchman has a similar message for Los Angeles' leaders: “Diversity is the key to long-term sustainability. … Density without diversity makes things worse.”\nMercedes Cortes sits in a back room of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church on Sunset while trumpets in a mariachi band sound off for a mass celebrating the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Like some parishioners, Cortes still drives in from the Valley to Hollywood to worship, and the church is jammed with Latino parents and children.\nBut not everyone returns to Hollywood. “That's why we lost so many members of the church,” Cortes says. “They moved to Palmdale, North Hollywood and Burbank” — but not because they were better off. Instead, many doubled up with relatives as the recession bore down.\nHollywood's business community often says that the catalyst that really set off development in Hollywood was Councilwoman Jackie Goldberg's pet project, the Hollywood & Highland mall, which houses the Kodak Theatre (now Dolby Theater), home to the Academy Awards show.\nBut Cortes says the glitzy, architecturally unloved mall has had a more complex long-term effect on the bigger neighborhood around it: “Once the Kodak Theatre was built,” Cortes says, “we started seeing the rents going higher and higher.”\nCortes generally likes Eric Garcetti, but she noticed a difference between him and his predecessor, Goldberg. Goldberg at least got involved in the community without prodding or protest, she recalls.\nGarcetti, according to Cortes, did not seek out members of her activist group but waited for them to complain.\nAs if talking directly to Garcetti, the grandmother and retired house cleaner delivers up one of their complaints, still unanswered after all these years: “When they start to build something, why does the middle class have to suffer for that?”\nReach the writer at pmcdonald@laweekly.com.\n[Correction: The original version of this story erroneously stated that Eric Garcetti has no Latino ancestry. His father, Gil Garcetti, is Latino and a number of his father's ancestors were Latino. Further, Garcetti's great-grandfather moved from Italy to Mexico alone, not with family members as originally reported.]","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1706992"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9901453852653503,"wiki_prob":0.9901453852653503,"text":"Special Force: Anarchy is a heist series with a difference\nHazique Zairill\nThe cast and director at the launch of the series. – ADIB RAWI/THESUN\nLOCAL police drama series Special Force: Anarchy is currently streaming on Disney+ Hotstar. The seven-episode series follows a courageous policewoman Iman (Puteri Aishah), as she investigates a planned bank heist in the fictional country of Tenggara and unexpectedly comes face to face with a dangerous underground group, uncovering a secret along the way that could change everything if exposed.\nDirected by Syafiq Yusof and produced by Skop Productions, the series also stars legendary singer, composer, and actor Dato’ M. Nasir as Umar, the mastermind behind the planned Bank Tenggara heist and the leader of the group Anarchy.\nRounding off the star-studded cast is Hasnul Rahmat, Alvin Wong, and Johan As’ari as well as Fify Azmi (winner of the 31st Malaysian Film Festival’s Most Promising Actress award), Chacha Maembong, Yusuf Bahrain, Anas Ridzuan, Elizabeth Tan, Dynas Mokhtar, and Steve Yap.\nIn a recent press conference held in Kuala Lumpur, Syafiq stated that he got the inspiration for the series from his own 2018 action film, KL Special Force, which stars Fattah Amin and Datuk Rosyam Nor.\n“The performance pattern in this drama can also be said to be more or less the same as the film,” Syafiq said.\nDirector Syafiq Yusof. – ADIB RAWI/THESUN\nSyafiq also has dismissed the notion that his new series is the Malaysian version of Netflix’s hit Spanish series Money Heist.\n“Undoubtedly, if you make a drama or series with a robbery theme, people will definitely compare it with the renowned Money Heist. It has no similarity at all. But, what I can say is that it was inspired by the movie KL Special Force which was released in 2018,” he said.\nSpeaking further, the son of producer Datuk Yusof Haslam and younger brother of award-winning director Syamsul Yusof, added that he faced challenges when he wanted to produce a show that was set in a fictional country.\n“It was quite difficult to [replicate] another country. Because the filming was carried out in the capital, so many Malaysian logos and iconic buildings can be seen.”\nHe added: “A lot of footage looks like it’s in Kuala Lumpur. So, what we do is use visual special effects (VFX) to change the atmosphere.”\nThe director, whose movies include Abang Long Fadil, Desolasi, Misteri Dilaila, and Penunggang Agama, said: “I hope it will be received well.\n“This is a reboot of sorts of KL Special Force on the small screen, and if the reception is great, we will continue and expand on this with Disney+ Hotstar.”\nSpecial Force: Anarchy is now available to stream on Disney+ Hotstar, with new episodes every Saturday.\nUS economic growth slows in 2022 but beats expectations\n1.US economic growth slows in 2022 but beats expectations","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1911871"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5703226923942566,"wiki_prob":0.4296773076057434,"text":"Briefed research to guide the way to well-being\nMind-Body Link\nInterpersonal Well-Being\nLife Research\nGrit Relates to Higher Well-Being\nGrit refers to the motivation to keep persevering towards one’s goals despite difficulties. Its components are perseverance of effort, (the tendency to continue working toward a goal despite difficulties), and consistency of interest, (having a stable knowledge of one’s interests over the long-term). Grit has been studied as a predictor of high achievement in various aspects of life (Duckworth et al., 2007). For instance, it has been shown to predict success over the effects of IQ, self-control and conscientiousness, among others (Duckworth et al., 2007; Duckworth 2006; Reed et al. 2013).\nResearcher Mia Vainio hypothesized that higher grit would relate to higher levels of well-being. She divided well-being in 3 aspects: psychological well-being, life satisfaction, and harmony in life.\nTo test this, she conducted a simple experiment: participants would complete an online survey which measured their grit, psychological well-being, life satisfaction, and harmony in life, as well as their sense of coherence (or consistency of self) and authenticity, which were thought to be possible mediators of the relationship between grit and well-being.\n*Sense of coherence= the sense that the world and oneself in the world are comprehensible, manageable, and meaningful (Antonovsky, 1987).\nThe grit scale that was used includes 2 subscales: one that measures the component of perseverance of effort, through items such as “I have overcome setbacks to conquer an important challenge”; and another one that measures consistency of interest, through items such as “I often set a goal but later choose to pursue a different one” (this item is reverse coded).\n396 participants aged 20-68 completed this survey online after receiving information and providing consent.\nThe results of the statistical analyses revealed that grit was strongly related to psychological well-being, life satisfaction, and harmony in life. That is, participants who displayed more grit also displayed higher levels of well-being.The mediators of sense of coherence and authenticity also showed strong positive correlations with all three aspects of well-being.\nSense of coherence and authenticity significantly mediated the relationships between grit and all three aspects of well-being: partially in the case of grit and psychological well-being, fully in the case of grit and life satisfaction, and fully in the case of harmony in life.\nRegarding these mediators, the author reflects that \"grittiness in goal pursuits requires both a sense that the world is coherent and an authentic connection with the self in order for it to fully benefit well-being\" (Vainio & Daukantaite, 2015).\nBoth sense of coherence and authenticity seem likely to develop over time. Authenticity in particular, the author notes, most likely grows as one's self-concept becomes more consistent with maturity.\nMia Vainio approached the topic of this investigation and understood its results through the organismic valuing process theory, which suggests that \"people are naturally motivated to grow towards their highest potential\" (Vainio & Daukantaite, 2015).\nCarl Rogers, the father of this theory, viewed well-being as self-actualization and suggested that:\n\"Fully functioning individuals are motivated to move towards their ‘true self’ (authenticity), can be in touch with their own emotions, direct themselves towards meaningful goals and pursuits, and uphold prosocial values encouraging a harmonious existence with themselves and others\" (Rogers 1961, 1964 cited in Vainio & Daukantaite, 2015).\nIn this way, grit is understood as a natural growth motivation towards one's higher potential (Vainio & Daukantaite, 2015).\nIt has been shown that grit increases with age, and that grit can be learnt and practiced.\nIn their recent paper Enhancing Grit: Possibility and Intervention Strategies, Hwang & Nam (2021) shed light on cognitive, behavioral and emotional intervention strategies that have the potential to increase grit. These include:\nTeaching grit, reflecting on one's grit, adopting a growth mindset, setting long and short term goals, promoting brain development, increasing deliberate practices, preventing the overuse of media, overcoming negative emotions such as stress and frustration in the process of exercising grit, and promoting interest discovery through flow experiences (Hwang & Nam, 2021).\nGrit can make a huge impact in your life. As Vainio states, in reference to a motivational study conducted by Von Culin et al., \"a gritty person may be motivated to pursue their highest potentials through perseverance and engagement in personally meaningful goals over a long period\".\nMain Source:\nVainio, M. & Daukantaitė, D. (2015). Grit and Different Aspects of Well-Being: Direct and Indirect Effects via Sense of Coherence and Authenticity. Journal of Happiness Studies, 17: 2119-2147\nDuckworth, A. L., Peterson, C., Matthews, M. D., & Kelly, D. R. (2007). Grit: Perseverance and passion for long-term goals. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 92(6), 1087–1101.\nDuckworth, A. L. (2006). Intelligence is not enough: Non-IQ predictors of achievement. Dissertation Abstracts International, 67(3-B), 1741.\nReed, J., Pritschet, B. L., & Cutton, D. M. (2013). Grit, conscientiousness, and the transtheoretical model of change for exercise behaviour. Journal of Health Psychology, 18(5), 612–619.\nHwang, M. & Nam, J. K. (2021). Enhancing Grit: Possibility and Intervention Strategies. In book: Multidisciplinary Perspectives on Grit, Contemporary Theories, Assessments, Applications and Critiques (pp.77-93).\nVon Culin, K. R., Tsukayama, E., & Duckworth, A. L. (2014). Unpacking grit: Motivational correlates of perseverance and passion for long-term goals. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 9(4), 1–7.\nArticle written by Maggie Stilman.\nThe Considerable Journal's mission is to bring relevant scientific findings closer to people who seek evidence-based paths to integral well-being, by providing briefed, straightforward expositions of scientific research regarding mental and physical health, relationships, finances, habits, and more.\nJournaling About Our Goals and Procrastination Habits Helps Reduce Procrastination\nFeeling Connected to Nature Relates to Higher Well-Being\n​© 2023 by The Considerable Journal\ntheconsiderable@gmail.com","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1408164"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5727282762527466,"wiki_prob":0.4272717237472534,"text":"Before Social Media, the Most Popular Portrait Belonged to Queen Elizabeth II\nAt just eight years old, former Princess Elizabeth’s face was printed on Canada’s twenty-dollar bill. As time went on, Queen Elizabeth II would cover more than a hundred pieces of currency across the world — the true meaning of world-famous. Story by LX News storyteller Peter Hull.\nUpdated on September 9, 2022 at 7:16 pm","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1531227"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.967809796333313,"wiki_prob":0.967809796333313,"text":"Sofia Reyes De Veyra\nSofia Reyes De Veyra (b. Sept. 30, 1876 - d. 1953) was one of the outstanding women civic leader and social worker who stood out in her pioneering work and zeal to make the Philippines gain international recognition. She was a leader of the \"Kilusang Sibiko at Adhikain Pangkababaihan\", an organization aiming to develop the emotional and intellectual foundations of students. In 1934, she became the vice president of the Centro Escolar University.\n1 Formative Years\n2 Career Woman\nFormative Years\nBorn in Arevalo, Iloilo City, Sofia was the daughter of Santiago Reyes and Eulalia Tiaozon. She was a student of the late Chief Justice Ramon Avancena's sister who operated a private school in their town. Despite the fact that she had not had formal schooling after the latter, Sofia remained to be an avid learner - acquiring all the knowledge she missed in school through her various experiences. She was able to get a bargain from an American lady teacher who came to the Philippines whom she tutored Castillian language in exchange of an English lesson. Soon, she learned enough English to study arithmetic and other subjects which the said language was involved. In 1902, she became the first appointed teacher of English in Saravia, Negros Occidental. Later became the appointed dean of the first dormitory for girls in Bacolod, and after which, was made assistant dean of women of Normal Hall, and the dean of the Philippine Normal School dormitory in Manila.\nCareer Woman\nIn 1907, Sofia and Mary E. Coleman founded the first training school for nurses in the archipelago. In the same year, she got married to Jaime de Veyra who was the provincial governor of Leyte at that time. In 1917, the governor was appointed as resident commissioner to Washington D.C., and Sofia accompanied her husband to the United States where she played the role of an exemplary commissioner's lady to the U.S. capital's diplomatic community. She disseminated accurate information about the Philippines and the Filipino to the American people, who had been falsely fed with disparaging remarks about the course of the recent Filipino-American War. She was often invited to speak before the women's club on matters about the Philippines.\nIn 1925, upon their return in the Philippines, she organized the Manila Women's Club. It was the first of its kind in the country, which soon spread nationwide and was later known as the National Federation of Women's Clubs (NFWC). She was the first vice-president, and after some time, the president of the said prestigious club. Being steadfast in principle, Sofia was made one of the leaders in the movement for women's right to vote. She became the president of La Protection de la Infracia in 1917; represented the Philippines in the Pan-Pacific conference held in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1922; worked as social secretary of the late first lady Aurora Aragon-Quezon during the Commonwealth period.\nSofia de Veyra died at the age of 77, leaving a distinguished heritage of service to country and the Filipino people.\nMember, Catholic Women's League\nNon-resident member, U.S. Congressional Club\nMember, executive committee of the American Red Cross\nMember, Indeterminate Sentence Board and Parole Office\nMember, Board of Censors for Moving Pictures\nMember, National Councils of Education\nChairman, women's section at the first Independence Congress (1929)\nAncheta, Hermina M. and Michaela Beltran-Gonzales. Filipino Women in Nation Building. A compilation of Brief Biographies. Quezon City: Phoenix Publishing House, 1984.\n\"National Historical Institute. Historical Markers: Regions V-XII. Manila: National Historical Institute, 1993.\nde Guzman,Jovita V.,Vicente A. Santiago,Remedios T. de Leon and Teresita E. Erestain. Women Of Distinction; Biographical Essays on Outstanding Filipino Women of the Past and the Present. Philippines: Bukang Liwayway, 1967\nOriginal content from WikiPilipinas. under GNU Free Documentation License. See full disclaimer.\nRetrieved from \"https://en.wikipilipinas.org/index.php?title=Sofia_Reyes_De_Veyra&oldid=5718\"\nGreat Philippine Women\nPhilippine Women\nArticles aggregated from Wikipilipinas","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line735867"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.872044026851654,"wiki_prob":0.872044026851654,"text":"<New Chris Craddock adaptation Irma Voth a coming-of-age story\nLots to uncover in Bone Wars>\nIrma Voth a quick-paced examination of the resiliency of core values\njennamarynowskion April 23, 2017 /1 comment\nKristi Hansen & Andréa Jorawsky in Irma Voth, adapted by Chris Craddock from Miriam Toews’ novel of the same name. Photo credit: Ian Jackson/ EPIC Photography.\n“Do you feel we can rebel against our oppressors, without losing our love and our tolerance and our ability to forgive?”\nIt’s a question that lies at the centre of Irma Voth, adapted by Chris Craddock from the novel of the same name by Miriam Toews, now running at Theatre Network until May 7.\nIn the case of the title character, the more specific question is more like, can one leave the strict and insular Mennonite community and abusive father they’ve grown up with, and still greet the world with the same joy and curiosity they had before?\nIrma Voth is a coming-of-age story of the title character, as she marries someone her father disapproves of, works as a translator for a film crew whose presence on the Mennonite colony is barely tolerated, and eventually decides to run away from her home with her two younger sisters in tow. In doing so, Irma and her sister Aggie leave the structure of their religion and their father that has framed their life, in the hopes of giving themselves and baby Ximena a life with more self-determination and freedom.\nDirected by Bradley Moss, this world première is a fun, fast-paced and sweet production. At about 2 1/2 hours (including intermission), this is one of the longer shows I’ve seen at Theatre Network, but it covers a lot of ground. The story is dense, and the pacing is fast, with quick, efficient scenes that give a snapshot into the story Irma is telling and then move on. This is not a show that allows the actors to pause for a beat, especially given four of the five actors are constantly changing between about two dozen characters that surround Irma on her journey. There’s a sense of fun to the quick character changes – whether it’s right on stage or a quick costume change behind the set, a sense of playfulness is infused through the many hats most of the actors wear in this story. The script is also very tongue in cheek, with the characters frequently explaining to the audience what’s going on — “we’re speaking in low German now, but to you, it’ll sound like English.”\nThis sense of fun is also infused into the set itself (designed by Megan Koshka), which starts out seeming like an imposing wall of variously placed windows that brings the playing space forward right to the audience, but as the play progresses, the set becomes almost like a dollhouse, with the actors using it in increasingly new and surprising ways. Complementary to the set is Ian Jackson’s media design, which uses the set as a background for a number of projections that help the play travel between the various locales it takes place in.\nIrma Voth is a story about escaping an abusive situation and opening oneself up to the world, with a complimentary theme of art and its importance in the world serving to frame the idea of opening oneself up to the world beyond one’s former boundaries. Without having read the book the play is based upon, it’s obvious the cast and crew have stressed putting fun and levity into this show. Without that emphasis on fun, I think the dark situation Irma is running from would have overwhelmed the show, although, I do wish there was a bit more of a struggle in the show. Empathising with the characters, it’s fair to say it would be incredibly hard to step into a world that you have been isolated from in every way – physically, culturally, and educationally. Yet, I didn’t feel that come through from the characters, who mostly treated their transition from the colony to Mexico City with a sense of adventure and frivolity. I think it would have been possible to maintain the overall lightness of the play while adding more depth to the characters by showing moments of uncertainty or doubt that they must have been feeling, being in such an unfamiliar situation. One of the most beautiful scenes in Irma Voth is where Aggie is in a museum completely overcome by seeing a Diego Rivera mural, saying she didn’t know it was possible for humans to be capable of reflecting the world back in such a way. That moment was a beautiful intersection of the oppression of her father (who says art is a lie) being combined with insight into her newfound freedom that really put the situation the characters are experiencing into perspective. I think adding more moments like this, interspersed with the sweet, joyful moments that are already at the heart of this production, would have added even more depth to the production.\nAs the title character, Andréa Jorawsky is the picture of a kind-hearted, genuine and curious teenager in the midst of transforming into an adult. She is matter-of-fact and completely open to the world and what it brings, walking the line between naivety and active exploration.\nAs Irma’s younger sister Aggie (as well as a number of other characters), Kendra Connor is the emotional firecracker, actively pushing the constraints and rules she sees in front of her. She’s a delight to watch through Irma’s eyes – an eager and passionate preteen who doesn’t know much of the world, other than she wants to soak as much of it in as possible.\nTodd Houseman, Kristi Hansen & Chris Craddock in Irma Voth. Photo credit Ian Jackson/EPIC Photography.\nJust between the characters listed on the playbill, Chris Craddock, Kristi Hansen, and Todd Houseman play 18 named characters, plus a host of unnamed characters Irma and Aggie encounter.\nI really enjoyed the contrast in Chris Craddock’s characters of Mr Voth and Wilson in the first act – the first a strict, abusive head of household who demands total control over his family, the other a gentle soul who introduces Irma to the beauty of art.\nAs Diego, the director of a film being shot at the colony, you can tell that Kristi Hansen’s portrayal of Diego’s philosophies on art come from a genuine place and helps frame the theme in the play of the importance of art.\nTodd Houseman’s youth lends an exuberance to the play in his portrayal of the characters of Jorge (Irma’s husband), members of the film crew, and a young student Irma meets in Mexico – these characters are all around Irma’s age, and yet unburdened by the with the rigour Irma has growth up with.\nBy the honesty and joy that’s infused from the start to the finish in Irma Voth, I think the answer to Diego’s question of Irma, “Do you feel we can rebel against our oppressors, without losing our love and our tolerance and our ability to forgive?”, is a resounding yes, if those traits are at the core of who you are. Irma Voth is a testament to the resilience of one’s core values, despite difficult circumstances.\nThe world première of Irma Voth, based on Miriam Toews’ novel of the same name and adapted by Chris Craddock, is April 18 – May 7 at the Roxy on Gateway. Tickets are $24 – $30 through Theatre Network’s Box Office. Tickets are two-for-one on April 25 and May 2.\nThe cast of Irma Voth is Kendra Connor, Chris Craddock, Kristi Hansen, Todd Houseman, and Andréa Jorawsky.\nIrma Voth is directed by Bradley Moss, with set & costume design by Megan Koshka, lighting design by Scott Peters, media design by Ian Jackson, sound design by Aaron Macri, and stage management by Rachel Dawn Woods.\nTagged: Andréa Jorawsky Bradley Moss Chris Craddock Ian Jackson Irma Voth Kendra Connor Kristi Hansen Megan Koshka Miriam Toews Theatre Network Todd Houseman\nEdmonton downstage | 05.01.2017 | After the House Lights May 1, 2017 at 10:32 AM\n[…] Chris Craddock’s adaptation of Miriam Toews’ novel Irma Voth is last in Theatre Network’s 2017 mainstage series. Irma Voth runs until May 7. I had a chance to see it early in the run, and posted my thoughts here. […]","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line590784"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7318808436393738,"wiki_prob":0.7318808436393738,"text":"Pol Espargaro happy with Honda's start, but wants more: 'It has to be much better for Qatar'\n© Honda Racing Corporation\nPol Espargaro ended pre-season testing in Malaysia with the tenth fastest time on sunday, 0.289s off Enea Bastianini (Gresini/Ducati) who was the fastest. An encouraging start for the Repsol Honda man who, however, is of the opinion that the bike has a lot to improve for the Qatar GP.\nThe spaniard told the press that he considers that the performance at Sepang cannot be considered negative considering that the RC213V is new: 'Yesterday was a good day because we tested a lot, but I was not entirely happy because in the time of one lap there was a lot of distance between us and the first place. We also didn't ride any soft tyres to make the time. That's why, but it pissed me off. But today we tried a little harder in the morning, we put two soft tyres to try to make the time and we finished two tenths of the first. For me, a lap here in Malaysia on a brand new bike is not too bad'.\nThat said, Espargaró recognized that there is still room for improvement, trusting Honda to do so: ‘There is certainly still a lot, a lot to improve. The japanese know what they need to do to make the bike faster and better. And we riders need more laps to understand the bike and its limits a little more. But I think we did a good test, a good job'.\nIn terms of pacing, the #44 said he was satisfied: 'Everything else seems to be fine. Takeo [Yokoyama] asked for all day long distance, like a race simulation, and I was doing it, but it started to rain. But until that moment we were riding very well. On lap ten I think I did a 1m59.0s, which means the pace is fast and the bike – I don't mean it's ready for Qatar – but it's a good start. It's a brand new bike and we're fine. But it has to be much better for the first race'.\nPol Espargaro\nRepsol Honda Team\nSepang tests","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line217956"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9811314344406128,"wiki_prob":0.9811314344406128,"text":"Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading.\nWe have used your information to see if you have a subscription with us, but did not find one. Please use the button below to verify an existing account or to purchase a new subscription.\nYour current subscription does not provide access to this content. Please use the button below to manage your account.\nManage/Add service\nPlease purchase a subscription to continue reading.\nYour current subscription does not provide access to this content.\nSorry, no promotional deals were found matching that code.\nPromotional Rates were found for your code.\ndo not remove\nHenderson, NC (27536)\nA mix of clouds and sun. High 49F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph..\nPolice seek why 72-year-old gunman shot up LA dance hall\nBy AMY TAXIN, STEFANIE DAZIO, TERRY TANG and BRIAN MELLEY Associated Press\nMONTEREY PARK, Calif. — The search for the motive behind the shooting massacre that killed 11 people at a Los Angeles-area dance hall led police to a mobile home community as they probed the past of the 72-year-old suspect Monday and his relationship to the ballroom.\nSheriff’s deputies from Los Angeles County searched the home in a gated senior community where Huu Can Tran lived in the town of Hemet, an hour’s drive from the scene of the crime in Monterey Park, Hemet police spokesperson Alan Reyes told The Associated Press.\nMonterey Park Police Chief Scott Wiese said he wasn't aware of the search results or if Tran, who died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, left behind any note indicating what drove him to shoot up the dance hall.\n“We all want answers to questions that we may never have answers to,” Wiese said. “That’s kind of the enigma of this. I know that my individual officers would like to know why. I know the families want to know why. The why is a big part of this. The problem is, we may never know the why.”\nTran had visited Hemet police twice this month to report he was the victim of fraud, theft and poisoning by family members a decade or two ago in the LA area, Reyes said. Tran said he would return to the station with documentation but never did.\nHe was found dead Sunday in the van that he used to flee after attempting to attack a second dance hall, authorities said. The mayor of Monterey Park said Tran may have frequented the first dance hall that he targeted, and his ex-wife told CNN she had met him there and he offered her free lessons.\nThe death toll rose to 11 Monday after health officials announced that one of the 10 people wounded had died, the LA County Department of Health Services said.\nOfficials did not disclose any information about the 11th fatality, but all except one of the others were 60 or older, according to information released Monday by the Los Angeles coroner’s office providing the first identifications.\nMy Nhan, 65, and Lilian Li, 63, were the first two women named. Two other women were in their 60s, and one was in her 50s. Three men were in their 70s, and two in their 60s were also killed.\nNhan's family said in a statement that she was a loving person whose kindness was contagious, and was a regular at the Star Ballroom Dance Studio.\n“It’s what she loved to do. But unfairly, Saturday was her last dance,\" the family said. \"We are starting the Lunar New Year broken. We never imagined her life would end so suddenly.”\nAuthorities have shared little about Tran.\nLos Angeles Superior Court records show he was married in 2001 and divorced five years later, citing irreconcilable difference. The couple did not have children, said they had no community property and neither side had to pay alimony.\nIn the uncontested case, Tran noted in a filing that he could not get away from work to attend any court hearings, though he did not disclose where he worked or what he did.\nHis ex-wife told CNN that they married soon after they met at the dance hall. While she is named in court papers, she asked not to be identified because of the sensitivity of the case.\nShe said he would become upset if she missed a step dancing, but was never violent toward her.\nTran eventually moved from the San Gabriel Valley, a melting pot for Asian immigrants, and settled in Hemet, a low-income community of many retirees 75 miles (120 kilometers) east of Los Angeles in Riverside County.\nTran lived in The Lakes at Hemet West, a gated community off a busy road with a view of snow-covered mountains. The development boasts of amenities including a 9-hole golf course, a shuffleboard court and a dance floor. Properties listed for sale ranged from $45,000 to $222,000.\nHemet police had no records of any incidents involving Tran in the community or calls for service at his home, Reyes said.\nThe shootings during Lunar New Year celebrations sent a wave of fear through Asian American communities and cast a shadow over festivities nationwide.\nThe massacre was the nation’s fifth mass killing this month, and it struck one of California's largest celebrations of a holiday observed in many Asian cultures, dealing another blow to a community that has been the target of high-profile violence in recent years.\nIt was also the deadliest attack since May 24, when 21 people were killed in an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas.\n“We do understand that he may have had a history of visiting this dance hall and perhaps the motivation has to do with some personal relationships. But that’s something that I think investigators are still uncovering and investigating,” said Monterey Park Mayor Henry Lo. Public records show Tran once had addresses in the city and neighboring ones.\nThe mayor and LA County Sheriff Robert Luna stressed that the motive for the attack remained unclear. No other suspect was wanted, according to the sheriff.\nThe suspect was carrying a semi-automatic pistol with an extended magazine, and a second handgun was discovered in the van where Tran died, Luna said.\nTran is the second-oldest mass killer in the U.S. over the last nearly 20 years according to a database compiled by The Associated Press, USA Today and Northeastern University. The only older mass killer was a 73-year-old who murdered five people in Yuma County Arizona in 2011 before killing himself. The database tracks every mass killing — defined as four dead not including the offender — committed in the U.S. since 2006.\nWithin three minutes of receiving the call, officers arrived at the Star Ballroom Dance Studio in Monterey Park, according to Monterey Park Police Chief Scott Wiese.\nThere, they found carnage inside and people trying to flee through all the doors.\n“When they came into the parking lot, it was chaos,” Wiese said.\nAbout 20 minutes after the first attack, the gunman entered the Lai Lai Ballroom in the nearby city of Alhambra.\nBrandon Tsay was in the lobby at the time, and he told ABC’s “Good Morning America” that he thought he was going to die.\n“Something came over me. I realized I needed to get the weapon away from him, I needed to take this weapon, disarm him or else everybody would have died,\" Tsay said. “When I got the courage, I lunged at him with both my hands, grabbed the weapon and we had a struggle.”\nOnce Tsay seized the gun, he pointed it at the man and shouted: “Get the hell out of here, I’ll shoot, get away, go!”\nThe assailant paused, but then headed back to his van, and Tsay called the police, the gun still in his hand.\nWhile Luna told reporters on Sunday that two people wrested the weapon away from the attacker, Tsay, who works a few days a week at the dance hall his grandparents started, security footage shown on “Good Morning America” showed only the two men struggling for the gun.\nConference title games are most evenly matched in 25 years\nNFL playoffs: Mahomes shrugs off pain, plans to play\nHenderson church donates book bags to elementary school\nPassion for dance drew many of those slain to ballroom\nGoldman Sachs signals partial retreat from consumer banking (copy)\nButner inmate indicted on contraband, drug charges\nMan wanted in 2021 shooting arrested in Vance County\nMast Drug robbed at gunpoint; reward offered for info on assailants\nCity passes barbecue grill amendment\nSix men charged with assaulting fellow jail inmate\nClub got new alcohol permits because of \"glitch,\" ABC Commission says\nRemains identified as man missing since Sept. 21\nTruck catches fire on I-85; driver taken to burn center\nRemains of man found along Granville roadside\nWhile being celebrated by city, Cordell receives top state honor for fire service\nLocal activist appears at Raleigh anti-fentanyl event\nhendersondispatch.com\n420 S. Garnett St.\nEmail: news@hendersondispatch.com\n© Copyright 2023 The Daily Dispatch, 420 S. Garnett St. Henderson, NC | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line386655"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5099565982818604,"wiki_prob":0.5099565982818604,"text":"Science Chemistry Redox\nThe quantity of antimony in ore can be determined by an oxidation-reduction titration with an...\nThe quantity of antimony in ore can be determined by an oxidation-reduction titration with an oxidizing agent. The ore is dissolved in hot, concentrated acid and passed over a reducing agent so that all the antimony is in the form {eq}Sb_3(aq) {/eq}. The {eq}Sb_3(aq) {/eq} is completely oxidized by an aqueous solution of {eq}BrO_3(aq) {/eq}. Complete and balance the equation for this reaction in acidic solution.\n{eq}BrO_3^- + 3Sb_3 \\rightarrow Br^- + 3Sb^{5+} {/eq}\nBalancing Redox Reactions\nBalancing redox reactions is not always as simple as balancing other types of reactions. This is because there is a transfer of electrons that takes place and these reaction can be quite complex. One method of balancing the reaction equation involves separating the reaction into two parts. These parts contain the reduction reaction and the oxidation reaction. These half reactions can be balanced individually and then added together to form the overall reaction equation.\nThe first step is to write out the oxidation and reduction half reactions.\nThe oxidation half reaction is\n{eq}3Sb_3 \\rightarrow 9Sb^{5+} {/eq}\nBalancing Redox Reactions and Identifying Oxidizing and Reducing Agents\nChapter 10 / Lesson 13\nLearn about oxidizing and reducing agents, how to find them, and how to identify them in redox reactions. Learn about the different types of redox reactions and how to identify a redox reaction.\nThe quantity of antimony in an ore can be determined by an oxidation-reduction titration with an oxidizing agent. The ore is dissolved in hot, concentrated acid and passed over a reducing agent so tha\nThe quantity of antimony in an ore can be determined by oxidation-reduction titration with an oxidizing agent. The ore is dissolved in hot, concentrated acid and passed over a reducing agent so that a\nThe quantity of antimony in an ore can be determined by an oxidation-reduction titration with an oxidizing agent. The ore is dissolved in hot, concentrated acid and passed over a reducing agent so that all the antimony is in the form Sb^{3+} (aq). The Sb^\nThe quantity of antimony in a sample can be determined by an oxidation-reduction titration with an oxidizing agent. A 9.51 g sample of stibnite, an ore of antimony, is dissolved in hot, concentrated H C l ( a q ) and passed over a reducing agent so that\nThe quantity of antimony in a sample can be determined by an oxidation-reduction titration with an oxidizing agent. A 5.75-g sample of stibnite, an ore of antimony, is dissolved in hot, concentrated H\nThe quantity of antimony in a sample can be determined by an oxidation-reduction titration with an oxidizing agent. A 6.35 g sample of stibnite, an ore of antimony, is dissolved in hot, concentrated H\nThe quantity of antimony in a sample can be determined by an oxidation-reduction titration with an oxidizing agent. A 7.99-g sample of stibnite, an ore of antimony, is dissolved in hot, concentrated HCl(aq) and passed over a reducing agent so that all the\nA quantity of antimony in a sample can be determined by an oxidation-reduction titration with an oxidizing agent. A 9.62 gram sample of stibnite, an ore of antimony, is dissolved in hot, concentrated HCl (aq) and passed over a reducing agent so that all t\nThe quality of antimony in an ore can be determined by an oxidation-reduction titration with an oxidizing agent. The Ore dissolved in hot, concentrate acid and passed over a reducing agent so that all\nThe quantity of antimony in a sample can be determined by an oxidation-reduction titration with an oxidizing agent. A 9.59-g sample of stibnite, an ore of antimony, is dissolved in hot, concentrated HCl solution and passed over a reducing agent so that al\nThe amount of Fe in a 2.0008 g sample of iron ore was determined by a redox titration with K 2 Cr 2 O 7 . The sample was dissolved in HCl and the iron brought to a +2 oxidation state. Titration requir\nA 9.11-g sample of stibnite, an ore of antimony, is dissolved in hot, concentrated HCl(aq) and passed over a reducing agent so that all the antimony is in the form Sb3+(aq). The Sb3+(aq) is completely oxidized by 35.7 mL of a 0.145 M aqueous solution of K\nManganese in an ore can be determined by treating the ore with a measured, excess quantity of sodium oxalate ( N a 2 C 2 O 4 ) to reduce M n O 2 ( s ) to M n C l 2 ( a q ) followed by determination of the unreacted sodium oxalate by titration with pot\nA sample of iron ore weighing 916 mg was dissolved in acid and pretreated to oxidize all of the iron to F e 3 + . After removing any remaining oxidizing agent, an excess of K I was added to the solution. The liberated iodine required 22.9 mL of 0.0934\nThe iron content of iron ore can be determined by titration with a standard KMnO4 solution. The iron ore is dissolved in HCl, and all the iron is reduced to Fe2+ ions. This solution is then titrated with KMnO4 solution, producing Fe3+ and Mn2+ ions in\nThe iron content of iron ore can be determined by titration with a standard KMnO4 solution. The iron ore is dissolved in HCl, and all the iron is reduced to Fe^2+ ions. This solution is then titrated with a KMnO4 solution, producing Fe^3+ and Mn^2+ ions i\nA 6.39-g sample of an ant-control preparation was decomposed by wet ashing with H2SO4 and HNO3. The arsenic in the residue was reduced to the trivalent state with hydrazine. After the excess reducing agent had been removed, the arsenic(III) was oxidized\nA 0.446-gram sample of iron ore is dissolved in HCl and the iron (Fe solid) is reduced to Fe2+. The solution is then titrated by 38.6 mL of 0.105 N KMn4. Calculate the percentage of Fe in the iron ore\nAn iron ore sample weighting 0.5453 g is dissolved in HCl(aq), treated with a reducing agent to convert all the iron in sample to Fe2+(aq), and then titrated with exactly 32.77 mL of 0.02726 M K2Cr2O7\nThe iron content of ores can be determined by titrating a sample with a solution of KMnO_4. The ore is dissolved in HCl forming iron (II) ions, which react with MnO_4^-: 5Fe^{2+} (aq) + MnO_4^-(aq) + 8H^+(aq) \\rightarrow 5Fe^{3+}(aq) + Mn^{2+} (aq) + 4H_\nAn 8.00 g sample of an iron ore was dissolved in an acid solution and the iron converted to the +2 oxidation state. The resulting solution took 75.0 mL of 0.200 M KMnO_4 solution to titrate to a light pink color.\nA sample of 0.6805 g iron ore was dissolved in concentrated HCl. After the reduction of all Fee to Fe^{3+} with SnCl_2, the solution needed 45.50 ml of 0.515 M K_2 Cr_2O_7 to reach the endpoint. What is the % Fe in the ore? 6Fe^{2+} + Cr_2O_7^{2+} + 14H\nAssume that the iron in iron ore (a mixture of iron and other substances) is in the form of Fe3+. The iron content of iron ore can be determined by dissolving the iron ore in HCl. The dissolved Fe3+ (aq) from the iron ore is then reduced to Fe2+. e- + Fe3\nThe amount of sodium hypochlorite in a bleach solution can be determined by using a given volume of bleach to oxidize excess iodide ion to iodine because the reaction goes to completion. The amount of iodine produced is then determined by titration with s\nA solution of potassium permanganate is standardized with iron metal, a primary standard. The iron is dissolved in acid, reduced to Fe(II), and titrated with permanganate. 5Fe^2+(aq) + MnO_4^-(aq) + 8H^+(aq) to 5 Fe^3+(aq) + Mn^2+ + 4H_2O(l) 33.17 mL of p\nMagnetite is a mineral having the formula Fe3O4 or FeOFe2O3. A 1.1324-g sample of a magnetite ore was dissolved in concentrated HCl to give a solution that contained a mixture of Fe^{2+} and Fe^{3+}. Nitric acid was added and the solution was boiled for a\nA 1.362 g sample of an iron ore that contained Fe3O4 was dissolved in acid and all the iron was reduced to Fe2+. The solution was then acidified with H2SO4 and titrated with 39.42 mL of 0.0281 M KMnO4\nA 2.0 g sample of silver alloy was dissolved in nitric acid and then precipitated as AgBr. After drying, the sample of silver bromide weighed 2.0 g. Calculate the percentage of silver in the alloy.\nThe sulfur content of an ore is determined gravimetrically by reacting the ore with concentrated nitric acid and potassium chlorate, converting all sulfur to sulfate. The excess nitrate and chlorate is removed by reaction with concentrated hydrochloric ac\nA sample of a tin ore weighing 0.3550 g was dissolved in an acid solution and all the tin in the sample was changed to tin(II). In a titration, 7.90 mL of 0.0401 M KMnO_4 solution was required to oxidize the tin(II) to tin(IV). (a) What is the balanced\nA sample of 0.6805 g iron ore was dissolved in concentrated HCl. After reduction of all Fe^(3+) to Fe^(2+) with SnCl2, the solution needed 45.50 ml of 0.515 M K2Cr2O7 to reach the end point. What is the % Fe in the ore? 6Fe^(2+) + Cr2O_(7)^(2-) + 14H^(+)\nStainless steel is an alloy of iron, chromium, and nickel, having approximately 15.5% chromium. In an assay to discover how much chromium is present, the steel is oxidize in acid to form chromate ion. The resulting solution is treated with excess lead(II)\nTwenty dietary iron tablets with a total mass of 21.232 g were ground and mixed thoroughly. Then 2.898 g of the powder were dissolved in HNO_3 and heated to convert all iron into Fe^{3+}. Additional of NH_3 precipitated Fe_2O_3. xH_2O which was ignited to\nA taconite ore consisted of 35.43% Fe_3O_4 and the balance of siliceous impurities. How many tons of the ore must be processed in order to recover 1 ton of metallic iron?\nThe concentration of manganese in steel can be determined spectrophotometrically by dissolving the steel in acid and oxidizing Mn to MnO_4?. The resulting solution is purple and the absorbance at 525\nExtraction of metal from the ore cassiterite involves: (A) carbon reduction of an oxide ore. (B) self-reduction of a sulphide ore. (C) removal of copper impurity. (D) removal of iron impurity.\nAntimony is obtained by heating pulverized stibnite (Sb 2 S 3 ) with scrap iron and drawing off the molten antimony from the bottom of the reaction vessel. Sb 2 S 3 + 3Fe 2Sb + 3FeS Suppose that 0.600\nThermite is a composition of metal powder and metal oxide. In this reaction, iron oxide solids, Fe_2O_3, and aluminum powder, Al, react exothermically to release a large large amount of heat. Aluminum\nUsing the following results, prepare a single table of relative strengths of oxidizing and reducing agents. Reaction 1: Cu (strongest reducing agent) I^- Ag Br^- (weakest reducing agent) Reaction 2: Zn(strongest reducing agent) Pb Cu Ag(weakest ...\nA quantity of ore consist of 90% (by weight) chalcopyrite mineral with a composition of CuFeS_2. The rest is inert quartz, SiO_2. The ore is roasted by heating it in oxygen at 800 degree C. This pr\nA 0.855 g sample of ore of iron is dissolved in acid and converted to Fe(II). The sample is oxidized by 36.50 mL of 0.161 M ceric sulfate, Ce(SO4)2, solution; the cerium(IV) ion, Ce4+, is reduced to Ce3+ ion. What is the percent of iron in the ore?\nEstimate the temperature at which Fe_2O_3 can be reduced to iron, using hydrogen gas as a reducing agent (assume H_2O(g) is the other product).\nAn iron ore was analyzed by dissolving a 1.1324 g sample in concentrated HCl. The resulting solution was diluted with water, and the iron (lI) was precipitated as the hydrous Fe_2O_3-xH_2O by the addition of NH_3.\nThe concentration of a hydrogen peroxide solution can be conveniently determined by titration against a standardized potassium permanganate solution in an acidic medium. (a) Balance this redox equation (in acidic solution) by inserting coefficients, H^+\nAn important source of silver is its recovery as a byproduct in the metallurgy of lead. The percentage of Ag in the lead is determined as follows. A 1.050 g sample is dissolved in nitric acid producing Pb^{2+} (aq) and Ag^+ (aq). The solution was diluted\nMagnesium metal is placed in contact with an underground steel storage tank to inhibit the corrosion of the tank because: a. magnesium has a higher reduction potential than iron. b. magnesium has a lower oxidation potential than iron. c. magnesium is chea\nWater is always present in aqueous solutions, and it can act as both an oxidizing agent and a reducing agent. How good of an oxidizing agent and reducing agent is water?\nYou are looking to reduce chromate (CrO42-) to Cr(OH)4- in a basic solution (E = -0.14 V). You are trying to decide between the following commonly used reducing agents: zinc metal (E = -0.762 V for Zn2+|Zn), magnesium metal (E = -2.360 V for Mg2+|Mg), a f\nSolder is an alloy, or mixture, of the metals tin and lead. A 1.50 g sample of solder is dissolved in acid and all of the Sn is oxidized to Sn^{2+}. The Sn^{2+} is reacted with a 0.0525 M solution of sodium dichromate according to the following net ionic\nRank these species by their ability to act as an oxidizing agent. Na^+, I_2, Cr^{3+}, F_2. Put best oxidizing agent first and continue to have best reducing agent last.\nIn the experiment of the reduction of camphor to isoborneol, how is the percent yield calculated? 0.1038 g of camphor is initially used. 0.0447 g of NaBH4 is the reducing agent. 0.0524 g of product\nA sample of 1.55 g of iron ore is dissolved in a acid solution in which the iron is converted into Fe^{2+}. The solution formed is then titrated with KMnO_4 which oxidises Fe^{2+} to Fe^{3+} while the\nThe concentration of manganese in steel can be determined spectrophotometrically by dissolving the steel in acid and oxidizing M n to M n O 4 . The resulting solution is purple and the absorbance at 525 nm can be monitored. A standard solution contai\nThe active agent in many hair bleaches is hydrogen peroxide. The amount of H_2O_2 in 14.5-g of hair bleach was determined by titration with a standard potassium permanganate solution: 2 MnO_4^-(aq) + 5 H_2O_2(aq) + 6 H^+(aq) to 5 O_2(g) + 2 Mn^{2+}(aq) +\nTo determine the Ksp value of Hg2I2, a chemist obtained a solid sample of Hg2I2 in which some of the iodine is present as radioactive 131I. The count rate of the Hg2I2 sample is 5.0x10^11 counts per minute per mole of I. An excess amount of Hg2I2(s) is p\nA 2.80-g sample of haematite ore containing Fe3+ ions was dissolved in a concentrated acid and the solution was diluted to 250 mL. A 25.0 mL aliquot was reduced with Sn2+ to form a solution of Fe2+ ions. This solution of Fe2+ ions required26.4mL of a 0.02\nA 0.5962 g sample of iron ore is dissolved in acid, producing Fe3+. Through a series of reactions, the iron precipitates as the Fe(OH)3. The precipitate is heated, forming solid Fe2O3. What is the mas\nA 0.8552g sample of copper alloy is treated with 8 molars nitric acid and filtered and the precipitate is ignited giving a residue of 0.0632g of SnO_2. The zinc is determined in one half of the filtra\n1. Cu^2+/Cu, Zn^2+/Zn, Fe2+/Fe, H+/H2, I2/I- a. Arrange the oxidizing agents in order of their oxidizing strength. b. Arrange the reducing agents in order of their reducing strength. c. Compare the tr\nAn iron ore sample is analyzed for iron content by dissolving it in acid, converting the iron to Fe^+2 and then titrating with standard 0.0150M K_2Cr_2 O_7 solution. If 32.05 mL is required to titrate\nLiquid elemental iron is produced in the thermite reaction because enough heat is generated to melt the iron : 2 Al (s) + Fe_2O_3 (s) rightarrow Al_2O_3 (s) + 2 Fe (l). (a) What mass of aluminum\nA 0.5962g sample of iron ore is dissolved in acid-producing Fe^{3+}. Through a series of reactions, the iron precipitates as the Fe(OH)_3. The precipitates is heated, forming solid Fe_2O_3. What is th\nA potassium permanganate solution is titrated with an acidified tin(II) chloride solution. The species present in the solution are: K+(aq), MnO4-(aq), H+(aq), Sn2+(aq), Cl-(aq), and H2O(l) What are the strongest oxidizing and reducing agents?\nFor the following reactions, identify the limiting and excess reagents. Give reasons for choices. a) wood burning in a campfire b) subdue in the air with silver flatware to produce tarnish, or silver sulfide\nState whether a physical process or a chemical reaction is involved in the separation of: Iron is produced from an iron ore that contains the substance iron(III) oxide.\nMuch lead ore is PbS in rock. The higher the percentage of lead in the rock, the better the ore. Suppose 9.543 grams of ore is heated, allowing the sulfur to burn off and the lead to melt and be separated from the rock, and 5.270 grams of lead is recovere\nAn alloy of iron and carbon was treated with sulfuric acid, in which only iron reacts. 2Fe(s) + 3H_2SO_4(aq) to Fe_2(SO_4)_3(aq) + 3H_2(g) If a sample of alloy weighing 2.358 g gave 0.1067 g of hydrogen, what is the percentage of iron in the alloy?\nA sample weighing 0.0123 g was dissolved in concentrated nitric acid to convert all of the arsenic to arsenate. The solution was diluted 10 times and excess silver added to precipitate silver arsenate (Ag_3 \\cdot AsO_4), which was collected, dried, and we\nA total charge of 96.5 kC is passed through an electrolytic cell. Determine the quantity of substance produced in each of the following cases. (a) the mass (in grams) of silver metal from a silver nit\nZinc is more active chemically than is silver; it can be used to remove ionic silver from solution. The concentration of a silver nitrate solution is determined to be 1.330 mol/L. Pieces of zinc totaling 100.0 g are added to 1.000 L of the solution; 90.0\nAn excess amount of chlorine was passed over hot iron fillings. The experiment yielded the following data: weight of crucible: 26.3821 g Weight of crucible plus iron fillings: 26.8511 g Weight of cruc\nSample of silver metal is suspected to be contaminated with zinc. A 0.2365 g portion of this metal is dissolved in nitric acid and the silver ions precipitated with excess aqueous NaCl. After filterin\nArrange the reducing agents in the list below in order of increasing strength. Do the same with the oxidizing agents.(Chapter 4 has definitions of reducing and oxidizing agents) Cr_2O_7^-2, Fe^2+, AgB\nA 0.6505 g sample of ferrite ore is dissolved in nitric acid. All of the iron present is oxidized to iron(III). The solution is filtered and made basic with addition of ammonium hydroxide. The iron precipitates as the iron(III) hydroxide hydrated solid. T\nTarnished silver is coated with a layer of Ag2S(s). The coating can be removed by boiling the silverware in an aluminum pan, with some baking soda or salt added to make the solution conductive. Explain this from the point of view of electrochemistry.\nThe iron in a 6.675 g sample containing some Fe_2O_3 is reduced to Fe^{2+}.The Fe^{2+} is titrated with 14.53 mL of 0.2456 M K_2Cr_2O_7 in an acid solution. Find the percentage of Fe in the sample.\nThe chief ore of zinc is the sulfide, ZnS. The ore is concentrated by flotation and then heated in air, which converts the ZnS to ZnO. 2ZnS + 3O_2 \\to 2ZnO + 2SO_2 The ZnO is then treated with dilute H_2SO_4 to produce an aqueous solution containing the\nAn electrolytic cell is used to separate copper from the impurities, that is, zinc, iron, silver, gold, and platinum. Can this process be used to separate the metals left after the copper has been removed?\nEstimate the fraction of unoccupied atomic sites in lead at a temperature of 10 K below its melting point.\nThe protecting power of lyophilic colloidal sol is expressed in terms of: a) critical micelle concentration. b) oxidation number. c) coagulation value. d) gold number.\nFor a melting point determination, if the compound is less pure, then the melting point will generally be higher or lower and why? (a) Lower, impurities may react to form gasses which dissipate at room temperature (b) Lower, because defects in a crystal l\nWhen we are studying wine oxidation, we need to establish the linearity of a spectrophotometric method for the analysis of iron (molar mass 55.845 g/mol) using the complexing agent ferrozine.\nA 10.0-mL sample of aqueous NaOCl is treated with excess KI in an acidic solution. The quantity of iodine that is liberated is such that 28.02 mL of 0.0250 M Na_2S_2O_3 solution must be added to cause the disappearance of the dark blue color due to the st\nThe active ingredient in hair bleaches is hydrogen peroxide, H 2 O 2 . The amount of H 2 O 2 in 14.8 g of hair bleach was determined by titration with a standard potassium permanganate ( K M n O 4 ) solution. Treat this reaction as you would an acid-ba\nIn Part A, you found the amount of product (3.80 mol P 2 O 5 ) formed from the given amount of phosphorus and excess oxygen. In Part B, you found the amount of product (3.40 mol P 2 O 5 ) formed from the given amount of oxygen and excess phosphorus. No\nOne method for determining the concentration of hydrogen peroxide in solution is through a redox titration with potassium permanganate under acidic conditions. In this procedure, the hydrogen peroxide reduces the pink permanganate ion. a. What is the oxi\nSubstances A, B, and C can all act as oxidizing agents. In solution the neutral substance A is green, B is yellow and C is red. In reactions in which they participate, they are reduced to A^1-, B^1-\",\nIn the analysis of an ore sample for Ni using an acidic dichromate solution, 0.04256 liters of dichromate titrant were required. If the sample contained exactly 2.5000 grams of ore, the final oxidatio\nCopper(II) oxide, CuO, may be formed when copper metal is gently heated in air or oxygen gas. Copper metal surfaces that have been tarnished by a layer of black CuO can be cleaned by treating the surface with dilute solutions of hydrobromic acid, HBr(aq).\nA 0.2250 g of sample of a mixture containing only of iron and ferric oxide (Fe_2O_3) was brought into solution and the iron was reduced to the divalent state and titrated with permanganate.\nAll of the chromium in a 0.750 gram sample of ore is converted to K_2CrO_4. The K_2CrO_4 is dissolved in acid and the CrO_4^{-2} (aq) is titrated with a 0.0200 M solution containing Sn^{+2} ions. The skeleton reaction is below. CrO_4^{-2} + Sn^{+2} right\n104g sample of impure was acidified and analysed using excess iodine ion. The reaction is . Then is titrated with 0.300M\nThe nitrate anion is ________. A) Strong base B) amphoteric C) Strong acid D) Strong reducing agent E) Strong oxidizing agent.\nFor a steel alloy, it has been determined that a carburizing heat treatment of 15 h duration will raise the carbon concentration to 0.35 wt% at a point 2.0 mm from the surface. Estimate the time necessary to achieve the same concentration at a 6.0-mm ...","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line140357"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8228470683097839,"wiki_prob":0.8228470683097839,"text":"Capital Gains planning\nReaders may have noted that the Chancellor announced a significant reduction in the annual Capital Gains Tax allowance, currently £12,300, from April 2023.\nIt is reducing to £6,000 from April 2023 with a further reduction to £3,000 from April 2024.\nTaxpayers who are contemplating the disposal of a chargeable asset next year, which will create significant chargeable gains, should consider organising these disposals before, rather than after, 5 April 2023; unless they have already crystalised gains during 2022-23 and fully used their £12,300 tax-free allowance.\nAnd don’t forget, married couples and civil partners both qualify for the £12,300 allowance in which case organising joint ownership of these assets before disposal may be beneficial.\nHMRC app is a gift for Christmas workers and employers\nGreen opportunities boosted by Government investment","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1091741"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9805514812469482,"wiki_prob":0.9805514812469482,"text":"This Division I college football coach hasn't signed his contract. He's still getting paid. What's up?\nBrent Schrotenboer\nNearly a year since his hiring was announced at New Mexico State, head football coach Jerry Kill still has not signed an employment contract with the university, the school confirmed this week.\nAs of Friday, he hadn’t even signed the university’s initial offer letter dated Nov. 21, 2021 – a two-page document that spells out the basic financial terms of his job but also states that he is on probation for a year like other new employees there.\nIt’s an unusual situation. Kill, 61, is still coaching at one of the most difficult jobs in major college football. He also is still getting paid at a rate of $550,000 annually, an athletics department official said. But without a signed contract – or even a signed initial offer letter – Kill’s situation delves into a precarious realm that carries significant risk for both sides and sometimes has created awkward situations and headlines that have raised the eyebrows of fans. Once, it became a federal case at Kentucky after men’s basketball coach Billy Gillispie went two years without signing his contact before being fired in 2009.\n“This is a strange one,” said Martin Greenberg, an attorney and sports law professor at Marquette who has represented coaches in contract negotiations but is not involved in the Kill case.\nUSA TODAY Sports inquired about it in October as part of its annual survey of college football coaches’ compensation. NMSU deputy athletics director Braun Cartwright said on Oct. 10 that the university expected Kill’s contract to be signed “in the next few days.” The reason he said it wasn’t signed was “we’ve been going through a few things (in the contract)” but that “nothing on coach’s part” was causing the delay.\nKill didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment through a school spokesman.\nHis team is 4-5 this year after starting the season with four consecutive losses.\n“There were a couple of extra changes that needed to be made,” Cartwright said in an e-mail Nov. 9. “Although we are close, it is still unsigned.”\nFormal contract signings in college sports sometimes can be delayed for months after a coach’s hiring is announced, simply because it takes time to work out the various clauses and language in a document that can run 24 pages or more. In the meantime, before a formal contract is signed, coaches typically work under a two- or three-page memorandum of understanding (MOU) or offer letter that at least spells out basic pay terms.\nIn Kill’s case, he hadn’t even signed the latter letter, which is rare. And it’s been nearly a year since he was hired, which also is quite uncommon.\n“This is a dangerous area for colleges,” Greenberg said.\nThe reason for that is it creates legal risk for both sides when there is no signed employment agreement, especially in the event of a termination. In effect, a signed contract serves as a prenuptial agreement, spelling out detailed terms of a potential separation and how much each is owed in the event of a firing or resignation. Without those terms spelled out in writing, it can lead to ugly and expensive disputes after separation, much like a contentious divorce between spouses who failed to sign a prenup beforehand.\nFor example, Kill’s unsigned offer letter obtained by USA TODAY Sports doesn’t outline what he or the university would owe if he resigned or got fired. In his case especially, he arguably has a heightened interest in securing such terms with signatures, given his history of kidney cancer and seizures, in addition to the fact that NMSU is one of the most difficult places to win in major college football.\nIn its history dating to 1894, only two NMSU head coaches out of 35 have won more than 25 games at the school. Since 1972, NMSU also has had 10 non-interim head coaches before Kill, nine of whom were fired. The other coach – DeWayne Walker – quit to take an assistant coaching job in the NFL in January 2013 after posting a 10-40 record in four seasons.\n“At the time I just felt like my career possibly was at stake if I had stayed there another three years,” Walker told USA TODAY Sports in 2020.\nAnd yet here is Kill, fighting that tide of history without a signed and sealed deal to protect him. It probably didn’t help that Kill’s previous agent, Jordan Bazant, left the agent business late last year. It’s unclear who is representing him now in contract negotiations.\nWhat could go wrong in the meantime?\nThe Kentucky dispute\nThe Gillispie affair at Kentucky shows how low it can go. Gillispie signed a three-page MOU at Kentucky when hired in April 2007, but he never signed a formal contract as the two sides fought over issues in it, including deferred compensation and how to define termination terms, according to court records.\nThen after he got fired in March 2009, it became a federal case.\nSince there was no signed contract, each side sued the other in federal court over what Gillispie was owed after his firing.\n“An actual and justifiable controversy has arisen between the parties as to whether the MOU constitutes a long-term contract of employment,” the university said in its lawsuit against him.\nGillispie, who finished with a 40-27 record at UK, asserted he was fired without cause and therefore was entitled to $6 million to buy out his contract according to his interpretation of the MOU. Kentucky stated in court records it owed him nothing, because the MOU was “unenforceable” and the parties had not signed a long-term agreement.\nThe university “asserts that the MOU was expressly intended by the parties to be only a letter of intent or agreement to agree, and does not constitute either a fully-integrated writing or a final expression of the parties’ entire agreement,” the university said in its lawsuit.\nThe litigation dragged on until October 2009, when the two sides settled, with Gillispie getting about $2.9 million, about half of what his MOU stipulated.\n“This is not an area where colleges want to be,” Greenberg said. “They don’t want to be making law in this area. They don’t want to be in the courts. Gillispie settled out and most of these things settled out because of dirty laundry (being used as leverage against the other in legal disputes).”\nGreenberg once had his own issues with an unsigned contract when he represented then-Utah men's basketball coach Rick Majerus in the early 1990s.\nThe Utah and Georgia cases\nGreenberg said Majerus didn’t sign a contract for more than a year because Majerus did not want a moral turpitude clause in his contract, simply because it was not clearly defined. In the meantime, Majerus was a hot coach and became a candidate for a job at UNLV.\n“I went to the athletic director (at Utah) and said, `We do not have a contractual relationship. We’re simply an employee at-will. You’re free to terminate, and we’re free to terminate. And we’re going to terminate,’ ” Greenberg said.\nUtah ended up dropping its desire to add a moral turpitude clause in Majerus’s contract, Greenberg said. Majerus, who died in 2012, didn’t take the UNLV job and stayed at Utah.\nOther coaches generated headlines in recent years when they went several months without signing formal contracts, causing fans to wonder if one side or the other was having second thoughts.\nIn January 2015, Georgia announced a two-year contract extension and $800,000 raise for coach Mark Richt, boosting his annual compensation to $4 million. But he never signed it. After his team struggled on the field later that year, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution even published a story about it November 2015.\n“Mark Richt still hasn’t signed contract, but UGA will honor $4M deal,” the headline said.\nThe newspaper said the delay was caused in part by disagreement over a conduct and ethics clauses in the new contract.\nRicht then was fired later that month and had to rely on the university honoring a handshake agreement to get his new $4.1 million severance.\n“Just because somebody hasn’t signed it doesn’t mean we’re not going to honor it,” then-Georgia athletics director Greg McGarity said in the article.\nIn another case, Texas A&M announced in early December of 2017 that it had hired coach Jimbo Fisher from Florida State. Six months later, the Texas Tribune published a story with a headline that said, “Texas A&M promised Jimbo Fisher a 10 year, $75 million contract five months ago. Here's why it hasn't been signed yet.”\nTexas A&M cited tax code changes and Fisher’s busy schedule as reasons for the delay. Fisher then signed his contract on Aug. 17, 2018, more than eight months after his hiring was announced.\nKill also received attention from the local news media in 2011 after he went several months without a signed contract at Minnesota. Kill was hired there as head coach in early December 2010, but by April 2011, he still had no signed contract, prompting the Star Tribune to take note.\nKill finally signed his contract at Minnesota on Oct. 21, 2011, more than 10 months after his hiring was announced, according to the copy obtained by USA TODAY Sports. He then abruptly retired in October 2015, citing health issues.\nAt NMSU, Kill’s current unsigned offer letter makes his situation seem especially risky for him.\n“The specific terms and conditions of your position may be changed without the necessity of a written addendum to this letter of offer,” the letter from November 2021 states.\nBy contrast, signed formal contracts generally require any changes to be made through bilateral written agreements. But Kill doesn’t have that or even a signed term letter.\nFollow reporter Brent Schrotenboer @Schrotenboer. E-mail: bschrotenb@usatoday.com","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line823727"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5293139815330505,"wiki_prob":0.5293139815330505,"text":"Counties Renew Call for Federal Aid to Local Governments at Fall Meeting of County Leaders\nCounties Would See $3 Billion in Aid from Updated HEROES Act\nNew York's county leaders today renewed their call for the White House and Congressional leaders to reach an agreement that would provide local governments with direct federal Coronavirus stimulus assistance. The leaders met this morning to close the New York State Association of Counties' (NYSAC's) virtual Fall Seminar.\n“Every day that passes without a deal on direct aid to local governments, the deeper the economic hole that is being dug in our communities,” said NYSAC President John F. Marren. “Local governments stepped up and expended great resources to stop the spread of the virus and now, with state aid being withheld and revenue collection down, counties are being forced to cut services and lay off employees, which only depresses the economy further. It's time for Washington to get behind a plan and get this done for the American people.”\n“We are in the middle of a national emergency that is impacting every community in New York and across the country. The federal government has provided emergency assistance to businesses and individuals, now it must do the same for the local governments who have been most impacted by this public health crisis so we can continue to battle COVID-19 and prevent further damage to our economy,” said Albany County Executive Dan McCoy, president of the NYS County Executives' Association.\nAccording to NYSAC's analysis of the HEROES Act, which was moved by leaders in the House of Representatives this week, counties across the state would receive nearly $3 billion in federal stimulus from the modified HEROES Act. Through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, entitlement communities across New York State–municipalities over 50,000 in population–would receive about $2.4 billion. Other, smaller cities and localities across the state, would receive $2.2 billion. New York City, which is home to more than half of the state's 19 million people, would receive $5.35 billion.\nDuring the meeting, leaders were briefed by White House Deputy Director of Intergovernmental Affairs William Crozer on the Trump administration's response to COVID-19 and the administration's support for an addition $250 billion to states and localities across the country. Crozer applauded NYSAC's economic analysis, saying that it was the most comprehensive COVID-19 revenue impact report from any state in the nation.\n“Counties appreciate the continued partnership and open dialog that we've had with the White House as they've led the local response to the global pandemic, but the time as come for all parties in Washington to come together and reach an agreement on direct aid to local governments,” said NYSAC Executive Director Stephen J. Acquario.\nThe county leaders acknowledged the support they have from the bi-partisan state congressional delegation and called on them to press leaders from both parties to agree on a plan that will provide federal funding to states and local governments.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line219511"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5746711492538452,"wiki_prob":0.5746711492538452,"text":"News > Medscape Medical News > Conference News > EULAR 2020\nEULAR Gives Pointers on Intra-Articular Injection Best Practices\nSara Freeman\nNew EULAR recommendations for the intra-articular (IA) treatment of arthropathies aim to facilitate uniformity and quality of care for this mainstay of rheumatologic practice, according to a report on the new guidance that was presented at the annual European Congress of Rheumatology, held online this year due to COVID-19.\nUntil now there were no official recommendations on how best to use it in everyday practice. \"This is the first time that there's been a joint effort to develop evidence-based recommendations,\" Jacqueline Usón, MD, PhD, associate professor medicine at Rey Juan Carlos University in Madrid, said in an interview. \"Everything that we are saying is pretty logical, but it's nice to see it put in recommendations based on evidence.\"\nIA therapy has been around for decades and is key for treating adults with a number of different conditions where synovitis, effusion, pain, or all three, are present, such as inflammatory arthritis and osteoarthritis, Dr. Usón observed during her presentation.\n\"Today, commonly used injectables are not only corticosteroids but also local anesthetics, hyaluronic acid, blood products, and maybe pharmaceuticals,\" she said, adding that \"there is a wide variation in the way intra-articular therapies are used and delivered to patients.\" Health professionals also have very different views and habits depending on geographic locations and health care systems, she observed. Ironing out the variation was one of the main objectives of the recommendations.\nAs one of the two conveners of the EULAR task force behind the recommendations, Dr. Usón, herself a rheumatologist at University Hospital of Móstoles, pointed out that the task force brought together a range of specialties – rheumatologists, orthopedic surgeons, radiologists, nuclear medicine specialists, among others, as well as patients – to ensure that the best advice could be given.\nThe task force followed EULAR standard operating procedures for developing recommendations, with discussion groups, systematic literature reviews, and Delphi technique-based consensus all being employed. The literature search considered publications from 1946 up until 2019.\n\"We agreed on the need for more background information from health professionals and patients, so we developed two surveys: One for health professionals with 160 items, [for which] we obtained 186 responses from 26 countries; and the patient survey was made up of 44 items, translated into 10 different languages, and we obtained 200 responses,\" she said.\nThe results of the systematic literature review and surveys were used to help form expert consensus, leading to 5 overarching principles and 11 recommendations that look at before, during, and after intra-articular therapy.\nFive Overarching Principles\nThe first overarching principle recognizes the widespread use of IA therapies and that their use is specific to the disease that is being treated and \"may not be interchangeable across indications,\" Dr. Usón said. The second principle concerns improving patient-centered outcomes, which are \"those that are relevant to the patient,\" and include the benefits, harms, preferences, or implications for self-management.\n\"Contextual factors are important and contribute to the effect of IAT [intra-articular treatment],\" she said, discussing the third principle. \"These include effective communication, patient expectations, or settings [where the procedure takes place]. In addition, one should take into account that the route of delivery has in itself a placebo effect. We found that in different RCTs [randomized controlled trials], the pooled placebo effect of IA saline is moderate to large.\"\nThe fourth principle looks at ensuring that patients and clinicians make an informed and shared decision, which is again highlighted by the first recommendation. The fifth, and last, overarching principle acknowledges that IA injections may be given by a range of health care professionals.\nAdvice for Before, During, and After Injection\nPatients need to be \"fully informed of the nature of the procedure, the injectable used, and potential effects – benefits and risks – [and] informed consent should be obtained and documented,\" said Dr. Usón, outlining the first recommendation. \"That seems common,\" she said in the interview, \"but when we did the survey, we realize that many patients didn't [give consent], and the doctors didn't even ask for it. This is why it's a very general statement, and it's our first recommendation. The agreement was 99%!\"\nThe recommendations also look at the optimal settings for performing injections, such as providing a professional and private, well-lighted room, and having a resuscitation kit nearby in case patients faint. Accuracy is important, Dr. Usón said, and imaging, such as ultrasound, should be used where available to ensure accurate injection into the joint. This is an area where further research could be performed, she said, urging young rheumatologists and health professionals to consider this. \"Intra-articular therapy is something that you learn and do, but you never really investigate in it,\" she said.\nOne recommendation states that when intra-articular injections are being given to pregnant patients, the safety of injected compound must be considered, both for the mother and for the fetus. There is another recommendation on the need to perform IA injections under aseptic conditions, and another stating that patients should be offered local anesthetics, after explaining the pros and cons.\nSpecial populations of patients are also considered, Dr. Usón said. For example, the guidance advises warning patients with diabetes of the risk of transient glycemia after IA glucocorticoids and the need to monitor their blood glucose levels carefully for a couple of days afterward.\nAs a rule, \"IAT is not a contraindication to people with clotting or bleeding disorders, or taking antithrombotic medications,\" she said, unless they are at a high risk of bleeding.\nImportantly, the recommendations cover when IAT can be performed after joint replacement surgery (after at least 3 months), and the need to \"avoid overuse of injected joints\" while also avoiding complete immobilization for at least 24 hours afterward. The recommendations very generally cover re-injections, but not how long intervals between injections should be. When asked about interval duration after her presentation, Dr. Usón said that the usual advice is to give IA injections no more than 2-3 times a year, but it depends on the injectable.\n\"It wasn't our intention to review the efficacy and the safety of the different injectables, nor to review the use of IAT in different types of joint diseases,\" she said. \"We do lack a lot of information, a lot of evidence in this, and I really would hope that new rheumatologists start looking into and start investigating in this topic,\" she added.\nRecommendations Will Increase Awareness of Good Clinical Practice\n\"IA injections are commonly administered in the rheumatology setting. This is because [IA injection] is often a useful treatment for acute flare of arthritis, particularly when it is limited to a few joints,\" observed Ai Lyn Tan, MD, associate professor and honorary consultant rheumatologist at the Leeds (England) Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine.\nIA injection \"also relieves symptoms relatively quickly for patients; however, the response can be variable, and there are side effects associated with IA injections,\" Dr. Tan added in an interview.\nThere is a lack of universally accepted recommendations, Dr. Tan observed, noting that while there might be some local guidelines on how to safely perform IA injections these were often not standardized and were subject to being continually updated to try to improve the experience for patients.\n\"It is therefore timely to learn about the new EULAR recommendations for IA injections. The advantage of this will be to increase awareness of good clinical practice for performing IA injections.\"\nDr. Tan had no relevant conflicts of interest.\nSOURCE: EULAR COVID-19 Recommendations. E-congress content available until Sept. 1, 2020.\nThis story originally appeared on MDedge.com.\nCite this: EULAR Gives Pointers on Intra-Articular Injection Best Practices - Medscape - Jun 26, 2020.\nCalifornia Internist to Pay $9.5 Million in Medicare, Medi-Cal Fraud Scheme\nRacial Disparities in Preventive Services Use Seen Among Patients With Spina Bifida or Cerebral Palsy\nWe Are Failing People With Chronic Pain\n'Very Doable' Low-Dose Workout Enough to Treat Knee OA\nAsk Knee OA Patients About Stair Climbing Difficulty\nCorticosteroid Injections May Worsen Knee OA Progression\nDiseases & Conditions Osteoarthritis\nRehabilitation for Osteoarthritis\nPatient Simulation: A 33-Year-Old Woman With Nonradiographic Axial Spondyloarthritis\nProgression of Osteoarthritis\nFast Five Quiz: Knee Osteoarthritis Presentation and Diagnosis\nFast Five Quiz: Nonpharmacologic Management of Osteoarthritis\nRheumatoid Arthritis: In and Out of the Joint\nOff Their Pricey CML Meds, Many Thrive\nRelationship Between Osteoarthritis, Inflammation, and Pain: A Closer Examination 0.5 CME / CE / ABIM MOC Credits\n0.5 CME / CE / ABIM MOC\nRelationship Between Osteoarthritis, Inflammation, and Pain: A Closer Examination","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line81352"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6046711802482605,"wiki_prob":0.3953288197517395,"text":"Mary K Firestone\nUpdated on Oct 30, 2022\nName Mary Firestone\nMary K. Firestone is a professor of soil microbiology in the Department of Environmental Studies, Policy, and Management at the University of California, Berkeley. She is also the Associate Dean of Instruction & Student Affairs at Berkeley... Mary received her M.Sc. in microbiology in 1977 and her Ph.D. in soil microbiology at Michigan State University in 1979.\nMary became a Fellow of the Soil Science Society of America in 1995. Since then, she has received numerous honours and awards throughout her career, including the Emil Truog Soil Science Award, and most recently, the Berkeley College of Natural Resources Career Achievement Award in 2013, In addition to these awards, she was named Fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology in 2002,.\nMary Firestone has published over 85 peer-reviewed articles which have been cited almost 4,000 times. In addition, she has authored, co-authored and contributed to numerous book chapters, including “Root Interactions with Soil Microbial Communities and Processes” in The Rhizosphere: An Ecological Perspective (Z.G. Cardon and J.L. Whitbeck, Academic Press, 2007) and “Mechanisms Determining Patterns of Nutrient Dynamics” (with Valerie T. Eviner) in California Grasslands: Ecology and Management (M.R. Stromberg, J.D. Corbin, and C. M. D’Antonion).\nHer lab’s interests include studying how carbon and nitrogen are processed in ecosystems. In particular, her lab is interested in understanding carbon and nitrogen interactions between roots and soil microbes. She is also interested in understanding how the structure of soil microbial communities controls nitrogen and carbon transformations such as nitrification, denitrification, and mineralization\nShe is also interested in understanding the biophysical properties and mechanisms of bacteria and plant interactions in soil environments and examining how the physical characteristics of soil matrices affect the growth and activity of soil microbes\nHer work has broad ranging applications, most notably to questions concerning the role of soil microbes in mediating terrestrial ecosystem response to global change.\nBlazewicz, S.J., E. Schwartz, M.K. Firestone. 2014. Growth and death of bacteria and fungi underlie rainfall-induced carbon dioxide pulses from seasonally dried soil. Ecology (in Press). doi.org/10.1890/13-1031.1\nNuccio, Erin E., Angela Hodge, Jennifer Pett-Ridge, Donald J. Herman, Peter K. Weber, and Mary K. Firestone. 2013. An arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus significantly modifies the soil bacterial community and nitrogen cycling during litter decomposition. Environmental Microbiol. 15:1870-1881.\nPlacella, Sarah and Mary Firestone. 2013. Transcriptional Response of Nitrifying Communities to Wetting of Dry Soil. Applied Environ Microbiology. 79:10 3294-3302.\nPett-Ridge, Jennifer, Dorthe Petersen, Erin Nuccio, Mary Firestone. 2013. Influence of oxic/anoxic fluctuations on ammonia oxidizers and nitrification potential in a wet tropical soil. FEMS Microbiology Ecology. 85:179-194.\nBlazewicz, S.J., R.L. Barnard, R.A. Daly, M.K. Firestone. 2013. Evaluating rRNA as an indicator of microbial activity in environmental communities: limitations and uses. ISME J. 7:2061-2068.\nBarnard, R.L., C.A. Osborne, M.K. Firestone. 2013. Responses of soil bacterial and fungal communities to extreme desiccation and rewetting. ISME J. 7: 2229-2241.\nShi, Shengjing, Alan E. Richardson, Maureen O’Callaghan, Mary Firestone, and Leo Condron. 2013. Challenges in assessing links between root exudates and the structure and function of soil microbial community. In Molecular Microbial Ecology of the Rhizosphere. Frans J. de Bruijn ed.\nDoll, M Hannah, Armitage, W David, Daly, A Rebecca, Emerson, B Joanne, Goltsman,Aliaga Daniela S, Yelton, P Alexis, Kerekes, Jennifer, Firestone, K Mary, Potts, D Matthew. 2013. Utilizing novel diversity estimators to quantify multiple dimensions of microbial biodiversity across domains. BMC Microbiology. DOI: 10.1186/10.1186/1471-2180-13-259.\nHerman, D., M, Firestone, E. Nuccio, A. Hodge. 2012. Interactions between an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus and a soil microbial community mediating litter decomposition. FEMS Microbiology Ecology. FEMS Microbiology Ecology. 80:236-247.\nDeAngelis, K. and M. Firestone. 2012. Phylogenetic clustering of soil microbial communities in 16S rRNA but not 16S rRNA genes. Applied and Environmental Microbiol. 78(7): 2459.\nBlazewicz, S.J., D.G. Petersen, M.P. Waldrop, and M.K. Firestone. 2012. Anaerobic Oxidation of Methane in Tropical and Boreal Soils: Ecological Significance in Terrestrial Methane Cycling. J. Geophysical Res. Biogeosciences. 117 G02033: doi:10.1029/2011JG00186\nPlacella, S.A., E.L, Brodie, and M.K. Firestone. 2012. Rainfall induced carbon dioxide pulses result from sequential resuscitation of phylogenetically clustered microbial groups. PNAS. 109:10931-10936.\nThrockmorton, H.M., J.A. Bird, L. Dane, M.K. Firestone, and W.R. Horwath. 2012. The source of microbial C has little impact on soil organic matter stabilization in forest ecosystems. Ecology Lett. Doi:10.1111/j.1461-0248.2012.01848x\nPeterson, D. G., S. Blazewicz, D. J. Herman, M. Firestone, M. Turetsky, and M. Waldrop. 2012. Abundance of microbial genes associated with nitrogen cycling as indices of biogeochemical process rates across a vegetation gradient in Alaska. Environmental Microbiology 14: 993–1008\nBird, J.A., D.J. Herman and M.K. Firestone. 2011. Rhizosphere priming of soil organic matter by bacterial groups in a grassland soil. Soil Biology and Biochemistry 43:718-725.\nMary K. Firestone Wikipedia\nSimilar TopicsMy Suicidal Sweetheart\nEsther Bendahan\nJuan Emilio Cheyre\nMy Suicidal Sweetheart","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line474524"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6913224458694458,"wiki_prob":0.3086775541305542,"text":"Gresini Racing » News Moto2 » Race report » Further improvements for Lowes in Aragon post-race test\nFurther improvements for Lowes in Aragon post-race test\nFresh from the stunning victory in yesterday’s Aragon Grand Prix, Sam Lowes and the Team Federal Oil Gresini Moto2 were back in action today at Motorland Aragon for a post-race test day. The 26-year-old English rider continued to work hard with the team and Ohlins technicians looking for further improvements ahead of the upcoming flyaway races in Japan, Australia and Malaysia.\nThe team worked mainly on suspension, continuing to focus on race pace with excellent results: during the test Lowes showed an even better rhythm than the one which yesterday allowed him to win the Grand Prix by over 3 seconds.\nSAM LOWES\n“It was a very positive test because we managed to further improve our race pace from yesterday: honestly I didn’t expect it, because it was already very strong! In addition, we also improved our fastest lap time of the weekend. The team did a great job as always, and the new parts from Ohlins gave good results, so we will use them directly in the next Grand Prix in Japan. I’m very happy, it’s been a great weekend and I’m looking forward to race at Motegi”.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1064732"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6617359519004822,"wiki_prob":0.6617359519004822,"text":"Philip Morris Asia v Australia\nTobacco plain packaging BIT dispute\nGlobal | Publication | May 2016\nPhilip Morris Asia’s claim against Australia concerning Australia’s plain packaging laws has come to an end. The tribunal ruled (in December 2015) that it had no jurisdiction to decide the claim, which was filed in 2011, under the 1993 HK–Australia BIT.\nThe ruling\nOn December 17, 2015, the arbitral tribunal constituted to decide Philip Morris’s claim against Australia concerning Australia’s plain packaging laws (enacted in 2011) ruled that it had no jurisdiction to decide Philip Morris Asia Limited’s claim under the Hong Kong–Australia BIT (the Agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of Hong Kong for the Promotion and Protection of Investments of 1993). The tribunal was unanimous in upholding Australia’s jurisdictional challenge.\nRegulation of tobacco packaging\nThis decision forms the latest development in a series of legal proceedings, in domestic courts and before international tribunals, that have been commenced by tobacco companies and other countries in response to measures taken by governments to regulate the appearance of packaging used to contain tobacco products. These measures restrict the ability of tobacco companies to differentiate their brands in the design of the packaging. Australia, by introducing plain packaging legislation, is the first country to standardize the appearance of all cigarette packaging. All cigarettes sold in Australia are now required to be packaged in standard-sized boxes with an unappealing colour and look (by design); tobacco companies operating in Australia can no longer include their logos or marketing content (apart from the brand name and variant names, in standard font) on their products.\nThe tribunal constituted to decide Philip Morris’ claim\ncomprised\nProfessor Karl-Heinz Böckstiegel (presiding arbitrator, appointed by the Secretary-General of the Permanent Court of Arbitration)\nProfessor Gabrielle Kaufmann-Kohler (appointed by Philip Morris Asia Limited)\nProfessor Donald M McRae (appointed by Australia).\nRedaction of confidential information\nAs the Permanent Court of Arbitration, the arbitral institution administering the arbitration, has not yet published the award, the full rationale behind the tribunal’s decision has only been communicated to the parties. Due to the sensitive nature of the parties’ submissions, the tribunal had issued procedural directions permitting the parties to request the redaction of confidential information from any award, decision or order. This procedure for the redaction of the tribunal’s award has been triggered and is ongoing at the time of writing.\nThe 2011 notice of arbitration\nPhilip Morris Asia Limited is a company incorporated in Hong Kong. In its Notice of Arbitration dated November 21, 2011, it asserted that Australia had violated its intellectual property rights, as an investor in Australia, through the enactment and enforcement of the Tobacco Plain Packaging Act 2011 (Cth). Philip Morris Asia argued that by enacting and enforcing this Act, Australia breached its obligations under the HK–Australia BIT in two ways: by failing to provide Philip Morris Asia with the investment protections guaranteed under the treaty; and by depriving Philip Morris Asia of its investments, including the intellectual property and goodwill relating to Philip Morris’s tobacco products.\nAustralia’s response\nAustralia argued, in its Response to the Notice of Arbitration dated December 21, 2011, that Philip Morris Asia’s claim did not satisfy the jurisdictional conditions for the arbitral tribunal to exercise jurisdiction under the HK–Australia BIT. Australia also denied that it had breached any substantive obligation under the treaty by enacting the Tobacco Plain Packaging Act.\nAustralia contended that at the time that the dispute between the parties arose, Philip Morris Asia did not own an interest in the investments that it claims are covered by the investor protection provisions of the HK–Australia BIT.\nAustralia relied on the fact that Philip Morris Asia only acquired ownership of the relevant investments in February 2011, i.e. almost a year after Australia’s April 2010 announcement of its decision to introduce plain packaging legislation.\nAustralia also asserted, as a separate argument, that the HK–Australia BIT only accorded protection to investments that had been ‘admitted’ by the host State ‘subject to its law and investment policies applicable from time to time’ (article 1(e)). Australia argued that it was up to Philip Morris Asia to satisfy the tribunal that the investments which formed the subject of the dispute met the definition of an ‘investment’ covered under the BIT.\nAustralia had also requested that its jurisdictional objections and arguments be heard and determined at a preliminary phase, before any ruling by the tribunal on the merits of Philip Morris Asia’s claim. This request appears to have led to the award, albeit more than four years after the commencement of the arbitration.\nThe question of balance\nIt is now clear that these arbitral proceedings will not address the thorny issue of the ‘balance’ to be struck between the rights and expectations of a foreign investor and the right of a State to exercise its legislative and regulatory powers without incurring any obligation to pay compensation for the consequences.\nThe need for treaty planning\nIn light of the emphasis placed on the timing of Philip Morris Asia’s acquisition of the relevant investments in Australia’s arguments on jurisdiction, the award when published will likely reinforce the importance of early ‘treaty planning’, i.e. conducting an audit of the scope and nature of the treaty protections afforded to foreign investments, at an early stage.\nGuy Spooner is a partner and Samuel Leong is an associate in the Singapore office of Norton Rose Fulbright.\nSamuel Leong\nsamuel.leong@nortonrosefulbright.com","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line503287"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.565555989742279,"wiki_prob":0.43444401025772095,"text":"F7F Tigercat Pilot Pushes His Warbird In This Roaring Clip\nThis Pilot Clearly Doesn’t Care For Slow Flybys!\nAs of this writing, there are only 7 airworthy Tigercats around the world, with a few others under restoration and waiting to fly again. Overall, there were only 364 Grumman Tigercats built overall, as they were introduced in 1944 right before World War II ended.\nWith the military no longer needing additional aircraft and with the advent of jet power engines, the few Tigercats that were built were scheduled to be scrapped. A number of them were saved, however, as they were deemed surplus and could be purchased by the public.\nHere are some specs of this rare warbird:\nTigercats have room for 2, the pilot and radar operator\nThey have a top speed of 460 miles per hour\nThey’re powered by 2 Pratt & Whitney R-2800 radial engines\nThe Tigercat in this video is a 3P variant with the serial number 80425. She rolled off the assembly line in 1945 and as an F7F-3P, was a converted into a photo-reconnaissance aircraft but like most Tigercats, never saw any action.\nOver the next two decades she was used briefly as a farm plane, and in the 70s was converted into a tanker. With modifications, she put out forest fires in California and was finally acquired by a museum in Kansas where she was refurbished.\nHer current Marine markings were put on her by The Fighter Collection, a museum in Duxford, U.K.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1287004"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8561273217201233,"wiki_prob":0.8561273217201233,"text":"HomeStatisticsSports StarsPaco Alcácer Height, Weight, Age, Body Statistics\nPaco Alcácer Height, Weight, Age, Body Statistics\nPaco Alcácer Quick Info\nHeight 5 ft 9¼ in\nDate of Birth August 30, 1993\nGirlfriend Beatriz Viana López\nPaco Alcácer started attracting the attention of the Spanish establishment in the 2013-14 season. After having scored his first goal in January 2013, he went on a rampage and finished the season with 14 goals to his name. He had scored 7 goals in the UEFA Europa League that season, which made him the second-best goal scorer. Despite his team’s struggles in the next few seasons, he continued his rise and soon attracted attention from Barcelona, who were looking to add another dimension to their attacking play. But, he failed to break Luis Suarez’s stronghold as a center-forward and decided to join Borussia Dortmund to get his career back on track.\nFrancisco Alcácer García\nPaco Alcácer as seen in January 2018 (Paco Alcácer / Instagram)\nTorrent, Valencia, Spain\nPaco Alcácer polished his skills and game at the youth academy of the Spanish club, Valencia CF.\nProfessional Soccer Player\nFather – Paco Alcacer (He passed away in August 2011 after suffering a fatal heart attack outside the Mestalla stadium, where he had seen his son score a goal in a friendly match against A.S. Roma. He was leaving the stadium with his wife and son Paco after the end of the match.)\nMother – Imma Garcia\nSiblings – Jorge Alcácer García (Brother)\nPaco Alcácer is represented by Toldrá Consulting.\nShirt Number\n27, 16, 9 – Valencia CF\n17 – FC Barcelona\n9 – Borussia Dortmund\n9, 22 – Spain National Team\n5 ft 9¼ in or 176 cm\n71 kg or 156.5 lbs\nGirlfriend / Spouse\nPaco Alcácer has dated –\nBeatriz Viana López – Paco Alcácer is in a relationship with the Spanish beauty, Beatriz Viana López. As per the reports, they had been dating for quite a long time. In 2018, she gave birth to their baby girl, Martina.\nPaco Alcácer with Beatriz Viana López in June 2018 (Paco Alcácer / Instagram)\nShort height\nPaco Alcácer has signed a personal endorsement deal with Nike. The sponsorship deal requires him to wear Nike cleats for his professional as well as international teams.\nPaco Alcácer as seen in April 2013 (Heradiom / Wikimedia / CC BY-SA 3.0)\nHis consistent performances for the Spanish side, Valencia CF. Until 2017, he had played 124 matches and scored 43 goals for the club.\nHaving played for some of the most popular soccer clubs such as FC Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund\nFirst Soccer Match\nIn November 2010, he made his professional debut with Valencia CF in a Copa del Rey match against UD Logroñés. He started the match and played full 90 minutes in a 4-1 win.\nIn September 2016, Alcacer made his debut for Barcelona in a La Liga match against Alavés. With his side chasing the game, he was substituted by Luis Suarez in the 66th minute. He couldn’t make much of an impact and his side also lost by 2-1.\nHe made his first appearance for Borussia Dortmund in September 2018 in a Bundesliga home match against Eintracht Frankfurt. He replaced Maximilian Philipp in the second half and scored the last goal in his side’s 3-1 win.\nIn September 2014, he made his international start for Spain national team in a friendly match against France. He replaced Diego Costa in the second half of his side’s 0-1 defeat.\nLink-up play\nAerial ability\nAttacking movement\nOffside awareness\nDefensive work rate\nPaco Alcácer as seen shirtless in June 2016 (Paco Alcácer / Instagram)\nPaco Alcácer Facts\nHe scored his first top division goal in January 2013 during his loan spell at Getafe as he scored his side’s only goal in a match against Rayo Vallecano, which ended in a 3-1 defeat.\nIn January 2014, he scored his first goal for Valencia CF in a La Liga match against Espanyol, which ended in a 2-2 draw.\nHe scored the first hattrick of his professional career in Valencia‘s second leg match of UEFA Europa League quarter-finals against Basel in April 2014. His side was trailing by 3-0 after the first leg match but managed to overturn the deficit with a 5-0 win.\nAfter Helder Postiga left the club, Paco was assigned the number 9 jersey at the start of the 2014-15 season by the Valencia club management.\nIn January 2015, he signed a contract extension with Valencia, which extended his stay with the club until 2020. The new contract also increased his buyout clause to €80 million.\nIn December 2014, he was shown the first red card of his professional career in a La Liga match against Granada. He was punished for striking Granada‘s winger, Juan Carlos.\nThe Valencia manager Gary Neville stripped him off of captaincy in January 2016 after a poor run of results. The captaincy was handed to midfielder Daniel Parejo.\nBarcelona decided to pay a transfer fee of €30 million in August 2016 to secure his services. Paco Alcacer signed a 5-year deal with his new club.\nHe scored his first goal for Barcelona in December 2016 in a Copa del Rey match against Hércules. The Catalan side romped to a victory by 7-0.\nIn his debut season with Barcelona, he managed to win the Copa del Rey trophy. He even scored the final goal in his side’s 3-1 victory over Alaves in the final.\nIn his second season at Barcelona, he managed to win a domestic double comprising of the La Liga title and the Copa del Rey title.\nAfter having failed to break into the playing eleven of Barcelona in 2 seasons, he decided to part with the club in the 2018 summer transfer window to revive his career.\nIn August 2018, he joined Borussia Dortmund on a season-long transfer deal. The German club had an option to convert it into a permanent stay by paying Barcelona €30 million at the end of the season.\nHe was a star of the Spain under-17 side, which managed to reach the final of the 2010 UEFA European Championship. He was the top scorer with 6 goals in the tournament.\nFeatured Image by Paco Alcácer / Instagram\nPaco Alcácer\nHenry Shipley Height, Weight, Age, Body Statistics\nBlair Tickner Height, Weight, Age, Body Statistics\nAlexei Popyrin Height, Weight, Age, Body Statistics\nLava May 27, 2021 At 1:59 PM\n175 cm. 70 kg. villarrealcf.es/en/first-team/squad/player/1621-paco-alcacer-garcia\nAmrita Chattopadhyay Height, Weight, Age, Body Statistics\nAnubhav Singh Bassi Height, Weight, Age, Body Statistics\nHaha (Entertainer) Height, Weight, Age, Body Statistics\nVaishali Chaudhary Khutail Height, Weight, Age, Body Statistics","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1183060"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6006491780281067,"wiki_prob":0.3993508219718933,"text":"Florence Crittenton Campus Filled with Life and Learning\nThe Florence Crittenton campus came back to life when school started in August. Our staff and Board of Directors have worked tirelessly together to begin the school year in person and fully activated for FloCrit teen moms and children.\nThe Florence Crittenton campus came back to life when school started in August. Our staff and Board of Directors have worked tirelessly together to begin the school year in person and fully activated for FloCrit teen moms and children. We continue to follow safety protocol with mask usage and social distancing, and, 100% of our staff are fully vaccinated.\nBrianna and Math teacher Sarah Caulkins work through an equation together.\nOur teen moms experience a wide range of opportunities while back on campus, including continuing their education through on-site Florence Crittenton High School. Ruth Ocon-Neri, Florence Crittenton High School’s Senior Team Lead and English Language Arts – Spanish Instruction (ELA-S) Resource Teacher, is overjoyed to be back in person. “It has meant a lot for the teachers and myself. It’s meant we can be back with kids again, our students—we missed that.” Our teachers overcame many challenges during remote schooling last year. “It was not easy being online, partly because we couldn’t have that interaction or that relationship with our students,” Ruth adds. “Now, we can have that interaction and relationship and actually see what they’re doing. And, help them through the process of their thinking. So, it’s meant a lot for us to be back in person.” She also notes the importance of our teen moms interacting with one another, and how wonderful it is to hear the halls filled with laughter and chatter between periods. “Students can have more of a social life. That’s huge for us. It’s fun to see the girls come in everyday and really feel like they belong, like we belong, in this building.”\nHaseena, a senior and one of FloCrit’s teen moms back on campus, says, “It’s a lot easier for me to do my work. When I was stuck at home, it was just us [me and my children], and we didn’t really have much to do. I had a whole bunch of things I had to come up with or schedule and it was just hard. Now that school’s back in person, it’s a lot easier for me to have a good schedule.” Haseena is engaged in her classes and enjoys interacting with fellow students and her teachers following remote learning last spring. Haseena is eager to finish her last year at Florence Crittenton on campus and begin a career as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) or phlebotomist after graduation in the Spring.\nHaseena and her children Dawud and Fatima\nIn addition to continuing their high school education, teen moms are back to meeting one-on-one with our Student and Family Support Program (SFSP) team, who provide culturally-informed, asset-based case management to our teen moms. Our after-school enrichment activities are also back in full force, including a wide range of programs, such as tax and financial education sessions, volleyball games, and cooking classes. FloCrit continues to have its staff teach important classes that are unique to the FloCrit campus. These include our parenting education class, life skills, and one of our moms’ favorite classes: Art Therapy, led by our Art Therapist and Family Advocate Manager, Donica Snyder.\nTeen moms play volleyball after school\nTeen moms have long appreciated the Art Therapy class here at FloCrit, and it remains a highly anticipated class every year. “I have moms asking everyday how do they get enrolled in the art class,” Donica remarks. “I feel a real excitement and urgency that students want to express a lot of experiences that they haven’t been able to process. The moms who are currently in the class have shown a high level of reflection with very intense prompts—I’ve been very impressed.” Another benefit of the Art Therapy class is the ability for teen moms to work with one another and collaborate. “I’ve also seen a lot of camaraderie,” Donica notes. “It’s easy to see the value in something when you don’t have it for a whole year, and the moms have really taken advantage of the space by being helpful to one another. They are offering their wisdom in not only the art materials, but in relationships and parenting as well. I’m very proud of the community they’re building.”\nDonica works on techniques used in the art-o-biography projects with teen moms in her class\nDonica experienced challenges when approaching the idea of remote learning in an art class, which relies on physical communication, and adapted her virtual classroom to meet the needs of her students. Now that students are back on campus, Donica is thrilled to see her students in the classroom and producing art. “I love the energy of in-person learning, the sensing of people,” Donica comments. “A lot of the communication in the art room from the young moms is non-verbal. It’s felt, it’s seen in their body language, the cadence of their speech. I see it in their artwork. I’m able to be present with these nuances which is how I most effectively build relationships with my students.”\nAs they pursue their education at the High School and receive services from our SFSP team, our teen moms drop off their children at our Early Childhood Education (ECE) Center. Their children are back to learning and growing in our Center, where they are provided with family-style meals, three age-appropriate outdoor playgrounds, and hours of play-based learning using Teaching Strategies’ Creative Curriculum. Our ECE Center Director, MonaLisa Martinez—a graduate of FloCrit herself—felt relief as moms and children returned to campus. “When we walk into work,” she says, “we hear the sounds that we didn’t hear before. We hear laughing—we even hear the infants crying—those were sounds we didn’t hear, and it was actually really sad. And I feel like it was across the board. It wasn’t just me—everyone shared the same feeling of knowing that when we would walk in, it was just silent. It really brought a lot to light that our world without our children is just not the same.” Every ECE Center classroom includes an outside-facing door, providing a convenient opportunity for FloCrit teen moms to safely drop off their child every morning and connect with the ECE teachers about how their child is doing as everyone adapts to being back on campus.\nECE Teacher Ciara plays on the playground with the kids in her classroom\nDawud hangs out with his friends Aiden\nand Gage on the playground\nDawud, one of Haseena’s children enrolled at the ECE Center, loves being back in school and playing with other children. “I’m learning colors and ABCs in school. I like being at school with my friends again. I like going outside at school. Sometimes we have ABC homework. I know how to write my name—D-A-W-U-D. I learned that at school.”\nMona summarizes the impact of in-person learning: “Honestly, I missed the excitement, the ‘not knowing what’s going to happen today,’” she says. “You don’t realize how much you miss it until you don’t have it.” Our staff, Board, and teen families are proud and grateful to be back on campus safely.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1818926"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7325668931007385,"wiki_prob":0.2674331068992615,"text":"905-628-6412 info@turnerfh.ca\nKoleff, Patricia Margaret\nSeptember 18, 1950 – February 23, 2022\nIt is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Patricia Koleff (nee Kay) at the age of 72 at Columbia Forest Long Term Care, Waterloo after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s. Pat was the beloved wife of Peter who predeceased her in 2020.\nCherished sister of Beverley Richards (Ted) and Richard Kay (Shirley), lovingly remembered by her nieces Jennifer, Lynn, Lisa, Sandra, Samantha and nephew Corey (Bobbi Jo) Engler of Wellesley and her cousin Wayne Kay of Dundas. Predeceased by her loving parents Walter and Edna Kay and her Uncle Ken and Aunt Jean Kay.\nPat worked at the Home Hardware head office in St. Jacobs for over 40 years. Many thanks to friends from Home Hardware who continued to visit her after she entered long term care.\nThe family would like to extend our sincere gratitude and appreciation to the caring staff at Columbia Forest Long Term Care in Waterloo, especially Wendy who cared for Pat for all the years Pat was at Columbia Forest.\nAs expressions of sympathy donations to the Alzheimer’s Society of Perth County would be appreciated.\nCremation has taken place and burial will take place in the Spring in Dundas at a date TBA.\nBeverley Richards on February 25, 2022 at 4:08 pm\nIn loving Memory of a dear sister:\nTo hear your voice and see your smile,\nTo sit with you and talk a while,\nTo be together in the same old way,\nWould be my greatest wish today\nCorey & Bobbi-Jo on February 25, 2022 at 5:26 pm\nHeaven gained another beautiful angel.\nWe hope you are in resting in peace and together again with Pete.\nI’m sure you will be growing the most beautiful garden of flowers in Heaven.\nLove always. Xoxo\nCorey, Bobbi-Jo & The girls\nLynn Van Nes on February 25, 2022 at 5:37 pm\nYou are my sweet Angel forever and Always!! Miss you more than words can say!! Your Loving niece and God Daughter!!\nSandi on February 26, 2022 at 3:58 pm\nSuch a sweet aunt Had lots of lovely memories at the trailers at Fisherman’s Cove\nJoanne Winfield on February 27, 2022 at 8:30 am\nSympathy to your family. I haven’t seen Pat for a long time but she was a pleasure to work with and it was sad to hear about a valued member of the HH family. You will be missed\nAndrea on February 27, 2022 at 10:45 am\nRest in peace you were the most kind caring step mom i could have asked for i am saddened by this news but you and dad are together again always in my heart mamma i love you\nMary & Floyd on February 27, 2022 at 2:43 pm\nFor a dear good friend will miss baking cookies\nand the craft sales and all our long talks\nBut now your with the Angeles and Pete .\nMay you rest in peace. Love always\nMary Pope on February 27, 2022 at 3:55 pm\nSending my heartfelt sympathy to Pat’s family.\nPat was a longtime co-worker of mine. Pat had many friends, as part of the Home Hardware family, in St. Jacobs. She treasured the friendships.\nSincerely, Mary Pope\nPaul Straus on February 28, 2022 at 10:58 am\nOur thoughts and prayers go out to Pats family . Pat as a long term employee of Home Hardware always had the interest of her fellow colleagues and dealers. She had time to chat as you met her in hallways.\nPaul Straus\nBill Ferrguson on March 4, 2022 at 11:26 am\nI worked at Home Hardware Stores Limited for thirty-five years. I did not work directly with Pat, but whenever we crossed paths in the hallways or mailroom I always was met with her positive, cheerful disposition. She made the world a better place.\nMonds Jr., Scott Edward “Scotty”\nMcFadden, Mary “Lorraine”\nLeech, Thelma Gertrude (nee Setterlund)\nGeneviève Marianne Janine van Wersch – Syroid\nBurgess, Calogera “Lee” (nee Liota)\nArchives Select Month January 2023 December 2022 November 2022 October 2022 September 2022 August 2022 July 2022 June 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 January 2022 December 2021 November 2021 October 2021 September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013\nSubscribe for Obituary Notices\n53 Main St. Dundas, Ontario\nEmail: info@turnerfh.ca\nFuneral Establishment Operator - Class 1\nLicense Number FE-124","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1352113"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9491064548492432,"wiki_prob":0.9491064548492432,"text":"Sundance Institute Announces Films in U.S. and World Competitions, NEXT <=> for 2014 Sundance Film Festival\n30th Anniversary of the Sundance Film Festival will Feature 118 Feature-Length Films\nPark City, UT — Sundance Institute announced today the films selected for the U.S. and World Cinema Dramatic and Documentary Competitions and the out-of-competition NEXT <=> section of the 2014 Sundance Film Festival, January 16-26 in Park City, Salt Lake City, Ogden and Sundance, Utah.\nRobert Redford, President & Founder of Sundance Institute said, “That the Festival has evolved and grown as it has over the past 30 years is a credit to both our audiences and our artists, who continue to find ways to take risks and open our minds to the power of story. This year's films and artists promise to do the same.”\nKeri Putnam, Executive Director of Sundance Institute, said, “We are energized by the rich diversity of voices, characters and places represented in the films selected for our 2014 Sundance Film Festival. Independent filmmakers continue to engage us with stories from worlds both intimately familiar and unknown.”\nJohn Cooper, Director of the Sundance Film Festival, said, “The films selected for our 2014 Festival show that filmmakers are empowered and emboldened by the 30-year legacy of the independent film movement. The confidence to play with the medium and to surprise audiences indicates the vital role independent film has come to serve in the cultural landscape.”\nFor the 2014 Sundance Film Festival, 118 feature-length films were selected, representing 37 countries and 54 first-time filmmakers, including 34 in competition. These films were selected from 12,218 submissions (72 more than for 2013), including 4,057 feature-length films and 8,161 short films. Of the feature film submissions, 2,014 were from the U.S. and 2,043 were international. 97 feature films at the Festival will be world premieres.\nIn addition to those announced today, the Festival presents feature-length films in the Spotlight, Park City at Midnight, New Frontier, Premieres and Documentary Premieres sections. Those announcements, as well as selections for the Short Film section and new Sundance Kids section of films for younger audiences, are forthcoming.\nOn Day One, January 16, 2014, the Festival will screen one film from each of the four Competition sections, as well as one shorts program.\nA selection of films from the 2014 Festival will be among those presented at other Sundance Institute programs throughout the year, including the Sundance London film and music festival, April 25-27 at The O2, and the NEXT WEEKEND summer film festival in Los Angeles.\nU.S. DRAMATIC COMPETITION\nPresenting the world premieres of 16 narrative feature films, the Dramatic Competition offers Festivalgoers a first look at groundbreaking new voices in American independent film.\nCamp X-Ray / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Peter Sattler) — A young woman is stationed as a guard in Guantanamo Bay, where she forms an unlikely friendship with one of the detainees. Cast: Kristen Stewart, Payman Maadi, Lane Garrison, J.J. Soria, John Carroll Lynch.\nCold in July / U.S.A. (Director: Jim Mickle, Screenwriters: Jim Mickle, Nick Damici) — After killing a home intruder, a small town Texas man's life unravels into a dark underworld of corruption and violence. Cast: Michael C. Hall, Don Johnson, Sam Shepard, Vinessa Shaw, Nick Damici, Wyatt Russell.\nDear White People/ U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Justin Simien) — Four black students attend an Ivy League college where a riot breaks out over an “African American” themed party thrown by white students. With tongue planted firmly in cheek, the film explores racial identity in postracial America while weaving a story about forging one's unique path in the world. Cast: Tyler Williams, Tessa Thompson, Teyonah Parris, Brandon Bell.\nFishing Without Nets / U.S.A., Somalia, Kenya (Director: Cutter Hodierne, Screenwriters: Cutter Hodierne, John Hibey, David Burkman) — A story of pirates in Somalia told from the perspective of a struggling, young Somali fisherman. Cast: Abdikani Muktar, Abdi Siad, Abduwhali Faarah, Abdikhadir Hassan, Reda Kateb, Idil Ibrahim.\nGod's Pocket/ U.S.A. (Director: John Slattery, Screenwriters: John Slattery, Alex Metcalf) — When Mickey's stepson Leon is killed in a construction \"accident,\" Mickey tries to bury the bad news with the body. But when the boy's mother demands the truth, Mickey finds himself stuck between a body he can’t bury, a wife he can’t please, and a debt he can’t pay. Cast: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Richard Jenkins, Christina Hendricks, John Turturro.\nHappy Christmas / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Joe Swanberg) — After a breakup with her boyfriend, a young woman moves in with her older brother, his wife, and their 2-year-old son.Cast: Anna Kendrick, Melanie Lynskey, Mark Webber, Lena Dunham, Joe Swanberg.\nHellion / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Kat Candler) — When motocross and heavy metal obsessed, 13-year-old Jacob's delinquent behavior forces CPS to place his little brother Wes with his aunt, Jacob and his emotionally absent father must finally take responsibility for their actions and each other in order to bring Wes home. Cast: Aaron Paul, Juliette Lewis, Josh Wiggins, Deke Garner, Jonny Mars, Walt Roberts.\nInfinitely Polar Bear / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Maya Forbes) — A manic-depressive mess of a father tries to win back his wife by attempting to take full responsibility of their two young, spirited daughters, who don't make the overwhelming task any easier. Cast: Mark Ruffalo, Zoe Saldana, Imogene Wolodarsky, Ashley Aufderheide.\nJamie Marks is Dead / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Carter Smith) — No one seemed to care about Jamie Marks until after his death. Hoping to find the love and friendship he never had in life, Jamie’s ghost visits former classmate Adam McCormick, drawing him into the bleak world between the living and the dead. Cast: Cameron Monaghan, Noah Silver, Morgan Saylor, Judy Greer, Madisen Beaty, Liv Tyler.\nKumiko, the Treasure Hunter/ U.S.A. (Director: David Zellner, Screenwriters: David Zellner, Nathan Zellner) — A lonely Japanese woman becomes convinced that a satchel of money buried in a fictional film is, in fact, real. Abandoning her structured life in Tokyo for the frozen Minnesota wilderness, she embarks on an impulsive quest to search for her lost mythical fortune. Cast: Rinko Kikuchi.\nLife After Beth / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Jeff Baena) — Zach is devastated by the unexpected death of his girlfriend, Beth. When she mysteriously returns, he gets a second chance at love. Soon his whole world turns upside down... Cast: Aubrey Plaza, Dane DeHaan, John C. Reilly, Molly Shannon, Cheryl Hines, Paul Reiser.\nLow Down / U.S.A. (Director: Jeff Preiss, Screenwriters: Amy Albany, Topper Lilien) — Based on Amy Jo Albany's memoir, Low Down explores her heart-wrenching journey to adulthood while being raised by her father, bebop pianist Joe Albany, as he teeters between incarceration and addiction in the urban decay and waning bohemia of Hollywood in the 1970s. Cast: John Hawkes, Elle Fanning, Glenn Close, Lena Headey, Peter Dinklage, Flea.\nThe Skeleton Twins / U.S.A. (Director: Craig Johnson, Screenwriters: Craig Johnson, Mark Heyman) — Estranged twins Maggie and Milo coincidentally cheat death on the same day, prompting them to reunite and confront the reasons their lives went so wrong. As the twins' reunion reinvigorates them, they realize the key to fixing their lives may just lie in repairing their relationship. Cast: Bill Hader, Kristen Wiig, Luke Wilson, Ty Burrell, Boyd Holbrook, Joanna Gleason.\nThe Sleepwalker / U.S.A., Norway (Director: Mona Fastvold, Screenwriters: Mona Fastvold, Brady Corbet) — A young couple, Kaia and Andrew, are renovating Kaia´s secluded family estate. Their lives are violently interrupted when unexpected guests arrive. The Sleepwalkerchronicles the unraveling of the lives of four disparate characters as it transcends genre conventions and narrative contrivance to reveal something much more disturbing. Cast: Gitte Witt, Christopher Abbott, Brady Corbet, Stephanie Ellis.\nSong One / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Kate Barker-Froyland) — Estranged from her family, Franny returns home when an accident leaves her brother comatose. Retracing his life as an aspiring musician, she tracks down his favorite musician, James Forester. Against the backdrop of Brooklyn’s music scene, Franny and James develop an unexpected relationship and face the realities of their lives. Cast: Anne Hathaway, Johnny Flynn, Mary Steenburgen, Ben Rosenfield.\nWhiplash / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Damien Chazelle) — Under the direction of a ruthless instructor, a talented young drummer begins to pursue perfection at any cost, even his humanity. Cast: Miles Teller, JK Simmons. DAY ONE FILM\nU.S. DOCUMENTARY COMPETITION\nSixteen world-premiere American documentaries that illuminate the ideas, people, and events that shape the present day.\nAlive Inside: A Story of Music & Memory / U.S.A. (Director: Michael Rossato-Bennett) — Five million Americans suffer from Alzheimer's disease and dementia—many of them alone in nursing homes. A man with a simple idea discovers that songs embedded deep in memory can ease pain and awaken these fading minds. Joy and life are resuscitated, and our cultural fears over aging are confronted.\nAll the Beautiful Things / U.S.A. (Director: John Harkrider) — John and Barron are lifelong friends whose friendship is tested when Barron's girlfriend says Barron put a knife to her throat and raped her. Not knowing she has lied, John tells her to go to the police. Years later, John and Barron meet in a bar to resolve the betrayal.\nCAPTIVATED The Trials of Pamela Smart / U.S.A., United Kingdom (Director: Jeremiah Zagar) — In an extraordinary and tragic American story, a small town murder becomes one of the highest profile cases of all time. From its historic role as the first televised trial to the many books and movies made about it, the film looks at the media’s enduring impact on the case.\nThe Case Against 8 / U.S.A. (Directors: Ben Cotner, Ryan White) — A behind-the-scenes look inside the case to overturn California's ban on same-sex marriage. Shot over five years, the film follows the unlikely team that took the first federal marriage equality lawsuit to the U.S. Supreme Court.\nCesar's Last Fast / U.S.A. (Directors: Richard Ray Perez, Lorena Parlee) — Inspired by Catholic social teaching, Cesar Chavez risked his life fighting for America’s poorest workers. The film illuminates the intensity of one man’s devotion and personal sacrifice, the birth of an economic justice movement, and tells an untold chapter in the story of civil rights in America.\nDinosaur 13 / U.S.A. (Director: Todd Miller) — The true tale behind one of the greatest discoveries in history. DAY ONE FILM\nE-TEAM / U.S.A. (Directors: Katy Chevigny, Ross Kauffman) — E-TEAM is driven by the high-stakes investigative work of four intrepid human rights workers, offering a rare look at their lives at home and their dramatic work in the field.\nFed Up / U.S.A. (Director: Stephanie Soechtig) — Fed Up blows the lid off everything we thought we knew about food and weight loss, revealing a 30-year campaign by the food industry, aided by the U.S. government, to mislead and confuse the American public, resulting in one of the largest health epidemics in history.\nThe Internet's Own Boy: The Story of Aaron Swartz / U.S.A. (Director: Brian Knappenberger) — Programming prodigy and information activist Aaron Swartz achieved groundbreaking work in social justice and political organizing. His passion for open access ensnared him in a legal nightmare that ended with the taking of his own life at the age of 26.\nIvory Tower / U.S.A. (Director: Andrew Rossi) — As tuition spirals upward and student debt passes a trillion dollars, students and parents ask, \"Is college worth it?\" From the halls of Harvard to public and private colleges in financial crisis to education startups in Silicon Valley, an urgent portrait emerges of a great American institution at the breaking point.\nMarmato / U.S.A. (Director: Mark Grieco) — Colombia is the center of a new global gold rush, and Marmato, a historic mining town, is the new frontier. Filmed over the course of nearly six years, Marmato chronicles how townspeople confront a Canadian mining company that wants the $20 billion in gold beneath their homes.\nNo No: A Dockumentary / U.S.A. (Director: Jeffrey Radice) — Dock Ellis pitched a no-hitter on LSD, then worked for decades counseling drug abusers. Dock's soulful style defined 1970s baseball as he kept hitters honest and embarrassed the establishment. An ensemble cast of teammates, friends, and family investigate his life on the field, in the media, and out of the spotlight.\nThe Overnighters / U.S.A. (Director: Jesse Moss) — Desperate, broken men chase their dreams and run from their demons in the North Dakota oil fields. A local Pastor's decision to help them has extraordinary and unexpected consequences.\nPrivate Violence / U.S.A. (Director: Cynthia Hill) — One in four women experience violence in their homes. Have you ever asked, “Why doesn't she just leave?” Private Violence shatters the brutality of our logic and intimately reveals the stories of two women: Deanna Walters, who transforms from victim to survivor, and Kit Gruelle, who advocates for justice.\nRich Hill / U.S.A. (Directors: Andrew Droz Palermo, Tracy Droz Tragos) — In a rural, American town, kids face heartbreaking choices, find comfort in the most fragile of family bonds, and dream of a future of possibility.\nWatchers of the Sky / U.S.A. (Director: Edet Belzberg) — Five interwoven stories of remarkable courage from Nuremberg to Rwanda, from Darfur to Syria, and from apathy to action.\nWORLD CINEMA DRAMATIC COMPETITION\nTwelve films from emerging filmmaking talents around the world offer fresh perspectives and inventive styles.\n52 Tuesdays / Australia (Director: Sophie Hyde, Screenplay and story by: Matthew Cormack, Story by: Sophie Hyde) — Sixteen-year-old Billie’s reluctant path to independence is accelerated when her mother reveals plans for gender transition, and their time together becomes limited to Tuesdays. This emotionally charged story of desire, responsibility, and transformation was filmed over the course of a year—once a week, every week, only on Tuesdays. Cast: Tilda Cobham-Hervey, Del Herbert-Jane, Imogen Archer, Mario Späte, Beau Williams, Sam Althuizen. International Premiere\nBlind / Norway, Netherlands (Director and screenwriter: Eskil Vogt) — Having recently lost her sight, Ingrid retreats to the safety of her home—a place she can feel in control, alone with her husband and her thoughts. But Ingrid's real problems lie within, not beyond the walls of her apartment, and her deepest fears and repressed fantasies soon take over. Cast: Ellen Dorrit Petersen, Henrik Rafaelsen, Vera Vitali, Marius Kolbenstvedt. World Premiere\nDifret / Ethiopia (Director and screenwriter: Zeresenay Berhane Mehari) — Meaza Ashenafi is a young lawyer who operates under the government's radar helping women and children until one young girl's legal case exposes everything, threatening not only her career but her survival.Cast: Meron Getnet, Tizita Hagere. World Premiere\nThe Disobedient/ Serbia (Director and screenwriter: Mina Djukic) — Leni anxiously waits for her childhood friend Lazar, who is coming back to their hometown after years of studying abroad. After they reunite, they embark on a random bicycle trip around their childhood haunts, which will either exhaust or reinvent their relationship. Cast: Hana Selimovic, Mladen Sovilj, Minja Subota, Danijel Sike, Ivan Djordjevic. World Premiere\nGod Help the Girl / United Kingdom (Director and screenwriter: Stuart Murdoch) — This musical from Stuart Murdoch of Belle & Sebastian is about some messed up boys and girls and the music they made. Cast: Emily Browning, Olly Alexander, Hannah Murray, Cora Bissett, Pierre Boulanger. World Premiere\nLiar's Dice / India (Director and screenwriter: Geetu Mohandas) — Kamala, a young woman from the village of Chitkul, leaves her native land with her daughter to search for her missing husband. Along the journey, they encounter Nawazudin, a free-spirited army deserter with his own selfish motives who helps them reach their destination. Cast: Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Geetanjali Thapa, Manya Gupta. International Premiere\nLilting / United Kingdom (Director and screenwriter: Hong Khaou) — The world of a Chinese mother mourning the untimely death of her son is suddenly disrupted by the presence of a stranger who doesn't speak her language. Lilting is a touching and intimate film about finding the things that bring us together. Cast: Ben Whishaw, Pei-Pei Cheng, Andrew Leung, Peter Bowles, Naomi Christie, Morven Christie. World Premiere. DAY ONE FILM\nLock Charmer (El cerrajero)/ Argentina (Director and screenwriter: Natalia Smirnoff) — Upon learning that his girlfriend is pregnant, 33-year-old locksmith Sebastian begins to have strange visions about his clients. With the help of an unlikely assistant, he sets out to use his newfound talent for his own good. Cast: Esteban Lamothe, Erica Rivas, Yosiria Huaripata. World Premiere\nTo Kill a Man / Chile, France (Director and screenwriter: Alejandro Fernandez Almendras) — When Jorge, a hardworking family man who's barely making ends meet, gets mugged by Kalule, a neighborhood delinquent, Jorge's son decides to confront the attacker, only to get himself shot. Even though Jorge's son nearly dies, Kalule's sentence is minimal, heightening the friction. Cast: Daniel Candia, Daniel Antivilo, Alejandra Yañez, Ariel Mateluna. World Premiere\nViktoria / Bulgaria, Romania (Director and screenwriter: Maya Vitkova) — Although determined not to have a child in Communist Bulgaria, Boryana gives birth to Viktoria, who despite being born with no umbilical cord, is proclaimed to be the baby of the decade. But political collapse and the hardships of the new time bind mother and daughter together. Cast: Irmena Chichikova, Daria Vitkova, Kalina Vitkova, Mariana Krumova, Dimo Dimov, Georgi Spassov. World Premiere\nWetlands / Germany (Director: David Wnendt, Screenwriters: Claus Falkenberg, David Wnendt, based on the novel by Charlotte Roche) — Meet Helen Memel. She likes to experiment with vegetables while masturbating and thinks that bodily hygiene is greatly overrated. She shocks those around her by speaking her mind in a most unladylike manner on topics that many people would not even dare consider. Cast: Carla Juri, Christoph Letkowski, Meret Becker, Axel Milberg, Marlen Kruse, Edgar Selge. North American Premiere\nWhite Shadow / Italy, Germany, Tanzania (Director: Noaz Deshe, Screenwriters: Noaz Deshe, James Masson) — Alias is a young albino boy on the run. His mother has sent him away to find refuge in the city after witnessing his father's murder. Over time, the city becomes no different than the bush: wherever Alias travels, the same rules of survival apply. Cast: Hamisi Bazili, James Gayo, Glory Mbayuwayu, Salum Abdallah. International Premiere\nWORLD CINEMA DOCUMENTARY COMPETITION\nTwelve documentaries by some of the most courageous and extraordinary international filmmakers working today.\n20,000 Days On Earth / United Kingdom (Directors: Iain Forsyth & Jane Pollard) — Drama and reality combine in a fictitious 24 hours in the life of musician and international culture icon Nick Cave. With startlingly frank insights and an intimate portrayal of the artistic process, this film examines what makes us who we are and celebrates the transformative power of the creative spirit. World Premiere\nConcerning Violence / Sweden, U.S.A., Denmark, Finland (Director: Göran Hugo Olsson) —Concerning Violence is based on newly discovered, powerful archival material documenting the most daring moments in the struggle for liberation in the Third World, accompanied by classic text from The Wretched of the Earth by Frantz Fanon. World Premiere\nThe Green Prince / Germany, Israel, United Kingdom (Director: Nadav Schirman ) — This real-life thriller tells the story of one of Israel’s prized intelligence sources, recruited to spy on his own people for more than a decade. Focusing on the complex relationship with his handler, The Green Prince is a gripping account of terror, betrayal, and unthinkable choices, along with a friendship that defies all boundaries. World Premiere. DAY ONE FILM\nHappiness / France, Finland (Director: Thomas Balmès) — Peyangki is a dreamy and solitary eight-year-old monk living in Laya, a Bhutanese village perched high in the Himalayas. Soon the world will come to him: the village is about to be connected to electricity, and the first television will flicker on before Peyangki's eyes. North American Premiere\nLove Child / South Korea, U.S.A. (Director: Valerie Veatch) — In Seoul in the Republic of Korea, a young couple stands accused of neglect when \"Internet addiction\" in an online fantasy game costs the life of their infant daughter. Love Child documents the 2010 trial and subsequent ruling that set a global precedent in a world where virtual is the new reality. World Premiere\nMr leos caraX / France (Director: Tessa Louise-Salomé) — Mr leos caraX plunges us into the poetic and visionary world of a mysterious, solitary filmmaker who was already a cult figure from his very first film. Punctuated by interviews and previously unseen footage, this documentary is most of all a fine-tuned exploration of the poetic and visionary world of Leos Carax, alias Mr. X. World Premiere\nMy Prairie Home / Canada (Director: Chelsea McMullan) — A poetic journey through landscapes both real and emotional, Chelsea McMullan’s documentary/musical offers an intimate portrait of transgender singer Rae Spoon, framed by stunning images of the Canadian prairies. McMullan’s imaginative visual interpretations of Spoon’s songs make this an unforgettable look at a unique Canadian artist. International Premiere\nThe Notorious Mr. Bout / U.S.A., Russia (Directors: Tony Gerber, Maxim Pozdorovkin ) — Viktor Bout was a war profiteer, an entrepreneur, an aviation tycoon, an arms dealer, and—strangest of all—a documentary filmmaker. The Notorious Mr. Bout is the ultimate rags-to-riches-to-prison memoir, documented by the last man you'd expect to be holding the camera. World Premiere\nThe Return to Homs / Syria, Germany (Director: Talal Derki) — Basset Sarout, the 19-year-old national football team goalkeeper, becomes a demonstration leader and singer, and then a fighter. Ossama, a 24-year-old renowned citizen cameraman, is critical, a pacifist, and ironic until he is detained by the regime's security forces. North American Premiere\nSEPIDEH – Reaching for the Stars / Denmark (Director: Berit Madsen) — Sepideh wants to become an astronaut. As a young Iranian woman, she knows it’s dangerous to challenge traditions and expectations. Still, Sepideh holds on to her dream. She knows a tough battle is ahead, a battle that only seems possible to win once she seeks help from an unexpected someone. North American Premiere\nWe Come as Friends / France, Austria (Director: Hubert Sauper) — We Come as Friends views colonization as a human phenomenon through both explicit and metaphoric lenses without oversimplified accusations or political theorizing. Alarmingly, It is not a historical film since colonization and the slave trade still exist. World Premiere\nWeb Junkie / Israel (Directors: Shosh Shlam, Hilla Medalia) — China is the first country to label “Internet addiction” a clinical disorder. Web Junkie investigates a Beijing rehab center where Chinese teenagers are deprogrammed. World Premiere\nNEXT <=>\nPure, bold works distinguished by an innovative, forward-thinking approach to storytelling populate this program. Digital technology paired with unfettered creativity promises that the films in this section will shape a “greater” next wave in American cinema.\nAppropriate Behavior / U.S.A., United Kingdom (Director and screenwriter: Desiree Akhavan) — Shirin is struggling to become an ideal Persian daughter, a politically correct bisexual, and a hip, young Brooklynite, but fails miserably in her attempt at all identities. Being without a cliché to hold on to can be a lonely experience. Cast: Desiree Akhavan, Rebecca Henderson, Halley Feiffer, Scott Adsit, Anh Duong, Arian Moayed. World Premiere\nDrunktown's Finest / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Sydney Freeland) — Three young Native Americans—a rebellious father-to-be, a devout Christian woman, and a promiscuous transsexual—come of age on an Indian reservation. Cast: Jeremiah Bitsui, Carmen Moore, Morningstar Angeline, Kiowa Gordon, Shauna Baker, Elizabeth Francis.World Premiere\nThe Foxy Merkins / U.S.A. (Director: Madeleine Olnek, Screenwriters: Lisa Haas, Jackie Monahan, Madeleine Olnek) — Two lesbian hookers work the streets of New York. One is a down-on-her-luck newbie; the other is a beautiful—and straight—grifter who's an expert on picking up women. Together they face bargain-hunting housewives, double-dealing conservative women, and each other in this prostitute buddy comedy. Cast: Lisa Haas, Jackie Monahan, Alex Karpovsky, Susan Ziegler, Sally Sockwell, Deb Margolin.\nA Girl Walks Home Alone at Night / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Ana Lily Amirpour) — In the Iranian ghost town Bad City, a place that reeks of death and loneliness, depraved denizens are unaware they are being stalked by a lonesome vampire. Cast: Sheila Vand, Arash Marandi, Dominic Rains, Marshall Manesh, Mozhan Marnó, Milad Eghbali.World Premiere\nImperial Dreams / U.S.A. (Director: Malik Vitthal, Screenwriters: Malik Vitthal, Ismet Prcic) — A 21-year-old, reformed gangster's devotion to his family and his future are put to the test when he is released from prison and returns to his old stomping grounds in Watts, Los Angeles. Cast: John Boyega, Rotimi Akinosho, Glenn Plummer, Keke Palmer, De'aundre Bonds.World Premiere\nLand Ho! / U.S.A., Iceland (Directors and screenwriters: Martha Stephens, Aaron Katz) — A pair of ex-brothers-in-law set off to Iceland in an attempt to reclaim their youth through Reykjavik nightclubs, trendy spas, and rugged campsites. This bawdy adventure is a throwback to 1980s road comedies, as well as a candid exploration of aging, loneliness, and friendship. Cast: Paul Eenhoorn, Earl Nelson, Alice Olivia Clarke, Karrie Krouse, Elizabeth McKee, Emmsjé Gauti.World Premiere\nListen Up Philip / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Alex Ross Perry) — A story about changing seasons and changing attitudes, a newly accomplished writer faces mistakes and miseries affecting those around him, including his girlfriend, her sister, his idol, his idol's daughter, and all the ex-girlfriends and enemies that lie in wait on the open streets of New York. Cast: Jason Schwartzman, Elisabeth Moss, Jonathan Pryce, Krysten Ritter, Josephine de La Baume. World Premiere\nMemphis / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Tim Sutton) — A strange singer drifts through the mythic city of Memphis, surrounded by beautiful women, legendary musicians, a stone-cold hustler, a righteous preacher, and a wolf pack of kids. Under a canopy of ancient oak trees and burning spirituality, his doomed journey breaks from conformity and reaches out for glory. Cast: Willis Earl Beal, Lopaka Thomas, Constance Brantley, Devonte Hull, John Gary Williams, Larry Dodson. World Premiere\nObvious Child / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Gillian Robespierre) — An honest comedy about what happens when Brooklyn comedian Donna Stern gets dumped, fired, and pregnant, just in time for the worst/best Valentine's Day of her life. Cast: Jenny Slate, Jake Lacy, Gaby Hoffmann, David Cross, Gabe Liedman, Richard Kind.World Premiere\nPing Pong Summer / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Michael Tully) — 1985. Ocean City, Maryland. Summer vacation. Rap music. Parachute pants. Ping pong. First crushes. Best friends. Mean bullies. Weird mentors. That awkward, momentous time in your life when you're treated like an alien by everyone around you, even though you know deep down you're as funky fresh as it gets. Cast: Susan Sarandon, John Hannah, Lea Thompson, Amy Sedaris, Robert Longstreet, Marcello Conte.World Premiere\nWar Story / U.S.A. (Director: Mark Jackson, Screenwriters: Kristin Gore, Mark Jackson) — A war photographer retreats to a small town in Sicily after being held captive during the conflict in Libya. Cast: Catherine Keener, Hafsia Herzi, Vincenzo Amato, Donatella Finocchiaro, Ben Kingsley.World Premiere\nThe Sundance Film Festival®\nCelebrating its 30th anniversary in 2014, the Festival has introduced global audiences to some of the most groundbreaking films of the past three decades, including Beasts of the Southern Wild, Fruitvale Station, Little Miss Sunshine, An Education, sex, lies, and videotape, Reservoir Dogs,The Cove, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, An Inconvenient Truth, Precious, and Napoleon Dynamite, and through its New Frontier initiative, has showcased the cinematic works of media artists including Isaac Julien, Doug Aitken, Pierre Huyghe, Jennifer Steinkamp, and Matthew Barney. The Festival is a program of the non-profit Sundance Institute®. 2014 Festival sponsors to date include: Presenting Sponsors – HP, Acura, Sundance Channel and Chase Sapphire Preferred®; Leadership Sponsors – Airbnb, DIRECTV, Entertainment Weekly, LensCrafters, Southwest Airlines, Sprint and YouTube; Sustaining Sponsors – Adobe, Canada Goose, Canon U.S.A., Inc., FilterForGood®, a partnership between Brita® and Nalgene®, Hilton HHonors and Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Ketel One Vodka, L'Oréal Paris, MorningStar Farms®, Omnicom, Quaker Oats Company, Stella Artois® and Time Warner Inc. Sundance Institute recognizes critical support from the Utah Governor's Office of Economic Development, and the State of Utah as Festival Host State. The support of these organizations helps offset the Festival’s costs and sustain the Institute's year-round programs for independent film and theatre artists. www.sundance.org/festival\nFounded by Robert Redford in 1981, Sundance Institute is a global, nonprofit cultural organization dedicated to nurturing artistic expression in film and theater, and to supporting intercultural dialogue between artists and audiences. The Institute promotes independent storytelling to unite, inform and inspire, regardless of geo-political, social, religious or cultural differences. Internationally recognized for its annual Sundance Film Festival and its artistic development programs for directors, screenwriters, producers, film composers, playwrights and theatre artists, Sundance Institute has nurtured such projects as Beasts of the Southern Wild, Fruitvale Station, Sin Nombre, An Inconvenient Truth, Spring Awakening, Born into Brothels,Trouble the Water, Light in the Piazza and Angels in America. Join Sundance Institute onFacebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.\nLabels: American, festival, film, independent, International, Sundance\nNine films short-listed for Foreign Language Oscar\n2013 National Film Registry selections\nToronto Film Critics Association announces winners...\nFilm Comment announces 2013 Best of Year lists\n2013 Black List of top unproduced screenplays\n7 features advance in race for Makeup and Hairstyl...\n114 Original Scores in 2013 Oscar Race\n71st Annual Golden Globe Awards – nominations\n2013 Asia Pacific Screen Awards – winners\nScreen Actors Guild announced SAG Awards 2013 nomi...\nShort Film program announced for 2014 Sundance Fil...\nSundance announces Premieres And Documentary Premi...\nAmerican Film Institute announces AFI Awards 2013 ...\n16th Moët British Independent Film Awards – winners\n26th European Film Awards – winners\n2013 International Documentary Awards – winners\n56th Grammy Awards – nominees\nThe Shortest Day Film Celebration – free short fil...\n10 Contenders Remain in VFX Oscar Race\nSundance 2014 announces Spotlight, Park City at Mi...\nSundance Institute Announces Films in U.S. and Wor...\nTIFF reveals Canada's Top Ten Films of 2013\n15 Feature Documentaries advance in 2013 Oscar Race\n2013 IPA Satellite Awards – nominations","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1497403"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6766170263290405,"wiki_prob":0.6766170263290405,"text":"Planes, Trains & Automobiles...\nPhotographs of some of my favorite means of transportation by Bill Dickinson\nThe An-124 is powered by four Lotarev D-18 turbofan engines, each capable of generating up to 238–250 kN of thrust. Shown here on the apron at Richmond International Airport.\nAt the Nose - AN-124\nThe Antonov An-124 Ruslan, this giant four-engined aircraft was designed in the 1980s by the Antonov design bureau in the Ukrainian SSR, then part of the Soviet Union.\nTesla EV Charging\nA Tesla Supercharger station located at a Wawa gas station. These super fast EV chargers allows you to recharge on a trip and grab a cup of coffee or a quick bite and get back on the road.\n1954 Ford Crestline - resting in a field near Warsaw Virginia USA.\nTake the King Air\nBeechcraft King Air 350 on the apron at Richmond International Airport\nCarolinian\nSunset on the fleet of charter fishing boats docked near Oregon Inlet, North Carolina - OBX.\nGulfhawk Biplane\nThe Grumman F3F was the last American biplane fighter aircraft. This civilian aerobatic two-seat variant, the G-22A Gulfhawk II, was used as a demonstration aircraft for Gulf Oil Company. On display at at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center of the National Air and Space Museum in Chantilly, VA.\nOne of twelve surviving C&O 2-8-4 \"Kanawha\" type locomotives. 2732 is on display at the Science Museum of Virginia in Richmond VA\nCadillac Sedan De Ville 1956\nPort of Virginia Marine Terminals\nContainerized cargo ship at the Port of Virginia marine terminals Hampton Roads - Norfolk International Terminals (NIT) at Norfolk, Virginia\nCherry Red Custom Ford Pickup\nA beautiful custom pickup truck\nTrophy Hunter\nOne more of the Outer Banks docks at sunset. Oregon Inlet - North Carolina's Outer Banks #OBX\nMaritime Shipping\nPort at Work\nThe B-29 Superfortress Enola Gay was the most sophisticated propeller-driven bomber of World War II and the first bomber to house its crew in pressurized compartments. On August 6, 1945, this aircraft dropped the first atomic weapon used in combat on Hiroshima, Japan The Enola Gay - Boeing B-29, named for Enola Gay Tibbets, the mother of the pilot, Colonel Paul Tibbets.\nNorfolk & Western #1218\n1218 is a steam locomotive that at one time was the strongest-pulling operational steam locomotive in the world. It is a four-cylinder simple articulated locomotive with a 2-6-6-4 (Whyte system) wheel arrangement. The Norfolk & Western Railway built it in 1943 at its Roanoke Shops in Roanoke, Virginia, and was part of the Norfolk & Western's class A fleet of fast freight locomotives. Roanoke, Virginia\nCadillac Lines\nSpace Shuttle Discovery\nThe Shuttle Discovery on display at the National Air and Space Museum, Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center - Chantilly, Virginia\nHot Rod roadster\nDownbound Train\nPassenger Rail Cars\nLuxury private jet Gulfstream G450\nNatural Fusion\nAdd equal parts of desert, car, and sun... instant car ad photo - 2012 Ford Fusion SEL\nAircraft Trio\nFormation of three aircraft displayed at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, Chantilly, VA. Front to back: 1) Schweizer Aircraft SGU 2-22EK two-seat training glider. 2) Fairchild C-4C Challenger - North Penn Airways - open-cockpit biplane. 3) Travel Air Manufacturing Company - Pepsi Skywriter - open-cockpit biplane.\nGraffiti Caboose\nAlthough the caboose has largely fallen out of use, you can occasionally spot them on a working train bearing the scars of long service and a fresh coat of urban camouflage.\n1948 GMC 5 window Pickup truck","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1499219"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5576865077018738,"wiki_prob":0.4423134922981262,"text":"Astrology Zone Taurus August\nWhen people ask if there is a connection between the stars and the earth’s movements, the answer is usually yes. The planets are believed to have lines of sight and conversations with one another. These lines of sight determine how they interact with one another’s energies. The same goes for standing across a room from someone will produce different energetics than if you are next to them. In this way, astrologers can be excused for making errors.\nThe news these days is often filled with a whole range of stressful events that can affect the health of any person. Astrology can provide a sense of distance and help people deal with life’s ups, downs, and challenges. For instance, astrology teaches us that the world doesn’t move linearly and that it moves in cycles, and that the actors in history are archetypes.\nDespite widespread skepticism and the skepticism of its benefits, astrology has a long history in Britain and the United States. R.H. Naylor was a well-known astrologer who worked with the high-society neoshaman Cheiro in the early 20th century. He was regularly tapped to read the palms famous people like Grover Cleveland, Winston Churchill, and Mark Twain. He was also hired by newspapers to predict lives of celebrities, such as prime ministers and other celebrities.\nThe Babylonians had begun to divide the zodiac into 12 equal signs by 1500 BC. They also used familiar constellation names to incorporate them into Greek divination. This work led to the Tetrabiblos, which is the foundational book in Western astrology. But as the ancients adapted the ideas of astrology, the practice spread throughout the world and branched out into different countries. The most famous of these forms are Tibetan, Vedic, and Chinese.\nThe Moon represents our emotions and the Sun our self-confidence. These two planets influence our sense of safety and security. Mercury, for example, is our planet of information and communication. Venus, on the contrary, shapes relationships, art and money. Mars, on the contrary, influences energy, sexual expression, courage, and energy. Although these differences are minor, there are some common threads between the different zodiac signs.\nAstrology is not a reliable method of divination, but it has a good reputation. Millennials may be more inclined to be skeptical than previous generations. Their tendency to turn to astrology may simply be a reflection of the way their lives have evolved. While we can’t prove the answers we get from these stars, we can take comfort in knowing that they are real, not just a projection of our hopes and fears.\nAstrology has become a vital tool in modern life. Astrology can help explain things such as earthquakes and the rise in social media. The rise of social media has been linked to the sun in the tenth house, which governs prestige and reputation. Psychological astrology, influenced by the work of Carl Jung, uses the birth chart as a mirror of the psyche. People can use their natal chart to make predictions or give advice.\nThe roots of astrology are found in the ancient world. In ancient times, the signs and constellations of the stars were believed to correlate with the lives of their inhabitants. But later, astronomy, which involves the study of the stars and planets, became a separate field of study. By the late 17th century, this became a distinct science. It is possible to predict future events by studying the stars and planets. It can even help people make important decisions about their health.\nThe Sun is the most significant star in the sky. However, other celestial bodies play an important part. Mercury, Venus, Mars, and the Moon are each related to a particular house in the birth chart. These bodies move at different rates depending on where they were born and when they were born. The moon, for example, can spend almost two-and-a-half days in a sign, while Mercury can spend between fifteen and sixty days.\nAstrology can be a powerful tool for understanding yourself or others. Basic astrology, the sun and moon, as well as the twelve houses of horoscope, is required. Then you can begin to interpret the signs and their characteristics. You will begin to understand the world around and your fellow human beings. Understanding your signs and the symbols they represent is key to understanding others.\nAstrology Water Dominant\nAstrology Chart In Hindi","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line792171"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9560506343841553,"wiki_prob":0.9560506343841553,"text":"OTTAWA CHARTERS FLIGHTS TO BRING FLEEING UKRAINIANS TO CANADA\nBy Bob Komsic\nThree Canadian charter flights to bring Ukrainians fleeing the Russian invasion will depart Poland in the coming weeks.\nThe first will leave for Winnipeg May 23, the second will depart for Montreal May 29 and the third flight to Halifax will take off June 2, with seating available on a first come, first served basis.\nImmigration Minister Sean Fraser says the three flights are in addition to commercial options available and subsidized by a special fund.\nOttawa says thousands of refugees have arrived in Canada since the start of the war, and it’s unclear how many more will come.\n”We’ve seen so far about 92,000 approvals through the emergency program largely since the end of March and it’s being processed now quite quickly so I expect that number to continue to grow,” said Fraser.\n”It’s difficult to predict where it’s going to end up because what we’re hearing on the ground is there’s a lot of people who are taking it out on a speculative basis so to speak to monitor the situation on the ground in Ukraine, to figure out whether it’s something they’re going to need to avail themselves of.”","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line859697"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5836297273635864,"wiki_prob":0.4163702726364136,"text":"New project being assessed by Parks Canada – Public comments invited from January 5 to February 4, 2023\nWritten comments must be submitted by February 4, 2023 to contact identified on the project page.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1171455"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5890555381774902,"wiki_prob":0.5890555381774902,"text":"This article was published on September 10, 2015\nGoogle’s Bazel tool for software builds and testing launches in beta\nSeptember 10, 2015 - 9:33 am\nAbhimanyu Ghoshal\nAbhimanyu is TNW's Managing Editor, and is all about personal devices, Asia's tech ecosystem, as well as the intersection of technology and (show all) Abhimanyu is TNW's Managing Editor, and is all about personal devices, Asia's tech ecosystem, as well as the intersection of technology and culture. Hit him up on Twitter, or write in: [email protected].\nGoogle has announced the beta release of Bazel, an open source system for developers to create and test software builds on a variety of platforms.\nThe company says it uses Bazel to build most of its software, and that it’s suitable for projects that involve large shared code repositories and extensive automated testing and release processes.\nBazel promises potentially faster build times, as it can recompile select files instead of entire projects and can avoid re-running tests of code that it knows hasn’t changed.\nHowever, the company acknowledges that it may not be useful if you’re running build operations whose outputs should not be cached, or if you’re using interpreted languages directly.\nBazel is available for Linux and OS X and can be used to build and test projects in C++, Java, Python and more.\nIt also includes support for building Android and iOS apps, as well as Docker images, and lets you use libraries from sources like GitHub and Maven. If you prefer, you can dig into Bazel’s API to add your own build rules.\nGoogle says it hopes to add a Windows version, distributed caching, and Go support in its final release.\n➤ Bazel [via Google Open Source Blog]\nPublished September 10, 2015 - 9:33 am UTC\nStanford AI experts call BS on claims that Google’s LaMDA chatbot is sentient\nStop debating whether AI is ‘sentient’ — the question is if we can trust it\nScathing study exposes Google’s harmful approach to AI development\nGoogle will delete abortion clinic location history — but don’t relax just yet","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line43946"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5244929194450378,"wiki_prob":0.47550708055496216,"text":"Markets recouping from heavy losses\nNew York — Wall Street found a foothold yesterday as investors, still anxious that a credit crunch could crimp U.S. growth, took advantage of low prices after last week's steep losses. The Dow Jones industrial average surged more than 90 points.\nSome solid earnings and takeover activity boosted the stock market, which was coming off the Dow's and the Standard & Poor's 500 index's biggest weekly drops in nearly five years. The Dow is still down about 4.8 percent from its July 19 record close of 14,000.41, having caved under worries about a shakier lending climate.\nIn a sign that aversion to corporate debt hasn't stanched deal-making, industrial equipment manufacturer Ingersoll-Rand said it's selling its Bobcat earth-moving division and two other units to South Korea's Doosan Infracore for $4.9 billion.\nAnd despite rising defaults and delinquencies in mortgage lending, HSBC Holdings PLC, Europe's largest bank by market value, posted a 25 percent rise in first-half earnings. Also, General Motors Corp.'s GMAC Financial Services said second-quarter profit declined but that it expects its residential lending business to improve in the second half of the year.\n\"At this point, I'd call it a relief rally,\" said Henry Herrmann, chief executive officer at investment management firm Waddell & Reed. The Dow rose 92.84, or 0.70 percent, to 13,358.31, after falling by as much as 46 points during the session. On Thursday and Friday, the Dow plunged a total of 585 points.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line645424"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5778760313987732,"wiki_prob":0.5778760313987732,"text":"DLC, microtransactions, paywalls... what's the deal?\nThis has been a pretty hot-button topic at least since the infamous horse armor in Oblivion. EA's new Star Wars Battlefront II is the most recent high profile offender; though criticism has been leveled at most everyone at some point over the past several years.\nI'd like to talk about it a little- but first I want to lay out my personal approach.\nThe Bounty: Deluxe Edition has a LOT of post-launch content updates coming. It's all stuff that I'd like to have in day one, but time just doesn't allow.\nIt's all coming for FREE. Here's why. First of all, it's what I want to do, and it feels like the right thing to do. I love it when a developer adds stuff to the games I enjoy- and doesn't ask for anything in return. It gives an impression like, \"Man, these cats really care about this thing they've built.\" It keeps me personally invested. Secondly, my overhead is low. I'm just one dude. So I keep these updates coming, keep the game really alive, keep attracting new players; and keep the older ones involved. It's good for everyone, and for the game that I've invested so many years in.\nHere's the Schedule-\nWinter '17-'18\nEndless Dungeon Level Pack 1\nNew Player Skins\nSpring '18 #1\nExtra Episode 1\nNew Dungeon Skin\nThe first year's updates will effectively double the amount of content to be found at launch. Some of these are already partially finished. The Endless Dungeon's framework is built in a way that all I really have to do is make new maps, and plug in the array of events, and voila. Level pack. So yeah, it's a LOT of stuff... but I'm not going to kill myself getting it out. If I were a big company, a lot more would be at stake.\nPaid DLC, is it that bad?\nSometimes, yes. Let's say that right now. There's a lot of skeezy stuff out there, man. So, when is it ok? This depends on you, but my threshold seems to be about where it's definitely value added, and wasn't just present content locked behind a paywall. This can get tricky though, right? In Capcom's case with Street Fighter X Tekken, they had character files on the disc itself, which became available for purchase later on. I was ok with this, but why? The assets were built, yeah... but fully testing, balancing, and integrating characters in a fighting game? That's the real work, so I was happy to pay there. There are a lot of people in these companies that work very hard; games are overall cheaper than ever too, so how do they keep this thing going? Paid DLC is definitely one way.\nWhat if a game launches, and on day one there's DLC available for extra levels or something? Are you ok with that? Did they have a assign a separate team to get that content built and ready? It's hard to say, but I'd like to hear YOUR opinions.\nI often long for the \"good old days\", when you bought the cartridge and that was it. The game was in your hands already, totally complete. I also look back very fondly at good old PC game expansion packs, which I mean... were well packaged DLC. On the other hand, these streamlined additions are cool. Not having to buy 3 versions of Street Fighter, but just adding the new content. Diablo 3 is hardly the same experience as when it first launched. The fact that I can release a game... and keep adding to well after launch is special to me.\nThere are abusers, and that is not ok. I can't just dismiss the concept because of a few bad apples, but that's me.\nThe Bounty: Deluxe Edition- A Quick Look at How it Looks.\nA Post-mortem, Part 2 of ?.\n​ This will be a short piece, I promise. The graphics are pretty much the least important part of this game from my standpoint- so besides some neat simple things and the (awesome) monster sprites, there isn't much to say! (famous last words)\nGeneral Design\nGenerally speaking, the look and feel are really simple. Very deliberate, edged map layouts. Very plain \"textures\" to keep the player focused on the action and inconsistencies/clues. Lots of breaks in patterns for small levels, with a mix of clear and subtle landmarks or \"tells\" for larger ones.\nAll of the visuals adhere to a pixelated 16 bit standard. This means 15 colors + transparency maximum, a 4:3 viewing area, and size consistent with the era. Where we did cheat a bit is with the dynamic lighting! The effect is just cool and easy to implement for a number of things from torches to Bonus Level collectibles, so that's what stuck. ;)\nSimple, yet effective!\n​Non-Standard.\nOne of the more distinguishable parts in The Bounty Deluxe are the multitude of player and dungeon skins. Using a in-game items (and sometimes passwords) you can change your character's appearance and the style of the game's graphics. Some are based on gaming history, some on backers, and some are plain silly- but there's a variety. A lot more will be coming with the free game updates, so there should definitely be options for everybody.\nThere's a LOT more where this comes from!\n​​Weird Stuff?\nThe game is constantly breaking the fourth wall to keep your aware. One of the ways this happens is visually. From swappable graphics, arcade cabinets and code peeking through breaks in the walls, to the office and secret test lounge, to \"glitches\", you'll see plenty of irregularities! These are meant to keep you from getting to comfortable in the game world; and hopefully get a chuckle or two.\nMonsters!\nHere's where things get expressive. Every last one of the beasties were lovingly crafted by Michael Wright, aka The Quester, aka The Bard of Badassery, etc. These guys are more evocative of perhaps the NES, with big, bold designs that really get in your face.\nT​hat'll do it for now. Next up will be music and SFX, with some input from Dya himself. That one will be a lot of fun, so I hope you're looking forward to it!","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line136911"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5291805863380432,"wiki_prob":0.5291805863380432,"text":"Education 1 Other 1 Training 1 Addictive Behaviors 1 Child/Adolescent 1 Clinical 1\nDepartment Chair 1 Testing and Assessment 1\nCounseling Statistics Group Processes Biopsychology Lifespan Missouri\nAssistant Clinical or Associate Clinical Professor of Clinical Psychology [Non-Tenure Track]\nThe Department of Psychological Sciences [https://psychology.missouri.edu/] at the University of Missouri invites applications for a 12-month clinical faculty position (.75-1.0 FTE) in its Psychological Services Clinic (PSC) beginning on or about August 1, 2023 . The PSC serves as the primary training clinic for doctoral students in the department’s dually-accredited (APA, PCSAS) Clinical Psychology Program. We are seeking applicants who can contribute to the PSC’s mission to provide and train students in the provision of high-quality, affordable, culturally-responsive, evidence-based services; and to support research that advances understanding and effective promotion of psychological health, consistent with the clinical program’s clinical-scientist training model. We are especially interested in candidates who will contribute to our mission to foster and support a diverse and inclusive environment for student training and service delivery. We are specifically...\nUniversity of Missouri-Columbia Columbia, MO, USA Full time","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line669191"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8968072533607483,"wiki_prob":0.8968072533607483,"text":"College baseball: Seminoles complete sweep of FGCU in rain-shortened game\nWAYNE McGAHEE III\nUSA TODAY NETWORK-FLORIDA\nTALLAHASSEE -- Florida State raced the weather on the way to a mid-week sweep of the Florida Gulf Coast University baseball team.\nThe Seminoles defeated the Eagles 3-2 in four and a half innings of a rain-shortened game at Dick Howser Stadium in front of 3,624 fans.\nRain started pouring down in the middle of the fifth inning, and lightning cleared the field. The game was called 34 minutes later due to the threat of weather for the remainder of the evening.\n“It was another close loss against a tough opponent on the road,” said FGCU coach Dave Tollett, whose No. 9-ranked Eagles fell to 24-7 and had beaten the then-No. 1 Seminoles in Fort Myers last month. “Early on, it didn’t look like we were going to be able to play the game, but it turned out the weather cleared up a bit. We knew we might not get the whole game in and couldn’t come through with the big hit when we needed it. We have another big conference series against Stetson this weekend, and are looking to get back on track.”\nFSU (20-11) went down early, but a two-run fourth inning sealed the deal for the Seminoles. Cal Raleigh's RBI triple tied the game a two, and then Dylan Busby knocked in the game-winning run on the next pitch to give the Seminoles a 3-2 lead.\n\"That was one of the big hits in the game,\" FSU coach Mike Martin said. \"Don't forget, Busby followed him with a base hit to drive him in. We had some good at-bats. We had a lot of competitive at-bats.\"\nRight-hander Will Zirzow made the first start of his career, and breezed through the first two innings before running into some trouble in the third.\nThe Seminoles went down 2-0 in the third inning when designated hitter Nick Rivera drove in two runs on a single to left field, but they fired right back with a run of their own in the third.\nMatt Henderson laid a bunt down to move two runners up a bag, but beat out the throw, which went wide. Drew Mendoza raced home to get the Seminoles on the board, and cut the Eagles lead to 2-1.\nFSU loaded the bases with no outs later in the inning, but FGCU first baseman Corey Fehribach made a diving catch on a line drive by Jackson Lueck and was able to double off Taylor Walls at first. Rhett Aplin grounded out to third to end the inning.\nLeft-handed freshman Grant Stewart relieved Zirzow to start the fourth. He threw two scoreless frames and picked up the first win of his career.\n\"Grant Stewart giving up one hit in two innings with one walk and striking out four, that's pretty impressive against an experienced team,\" Martin said. \"He showed a lot of poise. He was certainly a big part of our getting this win. ... It was nice for him. It was his first win as a Seminole.\"\nThe Eagles played their second game without second baseman Matt Reardon, who was suspended four games following an ejection against Jacksonville on Sunday.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1463696"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6357812881469727,"wiki_prob":0.36421871185302734,"text":"Fleetsmith Raises $30M Series B\nSAN FRANCISCO, CA, Provider of secure, automated Apple device management, today announced $30 million in Series B funding.\nSHO Products Raises $3.6 Million in Series A\nLOS ANGELES, CA, Manufacturer and distributor of cannabis accessories, equipment, and technology, today announced it has closed a $3.6 million Series A funding.\nRiskLens Closes $20M Series B\nSPOKANE, WA, Provider of cyber risk quantification (CRQ) and cyber risk management software has raised a $20.55 million Series B funding led by Paladin Capital.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1779707"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5056334137916565,"wiki_prob":0.4943665862083435,"text":"Home › Accessories › Room to Breathe Book\nRoom to Breathe Book\nPaperback - $ 24.95 USD Hard Cover - $ 39.95 USD Quantity\nTo commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, the District and Heyday Books have collaborated on Room to Breathe, a book of photos, paintings, and poetry depicting the natural beauty and diversity of these landscapes.\nRoom to Breathe: The Wild Heart of the San Francisco Peninsula is a community celebration of over 100 color photographs and paintings coupled with prose and poetry. It serves as a keepsake for those who know this land well; and for those who don’t, it will be a splendid introduction.\nRoom to Breathe makes a great gift for yourself and for fellow outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers. The coffee table book is available for sale online, at the District Administrative Office, and at several area bookstores.\nMidpen Map Bandanna\nMountain Lion Mask\nBear Creek Redwoods Water Bottle\nMidpeninsula Regional Open Space District\n330 Distel Circle, Los Altos, CA 94020\n© 2023 Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Online Store","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line944658"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7314837574958801,"wiki_prob":0.7314837574958801,"text":"FILE – Visitors pass through Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif., on April 30, 2021. A lawsuit claims Disneyland employees snickered at Joanne Aguilar, 66, a…\nFILE – Visitors pass through Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif., on April 30, 2021. A lawsuit claims Disneyland employees snickered at Joanne Aguilar, 66, a disabled woman struggling to get off a Jungle Cruise boat, before she fell and broke a leg on Aug. 22, 2021, leading to her death from an infection five months later. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)\nLawsuit claims woman’s death stemmed from Disneyland fall\nSANTA ANA, Calif. (AP) — A lawsuit claims Disneyland employees snickered at a disabled woman struggling to get off a Jungle Cruise boat before she fell and broke a leg, leading to her death from an infection five months later.\nThe lawsuit was filed in federal court in November by the family of Joanne Aguilar, 66, of Ventura, against the Walt Disney Company, its theme park division and Disneyland, the Southern California News Group reported this week.\nIn a response filed with the court Dec. 29, Disney denied the allegations and said it is seeking a jury trial, the news group reported.\nAccording to the lawsuit, Aguilar went to Disneyland on Aug. 22, 2021, with her adult daughters Andrea Mallul and Zenobia Hernandez.\nThe lawsuit says Disneyland employees at the Jungle Cruise ride told the family a wheelchair-accessible boat was unavailable and Aguilar opted to board with the assistance of her daughters.\nAt the end of the ride, employees “placed small unsecured blocks on top of the existing steps inside the boat to reduce the height of each step” and the daughters attempted to help Aguilar get out of the boat, the lawsuit says.\nIt claims that employees did not assist but snickered and giggled as they watched Aguilar struggle before she lost her balance on the blocks, fell backward and fractured the femur in her right leg.\nAguilar had surgery at a local hospital where she spent 10 days before moving to a rehabilitation center. According to the lawsuit, she spent five months at the center, got an infection, went into septic shock and died on Jan. 29, 2022.\nThe lawsuit claims wrongful death and violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act. It seeks monetary damages for pain, mental suffering, humiliation, medical costs and funeral expenses.\nThe case was assigned this month to U.S. District Judge Cormac Carney at the Santa Ana courthouse.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line586054"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6041994094848633,"wiki_prob":0.3958005905151367,"text":"Tom Bailey Story #2: The Uslan 500\nI wrote a few weeks ago about a guy named Tom Bailey, an old-time catskill rodmaker who used to work at Leonard when I was there. In addition to Bailey recounting the “window shopping” that had gone on at the shop from time to time I had also alluded to a second story about him and so here it is.\nWhile I was working at Leonard in the late 1970’s to entertain myself there was a discovery auction once a month in the next town over from Central Valley, NY where our shop was located. There wasn’t a whole heck of a lot going on in the area in those days and so I used to go over to the auction just for something to do. It was a lot of fun and I really liked going to it, especially since old fishing tackle would often turn up.\nAnyway one of the things that I bought at the auction was a Uslan 500 spinning reel for about $5. Essentially the manufacturer had created the reel by taking off a very simple and workable bail system and substituted it with a very complicated system that relied on a triangular and hemispherical plate with a pickup finger mounted on the nose of the reel (one that had surely cost them a lot more to make than a simple bail). When you turned the handle the plate would spin around and the finger would pick the line up, and then you’d have to push a button in order to cast it (you also had to slide the plate back up to a center position, and when you cranked the handle again the finger would pick up the line). If that all sounds a bit complicated it’s because it was, but hopefully these pictures will give you a basic sense of what I mean.\nAnyhow, after the auction I brought the reel into the shop one day at Leonard, and I showed it to Tom Bailey. I wasn’t expecting much in the way of acknowledgement, maybe a nod or something to that effect, but then he said:\n“Aw, Nat Uslan. Last time I saw him he made up about batch of those. Then he went south somewhere to try and sell them. I never saw him again.”\nI thought to myself, Jesus, he knew Nat Uslan? It was one of those moments where you really remembered that the old guy sitting in the corner knew a whole lot more, and had seen a whole lot more, than he was letting on even if he didn’t say much.\nLooking back now I wish that I had been able to get Bailey to talk a lot more about what he had witnessed over the years. It’s too late now of course, but I still have that Uslan sitting on a shelf at home and when I see it I often think of him and those early days in Central Valley.\n-Marc","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line365451"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9240385293960571,"wiki_prob":0.9240385293960571,"text":"EXCLUSIVE: Todd McFarlane Explains How Batman and Spawn Are Forever Linked\nThe following article contains spoilers from Batman/Spawn#1, on sale now from DC Comics.\nBatman/Spawn sees the titular protagonists linked together despite their disparate universes by the deaths of the most important women in their lives -- Bruce Wayne's mother, Martha, and Al Simmon's wife, Wanda.\nIn an exclusive interview , writer and Spawn creator Todd McFarlane explained how Bruce and Al are forever linked together in tragedy. \"I was saying that they (Martha and Wanda) both died not only on the same date but, in my mind, they died at the same moment. This is what created these two characters (Batman and Spawn). On one side, you've got the Spawn Universe. On the other side, you've got the DC Universe. Then, you've got these two characters, Batman [and] Spawn, and then you have their loved ones.\"\nMartha And Wanda's Multiversal Connection\nIn the world of Batman/Spawn, which appears to be separate from both heroes' regular continuities, Martha and Wanda both died on June 26th. Their deaths appear to have been partially orchestrated by the Court of the Owls, whose influence spans universes. The finale reveals that Martha Wayne is still living in Spawn's universe, while Wanda Blake is alive in Batman's universe.\n\"In between that is all the gap that I didn't really get to show, which [involves] the Court, other dimensions, how time works, how these two ladies could have died at the same moment, given that it seems like it's decades apart, but it wasn't,\" McFarlane said. \"...These characters (Martha and Wanda) are there, and each one of them (Batman and Spawn) is oblivious to it. It's just another kind of torture [for] both of them. They don't even know they could be close to the person they care about the most, but they're just on the other side of this dimensional fence now. Neither one of them even know. Even if they could get over the fence, they don't even know it. It may seem like kind of a happy ending, but to me, it's more of another torture for both these gentlemen who have been tortured plenty.\"\nMcFarlane and artist Greg Capullo have teased possible sequels to Batman/Spawn, which was originally pitched as a multibook series. Aside from the obvious plot hooks of Martha and Wanda, Batman/Spawn also features a cameo from the Joker, who doesn't serve as the major villain of the story but appears to have fostered an alliance with Violator, promising a deadly challenge for both Al Simmons and Bruce Wayne in the near future.\nBatman/Spawn is written and features inks by McFarlane, pencils by Capullo, colors by Dave McCaig and letters by Tom Napolitano. Cover art comes from Capullo, McFarlane and McCaig and variant cover art from Gabriele Dell'Otto, Sean Murphy, Dave Stewart, Francesco Mattina, J. Scott Campbell, Sabine Rich, Capullo, McFarlane, Brian Haberlin, Brett Booth, Sandra Hope, Ivan Nunes, Jim Lee, Scott Williams, Alex Sinclair, Jorge Jimenez, Jason Fabok, Brad Anderson and FCO Plascencia. The issue is on sale now from DC.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1542449"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9932931661605835,"wiki_prob":0.9932931661605835,"text":"World Cup: U.S. Defeats Iran\nBy Garrett Nada and Connor Bradbury\nThe U.S. national team defeated Iran 1-0 on November 29 in the most politically charged match at the 2022 World Cup in Doha, Qatar. The Americans were often on the attack; they took 12 shots while the Iranians only took four. But the game was a nail-biter right until the end. “That was stressful. I think I have less hair on my head now,” Gregg Bernhalter, the U.S. coach, told Fox News after the win.\n🇮🇷 IRN 0 - 1 USA 🇺🇸\nWE ADVANCE OUT OF GROUP B.#USMNT x @Visa pic.twitter.com/b3wx2bmUCA\n— U.S. Men's National Soccer Team (@USMNT) November 29, 2022\nBefore the game, Iranian players—arms draped around each other’s shoulders—sang their national anthem for the second consecutive game. They had refused to sing along during their first match against England on November 21. Their silence was widely interpreted as a sign of support for the protests back home, which broke out in mid-September 2022.\nThe stadium echoed with noisy cheers and chants during the U.S.-Iran match—a follow-up to the 1998 World Cup when Iran upset the United States and won 2-1. A 2000 exhibition match in California ended in a 1-1 draw. In Qatar, Americans and Iranians were both draped in their national flags. Iranian fans formed the majority of the crowd in the 44,000-capacity stadium.\nRelated Material: “History: U.S.-Iran at the World Cup”\nRelated Material: “Iran’s Protests and the World Cup”\nThe United States dominated the first half of the match. Christian “Captain America” Pulisic, a midfielder, contorted his body to score during the 38th minute. Iranian goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand’s knee went into Pulisic’s side. The 24-year-old from Pennsylvania sat out the second half and was taken to a hospital for scans after the game.\nIran did not register a single shot on goal until minute 52, a header that was too high. The Iranian players appeared sluggishly and gave up many opportunities to the Americans, who played relentlessly. The U.S. squad, with an average age of 25 years, was the second-youngest team in the 2022 World Cup.\nThe U.S. team also played well in the first half of its match against Wales, then played a lousy second half—the game ended in a 1-1 draw on November 21. It also played to a no-score draw against England on November 25. Iran suffered a humiliating 6-2 loss against England, but the team rallied for a 2-0 victory against Wales. So Iran went into the match against the United States with a slight advantage.\nPlayers collide going after the ball\nIran played more aggressively in the second half. But the extra nine minutes of stoppage time at the end of the game were the most intense. Iran nearly scored when defender Morteza Pouraliganji headed a free kick that missed wide left. Iranian players later begged for a penalty as a player collided with the U.S. goalkeeper, barely missing a goal that would have tied the game.\n“The dream is over with this result,” Iran’s manager Carlos Queiroz said after the loss. “We started to close and stop all the movements of the U.S.” The Iranians made a desperate attempt at a rally in the last few minutes but ultimately came up short. Soccer “always punishes the team that doesn't score,” Queiroz added.\nBernhalter was proud of the U.S. team for holding on to the lead. “We showed what we can do, soccer-wise, in the first half. Second half we showed what we can determination-wise,” he said.\nAntonee Robinson showed his class by consoling Ramin Rezaeian and other Iran players 👏https://t.co/SF51dNfNws\n— Mirror Football (@MirrorFootball) November 30, 2022\nKey Game Statistics\n• Possession: United States (51 percent); Iran (49%)\n• Shots: United States (12); Iran (4)\n• Shots on goal: United States (5); Iran (1)\n• Fouls: United States (10); Iran (14)\n• Yellow cards: United States (1); Iran (3)\nThe Iranians, with a total of 14 fouls and three yellow cards, played slightly more aggressively than the Americans, who had 10 fouls and received one yellow card. Some players were injured. But neither team played with animosity. Right back Ramin Rezaeian and left back Antonee Robinson collided when they both jumped for the ball. But Robinson patted Rezaeian afterwards.\nAs the game ended, the crowd quieted, and U.S. fans and players began to celebrate. Players on both sides fell to the ground as the clock ran out. U.S. players embraced on the field, and Iranians collapsed in exhaustion and disbelief. Iranian players looked on as the U.S. team celebrated. American players consoled Iranians, patting them on the back as both teams milled around the field.\nAs Saeid Ezatolahi, a defensive midfielder, wept on the ground, four U.S. players gathered to comfort him. Josh Sargent, a forward, embraced him, and forward Tim Weah helped Ezatolahi stand up. “It’s more than just football, Weah told FOX Sports after the game. “The United States and Iran have so many issues politically and I just wanted to show that we are all human beings and we all love each other.” Forward Brenden Aaronson was also moved by Ezatolahi’s anguish. “I could feel the emotion from him on the ground,” he said. “All you want to do is go and console them and tell them that everything is going to be OK. It’s just a human thing.”\n“A night of dreams,” Weah said. “I always say it’s us against the world because nobody believed that the U.S. could play good football. So we’re here to show the world.”\nThe stakes were huge for both countries. The United States needed a win to move on beyond the first round, while Iran only needed a draw. Just as important were the bragging rights of a victory. Iran boasted about its decisive defeat of the United States in 1998—the only other World Cup encounter between the two nations—for the intervening quarter century. The U.S. team did not even qualify for the World Cup in 2018, while Iran won a match but did not advance to the second round.\nAmerican fans at the game\nThe game had intense political undertones, with the two nations deadlocked on major diplomatic initiatives—most notably the 2015 nuclear deal—and backing rival political factions across the Middle East. The United States had also condemned and sanctioned Iran for cracking down on protestors at home and providing drones to Russia for use in the Ukraine war.\nBut the atmosphere among Iranian and American fans was jovial in Doha. “Side by side the Americans and Iranians are putting their differences aside and dancing,” tweeted one spectator on the stadium grounds. Fans, decked out in patriotic gear, posed for photos together. “It has been amazing to see Americans. They are so friendly,” Yas, a 14-year-old from south-central Shiraz, told the Associated Press.\nInside the stadium, before the game, one man wearing an Iranian flag as a cape and an American man wearing a U.S. jersey and hat bumped fists for a photo. American fans stood for Iran’s national anthem, and Iranian fans remained standing for the U.S. national anthem.\nIronically, the main tension was between different groups of Iranians. People who expressed support for the protests, sometimes by carrying posters or wearing t-shirts with political slogans, were reportedly harassed by other Iranians. “I feel like I am surrounded by IRGC [Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps] agents,” Mehrdad, from Arizona, told the Associated Press. “Everybody’s watching you.”\nAn Iranian fan at the match\nSecurity officials also threatened players with retaliation to prevent displays of support for the protests. The IRGC reportedly called on lawmakers to draft legal consequences for any players who challenged the government. IRGC officers met with players and threatened to detain and torture their family members if they spoke out against the government or did not sing along to the anthem.\nTensions flared ahead of the match when the U.S. soccer federation altered Iran’s flag in social media posts on November 26. It excluded the tulip-shaped emblem representing the Muslim declaration of faith, “There is no god but God.” The flower is a symbol of martyrdom in Shiite Islam.\nIranian media condemned the politically charged posts. They also called for the expulsion of the U.S. team from the tournament for violating FIFA regulations. The posts were later deleted. The U.S. federation said that it posted the altered flag for 24 hours in support of “the women in Iran fighting for basic human rights.” On November 28, Berhalter apologized. The “players and the staff knew nothing about what was being posted,” he said.\nIranian journalists had lambasted Berhalter and U.S. captain Tyler Adams during a press conference on November 28. They demanded to know why Berhalter hadn’t called on the United States to decrease its naval presence around Iran and why Washington restricted Iranians from visiting. They criticized Adams for pronouncing “Iran” incorrectly and asked him about playing for the United States despite its “discrimination against black people.” Adams apologized for mispronouncing Iran and countered, “There’s discrimination everywhere you go. In the U.S. we’re continuing to make progress every single day.”\nUSMNT players have been asked questions about the political context surrounding their match vs Iran\nYesterday, Captain Tyler Adams had this exchange with an Iranian reporter pic.twitter.com/Y7Q9wV7lS9\n— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) November 29, 2022\nDespite the tensions, both coaches expressed respect for each other’s teams during pre-game press conferences. Queiroz said that the United States had the “best performances” of the other teams in Group B. When asked about the flag incident on social media, Quieroz said that Iran could still win despite “mental games.”\nBerhalter echoed the sentiment of mutual respect. “I like what Iran has done so far, especially in the last game [against Wales], [they showed] a lot of commitment, really good counter-attacking, and we expect it to be a hotly contested game and we'll be ready for it,” he said. He had downplayed the political significance of the game in the week leading up to the match. “I envision the game being hotly contested for the fact that both teams want to advance to the next round—not because of politics or because of relations between our countries,” he said. “We're soccer players, and we're going to compete and they're going to compete, and that's it.”\nROUND OF SIXTEEN 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/DqWp5S7gvR\nHours before the game in Doha, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that he was looking forward to a “very competitive” match. But he deferred from injecting politics into the decisive match when asked about its potential geopolitical implications. “When it comes to soccer, or to football, as it’s sometimes more properly known, let’s let the athletes do their thing,” he told reporters in Romania. “I don’t think there are any particular geopolitical aspects to this other than that we have what should be a competitive game, and let’s let the game speak for itself.”\nBlinken also reflected on the intersection of the World Cup match and the protests in Iran. \"When it comes to protests,” he added, “our position is the same everywhere, which is that we support the right of people everywhere to peacefully protest, to make known their views, their concerns, and their frustrations.”\nPhoto Credits: Tasnim News Agency (CC BY 4.0); IRNA (CC BY 4.0)\nGarrett Nada, managing editor of The Iran Primer, and Connor Bradbury, a senior program assistant at the U.S. Institute of Peace, compiled this report.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line809412"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6687093377113342,"wiki_prob":0.6687093377113342,"text":"Ordina per date modified ↓\nFiltro per: Creator Petrovic, Jean Cancella il filtro Creator: Petrovic, Jean Collezione Eccles Centre Bibliographic Guides Cancella il filtro Collezione: Eccles Centre Bibliographic Guides\nU.S. Politics and the Media: A Selective Guide to Materials at the British Library\nDuring the past fifty years an on-going media revolution has transformed political communication in the United States. Yet, despite potential access to political information being at an all-time high, many observers believe that the culture of ‘infotainment’ is preventing a corresponding increase in either levels of political knowledge or political...\nPetrovic, Jean\nThe American City in the Twentieth Century: A Selective Guide to Materials in the British Library\nA select guide to monographs on the American city in the twentieth century, covering city government, crime and urban unrest, education, housing and African Americans; works on particular geographic regions and individual major American cities.\n‘For Myself, For My Children, For Money’: Selective Biographies Of Early American Women Writers\nSelect biographies of American women writers who published single volumes under their own name by 1850.\n'For Myself, For My Children, For Money': A bibliography of early American women’s writings at the British Library\nThis bibliography offers readers a guide to writings by American women in the seventeenth, eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. Each of the women listed here had their first work published as a single volume, under their name alone, by 1850. The works include novels, collections of poetry, historical monographs, biographies,...\nThe Federal Writers’ Project: A guide to materials held at the British Library\nThe Federal Writers’ Project (FWP) was established by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on 27 July 1935 as part of the Works Progress Administration (WPA). As with so many of the New Deal programmes, the remit of the FWP – and its sister projects in art, music and theatre, known collectively...\nThe Harlem Renaissance: A selective guide to materials at the British Library (revised)\nThe rich surge in African American arts and letters that took place in 1920s was not limited to Harlem, nor even to New York City. However, the intensity of the movement in that city, and the sheer number of black writers, musicians, and scholars who lived and worked in Harlem...\nEarly American Science: a selective guide to materials at the British Library\nBy the early eighteenth century the American colonies were well established along the eastern seaboard. In many respects, their economic development until this point had been remarkable. So, too, were the advances they had made in self-government. By the 1720s trade between the colonies was increasing; transport links were improving;...\nUS Fine Presses Established after 1945: A Guide to the British Library’s Holdings\nThis project grew out of a conversation in late 2019 with Phil Hatfield, then Head of the Eccles Centre for American Studies at the British Library, who had recently pledged financial support towards the cataloguing of a backlog of US fine press publications that had been acquired by our curatorial...\nPetrovic, Jean[remove]8\nEccles Centre Bibliographic Guides[remove]8","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line422482"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7970203757286072,"wiki_prob":0.7970203757286072,"text":"Mitchell’s last expedition: Discovery of rich pastoral country [chapter 23 of “The story of Australia” by Martin Hambleton]\n[Editor: This is chapter 23 of “The story of Australia” by Martin Hambleton. Published in The Sunday Mail, 18 November 1934.]\nThe story of Australia — XXIII\nMitchell’s last expedition\nDiscovery of rich pastoral country\nIn 1845 Mitchell was again ordered by Sir George Gibbs, the Governor, to organise an expedition to explore the northern half of Australia. No better task could have been offered to this intrepid explorer. It had been his great ambition to cross the continent and open up a route to the distant Gulf, and, although fate ordained otherwise, his expedition was successful, and forms a memorable epoch in this history of exploration.\nOn December 15, 1845, Mitchell, accompanied by E. B. Kennedy, the unfortunate explorer, who several years later was killed by the blacks when leading a disastrous expedition in Cape York Peninsula, two dozen able-bodied men, and provisions for a year, left Buree. He had planned to journey northwards until he discovered a western flowing river, whose outlet might be in one of the great bays of the north-western coast.\nA fine river\nTravelling westward through country which was already occupied by settlers, he reached the junction of the Barwon and the Macquarie on February 28. In the immediate neighbourhood was Mount Harris, which had served as a guide to explorers since the days of Oxley. The Narran was then followed until the Balonne was reached. Mitchell described this river as the finest he had seen in Australia, with the exception of the Murray.\nResuming his journey he struck the Culgoa, and followed it until it divided into two branches, and then kept to the main stream which retained the name of Balonne. On April 12 he came to a natural bridge of rocks which extended across the river. Mitchell gave it the name of St. George’s Bridge, a name which it still retains in common with the township that has sprung up in the vicinity.\nRich pastoral lands\nHere a depot was formed, and when completed Mitchell pushed on with a few men, instructing Kennedy to follow on later when the cattle had sufficiently rested. He followed up the Balonne until the Maranoa was reached, but as its appearance did not merit investigation he marched on as far as the Cogoon, which he now followed. The river led him through rich pastoral country, known afterwards as the Fitzroy Downs, near the centre of which the town of Roma now stands.\nHe ascended a hill and from its summit he saw on every side magnificent rich pastures, which suggested the name of Mount Abundance to the hill on which he stood. This name has been retained. It is worthy of note that it was here that he saw the first bottle tree. Leaving Mount Abundance he again met the Maranoa, where he established another depot, and waited for Kennedy’s arrival. Not far from this spot the town which perpetuates the memory of Mitchell was built.\nUpper Maranoa\nKennedy arrived on June 1, bringing with him despatches from Sydney, which had reached the party after Mitchell had left. Again following out his policy, Kennedy was left behind at the depot, and Mitchell with a small party worked westwards across the Upper Maranoa. He discovered the Warrego River, which he fondly hoped would lead him northwards, but he was soon convinced that the stream was running in the wrong direction.\nOn July 11 he crossed the Upper Nogoa, and on the 21st he discovered the Belyando. This river gave great promise of leading to the Gulf. He followed its course for more than 200 miles, only to find that it was a tributary of the Burdekin. Disappointed, he returned to the head of the Nogoa, where he formed a depot. Sub-dividing his party once more, Mitchell struck due west across the Nive Valley, and at last on September 15, found himself on a river flowing north-east, “the realisation,” as he wrote prematurely, “of my long-cherished hopes.”\nBarcoo discovered\nThe direction of the upper course left no doubt in his mind that this was the head stream of the Victoria River, whose mouth lay on the north-west coast, some 1200 miles away. He therefore bestowed that name on the Barcoo, which in its later stage is called Cooper’s Creek. It was while on the Barcoo that Mitchell noticed the famous grass which now bears his name.\nMitchell hastened back to Sydney to make known his wonderful discovery, but as he had not followed the river any distance to verify his report it was thought advisable to send a small party to ascertain its course and destination, and Kennedy was chosen to lead the expedition.\nSir Thomas Mitchell stands in the foremost rank of Australian explorers. His discoveries opened up a vast extent of pastoral country in the vicinity of the already settled parts; and they were eminently valuable, as they were suitable for immediate occupation by the people.\nThe Sunday Mail (Brisbane, Qld.), 18 November 1934, p. 29\nFiled Under: articles Tagged With: Australian explorers on land, Martin Hambleton (1869-1938) (author), SourceTrove, The story of Australia (by Martin Hambleton), Thomas Mitchell (1792-1855), year1934","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1250573"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8180282115936279,"wiki_prob":0.8180282115936279,"text":"18th Century history, Georgian Lords, History of Parliament Trust, Parliamentary buildings\nComings and goings: the other houses of Downing Street\nPreviously on the History of Parliament blog we looked into the history of No.10 Downing Street, the famous residence of the Prime Minister since the mid-18th century. But who called the other houses of this well-known street home? Dr Robin Eagles, editor of our House of Lords 1715-1790 project, investigates…\nIn 1742 Sir Robert Walpole left 10 Downing Street for the last time. His tenure there had been relatively short, the residence, cobbled together out of several houses, having only been his official base as Prime Minister since 1735. While the intention was that it would continue to serve future premiers, Walpole’s successor, Spencer Compton, earl of Wilmington, had no need of the house, enjoying a much smarter address in St James’s. Number 10 was thus taken over by the chancellor of the exchequer, Samuel Sandys and well into the next century prime ministers often eschewed Number 10 in favour of other houses.\nSir Robert Walpole, Earl of Orford; Jean-Baptiste van Loo; Government Art Collection via ArtUK\nWalpole’s departure did not mean an end to the Walpole family’s links to Downing Street. In 1738, not long after Walpole had moved into Number 10, his brother, Horatio Walpole, acquired several other houses in the street and some of these properties remained in family hands for much of the rest of the century.\nIn spite of the presence of the Prime Minister at Number 10 and of both Numbers 11 and 12 ultimately being employed as government offices, Downing Street was not an entirely fashionable address. Many of the houses – Number 10 included – had been built fairly shoddily when the street was developed by Sir George Downing in the late 17th century on land occupied by the former grand town residence, Hampden House. Technically, Sir Christopher Wren had been involved in the design, but in reality much of the work was quickly and cheaply done. Even the neat brick frontage was ‘fake’: the elevations comprising a mixture of bricks and rubble overpainted with neat lines of mortar to make it look like high quality brickwork.\nDespite this, given the location, a number of MPs and others associated with Westminster did live in Downing Street alongside the Prime Minister and or the Chancellor. Samuel Martin, later notorious for his duel with John Wilkes, had an official residence there as secretary to the Treasury. He clearly thought it rather poky because when his father attempted to offload one of his younger sons on him, Martin protested that the place was ‘too small’ to accommodate him. William Wilberforce was another well-known MP to live there for at least a time.\nHowever, many of the houses, or parts of them, were home to people unconnected with government or Parliament. One of the better-known temporary inhabitants of the street was James Boswell, who found lodgings in the house of Mr Terrie, chamber keeper to the office of trade and plantations. Boswell took an apartment ‘up two pair of stairs’ with the use of ‘a handsome parlour all the forenoon’ in return for 40 guineas a year. Dinner with the family at a shilling a time was also part of the deal. Boswell described the street at the time as ‘genteel’ and ‘very healthful’. A few years before Boswell was there, the novelist Tobias Smollett, who was also a surgeon, set up a practice in the street.\nView of the old Foreign Office and other buildings on Downing Street, Westminster. 1827\n© The Trustees of the British Museum\nOf course, many of those living in the now demolished sections of old Downing Street were rather less well known than such literary figures. One way in which one can discover information about some of the lesser-known Downing Street addresses is through insurance records. They chart a story of frequent change of hands and of multiple occupancy of some of the properties. They also indicate people of varying social status. In 1791, Number 5 was occupied by Ann Somers, a spinster; by 1801 the house’s insurance was made out to another occupier, Mary Howard. Number 7 seems to have passed through several hands. In 1791, insurance was taken out by Mercy Abbott, in 1799 by Edward Raven, in 1802 by Charles Beaumont and in 1818 by Hannah Simpson. Mary Sparrow, a widow, had insurance covering Numbers 22 and 25 in 1816, so presumably let lodgings in at least one of those.\nPerhaps the most flamboyant of all the residents of Downing Street in the period was ‘His Excellency Count Zenobio’, who had an insurance policy at Number 2 in 1791 (the same year as another policy was taken out for the same address by James Fowler). In 1794 Zenobio, a Venetian aristocrat, was ejected from the country for his radical activities. He later staged a return in 1807 during the Talents ministry probably thanks to his contacts among some of the old Foxite Whigs, and by the time of his death in 1818 he was living in Duke Street, Westminster.\nIf much of the housing stock in the 1730s was described as ‘very old and in bad repair’ by the early 19th century the impression is that parts of Downing Street were very shabby indeed. By the 1820s plans were afoot to redevelop the site once again and in 1825 Numbers 1 to 8 were demolished to make way for a new building designed by John Soane to house the Board of Trade and the Privy Council offices. Soane’s building was then itself remodelled under 20 years later by Charles Barry, architect of the present Palace of Westminster. The house Boswell had lodged in was one of those to disappear.\nThe owners of the houses scheduled for demolition were compensated fairly generously: the owner of Number 4 receiving £1,250 3s. 2d. for his trouble. The greatest sum went to the pub owners, Whitbreads, owners of the Axe and Gate, an inn that had stood at the corner of Downing Street and Whitehall for generations. Indeed, parts of what became Downing Street had originally been occupied by a brewery belonging to the Abbey of Abingdon. In return for the loss of the pub, Whitbreads received over £2,000.\nThe remaining buildings of Downing Street, then, mask a story of a very different sort of place to the centre of power: a street of ill-built lodging houses nestling beside finer London residences, with a venerable pub on the corner.\nRDEE\nFor insurance records, see collection at London Metropolitan Archives\nJ.R. Dinwiddy, Radicalism and Reform in Britain, 1780-1850 (1992)\nBoswell’s London Journal, 1762-1763, ed. Frederick A. Pottle\nSurvey of London XIV (St Margaret, Westminster)\nFollow the research of our House of Lords 1715-1790 project on the ‘Georgian Lords‘ page.\nconniejeffery March 24, 2022 September 5, 2022 18th Century history, Downing Street, featured, Georgian Lords, Horatio Walpole, No.10 Downing Street, Prime Minister, Robert Walpole, Spencer Compton\nPrevious Previous post: After the Levellers: On the Non-Mysterious Disappearance of Parliamentary Reform in England\nNext Next post: Sitting at Oxford: the convening of Charles I’s ‘Mongrel Parliament’, January 1644","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line300404"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7364909648895264,"wiki_prob":0.26350903511047363,"text":"UNOPS Registration Clerk, Cuenca, Ecuador\nOffice of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)\nUNHCR in Cuenca\nHardship Level (not applicable for home-based): U (unclassified)\nFamily Type (not applicable for home-based): Family\nStaff Member / Affiliate Type: UNOPS LICA3\nTarget Start Date: 2023-03-15-07:00\nJob Posting End Date: February 5, 2023\nTERMS OF REFERENCE (Individual Contractor Agreement) Title: Registration Clerk (1 position) Project: Strengthening Registration and Identity Management Process for Assistances and Services in Ecuador Duty station: Cuenca, Ecuador Section/Unit: UNHCR Registration Unit Contract/Level: Local Support, LICA 3 (USD 1.250,00) Duration: From 15 March to 31 Dec 2023 Supervisor: Direct Supervisor: Field Associate, Cuenca, Ms. Gabriela Montero Functional Supervisor: Registration and Identity Management Officer, Ms. Tania Martu00ednez\n1. General Background Ecuador is part of the United Nations Convention of 1951 relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol, as well as major international and regional human rights instruments that recognize the right to asylum. It is also part of the United Nations Convention of 1954 relating to the Status of Stateless Persons and the United Nations Convention of 1961 on the Reduction of Statelessness. The asylum procedure in Ecuador is regulated by the Organic Law of Human Mobility, effective February 6, 2017. Ecuador is a country of transit and destination for people who need international protection. In the last two decades, Ecuador hosted more than 68,708 recognized refugees (mainly Colombian) and has become one of the leading countries of transit and destination for refugees and migrants Venezuelans. Ecuador receives the second highest number of Venezuelans after Colombia. Since 2016, more than 4.7 million Venezuelans have left their country, making it the biggest exodus in the history of Latin America. Of these, 2.2 million have entered Ecuador, of which 400,000 Venezuelans have been established in the country. In 2019, approximately 2,100 Venezuelans per day entered Ecuador (with peaks of 6,000) until 26 August, when Ecuador began requiring visas for Venezuelans. Since 2018, the number of Venezuelan asylum seekers exceeded the number of asylum seekers from Colombia. According to monitoring protection of UNHCR, in 2019, nearly four out of ten Venezuelans did to the least part of their journey on foot, and three in ten have specific needs (pregnant women, unaccompanied or separated children, people with disabilities or catastrophic and elderly diseases). The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees works in Ecuador supporting the Ecuadorian government to protect refugees. UNHCR’s operation in Ecuador began in 2000 as part of the strategy of the organization to protect and provide assistance, particularly to the victims of the Colombian conflict. The operation aims to support the Government of Ecuador to: (i) the development of mechanisms of protection, (ii) strengthening national asylum system, (iii) and identification of durable solutions for refugees. The operation of UNHCR in Ecuador has a multiyear Protection Strategy and Solutions for the period 2018 – 2020, which encompasses the dimensions of the legal, economic and social protection of refugees in Ecuador and which have a decisive role the approaches to gender, ethnicity, and age and other diversities. The operation is coordinated at the national level by the country office in Quito. In addition, UNHCR has Sub- Offices in Quito (Solanda), Ibarra and Guayaquil; Field Offices in Esmeraldas, Huaquillas, Tulcu00e1n, Lago Agrio, and Field Units in Manta, Cuenca and Ambato.\n2. Purpose and Scope of Assignment Work activity will be based in Cuenca, in the office of the UNHCR with regular visit to Government and Partner Offices. Under the direct supervision of the Field Unit in Cuenca, the Contractor shall be responsible for: – Assist in the implementation of UNHCR registration strategies and methodologies for populations of concern. – Assist in implementing of Registration and Data Entry Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in accordance with relevant standards and policies. – Conduct registration interviews in accordance with local SOPs and registration standards. – Respond to queries from asylum seekers and refugees regarding UNHCR’s registration procedures and their rights and entitlements. – Maintain accurate and up-to date records and data related to all individual registration cases. – Identify persons with specific needs and ensure timely referral to protection follow-up as required. – Collaborate with protection staff and/or partners in the delivery of assistance and programming, including provision of identity and entitlement documentation – Maintain data security in line with UNHCR’s Data Protection Policies and Guidelines. – Refer cases to other units within the office and to implementing partners as necessary. – Assist with other Protection activities as required – Ability to travel to remote locations when required.\n3. Monitoring and Progress Controls – Conduct regular data quality check and clean-up; – Provide weekly and monthly data quality assurance reports; – Provide weekly and monthly statistics on registration, enrollment, protection and assistances; – Provide monthly data audit reports and analysis; 4. Qualifications and Experience a. Education – University Degree in Computer Science, Statistics, Social Sciences, Economics, Business Administration, Information Management, Information Technology or related fields (mandatory). b. Work Experience – 1 year relevant experience (internships count as well). – Experience in training. – Basic knowledge of the principles of protection, registration and assistance to asylum seekers, refugees and other persons on concern. – Experience in working with identity management software or database. – Good knowledge of handling confidential and statistical data. – Good computer skills, particularly in data entry and management. c. Key Competencies – Analytical Thinking – Technological Awareness – Planning, organizing, and adaptation to work under pressure – Negotiation and respect for cultural diversity. – Political Awareness\n5. Submission of applications u2022 English Desirable. Level intermediate. u2022 Shortlisted candidates may sit a technical test. u2022 Foreign candidates, to be considered eligible for this position, must have a temporary or permanent residence in Ecuador that allows them to carry out work activities in the country. u2022 Recruitment as a UNHCR staff member and engagement under a UNHCR affiliate scheme or as an intern is subject to proof of full vaccination against COVID-19, independently of contract type and duration. The recommended candidate(s) will be required to provide the proof of vaccination prior to recruitment. u2022 If recommended, the candidate must submit a current and updated RUC Unique Taxpayer Registry and a voluntary contribution certificate to the Ecuadorian Institute of Social Security IESS. Voluntary IESS securities will be covered by the staff member. The salary offered is in net terms. u2022 If you wish to be considered for this vacancy, please submit your application according to the following instructions: CANDIDATES WITH ACCESS TO THE WORKDAY: In order to apply, you must first create your profile in the WORKDAY system.\nEXTERNAL CANIDATES: Candidates who do NOT have access to the WORKDAY system should submit their application through UNHCR’s official site for applications: (link)\nCVs WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED BY EMAIL. ONLY THOSE APPLICATIONS SENT BY THE SYSTEM WILL BE CONSIDERED.\nStandard Job Description: Required Languages: ,\nAdditional Qualifications: Skills\nOther information: This position doesn’t require a functional clearance\nTags: asylum seekers, computer science, data entry, data protection, data quality, durable solutions, human rights, information management, information technology, latin america, refugees, social protection, social sciences, statelessness, statistical data\nPrevPreviousField Associate, Ciudad Juarez, Mexico\nNextGovernment Liaison Associate, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of CongoNext","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1363987"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.948716402053833,"wiki_prob":0.948716402053833,"text":"Menopause leave rejected by government with concerns over ‘discriminating’ men\nGovernment ministers have rejected plans for menopausal women to have time off work to help alleviate their symptoms.\nBy Chelsie Sewell\nThe British government has rejected calls for women to trial a ‘menopause leave’ in England to help alleviate their symptoms in the workplace, arguing it could be “counterproductive”. The calls for the pilot trial came after the Women and Equalities Committee accused ministers of making \"glacial progress\" on menopause support.\nLast year, the committee published a report which warned that the impact of menopause was causing the UK economy to \"haemorrhage talent\". It said a lack of support for women going through the menopause in the workplace was pushing women out of employment. The Committee also made 12 suggestions aimed at giving working women more rights.\nHowever, yesterday (January 24) government ministers rejected the plans, alongside dismissing the recommendation to make menopause a protected characteristic under the Equality Act. The government instead said it was focused on encouraging employers to implement workplace menopause policies, adding: \"We are concerned that specific menopause leave may be counterproductive to achieving this goal.\"\nIt also said it would not launch a consultation on amending the Equality Act to introduce a new protected characteristic of menopause \"including a duty to provide reasonable adjustments for menopausal employees\". And also said it would not be taking up the suggestion of making menopause training mandatory in the workplace.\nThe government expressed concern that a “menopause leave” pilot could cause \"unintended consequences which may inadvertently create new forms of discrimination, for example, discrimination risks towards men suffering from long-term medical conditions or eroding existing protections.\"\nThe government has rejected calls for women to get menopause leave\nMinisters accepted \"in principle\" the committee’s recommendations to launch a public health campaign around menopause and to appoint a menopause ambassador to monitor progress made by businesses in this area. It also said it would look at reducing the cost of Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) which menopausal women use to relieve symptoms.\nHowever, the Conservative chair of the committee Caroline Nokes condemned the government’s overall response as \"a missed opportunity to protect vast numbers of talented and experienced women from leaving the workforce and leaves me unconvinced that menopause is a government priority.”\nGovernmentWorkMenopauseEnglandGovernment ministersEmployers","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1232289"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6980556845664978,"wiki_prob":0.3019443154335022,"text":"3 Reasons Realty Income Stock Could Fall\nBy Matthew Frankel, CFP® – Jul 20, 2017 at 7:47AM\nNYSE: O\nRealty Income\nThe retail REIT is down nearly 20% over the past year, but there could be more downside ahead.\nRealty Income (O 0.98%), a net-lease real estate investment trust focused on retail real estate, hasn't performed well recently, with its stock price down 19% over the past year. Despite the drop, it's entirely possible that we could see Realty Income fall even further. Here are three things that could make the stock drop, and whether investors should be worried or not.\nRetail worries could get worse\nMany investors are scared to get involved with the retail sector right now, and who could blame them? There have been a few high-profile retail bankruptcies lately, as well as a bunch of store closure announcements. Many other brick-and-mortar retailers are struggling to hang on. In fact, this is why most retail-focused REITs have underperformed other areas of real estate.\nTo illustrate this point, look at the performance of Realty Income, Kimco Realty, and Simon Property Group compared with the overall REIT industry over the past year. While the company has performed better than its peers with more exposure to high-end and discretionary retail, it hasn't been immune to the retail headwinds.\nO data by YCharts\nAs I've written before, the majority of Realty Income's portfolio isn't in danger. The company specifically focuses on retail properties that don't have to worry about e-commerce competition and can hold up well during recessions. Plus, its long-term net-lease structure keeps tenants locked in for years at a time.\nFor this reason, I see any retail-related drop as a long-term opportunity in Realty Income. Just be aware that if the brick-and-mortar retail environment gets even worse, we could see Realty Income and other retail REITs drop further.\nInterest rates could rise faster than expected\nSince the current rate-increase cycle began in late 2015, the Federal Reserve has implemented four separate 25-basis-point increases in the target federal funds rate, which currently sits at 1.00%-1.25%.\nUS Target Federal Funds Rate data by YCharts\nAs of the latest projections, the Fed sees the rate rising to 2.1% by the end of 2018 and to almost 3% by the end of 2019. These projections are well known, so it's fair to assume that they're somewhat accounted for in Realty Income's stock price. However, there's a possibility that it will have to increase interest rates more than expected, especially if inflation spikes unexpectedly.\nHere's the problem: Rising rates are generally bad for REITs. Not only do they increase borrowing costs, which I'll get to in a moment, but they can also create selling pressure on high-dividend investments such as REITs. Simply put, when low-risk investments such as Treasury bonds pay more interest, investors expect higher yields from \"riskier\" investments such as REITs to compensate. Lower share prices translate to higher yields, so a spike in interest rates could certainly produce a drop in Realty Income's stock price.\nAcquisition opportunities could dry up\nRealty Income's primary growth mechanism is acquisitions. And when it comes to acquiring new properties, the company has a history of under-promising and over-delivering, especially in recent years. In fact, the company experienced such an attractive environment for acquisitions in 2016 that it increased its full-year guidance every quarter and ended up acquiring $1.86 billion in properties -- more than twice the volume of properties it originally anticipated.\nOne big reason for the flurry of acquisitions in 2016 is that the company's cost of capital was extremely attractive. Borrowing rates were low, and the company's stock price was high, so it was relatively cheap to raise money for acquisitions. Rates are rising, and the company's stock price isn't far from its 52-week low, so it remains to be seen if the company will meet its acquisition target for 2017.\nAs of the first quarter, Realty Income is projecting about $1 billion in acquisitions \"at attractive investment spreads.\" If the company can't find enough attractive opportunities to meet its target, it could be a negative catalyst for the stock.\nThe Foolish bottom line\nTo be clear, there are many reasons Realty Income's stock could fall, but these are three that I believe are rather likely to occur. I doubt we've seen the end of the retail industry's woes, the Federal Reserve could be forced to increase rates faster that it plans to if inflation spikes, and higher rates could lead to a less attractive acquisition environment for the company.\nHaving said that, all three of these would be temporary issues that long-term investors shouldn't fear. In fact, I'd look at any significant price drop in Realty Income's stock price as a welcome long-term buying opportunity.\nMatthew Frankel owns shares of Realty Income. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.\nGot $12,500? Here's How to Turn It Into $50 in Monthly Passive Income\nMy Top Real Estate Stock to Buy and Hold Forever\n2 \"Boring\" Stocks That Have Handily Beaten the Market -- and Could Keep Doing It\nWhy Realty Income Can Keep Increasing Its Dividend\n3 Passive Income Stocks You Need to Buy Before 2022 Ends","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line695594"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5811899304389954,"wiki_prob":0.5811899304389954,"text":"Pwyllgor yr Economi, Masnach a Materion Gwledig\nEconomy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee\nLuke Fletcher AS\nPaul Davies AS Cadeirydd y Pwyllgor\nSamuel Kurtz AS\nSarah Murphy AS\nVikki Howells AS\nBillie-Jade Thomas Y Gynghrair yn erbyn Chwaraeon Creulon\nLeague Against Cruel Sports\nCollin Willson Cymdeithas Milfeddygol Prydain\nBritish Veterinary Association\nDavid Bowles RSPCA Cymru\nRSPCA Cymru\nDr Ludivine Petetin Prifysgol Caerdydd\nDr Mary Dobbs Prifysgol Maynooth\nGlynn Evans Cymdeithas Saethu a Chadwraeth Prydain\nBritish Association for Shooting and Conservation\nIan Andrew Cymdeithas Rheoli Plâu Prydain\nBritish Pest Control Association\nJohn Hope Cymdeithas Technegwyr Plâu Genedlaethol\nNational Pest Technicians Association\nRachel Evans Y Gynghrair Cefn Gwlad\nCountryside Alliance\nSimon Wild Yr Ymgyrch Genedlaethol yn erbyn Maglau\nNational Anti Snaring Campaign\nGruffydd Owen Cynghorydd Cyfreithiol\nKatie Wyatt Cynghorydd Cyfreithiol\nKaty Orford Ymchwilydd\nLara Date Ail Glerc\nMasudah Ali Cynghorydd Cyfreithiol\n2. Papurau i'w nodi 2. Paper(s) to note\n3. Bil Amaethyddiaeth (Cymru): Sesiwn dystiolaeth 7 3. Agriculture (Wales) Bill: Evidence session 7\n6. Cynnig o dan Reol Sefydlog 17.42(ix) i benderfynu gwahardd y cyhoedd o weddill y cyfarfod 6. Motion under Standing Order 17.42(ix) to resolve to exclude the public for the remainder of the meeting\nCroeso i bawb i gyfarfod y Pwyllgor Economi, Masnach a Materion Gwledig. Dwi ddim wedi derbyn unrhyw ymddiheuriadau y bore yma, ond dwi yn deall fod Sarah Murphy yn mynd i fod gyda ni yn ddiweddarach heddiw. A oes yna unrhyw fuddiannau yr hoffai Aelodau eu datgan o gwbl? Sam Kurtz.\nWelcome everyone to this meeting of the Economy, Trade and Rural Affairs Committee. I haven't received any apologies this morning, but I do know that Sarah Murphy is going to be joining us a little later today. Are there any declarations of interest that Members would like to make? Sam Kurtz.\nDiolch, Gadeirydd. I declare an interest as a director of Wales YFC and chair of the cross-party group on shooting and conservation.\nDiolch yn fawr. Unrhyw un arall? Nac oes.\nThank you very much. Anyone else? No.\n2. Paper(s) to note\nSymudwn ni ymlaen felly i eitem 2, sef papurau i'w nodi. Mae yna nifer o bapurau i'w nodi, ond os caf i dynnu eich sylw chi at bapur 2.6, sef memorandwm cydsyniad deddfwriaethol ar y Bil Ffyniant Bro ac Adfywio, a ydy Aelodau yn fodlon craffu ar hwn yn y modd arferol drwy ohebiaeth oherwydd yr amserlen a'r pwysau gwaith sydd gyda ni fel pwyllgor? Ydy Aelodau’n fodlon â hynny? Ydyn, dwi'n gweld bod Aelodau yn fodlon â hynny. Oes yna unrhyw faterion eraill yn codi o'r papurau yma o gwbl? Nac oes.\nWe'll move on therefore to item 2, which is papers to note. There are a number of papers to note, but if I can draw your attention to paper 2.6, which is the legislative consent memorandum on the Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill, are Members happy to note this in correspondence due to the work pressures we have as a committee? Are Members happy to note that paper? I see that Members are happy. Are there any other issues arising from these papers at all? No.\n3. Bil Amaethyddiaeth (Cymru): Sesiwn dystiolaeth 7\n3. Agriculture (Wales) Bill: Evidence session 7\nSymudwn ni ymlaen felly at eitem 3 ar ein hagenda, sef sgrwtineiddio'r Bil Amaethyddiaeth (Cymru). Dyma seithfed sesiwn dystiolaeth y pwyllgor yn ystyried egwyddorion cyffredinol y Bil Amaethyddiaeth (Cymru). Rydyn ni yn y sesiwn yma yn clywed tystiolaeth gan sefydliadau iechyd a lles anifeiliaid. A gaf i groesawu'r tystion i'r sesiwn yma? Cyn ein bod ni'n symud yn syth i gwestiynau, efallai gallaf i ofyn i'r tystion gyflwyno eu hunain ar gyfer y record, ac efallai gallaf i ddechrau gyda David Bowles.\nWe will move on therefore to item 3 on our agenda, which is scrutiny of the Agriculture (Wales) Bill. This is the seventh evidence session that this committee has held considering the general principles of the Bill. In this session we'll hear evidence from animal health and welfare organisations. Can I welcome the witnesses to this session? Before we move to questions, can I ask the witnesses, please, to introduce themselves for the record, and can I can start with David Bowles?\nDavid Bowles 09:33:57\nThank you very much, Chairman. My name's David Bowles, I'm the head of public affairs at RSPCA Cymru.\nBillie-Jade Thomas 09:34:03\nHello, I'm Billie-Jade Thomas, I'm the senior public affairs officer for the League Against Cruel Sports.\nSimon Wild 09:34:09\nI'm Simon Wild of the National Anti Snaring Campaign.\nCollin Willson 09:34:12\nAnd I'm Collin Willson, I'm the British Veterinary Association Welsh branch president.\nThank you very much indeed for those introductions. Thank you for being with us this morning. Perhaps I can just kick off this session and just ask you on your views on the breadth of the Bill's prohibitions on snares and glue traps. Do you believe that they should extend beyond the use, for example to manufacture, possession and/or sale? Who'd like to start with that? David.\nI can kick off. Obviously, we warmly welcome the proposal to ban glue traps and snares. Obviously, England has already gone ahead with glue traps, but Wales will be the first country in the UK to ban snares, and would join a number of other countries to do that, including Ireland, Portugal, Spain and Poland. So, it would be great for Wales to join those countries, and I think that is testament to its animal welfare credentials. The RSPCA would like to see a ban also on the sale of these items, as well as the use. When the leghold trap legislation went through in 1954, the sale of leghold traps wasn't banned, just the use of leghold traps. We still see leghold traps for sale in certain antique shops and, indeed, we sometimes still come across leghold traps being used. So, we believe that's a loophole that should be closed.\nThanks. Anyone else on this?\nLikewise, we also welcome a ban on the use of snares in Wales, and think that it's a very important step that the Welsh Government have made to become the first of the UK nations to take such decisive action. We would like the ban to go further to also include the sale, possession and manufacture of these devices. Banning the sale and manufacture of these devices would obviously help make them less readily available, and then potentially stop the crime from being committed.\nWe also feel that it shouldn't be possible to deal or profit from the cruelty that the snares cause to animals. Obviously, it's been established the injuries and even deaths that snares cause to animals in Wales every year, if not every day. We think that this would help with the enforcement side of things, as would prohibiting the possession of them. Snares are usually used on private land where there aren't many people about; being able to attribute a snare to a person, if it's found on them, would, obviously, help aid with the enforcement of the ban.\nFor us, as the League Against Cruel Sports, we believe that only an outright ban on the sale, possession, manufacturing and use of these devices will fully protect animals from snares. Therefore we urge the Welsh Government to consider addressing these in the Agriculture (Wales) Bill.\nThank you. Simon Wild.\nThe issue of sale and manufacture is one that I agree with. I think the difficulty would be with possession. I think it's completely right for the gin traps that are still being used 60 years afterwards, but what is a snare? People use snares that are made up of garden wire. Is a cable tie a snare? I would have thought there was some difficulty legislation-wise with possession. But, otherwise, obviously, I completely support including sale and manufacture. You wouldn't want to see snares being sold in garden centres here, you wouldn't want to see a manufacturing unit making them, so it's quite appropriate that that's included.\nCollin Willson.\nCertainly, the BVA's view is that snares and glue traps should be banned. There should be no circumstances in which they can reasonably be used without severe welfare disbenefits to the animal.\nDo you think that the Bill goes far enough from your perspective? Because the Bill prohibits the use of a snare or any cable restraint. In your view, is this wording sufficient to prevent rebranding of devices to avoid the ban? You touched on this, I think, Simon Wild.\nI have discussed this at some length with Professor Harris. We commissioned Professor Harris to do an 85-page review of snares in the UK. He exercised his mind quite a lot on this, and he came up with the feeling that a snare should be described as 'any noose designed to catch an animal by its neck, body or foot'. The reason for 'foot', of course, is that, 10 years ago, the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust came up with the idea of a rose cuff. It failed, but it was an intention to try and catch an animal humanely. It failed because there were degloving injuries to the foxes and badgers caught, and 41 per cent escaped. So, 'any noose designed to catch an animal by its neck, body or foot' seems to tighten things up, and it should be considered.\nAnyone else on this? Billie-Jade Thomas.\nWe consider the wording that has been used to be sufficient, and I'm glad to see that efforts have been made to stop them from being rebranded. While the word 'snare' may need defining in the legislation, we are concerned that this in itself could potentially create loopholes, if the definition was too narrow, for example. Therefore, we'd urge the Welsh Government to proceed with caution in this respect.\nThanks. I'll now bring in Vikki Howells.\nThank you, Chair. Good morning, panel. My first question is on whether the panel feel that the Bill could be an opportunity to ban other traps. I've been reading about the Larsen trap, for example. So, I'm looking for views on the Larsen traps, or anything else that the panel feels it would have been a good opportunity to include in the Bill.\nI've run for 20 years an organisation called Against Corvid Traps, the only dedicated website exposing Larsen traps and ladder traps. Ladder traps are notorious for catching raptors. You'll find that the gamekeeper catches 20, kills 16 and keeps 4, and he often kills them in front of the others. Larsen traps are notorious for neglect, because you don't always get the water topped up, they sometimes do not have any shelter, they might not have an appropriate perch. They keep the birds over winter, and in notorious conditions, often. But, at the same time, I wouldn't want to muddy the waters. It's a great triumph to get the potential for snares and glue traps banned. I wouldn't want to see any delay in the legislation, but I would have thought it was one for consultation in the future, and to be taken seriously.\nAnyone else on that? David Bowles.\nWe'd agree that this piece of legislation is quite revolutionary in what it's doing. As I said, Wales would be the first country to ban snares. I think let's get that in place and then have a consultation and get evidence on how that is working. Because obviously this is going to be down to enforcement. It's all very well putting legislation in place, but enforcement is going to be crucial. We've seen that before with the code of practice on snares, which, let's face it, hasn't really worked in actually improving animal welfare or, indeed, enforcement of that particular piece of legislation. So let's get this in place and then look at how to build on that in the future.\nWe also agree with that sentiment, because if the ban on snares is enacted, it will be in place by this time next year. So, we do question whether banning any other traps under this legislation at the moment could lead to a delay, and obviously leave animals vulnerable, for example if more stakeholder engagement or a public consultation would be needed. We are seeking clarity on whether the Bill can be enacted [Correction: 'amended'] at a later date, because section 46(2) of the Bill states that Ministers could make regulations to 'modify any enactment', therefore banning other traps [Correction: 'therefore this could be used to ban other traps']. This suggests to us, at least, that banning other traps is something that could, perhaps, be looked at in the future, and that having the ban on snares to compare to would provide a tried-and-tested approach.\nThank you very much. I'll move on to my next question now. Some people that we've taken evidence from say that legislation on snares is sufficient and that more emphasis should be placed on improving enforcement of the existing regulations. So, I'm interested in the panel's views on that stance.\nClearly, the code of practice hasn't worked. The RSPCA sees numerous examples being reported to us of non-target animals being caught in snares. There have been surveys done of the code of practice, how much people know about the code of practice, and how much it's been implemented. We believe that it hasn't been implemented. There is a lack of training and a lack of understanding of the code of practice amongst people that are putting down these snares, which is why you see this large bycatch issue, with animals being caught in snares that are non-target animals. And obviously, you also have to understand that snares themselves are a cruel means of trapping animals. In Wales, you only have this proviso that they are seen every day, whereas in Scotland you have to see them once every 24 hours. So, in Wales, the person could be looking at the snare at 6 o'clock in the morning, and then the next day they could be looking at the snare at 6 o'clock in the evening, which would obviously give an additional 12 hours for that animal to suffer. So, we don't believe that the present use of snares has been a success, and that's why we welcome the prohibition as the only way to actually stop the suffering, and also, importantly, the non-target capture of animals in these snares, such as cats, birds, badgers and other not just protected animals but domesticated animals.\nI would like to add that, in the study here, which only came out in April this year, from Professor Harris, throughout it, he's analysed all the data from the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust and the major DEFRA study that came out 10 years ago. On the code-compliant snares, no one can police it; it's all on private land. And when they were carried out by the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust's top team of gamekeepers, or technicians as they call them, there was 70 per cent non-target capture, a lot of instances where hares were killed in snares, deep muscle trauma to those others, including foxes, and badgers were caught as often as foxes. Now, we've also carried out a study on the breaking point of the breakaway snare, which the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust has come up with as a way of bypassing the problems that exist with snares in terms of catching badgers. When you examine the snare using a model of a badger's neck, the actual strain to break the snare is 70 kg—that's 11 stone. A badger weighs 2 stone. It has a cheesewire effect, and there's no data on the badgers that do escape. Thirty per cent escape the breakaway snare, but there's no data on what happens to those who've used this extreme force. But there is data on the ones that don't escape, and they were suffering deep, traumatic injuries. In some cases they actually had to be shot on welfare grounds. I have also sent you four examples of a badger, a cat, and more than 100 foxes killed in south-west Wales. They're contemporary examples where the code of practice isn't working, so there's no case where the code of practice can be said to be the way forward.\nAnd for us, with regard to existing legislation, obviously self-locking snares have been illegal in the UK for over 40 years, but serious welfare problems remain with legal snares, often known as free-running snares. These obviously can cause serious suffering, with death by strangulation being just one thing that can happen. Animals caught in these legal snares can suffer from prolonged and agonising deaths as well as serious injuries as they try to escape. There have even been cases of animals trying to chew off their own limbs to escape—something that I imagine the committee would agree is horrific.\nCurrent legislation, as one of the panel members mentioned, also requires the snares to be checked at least once a day, but the Welsh Government's own code of practice actually recommends that they're checked twice a day, so with those snares that are only needing to be checked once a day by law, this could potentially leave animals caught up in snares, as David said, for up to around 48 hours, and during this time they could die from dehydration, exposure to the elements, or at the hands of predators. Obviously, with snares commonly being used during breeding seasons, their offspring can often be left to fend for themselves once their parents are caught—something that is obviously a serious welfare concern.\nI think the BVA's perspective on this would be that the ban should go ahead. Whether you check them or not, there are still going to be serious welfare issues for those animals that are caught in snares. For example, in the extreme heat we had this summer, animals will very, very quickly become overheated and dehydrated and often die from that, even if they haven't died from strangulation. So, I think there's just no reason why you would support this.\nThank you. And my final question, then, is on enforcement. If a person's found guilty of an offence, they are liable to a maximum of six months' imprisonment or an unlimited fine. So, I'd like to ask the panel whether they feel that that is proportionate.\nSix months' imprisonment or an unlimited fine would be in line with other wildlife offences convicted under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, although it's important to note that the Animal Welfare Act 2006 makes the user of any snare or trap responsible to avoid any unnecessary suffering of any captured animal. So, the League Against Cruel Sports was among the many organisations that campaigned to see the maximum prison sentence for animal cruelty to be raised from six months to five years via the Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Act 2021, which has been applied to Wales by a legislative consent memorandum. Therefore, we'd question whether offences involving snares, especially where severe suffering has taken place, should also be tried under this legislation.\nThere is a case for increasing the penalties for repeat offenders. In the report here, there was a Scottish gamekeeper—and it's all quite recent—who was convicted on four occasions, and so the penalties were not sufficient to prevent recurrence. So, for repeat offences, it may want to be considered to increase the penalty.\nIt's ironic, isn't it, that we do have this difference between penalties on domestic animals and wildlife, and the RSPCA, like the league, were one of the main organisations campaigning to get the sentences rightly increased, as they were in September last year. But if you're convicted of kicking a cat downstairs you could get up to five years, but if you're convicted of setting a snare and a cat gets caught in that and dies horribly over a long period of time, your sentence is much, much lower. So, I think that is something that perhaps the Senedd should be looking at in the future to try and get parity between these two very different sentencing regimes, depending on whether it's a wild animal offence or a domestic animal offence.\nThank you. A very useful answer. Thank you, Chair.\nYes. Collin Willson, you just want to come in finally on that.\nI was just going to say, I'm not going to comment on the actual penalties because I think other colleagues here have already spoken adequately on this, but I think once concern—. In another job I do, I deal with other pieces of legislation, and I think sometimes you have to look at it and say not always is it the individual solely responsible. So, for example, if you have a gamekeeper, then surely the landowner will be aware of and have some responsibility for the gamekeeper's actions, and should there be consideration in the legislation for action to be taken also against the landowner, as well as the employee. Because I think I've heard anecdotally that some of these gamekeepers are supported by their employers when they get caught for these things. And I think perhaps consideration could be given to widening the ability to prosecute.\nThank you, Vikki. I'll now bring in Sam Kurtz. Sam.\nDiolch, Cadeirydd. Good morning, panel. Just moving on to the calls from pest control bodies for an exemption for professional pest controllers, allowing them to continue to use glue traps specifically, not snares, under a licence—David, I'll start with you.\nYes. So, this is obviously what's happened in England, and it means that we now have—although that piece of legislation was passed in April of this year—a period of trying to work out what the guidelines are going to be, and how you separate out an official pest controller from a non-official pest controller. And I think you need to be very exact in your definitions of that. The RSPCA believes that if you're going to give an exemption for pest controllers, your definition of what that is—maybe they should be just solely a member of the professional organisation—needs to be very tight.\nAnd also, the methods of how they use that and where they use that need to be very tightly controlled. The RSPCA is concerned that, for instance, hospitals have been asking in Wales for an exemption for them. We don't believe that that is necessary. We believe that the glue traps are very, very cruel and have huge bycatch problems, probably even greater than snares. So, whilst you may be looking at an exemption, look at what's been happening in England, where the glue trap legislation hasn't yet been enforced because of this delay in working out who's a pest controller and who isn't.\nOkay, thank you. Billie-Jade.\nOur work really focuses on snares, as I'm sure you know, but we'd always encourage the use of non-lethal methods of wildlife control where possible, and are averse to any traps that cause animal suffering, be that for sport or otherwise. Obviously, we would normally rely on the expertise of the RSPCA and BVA on this one, although we'd just like to say that we have been part of coalitions, such as the RSPCA's Act Now for Animals, where one of the recommendations was to ban glue traps as well as snares. So, we would be generally supportive of this, although it's not something we have specifically campaigned on.\nOkay, thank you. Simon.\nThe Universities Federation for Animal Welfare have done a major study on the control of the wild Norway rat, which is a common rat, and the two examples of the most extreme suffering were glue traps and the baiting traps using anticoagulant, which causes haemorrhage, and the non-toxic cellulose, which causes dehydration. The baiting was severe to extreme, but glue traps were universally extreme. Now, snap traps had variable effects. Sometimes, they were instantaneous, sometimes they were extreme, but, in general, glue traps were the only ones universally extreme. The Pest Management Alliance themselves say that they can cause acute physical suffering, fear and stress to trapped animals. So, before giving any exemption, it needs to be very carefully thought out, if you were ever going to consider exemption, because of the extreme suffering here.\nOkay. Thank you, Simon. Collin.\nI concur with what's been said there, and in fact at the Animal Welfare Foundation this year, there was a presentation on these traps, and more or less those findings. The question I would ask is: so what is a professional pest controller? Do we have any definition of that? I don't think we have. I think if you were going to have that, you'd have to have some sort of formal training recognition. You'd also have to have some form of disciplinary process, such as that if individuals failed to comply with their requirements, they could be struck off, or whatever.\nI work in the Food Standards Agency. So, for example, with slaughterhouse workers, there is a scheme where they have to have what's called a certificate of competence. They have to go through an approved training process, and then there's a facility then that, if they're found not to be compliant, they can either have their licence suspended or revoked. If they're suspended, they retrain. And I think you've got to put in mind, if you're going to have a so-called professional pest control, you're going to have to have some sort of system like that.\nNoted. Thank you very much. Just coming back to, Simon, what you mentioned previously on a snare definition, if I may—you mentioned any wire or other loop designed to catch an animal by its neck, foot, or any other part of its body. Doesn't that put RSPCA handlers at risk of jeopardising or being in contravention of that with their animal handling poles? I look at David or Simon here.\nWell, I've done wildlife rescue and I use a noose, but—\nSo, wouldn't that contravene this definition?\nWell, that's a fair point, yes, it's a fair point. Obviously, if you're using it for the purposes of animal welfare, it's a completely different matter than if you were intending to set one around a gamekeeper's release pen. So, I think that you could perhaps draw a distinction there, couldn't you? And the Wildlife and Countryside Act draws a lot of distinctions, doesn't it, in that legislation. But if it's for the purposes of humanely treating an animal that's injured, that's a different matter. But you've got to be very careful there that gamekeepers don't, somehow, use that to get around the law and circumvent things.\nDavid, anything to add?\nYou have to look at unforeseen consequences. So, as Billie said in her evidence, you have to make sure that the definition is tight enough not to allow loopholes, but broad enough not to be caught by the issue that you just raised.\nExcellent. Thank you. Moving on—. Oh, sorry, Collin, I beg your pardon.\nI've personally used a noose to handle dogs that are attacking somebody, and things like that. And I think, if you use it correctly, then it has a short-term effect, in the sense that it obviously restrains the animal, but I've never, ever felt that I've used one and it's caused the animal any long-term distress. I think, if they're used correctly, there's nothing wrong with them.\nExcellent. Thank you. Moving on to evidence submitted by the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust that the banning of snares could put priority species—those under section 7 of the Environment (Wales) Act 2016—at risk, and given the fact that Welsh Government, through NRW, have the use of snares in curlew projects, for example, at present, does the panel believe that the ban on snares could potentially put the restoration of species at risk, especially those section 7 species?\nWell, the snares have the potential to catch and kill animals such as otters, the brown hare and pine marten, all of which are obviously included under section 7 of the environment Act. We'd actually question whether failing to ban snares could actually threaten priority species. And we've previously mentioned badgers as well—they are a protected species that do get caught in snares. Because of this, the likes of the Badger Trust are among the many organisations, without a vested interest in the commercial shooting industry, who are also calling for a ban on snares.\nYes, I'd flip it over the other way. We know, because snares are non-target-specific, that other species are caught in it, including those on that particular schedule. And then look at what other countries are doing: how is it that Ireland, Spain, Poland and the Czech Republic are all able to have the ban on the use of the snares, but also have a thriving conservation programme for those specific animals?\nLapwings is one that's promoted by shoots quite often. Now, in this report, it mentions that, since 1995, there's been a 46 per cent decline in foxes and, at the same time, just over a 40 per cent decline in lapwings. So, foxes cannot be blamed. Where you get a small increase in lapwings on shooting estates that are doing predator control, you'll find hundreds of spring traps in every hedge line and culvert, and they're targeting stoats and weasels. And it's that that is causing the increase in lapwings, because of course they want to increase ground-nesting birds. But you get there biodiversity severely affected because you will get snares on those estates; you won't find many stoats or weasels, and you won't find many badgers either, because there are so many snares.\nOne thing I would point out is that as many foxes as badgers are caught in snares. Now, when a gamekeeper comes along, they can't easily release a badger; I would use a restraining pole—you couldn't do it by hand because you can't scruff a badger. So, they've got every motivation to shoot the badger, and that's what happens in most cases. They also don't want the badgers anyway, because they might predate on the ground-nesting birds. A hunt investigation team, only a year ago, caught on camera a gamekeeper shooting a badger that had been snared, and his argument to the police was, 'Well, how can I release it on its own?' And that's one of the key factors for wanting to see snares banned.\nIn that instance there, though, a badger is a protected species, so that individual is breaking the law anyway, and what law was there already didn't prevent that individual breaking the law. So, coming on to snares, or continuing the discussion around snares, in terms of a licensing scheme, where there are specific uses or targeted uses for it, where they could be used selectively in terms of wildlife conservation projects, which we've touched on, I just want to delve into the panel's thoughts on that a bit more in detail.\nI can answer it, because I've discussed this at length with Professor Harris. He, when he was at Bristol University, used to catch foxes for the purpose of radio tagging. He said he would never have used a snare. I use cage traps to catch foxes, and I've caught foxes only quite recently that have actually had snares that were wire nooses that people have made up with garden wire. Your reputation would be completely ruined if you used a snare to try and catch a fox. It actually causes a fair bit of distress when they're in a cage trap, so you would never do it for radio tagging; you would use a cage trap if you had to do it for research.\nWe would not support the licensing of snares. We very much welcome the approaches that have been taken to outrightly ban them and feel that this is proportionate, given the aforementioned suffering it causes to animals. Because, regardless of whether a snare is code compliant, it can still cause serious suffering and catch non-target animals, as we've established. It would be difficult to guarantee that this wouldn't happen too during a wildlife conservation project. Interestingly, the RSPB, as we know, as one of the UK's leading conservation charities, do not use snares on their own sites, and neither do other landowners such as the Scottish Wildlife Trust or the Woodland Trust. That suggests that there are other ways to protect wildlife without reverting to the use of snares. As far as we are concerned, there's no such thing as a humane snare, regardless of whether it is code compliant or being used for a wildlife conservation project. To simplify the application and enforcement of the snaring ban in Wales, and eliminate any and all of the suffering that they cause, we believe that the ban should apply to all snares without exemption, as it does in its current format. It's important to remember that a licensing system would require some sort of public funding and resources, for example if it needed to be administered through the police, as they do in Scotland. We feel that these funds and resources actually would be better used to protect animals and address rural crime.\nWe wouldn't support the licensing provision, not just because of the issues that Billie has just mentioned. The RSPCA has many situations where it has to trap foxes. We use live traps, if that's necessary. But also, there's a worry that this is a loophole. We've seen that the code of practice hasn't worked. If you're introducing licensing, then that is another loophole, and I think that will impact on the enforcement of this. As I said right at the beginning, many countries have already banned the use of the snare; I don't believe that that has affected their conservation issues, but it has improved their welfare, and that's why we have supported the Welsh Government's proposals in this.\nCollin, anything to add?\nOkay. Thank you. Thank you, Chair.\nThank you, Sam. I'll now bring in Luke Fletcher.\nDiolch, Gadeirydd. I'm wondering if I could kick off by asking if any of you think there could be any unintended consequences from the Bill's prohibitions, for example where people might revert to less humane methods of capturing animals. Does anyone want to kick off with this one?\nIt goes without saying that enforcement of the snaring ban and other legislation such as the Hunting Act 2004 will prove key in ensuring that unintended consequences do not arise, such as former snare users reverting to illegal, less humane methods. Just to touch on other unintended possible consequences, in our written paper that we submitted ahead of this session we questioned whether the wording used in the proposed legislation was sufficient with regard to ensuring that these unintended consequences do not arise. Section 43 of the Bill makes it an offence to set in position\n'any snare, or other cable restraint, which is of such a nature and so placed as to be likely to cause bodily injury to any wild animal coming into contact with it'.\nThat section also makes it an offence to use a snare\n'for the purpose of killing or taking a wild animal'\nand so forth—I'm sure you're aware of the wording of the Bill. But, with this, we're concerned that 'sets in position' may not cover all instances of a use of a snare, potentially posing a challenge for enforcement. Because there have been cases where defendants who have illegally used snares have claimed that they set them in situ rather than in position, for example. Therefore, we feel that it would be preferable to amend the relevant sections to read, 'sets in position or otherwise uses', just to stop that loophole and unintended consequence from arising.\nYou're probably thinking of gamekeepers or other people using spring traps. They are still used. On our website, the National Anti Snaring Campaign website, we're regularly reporting the use of gin traps still and spring traps. But it's a black-and-white issue for police. I don't see it happening on shooting estates, which are using the vast majority of snares, and I don't see an unintended consequence. What will happen is that gamekeepers will increase shooting. Using night sights, they can't miss, a gamekeeper tells me. They can target an animal. What there should perhaps be with shooting is a competency test, though, because that doesn't exist at the moment—it would be nice to see that. And they will up their game when the pheasants are in the release pens, because that's the greatest danger for gamekeepers—when the pheasants or partridge are in the release pens. They will up their game and put electric fencing round. Some gamekeepers don't bother doing electric fences, they just put snares down, because the snares cost them a couple of pounds each and an electric fence might cost £200. They will increase that provision. So, there won't be any unintended consequences, I don't believe.\nAny views from you, David?\nWe don't think there will be any unintended consequences because there is a ban proposed on glue traps and on snares. Obviously, enforcement is going to be crucial, but also prevention. You have to prevent the problem occurring in the first place. To take on Simon's point, I think snares are, obviously, quite cheap and quite easy to use, and I think that gamekeepers have tended to revert to those. Yes, you will have to ensure that there is good training if you're going to use alternative methods, but I think that this will improve welfare rather than reverse welfare.\nAnything additional to add there, Collin?\nNot really, other than the inevitable difficulties of identifying where snares are and who put them down. Inevitably, it will rely on the public reporting. I feel there should be some culpability on the part of the landowner as well as the individual that's laid the snare.\nThank you. I find it somewhat paradoxical in some ways, asking around less humane methods being used, as glue traps and snares themselves are not humane. But thinking about alternatives here, I was wondering if there were any recommendations around what sort of alternative humane methods could be used as opposed to snares and glue traps. I don't know if, Simon, you wanted to pick up on that.\nIt would just be that—they will up their game. Twenty years ago, in West Sussex, the Cowdray estate—a very big estate—and the Goodwood estate banned snares after a series of badger incidents. They're all shooting estates, but they've never used snares again. So, it didn't cause them a problem. They will just up their game. They will just put double-strand electric wire around their release pens and, if they need to, they will increase shooting. So, there will be no unintended consequences; they will just work their way around it very simply.\nJust to be clear on that last question, it wasn't about unintended consequences, it was more around are there alternative humane methods that could be used.\nWell, they will be the alternative methods. They will just increase—\nSo, essentially, it would just be the fencing—\nThe greatest danger for a gamekeeper is when the birds are in the release pens. That differs somewhat in wild partridge or on a grouse moor. Not so much in Wales—you don't get so many wild bird shoots in Wales. On those shoots, they will just increase their night-time shooting with night sights.\nRight. Any additional comments?\nAgain, as I've mentioned, we’d always advocate for non-lethal methods of wildlife control, and there are efficient and humane alternatives to snaring foxes and rabbits now in widespread use. These range from good husbandry practices to habitat management and exclusionary fencing. I believe that a live trap is now being developed for rabbits as well. And there is, obviously, the potential for the use of night-vision equipment.\nI'd just like to raise a point from DEFRA’s 2012 report, which suggested that more than 95 per cent of land holdings do not use snares, which suggests that few actually find themselves needing to revert to this as a means of wildlife control in the first place.\nPrevention is better than cure, particularly with glue traps. Obviously, if you've got a rodent problem, the best thing is to stop the rodents coming in in the first place by preventing it from happening, so you don't need to put down your traps.\nCan I just touch on rabbit snares?\nNinety-seven per cent of snares are fox snares, 3 per cent are rabbit snares. Of those landholdings doing rabbit control, only 3 per cent are using snares. But of the snares that are set, in the DEFRA study, their survey was finding that professional trappers were finding 30 per cent were dead. There are also, we find, a disproportionate amount of cats caught in them because they're often set around the periphery of urban areas. So, those are facts it might be worth the panel knowing.\nGreat. Thank you. If I can move on to animal health and welfare considerations in the wider Bill. My next three questions are for RSPCA Cymru and the BVA. Of course, if anyone has anything they wish to add, please indicate. If I can kick off by asking how far, in your opinion, does the Bill promote high standards for animal health and welfare. Shall I start with David?\nThe RSPCA was encouraged that at least there is the potential to do payments for animal health and welfare. However, if you're measuring it against the English Bill, the agriculture Act and what England is doing, which is having a specific veterinary pathway scheme to actually give payments to farmers to get the vet on site, but also to give payments to do capital costs to convert systems into higher welfare systems, such as getting rid of the cage for hens and having free range hens, then we were disappointed. We think that Welsh Government should be much more progressive in this aspect, and, now that we are free of the common agricultural policy system, actually push those payments not just to farmers to be farmers, but to push those payments to farmers to do environmental and animal welfare benefits. So, it's a start, but I think they could be more progressive.\nI think the issue is that there is very little role for the veterinary profession in the Bill. We believe the veterinary profession have a key role. It has been shown recently when the veterinary profession worked with farming to reduce antibiotic usage, which was extremely successful, to the extent that England then copied the scheme used in Wales, it worked so well. We believe that the vet is key to animal health and welfare on the farm.\nAlso, if you get good standards of animal health and welfare, then it actually has a huge environmental impact because the animals have a better quality of life, but also are able to stay on the farm without the associated costs. After all, every animal that dies on the farm has to be incinerated; that has a huge environmental impact, for example. So, we believe that there should be a much bigger veterinary role.\nDavid mentions the England scheme. It would be really nice to see something along those lines. We already have very, very good relationships between Welsh Government, the office of the chief veterinary officer and vets in Wales, because there are two delivery partners, one for north and one for south with the TB work, and it would be very simple to just piggyback on that. You've got all the contacts there. I believe it should be an essential part of the Bill.\nThat's interesting.\nYou have to realise that, in many aspects, Wales is a leader. For instance, 85 per cent of the laying hen population in Wales is free range, which is far higher than any other country in Great Britain, indeed far higher than any other country in Europe. So, in certain areas, Wales is already doing some fantastic things, but I think it needs a boost in other areas, such as cattle and sheep farming, to actually encourage those farmers to go for higher veterinary and animal welfare systems.\nSomething else to say is that, inevitably, whenever you introduce a new Bill, you're looking to encourage people to go above and beyond the standards, but we have to remember that there are legal standards that everybody has to comply with. But, sadly, there is always a small minority who don't even to comply with the legal standards, and there has to be some sort of robust action against that small minority, as well as the ones that are going above the standard and rewarding them.\nThank you. In terms of the four sustainable land management objectives underpinning the Bill, in your view, are they appropriate? Would you, for example, want to see an additional objective?\nWe would like to specific objectives, such as in the Agriculture Act 2020, on animal welfare. That could be, as just discussed, on the veterinary pathway, it could be on the capital costs, or it could be on income forgone. If you go to a higher welfare system, and you've paid the money to do that higher welfare system but you can't recoup that through the market, then there should be some sort of subsidy to allow you to do that. Let's not forget that this agriculture Bill is the biggest change for agriculture in Wales since 1947. It is a once-in-a-generation opportunity, and let's hope that the Government grasps this and pushes Welsh agriculture forward, because it's something to be really proud of—Welsh food—and also the high welfare standards in Wales, I think, need to be improved to actually grasp that opportunity.\nI have a similar view. I think there should be provisions to lay down standards for animal health and welfare. We should encourage good standards, we should encourage compliance with good animal health and welfare, and I'd say that overall, it has a benefit to both the environment and to Wales as a whole. We have, as David says, a very good reputation for food, and I think that should be encouraged.\nOkay. Finally, Chair, I'd be interested in your views on the list of purposes for which support can be provided within the Bill. Shall I start with Collin and then head over to David to finish?\nI'm going to have to refresh my memory on what the list of purposes is.\nDavid, do you want to pick up on that, then?\nIt's the same point that I said just now. I think that the list of purposes should include specifically animal welfare. If you look at the Agriculture Act 2020 in England, it has animal welfare in there as a specific purpose, and we would like to see that replicated in the agriculture Bill in Wales.\n[Inaudible.]—the first one is suggesting that the first objective is to produce food and other goods in a sustainable manner, and I do believe that, if you also have good standards of animal health and welfare, then actually you get a more sustainable agriculture in the long term. Animals that are not performing properly are using more food. If they're ruminants they're excreting more methane. There are lots and lots of factors in there that would support high levels of animal health and welfare being conducive both to sustainable farming and the environment in the long term.\nThe crux of this issue is: should the agriculture Bill, or the agriculture Act as it will become, be there to promote food production, or should it be there to promote environmental and animal welfare benefits? Obviously, it can do both, but there are instances where you would have a conflict between those two things. What we saw in the discussions in England was that it should be about improving animal welfare and environment, and I think perhaps the balance in this Bill in Wales is slightly more towards the food production, and that worries me, because that could lead to intensification, which obviously has animal welfare negative issues. So, I think it needs to be redressed by having more of a balance in terms of promotion of farmers to go higher than the baseline and look at improving their welfare and their health and their environment in their production systems.\nI think, just something that occurred to me there from what you were saying, of course, it must be remembered that there are large areas of Wales that are not suitable for intensive forms of agriculture and are very, very reliant on the more traditional, what many refer to as dog-and-stick farming—so sheep, beef cattle, suckler cattle and so on. Again, we should be looking to support those kinds of—. They are very much part of the local communities; they provide, very often, the background to the local community's survival.\nGreat. Simon, yes.\nJust on the welfare issue, we touched on potentially including, say, Larsen and ladder traps, and agreed that that might be one for consultation for the future. Now, 18 months ago, the most popular spring trap in the British countryside, the Fenn trap—the UK banned that for catching stoats, because under the agreement on international humane trapping standards, it didn't meet the required time frame for killing, and it's notorious for catching by an extremity. But what I find happens—and the police don't like things that are muddy, and I've even found these traps on the Sandringham estate, the royal estate at Sandringham, this summer—is that they're still out there in the countryside and the gamekeeper, when questioned by the police, says, 'Oh, they're there to catch rats and squirrels'. So, there is a kind of loophole that the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust managed to push in. That is something that could be very simply done, because it's already banned for stoats, to include all wildlife, for the Fenn trap. It wouldn't necessarily need to go to consultation. So, that might be one to be considered.\nGreat. Thank you.\nYn ôl i chi, Gadeirydd.\nBack to you, Chair.\nDiolch yn fawr iawn, Luke. I'm afraid that time has beaten us, and therefore our session has come to an end. Can I take this opportunity to thank you for being with us this morning? Your evidence will be very useful to us as a committee in scrutinising this Bill going forward. A copy of today's transcript will be sent to you in due course, so if there are any issues with that then please let us know, but thank you once again for being with us. We'll now take a short break to prepare for the next session.\nWel, croeso nôl i gyfarfod y Pwyllgor Economi, Masnach a Materion Gwledig. Symudwn ni yn nawr at eitem 4 ar ein hagenda, sef parhau i sgrwtineiddio'r Bil Amaethyddiaeth (Cymru). Dyma wythfed sesiwn dystiolaeth y pwyllgor i ystyried egwyddorion cyffredinol y Bil Amaethyddiaeth (Cymru). Rŷn ni yn y sesiwn yma yn clywed tystiolaeth gan sefydliadau hela a chefn gwlad a sefydliadau rheoli plâu. Gaf i groesawu’r tystion i'r sesiwn yma? Cyn ein bod ni'n symud yn syth i gwestiynau, gaf i ofyn iddyn nhw gyflwyno eu hunain ar gyfer y record? Efallai gallaf i ddechrau gyda Glynn Evans.\nWelcome back to this meeting of the Economy, Trade and Rural Affairs Committee. We'll move on now to item 4 on our agenda, which is a continuation of scrutiny of the Agriculture (Wales) Bill. This is the eighth committee evidence session to consider the general principles of the Agriculture (Wales) Bill. We, in this session, will be hearing evidence from field sports and countryside and pest control organisations. May I welcome witnesses to this session? Before we go straight to questions, may I ask witnesses to introduce themselves for the record? Perhaps I can start with Glynn Evans.\nGlynn Evans 10:28:13\nYes. Good morning, my name's Glynn Evans. I'm from the British Association for Shooting and Conservation.\nRachel Evans 10:28:19\nBore da, bawb. Good morning. Rachel Evans, director for Wales for the Countryside Alliance.\nIan Andrew 10:28:24\nGood morning. Ian Andrew, chief executive of the British Pest Control Association.\nAnd John Hope?\nJohn Hope 10:28:32\nYes, sorry. John Hope, technical manager for the National Pest Technicians Association.\nWell, thank you for those introductions. Perhaps I can just kick off this session and just ask you really, in your view, how could the banning of the use of snares impact rural communities, the environment and, indeed, the businesses that you actually represent? Perhaps I can start with Rachel.\nOkay, thank you, Chair. The value really in monetary value, we're looking at shooting being worth £75 million to the rural economy in Wales and shooting provides a 365-day-a-year tourism opportunity for Wales. The sheep sector's worth some £270 million to the Welsh economy and the poultry sector is worth some £95 million.\nLooking at it from a different view, and not just the monetary value—you can't measure everything through money—we are deeply concerned about the impact that this will have on the environment, particularly the impact that this will have on biodiversity. We are facing a biodiversity challenge. I believe that Welsh Government's policy is that everything is underpinned by improving our biodiversity, but by removing this vital tool in the box for predator management, we are looking at a significant challenge, for example, to the curlew, which is likely to be extinct by 2033. If we take away this vital tool in the box, then we are looking at a catastrophe, Chair, and we are deeply concerned about that.\nSo, there is a monetary value; there is more so an environmental value, and if we're looking at Wales from a green tourism aspect—for example, people come to Wales to see our wildlife and to see our birds, and the threat of the curlew extinction should not be taken lightly.\nAnyone else on this?\nNo, I would agree absolutely with Rachel on this. There are a number of iconic species that are at serious threat, and being able to catch and hold them in humane cable restraints is essential.\nIan Andrew.\n[Inaudible.] strong opinion. Snares are used by a small number of our members, and again, it's a useful tool that we wouldn't want to see disappear.\nI think it's the same thing from an NPTA perspective, although I couldn't add anything more than has already been put very eloquently by both Rachel and Glynn.\nOkay, thank you. And how effective do you think are alternatives to snares, legal alternatives, in your view?\nSo, could I pick that up, please, Chair?\nYes, sure.\nThere are a number of methods to control foxes, and at certain times, certain methods—shooting foxes with a high-powered rifle with thermal, with a lamp—will be the best method, absolutely. There are other times when those methods simply won't work. So, the prime example: Rachel has mentioned curlews. So when curlews are nesting, they're at their most vulnerable; they're on the ground, that is when foxes will take them. That also coincides with the time of year when cover is at its highest, so when the cover is at the height of your knee, you physically cannot use a rifle, even with thermal, because you cannot see through that cover. So, the only method that you have that will work at that time of year for catching foxes are humane cable restraints. You catch the fox in the area where the risk is, where the damage is likely to be done, and then you can humanely dispatch it afterwards.\nAnyone else? Rachel?\nNo. Just to echo what Glynn says, there is no one size that fits all for predator control; it means a suite of measures. And again, I reiterate my point about how important it is to have that suite available to conservationists and to gamekeepers and to farmers.\nAgain, I defer to my colleagues' expertise in this area.\nFine. Anything to add, John Hope?\nNo, exactly that. Yes, can't argue with what's been said.\nOkay, thank you very much. I'll now bring in Sarah Murphy. Sarah.\nSarah Murphy AS 10:32:35\nThank you, Chair. Thank you all for being here this morning. Just to follow on the line of questioning, how far do you think is the code of best practice on the use of snares in fox control being used and adhered to?\nDo you want to start?\nWell, we believe as a sector, having engaged with our membership, that the code of practice is being adhered to, and that there has been a change.\nI think it's really important to point out, though, that the development of the modern cable restraint is now far removed from the sort of crude and indiscriminate snares of the past. I heard your evidence session before this morning, and I'm afraid that those giving evidence are still in the past; we have moved on as a sector. We have created the code of practice with Welsh Government and the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust, and I want to return to their research later on, if I may. The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust have invested hundreds if not thousands of man hours and scientific research into the production of a humane cable restraint. We believe that the code hasn't had—due to COVID, really—enough time to be bedded in. I, for one, was part of a promise of a training team for the young farmers' clubs. That had to be put on hold. When we went to the YFC, it had to go through their rural affairs committee, so that took about two or three months. That was then cleared unanimously—that they were willing to work with us to provide training for young farmers for the use of code-compliant snares. Then, of course, we had COVID; everything was shut down.\nSo, we believe that the code is being adhered to. There is obviously room for improvement, but there's one vital point missing here, that, in a meeting in February 2018, our sector called for a ban on non-code-compliant snares. It was Charles Nodder from the National Gamekeepers Organisation who called on Welsh Government Ministers or the officials during the time, to find a quick legislative path to ban non-code-compliant snares. We would agree with Welsh Government on that, but we want them replaced with a humane cable restraint, which ties in with the code. It's not just about laying the snare, it's about how you do it, which is where the code comes in, and I think Glynn's probably better placed to take you through more of the technical stuff.\nYes. So, to pick up on evidence that the code is working, we have offered, with Welsh Government, to try and help gather this evidence, and it's difficult; it's difficult to prove a double negative, as it were. On one hand, I could say the evidence of limited reports of issues with humane cable restraints. I've seen other evidence that people have submitted, and they're talking about incidents with old-fashioned fox snares, but when the evidence is put forward referring to humane cable restraints, those animals have actually been able to be released unharmed. So, in a way, the evidence that there is no issue is evidence in itself. But I would fully agree that we haven't been able to produce the evidence of compliance. I think the level of compliance is really, really high, but it's one of the reasons, as a sector, why we think there should be support for moving to the next level, which was recommended by the climate change and rural affairs committee, to making compliance with the Welsh Government's own code a legal requirement.\nChair, I am mindful that it has been noted here in Plenary sessions by the First Minister and by the Minister for rural affairs that there has been no evidence, therefore, there is no choice. Well, we were champing at the bit to help them provide evidence, in the meeting of 26 February 2018. My colleague Glynn Evans on 14 May 2019 made that same offer again for Welsh Government to put together the survey and for us as organisations to disseminate it. So, we've been more than willing to work with Welsh Government, but we seem to have hit a stumbling block, and all of a sudden now we are presented with legislation with an outright ban, which I'll come to later on, again, if I may.\nOf course. Thank you. Did anybody else want to come in on this question before I move on? No, okay. Thank you. So, my next question is how do you respond to arguments that snare use under the code of practice still causes welfare issues and catches non-target species. There's been a lot of evidence from the RSPCA on this. Would you like to go first?\nI listened to the RSPCA evidence earlier, and I also have been looking back through notes for this particular session. We can see from their evidence paper that 106 calls over five years were made in relation to snares, but in the May 2019 meeting—and I'm happy to provide the committee with all the minute notes that I've managed to dig out over the last two or three days—the RSPCA said that, out of those 106 calls over five years, it was heavily caveated with the possibility of misreporting or repeat calling about the same incident.\nWe do recognise that there are issues, but I want to draw your attention again to some minutes from the police, from the meeting of 2018 in February, where Dyfed-Powys Police reported one incident investigated at a carp fishery. That was obviously an illegal practice—somebody was out to catch otters, nothing to do with foxes or anything else. That was obviously an illegal practice from the word 'go'. North Wales Police cited one incident out of four where a badger was caught in a code-compliant snare, released unharmed, and the RSPCA at that meeting said that there were very few incidents in Wales, where, over the last six years, there have been 160 incidents reported to the RSPCA overall. So, I think we need to be very careful when we're talking about the figures. The important point here is that, with most of these incidents, they are not code-compliant snares, they are not a humane cable restraint, and the people who set these types of capture items then—snares, whatever you want to call them—they're not really from our sector. Most of them are found in semi-urban environments, and I think you can also go cross-policy here, where there is perhaps social deprivation, et cetera.\nGoing from my experience of attending these meetings pre 2019, where animals have been found in code-compliant snares, they seem to be released unharmed, whereas those taking matters into their own hands and operating illegally from the start, this is where the problems arise, and I don't feel like an outright ban on snares is going to solve any of those problems.\nOkay. Thank you. Does anybody else want to come in? Glynn.\nYes. If I could come in, from a practical point of view, there are two elements to the Welsh Government's code. One is, let me call it, the hardware, the humane cable restraint, and one of the reasons why we're referring to it as a humane cable restraint is so that people clearly understand there is a huge difference between this device and an old-fashioned fox snare. So, for instance, it has design features that are built in so it has stops and swivels. It's made out of wire. It's made out of wire for two reasons: one is so that the fox doesn't see it, because, to work, the fox mustn't know that it's present, so it's made out of thin wire, and the other thing is so that the wire is strong enough to hold the fox. One of the things that's happened in the development of this device is the wire is of a certain strength, and then there is a breakaway link built in that will break at a certain pressure, and that means it will open up. So, basically, it will never break other than an its weakest point. It's got swivels that allow it to rotate. So, the hardware aspect, lots and lots of research has gone into it. I believe the equivalent of 200 years' research have gone into this device. So, a massive amount of research. But, the device is only one part; it's how you actually then use the device that is essential, which is referenced in the code. So, when we talk about species such as badgers, you wouldn't set the snare if you knew they were there. So it's about using the snare in the right way in accordance with the Welsh Government's code.\nCan I just quickly mention that I know you've heard evidence this morning about the breakaway failing and the comparison made to the weight of a badger, but what isn't taken into consideration in that description is momentum? So, I'm told—you wouldn't believe it, but I'm not a runner—that, when you run, eight times your body weight is carried through your knees, but you do not lift eight times your body weight, as you wouldn't even consider it or be able to manage it. So, the velocity part of this is missing out of the equation that was described to you this morning. In fact, the snare that was described to you is actually not a code-compliant snare. It has developed since then. I just wanted to make that point.\nCould I just come in and mention one last thing on that? The DEFRA research from 2012 is widely referenced by various people. I'll paraphrase it: field trials of snare type D, which has become the humane cable restraint, showed that it met the requirements of the agreement on international humane trapping standards, which is this international humane trapping agreement, through restraining devices for target species, indicators of poor welfare were not found in any of the non-target species captured, and there was no indication that those animals that escaped would have experienced poor welfare. So, this was research done as part of the humane cable restraint development.\nExcellent. Thank you very much. Thank you, Chair.\nOkay. Thank you, Sarah. I'll now bring in Vikki Howells. Vikki.\nThank you, Chair, and good morning, panel. All my questions on snares have been covered already, so I'm going to move straight on to glue traps. Firstly, I'd like to ask the panel how could the banning of the use of glue traps impact on pest control and public health as well as the businesses that you also represent?\nWho'd like to start on that? Ian Andrew, yes, by all means, yes.\nI'll go first. I haven't said much so far, and I do have a point of view on this one. The use of glue traps is to protect public health. When rats and mice are out there, they're doing their own thing. The problems arise when they come in here. Whether that's specifically in here—. Whenever they're inside and in contact with humans, that's when the issues start. The glue board is the only tool we have in our tool kit to catch a rat or a mouse quickly. There's nothing else. We have other tools. They will control rats and mice eventually, but it's whether you're willing to wait a week or two weeks for that to happen. So, it is an issue of speed. But, let's not forget, from a public health perspective, rats and mice carry lots of nasty diseases on their fur, on their feet, and in contact with humans that's not a good thing. Most of the diseases are reportable, notifiable diseases to the UK Health Security Agency. They have to be reported. Thankfully, they don't happen often because pest controllers do a good job at keeping rats and mice out of buildings. Prevention is always our starting point. Let's keep them out. However, if they are in restaurants, supermarkets or hospital operating theatres, the glue boards are the only way of catching them quickly. Otherwise, you have to wait for the rat or mouse to go near a break-back trap, or for the poison to work, which can take, as I say, anything up to a week to two weeks for that to happen. So, the ban will impact on public health, it will impact on business, particularly small businesses, and the very fragile tourism, food and hospitality sector.\nCan I add to that, please?\nBrilliant. Just to say, I completely concur with everything that Ian has said. I think one of the things that glue boards gives—to really underline what Ian's saying—one of the things that glue boards gives that no other control measure gives is speed of control. They are, obviously, a physical catching method, and they don't have to rely on anything eating or going into something, and I think that's critical, because the idea behind a glue trap is that you can just put that down in an area where a rodent is running, and the rodent will then come into contact with that. So, you're not relying on any other method.\nWhat I can say is that I've been in this industry over 30 years now—and I've put this in my written evidence to you—and just to say that rodent control is becoming more and more difficult, particularly when it comes to house mice, and certainly within towns and cities. Over that time, we have lost a large amount of the tools that were available to the professional pest control industry over that time. So, for something else to go, I think that we run the risk of exactly what Ian says about public health suffering. And if you just look at, really, what's happening in the wider world of rodent control, we've also got an issue now where anticoagulants are also under pressure in terms of their potential damage to the environment, and we've got a stewardship scheme in place to deal with that. But, on top of that, with anticoagulants, we've also got a growing genetic resistance issue. So, although there are other methods available for control, I think, from my perspective, to protect public health, we wouldn't like to see an option going that we have got no direct replacement for. Thank you.\nOkay. Vikki.\nOkay. Thank you. My next question, then, again, is on glue traps. The explanatory memorandum says that some pest control services have a self-imposed ban on the use of glue traps, and they say they're able to capture the pest in all circumstances, still. So, can I ask, in light of this, why the panel are still calling for an exception to the ban for professional pest control bodies?\nThe quote from the large pest control company was a little paraphrased in the memorandum. They were clear they have no place for glue traps in their business as usual, and I don't believe any of our professional pest controllers have got a use of glue traps in their day-to-day, business-as-usual business. But that particular large pest control company was also very clear that it wouldn't want to see a blanket ban on the use of glue traps. So, the paraphrasing was not fully paraphrased. Absolutely, we can capture and deal with rats and mice without glue traps, if you're willing to have hospital wards closed, school canteens closed, small businesses closed, for up to two weeks. If that's the level of acceptability, then absolutely we can deal with rodent infestations through rodenticides, while we still have them, and through break-back traps. What we cannot do, however, is deal with an infestation quickly without the glue trap. It's the only means of rapid capture. And so, the longer submission that that pest control company made did go on to explain that, rather than the very short paraphrasing that was quoted here.\nJohn, anything to add to that?\nNo, that's so well put. What I will say is that any member of the BPCA, or any member of the NPTA, has to sign up to the Pest Management Alliance code of practice, and that sets out really strict guidelines under which the glue boards can be used. So, from that perspective, obviously, there are always going to be issues around amateur use and non-professional use, but, for a member of any trade association, we can almost guarantee that they use them, because they have to sign up to do so.\nOkay. Thank you. So, my final question, and I'd just like to ask the panel what they think a licensing regime for professionals to actually use glue traps might look like.\nAgain, if I may, Chair, a licensing system—. Let's be clear, amateurs should not get their hands on glue boards. We absolutely support a ban on the use of glue boards for amateur use, and a lot of the horror stories that you see in the press about their use is glue boards outside. Well, we just wouldn't use them outside; a professional wouldn't. The issue with licensing is that we need speed. So, we can't wait for a licence to be granted; we need to be licensed and there needs to be a level of trust that the professional pest controller will deploy these tools professionally.\nAs I say, we just never know when there's going to be an infestation, so we can't wait for a licence, then, to be granted. But, equally, that licensing system needs, absolutely, to define what a professional pest controller looks like. We have an European definition of it that covers the training, the qualifications, the continued professional development and the competence levels of professionals, which, certainly, the BPCA members would adhere to. I think that that level of trust—it depends how bureaucratic, and I'm sure that the last thing you want is a bureaucratic licensing system, but if it was Natural Resources Wales, for example, they are accustomed to licensing professional pest controllers for the bird licensing and for the gull licensing. So, there are models in place.\nEqually, there are models where you could license ourselves and NPTA to actually do the licensing scheme for you; that would reduce your bureaucracy. As I say, it is, absolutely, about ensuring that those who are using them are trained, qualified and competent in their use.\nI couldn't agree more. I think it's clear that we, as both trade associations, have very similar views on the use of glue traps and any potential licensing agreement that might be considered. To completely echo what Ian has just said, we would completely support a ban on amateur use because that is where the vast, vast majority of misuse comes in.\nCould I just quickly ask, John and Ian, on that, looking at the Glue Traps (Offences) Act 2022, which has received Royal Assent in England this spring and will come into force in 2024—that bans the use of glue traps in England apart from on an exceptional basis, and there would be licences to use glue traps only issued to professional pest controllers where there's deemed to be no suitable alternative. What are your views on that measure and is that what you think we should be looking at here in Wales?\nAbsolutely—John, I'll let you go first this time.\nOkay. I think, again, it comes down to: if licensing is the only option to be able to keep glue traps, then we would just accept that. But, it really comes down to speed of control, and what we don't want to see is people being put in a position where we're failing to actually deal with something that's really important. Ian pointed out earlier about hospitals, potentially even aircraft as well—those sorts of things, where public health really would suffer if speed of control was an issue. So, certainly from an NPTA perspective, I would rather avoid licensing for professional pest controllers but see a complete ban for amateur, unprofessional use. As I say, all of our members have to adhere to a very strict code of practice anyway.\nAgain, all of our members—they are trained, they are qualified, they do do continued professional development every year. We assess our members, we go out to visit them every year. They are all assessed to the European standard, EN 16636, so we know that they're doing a good job anyway. However, if the Welsh Government wants that additional assurance that they are only going to be used in exceptional circumstances and under a licensing regime, then we will work with you to build a workable licensing scheme.\nOkay. Thank you, Vikki.\nThank you, Chair.\nBefore I bring in Luke Fletcher, I just want to come back, Ian, on the point you made about the definition of a pest controller, because it was suggested, perhaps, earlier on today in another panel, that there is no such thing as a definition of a pest controller, but you did mention earlier that there is an European definition, is that right?\nThat's right. The Confederation of European Pest Management Associations, which is all the trade bodies across Europe, created a definition for a professional pest controller that covers the content and the amount of training that they ought to do, the level on the European qualification framework of qualification that they should hold, the amount of continued professional development that they should undertake, and if they don’t have a CPD requirement, then there should be a relicensing process in place, and also, a level of assessment of competence. So they were the four elements of professionalism that CEPA, the European association, defined. And I think both the trade associations would absolutely work towards that being achieved. BPCA members, we tick all the boxes as far as training, qualifications and CPD is concerned. One of the things we’re working on currently is that proof of competence.\nOkay. Thank you very much indeed for that clarification. Can I now bring in Luke Fletcher? Luke.\nDiolch, Gadeirydd. I’m not sure if you’re looking at my notes—I was going to be asking about that definition. A lot of the things that I was going to cover have already been covered in previous answers, but there were some elements that I just wanted to come back on. I’ll stick with Ian and John, if that’s okay. Of course, if Rachel or Glynn have anything they want to add, just indicate—I’m more than happy to bring you in. John, if I could start with you, you referred to a code of practice in the use of glue traps. From my understanding, that code of practice is a voluntary code of practice, so I was just wondering if you could provide some clarity on that and perhaps, if I am right in my understanding of it being a voluntary code of practice, if there’s any evidence that it’s being adhered to. As I’m sure you’re aware, in every sector, there are some bad faith actors, and when we talk about voluntary, sometimes that doesn’t go quite far enough.\nAbsolutely. Nobody can guarantee that people are using these things the way they should be used. But although you mention it being voluntary, you would consider that to be voluntary outside of pest control organisations that don’t operate within trade associations. But if a pest control company is working or affiliated to either ourselves or the BPCA, it’s not voluntary. They absolutely have to guarantee and sign to say that they will work to that code of best practice.\nThank you for that. I think that does provide some clarity, but, of course, there’s still that issue that, if they’re not associated with a trade organisation, it is voluntary.\nThere is—absolutely. It’s one of our membership criteria, so if they want to stay in membership of a trade association, then they absolutely have to abide by the code of practice. If they didn’t, there’d be no place for them in this trade association. That particular code of practice developed by ourselves, NPTA and the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health is a very robust code of practice. We have shared with DEFRA and Natural England our guidance, a much broader guidance document that will sit beneath that. We haven’t published it because we know that these things are being looked at, so we’ve held back, but again, I’m happy to share the guidance that will sit beneath that code of practice. But BPCA members are assessed annually, and while we wouldn’t look specifically at every code, then it is a random selection of codes that we would look at in those annual assessments.\nPerhaps you might not be able to answer this now, but, of course, if you’re able to send something after the session, it would be appreciated. But do you have an idea of how many pest control companies are operating outside of the trade associations, so they aren’t members of trade associations?\nNot really, because you could set up Luke Fletcher Pest Control tomorrow, and with a very quick online assessment, buy rodenticides, go to B&Q and get a lot of kit and you could be operational, because it’s not a licensed profession. We would absolutely support greater control and potential licensing of pest control professionals. We are a profession, and therefore we’ve nothing to hide under a much broader licensing arrangement, and indeed some of the bureaucracy could actually be got rid of if pest controllers were licensed generally as opposed to being licensed specifically for birds, for gulls, for glis glis, and now, potentially, for glue boards. So, that's four different licensing schemes as opposed to one much more robust scheme, where the company and the individual technicians are licensed.\nThank you for that, Ian. John, did you want to add anything on that before I move to my next question?\nNo, I think that I cannot add to that, other than to echo it.\nBrilliant. Thank you. We've touched on England and the licensing scheme there, but, of course, there are other countries that have banned the use of glue traps—for example, Ireland and New Zealand. Is there anything that we can learn from their experiences?\nShall I go first, if I may, on that?\nYes, by all means, yes.\nOkay. Several countries have banned them, but we have to compare apples with apples. Ireland, for example, has got none of the resistance issues that John mentioned earlier—the resistance to our biocidal products. So, no chemical resistance in Ireland, whereas for rats, we've got five different streams of chemical resistance in rats, and two in mice. France has got one, Germany's got one. Why we've got five in rats and two in mice, I've no idea, but we do, and one of them started here in Wales, as it happens. So, the rodent population has got a resistance to that tool. We're also seeing much greater trap shyness. These are intelligent creatures; they recognise, 'Oh, that thing, I'm not going near that, my Aunty Mary went near that and I never saw her again'. They're very intelligent creatures; they understand that that trap's not a good thing to go near.\nSo, while the trapping and the biocidal solutions absolutely can work, we have to be careful that we are comparing apples with apples. New Zealand didn't ban them. There's still a licensing scheme available in New Zealand. Again, Ireland, I was speaking to a colleague in Ireland just the other day—there was a rat in a supermarket, and they were literally chasing it around with broomsticks to try and get the rat out of the supermarket, because otherwise, the supermarket would have to close down. He described it as 'farcical'—chasing around a supermarket a rat with a broomstick, because there's just nothing else to get that rapid capture. So, we do need to make sure that we are doing a fair and robust comparison. Absolutely, there are several countries that have banned them and they've been banned for a long time, but equally, other countries have got other tools that we don't have. The drowning trap, for example, is quite effective, but it's illegal to drown rodents here in the UK, so we don't have that tool. So, the comparison needs to be a fair comparison.\nJohn, any additional comments?\nYes, just really, again, it's interesting that Ian has brought up that point about a rat being chased out of a supermarket. I would potentially argue that that would put a rodent under far more stress in a situation like that, than actually a pest controller having the ability to be able to disturb a rat from its place of rest onto a glue board, where it could be very quickly dispatched. As I started off by saying, I've been around in this industry now for 30 years or so. Rodents are adaptable. As Ian has pointed out, they're mammals so therefore they are intelligent and they will adapt. Rodents have been around for a long, long time, and in all of that time, because they're commensal rodents—and that means that they eat from our table, they live with us—we will have been trying to get rid of them. So, it's hardly any surprise that they adapt, and in all of the situations that I've been in—and it's becoming more apparent now—you cannot rely, as a professional pest controller, on one specific control measure, which is why it's really important that we don't, in my view, remove any of the options that we've got available to us now, because so many have disappeared over recent years.\nI would just add that we will see fewer and fewer rodenticidal products. Some of the manufacturers are already saying that, post Brexit, because the cost of registration is the same for the UK market as it was for the European market, it just doesn't make sense for them. So, we will see fewer and fewer rodenticides available in the UK—it's an inevitable consequence.\nThank you, both.\nNôl i chi, Gadeirydd.\nDiolch yn fawr iawn, Luke. I'll now bring in Sam Kurtz. Sam.\nDiolch, Cadeirydd. Good morning, panel. I always want to try and find consensus, and, having listened to both panels so far, I think there is consensus to be found in what Rachel, I think, you mentioned, as the old type of snare and what the previous panel want to see banned as well, and what you are saying in terms of wanting to ban that old type of snare as well. Is that a fair assumption?\nYes. I think our sector, as I said, back in that meeting in 2018, we called for a ban on non-code-compliant snares. We had devised a great code of practice between all organisations, including the League Against Cruel Sports and the RSPCA; we sat down in Treforest and went through that code word for word, for three and a half hours. So, it was absolutely signed and sealed; I don't think we could have improved it that much more, to be honest. So, coming back to that, we have a great code of practice. The code-compliant—. Well, the humane cable restraint used in conjunction with that code will improve and has improved animal welfare. And we would echo the calls to ban non-code-compliant snares. So, ban the old-type snares, make sure that it is a code-compliant—. Well, replace it with a humane cable restraint.\nAnd Glynn, just on the point that you mentioned earlier in terms of curlew restoration projects—this is something I mentioned to the previous panel—Welsh Government, NRW, are involved in these restoration projects. They're currently using humane cable restraints or the old-style snares—what would be the standard used in those sorts of restoration projects?\nSo, as far as I'm aware, they would be using humane cable restraints. But, if we made the code a legal requirement, we'd know they were using humane cable restraints.\nSo, that's my—. That's the point that I want to clarify, is that Welsh Government are currently—Welsh Government with its arm's-length bodies are currently—using humane cable restraints in species restoration projects, so it would feel natural that that should be the code-compliant way forward. Rachel.\nI think it's only—. With the curlew restoration projects, we don't know who is using what at the moment. It's not for us to answer whether NRW use humane cable restraints; it's more than likely any practitioners working on private land would use humane cable restraints to conserve curlew. That's my honest opinion on that. I don't think NRW actively use humane cable restraints, or the RSPB and so on. It's really for them to answer, but it would be wrong for anybody not to be using a humane cable restraint in compliance with the code, in our eyes.\nExcellent. That's really helpful. So, in terms of if a prohibition of all types of snares, humane cable restraints and glue traps came in, what we would see as—and we've touched on it individually—what would be the unintended consequences of that ban? We'll start with Glynn, and then we'll work along.\nI don't think it's too far to say that you will lose some iconic species in Wales; it's not over-egging it to say that. And when you look at percentages of foxes caught, killed, and you see evidence of people saying, '10 per cent to 80 per cent caught in humane cable restraints', that's only part of the story. It's the seasonality. So, as I said earlier, those foxes caught and then dispatched when those vulnerable birds are nesting has an immense benefit beyond the number taken. And it's not to say that people should reach for snares as the first option, and it's clearly referenced in the code—you consider other options, and the option that's most appropriate at the time is the one you should use.\nOkay. Excellent. Rachel.\nThe one sector we haven't really touched upon is, really, the farming sector here. We all want to eat free-range eggs—then how do you control the fox population around 20,000 free-range hens, for example? I think we need to have some serious thought into the future of food security here as well. And I don't know if you're questioning the farming unions on the use of snares particularly, but I know that, during the March period, there is an increase—there has been in previous years—in the purchase of snares, and that's referenced in some Welsh Government minutes.\nBut, coming back to your question of unintended consequences, I cannot emphasise enough how it really does make me nervous about the future of biodiversity in Wales, and particularly the section 7 protected species, such as the curlew. And by conserving the curlew, if you look at the GWCT paper, you're actually conserving and benefiting 82 other separate species, okay. And may I recommend that you take note of the GWCT's paper, with the hundreds and hundreds of hours of scientific work that's gone into that. I believe that they've written to the committee, and it's a shame that there isn't space for them here today for you to scrutinise their work. But the unintended consequence, Mr Kurtz, is that we are going to lose species like the curlew, because if they're not predated from by the air, they are predated from by the ground. And we really need to think outside the box of wanting to ban something simply because you just don't like it or you haven't been brought up to speed on the changes in technology and modernisations of restraints.\nOkay. Thank you. And then, in terms of glue traps, unintended consequences. Ian.\nUnintended consequences: if they're banned, we've already said there's going to be an impact on business, it's inevitable—restaurants, hotels, small businesses, small supermarkets, corner shops. And they're not going to want to close down for two weeks and wait for a trap or a biocidal product to work, and so I fear that the business owners will take things into their own hands. That would just make this proposed legislation achieve something far worse than what's being proposed at the moment. The health issues—again, we've touched on these. Rodents are a public health risk; there is an unintended consequence that more people will get more ill, more disease and time off work. So, there are lots of unintended consequences there. But, as I said, the bigger worry is that you will see people committing an offence by taking lethal action through other means other than a glue board. So, while the professional pest control companies won't, I fear that some of the small business owners will, because it's their livelihood that it's going to impact on.\nOkay, thank you. John, anything to add?\nCompletely from the public health angle, rodents are well documented to carry various pathogenic organisms, such as leptospirosis, salmonella, potentially even hantavirus, to name but a few. You've got a global trade movement now at the moment, climate change involved in that, so various other aspects are coming within our shores. So, I think that's a real issue for me, to protect public health. And I think it would be fair to say that that's what every professional pest controller sets out to do. So, when they're dealing with pests, they don't take any pleasure in the killing of these things; it's actually to protect public health. And the fact that environmental health officers will close down or issue a prohibition notice on a food business should, I believe, emphasise just how significant rodent problems are in terms of the disease risk to public health. So, as an unintended consequence, the potential of removing more control measures may have a negative impact on public health.\nExcellent. And just to stick with you, John, I note that the ban on glue traps wasn't in the proposal in the Bill's White Paper, so just looking for your views on the stakeholder engagement process behind the agricultural Bill's development.\nSorry, could you just repeat that? I didn't catch that.\nYes, of course. So, the ban on glue traps wasn't in the initial proposals of the Bill's White Paper, so I'm looking for your views on the stakeholder engagement that's been conducted by Welsh Government in the development of the Bill.\nTo be honest, I haven't had that much involvement with it. The more involvement regarding our association and the general aspect the better, really.\nThank you. Ian.\nYes. As you say, it wasn't in the original Bill; it has been squeezed into this agriculture Bill, and that's not unusual in politics. But, equally, it's a public health matter. Where's Public Health Wales's opinion on this? I did try to get an opinion from them, but, sadly, I'm still waiting. And it is a fine balance that you have to tread between animal welfare and public health, but, at times, public health surely has got to prevail. In consultations, local authorities seldom use them—yes, absolutely, because local authorities are mainly looking after housing stock of local authorities; they're not looking after corner shops, supermarkets, restaurants, takeaways. I did meet with the senior civil servant leading the consultation, and did then manage to feed in the pest controller's point of view, but that would have been completely absent in the consultation process had I not taken the initiative to go and meet with them.\nOkay. Thank you. I'm conscious of time, so, Chair, I'm going to hand back to you. Diolch.\nYes, thank you very much. I'm afraid that time has beaten us, so our session has come to an end. But can I take this opportunity to thank you for being with us today, giving your evidence? It'll be very useful for us as a committee in scrutinising this Bill going forward. So, thank you for being with us. There will be a copy of today's transcript sent to you in due course. So, if there are any issues with that, then please let us know. But, once again, thank you very much indeed.\nWe'll now take a short break to prepare for the next session.\nCroeso nôl i gyfarfod Pwyllgor yr Economi, Masnach, a Materion Gwledig. Symudwn ni ymlaen nawr i eitem 5 ar ein hagenda, sef parhau i graffu ar Fil Amaethyddiaeth (Cymru). Dyma nawfed sesiwn dystiolaeth y pwyllgor yn trafod egwyddorion cyffredinol Bil Amaethyddiaeth (Cymru). Rŷn ni yn y sesiwn yma'n clywed tystiolaeth gan academyddion ar ystyriaethau ar ôl gadael yr Undeb Ewropeaidd mewn perthynas â'r Bil. A gaf i, felly, groesawu'r tystion i'r sesiwn yma? Cyn inni symud yn syth i gwestiynau, gaf i ofyn iddyn nhw gyflwyno eu hunain i'r record?\nWelcome back to this meeting of the Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee. We'll move on now to item 5 on our agenda, which is our continuation of scrutiny of the Agriculture (Wales) Bill. This is the ninth evidence session that the committee has held discussing the general principles of the Bill. We're hearing evidence in this session from academics on post-EU considerations related to the Bill. Can I welcome the witnesses to this session? Before we move straight to questions, can I ask them, please, to introduce themselves for the record?\nDr Ludivine Petetin 11:20:10\nGood morning. Do I need to press the mike, or is it automatic?\nNo, no, it's fine.\nSorry. Good morning. Ludivine Petetin, a reader in law at Cardiff School of Law and Politics and the Wales Governance Centre.\nThank you. And Mary Dobbs.\nDr Mary Dobbs 11:20:28\nI'm Mary Dobbs. I'm a senior lecturer in law in Maynooth University in Ireland, and before that worked for eight years in Queen's as well, so lots on Brexit.\nWell, thank you very much, indeed, for those introductions and perhaps I'll just kick off this session with a few general questions. I just want to ask you your opinion on the definition of sustainable land management in the Bill. You'll note that the definition has been taken from the United Nations, and we've had evidence from farming unions that they belive that it should be taken from the World Bank definition. I'm just wondering what your views are on that. And do you also think that the definition should be on the face of the Bill as well? Shall I start with Mary?\nOkay, thank you very much. So, I'll start with the 'on the face of it'. I think that, generally, having definitions in the Bill itself can be very advantageous, especially if people have debates about what the definition should be and what it could possibly mean. So, that would, in itself, go and give good cause to go and include it.\nRegarding the choice of definition, the UN one is not a bad definition. It's a good starting point. I would prefer it to the World Bank one, but I would probably do a mix-and-match and build upon it—so, include, for instance, aspects regarding farming communities, the viability of farms and farming communities or rural communities. But also I would go beyond it, because I don't think that's actually ambitious enough or holistic enough, and so I would use 'social ecological resilience', and that links into your well-being and future generations Act as well, so it gets that nice, Welsh flavour, if you like, at the same time. But, social ecological resilience is focusing on resilience across all components relevant to agriculture and farming systems and to the land, and so, therefore, basically every component is protected along the way, and if you don't have all of those components protected, the entire system risks breaking down at some point. So, I'd actually go beyond, I'm afraid.\nOkay. Thanks. Dr Petetin.\nBefore looking specifically at the definition itself, one thing that really struck me when I opened the document was that it starts with sustainable land management, and it doesn't explain the context or where it's coming from. When you're expecting an agriculture Bill, it doesn't sit very well between an agriculture Bill and why we need this concept or why there is this concept, and I think there is a bit of an explanation needed in the actual Bill to do so. I completely agree also with Mary that this definition is not ambitious enough and perhaps agriculture and, in particular, rural communities are forgotten in it. So, the side of rural development, I feel, is missing from this.\nBut, I'm going to say, most importantly, it's relying on an international concept rather than tailoring it to Wales and the specific needs of Wales. Mary already mentioned the well-being of future generations Act. It's missing the local, the national approach that usually comes from Welsh Government, I'm going to say. So, this is why I think, like Mary, that it's not sufficient enough. And, as to whether it should be included on the face of the Bill, I think either a definition of the concept should be included in the Bill, or at least a statement should be made a requirement that then would include a definition. Then it means that the concept, whether it's sustainable land management or another one, could then evolve with time as the statement is revised.\nOkay. Now, you'll be aware that there are four sustainable land management objectives. Do you believe that the four sustainable land management objectives underpinning this Bill are actually appropriate, or would you advocate any others? Mary, would you like to come in on that?\nI think you're going to get a flavour of us saying generally we'd like them more holistic and more ambitious across the board, again reflecting SLM as well. So, 'yes' is the answer. I would go on to say these should be both amended and developed further, and other ones should be added. So, I'm just scrolling through the four that you have here. The first one: producing food. Why isn't this 'high-quality food'? So, to amend some of them. You've got ones to do with climate change, but it doesn't aim for net zero within this, and yet, we see, (1), that's essential, and, (2), we see it later on developed through schemes and so forth, but that should be an objective in itself.\nThere are elements such as agro-ecology and its related principles that could be included. Soil is missing, even though it talks about ecosystem resilience at this stage. There's nothing on public health through nutrition. You could have things on food security and sovereignty. Essentially, we've got four objectives. They can themselves be improved, but also there's scope for more that could be included, and again, drawing back to social ecological resilience and the reflection that, if we're going to go and create something, we have a chance now to be ambitious, to be holistic, and that is essential to agricultural policy.\nBut, on top of that, one of your other witnesses—because I went through the evidence sessions—mentioned the role of these objectives, and to learn from things like, again, the well-being of future generations Act, about maximising these and taking a holistic manner as much as possible. So, how they are encompassed in the Bill is also a question, rather than just the content of the objectives. Thank you.\nI would also agree with Mary that it needs more of a holistic approach, and it needs an approach that takes the whole of the agri-food supply chain within this. And the reason why I'm saying this is that the first objective is about the production of food, but it doesn't deal with the consumption of food, and production and consumption are two sides of the same coin. So, you can't just address production and think, 'Okay, it needs to be environmentally sustainable, environmentally friendly' without looking at the consumption side of things and whether the food that is being produced is nutritious, is healthy, is good quality. I think this is missing here. One shouldn't be looked at without the other. The reason why I'm saying this is that, across the UK, two thirds of adults are either obese or overweight, and this is something—consumption—that needs tackling. I know that there is also a food Bill, but it needs mentioning here as well. Within that, we need to look at, of course, nutritious food, but also alcohol and alcohol production, and whether it's morally justifiable as well as on public health grounds. I think it is important to think about that.\nIn terms of the objectives, the climate change ones—the second one—aims to kind of deal with international agreements, but, again, there is nothing on net zero.\nThe third one, dealing with resilience of ecosystems, I think that's a good approach to look not only at the climate change crisis, but also the biodiversity crisis that we have. And, again, going back to something that is close to my heart, which is rural development, if the fourth objective is about rural development, I don't think it's quite there yet. Again, we don't have enough support for rural communities. Sorry if I'm repeating myself there, but I think this is missing throughout, so I do apologise for the repetition.\nThat's fine. Thank you very much. I'll now bring in Sarah Murphy. Sarah.\nThank you, Chair. Thank you, both, for being here today. So, my question is following on. Are the Welsh Ministers' duties in relation to monitoring and reporting in Part 1 sufficient to give an overall picture of progress on the sustainable land management objectives, do you think?\nI think it is important to have these in the Bill. But it's important to think about what we want to achieve, or what wants to be achieved with the reporting, the monitoring. In particular, one thing that I found quite interesting is the use, potentially, of one indicator for each objective, if I remember well. That doesn't seem very much to me.\nAnother aspect that I find would not reflect well on the data that would be gathered specifically is that it says that some of the data would be gathered for the whole of Wales, and it would be better for the use of that data to actually be more localised, whether that's by county or something like that. I think getting national data is positive, but getting more localised data is very important as well, because we need that kind of data to know whether those objectives are being achieved, whether we are getting closer to sustainable management, closer to sustainability, and improving biodiversity and fighting climate change.\nThank you very much. Mary, did you want to come in?\nYes, please. So, firstly, just drawing on what Ludivine was saying about the indicators and also the targets, yes, it provides for building upon these, but initially it is one indicator per objective, one target per indicator. Even if one just thinks about the four objectives as they currently stand, and the third one of ecosystems, is that going to be, for instance, one indicator in relation to water, and then we ignore air, we ignore the soil, we ignore the plants, and then one target in relation to it? So, maybe it's nitrates in relation to the water. There is the potential to build upon these, and again I listened to the evidence by the Minister in relation to this, and not wanting to be buried in too much work, initially, or to be put—. Basically, everything requires resources, but the objectives cannot be fulfilled if there is only one indicator per one objective, even if they relate into each other. That just will not facilitate achieving the purposes of the Bill, and it will therefore make very minimal—. It will minimise the potential to scrutinise the progress of it as well.\nThe process generally with the Bill has been excellent on co-design and engagement with stakeholders, but here the Minister has the potential to consult the future generations commissioner, but then it's up to them—it's who they deem to be appropriate. One would expect to see stakeholders more generally consulted. And two other minor but important things: one is clearly that it will involve significant monitoring, and that will be essential. But the timeline is the first year, and then every five years, and arguably that's both too long and too short. It would be useful to have interim reports and also to acknowledge that some outcomes will take a very long time to be demonstrated. Thank you.\nThank you very much. Thank you, both. Thank you, Chair.\nThanks, Sarah. I'll now bring in Vikki Howells. Vikki.\nThank you, Chair. I've got some questions around support for agriculture. Firstly, I'd like to ask our witnesses whether they believe that the proposed approach to providing support maintains resilience in the agri-food sector to ensure that it can absorb and respond to shocks, including from climate change, war, poverty and financial instability.\nMary, would you like to go first on that?\nCertainly. You've mentioned my favourite word of 'resilience' in that question, and it kind of harkens back to why I think it's very important within the definitions and also within the objectives. I'm going to be, unfortunately, a little bit negative for the starting point, which is that your question asked about 'maintaining resilience'. I don't think the system is resilient currently, and I think that we need to improve everything in order to develop resilience, so I think the starting point has to be to recognise that in the first place.\nRegarding the purposes here, a lot will depend on how the main scheme is developed and implemented, and I think Ludivine will probably speak a little bit more about that. But, regarding the actual list of purposes here, guess what, my answer is going to be the same as usual: I think they could be more holistic, more ambitious. So, for instance, again, there are questions about public health, soil, rural communities: where are these elements included within the purposes? I know the list is indicative rather than exhaustive, but if you've got a long list on a Bill, it says something when those are included and other ones are not. So, I think getting a more multifaceted approach within this, reflecting the broad idea of resilience, would be very useful, and ensuring adaptive capacity.\nThe other question that I have is: national minimum standards have basically disappeared, but we were expecting them to be included in the Bill and they're meant to underpin environmental protection across them. But, if you have purposes and we don't have the national minimum standards developed alongside those, then we risk basically it not working effectively and those aspects being then undermined. But I'll pass over to Ludivine at that point. Thank you.\nOne positive aspect of what is being proposed—well, depending on how you look at it—is that the support is for actions towards objectives. This means that, rather than being paid for outcomes or being paid for public goods, like it was originally planned, the farmers will get paid if they deliver on those actions, even if the objective is not fulfilled. So, that creates a certain certainty and stability for the farmer in terms of getting some financial support. Of course, this means that, from an environmental perspective, if the objective is not achieved then there is a problem in terms of climate change, in terms of biodiversity as well. So, it is important to bear that in mind.\nOne thing I wanted to highlight when it comes to support and going back to resilience is that there is no obligation for the support to be provided, and that's a big difference from the common agricultural policy. Under the CAP, it was an obligation for farmers to receive support; here, it's not the case. So, this is also an important aspect to bear in mind. So, this kind of uncertainty is possible, of course, and one way to think about that would be to have in place a multi-annual framework, which is not mentioned in the Bill, either.\nIn terms of the list, some aspects were already mentioned by Mary, but there is nothing on soil quality or soil health, so how do you build resilience into a business, whether that's economic, environmental, et cetera, without thinking about soil? It's quite interesting. There is also nothing on regenerative agriculture, whether you think it's organic, agro-forestry, agro-ecology. And I think again it's not ambitious enough, or not forward-looking enough, and I think a bit more needs to be done in order to achieve or work towards resilience, especially with the instability that we have today. And of course another aspect with this is to think again about the whole of the supply chain, which is not really mentioned in the different types of purposes mentioned here, although as Mary mentioned and as is mentioned, it is not exhaustive.\nThank you, both. Ludivine, you touched on the common agricultural policy there, which leads me into my next question quite nicely, because I wanted to ask you both how the approach to agricultural support differs from what is being proposed in other UK countries and in the EU, and what you feel are the implications of any divergence as well.\nI don't mind starting. I'm not going to deal with Northern Ireland, because Mary is the expert on Northern Ireland. So, I will start with Scotland. In Scotland at the moment, they have a proposal for an agriculture Bill, which is under consultation. This proposal for a Bill aims to deliver sustainable and regenerative agriculture. So, that's under consultation. And what is really interesting is that what is proposed at the moment is that 50 per cent of all payments will be for conditionality. And this is really an important point because it means that farmers will be supported to fulfil minimum legal requirements. Whilst in Wales, to basically deliver the minimum legal requirements, farmers will not get any support. They will only get support if they sign up to the scheme and deliver on top of those conditions. So, this is important to bear in mind because the situation is relatively similar in England and similar in the EU.\nSo, in England, there are two key prongs to support farmers: public money for public goods and productivity. But the basic starting point for support is the sustainable farming incentive. And despite claiming that it goes above the regulatory baseline, when reading more about the details of the actions required, it's actually pretty much the legal baseline. This means that in order to get support, Welsh farmers will have to do more than what's happening in England and Scotland. So, that's really important to bear in mind, in particular when you think of a level playing field within the UK, where you will have discrepancies of support between Wales and other nations. Of course, don't get me wrong, this is potentially great for the environment because you're asking more from farmers. So, that's really positive, but it's also important to bear in mind the impact that this will have on the prices of the products from farmers.\nIn terms of the CAP reform, this will start next year—2023—and what they are doing is they are keeping direct payments. The direct payments are attached to conditionality and that conditionality is cross-compliance and some greening requirements that we currently have. What is interesting, and that could be something that is explored a bit more in Wales, is how, next year, 10 per cent of direct payments will be redistributive payments, so there will be redistributed income support to address smaller and medium-sized farms. And this is also something that is missing from what we have in front of us here in the Bill: whether you are a big farmer or a smaller farmer, you are treated the same. I think this is important to bear in mind. It seems to use a one-size-fits-all approach and this is a bit problematic. There is also the potential issue, from looking at what is proposed, that we are looking at a 3 hectare minimum acreage in order to get support. And that, of course, leaves some smaller producers out of that support. So, that’s also important to bear in mind.\nAnother aspect that I wanted to mention in relation to the CAP reform is how there is a bigger emphasis on generational renewal, where 3 per cent of direct payments are going to young farmers and, again, this is not addressed in the Bill—there is no focus on who is farming. Do we want new entrants, do we want young farmers and how do we encourage them? And I think this is also important to bear in mind.\nI do apologise for my long answer, but I think it was needed and I tried to bring it back to what is proposed here. Sorry about that.\nMary.\nI'll keep mine just to Northern Ireland in the circumstances and you've already had the general consideration of the issues for Wales, where there's divergence. So, the Northern Irish approach has obviously been delayed for good reason due to political issues within the country. The focus points within the agriculture policy as they have been developed are on increased productivity and resilience—but it's economic resilience, once you dig into it; it's very much economic resilience—there's environmental sustainability, and then they have one on supply chains. So, one of their core focus points is meant to be on supply chains—and for the sake of opening the document, so I can get the proper thing—which is:\n'an integrated, efficient, sustainable, competitive and responsive supply chain',\nwhich is why I needed the document open. However, the main packages really focus on the first three.\nThere are four schemes that are being developed. The first one is a version of direct payments; it'll be less money, so they'll be pulling money from it gradually to put into the environmental schemes. There are two environmental schemes. However, a key point from the version of direct payments, which is known as a farm sustainability payment, is essentially that they are increasing the eligibility from 3 hectares to 5 hectares, so very small farms will no longer be able to go and avail themselves of this funding. So, you have to have a minimum of 5 hectares, and then they have progressive capping once it gets above a £60,000 payment. So, they're using this to essentially take money from the bottom, take money from the top, and use it to fund the other schemes.\nThere are a couple of small conditions with it, but essentially, it is a version of cross-compliance, but they're getting rid of seven of the statutory management requirements and good agricultural and environmental conditions, including things like pollution to do with groundwater. So, they're reducing the level of compliance that's required, if you like. And also, last month, they announced that the penalties for breaches of this will be limited to 15 per cent, so where it is negligent breaches, multiple negligent breaches, you'll be limited to 15 per cent for the penalties.\nThey also have a beef sustainability package, and then the two environmental packages, farming for nature and farming for carbon; they are being developed currently. The beef sustainability is essentially reducing the calving age and reducing the slaughter age, and the idea was that that would lead to reductions in emissions of greenhouse gases.\nThe very small farmers in Northern Ireland will be the worst affected, big farmers will also be detrimentally affected, and the middle farmers will retain support, but they'll see a shift in the behaviours. So, those are the relevant components for considering differences.\nThank you, both. Moving on to newly established trade deals, I'm wondering whether you could discuss with us the proposals for agricultural support and the sustainable land management framework in that context, and particularly whether you think Welsh farmers could be disadvantaged there.\nSo, in terms of looking at the trade deals, those that exist and future ones in particular, at the moment it's relatively difficult to evaluate and assess what will happen to Welsh farmers, because this Bill is about enabling; it gives enabling powers, and therefore it's difficult to know what actually will happen with the powers that would be given. So, further down the line, as we see what comes in front of us, it will be more detailed, and we will know better.\nBut what I can say now is that apart from the marketing standards approach, there is nothing in the Bill—I will go back to marketing standards in a second—at the moment, there is nothing really in the Bill that would be against any of the trade deals that have been signed, or that are currently being discussed, as I said, because it doesn't really include new standards. The issue, of course, is that we would bring in agricultural products with different levels of standards, usually lower, because Welsh agriculture, British agriculture, has very high standards when it comes to animal welfare, food safety, and so on, so this is important to bear in mind.\nAnother aspect again, which goes back to what I was just discussing, is the fact that at the heart of the Bill, we have the application of the polluter-pays principle, where farmers are only financially supported to deliver something beyond the regulatory baseline. This means that other nations support their farmers to a greater extent to meet minimal legal requirements, and, as I said, this will have an impact on the costs of the products and also will have an impact in terms of competitive advantage and potentially not favouring Welsh farmers in terms of pricing. Of course, in terms of quality, it will be very, very different. But, again, some work would then need to be done in order to advertise what extra farmers are doing for the environment, for biodiversity et cetera, in order to show that to consumers, which I think they would not be aware of, if this is going ahead.\nNow, the last point is in relation to marketing standards. So, here what is proposed deals with technical barriers to trade, and what exists at the moment in the existing trade deals is pretty much what exists under World Trade Organization law, so there aren't really any more concerns for now, because you are allowed to have some leeway when it comes to labelling and so on, when it comes to technical barriers to trade, and, in particular here, marketing standards.\nSo, obviously, I agree with what Ludivine is saying there, but I'd add two things. One is going back again to the national minimum standards and the significance of having those actually put into, basically, a solid form before we end up with more trade deals where we may be incentivised to reduce our own standards and cut corners a little bit. So, I think having them solidified, if you like, would be very useful, and I know they exist currently, but to put them within the general scheme of agriculture.\nThe other thing relates to the internal market Act and its relationship with these trade deals, and I think the concern is a combination of the trade deals in conjunction with the market-access principles in the internal market Act, because the problem is more that, as the UK as a whole signs up to trade deals, food comes in that's produced to lower standards. And rather than doing the chlorine-washed chicken for once, I was thinking of beef coated in Lucozade or something equally revolting and also very unhealthy. So, this comes in, England permits it, or Scotland permits it, and Wales doesn't want to allow it. Well, you can't introduce—. Sorry, you can introduce these rules, but you can't prevent the food coming and being imported in from Scotland or England if they've been done so unless an exclusion is sought. So, there needs to be thinking about the development of trade deals, the approaches wanted in Wales and the relationship with that internal market Act. I'll happily develop further if you want, later on.\nThank you. I'm very conscious of time, but if I could ask you both, just briefly, RSPB Cymru suggested to us that the Bill commits Ministers to undertake impact assessments of future trade deals as well. What's your view on that? Do you think that that's a good proposal?\nYes, I think it would be a good proposal, yes. I'm going to keep my answer short.\nLikewise.\nThank you, Vikki.\nYes, I am conscious of time, so if I can just ask you to be as succinct as possible; we've got a bit of ground to cover again. So, I'll now bring in Sam Kurtz. Sam.\nThank you, Chair. Good morning, both. To start with you, Ludivine, can I ask where do the proposals within the Bill and the sustainable farming scheme fit within the requirements of the UK-EU trade and co-operation agreement, the TCA?\nAt the moment, it will be the same as I just answered for existing trade deals. There isn't, really, anything that seems to go against the TCA, because nothing is proposed in terms of lowering the standards that we have, which would be a problem under the TCA. But if it's about just different standards—for instance, when we're thinking about labelling and marketing standards, that's completely fine under the TCA. It's allowed to slightly diverge, because it's about regulatory alignment rather than having the exact same standards. So, Wales still has regulatory autonomy when it comes to setting the standards. The only issue would be if those standards are lowered and this impacts on trade. If those standards are lowered and then they impact on trade then, yes, there would be an issue under the TCA.\nOkay, thank you. Mary, I could see you nodding along at points there. Anything to add? No. Nothing to add. Fab. In terms of the reporting requirements for Welsh Ministers relating to support, are these deemed appropriate—for example, the annual report on support and impact report—and do they usefully integrate with the sustainable land management report? Ludivine.\nCan I let Mary answer that one, if that's okay?\nYes, of course. Mary.\nWe'll take turns, to save time for you. So, yes, generally, these are fine. The impact report, the one that's one year and then five years, basically replicates to a certain extent what the SLM report will do—not entirely, but it will feed directly into it, obviously. The one same issue arises, which is the timing of that and considering is every five years appropriate—do you need to have interim reports and do you need to recognise that some outcomes will not manifest within five years? It's useful; the question is what happens with it.\nOkay. That's helpful, thank you. Moving on to common frameworks, do common frameworks provide enough of a mechanism for UK co-ordination on matters relevant to the Bill? Who wants to come in here?\nI can start. So, there are different frameworks, various different frameworks, and the main one would be the agricultural support framework. It deals with agricultural support, but also marketing standards. But there are so many others: plant health, organics, fertilisers and so on. Thinking in particular about the agricultural support framework, what it does is that it is only about having minimum divergence in terms of policies across the UK. So, it's not about raising standards like it is for the plant varieties framework, which is a possibility for the UK nations. Of course, because of the intrinsic nature of the framework, it's about creating some kind of support that is, to the same extent, discussed across the UK and that everyone agrees upon. So, it's quite important to have it here.\nOne of the issues, I would say, with the common frameworks is, of course, that we know very little about them. There's very little transparency, very little stakeholder engagement. So, how stakeholders, or even Parliaments, feed into those frameworks is quite problematic, because then you don't know exactly what's going on. Another issue with the common frameworks is the numerous working groups they have and how then do you keep on top of what happens in all those common frameworks. I think the agricultural support one only has two, but I think the animal and welfare one has eight working groups. So, then you have so many different working groups involving different persons, we don't necessarily know who, and that is problematic in terms of having co-ordination.\nOkay, interesting. I'm conscious of time, Chair, so, in terms of the final questions, is there opportunity for the witnesses to provide written evidence on the following questions that I've not had time to ask?\nYes, there is, but we've got another few minutes. If you just want to carry on with another few questions, that'll be fine.\nFab. Thank you, Chair, I'm very grateful. In terms of consulting with fellow UK Ministers, is there a role for the Bill to support further UK co-ordination in terms of Welsh Ministers consulting with UK counterparts, or indeed—? I know it's necessarily not vice versa, because it's only Welsh specific, but is there a role for the Bill in that? And that could be for—. Mary, I can see you're putting your hand up.\nOkay. I'll just keep it quick. Yes, you could include it, but beware of making unilateral commitments that aren't necessarily reciprocated. So, you might want to, for instance, include a reference to the commitments under common frameworks to engage and consult, or something like that.\nOkay. That's really helpful. Ludivine, anything to add?\nNo. And then finally from me, marketing standards and carcass classifications, which fall under Part 3, Chapters 2 and 3. In your view, could the UK Internal Market Act 2020 impact the effect of the provisions on marketing standards or carcass classifications? Mary.\nOkay. This could be a really long one; I'll keep it very short. They are devolved powers, you have the right to them, you should be able to use them. The internal market Act will go and impact on future use, yes, where you go and want to amend or introduce new standards. This is, obviously, really important for devolved nations, and the importance is to go and seek exclusions. And we've seen that with single-use plastics so far, but it will be very useful. There are mechanisms, in particular through the common frameworks, to go and do this—that would be a useful tool. But, yes, you absolutely need to look at this, and also potentially have a flex-above clause in common frameworks—so, that was done in the plant varieties and seeds framework, I think. But, yes, absolutely it will impact; you need to think about it.\nThe explanatory memorandum says that these powers are to help avoid heavy bureaucratic burdens for those in industry, and to avoid regulatory divergence by having these powers. But what happens when other parts of the UK go in different directions? It's not just England going in one direction; it's all parts of the UK. So, there will be regulatory divergence at some point.\nOkay, helpful. Thank you. Anything to add, Ludivine?\nJust one point, in terms of regulatory divergence. What businesses want is similar standards across the UK, so that they can trade more easily. If we have different labelling standards across the four nations, it's going to be, again, more costly for small businesses to trade. So, that's also important to bear in mind. An example of that is what is happening in terms of gene editing in England and the proposed precision breeding Bill, and the differences in terms of that approach between England and Wales, for instance, here. I'll just leave it at that.\nThank you. Thank you very much, both. Chair.\nYes, thank you, Sam. And I'm afraid time has now beaten us. Our session has come to an end. So, can I thank you both for being with us today? It's been very, very useful. The evidence that you've provided will be very helpful for us in going forward in scrutinising this Bill. A copy of today's transcript will be sent to you in due course, so, if there are any issues with that, then please let us know. But, once again, thank you for being with us today.\n6. Cynnig o dan Reol Sefydlog 17.42(ix) i benderfynu gwahardd y cyhoedd o weddill y cyfarfod\n6. Motion under Standing Order 17.42(ix) to resolve to exclude the public for the remainder of the meeting\nbod y pwyllgor yn penderfynu gwahardd y cyhoedd o weddill y cyfarfod yn unol â Rheol Sefydlog 17.42(ix).\nthat the committee resolves to exclude the public from the remainder of the meeting in accordance with Standing Order 17.42(ix).\nSymudwn ni ymlaen, felly, i eitem 6, a dwi'n cynnig, o dan Reol Sefydlog 17.42, i benderfynu gwahardd y cyhoedd o weddill y cyfarfod. A yw Aelodau'n fodlon ar hynny? Ydyn, dwi'n gweld bod Aelodau yn fodlon ar hynny. Felly, derbyniwyd y cynnig ac fe symudwn ni ymlaen i'n sesiwn breifat ni.\nWe will move on, therefore, to item 6, which is a motion under Standing Order 17.42 to resolve to exclude the public for the remainder of the meeting. Are Members content with that? Yes, I see that they are. Therefore, that motion is agreed and we will move on to our private session.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line684150"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5522759556770325,"wiki_prob":0.5522759556770325,"text":"Tags antarian , jewishness , nationalism , white culture , white identity\nA Baker's Dozen: 13 Books Every White Man Must Read (probably in this order), in order to understand the current political milieu, the identity and intentions of its hegemons, and how to stop them:\n1. The International Jew: The World's Foremost Problem by Henry Ford\nIn the years 1920-22, Henry Ford published a series of articles critical of Jewish Power and its effects on White Christian America in The Dearborn Independent newspaper. Some years later he collected and published them in book form, as a multi-volume set. This book is an abridged version of that set, featuring the best of those original articles.\nRepeatedly, over the years, Jewish Power brought itself to bear in assaulting Mr. Ford's integrity, intelligence, and memory in a calculated attempt to discredit him - including suing him in court and (possibly) forging an apology (see appendix). Throughout his lifetime, Mr. Ford always maintained the inherent truth in the criticisms of Jewish Elites contained in his essays and published them because he believed, if Americans knew the truth, those elites would be rendered impotent.\n2. The Jewish Revolutionary Spirit by E. Michael Jones\nSpanning over 2,000 years, this controversial book looks at the \"Culture War\" between Jews and Christians (particularly the Roman Catholic Church) for control over Western Society -- and ultimately the world -- from a social and historical perspective. Examining different significant battles throughout the centuries, Mr. Jones analyzes and explains the results of those battles in the context of current world events.\n3. The Culture of Critique by Kevin MacDonald\nMacDonald provides a theoretical analysis and review of data on the widespread tendency among highly influential, Jew-dominated intellectual movements to develop radical critiques of gentile culture that are compatible with the continuity of Jewish identification. These movements are viewed as the outcome of the fact that Jews and gentiles have different interests in the construction of culture and in various public policy issues (e.g. immigration policy, Israel). Several of these movements attempt to combat anti-Semitism by advocating social categorization processes in which the Jew/gentile distinction is minimized in importance. There is also a tendency to develop theories of anti-Semitism in which ethnic differences and resource competition are of minimal importance. From the perspective of the intellectual structures developed by these movements, anti-Semitism is analyzed as an indication of psychopathology among gentiles. In some cases, these movements appear to be attempts to develop a fundamental restructuring of the intellectual basis of gentile society in ways conducive to the advancement of Jewish interests.\nParticular attention is paid to Boasian anthropology, psychoanalysis, leftist political ideology and behavior, and the Frankfurt School of Social Research. Each of these movements can be characterized as an authoritarian political movement centered around a charismatic leader who strongly identified as a Jew and who was idolized by his disciples who were also predominantly Jewish. Regarding immigration policy, Jewish political and intellectual activity was motivated less by a desire for higher levels of Jewish immigration than by opposition to the implicit theory that America should be dominated by individuals with northern and western European ancestry. Jewish policy was aimed at developing an America characterized by cultural pluralism and populated by groups of people from all parts of the world rather than by a homogeneous Christian culture and populated largely by people of European descent. This is a controversial analysis of particular interest to those concerned with evolutionary approaches to human behavior, with Judaica, and with an evolutionary perspective on history and psychology.\n4. Dissecting the Holocaust: The Growing Critique of 'Truth' and 'Memory' by Germar Rudolf\nThe blockbuster anthology that struck Holocaust orthodoxy a body blow from which it has never recovered. Dissecting marshals the work of more than a dozen researchers to subject the conventional historiography of the \"gas chambers,\" the \"six million,\" the postwar trials, and other linchpins of the extermination story to careful, precise, methodical, and withering analysis.\nGermar Rudolf on how chemical analysis gravely weakens the case for gassing in the Auschwitz-Birkenau crematoria, Carlo Mattogno and Franco Deana on the crematory ovens of Auschwitz, Robert Faurisson, Manfred Köhler, and Claus Jordan on how testimony was coerced and convictions manufactured, Fritz Berg, Ingrid Weckert, Carlo Mattogno, and Arnulf Neumaier on the technical and evidentiary absurdities of gassing claims for German trucks in gas chambers and at Majdanek and Treblinka, Udo Walendy and John Ball on analysis of photos alleged to depict the crimes or their locations, Rudolf on the evidence for Jewish losses during WWII, Jürgen Graf on myths about the concentration camps, and more.\nDissecting's handsome design and format lend themselves well to the numerous illustrations, charts, and diagrams with which these leading revisionists advance the wealth of evidence the book offers against the Holocaust myth. This is a book -- the book -- that every revisionist needs to own, and to read.\n5. Secret Societies and Subversive Movements by Nesta Webster\nSecret Societies and Subversive Movements is the seminal work in creating a unified conspiracy theory and does a masterful job in weaving the various strands together to show that all of the secret societies have identical roots and goals. Meaning that they all serve the same master: powerful Jewish interests.\n6. Who We Are by William L. Pierce\nOriginally published as a series in his newspaper and magazine, this book is the final work of one of the most famous leaders of the White nationalist movement in America. Starting with the evolutionary origin of the White race, this book focuses on the the Classical Grecian and Roman civilizations, the White nations of the Middle East, the rise of the Germanic powers, the Vikings, Christianity, Nazi Germany, World War II and the racial crisis facing the West today. It contains, characteristically for the author, a highly critical appraisal of Jewish influence in Europe, and ends with a proposal of how the essence of the west can be saved. The book contains the entire text and almost all the illustrations which accompanied the original. It has also been fully indexed.\n7. Individualism and the Western Liberal Tradition by Kevin MacDonald\nIndividualism and the Western Liberal Tradition argues that ethnic influences are important for understanding the West. The prehistoric invasion of the Indo-Europeans had a transformative influence on Western Europe, inaugurating a prolonged period of what is labeled \"aristocratic individualism\" resulting from variants of Indo-European genetic and cultural influence. However, beginning in the seventeenth century and gradually becoming dominant was a new culture labeled \"egalitarian individualism\" which was influenced by preexisting egalitarian tendencies of northwest Europeans. Egalitarian individualism ushered in the modern world but may well carry the seeds of its own destruction.\n8. IQ and the Wealth of Nations by Lynn & Vanhanen\nLynn and Vanhanen test the hypothesis on the causal relationship between the average national intelligence (IQ) and the gap between rich and poor countries by empirical evidence. Based on an extensive survey of national IQ tests, the results of their work challenge the previous theories of economic development and provide a new basis to evaluate the prospects of economic development throughout the world.\nThey begin by reviewing and evaluating some major previous theories. The concept of intelligence is then described and intelligence quotient (IQ) introduced. Next they show that intelligence is a significant determinant of earnings within nations, and they connect intelligence with various economic and social phenomena. The sociology of intelligence at the level of sub-populations in nations is examined, and the independent (national IQ) and dependent (various measures of per capita income and economic growth rates) variables are defined and described. They then provide empirical analyses starting from the 81 countries for which direct evidence of national IQs is available; the analysis is then extended to the world group of 185 countries. The hypothesis is tested by the methods of correlation and regression analyses. The results of statistical analyses support the hypothesis strongly. The results of the analyses and various means to reduce the gap between rich and poor countries are discussed. A provocative analysis that all scholars, students, and researchers involved with economic development need to confront.\n9. The Decline of the West by Oswald Spengler\nSince its first publication more than eighty years ago, The Decline of the West has ranked as one of the most widely read and talked about books of our time. A sweeping account of Western culture by a historian of legendary intellect, it is an astonishingly informed, forcefully eloquent, thrillingly controversial work that advances a world view based on the cyclical rise and fall of civilizations.\n10. The Dispossessed Majority by Wilmot Robertson\nNo one who reads this all-encompassing study of the American predicament will ever again view his country and himself in the same light. The author brilliantly recounts the tragedy of a great people, the Americans of European descent, who founded and built The United States and whose decline is the chief cause of America's decline. Although replete with cogent criticism of the people and events which have brought America low, the book ends on a positive, optimistic note, which envisions a resurgent American Majority liberating its institutions from the control of intolerant intellectuals innately programmed to destroy what they could never create.\n11. Which Way Western Man by William Gayley Simpson\nThroughout his long lifetime, William Gayley Simpson was a widely traveled and careful observer of Western civilization and its relations with the non-White peoples of the world, especially the Negro and the Jew. An exceptionally deep thinker, he traced the sickness that has overtaken the White man's world in the 20th century to its roots in Jewish world conspiracy and its coordinated aggressive moves against us. Simpson reveals the deception inherent in our money system, which isn't based on real wealth at all, but on debt and fantasy, and it cannot do other than cause trouble for the people condemned to use it as their medium of exchange.\nThe author also shows why Feminism is not the liberation of woman, but the enslaving of them to Jewish interests. Simpson reveals the fundamental incompatibility between Capitalism, which he calls \"The Machine,\" and the human psyche. He goes into great detail about the physiological basis of Negro intellectual inferiority, quoting copiously from sources that once were readily available to the layman, but were censored from the popular media and removed to arcane medical journals after World War Two. And, of course, he exposes the nefarious Jew for the deadly parasite he is. Every racially-responsible White person will want this book in his collection, as it is very possibly the best book of racial philosophy originally written in the English language.\n12. Mein Kampf by Adolf Hitler\nHitler's magnum opus is as unread as it is infamous. While billions of words have been spilled on the subject of Hitler and his intentions, few have ever bothered to read the words of the man himself.\nThe shrill consistency of the winners who wrote history is evidence of hegemonic conditioning. That consistency is only matched by the consistency of Hitler himself. Over the following two decades, his actions remained true to the words written circa 1924-26. To understand whether Hitler was a demon, a hero, or something else altogether, it is necessary to compare his actions to the words written in this book.\n13. Imperium by Francis Parker Yockey\nNo other work in defense of the West possesses the eloquence, erudition, passion and mystique of Imperium. This prophetic masterwork is at once a clarion call to arms in defense of Europe and the West, and a sweeping historical-philosophical treatise in the Spenglerian mold. A magisterial work of matchless prose, with historical insight on every page, it skewers Allied wartime propaganda, and philosophizes with a hammer in favor of a coming Western empire of \"absolute politics.\"\nThe book's Chicago-born author, Francis P. Yockey, was just 30 years old when he wrote Imperium in six months in a quiet village on Ireland's eastern coast. His masterpiece continues to shape the thinking and steel the will of readers around the world. Tens of thousands of copies of have been sold worldwide, with foreign-language editions in Spanish, German, and Hungarian.\nAn expanded list of 101 books every White man should read is also available.\nGreat post. Thanks for the info.\nAnd you added links to either purchase or read online.\nPosted 05-20-2022 at 04:46 PM by Merlin\nThanks for sharing. It valuable content\nLooking for the Best Construction Company in Noida? Sense Project is the Best Construction Company in Noida which provides various types of construction services\nPosted 12-21-2022 at 01:14 AM by spplnoida","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1771116"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9153267741203308,"wiki_prob":0.9153267741203308,"text":"O.J. Simpson Fate In Hands of Parole Board\nNine years after being sent to prison for armed robbery, fallen American idol O. J. Simpson is to find out whether he will regain his freedom.\nGhanaian Can Travel to South Africa Visa-Free\n2019 – the Biggest Year yet for Ghanaian Tourism\nThree Britons On Trial In Singapore Accused of Gang-Raping Drunk Woman\nThe 70-year-old former football star and actor is to appear before a parole board in the western state of Nevada on Thursday which will decide his fate.\nSimpson, who was famously acquitted in 1995 of the grisly murders of his ex-wife and a male companion, has been behind bars for his role in a September 2007 armed robbery of two sports memorabilia dealers at a Las Vegas resort.\nA four-member panel of the Nevada Board of Parole Commissioners will hold a hearing in Carson City to decide whether the former National Football League star should go free.\nSimpson will not personally attend the 10:00 am (1700 GMT) hearing but will appear by videoconference from the Lovelock Correctional Center, the medium-security prison where he is serving his sentence.\nSimpson was convicted in October 2008 of armed robbery, assault, kidnapping and other offenses after he and five associates — two of whom were armed — ambushed the two sports memorabilia dealers in a casino hotel room.\nSimpson, who earned the nickname “The Juice” during his playing days, claimed he was trying to recover mementos from his career which he said the dealers had stolen.\nA Las Vegas jury didn’t buy it. Simpson was sentenced to a minimum of nine years in prison and a maximum of 33.\nHe could be freed as early as October 1 if the board agrees to grant him parole.\nSteve Wolfson, the current Clark County district attorney, told AFP he believes Simpson “makes an excellent candidate for parole.\n“The fact that he is a celebrity will have very little bearing, if any,” Wolfson said. “He’s not going to be treated differently by the parole commissioners.”\nBruce Fromong, one of the victims of the 2007 Las Vegas robbery, told CNN that he planned to testify at the hearing in favor of Simpson’s release.\n“I never thought that the crime deserved that much time, that long of a sentence,” Fromong said.\nOrenthal James “O. J.” Simpson shot to fame in the 1970s with the Buffalo Bills after winning the prestigious Heisman Trophy as a running back at the University of Southern California.\nHe retired from football in 1979 after setting numerous rushing records and went on to become an advertising pitchman and actor (“The Towering Inferno, “The Naked Gun”).\nIn June 1994, Simpson’s ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and a friend of hers, Ron Goldman, were found stabbed to death outside her Los Angeles home.\nSimpson was arrested after a low-speed car chase through Los Angeles which was broadcast live by television stations, watched by millions and shocked America.\nHe was acquitted in October 1995 after a racially charged nine month trial, with a verdict that was greeted with disbelief by many Americans.\nPublic views on the African-American athlete’s guilt or innocence divided sharply along racial lines.\nSimpson was subsequently found liable for the deaths in a 1997 civil suit and was ordered to pay damages totaling $33.5 million to the families of the victims.\nTags: actoradvertising pitchmanamericaathleteBroadcasting - NECBruce FromongBuffalo Billscandidate for paroleCarson CityClark CountyCNNcrimeCriminal lawDistrict AttorneyInfernoLas VegasLaw_CrimeLos AngelesLovelock Correctional Centerlow-speed car chaseNational Football LeagueNevadaNevada Board of Parole CommissionersNicole Brown SimpsonO. J. SimpsonO. J. Simpson murder caseO. J. Simpson robbery caseParoleParole boardParole CommissionersPro Football Hall of Fame inducteesRon Goldmanrunning backSimpsonSouthern CaliforniaSteve WolfsonThe Towering InfernoUniversity of Southern California\nCitizens of Ghana no longer need a visa to travel to South Africa. This is because the South African Government...\n2018 was a good year for tourism in Ghana with more than GH₵5.8 billion spent in the country's travel and...\nThree British men have gone on trial in Singapore today accused of gang-raping a 23-year-old woman while visiting the city-state...\nPakistani Taliban Launches Women’s Magazine\nThe Pakistani Taliban on Tuesday released the first edition of a magazine for women, apparently aiming to convince its target...\nStrong Export Demand To Lift Asian Economies\nFewer 'good Air' Days In China Despite Official Efforts","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line900663"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6529468297958374,"wiki_prob":0.3470531702041626,"text":"E1. Geometric and Spatial Reasoning:\ndescribe and represent shape, location, and movement by applying geometric properties and spatial relationships in order to navigate the world around them\nGeometric Reasoning\nidentify geometric properties of tessellating shapes and identify the transformations that occur in the tessellations\ntessellations:\nA tessellation uses tiles to cover an area without gaps or overlaps. The angles where tiles meet must add to 360°.\nThe area of the base determines how many cubes can be placed on the base, which forms a single unit – a layer of cubes. The height of the prism determines how many layers of cubes it takes to fill the volume. Therefore, the formula for finding the volume of a rectangular prism is area of the base × height.\nTessellating tiles are composed of one or more shapes and fit together in a repeating pattern. They are often used to create artistic designs, including wallpaper, quilts, rugs, and mosaics.\nComplex tessellating tiles can be designed by decomposing shapes and rearranging the parts using combinations of translations, reflections, and rotations (see also E1.4).\nIf a shape can be transformed through a series of rotations, reflections and translations (i.e., by being turned, flipped, or slid), and still look the same, the shape is symmetric.\nThere are different types of symmetries. For example, there is reflective symmetry, rotational symmetry, and translational symmetry.\nProvide students with a variety of regular polygons (equilateral triangle, square, pentagon, hexagon, heptagon, octagon). Ask them which shapes on their own would be good to tile a space, such as the wall or the floor. Have them list which shapes tile on their own and which ones do not. Support students in recognizing that, of the regular polygons, the equilateral triangle, the square, and the regular hexagon work because when these shapes are brought together, their vertices can fill 360° where they meet:\nThe other regular polygons do not work because when they are brought together, their interior angles do not add up to 360°, so a gap results. Ask students if there is a way to combine shapes that cannot tile on their own with another shape, such as illustrated below, where three pentagons must be combined with a rhombus to make 360°. Have them find different combinations and share their favourite designs with others in the class. Ensure that at the end of the activity, students recognize that a regular polygon will tile on its own if the measure of one of its interior angles divides into 360 evenly.\nA regular penatagon cannont tile on its own.\nA regular pentagon will tile when combined with rhombuses with the same side lengths as the pentagon and an acute angle of 36°:\nHave students select a shape that tessellates. Have them cut out a piece from one side of the shape and translate that piece to the opposite side of the shape and tape it in place. Then, have them place their shape on a rectangular piece of paper and translate it, each time outlining it on the paper. Have them share their designs with others in the class.\nGirih tiles, invented by North African artists in the 13th century, are used throughout Islamic art and architecture and feature complex tessellating shapes and symmetrical designs. M. C. Escher (1898–1972) was inspired by the Girih tiles and created his own tessellating art designs. He described ten “systems of symmetry” that use different transformations or combinations of transformations to create a unique tessellating tile. Tessellations also occur in nature, such as in honeycombs. Have students research and analyse Girih tiles, the art of Escher, and tessellations in nature to reveal the underlying polygon or pattern core. Guide them to use the geometric language of location, movement, and transformation to describe the work. As a culminating activity, have them use these examples to inspire their own construction of other tessellating tiles, and ask them to write a description of the transformations they used. Ensure that students recognize or understand that any triangle, any square, any rectangle, and any parallelogram will tesselate.\nmake objects and models using appropriate scales, given their top, front, and side views or their perspective views\nconstructing a model (as illustrated in the last example below) from a top view (plan), and front and side views (elevations):\nconstructing a model from an isometric or cabinet projection:\nthe resulting three-dimensional model looks like this:\nTwo-dimensional drawings, if they are accurately constructed and include enough information, can be used to reproduce actual-sized objects or scaled models in three dimensions (see also E1.3).\nTwo-dimensional drawings can show how things are made, how they can be navigated, or how they can be reproduced, and can be used to represent anything from very small objects to very large spaces.\nTwo-dimensional drawings are read and interpreted when navigating a map, following assembly instructions, or building an object from a plan.\nTop (plan) views and front and side (elevation) views are “flat drawings” without perspective. They are used in technical drawings to ensure a faithful reproduction in three dimensions.\nA perspective drawing shows three views (top, front, side) in one illustration. It is preferred for illustrations; however, angles are distorted and backside elements may be hidden. Isometric grids (also called triangular grids) are used to draw different perspectives, including isometric and cabinet projections.\nCabinet projections are so named because of their early use in the furniture industry. Isometric means “equal measure”, and isometric projections use the same scale on both axes.\nA scale is a ratio that compares actual dimensions to the dimensions in the drawing. A scale ensures that the intended lengths and proportions can be reproduced. Depending on the type of drawing, angles may or may not be represented accurately.\nTop, front, and side views of an object or space (plan and elevation drawings) use the actual angle sizes in the drawing and show all lengths in a common scale. For example, a 60° angle in the drawing is 60° in real life, and a scale of 1:100 means that 1 cm on the drawing equals 100 cm in real life (or 1 mm on the drawing equals 100 mm in real life, and so on).\nIsometric projections, drawn on a triangular grid, show all lengths in the same scale, including the lines that show depth. However, angles are distorted to create the appearance of perspective. Therefore, for example, a 90° angle in real life appears as a 60° in an isometric drawing.\nCabinet projections also distort angles but use two scales to create perspective. The “depth” scale is half that of the “base and height” scale. So, for a scale of 1:100 a cabinet projection of a 1 cm cube would have a base and height of 1 cm, but a depth of 0.5 cm.\nHave students read a plan and elevation drawing (e.g., a blueprint for the school or another building, a landscape design, or instructions) and build a simplified three-dimensional scale model that preserves the dimensions and proportions. Support them in identifying the scale on the plan and choosing an appropriate scale for their model. Provide them with cardstock or some other material to build their model, and have them draw on their experience with nets and prisms to approximate objects in the plan at the chosen scale. Assure them that the goal is not to make “the perfect model” but to read and interpret scales and to understand and experience how two-dimensional drawings can be used to build a model or the actual object.\nHave students draw the top, front, and side views (plan and elevation drawings) as well as perspective views (isometric and cabinet projections) of a structure made of interlocking cubes. Have them exchange drawings with a partner, then build one another’s structures from the drawings. Have them compare the original structure with the newly made structure and note any differences.\nAs an extension activity, have students discuss what the structure might have looked like if they had only shared their perspective drawings (i.e., any hidden backside elements would be missing), or a side view, or a top view.\nuse scale drawings to calculate actual lengths and areas, and reproduce scale drawings at different ratios\na scale drawing at different ratios:\nScale drawings enable something very large or very small (microscopic) to be represented on a page or a screen. They are useful for visualizing, comparing, and calculating dimensions and are used, for example, when reading a map, following instructions, or designing a plan.\nScale drawings are similar to the actual object or space. This means that the angles in the drawing and the corresponding angles in the actual object are congruent, and their corresponding lengths are proportional. A scale on the drawing explicitly describes this proportion and can be written in words, as a fraction, as a ratio, or as a graphical representation (e.g., a bar scale).\nDistances, areas, volumes, and angles can all be measured indirectly by referring to the measurements in the drawing. Top, front, and side views (plan and elevation drawings) are most reliable for calculating actual dimensions (see E1.2).\nA scale drawing can be reproduced at different scales by finding the unit ratio if it is not provided.\nSmall scales show a larger area with a small amount of detail. For example, 1:2 000 000 means 1 cm in the drawing represents 2 000 000 cm, or 20 km.\nLarger scales show a larger area with greater detail. For example, 1:2 means that 1 cm in the drawing represents 2 cm.\nGrids are helpful for making scaled drawings. Scaling the grid is one way to produce a scaled drawing (e.g., overlaying a 2 cm grid on the original and using a 1 cm grid to produce the scaled version). Another way is to use the same grid and apply a scale to the drawing (e.g., 10 cm on the original grid becomes 1 cm on the scaled version). The first strategy may be used for smaller-scale drawings; however, the second strategy is necessary for large-scale representations.\nHave students use the scale on a map to estimate the distance from one location to another and the area of a region. Guide a conversation about the value of scales and how they are calculated and used. Have students compare the scale on a map to the scale on a blueprint or other plan drawing. Have them use the scale drawing (plan and elevation views) to calculate measurements of the actual object or space. If the actual object or space is available, compare the predicted measurements with the actual physical measurements.\nProvide students with, for example, a cereal box, and compare the picture on the front to the actual size of the object illustrated. Have them measure the dimensions of the object in the picture (the height and width) and the actual object and compare them multiplicatively as a ratio. Support students in noticing proportional relationships (see B2.8) between the dimensions of the two objects (e.g., length to length) and within each of the two objects (i.e., length to width).\nOnce the scale has been established, have students draw a scaled-down version of the image to fit a smaller box with given dimensions. Discuss strategies for determining the scale factor of the two boxes, and have them apply that factor to the image. To make connections to multiplying by a fraction (see B2.6), have them scale by a fraction, such as two thirds or three fourths. A ratio table is a helpful organizer to show how a dimension can be scaled up or down.\nProvide students with the dimensions of a drawing, such as the one below, and ask them what the dimensions of the drawing would be if it were scaled up by a factor of 2. Then, ask them to sketch the dimensions for the same drawing scaled down by a factor of 0.5.\nProvide or have students choose a drawing (e.g., a simple picture from a colouring book) with a 1 cm × 1 cm grid superimposed. Ask them to recreate the drawing on grid paper with different-sized squares, including both smaller and larger squares. Have them share their drawings with others in the class.\nLocation and Movement\ndescribe and perform translations, reflections, rotations, and dilations on a Cartesian plane, and predict the results of these transformations\ntranslation on a Cartesian (or coordinate) plane:\n△ABC is translated (4, −3):\nreflection on a coordinate plane:\n△ABC is reflected in the x-axis:\n△ABC is reflected in the y-axis:\nrotations on a coordinate plane:\n△ABC is rotated 90° counterclockwise:\ndilation:\nscale factor of 2, with (0, 0) as the point of dilation:\nWhen shapes are transformed on a Cartesian plane, the coordinates of the original vertices are transformed to create corresponding coordinates known as image points. Each of the transformations can be defined using a mapping rule in which each point is transformed using that rule.\nMapping rule for translations:\n(x, y) (x + a, y + b). If a is positive, then the x-value of the image point is ‘a’ units to the right of the original point. If a is negative, then the x-value of the image point is ‘a’ units to the left of the original point. If b is positive, then the y-value of the image point is ‘b’ units up from the original point. If b is negative, then the y-value of the image point is ‘b’ units down from the original point. For example, (x, y) (x − 5, y − 2); each image point is 5 units left of and 2 units down from the original point.\nMapping rules for reflections:\na shape reflected in the x-axis has mapping rule (x, y) (x, −y). For example, the vertex of the shape originally at (2, 3) is now at (2, −3).\na shape reflected in the y-axis has a mapping rule (x, y) (−x, y). For example, the vertex of the shape originally at (2, 3) is now at (−2, 3).\nMapping rules for rotations about the origin:\na shape rotated 90° counterclockwise has mapping rule (x, y) (−y, x);\na shape rotated 180° counterclockwise has mapping rule (x, y) (−x, −y);\na shape rotated 270° counterclockwise has mapping rule (x, y) (y, −x).\nMapping rules for dilations:\n(x, y) (ax, ay). For example, for (x, y) (2x, 2y), the coordinates of the image points are double those of the original points. For example, the image point for (−3, 4) is (−6, 8).\nTransformations on the Cartesian Plane involve points being relocated to another position.\nTranslations “slide” a point, segment, or shape by a given distance and direction (vector).\nReflections “flip” a point, segment, or shape across a reflection line to create its opposite.\nRotations “turn” a point, segment, or shape around a point of rotation by a given angle.\nDilations (or dilatations) enlarge or shrink a distance by a given scale factor. Scale factors with an absolute value greater than 1 enlarge the distance, and those with an absolute value of less than 1 reduce the distance. Negative scale factors dilate the shape and rotate it 180°.\nTranslations, reflections, and rotations all produce congruent images:\nLines map to lines of the same length.\nAngles map to angles of the same measure.\nParallel lines map to parallel lines.\nDilations (or dilatations) produce scaled images that are similar:\nLines map to line lengths at a constant scale factor.\nHave students draw a shape anywhere on the coordinate plane. Ask them to identify the coordinates for each vertex. Then, ask them to translate this shape using two or more horizontal moves and two or more vertical moves, drawing the translated image each time. Have them compare the coordinates of the vertices of the final shape with those of the original shape. Ask them to determine the single move horizontally and the single move vertically that could be used to translate the original shape to its final location on the coordinate plane.\nHave students draw a shape anywhere on the coordinate plane. Ask them to reflect the original shape in the x-axis and compare the coordinates of the vertices of the reflected shape with those of the original shape. Then, ask them to reflect the original shape in the y-axis and compare the coordinates of the vertices. Have them perform a combination of reflections in the x-axis and the y-axis and determine whether the order of reflecting affects the final outcome of the shape’s position on the coordinate plane.\nHave students draw any shape in the first quadrant of the coordinate plane so that one of the vertices is the origin (0, 0). Have them rotate the shape counterclockwise 90° and compare the coordinates of the vertices of the rotated shape with those of the original shape. Have them rotate the shape another 90° counterclockwise and again compare the coordinates of the vertices. Have them rotate the shape another 90° counterclockwise and compare the coordinates of the vertices. Once they have completed all of the rotations, have them discuss with a partner what they notice about the changes to their coordinates after each rotation.\nHave students draw a triangle in the first quadrant with one vertex at the origin (0, 0). Have them dilate the triangle by:\nmultiplying each of the coordinates of the vertices by a value greater than one\nmultiplying each of the coordinates of the vertices by a value between zero and one\nAfter each dilation, have students compare the coordinates of the vertices of the original triangle with those of the dilated triangle.\nHave students use a dynamic or interactive geometry environment to draw a simple shape (shape A) on a coordinate plane and label its coordinates. This task could also be done using block-based or text-based coding applications that include coordinate grids.\nHave students translate shape A into each of the other quadrants of the coordinate plane. Discuss the strategies they used to determine the appropriate vector (distance and direction), and support them in using positive and negative integers to describe the movement. Have them analyse the relationship between the coordinates of the original and the image, and the movement specified by the vector. Support them in generalizing the pattern symbolically. For example, for the translation (+5, −2): (x, y) → (x + 5, y − 2).\nHave students reflect shape A into other quadrants of the coordinate plane using the x-axis and y-axis as lines of reflection. After each reflection, support them in noting how the coordinates of the original changed after each reflection. Discuss ways to generalize this pattern symbolically. For example, for an x-axis reflection: (x, y) → (x, −y). For a y-axis reflection: (x, y) → (−x, y).\nHave students rotate shape A into other quadrants of the coordinate plane using the origin (0, 0) as the point of rotation. Have them rotate shape A by 90°, and after each rotation, discuss the patterns that emerge. Support students in generalizing the pattern symbolically. For example, for a counterclockwise rotation of 90° around the origin: (x, y) → (−y, x).\nHave students dilate shape A by different scale factors, including by negative scale factors and factors with an absolute value less than one. Support students in noticing the impact of using different scale factors and in describing how the coordinates change. Discuss ways to generalize this pattern symbolically. For example, for a scale factor of 2.5: (x, y) → (2.5x, 2.5y). For a scale factor of −3: (x, y) → (−3x, −3y).\nNote that the aim of this task (and the expectation) is not memorization of the mapping rules, but rather that students recognize that coordinates behave in particular ways when they are transformed in the coordinate system; these patterns can help with predicting the result of a transformation. Support students in recognizing these patterns and developing familiarity with the actions of different transformations so that they can begin to visualize and predict the results of each change.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1291751"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6076726913452148,"wiki_prob":0.39232730865478516,"text":"Is Studying in UK the Right Destination for an Indian student?\nIs Studying In UK The Right Destination For An Indian Student? A Definitive Guide\nThe answer to that question is a resounding yes. Despite the uncertainties of Brexit looming large over the horizon, a plan to go to the UK for higher studies has undeniable merits. We have made a list of the 5 most compelling reasons for you to study in the UK.\nThe Time Is Right\nAccording to higher education experts in the UK and the EU, Brexit and the resultant drop in the value of the pound might lead to a fall in the course fees. Seize the day while the sun shines. If it’s quality education you are looking for, look no farther than the UK. Every institution is obliged to run regular assessments of their pedagogy; they are graded by official organizations so that academic standards are never compromised. What’s more, the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education carries out independent audits, so that you can safely rely on the reviews.\nLearn Among the Best\nOf the ten universities revered across the world, three of the most elite hail from the United Kingdom. To be a part of an institution like University of Oxford or Imperial College, London, is to write your name in the illustrious pages of academic history. Not many places will offer you with such dizzying panoramas of university courses. Take your pick from among 150,000 courses at prestigious institutions across England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.\nImpressive Infrastructure\nAccording to the findings of the Research Excellence Framework (REF), 30% of the research done in the UK can be classified as ‘world-leading’, while 46% of it is internationally excellent. The UK accounts for as much as 6.4% of all journal articles written worldwide. The education system allows for an organic bonding between the student and the teacher; the exchange of ideas takes place on an individual level so that every student voice is heard and accommodated. Exposure to eclectic academic interests helps you get a holistic look into the prospect open to you. International students with language barriers need not worry, as several of the institutions offer language support. But that’s not the only assistance you should expect. With faculties of counsellors and course advisors to guide you at every step of the way, you can never go wrong, or go astray.\nGet Scholarships\nIf you’re an aspiring research fellow or a postgraduate student, a scholarship will see you through your academic years. The Great India Scholarships and Scotland’s Saltire Scholarship (SSS) are exclusively offered to Indian students. Besides, scholarships aren’t the only way to make ends meet. The UK is a hotbed of lucrative internships and easy part-time jobs. It’s not only a great way to make some extra money for yourself, but it’s also a golden ticket for you to learn and cultivate new skills. Add them to your CV and you have already upgraded your chances of getting a job by the end of the term.\nGet Healthcare\nAs a full-time student in the UK, you will be entitled to free medical treatment by the National Health Service (NHS). The same applies for your partner, or a dependent who has taken residence with you.\nIt was only last year when the UK witnessed a milieu of 4,36,585 international students, coming in from more than 180 countries worldwide. Would you believe that Indian students formed the second largest group among the gathered scholars? Besides, think of all the bright, young minds coming together from all the corners of the continents.\nStudying in UK, or anywhere beyond your familiar borders for that matter, helps you to grow as a person. You learn how to put your life in perspective and see yourself as a citizen of the world. You will be standing at the confluence of multi-cultural practices and diverse social mores. What could be more fun?\n10 Reasons Why You Should Choose to Study Abroad\nIs UK the right destination for an Indian student?\nAutomobile Engineering: Prospects In The Age Of Electric Cars\nErasmus Mundus Scholarship: Everything You Need to Know\nIs studying commerce in the UK a good deal?","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1808728"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.705649733543396,"wiki_prob":0.294350266456604,"text":"Search Sold Properties\nFind sold properties\nSold property search results: Found 1277 sold properties in katholiki and nearby areas. In this search there are 440 Houses, Townhouses and Villas sold in katholiki and nearby areas, 554 Apartments and Flats sold in katholiki and nearby areas, 204 Plots and Land sold in katholiki and nearby areas, and 79 commercial and investment projects sold in katholiki and nearby areas.\nPage 1 of 54 - 1277 results found\nPRICE ACHIEVED 98.6%\nKatholiki\n€72,000 ($78,422)\nthe apartment is rented out for 500 Euro per month and needs renovation!!!!\nKatholiki, Limassol, Cyprus\nSOLD IN 1 DAY\nGermasogeia\nThe plot is located in one of the most high demanded areas of Limassol, the Green area, in a quiet residential neighborhood. It has easy access to the highway and it is close to amenities and services. The building factor is 60% with 35% coverage. It a great option for someone who is looking to build a comfortable house for his family.\nGermasogeia, Limassol, Cyprus\nAgios Athanasios\nLocated in the heart of Panthea, in a very quiet and peaceful area with easy access to the highway. There are plenty of amenities nearby like supermarkets, schools, shops, and parks, and just a 10-minute drive to the beach. The interior is designed with great attention to detail in order to induce feelings of calmness and relaxation whilst the exterior space was created keeping in mind and maximizing the benefits. Each floor accommodates 2x2 bedrooms apartments per floor and a 2 bedroom whole-fl...\nAgios Athanasios, Limassol, Cyprus\nLimassol Municipality\nTwo-bedroom apartment in an attractive location in Agios Ioannis Quarter, in Limassol Municipality. It is located on the ‘Jean Sibelius’ Avenue and approximately 150 meters southeast of Arch. Makariou III Avenue.The property is ideally situated close to a plethora of amenities and services such as supermarkets, restaurants, shops, cafes, etc. Furthermore, the property enjoys excellent access to the city center, the beach and the motorway.The apartment with door number 6 is located on the 2nd flo...\nLimassol Municipality, Limassol, Cyprus\nPlot for sale in Agia Paraskevi Quarter, in Germasogia Municipality of Limassol District. It is situated approximately 500m north from Germasogia’s primary school and about 200meters from Agia Paraskeui Avenue.It has a rectangular shape with its northern part having an uneven and sloping surface, while its southern part has a smooth and relatively flat surface.It abuts a registered road on Prometheos Street along its southeastern border, with a face of about 2.5 meters and it has a right of way....\n€95,000 ($103,474)\nShop in an excellent location in Agia Triada Quarter of Limassol Municipality. It is situated at a distance of approximately 70 meters south of Gladstonos Avenue and approximately 475 meters north of Limassol’s coastal road.It is ideally situated close to plethora of amenities and services such as shops, supermarkets, restaurants, banks etc. In general, the area is very active for both commercial and residential use with intense mobility throughout the day.The shop is located on the ground floor...\nTENDER SUBMISSION DEADLINE: TUESDAY 3 JANUARY, 10:00 a.m. Ground floor shops with a mezzanine in a central location in Agia Zoni Quarter in Limassol Muncipality. They are located on «Pentadromo» (Agia Zoni and Thesalonikis avenue), and they are in a prominent location opposite the «Patichion Municipal Theatre».They are situated close to a plethora of amenities and services such as supermarkets, shops, restaurants, cafes etc. In addition, they enjoy excellent access to the motorway.The shops are ...\nTENDER SUBMISSION DEADLINE: TUESDAY 3 JANUARY, 10:00 a.m. Two-storey detached house with swimming pool in one of the most sought-after neighborhoods of Limassol, in “Potamos Germasogeias\" quarter of Germasogeia Municipality. It is located on Lesvou Street (No. 8), approximate 500 meters west of Germasogeias round about and nearby/south of the Limassol - Nicosia Motorway (A1).The property is in an excellent location with high demand for houses, due to its attractiveness and accessibility as it is...\nResidential Development for sale (ID: 967418)\nTENDER SUBMISSION DEADLINE: TUESDAY 3 JANUARY, 10:00 a.m. Detached three-storey residential building in a very attractive location of Limassol Municipality in Agia Zoni quarter. It is located approximate 230 meters southwest of the intersection of Agia Zoni and Archbishop Makarios III avenues.It is situated in a quiet neighborhood, which is only a few meters from the central streets of the area where all amenities such as shops, supermarkets and other services are located.The property was constr...\n2990 SQM Land for sale (ID: 964883)\nAkrounta\nField for sale in Akrounta community in Limassol District. It is in a quiet area approximately at a distance of 570 m southeastern from the community’s center and at a short distance east from the main road that connects Akrounta with Germasogia communities.It has a regular shape with an even surface. The abuts onto Athanasiou Diakou str., along its eastern boundary, with a frontage of 48m.The property falls within the consolidation area and is at a short distance from the residential zone.It is...\nAkrounta, Limassol, Cyprus\n12566 SQM Land for sale (ID: 962766)\nAvailable for sale is the 7/78 undivided share of an agricultural field, which corresponds to an area of approximately 1,127 sqm, in Agia Paraskevi Quarter, in Germasogia Municipality of Limassol District. It is situated approximately 2.5 km north of the Larnaca – Limassol motorway and approximately 850 m east of Agia Paraskevi street.It has a regular shape with a slopy surface and, according to the topographic map, the property abuts onto a public registered road on its eastern boundary.The pro...\nDetached four-bedroom house in an attractive and popular location in Agios Athanasios Municipality in Limassol District. It is located approximately 410 meters north from Agios Athanasios High School.The property is ideally situated close to a plethora of amenities and services such as schools, supermarkets, restaurants, In addition, it has excellent access to the motorway and the city of Limassol.This beautiful and spacious residence was constructed in year 2010, is in a good condition and situ...\nThe property for sale is a residential building with four (4) units located in a very attractive seaside location in Germasogeia Municipality, in Potamos Germasogeia Quarter. It abuts onto Argeion Street (No 6), approximately 250 meters north of Limassol seaside Avenue, and approximate 400 meters north of the sea.The property is in a prime touristic location while is also ideal for residential use. Within walking distance are many amenities and services such as shops, supermarkets, banks, school...\nStudio Detached house for sale (ID: 959190)\nThe auction will be carried out through the Electronic Foreclosure System at the website of Electronic Auctions www.eauction-cy.com on 09/01/2023 at 10:00 a.m. Unique Number of Electronic Auction: 0TZE2YGBHO. The property is referred to 100% share. For more information please contact us (22-690470). Please note that the price indicated above is the reserved price of the auction. Those who will bid at the auction must register and pay the deposit amount, until 15:00p.m. two (2) full working days ...\nThis asset is an apartment used as an office on the first floor of “Neptune House” in Tsiflikoudia, Nicosia.\nThe asset is located on the corner of Theodektou and Voukourestiou Streets, c. 250m north of Limassol Port and c. 1km southwest of Omonias and Franklin Roosevelt Avenues junction.\nThe office has an area of 240sqm and consists of a reception area, offices, a conference room, kitchen, storeroom, server room and toilet. There is an uncovered balcony of 105sqm. ...\nThis asset comprises of two adjoining fields in Ypsonas, Limassol.\nThe asset is located c. 140m north Ypsonas – Limassol road, c. 2km southwest of the Ypsonas industrial area and 3,5km from the centre of Ypsonas.\nThe asset has a total area of 6,021sqm and benefits from a road-frontage of c. 15m along its southwest border and c. 6m along its northeast border.\nThe immediate area comprises of some scattered residential developments and undeveloped parcels of...\nYpsonas, Limassol, Cyprus\nThis asset is an apartment on the second floor of a residential building in Agia Zoni, Limassol.\nThe asset is adjacent to Leontiou Machaira Street, c. 200m west of Pentadromos and c. 135m south of Ygeia Polyclinic private hospital.\nThe apartment has an area of 101sqm.\nThe wider area of the property comprises of commercial and residential developments. It enjoys direct access towards Limassol city center.\nThe asset is currently occupied. Sc...\nMouttagiaka\nGarden Square is a stunning new development project from Crona Group.\nGarden Square is set near the sea in one of the most prestigious locations of Mouttagiaka, a suburb of Limassol.\nThe infrastructure of the area is also constantly developing, with excellent amenities, numerous shops, and several supermarkets close by.\nThe beach is also within easy reach. The complex is easily accessible, with a junction to the highway only 500 meters away. Larnaca and Paphos airports are each reac...\nMouttagiaka, Limassol, Cyprus\nCommercial Building for sale (ID: 952078)\nThe property for sale is a commercial ground floor building with mezzanine level, in a central location in Kato Polemidia Municipality of Limassol District. It is situated in a prominent location, Marinou Geroulanoy Str., at a distance of approximately 400 meters northwest from Agios Ioannis Lyceum and approximately 150 meters southeast from Spyrou Kyprianou Avenue.The building is placed within a plot with a regular shape, a frontage along its north-eastern border of approximately 15 meters and ...\nMesa Gitonia\nAvailable for sale is the 375/1636 share of a residential plot, which corresponds to an area of approximately 375sq.m, in a quiet, advance residential area of Panthea quarter in Mesa Geitonia municipality. It is situated at a distance of approximately 650m east from Agias Fylaxis Lyceum and approximately 2Km north of Limassol - Nicosia motorway.It is located on a mountain hill and close to all necessary services and amenities.The locality of the property is characterized by empty residential fie...\nMesa Gitonia, Limassol, Cyprus\nSOLD IN 6 DAYS\nAvailable for sale is the 1/2 undivided share of a residential field, which corresponds to an area of approximately 4,865 sqm, in Germasogeia Municipality of Limassol District. It is situated approximately 950 m north of Nicosia - Limassol motorway and approximately 140 m east from Charalambous Evagora street.It has an irregular shape and a slopy surface. It abuts onto a public registered asphalt road along its eastern boundary with frontage of approximately 20 meters.The property falls within ...\nAvailable for sale is the 1/6 share of a field, which corresponds to an area of approximately 763sq.m, in Zakaki quarter in Limassol Municipality. It is located on Fragklinou Rousvelt Avenue and 1.1 kilometers (approx.) northeast of “My Mall” shopping center.The property is ideally situated close to a plethora of amenities and services such as schools, supermarkets, bakeries etc. In addition, it enjoys excellent access to the city center and the area of ʺCity of Dreams Mediterraneanʺ casino res...\nThe auction will be carried out through the Electronic Foreclosure System at the website of Electronic Auctions www.eauction-cy.com on 06/12/2022 at 10:00 a.m. Unique Number of Electronic Auction: MGSARWZAXN. The property is referred to 100% share. For more information please contact us (22-690470). Please note that the price indicated above is the reserved price of the auction. Those who will bid at the auction must register and pay the deposit amount, until 15:00p.m. two (2) full working days ...\nEkali\nResidential plot in a central and lively location in Agia Fylaksi Quarter in Limassol Municipality. It is situated at a distance of 1000 meters (approx.) north of Troodos round about (juction) and 600 meters (approx.) east of Limassol – Platres connection road.The property is ideally situated close to a plethora of amenities and services such as supermarkets, shops, restaurants, schools etc. In addition, it enjoys excellent access to the motorway.It has a rectangular shape and a level surface. ...\nEkali, Limassol, Cyprus\nResale Properties For Sale in Katholiki and nearby areas\nNew Homes For Sale in Katholiki and nearby areas\nBank Owned Properties For Sale in Katholiki and nearby areas\nTotal Properties For Sale in Katholiki and nearby areas\n1277 Properties Sold\nin Katholiki and nearby areas\nCheck the Value of YOUR Home in Katholiki","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line423254"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6856499910354614,"wiki_prob":0.3143500089645386,"text":"RENT A PALACE\nSPLENDID BOUTIQUE\nTUR | ENG\nCELEBRATING MORE THAN 111 YEARS OF HOSPITALITY\nA magnificent building with silvery domes and red shutters, facing Marmara Sea one side and the city of Istanbul on the other...\nA hotel in historical symbiosis with nature, retaining the nostalgic ecstasy of the past on Büyükada’s unique, peaceful and relaxing island atmosphere far removed from the stress creating nature of the city.\nOn Büyükada, as well as the other Princes’ Islands, horse drawn carriages and bicycles are still the only means of public transportation.\nSplendid Palace Hotel was inaugurated in 1908. Though inspired to some extent by “Art Nouveau”, the hotel clearly displays an east /west synthesis in architectural design with its bright inner courtyard encircled with rooms, and the pillars on floors around the courtyard.\nSplendid Palace has been operated by the founding family since the beginning according to the heritage by the 6th generation family members. İt is the only hotel in Turkey of its kind. It is recognized as a Class 1 national monument by the Ministry of Culture.\nThere are 60 rooms and 9 suites to accommodate 130 guests. The swimming pool in a verdant surrounding of trees is the outcome of a building design in harmony with nature.\nSplendid Palace Hotel is one of Turkey’s handful hotels that have been assigned special status by the Tourism Ministry, due to its unforgettable historical and cultural heritage.\nThe New York Times describes the Splendid Palace as \"an Art Nouveau-flavoured wedding cake of a hotel, located only two blocks from the clock tower. Built in 1908, the hotel is double-domed, white as icing and grandly down-at-heel, with four tiers of balconied rooms and crimson shutters.\"\nIn 2015, Splendid Palace became the home of the fantastic “O Sentimental Machine” installation by William Kentridge at the 14th Istanbul Biennial, SALTWATER.\n23 Nisan Street. No:39 Büyükada 34970\nE info@splendidhotel.net\nSPLENDID BOUTIQUE CONTACT TERMS & CONDITIONS PRIVACY POLICY CAREER SMOKE FREE\nJoin our special offers mailing list and stay updated with the latest news and updates!\nWEATHER IN BÜYÜKADA","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line857370"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5844727754592896,"wiki_prob":0.41552722454071045,"text":"The Bachelor spoilers: Who rejected Clayton Echard right away?\nThe Bachelor December 18, 2021\nAs we prepare for the premiere of The Bachelor early next year, ABC is already hyping up Clayton Echard’s season in a big way.\nHow are they describing it? Basically, the promo below claims that this will be a “season of firsts,” and one of the things that you’ll be seeing is someone reject him almost right away. The promo below mentions that the show’s new lead offered up a rose to someone that was turned down — pretty surprising, no?\nThere are a couple of things to remember as we look at this, though. For starters, ABC isn’t giving a lot of context as to how said rose was rejected. Also, it’s important to remember here that none of the women were cast on this season knowing that Clayton was going to be the lead. They hadn’t even seen an episode of Michelle Young’s season! This is such an unusual version of The Bachelor when you consider all of that, and it makes sense that there would be a few women who just aren’t that into him. That’s not saying anything negative about Clayton; instead, that’s just the reality of what relationships are often like. There are ultimately going to be people who are really interested in you and people who aren’t.\nWhile there may be some surprises throughout this season, don’t be surprised if there is also a back-to-basics approached threaded through at least some of this. Remember that we’re going back to the mansion this season for the first time since Peter Weber was the lead, and that’s likely due to changes in virus precautions and the widespread availability of vaccines.\nRelated – Get some more news when it comes to The Bachelor right now\nWhat do you most want to see when it comes to Clayton Echard’s season of The Bachelor?\nBe sure to share right now in the attached comments! After you do just that, remember to stick around — there are more updates on the way and we don’t want you to miss any of them. (Photo: ABC.)\nThis article was written by Jess Carter. Be sure to follow her on Twitter.\nThey say you always remember your first rejected rose 🥀 pic.twitter.com/ZvFlvPfTod\n— The Bachelor (@BachelorABC) December 17, 2021","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1359130"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5036274790763855,"wiki_prob":0.4963725209236145,"text":"by praxis | Jan 26, 2023 | Interview | 0 Comments\nDan Perkins lives and works in Brooklyn, NY. He received his MFA from American University. His paintings channel architectural motifs that connote space: crossing through a threshold, gazing through a window, passing from one plane to another. However the spaces depicted sit in an ethereal haze, where color and form are primary. Scale, time and space are all negotiable, up to the viewer to frame and understand.\nHe has shown at Deanna Evans Projects, Sperone Westwater, Hashimoto Contemporary, Launch F18, Mana Contemporary, and elsewhere. His work is held in the collections of Capital One, Fidelity Investments, the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, the Katzen Museum of American University, as well as in many private collections. His work has been featured in Juxtapoz Magazine, Booooooom, Wired Italia, Art of Choice, Archive 00, Two Coats of Paint, Artsy, ArtMaze Mag, and the Washington Post.\nLunar Archway, 2022, oil on panel, 50” x 40”\nPearl, 2022, oil on panel, 36” x 30”\nRed Star, 2022, oil on panel, 36” x 30”\nby praxis | Jan 6, 2023 | Interview | 0 Comments\nJulie Curtiss was born in Paris, France, and lives and works in Brooklyn, NY. She holds an MFA and a BA from École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts, Paris, France. Her work is included in the permanent collections of the High Museum, Atlanta, GA; MCA Chicago,...\nSakari Kannosto (Finnish, b. 1973) is a multimedia artist working in Helsinki, Espoo and Vantaa Finland, with a primary focus on ceramic sculptures and large-scale installations. His fantastical and figurative creatures are inspired by fables, Greek mythology, and...\nElaine Cameron-Weir Elaine Cameron-Weir (b. 1985, Red Deer, Alberta, Canada)Elaine Cameron-Weir’s contemplative objects made from carefully sourced materials allow us to consider theways in which artifce and spectacle have been used to perpetuate systems of belief....\nArin Dwihartanto Sunaryo Arin Dwihartanto Sunaryo (b. 1978, Bandung, Indonesia) is an artist based in Bandung, Indonesia who received his Bachelor’s Degree in Painting from Bandung Institute of Technology (2001) and a Master’s in Fine Art from Central Saint Martins...\nby praxis | Dec 24, 2022 | Interview | 0 Comments\nMelissa McGill, (born in Rhode Island, 1969) is a New York based interdisciplinary artist known for ambitious, collaborative, site specific public art projects. They take the form of site-specific, immersive experiences that explore nuanced conversations between land,...\nJessica Westhafer (b. 1990, Denver, CO) lives and works in Brooklyn, New York. She received her BFA from the University of Arkansas in 2014 and her MFA in Painting from Indiana University in 2020. Using a deceptively playful form of figuration, Westhafer explores...\nJennifer Paige Cohen lives and works in Brooklyn, NY. She has been the subject of solo and two-person exhibitions at The Pit, Los Angeles; The Saint-Gaudens Memorial, New Hampshire; Rachel Uffner Gallery, New York; Salon 94, New York; and White Columns, New York....\nDana Robinson (b. Brooklyn, NY) is an artist and designer who lives and works in Brooklyn, NY. Robinson’s practice aims to address topics of youth, Black feminine identity, ownership, and nostalgia. With a background in graphic design and a love of Black vintage...\nJodi Hays (b. 1976) is a Nashville-based artist whose work explores the material vocabulary of the American South through reclaimed and repurposed cardboard, textiles, and fabrics that resemble screen doors, old boards, and sign paintings. She is a 2019 Finalist for...\nGeorg Óskar (b.1985, Iceland) currently works and lives in Oslo, Norway. He graduated with a Diploma in Fine Arts from Akureyri School of visual arts in 2009 and subsequently obtained his MFA from the Faculty of Fine Art, Music and Design in Bergen, Norway, in 2016....","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1673149"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8247534036636353,"wiki_prob":0.8247534036636353,"text":"Odessa rugby players took third place in the Cup of Ukraine | Odessa news\nThe national rugby-7 Cup was hosted by Khmelnitsky.\nMen’s Odessa rugby club «CREDO-1963» took third place in the Ukrainian Cup in Olympic rugby — rugby-7.\nOur compatriots won both matches in their group — against the Khmelnytsky «Polytechnic» (31: 5) and the Lvov «Sokol» (17:14), but in the semifinals they lost to the local «Evolution 7’s» (14:29).\nIn the game for the bronze medal, Dmitry Fedishin’s charges met with Sokol again, but this time they beat him more than confidently — 41: 7.\nIn the final, Evolution 7’s and the permanent winner of all national tournaments — Kharkiv Olympus met. The owners of the field gave the guests a fight, but the Kharkiv team still took the trophy home (29:14).\nThus, to the «bronze» of the Superleague in Rugby-7, won a week earlier in Kiev, «CREDO» added the «bronze» of the Cup of Ukraine in Rugby-7.\nAt the end of this week, the «red-whites» will start in the Rugby-15 Super League.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1432078"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6771899461746216,"wiki_prob":0.6771899461746216,"text":"Paper Day\nSophomore Jackson Mitchell steps up for baseball team\nSophomore Jackson Mitchell attempts to pick off a runner at first base during a game.\nLast season, the varsity baseball team had four underclassmen, with three being sophomores and one freshman. This year they only have one underclassman, and it’s sophomore Jackson Mitchell who only played a little bit of varsity last season but mainly played JV.\n“It’s pretty fun,” Mitchell said. “I’m friends with most of the team. I wasn’t too surprised [making varsity] since I played a little bit last year, but it’s pretty exciting being a sophomore on varsity.”\nMitchell is a pitcher, and despite being the youngest player on the team, he has made himself one of the team’s best pitchers and is a great role model on the team. His teammates and coaches are very proud of him.\n“He’s brings a lot to the table,” head coach Bob Dunahue said. “He’s got a nice frame, he’s got easy throwing motion, very athletic and coachable, he’s always looking to get better, and he lets his actions on the field do the talking.”\nAccording to junior and fellow teammate Nolan Hutson, Mitchell fits in great with the whole team, and is even better this season than last season.\n“He’s just grown as a player and has gotten bigger, as time has gone on he’s improved,” Hutson said. “He’s just a really good pitcher, he knows how to locate, and he has good speed at his age.”\nOverall, Mitchell has enjoyed varsity very much. He has been playing baseball since he was little and hopes to continue his career in college, but right now he mainly wants to focus on high school.\n“I’m just trying to get my way to the top of the pitching staff and hopefully stay on varsity and make some new friends,” Mitchell said.\nBob Dunahue\nJackson Mitchell\nNolan Hutson","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1553712"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9141585230827332,"wiki_prob":0.9141585230827332,"text":"‘They’re still the team to beat’\nKansas City’s 2021 season was tumultuous by the Chiefs’ standards. Kansas City lost four of its first seven games before rattling off nine wins in its final 10 games. The Chiefs’ only loss came at the hands of none other than the Bengals, but when the teams met again with a trip to Super Bowl LVI on the line, the Chiefs were again seen as the favorite.\nCincinnati embraced the underdog role, vanquishing Kansas City and securing a date with the eventual champion Los Angeles Rams.\nThe 2022 season included a similar story, except the Bengals and Chiefs swapped roles. Kansas City rolled to a 14-3 finish and the conference’s top seed, while Cincinnati battled its own early season struggles before embarking on a win streak that began after Halloween, including a third straight triumph over the Chiefs, and still hasn’t ended.\nOne might say the Bengals own the Chiefs. But as the top seed entering Championship Sunday, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes isn’t leaning into the underdog narrative.\n“Every time I walk on that field, I don’t think I’m an underdog,” Mahomes said on Wednesday. “Especially when I walk on Arrowhead’s field. I just go in with the same mindset of we’re gonna have to play our best football to win. We know we’re playing a great football team that’s beat us the last three times. So , we have to learn from our mistakes in the past and be better in order to win against a great football team.”\nCincinnati isn’t as eager to embrace the idea of ​​having the upper hand on the powerhouse Chiefs, but also isn’t hiding from the reality of the last two campaigns, especially considering the difficulty of the road the Bengals — a team that pulled off a Divisional Round road upset just to reach this point — have traveled.\n“There’s a lot of guys in that room, and I would say there’s a lot of guys throughout the league that have had it the hard way,” Burrow, a quarterback who had to transfer from Ohio State to LSU just to get an opportunity to continue his career at the next level, said. “I know, personally, I wouldn’t have had it any other way. It’s made me who I am as a person and as a player. And there’s a lot of guys in that locker room like that. That are still trying to prove themselves, no matter how many wins or how well they play or how many contracts they sign, they’re still gonna get their work in because that’s what got them to this point.”\nFamiliarity is a strength both teams share entering this matchup. As they always are at this time of the year, the stakes are high, and Burrow knows the Chiefs won’t be taking his Bengals lightly, especially when considering their recent history.\n“We played them twice the last two seasons, really basically a month apart each time,” Burrow said. “We know them. They know us. It’s gonna be fun.”\nSteph Curry ejected for throwing mouth guard, video, reaction, Golden State Warriors vs Memphis Grizzlies, Jordan Poole doesn’t pass\nMLB’s Yoshida, Nootbaar named to Japan’s WBC roster\nSharks trade Ryan Merkley, Matt Nieto to Avs for Martin Kaut, Jacob MacDonald\nMatildas on song in women’s League Cup","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1257443"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6582630276679993,"wiki_prob":0.6582630276679993,"text":"Cocktails & Cabaret Fundraiser to Support Arts Education\nCOCKTAILS & CABARET\nFUNDRAISER TO SUPPORT ARTS EDUCATION\nTwin Cities choral group,\nVocalEssence, celebrates Nov. 18 at the Metropolitan\nMINNEAPOLIS—Philip Brunelle, artistic\ndirector and founder of celebrated Twin Cities choral ensemble VocalEssence,\nwill put down his conductor’s baton and take his place at the piano for the non-profit’s\nannual Cocktails & Cabaret fundraiser to support arts education —\nMon., Nov. 18 at 5:30 p.m.\nBrunelle\nwill be joined by Twin Cities musical theater stars Simone Perrin, Bradley Greenwald, Greta Oglesby and Dieter Bierbrauer for an evening cabaret performance,\nspecial VocalEssence-created cocktails and delicious hors d’oeuvres at the\nMetropolitan Ballroom and Clubroom in Golden Valley.\nproceeds from the evening will benefit the innovative educational programs of\nVocalEssence including WITNESS and ¡Cantaré!, which promote cultural diversity through music education. Each\nyear, thousands of Twin Cities-based youth are exposed to the choral arts with\nthe help of teaching artists, artist residencies and school group tickets, all funded\nby VocalEssence.\nmission is to engage audiences of all ages and actively foster new talent\nthrough a culturally rich educational menu,” says Philip Brunelle, founder\nand artistic director, VocalEssence. “Cocktails & Cabaret is one of my\nfavorite events of the year—it’s a great way to celebrate with and entertain\nour biggest supporters while raising funds to make our aspirations reality.”\nhour will commence at 5:30 p.m., followed by the cabaret program at 6:30 p.m.\nTickets are available for $80 for general admission (theater-style seating).\nFor more information about this event and to purchase tickets, visit www.vocalessence.org/cabaret2013.\nby Peter Rothstein, Theater Latté Da’s Artistic Director,\nthe event will feature solos, duets and full-group numbers including Sondheim’s\n“No One Is Alone,” Shannon’s\n“Dance for Hannah,” Hazelwood’s “These Boots are Made for Walking” and\nLehmann’s “There are Fairies at the Bottom of our Garden”. Also on the roster\nwill be classic favorites like “On the Street Where You Live” from My Fair Lady, “Something’s Coming” from West Side Story, “Bring Him Home” from Les Miserables, and a show-stopping duet\nfrom Greenwald and Bierbauer performing “Agony” from Into the Woods.\nis comprised of the 100-voice VocalEssence Chorus, the 32-voice professional\nEnsemble Singers, as well as guest soloists and instrumentalists, and offers\naudiences a broad series of concerts. Called “one of the irreplaceable\nmusic ensembles of our time” by Dana Gioia, past chairman of the National\nEndowment for the Arts, VocalEssence was founded in 1969 by artistic director\nPhilip Brunelle. VocalEssence has championed the vocal experience in\nunconventional ways through concerts, commissions, and community engagement,\nand has debuted more than 150 commissions and world premieres. Beyond\nperformances and recordings, VocalEssence impacts thousands of students,\nsingers, and composers each year through its initiative\nprograms, contests, and support for innovative art. For more information, visit\nwww.vocalessence.org.\nhttps://www.vocalessence.org/pressrelease/6840-2","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line235127"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5614912509918213,"wiki_prob":0.4385087490081787,"text":"Tag: Boltanski\nOne more time with [structures of] feeling: anxiety, labour, and social critique in/of the neoliberal academia\nBlog, Conference presentations, higher education, social theory\nFlorence, April 2013\nLast month, I attended the symposium on Anxiety and Work in the Accelerated Academy, the second in the Accelerated Academy series that explores the changing scapes of time, work, and productivity in the academia. Given that my research is fundamentally concerned with the changing relationships between universities and publics, and the concomitant reframing of the subjectivity, agency, and reflexivity of academics, I naturally found the question of the intersection of academic labour and time relevant. One particular bit resonated for a long time: in her presentation, Maggie O’Neill from the University of York suggested anxiety has become the primary structure of feeling in the neoliberal academia. Having found myself, in the period leading up to the workshop, increasingly reflecting on the structures of feeling, I was intrigued by the salience of the concept. Is there a place for theoretical concepts such as this in research on the transformations of knowledge production in contemporary capitalism, and where is it?\n“Structure of feeling” may well be one of those ideas whose half-life way superseded their initial purview. Raymond Williams introduced it in a brief chapter included in Marxism and Literature, contributing to carving out what would become known as the distinctly British take on the relationship between “base” and “superstructure”: cultural studies. In it, he says:\nSpecific qualitative changes are not assumed to be epiphenomena of changed institutions, formations, and beliefs, or merely secondary evidence of changed social and economic relations between and within classes. At the same time they are from the beginning taken as social experience, rather than as ‘personal’ experience or as the merely superficial or incidental ‘small change’ of society. They are social in two ways that distinguish them from reduced senses of the social as the institutional and the formal: first, in that they are changes of presence (while they are being lived this is obvious; when they have been lived it is still their substantial characteristic); second, in that although they are emergent or pre-emergent, they do not have to await definition, classification, or rationalization before they exert palpable pressures and set effective limits on experience and on action. Such changes can be defined as changes in structures of feeling. (Williams, 1977:130).\nWilliams thus introduces structures of feeling as a form of social diagnostic; he posits it against the more durable but also more formal concepts of ‘world-view’ or ‘ideology’. Indeed, the whole chapter is devoted to the critique of the reificatory tendencies of Marxist social analysis: the idea of things (or ideas) being always ‘finished’, always ‘in the past’, in order for them to be subjected to analytical scrutiny. The concept of “structure of feeling” is thus invoked in order to keep tabs on social change and capture the perhaps less palpable elements of transformation as they are happening.\nEmotions and the scholastic disposition\nOver the past years, discourse of feelings has certainly become more prominent in the academia. Just last week, Cambridge’s Festival of Ideas featured a discussion on the topic, framing it within issues of free speech and trigger warnings on campus. While the debate itself has a longer history in the US, it had begun to attract more attention in the UK – most recently in relation to challenging colonial legacies at both Oxford and Cambridge.\nDespite multiple nuances of political context and the complex interrelation between imperialism and higher education, the debate in the media predominantly plays out in dichotomies of ‘thinking’ and ‘feeling’. Opponents tend to pit trigger warnings or the “culture of offence” against the concept of academic freedom, arguing that today’s students are too sensitive and “coddled” which, in their view, runs against the very purpose of university education. From this perspective, education is about ‘cultivating’ feelings: exercising control, submerging them under the strict institutional structures of the intellect.\nFeminist scholars, in particular, have extensively criticised this view for its reductionist properties and, not least, its propensity to translate into institutional and disciplinary policies that seek to exclude everything framed as ‘emotional’, bodily, or material (and, by association, ‘feminine’) from academic knowledge production. But the cleavage runs deeper. Research in social sciences is often framed in the dynamic of ‘closeness’ and ‘distancing’, ‘immersion’ and ‘purification’: one first collects data by aiming to be as close as possible to the social context of the object of research, but then withdraws from it in order to carry out analysis. While approaches such as grounded theory or participatory methods (cl)aim to transcend this boundary, its echoes persist in the structure of presentation of academic knowledge (for instance, the division between data and results), as well as the temporal organisation of graduate education (for instance, the idea that the road to PhD includes a period of training in methods and theories, followed by data collection/fieldwork, followed by analysis and the ‘writing up’ of results).\nThe idea of ‘distanced reflection’ is deeply embedded in the history of academic knowledge production. In Pascalian Meditations, Bourdieu relates it to the concept of skholē – the scholarly disposition – predicated on the distinction between intellectual and manual labour. In other words, in order for reflection to exist, it needed to be separated from the vagaries of everyday existence. One of its radical manifestations is the idea of the university as monastic community. Oxford and Cambridge, for instance, were explicitly constructed on this model, giving rise to animosities between ‘town’ and ‘gown’: concerns of the ‘lay’ folk were thought to be diametrically opposed to those of the educated. While arguably less prominent in (most) contemporary institutions of knowledge production, the dichotomy is still unproblematically transposed in concepts such as “university’s contribution to society”, which assumes universities are distinct from the society, or at least their interests radically different from those of “the society” – raising obvious questions about who, in fact, is this society.\nEmotions, reason, and critique\nParadoxically, perhaps, one of the strongest reverberations of the idea is to be found in the domain of social critique. On the one hand, this sounds counter-intuitive – after all, critical social science should be about abandoning the ‘veneer’ of neutrality and engaging with the world in all of its manifestations. However, establishing the link between social science and critique rests on something that Boltanski, in his critique of Bourdieu’s sociology of domination, calls the metacritical position:\nFor this reason we shall say that critical theories of domination are metacritical in order. The project of taking society as an object and describing the components of social life or, if you like, its framework, appeals to a thought experiment that consists in positioning oneself outside this framework in order to consider it as a whole. In fact, a framework cannot be grasped from within. From an internal perspective, the framework coincides with reality in its imperious necessity. (Boltanski, 2011:6-7)\nAcademic critique, in Boltanski’s view, requires assuming a position of exteriority. A ‘simple’ form of exteriority rests on description: it requires ‘translation’ of lived experience (or practices) into categories of text. However, passing the kind of moral judgements critical theory rests on calls for, he argues, a different form of distancing: complex exteriority.\nIn the case of sociology, which at this level of generality can be regarded as a history of the present, with the result that the observer is part of what she intends to describe, adopting a position of exteri­ority is far from self-evident… This imaginary exit from the viscosity of the real initially assumes stripping reality of its character of implicit necessity and proceeding as if it were arbitrary (as if it could be other than it is or even not be);\nThis “exit from the viscosity of the real” (a lovely phrase!) proceeds in two steps. The first takes the form of “control of desire”, that is, procedural distancing from the object of research. The second is the act of judgement by which a social order is ‘ejected’, seen in its totality, and as such evaluated from the outside:\nIn sociology the possibility of this externalization rests on the existence of a laboratory – that is to say, the employment of protocols and instructions respect for which must constrain the sociologist to control her desires (conscious or unconscious). In the case of theories of domination, the exteriority on which cri­tique is based can be called complex, in the sense that it is established at two different levels. It must first of all be based on an exteriority of the first kind to equip itself with the requisite data to create the picture of the social order that will be submitted to critique. A meta­ critical theory is in fact necessarily reliant on a descriptive sociology or anthropology. But to be critical, such a theory also needs to furnish itself, in ways that can be explicit to very different degrees, with the means of passing a judgement on the value of the social order being described. (ibid.)\nCritique: inside, outside, in-between?\nTo what degree could we say that this categorisation can be applied to the current critique of conditions of knowledge production in the academia? After all, most of those who criticize the neoliberal transformation of higher education and research are academics. In this sense, it would make sense to question the degree to which they can lay claims to a position of exteriority. However, more problematically (or interestingly), it is also questionable to which degree a position of exteriority is achievable at all.\nBoltanski draws attention to this problem by emphasising the distinction between the cognition – awareness – of ‘ordinary’ actors, and that of sociologists (or other social scientists), the latter, presumably, able to perceive structures of domination that the subjects of their research do not:\nMetacritical theories of domination tackle these asymmetries from a particular angle – that of the miscognition by the actors themselves of the exploitation to which they are subject and, above all, of the social conditions that make this exploitation possible and also, as a result, of the means by which they could stop it. That is why they present themselves indivisibly as theories of power, theories of exploitation and theories of knowledge. By this token, they encounter in an especially vexed fashion the issue of the relationship between the knowledge of social reality which is that of ordinary actors, reflexively engaged in practice, and the knowledge of social reality conceived from a reflexivity reliant on forms and instruments of totalization – an issue which is itself at the heart of the tensions out of which the possibility of a social science must be created (Boltanski, 2011:7)\nHotel Academia: you can check out any time you like, but you can never leave?\nHow does one go about thinking about the transformation of the conditions of knowledge production when one is at the same time reflexively engaged in practice and relying on the reflexivity provided by sociological instruments? Is it at all possible? The feelings of anxiety, to this end, could be provoked exactly by this lack of opportunity to step aside – to disembed oneself from the academic life and reflect on it at the leisurely pace of skholē. On the one hand, this certainly has to do with the changing structure and tempo of academic life – acceleration and demands for increased output: in this sense, anxiety is a reaction to the changes perceived and felt, the feeling that the ground is no longer stable, like a sense of vertigo. On the other hand, however, this feeling of decentredness could be exactly what contemporary critique calls for.\nThe challenge, of course, is how to turn this “structure of feeling” into something that has analytical as well as affective power – and can transform the practice itself. Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring, I think, is a wonderful example of this. As a melody, it is fundamentally disquieting: its impact primarily drawn from the fact that it disrupted what were, at the time, expectations of the (musical) genre, and in the process, rewrote them.\nIn other words, anxiety could be both creative and destructive. This, however, is not some broad call to “embrace anxiety”. There is a clear and pertinent need to understand the way in which the transformations of working conditions – everywhere, and also in the context of knowledge production – are influencing the sense of self and what is commonly referred to as mental health or well-being.\nHowever, in this process, there is no need to externalise anxiety (nor other feelings): that is, frame it as if caused by forces outside of, or completely independent from, human influence, including within the academia itself (for instance, government policies, or political changes on supranational level). Conversely, there is no need to completely internalise it, in the sense of ascribing it to the embodied experience of individuals only. If feelings occupy the unstable ‘middle ground’ between institutions and individuals, this is the position from which they will have to be thought. If anxiety is an interpretation of the changes of the structures of knowledge production, its critique cannot but stem from the same position. This position is not ‘outside’, but rather ‘in-between’; insecure and thought-provoking, but no less potent for that.\nWhich, come to think of it, may be what Williams was trying to say all along.\nOctober 25, 2016 April 23, 2019 Jana BBoltanski, Bourdieu, critique, higher education, intellectuals, knowledge, sociology, structures of feeling, universities","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line221763"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5521370768547058,"wiki_prob":0.5521370768547058,"text":"About FDD\nFDD Team\nNational Security Network\nCenter on Cyber and Technology Innovation\nTransformative Cyber Innovation Lab\nCenter on Economic and Financial Power\nCenter on Military and Political Power\nFDD's Long War Journal\nBarish Center for Media Integrity\nChina Program\nInternational Organizations Program\nIran Program\nIsrael Program\nNonproliferation and Biodefense Program\nTurkey Program\nFlash Briefs\nForeign Podicy\nGeneration Jihad\nOvernight Brief\nSubscribe Invest\nJanuary 25, 2007 | FrontPage Magazine\nSymposium: Iraq – The Challenge Ahead\nBill Cowan\nCarlton Sherwood\nRalph Peters\nAndy McCarthy\nFP: Bill Cowan, Carlton Sherwood, Jim Woolsey, Ralph Peters and Andy McCarthy, welcome to Frontpage Symposium.\nI want to get your views on Saddam’s execution, but let’s first crystallize what our main strategy should be in Iraq.\nBill Cowan, let’s begin with you. What do you make of the Iraq Study Group's recommendations? And what, in your view, must we now do in Iraq?\nCowan: I guess I could best characterize the Iraq Study Group's effort as a noble endeavor, but at the end of the day it's political theater. People here in Washington from both sides of the spectrum will use whatever parts they agree with to further their own agendas. As a quick aside, I spent many years living overseas. From my own experience, if I wanted to influence events in a foreign environment I would spend most of my effort asking the locals how I could achieve my goals. I'd get a diverse range of opinions from which I could pick and choose, but I'd at least know they might be implementable and might result in what I wanted. In this case, most of the effort involved asking 'experts' here in the U.S. or in the Green Zone in Baghdad. Many of them are the same 'experts' who got us where we are now.\nAs to what we can do now in Iraq, I do agree that our options are very limited. One problem is that we are fighting an unconventional war with conventional forces, and it's probably too late to try to shift now. Historically, military might has never been the ultimate deciding factor in an unconventional war. It's about the people themselves – who they support, and how and why they support them. It's clear at this juncture that too many people support the insurgency, and conventional military force isn't going to change that. What might change it is jobs, the economy, social services, infrastructure, and the like. Those aren't the responsibility of the military, and the other elements of the U.S. presence that are responsible aren't doing well in any of them.\nFinally, on the military side a more robust advisor program might help to some degree. But it won't help if the advisors are only at high levels, meaning battalion and above. We need young officers and NCO's out with the front-line Iraqi units, participating directly in the fight. That U.S. presence at the lower level brings with it intelligence, communications, and quick access to firepower. It also builds confidence in young Iraqi troops who see us engaged at their level, and it allows our military to help identify leaders within the Iraqi Army. Is there danger associated with a program at that level? Of course, but we did it extremely well in Viet Nam with great success. If we want to win in Iraq, we have to continue to take risks.\nSherwood: My opinions of the Iraq Study Group are not dissimilar to Col. Cowan's. Perhaps, our biggest differences rest with the intent, the true purpose of the ISG. In that respect, I am far more skeptical, perhaps, cynical.\nThe very existence of the Iraq Study Group signaled an abrogation of war-time leadership by the White House: the ISG's recommendations and admission, if one more is needed, that U.S. military operations are being driven solely by craven, self-serving political considerations.\nBattlefield realties are irrelevant when command decisions are relegated to politicians devoted to compromise and accommodation, whose entire focus is the next election cycle or today's poll. They are simply unfit to make hard life or death combat decisions. Appeasement is their stock and trade, “victory” a four-letter word.\nIn that regard, the ISG report provides ample “political cover” for failed or absent leadership, both on the Right and Left of the political spectrum. Even some of ISG's more patently absurd recommendations will now be fodder for serious “public debate,” all designed to obscure the real and deeply rooted causes of the current situation in the Middle East — amoral, incompetent American political leadership and cowardice.\nHistorically, we already know the price that will eventually be paid in blood and national treasure, never mind the lasting damage to the America psyche, if we resurrect and follow the Vietnam template the ISG report surely implies.\nBut, who will be responsible for the genocide this time? Who will be held accountable for the millions of innocents slaughtered if our military is drive from the battlefield $ prematurely? What do we say to those we abandoned, who we betrayed with false promises of freedom and America's resolve to liberate them?\nWill we again allow our political leaders to blame their self-inflicted defeat on those who cannot speak, Americans whose names line the wall of the yet-to-be-built Iraq War Veterans Memorial?\nThe same forces that caused the U.S. to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory in Southeast Asia are firmly in play now in Iraq and Afghanistan. “Winning” is no longer the objective, there are only “outcomes.” And, those will be defined by political leaders and the media without regard for U.S. military successes, or, its capabilities to bring both conflicts to a quick, decisive close, even now.\nIndeed, many of the same American political leaders in the forefront of engineering our “defeat” in Vietnam are at the controls again four decades later. Those paragons of self-loathing Americans everywhere, which include the leftist Senators from Massachusetts, are among the many who would revel in a replay of Vietnam. Their unvarnished contempt for our military is, perhaps, second only to their abiding admiration for, and, collaboration with America's enemies.\nDoubtless, they've already made travel plans to Tehran and Damascus to negotiate with terrorists, as per the ISG's recommendations.\nPresident Bush would do well to ignore the ISG and try something completely different. Put his political advisors on vacation and turn this war over to those in command on the battlefield … with only one order — “Win.”\nFP: Jim Woolsey?\nWoolsey: I see the ISG report similarly to Col. Cowan and Mr. Sherwood. The document doesn't present a coherent strategy. Most importantly, it's bizarre to treat Iran and Syria as if they are trembling on the verge of being helpful and promoting a stable Iraq if we will but talk to them.\nI've participated in or led five sets of East-West negotiations between 1969 and 1991, and the act of opening negotiations is always itself a political act. Three and a half years ago when Iran and Syria were newly impressed by our having taken Baghdad so quickly it might have been different, especially if we had been reinforcing to stop the early looting. At that point if we had opened negotiations we would have been doing so from a position of strength and, with adequate forces along the borders, we might have got something useful in the way of commitments not to interfere in Iraq. We would have had to enforce such commitments, of course, but such Iranian and Syrian pledges could have been of some diplomatic use to us.\nToday we would be opening negotiations from a position of weakness (it might have been different if the Israelis had done us the favor last summer of using their Air Force to level a bunch of Syrian military facilities instead of Lebanese targets). We would be pressed to pay Iran in the coin of easing our pressure on their nuclear weapons program and Syria in the coin of easing pressure against their interference in Lebanon.\nWe need to establish different facts on the ground, via some of the steps suggested by Cowan and Sherwood — e.g. putting advisors into Iraqi units all the way down the line, not just at battalion level — before we consider such discussions. Proposing negotiations with them now, and assuming that Iran and Syria want stability, is like the thirteenth chime of a clock: not only is it strange in and of itself, it calls into question all from the same source.\nPeters: I'm about 80% in line with Jim Woolsey and Carlton Sherwood–especially in my skeptical reading of the Jim-Baker-made-in-Riyadh ISG report; on the same count, I must respectfully disagree with Bill Cowan (whose views I so often share): The ISG was not a “noble endeavor” in any respect, but a classic Washington default–when things go wrong, bring out the dead from the political mausoleum and let them pontificate.\nUsually, this is just bread-and-circuses, pass-the-blame theater, but Secretary Baker demonstrated brilliantly how a veteran infighter with prestige and a personal agenda can hijack such a commission. I believe that Baker knew what his key conclusions would be before the group's first meeting and he artfully loaded the panel with respected (or at least well-known) public figures who, whether Republican or Democrat, shared one characteristic: Not one could claim Middle-East experience or contacts to rival Baker's.\nNote that Baker also excluded retired general officers from the panel–even though we're in the middle of a series of wars. Baker didn't want anyone with uniformed military experience to challenge his views (Secretary Perry is a brilliant bean-counter, but no strategist). Thus, for all of the “79 theses,” I see this as Baker's report, from start to finish.\nAnd what's the bottom line of that report? “Let's all go back to the good, old days of stability at any cost, of supporting the likes of Saddam and the Shah. Chuck all that human rights and freedom nonsense–bring back the Cold War clarity, when any thug would do as long as he was our thug. Trade long-term advantage for short-term quiet. Stability ueber alles!”\nOf course, Baker and his generation gave us 9-11, playing into the hands of Islamist fanatics by associating the USA with oppressive (often monstrous) regimes. By artificially “keeping a lid on” the Middle East, they only delayed and intensified the boil-over. The Shah always falls; Saddam always turns on you in the end. Meanwhile, you've alienated the population and empowered religious fanatics.\nEven Baker's proposal to embed 16,000 to 20,000 trainers is divorced from reality. To embed that many quality troops, we'd have to strip our combat units of their cadre of officers and veteran NCOs–crippling combat readiness. And Baker would withdraw combat units, leaving only the dispersed advisers and support units ill-equipped to defend themselves–an invitation to our enemies to encourage a “teach-the-Americans-a-great-lesson” uprising that could kill or take hostage thousands of our troops. Without combat power to back them up, our advisers would be a blood sacrifice to nothing. But, then, Baker's set despises those in uniform, as do most members of the Washington “elite,” who are, of course, far too important to serve, as are their children (personally, I think Barbara and Jenna Bush would look hot in Army or Marine combat uniforms).\nOn the positive side, Baker's infighting finesse ultimate wrought nothing. After all the fanfare, the elephant gave birth to a (still-born) mouse. No one in Washington takes the ISG report seriously at this point–it's dead. The White House was furious, key Republicans felt blindsided, the Dems were just confused (big surprise there, of course…)–and our military got another lesson in willful civilian arrogance. Really, just think about that: The great panel to solve our wartime problems didn't have a single retired general officer. Sure, several members had brief junior-officer service back in the days of the horse cavalry. But we all know that, for military problem-solving at the strategic level, you need people who've operated at the strategic level. An honorable approach would have been to ask General (retired) Eric Shinseki, the man who was right, to joint the panel. But Baker wanted total control.\nHe got it. But he made the classic Washington old-timer's error of failing to understand how dramatically the world had changed since he last occupied center stage. Baker's long ties to the Saudis (not least, financial) appear to have dominated the report–much of it's the Sunni-Arab-Wahhabist view from Riyadh, including the lunatic suggestion to tie Iraq to solving the (insolvable) Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which is akin to arguing that Mexico's problems are made in Argentina.\nSo…the ISG report was an ethical and moral disgrace. And Jim Baker, the spotlight hog who never met a dictator he didn't like and who tried to convince a defeated Soviet Union to stay together, who tried to convince the Yugoslavs to remain together, who abandoned the Shia to Saddam and delayed protecting the Kurds…has finally got his comeuppance. His public failure should be welcomed by all honorable Americans.\nAnd just by the way: The notion that insurgencies are never put down through military force is an urban legend that takes into account only the brief historical period since WWII (even then, it ignores many success military destructions of insurgencies). Over three thousand years, the overwhelming majority of insurgencies–including religious and ethnic revolts–have been defeated. And they've been defeated by the ruthless use of conventional forces. There is, indeed, usually a military solution–but you've got to have the guts to do what it takes to win. Our deficit doesn't lie in capabilities, but in the spinelessness of our leadership. Our country shouldn't rush into wars–but when we have to fight, we need to fight to win. We aren't being defeated–we're defeating ourselves with our political correctness.\nFP: Thank you Ralph Peters. So let’s fight to win then.\nBut do we need not to be honest with ourselves about how we can win? Is the Sharansky thesis (that all peoples’ yearn for freedom) really applicable here, especially in terms of what has occurred over the last year in Iraq?\nIs it really that foolhardy to start focusing more on stability rather than on “democracy” in an environment which has proven that the notions of individual liberty and the separation of Church and State are not, to say the least, looming that greatly on peoples’ minds? Is it that wise, in the context of this war, to try to introduce Jeffersonian principles into an environment where a high priority among many seems to be to submit one’s total being to a religious deity and to butcher one another over religious interpretations?\nOr is it a failed military strategy that has facilitated the sectarian violence and if we had done things right, somehow, Sharansky’s thesis might have materialized into earthly incarnation?\nAndy McCarthy?\nMcCarthy: Jamie, I’ve been skeptical about the administration’s vision of democratizing the Muslim world since its inception. I am not as certain as some scholars of Islam that democracy – in the modern, Western sense – is so antithetical to core Muslim principles that it could never take root; but I am persuaded it would mark such a profound change in a society committed to remaining culturally Islamic that we must view this effort as the work of generations – it is not a hocus-pocus function of a few elections and some vaporous constitution-writing.\nThat’s why I criticize the democracy project even though I share the ultimate view of its proponents that we must give young, impressionable Muslims an alternative vision – something different from a bleak choice between political dictators and religious totalitarians. Saying we have to make a choice between stability and democracy is a false dichotomy. Democracy (whether it’s achievable or not) should be our long-term aim, but stability is a necessary precondition for the transition toward a functioning democratic society – and it may be a very, very long transition depending on how much work must be done to sow and grow the prerequisite institutions and ethos.\nReturning to our original topic, the Iraq Study Group, this brings two observations to my mind. They seem contradictory on first blush but I’ll make them anyway.\nFirst, my presence in this august company brings home powerfully one of the chief failings of the ISG, alluded to by Col. Peters in particular. Though I like being a lawyer and have a great respect for the discipline that stems from good legal training, I do not for the life of me understand Washington’s penchant (or, for that matter, the penchant of our litigious society in general) to assume that every problem in life is a legal problem best addressed through study by panels predominantly comprised of prominent lawyers. The same flaw applied to the 9/11 Commission. With due respect to James Baker and, say, Justice O’Connor, why should anyone think they would have better insight about what is to be done in Iraq than Bill Cowan, Carlton Sherwood and Ralph Peters? Why would anyone crave the assessment of Vernon Jordan – to be sure, a quite accomplished lawyer – versus, say, an evaluation by Jim Woolsey, who aside from being an accomplished lawyer also has mounds of practical experience in the arenas of intelligence and foreign relations, two disciplines that are imperative to success in the war?\nThese are not idle questions. I am hardly saying there is no role for lawyers here. Fact-finding is essential, and it is among the skills of lawyering. But we lawyers are supposed to know that we are often incompetent to arrive at the facts without input from people with relevant expertise. It was a lot more important, in assessing Iraq, to have the insight of military, intelligence and diplomatic professionals than prominent lawyers. I assume when the president wants to know what’s going on there, he is not ringing up the Justice Department or the White House Counsel’s Office.\nMore to the point, much of lawyering is about conflict resolution in the domestic peacetime context. This necessarily involves compromise and consensus. National security, to the contrary, is not about consensus. It is about getting it right, since lives hang in the balance. The ISG was so obsessed with reaching – indeed, celebrating – bipartisan consensus, this was elevated above all else. But if ten people are asked what two-plus-two equals, and five of them say four while five of them say two, it is not something to be celebrated that the ten finally agree to say the answer is three just so they can reach consensus. And there is nothing at all admirable in their consensus if what’s at stake is life-and-death.\nThe second observation relates to this elevation of consensus over the right answer. The only way the democracy project or stability has a chance to succeed in Iraq and the greater Middle East is victory in the war – something the ISG did not mention. That means the war has to be conceptualized properly. I mentioned that this observation would seem contradictory to my first observation because, while I have national security experience, I am primarily a lawyer and I don’t pretend to have military experience. But I think the aims of war are political. The means, of course, are military, and I would not presume to debate this panel on them. But what we must try to achieve is accessible to the ordinary citizen as well as the soldier.\nOn that score, I just don’t see the “war on terror” as Iraq and Afghanistan. It is a much larger war, involving intersecting tentacles of radical Islamic networks – both Sunni and Shiite, often working together. The center of the problem is Iran , which has a long history of facilitating both Hezbollah and al Qaeda, the two most prominent networks. I find it simply astonishing that the ISG would look to Iran and its oft-time sidekick, Syria , as part of the solution in Iraq when they, in fact, are essential, implacable cogs of the enemy in the real war. In the short term, they are plainly committed to destabilizing Iraq. Whether the administration decides on a surge-of-troops strategy, or a strategy that embeds our military with Iraqi units, or what have you, I don’t see how Iraq can be “solved” without addressing Iran and Syria.\nFP: And “addressing” Iran and Syria ultimately means regime change in both no?\nBill Cowan, we’re back to you sir. What do you make of the round table discussion?\nCowan: My first thought about this round table discussion is to express my gratitude for being here. Even if we don't all agree on every point, the fact is that we can get our thoughts out, debate with each other, and let the readers form their own opinions. Of course, it seems we all agree that the ISG report itself was a basically wasted effort.\nTo the issue of Iran and Syria, I think the real question here is why this Administration has refused to address them directly. For well over two years now, US intelligence has had detailed information on sites, locations, and personalities inside Syria who have been directly involved in supporting the insurgency and in the killing of Americans. Yet we've done absolutely nothing about it. For we Viet Nam veterans, it's absolutely reminiscent of the sanctuaries inside Laos and Cambodia, where the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese took safe harbor, stored massive amounts of supplies, and planned and launched operations into the South. The same is absolutely true of Syria.\nNow, I'm not proposing sending US forces into Syria. But I would definitely say that we should have long ago trained some special Iraqi teams which could run cross border operations against insurgent-related targets in Syria. These would be Iraqis fighting against Iraqis, and the fact that the fighting was happening inside Syria would be a wake up call to the Syrian government. Nothing goes on inside Syria without the knowledge of Syrian intelligence. Our Administration knows that, yet we've done virtually nothing to abate the activities of those supporting the insurgents from within Syria. It's my belief that a direct line can be drawn from the death of any American serviceman or woman in al-Anbar province right back into Syria.\nAs to the Iranians, the Administration has been woefully slow to acknowledge the strategic threat posed by Iran's influence in Iraq. It's only over the past six months that the light seems to have come on. Yet most knowledgeable observers were harkening the call well over two years ago, while the Administration muddled along focused on the nuclear threat. Either issue should be sufficient justification to support regime change, yet we don't seem to have our own strategy or plan to support same. The fact is that over half of Iran's 70 million people are under the age of 30, and many are students involved in overt or covert resistance. There are at least six separate political resistance movements working against the Mullahs, at least one of whom wields considerable influence in Iran. Many of those involved in the resistance are routinely arrested, and still others are tortured and killed. Yet the Administration has steadfastly refused to take any meaningful action to publicly support the resistance groups, collectively or individually. Failing to do so obviates a powerful tool which could potentially threaten the stability of the regime and cause them to focus time and energy elsewhere.\nIn sum, as Jim Woolsey and others noted, the Iranians and Syrians could care less about discussing Iraq with us except in so much as it furthers their own goals and objectives. We have no leverage whatsoever with them on the issue of Iraq. And no one to blame but ourselves.\nSherwood: We can hope the Iraq Study Group report is dead-on-arrival for all the reasons cited by the learned members of this panel. In fact, in some circles the ISG report has already been eclipsed by far less publicized meetings between the President and military leaders who have proposed implementing key programs which proved successful during the Vietnam War.\nNonetheless, it's likely the ISG report will be resurrected many times during the upcoming Presidential election cycle to thwart and discredit any new Bush Administration military initiatives in Iraq. The laundry list of unrealistic, unattainable and just plain silly recommendations contained in the ISG report is manna from heaven for the Democrat leadership and their handmaidens in the Mainstream Media. It provides both with a near limitless supply of pie-in-the-sky objectives to argue the war is “unwinnable,” or, “lost,” even if it is won, especially if it is won.\nThat is the predicament President Bush finds himself in now as Presidential Politics, not national security imperatives, drive every decision, every action he takes regarding Iraq and Afghanistan. From a purely political, Democrat standpoint, the most egregious, unforgivable act he could commit is to find a military and political solution to end the war and bring a majority of our troops home before the 2008 Presidential elections.\nAs President Nixon learned during the early 1970s, Hell hath no fury greater than Leftist Democrats proven wrong, deprived of a Presidential campaign issue. When Nixon's Vietnamization plan proved remarkably effective, combat casualties plummeted and most U.S. troops were withdrawn from Vietnam, Democrats were outraged. Anti-war protest demonstrations in Washington and on campuses around country reached their zenith in 1971 and 1972, despite the fact the draft had all but been eliminated and less than a third of American troops remained in Vietnam.\nFlummoxed by Nixon's successes in Vietnam, to say nothing of his unprecedented landslide re-election in 1972, Democrats in Congress were literally forced to engineer defeat, “the only war America lost,” by cutting off all military aide for South Vietnam. That little piece of treachery came two years later, in 1974, more than a year after the last American combat units were withdrawn.\nBack then, Sen. Ted Kennedy led the efforts to abandon and betray our South Vietnamese allies and, in the process, steal the “victory” paid for in the blood and lives of American soldiers. Today, Sen. Kennedy proposes doing the same thing in Iraq. With Democrats in the majority again, and, Republicans cowering in the shadows again, his chances of succeeding and unleashing a genocidal bloodbath in Iraq are even better than they were in 1974.\nIn a very real sense, it's 1970 all over again. Like President Nixon, Bush is reviled by the media and demonized by Democrats. But, unlike Nixon, President Bush is no closer to finding military and political solutions to “his war” than he was two or even four years ago. Moreover, he has less than two years to find one.\nWhile some of the military tactics used in Vietnam — embedding troops in Iraqi towns and neighborhoods, for example — may prove successful breaking the back of the insurgency, any initiatives that move the U.S. closer to “victory” in Iraq will likely spawn Leftist Democrat reprisals, including Congressional votes to cut off military funding and even impeachment proceedings.\nIn other words, no good deed the Bush Administration commits from this point on will go unpunished.\nRealizing that, and understanding that success will only result in more vilification from the Media and retaliation from Congress, the President would be well-advised to show a modicum of the courage and loyalty the men and women he sent to Iraq and Afghanistan have repeatedly shown him. Simple put, he needs to begin acting like a War-Time Commander-in-Chief.\nPresidential leadership in time of war, true leadership, is no path to popularity, as Lincoln, Roosevelt, Nixon and Truman all learned. But, when thousands, even millions of lives are at stake, the President cannot afford to be indecisive or, worse, yet, AWOL, as President Bush has been for most of the last four years.\nJust once, many Americans, maybe most, would like to see their President show some spine, at least clearly identify who our “enemies” are and why we fight. That list should not only include Islamic terrorist organizations and sponsor-nations but Americans who have provided aide, comfort and encouragement to these cowardly butchers — terrorist's sympathizer turncoats in Congress, in the Press and on the faculties of many American Universities.\nPresident Bush needn't throw these cretins in jail, as Lincoln did. But, just standing up and unmasking their true intentions — America's defeat — and the direct consequences of their actions — the brutal deaths of tens of thousands of innocent civilians and American soldiers — would demonstrate the resolve and moral courage expected of a War-Time-Commander-in-Chief.\nThat doesn't mean sending out Tony Snow or the Cabinet Member du jour to banter semantics with the Press. It's far too late for that.\nIf the President expects to win in Iraq and Afghanistan, but, more importantly, preserve that victory from Democrat skullduggery after he has left office, it will require his full-time attention for the remainder of his term. Anything less than a daily dose of reality to the American public, directly from the Leader of the Free World, over the heads of the press and Congress, will result in another Vietnam, no matter how bravely our men and women fight, no matter how successful they are in the service of their country.\nThere is still time left for President Bush to show himself worthy of the responsibilities entrusted to him by the American public. He certainly owes it to them and their children and grandchildren serving in uniform to begin acting like a war-time President.\nA good start would to be for the President to repudiate the ISG report for what it is — a “road-map” for defeat and genocide in the Middle-East, a document only America's enemies, foreign and domestic, could embrace.\nFP: Thank you Carlton Sherwood.\nJim Woosley, what do you make of the discussion? And give us your thoughts on Saddam’s execution and how it could impact the war.\nWoolsey: My principal reaction is to keep nodding in agreement and smiling at the vigorous and graceful prose of my colleagues.\nWe have to do our damned best to win this thing, in spite of the history of mistakes in tactics and strategy. The stakes are too high to do otherwise — the whirlwind we will reap if we lose means that we owe it to the world and future generations to do everything humanly possible to avoid giving the Islamists the encouragement they will certainly obtain if they win.\nSo, double down. Add at least 30,000 troops, increase the size of the Army and Marine Corps, put advisers — our best — in at the platoon level, not just in senior positions, pick up the pace and rigor of training, put Iraqi special forces on the borders of Syria and Iran and help them kick the hell out of those who are infiltrating (and training and supplying the infiltrators), fight clear and hold, not search and destroy, in Anbar and Baghdad.\nRight, winning doesn`t mean Jeffersonian democracy, but rather what Armatya Sen calls building on the society`s institutions of “public reason”. Some sort of federal structure with a fair, per capita based, allocation of oil revenues would be a good start.\nSaddam`s execution seems to me to be a positive watershed. Admittedly from a Western perspective much of the trial was a mess (why did the Iraqis not put Saddam and the others in a glass enclosure so they couldn`t disrupt the proceedings as we did at Nuremberg?). But let`s look at the forest, not the trees. We didn`t take over the trial. Their new government tried him and convicted him according to their law; he had his day in court; he was found guilty on clear evidence, sentenced, and executed. This is a much better outcome than if we had conducted a far more professional trial ourselves — would that our deference to the Iraqis in this case had been matched by our having turned over more responsibility to them sooner in other areas as well. But that`s a subject for another day.\nPeters: I certainly agree with Jim Woolsey that Saddam's death is an important milestone. It's not only crucial to further developments in Iraq (which are apt to be far less linear and predictable than the media hope), but his trial and execution also matter on a global scale–while they may try to console themselves that the U.S. is bogged down or has “learned its lesson,” the truth is that no dictator will sleep quite as soundly now.\nDespite all the policy errors and practical mistakes in the occupation/reconstruction efforts in Iraq, I remain proud that the United States dethroned a monstrous tyrant and gave 26 million human beings a chance at better lives (whether or not they seize that chance and use it wisely is another matter). We finally defied the European traditions of diplomacy in which any thug can seize power and slaughter the innocent–as long as his violence remains within his “sovereign” borders. I've argued for years that the European-hatched idea of indiscriminate sovereignty for all states, no matter how oppressive, is one of the greatest cons in human history. The only source of legitimacy for any government in the 21st-century must be that it governs in accordance with the popular will and in the best interests of the people.\nWhich brings me back to your point, Jamie, as well as Bill Cowan's incisive observations about democracy in the Arab world. First, I believe that we have entered a new age in which the popular will cannot be defied indefinitely. More dictators and oppressive regimes will fall. The process will be uneven, frustrating, sometimes slow, sometimes unnervingly swift, inspiring, exasperating–and all too often frightening. A fundamental problem we Americans have is our assumption that the popular will equals democracy.\nWell, the popular will can also be expressed by the German intoxication with Hitler (revisionism be damned, the Germans loved Hitler…) or by ethnic butchery or religious intolerance. Moqtada al-Sadr, unfortunately, expresses the popular will among an important Shia sub-population in Iraq, as does Hassan Nasrullah in Lebanon. So…we face an age in which the “wretched of the earth” will have far more say in their own fates, but we're not going to like all that they say. Even populations that choose democracy will adapt the form to suit their own societies (as India notably has done, and as Mexico is struggling to do). Neither Alexander Hamilton nor Thomas Jefferson are going to be role models for the democrats of the developing world.\nAs for democracy in the Arab world, I will admit to letting hope triumph over experience in my own calculation that, if any population in the Middle East could build a semi-functioning, reasonably satisfying democracy, it might be the Iraqis. I long have viewed the Middle East as so utterly dysfunctional that change had to be introduced from the outside–I still believe that, but have lost much of my faith in the appeal of genuine democracy to Arab societies, who are stunted in terms of psychological growth and crippled by dysfunctional values. And let me stress that the problem is not individual Arabs or Muslims in general–individuals can adjust and flourish when transplanted to societies such as our own. The problem is Arab social structures (and those in Pakistan and various other Muslim states deformed by strict fundamentalist interpretations of Islam).\nIt may, then, surprise your readers to find that, in the longer term, I remain soberly hopeful about Iran. Dealing with Persia–and it's really about Iran's Persian population–we're in a race against time. As noted by Bill Cowan, Iran's young population is sick of the rule of the mullahs–most Iranians want to rejoin the global mainstream and religion has lost much of its credibility for them (certainly, as a tool of governance). Will the Tehran extremists and Ahmedinejad's bring-on-the-apocalypse vision ignite an irremedial catastrophe before internal change can occur? Can Tehran's nuclear-weapons program be stopped? Will it be stopped? In the longer term, Iran and the United States are natural allies and, if the situation can develop organically, we will be allies again (if not necessarily so close as under the late shah). But, in the nearer term, the possibility of a regional conflagration–with nuclear weapons–could erase all desirable possibilities. If a cataclysm comes, it would be a tragedy on many levels, and completely disastrous for the Middle East.\nOne respect in which I diverge from some of the comments made above is that I see Sunni Islam as perverted by the Saudis/Wahhabis/Salafists as more dangerous to the West than Shia Islam has been or will be; furthermore, although the theocratic regime's excesses have obscured it, Persians actually have a robust civilization, while the Arabs have only decayed memories of a civilization (in the case of the Saudis, not even memories). Iran is already a good part of the way through the process of trying out religious rule, suffering under it, then ultimately abandoning it. In other words, Iran is ahead of the Arab states developmentally, although it's obscured by current tensions. I'm afraid that–in this age of the popular will–Arab peoples are going to insist on trying theocratic rule and learning for themselves how miserable it is.\nOne wishes that we could simply turn away from the Middle East and let it rot–yet, we learned on 9-11 that the Middle East is determined to come to us. So we're in this fight, like it or not. I only wish we were fighting to win. But that's a subject for another discussion.\nMeanwhile, there's some good news–unpersuaded by the Western cult of negotiations (our great superstition), the Ethiopian government applied blunt and unrestrained military power to the Islamist regime in Somalia. And it worked. Yes, the Islamic Courts Union will now turn to terrorism–but better to have Muslim terrorists struggling to regain power than to have them ruling in a capital city. So the New Year did start off with some good news.\nFP: Well, let’s make fighting to win a subject for the final part of this discussion.\nAndy McCarthy, your take on the others’ comments, Saddam’s execution and on fighting to win?\nMcCarthy: Saddam’s execution is an important development, albeit not nearly as important as his being toppled. As long as he continued to live, he was a destabilizing factor, and thus his elimination was necessary, though far from sufficient, to stabilizing Iraq.\nI can’t help but be amused by the hand-wringing from the press and the commentariat over the manner in which the death penalty was meted out. This is the most naïve kind of wishful thinking and transference. It is reflective of the fact that many devotees of the democracy project have insufficient respect for how profound a cultural shift democracy is, and thus fantasize that mere elections signal the adoption Western notions of equality and procedural due process.\nThe popular elections in Iraq were not a cultural shift but simply the most efficient means by which the overwhelming majority bloc, the Shiites, were able to assume power. The particular Shiites we are talking about here — led primarily by the Dawa and SCIRI parties — are Islamic fundamentalists who were brutalized by Saddam for a quarter-century, took custody of him for only about an hour and only for the stated purpose of putting him to death, and are neither particularly interested in Western notions of due process nor fastidious about the manner in which their enemies die. Under those circumstances, Saddam's execution – with the Shiite leadership disregarding American, Sunni and Kurd concerns about haste, and with some of Moqtada Sadr’s thugs rebuking Saddam in the chamber – was actually carried out with more decorum than it was reasonable to expect. As Jim says, the forest is more important than the trees in appraising the execution. But the trees here are a reflection of how painful the democratic transition will be … if it can happen at all.\nI’ll close by saying we have to fight to win, but equally as essential as national fervor for the war effort (see Ethiopia) is conceptualizing the war properly. It’s a regional war – indeed, even broader than that. Iraq is one battlefield; it’s not the war. And we can’t win it until we start sending state sponsors like Iran the right signal – i.e., that the original Bush doctrine, “you’re with us or you’re with the terrorists,” is the rule of the road, and we are done with trying to buy them off and with relying on a diplomatic process that is a foregone failure.\nFP: Carlton Sherwood, final word goes to you.\nSherwood: I couldn't agree more with the observations of the panelists: Saddam's execution was critical to any reconstruction and democratization process in Iraq.\nThere are many things Westerners do not understand about Arab Middle-East culture. One of those things is the belief in the mystical and mythical. For an entire generation of Iraqis, Saddam was thought to be immortal, omnipresent, the boogeyman in every closet who would exact a terrible vengeance upon those who doubted his power. As long as he was alive — even in prison –many still lived in abject terror that he would find a way to rise again to power and unleash a bloodbath of biblical proportions.\nAs distasteful and barbaric as some may considere the unauthorized recording of Saddam's hanging, it was necessary to assure the Iraqi people that, indeed, the Butcher of Baghdad was dead. Gone, too, are his mystical abilities for survival. In Dr. Phil-speak, closure.\nRegrettably, we helped create the myth of Saddam's invincibility following the first Gulf War. Iraq's mass-grave-killing-fields serve as a stark reminder of the price for limited warfare, where military objectives take a back seat to political and diplomatic imperatives.\nIn many respects, it was a continuation of that policy, giving precedence to State Department initiatives over proven military tactics, that is at the root cause of the current situation in Iraq. If Ambassador L. Paul Bremer had not been given the authority to reverse key military decisions immediately after initial hostilities in the Fall of 2003, there is every likelihood the debate now would be how many U.S. troops should be left behind, rather than how many need to be added in Iraq.\nBremer's twin edicts to fire all former Baathists Party civil servants who previously managed Iraq's infrastructure and to disband the conquered, unemployed and still-heavily armed 300,000 man Iraqi Army, all but guaranteed the road to Iraq's recovery and democratization to be long and bloody, to say nothing of uncertain.\nIn 2003, when Ambassador Bremer pulled the rug out from under the military commanders in Iraq, Major Gen. David Petraeus, commander of the 101st Airborne in Mosul, had already put thousands of former Iraqi soldiers and Baathists on the payroll, using millions of U.S. dollars found in Saddam's secret caches. Mosul and the surrounding territories were nearly violence free, reconstruction and pacification programs on a fast track. All that changed when he was forced to “stand-down” the Iraqi workforce.\nGen. Petraeus said then what should have been obvious, even to State Department pinheads: “Give someone a secure, meaningful job and paycheck to take home to their families, and he won't be making bombs or killing Americans and Iraqis.”\nToday, the most encouraging news to come from the White House isn't that the President is considering “ramping-up” troops strength, but that Lt. Gen. Petraeus has been put in command of U.S. military forces in Iraq. Nothing could signal a clearer repudiation of Ambassador Bremer's disastrous policies, the only question, is: is it too little, too late?\nFor nearly the last century America has been singularly blessed with a brilliant and courageous military that wins every war; fatally cursed with political and diplomatic stupidity and cowardice that squanders and loses every peace. That is true of WWI which lead to WWII which lead to forty years of Cold War, including Korea and Vietnam.\nWhile military success on the ground is only one component, albeit, an essential goal to the overall strategy in Iraq, with men like Gen. Petraeus in command, I don't worry about military “victory.” What concerns me most is what should cause Americans to lose sleep now: what will our Congress will do to undermine our military efforts in Iraq; or, worse, yet, how far Congress will go if their best efforts to cause a U.S. defeat in Iraq prove unsuccessful?\nSaddam is dead and gone but the worst threats to Iraq's independence and freedom are far from being buried. Iran and Syria remain as potent threats, to be sure, but ask any American-Vietnamese over the age of 60 who the Iraqis need to fear most now.\nFP: Bill Cowan, Carlton Sherwood, Jim Woolsey, Ralph Peters and Andy McCarthy, thank you for joining Frontpage Symposium.\nRead in FrontPage Magazine\nFoundation for Defense of Democracies\nP.O. Box 33249, Washington D.C. 20033","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line124105"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5922272801399231,"wiki_prob":0.4077727198600769,"text":"U.S. Rep Challenges Administration on Pending Medicaid Block Grant Guidance\nU.S. Representative Frank Pallone (D-NJ) sent U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Alex Azar a letter requesting documentation on how HHS is developing Medicaid guidance to states on crafting Medicaid block grants administratively. Additionally, he questioned the legality of the process given Medicaid’s mandate to provide coverage to eligible individuals. Congressman Pallone is Chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which has oversight of Medicaid issues. The guidance is not yet publicly available, but is undergoing the final stage of review at the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Because Medicaid is the main program funding supports for people with disabilities, ANCOR has been monitoring this issue and recently met with OMB staff to request opportunities for public review and comment before the guidance is released. We will keep members informed of opportunities for action as they arise.\nFor the convenience of our readers, we have summarized the general landscape surrounding the guidance below:\nAs stated above, the proposed guidance is currently under review at OMB. ANCOR first became aware of this proposal in January when Politico scooped that the Administration was seeking to by-pass Congress on Medicaid block grants.\nLast week, Politico Pulse reported that Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Seema Verma travelled to a gathering in California of Republican Governors Association staff to discuss multiple topics, including Medicaid.\nEarlier this month the state of Alaska commissioned a study “analyzing the prospect of implementing block grants”. Previously, Governor of Alaska Mike Dunleavy stated in a letter to the President that CMS asked his state to be the first to try administering Medicaid block grants.\nFollowing media coverage of Governor Dunleavy’s letter, Tennessee requested to be the first state to test Medicaid block grants.\nDemocratic members of Congress have responded with concern – in addition to U.S. Representative Pallone’s letter, Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) also wrote to HHS on the topic.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line386453"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7886129021644592,"wiki_prob":0.7886129021644592,"text":"Liber Cantabrigiensis, an account of the aids afforded to poor students, the ...\nΑπό τον/την Robert Potts\nshall be a body corporate, and that all the governors except the mayor hall be possessed of £200 a year in land or money.\nThe trustees previously to the year 1798, founded from the increased Eredues of the school four Exhibitions, tenable for seven years, at\nJohn's College, Cambridge, each of the value of £70 per annum. these exhibitions by order of the Court of Chancery bave been reduced\n£50 per annum, and in default of candidates, who have a preference, they are open to any scholars who have been two years at the school. And since the passing of the act in 1798, the trustees have founded troo additional Exhibitions, tenable for four years, at Oxford or Cambridge, by scholars from Shrewsbury school. These exhibitions are of the same value, and are under the same regulations as the four appropriated St John's College.\n1577. Under the 12th ordinance of Thomas Ashton, clerk, the first master of Shrewsbury school, were founded two Scholarships at St\nJohn's College, which are regulated by deed, dated 3rd Sept. 1623, for students from Shrewsbury school.\nhappen, or in case the person offering himself a candidate for the same shall, in the Judgment of the governors, be unfit and ineligible, either for want of learning, or for any other cause or defect, to have or enjoy such exhibition, then the money which would otherwise have been applied to the use of such exhibitioner, shall be applied in the manner before directed, towards increasing the fund for founding and ereating a new exhibition, and so toties quoties ; and towards increasing the stipends or salaries of the said vicar of Chirbury, and curates of St Mary, Astley, und Clive, as aforesaid.\n\"That all the annual stipends, payments, or sums of money, which are now paid out of the revenues of the school estates for the better maintenance and support of wholars or exhibitioners from the said school, unto or for the use and benefit of such scholars or exhibitioners, at the said college of St John the Evangelist, in the C'niversity of Cambridge, under the ordinances of the said Thomas Ashton, shall not at any time hereafter be lessened or diminished, but shall continue to be paid by the said governors to the same amount at the least as they are at present paid; and that it shall be lawful for the said governors, with the consent of the said bishop, from time to time, out of such surplus, to augment the salary or stipend of any such scholar or exhibitioner, which is now or shall be at the said College of St John, under the said ordinances of the said Thomas Ashton.\n“That four times in every year, that is to say, on the 5th January, the 5th April, the 5th July, and 10th October, there shall be made out and printed an account of the whole of the receipts, arrears, debts, bills outstanding, and also of all the expenses, and of the surplus of the whole revenues, and twelve printed copies thereof shall be lodged with the corporation, and shall at all times be open to the inspection of the mayor, aldermen, and assistants of the said town of Shrewsbury, and six printed copies thereof shall be transmitted to the master and fellows of St John's College aforesaid for their information.\"\n1656. Two Exhibitions were founded by deed, at St John's Cil lege, for students from Shrewsbury school, under certain restrictiox These exhibitions are now each of the value of £35 a year, and the are tenable till scholars take the degree of Bachelor of Arts.\n1713. Rev. Oswald Smyth, second master of Shrewsbury schobequeathed property for founding two Exhibitions, tenable for ses years at Oxford or Cambridge. A preference is reserved for his re tions, next for sons of burgesses, born in the town ; after that, this born in the suburbs of Shrewsbury :-in default, any scholars born the county of Salop, and educated at Shrewsbury school.\n1724. John Millington, D.D. founded one Fellowship and fo Exhibitions at Magdalene College, for scholars from Shrewsbury schot (See p. 333.)\n1734. Mr James Millington founded two Exhibitions at Magdal, College, for students from Shrewsbury school. (See p. 334.)\n1766. John Taylor, D.D. by his will, gave an Exhibition of £ a year for four years, at either Oxford or Cambridge, for scholars from Shrewsbury school, with a preference to any descendant of Roger Ower of Andover, though not brought up at the same school, but who shoul be thought duly qualified for the exhibition.\n1844. Rev. R. B. Podmore founded an Exhibition of £30 a year at Trinity College, Cambridge, tenable for four years, for a native Shropshire. (See p. 353.)\nNEWPORT.\n1 THE FREE GRAMMAR-SCHOOL.\nFOUNDED 1656, A. D. This school was founded and endowed by William Adams, citizen and haberdasher of London, who gave besides an estate at Woodease, in the county of Salop, in aid of the original endowment, lest there should be any deficiency for carrying out his design.\nIn 1660, the 12th year of Charles II. an act of Parliament was obtained, appointing the master and wardens of the Company of Haberdashers, in the city of London, to be the governors of the free-school and almshouses so founded by Mr Adams; and for the settlement of the lands and possessions upon them for the maintenance of the school and other charitable uses.\nThe founder in 1656 drew up statutes, constitutions, and ordinances\nfor the government of the school*. It is ordained by them that the khool shall be for ever free for the teaching of the Latin, Greek, and Hebrew tongues, or any of them, unto fourscore scholars.\nThe statutes and orders are directed to be fairly written and sus. paded in a convenient place publicly in the school, and to be openly mad in the school once a quarter from time to time, that so none may plead ignorance.\nMr Adams also founded four Exhibitions for scholars proceeding from this school either to Oxford or Cambridge. The nomination is in the visitor and the head-master, and is to be made within the last wo days of the month of February yearly. It is also provided, that if at the time of election any scholar born in Newport or Chetwynd End shall be fitted for that choice, then such to be first chosen : in case there be none such, then next any one born within three miles of that town, but within the said county, if fitted for it: and in case that bone such be found fit there, then any other born elsewhere within the said county of Salop may be chosen, respect always had for the preferring of such that were born at the least distance from the said school : or otherwise in case of failure therein, then to make choice of any well qualified and fitted that hath been a scholar in the said school by the space of three years or upwards, so always that in all the respective places afore-mentioned, care be taken that the poorer sort be herein preferred, in case they shall be every way fitted for the same. These exhibitions are for the term of four years and no longer, and are each of about the value of £20 per annum.\n* The following are the tenth, twelfth, and eighteenth rules :\n10. “The master and usher shall have a special care to the good manners and decent deportment of the scholars, and shall exemplarily punish all misdemeanours, especially the sins of swearing, cursing, lying, filching, filthy or obscene talking or keting, gaming for any thing of price, and foul language to any person, and in an especial manner shall diligently endeavour to see the Lord's day kept free from any profanation (as much as in them lieth) as well after as under the public ordinances by all these scholars.\"\n12. \"All disobedient and stubborn youths that are pertinaciously and exemplarily bad, after two admonitions, wherewith their parents or friends be acquainted, shall the third time be expelled from the school.”\n18. “No scholar at any time shall with knife, or otherwise whatsoever in stone, lead, or other materials, cut, notch, deface, or break the windows, wainscot, forms, seats, tables of orders, desks, doors, tables, in any part of the houses, school, or library, neither deface or in any kind abuse any of the books in the said library. The master upon conviction of such offender, or offenders, shall give him or them exemplary punishment for deterring others so to do.”\nLUDLOW.\nTHE FREE GRAMMAR SCHOOL.\nFOUNDED 1552, A. D.\nTHE free grammar-school of Ludlow was founded by King Edward VI.; the bailiffs, burgesses and commonalty, and their successors being directed\" always to find in the same town, at their own cost and charges, a free grammar-school, with a schoolmaster and an usher for the erudition of youth in the Latin tongue.\"\nThere are three Exhibitions of £50 each for three years, (esta blished under the scheme of 1847, by which the school is now governed.] tenable at any college of Oxford, Cambridge, or Durham. These for day-scholars exclusively, who must be sons (or living with person in loco parentis) of persons residing in Ludlow, or within ten miles thereof, and a candidate must have been in the school two years before he can be elected to an exhibition.\nSOMERSETSHIRE.\nBRISTOL.\nTHE FREE GRAMMAR-SCHOOL.\nFOUNDED 1533, A.D.\nTHE hospital of Saint Bartholomew the Apostle, with the lands and tenements thereto belonging, having by licence of Henry VIIL in the twenty-fourth year of his reign, been purchased by the executors Robert Thorne, Esq. were conveyed to the mayor, burgesses, commonalty of the city of Bristol, for erecting a free grammar-school in pursuance of the will of the testator. His sons also, Robert Thorne and Nicholas Thorne, were great benefactors of the school. Ordinances and rules were ordained for the management of the school by the governors, the mayor and aldermen of Bristol, with the advice of the common council of the same city.\n1625. Mrs Anne Snigge, by her will, among other things devised £200 to the mayor, burgesses, and commonalty of the city of Bristol, that they should retain and keep the said £200 for their own us, upon condition that they should pay yearly for ever thereafter the sum of £12 to and amongst two poor Scholars, sons of the poor burgesses of the said city, who should be educated in the free grammar-school there, called \"The Bartholomew's,\" to be paid unto them for their better maintenance in some one or both of the Universities of Oxford\nCambridge, namely, to each scholar £6 per annum, for four years, raining there, and demeaning himself well.\n1628. John Whitson, alderman of the city of Bristol, by his bequeathed to the corporation of Bristol a certain portion of his perty for various charitable uses, as by the good discretion of the or and aldermen should be thought fit and necessary.\nA declaration was made by the mayor and aldermen, of the vitable uses to which Mr Whitson's benefaction was to be applied; Jamong them, they declared that £20 yearly for ever should be ployed towards the maintenance of two poor men's sons of the city the University of Oxford or Cambridge that had first had their 2cation and bringing up in the grammar-school of the city, called The Bartholomew's,\" to each of them £10 per annum.\nIn the year 1847 a new scheme was approved by the Court of 3ancery for the management and administration of the estates and enues, and for the future government of the free grammar-school of stol, and the trustees of the Bristol charities were appointed trustees the grammar-school.\nIt was ordered that the surplus should be employed, among other ags, in increasing the amounts payable as exhibitions under the s of John Whitson, Anne Snigge, and George White, or such of m as may be payable to boys proceeding from the said school to Universities of Oxford or Cambridge, so as to make up the annual me of the said gifts equal to two Exhibitions of £60 each, to be yable to boys from the said school. Also after providing for these ments, any further surplus when it shall amount to £60 a year, ill be employed for a third, and after that for a fourth Exhibition. int the said trustees shall elect to such exhibitions only such boys shall have been reported to be meritorious scholars, deserving of the me by the examiners, and that the said exhibition shall commence om the day of election thereto, and shall be continued during four ars; but shall be determinable by the said trustees, if the exhibiDer shall not continue to reside in the University.\nBRUTON.\nTHIS free school was founded by Richard Fitzjames, bishop of ondon, Sir John Fitzjames, chief justice of England, and John","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1259061"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.920139491558075,"wiki_prob":0.920139491558075,"text":"Home / News / Cuba to play basketball (m) qualifier in Mexico\nCuba to play basketball (m) qualifier in Mexico\nRHC\nCuba's men's basketball team will play the first qualifying window for the 2022 Americup in Chihuahua, Mexico, next November.\nFIBA America announced that the first windows will be held in bubble format, so Group D has been announced for the Aztec locality, which will also include the teams of the United States, Puerto Rico and the host.\nAccording to the schedule on the entity's website, the Cubans will face the Americans on November 28 and 29 and on those same dates the Puerto Ricans and the locals will face each other during the first of the segments in the group phase, from which the first three teams will advance.\nThe FIBA America communiqué indicates that Buenos Aires will host Group A (Venezuela, Panama, Paraguay and Argentina) and Group B (Brazil, Chile, Colombia and Uruguay) and Santo Domingo Group C (Bahamas, Canada, U.S. Virgin Islands and Dominican Republic).\nThe decision to hold it in this format is due to \"ensure the health and safety of all participants and the most important criteria for choosing the hosts were health and travel guarantees and compliance with FIBA health protocols, including testing and controlled entry in a safe environment,\" it was reported.\nThe remaining windows of this stage are agreed for February, June and July 2022 to determine the places in each key after six games.\nThe 12 teams to continue in a second phase from August 2022 will compete for the seven tickets to the 2023 World Cup scheduled for Indonesia, the Philippines and Japan.\nAthletics: Second and third place for Cubans in start of winter tour\nIOC seeks for ways to let Russia, Belarus athletes back to international competitions\nBaseball: Cuba with five major leaguers and several migrants to the World Baseball Classic\nUNESCO official meets with the head of INDER","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1633658"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7653052806854248,"wiki_prob":0.7653052806854248,"text":"The blog China turned to for “toxic chicken soup for the soul” has shut down\nMind your words.\nImage: Reuters/Bobby Yip\nEcho Huang\nPublishedFebruary 22, 2019\nMimeng, seen by many as the queen of personal-development clickbait on the WeChat app, this week shut down her hugely popular four-year-old blog—possibly because its content was increasingly at odds with the “positive energy“ China wants to see spreading online.\nStarted by 42-year-old Ma Ling, a former journalist, who adopted the pseudonym Mimeng, the blog has been surrounded by nearly constant controversy since she began writing about young people’s lives in 2015. With around 14 million followers on its WeChat public account (similar to Facebook Pages), Mimeng became known for posts offering cold get-ahead advice, crude essays on sex and relationships—one popular post was titled “I work hard in order to afford a gigolo (link in Chinese)—and stories about the downfall of people who should’ve made it. Over time, it expanded into a team of writers and multiple accounts. On microblogging platform Weibo, articles about the blog’s closing have gathered more than 170 million views (link in Chinese) as of today (Feb. 22).\nMimeng’s end on Feb. 21 came after an outcry over the authenticity of a recent hugely popular first-person article that, like much of its fare, tapped into China’s economic and social anxieties. Titled “The death of a top academic scorer from a poor family” (一个寒门状元之死 ), it was published at the end of January, and within a day, it garnered more than 100,000 views, a benchmark for popularity on WeChat. But it ran into trouble when many accused the writer of making up the story to attract traffic, and readers realized the account that published it was associated with Mimeng. State-owned People’s Daily (link in Chinese) called it “shameless” to concoct tragic tales to get readers. WeChat deleted the article the day after publication for violating content rules.\nMimeng didn’t specify what caused the shutdown, but the backlash against the article—and an increasingly tightly regulated internet—offer some clues, China media analysts say.\n“Authorities will take care of ‘trouble makers’ who cause debates online—this tells you there’s only one kind of voice that can exist, which is the ‘positive energy’ approved by the officials,” said Luqiu Luwei, a media scholar at the Hong Kong Baptist University.\nA true story, or a fake?\nIn the Jan. 29 story, the author depicted herself as a city girl from a well-off family while her classmate, Zhou Youze, the main character of the story and the author’s high school classmate, was a hard-working person who died of cancer at the age of 24.\nZhou came from a modest family from China’s rural area, such that a fake Adidas down jacket would cost his family two weeks’ food spending. He ranked first in science during China’s grueling national college entrance exam and later went on to become an accountant of high integrity—he refused to take bribes from his boss who asked him to manipulate the numbers. He worked three part-time jobs in order to support his sister, but died with just 3,700 yuan ($500) of savings at the end of his life. Zhou’s death made the author—a woman who can deal with demanding investors and smoothly navigate society’s unspoken rules—reflect on her own life, and how she’s lost herself chasing money and power.\nThe author said Zhou was a pseudonym for a real person (link in Chinese), and included photos of their high school with the piece. Yet many said they couldn’t verify the details—for instance, a user on Zhihu, a Quora-like site, said he went through public records of the national exam during the period the author mentioned, but couldn’t find a matching score (link in Chinese) for Zhou’s result.\nMimeng.\nImage: Weibo/iFeng Chongqing\nSoon after criticism flooded in, Mimeng shut down her Weibo account, which has 2.6 million followers, and suspended WeChat updates for two months in early February, saying the company would spend time exploring how to be a more responsible media outlet and deliver more “positive values.” In the past, she has been temporarily suspended from updating by platforms for other articles considered too sensational.\nYet suddenly, the WeChat account was closed. Soon after, online news iFeng and Bytedance-owned news aggregation platform Jinri Toutiao also shut down Mimeng’s accounts.\n“We must make those pay a heavy price for seriously affecting social stability,” read iFeng’s statement (link in Chinese).\nMaking money by selling anxiety\nMimeng offered something China’s internet users call “toxic chicken soup for the soul” (link in Chinese) in reference to the popular, rose-tinted self-help books. The phrase is used to describe content that seems like it’ll be good for you but is actually very, very bad—for example it’s (barely) disguised marketing, or misinformation.\nAs one Zhihu user wrote (link in Chinese), when positive chicken soup for soul stops attracting readers, catering to people’s sense of envy and grievance works, because people love reading about the downfall of people such as professors and students who are at the top of the social pyramid. “Parents and teachers love comparing the audience [who read such articles] with that group of people… The more hatred there is, the bigger the audience,” the user wrote.\nIn one sense, Mimeng’s success is connected with sang culture, the feelings of hopelessness and pressure that many young people in China say they experience in the face of immense competition. Articles that talk in a highly emotive way about class divides, internet startups, success, and struggle are resonating with young people, Wu Qiang, an independent political commentator told BBC Chinese (link in Chinese).\nOne post titled “It’s a bit shameful to admit that my assistants are only making 50,000 yuan a month,” drew a lot of readers, since that’s actually an incredibly good salary, particularly for people with little experience. Mimeng explained the headline by saying (link in Chinese) how her two assistants always deliver beyond her expectations, making her feel she just can’t pay them enough. “A lot of people ask what makes them good enough to make 50,000 yuan a month just two years after graduation? Of course, it’s their capabilities, aspirations, and flattering abilities.”\nHer ability to know what would make people click made for a successful business. Mimeng’s WeChat account reportedly charged as much as 750,000 yuan ($110,000) for a mention in an article. One story, “Do you know why you are poor? Because you like saving money” appeared to be little more than a marketing vehicle for a shopping event by JD.com, China’s second-biggest e-commerce company.\nAs part of the backlash, after the January article went viral, some people began judging their social circle by looking at how many friends subscribed to Mimeng’s account (link in Chinese)—with fewer subscribers meaning a more sophisticated circle.\n“We encourage methods that use proper marketing and give real information to the audience, but if you are only creating conflict, chasing trending topics, or just playing on the sentiments of the general public, you will ultimately disappear,” one Mimeng critic wrote on Weibo (link in Chinese).","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1213870"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9494701027870178,"wiki_prob":0.9494701027870178,"text":"Movie News: Geoff Tate, Formerly of Queensrÿche, Stars in THE BURNINGMORE DEATHS\nOn February 14th, MVD Entertainment will release the feature film debut of Geoff Tate, former lead vocalist of the mega-platinum metal band Queensrÿche. Entitled THE BURNINGMORE DEATHS, the horror film - written and directed by Jonathan Williams - is inspired by true events surrounding unsolved murders captured on security cameras during a production shoot of a Home Improvement TV show pilot.\nTate takes on the role of James Parrish, a man who allegedly killed his own wife and three children before disappearing without a trace. With the home now vacated and boarded up, a home improvement company gets permission to film the renovation process for a test pilot for a TV network, not knowing that Parrish had returned to take up residence once again in the derelict building. Bloody chaos ensues - and it's all captured on camera!\nTHE BURNINGMORE DEATHS features an original score by Andrew Kadin with additional music by Dawn of Solace and Geoff Tate.\n\"I think I've always done it... In our own shows and with the way I present music,\" said Tate. \"It all has a bit of a stage acting bend to it. So this wasn't really a stretch for me. It was just playing to a different audience, to a camera rather than a room full of people, but it's the same thing. You play-act and you make stuff up and you present that like you would in a stage show. \"\nTHE BURNINGMORE DEATHS will be available on all digital stores for download and also available on DVD in retail stores, the MVD Shop, and on Amazon.\nBlu-Ray Review: ALLIED\nRest in Peace, Bill Paxton\nBlu-Ray Review: DOCTOR STRANGE\nBlu-Ray News: ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY on Digi...\nBlu-Ray Review: KING SOLOMON'S MINES (1985)\nBlu-Ray News: New Restoration of 1933 Disaster Fil...\nBlu-Ray Review: THE KLANSMAN\nBlu-Ray Review: MOONLIGHT\nBlu-Ray News: Lost 3-D Classic, SEPTEMBER STORM, C...\nBlu-Ray News: TREMORS 6 Now in Production\nBlu-Ray Review: MANCHESTER BY THE SEA\nBlu-Ray Review: BAD SANTA 2\nMovie News: DOCTOR STRANGE - Team Thor 2 and End T...\nBlu-Ray News: SING Blu-ray/DVD Release + ALL NEW M...\nMovie News: COLLIDE - See Nicholas Hoult's Epic Au...\nBlu-Ray Review: LEONARD COHEN: I'M YOUR MAN\nBlu-Ray Review: ARRIVAL\nBlu-Ray Review: THE EDGE OF SEVENTEEN\nBlu-Ray Review: BILLY LYNN'S LONG HALFTIME WALK\nBlu-Ray News: Coming in March from KINO LORBER STU...\nBlu-Ray Review: THE 9TH LIFE OF LOUIS DRAX\nBlu-Ray Review: DIRTY DANCING: 30TH ANNIVERSARY ED...\nMovie News: Geoff Tate, Formerly of Queensrÿche, S...\nBlu-Ray Review: BALLERS: THE COMPLETE SECOND SEASON\nDVD Giveaway: TELETUBBIES: BIG HUGS\nBlu-Ray Review: BEYOND REDEMPTION\nBlu-Ray Review: LIFE ON THE LINE\nBlu-Ray Review: MASTERMINDS (2016)","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1323332"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7116209268569946,"wiki_prob":0.7116209268569946,"text":"Taste of Cinema - Movie Reviews and Classic Movie Lists > Lists > Film Lists > 10 Films That Best Represent The Elements of Art\n10 Films That Best Represent The Elements of Art\nPosted on August 2, 2016 August 2, 2016 by Emma Roberts\nThe connections between film and other forms of visual art including drawing, painting, and sculpture are limitless. Line, shape, form, color, texture, value, and space are the building blocks of art. All artworks, including film, utilize these elements to convey their message, but some works articulate elements in an especially poignant manner.\nThe following list includes seven films that best embody individual elements and three films that combine two elements harmoniously:\n1. The Third Man – Line\nCarol Reed’s The Third Man (1949) tells the story of Holly Martins (Joseph Cotton), a pulp fiction writer who travels to Vienna. Upon his arrival, Martins begins to examine the the mysterious death of his old friend, Harry Lime (Orson Welles.) The Third Man opens with a zither’s strings zoomed into semi-abstraction. These strings establish the important role that line plays in the film.\nVienna is illustrated as a complex system of lines, much like the lines that compose The Third Man’s iconic Ferris wheel. Emphasis on perspective lines draws attention to Vienna as a crucial element in the unfolding plot.\nDating back to the Renaissance period, painters have used perspective lines to create the illusion of depth. The Third Man uses the lines of the landscape to retract to a clear vanishing point. The perspective lines of the film continuously emphasize distance, in a physical and emotional sense, between characters.\nThe logic centrality of Renaissance perspective is rejected in The Third Man’s canted angles. Canted angles create diagonals that emphasize Vienna’s unstable atmosphere. Minimal camera movement serves to push importance onto the bazaar angles. The city’s lines work as an obstructive force to Holly, an outsider.\nAs Holly navigates down a crumbled set of public stairs to escape an angry crowd, it is to be questioned which force is working more strongly against Holly, the people of Vienna or Vienna itself?\nThe film’s conglomeration of lines, often with no clear horizon line, are as confusing as an M.C. Escher painting. The utter lack of spatial orientation conveys the confusion that an outsider like Holly experiences.\n2. Ballet Mécanique – Shape\nFernand Léger brought together the principles of Cubism and Purism in his work as a painter. Léger studied of form while taking direction from bourgeoning technology and machines. His film Ballet Mécanique (1924) is a dreamlike sequence of events.\nThe film juxtaposes the tools of daily life, including wire whisks and copper pots, against humans in a machine-like fashion. The precise lines that compose machinery’s clean shapes are contrasted against the organic human form. The structure of daily life is examined in a dance of the recognizable and distorted.\nIn the opening and closing sequences, a figure resembling Charlie Chaplin is presented. While holding some human features, the figure is composed of two-dimensional shapes and moves like an automated machine. Léger also employs a motif of rapidly alternating two-dimensional circles and triangles in Ballet Mécanique.\nThe illusion of movement is created through this rotation of shapes. The machine-like quality given to basic geometric shapes reinforces the Purist practice of emphasizing machines’ precise and high functioning lines and design. Léger and artists of his time explored the mechanical world, and its relation to humans, through their work. They were both captivated and disillusioned by technology.\nThrough animation, geometric shapes take on both human and machine qualities. Léger continuous breathes life into sterile and linear through movement. Shapes and the tools of daily life play the role of dancers as they rapidly move, creating a ballet.\n3. Man with a Movie Camera – Form\nIn Dziga Vertov’s Man with a Movie Camera (1929) a cameraman (Mikhail Kaufman) records the daily functions of a city and its citizens. The film is composed solely of imagery, void of intertitles, dialogue, and character development. The visually driven film celebrates contemporary city life and the forms that compose it.\nJust as the Cubists showed multiple views of a form in one image, Man with a Movie Camera encompasses the entirety of a dynamic city in one composition. In the beginning of the film, the harmonious choreography of the city is illustrated through a series of shots of the city’s inhabitants asleep while dually showing the quiet city streets. An idea is illustrated with out the use of words or intertitles, merely forms.\nFast pace of the film allows for juxtaposition of images and ideas. The forms of the film match each other shot to shot. For example, the circular motion of threads moving on a sewing machine mirrors the circular form of a smokestack.\nThis juxtaposition shows that the city functions as a whole harmonious form across professions, from service to industry. Form-matching is a prominent device used in the film to illustrate the city’s synchronization to the audience without the use of words.\n4. Three Colors Trilogy – Color\nAmbiguous connections are strung together through love, loss, and breathtaking cinematography in the Three Colors Trilogy. Directed by Krysztof Kieślowski, the trio of films are named named after the colors of the French flag; blue, white, and red. These colors serve dually as motifs and symbols throughout the trilogy.\nCinematographically, the films’ shots are saturated with the colors of their titles. The beautiful heroines of each film (Juliette Binoche, Julie Delpy, and Irène Jacob) are often shown under the tinted light of the respective colors of the French flag.\nThese characters, along with White’s Zbigniew Zamachowski are driven by what the colors represent in relation to the French flag. During the French Revolution, the colors of the flag represented central tenets, liberty, equality, and fraternity. In Blue, after Julie (Binoche) loses her husband and daughter she must liberate herself to start anew.\nIn White, Karol (Zamachowski) seeks to gain power equal to the power that his ex-wife wields over him. In the final chapter, Red, Valentine (Jacobs) fosters a fraternal connection to an ex-judge (Jean-Louis Trintignant.)\nThe trilogy encompasses tragedy, comedy, and romance, while fighting against the boundaries of genre. The films are guided by their seemly disconnected characters and their motivations.\nJust as blue, white, and red are individual colors that compose a meaningful whole, the French flag, the superficially disjointed stories of the trilogy are woven together to form a complete illustration of the human experience.\n5. Picnic at Hanging Rock – Texture\nPicnic at Hanging Rock (1975) is Peter Weir’s adaptation of Joan Lindsay’s novel of the same name. The film centers on the disappearance of four girls at the mysterious Hanging Rock on Valentine’s Day.\nFor over forty years, the angelic quality of the schoolgirl’s lacey costumes has inspired the world fashion. The fixation on the characters’ gauzy dresses and the characters’ lack of clothing contributes the film’s sense of fetishism.\nAs the girls wander around the rock during their school trip, their delicate costumes are juxtaposed against haunting circumstances. The overall whiteness of the costumes and brownness of Hanging Rock establishes color consistency that works to emphasize texture\n. The jaggedness of the rock contrasts the softness of the girls’ dresses as they weave through the rocky maze. Fear is found in what is not soft and approachable, the rock. Hanging Rock encompasses the fears of all those who lay a hand on it and feel its foreboding roughness.\nThe delicate texture of the dresses serves to reinforce the feminine nature of the pubescent girls and the semi-eroticism of the film. Texture evokes a sense of tactility. The mist, lace, and greenery that are key to the film’s cinematography all allude to familiar and seductive feelings.\nThe audience desires the physicality of the landscape and characters on their hands. However, everything in Picnic at Hanging Rock is an illusion, both in the sense of false tactility created and any kind of resolution imagined.\nbest films elements art\n15 Movies Based On True Stories That Are Completely Inaccurate\nThe 25 Best Yakuza Films of All Time","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line253737"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5953078269958496,"wiki_prob":0.5953078269958496,"text":"Vision Advisory Committee\nPhilip P. Corboy, M.D. Memorial Award\nHawai’i Programs\nHawai’i Cataract Days\nRural Missions\nVolunteer Faculty\nSelf-Sustainable Clinics\nSponsor A Patient\nAloha Friday\nPress Releases and Media\nAbout Hawaiian Eye Foundation: Awards\nDr. Philip M. Corboy (1906-1992)\nThe Philip M. Corboy, M.D., Perpetual Award for Distinguished Service to Ophthalmology became the Philip M. Corboy, M.D., Memorial Award when Dr. Corboy lost his battle with cancer in March 1992.\nThis award was established in 1986, the 7th year of the Royal Hawaiian Eye Meeting (RHEM), in honor of Philip M. Corboy, MD. Dr. Corboy served ophthalmology from 1933, when he started his first practice, until 1982, when he retired; nearly 50 years as clinician, teacher, and innovator. The PMC award is presented annually at RHEM to an ophthalmologist who typifies a career of excellence in service to his patients and peers, honoring the memory of beloved Dr. Phil.\nPhilip Medford Corboy was born in Chicago, Illinois in 1906. He received his medical degree from Loyola University and served hi Eye-Ear-Nose & Throat residency at the Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary under Dr. Harry Gradle, and later did postgraduate work in Vienna.\nDr. Corboy subsequently practiced Eye-Ear-Nose & Throat in Valparaiso, Indiana and taught residents at the Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary. When Dr. Corboy began his practice in Indiana, he established a suite in a hotel for inpatient and outpatient surgery, an inexpensive alternative to hospitalization during the depths of the depression. His stories of those days were well worth hearing, for this was probably the first non-hospital eye surgery facility in America!\nDuring WWII, Dr. Corboy spent five years in the Pacific theater, first on hospital ships and subsequently as Chief of EENT services at Pearl Harbor. After the war, Dr. Corboy limited his practice to ophthalmology and remained in Honolulu, where he cared for patients, taught students, designed instruments, and raised three fine children with his beloved wife, Cassie.\nDr. Corboy served his community as Commissioner of the Hawaii Statehood Commission, Commander of the American Legion, as French Vice-Consul in Hawaii, and in numerous civic clubs and service organizations. One of Dr. Corboy’s most remarkable accomplishments was linguistics. He spoke ten languages, five of them fluently. “My linguistic abilities were fostered by my repeated trips to Europe studying with European surgeons. I realized the immense value of being able to speak Hawaiian and colloquial Japanese to my non-English speaking patients.”When he retired from his practice, Dr. Corboy decided to keep busy – this time as Honorary Consul for Brazil. This post required him to learn a new language at the age of 76!\nIn 1982, when Dr. Corboy retired from medicine, he turned his practice over to his son, John. “If there were any disappointments about retiring, they were overwhelmed by the pleasure I felt seeing John following in my footsteps aPMC and JMC photon an ophthalmologist. He is a teacher, an author, but most importantly, a caring clinician who is truly devoted to his patients and his staff.”\nDr. Corboy was an accomplished sailor, an avid pilot, a champion skeet shooter, and a recognized sports fisherman: he held three world records for deep sea fishing on light tackle.\nThe Winners of the Philip M. Corboy, M.D. Memorial Award for Distinguished Service to Ophthalmology:\n1986 Jerald L. Tennant, MD\n1987 Allan E. Kolker, MD\n1988 Irving H. Leopold, MD\n1989 William H. Havener, MD\n1990 David Paton, MD\n1991 Norval E. Christy, MD and Dorothy E. Christy, RN\n1992 Louis J. Girard, MD\n1993* Richard P. Kratz, MD\n1994 Malcolm McCannel, MD\n1995 Manus C. Kraff, MD\n1996 J. Charles Casebeer, MD\n1997 Marshall M. Parks, MD\n1998 Bernard Becker, MD\n1999 Harvey A. Lincoff, MD\n2000 Lorenz E. Zimmerman, MD\n2001 Norman S. Jaffe, MD\n2002 Alice R. McPherson, MD, FACS, FICS\n2003 Arthur Jampolsky, MD\n2004 Claes H. Dohlman, MD\n2005 Bradley R. Straatsma, MD\n2006 Robert M. Sinskey, MD\n2007 David J. McIntyre, MD, FACS\n2008 James P. Gills, MD\n2009 Dennis D. Shepard, MD, FACS\n2010 C. William Simcoe, MD\n2011 Herbert E. Kaufman, MD\n2012 Robert C. Drews, MD, FACS\n2013 Spencer P. Thornton, MD\n2014 I. Howard Fine, MD\n2015 Randall J. Olsen, MD\n2016 Henry Baylis, MD\n2017 Roger F. Steinert, MD\n2018 Richard (Dick) L. Lindstrom, MD\n2019 Steve Charles, MD\n2020 Irene Maumenee, MD\n2021 Bruce Shields, MD\n*became the Memorial Award in 1993. (Prior to this date, it was the Philip M. Corboy, M.D. Perpetual Award for Distinguished Service to Ophthalmology).\nINSIGHT interview with Dr. Philip from 1994\n“In January 1994, Jan-Michelle Sawyer wrote the following article as a Special Feature to INSIGHT, titled Dr. Phil: “Serving My Patients Was My Greatest Joy”.\nPhilip M. Corboy, M.D. is a kind and gentle man whose pale blue and deeply clear eyes has looked into the eyes of over 100,000 patients during his 50 years of practicing medicine. Dr. Phil, as he is affectionately called, is a man who has spent his life “looking people right in the eye.”\nDr. Phil was born in Valparaiso, Indiana, in 1906, of parents who were both teachers. Growing up during a time when people worked and looked after one another, Dr. Phil remembers one man, a doctor, who would have a great influence in directing him to go into medicine: “My mother told me once, that when I was six months old I was very ill and my life was saved by our family physician, Dr. William Bohart. Dr. Bohart touched my life at another time while I was in medical school, when he performed an emergency appendectomy on my ruptured appendix and saved my life once again. I remember him as being a man of principle and conviction and he influenced my life greatly when I decided to become a physician.”\nDr. Phil was barely 17 years old and he tried his hands at boxing and completed in the Chicago Golden Gloves competition in 1923. “I barely finished the first round,” remembers Dr. Phil. “I had been an amateur boxer and thought I might pursue boxing seriously. But after that contest, I retired my thoughts of ever boxing again and decided to find a new career! Along that same time I watched the funeral procession of President Harding in Marion, Ohio. I was a youngster then and I remember the colorful sights of watching the Pennsylvania railroad train pass through the town with is coach draped in flags and banners honoring the president.”\nDr. Phil receive his medical degree from Loyola University and served his eye-ear-nose and throat residency at the Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary. He completed his postgraduate work over a period of four years, during which time he studied with the best European surgeons from Germany, Austria, Greece and Italy. “I was very grateful to study medicine with the best surgeons of that time,” states Dr. Phil. “These men were generous in sharing their knowledge and I came back to the United States with an edge in experience and technique that placed me ahead of most of my colleagues.”\nDr. Phil started his medical career in 1933 in his home town of Valparaiso, Indiana. “I can remember my first patient. I was painting the office one Sunday afternoon and I hadn’t even officially opened for business. But this guy came in with an abscessed tooth and he was in pain. So, I stopped painting and fortunately had the knowledge and skill to remove that painful tooth of his right then and there. I guess that completed my practice in dentistry!”\n“I was the first and only eye surgeon established in that city,” continues Dr. Phil. “The hospital there really wasn’t a hospital of any standards, so I established a suite for inpatient and outpatient surgery in a hotel on the fifth floor. It was an alternative to hospitalization during the depression and it worked out great for everyone. The patients got a room, three meals a day and round the clock nursing care for just $20.00 a day. After about three years, the city finally built a new hospital of which I was in charge of the eye department, so I didn’t need my hotel suites any longer.”\nIn 1936, while travelling in Tahiti, Dr. Phil met his future bride, the former Clarice (Cassie) Matthewson of New Zealand. Theirs’ was an “instant fell in love” experience and after corresponding with each other for one year the couple would finally meet again in Honolulu on May 1, 1937. “The happiest day of my life was meeting Cassie,” states Dr. Phil. “I knew she was the gal for me. She arrived on a Saturday in Honolulu and the following Saturday we were married at the St. Augustine Church in Waikiki. I was 31 years old and Cassie was 26 years old and we have been happily married for 54 years. I think that it takes lover, prayer and sharing to make a marriage work. Ours has been a complete joy to me and very rewarding.”\nWhile the young Corboys were vacationing in Acapulco, Dr. Phil was called to active duty with the Naval reserve, one year prior to the attack on Pearl Harbor. During WWII, Dr. Phil spent five years in the Pacific theater, and was in charge of the eye departments on several hospital ships. Dr. Phil saw active duty in the Coral Sea battle and the battle of Midway. Following the battle of Midway, Dr. Phil was transferred to Pearl Harbor and was in charge of the dispensary at Pearl Harbor and was stationed at the naval hospital at Barbers Point. At the conclusion of WWII he stayed in Honolulu where he felt that he could best serve his patients and opened his first office on Oahu at the Young Hotel building in downtown Honolulu and then later in Waikiki.\n“My practice in Waikiki was very active,” recalls Dr. Phil. “It wasn’t uncommon for me to see 40 to 60 patients a day with only a support staff of four. And at the same time, Cassie and I were busy raising a family. Our first child was John, followed two years later by our second boy, Robert and finally by our third child Sally. All of our children have made Cassie and me feel very proud and of course I am pleased that John followed my career in medicine by becoming an accomplished and internationally acclaimed ophthalmologist. “\nOver the years while practicing medicine, Dr. Phil was able to utilize his extraordinary talents in linguistics. He speaks seven languages, four of them fluently. “My linguistic abilities were fostered by my repeated trips to Europe studying with European surgeons. I realized the immense value of being able to speak Hawaiian and colloquial Japanese to my non-English speaking patients. It was just another way that I was able to give more service to my patients. After all, I was devoted to the security of my patients. They came first, last and always with me and my staff. We all felt like one close family and I still get letters from the people that worked for me, as well as from former patients. It means a lot to me to be remembered.”\n“I’ve had some interesting medical cases,” continues Dr. Phil. “In 1942 while our naval hospital ship was stationed in Tonga, I performed eye surgery on the Queen of Tonga and saved both her life and eye sight. My son John continues to serve the people of Tonga and the Queen’s son, who is the King now, still remembers me. Another patient I remember fondly is the 27 game winner and baseball player Don Nucombe. In 1955 Don had acute glaucoma and I operated on his eye and saved his sight. He’s now in the Baseball Hall of Fame!”\nIn 1982 Dr. Phil retired from medicine and turned his medical practice over to his son John. “If there were any disappointments about retiring,” states Dr. Phil, “they were overwhelmed by the pleasure I felt in seeing John following my footsteps as an ophthalmologist and eye surgeon. Of course, I like to think that I’m still serving the people of Hawaii through my son and serving them well.”\nIt’s only been nine years since Dr. Phil left his office in Waikiki on Royal Hawaiian Avenue. During these past years Dr. Phil has been active as Honorary Consul for Brazil. The post required him to learn a new language at 76 years of age. Dr. Phil and his wife Cassie still live in the house that they moved into over 40 years ago. “I’ve watched the city grow and my life and family grow. I’m grateful for the love of good friends, loving family and the remembrances of patients whom I served over the years. If Dr. Bohart could see me now, I hope that he would have been proud of my work in serving others. He taught me the value and importance of always looking people right in the eye.”\nPrivate: Awards\nStay up-to-date with Hawaiian Eye Foundation. Get our latest news and updates by email:\ncontact@hawaiianeyefoundation.org\nHawaiian Eye Foundation is a division of Project Vision Hawaii.\nIf you are using a screen reader and are having problems using this website, please call (808) 536-3961\n©2023 All Rights Reserved. Designed by Glacial Multimedia, Inc.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line927705"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7499848008155823,"wiki_prob":0.2500151991844177,"text":"Mark Hansen, Chief Information Officer, DEXUS [ASX: DXS]\nThe Challenges of Today's Real Estate CRMs\nFederico Masias, SVP of Technology, Baird & Warner\nHow Using Proptech Makes Our Communities Safer and Healthier\nDavid Faulkner, General Manager, Property Management, Property Brokers\nBuild-to-Rent Homes are Multifamily's Hottest Sector Nationwide\nKaren Key, Managing Director, RangeWater Real Estate\nUnderstanding Metaverse\nKaren Strack, SVP, Brand Strategy, Marketing & Customer Experience, Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield\nA Unique Approach Toward Virtual Broadcasting\nStriving for D and I in a Virtual World\nCreating More Certainty in an Uncertain Market\nHow Virtual Reality Can Help Real Estate Clients Make Faster, Smarter Decisions\nHarnessing the Power of MarTech Drives Results for Leading Independent Real Estate Brokerage\nIntersection of PropTech and Flexible Office\nTenant Screening Services\nSmart FM - Are we there yet?\nSolving the PropTech Conundrum\nStreamlining Visitors Management System Through Technology\nAre there any great deals left?\nHow to Pivot and Deliver Personalized Service Under Any Market Conditions\nChallenges For Established Brokerages - The Tech Stack\nRole of Technology in Personalizing the Customer Experience\nProptech-why it's all about the customer\nThank you for Subscribing to Real Estate Business Review Weekly Brief\nProptech - The Future of Real Estate\nAli Sajwani, General Manager - Operations, DAMAC Properties\n'Tech', a suffix that denotes the most phenomenal phase of transformation that the world has ever seen. The emergence of fintech, regtech, suptech, among others, is completely changing the way we live and do business. Digital transformation is the new order, and every industry is either being disrupted or on the verge of disruption. The real estate sector, however, has been slow when it comes to tech adoption. Despite representing the world's biggest and the most valuable asset class, the property sector has always been considered a late adopter of technology, but things are changing fast, and proptech is emerging as one of the hottest trends in realestate.\nAs consumers become more and more technology-dependent, and businesses look for new ways to increase efficiency while reducing costs, real estate players around the world are turning towards technology as solutions. A recent studyby a global bank indicated that proptech is shaping customers behaviour when it comes to dealing in property. According to the survey, 72 per cent of UAE property buyers search for property online, 67 per cent use online tools to check their property value, 65 per cent search for information on taxes and regulations online, and 64 per cent use internet tools for prospective home prices. While online listings portals have been around for a while, today, real estate developers can transform every aspect of their business with the right technology integration. Let's look at some of the ways in which technologies, both existing and emerging, are reshaping the industry.\nBig Data and CRM\nThe real estate industry has always been a treasure trove of big data. However, the data is often scattered and unstructured. By organising this data and employing the right analytics tools, real estate developers can conduct better financial analysis, take better investment decisions, predict market conditions, and serve customers better. At DAMAC Properties, we have migrated all our customer data to Salesforce, an integrated CRM platform that gives all our departments a single view of the customer. The digitisation of data has enabled us to create Hello DAMAC, a one-stop customer services portal that allows customers to access essential property services 24 x 7.\nSpeaking about DAMAC’s digital transformation initiatives, Ali Sajwani, General Manager of Operations, DAMAC Properties, said, “For any organisation, digital transformation is a long and ongoing process. However, what’s most important is to get started with a long-term vision in mind. At DAMAC, we have started our journey by adopting technologies that help us engage with our customers better. As an innovative and agile organisation, we are always looking at new ways to improve our processes on all fronts.”\nArtificial Intelligence is perhaps one of the most influential forces in the technology revolution that's transforming the world. From voice recognition to autonomous decision making, AI's implications on the real estate sector are genuinely incredible. Through AI and predictive analytics, developers can get access to never-before-seen insights into the market. We can improve the efficiency of operational processes and completely transform the way we make decisions. We can build better, improve the energy efficiency of our projects, and understand the present and future needs of our customersbetter.\nFor real estate developers to become digitally fit, they need to bring about a culture of innovation at every level\nRobotics and Drones\nRobotics is changing the way we construct buildings, bringing more efficiency and cost- effectiveness in construction. However, their significance is not just limited to construction or facilities management. Robotic process automation, for instance, the implementation of virtual agents can be immensely helpful in automating repetitive back-office processes such as invoicing, NAV calculations, and documentation, among others. While drones have long been used for site surveillance, we could soon see drones being used for tasks such as property management, inspection and maintenance.\nSo far, 3D printing has been used extensively to create scale models for real estate projects. Prototypes of 3D printed homes have been created in various parts of the world. The technology could soon become more mainstream and transform the way real estate built. 3- D printing of entire buildings or parts of architecture will have a significant impact on reducing the time involved in construction.\nVirtual Reality and Augmented Reality\nVirtual reality has already been successful in marketing real estate. By giving potential customers a virtual tour of off-plan projects, we help them make better decisions. However, the scope of VR in real estate transcends marketing. By integrating VR in planning and construction, developers can take better decisions and improve operational processes. Earlier this year, DAMAC Properties introduced VR to train construction workers on safety procedures. Augmented reality can also be used to show customers and other stakeholders what an under-construction property will look like once completed.\nBlockchain will transform various aspects of the real estate industry. The transparency and security associated with blockchain could expedite pre-lease due diligence, improve contract management, and enable more efficient processing of financing and payments. Blockchain also allows real estate tokenisation, the process of representing an ownership interest in real estate with a token. In Dubai, the government is leading the adoptionof blockchain in the real estate sector. In 2017, the Dubai Land Department launched its blockchain platform that uses a smart and secure database to record real estate contracts such as lease and registrations and linking them to telecom and utility accounts.\nWhile 'tech' implies technology, a tech transformation is not just about adopting or acquiring technology. For real estate developers to become digitally fit, they need to bring about a culture of innovation at every level. Proptech can undoubtedly transform the future of our industry. However, we need to adopt a mentality that complimentstechnology.\nCopyright © 2023 RealEstate Business Review . All rights reserved.\nhttps://rental-property-management.realestatebusinessreview.com/cxoinsight/proptech-the-future-of-real-estate-nwid-299.html","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1108188"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5959622263908386,"wiki_prob":0.5959622263908386,"text":"Putin’s visit to Nizhny Tagil unexpectedly cancelled, fueling rumors serious illness\nE1 reported that Putin was to visit UralVagonZavod, one of the largest main battle tank manufacturers in the world, but his visit had been cancelled at the last moment.\nThe channel stressed the visit had been carefully prepared.\nAhead of the visit by Putin, the snow was cleared from the streets for the first time this winter and the city traffic was restricted. Besides, the Christmas tree opening was cancelled in the district where Putin was supposed to inspect the factory’s various departments.\nRead also: Putin on collision course with Russia’s regional elites, expert says\nDespite all the preparations made, the cortege that was sent to the airport to pick up the dictator came back without him.\nUK tabloids the Sun and Daily Mirror said it wasn’t the first time a public event involving Putin had been cancelled at the last minute in such circumstances.\nIt comes after Putin also cancelled a traditional end-of-year press address to the government and ice hockey game as well, without any reason being given.\n“He appeared twitchy, unsteady on his feet, and out of breath on occasion,” the Sun wrote.\n“It has been suggested he could be suffering from stomach cancer – or maybe even Parkinson’s. Mad Vlad was seen clutching a thick blanket earlier this year while watching a parade, and last week was seen swaying and slurring as he spoke with a glass of champagne.”\nThe Western outlets wrote that Putin recently fell down stairs at his home, bruised his coccyx as he slipped down two steps, and soiled himself — which could be related to gastrointestinal cancer.\nRead also: Putin must end war immediately, German Chancellor says\nKyrylo Budanov, the head of Ukrainian Military Intelligence, previously stated that Putin is ill with cancer and a number of other diseases.\n“However, it isn’t worth expecting Putin to die tomorrow,” he said.\nRead the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line229370"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7234923243522644,"wiki_prob":0.7234923243522644,"text":"Tag Archives: Hamas\nChristianity, Iran, Persecution\nChristian Persecution Updates: July 18, 2012\nJuly 18, 2012 Vicki Leave a comment\nJuly 2012; reported July 18 Nigeria\nBoko Haram had declared war on the Christians in Nigeria and it seems that every weekend a church is bombed. Officials are being assassinated. The Red Cross reported yesterday that 5,500 people have fled their homes because of attacks on villages – most of them Christian – during July so far. Over 100 people were killed in these attacks on villages. Over 80 people were killed on July 7th alone. “The humanitarian organisation said it was now providing food, blankets, soap and other essential items to more than 2,800 displaced people.”\nSource: ANGOP; ICC\nJune 16, 2012; reported July 17 Iran\nEshan Behrooz had been imprisoned for his Christian faith, enduring 105 days of solitary confinement during his eight months in prison. In July 2010 he had been arrested along with other Christians; he was not released because he refused to sign a document renouncing his faith. He had been released on a very high bail at one point, but then re-imprisoned. He has suffered mental and health problems because of his treatment in prison, and was not allowed basic rights like seeing his family or a lawyer. He was a student at University of Mashhad, but now may not be allowed to return.\nSource: BarnabasAid.org\nJuly 16, 2012; reported July 17 Gaza (Palestine)\nA small group of Christians held a brave and rare protest in Gaza, after becoming too frustrated over the forced conversions of Christians and the systematic persecution there that is driving so many Christians out of Gaza. While Christians claim the conversion of a family (Al-Amash, his wife, and daughters) was forced, mediators claim it seems legitimate [there are actual forced conversions in many parts of the Muslim world, so the Christian claim is not unreasonable]. Since Hamas took over Gaza, life for the small minority of Christians has become so bad that many have left. There are only about 1,500 Christians left, when a few years ago there were 3,500. “The two converts, Al-Amash, and Hiba Abu Dawoud, 31, could not be reached for comment. . . . ‘People are locking up their sons and daughters, worried about the ideas people put in their head,’ said Al-Amash’s mother, Huda.”\nSource: Haaretz\nJune 19, 2012; reported July 18 India\nIn eastern India, in Chhattisgarh state, 150 Hindus forced 12 Christians in Jawanga village to a Hindu temple. The Christians were made to participate in Hindu rituals, worshiping tribal deities. They were reportedly assaulted as well, but details are not available. After this, the assaulting Hindus would not let the Christians return to their homes, but chased them out of the village. The Christians later requested from the village head that they be allowed to return, but they were not given permission. They are all staying in Geelam. Chhattisgarh state had adopted the “Freedom of Relgion Act,” which has actually harmed religious freedom [as many in the West said it would]; about 1 in 50 Indians are Christian. “The June 19 episode is only the most recent example of harassment of Christians in Chhattisgarh. The Evangelical Fellowship of India reported in April that 300 residents of Belgal village disrupted the attempted burial of a man who had converted to Christianity. Ten people were injured, and the burial was completed after district authorities intervened.”\nSource: Compass Direct News (primary source, Open Doors News)\nChristianChristianityGazaHamasIndiaIranNigeriapersecution","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line137734"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9855194687843323,"wiki_prob":0.9855194687843323,"text":"Father Says He Saw Son Shot to Death By LA Police on Live TV\nNEXT:TV Jobs: WITI, KRON\nPREVIOUS:On the Move, 12/23/13\nCW Affiliates | FOX Affiliates | ShopTalk | Top 10\nBy Kevin Eck on Dec. 23, 2013 - 9:47 AM\nOne of the people watching the live police chase in Los Angeles more than a week ago that ended with the killing of the suspect on live TV was the victim’s father.\nBill Beaird told The Los Angeles Times his youngest son Brian called him while being chased by police the evening of December 13. He said he told his son to pull over after Brian Beaird said he done nothing wrong.\nThe chase and subsequent shooting was carried live by Los Angeles CW affiliate KTLA and Fresno FOX affiliate KMPH. The family has filed a $20 million claim against the city of Los Angeles.\nLater, Beaird watched live as a KTLA-TV News helicopter showed police chasing the Corvette into downtown L.A. He saw his son’s car T-bone another car before spinning onto the sidewalk. The driver staggered out of the vehicle, briefly raised his hands with his back to the police officers, then grabbed his stomach as he fell to the ground.\n“I thought it was my son, but I wasn’t sure,” Bill Beaird said.\nBeaird said he was initially confused about what happened to the man — the television reporters said he might have been shot with a Taser, he recalled. But when he tried to reach his son and couldn’t, his family began putting the pieces together.\nBrian Beaird, 51, had no weapon, police said. Preliminary information indicated three officers from the LAPD’s Newton Division shot more than 20 times.\nAn investigation of the shooting is underway. After reviewing a preliminary report about the incident on Thursday, LAPD Chief Charlie Beck placed the three officers who opened fire on extended leave pending the final use-of-force investigation.\nIn announcing his decision to assign the officers to home, Beck said he was troubled by the incident.\n“After hearing the preliminary briefing, I am very concerned about the circumstances that led up to and resulted in this officer-involved shooting,” Beck said in a statement.\nThe names of the officers placed on leave Friday were expected to be released after they were formally notified.\nBill Beaird, an Army veteran, said his son followed in his own footsteps and joined the military. Brian Beaird was discharged from the National Guard in 1988 after undergoing surgery for a brain tumor, his father said.\nBill Beaird said his son was a “disabled veteran” who needed regular medical care. An attorney for the family, Dale Galipo, said that after the surgery Brian Beaird developed some paranoia — including some toward police.\n“He was simply afraid and paranoid of the police, even though he has never been convicted of any felonies,” Galipo said. “And that paranoia of the police is one of the reasons why he didn’t pull over.”\nGalipo, who has secured multimillion-dollar verdicts in other police shooting cases, said his clients planned to file a federal wrongful death suit should the $20-million claim not be settled. Galipo also said he hoped the district attorney’s office would “strongly consider” criminal charges against the officers involved.\n“Usually the story involves, ‘He was reaching in his waistband,’ ‘He had a gun,’ ‘He had something that looked like a gun,’ ” Galipo said. “In this case, none of those stories will work because everybody saw actually what happened on video.”","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1259755"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.681724488735199,"wiki_prob":0.681724488735199,"text":"What are New Testament Text Types?\nAugust 8th, 2020 Paul Gibson\nThis entry is part 16 of 36 in the series What is Textual Criticism?\nWhy are there Variations in Different Translations of the New Testament? (1 of 36)\nWhat are Textual Variants? (2 of 36)\nHow Many Textual Variants Exist in the New Testament Manuscripts? (3 of 36)\nAre Spelling Differences Meaningful in New Testament Manuscripts? (4 of 36)\nWhat are Variant Units? (5 of 36)\nHow Are Textual Variants and Variation Units Related? (6 of 36)\nWhy did God Allow Variants in the New Testament Manuscripts? (7 of 36)\nDo Textual Variants Show Christianity is False? (8 of 36)\nHow Careful were Scribes when Copying the Bible? (9 of 36)\nWhat are Unintentional Textual Variants? (10 of 36)\nWhat are Intentional Textual Variants? (11 of 36)\nIs a Textual Variant Both Meaningful and Viable? (12 of 36)\nWhat is a Singular Reading? (13 of 36)\nWere the Church Fathers Aware of Variations in the New Testament Manuscripts? (14 of 36)\nAre Textual Variants Motivated By Theology? (15 of 36)\nWhat are New Testament Text Types? (16 of 36)\nHow do New Testament Text Types Compare? (17 of 36)\nWhat Text Types are the Variants in Colossians 2:2? (18 of 36)\nWhat are the Most Important New Testament Manuscripts? (19 of 36)\nDo I Need a Dictionary to Study Textual Criticism? (20 of 36)\nWhat is New Testament Textual Criticism? (21 of 36)\nHow are the Best Textual Readings Determined? (22 of 36)\nWhat Evidence do Textual Critics Evaluate? (23 of 36)\nIs Textual Criticism an Art or a Science? (24 of 36)\nWhat are the Approaches to New Testament Textual Criticism? (25 of 36)\nWhat is a Critical Edition of the New Testament? (26 of 36)\nWhat do the Sigla in a New Testament Apparatus Mean? UBS Edition (27 of 36)\nWhat do the Sigla in a New Testament Apparatus Mean? NA Edition (28 of 36)\nWhat do the Sigla in a New Testament Mean? Swanson Edition (29 of 36)\nWhat do the Sigla in a New Testament Mean? CNTR Edition (30 of 36)\nHow do English Versions of the Bible Identify the Variant Reading in Matthew 1:7-8? (31 of 36)\nWhat is the Correct Wording In 1 John 5:7-8? (32 of 36)\nWhy are Some Verses in Square Brackets? (33 of 36)\nWhat is the Purpose of Textual Criticism? (34 of 36)\nDo We Have What The New Testament Authors Wrote? (35 of 36)\nIs New Testament Textual Criticism Important? (36 of 36)\nI’ve spent quite a bit of time describing what Textual Variants are, and now I want to write about how they can be used to identify manuscripts. The Gospel (Good News) spread rapidly across the Roman Empire after Jesus’ resurrection, but for years it was only spread verbally. Once the books of the New Testament were written, some textual variants became common in certain regions. By looking for common textual variants in manuscripts, textual scholars may be able to identify which region a manuscript was written in.\nThe Authors and Scribes\nThe New Testament books were copied and sent to other churches and cities. Once they arrived at their destinations, more copies were made and the copies of the copies were sent out. Although most people copying the a manuscript were careful1, changes (both unintentional2 and intentional3) got into the text.\nOnce a textual variant got into a text, it could then be copied into later manuscripts (unless someone noticed the variant and corrected it). When scholars can identify a large number of variants that consistently occur in a group of manuscripts, they call it a text type. This doesn’t mean all of the manuscripts have exactly the same variants and are completely identical, but rather there are enough similarities in the variants that scholars believe the manuscripts are related, possibly written in the same region.\n…during the early centuries of the church, Christian texts were copied in whatever location they were written or taken to. Since texts were copied locally, it is no surprise that different localities developed different kinds of textual tradition. That is to say, the manuscripts in Rome had many of the same errors, because they were for the most part “in-house” documents, copied from one another; they were not influenced much by manuscripts being copied in Palestine; and those in Palestine took on their own characteristics, which were not the same as those found in a place like Alexandria, Egypt. Moreover, in the early centuries of the church, some locales had better scribes than others. Modern scholars have come to recognize that the scribes in Alexandria – which was a major intellectual center in the ancient world – were particularly scrupulous, even in these early centuries, and that there, in Alexandria, a very pure form of the text of the early Christian writings was preserved, decade after decade, by dedicated and relatively skilled Christian scribes.4\nIn 1881, Brooke Foss Westcott and Fenton John Anthony Hort published The New Testament in the Original Greek, often called Westcott-Hort, or simply WH5, spending 28 years on the project. They had access to more Greek copies of the New Testament than any scholars that preceded them, and most modern translations of the New Testament reference the work Westcott and Hort did, even when there is disagreement with their conclusions. In their research, they identified four text types: Neutral, Alexandrian, Western and Syrian.\nScholars and archaeologists have found a vast number of manuscripts since Westcott and Hort published their edition of the Greek New Testament.6 The additional manuscripts have allowed scholars to refine the criteria Westcott and Hort used, and modern textual critics now uses five categories7. New Testament Textual Scholars Kurt Aland and Barbara Ashland (husband and wife), categorize the text types based on how close to the original texts they believe the manuscripts are. The modern categories are:\nCategory I – Alexandrian text type (WH – Neutral and Alexandrian)\nCategory II – Egyptian (WH – unidentified)\nCategory III – Eclectic/Caesarean (WH – unidentified)\nCategory IV – Western (WH – Unchanged)\nCategory V – Byzantine (WH – Syrian)\nThe graph8 above only contains about 30% of the total number Greek New Testament manuscripts available, but I believe there’s enough data to be relevant9. The earliest manuscripts are predominately Alexandrian texts, but the majority of manuscripts are late Byzantine texts. When there is disagreement on what the original text may have been in a variation unit, there is vigorous debate whether the earliest text or the majority text should be used.\nBlurring of Text Types\nTextual critics are learning that the lines between text types are blurring. For example, Codex Alexandrinus (GA 02, A) is Alexandrian in most of the New Testament, but uses Byzantine in the Gospels. A manuscript may be predominately of one text type, but individual variation units may be of a different type. Some times the original scribe may use one text type, but a later corrector may use a different text type.\nComputers are making the process of comparing manuscripts easier, by allowing more detailed analysis of individual manuscripts, and by allowing the comparison of large numbers of manuscripts. Both of these were impractical when a person had to read entire manuscripts and compare them with other manuscripts, often in different libraries and museums. What was once a time-consuming, expensive process requiring much travel, can now be done (comparatively) quickly and cheaply, and uses much larger sets of data to produce more accurate results.\nAlthough categorizing manuscripts by text types has been an essential part of textual criticism for well over a century, and will continue to be used for the foreseeable future, modern textual critics are starting to downplay the need for it. The availability of new tools makes the categorization less useful, but increases the accuracy of the research.\nBrannan, Rick. New Testament Manuscript Explorer (Logos Bible Software, version 8.8; NTME 2015) (Logos)\nWikipedia. Categories of New Testament manuscripts Accessed 18-Jul-2020.\nHow Careful were Scribes when Copying the Bible?\nWhat are Unintentional Textual Variants?\nWhat are Intentional Textual Variants?\nEhrman, Bart D. Misquoting Jesus: The Story Behind Who Changed the Bible and Why (New York, NY: HarperCollins, 2005) Pg. 72.\nWestcott, Brooke Foss and Hort, Fenton John Anthony. The New Testament in the Original Greek: Text (Cambridge and London: McMillan and Co., Ltd.: 1881) (Archive.org); Westcott, Brooke Foss and Hort, Fenton John Anthony. The New Testament in the Original Greek: Introduction and Appendix (London: McMillan and Co., Ltd.: 1896) (Archive.org)\nHow Many New Testament Manuscripts Exist?\nAland, Kurt, and Aland, Barbara. The Text of the New Testament: An Introduction to the Critical Editions and to the Theory and Practice of Modern Textual Criticism Translated by Erroll F. Rhodes (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.: 1987) Pages 105-106, 155-159. (Amazon – newer edition)\nCentury (Years)\nAlexandrian\n2nd (100-199) 5 5\n3rd (200-299) 37 1 2 1 41\n4th (300-399) 5 14 17 2 38\n5th (400-499) 3 19 24 1 2 49\n6th (500-599) 19 32 12 63\n7th (600-699) 3 9 17 4 33\n8th (700-799) 5 12 3 20\n9th (800-899) 1 9 15 36 61\n10th (900-999) 2 8 23 90 123\n11th (1000-1099) 2 6 19 261 288\n14th (1300-1399) 4 13 233 250\n15th (1400-1499) 1 10 92 103\n16th (1500-1599) 7 46 53\n18th (1700-1799) 3 3\nTotal 61 102 245 5 1300 1713\nBibleQuestions.info, 08-Aug-2020\nResource: Brannan, Rick. New Testament Manuscript Explorer (Logos Bible Software, version 8.8; NTME 2015)\nMost of the manuscripts not represented in the graph are Byzantine.\nFILED UNDER: Westcott-Hort, Text Type, Textual CriticismTAGGED WITH: Bart Ehrman, Kurt Aland, Barbara Aland, Brooke Westcott, Fenton Hort\nAre Textual Variants Motivated By Theology?\nHow do New Testament Text Types Compare?\nWhat do the Sigla in a New Testament Mean? CNTR Edition – BibleQuestions.info says:\n[…] What are New Testament Text Types? (16 of 30) […]\nWhat do the Sigla in a New Testament Apparatus Mean? UBS Edition – BibleQuestions.info says:\nHow do New Testament Text Types Compare? – BibleQuestions.info says:\nThe Law of the Lord is Perfect, Reviving the Soul\n— Psalms 19:7 (ESV)","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line635112"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9143170714378357,"wiki_prob":0.9143170714378357,"text":"Magistrate reports: Somerset\nThe following preliminary hearings are scheduled before District Judge Ken Johnson of Somerset:\nRobin Eileen Ansell, 45, Klink Hollow Road, Rockwood, was charged with driving while under the influence and a related summary offense of careless driving. State police said Ansell drove erratically with a blood alcohol level of 0.18 percent on Route 281 in Somerset Township Aug. 22. A hearing is scheduled at 9:50 a.m. Nov. 3.\nMarylynn Farbo, 50, Penn Avenue, Somerset, was charged with driving while under the influence and related summary offenses of disorderly conduct and public drunkenness. State police said Farbo drove with a blood alcohol level of 0.23 percent on Nicholas Lane in Somerset Township Aug. 20. She walked into a residence uninvited, according to a police report. When police arrived at the residence, they found Farbo lying on the ground in front of the residence with her vehicle running, its lights on and the radio blaring, according to a probable-cause affidavit. A hearing is scheduled at 10 a.m. Nov. 3.\nTroy Alan Miller, 52, Cedar Ridge Lane, Somerset, was charged with driving while under the influence and related summary offenses of maximum speed limits, careless driving and restriction on alcoholic beverages. State police said Miller drove with a blood alcohol level of 0.26 percent on Route 985 in Lincoln Township Aug. 30. A hearing is scheduled at 10 a.m. Nov. 17.\nSean Patrick Monaghan, 25, West Fairview Street, Somerset, was charged with driving while under the influence of alcohol and driving under the influence of controlled substances. Somerset Borough police said Monaghan drove with a blood alcohol level of 0.16 percent and marijuana in his system on West Patriot Street May 3. A hearing is scheduled at 11:20 a.m. Nov. 3.\nJustin James Overly, 20, Acme, was charged with driving while under the influence and minor prohibited from operating with any alcohol in his system. Somerset Borough police said Overly drove with a blood alcohol level of 0.13 percent on East Main Street June 24. A hearing is scheduled at 11:30 a.m. Nov. 3.\nThomas Beaken, 43, Summit Avenue, Johnstown, was charged with retail theft. State police said Beaken took a tape measure valued at $4 from Wal-Mart in Somerset Township Aug. 31. A hearing is scheduled at 2:40 p.m. Nov. 3.\nPaul Lee Baluch, 47, Kingwood Road, Confluence, was charged with possession with intent to use drug paraphernalia. Somerset Borough police were called to a residence at Village Way June 5 for a drug overdose. When they arrived, Baluch was responsive and able to talk to the police officer, according to a probable-cause affidavit. His eyes were glassy and his pupils were constricted, police said. He told police that a heroin stamp bag in the residence was his. He told police he used a rolled dollar bill to snort the drug. A hearing is scheduled at 10:40 a.m. Oct. 13.\nWoodrow Clites Jr., 49, South Vincent Avenue, Somerset, was charged with theft by unlawful taking and receiving stolen property. Somerset Borough police said Clites shoved stainless steel Scotch Brites valued at $1.35 down his pants while in Dollar General along East Main Street Aug. 27. A hearing is scheduled at 10:30 a.m. Nov. 3.\nCurtis Alan Matrey, 25, Old Hollow Road, Corriganville, Maryland, was charged with identity theft, false swearing, false reports, providing false identification to law enforcement authorities and four related summary counts. State police stopped Matrey’s Ford Ranger on Route 219 in Somerset Township July 17. He gave police the name of Justin Wiley and his birthdate when asked for his information. When Wiley received a notice in the mail from the state Department of Transportation referencing the traffic stop and citations, he told police that he was not in Pennsylvania on July 17 nor was he operating a Ford Ranger. Matrey operates a Ford Ranger belonging to his girlfriend’s family, he told police. A hearing is scheduled at 10:10 a.m. Nov. 10.\nCharges withdrawn\nCharges of possession of a small amount of marijuana for personal use, possession with the intent to use drug paraphernalia and retail theft were withdrawn against Samantha Walters, 23, Shanksville. A charge of disorderly conduct was moved to nontraffic status, which involves a fine.\nCharges of possession of a controlled substance and possession with the intent to use drug paraphernalia were withdrawn against Allen Lee Strait, 55, Somerset. A charge of disorderly conduct was moved to nontraffic status, which involves a fine.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line767135"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8073181509971619,"wiki_prob":0.8073181509971619,"text":"George Anstee (DY 22)\nDY 22. George Anstee: He was born in 1811 in Dyrham, baptised 3 March 1811, to parents John Anstee (DY 14) and Betty Strange. He married Jane Button (b 1812 Middlesex) in c1836 and they had children in Brixton Hill/Lambeth:\nEmma Anstey (b 1837, married William Harrison in 1857 in Lambeth and was living at 33 Temple Street, St George Southwark in the 1861 Census with her brother Alfred John Anstey);\nJames Anstey (b 1838, died an infant?);\nWilliam Henry Anstey (DY 39 – b q4 1840);\nMary Ann Anstey (b 1844);\nGeorge Joseph Anstey (DY 40 – b 1846);\nThomas Charles Anstey (b 1849, died 1884 as Charles Thomas Anstey?); and\nAlfred John Anstey (b 12 November 1852, living at 33, Temple Street, St George Southwark in the 1861 Census with his sister Emma. By the 1871 Census he had joined the Royal Navy – he was unmarried – in fact he joined on 21 April 1868 (Service Number: 5619B) as a ‘Boy 2nd class’ and then signed up for 10 years on his 18th birthday)\nIn the 1841 Census the family was living at Anne Street, St Mary, Lambeth where he was a labourer – with them was Jane Button, presumably his mother-in-law. In the 1851 Census the family was still living in Upper Ann Street, Lambeth where he was an undertaker – he was confirmed as “age 40 born in Dyrham Gloucester“. He died in 1858 in Newington.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1667159"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.547630786895752,"wiki_prob":0.45236921310424805,"text":"State Sets Massive Precedent — Refuses to Enforce THC Blood Limit for Driving\nOregon says there is no evidence for setting an arbitrary, unscientific blood-THC number for DUI charges, as six other states have already done.\nThere’s a lot to be said for states that have legalized recreational and/or medical cannabis, but even Colorado and Washington have one problem – arbitrary blood-THC limits which imply a driver is impaired.\nThese numbers, such as Washington’s 5ng/ml, have no scientific basis for assessing the level of impairment. Despite this, six states with legal weed have per se limits for tetrahydrocannabinol; being over that number automatically makes you guilty of driving under the influence of drugs (DUID).\nOregon, however, is bucking the trend. In its DUI Legislative Report, the state’s Liquor Control Commission said it is recommending against a per se THC limit. By relying on the actual state of science, this welcome exercise in rationality should set an example for other states setting up their own regulatory framework.\nOregon’s Liquor Control Commission was tasked in 2015 with “regulating the recreational marijuana market in Oregon, with studying the question of THC-related intoxicated driving.”\nAccording to the report:\n“Due to restrictions on cannabis research and limited data, it is difficult to make definitive statements about the risk of THC-intoxicated driving. The body of evidence that does exist indicates that while attitudes towards driving after marijuana use are considerably more relaxed than in the case of alcohol, the risk of crashes while driving under the influence of THC is lower than drunk driving. Little evidence exists to compel a significant change in status quo policy or institute a per se intoxication standard for THC.”\nA widely-reported study by the American Automobile Association in 2016 found no scientific basis for blood-THC limits and called on the six states using such laws to abandon them. Chemical tests for THC have not been shown to correlate to things like brake and gas pedal coordination, distance perception and general attention.\nThe only thing we know about blood-THC and driving is that it is not comparable to the tests for alcohol impairment. There is no THC breathalyzer test, and urine tests cannot detect it. Some blood tests can distinguish between THC and its longer-lasting metabolites, but these levels can vary widely depending on how often the person uses cannabis. Test results will also vary based on whether one smoked or ate the cannabis.\nOne person can feel impaired at 5ng/ml while another can function with no detectable impairment. In fact, many people charged with DUID based on arbitrary blood-THC limits have convinced juries they were not impaired when they were pulled over.\nEven so, driving studies show driving while on cannabis is far less dangerous than driving on alcohol, including one finding virtually no driving impairment from cannabis. Other studies have found that speed is typically reduced while driving on cannabis, and people deliberately compensate for any impairment, although multitasking was somewhat affected.\nIn no way does this mean anyone can just toke up and get behind the wheel. Cannabis is psychoactive, and people unaccustomed to cannabis – especially teenagers – should certainly refrain from driving.\nThe Oregon Commission’s report also supports the premise that cannabis users are more responsible drivers than alcohol use.\n“The rate of drivers tested by Drug Recognition Experts who are positive for THC intoxication rose between 2013 and 2014, but did not increase following legalization. Fatal accidents data is highly variable year-to-year, making trend analysis difficult. But in Oregon in 2015 there were only three more traffic fatalities involving a driver testing positive for THC compared to 2004. Moreover, the rate of THC-related fatal accidents is also considerably lower than such accidents involving alcohol intoxication. Finally, while overall traffic fatalities and alcohol-related fatalities spiked in 2015, THC-related fatalities did not.”\nAs a spokesman for AAA noted when their study was published, the increased risk from driving on cannabis is about the same as driving with a “noisy child in the back of the car,” and only half as dangerous as talking on a hands-free cellphone (legal in all states).\nWhile thankfully avoiding an arbitrary blood-THC limit recommendation, the Oregon Commission still felt compelled to offer advice on cannabis and driving. It recommended increasing the use of “Drug Recognition Experts” who administer lengthy sobriety tests specific to cannabis, as well as implementing a voluntary oral swab test to collect data.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line791351"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9478244781494141,"wiki_prob":0.9478244781494141,"text":"Revenge-Porn King Hunter Moore Indicted on Federal Charges\nBy Jessica Roy\nHunter Moore, who has been called “the most hated man on the Internet” for his alleged operation and defense of a revenge-porn website, was indicted Thursday by a federal grand jury, according to an official at the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Los Angeles.\nMoore, 27, has claimed to be the operator of isanyoneup.com, a site that posted nude photos of people, many of whom say they did not consent to having their images appear on the Internet. The indictment from the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California charges Moore and a man named Charles “Gary” Evens, 25, with conspiracy to “access a protected computer without authorization to obtain information for private financial gain” and other counts.\nOn multiple occasions, Moore paid Evens to break into the email accounts of victims and steal nude photos to post on the website isanyoneup.com, according to the indictment.\nThe pair are scheduled to appear in court Tuesday afternoon — Moore in federal court in Sacramento, Calif., and Evens in U.S. district court in Los Angeles.\n“We’re ecstatic,” says anti-revenge-porn activist Charlotte Laws, who has been fighting for Moore’s arrest for years and who says her daughter Kayla is one of the victims listed in the indictment. “We’re superpleased that the FBI have brought this to fruition. I’ve talked to several of the victims and they are extremely pleased, and I know all the victims are going to feel happy and they are going to feel that finally justice is being served.”\nRevenge porn is a genre of pornography where explicit images are uploaded to the Web, most typically by scorned ex-lovers, without the consent of the photo’s subject. Moore’s isanyoneup.com was one of the most prominent hubs for such material until its shuttering in April 2012, when Moore sold it to the antibullying site BullyVille.com and swore he had a change of heart.\nLater that year, however, Moore launched a new site, HunterMoore.TV, which he said would map revenge-porn victims’ photos with their locations. (He later denied making that statement.) The site does not appear to have ever gotten off the ground as a revenge-porn hub, and currently serves as a repository for party fliers.\nVictims and activists have long attempted to fight against revenge porn, but so far few states have workable anti-revenge-porn laws on the books. Moore long defended his actions by claiming he was protected by Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which states that website owners cannot be held liable for content submitted by users. If he actively solicited illegal content, however, as the indictment alleges, he would no longer be granted Section 230 immunity.\nThis isn’t Moore’s first brush with the law. In March of 2013, a judge ordered he pay $250,000 to BullyVille.com founder James McGibney for defamation damages.\nYou can read more about Moore and the battle over revenge porn here and here.\nMoore’s former attorney, Reza Sina, tells TIME that he represented Moore for about a year but Moore ceased being a client last year. “In May of 2013, I was in Washington, D.C., and he called me and told me he was being questioned by the FBI, and it’s at that time I decided to cease all communications with him,” Sina says.\nThe full indictment is embedded below.\nHunter Moore / Charles Evens Revenge Porn Indictment\nWe’ll continue to update this story throughout the afternoon.\nNo Good Way to Die","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1200401"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6848873496055603,"wiki_prob":0.3151126503944397,"text":"HANSARD 1803–2005 → 1970s → 1971 → April 1971 → 28 April 1971 → Lords Sitting\nHL Deb 28 April 1971 vol 317 cc1185-7 1185\n§ LORD MAELOR\nMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.\n§ [The Question was as follows:\n§ To ask Her Majesty' s Government whether they will make a statement as to their attitude towards granting China a seat in the United Nations in view of the more favourable attitude displayed by the Chinese Republic relative to foreign affairs.]\n§ THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDERSECRETARY OF STATE, FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIAN)\nMy Lords, Her Majesty's Government have for many years supported the seating of the representatives of the People's Republic of China in the China seat in the United Nations. They did so again last year.\nMy Lords, I must thank the Minister for his most satisfactory reply, though it hurts me to say that from these Benches. Is he aware that President Nixon is apparently about to visit Peking, and could he persuade his right honourable friend to do likewise?\n§ THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIAN\nMy Lords, I have only seen what I suspect the noble Lord has seen in the Press regarding the possibility of the President visiting Peking. I have no knowledge 1186 at all whether or not it is correct. I have no doubt that my right honourable friend the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary has also seen the reports.\n§ LORD SHINWELL\nMy Lords, may I ask the noble Marquess whether the Government, in supporting the proposal that the Chinese People's Republic should have a seat in the United Nations, have taken into account the position of Taiwan? Further, in view of the somewhat favourable situation that has developed at the present time with the Chinese People's Republic's more friendly attitude, may I ask whether the Government are taking into account the conversations that have been proceeding for some time and are, I understand, continuing between the U.S.A. and the U.S.S.R. on the SALT talks? Would not the Government consider that although it is desirable that the Chinese People's Republic should be a member of the United Nations, at the same time a favourable conclusion of the SALT talks is of equal importance?\nMy Lords, I quite agree with the noble Lord, although I think it is really a different question, that the successful conclusion of the SALT talks is of prime importance. In answer to the noble Lord's first question, may I say that he has put his finger on a difficulty regarding the Taiwan Government? That is something of which Her Majesty's Government are fully aware.\n§ LORD SHEPHERD\nMy Lords, is the noble Marquess not aware that the Secretary of State, Mr. Rodgers, made a very clear statement yesterday at the opening of the SEATO Conference that the United States Government very much welcomes the new atmosphere between China and the United States? In view of this very encouraging atmosphere, would it not be right for the United States and the United Kingdom Governments, with others at the United Nations, to do everything possible at the next meeting of the United Nations to see that China is admitted into the Assembly?\nYes, my Lords, I quite agree with what the noble Lord has said. We are all very pleased at the improvement in atmosphere between the Chinese People's 1187 Republic and this country, and indeed with the United States.\n§ LORD SEGAL\nMy Lords, can the noble Marquess say whether the admission of Communist China to membership of the United Nations will automatically qualify her for a permanent seat on the Security Council?\nMy Lords, I think I should require notice of that question.\n§ LORD BROCKWAY\nMy Lords, while welcoming the new atmosphere, both in China and in America, may I ask whether the real issue is not likely to be the position of Taiwan, to which my noble friend referred? Would Her Majesty's Government consider the suggestion that there should be a period when there should be no representation of Taiwan at the United Nations, and, at the end of that period, a referendum of the people there to decide their future and their right to independence with, in such circumstances, membership of the United Nations? Is that not the real problem?\nMy Lords, I think the noble Lord is quite correct in pointing to the fact that this is a very difficult problem. I should not like to comment on his interesting suggestion, but I will certainly take note of it.\nMy Lords, will the noble Marquess also consider, with his right honourable friend, whether it would now be right at least to undertake discussions with the Government of the People's Republic of China to raise the status of our representation in China, and their representations here, to ambassadorial level?\nMy Lords, I think the noble Lord may know that we are in favour of an unconditional exchange of ambassadors with China, and have been for some time. I think we had better see how far we can get with this in the present atmosphere.\nBack to Preamble\nForward to KILLINGHOLME GENERATING STATION (ANCILLARY POWERS) BILL [H.L.]","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1692352"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6882991790771484,"wiki_prob":0.31170082092285156,"text":"Titans in talks to replace Nissan Stadium with Roman Colosseum\nNashville, TN - According to reports, the Tennessee Titans are in talks to replace Nissan Stadium with Roman Colosseum.\nThe move comes after efforts to renovate Nissan Stadium were put on hold due to a $600 million price tag for upgrades and enhancement.\nSources say the Colosseum idea was suggested by a member of the renovation committee.\nThe unnamed member reportedly told the group, \"If we're going to spend $600 million on renovating Nissan Stadium, we might as well buy the Colosseum and renovate that.\"\nThe committee loved the idea and began initial phone calls to Rome.\nIt is still unclear if the replacement will happen or how Italy will ship the Colosseum to Nashville.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line636062"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8549567461013794,"wiki_prob":0.8549567461013794,"text":"Bi-Annual Draft Begins in the Russian Military\nOctober 6, 2009 09:24 PM Age: 13 years\nOn October 1 the fall military draft began in Russia with the defense ministry publicizing its “serious reorganization of the enlistment offices system,” while admitting that recruitment levels had been adjusted downwards to 271,000. The scale of this change is staggering, which has provoked many to question whether the targets for the draft will be met. The number of military commissariats (enlistment offices) has been drastically cut: in the spring of this year there were 1,647, now there are only 81. Colonel-General Vasily Smirnov the Chief of the Main Organization and Mobilization Directorate of the General Staff noted that all military posts in these offices were abolished on October 1, and replaced with civilians. Its aim is to improve control over record keeping, streamline the administrative structure and ensure its efficient use of budget allocations. However, some officers have expressed doubts over the restructuring of the enlistment offices, ranging from questioning their ability to organize training for reservists to whether having civilians overseeing the draft will result in any improvement (RIA Novosti, October 1).\nNevertheless, Smirnov was in no doubt that the draft faces serious challenges, which the reorganization is partly designed to tackle. For instance, he estimated that more 100,000 citizens temporarily move their place of residence in order to evade the draft. He was unclear about how the new system will address such problems, but his near farcical threat to hunt down draft dodgers hiding with their babushka’s in the dacha in the countryside was unconvincing; many young men will prefer to take their chances with their grandmother protecting them from military service (Interfax, September 30).\nThe defense ministry is convinced that after reducing the term of service to twelve months that dedovshchina or institutionalized bullying within the armed forces is now in decline, and offers statistics to support this assertion. Smirnov claimed that the recorded instances of bullying had declined over the past year by 93 percent. Nonetheless, the Chief Military Prosecutor Sergey Fridinskiy said that more than 800 servicemen had been convicted of such breaches of regulations in 2009. Violent crime is gradually declining; which offers little comfort to those petrified by the prospect of conscription. In the first eight months of 2009 compared to the same period last year, there were 13 percent fewer cases related to bullying and an 11.5 percent drop involving violence. According to the chief military prosecutor’s office the share of crimes against young conscripts in the army “is not too high,” accounting for 15 percent of all recorded crimes (Interfax, September 30).\nMore than 30 percent of those who presented at enlistment offices in the spring 2009 draft were deemed unfit for military service, or were granted deferments on health grounds. The former chief of the defense ministry’s Main Military Medical Directorate Vladimir Shappo said that more than 340,000 people were given deferments for health reasons in the fall of 2008, and 334,000 in the fall of 2007. 10,000 recruits were told to gain weight, which cost the state 75 million rubles ($2.5 million). Efforts to address these issues include improving the quality of medical examinations, with the numbers of military doctors more than doubling to around 700 (compared with this year’s spring draft) present at draft commissions. Smirnov said that conscripts drafted in Chechnya would continue to serve only in that republic, despite earlier claims by Russian authorities that no conscripts served in Chechnya; any future resumption of counter-terrorist operations in the region will likely involve conscripts. Moreover, he confirmed that conscripts will serve in the new bases in the breakaway republics of Abkhazia and South Ossetia alongside Kontraktniki, or those serving on a contract basis (Interfax, September 30).\nThe recruits in this draft cycle will experience something previously unknown, since on December 1 all units in the Russian armed forces will transfer to permanent readiness status. Maintaining these units at their wartime strength will above all allow the military to organize proper combat training (ITAR-TASS, September 30). Nonetheless, they are unlikely to notice any significant improvement in the use of modern weaponry. According to Nikolay Tabachkov an auditor in the Audit Chamber, the current proportion of modern weaponry in the inventory does not exceed more than 6 percent (ITAR-TASS, September 23).\nThe new command structure will likely escape their attention. On September 7 Nezavisimoye Voyennoye Obozreniye accurately predicted that strategic-operational commands will be formed on the basis of the existing military districts. The Moscow-based defense journalist Viktor Litovkin later interpreted the confirmation of this latest reform as a return to an earlier abortive plan. He noted that Army-General Vladimir Boldyrev the Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Ground Forces had recently said that President Dmitry Medvedev will sign a decree in December to make each military district simultaneously into a strategic-operational command (Nezavisimaya Gazeta, September 30). Boldyrev said that groups of troops will be subordinate to the strategic level commander “primarily in the operational planning, as well as in the general planning of the use of the group and its training.” This initiative resembles a failed attempt by the former Chief of the General Staff Army-General Yury Baluyevskiy, who proposed creating strategic-operational commands in theaters of operations, though not on the basis of individual districts, but by unifying several districts and fleets under the new command. However, this never received adequate support among the generals or district commanders, who apparently feared losing power and influence. Crucially, it now appears that support for implementing this reform emerged from deep within the structures, and consequently it gained sufficient backing higher up the chain of command.\nThe precise role of the future reserve remains unclear, which will only be clarified once a new military doctrine is passed later this year. As much as the defense ministry emphasizes the “new look” armed forces, these conscripts will be trained on the basis of combat training manuals, which are currently being re-written and will take time to introduce; many of these recruits will finish their service before the combat training system is overhauled. They will be among the first conscripts, however, to experience the new structures, as well as serving in permanent readiness units. The speed of implementing these changes is undoubtedly causing significant upheaval throughout the structures, which the defense ministry hopes will prove to be temporary (Vremya Novostei, September 25).\nTurkey Considers the Status of AbkhaziaNext\nJapanese Prime Minister Hatoyama Meets P..","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line914012"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5540418028831482,"wiki_prob":0.5540418028831482,"text":"Octopus City Blues Gets New Demo\nKerwin Tsang October 20th, 2014 - 1:49 AM\nIndie developer Ghost in a Bottle are working on their latest effort, a self-described “simulator” titled Octopus City Blues, a surreal adventure game that almost defies description. Understandably, one might be hesitant to spend their money on such a bizarre title, so the developers have put out a demo for all to sample.\nOctopus City Blues casts players in the role of Kaf Kafkaryan, a bit of a loser who lives in a city constructed around a giant octopus. Lately he’s been experiencing some strange dreams, which is saying a lot considering the nature of the entire game, and this prompts him to explore the city he lives in for clues that would help explain his dreams.\nGameplay revolves entirely around exploring the environments and interacting with NPCs. There are also dialogue options throughout, and the story has branching paths depending on the actions of players, allowing for some degree of replayability.\nThe demo takes place during the first stages of the game, and kudos to you if you can figure out what the blazes is going on. The game’s visuals are surprisingly detailed, although the developer’s artist must be color blind. Aurally, Octopus has excellent sound design, with some creepy ambient sounds in various levels and a charming 16-bit soundtrack. Just about everything and everyone can be interacted with, although in most cases these lead absolutely nowhere.\nOctopus City Blues found success in Kickstarter last year, where it was funded to the tune of $20,419, well over its initial $7000 goal. Its developer, Ghost in a Bottle, consists of Kuwait-based lead designer Firas Assaad, Spanish pixel artist Marina Navarro Travesset, and American composer Aaron Eason, as well as other minor contributors. Their official website is a real hoot and worth visiting.\nGhost in a Bottle\nOctopus City Blues","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line693316"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8997496366500854,"wiki_prob":0.8997496366500854,"text":"Vail physical therapist David Honda retiring this week\nHonda has owned Vail Sports Medicine and Physical Therapy since 1989\nsmiller@vaildaily.com\nJennifer Martin, left, is taking over from David Honda, right, at Vail Sports Medicine and Physical Therapy.\nHelp David Celebrate A retirement celebration for David Honda is set for Friday, Feb. 28 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Vail Sports Medicine Physical Therapy. The office at 1295 Westhaven Drive in Vail’s Cascade Village.\nVAIL — Like so many others, David Honda came to Vail to ski for a while. Now, after a career of getting active people back in their games, it’s time to retire.\nHonda has owned Vail Sports Medicine Physical Therapy in Cascade Village since 1989. In that time countless patients have come through the doors, many more than once.\nPatients who came for therapy after blowing out a knee in the 1990s are now returning for help with recovery from knee replacements.\nHonda’s journey took him in and out of Vail a few times. He worked as an aide and then therapist for Mark Larson, the valley’s first physical therapist. After spending a few years in Los Angeles, Honda had the opportunity to buy Larson’s practice. He’s been in Vail ever since.\nHonda said while his clinic works closely with surgeons and other medical providers, he’s proud that his clinic has remained independent from other practices. He’s also proud of all the people who have come through the clinic as volunteers or aides.\n“About 20 aides and volunteers got into professional schools after gaining experience here,” Honda said.\nSome of those people started as patients. Others have been local high school students interested in the field.\nAnd there’s a lot to learn.\nIn the early days, physical therapy was based more on empirical evidence of which techniques helped patients.\nToday, there’s a lot more science involved, Honda said.\nJennifer Martin, who’s taking over Honda’s practice, has a doctoral degree in the field — that’s required now.\nHonda said there’s now a lot of research into what works and what doesn’t.\n“But there are still some things that work that we don’t know why,” Honda said. “There’s something to be said for touch, too.”\nAside from research, some of the equipment has changed, too.\nHonda noted a technique called blood flow restriction training uses something like a cuff from a blood pressure monitor to help ease the load on a patient’s joints and speed recovery.\nHonda said he intends to continue to live in Vail, but will probably split time between the Rockies and Newport Beach, California.\n“My goal is to be able to wear flip-flops and shorts in January,” he said.\nMartin is one of the people whose career Honda helped start.\n“David was my first employer,” Martin said.\nMartin said she’s proud to take over Honda’s practice. “His dedication to this community and its people is remarkable,” Martin said.\nHonda said the clinic and its patients are in good hands. And, while Martin said she expects her former boss to stop by the office from time to time, Honda isn’t so sure.\nHis road bike awaits in the coming weeks, and there’s more golf and pickleball to play. And, he said, he needs to work on becoming a better swimmer.\nIt sounds like a busy schedule. And, after 31 years at the clinic, he’s earned it.\nVail Daily Business Editor Scott Miller can be reached at smiller@vaildaily.com or 970-748-2930.\nVail Powder Cars\nDRIVERS High end private transportation company looking for drivers. Must be over 25 y/o with a good driving record. Flexible…\nEagle Valley Land Trust\nEagle Valley Land Trust is looking for an organized, creative, and enthusiastic professional to manage a diverse workload ranging from…\n7-UP and Red Bull\nWeekend Only Merchandise\nis looking for a Weekend Only Merchandiser, in the Eagle County area $19-$20/hr + PTO. and other benefits.\nRetail Store Manager - Salary is commensurate with experience starting at $72,000+ per year and upwards dependent on skillset and…","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line665557"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6742591857910156,"wiki_prob":0.3257408142089844,"text":"Celebrating and Learning about Juneteenth with Young Kids\nJune 7, 2021 by Rachel Gupta\nTexas Historical Commission Juneteenth Marker\n(Photo Source: Texas Historical Commission)\nNote: We used the traditional terms of ‘slavery’ and ‘slaves’ in our infographic as it’s generally taught this way in schools. The target audience of this article is kids so we wanted to use familiar terminology. However, our blog post reflects the more appropriate ‘enslavement’ and ‘enslaved people’ that separate a person’s identity from their circumstance.\nWhy Is Juneteenth Important?\nJust over a year past George Floyd’s murder and the invigoration of the Black Lives Matter movement, we must continue to do the work. We must put out the effort to raise anti-racist kids as we move toward a truly equal society, and we must include the not-so-shiny parts of United States history. We need to teach kids about enslavement, segregation, the Civil Rights movement, redlining, and America’s failure to lift up Black communities. Kids are capable of understanding the history behind racial injustice and systemic racism. Moreover, these topics are fundamental if we are to make sense of race relations today.\nImagine teaching your kids that lions eat deer and expecting them simply to accept that as fact. Without the context of lions needing food, predators being a natural part of the food chain, the circle of life, and all that jazz, it wouldn’t make sense. Why would one animal just eat another? Similarly, teaching kids that people of color aren’t yet truly equal makes no sense without the historical context of how we got here. It’s unreasonable that something as random and uncontrollable as skin color potentially defines one’s treatment by others and one’s life trajectory. It would be hard for kids to accept because it’s really not a logical cause and effect.\nAs a native Texan, celebrating and learning about Juneteeth is especially relevant. It’s also an important part of American history. But first, let’s start with some basics for the adults before we discuss how to celebrate with kids.\nPresident Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation\neffective in 1863 (Photo Source: Flickr)\nPresident Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation effective January 1, 1863, which set all enslaved people free. However, due to the Civil War and questions about Union power, enslavement continued in the South. The message of freedom didn’t even start spreading in the South until Robert E. Lee finally surrendered his Confederate troops on April 9, 1865.\nHowever, enslavement continued in Texas — perhaps because it was further South or perhaps because the greedy farmers wanted one last harvest using free, enslaved labor. Finally, on June 19, 1865, or Juneteenth, General Granger rode into Galveston, TX. He issued order No. 3 that stated:\n“The people of Texas are informed that in accordance with a Proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired laborer.”\nUpon hearing they were free, the Black community celebrated with jubilation and joy at finally being liberated.\n*Note: Texas was technically not the last state to free its slaves. The Emancipation Proclamation covered only the Confederate states. Two Union states, Kentucky and Delaware, never seceded from the Union and didn’t officially abolish slavery until the adoption of the 13th amendment on December 6, 1865.\nHaving Age-Appropriate Juneteenth Discussions with “Littles”\nJuneteenth may be hard to explain to your little ones, especially if they have never heard about enslavement before. We briefly explained enslavement to our son when he was 5. At the time, we talked more about racism, skin color, and how people haven’t always been nice to Black people. Now that he is almost 6 years old, this is how we explain Juneteenth to him:\nA long time ago, White people were being very mean to Black people and made them work for them without paying them. (How would that make you feel?) On June 19th, or Juneteenth, the leaders told everyone that they couldn’t make Black people work for them for free anymore. Also, they were told that the Black people were free to decide where they wanted to work and live. The Black people were so happy to hear this news, and they celebrated and celebrated! So, every year, on that same date of June 19th, we celebrate the freedom of Black people from the White people being mean to them and not paying them for their work.\nAfter you provide your explanation, see what questions your kids may have and feel out the conversation from there. A great book to help you discuss enslavement with younger kids is Brick by Brick by Charles R. Smith, Jr. For more helpful ideas, check out 10 Children’s Books Celebrating Juneteenth.\nJuneteenth Infographic for Kids\nA brief history of Juneteenth and why we celebrate Juneteenth\nOur Juneteenth infographic is a great way to introduce discussions on enslavement, Juneteenth, and its meaning. The keywords in the infographic are in 3 colors:\nRed represents the period before Juneteenth. It is marked by enslavement, inequality, the landowners “owning” slaves, oppression and inequality. This also includes the Civil War between the Union and the Confederacy and the move towards the abolition of enslavement.\nBlack represents positive steps toward the freeing of the enslaved people. They include Lincoln’s signing of the Emancipation Proclamation, Granger’s announcement in Galveston, gaining independence, etc.\nGreen represents the annual celebration of Juneteenth to commemorate the true freedom of Black people in the United States. Festivities may include music, dancing, soul food, barbeques, Miss Juneteenth contests, and a coming together of community. It is also a time to remember, learn and reflect upon this terrible time in U.S. history.\nJuneteenth is not yet recognized as a national holiday. However, the push for it is stronger than ever. The state of Texas, via State Representative Al Edwards, was the first to declare Juneteenth a state holiday, starting with June 19, 1980. So, encourage your Representatives to support making Juneteenth an important national holiday!\nRacial Justice: Resources for Teaching Children\nBlack History Month Resources for Kids\nDiscussing Intersectionality with Children\nRachel Gupta\nRachel is passionate about teaching kids to embrace all types of diversity in the world. She creates content and craft kits to help parents find fun and creative ways to learn about other cultures and ideas through her business, Artsy Dinos. Inspired by her son \"Bubba\", she wants kids to be so proud of their own cultures as well as have respect and knowledge of others as well!\nLatest posts by Rachel Gupta (see all)\nWhat’s in a Name? Three Tips for Helping Others Get Your Child’s Name Right - July 18, 2022\nInternational Travel with Kids: 5 Tips to Picking the Perfect Destination - June 20, 2022\nCelebrating and Learning about Juneteenth with Young Kids - June 7, 2021\nFiled Under: Children's Activities, Teaching Diversity Tagged With: Celebrating and Learning about Juneteenth with Young Kids, Juneteenth, racial justice, talk about Juneteenth with kids, What is Juneteenth","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line878873"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9838300943374634,"wiki_prob":0.9838300943374634,"text":"Jamaal Franklin Making Impressive Case to Join Los Angeles Lakers Next Season\nPublished: March 9, 2015Posted in: LA LakersTags:\nJamaal Franklin was flying way off the NBA radar just a few months ago. But the explosive 6’5”, 191-pound wing is now showing why he deserves a chance to join the Los Angeles Lakers next season.\nFranklin joined the Lakers’ D-League affiliate, the Los Angeles D-Fenders, on Jan. 21. Since then, the 23-year-old has averaged 23 points, 8.5 rebounds and 5.7 assists per game—off the bench.\nHe has also notched five double-doubles and a triple-double in just 13 games.\nThe former member of the Memphis Grizzlies who was waived after his rookie season has not only scored in double figures in all 13 of his games with the D-Fenders, he has had three steals on three occasions and is the team’s third-leading rebounder.\nAs further evidence of his versatility, Franklin started in place of Roscoe Smith at the power forward position against the Santa Cruz Warriors Feb. 8, scoring 27 points.\nBut there is more to the second-year pro than a stat-stuffing obsession.\nAfter putting up 22 points, 11 assists, 10 boards, two steals and a block with no turnovers in a win against the Westchester Knicks Feb. 25, Franklin cast his effort in a refreshing light.\n“The best thing about this game was the winning, not the triple-double,” said Franklin to Christina Kaplan of Lakers.com. “The biggest key is we’re moving the ball and playing defense now.”\nThat’s the kind of attitude that could benefit the Lakers—a team with a 16-46 record and needs across the board. Los Angeles has the worst defense in the league—giving up 105.8 points a game. And, the Lakers are only middling when it comes to putting the ball in the bucket, ranked 16th at 99.4 points per game.\nIt’s also the kind of mindset that could play well with Lakers coach Byron Scott, a practitioner of old-school fundamentals.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1450120"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6681265234947205,"wiki_prob":0.6681265234947205,"text":"Israel-Palestine: It’s time to abandon the two-state solution\nAn interview with Jeff Halper\nMersiha Gadzo / May 28, 2015 / 9 min read\nMiddle EastWar Zones\nJeff Halper. Posted on screenbooker.com.\nThe Israeli-Palestinian conflict is currently in a process of collapse.\nSo says Jeff Halper, an American-born anthropologist, Nobel Peace Prize nominee, co-founder and director of the Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions (ICAHD). Speaking in 12 Canadian cities from January 17 to February 13 as part of his fundraising tour, Halper explained the conflict in Israel- Palestine and where it’s headed.\nFor decades, Halper has been advocating for the human rights of Palestinians and resisting Israel’s policies of dispossession in the Occupied Palestinian Territories through ICAHD. An activist, writer and commentator, he’s known for coining the concepts of “matrix of control” and “people warehousing” as practiced by Israel on Palestinians in the occupied territories, especially in Gaza.\nHalper sat down with Canadian Dimension magazine and spoke about ICAHD’s future, the dangers he has faced as an activist, the current state of collapse and what Europe’s recognition of the state of Palestine really means.\nMarisha Gadzo: ICAHD will be reaching a major milestone soon: in two years it will be ICAHD’s 20th anniversary. What have been ICAHD’s greatest achievements since its inception?\nJeff Halper: We’ve raised the issue of house demolitions onto the map. Before then, no one knew anything about house demolitions.\nWhen I’m speaking before a group, I walk them through the demolition. There’s one family in particular, their house has been demolished six times, and I show them the demolitions, how it was done, why it was done. The house demolition issue can be a vehicle, a window to let people in to see how the occupation works.\nIsrael has demolished 48,000 Palestinian homes in the occupied territories since 1967, so obviously that’s not a two-state solution. It shows how the occupation works, what Israel’s intentions are — which is to take control of the whole country — and the human cost, especially the Palestinians.\nThe second thing is what I call “Global Palestine.” I have a concept that’s called the “matrix of control,” how Israel has developed a matrix of control, to control Palestinians in the occupied territory. In fact, Israel is exporting that matrix. Canada for example, is importing all kinds of Israeli security devices, weapons, tactics into its own police forces and prisons. In a way, Israel is packaging the occupation and selling it with all its policies to countries like Canada. To point out the globalization of the occupation is another thing we’ve done.\nCanadian Dimension’s Marisha Gadzo speaks with Jeff Halper. Photo supplied by the author.\nMG: You said ICAHD would be celebrating its 20th anniversary in two years if it manages to get there. Is it possible that ICAHD will cease to exist in the near future?\nJH: First of all, financially, it’s always hard to fundraise. If you’re a political organization critical of Israel, that’s trying to end the occupation, who’s going to support you? So I have to go literally hat in hand.\nBut in addition to that, the real problem is the political. The Palestinians have to be the ones that formulate and determine what the solution is. I’m not a Palestinian, I can’t tell them what to do. The Palestinians are in a very difficult situation; they’re very fragmented, most of the leadership is either dead or in prison. The two-state solution is gone; they don’t know where exactly to go.\nOur organization is dedicated to ending the occupation, but if there is no political movement, and if we don’t have Palestinian partners to work with and if there’s no end game to this … just going around and telling about the occupation isn’t what we want to do; we want to end it.\nIf there’s no political process, then I don’t know if there’s a point to continue to exist. We’re in a process of re-evaluating what is our role. Do we still have a role? Or do we have to wait a while until the Palestinians come around and say ‘okay, this is our end game, our solution”?\nMG: During your lecture you stated that we’re currently in a process of collapse. What do you mean by that?\nJH: I think our mistake is that we’re looking at this conflict in a linear way. The linear way is the way most people look at things. If there’s a problem, if you do 1, 2, 3, 4, you get to the solution. But in fact, in a linear process you can also get to a dead end; you can get stuck. And that’s where we are.\nIt’s been years, decades of negotiations of this plan, that plan, and its clear that Israel is simply not going to allow a Palestinian state to emerge, period. It’s not going to happen and this has Canadian and American support.\nIsrael doesn’t have to compromise with the Palestinians because it has support for anything it does. It can attack Gaza and the Canadian government will support it. In that scenario then, we’re stuck. There is nowhere else to go.\nI think there’s a degree of repression of Palestinians that’s going to lead inevitably to an uprising. In general, the Palestinian issue is very disruptive of the international system. Even John Kerry said a while ago, that you’re not going to resolve these issues of ISIS, Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran and all the instability and conflict of the Middle East until you resolve the Israel-Palestine issue. It doesn’t cause the rest of the conflicts, but it’s this aggravating factor. So I think there’s a real stake that the world has in ending this.\nIt seems to me that it’s unsustainable. That’s where I think sooner rather than later there’s going to be a collapse. By a collapse I mean mainly the Palestinian authority will leave the scene; it will either collapse, or it will resign or it will be killed. Israel and the United States are threatening to withdraw all the income, all the money to the Palestinian Authority; hundreds of millions of dollars, which would make it collapse.\nThat’s the game changer — if the PLO leaves the scene, that would be a good thing. Then I think Israel would have to re-occupy the Palestinian areas, but it would create such an intolerable situation that the world will start looking for a solution in a very urgent way.\n[Once] the two-state solution is gone, I think the world would begin to move to a one-state solution. How can Israelis and Palestinians share the same state as a solution? That I think is the way we should go. That’s the good thing about collapse; it opens up possibilities that don’t even exist today. I think the one-state solution is a solution that’s just, that’s doable that doesn’t exist today until you get this collapse.\nMG: You’ve been living in Jerusalem since 1973. How have you seen Israel change over the 40 years since you’ve been living there?\nJH: It’s gotten worse and worse. When I arrived, the occupation was only five, six years old. There really weren’t settlements yet; you still had a labour government. It was still kind of liberal; you didn’t have Begin and Sharon and Netanyahu. The country was even socialist to a certain degree, and nobody thought the occupation was going to last.\nWhat’s happened over the years is that it’s not an occupation anymore. Israel has…the word we use is to Judaize, to make Jewish the entire country. There is no more occupied territory; it’s all Israel. Israel has created one state between the Mediterranean and the Jordan River. It’s all one government, one currency, one army.\nThere’s now one country in which half the population is Palestinian, but that still privileges the Jews so that it’s become an apartheid state. I never really expected Israel to become the new South Africa, but it has really made its occupation of the Palestinian territory permanent. So it’s a permanent regime of domination because it can’t give Palestinians citizenship and it can’t give them equal rights.\nMG: We’re always hearing how Israel is violating international laws with its policies, such as the 4th Geneva Convention. But how powerful is international law in delivering justice? It’s constantly being cited, but how much power does it really have?\nJH: The problem is the implementation. The International Court of Justice in The Hague, which is the highest court in the world supposedly, ruled in 2004 that the wall that Israel’s building is illegal and has to be dismantled. That decision was adopted by the entire general assembly of the UN, by everybody in the world, except the United States and Israel; even Canada in those days supported it. Everybody agreed that the wall was illegal…and had to be dismantled, but who’s going to do that? Is the UN going to send troops into Israel to do that? That’s the missing part.\nLet’s say you have the International Criminal Court — that the Palestinians are all turning to — say, “Netanyahu is a war criminal for what he did in Gaza and he should be arrested.” Who’s going to put Netanyahu in jail? You can do that with certain African dictators, you can do that with Charles Taylor, maybe you can do that with Milosevic from Serbia.You can’t do that with white heads of global north countries; they’re sort of immune to this.\nIn fact, Israel is calling for the dismantlement of the ICC because they want to bring Israelis before it. The United States and Israel have never signed on to the ICC because they don’t recognize human rights and international law as being over them, and so there’s no implementation.\nNot that it’s irrelevant. In other words, Israel is afraid of the criminal court, mainly because of the PR damage it could do. Israel is trying to represent itself as a global north country, the only democracy in the Middle East. If the international court rules that Israel is a major violator of human rights and issues warrants for arrests for Israelis, that puts a dent in your PR, in your image.\nRightist Israeli youth in racist anti-Arab mobilization, Jerusalem, July 2014. Photo by Tali Mayer.\nMG: You spend a lot of time speaking, holding lectures in the West. What would you say is the biggest misconception that Westerners have of the conflict?\nJH: They bought into this thing that Palestinians are terrorists. “Terrorists” is the most powerful word that Israel uses. They’ve co-opted that word. It rolls off your tongue: Palestinian Terrorists. That demonization. It’s hard to fight that.\nThe first question is, “What about Hamas?” Israel’s managed to deflect from what they’re doing and their responsibility…I think that’s the biggest not just misapprehension, but using a word to frame the discussion in a way that serves Israel.\nThat’s the main kind of thing we have to fight, this idea that Israel is fighting terrorists…it creates a closed system of thought you have to break through.\nMG: Recently, the European perception has been shifting. Many European countries have been officially recognizing the state of Palestine one after the other. How significant is this for Palestinians and for Jewish Israelis?\nJH: On the one hand it’s a good thing. It shows that people are starting to understand the Palestinian cause, people are being critical of Israel, certainly recognizing Palestinian national rights, all of that is good.\nThe problem is it’s five years too late; the train has left the station. The two-state solution is gone, so now recognizing the Palestinian state is meaningless because there is no place.\nThey’re simply symbolically recognizing Palestine…it’s not so good because it locks us into a two-state solution. It stops well short of actually resolving the conflict. Now if you want to go to a one-state solution, the Europeans will say, “Hey, we just voted in our parliament for two states to recognize Palestine. What, you want us to change now?”\nIt had a good intention, and it shows the degree to which people are starting to understand the conflict, but it also shows that Europe isn’t ready to move to a one-state solution. It’s really stuck on the two-state because the Europeans will say, “Look, we want to be critical of Israel, we want the occupation to end, but Israel itself is an ally, a friend of ours, we don’t want to hurt Israel.” So they would never go the route of a one-state solution, a state for everybody.\nMersiha Gadzo is a journalist and online producer for Al Jazeera English. Prior to joining Al Jazeera she worked as a freelancer in Bosnia & Herzegovina and the occupied Palestinian territories.\nThis article appeared in the March/April 2015 issue of Canadian Dimension (The Surveillance State).\nTrudeau’s knee of hypocrisy is an empty symbolic gesture\nMarion Kawas / June 9, 2020 / 4 min read\nCanada’s failure in Afghanistan\nYves Engler / August 17, 2021 / 5 min read\nThe ‘new Cold War’ and the hegemony of global capitalism\nGreg Shupak / July 14, 2021 / 6 min read\nMachines in the chain of command\nLital Khaikin / September 28, 2020 / 13 min read\nPalestinian Nakba and the creation of Israel deserve equal recognition\nMorgan Duchesney / May 12, 2020 / 4 min read\nWhy Canada should leave NATO\nYves Engler / April 7, 2021 / 4 min read","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line7871"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5012092590332031,"wiki_prob":0.5012092590332031,"text":"ConspiracyMind ControlRecent Articles\nDistorting Fascism to Sanitize Capitalism\nThe facile and indiscriminate use of the term fascism has led to a widespread misunderstanding and misuse of its meaning.\nAsked to define fascism, most people would respond in terms such as dictatorship, anti-Semitism, mass hysteria, efficient propaganda machine, mesmerizing oratory of a psychopathic leader, and the like.\nby Prof. Ismael Hossein-Zadeh\nSuch a pervasive misconception of the meaning of the term fascism is not altogether fortuitous. It is largely because of a longstanding utilitarian misrepresentation of the term. Fascism is deliberately obfuscated in order to sanitize capitalism.\nIdeologues, theorists and opinion-makers of capitalism have systematically shifted the systemic sins of fascism from market/capitalist failures to individual or personal failures.\nThus, the origins, the rise and the ravages of the classic European fascism are blamed largely on Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini, not the socio-economic circumstances that gave rise to those instrumentally “useful” characters.\nAn obvious flaw of this interpretation of fascism is that it cannot explain recent manifestations of fascism: since the archetype European fascism is attributed to Hitler and Mussolini, their demise ought to have logically meant the end of fascism.\nYet, manifestations of fascism has been a recurring phenomenon characteristic of periods of capitalist crisis, as evinced by today’s expressions of fascistic tendencies in most of the core capitalist countries.\nThese ominous developments are testament to the fact that the germs of fascism are intrinsic to capitalism, as periodic economic crises are intrinsic to capitalism. As such, it is bound to periodically resurface as long as capitalism continues to be the dominant mode of socio-economic production.\nJust as the original European fascism was blamed on Hitler and Mussolini, so is today’s display of fascistic propensities blamed on characters such as Donald Trump (in the U.S.), Marine Le Pen (in France), Norbert Hofer (in Austria), Alexander Gauland (in Germany), and so on. The real culprit, however, has been market failure and economic insecurity, both now and then.\nIn addition to the intended absolution of capitalism from the sins of fascism, its utilitarian misrepresentation has the political advantage of conveniently demonizing any “unfriendly” politician or “rogue” state leader as fascist.\nAs Jean Bricmont recently put it on this site: “New Hitlers spring up in the Western imagination like mushrooms in an autumn woods”: Gaddafi, Saddam Hussein, Assad, Milosevic, LePen, Putin, and Ahmadinejad have all been subjected to such characterizations.\nIndeed, a number of “unfavorable” nationalist leaders such as Saddam Hussein and Gaddafi were first branded as fascist before they were overthrown and murdered.\nMisrepresentation of fascism is intended to absolve capitalism from its responsibility in two major ways.\nFirst, it blames the executive agent of fascism (for example, Hitler) for the rise and the crimes of fascism. Second, the executive agent, in turn, shifts the blame from the system, or the socio-economic structure, to scapegoats such as migrants, ethnic, racial, or religious minorities.\nFascism cannot be defined capriciously. It cannot be reduced to the crimes of individual leaders of Nazi Germany, or the pathological problems of Hitler’s mind, or the “unfriendly” nationalist leaders who disobey the imperialist agenda of war and militarism.\nWhile obfuscationist judgments of this sort may succeed in dressing in the uniform of Adolf Hitler the horrific acts that the capitalist system can occasionally perform, such reductionist judgments would not be very useful for the purposes of averting social conditions that may lead to the recurrence of fascism.\nFascism is a specific historical category that evolves out of particular socio-economic circumstances. It grows out of conditions of severe economic distress and deep social discontent.\nAs such circumstances tend to give rise to protest demonstrations and radical demands from labor and other grassroots on the Left, they also prompt counterbalancing social forces on the Right.\nIn other words, fascism is essentially a counter-revolutionary strategy to preempt revolutionary developments.\nRead: FBI Quietly Declassified Secret Files Attesting Hitler Fled to Argentina in 1945\nThis means that, at its core, fascism is a social-political strategy or tool that is employed by big business, or the ruling capitalist class, to simultaneously pacify the discontented public and fend off radical, socialistic developments.\nIt also means that, while antithetical, both fascism and socialism are incidents that are latent in a relatively advanced capitalist structures—a case of the unity of opposites.\nDuring cycles of economic expansion and relatively low levels of unemployment and poverty, such potential occurrences remain dormant.\nBy contrast, during periods of deep and protracted cycles of economic contraction signs and symbols of both begin to re-emerge. In general, fascistic signs and symbols remain dormant as long as socialistic manifestations remain dormant, as former manifestations often emerge in reaction to the latter ones.\nThe development and brutality of fascism is proportionate with the degree of the severity of economic crisis, or the level of the gravity of class struggle.\nFor example, the intensity of the 1930s socio-economic crisis in Europe and the strength of socialist movements and organizations, especially in Germany, played a critical role in catapulting the Nazi forces to power and precipitating the vicious rule of fascism there.\nBy contrast, as the bureaucratic labor leaders in the current (2016) US presidential elections chose to support the candidate of the status quo, Hillary Clinton, and Bernie Sanders’ campaign agenda stopped way short of a meaningful socialist program, fascistic manifestations of Donald Trump’s campaign remained largely sporadic and relatively mild.\nHad the class collaborationist big union leaders (the “labor lieutenants of capitalism,” as the late Leon Trotsky put it) charted an independent labor-grassroots campaign and demanded a substantive socio-economic revolution, instead of Sanders’ hollow “political revolution,” fascistic tendencies or displays of the Trump campaign would have escalated to dangerous levels.\nIt must be pointed out in passing that the capitalist ruling class (especially the “far-sighted,” non-partisan, big business establishment) would employ fascistic methods of control only as a means of last resort.\nAs long as there is no serious grassroots threat to the status quo, it prefers to mitigate economic distress and social tensions by means of minimal reforms and usual “democratic” measures.\nOnly when such measures fail to pacify the restless and rebellious masses of workers and other grassroots, that is, only when the ruling class finds itself unable to rule with the help of “democratic” machinery, would it employ fascistic means of control.\nIt must also be pointed out that a direct link can be detected between the recent rise of fascistic tendencies in most of the core capitalist countries, on the one hand, and the rise or reign of parasitic finance capital in these countries, on the other.\nAs the unproductive, scrounging financial sector has systematically emaciated the productive, real sector of the economies of these countries, chronic stagnation has become a perennial feature of their markets.\nAccordingly, high levels of unemployment, poverty and inequality have also become prevailing features of these societies. As these ominous developments have given rise to public discontent and workers militancy in these countries, they have also given rise to expressions of fascism.\nAnd as economic crises tend to recur more frequently in the age of the dominance of parasitic finance capital, the specter of war and militarism abroad along with threats of repression and police state at home also tend to become more menacing.\nIt follows from this brief discussion that crisis situations present both opportunities and dangers, both revolutionary/socialistic occasions and counter-revolutionary/fascistic prospects.\nSuch socio-economic periods of contradictory developments prompted the late German revolutionary Rosa Luxemburg to declare: socialism or barbarism. Whether socialism or barbarism would prevail depends crucially on the balance of political power, or the outcome of class struggle.\nMany radicals have dropped class politics at exactly the moment it is needed most. Rosa Luxemburg’s view that socialism is the only humane alternative to capitalist barbarism is as relevant today as when she expressed it (during the carnage of World War I).\nBarbarism stares us in the eye in many disguised forms. Yet, much of the left these days shy away from using words such as class struggle, organization, or the crucial role of labor for social and economic change.\nWhile participation of all the layers of the grassroots is crucial to the success of the fight for a superior civilization to what is prevalent under capitalism, the role of labor in the attendant coalition of the masses would be most critical.\nOnly labor — labor in the broadest sense of the term that would include both the so-called blue-collar and white-collar workers — can bring an end to the rule of capital, thereby to the constantly lurking threats of economic crises, of fascism, of poverty, and of police state at home, and of war and militarism abroad.\nTransforming the world economy in the interests of the majority of the people is, of course, not easy. It certainly cannot be brought about in one jump or an overnight uprising.\nIt can come about only as the cumulative outcome of many steps along the path of a long and difficult journey of continuous social and economic change. Nobody can tell a priori how long or what form such transitional steps or stages may take.\nIt is clear, however, that to change the world economy in the interests of the majority of its inhabitants, labor would need new politics and new organizations to articulate the struggle for change.\nThis requires a new labor movement with independent politics and organization(s). Whatever the new labor organization is called, it has to be different not only from the U.S. business union model but also from the Social Democratic model of Europe, trade unions + party.\nThis means that the new labor movement and/or organization has to represent the interests of the entire working class, not just organized industrial labor, nor only its singular economic interests.\nIn addition, it must aim at defending the interests of all those who challenge the logic of the profit-driven market mechanism.\nThe working class can influence, shape, and ultimately lead the world economy if it takes on the challenge (a) on an international level, and (b) in the context of broader coalitions and alliances with other social strata that also struggle for equity, environmental protection, and human rights.\nIsmael Hossein-zadeh is Professor Emeritus of Economics (Drake University). He is the author of Beyond Mainstream Explanations of the Financial Crisis (Routledge 2014), The Political Economy of U.S. Militarism (Palgrave–Macmillan 2007), and the Soviet Non-capitalist Development: The Case of Nasser’s Egypt (Praeger Publishers 1989). He is also a contributor to Hopeless: Barack Obama and the Politics of Illusion.\nFantastic UFO Filmed Over Erupting Volcano Previous post\n7 Inspirational Stories of People Who Beat Their Cancer with Cannabis Oil Next post\nBilderbergConspiracyControlSecret Societies\nPfizer CEO, Head of NATO & Director of the CIA Attended the 68th Bilderberg Meeting\nConspiracyNWO\nRand Paul: ‘Elitists Want A One World Government; It’s Not A Conspiracy Theory’","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line913982"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9254210591316223,"wiki_prob":0.9254210591316223,"text":"Netflix's show 'Jailbirds': Where are they now?\nAfter a glimpse into the lives of inmates in the Sacramento County Jail, the Netflix series could leave viewers wondering: \"Where are the women now?\"\nAuthor: Chelsea Shannon\nPublished: 6:21 PM PDT May 22, 2019\nUpdated: 12:57 PM PDT June 14, 2019\nSACRAMENTO, Calif — After watching a show like Netflix's \"Jailbirds\", it is easy to feel invested in the lives of the inmates inside the Sacramento County jail system.\nThe series showed the release of four people and explained that several people would be in custody of Sacramento County Jail for a while. But, that was nearly a year ago since the show was filmed. A lot has changed since then for some inmates, while very little has for others.\nHere is where some of the inmates featured in the show are now:\nWATCH: Jailbirds Cast: Where are They Now? | What's happened since the Netflix series wrapped\nYasmin Sundermeyer\nFrom the series: The intake officer during the series said that this was Sundermeyer’s first felony charge. Her original arrest charges were for suspected carjacking, assault of an officer of the peace, receiving a known stolen vehicle, unlawful driving or taking of a vehicle, driving while under the influence of alcohol and drugs and evading police.\nSundermeyer was also charged with escaping from custody. That charge was filed around five months after the series began.\nWhere is she now? She is still in Sacramento County Main Jail. Her total bail is $1.2 million. Her next court date is scheduled to be on May 31 at 8:30 a.m.\nNajla “Noonie” Jones\nFrom the series: Jones was arrested on charges of pimping and pandering. Her bail was set at a little over $1.01 million.\nWhere is she now? She is still in the custody of Sacramento County Main Jail. Her next court date is scheduled for May 30 at 9 a.m.\nCourtney “Jay” Koranda\nFrom the series: She was arrested for evading and resisting arrest. When she first appeared on the show she was detoxing from drug addiction, and she later stated when she was released that she did not use drugs while she was in jail.\nWhere is she now? During the series filming, Koranda was released after serving 180 days in jail and there is no evidence that she has returned.\nMegan \"Monster\" Hawkins\nFrom the series: Hawkins said in the series that she was from the east coast and was a tattoo artist. She said that her other form of income came from “hustling and selling drugs.”\nShe said she was arrested and served three months for crimes committed on the east coast, then came to the west coast. Hawkins said in the Netflix series that she served 180 days in Sacramento County Jail for grand theft auto, transporting narcotics, possession of a controlled substance, check fraud and committing a felony while on bail.\nShe said she had 13 pounds of marijuana and 65 grams of methamphetamine at the time of her previous arrest. Hawkins was released in 2018, while the series was being filmed.\nWhere is she now? She is back in Sacramento County Main Jail. Hawkins was arrested May 17, 2019, for suspected unlawful use of personal identifying information, theft and unlawful driving or taking of a vehicle, purchase or receipt of a stolen vehicle, violating the terms of probation, unlawful possession of controlled substances and make, alters, forges check bond, bank bill.\nHawkins is currently ineligible for bail and her next court date is planned for May 23 at 8:30 a.m.\nRELATED: Megan 'Monster' Hawkins, of Netflix's 'Jailbirds' series, back in Sacramento County Jail, talks about her arrest\nTayler Renee Coatney\nFrom the series: In the show, Coatney disclosed that she was the 17-year-old involved in the home invasion burglary in South Sacramento where a father and his two sons were murdered. Coatney was transferred to Sacramento County Jail while awaiting sentencing after serving a part of her original sentence in juvenile detention.\nWhere is she now? She is currently serving the rest of her sentence at California Institution for Women in Corona. She will be eligible for parole in 2022.\nRebecca “Baby Girl” Temme\nFrom the series: She was first introduced to viewers as an inmate in administrative segregation. She was there because of an in-house infraction involving being in possession of heroin. She was in jail for suspected murder and robbery charges.\nWhere is she now? There was no bail allowed for Temme and she is still awaiting trial in Rio Cosumnes Correctional Center. Her next court date is scheduled for June 28 at 9:00 a.m.\n'Jailbirds' | Megan ‘Monster’ Hawkins in jail again\nAlleged DUI driver who spit at officers identified as Sacramento teacher\nCharges filed against man in Sacramento DUI crash that killed infant\nWATCH MORE: 'Monster' from Netflix's 'Jailbirds' speaks out after arrest | Extended Interview\nWatch the extended interview of Megan \"Monster\" Hawkins after her May 17 arrest.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1189778"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.777484118938446,"wiki_prob":0.777484118938446,"text":"Tag Archives: Richard X Heyman\nRichard X Heyman “X”\nHey everyone, take a listen to Richard X. Heyman as he promotes his next album, simply titled, X.\nIf you would like to purchase his album, go ahead and follow this link.\nSeptember 27, 2013 Album ReviewsHey everyone, Heyman, Interview, link, Music, Music Interview, Richard Heyman, Richard X, Richard X Heyman, XJR Miller\nAlbum Review: Richard X. Heyman’s “X”\nSeptember 24, 2013 Album Reviewsalbum, Album Review, ldquo, Music, music review, Pop, rdquo, Richard Heyman, Richard X, Richard X Heyman, Richard&rsquo, Rock, XJR Miller\nWhen writing about Richard X. Heyman, it is very hard to know where to begin. He has gone from forming a New Jersey garage band, The Doughboys, in the 60’s, to covering songs from The Stones, Kinks, and Yardbirds, to recording many nicely done albums, and even come full circle in 2000 reorganizing The Doughboys. Being influenced by such greats as The Beatles, The Byrds, and Richard Rogers, Richard’s career spans over five decades of astounding music. As one listens to some of his earlier tracks such as “Vacation” (1980), to “Falling Away” (1991) and “Cornerstone” (1998), one can notice a common denominator; Richard’s earlier work appears to be timeless pieces waiting to be heard by the next generation.\nWhich brings us to Richard’s newest album recently release, titled X. Continue reading Album Review: Richard X. Heyman’s “X” →","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1238915"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5479533672332764,"wiki_prob":0.5479533672332764,"text":"Apple iPhone 13 Pro Review\nNovember 15, 2021 | Amy Davies | Rating star Rating star Rating star Rating star Half rating star\nRating & Conclusion\nMain Rivals\nReview Roundup\nIn this year’s new iPhone range there are four models, two of which bear the “Pro” moniker, the iPhone 13 Pro and the iPhone 13 Pro Max. Unlike with the 12 Pro series, the camera set up in both the iPhone 13 Pro and the larger Max version is the same, so most of what is said in our review can also be applied to the bigger model.\nThe iPhone 13 Pro features a triple lens set up, with a wide, super-wide and telephoto option on board. The wide angle lens is equivalent to 26mm and has an f/1.5 aperture, while the ultra-wide angle is an improvement from the iPhone 12 Pro model and now features an f/1.8 aperture (it remains at 13mm equivalent). The telephoto lens is also longer than its predecessor, now being a 3x optic (78mm equivalent), with an f/2.8 aperture. Apple is always reluctant to reveal the exact specification of its sensor sizes, but it has claimed that the new models feature larger sensors than the predecessor.\nThere are some other new specifications for the iPhone 13 Pro series, including sensor-shift optical image stabilisation, something which previously was only available for the 12 Pro Max version, Cinematic Mode for video, Photographic Styles for stills, plus the new A15 Bionic Chip with 5-core GPU which Apple claims is the fastest chip ever found in a smartphone.\nA set of other specifications have been brought over from the iPhone 12 Pro, including Night mode, the ability to shoot in raw format, Portrait mode and 4K video recording at up to 60p. ProRes video recording will be available via a later firmware upgrade, but you will need the iPhone with at least 256GB of storage. In terms of the specifications not directly relating to photography, there’s a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR screen, compatibility with MagSafe accessories (such as wireless chargers), and 5G connectivity.\nAt the time of writing, the iPhone 13 Pro retails for £949 for the iPhone 13 Pro 128GB, with up to 1TB of storage space available, which will set you back £1,449. If you want to go for the Max version, prices range between £1,049 and £1,549. There are four different colours available for the iPhone 13 Pro series, which are Sierra Blue (which we’ve been using for this review), Silver, Gold and Graphite (black).\nJust as we saw last year, Apple don’t bundle a charging adapter with the iPhone 13 Pro (just the Lightning cable is included). It’s cited that this is for environmental reasons, with the assumption that most users already have one they can use - but if you don’t you’ll need to budget for one of those too.\nThe design of the iPhone 13 Pro is almost identical to the iPhone 12 Pro. Keeping to the same squared off edge aesthetic as its predecessor, the 13 Pro is almost the same size as before, being just 0.25mm thicker than before. It’s a little bit heavier at 203g (vs 187g), but the difference in real-world use isn’t immediately obvious.\nAs before, we’ve got a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR Display for the screen, which makes use of a Ceramic Shield designed for toughness, alongside Surgical-grade stainless steel. Both of these specifications together should make the iPhone 13 Pro reasonably adept at withstanding the odd knock or scrape, though we’d still recommend investing in a case for the phone. Despite being almost the same size as its predecessor, if you’ve already got an iPhone 12 Pro, you’re going to need to invest in a new case as the lens units on the rear take up much more space than before.\nOn the back of the phone you’ll see the three lenses are gathered together on the top left hand side, while there’s also a flash unit and what looks like a large black hole, which is the “LiDAR Scanner”, used for measuring depth and designed to make autofocusing faster in certain conditions, such as low light.\nJust like its predecessor, the iPhone 13 Pro has angular edges, something which was a design departure from the iPhone 11 Pro and before. There’s four different colours to choose from, with them being a little bit more muted compared to the options available for the iPhone 13 (standard). A new option for the 13 Pro series is Sierra Blue, which we’ve been using for this review.\nIf you’ve used an iPhone before then you’ll be very familiar with the native camera app, which you can launch directly from the lock screen by performing a “long press” on the camera icon. If your phone isn’t locked, you can also access the camera by tapping the appropriate icon on your home screen. Placing the camera in your iPhone’s “dock” can be a good way to access it quickly, no matter which page of the menu/app screen you’re on.\nAs anyone who has used an iPhone before will be aware, the native app is very simple and straightforward to use. While there is an argument to be made for this kind of simplicity, it would be nice for the “Pro” model at the very least to include some sort of more advanced or pro mode, just like we see on Android phones. That said, there are of course plenty of apps you can download to give you that functionality, and more and more settings changes are starting to creep into even the simple iPhone’s native camera app.\nThe native camera app will launch by default in “Photo” mode, which is what you’re likely to spend most of your time using. When in this mode, you can tap around the screen to change the focus point - metering will also take its cue from the active AF point. You can also tap on the screen and see a small sun icon appear - move your finger up and down on the screen and you’ll be able to adjust brightness. If you hold down your finger when selecting the AF point, then AE/AF lock will also engage, giving you the opportunity to focus and recompose without the native app trying to adjust focus or exposure.\nTowards the bottom of the screen (or to the left if you’re shooting in landscape format), you’ll see where you can switch between the iPhone 13 Pro’s three different lenses. These are represented by three circles reading 0.5x, 1x and 3x. You can also pinch to zoom to engage the digital zoom beyond 3x - but this is something we’d probably advise reserving for when you’re desperate to get closer to the subject.\nAt the top of the screen there are a number of other options. You can switch the flash on or off, switch off Live Photos (whereby a short video clip is also recorded with your images). With this model, you also get the option to engage raw format shooting - images will be capture in the universal DNG format which can be read by multiple programmes. There’s no option to record in both DNG and JPEG/HEIF, but, it’s relatively easy to convert - even in the phone itself - to the more universal format if you need a picture for something such as attaching to an email. When you use apps such as Instagram, the raw files will be recognised as normal, so there’s no need to covert the files at this point either.\nAlso at the top of the screen is a small arrow. If you tap this, you’ll reveal a set of extra settings you can change. These are the ability not only to switch the flash from Auto to Off, but also to Always On as well, plus the same functionality for Live Photos. There’s also the opportunity to choose a different aspect ratio (4:3 is the default, but you’ve also got Square - 1:1 or 16:9 to select from), adjust exposure compensation, switch on a Timer and add some digital filters.\nA new addition here is the Photographic Styles, which can be activated at the point of capture and are subtly different from the digital filters. The options here are Standard (no Style applied), Rich Contrast, Vibrant, Warm and Cool. Each of the styles can also be modified by adjusting Tone and Warmth. Once a Photographic Style has been selected, an icon will appear in the top right hand corner of the screen to indicate one is being used. This is a handy reminder to save you from shooting all your pictures in one particular Style - especially as these can’t be removed post capture. It’s also worth noting that these can’t be used when shooting in raw format.\nNight mode is something we’ve seen on iPhones for a couple of generations now, but as before, it’s not a selectable mode. Rather, it will automatically activate if the light is low in a scene. You will know if it has been activated by the presence of a small moon icon in the top left hand corner of the screen. The mode works by shooting a series of small exposures and merging them together. The length of time the phone shoots for will generally depend on how dark the scene is, but you can also take control over it by pressing the small icon at the top of the screen and pressing the note mode icon. If you’re going to shoot for a long period of time, it’s worth using something to stabilise the phone, such as a mini tripod or similar. Note that this icon will not appear if light is bright.\nA useful feature which we first saw in the iPhone 11 series is the ability to see outside of the frame when you’re shooting in the standard Photo mode and using either the 1x or the 3x lens. The native camera app uses data captured by the other lenses to display outside the frame at the edges of the composition window - this can be very useful for making sure you always capture the decisive moment.\nOther shooting modes are available as well as Photo mode, which can be accessed by swiping left or right from the main Photo mode, or you can also tap the words as they appear at the bottom of the screen. The modes are divided into stills modes and video modes, with video modes found on the left, and photo modes on the right. That leaves you with Video, a new Cinematic mode, Slo-Mo and Time-Lapse for moving images, and Portrait and Pano for stills.\nWith video mode, you get the option to record in 4K or HD at frame rates between 24 and 60fps. You can choose different resolutions and frame rates by a simple tap in the top right hand corner of the screen. You can also record video while in Photo mode by holding down the shutter release button, but it will simply record in whatever settings you were previously using.\nIn Video mode, you can use all three of the lenses, and as with the Photo mode, you can tap around the screen to adjust AF point and exposure. You can also switch the flash to on, off or Auto (when it use it will activate as a continuous light).\nYou also have the option to record in Dolby HDR, which produces more vibrant imagery, but it’s worth noting that this will only be displayed as it is captured on a compatible device (such as the iPhone itself). You can choose to switch off Dolby HDR if you prefer from the main settings menu, which can be helpful if you’re trying to save space.\nA new mode for the iPhone 13 series is Cinematic. This mode enables the creation of shallow depth of field effect videos, which is something we’ve seen on Android phones for a while but it is new for iPhone. The phone will automatically select an “aperture” to record at (or a simulation thereof), but you can also adjust this yourself manually. This type of video works well for subjects with very obvious outlines, such as people or pets, and it does well to switch between subjects where there are multiple subjects in the scene. Cinematic mode is only capable of recording in Full HD, rather than 4K.\nThere will be the option to record in Apple’s ProRes format for video, but at the time of writing, this has not been made available yet. It will also only be available to models with at least 256GB storage, since the files created by it will be so large.\nSlo-Mo mode is pretty self-explanatory - you can use it to create slow motion videos at either 240fps (full HD) or 120fps (720p). You can use any of the three lenses in slow-mo mode, and activate the flash if you’re in a dark area, as well as adjust exposure compensation.\nTime-Lapse is another fairly straightforward mode, giving you the option to record several stills in succession and merge them together in a time-lapse movie. Again, any of the three lenses can be used, and exposure can be adjusted. To use the mode, tap the record button, tapping it again when you’ve recorded as many images as you’d like to use. You can leave the mode running for as long as you like, but a steady surface or a tripod will result in the best finished video.\nGoing back to the Stills modes, there’s Portrait mode, which you can use to create shallow depth of field effects. This is a mode that’s been around for a while, and it can be used with a number of different subjects - not just for people. Again though, it will work best - or most convincingly - for subjects with a very defined outline. In this mode you can adjust the simulated aperture, while there are also a number of different lighting options which can be selected at the bottom of the screen.\nThese are Natural Light (the default option), Studio Light, Contour Light, Stage Light, Stage Light Mono and High Key Light Mono. Although these lighting effects are created at the point of capture, you can also add or remove them after the fact in playback too if you would like. In Portrait mode you can also adjust exposure, add a timer, add a digital filter and switch on the flash. With the iPhone 13 Pro - as opposed to the iPhone 13 - you’ve also got the option to create environmental shots (where more of the surrounding scene is in view), or to tap the 3x button to create closer, more traditional style portraits.\nPano mode can be used by sweeping the camera across a scene after pressing the shutter release button, the resulting image will be merged together by the phone automatically.\nAlthough most of the adjustments you need to make will be carried out via the native camera app, there are some other settings which can only be made in the main / overall settings section of the phone. Options here include the ability to switch on a grid for composition, the ability to preserve the last settings you use - rather than have them reset every time you close the app - and applying lens correction.\nAfter you’ve taken your shot, you can perform a number of editing options directly in the phone itself. That ranges from simple edits such as cropping or rotating, as well as more extensive edits such as adjusting Contrast, Shadows, Highlights, Saturations and more. When you’ve been recording Live Photos, you’ll find that there are additional editing options including the ability to choose a different frame from the accompanying video or create long-exposure type effects by merging together various shots from the video.\nWe’ve long been impressed by the quality of imagery from the iPhone series, and the iPhone 13 Pro builds on the company’s heritage to produce its best ever performer yet. Having used both the cheaper iPhone 13 at the same time, it’s also clear that there are noticeable differences in image quality, particularly when shooting in low light.\nThat said, the iPhone 13 Pro’s best performance still comes in good light, with bright, vibrant images which contain a good level of detail. Night mode puts in an admirably good job, and it’s nice to see the improvements to the ultra-wide angle lens. Generally speaking, if you’re only looking at images on your phone (or at small sizes such as via Instagram / Facebook, then you’ll be very pleased with the results), and it’s only when examining images very closely at large sizes that a loss of detail / smudginess becomes extremely apparent.\nThere are three lenses to choose from with the iPhone 13 Pro, and again, it’s good to see an improvement here in the form of the 3x lens, as opposed to the 2x found on the iPhone 12 Pro. This is much more practical in most scenarios, and it performs well too. As already mentioned, the ultra-wide angle has improved in low light, but it also puts in a good performance in good light when it’s not possible to take a further step back.\nPortrait Mode once again puts in a good performance, and with the ability to create either environmental shots or closer, more traditional style portraits, you’ve got good flexibility here. We generally prefer those made with the 1x lens, but the closer shots are pretty convincing too.\nAdding Photographic Styles is an interesting move from Apple, giving you the option to shoot in different ways, or with a different look. You could choose to use different ones each time, but if you find that you particularly like one Style, this could become your signature look.\nBeing able to shoot in raw format is a good benefit of the iPhone 13 Pro over its cheaper sibling, the iPhone 13. With this, you can make a good array of adjustments in post production, and it’s worth switching on if you’re an enthusiast photographer who uses editing as part of their workflow. It would be nice to be able to shoot in raw and JPEG / HEIF at the same time, though.\nVideo capture is also nicely impressive, as we’d expect from the iPhone series. Videos shot in Dolby HDR really pop from the screen, which is something you can take advantage of if you’re mainly going to watch your videos on the device itself. Cinematic Mode introduces a new fun option that works well in most scenarios and we can see being popular.\nFocal Range\nUltra-Wide\nFlash Off\nFlash On\nSelfie - Flash On\nPortrait Mode\nPhoto Styles\nRich Contrast\nThis is a selection of sample images from the Apple iPhone 13 Pro camera, which were all taken using the 12 megapixel JPEG setting. The thumbnails below link to the full-sized versions, which have not been altered in any way.\n1/121s · f/1.5 · ISO 125\n26mm (35mm)\nDownload Original\n1/1488s · f/1.5 · ISO 50\n1/395s · f/1.8 · ISO 32\n1/50s · f/1.5 · ISO 125\n1/12s · f/1.8 · ISO 1250\n1/5s · f/1.5 · ISO 800\nSample RAW Images\nThe Apple iPhone 13 Pro enables users to capture RAW and JPEG format files. We've provided some Apple RAW (DNG) samples for you to download (thumbnail images shown below are not 100% representative).\nSample Movies & Video\nThis is a sample movie at the quality setting of 3840x2160 pixels at 60 frames per second. Please note that this 22 second movie is 145.7Mb in size.\nDownload the sample movie\nThis is a sample movie at the quality setting of 3840x2160 pixels at 30 frames per second. Please note that this 17 second movie is 54.1Mb in size.\nThis is a sample Cinematic Mode movie at the quality setting of 1920x1080 pixels at 30 frames per second. Please note that this 24 second movie is 37.5Mb in size.\nThis is a sample Slowmotion movie at the quality setting of 1280x720 pixels at 240 frames per second. Please note that this 30 second movie is 39.5Mb in size.\nThis is a sample Slowmotion movie at the quality setting of 1920x1080 pixels at 120 frames per second. Please note that this 20 second movie is 37.2Mb in size.\nAs per our expectations, the iPhone 13 Pro produces some excellent results, and is the best iPhone to date for those whose primary concern is the quality of the on-board camera.\nIf you’ve already got an iPhone 12 Pro, the update isn’t enormous here, but there’s enough small upgrades to make the overall proposition quite tempting. That said, choosing to skip this model and make more of a jump to the iPhone 14 is also a fairly prudent judgement too.\nYou might also be wondering whether it’s worth going for the cheaper iPhone 13, saving a bit of cash. The answer there is often a personal one, but the price difference isn’t that huge - so unless your budget is ultra tight, photographers and those with an enthusiasm for photography will undoubtedly better served by the iPhone 13 Pro.\nFor the extra £170 it will set you back, you get the ability to shoot in raw format, an extra telephoto lens, better low light capability and a better processor. You’ll also get the ProRes video format if you invest in the 256GB version, which if you’re heavily into videography might be the thing that swings it for you as well.\nOverall, pictures and video directly from the iPhone 13 Pro are as excellent as we’ve come to expect from the iPhone series, with some noticeable improvements made most noticeably to the ultra-wide angle lens, but small improvements being seen across the board.\nThere’s no denying that the iPhone 13 Pro is an expensive smartphone - but then the same is true of other flagship models from Android, and at least with both the 13 Pro and Pro Max offering the same specifications in terms of the camera, you don’t have to shell out extra to get the best camera.\nIf you’re strongly in the iPhone / iOS / Apple system then there’s every likelihood that you’ll go for the iPhone 13 Pro by default, but even those outside it will likely find that it’s an excellent, straightforward performer.\nRatings (out of 5)\nFeatures 4.5\nEase-of-use 4.5\nImage quality 4.5\nListed below are some of the rivals of the Apple iPhone 13 Pro.\nThe Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max is billed as the ultimate iPhone for photographers, boasting a larger sensor for the main camera, a 2.5x zoom lens and a much bigger screen and overall size than the standard Pro version. With prices starting at around £$1099, is this really the best iPhone for photography? Read our in-depth iPhone 12 Pro Max review now, complete with full-size sample photos and videos...\nThe Apple iPhone 12 Pro is one of four new iPhones released for 2020, joining the Mini, Pro Max, and the standard model. With prices starting at around £$999, is this the best iPhone for photographers? Read our in-depth iPhone 12 Pro review now, complete with full-size sample photos and videos...\nThe Apple iPhone 13 is one of four new iPhones released for 2021, released at the same time as the Mini, Pro and Pro Max models. With prices starting at around £$779, is this a good fit for keen photographers? Read our in-depth iPhone 13 review now, complete with full-size sample photos and videos...\nThe OnePlus 9 Pro is the latest flagship smartphone for 2021 from OnePlus. Find out if this is the best smartphone for photographers and videographers by reading our in-depth OnePlus 9 Pro review, complete with full-size sample photos and videos.\nThe Galaxy S21 Ultra is Samsung's new flagship smartphone for 2021. Featuring a quad-camera setup with 108 megapixels and a 10x optical zoom, 8K video recording, a 5000mAH battery and 5G connectivity, is this the ultimate smartphone for keen photographers? Find out now by reading our expert Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra review, complete with full-size sample photos and videos...\nThe Sony Xperia 1 III is a new flagship smartphone for 2021 that has a lot to offer keen photographers and videographers. This includes 20fps burst shooting, real-time AF tracking and real time eye AF for humans and animals, 16mm, 24mm, 70mm and 105mm focal lengths, and advanced Photo Pro and Cinema Pro apps. Read our in-depth Sony Xperia 1 III review, complete with full-size sample photos and videos, to find out if this new smartphone can justify its £1199 / $1299 price-tag...\nReviews of the Apple iPhone 13 Pro from around the web.\ntheguardian.com »\nThe iPhone 13 Pro is a solid upgrade on last year’s model with a faster and slicker screen, a better camera with 3x optical zoom, longer battery life and a small price cut.\nRead the full review »\ntheverge.com »\nThe iPhone 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max are phones designed for people who care about the details. The improvements over last year’s iPhones are significant but not obvious at first glance.\nnotebookcheck.net »\nThe Apple iPhone 13 Pro and the iPhone 12 Pro share a lot of similarities. However, upon lifting the iPhone 13 Pro the additional heft and the increased size of the camera lenses are immediately noticeable.\ntomsguide.com »\nThe iPhone 13 Pro is the one of the most powerful phones ever. Despite the larger camera hump and lack of Touch ID, the latest iPhone is a beast with a stellar display and excellent cameras. It’s also $100 cheaper than the equally impressive iPhone 13 Pro Max.\nShare Tweet Comment","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1704080"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5278812646865845,"wiki_prob":0.5278812646865845,"text":"Maybe our audience felt they’d had too much excitement for one night, as a small group of us gathered for the discussion. Top Gun: Maverick was a film that scored with many; the woman sitting next to me lived the thrilling aeronautic sequences and seemed exhausted by the end.\nFor those in the group who had seen the original film, this sequel was not disappointing but felt like almost a carbon copy. “It’s a jeujed up overlay of the original,” said one of our members. Even the music (Bowie, T.Rex, The Who) was nostalgic.\nWe found some differences with the last Top Gun film, from 36 years ago. There were black actors in key roles, but some of us found it tokenistic. A woman was one of the pilots, although she wasn’t a fully drawn character. However, not many of the elite Top Gun graduates were. It wasn’t that kind of movie.\nA few of us yearned for a real follow up, with Kelly McGillis playing the love interest. We did talk about our favourite Tom Cruise films and how good he looked in this one, despite possibly soon being a candidate for u3a. We admired his gung-ho spirit with stunts and how he had risked accidents in the past by carrying these out himself. Although I felt he seemed detached in his acting style, my husband has assured me that he was perfect, as good pilots just have a mission focus.\nThe Val Kilmer cameo was very touching and we appreciated the director – Joseph Kozinsky – working scenes around his loss of voice, due to a real-life tracheotomy.\nWe concluded that the film was “all about action.” Yes, it was formulaic and the story arc was entirely predictable. However, the audience came for the spectacle and excitement and they got it.\nI was utterly delighted that I had chosen, without knowing, a short film about an 82-year-old skydiver, made by the son of one of our audience that night. She was really over the moon and so was I.\nI didn’t exactly fly home in an F-14, I spent ten minutes scraping the ice off my car windscreen on a freezing night. Back to reality.\nAnne Goldstein","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line573704"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8498919010162354,"wiki_prob":0.8498919010162354,"text":"FanGraphs Audio: Dayn Perry Remains Awful\nby Carson Cistulli\nDayn Perry is a contributor to CBS Sports’ Eye on Baseball and the author of three books — one of them not very miserable. He’s also the grotesque and magnetic guest on this edition of FanGraphs Audio.\nDon’t hesitate to direct pod-related correspondence to @cistulli on Twitter.\nYou can subscribe to the podcast via iTunes or other feeder things.\nAudio after the jump. (Approximate 53 min play time.)\nhttp://media.blubrry.com/fangraphs/cdn-podcasts.fangraphs.com/FanGraphs-Audio-03-23-2020.mp3\nAn Unexpected Development\nIn April of 2009, FanGraphs CEO David Appelman announced that his growing site would be adding two part-time writers effective immediately or something like immediately. Having produced some vaguely analytical work for my own weblog, I sent a collection of story ideas, a CV, and an overwrought cover letter to the email address provided in his announcement. In a turn of events that speaks both to Appelman’s discretion as a leader and his capacity for identifying talent, he made a decision that would benefit FanGraphs for some time — which is to say, he hired someone else.\nAs if to prove, however, that even the most towering intellects aren’t immune from errors in judgment, Appelman and his future managing editor Dave Cameron would undo their good work just a few months later. Acting on a recommendation from Jonah Keri, who’s culpability in this process can’t be overstated, Appelman and Cameron invited me, at the beginning of August 2009, to begin contributing twice a week to fangraphs dot com.\nTo suggest that my first posts at the site were met with a “mixed response” would be to make full use of the rhetorical device known as “euphemism.” While I received no actual threats of bodily harm to my person, that didn’t prevent my person from crawling into the fetal position and weeping like a child. And while the vigor with which some readers expressed their dissatisfaction was probably unnecessary, the basic gist of their comments — namely, that I was single-handedly ruining whatever goodwill FanGraphs had cultivated with the public — seemed, at times, to possess merit.\nWhen I asked Appelman if I should stop, lest I topple his fledgling empire, he suggested I not do that. “Keep going,” in fact, was more or less the tenor of his message. And whether that was the soundest advice or not, it seems in retrospect to have worked out. I have kept going for over nine years, enjoying (like other FanGraphs writers) an editorial freedom and collaborative spirit that is rare for any publication. One of Appelman’s great strengths as this site’s guardian has been to trust his writers. It’s an ethic from which I’ve benefited as a contributor and which I’ve attempted to preserve as an editor.\nStarting today, however, I will no longer serve as a writer or editor for this site. After a tenure that has lasted far beyond even my most optimistic projections, I’m leaving FanGraphs to become a member of the Toronto Blue Jays.\nFanGraphs Audio: Dayn Perry Files a FOIA Request\nDayn Perry is a contributor to CBS Sports’ Eye on Baseball and the author of three books — one of them not very miserable. He’s also the safe pedestrian on this edition of FanGraphs Audio.\nAudio after the jump. (Approximately 1 hr 5 min play time.)\nhttps://media.blubrry.com/fangraphs/cdn-podcasts.fangraphs.com/FanGraphs-Audio-11-15-2018.mp3\nFanGraphs Audio: Autograph Stories with Jay Jaffe\nJay Jaffe is progenitor of the very famous JAWS metric and author of the reasonably famous The Cooperstown Casebook. On this edition of the programs, he discusses Willie McCovey’s autograph and other people’s autographs. Also: important dates for Hall of Fame season. And: how there’s a shark tunnel at the Winter Meetings.\nAudio after the jump. (Approximately 44 min play time.)\nhttps://media.blubrry.com/fangraphs/cdn-podcasts.fangraphs.com/FanGraphs-Audio-11-13-2018a.mp3\nWhich Managers Could Still Fake It as a Player?\nAt roughly the 10-minute mark of Dan Szymborski’s most recent appearance on FanGraphs Audio, that same guest proposes — partly in response to Game Three of the World Series and partly as an installment in the chronicles of the absurd — a rule change that, if adopted, could have some implications for how teams think of a coaching staff. Specifically, he suggests that, in those games where a team has exhausted its full complement of hitters — such as the Red Sox did during their 18-inning marathon against the Dodgers — that a manager should be allowed to take the field for his club. Although he doesn’t say it, the same could presumably be true on the pitching side, as well.\nThe sight of a manager actively involved in a game wouldn’t be unprecedented, of course. While utilized rarely over the past half-century — and not in any real way since Pete Rose served in that capacity for the Reds from 1984 through 1986 — player-manager was a pretty common job title in the earliest days of the game.\nRecent seasons have provided managerial surrogates, of course. During the final years of his career, Jason Giambi played the part of friendly uncle just as much as he did pinch-hitter. One could say the same for Julio Franco and Matt Stairs and Jim Thome. Chase Utley was referred to as “dad” by teammates for the bulk of the 2018 season. Bartolo Colon is older than a number of actual managers.\nWhile some players have persevered into their early 40s, Rose’s performance reveals why there’s probably little demand for a player-manager proper in the current version of the game. By his third year on Cincinnati’s roster, the 45-year-old Rose was able neither to hit nor run nor field at a major-league level. Those are, one notes, basically all the ways in which a ballplayer can create wins for his team. Nor does this even account for all the ways the manager’s role has evolved in 30 years. With the volume of data made available by front offices, coaches of all sorts have had to develop skills that would be foreign to many of their predecessors.\nContract Crowdsourcing 2018-19: Kikuchi and Rosenthal\nFree agency begins soon! As in other recent offseasons, FanGraphs is once again facilitating this offseason a contract-crowdsourcing project, the idea being to harness the wisdom of the crowds to the end of better understanding the 2018-19 free-agent market.\nFanGraphs Audio: Dan Szymborski Introduces the Offseason\nDan Szymborski is the progenitor of the ZiPS projection system and a senior writer for FanGraphs dot com. He’s also the guest on this edition of the program, during which he reviews the lessons he did and also didn’t learn during the World Series. Also: the distinction but not the difference between luck and a skill that’s just undetectable. And: a status update on ZiPS projections.\nContract Crowdsourcing 2018-19: Ballot 8 of 7\nFree agency begins five days after the end of the World Series. As in other recent offseasons, FanGraphs is once again facilitating this offseason a contract-crowdsourcing project, the idea being to harness the wisdom of the crowds to the end of better understanding the 2018-19 free-agent market.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line345931"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7315780520439148,"wiki_prob":0.2684219479560852,"text":"At the Going Down of the Sun\nVisit “At the Going Down of the Sun” Exhibition at Bristol Cathedral\nThe lives of war casualties will be remembered through a new photography exhibition at Bristol Cathedral following a four-year project to chronicle graves and memorials in the West Country.\nPhotographer Marko Dutka’s ‘At the Going Down of the Sun’ exhibition marks the centenary of the end of the First World War by showing graves and memorials from the Bristol and Bath region at sunset and in the twilight.\nThe nocturnal views give a new perspective on the graves and memorials, many of which are looked after by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, and can be viewed in the grand setting of Bristol Cathedral until 18 November 2018.\nThe project was inspired by the Laurence Binyon poem ‘For the Fallen’ and features images of Commonwealth, civilian and enemy war graves, war memorials and associated bomb and air crash sites photographer between the dusk and dawn.\nNine of the images will be accompanied by QR codes that visitors can scan to listen to oral histories from people who knew those buried.\nThe installation will be the hub of several public engagements, artist guided tours, a book, workshops and integration with the Royal British Legion during the Remembrance fortnight starting with The Bristol Poppy Appeal Launch at the Cathedral on Friday 26 October.\nA crowd-fund appeal has been launched to generate funding for a 50-image book based on the project, please find out more by clicking here\nFor more information on the exhibit see https://bristol-cathedral.co.uk/whats-on/at-the-going-down-of-the-sun","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1506232"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5440877676010132,"wiki_prob":0.4559122323989868,"text":"SpyWarrior\n6 Tips To Protect Your Cryptocurrency Wallet 2023\nNo Comments on 6 Tips To Protect Your Cryptocurrency Wallet 2023\nWhy crypto wallets are often targeted\nIn recent years, cryptocurrency popularity has skyrocketed, with anyone and everyone now investing in various cryptocurrencies. This has attracted a lot of novice investors who know very little about cybersecurity, as well as cybercriminals who try to take full advantage of that. Less tech-savvy investors are often more susceptible to both investment scams and crypto wallet hacks because they are unaware of how these types of scams work, nor do they properly secure their crypto accounts.\nAccording to the US Federal Trade Commission, from October 2020 to May 2021, consumers have lost more than $80 million to crypto scams. It’s difficult to measure just how much money investors lose to hacked wallets every year but the amount is likely in the millions as well.\nThere are many ways to steal someone’s cryptocurrency, and one of them is gaining access to someone’s crypto wallet and transferring the funds to accounts controlled by malicious actors. Once a transfer is made, there is no undoing it so if users fail to secure their accounts, they risk losing all of their cryptocurrency.\nHow hackers access crypto wallets\nIn order to be able to protect crypto wallets from cyber attacks, it’s important to understand how these attacks happen in the first place. Understanding, and thus avoiding cyber attacks is a much better protection technique than anything else that can be done. There are quite a few ways cybercriminals can try to gain access to a crypto wallet, and the most common attack vectors are:\nLike in any other kind of cyber attack, phishing is a common way hackers gain access to crypto wallets. A successful phishing attempt would allow cybercriminals to get the necessary login credentials that would grant them access to the wallet and the funds in it. The way a phishing attempt looks differs depending on who the target is. If the goal is stealing crypto wallet login credentials, potential victims may receive emails with links in them, encouraging them to click the link and log in to their wallet for reasons like securing an account. Other phishing attempts may try to trick users into clicking on links and advertisements.\nThe result is always the same: The victim is directed to a fake version of the expected cryptocurrency site and asked to enter their e-wallet credentials. Most popular Bitcoin Web wallet sites look quite simple, yet recognizable, which helps criminals to create convincing imitations.\nPhishing emails, while quite obvious in most cases, can be very sophisticated, especially when someone is targeted specifically. If cyber crooks can gather information about their potential victim, like a full name and which crypto service they use, the chances of a successful phishing attack go up. Such emails would be made to look like they’re being sent by the crypto service users use and claim that the is some kind of problem with the account. To fix the supposed issue, users would be asked to click on the link and then log in to their account. When users would put in their credentials, they would be sent to the cybercriminals operating the phishing scam.\nSMS 2FA exploits\nTwo-factor authentication (2FA) is an essential security measure that prevents unauthorized access to an account even when the username and password are known. 2FA is a security process in which users, in addition to a password, need to verify themselves in an additional way, such as inputting a code. This kind of authentication can be done via SMS, special authentication apps, authentication tokens, etc. SMS is one of the most widely used two-factor authentication methods but while it’s better than nothing, SMS 2FA is often susceptible to attacks. This is mostly because of SIM swapping.\nSIM swapping is a type of attack that involves cybercriminals convincing phone service providers to assign a certain phone number to a SIM card in their possession. When customers lose or have their phones stolen, they can call their service providers and ask them to transfer the phone number they were using to another SIM. To do this, all that’s necessary is to provide some personal information to the service provider over the phone. This is often exploited by cybercriminals, who first phish users’ personal information and then impersonate them when calling phone service providers. It’s possible to set up PIN numbers that would be asked by service providers when switching SIMs but not many people use this security feature.\nIf a cybercriminal is able to successfully SIM swap someone’s phone number, they would then receive the 2FA codes to a phone in their possession, allowing them to access crypto wallets that are protected with SMS two-factor authentication.\nMalicious software, or malware, can be used in a variety of ways in crypto wallet hacks. For example, keyloggers can be used to steal crypto wallet login credentials. If a computer is infected with a keylogger, it would record keystrokes (including when login credentials are put in) and then send them to cybercriminals, who would then use them to access the crypto accounts.\nMalware can also be used in different ways. Some malicious software can be programmed to automatically replace copied wallet addresses with ones that belong to cybercriminals. For example, when users try to transfer cryptocurrency to another account and copy/paste the wallet address, malware can replace that address with a different one. Less attentive users may not even notice this happening until it’s too late to do anything. This kind of malware may not show any signs of being present on a computer and be quite stealthy.\nHow you can protect your crypto wallet\nAs we already mentioned, two-factor authentication adds an additional layer of security to an account by requiring extra verification. Enabling this feature is essential in order to protect a crypto wallet. Nowadays, most crypto services offer 2FA so there is no excuse to not enable it. Ideally, users should use apps or authentication tokens instead of SMS authentication to secure their accounts, especially if their phone numbers are found online without much trouble.\nMonitor transactions\nJust with a bank account, it’s important to monitor all transactions in your crypto account. If there are any transactions that seem suspicious, immediate measures to secure the account should be taken, including changing the password and checking the computer for malware.\nNever reuse passwords\nIf you were to follow one piece of advice when it comes to securing your accounts, it’s to never reuse passwords. Reusing the same password on several different platforms significantly increases the chances of those accounts being breached. If the password ever leaks, hackers would be able to access multiple accounts. Ideally, users should also have a separate email address for crypto accounts.\nA good way to be on top of the password game is to have a password manager. They are useful tools that generate strong passwords and store them in one place. They automatically fill in login credentials on websites, and it’s only necessary to remember one password to access the password manager.\nLook into the most common attacks and types regularly\nWhen it comes to crypto scams, it’s better to be proactive than reactive. It’s a good idea to keep up to date with the common scams involving cryptocurrency because it will help avoid becoming a victim if users ever encounter them themselves. There are plenty of resources and sites that provide information about the most recent scams.\nAnti-virus software\nIn order to protect a crypto wallet, it’s essential to only access it on a secure device. And to secure a device, anti-virus is vital. Malware does not always show signs of being present and only security software may be able to detect it.\n© 2023 SpyWarrior. All rights reserved.\nThis website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Read More about our Privacy Policy Cookie settingsACCEPT","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line837227"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.642772376537323,"wiki_prob":0.357227623462677,"text":"CPA Theatricals, Inc. – Creative Productions And Theatricals – is a 501-C-3 non-profit corporation. Its mission is the development of new musical theatre productions for the benefit of under-served populations. In recent years, its primary focus has been to serve female audiences and performers, through the development of musicals incorporating strong female leads. Its first major project with this focus was the musical 57th NATIONAL MATHLETE SUM-IT, which premiered Off Broadway at the New York Musical Festival and was subsequently licensed by Theatrical Rights Worldwide. Other shows available for license include THE LAND OF FORGOTTEN TOYS, GIRLHOOD, THE MYSTERY OF CUSTODIA, now licensed by Stage Rights and THE MOMENT. Currently under development is MILEY CHASE THE SCIENCE ACE.\nLarry Little has a theatrical career that has spanned thirty-five years and more than 100 productions, first as an actor/singer/dancer, then as a director and producer. Along the way he became a Certified Public Accountant, providing an additional range of skills for his most recent role as a creating producer, developing new shows. Larry is the Lead Producer at CPA Theatricals and LCG Entertainment, LLC, the companies he founded to provide musical theatre for under-served populations. In recent years, a special focus of the companies has been shows that provide opportunities for female performers, create strong and interesting female characters, and increase outlets for female composers and directors. His completed projects, all licensed for international distribution and translated into two languages, serve the commercial market and the needs of middle-school, high-school and college performers. During 2020, with the special challenges of COVID-19 he has developed shows suitable for online, virtual, and socially-distanced productions.\nᐧ","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line473120"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9301798343658447,"wiki_prob":0.9301798343658447,"text":"Intelbrief / TSG IntelBrief: The Islamic State of Iraq and Greater Syria: A Primer\nTSG IntelBrief: The Islamic State of Iraq and Greater Syria: A Primer\n• The Islamic State of Iraq and Greater Syria (ISIS) used to be just The Islamic State of Iraq—with no ambition in Syria—and before that al-Qaeda in Iraq, with more emphasis on the I and less on the AQ, to the annoyance of Usama Bin Ladin and Ayman al-Zawahiri\n• The ten-year history of what is now ISIS shows a steady resistance to the control of al-Qaeda Central, a merging of many Iraqi Sunni extremist groups, and a focus on destabilizing Iraq by any means\n• After a decade of trying, ISIS is closer to its goals in Iraq than at any other time, almost entirely due to the ongoing catastrophe in Syria.\nWith the intense interest in the capabilities and future intentions of ISIS, it is important to know the group’s history, understand how it got to this point, and where it wants to go.\nAl-Qaeda in Iraq\nIn April 2004, Jordanian hoodlum-turned-terrorist, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, renamed his Jama'at al-Tawhid wal-Jihad al-Qaeda in Iraq (AQI), in order to benefit from al-Qaeda’s notoriety. Zarqawi had run a training camp in Afghanistan before 2001, but had resisted joining al-Qaeda.\nAs the insurgency against the US-led occupation of Iraq entered its second year, AQI achieved a reputation for bold attacks and extreme violence—a distinction that still reverberates today. After attracting members through successful attacks against coalition forces, Zarqawi shifted focus to his real goal of igniting a sectarian Shi’a-Sunni war. This he accomplished with the February 2006 AQI bombing of the Shi’a al-‘Askari, or Golden Dome, mosque in Samarra, which turned the insurgency into a civil war and led to the deaths of tens of thousands of Iraqis.\nIslamic State of Iraq and Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi\nZarqawi was killed in June 2006 after an extensive US targeting effort and was succeeded by an Egyptian extremist, Abu Hamza al-Muhajir, who was associated with al-Qaeda Central (AQC)’s al-Zawahiri. But to meet a criticism that the group was more foreign than Iraqi as well as a Sunni backlash against AQI’s indiscriminate and extremely violent tactics, which included killing Sunnis deemed insufficiently religious, and too willing to be part of the political process—or merely who had what AQI wanted—Abu Hamza soon joined forces with several other groups and accepted an Iraqi, Abu Omar al-Baghdadi, as leader. In a further effort towards rebranding, in October 2006 the new amalgam was renamed the Islamic State of Iraq (ISI).\nThe ISI drifted away from AQC control and became very much an Iraqi affair, with membership drawn more from former Saddam-era military officers than from people affiliated with al-Qaeda. Ultimately, however, the rebranding didn’t really work, since by that time the Sunni population upon whom AQI/ISI depended for members and support had turned against the group in what would be known as the Sahwah, or the Sunni Awakening movement.\nThough ISI was still capable of conducting spectacular attacks by 2009, such as the August 2009 car bombing of the Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs that killed over 100 people, it was in every aspect a diminished and struggling organization relative to its earlier impact. In the Spring of 2010, both Abu Omar al-Baghdadi and Abu Hamza al-Muhajir were killed in Saddam Hussein’s hometown of Tikrit, during a joint US-Iraqi raid. The group, originally founded by Zarqawi, was in serious retreat.\nUpon the death of the two ISI leaders, the most influential surviving member of the group, Samir ‘Abd Muhammad al-Khlifawi, aka Colonel Bakr, aka Haji Bakr, a former Iraqi army colonel who had worked on weapons development for Saddam, nominated Ibrahim Awad Ibrahim Bu Badri, aka Abu Duwa’, as the next ISI amir. Abu Duwa’ is from Samarra and belongs to the influential Bu Badri clan, which is part of the equally important Bu Abbas clan of Iraq’s Sunni heartland—of notable significance in forming and maintaining alliances in that part of Iraq. His kunya, and the name now most associated with him, is Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. He has no affiliation with Iraq’s capital of Baghdad, but took the kunya as a security measure and to obscure his origins.\nRelatively little is known about Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. He is reported to have been an imam before the 2003 invasion and then an unremarkable official in AQI. The US military detained him in 2005, and held him until 2009 at the detention facility known as Camp Bucca where he met Haji Bakr. It is likely that his low-key approach is more in line with a number of Saddam-era officers who make up the group’s leadership.\nAl Baghdadi was not immediately able to reverse the decline of the group, but something happened over the following year that completely changed the fortunes of ISI: Syria imploded.\nBy the summer of 2011, heavy fighting across Syria presented the beleaguered ISI with the gifts of sanctuary, weapons, and increased radicalization that come from persistent conflict. Haji Bakr and al-Baghdadi, after much deliberation, decided to open up a branch in Syria (though not with Iraqi fighters). This branch grew into the Syria-focused group Jabhat al-Nusra, led by Abu Muhammad al-Julani, a Syrian ISI operative. There was immediate friction between the two groups, and al Nusra later rejected al-Baghdadi’s April 2013 statement that al Nusra was the Syrian arm of his group, which he accordingly re-named ISIS. The Nusra/ISIS split pushed the former closer to AQC and the latter further away, leading to al-Baghdadi’s complete rejection of Zawahiri’s leadership, which in any case by then was no more than nominal. Haji Bakr was killed in Syria earlier this year, hurting but not crippling the group’s efforts.\nISIS’s Offensive\nThe most significant among the extraordinary events of the last week was ISIS’ attack in Mosul. The operation was named by the group the operation of “Asadallah al-Bilawi, Abu Abdul Rahman” (Asadallah translates to the Lion of God) after ISIS’ nominal number two and military commander, Isma’il Najm al-Bilawi, aka Abu ‘Abdul Rahman al-Bilawi, from Khaldiyah in the Anbar governate. He, like al-Baghdadi, was from an influential clan among Iraq’s Sunni tribes. In what may have been a pivotal event for the timing of the Mosul attack, Abu ‘Abdul Rahman was killed on June 5 during a police operation in Samarra. It was al-Bilawi, a former Republican Guard Lieutenant Colonel in the Saddam-era military, who had led the planning for the offensive. Unconfirmed allegations suggested that ISIS quickly launched the attacks after al-Bilawi was killed and his driver captured, for fear the Iraqi government would learn the details of the operational plans.\nIt is significant to note that the Syrian civil war not only kept ISIS from collapsing but also propelled it well beyond the scope and influence of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. The near-term international response to the current ISIS crisis will be ineffective in the long-term if Syria continues to burn.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line870172"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7144396901130676,"wiki_prob":0.7144396901130676,"text":"Wealth platforms yet to crack mass market\nA flurry of takeover activity among the insurgents in the wealth platform space shows a market reaching maturity, the declining relevance of established players and the enormous unmet demand in the mass market advice.\nNov 2, 2021 – 2.30pm\nNetwealth’s $785 million takeover bid for Praemium and Hub24’s $386 million bid for Class shows a wealth platform market striving for economies of scale as it becomes harder to win market share.\nBut neither deal cuts to the heart of the financial advice problem facing Australians with less than $2 million to $3 million in superannuation assets.\nThis mass market, which Chanticleer defines as people or couples with more than $500,000 in superannuation assets, is crying out for a cost-effective technology solution.\nMatt Heine and his father Michael want to capture the benefits of scale. Tash Sorensen\nThese are younger Australians who don’t want an industry fund and are smart enough to run self-directed portfolios while avoiding the annual cost of paying financial advisers.\nIt is possible Netwealth and Hub24, which have spent the past 10 years disrupting the incumbents – Westpac/BT Financial Group, IOOF (now Insignia Financial), CBA/Colonial and AMP – will find a technology solution for this untapped market.\nBut it is also possible that they will be left behind by low-cost start-ups with superior technology that delivers self-directed investors a portal showing portfolio holdings as well as providing low cost, annual consolidated tax reporting.\nNetwealth and Hub24 realised faster than their bigger rivals that technology solutions suited to the post-Hayne royal commission were crucial to winning the support of financial advisers dumped by the major banks.\nCritical element\nThe critical element in this transition to a new advisory business model was the ability to offer non-custodial services instead of the rigid custodial solution offered by the incumbents.\nThe big established players were vulnerable to the insurgents because of the inflexibility of their product offerings and the conflicts of interests inherent in their business models.\nMatt Heine, joint managing director of Netwealth says technology was the key to winning the support of financial advisers.\n“For many years, the banks and the institutions controlled close to 80 per cent of the advice market and effectively had each of the major incumbent platforms supported by three, four, or maybe 5000 advisers, who were in many ways mandated to use the in-house products,” he says.\n“That was never a particularly good incentive for any of the incumbents to invest heavily into their technology or into their service. Whereas we’ve had to really work hard over the last 20 years to make sure that where advisers had choice, that they believed that we were the best platform to work with.”\nHe says the Hayne royal commission meant the contestable market share for new entrants went from about 30 per cent to 100 per cent.\nFund flow data for the 12 months to June show the disruptors continuing to win market share thanks to the choices made by advisers.\nNetwealth led the pack with net inflows of $9.8 billion, Hub24 $8.8 billion, Macquarie $6.6 billion, Praemium $2.6 billion and Wealth02 $600 million.\nThe incumbents all had negative flows but still dominate with market share as follows: IOOF 21.5 per cent, BT/Westpac 18.4 per cent, AMP 15.1 per cent and CBA/Colonial 14.8 per cent.\nA combined Netwealth and Praemium will have $94 billion in funds under advice or market share of about 7 per cent.\nMichael Heine, who is joint managing director of Netwealth, says the acquisition of Praemium will deliver economies of scale and accelerate its move into the non-custodial space.\nPraemium is regarded by many financial advisers as having the best technology in the non-custodial administration space, which is growing strongly because it consolidates and reports listed and non-listed assets.\nNetwealth’s scrip offer is at a 29 per cent premium to the price prevailing when the approach was made on October 29. It looks reasonable when compared with other recent all-scrip offers at an average premium of 26 per cent.\nBut it was immediately rejected by the Praemium board which said it undervalues the company and is not in the best interest of shareholders. That response is typical of the first counter-shot fired in a hostile takeover battle.\nHub24’s bid for Class was a knockout offer at a 52.8 per cent premium to the one-month volume-weighted average share price. The Class board unanimously recommended the offer.\nMichael Heine said Netwealth had previously looked at Class, but it did not fit into the company’s strategy.\nThe premium offered by Netwealth for Praemium’s enterprise value is 55 times the previous 12 months’ earnings, whereas Hub24 is offering 18.8 times the previous 12 months’ earnings for the Class enterprise value.\nTony Boyd is the Chanticleer columnist. He has more than 35 years' experience as a finance journalist. Connect with Tony on Twitter. Email Tony at tony.boyd@afr.com\nNetwealth Group Limited\nPraemium Limited\nHub24 Limited\nClass Limited\nLatest In Financial services\nMost Viewed In Chanticleer","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1756910"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7052729725837708,"wiki_prob":0.7052729725837708,"text":"Port Authority Ferry Terminal at the World Financial Center, New York, United States\nNew ferry terminal opens in Lower Manhattan\nAfter two decades of providing ferry service in Lower Manhattan via a temporary barge, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has opened a gleaming new $91 million ferry terminal at the World Financial Center. Unlike other terminals built along the Hudson River, this one is a floating structure, the largest of its kind in the U.S.\nResting on a 32,000 sq ft barge that was fabricated in Texas and held in place by two anchor towers, the new terminal accommodates up to six ferryboats and provides seating for 450 passengers , new concessions, and a large public terrace. The project's design sprung from two criteria; the need to preserve views of the Hudson River from the nearby residences and the decision to treat the terminal as an extension of the Battery Park City esplanade. The result is a highly transparent structure that blends seamlessly into its location. The terminal is wrapped with 13 ft high glass windscreens and capped with a sweeping tensile fabric roof that recalls canvas sails. The terminal's deck, which is paved with hexagonal stone pavers that match those used on the esplanade, is a new destination for enjoyment, offering passengers and visitors spectacular views of the river.\nDesigned by Donald Fram, AIA Chief Architect for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and his predecessor, Robert I. Davidson, the new terminal provides service to several points along New Jersey's waterfront as well as water taxi service in and around Manhattan.\nRaffles City, Hangzhou, China\nGautrain stations, Johannesburg, South Africa\nhe Nordic Green PLUS™\nLevel Green Exhibition, Wolfsburg, Germany\nMahaNakhon, Bangkok, Thailand\nCity of Dreams, Macau, China\nFun cinema,Jaipur, Jaipur, India\nCleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, United States\nJ. W. Marriott Hotel, Ankara, Turkey\nBAE Systems reception, Lancashire, United Kingdom\nMineta San Jose International Airport Terminal B C...\nHigh Holborn Scheme, London, United Kingdom\nTetris apartments\nLuxury Lounge Interior with Beautiful Lighting Ins...\nPort Authority Ferry Terminal at the World Financi...\nRe:Vision Dallas, Dallas, United States\nSpencer Dock Bridge, Dublin, United Kingdom\nSerpentine Pavilion 2009, London, United Kingdom\nSynergy, Brisbane, Australia\nHörsaalzentrum Auditorium complex, Aachen, Germany\nVidyalankar Reloaded, Mumbai, India\nCity of London Information Centre, London, United ...\nHelsinki Seafarers' Centre, Helsinki, Finland\nContemporary Art Museum at the Presidio, San Franc...\nHotel Quincy, Singapore, Singapore\nTransbay Transit Terminal, San Francisco, United S...\nFoshan Pearl Gymnasium, Foshan, China\nCrystal Clear, Oslo, Norway\nAA Summer Pavilion 'Driftwood', London, United Kin...\nHollenbeck Replacement Police Station, Los Angeles...\nAlice Tully Hall, New York, United States\nSingapore High Comission, New Delhi, India\nThe Bridge Homeless Assistance Center, Dallas, Uni...\nArchitecture of Discovery Green, Houston, United S...\nLong Beach City College Library, Long Beach, Unite...\nMata do Cabo Swimming Pool, St Joao da Pesqueira, ...\nRichmond Olympic Oval, Richmond, Canada\nSavannah House in the Rotterdam Zoo, Rotterdam, Ne...\nFire and Emergency Services Training Institute, To...\nMelbourne Convention Centre, Melbourne, Australia\nQatar Science and Technology Park, Doha, Qatar\nVirginia Beach Convention Center, Virginia Beach, ...\nMyrtus Convetion Center, Valencia, Spain\nVisitor Centre - Roman Theatre of Malaga, Malaga, ...\nSingapore Chancery, Manila, Philippines","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1090885"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7918824553489685,"wiki_prob":0.7918824553489685,"text":"Callista Gingrich officially begins term as U.S. envoy to the Vatican\nBy Hannah Brockhaus\n|Catholic News Agency\nCallista Gingrich presents her credentials to Pope Francis at the Apostolic Palace Dec. 22, 2017. (Credit: L’Osservatore Romano.)\nROME — Newly-appointed American Ambassador to the Holy See, Callista Gingrich, presented her letters of credential to Pope Francis in a meeting Friday morning, officially marking the beginning of her duties.\nU.S. President Donald Trump nominated Gingrich to serve as the 11th ambassador to the Vatican in May, and she was approved Oct. 16 by the U.S. Senate, in a vote 70-23.\nShe follows Kenneth F. Hackett, the former head of Catholic Relief Services, who served as U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See during Barack Obama’s second term as president.\nGingrich arrived in Rome with husband Newt Gingrich Nov. 6. Since arriving, she has participated in several events around Rome, including the North American College Thanksgiving dinner and a charity event hosted by St. Patrick’s American Community.\nCallista Gingrich is the president of both Gingrich Productions in Arlington, Va. and the charitable non-profit Gingrich Foundation, and is a former Congressional aide.\nShe is also a long-time member of the choir at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C.\nNewt and Callista married in 2000, after having a six-year affair while Newt was married to his previous wife. Newt converted to Catholicism in 2009 and explained, in an interview that year with Deal Hudson at InsideCatholic.com, how Callista’s witness as a Catholic brought him towards the faith.\nHe noted that he had attended Masses at the National Shrine where Callista sang in the choir, and she “created an environment where I could gradually think and evolve on the issue of faith.”\nAt the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast in 2011, he also cited Pope Benedict XVI’s 2008 visit to the U.S. as a “moment of confirmation” for him. At vespers with the Pope, where Callista sang in the Shrine choir, Newt recalled thinking that “here is where I belong.”\nThe couple worked on a documentary together that was released in 2010, “Nine Days That Changed the World,” that focused on Pope St. John Paul II’s 1979 pilgrimage to Poland when the former Soviet bloc country was under a communist government.\nThe documentary explained how the pope invigorated the faith of the Polish people in Jesus Christ during his pilgrimage there, and how the visit precipitated the fall of Communism.\nGingrich presented her credentials the day after she and her husband attended a funeral Mass for the late Cardinal Bernard Law of Boston in St. Peter’s Basilica, where Pope Francis pronounced a final prayer of commendation and valediction.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1525675"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5720498561859131,"wiki_prob":0.4279501438140869,"text":"LMU-CVM granted full accreditation\nPublished 2:52 pm Tuesday, January 15, 2019\n<p>Photos courtesy of Celia Anne Shoffner</p> <p>Faculty and staff at Lincoln Memorial University College of Veterinary Medicine celebrated Thursday following the news that the school was granted full accreditation from the American Veterinary Medical Association Council of Education.</p>\n<p>On Thursday, Lincoln Memorial University College of Veterinary Medicine received news of their full accreditation status from the American Veterinary Medical Association Council of Education.</p>\nFaculty and staff at Lincoln Memorial University College of Veterinary Medicine celebrated Jan. 10, following the news that the school was granted full accreditation from the American Veterinary Medical Association Council of Education.\nLMU-CVM was established as the 30th veterinary college in the United States and was initially granted provisional accreditation status four years ago.\n“We are proud to have earned full accreditation from the AVMA Council of Education,” said LMU-CVM Vice President and Dean Jason Johnson. “This achievement is a testament to the collaborative work of the students, faculty and staff, LMU administration and clinical partners in developing an innovative, high-quality, practical-based and student-centered program that graduates confident, career-ready veterinarians.”\nThe college recognizes that medical knowledge must also be developed in conjunction with clinical skills. Students get hands-on experience with animals beginning in their first semester that continues throughout the program.\nOne of the LMU-CVM innovations is the hybrid distributive learning model, which provides students with real world, hands-on experience at more than 240 veterinary practices around the country.\nStudents also have opportunities to collaborate on research projects and one-health initiatives through the Center for Animal and Human Health in Appalachia.\n“While this is an incredible milestone, we are not going to stop here,” Johnson said. “We will continue to develop innovative programs and partner with organizations around the world to give students the opportunity to be exposed to the most remarkable curated hands on learning experiences within the veterinary industry.”\nIn 2011, LMU announced that the university would be pursuing a College of Veterinary Medicine.\nIn 2014, the college welcomed the members of its inaugural class. In May 2018, LMU-CVM celebrated with its inaugural class at its commencement ceremony, and today LMU-CVM trained veterinarians are practicing in Appalachia and around the nation.\nOverall, 33 percent of the Class of 2018 are practicing in Tennessee, Kentucky or Virginia, and 34 percent of the graduates are practicing in large animal or mixed animal practices.\n“LMU-CVM is helping the university meet its mission of providing outstanding educational opportunities to Appalachian residents,” said LMU President Clayton Hess. “Furthermore, the college is providing service to humanity through the training of ethical veterinary doctors who will attend to the health and wellness needs of animals within rural communities, especially within the Appalachian region.”\nThe LMU-College of Veterinary Medicine is located on LMU’s main campus in Harrogate, with additional academic facilities in nearby Lee County, Virginia.\nUTC nurse anesthetist student’s scrub caps a hit","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line489146"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9637662172317505,"wiki_prob":0.9637662172317505,"text":"2012-13: The year in review\nApril 26, 2013 Nicholas Diamond News 0\nIT upgrades campus WiFi\n“We were hearing from students that they are bringing this equipment and want wireless, and we wanted to be able to do that,” Stephen said. “I’m really pleased that we have gotten it in place for this year.”\nCRE speaker presents\n“We want to build our own high school and build 50 more schools in all districts of Uganda,” Jackson said. “Ours is a holistic approach where these centers of excellency provide all five basic human rights.”\nPesticide use on campus\n“We learn and teach at Albion College with an obligation to take action on issues that concern us,” Dick said. “There is a disconnect with human vulnerability here. The college is not living up to its projected ideal of sustainability.”\nNew volleyball coach directs team\n“We are trying to figure out what it takes to be successful,” Slamer-De St. Aubin said. “Not just in terms of our record but playing consistently and incorporating what we learn in practice onto the court.”\nAlbion’s coming-out week\n“This weeks stands for Albion College trying to make a move in becoming accepting and inclusive to all students,” said Phil Carlisle, Indianapolis sophomore. “It means a lot that the administration, faculty and staff have been showing support.”\nAlbion local injured in train accident\n“I think that’s probably the most unlucky thing that could ever happen to you,” said Thor Person, Bloomfield Hills junior. “That’s such a shock. I think if anyone can make it out of this situation though, it would be him.”\nFormer Albion tennis coach passes away\n“[Frew] always took great pride in being a Brit,” said Marissa Cloutier, Grosse Ile junior. “He did everything he could to ensure that both the men’s and women’s teams were as competitive as possible.”\nDr. Andrew French runs for mayor\n“I am currently a member of the Albion city council and in the last two years of serving in that capacity I have noticed that our current mayor does not seem to have, in my mind, the best interests of the city at heart,” French said.\nPresident Obama re-elected\n“I feel like its actually a good thing for four more years only because all the off the stuff he’s tried to do has been future-oriented, and now he has four more years to put those polices into action,” said Caitlyn Allen, Gladwin sophomore and member of College Democrats.\nAlbion welcomes students from French sister city\n“All the Americans we met were very welcoming and nice,” said Clément Baillard, 17-year-old member of the Noisy basketball team. “We came to play basketball, and there was a real fair play with the Americans players.”\nProfessor’s documentary featured at film festivals\n“It is very much a meditation on what film can do and how films act upon audiences and vice versa,” Cocks said. “It’s a dialogue…the film [Room 237] is very much a love letter to cinema and to Kubrick’s cinema in particular because his cinema is so rich in ideas and rich in unique cinematic techniques.”\nAlbion, Bon Appétit announce Baldwin renovations\n“When students return from spring break, they will transition to upper Baldwin to use as their temporary dining hall,” Tekiele said. “The kitchen is still an operational until after graduation, so only the dining room is under construction.”\nNew gender-neutral housing options\n“It’s so easy for the voice of the minority to be lost, to be under-represented, to be silenced,” Carlisle said. “If a student feels uncomfortable – based upon their gender or sexuality – to live in a specific type of housing arrangement, changes need to be made.”\nSnyder appoints EFM to Detroit\n“These concepts are not rare or unusual concepts,” Orr stated. “They’ve happened in other circumstances. The city is cash-strapped. It’s a crisis. The crisis is severe. So I think you have to look at everything, even with the emotional overlay.”\nPresident Randall steps down, Frandsen replaces\n“I have a wonderfully supportive Board of Trustees and Board chair,” Randall said. “I am fortunate to have maintained such strong support from the Board over so many years. After I decided to step down in June, I was honored to be asked by the Board chair to stay on as chancellor for a year.”\nU of M reaches Final Four\n“We never had the mindset that we were going to lose the game,” Burke said. “When we were down 14, we knew anything could still happen. It’s March, anything can happen.”\nPolice issue causes Equestrian Center evacuation\n“No one in the area reported hearing any gun shots,” said Kenneth Snyder, director of campus safety. “When the police found the man he refused to let anyone get near him. This suggests the mental state this man was in.”\nCollege provides summer courses for first time\n“Online classes are a reality nationwide, and I think that if a college wants to progress, they should fall in line and at least have some offering that would benefit students,” Achenback said. “I think it’s a really good move for the college.”\nAlbion community talks Bohm renovations\n“People are seeing that Albion wants to improve,” Schultheiss said. “Grant providers notice that people want to make a difference in their community, even if it’s something like improving the sidewalks. We want to be a community that provides opportunities for everyone that lives here.”\nTimeflies performs at Dow for Big Show\n“[Cal] was really excited to do the freestyle, and I could tell it was his favorite part about the show,” Strite said. “While talking him through what the freestyle topics were about, he seemed to like getting to know Albion.”\nGraffiti covers campus after Greek Week ’13\n“In my opinion that act was ignorant,” Snyder said. “If it was one of our students, it was a waste of money, not to mention an embarrassment to the college. If it wasn’t one of our students, then I would want them to know that we’re going to try to catch them. If anybody knows anything, we’d love to hear from them.”\nPhoto by Nick Diamond\nAbout Nicholas Diamond 50 Articles\nNick is a junior from Rochester, Mich., majoring in French and minoring in cell and molecular biology. He has interests in serving Doctors Without Borders and in writing medical journalism. Follow him on Twitter @docteur_diamond.\nBriton football casts wide net to court recruits\nRed Wings fight to keep playoff streak alive","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line969000"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7996081709861755,"wiki_prob":0.7996081709861755,"text":"Postcards from the Archives\nWomen's Literary Culture Before the Conquest\nScorched, Preserved, Erased: Manuscripts Connected to Christina of Markate and her Priory\n© British Library Board. London, British Library, MS Cotton Tiberius E.I, volume 2, fol. 167v.\nby Diane Watt\nOne of the challenges of the project ‘Women’s Literary Culture Before the Conquest’ is that many manuscripts related to early medieval women are scattered across Britain and Europe, and some are found even further afield. Books that once were owned by a single individual, a family, or a community, if they have survived at all, are often widely dispersed, and their present condition varies greatly. This is the case also with works from the eleventh and twelfth centuries, the very end of the period that I am studying. A case in point is that of the manuscripts associated with the twelfth-century holy woman and prioress, Christina of Markyate (c.1096-after 1155).\nTwo major works are associated with Christina and her community at Markyate, which was a dependant priory of Abbey of St Albans, an important centre of manuscript production. The first is The Life of Christina of Markyate. This text was written, probably in the 1130s or 1140s, by an anonymous monk of St Albans whom Katie Bugyis has recently identified as Robert de Gorron, and who was to become abbot of St Albans from 1151 until his death in 1166 (‘The Author of the Life of Christina of Markyate’). Robert was the nephew of Geoffrey de Gorran, abbot of St Albans from 1119 to 1146, Christina’s chief supporter and patron. Geoffrey almost certainly commissioned the writing of The Life.\nThe Life in its most complete form is attested to in only one manuscript, London, British Library, MS Cotton Tiberius E.I, volume 2, fols. 145r–167v. The Tiberius manuscript, which is of English provenance, dates to the second half of the fourteenth century, and was once owned by Thomas de la Mare, abbot of St Albans from 1349 until 1396. Within the manuscript, The Life appears at the very end of the Sanctilogium Anglie, a fourteenth- century encyclopaedic collection of Latin hagiographies of British saints from before and after the Conquest compiled by the chronicler John of Tynemouth who may also have been a monk of St Albans. The Life is the last item in the manuscript, and it begins on a new folio and was copied by a different scribe.\nThe Sanctilogium Anglie was to prove a popular text. It was, for example, adapted to become the De sanctis Anglie and the Nova Legenda Anglie (the latter was misattributed to John Capgrave, and subsequently printed by Richard Pynson in the early sixteenth-century), but these later versions did not include the additional Life of Christina of Markyate.\nThe Tiberius manuscript, containing as it did the only surviving copy of Christina’s Life, was very nearly destroyed by the fire that devastated the Cotton collection in the eighteenth century. As is apparent from the image at the beginning of this post, the parchment is badly charred and the manuscript is clearly missing its final leaf. Nevertheless the full extent of the damage is unclear. Approximately eight pieces of parchment that are believed to have belonged to the manuscript were salvaged and are now preserved within one of the boxes catalogued as Cotton Fragments XXXII. These fragments are so fragile that viewing is prohibited.\n© British Library Board. MS Cotton Fragments XXXII. Tiberius E.I Fragments.\nYet while The Life of Christina of Markyate is missing its ending, other evidence indicates that this cannot be attributed to fire damage alone. A century before the Cotton fire, the antiquarian Nicholas Roscarrock (c. 1548–1633) consulted the text in the Tiberius manuscript and produced a summarized account of the Life in his monumental (and paradoxically titled) ‘Briefe Regester or Alphabeticall Catalogue of such Saincts and sainte like persons as have graced our Island of Great Brittaine, Ireland and other British Iselands’ (c.1644): Cambridge, Cambridge University Library, MS Add. 3041, fols. 3r-402v (at fols. 123v-125r). A comparison between Roscarrock’s synopsis of Christina’s Life and the version in the Tiberius manuscript reveals that the manuscript was already incomplete at the time Roscarrock viewed it and that only a small amount of text was subsequently lost (see Nova Legenda Anglie, ed. Horstman, vol. 2, 532-537).\nExtracts of the Life of Christina of Markyate also appear in another St Albans’ manuscript, London, British Library, MS Cotton Claudius E.IV, which dates to the late fourteenth or early fifteenth centuries. Like Cotton Tiberius E.I, Cotton Claudius E.IV is now bound in two volumes. The extracts of Christina’s Life are part of a continuation of Matthew Paris’s mid-thirteenth century Gesta abbatum monasterii Sancti Albani written by Thomas Walsingham in the late fourteenth century which is found in volumes 1-2, fols. 97v–321r. The extracts themselves appear in volume 1, fols.111v-113r. These sections differ slightly but significantly from the surviving Life and therefore attest to the existence of another copy of the Life, which has subsequently disappeared (Gesta abbatum, Vol. 1, ed. Riley, 98-105). They also refer directly to a copy (possibly their immediate source) held at Markyate Priory, where Christina was founding prioress (Gesta abbatum, Vol.1, ed. Riley, 104-105).\nFrom this, we can deduce that at least two different versions of the Life were in circulation in the later Middle Ages and that, although the Life was a product of St Albans Abbey, at least one manuscript, as one would expect, was at some point located in Christina’s own community at Markyate.\nThe second work closely connected to Christina is the St Albans Psalter: Hildesheim, Dombibliothek, MS St Godehard 1. Unlike the Tiberius manuscript, this beautiful codex is very well preserved. The Psalter was produced in the twelfth century, so is roughly contemporaneous with the writing of Christina’s Life, but, as I have discussed more fully in an earlier post on this blog, art historians and critics continue to disagree about fundamental issues such as its exact date (usually located sometime between the 1120s and the 1150s), whether it was intended for personal or communal use, whether it was planned as a single codex or is a composite manuscript, and whether it was even produced at St Albans Abbey.\nEven if we choose not to accept the argument (compelling though it is) that the Psalter was commissioned by Geoffrey de Gorran for Christina’s own use, it was clearly adapted for the Markyate community at some point. For example, it includes a Calendar that makes reference to the dedication of Markyate Priory in 1145, and notes the deaths of Christina and members of her family, and of both Geoffrey de Gorran and the hermit Roger with whom Christina had shared a cell before her profession as a nun. Bugyis identifies the scribe of the obits of Geoffrey, Christina and her family members as Robert de Gorran, the same monk who she believes wrote Christina’s Life (Bugyis, ‘Author’, 728-737).\nSt Albans Psalter Calendar, July, which includes Christina of Markyate’s obit. Hildesheim, Dombibliothek, MS St Godehard 1, p.9. Public Domain. Accessed 20 June 2018 from flickr\nIn addition, the St Albans Psalter calendar includes within it the feasts of three Anglo-Saxon women saints: Hild of Whitby (c. 614–680), Æthelthryth of Ely (d.679), and Frithuswith (Frideswide) of Oxford (c.680-727). These names are also written in the hand that Bugyis attributes to Robert de Gorran and are therefore part of the same supplementary scheme (Bugyis, ‘Author’, 728-737.) All three women were early founding abbesses and mothers of the English church, and, like Christina herself, two of them, Æthelthryth and Frithuswith struggled against the social and familial expectation that they should become wives. It is perfectly plausible that Christina and her community understood her life story in terms of this insular tradition of married women saints who sought to remain virgins and that is why their feasts were included on the Calendar for the use of the Markyate community.\nTantalizingly, the inclusion of these feast days in the St Albans Psalter Calendar also provides a further loose connection to the Tiberius manuscript. Latin hagiographies of a number of saintly women appear in the Sanctilogium Anglie, including, alongside an extensive list of other insular saints, male and female, Æthelthryth (volume 1, fols. 19r–20v), Frithuswith (volume 1, fols. 85v–87r), and Hild (volume 1, fols. 113v–115r), as well as that other important early English abbess, Æthelburh of Barking (d.686) (volume 1, fols. 79v–81r). Again, it would seem that Christina was viewed as part of a longer British tradition of sanctity. Likewise, the summary of Christina’s Life that Roscarrock includes within his collection locates it within a firmly insular tradition that harks back to the earliest history of the church and its founding mothers as well as fathers.\nWhile scholarship on Christina and her books tends to focus on her Life and the St Albans Psalter, another psalter is also associated with Christina and her nuns. The St Albans Psalter provided the base text for a translation of the psalms from Latin into French prose that is found in the twelfth-century Oxford Psalter: Oxford, Bodleian Library, MS Douce 320, fols. 37r-75v. In comparison to the St Albans Psalter, Douce 320 is only sparsely decorated. Ian Short, in the introduction to his recent edition of the Oxford Psalter (9-10), makes the case that Douce 320 was produced at St Albans specifically for the Markyate Priory around 1145, in other words at the time of its foundation. As Short points out, Douce 320 was copied by the same scribe responsible for many St Albans productions in this period, including Markyate Priory’s foundation charter. Taken together the two psalters reflect the multilingualism (Latin, English, and French) of the Markyate nuns and of women religious of the period more generally.\nYet another mid twelfth century psalter produced at St Albans, St Petersburg, National Library of Russia [formerly Leningrad, State Public Library] MS Q.v.I, 62, includes a Calendar with an entry for the saints Christina and Alexis. While I haven’t yet had the opportunity to view this manuscript either directly or in digital form, Rodney M. Thomson observes that within this entry the name Christina is partially erased (Manuscripts of St Albans Abbey, vol. 1, 37). This psalter does not have any direct links to Markyate itself and by the end of the twelfth century it had passed from St Albans into the possession of Wherwell Priory, a house of Benedictine nuns in Hampshire. Yet, as Rachel M. Koopmans points out in her essay, ‘The Conclusion to Christina of Markyate’s Vita’, while the Christina named in the Calendar could well be the more famous legendary virgin martyr of Tyre because connections do exist between the lives of St Alexis and Christina of Markyate it is perfectly plausibe that it is she who is referenced here (664-5), and that this entry provides additional evidence not only of an early cult of Christina, but also (with the erasure of Christina’s name) of its suppression.\nThe Life of Christina of Markyate and the St Albans Psalter together provide a particularly appropriate end point for my project, chronologically speaking, precisely because they connect back to earlier lives of saintly women, including the early Anglo-Saxon abbesses. But, looked at in the context of other manuscripts and texts, such as Roscarrock’s summary life, the extracts in the Gesta abbatum monasterii Sancti Albani, the Oxford Psalter, and the St Peterburg Calendar, they are also important because of what they reveal about, first, the uncertainties that continue to cloud our understanding of textual production and women’s book ownership in twelfth century, and, second, the scattered and fragile nature of much of the surviving evidence of women’s engagement with literary culture throughout the Middle Ages.\nDiane Watt\nChristina of Maryate, Cotton Fragments XXXII, Dombibliothek MS St Godehard 1, Geoffrey of St Albans, Ian Short, Katie Bugyis, manuscripts, Markyate Priory, Medieval Women, medieval women readers, Medieval Women's Writing, MS Add.3041, MS Cotton Claudius E.IV, MS Cotton Tiberius E.I, MS Douce 320, MS Q.v.I 62, Nicholas Roscarrock, Rachel Koopmans, Rodney Thomson, St Albans, St Albans Psalter, The Life of Christina of Markyate, The Oxford Psalter, Thomas Walsingham, women's book ownership, Women's Literary Culture, women's literary history\nForthcoming Event: ‘Anglo-Saxon Studies at IMC #25’, International Medieval Congress, University of Leeds, Monday 2 July,19.00-20.00.\nAnglo-Saxon Studies at IMC#25: Looking Back, Looking Forward (#s401)","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1593256"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6538534760475159,"wiki_prob":0.34614652395248413,"text":"We Have Choice: The Case for Organic Cotton\nAt Resthouse Sleep Solutions we made a decision from the very start to source and sell only organic cotton products. We understood it was important to our clients, ourselves and to the environment. To go one step further, we sought out manufacturers that utilized the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certification (http://www.global-standard.org), which represents the most rigorous organic standards worldwide.\nCotton, when organically produced is a natural, renewable and biodegradable fibre where the certification standards benefit cotton producers and farms in developing countries by eliminating the use of harmful toxic pesticides and insecticides. It also reduces the cost of production, which in turn improves social conditions for those farmers producing the crop.\nA Healthy Bedroom….\nWhen we think about organic products, it is no longer just about the food we consume. This consideration also includes the clothes we wear, the sheets and pillowcases on our beds, and the mattresses on which we sleep. Every fabric that we sell at Resthouse is made with 100% organic GOTS certified cotton, including mattresses, pillows and bedding. Soft, luxurious and made ethically and organically.\nNon-Organic Conventional Cotton Facts: Did you know…\nAccording to the Organic Trade Association, conventionally grown cotton is the fourth most heavily sprayed crop in the world.\nAgriculture is the largest source of pollution in most countries. 2.4% of the world’s crop land is planted with cotton and yet it accounts for 24% and 11% of the global sales of insecticide and pesticides respectively. Unsafe use of agricultural chemicals has severe health impacts on workers in the fields and on ecosystems that receive the run-off from cotton farms.\nThe use of genetically-modified (GM) cotton varieties has increased considerably in recent years, reaching 20% (67.7 million ha) of the global crop area in 2002. Several of the major cotton-producing countries cultivate a significant percentage of their cotton fields with GM varieties that are resistant to some insects, pests and are tolerant of certain herbicides.\nThe Impact on Water\nIt can take more than 20,000 litres of water to produce 1kg of cotton; equivalent to a single T-shirt or pair of jeans. 73% of global cotton harvest comes from irrigated land (as documented in the WWF report The Impact of Cotton on Freshwater Resources and Ecosystems) depleting valuable water sources in regions where water is scarce.\nRiver Basin Impacts\nUnsustainable cotton farming, with massive outputs of water and pesticides, have already been responsible for the destruction of large-scale ecosystems such as the Aral Sea in central Asia, and the deteriorating health and livelihoods of people living there.\nIt seems clear that the alternative to conventional cotton production needs to be supported and sounded out. We at Resthouse are proud to be a part of a growing movement making organic options available.\nWhy organic cotton is a better choice:\nNo chemical pesticides or fertilizers\nNo genetically-modified crops\nReduced environmental impact\nBetter health for the cotton farmers and consumer","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1031029"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6861724257469177,"wiki_prob":0.3138275742530823,"text":"Is C3.ai Tom Siebel’s Biggest Idea Yet?\nBy Peter High, Forbes contributor\nTom Siebel’s reputation in business has been cemented as a pioneer in relational databases and as a godfather of customer relationship management. The latter came to fruition through his eponymously named Siebel Systems, which he founded in 1993 and sold to Oracle in 2006 for $5.8 billion.\nIn 2009, Siebel founded the enterprise artificial intelligence platform company C3.ai, which provides applications for multiple commercial uses, including energy management, predictive maintenance, fraud detection, anti-money laundering, inventory optimization, and predictive CRM.\nThis year, Siebel wrote a book, his fourth, entitled Digital Transformation: Survive and Thrive in an Era of Mass Extinction. The book describes the interplay between four modern information technology trends—elastic cloud computing, big data, artificial intelligence, and the internet of things, which is impacting business, government, and society. Siebel believes that the century ahead will be one of “corporate mass extinction,” noting that 52 percent of the Fortune 500 have fallen off the list since 2000. He also discusses how new companies like Amazon, Airbnb, Uber, Tesla, and others have scaled, gobbling up market share from traditional players in the process.\n(To listen to an unabridged podcast version of this interview, please click this link. This is the 38th interview in the Tech Influencers series.)\nPeter High: People know you as a multi-time entrepreneur and innovator, and they know your former company Siebel Systems, which was acquired by Oracle. For those who may be less familiar with you are doing now, could you describe C3’s business?\nTom Siebel: For the past 10 years, I have been involved in founding and building a company called C3.ai, and I am the Chief Executive Officer. We have spent a decade and roughly half a billion dollars building a software suite that we typically market to large multinational organizations. This suite allows them to design, develop, provision, or operate enterprise and industrial-scale artificial intelligence [AI] and Internet of Things [IoT] applications. These customers include Royal Dutch Shell, Cat, 3M, and the United States Air Force, and they are making massive-scale industrial AI implementations.\nHigh: Could you talk about the methods these companies are using and what others similar to them need to be using to fully capture the opportunity you are describing? Surely, there is some transformation from a people, practice, process, and technology perspective that organizations of a certain age and scale need to go through to ensure that they are ready for this sort of transformation. Can you describe that?\nSiebel: As we power into the 21st century, there are four step-changes in information technology that consists of the convergence of four information technology vectors that change everything about computing. These include elastic cloud computing, big data, IoT, and AI. At the convergence of these technologies, we find this phenomenon that we call big data. There is a massive global push at the boardroom and at the level of the CEO to digitally transform their companies to leverage these technologies. By doing this, they are looking to change the way they manufacture products, the way they develop services, the way they deliver products and services, and how they run their companies. They are doing this so they can be competitive in the 21st century.\nHigh: In your book, Digital Transformation: Survive and Thrive in an Era of Mass Extinction, you warn large organizations not to suffer the same fate as digital immigrant organizations such as Kodak, Toys R Us, Westinghouse, Blockbuster, and Circuit City. 52 percent of Fortune 500 companies have disappeared in the last 18 years, and data seems to suggest that if anything, the cycle time through the Fortune500 is going to become more rapid. Could you share some lessons from your study of those that successfully transform versus those that have not done so?\nSiebel: While I believe some are successfully transforming, I do not believe any digital immigrant organizations have fully transformed. The only ones who have done so are digital natives, such as Tesla, Amazon, and Airbnb. These companies are all about leveraging these technology vectors to change the way business is conducted in travel, transportation, financial services, retail, or whichever industry the company may be in. With the previous trends we have seen, such as the transition from mainframe computing to mini computing to personal computing to internetwork computing, companies that did not adopt these technologies were left at a significant competitive disadvantage. This seems to be a little more significant than the other step functions in technology that we have seen. There is now an existential risk, and we are seeing an acceleration where companies are simply disappearing. As you mentioned, this includes Westinghouse, Kodak, Toys R Us, and Sears Roebuck. In their place, we have these companies with what we call new DNA, and we read about these companies in financial publications all the time.\nThese organizations are adopting technologies to dominate whichever industry they operate in. There is a sense that these smaller startups from Silicon Valley, New York, or in Washington D.C. somehow have an advantage in this new generation of 21st-century technology, but I do not think that is true. I believe the big guys, such as JPMorgan Chase, Boeing, and Walmart, have the advantage. These companies have massive amounts of data, and data is the fuel of AI. They have the advantage in this new market to adopt technologies that are coming out of Silicon Valley and other places to use AI to gain a strategic competitive advantage. The leading companies such as Bank of America, 3M, Baker Hughes, and Shell are dramatically accelerating their initiatives to digitally transform their companies from the ground up. I believe they are going to be hyper-competitive in the new markets. However, companies that do not adopt these new technologies will cease to be competitive, and they will be acquired.\nHigh: Given that they are not mutually exclusive, what do you think about the balance between internal capability development and the development of an ecosystem?\nSiebel: In the last 40 years, we have seen that the decision has always been build versus buy. As you might recall, I was one of the early executives at Oracle Corporation when we released relational database technology to the market. As we talked to customers around the world in the early days of the relational database market, the decision was not about buying from Oracle or one of Oracle’s competitors. Instead, the decision was whether to buy from a professional software company or to build relational database systems internally. IT organizations would frequently attempt to build relational database systems themselves, and to my knowledge, nobody succeeded at that. Two or three years later, the CIO would be fired, and then Oracle, IBM, or somebody else would sell them relational database systems. Further, almost everybody tried to build CRM systems themselves. Even technically competent companies such as IBM, which tried three times, HP, and Microsoft tried and ultimately failed, and they would buy from Siebel Systems.\nAs we see this new generation of AI technologies, it is not unusual for the CIO to elect to build the technology. GE Digital spent almost a decade and $7 billion trying to build this by assembling various componentry from Apache and Spark. Similar to the relational database systems and ERP systems, companies tend to fail at building AI technologies internally. AI and IoT applications are substantially more complex than either relational databases or enterprise application software. IT organizations simply do not have the skills to succeed at this. Some companies consider building it themselves, they invariably will fail, and they will purchase these technologies from trusted partners that are professional application software developers.\nHigh: What inning of the game do you believe we are in from an AI perspective, and how is that likely to develop going forward?\nSiebel: Julius Caesar considered Gaul as being divided into three parts, and I believe AI is divided into three parts.\nArtificial general intelligence, which includes projects such as Google DeepMind. Here, the attempt is to build computers that have equal or greater intelligence as human beings. This gets to the malicious killer robots and the refrigerator that takes over your household theory, but I do not believe we need to worry about that in our lifetimes;\nSocial media systems. Here, social media vendors are using AI extremely effectively to manipulate people at the level of the limbic brain. I believe this is malevolent, and what we are seeing in social media is concerning. People are acting as servers to the computer instead of the opposite;\nThe application of AI to commercial, industrial, and government systems, which is where we play at C3.ai. This is building prediction to identify fraud, efficiency to the supply chain, and predictive maintenance for devices in the digital oilfields, the smart grid, the manufacturing industry, agricultural equipment, and precision health. This is about using AI to lower the cost of production and to deliver products and services with greater safety, with greater cybersecurity, and with lower environmental impact. The global information technology market in 2019 is about $3.5 trillion, and it will likely be $8.5 trillion in five years. Most of that growth is because of AI. What we see develop in the next 20 years is going to be unimaginable and fantastic, and it will make a truly significant social and economic impact.\nHigh: You have referred to there being a war with China based on artificial intelligence, and you have referenced how Vladimir Putin said the country that wins in AI will ultimately win in the world. As a citizen of the U.S., what do you think about this? How optimistic are you about the state’s ability to lead and the extent to which it is appropriate language?\nSiebel: This is a crucial topic. As you mentioned, in 2017, Vladimir Putin said, “Whoever wins the war in AI will be the ruler of the world.” I believe that is true, but I do not believe Russia will win. It is either going to be China or the U.S. I believe we are currently in a state of non-kinetic warfare with China. It is well-documented how great Russia and China are at infiltrating our power grid infrastructure, infiltrating our financial system infrastructure, and implanting viruses, bots, and malware so they can remotely turn off the grid. There are well-documented incidents where the Chinese have penetrated, say, the United States Office of Personnel Management and stolen the personnel records of up to 21 million people. This includes anyone who has ever applied for or been granted a security clearance. If this is not war, what is it?\nIf you read the 13th five-year plan, it is extremely clear what they are doing. They are investing tens of billions of dollars a year in AI to win this battle and to dominate the use of AI for the purposes of defense and conducting warfare. In many ways, this is a test of two fundamentally opposed political philosophies. In the case of China, there is a totalitarian state with a top-down command and control economy where the NRDC writes the 13th five-year plan, invests billions of dollars, and mandates that this happens. They are extremely bright, competent, and educated, and they are hard at work. In the United States, we have a much messier process with a free-market economy and a capitalist system. Innovation does not take place from a top-down command and control government-mandated system, but in garages in Palo Alto and storefronts in theNew York. I do not know which system is going to win, but this is going to be the ultimate test of these political philosophies. This is not a war we want to lose, the stakes could not be higher, and it is game on.\nHigh: What role do you see the government playing in all this versus private industries, and how do you see the balance between the two?\nSiebel: The people who work in the Pentagon are exceptionally bright and well educated. These scholar statesman warriors are not asleep at the switch, and they are adopting AI in many ways to prove the efficiency of the Department of Defense. As it relates to AI, the U.S. is going to advance through a free market economy, entrepreneurship, and through the creativity of individuals who are unbridled by the constraints of the stage. This system has always worked out for us in the past, and hopefully, it will continue to. If it does not, we are going to have a problem.\nHigh: You cemented your legacy in business through Siebel Systems, yet you got back into entrepreneurship through C3.ai. As somebody who has been such a successful entrepreneur multiple times over, what keeps you hungry?\nSiebel: In my career, I have been highly fortunate to be in the right place at the right time on multiple occasions. The first time was when I entered the relational database industry when it was in its infancy. Later, we founded Siebel Systems, where we invented what is known as CRM products in the CRM market. Today, that is a $100 billion industry annually, so those events turned out to be fortuitous. The change we are looking at today is an order of magnitude more significant than what happened in the relational database or the enterprise application software market. This will be a quarter of a trillion-dollar software market in 2023. It changes AI, and it changes everything regarding how we think about computing, managing businesses, motivating people, and serving customers.\nI do this because it is my idea of a good time. I enjoy being involved in the formation of markets, and I enjoy doing my best to attract highly motivated, well educated, and high energy professionals. I have had the opportunity to play a role in the creation of the relational database market and the enterprise application software market, and we are now playing a leadership role in the development of applying AI to commercial, industrial, and government processes globally. Doing this is exceptionally hard, and every project we are working on has a problem that has never been solved before. However, the social and economic benefit of what we do is staggering.\nRead the full interview here.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1912181"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7374902367591858,"wiki_prob":0.2625097632408142,"text":"A Case Study for Cloud Computing: Minnesota v. Accretive Health Inc.\nNot long ago, it would have been absurd to imagine an employee of a large company leaving confidential health care records of 25,000 people in his rental car (at risk of being lost or stolen). But that is what happened in July of 2011 in Minneapolis’ Seven Corners neighborhood to Accretive Health, Inc. and the fallout for that company has not been pretty.\nIt appears that the rental car, unencrypted lap top included, was stolen and, as a result, (1) confidential health care records of nearly 25,000 people were vulnerable to access by whomever got the laptop (and still are? into perpetuity?), and (2) although there have actually been no reports of any unauthorized use or access to the data, the incident got the attention of Lori Swanson, Minnesota’s Attorney General because regulatory rules required the victimized company to report the data breach.\nSo, though the car thief appears not to have bothered with the laptop, the Minnesota AG’s office had a peak at the data and the AG was not at all pleased with what she saw. The AG was understandably displeased that unencrypted health care records were lost but also, from the data on the laptop, the Minnesota AG learned about and did not like how Accretive goes about its business of getting money from consumers of medical care for their consumption of medical care. (Debt collection, ML readers know, is a tough gig (FDCPA debt or not.))\nIf the Accretive system had been cloud-based — i.e., if the company had had a system where individual laptops functioned as portals to data stored elsewhere — the employee would have called in the loss of the lap top, it would have been “locked out” and “remotely wiped.” Maybe that would have been “end of story.” The unencrypted data itself was lost on the lap-top, however, and a very different scenario has been playing out.\nThe irony, of course, is that “the bad guys” who stole the lap-top and the data appear to have inflicted very little harm or damage on Accretive Health or literally no harm or damage on anyone else (which is part of the basis for Accretive’s recently filed motion to dismiss the AG’s complaint).\nIf health care company executives ever crunched and analyzed the cost, the risks, and the benefits of on-line cloud-computing solutions versus “local data storage,” one has to wonder if they might have neglected to include a cell in the spread-sheet for “Aggressive Regulator Exploits Company’s Data Breach Report To Access Business Model and Attempt to Eviscerate Company.”\nThis could be the kind of “black swan” or “unknown unknown” that can undermine even the most thorough and careful planning and risk management.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line754971"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7884143590927124,"wiki_prob":0.7884143590927124,"text":"Locals celebrate Veterans Day with events\nBy Sarrah Peters, News Editor\nOn November 10, Modern Woodmen held its annual Veterans Day Event at the Hokes Bluff Community Center.\nThe Etowah County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard kicked off the event with the presentation of the flag, followed by Erin Morgan leading the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance. Kim Johnson performed the “Star Spangled Banner” with music by the Hokes Bluff Eagle Marching Band.\nHoke Bluff Mayor Scott Reeves welcomed everyone to the event.\nPastor Scott Hassell of First Baptist Church of Southside gave an opening prayer. Then, the Hokes Bluff Eagle Marching Band played several patriotic songs.\nThe event’s guest speaker was Rainbow City Police Chief Jonathon Horton, who served in the U.S. Navy. During his service, he was awarded three Army Achievement Medals and a Governor’s Commendation. Horton began with a brief history of Veterans Day, which began after World War I in 1938 as Armistice Day. In 1954, U.S. Congress changed the name of the day from Armistice to Veterans Day, as there had been a couple wars since the original day was instated.\n“From that day since, it’s been a day to celebrate and honor all Americans that have took that oath and wore the uniforms of each of our branches of the armed services,” said Horton. “This day above all is to celebrate our freedom, and those that stood behind it.”\nHorton continued by thanking not only those who have served in the military, but also those who are currently serving and the families of service men and women.\nHorton went on to talk about his biggest hero: his grandfather Troy L. Horton. Troy joined the U.S. Army Reserves and was activated to serve in the Korean War. He served two tours in Korea and two tours in the Vietnam War, winning many awards including three Bonze Stars and one Purple Heart. Horton said that his grandfather inspired him to join the U.S. Navy after high school. Horton also served in the Alabama National Guard.\n“He left with me something I carry every day,” said Horton. “It’s a little Bible that he was given. This Bible is nearly 60 years old. In 1949 this was issued to the armed services to every and each soldier. He carried this in his right pocket of his uniform, and he claims this is what kept him safe in two tours of Korea and through two tours of Vietnam. And I believe that to be so today.”\nHorton went on to thank first responders. In closing, Horton told the crowd to “thank every veteran.”\nModern Woodmen representative Morgan Lavender then presented two Hometown Hero Awards. Award winners received $100 to donate to the charity of their choice.\nThe first winner was James Hanks, a 1960 Hokes Bluff High School graduate. He attended JSU and was a member of the school’s ROTC. Hanks served in Vietnam from 1966 to 1967. During his service, he received many awards including a Purple Heart. After serving, Hanks received his doctorate and taught at both JSU and Gadsden State.\nThe second award winner was John Ed Godfrey. Godfrey served in the U.S. Army from 1953 to 1955. He worked at Republic Steel for 30 years and retired in 1985. He is active with many local community organizations, including the Hokes Bluff Quarterback Athletic Club, the Hokes Bluff Girl Scouts and Modern Woodmen service projects. He also lends his building and plumbing skills to the elderly and those in need.\nMelvin Slocum was announced as a third recipient of the Hometown Hero award but was unable to attend the event.\nReeves gave closing remarks.\n“We appreciate what Modern Woodmen and [Hokes Bluff] Seniors and Friends does for our community,” said Reeves. “And again, veterans, I know it don’t seem like much just to tell you thank you, but we do thank you.”\nHassell led the crowd in a closing prayer.\nAfter the event, attendees were invited into the Hokes Bluff Community Center for a candle lighting ceremony, slideshow and food.\nLater that same day,p Regency Pointe, a Rainbow City senior living community, held a Veterans Day program. Robert Gibson led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by Brenda Harvey with an invocation. Regency Pointe musicians played several patriotic songs.\nColonel Carl Sutherland gave the keynote address. Sutherland served in the U.S. Army for 25 years, where he earned the Legion of Merit, two Bronze Stars, four Meritorious Service Medals, the Air Medal, two Army Commendation Medals and the Army Achievement Medal.\nSutherland began the keynote speech by stating that Regency Pointe is “a community of American patriots” who know that “freedom is not free.” He went on to say that Americans have an “obligation to honor the service of those who have worn our country’s uniform,” because it is “the sacrifice of our armed forces and their families that have paid the price for safeguarding our liberty and protecting our national security.” Sutherland went on to thank the soldiers that are currently serving.\n“If you want to show your gratitude for this land of the free and home of brave, then thank a veteran,” said Sutherland.\nAfter Sutherland’s speech, Regency Pointe recognized the veterans in the audience. Bill Fulford gave the benediction.\nAfter the program, attendees went upstairs to Regency Pointe’s multi-purpose room to view an exhibit put together through resident veterans displaying memorabilia collected during their service. Old newspapers, photographs, medals, flags, money from foreign countries, letters, foreign stamps, clothing, tools, a quilt and even fragments from bombed out buildings that were used to construct runways were displayed. While upstairs, attendees also enjoyed refreshments.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1802231"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5261866450309753,"wiki_prob":0.47381335496902466,"text":"New tools to facilitate training of mediators\nThe EU project IncludeMe has developed materials to train mediators for European countries. At the end of the project in October, the team was able to present a MOOC, a Good Practice Guide and an Innovative Course for Trainers.\nA mediator is a person who has been trained to provide support on issues such as immigration law, family reunification, government services and labour market integration. Mediators are already used in several places across Europe and have proven to be a successful way of working with new arrivals. You can find mediators in, for example, educational organisations and the municipal sector, but also in the voluntary sector. The aim of the IncludeME project has been to strengthen and train skills related to mediation, communication, conflict resolution and conflict management.\nIntercultural mediation can be seen as a key strategy for social inclusion and cohesion. Mediation helps to support conflict prevention, increase mutual understanding between parties with different cultural backgrounds and beliefs. It also supports knowledge of rights and access to community services. A guiding principle of the project has been the objectives set by the EU in the Europe 2020 strategy, which states that a higher level of social inclusion is more important than ever to combat tensions in society. To this end, the project team has developed a guide to good practice. As a basis for the guide, the project team analysed various institutional and individual initiatives, different projects and European programmes and, based on these insights, identified difficulties and problems that mediators may encounter. On this basis, it has developed action strategies for different dimensions, ranging from classical and formal mediation to social intervention, including social awareness.\nThe Good Practice Guide provides examples of how mediation can serve as a tool for conflict resolution in social conflicts and highlights how to promote the social integration of migrants and refugees. It further introduces and identifies both formal and non-formal mediation activities as a tool for mutual knowledge, social cohesion and peaceful approaches to conflict resolution.\nThe Good Practice Guide shows how the role of mediator can more effectively influence and use the capacity of intercultural mediation methods to contribute to social change and social justice.\nBy training immigrants, refugees and people in the social sector in mediation, the project can contribute to a change in the social dynamics of society.\nThe poject ”IncludeMe: Inclusion through mediation” is co-funded by the Erasmus+ of the European Union. It has been led by Åbo Akademi University in Finland and project partners are: European Universities Continuing Education Network in Belgium, European E-learning Institute in Denmark, Momentum Marketing Services Limited in Irland, Tuzla Kaymakamlığı in Turkiet and Fundacio Solidaritat UB in Spanien.\ncatherine@euei.dk2023-01-08T09:55:41+00:00Latest News|","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line133350"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9908080101013184,"wiki_prob":0.9908080101013184,"text":"New domed Diet building proposed\nA dome-shaped parliament building is proposed by a government panel on relocating Japan's capital. A pamphlet released Jan. 20 by the panel shows a drawing of the Diet building and lower-level buildings in a rural environment. ==Kyodo\n1.29(MB)*\n#dome\n#pamphlet\n#level\n#panel\n#building\n#capital\n#parliament\n#Jan.\n#buildings\nChris Hipkins sworn in as New Zealand prime minister\nSTORY: Chris Hipkins sworn in as New Zealand prime minister DATELINE: Jan. 25, 2023 LENGTH: 00:02:09 LOCATION: Wellington CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. various of New Zealand Parliament Buildings 2. various of the swearing-in ceremony STORYLINE: Chris Hipkins was sworn in as New Zealand Prime Minister on Wednesday, with his predecessor Jacinda Ardern officially tendering her resignation. The swearing-in ceremony held in parliament saw Hipkins officially taking up the top job and Carmel Sepuloni becoming the deputy prime minister. Prime Minister Hipkins will reshuffle the cabinet next week. Besides the top leadership role, Hipkins himself will be the minister of national security and intelligence. Tackling inflation will be his priority, he said, as Stats NZ released on Wednesday the growth of New Zealand's consumers price index remained 7.2 percent in the 12 months to December 2022. Announcing her resignation last Thursday, Ardern said, after five and a half years of the top leadership role, she coul\nLunar New Year observed around world with illuminated landmarks\nSTORY: Lunar New Year observed around world with illuminated landmarks DATELINE: Jan. 23, 2023 LENGTH: 00:00:54 LOCATION: Beijing CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of celebrating the Chinese New Year 2. various of the Empire State Building in New York, U.S. 3. various of the Palace Bridge in St. Petersburg, Russia 4. various of the London Eye in London, Britain 5. various of the Tokyo Tower in Tokyo, Japan 6. various of the Thean Hou Temple in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia STORYLINE: Landmarks around the globe have been lit up in the auspicious color red to celebrate the Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, that fell on Sunday this year. Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Beijing. (XHTV)\nConfucius class in Congo celebrates Chinese New Year\nSTORY: Confucius class in Congo celebrates Chinese New Year DATELINE: Jan. 22, 2023 LENGTH: 0:04:45 LOCATION: Brazzaville CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the Revolution High School in Brazzaville 2. various of the gala 3. SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): WANG YULAN, Head of the Confucius classes of the Revolution High School STORYLINE: The students of the Confucius class of the Revolution High School in Brazzaville, capital of the Republic of the Congo, held a gala this Saturday for the Chinese New Year, the Year of the Rabbit, symbolling good fortune, great ambition, bright future, wealth and prosperity. This celebration, in which Chinese classes from various high schools in Brazzaville took part, was marked by several activities, in particular the recital of poems in Chinese language, Chinese songs, and the performance of the dragon dance by the students of the Wushu Federation of Congo. \"The Sino-Congolese collaboration at the cultural level has grown, especially with the opening of Confucius classes\nChris Hipkins confirmed New Zealand's new PM, to focus on domestic issues\nSTORY: Chris Hipkins confirmed New Zealand's new PM, to focus on domestic issues DATELINE: Jan. 22, 2023 LENGTH: 00:03:00 LOCATION: Wellington CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. various of street views of New Zealand Parliament Buildings 2. various of the press conference after the Caucus meeting 3. various of street views of Wellington STORYLINE: The New Zealand Labor Party has confirmed Chris Hipkins as the party's new leader and New Zealand's 41st Prime Minister. Chris Hipkins announced that at a press conference on Sunday. The Labor Party caucus meeting on Sunday voted the Caucus member, Minister for Education, Police and Public Service and Leader of the House Chris Hipkins as the new party leader. Hipkins was the only nominee to replace Jacinda Ardern, who announced her resignation on Thursday. Member of Parliament for Kelston and Cabinet minister Carmel Sepuloni was appointed deputy prime minister. According to the New Zealand political system, the majority party of the Parliament forms the\nCHINA-BEIJING-GREEN DEVELOPMENT-WHITE PAPER (CN)\n(230119) -- BEIJING, Jan. 19, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Deputy Director of the National Development and Reform Commission Zhao Chenxin (C, back), Vice Minister of Industry and Information Technology Xin Guobin (2nd R, back), Vice Minister of Natural Resources Liu Guohong (2nd L, back), Vice Minister of Ecology and Environment Zhao Yingmin (1st R, back), and spokesman of the State Council Information Office attend a press conference introducing a white paper titled \"China's Green Development in the New Era\" issued by the State Council Information Office in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 19, 2023. The white paper aims to present a full picture of China's ideas, actions, and achievements in green development in the new era, and to share with the world its experience in this regard. (Xinhua/Li He)\nLower house of Poland's Parliament adopts judicial reform\nSTORY: Lower house of Poland's Parliament adopts judicial reform DATELINE: Jan. 15, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:05 LOCATION: Warsaw CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. various of Sejm building 2. SOUNDBITE (Polish): ELZBIETA WITEK, Marshal of the Sejm (Courtesy of Sejm TV) 3. various of Polish and EU flags STORYLINE: Poland's Supreme Court reform bill, which was needed to unlock billions of euros in European Union (EU) post-pandemic recovery funds, was passed by the lower house of the country's Parliament (Sejm) on Friday. In the 460-member chamber, 203 deputies supported the bill, 52 were against (including 22 members of the ruling caucus) and 189 abstained (opposition parties), the Polish Press Agency (PAP) reported. SOUNDBITE (Polish): ELZBIETA WITEK, Marshal of the Sejm \"We vote on the whole project of the bill. Who is for the adoption of the entire bill? Who is against? Who abstained? Thank you. 444 deputies voted, 203 for, 52 against, 189 abstained. The Sejm passed the bill.\" The government itself was spli\nIranians blame U.S. sanctions for severe air pollution\nSTORY: Iranians blame U.S. sanctions for severe air pollution DATELINE: Jan. 9, 2023 LENGTH: 0:02:14 LOCATION: Tehran CATEGORY: ENVIRONMENT SHOTLIST: 1. various of air pollution in Tehran 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Persian): ALI MARDANI, Tehran resident 3. SOUNDBITE 2 (Persian): REZA KESHAVARZ, Crisis analyst STORYLINE: The air pollution in Iran's capital Tehran has reached an alarming level this winter and has aroused people's concerns over its health impacts on local residents. SOUNDBITE 1 (Persian): ALI MARDANI, Tehran resident \"We have lived in this city for many years. Between seven and ten years ago, the air was not as polluted as it is now. It is true that the number of factories and cars has increased, but the fuel which was used for cars and refineries at that time was not the one burned at present.\" While some have pointed out multiple factors causing the pollution, others blame the decades-long U.S. sanctions against Iran. SOUNDBITE 2 (Persian): REZA KESHAVARZ, Crisis analyst \"In general, it (polluti\nBRAZIL-BRASILIA-PROTEST\n(230110) -- BRASILIA, Jan. 10, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Protesters gather near Brazil's Congress building in Brasilia, Brazil, Jan. 8, 2023. Brazilian authorities have arrested at least 1,200 supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro by Monday, and regained control of main government buildings here. (Marcelo Camargo/Agencia Brasil via Xinhua)\n(230110) -- BRASILIA, Jan. 10, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Protesters gather outside Brazil's Congress building in Brasilia, Brazil, Jan. 8, 2023. Brazilian authorities have arrested at least 1,200 supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro by Monday, and regained control of main government buildings here. (Marcelo Camargo/Agencia Brasil via Xinhua)\nXINHUA-PICTURES OF THE YEAR 2022-LEADING CHINA\n(230109) -- BEIJING, Jan. 9, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping chairs the High-level Dialogue on Global Development via video link in Beijing, capital of China, June 24, 2022. Xi delivered an important speech titled \"Forging High-quality Partnership for a New Era of Global Development\". (Xinhua/Rao Aimin)","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1433465"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6554093360900879,"wiki_prob":0.6554093360900879,"text":"Blog: Five Management Lessons From Tony Soprano\nBy Jack Keough\nJames Gandolfini, the legendary actor who portrayed Tony Soprano, the mob boss on HBO’s television hit series “The Sopranos,” died June 19 of a heart attack. Gandolfini was only 51 years old. His excellent acting led to him capturing Emmy Awards, as well as awards from the Screen Actors Guild. It was a remarkable career for a guy from Jersey who started acting late in life and had a series of minor roles before being cast as Tony Soprano.\nTony Soprano was a complicated boss who was involved in murder, extortion and various other crimes, ruling his organization with an iron hand. But for some reason, Tony Soprano was a popular character.\nDespite all his faults, there were several management lessons that can be learned from Tony Soprano. And, no, I am not equating running a distributorship with running a mob crew but some of Tony’s management’s philosophies can be applied to any business.\nLeadership. There was no doubt that Tony Soprano was in charge of his crew. He demanded loyalty-and earned it-from his cast of characters. Take this comment from Christopher, Tony’s nephew and a member of the Soprano crime family when talking about Tony: “I’d follow that man back to hell and back,” he told his fiancée. A true leader whether in business or otherwise instills leadership and direction for his crew, company or military unit.\nDecision making. Tony Soprano made decisions quickly and stuck to them. He thought things out, looked at the pros and cons of some of his potential decisions. When there was a problem with a crew member, for example, Tony met the problem head on. If you were to ask employees within a company what annoys them the most about their bosses, inevitably the answer is indecision. No one likes to wait in limbo before a decision is reached.\nSuccession planning. When one of his captains died unexpectedly, Tony had a successor in place. And that successor did even better than he ever anticipated. One of the failures of management today is the inability to mentor and develop a management team. Many companies have had problems when the CEO or president leaves the company.\nThinking one step ahead. In one episode, Tony loaned money to his best friend, Arnie, who owned a restaurant. His friend couldn’t pay it back on time. At one point, Arnie says to Tony: “You knew this was going to happen all along. You’re always thinking one step ahead of anyone else.” Arnie was right. Some managers today don’t think ahead but instead are focusing only on today. When is the last time you really set up a strategic plan for your company’s future? Should you add product lines? Expand geographically? Sell or merge your company? It’s so hard today just focusing on profitability you really don’t think where you want to be a few years from now.\nKnow your competition. Tony knew who his competitors were and took steps to make sure they didn’t encroach into his territory. It’s no wonder that “The Art of War” by Sun Tzu, written as a Chinese military strategy that can also be applied to any business, was Tony’s favorite book.\nNow his approach was of course, different, than a distributor would take but the philosophy is the same. Today you no longer have your traditional competitor but new on-line rivals like amazonsupply.com and Google as well as national distributors. Some of the mega distributors in the industry are venturing into areas they haven’t traditionally sold in.\nHow do you want to compete?\nShould you develop an e-commerce program or just enhance your web site? Should you specialize and develop a specific niche? Know your strengths and weaknesses but also know your competitors. Tony knew who to align with and who to avoid. And he was rarely wrong. Tony Soprano knew his business and where he wanted it to go in the future. It’s something every manager should focus on and not be content with the status quo.\nJames Gandolfini and the character he played, Tony Soprano, are unfortunately gone. But the memories of that show will continue to live on.\nJack Keough was the editor of Industrial Distribution magazine for more than 26 years. He often speaks at many industry events and seminars. He can be reached at john.keough@comcast.net or keoughbiz@gmail.com\nTagged with tED\nComment on the story Cancel reply\nFred Roessle Passes Away\nDistributED: NAED’s 2023 1Q Economic Outlook","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line392511"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9654865860939026,"wiki_prob":0.9654865860939026,"text":"'You Make Your Own Family': Losing A Mother, Gaining 2 More\nCarolina Escobar\nCorinthia Isom (right) was just a child when her mother died. At StoryCorps in 2015, Kathleen Payne (left) told Isom why her mom trusted her to take care of her daughter.\nWhen Corinthia Isom was a child, her mother sat her down on the steps of their home to tell her she had a deadly illness.\n\"I have HIV, and things are gonna change within our lives,\" Isom says, recounting the words of her mother, DeSeane Isom.\nDeSeane was a single mother, so before her death, she asked two of her closest friends if they would care for Corinthia after she was gone.\nThe two friends, Kathleen Payne and her partner, April, had met DeSeane through an LGBTQ gospel choir in New York City.\n\"Every weekend, April and I would hang out with you and your mom,\" Payne told Isom in an interview with StoryCorps. \"I remember that she said, 'Don't tell her that I'm going to die.' \"\nBut keeping that promise, Payne says, made it difficult to get to know Isom better.\n\"When we got the news that your mom had passed on, I was really scared,\" she says. \"For one thing, it was difficult for a lesbian couple to adopt.\"\nThe couple would eventually win guardianship of Isom. Still, it was a big transition as Isom grappled with adjusting to having two new mother figures in her life. She and her mother had grown very close in the years before her death, and as Payne remembers, Isom would ask her questions like, \"Do I have to call you Mommy?\"\n\"Well, no,\" Payne recalls answering.\n\"Then, later on, you said, 'Why do you guys talk like you're white?' \" she told Isom.\nLaughing, Payne says she explained to Isom that \"this is the way some black people talk.\"\nIsom says that at first, she was unsure being placed under the couple's care was the right fit.\n\"You guys are very educated and, for me, it was like, they're going to want me to study all the time,\" Isom says. \"But I enjoyed you guys, and I was looking forward to you guys being my parents.\"\nPayne told Isom that her mom trusted that she and April would take good care of her daughter.\n\"She knew we had the support of a lot of people who knew her and would be there for us,\" Payne says, \"which is the kind of thing that you also develop when you're queer and your family may or may not accept you ... you make your own family.\"\nIt has been more than 20 years since Isom's mother died. She says her mom never talked to her about why she hoped Payne and her partner would take her in. \"But she made a good choice,\" she says. \"A very good choice.\"\nProduced for Morning Edition by Jud Esty-Kendall.\nStoryCorps is a national nonprofit that gives people the chance to interview friends and loved ones about their lives. These conversations are archived at the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress, allowing participants to leave a legacy for future generations. Learn more, including how to interview someone in your life, at StoryCorps.org.\n10 things to do in NH this weekend: Winter festivals in Concord and Hooksett","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line561376"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9141696691513062,"wiki_prob":0.9141696691513062,"text":"Julian Andrew Ashley of Melrose died Monday at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Gainesville. He was 58.\nMr. Ashley was born in Norfolk, Va., and moved to Melrose from Maryland more than 30 years ago. He was a welder. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of the Vietnam War. He was a Baptist.\nHe was preceded in death by his wife, Pamela Ashley.\nSurvivors include his mother, Ruby Ashley of Melrose; a daughter, Lena Kay Brown of Key Largo; and a sister, Rachel Ashley of Melrose.\nGlen Lawson Billups of Richboro, Pa., died Nov. 15 in Richboro. He was 83.\nMr. Billups was born in Wayne County, W.Va., and had lived in Gainesville for four years. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II, where he served as an officer. He worked in women's fashion sales until becoming a master chef in 1985 at the University Centre Hotel in Gainesville. He enjoyed cooking, duck hunting and he loved Labrador retrievers.\nSurvivors include daughters Christine Lanier of Gainesville and MaryEllen Billups and Amy Pierce, both of Bucks County, Pa.; sons Wayne Billups of Brooklyn, N.Y., and Glen Billups Jr. of Corona, Calif.; and eight grandchildren.\nAlphonso Chapman of Gainesville died Monday at Hospice of North Central Florida from lung cancer. He was 44.\nMr. Chapman was a lifelong resident of Gainesville. He attended Alachua County schools.\nSurvivors include his mother and stepfather, Rosa and Fred Batie of Gainesville; brothers Kenneth Davis of Gainesville, Willie Littles of Orlando, Terry Johnson of Ocala and Edgar Smith of Tampa; sisters Anita Smith of Bainbridge, Ga., and Patricia Lavan of Gainesville; and stepsisters Shelia Williams, Jackie Jones, Chiquiea Williams and Quila Wilson, all of Gainesville.\nArrangements by Washington Funeral Home.\nTommie Lee Fewox of Steinhatchee died Tuesday at Cross City Rehabilitation & Health Care Center. He was 79.\nMr. Fewox was born in Plant City. He was a heavy equipment operator and was a member of the American Legion and the Moose Lodge in Riverview. He was a veteran of World War II. He was a Baptist.\nSurvivors include a son, Raleigh Fewox of Live Oak; daughters Sandra Damron of Arcadia and Pattie Dixon of Lakeland; stepson Danny Little of Wewahitchka and Billy Walker of Inverness; stepdaughters Edna Jean Ford of Plant City, Debbie Wilson of Huntsville, Ala., and Kathy Ringley of Valdosta, Ga.; a half-brother, W.R. Fewox of Frostproof; 23 grandchildren; and 25 great-grandchildren.\nArrangements by Rick Gooding Funeral Home in Cross City.\nCarol S. Galloway of Morriston died Tuesday at Munroe Regional Medical Center in Ocala. She was 62.\nMrs. Galloway was born in Des Moines, Iowa, and moved to Morriston from Melbourne more than two years ago. She was a member of the AARP, the Williston Garden Club and the Friends of the Williston Library.\nSurvivors include her husband, Rodney Galloway of Morriston; and a sister, JoAnne Weinberg of Port Orange.\nArrangements by Knauff Funeral Home in Williston.\nJames Henry of Gainesville died Jan. 25 at his home after a brief illness. He was 72.\nMr. Henry was born in Lake City and moved to Gainesville from his hometown 50 years ago. He was a cook and a Baptist.\nSurvivors include sons Larry D. Henry of Fort Lauderdale and Barney A. Henry of Tallahassee; daughters Janet Williams and Fern Y. Von Faulkenstein, both of Gainesville, Deanna Troutman of Tampa and Caroline Ogelsby Henry of Orlando; four grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.\nArrangements by Chestnut Funeral Home.\nMarie Pauline Holt of Starke died Tuesday at her home after an extended illness. She was 57.\nMrs. Holt was born in Louisville, Ky., and moved to Starke from Miami in 1971. She was a physician's assistant at Shands at the University of Florida. She also taught EMT courses and nurses' aid classes at Lake Butler High School. She was a member of Evergreen Baptist Church.\nSurvivors include her husband, Paul A. Holt of Starke; a daughter, Jackie Baugess of Lawtey; sisters Mary Christensen of Keystone Heights and Betty Cohen of Fort Lauderdale; a brother, Rayfield Burns of Kentucky; and three grandchildren.\nArrangements by Archie Tanner Funeral Home in Starke.\nMaria Melvavina Hutson of Grandin died Monday at Hospice of the Lakes in Palatka. She was 82.\nMrs. Hutson was born in Palatka and lived in Grandin most of her life. She was a homemaker and a member of Paran Baptist Church in Grandin. She was the granddaughter of David Brooker - the founder of the town of Brooker.\nSurvivors include a son, Edward \"Skee\" Hutson Jr. of Fort White; and five grandchildren.\nArrangements by Moring Funeral Home in Melrose.\nHarriette Marie Spinks Melendez of Gainesville died Tuesday at Palm Garden of Gainesville. She was 71.\nMrs. Melendez was born in Plattsburg, N.Y., and moved to Gainesville from Puerto Rico in 1978. She was the owner of Casareyito Import & Export. She was a Catholic.\nShe was preceded in death by her husband, Manuel Antonio Melendez.\nSurvivors include daughters Carol Melendez Jensen of Alachua and Bonnie Melendez Huguley of Gainesville; a son, Manuel \"Manny\" Andrew Melendez Spinks of Gainesville; six grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.\nArrangements by Milam Funeral and Cremation Services.\nDr. Gerald A. \"Jerry\" Olson of Durham, N.C., died Jan. 23 at his home. He was 60.\nDr. Olson was born in Iowa City, Iowa, and had lived in Gainesville for several years. He was a medical researcher at the University of Florida College of Medicine. He also did research at the University of Tennessee in Memphis, Washington University in St. Louis and the Veterans Affairs Hospital in Durham, N.C. He enjoyed the outdoors, fishing, camping, hiking, tennis and biking. He also enjoyed woodworking.\nSurvivors include his mother, Nancy Olson of Columbus, Ind.; his companion, Arlene Weidmann of Durham; a daughter, Jennifer Garcia of Columbus, Ga.; sons Scott Olson of Columbus, Ga., and Brian Olson of McKinney, Texas; brothers Steve Olson of Addison, Texas, Bob Olson of Redwood City, Calif and twin brothers Dr. Larry Olson of Columbus, Ind., and Dr. Lynn Olson of Bowling Green, Ky.; and four grandchildren.\nArrangements by Clements Funeral Home in Durham.\nPauline Hill of Gainesville died Tuesday at Shands at AGH after a brief illness. She was 50.\nMs. Hill was a lifelong resident of Gainesville. She was a 1973 graduate of Buchholz High School. She was a member of Old Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church.\nSurvivors include daughters Tracy Smith of Gainesville and Loluegra Shumeka Booth of Orlando; sons Darrell Powell of Alachua and Kenneth Bynum of Gainesville; sisters Ophelia Hill, Marie Hill, Rose Mary Hill, Wanda Gail Hill and Shirley Ann Hill, all of Brooker; brothers Kenneth Hill of Brooker and Adam Hill of Gainesville; and eight grandchildren.\nArrangements by Duncan Brothers Funeral Home.\nSylvester \"West\" Prophet of Alachua died Tuesday at his home after an extended illness. He was 76.\nMr. Prophet was born in Mount Pleasant and moved to Alachua from Fellsmere 20 years ago. He was a cement finisher. He was a member of Paradise United Methodist Church.\nSurvivors include brothers Samuel Prophet of Miami and Isiah Prophet of Philadelphia; and his niece and caregiver, Barbara West of Alachua.\nPauline Scully Riley of Middleburg died Tuesday in Middleburg. She was 95.\nMrs. Riley was born in Xenia, Ohio, and moved to Middleburg from Gainesville three years ago. She was a retired bookkeeper for an automobile dealer. She was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church for several years and she attended St. Luke's Catholic Church in Middleburg.\nShe was preceded in death by her husband, Elmer Riley.\nSurvivors include a daughter, JoAnne Riley Eutsler of Middleburg; two grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.\nArrangements by Milam Funeral Home.\nWillie Junior Sylvester of Palatka died Jan. 27 at Roberts Hospice Care center in Palatka from leukemia. He was 25.\nMr. Sylvester was born in Gainesville and moved to Palatka from Gainesville seven years ago. He attended Eastside High School until the 11th grade, when he was home-schooled due to his illness.\nSurvivors include his mother, Julie Ann Marie Cannon of Palatka; his father, Willie Lee Sylvester of Palatka; his stepfather, Leon Perry of Palatka; a sister, Jennifer Arlene Sylvester Barnes of Gainesville; and a brother, Alan Alfred Cannon of Palatka.\nArrangements by Smith's Funeral Home.\nRichard \"Richie\" Lee Taylor of Starke died Monday at his home. He was 35.\nMr. Taylor was born in Gainesville and was raised in Starke. He graduated from Bradford High School in 1988. He received his associate's degree from Santa Fe Community College and he worked at CVS Pharmacy for five years as a pharmacy technician. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Starke.\nSurvivors include his mother, Carolyn Taylor of Ocala; a sister, Kathy Green of Ocala; and a brother, Jeffrey Taylor of Starke.\nJennie \"Aunt Jennie\" Louise White of Gainesville died Tuesday in Gainesville. She was 92.\nMrs. White was born in Lamar, S.C., and moved to Gainesville from Sumter County in 1926. She was a homemaker. She was an active member of the First Church of the Nazarene. She also belonged to Fire of God Ministries, where she helped feed the homeless and needy.\nShe was preceded in death by her husband, Fred White.\nSurvivors include a daughter, Jackie R. Wilk of Alachua County; her companion and caregiver, Lora Atkins of Gainesville; and one grandchild.\nArrangements by Williams-Thomas Funeral Home.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line773426"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5667244791984558,"wiki_prob":0.4332755208015442,"text":"Home » Research » Search by Chronological Categories » Life & Ministry of Jesus & the Apostles » Aquila and Priscilla: A Godly Marriage for Ministry\nPropaganda, Power, and Perversion of Biblical Truths: Coins Illustrating the Book of Revelation\nAuthor: Gordon Franz MA\nCategory: The Life & Ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ & the Apostles 26-99 AD\nCoins offer a “numismatic window” into the world of the New Testament (Oster 1982: 218). At the end of the First Century AD, the power-hungry Roman emperor minted coins as political propaganda in order to influence his culture. This article peers through that window and examines the imperial coins from the reign of Emperor Domitian. The article also examines how Domitian’s regime attacked some unchanging truths of the Word of God, how the Book of Revelation constructs a subtle polemic against Emperor Domitian, and how the Roman provincial coins can illustrate the messages to the seven churches.\nThe classic example of the Flavian Dynasty using coins for propaganda purposes is the “Judea Capta” coins. These coins were minted by Emperors Vespasian, Titus and Domitian and depict a Roman soldier standing guard next to a palm tree with a weeping Judea seated under the tree. On the edge is the words “Judea Capta” translated “Judea is captured.” This coin commemorates the end of the First Jewish Revolt and the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70. There were Jewish people throughout the Roman world and the propaganda message of these coins was clear: “Don’t you, or anybody else, think about revolting again. We will defeat you just as we defeated the Judeans!” For a good discussion of these coins, see Hendin 2001: 303-343.\nThe Book of Revelation only mentions one coin by name: the denarius in the third seal judgment (Rev. 6: 5, 6; Franz 2000:9-11). However, monetary exchange is also mentioned in Revelation 13:17, 18: “and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666.” How these transactions will be carried out, either by cash, credit card, microchip or some other technology, I will leave that for the prophetic sensationalists and speculators to figure out! For a First Century AD understanding, see Kraybill 1996.\nDenarius coin with the image of Emperor Domitian (AD 81-96).\nTwo coins illustrate the abuse of numismatics in contemporary sensationalist prophetic studies. The first is a coin issued by the Vatican in 1995 with Pope John Paul II on the obverse and the depiction of the woman and child of Revelation 11 on the reverse. Some of the sensationalist prophecy teachers were not so much interested in the reverse side of the coin as they were the bottoms of the obverse side. Underneath the portrait of the pope were three six-pointed stars. These prophecy teachers were quick to make the association with the number 6-6-6!\nPortrait of the late John Paul II, 1995. Note the three-pointed stars at the bottom of the coin.\nThe second coin is the 2-euro coin from Greece. On the reverse of this coin is a “woman riding a beast!” Greek mythology says that this woman is Europa, a Phoenician princess, being carried away to the island of Crete by Zeus / Jupiter disguised as a bull (Jones 1990: 110). These coin types are known from ancient times and are also on the coins from modern Cyprus too. They have nothing to do with the woman riding the beast in Rev. 17:3, 7.\nGreek two-Euro coin showing Europa riding a bull, 2002\nGreek coin from Amphipolis in Macedonia portraying Artemis Tauropolos (Greek Europa), riding a bull, reign of Claudius (AD 51-54).\nCoins are a neglected area of study for New Testament scholars, yet they are important for Biblical studies. One person points out that “numismatic evidence can … help shed light on important historical events which had a bearing on the lives of the New Testament writers and their audience” (Kreitzer 1996: 28).\nA good coin to illustrate the importance of numismatics for Biblical studies is a coin minted by Antiochus IV with the inscription “theos epiphanies” (“god manifest”) on the reverse. Some have called this the Hanukkah coin because when Antiochus desecrated the Temple in Jerusalem he also claimed deity. Several years later, the Antiochus IV and his Seleucid army were defeated and the temple in Jerusalem rededicated. The festival of Hanukkah commemorates this event. The Lord Jesus goes to the Temple for Hanukkah in John 10, He makes the statement, “I and my Father are one” (10:30), an outright declaration of His deity. This declaration should be seen in the context of Antiochus’ blasphemous claim to being “god manifest” (Franz 1998).\nCoin of Antiochus IV (175-164) depicting Zeus on a throne holding Nike. The inscription on the left reads “theos epiphanous”, god manifest.\nThere is a helpful book that illustrates the coins that were encountered by the Apostle Paul and his companions on their travels through the Roman world. It is entitled, The Pocket Guide to Saint Paul by Peter Lewis and Ron Bolden (2002). The book contains some interesting theological views that some would disagree with, but the numismatic material is very good.\nThe Date of the Book of Revelation\nThe date for the Book of Revelation is a much debated topic. The two prevailing views are the early date during the reign of Emperor Nero, ca. AD 65. Some advocates of the early date tend to see the Book of Revelation as being fulfilled with the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70. I do not share these views and see a number of historical inconsistencies with this understanding (Franz 2003).\nThe second view is the late date for the Book of Revelation set during the reign of Emperor Domitian, ca. A.D. 95. A good case can be made for this date (Hitchcock 2003; 2005).\nThe Coins of Emperor Domitian\nSelf-deified Emperor\nEmperor Domitian had a definite ego problem! In Imperial Rome the senate would deify an emperor upon death (Kreitzer 1990:210-217). However, Domitian, like Gaius Caligula, could not wait until death, so he deified himself while he was alive. This is well attested by the ancient writers (Franz 1999).\nSuetonius (AD 75 – ca. 140), in his book Lives of the Caesars, wrote, “With no less arrogance he began as follows in issuing a circular letter in the name of his procurators, ‘Our Master and our God bids that this be done.'” [“Dominus et deus noster hoe fieri iubet.”] (Domitian 13:2; LCL 2:367). He also delighted in the adulation of the people in the amphitheater when they shouted, “Good Fortune attends our Lord and Mistress” [Domino et dominae feliciter!”] (Domitian 13:1; LCL 2:367) a reference to himself and his wife.\nPliny the Younger (born AD 61 or 62 – died before 113), wrote in his Panegyricus, a tribute to Emperor Trajan, “He (Domitian) was a madman, blind to the true meaning of his position, who used the arena for collecting charges of high treason, who felt himself slighted and scorned if we failed to pay homage to his gladiators, taking any criticism of them to himself and seeing insults to his own godhead and divinity; who deemed himself the equal of the gods yet raised his gladiators to his equal” (33:4; LCL 2: 395).\nDio Cassius, in his Roman History, wrote, “For he even insisted upon being regarded as a god [theos] and took vast pride in being called ‘master’ [despotus] and “god” [theos]. These titles were used not merely in speech but also in written documents” (Epitome of Book 67:5:7; LCL 8:329). Elsewhere he wrote, “One Juventius Celsus, … [conspired] … against Domitian … When he was on the point of being condemned, he begged that he might speak to the emperor in private, and thereupon did obeisance before him and after repeatedly calling him ‘master’ [despoton] and ‘god’ [theon] (terms that were already being applied to him by others)” (Epitome of Book 67:3:4; LCL 8:349). Later writers repeat the same claim and then go on to embellish it. However, Statius claims Domitian rejected these titles (Silvae 1:6:83-84; LCL 1: 69, 71).\nThere seems to be other contemporary evidence that backs up Domitian’s claim to deity. Unfortunately, no monumental inscriptions have been discovered with these titles on them. Dio Cassius again adds an important detail, when he wrote, “After Domitian, the Romans appointed Nerva Cocceius emperor. Because of the hatred felt for Domitian, his images, many of which were of silver and many of gold, were melted down; and from this source large amounts of money were obtained. The arches, too, of which a very great number were being erected to this one man, were torn down” (Epitome of Book 68:1:1; LCL 8:361). Upon his death, the Roman Senate was, “… overjoyed … [assailed] the dead emperor with the most insulting and stinging kind of outcries. … Finally they passed a decree that his inscriptions should everywhere be erased, and all record of him obliterated” (Suetonius, Domitian 23:1; LCL 2:385). This decree, the damnatio memoriae, destroyed all the statues and epigraphical inscriptions of Domitian. Evidence of this can be seen in the arch at Hierapolis, built by Domitian, as well as the dedicatory inscriptions for the Temple of the Sabastoi in Ephesus (Friesen 1993:34).\nThe only evidence not destroyed was the set of coins minted by Domitian as it was impossible to recall all of them. Numismatics is able to provide some evidence of Domitian’s boast of deity.\nThe Numismatic Evidence\nDr. Ernest Janzen, of the University of Toronto, in an article entitled, “The Jesus of the Apocalypse Wears the Emperor’s Clothes” (1994, see also 1993) provides for two lines of evidence from numismatics for Domitian’s claim to deity. The first are coins minted in AD 83 called the DIVI CAESAR (“divine Caesar”) coins (Vagi 2:329, coins 1160, 1161, 1162). These coins, minted in gold and silver, had the bust of Domitia, the wife of Domitian, on the obverse with the inscription, “DIVI CAESAR MATRI” and “DIVI CAESARIS MATER”, the mother of the divine Caesar! (Vagi 2:327, coins 1149, 1150, 1151; RIC 2:179, coin 209A; 2:180, coin 213). On the reverse was their infant son who was born in the second consulship of Domitian in AD 73 and died in the second year after he became emperor in AD 82 (Suetonius, Domitian 3:1; LCL 2:345). He is depicted as naked and seated on a zoned globe with his arms stretched out surrounded by seven stars! ( RIC 2:209; coins 440, 441) The inscription surrounding it said “DIVUS CAESAR IMP DOMITIANIF”; translated it means, “the divine Caesar, son of the emperor Domitian.” The infant is depicted as baby Jupiter (Jupiter being the head of the Roman pantheon). “The globe represents world dominion and power, while stars typically bespoke the divine nature of those accompanied. … the infant depicted on the globe was the son of (a) god and that the infant was conqueror of the world” (Janzen 1994:645-647). It goes without saying that if he is the son of a god, then his father, Domitian, must be god! I cannot help but use my sanctified imagination and wonder if John did not have this coin in front of him when he penned, “and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to His feet … He had in His right hand seven stars” (Rev. 1:13,16). He refers back to this vision in the letter to the church at Thyatira when the Lord Jesus identifies Himself as the “Son of God” (Rev. 2:18).\nReplica of a coin illustrating the deified son of Emperor Domitian reaching for seven stars.\nThe second bit of numismatic evidence comes from the coins with the fulmen (“thunderbolt”) on them. The fulmen is the divine attribute of Jupiter. Janzen says, “In 84 Domitian struck reverse type Jupiter holding thunderbolt and spear. The first issue of 85 continued this type but the second issue witnessed the fulmen in Domitian’s hand. He and Jupiter would ‘share’ the fulmen for the years 85-6 after which Jupiter remained as a regular type, only without fulmen. From 87-96 Domitian alone held the fulmen, persuasive evidence of a developing megalomania which place the fulmen in Domitian’s hand and are clearly patterned after the Jupiter with fulmen type” (Janzen 1994:648, footnote 55; RIC 2:185, coins 247,248; 186, coin 253; 189, coin 279; 192, coin 300; 194, coins 313,314; 196, coin 334; 197, coin 342; 203, coin 288). One numismatic expert says that this type “clearly suggests a parallel between himself and ‘Jupiter tonaus’ (the thunderer) or the father of the gods” (Mattingly, cited in Janzen 1994:648, footnote 55).\nMartial, the first century satirist of Rome, confirms this idea in his writings. One of his epigrams, written in AD 94, describing the Gens Flavia says, “This piece of ground, that lies open and is being covered with marble and gold, knew our Lord (domini) in infancy. … Here stood the venerable house that gave the world what Rhodes and pious Crete gave the starry sky [Helios, the sun god, was born on Rhodes according to some traditions, and Zeus, the chief god, was born on Crete- GF]. … But you the Father of the High One did protect, and for you, Caesar, thunderbolt (fulmen) and aegis took the place of spear and buckler” (Epigrams 9:20; LCL 2: 249). Sometimes Martial even calls Domitian the “Thunderer” (7:99:1; LCL 2: 157), a title that usually belongs to Jupiter (Zeus) (Epigrams 9:91; LCL 2: 311)! Domitian is putting himself on the same level as Jupiter.\nElsewhere in Martial’s writings he calls Domitian “lord” (Epigrams 7:2; 8:82; 9:20, 28, 66; LCL 2: 75, 231, 249, 257, 291) and “lord and god” (Epigrams 5:8; LCL 1: 361; 7:34; 8:2; LCL 2: 105, 161). Interestingly, after the death of Domitian, Martial repudiates these titles attributed to Domitian (Epigrams 10:72; LCL 2: 391). However, I think he was reflecting the sentiments of the day while Domitian was alive. Though he may not have believed it, that is what Domitian wanted, that is what he got.\nAnother interesting sidelight is that on some of Domitian’s coins, the initials “PM” appears on the inscriptions. Some of the coins have Domition praying or offering sacrifices (RIC 2:201, coins 377,378; 202, coins 381,383,385). These initials stand for “pontifex maximus,” the high priest as head of the Roman religion. Biblically, this title belongs only to the Lord Jesus (Heb. 4:14). Yet in Revelation, the “things which you [John] have seen” (Rev. 1:19) is the vision of the glorified Son of Man who is also the High Priest (Thomas 1965: 241-247).\nCoin depicting emperor Domitian (right) burning incense on an altar as pontificus maximus (high priest), AD 85.\nIt appears that something triggered Domitian to openly claim deity in AD 85/86. The triggering event is not known, but the response in Asia Minor was a temple dedicated to the Sabastoi (emperors). This temple appears on several coins minted in Ephesus (Ramsay 1994: 168).\nIn the year AD 91/2 coins were minted in Alexandria, Egypt which had on the obverse a portrait of Domitian encircled by an inscription that identified Domitian as the “son of God” (RPC 2:323,328,333-337). One coin in particular had on its reverse, four pygmies surrounding Hercules. In his left hand he is holding a fifth and in his right is his club. The inscription calls Domitian the “son of God” (Mowat 1901: 72-74; RPC 2:337, coin 2709).\nCoins from the Seven Churches\nLet us turn our attention to the Roman provincial coins of Asia Minor. The Book of Revelation was addressed to the churches at Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamon, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea (Rev. 1:11; 2-3). Each city minted coins during the reign of Emperor Domitian. The study of the local coins is important because of the light they shed on the city at the time. Colin Hemer points out, “Coinage is often in fact the most illustrating key to local religion and so to the formative ideas of the society” (2001:25). A British numismatic expert has observed, “The real value of the types of coins from the Greek East is the insights into the local city life which they reveal. Topography, architecture, literature and mythology, religious beliefs and practices, entertainments and celebrations were all considered suitable subjects for illustrations because the coinage provided citizens with a vehicle on which to express their civic pride” (I. Carradice, cited in Kreitzer 1996: 28).\nRemains of the Temple of Domitian in Ephesus.\nThe first letter from the Lord Jesus went to the church at Ephesus (Rev. 2:1-7). This city was famous because it housed one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, the Temple of Artemis / Diana. In this open-air temple there was a garden with deer roaming in front of a sacred tree and the cult statue of Artemis. This garden was called the “paradise of Artemis” (Hemer 2001:50-52).\nMany coins from Ephesus have a bee on one side, symbolizing the priestesses that ministered in the temple as well as a palm tree and stag on the reverse (Rakicic 1994:6-12). The palm tree was a “sacred tree” and was considered the “tree of life” (Hemer 2001: 41-47).\nCoin from Ephesus with a deer in front of a palm tree, the \"tree of life\".\nJohn writes that the “overcomers” (those who have trusted the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior and are living a victorious Christian life) will “eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God” (Rev. 2:7).\nWhat John is saying is this: the temple of Artemis is a false imitation of the real thing, i.e. the Biblical Tree of Life and the Paradise of God. Believers in the Lord Jesus have something infinitely superior than the Artemisian to look forward to. If they are faithful to the Lord, His Word, and to each other they will be “overcomers.” Those who overcome will receive the privilege of eating from the Tree of Life (Rev. 22:12-14) and abiding in the Paradise of God.\nArtist's reconstruction of the Temple of Artemis in Ephesus.\nThe second letter is addressed to the church of Smyrna (Rev. 2: 8-11). The city was established on Old Smyrna (Bayraki) and destroyed about 700 BC. It was reestablished as a polis in 290 BC. This is an example of a city that “died” but came “back to life.”\nThe story is told that Alexander the Great was hunting on Mt. Pagos when he fell asleep under a plane tree in front of the Temple of the two Nemeses. The two goddesses appeared to him in a dream and told him to rebuild the city of Smyrna on Mt. Pagos. The Smyraeans sent envoys to the Temple of Apollo at Klaros to inquire if they should rebuild. The response from the priest was, “Thrice, yes, four times blest will those men be who shall dwell in Pagus beyond the sacred Meles” (Pausanias, Description of Greece 5:1-3; LCL 3:193).\nA Roman coin minted during the reign of Philippus Arab (AD 244-249) depicts Alexander the Great sleeping under a plane tree with the two Nemeses on Mt. Pagos (Akurgal 1993: pl. 46a). The two Nemeses appear on one coin minted during the reign of Domitian (RPC 2:158, coin 1012).\nThe third letter is addressed to the believers living in Pergamum (Rev. 2:12-17). Twice in the letter Jesus acknowledges that Pergamum is where “Satan’s throne is” and where “Satan dwells” (Rev. 2:13). Commentators have had a field day trying to figure out these statements.\nCoin with the head of Asklepios, god of healing, from Pergamum.\nThe numismatic evidence can support three of these ideas. The first is that Satan’s throne was located at Pergamun because there was a large temple to Asklepius, the god of healing. One of the characteristics of coins on Asklepius is that there is a snake coiled around a stick in his hands. Satan is called “that old serpent the Devil and Satan” (Rev. 12:9; RPC 2:144,145; coins 921,924).\nCoin from Pergamum illustrating a coiled serpent. Snakes are associated with the healing shrine of Asklepios.\nThe second possibility is the Temple of Zeus, the chief deity of the Greek pantheon that overlooked the lower city of Pergamun. This temple is now in the Berlin Museum. There are a number of coins minted with the bust of Zeus on it.\nThe trees mark the spot where the altar of Zeus was originally located. It was removed and is now exhibited in the Pergamum Museum in Berlin.\nTemple of Emperor Trajan (AD 98-117) at Pergamum where emperor worship took place.\nThe third possibility is the Temple of Augustus and the emperor worship associated with the place. One coin was minted during the reign of Domitian depicting a temple with four columns and a statue of Augustus (RPC 2:144, coin 918). This temple is also depicted in the reigns of Tiberius (RPC 1:403, coin 2369), Claudius (RPC 1:403, coin 2370) and Nero (RPC 1:403, coin 2372).\nThe fourth letter is addressed to the church meeting in the city of Thyatira (Rev. 2:18-29). Colin Hemer states: “The longest and most difficult of the seven letters is addressed to the least known, least important and least remarkable of the cities. The letter was not, I think, obscure to the church in Thyatira, the problem lies in our remoteness from the contemporary facts” (2001: 106).\nCoins might help to shed some light on the letter. In this letter Jesus is described as “the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass” (Rev. 2:18). This is the only time in the Book of Revelation that Jesus is referred to as the “Son of God”. It is implied in Rev. 1:6; 2:27; 3:5, 21; 14:1.\nThe coins of Thyatira point to Apollo Tyrimnaeus as the patron deity of the city. Apollo was the “son of Zeus.” Jesus is described as having “eyes as flames of fire and feet of gleaning bronze.” The reader would immediately go back to the vision of the glorified Son of Man in Rev. 1:13-16. Colin Hemer points out that the fine bronze is “an alloy of copper with metallic zinc [that] was made in Thyatira, the zinc was obtained by distillation. This was a finer and purer brass than the rough and variable coinage-alloy” (2001:116). He goes on to suggest that there might have been a statue in town of the patron deity, Apollo Tyrimnaeus. Coins have been discovered of him grasping the hands of the Roman emperor (Ramsay 1994:235). While this coin is much later than the time of Domitian, there were coins with implements associated with Apollo (tripod, lyre) and his reign (RPC 2:147).\nThe phrase “son of God” would also call to mind the coins of Domitian’s deified infant son seated on the globe reaching for the seven stars.\nThe fifth letter is addressed to the church meeting in the city of Sardis (Rev. 3:1-6). There seems to be no coins that illustrate the letter to the church at Sardis.\nThe sixth letter was written to the church in Philadelphia (Rev. 3:7-13). This was a small church to which Jesus has nothing negative to say. In fact, He commends them for keeping His Word and not denying His Name in spite of the fact that they had little strength (3:8).\nThere have been very few excavations in Philadelphia. In the Manisa Museum in Turkey there are statues of various deities that have been discovered by the locals while putting in foundations for their houses or plowing fields. Some of the deities represented are Dionysis, the god of wine and merrymaking; Demeter, the goddess of agriculture; Helios, the sun god. The coins add a few more deities. Philadelphia was a city that had a pluralistic society, but also had an exclusive element in the population that thought they had a corner on the market of truth, i.e. the synagogue. Yet the believers in the Lord Jesus were faithful to Him in spite of the societal pressures.\nThe promise to the overcomers was that he would be made a “pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. And I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on Him my new name” (3:12).\nAfter the devastating earthquake of AD 17, the Roman government financially assisted the cities of Asia Minor that were affected by this quake. The city showed its gratitude to the emperor by changing the name of the city to “Neocaesarea”, the New Caesarea! There were coins minted in Philadelphia with this name on them ( RPC 1:492,493, coin 3017; 494, coins 3032-3040).\nCoin of Emperor Caligula (AD 37-41) with the words \"Neo-Caesarea\" on it. Philadelphia was called the \"New Caesarea\" after imperial aid helped rebuild the city.\nLaodicia\nThe final letter was written to the church in Laodicea, located in the Lycos Valley (Rev. 3:14-22). In this letter, Jesus had nothing good to say about this church. In fact, He describes their arrogance by saying, “You say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’ – and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked” (3:17).\nThe church was imitating the society around it. It was a very affluent society and quite self-sufficient. After the earthquake of A.D. 17, the Roman imperial government provided aid to the cities of Asia Minor, including Laodicia. Yet when Laodicia was hit with another earthquake in A.D. 60 (or 64) they declined the offer of imperial aid. Tacitus said, “Laodicea, one of the famous Asiatic cities, was laid in ruins by an earthquake, but recovered by its own resources, without assistance from ourselves” (Annals 14:27; LCL 5: 151).\nIn A.D. 22-23, Emperor Tiberius (A.D. 14-37) issued a coin commemorating his generosity to the cities of Asia Minor. On the reverse was Tiberius seated on a throne with his feet resting on a footstool. The inscription surrounding him states that he personally financed the restoration of the cities (Vagi 2:243, coin 442).\nCoin representing Emperor Tiberius (AD 14-37) on a throne. It was minted to commemorate the imperial government's financial support to rebuild earthquake-ravished Asia Minor.\nWord pictures from Revelation\nAltars and Thunderbolt\nIn the first two years of his reign, Domitian minted coins with thunderbolts on a throne (RIC 2:154, coin 1; 155, coins 13, 16; 156, coin 24). These two objects are associated together in the Throne Room of Heaven recorded in Revelation 4. The description given is that the Lord Jesus is sitting on the throne with the 24 elders surrounding Him. John writes, “And from the throne preceded lightnings, thunders and voices” (4:5).\nStatue of Domitian Riding a Horse\nEmperor Domitian erected a large bronze statue of himself riding a horse in the Forum of Rome in A.D. 91, the famous Equus Maximus Domitiani (Platner 1929: 201-202). This statue commemorated his campaigns against the Germans and his attempt to bring peace to the Roman Empire. Statius, one of the Roman poets, describes this statue in detail in the first poem in his book, Silvae (LCL 1: 7-15). Domitian minted a coin with a detailed representation of this statue on it (Carradice 1982: 376,377; 1993: Plate 30:36).\nIn contrast, the Book of Revelation, chapter 19, records the return of the Lord Jesus to earth on a white horse with His saints following Him. Domitian took the title “Lord and God”. When the Lord Jesus returns, He will have on His robe and thighs a name written, “KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS” (19:16). Domitian thought he could bring peace to the Roman Empire, but only the Lord Jesus, the Prince of Peace (Isa, 9:6, 7) will bring world peace when He rules and reigns from Jerusalem.\nApollo and Ravens Predicting Prophecy\nEmperor Domitian, the self-proclaimed “Lord and God” and ruthless dictator, reigned from AD 81 to 96. During the last few years of his life, Domitian became very superstitious. In fact, on the day before he was murdered, he consulted an astrologer (Domitian 14:3; LCL 2:373). Domitian himself proclaimed his own death based on an astrological reading by declaring, “that on the following day the moon would be stained with blood in Aquarius” (Domitian 16:1; LCL 2:375). It has been demonstrated that this was based on Domitian’s astrological readings (Molnar 1995:6-12).\nDuring this time Domitian also consulted Apollo, the god of music and poetry, and who was also the god of light, truth and prophecy! To commemorate his superstition, the emperor minted coins depicting Apollo on one side and a raven, a bird associated with prophecy, on the reverse side (Jones 1990:266; RIC 2:188, coin 275; 204, coins 398, 399; 205, coin 410; 206, coin 414; 207, coin 424B). It was believed one could tell the future by watching this bird’s flight (Kanitz 1973-74:47), so Domitian looked to it to foretell his immediate future. Ironically, Suetonius, a Roman historian and senator, records, “A few months before he [Domitian] was killed, a raven perched on the Capitalium and cried, ‘All will be well,’ an omen which some interpreted as follows: ‘… a raven … could not say, “It is well,” only declared “It will be well.”‘” ( Domitian 23:2; LCL 2:385). Emperor Domitian died soon after and all was well!\nThe Apostle John, exiled on the island of Patmos about AD 95, received a more sure word of prophecy. Not from a raven, nor Apollo, but from the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. The Book of Revelation begins, “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants – things which must shortly take place” (Rev. 1:1). He goes on to say, “Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near” (Rev. 1:3). Might we read the book, be blessed and also be encouraged.\nAkurgal, E.\nAncient Civilizations and Ruins of Turkey. Istanbul, Turkey: NET Turistik Yayinlar. 8th edition.\nBurnett, Andrew; Amandry, Michel; and Ripolles, Pere Pau\nRoman Provincial Coinage. Vol. I. From the Death of Caesar to the Death of Vitellius (44 BC – AD 69). London and Paris: British Museum and Bibliotheque Nationale de France. Cited as RPC 1.\nBurnett, Andrew; Amandry, Michel; and Carradice, Ian\nRoman Provincial Coinage. Vol. II. From Vespasian to Domitian (AD 69-96). London and Paris: British Museum and Bibliotheque Nationale de France. Cited as RPC 2.\nCarradice, Ian\nCoins, Monuments and Literature: Some Important Sestertii of Domitian. Pp. 371-383 in Proceedings of the 9th International Congress on Numismatics (1979). Vol. 1. Edited by T. Hackens and R. Weiller. Luxembourg: International Association of Professional Numismatists.\nCoin Types and Roman History: The Example of Domitian. Pp. 161-175 in Essays in Honour of Robert Carson and Kenneth Jenkins. Edited by M. Price, A. Burnett and R. Bland. London: Spink.|\nDio Cassius\n1995 Roman History. Books 61-70. Vol. 8. Translated by E. Cary. Cambridge, MA: Harvard university. Loeb Classical Library.\nFranz, Gordon\n1998 Hanukkah: The Festival of Light. Bible and Spade 11/4: 91, 92.\nThe King and I: The Apostle John and Emperor Domitian. Bible and Spade 12: 45-51.\nThe King and I: Opening the Third Seal. Bible and Spade 13: 9-11.\nWas “Babylon” Destroyed When Jerusalem Fell in A.D. 70? Pp. 221-236 in The End Time Controversy. The Second Coming Under Attack. Edited by Tim LaHaye and Thomas Ice. Eugene, OR: Harvest House.\nFriesen, Steve\nEphesus. Key to a Vision in Revelation. Biblical Archaeology Review 19/3: 24-37.\nHemer, Colin\nThe Letters to the Seven Churches of Asia in Their Local Setting. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans.\nHendin, David\n2001 Guide to Biblical Coins. 4th edition. New York: Amphora.\nHitchcock, Mark\nThe Stake in the Heart – The A.D. 95 Date of Revelation. Pp. 123-150 in The End Times Controversy. The Second Coming Under Attack. Edited by Tim LaHaye and Thomas Ice. Eugene, OR: Harvest House.\n2005 A Defense of the Domitianic Date of the Book of Revelation. Unpublished PhD dissertation. Dallas Theological Seminary. Dallas, TX.\nJanzen, Ernest\nA Numismatic Compass for the Troubled Waters of the New Testament Apocalypse. Pp. 99-138 in The Picus. Edited by J. R. Gainer. Willowdale, ON: Classical and Medieval Numismatic Society.\nThe Jesus of the Apocalypse Wears the Emperor’s Clothes. 637-657 in SBL 1994 Seminar Papers. Atlanta: Scholars.\nJones, John\n1990 A Dictionary of Ancient Coins. London: Seaby.\nKanitz, L.\nDomitian. The Man Revealed by His Coins. Journal of the Society for Ancient Numismatics 5: 45-47.\nKraybill, J. Nelson\n1996 Imperial Cult and Commerce in John’s Apocalypse. Sheffield: Journal for the Study of the New Testament. Supplement Series 132.\nKreitzer, Larry\nApotheosis of the Roman Emperor. Biblical Archaeologist 53: 210-217.\n1996 Striking New Images. Roman Imperial Coinage and the New Testament World. Sheffield: Sheffield Academic.\nLewis, P., and Bolden, R.\n2002 The Pocket Guide to Saint Paul. Coins Encountered by the Apostle on His Travels. Kent Town, South Australia: Wakefield.\n1993a Epigrams. Vol. 1. Translated by D. R. Shackleton Bailey. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University. Loeb Classical Library.\n1993b Epigrams. Vol. 2. Translated by D. R. Shackleton Bailey. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University. Loeb Classical Library.\nMattingly, Harold and Sydenham, Edward\nThe Roman Imperial Coinage. Vol. II. Vespasian to Hadrian. London: Spink and Sons. Reprint of the 1926 edition. Cited as RIC 2.\nMolnar, Michael\n1995 “Blood on the Moon in Aquarius”: The Assassination of Domitian. The Celator 9/5: 6-12.\nMowat, Robert\nHercules and the Pygmies. American Journal of Numismatics 35: 72-74.\nOster, R.\nNumismatic Windows into the Social World of Early Christianity: A Methodological Inquiry. Journal of Biblical Literature 101: 195-223.\nDescription of Greece. Vol. 3. Translated by W. H. S. Jones. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University. Loeb Classical Library.\nPlatner, Samuel\nA Topographical Dictionary of Ancient Rome. London: Oxford University.\nPliny\nLetters, Book 8-10, Panegyricus. Vol. 2. Translated by B. Radice. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University. Loeb Classical Library. Reprinted 1992.\nRakicic, M.\n1994 The Bees of Ephesos. The Celator 8/12: 6-12.\nRamsay, William M.\nThe Letters to the Seven Churches. Updated Edition. Edited by M. W. Wilson. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson.\n1992 Suetonius. The Lives of the Caesars. Vol. 2. Translated by J. C. Rolfe. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University. Loeb Classical Library. Reprint of 1914 edition.\nStatius\nSilvae, Thebaid 1-4. Vol. 1. Translated by J. H. Mozley. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University. Loeb Classical Library.\nSutherland, C. H. V.\n1984 The Roman Imperial Coinage. Vol. I. From 31 BC to AD 69. London: Spink and Sons. Revised edition. Cited as RIC 1.\n1994 Annals 13-16. Vol. 5. Translated by J. Jackson. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University. Loeb Classical Library.\nThomas. Robert\nThe Glorified Christ on Patmos. Bibliotheca Sacra 122: 241-247.\nVagi, David\n1999 Coinage and History of the Roman Empire. Vol. 2: The Coinage. Sidney, OH: Coin World.\nThis paper was first read at the Eastern Regional Evangelical Theological Society meeting at Baptist Bible Seminary in Clark Summit, PA on March 26, 2004. It was published in Bible and Spade, Vol. 19, no. 3 (Summer 2006), pages 73-87.\nClick here if you are interested in purchasing a subscription to Bible and Spade;\nour quarterly publication, focusing on biblical archaeology and apologetics.\nBack issues of the magazine can be purchased on the ABR online bookstore.\nThe Ultimate Sign: Isaiah 7\nAsher Shall Dip His Foot in Oil...Petroleum Oil, or Something Else?\nGods, Gold And The Glory Of Philippi\nGolgotha: A Reconsideration of the Evidence for the Sites of Jesus' Crucifixion and Burial\nMount Sinai is NOT Jebel al-Lawz in Saudi Arabia","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line512741"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7159329652786255,"wiki_prob":0.7159329652786255,"text":"A drought-proof weed may hold the key to feeding the world, according to new research.\nThe common plant known as purslane, harbors important clues about how to create valuable drought-resistant crops.\nYale scientists describe how Portulaca oleracea integrates two distinct metabolic pathways to create a novel type of photosynthesis that enables the weed to endure drought while remaining highly productive.\n“This is a very rare combination of traits and has created a kind of ‘super plant’ — one that could be potentially useful in endeavors such as crop engineering,” said Erika Edwards, Yale professor of ecology and evolutionary biology and senior author of the paper published today in the journal Science Advances.\nPlants have independently evolved a variety of distinct mechanisms to improve photosynthesis. For instance, corn and sugarcane evolved what is called C4 photosynthesis, which allows the plant to remain productive under high temperatures.\nSucculents such as cacti and agaves possess another type called CAM photosynthesis, which helps them survive in deserts and other areas with little water. Both C4 and CAM serve different functions but recruit the same biochemical pathway to act as “add-ons” to regular photosynthesis.\nWhat makes the purslane plant unique is that it possesses both of these evolutionary adaptations — which allows it to be both highly productive and also very drought tolerant, an unlikely combination for a plant. Most scientists believed that C4 and CAM operated independently within leaves of purslane.\nBut the Yale team, led by co-corresponding authors and postdoctoral scholars Jose Moreno-Villena and Haoran Zhou, conducted a spatial analysis of gene expression within the leaves of purslane and found that C4 and CAM activity are totally integrated. They operate in the same cells, with products of CAM reactions being processed by the C4 pathway. This system provides unusual levels of protection for a C4 plant in times of drought.\n(The plant is also one of the most nutritious greens you can eat, according to the National Institute of Health, which reported on its Omega 3 content. It is available in farmer’s markets, and Hispanic stores in the US by the name of Verdolaga. It’s also a delicacy in certain Middle Eastern cuisines. In Afghanistan, the leaves of the plant are cooked together with mung beans for a heart-healthy and delicious dish.)\nThe researchers also built metabolic flux models that predicted the emergence of an integrated C4+CAM system that mirrors their experimental results.\nUnderstanding this novel metabolic pathway could help scientists devise new ways to engineer crops such as corn to help withstand prolonged drought, the authors say.\n“In terms of engineering a CAM cycle into a C4 crop, such as maize, there is still a lot of work to do before that could become a reality,” said Edwards. “But what we’ve shown is that the two pathways can be efficiently integrated and share products. C4 and CAM are more compatible than we had thought, which leads us to suspect that there are many more C4+CAM species out there, waiting to be discovered.”\nPrevious Previous post: County cricket: three-horse title race as Championship takes a break\nNext Next post: K-pop stars Blackpink turn PUBG into a beautiful stage for new music video","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1432355"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8643510937690735,"wiki_prob":0.8643510937690735,"text":"Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs\nMobile Close\nExplore & Engage\nLesson Plan Ideas\nFour Freedoms\nCarnegie Ethics Newsletter\nOverview Podcasts Videos Articles & Reports Carnegie Ethics Newsletter Classroom Resources Key Terms Connect All Media\n“The fourth is freedom from fear. . .anywhere in the world.”\nFor FDR, who had experienced two world wars, freedom from fear meant a worldwide reduction of armaments and the building of a collective security mechanism. Collective security, along with human rights and economic cooperation, was one of the three great pillars on which FDR based his concept of the postwar world order— elements that found their way into the United Nations charter, taking concrete expression in global and regional institutions that remain with us today.\nFDR wanted to create a world where no nation would be in a position to commit an act of physical aggression against a neighbor—hence his commitment to building a new international organization designed to manage world affairs and prevent catastrophes like World War II from recurring.\nAccording to FDR’s vision, all UN members, whether large or small, would undertake common commitments to settle their disputes peacefully and refrain from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of other nations. Four countries—China, Britain, Russia, and the United States—would put their forces at the disposal of the UN to keep the peace and in turn would receive the special privilege of the veto (with the addition of France, these became the five Permanent Members of the Security Council).\nFor many years, FDR's vision of a postwar world order held some promise. Interstate conflict declined dramatically in the latter half of the twentieth century, although intrastate and ethnic conflicts flared at a rapid rate, especially after the end of the Cold War in 1991. Ongoing humanitarian catastrophes and the events of 9/11 have led many to question the UN's effectiveness. Can states work together through the UN to respond to new kinds of threats, or has the system grown too cumbersome? In the view of Bush administration officials, the collective security mechanism provided by FDR and other post-WWII visionaries no longer suffices to meet the security challenges of a world where networks of stateless civilians have unprecedented capabilities for inflicting harm.\nOthers have argued, however, that for all its imperfections, the UN is the best potential peacemaker the world has, and thus should be restructured and reformed to confront the combined threats of terror and poverty. As Secretary-General Kofi Annan recently declared: ”[T]he world does need a forum for collective decision-making and it needs an instrument of collective action. Our founders intended the United Nations to be both those things. Our task is to adapt and update it so that it can perform those functions in the twenty-first century.”1\nNew Security Blueprint\nOne year after 9/11/01, the Bush administration presented a National Security Strategy document embracing prevention and preemption as strategies for dealing with rogue states and terrorists. The doctrine rests on the premise that traditional approaches to security are no longer acceptable. The rules have changed since the attacks of September 11, as the circumstances under which we define the lawful use of force no longer exist. Given its overwhelming military might, the United States is unlikely to be engaged in conventional warfare with another nationstate. Rather, it faces a new class of enemy consisting of non-state actors who flout the conventions of war by targeting civilians—and who are threatening to use nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons. Reflecting these changes, we need new criteria for the use of force and the handling of enemy combatants.\nNotably, Norman Rockwell portrayed “freedom from fear” by showing American parents tucking their children safely into bed during the 1940 Battle of Britain. In so doing, he called on Americans to be thankful that the war was not being fought on their soil. Now that terrorists have attacked American cities, does this give the United States justification for rewriting the rules governing the use of force?\nFor sure, the Bush administration's shift to a preventive war strategy has had profound consequences for world affairs. First and foremost, it paved the way for the United States to act in the name of self-defense against Iraq in the spring of 2003—absent an actual, or even imminent, armed attack from that country and absent the approval of the UN Security Council. The argument was that Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction that it could pass on to terrorists. Thus the risk of inaction was greater than the risk of action—even if that action had to go forward with only an ad hoc “coalition of the willing.”\nThe UN Security Council, however, rejected that conclusion, and their recent reform report, “A more secure world: Our shared responsibility,” argues that the institution can meet threats from non-state actors—and hence can be effective in the twenty-first century. As stated in the report's executive summary: “The Security Council has the authority to act preventively, but has rarely done so. The Security Council may well need to be prepared to be more proactive in the future, taking decisive action earlier.” The report proposed two new models for reforming the Security Council, along with measures to strengthen the Secretary- General's role in peace and security.\nRevisions to the Geneva Conventions\nThe Bush administration's security strategy also paved the way for revisions to the Geneva Conventions as they apply to “unlawful combatants.” Here we return to FDR's first freedom, freedom of speech and expression. As Michael Smith explained at the March Eckerd meeting, Bush administration officials looked for a way to circumvent international legal norms so that the president could “essentially declare any of us in this room to be an enemy combatant and lock us away without giving us access to a lawyer, or indeed without charging us with anything.” In other words, “military necessity” could overrule the Geneva principles.\nThe Supreme Court has since declared this policy to be illegal. Meanwhile, evidence has been cropping up of the mistreatment of prisoners by American soldiers—ranging from extraordinary rendition (delivering terror suspects into the hands of foreign intelligence services without extradition proceedings) to allegations of prisoner torture and abuse in Afghanistan, Guantánamo, and Iraq.\nPresident Bush has claimed that Abu Ghraib was an aberration, the work of a “few bad apples.” A number of observers have disputed this claim, however, on the grounds that the administration approved the policies that led to the torture procedures used in Abu Ghraib and elsewhere. 2 Smith expressed concern that the only people to have been punished for the Abu Ghraib prisoner abuses were a handful of military personnel at the bottom of the command chain. “American society has reached a point, it seems, where disclosure and an expression of horror are considered to be an adequate substitute for genuine accountability— accountability being a key norm for democratic societies,” he remarked.\nAmericans Still Fearful?\nSo has the administration's attempt to direct all major policy toward winning the “war on terror” resulted in less fear? Ironically, as Joel Rosenthal pointed out in his Eckerd College address, post-9/11 trauma lingers, and many Americans remain paranoid about their personal safety. Michael Smith concurred with Rosenthal's assessment and said that this “culture of fear” should be attributed to the “schizophrenic” way the U.S. government has approached security since 9/11. “On the one hand, we see the president and the people in his administration talking about the importance of freedom and democracy. On the other hand, we have a sort of underside to that policy, resting on what appears to be a Hobbesian philosophy…the notion that we have to behave even more badly than our enemies because that is the only way to command their attention and respect.” Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld's instruction to the military to “take the gloves off” when questioning prisoners epitomized this attitude.\nAccording to Smith, the administration’s confused policy has been “counterproductive in very deep ways.” It has spread fear and distrust of America's motives among its traditional allies, many of whom do not share the Bush administration's new criteria for intervention and hence have come to see the United States as part of the problem, not the solution, to the threat of terrorism. Crimes committed by American troops, along with the practice of depriving the Guantánamo detainees of the right to liberty without due process of law, strike very deeply at the core of what a free country is supposed to represent. Is the United States becoming the kind of country it had always claimed to oppose?\nSmith remarked that the Bush administration's single-minded focus on taking preventive military action has kept the United States from engaging in the kind of “old-fashioned, hard-slogging police and law enforcement work” that in the long run catches more terrorists. This latter approach requires cooperation from one's allies as well as information-sharing. It also requires winning the trust of people in places that support terrorists.\nHe further noted that the Europeans, with their long experience of terrorism by the Irish Republican Army, Basque separatists, and other groups, tend to view terrorrism as a matter for law enforcement, security, and intelligence agencies. In general, they have not been receptive to American-style measures such as detention and coerced interrogations of suspected terrorists, and have favored greater cooperation. Particularly after the London bombings, some Europeans as well as 30 Ethical Dimensions to American Foreign Policy Americans are persuaded that the war in Iraq is fanning broader flames, increasing the threat of terror attacks by suicide bombers, in Western countries.\nIn contemplating the status of “freedom from fear” in today’s America, let us give the last word to FDR, who as far back as 1928, called for “a newer and better standard in international relations.” In a Foreign Affairs article, he wrote: “Single-handed intervention by us in the affairs of other nations must end; with the cooperation of others we shall have more order . . . and less dislike.” Later, in his first inaugural address of 1933, he declared, “the only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”\nDISCUSSION QUESTIONS:\n1) Can the UN be reformed to respond to threats from non-state actors like al-Qaeda?\n2) Can there ever be any justification for the torture of prisoners? When such abuse occurs, what is the proper government response?\n3) When is there a just ethical argument for preventive war in violation of international law—what is the ethical threshold?\nSOURCES & RECOMMENDED RESOURCES:\nBacevich, Andrew. The New American Militarism: How Americans Are Seduced by War. Oxford University Press, 2005.\nDanner, Mark. Torture and Truth: America, Abu Ghraib, and the War on Terror. New York Review of Books, 2004. Introductory chapter available at http://www.amazon.com.\nGreenberg, Karen J., and Joshua L. Dretel, eds. The Torture Papers: The Road to Abu Ghraib. Cambridge University Press, 2005. Full text of Memo 1 is available at http://www.amazon.com.\nLevinson, Sanford, ed. Torture: A Collection. Oxford University Press, 2004.\nThe National Security Strategy of the United States of America. White House, September 2002. Full text available at http://www.whitehouse.gov/nsc/nss.html.\nReport of the Secretary-General's High-level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change: \"A more secure world: Our shared responsibility.\" UN General Assembly, 2 December 2004. Full text available at http://www.un.org/secureworld/.\nRosenthal, Joel H. \"New Rules for War?\"Naval War College Review, Summer/Autumn 2004.\nEdited speech transcripts on CarnegieCouncil.org\nFlynn, Stephen. \"America the Vulnerable: How Our Government Is Failing to Protect Us from Terrorism.\" Merrill House Programs, 2005.\nIgnatieff, Michael. \"The Lesser Evil: Hard Choices in the War on Terrorism.\" Merrill House Programs, 2004.\nMalone, David M., Kishore Mahbubani, and Ian Martin. \"The UN Security Council: From the Cold War to the 21st Century.\" Merrill House Programs, 2003.\nNichols, Thomas M. \"Conflict and Order in the New Age of Preventive War.\" Young Associates Program, 2005.\nPosner, Michael, and John Hutson. \"Ending Torture and Secret Detention in America's Name.\" Merrill House Programs, 2005.\nOther Carnegie Council resources\nClark, Wesley. \"Waging Modern War.\" Morgenthau Memorial Lecture, 2003.\nInPrint Supplement: \"The Carnegie Council Covers the New War.\" Summer 2003.\nRoundtable: \"Evaluating the Preemptive Use of Force.\" With Chris Brown, Michael Byers, Richard K. Betts, Thomas M. Nichols, and Neta C. Crawford. Ethics & International Affairs 17.1 (Spring 2003).\n1. Annan made these remarks at a 10 February 2005 London forum on the UN's future.\n2. According to documents collected by journalist Mark Danner, a fierce argument broke out within the Bush administration over whether al-Qaeda and Taliban prisoners were protected by the Geneva Conventions and how far the United States could go in interrogating them.\nFour Freedoms Freedom of Fear (image)\nEthics Empowered\nUsing the power of ethics to build a better world\nSign up for news & events\n[email protected] 917-742-2113 170 East 64th Street\n© 2023 Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1270409"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5427049994468689,"wiki_prob":0.5427049994468689,"text":"Calba Savua's Orchard\nAn Historian at War: From Gershom Scholem's Experiences in 1948\nGershom Scholem (1897-1982) was a colossal figure in the modern academic study of Judaism. Without Scholem it is unlikely that there would be a serious, disciplined study of Jewish mysticism/esotericism in general, and of Kabbalah in particular. His 1941 Major Trends in Jewish Mysticism is in my estimation quite likely the most widely quoted scholarly work on Jewish mysticism even today.[1] Aside from his scholarly achievements, Scholem also corresponded widely with various people, both famous and now-forgotten, such as Walter Benjamin, Hannah Arendt, and Joseph Weiss.[2] Guy Stroumsa recently published Scholem's correspondence with Morton Smith (1915-1991), a brilliant yet controversial scholar of Judaism and Christianity in antiquity. His discovery of a work he termed the Secret Gospel of Mark resulted in accusations of forgery, which to this day have remained unresolved.[3]\nOn August 6, 1948, Scholem sent Smith a letter thanking him for the gift of a book, and filling him in on the recent events of the 1948 war.\nHow does an historian, someone used to studying history at a distance from old books and manuscripts, react when brought face-to-face with events of historical magnitude? Scholem appreciates a little bit of romance in his situation, mingled with the feeling that too much \"history\" is actually rather uncomfortable.\n\"The last months have been most eventful and we could go on and on talking about our experiences. It was a great time. Of course, no academic work could proceed orderly, but everybody has had his fill of excitement and work, building fortifications, standing up to shelling and sniping, it was all very much (a little too much, perhaps) “Historic”. I was some kind of porter honoris causa with the Jewish H.Q. and have spent some time on Mount Zion when we took over the ‘Dormitio’ of the Benedictines. The good patres had fled and we had to guard the place. You would not have recognized Jerusalem these days! The shelling (very much English-made) was disagreeable, distasteful and exceedingly noisy. Some fell around our house, but no damage was done. Nobody knows whether the whole thing is going to start anew, and both sides are preparing themselves. The optimism which greeted the second cease-fire has vanished.\"[4]\nScholem goes on to write that some of their mutual friends have died, but there is still some humour, as others, like a certain widow, now make for unlikely soldiers as they patrol the city with stenguns. Scholem ends his letter on a sober yet hopeful note that could stand in for the Jewish sector's experience of the Jerusalem siege as a whole.\n\"Everybody has become tall and meager and since the end of the siege we are living on food parcels from every corner of Israel. Everybody wanted to do something for us. To which we could not object reduced as we were in physical strength. Let us hope that the tribulations of Israel are soon over. And that we meet again in peaceful employment.\"[5]\n[1]The first chapter may be read here. http://www2.trincoll.edu/~kiener/RELG308_Scholem_MTJM_Lecture1.pdf\n[2]http://www.tabletmag.com/100-greatest-jewish-books/144508/correspondence-walter-benjamin-and-gershom-scholem-1992\nhttp://www.suhrkamp.de/buecher/correspondence_--gershom_scholem_54234.html?d_view=english\nhttp://www.haaretz.com/weekend/week-s-end/new-book-sheds-light-on-kabbalah-scholar-s-tragic-descent-into-madness.premium-1.506635\n[3]Guy Stroumsa (ed.), Morton Smith and Gershom Scholem: Correspondence 1945-1982 (Brill, 2008). On Secret Mark see Scott G. Brown, Mark’s Other Gospel: Rethinking Morton Smith’s Controversial Discovery (Wilfred Laurier University Press, 2005). http://www.wlupress.wlu.ca/press/Catalog/Excerpts/brown.shtml\n[4]Stroumsa, Correspondence, 25-26.\n[5]Ibid., 26.\nPosted by Calba Savua at 2:34 AM No comments:\nMore Terrible Than Even the Persecutions of the Jews: The Mormon Experience in Ha-Magid\nIn 1940, Darryl Zanuck released a now forgotten film- Brigham Young: Frontiersman. This was the first sympathetic cinematic portrayal of the Mormon story, and it was warmly welcomed both by LDS leadership and lay members. The late Davis Bitton pointed out that the message of the film went beyond just telling the Mormon story, and was concerned with the present no less than the past.\n“I wonder how many people who saw the movie \"Brigham Young\" realized that it was also about the Jews. By this time, the terrible persecution of Jews in Hitler's Germany was far advanced. Nazi troops had moved into the Rhineland, Austria, and Czechoslovakia. They had invaded Poland, the Netherlands, and France. France and England had declared war. Jews were being herded into camps. Some hid and some fled to safety in other countries. All of this was very much on the mind of people like Darryl Zanuck. We don't have to guess that this comparison was in his mind because he said so, and the comparison was also picked up by many reviewers. A movie about a persecuted religious minority, driven from their homes and seeking refuge elsewhere was very topical in 1940. You didn't have to be aware of this sub-text to enjoy the movie, but it was there and provided some of the motivation that brought it into being.”[1]\nHowever, this was not the first time that the Mormon narrative was utilized to highlight the plight of Jews. In 1902, the Hebrew-language newspaper, Ha-Magid, published a letter about the rise of anti-Semitism in New-York. This letter by a correspondent identified only as “a Galician” shared some instances of this anti-Semitism. In one, Jews were framed for petty theft in order to keep them out of hotels. In another, a gang of Christian youth attacked Jewish park-goers, beating some and raping others.\nThe correspondent made high use of alarmist rhetoric, and referenced the Mormon experience as an example of what might happen to American Jews if the anti-Semitic outbursts in New York were left unchecked.\n“Before antisemitism appeared in America, the Americans were famed as the most tolerant and free people in the world, but now that it has appeared here, there are grounds to the fear that hatred of Jews will develop to a degree unheard of in Europe. That the Americans are capable of persecuting people with a fury and wrath far surpassing that of the nations of Europe we know from the persecutions of Mormons in the previous century, which were more terrible than even the persecutions of the Jews of Europe in the Middle Ages.“[2]\nThe correspondent, as it turned out, was wrong. The very next year, a pogrom occurred in the town of Kishinev, signaling a series of violent attacks in several towns of the Russian Empire. The degree of official tolerance, complicity, and even instigation of the violence sent shockwaves throughout the Jewish world. Just over a decade later, the Jewish writer and activist, S. Ansky, witnessed what he termed the destruction of Galicia. The Russian atrocities against the Jewish communities of Galicia (home of the Magid’s correspondent) in World War One were staggering, but if that wasn’t enough, the Russian Civil War saw further eruptions of violence, not only under Petlyura, but also among the Whites and the Reds. The horror of Haun’s Mill was repeated in town after town and village after village of Jewish Eastern Europe. The Jewish writer Isaac Babel described in his terse, laconic style a Polish pogrom in Komarov, and the callousness of the subsequent occupation by the Red Army.\n“Last night Captain Yakovlev's Cossacks were here. A pogrom. The family of David Zis, in their home, the old prophet, naked and barely breathing, the butchered old woman, a child with chopped-off fingers. Many of these people are still breathing, the stench of blood, everything turned topsy-turvy, chaos, a mother over her butchered son, an old woman curled up, four people in one hut, dirt, blood under a black beard, they're just lying there in their blood… At night, a walk through the shtetl. The moon, their lives at night behind closed doors. Wailing inside. They will clean everything up. The fear and horror of the townsfolk. The main thing: our men are going around indifferently, looting where they can, ripping the clothes off the butchered people.”[3]\nIt wouldn’t take more than a generation before the Jewish world of Eastern Europe disappeared almost entirely in the Holocaust. On the other hand, neither Jewish nor Mormon communities in the United States have been subjected to such violence and destruction, and one hopes that this is true fifty, seventy, and one hundred years from now.\nEven though Ha-Magid’s predictions have thus far proved incorrect, the letter is invaluable as an example of how other minorities could view and use the Mormon experience to relate and define their own experiences and fears in the new world.\n[1] http://www.ldsfilm.com/movies/BrighamYoung.html\n[2]Ha-Magid (Hamgid L’Israel), July 31, 1902, A Letter from America\n[3]Isaac Babel, Red Cavalry, 279.\nPosted by Calba Savua at 10:47 PM 29 comments:\nCelebrations of Learned Men: Nibley, Schoolmen, and the Denial of Revelation\nJohn Gee posted an interesting Hugh Nibley quote in a recent blog post.\nI have discussed the supplanting of the gospel by the teaching of the schools (in ancient times, that is) in a number of studies, but to show what I mean, one example close to home will suffice. On 23 March 1955, I engaged in a public discussion in Salt Lake with my friend Sterling McMurrin. I closed my rather feeble address with the words, \"At this point (i.e., after we have discovered the depths of our own ignorance) we can begin the study of the gospel; there is no further need for waiting around until 'history' can make up its mind.\" Immediately Sterling (for it was his turn to speak) arose and introduced his own discourse by saying, \"now we will hear the real gospel.\" This brought a round of applause from the university crowd--did they realize what it meant? It was a frank declaration that the celebrations of the learned men and not the utterances of the prophets comprise the gospel. This has been the credo of the Christian schoolmen since the days of Clement of Alexandria: the university--Christian, Moslem, Jewish, or pagan--has its own religion, and the basic tenet of that religion is the denial of revelation.\" (Hugh Nibley, \"Nobody to Blame,\" CWHN 17: 128-29.)[1]\nSterling McMurrin, of course, was an LDS philosopher often criticial of the church, but still fairly sympathetic to it.[2] Here he forms one half of a classic Nibley construct- the inherent dichothomy between the scholar and the man of god. When institutionalised, such learning becomes a counterfeit gospel, a false priesthood at odds with and fatal to the true gospel.[3]\n\"You see the point: The scholar and learned divine must necessarily get their knowledge from the written word, and then trouble begins. The prophet, on the other hand, who may well be illiterate, gets his knowledge by direct intercourse with heaven. The orientation of the two is entirely different.\"[4]\nIt seems a little inconsistent for a tenured professor to have held those views, but whatever his beliefs, Nibley was nothing if not sincere. At times he even expressed a more-or-less favourable opinion of scholars.\n\"Lehi takes his place among the titans of the early sixth century; a seeker after righteousness, a prophet, a poet, a scholar, a man of the world, a great leader, and a founder of nations. A thoroughly typical product, we might add, of 600 B.C. and of no other period in history.\"[5]\nWhile there is some truth to Nibley's claim that pneumatic authority was marginalised, I. E., that the \"lights went out,\"[6] I contend that his view misunderstands the medieval philosophical and scholastic traditions. Taken as a whole, each of these three religions- Judaism, Christianity, Islam- revolved around revealed tradition. Revelation was central to each, and scholars for the most part agreed that there was a limit to what could be discovered and grasped by human intellectual effort. Divine revelation bridged that gap between man and God, but the rest could, and, indeed, should, be explored to the fullest extent possible.\nThe 15th century Karaite authority, Elijah Bashyatchi, stressed that accepting a revealed truth or commandment ought to precede all other inquiries into it.\n\"The proper thing for every believer in the Law is to receive these ordinances first by tradition, and only afterward, with the help of his divine Rock, to seek the knowledge of the cause for every ordinance, according to its interpretations, particulars, and biblical examples. This is the way of him who desires and longs for moral perfection... If he were to endeavor first to learn the reasons and the biblical examples for every commandment, and accept it by tradition only afterward, he would be like a man who refuses to eat bread until he learns how it was sown, how it was harvested, how it was ground, and how it was baked, and who would consequently go hungry a long time until he shall have learned its causes and beginnings.\"[7]\nThe great scholar of esoteric Islam, Henri Corbin, pointed out that for Muslim philosophers, their Greek and Hellenistic counterparts had partaken of revelation, and thus their science was itself a facet of prophetic inspiration.\n\"The term hikmah is the equivalent of the Greek sophia, and the term hikmat ilahlyah is the literal equivalent of the Greek theosophia. Metaphysics is generally defined as being concerned with the ilahiyat, the Divinalia. The term 'ilm ilahi (scientia divina) cannot and should not be translated by the word theodicy. Muslim historians, from al-Shahrastani in the twelfth century to Qutb-al-Din Ashkivari in the seventeenth, take the view that the wisdom of the 'Greek sages' was itself also derived from the 'Cave of the lights of prophecy'... Philosophical enquiry (tahqiq) in Islam was most 'at home' where the object of meditation was the fundamental fact of prophecy and of the prophetic Revelation, with the hermeneutical problems and situation that this fact implies. Thus philosophy assumes the form of 'prophetic philosophy'... Correspondingly, it is not possible to speak of hikmah in Islam without speaking of mysticism—without speaking, that is to say, of Sufism both from the point of view of its spiritual experience and from that of its speculative theosophy, which has its roots in Shiite esotericism. As we shall see, al-Suhrawardi and, after him, the whole school of ishraqiyun directed their efforts to uniting philosophical enquiry with personal spiritual realization. In Islam above all, the history of philosophy and the history of spirituality are inseparable.\"[8]\nNot only was Islamic philosophical enquiry concerned with a revealed text and tradition, gaining \"knowledge by direct intercourse with heaven,\" was not seen as inimical to the scholastic pursuit. The ishraqi school, a highly influential school of thought in the Muslim world, even considered it the defining feature of acquiring knowledge.\nIn the Latin West, the attitude of the scholastics to prophecy was complex, but for the famed doctor of the Roman Catholic Church, Thomas Aquinas, revelation still stood at the basis of God's relationship to man.\n\"Thomas Aquinas expresses in his De ente et essentia the relationship between the Creator and the fallen creature. According to the idea of the analogia entis, an analogy will always exist between God and man. This analogy is based in man’s being created in God’s image, which is expressed primarily in man’s reason, the direct place of encounter between him and God. For Thomas and the entire Scholastic tradition, reason is seen as the umbilical cord between God and man, and yet reason in itself will never suffice to fully understand and know God. Even if the analogia entis teaching expresses that there is and remains an analogy between God and man, it is far more important to acknowledge in this analogy a greater difference: while man and God can meet, this meeting can occur only on the condition that God never can be completely or fully comprehended.\nThis continued analogy guarantees the possibility that God can lift the veil that lies between himself and man and communicate himself to man. Although before the Fall there was continued openness, after it revelation was required whereby man might commune with God. And if the continued analogy makes continued revelation possible, God’s love makes it necessary. During the entire history of Israel, the prophets are the champions of continued openness and communication between God and man, his instruments through which he seeks to reestablish the broken unity. It is this revealing activity of God’s love that is continued in the vocation of the Christian prophets, whereby Christian prophecy may be seen as the most immediate expression of God’s revealing activity. It is immediate because not only is it a sign of God’s general revealing activity, but it is, in itself, a type of experienced revelation.\"[9]\nHere, too, man experiences direct communication from God, and this experience is to culminate in man's ultimate goal- union with God.\n\"Prophecy is revealing in its mode, inasmuch the prophet considers his or her experience a form of direct communication from God through which God reveals his truths. Second, Prophecy is revealing in its scope, inasmuch as God through the prophet seeks to attain the goal of his activity, namely, to lead man back to his original union with God.\"[10]\nRabbi Moses ben Maimon, or more commonly in English, Maimonides, was the seminal figure of medieval Judaism. Physician, scientist, religious codifier, theologian, scholar, politician, philosopher, and benefactor of wide-flung Jewish communities, it is hard to exaggerate Maimonides' influence on both his contemporaries and subsequent generations, down to the Judaism of today. Maimonides was also widely read in a Latin translation, where his Guide for the Perplexed with its resolution of the supposed inconsistencies between the Bible and the science of the day in turn influenced the scholastics.\nAs Abraham Joshua Heschel noted, Maimonides (oft considered the arch-rationalist) was practically obsessed with the idea of prophecy.\n\"During his youth, he delved into the arcana of prophecy, and his deep thoughts about it became the nucleus of his intellectual and spiritual life. Only this personal motive offers an explanation for the extraordinary centrality of prophecy in Maimonides' philosophy, for the intellectual passion with which he asked himself these questions.\"[11]\nA recent academic study highlighted the centrality of the Torah in Maimonides' thought.\n\"The prophecy of Moses is distinguished from the prophecy of other prophets in four respects. The most significant of these differences is that “the prophets other than Moses received prophecy in an allegory or riddle, while Moses received his prophecy clearly and lucidly.”\nFrom this description it follows, as Maimonides states, that Moses’ prophecy was rooted in the intellect alone, while the prophecy of the other prophets depended on the human imagination and the senses. Describing the prophecy of Moses in the seventh of his thirteen principles, Maimonides wrote: “There remained no veil he did not rend and penetrate, nothing physical to hold him back, no deficiency, great or small, to confuse him. All his powers of sense and imagination were suppressed, and pure reason alone remained.” Thus, the Law of Moses, the Torah, is as close to reason, that is philosophy, as any law can be. This closeness leads Maimonides to emphasize, in his legal writings, that halakhah is based primarily on the Torah, rather than on rabbinic deductions. For the same reason, he relies on the philological considerations laid out in the Treatise on the Art of Logic for his interpretation of the Bible for the masses; it is in this way that he can bring their understanding of the biblical text, and particularly their understanding of the nature of God, closer to philosophic truth. Finally, syllogisms listed in the Treatise on the Art of Logic—again philosophic arguments—make it possible for him to show the religious person who has studied philosophy that no contradiction exists between biblical teachings, correctly interpreted, and philosophic truths.\"[12]\nThe Torah's importance for Maimonides stemmed from it being a revealed text, and not only that, but revealed by the highest level of prophecy attainable by man. The talmuds were secondary in importance (though still authoritative) when it came to establishing legal rulings, as the reasoning was a natural, human process and thus inferior to the pure reason of revelation.\nThere is much more that could be said on the topic, but Nibley's sharp dichothomy between schoolmen and revelation simply does not withstand scrutiny. Not for Islam, not for Christianity, not for Judaism. The university, or the pursuit of knowledge in general, is no more in opposition to the gospel than any other human endeavour could be. It all depends on how we approach it.\n[1]http://fornspollfira.blogspot.com/2013/08/a-little-nibley.html\n[2]As an example, see https://dialoguejournal.com/wp-content/uploads/sbi/articles/Dialogue_V17N01_20.pdf\n[3]Hugh Nibley, Leaders and Managers. http://speeches.byu.edu/?act=viewitem&id=578\nFor a critique of another false dichothomy in Nibley's commencement speech, see http://www.withoutend.org/boss-critique-nibleys-leaders-managers/\n[4]Nibley, \"Prophets and Scholars,\" in The World and the Prophets. http://maxwellinstitute.byu.edu/publications/books/?bookid=54&chapid=489\n[5]Nibley, An Approach to the Book of Mormon, p. 39. http://maxwellinstitute.byu.edu/publications/books/?bookid=60&chapid=581 Even this positive appraisal was qualified. \"Lest we hastily conclude that Lehi was but a typical wise man of his age, and no more, we have but to set up his story and his sermons beside the stories and sermons of his great contemporaries of the East and West. What a contrast! For all their moral fervor, nothing could be less like the inspired utterances of the man from Jerusalem than the teachings of the great Greeks, with their worldly wisdom and their bleak pessimism.\" An Approach,\" p. 43-44.\n[6]A representative example of Nibley's view on apostasy is found in his \"The Passing of the Primitive Church: Forty Variations on an Unpopular Theme,\" in When the Lights Went Out: Three Studies on the Ancient Apostasy. http://maxwellinstitute.byu.edu/publications/books/?bookid=43&chapid=217 \"The call to repentance of the apostolic fathers is a last call; they labor the doctrine of the Two Ways as offering to Christian society a last chance to choose between saving its soul by dying in the faith or saving its skin by coming to terms with the world. They have no illusions as to the way things are going: the church has lost the gains it once made, the people are being led by false teachers, there is little to hinder the fulfillment of the dread (and oft-quoted) prophecy, \"the Lord shall deliver the sheep of his pasture and their fold and their tower to destructions.\" The original tower with its perfectly cut and well-fitted stones is soon to be taken from the earth, and in its place will remain only a second-class tower of defective stones which could not pass the test... The apostolic fathers take their leave of a church not busily engaged in realizing the kingdom but fast falling asleep; the lights are going out, the Master has departed on his long journey, and until he returns all shall sleep. What lies ahead is the Wintertime of the Just, the time of mourning for the Bridegroom, when men shall seek the Lord and not find him, and \"seek to do good, but no longer be able to.\"\nThe talmudic pericope on the controversy of the oven of achnay depicts the tension betwen pneumatic authority on the one hand, and the idea expressed in the talmudic dicta \"a sage is greater than a prophet,\" and \"prophecy has been taken away from the prophets and has been given to the sages,\" on the other. Even here, however, the question is nuanced. If God gave the law to his legislators, are they allowed to arrive at their own interpretations, conclusions, and rulings, or not?\n[7]Elijah Bashyatchi, Adderet Eliyahu, as quoted in Leon Nemoy, Karaite Anthology: Excerpts from the Early Literature, p. 242.\n[8]Henry Corbin, The History of Islamic Philosophy, vol. 1, p. xv-xvi. http://www.amiscorbin.com/textes/anglais/Hist_Iran_Phil_Corbin_part_I.pdf For example, even the pagan god Hermes Trismegistus was considered to be the prophet Idris, that is, Enoch. This facilitated Muslim adoption of the science in the Corpus Hermeticum. See Kevin van Bladel, The Arabic Hermes: From Pagan Sage to Prophet of Science. Following the term coined by Marsilio Ficino, this concept in Christian thought is generally termed prisca theologia. Rabbi Yosef Shelomo Delmedigo expressed one of the Jewish approaches to this. \"Plato's opinions are similar to the opinions of the Sages of Israel and in a few instances it appears that he spoke as a Kabbalist. No fault can be found in his words, and why should we not accept them, for they belong to us, and were inherited by the Greeks from our ancient fathers?\" For the fuller quote, and a discussion of the various prisca theories, see Moshe Idel, \"Prisca Theologia in Marsilio Ficino and in Some Jewish Treatments,\" in Michael J. B. Allen, Valery Rees, and Martin Davies, ed., Marsilio Ficino, His Theology, His Philosophy, His Legacy, p. 137-158.\n[9]Niels Christian Hvidt, Christian Prophecy: the Post Biblical Tradition, p. 124\n[10]Ibid., p. 125.\n[11]Abraham Joshua Heschel, Maimonides: A Biography, p. 26. See also the essay on Maimonides in Heschel's Prophetic Inspiration After the Prophets: Maimonides and Others.\n[12]Arthur Hyman, \"Maimonides as Biblical Exegete,\" in Dobbs-Weinstein, Goodman, Grady, ed., Maimonides and His Heritage, p. 10.\nPosted by Calba Savua at 11:13 PM 1 comment:\nPage 50 of the book \"Siach Serafei Kodesh,\" contains the following teaching of the Hasidic Rebbe Simcha Bunim of Przysucha.\n\"I further heard it said in [R. Simcha Bunim's] name that each and every person should have two pockets to be used when needed. In one pocket \"For me was the world created (Mishnah, t. Sanhedrin 4:5),\" and in the other, \"I am but dust and ashes (Genesis 18:27).\"\nAccording to the same source, R. David of Lelov added that many err and use the wrong pocket at the wrong time.\nTo my mind, this represents a very novel way of finding balance between two religious extremes. On the one hand, we are in God's image and likeness, and are the reason for the creation. Focusing on that alone can lead to pride. On the other hand, we are lowly, helpless, and hapless. Focusing on that, however, leads to depression, dejection, and a sense of futility which Maupassant brilliantly explored in his short story, \"The Venus of Braniza.\" Recognising that there is a time and place for both sentiments helps us ascend higher up the rungs of the ladder leading back to God.\nMormon Gathering in the Ottoman Empire\nAs yesterday was Pioneer Day, I thought it would be interesting to post a little-known source regarding the Mormon doctrine of the gathering.\nIn 1889, Fred Stauffer, of the \"Turkish Mission,\" wrote to the apostle George Teasdale, mission president in Europe.\n\"The Turks have of late passed strict laws prohibiting any of their subjects from leaving the empire. Many who have attempted to leave have been taken and imprisoned, that was the case with two parties in Sivas this week. Hence the idea of having a gathering place in Asia Minor or Palestine is very pleasing to the Saints because they are all anxious to gather to one place where they can be more fully instructed in the ways of God\"[1]\nWhile I hesitate to term this an important interim step in the development of the gathering, it is still a fascinating document. President Ferdinand Hintze explored the possibility of establishing a Mormon colony near Jerusalem. He considered it \"a good plan for us to settle in Palestine and make a colony there.\"[2]\nIn this, he was highly influenced by the Mormon converts in the German Colony of Haifa. The colony was established by members of the Temple Society from Württemberg. This Millenarian group broke off from the Lutheran church, and sought to pave the way for the return of the Messiah by redeeming the Holy Land through communal agriculture.[3] Ironically, they were actually preceded in this by two former Mormons, Warder Cresson, and George Adams.[4]\nAs Stauffer wrote to Teasdale, founding a Mormon colony in Palestine, or Turkey, would allow the saints- barred by Ottoman laws from emigrating outside the Empire- to gather to a central location and live the gospel as an united community.\nGeorge Q. Cannon concurred. \"It appears that the time must soon come when a gathering place for those who obey the gospel in those regions must be appointed, so that they can be taught the principles of righteousness in a body and not be left in their scattered condition.\"[5]\nGathering was vital to early Mormonism. If not to the Zion in Missouri, then to the Rocky Mountains. If not to the Rocky Mountains, then to some central spot locally. The theology, as ever, was tempered by pragmatic considerations. Later, even this was deemphasised, and members of the church encouraged to build up their local communities.\nAs far as the Mormon dream of an agricultural colony in the East goes, it never materialised, but that is another story.\n[1]The Latter-Day Saints Millennial Star, vol. 52, p. 395.\n[2]Rao H. Lindsay, The Dream of a Mormon Colony in the Near East. Dialogue 1 (Winter 1966), p. 52. http://www.dialoguejournal.com/wp-content/uploads/sbi/articles/Dialogue_V01N04_52.pdf\n[3]http://www.gameo.org/encyclopedia/contents/T460.html\n[4]Ruth Kark Millenarian and Agricultural Settlement in the Holy Land in the Nineteenth Century, Journal of Historical Geography, Vol. 9, No. 1, 1983. http://geography.huji.ac.il/.upload/RuthPub/Num%2030%20Millenarian%20and%20Agricultural%20Settlement%20in%20the%20Holy%20Land.PDF\n[5]Lindsay, Mormon Colony, p. 53.\nPosted by Calba Savua at 11:45 PM No comments:\nSeek Ye Out of the Best Books: An Approach to Academic Study and Faith\nAccording to one of the early revelations of Joseph Smith, the Latter-day Saints are commanded to \"teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith.\"[1]\nIn a classic article on the inner meaning of the Bible in Medieval Judaism, Frank Talmage provides food for thought on the role that secular, academic study of scripture can play for the believer.\n\"When the late Chief Rabbi of Palestine, Abraham Isaac ha-Kohen Kook, was asked concerning the legitimacy of the findings of modern biblical scholarship for the pious Jew, he replied... that although one need not blindly accept them, neither must one blindly reject them: \"For the purpose of Torah is not to tell us simple facts and stories. Its essence is that which lies within (tokh), the inner elucidation of the material.\" If anything, he continues, should modern biblical scholarship challenge traditional understanding of the Torah, all the better! For it will spur on the pious Jew to probe more deeply and search out the Torah's profounder intents.\"[2]\nIn other words, we need not fear challenges posed by secular, academic studies of scripture even when they contradict or challenge our beliefs. Some of the findings are legitimate, others are not. However, even those which are not still serve a valuable purpose by encouraging us to dig deeper into the meaning of our scriptures. We needn't always take a conservative stance in regards to scripture, where the litmus test for the validity of academic studies is whether or not they conform to and confirm our presuppositions. Academic study can transform our understanding and bring us closer to truth when we use it as catalyst for seeking deeper knowledge, even \"by faith.\"\n[1]Doctrine and Covenants 88:118.\n[2]Frank Talmage, \"Apples of Gold: The Inner Meaning of Sacred Texts in Medieval Judaism.\" http://www.lineas.cchs.csic.es/inteleg/sites/lineas.cchs.csic.es.inteleg/files/Talmage-Apples.pdf\nA Mystical Motive for Haredi Opposition to the BYU Jerusalem Center\nThe BYU Jerusalem Center began construction in 1985, and almost immediately encountered opposition from the Ultra-Orthodox, or Haredi, sector. I turned four in 1988, the same year that the Center was completed. I was thus too young to remember much of the controversy, but I do that the bulk of the Israeli population was indifferent, and those who were acquainted with members of the church tore up posters and fliers distributed by Haredi anti-missionary activists. They never allowed protests to be held in the neighbourhood where we had our small meeting house, either. Anti-missionary sentiment was perhaps the most obvious cause of Haredi opposition, however, even this doesn’t adequately explain why the opposition from some Haredi groups was fiercer than that from other groups. Writing in 1988, the Israeli journalist Amnon Levy pointed out other factors which came into play.\n“When Rabbi Yitzhak Kaduri, the foremost Kabbalist in Israel, declares that the Admor of Ger’s illness is caused by the construction of the Mormon university on Mount Scopus, the Hasidic court [of Ger] wages an all out war against the Mormons, and the Ger representative in the Knesset is even instructed to call for a vote of no confidence in the government and to threaten to resign from the coalition. All this because the Hasidim accept the decrepit Kabbalist’s vision as meaningful, undisputed fact.”[1]\nWidely celebrated as the greatest Kabbalist of the past thirty years, Rabbi Yitzhak Kaduri was well over one hundred years old when he died in 2006. Thousands flocked to him for amulets, blessings, and prognostications for matters ranging anywhere from finding a good match, to curing childlessness, to mysterious health issues, to demonic possession, to financial woes. I personally know dozens who turned to him, and were you to recommend a good clinic or financial advisor instead, would look at you as though you were mad. By virtue of his mastery of Kabbalah and the aura of ascetic holiness surrounding him, Kaduri was considered to be in control of divine and hidden processes in both this world and the one beyond. This allowed him to diagnose the true root of any issue and prescribe the correct cure- usually a unique permutation of the divine name- which would then be written on an amulet given the supplicant. This ability was not restricted to amulets. Kaduri frequently spoke out on matters of national policy, connecting the visible manifestation to another separate, spiritual issue; the deep link between them concealed below the surface. Thus it was with the building of BYU Jersusalem. The Center, according to Kaduri, was the cause of the mysterious, debilitating illness which struck the Hasidic Rebbe of Ger in 1985.\nRabbi Simcha Bunim Alter was the fifth Rebbe (or Admor) of the Hasidic court of Ger. On the one hand he did things like institute daily study of the much neglected Talmud Yerushalmi, and fought against social ills such as smoking. On the other hand, he was extremely reactionary, and bitterly campaigned against what he saw as the twin evils of Christianity and the secular world. Politically, he achieved a lot of pull, and unusually for a Hasidic Rebbe, was very supportive of the Sephardic faction in the Haredi world. Kaduri was prominent in that marginalized faction, which helps explains why he was close to Alter. As for the Hasidim themselves, they certainly believed in an unseen world where the supernatural regularly intruded upon this, the seen world. Miracles, visions, dreams, prophecies, and curses, these were all mysterious, but very real and very present. This is why they believed Kaduri’s diagnosis, but their vehemence towards BYU is better explained by the role that Alter played in their lives. A Hasidic Rebbe is a tzaddik- a holy man- who intercedes with God on behalf of his followers, drawing down blessings upon them. He also purifies and uplifts their souls. In return they are to cleave to him, and support him materially. The tzaddik, as famously formulated, is the foundation upon which the world stands. He is literally the link between his followers and God. Alter fell mysteriously ill in 1985, becoming unable to communicate with his followers, and, indeed, barely functioning at all. This sent shockwaves throughout his court, and Kaduri’s declaration galvanized them into action against the cause of their Rebbe’s affliction. So, in the case of Ger, the motivation behind Hasidic opposition to the BYU center was as much personal as it was anti-missionary. Alter never recovered, but died in 1992. Since then, Mormons have largely faded from Hasidic memory, and one is far likelier to encounter negative sentiment stemming from LDS proxy work for the dead than from anything to do with Alter or Kaduri.\n[1]Amnon Levy, \"The Ultra-Orthodox,\" (Heb.), Keter Publishing House, Jerusalem, Ltd., 1988, p. 22.\nPosted by Calba Savua at 10:38 AM No comments:\nThe Obligatory Introductory Post\nYou are probably wondering who, what and why. The who is Allen Hansen, a native born Israeli from the Galilee with a passion for history. Th...\nJohn the Baptist and the Essenes\nOne of the riddles posed by the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls is what John the Baptist's relationship to the Essenes and the Qumra...\nIn 1940, Darryl Zanuck released a now forgotten film- Brigham Young: Frontiersman . This was the first sympathetic c...\nMilk and Meat- Why Not?\nThou shalt not boil a kid in its mother's milk. -Exodus 23:19. This short injunction forms a major part of the dietary ( kashrut ) law...\nGershom Scholem (1897-1982) was a colossal figure in the modern academic study of Judaism. Without Scholem it is unlikely that there would...\nA Response to Rob Bowman: Early Jewish Mysticism Pt. 1\nRob Bowman wrote a blogpost critiquing an installment of Daniel Petersen's column in the Deseret News.[1] My previous post details why...\nA Response to Rob Bowman: Midrash\nEvangelical writer Rob Bowman recently wrote a post on the Parchment and Pen blog which I feel is worth responding to. The piece is entit...\nWhat did the Stone Tablets look like?\nI am doing some research into the interpretation of the stone tablets which Moses brought down from Sinai, and came across an interesting ...\nDid Saadia Gaon & Maimonides Believe in Eternal Marriage?\nI'm very much in favour of using sources from the ancient world to explore our scriptures and doctrines. They deepen and enrichen our ...\nJohn Gee posted an interesting Hugh Nibley quote in a recent blog post. I have discussed the supplanting of the gospel by the teachin...\nAn Historian at War: From Gershom Scholem's Experi...\nCalba Savua\nA Dictionary of the Targumim, Talmud Bavli, Talmud Yerushalmi and Midrashic Literature\nAn Invitation to Piyyut\nEliezer Segal\nIsrael Antiquities Authority\nKabbalistic texts (in Hebrew)\nLegends of the Jews\nOnline Treasury of Talmudic Manuscripts\nStudies in Jewish Prayer","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1464103"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.518796980381012,"wiki_prob":0.48120301961898804,"text":"Martha Garcia: OLPH prepping for visitors to annual BBQ event\nMartha Garcia\nOur Lady ofPerpetual Help will host their 72nd annual BBQ community event next weekend. The carnival style event features fun rides, music, performances and a wide array of food. Hosted Friday, Saturday and Sunday beginning September 16,at 6 p.m. Photos courtesy of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church.\nRenowned across Santa Clarita for good food, fun rides, great music and a carnival atmosphere, parishioners are gearing up for the Our Lady of Perpetual Help’s 72nd annual barbecue next weekend. Despite the many fun attractions, those closest to the church say what makes the barbecue really special is the sense of community it fosters between churchgoers and community attendees.\nThe OLPH annual 72nd Barbecue is a massive undertaking with nearly 20,000 attendees across the three days of the event. Nearly 800 volunteers from OLPH as well as other parishes, including Saint Clare’s and Saint Kateri, help put the event together.\nImbred Parco has attended the church since 1995 and has been a volunteer at the event since 2008. She’s served as a booth captain for the barbecue, and began coordinating the food for the entire event.\nDespite the hard work and many volunteers it takes to keep the barbecue running, Parco said she believes the reason the event is so special is because it brings the community together.\n“Every year the whole community works together for one reason, to serve God,” said Parco. “It has lasted this long because we work together as a team. For me, I serve God by serving his people.”\nShe also explained it offers something fun for both children and adults, while bringing community attendees closer together. For her, however, the best part is seeing the many volunteers work side by side.\n“You also can’t beat all the different homemade food, that’s probably why people come back every year, it’s just that good,” she said.\nProceeds from the barbecue event, which is much more a carnival atmosphere, benefit the church directly. It is the biggest parish fundraising event of the year. Nearly $100,000 was raised at last year’s event.\n“This is truly a neighborhood celebration,” said Deacon Kevin McCarthy. “When rides start showing up on Friday, there’s a little buzz around town.”\nAttractions include a Ferris wheel and other large carnival rides, as well as games where players can win prizes. Local dance teams perform, bands of all types play and sing and a variety of food is served, including homemade Mexican and Filipino food, popcorn, cotton candy, and the parish’s signature beef. The beef is slow cooked underground for several days.\n“We have such a diverse community, we have people from all over that come,” said McCarthy. “It’s a great time to come together in fun.”\nYass Molerio attended last year for the first time with his wife and two sons. He said they enjoyed the event and plan to attend again this year.\n“Everyone has a great attitude and you get that small town feel and sense of community,” said Molerio. “The kids loved the big dipper ride, which to me looks like a torture device. It was really nice to see it so busy and the whole community attend and come together. It was a lot of fun.”\n“From a Christian perspective, the human family is our family in Christ,” said Cheri Whelan, volunteer coordinator for the event. “We just want to reach out to everyone, whether they are part of the Catholic church or not.”\nWhelan has volunteered at the barbecue since 2002 and began leading the large team of volunteers five years ago. She explained, despite the enormous amount of work it takes to put the event on, it is worth it to her because she loves both her church and community.\n“It is a really happy place to gather, to get to know people, to work together, and to play together,” Whelan said. “People all around know about it. It’s such a joy to see people happy and having a good time, and it’s building unity in our community.”\nThe OLPH 72nd annual barbecue kicks off Friday, Sept. 16, from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday, September 17 from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. and runs through Sunday, September 18, from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. The church is located at 23045 Lyons Ave in Newhall.\n‘Pirates of Penzance’ Feb. 5 at United Methodist Church\nCastaic stuntman says the cowboy way paid his way\nCameron Smyth | Recharge in Our Open Space!","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1747555"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7559281587600708,"wiki_prob":0.7559281587600708,"text":"Barbara Kay: Fascism in America? Sure, but not because of You Know Who\n...When leftists say “fascist,” it often means “right-wing people or opinions that offend me.” In fact fascism can arise on the left or the right. I’ve seen several tweets linking Trump with the protagonist of Sinclair Lewis’s 1935 novel, It Can’t Happen Here, the story of an Illinois senator who parlays extreme nativism to the White House. But they fail to mention the novel’s protagonist was a socialist.\nWhat exactly does fascism mean? In his bestselling 2007 book, Liberal Fascism (with an afterword on Obama in the 2009 edition), conservative pundit Jonah Goldberg offers this working definition: “Fascism is a religion of the state. It assumes the organic unity of the body politic and longs for a national leader attuned to the will of the people. It is totalitarian in that it views everything as political and that any action by the state is justified to achieve the common good. It takes responsibility for all aspects of life, including our health and well-being, and seeks to impose uniformity of thought and action, whether by force or by regulation and social pressure. Everything, including the economy and religion, must be aligned with its objectives. Any rival ‘identity’ is part of the ‘problem’ and therefore defined as the enemy.”\nSounds about right for Mussolini, but also for conservative-shunning American campuses and the velvet totalitarianism of their gender relations and speech codes...\nPoll Indicates Most American Voters Support Temporary Ban on Newcomers from Terrorist Havens\nMost voters approve of President Trump’s temporary halt to refugees and visitors from several Middle Eastern and African countries until the government can do a better job of keeping out individuals who are terrorist threats.\nA new Rasmussen Reports national telephone and online survey finds that 57% of Likely U.S. Voters favor a temporary ban on refugees from Syria, Iraq, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen until the federal government approves its ability to screen out potential terrorists from coming here. Thirty-three percent (33%) are opposed, while 10% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)\nSimilarly, 56% favor a temporary block on visas prohibiting residents of Syria, Iraq, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen from entering the United States until the government approves its ability to screen for likely terrorists. Thirty-two percent (32%) oppose this temporary ban, and 11% are undecided...\nScientists Criticize 'Hottest Year on Record' Claim as Hype\nClaims that 2016 was “the hottest year on record” are drawing sharp criticism from scientists who say it reflects how global warming has become more social crusade than evidence-based science.\n“The Obama administration relentlessly politicized science and it aggressively pushed a campaign about that politicized science,” said Steven E. Koonin, who served as under secretary for science in Obama’s Department of Energy from 2009 to 2011.\nKoonin, a theoretical physicist at New York University who once worked for energy giant BP, also blamed a “happily complicit” media for trumpeting the now-departed Obama administration’s dubious claim.\nThe controversy began in mid-January when the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration issued a report declaring that “the globally averaged temperature over land and ocean surfaces for 2016 was the highest among all years since record-keeping began in 1880.”\nThe report buried the fact that the temperature increase detected by NOAA was 0.01 degrees Celsius. In other words, one-hundredth of a degree – a figure well within the scientific method’s margin of error and one many scientists thus dismissed as meaningless.\nThis tiny fraction, however, set the global warming bell towers ringing. Gavin Schmidt, head of NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies, was quoted at Climate Central referring to the past temperature record and saying “2016 has really blown that out of the water.”\nFollowing the lead of the Schmidt and government press releases, USA Today wrote that “the planet sizzled to its third straight record warm year in 2016.” The New York Times’ front-page headline said, “Earth Sets Temperature Record for Third Straight Year.” The article declared that the latest readings were “trouncing” earlier numbers and the planet had thus “blown past” the previous records.\nSuch characterizations are absurd, according to Richard Lindzen, a meteorology professor at MIT and one of the world’s foremost skeptics that global warming represents an existential threat.\n“It’s typical misleading nonsense,” Lindzen said in an e-mail. “We’re talking about less than a tenth of degree with an uncertainty of about a quarter of a degree. Moreover, such small fluctuations – even if real – don’t change the fact that the trend for the past 20 years has been much less than models have predicted.”...\nA fascinating theory from the world of sports about Donald Trump’s first 7 days\nAn old sports strategy: foul so much in the 1st 5 min of the game that the refs can't call them all. From then on, a more physical game.\n— Sally Jenkins (@sallyjenx) January 30, 2017\nThat's an absolutely fascinating way to view the flurry of activity — executive orders, tweets and the rest — that have defined Trump's first nine days in office.\nTrump's six executive orders in his first 10 days as president are the most since World War II, according to Smart Politics. But it's not just the raw number. It's the subjects on which Trump has seen fit to exert his executive power. One EO set in motion the much-promised construction of a wall along our southern border. Another temporarily banned refugees from entering the U.S. and curtailed all visitors from seven predominantly Muslim nations.\nWhat Trump is doing — under Jenkins's theory — is defining the landscape on which his presidency will play out. He's seeing how far he can stretch the system before it breaks and, thereby, setting the outer limits of what he can do very, very far out...\nScott Adams essentially has been saying the same thing.\nFrom Scott Adams: Be Careful What You Wish For (especially if it is Hitler)\nI think you're going to see me posting a lot from Scott Adams over the next 8 years...\nAs a trained persuader, I’m seeing a dangerous situation forming that I assume is invisible to most of you. The setup is that during the presidential campaign Trump’s critics accused him of being Hitler(ish) and they were sure other citizens would see it too, thus preventing this alleged monster from taking office.\nThey were wrong. The alleged monster took office.\nNow you have literally millions of citizens in the United States who were either right about Trump being the next Hitler, and we will see that behavior emerge from him soon, or they are complete morons. That’s a trigger for cognitive dissonance. The science says these frightened folks will start interpreting all they see as Hitler behavior no matter how ridiculous it might seem to the objective observer. And sure enough, we are seeing that.\nTo be fair, Trump made it easy this week with his temporary immigration ban. If you assume Trump is Hitler, that fits with your hypothesis. But of course it also fits the hypothesis that he’s just doing his job. We’re all seeing what we expect to see.\nBut lately I get the feeling that Trump’s critics have evolved from expecting Trump to be Hitler to preferring it. Obviously they don’t prefer it in a conscious way. But the alternative to Trump becoming Hitler is that they have to live out the rest of their lives as confirmed morons. No one wants to be a confirmed moron...\nDenounce Trump or you're a racist idiot!\nNo, of course that's nonsense.\nBut I'm seeing a lot of that in the last 24 hours, since Trump announced a suspension on entry to the US from Iran, Iraq, Somalia, Syria, Libya, Sudan, and Yemen.\nPersonally, I think the way the travel ban was implemented could have been thought out better, and made more clear particularly in terms of people from those countries who are not US citizens but are already legal residents. (UPDATE: The White House has apparently come to understand that and has already issued clarifications.) But the policy of restricting travel from countries which house groups that are violently hostile to the US is not without logic or precedence.\nOne of my friends put up a post on facebook implying that unless I denounce Trump, I must be \"a racist idiot.\" Here was my response (I've omitted some identifying stuff of the first few sentences and formatted it in paragraphs, but otherwise, this is it in its entirety):\nNow if you want to rationally discuss his suspension of entry from those 7 Muslim majority countries, personally, I don't think it's a great idea.\nI'd be more disposed towards a more, as the term is, \"extreme vetting,\" rather than a blanket ban. But the policy isn't insane.\nFirst of all, it's not a \"Muslim ban\" as there are about 43 Muslim-majority countries which aren't affected by this policy representing approximately 90% of the world's Muslim population.\nHowever, it is demonstrably true that all of the 7 countries on the list are breeding grounds for terrorism which house numerous terrorist organizations and are rife with extremism and lots of people violently hostile to the United States.\nIt's also reasonable to assume that the President of the United States has access to information that the average person doesn't. Since Trump has publicly stated that he's going to take more aggressive action than the previous administration, you might consider the possibility that those hostile to the US would be planning some actions against the US, and this entry ban is a preemptive countermeasure. It's also possibly being taken in anticipation of measures that Trump has planned towards those countries but has not yet announced. That's a very definite possibility in the case of Iran in particular, and Iran has substantial influence in the other countries on the list.\nAnd by the way, while there have been numerous precedents for this, Obama set one himself in 2011, with a 6-month entry ban on Iraqi refugees. http://thefederalist.com/.../the-obama-administration.../ .\nAgain, while I would not take the exact measures that Trump is, in practical terms, the US is at war with groups inside those countries, so as a matter of policy, it is not irrational to suspend entry from those places until, as Trump said, we figure out how to deal with it. And trying to use the \"anyone who disagrees with me is a racist idiot\" argument may play well with people who think inside the bubble, but it's just not carrying the weight it used to.\nOutrage Dilution\nFrom Scott Adams' Blog:\nI’m having a fun time watching President Trump flood the news cycle with so many stories and outrages that no one can keep up. Here’s how the math of persuasion works in this situation:\n1 outrage out of 3 headlines in a week: Bad Persuasion\n25 outrages out of 25 headlines in a week: Excellent Persuasion\nAt the moment there are so many outrages, executive orders, protests, and controversies that none of them can get enough oxygen in our brains. I can’t obsess about problem X because the rest of the alphabet is coming at me at the same time.\nWhen you encounter a situation that is working great except for one identifiable problem, you can focus on the problem and try to fix it. But if you have a dozen complaints at the same time, none of them looks special. The whole situation just looks confusing, and you don’t know where to start. So you wait and see what happens. Humans need contrast in order to make solid decisions that turn into action. Trump removed all of your contrast by providing multiple outrages of similar energy.\nYou’re probably seeing the best persuasion you will ever see from a new president. Instead of dribbling out one headline at a time, so the vultures and critics can focus their fire, Trump has flooded the playing field. You don’t know where to aim your outrage. He’s creating so many opportunities for disagreement that it’s mentally exhausting. Literally...\nScientists say extreme PMS symptoms may be caused by a parasite carried by your CAT\n...those who suffer severe forms of premenstrual syndrome may be suffering from more than raging hormones – their symptoms could be caused by a parasite carried by cats, research suggests.\nScientists found women with extreme symptoms such as depression and anger are more likely than others to have the parasite in their bloodstream...\nStudent Sues College Over 'Social Justice' Activism Mandate\nAmerican college campuses are becoming the main battleground for the First Amendment, usually because faculty or administrators don’t respect the free speech rights of students. In November I wrote about such a case at Iowa State.\nAnother case showing the authoritarianism that increasingly characterizes the professoriate involves the master’s program in social work at Rhode Island College (RIC). A student who did not believe that lobbying the state legislature for “progressive” causes was properly a part of his education and suffered for it filed suit against the school in state court.\nThis remarkable case started way back in 2004, when William Felkner, a graduate student in the college’s social work program, objected to its internship requirement that called for all students to work to “advance social change.” To the faculty, that meant advocating the sorts of “progressive” policies they favor, but the conservative Felkner did not care to advocate policies that he found philosophically repugnant. He therefore accepted instead an internship in the administration of then-governor Donald Carcieri, a Republican.\nhat bit of independence was too much for the Professor James Ryczek who reported his defiance to the chair of the Master’s in Social Work Program, Lenore Olsen. She then informed Felkner that he could no longer pursue his degree at RIC.\nWriting here in 2005, Greg Lukianoff, then the Director of Legal and Public Advocacy at the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE), said “Forcing a person to publicly state one thing when he or she privately believes something else is one of the hallmarks of a totalitarian state. It is shocking that (RIC) President Nazarian would allow this.”...\nTrump administration debates designating Muslim Brotherhood as terrorist group\nA debate is under way in the Trump administration about whether the United States should declare the Muslim Brotherhood a terrorist organization and subject it to U.S. sanctions, according to U.S. officials and people close to President Donald Trump's transition team.\nA faction led by Michael Flynn, Trump's National Security Advisor, wants to add the Brotherhood to the State Department and U.S. Treasury lists of foreign terrorist organizations, the sources said.\n\"I know it has been discussed. I'm in favor of it,\" said a Trump transition advisor, who declined to be named because of the sensitivity of the issue.\nThe advisor said Flynn's team discussed adding the group to the U.S. list of terrorist groups but said it was ultimately unclear when or even if the administration ultimately would go ahead with such a move.\nOther Trump advisors, as well as many veteran national security, diplomatic, law enforcement and intelligence officials argue the Brotherhood has evolved peacefully in some countries, according to officials and people close to Trump's entourage.\nThey worry that a U.S. move to designate the entire Brotherhood a terrorist group would complicate relations with Turkey, a key American ally in the fight against Islamic State, and where the Islamist-rooted AKP Party that dominates the Turkish government of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is in power...\nAlan Shatter: Accusations against Israel hide the real issues\n...France’s president François Hollande’s misleadingly labelled “Middle East Peace Conference” resulted in the adoption of a statement solely concerned with the Israeli/Palestinian conflict.\nAll conflagrations in other parts of the Middle East were entirely ignored. The continuing death and destruction occurring in Syria were not mentioned.\nWith excessive ceremony and fanfare, in the absence of the principal protagonists, the states represented reaffirmed between themselves the blindingly obvious, that “a negotiated solution with two states, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and security is the only way to achieve enduring peace” between Israelis and Palestinians...\n...No mention is made of Hamas’s malevolent decade-long destructive rule in the strip; the divisions between the Fatah-controlled Palestinian Authority (PA) and Hamas; their many failed attempts to implement agreed measures to resolve those divisions; the total rejection by Hamas of the two-state solution; President Mahmoud Abbas, Fatah and Hamas lacking any current democratic mandate to rule; Palestinian elections having last been held 10 years ago; and the factions’ mutual fear of the outcome of any poll that might take place.\nThe 70 states participating, including the Irish State, represented by Minister for Foreign Affairs Charlie Flanagan, chose to ignore the current realities of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict and the real obstacles to a permanent peace.\nAt their core is a complete lack of trust between the parties and the inconvenient fact that the Israelis currently have no party with whom to negotiate which credibly and democratically represents Palestinians living in the West Bank, Gaza and in East Jerusalem...\nWe'll miss you, Mary!\nMary Tyler Moore died and with her, another chunk of my life.\nHere's the first episode of the Mary Tyler Moore Show:\nAnd the classic episode, Chuckles Bites The Dust:\nPresident Trump Delivers Remarks at Department of Homeland Security\nIt's hard to be a woman in Trump's America\npic.twitter.com/nHp0T1n480\n— James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) January 25, 2017\nWhatever happened to former Ontario Attorney General Michael Bryant?\nThis is a fascinating story of what happened to Ontario's former Attorney General Michael Bryant, whose precipitous fall from grace was even more striking than the rapid rise of his political fortunes.\nI met him many years ago when he first campaigned for a seat at Queen's Park. Michael impressed me as honest and capable to the extent that I even door-knocked for him for his election, with my extremely cute then-3 year-old son in tow, at the four story walk-up apartment where we then lived near Bathurst and St. Clair.\nI met him a few more times while he was a politician; the woman to whom Michael was then married practiced law at the same firm, and in the next office beside a very good friend of mine, who introduced us. She too seemed a wonderful, impressive person. A series of terrible mishaps subsequently changed their lives and many others.\n“I HAD NO IDEA THAT INNOCENT PEOPLE WERE, EVERY DAY, BEING TREATED LIKE GUILTY PEOPLE,” says Ontario’s former attorney general Michael Bryant. “I had no idea that the presumption of innocence is a joke.” It’s a brisk fall day, and we’re having lunch in the cafeteria at the largest courthouse in Brampton. Bryant, who turned 50 this year, is clean-shaven with short grey hair, his face framed by hipster-thick black glasses. In between bites of Caesar salad, Bryant laments how much he got wrong about Ontario’s justice system when he ran it from 2003 to 2007. But he’s starting to learn. And he’s appalled.\nI’ve come to court to watch Bryant spend a day conducting bail hearings. For the past year, he’s done this a few times a week, using bail court as the staging ground for his long-term plan: to build a full-fledged criminal-law practice.\nOn such days, his job title is duty counsel. In return for a paycheque from Legal Aid Ontario, Bryant stands in bail court all day and represents people the police have charged, but who lack a lawyer to negotiate their release from custody. Sitting in the courtroom, I watch as police haul citizens up from the cells in the basement and plop them into a Plexiglas-encased witness box. Each person then meets Bryant, and the two chat for a couple minutes over the glass before the hearing starts. If anyone recognizes him as a former attorney general, they don’t show it.\nNor do they seem aware that Bryant was once charged with a serious crime himself. Bryant may in fact be most famous for his involvement, in 2009, in a car accident that left cyclist Darcy Allan Sheppard dead — and Bryant facing charges for dangerous driving causing death and criminal negligence causing death. (His lawyer, Marie Henein, built a defence so strong that the Crown dropped the charges before trial.) In court, Bryant looks anything but a criminal. He stands five foot eight, wears a grey textured suit with a matching vest, a crisp dress shirt, a bold red tie and brown leather shoes. He radiates the image of, well, a lawyer...\nWhat Obama Owes Putin—and Why Donald Trump Is Left Holding the Bag\nIs Donald Trump a Russian secret agent? Did he pay FSB hookers to pee on the bed the Obamas slept in at the Ritz in Moscow, overlooking the Kremlin? It’s silly season, so any drunk on a fat oppo-research expense account can write down any crazy foolishness they want and Buzzfeed will let you decide if it’s true because that, as Buzzfeed’s editor, Ben Smith, solemnly explained to The New York Times, is where American journalism is at in 2017. Duly noted, Buzzfeed. Enjoy the golden showers.\nWhat’s being obscured by this grotesquerie is the origin and the actual substance of U.S. foreign policy toward Russia, which in turn affects the lives of hundreds of millions of people living in Syria, Iraq, Ukraine, and elsewhere. Or, to put it another way: Is Donald Trump likely to continue the policies of his predecessor, which set the Middle East on fire and led to 500,000 deaths in Syria, and to Putin biting off large chunks of the sovereign nation of Ukraine? Or is he likely to reverse those policies? Or can he, even if he wanted to?\nThe single-mindedness with which the White House and the remnants of the Clinton campaign have pursued the idea that Donald Trump is a pawn of Vladimir Putin is not based on silly stories about peeing prostitutes or secret computer servers that connect the Trump organization to the Kremlin. Rather, it’s an attempt to manufacture more smoke to obscure the reality of Obama’s own determination to collaborate with a hostile Russian leader in Syria, and elsewhere in the Middle East.\nSure, Obama recently sent 35 Russian diplomats packing and shuttered Russian diplomatic facilities in Maryland and New York, but this was after seven years of looking the other way while Russia seized Crimea, then Donbass; waged cyberattacks on the Baltic countries; brought down a passenger jet over Ukraine; sheltered Edward Snowden; and bombed schools and hospitals in Syria. All of these actions threatened global stability and American interests, yet Obama only puffed his chest after the cyberattacks on the Democratic National Committee and Clinton Campaign Chairman John Podesta’s emails—long after it mattered, and after the moving vans have already started to haul his stuff out of the White House...\nFacebook manipulates user posts to rig the game against Trump\nThis morning, I tried to embed a very funny tweet from Twitter wag Godfrey Elfwick about the Women's March.\nThis is the tweet:\nHowever, when I tried to post it on facebook, the hashtag #womensmarch was identified by the facebook algorithm, and I was only allowed to select from a series of images below, none of which were of the tweet I was trying to embed, and all supportive of the histrionic anti-Trump protests yesterday.\nAdmittedly, the images facebook selected are less likely to kill your apetite than Godfrey's, but isn't that a choice we should be allowed to make for ourselves?\nSilly me! I forgot, free choice is a classist privilege that is a product of the oppressive, hegemonic patriarchy. The only choice that should be allowed is #socialjustice, meaning facebook and the Women's March crazies' idea of social justice, and any other choice must be prevented.\nNot only is the media biased against Trump, but in the case of facebook, it's trying to make its users appear biased against him as well.\nRacist Organizes Toronto Trump Protest, Oppression Olympics Ensues!\nNot sure she realises the irony of the hammer & sickle on her sign pic.twitter.com/kgTZhDKqmh\n— Greg Renouf (@grenouf) January 20, 2017\nAt 2pm Friday afternoon, while their American counterparts were charging through Washington DC on a violent rampage, a group of Toronto anarcho-kiddies kicked-off an “Anti-Fascist Rally And March” to protest Donald Trump’s inauguration. Organisers described the event on its Facebook page as “a day of action and resistance” created “in defiance of fascism and hatred at home and abroad”.\nIf you’re already familiar with organisers Wesley Williams (a.k.a. Quasir Ali) and Lane Patriquin then you’ve probably already busted your gut laughing. Both were present and spoke at a hardcore racist Trump protest back in November, and both took prominent roles in the mayhem during Dr. Jordan Petersons October demonstration at the University of Toronto.\nWilliams is also well known for the racist patch he wore at a 2015 Black Lives Matter protest- “I am the Death of the Palefaces”, it declared!\nBarely a handful or two showed up for the protest. So despite Williams calling for “diversity of tactics”, there wasn’t much of an opportunity for violence with an almost equal balance of cops and protesters. Observers and clickbait hungry media were instead awarded by a world-class demonstration of Oppression Olympics and tragically stupid rhetoric that might make even Justin Trudeau blush...\nRead the rest at GENUINEWITTY\nSpeaking Truth To Assholes\nDay 1 of Donald Trump's Presidency: Kiss Kyoto Goodbye!\nAn America First Energy Plan\nEnergy is an essential part of American life and a staple of the world economy. The Trump Administration is committed to energy policies that lower costs for hardworking Americans and maximize the use of American resources, freeing us from dependence on foreign oil.\nFor too long, we’ve been held back by burdensome regulations on our energy industry. President Trump is committed to eliminating harmful and unnecessary policies such as the Climate Action Plan and the Waters of the U.S. rule. Lifting these restrictions will greatly help American workers, increasing wages by more than $30 billion over the next 7 years.\nSound energy policy begins with the recognition that we have vast untapped domestic energy reserves right here in America. The Trump Administration will embrace the shale oil and gas revolution to bring jobs and prosperity to millions of Americans. We must take advantage of the estimated $50 trillion in untapped shale, oil, and natural gas reserves, especially those on federal lands that the American people own. We will use the revenues from energy production to rebuild our roads, schools, bridges and public infrastructure. Less expensive energy will be a big boost to American agriculture, as well.\nThe Trump Administration is also committed to clean coal technology, and to reviving America’s coal industry, which has been hurting for too long...\nAlso with the new Administration, the White House is no longer afraid to use the term \"radical Islamic terror\":\nDonald Trump's Inauguration Speech as 45th President of the United States of America\nVirgin Birth: Zebra Shark Has Babies Without Mating\nCredit: Tourism & Events Queensland\n...Leonie had been living apart from males for the past few years, so her keepers were surprised when she laid eggs that produced three baby sharks in April 2016. Leonie could be the first shark ever observed to make the switch from sexual to asexual reproduction.\n\"We thought she could be storing sperm; but when we tested the pups and the possible parent sharks using DNA fingerprinting, we found they only had cells from Leonie,\" said University of Queensland biologist Christine Dudgeon, who described the case in the journal Scientific Reports Monday (Jan. 16).\nLeonie's case marks the first time scientists have seen this type of asexual reproduction —known as parthenogenesis—in the zebra shark (Stegostoma fasciatum).\nParthenogenesis occurs when embryos develop and mature without fertilization by a male's sperm. Rather, an egg progenitor cell that usually gets absorbed by the female's body acts as a surrogate sperm to \"fertilize\" her egg. This reproduction strategy is more common in plants and invertebrate organisms. However, scientists have been documenting an increasing number of vertebrate species that can have virgin births even when their species normally reproduces sexually. For example, Komodo dragons, the world's largest lizards, have given birth by parthenogenesis. So have wild pit vipers, blacktip sharks, chickens and turkeys...\n4 Recent Examples Show Why No One (with any analytical ability) Trusts Media Coverage Of Trump\nOne may have hoped that the media would respond to their 2016 failures and resulting lack of credibility by reforming. Instead, it seems that many in political media are quadrupling down on the mistakes that served them and their readers and viewers so poorly in the lead-up to Donald Trump’s surprise victory in November.\nIt’s impossible to track all the ways in which the media are leaning into their bias, their unnecessary hostility, and their abandonment of journalistic principles. So let’s just look at a few examples from the last few hours.\nMany members of the media would like to imagine themselves as brave heroes who will valiantly fight the excesses of the Trump administration. These examples show why people do not trust the media to tell the truth, much less hold anyone accountable for anything...\nread the rest at The Federalist\nScott Adams asks: Could a Climate Science Expert Change Your Opinion?\n...Here’s a thought experiment:\nLet’s say you are new to the debate about climate change and I put you in a room with the most well-informed climate scientist in the world. The scientist spends as much time with you as you want, answering every question and making her case that climate change is a human-caused disaster in the making. Let’s say this scientists is also the best communicator in the world, unlike most scientists. So now you have the best information, from the most knowledgeable person in the world on this topic, communicated in the best possible way, and answering all of your questions. Would you be persuaded by all of that credibility and good communication?\nWe know that a die-hard climate change skeptic would not be persuaded by this excellent source of information because humans rarely change their minds about important things. Instead we hallucinate reasons for why we were right all along. But in my thought experiment I said you are new to the climate change debate. So let’s assume you came to it without bias. Would you be convinced by the scientist?\nProbably yes. If your first introduction to a topic involved a clear and detailed explanation from the top expert in the world, you would probably be persuaded because there is nothing stopping that persuasion from happening. You have no bias to overcome and the scientist is both credible and clear in her message.\nThe unbiased mind is likely to be totally convinced in this thought experiment. And that mind would also think it had engaged in rational behavior. After all, what could be more rational than getting the best information on a topic, from the best expert in the world, communicated in the clearest possible way?\nBut your new certainty about climate change would be a fraud that you perpetrated on yourself. If you don’t yet see in my thought experiment why the best information from the best source is still unreliable, even when clearly communicated, you probably don’t understand enough about the world to participate in decision-making.\nI’ll simplify this even further so you can test your hallucination. Here’s the summary of the situation. Tell me why you should not automatically trust the scientist in this thought experiment. Assume the following three things ARE true. What’s missing?\nBest expert in the world on Climate Science.\nCurrently works in the field.\nGreat communicator, answers all of your questions.\nSee what’s missing yet?\nThe thing that is missing is that you can’t know what the expert didn’t tell you...\nSyrian oppositionist says Palestinians are ‘living in paradise’\nCredit: Reuvan Ramaz, Truman Institute\nA rare public meeting between Israelis and Syrians in Jerusalem on Tuesday was interrupted by Palestinian protesters who expressed outrage that Syrians would work with Israelis. The protesters met with a furious response from the Syrians, who accused them of failing to understand what true oppression involves.\n“You are living in a paradise compared to Syria,” Issam Zeitoun, a liaison for the Free Syrian Army with the international community, told the protesters as they refused to stop shouting and allow the event to continue. “You should be ashamed.”...\nIn a full turnaround, Pride Toronto, which began as a plea for tolerance, is now a platform for hateful extremists\nWhen Toronto's Pride festival was in its infancy, I was there attending and usually try to make the festival. I went to Jarvis Collegiate, around the corner from the Church Street 'Gay Ghetto,' and as high school kids, our hangouts were along Church where we mingled with the gay proprietors, staff and customers of local establishments and everyone got along great.\nPride started as a a reaction to police raids on Toronto bathhouses and a call for understanding and tolerance, but to be honest, I was fairly oblivious to the politics back then. I was interested in supporting the gay community, but there was also some self-interest. When Pride started out, it was small, friendly, and the bars and restaurants along the strip were anxious to promote the event, so they would sell beer at really cheap prices. A win-win.\nPride has been no stranger to controversy from its outset. At one point, a debate occurred as to whether the pedophile group the North American Man-Boy Love Association should be banned from Pride. Eventually that group was banned from Pride as their participation became too discreditting for the growing gay rights movement. However, as the gay rights movement grew, so did Pride, and radical extremists saw an opportunity to advance their agendas through it.\nIt's a common radical activist tactic, to parasitically attach itself to an organization, and then eventually try to control it and steer it in a direction completely different than its original purpose. That is how the odious anti-semitic group \"Queers Against Israeli Apartheid\" became such a force in Pride. For the overwhelming majority of North American gay (or straight) people, middle east politics is no more relevant than Mongolian politics, If anything, the gay community mostly sympathizes and empathizes with Israel, which is one of the most tolerant countries in the world insofar as gay rights are concerned and is home to one of the world's top gay tourist destinations in Tel Aviv, which has its own huge annual Pride festival.\nBut radical neo-Marxist extremists who despise Israel and western capitalist culture in general infiltrated Pride and pushed the antisemitc agenda. The result almost derailed Toronto's Pride festival, when sponsors started withdrawing support and the City of Toronto threatened to withhold funds so as not to have any association with the anti-Israel fanatics.\nThe same type of extremists have now gained control of Toronto's Pride through the fanatical Black Lives Matter group. Racial equality and the elimination of racism are important goals. Those goals are not what Black Lives Matter stands for. It's an extremist, racist, anti-western organization which exploits the stupidity of virtue-signalling \"social justice warriors,\" who are afraid to be seen as opposing what they mistakenly believe to be a group that strives for equality and tolerance.\nMuch has changed since Toronto's Pride festival began in 1981. Police are now supportive of and eager participants in Toronto's Pride festival and have been for the last two decades. That will now change, thanks to the Black Lives Matter extremists. Pride has capitulated to Black Lives Matters' demand to exclude Toronto Police entirely from Pride. Well, not entirely. They still expect Toronto Police to provide free security to the festival and parade.\nIt's standard Marxist inanity: \"We hate you, you're an oppressor. Oh, and give us free stuff that we've done nothing to deserve.\"\nThe City of Toronto should withdraw all support from Pride until the despicable decision to exclude police from the festival is reversed. But perhaps, better still, the City should start an alternative Gay festival that is the symbol of inclusiveness and tolerance that Pride was meant to be, and leave the fanatics and hatemongers who dominate Toronto's Pride organization to have a tiny, masturbatory gathering of their own, which they can pay for with their own resources.\nThe self-affirming Hollywood bubble\nThe self-affirming Hollywood bubble in a nutshell. People in near total agreement are considered \"a mix of voices.\" https://t.co/udtBCx7hxE\n— Richard Klagsbrun (@KlagsbrunTO) January 17, 2017\nA typical day on the West Bank\nAre US Intelligence agencies about to go to war with their own Commander-In-Chief?\nIf this report is true, then it bodes terribly for the state of affairs among certain quarters of some US intelligence agencies. It is a sign of a serious problem either way, since it translates to a either security risk or a terrible politicization of US Intelligence.\n...American intelligence officials expressed despair at the election of Trump during a recent meeting with their Israeli counterparts, Bergman reported. They said that they believed that Putin had “leverages of pressure” over Trump, though they did not elaborate. The American media reported on Wednesday that Russia has embarrassing intelligence about the president-elect.\nAccording to Bergman, the American intelligence officials implied that Israel should “be careful” when transferring intelligence information to the White House and the National Security Council (NSC) following Trump's inauguration – at least until it is clear that Trump does not have inappropriate connections with Russia.\nCooperation between the Israeli and U.S. intelligence communities has intensified over the past two decades, with most of the joint operations directed, according to reports, against Iran. Hezbollah and Hamas were also intelligence targets. An official agreement in 2008 for comprehensive cooperation, including the exposure of sources and methods of action, reportedly led to impressive results, including the disruption of the Iranian nuclear program.\nPresident Barack Obama put an end to offensive activity against Iran in 2013, at the start of secret talks between the U.S, and Iran over a nuclear agreement...\nWhen the country that spawned the evil of Nazism teams up with Islamofascism\nA German regional court in the city of Wuppertal affirmed a lower court decision last Friday stating that a violent attempt to burn the city's synagogue by three men in 2014 was a justified expression of criticism of Israel’s policies.\nJohannes Pinnel, a spokesman for the regional court in Wuppertal, outlined the court’s decision in a statement.\nThree German Palestinians sought to torch the Wuppertal synagogue with Molotov cocktails in July, 2014. The local Wuppertal court panel said in its 2015 decision that the three men wanted to draw “attention to the Gaza conflict” with Israel. The court deemed the attack not to be motivated by antisemitism...\nObama's farewell speech heightened divisions rather than healed them\nWhite voters in America aren't mostly underemployed, middle aged people who feel left behind, African-Americans aren't all oppressed, underprivileged victims who are the daily targets of racists, or angry activists blocking public thoroughfares, and Latino-Americans aren't mostly first generation immigrants, most of whom are in the country illegally.\nThe average white Trump voter makes substantially more than the US median income, most African-Americans are solidly entrenched in the middle class, and most Latinos have been in America for generations, immigrated legally and a substantial number of them voted for Donald Trump.\nYou'd never realize that from Barack Obama's farewell speech Tuesday night.\nThe growth and entrenchment of Identity Politics has been the most divisive element of western culture in the last eight years and Barack Obama has made the issue worse by reinforcing rather than debunking many stereotypes.\nPresident Obama is one of the great political orators of his generation, and there was much good in his farewell speech. His telling Americans that they need to get out of their self-affirming bubbles is one of the most crucial things that needs to be heard at this juncture.\nBut Obama also reiterated the patchwork of distinct, boilerplate categories of cliched racial, religious and ethnic divisions that would be described as racist generalizations if anyone other than the 'post-racial' President uttered them.\nThe inculcation of those divisions has, during Obama's presidency, taken firmer root in education and government policy. It's destructive and divisive.\nWhen Americans are encouraged to be Americans, and we see pigmentation and ethnicity as another facet that separates people from each other no more than hair color or taste in music, then thge nation will grow stronger. The Book of Proverbs predicts what the sort of divisions Obama's America may reap: \"He who troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind.\"\nWith an new presidency on the horizon, let's hope Americans can repudiate that prediction.\nVampire Bats In Brazil Now Start To Feed On Human Blood\nWild vampire bats in Brazil that are believed to exclusively feed on bird blood have started to feed on human blood by night.\nBetter Adapted At Processing Bird Blood\nThe hairy-legged vampire bat, Diphylla ecaudata, which lives in northeast Brazil typically targets large birds to feed on at night time.\nThe bats primarily feed on birds because they have evolved to be better at processing bird blood, which is characterized by high levels of fat, than at digesting the thicker and high-protein blood of mammals. The nocturnal animals would suck a spoonful of blood from one animal as meal.\nEarlier experiments have shown that many of the bats would opt to fast and starve to death when only pig and goat blood was available.\nEnrico Bernard, from the Federal University of Pernambuco in Recife, Brazil, and colleagues, however, have found evidence suggesting that the bats have started to eat something that is outside of their traditional diet.\nTraces Of Human Blood In Fecal Samples\nBernard and colleagues analyzed fecal samples from a colony of the hairy-legged vampires that live in Catimbau National Park in northeast Brazil. The researchers found that of the 15 samples that they managed to get DNA from, three had traces of blood from humans, suggesting that the animals have started to suck on human blood...\nCruz, Graham 'Safeguard Israel Act' aims to slay Obama's abandonment of Israel\nSenators Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., are set to introduce legislation Thursday to cut off U.S. funding to the United Nations until the anti-American organization rescinds its recently passed, vehemently anti-Israel resolution.\nU.S. contributions to the body’s regular and peacekeeping budgets stand at roughly $3 billion a year — about a quarter of the respective budgets.\nThe senators’ Safeguard Israel Act of 2017 seeks to “prohibit voluntary or assessed contributions to the United Nations until the President certifies to Congress that United Nations Security Resolution 2334 has been repealed,” an advance copy of the draft bill obtained by Conservative Review states...\nTerence Corcoran: Chavez’s Canadian fan club is awfully quiet about Venezuela’s utter meltdown\nIt’s time for a break from the great media/Hollywood fixation on the imminent malfeasance of Donald Trump as president of the United States. Better, for sanity and perspective, to reflect on a former media/Hollywood fixation: The ideologically sainted Hugo Chavez, a national leader whose wondrous achievements as socialist president of Venezuela were hailed and celebrated for almost two decades.\nWith Venezuela currently slipping deeper into financial and economic ruin, not much has been heard from the dead dictator’s legion of supporters, including those Canadian media celebrities who joined hands with Hollywood types such as Michael Moore, Oliver Stone and Sean Penn to support Chavez as a great South American democrat.\nOne such Canadian, Naomi Klein, retweeted approvingly on the 2013 death of Chavez: “Yes, the Venezuelan president could be a strongman. But he leaves behind what might be called the most democratic country in the Western Hemisphere.”\nThe Western Hemisphere?! More democratic than, say, Canada? I suppose Venezuela might be called that, but not with a straight face. What Chavez actually left behind is one of the most horrifically destitute countries in the world. In December, Transparency International listed Venezuela as the only country in the Americas among the world’s 10 most corrupt governments...\nAgainst and For: Senators Al Franken (D) and Ted Cruz (R) question Jeff Sessions, Donald Trump's nominee for Attorney General at confirmation hearings\nJeremy Corbyn backs \"idiotic\" cap on earnings to reduce inequality\nJeremy Corbyn has backed a cap on high earnings as a way to reduce income inequality, as the Labour leader makes a fresh pitch to UK voters.\nMr Corbyn told the BBC on Tuesday: “I would like there to be some kind of high earnings cap, quite honestly.”\nThe Labour leader described the UK as a bargain basement economy on the shores of Europe. “We have the worst level of income disparity of most of the OECD countries,” he said. “It’s getting worse and corporate taxation is a part of it. If we want to live in a more egalitarian society and fund our public services we cannot go on creating worse levels of inequality.”\nHowever, Mr Corbyn was reluctant to be drawn on details of an earnings cap: “I can’t put a figure on it and I don’t want to.”...\nImam who issued fatwa against Indian PM Modi now threatens Tarek Fatah with beheading\nRecently, the Shahi Imam of (India's) Kolkata’s Tipu Sultan Mosque, Maulana Noorur Rahman Barkati was in the news for issuing a fatwa against Narendra Modi. The Imam had declared an award of Rupees 25 lakhs for shaving the head and beard of the Prime Minister. He was speaking at a joint conference by the All India Majlis-e-Sura and All India Minority Forum, in a promotional campaign for Mamata Banerjee.\nNow it appears the Imam has gone quite a few steps ahead. The Imam was invited to a panel discussion on Zee News, to debate his controversial fatwa. Among the panelists, was Canadian columnist and staunch critic of radical Islam, Tarek Fatah.\nIn a shocking incident of gross “intolerance”, out of nowhere, the Imam declared during the debate that Fatah “would be beheaded”...\nPiers Morgan: Sorry, Meryl but that hypocritical anti-Trump rant was easily the worst performance of your career (apart from that time you gave a child rapist a standing ovation)\n...Really, Meryl?\nFor starters, the incident to which she referred didn’t happen last year, it happened in 2015. There’s even been another Golden Globes in between then and now, at which it was never mentioned.\nSecond, Trump has always furiously denied – and has again today on Twitter - he was mocking the reporter’s disability and a Conservative website produced video evidence of numerous other instances where he made the exact same gesture to fully able-bodied people when attacking them. (See here and decide for yourself)\nThird, the reporter is hardly a powerless individual with ‘no capacity to fight back’; he’s a long-time Pulitzer-prize winning investigative journalist at the New York Times, a paper that’s trashed Trump for decades.\nBut putting all that to one side for a moment – and if Trump WAS mocking a man’s disability then I agree it was disgraceful - let’s move to what Streep said next: ‘Disrespect invites disrespect. Violence incites violence. When the powerful use their position to bully others, we all lose.’\nAt this point, I laughed out loud with incredulity.\nNot at the words themselves, which are laudable.\nNo, it was at the hypocrisy.\nYou’d be hard-pushed to find an industry that encourages more disrespect and violence than Hollywood...\nDear celebrities: Stop making political videos\nCNN least trusted news network\nCNN is less trusted by likely voters than its competitors at MSNBC and Fox News, according to a new study.\nThe study, conducted by Rasmussen Reports, said that 75 percent of likely voters tend to watch at least some cable news per week to keep up with politics. Among that group, 42 percent watch Fox News, 35 percent watch CNN, and 19 percent watch MSNBC.\nHowever, the poll said a larger portion of Fox News and MSNBC viewers trust those networks...\nRafsanjani Was Iran’s Mythical ‘Moderate’\nAkbar Hashemi Rafsanjani was the original Mr. Moderation. Western observers saw the former Iranian president as a sort of Deng Xiaoping in clerical robes: a founder of the Islamic Republic who was destined to transform the country into a normal state. Rafsanjani, they thought, was too corrupt to be an ideologue.\nYet Rafsanjani, who died Sunday at 82, consistently defied such hopes. His life and legacy remind us that fanaticism and venality aren’t mutually exclusive. It’s a lesson in the persistence of Western fantasies about the Iranian regime...\nBarbara Kay: Fascism in America? Sure, but not bec...\nPoll Indicates Most American Voters Support Tempor...\nScientists Criticize 'Hottest Year on Record' Clai...\nA fascinating theory from the world of sports abou...\nFrom Scott Adams: Be Careful What You Wish For (es...\nScientists say extreme PMS symptoms may be caused ...\nStudent Sues College Over 'Social Justice' Activis...\nTrump administration debates designating Muslim Br...\nAlan Shatter: Accusations against Israel hide the ...\nPresident Trump Delivers Remarks at Department of ...\nWhatever happened to former Ontario Attorney Gener...\nWhat Obama Owes Putin—and Why Donald Trump Is Left...\nFacebook manipulates user posts to rig the game ag...\nRacist Organizes Toronto Trump Protest, Oppression...\nDay 1 of Donald Trump's Presidency: Kiss Kyoto Goo...\nDonald Trump's Inauguration Speech as 45th Preside...\n4 Recent Examples Show Why No One (with any analyt...\nScott Adams asks: Could a Climate Science Expert C...\nSyrian oppositionist says Palestinians are ‘living...\nIn a full turnaround, Pride Toronto, which began a...\nAre US Intelligence agencies about to go to war wi...\nWhen the country that spawned the evil of Nazism t...\nObama's farewell speech heightened divisions rathe...\nVampire Bats In Brazil Now Start To Feed On Human ...\nCruz, Graham 'Safeguard Israel Act' aims to slay O...\nTerence Corcoran: Chavez’s Canadian fan club is aw...\nAgainst and For: Senators Al Franken (D) and Ted C...\nJeremy Corbyn backs \"idiotic\" cap on earnings to r...\nImam who issued fatwa against Indian PM Modi now t...\nPiers Morgan: Sorry, Meryl but that hypocritical a...\nHow Edward Snowden Helped Terrorists Succeed\nFans of Homeland will get a real treat out of Netf...\nSen. Cruz: Congress Must Cut U.S. Taxpayer Funding...\nObama's Legacy of Failure - The US House of Repres...\nBill C-16 – What’s the Big Deal?\nHow George Soros destroyed the Democratic Party\nReal Housewives of ISIS is infuriating humorless \"...\nProminent climate scientist retires from academia ...\nThe Age of Liberal Unreason\nCrumbling ‘Consensus’: 500 Scientific Papers Publi...\nCharities linked to terrorism at record high: extr...\nCelebrity attempt at Milo book ban backfires biggly\nA proposal to let people in need in Toronto help t...\nVandal Changes Famed Hollywood Sign Overnight To R...\nAUREL BRAUN: Save the fake outrage: Obama has know...","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1095798"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8150582909584045,"wiki_prob":0.8150582909584045,"text":"Author: Jessie Bauters Apr 24, 2017\nJill of All Trades plays Linda in “Red Hot and Cole”\nThe Denver native graduates this May with a master’s degree in voice performance.\nNadya Hill is a vocalist. A violinist. A visual artist. A full-stack Javascript web developer. But on Friday night and Sunday afternoon, as she performs in Eklund Opera’s season-ending “Red Hot and Cole,” she’ll just be Linda Porter.\n“I get to sing ‘In the Still of the Night,’ which is for sure my favorite Cole Porter song. I’m really excited.”\nThe Denver native graduates this May with a master’s degree in voice performance, and after turns in opera classics “Die Fledermaus,” “The Magic Flute,” “L’incoronazione di Poppea” and “Così fan tutte,” she’s looking forward to going out on a slightly different note.\n“‘Red Hot and Cole’ is really more musical theatre than opera,” she says. “It’s also wonderful to be able to work with [Professor of Theatre and director] Bud Coleman. He’s an amazing person and a brilliant director.”\nMusic is in Hill’s blood: Her father is principal timpanist for the Colorado Symphony, her mother is a violinist and her brother Colin is a junior jazz drum major at CU. Hill started playing violin as a child and since then, music has been intertwined with everything in her life.\n“It’s hard to say exactly why music is so important, because for me, it’s just necessary and omnipresent. It’s as much of a need to me as eating, breathing or sleeping.”\nAnyone who’s watched Hill perform can plainly see that passion shining through in her skill and engaging stage presence. So, with all that natural musical talent going for her, why computer programming?\nA series of twists and turns altered Hill’s vision of her future, after a couple of bouts with tendinitis put her violin career in jeopardy. The second time the condition flared up—while she was an undergraduate violinist at the University of Michigan—she saw herself at a fork in the road.\n“I got tendinitis in my back, neck and arms horribly my freshman year—to the point where I couldn’t play,” she recalls. “So my roommate suggested I try voice lessons for fun. After about six months, I got into the voice program there.”\nFast forward to her time at CU Boulder, and Hill has had roles in five operas, seemingly putting the uncertainty of the past behind her. But for a perfectionist, it wasn’t enough.\n“After my first year of grad school, I was overwhelmed by the possibility that I might not be able to support myself as a musician. So I started teaching myself to code; then I took a 10-week intensive course in Boulder.\n“I’ll always be a singer and a violinist, but now I’ll always be a computer programmer as well. The world of professional musicians is notoriously financially unpredictable, so there’s something comforting in knowing that while I have the skills to be a professional performer, I can also always know where my next meal is coming from.”\nNow Hill, who manages the website for the Colorado Youth Symphony Orchestras in her free time, has yet another creative outlet.\n“Coding is definitely an art form in itself,” she says. “To make a successful website, it has to be fun, easy to navigate, and personalized for each individual business, which ends up feeling like solving puzzles all day. I also love programming dorky and entertaining little Easter eggs into websites—with the business’s permission, of course!”\nAnd as if that weren’t enough on her plate, violin is also still very much a part of her life. Once a week, Hill makes the trek south of Denver, where she sits as concertmaster for the Parker Symphony.\nShe says she’s able to do it because singing helped her get her health issues under control.\n“Singing is such a different approach to music than violin that I found I was actually able to play violin better after I started singing,” she says. “Physically, I found tension singing where no one was able to see it before. And that helped me feel a lot better, too.”\nAs her time in Boulder draws to a close, the Jill of All Trades hopes to put her many skills to use wherever her path leads her next. And she’ll look fondly on the lessons she learned and friends she made at the College of Music.\n“I’ll really miss working with such amazing colleagues and teachers,” she says. “I’ve been really lucky to be surrounded by incredibly supportive people here.”\n“Red Hot and Cole” is Thursday, April 27 through Sunday, April 30. For tickets, visit CUPresents.org.\nUpcoming Eklund Opera Events View all events\nClose Cendrillon Performance Details\nAn opera by Jules Massenet\nComposed by Jules MassenetLibretto by Henri Cain Massenet's wistful interpretation of the classic \"Cinderella\" fairy tale is opulent, romantic and fu...\nBuy Tickets - Cendrillon\nLearn more about Cendrillon\nLatest Eklund Opera News View all news items\nEklund Opera’s “La Bohème” featuring…\nGiacomo Puccini didn’t go to the well of Greek and Roman myths…\nLearn More - Eklund Opera’s “La Bohème” featuring alum Wei Wu offers a fresh take on Puccini’s “quintessential opera”\nSingle tickets for CU Presents…\nCU Presents will begin offering single tickets Monday, Aug. 15, for its…\nLearn More - Single tickets for CU Presents 2022-2023 season on sale now\nFrom Sharps & Flatirons: Eklund…\nDominick Argento and John Donahue’s one-act opera Postcard from Morocco definitely doesn’t…\nLearn More - From Sharps & Flatirons: Eklund Opera presents colorful 'Postcard from Morocco'","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line932139"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5824037790298462,"wiki_prob":0.4175962209701538,"text":"Impaired New Year’s drivers keep police busy\nLocal law enforcement netted several motorists for suspected impaired driving during the New Year’s holiday.\nThe arrests began on New Year’s Eve and continued into the early morning hours of New Year’s Day.\nJust after midnight on New Year’s Eve, Ruston Police stopped Melba I. Jones-Williams, 61, of Ellenwood, Ga., for an improper U-turn on La. Highway 33. Detecting possible impairment of the driver, a trooper from the Louisiana State Police came to the scene and conducted field sobriety tests. Based on the trooper’s observations, Jones-Williams was arrested and taken to the Lincoln Parish Detention Center for a breath test.\nJones refused to provide a proper breath sample and a search warrant was obtained to draw her blood. The blood was later submitted to the state police crime lab for analysis.\nJones was booked for first offense DWI and improper turning. Bail was set at $1,500.\nAbout 11:00 p.m. New Year’s Eve, a Lincoln Parish deputy sheriff found a driver asleep behind the wheel in the roadway on U.S. Highway 167. When the driver awoke, he attempted to drive off but did not realize the car was in park. The deputy was able to remove the keys but Jeff Tatum, 77, of Spearsville, refused to step out of the car and had to be forcibly removed.\nTatum was arrested for simple obstruction of a highway and resisting an officer and taken to the Lincoln Parish Detention Center where a Louisiana state trooper administered field sobriety tests. A breath test indicated Tatum’s blood alcohol content was .123g%. He was additionally charged with first offense DWI. Bail was set at $1,500.\nAt approximately the same time, another state trooper stopped a car for speeding on U.S. 167 south of Ruston. The driver, Jose E. Cruz, 33, of Hodge, told the trooper he did not have a driver’s license as he was not a U.S. citizen. After administering field sobriety tests, the trooper arrested Cruz and took him to the detention center for a breath test.\nThe test indicated Cruz’s blood alcohol content was .170g%, over twice the state’s legal limit.\nCruz was booked for first offense DWI, speeding 65 in a 55 zone, improper lane usage, and no driver’s license. Bail was set at $1,750.\nAt about 2:00 a.m. on New Year’s Day, a state trooper stopped Rodney E. Cobb, 52, of Dubach, for crossing the center line into the opposing lane several times on La. Highway 821.\nAfter Cobb reportedly performed poorly on field sobriety tests, he was arrested and taken to the detention center. When a breath test was attempted, the testing device indicated Cobb needed medical attention. He was taken to the Northern Louisiana Medical Center when he was checked out and provided a blood sample for analysis.\nCobb was returned to the detention center and booked for first offense DWI and improper lane usage.\nThis information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named or shown in photographs or video as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.\n← Ricky Durrett wins Week 17 of NFL Pick’em Contest\nLady Cougars roll; Cougars fall late →","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line548606"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6218959093093872,"wiki_prob":0.6218959093093872,"text":"News Roundup – 21 March 2014\nKatharine Fortin\nKatharine Fortin is an Associate Professor at Utrecht University where she teaches IHL and IHRL. Before joining Utrecht University, she worked at the ICTY, ICC and Norton Rose Fulbright. She is the author of The Accountability of Armed Groups under Human Rights Law (Oxford University Press, 2017) which won the 2018 Lieber Prize. She has written widely about the framework of law that applies to armed groups in non-international armed conflicts and is one of the editors of the Armed Groups and International Law blog.\n‘There is no sectarianism in the army’ – Syria’s war, the general’s view.\nNigerian army facing questions as death toll soars after prison attack.\nBoko Haram, it’s now fire-for-fire – Jonathan\nNarcisse Arido makes first appearance before ICC.\nWorld must ‘sit up and pay attention’ to situation in CAR, UN human rights chief.\nBurmese armed group commits to child protection and the prohibition of sexual violence.\nNews Roundup 12 December – 18 December\nBy Begüm Simsir / December 21, 2022 December 18, 2022\nNews Roundup 5 December – 11 December","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1935863"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8847442865371704,"wiki_prob":0.8847442865371704,"text":"Growing Christmas trees is difficult but 'beautiful' labor by these Oregon workers\nDora Totoian\nSalem Statesman Journal\nLast August, Joel Banderas Almonte posted to TikTok a video he’d had on his phone for a while, joking alongside his co-worker as they worked on a row of Christmas trees at a Mid-Valley farm.\nNearly 380,000 followers and several viral videos later, Banderas Almonte’s videos showcase the labor of Oregon’s Christmas tree workers, who power the state to being the nation’s top producer of Christmas trees and have been especially busy in the past month harvesting trees that will end up in every corner of the U.S. and beyond.\n“I think people are interested in the work of growing Christmas trees,” Balderas Almonte said in Spanish. “The quality of our work is just always improving. One sees the reaction of the Christmas tree buyers and how beautiful the trees are, and one is motivated to do better and better.”\n'Really beautiful work'\nLast year, Oregon Christmas tree sales totaled $107 million, with workers harvesting 3.44 million trees, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service. Clackamas County leads Oregon in Christmas tree acreage with 9,472 acres, and Marion County is next at 7,198 acres.\nClackamas County ranks first in the nation for Christmas tree production by acreage, with Marion County in fifth place and Polk County in sixth place, according to the 2017 National Census of Agriculture by the National Agricultural Statistics Service.\nDepending on the variety, it can take five to 10 years to grow and harvest a Christmas tree. Some Mid-Valley tree farms began their harvest in mid-October, with the pace picking up significantly in November.\nAlejandro Cortes Hernandez arrived at Salem's A&E Farms in September from the state of Michoacán in Mexico through the H-2A temporary guest worker program. It requires employers to certify they could not find domestic workers to fill job openings and requires growers to provide housing, meals and transportation to their employees.\nLuis Cória, owner of A&E Farms and Cória Estates vineyard and winery, bought the tree farm 27 years ago and has turned to the H-2A program the past four or five years, he said. Some years, it’s been more difficult than others to find workers, he said, as people are reluctant to do the work of growing Christmas trees.\nThe farm harvests about 20,000 trees per year, he said.\nIt’s especially difficult planting the trees and tending to them in their early years when people have to stoop and be “like a staple” all day, said Cória, who also lost about 20,000 young trees during this summer’s heatwave.\nUntil the trunk of the trees is big enough, the trees require a lot of care to ensure they grow correctly.\n“Last year, someone lasted two-and-a-half hours and said, ‘It’s a job for donkeys,’” Cória said.\nCortes Hernandez is learning a lot in his first year in the Christmas tree industry. He said the work is more fast-paced but less tiring than his previous job in reforestation in Salem, he said. It’s challenging to find work in Mexico, where he worked as a salesman and construction worker, and crime can be a problem, Cortes Hernandez said.\nHe’d like to work at A&E Farms again next year if possible, despite the bitter cold in the morning and occasionally working in the rain. But for now, he plans to take a few vacation days with his wife and two young children when he returns to Mexico in mid-December, he said.\n“It’s really beautiful work,” Cortes Hernandez said in Spanish, gesturing east toward Mt. Jefferson on a windy fall day.\nGetting that cone shape\nChristmas trees require shearing to achieve their cone look, and that work is a lot of what Banderas Almonte highlights in his TikTok videos, which he sets to Christmas music and audios describing the struggles and joys of immigration.\nIn his videos, he shows how the workers use machete-like knives to trim the branches and lop off excessively long pieces on a regular basis.\nBanderas Almonte, who is also from Michoacán and is in his tenth year at Noble Mountain Tree Farm near Salem, said he enjoys every part of his work. Noble Mountain Tree Farm is the largest contiguous tree farm in the world and harvests over half a million trees per year, many of which end up at Home Depot and Walmart, general manager Bob Schaefer said.\nThis summer’s heatwave put the Pacific Northwest Christmas tree industry in uncharted territory, as growers will have to wait and see how long it will take the trees that were impacted but not killed, such as those sunburned on one side, to recover, Schaefer said.\nNoble Mountain lost some seedlings, which can be replanted, while some older trees were generally undamaged, he said.\nBanderas Almonte carefully described the differences and his favorite components of the four main varieties of Christmas trees Noble Mountain grows — Noble, Douglas, Grand and Nordmann.\n“I love everything about my job,” Banderas Almonte, 31, said. “I enjoy pruning them, I enjoy the harvest, and I enjoy breathing in clean air among the Christmas trees.”\nHis shyness kept him from posting on TikTok after downloading the app, he said, but eventually his videos capturing his workday received millions of views and he figured out many people are curious about the work of harvesting Christmas trees.\nCommenters often ask about the shaping of the trees. Some are surprised Christmas trees are a specifically cultivated agricultural product. And many thank workers for providing one of their favorite parts of the season.\nBanderas Almonte, who lives in Salem, said he doesn’t view the work as difficult since he has been working since he was a teenager. But he is impressed when the product he’s tended to in the Mid-Valley ends up as far away as Dubai and Singapore.\nOmar Uscanga, from Veracruz, Mexico, lives in Salem and has also worked at Noble Mountain for 10 years. His job there is seasonal and he also works in the grape harvest, nursery industry and as a wildland firefighter.\nTree quality varies based on the fullness and evenness of the branches as well as its color, he said. He looks forward each year to choosing the most beautiful tree and cutting it exactly how he wants.\nWorkers are paid by the piece, and a person who works nimbly can make upwards of $200-$250 per day, he said, though it depends on the person. Working hard also means dealing with blisters on your hands and working when it’s foggy and cold in the morning, and even working through occasional snow, which freezes the trees, Uscanga, 38, said.\n“Oregon is really beautiful, but the weather can be (a lot),” Uscanga said. “Dealing with the weather is difficult but we try … to do the job the way they ask us to. We’re used to the rain. It’s not like it rains and we get scared.\"\nThe pandemic has made workers more diligent about staying home when they’re sick, he said, but their work has also remained much the same because people depend on agricultural workers.\n“If we’re not in the fields, there’s nothing. Nothing will get done,” Uscanga said.\nWhen it comes to trees, his work is also about capturing the most important moments of the Christmas season.\n“One feels satisfied they’re going to bring joy to a family. That’s what it’s about — bringing joy through having a tree and putting presents under it and remembering people who are no longer with us. There’s a lot of satisfaction,” Uscanga said.\nHumanity of homelessness evident during annual count Phoenix amends Super Bowl 'clean zone' sign rules after lawsuit More layoffs at Reno-based Clear Capital amid ‘seismic shift’ in housing market Developers granted second shot to pitch baseball stadium at Ventura County Fairgrounds Salem chef nominated for James Beard award for second year in a row\nDora Totoian covers agricultural workers through Report for America, a program that aims to support local journalism and democracy by reporting on under-covered issues and communities.You can reach her at dtotoian@statesmanjournal.com.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1593024"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5479648113250732,"wiki_prob":0.45203518867492676,"text":"Buyout Opportunities On The Rise In Africa’s Family-Owned Businesses\nOpportunity for investors to buy stakes in family-owned businesses in Africa is on the rise as private equity firms chase for large deals on the continent, South African law firm Bowman Gilfillan has said.\nFamily-owned businesses are companies in which one family own more than 50 percent stake. In Africa family businesses account for nearly 85 percent of firms and they remain the essential backbone to most economies.\nWhile many of them remain tightly held by the controlling families who prefer not to list on the local stocks markets, they pack a lot of potential for investors seeking to buy into small and medium sized companies that can be transformed into private equity targets.\n“There seems to be a view that people are battling to find deals. The deals are there but not as big as South Africa. It is smaller deals and many of these companies are family businesses,” John Bellew, the head of private equity at Bowman Gilfillan, told BDlive.\n“A lot of capital that has been raised is looking for bigger transactions. That creates a gap for people that specialize in the mid-market. If you are successfully invested in a mid-market deal and if you have managed to grow that company … you can sell it as a bigger company.”\nAs family businesses grow bigger challenges like sibling feuds and succession politics usually crop up like in the case of leading Kenyan supermarket chain Tusky’s.\nIn some cases management of the business becomes difficult for the founder’s’ children and they decide to let in partners with more knowledge on how to run the business in exchange of a minority stake.\nThese weakness in family-owned businesses are opportunities for private investors, especially where the is no long-term growth plan, proper governance structures and industry best practices.\nAccording to Kurt Davies, “Inter-generational issues, including differences in thinking and leadership successions, create a void for crafty and innovative investors to build multi-facet management teams that fairly allocate power and leverage the strengths of siblings.”\nThough Africa in general attracts a smaller proportion of global private equity money, Deloitte’s 2015 Africa Private Equity Confidence Survey showed that “interest has grown buoyed by oil and gas discoveries and a growing consumer class”.\nResearch by the African Private Equity and Venture Capital Association showed that $8.1 billion worth of private equity deals were made in Africa last year, second only to the $8.3 billion of deals concluded in 2007.\nAccording to Bellew, Nigeria in West Africa and Kenya and Ethiopia in East Africa are the leading investment destinations with capital being allocated for the infrastructure, fast moving consumer goods, agribusiness and real estate sectors.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line232651"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.571245551109314,"wiki_prob":0.571245551109314,"text":"China’s use of big data might actually make it less Big Brother-ish\nWhy the country’s adoption of ever-more-intrusive technology could, paradoxically, lead to stronger civil liberties.\nYasheng Huangarchive page\nMagoz\nBy 2020, China’s new system of social credit scoring is expected to give each citizen a trustworthiness rating based on anything from shopping habits to choice of friends. It may seem like an ideal tool for an authoritarian government that wants to control its citizens. But while authoritarian regimes have always been enthusiastic adopters of surveillance technology, in China’s case big data may (inadvertently) make the country a little less repressive.\nPrivacy is now a thing in China\nA few years ago, in an article for the Boston Globe called “How Privacy Became an American Value,” historian and author Ted Widmer detailed how Americans inherited and amplified the British sense of privacy—the idea of “keeping oneself to oneself.” Things such as income, health, and leisure pursuits are routinely considered private—most of all from the government. The Fourth Amendment to the US Constitution prohibits “unreasonable searches and seizures,” promising that Americans have the right “to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects.”\nAlthough it’s dangerous to make generalizations, it’s fair to say Chinese and Western citizens differ in the weights they assign to privacy, individual rights, and freedom of speech. It’s not that Chinese people don’t value those things; it’s just that they may value things like economic growth and income more. (In the West, too, people are sometimes willing to trade rights for other benefits. In a survey earlier this year by Credible, a personal-finance website, nearly half of American millennials said they would give up their vote in the next two presidential elections in exchange for having their student loans forgiven.)\nOne reason Chinese attitudes are different is that as recently as the 1980s, the word “privacy” had negative connotations in China. Chinese norms are anchored in 2,000 years of a Confucian culture that values the intensity of interpersonal relationships. One way to solidify those relationships is through transparency and full disclosure. A circumstance that triggers secrecy is typically an unsavory one. If something is good, why not tell us? Privacy in this context was equated with preserving a dirty secret. To be private was to be antisocial.\nYet as social interactions have evolved in China, so have Chinese values. The rise of big-data technology in China has contributed to a far more acute awareness of privacy than other—momentous—socioeconomic developments such as GDP growth, globalization, and urbanization.\nThe reason for this is that big data has decisively broken the personal intimacy of Confucian culture. On WeChat, you can friend thousands of people you barely know. On Alibaba, you can do business with people you wouldn’t recognize if they knocked on your door. The digital economy is impersonal to an unprecedented degree, and as a consequence the old Confucian social contract, built on solidifying personal relationships by telling your neighbors everything, has crumbled. Though it may threaten privacy, big data has also brought unprecedented attention to the very notion of privacy. In the long run, this may be the force that undermines Big Brother.\nBetter or worse than what?\nChina’s surveillance culture existed long before the rise of big data. In his book The Government Next Door, Luigi Tomba details how Chinese politics have been micromanaged at the neighborhood level. Residential communities are monitored by neighborhood committees performing semigovernmental functions: reporting dissent, resolving conflicts, and managing both petitions to the government and protests against it. These functions used to be the task of retired elderly women, whom the former Wall Street Journal reporter Adi Ignatius memorably called the “small-feet KGB.” (In traditional China, women had their feet bound at birth.) The question is whether monitoring and repression through impersonal technology is better or worse than these personal intrusions.\nOne of the most important roles of the small-feet KGB was to enforce China’s one-child policy. The Chinese fertility rate fell dramatically while the policy applied, from 1979 to 2015—a testament to the effectiveness of these personal surveillance tactics.\nIn ancient China, there was a joint liability system under which three to five households were linked together. If a member of one household committed an offense, all the households were punished. During the Cultural Revolution, punishments for political dissenters were routinely meted out to their immediate family members. The political system compensated for a lack of data on individual activities by deterring dissent broadly and harshly.\nBig data would be a threat if Chinese citizens could be expected to have an abundance of political and civil liberties in its absence. But China is a repressive, authoritarian society with or without big data. Technology has made the repression more precise, but precise repression might be an improvement over indiscriminate repression.\nTraffic is expensive\nIn a segment on The Late Show earlier this year, comedian Stephen Colbert told his audience that the social credit scores being rolled out in China would dock citizens for instances of jaywalking, among other things. That might sound harsh, but then Colbert has evidently never driven in Beijing.\nAlibaba, China’s largest online retailer, is using cloud computing to combat China’s suffocating traffic. In 2016, the company introduced a traffic management system called City Brain in Hangzhou, where Alibaba is headquartered. Unlike Google Maps, City Brain is a collaborative project with the city government; it can tap into the traffic and transportation bureaus’ systems for video footage of traffic incidents. The municipal government relies on City Brain to identify the best routes for emergency vehicles and to plan new roads and bus routes.\nMight City Brain also be used for some Big Brother–ish functions? Probably, but easing China’s traffic nightmares and getting emergency patients to the hospital faster aren’t trivial gains. According to the Chinese transportation ministry, traffic congestion in 2017 cost about 20 percent of total urban disposable income, or about 5 to 7 percent of China’s GDP. About 20 percent of the gasoline consumed in China is wasted.\nThe social benefits gained through big-data technology don’t obviate the political downsides. The question is: just how “down” is the downside, and how “up” is the upside?\nYasheng Huang is a professor in international management at the MIT Sloan School of Management. He is also the author of Capitalism with Chinese Characteristics: Entrepreneurship and the State.\nby Yasheng Huang\nThe politics issue\nThis story was part of our September/October 2018 issue.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line861878"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5040856003761292,"wiki_prob":0.5040856003761292,"text":"Analyst Update: NXP Semiconductors NV, Analog Devices, Inc., and Maxim Integrated Products Inc.\nBofA-Merrill Lynch downgraded semiconductor stocks NXP Semiconductors NV (NASDAQ:NXPI), Analog Devices, Inc. (NASDAQ:ADI), and Maxim Integrated Products Inc. (NASDAQ:MXIM)\nMXIM\nNXPI\nBofA-Merrill Lynch downgraded semiconductor stocks NXP Semiconductors NV (NXPI), Analog Devices, Inc. (ADI), and Maxim Integrated Products Inc. (MXIM)\nBrokerage firm BofA-Merrill Lynch is weighing in on semiconductor stocks NXP Semiconductors NV (NASDAQ:NXPI), Analog Devices, Inc. (NASDAQ:ADI), and Maxim Integrated Products Inc. (NASDAQ:MXIM), downgrading all three to \"neutral\" from \"buy.\" The analysts cited the unexpected \"Brexit\" vote and a slower seasonal period, which should imply \"a cautious stance\" on semiconductor stocks until at least the end of second-quarter earnings season/late August. Below, we'll take a closer look at how this bearish outlook is affecting NXPI, ADI, and MXIM.\nNXPI has lost 5.8% to trade at $75.40, as BofA-Merrill Lynch also cut its price target by $20 to $90. The stock has now lost almost 23% in the past 12 months, and short selling is starting to pick up. Specifically, short interest popped by over 19% during the past two reporting periods. Analysts, on the other hand, are overwhelmingly optimistic toward NXP Semiconductors NV, with 15 of 16 calling the stock at least a \"buy,\" while none recommend selling it.\nADI has shed 5%, and was last seen at $52.30, set for its worst close since Feb. 24, with BofA-Merrill Lynch trimming its price target by $1 to $60. While short interest has actually been declining on the stock, options traders have taken a strong interest in put buying. In fact, more than 3,300 puts were bought to open over the past two weeks on the International Securities Exchange (ISE), Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX), compared to just 60 calls. Meanwhile, analysts' are mostly bullish, with 13 of 20 calling Analog Devices, Inc. at least a \"buy.\"\nLastly, MXIM has dropped 4.1% to hit $33.67, bringing its year-to-date deficit to 11.4%. What's more, BofA-Merrill Lynch cut its price target to $39 from $41. This is all likely bad news for options traders, since nearly 43 call options have been bought to open for every put option during the past two weeks at the ISE, CBOE, and PHLX -- albeit amid relatively low absolute volume. Meanwhile, analysts are mixed on Maxim Integrated Products Inc., with 10 brokerages giving the shares a \"hold\" or worse rating, versus nine \"buy\" or better suggestions.\nFor other stocks in analysts' crosshairs, read Analyst Upgrades: Barrick Gold Corporation (USA), Eldorado Gold Corp (USA), and Goldcorp Inc. (USA) and Analyst Downgrades: McDonald's Corporation, Barclays PLC (ADR), and Deutsche Bank AG (USA).","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line128992"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6131547093391418,"wiki_prob":0.6131547093391418,"text":"Do 350Z come with back seats?\nThe Nissan 350Z is a two-seat sports car, and it does not come with any back seats. The vehicle has a low, sleek design that provides plenty of room and luxury for the two passengers it was built to seat.\nThe lack of additional seating and the focused design on the two passengers is part of what makes the vehicle uniquely sporty and nimble. The interior of the vehicle is comfortable and spacious, but there is no room for additional passengers or seating.\nAdditionally, the 350Z’s trunk is relatively small, meaning that it can only accommodate a few suitcases or other items.\nDoes the 350Z have rear seats?\nDoes any Nissan Z have back seats?\nIs a 350Z a 2 seater?\nIs there a 4 seat 370Z?\nIs the 370Z bigger than the 350Z?\nDo 370Z seats fit in a 350Z?\nWhat are the main problems with a 370Z?\nHow many seats is the new Z?\nCan a Nissan 350Z fit 4 people?\nIs a Nissan 300ZX rare?\nHow much is a 300ZX worth today?\nWhy is 300ZX unreliable?\nIs the 300ZX a collectors car?\nAre Nissan 300ZX increasing in value?\nNo, the Nissan 350Z does not have rear seats. The 350Z is a two-seat sports car that was first introduced in the United States in 2003. It is designed with a classic FR (Front-engine, Rear-wheel drive) layout, which means the engine is placed in the front while the power is sent to the rear wheels via the transmission.\nThe shape of the cabin is also adjusted to match the look of a sport model. With the lack of a rear seat, the interior of the 350Z features 2 separate seats for the driver and passenger and a storage compartment behind the passenger seat.\nYes, some Nissan Z models have back seats. The Nissan 350Z and 370Z are coupes that have two-seat back configurations, while the Nissan 400Z, which is not yet released, will have four-seat configurations.\nThe Nissan Z models have had a variety of different back-seat configurations over the years as the cars have been redesigned and updated.\nYes, the Nissan 350Z is a 2 seater. It is a two-door sports car that was produced by Nissan from 2002 to 2009. It was designed as a performance car with a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout. The 350Z was powered by a 3.\n5-liter V6 engine that put out 287 horsepower. The 350Z was available in two body styles—a coupe and a roadster. Both of these body styles were two-seat vehicles, meaning they could only fit two people at once.\nInside the 350Z, you could find comfortable leather or suede seating. The cabin is surprisingly spacious for a car with a 2-seater layout, making it a great choice for a long drive. In addition to its performance capabilities, the 350Z has a great design that features smooth curves, a long dash, and stylish headlights.\nAll of these features give the 350Z an elegant and modern appearance.\nNo, at this time the Nissan 370Z is only available as a 2 seat coupe or convertible. However, if you are looking for a 4-seat vehicle with a similar sporty look and feel, you may want to consider the Nissan Maxima or Murano.\nThe Maxima is a 4-door sedan, while the Murano is an SUV. While both vehicles might not offer the same performance as the 370Z, they still offer a sporty look and feel with plenty of room to accommodate four passengers.\nThe 370Z is indeed bigger than the 350Z. The 370Z is 5. 5 inches longer than the 350Z, measuring in at 4. 4 inches longer than the 350Z. Additionally, the 370Z has a wheelbase of 100. 4 inches, making it slightly longer than the 350Z, which has a wheelbase of 98.\n9 inches. The 370Z also has a slightly wider body than the 350Z, and the 370Z sits roughly 0. 5 inches higher as well. On the inside, the 370Z is more spacious than the 350Z, as it has increased legroom, headroom and shoulder room.\nFurthermore, the 370Z has a larger trunk than the 350Z, with 6. 3 cubic feet of storage versus the 350Z’s 5. 04 cubic feet of storage.\nNo, the 370Z seats do not fit in the 350Z. The 370Z is slightly larger than the 350Z, making it difficult to fit the seats from the newer 370Z model into the 350Z. The 370Z seats also have a different shape and attachment points than the 350Z, making them incompatible for use with the 350Z.\nAdditionally, the 370Z seats have additional side bolstering and other changes that make them incompatible for use in the 350Z. Therefore, the 370Z seats are not compatible with the 350Z vehicle.\nThe Nissan 370Z is a great sports car, but due to its age, there are a few issues that may affect its reliability. A common problem is that the engine may need more frequent oil changes due to its higher oil consumption rates.\nOther issues include a worn-out starter motor, transmission problems, wheel bearing failure, worn-out ignition coils, and worn-out oxygen sensors. Other mechanical problems include camshaft sensor failure, and engine power loss during cold starts.\nSome other mechanical issues that may arise include airbag failure, and an exhaust system that needs frequent repairs. On the exterior, the car can suffer from rusting, and the paint can start to fade and lose its luster over time.\nAdditionally, electrical issues such as wiring problems, starting issues, and connections that may have become worn can cause issues with the car in the long run.\nThe new Z car is available in two seating configurations: a two-seat coupe and a four-seat convertible. The two-seat coupe has just two lightweight bucket seats that offer great comfort and support while still offering plenty of space for passengers and their items.\nThe four-seat convertible has two additional rear seats that offer increased levels of comfort and convenience while still remaining lightweight. The bucket seats can be adjusted and reclined in two positions, making them suitable for longer journeys.\nThe four-seat convertible also offers the option of folding the rear seats down to create additional cargo space when needed. For those wanting even extra cargo space, the two-seat coupe can be optioned with an extra storage tray underneath the cargo floor.\nNo, the Nissan 350Z is designed as a two-seat sports car, so it is not capable of fitting four people. The 350Z has front bucket seats and a rear seat that is primarily used for extra storage or carrying items, as it is small and not suitable for humans.\nThe interior dimensions of the Nissan 350Z are quite compact. With a width of just 68. 5 inches, a height of 51. 8 inches, and a length of 167. 3 inches, the 350Z does not provide enough room to comfortably accommodate four people.\nWhether or not a Nissan 300ZX is considered rare is largely dependent upon the model year, condition, and production locations. The 300ZX was produced between 1984 and 1996, and the first generation, produced from 1984-1989, is often considered rare due to their low production numbers and limited availability, depending on the model and production region.\nFor example, the 1989 300ZX 50th Anniversary edition, of which just 500 were produced for the U. S. market, is highly sought after by collectors.\nThe 300ZX was available in two models, the naturally aspirated (NA) and twin-turbocharged (TT) models, and these variants come with their own rare distinctions. The NA engine was only produced from 1984-1988, making them more difficult to find for collectors.\nThe more powerful twin-turbocharged 300ZX was only available from 1990-1996, and – like the NA engine – production numbers were fairly low.\nIn addition to the condition and production year, the overall condition of the vehicle can also affect its rarity. Vehicle condition ranges from good to fair to poor, and collectors often prioritize finding a vehicle in excellent or good condition.\nFinding a 300ZX in great condition is much harder than finding one that has fallen into disrepair, so it will naturally be rarer.\nOverall, the Nissan 300ZX can be considered a rare vehicle depending on the model, year, and condition. The first generation, along with certain anniversary models, the NA and TT engines, and the condition of the vehicle can all increase its rarity.\nThe exact worth of a 300ZX today is hard to determine since it largely depends upon the condition and mileage of the car, as well as any additional features/modifications that have been made to the car.\nWith that said, 300ZXs that are in excellent condition with low mileage can range from anywhere between $6,000 and $15,000, depending on the model year and any additional features/modifications that have been made.\nThose that are found in less than desirable condition can range from anywhere between $1,500 and $4,500.\nThe 300ZX is considered to be an unreliable car because it has a number of known issues that contribute to its poor overall reliability. One of the most common problems with the 300ZX is its engine, which can suffer from a variety of issues.\nThese issues range from oil leaks and head gasket failure, to leaks in the cooling system and transmission problems. Other common unreliability issues include brakes and suspension problems, as well as electrical issues such as faulty fuel ignitions and failing oxygen sensors.\nThe 300ZX was also known to suffer from some interior problems such as faulty interior lights and air conditioning.\nAdditionally, some models of the 300ZX had issues with rust, which can further contribute to the car’s overall unreliability. Rusting can accelerate the rate of wear and tear on all of the car’s components, reducing the life of the vehicle dramatically.\nIn addition to these issues, the 300ZX was prone to overheating, which was caused by ill-fitting thermostat and related cooling system issues.\nFor these reasons, the 300ZX was considered a notoriously unreliable car by most reviewers, and the number of issues it had made it difficult to maintain and not be surprised by potential issues.\nThe 300ZX is certainly worthy of consideration as a collector’s car. It is well designed, has ample space, has great performance, and a reliable engine that makes it an attractive choice for performance and classic car enthusiasts.\nThe 300ZX was one of the first Japanese cars to achieve an international following and it has since become a cult favorite of classic car collectors worldwide. It has a classic silhouette and design cues that still look modern today, while still being nostalgic.\nIt also has an impressive engine that produces up to 300 hp and is equipped with multiple performance and aftermarket parts available to increase its power and performance. Its features, such as its optional twin turbocharger, titanium camshafts and adjustable suspension, make it a great candidate for customization.\nAdditionally, its engine is quite reliable and will often last 200k+ miles without any major repairs or rebuilds. The 300ZX also has a large and loyal fan base, with many car clubs, message boards, and forums dedicated to it.\nSo all in all, if you are looking for a classic or performance car that is reliable, visually appealing, and has a large presence in the enthusiast community, then the 300ZX would be an excellent choice for a collector’s car.\nYes, the Nissan 300ZX is quickly increasing in value due to its appreciation as a classic car. According to Classic Cars’s analysis, the Nissan 300ZX has appreciated in value by over 23% in the past year alone.\nThe Nissan 300ZX is a collector’s ideal car because of its timeless design, legendary performance, and iconic badge. It is one of the most sought-after cars in the collector’s market and its values are sure to keep on increasing as the years go by.\nFurthermore, with the growing demand for vintage Japanese cars in recent years, the Nissan 300ZX is only projected to further appreciate in value in the near future.\nCan you put a twin turbo in a Nissan 350z?\nCan you put a LS motor in a 350z?\nAre 350Z Nismo rare?\nIs it worth getting leather car seats?\nAre floor seats OK for baby?\nWhat fabric is used for golf cart seats?\nHow much did Haaland actually cost?\nIs nylon a cheap fabric?\nWhy is the handpan so expensive?\nHow rich do you have to be to own a jet?\nHow much is a cobble stone?\nDoes Invoice2go charge a fee?\nWhy do I get so many cavities even though I brush?","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1299481"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8371471762657166,"wiki_prob":0.8371471762657166,"text":"Giants' Canario undergoes shoulder surgery\nNo. 7 prospect tore left labrum during recent instructional camp\nAlexander Canario hit 16 homers in 59 games between the Rookie-level Arizona and Class A Short Season Northwest leagues in 2019. (Jared Ravich/MiLB.com)\nBy Joe Bloss @jtbloss\nGiants outfielder Alexander Canario underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum after dislocating his left shoulder during the final week of the team’s instructional camp in Scottsdale, Arizona. The team's seventh-ranked prospect will return to Arizona soon to begin rehabbing.\nGiants outfielder Alexander Canario underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum after dislocating his left shoulder during the final week of the team’s instructional camp in Scottsdale, Arizona.\nThe team's seventh-ranked prospect will return to Arizona soon to begin rehabbing.\nThe injury adds a wrinkle to Canario’s bid for a spot on the 40-man roster. MLB.com reported that Canario -- one of several talented outfield prospects in the Giants system -- was likely a lock to be added prior to the Nov. 20 deadline for protection from the Rule 5 Draft. If the Giants don’t add the 20-year-old to the roster, he can be selected by another team in the Dec. 10 draft because he signed in 2016 prior to turning 18 years old and has spent five seasons in pro ball.\n• Find news on your favorite affiliate\n• The state of each team's farm system\n• Nationwide's Road to the Show\n• Listen to the Show Before the Show podcast\n• Download MiLB First Pitch\nWhile the injury might not help Canario’s case to be added, his most recent on-field performance did. The native of the Dominican Republic spent most of 2019 at Class A Short Season Salem-Keizer, where he hit .301/.365/.539 with nine homers and 40 RBIs in 49 games. He struck out 71 times in 193 at-bats. That stretch with the Volcanos followed a 10-game stint in the Rookie-level Arizona League during which Canario went deep seven times and put up a .395/.435./1.000 slash line.\nOn July 19, the Giants added Canario to the 60-man player pool at their alternate training site in Sacramento.\nSan Francisco has 39 players on its 40-man roster as of Saturday.\nJoe Bloss is a contributor for MiLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @jtbloss.\nAlexander Canario\nGiants Affiliate","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1224108"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.714310884475708,"wiki_prob":0.714310884475708,"text":"Boston University Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies\nOur Dean’s Message\nOur Benefactor\nTuition, Scholarships, and Financial Aid\nStudent Affairs and Services\nPardee Pride\nMako Participates in Conference on Iraq, Its Challenges, and Future Opportunities\nOn October 26, 2022, Shamiran Mako, Assistant Professor of International Relations at Boston University’s Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies, participated in a conference hosted by the Atlantic Council’s Iraq Initiative on Iraq, its evolution over the past two decades, and its democratic transition.\nThe two-day conference, titled “Turmoil and transition: Iraq twenty years after the invasion,” explored Iraq’s past two decades of change and upheaval and the key challenges and opportunities confronting future generations in Iraq. Mako was joined on the panel by Feisal Al-Istrabadi, Founding Director of the Center for the Study of the Middle East and McRobbie Professor in Global Strategic Studies at Indiana University, Bloomington; Laith Kubba, an independent advisor on Iraq; as well as Sarkawt Shamsuddin, a former member of Iraqi Parliament. The session, titled “Iraq’s democratic experience,” was moderated by Wall Street Journal reporter Vivian Salama.\nDuring the session, panelists discussed the political instability in Iraq, the country’s new government headed by Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani, and the challenges ahead for both the country’s leaders and its people. Mako argues that one of the biggest challenges facing the new government is instilling a sense of confidence in the Iraqi populace, which she argues can only be accomplished by entrenching much-needed institutional reforms and engaging in more conciliatory politics, even when there are many strategic alliances. Unfortunately, the speakers noted that the political system in Iraq remains corrupt and dysfunctional meaning reforms will be difficult. Mako stressed that Iraq was not a functioning democracy; it was always an elite game in terms of how government operates.\nThe full panel can be viewed below.\nShamiran Mako is an assistant professor of international relations at the Pardee School of Global Studies at Boston University. She is also a member of the Graduate Faculty at the Political Science Department at Boston University. Her research explores the historical and contemporary drivers of inter and intra-state conflicts that produce weak and fragile states across the MENA region. She is the author of After the Uprisings: Progress and Stagnation in the Middle East and North Africa, with Valentine Moghadam. Read more about Professor Mako on her faculty profile.\nPosted 3 months ago in Events News\nTagged: 2022, Atlantic Council, Democratic Transition, Iraq, Shamiran Mako\nPardee School\nMore about The Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies\nPardee School Merchandise\nAfrican Studies Center\nCenter for the Study of Asia\nCenter for the Study of Europe\nGlobal Development Policy Center\nInstitute on Culture, Religion, and World Affairs (CURA)\nPardee Center for the Study of the Longer-Range Future\nContact the Pardee School\n121 Bay State Road, Boston, MA\npsgs@bu.edu\nBU Directory\nBU Today\n© 2020 Trustees of Boston University","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1020712"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5938231945037842,"wiki_prob":0.5938231945037842,"text":"Home / Car Accidents\nBy Warren & Kallianos, PLLC | September 7, 2021 | 0\nFrom our very first memories of riding in a car as a child, the notion of wearing a seatbelt was always actively enforced by parents, teachers, and authorities. As time continues and we all become of age to drive, we are still reminded of the importance of wearing a seatbelt, whether we are behind the…\nPrecautions for North Carolina’s Delivery Drivers\nBy Warren & Kallianos, PLLC | June 2, 2020 | 0\nDue to the COVID-19 pandemic, truck drivers and delivery drivers have literally become the lifeblood of our economy. Amazon truck drivers and truck drivers for grocery stores, clothing stores, and other retail stores are proving the essential products we need to survive. Many people are using food delivery services such as Instacart, Grubhub, restaurant drivers,…\nHe Said/He Said: How a Charlotte Car Accident Lawyer Builds Your Case\nBy Warren & Kallianos, PLLC | May 12, 2020 | 0\nCar accidents can be traumatic, even when someone doesn’t suffer permanent injuries. In order to be successful in your claim for damages, you need to determine liability: who is accountable for the crash. But what can you do when you say “A,” and the other driver says “B”? When you have been hurt and the…\nThe Real Cost of Aggressive Driving\nBy Warren & Kallianos, PLLC | December 17, 2019 | 0\nDriving can be a very enjoyable activity. You get out on the open road, and put the windows down to get a fresh breeze while singing along to your favorite music. It’s relaxing – however, when you wind up doing a lot of driving, you begin to encounter people making vehicle maneuvers that should be…\nFive Safety Tips for Parents of Teen Drivers\nParents of new teen drivers live with a two-fold sense of anxiety: first, they are worried about their child’s life each time they get behind the wheel, and they are concerned for the lives of the other drivers on the road should their child’s lack of experience cause a crash that hurts someone else. Because…\nWhere Are Charlotte’s Most Dangerous Intersections?\nBy Warren & Kallianos, PLLC | June 18, 2018\nHave you ever gone through a dicey intersection in Charlotte and driven away convinced that it is the worst intersection in the city? Well, you may be right. Even though you can get into a car accident when you go through pretty much any intersection, statistics show that your odds greatly increase at certain locations within…\nWhat to Keep in Your Car in Case of an Emergency\nBy Warren & Kallianos, PLLC | April 30, 2018\nYou can encounter an emergency situation any time you get into your car and hit the road. Unfortunately, one of the risks that you face in Charlotte and throughout North Carolina is the risk of getting into an auto accident. This is true even if you are a highly safe driver. The reality is that…\nHow to File a Car Accident Claim in North Carolina\nBy Warren & Kallianos, PLLC | February 15, 2017\nIn the aftermath of a serious car crash, you may be left facing the high costs of vehicle repairs or replacement, while suffering severe injuries that require ongoing medical care and treatment. If another person was to blame for your car accident, you should be entitled to pursue compensation to cover these and other costs.…\nWhat Should I Do after a Car Accident?\nBy Warren & Kallianos, PLLC | October 13, 2016\nThere were a total of 1,379 fatal traffic crashes in North Carolina during 2015, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports. This number does not include the thousands of other car accidents that occurred throughout the state that were not fatal, but did result in injuries and property damage. The numbers are not only heart-wrenching,…\nNorth Carolina Police Involved in Hundreds of Accidents Annually\nAccording to a recent report by a Raleigh-Durham area television station, North Carolina Highway Patrol (NCHP) vehicles averaged one accident per day in 2009. State records indicate that, when compared to the number of accidents reported in 2008, trooper-involved accidents increased 44 percent. This number may seem shockingly excessive, but when put into the context…","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line213609"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.623196542263031,"wiki_prob":0.376803457736969,"text":"Nerve Transfer Clinical Trial for Chronic Cervical SCI\nHand function is consistently ranked as the most desired function to regain in the case of impairment due to spinal cord injury (SCI), even above that of bowel and bladder. It stands to reason—with approximately half of SCI occurring in the cervical spine—that The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis researchers have directed their attention on recovery of upper extremity function. Dr. S. Shelby Burks, M.D., a burgeoning academic neurosurgeon in the Department of Neurological Surgery, under Miami Project Clinical Director Allan Levi, M.D., Ph.D., is our site Principal Investigator on a new multi-center nerve transfer clinical trial examining the effect of nerve transfers on reaching and grasping function, and quality of life, in people with tetraplegia.\nTraumatic SCI, defined as an injury caused by physical insult to the nerves within the spinal cord, interrupts signals traveling through the central nervous system. In many cases, however, the nerves that exit the spine at nerve root, located below the level of injury are still capable of conducting or transmitting signals. The problem with these nerves is input, not transmission. It has long been established that peripheral nerve axons have the capacity to naturally regenerate—unlike their central nervous system counterparts that will require external modification to do so. Combined, surgeons have realized that peripheral nerves originating from roots above the injury can be cut, repositioned, and then fixed into different peripheral nerve that arises from below the level of injury. This nerve transfer allows for the signal generated by a nerve supplied at a higher level above the injury to be transferred down the nerve normally supplied by a lower level below the injury.\nAlthough numerous clinical trials have been conducted in cervical SCI population, thus far no efficient treatment has been established. The central nervous system, particularly the spinal cord, seems to be extremely challenging when it comes to inducing regeneration. The design of this nerve transfer clinical trial intends to circumvent the issue with as yet unsuccessful attempts to regenerate the spinal cord after the injury. The approach is possible because above the injury, the spinal cord is completely intact, while below the injury, the peripheral nerves are also still capable of sending signals down their axons. Therefore, reattaching a nerve from above the injury, which has seemingly redundant function to the otherwise latent nerve below the injury allows for existing signals to be rerouted to activate previously paralyzed muscles. With targeted motor relearning, the restored signals to sublesional muslces could increase the quality of life of people with SCI.\nNerve transfer surgeries, especially those to treat brachial plexus and peripheral nerve injuries, have become increasingly popular in the last 25 years. When compared to grafting and regeneration strategies within the spine, these surgeries reestablish contraction and functional outcomes over reproducible timelines. Only recently have nerve transfer surgeries been considered as potential treatment options for patients with cervical SCI.\nThis nerve transfer clinical trial, therefore, aims to broaden the evidence base for the clinical benefits of cervical nerve transfer in tetraplegia. The overall trial, funded by the United States Department of Defense, is headed by Dr. Wilzon Z. Ray, M.D., at Washington University School of Medicine and involves at least eight sites in the United States and Canada with The Miami Project’s efforts lead by Dr. Burks. Soon, once The Miami Project has finalized the regulatory onboarding process, recruitment will begin seeking participants who meet the study’s inclusion criteria. The trial is registered with the U.S. National Library of Medicine under the identifier NCT04023591. This study demonstrates the expanded potential afforded by a diversification of The Miami Project’s portfolio of expertise across various neurological conditions.\nThe Miami Project and Buoniconti Fund want to wish","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1523763"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6719897985458374,"wiki_prob":0.3280102014541626,"text":"by Alexander Maxwell August 17, 20211:55 pm August 15, 2021\nMeet Richard Springfield: a Successful Businessman Making Entrepreneurship Look Easy\nEntrepreneur and business coach Richard Springfield is here to create a shift in the mindset of the masses in the way we perceive finances. He’s created his own thriving business focused on providing the financial literacy needed to break the boundaries of what earning an income looks like in the digital age. Today he’s here to share his story of pushing through problems to rise to the top.\nBorn and raised in Los Angeles, California, Richard, who goes by Rich, attended San Francisco State University to study business. It was coming into the university that led Rich to learn of the numerous possibilities within the realm of entrepreneurship.\nWhen discussing how his time in school propelled him into his future as a successful business owner, Rich says:\n“When I came into college I was learning about business in the context of getting a blue or white-collar job. But during my time there I was networking with a lot of different people who were also looking for more for themselves outside of just getting an education to go get a job after graduating. I started to learn more about entrepreneurship and the different avenues within it, like real estate and investing. It made me realize that there’s so much more information out there that you can’t learn in school, you can only get it from experience.”\nBefore graduating from University with his business degree in 2019, Rich was introduced to the concept of network marketing and trading in the financial markets which would give him the real-world experience he was looking for in investing and starting a business. To date, Rich has created his own organization called Minute Made Money focused on helping individuals become educated investors and entrepreneurs with a keen focus on internal growth to achieve financial and personal goals.\nWhen discussing the concept behind his business, Rich says:\n“The objective of Minute Made Money is to inspire and educate people all over the world. We work with any individual willing to work towards achieving financial independence through a different avenue than a 9-5 job, while also becoming a better version of themselves in the process. We provide a platform for the best of the best information and education from the top-down to help people increase their financial literacy. Our members are able to learn from top traders and leaders in the industry. It’s all about having access to the information that can change your life, and we’re helping to provide it.”\nCurrently, Minute Made Money contains over 100 like-minded individuals and counting all working towards a common goal of development financially and personally. Not only is Rich focused on helping people create additional sources of income, he’s also dedicated to making an impact on people’s lives that goes far beyond monetary value.\nGrowing up in Los Angeles and being involved with a friend group who did not always have Rich’s best interests at heart, Rich found himself in the wrong place at the wrong time on multiple occasions especially leading up to his start in college. It took internal reflection and discipline for Rich to make the decision that real change and more accountability were needed in order to improve the outlook of his future and align his current path with the goals he had for himself.\nTo this day, Rich believes that the circle you keep is crucial to the outcomes you produce in life. Through Minute Made Money, he strives to keep a positive and uplifting culture amongst his team, where everyone is encouraged to be the best possible version of themselves.\nWith the future of Minute Made Money looking bright, Rich plans on expanding into other philanthropic business ventures, looking to give back to the city he calls home.\n“I want to start more businesses, like stem programs and financial literacy programs so kids can get the information they need at an early age to set themselves up for success in their futures. Being able to manage your money is a crucial skill and it’s not taught in school. I want to make sure that kids from my community have access to that. Starting early with these skills is important as technology is changing and new ways to earn an income are always emerging,” says Rich.\nA pivotal moment in Rich’s life was the passing of his father to COVID-19. After such a devastating loss that Rich and his family are still recovering from to this day, Rich realized the fragility of life and the importance of making the most out of every single opportunity. Rich’s faith was strengthened after the experience as he learned to navigate the new hardship of living without his father, but he has been able to remain strong in his belief that every new challenge we are brought to in life, we can handle.\nAs a budding businessman with his entrepreneurial ventures flourishing, there is no doubt we can expect to see more inspiring and impactful projects from Rich in the near future. In closing, Rich leaves his best pieces of advice for the aspiring entrepreneur:\nNever give up on what you started. “There’s a lot of ups and downs in business and entrepreneurship, and a lot of the time when people are down they end up giving up on their dreams. The only way to get to your end goal is if you don’t give up.”\nPressure builds diamonds.“For me, I perform even better under pressure. Everyone gets nervous, but being in that situation where you have that pressure on you is what’s going to grow you.”\nListen to your mentor. “Find a mentor who has what you want and does what they do. If you surround yourself with nine millionaires, you’ll be the tenth.”\nAlexander Maxwell\nInternet Entrepreneur | Digital Marketing Expert | Marketing Consultant | Stock Market Enthusiast|| Founder & CEO at Maxwell Digitals, based in California.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line96469"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6751782298088074,"wiki_prob":0.6751782298088074,"text":"The Computers are Listening\nPosted by aurelius77 on May 6, 2015\nHow the NSA Converts Spoken Words Into Searchable Text\nMost people realize that emails and other digital communications they once considered private can now become part of their permanent record.\nBut even as they increasingly use apps that understand what they say, most people don’t realize that the words they speak are not so private anymore, either.\nTop-secret documents from the archive of former NSA contractor Edward Snowden show the National Security Agency can now automatically recognize the content within phone calls by creating rough transcripts and phonetic representations that can be easily searched and stored.\nThe documents show NSA analysts celebrating the development of what they called “Google for Voice” nearly a decade ago.\nThough perfect transcription of natural conversation apparently remains the Intelligence Community’s “holy grail,” the Snowden documents describe extensive use of keyword searching as well as computer programs designed to analyze and “extract” the content of voice conversations, and even use sophisticated algorithms to flag conversations of interest.\nThe documents include vivid examples of the use of speech recognition in war zones like Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as in Latin America. But they leave unclear exactly how widely the spy agency uses this ability, particularly in programs that pick up considerable amounts of conversations that include people who live in or are citizens of the United States.\nSpying on international telephone calls has always been a staple of NSA surveillance, but the requirement that an actual person do the listening meant it was effectively limited to a tiny percentage of the total traffic. By leveraging advances in automated speech recognition, the NSA has entered the era of bulk listening.\nAnd this has happened with no apparent public oversight, hearings or legislative action. Congress hasn’t shown signs of even knowing that it’s going on.\nThe USA Freedom Act — the surveillance reform bill that Congress is currently debating — doesn’t address the topic at all. The bill would end an NSA program that does not collect voice content: the government’s bulk collection of domestic calling data, showing who called who and for how long.\nEven if becomes law, the bill would leave in place a multitude of mechanisms exposed by Snowden that scoop up vast amounts of innocent people’s text and voice communications in the U.S. and across the globe.\nCivil liberty experts contacted by The Intercept said the NSA’s speech-to-text capabilities are a disturbing example of the privacy invasions that are becoming possible as our analog world transitions to a digital one.\n“I think people don’t understand that the economics of surveillance have totally changed,” Jennifer Granick, civil liberties director at the Stanford Center for Internet and Society, told The Intercept.\nExtensive Use Abroad\nVoice communications can be collected by the NSA whether they are being sent by regular phone lines, over cellular networks, or through voice-over-internet services. Previously released documents from the Snowden archive describe enormous efforts by the NSA during the last decade to get access to voice-over-internet content like Skype calls, for instance. And other documents in the archive chronicle the agency’s adjustment to the fact that an increasingly large percentage of conversations, even those that start as landline or mobile calls, end up as digitized packets flying through the same fiber-optic cables that the NSA taps so effectively for other data and voice communications.\nThe Snowden archive, as searched and analyzed by The Intercept, documents extensive use of speech-to-text by the NSA to search through international voice intercepts — particularly in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as Mexico and Latin America.\nFor example, speech-to-text was a key but previously unheralded element of the sophisticated analytical program known as the Real Time Regional Gateway (RTRG), which started in 2005 when newly appointed NSA chief Keith B. Alexander, according to the Washington Post, “wanted everything: Every Iraqi text message, phone call and e-mail that could be vacuumed up by the agency’s powerful computers.”\nThe Real Time Regional Gateway was credited with playing a role in “breaking up Iraqi insurgent networks and significantly reducing the monthly death toll from improvised explosive devices.” The indexing and searching of “voice cuts” was deployed to Iraq in 2006. By 2008, RTRG was operational in Afghanistan as well.\nA slide from a June 2006 NSA powerpoint presentation described the role of VoiceRT:\nExtent of Domestic Use Remains Unknown\nWhat’s less clear from the archive is how extensively this capability is used to transcribe or otherwise index and search voice conversations that primarily involve what the NSA terms “U.S. persons.”\nThe NSA did not answer a series of detailed questions about automated speech recognition, even though an NSA “classification guide” that is part of the Snowden archive explicitly states that “The fact that NSA/CSS has created HLT models” for speech-to-text processing as well as gender, language and voice recognition, is “UNCLASSIFIED.”\nAlso unclassified: The fact that the processing can sort and prioritize audio files for human linguists, and that the statistical models are regularly being improved and updated based on actual intercepts. By contrast, because they’ve been tuned using actual intercepts, the specific parameters of the systems are highly classified.\n“The National Security Agency employs a variety of technologies in the course of its authorized foreign-intelligence mission,” spokesperson Vanee’ Vines wrote in an email to The Intercept. “These capabilities, operated by NSA’s dedicated professionals and overseen by multiple internal and external authorities, help to deter threats from international terrorists, human traffickers, cyber criminals, and others who seek to harm our citizens and allies.”\nFull article: The Computers are Listening (The//Intercept)\nThis entry was posted in Afghanistan, Business & Economics, Espionage, Government Corruption, Iraq, Mexico, National Security & Terrorism, Politics, USA and tagged Afghanistan, Business & Economics, cellular networks, conversations, domestic use, Edward Snowden, Espionage, fiber-optic cables, Google, Google for Voice, government corruption, international voice intercepts, Iraq, Jennifer Granick, Keith B. Alexander, landlines, Latin America, Mexico, mobile calls, National Security & Terrorism, National Security Agency, NSA, NSA surveillance, phone lines, politics, Real Time Regional Gateway, RTRG, searchable text, Skype, speech recognitionw, spoken word, Stanford Center for Internet and Society, The Computers are Listening, United States, Vanee’ Vines, voice communications, voice-over-internet services. Bookmark the permalink.\nMexico declares all-out war after rising drug cartel downs military helicopter\nPLA task force enters Black Sea before Xi’s Russia visit","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1633038"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8558634519577026,"wiki_prob":0.8558634519577026,"text":"Is this a Holiday gift? Enter a special message for the recipient here:\nRelevate\nAbout RELEVATE\nOur Design Principles\nBrain Power for Life\nBrain Table\nWhole Minded\nShop RELEVATE\nJimmy Choi: JC Fox Ninja and Advocate\nParkinson’s disease (or PD) is typically recognized as a “movement disorder.” However, PD is actually a neurodegenerative disease, made up of a constellation of movement and non-movement symptoms, including sleep disorder, gut dysfunction, depression, and difficulties with executive function and memory1. In many cases, Parkinson’s disease also involves Lewy Body dementia (LBD), which results in hallucinations and delirium. It is estimated there are over 1 million people in the United States with Parkinson’s, making it the second most common neurodegenerative disease behind Alzheimer’s. And, much like Alzheimer’s, despite the tremendous challenges faced by patients and their families, there are very special individuals in the Parkinson’s community making extraordinary contributions to awareness, advocacy, and brain-healthy living in general.\nOne such person is Jimmy Choi, affectionately known as the “Fox Ninja”. For people familiar with the American Ninja Warrior series on TV, you may have seen Jimmy jumping, swinging, and climbing his way through the show’s famous obstacle courses for 5 seasons from 2017 to 2021. To be an ANW contestant is to be an athlete with tremendous strength, flexibility, and coordination. What makes Jimmy unique? He’s an American Ninja Warrior, and he happens to have Parkinson’s disease. How does a person like Jimmy - with a disease known for tremors, stiffness, and slowness - work his way up to competing with elite athletes? Read on. His story is an inspiration in overcoming the stigma of Parkinson’s and using it to raise awareness and fund cutting-edge research.\nFrom Denial to Taking Control\nIn 2003, at the age of 27, Jimmy was diagnosed with young onset Parkinson’s disease. In hindsight, Jimmy acknowledges that he must have been feeling symptoms from his early 20’s. He had difficulty throwing balls. For some reason, he experienced a lack of brain-hand coordination, and the balls went straight into the ground. Later, a nurse performing his life insurance evaluation shared with him that she worked for a neurologist. She didn’t mention Parkinson’s, but she strongly encouraged him to see a movement disorder specialist. Upon doing so, Jimmy was diagnosed with Young Onset Parkinson’s Disease. For a disease that’s typically diagnosed after the age of 60, he was understandably in denial, but multiple neurologist visits came to the same conclusion: Parkinson’s disease. He didn’t tell his wife Cherryl of his diagnosis for months, let alone manage his symptoms at the beginning. However, by 2010, he was overweight and walking with a cane. It was in that year when he had his “wake up” call. Jimmy fell down the stairs while carrying his toddler son. At the bottom of the stairs, Jimmy committed himself to do the best he could for his family and show them that he will never give up. It was time to take control and engage with his condition and the Parkinson’s community.\nJimmy started physical therapy, which led him to running, and after some extensive research he learned that exercise was one of the best ways to slow progression of Parkinson's. By starting small with walks around the block with his cane, he was soon walking without his cane - and then jogging. Then, he joined Team Fox (a grassroots community fundraising program of the Michael J. Fox Foundation) in 2012 and ran his first marathon that year, raising money for the organization. One marathon turned into a few, and he even competed in an ultra-marathon (that’s 50 miles!).\nAmerican Ninja Warrior and Beyond\nIf that wasn't inspiring enough, Jimmy took it to the next level in 2016 when he challenged himself to qualify and compete in NBC's American Ninja Warrior. The motivation came from his daughter, Karina, who’d been training at a “ninja gym,” and she encouraged her dad to try out to be an American Ninja Warrior (her favorite show). So, with similar conviction as his marathon training, he dedicated himself to “ninja training” to show the world that Parkinson's would not get the best of him. Despite the physical and mental challenges of the disease, he competed in 2017 and in each of the next 4 years, and he’s raised awareness about Parkinson's all along.\nOn top of that, when the pandemic hit, Jimmy showed countless people that you could stay fit in “quarantine” by breaking two fitness world records to raise funds for Parkinson’s disease research. It started when Jimmy was training for marathons, when he would practice burpees as a means of protecting himself if he were to fall. Eventually, one burpee turned into more, and this led him to pursue and achieve his first Guinness World Record: 30 chest-to-ground burpees in 60 seconds! After that, he went for his second world record of 40 side-to-side (plyometric lateral) pushups in a minute!\nMaking a Difference in the Fight for Parkinson's\nJimmy's physical goals may have started with a desire to delay or slow the progression of his disease, but his mission has evolved to spread awareness about Parkinson's, raise money for the Michael J Fox Foundation and inspire others. He wants to show others with brain disorders or other illnesses that they “can still thrive and accomplish things that most people thought only 100% healthy people can do”. Through marathons, Spartan races and countless 5k and 10k's, he has raised over $500,000 for Parkinson's research and Team Fox.\nWhen Jimmy isn't training, he can be found spending time with his wife Cherryl and 2 kids, Karina and Mason, or in the kitchen making nutritious (and delicious) meals. He is also an active motivational speaker and a patient council board member of the Michael J Fox Foundation.\nHis annual 5k race, called Shake It Off, is another way he gets his local community in the Chicago area involved. And last year, Jimmy and his wife Cherryl launched a new social media fundraiser called MOVEmber4PD, to encourage people to get moving in the month of November and raise awareness about Parkinson's. Follow him on Instagram to check out what he’s up to now. Join the movement by signing up and donating to fund high-impact research for Parkinson’s Disease.\nThrough physical fitness and a never-give-up attitude, Jimmy has proven that anyone can make a difference in the fight against Parkinson’s, or any challenge for that matter! Watch any of Jimmy’s videos, and it’s guaranteed to make you want to MOVE for brain health!\nGilbert, R. American Parkinson’s Disease Association, Lewy Bodies, Dementia, and Parkinson’s – What Does it All Mean?: https://www.apdaparkinson.org/article/understanding-parkinsons-disease-dementia-lewy-bodies/\nLifelong Brain HealthTM\ncare@neuroreserve.com\nSign up for resources and special offers\nThese statements on this website have not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Information on this website and affiliated NeuroReserve websites and social media pages is for information only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice.\n© 2023 NeuroReserve. All rights reserved.\nServing Size: 1 Softgel and 2 Capsules","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1840599"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5845048427581787,"wiki_prob":0.4154951572418213,"text":"Anhad law\nAnti Bribery Anti Corruption White Collar Crime\nDispute Resolution/Mediation/Arbitration\nEnvironmental Social and Governance (ESG)\nInformation Technology, E-Commerce & Data Privacy\nJoint Ventures, Mergers and Acquisitions\nPolicy and Regulatory Matters\nDELHI HIGH COURT QUASHES TERMINATION ORDERS OF PILOTS BY AN AIRLINE\nHon’ble Delhi High Court in a recent common judgment passed on June 01, 2021, in “Arjun Ahluwalia Vs. Air India Limited” and other similar forty (40) other petitions involving pilots of Air India Ltd. (‘Airline’), allowed the writ petitions in favour of the employee pilots who sought withdrawal of their resignation letters tendered pre-Covid-19 time, which were accepted by the Airline amid Covid-19 pandemic, even after withdrawal of tendered resignations primarily on ground of severe financial strain and financial impact of global Pandemic Covid-19.\nIn the leading case, the Petitioner (a Pilot) joined Air India Limited in 2008, as Trainee Pilot, and on completion of training and after several promotions, he was designated as Pilot Commander.\nThe Petitioner tendered his resignation vide letter dated January 15, 2020 giving six (6) months’ notice, commencing from January 15, 2020, and requested for clearance of all his dues towards salary, flying allowances, etc., credit of contribution into his provident fund account and issuance of a “No objection Certificate‟, issued by Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). In the resignation letter, Petitioner pointed out that his Bond Period was ending on May 01, 2020 and thus, he be relieved with effect from July 15, 2020 [expiry of six (6) months’ notice period]. Vide letter dated March 18, 2020, on account of compelling personal reasons, Petitioner withdrew his resignation.\nAirline vide an e-mail dated March 23, 2020 informed the Petitioner that the withdrawal of his resignation would be examined at a later date. On July 04, 2020, Petitioner sent an e-mail inquiring about the status of the withdrawal of his resignation, but no response was received. Vide order dated August 13, 2020 i.e. seven (7) months after the date of resignation and five (5) months after its withdrawal, Airline accepted the resignation of the Petitioner, overlooking the fact that the resignation stood withdrawn.\nA Writ Petition was initiated by the Petitioner before Hon’ble Delhi High Court seeking Court’s direction to the Airline to accept the request for withdrawal and allow the Petitioner to continue in service. Similar reliefs were sought by other forty (40) pilots who approached the Hon’ble Court by filing other writ petitions.\nQuestions Framed By Hon’ble Delhi High Court\nThe following questions arose for consideration before the Hon’ble Delhi High Court:\nWhether the Petitioners were entitled to withdraw their resignations prior to their acceptance by the Respondent Airlines?\nIf the answer to the above question was in the affirmative, whether it was open to the Respondent Airlines to accept resignations which stood withdrawn by the Petitioners prior to their acceptance?\nWhether financial crisis/distress/crunch of the Respondent Airlines can be a relevant consideration for accepting resignations of the Petitioners in view of the provisions of CAR?\nWhether the Petitioners whose terms and conditions of service were governed by Fixed Term Contracts (‘FTC’) can enforce their contracts of employment and/or seek extension/renewal of the\nFTCs by invoking the writ jurisdiction of this Court under Article 226 of the Constitution of India?\nHon’ble Delhi High Court’s Decision\nThe Court observed that the Petitioners in the batch of petitions were Pilots who could be broadly categorized under two heads : (a) Permanent Employees (hereinafter referred to as ‘PEs’) and (b) Fixed Term Contract Employees (hereinafter referred to as “FTCEs‟)\nAfter analyzing the judgements passed by the other courts and Service Regulations of the Airline, the Hon’ble Delhi High Court arrived at the conclusion that a resignation tendered by an employee indicating a prospective or a future date from when the resignation is to take effect, can be withdrawn at any time before it is accepted, in the absence of anything to the contrary in the applicable Rules or terms and conditions of service. It also observed that it may be a different matter where the withdrawal of resignation can be made only with the prior permission of the employer or where the withdrawal needs acceptance underthe given set of Rules, but it found no Rule prescribing any of the two conditions. It also observed that if the resignation is withdrawn prior to its acceptance, it is not open to an employer to accept the resignation, as the same is non-existent and non-est factum in the eyes of law.\nThe Hon’ble Court held that the Rules applicable to the relevant parties (petitioners) manifest that resignation could only be tendered with a mandatory six (6) months’ notice period and was thus prospective and it cannot be said that offer to resign was in praesenti. Therefore, the inevitable position that emerges is that the petitioners (including the Petitioner) had a right to withdraw the resignations on various dates that they did, prior to their acceptance. Accordingly, it held that the position adopted by the Airline, to the contrary was unacceptable.\nThe Hon’ble Court also stated that the petitioners (including the Petitioner) were entitled under the Rules to withdraw the resignations and had so withdrawn validly. The next question that arose before the Hon’ble Court was whether it was open to the Airline to accept the resignations. Hon’ble Court answered the said question in the negative, as the moment the resignations were withdrawn during the notice period and prior to their acceptance, they were non-est and non-existent in the eyes of law on the dates the respective decisions were taken to accept them.\nAcceptance Of Resignation Before Its Withdrawal\nThus, applying the law propounded by the Hon’ble Supreme Court (of India) in several judgements, the first two questions (A & B) were answered in favour of the petitioners (including the Petitioner). It was held that the petitioners (including the Petitioner) could validly withdraw their resignations before acceptance and during the notice period and that the Airline had no jurisdiction to accept the resignations after the same stood withdrawn.\nQuestion C- Financial Constraints\nOn the third query (C above), the Court observed that the financial distress in the Airline was not a creation of the Pandemic Covid-19 but existed from the year 2007.Upon enquiry made, it was admitted by the Airline that no other employee of the Airline be it the Cabin Crew, Ground Staff, Administrative Staff, etc., had been retrenched or laid off barring the petitioners (including the Petitioner) and no explanation was there as to why they alone had been discriminated in as much as the financial constraint would equally apply to all classes of employees.\nThe Hon’ble Court observed that in the garb and guise of accepting resignations, quite clearly Airline had found an easy path to dispense with the services of the petitioners, without following any procedure known to law and without having to bear the monetary consequences and liabilities thereto. If the action of an employer is found to be wrongful in law and the employee is entitled to certain monetary benefits, the employer cannot be heard to set up a defense of financial constraints.\nThe Hon’ble Court also rejected the ground taken by the Airline on the reasons which motivated most of the Petitioners to tender resignations, being, lucrative job offers in private sectors by holding that when an employee tenders resignation, it is either on account of personal or domestic reasons or for better career prospects. It also held that there are several cases where employees had tendered resignations for any of these reasons and subsequently withdrawn them. Reason for tendering resignation cannot be something that an employer can take a grudge with. The Hon’ble Court condemned the circuitous ways “to ease out” uncomfortable employees. As a model employer the government must conduct itself with high probity and candour with its employees.\nQuestion D- Fixed Term Contract Employees (FTCE)\nIn response to the fourth query (D above) about FTCEs (pilots), the Hon’ble Court held that they could enforce their contracts of employment and/or seek extension/renewal of the fixed term contract by invoking the writ jurisdiction of Hon’ble Delhi High Court under Article 226 of the Constitution of India. Once the State or an instrumentality of the State is a party of the contract, it has an obligation in law to act fairly, justly and reasonably which is the requirement of Article 14 of the Constitution of India. The Constitution does not envisage or permit unfairness or unreasonableness in State actions in any sphere of its activity. It would be alien to the Constitutional scheme to accept the argument of exclusion of Article 14 in contractual matters.\nThere is an obvious difference in the contracts between private parties and contracts to which State is a party.\nHon’ble Court And Payment of Back Wages to Permanent Employees and Fixed Term Contract Employees\nOn the issue of payment of back wages to the petitioners, the Hon’ble Court observed that petitioners are entitled to back wages relying upon Supreme Court’s judgments that the normal rule of “no work no pay” is not applicable to cases wherein an employee is available to work but is kept away by the authorities for no fault of his. This is not a case where the employee remains away from work for his own reasons, although an employer has assigned or could assign work.\nThe Hon’ble Court thus allowed the writ petitions and Airline was directed to reinstate the petitioners who were PEs (permanent employees) with continuity of service from the date of expiry of the six (6) months’ notice period. Petitioners, who were employed under the fixed term contract (FTC) and the five (5) years period had not expired, were directed to be reinstated and continued in service till the expiry of remaining period of their respective contracts. Petitioners were entitled to back wages commencing from the date of expiry of their respective notice periods of six (6) months and up to the date of reinstatement. The entire exercise including grant of arrears of salary and other emoluments was directed to be carried out and completed by the Airline within a period of six (6) weeks from the date of receipt of copy of the judgement.\nAnhad Law’s Perspective\nThe judgment is significant as the Hon’ble Delhi High Court has held that though it is not for the Court to substitute its own decision for administrative decision taken by the executive even if it is open to two different constructions, however, it is equally well-settled that the decision-making process is open to judicial review on the well-guided principles which are: (a) illegality i.e. the decision maker has not corrected applied the law that regulates the decision making process; (b) decision is vitiated by irrationality tested on the principle of ‘Wednesbury unreasonableness’; and (c) procedural impropriety.\nThe Wednesbury’s principle is a principle of administrative law where the court sits as a judicial authority over the local authority to see if the local authority has acted in a manner that exceeded its powers, and not as an appellate authority to override a decision of a local authority.1\nThe Hon’ble Court held that it is entitled to investigate and examine the decision-making process with a view to see whether the concerned Authority has, taken into account irrelevant factors which it ought not to have taken into account or, conversely has failed to take into account or neglected to take into account relevant factors which it ought to have taken. Applying the said principles to the case, the Hon’ble Court held that the impugned decision, when tested on the Wednesbury’s principle clearly reflects that the Airline has taken into consideration the irrelevant factor of financial crunch and has failed to take into consideration the relevant law of resignation while engaging itself in the decision-making process.\nThe judgment also takes into account the requirement of fairness and uniformity in accepting resignation of employees and to be acted upon before withdrawal of such resignation. The Hon’ble Court further mandated that the Airline to comply with non-discrimination amongst employees and held that financial stress cannot be a ground for termination of services of employees.\nPublic or Private Employer\nIt may, however, be mentioned that the aforesaid judgment was passed in case of public employment with the Airline, which is a Government Company. Principles of administrative law or public policy are applicable in the case of government actions and public employment only. A contract of private employment is not similar to public employment and as such in private employment there is no scope of applicability of the principles of administrative law/public law.\nEmployment in a private sector is governed by the terms and conditions of employment (not being inconsistent with relevant applicable laws), and unless the termination is shown to be violation of the terms and conditions of employment (and/or applicable laws), it cannot be said that the termination is illegal.\nNonetheless, the above judgement of Hon’ble Delhi High Court has once again established the earlier principle that if an employee, who had resigned, but withdrawn his resignation prior to its acceptance by an employer, would continue to remain in service.\n–Manishi Pathak, Founding Partner and Ranjan Jha, Partner.\n1The Wednesbury principle of unreasonableness or irrationalityhas its genesis in the judgment of ‘Associated Provincial Picture Houses Ltd. Vs. WednesburyCorpn.’, reported in (1947) 2 All ER 680 laid down by Lord Greene whichlays down various basic principle relating to judicial review of administrative or statutory discretion. The principle of “Wednesbury unreasonableness” or irrationality, as one of the grounds for intervention in judicial review, was lucidly summarised as follows:\n“…the court is entitled to investigate the action of the local authority with a view of seeing whether it has taken into account matters which it ought not to take into account, or conversely, has refused to take into account or neglected to take into account matters which it ought to take into account. Once that question is answered in favour of the local authority, it may still be possible to say that the local authority, nevertheless, have come to a conclusion so unreasonable that no reasonable authority could ever have come to it. In such a case, again, I think the court can interfere.”\nDisclaimer: The contents of the above publication are based on easier understanding of relevant contents of a government notification/ guidelines/ publication and a reader should refer to such a notification/guidelines/ publication for further or specific details/ information, which will override the contents hereof. These are personal views of authors and do not constitute a legal opinion, analysis or interpretation. This is an initiative to share developments in the world of law or as may be relevant for a reader. No reader should act on the basis of any statement above without seeking professional legal advice.\nPrevPreviousDraft Trade Unions Rules\nNextDISMISSAL OF A WORKMAN (BLUE COLLAR EMPLOYEE) DURING PENDENCY OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS ILLEGAL (BOMBAY HIGH COURT)Next\nRecent developments on director’s liability under (Indian) legal metrology Act\nTrade Secret- A secret that must be well protected\nWORK FROM HOME IN SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONE (SEZ) UNITS\nDedicated to providing exceptional legal services to modern businesses and ensuring their optimum operations. A premium law firm for Advisory, Litigation, Dispute Resolution and a varied range of other services.\nAnti-Bribery/Anti-Corruption/White Collar Crime\nInformation Technology, Ecommerce & Data Privacy\nJoint Ventures Mergers and Acquisitions\nOffice-I\nE-38, LGF, Greater Kailash -I Main Road (Opposite Indus Biznotel) New Delhi-110048 | India\nContact Number: +91 11 4570 6611/+ 91 99582 22647\nOffice-II\nB-21, LGF, East of Kailash, New Delhi – 110065 INDIA\nContact Number: +91 11 4321 2124\ndelhi@anhadlaw.com\nManishi Pathak\nDesignation: Founding Partner\nEducation: M.Sc (1989) L.L.B. (1992)\nEmail: manishi@anhadlaw.com\nLocation: New Delhi, Ahmedabad\nAnti-Bribery & Anti-Corruption | Dispute Resolution | Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) | Employment & Labour | Corporate, Commercial and Regulatory | Government Relations | Mergers & Acquisitions\nManishi Pathak is the Founder and Managing Partner of ANHAD LAW.\nManishi has experience of over three decades. His areas of practice include dispute resolutions, labour and employment, corporate investigations, compliance audit and investigation into non-compliance of anti-bribery and anti-corruption laws, besides advisory and transactional supports on matters involving other corporate and commercial laws.\nManishi is also known for his expertise in the area of mergers and acquisitions/ joint ventures, corporate restructuring and re-organizations besides his government relations work.\nHe has been appreciated by clients for his hands-on approach and for providing solution-oriented sound legal advice which is commercially and practically tenable. He is also known for offering unique blend of analytical thinking and business strategy, while structuring, negotiating and closing complex commercial transactions and resolution of disputes including mediation and arbitration.\nManishi also has vast experience of delivering advisory support in areas of law, including but not limited to contentious commercial disputes, regulatory compliances (involving exchange control regulations in addition to other regulatory matters), compliance advisory under various corporate and commercial laws, rules etc. (under applicable Central and/or State).\nManishi’s primary area of interest and specialization besides dispute resolution and government relations is Labour and Employment laws. He enjoys a distinguished status and standing in the sphere of Labour and Employment law practice. He is widely recognized as a ‘top ranked specialist’ in this area of practice owing to his deep knowledge and vast experience of dealing with range of matters in the domain of labour and employment laws practice including court litigation and appellate work.\nManishi has retained most top accolades on offer by leading global legal ranking bodies such as Chambers & Partners, Legal 500 etc., in the field of Labour and Employment laws in India. For over last decade, Manishi and he been retained title of ‘Top Ranked’ ‘Leading Practitioner’, ‘Specialist’, owing to established expertise and in-depth knowledge he possesses in the sphere of Labour and Employment laws practice in India.\nManishi is considered to be one of the first legal professionals who identified the scope, ambit and applicability of various central and state specific labour and employment legislations in India, while making foreign and Indian multinational corporations having business presence in India recognize the importance of compliance to various labour and employment laws related legislations in India.\nUndisputedly, in the context of Indian scenario, Manishi is regarded as the legal professional who played a pivotal role that lead to recognition and acceptance of ‘labour and employment’ laws as a prominent and established area of practice, amongst other practice areas.\nAs the practice head, Manishi is actively involved in advising on a wide range of labour laws related queries, preparation and standardization of employment agreements and other agreements such as non-compete and non-solicitation agreement, non-disclosure and confidentiality agreements, HR policies/handbooks/manuals etc., including structuring of ESOPs, closure of businesses, termination/transfer of employees, other termination related issues, trade union related disputes, social security and/or insurance claims, etc. The Firm predominantly represents companies/corporations and their management on employment related projects and litigation.\nManishi also leads members of the firm on matters involving employment audits, whistle-blower investigations, closure of establishments, transfer of business and undertakings, sexual harassment complaints, employer and employee rights and matters involving trade unions. He is also known for his involvement in investigations and/or enquiries concerning employees including in matters of misconduct by employees and/or associated parties.\nPrior to founding Anhad Law, Manishi has been the Partner of other renowned law firms of India.\nManishi has considerable experience of representing clients belonging to manufacturing as well as services business, across varied sectors including but not limited to automobiles, aviation, banking, chemicals, commerce, electronics, FMCG, information technology, paper, packaging, pharmaceuticals, ports, real estate, retail and telecommunications, amongst others.\nChambers and Partners lists Manishi in Band 1 for Employment Law and he has been recognised as a leading employment law specialist in India since 2013. They have provided the following comments as well: Manishi Pathak commands ‘great respect in the employment market,’ clients valuing him especially as a ‘very experienced partner who brings a lot of insight to particularly complex employment issues.’ He offers significant expertise in the handling of the employment aspects of M&A transactions and in advising international clients on ensuring that their operations comply with Indian employment laws. Chambers and Partners ranked Manishi as a New Delhi based recognized practitioner in the area of Corporate/M&A for the years 2014 and 2015. He has been ‘Top Ranked’ for 2022 by Chambers and Partners (Asia-Pacific). Chambers Global ranked him as a New Delhi based recognized practitioner in the area of Corporate/M&A for the year 2014 and 2015. Asia Law Profiles 2022 has ranked him as an “Elite Practitioner’ for Labour & Employment Law in India. He was also earlier listed by Asia Law Profiles in 2017, 2019 and 2020. He has been listed in the Who’s Who Legal of Indian practitioners in the field of Labour & Employment law since 2009. Legal 500 has further recognised him amongst India’s leading lawyers for the last several years including 2021.\nHe has authored several publications on Indian Labour & Employment law for Kluwer Law and Law Business Research and he writes and speaks regularly on a range of subjects, including foreign investment in India and Labour and Employment law.\nSome of his prominent publications include “Restrictive Covenants” (India Chapter) by Kluwer Law Publication; “Hiring and retaining Talent” (India Chapter) by Kluwer Law Publication; “Getting The Deal Through (Labour & Employment)”, India Chapter by Law Business Research; Labour and Employment Compliance in India, 9 editions, published by Kluwer Law since 2008 including of 2021.\nHe has also authored “India Chapter on Employment Law in the Employment Law Review” by Law Business Research since 2010 -15. Manishi also contributed to National Law School Publication (Business Law Review) “An overview of contract labour related laws in India”. He has also contributed to the World Bank Group‘s publication Employing Workers 2021.\nManishi is a member and was an officer of the Employment and Industrial Relations Law Committee of the International Bar Association (IBA). He is also a member of the Delhi High Court Bar Association and Inter Pacific Bar Association (IPBA).\nANHAD LAW OWNS AND MANAGES THE WEBSITE WWW.ANHADLAW.COM (“WEBSITE”).\nAnhad Law protects and respects user’s privacy and processes data as a data controller in accordance with the applicable Data Protection Regulation (DPR) and other relevant laws. This policy explains how we may process user’s personal data. Any updates to this policy will appear on Anhad Law’s website.\nThis Privacy Policy (“Privacy Policy”) is published in compliance with inter alia, Section 43A of the Information Technology Act, 2000 (“IT Act”); Rule 4 of the Information Technology (Reasonable Security Practices and Procedures and Sensitive Personal Data or Information) Rules, 2011 (“SPDI Rules”); and Rule 3(1) of the Information Technology (Intermediaries Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.\nThe Website is owned and managed by Anhad Law (“We”, “Us” or “Our”), a full-service law firm engaged in providing legal services (“Services”) with our offices at HT House, K.G. Marg, New Delhi -110 048 and B-21, LGF, East of Kailash, New Delhi- 110065, India amongst other locations in India. This Privacy Policy applies to all current and former users accessing or using Our Website, or otherwise engaging with Us through email or other means.\nThe collection and processing of information in the course of Our delivery of Services, or other contractual or commercial engagements that We may enter into, will be done in accordance with the specific terms applicable thereto, and not by this Privacy Policy.\nBy accessing or using Our Website or by otherwise giving Us a user’s information, a user confirms that he/she has the capacity to enter into a legally binding contract and have read, understood and agreed to the practices and policies outlined in this Privacy Policy. A user hereby consents to Our collection, use, sharing, and disclosure of his/her information as described in this Privacy Policy, which We have the right to modify, add or delete from, from time to time including continued access to or use hereof.\nIf a user is accessing or using the Website from any location outside India, he/she does so at his/her own risk, and will be solely liable for compliance with any local laws, as may be applicable.\nWe may collect the following types of information about a user, both through offline documentation that he/she may provide, as well as when a user uses Our Website: Information, Demographic Information, Behavioural Information, and Indirect Information, (each of which have been defined below, and collectively, “Information”) by using different technologies.\n‘Demographic Information’ means information which is not unique to a user and refers to selected population characteristics including age, gender and current location details. ‘Behavioral Information’ means information about how a user uses the Website and information about his/her mobile device and software including usage statistics, traffic data, IP address, browser and operating system type, domain names, access times, locations, and details regarding the parts of the Website accessed. ‘Indirect Information’ means use of certain third party services on the Website also requires Us to collect such information as is considered necessary for that purpose.\nThe IT Act and the SPDI Rules regulate the collection, usage, retention and disclosure of personal information, which is defined under the SPDI Rules as any information that relates to a natural person, which, either directly or indirectly, in combination with other information available or likely to be available to a body corporate, is capable of identifying such person (“Personal Information”). The SPDI Rules further define “Sensitive Personal Data or Information” (“SPDI”) of a person as Personal Information about that person relating to:\npasswords;\nfinancial information such as details of bank accounts, credit cards, debit cards or other payment instruments;\nphysical, physiological and mental health condition;\nsexual orientation;\nmedical records and history;\nbiometric information; and\nSome of the Information collected by Us may qualify as Personal Information.\nWe understand that all Personal Information provided by a user to Us is voluntarily. Collection, use and disclosure of Personal Information requires a user’s express consent, unless there are other legal grounds available to Us to collect such information as further specified in this Privacy Policy. By using or accessing the Website or otherwise providing Us with a user’s Personal Information, where applicable, a user is providing Us with his / her consent to Our use, collection, retention, transfer and disclosure of the Personal Information in accordance with the terms of this Privacy Policy.\nIn the event of a change in the law applicable to data protection in India, a user hereby expressly consents to Our continued use, storage, collection and disclosure of his/her Information including Personal Information to the fullest extent permitted under such applicable law. If needed, We may contact a user for obtaining additional consents and approvals as required under the amended law and the user will be required to comply with such requests. Should a user chooses to not provide Us with such additional consents and approvals, We may discontinue access to the Website.\nIn case a user denies access or withdraws any or all information included under Personal Information, then We may be unable to allow the user to access the Website or otherwise avail services for the provision of which such a user’s information is being collected or processed.\nWe may use a user’s Information to operate and improve the Website in order to foster a positive user experience and to improve Our services as a whole; analysing data, tracking trends, building algorithms, creating databases for rating systems, recommendations engines, etc.; research; for non-targeting reasons such as frequency capping, compliance, information reporting or delivery, market research or product development purposes; to conduct audits and quality assessment procedures; and to analyse the use of Our resources and troubleshooting problems in relation to Our Website.\nWe may also use a user’s Information, including Personal Information, for the purposes of recording information including dates times and locations at which Our Website has been accessed by using various tracking technologies and thereby improve Our Website and a user’s experience by providing him/her with relevant information based on the above(Disabling of tracking technologies on the Website by changing settings on a smartphone and/or web browser may result in a user’s inability to use the Website fully or at all); for providing with regulatory updates; to invite for seminars, webinars and workshops conducted; to comply with applicable law; to investigate, prevent, or take action regarding illegal activities, suspected fraud, situations involving potential threats to the safety of any person, or as otherwise required by law; to respond to any queries that a user may have, and to communicate information, including notifications of any alerts, any updates to the Website; and to contact a user from time to time to record his/her valuable feedback and/or any potential services that may be offered in the future.\nIf a user wishes to opt out of receiving communications such as information regarding the Website and/or any regulatory updates provided by Us, he/she may do so by emailing Us at delhi@anhadlaw.com\nAny access to any of our social media account such as LinkedInetc., will be subject to the terms of service and privacy policy of the relevant social media Website and user should review the same before connecting with Us on such social media Website.\nWe may disclose a user’s Information including Personal Information, as the case may be to other third parties, our agents, contractors or third party service providers, other Website users, to companies and individuals who are acting as Our counterparties, consultants and advisors in relation to the Website and/or authorised by Us to perform certain functions in relation to the Website and/or Our practice of profession, or for the purpose of improving Our Website.\nWe may disclose a user’s Information, including Personal Information, if legally required to do so, pursuant to an order from a governmental entity or in good faith. We will disclose the same to conform to legal requirements or comply with legal process; and/or protect Our rights or property; or prevent a crime or protect national security; and/or protect the personal safety of users or the public.\nWe are not liable for any loss or damage which may be incurred by a user as a result of the collection and/or disclosure of his/her information via third party services. We shall not be liable for any disputes arising from or in connection with such transactions between a user and any third parties.\nEach user may review, correct, update, change and/or delete his/her Personal Information on the Website by emailing Us at delhi@anhadlaw.com, except for allowing Us to retain any such information that may be required for legal purposes.\nShould a user choose to delete his/her Personal Information, or modify it in a way that is not verifiable by Us, or leads to such Personal Information being incorrect, We will be unable to provide such user with access to Our Website, and such a deletion or modification may be regarded as the user seeking to discontinue access to Our Website.\nWe endeavour to maintain physical, technical and procedural safeguards that are appropriate to protect a user’s Information against loss, misuse, copying, damage or modification and unauthorized access or disclosure. We, however, cannot ensure that all of user’s Information including Personal Information will never be disclosed in ways not otherwise described in this Privacy Policy. Therefore, although We are committed to protecting user’s privacy, We do not promise, and user should not expect, that his/her Information or private communications will always remain private. As a user of the Website, the user assume all responsibility and risk for his/her use of the Website, the internet generally, and the information the user posts or access and for user’s conduct on and off the Website.\nWe shall not be responsible for any breach of security or for any actions of any third parties or events that are beyond Our reasonable control including but not limited to acts of government, computer hacking, unauthorised access to computer data and storage device, computer crashes, breach of security and encryption, etc.\nIn compliance with applicable laws, We will take measures such that a user’s Personal Information, which is in Our possession or under Our control, is destroyed and/or anonymized as soon as possible provided the purpose for which that Personal Information was collected is no longer being served by the retention of such Personal Information and/or retention is no longer necessary for any other reason including applicable law.\nA user will be deemed to have agreed and undertakes to indemnify Us in any suit or dispute by any third party arising out of disclosure of information by him/her to third parties either through Our Website or otherwise, and such user’s use and access of websites, applications and resources of third parties. We assume no liability for any actions of third parties with regard to a user’s Information or Personal Information which he/she may have disclosed to such third parties.\nIn case of non-compliance with Privacy Policy or terms of use for access or usage of Our computer resource, We have the right to terminate the access or usage rights of the users to the computer resource immediately or remove non-compliant information or both, as the case may be.\nIn accordance with the IT Act and rules made there under, the name and contact details of the Grievance Officer are provided below:\nMr. Dhruv Gandhi\nYou may write to him at the following address:\nB-21, LGF, East of Kailash, New Delhi 110065 Or Email him at dhruv.gandhi@anhadlaw.com\nThese Terms of Use (the “Terms of Use”) describes the terms and conditions applicable to your access and use of the Website (as defined below). By accessing this website (www.anhadlaw.com), including the whole or any part of the web pages located at the website, layout of this website; individual elements of this website’s design; underlying code elements of the website; or text, sounds, graphics, animated elements or any other content of this website and associated mobile applications (collectively, “Website”), you are deemed to accept the following Terms of Use and acknowledge and confirm that you are seeking information relating to Anhad Law of your own accord and that there has been no form of solicitation, advertisement or inducement by Anhad Law or its members.\nYou accept Terms of Use by using the Website or accessing any content available through the Website, including without limitation our RSS feeds (collectively, the “Content”).\nAnhad Law may revise these Terms of Use at any time by posting revised Terms of Use on the Website, and you agree that your use of the Website after such changes will constitute your acceptance of such changes. Any revision/ amendment will be effective immediately. You are encouraged to periodically visit this page to review the Terms of Use and any changes thereto. Discontinuing use of the Website will not affect the applicability of the Terms of Use to your prior uses of the Website.\nAnhad Law website is provided as a complimentary facility to clients, colleagues, and others, for general information only. The content or information on any Website is not designed or intended to provide legal or other advice or create a lawyer-client relationship and is not intended to solicit clients or work. By accessing the website, you wish to gain more information about Anhad Law, its practice areas and its attorneys, for your own information and use; and the information is made available/provided to you only on your specific request. Any transmission, receipt or use of this Website and information and materials contained therein or sending an e-mail to our offices, will not create or constitute an attorney-client relationship. Any information obtained or material downloaded from this website or and materials contained therein is completely at your volition, None of the information contained on the Website is in the nature of a legal opinion or otherwise amounts to any legal advice and you should not take any action based on the Content of this Website without seeking independent legal advice.\nAnhad Law and its partners, retainers, consultants, directors, agents, associates or employees (including authors or contributors of any content or information on the Website) accept no responsibility for any loss or damage that may result from accessing, or reliance on, any content on the Website and disclaim, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any and all liability with respect to or resulting from, or arising out of or connected with acts or omissions made by clients or readers or users on the basis of content or information on the Website.\nRankings and other materials from legal directories and other sources may refer to current Legal Practice verticals or their predecessors. Images of people may be their current or former images or may feature current or former personnel or models not connected with Anhad Law.\nAnhad Law may add, alter, modify, change or vary all or any of these Terms and the Content and/or the services described on the Website at any time without any prior notice.\nThe Website and the Content are the sole and exclusive property of Anhad Law and/or its licensors. You are provided with access to it only for your personal and non-commercial use. You may not, in any form or by any means: (i) adapt, reproduce, store, duplicate, copy, sell, resell, distribute, transmit, print, display, perform, publish or create derivative works from any part of this website; or (ii) commercialise any information, products or services obtained from any part of this website, without our written permission. You hereby acknowledge and agree that, as between Anhad Law and you, all right, title, and interest in and to the Website and the Content shall be owned exclusively by Anhad Law. Use of the Website or the Content in any way not expressly permitted by these Terms of Use is prohibited.\nSo long as you agree and comply with the terms of these Terms of Use, and unless these Terms of Use is terminated by Anhad Law, Anhad Law invites a person to view and/or print a single copy of the Content or any part thereof. You agree that you will not remove or modify any acknowledgements, credits, disclaimers or legal notices contained on the Website or in the Content. Special terms may apply to some services offered on the Website and may be posted in connection with the applicable service, feature or activity. Any such terms are in addition to these Terms of Use and, in the event of a conflict, any such terms shall prevail.\nYou agree not to access the Website by any means other than through a standard web browser on a computer or mobile device. You further agree that you will not damage, disable, alter, overburden, or impair the Website or interfere with any other party’s use and enjoyment of it.\nIn the event you are accessing the Website on a shared computer/ mobile device, we would strongly recommend that you clear your recent browsing history, cookies and cache from your internet browser and re-access the Website so that you may review our disclaimer and accept the Terms of Use. Anhad Law disclaims all liability in the event of non-compliance on part of the user in this regard.\nThe Content available on the Website is intended to be a general information resource and is provided solely on an “AS IS” and “AS AVAILABLE” basis. Information provided on the Website is believed to be reliable when posted, but there is no guarantee that it is accurate or complete or current at all times. The Website is a resource for informational purposes only and is intended, but not promised or guaranteed, to be correct, complete, and up-to-date. Anhad Law does not warrant that the information contained on this Website is accurate or complete, and hereby disclaims any and all liability to the User or any other person for any loss or damage caused by errors or omissions, regardless of whether such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident or any other cause. Further, Anhad Law assumes no liability for the interpretation and/or use of the information contained on this Website, nor does it offer a warranty of any kind, either expressly or impliedly. You are encouraged to confirm the information contained herein. You should not construe Anhad Law publication of the Content as a warranty or guarantee of the quality or availability of any services or the accuracy, completeness or reliability of the Content or any part thereof.\nThe Website may contain links to websites operated by other parties. Anhad Law provides these links to other websites as a convenience, and use or access of these sites is at solely your own risk. The linked sites are not under the control of Anhad Law, and Anhad Law is not responsible for the content available on such sites. Such links do not imply Anhad Law’s endorsement of information or material on any other site and Anhad Law disclaims all liability with regard to your access to and use of such linked Websites and the consequences of such access or use. Anhad Law does not intend that the links from this Website to other internet websites, be considered referrals to, endorsements of, or affiliations with the linked entities. Anhad Law is not responsible for, and makes no representations or warranties (i) the contents of the websites to which links may be provided from this Website, or (ii) other such websites or links may be active or always available. You must review and agree to the terms and conditions of these sites before using these sites.\nMaps are published by Google and sourced under an open license. The boundaries and names shown and the designations used do not necessarily imply the expression of opinion on the part of Anhad Law or its personnel in respect of the legal status of any geographic region, frontier, or boundaries.\nYou must not link to Anhad Law’s Website without a written agreement between you and Anhad Law authorizing you to do so.\nUnauthorized use of any Anhad Law trademark, service mark or logo are prohibited, and may be a violation of applicable trademark laws.\nThe website and all content on the website are provided to you on an “AS IS” and “AS AVAILABLE” basis without making warranty of any kind either express or implied, representations, endorsements or conditions with respect to the Website or the information, including but not limited to any implied warranties as to usefulness, completeness, accuracy, correctness, reliability fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement. Anhad Law makes no warranty as to the accuracy, completeness or reliability of any Content available through the website. You are responsible for verifying any Content or information before relying on it. Use of the Website and the Content available on the Website is at your sole risk.\nAnhad Law makes no representations or warranties that the Website will be available or will meet the user(s) requirements, that access/use of the website will be uninterrupted, that there will be no delays, failures, errors or omissions or loss of transmitted information, that no viruses or other contaminating or destructive properties will be transmitted or that no damage will occur to user’s computer system. You have the sole responsibility for adequate protection and backup of data and/or equipment and to take reasonable and appropriate precautions to scan for computer viruses or other destructive properties.\nThe User understands that the Website is used by him/her solely at his/her own risk, cost and liability. To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, Anhad Law disclaims all liability, whether based in contract, tort (including negligence), strict liability or otherwise, and further disclaims the user or anyone else for any loss, damages or other amounts whatsoever (including but not limited to direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential, exemplary or punitive damages) arising out of or in connection with user’s use of or inability to use the Website or the information contained therein/Content , or any action or decision made by user in reliance on the Website or the information contained therein, or any unauthorized use or reproduction of the Website or the information therein, even if Anhad Law has been advised of the possibility of such damages.\nYou agree to indemnify, defend and hold Anhad Law, its subsidiaries, and affiliates, and their respective officers, agents, members, partners, associates, directors, consultants and employees, harmless from any loss, liability, claim, or demand, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, due to or arising out of your use of the Website and/or breach of these Terms of Use.\nCopyright © 2021 Anhad Law, All rights reserved – The Website is protected by applicable copyright laws. Except for your use as authorized above, you may not modify, reproduce or distribute the content, design or layout of the Website, or individual sections of the content, design or layout of the Website, without Anhad Law’s express prior written permission.\nIf you believe that your work has been copied in a way that constitutes copyright infringement, or your intellectual property rights have been otherwise violated, please provide the following information to us via our contact form:\n(i) An electronic or physical signature of the person authorized to act on behalf of the owner of the copyright or other intellectual property interest that is claimed to be infringed; (ii) A description of the copyrighted work or other intellectual property that you claim has been infringed; (iii) A description of where the material that you claim is infringing is located on the Site (providing URL(s) in the body of the communication is the best way to help Anhad Law locate content quickly); (iv) Your name, address, telephone number and e-mail address; A signed statement by you that you have a good faith belief that the disputed use is not authorized by the copyright owner, its agent, or the law; and (v) A statement by you, made under penalty of perjury, that the information provided in your Notice is accurate and that you are the copyright or intellectual property owner or licensee or authorized to act on the copyright or intellectual property owner’s or licensee’s behalf. You can write to us at:Email ID: delhi@anhadlaw.com\nAnhad Law may, in its sole discretion, disable and/or terminate use of or access to the Website by users who infringe the intellectual property of others or of Anhad Law. The user agrees that Anhad Law with or without any reason, may immediately terminate his/her access to the Website without prior notice. Without limiting the foregoing, Anhad Law may terminate or temporarily suspend his/her access to the Website if he/she (a) breaches or violates these Terms, (b) there is a request by law enforcement or other government agencies, or (c) in case of unexpected technical issues or problems.\nUsers agree that all terminations of access to the Website shall be made at the sole discretion of Anhad Law, and that Anhad Law shall not be liable in any manner whatsoever to either him/ her or any third-party for any termination of access to this Website.\nBy agreeing to these terms, you acknowledge that Anhad Law may collect, use and disclose your information as described in our Privacy Policy, also available on the Website.\nIf any provision of these Terms of Use is held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable, such provision shall be disregarded and the remaining provisions shall remain in full force.\nAnhad Law’s failure to act or delay in acting with respect to any failure by you or others to comply with these Terms of Use does not waive or limit its right to act with respect to that, subsequent or similar failures.\nTerms of Use set forth the entire understanding and agreement between you and Anhad Law with respect to the subject matter hereof.\nAny cause of action or claim you may have with respect to these Terms of Use or the Website must be commenced within six (6) months after the claim or cause of action arises or such claim or cause of action shall be barred.\nYou may not assign or transfer your rights or obligations under these Terms of Use without the prior written consent of Anhad Law, and any purported assignment or transfer in violation of this provision shall be null and void.\nAnhad Law causes the control and maintenance of this Website from India. Anhad Law makes no representations that the information and material contained in this Website are appropriate or permitted for use in jurisdictions outside India.\nThese Terms of Use are governed by the laws of India without giving effect to any principles of conflicts of laws.\nThe usage of the Website by the user is subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts located in Delhi without prejudice to the right of Anhad Law to take action in any jurisdiction whatsoever.\nAnhad Law reserves the right to investigate complaints or reported violations of these Terms and to take any action we deem necessary and appropriate. Such action may include but not be limited to reporting any suspected unlawful activity to law enforcement officials, regulators, or other third parties. In addition, Anhad Law may take action to disclose any information necessary or appropriate to such persons or entities relating to user’s profiles, e-mail addresses, usage history, IP addresses and traffic information.\nAnhad Law reserves the right to seek all remedies available at law and in equity for violations of these Terms of Use and/or the rules and regulations set forth on the Website, including without limitation the right to block access from a particular internet address.\nInformation Technology Ecommerce Privacy Outsourcing\nahmedabad@anhadlaw.com\n+ 91 99582 22647","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1758437"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7576068043708801,"wiki_prob":0.7576068043708801,"text":"Fleetwood Mac's Rumours Is Once Again a Top 10 Album in the US\nFleetwood Mac's 'Rumours' Returns to Billboard 200 Top 10 -- 42 Years Later\nAfter a 42-year wait, Fleetwood Mac’s former Billboard 200 No. 1 album Rumours returns to the top 10 this week, as the set jumps 13-7. The album, released in 1977, is basking in the glow of sales and streaming increases spurred on by publicity generated from a viral TikTok video set to the album’s song “Dreams.”\nThe Billboard 200 chart ranks the most popular albums of the week in the U.S. based on multi-metric consumption as measured in equivalent album units. Units comprise album sales, track equivalent albums (TEA) and streaming equivalent albums (SEA). Each unit equals one album sale, or 10 individual tracks sold from an album, or 3,750 ad-supported or 1,250 paid/subscription on-demand official audio and video streams generated by songs from an album. The new Oct. 24-dated chart (where Rumours returns to the top 10) will be posted in full on Billboard's website on Oct. 20. For all chart news, follow @billboard and @billboardcharts on both Twitter and Instagram.\nRumours earned 33,000 equivalent album units in the U.S. in the week ending Oct. 15 – up 15%, according to Nielsen Music/MRC Data. Of that sum, 23,000 comprise SEA units (up 15%, equating to 30.6 million on-demand streams of the album’s songs, including \"Dreams\"), a little under 7,000 are in album sales (up 15%) and 4,000 are in TEA units (up 13%).\nThe TikTok video in question has “Dreams” soundtracking a man in a hoodie (Nathan Apodaca) seemingly being pulled on a skateboard, as he drinks from a bottle of Ocean Spray Cran-Raspberry juice and sings along with Stevie Nicks’ lead vocal. The video became so popular, it moved the band’s own Mick Fleetwood and Nicks to create their own tribute clips.\nRumours spent 31 nonconsecutive weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 in 1977-78 – a record number of weeks atop the list for an album by a duo or group. Rumours was last in the top 10 on the Feb. 18, 1978-dated chart (at No. 10), and last ranked at No. 7 or higher on the Feb. 11, 1978 chart (where it placed at No. 7).\n“Dreams” is Fleetwood Mac’s only No. 1 single on the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart – out of 25 chart hits. “Dreams” spent one week at No. 1 on June 18, 1977. The cut is one of four top 10 hits from the Rumours album. The effort also launched the singles “Go Your Own Way” (No. 10), “Don’t Stop” (No. 3) and “You Make Loving Fun” (No. 9).\nPosted by Nickslive at Sunday, October 18, 2020\nLabels: Fleetwood Mac, Rumours\nBOX OFFICE STATS: Stevie Nicks 24 Karat Gold The C...\nSTEVIE NICKS PLANS SOLO TOUR WHEN THE WORLD GETS B...\nTop 40 Radio Revives Fleetwood Mac’s Classic ‘Drea...\nSTEVIE NICKS 24 KARAT GOLD CONCERT ON DEMAND AVAIL...\nSTEVIE NICKS 'because of “Show Them the Way” I wil...\nSinger, songwriter, superstar Stevie Nicks is gett...\nReturning to her 2017 live shows proved to be a go...\nStevie Nicks hits No. 1 on Billboard's Hot 100 Son...\nEven in quarantine Stevie Nicks is not slowing down!\nStevie Nicks can’t wait to perform with Harry Styl...\nFLEETWOOD MAC'S 'DREAMS' TOP SELLING SONG WORLDWID...\nFleetwood Mac's Rumours Is Once Again a Top 10 Alb...\nINTERVIEW focused on Stevie Nicks superb new singl...\nINTERVIEW Stevie Nicks on book plans, \"Show Them T...\nEddy Quintela, second husband to Christine McVie h...\nLittle Lies by Fleetwood Mac was certified Platinu...\nStevie Nicks talks Harry Styles, Christine McVie a...\nFLEETWOOD MAC ALBUMS CHART UPDATES - US, UK AU & NZ\nAt 72, STEVIE NICKS is still looking for adventure\nStevie Nicks, she reflects on mortality\nNothing will slow Stevie Nicks down.\nSTEVIE NICKS JOINS TIKTOK \"Afternoon vibe. Lace 'e...\nMICK FLEETWOOD AND LINDSEY BUCKINGHAM RECONNECTED ...\nFleetwood Mac's 'Rumours' and 'Dreams' explode on ...\nLIMITED EDITION GREEN VINYL OF MICK FLEETWOOD AND ...\nFLEETWOOD MAC AND DREAMS ON THE CHARTS\nINTERVIEW Stevie Nicks Releases Powerful \"Show The...\nStevie Nicks has released the powerful rock ballad...\nStevie Nicks may not be able to tour but she’s bee...\n\"This song is a prayer for people to unite\" - Stev...\n'RHIANNON' CLIP FROM UPCOMING STEVIE NICKS CONCERT...\nBiggest Streaming Week Ever For Fleetwood Mac's 'D...\nMICK FLEETWOOD RECREATES VIRAL DREAMS VIDEO\nSTEVIE NICKS WILL RELEASE 2 VERSIONS OF \"SHOW THEM...\nTIKTOK VIRAL VIDEO PUTS FLEETWOOD MAC'S DREAMS BAC...","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line923681"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8320879340171814,"wiki_prob":0.8320879340171814,"text":"Shri Dayal Chandra Soni\nShri Dayal Chandra Soni was born in 1919 in a small town, Salumbar, in the pre-independence state of Mewar (Rajputana), India, which is now southern part of Rajasthan State, India. He was educated at the Vidya Bhawan Institution at Udaipur. Having passed his High School in 1936, he was engaged by the Vidya Bhawan itself as a teacher in its Junior School. But in 1941, he was selected to lead a Gandhian Basic Education School initiated by Vidya Bhawan management. Shri Soni worked with great devotion to make this school a success. In connection with his work, he was fortunate enough to learn about Basic Education from Dr. Zakir Hussain, from Gandhiji himself, and from Vinoba Bhave. In 1954, he had the opportunity of studying the Folk High School System in Denmark.\nBut unfortunately, in 1955, serious differences arose on moral grounds between him and the Vidya Bhawan management, with the result that he could no longer work in the Vidya Bhawan or its Basic School. Nor did he join any other educational institution and somehow managed himself and his family by tuition, typing, and authorship. Ultimately, in 1962, he become a Flour-Miller and sustained himself and his family.\nHowever, in 1969, he was engaged by Vidya Bhawan’s new sister institution (Seva Mandir) for promoting literacy in the adjoining rural areas. Then in 1975, he was engaged as the representative of the World Literacy of Canada (WLC), Toronto, to look after the adult education work of a number of Indian institutions funded by WLC. This engagement continued for nearly five years. Then in 1988, he was again employed by Seva Mandir to look after its Local Culture Unit. But at the age of 75, he retired from this job in 1994.\nOne book written by him on Non-formal Education (in Hindi) has been given the Madan Mohan Malviya award by the Government of Uttar Pradesh in 1992. He was given “Tagore Award” by Indian Adult Education Association in 2002 for his work related to adult education particularly for propagating the thought that adult education should be given in local language.\nTill his last breath on 15th, March 2008, Shri Soni continued writing essays and books on educational reconstruction. Nearly 400 articles and 25 books authored by him have been published\nThis site aims to provide more and more essays written by him for the benefit of users.\n(The word “Shri” used here before the name denotes respect and may be considered similar to Mr. in English.)","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1528355"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7072744965553284,"wiki_prob":0.29272550344467163,"text":"Land Policy and Urban Development in Latin America\nGraduate Student Fellowship\nApril 24, 2017 | 11:59PM\nApply / Aplicar\nGuidelines / Guía\nThe Program on Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) of the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy invites applications for its 2017 Master’s and Doctoral thesis fellowships. Fellowships will be awarded in the amounts of $5,000 for Master’s theses and $10,000 for Doctoral theses to students in Latin and North American universities who are in the mid to final stages of their thesis work. The fellowships are part of LAC’s initiative to identify and support the development of graduate students and young scholars working on land and urban policy issues that align with the Lincoln Institute’s mission and work in Latin America. In addition to funds to undertake their thesis work, fellowship recipients will also be given priority placement in future LAC distance education and professional development courses organized in Latin America. Students may also be invited to present their work in one or more LAC-sponsored research seminars and networking events with senior scholars from Latin America and the Caribbean.\nEnglish version of application form\nRelated files:\nGuía 2017 (en español)\nGuidelines 2017 (in English)","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line710946"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9433174729347229,"wiki_prob":0.9433174729347229,"text":"Have suitcase, will travel! Americans take to the skies in almost pre-pandemic numbers as Covid-19 restrictions ease\nBy Alanne Orjoux, CNN\nUpdated 6:37 PM EDT, Sun June 13, 2021\nTravelers arrive at the Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTX) in Romulus, Michigan, on Saturday, June 12, 2021.\nMatthew Hatcher/Bloomberg/Getty Images\nAs more Americans get vaccinated against Covid-19 and states and cities further ease pandemic restrictions, more people are flying for vacations, family visits or just getting away.\nThe Transportation Security Administration screened more than 2 million passengers Friday, the highest number since March 7 of last year, just before lockdowns and coronavirus restrictions started keeping people home.\nChicago, UNITED STATES: A passenger waits in line with her passport 23 January, 2007 before her Mexicana Air flight out of Chicago O'Hare International airport in Chicago, Illinois. As of 23 January, all Americans, Mexicans, Canadians and Bermudians traveling by air to the United States must for the first time carry a passport, said the Department of Homeland Security. The new measure is part of the department's Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, following the recommendations of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks on the United States, better known as the 9/11 Commission. It is aimed at making it more difficult for terrorists to enter the country with fake documents. AFP PHOTO/JEFF HAYNES (Photo credit should read JEFF HAYNES/AFP via Getty Images)\nJEFF HAYNES/AFP via Getty Images\nFind out which countries are welcoming US tourists back\nThe data confirms the recent upward air travel trend to levels not seen since before the pandemic: On June 11, 2019, the TSA screened 2.7 million people.\n“The growing number of travelers demonstrates this country’s resilience and the high level of confidence in Covid-19 counter measures, to include ready access to vaccines,” acting TSA chief Darby LaJoye said in a statement.\nBefore the pandemic, the TSA screened on average between 2 and 2.5 million travelers per day.\nNational parks welcoming hundreds of thousands every month\nAnother indicator that Americans are getting back out and about: National parks are citing spikes in attendance.\nYellowstone National Park was the nation's first national park, established by the U.S. Congress and signed into law by President Ulysses S. Grant on March 1, 1872. It's predominantly in Wyoming but also touches Idaho and Montana. Check in next week for Arches National Park.\nIllustration by Stewart Scott-Curra\nYellowstone: Our first national park\nLast month, Yellowstone National Park saw the most visitors it had ever recorded for the month of May, with 658,513 visits – an 11% increase over the previous May record, set in 2016.\nIt’s also more than four times the number of visitors Yellowstone had in May 2020, when the park was closed for the first half of the month due to Covid-19.\nGrand Teton National Park, also in Wyoming, set a May record as well. It had 363,712 visitors last month, 30% above the last pre-pandemic May in 2019. Numbers are likely to go even higher further into the summer.\n“Historically, July and August have been the busiest months of the year at the park,” Grand Teton said in a press release Friday.\nDelta variant likely to become dominant strain, official says\nAs travel sets pandemic records, there are warnings that parts of the country could see outbreaks of the B.1.617.2 Covid-19 strain, or Delta variant.\nThe variant was first detected in India and is about 60% more transmissible than the B.117 or Alpha variant – which was first identified in the UK. The Delta variant makes up about 10% of infections in the United States, according to Dr. Scott Gottlieb, a former commissioner of the US Food and Drug Administration.\n“It’s doubling every two weeks, so it’s probably going to become the dominant strain here in the United States,” Gottlieb said in a CBS interview Sunday.\n“That doesn’t mean that we’re going to see a sharp uptick in infections, but it does mean that this is going to take over,” he added.\nGottleib said existing Covid-19 vaccines appear to provide some protection against the variant.\n“I think in parts of the country where you have less vaccination – particularly in parts of the South, where you have some cities where vaccination rates are low – there’s a risk that you could see outbreaks with this new variant,” Gottlieb said.\nVaccines recommended despite rare heart inflammation risk\nMore than 309 million Covid-19 vaccine doses have been administered in the US, according to data published Sunday by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.\nMore than 143.9 million Americans – 43.4% of the population – are fully vaccinated, and 52.4% have had one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine, according to CDC data. More than 64% of adults have received at least one dose and 54.1% are fully vaccinated. The Biden administration aims to vaccinate 70% of adults with at least one dose by July 4.\nMost blue states will make Biden's July 4 vaccine goal. The red ones won't.\nThe American Heart Association recommended on Saturday that everyone eligible should get a coronavirus vaccine, despite worries about a possible increased risk of heart inflammation.\nThe CDC has scheduled an emergency meeting of its vaccine advisers for next week to discuss a possible link between the vaccines and inflammatory conditions known as myocarditis and pericarditis, mostly among younger men.\nIt noted the reports of cases were very rare, and 81% of the 270 patients under 30 with suspected myocarditis related to vaccination have had a full recovery.\n“We remain confident that the benefits of vaccination far exceed the very unusual risks. The risks of Covid-19 infection include its potentially fatal consequences and the potential long-term health effects that are still revealing themselves, including lingering consequences affecting the heart, brain, vascular system and other organs after infection,” the association said.\nTravelers line up to go through a TSA checkpoint at Orlando International Airport before the Memorial Day weekend on Friday, May 28, 2021, in Florida.\nJohn Raoux/AP\nAAP issues new guidelines for kids in sports\nMany kids’ sports are getting back to full speed in the summer months, and the American Academy of Pediatrics has issued updated guidelines for children returning to sports and other activities.\nUnvaccinated athletes should wear a mask for all indoor activity except situations in which a mask may pose a hazard. For outdoor activities, AAP recommends that unvaccinated athletes wear a mask while on the sidelines and in all activities involving sustained contact of 3 feet or less.\nAll eligible athletes should get a Covid-19 vaccine as soon as possible, the AAP said in a statement. Currently, only the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine is approved for use in people 12 and older. Once people are vaccinated, they are advised to follow CDC guidance for vaccinated individuals, which say they do not need to wear a mask in most situations.\nAs the US Food and Drug Administration considers what data is needed to extend authorization of coronavirus vaccines to children under 12, a top FDA official reminded the panel that while Covid-19 might not have hit children as hard as it has hit adults, children do die of the virus.\nA Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 vaccine is seen kept on a table at a Covid-19 vaccination mobile unit setup by the Miami Dade County Homeless Trust in Miami, on May 13, 2021. (Photo by CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP via Getty Images)\nChandan Khanna/AFP/Getty Images\nFDA's vaccine advisers debate urgency of vaccinating kids against coronavirus\nSeveral advisers were cautious about the idea of extending vaccine authorization to children and mentioned that the virus has caused serious disease in children as often as it has among adults.\n“I just want to reiterate something here – this is an illness that takes the lives of children. We know that over 300 children have died in the pandemic so far,” Dr. Peter Marks, director of FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, said Thursday.\n“All of us have the goal to eliminate any vaccine-preventable deaths that we can with a reasonable benefit-risk.”\nSchools were open in April yet hesitancy may remain, data shows\nWhile most schools across the country are done for the summer, the Department of Education said more than 90% of schools were open for fourth-graders and eighth-graders for hybrid or full in-person learning in April, according to recently released department data of the two grades. However, enrollment numbers showed that many students were not making use of those options.\nFor fourth-grade, 97% of schools were open or offering any form of in-person learning for the month of April, an increase of nine percentage points from March. Sixty percent of schools offered full time in-person classes, but only 51% of fourth-graders attended in-person full time, 23% attended hybrid, and 26% were remote only, according to DOE data. These trends have been on a steady rise since the DOE started tracking in January.\nShafkat Anowar/AP\nLess than half the adults in five US states have received their first Covid-19 vaccine dose\nFor eighth-grade, 93% of schools were open for full in-person or hybrid learning, with 57% of schools giving students a full five-day a week option. Just 41% of eighth-graders attended school full-time in April, 26% attended hybrid, and 33% are still fully remote.\n“Greater numbers of school buildings continue to open their doors to welcome back students in-person,” said Mark Schneider, director of IES, the research, statistics, and evaluation arm of the Department of Education.\n“We should celebrate the substantial progress on a return to normalcy while also redoubling our efforts to ensure that the most high-need students, students who have already borne the brunt of the coronavirus and its effects, don’t get left behind.”\nThere is some disproportionality along racial demographics with returns to in-person learning, according to DOE data, as a higher percentage of White students were attending school full-time when compared to Black, Hispanic and Asian students.\nCNN’s Pete Muntean, Maggie Fox, Andy Rose, Danielle Sills, Sarah Braner, Lauren Mascarenhas, and Elizabeth Stuart contributed to this report.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1578733"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.69154292345047,"wiki_prob":0.69154292345047,"text":"Judicial Dialogue between International Criminal Tribunals and the European Court of Human Rights\n/departments/academic/law/research/int-justice-human-rights-unit/judicial-dialogue-between-international-criminal-tribunals-and-the-european-court-of-human-rights/\nLaw and Criminology\nCriminology and Offending\nLaw, Criminology and Policing\nInternational Justice and Human Rights Unit\nThe issue of the interplay between international criminal tribunals and human rights bodies has frequently emerged in academia as well as in the case law. The various fields of international law have become increasingly intertwined, and this process has manifested itself in the ‘gradual interpenetration and cross-fertilization of previously somewhat compartmentalised areas of international law’. This wider phenomenon is especially reflected in the field of international criminal law, which appears as a vivid demonstration of the cross-fertilization practice, since its normative content is often drawn from other fields of law, including international human rights law, international humanitarian law, as well as domestic criminal law and procedure. Particularly in the area of the implementation of human rights standards, there are strong connections between ICTs and human rights bodies.\nThis interaction has been particularly apparent in the progressive emergence of a practice of cross-referencing between ICTs and the ECtHR. Whereas the ECtHR has (sporadically) made use of the jurisprudence of ICTs, most of the references originate from the ICTs, which have frequently resorted to the European Court’s dicta in order to elucidate the definition, scope and application of human rights. The areas of law where these human rights norms have been invoked, re-interpreted and applied include, inter alia, the right to freedom of expression, nullum crimen sine lege, the right not to be subject to inhumane or degrading treatment, fair trial rights, the right to an effective remedy, sentencing and pre-trial detention, the right to remain silent, self-representation, and ne bis in idem.\nThe common argument that Dr Mariniello’s research Project seeks to challenge is that cross-fertilization between ICTs and the ECtHR is bound (or at least likely) to produce positive effects. The very notion of ‘fertilising’ a different field, rather than a neutral designation, ascribes an immediately positive connotation to the process of transplantation. Still, this optimistic understanding seems to be grounded in prima facie sensible, though as yet unsupported and unverified, premises. This Project finds said that the positive discourse about cross-referencing by ICTs is yet to be grounded on solid research and risks being rhetorical.\nIndeed, a number of crucial questions concerning the use of human rights jurisprudence by ICTs remain mostly unaddressed in the literature. For example, are there discrepancies in the interpretation of the same right by the ECtHR and ICTs? If so, can such discrepancies be justified by institutional differences or other legitimate circumstances? What methodologies can be used to enable a more accurate, and potentially justiciable, appraisal of the process of transplantation of external legal notions? What are the parameters that may legitimise a re-interpretation (or ‘translation’) of ECHR standards in relation to the ‘unique’ context of international(ised) courts adjudicating serious international crimes? Is there a ‘common grammar’ of inter-systemic referencing emerging in international criminal justice which could be used to assess practices of (non-)cross-referencing, (non-)engage-ment, dismissal or endorsement, with respect to human rights courts’ jurisprudence?\nThis Project shows how a critical reading of the interactions between human rights law and ICTs’ jurisprudence cannot continue to support a purely positive understanding of transjudicial ‘dialogue’. Given the breadth of potentially relevant case law, the study is restrained to the most frequent direction in which the cross-referencing has taken place: the use that ICTs have made of the ECtHR’s jurisprudence. The collaborative research Project also seek to develop a coherent methodology of cross-referencing. Such a methodology can be used to objectively scrutinise ICTs’ practice of importation of human rights concepts from external sources and will help strengthen judicial reasoning and make it more transparent, accessible, and foreseeable.\nLobba, P. & Mariniello, T. (eds) (2017), Judicial Dialogue on Human Rights: The Practice of International Criminal Tribunals, Martinus Nijhoff\nLobba, P. & Mariniello, T, ‘The Grammar of the Judicial Dialogue between International Criminal Tribunals and the European Court: Introductory Remarks’, in Lobba & Mariniello (eds), Judicial Dialogue on Human Rights: The Practice of International Criminal Tribunals, Martinus Nijhoff, 1-10\nMariniello, T. & Lobba, P., (2015) ‘The Cross-Fertilization Rhetoric in Question: Use and Abuse of the European Court’s Jurisprudence by International Criminal Tribunals’, Editorial of the Special Issue, 84(3) Nordic Journal of International Law 363-369.\nMariniello, T. & Lobba, P. (eds), The Cross-Fertilization Rhetoric in Question: Use and Abuse of the European Court’s Jurisprudence by International Criminal Tribunals, Special Issue, (2015) 84(3) Nordic Journal of International Law 363-531","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1594198"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6304394602775574,"wiki_prob":0.3695605397224426,"text":"IFOPA News /\nFOP Dad Encourages Families to Join the Resilient Living Focus on 5 Program\nThere is no way you will not benefit from it\nAnyone touched by FOP knows, the disease affects entire families. For those helping a loved one navigate FOP, self-care is often a low priority. But it shouldn’t be—and it doesn’t have to be. By building a self-care practice into existing routines and habits, caregivers like Ram Shankar are better prepared to handle tough times ahead and enjoy the day-to-day.\nRam’s family lives in India, and his daughter was diagnosed with FOP in 2007. Since then, their family has been researching, consulting with experts and searching for new ways to manage FOP. Ram acknowledges, it gets overwhelming.\n“It can be extremely exasperating for caregivers, who are trying to knock on all the doors looking for a solution,” said Ram.\nThe IFOPA’s Resilient Living program has become a source of support and encouragement along the family’s FOP journey. Specifically, the Focus on 5 Sensory Self-Care Series helps them understand how each of the five senses — sight, smell, sound, taste and touch — can be used to create a self-care practice to relieve stress and manage challenges.\n“The Resilient Living program gives hope, optimism and courage to caregivers, so that we can handle ourselves first,” said Ram. “Then we can help our family member with FOP.”\nThroughout the six-week Sensory Self-Care Series, participants meet virtually to discuss how a specific sense impacts them and learn how they can use that sense to their advantage. For instance, how smart food choices (taste) can help reduce stress and raise energy. Participants walk away from each session with a plan to incorporate new lessons into their life.\nRam compares it to an emergency on an airplane. We all know to put on our own oxygen mask before helping others do the same. Although it may feel counterintuitive to make self-care a priority when looking after a loved one with FOP, it is an essential step. Only then, will caregivers have the mental and emotional strength to be the best support system.\nThat’s not to say a self-care practice eliminates all hardship. It will always be a work in progress, evolving with changing circumstances. Ram admits that at times, it can be difficult to look past the fear and anxiety. But he has discovered tools and resources to reduce those negative thoughts.\n“The program provides a different dimension and perspective to handle life situations that result from FOP,” said Ram. “It helps us look beyond the dreaded disease and deal with our lives objectively.”\nWith some of the emotional burden lifted, Ram has more clarity and energy to be an effective advocate. He has the tools he needs to turn his hope into intentional, positive action, sometimes without even realizing it.\n“There is a perceptible calming of the mind, so that caregivers can start thinking clearly about what needs to be done,” said Ram. “The lessons from the program stay with us, and we knowingly—and unknowingly—implement them.”\nRam encourages others to join the next Focus on 5 Resilient Living Sensory Self-Care Series, beginning at the end of the month, offering this advice: “Sign up and take it seriously. Implement it in your life,” he urged. “There is no way you will not benefit from it.”\nYou can register for the next Focus on 5 Series here. For more information, please contact IFOPA Family Services Manager Hope Newport at [email protected].","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line963199"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.574959933757782,"wiki_prob":0.574959933757782,"text":"Tag Archives: Timothee Chalamet\nDune (2021): The Archetype for Modern Sci-Fi\nFor being such an influential piece of Science Fiction storytelling, I must admit I have very little history with Frank Herbert’s Dune. I was aware of David Lynch’s adaptation, and I’ve recently been dipping my toes into the impressive mythos of the original novel.\nIt works in archetypes that feel exceedingly familiar because they’ve helped lay the groundwork for modern sci-fi as we know it. In a contemporary landscape that’s shifted toward stories highlighting the universality of heroism, there’s something intriguing about a story willing to dig into the ancient monomyths that have remained foundational for many cultures.\nThere’s the tradition of the chosen one – in this case, young heir apparent Paul Atreides (Timothee Chamalet) – who has untapped potential as well as pedigree that might make him the Messiah who has been prophesied about for generations.\nThis overtly spiritual language would certainly inform the worldbuilding of Star Wars and the hero’s journey of Luke Skywalker, conceived by George Lucas and ultimately captivating the world over. This is how Dune indirectly affected my entire childhood and I see it so clearly now.\nBecause Dune’s reputation precedes it and for people like director Denis Villeneuve, the passion for this material is palpable. Obviously, his aspirations are to do justice to a piece of literature while giving it a visual resonance for a new generation.\nAs this is the man who gave us the worlds of Arrival (2016) and Blade Runner 2049 (2017), Dune is hardly an aesthetic surprise. I know, since he is an avid cinephile, Lawrence of Arabia is a major touchstone for his latest film, and given the indelible desert locales, the comparison seems inevitable. After all, both of these films aspire for vast grandeur with the kind of scope other films merely dream of.\nVilleneuve’s sleek metallic drabness serves him again. It’s at one time immaculate and sometimes a bit soulless. However, this is less a full-on criticism and more so indicative of epics in the 21st century. In other words, it doesn’t have the vibrancy of Lawrence or the golden hues. Still, there’s a vague kind of wonder when we watch it blending real-life locations with digital magic while also underlining this ominous sense of oppression.\nMy mind drifts easily to the oddly bewitching bagpipe and drum-infused score of Hans Zimmer. Like the organ in Interstellar, this rather unique choice does wonders in providing a layered soundscape to evoke the ever-expanding world in front of us. Zimmer’s work takes the individual images and transforms them into a full-bodied experience, lending some drama and emotion to a mise en scene otherwise running the risk of aloofness.\nEqually important is how famed elements like the sandworms or bits of technology are realized onscreen. Oftentimes this can be a detriment because these visions no longer live in the mind’s eye, once a creator has brought them into reality. However, that doesn’t mean we can’t marvel both at Herbert’s imagination and also how they have been brought to us.\nAlthough Timothee Chalamet is not my favorite actor, he functions as a fine avatar throughout this movie. Because he is the character Villeneuve identifies with, and he is our way into a story. Paul’s father (Oscar Isaac) and his family are displaced and called upon to govern the planet of Arrakis vacated by the Harkonnen, a brutish people who gained exorbitant wealth, but not without repercussion.\nLike all the grandest stories, it has this galactic scale but maintains a level of relational intimacy. It could work in no other fashion. It’s a pleasure to see Rebecca Ferguson given such a striking role that at first glance feels so subordinate but is almost covertly imbued with so much power. Because she is a member of the line of female Truth Sayers, even going so far as to pass down their sacred abilities to her adolescent son. In some fashion, Paul is a two-culture kid, different from others, and situated to be a priestly king, blending his two unique bloodlines. This pervasive biblical language is hard to totally dismiss.\nStellan Skarsgaard and Charlotte Rampling show up almost unrecognizably and since I have no context for their characters, I appreciated their level of menace. It makes no difference whether they are good or bad. They are not to be trifled with. Jason Momoa arguably has an easier role, but still, he must be a likable mentor figure and a formidable warrior. He handles both with casual aplomb bringing a refreshing lightness to the movie which could otherwise be a completely dour affair.\nIt is these characters against this backdrop who begin to suggest the primary thematic ideas passed down from Herbert and taken up by Villeneuve. There are themes ranging all over the spectrum from familiar social and political dynamics, wars of cultural influence, and certainly religious omens. There’s is something somehow Medieval and Machiavellian about it. It is a world of royals, serfs, and fiefdoms, and stratified hierarchies jockeying for survival.\nAs alluded to before, one of the most overt representations has to do with the Fremen, a people native to the desserts of Arakkis who called the sand-swept world home long before their captors came to rule it. The Fremen, identified with a mostly illusory Zendaya, are rather reminiscent of the Tusken Raiders, although they are more charismatic and given a human face. They are fierce, loyal, attuned to the desert, and they know the treachery that comes with betrayal and the fundamental struggle to survive.\nThe most unsurprising spoiler might be that this is, in fact, only part 1 of what’s envisioned to be a long saga. I’m hopeful that it might lithely move through the imminent films ahead instead of totally obliterating everything in its wake like a giant sandworm. Because this is the perpetuated fallacy of many serialized blockbusters. Hopefully Herbert’s work won’t suffer the same grisly fate signified by bloated runtimes and oversaturation. If you remember, David Lean only ever made one Lawrence of Arabia, and somehow I’m content with that. Star Wars is a slightly different story, but that’s a subject for another time.\nPosted in 2020s, Adventure, Drama, Sci-Fi | Tagged Charlotte Rampling, Denis Villeneuve, Oscar Isaac, Review, Timothee Chalamet | 2 Replies\nLittle Women (2019): Gerwig’s Spirited Adaptation of An American Classic\nI once had the opportunity to tour Louisa May Alcott’s house on a family vacation. It’s one of those experiences I’m not sure you appreciate until you have the time and space to look back on it.\nHowever, even then I think there was this innate understanding of how this beloved book was sewn into the very fabric of Alcott’s life and her family home in Concord, Massachusetts. You cannot begin to separate the two.\nWhat’s so intriguing about Greta Gerwig’s adaptation is how it almost conducts an intertextual dialogue with the source material. It frames its story — the creation of a novel and its main character of Jo March (Saoirse Ronan) — in order to map out something of Alcott’s life too. Because, again, they are very much intertwined.\nFrom what little I know about her, she seemed an equally driven, independent, and brilliantly-minded individual. In her own life, she never got married (unlike her characters) and she also provided for her family.\nThe movie itself has a brazen free-flowing structure taking material some of us might know intimately (and others not quite so well) and finding renewed meaning. To explore plot feels inconsequential — and not just because it is so familiar — Little Women is, by its very nature, anecdotal. It’s about the passage of time as girls evolve into women without ever being totally beholden to any singular event.\nIf I might make a wildly unsubstantiated reference it comes off a bit like Francois Truffaut’s Jules et Jim (1961), at least in form, where wild expanses of time are chopped up and compressed into these fluid increments. It feels like a young person’s version of an old person’s book. It courts the timelessness already present but, far from being stodgy, the movie burst with its own vigor, always lithe on its feet.\nBut this also funnels down to the staging and characterizations as well. Especially for the scenes set during their early years, it’s obvious the writer-director tries to capture the near-spontaneous, giddy energy that’s often the fuel of sisterhood. It can be an overwhelming force of nature full of emotion, affection, and contention in all the most meaningful of ways.\nEven as someone with only a modicum amount of knowledge about Little Women (mostly from previous movie versions) Greta Gerwig shows such an immense appreciation for the material, she almost willfully carries us along with her. Even when we’re not quite sure what she’s doing or where she’s taking us, we learn to trust her decisions. If nothing else, she cares about these characters as much if not more than we do.\nIt’s true her version starts in what is normally considered the end of the narrative, as it slaloms back and forth from past to present with ease. All the moments, as far as I can recall, have antecedents in earlier versions, but as Gerwig stitches them together, it’s as if they are rejuvenated and given rebirth — a new context in which to be understood.\nPerhaps the greatest accomplishment is how each sister in this newly minted construction is given their own definition and the ability to stand on their own two feet. Because, if you recall, Jo March has always been the undisputed star of these movies; she has provided the central protagonist and P.O.V. from which to understand these stories. If we are to believe Gerwig, Jo essentially wrote them after all.\nThere’s no denying Saoirse Ronan is our through-line in the narrative here as well amid all its undulations and purposeful digressions, and yet it feels like I get to appreciate the other March girls in ways I never have before. I don’t think it has much to do with star power — because traditionally there have been big names in most of the roles. Again, it is Gerwig who gives each a platform and her players graciously oblige.\nFlorence Pugh modulates wonderfully between moments of girlish cattiness and whining while simultaneously setting her eyes on mature ambitions, whether it be marriage as an advantageous business proposition or aspiring to be a great artist taken to Paris by Aunt March.\nFar from simply capturing the past and the present of Amy, Pugh somehow makes the most complicated, even unlikable sister come out, in the end, gaining our deepest admirations (and sympathies). For those unaware of Pugh’s talent, it stands as yet another breakout performance.\nEmma Watson is able as the decent and contented Meg whose life still spills out of the mold of propriety she’s always been relegated to. There’s a bit more to her. Then Amy (Eliza Scanlen) remains the gifted musician and somehow the purest and most naive of them all. Her purpose is to fill the world with goodness and beauty. Some things never change.\nMarmy (Laura Dern) — the family’s moral anchor — might come off an angelic goody two shoes quoting scripture judiciously (ie: “Don’t let the sun go down on your anger”). It could be a little much, that is until you realize her love is genuine, and she’s worked on it for an entire lifetime. Meryl Streep could probably play Aunt March in her sleep, and it’s not just a figure of speech; she does. Her performance is generally prickly and imperious while also belying a suspected soft underbelly.\nLaurie (Timothee Chalamet), as always, is found on the outside looking in at the March’s household. Their brand of enveloping community is so attractive you yearn to be a part of it, drawn into the fold as one of their kindred. After obliging with a token of his good-will, he quips “man is not made to live on books alone.”\nIn truth, I’ve never appreciated Chalamet more. There always seemed to be a pretentiousness drawn about him. Here there was something a bit different. It might have been the merit of Laurie teasing it out, but he felt slightly more animated and alive in a way that makes him likable. Although he is a man bred in affluent spheres, he nevertheless, hates their stuffiness.\nHe would rather dance a jig with Jo, and he calls out the March sisters when they falter into the general public’s pettiness because he knows the people they really are in the familiarity of their own home. In fact, he has tussles with nearly every sister, but never out of malice; there’s always such genuine care, even love, in its multifaceted forms.\nWhat I truly appreciate about Gerwig’s relationship with the text is how she openly courts contrasting ideas. Specifically, there are threads of feminism coursing through the narrative even as they extrapolate off ideas Alcott dealt with years ago.\nAnd yet in the same instance, she does not shy away or completely dismiss romantic love or a more traditional desire for marriage. Case and point is Meg who is genuinely glad to be courted by a decent man she loves before raising a family together, in spite of their poverty. For Meg, this life fills her up with joy\nSo in some sense, Gerwig’s having her cake and eating it too paying deference to a timeless piece of American Literature while still perceiving it through her own personal creative lens.\nYou might say this even from a casting perspective with Ronan, Chalamet, and Tracy Letts all being holdovers from Lady Bird (2017). It might be the importance placed on female relationships, or the buoyancy frolicking with a sweeping passion through the storyline.\nWe get the happy ending if we so choose while also being allowed the space to consider an alternative. It doesn’t feel wishy-washy. Instead, it’s engaged with the enigma of Louis May Alcott herself even as it’s engaged with the process of creating art.\nFor me, it has the best of both worlds. Little Women has not been compromised and yet we have not been gipped of Gerwig’s own cinematic vivacity. While it’s not a perfect adaptation — not always intuitive to follow — it never scrimps on life-giving vitality.\nYou can note the humanity in profound new ways mined from a novel that’s been culled through and cherished for generations. I’ve never believed Little Women was a “women’s picture” or just for an American audience. It is, in fact, universal.\nPosted in 2010s, Family, Misc., Romance | Tagged Emma Watson, Florence Pugh, Greta Gerwig, Laura Dern, Meryl Streep, Period, Review, Saoirse Ronan, Timothee Chalamet | Leave a reply","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line387456"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.684179425239563,"wiki_prob":0.315820574760437,"text":"Posted by By admin October 15, 2021Posted inPresidential Dollars\nThe 2020 George H.W. Bush Presidential Dollar (Buy on eBay) added one more release to the Presidential $1 Coin Program. The 41st President passed away on November 30, 2018. Separate…\nPosted by By admin May 17, 2016Posted inPresidential Dollars\nThe 2016 Ronald Reagan Presidential Dollar (Buy on eBay) represented the final regular issue of the Presidential $1 Coin Program. The series spanned ten years and thirty-nine individual issues honoring…\nThe 2016 Gerald R. Ford Presidential Dollar (Buy on eBay) was the penultimate release of the Presidential Dollar Program. The series had launched in 2007, with four coins released per…\nThe 2016 Richard M. Nixon Presidential Dollar (Buy on eBay) represented the first release of the final year of the series honoring the former Presidents of the United States of…\nAdding another unique aspect to the series, from 2015 onward the United States Mint produced and issued Reverse Proof Presidential Dollars (Buy on eBay). These coins were only included within…\nPosted by By admin March 22, 2015Posted inPresidential Dollars\nThe Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Dollar (Buy on eBay) represented the fourth and final release of the Presidential $1 Coin Program for the year 2015. This was the thirty-sixth release…\nThe series of golden colored $1 coins honoring the former Presidents reached its thirty-fifth release with the 2015 John F. Kennedy Presidential Dollar (Buy on eBay). This release generated significant…\nThe 2015 Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Dollar (Buy on eBay) represented the second release of the year and the thirty-fourth release overall within the Presidential $1 Coin Program. In previous…\nThe 2015 Harry S. Truman Presidential Dollar (Buy on eBay) represented the first release of the ninth year of release for the Presidential $1 Coin Program. Overall this represented the…\nThe Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Dollar (Buy on eBay) represented the fourth and final release of the series for the year 2014 and the thirty-second release of the series overall.…","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1125062"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6151874661445618,"wiki_prob":0.6151874661445618,"text":"WORKSHOP 10: VOLUNTARY GUIDELINES ON THE RESPONSIBLE GOVERNANCE OF TENURE OF LAND, FISHERIES AND FORESTS IN THE CONTEXT OF NATIONAL FOOD SECURITY (VGs):\nWHAT CONCRETE IMPLEMENTATION ON THE GROUND?\nTranslated from French by Karen Stokes, Translators Without Borders (TWB)\nThe voluntary guidelines do not create an absolute obligation. They are a basic tool that can be used to bring about changes in governance policies and practices associated with the tenure regimes applicable to land, fisheries and forests. The recommendations they contain are highly legitimate insofar as they were signed in late 2012 by the member states of the Committee on World Food Security (CFS) following a drafting process that placed significant emphasis on the views of civil society around the world.\nThe VGs legitimize the participation of civil society in processes to reform the governance of tenure regimes. In practice, this was encouraged in cases where governments were willing to organize participation of this kind. The VGs can also constitute a reason to engage in dialogue upstream with actors whose interests diverge and encourage governments to apply their recommendations.\nThe VGs call for recognition, respect for and protection of the rights – both formal and informal – of majorities (individual and community) in respect of natural resources, and for such rights to be transferred in exchange for fair consideration. They do not, however, suggest that one form of agriculture should be prioritized over any other. Yet large-scale capitalist agriculture that employs workers is developing at the expense of family agriculture. Ensuring that the recommendations of the VGs to support rural majorities are properly applied, while preventing their being used to legitimize the expansion of large-scale agriculture, depends on how this requirement is expressed by civil society.\nIn many countries, improving access to land and natural resources for families and rural communities contradicts the immediate interests of those who hold power in the public authorities. Although these were the people who signed the VGs, and even embarked on a political process around them, their willingness to applying them to protect disadvantaged rural communities can be very limited. More generally, capitalist agricultural production companies that employ workers exercise considerable influence over decisions relating to land and agricultural policies. It is essential to mobilize civil society everywhere to change the governance of tenure regimes, in order to ensure greater social justice.\nFirst, rural communities need to be familiar with the VGs if the guidelines are to strengthen the claims of rural majorities. This is not yet always the case, including in countries where people are more directly concerned about competition from large-scale farms and eviction. The FAO has been working on a process to raise awareness of the VGs since late 2012, but it is a long-term effort that has not yet been implemented in every country. Information and training materials are available to everyone on the FAO’s websites.\nThe discussions and political reforms that have drawn on the VGs in Chile, Colombia, Scotland, Guatemala, Madagascar, Mauritania and Uruguay were presented. In these cases, the VGs have helped to:\n1. legitimize the decision to engage in dialogue on the subject of access to land between stakeholders with divergent interests in this area, including in situations where their differences have led to conflict, and in particular, to legitimize the participation of social movements in these discussions;\n2. provide a framework for assessing the measures taken in the context of previous reforms, such as confirming certain decisions about method and content, and identifying differences;\n3. where the VGs have guided political reforms (in Colombia, Scotland, Guatemala, Madagascar and Uruguay), in some cases with support from the FAO (in Colombia, Guatemala and Madagascar), they have resulted in the development of legal and administrative support for family agriculture, indigenous communities and women. The tangible effects of these measures are often still unclear, since the reforms have only been finalized recently or are still under discussion. Where the guidelines have begun to be applied by governments that favour land concentration on a large scale, they have continued to act as they have previously.\nThe discussions on the VGs in the Specialized Meeting on Family Farming (REAF) by members of the MERCOSUR (Southern Common Market) were reported. These allowed both state representatives and participants from civil society organizations to assess the importance of introducing regulations to support family farmers, indigenous communities and women. For example, they supported the decision made by the National Institute of Colonization in Uruguay to supervise the transfer (by farmers) of rights to use the land it administers in order to guarantee its use by families over the long term. These discussions led to the REAF’s adoption of a common definition of family agriculture and the creation of a register of family farmers to facilitate their access to support mechanisms in all MERCOSUR member states.\nThe actions proposed can be confined to citizens only but can also usefully mobilize local, national and international institutions, in particular the FAO.\n– The way in which the VGs can help to encourage political choices geared to development based on family agriculture, and family and community use of natural resources in general, could be discussed in more detail and documented to allow experiences to be shared on a large scale.\n– From the perspective of encouraging responsible governance of land tenure but also making a political choice to support family agriculture, and given the necessity of social movements being drivers of change, a methodology could be developed to guide social movements in developing strategies for engaging in multi-stakeholder dialogue, with the aim of motivating governments to act in support of rural majorities.\n– In addition to the recommendations set out in the voluntary guidelines, guides could be produced to develop thinking around the issues and possible political measures in some key areas of governance. Firstly, the importance of market regulation for land rights (use and ownership) in order to maintain long-term access for farmers and rural communities to natural resources, their independence in using them, and relevant tools should be specifically documented. Similarly, ways of recognizing and protecting communal/community rights could usefully be examined in more detail and additional documents and guides produced. Agrarian reform processes should also be documented.\n– Support moves towards intergovernmental regional discussions, which are open to civil society, to allow people to share political and practical experiences and encourage emulation in the field of responsible governance of land tenure.\n– Form internal and international alliances involving not only civil society but also academic sectors and government institutions that are willing to support dialogue that encourages development with a focus on small-scale agriculture and other family/community uses of natural resources. International alliances are absolutely essential to move in this direction in countries where rural communities have a limited right of expression, or none at all.\nThe civil society organizations present expressed three expectations:\n– Resources to translate and disseminate the VGs in countries where there is a low level of awareness among the rural majorities, primarily because national governments refuse to communicate them;\n– Communication by the FAO on its strategy for applying the VGs in the context of projects to combat climate change involving a large land take, with which it is associated (projects to maintain and create carbon sinks by conserving and planting forests, and projects to conserve and restore soils);\n– That the review of the dissemination and implementation of the VGs at the next CFS session in October 2016 should not only present successful examples (“good stories”) but also give government the opportunity to learn lessons from the difficulties that may have been encountered in other cases, in order to find solutions.\nThe following list is not exhaustive. We apologize to anyone who spoke or attended the workshop who is not listed here, and invite you to contact us at the following address so that we can produce a new version of this summary with the complete list: secretariat@landaccessforum.org\nGAMBOA, Klemen, United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Latin America delegation\nOUSMANE CAMARA, Jean, National Coordinator in the Land Reform Coordination Unit, Ministry of Presidential Territorial Development and Infrastructure Projects, Madagascar\nGOMEZ, Jacqueline, President of the National Institute of Colonization, Uruguay\nLEON AYALA, Yvan Felipe, United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) representative, Colombia\nBA, Elhadj Mamadou, Mauritanian Association for Self Development (AMAD), Mauritania\nBINYUKI NYOTA, Espérance, Union for the Emancipation of Indigenous Women (UEFA), Democratic Republic of Congo\nI MOBIN JINNAH, Shah, Community Development Association (CDA), Bangladesh\nMOLINA, Javier, United Nations Liaison Officer, United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Colombia\nKEMANDA, Bienvenu, Pygmy Women and Children’s Centre, Central African Republic\nMACHART, Yves-Rocher, Agronomists and Veterinarian Without Borders (AVSF), France\nMANCHOLA RUIZ, Olga, Colombia\nPEACOCK, Peter, Community Land Scotland, United Kingdom\nRAVINDRA GUNAWARDANA, Kariyawasam Mapalagam Hewaruppage, Center for Environment and Nature Studies, Sri Lanka\nSABLE, Anne-Laure, Catholic Committee Against Hunger and For Development CCFD – Terre Solidaire, France\nSAMPHORS, Doung, Star Kampuchea, Cambodia\nVETTRAINO, Jean, Secours Catholique, France\nWARTENA, Sjoerd, Terre de Liens, France\nSANCHEZ CURIHUENTRO, Ruben, Observatorio Ciudadano, Chile\nTAYLOR, Michael, Director of the International Land Coalition Secretariat (ILC), Botswana","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line996772"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5384330749511719,"wiki_prob":0.5384330749511719,"text":"Medical Uses of Ketamine + New Research (incl. Depression)\nJonathan Ritter, PharmD, PhD (Pharmacology), Matt Carland, PhD (Neuroscience) | Written by Joe Cohen, BS | Last updated: December 15, 2022\nKetamine is a medication used primarily as an anesthetic. Some early evidence also suggests that it may have the potential for treating a variety of other health conditions, although these uses have not been fully approved yet. Read on to learn more about the medical uses of and new research about this drug.\nDisclaimer: This post is not an endorsement or recommendation for the use of ketamine under any circumstances, except when prescribed and used under supervision by a qualified medical professional. We have written this post for informational purposes only, and our goal is solely to educate people about the potential medical uses of ketamine, as well as the science behind its effects and mechanisms.\nWhat is Ketamine?\nKetamine – sometimes also known as Ketalar or Ketaject – is a drug that initiates and maintains anesthesia [1].\nThe original compound was first discovered in the early 1960s and was approved for use in the United States in 1970. Now it is considered by the World Health Organization (WHO) as one of the safest and most essential drugs in the healthcare system [2].\nKetamine is considered a Schedule III controlled substance by the FDA, which means that it requires a written, oral, or electronic prescription to legally buy or possess the drug [3].\nKetamine is also classified as a “dissociative” drug, which means that it alters the senses, leading to hallucinations and feelings of detachment from the environment and oneself [1].\nUnfortunately, these dissociative effects are why some people abuse ketamine for recreational purposes – even in spite of the many risks and dangers that are associated with ketamine abuse. For this reason, ketamine has a significant and well-documented potential for abuse and addiction [4, 5].\nKetamine is an anesthetic drug that was discovered in the 1960s. It is a schedule III controlled substance, meaning that it requires a doctor’s prescription to legally buy or possess it.\nDangers of Ketamine\nLike any drug, ketamine has a number of potential adverse side-effects that are important to be aware of. To learn about the side effects, drug interactions, and other potential dangers of ketamine, check out this post.\nOfficial Medical Uses of Ketamine\nKetamine has a number of accepted medical uses for treating certain specific medical conditions and situations. Although this means that the evidence for its efficacy in these conditions is relatively solid, always keep in mind that this is a federally-controlled prescription medication that must only be used under the direction and supervision of a qualified medical professional.\nAdditionally, none of these medical uses should be interpreted as general “benefits” for health! For all of the cases described below, any reported medical benefits only apply to contexts in which ketamine is being administered by qualified medical professionals in a controlled setting. There is no reason to expect any beneficial or therapeutic effects if ketamine is abused recreationally or taken outside of a conventional medical setting.\nIn medical settings, ketamine is most commonly used as an anesthetic (i.e. to make people unconscious during medical procedures). It is officially approved for this purpose by the FDA and is widely used both by itself and in combination with other anesthetic drugs [3].\nKetamine is also sometimes used – usually at lower doses – as a fast-acting sedative [3].\nFor example, when ketamine was administered intravenously in 30 children, all patients experienced sedation within 2 minutes [6].\nIn another study of 431 children, ketamine was administered through the muscles. In this study, 98% of patients experienced rapid sedation [7].\nIn a medical setting, ketamine is most often used as an anesthetic. It may also be used as a fast-acting sedative.\nOff-Label Medical Uses of Ketamine\nOccasionally, doctors will prescribe medications to help treat conditions that fall outside of the official uses approved by the FDA – also known as “off-label” drug use [8]. Usually, this is done because there is actually decent evidence that the drug may help, although this evidence might not be quite strong enough to get full FDA approval (which generally has very strict requirements).\nAs always, however, always remember that the decision to use medications in this way can only be made by a licensed medical professional.\nKetamine and Pain Relief\nIn addition to its official use as an anesthetic, ketamine also has a number of effects that can significantly reduce the perception of pain (i.e. an analgesic effect). Because of this, it is frequently used by doctors – albeit “unofficially” – to help control and manage pain. In this context, ketamine can be used either by itself or in combination with other pain-killing drugs [3].\nFor example, when administered by doctors, ketamine may potentially aid in reducing chronic pain. In a study of 12 male volunteers, low doses of ketamine were reported to activate portions of the brain that are believed to be involved in the inhibition of pain (such as the prefrontal cortex and certain areas of the brainstem) [9].\nIn one 11-week double-blind randomized controlled trial of 60 female patients with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), a steady 100-hour intravenous infusion of ketamine was reported to significantly relieve pain. This effect was even reported to last up to 3 months following treatment [10].\nAdditionally, a study of 12 cancer patients with severe cancer pain reported that patients required 50% less morphine to reduce their pain after prolonged use of ketamine [11].\nKetamine also reportedly enhanced the effectiveness of spinal cord (“intrathecal”) injections of morphine treatment in a double-blind randomized control trial in 20 cancer pain patients [12].\nSome preliminary evidence suggests that ketamine may also be especially effective at reducing pain when combined with certain other medications. For example, a combination of ketamine and a local anesthetic (bupivacaine) reduced post-operative pain in a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial of 53 amputee patients [13].\nWhen used as a local anesthetic with diazepam (a benzodiazepine), meperidine (also known as Demerol – a narcotic pain-killer medication), and nitrous oxide, ketamine was reported to reduce pain, discomfort, and anxiety in a study of 40 healthy adults undergoing oral surgery [14].\nKetamine has an off-label use as a painkiller, but it should never be used for this purpose without the direct supervision of a medical professional.\nPotential New Medical Uses of Ketamine\nIn addition to some of the relatively well-accepted (but still technically unofficial) “off-label” uses, ketamine has also been studied for its potential to treat a variety of other health conditions.\nHowever, keep in mind that the evidence supporting these potential applications is still very preliminary, and a lot more additional research would still be needed before any of these applications are ever officially approved for medical use. Therefore, it is important to take all of the information below with a healthy grain of salt, and never use ketamine without the prescription and supervision of a medical professional.\n1) Ketamine and Depression\nOne of the most promising potential medical applications of ketamine is for treating depression – especially forms of depression that have not responded to many of the more common, “conventional” forms of treatment, such as SSRIs [3].\nFor example, in a double-blind randomized controlled trial of 7 patients with major depression, ketamine was reported to reduce depression symptoms after just 72 hours [15].\nSome early evidence also suggests that ketamine may also be effective in alleviating symptoms in patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD). For example, in one review, it was reported that a single dose of ketamine (administered intravenously) produced a strong and rapid antidepressant effect, and which lasted up to 1 week in patients with TRD [16].\nAdditionally, it was reported that depressive symptoms improved just 40 minutes after ketamine use in one 14-day double-blind randomized controlled trial of 18 treatment-resistant bipolar depression patients [17].\nIn a randomized control study of 73 patients over 24 hours, patients who used ketamine were reported to show a greater improvement in their scores on the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), one of the tests that psychiatrists use to measure the relative severity of individual cases of depression. According to the authors of this study, ketamine’s effects on depression symptoms were significantly stronger than midazolam (a benzodiazepine) [18].\nHowever, while some of these early results might seem promising, there is one major catch: we really don’t know much about the long-term effects of ketamine, or how safe it would be to use on a regular basis.\nFurthermore, the little data that currently exists on using ketamine more than just once paints a very complex and inconclusive picture.\nFor example, one study of 24 TRD patients over 83 days reported that many patients experienced over 2 weeks of sustained improvement of their symptoms after 6 repeated doses of ketamine [19].\nAnother study reported that ketamine, when used in combination with the electroconvulsive therapy (commonly used to treat depression), was more effective in improving depression symptoms than another anesthetic, propofol, in a year-long study of 31 inpatients [20].\nIn a 4-week double-blind randomized controlled trial, 42 depression patients were given an initial dose of ketamine followed by a dose of riluzole (a drug that increases glutamate). About a fourth of the patients did not experience a depression relapse by the end of the trial. However, riluzole did not potentiate the antidepressant effects of ketamine [21].\nSimilar to ketamine, esketamine (the name given to just the “S(+) enantiomer” form of ketamine) has been reported to be a rapid-acting antidepressant. However, in a review comparing the individual effects of ketamine isomers, it was found that arketamine (the R(-) enantiomer form) was a safer and more effective antidepressant than esketamine [22, 23, 24].\nWhile these early studies might seem encouraging, other, larger-scale studies have come to opposing conclusions.\nFor example, according to a larger-scale review, the authors concluded that ketamine probably only has relatively short-term effects on alleviating depression symptoms [25].\nSimilarly, another large-scale review concluded that while ketamine may act as an effective antidepressant (likely by blocking NMDA receptors), it may have significant dissociative side-effects (disconnecting from one’s sense of identity) if used long-term [26].\nAll in all, a lot more research will be needed before we can know just how safe or effective ketamine might be when it comes to treating depression.\nAlso, its high potential for abuse – combined with the potentially serious side-effects associated with it – also makes it quite unlikely that the FDA will ever approve ketamine for widespread use.\nUltimately, even if ketamine does turn out to be effective for depression, the most realistic scenario is that it will be reserved only for a minority of the most severe cases of depression, and would only be used once all other treatment options have already been tried. In other words, it’s not likely that we’ll see widespread use of ketamine anytime soon!\nSome researchers are currently investigating whether ketamine, in any form or at any dose, could help alleviate the symptoms of depression. It may help in the short term but have detrimental effects in the long term.\n2) Ketamine and Seizure Control\nSome preliminary evidence suggests that ketamine may be useful in reducing the duration or severity of seizures.\nFor example, ketamine was reported to decrease the duration of seizures in 10 patients undergoing electroconvulsive therapy [27].\nWhile much more human studies will be needed to confirm this finding, there are a few animal studies that tentatively back this up.\nFor example, in rats, ketamine effectively controlled seizures in all animals 1 hour after seizure stimulation [28].\nAnother study in rats found that ketamine stopped seizure activity in 3 rats 30 minutes after administration [29].\nBecause of its potential to reduce the severity and length of seizures, some evidence suggests that ketamine may also be useful in partially protecting the brain from damage during seizures.\nFor example, ketamine was reported to reduce damage from increased intracranial pressure (pressure inside the skull) in traumatic brain injury patients during propofol sedation in a study of 8 male patients [30].\nSimilarly, ketamine was reported to significant protect 22 out of 24 regions of the rat brain after artificially-induced seizures [29].\nSystematic dosing of ketamine also prevented the loss of neurons caused by persistent seizures in rats [31].\nAccording to several cell studies, ketamine may help preserve the function and structure of brain cells during hypoxia (lack of oxygen) [32].\nNonetheless, given that most of these findings have only been reported in cell- or animal studies, a lot more research will be needed to know whether ketamine might be effective for controlling and managing seizures in actual human patients.\nKetamine is under investigation for potential use controlling seizures, but much of the research so far has been done in animals and cells.\n3) Ketamine and PTSD\nSome early evidence suggests that ketamine might be potentially useful in treating PTSD – but the science behind this is still very young, and it’s still far too early to draw any solid conclusions yet.\nAccording to one study, ketamine quickly and effectively reduced the symptoms of PTSD compared to midazolam (a benzodiazepine) 24 hours after administration in a double-blind randomized controlled trial of 41 patients with chronic PTSD [33].\nIn a study of 603 burn victims, patients who received ketamine after being operated on were reported to show lower rates of later developing PTSD, compared to burn patients who received other post-operative drugs [34]. Although this finding could be taken to suggest that ketamine had a “protective” effect, it’s more likely that PTSD rates were lower in the ketamine group simply because it was just more effective at controlling and reducing pain in general.\nIn very limited clinical trials, ketamine is under investigation as a potential PTSD drug. However, the research is early and the evidence is sparse.\n4) Ketamine and Asthma\nAccording to one study, ketamine improved the breathing of 11 patients with severe asthma 2 hours after administration, when other therapies, as well as assisted breathing, failed [35].\nWhile the authors of this study concluded that ketamine was potentially “a useful and safe drug” for treating certain cases of asthma, they also noted that it should only be considered when other, more conventional treatments have failed – in other words, it’s quite unlikely that ketamine will become a common treatment for asthma anytime soon!\n5) Ketamine and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)\nThere’s some very early evidence suggesting that ketamine may target some of the symptoms associated with OCD – however, this evidence is still extremely preliminary, and should be taken with some skepticism.\nAccording to a 1-week double-blind randomized controlled trial of 15 drug-free OCD adults, ketamine significantly improved obsessive symptoms in comparison to treatment with a placebo [36].\nIn another study of 10 treatment-resistant OCD patients, 35% of patients reported improvement in their symptoms after 3 days of ketamine treatment [37].\nWhile these studies might sound promising, one major limitation is their relatively small sample sizes – just 15 and 10 patients each – which means that a lot more research would be needed to justify the use of ketamine in treating OCD.\nIn a handful of patients, ketamine reduced symptoms of OCD. However, the available studies have been very small and limited; a great deal more research is required.\nKetamine is an anesthetic drug that was discovered in the 1960s. It is a schedule III controlled substance, meaning that it requires a doctor’s prescription to legally buy or possess it. In medical settings, it is used as an anesthetic or occasionally as an off-label painkiller.\nNew research is ongoing into other potential uses of ketamine, including for depression, seizure control, PTSD, asthma, and OCD. However, there is currently nowhere near enough evidence to recommend the use of ketamine for these purposes. Ketamine should only ever be taken or administered under the careful, direct supervision of a medical professional.\nWhat is Ketamine? + Mechanism of Action & Side Effects\nEtizolam: Potential Uses, Mechanisms, and Medical Controversies\n6 Uses of Bromantane (Ladasten) + Side Effects\nLigandrol (LGD 4033) Side Effects & Dangers","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line687316"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5704011917114258,"wiki_prob":0.5704011917114258,"text":"Bring our athletes home!\nPostedby Randall Theil\nPortland State has hosted some incredible athletes recently. Women’s golf phenom Britney Yada, for instance, led the Vikings to two conference championships before her junior year, ranked in the Big Sky All-Conference first team and took home a medal from last year’s conference championship. Men’s tennis player Chris Rice was the first Viking in Portland State history to get selected to the first team in the Big Sky Conference. And this year, the university has hosted two of the best sprinters in its history, both of whom smashed conference records: Geronne Black and Karene King.\nThere have been some incredible memories from this—one of the best competitive stretches in the university’s history. But unfortunately, you are unlikely to have many of those memories. In fact, as the sports editor of the paper that covers these teams, even I don’t have most of those memories. Very few Portland State students will get to enjoy these feats in person, because none of the teams those great athletes played for ever got a chance to compete in the city of Portland.\nSpring quarter is especially egregious. Out of the thirteen sports teams PSU athletics supports, five of which compete this season, only one hosts home games in the city of Portland. Some teams host home games elsewhere. The tennis teams play at a tennis club in Vancouver, Wash. Some, like the golf and track and field teams, just don’t have any home meets at all.\nEmbarassingly, the only time Viking tennis teams have played in the city of Portland is when they went to face cross-town rivals University of Portland at their home court. Good luck to you if you want to see your tennis team actually play, since their schedule on goviks.com lists their home games as happening in “Portland, Ore.” You’d have to dig into ther PR archives to find the actual location of the games (it’s Club Green Meadows, FYI). How is that encouraging a culture of athletics?\nInter-conference rivals Weber State have found venues for 12 of their 14 teams in Ogden, Utah. Does Portland really have fewer available sporting venues than Ogden? It isn’t as though athletics is doing a bad job of getting our athletes out there. The football team has a permanent home in what is arguably the city’s second nicest stadium, Jeld-Wen, and really go all out, making over the stands in Vikings and Horde regalia and airing finely produced video packages. Both the football and basketball teams will benefit from a new cable television deal that will get our teams out to a wider audience with better broadcast quality than they’ve ever had before.\nBut is it fair that a football team that hasn’t made the playoffs in half a decade gets a new stadium and television deal, while the only Portland venue provided for the fastest 100 meter sprinter in Big Sky history is the track at Lincoln High School? If you want to see Viking athletics this quarter, I hope you like softball (I do), because while other Portland State students are competing in the spring, none of them are competing here.\nDozing through college\nA new season of intramurals\nVanguard endorses Cunningham and Garrick\nPostedby Admin\nVikings looking to sink a win\nRainbow Sherbert Roll\nPostedby Betty Crocker","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1722693"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8033680319786072,"wiki_prob":0.8033680319786072,"text":"Women of Troy look for revenge against Golden Bears\nBy SAAGAR SARIN\nMarch 29, 2013 in Sports, Tennis\nThe USC women’s tennis team returns to action today with a highly anticipated match against the visiting Cal Golden Bears.\nThe Women of Troy enter the match ranked No. 6 in the nation with a 15-2 overall record. The team returns home following a successful road trip that saw two Pac-12 victories over Washington and Washington State, respectively. The conference victories put USC at 4-0 in Pac-12 play.\nUSC is looking for redemption against the Bears. Since losing to Cal last month, the Women of Troy have won seven straight games. Moreover, the game will serve as the rubber match for bragging rights between the two, as USC was victorious over the Bears at the ITA national team indoor championships in Virginia earlier this year. While USC head coach Richard Gallien understands the importance of treating every match the same, he knows that certain matches hold more weight on a team’s psyche than others.\n“Inherently, [the team knows] there are important matches,” Gallien said. “We don’t have that many matches, so we try to play as hard as we can regardless of who it is.”\nFollowing the Cal match, the Women of Troy will square off against Stanford. With only a handful of matches left before Pac-12 tournament play begins near the end of next month, the team is attempting to round into form for a potential NCAA championship tournament run. Winning against the Bears and the Cardinal, both ranked in the top 10, would go a long way in doing just that.\n“I felt like we were sort of struggling at the beginning of the year,” Gallien said. “We were doing real well but didn’t have much to show for it … and then we beat UCLA at UCLA. Winning … matches rewards ourselves for our hard work. At the very least it shows ourselves that we are very hard to beat.”\nWhile the team as a whole attempts to continue its success, many of the individuals have already proven that 2013 has been a great campaign for them. Sophomore Zoë Scandalis was recently awarded Pac-12 player of the week for her performance during the week of March 11-17, which included dominating solo victories against Texas, Colorado and Utah. With her award, she became the sixth member of the team to be given the award.\nThe Women of Troy also continue to do well in the individual rankings released by the ITA. Sophomore Sabrina Santamaria ranks second in the nation in singles play while senior Danielle Lao, a model of consistency, is ranked No. 7. In terms of doubles play, USC continues to boast the top-ranked doubles duo in the nation in Santamaria and junior Kaitlyn Christian.\nGallien has been most impressed by his girls’ individual success in spite of a laser focus on achieving team goals.\n“They want so desperately to win this team title in an individual sport,” Gallien said. “I give them credit for blending in and trying to put individual goals aside. They’ve just been really great.”\nThe match against the Bears is set to start at 1:30 p.m. at Marks Stadium.\nTags: Cal, kaitlyn christian, Richard Gallien, Sabrina Santamaria, stanford, washington state, Women of Troy, women's tennis, Zoe Scandalis\nTrojans head north to take on Stanford, CalTrojans drop tough match to Lancers","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1686407"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9047062993049622,"wiki_prob":0.9047062993049622,"text":"1Early life and ordination\n2Priest and bishop\n3Archbishop and cardinal\n4Retirement and death\nEdward Clancy (cardinal)\nAustralian cardinal (1923–2014)\nEdward Clancy\nCardinal-Archbishop Emeritus of Sydney\nRoman Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney\nTerm ended\nJames Darcy Freeman\nGeorge Pell\nOther post(s)\nCardinal-Priest of Santa Maria in Vallicella\nby Norman Thomas Gilroy\nby James Darcy Freeman\nCreated cardinal\nby Pope John Paul II\nEdward Bede Clancy\n(1923-12-13)13 December 1923\nLithgow, New South Wales, Australia\n3 August 2014(2014-08-03) (aged 90)\nRandwick, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia\nPrevious post(s)\nAuxiliary Bishop of Sydney (1973–1978)\nTitular Bishop of Ard Carna (1973–1978)\nArchbishop of Canberra-Goulburn (1978–1983)\nPresident of the Australian Episcopal Conference (1986–2000)\nFides mundum vincit (\"Faith conquers the world\")\nStyles of\nSpoken style\nYour Eminence\nInformal style\nSydney (emeritus)\nEdward Bede Clancy AC (13 December 1923 – 3 August 2014) was an Australian Catholic bishop and cardinal. He was the seventh Catholic Archbishop of Sydney from 1983 to 2001. He was made Cardinal-Priest of Santa Maria in Vallicella in 1988.\nEarly life and ordination[edit]\nClancy was born in Lithgow, New South Wales, on 13 December 1923. He said that he wanted to be a priest from an early age and pretended to celebrate his first Mass while still a child, to the amusement of his brother and sisters.[citation needed] After completing his studies at Marist Brothers College, Parramatta, he was ordained to the priesthood in 1949, on the same day as the future Australian cardinal Edward Cassidy.\nPriest and bishop[edit]\nIn 1953 Clancy earned a Licentiate in Sacred Theology from the Pontifical University of St Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum).[1] Clancy continued his education, eventually earning his doctorate in theology in 1965. He then started as a teacher and later accepting the position of chaplain at the University of Sydney. He also served as the official spokesperson for the archdiocese at this time and became very well known on that basis.\nOn 19 January 1974, Clancy was consecrated titular Bishop of Árd Carna and Auxiliary Bishop of Sydney.\nArchbishop and cardinal[edit]\nOn 24 November 1978, he was appointed Archbishop of Canberra (and Goulburn). In the little over four years that he was Archbishop of Canberra and Goulburn, Clancy was respected by the people of Canberra Goulburn as a very friendly and approachable archbishop who was also very supportive of his people and his priests. He had a great rapport with young people in the archdiocese.\nOn 12 February 1983 he was appointed Archbishop of Sydney and on 28 June 1988 he was elevated to Cardinal-Priest of Santa Maria in Vallicella. He also continued his education career throughout this time, becoming the chancellor of the Australian Catholic University in 1992.\nA notable event in the life of his tenure was the beatification of Mother Mary MacKillop, conducted at the Royal Randwick Racecourse on January 15, 1995. Pope John Paul II referenced Clancy in his homily when he said: \"We are celebrating an extraordinary event in the life of the Church in this land: the beatification of Mother Mary MacKillop, the first Australian formally declared to be among the Blessed in heaven. I rejoice with all of you: with Cardinal Clancy and my Brother Bishops, with the priests, Religious, all of you, lay men and women, families, young people and children, who offer a radiant and authentic sign of the Church's vitality. I give thanks to God for being able to celebrate this Beatification right here on Australian soil.\" The Pontiff ended his homily by saying: \"The Pope for today, Cardinal Clancy for tomorrow. Praise be the Lord!\"[2]\nMajor work on St Mary's Cathedral, Sydney, took place under his episcopacy. In 1999 a substantial new pipe organ was built by Orgues Létourneau Ltée of Montreal, Québec.[3] In the year 2000 the spires of the cathedral were finally completed.[4]\nDuring his term as archbishop the neo-Gothic diocesan seminary of St Patrick's at Manly (founded by Cardinal Patrick Moran in 1889) was closed and the heritage listed building leased to an international hospitality school.[5] A new seminary, the Seminary of the Good Shepherd, was opened in the inner-western Sydney suburb of Homebush.[6]\nClancy was a fellow of Warrane College, University of New South Wales.\nRetirement and death[edit]\nClancy retired as Archbishop of Sydney in 2001 and was succeeded by Archbishop George Pell. In the period from 21 October 2003 (when Pell was made cardinal) until Clancy's own 80th birthday on 13 December 2003, there were three Australian cardinal electors (had a papal conclave become necessary); Clancy, Pell and Edward Cassidy.\nClancy's health began to decline after his retirement and he died on 3 August 2014, aged 90, at the Little Sisters of the Poor nursing home in the Sydney suburb of Randwick.[7][8]\n\"Edward Bede Clancy\", Biography Resource Center Online, Gale Group, 2001.\n^ \"About Us – Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney\". Accessed 2 December 2014\n^ \"Apostolic Journey to Australia: Beatification of Mother Mary MacKillop at Randwick Racecourse in Sydney (19 January 1995) | John Paul II\".\n^ \"Orgues Létourneau Limited – St. Mary's Cathedral – West Organ\". Letourneauorgans.com. Archived from the original on 8 August 2014. Retrieved 3 August 2014.\n^ The Catholic Leader (26 August 2000). \"St Mary's Cathedral Finally Completed\". The Catholic Leader. Retrieved 3 August 2014.\n^ Tony Abbott. \"St Patrick's College, Manly, seminary becomes a hotel school!\". Ad2000.com.au. Archived from the original on 18 March 2015. Retrieved 3 August 2014.\n^ \"sgs.org.au\". Sgs.org.au. Retrieved 3 August 2014.\n^ Kerry Myers (3 August 2014). \"A faithful son of the church: former Sydney Archbishop Edward Clancy dies\". Smh.com.au. Retrieved 3 August 2014.\n^ http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/former-sydney-archbishop-edward-clancy-dead-at-90/story-e6frg6nf-1227011865198[bare URL]\nCardinal Clancy on Catholic hierarchy.org\nCardinal Clancy on \"What the Cardinals believe\"\nCardinal Clancy bio on the Sydney Archdiocesan website\nCatholic Church titles\nThomas Cahill\nArchbishop of Canberra–Goulburn\nFrancis Carroll\nArchbishop of Sydney\nRoman Catholic Archbishops of Canberra – Goulburn, Australia\nBishops of Goulburn\nPatrick Geoghegan\nWilliam Lanigan\nTerence McGuire\nArchbishops of Canberra – Goulburn\nEris O'Brien\nMark Coleridge\nChristopher Prowse\nCatholicism portal\nOrdinaries of the Archdiocese of Sydney\nApostolic Vicars of New Holland\nand Van Diemen's Land\nJohn Bede Polding\nBishops of Sydney\nArchbishops of Sydney\nRoger Vaughan\nPatrick Francis Moran\nMichael Kelly\nNorman Gilroy\nAnthony Fisher\nCoadjutor archbishop\nMichael Sheehan\nAuxiliary bishops, current\nDavid Meagher\nRichard Umbers\nAuxiliary bishops, former\nJoseph Higgins\nPatrick Lyons\nThomas Muldoon\nEdward Kelly\nDavid Cremin\nBede Heather\nJohn Heaps\nGeoffrey Robinson\nPeter Ingham\nJulian Porteous\nPeter Comensoli\nAnthony Randazzo\nTerence Brady\nCatholic Church portal\nThe Diocese of Sydney was elevated to the status of archdiocese in 1842.\nRetrieved from \"https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Edward_Clancy_(cardinal)&oldid=1134778503\"\nRoman Catholic archbishops of Sydney\nAustralian people of Irish descent\nAustralian cardinals\nCompanions of the Order of Australia\nCardinals created by Pope John Paul II\nPeople from the Central Tablelands\nAustralian expatriates in Italy\nAustralian Roman Catholic archbishops\nArticles with bare URLs for citations from November 2021\nUse British English from March 2013\nUse dmy dates from January 2022\nArticles with unsourced statements from March 2015\nPages using S-rel template with ca parameter\nArticles with Trove identifiers","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1088342"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8567349910736084,"wiki_prob":0.8567349910736084,"text":"Demon Turf: Neon Splash Nintendo Switch Indie Video Game Review\nBy: Author Eric Mortensen\nCategories Indie, Platformer, Review, Video Games\nLate last year I reviewed the 3D platformer Demon Turf. I enjoyed the game quite a bit as it did a good job focusing on what I enjoy most about games from the genre. It was a genuinely good indie 3D platformer which is a welcome sight. As the original game only come out late last year, I was genuinely surprised when I saw that another game in the series was released last week. As I really enjoyed the original game, I was interested in checking out the sequel. Demon Turf: Neon Splash is a great continuation of the Demon Turf franchise focusing on the best elements of the original game even if it is on the shorter side.\nDemon Turf: Neon Splash continues the adventure of Beebz and her friends. One day the gang discovers a strange painting. When they approach it they are sucked inside. To return to their world Beebz must use her platforming skills to complete challenges and find a way home.\nIn a lot of ways Demon Turf: Neon Splash is similar to the original Demon Turf. It honestly feels like more of an expansion/DLC than a totally new game. The platforming for the most part hasn’t changed much. You have your typical jump, double jump, wall jump, and hover ability. You also have access to Beebz’ special abilities from the very start of the game which will help you in your journey.\nThe overworld from the original game has been cut from Demon Turf: Neon Splash. Instead the game is basically a set of levels. Your objective for each level is to reach the end which will unlock the next level. In addition to just completing the levels though, there are a few other things to accomplish in each level. Like the original game there are sweets to collect which you can use to purchase upgrades. Each level also has a hidden record which unlocks a remix level. These remix levels are basically twisted variants of the original levels that are considerably harder as they have more obstacles that you have to overcome. Finally each level has a number of times that you can beat to earn trophies.\nBasically if you have played the original Demon Turf or any other 3D platformers, you should already have a good idea of what to expect from Demon Turf: Neon Splash. The game streamlines some of the mechanics from the original game. It basically still feels like the same game though, where it is mostly more levels than a drastic change to the original game.\nThe one area where the game differs from your typical 3D platformer is that it lets you place your own checkpoints (with some limitations). This remains mostly the same as the original game. The one difference is that you only have access to one place-able checkpoint for each level. This is offset by the fact that you can place it as many times as you want. This allows you to create a new checkpoint each time you complete a difficult section of a level.\nI actually think this was an improvement over the original game. I liked having multiple checkpoints as it made it easier to find missed collectibles. This was easily made up for by the fact that you can place a checkpoint whenever you want. No longer do you have to worry about wasting one of your checkpoints and then having to complete a long section without making a mistake because you have no checkpoints left. This does make the game easier as you can keep placing checkpoints whenever you complete a difficult section. The amount of frustration it eliminates though is worth it in my opinion.\nLike the original game, I thought the platforming of Demon Turf: Neon Splash was really good. Probably my favorite element of the original game was the platforming, and this holds true for the sequel as well. I think the platforming works for a couple of reasons.\nFirst I thought the level design was quite good. The original game did take some time to get going as it introduced new mechanics. As you progressed in the game you unlocked additional abilities which were then added into your repertoire. This gave the level designer(s) more options for later levels which they took advantage of. Some of the best levels in the original game were towards the later parts of the game.\nI am not going to directly compare the levels of the two games, but Demon Turf: Neon Splash gets right into things much quicker. Since you have access to all of your abilities from the beginning of the game, the levels can throw everything at you right away. The game still ratchets up the difficulty as you progress, but the game starts much quicker than the original game. I would say that almost all of the levels in Demon Turf: Neon Splash would be in the top half of levels from the original game.\nThe other thing that I liked about the platforming was the general feel of the controls. The controls for the first game were quite good, and the same holds true for the sequel. The game has streamlined some mechanics and cut others (more on this soon). For the most part the controls are precise since they give you a lot of control as you can adjust in the air if your jump is initially off. When you fail/die, it is generally your fault. I will say that the sequel does feel faster than the original though as you move, jump, etc quicker than the first game. This took some time to get used to leading to some deaths as I felt the character moved too fast. I ultimately had to adjust some of the sensitivity settings to make the movement feel right. If you want a good 3D platformer, you will get it from Demon Turf: Neon Splash.\nWhile not a prevalent element of Demon Turf: Neon Splash, the game even introduces some small 2D platforming sections. At points in some of the levels you will reach a point where the camera locks into place. The visual design doesn’t change, but the camera stays fixed where you can only really move left and right. Outside of the change in perspective, this doesn’t really change the gameplay all that much, but I thought it was a nice change of pace.\nThose who played the original game will probably think that I have been ignoring a key element of the game. The original game featured a sort of combat as well as some puzzles that you had to solve periodically. The combat has been completely eliminated from the game, and the puzzles have been severely cut back. While I didn’t hate the combat, I think it was a good idea to cut it from the sequel as it was one of the weakest elements of the original game. For the sequel the developer seemed to focus solely on the platforming. This was probably a good decision as that was always the game’s greatest strength.\nAs for the setting and story, there isn’t a whole lot to talk about. The story is really basic as you basically get trapped in a painting and have to find a way out. The graphical style is similar to the original. The characters are in 2D while the environments are in 3D. Demon Turf: Neon Splash is more colorful than the original which I liked. I did have to turn off one of the graphical effects though as it was kind of distracting.\nI generally enjoyed Demon Turf: Neon Splash. Really the only significant issue I had with the game is just that it feels like more of a DLC/expansion than a standalone sequel. There are a few tweaks to the formula, but in many ways it just feels like more levels for the original game. The levels are quite good, but if you were expecting a full sequel, you may be disappointed.\nAs the game only retails for $5, I assumed that Demon Turf: Neon Splash would be considerably shorter than the original game. It definitely is shorter than the original game. I don’t know how many levels the original game had, but Demon Turf: Neon Splash only has ten main levels and nine remix levels. There are reasons to replay the levels for the time trials and to pick up all of the collectibles. Still the game is pretty short. I think I beat all of the main levels in around 2 hours while finding all of the collectibles. The remix levels added another hour to an hour and a half. If I wanted to try to complete the time trials, that would add some more time. Ultimately you can beat the game within a couple hours. With the game only retailing for $5, you can’t complain too much about it being on the shorter side. I just wish it was longer, as I was still really enjoying the game when it ended.\nAs a fan of the original Demon Turf, I was curious what could come out of a sequel that came out only a few months after the original game. Demon Turf: Neon Splash in many ways does what a sequel should do. It focuses on what the original game did best, while also cutting out the elements that dragged it down. The platforming is as good as the original game. The level design is quite good as it jumps right in avoiding some of the slower levels at the beginning of the original game. The controls are quite good as well, even though you seem to move a little too fast without some tweaking of the settings. The combat has been cut out of the game completely as the sequel focuses on what it does best. The only real complaint I had with the game is that it is on the shorter side. Most players could probably beat the entire game within a few hours.\nUltimately my recommendation comes down to your feelings towards the original game or 3D platformers in general. If you didn’t really care for the original game’s platforming or 3D platformers in general, I don’t see the game being for you. Fans of the original game or 3D platformers should really enjoy Demon Turf: Neon Splash and should consider picking it up.\nDemon Turf: Neon Splash\nRelease Date: April 14th, 2022 | Systems: Nintendo Switch, PC\nDeveloper: Fabraz | Publisher: Playtonic Friends | ESRB Rating: E10+ for comic mischief, fantasy violence\nGenres: Indie, Platformer\nOfficial Website: https://demonturf.com/\nFocuses on the elements of the original game that were most enjoyable, while cutting out the worst elements.\nA fun 3D platformer with good level design and controls.\nQuite short as you can beat the entire game within a couple hours.\nYou may have to tweak some of the settings as otherwise you seem to move too quickly at times.\nRecommendation: For fans of the original game or 3D platformers in general.\nWhere to Purchase: Nintendo Switch, Steam\nWe at Geeky Hobbies would like to thank Fabraz and Playtonic Friends for the review copy of Demon Turf: Neon Splash used for this review. Other than receiving a free copy of the game to review, we at Geeky Hobbies received no other compensation for this review. Receiving the review copy for free had no impact on the content of this review or the final score.\nTonight’s Complete TV Listings: November 5, 2021 TV Schedule\nHokko Life Indie Video Game Preview\nParadise Lost Indie Video Game Review\nTonight’s Complete TV Listings: October 13, 2021 TV Schedule\nTonight’s Complete TV Listings: August 16, 2021 TV Schedule\nMonopoly Bid Card Game Review and Rules\nTetragon PlayStation 4 Indie Video Game Review\nTonight’s Complete TV Listings: October 4, 2021 TV Schedule\nTonight’s Complete TV Listings: June 29, 2021 TV Schedule\nTags 2022FabrazNintendo SwitchPCPlaytonic Friends\nHow to Play Crystallized Board Game (Rules and Instructions)\nTonight’s Complete TV Listings: April 22, 2022 TV Schedule","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1486589"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6658757925033569,"wiki_prob":0.6658757925033569,"text":"Betty Vohs, 94\nby | Aug 10, 2022\nBetty Vohs, age 94, of Imlay City, MI died Monday, August 1, 2022 at home surrounded by her loving family. Betty Jane Daniels was born July 30, 1928 in Royal Oak, MI. She was the daughter of the late Grant and the late Ethel (James) Daniels. Betty grew up and attended Royal Oak High School. She left high school to work at Kresge Dime Store. She married Donald Vohs on September 1, 1951 in Warren, MI. She was preceded by her husband, Donald, on August 3, 2009. Through the years Betty and Don lived in Warren, Sterling Heights, Royal Oak, and they retired to St. Helen, MI in 1987. She moved to Imlay City in 2007.\nShe was a homemaker, raising her family. While she lived in St. Helen, Betty worked in the bakery of the IGA. Betty was a member of the Seven Ponds Nature Center ‘Stingers’ ladies fundraising group. She had a huge garden and enjoyed canning vegetables. Betty liked to go to garage sales, RV camping, spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and was a great supporter of the Imlay City High School Equestrian events in which her grandchildren participated.\nShe is survived by her daughter, Beth (Rick) Horton of Imlay City, MI; son, Don Vohs of Roscommon, MI; her sister, Virginia Horn of Dryden, MI: and brother, George (Elaine) Daniels of Atlanta, MI. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Garrett (Jessica) Horton, Benjamin (Rachel) Horton, Adam Horton, Justin Marsch, and David (Anna) Allison; and her great-grandchildren, Aubrey, Lily, Quentin, Addie, Jayden, Megan, Paisley, Teegan and Ryan.\nBetty was preceded in death by her husband, Donald Vohs; parents, Grant and Ethel Daniels; her daughter, Debbie Allison; sister, Dorothy (Paul) Daniel; and her brother, Ronald Daniels.\nThe funeral service was held Friday, August 5, 2022 at Muir Brothers Funeral Home of Imlay City, 225 N. Main Street, Imlay City, MI. Pastor Terry Horton officiated. Interment followed at Imlay Township Cemetery.\nThose wishing to make memorial contributions may direct them to the Vohs family for distribution to several different organizations.\nFuneral arrangements were entrusted to Muir Brothers Funeral Home of Imlay City.\nPlease be sure to sign the online register at www.muirbrothersfh.com to share condolences and memories with the Vohs family.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1712572"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5828005075454712,"wiki_prob":0.5828005075454712,"text":"HomeChildren's BooksCensorship Bills On the Table in Nearly Half of U.S. States: This Week’s Book Censorship News, January 7, 2022\nCensorship Bills On the Table in Nearly Half of U.S. States: This Week’s Book Censorship News, January 7, 2022\nIn 2022, don’t anticipate that book challenges and wide-ranging censorship of books will slow down across the U.S. They’ll be amplifying, thanks to right-wing and extremist white supremacist groups like No Left Turn, Moms for Liberty, and dozens of state-based organizations, as well as dark money.\nState governments are packed with representatives who are being supported by these groups, as well as dark money, and by listening to these constituencies, many politicians are sponsoring bills with an anti–critical race theory (CRT) agenda. They’re also targeting school curriculum, demanding transparency over books purchased for libraries and those purchased for individual classrooms either as supplemental or required reading. Much of the discourse feels like the satanic panic but with the dark reality that by leading the efforts on censorship, these politicians feel they have a platform for which to seek reelection and support. We can look to Virginia as a bellwether for things to come, following the election of Glenn Youngkin.\nA number of states have already enacted so-called anti-CRT bills, while other states are following those leads and either copying the playbook or are attempting to go one further with even more draconian bills meant as educational gag orders. Politico reported earlier this week the ways in which the GOP sees these bills as their “in” to building a “red wave.”\nStates with bills in place or under discussion include Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, and Texas. Wisconsin is also floating around potential legislation that would put a similar chokehold in public facilities of higher education. Much has been made about Oklahoma’s bill in particular, which would put a bounty on teachers and librarians who carry books a parent deems inappropriate (where that money would come from in a state that ranks 47th in public education, which factors into the equation that determines state funding, remains a mystery).\nIf you’re in one of the above-mentioned states, it’s time to reach out to your representatives and demand they act to ensure these laws don’t pass, and/or you stay on top of your representatives with your dissatisfaction, reminding them they work for you. If you’re not in one of the above-mentioned states, the same assignment applies, but this time, write in support of intellectual freedom and the rights of students and educators to as wide a range of materials as possible.\nToday In Books Newsletter\nSign up to Today In Books to receive daily news and miscellany from the world of books.\nAs always, this toolkit for how to fight book bans and challenges will help you do the work, whether you’ve got five minutes or five hours. This primer on evaluating news sites will be helpful, too, particularly when it comes to the information you’re being presented about book challenges and state-focused censorship legislation.\nBefore diving into this week’s roundup of book censorship news — I’ve limited to news from January and a couple of bigger stories at the end of December — I’d love to know if there’s an angle to censorship, book challenges, or intellectual freedom you’d like to learn more about each week in this roundup. Feel free to drop me a line on social media or via email (it’s my first name at rionewmedia.com).\nBook Challenges and Censorship News This Week: January 7, 2022\nLindbergh schools in Missouri have two books back on shelves.\nThe removal of Gender Queer from Orange County, Florida, schools has some parents pushing back. This is a great look at the story, and the parents in this group are working alongside those in Brevard County’s parent group below.\nBrevard County Florida parents are challenging the Moms for Liberty group at the center of book challenges in their community.\nA messy school board meeting with clear anti-LGBTQ board members in Pennridge Schools (Pennsylvania) led to the removal of Heather Has Two Mommies from schools. Parents and community member are not happy. (This school board meeting is excruciating to listen to, but you can do so here).\nMore on the fears surrounding silent censorship from Pennridge.\nIn good news, Teton library (Wyoming) updated their collection development policy with clear anti-censorship language to prepare for potential challenges. Libraries: worth doing this now if you can and/or haven’t in a while.\nIt might seem odd that a library not yet facing challenges would make a statement that they don’t tolerate censorship, but Austin Public Library’s statement has a huge impact locally, on the state level, and across the country for both libraries and their advocates.\nA look at a number of book bans and challenges in Arkansas.\nA discussion of what’s to be lost with anti–critical race theory guidelines as determined by school boards, with a focus on Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District (California).\nSix books will remain on shelves at the Rockwood school libraries (Missouri). Three more titles are still under review.\nLamar Independent School District (Texas) is reviewing Me and Earl and The Dying Girl after complaints.\nIn the ongoing saga of book challenges at Campbell County Public Library district in Wyoming, two books have been moved from the YA to the adult section.\nWake County Public Library librarians are protesting the removal of Gender Queer from the collection. Some of the backstory to this North Carolina censorship.\nA Mississippi state auditor is mad about antiracist books purchased for Mississippi libraries from a federal grant. That’s…not even state money. But it’s great for political clout, as it has some of the buzzword mafia’s favorite phrases: tax money, antiracism, libraries, and critical race theory.\nOsseo, Minnesota schools will keep Born a Crime on shelves.\nParents complained about a poetry event that happens annually for students in Sarasota, Florida. It was canceled.\nPitt County Schools in North Carolina are reviewing three titles in their middle school collection: All American Boys, Darkness Before Dawn, and Forged in Fire.\nThese LGBTQ and Antiracist Books are Being Review Bombed by Book Banners\n“I Know It When I See It”: Who Pulled Gender Queer from Wake County Library Shelves?\nCan The 1982 Island Trees Case Impact Today’s Book Censorship? This Week’s Book Censorship News: December 17, 2021\nStudents, Teachers, and Librarians are Fed Up With Book Challenges: This Week’s Censorship News, December 10, 2021\nThere’ve Been More Than 155 Book Challenges Since June: This Week’s Censorship News, December 3, 2021\nHow to Prepare for 2022 Book Challenges: This Week’s Censorship News\nWake Up: The Censorship Has Been Alive Forever. It’s at Fever Pitch Today.\nCraighead County Library’s Battle Against Censorship\nStudents Petition for Library Books, School Board Members Want to Burn LGBTQ+ Titles, and More Censorship News: November 12, 2021","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1068467"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6943345069885254,"wiki_prob":0.6943345069885254,"text":"Dr. Prempeh’s good works speaking for him\n4th Aug 2021 Ababiopeter News Leave a comment\nIn 2008, when Dr. Matthew Opoku-Prempeh won the New Patriotic Party (NPP) primary held at Georgia Hotel in Kumasi, and subsequently emerged the Member of Parliament (MP), for the Manhyia Constituency, people not too conversant with the dynamics of the Ashanti Region politics, were surprised.\nTheir surprise wasn’t because Dr. Prempeh popularly known as ‘Napo’ wasn’t qualified, but widely seen as very young to step into the shoes of Dr. Kwame Addo Kufuor, who was then bowing out of Parliament after faithfully serving the good people of Manhyia.\nThose who were aware, however, of the ever-rising political activities of the then young aspiring MP, knew that there would be no vacuum created following the exit of Dr. Addo-Kufuor, as Dr. Prempeh had in his early student’s politics days, already displayed quality leadership skills.\nTrue to their expectation, the MP, as soon as being sworn-in on January 7, 2009, never disappointed the people of his Manhyia constituency, as his presence was felt in Parliament early on through wise contributions to Parliamentary business.\nThe son of Apagyafie was coming on board with exceptional character and unblemished integrity, braced with great courage and resolve in handling affairs.\nThe leadership style of Dr. Opoku-Prempeh also endeared him to the entire constituent to the extent that, there arose issues on where he should serve, when the Manhyia constituency was split into Manhyia North and South. The MP opted to serve the people of Manhyia South.\nDr. Prempeh’s contribution to the fortunes of the NPP, in opposition, was something that people within and outside the party would simply not forget as he was extremely active, in ensuring that the party won back power in the 2016 elections\nDr. Prempeh In Government\nIt wasn’t surprise, therefore, that when NPP took office after it won the 2016 elections, Dr. Prempeh was to be among the first batch of ministers to be named by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. Amazingly, Napo was placed in charge of the education ministry and, obviously became the surprise element because of his background, though, as Medical Doctor largely seen as someone rather caste in the health ministry.\nNapo’s leadership skills were thus smithed out the more, as he had to pioneer the government’s flagship programme of the Free Senior High School (Free SHS); and did not have a single reason to fail the system.\nWith team-work, Dr. Prempeh was able to marshal all necessary forces to roll out the Free SHS, which itself, came along with teething problems that he succeeded in surmounting, with time.\nAt the end of President Akufo-Addo’s first term, it became obvious that the Medical Doctor without any background in education sector management, had succeeded in making history for the Nana Akufo-Addo administration through achieving lots for the education sector.\nBeyond the successful implementation of Free SHS programme, the education sector also witnessed significant reforms during the tenure of Dr. Prempeh as the minister.\nHe brought dignity and respect to bear by always placing himself in touch with workers of the education sector, to know their challenges and prescribing necessary solution. It was not out of nothing that under Dr. Prempeh’s watch, no union under the education sector ever embarked on strike action.\nSecond Term Of Akufo-Addo And Napo\nDr. Prempeh was again among the first set of appointees named by President Nana Akufo-Addo in his second term and now again placed in-charge of Energy and was also made a Member of Cabinet.\nHis quality leadership and teamwork have come to play once again, as he steers affairs to ensure that Ghana’s energy sector improves to meet its huge demand.\nJust like he strategically did as the Education Minister, the labour front of the energy sector has also become calm and thus driving the sector workers to offer their maximum best.\nWell Deserved Honours\nDr. Prempeh is not a stranger to awards and honours, as he could count them in numbers since, he became a minister. For three times running he was named as the best Minister in the Akufo-Addo government.\nApart from that, he was selected as the 2020 recipient of the Harvard Ministerial Medal of Achievement in recognition of his work, over the past four years, towards strengthening public education in Ghana. Specific criteria include insightful leadership, clarity of purpose, and consistent commitment to the goals, and tangible benefits for citizens from the Minister’s efforts.\nIn 2021 alone, Dr. Prempeh has already received two Honorary Doctorate Degrees from two of Ghana’s renowned tertiary institutions: One from the University of Education, Winneba (UEW) and the other one from the University of Professional Studies (UPSA), Accra.\nThe UEW conferred the Honorary Doctorate on Dr. Prempeh on May 26, 2021, for his efficient handling of the education sector whilst he was the Education Minister. A citation read at ceremony held at Winneba, among other things, indicated that the Free SHS was implemented under his watch and he ensured quality placement in all schools, he made lots of reforms in the education sector by establishing National Reform Secretariat to transform all aspects of education in the country, including the upgrade of all Colleges of education to University Colleges; the adoption of a National Teachers’ Standards; the rollout of the Teacher Education Curriculum Framework; and the Tertiary Education Policy for Ghana initiative.\nThe UPSA on the other hand, conferred Doctorate Degree (Doctors of Human Letters) on Dr. Prempeh on July 24, 2021, for his leadership as the Minister of Education in the first term of President Akufo-Addo.\nParts of the UPSA citation read: ‘’You have invested in making yourself a notable leader, thereby proving that the twenty first century leadership is teachable, learnable, measurable skill. We recognise your deep commitment to leadership and service and celebrate your contribution towards the education of mother Ghana’s future generation.’’\nDr. Prempeh was born May 23, 1968 to Oheneba Kwame Kyeretwie, who was Otumfuo Asantehene’s Apagyahene, and Madam Elizabeth Akosua Nyarko at the Komfo Anokye Hospital, in Kumasi. He started his primary education at the KNUST Primary school and then proceeded to the prestigious Prempeh College in 1980. From there, he entered the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, where he read medicine.\nIt was at KNUST that he made his first appearance as a leader, after he won the position as the local National Union of Ghanaian Students (NUGS) President, a position he held from 1991 -1992. In 1995, Dr. Prempeh left Ghana to pursue further education and work as a surgeon in the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.\nIn 2003, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh decided to return to Ghana to pursue a career in business and more importantly in politics.\nPrevious Post: We’re ready to die for Ghana – #FixTheCountry protesters\nNext Post: MTN brings joy to students in Asunafo South District who now see, use computer in school","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line268182"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9270845651626587,"wiki_prob":0.9270845651626587,"text":"After Article 370, Will Transnational Terrorist Organizations Look to Kashmir for Permanent War?\nTransnational extremist groups may become the next reason for escalation between India and Pakistan.\nBy Umair Jamal for The Diplomat\nCredit: AP Photo/Dar Yasin\nIndia’s decision to integrate Jammu and Kashmir has complicated the region’s jihadist landscape. Escalation of violence looks like a real possibility with a massive jihadist infrastructure waiting and gearing up to take advantage of the situation.\nIt’s extremely worrying that the emerging narrative in Kashmir, which favors resentment among Kashmiris at a collective level, is set to provide extremist groups fodder for recruitment propaganda. This is exactly what India has been trying to avoid for decades. However, the post-integration lockdown situation appears to have achieved exactly what New Delhi set out to evade decades ago.\nObservers are warning that transnational extremist groups such as the Islamic State (ISIS), Al Qaeda, and their local affiliates may have found an opening that didn’t exist for years. Extremist groups with bases in the valley can cause chaos not only in Kashmir, but also regionally.\nPreviously, the narrative in Kashmir had been averse to transnational groups preaching or carrying out violence against the Indian security forces. That may not be the case anymore: for better or worse, extremist sentiments are finding more space among the masses than they did in the past.\nAl-Qaeda, which has struggled to make its brand attractive for years, is eyeing the situation in Kashmir as an opportunity for revival. In July, the group’s leader asked its fighters to inflict “unrelenting blows” on Indian security forces. There are other groups with transnational identities that want to make gains at the expense of the existing situation. In this regard, ISIS is already being projected as one of the emerging threats in Jammu and Kashmir. In March, the group announced a province in Kashmir and, a week ago, The Economic Times, quoting an intelligence report, noted that Kashmir had become a “hotspot of ISIS activities.”\nThe spillover effects of probable violence in the valley look like a real possibility. Pakistan is already considering deploying troops along the Line of Control (LoC). In an interview with the New York Times on Monday, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States Asad Majeed Khan noted that “If the situation escalates on the eastern border, we will have to undertake redeployments.” Arguably, after India’s Jammu and Kashmir’s integration, the situation along the LoC is going to remain tense for a longer period. One can call the condition on both sides of LoC a permanent crisis, which has the potential to lead to war.\nThe situation in Kashmir has generated a new dilemma for Pakistan’s foreign policy: While Pakistan would certainly like to take advantage of the situation, the country’s policymakers may run into trouble if credible evidence emerges, attributing attacks in the valley with links across the LoC. It is expected that any major decision in this regard will come after November when the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) meets to decide Pakistan’s case.\nPakistan’s policy-makers understand that the brewing violence in Kashmir is certain to create a crisis between Islamabad and New Delhi. For now, Pakistan would want to distance itself from terror-related incidents in Jammu and Kashmir, which might implicate Islamabad. It’s not a surprise that Pakistan’s military, as well as civilian leadership, has repeatedly warned of conversations which would link Pakistan to the existing crisis in Jammu and Kashmir. Arguably, there is an understanding in Islamabad that, for now, the situation in Jammu and Kashmir shouldn’t be seen as getting armed assistance from Pakistan. Moreover, there is an expectation that local agitation is going to create a serious situation for New Delhi in the valley in the coming weeks and months. Thus, in immediate terms, keeping anti-India militant groups in check is in Pakistan’s best interest.\nHowever, it remains unclear if Pakistan can totally shut down groups aspiring to join the conflict in Kashmir. In this regard, the challenge doesn’t just come from organizations that have been banned by Pakistan, but also from groups and individuals that want to join under the banner of ISIS and Al Qaeda. For the next two to three months, Pakistan will have to work hard to keep in check such groups, and individuals.\nCounterterrorism in Kashmir\nIndia-Pakistan relations\nAugust 2019: What I Saw in Kashmir\nBy Tapasya\nKashmir cries out in anger and anguish as India’s crackdown remains in place.\nKashmir and a Second Modi Government: Press Freedoms Under Siege\nBy Adnan Bhat\nIn the disputed Muslim-majority region, a muzzled press and attempts to erode the state’s special status provoke anxiety\nAfter Pulwama: What Are India’s Retaliation Options?\nBy Joy Mitra\nIndia’s options after Pulwama are various, each with their costs and benefits.\nWhat Will India-Pakistan Peace Take?\nBy Umair Jamal\nIs a genuine normalization of relations between India and Pakistan possible?","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1470882"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6187419295310974,"wiki_prob":0.6187419295310974,"text":"There is an urgent need to improve health services in Los Cabos: Eda Palacios\nvice Sudcalifornian Renewal Party (PRS) Ida Maria Palacios MarquezDuring his speech at the last regular session of the House of Representatives State Congress He stated that the Covid-19 pandemic has revealed the needs of the health sector and despite the establishment of the specialized hospital before Mexican Social Security Institute Too much stimulus, it is necessary to take further action to mitigate deficiencies.\nThe deputy stressed that the country’s population growth requires better health services, including that there are more doctors serving citizens, as the lack of cadres appeared. During the Covid-19 pandemic.\nHe noted that “in Baja California Sur, at the peak of infection that occurred at the beginning of the epidemic, the need for more medical workers, nurses and stretcher carriers to deal with the health crisis situation became clear.”\nLikewise, he pointed out that the lack of places for medical care forced families to go to private places, which greatly affected their economy, However, in addition to the Covid-19 pandemic, Every day, hundreds of citizens suffer from a lack of services provided by the medical units in Los Cabos.\n“Let’s remember that the infrastructure of the General Hospital in Los Cabos Municipality does not have an intensive care area, enough operating rooms for complex surgical interventions, and there is not enough dialysis and other services,” he stressed.\nFor all of the above, the deputy confirmed that the establishment of a third-level specialized hospital in San Jose del Cabo by IMSS This is incredible news for all residents, and although it is already authorized by Federal Government, Los Cabos City Council Provided the land for its construction, noting that its creation is emerging, as well as new spaces and the training of cadres to make a difference.\nSee also Minister of Science, Technology and Higher Education asks to avoid \"any kind of habitual or offensive initiatives\"\nWomen’s basketball in the United States and campaign in favor of abortion\nHow to Hide Browser History From ISP?","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line515821"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.659787118434906,"wiki_prob":0.659787118434906,"text":"Home → Featured Artists → Grelle, Martin → New Wealth for the Blackfeet by Martin Grelle\nNew Wealth for the Blackfeet by Martin Grelle\n. Giclee on Canvas - Grande Edition\nCode: MGR101GISNU4050\nIssue Price: $2,250.00\nCode: MGR101GIAPR3240\n. Giclee on Canvas, Open Edition Signed\nCode: MGR101GISON1114\nEdition Size: Open\nIssue Price: $95.00\n. Giclee on Canvas, Open Edition\nCode: MGR101GIUSN1114\n. Digital Open Paper, Signed\nCode: MGR101PRSON1114\n. Digital Open Paper\nCode: MGR101PRUSN1114\n\"The flag is a fur-trade era flag carried by employees of the American Fur Co. The Blackfeet have the flag, but have also acquired the hat (typical of the fur trade), a trade gun, a small red trade blanket, a mule (with it's pack), a packhorse (with it's pack AND it's colt) ... And quite likely a couple of the horses they're riding as well, or at least some bridles. Maybe they traded for these things, maybe not... Odds probably favor \"not\".\"\nMARTIN GRELLE ( 1954– ) < BACK TO ARTISTS Martin Grelle, b. 1954, Clifton, Texas, (United States) Born & raised in Clifton, Texas, Martin Grelle and his wife, Joyce, still live on a small ranch a few miles from town. His studio sits in the picturesque Meridian Creek Valley, surrounded by the oak & cedar-covered hills of Bosque County, just a short distance from his home, but also within a few miles of the family & friends who are so important in his life. He has two sons, Josh & Jordan, who have left home to pursue their own dreams, but who stay in touch frequently. Grelle’s parents, Ervin & Ella, have both passed from this life, but he still has his brothers, Carl & Marvin, living nearby, as well as his sister, Mary, who lives in Ft. Worth. Joyce’s 3 sons, Zach, Emitt & Carl, and their families are also close, and visit the ranch often. Grelle began drawing & painting when he was very young, and was fortunate to have James Boren & Melvin Warren, two professional artists and members of the prestigious Cowboy Artists of America, move to the area when he was still in high school, and it has had a lasting impact on his direction & career. Mentored by Boren, he had his first one-man show at a local gallery within a year of graduating from high school in 1973. In the 44 years since that time, he has produced some 30 one-man exhibitions, including annual shows at Overland Gallery in Scottsdale, Arizona from 1989 through 2014, and has won awards of both regional & national importance at shows around the country. Grelle was invited into membership with the Cowboy Artists of America in 1995, fulfilling a dream that began in the early 70’s when he first met Boren & Warren. That same year he was invited to participate in the first Prix de West Invitational at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City. Since that time he has won the Prix de West Purchase Award, twice (one of only seven artists to do so), the Nona Jean Hulsey Rumsey Buyers’ Choice Award, twice, the CA People’s Choice Award in 2002, the CA Ray Swanson Award in 2008, the CA Buyers’ Choice Award in 2011, 2012, and 2014, and the Silver Award for Water Solubles in 2012 and 2014. He was awarded the Legacy Award by The Briscoe Museum in 2012, for his impact on western art, and was presented the Spirit of the West Award by the San Dimas Festival of Arts in April of 2016. Other major invitational exhibitions & sales Martin has participated in include The Masters at the Autry Museum in Los Angeles, and the Quest for the West at the Eiteljorg Museum in Indianapolis, the Coeur d’Alene Auction, and the Jackson Hole Art Auction. Grelle has also been featured in a number of publications throughout his career, including multiple appearances in ART OF THE WEST and WESTERN ART COLLECTOR magazines, SOUTHWEST ART, WESTERN ART & ARCHITECTURE, PERSIMMON HILL, AMERICAN COWBOY, WESTERN HORSEMAN, INFORMART, WILD WEST, & was listed in TRUE WEST magazine’s 2011 Best of the West Source Book. He was honored with a retrospective showing of his work, along with fellow CA artist, Herb Mignery, for the Gilcrease Museum’s Rendezvous Show 2013. Martin Grelle has a real sense of responsibility to his collectors, which fills his heart every morning when he walks into the studio, believing that what he does is a gift entrusted to him from God, and must not be left unused or taken for granted, but developed and improved upon. His parents, and Jim & Mary Ellen Boren, all set that example for him – an example of not only striving to be the best artist he can be, but the best man he can be as well. Beyond his studio, Grelle strives to pass on what others have passed to him. He has given multiple demonstrations around the country, teaches an annual weekend workshop along with his good friend, and fellow CA, Bruce Greene – which they have done for 24 years straight - and mentors other aspiring artists by critiquing their work. He has donated work to a large number of organizations to aid in their progress, including The Bosque Arts Center in Clifton, Texas. Grelle has twice served on the board of directors for the CA organization, serving as President for 2014, and as Chairman of CAA 50th Anniversary Events during 2015. He is also involved with The Joe Beeler Foundation, founded by the Cowboy Artists of America to coincide with their mentoring program, which provides scholarship opportunities for artists seeking to improve their skills, and has served on the Board of Directors for the past several years, and as President during 2014-2015. Education • Self-taught; mentored by James Boren • Cowboy Artists of America Museum, Kerrville, TX, Workshop, Harvey Johnson/Melvin Warren, 1983 • Bosque Conservatory, Clifton, TX, Workshop, Bettina Steinke Selected Collections • National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, Oklahoma City, OK • Booth Western Art Museum, Cartersville, Georgia • Erivan & Helga Haub Family Awards • San Dimas Festival of Arts, San Dimas, California, Spirit of the West Award, 2016 • National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, Cowboy Artists of America Exhibition, Silver Award, Water Solubles, Oklahoma City, OK, 2014 • National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, Cowboy Artists of America Exhibition, People’s Choice, Oklahoma City, OK, 2014 • Gilcrease Museum - Rendezvous Retrospective, 2013 • National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, Cowboy Artists of America Exhibition, Silver Award, Water Solubles, Oklahoma City, OK, 2012 • Briscoe Western Art Museum, Legacy Award, San Antonio, TX, 2012 • National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, Cowboy Artists of America Exhibition, Buyers Choice, Oklahoma City, OK, 2012 • National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, Cowboy Artists of America Exhibition, Buyers Choice, Oklahoma City, OK, 2011 • Phoenix Art Museum, Cowboy Artists of America Exhibition & Sale, Ray Swanson Memorial Award, “Newlyweds,” Phoenix, AZ, 2008 • National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, Prix de West, Nona Jean Hulsey Buyer’s Choice, “Dust in the Distance,” Oklahoma City, OK, 2006 • National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, Prix de west, Purchase Award, “Two Coups”, Oklahoma City, Ok, 2005 • National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, Prix de West, Nona Jean Hulsey Buyer’s Choice, “Signs Along the Snake,” Oklahoma City, OK, 2004 • Greeley Stampede Western Invitational Art Exhibit & Sale, Artist’s Choice Award and Buyer’s Choice Award, Greeley, CO, 2003 • Phoenix Art Museum, Cowboy Artists of America Exhibition & Sale, People’s Choice Award, “Monarchs of the North”, Phoenix, AZ, 2002 • National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, Prix de West, Purchase Award, “Teller of Tales,” Oklahoma City, OK, 2002 • Evening of Art, Best of Show, McKinney, TX, 1989 • Evening of Art, Best Work in Opaque Painting, McKinney, TX, 1988 • Texas Ranger Hall of Fame Show, Silver Award for Oils, Waco, TX, 1985 • Texas Ranger Hall of Fame Show, Artist Award, Waco, TX, 1985 • American Indian & Cowboy Artists (AICA), 3rd Annual Exhibition, Gold Medal for Drawing, San Dimas, CA, 1979 • American Indian & Cowboy Artists (AICA), 3rd Annual Exhibition, Best of Show, Lloyd Mitchell Memorial Award, San Dimas, CA, 1979 • American Indian & Cowboy Artists (AICA), Bronze Medal for Drawing, 1st Annual Exhibition, San Dimas, CA, 1977 • Phippen Museum, Silver Award for Water Color, George Phippen Memorial Outside Show, Prescott, AZ, 1977 Affiliations • Cowboy Artists of America, 1995-Present • Cowboy Artists of America, President, 2014, Chairman of CAA 50th Anniversary Events, 2015 • American Indian & Cowboy Artists (AICA), 1977-1983","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line751428"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.910465657711029,"wiki_prob":0.910465657711029,"text":"Zip Dip, a popular west side creamy whip, opens for 70th season\nUpdated: 8:11 AM EST Mar 6, 2020\nZip Dip, a popular west side creamy whip, is opening for the warm season Friday.Celebrating its 70th season, the popular soft serve ice cream spot still holds the same old-fashioned charm that it did when it opened in 1950.Located at 4050 Drew Ave., just off of Harrison in Green Township, the old-school ice cream parlor is a family favorite for many on the west side of town.The ice cream shop has a storied history, spanning many generations of Cincinnatians. The property was initially purchased in 1947, with Zip Dip opening in 1950 as part of the Westchester subdivision.The ice cream shop will kick off its 2020 season at 11 a.m. Friday. It will be open daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.For more information, click here.\nZip Dip, a popular west side creamy whip, is opening for the warm season Friday.\nCelebrating its 70th season, the popular soft serve ice cream spot still holds the same old-fashioned charm that it did when it opened in 1950.\nLocated at 4050 Drew Ave., just off of Harrison in Green Township, the old-school ice cream parlor is a family favorite for many on the west side of town.\nThe ice cream shop has a storied history, spanning many generations of Cincinnatians. The property was initially purchased in 1947, with Zip Dip opening in 1950 as part of the Westchester subdivision.\nThe ice cream shop will kick off its 2020 season at 11 a.m. Friday. It will be open daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line156859"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.906277060508728,"wiki_prob":0.906277060508728,"text":"Home zzz-Archive Reviews Wonder Boys\nWonder Boys\nby Kent Williams\nI suppose I've read the first half of more novels than just about anybody who doesn't work in publishing. Whenever a movie comes along that's based on a novel, I feel compelled to give the author his or her say before turning things over to the director, but I hate knowing the ending in advance. Besides, with most novels, especially contemporary novels, I'm ready to bail after a couple of hundred pages anyway. Michael Chabon's Wonder Boys was different, so beautifully written and casually perceptive that I kept wanting to read the next sentence, the next paragraph. Then, about halfway through the book, I started to get this weird feeling that Chabon had no idea where he was going, which made sense given that his main character, a middle-aged novelist named Grady Tripp, has no idea where he was going. Chabon had been something of a wonder boy himself, of course. The Mysteries of Pittsburgh, published when he was only 24, catapulted him to the literary equivalent of fame. But what to do for an encore? After much typing, Chabon turned in a 672-page draft of something called Fountain City, which is yet to be published. Then he sat back down and wrote Wonder Boys, a novel about a novelist who can't write a novel--correction, a novelist who can't stop writing a novel. Like Fellini with 8Þ, Chabon worked through his creative block by making his creative block the subject of his next creation. And Grady Tripp, who's trapped in a years-long funk, does the same. A coming-of-middle-age story, Wonder Boys is about what happens to promising young writers when they aren't that young anymore, or that promising. With the new movie version of Chabon's novel, director Curtis Hanson may be trying to ward off a sophomore slump of his own. L.A. Confidential, his last film, carried him to the top of most critics' Best Ten lists (not mine), and though he's been around a while, directing so-so thrillers, Wonder Boys may be his attempt to prove that L.A. Confidential was no fluke, and that he can handle comedy as well as he can handle film noir. I suppose he can; then again, I wasn't that impressed with the way he handled film noir. Hanson and scriptwriter Steve Kloves have captured the sweet melancholy of Chabon's novel, the way life can sometimes feel like one thing after another, with no connecting thread to speak of. But they've also made a movie that has no...well, no connecting thread. Where's the book's spine? The handsomely disheveled Michael Douglas is Grady, a professor of creative writing whose third wife just left him and whose fourth wife (Frances McDormand) is still married to the head of the English Department (Richard Thomas). She's also the school's chancellor and pregnant with Grady's child. He loves her, apparently, or at least he would love her if he could see through the metaphorical haze of the book he's forever writing and the literal haze of the pot he's forever smoking. When the movie opens, it's WordFest, the university's annual book-chat hootenanny, which brings Grady's editor, Terry Crabtree (Robert Downey Jr.), to town. Crabtree, who managed to pick up a tuba-toting transvestite on the flight to Pennsylvania, wants to know where Grady's manuscript is, a topic Grady will spend most of the movie evading. That tuba-toting transvestite offers a clue to the farcical streak that runs through Chabon's novel, a streak that has become a streaky blur in the movie. Wonder Boys is, at best, mordantly funny; at worst, it's downright depressing. Take James Leer (the effective, if not quite affective, Tobey Maguire), Grady's most promising student. James may or may not have written a novel of his own, and it may or may not be a masterpiece, but we'll never know because he's 1) a compulsive liar and 2) about as emotional as a tree stump. Or is he just a novelist? The movie consists mostly of Grady and James driving around town with a dead dog in the trunk of the car. The dog, which belongs to Grady's mistress, was shot with a gun that James insisted was only a cap gun mere moments before the fateful blasts.\nCall it a shaggy-dead-dog story. Like life, Wonder Boys doesn't even try to make sense most of the time. Alas, it's not nearly as funny as it thinks it is, or wants to be, or thinks it wants to be. Mostly, it's sad--a cold, damp kind of sadness that seems to have seeped into everybody's bones. (It's so chilly outside, you can see their breath escaping from their mouths.) In the book, the sadness was transfigured by the sheer elegance of Chabon's prose. In the movie, it lingers in the snowy, sleety, rainy streets, forming little puddles of loneliness at everyone's feet. And it lingers in the performances, especially Maguire's. Not since Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? have the literary types rattled the bars of their cage with such aplomb. Listening to the racket, you'd almost think writing still mattered.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1917064"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8315830826759338,"wiki_prob":0.8315830826759338,"text":"Lawyer Hired by Jay-Z to Represent 21 Savage Says Goal is to 'Get Him Out' of Detention\nJay-Z says the arrest of rapper 21 Savage is \"an absolute travesty\" and has hired a lawyer to help his fight against deportation.\nThe lawyer hired by Jay-Z to aid rapper 21 Savage in his fight against deportation told NBC News the attention to the case is important to others detained in immigration cases.\nAlex Spiro, a New York-based attorney, said Jay-Z hired him with the directive: \"get him out and figure out what happened.\"\nOn Sunday, 21 Savage, who was born Sha Yaa Bin Abraham-Joseph, was arrested in the Atlanta area by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which said he is a British national and was in this country illegally.\nThe 26-year-old musician is being held pending deportation proceedings and if deported faces a potential 10-year ban from re-entering the country.\nICE said that the rapper was brought to the U.S. as a child legally in 2005, on a visa that expired a year later in July 2006, leaving him without legal status.\n\"At the end, the attention on the case is important for all the other incarcerated people and that's important to me,\" Spiro told NBC News. \"And it's important to Jay.\"\n\"In addition to being a successful recording artist, 21 deserves to be reunited with his children immediately,\" Jay-Z said this week in a statement on his official Facebook account.\nCELEBRITIES & LATEST NEWS\nDr. Dre Ordered To Pay Ex-Wife Nicole Young $300,000 A Month In Spousal Support\nJada Pinkett Smith Apparently Told Tupac Not to Hurt Will Smith, According to Outlawz Member\nHollywood Walk Of Fame 2022 Class: Nipsey Hussle, Ashanti, DJ Khaled & More","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1591277"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6115537285804749,"wiki_prob":0.6115537285804749,"text":"Korea Chair \"The Capital Cable #34\" with Sydney Seiler\nSeptember 29, 2021 • 9:30 – 10:15 am EDT\nAsk Live Questions Here\nThe event will be webcast live from this page.\nPlease join us for a special discussion with Mr. Sydney Seiler, the National Intelligence Officer for North Korea at the National Intelligence Council on recent developments on the Korean Peninsula.\nMr. Sydney Seiler is the National Intelligence Officer for North Korea at the National Intelligence Council. Previously, he was the U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) Senior Analyst and Senior Defense Intelligence Expert for North Korea, serving as the principal advisor and senior expert on Korean Peninsula security issues to the USFK Commander and the U.S. Defense Intelligence Enterprise. Mr. Seiler also served as the U.S. Special Envoy for Six Party Talks (2014-2015), where he coordinated U.S. diplomacy and policy on the DPRK, and led negotiations with North Korea. Prior to that, Mr. Seiler served as the director for Korea on the National Security Council (2011-2014). A member of the Senior National Intelligence Service, Mr. Seiler has over 37 years of experience focusing on Korean Peninsula affairs in a range of executive management, intelligence, and policy positions within the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, the Central Intelligence Agency Directorate of Analysis, CIA’s Directorate of Operations, CIA’s Open Source Center, and the National Security Agency.\nThe Capital Cable is made possible by the generous support of Kia Motors and the Center for Strategic and International Studies.\nAsia , Korea , Defense and Security , and Geopolitics and International Security\nMark Lippert\nSenior Advisor (Non-resident), Korea Chair\nSydney Seiler\nNational Intelligence Officer for North Korea, National Intelligence Council\nThe Capital Cable","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line21055"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5068835020065308,"wiki_prob":0.5068835020065308,"text":"Barack Obama: The CFR's man\nBy Samuel Blumenfeld\nPublished November 11, 2008 at 12:00am\nAs I watched the press conference on Friday given by President-elect Barack Obama, I asked myself, \"How did this 47-year-old African-American with no executive experience and only three years in the Senate become the most powerful political leader in the entire world?\" All I had to do was look at the panoply of Washington Wise Men standing in back of him to understand how all of this happened.\nAs Carroll Quigley revealed in his remarkable book, \"Tragedy and Hope,\" the financial powers in America control both major political parties, and they choose who will run for president. They generally prefer a center-left president with liberal social views, but occasionally, as in the case of Reagan, they will get a center-right man who will be surrounded by the usual members of the Council on Foreign Relations.\nThese same interests managed to get Woodrow Wilson into the White House by dividing the Republicans. Once Wilson was in, they got both the Federal Reserve System and the income tax passed by Congress. The man who kept Wilson in line was Col. Edward Mandell House, a Rockefeller plant whose book, \"Philip Dru: Administrator,\" clearly showed that he believed in a socialist system led by a Mussolini-type leader.\nThe Council was formed after World War I by the financial powers to make sure that they could control American foreign policy by controlling the presidency. After Wilson, the Republicans made a comeback with Warren Harding who died mysteriously while in office. Vice President Calvin Coolidge then became president. Herbert Hoover succeeded him in 1929, just in time for the Stock Market crash and the start of the Great Depression caused by the Federal Reserve's tight money policies. The major financial interests had gotten out of the market before the crash and were able to pick up the pieces at bargain prices. In fact, it was during the Depression that the Rockefellers were able to build Rockefeller Center.\nTRENDING: How does Trump stand against Biden in 2024 presidential race?\nThe Republicans were defeated in 1933, and Franklin Delano Roosevelt became president, presiding over the longest and deepest depression in American history. With him came not only liberals but communists who took over the bureaucracies. Pearl Harbor got us into World War II, after which the United Nations was formed as the first step toward world government.\nWhen Roosevelt died while serving his fourth term, in came VP Harry Truman, who was then surrounded by the same financial wise men out of the Council. They got us into the Korean War. After Truman, we were given a choice between liberal Democrat Adlai Stevenson and moderate Republican Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, both men controlled by the big money powers.\nThen came JFK, Lyndon Johnson, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, George Bush, Bill Clinton, and finally George W. Bush. Barry Goldwater, representing a resurgence of conservatism, ran against Lyndon Johnson. But because Nelson Rockefeller had been booed at the Republican convention that nominated Goldwater, the finance-controlled media came down on Goldwater like a ton of bricks.\nAnd now we come to the present. John McCain is no movement conservative, and therefore was acceptable to the financial powers. But they preferred Barack Obama. Since he was young and inexperienced, he would have to surround himself with members of the Council on Foreign Relations. And the way he stammered at his press conference indicates that he needs them very badly. It doesn't matter that he is on the far left and has commie friends. Roosevelt had them, too.\nObama's road to the top was via leftist Chicago politics, which is rough and brutal, run by men who love political power.\nThe Founding Fathers saw government as the protector of the inalienable rights of the nation's citizens as they pursued their individual happiness. Today's leftist politicians see government quite differently. They want to use government force to impose their left-wing agenda. And the American people are quite confused by the whole thing. Conservatives want to return government to the principles espoused by the Founding Fathers: limited government, low taxes, prudent use of military force for national security, unfettered free enterprise. But it will not be easy.\nOur big American auto companies are finding it hard to compete with their foreign counterparts. Why? Because they have become social institutions, more concerned with health care, retirement benefits and educational programs than making cars that people want to buy. Free enterprise is hardly free anymore.\nBarack Obama was chosen because he can control the masses with his personal, charismatic charm and his messianic promise to save this country from its profligate ways. And since the conservative movement is in shambles, it will take quite a few years before it can re-emerge as a vital political force. But if the Democrats make an even bigger mess than the one we now have, the conservative comeback may occur sooner than we think.\nHowever, you can be sure that our leftist-controlled education system will do all in its power to make sure that the conservative movement is dead and buried for good.\nSamuel Blumenfeld\nDr. Samuel L. Blumenfeld is the author of eight books on education, including: \"Is Public Education Necessary?\" \"NEA: Trojan Horse in American Education,\" \"The Whole Language/OBE Fraud\" and \"Homeschooling: A Parents Guide to Teaching Children.\" His latest is \"Crimes of the Educators: How Utopians Are Using Government Schools to Destroy America's Children.\" Back issues of his incisive newsletter, The Blumenfeld Education Letter, are available online.\nProgressives' education malpractice\nThe left-wing conspiracy to destroy Murdoch\nPursuit of peace brings war\nThe coming surrender to jihad\nCarly for president?\nEurope experiencing massive new migrant crisis no one is talking about\nTrump warns Biden on Ukraine: 'Then come the nukes'\nMajor nation will stop housing bio males with intact genitalia in women's prisons","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line857314"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.599294900894165,"wiki_prob":0.599294900894165,"text":"Does Clarence Thomas Care About Prosecutors Behaving Badly?\nAdam Serwer\nThe Supreme Court. <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/afagen/477820693/sizes/m/in/photostream/\">Flickr/afagen</a>\nLopsided Supreme Court rulings can often give insight into the character and philosophy of the justices. The court’s Tuesday decision in Smith v. Cain, which overturned the murder conviction of a Louisiana man named Juan Smith, offers one such example.\nThe story is fairly simple: Smith was convicted of killing five people on the testimony of a single eyewitness. At trial, the prosecutors conveniently forgot to provide the defense with a detectives’ notes, which indicated that the eyewitness had initially told the detective that he “could not ID anyone because [he] couldn’t see faces” and “would not know them if [he] saw them.” That meant that since there was no physical evidence linking Smith to the crime, the prosecution’s entire case hinged on the testimony of a single eyewitness (a notoriously unreliable yet persuasive form of evidence) who initially said he could not identify the killer.\nEight justices saw this as significant enough to grant Smith a new trial. Justice John Roberts wrote the six-page majority opinion.\nIn his dissent, Justice Clarence Thomas spent 19 pages arguing that the jury would have come down the same way even if the evidence had been included. He explained how he found most of the potentially exculpatory evidence in the case unpersuasive or sees it as implicating Smith. It’s clear Thomas believes Smith is guilty.\nWhether or not a jury might have come to a different conclusion if they had seen the withheld evidence is a pretty subjective judgement, and one that recalls previous debates over “empathy” and “objectivity” in judging. The view of the overwhelming majority of the court was that the prosecution might have had a much more difficult time convicting Smith if they had allowed their only evidence to be properly evaluated. Thomas felt otherwise, and it’s not exactly surprising, given his prior rulings on criminal justice issues. Thomas has previously argued that conditions of confinement are not technically “punishment” for the purposes of the Eighth Amendment (a view that allows draconian prison treatment to be constitutional) and in favor of the legality of schools strip-searching minors on the basis of dubious evidence. For all his vaunted skepticism of government, Thomas is more or less sure that if you ever have a run-in with the authorities, you’ve probably done something wrong.\nThis isn’t merely an issue of Smith’s guilt. The more prosecutors feel like they can get away with railroading defendants, the more they’re likely to do it, and the more likely an innocent person is to be punished. The possibility isn’t an abstract one. As the New York Times‘ Adam Liptak reported, the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office has had between 13 and 28 convictions marred by failure to disclose evidence. Last year, the conservative majority on the court overturned a financial award won by a New Orleans man who spent 18 years locked up for crimes he didn’t commit because the district attorney’s office withheld key evidence in his case. Yet the prosecutors’ behavior in the Smith case was so egregious that even his conservative colleagues were unwilling to join him this time around in upholding the original verdict.\nThomas’ famous quote during his confirmation hearings has been revisited in this context before, but it’s worth recalling again.\nYou know, on my current court, I have occasion to look out the window that faces C Street, and there are converted buses that bring in the criminal defendants to our criminal justice system, busload after busload. And you look out, and you say to yourself, and I say to myself almost every day, ‘But for the grace of God there go I.’ So you feel that you have the same fate, or could have, as those individuals. So I can walk in their shoes, and I can bring something different to the Court. And I think it is a tremendous responsibility, and it is a humbling responsibility; and it is one that, if confirmed, I will carry out to the best of my ability.\nIn the years that followed, the reality has turned out to be much different. Thomas’ rulings have displayed very little empathy or concern for those who do walk in those prison-issue shoes.\nHerman Cain Sits Down With…Clarence Thomas’ Wife\nChart of the Day: Clarence Thomas’ Non-Disclosure Form\nHouse Dems Call For Hearings on Clarence Thomas\nMore Ethics Trouble for Clarence Thomas","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line19132"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6662930846214294,"wiki_prob":0.33370691537857056,"text":"Valeant To Acquire Salix Pharmaceuticals For $158.00 Per Share In Cash\nValeant will acquire all of the outstanding common stock of Salix for $158.00 per share in cash, or a total enterprise value of approximately $14.5 billion.\nLAVAL, Quebec\nRALEIGH, N.C.\n/PRNewswire/ -- Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc.\n(NYSE: VRX) (TSX: VRX) and\nSalix Pharmaceuticals, Ltd.\n(NASDAQ: SLXP) today announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which Valeant will acquire all of the outstanding common stock of Salix for\nper share in cash, or a total enterprise value of approximately\n. The transaction was approved by the Boards of Directors of both companies.\nSalix Pharmaceuticals\nis a widely recognized gastrointestinal market leader with a portfolio of 22 total products, including well-known prescription brands Xifaxan, Uceris, Relistor, and Apriso, as well as a strong near- term pipeline of innovative, new assets.\n\"Salix's market-leading gastrointestinal franchise is an ideal strategic fit for Valeant's diversified portfolio of specialty products,\" said\nJ. Michael Pearson\n, Valeant's chairman and chief executive officer. \"The growing GI market has attractive fundamentals, and Salix has a portfolio of terrific products that are outpacing the market in terms of volume growth and a promising near-term pipeline of innovative products. With strong brand recognition among specialist GI prescribers, a highly rated specialty sales force, and a significant product and commercial presence across the undertreated and underserved gastrointestinal market, this acquisition offers a compelling opportunity for Valeant to create a strong platform for growth and business development.\"\nThomas W. D'Alonzo, Chairman of the Board and Acting Chief Executive Officer of Salix, stated, \"We are pleased to have reached an agreement with Valeant, which is a logical partner and importantly, creates immediate value for our shareholders. Combining Salix's leading market position in gastroenterology with Valeant's scale and resources will create a stronger and more diverse business committed to providing better health solutions to health care providers and their patients. We are proud of the accomplishments of our Salix team. Together, we have built our company into the leading gastrointestinal specialty pharmaceutical company, providing solutions for patients and healthcare providers. We look forward to working with the Valeant team to ensure a smooth transition.\"\nThe combination is expected to yield greater than\nin annual cost savings from the cost base of the combined company. Synergies are expected to be achieved within six months of close, primarily from reductions in corporate overhead and R&D rationalization, with the cost to achieve these synergies to be approximately 65%. Valeant and Salix will determine how best to integrate the two companies to leverage the combined strengths of both while ensuring a smooth and orderly transition. Consistent with Valeant's approach to integrating Bausch + Lomb, there are no planned reductions to Salix's highly rated specialty sales forces or hospital, key account and field reimbursement teams and we will determine the optimal size of Primary Care Sales Force through the integration process.\n, Salix reported five to nine month wholesaler inventory levels for its top four products. Valeant has conducted extensive due diligence on Salix's stand-alone wholesaler inventory levels, stand-alone inventory work down plan, and associated potential litigation and regulatory exposure. Valeant expects to work down wholesale inventory and plans to target two months or less of wholesale inventory by year-end 2015. The net impact of the excess inventory on 2015 revenues is expected to be greater than\nThe acquisition is structured as an all-cash tender offer for all of the outstanding shares of Salix common stock at a price of\nper share followed by a merger in which each remaining untendered share of Salix common stock would be converted into the right to receive the same\ncash per share consideration as in the tender offer.\nThe all-cash offer will be financed through a combination of bank debt and bonds. As a result of the need to draw down inventories, EBITDA will be artificially low in 2014 and 2015, resulting in the initial net leverage ratio of approximately 5.6. Valeant is committed to reducing its net leverage ratio to be below 4.0 by the second half of 2016. As a result of the plan to reduce wholesaler inventory levels in 2015, the transaction is expected to be modestly accretive to 2015 cash EPS, but over 20% accretive to 2016 cash EPS.\nValeant does not expect any change to its credit ratings as a result of the transaction.\nThe transaction, which is expected to close in the second quarter of 2015, is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approval.\nSullivan & Cromwell LLP\nserved as Valeant's legal counsel, and Salix was advised by\nCadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP\nacted as financial advisors to Valeant.\nCenterview Partners\nand J.P. Morgan acted as financial advisors to Salix. Fully committed debt financing has been provided by\nDeutsche Bank Securities Inc.\nMitsubishi UFJ Securities (USA), Inc.\nDNB Bank ASA\nand SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc.\nConference Call and Webcast Information\nValeant will host a conference call and a live Internet webcast along with a slide presentation tomorrow at\n5:00 a.m. PT\nto discuss the acquisition of Salix and its fourth quarter financial results for 2014. The dial-in number to participate on this call is (877) 876-8393 confirmation code 90757812. International callers should dial (973) 200-3961, confirmation code 90757812. A replay will be available approximately two hours following the conclusion of the conference call through\nand can be accessed by dialing (855) 859-2056, or (404) 537-3406, confirmation code 90757812. The live webcast of the conference call may be accessed through the investor relations section of the Company's corporate website at www.valeant.com.\nAbout Valeant\nValeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc.\n(NYSE/TSX:VRX) is a multinational specialty pharmaceutical company that develops, manufactures and markets a broad range of pharmaceutical products primarily in the areas of dermatology, eye health, neurology and branded generics. More information about Valeant can be found at www.valeant.com.\nAbout Salix\n, headquartered in\n, develops and markets prescription pharmaceutical products and medical devices for the prevention and treatment of gastrointestinal diseases. Salix's strategy is to in-license late-stage or marketed proprietary therapeutic products, complete any required development and regulatory submission of these products, and commercialize them through the Company's 500-member specialty sales force.\nSalix trades on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the ticker symbol \"SLXP\".","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line879548"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.589293897151947,"wiki_prob":0.589293897151947,"text":"Under Review: ‘Green Zone’\n— by MARIUSZ ZUBROWSKI —\nDuring certain portions of “Green Zone,” it seemed that the project was only green-lighted when the relevancy of Oscar-giant “The Hurt Locker” was established. Riding under the assumption that Kathryn Bigelow’s war epic would win big at the academy awards — which it did — “Green Zone” would be released during prime time as the Iraq war genre would be newly rejuvenated. Of course, I’m not saying that this is what happened. In fact, I’m 100 percent certain that it didn’t; however, first impressions are everything in the world of cinema — especially when you are in the process of writing a review for said film.\nPaul Greengrass and Matt Damon are usually a strong partnership. Greengrass has already directed “The Bourne Ultimatum” and “The Bourne Supremacy” with the talented actor and it’s the role of Jason Bourne that has established Damon’s chops as a action star. However, “Green Zone” exemplifies neither Greengrass’ or Damon’s talents and is over-simplistic, clichéd and ultimately unlikable.\nThe film chronicles the story of Chief Warrant Officer Roy Miller, played by Damon. He and his team are ordered to complete several raids looking for weapons of mass destruction and chemical weapons. However, upon further inspection at one of the alleged storage facilities, Miller finds clues of faulty and/or forged intelligence and this causes him to go rouge in the unstable region of the world.\nThe problem with Miller is that he expresses nothing but pure machismo. Even when he is taken hostage by enemy soldiers, he remains stoic. No expressions of nervousness plague him and though this makes for a passable action-hero, it also makes the character much more distant from the audience. Sometimes, it feels like Miller is just as soulless as his manipulating higher ups — a robotic soldier with no other motivation than just accomplishing his mission.\nSurprisingly, “Green Zone” is very easy to follow, however, this is not good news for Greengrass’ latest endeavor. The film’s undeniably clichéd and formulaic, the screenplay by Brian Helgeland stumbles constantly and the plethora of bad performances do not help. Perhaps the most interesting part of the experience was to see Greengrass’ use of his signature “shaky camera” technique during the action sequences, but even these moments fall short.\nIt may be hard to deviate away from the green zone, but it is heavily advised to stay clear of its proximity.\nFollow Mariusz Zubrowski on Twitter at http://twitter.com/ItsJustMariusz.\nTags: \"Green Zone\", Matt Damon, Paul Greengrass\nPosted 12 Mar 2010 by Other Writers in Opinions, Reviews\n← Under Review: ‘She’s Out of My League’\nUnder Review: ‘Throws of Passion’ →\nMCat #\nFirst negative review I’ve seen. I’m only hearing good things.\nJosiane #\nIt’s hard to believe that this movie is partly based on the book Imperial Life in the Emerald City, Inside the Green Zone.\nI read the book and it’s serious, investigative journalism. I don’t understand how it’s been turned into a sort of Ramboesque adventure by the likes of Greengrass and Damon. I was hoping for something more politically astute and critical so yes very disappointed in this last pairing.\nmonks #","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line831304"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5367711782455444,"wiki_prob":0.5367711782455444,"text":"More wisdom from Tony Benn\nRegular readers of my Blog know I am a great fan of Tony Benn - now 84 years young. I managed to get hold of a copy of one of Tony's speeches called \"The Use and Abuse of Religion.\"\nThis speech was at Oxford University in 2006. Tony had been a student at Oxford in his youth during which time he was elected as President of the Oxford Union.\nI just wanted to share a few highlights that illustrate the wisdom of one of the greatest British politicians of the last 100 years.\nUniversity Sermon by the Rt Hon Tony Benn PC\nThe University Church of St Mary the Virgin on Sunday, 14 May 2006\n\"Adam Smith was the founder of one of the greatest religions of all; those who worship money. Archbishop Dow Jones, whom I’ve never met, works twenty-four hours a day on his averages. Dow Jones tells us every day on the business news how society is doing by measuring what is happened on Wall Street.\"\n\"When we heard that God told the President to go to war, and that man Moussaoui who was sentenced to life imprisonment last week in America for being involved in 9/11 had said “We are the soldier of God, you are the army of Satan”, you realise that the same language is used by both sides.\"\n\"I remember once when the Russians and the Americas had a space race, to see who could land on the moon first, the Russians landed a space vehicle on the moon. It was like a World War I tank, with caterpillar tracks and it went across the surface of the moon, and I had a letter from a constituent in Bristol that I have never forgotten. It said “Dear Tony, I see that the Russians have put a space vehicle on the moon. Is there any possibility of a better bus service in Bristol?” Now, you can laugh, but it was a very, very sensible question. With a fraction of the money that you spend on war you, everyone in Africa with Aids could get drugs and the United States could have a health service. When you have to make a moral judgement the scientist cannot help you in his capacity as a scientist.\"\n\"I read the other day that if everyone in the world had the same living standards as the Americans it would require the resources of 33 earths to do it; 33 times as much oil and food and water. That reinforced for me the idea that the human race are like survivors in a lifeboat, after a shipwreck. Imagine a little lifeboat with a few people in it with one loaf of bread for there are only three ways that you can distribute in those circumstances. You sell the bread so the rich gobble it up, you fight for it so the strong gobble it up, or you divide it up and share it.\"\n\"It is the motivation of moral teaching that encourages you to want to do it yourselves. These words appeared in the Charter of the United Nations, I heard them 61 years ago, I was on my way back as a pilot from the Middle East in a troop ship coming back to this great university to resume my studies and I heard the preamble to the Charter and it said “We the peoples of the United Nations” – it didn’t say we the coalition of the willing, or we the free world, or we the international community, “We peoples of the United Nations, determined to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war which twice in our lifetime has caused untold suffering to mankind”. That was the commitment that we made, and this generation has to discharge that commitment because, dare I say, there is no moral difference between the stealth bomber and the suicide bomber. Both kill innocent people for political reasons, and that I believe is in defiance of everything that was being taught by Jesus and the great religious leaders whom we have been celebrating in this wonderful University Church today.\"\nPosted by Trevor Gay at 10:43 am\n'Life is what happens while we're busy making other plans'\nFriend of Simplicity - Dr Phil Shute\nWhat have you LEARNED as a manager?\n\"I'm Proud of the NHS\"\nThe Big Healthcare Debate\nIan Sanders - The Juggler!\nFriend of Simplicity - Rosa Say\nDon Henley magic\n61 years later - Thank you Mr Bevan","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1061331"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9412689805030823,"wiki_prob":0.9412689805030823,"text":"Madison Cawthorn leaving Western North Carolina? He buys $1M house out of state\nJoel Burgess\nAsheville Citizen Times\nRep. Madison Cawthorn, the far-right congressman currently representing Western North Carolina, has bought a $1.1 million home in southwest Florida.\nCawthorn, 27, bought the Cape Coral home in August, according to the register of deeds records for Lee County, Florida.\nHis spokesperson did not return a Nov. 8 message asking about his residency status or plans once he leaves office on Jan. 3. The youngest member of the U.S. House at the time of his 2020 election, Cawthorn lost in the Republican primary after multiple scandals and missteps.\nFlorida car wreck:Madison Cawthorn makes decision on $30M Florida car wreck lawsuit against friend\nAccording to voter and property records, he remains registered to vote in the Rugby area of Henderson County, where he owns a home and has lived for years. He used that address to vote at an early one-stop location for the May 17 primary. His current voter record showed him as not voting early this election.\nIt is not clear if Cawthorn had a previous connection to Cape Coral. He has visited former President Donald Trump at his home in Mar-a-Lago on Florida's southeast coast.\nHe will need to be in North Carolina for upcoming court dates and is set to appear on Jan. 13 in Mecklenburg County District Court on a charge of carrying a loaded gun while going through airport security. Other court dates include Dec. 12 in Cleveland County on a charge of driving while license revoked and Feb. 2 for a speeding charge in Polk County.\nFeb. 2 for a speeding charge in Polk County.\nJoel Burgess has lived in WNC for more than 20 years, covering politics, government, and other news. He's written award-winning stories on topics ranging from gerrymandering to police use of force. Got a tip? Contact Burgess at jburgess@citizentimes.com, 828-713-1095, or on Twitter @AVLreporter. Please help support this type of journalism with a subscription to the Citizen Times.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1612698"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7351321578025818,"wiki_prob":0.2648678421974182,"text":"SECURE Act: Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement\nThe original SECURE Act (the “Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement” Act) was signed into law in December 2019. This Act initiated some of the largest changes to retirement plans since the Pension Protection Act of 2006. One of the most significant changes from that Act was the change in the Required Minimum Distribution “Required Beginning Date” from 70 ½ to age 72. A separate provision in the original SECURE Act eliminated the option for beneficiaries of IRA accounts to “stretch” those IRA distributions over their lifetime. The change was made to limit the distributions from Beneficiary IRA accounts created after December 31, 2019, to ten years. Unfortunately, there remains uncertainty around how distributions must be made by Beneficiary IRA owners over the ten year period. Whether or not annual Required Minimum Distributions will be required remains to be finalized. However, any potential penalties on these distributions, if not taken in 2020 and 2021, were eliminated, per IRS Notice 2022-53.\nI am hopeful that final rules will be in place this year (2023) regarding how distributions must be taken by Beneficiary IRA owners over the ten-year period.\nFollowing up to the original SECURE Act, a $1.7 trillion federal spending package entitled SECURE 2.0 was passed by Congress on December 23rd, 2022. While there are many new changes in this Act, I will cover the ones that are most relevant to high-net worth individuals who are either actively saving for retirement or already retired.\nIncrease in the age for RMDs: Starting in 2023, Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) must be taken at age 73 (changed from age 72, per the original SECURE Act). Then in 2033, RMDs will start at age 75. This is an important planning consideration, not just for those turning 72 this year. For many high-net worth individuals, RMDs mean taking IRA distributions that are subject to ordinary income tax that the individual may not need for cash flow. These IRA distributions, especially for those with significant IRA assets, can push other income into higher tax brackets including investment and Social Security income. Since Medicare Part B premiums are based on Modified Adjusted Gross Income, taking RMDs can even increase Medicare Part B premiums. So, this change potentially prolongs taking additional taxable income that can have financial impact beyond the tax on the actual RMDs. Notably, those starting their RMDs under these new rules have until April of the following year to take the first year RMD. However, one must evaluate their own tax picture as this would mean taking two RMDs into one year, potentially creating an even higher marginal tax rate in the year the RMDs are both taken.\nReduction in the penalty for not taking RMDs: For many years, the penalty for not taking Required Minimum Distributions has been a whopping 50% of the RMD not taken. Starting in 2023, the penalty has been reduced to 25% and, if taken within two years (with some limitations), the penalty is reduced to 10%. As a reminder, if a RMD is taken retroactively, an individual who has been remiss in taking their RMD for a particular year can request penalty abatement using Form 5329 and attaching a letter of explanation to the IRS.\nHigher contribution limits for older individuals in retirement plans: Starting in 2025, the catch-up contribution limit for retirement plan contributions (such as those made to 401(k)s and 403(b) plans) is increasing for those ages 60-63. These individuals will be able to contribute the greater of $10,000 or 150% of the regular catch-up amount for 2024 (indexed for inflation, starting in 2026). So, for individuals, especially high-income earners who can max out their retirement contributions, they will be able to save even more. Notably, for individuals who have access to a Roth option within their retirement plan, they could make these contributions with after tax dollars, which may be considered tax free income when withdrawn.\nLimitations on catch-up contributions for high-income earners: Starting in 2024, for income earners of $145,000 and over (indexed for inflation), all catch-up contributions to qualified retirement plans (such as 401(k) plans) must be allocated to a Roth account.\nRMDs eliminated from Roth 401(k) plans: Starting in 2024, Roth 401(k) plans have the same rules as Roth IRAs. There will be no RMDs required from Roth 401(k) plans. This will allow individuals who have an option to keep Roth accounts with an employer plan a more even playing field for evaluating their options to convert to Roth IRA versus staying in the employer plan.\nChanges to SIMPLE plans: SIMPLE retirement plans may be “simpler” than their 401(k) cousins, but with simplicity comes limitations. The new Act makes several changes to SIMPLE plans. These changes include higher employer contributions and allowing Roth contributions for employees (starting in 2023). Notably, SEP-IRA plans, which are often used by high-income self-employed individuals, will also be eligible for Roth contributions. Starting in 2024, employers will have the option to replace their SIMPLE-IRA plan with a SIMPLE-401(k) plan or other 401(k) plan if they require mandatory employer contributions.\nPotentially higher IRA Catch-up Contributions: As a reminder, for 2023, IRA and Roth-IRA contributions are limited to a total of $6,500 (or 100% of earned income, if less). For those ages 50 and older, they can make a $1,000 catch-up contribution. While IRA contributions have increased over the years, indexed to inflation, the catch-up contribution has remained $1,000 since 2015. Starting in 2024, the $1,000 limit will be adjusted annually for inflation.\nRoth conversions for 529 plans: 529 plans (for education) have been advantageous for families saving for retirement by allowing tax-free growth potential on plan assets. Starting in 2024, tax-free and penalty-free rollovers will be allowed from 529 plans to Roth IRA accounts in the name of the 529 plan beneficiary. Limitations include a limit of $35,000 allowed for the rollover, rollovers only allowed for a named beneficiary who has been in place for 15 years and rollovers can only be for plan contributions and earnings that have been in place for at least five years.\nWe have covered only a few of the SECURE 2.0 Act rules in this article. As demonstrated here, the rules are complex and will be rolled out over the next few years. Everyone’s planning situation is unique and now the need for professional financial advice from a trusted expert is more important than ever.\n← Ask Ashley: 2022 Year End Planning, General Tax Updates & Ideas for Self-Employed Individuals\nAsk Ashley: Year-End Planning, Social Security Income","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line224868"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7069229483604431,"wiki_prob":0.7069229483604431,"text":"On the record: Gary Smith\nThe Oracle at Delphi has nothing on the Chief EDA Analyst at Dataquest.\nby Peggy Aycinena\n[Editor’s Note: An abreviated version of this article first appeared on-line in EDA Vision in July 2001.]\nStarting and ending with the Tao is pretty enigmatic stuff when, in the middle of the stream, you find a bass-toting, black-leather-clad blues musician fresh out of the Naval Academy living in a shack in the midst of Silicon Valley.\nThat pretty much summarizes Gary Smith for those who know him. For those who don’t, to quote from an introduction to Gary I heard at a panel last year where he was acting as moderator, \"If anyone in this room doesn’t know who Gary Smith is, they don’t belong in this room.\"\nFor a number of years, Gary Smith has been (and by the looks of things will continue to be) the single most important prognosticator in EDA. The industry listens to Gary, at DAC and a thousand other venues over the course of the year. They bank on his annual numbers reporting on the health of the industry. They pin his EDA Landscape poster up on the wall to keep track of which companies are which in the here today/acquired tomorrow world of EDA. They take their business plans and nascent product ideas to him and hope for his blessings. They quote him. They court him. They keep him busy. And, apparently, he loves it -- taking all of the adulation in stride with a smile and a nod. Which is what you would expect from a guy who takes Eastern philosophies seriously and incorporates them into his mindset and lifestyle.\nThe rest of Gary’s story is as follows. However, if you believe as Gary does that \"less is more,\" you needn’t read on. Based on what you’ve read, you already know him.\nChapter 1: I am born\nSmith was born in Stockton, California, and grew up in the San Joaquin Valley. He claims with a laugh that he knows the whole story of George Lucas’ American Graffiti as if it were his own. I pointed out that the movie was set in Modesto. \"Oh well,\" he chuckled. \"You’ve seen one Valley town, you’ve seen them all.\"\nWhen college beckoned, Gary was accepted at U.C. Berkeley and then received word of his appointment to the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. How to decide? It was simple, he says. He looked at a map -- 120 miles from Stockton to Berkeley, 3000 miles from Stockton to Annapolis. He opted for really going away to school and \"enlisted.\" (He acknowledges that Annapolis is one of the most beautiful communities in the world and, if he were not so happy in Northern California, that’s where he would settle.)\nDuring his plebe summer in Maryland, the Navy rowing team went to Rome to represent the U.S. at the Summer Olympics. On the night before their event, the team did as the Romans do, enjoyed a bit too much Chianti, and attempted to \"borrow\" all of the flags of the various countries in attendance. They were -- as could be predicted -- caught, jailed, quickly bailed out, and still hung-over the next day while rowing. Naturally, they came in dead last and returned in shame to Annapolis, facing a year’s worth of KP or worse. But, to their surprise, when they arrived on campus they were greeted by nothing short of a standing ovation from their shipmates and peers. Gary tells this story with relish, knowing full well that his secret is out: Gary’s a rebel and proud of it.\nRoger Staughbach was one of Gary’s shipmates at the Academy, an indication of the depth of talent on the football team during Gary’s years there. Those were good years: Gary majoring in electrical engineering (note: the Naval Academy Degree, at the time, was called \"Marine Engineering\" and had five sections; Mechanical Engineering, Nuclear Physics, Aerospace Engineering, EE and Computer Science), rooting for a victorious football team, and preparing for a career in the military. Although Gary’s seen a few passages in life since his college years, he still sports a U.S.N.A. sticker on the back of his car. Once a Mid (as in \"Midshipman\"), always a Mid.\nUnfortunately, reality set in and by the time Gary was stationed on a Naval destroyer for the fourth time in six years off the coast of Vietnam, he was ready to make a change in his life’s plan and become a civilian at first opportunity. When he came out of the Navy, he went to see fellow Academy graduate and headhunter, Joe Daniels, for some career counseling. Gary already had a job offer in his pocket to work for McDonald Douglas as an aerospace engineer specializing in power design for electronic systems: \"You’re desk will be on the top floor of the hanger, tenth row down, fifth desk over,\" he was told.\nNot surprisingly, Gary wanted to listen to Daniels who countered with a different proposal, \"I’ll bet you don’t really know what you want to do, but I do. You want to be in semiconductor sales. Trust me on this one.\"\nGary was sure the Daniels was mad: \"I’m a power guy, and I don’t know anything about semiconductors or sales.\" But Daniels prevailed, and Gary tracked down two different job offers along those lines, one with Texas Instruments in Dallas and one with National Electric in Geneva, Ill. He opted for National Electric and semiconductors became Gary’s life’s work. (Parenthetically, he admits that he didn’t \"feel comfortable in semiconductors until we went to MOS-voltage forms because they were equatable to tubes.\")\nBreadth of a Salesman\nGary thoroughly enjoyed the work at National. In those early years when he was selling SCRs, diodes, and power tubes, sales folks also served as application engineers, integration engineers, and over-all walking experts on the use of semiconductors in electronic systems. The expertise he developed at National allowed him to be recruited by International Rectifier in El Segundo, CA. Gary was with IR until he was recruited into TRW’s marketing organization in Lawndale, CA, working with Q.T. Wiles, later made infamous by the MiniScribe scandal; a driven man who Gary credits with developing early semiconductor-level technology and marketing.\nQ.T. unfortunately ended up in jail, but not before putting his stamp on the industry. His management style was unambiguous, according to Gary, \"You pleased Q.T. or you were history.\" Fortuitously, Fairchild Semiconductor then offered Gary a position that he happily accepted, as it required a move to Silicon Valley. Unfortunately, the hiring manager left before Gary arrived, so he accepted an alternative offer at Signetics (Sunnyvale, CA) instead, working in Central Marketing.\nEventually, it was time to move on again. This time he had an opportunity to be part of his first start-up as a Sales Manager for Telmos in Sunnyvale, an enterprise spearheaded by Fairchild co-founder, Jean Hoerni. Hoerni invented the planer transistor, an idea that helped trigger the development of the integrated circuit, and was one of the eight legendary scientists and technologists who left William Schockley in 1957 to found Fairchild Semiconductor. Gary’s experience at Telmos was a positive one, everyone full of zeal and optimism. Gary lasted 5 successful quarters with the company before it was time to move on. He came out financially sound, however, by selling his stock upon departure.\nGary was lured south again by Plessey to serve as Business Unit Manager for ASICs in their Orange County offices. It was at Plessey that the idea of getting back into full-time engineering first came to Gary. He had lost his Chief Engineer and had spent months trying to replace him. Gary served as acting Chief Engineer in that period and discovered that he liked that role a whole lot more than he liked running the division.\nAdditionally, he discovered that he missed Silicon Valley, so he moved back north as Sales and Applications Manager for ES2 in Santa Clara. That led him to his work as a Sales and Marketing Manager for IMI in Milpitas, CA, and then to a stint at LSI Logic, also in Milpitas. While at LSI, Gary decided to \"retire\" from management and go back into actual engineering, serving as a methodologist for the company.\nConcluding this part of his story, Gary points out that he averaged 3 years per job over the course of his long journey through technology, far higher than the standard metric of 2.4 years per job for the typical working stiff in Silicon Valley.\nFinally in 1994, Dataquest nudged him into his truest calling -- Industry Analyst. Since that time, Gary has applied his background in semiconductors, which coincides with the complex history of the industry, to his role as guru for the most fascinating niche in the business, Electronic Design Automation. (The role of guru is often the one he describes as his \"real retirement.\")\nHas Gary enjoyed being an analyst? \"Yes. As I always say, it’s great to be 'retired.' Now, if I could only get my hours to under 50 a week.\"\nPressed to bypass modesty, Gary tries to explain why he’s one of the \"leading indicators\" in EDA. \"Well, John Marron once said that I was right 80 percent of the time -- probably a bit exaggerated. Actually, I steal 80 percent of my ideas. But it’s not a coincidence that I can make the calls in EDA. I came out of the Power User community and I know a lot of really smart people. All I really do is communicate those ideas in a half-way decent manner.\"\nThe Soothsayer\nGary feels that the take-away message from DAC 2001 in Las Vegas is clear: \"Standards are finally here.\" He’s got the long-view with which to make such claims.\n\"In DMV days [Daisy-Mentor-Valid], the companies had become old and stodgy. Then, Cadence and Synopsys made the jump to RTL and they provided the tools. [Out of DMV], only Mentor survived because of its military customer base, a situation that was both good and bad for the company. [Unfortunately], the military did not make the move to RTL, and Mentor’s always been good at doing what their customers tell them to do. ‘We’re going to do gate-level [design] for the rest of our lives. Don’t bother us with RTL,’ was the military’s message to Mentor. That’s why Wally [Rhines] was brought in to turn that situation around.\"\nAnd the situation in EDA today -- is there room for a couple more big players? \"Absolutely,\" according to Gary. \"There’s market space available in the applications area. It’s a leadership issue.\"\nAlthough he’s not willing to bet money on the winners, he says that Monterey, Magma, and Sequence certainly all have a shot at joining the ranks of the first tier EDA companies -- Cadence, Synopsys, Mentor Graphics, and Avanti. Gary notes that Roy Jewell, new president and CEO at Magma, and Vik Kulkarni, COO at Sequence, both spent time in Avanti, their tenure at that now-troubled organization coinciding with a time when the company was \"in its heyday\" and enjoyed solid leadership. \"At that time, I had my money on Avanti being the next big leader,\" Gary admits.\nMaking the Tough Call\nCommenting on possible problems ahead for the current EDA leaders, Gary says that Cadence has never in its history had a stronger management team than it sports today, \"But unless they put their R&D team together, they’ll fall behind.\" Additionally, he says that it appears that \"Synopsys may not understand the software implications of electronic system-level design the way Cadence does [with its VCC offering].\"\nBusiness forecasts and P&Ls stand nervously in the spotlight this year across the entire semiconductor food chain. So where does Gary think EDA is headed, financially, over the next 4 quarters considering the current downturn?\nHe’s sticking with the ballpark figure he threw out at his Dataquest presentation at DAC 2001 in Las Vegas. \"I still see 19.4 percent growth, so I’ve lowered it by .6 percent. [Clearly], the semiconductor industry is in the worst downturn in its history, the communications industry is in the dumps, and all of the other industry segments -- with the possible exception of military/aerospace -- are in trouble as well. So, the question is: How will all of this affect EDA?\"\nHe answers his own question at length: \"In a market as complex as EDA, there are many sub-markets, all with their own business cycles. If you take a quick look at EDA, you can identify 54 of them. [Meanwhile], today there are two cycles that are driving the industry, the Semiconductor Cycle and the Semiconductor Process Cycle. The Semiconductor Cycle probably should be renamed. In essence, it’s the Idea Cycle. The User Community running out of ideas, or at least not putting them on the market, causes any large, broad-based semiconductor downturn.\"\n\"Any really hot market, [like we saw in 2000], tends to slow down product innovation. The answer then is to design yourself out of the recession. This [will cause] an upturn in EDA spending for around two design cycles, two to three calendar years.\"\n\"The Semiconductor Process Cycle is driven by the Semiconductor Roadmap. Today we’re building .13-micron semiconductors. EDA tools, especially IC layout tools, need replacing every two process cycles. We are presently late with the tools needed for the .13- to .10-micron processes, which has kept demand for EDA tools extremely high, despite (or really because of) the present downturn.\"\n\"That being said, there are some things to watch for. Obviously certain sub-markets are affected by the downturn, the emulation and acceleration sub-app being the most obvious. These are large capital expenditures and always are closely monitored by finance. Also, consulting projects are almost always cut [in times like these]. If the recession goes on too long, you’ll see companies starting to cut into critical parts of their organization just to keep afloat. That’s when engineers go, usually after a long recession lasting a year to 18 months. This one is 10 months old as of now. Also you will see EDA spending cut at companies that use the component-based design style. For those companies, design isn’t as critical a component to their corporate survival and that could impact PCB and FPGA tool sales.\"\n\"The EDA forecast is based on the assumption that this recession will not last into 2002. However, if [it does], the numbers will be impacted [accordingly]. But for now, with the demands caused by the Idea Cycle and the Semiconductor Process Cycle, the EDA market is [actually] in an enviable position.\"\nGary’s nothing, if not an optimist.\nHe’s also a musician.\nBack in Stockton, Gary was a drummer until he hit the 8th grade. That’s when one of the bass players in the school orchestra \"accomplished the impossible\" by actually breaking the \"unbreakable\" E string on the instrument. Gary guesses that the kid was probably injured by the destructing string, which would explain the boy’s sudden departure from the middle-school orchestra.\nGary was asked by the conductor to step in and assured Gary that playing the bass was easy. \"I’m only teaching you three notes on the instrument,\" the conductor told Gary. \"When I point at you, just go bam, bam, bam.\" Clearly, there was more to playing the bass than these instructions would indicate, but the conductor said that, for the remainder of the performance, all Gary had to do was to fake it, to appear to draw the bow across the strings without making contact. That way it would appear that Gary was playing, but could instead be staying out of harm’s way, musically speaking. The ruse was successful: During the performance, Gary played his occasional \"bam, bam, bam\" as instructed and the rest is history.\nGary’s a member of the Los Gatos Blues Band and sometimes-bass player with the industry music standard bearers, the Porch Dawgs. Check out www.losgatosbluesband.com. There you’ll find, among other useful images, two photos, dubbed by Synopsys’ Karen Bartelson as ScaryGary1 and ScaryGary2, of bass-slung-low Gary \"Marlon Brando\" Smith at his best and baddest.\nMeanwhile, a new band debuted at DAC 2001 in Las Vegas, The Full Disclosures, a 5-man assembly including Gary on bass, Aart de Geus on lead guitar, Don MacMillen on harmonica, Arne Lang-Ree on drums, and Grant Pierce as singer and guitarist. Gary says their successful gig in Las Vegas validated one of his longest-standing theories: The singer always gets the girls. Gary served as lead singer on several numbers at DAC in Las Vegas including \"Every day I have the Blues\" and was sought out, after the fact, by a groupie specifically referencing his fine rendition of that number.\nGary is open about his life-long interest in comparative religions. He’s widely read on the topic and has a remarkable range of knowledge and familiarity with a number of different sacred disciplines. When asked to provide a few pearls of wisdom with which to draw our conversation to a close, he offered these:\n\"There are three illusions: perfection, control, and knowledge. The best rule of conduct is to laugh at everything.\"\n\"In order to know the Tao, it is necessary above all to not think. Man is born with free will. Don’t use it. Follow the Tao.\"\nSo don’t be surprised if the next best seller to come out of Silicon Valley is a philosophical treatise: The Tao of ASIC Design. Don’t hold your breath, however, for The Tao of FPGA Design. Remember this is an ASIC guy who’s publicly predicted the pending demise of the FPGA and only time will tell if Smith’s right.\nMeanwhile, it’s clear that the Oracle at Delphi has nothing on the Chief EDA Analyst at Dataquest. After all, the Oracle never belted out the blues on bass, clad only in black leather and a smile.\n[Editor's Note: Gary Smith is engaged to be married to Verisity's Lori Kate Calise in July 2004. Congratulations to the bride and groom!]\nPeggy Aycinena owns and operates EDA Confidential. She can be reached at peggy@aycinena.com\nCopyright (c) 2004, Peggy Aycinena. All rights reserved.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line508059"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.843963086605072,"wiki_prob":0.843963086605072,"text":"Utah Red Rocks Gymnastics Preseason Rankings\nBy Alex Stark@starkaw23 Jan 3, 2017, 12:00pm MST\nShare All sharing options for: Utah Red Rocks Gymnastics Preseason Rankings\nDeena Lofgren\nThe Utah Red Rocks gymnastics team starts their 2017 season with high expectations once again. The Red Rocks are ranked No. 6 in the preseason. The Red Rocks received two first place votes and are ranked behind defending national champion Oklahoma, LSU, Alabama, UCLA and Florida. Utah dazzled fans in December at the annual Red Rocks Preview. Utah returns four All-Americans: sophomore Kari Lee, senior Baely Rowe, and sophomores Sabrina Schwab and Maddy Stover. Rowe is the team’s only senior. Utah also features highly anticipated 2016 U.S. Olympic alternate freshman MyKayla Skinner.\n\"We have a young but extremely talented team,\" said Utah co-head coach Tom Farden. \"The expectations for our team every season are to qualify into the Super Six and challenge for a national championship. This year is no different and we are pleased to see that the other coaches see us in that same light.\"\nUtah was also picked to finish second in the Pac-12 in the preseason Pac-12 coaches’ poll. Utah received three of the eight first place votes, with the other five all going to defending champion UCLA, who was picked to finish first. Utah and UCLA will face off in the Jon M. Huntsman Center on Feb. 18.\nThe Red Rocks will kick off their 2017 season on Saturday Jan. 7 at 5:00 p.m. MDT against No. 7 Michigan. Television coverage of the meet will be provided by Pac-12 Network if you are not able to make it to the top 10 showdown.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line662028"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6908978819847107,"wiki_prob":0.3091021180152893,"text":"Open menu Login\nNotes from my inbox\nThe element of surprise is common in a system where so many decisions depend on forecasts of the future.” – Iconoclastic economist Frank Knight, mid-20th century\nPieter Koekemoer is head of the personal investments business.\n“When I consider what people generally want in calculating, I found that it always is a number.” – Mathematician Muhammad ibn Musa al-Khwarizmi, 9th century\nOUR MODERN MASTERY of numbers is rooted in the Hindu- Arabic numeric system developed around 1 500 years ago and first encountered by Europeans 700 years later at the time of the Crusades. Muhammad ibn Musa al-Khwarizmi was a scholar based in Baghdad and is generally recognised as the founder of algebra (literally meaning the reunion of broken parts). Incidentally, his name is also the root of the word algorithm. It took another 400 years before the concepts of probability and formal risk management were developed during the Renaissance, which led to the development of sophisticated financial and insurance markets in the 1700s. This in turn enabled the rapid economic growth achieved during the Industrial Revolution. Since the Victorian era, the study of economics and risk became increasingly dominated by mathematics and the belief in rational decision-making. The backlash against this purely numerical approach started in the early 20th century when economists such as Frank Knight pointed out that in making decisions, we are typically dealing with unquantifiable uncertainty rather than quantifiable risks. Scholars such as Amos Tversky, Daniel Kahneman and Richard Thaler have further described how cognitive biases influence the way humans manage risk and uncertainty.*\nSo why the history lesson? Like in al-Khwarizmi’s time, investors today are still insistent on a number; in our case, a future return expectation. This need tends to increase when recent results have been underwhelming and pessimism is more common than optimism. We understand why many investors are concerned. 2018 continues to be a testing year, reflected in cash out-performing equities, listed property and bonds – both in South Africa and globally – over the first nine months of the year. For the past three years, local shares barely beat inflation, delivering a real return of 1.5%. Local economic conditions remain tough, with many signals of weak confidence and consumers under pressure. Quality shares that used to be loved by the market over years, or even decades, have been aggressively sold down after either delivering a poor set of results, a single missed expectation or in response to news that the company in question is faced by an unexpected challenge. Global investors, who a few years ago nearly universally believed in emerging markets and the African growth story, are now shunning the continent. Given recent experience, it is reasonable to ask whether this is just a particu­larly tough cycle, or whether the strategies that used to work are now broken.\nUnfortunately, like Knight pointed out a millennium later, we can only respond with an imperfect answer. Uncertainty means that many paths can be taken, that the collective actions of millions of decision-makers will influence the outcomes in surprising ways and that it is only with the benefit of hindsight that we will know the eventual destination.\nWe have, however, been here before. Whether it was the tough transition to democracy in the early 1990s, the emerging markets crisis of 1998, the bursting of the dot-com bubble in 2000, the collapse of the commodity super-cycle and the global financial crisis in 2008, or the destabilising events of Nenegate in 2015, we have been able to navigate the choppy waters. During these periods, asset prices reflect a lot of negative sentiment. Starting yields on income assets become more attractive as investors sell bonds and property. Equity valuations become undemanding as earnings decline and shares de-rate. The negative jaws of depressed earnings and increasing costs that are causing today’s concerns often create tomorrow’s opportunities. In these conditions, small changes in circumstance can lead to large jumps in share prices. We still have very high convictions that a relentless focus on valuation, coupled with judicious implementation in well-diversified, risk-appropriate portfolios will deliver good outcomes over time. In nearly all instances, the investment cases remain intact for the positions in our funds that have recently disappointed.\nIN THIS EDITION\nNicholas Hops unpacks one such investment case in his article, explaining why we have exposure to selected platinum group miners despite a very tough decade for the industry. For insight into a global opportunity currently in our portfolios, read Paul Neethling’s story on New Oriental Education, China’s largest provider of private educational services, mostly after-school tutoring. You can also read the flagship fund update here or the fund commentaries available here for further information on how we have deployed your capital.\nWe also include two financial planning articles. In a follow-up to last quarter’s article on setting return expectations, Christo Lineveldt unpacks the return outlook from the perspective of more conservative investors. We discuss the advantages of tax-free investments, which we believe are still the best tax break available to individual investors.\nMarie Antelme provides an update on the Brexit process, another example of uncertainty in action. With the statutory exit deadline less than six months away, the outcome remains surprisingly open-ended.\nWe hope you enjoy the read. As always, you are welcome to email us at clientservice@coronation.com if you have any specific questions, concerns or issues that you would like to discuss.\n*If you are interested in reading more about this history, Peter Bernstein’s classic Against The Gods: The Remarkable Story of Risk is a good starting point.\nSA economy\nPlatinum group metals\n“In the past, censorship worked by blocking the flow of information. In the twenty-first century, censorship works by flooding people with irrelevant information. In ancient times having power meant having access to data. Today having power means knowing what to ignore.” – Yuval Noah Harari\nby Pieter Koekemoer\nApril 2021 · 6 min read\n“Sorrow is better than fear. Fear is a journey, a terrible journey, but sorrow is at least an arrival. When the storm threatens, a man is afraid for his house. But when the house is destroyed, there is something to do.” – Alan Paton, author and activist\nA good quarter for investors, but a tough one for South Africa","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1608058"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9740572571754456,"wiki_prob":0.9740572571754456,"text":"What TV channel is broadcasting the 2022 World Cup Final in the UK?\nSunday’s World Cup final will be one of the TV events of the year, as Argentina and France meet in Qatar.\nIt hasn’t been since 1986 and the days of Diego Maradona that the South Americans lift the World Cup trophy, although it will be their third final since.\nLionel Messi will be ready to end that long wait in his final game in the competition as he nears the end of a storied run, in search of the remaining and elusive winners’ medal.\nFrance are defending champions after winning the World Cup four years ago in Russia and have the fearsome Kylian Mbappe in mind.\nIt really is a match not to be missed and as is now the tradition of World Cup finals, the match is broadcast live on BBC and ITV.\nWhere to watch Argentina vs France\nTelevision channel: In the UK, Sunday’s World Cup final will be televised free and live on BBC One and ITV1. Coverage on ITV starts at 1:30pm before the BBC show starts at 1:50pm and starts at 3:00pm GMT.\nStraight: Fans can also watch the game live online via BBC iPlayer and ITVX.\nlive blog: You can follow all the action of the day through Live Standard Sport Blog with Dan Kilpatrick, Nizaar Kinsella and Simon Collings all providing expert analysis on the ground.\nNot all news on the site expresses the views of the site, but we convey this news automatically and translate it through programmatic technology on the site and not a human editor.\nJamie Franklin\n“Troublemaker. Typical travel fan. Food fanatic. Award-winning student. Organizer. Entrepreneur. Bacon specialist.”\n\"Troublemaker. Typical travel fan. Food fanatic. Award-winning student. Organizer. Entrepreneur. Bacon specialist.\"\nTrial begins for environmental activists who disrupted British Grand Prix\nOn July 3, 2022, during the Silverstone Grand Prix in Britain, environmental activists “attempted” to enter the track, according to the International Automobile Federation, when the race was interrupted due\nThe European Union will impose new sanctions on Iran on Monday\nThe European Union will impose new sanctions on 37 Iranian individuals or entities involved in the repression of the protests, but has not yet made a decision on the inclusion\nFloyd Mayweather has found his next opponent, a fight in February\nAt forty-five Floyd Mayweather He doesn’t want to keep the boxing gloves. today we discovered the future opponent of the undefeated career boxer. Money will fight for the first time\nUnited Kingdom: the head of Sky News resigns after 17 years at the helm of the British channel\nSky News chief John Ryley, who ran Britain’s news channel for 17 years, announced his resignation on Sunday night. “Après presque 40 ans dans le secteur de l’information, dont 28\nKevin Spacey returns to court accused of new sexual assaults\nThe two-time Oscar winner (for “American Beauty” and “Usual Suspects”) has already been prosecuted for four sexual assaults on three men between March 2005 and April 2013, when he was\nArgentina, France, United Kingdom… The press bows before the “King”\nSeveral hours after the announcement of Pelé’s death, the world’s media salute the legendary Brazilian, the only winner of three World Cups. On the front pages of the newspapers and","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line403267"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5953875780105591,"wiki_prob":0.4046124219894409,"text":"Terra FIRRMA: How Upcoming CFIUS Reform Will Impact the Real Estate Sector\nby Nancy A. Fischer and Matthew R. Rabinowitz\nNancy A. Fischer\nMatthew R. Rabinowitz\nThe Committee on Foreign Investments in the United States (CFIUS) is an inter-agency committee designed to review foreign investments that raise national security concerns. While you may have seen CFIUS play a role in prior transactions, upcoming expanded regulations will further impact acquisitions of U.S. real estate.\nHow exactly will this occur?\nUnder existing rules, a “covered transaction” subject to CFIUS review requires an acquisition of a “U.S. business.” This means that so-called greenfield investments in vacant land are generally outside the scope of the Committee’s jurisdiction. The Foreign Investment Risk Review Modernization Act of 2018 (FIRRMA) will add the acquisition (whether by purchase, lease or concession) of certain public or private real estate to the definition of a covered transaction.\nCategories of real estate subject to review include land that is part of an airport or maritime port, as well as land that will “function as part of” the foregoing. Another category includes certain land in “close proximity” to a U.S. military installation or other sensitive U.S. Government property.\nCFIUS raising national security concerns due to proximity is not new. For example, a San Diego hotel was carved out of a major hotel chain purchase by China’s Anbang Insurance Group because that property was located near a U.S. naval base. In that case, CFIUS was able to assert jurisdiction because there was a pre-existing business. The new legislation will provide CFIUS with clearer jurisdictional power, including new authority for the purchase or lease of vacant property.\nLike many aspects of FIRRMA, terms such as “close proximity” are subject to future definitions developed by CFIUS. It remains to be seen whether CFIUS will choose to narrowly construe relevant terminology to prevent an influx of notifications involving transactions that present little to no national security concerns.\nThere are also several important exclusions to consider. First, single housing units and real estate in “urbanized areas” are exempted from review. In addition, CFIUS will be issuing regulations limiting the law’s application to only certain categories of foreign persons. Details are currently unknown, though CFIUS may create further carve-outs for investors from “friendly” nations, such as NATO allies, or may restrict investment in which purchasers are owned or controlled by certain foreign governments.\nThe upcoming changes highlight the importance of CFIUS considerations early in the diligence phase of a proposed transaction, including leasing transactions. It is especially important to conduct a detailed assessment of the surrounding environment of a proposed site, including the potential to conduct foreign surveillance of a U.S. military installation or other particularly sensitive locations. These considerations extend beyond pure real estate transactions to any acquisition of a U.S. business with a physical presence in the United States. In those cases, it is often prudent to examine the geographic coordinates of each location and assess whether any particular site would pose a concern.\nMuch of FIRRMA is subject to a delayed effective date that is no later than February 13, 2020. Importantly, the above is largely unaffected by the recently announced CFIUS pilot program, which is related to foreign investment into certain U.S. businesses that produce, design, test, manufacture, fabricate or develop one or more critical technologies. CFIUS retains the authority to institute additional pilot programs, and could potentially announce a pilot program pertaining to real estate transactions to help inform the full implementation of FIRRMA. In the meantime, U.S. and foreign parties engaged in real estate transactions should closely examine how FIRRMA impacts both existing and future investment activities.\nPosted in: Real Estate\nTagged: cfius and firrma","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line61102"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.955564022064209,"wiki_prob":0.955564022064209,"text":"2023 8th International Symposium on Advances in Electrical, Electronics and Computer Engineering (ISAEECE 2023)\nAuthor Guide▽\nISAEECE 2022\nPublication Records\nConference participants may need a Chinese visa to enter China. Specifically, those who are not Chinese citizens, except passport holders from Singapore, Brunei, and Japan, need a Chinese visa. Participants can apply for a visa at the Chinese embassy or consulate in the region in which they live. To avoid uncertainty, participants will be advised to apply for a visa as early as possible. It is recommended that they apply for a Chinese visa at least 1 month in advance.\nFor most attendees, it is easier to apply for a Tourist (\"L\") visa; an invitation letter is NOT required for obtaining a Tourist visa.\n* For more information, please contact the local Chinese Embassy in your country.\n1. The invitation letter will be issued after the successful registration issued by the ISAEECE 2023 Committee Board.\n2. Your name must be listed exactly as it appears on your passport. Any differences between the name on your passport and the name on your invitation letter or other documentation could lead to a delay and/or denial of your visa.\n3. Please note ISAEECE 2023 Conference and the organizing committees of the conference are not authorized to assist with the VISA process beyond providing the Notification of Invitation Letter issued by ISAEECE 2023 Conferences and conference Committee Board. Should your application be denied, ISAEECE 2023 Conferences and the organizing committee of the conference cannot change the decision of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, nor will ISAEECE 2023 Conferences and the organizing committee of the conference engage in discussion or correspondence with the MOFA or the Embassy on behalf of the applicant. The registration fee cannot be refunded when the VISA application of individual being denied.\n4. It takes around one month for the Embassy to process the VISA application, please register as early as you can to make sure you have enough time.\nCopyright© ISAEECE 2023\n2023 8th International Symposium on Advances in Electrical, Electronics and Computer Engineering (ISAEECE 2023) http://www.isaeece.com/","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line368712"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9493417739868164,"wiki_prob":0.9493417739868164,"text":"10 Startups Pitch at Techstars Austin Demo Day 2018\nAmos Schwartzfarb and Zoe Schlang at Techstars Austin Demo Day 2018\nBy Laura Lorek\nPublisher of Silicon Hills News\nFrom dog walking services to robot teaching assistants, 10 startups pitched their ventures at the sixth annual Techstars Austin Demo Day.\nThis year’s class included six teams from the Carolinas and Virginia and four from Austin and half of them had female founders. They made their pitches to investors, mentors, community members and the media on Friday at Brazos Hall in downtown Austin.\nOverall, Techstars footprint in Austin is growing.\nIn 2013, Jason Seats, venture partner at Techstars, launched Techstars Austin and in 2016 he handed the operation over to Amos Schwartzfarb, managing director of Techstars Austin.\nEarlier this year, Techstars announced its second program in Austin focused on impact companies, Techstars Impact, headed up by Zoe Schlag, managing director. She just selected the first cohort of 10 for-profit companies focused on solving social problems.\n“Austin is quickly becoming one of the best cities in the country, if not the world, to launch and grow a company,” Schlag said.\nTechstars Impact program begins in June and on August 23rd, the cohort will pitch during its Demo Day, Schlag said.\nDuring the 90-day program, Techstars companies receive mentorship from the Austin community and beyond. They also receive a $100,000 convertible note. And Techstars contributes $20,000 for expenses and receives 6 percent common stock from each company.\nSome of notable Techstars Austin alumni companies based locally include Convey, ThreatCare, LawnStarter, SelfLender, WriterDuet, Patient.io, Atlas Wearables, and Authors.me.\n“This is the Demo Day season I think and it feels like the biggest one in the seven years I’ve been here in Austin,” said Bob Metcalfe, professor of innovation at the University of Texas at Austin and inventor of Ethernet. He attended the Techstars VIP Demo Day pitches. “The quality of the pitches has gone up and up and up.”\nThe most compelling feature of a company is traction, Metcalfe said. And quite of few of the latest Techstars startups showed revenue growth during the last year.\n“A large majority of these companies have bootstrapped their operations,” Schwartzfarb said.\nThat meant several already had customers, revenue, and traction and had tested their ideas before they entered the program, Schwartzfarb said.\nThe 10 Techstars Austin startups included the following:\nMeggie Williams, CEO, and Co-Founder of The Waggle Company\nThe Waggle Company, based in Charlotte, North Carolina: It provides dog walking services through an online platform and is launching in Austin next month, said Meggie Williams, CEO, and Co-Founder. The company hires its dog walkers as employees, not contractors, she said.\nThe Huffington Post surveyed 1,000 dog owners and found that 38 percent love their dog more than their spouse, said Williams.\n“It’s not just a dog, it’s your buddy, it’s your best friend,” she said. “And you would do anything to make sure your dog is healthy and happy.”\nThe Waggle Company has 60 employees and has completed more than 45,000 visits and is one of the largest dog walking services in the Southeast in less than two years, Williams said. The company is on track to reach $1.8 million in revenue this year, she said. Pet services is a $6 billion industry and it’s growing fast, Williams said. The startup is expanding into the mobile dog grooming and dog daycare industry as well, she said.\nTom Rump, CEO of Mesur.io\nMesur.io, based in Danville, Virginia, enables farmers to accurately water and fertilize seed by using its Earthstream product to provide real-time environmental measurements and advanced analytics.\n“Today, more than 70 percent of the world’s drinkable water is used in agriculture,” said Tom Rump, CEO of Mesur.io. “Due to the lack of real-time insight, it’s estimated that as much as half of that water, half is wasted.”\nIn the marketplace today, there are very few solutions to solve the problem, Rump said. So Mesur.io has created the Earthstream platform to provide the solution, he said.\nIt is currently working with family farms in the U.S., principally in the sustainable and organic growing category, Rump said. That’s a $1.5 billion market, he said. He estimates his products can save farmers as much as 35 percent of their spend on water. The company will work with 10,000 family farms this year, Rump said.\n“We are going to grow, and grow, and grow,” he said.\nLaura Boccanfuso, co-founder, and CEO of Van Robotics\nVan Robotics, based in Columbia, South Carolina, creates smart robots named Abii that tutor children in a wide variety of subjects and deliver personalized instruction.\nOnly one out of every four students test proficiently in math today, said Laura Boccanfuso, co-founder, and CEO of Van Robotics. With her robot tutors, she is seeking to reverse those statistics so that three out of every four students will test proficiently in math.\nAbii is in five school districts across the country in a test pilot, Boccanfuso said.\nThe smart robotics market is worth $20 billion in the U.S., Boccanfuso said. Van Robotics plans to introduce the robot first in schools as a teaching assistant and then in the home market and eventually the international market, she said.\nSamm Anderegg, a pharmacist, and CEO of DocStation\nDocStation, based in Austin, is a clinical software platform for pharmacists that connects payers and pharmacists to cut costs and improve patient outcomes.\n“Forty-eight percent of the American public suffers from a chronic illness,” said Samm Anderegg, a pharmacist, and CEO of DocStation.\nDocStation launched in February and pharmacists have already added more than 5,000 patients to its platform, Anderegg said. It has earned $400,000 in revenue from health plans across seven states and is on track to add $4.2 million in additional revenue by the end of 2018, he said.\nTom Jackson, co-founder and CEO of Locus Insights\n“And with the right partners we can do so much more,” Anderegg said. “DocStation transforms your local pharmacy into a community health plan.”\nLocus Insights, based in Austin, which uses proprietary eye-tracking technology to provide real-time information on how users look on their smartphones.\n“With this technology, we are unlocking access to a whole new world of data that has never been gathered before,” said Tom Jackson, co-founder and CEO of Locus Insights.\nHersh Tapadia, CEO and co-founder of Allstacks\nAllstacks, based in Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina, measures the productivity of software engineers on a development team.\n“We bring all of your engineering data into one place,” said Hersh Tapadia, CEO and co-founder of Allstacks. “And we help you bridge these knowledge gaps.”\nAllstacks can help companies identify their top performers and which employees are struggling and burning out, Tapadia said.\nAllstacks has been working with more than a dozen companies since launching its beta last November. It is gathering insights from more than 35,000 user accounts today, Tapadia said.\nManuel Rosso, CEO and Co-Founder of Rosso & Flynn\nRosso & Flynn, based in Austin, is an online butcher shop.\n“Sadly, the massive growth of factory farming really severed our connection to the land and we’ve had a generation of Americans growing up on bad food,” said Manuel Rosso, CEO and Co-Founder. “Fortunately, the pendulum is beginning to swing in the other direction.”\nConsumers want more than just a brand, Rosso said. They want transparency, they want quality ingredients and they demand to know what goes into their food, he said.\nThe natural and organic categories are growing two to three times the rate of the rest of the grocery market, Rosso said.\n“The food we eat is getting better,” he said. “But there still is a lot of work to be done.”\nRosso & Flynn plans to expand to the rest of Texas and then nationwide, Rosso said.\nTransmute, based in Austin, is a blockchain development platform.\nKaryl Fowler, CEO of Transmute\n“We help enterprises build blockchain security into the fabric of your applications,” said Karyl Fowler, Chief Executive Officer of Transmute.\nA data breach in the U.S. costs an average of $7.3 million to resolve, Fowler said.\nThe financial impact of a world rampant with cybercrime is quickly approaching $6 trillion a year (according to Cybersecurity Ventures’ report), Fowler said. This is a direct result of weaknesses inherent in the databases companies like yours rely on today, she said.\n“The question isn’t if your data will be compromised, but when” Fowler said.\nThat’s why they built the Transmute platform to give companies a way to easily upgrade the security of their applications with blockchain technology, she said.\n“Blockchain is a technology that is nearly impossible to tamper with due to its novel use of cryptography,” she said.\nMilkful, based in Charlotte, North Carolina, makes lactation snacks for breastfeeding moms.\nOnly 22 percent of breastfeeding moms make it to the seven-month mark, as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics, said Dina Carey, founder, and CEO of Milkful.\nCarey launched Milkful after her first daughter, Lawson Rose, was born in 2014. Carey wasn’t able to breastfeed for as long as she wanted and decided to create nutritious snacks for lactating moms to get the proper nutrition they need to continue to breastfeed their babies for as long as possible.\nWith an original investment of just $3,000, Carey took her business degree and culinary training and launched Milkful.com. In just its first 18th months since launch, the company has bootstrapped its way to nearly $2 million in online sales, she said.\n“And that means we have supported more than 22,000 moms across the country in meeting their nursing goals,” Carey said. “Guys we are impacting lives in a big way here.”\nMilkful reached its $2 million in revenue with just one product sold exclusively online and a team of just two people. Now it plans to expand its product line and connect moms with its online community, Carey said.\nAnd, with the help of Milkful, Carey was able to reach her nursing goals with her second daughter, Iyla.\nHaley Bohon, founder of SkillPop\nSkillPop, based in Charlotte, North Carolina, provides community-based pop-up classes.\nHaley Bohon, founder of SkillPop, launched the company a few years ago to make learning new skills easy for adults. Today, more than 20,000 students have taken a class with skill pop, she said. The classes include everything from hand lettering to public speaking.\n“These things are huge and they are just the beginning,” Bohon said.\nSkillPop has a waitlist to teach classes and its classes sell out within hours, Bohon said.\n“Because these classes have turned into amazing social experiences that our customers are obsessed with,” she said.\n“It all comes down to the rapid growth demand for experiences,” she said.\nAs a bootstrapped and profitable company, SkillPop has done more than $750,000 in revenue since January of 2016, doubling year over year, Bohon said. And SkillPop is on track to hit $1.5 million in revenue this year, she said. It is in five markets already and it continues to expand, she said.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1069490"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9059955477714539,"wiki_prob":0.9059955477714539,"text":"Mexican restaurant is more than a business: ‘Whatever I cook, I put in all my love’\nBy Caitlin Yoshiko Kandil\nFeb. 28, 2016 11:15 AM PT\nTito Munoz says Mexican food helped him achieve the American dream.\nSix years ago, the father of five lost his job running a local Claim Jumper restaurant. But instead of going back into the American food business, he decided to take a chance on something he had always wanted to do — open a Mexican restaurant.\nNow Munoz, 62, is the owner of the successful Sabroso! Mexican Grill in Garden Grove, which sells dishes based on family recipes passed down for generations.\n“We’re an example of the American dream,” said Munoz’s daughter, Paloma Son, who helps him manage the restaurant. “We came in with little money and no investors — just our savings — to make our father’s dream come true. The only thing we were certain of was my dad’s passion for food and his sazon, his flavor.”\nFood has long been Munoz’s passion.\n“I always liked to play with the spices,” said Munoz, who has trouble speaking after a stroke in November.\n“Growing up, my dad was the chef at home,” Son said. “He was always very inventive and creative in the kitchen. He would sometimes mix American and Mexican foods, but most of his recipes were the ones that came from Mexico, that were taught to him by his mother, which she learned from his grandmother.”\nMunoz emigrated from Guerrero, Mexico, in 1974, and now lives in Santa Ana.\n“A lot of the recipes we have on the menu are inspired by things he would cook at home. Chamorro has become one of our top selling specialty items, and that’s a dish we remember eating once or twice a month at home.”\nJust as the menu draws upon family traditions, so is the restaurant a family affair.\nSabroso opened after Munoz and his children pooled their savings and everyone agreed to work in the restaurant. Munoz became the head chef, his son the sous chef, his four daughters servers and his wife the “tortilla lady.”\n“Our first year, we had very little sales,” Son said. “We started from the bottom. It wasn’t a brand that had some recognition. We truly had to sell ourselves to every customer. But everyone who tried the food left extremely satisfied. Our food speaks for itself.”\nSon explained that unlike other many Mexican restaurants in the area, Sabroso takes care to use only fresh, high-quality ingredients. Nothing ever comes from a can, and every dish is handcrafted in the kitchen. Even the tortillas are made from scratch.\n“People can taste the freshness, and that’s why they continue to come back,” she said.\nSabroso’s extensive menu includes Mexican classics such as tacos, burritos, enchiladas, tostadas, chile verde, carne asada, agua fresca and horchata.\nBut it also includes nontraditional fare. After a vegetarian customer requested more meat-free options, Sabroso developed a deep-fried avocado taco that Son said is now one of Sabroso’s tastiest dishes.\nTacos cost around $4 each; burritos range from $8.50 to $11; and entrée platters, which are served with tortillas and rice and beans, are priced near $15.\nFor Munoz, it’s also the passion he puts into each dish that separates Sabroso from the competition.\n“Whatever I cook, I put in all my love,” he said.\n“Our hearts explode with joy every time we serve our food,” Son said, “because we know that our family legacy will always live on. We know that our history, our culture, our parents will always be with us, even after they’re gone.”\nNow that Sabroso has established itself as a staple in Orange County cuisine — it boasts 4.5 stars and more than 1,300 reviews on Yelp and was featured on the Food Network show “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” — the Munozes are looking to expand.\nIn March, the restaurant will open a second location a few doors down that will be devoted to take-out and catering.\n“Our kitchen is small and everything is handmade, so we needed an extra kitchen,” Son said. The family also hopes to eventually open sites in other cities.\nBut beyond the business, Son said she hopes Sabroso will motivate families like hers.\n“We want to inspire other people like us, who are middle-class people but don’t have a lot of money or investors,” Son said. “We want to inspire them to believe in themselves. If they have something great to share, by working hard and coming together as a family you can persevere and make that dream a reality.”\nSabroso! Mexican Grill is at 13129 Harbor Blvd. in Garden Grove. For more information, visit sabrosomexgrill.com or call (714) 537-7080.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1025434"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9506209492683411,"wiki_prob":0.9506209492683411,"text":"Antropofagus sign with Agonia Records\nMay 4, 2022 May 4, 2022 NextMosh StaffPress Release\nShare the post \"Antropofagus sign with Agonia Records\"\nAgonia Records is pleased to announce the signing of the Italian brutal death metal quartet Antropofagus. The first fruit of this collaboration will be the band’s fourth studio album in 2022.\n“We are extremely proud to become a part of the Agonia Records family and join forces with them for the release our new full-length album later this year,” comments the band.\nAntropofagus plays complex, technical and brutal death metal, and made its first steps onto the scene in the late nineties. Despite being formed nearly a quarter of a century ago, “No Waste Of Flesh” (1999), “Architecture of Lust” (2012) and “M.O.R.T.E.” (2017) remain the only albums to its name.\nHeavily inspired by the American death metal scene of the time, and band’s such as Suffocation, Cannibal Corpse and Deeds Of Flesh, Antropofagus fleshed out its debut installment in 1999, having earlier released a demo CD. “No Waste Of Flesh” marks the only album issued via Beyond Productions (a company known today as Masterpiece Distribution) and is looked back at with nostalgia by fans of the band, who’ve embraced it with a ‘cult status’. Stunted by personal struggles, the group went on a hiatus in 2002, from which it recovered several years later with a new line-up, featuring guitarist Francesco ‘Meatgrinder’ Montesanti (the only remaining co-founder), drummer Davide ‘Brutal Dave’ Billia (Hour Of Penance, Beheaded), bassist Jacopo Rossi (Dark Lunacy) and then-vocalist, Tya. The newly assembled personnel signed to Comatose Music and put out the split “Torso Trauma”, followed by the sophomore, Clive Barker & Benjamin Christensen-inspired album, “Architecture of Lust”. The album netted high-scoring reviews in Metal Hammer, Terrorizer, Rock Hard and Legacy magazines, a spot among Sick Drummer Magazine’s top 15 drumming albums, and live shows with Behemoth, Marduk, Carcass, Deicide and Gojira, to name a few. The band’s third and last installment, “M.O.R.T.E. – Methods of Resurrection Through Evisceration”, was preceded and followed by numerous festival appearances, including Brutal Assault, Barroselas Metal Fest, Neurotic Deathfest, Deathfest Open Air and Las Vegas Death Fest. The five-year gap that arouse since the release of “M.O.R.T.E.” not only saw the band hone its on-stage presence, but also served as writing time. Antropofagus’s next album – first to feature vocalist Paolo Chiti – is fast approaching.\nPaolo Chiti – vocals\nFrancesco Montesanti – guitars\nJacopo Rossi – bass\nDavide Billia – drums\nAntropofagus on-line:\nFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/antropofagus.official\nInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/antropofagus.official/\nTwitter: https://twitter.com/_Antropofagus_\nYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCN_JAN9xUkcPYZ6RtUjcBVQ\nSpotify: LINK\nAgonia Records:\nWebsite: https://agoniarecords.com\nWebshop: https://agoniarecords.com/store\nFacebook: https://facebook.com/agoniarecords\nTwitter: https://twitter.com/agoniarecords\nSoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/agoniarecords\nBandcamp: https://agoniarecords.bandcamp.com\nInstagram: https://instagram.com/agoniarecordsofficial\nYouTube: https://youtube.com/AgoniaRec\nPress release courtesy of Agonia Records\nAlso Check Out: Deathwhite share new song “No Thought or Memory”\nFollow NextMosh On: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube\nThis post may contain referral links.\nAntropofagus\nTestament, Exodus & Death Angel announce 2nd leg of ‘Bay Strikes Back’ tour\nSaliva, Otherwise & 9th Planet Out announce June tour dates","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1128189"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6845833659172058,"wiki_prob":0.3154166340827942,"text":"Date: June 25, 2021 By musiime Categories: Blog Uncategorized No comments\nMountain gorilla is a critically endangered species listed on the IUCN red list found in Uganda, Rwanda, and the democratic republic of Congo, mountain gorilla’s gorilla belingei are herbivorous primates feeding on plants like mimlopsis, mushrooms and sometimes termites, they live in groups of up to 20 individuals in a family, the male silver backs lead the team, having a playful nature especially the young ones, they are majestic brown eyed creatures and don’t live in captivity, Uganda’s population of the primate species is half of the world’s remaining survivals. Many people wonder where the mountain gorilla can be found in Uganda, they are flowers in the following national parks\nBwindi impenetrable national park , located in the western part Uganda, the park was gazette in the 1993 and by the 1994 it was declared a UNESCO world heritage site as a way of protecting the critically endangered species of mountain gorillas, it is home to half of the world’s population of mountain gorillas an 8 hours’ drive from Entebbe international airport passing through beautiful hills, banana and tea plantations, the park has four sectors the Nkuringo, Buhoma, Rushaga, and Ruhija sector each of which has groups of habituated gorilla families trained to contain human presence, the park is one of the oldest ancient virgin forest in the country, it is the only park where the three great apes co-exist together in harmony not until man was evicted from the forest due to conservation purposes.\nMgahinga national park is a perfect gorilla destination home to the Nyakagezi gorilla family where gold meets silver, it’s a Ugandan continuation of the eight series of the great Virunga mountains, smallest of the national parks, three peaks of Mgahinga, Sabinyo, and Muhabura are in the national park habitats to the primate, the slopes of the Mgahinga are covered by a series of vegetative covers lowest parts covered in grass and bush, to the undisturbed bamboo zone, montane forest, and the ericaceous zone containing the giant tree heathers , it keeps the rare golden monkeys and about 39 species of mammals although they are rarely seen. It is supplemented by the Rwandan volcanoes national park and democratic republic of Congo indicating that the gorillas in this particular park are migratory as they move freely from one ecosystem to another.\nTracking mountain gorillas starts in the morning hours, depending on how far the gorilla families have moved, it takes from 2-3 hours in the jungle, it’s done in groups of eight per gorilla group it is advisable to buy gorilla permits in advance to avoid inconveniences, the Ugandan permit goes for 700 USD. One can choose to have an interconnected trip to see more wild life in the other national parks, the parks are the coldest places of the country hence one should come along with boots, hats, long sleeved warm clothes, hand gloves, water proof covers for phones and cameras. The parks can be visited all year round but best during the dry seasons in the months of December-February, and June- mid-September.\nPlease book with Lionking safaris Uganda.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1767525"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7903643846511841,"wiki_prob":0.7903643846511841,"text":"By: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (1859-1930)\nFour Noncanonical Sherlock Holmes Short Stories\nAlthough the Sherlock Holmes canon traditionally consists of four novels and 56 short stories written by Arthur Conan Doyle, there are many Sherlock Holmes stories outside the canon. Most of these noncanonical stories were written by authors other than Doyle, but there are four short stories about Holmes written by Doyle that are nonetheless excluded from the canon, for various reasons. This album consists of these four noncanonical stories. The first story, \"The Field Bazaar\", was first published in 1896 in a special issue of a University of Edinburgh student newspaper called The Student...\nStudy In Scarlet (Version 6)\nA Study in Scarlet is a detective mystery novel written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, introducing his new characters, \"consulting detective\" Sherlock Holmes and his friend and chronicler, Dr. John Watson, who later became two of the most famous characters in literature. Conan Doyle wrote the story in 1886, and it was published the following year. The book's title derives from a speech given by Holmes to Doctor Watson on the nature of his work, in which he describes the story's murder investigation as his \"study in scarlet\": \"There's the scarlet thread of murder running through the colourless skein of life, and our duty is to unravel it, and isolate it, and expose every inch of it...\nBy: Sir George Webbe Dasent (1817-1896)\nPopular Tales from the Norse\nThe most careless reader can hardly fail to see that many of the Tales in this volume have the same groundwork as those with which he has been familiar from his earliest youth. They are Nursery Tales, in fact, of the days when there were tales in nurseries–old wives’ fables, which have faded away before the light of gas and the power of steam. (Excerpt from Popular Tales from the Norse.)\nBy: Sir Hall Caine\nThe Manxman\nSir Thomas Henry Hall Caine, CH, KBE (14 May 1853 – 31 August 1931), usually known as Hall Caine, was a British author. He is best known as a novelist and playright of the late Victorian and the Edwardian eras. In his time he was exceedingly popular and at the peak of his success and his novels outsold those of his contemporaries. Many of his novels were also made into films. His novels were primarily romantic in nature, involving the love triangle, but they did also address some of the more serious political and social issues of the day...\nBy: Sir Harry Johnston (1858-1927)\nMrs. Warren's Daughter\nMrs. Warren's Daughter is a continuation, in novel form, of George Bernard Shaw's controversial play, Mrs. Warren's Profession. In the play, Vivie Warren, an emancipated young woman recently graduated from University, disavows her mother Kitty when she learns that Kitty's fortune comes from an ownership share in an international string of brothels, and that Kitty herself was once a prostitute. This novel, written by a world renowned botanist, explorer, and colonial administrator, follows Vivie's personal and political adventures through her involvement in the Suffragist movement and the years leading up to and during World War I.\nBy: Sir James Knowles\nThe Legends of King Arthur and His Knights\nMANUAL OF SURGERY, OXFORD MEDICAL PUBLICATIONSBY ALEXIS THOMSON, F.R.C.S.Ed.PREFACE TO SIXTH EDITION Much has happened since this Manual was last revised, and many surgical lessons have been learned in the hard school of war. Some may yet have to be unlearned, and others have but little bearing on the problems presented to the civilian surgeon. Save in its broadest principles, the surgery of warfare is a thing apart from the general surgery of civil life, and the exhaustive literature now available on every aspect of it makes it unnecessary that it should receive detailed consideration in a manual for students...\nBy: Sir Philip Sidney (1554-1586)\nCountess of Pembroke's Arcadia\nArcadia is a prose work by Sir Philip Sidney, a classic of the Renaissance pastoral and a work of high romance, a fleeting vision of a lost world of gallantry and adventure, representing an escape from the realities of politics in the Elizabethan court. It contributes to the ongoing legend of Sidney as the perfect Renaissance man, \"soldier, scholar, horseman he/And all he did done perfectly\".\nBy: Sir Stephen King-Hall\nDiary of a U-boat Commander\nThe infamous U boats deployed by Germany in the two World Wars have spawned several works of fiction and non-fiction. These deadly vessels were not just efficient and lethal killing machines, but they were also used very effectively in economic blockades. They were positioned primarily to obstruct the conveyance of fuel, food and other essential supplies which the enemy needed to sustain the war effort. In the Diary of a U Boat Commander, the author, Stephen King-Hall draws upon his vast personal experiences as a naval officer in World War I...\nBy: Sir Thomas Malory\nLe Morte d’Arthur (spelled Le Morte Darthur in the first printing and also in some modern editions, Middle French for la mort d’Arthur, “the death of Arthur”) is Sir Thomas Malory’s compilation of some French and English Arthurian romances. The book contains some of Malory’s own original material (the Gareth story) and retells the older stories in light of Malory’s own views and interpretations. First published in 1485 by William Caxton, Le Morte d’Arthur is perhaps the best-known work of English-language Arthurian literature today. Many modern Arthurian writers have used Malory as their source, including T. H. White for his popular The Once and Future King.\nBy: Sir Thomas More (1478-1535)\nHe was a trusted aide of Henry VIII, but when he supposedly opposed the monarch's second marriage, he was thrown into prison and executed for treason. More than two hundred years later, he was canonized as the patron saint of statesmen and politicians by the Catholic Church. Philosopher, writer, diplomat, lawyer, Renaissance man, avid gardener, humanist thinker and statesman are only some of the words used to describe him. A lifelong opponent of Protestantism who was rumored to have had heretics imprisoned, murdered and burned at the stake, Thomas More is even today an enigmatic figure...\nBy: Sir Walter Scott (1771-1832)\nMedieval England in the 12th century. The evil Prince John rules England in place of his brother, the noble Richard the Lionheart, who is being held in an Austrian prison by Duke Leopold of Austria, while returning from one of his Crusades. Under the avaricious and Machiavellian John, the Norman aristocrats are in constant conflict with the native Saxon people. Ivanhoe by Sir Walter Scott is set in these turbulent times. The eponymous hero, Wilfred of Ivanhoe, the son of a Saxon nobleman has been disinherited by his father for following King Richard into war...\nThe Talisman\nThe Talisman is a gripping tale set near the end of the Third Crusade. King Richard the Lionheart is grievously ill, and all around him the leaders from allied countries plot and scheme to gain personal power, putting the future of the crusade in jeopardy. Sir Kenneth of Scotland finds himself caught up in events, and finds both his honour and his life are now on the line. Can a cure be found for the King? Can Kenneth redeem his honour? – Written by Rowen.\nRob Roy is a historical novel by Walter Scott. It is narrated by Frank Osbaldistone, the son of an English merchant who travels first to the North of England, and subsequently to the Scottish Highlands to collect a debt stolen from his father. On the way he encounters the larger-than-life title character of Rob Roy MacGregor. Though Rob Roy is not the lead character (in fact the narrative does not move to Scotland until half way through the book) his personality and actions are key to the development of the novel.\nWaverley is set during the Jacobite Rebellion of 1745, which sought to restore the Stuart dynasty in the person of Charles Edward Stuart (or 'Bonnie Prince Charlie'). It relates the story of a young dreamer and English soldier, Edward Waverley, who was sent to Scotland in 1745. He journeys North from his aristocratic family home, Waverley-Honour, in the south of England first to the Scottish Lowlands and the home of family friend Baron Bradwardine, then into the Highlands and the heart of the 1745 Jacobite uprising and aftermath.\nAn Elizabethan era historical novel by Scotland’s master of fiction, Sir Walter Scott. With a cast of historical and created characters, including the Queen herself, Scott presents the sad history and tragic consequences of the secretive marriage of young Amy Robsart and the Earl of Leicester. (Summary by SK)\nThe Antiquary\nIllegitimacy, false identity, and bankruptcy are the major elements of Sir Walter Scott's 1816 novel, The Antiquary. Set in the period of the French Revolution, the novel's hero, Lovel, struggles to gain repute and the hand of his beloved despite his uncertain parentage. During these pursuits, he befriends the title's antiquary, Johnathan Oldbuck, who finds Lovel a captive audience to his scholarly studies and a tragic likeness to his own disappointments in love. Readers will discover whether Lovel's acts of bravery and courage ultimately earn him the birth and fortunes of a nobleman.\nTranslations & Imitations of German Ballads\nThe narrative poems in this collection are written by Sir Walter Scott - the well-known English poet and novelist. Each of these five poems are based loosely upon German ballads: rewritten in flowing English meter.The Chase - a.k.a. The Wild Huntsman - A profligate, noble-born keeper of the royal forest - avidly addicted to the pleasures of the hunt - cruelly uses and mistreats his fellow-men. One day God's messengers come to test him: executing sentence immediately in just proportion to the huntsman's responses...\nThe Bridal of Triermain\nScott's The Bridal of Triermain is a rhymed, romantic, narrative poem which weaves together elements of popular English legend using dramatic themes. This beautiful poem celebrates the exploits of a knight errant - Sir Roland De Vaux - as he seeks to rescue (and hopefully espouse) a beautiful maiden, Gyneth. Gyneth is the illegitimate daughter of King Arthur: doomed by Merlin 500 years previously to an enchanted sleep inside a magic castle. The enchantment can only be broken by a rescuer both brave and noble enough to overcome the temptations used successively to distract and overcome him, namely: fear, wealth, pleasure and pride.(Introduction by Godsend)\nBy: Sister M. Imelda Wallace, S.L. (1884-?)\nOutlaws of Ravenhurst\nThis exciting historical adventure depicts the last stand of the Gordons - God's \"outlaws\" - fighting for their Catholic Faith in the early days of the Protestant Revolution in seventeenth-century Scotland.\nBy: Sister Mary Jean Dorcy (1914-1988)\nA Crown for Joanna\nShe was born a princess, heir to her father’s kingdom of Portugal, and she might at will have reigned from almost any throne in Europe. But instead of this, she made what to her world seemed a thoroughly mad choice – for she chose to have a throne in heaven. Today those scepters are dust which she would not accept, and as Blessed Joanna of Portugal she possesses a throne imperishable… This children’s biography of Blessed Joanna of Portugal was written by Sister Mary Jean Dorcy, a Catholic Dominican Nun...\nBy: Somerset Maugham\nOf Human Bondage\nOf Human Bondage, published in 1915, is considered to be W. Somerset Maugham’s best work. Many believe the novel to be one of the world’s literary masterpieces. The story follows Phillip Carey from early childhood through his 30’s. Orphaned at 9, Phillip spends his early years raised by his childless aunt and uncle. His aunt tries to be a mother to Philip, but she is unsure how to behave whereas his uncle, a vicar, takes a cold disposition towards him. Philip is sent to a boarding school but his shyness and his club foot make it difficult for him to fit in...\nBy: Sōseki Natsume (1867-1916)\nBotchan\nBotchan is the story of a young math teacher from Tokyo whose first assignment takes him to a middle school in the country side. His arrival there is not very lucky: The pupils are bound to test his perseverance and cheerily comments every one of his perceived missteps. In the teacher's room, he soon finds himself in the middle of an intrigue between the jovial \"Porcupine\" and the fat \"Hubbard Squash\" on one side, and the effeminate \"Red Shirt\" and his follower \"Clown\" on the other. Will Botchan choose the right side in the end? Botchan - with morality as the main theme - is one of the most popular novels in Japan...\nBy: St. George Henry Rathborne (1854-1938)\nBoy Scouts First Camp Fire\nThe Silver Fox Patrol is out on their first camping trip! The boys, Thad the fill-in scout-master, Allan, Bumpus, Davy Jones, Smithy, Bob White, Giraffe and Step-Hen, are learning many new things about being scouts and about themselves. But when a bear invades the camp, their trip turns into an adventure that they will talk about for a long time! Herbert Carter is one of many pseudonyms used by St George Rathborne.\nBoy Scouts in the Blue Ridge\nThe Silver Fox Patrol is hiking in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, at the invitation of Bob White. They are enjoying their outing in a real wilderness, but trouble comes along from a local Moonshiner. Herbert Carter is one of many pseudonyms used by St George Rathborne. (Ann Boulais)\nOld Broadbrim into the Heart of Australia or, A Strange Bargain and Its Consequences\nOld Broadbrim, the famous Quaker detective listened as one of the richest men in New York continued \"......I want you to guard my person for one year, and if at the end of that time I am still in the land of the living, why, your work ceases.\" - Summary by Annise\nBy: St. John Emile Clavering Hankin (1869-1909)\nMr. Punch's Dramatic Sequels\nA collection of short and humorous one-act \"sequels\" to 14 major plays (many already in the catalog). Plays end too soon. They never show the whole of what I want to know. The curtain falls and I'm perplexed with doubts about what happened next. Did HAMLET'S father haunt no more the battlements of Elsinore? Does LADY TEAZLE never call at LADY SNEERWELL'S now at all? Was BENEDICK'S a happy marriage? And will the MELNOTTES keep a carriage? Will AUBREY take to wife one day another MRS. TANQUERAY? Do ECCLES and his stepson wrangle? Has anything been heard of DANGLE? What has become of MRS...\nBy: Stamp Act Congress of 1765\nDeclaration of Rights\nOn June 8, 1765 James Otis, supported by the Massachusetts Assembly sent a letter to each colony calling for a general meeting of delegates. The meeting was to be held in New York City in October. Representatives from nine colonies met in New York. Though New Hampshire, Virginia, North Carolina and Georgia did not send delegates, the Assemblies of those missing colonies nonetheless agreed to support the works of the Congress. The meetings were held in Federal Hall in New York, and the delegates assembled on October 2...\nBy: Stanley Grauman Weinbaum (1902-1935)\nWorks of Stanley G. Weinbaum - A Martian Odyssey\nStanley G. Weinbaum is best known for his short story “A Martian Odyssey” which has been influencing Science Fiction since it was first published in 1934. Weinbaum is considered the first writer to contrive an alien who thought as well as a human, but not like a human. A Martian Odyssey and its sequel are presented here as well as other Weinbaum gems including 3 stories featuring the egomaniacal physicist Haskel van Manderpootz and his former student, playboy Dixon Wells.\nBy: Stanley Waterloo\nThe Story of Ab\nThis is the story of Ab, a man of the Age of Stone, who lived so long ago that we cannot closely fix the date, and who loved and fought well.\nBy: Stefan Zweig (1881-1942)\nBurning Secret\nA lonely, convalescing 12 year-old boy and his attractive mother, who is in a loveless marriage, meet a gentleman while vacationing at a European resort. Seeking an enjoyable way to pass the time, the man schemes to seduce the woman with the unwitting help of the boy. The son, puzzled by the developing relationship, becomes increasingly isolated and suspicious as he loses his childish innocence in this gripping coming-of-age novella. This work is translated from the original German, Brennendes Geheimnis, which has also been recorded for Librivox...\nBy: Stella Benson (1892-1933)\nThis is not a real book. It does not deal with real people, nor should it be read by real people. But there are in the world so many real books already written for the benefit of real people, and there are still so many to be written, that I cannot believe that a little alien book such as this, written for the magically-inclined minority, can be considered too assertive a trespasser. -- Stella Benson (author) Published in 1919, and set in London during the First World War, Living Alone tells of the meeting of a recluse and a witch, then rambles through magic, morality and aerial dogfights on broomsticks...\nBy: Stella M. Francis\nCampfire Girls at Twin Lakes or The Quest of a Summer Vacation\n“Girls, I have some great news for you. I’m sure you’ll be interested, and I hope you’ll be as delighted as I am. Come on, all of you. Gather around in a circle just as if we were going to have a Council Fire and I’ll tell you something that will—that will—Teddy Bear your teeth.” A chorus of laughter, just a little derisive, greeted Katherine Crane’s enigmatical figure of speech. The merriment came from eleven members of Flamingo Camp Fire, who proceeded to form an arc of a circle in front of the speaker on the hillside grass plot near the white canvas tents of the girls’ camp. (Gutenberg)\nCampfire Girls In The Allegheny Mountains or, A Christmas Success Against Odds\nThe Camp Fire Girls books is a series of fiction novels written for children by various authors from 1912 into the 1930s. (Wikipedia)\nCamp-Fire Girls in the Country or The Secret Aunt Hannah Forgot\nTeen-ager Hazel Edwards and the other twelve members of the Flamingo Camp-Fire Girls experience some real adventure when they are invited to spend part of their summer as guests of Hazel’s elderly aunt on her large country farm. Mrs. Hannah Hutchins is a widow living alone with a few servants and farming assistants in her home in the midwestern town of Fairberry. The girls set up camp on a section of Aunt Hannah’s farm but, before too long, an incident occurs during the annual Fourth of July celebration in Fairberry...\nBy: Stendhal\nThe Red and the Black, Volume I\nStendhal - a German pen-name for a French writer who hated the English. Contemporary to some of the great names of French literature like Balzac and Flaubert, Stendhal is quite often considered a writer that doesn't seem to fit a defined genre. Some say he's a Romantic, others that he's a Modernist and that Le Rouge et Le Noir is the first modern novel. On one point they are all agreed: the novel is a masterpiece that shows a young theology student - Julien Sorel - intelligent, handsome and who is determined to rise above his humble peasant origins...\nBy: Stephen Crane (1871-1900)\nThe Red Badge of Courage is a fiction that tells the story of a soldier named Henry Fleming during the American Civil War. The novel gained widespread praise from critics and was also a commercial success shortly after its release and made Stephen Crane an instant celebrity at the young age of 24. In the novel, Henry was one of the enlisted soldiers in the 304th New York Regiment. He flees from battle in one of the skirmishes they had against the Confederates and to hide his cowardice, he attempted to inflict a wound to himself which is referred to as the “red badge of courage...\nMaggie: A Girl of the Streets\nStephen Crane’s first novel, Maggie: A Girl of the Streets has been called “the first dark flower of American Naturalism” for its distinctive elements of naturalistic fiction. The chief character, Maggie, descends into prostitution after being led astray by her lover. Rather than focusing on those that make up the very rich or middle class, the novel highlights the deplorable living conditions of the working class during the so-called Gilded Age in New York’s Bowery.\nSelected Short Stories\nAt the time of his death at the age of 28, Stephen Crane had become an important figure in American literature. He was nearly forgotten, however, until two decades later when critics revived interest in his life and work. Stylistically, Crane's writing is characterized by vivid intensity, distinctive dialects, and irony. Common themes involve fear, spiritual crises and social isolation. Although recognized primarily for The Red Badge of Courage, which has become an American classic, Crane is also known for short stories such as \"The Open Boat\", \"The Blue Hotel\", \"The Bride Comes to Yellow Sky\", and The Monster...\nWounds In The Rain; War Stories\nEleven stories of war by the author of The Red Badge of Courage. Stephen Crane was an American author. He is recognized by modern critics as one of the most innovative writers of his generation. Crane's writing is characterized by vivid intensity, distinctive dialects, and irony. Common themes involve fear, spiritual crises and social isolation. His writing made a deep impression on 20th-century writers, most prominent among them Ernest Hemingway, and is thought to have inspired the Modernists and the Imagists.\nBy: Stephen Leacock (1869-1944)\nFrenzied Fiction\nFrom the cave man to Santa Claus; spies, know-it-alls, and journalists: all are fair game for Leacock’s special brand of humor. He touches on the changes time has brought about in the city, education, and work habits. Among the other topics in this work are nature, fishing, gardening, success, and spirits–both of the departed and of the variety Prohibition prohibited. Each chapter of this book is a standalone story and if you love a good laugh, these stories are for you. In me, Leacock’s wit produced the full range of laughter: smiles, chuckles, guffaws, and some uncontrollable giggles. Also, occasionally, I found myself shedding a tear or two. (Review by Debra Lynn)\nArcadian Adventures with the Idle Rich\n“Arcadian Adventures with the Idle Rich” is a work of humorous fiction by Stephen Leacock first published in 1914. It is the follow-up to his 1912 classic “Sunshine Sketches of a Little Town.” Like that work, it is a sequence of interlocking stories set in one town, but instead of focusing on a small Canadian town in the countryside, it is set in a major American metropolis and its characters are the upper crust of society. Although currently not as well-known as the earlier book, “Arcadian Adventures” was extremely popular in North America at the time of its publication and for a while was considered the greater success...\nWinsome Winnie and other New Nonsense Novels\nEight silly stories by Canadian humourist Stephen Leacock.\nFurther Foolishness\nSeventeen goofy stories and essays by Canadian humourist Stephen Leacock. \"Professor Leacock has made more people laugh with the written word than any other living author. One may say he is one of the greatest jesters, the greatest humorist of the age.\" – A. P. Herbert (Introduction by TriciaG & Wikipedia)\nLiterary Lapses\nShort sketches relating the humourous side of life in 1910. \"Professor Leacock has made more people laugh with the written word than any other living author. One may say he is one of the greatest jesters, the greatest humorist of the age.\" – A. P. Herbert\nThe Hohenzollerns in America\nMore stories by Canadian Stephen Leacock. Some of these stories carry over characters introduced in Further Foolishness. Some stories are humourous; some are more thoughtful. It helps to be familiar with WWI-era European politics to catch much of the humour. Full title: The Hohenzollerns in America With the Bolsheviks in Berlin and Other Impossibilities\nBehind the Beyond\nA collection containing a parody on Problem Plays, as well as humorous anecdotes from Canadian humourist Stephen Leacock.\nMoonbeams from the Larger Lunacy\nHumorous, ironic, and sometimes cynical observations of life in 1915 from Canadian humourist Stephen Leacock.\nMy Discovery of England\n\"In the course of time a very considerable public feeling was aroused in the United States and Canada over this state of affairs. The lack of reciprocity in it seemed unfair. It was felt (or at least I felt) that the time had come when some one ought to go over and take some impressions off England. The choice of such a person (my choice) fell upon myself. By an arrangement with the Geographical Society of America, acting in conjunction with the Royal Geographical Society of England (to both of whom I communicated my proposal), I went at my own expense.\"And from thence follow the impressions of Canadian political economist and humourist, Stephen Leacock, after a lecturing visit to England.\nBy: Stewart Edward White (1873-1946)\nConjuror's House, a Romance of the Free Forest\nIn the northern outreaches of the Canadian wilderness, it was understood that the Hudson Bay Company governed all trading, and one factor named Galen Albret took his position seriously. Free traders, or those who dared try to do their trading outside of the Company, found themselves having to face Galen Albret and his methods of dealing with them. One or two offenses he might tolerate, but for those who repeatedly refuse to acknowledge his warning out, he would send them on “La Longue Traverse” through the wilderness without supplies, and from which they seldom returned...\nThe Blazed Trail\nStewart Edward White wrote fiction and non-fiction about adventure and travel, with an emphasis on natural history and outdoor living. White's books were popular at a time when America was losing its vanishing wilderness and many are based on his experiences in mining and lumber camps. The Blazed Trail is the story of early lumbermen in the northern woods of Michigan. The novel portrays the challenges faced by the workers focusing on one, Harry Thorpe, as he endeavors to be successful though completely unskilled when he enters the woods...\nArizona Nights\nArizona Nights is a collection of tales from the American West as told by those who took part in them.\nThis is a well written story of the California gold rush of 1849. Four friends decide they are going to go to California and get rich in the gold fields. Follow their adventures as they travel to California across the isthmus of Panama to San Francisco. In their search for gold they encounter hostile Indians, various desperadoes, and natural disasters. Did they strike it rich? Listen and find out.\nBlazed Trail Stories and Stories Of The Wild Life\nThirteen short stories by a popular writer of the early 20th century (not to be confused with an earlier book Blazed Trail). White's books were popular at a time when America was losing its vanishing wilderness. He was a keen observer of the beauties of nature and human nature, yet could render them in a plain-spoken style. Based on his own experience, whether writing camping journals or Westerns, he included pithy and fun details about cabin-building, canoeing, logging, gold-hunting, and guns and fishing and hunting...\nBy: Susan Coolidge (1835-1905)\nWhat Katy Did at School\nThe continuing story of Katy Carr, recounting the time she spent at boarding school with her sister Clover.\nClover is the fourth book in the popular What Katy Did series. After Katy's wedding, the focus shifts to her little sister Clover. Their brother Phil encounters serious illness in the winter, and Dr. Carr sends him with Clover to the mountains of Colorado. Clarence Page, their naughty cousin from the other books, lives nearby. He is a rancher now with an attractive English partner, Geoff Templestowe, whom Clover falls for.Other books in the series areWhat Katy DidWhat Katy Did at SchoolWhat Katy Did NextIn the High Valley\nIn the High Valley\nIn the High Valley” is the fifth and last book of the popular “What Katy did” series by Susan Coolidge.The story starts out with Lionel Young and his sister, Imogen who set out for the picturesque but remote High Valley (America), leaving their hometown Devonshire (England) behind.Lionel wants to take the share in Geoffrey Templestowe’s cattle business.Imogen, owing to her prejudices against America and the American way of life, finds it hard to adjust to life over there.Clover Templestowe, now happily married and living in the High Valley, at first finds it very trying to get on with Imogen...\nNot Quite Eighteen\nNot Quite Eighteen is a delightful collection of children’s stories that range from moral to whimsical. From unfinished fairy tales and daydreams about a pony who kept shop to a lesson on presence of mind, these anecdotes will entertain as well as improve the mind. (\nLittle Country Girl\nCandace makes the first long trip of her young life alone. Everything is new, from the ocean views, to the fashionable people she encounters; from the museum-like home, to the unfamiliar cousins. How will she adapt to the new experiences and will she overcome the homesickness she feels? Will she adapt her country ways and enter society, or be an embarrassment to her fine relations? Etiquette and style can be learned; but kindness, common sense and a loving heart are inbred.\nSusan Coolidge was the pen name of Sarah Chauncey Woolsey, who is best known for her What Katy Did series. This is the first of three volumes of her verse.\nEyebright\n\"Imagination is like a sail, as Mr. Joyce had said that evening; but sails are good and useful things sometimes, and carry their owners over deep waters and dark waves, which else might dampen, and drench, and drown.\" Twelve year old Isabella Bright is endowed with just such an imagination and spends her time amusing herself and her friends with stories. Will her imagination be called upon to help her navigate tempestuous seas?","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1110167"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9279561638832092,"wiki_prob":0.9279561638832092,"text":"Humble beginnings and tough tests have shaped Matty Cash into a star\nBy Regan Foy October 28, 2020 October 28, 2020 Featured / Opinion\nMatty Cash didn’t dream of being a Premier League footballer, it’s just something that happened.\nWords: Regan Foy | @findfoy\nMatty Cash didn’t think becoming a Premier League footballer was possible, even in his wildest dreams, in the early stages of his career – now he’s one of the standout fullbacks in the league with double figures for tackles won and interceptions in just five games.\nThings haven’t always been the glitz and glamour of the upper echelon of English football, however. At the age of 16, Cash was released from Wycombe Wanderers – leaving his hopes of playing professional football tattered.\nAs many who are released from youth academies find, the need for income comes sooner rather than later and Matty was forced to find a part-time job whilst he was at college. He’d be studying five days a week, working in a local toy shop on the weekends – selling Nerf Guns on the shop floor – and also playing in local side Bisham Abbey’s academy, where his brother Adam was one of a large group of scholars hoping to make it into the professional game.\nHis older sibling had provided him with a pathway back into the game, a chance at redemption after his release. He took the chance, and played with the most senior age group at the club despite only just coming of age. He was excelling at centre-midfield and caught the attention of a number of clubs.\nWithin the next year, Matty Cash had signed for Nottingham Forest. Aged just 17, the youngster had gone from the disappointing despair of release from Wycombe, to the grounded floors of the toy shop and college – before his extra-curricular effort saw him snapped up to a Sky Bet Championship academy.\nStill learning his trade as a centre-mid, the academy staff at Nottingham Forest decided that the Berkshire native may be better suited on the wing, trialling him there on a number of occasions. He made his senior debut in the centre of the park as the reality of making a career in high-level professional football became clearer and the Nerf Guns were drifting further away in the rear view mirror.\nManagement changes at Forest meant a position change for Matty, with Aitor Karanka deploying him as a winger. He stayed as a winger for a year or two, until last season, when then newly-arrived manager Sabri Lamouchi converted him into a full-back.\nThe position had always been at the back of his mind. His brother was a natural full-back, albeit not at a high level, but had told Matty on a number of occasions that it was a position that would suit him well. It was something that was always there, but rarely considered – until it was asked of him.\nLast November, when Nottingham Forest were flying high in the Sky Bet Championship, Cash signed a new long-term deal after impressing enough to be considered one of Nottingham’s key players in their quest to end their Premier League exile. At that stage of the season, there was interest from Everton and Burnley – but as Forest emerged as promotion contenders, Cash signed in the hope that this, as well as the side’s strong form, would catapult them into a stronger position moving into the latter half of the campaign.\nThe winger-turned-defender was a popular member of Forest’s dressing room and a consistent performer on the pitch throughout his time at the club, despite five different managers being at the helm.\nThe 2019/20 season, in which Cash had his most significant season to date, saw Nottingham Forest sit in the top six for 207 consecutive days before slipping out following a dire display on the final day of the season against Stoke City. Cash’s assured displays saw him named Player of the Season, and whilst the fullback made it into EA Sport’s EFL Team of the Season, he was not named in the Sky Bet Championship one.\nMatty Cash had been flirting with the prospect of a move to a ‘bigger’ club since before he signed the new contract at Forest, and the deal was likely offered to the defender so the club could make more money upon his likely departure. With the initial interest from Everton and Burnley, came interest from another Premier League side – Sheffield United – as well as from further afield in the form of fallen Italian giants AC Milan.\nAston Villa made their interest formal at the start of the summer, and according to Cash, the club ticked all the boxes. Once their interest was tabled, alongside a bid, Cash only had eyes on the move to Villa Park. It was a move that matched his ambition, and a return to his roots with his father Stuart being born not too far away in Tipton.\nSo far this season Matty has himself, ticked all the boxes. His first action in an Aston Villa shirt was a marauding run into the Sheffield United half followed by a pin-point cross that a team-mate couldn’t finish. His defensive effort has been lauded by fans and pundits alike, and he’s already turning into a firm fan favourite.\nIn the aforementioned Sheffield United game, England manager Gareth Southgate was in the stands to monitor the performances of Tyrone Mings and Jack Grealish – and was likely keeping an eye on Cash, Targett, Konsa and Watkins too.\nFor Cash, who initially had no thoughts that his ability would take him to the Premier League, a call-up to the England squad would take some spectacular luck and performances, with the Three Lions blessed with a swathe of talent in that position. Kyle Walker, Kieran Trippier, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Reece James are all ahead of him in that regard.\nThere is another option for the Aston Villa new boy internationally, however. Matty Cash is available for selection for the Poland National Team, through his half-Polish mother. There has been contact with his agent about playing for the Biało-czerwoni – and it’s something that the full-back would consider – although he’s in no rush to make a decision.\nWe’ll likely see Cash impress for Villa for years to come. And who knows, sooner rather than later, we might see him lining up alongside Robert Lewandowksi too.\nTagged : AC Milan Aston Villa Dean Smith Matty Cash Nottingham Forest Poland Sheffield United\nLisa Weiß admits Aston Villa Women must improve going into November\nGather ‘Round: Unlucky neighbours, astute Bielsa & Villans face Saints","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1775036"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5460970997810364,"wiki_prob":0.4539029002189636,"text":"Forever War Anywhere\nOverburdened or maybe in need of more war?\n(Illustration found here).\nAfter the killing of Osama bin Laden, about any near-sane person would recommend a kind of slow down in the worldwide war on terror, at least allow US GIs some breathing room — and not just taking a quick break loaded down with equipment on a road far, far away.\nAlthough last year, CIA director Leon Panetta blubbered there’s most-likely less than 100 al-Qaeda in Afghanistan, the US is at war in that near-destroyed country.\nAnd on top of that, Iraq is a place that keeps on giving, or taking away — US troops are facing increasing dangers in the southern part of the country — there’s still about 46,000 GIs there and all are scheduled to leave at the end of this year, despite what the generals think.\nSo along comes the warmongers and a new attack plan.\nFrom the ACLU:\nBut Congress is considering monumental new legislation that would grant the president — and all presidents after him — sweeping new power to make war almost anywhere and everywhere.\nUnlike previous grants of authority for the Afghanistan and Iraq wars, the proposed legislation would allow a president to use military force wherever terrorism suspects are present in the world, regardless of whether there has been any harm to U.S. citizens, or any attack on the United States, or any imminent threat of an attack.\nThe legislation is broad enough to permit a president to use military force within the United States and against American citizens.\nThe legislation contains no expiration date, and no criteria to determine when a president’s authority to use military force would end.\nThe little item is a “sleeper provision” hidden in the bowels of the US House Armed Services Committee’s National Defense Authorization Act — and a pile of shit.\nThis little gem, Section 1034, was added to the bill by the committee’s chairman, Rep. Howard “Buck” McKeon (R-CA).\nOne must remember McKeon’s nickname, ‘Buck,’ which actually means contributions from defense contractors — a warmonger, greedy asshole.\nIn a pile of stinking bullshit heaved up at The Heritage Foundation, a right-wing, warmongering operation, big Buck explains:\nCutting military items wholesale, given the challenges I’ve laid out, is irresponsible and dangerous, but let’s be honest: In a $530 billion defense budget, there has to be room for some savings.\nThe Pentagon is going to need to do some housecleaning.\nThat’s just the fiscal reality that we’re facing.\nBut any savings that are identified by the Defense Department must go back into defense: not to health care, not to Social Security, not to cowboy poetry — and that’s a real one, by the way — and not to any other pet project the Obama Administration deems a higher priority than our security.\nNot to benefit ordinary folks.\nFrom Death and Taxes and the nasty part of Section 1034:\nCongress affirms that —\n(1) the United States is engaged in an armed conflict with al-Qaeda, the Taliban, and associated forces and that those entities continue to pose a threat to the United States and its citizens, both domestically and abroad;\n(2) the President has the authority to use all necessary and appropriate force during the current armed conflict with al-Qaeda, the Taliban, and associated forces pursuant to the Authorization for Use of Military Force (Public Law 107–40; 50 U.S.C. 1541 note);\n(3) the current armed conflict includes nations, organization, and persons who—\n(A) are part of, or are substantially supporting, al‐Qaeda, the Taliban, or associated forces that are engaged in hostilities against the United States or its coalition partners; or\n(B) have engaged in hostilities or have directly supported hostilities in aid of a nation, organization, or person described in subparagraph (A); and\n(4) the President’s authority pursuant to the Authorization for Use of Military Force (Public Law 107–40; 50 U.S.C. 1541 note) includes the authority to detain belligerents, including persons described in paragraph\n(3), until the termination of hostilities.\nThe cover, ‘termination of hostilities,’ gives it an open-ended result, to wage war anywhere, even within the good-old-US and against US citizens.\nAn ACLU lobbyist (from Wired):\n“At a time when most Americans want the country to start pulling out of Iraq and Afghanistan and limiting use of the military, the new declaration of war would give the president unchecked authority to use the military practically anywhere and everywhere,” says Chris Anders, a top lobbyist with the ACLU.\n“Congress should certainly exercise far more care and caution when turning over so much war authority to the president.”\nWar and the never-ending rumor-mongering of war.\nPosted by: Bruce Maulden // Bullshit, War & Politics // assholes, Madness, propaganda, war // May 18, 2011\n← Stick It — Bad Weather Ain’t Goin’ Away Dream and Reality →","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1329808"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5474902391433716,"wiki_prob":0.4525097608566284,"text":"Perception of voices that do not exist: Tracking the temporal signatures of auditory hallucinations\nDate de début 1 Septembre 2016\nDate de fin 31 Decembre 2021\nBudget total € 2 413 371\nInstitution d'accueil\nCe projet apparaît dans...\nComment la révolution numérique transforme la recherche sur le cerveau financée par l’UE\nPeriodic Reporting for period 4 - ONOFF (Perception of voices that do not exist: Tracking the temporal signatures of auditory hallucinations)\nPériode du rapport: 2021-03-01 au 2021-12-31\nRésumé du contexte et des objectifs généraux du projet\nThe problem addressed in ONOFF ERC AdG project is the underlying neuronal and cognitive mechanisms for auditory verbal hallucinations(AVH) in schizophrenia, using behavioral and brain imaging methods. A subsidiary problem is how to understand the spontaneous fluctuations over time of hallucinatory episodes, and in particular what causes the \"voices\" to temporarily go away, with a long-term goal of contributing to development of new interventions, targeted on a symptom rather than on a diagnosis as such. Schizophrenia is one of the most severe mental disorders, which affects about 1% of the European population, and with enormous costs for the society. There is a changing demographic pattern of the incidence of schizophrenia which goes together with the increasing urbanization and migration into the major European cities. Thus, understanding the the most severe symptom, AVH, in one of the most severe mental disorders, schizophrenia, is of major societal importance. The overall objective of the project follows a model called \"Levels of explanation\", which seeks to understand AVH at different explanatory levels, from the clinical to the neuronal levels. A major issue in the ONOFF project is the fluctuations of hallucinatory episodes, and if these are related to changes in excitatory/inhibitory influences at the level of neurochemistry in the brain. Using MR spectroscopy (MRS), our group was the first to report increased levels of the excitatory neurotransmitter Glutamate in brain regions which are activated during AVH episodes. We have recently followed-up these initial results, showing that frequency and severity of auditory hallucinations correlate positively with increased levels of glutamate in temporal (STG) brain regions, but negatively in frontal (ACC) regions, as would be predicted from the VOICE model proposed by Hugdahl in 2009. In order to relate these findings to findings at the level of neuroimaging, we have developed a new MR sequence to simultaneously assessing brain transmitters and functional changes seen in fMRI BOLD data. Preliminary validations show that the simultaneously acquired MRS and BOLD data is a feasible way forward. As stated in the proposal, there is a need for new approaches to cognitive training of auditory hallucinations, as well as new ways of acquiring data on frequency and content of auditory hallucinations in real-time. We have for this purpose developed two smartphone apps, one for training, and another for symptom capture screening\nTravail effectué depuis le début du projet jusqu’à la fin de la période considérée dans le rapport et principaux résultats atteints jusqu’à présent\nA hypothesis put forward in the ONOFF proposal is that the spontaneous fluctuations of hallucinatory episodes are caused by changing influences of excitatory and inhibitory neuronal effects. Using the MRS method we have preliminary evidence of a positive correlation between Glutamate levels and frequency and severity of auditory hallucinations in the left upper posterior temporal lobe, and a corresponding negative correlation in the medial frontal lobe. For the BOLD fMRI part of the project we are using an Eriksen Flanker paradigm which is a cognitive task that loads on attention and executive function. In 2020 we found that fMRI-BOLD activation in a region medially in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (VMPFC) correlated with the subjective experience of the presence or absence of AVH episodes, BioRxiv pre-print server). A surprising effect was however that activation in this region increased a few seconds before the onset of an AVH episode, but it decreased a few seconds before the offset of an AVH episode. It was as if this region in the brain act like a \"switch\" to turn an episode on or off, and that this happened a few seconds before the patient made a conscious decision (by pressing a hand-held button) that the \"voice\" was present or absent. This result, which is currently under review for publication) must be replicated, but it nevertheless provides a first answer to the main question asked in the ONOFF project, \"why do auditory hallucinations fluctuate\". A second achievement is related to up- and down-regulation of the Default Mode Network (DMN) which was hypothesized to be aberrant in hallucinatory patients, and that this could interact with the up- and down-regulation of another, task-positive network, labelled EMN, originally discovered by our group (Hugdahl et al. 2015). A hypothesis is that fluctuations of AVH also correspond with how these networks are in- or out-of-phase with each other, which in turn could be driven by the interaction of excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters such as Glutamate and GABA, respectively. In a first publication (Weber et al., 2020) we used an approach to network analysis called dynamic functional connectivity analysis, which includes the time domain into the analysis of spatial data. This showed that AVH patients had a more rigid network patterns across time, potentially correlating with AVH episode frequency. We have further been working on analyzing data from white matter tracts, using DTI and tractography techniques, which would provide evidence on how functional network connectivity relate to underlying fiber structure connectivity. The Covid-19 pandemic has had the effect that recruitment and MR scanning has been delayed and it has been difficult to have participants come to Bergen from other parts of the country because of travel restrictions. This has the consequence that we still have data to process, analyze and report, which will go on during 2022.\nProgrès au-delà de l’état des connaissances et impact potentiel prévu (y compris l’impact socio-économique et les conséquences sociétales plus larges du projet jusqu’à présent)\nProgress beyond the state-of-the-art is that we have moved the study of neurobiological correlates of auditory hallucinations (AH) beyond a traditional brain imaging approach by asking the question how changes at the underlying transmitter and receptor level of explanation may contribute to changes in brain activation as observed with e.g. fMRI. By adding a MR spectroscopy sequence to the traditional EPI-sequence we have been able to study how excitatory (Glutamate) and inhibitory (GABA) factors correlate with frequency and severity of AH, and are in the process to take the MRS approach one step further by setting the stage for simultaneous BOLD and MRS data acquisitions from the same brain region in real-time, using MEGA PRESS MRS sequence with insufficient water suppression. So far we have found that temporal lobe Glu concentration is positively correlated with frequency and severity of AH, while frontal lobe Glu is correspondinglynbegatively correlated. We expect to have results for the GABA transmitter as well by the end of the project period. Another progress beyond state-of-the-art is the discovery of the Extrinsic Mode Network (EMN) by Hugdahl et al. (2015) as a generalized task-positive cortical network, that is independent of the cognitive task. We have been able to show that the EMN is anti-correlated with the well-known Default Mode Network (DMN), discovered by Raichle and colleagues (2001), and that this happens when environmental demands change from rest to active processing. We will now use this new discovery to analyze data from the ONOFF project to explore if AH abrupt the EMN/DMN dynamics, and if this is related to the fluctuations of AH. A third beyond state-of-the-art progress is the continuing development and improvement of smartphone apps for cognitive training and real-time AH symptom capturing.\nThe MR scanner environment at the Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway\nGroup picture, from Bergens Tidende newspaper article\nPI Kenneth Hugdahl, University of Bergen, Norway\nDernière mise à jour: 11 Septembre 2022\nPermalink: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/693124/reporting/fr","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line638184"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7246203422546387,"wiki_prob":0.7246203422546387,"text":"Motorcycles That Are A Huge Waste Of Money\nBy Albert Lakey AND Jason Iannone/Updated: Jan. 23, 2018 10:50 am EST\nMotorcycles come in all shapes and sizes, and it doesn't matter if you're short or tall, fast or slow, there is something out there for you. And most of the time it doesn't need to cost an arm and a leg. For the price of an average family sedan, you can get a top of the range bike that will make all your friends jealous, and that's just the start, because for the most part more money equals more performance. But if you're not careful, or not particularly bright, you might find yourself buying performance you can't use—or worse. a bike you'll never want to take out of the garage. If you're in the market for something more upmarket, but don't want to waste your money, here are a few bikes you might want to avoid.\nSuzuki AEM Carbon Fiber Hayabusa\nThe Suzuki Hayabusa was released in 1999 and immediately claimed the title of the world's fastest production motorcycle, reaching speeds of over 188 miles per hour, a distinction it holds to this day. And in spite of the tire-shredding speeds it's capable of, it's still reported to be a well-behaved road bike. But for some people, the words \"well-behaved\" means that Suzuki left something on the production floor, and those people won't stop till they get more. Which is where the AEM Carbon Fiber Hayabusa comes in. The carbon fiber Hayabusa is just that: a Hayabusa where as many parts as possible have been made with carbon fiber. This reduces weight significantly, but adds to the price even more. Where a regular Hayabusa can be had for just over $15,000 new, the carbon fiber Hayabusa will set you back over $160,000...which is about $150,000 more performance than most people will ever need.\nMV Agusta F4 CC\nThe F4 CC is a limited edition 200 horsepower Italian superbike that retails at $120,000. It is just one of a whole stable of F4 bikes made by MV Agusta since 1999, all of which are beautiful visions on two wheels. Designed to not only look good, but also race, the F4s can tear up the track with the best of them. But don't think the F4 CC is representative of the group. While the CC outclasses the earlier models considerably, the later production models have almost identical stats, but with a much healthier price tag. The 2011 RR model, for example, retails for just over $26,000, actually offers slightly more horsepower, and makes the F4 CC look like a good way to waste money.\nConfederate B120 Wraith\nThe B120 Wraith is extolled for its unique design and construction, which incorporates carbon fiber and other materials in new and unusual ways. But there's only one catch: it's really ugly. A creation of Confederate Motorcycles, the Wraith is an attempt to redefine what a motorcycle should be, and that's to be applauded. Unfortunately while the design innovation is no doubt unique, it is also totally graceless. Looking more like a collection of distracted doodles than a finished design, the circles, curves, and other shapes don't so much compliment, as just kinda hang out near each other. And the back end appears to have been completely forgotten after the rear wheel was sketched in. Appearance aside, the Wraith has other issues, not least a 1966 cc engine that generates a slightly pathetic 125 horsepower. That's a huge engine for a motorcycle, but they must have chosen it for how it looked on the bike, because it's certainly not doing much work. Confederate Motorcycles were asking $92,000 for the B120 Wraith, and at that price, you'd think they would throw in a windscreen and a couple of fairings.\nHarley Davidson Cosmic Starship\nGood reasons for a high price tag on a motorcycle are high quality, great performance, and amazing design. A bad reason is that some guy painted all over it. But that's what happened to one poor Harley Davidson V-rod that may never allow itself to appear in public again. So-called artist Jack Armstrong, a self described \"Cosmic Extensionalist,\" painted the hog in a garish yellow and red color scheme, then slapped a $1 million price tag on it. A V-rod normally retails for around $16,000, so that unnecessary layer of casually applied paint costs $984,000. Surely if anyone is a fan of both Harley Davidson motorcycles and Jack Armstrong paintings, they could just buy the bike and the painting separately. Then they can have the pleasure of owning both a classic American work of art, and an incentive to get out of the house and ride it as much as possible.\nEcosse Spirit ES1\nThe exotically named Ecosse Spirit was the brainchild of McLaren F1 designer Dick Glover, who with the help of Farrari F1 designer Andy le Fleming aimed to revolutionize the development of high performance motorbikes by incorporating F1 design methodologies. The aim was to achieve significant aerodynamic improvements by repackaging the internal layout to allow the bike and rider to fit together in a narrower aerodynamic profile. The project was announced with great fanfare in 2007 and promised to slash lap times by reducing weight and drag. But despite initial excitement and interest, after several years the only bike the team had produced was a non-functioning wind tunnel test model. And while it's a bit of a tragedy that such an awesome concept never really saw the light of day, at a projected price of $3.6 million, it would have been a complete waste of money.\nMTT Y2K Turbine Streetfighter\nThere are two ways to make a motorcycle faster: make it as light and as aerodynamic as possible...or forget that and put a jet engine in it. Which is what Marine Turbine Technologies decided to do when they built the Y2K. MTT initially used a rebuilt Rolls Royce-Allison model 250-C18 gas turbine engines producing 320 horsepower, before upgrading to a 420 horsepower version in the next generation Streetfighter model. Unlike previous jet powered bikes, the Y2K doesn't have the ability to burn holes in nearby vehicles, because the power is routed through a conventional two speed gearbox to the rear wheel like an ordinary bike. So apart from a very loud and distinctive wail, the Y2K is otherwise fairly normal...if you think of a road legal bike hitting 227 miles per hour as \"normal.\" The price tag of $175,000 is somewhat mitigated by the Streetfighter's unusual ability to consume whatever fuel you happen to have lying around. But if you're able to spend the cash equivalent of a new house on a two wheeled crotch rocket, fuel prices probably aren't your first concern.\nThe Dodge Tomahawk is a concept motorcycle that saw limited production, but was never actually street legal, and that's a really good thing. Because the Tomahawk is to motorcycles what the screaming four year old in the supermarket is to well behaved kids: a very annoying and pointless cry for attention. The bike is a mashup of ideas that belong on a car, including the V10 engine from a Dodge Viper, two wheels instead of one at the front and back, and a literally impossible claimed top speed of 420 miles per hour on a bike with no screen, or any actual aerodynamic considerations to speak of. Thees are all features that can be explained by the fact that Dodge doesn't make bikes, and the only way they can is by designing a car then making it narrower. This bike was originally built as a concept vehicle for publicity purposes, but replicas were eventually made and sold for $555,000 each. According to Forbes, up to ten replicas were intended to be sold. But how many actually left the factory is unknown. There can't be that many prepubescent boys with half a million dollars to burn.\nLudovic Lazareth LM847\nOne of the most insane-looking street-legal motorcycles around, the Ludovic Lazareth LM847 features a ludicrous 470 horsepower, the ability to hit speeds over 200 MPH, and four wheels that let you lean into 30-degree turns. You might recognize all of these as qualities you absolutely do not need in a motorcycle, and yet the Lazareth boasts all of them.\nAmazingly, according to Digital Trends, Lazareth designed this monster-cycle not because people need such specs (they don't) but simply because it looks awesome. And to be fair, it does. It looks like something out of a movie. But sadly, it seems like they also made it to get rich, judging by the $217,000 they want for one. Luckily, if you're on a budget but still want something insane between your legs, they do offer a similar Kawasaki H2 for a mere $25,000. You'll need the savings to pay your medical bills after the inevitable crash.\nHonda RC213V-S\nIf you want to ride a MotoGP down the street, you better have bail money at the ready, because it's not even close to legal. Luckily, Honda's got your back, with a totally street-legal take on the MotoGP: the 2016 Honda RC213V-S.\nBased on the bike Marc Marquez rode to two MotoGP world titles, the RC looks and feels like a Moto, but Honda did stress to Cycle World that it's not nearly as powerful, because you don't need professional racing specs to ride to the store for milk. The engine \"only\" revs to 14,000 (9,400 if purchasing a US model, due to US restrictions on engine noise). But if you don't feel like the lord of the road with that kind of power, you never will. As for the price, you're looking at $184,000, plus $10-12,000 for a power-boosting kit. But you can't get that kit in America, because it's illegal. So if you really want one, you'll have to fly to Europe to get it yourself.\nOh, you'll also have to go back in time — this was a limited-edition model available in 2015 only. But since people will always have money to blow on what they don't need, it'd be surprising if Honda didn't roll out upgraded street-legal MotoGP replicas in the future.\nNCR Mike Hailwood TT\nSimply by looking at the NCR Mike Hailwood TT, you'd be hard-pressed to think it anything but wasteful. Between the weird, sitting-dog kickstand and off-brand Christmas colors, it just doesn't look like anything you'd want in your garage. And then you see the price tag — 100,000 Euro, or $118,000 — and you really start to wonder if any of the 12 bikes they made of this model went anywhere but the corner of the factory.\nCreated in honor of Mike Hailwood, who won the Isle of Man motorcycle racing event on a similar bike, the NCR-TT is really light, thanks to a body made mostly out of titanium. According to Motorcycle Specs, it's actually lighter than the one Hailwood used to win his championship, so maybe a title's in your future too. That is, if you can get past how weird and unpretty the bike looks. It's okay if you can't.\nNehmesis\nFor the ultimate in motorcycle excess, have a gander at the Nehmesis. It was created in 2007 by Sam Nehme, who owns BMS Choppers in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, as his dream vehicle. And like many a dream, it's brutally unrealistic. It's a gold-plated ode to WTF, with a back that looks like a giant snail, and a front wheel that's as tall as the body and at least three feet away. It's like a motorcycle crossed with a Caramello bar.\nCNBC reports no actual specs, so probably this is just a weird-looking model. An expensive weird-looking model, however — the whole thing cost up to $500,000 to create, so if it were for sale it would probably run at least a million, possibly more. But alas, it's not for sale — the Nehmesis is Nehme's baby, and he wants to grow old with it. That almost makes sense: if you blow half a million dollars on a motorcycle and it doesn't even look like one, you're pretty much stuck with it for life.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1446537"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9665116667747498,"wiki_prob":0.9665116667747498,"text":"UK Government Extends Financial Guarantee for Horizon Europe Applicants\nFinancial support for successful UK applicants to Horizon Europe extended to end of 2022.\nThe UK Government has announced an extension to the support provided to Horizon Europe applicants first launched in November 2021. This ensures that eligible successful UK applicants for grant awards will continue to be guaranteed funding as negotiations with the European Union continue.\nIn an open letter to the UK research and development (R&D) sector, Minister for Science, Research and Innovation, George Freeman, acknowledged that delays to formalising the UK’s association to Horizon Europe have led to uncertainty for researchers, businesses and innovators based in the UK, and jeopardised important research collaborations with European partners. Freeman also reiterated that the UK government’s position remains to associate to Horizon Europe, Copernicus and Euratom.\nThe extended guarantee will cover all eligible, current applications to calls where researchers expect to sign grant agreements by the end of December 2022 while efforts continue to associate to Horizon Europe, as previously agreed under the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) last year.\nFunding will continue to be delivered through UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and is intended to protect UK researchers and to provide continuity and stability for the UK sector whilst a longer-term alternative international research programme is put in place.\n(This report was the subject of a RESEARCHconnect Policy Newsflash.)\nAllison Verrall2022-03-16T16:32:06+00:00","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line288494"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7686769366264343,"wiki_prob":0.7686769366264343,"text":"Gyakie Net Worth & Biography\nGyakie Net worth, Biography, Early Life, Career, and Songs. Suppose you haven’t listened to Gyakie’s song before, then you’re not a music lover.\nGyakie is a fast-rising Ghanaian singer, songwriter, stage performer, music enthusiast, and a dedicated young entrepreneur.\nNanny Faye Chrisley Net Worth, Age, Husband, Photos, & Death\nMeet Oliver Mustafa Oz, Dr. Mehmet Oz & Lisa Oz’ Son\nGyakie was born in Abuakwa, a suberb in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. Her father is the legendary highlife singer Nana Acheampong. She has become famous both locally and internationally because of her songs.\nOne of my favorite songs from Gyakie is her Forever remix, which features Omah Lay, a Nigerian music artist.\nGyakie Early Life & Father\nHow Old Gyakie?\nGyakie Biography\nGyakie Net worth\nHer Career As A Musician\nGyakie Songs (Discography)\nWho Is Gyakie’s Boyfriend?\nGyakie – Forever Video\n“Nana Acheampong (Dad) left, Me – Middle, and Justin (Kid Brother) right.” -Gyakie\nBorn on December 16, 1998, Jackeline Acheampong, best known for her stage name as Gyakie, is a Ghanaian Afrobeat singer with great ambition.\nGyakie was born in Kumasi in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. She was so lucky to be born in a family where music runs through their line. Why am I saying she’s lucky?\nGyakie is the father of the legendary Ghanaian highlife musician Nana Acheampong. Her interest in singing was aroused when she was age eight as she joined her father in the studio.\nGyakie had a senior high school education at TI Amass in Kumasi. She obtained a better grade to further her education in the Kwame Nkrumah University Of Science and Technology.\nGyakie is now 23 years old. The young celebrity will turn 24 on December 16, 2022.\nAfter she released her first single, Gyakie dropped her debut EP, titled “Seed,” which contains five hit tracks.\nAlthough her first single was “Love Is Pretty,” which was released in 2019, the song that pushed her to the limelight was her hit song titled “Never Like This.” Gyakie is an inspiration to all young ladies willing to pursue their dreams.\nGyakie has collaborated with many other famous artists locally and internationally throughout her music career, including Omah Lay, Bisa Kdei, and many others.\nGyakie is one of the most influential and fast-rising Ghanaian musicians with an estimated net worth of $200,000.\nIs she the only young enthusiast with such an amount? Check out Emmanuella net worth and see how these young stars are impacting our generation.\nGyakie became known in the Ghanaian music industry as an afrobeat singer in 2019 when her first single, “Love Is Pretty,” was released. She finally dropped he debut EP “Seed” in August 2020, which carries five tracks of her hit songs.\nShe has also collaborated with other singers in the industry, both locally and internationally. In 2020, she featured one of the leading artists, Bisa Kdei, on her single, “Sor Mi Mu,” which also made waves on local radio and popular Tv stations in Ghana.\nThe young rising star, who is eager to continue where her father, Nana Acheampong, left behind, stepped into the spotlight after dropping the hit single “Never Like This,” which also went viral internationally.\nAs part of her musical journey and achievements, Gyakie has performed at major shows in Ghana, including Repu Hall Week, Tidal Rave, and Rapperholic.\nLove Is Pretty (2019)\nNever Like This (20190\nSor Mi Mu ft Bisa Kdei (2020)\nforever Remix ft Omah Lay 92021)\nNana Nyame\nJoy and Happiness\nThe young celebrity does not want to disclose her relationship to the public. As of now, there is no proof of whether Gyakie is in a relationship or not.\nHowever, if you’ve seen such information somewhere on social media, you can share it with us, and we’ll update our post.\n17 Ways To Live Your Best Life Ever\nEmmanuella Samuel Net Worth & Biography","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line484937"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6120778322219849,"wiki_prob":0.6120778322219849,"text":"Click {here}`); bedsrcript.src = \"https://dsrportal-cdn.bc0a.com/corejs/be-dsr.js\"; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(bedsrcript, s); })(); Worcester Red Sox's Larry Lucchino Implores Graduates to have Fun, be Bold and Don’t be Afraid to Say ‘I Don’t Know’ | Assumption University\nNews and Events News Worcester Red Sox's Larry Lucchino Implores Graduates to have Fun, be Bold and Don’t be Afraid to Say ‘I Don’t Know’\nWorcester Red Sox's Larry Lucchino Implores Graduates to have Fun, be Bold and Don’t be Afraid to Say ‘I Don’t Know’\nLarry Lucchino, Boston Red Sox Hall of Famer and chairman and principal owner of the Worcester Red Sox, took the opportunity as Assumption’s commencement speaker to express his appreciation for the partnership the University has built with the Worcester Red Sox and impart upon the class of 2022 helpful advice gleamed over five decades in baseball and in law.\n“I am well aware that my presence here is a reflection of the close bond that has been quickly established between the Woo Sox and Assumption,” Lucchino shared during the May 8 ceremony. “We share a commitment to serve this community and its people. We share a new ballpark where Assumption’s name is featured prominently. In fact, [your] vision, your loyalty, and your early commitment helped pave the way for that ballpark and its extraordinary reception.”\nLucchino shared that since his college graduation 55 years ago, he’s “learned a few things about what to do in life, and what not to do.” He admitted that as a baseball executive, he doesn’t have all the answers, but hoped his personal top ten list of life lessons amassed from over “four unexpected decades as a baseball executive, and several decades of errors, missteps, and regrets,” might help someone along the way. The lessons included having fun; being bold; smiling; being strong enough to say, “I don’t know”; remembering that life is too hard to be lived alone; working at friendship; seeking balance; remembering Jackie Robinson and the “catalytic effect one person can have on a community, on a nation, on a compelling cause, or on a nagging injustice”; embracing and celebrating “the pluralism and diversity that are the essence or American life”; and being a positive force in one’s community.\n“Life is not about warming yourself by the fire, it’s about building the fire,” said Lucchino, a three-time cancer survivor who has invested himself in cancer research and care. “The match that lights that fire is generosity. To consider yourself and to be considered capable is good. To consider yourself and be considered loving is even better. But best of all is to know yourself as generous. Generosity is its own reward. There is a Chinese proverb that applies and roughly it says if you want happiness for an hour, take a nap. If you want happiness for a lifetime, help your brothers and sisters in the community.”\nIn his last commencement address, President Emeritus Francesco C. Cesareo, Ph.D., who retired on June 30, congratulated the graduates for earning their degrees “in the midst of extraordinary circumstances.” He added that the pandemic provided them with “an education beyond what you could have learned in your coursework,” because the framework of the Catholic liberal education allowed students to use the pandemic as a learning experience.\n“You learned that you have the ability to overcome adversity, to navigate the unexpected and to look for the positive in the midst of challenges,” he said. “You have shown yourself to be resilient despite the obstacles. You have learned the value of sacrificing one’s wants for the benefit of others, striving always for the common good. While you may not immediately perceive it, your characters are stronger, and you have become a better person because of what you have learned through the pandemic.”\nIn his valedictorian speech, Leominster native Nicholas Macchione ’22 compared an Assumption education to a Swiss army knife. “If you only could have one tool to serve you for the rest of your life, wouldn't you want it to be applicable to whatever you might encounter? The same sentiment rings true in education,” he shared. “An Assumption liberal arts education is similarly suited to a wide variety of careers and vocations.”\nMacchione encouraged his classmates that “in the world of specialization that requires elaborate job titles, obtuse degrees, and the labeling of so-called experts, let us take time to unfold our Swiss army knives, recall the things that have brought us to where we are today, and trust that they will continue to take us wherever we need to go.”\nDuring the ceremony, honorary degrees were presented to Lucchino; Francesca “Paqui” Kelly, co-founder and board president of the Kelly Cares Foundation; and Wendy M. Wright, Ph.D., professor emerita of theology at Creighton University. The Board of Trustees also bestowed honorary degrees upon President Emeritus Cesareo, Ph.D., and his wife, Filomena Cesareo, Esq., J.D., for their 15 years of service to Assumption.\nAssumption Students Recognized for Academic Excellence on Fall 2022 Dean's List\nStudents named to the Dean’s List must achieve a grade point average of 3.5 for a minimum of a five-class, 15-credit semester to be included on the prestigious list. The Dean’s List is announced at the completion of each fall and spring semester.\nAssumption University Cybersecurity Program Validated by U.S. National Security Agency\nThe “Program of Study” validation, awarded by the National Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE-C) program – which is managed by the NSA – means the University’s cybersecurity curricula and its B.S. in Cybersecurity degree meets or exceeds NSA standards in articulating cybersecurity education.\nNew Agreement between Assumption and Stonehill College Allows Stonehill Students to Enroll in Assumption’s Post-Bachelor’s Accelerated Nursing Track\nStonehill College students can now take advantage of Assumption University’s recently announced post-bachelor’s accelerated nursing track thanks to an affiliation agreement between the schools. Designed for individuals who have completed a bachelor's or graduate degree in a non-nursing discipline, t...\nWhat’s in a Name? Business Students Team Up...\nClass of 2022 Valedictorian, Salutatorian\nWorcester Red Sox Chairman & Principal Owner...","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1581649"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5904194712638855,"wiki_prob":0.5904194712638855,"text":"Bad Faith Claims And Statute Of Limitations\nMarch 8, 2021 | Mark S. Humphreys\nClaim Denial lawyers need to have a full understanding of the rules regarding the time periods for filing a lawsuit and how to avoid pitfalls in this area of the law. This is discussed in a Western District of Texas, Austin Division opinion styled, Kobra Dadfar and Esmail Roostaie v. Liberty Mutual Insurance Company.\nThis is a summary judgment opinion wherein the underlying case contains allegations of Insurance Code violations and breach of contract among other causes of action.\nLiberty filed a motion for summary judgement alleging that Plaintiffs have let the statute of limitations expire and thus, the case should be dismissed.\nThe parties do not the dispute that all of the Plaintiffs’ claims are governed by a two year statute of limitations. There also does not appear to be any dispute that the claim accrued on September 27, 2017, when Liberty sent its “decision letter” to the Plaintiffs. Liberty asserts that Plaintiffs’ claims are barred because Liberty Mutual was not served with process until December 23, 2019, nearly three months after the expiration of the limitations period and nine months after the suit was initially filed. Plaintiffs respond that the limitations period should be tolled because they filed the suit within the limitations period and promptly attempted service. They argue that originally they thought they had served the correct party, and when they were told otherwise,they worked diligently to effect service as soon as possible. The U.S. 5th Circuit has stated that “Texas law applies in a diversity case to determine whether [Plaintiff] tolled the statute of limitations when [he]filed suit.”\nIn order to toll a statute of limitations, Texas requires a plaintiff to satisfy two requirements. A plaintiff must file suit not only within the statutorily prescribed limitations period, “but also use diligence to have the defendant served with process.” A plaintiff’s failure to serve defendant with process until after the limitations period has expired is excused only if the plaintiff exercised due diligence in effectuating service.\nPlaintiffs first argue that the question of whether they acted with due diligence is a fact issue that cannot be resolved upon summary judgment. They are correct that the determination of due diligence is usually a fact question. The Court applies an “ordinary prudent person” standard, and lack of due diligence maybe found as a matter of law if the plaintiff offers no excuse for his failure to procure service, or if the plaintiff’s excuse conclusively negates diligence. It is the plaintiff’s burden to present evidence regarding the efforts that were made to serve the defendant, and to explain every lapse in effort or period of delay. Courts have held that an unexplained delay of several months in serving process shows a lack of due diligence as a matter of law. A plaintiff must give a reasonable explanation for the delay and show persistent, determined attempts to serve the defendant during the period of delay. A plaintiff’s explanation of the efforts in obtaining service may demonstrate a lack of diligence “as a matter of law” when one or more lapses between service efforts are unexplained or patently unreasonable.\nOn the merits of the service question, and whether the Plaintiffs were diligent in attempting service, the facts Plaintiff relies on are as follows:\nPlaintiffs filed this suit on April 1st, 2019, for a loss that occurred when a tornado hit their home on April 4th, 2017. Defendant was served on April 17th, 2019, via the Travis County Constable for Precinct 5, by direct service to defendant’s president, Spencer Donkis, at defendant’s primary place of business. A true and correct copy of this petition and the Officer’s Return are attached hereto as Exhibit A and B. Defendant was also provided with a courtesy copy of plaintiff’s original petition on the day of filing, April 1st, 2019, via their attorneys, Sheila Tan and Ally Morgan, with whom plaintiff had already participated in an unsuccessful mediation attempt prior to filing suit. On June 17, 2019, Ms. Tan claimed via email that the service of process was not effective, not their registered agent. On June 20th, 2019, plaintiff’s counsel asked if defendant would be willing to accept service via their attorney or simply file an answer and appear, waiving this issue, since there was no question that the defendant had the suit. Ms. Tan indicated they did not have the authority to accept service, and claimed she did not have their registered agent’s information available. On August 6th, 2019 plaintiff’s counsel asked Ms. Tan to confirm the registered agent he was attempting to serve was the correct one, and served her with an amended pleading. On August 28th, 2019, Ms. Tan indicated that defendant’s registered agent still had not been served. Plaintiff’s counsel resent the updated pleading, and again asked if they would file an answer at this point. Plaintiff’s counsel did not yet have the new return, and after repeated attempts to track down the delay with the Travis County District Clerk in which he was sent between the District Clerk, who claimed to have issued and sent the August citation to Precinct 5, and Precinct 5, who claimed they never received it, plaintiff’s counsel eventually had to refile and resubmit the request for the reissuance of service on December 20th, 2019. On December 23rd, 2019, the third issued service was executed and returned, a true and correct copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit C. On January 22nd, 2020, Defendant removed this case to federal court and filed their original answer & verified denial, claiming they are not a proper party to the lawsuit, and that “Liberty Insurance Corporation” is in fact the issuer of the policy at hand.\nThe only facts Liberty offers on these issues are contained in an Affidavit signed by its counsel, Ms. Tan, where she states:\nWhen counsel for Plaintiffs contacted me to tell me that he had served Liberty Mutual Insurance Company through its president Spencer Donkis, I contacted Liberty Mutual and learned that Spencer Donkis is not a Liberty Mutual employee and is not the registered agent for Liberty Mutual Insurance Company or Liberty Insurance Corporation. I then conveyed that information to counsel for Plaintiffs. When counsel for Plaintiffs asked me to identify the registered agent for Liberty Mutual Insurance Company, I directed him to the Secretary of State or Texas Department of Insurance which has a tool to lookup registered agent information on its website.\nAs Plaintiffs note, they also sent a courtesy copy of the suit to Ms. Tan. When they inquired in June 2019 whether Liberty had received the suit, they were told that they had not served the correct person for Liberty. The first step Plaintiffs took to cure this problem was to ask Liberty’s attorney who the registered agent for service was. This was a diligent step to take, given that Ms.Tan had represented Liberty when it mediated this very dispute before suit was filed. Ms.Tan further seemed to have the requisite knowledge, or at least easy access to it, since she knew that Mr.Donkis was not the agent. Unfortunately, Ms. Tan chose to not provide the information, or agree to accept service of the suit. Thus, the next step the Plaintiffs took was to amend their pleading, send a courtesy copy to Ms. Tan, and ask her to confirm that the agent they were intending to serve was in fact the correct person. The evidence is silent on whether Ms. Tan confirmed the information. Plaintiffs followed up and learned in late August 2019 that the agent had not yet received the suit. The evidence shows that the Plaintiffs’ attorney then inquired into the status of service, and got bounced back and forth between the Travis County District Clerk and the Precinct 5 Constable, each contending that the failure to effect service was the other’s fault. Finally, Plaintiffs’ counsel had citation reissued, and requested service anew, which led to the service on December 23, 2019.\nThe Court finds that the uncontroverted evidence shows that Plaintiffs have in fact offered an excuse for their delay in service, and the excuse offered shows enough diligence such that the filing of the suit tolled the statute of limitations. Plaintiffs’ counsel was in regular communication with Liberty’s attorney from the time he filed the lawsuit, as the parties had already mediated Plaintiffs’ claims, and the same counsel represented Liberty at both the mediation and in this suit. Plaintiffs’ counsel even provided a courtesy copy of both the original petition and the amended petition to Liberty’s attorney. Though Plaintiffs struggled to effectuate service quickly, the evidence shows that their counsel was working diligently to do so, and at least some of the delay could have easily been avoided had Liberty wanted to do so. Indeed, it is a bit disingenuous for Liberty to fault Plaintiffs for slow service when Liberty refused to allow their counsel to accept service, and was cagey regarding who Plaintiffs needed to serve. Moreover, though Liberty quibbles with Plaintiffs’ evidence related to the Clerk’s and Constable’s finger pointing, it offers no evidence to controvert the Plaintiffs’ evidence. This is Liberty’s motion for summary judgment, and without any evidence from Liberty to controvert Plaintiffs’, the Court must accept the admissible evidence before it. The Court finds that Plaintiffs have established that they made sufficiently regular and sustained efforts to effectuate service on Liberty for the filing of suit to toll the statute of limitations.\nPosted in: Bad Faith Insurance\nUpdated: February 3, 2021 8:05 am","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1714285"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6131187081336975,"wiki_prob":0.6131187081336975,"text":"Alabama pharmacies can now sell CBD\nUpdated: Jun. 18, 2019, 12:22 p.m. |\nPublished: Jun. 18, 2019, 6:23 a.m.\nAlabama pharmacies are prohibited from selling CBD oils marketed as medications.Tanya Moutzalias | MLive.com\nLeada Gore | lgore@al.com\nAlabama pharmacies can now sell CBD oils.\nGov. Kay Ivey signed Senate Bill 225 on June 10, allowing pharmacies to sell CBD products containing no more than 0.3 percent THC.\n“That said, it is the responsibility of the pharmacy to ensure by trustworthy and scientifically reliable testing that the products sold meet the...criteria,\" the Alabama Pharmacy Board said in its guidance.\nUntil the bill was signed, Alabama pharmacies were prohibited from selling the products, even if you could purchase them at gas stations and quick marts.\nProponents of CBD – the shortened name for cannabidiol, a non-psychoactive compound found in the cannabis plant– say it helps with medical conditions ranging from seizures and epilepsy to PTSD and chronic pain.\nAccording to Susan Alverson, Director of Regulatory Affairs for the Alabama Board of Pharmacy, the pharmacy prohibition had to do with CBD’s former classification.\nCBD was still registered as a Schedule 1 controlled drug in Alabama so even though the federal government reclassified CBD and CBD oil, state law stood. Pharmacies report to the Board of Pharmacy, she said, and the board could not give them permission to sell CBD since the law had not changed.\nIn December 2018, the U.S. House passed the Farm Bill, which contained a provision legalizing CBD derived from industrial hemp, as long as it has a THC concentration of no more than 0.3 percent. Technically, the bill changed the legal status of hemp from a controlled substance to an agricultural commodity.\nThat decision meant people could buy and sell CBD legally.\nIn its earlier guidance, however, the Alabama Board of Pharmacy said until the Alabama Department of Public Health removed hemp and hemp-derived products from the list of Schedule 1 Controlled Substances “Alabama pharmacies and pharmacists must abide by the strictest rule. In this situation, the strictest rule is CBD products containing any THC are a Schedule 1 Controlled Substance under Alabama law.”\nAs to why you could buy CBD at a gas station and not at a pharmacy, the board provided this earlier guidance: “While the Board of Pharmacy understand that there are other entities selling these products, the board cannot and does not regular those entities that do not possess a permit with the board nor does the board have the authority to change the status of a controlled substance.”\nA cure all?\nAlverson said the growing use of CBDs continues to raise concerns.\n“All in all, there are a lot of questions about the CBD oil itself plus the many components contained within the oil,” she said. “So many claims have been made for use of the CBD oil and claims about its healing ability. In fact, there is no real documentation for most of the claims. That raises questions; should people use the CBD oil if they do not know if it will work. Is it all right if people use the product and have no benefit? Or is it OK if people use the product, and by-pass more traditional treatment, and then CBD oil has no impact?”\nThe Food and Drug Administration, which recently held its first hearing on CBD, also has reservations regarding its medical benefits.\n“Other than one prescription drug product to treat rare, severe forms of epilepsy, the FDA has not approved any other CBD-containing products,” Dr. Amy Abernathy, principal deputy commissioner of the FDA said. “We want consumers to be aware that there is only limited available information about CBD, including about its effects on the body.”\nAmong the questions the FDA seeks to answer in future hearings are the safe levels of daily CBD consumption and any possible long-term exposure issues, as well as how it interacts with other drugs.\nCorrection: Story updated to show June 10 signing of new law by Gov. Kay Ivey allows pharmacies to sell CBD.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line646565"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9501603841781616,"wiki_prob":0.9501603841781616,"text":"In Memoriam... R&B Music Commentary Trivia You Can Use Uncategorized\nTribute to Ja’net DuBois: Thanks for your part in two of the greatest black TV sitcoms of a generation!\n(February 20, 2020). Who among us folks of a certain age can ever forget Willona Woods, the nosy, single, but always fly neighbor of the Evans family in TV’s Good Times?\nSimilarly, how many of us have sung along to “Movin’ On Up,” the ever popular theme to The Jeffersons, the longest-running black sitcom in television history (going by the number of original-run seasons)?\nActress and singer Ja’net DuBois brought both to life, with each representing an early pinnacle in her long and successful entertainment career.\nJa’net DuBois circa 1975\nSadly, Dubois died in her sleep Monday, February 17, from natural causes. She was either 74, 81 or 87, depending upon the source. Considering Good Times started 46 years ago, a safe bet would be one of the latter two ages.\nAs television sitcoms went, the 1970s was the decade that black folks finally achieved significant representation on the small screen. And actor/singer/songwriter Ja’net DuBois is forever linked to what were arguably the two greatest shows of that era.\nDuBois began playing the colorful Evans family neighbor Willona Woods on CBS’ Good Times in 1974. Within a year, she co-wrote and sang “Movin’ On Up,” the popular theme song to CBS’ The Jeffersons. Both her character on Good Times and The Jeffersons’ theme song lasted the duration of their respective series.\nThe cast of CBS’ Good Times, with Ja’net DuBois standing center.\nGood Times (1974-79) and The Jeffersons (1975-85) were both important parts of black culture during their timeframes. Not only were they consistent ratings successes early in their original CBS network runs, but the two shows have long since lived on in syndication while introducing multiple new generations of fans to what were the first two TV shows ever to place the black nuclear family front and center – that is, families with a mom and dad living at home.\nOnly a few years before as 1970 began, there had been just two – the first two – black TV sitcoms: Julia and The Bill Cosby Show (not to be confused with the more popular The Cosby Show, which aired in the ‘80s). Both shows got their start in the late 1960s and both featured single, unmarried lead characters navigating their ways through life’s travails.\nAs the ‘70s progressed, with the success of Julia and The Bill Cosby Show continuing into the new decade, a history-making total of 14 black TV sitcoms would wind up in production. Joining those first two were big hits like Sanford and Son, What’s Happening!!, Diff’rent Strokes, and Benson; along with several misses like Barefoot in the Park, Baby, I’m Back, That’s My Mama, Grady, Sanford Arms, and Roll Out.\nThe two series that eclipsed all of those were executive-produced by Norman Lear and were spin-offs from his iconic TV show All in the Family – one directly (The Jeffersons), and the other once-removed (Good Times was a spin off from Maude, which was an All in the Family offshoot).\nLear, who earlier this week fondly remembered DuBois, was credited for taking a chance with African-Americans on television that no other producers had before him. Even though his shows’ portrayals of black characters sometimes fell into trite stereotypes, he was often an equal opportunity offender (think Archie Bunker or even The Jeffersons’ Tom Willis). The fact that Good Times and The Jeffersons both represented the complete black family unit was a big step for TV in the mid 1970s and into the ‘80s.\nJa’net Dubois was an important and integral part to both Good Times and The Jeffersons for several reasons.\nFirst, as neighbor to the Evans on the ironically titled Good Times, her character Willona was that sassy, fly and nosy friend that many of our moms had while we were growing up. She represented a piece of our “village” – or the community that, for many black kids, included that surrogate mom who was there to help raise us when our own moms needed additional support.\nThe creator of Good Times – an actor by the name of Mike Evans who, ironically, played son Lionel on The Jeffersons – had gotten it right simply by including Willona’s character in the script. Ja’net Dubois took Willona to the next level by her comedic portrayal and snappy delivery of those flippant one-liners.\nAs a character, Willona Woods was somewhat of an enigma. While viewers were naturally focused on the plight of her neighbors the Evans – a struggling black family who, despite having several capable and employable adults in the home, inexplicably could never escape from the projects (until the series’ finale), it was equally as perplexing that Willona, for as smart and resourceful as she was portrayed, couldn’t get out of the ghetto herself.\nJanet Jackson and Ja’net DuBois in a scene from Good Times, circa 1978.\nDuBois’ character did become increasingly important to Good Times, however, especially when both lead Evans characters, James (killed off in 1976) and Florida (one-year hiatus in 1977/78), were written off the show and Willona was left to watch over their now-adult kids. DuBois was resultantly given top-billing during the show’s fifth season (before actress Esther Rolle returned as Florida for its sixth and final one in 1978), with even more depth being given to Willona and with heavier story lines (including her gaining an adopted daughter in the previously abused Penny – played by Janet Jackson).\nBut even after obtaining a steady job as a working single mother, the show’s premise dictated that Willona – like the Evans – would be constrained to the projects until the show’s demise in 1979.\nIt was ironic then that DuBois, who had real-life ambitions of expanding her horizons beyond sitcom acting, had been picked by Lear to write and sing the theme song for his upwardly mobile black family offering, The Jeffersons, a show that would depict the completely opposite side of the economic spectrum for African Americans from Good Times.\nThe cast of CBS’ The Jeffersons.\nWhereas the Evans – and Willona – had struggled in “south-side” Chicago (although the Cabrini Green projects weren’t really on the south side, we went with it), The Jeffersons would feature a self-made millionaire and his wife, along with their live-in maid, residing in a “deee-luxe,” high-rise apartment in Manhattan’s east side.\nIt was the Jeffersons’ winning plight that Dubois so enthusiastically captured in “Movin’ On Up,” the song she co-wrote with writer Jeff Barry, which became one of the most iconic TV theme songs in television history.\nRemember your reaction upon first hearing it? “Damn, that woman can sing!” When you later learned that it was DuBois doing the singing, it was “Who knew that Willona had such vocal chops?”\nOpening and closing themes to The Jeffersons\nHer soulful rendering of “Up” was a far cry from any of the famous pop songs her co-writer Jeff Barry had composed before, including ‘60s classics like “Da Doo Ron Ron” and “Then He Kissed Me” (both by The Crystals), “Be My Baby” (The Ronettes), “Chapel of Love” (The Dixie Cups), “Leader of the Pack” (The Shangri-Las), and “Sugar Sugar” (The Archies), among many others.\nWhereas those were all sugary pop tunes, “Movin’ On Up” was a jubilant, hand-clapping, gospel-tinged affair (there was a full 35-member choir singing on it with DuBois), and it perfectly summed up the Jeffersons’ arrival to the big time. When DuBois sang “fish don’t fry in the kitchen, beans don’t burn on the grill,” no one could imagine Louise Jefferson ever having to slave over a stove again.\nDuBois herself said in interviews that the song’s lyrics were inspired by her own life story and the fact that she was finally able to provide for her mother once she hit the big time (with Good Times). Her use of relatable imagery (fish frying, beans burning) and slick metaphors (“up in the big league, getting our turn at bat”) lent the song its authenticity, but it also showed off DuBois considerable talent as a writer.\nIt would have been a chart hit.\nUnlike many of the popular TV themes of the era (like those from Welcome Back, Kotter; Rockford Files; Happy Days; Laverne & Shirley; Barretta; and S.W.A.T.), “Movin’ On Up” was never released as a single and therefore never charted in Billboard or the other trade mags. But that didn’t stop it from becoming one of the catchiest, most identifiable TV songs of all time. Forty-five years after the song’s debut on American television, it’s still the first thing that comes to mind when The Jeffersons is mentioned – arguably even more so than the show’s unforgettable characters themselves.\nIn 1980, five years into The Jeffersons’ run and after Good Times had been cancelled, Ja’Net DuBois would include “Movin’ On Up” as the closing track on the first of her three albums, entitled Queen of the Highway.\nJa’net DuBois’ first album, Queen of the Highway.\nAlthough that album didn’t do well, DuBois continued having success as an actress.\nHer more memorable roles included playing the ass-kicking mother of Keenan Ivory Wayans’ character in the blaxploitation spoof comedy I’m Gonna Git U Sucka! in 1988. DuBois had previously reunited with TV daughter Janet Jackson by reprising her role as Jackson’s mother in the music video for the song “Control” in 1986.\nShe also had a recurring role as Grandma Ellington in The Wayans Brothers (1996-98) and as Mrs. Florence Avery in The PJs (1999-2001), the latter for which she won Emmy awards for her voice-over work. She appeared in dozens of other TV shows and films and recently made a guest appearance at the live reboot of Good Times on ABC in 2019, along with fellow original cast members, Bern Nadette Stanis (Thelma) and Jimmie Walker (J.J.).\nNo one could have imagined then that she’d be gone just a few months later.\nR.I.P. Ja’net DuBois and thanks for the memories. You finally got your piece of the pie!\nDJRob\nJa’net DuBois\nDJRob is a freelance blogger who covers R&B, hip-hop, pop and rock genres – plus lots of music news and current stuff! You can follow him on Twitter @djrobblog.\nYou can also register for free to receive notifications of future articles by visiting the home page (see top for menu).\nEminem shreds the Oscars with 17-year-old “Lose Yourself”; audience does just that…\nWith Bond movie postponed, Eilish’s “No Time to Die” theme just dies on the charts.\nBy DJ Rob\nYour thoughts? Cancel reply","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1467289"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7602505683898926,"wiki_prob":0.7602505683898926,"text":"Green light for Seven Sisters site transfer\nOn 18th December 2020 18th December 2020 By peterlongden\nTHE OWNERSHIP of an East Sussex beauty spot can be transferred to protect and enhance its future, the Government has said.\nEast Sussex County Council has been given the go ahead by the Department of Food Agriculture and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to transfer the Seven Sisters County Park site to the South Downs National Park Authority.\nAlthough the site is not expected to be transferred until the spring, the approval means the legal process can begin.\nCllr Claire Dowling, lead member for transport and environment, said: “We are delighted to have been given approval to transfer the iconic Seven Sisters Country Park to an organisation with a great track record of conservation and safeguarding public access to the countryside, ensuring that it remains in public hands.”\nProtecting our countryside sites for future generations is a top priority and the decision to transfer ownership was not one we took lightly, but we are confident that South Downs National Park Authority is better placed to manage and improve this site.”\nThe South Downs National Park Authority has already pledged to invest £1.9m to improve the habitat and visitor facility at the 280-hectare site.\nTrevor Beattie, Chief Executive for the South Downs National Park Authority, said:\n“We’re pleased that the Government has given the green light to our bid and that the legal process can now begin to transfer ownership.”Seven Sisters Country Park is an iconic site of international importance and we’re looking forward to getting started on our vision of creating an outstanding habitat and world-class visitor experience that together do justice to the landscape and the location. We’re grateful to East Sussex County Council for working with us to ensure the future of this important site.”\nSeven Sisters Country Park is one of four sites the county council agreed to transfer to not-for-profit organisations.\nNewhaven Town Council is due to take on the freehold of Ouse Estuary Nature Reserve and the lease for Riverside Park next year. And discussions about the management of Ditchling Common Country Park are ongoing.\nMore information about East Sussex County Council’s countryside access strategy and the sites it manages is available at www.eastsussex.gov.uk/leisureandtourism/discover-east-sussex/countryside-sites/\nFor more information about South Downs National Park Authority, visit www.southdowns.gov.uk\nEast Sussex enviroment\nPREVIOUS POST Previous post: THE SECRET INGREDIENT IN YOUR BRITISH CUPPA\nNEXT POST Next post: Thousands of children in East Sussex left unprotected against flu","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line677801"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6623000502586365,"wiki_prob":0.3376999497413635,"text":"Tulip Time Announces the 2022 Festival Entertainment & Exhibition Line-up\nHOLLAND, Mich., October 07, 2021\nTo purchase tickets click here!\nTulip Time Brings Two International Renowned Exhibitions to Holland, MI\nPart of Tulip Time’s comeback year, two international sensations, photographer Rem van den Bosch and horticulturalist, Ibo Gülsen, bring their unique and world-renowned talents to Holland, Michigan as part of an homage to the city's Dutch heritage and looking forward into the city's future.\nZeeland Girl: Beyond Tradition by Rem van den Bosch\nZeeuws Meisje (Zeeland Girl) by Dutch photographer, Rem van den Bosch, makes its way to the U.S. for the first time. A photographic series in three parts, #equality, #tulips and #brotherhood, Zeeland Girl is a collaborative project involving dressmakers hand-sewing traditional dresses with modern spins and photography with bright contrast to spark discussions about the need for mutual respect, solidarity, and care for the environment. van den Bosch’s striking photos will be displayed on towering, 10-foot-tall displays, and side-by-side with twenty-five of the dresses used in the series. The series will be hosted by the Holland Armory, downtown Holland for the duration of the festival.\nvan den Bosch will also be available for a limited availability VIP cocktail hour where he will discuss his work. van den Bosch is most recently known for his project Here Comes the Flood – a photographic journey about the rising sea levels in the Netherlands, which will be on display at Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam, Netherlands and throughout the city of Amsterdam.\nTulip Immersion Garden: The Journey of the Tulip\nWorld renowned Dutch horticulturist, Ibo Gülsen, sets up a week-long immersion experience, taking travelers through the history of the tulip, from its origins in Turkey, to the Netherlands, and finally to the small-town community of Holland, Michigan. Gülsen will use 50,000 tulips of all varieties and colors to craft an experience that brings the tulips up to eye-level and creates Instagrammable photo opportunities for friends and family alike. The Tulip Immersion Garden will be hosted at the Ottawa County Fairgrounds for the duration of the festival.\nGülsen is the founder of Imagineering Horti Culture and played a large part in the return of the Istanbul Tulip to Turkey along with the Dutch consulate. Gülsen has crafted world-class immersion gardens including the Dafeng Holland Flower Park in Jiangsu, China, the Culture of Flowers Festival in Pyin Oo Lwin, Myanmar and the World’s Largest Off-Season Tulip Show in Chongming Island, Shanghai.\nHistorical Walking Tours\nTulip Time celebrators will have the opportunity to learn about the history of Holland, its’ Dutch heritage and vibrant present on this new walking tour developed by Tulip Time. Costumed guides will tour guests around the historical sites of Holland providing an up-close visit to many sites and icons that make up our wonderful city where over 200,000 tulips bloom each spring. Participants will see many of the tulip displays and will have numerous photo opportunities with magnificent tulips. The tour is a one-and-a-half-hour experience, covering about two miles on foot.\nMost of the tour is wheelchair accessible, except for some stairs and accommodations can be arranged.\nElton Rohn – The Premier Elton John Tribute Show\nElton Rohn is the premier Elton John tribute show. Elton Rohn combines the look, feel and sound of a real Elton John show. Featuring full harmonies and all musicians playing and singing live (no recordings). This high energy show is an engaging and familiar experience for audiences to sing along with. Elton Rohn creates a captivating performance from start to finish. Elton Rohn will be performing on Saturday, May 7th, 2022, at the Holland Civic Center.\nThe Texas Tenors\nThe Texas Tenors have been annual favorites at Tulip Time and are most known for their appearances on America’s Got Talent and America’s Got Talent: The Champions. Their live performances combine a classical country feel with original songs and familiar covers. Performing for over ten years, they return to Tulip Time in 2022. The Texas Tenors will be performing on Friday, May 13th, 2022, at Central Wesleyan Church in Holland.\nFiddlefire – The Panning Family Band\nFiddlefire shares their exceptional musical talent, humor, and charm to sold-out crowds. This band formed from members of the Panning family virtuosically performs a variety of genres with their own folksy twist. Their diverse instrumentation includes fiddles, guitar, string bass, mandolin, percussion, and dancing feet! Fiddlefire will be performing on Thursday, May 12th, 2022, at Central Wesleyan Church in Holland.\nStreet Parades\nGentex Kinderparade\nThe Gentex Kinderparade (children’s parade) is a time-honored favorite. On Thursday, May 12th, 2022, elementary school children will line up with their teachers and school administrators in full costume and smiling faces as they march together through downtown Holland. Each school and grade will have their own theme that nods to the towns’ Dutch heritage, from Dutch agriculture to the Dutch Master’s painters. The Gentex Kinderparade will be held on Thursday, May 12th, 2022.\nQuality Car Wash Volksparade\nThe Quality Car Wash Volksparade (people's parade) will be big and bold as Tulip Time combines elements of the Street Scrubbing parade and the Muziek parade. People from near and far will be invited to don their Dutch costumes, grab a bucket and a broom, and scrub the streets clean for the coming performances. Town officials will walk through with their ceremonial white glove inspection to approve the streets for the parade and when the town crier officially announces the official's approval, the parade will start. Dozens of bands from West Michigan middle and high schools showcase their talents amid the community floats through downtown Holland. The Quality Car Wash Volksparade parade will be on Saturday, May 14th, 2022.\nLocal Performing Arts Series\nTulip Time is pleased to announce the Local Performing Arts Series for the 2022 Tulip Time Festival. Each year, several of Holland’s cultural organizations collaborate with Tulip Time to create an array of entertainment for festival visitors.\nDazzle! A Tulip Time Talent Showcase\nThe brilliantly fresh talent from four area high schools' bursts onto the stage to present this vibrant medley. Enjoy this astounding variety of soloists, show choir and orchestral performances, all in one show! Dazzle! will be performing on Wednesday, May 11th, 2022, at Central Wesleyan Church in Holland.\nGuys on Ice\nBooks & lyrics by Fred Alley, music by James Kaplan\nThis musical is a humorous take on the secret world of ice fisherman through a day in the life of Marvin and Lloyd, fishing buddies and homegrown philosophers. This is a musical treat about two guys sharing their hopes, dreams, beer, and fish. On a cold winter morning they swap jokes, talk about their lives and the Green Bay Packers while waiting for the host of a local TV fishing show to show up. Guys on Ice will give you the joys and trials of ice fishing without having to freeze your socks off. Guys on Ice will be performed at the Holland Community Theatre throughout the week of Tulip Time.\nAmerican Legion Band\nFounded by the by the Willard G. Leenhouts American Legion Post 6 in Holland, Michigan, the American Legion Band is filled with prolific musicians who have performed in the Holland community, across the state, country, and the world. The Holland American Legion Band will be performing on Tuesday, May 10th, 2022, at Beechwood Church in Holland.\nDutch Organ Music Old and New (1521-Today!)\nJoin Rhonda Sider Edgington and Jonathan Ruffer as they put 500 years of Dutch music on display in one night, spanning the early traditional styles to modern fusions of jazz, rock, and pop music. Siders Edgington guides audiences through the centuries with clever color commentary and a witty approach to musical entertainment. Siders Edgington is an Organist at Hope Church in Holland, an instructor at Calvin University and an international concert artist. Ruffer, who will be accompanying Siders Edgington on trumpet, plays in the St. Anderew's Cathedral Brass band and an instructor at Hope College. The Dutch Organ concert will be performing Sunday May 8, 2022, at Hope Church\nThe annual Artisan Market brings together over one hundred vendors to highlight their artisanship and sell unique, hard-to-find items. Guests can walk through the market and adore handmade items at each vendor. Vendors are carefully selected and screened by Tulip Time to ensure they are high-quality. This year, the Artisan Market will be moving to the spacious Beechwood Church on Ottawa Beach Road in Holland. The Artisan Market will run from Saturday, May 7th through Sunday, May 8th, 2022.\nThe Tulip Time Quilt Show will put West Michigan quilter’s artistry on display for all to appreciate at Beechwood Church in Holland. Over 100 exquisite quilts will be hung high for patrons to enjoy up close. Every cut, every stitch, every pattern will showcase the quilter’s skill and experience in increasingly rare craft. The Quilt Show will also play host to the annual Quilt Raffle. Participants will be able to purchase tickets for a chance to win a one-of-a-kind quilt, made specifically to commemorate this year's festival. The Quilt Show will run from Saturday, May 7th, through Sunday, May 15th, 2022.\nFloral Arranging Class\nHuisman Flowers’ award-winning floral designers teach the art of floral arranging as guests create their own masterpiece to take home. The classes take place at their beautiful Holland flower shop location where you can browse through a vast assortment of occasion themed gifts, Monday May 9 and Tuesday May 10, 2022.\nTulip Time Run\nThe annual Tulip Time Run is back in person for 2022. Runners from all over the Midwest will gather at the lakeside Kollen Park in Holland to wait for the starting gun. Runners will run through the historic tulip lanes and see Holland in ways they have never seen before. This run offers a 10k, a 5k and a Kid’s Fun Run option for runners of all ages and skill levels. The run will take place on Saturday, May 7th, 2022. Registration opens on TulipTime.com on Friday, October 8th, 2021.\nExperience Tulip Time Festival, May 7-15, 2022. Detailed program and event information is available on www.tuliptime.com. Tickets for shows go on sale Tuesday, November 9th, 2021, at 9:00 am ET. Tickets can be purchased online at www.tuliptime.com, in person at the Tulip Time Festival Box Office located at 42 West 8th Street, Holland, Michigan, or by phone at 800-822-2770.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1432920"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5378995537757874,"wiki_prob":0.5378995537757874,"text":"Home » Movies » 1917 Review: Technically A Masterpiece\n1917 Review: Technically A Masterpiece\nBY Salomé Gonstad January 10, 2020February 25, 2021\nWhenever I talk about World War I, I usually refer to it as a “meat grinder.” While not as deadly as its sequel, WWI still killed at least 17 million men (not to mention civilians). Because they had better artillery, but not so great transportation yet, WWI soldiers largely relied on trench warfare. Essentially, they dug massive holes in the ground. Then they often turned them into graves. This is the world in which we find our main characters in 1917, a film which has received acclaim even before its wide release. Did it deserve it, though? Let’s talk about it in our review of 1917.\nA Riot On The Western Front\nIf you’ve seen the trailers, then you know the story. In the thick of WWI, a British general, Erinmore (Colin Firth), chooses Lance Corporal Tom Blake (Dean-Charles Chapman) to deliver a message to another battalion. The message? They’re walking into a trap. A purported German retreat is actually a purposeful gathering. The Brits are heading out of the trenches, expecting to catch a small contingent of Germans while they’re on the run. Instead, they’re walking straight into a German meat grinder.\nThe top brass wants Blake for the job, because his brother Joe is a lieutenant with the battalion in question. (So presumably, Blake is highly motivated to get there on time.) They give Blake leeway to select someone else to accompany him, and he chooses William Schofield (George MacKay). Then it’s a race to reach the other men in time. Fail, and 1600 men die.\n1917 Is Getting A Lot Of Attention\nJust this week, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association announced 1917 as Best Motion Picture – Drama winner at the Golden Globes. This probably came as a surprise to many folks, since the movie wasn’t even playing nationwide yet. But once you hear the hook–that the movie is written and filmed like it’s all one shot–then you understand the hype.\nAnd in review, 1917 generally works well. From the start, the movie feels claustrophobic and chaotic, much like trench warfare in WWI. In addition, legendary cinematographer/thirst trap Roger Deakins hits it out of the park as usual. Although seemingly constrained (by the one-shot format), Deakins instead finds surprising ways to follow the characters. His camera follows Blake and Schofield through a rabbit warren of trenches, but it also separates from them, inching around corners like an enemy soldier to catch them off guard.\nAbove all else, this film is a technical achievement. Along with the camera work, the set pieces are ambitious and impressive. We feel like we’re right there with them, in the muck and the horror, surrounded by the stench of death. This feeling is only aided by MacKay, whose highly expressive face communicates multiple emotions at once. Schofield is a veteran of the brutal Battle of the Somme, so he knows how bad war can get. And that it can always get worse.\n1917 In Review: The Weakest Points\nMacKay’s expressiveness is a very good thing, by the way, because he doesn’t have a wealth of dialogue with which to communicate. That in itself is not necessarily a drawback. However, it is a symptom of the movie’s biggest issue: the story is awfully slight. In telling, it might remind you more than a little of Saving Private Ryan, also a technically impressive war film about a group of soldiers desperate to find another group. In practice, though, it’s markedly different. Throughout Ryan, for instance, we got to know those soldiers and we understood them to an extent. Personal information in 1917 is parceled out sparingly, though–so sparingly, that some of the emotional beats just don’t hit as hard as they could.\nAnd the pace doesn’t help. The first half of the movie is paced well, but in the second half, it plays like one of those beat-the-clock action movies. Along with the intimate camera work, it can be exhausting. If we had more of an emotional tie to the goings-on on screen, then it wouldn’t be as noticeable. But it is, and it’s exactly the thing we shouldn’t be noticing. We should be drawn into the personal story–director Sam Mendes loosely based the movie on his grandfather Alfred’s wartime experiences–but instead, we’re watching all the smoke and mirrors. It’s sound and fury that could signify so much more.\nfeatured image via Universal Pictures\nSalomé Gonstad is a freelance writer who grew up in the swampy wilds of south Alabama. When she's not yelling about pop culture on the internet, she's working on a supernatural thriller about her hometown. Also, we're pretty sure she's a werewolf. Email her at [email protected]\nJanuary 9 Pokemon Direct – Breakdown Of New Info\nNoah Hawley And The Future Of Star Trek Might Not Include ‘New’ Cast","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line667419"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6755560636520386,"wiki_prob":0.3244439363479614,"text":"Oh no you don’t…\nA new market analysis said the SoBro district in Downtown Nashville could be primed for a big business boom, but that the homeless problem there might make development difficult.\nvia Report: Homelessness Hinders Downtown Development – NewsChannel5.com\nDuring the debates around the funding and construction of the Music City Center one of the questions that I regularly asked the leaders of the project is what impact the MCC project would have on the existing homeless ministries and population headquartered in the SoBro district of Nashville. It was clear to me at the time that a convention center designed to be a showcase for the city would likely come into conflict with the presence of a large homeless community that has been present in that area for as long as anyone could remember. Certainly, the location of the Nashville Rescue Mission across the street is the most visible presence, but the Campus for Human Development is just a few blocks up — an organization that is well loved and respected by the churches of Nashville, and has expanded it’s facilities within the past couple of years. The fact is that the primary source of services for the homeless of Nashville are located in SoBro, and I could see storm clouds brewing.\nOf course, as I expected, no leaders of the MCC project were willing to address the question at the time. In at least two public forums where I asked about the future of the homeless in the area, they side stepped the question, changed the subject, and at best made some sort of mumbling about how the project would raise property values and spur area development. They knew, as I knew, that the presence of the homeless were a problem for their showcase, but as was typical for the circumstances they refused to address the long-term consequences of their project.\nThis innocuous little report quoted above is the first shot across the bow of a larger battle over the presence of homeless folks around the MCC. The powers that be have made sure that their hands are clean of the speaking the difficult truth that tourist focused commercial development and guys with stringy hair, reeking of wine and sweat, who aren’t hesitant to ask for a spare dollar don’t mix too well. Don’t get me wrong . . . I’ve spent too many nights at Room in the Inn programs and understand that homeless folks find themselves in that plight for a variety of reasons, and that many are hardworking who have simply fallen on bad times. However, the hard core, long term homeless are more often than not addicted to a variety of substances, and or struggling with mental health issues, and aren’t always the most rational and reasonable folks to deal with. But for more years than I can remember, the SoBro region, especially South of Lafayette (behind the Rescue Mission) has been a refuge for those whose backs are up against the wall, and that refuge is in danger of being taken away in the desire to create commercial development to support the monstrosity that we’ve built. The MDHA commissioned report provides the first mention of what will likely be an ongoing “problem” in the coming years, and I will not be surprised when efforts are made to move the Rescue Mission, and then the Campus for Human Development to other locations away from the city core.\nFor all of the hopes of some of my progressive friends back when he was elected, Mayor Karl Dean has had a dismal record of failure when it comes to dealing with the issue of homelessness in Nashville. One would think as a former public defender that he would have some sense of the issue and some of the needs of that community. Yet, outside of some basic lip service, Mayor Dean has not seemed particularly interested in the social safety net side of governmental services, and certainly not the challenges of the homeless community. In the days after the 2010 floods the mayor’s office was noticeably missing in trying to address the needs of the former tent city residents, leaving the question of how to deal with this population to a set of dedicated volunteers and clergy. The Metro Homelessness Commission has languished during the Dean administration, some of which can be attributed to its members, but part of which is reflective of a mayor who is more concerned with creating new business opportunities than assisting those who are down and out. I wish I could think that the report above isn’t more than it is, but given the record so far I can’t imagine that this isn’t a sign of rough waves ahead.\nIt will be important in the days ahead for people of faith to speak up for the “least of these” and insist that solutions be developed that don’t uproot services for the homeless in the pursuit of growth and profitability. It will be crucial for people of faith to reaffirm our support of these important ministries, and to speak loudly and with one voice that while we understand the challenges of having a major tourist center and a large homeless population in the same vicinity, the homeless were here first (!) and that they have every right to remain where they have always been. I will not be surprised if we will have to do more than taking homeless guys into our congregations once a week, and have to hit the streets to ensure that the basic rights on these men and women are not trampled on in the pursuit of the almighty dollar.\nKeep your eyes open. There’s probably more to come on this story.\nThe Disappearing Advocate\nI’m back!!! And Glen Funk must go…\nOne thought on “Oh no you don’t…”\nPingback: Will Nashville Drive the Less Fortunate from Downtown? | Nashville.Visitor.Info","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line117345"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7422773838043213,"wiki_prob":0.7422773838043213,"text":"Cairo Airport is in the process of establishing Terminal 4\nCould Cairo Int’l Airport be getting a Terminal 4? The Cairo Airport Company is carrying out studies to establish a fourth passenger terminal at Cairo International Airport in an effort to reduce traffic in the other three terminals, said company chairman Ahmed Fawzi, according to a statement by the Civil Aviation Ministry. Cairo International Airport is nearing 75% of its capacity, which necessitates looking at a possible expansion, he added. The move comes as the ministry has been focusing over the last two years to bolster its airport capacity just as tourism has been rebounding. Trial operations at the new administrative capital’s Capital International Airport began in July, while Sphinx International Airport in Giza had begun its soft launch last year.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1342460"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7472370266914368,"wiki_prob":0.25276297330856323,"text":"Homily for Meatfare Week on the Second Coming (St. Luke of Simferopol)\nBy St. Luke, Archbishop of Simferopol and All Crimea\n(Delivered on March 4, 1951)\n\"As the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be\" (Matt. 24:37-39) - the terrible second coming.\nWill it be exactly like that? No, what happened in the days of Noah is cited by Christ in His discourse about the Last Judgment in order to show that just as suddenly, just as unexpectedly, the Son of Man will appear to us in His glory with all the holy angels to begin His Judgment.\nWhy do I say that it is not true?\nI rely on the words of the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, for He said: “And suddenly, after the tribulation of those days, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of heaven will be shaken; then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven; and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn and see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory” (Matt. 24:29-31).\nAnd this terrible manifestation of His, according to His holy words, will be preceded by great horrors, the greatest disasters, “for nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; and there will be famines, plagues and earthquakes; yet this is the beginning of sorrows” (Matt. 24:7-8) – those terrible epidemic diseases that are always inseparable from war.\nThere will be, you see, terrible wars, peoples will exterminate each other; then there will be no carefree rest, which was in the days of Noah, but there will be a cruel and terrible life, \"for then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, and will not be\" (Matt. 24:21).\nFrom the Holy Apostle John the Theologian in his wondrous Revelation we read a description of those horrors, those fierce sufferings that will precede the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. It will be a time of pestilence and earthquakes, it will be a time of indescribable suffering.\nAnd then suddenly the terrible sound of the Archangel's trumpet will suddenly be heard, from which the whole universe will shudder. Then it will be what the Holy Prophet Isaiah foretold: “Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down, that the mountains would tremble before you!\" (Is. 64:1).\n“Truly, truly, I say to you, the time is coming, and it has already come, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and having heard, they will live” (John 5:25).\nHow is it that all the dead come to life? By the power of God they will come to life: by the will of God, the tombs and graves of all those who have died from eternity will be opened; the boundless sea will roar with terrible storms and cast forth the countless dead hidden in it - the whole earth will be covered with bones - human bones - and that will begin, which our God announced to the Holy Prophet Ezekiel in an extraordinary, amazing vision.\n“The hand of the Lord came upon me and brought me out in the Spirit of the Lord, and set me down in the midst of the valley; and it was full of bones. Then He caused me to pass by them all around, and behold, there were very many in the open valley; and indeed they were very dry. And He said to me, 'Son of man, can these bones live?'\nSo I answered, 'O Lord God, you know.'\nAgain He said to me, 'Prophesy to these bones, and say to them, \"O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! Thus says the Lord God to these bones: Surely I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live. I will put sinews on you and bring flesh upon you, cover you with skin and put breath in you; and you shall live. Then you shall know that I am the Lord.”’\nSo I prophesied as I was commanded; and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and suddenly a rattling; and the bones came together, bone to bone. Indeed, as I looked, the sinews and the flesh came upon them, and the skin covered them over; but there was no breath in them.\nAlso He said to me, 'Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man, and say to the 1breath, \"Thus says the Lord God: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.”’ So I prophesied as He commanded me, and breath came into them, and they lived, and stood upon their feet, an exceedingly great army.\nThen He said to me, 'Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They indeed say, \"Our bones are dry, our hope is lost, and we ourselves are cut off!\" Therefore prophesy and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God: Behold, O My people, I will open your graves and cause you to come up from your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel. Then you shall know that I am the Lord, when I have opened your graves, O My people, and brought you up from your graves. I will put My Spirit in you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I, the Lord, have spoken it and performed it,' says the Lord” (Ezek. 37:1-14).\nSo it will be when all the graves are opened, when the sea gives up its dead - then the whole earth will be covered with dry bones. And suddenly, by the command of God, these bones will begin to move and begin to approach each other.\nOh, what a terrible roar of bones will rise then! This roar will deafen everyone. The bones will unite with each other, veins will grow on them, flesh will grow, cover with skin, and the spirit will enter into them, and the Lord will work a great miracle.\nHe said in a vision of John the Theologian: \"Behold, I make all things new.\" And He will create new bodies of the dead, and flesh unknown to us, according to its properties.\nBut it is said in Scripture that they will be spiritual bodies. The Apostle Paul announced to us about those who will still be alive by the terrible day of the Judgment of Christ. Thus He says: “I tell you a secret: we will not all die, but we will all change suddenly, in the twinkling of an eye at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we will be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality” (1 Corinthians 15:51-52).\nIn the twinkling of an eye, these bodies - the bodies of resurrected people and suddenly changed living ones - will acquire completely new properties: they will become incorruptible, they will live forever together with their immortal spirit.\nSo, a terrible world catastrophe will happen, about which the Lord Jesus Christ Himself spoke, about which both the Holy Prophet Isaiah and the Holy Apostle Peter spoke in his Second Epistle, and the Apostle John the Theologian in Revelation. They all say that on this terrible day of the Second Coming of Christ, the end of the whole universe will come:\n“But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.\nSeeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,\nLooking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?\" (2 Peter 3:10-12).\nThere will be an indescribable global catastrophe. The whole universe will be destroyed by a terrible fire unknown to us.\nAnd then the day will come when the Lord will create everything new: a new earth, a new Jerusalem, a new universe.\nA terrible flame that will engulf the whole earth like a fiery river, will carry away all the resurrected dead, all who were alive, at that time and suddenly changed and incorruptible, will carry away far, far from the earth that is burning, which is being destroyed, to where the Last Judgment will be, where the Judge, the Righteous Lord and our God Jesus Christ will appear on the clouds, with all His angels.\nAnd all nations will appear before Him, all the most ancient people who have ever lived, people of the Stone and Bronze Ages - all will appear.\nThey will appear when terrible darkness sets in, for “the sun will grow dim, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of heaven will be shaken ...” (Matt. 24:29-30). But this darkness will be illuminated with an extraordinary light, for the sign of the Son of Man will suddenly appear in heaven - the holy cross, the light of which will be immeasurably brighter than the dimmed heavenly bodies.\n\"And then all the tribes of the earth will mourn and see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory...\". And all nations will see the One in whom so many did not believe, they will see those who crucified the Lord Jesus, they will see those who in all subsequent centuries and up to our time continue to crucify Christ again and again and trample on His priceless Blood. Those who disbelieved will see and shudder; they will see - and they will come to indescribable horror, because then they will see - and they will not be able not to believe.\nThey will see with their own eyes, with their trembling hearts they will feel the horror and fear from which they will hide in caves and precipices, and ask that the mountains fall on them and hide them from the wrath of the Lamb.\nBut nothing will hide them, for God's truth is eternal, it cannot be trampled with impunity; for the truth, which has so often been trampled on our sinful earth, will then shine forth throughout the world as the greatest and perfect truth of God.\nThen great joy will come for those who have been hungry and thirsty all their lives for the truth, not finding it around them. Then they will rise up and raise their heads, because their deliverance draws near (Luke 21:28).\nWith great joy, with indescribable triumph, all the righteous will be resurrected.\nAll those who trample on the Blood of Christ, who did not believe in Him, will rise in horror and trembling.\nAnd there have been countless unbelievers since ancient and immemorial times. For even the ancient sage Jesus the son of Sirach says this on their behalf: “Do not delay to turn back to the Lord, and do not postpone it from day to day; for suddenly the wrath of the Lord will come upon you, and at the time of punishment you will perish” (Sir. 5:7).\nNo, they will not be like those who have not been, but will rise again, with horror and trembling they will appear before the eyes of the terrible Judge.\nAnd the moment will come when the truth of God will be revealed to the whole world.\nThe Lord Almighty, the Judge of the world will separate the righteous from the unrighteous; He will put some to the right of Himself, and others to the left and will say the words that you heard in the Gospel reading: He will justify them, He will call them blessed of His Father all those who do deeds of mercy to people who are unfortunate and suffering and needy; He will condemn and send to eternal torment those who have never done works of mercy to anyone.\nIt is extremely important what the Lord revealed about His Last Judgment: it is extremely important to know that He will judge people only for works of mercy or a complete lack of mercy. He will not ask about anything else, he will judge sinners only because they did not have compassion, pity, mercy and love for their neighbors.\nWhy is this enough, why is it no longer necessary to ask the Lord Jesus about anything? Because love is the fulfillment of the whole law, and the absence of love is a violation of the law of Christ.\nHe will call blessed of His Father those who were full of love, mercy, pity and compassion.\nCursed and condemned to eternal torment, He will call those who by their deeds have shown that they are alien to love, completely alien to the most important thing in the law of God, that having rejected this law, trampling on holy love, they rejected the law of good and preferred the law of evil; did not want to follow the path of Christ, they went their own way, the way of evil. Well, shall we be indignant that they will go into eternal torment? No, we won't: they condemned themselves to this eternal death.\nEven if Christ had not said His terrible words, they would still have condemned themselves. How can people who lived thousands of years ago judge themselves?\nYou heard in the stichera of this Sunday, when the commemoration of the Last Judgment takes place, that when the judgment begins, the books will open, in which the deeds of each person are recorded.\nWhat for are these books, which will be opened, are they really needed for the Omniscient God? No, of course not. These books only symbolically depict what is indelibly imprinted in the conscience of every person, in his immortal spirit.\nAll of a sudden, in a single moment, his whole former life will pass before him, he will remember to the smallest detail every evil word of his, every evil deed, every unholy thought he will remember - and he will be horrified.\nIf he was a villain, if he was a blasphemer, if he trampled on the Blood of Christ, all these terrible deeds would suddenly appear before his spiritual eyes.\nWhat grounds do I have for saying so and asserting this? I have a direct reason, because it is known from books on psychology that people who were on the verge of death - who drowned in the sea and were saved at the last moment, who fell under a train, but lay between the rails while the train swept over them - these people said that in one terrible dying minute, their whole former life passed before them, starting from early childhood.\nThis is possible only because everything that we do, that we say, that we think, is indelibly imprinted forever in our spirit. The spirit keeps all this, and when the spirit is freed from the fetters of the flesh, when the flesh becomes spiritual, then the spirit will reveal to the spiritual eyes of a person everything that happened during his life. It will be a terrible judgment of himself over himself. His own spirit, his conscience will condemn him.\nTherefore, it is profoundly fair and right that all those who did evil will exist forever with the devil and his angels, who rejected good and became the center of evil.\nWith them in eternal, endless communion, will live those who crucified Christ, who trampled on His Blood. In this communion, their malice and cruelty will increase without limit. This will be their endless torment.\nThis is what the Last Judgment will consist of. This you should know to believe unconditionally, because it will be so. Thus spoke Christ, His holy apostles, His prophets, and they cannot lie.\nWhat should we do, having before our mind's eye this terrible picture of the Judgment? I will not answer this question, but the Holy Apostle Peter will answer: “Therefore, beloved, expecting this, endeavor to appear before Him undefiled and blameless in the world; and count the patience of our Lord as salvation...” (2 Peter 3:14-15).\nTake care in advance that the Last Judgment is not a shocking horror for you, not an unbearable horror, but a joy.\nLive in such a way that when you hear the terrible trumpet of the Archangel, when your bodies are resurrected, you would rise up and, with a joyful smile on your lips, give praise to God, who finally executes judgment, finally punishes serious sinners, whose impunity your soul, the soul of every good person, could not stand.\nLet us live in such a way that the Last Judgment and the trumpet of the Archangel do not frighten us, but bring us to great joy, and we will sing a song to the Eternal Judge, the Righteous Judge, Who will reward everyone according to their deeds. “To Him be glory both now and forever. Amen\" (2 Peter 3:18).\nLabels: Judgment Day, Meatfare Sunday, Second Coming, St. Luke of Simferopol\nChapel of the Second Coming of Christ in Sikinos\nHomily for Meatfare Week on the Second Coming (St....","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line931893"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9719303846359253,"wiki_prob":0.9719303846359253,"text":"Famed chef Jacques Pépin, Chris Sarandon talk Rice Krispies and 'Art of the Chicken' during sold out CT show\nCT cartoonist creates 2D animation class in NY\nGreenwich Reindeer Festival returns on Nov. 25\nChrist Church Greenwich's new pipe organ gets debut\nLove to fix tractors turns Greenwich teen into a TikTok star\nGreenwich Historical Society mounts major Twachtman art exhibit\nJohnny Depp to join Jeff Beck at Port Chester concerts\nGreenwich Orchestra gets first new conductor in 45 years\n'Jurassic World' actress grew up surrounded by animals in CT\nNew lead in Boston museum heist to be discussed at Bruce Museum\nFirst annual Arpeggio Music Festival to debut in Greenwich\nJacques Pépin, one of the most celebrated French chefs, joined Chris Sarandon on stage in Fairfield Saturday for a live taping of the actor's podcast.\nDaniel Figueroa IV\nFamed French Chef Jacques Pepín joins actor Chris Sarandon for a live taping of Sarandon's podcast at the Sacred Heart Community Theater in Fairfield on Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023.\nDaniel Figueroa IV/Hearst Connecticut Media Show MoreShow Less\nChickens and Snail (acrylic on paper), an example of Jacques Pépin’s artwork from his new book, The Art of the Chicken.\nFrom Jacques Pépin Art of the Chicken, by Jacques Pépin, published by Harvest BooksShow MoreShow Less\nDandy Cock (watercolor on paper), an example of Jacques Pépin’s artwork from his new book, The Art of the Chicken.\nMaster Chef Jacques Pepin uses the low and slow technique for fried eggs.\nFrank Whitman / For Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less\nIn a career spanning more than 70 years, Jacques Pépin has partied with the likes of James Beard and Julia Child. He was the personal chef for legendary French statesman Charles de Gaulle and turned down an offer to cook for the Kennedy’s. He founded the French Culinary Institute, which has produced some of the most popular chefs of the last 50 years.\nBut what does one of the most famous chefs in the world like to eat at his home in Madison?\n“Chocolate milk. Mixed with Rice Krispies,” Pépin told a sold-out crowd at the Sacred Heart Community Theater in Fairfield. “For my granddaughter at home.”\nHe said he learned the the trick from a chef friend's wife when he first came to the U.S. He'd join the family in breakfasts of Oreo cookies and mini boxes of Rice Krispies. He brought the tradition to his family.\n\"I still love it,\" he said of the snack.\nPépin, 87, was the guest of honor for a live taping of actor and fellow Connecticut resident Chris Sarandon’s podcast “Cooking by Heart.” Sarandon, famous for roles in “Dog Day Afternoon,” “Child’s Play” and “The Princess Bride,” launched the podcast last year to discuss “memories of the meals or favorite foods we all grew up with” and \"discuss the stories and people that accompany those memories.”\nFirst Ladies of Disco to perform at Wall Street Theater\nCT native, Sheryl Lee Ralph, to perform at Super Bowl LVII\nBoth men grew up around food. Sarandon’s family, hailing from Greece, operated a diner in West Virginia. Pépin’s family had a series of restaurants in France after World War II.\n“There definitely was an unspoken context of a shared early life,” Sarandon told Hearst Media. “I specifically asked him about the passage in his memoir where he described the menu at one of his mother’s first restaurants.”\nMuch of the conversation centered around Pépin's latest book “Art of the Chicken.” The book was released in September and Pépin was the guest of honor at Greenwich Wine + Food's 10th anniversary celebrity chef gala shortly after. The new book veers from the more than 30 cookbooks penned by Pépin in that it’s based on stories and art rather than focused on recipes.\nFeaturing chicken-focused original paintings and stories, Pépin’s Art of the Chicken has sizzled with readers.\nPublished by Harvest Books\n“I did not want to do a cookbook,” Pépin told Sarandon. “I wanted to do a book of my drawings and paintings of chickens.”\nBut like chickens, the idea didn’t fly. So, he compromised.\n“I said, ‘Fine.’ I’ll tell you a story about chickens,” Pépin added. “So it’s not a cookbook.”\nThe book — and Saturday’s conversation — takes one through Pépin’s story and journey with food. From humble beginnings eating preserved eggs and using beets for sweetener in a war-ravaged France while his father fought Nazi’s with the French Resistance, to starting an apprenticeship at a local restaurant when he was 13.\nDaniel Figueroa IV/Hearst Connecticut Media\nDuring the show, Pépin talked about working the stove as an apprentice for about a year. He’d prop the door open with a spoon to control temperatures and move food to different sections of the oven for low and high heat. Not long after turning 14, he said, the chef wasn’t in and he was called down to run his first dinner service. As he watched nervously from the kitchen door, diners asked for the chef to compliment him. They were stunned to see a boy emerge from the back.\n“It was my first touch with celebrity cooking,” he joked to the audience, emitting a round of laughter.\nAnd it was far from his last. Pépin was among the first class of American celebrity chefs along the likes of Julia Child and James Beard — whose name still adorns one of the food world’s most prestigious awards. His friendship with Child led to an award-winning book and TV collaborations. He won 16 James Beard awards, and helped usher in the chain restaurant era as the director of research and development for Howard Johnson’s when the now-defunct franchise had more restaurants than McDonald’s and KFC and boasted it fed more than any institution but the U.S. Army.\nHe turned down an invitation to be then-President John F. Kennedy’s personal chef for the job with Howard Johnson. That first brush with success, Pépin told Hearst, also set the tone for his career — it was all accidentally on purpose.\n“I could’ve been a cook or a cabinet maker,” he said. “Then, cook was at the bottom of the social scale.”\nCelebrity cooking wasn’t the plan. One job, just led to another, he said. Running service at 14 led to studying in Paris. His cooking skills were even noticed during a stint in the French Navy that got him a post cooking for three French heads of state. Before heading to America, he was the personal chef of French President Charles de Gaulle, who led Free France during the German occupation in WWII.\nIn New York, he worked everywhere and every day. He joined a guild that sent him to cover whatever position needed filling at whichever restaurant needed it. And he didn’t write recipes. He cooked by feel. A chicken breast a little thicker or thinner than the other meant seasonings and cook time could be adjusted. It wasn’t until consistency across a chain like Howard Johnson’s became important that Pépin started tracking recipes.\nPépin said as he’s gotten older, the cooking has simplified. When he was young, he said life was about adding as much to the plate as he could. Now, it’s about simplicity — a tomato with some olive oil and coarse salt from his garden or a bowl of cereal with his granddaughter, now a college student in Boston. These days, he said it’s more about the discussion and community that comes with the experience of cooking than the food itself.\n“I’ve eaten some of the greatest food in some of the greatest restaurants in the world,” Pépin said. “The food is never as important as who you’re eating it with.”\nThe live Jacques Pépin episode of Sarandon’s “Cooking by Heart” will be available Tuesday on his website, Spotify, Audible, Apple Podcasts and more.\nReach Daniel on\nDaniel Figueroa IV is a state trending reporter with Hearst Connecticut Media Group. He's originally from the Bronx, but spent the last 10 years in Florida writing about everything from politics to Disney and tracing the steps of cultural icons like Jack Kerouac. He once nearly sent himself to the hospital after eating the world's spiciest ice cream - for journalism. When he's not searching for stories to tell, Daniel can be found in a book, on a motorcycle, playing drums or dreaming of galaxies far, far away.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line584146"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6287817358970642,"wiki_prob":0.6287817358970642,"text":"Advertise Get Daily News\nPrevious Issues Abasto Magazine\nAdvertise in Abasto\nLatinas in The Industry\nHome » Business Showcase » When You Think of Wellness, Think of Jaloma Products\nWhen You Think of Wellness, Think of Jaloma Products\nJuly 2, 2021 by Hernando Ramírez-Santos\nJaloma is a Mexican company that has been in the market for 80 years, developing items focused on the well-being of families. With a portfolio consisting of more than 160 products, they are leaders in the manufacturing and commercialization of healing, personal care, and baby products.\nTheir star products, which today are marketed in the USA, are cosmetic oils, body gels, elastic bandages, and the lavender line for babies.\nJaloma is headquartered in Guadalajara, Mexico, where it has also operated its production plant for eight decades. Thanks to the vision of the company’s founder, Javier López Macías, who began developing his products with the manufacture of gauze, cosmetic oils, lip ointment, among others, Jaloma’s growth has been continuous.\nOne of Jaloma’s main success factors is its proximity to customers and consumers and the availability of its products in different marketing channels and points of sale. The company, which started with two people, now has a team of 600.\nCarlos Labastida, Jaloma’s Export and New Business Director.\nJaloma’s Export and New Business Director, Carlos Labastida, grandson of the company’s founder, has been dedicated to positioning the company’s leadership internationally.\nLabastida stated that for 20 years, Jaloma has maintained a presence in the United States and has big plans for growth this year. “We have accelerated the internationalization of Jaloma’s products in the U.S. and Central American market,” Labastida explained.\nRelated Article: The Guide to Food Marketing: Trends, Strategies, and More\n“We will continue with the strategy of expanding the brand in the national territory and in the U.S. and Central American markets. In addition, we will introduce the brand in Costa Rica and Puerto Rico, among others. We seek to enter countries that, by their nature, have a market similar to the Mexican market. Thus, the product will be easily accepted, creating a positive positioning of the brand,” added Jaloma’s Export and New Business Director.\nAs part of its plan to grow and market its products in the U.S., Jaloma is implementing a campaign to reinforce brand awareness to help promote its new products in the market. By which they are responding to a buyer who today is more informed and has access to many other brands, both local and foreign.\nDue to the pandemic, Jaloma has seen an increase in demand for its products. The personal care line (cosmetic oils) has been growing due to distribution and consumption.\nIn U.S. Hispanic stores, Jaloma is a traditional brand recognized by Mexicans living in the United States. Its 80 years of existence support the high quality of its products, earning the trust of consumers. Click here to learn more about the company.\nEnjoy the 4th of July With Your Favorite Hot Dog Style\nFrom ‘Great Uncertainty’ to an Unprecedented Economic Recovery\nGet Daily Business News!\nConnect with Abasto\nCurrent Print Issue\n© Copyright 2023, Hispanic Marketing Consultants. All Rights Reserved.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1769841"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8071436882019043,"wiki_prob":0.8071436882019043,"text":"Bad Mother Nature\nSacramento, CA | Established. Jan 01, 2016 | SELF\nSacramento, CA | SELF\nEstablished on Jan, 2016\nBand Rock Progressive\nShare Bad Mother Nature's EPK!\n\"Fireworks UK Magazine Interview\"\nA band interview and review of our EP \"Strange Weather\" profiled in Fireworks UK Magazine. - Fireworks UK Magazine\nStrange Weather EP - 2018\nPorcelain Martyr - 2019\nBad Mother Nature is an original rock band from Sacramento, California. Formed in 2016, the group consists of guitarist/bassist duo Axel Ahrens and Corey Allred, pianist Ryan Allred, and drummer Jon McCann. Inspired by the classic rock titans of the 1960’s and 70’s, the band balances driving guitar-riff work with the nuanced, progressive piano that allows their music to range from soft to rocking - often within the same song.\nOn June 15th, 2018, the band released their debut EP “Strange Weather,” featuring Colin Curtin on drums. The album featured a range of styles from the upbeat blues-rock Honey Rider, to the instrumental guitar piece Persephone, to the anthemic ballad I’ll Make You a Thief. The album and the band were profiled in the UK rock magazine Fireworks.\nTheir latest feature LP “Porcelain Martyr” was released February 8th, 2019. A departure from the raw guitar-heavy style of their previous EP, the album is a conceptually-thematic overture of Progressive Rock, utilizing more backing vocals and harmonies, piano-driven riffs, and instrumental experimentation.\nCorey Allred\nAxel Ahrens\nJon McCann\nRyan Allred","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1432859"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8461509346961975,"wiki_prob":0.8461509346961975,"text":"Find us on TwitterFind us on YouTubeSubscribe to our RSS feed\nUNSCO\nThe office of the United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process\nMenu for articles (menu position rule)\nBy Secretary-General\nBy Special Coordinator\nBy Resident & Humanitarian Coordinator\nMiddle East Quartet\nSecurity Council Briefings\nUNSCO reports\nAHLC & Socioeconomic reports\nUN Country Team\nSecurity Council Briefing on the Middle East including the Palestinian Question (As Delivered by Special Coordinator Wennesland)\nExcellencies,\nMembers of the Security Council,\nThe past week has seen a deadly escalation between Israeli military forces and Palestinian armed groups in Gaza that is the most serious we have seen in years. We have also witnessed dramatic scenes of violence across the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem.\nTensions have been ongoing for weeks. In the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood of East Jerusalem there have been protests and clashes over the threat of Palestinian evictions commenced by settler organizations. In the Old City, including in the Holy Esplanade, there have been violent clashes between Palestinians and Israeli civilians and police. Police deployed a heavy presence in the area in the context of a large number of visitors for Ramadan prayers, protests and Israeli extremist demonstrations, leading to clashes.\nWith some 181 Palestinians and nine Israelis killed as a result of Israeli airstrikes and Palestinian militant rockets, based on preliminary figures, the toll of this deadly confrontation is already too high.\nI extend my sincere condolences to the families of all those who have lost loved ones in the violence.\nSince 10 May, according to Israeli official sources, Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad and other militants have launched over 2900 indiscriminate rockets from the Gaza Strip towards Israel. According to Israel’s Office of the Prime Minister, nine Israelis, including five women and two children, and one Indian national were killed, and over 250 injured, 23 severely wounded. Civilians across the south and the center of the country have been repeatedly sent to shelters. An anti-tank missile fired at a vehicle near the Gaza perimeter fence, killed an Israeli soldier and injured two others.\nRockets have reached as far as the outskirts of Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and its suburbs and Ben Gurion airport. While a significant number of rockets were intercepted by Iron Dome, some 450 fell short inside Gaza, accounting for some Palestinian casualties according to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Direct hits have been reported in multiple locations, causing damage to residential and commercial property, as well as schools and a crude oil pipeline.\nIn Gaza, the humanitarian and security situation is more dire by the day. In response to the Palestinian militant rocket attacks that began on 10 May, the IDF has conducted over 950 strikes against what it said were militant targets, including weapons factories and depots, tunnel networks, Hamas training facilities, intelligence and security headquarters and offices and homes of senior Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad operatives. These strikes have killed over 100 operatives, including senior commanders, according to the IDF. Nevertheless, the civilian death toll, including children, continues to mount.\nAs of this afternoon local time, Health Authorities in Gaza report 181 Palestinians, including at least 52 children, 31 women and a person with disabilities, were killed and 1,200 injured in these strikes. The population must repeatedly try to find cover from the strikes absent proper shelters and over 34,000 people have been displaced from their homes. Over 40 UNRWA schools are now open in Gaza as shelters with limited access to water and no access to health care or food and serve for protection purposes only. The dense and closed context of Gaza makes seeking shelter all the more difficult. As a result of the military operations, seven factories, 40 schools and at least four hospitals sustained complete or partial damage. At least 18 buildings, including four high-rise towers, including one hosting international media outlets, have been destroyed and over 350 buildings damaged. According to the IDF, these buildings contained Hamas military installations.\nReports continue of families – women, children and infants – killed in their homes by the airstrikes. Early this morning, several houses were struck, while residents were inside, killing 12 people and injuring over 50 others. I note also the deaths yesterday of nine family members – two women and seven children – in the al-Shati camp, among so many others.\nIn Israel, a five-year old boy was killed by a rocket in Sderot and a sixteen-year old girl and her father were killed in Lod.\nSuch tragedies are unacceptable and cannot be justified nor measured.\nThis escalation has already produced tragic results. A further intensification of hostilities would have devastating consequences for both Palestinians and Israelis.\nThe United Nations is working tirelessly with all sides to restore calm.\nI reiterate the Secretary-General’s urgent call on Israel and Palestinian armed groups to take immediate and decisive steps to de-escalate the situation and prevent any further loss of life.\nIsraelis and Palestinians have a legitimate right to safety and security. The violence we are witnessing now is unacceptable and unjustifiable.\nHamas and other militants’ indiscriminate launching of rockets and mortars from highly populated civilian neighborhoods into civilian population centers in Israel violates international humanitarian law and must cease immediately. Civilian areas must never be used for military purposes.\nIsraeli authorities must abide by international humanitarian law principles governing armed conflict, including the proportional use of force, exercising maximum restraint to spare civilians and civilian objects in the conduct of military operations.\nI reiterate that children should not be the target of violence or put in harm’s way.\nTurning briefly to ongoing regional dynamics, on 13 May, the IDF informed that three rockets were fired from Lebanon into the sea off the coast of northern Israel. Lebanese Armed Forces confirmed the firing and reported finding materiel close to a Palestine refugee camp in Rashidiyeh. On 14 May, up to 100 individuals protested north of the Blue Line, some waving Palestinian and Hizbullah flags. UNIFIL observed several protesters cross the Blue Line close to the town of Metula. IDF personnel fired multiple warning shots, reportedly injuring two. According to Lebanese authorities, a Lebanese citizen later died. The Lebanese Armed Forces arrested several protestors following the incident.\nIn addition, three rockets were launched from Syria. There were no reports of damage or injuries.\nMass protests in solidarity with Palestinians also occurred at Israeli borders with Jordan, where thousands of Jordanians marched towards the bridge connecting Jordan to the occupied West Bank but were reportedly stopped short by the Jordanian security forces.\nViolence in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, continues to increase. Since 10 May, 19 Palestinians were killed, including two children, and some 1844 Palestinians were injured in the West Bank by Israeli Security Forces in either clashes or other incidents, with 444 injured by live ammunition. At least eight Israelis were injured in these incidents, according to Israeli Government sources.\nOn 10 May, amid heavy presence of Israeli security forces ahead of planned Jerusalem day marches thousands of Palestinians clashed with police in and around the Holy Esplanade and other parts of the Old City. ISF reportedly shot and injured over 650 Palestinians with rubber-coated metal bullets and other crowd-control means. 32 ISF personnel were injured in the clashes. Although, Israeli authorities took steps to reroute the Jerusalem day marches, leading to their cancelation, tensions continued, particularly within the Holy Esplanade.\nIn Sheikh Jarrah, ISF dispersed demonstrators using skunk water, sponge-tipped bullets and stun grenades. One Palestinian was killed and another shot and injured in separate incidents after they attempted to attack Israeli soldiers.\nOn 14 May, violence escalated as Palestinians held a “Day of Rage” in support of Gaza, with clashes between Palestinians and ISF in Qalqilyia, Ramallah, Nablus, Bethlehem, Hebron and dozens of other locations. Ten Palestinians were killed by Israeli forces, in addition to one Palestinian killed near Ofra settlement in an alleged stabbing attack against ISF. This is the highest number of Palestinian fatalities recorded in a single day in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, since the UN began recording fatalities in 2008.\nTurning again to Gaza, the damage to infrastructure in the Strip has been substantial and a humanitarian emergency is unfolding.\nThe Gaza Power Plant is operating at reduced capacity due to Israel’s closure of the Kerem Shalom crossing. Reports from Gaza suggest rolling daily power cuts of 5-6 hours in some areas. With current stocks, it could operate at reduced capacity for another four days only. The lack of electricity has resulted in a decrease of clean water and sewage treatment affecting hundreds of thousands. The health system, already overwhelmed by chronic drug shortages, inadequate equipment and the COVID-19 pandemic will likely be unable to meet the needs of those injured during the violence, particularly as hospitals face equipment and electricity shortages.\nSince 10 May, Israeli authorities have kept Gaza crossings for people and goods closed. This includes humanitarian personnel and critical aid, such as fuel and medical supplies. The fishing zone off the coast of Gaza also remains closed. The Rafah crossing was closed on 12 May and reopened this morning.\nIt is vital that, mindful of its security concerns, Israel open the crossings for movement of critical staff in and out of Gaza and for the entry of fuel for the GPP. The UN must also be able to bring in key items needed for trauma care and to adequately supply shelters given the huge influx of IDPs. This requires a pause in fighting to allow limited movement for a restock of supplies and to assess damages and needs including to electricity infrastructure.\nI remind all sides that the UN and its partners have nearly completed a massive, multi-billion-dollar reconstruction effort following the 2014 conflict. Given the range of current global challenges, an outpouring of international support on the same scale is highly unlikely. All sides should be mindful of this as the fighting and destruction continues.\nWe cannot allow the situation to slide further into chaos.\nThe hostilities must stop.\nI reiterate the appeal just given by the Secretary-General for an immediate cessation of hostilities and for his dire warning that this conflict will increase radicalization and extremism in the whole region.\nThe international community has a crucial role to play. It must take action now to enable the parties to step back from the brink.\nI welcome the statements from members of the Security Council, the Arab League and others aimed at finding a diplomatic solution to the immediate crisis. I also appreciate the efforts of leaders across the international community over the past days urging all parties to exercise restraint, deescalate tensions and prevent further civilian casualties.\nWe are once again witnessing the tragic results of the failure to address the core issues that have driven the conflict for decades.\nPalestinian and Israeli civilians continue to endure the suffering that accompanies repeated cycles of violence and conflict.\nThese cycles of violence will only stop with a political resolution of the conflict, including addressing the status of Jerusalem and other final status issues, with an end to the occupation, and the realization of a two-State solution on the basis of the 1967 lines, UN resolutions, international law and mutual agreements, with Jerusalem as capital of both Israel and Palestine.\nI reiterate my call to the members of the Middle East Quartet, key Arab and international partners, as well as to Israeli and Palestinian leadership, to strengthen efforts to return to meaningful negotiations towards a viable two-State solution.\nI thank you Mr. President.\nsecurity_council_briefing_-_16_may_2021.pdf\n Security Council Briefing On The Situation In The Middle East, Including The Palestinian Question (As Delivered By UN Special Coordinator Wennesland)\n Statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General on the situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory\nTor Wennesland, Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process (on screen), addresses the Security Council meeting on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question. (UN Photo/Loey Felipe - New York, 18 January 2023)\nSecurity Council Briefing on the Situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian Question (As delivered by Special Coordinator Wennesland)\nMister President,\nSecurity Council briefing on the recent developments in occupied East Jerusalem (As delivered by ASG Khiari)\nTor Wennesland, Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, attends the Security Council meeting on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question. (UN Photo/Rick Bajornas - New York, 28 September 2022)\nSecurity Council Briefing on the Situation in the Middle East, Reporting on the Implementation of UNSCR 2334 [As Delivered by Special Coordinator Wennesland]\nMadam President,","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1076756"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8351388573646545,"wiki_prob":0.8351388573646545,"text":"Tag Archive : Tourism in Belarus\nHome / Tourism in Belarus\nTourism in Belarus\nBy My Best Travel 2 10 February، 2021\nTourist places in Belarus\nGeneral information about Belarus\nMost of the population of Belarus resides in the urban areas surrounding Minsk and other capital cities (regions) forming the country. More than 80% of the population is Belarusian, with significant minorities of Russians, Poles and Ukrainians. Since a referendum was held in 1995, the two official languages ​​of the country have become Belarusian and Russian.\nThe Constitution of Belarus does not declare the official religion even though the main religion in the country is Russian Orthodox Christianity. The second faith is Catholic Christianity, with a much smaller number of followers, but both Easter and Christmas are officially observed and considered public holidays.\nBelarusian literature began with religious writings between the eleventh and thirteenth centuries, represented by Cyril’s Toravian poetry from the twelfth century. By the 16th century, Polotsk resident Francesk Skaryna translated the Bible into Belarusian. It was published in Prague and Vilnius between 1517 and 1525, making it the first book printed in Belarus or anywhere in Eastern Europe. The modern stage of Belarusian literature began in the late nineteenth century. One of the most important ones is Yanka Kupala. Several prominent Belarusian writers of the time, such as Oladzimir Zelka, Kazimir Svayak, Jakob Kolas, Jmitrok Piadula and Maxim Haritsky wrote for a Belarusian-language newspaper called Nasha Niva, published in Vilnius.\nAfter Belarus was incorporated into the Soviet Union, the Soviet government took control of the republic’s cultural affairs. The free development of literature only in the territories fell under Polish control until the Soviets took control of it in 1939. Many poets and writers were exiled after the Nazi occupation of Belarus, and did not return until the 1960s. The last attempts to revive the past of Belarusian literature appeared in the 1960s through the novels of Vasil Bekav and Oladzimir Karatievich.\nTourist areas in Belarus\nMir Castle complex (Mirsky Zamuk)\nThe Mir Castle complex (Mirsky Zamuk) is an outstanding example of fortification art dating back to the 16th century. It is located in the town of Mir in the Grodno region of Belarus. The construction of this Gothic-style castle in Belarus began in 1520 by Duke Ilyench. Mykolai Radziwela Palace was built with three floors along the eastern and northern walls of the fortress which has forty rooms. The walls were built surrounded by a moat. And an artificial lake was created in the south.\nThe capital of Belarus, it is a modern city dominated by monumental Stalinist architecture. Many of its museums, theaters, and other cultural attractions are located on Istiklal Street, this famous square is located in close proximity to the huge KGB headquarters and the Church of the New Roman Saints Simon and Helena, also known as the Red Church.\nClose to Independence Square is the Museum of the Great Patriotic War, which commemorates the nation’s role in WWII, and the National Museum of Art, which displays hundreds of local artworks.\nIt is a city in western Belarus, near the Polish and Lithuanian borders. On the banks of the Neman River, the city is characterized by its greenness and also contains the old castle, which was considered a palace of the Renaissance, which dates back to the eleventh century. Nearby, a new village was built in the 18th century as a royal residence. There is also another tourist attraction in the city, which is the steadfast Kloza church from the twelfth century, which is decorated with polished stones and terracotta tiles.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line444470"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9551601409912109,"wiki_prob":0.9551601409912109,"text":"Home / Regional / Long-awaited election date could be revealed Monday\nLong-awaited election date could be revealed Monday\nDecember 16, 2022 in Regional\nThe much anticipated general election date could be revealed in a matter of days. That is according to Information Minister Melford Nicholas who hinted at such during Thursday’s post-Cabinet press briefing.\nThe announcement, he says, could be made during the incumbent Antigua Barbuda Labour Party’s (ABLP) campaign launch on Monday.\n“I think the smart money is on that – even I as one of the Prime Minister’s trusted deputies can’t say with any certainty what the final date will be – but I think it is fair to say that anybody who follows politics would know that at such an auspicious event it is more than likely that the Prime Minister will announce the date that he has indicated to the Governor General.\n“For those persons keen on politics, the place to be would be on Nugent Avenue on the 19th where we would expect that announcement to be made,” Nicholas said.\nThe launch will begin at 7pm at the ABLP’s Nugent Avenue headquarters and will feature guest performances from local acts like Burning Flames, Tian Winter and Claudette Peters and regional artistes like Romain Virgo, Skinny Fabulous and Asa Bantan.\nNicholas expressed confidence that the party will be successful in attaining a third straight term.\n“The Prime Minister likes to indicate that it is the best performing administration since [Antigua and Barbuda] became an independent nation and I share that belief as well,” he said.\n“I believe that when the [campaign] becomes really entrenched that will be the basis in which the ruling party, that I am a part of, will be asking for consideration of the public on that basis. So, I think that will be the basis of the general elections coming up,” he added.\nThe confirmation of a date is likely to ramp up the political activities of all three major parties. Opposition parties have been on a state of high alert for over a year after PM Browne hinted in summer 2021 that the election would be held early.\nThe election is constitutionally due in March 2023. The last one took place on March 21, 2018 with the ABLP claiming 15 of the 17 seats.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1048094"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6390739679336548,"wiki_prob":0.6390739679336548,"text":"Sagu News\nGet Monthly Content\nSAGU Lion News\nSAGU soccer teams topple Texas College\nWaxahachie, Texas- September 7, 2015- The Southwestern Assemblies of God University (SAGU) men’s and women’s soccer teams both walked away victorious on Saturday’s matches against Texas College. The women’s team beat TC 3-1. The men’s team won 4-2. Both teams are 2-1 for the season.\nFor the women, Laura Barba, Nadine Jaimes and Joy Reyes all scored a goal. Jaimes now has three goals for the season and Barba has two. Goalkeeper’s Kathleen Espinoza and Alaina Jones each played a half for SAGU. Espinoza had two saves.\n“Every player had a part in the win. We had several shots and a couple of good saves by our keepers. I’m excited to see so much progress in a short period of time,” says head coach Mandy Fortner. “We have a tough few games ahead of us and my hope I that we continue to improve and prepare for conference.”\nOn Thursday, September 10, 2015, the Lady Lions play Friends University (Kansas) at 2:00pm. FU is currently 2-0 for the season.\nThe Lions were led by Ramone Cardenas, who had two goals for the day. Senior’s Robert Ambrosie and Parker Sturgeon each had a goal. Senior goalkeeper Cesar Espana had three saves for the game.\nMen’s soccer head coach Clem Oancea believes his team is starting to click on the field, “You can’t have a perfect game, but what we can have is commitment to follow the game plan from the start to finish. That paid off and I’m glad we’ve seen success by doing the small things right.”\nOn Thursday, SAGU plays Friends University (Kansas) at 4:00pm. FU is currently 0-2 for the season. Oancea is hopeful his full roster will be healthy and ready to go by then.\nAbout SAGU:\nSouthwestern Assemblies of God University is a private, Christian university located 30 minutes south of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex in Waxahachie, Texas. The university was established in 1927, and now offers more than 70 associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees on campus or online. More information is available at www.sagu.edu or by calling 1-888-YES-SAGU.\nContact: Natalie Tristan, SAGU SID, [email protected]\nSAGU Ranks #1 Best Online Master's Degrees in Clinical Psychology\nStudent Spotlight: Jennifer Howe\nSAGU Ranked Top 1% Safest College Campuses in U.S.\nSAGU Gives Back\nAll News All ThoughtHub Blogs All SAGUtv Videos All Events","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1009009"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6352405548095703,"wiki_prob":0.3647594451904297,"text":"UM Board of Curators approves tuition increase, remains focused on student affordability\nBoard approved a 2.1 percent increase but will only charge students 1 percent for next academic year\nCOLUMBIA, Mo. — The University of Missouri Board of Curators today approved a tuition increase for the 2018-19 academic year. While the board approved a 2.1 percent increase, the university will only charge students a 1 percent increase following an agreement with state legislators who did not cut the university’s budget.\n“We are very aware of the financial burden that students and their families face, and our chancellors and their administrative teams have been working exceptionally hard to keep our tuition low over the past several years,” said David Steelman, chair of the Board of Curators. “We’re also extremely appreciative of efforts of our legislators. They worked diligently and did not cut our revenue despite a variety of budget pressures facing the state. Through the combination of our campus leaders and the legislators, we are able to keep tuition at four of the state’s premier universities very low.”\nThe curators approved a request to raise tuition by 2.1 percent, the amount allowed under current state law. However, under an agreement reached with the state, the campuses will only charge 1 percent more in exchange for protecting the university’s state appropriation. The budget bill that recently passed the legislature called for the core funding to remain at last year’s levels while also providing some funding for additional projects such as the Springfield medical campus and the joint pharmacy program.\n“Together with the state legislators and our campus leaders, we are keeping higher education in Missouri very affordable,” UM System President Mun Choi said. “Even with this increase, our campuses have reduced other costs so that the overall cost to students remains low. Through cost-saving measures, such as our textbook affordability initiative and increases in need and merit-based scholarships, many students will see their total cost of attendance decline.”\nDuring the past year, the UM System and each of its four campuses have introduced several affordability initiatives:\nMissouri S&T professors embraced a textbook initiative encouraging Open Educational Resources in classes. For example, Associate Professor Cesar Mendoza switched textbooks in his Civil Engineering 3330 class from a book that cost $145 to another text that cost $35, saving students a total of about $23,000 annually.\nUniversity of Missouri-Columbia officials reduced the cost of MU’s most common housing and dining plans. This reduction allows students who elect economy living and dining plans the ability to live and eat on campus for approximately $1,000 per month.\nThe University of Missouri-Kansas City has partnered with KC Scholars to make college accessible to students in the Kansas City region through a new scholarship and college savings program launched in 2016. KC Scholars will provide the means—through scholarships, financial incentives and support services—for low- and modest-income students and adults to pursue a postsecondary credit-bearing credential or degree. Funding opportunities are available for traditional students and adult learners.\nThe University of Missouri-St. Louis increased its UMSL Grant by 25 percent to $2,000 for incoming Pell Grant eligible students for Fiscal Year 2018. The grant is an annual award for Pell Grant eligible students who maintain a 2.5 GPA. UMSL also has increased its Diversity Scholarships budget by $100,000 for Fiscal Year 2019.\n“The University of Missouri has had one of the lowest rates of tuition increase in the U.S. during the past decade,” said Ryan Rapp, UM vice president for finance. “Every dollar we save, we put back toward our educational mission. Keeping tuition low is a key factor to achieving our mission of providing a high-quality, affordable education.”","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line981861"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6097436547279358,"wiki_prob":0.3902563452720642,"text":"OLYMPUS MOVEMENT PERFORMANCE TEAM\nDr. Annemarie Alf, DPT\nAnnemarie Alf, PT, DPT, CSCS is North County San Diego’s leading Doctor of Physical Therapy who specializes in returning athletes of all ages back to the sports and activities they love.\nShe founded OLYMPUS MOVEMENT PERFORMANCE because she wanted to create a space that focuses on the WHOLE person and athlete. After spending many years in her young professional career with youth and high school aged athletes, she has returned to those roots in the foundation of creating Olympus Movement Performance. Annemarie focuses on returning athletes of all ages from the rehab phase to the performance/ return to sport or activity phase. As an athlete herself, she has fully recovered from a full knee reconstruction of an ACL repair, MCL and medial/ lateral meniscal tears to all the sports she loves.\nBut Olympus doesn’t just focus on the young athlete. Annemarie has seen a huge void in the traditional medical and physical therapy settings in actually addressing the root causes of injuries and ‘diseases.’ For this reason she has created the Holistic/ Integrated approach that Functional Medicine/ Nutrition and Hormone Balancing allows for to assess and treat the WHOLE person.\nANNEMARIE graduated with a DOCTORATE IN PHYSICAL THERAPY from UNIVERSITY OF ST AUGUSTINE. She is certified as A STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING COACH and a Certified SFMA (Selective Functional Movement Assessment) provider.\nAnnemarie, an athlete herself, is a National Champion Waterski Jumper, CrossFit athlete, UltraRunner and IRONMAN Canada finisher.\nShe was the first American Physical Therapist to work with any Chinese Olympic Team at an Olympic Games. As the Performance Physical Therapist to the Men's and Women's Chinese Olympic Gymnastics Team she attended the 2012 London Olympic Games and provided daily evaluation and treatment of all gymnastics athletes. The Chinese Olympic Gymnastic team achieved eight total gymnastics medals, more than any other nation.\nCurrently, Annemarie is the Strength and Conditioning Coach and Physical Therapist to the San Diego Sockers.\nCertifications/ Continuing Education: ​\n​Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist\nSFMA 1 & 2 Certified\nDNS Running, Exercise II, III, Weightlifting; and 'A'\nASTYM certified\nPRI Myokinematic Restoration, Postural Restoration\nDry Needling certified\nRocktape and Rockblades Certified\nCrossFit Level 1 Trainer Certificate\n​Dr. Jessica Robinson, DPT\n​Jessica Robinson, DPT, graduated from the University of California, San Diego with her Bachelor’s of Science in 2009 then went on to receive her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of Washington in 2016. She has been working in outpatient orthopedics for over 5 years with an emphasis in post-operative rehab. Her professional interests include general orthopedics, sports and dance medicine.⁣\nJessica grew up as a gymnast and competitive dancer. She has taught dance and coached a competitive collegiate team and continues to enjoy working with this population. She became interested in athletic training and physical therapy after sustaining a knee injury in gymnastics and having to undergo several surgical repairs. This experience has given her a deeper understanding and empathy for those recovering from an injury/surgery. She is a strong believer that an individual is not defined by their injury or diagnosis and strives to return patients to their full functional capacity and achieve their individual goals.⁣\nShe is certified in Blood Flow Restriction Rehabilitation and has M1 level Graston Technique training.⁣\nIn her spare time, Jessica enjoys spending time with her family and friends, dancing, baking, hiking, and generally exploring throughout San Diego.⁣\nPERFORMANCE FITNESS COACHES\nCoach Jamie\nCoach Bri\nBrianna has been a life-long fitness enthusiast who lives out her passion daily with her work as a coach and trainer. With over a decade spent in athletic training, she learned the importance of both health and wellness. In 2020 she graduated with a Bachelors in Kinesiology with an emphasis in exercise science and a minor in nutrition. While in school, Bri attained her CrossFit Level 1 certificate and competed in Olympic Weightlifting. In addition, she worked as a physical therapy aide, where she grew her knowledge in rehabilitation. Currently, she is studying to get her CSCS with the intention of pursuing a doctorate in physical therapy. Prioritizing strength, mobility, and health, Bri is committed to growing her skill set to better serve those around her.\nHave An Urgent Need?","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line131990"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5937830209732056,"wiki_prob":0.40621697902679443,"text":"Martin Van Buren Hooks\nA farmer in DeKalb County, he enlisted as Private, Company K, 22nd Georgia Infantry on 31 August 1861.\nHe was slightly wounded in the hip or back in action at Sharpsburg on 17 September 1862.\nHe was in a Richmond, VA hospital by 4 October and furloughed to Linthonia, GA on 28 October 1862. He was back on duty before August 1863 and was surrendered with his Company at Appomattox Court House, VA on 9 April 1865.\nBy 1870 he was a farmer in DeKalb County. He moved to Atlanta in 1894 and listed his occupation as house carpenter, but claimed \"infirmity and poverty\" and depended on his children for support.\nHis service from Henderson's Roster 1 and his Compiled Service Record (CSR) at the US National Archives, online via fold3. Personal details from his 1897-1907 pension applications, online from the Georgia Archives, and from family genealogists. The pointer to Hooks and further details thanks to Barry Truluck from his research in a casualty list in the Richmond Enquirer of 17 October 1862, family and cemetery records, the US Census for 1850-1910, his pension application, and the CSR.\nHe married Margaret A. C. \"Carrie\" Thomas (b. 1846) in November 1866 and they had at least 8 children.\n10/01/1840; DeKalb County, GA\n08/14/1914; Fulton County, GA\n1 Henderson, Lilian, compiler, Roster of the Confederate Soldiers of Georgia, 1861-1865, 6 vols., Hapeville (GA): Longino & Porter, 1959-1964, Vol. II, pg. 1004 [AotW citation 26101]","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1613127"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9999610185623169,"wiki_prob":0.9999610185623169,"text":"Patriots Wire\nPatriots set to host 2023 international game in Germany\nJordy McElroy\nPack your bags, ladies and gentlemen. The New England Patriots are heading to Germany in the 2023 season.\nThe NFL announced on Thursday that the Patriots and Kansas City Chiefs would be hosting games internationally in the 2023 season. With both teams set to host games in Germany, that would eliminate the Chiefs as the potential opponent for the Patriots.\nThis will be New England’s debut in the country as a designated team.\n“We are thrilled to be selected to play in Germany this year,” Patriots Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft said in a statement, via the official team website. “We are undefeated in our three previous international games, thanks in part to the outstanding support from our fans. We know that some of our most passionate fans reside in Germany, and we look forward to finally playing a game there. We know the fans will create an amazing atmosphere. We are sure it will be a memorable experience and one of the highlights of the 2023 season.”\nMore details will come later in the year, particularly the destination and opponents in both international matchups.\nAll of the Patriots’ previous international games have ended in lopsided fashion, culminating in a 3-0 record. The last matchup overseas came in a trip to Mexico City back in 2017, when the Tom Brady-led Patriots handed the Oakland Raiders a 33-7 blowout loss.\nWe’ll see if tradition holds true in 2023.\n10 biggest cap hits for Patriots heading into 2023 offseason\nStory originally appeared on Patriots Wire","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1767425"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9042048454284668,"wiki_prob":0.9042048454284668,"text":"State Your Peace Tonight\nShuttered Room\nThe Fixx (1982)\nThe debut album by The Fixx was released in the UK 40 years old today. It includes the first single by the band, Stand Or Fall, which hit #7 on the Billboard Top Rock Tracks.\nThe album didn't come over to the United States for another five months, but I don't ever remember hearing any of the songs from it when I was growing up in the 80's. In fact, I didn't really know too much about The Fixx until I was in my 30's and found a recording of the KROQ Top 106 Songs of 1983. Someone taped the whole show on four cassette tapes from the radio back on New Years Eve and shared on archive.org. Three songs from the album were included on the countdown: Shuttered Room, Stand Or Fall, and a song that quickly became one of my favorite new wave songs of the 80's, Red Skies.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line486304"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5856794714927673,"wiki_prob":0.41432052850723267,"text":"Varsity Volleyball Captain Jacelin Mckie\nRah-San Bailey\nIsaac Ng, Reporter\nHaving played all four years on varsity for Venice, senior captain Jacelin McKie plays right side/opposite for the girls varsity volleyball team. Standing at 5’7, she holds a current California ranking of 422 and a national ranking of 4,481.\nHowever, it wasn’t always easy for the 17-year-old, as she has dealt with injuries in the past that kept her sidelined for months. But here she is, enjoying her last year of high school and preparing to move on to college and pursue her dreams.\nDescribe how you started playing volleyball.\n“Volleyball was a family sport, so I just naturally grew up into the sport. However, it was like a realization for me, because I also played other sports like basketball and track. But when I started playing volleyball, I realized that it was the only sport I wanted to play. And I started playing competitively when I was 7.”\nWhat’s your mentality whenever you step on the court?\n“Mostly, I am just focused on the team and ensuring that every single one of my teammates is involved and that we’re focused and doing our best every time.”\nWhat’s your favorite part about playing volleyball?\n“My favorite part is the fact that volleyball is truly a team sport. I love having to play and work to build relationships with my teammates in order to better our success together on the court.”\nWhat’s your most memorable moment playing volleyball?\n“My most memorable moment was winning our first state playoff game and advancing into the second round of states’. This is the farthest the volleyball program at Venice has gotten.”\nWas there a time when you were prevented from playing?\n“For the past two seasons in a row, I’ve sprained my ankle at the beginning of the season. But I try my best to not let that prevent me from playing. And it helped me focus on my impact on the team off the court.”\nWhat expectations do you have for yourself?\n“None really. I just want to enjoy my last year of high school volleyball with my girls.”\nWhat do you enjoy doing outside of volleyball?\n“I enjoy hanging out with my friends and baking.”\nWhat are you planning on doing after graduating from high school?\n“Since UC Santa Cruz is a D3 athletic university, it is my best option for playing collegiate sports and continue focussing on my education. There, I want to study psychology, hopefully play volleyball for their program, and enjoy my time there.”","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1314139"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.610481858253479,"wiki_prob":0.610481858253479,"text":"Chapter 584: A Beauty's Misunderstanding\nAt the time that Xu Qingyan received Song Yanshu's phone call, she was in the middle of stuffing her face with food. After all, this food contained a lot of memories and was bought by Tang Jingxuan, so she especially cherished it.\n\"Hi, it's Song Yanshu. Let's meet.\"\nXu Qingyan pulled the phone away confusedly before returning it to her ear, \"If you have something to say, then just say it. I don't want to see you.\"\n\"I'll meet you in the lobby of Glory Hotel. You have 30 minutes. It's regarding Jingxuan. If you don't come, you will regret it,\" Song Yanshu said as she looked at the watch on her wrist before she hung up.\nXu Qingyan sighed at Song Yanshu's arrogant and unreasonable attitude. It wasn't like she was a small assistant that followed her around. What right did she have to demand her to come and go as she pleased?\nHowever, even though it made her uncomfortable, the mention of Tang Jingxuan's name left her with no choice but to put down the food in her hands. After tidying up a little and getting changed, she left her house and headed for the hotel.\nIn less than 20 minutes, Xu Qingyan was led into the hotel by a bellboy. As soon as she spotted Song Yanshu sitting by the window, elegantly sipping a cup of coffee, she immediately walked over and asked, \"Whatever it is, speak!\"\nSong Yanshu lifted her head and looked at Xu Qingyan. She had a mysterious look in her eyes that made Xu Qingyan extremely uncomfortable.\nXu Qingyan looked questioningly into Song Yanshu's eyes. This was the first time that the two women had met in private.\n\"Have you seen today's news?\" Song Yanshu already had her phone opened to an article as she handed it to Xu Qingyan.\nXu Qingyan took the phone from Song Yanshu's hands suspiciously. It didn't take long before she realized the main point, \"This can't be possible, I just saw him not long ago.\"\n\"Anything is possible. I also saw him just before he came to see you. I was by his side the entire time,\" Song Yanshu smiled. \"I can confirm that he just came out of surgery and his injuries are, in fact, quite serious.\"\n\"But, why...\"\n\"This is why I am here to see you,\" Song Yanshu retrieved her phone and looked at Xu Qingyan in seriousness. In a slightly helpless and contemptuous voice, she continued, \"Jingxuan and I have made up...I'm sorry that he used you all this time. His injury this time was all because of me, but this incident has allowed us to see how we feel about each other; we are truly in love.\"\n\"So, could I please ask you to keep your distance from now on?\"\n\"I don't believe a single word that is coming out of your mouth,\" Xu Qingyan replied. \"I am going to ask him to explain in person...\"\n\"Go ahead. If it comes from his lips, it will be easier for you to accept,\" Song Yanshu smiled as she did a welcoming gesture.\nXu Qingyan turned around angrily as she headed for the exit. But, at this time, Song Yanshu suddenly held her back, \"I was just joking...\"\n\"What?\" Xu Qingyan's​ mind was muddled up by Song Yanshu's confusing words.\n\"I said, I was just joking. You're well aware that I am already engaged, so there's no way I would turn back. But, Tang Jingxuan did indeed get hurt because of me.\"\nThis time, Xu Qingyan did not hesitate as she directly threw a slap across Song Yanshu's face, \"Do you know how disgusting you look?\"\n\"I've heard bits and pieces about you. You were once a great assistant by Tangning's side. But...what happened to you? Why have you changed so much? How are you really like as a person?\"\n\"You are well aware of the pain that Jingxuan suffered because of you. To break away from the past, he gave up on the singing career that he loved and retreated from the entertainment industry. What else do you want from him?\"\n\"Why do you think you are still standing here today? It's because Ning Jie is a grateful person; she remembers all that you have done for her. Otherwise, did you think that you could still survive in Beijing?\"\n\"Song Yanshu, you should remain level-headed. Have you thought about the way that the Tang Family has treated you?\"\n\"It's obvious that Jingxuan would never turn back, and even if he did, did you think you are doing the right thing by degrading someone that loves you wholeheartedly?\"\nSong Yanshu did not say a word. To be exact, Xu Qingyan had already read her mind. So, all she could do was smile.\n\"What about you? What are your feelings towards Jingxuan?\"\n\"It's none of your business,\" Xu Qingyan growled. \"Song Yanshu, I am not the one that should distance myself from Jingxuan, you are...No matter what you want to do, Jingxuan and I are not from the entertainment industry. We don't care if you want to create hype or do anything else. It has nothing to do with us!\"\n\"If you want Ning Jie to still consider you as a friend, I think you know what to do.\"\nAfter speaking, Xu Qingyan left the hotel without looking back. As she walked away, she anxiously contacted Tangning, \"Ning Jie, where is Jingxuan right now?\"\nIn reality, Xu Qingyan actually believed that Tang Jingxuan had gotten hurt because of Song Yanshu. After all, Tang Jingxuan was a righteous person that viewed relationships highly. But she wondered, didn't he feel that it wasn't worth it?\nEven so, regardless of the reason for his injuries, the fact that Tang Jingxuan went so far to buy her food from their childhood, was proof enough that Tang Jingxuan was a silly idiot.\nNot long after returning to the hospital, Tang Jingxuan fell into a deep sleep. After all, the weather was cold and​ he had just awoken from his surgery not long ago. So, when Xu Qingyan walked into the hospital room, he remained asleep in bed without a clue that she had arrived.\nIt turned out that the silly idiot had indeed traveled all the way to buy her food even though he was seriously injured...\n\"You...\" As soon as Lu Che saw Xu Qingyan appear at the hospital, he was full of curiosity. Didn't Hai Rui have everything under wraps? Had their line of defense been broken?\n\"Song Yanshu came looking for me...\" Xu Qingyan explained. \"She told me that this idiot was injured.\"\n\"Would she really be that nice?\" Lu Che's image of Song Yanshu had been completely ruined. To him, she was practically in the same category as Yang Xi and Ye Lan.\n\"I feel bad for this idiot. Why would he still risk his life for a woman like that?\" Xu Qingyan looked at Tang Jingxuan disappointedly. She was so tempted to wake him up right at that moment.\nLu Che realized something wasn't right as he raised an eyebrow questioningly, \"Is that what Song Yanshu told you?\"\n\"Uh huh.\"\n\"And you believe her just like that?\"\n\"If not, what other reason would he have? Anyhow, it doesn't matter. I already hit that woman. You can leave Jingxuan with me from now on, I'll take care of him. After all, he has helped me many times in the past.\"\nLu Che gently held his head with a helpless expression. It wasn't easy for Tang Jingxuan to be a hero, yet the beauty that he saved misunderstood him...\nBut, he was going to leave the explaining for Tang Jingxuan to do himself.\n\"Miss Xu, there are a few words that I would like to say to you. After all, I think of Jingxuan as family.\"\n\"He has made a lot of mistakes in love, I'm sure you've seen how badly he's been hurt. I hope he won't come across another woman that wants to play around with him while they have another man in their heart...\"","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1142245"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8502666354179382,"wiki_prob":0.8502666354179382,"text":"Americans can sponsor refugees now directly under new program\nHundreds of migrants from Venezuela, Haiti, and Central America -formerly heading to the United States- wait in line to process their refugee status at the Mexican Commission for Refugee Assistance (COMAR), in Tapachula, Chiapas state, Mexico on Nov 7, 2022. (STR / AFP)\nWASHINGTON – Groups of Americans will be able to directly sponsor refugees for resettlement in the United States under a new program launching on Thursday, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters, a step that could bolster admissions and reduce government costs.\nUnder the pilot program, which will be called the Welcome Corps, groups of at least five people will be expected to raise a minimum of $2,275 per refugee assigned to them by the government, one of the people said. The sponsor groups will also be required to pass background checks and create a support plan.\nEarlier this month, US President Joe Biden rolled out a humanitarian entry program that allows up to 30,000 migrants per month from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela to enter via \"parole\" if they have US sponsors and travel by air\nThe program will aim to find US sponsors for 5,000 refugees in fiscal year 2023, which ends on Sept 30, another of the sources said.\nALSO READ: Washington trampling on rights of immigrants\nThe individual sponsorship program for refugees – similar to a model used in Canada – is part of a broader effort by US President Joe Biden to provide opportunities for Americans to support foreigners seeking protection.\nEarlier this month, Biden rolled out a humanitarian entry program that allows up to 30,000 migrants per month from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela to enter via \"parole\" if they have US sponsors and travel by air. The administration also used parole to admit Afghans and Ukrainians and piloted sponsor programs to support them in the United States.\nThe US State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.\nThe Welcome Corps program will bring in refugees through the US Refugee Resettlement Program, which takes referrals from the United Nations and US embassies. Biden set a cap of 125,000 refugee admissions this fiscal year, which began on Oct 1, 2022, but only 6,750 arrived from October-December, according to program data.\nALSO READ: Action urged in US battle against racism\nThe United States greatly curtailed refugee entries under former president Donald Trump, who portrayed them as a security threat. Admissions have yet to rebound to pre-Trump levels.\nSasha Chanoff, founder of RefugePoint, which identifies people in need of resettlement, said the sponsorships could be one of the most significant developments for the US refugee program since it began in 1980.\n\"It invites Americans to get involved in new ways,\" he said.\nTagged program, resettlement, under, which, will\nNissin Foods (Hong Kong) Charity Fund Establishes Nissin Foods Scholarship at The Chinese University of Hong Kong\nUkraine appoints acting interior minister after helicopter crash","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1519431"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9226513504981995,"wiki_prob":0.9226513504981995,"text":"25th anniversary of Happy Land nightclub fire that killed 87\nBy Crimesider Staff\nMarch 25, 2015 / 3:14 PM / CBS News\nNEW YORK -- Twenty-five years ago Wednesday, 87 people died after a man who was reportedly angry with his ex-girlfriend set fire to a Bronx club, reports CBS New York.\nThe fire broke out just after 3 a.m. on March 25, 1990 at the Happy Land nightclub. Happy Land was operating illegally after having been ordered closed by the city for building and fire code violations, and a single staircase was the only point of egress.\nThe club was packed with young men and women - largely recent immigrants from Honduras, Ecuador and other Latin American countries, according to published reports.\nEarlier that evening, Julio Gonzalez had been kicked out of the club by the bouncer after getting into an argument with his ex-girlfriend - nightclub ticket taker Lydia Feliciano, according to published reports. He walked to a gas station nearby and returned to the nightclub with a container full of gasoline, which he poured onto the staircase and ignited.\nFeliciano survived the fire, but 87 people - 61 men and 26 women, did not. Most of them were reportedly under 25 years old.\nVictims trying to escape the flames ended up piled up in a corner alongside the dance floor where they asphyxiated or burned to death, reports said.\nGonzalez was convicted of 87 counts each of murder and arson in 1991, and was sentenced to 25 years to life for every count.\nAccounts at the time pointed out that the Happy Land fire was the deadliest blaze in New York City since the Triangle Shirtwaist fire 79 years earlier to the day. The Triangle Shirtwaist fire killed 146 people and helped galvanize the U.S. labor movement in 1911.\nThe building that housed the Triangle Shirtwaist factory is now owned by New York University.\nThe remains of the Happy Land club were demolished after the fire of March 25, 1990.\nWoman, 29, arrested after enrolling at high school, posing as freshman\nSchool board votes to remove superintendent after 6-year-old shoots teacher\nTwo Florida police officers charged for allegedly beating homeless man\nFirst published on March 25, 2015 / 3:14 PM","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line74723"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9096614122390747,"wiki_prob":0.9096614122390747,"text":"Home » Cancer Stories » Dog And Beth Fight Of Their Lives\nDog And Beth Fight Of Their Lives\nAlice Miles November 15, 2017 Cancer Stories\nDog and beth fight of their lives - Beth Chapman gives an update on her battle with throat cancer in new 'Dog and Beth' trailer. A and E network brings the most famous bounty hunter in the world, Dwayne \"dog\" Chapman and his wife Beth, back to the emotional two-hour special documenting Beth with throat cancer, was announced today by Elaine Frontain Bryant, Deputy Executive President and head of the network's programming, & e. with tears and emotion, the dog and Beth opened their hearts and lives of audiences like never before. The show \"Dog and Beth: fight in your life\" on November 27 at 9 p.m. et/fr.\n\"We are grateful to the family Dog and Beth Chapman over their courage to share their personal journeys with the audience for a very difficult time in their lives,\" said Frontain Bryant. Dog and beth fight of their lives - \"We hope this can inspire an audience.\"\nThe audience will follow the Dog and Beth from diagnosis through surgery and the journey towards recovery. As they enter the biggest struggle in their lives, they will look for the prayers and support of family and friends, including Shannon Tweed Simmons and others.\n\"Dog The Bounty Hunter\" was released in 2004 and aired for seven seasons in the 200 episodes. For running it, the series became one of the most successful franchises in the run scoring record with television through the demo key. \"Dog and Beth: struggle in your life\" is produced by the media and network Thinkfactory. Thinkfactory Media is the Executive producer Leslie Greif, Adam Reed, Adam Freeman and Mayen Ma. Executive producer A & E is Elaine Fronton Bryant Savitsky, Amy, and Brad Abramson.\nRelated: Dog And Beth Cancer\nBeth Chapman, the co-star of reality show Dog the Bounty Hunter, was diagnosed with throat cancer in the second stage this autumn, and will soon find out about its fight for health in a two-hour special. People reported that Beth will talk about his struggle in dog health and Beth: the struggle of her life, which will be screened on November 27. The show will follow suit of the diagnosis in September through surgery and begin the road to recovery.\nSpecial event Beth in hospitals, as well as spending time with family and friends. \"When you start this fight, I don't see a lot of optimism,\" said Beth, in the video preview that was released by a & e. \"they gave me the opportunity of 50 to 50.\" At the end of September, she had surgery to remove the cancerous tumor the size of a plum from the neck.\nHer husband, Duan \"dog\" Chapman, also consider the fight with his wife's diagnosis. \"[Doctors] said:\" I'm sorry, dogs, \"and immediately I understood,\" he said. Dog and beth fight of their lives - The dog is also shown in the video, ask Beth \"what will happen if you leave us forever?\"\nAfter his diagnosis, Beth, reportedly wrote a letter to his friend, pledged to fight every step of the way, and it was clear that he was still determined to beat cancer. \"I want my kids can see that their mothers struggle to tolerate,\" said Beth specials. \"Cancer chose the wrong woman, \"added the dog.\nDog and beth fight of their lives - \"We thank Beth Chapman family, dogs and because of their courage to share my personal journey with the audience during a very difficult time in their lives,\" Elaine Fronteyn Bryant, head of programming for & E, says in a press release. \"We hope that this feature can give inspiration to the audience.\" Recently, Beth steps back in the spotlight, appeared with dogs at a party for the series Hawaii five-0. [This is one of his first public appearances after cancer surgery.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1903733"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7278804183006287,"wiki_prob":0.27211958169937134,"text":"Jack's blog\nHow Hearing Aids Might help\nNow the third most common physical impairment right after arthritis and heart illness, hearing loss impacts almost 50 million Americans. That's about 20 percent with the U.S. population or one in each five people. Though congenital challenges are to blame in some cases, most people lose their hearing steadily as they age. In accordance with data in the National Institutes of Health (NIH), 47 percent of adults age 75 and older have an auditory impairment. The good news is that this situation can often be managed with hearing aids. Get far more details about Hearing Aid Know\nModest adequate to match inside or behind the ear, these electronic devices make some sounds louder, permitting customers to hear much better in most environments. Aids don't essentially increase auditory efficiency, but merely amplify sound. Most consist of a microphone, an amplifier, plus a receiver that delivers augmented sounds in to the ear. Batteries are usually required to power the device's electronics.\nWho Uses Them?\nAs we described, about one in 5 people have some degree of auditory impairment, but not all of them can advantage from an help. These with conductive hearing loss, for instance, have structural difficulties that can only be corrected with surgery or medical treatment. Hearing aids are most successful for people who have suffered some damage for the inner ear or auditory nerve. Known as sensorineural loss, it truly is typically triggered by aging, noise damage, or illness. The only vibrant spot is that the problem will not typically rob an individual of their capability to hear entirely.\nAt final count, about 8 million Americans wore hearing aids. That may possibly look like many people, but it is only a fraction in the quantity that could benefit from their use. In accordance with audiologists, only about one in five people who should be wearing the device in fact does. Why is this? There are lots of motives, but the lack of info is mostly to blame. With that in thoughts, let us take a moment to discuss the two varieties of aids and how they're used.\nFor people with mild to moderate hearing loss, an analog model may be the most effective alternative. Affordable and easy to adjust, these devices convert sound waves into electrical signals which are then amplified and delivered towards the ear.\nFar more versatile than the analog version, a digital device converts sounds waves in numerical codes, amplifies, and delivers them towards the ear. Due to the fact the numerical codes contain information and facts about loudness, path, and pitch, it is significantly simpler to adjust them primarily based wants of the user. As you might count on, these sophisticated aids are typically additional highly-priced than basic analog models. But like anything else, you get what you spend for. All sufferers who suffer from moderate to severe auditory loss must strongly consider digital over analog versions.\nHearing aids would be the most efficient technique to handle long-term auditory impairment in most sufferers.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1502915"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7056265473365784,"wiki_prob":0.7056265473365784,"text":"Love, Family, and Purpose: How One Founder Discovered the Surprising Advantages of Entrepreneurship\nBy Peter Upton\nCareer paths aren’t always a straight line – Jace Thomas is proof of that.\nAfter a decade of job hopping, Jace built a search engine optimization (SEO) marketing business called Hiperion Marketing. Today, he makes $25,000 in MRR, and he runs a global marketing team at age 30.\nJace didn’t take a fancy entrepreneurship course or even attend college. When he finished high school, he became a drummer for a band in Los Angeles, and when the band failed, he worked a nightmare sales job from age 19 to 24.\nBut the following year, Jace turned his life around. He left the job, quit drinking, fell in love, and had a child – all in the same year. Charged with the responsibilities of parenthood, Jace set up a new life (and home) for his family in Kansas City, ready to start a lifestyle business.\nIn 2018, he started a marketing agency. In 2020, he connected with his cofounder, Seth Kitchen, on Facebook, to create a web development business. That same year, they launched an SEO agency called Hiperion Marketing, outsourcing most of the work to contractors abroad.\nHiperion Marketing combines the classic SEO agency model with sprints – the Agile product development framework where you do tasks in short, snappy bursts. But Jace struggled to scale the business because he targeted everyone who came in the door – from barbecue wholesalers to gyms.\nToday, Jace is closer to finding his niche as he works on a SaaS competitor to Google Analytics and becoming a philanthropist. Here’s his unlikely story from rancher’s son to one of Missouri’s top marketing minds.\nIt’s a Hard Knock Life\nJace is a people person. He thinks he inherited it from his father while growing up on a cattle farm: “When doing deals, he didn’t pay attention to specific numbers or details. He simply made sure he got them done.”\nJace has also cultivated an entrepreneurial streak. As a teenager, he opened a recording studio in his parents’ basement and operated it on nights and weekends to make extra cash.\nJace’s love of music drove him to graduate early to join a band signed to a major label in Los Angeles. Even today, as a thirty-year-old marketing professional, he maintains some of the counterculture look, sporting large ear gauges and a nose ring.\nJace’s music career fell to the roadside when the band broke up, forcing him back into the workforce without a degree. This led him to a five-year sales career selling phones and internet connections in what he describes as one of the most toxic work environments he’s seen.\n“There were knife fights in the parking lot and drug dealing on the sales floor. I was drinking and partying to cope with the stress.”\n“Let’s put it this way,” says Jace. “There were knife fights in the parking lot and drug dealing on the sales floor. I was drinking and partying to cope with the stress.”\nAt 22, Jace became a manager in charge of a team of sixty adults. This taught him leadership at a young age but under less-than-ideal conditions.\n“There was a death cycle at the company. If you got tired of being an agent, they promoted you to manager in exchange for lower pay.”\nBurned out and ready to do something else with his life, Jace left the call center and moved to Kansas City in 2016. The next year, his life changed completely.\n“I became sober on August 1st, 2017. I met my girlfriend, Tiffany, a month later, and we had our first child shortly afterward. The trajectory into adulthood came pretty quick.”\nAfter arriving in Kansas City, Jace built two failed businesses: a Shopify website for sending gifts called Gift Your Girl and a web development service that charged clients a dollar for a website and $99 per month for maintenance. Although neither side project succeeded, Jace leveraged the experience to land an SEO job with a local agency.\n“In the interview, they said, ‘We teach you how to do everything. What’s stopping you from starting your own business?’ I’m pretty honest so I told them, ‘Nothing, absolutely nothing.’ Fortunately, they still hired me.”\nEleven months later, domestic stability made Jace act on his instincts. “I was always kind of a wantrepreneur. Then I realized there were people making thousands online and spending tons of time with their families. That’s what I wanted to do,” he says.\nJace quit the marketing agency and started his own SEO business. A year later, he met his future cofounder, Seth Kitchen, a recent Missouri University of Science and Technology graduate in a Facebook group.\nSince Seth was a developer, he and Jace started Hiperion to build custom software for companies. They also worked on Jace’s project, Hiperion Marketing, for three years until Jace decided to split off the marketing division in 2020.\nApplying Agile to SEO\nMarketing appealed to Jace because it allowed him more control and shorter sales cycles (marketing objectives were faster to achieve than development ones). Jace adopted the idea of productized SEO from popular consultant, Ryan Stewart, owner of Webris and The Blueprint Training, and an acolyte of the SEO sprint to revitalize agencies.\n“We use these sprints in place of a retainer and usually recommend a four-month contract period. Many choose to extend past that.”\n“SEO sprints have a predefined scope, time, and outcome,” says Jace. “There are audit sprints, content sprints, and backlink sprints. We use these sprints in place of a retainer and usually recommend a four-month contract period. Many choose to extend past that.”\nJace won clientele for Hiperion Marketing the old-fashioned way: word of mouth. “One of our clients was a CTO I worked with at the accelerator downtown, others were through people we’d worked with before spreading the word. I’ve later added LinkedIn automation as well.”\nToday Jace does few of the day-to-day tasks at his agency, instead ideating content topics and managing the SEO sprints through teams in the US, Turkey, and Pakistan. “I’m good at design and SEO. I have absolutely no dev skills so I have to use my ability to connect dots and make stuff happen,” he says.\nJace learned quality control the hard way. Hiperion lost clients early on by contracting subpar writers for content.\n“Clients wanted writing at a level their investors expected. We went back to the drawing board, and now we do a bunch of things to understand the client more deeply. We make sure to fill out a content workbook, do buyer personas, and more. We also use talented local content writers instead of outsourcing overseas.”\nWith Hiperion Marketing running almost autonomously, Jace and Seth are working on their next bet for riches: a SaaS business competing with Google Analytics.\nSwitching to SaaS\nIn 2021, Jace decided to push Hiperion into the SaaS space after he saw how quickly it could scale first-hand.\nWhile a member of the Facebook group Welcome to Springfield Missouri (he’d recently left Kansas City), Jace saw someone ask about building a website that could pick a local restaurant at random. Jace hopped over to his web builder and crafted an app called Pick My Restaurant in 30 minutes. Within days, 500 people used the platform.\n“It’s generating no revenue currently, but we’ve got great user data,” he says. “We’ve surveyed a bunch of them and they said they would be willing to pay. That’s on the back burner for now, but it’s something that we want to validate and roll out to other area codes.”\nEncouraged by Pick My Restaurant, Jace asked his clients what software might improve their marketing efforts. He settled on improving Google Analytics. “The people I spoke to hated Google analytics. I felt pretty confident we could solve that problem with some pretty graphs, big numbers, and action items.”\nJace enlisted help from an online internship program for developers and UI students called The Assembly.\n“This group assigned me five UX students that researched and refined my preliminary design,” he says. “They did customer interviews and gained all this great data about what users care about and what they don’t.”\nWith so much data, Jace had little trouble getting Seth to buy into the idea and architect the project. Jace then hired developers to back him.\nThe new SaaS – called Hiperion Beta – is now a data visualization tool built on the back of Google Analytics. It lets agencies comment on client metrics and recommend actions they should take. Jace says three large agencies with a combined 15,000 clients are interested in signing up.\n“That app is probably the future of our company,” he says.\nThe Hiperion Project\nEven after creating a profitable marketing agency and what could be a successful SaaS, Jace still isn’t done. He wants to use his money to help others.\n“My big push is for my future nonprofit, the Hiperion Project,” he says. “As a father, I’ve become a huge fan of child advocacy nonprofits. I want to do that or a project for the betterment of teens and adults. I’m trying to put my stamp on the world. I’m thirty now and my goal by age thirty-five is to have everything at Hiperion become self-sustaining and have the Hiperion Project as my daily venture.”\nJace advises other founders to find something they are passionate about and spend time early on figuring out who they want their business to help.\n“I started at step three in my journey,” he says. “I defined the solution – SEO – and skipped identifying who I wanted to help. If I’d defined that I wanted to help SaaS businesses because of their scalability and explosive growth, Hiperion would probably be much bigger by now.”\nPeter Upton\nPeter is a copywriter and journalism graduate of Indiana University. He’s spent almost half a decade living and working in China and Vietnam and loves learning and writing about startups and other cultures. He’s written about fintech, edtech, logistics, and more. When he's not writing about founders he’s learning new languages, petting cats, and getting a pump in the gym.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1867876"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7130640745162964,"wiki_prob":0.7130640745162964,"text":"Over the weekend at the Chicopee Complex, a group of Athens hackers gathered to crunch data and work collectively to solve civic issues.\nThese hackers didn't breach any security walls or steal any classified documents, though. These are civic hackers, interested in creating solutions and improving the quality of life.\n\"We're trying to reclaim or redefine the definition of hacking from the public's perspectives because it means coding, developing, contributing,\" Kelly Storm, co-creator of Hack for Athens, said. \"You can hack a civic idea and it not involve code, and that's where civic hacking came from.\"\nThe hackers at Hack for Athens divided into teams to solve challenges such as how to deliver safe drinking water, creating a public database and free, ubiquitous Internet.\nBaron Chandler and Chris Sparnicht, both members of the SafeWater Athens team, sifted through data from the Environmental Protection Agency pertaining to the cleanliness of public water.\n\"Safe drinking water is an abstract thing, but what does it mean to people,\" Chandler said. \"How can we make it an impact that's different?\"\nUnder the Safe Drinking Water Act, the EPA regulates public water systems, but it does not regulate water from wells, but Chandler and Sparnicht hope they can come up with a solution to incorporate well water into regulations as well.\n\"The whole idea with most of these is to open up data within the government. We're trying to be the people who mine the data, so the people can read it and use it,\" Sparnicht said.\nAnother group at the event, the Hotdawgs, worked to compile data from multiple government sources into a single database.\n\"A lot of the information came from not only Athens-Clarke, but federal databases, censuses, statistics, so the information is out there, but we're pulling it all together, making it Athens-specific, so other people, whatever their initiative is, can use it,\" Amanda Newell said.\nGlenn Stovall, also member of the Hotdawgs, said compiling data at the local level was where a difference could be made.\n\"We wanted to focus more on Athens-Clarke County because that way dealing with your local politicians has the biggest impact on your life directly,\" Stovall said, \"and it's also where you can have a much bigger direct impact on the government.\"\nHack for Athens took place on Saturday and Sunday. The event was put on in conjunction with the National Day of Civic Hacking, a nationwide initiative to encourage problem-solving at the community level.\nGuest speakers at the event included Secretary of State Brian P. Kemp, Area Director for the University of Georgia Carol McDonell and Jessica Kissinger from the Center for Tropical and Emerging Diseases at UGA.\nKissinger discussed the emerging ways data could be used to predict local and global trends, such as outbreaks, as well as the importance of creating and preserving data for future generations.\nOn Sunday a pitch meeting was held with local business leaders serving as judges. Each group was given 10 to 15 minutes to pitch their solutions and hear feedback from judges.\nThe result of Hack for Athens, as Storm, founder of Black Box Software, sees it, will be a way for civic hacking to be permanently incorporated into the community.\n\"As soon as we can figure out how to make this a lasting thing, it's not going to be an event, it's going to be an on-going thing,\" Storm said.\nAll documents and ideas created at Hack for Athens will be available as public record.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1801550"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.729457676410675,"wiki_prob":0.729457676410675,"text":"Union Gas partners Surbana Jurong to explore Singapore’s first Multi-Energy Filling Station\nParties to study the potential redevelopment of Union Gas’ existing fuel station at 50 Old Toh Tuck Road into a sustainable multi-fuels and energy facility.\nAims to jointly establish an efficient and scalable model that can be replicated in other locations locally and overseas\nUnion Gas’ existing facility at Old Toh Tuck Road (credit: Union Gas)\nSingapore, 3 March 2021 – Union Gas Holdings Limited (优联燃气控股有限公司) (“Union Gas” or together with its subsidiaries, the “Group”), an established provider of fuel products in Singapore, has exclusively appointed Surbana Jurong Group (“Surbana Jurong”) as part of a collaboration to study and evaluate the potential redevelopment of the existing fuel station at 50 Old Toh Tuck Road (the “Site”) into Singapore’s first multi-fuels and energy facility.\nThe Site is the current location of Union Gas’ fuel station under its “Cnergy” brand, which offers both compressed natural gas and diesel primarily to natural gas vehicles and industrial customers for commercial use. With the lease for the Site expiring in December 2023, the Group is now exploring the feasibility of redeveloping and transforming it into an innovative, adaptable and sustainable multi-fuels and energy facility, which will support its ambitions to cater to the evolving energy requirements and challenges of the future as well as Singapore’s aspirations for cleaner energy options.\nSurbana Jurong and the Group will work jointly on a business plan and model to assess the feasibility of adding various sustainable energy delivery and storage methods and solutions to the Site. These may include renewable solar and micro-wind energy solutions, battery storage systems and electric vehicles charging stations; and a natural gas-based power generation station supported by existing transmission pipeline and subsequent export to the power grid.\nAs part of the plan, the parties will also explore the feasibility of hosting alternative low carbon initiatives such as on-site production of hydrogen fuel through electrolysis and the corresponding dispensation of hydrogen fuel into hydrogen cell vehicles. This Site is also expected to be self-powered by solar and/or wind energy.\nConcept for Multi-Fuel Filling Station\nExecutive Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr Teo Hark Piang (张学彬), said: “We are very pleased to have found a like-minded partner in Surbana Jurong to work on our shared goals. This collaboration is part of our strategic plan to diversify and enhance our existing business by keeping an eye on the future needs of our customers. In order to remain relevant and viable as a provider of fuel products and to create value for our stakeholders, it is imperative that we heed the call for cleaner and more sustainable energy sources and support the move towards vehicles that rely less and less on fossil fuels.”\nIn addition to Surbana Jurong, whose expertise is in urban, infrastructure and managed services consulting, the Group also intends to collaborate with local institutes of higher learning and other government agencies to study the potential of test-bedding hydrogen related infrastructure within the site and to develop and implement energy management software to streamline its resource management process and conduct real-time optimisation of energy delivery.\nSurbana Jurong, Chief Executive Officer (ASEAN), Mr Yeo Choon Chong (杨俊聪), said: “Our collaboration with Union Gas demonstrates Surbana Jurong’s commitment to develop sustainable energy technologies and low carbon alternatives. This strategic collaboration is in line with Surbana Jurong’s vision to anchor sustainability in all our projects from design to execution; in this particular project, Surbana Jurong will sharpen its focus on low carbon energy systems and industrial infrastructure.”\nUnion Gas, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Mr Ng Yong Hwee (黄荣辉), said: “We envisage that the Multi-Energy Filling Station will be a game changer not only for our Group but also for the industry. It will be a blueprint for how energy stations will look in the future. Our goal is to make it scalable for easy implementation across the island and for it to also be a model that can be replicated overseas.”\nUnion Gas and Surbana Jurong are expected to conclude their study and assessment of the potential of the site and to make their conclusions and recommendations within the next six months. The Group will make the necessary announcements in due course.\nAbout Union Gas\nUnion Gas Holdings Limited (优联燃气控股有限公司) (“Union Gas” or the “Company”, and together with its subsidiaries, the “Group”) is an established provider of fuel products in Singapore with over 40 years of operating track record. Its three key businesses comprise Retail Liquefied Petroleum Gas (“LPG”), Compressed Natural Gas (“CNG”), and Diesel.\nListed on the Catalist board of the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited (the “SGX-ST”) on 21 July 2017 (SGX-ST stock code: 1F2), Union Gas is one of the leading suppliers of bottled LPG cylinders in Singapore under the established and trusted brand “Union”. The Group has a fleet of over 200 delivery vehicles serving more than 200,000 domestic households as well as commercial entities such as hawker centres, eating houses, coffee shops and commercial central kitchens island-wide. This extensive distribution capability is further supported by an in-house call centre that operates all year round with a customised customer relationship management system\nUnion Gas sells and distributes diesel to retail customers at its “Cnergy” fuel station in 50 Old Toh Tuck Road and transports, distributes and bulk sells diesel to commercial customers. The Group also produces, sells and distributes CNG at its fuel station and is one of the leading suppliers of CNG primarily to natural gas vehicles (NGVs) and industrial customers for their commercial use.\nFor more information, please visit www.uniongas.com.sg.\nAbout Surbana Jurong Group\nSurbana Jurong Group is a global urban, infrastructure and managed services consulting firm, with over 70 years of track record in successful project delivery. Headquartered in Singapore, the group has a global talent pool of over 16,000 across Surbana Jurong and our member companies AETOS, Atelier Ten, B+H, KTP, Prostruct, RBG, SAA, Sino-Sun and SMEC, based in more than 120 offices in over 40 countries. They include architects, designers, planners, engineers and other specialists driven by progressive thinking and creative ideas to shape a better future.\nOur technical experts deliver sustainable solutions that cover the entire project life cycle from planning and design, through to delivery and management. We also provide a full suite of multi-disciplinary consultancy services across a diverse range of sectors including energy and resources, aviation, healthcare, hospitality, transport, water, environment, as well as services such as industrial solutions and parks management.\nSurbana Jurong has built more than a million homes in Singapore, created master plans in more than 30 countries and developed over 100 industrial parks globally. Our tag line “Building Cities, Shaping Lives” expresses how every project or undertaking is, for the Group, an opportunity to fulfil aspirations and enrich lives. By designing and delivering quality housing, work spaces, roads, rail, hydropower, dams, underground and coastal protections and other critical infrastructure needed by our clients, we are redefining cities and transforming them into sustainable and liveable spaces where communities and businesses, present and future, can thrive.\nFor more information, please visit: www.surbanajurong.com.\nFor media queries, please contact:\nGeraldine Cheong\nDeputy Director, Group Communications & Branding\nSurbana Jurong Group\nEmail: geraldine.cheongwl@surbanajurong.com","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1879218"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5462412238121033,"wiki_prob":0.45375877618789673,"text":"What is nano?\nThe University of Sydney Nano Institute\nStudying Nano\nFunding and scholarship opportunities\nLearn about the world on a small scale\nNanoscience is the study of the structure and function of materials on the scale of nanometres, which is one billionth of a metre or roughly the size of about ten atoms in a row.\nUnder those conditions, light and matter behave in ways that differ significantly from those we are familiar with on everyday scales. These behaviours often defy the classical laws of physics and chemistry and can only be understood using the laws of quantum mechanics.\nNanoscience and nanotechnologies present a range of exciting opportunities for the world – exciting not just because of the remarkable material properties and device capabilities we have already seen, but because of the enormous potential for future discoveries and technologies of which we have only just begun to scratch the surface.\nOur nanoscience and nanotechnology research is impacting a huge variety of areas including energy and the environment; health and medicine; and communications, computing and security.\nNews_\nLive from the Lab\nMusicians from the Conservatorium of Music have been working alongside scientists and engineers from the Sydney Nano Institute, composing new music inspired by their emotional response to the Grand Challenges; the flagship projects at Sydney Nano.\nWe aim to discover groundbreaking solutions to some of the big issues facing humanity today by incorporating expertise from disciplines across the University in a range of research programs.\nLive From The Lab – on FBi Radio\nWhere science, art and music meet\nStart a dialogue\nTalk to our researchers\nAssociate Professor Alice Motion\nWestpac Research Fellow, Sydney Nano and School of Chemistry\nalice.motion@sydney.edu.au\n356a School of Chemistry F11","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1786340"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8973236083984375,"wiki_prob":0.8973236083984375,"text":"\"But the production's real strength is top flight cast led by the superb Sheridan Smith in the title role.\"\n\"The key performance in Mackmin's production, however, comes from Fenella Woolgar as Mrs Elvsted...\"\nHedda Gabler Tickets\nOlivier Award-winning actress Sheridan Smith stars in a major new production of Henrik Ibsen’s masterpiece Hedda Gabler, in a new adaptation by Irish playwright Brian Friel. Directed by Anna Mackmin, Hedda Gabler is the seminal play about the conflict between the requirements of society and those of the individual, which remains startlingly relevant to this day.\nPlayed out over 24 hours, Ibsen’s classic follows the free-spirited Hedda Gabler who chooses to rally against a life of crippling convention. Spending her married life struggling between the boundaries of expectation and reality, Hedda is subjected to a life of missed opportunities, ending with an ultimate tragic climax. Exploring themes of gender expectations, Hedda Gabler remains as relevant as when it was first published in 1890.\nSheridan Smith has quickly become one of the country’s most beloved actresses, receiving both the Olivier and Evening Standard Best Actress Awards for her performance in Flare Path, as well as the Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her acclaimed portrayal of Elle Woods in Legally Blonde. Beginning in the likes of Gavin & Stacey and Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps, Smith has since starred in Accused, Jonathan Creek and Mrs Biggs. Starring as the fated Hedda Gabler, Smith is joined by Buffy Davis as Bertha, Anne Reid as Juliana Tesman, Adrian Scarborough as George Tesman and Fenella Woolgar as Thea Elvsted, as well as Daniel Lapaine and Darrell D’Silva.\nHedda Gabler is directed by Anna Mackmin, who most recently directed Tom Stoppard’s The Real Thing, as well as Di and Viv and Rose and Me and My Girl. Brian Friel’s adapted production features design by Lez Brotherston, sound design by Simon Baker, lighting by Mark Henderson and original compositions by Paul Englishby. Starring Sheridan Smith, this revamped version of a classic opens at London’s Old Vic Theatre for a limited season.\nPerformance dates: 05 Sep 2012 - 10 Nov 2012\nRunning time: 3 hours including an interval\nSpecial notice: Not recommended for children, Hedda Gabler is suitable for those who enjoy gripping dramas. Fans of Sheridan Smith will delight in seeing her play a wholly serious role, quite unlike previous appearances! Those who enjoy the original text will find the adaptation does not stray far from the original!\nSorry this show closed 10 November 2012, we recommend these similar productions.\nSeatPlan Recommends: Sit in the Stalls of the Old Vic Theatre for the best view of this intimate play. Be aware that restrictions are towards the rear of each section.\nNobody has added a seat view photo for Hedda Gabler at Old Vic Theatre yet, please be the first to share your experience.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line534933"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6079784035682678,"wiki_prob":0.6079784035682678,"text":"Preventable Deaths Tracker\nA platform to explore concerns raised by coroners to prevent future deaths\nPreventable Deaths Database\nGeographical variation\nResponses to PFDs\nDeath categories\nIn August 2021, the WHO published the Global Patient Safety Action Plan (2021-2030) to eliminate avoidable harms in healthcare. In England and Wales, legislation is in place to capture information on preventable deaths. Yet little is being done to use this information to reduce premature deaths.\nWe have created the Preventable Deaths Tracker to collate this information and make it accessible for all. Our Tracker also shares systematic analyses of this information, to warn against repeat hazards and highlight important lessons, to improve public safety, reduce avoidable harms, and prevent premature deaths.\nWhat’s in the Database?\nAs of 22 June 2022, the Courts and Tribunals Judiciary had uploaded 4001 Prevention of Future Deaths reports (PFDs). The graph below illustrates the number of PFDs published over time. You can see the latest individual data here.\nNumber of Prevention of Future Deaths reports (PFDs) published on the Courts and Tribunals Judiciary website from inception (July 2013) to 22nd June 2022.\nOxford physics student, Qingyang Zhang, reflects on her internship working on the Preventable Deaths programme of research.\nOxford medical student, Harrison France, wins several awards for his research on preventable deaths involving medicines, including 1st place for the national IUPHAR student poster competition published in the British Pharmacology Society & the 2022 Oxford Wronker Research Project Prize.\nHow to cite this resource:\nRichards, GC. Preventable Deaths Tracker. 2022. https://preventabledeathstracker.net/\nPrevention of Future Deaths reports.\nOn average, 1% of inquests are written as PFD reports every year (2014-2021), the lowest ratio in the whole pipeline.\nAn inquest is opened by a coroner, and is a fact-finding investigation used to determine when, where and how a person died. On average, inquests are opened on 53.8% of postmortems conducted every year (2014-2021).\nA caveat to the pipeline is that inquests can be opened without a postmortem examination. From 2014 to 2021, 18.5% of inquests are opened without postmortems.\nInquests can be concluded (a cause of death is determined), adjourned (postponed), or left open (no conclusion is reached regarding the cause of death).\nPostmortem examinations is an examination of the body to determine the cause of death.\nOn average, postmortem is conducted on 38.8% of all reported deaths every year (2014-2021).\nIn 2021, 33% of all deaths were reported to coroners.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1432119"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8362019658088684,"wiki_prob":0.8362019658088684,"text":"Biological Weapons the Focus of China’s Military Research in the Last 20 Years\nJapan Forward - By Dr. Monika Chansoria - Published March 25, 2020\nIndependent Chinese media outlet Caixin Global revealed that Chinese laboratories had in fact identified a mystery virus — later identified as COVID-19 — to be a highly infectious new pathogen by late December 2019. But they were ordered to stop further testing, destroy samples, and suppress the news to the fullest extent possible.\nThe regional health official in Wuhan City, the epicenter of the pandemic, demanded the destruction of the lab samples, which established the cause of an unexplained viral pneumonia since January 1, 2020. China didn’t acknowledge that there was human-to-human transmission until more than three weeks later.\nCaixin Global provides the clearest evidence yet of the scale of this fatal cover-up in the very crucial early weeks, when the opportunity was lost to control the outbreak — a contagion that spread throughout the world thereafter, and has caused a global shutdown, literally.\nWarfare Beyond Rules\nIt is only apposite to go back and trace the many notable military research writings that have advocated for more than two decades that China should prepare itself to wage warfare beyond rules put in place by the Western powers.\nIn 1996, two Chinese military officers (colonels in the People’s Liberation Air Force (PLAAF), Qiao Liang and Wang Xiangsui, took part in military exercises conducted by China for the purpose of coercing the island nation of Taiwan. This was the period when Taipei was getting ready for its presidential elections. Soon enough, East Asia witnessed the return of great power rivalry to the region when the United States dispatched two aircraft carrier groups to the area.\nThis became the backdrop in which these two colonels met in a small town in southeastern China’s Fujian province and began their research. The end product was a co-authored book, Chao Xian Zhan: Dui Quanqiu Hua Shidai Zhanzheng yu Zhanfa de Xiangding (Warfare Beyond Rules: Judgment of War and Methods of War in the Era of Globalization), published by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Art Press.\nThe central premise of Warfare Beyond Rules is that China should be prepared to conduct “warfare beyond all boundaries and limitations to defend itself.”\nIn the book, Qiao and Wang argue that the existing rules of war, international laws, and agreements were developed by the Western powers, and that the United States leads the race in new-age military technologies and weapon platforms. Writing more than two decades ago, Qiao and Wang stated that, because of higher costs, cutting-edge weapons’ platforms could trigger a national economic collapse.\nA Revolution in Warfare By All Means\nThe book — termed Unrestricted Warfare in the English translated version — went on to state that geographical security is an outdated concept. Threats to national security may not come from cross-border invasion, but from non-military actions. Qiao and Wang articulated that definitions of security must include geographical, political, economic, resource, religious, cultural, data, environmental, and near-earth space security.\nWhile commenting on the bans on chemical, biological weapons, and landmines, the authors argued that for a country to accept rules which regulate war depends on whether the laws and rules are favorable to its own national interests. They contended that powerful nations use the rules to control others, for instance “by banning chemical and biological weapons.”\nThe essence drawn out from these arguments is that China should freely decide and opt for the means of warfighting by disregarding agreements and codes of conduct developed over the past decades by the West. Basically, in theory, the book Warfare Beyond Rules highlights thinking out of the box.\nMost significantly, with an aim to target the adversary’s vulnerable targets in unexpected ways, Warfare Beyond Rules underlined the concepts of “asymmetric warfare.” This included guerrilla war, terrorist actions, and cyber-attacks against data networks.\nQiao and Wang called for a “revolution in war,” which combines conventional with non-war actions, and military with non-military actions. In an alarming opinion, they stated that war may include a blend of stealth planes and cruise missiles, along with biochemical, financial, and terrorist attacks.\nWar for Biological Dominance\nMore than a decade later, a 2010 publication titled War for Biological Dominance (制生权战争) emphasized the impact of biology on future warfare.\nThe book, published by Xinhua Publishing House in October 2010, was authored by Guo Jiwei (郭继卫), a professor and chief physician at the Third Military Medical University, Army University. The book highlighted the decline of traditional military thinking and focused upon emerging trends in military thinking, the invisible battlefield, and unexpected changes.\nSubsequently, in 2015, then-president of the Academy of Military Medical Sciences He Fuchu (贺福初) argued in an essay that biotechnology would assume the shape of a new strategic commanding height in national defense. These will range from biomaterials to “brain control” weapons.\nHe Fuchu went on to become the vice president of the PLA’s Academy of Military Sciences (中国人民解放军军事科学研究院 Zhōngguó Rénmín Jiěfàngjūn Jūnshì Kēxué Yánjiūyuàn) — the highest-level research institute of the PLA, headquartered in Beijing.\nChinese writings over the past two decades have amplified that cross integration of biotechnology, engineering, and information technology will become the new strategic doctrine for future military revolutions, as cited in the October 2015 edition of the Liberation Army Daily. These writings consistently put forth that weaponization of living organisms shall become a reality in the future, with non-traditional combat styles taking center stage.\nBiology Among the 7 New Domains of Warfare\nForemost among the new-age defense high frontiers will be the biological frontier. Biodiversity and technology innovation will redefine biological military revolution. Since 2016, China’s Central Military Commission has been funding projects on military brain science, advanced bio-mimetic systems (that mimic biological systems), biological and biomimetic materials, and new-age biotechnology.\nFurther and more significantly, biology has been demarcated as “one of the seven new domains of warfare” in a 2017 book titled New Highland of War (National Defense University Press) authored by Zhang Shibo (张仕波). Zhang is a retired general and former president of China’s National Defense University. In the book, Zhang argues that modern biotechnological development is gradually showing strong signs characteristic of an offensive capability, including the possibility of employing “specific ethnic genetic attacks” (特定种族基因攻击).\nMore recently, the 2017 edition of Science of Military Strategy (战略学) — an authoritative textbook published by the PLA’s National Defense University — has introduced a new section on “biology as a domain of military struggle.” This section discusses new potential kinds of biological warfare, including “specific ethnic genetic attacks.”\nContemporary advances in biotechnology and genetic engineering hold worrying implications for military affairs. The Chinese military’s interest in these gets reflected through its strategic writings and research, which consistently have argued that advances in biology are contributing to changing the form or character (形态) of conflict.\nChina’s 13th Five-Year Plan\nChina’s national strategy of military-civil fusion (军民融合) has highlighted biology as a priority. As a result, as per the September 2017 Thirteenth Five-Year Special Plan for Military-Civilian Integration Development, the Party Central Committee, the State Council, and the Central Military Commission have put in motion the full implementation of the development strategy of military-civilian integration in the field of science and technology. This was done in accordance with the 13th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development of the People’s Republic of China.\nAmong the key tasks of this 2017 plan are the implementation of key technology-military-civilian integration projects.\nIn accordance with the requirements of the key national research and development (R&D) plan for the design of the entire chain and implementation of integrated organizations, a number of deployments have been made. These include the fields of biology, among others, with dual-use features to accelerate the formation of new productivity and combat effectiveness in scientific and technological achievements.\nThe plan also aims to strengthen the capability of military and civilian science and technology collaborative innovation and coordinate the layout of basic research and cutting-edge technology research. Accordingly, a special fund for basic research military-civilian integration has been set up to focus on supporting basic national defense research projects and promote the transformation of the results of basic civil research into military applications — more specifically, in the fields of biological crossover and disruptive technologies.\nStudy of the Chinese military’s interest in biology as an emerging domain of warfare becomes increasingly relevant in the current COVID-19 context, particularly when viewed against the two-decade-old backdrop of emphasis on biological frontiers of warfare put forth by Chinese military thinkers.\nIt is well-established that Chinese military strategists have been arguing about potential “genetic weapons” and the possibility of a “bloodless victory.” The task becomes all the more challenging, owing to the lack of transparency and uncertainty of ethics in China’s research activities.\nThus, the research writings cited above defend China’s move, if it were to come to that, of not hesitating to use as many means of warfare as possible. Clearly, those include weapons that are “not permitted by international law and the rules of war,” such as chemical and biological weapons.\nThe dangerous recommendations of most of these writings raise alarm bells about China’s future commitment on banning chemical and biological weapons.\nRELATED ARTICLE: Is China Producing Biological Weapons? Look At Its Capabilities and International Compliance\nAuthor: Monika Chansoria\nDr. Monika Chansoria is a Senior Fellow at The Japan Institute of International Affairs in Tokyo and the author of five books on Asian security. The views expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the policy or position of The Japan Institute of International Affairs or any other organization with which the author is affiliated.\nShinzo Abe Vows to Share Coronavirus Vaccine to the World, As Japan Lifts State of Emergency\nDr. Monika Chansoria\nDr. Monika Chansoria is a Senior Fellow at The Japan Institute of International Affairs (JIIA) in Tokyo. Previously, she has held appointments at the Sandia National Laboratories (U.S.), Hokkaido University (Sapporo, Japan) and as Associate Director of Studies at the Fondation Maison des Sciences de l’Homme (Paris). She specializes in contemporary Asian security and weapons’ proliferation issues, nuclear strategy, and, Great Power politics and strategy in the Indo-Pacific.\nDr. Chansoria has authored five books on Asia’s security affairs, including “China, Japan and Senkaku Islands: Conflict in the East China Sea Amid an American Shadow” (Routledge © 2018) and “Nuclear China: A Veiled Secret” (2014) among others. The views expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the policy or position of The Japan Institute of International Affairs or any other organization with which the author is affiliated. She tweets @MonikaChansoria\nPOLITICS & SECURITY\nWaiting for the Day When Hong Kong is Liberated\nOn June 30, 2020, China’s national security law for Hong Kong took effect and overnight the freedom that the people of Hong Kong had previously enjoyed was snatched away from them.\nPublished 12 hours ago on March 15, 2021\nBy Kinya Fujimoto, Sankei Shimbun\n“Eating human blood buns” is a rather disturbing Chinese expression.\nIt is derived from an old superstition that eating buns covered with human blood is effective in treating lung disease. For that reason, some people would even bribe executioners to allow them to dip buns they had brought to the execution site into the blood of a freshly executed prisoner.\nNowadays it is used as a figure of speech to describe someone who benefits from the sacrifices of others. In Hong Kong it is used in reference to individuals who have cleverly engaged in behavior designed to profit from the misery of the innumerable young people who have been arrested for participating in anti-government demonstrations.\nWhen I heard the news that I had won the Vaughn-Uyeda Memorial Prize, the lurid expression “eating human blood buns” was what flashed through my mind.\nRELATED: Sankei Shimbun Deputy Editor Kinya Fujimoto Wins Prestigious Vaughn Prize\nRecently news about Hong Kong has been pushed from the front pages by the coup d’état in Myanmar and the ongoing protest demonstrations that have followed. Images of security forces firing on unarmed protestors and young people whose white shirts are covered with blood have been broadcast worldwide.\nInterview with Democracy Activist Agnes Chow in Hong Kong.\nThe driving force behind the demonstrations in Myanmar are young people who had grown up in the heady atmosphere of freedom, after the transition to civilian rule in 2011, following decades of military dictatorship. They had stepped up to physically oppose the military regime’s stealing from them liberty and rights they had already come to consider their own.\nIn that respect they are similar to the young people in Hong Kong, who were in the forefront of the anti-government, anti-China demonstrations. Their generation was born around the time of the 1997 reversion of Hong Kong from Great Britain to China. In other words, the most stalwart supporters of the demonstrations hail from the generation that grew up in Hong Kong enjoying rights of free speech and assembly which were not recognized in China proper.\nLeading members of the democracy movement, such as Joshua Wong (24) and Agnes Chow (24), belong to that generation.\nA fundamental difference you can feel between their generation and preceding generations that were born during the British colonial period is that they consider Hong Kong their “homeland” that needs to be defended, and not just a temporary waystation in their life journeys.\nI made many working trips to report on Hong Kong during 2019 and 2020.\nI vividly recall what happened there on July 16, 2019, when I saw before my eyes a two-million-strong demonstration (according to the organizer’s estimate). Based on my experience I could not help but palpably feel the tragedy of Hong Kong.\nYou see, earlier I had been stationed in Beijing, the home base of the Xi Jinping regime, and had reported there on the crackdown against the Uyghurs in Xinjiang Province and other sensitive issues. I was therefore convinced that in the face of this strong rebuke of Beijing the “Xi leadership would not remain quiescent.”\nTwo days after the massive demonstration I had the opportunity to interview Anston Chan (81), who was formerly known as the “conscience of Hong Kong.” She had previously served as the number two official in the Hong Kong Government both under the British colonial rule and then for some time after reversion to China. And it so happened that at that time I was head of The Sankei Shimbun’s Hong Kong Bureau.\nSince she had developed a reputation for not mincing words when dealing with the Chinese authorities, I asked her straight out for her honest impression of the demonstration.\n“I think that demonstration reflected a feeling of hope,” she replied. “The burning love for their city displayed by the young people made me feel that there is no need to worry about Hong Kong’s future.”\nLater, however, the peaceful demonstrations vanished, the city was enveloped in tear gas and the streets ran with blood. Then a little over one year after two million citizens of Hong Kong marched, the “invisible tanks” arrived to occupy the city.\nThe headline “Death of Hong Kong” July 1, 2020, in a black mourning band.\nOn June 30, 2020, China’s national security law for Hong Kong took effect. In response, I immediately wrote a story with the title “The Death of Hong Kong.” Overnight the freedom that the people of Hong Kong had previously enjoyed was snatched away from them.\nRELATED: July 1, 2020 Marks the Death of Hong Kong\nWhat has happened in Hong Kong since then?\nMost democracy activists have been jailed, pro-democracy legislators have been stripped of their qualification to hold office, rights of free speech and assembly have been greatly curtailed, and “patriotic education” is being pushed in the schools…\nNearly all the democracy movement members I interviewed in the past have been arrested. Joshua Wong and Agnes Chow remain behind bars.\nAt the same time, there is another democracy movement activist I know who proposed marriage to his girlfriend on the very day that the new state security law took effect. The couple had vowed that they would go forward in life together come what may in the time of darkness for Hong Kong. That man still can be seen demonstrating on street corners.\n“We must continue to live, to live, to survive.” There is another man I know, an advocate for Hong Kong independence, who is doing manual labor, keeping his mouth shut, waiting for the storm to pass.\nSilence has descended upon the streets of Hong Kong. It is as if history has come to a standstill. But that does not mean that nothing is happening in the city. The day will surely come when the wheel of history again begins moving forward.\nWhat is to follow the two-million-person march? Tragedy? Hope? History has not yet rendered its verdict.\nOnly when the day comes that I can write an article titled “Hong Kong Has Been Liberated” will I look with pleasure upon the award I have just received from my peers.\nI refuse to eat buns soaked in the blood of the innocents.\n(Read more of the author’s articles on Hong Kong and China in English at this link, and find this article in Japanese at here.)\nAuthor: Kinya Fujimoto, Deputy Editor of The Sankei Shimbun\nIMPERIAL JAPAN'S HUMAN EXPERIMENTS BEFORE AND DURING WWII TAKEN OVER BY THE CHINESE (book)\nCopy & Paste lenken øverst for Yandex oversettelse til Norsk.\nGHOST ARCHIVE - 06 DEC 2020\nThe source and the author's copyright must be displayed. For publication of Human-Synthesis articles in print or other forms including commercial internet sites. Human-Synthesis contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available to our readers under the provisions of \"fair use\" in an effort to advance a better understanding of political, economic and social issues. The material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving it for research and educational purposes. If you wish to use copyrighted material for purposes other than \"fair use\" you must request permission from the copyright owner.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line550070"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.720370888710022,"wiki_prob":0.279629111289978,"text":"Joel Streed\nESCP (Edie’s Spinal Cord Problem)\nI don't even know how to begin to tell this story, but I know I have to write down what has happened in my life over the past few years. It has been a roller coaster ride with new situations and events like never before.\nEdie and Noble\nIn April 2005, while camping with my husband Noble and our dog Sam and cat JoJo at Lincoln Rock State Park, I had a weird vertigo experience which passed quickly but then some slight dizziness reoccurred off and on for about a year. After seeing several doctors I was diagnosed with an inner ear virus which they said would go away and it did.\nHowever, by May 2006, I was having trouble walking -- my legs would not work correctly, and it became progressively worse so that I had to quit playing tennis (3x a week) and jazzercise (4-5x a week). Finally, I could only get around with the help of a cane and Noble's arm.\nI saw several doctors both here and in Seattle over the course of time between the summer of 2006 and January 2007, including four different neurologists. No one seemed to be able to diagnose my deteriorating condition. By now the fine motor coordination in my left hand was affected, at times my speech was slurred, and the stiffness in my legs made walking extremely tiring and difficult. I had a multitude of tests -- more than you'd care to hear about -- MRIs, CT mylograms, bone scans, blood tests, spinal tap,VEP, EMG, EEG, and on and on .... I had gone from a very healthy and physically active person to a very handicapped one. My whole life had changed.\nNoble and I finally made up a name for my illness since the doctors couldn't seem to identify it. It became ESCP (Edie's Spinal Cord Problem) -- not exactly a medical term.\nAlong the way I'd been told by one neurologist I had primary progressive M.S. and then another neurologist in Seattle finally gave me a diagnosis of Devic's disease or NMO (neuromyelitis optica). He made his decision from a lesion on my thoracic spine seen in the MRIs. He sent a blood test specific for this disease away to the Mayo Clinic who were the authority on this disease, but he added even if it came back negative he still believed this was my problem. He started me on Imuran, an anti-inflammatory medicine.\nThe blood test came back negative for Devic's and the local neurologist didn't agree with this diagnosis but would not commit to anything else for certain. Noble picked up the phone and called Mayo in Rochester, MN. They were the most knowledgeable about Devic's disease from all the research he had done.\nOn March 19, 2007, we flew to Rochester for a week's evaluation in the neurology department. What an experience that was! Two doctors met with us initially and scheduled me for all the same tests I had already had over the past year and a half (plus some more) while trying to figure out what was wrong with me. At the end of the week of re-testing I was told for certain I did NOT have Devic's, I DID have a copper deficiency which could cause spinal cord problems, and there was a possibility of Primary Progressive MS which was NOT treatable. I was also told to stop the Imuran since I didn't have Devic's and to start on a copper supplement. The doctor then asked me to get one more blood test done\nbefore leaving Rochester, which I did on Friday. On Monday morning I received a call from the Mayo doctor saying they had the results of that last blood test and were surprised at the results indicating I had a rare GAD65 antibody in the blood affecting the spinal cord and brain stem. Like the copper deficiency this, too, WAS treatable with IV steroids and Imuran long-term ... wow... what a blessing to have something treatable. They now believe Primary Progressive MS is unlikely. They said get back on the Imuran and begin IV steroid treatments immediately for five days in a row and then once a month for each of the next four months.\nI have returned to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester for several visits since 2007. The most recent was this summer. My doctor (Dr. Pittock) said they had hoped only to stabilize me, but that I've made such good improvement that I don't need to return for 18 months to 2 years. We are so grateful for the excellent treatment and coordination between the doctors at the Mayo Clinic who were able to provide a successful treatment plan for me. Thank you Mayo Clinic from the bottom of our hearts.\nThe God things that have meant so much to me follow:\nNoble had retired January 7, 2006 and had major back surgery on January 11, 2006. I was able to help him recover from that BEFORE my illness became a debilitating situation where he had to assist me in just getting around.\nThe Mayo doctor we were assigned JUST HAPPENED to be the author of a research paper newly published in 2006 on this GAD65 antibody marker test. The doctor in Seattle had given me the Imuran starting in January, so I was only off it for 3 or 4 days before Mayo told me to get back on it. The Devic's was OUT of the picture, and it was a horrible disease God removed that one. I now had a treatment plan for this rare illness as well as the copper deficiency.\nThere were several serendipities along the way. Just to mention a couple while at Mayo, one day we were sitting in a waiting room for an appointment and an attractive young woman got up and came over to us from across the room. She said she had noticed how lovingly we were treating each other and wondered if we were believers. She saw Noble's Promise Keepers logo on the front of his shirt and said she knew it when she got over to us. What a sweet serendipity and encouragement that was to us. I told her she should have seen us earlier that morning arguing over the way to get to the right office in the building!\nAnd the nurse who did the spinal tap was open to my sharing about an estranged son of ours as she had some difficulties with a daughter and wrote down the book I recommended to her that helped me by Navigators Jerry and Mary White called \"When Your Kids Aren't Kids Anymore.” I know she will get it as she very carefully wrote all the information down, and we had a wonderful talk. I don't think she was a Christian, and she will get good counsel from this book.\nAnd there was the medical technician who seemed surprised when I told her what I had done to occupy my time during all those MRIs of the back and brain -- praying and singing \"Amazing Grace\" and reciting Phil.4:6-7 to myself. She said \"Meditation is good.\"\nThere was a woman MD at Mayo who was dictating her notes about me while we were sitting there with her. I remembered another previous Seattle doctor's notes we had read that cheered me up as they said I was a \"pleasant woman looking much younger than her years.\" So I said to her, you can add something like that in your notes and she did! We all got a laugh out of that one.\nDuring the past year or so, I have had so many wonderful friends praying for me and with me ... some through small Monday night groups at church, some came to my house to pray over me, family members and other friends from all over the country have prayed, e-mailed, sent cards and words of encouragement and support , phone calls, etc... One friend even fasted on my behalf on a regular basis. I didn't realize the depth of care and concern they had for me. It has been humbling and such an example of love -- God's love. The elders of the church laid hands on me and anointed me with oil for the first time in my life. That was a huge encouragement to me.\nI had a wonderful message from God last Monday night as I was talking to Him and reading a daily devotional book - I finally \"got it\" - and I am THANKFUL for this whole difficult experience as I have grown closer to Him, to Noble and to so many other wonderful friends in addition to gaining new empathy for the disabled/handicapped. I have a new appreciation for the love He has shown me through others. If I could take it away I wouldn't have changed anything for this experience. I was just living my life and then God had a detour for me to learn some new things and understand Him better. He has things to teach me through these hard times that I may not have learned any other way. I know now how to share His love with others going through similar problems. His love has been demonstrated to me over and over again through this situation. I knew much of this in my head but it finally broke into my heart, and I will be forever grateful for this illness and God's loving care for me through it. I would not trade anything for this whether I am healed or not. I have been truly blessed. EdieA\nPrimary Progressive MS\nUnraveling a diagnostic mystery\nEd and Nancy Garber have been married for 49 years, but together for much longer than that. “Since high school,” Nancy says. “We’re high school sweethearts.” With ...\nBy Cory Pedersen • December 18, 2022\nA cheeseburger’s role in one man’s stroke recovery\nLA CROSSE, Wis. — Taylor Suhr thought he was dying. \"I was terrified,\" Taylor says. \"I woke up, and there were a bunch of tubes coming out ...\nBy Rick Thiesse • November 11, 2022\nAlex Kraatz is a creative, determined optimist who loves playing the guitar, taking photos, and spending time with his family. Softspoken with a gentle nature, ...\nBy Joel Streed • September 29, 2022\nRed Wine and PSA\nMayo Clinic Cancer Center Team Completes Whole Human Genome Sequence on Patient with Blood Cancer","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1521367"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7448478937149048,"wiki_prob":0.2551521062850952,"text":"Sweet as Honey Caitlyn Robertson\nThe first in the series is Sweet as Honey.\nIt features Dex Concannon, a small-town cop with a sexy smile and a dark past, and the vulnerable but warm-hearted Honey Summers.\nDex and Honey have decided to wait until their wedding night to sleep together, to give themselves time to prove they're serious about each other.\nDex's last girlfriend pretended she was pregnant to get him to marry her, but luckily he found out just hours before and left her at the altar. Waiting to sleep with Honey until after they're married means Dex doesn't have to worry about that happening again - not that he really thinks the sweet and gentle Honey would do the same as his mad ex.\nHoney's last relationship was abusive, and she's relieved she doesn't have to think about the physical side of things for a while. Dex being willing to wait proves to her that he's serious, and it makes the wedding night an exciting prospect.\nBut events are gradually conspiring against them. Dex's ex-girlfriend arrives to stir up the past, and Honey goes to court and sits on the jury during a case that mirrors the events in her own life, bringing back all the old doubts.\nThe wedding is only a week away, but their big day hangs in the balance. Is their love strong enough to pull them through?\nSweet as Honey is the first book in the series of The Seven Sisters, where the seventh on is really the brother. I actually thought I'd jumped into the series in a middle of it, just seems that I had missed a lot of the previous story.\nI liked the family dynamics in the book, the siblings, the Cafe, the compound where they lived, the caring, but grieving father. The small town living, stories from the cop's day, people hanging out in the Cafe, where the best in the story!\nThe tale includes the timeline of a week before Honey and Dex's awaited wedding. Both Honey and Dex are broken, raw, by their past experiences in life, giving them insecurities and doubts of being worthy. And just a week to the wedding, they both have to face their past, Honey in the form of a court case mirroring her past life, and Dex's crazy ex shows up somewhat unexpected.\nLot of the story is focused on the celibacy Honey and Dex decided to have before the wedding night. I liked how the father turned up to talk to Dex, I wished they would have had some couple's counseling or something like that, since they both were so very broken with the inner doubts, and needed help with communication with each other.\nIf you enjoy sweet family sagas, with big families in small town setting in exotic New Zealand, this might just be the series for you!\nThree spoons!\nI was provided this story by the publisher via NetGalley for honest and fair review.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1329299"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7218917012214661,"wiki_prob":0.7218917012214661,"text":"The Guardian Reports On Unsealed\nGary Friday, June 17, 2016\nThe Guardian, the world's fifth largest newspaper online, and Britain's third largest printed paper, with 42.6 million worldwide readers, just reported on our website in regards to Zoltan Istvan Gyurko. Interesting, of course not necessarily in a very positive light:\nThe politician’s interest in biohacking has led to some wild accusations from his religious detractors. The radio-frequency identification chip he has implanted in his hand to unlock electronic devices? That’s the mark of the beast. When you count the letters in each of the words that make up his full name, Zoltan Istvan Gyurko, you end up with 666. Coincidence? The icing on the conspiracy theorist’s cake is Istvan’s resemblance to an actor who played the antichrist character Nicolae Carpathia in the apocalyptic Christian movie franchise Left Behind.\n“Apparently because I’m of Hungarian descent, I also have the bloodline to be the antichrist,” jokes Istvan, who lives in Mill Valley, just north of San Francisco, with his wife and two children.\n“It’s not that I’m against religion,” he adds, flagging his Catholic background. “I believe in quite a bit of spirituality.”\n“I believe there are a trillion galaxies, each with hundreds of billions of stars and planets. I’m almost 100% positive that we’re not alone and there’s an advanced intelligence out there that’s far more intelligent than us,” he says.\nI would note that we never said nor do we think that the RFID chip that Zoltan had implanted in his left hand was the Mark of the Beast. It is just that it is reminiscent of the Mark and may be the technology that is used once the Mark is implemented.\nHere is our most recent article on Zoltan regarding a meeting between the man and officers from the United States Navy.\nTopics Antichrist Candidates, Publicity, Spotlight, World news","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1116581"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5544275641441345,"wiki_prob":0.5544275641441345,"text":"George Bush and the Mushroom Congress\nby Kevin Drum July 25, 2006 January 9, 2022\nGEORGE BUSH AND THE MUSHROOM CONGRESS….When I first read Monday’s story about Pakistan building a new plutonium reactor, my first thought was that surely this wasn’t news to the U.S. government. And I was right. Today’s followup confirms that the Bush administration has “long known” about Pakistan’s plans.\nOf course, the fact that the Bush administration knew about it doesn’t mean anyone else did:\nHenry D. Sokolski, the Defense Department’s top nonproliferation official during the George H.W. Bush administration, said he was most surprised by the way news of the reactor in Pakistan became known.\n“What is baffling is that this information ? which was surely information that our own intelligence agencies had ? was kept from Congress,” said Sokolski, now director of the Nonproliferation Policy Education Center. “We lack imagination if we think that this is no big deal.”\nIndeed we do. We now have a president whose standard operating procedure is to keep Congress in the dark about anything that might cause him even the mildest inconvenience. Even if it’s something that Congress really ought to know about in order to do its job.\nBut that’s the whole point, isn’t it? If Congress ever started to do its job, George Bush would be in serious trouble.\nA Foreign Policy Test\nMarketing the War\nRolling Blunder\nIn \"Magazine\"","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1827037"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7249178290367126,"wiki_prob":0.27508217096328735,"text":"Shelley Hoffmann\nSenior Director, Content Marketing and Video\nShelley Hoffmann is the Senior Director, Content Marketing and Video for Healthgrades. She is a three-time Emmy-nominated multiplatform executive producer with more than 20 years of experience developing and producing linear television, digital video, and sponsored editorial content at brands including ABC Television, A&E, Cooking Channel, Food Network, PBS, and Turner.\nAt Healthgrades, Shelley leads the team responsible for creating, developing, and implementing strategies to deliver high-quality, engaging, and market-competitive content for advertisers.\nShelley graduated from Rhodes College in Memphis, TN and studied independently at The Institute for American Universities in Aix-en-Provence, France, St. John’s College in Oxford, England, and completed an intensive cooking program at the French Culinary Institute. Shelley is committed to helping create and support women leaders in her industry and sits on the board of directors of Women in Cable Telecommunications as the Vice President for the Southeast chapter.\nShelley Hoffmann's Insights","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1564211"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8115411996841431,"wiki_prob":0.8115411996841431,"text":"William Trent House and Museum\nThis house museum is the oldest standing structure in Trenton, New Jersey. Constructed for Trenton's founder in William Trent in 1719, the home contains exhibits that reflect the colonial period and the growth of the Trenton. The stately home passed though some of the most influential families before the property was donated in 1929 for the purpose of creating a museum.\nThe front Of the William Trent house.\nA portion of the interior of the William Trent House.\nThis historic home was built in 1719 by William Trent and it is the oldest standing structure in the city of Trenton. William Trent was born circa 1653 in Scotland and he emigrated to America with his brother in 1682. He appeared on the Philadelphia tax rolls as of 1693. Trent made a fortune as an importer of many commodities including wine and rum. He was also involved in the buying and selling of enslaved people and indentured servants. Trent built this plantation estate and the surrounding community came to be known as \"Trent Town\" It later became officially incorporated as Trenton. William Trent died on Christmas day 1724 and his son James inherited his entire estate. This was contested by Mary Coddington Trent. She sued for her dower rights and won, collecting rents on Trent's properties and profits from his mills for several years after Trent's death.\nWilliam Trent Jr. was born circa 1715 in Philadelphia, four years before the William Trent Sr. built the Trenton home. William Trent entered the trading business and is best-known for his involvement in the French-Indian War as a Captain of the Virginia Regiment. He was promoted to Captain at the beginning of the war in 1754 served under young Lieutenant Colonel George Washington, the future inaugural President of the United States.\nIn 1760, Trent became a member of a trading firm in Fort Pitt at the confluence of the Allegheny River, Monongahela River, and Ohio River. Fort Pitt was England's attempt to gain control over the trade with area tribes and wrest control over the area from the French. According to the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, \"During the summer of 1763, while stationed at Fort Pitt, William Trent kept a journal and orderly book, which together present one of the most detailed and complete accounts of the Indian siege on the British settlements.\" William Trent died five years later in 1787.\nAfter the passing of William Trent senior, a number of Trenton's most prestigious families including three New Jersey Governors, a physician, and a colonel lived in the home. In 1929, Edward Ansley Stokes gave the property to the City of Trenton. The house was restored to its original appearance in the early 1930s and it has served as a local history museum since 1939.. The building was added NRHP (National Register of Historic Places) in 1970.\n“Edward Ansley Stokes and the William Trent House.” Historian's Blog, riverviewcemetery.blogspot.com/2015/12/edward-ansley-stokes-and-william-trent.html.\n“William Trent House Historical Marker.” Historical Marker, 16 June 2016, www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=4153.\n“William Trent.” Exploring Diversity in Pennsylvania History, The Historical Society Of Pennsylvania, hsp.org/sites/default/files/attachments/trentbiographicalnote.\nWilliam Trent House Museum on American Heritage\nVideo from CSPAN on the William Trent house.\n1719 William Trent House Museum—The Significance of New Jersey’s Colonial History By Samantha Luft\nTrenton , New Jersey 08611\nWeds-Sun 1-4:30\nCreated by Derek Mendola on February 26th 2018, 11:25:45 am.\nLast updated by Clio Admin on September 13th 2021, 2:47:27 pm.\nWalking Tour of Trenton New Jersey\nThis tour begins at the historic home of city founder William Trent and includes several historic buildings and landmarks as well as the New Jersey State Museum. The tour concludes at the famous monument that commemorates the American victory in the Battle of Trenton on December 26, 1776.\nHistory Beneath Your Feet\nArchaeology of a Capital City","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line955998"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6475027799606323,"wiki_prob":0.3524972200393677,"text":"Home Media List Of Pastors You Can Watch On Netflix\nList Of Pastors You Can Watch On Netflix\nAs at May 2019, you can now access sermons by four popular Christian pastors on Netflix.\nThese are the Pastors You Can Watch On Netflix\nPastor Andy Stanley is the founder and senior pastor of North Point Community Church, Buckhead Church, Browns Bridge Church, Gwinnett Church, Woodstock City Church, and Decatur City Church.\nA Communicator, Author and Pastor, he also founded North Point Ministries, which is a worldwide Christian organization.\nJoyce Meyer is a Charismatic Christian author and one of the world’s leading Bible teachers and speakers. She is also the president of Joyce Meyer Ministries worldwide.\nJoyce is a New York Times bestselling author, and her books have helped millions of people find hope and restoration through Jesus Christ. She also has her own syndicated television and radio program called “Enjoying Everyday Life” and a magazine titled “Enjoying Everyday Life”.\nEd Young\nEdwin Barry “Ed” Young is the founding and senior pastor of Fellowship Church. He is New York Times and Amazon Best-Selling author, with an international ministry that includes the televised broadcast, Ed Young Television, C3 Global, the C3 Conference, and Fellowship Live.\nSteven Furtick\nSteven Furtick Jr. is a pastor, songwriter, and New York Times best-selling author. As founder and lead pastor, he has helped grow the multi-site Elevation Church into a global ministry through online streaming, television, and the music of Elevation Worship.\nPrevious articleReligious People Are Happier, Research Shows\nNext articleLeaky Roof Stops President Buhari’s Inauguration Service At National Christian Centre\nChristian Entertainment World ‘heartbroken’ Following Death Of Jay Weaver From Covid-19\nCross Over Night & Miracle Service 2021 With Apostle Joshua Selman\nCrossover Night (31st Dec. 2021) With Pastor Mensa Otabil – Live Stream","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1419171"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6147239804267883,"wiki_prob":0.38527601957321167,"text":"The Impact of Advertising in the Development of the Mass Media in Nigeria\nHome Complete Research Project Topics and Materials In Nigeria The Impact of Advertising in the Development of the Mass Media in Nigeria\nWith abstract and reference\nThe Impact of Advertising in the Development of the Mass Media in Nigeria quantity\nREVIEW LITERATURE\nThis chapter presents the review of related literature as related to this study. The sub-topic described under this chapter are;\nReview of concept\nPsychology effect of radio advertising on consumer’s behavior\nTheoretical framework\n2.1 Review of concept\nBy its definition advertisement is a unidirectional and paid form of communication that is used to disseminate the product or services information, (Wells, Burnett, & Moriarty, 2007). Companies invest heavily on advertisement campaigns. An estimate of spending on advertisement in 2005 around the world is $300 Billion (Laczniak, 2008). The primary focus of advertisement is to enhance the business profitability; therefore, companies ignore many social aspects while designing an advertisement campaign. In contemporary marketing practices, advertisement means to create a need of the product in the mind of the consumers to influence its mind in a way that he feels thrust for that product weather he really needs that product or not (Singh, 1998). Advertisements no doubt are among the most visible of the marketing strategy and have been the subject of a great deal of attention in the last ten to fifteen years. Advertisement cannot only change emotions but give can subliminal message. Advertising today seems to be everywhere and ever present exerting a far reaching influence on the daily lives of people. Advertisements develop self-concepts in order to induce purchase decisions.\nThe six fundamental principles, on which advertising campaign run, have been unanimously agreed upon by researchers. These include (Shahid, 1999):\nTo score attention;\nTo arose interest;\nTo develop and sustain that interest;\nTo create desire;\nTo incite action; and\nTo create good will.\nAfter choosing an appropriate strategy and deciding upon the advertising objectives, media selection is the next important consideration. Media are the vehicle that is used for the delivery of the message. Some important tools of advertisement are newspapers, magazines, radio, radio, direct mail and mail order, outdoor display and transportation (Wells, Burnett, and Moriarty, 2000). Advertisements are not intended to create sales in the short-term, even though this can be seen as a triumph. However, they try to create long-lasting relationships with their consumers and try to persuade others to buy their product. For this kind of long-lasting relationship to occur the advertisements have to be recalled by the public, which in turn will create some interest towards the product which may lead to a purchase. For this recollection to arise, advertisements use various strategies such as humour, jingles, and repetition of their advertising.\nHeath, Brandt and Nairn (2006) in their research reveal that advertising associations attempt to accomplish three things: attention, brand awareness and persuasion. Much of the literature found in relation to advertising, is concerned with experiments on the memory of the consumer in order to discover what characteristics of advertisements are most likely to increase the remembrance of them. Characteristics of advertisements can be described as humorous, or those that have songs or jingles integrated in to them. This is an important factor when considering the effects of advertising since, most mental functioning operates unconsciously and the consciousness is of very little importance in the mental life of the consumers. It is important to mention that mass radio and a bombardment of TV advertising occurred after the Second World War, which had only been reinforced in the 1980s and 1990s which was seen as the decades of an obsession with advertising, especially radio and it has not diminished since then but rather it has increased due to new mediums, such as the Internet, in which companies advertise their products and brands, reaching a much larger proportion of consumers (Gordon, 2006).\nJin (2003) in his survey, talks about the positive effect news exposure of adverts has on the interest and memory of the public, as it is seen in a non-advertising context, which may create more interest from the consumers and may have a different implication on them towards the product, than rather just seeing it in an advertisement. Smit, Van Meurs and Neijens (2006) in their research also indicate that the likeability of an advertisement increases the possibility of the consumer to notice them and enhance the chances of the brand being bought. It is highly likely that likeability can be described as entertainment, relevance, clearness and pleasantness, in which relevance of a commercial with the product that is being advertised is seen as a significant factor in altering the belief of the viewer’s.\n2.2 The Nature of Radio Advertising\nThe radio as a medium is the most attractive and important place to advertise. Most of the young people remain glued to the radio and enjoy what they see. According to McLuhan(1964) cited in Sambe, J.A. (2008), radio advertisement is generally considered the most effective mass market advertising and this is reflected by the high prices radio networks charge for advertising airtime during popular radio events. Radio advertisements appear between shows, but also interrupt the programme at intervals. This method of screening advertisement is intended to capture or grab the attention of the audience and keep the viewer focused on the radio shows so that they will not want to change the channel. Instead, they will (hopefully) watch the advertisement while waiting for the next segment of the show. This is a technique of adding suspense, especially if the break occurs at a cliff hanger moment in the show. Rana (1995) undertook a study on TV advertisements and expressed that among the media, the impact of radio advertisement on social behaviour, including purchasing behaviour was the greatest. The reason being that radio has charm, instantaneous transmission capability and universality of appeal. Radio advertising employs attention grabbing trick such as catchy and pleasing music, lyrics, Jingles, humour and repeated messages. The impact of the advertisements is more on radio than the print media or radio.\nAlthough radio advertising has been found to have great influence on consumer behaviour, many people still deny being influenced by advertisements. However, Levis (1995) found that individuals who deny being influenced by advertisements unconsciously bought widely radio advertised products. Cheskin came to the conclusion that the effectiveness of radio advertisement is mostly below the threshold of consciousness, but unconsciously, we are affected by them. Krugman (1975) in support of the fact stipulated that “The public lets down its guard to the repetitive commercial use of the radio medium and it easily changes its way of perceiving products and brands without thinking very much about it at the time of radio exposure. Levisohn et al (1977) cited by Strasburger,(2001) mentioned in their study on radio advertisement that it has become, for example, a truism to observe that the impact of an advertisement is determined by complex interactions involving the product advertised, the appeal that is made on its behalf and the consumers.‟\nRadio advertisement is also affected by the extent to which it rightly addresses the motives of the prospects. These motives of behaviour are generally accepted as mainly fear, sex, anger and happiness. By doing this, the advertiser is well on his way to helping the consumer reap the benefits of advertising.\nWilliams, Perreemlt and Jerome (1996:5-6) and Eric (1997) pointed out that the important element in defining advertising is the special relationship between a customer’s need and a product’s need satisfying potentials so that influence could be established among the consumer. The above defined this relationship as the utility which is seen as the products ability to satisfy both functional needs and symbolic (or psychological) wants. It is on this basis that scholar in advertising established their stand on the influence of radio commercials on consumer behaviour.\nArens (2004) notes that advertisements have a hold on their audience behaviour. This is because they; first develop customers perception of the product itself (awareness, attitude, interest) and then a belief in the product ability (value) to satisfy the consumer’s perceived wants or need (utility). The greater the potential value or utility of the need satisfying product. The submission above implies that, the effect of radio advertisement on consumer is a clearly predetermined issue that advertisers reel out while making conscious effort to sway consumer behaviour even before the consumers think of anything in that light. This is the powerful effect and influence of the advertising media which advertisers have come to fully appreciate.\nArens (Op.cit.) further states that a “radio commercial can simultaneously capture customer’s attention and stimulate their emotions towards the goal of need or want fulfillment”. What he advocates here is that the radio commercial stimulate a need or utility that was not part of the consumer plan and urged him or her to fulfill it based on prescription from the media. This is an illustration of radio advertisment influence on consumer’s behaviour.\nWilliam (1997) on his view noted that “if customers are aware of the product and it value and if they decide to satisfy it, then they are more likely to act in a manner that suggest a shift of grounds. Advertisers spend a huge amount of money to keep individuals and group of individuals interested in their product. They have to understand what makes potential customers behave the way they do. Williams (Op.cit), postulated that the advertiser’s goal is to get enough and relevant market data to develop accurate profiles of buyers to find the common ground for communication in a bid to influence consumer behaviour which is seen as, “the mental and emotional processes and the physical activities of people who purchase and use goods and services to satisfy particular needs and wants”.\n2.3 Psychological effect of radio advertising on consumer’s behaviour\nAccording to. Kotler (2003), there are four key psychological processes — motivation, perception, learning, and memory – fundamentally influencing the customer responses to marketing stimuli. Jokubauskas (2007) also attributes the cognitive aspects, i.e. senses, reasoning, language and perception, to the psychological impact of advertising, although the author does not present the hierarchy of these aspects. Therefore, based on the other authors’ hierarchical division, the cognitive aspects could be divided as follows: firstly, the customer’s attention is concentrated, then perception, cognition though the customer’s emotions and different senses, reasoning take place and then follows the advert assimilation. In Dolak’s (2007) model of the advertising stages impact Attention, Interest, Desire, Action (AIDA) are distinguished. The DAGMAR model distinguishes Awareness, Comprehension, Conviction, Action (Keith, 2006).\nAll above mentioned models distinguish similar aspects occurring when the customer sees adverts. Kotwal, Gupta and Devi (2008) studied on the impact of TV advertisements on buying pattern of adolescent girls revealed that the advertisement played a vital role in introducing a new product in the family list and making better choice during shopping. Similarly, Jennifer, John, Bargh and Brownell (2009) explored the priming effects of radio food advertising on eating behavior. He found that children consumed 45% more when exposed to food advertising when we watched a cartoon that contained either food advertising for other product and a snack while watching. Mickel (1990) studied the effects of commercial radio on Iraqi consumer. They found that their radio advertisement offer knowledge about the advertising company and their products. In addition, the show time and quality of the advertisement affect directly the consumer behavior.\nBurnet (1989,) opines that the process consumers go through in making a purchase varies considerably between low-involvement and high-involvement situations. Product decisions that serve high personal relevance and contain a high perceived risk are called high-involvement purchase, and they necessitate complex decision making. Products at the opposite end of the relevance/risk continuum are low involvement purchases that requires simple decision making.\nFurthermore, Stephen and Tanneholz (1994) express that limited memory is a strong indent in consumer behavioural influence by radio advertisements. They argued that experience consumer receive from using a brand solidifies their perceptions can rarely be change through advertising alone”. It figures out that influence is not only a factor of advertising but equally of other variable which have already been listed by Arens (1999) and which includes the product itself. At the cover of his book Contemporary advertising, Arens observed that “advertising can create an image but a reputation must be earned”.\nThus, peak milk radio advertising can influence consumer behavior but it can only do that through the reputation of the product. Invariably it is a case of good product that needs a little push from advertising to make it exceptional.\nIbrahim (2002) declares that “advertising has become part of our society because it affects our choice of goods, our economic status and social behavior. The use of the verb ‘affect’ implies that advertising has strong influence and effect on behavior weather social, economic, or religious behavioral pattern. Like what is generally believed by scholars that even those that are illiterate, poor or who cannot read newspapers watch radio and are affected one way or the other because what is seen and heard sticks to the memory. Ibrahim further declare that advertisement are usually taken for granted but they can easily influence our purchasing decisions”, equally asserting that “not only do advertisements sell goods and services they are commodities themselves”.\nSuffice it to say that, all the products used by a customer are not necessarily those of advertisements they liked. The key lies not only in the attractiveness of the advertisements, but also the interest of the target (Dubey and Patel, 2004).\n2.4 Theoretical Framework\nAccording to Sevenrin and Tankard (2001), theory is “a set of systematic generalizations based on scientific observations and leading to further empirical observations”. McQuail (2010) sees a theory as consisting of a set of ideas of varying status and origin, which seek to explain or interpret some phenomena.\nTheory is a formulated general principle used for better understanding of ideas, issues or concepts. It is an assumption or system of assumptions, accepted principles, and rules of procedure based on limited information or knowledge, devised to analyze, predict, or otherwise explain the nature or behaviour of a specified set of phenomena or abstract reasoning. It relates the past with the present for the sake of the future. The theories that will help in fashioning a path way for this study are the agenda setting theory and diffusion of innovation theory.\nAgenda Setting Theory\nAgenda setting describes a very powerful influence of the media – the ability to tell us what issues are important. As far back as 1922, the newspaper columnist Walter Lippman was concerned that the media had the power to present images to the public. McCombs and Shaw investigated presidential campaigns in 1968, 1972 and 1976. In the research done in 1968 they focused on two elements: awareness and information. Investigating the agenda-setting function of the mass media, they attempted to assess the relationship between what voters in one community said were important issues and the actual content of the media messages used during the campaign. McCombs and Shaw concluded that the mass media exerted a significant influence on what voters considered to be the major issues of the campaign. Agenda-setting is the creation of public awareness and concern of salient issues by the news media. Two basis assumptions underlie most research on agenda-setting: (1) the press and the media do not reflect reality; they filter and shape it; (2) media concentration on a few issues and subjects leads the public to perceive those issues as more important than other issues.\nSimilarly, mass media, radio in this regard, help to create awareness and exert influence on the consumers who are exposed to radio advertising of a particular product.\nDiffusion of Innovation Theory\nDiffusion research centres on the conditions which increase or decrease the likelihood that a new idea, product, or practice will be adopted by members of a given culture. Diffusion of innovation theory predicts that media as well as interpersonal contacts provide information and influence opinion and judgment. Studying how innovation occurs, Rogers (2003) argues that it consists of four stages: invention, diffusion (or communication) through the social system, time and consequences. The information flows through networks. The nature of networks and the roles opinion leaders play in them determine the likelihood that the innovation will be adopted.\nInnovation diffusion research has attempted to explain the variables that influence how and why users adopt a new information medium, such as the Internet. Opinion leaders exert influence on audience behaviour via their personal contact, but additional intermediaries called change agents and gatekeepers are also included in the process of diffusion. Five adopter categories are: (1) innovators, (2) early adopters, (3) early majority, (4) late majority, and (5) laggards.\nAccording to Rogers (2003), Diffusion is the “process by which an innovation is communicated through certain channels over a period of time among the members of a social system”. An innovation is “an idea, practice, or object that is perceived to be new by an individual or other unit of adoption”. “Communication is a process in which participants create and share information with one another to reach a mutual understanding.\nCategoriesComplete Research Project Topics and Materials In Nigeria, List of Mass Communication Project Topics and Materials PDF\nValue Added Tax as Medium Of Generating Funds\nTaxation as A Source Of Government Revenue","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line358130"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8619512915611267,"wiki_prob":0.8619512915611267,"text":"ANTHRAX Singer Talks About Touring With MÖTLEY CRÜE And DIO\nANTHRAX vocalist John Bush recently spoke to KNAC.com about the group's latest CD, \"The Greater of Two Evils\", and touring, among other topics. Several excerpts from the interview follow:\nKNAC.com: During those times when maybe a fan irritates you in a certain way or a guy from a different band says something that you don't like, do you ever think of speaking your peace through the press? Does anyone ever win a situation like that?\nJohn Bush: \"Is it ever a good thing to do? Hmm, I don't know. God love Dave Mustaine — I think he is an awesome talent and an all around great guy, but there is no denying that in the early days of MEGADETH all of the comments he threw METALLICA's way probably ended up helping them in some capacity. I don't know. It's just not my style. There have been plenty of bands that I've disliked, and there's been bands that I've loved. There are things that I appreciate that a band does and things that I think suck, but at the end of the day, what am I going to do? Am I going to go to the press with that? Who gives a shit? It's just my opinion. Just because I'm in a band doesn't mean that my opinion is any more important than anyone else's. I think of the bands who do that, about eighty percent of the time it comes back as a negative.\"\nKNAC.com: On one hand some of it can make for a good story, but on the other, you run the risk of sounding like you're whining.\nJohn Bush: \"Yeah, it sounds like sour grapes or sounds like you're bitter or something. Why would you do that? I just seems kinda cheesy to me.\"\nKNAC.com: Can you clarify what exactly happened at the end of that MÖTLEY CRÜE/MEGADETH tour a few years back? Did it end badly?\nJohn Bush: \"It ended badly in the sense that the tour wasn't doing very well. At the time there was a lot of competition during the summer of 2000. It was really busy. We were probably playing bigger venues than the bands at that time should have played. Ticket sales were struggling, and MÖTLEY wanted to cut everybody's pay. We couldn't afford to do that because then we would have been losing money. I mean, that was one of the reasons we did the tour was to make a little money—not shitloads — just some. Now, to take a loss to do that tour would have been an error, so three weeks in when they came to us wanting to cut our pay in half we couldn't do it. We weren't going to take tour support to do that tour. It would have been the stupidest thing we could ever do.\"\nKNAC.com: That tour support would have basically just meant taking a loan from the record company, right?\nJohn Bush: \"Yeah, it all has to be paid back. For ANTHRAX to ever do that, it would have to be a situation where a group or us is playing to an audience who has never heard them before. If the case was where we were playing with a younger band like KORN or SYSTEM OF A DOWN where we would be playing in front of people who had never heard us, then it might make sense, but this wasn't like that. All we had out at that time was a greatest hits record that wasn't even that recent. It just didn't make a lot of sense to do it at that time. We were bummed because we had blocked off ten weeks for this tour, and we were back in three. It kind of screwed us up.\"\nKNAC.com: What was it like recently hitting the road with DIO?\nJohn Bush: \"I had actually done a tour with him with ARMORED SAINT. It was great to be on the road with him and to be able to watch him every night because he is such an unbelievable singer. It was awesome. Again, that was a tour that probably wasn't exposing us to a whole new fan base, but we were also able to go out and play and make a little bit of money. We were just rocking out for the fans and doing what we do best.\"\nRead John Bush's entire interview with KNAC.com at this location.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1195225"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5267386436462402,"wiki_prob":0.5267386436462402,"text":"Breaking the Chain of Heart Attack\nBy Donna Sellmann\nNot many people are worried about having a heart attack in their 40s. But for Joe Leone Introna, the approach of his 42nd birthday cast a dark shadow of concern. Six of his male relatives died at age 42. In fact, at least 14 men on his mother’s side of the family died between 40 and 43 years old. These were otherwise healthy men who dropped dead of a heart attack at a young age. Would Joe suffer the same fate?\nAt age 30, Joe developed atrial fibrillation, which was corrected and continually monitored by his electrophysiologist. Joe continued to be proactive and started pursuing a variety of cardiovascular tests. Then on February 5—at the ominous age of 42—Joe experienced sudden chest, arm and jaw pain. He fainted and was rushed to Jersey Shore University Medical Center. Although tests showed he had not suffered a heart attack, his symptoms persisted and doctors decided to perform a cardiac catheterization. This procedure allowed interventional cardiologist Nelson LaMarche, M.D., to look inside the arteries of Joe’s heart.\nWhat he found was shocking.\nRecipe for Relief\nJoe’s left anterior descending (LAD) artery was 90 percent blocked. This blockage is often called a “widow maker” because it prevents blood from passing through the LAD, and the heart can quickly run out of oxygen and stop beating, leading to sudden death. Joe was immediately rushed into surgery where thoracic surgeon David Johnson, M.D., performed a triple bypass. Healthy blood vessels were used to replace the blocked portions of three arteries and save Joe’s life.\nAfter recovering in the hospital for six days, Joe went home to his wife and five kids, and began rehabilitation. This started with several home visits by nurses, then transitioned to the five-week outpatient cardiac rehabilitation program at Ocean Medical Center.\n“While I was in the hospital, the doctors told me that I would feel much better once I healed,” says Joe. “It’s remarkable how right they were. I feel great and keep blood flowing to my heart by exercising regularly. I enjoy walking and swimming, and I love boxing every day. My circulation has improved, the varicose veins in my legs are less noticeable, and I sleep better. I feel amazing.”\nJoe owns a thriving business with two Joe Leone’s Italian Specialties stores in Point Pleasant Beach and Sea Girt, New Jersey. As a professional chef, his work life revolves around recipes, so this experience made him think about his “health recipe.” He was determined to go through the “ingredients” in his life—key factors like diet, exercise and family history—and understand what went wrong.\nA key factor was his family history of heart disease. While Joe was recovering at home, he had time to research and learn more about his family genetics. With relatives in the United States and Italy, he learned more about the 14 male deaths in his family. He learned that they were all sudden and all relatives on\nhis mother’s side of the family. Interestingly, none of the females in the family had heart issues.\n“When you go through something like this, your emotions are hooked to your heart,” Joe says. “You do a lot of thinking. I wanted to understand how it happened and know what the results would be.”\nExpertise Close to Home\nCardiologist Brett Sealove, M.D., is handling Joe’s follow-up care. “Unfortunately, when it comes to the heart, there’s currently no genetic test for coronary disease,” Dr. Sealove says. “The genes are so vast and large that it is extremely complex.”\nHowever, he stresses that healthy behaviors should start early. “You are never too young to take matters into your own hands if your family has a history of heart disease,” he says. “Be proactive and talk with your physician to determine inherent risks as well as the family history profile.”\nWhile there is not one single test that encompasses everything for heart health, there are non-invasive tests that can screen for heart disease and stroke. Evaluation and treatment can then be individualized and addressed specific to each patient.\nIn Joe’s case, he is thankful to have great resources and expertise so close to home. “Part of recovering was to surrender to the doctors. I have tremendous faith in them,” he says. “My new health recipe includes regular follow-ups with my physician, a lean diet and regular exercise. Plus, I also believe there’s an angel over my shoulder!”\nWhat to Know About Heart Screening\nAngioScreen® is a comprehensive heart and vascular screening from Hackensack Meridian Health. In just 15 minutes, this simple, noninvasive evaluation will help identify your risk for heart disease and stroke, so you can take charge and lead a heart-healthy life.\nEvery AngioScreen includes:\nCarotid Artery Ultrasound: scans for blockages and plaque in the neck arteries\nPeak Systolic Velocity: gauges blood flow to check for blockages and narrowing\nAnkle Brachial Index: checks for blockages in the leg arteries\nAbdominal Aortic Aneurysm Ultrasound: measures details that help detect an aneurysm\nbefore it ruptures\nModified EKG: shows the rhythm of the heart\nBlood pressure, pulse and body mass index (BMI) checks\nPrivate consultation with a registered nurse\nInstant results to share with your doctor\nNext Steps & Resources:\nLearn more about comprehensive cardiac care services close to home.\nTo make an appointment with a cardiologist, call 800-822-8905 or visit our website.\nThe material provided through HealthU is intended to be used as general information only and should not replace the advice of your physician. Always consult your physician for individual care.\nAfter a Triple Bypass, Where is He Now?\nIn 2019, Joe Leone's worst fears almost became reality. At age 42, he was rushed to Jersey Shore University...\nHeart Care You Can Trust, Close to Home\nRosa Martinez is used to working hard. The mother of five was on her feet working at a warehouse job.\nMeet Rosa\nJust Like New After Cardiac Stents\nIn April 2017, Mike Fleming, 61, of Hazlet, New Jersey, was at the candle factory where he has worked for 15 years as an electrical and mechanical engineer when he felt a terrible pain on his left side.\nBig Heart, Big Fix\nAttorney Gerald Dienst was diagnosed with congestive heart failure and atrial fibrillation in 2012. Today, a remarkable new device is reducing his risk of blood clots and stroke, and ensuring he can continue helping his clients.\nMeet Gerald\nCardiac Calcium Scan Saves One Man’s Life\nWhen team members were recruited to test the new cardiac calcium scan procedure, Kevin Jester, signed up, not because he had any worries about his heart health - he just wanted to do his part.\nFamily Support Through a Heart Attack\nSince receiving LVAD therapy, Legrand says he’s feeling better than he did before he had a heart attack.\nMeet Legrand","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1347851"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6303480267524719,"wiki_prob":0.3696519732475281,"text":"Parks-Storm Water Sales Tax Discussed by Parks & Rec.\nBy Dana Raker | November 4, 2021 | 0\nThe Holden Parks & Recreation Board discussed the upcoming ballot issue of the continuation of the parks sales tax measure, at its regular September meeting.\nThe local parks/city storm water issue will be proposed to voters on the April 2022 ballot.\nParks & Rec discussed the language/verbiage to be used on the ballot.\nMayor Liz Weeks was in attendance at the meeting and said she would check with the city attorney to see if the ballot language was complete.\nIn personnel business, Member Andrew Wakeman discussed the Park Board’s need to hire a part-time employee, if the sales tax measure passes in April.\nWakeman explained the person hired would work an average of 10 hours a week.\nResponsibilities would include – park maintenance, grant writing, public relations, calendar management, etc.\nHe went on to say this is being mentioned at this time so Park Board members can consider this suggestion over the next few months.\nClarification was given, stating that the Park Board cannot do the hiring, that is done by the mayor.\nHowever, the Park Board can hold interviews and make a recommendation for hiring someone.\nIn calendar news, the board discussed upcoming events at the park for the remainder of 2021.\nAt the time of the meeting, plans were still in the works for the Pumpkins in the Park event, which was held October 23, and it was mentioned the Holden PTO volunteered to help with the event.\nIn other future park events, the board discussed the upcoming Christmas in the Park event, with a kick-off date of December 11.\nDisplays will be welcome in the park from November 20 throughout the Christmas season.\nMember Rhonda Wakeman presented options for various displays and said they could be added to each year.\nMember Katey Summer motioned to amend the initial budget for displays to $2,499.\nAfter a second to the motion, the board voted to approve.\nSanta will be attending the kick-off event on December 11, and Katey will verify that he is confirmed for that day.\nRhonda volunteered to send out flyers to local businesses and organizations.\nAll local businesses, churches and organizations are welcome and encouraged to join in displaying holiday greetings to the community through the Christmas in the Park event.\nIn other park news, it was reported the Holden Street Department paved the back parking lot and area by the restrooms at the city park.\nMembers were told it would probably be spring or summer of 2022 before the remaining parking lot gets repaved.\nThe Park Board will need to purchase speed bumps at that time.\nThe group also discussed the fact that the 4-H/FFA barn and fencing are in need of attention.\nIt was decided to keep the fencing painted, but not put a lot of money into them since they haven’t been used for livestock for years.\nIn a Saddle Club agreement update, members discussed the recent rodeo/bull riding event held at the city park arena.\nThe rodeo and the concessions are sponsored by two different groups.\nIt was reported that this year trash was not cleaned up and trash cans were not emptied or returned to where they belong.\nThe rodeo crew helped clean up the next day; the concession group didn’t carry through with their responsibilities.\nNo one from the Park Board is certain who that group was.\nThey just know it was a softball group. It was decided going forward, that both groups will need to sign the Park Use Agreement.\nIn other business, Member David Anstine explained that he would like to use the brush pile at the park to have a flag retirement ceremony with the Boy/Cub Scouts.\nThe plan would be to do this on Veteran’s Day (November 11).\nIn other park business, city council liaison Jeremy Knox suggested installing restrooms at the park, using the center area of the barns. “This would allow us to have the portable restrooms removed,” Knox explained. “The cost of the portable ones is $90/month as of October 2021. “The budget used to pay for the portable restrooms would pay for the installation of restrooms in a few years.”\nKnox is to research the project and get more concrete information and report back to the board.\nIn new business, Member Naomi Chastain requested that the corner of 3rd Street and Main Street, near City Hall, be made into a Desert Storm Veteran Memorial Park.\nMembers were told if it is changed to a park, the Park Board would take over the maintenance and upkeep of this area.\nThe issue was tabled for further discussion at a later date. Members voted to adjourn the September meeting and will reconvene October 28.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1882762"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6164655685424805,"wiki_prob":0.6164655685424805,"text":"FILIPPO ZAPPONI\nBiography\nFilippo Zapponi was born in 1976, in Milan. He began composing as a child and at the age of seventeen he entered the classes of Ivan Fedele and Giorgio Colombo Taccani at the Civica Scuola di Musica di Milano and at the Sezione di Musica Contemporanea, in Milan. In 1997, he was enrolled in Ivan Fedele's class at the Como Conservatory of Music “Giuseppe Verdi” and graduated with honours in 2000. Since 1997 he was also a student of Ivan Fedele at the Conservatoire National de Région de Strasbourg (France) where he graduated in 2001. In 1999-2001 he was Ivan Fedele's assistant and he worked at Luciano Berio's Centro Tempo Reale, in Florence.\nIn 2001 he moved to France, in that year he studied with Brian Ferneyhough, Brice Pauset and Stefano Gervasoni at the Session de composition du programme “Voix nouvelles” at the Fondation Royaumont, near Paris. In 2002, he was again Ferneyhough's student at the Centre Acanthes (Avignon, France) where he writed a piece for the Arditti Quartet.\nSelected twice by the Ircam Reading Panel, he attended the Stage d'été (2006) and the Cursus I (2008-09) at Ircam (Paris) where he specialized in new technologies for music with Yan Maresz, Philippe Hurel, Philippe Manoury and Marco Stroppa.\nFrom 2004 to 2007, he studied composition and analysis with Karlheinz Stockhausen (Stockhausen Courses Kürten) in Kürten, near Cologne (Germany). At the Stockhausen Foundation for Music, he also organized an annual meeting of composers.\nIn 2007, he graduated with honours in Musicology from the University of Strasbourg with a dissertation on Stockhausen's opera Freitag aus Licht.\nHis works, published since 2017 by BabelScores, have been performed in Europe, US, South America, Asia and Australia. Filippo Zapponi collaborates with many ensembles, soloists and festivals: Arditti Quartet, United Instruments of Lucilin, Accroche Note, Ensemble Linea, Sentieri Selvaggi, Ensemble Calliopée, Julien Leroy, Lorenzo Soulès, Mario Caroli, Jeffrey Lyman, Biennale Musica di Venezia, Festival Pablo Casals, Ircam, Philarmonie de Paris, Expo Milano 2015, Festival Musica, University of Michigan (Ann Arbor), Pomona College (Claremont, California), Soochow University School of Music (China), France Culture, Fondation de France, Musée Würth-France, Mamc-Strasbourg, Opéra-Théâtre of Metz, Arsenal Concert Hall, Opéra National du Rhin, Radio Svizzera, among others.\nHe has undertaken many musical projects with pedagogical purposes, such as the children's opera Opera Mundi (2003) and Le voyage des grues cendrées (2008), the latter was awarded the prize “S'Unir pour Agir” of the Fondation de France. He has also collaborated with the Blicke Dance Company on several international productions.\nFilippo Zapponi has been teaching composition, analysis and orchestration at the Metz Conservatory “Gabriel Pierné” since 2008; he was appointed Professor (Professeur d'Enseignement Artistique Titulaire) in 2011 and Distinguished Professor (Professeur Hors Classe) in 2020.\nIn 2021, he led, with cellist and artistic director Claudio Pasceri, the composition workshop \"Oltre le note\" in Portacomaro (Asti, Italy) as part of the EstOvest Festival.\nIn 2018-19 he taught composition at the stage \"La Voce\" in Bièvre, near Paris (France), together with Christine Musset (Feldenkrais) and Claudio Pasceri (violoncello).\nIn 2017, he taught composition at the 22nd Musicalta Academy, Rouffach (France) and, from 2005 to 2014, he taught composition, analysis and orchestration at the University of Strasbourg (CFMI – Centre de Formation de Musiciens Intervenants). He has also given applied analysis seminars at the Cefedem de Lorraine (Metz, France).\nAthique I, for flute and piano, was the winner of the Counterpoint-Italy International Composition Competition 2018 and was premiered in New York (Marillac Theatre, St. John's University).\nIn 2015, Filippo Zapponi was awarded the first prize at the prestigious 6th International Composition Competition “Festival Pablo Casals” in Prades.\nIn 2014, he was selected, out of more than 600 composers, at the International Composition Competition « Feeding Music – Compositions From the World for Italian Pavilion Expo Milano 2015 » for a new commission for ensemble and electronics which was featured twice at Expo Milano 2015.\nHe was awarded the prize “S'Unir pour Agir” of the Fondation de France for the project Le voyage des grues cendrées, in 2008.\nFilippo Zapponi won twice the first prize at the XXI and XXII Composition Competition “Castello di Belveglio”, in 1999 and 2000.\n© F.Z.\nFilippo Zapponi © 2022","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line844660"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9723930954933167,"wiki_prob":0.9723930954933167,"text":"Elton John - Your Song\n\"Your Song\" is a song by English musician Elton John from his self-titled second studio album (1970). It was written by John and his longtime collaborator Bernie Taupin.\n\"Your Song\" was first released by American rock band Three Dog Night in March 1970 on their third studio album, It Ain't Easy. John was an opening act for the band at the time and allowed them to record it. They did not release it as a single as they wanted to let John, then an upcoming artist, have a go with it.\nJohn's version was recorded at Trident Studios in London in January 1970 and was released in the United States in October 1970 as the B-side to \"Take Me to the Pilot\". Both songs received airplay, but \"Your Song\" was preferred by disc jockeys and replaced \"Take Me to the Pilot\" as the A-side, eventually making it to number eight on the Billboard chart. The song also peaked at number seven on the UK Singles Chart, as well as charting in the top 10 in several other countries.\nIn 1998, \"Your Song\" was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. In 2004, the song was placed at number 136 on Rolling Stone's list of \"The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time\", 137 in its 2010 list, and 202 in its 2021 list. The song is listed among the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll. A demo version was included in John's 1990 box set album To Be Continued. In 2017, the song was voted by the British public as The Nation's Favourite Elton John Song in a UK-wide poll for ITV.\nIt's a little bit funny, this feeling inside\nI'm not one of those who can easily hide\nI don't have much money, but, boy, if I did\nI'd buy a big house where we both could live\nIf I was a sculptor, heh, but then again, no\nOr a man who makes potions in a traveling show\nI know it's not much, but it's the best I can do\nMy gift is my song, and this one's for you\nAnd you can tell everybody this is your song\nIt may be quite simple, but now that it's done\nI hope you don't mind, I hope you don't mind that I put down in words\nHow wonderful life is while you're in the world\nI sat on the roof and kicked off the moss\nWell, a few of the verses, well, they've got me quite cross\nBut the sun's been quite kind while I wrote this song\nIt's for people like you that keep it turned on\nSo excuse me forgetting, but these things I do\nYou see, I've forgotten if they're green or they're blue\nAnyway, the thing is, what I really mean\nYours are the sweetest eyes I've ever seen","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line837205"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7380489110946655,"wiki_prob":0.2619510889053345,"text":"Home Movie Top 10 most expensive element in the world They Hide From You\nTop 10 most expensive element in the world They Hide From You\nThe 10 Most Expensive Elements (Price per KG)\n1. Polonium-209 ($49.2 trillion)\n2. Actinium-255 ($29 trillion)\n3. Technetium-99m ($1.9 trillion)\n4. Berkelium-249 ($185 billion)\n5. Californium-249 ($185 billion)\n6. Curium-248 ($160 billion)\n7. Californium-252 ($60 billion)\n8. Curium-244 ($185 million)\n9. Plutonium-239 ($6.49 million)\n10. Americium-241 ($728,000)\nExtra Information About most expensive element in the world That You May Find Interested\nWhat's the Most Expensive Element? | Daily Infographic\n8 Most Expensive Elements Found Around the World\nThe Five Most Expensive Elements in the World – Money Inc\nPrices of chemical elements – Wikipedia\nThese 10 materials are the most expensive in the world\nTop 10 Most Expensive Elements On Earth – Wonderslist\nFrequently Asked Questions About most expensive element in the world\nWhat are the top 10 most expensive elements?\nWhy is californium so expensive?\nWhich element is most cheapest?\nHow much does francium cost?\nWhat are the 2 rarest elements?\nWhat’s the rarest material on Earth?\nWhat is the rarest element?\nCan u buy californium?\nWhich element is rarest in the universe?\nHow much is 1g of francium worth?\nWill there be a 119th element?\nIs there a 200th element?\nVideo About most expensive element in the world\n>4:14For more videos, follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ScienceNaturePage/#Francium #Chemistry #periodicTable.YouTube · Hashem Al-Ghaili · Feb 28, 20194 key moments in this video\nBelow is information and knowledge on the topic most expensive element in the world gather and compiled by the show.vn team. Along with other related topics like: Francium, Most expensive element in the universe, Top 10 most expensive element in the world, Most expensive element per gram, Most expensive material, Most expensive element in periodic table, Most expensive metal, Element 118.\nthe Most Expensive Element? | Daily Infographic\nEverything we know is made of elements, and thanks to the Earth, there are a variety of elements to make everything we need. Over the years, many elements have been discovered, some of which are very precious and expensive, while others elements are readily available and cheap. But, what’s the most expensive element?\nThe cost of elements depends on their availability, isotope, and the resources required to manufacture them. Out of the discovered elements, below are the top ten most expensive elements and their uses.\nPolonium-209 is used as a static eliminator, and it can also be used for atomic weapons and as a heat source for satellites and spacecraft. This is also one of the rarest elements available.\nActinium-255 is a decay product from thorium-229, and it contains high energy particles believed to interrupt the DNA of cancer cells and prevent them from duplicating. For this reason, it is used as a therapy for cancer treatment for leukemia, as well as prostate and brain cancer.\nTechnetium-99m is used to image body parts for medical diagnostics. It is mainly used for diagnostic imaging for the heart, skeleton, liver, bone marrow, and spleen, among other medical studies.\nBerkelium-249 has a 330-day half-life and is used as an ingredient in synthesizing heavy elements like tennessine.\nCalifornium-249 is a powerful neutron emitter used to identify metal fatigue and to spot silver and gold ores. It’s also used in mobile metal detectors.\nCurium-248 is a moderate neutron source used in the production of plutonium-238.\nRead More: Top 10 how much does vinnie hacker weight They Hide From You\nBecause of its radioactive properties, Californium-252 is used in various applications — including cancer treatment, nuclear reactors, and in the military — to help in detecting explosives.\nCurium-244 is a radioactive heat source for isotope thermoelectric generators.\nPlutonium-239 is manufactured from uranium and is used as an ingredient to make nuclear weapons.\nAmericium-241 is used in various detectors to detect smoke or toxic lead in paints.\nAuthor: dailyinfographic.com\nSumary: Everything we know is made of elements, and thanks to the Earth, there are a variety of elements to make everything we need. Over the years, many elements have been discovered, some of which are very precious and expensive, while others are readily available and cheap. But, what’s the most expensive element?\nMatching Result: The 10 Most Expensive Elements (Price per KG) · 1. Polonium-209 ($49.2 trillion) · 2. Actinium-255 ($29 trillion) · 3. Technetium-99m ($1.9 …\nIntro: What’s the Most Expensive Element? | Daily Infographic Everything we know is made of elements, and thanks to the Earth, there are a variety of elements to make everything we need. Over the years, many elements have been discovered, some of which are very precious and expensive, while others elements are readily available and cheap. But, what’s the most expensive element? The cost of elements depends on their availability, isotope, and the resources required to manufacture them. Out of the discovered elements, below are the top ten most expensive elements and their uses. The 10 Most Expensive Elements (Price per…\nSource: https://dailyinfographic.com/whats-the-most-expensive-element\nAuthor: rarest.org\nSumary: Altogether, scientists have discovered 118 elements. Just like the universe itself, the exact history and origins of these elements are unknown, but scientists have been … Read more\nMatching Result: Francium is the most expensive element on Earth. Before this insanely rare element was discovered in 1939, Russian scientist Dmitry I.\nIntro: 8 Most Expensive Elements Found Around the WorldAltogether, scientists have discovered 118 elements. Just like the universe itself, the exact history and origins of these elements are unknown, but scientists have been steadily learning more about the materials that build our entire world.When it comes to classifying elements, the story starts in the 19th century with the birth of Dmitri Mendeleev. Dmitri was a Russian scientist who developed an early version of the periodic table. This version, which was completed in 1871, intentionally left blank spaces where Dmitri believed newly discovered elements would fit in the future — and it…\nSource: https://rarest.org/nature/expensive-elements\nAuthor: moneyinc.com\nSumary: The Earth is a truly wondrous and marvelous thing. Even after thousands of years of human existence, there are still so many new discoveries left to be\nMatching Result: The Five Most Expensive Elements in the World ; 1 1. Francium – approximately $1 billion per gram ; 2 2. Californium – $25 million per gram ; 3 3.\nIntro: The Five Most Expensive Elements in the World The Earth is a truly wondrous and marvelous thing. Even after thousands of years of human existence, there are still so many new discoveries left to be made. Some of the most interesting things about this lovely planet of ours are the natural elements that exist. There have been many elements that have been discovered throughout time—some are precious while others are not so much. There are probably hundreds more we haven’t even discovered yet. Out of all the elements that have been discovered here in the world, here are the five…\nSource: https://moneyinc.com/most-expensive-elements-in-the-world/\nRead More: Top 10 what is graham wardle doing now They Hide From You\nSumary: This is a list of prices of chemical elements. Listed here are mainly average market prices for bulk trade of commodities. Data on elements’ abundance in Earth’s crust is added for comparison.\nMatching Result: ZSymbolNameDensity (kg/L)Abundance and total mass in Earth’s crust ( mg/kg)US…1HHydrogen0.000089881400 (3.878×1019 kg)1.3912H (D)Deuterium0.000166713…2HeHelium0.00017850.008 (2.216×1014 kg)24.0View 121 more rows\nIntro: Prices of chemical elements This is a list of prices of chemical elements. Listed here are mainly average market prices for bulk trade of commodities. Data on elements’ abundance in Earth’s crust is added for comparison. As of 2020, the most expensive non-synthetic element by both mass and volume is rhodium. It is followed by caesium, iridium and palladium by mass and iridium, gold and platinum by volume. Of those elements, rhodium, caesium and gold have only one stable isotope (133Cs, 103Rh and 197Au respectively), iridium has two (191Ir & 193Ir) whereas palladium and platinum both have several. Carbon in…\nSource: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prices_of_chemical_elements\nAuthor: indiatoday.in\nSumary: So, while many believed gold to be costly, this list of most expensive materials on the planet will sure give rest to this belief. And by the way, gold did not even make it to this list! Check it out.\nMatching Result: So, while many believed gold to be costly, this list of most expensive materials on the planet will sure give rest to this belief. And by the …\nIntro: These 10 materials are the most expensive in the worldSo, while many believed gold to be costly, this list of most expensive materials on the planet will sure give rest to this belief. And by the way, gold did not even make it to this list! Top 10 most expensive materialsBy India Today Web Desk: The most valuable substances on earth tend to be expensive because of their rarity or because of the difficulty in producing them. Over time, the worth of expensive substances regularly changes as the availability of rare materials increases, or the desire for them decreases. Currently,…\nSource: https://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/gk-current-affairs/story/ten-of-the-most-expensive-materials-in-the-world-973690-2017-04-27\nAuthor: wonderslist.com\nSumary: What are most expensive elements on earth? This list contains 10 earth elements that are extremely rare, and some of them have demand in the market,\nMatching Result: Top 10 Most Expensive Elements on Earth · 10. Gold : $56 per gram · 9. Rhodium — $58 per gram · 8. Platinum — $60 per gram · 7. Lanthanum – $64 per gram · 6.\nIntro: Top 10 Most Expensive Elements On Earth – Wonderslist Chemical elements are building blocks of everything we see around us. There are 118 recognized elements, 94 of which occur naturally including iron, silver and gold, while others are synthetic, some examples of which are curium and californium. This list contains 10 earth elements that are extremely rare, and some of them have demand in the market, which makes them some of the most expensive elements on the planet. 10. Gold : $56 per gram Gold is one of the most widely known and used elements in the world, especially in…\nSource: https://www.wonderslist.com/top-10-expensive-elements/\nRead More: Top 10 super oldies of the 50's They Hide From You\nIf you have questions that need to be answered about the topic most expensive element in the world, then this section may help you solve it.\nPolonium-209 ($49.2 trillion) …\nActinium-255 ($29 trillion) …\nTechnetium-99m ($1.9 trillion) …\nBerkelium-249 ($185 billion) …\nCalifornium-249 ($185 billion) …\nCurium-248 ($160 billion) …\nCalifornium-252 ($60 billion) …\nCurium-244 ($185 million)\nJust like berkelium, californium was named after its place of discovery: California. As the second-most expensive element in the world, californium has an estimated price tag of $27 million per gram. The rare and expensive element is radioactive, so it’s dangerous and difficult to handle\nThe least expensive elements are Carbon, Sulphur, and Chlorine which are cheap by their mass. Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen, and Chlorine are the least expensive elements by their volume in the atmospheric pressure.\nAccording to scientists, Francium price is $1 billion per gram. However, this is a theoretical estimate of the price since this amount has never been produced\nScandium and yttrium are considered rare-earth elements because they tend to occur in the same ore deposits as the lanthanides and exhibit similar chemical properties, but have different electronic and magnetic properties.\nAstatine is a chemical element with the symbol At and atomic number 85. It is the rarest naturally occurring element in the Earth’s crust, occurring only as the decay product of various heavier elements. All of astatine’s isotopes are short-lived; the most stable is astatine-210, with a half-life of 8.1 hours.\nAstatine (At) may be the rarest naturally occurring element in the Earth’s crust, but it is a member of the halogen family [fluorine (F), chlorine (Cl), bromine (Br), iodine (I), and astatine (At)] and is presumed to have characteristics similar to other Group 17 elements.\nMake the purchase on your chosen platform\nIf you do have to purchase Californium with another crypto, you’ll need to first create a crypto wallet that supports Californium, then you’ll buy the first currency and use it to buy Californium on the platform you chose. If you get stuck, most platforms provide guides.\nElement Astatine.\nThe rarest naturally occurring element in the universe. Discovered in 1940.\nIf you were to somehow amass a gram of Francium the cost is estimated to be around $1 billion.\nFusion requires several milligrams of the target element, and producing enough einsteinium (element 99) to make element 119 is impossible with today’s technology.\nPlease visit the Polonium element page for information specific to the chemical element of the periodic table. Polonium-200 atom is a polonium atom.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line508742"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9199140667915344,"wiki_prob":0.9199140667915344,"text":"Martin Pasko\nMartin Joseph \"Marty\" Pasko (born Jean-Claude Rochefort; August 4, 1954 – May 10, 2020)[2][3][4] was a Canadian comic book writer and television screenwriter.\nJean-Claude Rochefort\n(1954-08-04)August 4, 1954\nMay 10, 2020(2020-05-10) (aged 65)\nNorth Hills, California\nArea(s)\nPseudonym(s)\nPatti Enders\nKyle Christopher\nDr. Fate\nThe DC Vault\nBatman: Mask of the Phantasm (co-writer)\nDaytime Emmy Award, 1993, Batman: The Animated Series\nInkpot Award, 2013[1]\nPasko worked for many comics publishers, but is best known for his superhero stories for DC Comics over three decades. He wrote Superman in various media, including television animation, webisodes, and a syndicated newspaper strip for Tribune Media Services, as well as comic books. He also co-created the 1975 revamp of Doctor Fate.\n1 Biography\n1.1 Early life and career\n1.2 Comics\n1.2.1 The 1970s\n1.2.3 The 1990s and 2000s\n1.3 Television\n1.3.1 Live action\n1.3.2 Animation\n1.4 2000s work\n2 Family life\n4 Comics bibliography\n4.1 DC Comics\n4.2 Disney Comics\n4.3 Eclipse Comics\n4.4 First Comics\n4.5 Marvel Comics\n4.6 Seaboard\n4.7 Warren Publishing\n5 Television and film credits\nBiographyEdit\nEarly life and careerEdit\nPasko claimed to have been born as Jean-Claude Rochefort in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.[2] As a teenager, he was a regular contributor to comic book letter columns and co-published a fanzine,[5] Fantazine, with Alan Brennert, who is now a novelist. After attending Northwestern University[2] and New York University, Pasko settled in New York.\nComicsEdit\nThe 1970sEdit\nPasko's first published comics writing credit was a short story titled \"Package Deal \" for Warren Publishing's Creepy #51 (March 1973).[6] His first published work, however, was a story titled \"Eye Opener,\" in Vampirella #20 (October 1972), which was erroneously credited to his friend and professional benefactor, Doug Moench.\nPasko started working for DC Comics and began his long association with Superman in 1973, as a result of his association with long-time editor Julius Schwartz. As a frequent contributor to Schwartz's letter columns, beginning in 1968, Pasko had been nicknamed \"Pesky Pasko,\" in acknowledgment of the fact that his comments were more often than not acutely critical. His campaign to become a \"lettercol regular,\" as a way of breaking into comics writing, was inspired and encouraged by his friend and benefactor, writer Mike Friedrich, who advised Pasko that a name that was recognizable from the letter columns would have an advantage in terms of over-the-transom, or \"slush pile,\" contributions, by being more likely to be read before the submissions of writers unknown to the editor.\nPasko's first Superman-related story was a \"Private Life of Clark Kent\" backup feature in Superman #277 (July 1974).[6] In addition to writing backup stories and occasional other features in Action Comics during this period, such as The Atom, Pasko was the featured Superman writer from 1977–1979. DC Comics Presents, a team-up title starring Superman, was launched in 1978 by Pasko and artist José Luis García-López.[7] Pasko and Curt Swan created the Atomic Skull in Superman #323 (May 1978)[8][9] and the Master Jailer in Superman #331 (January 1979).[10] From 1979–1982, Pasko contributed stories to the Superman Family anthology title, including runs as the regular writer of the Jimmy Olsen and Supergirl features. In addition, during 1978 and 1979, Pasko scripted the syndicated newspaper comic strip The World's Greatest Superheroes which initially starred Superman, Batman, Robin, Wonder Woman, and The Flash, but gradually changed its focus to primarily feature Superman.\nA solo Doctor Fate story in 1st Issue Special #9 (December 1975), written by Pasko and drawn by Walt Simonson, led to an important development in the life of the character. With this story, Pasko added the concept that the spirit of Nabu resided in Doctor Fate's helmet and took control of Fate's alter-ego Kent Nelson whenever the helmet was donned. In 1981 Roy Thomas incorporated this into his series All-Star Squadron, as an explanation of the changes in Fate's helmet and powers. In 1982, this led to DC featuring Kent and his wife Inza in a series of back-up stories, written by Pasko, in The Flash.[6][11] DC later collected Pasko's stories into a three-issue limited series titled The Immortal Dr. Fate (Jan. 1985 - March 1985).\nOther titles Pasko wrote for DC included Wonder Woman from 1975–1977, featuring a major story arc documenting the heroine's attempt to gain readmission to the Justice League of America.[12] Wonder Woman had quit the organization after renouncing her powers.\nPasko wrote a number of issues of Justice League of America between 1974 and 1977; he was the regular writer of Metal Men in 1976–1977, and wrote all seven published issues of Kobra in 1976–1977, a feature he redeveloped and re-created, loosely based on a significantly-different concept originated by Jack Kirby. The story intended to be Kobra issue #8 appeared as the Batman story in DC Special Series #1.[13] In addition, Pasko wrote a number of issues of Adventure Comics between 1976 and 1980. He wrote a Daredevil prose story for Marvel Novel Series #9 (The Marvel Superheroes) in 1979 under the pseudonym of \"Kyle Christopher\".[14]\nIn his first comics-format work for Marvel Comics, Pasko was the regular scripter of that company's Star Trek comic book in 1980–1981. He helped Alan Brennert enter the comics industry by having Brennert co-write Star Trek #12 (March 1981) for Marvel.[15] Pasko was also a writer of the Star Trek comic strip from late 1982 through early 1983. In 1988, Pasko wrote an issue of the DC Star Trek comic book.\nIn 1982, Pasko and artist Thomas Yeates revived Swamp Thing, in a new series titled Saga of the Swamp Thing.[16] Pasko left Swamp Thing with issue #19 (Dec. 1983)[6] and was succeeded by Alan Moore, who took the title and the character in a different direction. Pasko wrote a number of issues of the First Comics version of Joe Staton's E-Man in 1983–1984.[6]\nIn 1988–1989 Pasko was a regular contributor to Action Comics during its stint as a weekly anthology, where he developed a new version of \"The Secret Six\". He also wrote the \"Blackhawk\" feature therein, based on the Howard Chaykin retcon, and the subsequent monthly title (1989–1990).[6]\nThe 1990s and 2000sEdit\nIn 1994, he wrote the Marvel Comics licensed series Gargoyles,[6] based on a Disney Television Animation series. He then returned to New York to serve as DC's Group Editor-Mass Market. While that was his official title, within the company he was known as the head of the Special Projects Group. In this capacity, he oversaw the production of DC's custom comics; licensed titles such as the Star Trek line; and various special projects such as the writing of stage and stunt shows for the Six Flags amusement park chain, and the writing and production of various webisodes for Warner Bros. Online. In this capacity, he also co-created, with his staff, and edited the horror satire Gross Point, which ran in 1997-98.\nDuring his decade on staff at DC, Pasko wrote issues of Impulse, one of two stories in the Green Lantern issue of the 2004 Julius Schwartz tribute series DC Comics Presents, and the comics adaptation of the film Superman Returns. Until 2005, he was DC's liaison to Warner Bros. Studios, vetting scripts for WBA animated programming, all feature film, television, and animated development of DC brands, and the live-action series Smallville and Birds of Prey, as well as facilitating studio research by supplying comics and consulting on issues related to DC continuity.\nLive actionEdit\nIn Los Angeles in the 1980s, Pasko wrote for or served as a writer/story editor on many live-action series, including Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, Fantasy Island, The Twilight Zone (the 1985-1989 CBS revival), Max Headroom, Simon & Simon, and Roseanne. Between 1985 and 1989, Pasko's writing and story editing partner was Rebecca Parr.\nThe partnership was dissolved in 1989, and Pasko's future TV writing credits were exclusively in animated programming. Parr continued working in sitcoms, notably becoming a writer and executive story consultant on Cheers.\nAnimationEdit\nPasko began a long career in television animation in 1980, writing several episodes of Thundarr the Barbarian with Steve Gerber. Pasko's many other animated TV writing credits comprise series such as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Exosquad, Teen Wolf, Berenstain Bears, G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero, and My Little Pony. Much, although not all, of this work was done in conjunction with Rebecca Parr.\nFor Thundarr the Barbarian, Pasko came up with the name of Ookla the Mok. In 1980, Gerber and Pasko were having dinner in the Westwood area one night during the period Gerber was writing the \"bible\" for the series. Gerber commented to Pasko that he had not yet decided upon a name for the Wookiee-like character the network had insisted be added to the series. As the two walked past the gate to the UCLA campus, Pasko quipped, \"Why not call him Oo-clah?\".[17] After writing several scripts, singly and in collaboration with Gerber, Pasko became a story editor on the second season.\nAfter leaving the sitcom world at the end of the 1980s, Pasko wrote for such series as Bucky O'Hare and the Toad Wars, The Tick, Cadillacs and Dinosaurs (which he redeveloped in order to produce scripts acceptable to the network), and The Legend of Prince Valiant. As well, in the early 1990s, Pasko accepted a job at Disney Consumer Products' startup comic book division, Disney Comics, developing a line of superhero titles and writing the Roger Rabbit comics series. This activity lasted nine months until, in a corporate reorganization, Disney decided to stop publishing comics altogether. The day before he was let go by Disney, Pasko finalized a deal to join Warner Bros. Animation's Batman: The Animated Series as a writer/story editor. For his work on this series, Pasko won a 1993 Daytime Emmy Award. He is a co-writer of the animated feature Batman: Mask of the Phantasm.\n2000s workEdit\nPasko in the 2000s has worked on nonfiction about various aspects of pop culture history, as a writer-researcher and consultant, as well as writing children's fiction and videogame dramatics. These projects include writing The DC Vault, published in 2008;[18] working on the dramatics for Freaky Creatures, Abandon Interactive Entertainment's massively multiplayer online game; co-writing The Essential Superman Encyclopedia with Robert Greenberger;[19] writing the children's book Superman: Prankster of Prime Time;[20] and acting as researcher, consultant, and supplemental copywriter on 75 Years of DC Comics: The Art of Modern Mythmaking.[21] He was a consultant to numerous independent entertainment companies, including Cryptozoic Entertainment, a gaming company, and a freelance comics writer.\nFamily lifeEdit\nPasko was married for thirty years to Judith Faye (née Silinsky). The couple had one child, Simcha, who is a journalist.[22] They had been separated for ten years at the time of his death.[23]\nDeathEdit\nPasko died of natural causes on May 10, 2020, at age 65.[4]\nComics bibliographyEdit\nDC ComicsEdit\n1st Issue Special #9 (Doctor Fate) (1975)\nAction Comics #438–439, 442, 447–448, 453–454, 465, 468, 500, 524 (1974–1981)\nAction Comics Weekly #601–612, 615–634 (1988–1989)\nAdventure Comics #445–448, 469–473, 475–478 (1976–1980)\nAlien Nation #1 (1988)\nBatman #256 (two page feature) (1974)\nThe Batman Adventures #4–5 (1993)\nBlackhawk vol. 2 #1–11, Annual #1 (1989–1990)\nThe Brave and the Bold #165, 176, 179 (1980–1981)\nDC Comics Presents #1–2, 9, 35, 38–39, 41 (1978–1982)\nDC Comics Presents: Green Lantern #1 (2004)\nDC Retroactive: Superman – The '70s #1 (2011)\nDC Special Series #1, 5 (1977)\nDC Super Stars #18 (1978)\nDetective Comics #458–459, 490–491 (1976–1980)\nThe Flash #306–313 (Doctor Fate backup stories) (1982)\nFreedom Fighters #1, 3–4 (1976)\nGhosts #44 (1975)\nGross Point #2–3 (1997)\nHouse of Mystery #226, 277 (1974–1980)\nHouse of Secrets #122 (1974)\nImpulse #7, 18 (1995–1996)\nThe Joker #5 (1976)\nJustice League of America #111–112 (two page features), #122, 128–130, 135–137, 147–148 (1974–1977)\nKamandi #43, 45 (1976)\nKobra #1–7 (1976–1977)\nMan-Bat #2 (1976)\nMetal Men #48–53 (1976–1977)\nThe New Adventures of Superboy #25 (1982)\nPlop! #24 (1976)\nRobotech: Love & War #5 (text article) (2003)\nSaga of the Swamp Thing #1–13, 16–19 (1982–1983)\nSecret Origins vol. 2 #45 (Blackhawk) (1989)\nSecrets of Haunted House #7 (1977)\nStar Trek #56 (1988)\nStrange Sports Stories #5–6 (1974)\nSuper Friends #43, 45 (Plastic Man) (1981)\nSuperman #277, 280, 282, 285–286, 292, 294, 305–306, 310–335, 349, 367 (1974–1982)\nThe Superman Family #184–185, 195, 209–216 (1977–1982)\nSuperman Returns: The Movie and Other Tales of the Man of Steel #1 (2006)\nTales of Ghost Castle #1 (1975)\nThe Unexpected #190, 222 (1982)\nWeird War Tales #113 (1982)\nWonder Woman #218–224, 226–232 (1975–1977)\nWorld's Finest Comics #273 (Plastic Man) (1981)\nDisney ComicsEdit\nRoger Rabbit #10, 13–14, 16, 18 (1991)\nEclipse ComicsEdit\nDestroyer Duck #1 (1982)\nFirst ComicsEdit\nE-Man #1–3, 5–8, 10 (1983–1984)\nMarvel ComicsEdit\nGargoyles #1–6 (1995)\nStar Trek #8–9, 11–16 (1980–1981)\nSeaboardEdit\nWeird Tales of the Macabre #1 (1975)\nWarren PublishingEdit\nCreepy #51, 63 (1973–1974)\nVampirella #36 (1974)\nTelevision and film creditsEdit\n• series head writer credits are denoted in bold\nBuck Rogers in the 25th Century (1980)\nThundarr the Barbarian (1980)\nBlackstar (1981)\nGoldie Gold and Action Jack (1981)\nFantasy Island (1983)\nMister T (1983): seasons 1-2\nThe Berenstain Bears (1985)\nG.I. Joe: A Real American Hero (1985)\nMy Little Pony (1986)\nMax Headroom (1987)\nSimon & Simon (1988)\nTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1988, 1990)\nFree Spirit (1989)\nRoseanne (1989)\nBucky O’Hare and the Toad Wars (1991)\nThe Legend of Prince Valiant (1992)\nBatman: The Animated Series (1992-1993)\nCadillacs and Dinosaurs (1993)\nExosquad (1994)\nMega Man (1994)\nThe Tick (1994)\nSkysurfer Strike Force (1995): as Kyle Christopher\nCannon Busters (2019)\nFilmEdit\n^ Inkpot Award\n^ a b c Bails, Jerry (2006). \"Pasko, Martin\". Who's Who of American Comic Books 1928-1999. Archived from the original on August 22, 2016. Retrieved January 13, 2013.\n^ Miller, John Jackson (June 10, 2005). \"Comics Industry Birthdays\". Comics Buyer's Guide. Iola, Wisconsin. Archived from the original on February 18, 2011. Retrieved December 12, 2010.\n^ a b Johnston, Rich (May 11, 2020). \"Marty Pasko, Writer on Superman, Doctor Fate and Roseanne, Dies At 65\". Bleeding Cool. Retrieved May 11, 2020.\n^ Siegel, Howard P. \"Made in America,\" BEM #16 (Dec. 1977).\n^ a b c d e f g Martin Pasko at the Grand Comics Database\n^ McAvennie, Michael; Dolan, Hannah, ed. (2010). \"1970s\". DC Comics Year By Year A Visual Chronicle. London, United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. p. 179. ISBN 978-0-7566-6742-9. A new ongoing Superman series started to mix things up by teaming the Man of Steel with other heroes in the DC Universe. Writer Martin Pasko and artist José Luis García-López launched the inaugural issue. {{cite book}}: |first2= has generic name (help)\n^ Phegley, Kiel (April 22, 2013). \"Superman At 75: Martin Pasko's View of The Man of Steel\". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on April 24, 2013. Retrieved May 8, 2013.\n^ Larochelle, Christopher (February 2013). \"The Atomic Skull\". Back Issue!. Raleigh, North Carolina: TwoMorrows Publishing (62): 55–58.\n^ McAvennie \"1970s\" in Dolan, p. 180: \"Writer Martin Pasko and artist Curt Swan introduced...the Master Jailer.\"\n^ Riley, Shannon E. (May 2013). \"A Matter of (Dr.) Fate Martin Pasko and Keith Giffen Discuss Their Magical Flash Backup Series\". Back Issue!. Raleigh, North Carolina: TwoMorrows Publishing (64): 64–68.\n^ Jimenez, Phil; Wells, John (2010). The Essential Wonder Woman Encyclopedia. New York City: Del Rey Books. pp. 420–421. ISBN 978-0-345-50107-3. Retrieved November 26, 2011.\n^ Kelly, Rob (August 2009). \"Kobra\". Back Issue!. Raleigh, North Carolina: TwoMorrows Publishing (35): 63–66.\n^ Cronin, Brian (April 20, 2006). \"Comic Book Urban Legends Revealed #47!\". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on July 31, 2013. Retrieved February 10, 2013.\n^ Kelly, Rob (October 2015). \"The Alan Brennert Interview\". Back Issue!. Raleigh, North Carolina: TwoMorrows Publishing (84): 53.\n^ Manning, Matthew K. \"1980s\" in Dolan, p. 197: \"Swamp Thing returned to the pages of a new ongoing series, written by Martin Pasko and drawn by artist Tom Yeates.\"\n^ Eury, Michael (2006). The Krypton Companion. Raleigh, North Carolina: TwoMorrows Publishing. p. 158. ISBN 1-893905-61-6. We passed one of the entrances to the UCLA campus and when I saw the acronym on signage, the phonetic pronunciation leapt to mind.\n^ Pasko, Martin (2008). The DC Vault. Philadelphia: Running Press. ISBN 978-0-7624-3257-8.\n^ The Essential Superman Encyclopedia. New York City: Del Rey Books. 2010. ISBN 978-0-345-50108-0.\n^ Pasko, Martin; Burchett, Rick (2010). Superman: Prankster of Prime Time. Mankato, Minnesota: Stone Arch Books. pp. 48. ISBN 978-1-4342-1986-2.\n^ Levitz, Paul (2010). 75 Years of DC Comics: The Art of Modern Mythmaking. Cologne, Germany: Taschen. ISBN 978-3-8365-1981-6.\n^ Pasko, Simcha (14 August 2021). \"Perseids meteor shower lights up Mitzpe Ramon's night sky\". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 14 August 2021.\n^ Kupperberg, Paul (12 May 2020). \"Marty Pasko (1954-2020)\". And then I wrote... Retrieved November 18, 2020.\nMartin Pasko at the Comic Book DB (archived from the original)\n\"DC Profiles #22: Martin Pasko\" at the Grand Comics Database\nMartin Pasko at IMDb\nMartin Pasko at Mike's Amazing World of Comics\nThe Speeding Bullet: A Complete Archive of Superman Newspaper Strips\nRoger Rabbit comic book bibliography\nElliot S. Maggin\nWonder Woman writer\nSuperman writer\nSaga of the Swamp Thing writer\nBlackhawk writer\nDoug Moench\nRetrieved from \"https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Martin_Pasko&oldid=1127107851\"","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line431850"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7224982976913452,"wiki_prob":0.7224982976913452,"text":"Six-in-ten Ontario residents support legislation to raise minimum wage to $15 per hour\nWomen and millennials are especially supportive of the measure\nDecember 28, 2017 – With a provincial election slated for next summer and a premier who has consistently been ranked as Canada’s least popular over the last 18 months, Ontario’s long-governing Liberal Party has been searching for policy wins.\nA new analysis of quarterly polling data by the Angus Reid Institute shows that the party may have found at least one one in recently passed legislation that would raise the minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2019. Six-in-ten Ontarians (60%) say they support new law – twice as many as oppose it (30%).\nThis favourable assessment from the Ontario public may be partially responsible for the slight uptick in Premier Kathleen Wynne’s approval rating this quarter.\nRelated – One-in-five approve of Wynne as 2017 comes to a close\nMore Key Findings:\nThe minimum wage change is especially popular among residents ages 18-34. Nearly four-in-ten (38%) say they “strongly support” it, compared to 23 per cent or fewer among other age groups\nTwo-thirds of Ontario women (67%) are in favour of the measure, while a smaller majority of men (53%) say the same\nOpinion on this question also varies along political lines, with those who cast ballots for the Liberals or the New Democratic Party in the 2014 election overwhelmingly supportive of a minimum wage increase, while those who voted for the Progressive Conservative Party are more likely to oppose it (51% do) than support it (40%)\nAge, gender, income drive opinions\nThe political story\nThe legislation passed at the end of November will raise Ontario’s minimum wage almost immediately. On Jan. 1, 2018, it will jump from $11.60 to $14 per hour, and it will rise again to $15 on Jan. 1, 2019.\nMore than one-in-four residents (27%) say they support this change “strongly,” and another one-in-three (34%) offer less-emphatic support. Notably, strong support outnumbers strong opposition to the law by a two-to-one margin:\nIt’s estimated that one-quarter of Ontario’s workforce – some 1.6 million people – currently earn less than $15 per hour, meaning a substantial number of Ontarians will be receiving raises next month.\nSome six-in-ten (61%) of those who live in households earning less than $50,000 annually say they support the wage hike – a total essentially identical to the province-wide average. Support rises slightly among those with household incomes between $50,000 and $100,000, and declines among wealthier households, as seen in the following graph:\nOpinion on the minimum wage plan also varies by age and gender, though in different ways. Members of the millennial generation – those ages 18-34 in this poll – are not much more likely than the general population to support the law, overall (63% do), but they are more likely to offer strong support, as seen in the graph that follows.\nThe difference between women and men on this question, meanwhile, is between support and opposition. While majorities of both genders support the plan to increase the minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2019, fully two-thirds of women (67%) take this position, while significantly fewer men do. Notably, 60 per cent of minimum wage workers in Canada are women.\nThe idea of a $15 minimum wage has been championed by left of centre politicians and activists for years. Founded in 2012, the grassroots organization “Fight for $15” claims 300 chapters in cities on all six inhabited continents.\nIn Canada, the $15 minimum wage has primarily been an NDP policy priority. Alberta’s NDP government passed legislation in September 2016 that will see minimum worker compensation rise to $15 per hour by October 2018, and Ontario’s New Democrats had made upping the wage a centrepiece of their platform heading into next year’s election – at least until Wynne’s Liberals made the idea their own.\nWynne’s embrace of a $15 minimum wage represents a reversal of her party’s previous position, but this polling data suggests it is a popular one. Almost three-quarters (74%) of those who voted for the Liberals in the 2014 provincial election say they support the government’s proposal, as do seven-in-ten past New Democrats (69%).\nOf course, how one voted in the 2014 election is not necessarily predictive of how one will vote in 2018. The fact that people who voted for Wynne’s Liberals last time around are broadly supportive of this minimum wage initiative does not necessarily mean they will cast ballots for the party again in the future.\nThose who supported the Progressive Conservatives in the last election are more divided than past Liberal and NDP voters. Slightly more than half (51%) oppose the change to a $15 per hour minimum wage, while a substantial minority (40%) support it.\nIn response to the government’s decision, the PCs have promised to phase in the changes over four years, increasing the minimum wage by 25 cents per year between 2018 and 2022. The initial jump from $11.60 to $14 will take place before this summer’s election, however.\nDave Korzinski, Research Associate: 250.899.0821","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line717532"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.698992133140564,"wiki_prob":0.698992133140564,"text":"CLASS OF 2022: Emergency services leader recognised with honorary award\nA leading local emergency service leader has been awarded an honorary degree from the University of Wolverhampton for his contribution to community safety in the West Midlands.\nPhil Loach has been awarded a Doctor of Professional Practice in recognition of his service to the West Midlands Fire Service.\nHonorary awards are presented by the University of Wolverhampton to people who have made a significant contribution to their field of expertise.\nPhil Loach is the Chief Fire Officer of West Midlands Fire Service (WMFS) and is responsible for the provision of emergency response, business safety and community safety services to over 2.7 million people across the West Midlands covering the seven Local Authorities of Birmingham, Walsall, Sandwell, Wolverhampton, Dudley, Coventry and Solihull.\nAs Chief Fire Officer he has specific responsibility for advising the Fire and Rescue Authority as to its statutory responsibilities in the provision of an excellent, efficient and effective fire service. He plays a significant role in ensuring the community receives a risk-based provision of service as part of an effective and integrated strategy for service delivery and for ensuring assertive, safe and effective systems of work as part of operational preparedness.\nPhil has also played a key role at the national level, serving for a number of years as the Vice-chair National Fire Chief Council, and continues to lead on the national Community Risk Programme, which aims to deliver a national definition of risk and a set of standardised tools and guidance to support the community risk management process for fire and rescue services across the UK.\nInitially serving as a firefighter, Phil undertook a number of roles across the service before becoming CFO of WMFS. Phil’s unique leadership style is founded upon a continuous commitment to organisation development and rich communication. This has and continues to enable the transformation of services across WMFS through a period of unprecedented political and economic change.\nPhil said: “To receive this award as recognition of my service to the people of the West Midlands is a great honour. I am particularly delighted to be accepting it from the University of Wolverhampton, with whom West Midlands Fire Service have such a longstanding and important relationship and am pleased to have been able to celebrate alongside the academics and students with whom we have worked in recent years.”\nThe University’s graduation ceremonies take place at the Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton, from Monday 5 September to Saturday 10 September 2022.\nGraduates are encouraged to keep in touch with the Alumni team and take advantage of a range of benefits and support on offer to them including a discount for Postgraduate study and opportunities to benefit from mentoring, volunteering and career advice.\nFor information about courses to study at the University visit the website.\nHerjeavan has designs on a creative career","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1709687"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.843731164932251,"wiki_prob":0.843731164932251,"text":"La Niña Lives! — And That's Bad News\nThere's a good chance the weather-disrupting phenomenon will persist for a rare third year, possibly exacerbating already severe drought in the U.S. West.\nImaGeoBy Tom YulsmanMay 24, 2022 7:45 PM\nDuring April, surface waters of the tropical Pacific Ocean remained chillier than normal — a defining characteristic of the climate phenomenon known as La Niña. (Credit: NOAA Climate.gov)\nFor two winters in a row, La Niña has steered desperately needed rain and snow storms away from the U.S. Southwest, exacerbating a decades-long drought that has shriveled reservoirs and spurred horrific wildfires.\nNow, hopes that the climate pattern would relent and allow moisture to rebound next winter have suffered a serious blow.\nLa Niña — Spanish for \"the girl\" — persisted through April, and there's a 61 percent chance she'll stick around for a third winter, according to the latest monthly update from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.\nThe monthly evolution of sea surface temperatures between Jan of 2020 and May of 2022 is seen in this animation focusing on the tropical Pacific. Neutral conditions are present at the start of the animation. Blue colors indicative of cooler than average temperatures begin to spread along the equator, with the La Niña threshold reached in August of 2020. La Niña dissipates in April of 2021 only to re-emerge this past fall, continuing through the end of the animation. (Credit: Images from Climate.gov. Animation by Tom Yulsman)\nLa Niña, characterized by cooler-than-average sea surface temperatures in the tropical Pacific Ocean, disrupts weather patterns across a large part of the globe. For North America, winter storms approaching from the Pacific tend to come ashore farther north than usual, soaking the Pacific Northwest and leaving the U.S. Southwest dryer than usual.\nWhen La Niña emerged in August of 2020, the North American Monsoon had already failed, and summer in the Southwest was on its way to being the driest and hottest on record. Come winter, La Niña made things even worse, resulting in paltry precipitation and then an early melt out of snowpack, from California to Colorado.\nAlthough La Niña dissipated in April of 2021, it reemerged last fall. Barring countervailing climatic factors, if it continues into a third winter, an already grave situation could get even worse.\nThat's especially true for the Colorado River Basin, where more than 40 million people depend on winter storms to build up mountain snowpack — source of spring runoff that replenishes reservoirs. But thanks to an epochal megadrought, made worse by two La Niña episodes in a row, the two largest reservoirs in the Untied States, Lake Mead and Lake Powell along the Colorado River, are at record low levels.\nAnd now they're set to drop even lower.\nThis spring, thanks in large measure to warm temperatures and scant precipitation, runoff is expected to be paltry — and that's putting it mildly. According to an estimate issued last week by the Colorado Basin River Forecast Center, the flow of water into Lake Powell in coming weeks is likely to be just 55 percent average.\nRunoff of mountain snowpack meltwater into streams and rivers of the Colorado River Basin is estimated to be uniformly below average through July. (Credit: Colorado Basin River Forecast Center)\nIt may seem counterintuitive that warm temperatures — which cause premature melting of snow — would reduce rather than increase runoff. But here's how that happens:\nA premature thaw exposes the ground earlier than usual to solar radiation and warmth. That causes increased evaporation of water, thereby leaving less to run off into streams and rivers. Moreover, with earlier and warmer temperatures, plants lose more moisture to the atmosphere (through a process called evapotranspiration), causing them to draw more from the soil.\nPersistent drought has already left soils and vegetation quite dry, so they greedily consume as much spring meltwater as they can. And that further reduces how much runoff ultimately makes it into waterways.\nNone of this has been surprising for Brad Udall, Senior Water and Climate Research Scientist at Colorado State University. He has documented this phenomenon of \"hot drought,\" made increasingly worse a climate that's warming due to our emissions of greenhouse gases.\n\"The decline in runoff is what many of us have predicted to occur for some time,\" he says. \"And runoff, unfortunately, is likely to decline even more as it continues to warm.\"\nAn aerial photograph shows the Glen Canyon Dam and Lake Powell on October 12, 2020. The white \"bathtub ring\" along the shore of the lake has been left behind by the dropping level of the reservoir. Levels today are much lower than they were when this photo was taken. (Credit: Waterdesk.org / Lighthawk.org)\nProjections of paltry runoff already have prompted the federal government to plan on tightening the Glen Canyon Dam's spigot in coming weeks. This will significantly reduce the amount of water flowing downstream from Lake Powell to Lake Mead — which will shrivel even more as a result.\nDropping reservoir levels have also forced significant cuts in water deliveries to farmers — with more likely on the way by August.\nAs the reservoirs have been falling, much effort has gone into planning for contingencies like this. “And what we’re finding out, unfortunately, is that these plans are turning out to be completely inadequate,\" according to Udall.\nIn response to questions I emailed him back in April, he emphasized that \"we can stop these flow declines, if we choose. We have almost all the technology, and all the policy tools we need to change course.\"\nBut will we?\n\"For that to occur,\" he wrote, \"we’d need a healthy, fully functioning democracy which would make decisions based on facts and science. Alas, we don’t have that. If we don’t stop these flow declines, water managers throughout the American West will be forced into making enormously painful decisions about how we are going to allocate our greatly diminished water supplies. Some current users are going to get completely wiped out, and others will get less water. There will be no winners out of the reallocation – only losers who lose less, and losers who lose everything.\"\nWhat is the Doomsday Clock and Why Should You Care?\n5 of the Best Winter Activities to Do in National Parks\nHow a Zombie-Ant Fungus Can Infect a Host\nHere's How Cooking Fumes Can Harm Your Health\nThe Home Planet as Seen From Space in 2022\nFrom Earth Art to Extreme Weather: The Home Planet as Seen From Space in 2022, Part 1","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line448013"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8532102108001709,"wiki_prob":0.8532102108001709,"text":"http://koyomi.vis.ne.jp/wiki/index.php?Jesus1\n0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0\nLast-modified: 2022-12-01 (木) 02:24:10 (57d)","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line181580"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7451164722442627,"wiki_prob":0.7451164722442627,"text":"Bragar Eagel & Squire, P.C. Reminds Investors That Class Action Lawsuits Have Been Filed Against Fulgent, Yatsen, Barclays, and Warner Bros. and Encourages Investors to Contact the Firm\nBy: Bragar Eagel & Squire via Globe NewsWire\nNovember 16, 2022 at 20:40 PM EST\nNEW YORK, Nov. 16, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bragar Eagel & Squire, P.C., a nationally recognized shareholder rights law firm, reminds investors that class actions have been commenced on behalf of stockholders of Fulgent Genetics, Inc. (NASDAQ: FLGT), Yatsen Holding Ltd. (NYSE: YSG), Barclays PLC (NYSE: BCS), and Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. (NASDAQ: WBD). Stockholders have until the deadlines below to petition the court to serve as lead plaintiff. Additional information about each case can be found at the link provided.\nFulgent Genetics, Inc. (NASDAQ: FLGT)\nClass Period: March 22, 2019 – August 4, 2022\nLead Plaintiff Deadline: November 21, 2022\nFulgent, together with its subsidiaries, provides COVID-19, molecular diagnostic, and genetic testing services to physicians and patients in the United States and internationally. As a result, Fulgent must comply with the federal Anti-Kickback Statute, which prohibits the knowing and willful payment of “remuneration” to induce or reward patient referrals or the generation of business involving any item or service payable by the Federal health care programs, as well as the federal Stark Law, which prohibits a physician from making referrals for certain designated health services, including laboratory services, that are covered by the Medicare program, to an entity with which the physician or an immediate family member has a direct or indirect financial relationship.\nOn August 4, 2022, Fulgent released its second quarter 2022 financial results, disclosing, among other items, that the US Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) was conducting an investigation into certain of the Company’s reports filed with the SEC from 2018 through the first quarter of 2020. The disclosure followed the Company’s receipt of a civil investigative demand issued by the U.S. Department of Justice “related to its investigation of allegations of medically unnecessary laboratory testing, improper billing for laboratory testing, and remuneration received or provided in violation of the Anti-Kickback Statute and the Stark Law.\nOn this news, Fulgent’s stock price fell $11.02 per share, or 17.29%, over the following two trading sessions, to close at $52.72 per share on August 8, 2022.\nThe Complaint alleges that, throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and misleading statements regarding the Company’s business, operations, and compliance policies. Specifically, Defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) Fulgent had been conducting medically unnecessary laboratory testing, engaging in improper billing practices in relation to laboratory testing, and providing or receiving remuneration in violation of the Anti-Kickback Statute and Stark Law; (ii) accordingly, Fulgent was likely to become subject to enhanced legal and regulatory scrutiny; (iii) Fulgent’s revenues, to the extent they were derived from the foregoing unlawful conduct, were unsustainable; (iv) the foregoing, once revealed, was likely to subject the Company to significant financial and/or reputational harm; and (v) as a result, the Company’s public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times.\nFor more information on the Fulgent class action go to: https://bespc.com/cases/FLGT\nYatsen Holding Ltd. (NYSE: YSG)\nClass Period: November 19, 2020 – March 10, 2022 or pursuant to the Company’s November 19, 2020 IPO\nYatsen operates in the Chinese cosmetics market, generating substantially all of its net revenue from the sale of beauty products under the Perfect Diary and Little Ondine brands.\nAccording to the complaint filed in the Southern District of New York, during the Class Period, including in the registration statement and prospectus used to effectuate the Company’s IPO, Yatsen and the other named defendants misled investors into believing that Perfect Diary and Little Ondine were thriving, thereby driving Yatsen’s “healthy” top-line growth at the time of its IPO and quarter after quarter thereafter. In truth, however, cosmetic and skincare sales of Perfect Diary and Little Ondine products were declining in the period leading up to (and including at the time of) the IPO and throughout 2021. Moreover, as the truth about Yatsen’s business reached the market, the value of the Company’s shares declined dramatically, causing Yatsen investors to suffer significant damages.\nBy the commencement of the action, Yatsen’s shares traded as low as $0.39 per ADS, representing a decline of over 96% from the $10.50 IPO offering price.\nFor more information on the Yatsen class action go to: https://bespc.com/cases/YSG\nBarclays PLC (NYSE: BCS)\nClass Period: February 18, 2021 – March 25, 2022\nBarclays is a British universal bank. Its businesses include consumer banking and payments operations around the world, as well as global corporate and investment banking.\nBarclays has disclosed that starting on February 18, 2021, Barclays Bank PLC (\"BBPLC\"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Barclays, issued and sold approximately $17.64 billion in unregistered securities over and above the maximum amount of securities registered in two BBPLC shelf registration statements. Barclays has also admitted that \"by virtue of the fact that the over-issuance occurred and was not immediately identified, both [Barclays] and BBPLC had a material weakness in relation to certain aspects of their internal control environment and, as a consequence, their internal control over financial reporting for the year ended 31 December 2021 was not effective.\" As a result of the over-issuance, Barclays has restated its financial statements included on its Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2021. BBPLC has also commenced a rescission offer for the unregistered securities.\nThe truth began to emerge on Monday March 28, 2022, when, before the trading market for Barclays ADRs opened for the day, Barclays disclosed the over-issuance for the first time, and informed investors that BBPLC had issued approximately $15.2 billion in unregistered securities in excess of the maximum amount of securities registered in an August 2019 shelf registration statement, that BBPLC would commence a rescission offer for those unregistered securities, and that Barclays expected the rescission losses to be c.£450m (approximately $589.5 million). In response to this news, the price of Barclays ADRs declined 10.61%, or $0.96 per ADR, from a closing price on Friday March 25, 2022 of $9.05 per ADR to a closing price of $8.09 per ADR on Monday March 28, 2022, the next trading day.\nOn July 28, 2022, before the trading market for Barclays ADRs opened for the day, Barclays announced that BBPLC had also over-issued unregistered securities in excess of the maximum amount of securities registered in a second BBPLC shelf registration statement, and that Barclays had provisioned \"£1,592m [approximately $1.940 billion] (December 2021: £220m) related to the overissuance of structured notes and £165m [approximately $201 million] (December 2021: nil) related to liabilities that could be incurred arising out of ongoing discussions in respect of a potential SEC resolution.\" In response to this news, the price of Barclays ADRs declined $0.41 per ADR, or 5.2%, from a closing price of $7.89 per ADR on July 27, 2022 to a closing price of $7.48 per ADR on July 28, 2022.\nThe complaint alleges, among other things, that, throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and misleading statements or omitted material information (a) in Barclays reported financial statements (which have been restated), (b) by stating that Barclays internal controls over financial reporting were effective (which Barclays has admitted were not effective and had a material weakness), and (c) by failing to disclose the over-issuance, and that BBPLC was violating U.S. securities laws and/or SEC regulations, subjecting Barclays to legal liability.\nFor more information on the Barclays class action go to: https://bespc.com/cases/BCS\nWarner Bros. Discovery, Inc. (NASDAQ: WBD)\nClass Period: May 17, 2021 – April 8, 2022\nThe complaint alleges the Defendants made materially false and misleading statements and omitted material facts in the Registration Statement and Prospectus for Warner Bros. common stock. The complaint's allegations related to the merger between Discovery and the WarnerMedia business of AT&T (the \"Merger\"). The Merger was announced on May 17, 2021 and closed on April 8, 2022. Pursuant to the Merger, Discovery combined its business with WarnerMedia to form Warner Bros.\nAt the time of filing the Registration Statement and Prospectus, Defendants either knew or had access to adverse information concerning operations of the WarnerMedia business. Among other things, as subsequently disclosed by Defendants after the Merger, (i) WarnerMedia's HBO Max streaming business had a high churn rate that made the business not \"viable\" unless the churn rate was reversed, (ii) AT&T was overinvesting in WarnerMedia entertainment content for streaming, without sufficient concern for return on investments, (iii) WarnerMedia had a business model to grow the number of subscribers to its streaming service without regard to cost or profitability, (iv) WarnerMedia was improvidently concentrating its investments in streaming and ignoring its other business lines, and (v) WarnerMedia had overstated the number of subscribers to HBO Max by as many as 10 million subscribers, by including as subscribers AT&T customers who had received bundled access to HBO Max, but had not signed onto the service. That adverse information was not disclosed to Discovery shareholders in the Registration Statement or Prospectus or otherwise prior to the effective date of the Merger.\nAs a result, the Registration Statement and Prospectus and certain of the Defendants' other public statements, contained untrue statements of material fact or omitted to state material facts required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, in violation of Sections 11 and 12(a)(2) of the Securities Act.\nFrom April 11, 2022, the first trading day after completion of the Merger, to the date prior to filing of this complaint (September 23, 2022), Warner Bros. market price fell by 52.4%, from $24.78 to $11.79 per share, as the market became aware of the foregoing misrepresented and omitted facts.\nFor more information on the Warner Bros. class action go to: https://bespc.com/cases/WBD\nAbout Bragar Eagel & Squire, P.C.:\nBragar Eagel & Squire, P.C. is a nationally recognized law firm with offices in New York, California, and South Carolina. The firm represents individual and institutional investors in commercial, securities, derivative, and other complex litigation in state and federal courts across the country. For more information about the firm, please visit www.bespc.com. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.\nBragar Eagel & Squire, P.C.\nBrandon Walker, Esq.\nMelissa Fortunato, Esq.\ninvestigations@bespc.com\nwww.bespc.com","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1313486"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5571318864822388,"wiki_prob":0.44286811351776123,"text":"Weapons & Guns Attorneys in Orlando, Florida\nIssues surrounding weapons and guns are becoming more common every day, and that certainly holds true in Florida. More than 12,000 people every year are arrested and charged with a weapons-related offense in the state. If you are facing such a situation, you owe it to yourself to contact a lawyer and build a strong and ethical defense.\nYou can do just that by contacting the attorneys at Scott & Medling, PA, today for a full consultation.\nThere are two charges that are most prevalent in Florida, and each of them is explained below.\nFlorida is much like any other jurisdiction in that some people are allowed to carry concealed weapons, but anyone who does so must pass strict licensing requirements. If someone is found to be carrying a concealed weapon without the proper license, that person can face a charge that is a third-degree felony, which carries with it a prison term of up to five years with a conviction.\nThe licensing requirements to carry a concealed weapon, generally stated, include a valid and legitimate reason to do so, and every applicant must pass a background check that will show neither any documented criminal history nor any history of substance abuse. The person must also be of proper age.\nIf You're Facing a Weapons-Related Offense, Contact Us\nEven if someone’s weapon is not going to be concealed, Florida still imposes strict guidelines on gun ownership in general. The Florida statutes expressly prohibit the following parties from legally owning any firearm:\nA person who is subject to an active domestic violence injunction or charge;\nAnyone found to be a drug addict, a vagrant, or mentally incompetent;\nAny party under the age of 16, unless the gun is not loaded and is at home and stored under parental supervision;\nAnyone convicted of a felony and who hasn’t had his or her civil rights restored;\nIf someone is found to possess a gun who has not passed through the ownership registration requirements or who falls into one of the categories detailed above they could be found guilty of illegal weapons possession, and the charges that accompany that situation are severe in nature.\nDepending on the specifics of the situation, these charges could be classified as a misdemeanor or a felony. The penalties associated with a conviction under a weapons possession charge range from a stiff fine to several years in prison if convicted of a felony.\nIf you are facing this situation, you need to make sure that you have an advocate at your side who will help you present the strongest defense possible. Contact Scott & Medling, PA today for a consultation.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1840637"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.645717203617096,"wiki_prob":0.35428279638290405,"text":"Judging Books By Their Covers: An Experiment\nEmily Gatlin Jul 29, 2014\nExpand your literary horizons with New Books!, a weekly newsletter spotlighting 3-5 exciting new releases, hand-picked by our very own Liberty Hardy. Sign up now!\nNever judge a book by its cover. We all know this applies to judging people and not actual books, right?\nBook blurbs are completely meaningless (and in case you didn’t know that, SPOILER ALERT: the author more than likely shares an agent/editor/plays golf with the famous-name blurber). A few months ago, I realized how much I HATE jacket copy. Big plot points that don’t happen until 100+ pages in are spoilered in those magic three-to-four paragraphs. And sometimes, the jacket copy is a highly-glossed and finely-manicured flap of total shenanigans.\nI decided to do a little experiment. For 90 days, I made my reading choices based solely on the book’s actual cover and title instead of the author’s name, what the jacket said the book was “about” (shenanigans, I tell you!), or the author’s photo.\nToday In Books Newsletter\nSign up to Today In Books to receive daily news and miscellany from the world of books.\nHere’s a rundown, in order, of how it went:\nThe Book of Unknown Americans by Cristina Henriquez (Hardcover)\nBlue is my favorite color and America is my favorite country. Also, “Unknown Americans” gave me a hint that I’d be in for an immigrant story, and after reading Americanah last spring, I fell in love with stories about immigrants. The Riveras leave Mexico and come to America to seek better care for their daughter, Maribel, after a near fatal accident caused her to have a serious brain injury. They move into an apartment complex full of other immigrants, each with their own story of America. A young neighbor from Panama, Mayor, takes to Maribel and sees beneath her damage the way her own parents do not; she is kind, funny, and wise. On the surface, it sounds like a story of young love, but beneath it all is the story of America. If you’re big on marginalia, get your pen ready for gems like, “…when I glanced at the people around us, no one was even looking in our direction. I felt the way I often felt in this country – simultaneously conspicuous and invisible, like an oddity whom everyone noticed but chose to ignore.”\nGoodnight June by Sarah Jio (Paperback)\nIt has something to do with Goodnight Moon, obvi. And I love that book. And I was going to the lake and I needed a paperback. Have you ever wondered if there was a REAL great green room? So this lady named June inherits a dying children’s bookstore (because you know, death of print and book smell) from her great-aunt Ruby. She doesn’t want any part of owning a bookstore, and then she finds all these letters that were exchanged between Ruby and Margaret Wise Brown. Then she has some decisions to make, and there’s a love story in there, too. It was an absolutely delightful book, and ended up being perfect for my lazy lake weekend.\nI Love You More by Jennifer Murphy (Digital galley)\nThree ladies in black, wearing veils, and one of them has a gun. I picked it because I had the feels that this wasn’t your average love story. And it’s not. Oliver is pretty much the worst man on the planet and married three women, and unlike on the TV… they aren’t all shacking up together. The ladies find out about each other and straight up murder his ass. Great plot twists, fun ending.\nFourth of July Creek by Smith Henderson (Hardcover)\nI wanted to rub my face all over it before I read it (because it feels really good), and then when I finished it I wanted to rub my face all over it so maybe some genius would be absorbed in my pores. Social worker, Pete Snow, tries to help a malnourished boy who lives in the Montana woods. He meets the kid’s dad (total nut job) and tries to help. Pete’s own life spins out of control, and he finds himself in the middle of a manhunt. Not only was this the best book I’ve read all year, it’s one of the best books I have EVER read. I smell Pulitzer.\nLove Me Back by Merritt Tierce (Digital galley)\nI said it before, and I’ll say it again: blue is my favorite color. I had just finished Fourth of July Creek and I knew I’d need a humdinger of a followup to avoid the slump. I took a chance with Love Me Back, and I’m so glad I did! It’s beautifully DAAAARK. A young single mother becomes a career waitress, and her story is told through phases and time jumps. If you’ve ever worked in a restaurant, you’ll appreciate it. If you love ferocious fiction, you’ll really dig it.\nAbroad by Katie Crouch (Hardcover)\nYou can see a sort of pattern developing with my reading habits. This just looked like a good blend of intensity. I was ECSTATIC when I started reading, and it’s a sort-of Foxy Knoxy spin-off from the point of view of the victim! Unlike Cartwheel, (which is really awesome if you’ve never read it) it actually takes place in Italy but Crouch puts her own unique spin on the story. Read it in an afternoon. Good pickin’.\nThe Sleepwalker’s Guide to Dancing by Mira Jacob (Digital galley)\nI really couldn’t tell what this would be about from the cover, I just thought it looked really cool. And not only was it cool, but it was the first book I ever read that centered around an Indian family (and now I must find MOAR!). See, this is when reading diversely pays off in spades. I learned so much about a culture I thought I was pretty familiar with, got a history lesson, discovered a new writer, AND found a book I can happily recommend to anyone.\nThe Girls From Corona Del Mar by Rufi Thorpe (Digital galley)\nAfter a lot of dark stuff, I wanted something happy for a palate cleanse. DID NOT FIND IT HERE. And that is more than OK. Great book. Think “exploration of female friendships” meets “how many bad things can happen to one person in a lifetime?” I think its portrayal of the changing friendship and dynamics between two childhood friends is very honest and intriguing, and the beautiful writing is a big fat bonus.\nJerry Lee Lewis: His Own Story by Rick Bragg (Digital galley)\nGOODNESS GRACIOUS, GREAT BALLS OF FIRE, Y’ALL! The cover speaks for itself, since it is a big picture of The Killer, and I was interested because I live across town from where The King (that would be Elvis) was born. The Jerry Lee Lewis/Elvis Presley/Sun Studio era of music is SO RAD and I’m not going to pass up an opportunity to read 512 pages of some of the best brand of crazy. It’s as good as it sounds. Look for it in late October.\nIn Real Life: Love, Lies, & Identity in the Digital Age by Nev Schulman\nI love that guy on that show and it’s a giant picture of half his face. I was expecting a recap of the first three seasons of MTV’s Catfish, but that’s not what I got! Sure, there’s a little Cat-splain’, but mostly it’s Schulman exploring modern relationships in this crazy new digital get-down world we live in. I found it absolutely fascinating, and I think people who may not watch the show (whywouldn’tyouwatchitssodamngood) will get a lot out of it as well. Reading about his life before the documentary was a definite highlight, and I refuse to spoil the funny.\nA Brave Man Seven Storeys Tall by Will Chancellor (Digital galley)\nI’m a Greek/Roman history nerd. Enough said. Much to my surprise, this book is about a college athlete, destined to compete in the 2004 Athens Olympics (I love sports). He has an accident and loses his eye, bringing on the expected “WTF do I do now?” conflict. He leaves the country and heads to Berlin to pursue a career as an artist. That’s as far as I got in the book, because my digital galley expired and I couldn’t access it anymore. That’s bad pie right there. The writing is immensely beautiful, and I anticipate hearing a lot about Chancellor in the future! (Also, I must get myself to a bookstore so I can keep reading it until my eyes bleed.)\nSo what did I learn during my three months of judging covers?\n— Wow, my Kobo gets a lot of love.\n— I seem to be more drawn to book covers of women writers (I know a girl named Smith and a boy named Merritt, so don’t go throwing “subconsciously picking based on gender” in my face, please).\n— Authors of color are naturally and seamlessly included. So let’s stop making it rocket science.\n— I really, really like the color blue.\nSpill it. What books have you judged by their covers?","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line804556"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6513341665267944,"wiki_prob":0.34866583347320557,"text":"Thrombocytosis: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment\nThrombocytosis is a bone marrow and blood disease that affects approximately two to three people per every 100,000. Most cases occur in women over 50 the age of 50.\nReviewed and approved by the doctor Leonardo Biolatto.\nWritten by Edith Sánchez\nLast update: 09 October, 2022\nThrombocytosis is a disease that’s characterized by a considerable increase in blood platelets. The normal platelet count is between 150,000 and 450,000 per microliter of blood. If it is slightly above or below, it’s still normal. If they exceed that range by a lot, doctors consider it thrombocytosis.\nCells called megakaryocytes produce platelets in the bone marrow. They play an important role in blood clotting, which is necessary to stop bleeding. Therefore, experts consider thrombocytosis a bone marrow and blood disease.\nToo many platelets in the body can lead to serious health problems, such as heart attack or stroke, among others.\nTypes of thrombocytosis\nBasically, there are two types of thrombocytosis: primary, or essential, and secondary. In essential thrombocytosis, the marrow produces abnormal platelets and its cause is unknown. Secondary thrombocytosis, on the other hand, is a consequence of other diseases such as infections, cancer, anemia, etc.\nRead this article too: Deep Vein Thrombosis: How to Detect and Prevent It\nAnother way to classify thrombocytosis is into three groups: congenital, acquired, and pseudo thrombocytosis. Congenital is passed on by a pattern of inheritance and is present at birth. Acquired thrombocytosis, meanwhile, is divided into two groups:\nPrimary: This classification corresponds to essential thrombocytosis. It’s caused by genetic mutations. In many cases, the reason why the disease occurs is unknown.\nSecondary or reactive: This is a consequence of other diseases. It’s the most common, as it corresponds to 85% of cases. More than half of them are due to infections.\nPseudothrombocytosis, meanwhile, corresponds to cases of false positives. There are circumstances in which the person analyzing the cytoplasmic fragments confuses them with platelets which gives rise to a misdiagnosis.\nIn most cases, the disease does not produce any symptoms. It’s usually detected accidentally when a blood count is performed.\nHowever, when the disease is primary or essential, sometimes there are symptoms such as head or chest pain, dizziness, weakness, loss of vision or seeing spots. Fatigue, night sweats, and weight loss are also common. The suspicion increases if, also, there is a history of spontaneous abortions in the first trimester of pregnancy, splenomegaly or enlargement of the spleen, bleeding or hypertension.\nIt’s also characteristic that there is erythromelalgia in essential thrombocytosis. This is vasodilation in the arteries of the hands and feet that causes an increased temperature in the extremities, as well as itching, pain, and erythema.\nYou may also enjoy this article: Nine Foods that May Help Reduce Your Risk of Thrombosis and Stroke\nCauses of thrombocytosis\nOverall, most current research indicates that an acquired somatic mutation causes essential thrombocytosis. Therefore, it’s not inherited. In 50% of cases, there is a mutation of the JAK2 gene. In another important number of cases, there’s a mutation of the CARL gene. Also, cases of mutations in the MPL, THPO, and TET2 genes have been found.\nSeveral of these genes are responsible for making proteins. These have an important impact on the division of blood cells and, in particular, platelets. Overall, experts believe that the mutation produces the symptoms in essential thrombocytosis. However, they still don’t know how that process is carried out.\nAlso, there are many cases in which they cannot detect a mutation. Therefore, the cause of the primary form of the disease is completely unknown. As for the secondary form, it’s typically due to underlying diseases.\nEssential thrombocytosis does not require treatment, as long as it remains stable and there are no signs or symptoms of the disease. Sometimes, doctors may recommend taking aspirin daily. This is to prevent the formation of blood clots.\nHowever, if the patient has a history or risk of cardiovascular disease, it’s most likely that their doctor will prescribe medications to decrease platelet counts. This is also advisable if the patient is over 60 years old or if the platelet count is greater than one million.\nIn the case of the secondary type of this disease, the treatment consists in controlling the disease that causes thrombocytosis. In emergencies, a specialist will carry out the procedure thrombocytopheresis or plateletpheresis. This consists of a blood filtrate that’s similar to dialysis.\nFernández, C. M., Castillo, J. P. M., García, P. G., de Julián, E. C., & Bieler, C. B. (2008, July). Trombocitosis en la consulta de oncohematología. Descripción, diagnóstico etiológico y evolución. In Anales de Pediatría (Vol. 69, No. 1, pp. 10-14). Elsevier Doyma.\nCarrillo-Esper, R., Garnica-Escamilla, M., & Ramírez-Rosillo, F. (2013). Trombocitosis. Rev Invest Med Sur Mex.\nBadell, I., Torrent, M., & López, E. (2006). Alteraciones plaquetarias: Trombopenias y trombocitosis. Anales de Pediatria Continuada. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1696-2818(06)73584-3\nIllnessesXBB.1.5 or Kraken: The Most Contagious COVID-19 Variant\nIllnessesWhat Is Marchiafava-Bignami Disease? Symptoms, Causes and Treatments\nIllnessesMenopause and Sleep Disorders: What Is the Link?\nIllnessesWhat Is a Stroke Unit?\nIllnessesWorld Stroke Day: A Few Minutes Can Save Lives\nIllnessesNon-Allergic Rhinitis: Causes, Treatment and Prevention\nIllnessesWhat is Ovarian Torsion and How Is it Treated?\nIllnessesReasons for Being Tired All the Time","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1097690"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7028471827507019,"wiki_prob":0.2971528172492981,"text":"Greatest Moment Of His Life\nCategories: All Videos and Articles\nTags: Barack Obama, coffee, comedian, interview, jerry, Obama, President, seinfeld, white house\nCorinna Burford: Jerry Seinfeld: Driving A Corvette With Obama Is The ‘Greatest Moment’ Of My Entire Life\nJerry Seinfeld is a world-famous comedian, he starred in one of TV’s most beloved sitcoms, and he’s got a $100 million deal with Netflix. But as he explained at the New Yorker Festival on Friday night, nothing in his long career tops his 2015 episode of Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee with Barack Obama. “It was the greatest moment of my life,” he told New Yorker editor David Remnick during the event. “Who gets to do that?”\nThe experience was also plenty nerve-wracking, he said, comparing the feeling to his jitters before his first-ever appearance on The Tonight Show With Johnny Carson. “It was absolute, sickening nerves. It seemed like a once in a lifetime opportunity, that I’m gonna get to be funny with a president in the White House.”\nWH Flickr","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line748356"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9793301820755005,"wiki_prob":0.9793301820755005,"text":"Wayne Valley football falls just shy of Irvington\nDoug Scancarella\nMost area high school prognosticators predicted that Irvington’s football team would beat Wayne Valley this week in a cakewalk. It seemed like the right call.\nIrvington is widely considered one of the finest teams in the state. The Irvington roster, after all, is graced by six players with Division I scholarship offers already. Wayne Valley, meanwhile, brought an 0-6 record into the contest.\nSure enough, Irvington (4-2) won. But it was far from a cakewalk. Wayne Valley fought valiantly, only to suffer a 30-27 defeat.\n“I’m proud of these guys,” Wayne Valley coach Roger Kotlarz said. “We’re all frustrated, but there is no quit in any of them. Our guys are practicing hard and playing hard. They’re also mentally strong. Effort is not an issue.”\n“I don’t know what our opponents think about us, but I’m pretty certain that no one is taking us for a pushover. We’ve lost to some very good teams, but we’ve been in every game. We’re not getting blown out. We can’t get over the hump, but we are giving everyone a fight.”\nThe strength of schedule has been utterly tremendous. The combined record of Valley’s last six foes is a staggering 29-9. That includes Lakeland (5-1), River Dell (6-2), Passaic Valley (5-1), Morris Knolls (4-2), Northern Highlands (5-1) and Irvington (4-2).\n“They’re all playoff-quality teams,” Kotlarz said.\nSenior AJ Tedesco led the way against Irvington with 142 receiving yards and three touchdowns, including a 63-yarder. Junior Nick Trani ran for 73 yards, had 29 yards receiving and threw the 63-yard touchdown pass to Tedesco. Trani, a running back, lined up in the Wildcat, where he posed a rushing and throwing threat.\n“AJ had a great game,” Kotlarz said. “He made some big plays for us. That kept us in it. Nick is as versatile as they come. He ran, caught passes and threw.”\nJunior quarterback Ryan Michels threw for 108 yards, including two touchdown tosses to Tedesco. Seniors Shane Connelly and Greg Poloso led the team in tackles. Senior Isaac Rosado and junior Ian Lancelotti added double-digit tackles.\n“We had the ball at midfield at the end,” Kotlarz said. “We needed about 30 yards for a game-tying field goal attempt. But we got two penalties. That pushed us back. That put us in a tough spot because Irvington is so athletic up front. They got a good rush on us on that last play.”\nWayne Valley now turns its attention to West Milford (1-5). It will be Valley’s first game against a team with a losing record.\n“We really need to get the monkey off our back,” Kotlarz said.\nThe regular season ends at Wayne Hills on Oct. 28. The season will end with a consolation game. Those are for teams that don’t make the playoffs and count as a regular-season game. Wayne Valley will likely play a team with a losing record.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line359044"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6584150195121765,"wiki_prob":0.3415849804878235,"text":"Disclaimer: This dissertation has been written by a student and is not an example of our professional work, which you can see examples of here.\nAny opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this dissertation are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of UKDiss.com.\nCompetition and Integration Strategies of Stock Exchanges\nInfo: 25313 words (101 pages) Dissertation\nPublished: 17th Dec 2021\nTagged: Finance\nThe increase in competition of stock exchanges, due mainly to the transformation of the securities markets, has led to mergers, technological agreements among existing exchanges, price wars, takeovers, and the creation of new exchanges, even within the same country. Recently, exchanges have also faced competition from quasi-exchanges, which are also known as ECNs. They not only free-ride on the process of listing given that they generally trade only securities listed on other exchanges, but also on the price-discovery process facilitating members of exchanges to direct trade to them. ECNs are increasingly cannibalizing the businesses of the existing stock exchanges.\nThe evolution of new financial instruments, the falling monopoly of banks as a source of direct funding to borrowers and of direct investment for investors, the tremendous improvement in information technology, and a greater financial culture among common people as well as the fluctuations in interest, price, and exchange rate due to the oil crises have caused the increasing importance of securities markets in the financial system.\nAs the capital markets become increasingly globalized, investors have more choices and are demanding better trading facilities, market efficiency and quality from stock exchanges. To meet challenges, exchanges have to accelerate the construction of the market information infrastructure, rivalry among Europe’s stock exchanges emphasizes more on cooperation of trading technology than anything else. In Asia, the concept of forming a full financial service group within each market is the main consideration. Exchanges have recognized that faced with the challenge to respond commercially to competitors, they needed to become traded companies themselves.\nThe underlying assumption is that, in the long run, only the most efficient exchanges should survive, trading stocks from other European countries and offering the most innovative and competitive financial instruments.\nII List of Abbreviations………………………………………………………. 5\n1. Introduction ………………………………………………………… 6-11\n2. Review of Literature\n2.1 What is an Exchange………………………………………………………. 12-16\n2.2 Globalisation of Financial Markets………………………………………… 17-20\n2.3 Nature of Competition of Stock Exchanges……………………………….. 20-24\n2.4 The Effects of Increasing Competition among Stock Exchanges…………. 24-25\n2.5 Revolutionary changes of Technology in the Securities Market………….. 26-29\n2.6 Integration of Stock Exchanges…………………………………………… 29-30\n2.7 Theoretical Influences……………………………………………………… 31-37\n3.1 Aim of the Project…………………………………………………………. 38\n3.2 Objectives of the Project…………………………………………………… 38\n3.3 Why I am Interested in this Topic…………………………………………. 39\n3.4 Background………………………………………………………………… 39-40\n3.5 The General Approach…………………………………………………….. 40-41\n3.6 Data Collection…………………………………………………………….. 41-43\n3.7 Criticisms of the Sources…………………………………………………… 43-44\n3.8 Validity…………………………………………………………………….. 44\n3.9 Reliability………………………………………………………………….. 44-45\n4. Qualitative Analysis\n4.1 Analysis of Industry Dynamics……………………………………………. 46-56\n4.2 Case Studies\n4.2.1 International Exchange- LSE- A Prototype of Horizontal Merger………… 57-61\n4.2.2 Hong Kong Stock Exchange – A Typical Model of a Vertical Merger……. 62-66\n4.3 Implications and Discussion……………………………………………….. 66-69\n5.0 Conclusion……………………………………………………………70-72\nAppendix 1 – Interviewees & Questions……………………………………74\nAppendix 2 – Interview Key Points……………………………………….. 75-77\nAppendix 3 – Future Strategies of LSE & HKSE…………………………. 78-80\nBibliography………………………………………………………… 81-87\nECN’s Electronic Communication Networks\nISD Investment Service Directive\nEU European Union\niX International Exchange\nLSE London Stock Exchange\nDB Deutsche Borse\nNYSE New York Stock Exchange\nPSE Philippine Stock Exchange\nPB Paris Borse\nSGX Singapore Exchange\nTSE Tokyo Stock Exchange\nSEC Securities and Exchange Commission\nCCASS The Central Clearing and Settlement System\nHKFE Hong Kong Futures Exchange\nHKSCC Hong Kong Securities Clearing Company Limited\nThere are currently about 250 institutions recognized as exchanges in the world, and both individually and collectively they play a critical role in most national economies and also at a global level. They provide cash, futures, options and other forms of derivatives, markets for all major commodities and assets traded in the world.\nCompetition among stock exchanges, both national and international, is a recent phenomenon. Until some decades ago, it was difficult to think of exchanges as firms that produce and sell goods to customers and compete among themselves. Traditionally, exchanges were seen either as public entities or as formally private bodies, deeply regulated by public rules. In both cases, they were often legal monopolist, given the special nature of their activity that very much resembled that of a public good.\nThere was an era when exchanges were natural monopolies (Steil, 1996b), yet nowadays they no longer enjoy a monopoly in the provision of many of their services. When its members owned a monopolistic exchange, it did not have the incentive to maximize its profits because members in charge were prohibited from taking any distribution of profits from the exchange. Exchanges increasingly realize that if they have to compete like firms whose goal is to maximize shareholders’ wealth, they have to demutualise to turn a member-owned company into a stock company. Exchanges have never been considered as firms, but now they have reformed to become commercially driven corporations. To understand the firm’s view of an exchange, it is necessary to redefine what an exchange is, what its products are, where its revenues come from and who its customers and suppliers are. Exchanges are special kinds of firms that provide listing, trading and price dissemination services. Direct customers involve listed companies and those, which desire to go public, information providers and intermediaries that trade on the exchange. Intermediaries trade on behalf of both individual and institutional clients who are indirect customers of an exchange.\nSuppliers are network providers. Listed companies have a dual capacity as suppliers of information and shares for trading.\nThe primary objective of this dissertation is to analyse the competition and integration strategies of stock exchanges like firms.\nThe dissertation focuses on:\n1. Industry dynamics of stock exchanges;\n2. Evolution of stock exchange mergers;\n3. Integration strategies; and\n4. Future consolidation trends.\nAdvances in technology have further accelerated the globalization trend. In particular remote access to trading systems, implying that the services offered by stock exchanges can now be accessed from anywhere, including firms having their stocks traded on international exchanges while still being easily accessible to local investors. This type of arrangement is likely to develop a competitive environment, where the most efficient exchanges will eventually win the confidence of investors, traders and companies (Cybo-Ottone, Di Noia and Murgia 2000). The structure of the European stock-exchange environment is changing rapidly. Almost every day, there are new alliances between stock exchanges, stock exchange privatizations, Internet exchanges and electronic exchanges, as well as online brokers, etc. appear in the media. The changes are driven primarily by intensified competition, which is related to the deregulation of stock exchanges, technological progress and the increasing internationalization of the securities markets.\nCompetition takes the form of existing exchanges and electronic communication networks (ECNs).\nThe increase in competition of stock exchanges, due mainly to the transformation of the securities markets, has led to mergers, technological agreements among existing exchanges, price wars, takeovers, and the creation of new exchanges, even within the same country. Recently, exchanges have also faced competition from quasi-exchanges, which are also known as ECNs. They are parasites on stock exchanges. They not only free-ride on the process of listing given that they generally trade only securities listed on other exchanges, but also on the price-discovery process facilitating members of exchanges to direct trade to them. ECNs are increasingly cannibalizing the businesses of the existing stock exchanges.\nMergers have been one of the most probable strategic interactions among stock exchanges. The concept presented here is drawn upon the network externality literature. Exchanges can be regarded as networks in which an increase in the size of the network leads to an exponential increase in the network’s value (Shapiro & Varian, 1999). In other words, larger networks are more attractive to users than smaller ones. Castells (2000) links a network to its connectedness and consistency. When firms decide on a listing exchange, they choose the one that is connected by the largest number of intermediaries and one that consistently provides the greatest liquidity.\nIn Europe, the pressure for consolidation among stock exchanges has been the arrival of the euro. The full implementation of the Investment Service Directive 1992 (ISD), which allows its members to gain remote access throughout the European Union (EU), further facilitates the financial market integration in the region. The European Securities Forum is promoting the model of horizontal merger. In this model, national exchanges integrate along three functional levels – trading, clearing and settlement, and custody. Each market participant can gain access to a range of pan-European services through a single point of entry.\nThe proposed formation of International Exchange (iX) from London Stock Exchange (LSE) and Deutsche Börse (DB) and the recent establishment of Euronext (the merged entity among the exchanges of Paris, Amsterdam and Brussels) are outcomes of this model.\nAn analytical framework will be provided to analyze industry dynamics and integration strategies. The models used include Porter’s Five Forces Model, Network Society and Ansoff’s Product-Market Matrix. These models are utilized to explain how exchanges determined their merger motives and developed integration and consolidation strategies.\nGiven the rapidly evolving nature of the industry, a total of 5 interviews were conducted with members of the London Stock Exchange and Hong Kong Stock Exchange, investment banks/brokerage firms. Primary data sources were based on the interviews. Secondary data sources included academic journals, books, newspapers and working papers. The deliverable is this report, which includes the literature review, findings and discussions, and two case studies.\nThe implementation followed a traditional approach – project specification, literature research, fact finding and investigation, case analysis and evaluation, and finally, report writing.\nThe first finding from the interviews is that merger is a clear strategic option for exchanges. This strategy can achieve economies of scale, network externalities, improve profitability and enhance efficiency in the decision-making process and order routing facilities. In particular, a cross-border merger between two exchanges is made possible in Europe with the support of the financial markets harmonization.\nThe second finding is that a merger brings about two patterns of convergence: vertical merger and horizontal merger.\nThe former depicts that exchanges integrate to form a full financial service group offering the trades of a wide variety of financial products such as stocks, options, futures and other derivative products. The latter describes the merger of specialized exchanges, the outcome of which creates compatibility, a concept in that intermediaries trading in one exchange are offered remote access in other member states, with reciprocity and without further requirements.\nThe third finding is that the existence of national regulatory regimes, deeply embedded in their corresponding regulators, constrains further inter-exchange alliance or merger. The ultimate goal to have a supranational regulator that imposes its own standards on the globe is unlikely to happen in the near future.\nThe fourth finding is that the single price and time priority is not an issue in an order-driven market such as Hong Kong Stock Exchange and the London Stock Exchange. In contrast, in a quote-driven mechanism such as Nasdaq, each market maker is itself an execution centre though operating within certain parameters set by the National Association of Securities Dealers (USA). In quote driven or hybrid environments, there creates space for the development of ECNs. The growth of ECNs is gradually threatening to replace quote-driven trading systems.\nThe fifth finding forms an interesting consensus regarding the motives of investors who choose to trade on an ECN. Investors are not able to differentiate the functionalities of a trading system of stock exchange and that of an ECN as long as they can execute their orders at the best possible price. Competition only on price is inadequate for an ECN’s survival. They lack the competencies in attracting liquidity and information dissemination.\nThis dissertation is organised as follows:\nSection 1 defines an exchange as a firm;\nSection 2 analyses the existing competition and integration of stock exchanges in Asia and in Europe;\nSection 3 uses Porter’s Five Forces and network externalities to shape the industry dynamics; then it utilizes Ansoff’s Product-Market Matrix to determine the strategic choice of a stock exchange;\nSection 4 presents the interview framework and cites opinions to analyse the two case studies: London Stock Exchange and the Hong Kong Stock exchange; and\nSection 5 further develops the findings and links them with the theoretical framework and literature review.\n2. Review of the Literature\n2.1 What is an Exchange?\nA stock exchange has two principal functions. The first is the listing of securities. The stock exchange must approve prospectuses for the eligible securities and also administer the statutory information obligations imposed on the issuers. Secondly, the stock exchange is a marketplace for its members to trade the listed securities. Previously, the brokers gathered physically on the floor where the price was fixed by auction. Today, most stock exchanges have introduced electronic trading systems in some form or other, so it is no longer necessary for the brokers to be physically present at the stock exchange.\nStock exchanges can be seen as a market, not too much different from the one that fruits and vegetables are traded on. They operate according to the laws of supply and demand and the most successful, whilst having reasonable regulation, will be constantly changing and developing their market operations. Domowitz has given a comprehensive definition, stating: An exchange is a trading system that must:\nProvide trade execution facilities\nProvide price information in the form of buy and sell quotations on a regular or continuous basis\nEngage in price discovery through its trading procedures, rules or mechanisms\nHave either a formal market-maker structure or a consolidated limit order book or be a single price auction\nCentralize trading for the purpose of trade execution\nHave members\nExhibit the likelihood, through system rules and/or design, of creating liquidity in the sense that there be entry of buy and sell quotations on a regular basis, such that both buyers and sellers have a reasonable expectation that they can regularly execute their orders at these quotes\nAn exchange is generally described by regulatory authorities as an organization, association, or group of persons that provides a marketplace for exchanging securities between purchasers and sellers. Traditionally, an exchange is owned by members who are also intermediaries. Under a member ownership structure, members did not have the incentive to invest in the exchange infrastructure including technology and trading facilities because returns from these investments could not be distributed to them. The lack of motivation undermined the profitability of an exchange and hence its competitiveness. In addition, intermediaries trading on a monopolistic exchange were subject to higher prices.\nThey passed the increased costs of operations onto their customers. Therefore members were reluctant to vote for an increase in transaction levy. Hansmann (1980) notes that:\nThe nonprofit producer, like its for-profit counterpart, has the capacity to raise prices…without much fear of customer reprisal; however it lacks the incentive to do so because those in charge are barred from taking home any resulting profits.\nAs time has gone by, exchanges have had to compete in the global market to attract quality companies to list and intermediaries to trade; many of them have converted their member ownership structures into a stock company by means of demutualisation. Under the plan of demutualisation, members are issued shares of the exchange. They become shareholders of the exchange and therefore can be eligible for profit distribution. Since then, exchanges have reformed to become commercially driven corporations whose goal is to maximize shareholders’ wealth.\n2.1.1 Products\nStock exchanges cannot only be perceived by the function they fill in an economy, they can also be viewed as a firm, producing a product. The product is the creation of a market in financial instruments, thus leaving the property of the price information produced with the stock exchange. More specifically the products a stock exchange offers encompass: listing, trading, price-information services and clearing & settlement, the percentage of which are shown in Table 1. The distribution of revenues from these various offerings shows that the focus lies mostly on listing and trading, as other services are not always part of the offering.\nFees Europe % N. America %\nListing 19.3 32.1\nTrading 45.1 39.7\nServices 24.4 22.6\nOther 11.2 5.7\nThe ‘firm’ view focuses on the production and profitability of an exchange. Mulherin et alii (1991) defines a financial exchange not as a market, as it normally is, but as a firm that creates a market which is characterized by the use of financial vehicles.\nLee (1998) suggests that a security market be regarded as a firm that produces goods: listing, trading of securities, clearing and settlement services, price information dissemination, and research. In this dissertation, the aspect of the provision of settlement services is omitted because many of the exchanges either dismiss it or do it by a separate entity.\nThe dissertation considers the exchange as a producer of listing and trading services, given that the network externalities’ effects created by listed companies and intermediaries are the main focus.\n2.1.2 Revenues\nThe revenues from listing and trading are in general fees, both initial and annual. Services include Settlement & Clearing and price-information services. Thus the trading services offered by a stock exchange can be …structured in three parts: the object traded (issued by some entities that generally pay a fee to have it listed), the means of trading (trading facilities, computers, a computerized floor, settlement) and price dissemination.\nThe listing and trading and related services can be segregated and tagged as the front-end of stock exchanges. Clearing and settlement is the unglamorous bit after equities or bonds are traded on an exchange. A clearing house ensures that buyer and seller have the cash and securities to do the deal; a securities depository settles the trade by moving the securities from one account to another.\nThe profitability of an exchange establishes the extent to how successful it is in attracting order flow and in attaining the ability to generate revenues (Lee, 1998). Order flow implies the liquidity of the market and the trading volume that includes the number of trades over a specified period and the total value of the shares traded. It directly and indirectly generates revenues for an exchange. The direct effect comes from an exchange’s receipts for transaction services, which are dependent on the number of trades it executes. The indirect effect exists because the trading volume reported on an exchange is regularly used as a marketing tool to attract new listings to the exchange.\n2.1.3 Customers\nAn exchange has direct and indirect customers:\nDirect customers include listed companies and those which desire to go public; both pay for their use of listing services. They also include intermediaries who pay to be admitted to trading; and information providers who pay to have terminal access and the right to disseminate price information.\nIndirect customers are individual and institutional entities that send orders to intermediaries for execution on an exchange. They can either trade through an intermediary or via the Internet. In both cases, they take into account the quality of the exchange, price factors and transaction cost. Market microstructure, such as liquidity, price discovery, or immediacy, and reputation and fiscal regulation all influence their choices. Other income includes share registration service fee income arising from initial public offerings.\n2.1.4 Suppliers\nListed companies are also suppliers because they provide the information and the shares for trading. Another type of suppliers is the network provider who provides physical connectivity services on an exchange infrastructure.\nThe above describes an exchange as a firm; globalization of financial markets and competition of exchanges have caused the transition of an exchange from a market to a firm.\n2.2 Globalisation of Financial Markets\nSince 1980, cross-border securities transactions have grown very rapidly. A quarter of stock market trades worldwide involved either a foreign security or a foreign counterparty by 1988 (Howells and Bain, 2000). Between 1989 and 1995, estimated global turnover in foreign exchange more than doubled.\nWith the formation of the European Union, cross-border trading in Europe is growing in popularity. The introduction of the euro and a wider acceptance of equity as a financing tool are encouraging investors in Europe to engage in more cross-border transactions in search of profit-making opportunities. Yet despite the appeal of cross-border trading, most stock exchanges in Europe are national institutions that trade only local, country-specific stocks.\nThis market structure appears to be changing, however, as an increasing number of stock exchanges are attempting to operate across national borders. A Transaction Survey done by Hong Kong Stock Exchange in 2000 indicated that overseas investors (mainly institutions) had significantly increased their participation in the Hong Kong market. In Europe several ambitious initiatives have been undertaken of late to create, through mergers or other consolidations, pan-European exchanges that offer trading in stocks from many European countries. The establishment of these exchanges will likely lead to important benefits for the financial markets. For example, a standardization of trading platforms across exchanges, an increase in market liquidity, and a reduction in market fragmentation potential by-products of consolidationcould help minimize the costs and problems associated with cross-border trading in Europe.\nDespite the persistence of protectionism and restrictions to free trade, markets for goods and services are becoming increasingly globalized (Castells, 1996). Financial institutions are extending their activities either by developing new products or by penetrating new markets in response to growing competition. They are also widening their customer base to benefit from economies of scale and scope.\nExpansion occurs both within national boundaries, and also across borders to establish presence in international markets. Globalization of markets has been made possible in the late twentieth century by new communication and transportation technologies allowing for more efficient delivery of information, goods and services.\n2.2.1 Europe: Vision to Become a Pan-European Financial Market\nThe concept of harmonization of financial regulations to establish a single financial market across the EU was brought out since the 1957 Treaty of Rome when it established the European Economic Community (EC) (Howells and Bain, 2000). Extensive liberalization of financial markets was seen in the 1960s regarding direct investments, commercial credits and the acquisition of securities on foreign stock exchanges.\nA genuine single financial market across the EU extended to include the securities markets and the insurance services industry. In 1979, the Directive Co-ordinating the Conditions for the Admission of Securities to Official Stock Exchange Listing allowed companies to list their shares or raise capital on other EU stock exchanges. The ISD, based on the Single European Act principles, applied the single passport principle to non-bank investment firms, removing barriers to both provision of cross-border securities services and the establishment of branches throughout the EU for all firms. It also liberalized the rules governing access to stock exchanges, and financial futures and options exchanges. Mutual recognition and home-country control for all security firms and banks performing investment services were shared among all member states.\nAs with other financial services, the insurance industry saw the promulgation of certain directives; all established the right for companies to operate in other member states.\nThe Euro launch as a common currency on 1 January 1999 by 11 European nations has been considered a step toward Europe’s economic convergence. Euro facilitates to establish shared, centralized accounting and administrative systems dramatically reduce currency exchange costs and increase price transparency for the member countries. Even non-members dealing with member countries may also benefit from greater price transparency when dealing with one, rather than a number of different, currencies (Geradine, 2000).\nAs discussed above, globalization has become a major driver of change, which was confirmed by rapid growth in cross-border portfolio investment and cooperation of markets.\n2.2.2 Asia: Evolution of Strategic Alliances and Cooperation\nAsia Pacific saw the frantic pace of exchange alliances and cooperative arrangements.\nMost recent examples include:\nOn 1 February 2000, HKSE jointly agreed with Nasdaq to launch the NASDAQ AMEX Pilot Programme for the trading of seven global securities (Amgen, Applied Materials, Cisco Systems, Dell, Intel, Microsoft and Starbucks) in Hong Kong. These shares can be traded and settled in Hong Kong dollars following the standard T+2 (the second trading day following the transaction) settlement period.\nMemorandum of Understanding among various countries were signed to facilitate information sharing and cooperation of regulatory matters: examples are Jakarta Stock Exchange and the Amsterdam Exchange; The Singapore Exchange and the Australian Stock Exchange; The Stock Exchange of Thailand and the Tokyo Stock Exchange.\nIn Japan, The Osaka Securities Exchange signed a Business Cooperation Agreement with Nasdaq Japan Inc. to establish the Nasdaq Japan for acceptance of listing applications on the Nasdaq-Japan market. Another collaboration accord was signed between The Tokyo Stock Exchange and the Korea Stock Exchange for the effective management of their operations and better investor protection, which allowed for useful information swap regarding promotion of stock investment and supervision of market activities.\n2.3 Nature of Competition of Stock Exchanges\nThe evolution of new financial instruments, the falling monopoly of banks as a source of direct funding to borrowers and of direct investment for investors, the tremendous improvement in information technology, and a greater financial culture among people as well as the fluctuations in interest, price, and exchange rate due to the oil crises have caused the increasing importance of securities markets in the financial system, both as regulated exchanges and over the counter (OECD, 1996). New theories of financial intermediation (Allen and Santomero, 1996; Allen and Gale, 1997) underline the importance of the markets in such a way that all intermediaries (banks, mutual funds, etc.) perform a risk-management activity in between borrowers and lenders on one side and markets on the other, providing a kind of risk insurance. In spite of that, banks and markets can still coexist (Boot and Thakor, 1997).\nThe evolution and transformation of securities markets and of information technology is becoming an important issue in Europe and in the U.S. for another reason: it makes exchanges comparable and more integrated. The borders of the irrelevant market that investors face are blurring. In this way there is an increasing competition among the stock exchanges (Pagano and Steil, 1996) and among exchanges and automated trading systems (Domowitz & Lee, 1996).\nRivalry exists among the exchanges in pursuit of the same goal to attract order flow. The market is fragmented mostly because no single exchange dominates in the economic arena, or because each of the exchanges is individually too small to affect the prices but they are reluctant to act in concert to condense their market power (Lee, 1998). Both suggest that different law and regulation may be the obstacles that constrain them to undertake the same activities. ECNs have been put in place, the marginal cost of additional transactions is, in effect, zero. Its arrival that can automatically search out the lowest-cost market for investors adds to the pressure. In the subsequent sections, each of the issues of rivalry, fragmentation and competition from ECNs is analyzed.\n2.3.1 Rivalry among Exchanges\nRivalry is a contest among different exchanges in pursuit of the same goal. The primary goal of all exchanges and trading systems is to attract liquidity. To compete, an exchange must be able to provide a marketplace for exchange of assets at the minimal transaction cost. Direct costs include exchange fees and brokerage commissions. Indirect costs are characterised by the absence of liquidity (Lee, 1998) implying that purchase and sale of an indefinite amount of the assets cannot be traded at the same time without delay and at the same price. Furthermore, deregulation of brokerage commission implies that the source of income from trading is being threatened. To improve profitability, an exchange must attract more companies to list and more intermediaries to trade.\nExamples of competition among exchanges are not new at all, especially in the U.S. They can be found, for example, from the initial years of the NYSE. In 1885 the Consolidated Stock Exchange3 decided to trade NYSE-listed stocks, charging lower commissions due to its lower costs because it used the NYSE quotes and did not incur the costs of establishing the price-discovery mechanism (Mulherin,1991). Blume and Goldstein (1997) analyze empirically the integration of the U.S. equity markets in recent years.\nIn more recent times, the London Stock Exchange, deeply reformed in 1986, decided unilaterally to trade on its international segment (SEAQ International) the most important European stocks. It gained such a significant market share in other European securities listed on national exchanges that they had to quickly update their markets. Nowadays, the LSE must face the national competition of Tradepoint. After its entry into the market in 1995 and the shift to it of the trades of three out of four Inter-dealer markets, the LSE recently slashed its fees by more than 60% to undercut Tradepoint. Meanwhile, the LSE decided to move from a quote-driven system to an order-driven system for the FT100 Index leading shares, to better compete with the order-driven European exchanges.\nExchanges are facing even stronger competition from quasi-exchanges, like automated trading systems (ATS), where it is possible to trade securities generally listed on exchanges. ATS compete with exchanges even if their nature is not clear from a regulatory point of view.\n2.3.2 Fragmentation\nFragmentation describes a divided market in that no single participant dominates in the market. Exchanges within the same country desire to have one exchange in which a single exchange operates with a single order execution mechanism to concentrate all securities trading, and with a single data dissemination centre to consolidate all news releases. Otherwise, liquidity will be impaired; resources will be duplicated on staff and technological investments.\nThe Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) has previously objected to the proposed establishment of a Small and Medium Enterprise Securities Exchange to cater for the needs of small and medium enterprises that do not meet the listing requirements of the PSE main board. This kind of proposal, if it had materialized, would have fragmented the market and impaired liquidity.\nAs discussed above, a fragmented market is one in which there exists more than one trading system, and no formal linkages are created between their market architectures.\n2.3.3 Competition from ECNs\nFrom an economic point of view, an ECN can be seen as a special kind of exchange, which specializes in producing trading services without producing listing services, and generally trades securities already listed on regulated exchanges. ECNs are low-cost, for-profit distribution channels competing largely on price and exploiting a perceived lack of service from quote-driven markets such as Nasdaq. ECNs account for approximately 30% of Nasdaq volume and over 15% of the total US orders (Baker, 2000). The largest ECNs, Instinet and Island, account for 13% and 12% of the Nasdaq market respectively.\nSome ECNs have applied to the SEC to become full stock exchanges to avoid paying trade reporting and quotation fees to Nasdaq, further lowering their operating costs, thus intensifying head-to-head competition with stock exchanges.\nFrom an investor's perspective, connectivity and sophisticated order-routing software enable broker-dealers to trade at the best price and in the most cost-effective trading and settlement environment (Butler, 2001). The more technology enhances connectivity between market participants, the more likely it is that sufficient liquidity will remain in the system even in the face of greater market fragmentation. ECN software vendors have succeeded in creating a virtual marketplace.\nIf users can get the best available prices in the market, they will not bother where the order is executed. This is because on one hand, investors are increasingly driven by the need to minimize trading costs; on the other hand, they inevitably gravitate towards the most liquid platform that gives price transparency.\nFrom an exchange's viewpoint, ECNs are fragmenting the market because they are drawing liquidity away from the exchanges. However, they are also consolidating liquidity because the price transparency they are bringing makes it easier to identify prices (Butler, 2001). In the US, the rise of ECNs is regarded as a direct response to market dissatisfaction with the pricing advantages enjoyed by the members of floor-based exchanges. To survive and develop successfully, exchanges must be able to provide the right products and services to the market in the most efficient way and at the most competitive price.\nECNs have the same economic function as exchanges (Britton, 2000). They seem particularly strong with a primary focus on order matching and execution at the most competitive price.\n2.4 The effects of the increasing competition among Stock Exchanges\nThe effects of the increasing competition among exchanges are difficult to evaluate in terms of the future market structures in Europe. On one hand, in the long run, only the most efficient exchanges should survive, trading stocks from all the other European countries and offering the most innovative and competitive financial instruments (especially derivatives). As Steil (1996b) notes, the existence of three dozen European stock exchanges almost all of which are operating with the same basic trading mechanism (the continuous electronic auction) is, at the very least, duplicative and wasteful of resources. The expansion of remote membership access after 1996 will undoubtedly go a considerable way towards facilitating cost-effective cross-border trading, and thereby eliminate significant barriers to creating a common and expanded pool of equity market liquidity.\nA single European currency would serve to integrate the market even further. The first model in this paper is consistent with this explanation; only one exchange (but not necessarily the most efficient) should survive.\nOn the other hand, it is possible that a unique exchange will emerge only for highly standardized and/or traded products, especially after the introduction of the Euro (like government bonds, derivatives, and stocks of the biggest firms). In fact, remote access makes useless any competition among the different exchanges at least if they are at the same technological level; furthermore, the informative advantages on national firms (especially small and medium-size firms) by their national exchanges and intermediaries will remain important. Finally, all the past projects or attempts to create a unique European stock exchange (PIPE, Euroquote, etc.) were unsuccessful. In any case, the rationale for a coexistence of many markets, in different nations, trading the same stocks, could easily be given by different trading systems (as continuous auction favors transparency and market making favors liquidity).\nThe stock-exchange market is characterised by increasing internationalisation. The technology has made cross-border trading possible and simple, while deregulation has provided the basis for exploitation of these opportunities. The EU Investment Services Directive, ISD, has provided market participants with the opportunity for remote membership of stock exchanges abroad and the stock exchanges can now establish electronic access abroad.\nThe demand side has also driven the internationalisation of the stock-exchange environment, in particular via the investment behaviour of institutional investors. In view of the growing volume of pension savings the role of the institutional investors is of increasing importance to the development in the stock-exchange area. Investors' portfolios are subject to greater diversification with a view to higher returns.\nThe introduction of the euro has acted as a strong catalyst for this development since investors can now spread their investments on several countries without assuming any exchange-rate risk. This has been particularly important to institutional investors which are typically subject to placement rules restricting the volume of investments denominated in foreign exchange.\n2.5 Revolutionary Changes of Technology in the Securities Markets\nIn several respects the development of information technology has had a decisive impact on changes in the securities trading area. Firstly, complex orders can now easily be processed in the electronic trading systems. Secondly, the systems can accommodate a virtually unlimited number of participants, in contrast to e.g. traditional floor trading where the number of participants is physically limited. Thirdly, IT development has eroded geographical borders. In principle, all that participation in an electronic trading system requires is the installation of a terminal/PC and a link to the system.\nAs detailed in section 2.2, the world is experiencing a dramatic increase in the context of economic globalisation. International trade and capital flows, foreign direct investment, migration all have increased substantially over the last twenty years (Holland, 1987; Dunning, 1992, 1993). A corresponding globalisation is said to have occurred in social, cultural and political life, impacting on local communities, and lowering ties of national identity, citizenship, and political sovereignty (Held, 1991; Robertson, 1992). The generation and diffusion of technological innovations made this economic and social globalisation possible.\n2.5.1 Evolution of Online Brokerage Firms\nArchibugi and Michie (1997) wrote about technological globalisation as Global exploitation of technology. Firms are exploiting their innovations on global markets eitherby exporting products, which embody them, or by licensing the know-how. This implies thatfinancial institutions have exploited the Internet and new digital technologies to developacross the borders to lower operation costs, reduce the need for intermediation, and widenchoice and awareness. Online brokerage firms are developed as new channels to reachcustomers, diverting growing volumes of trading away from established exchanges andfrom the exchanges' traditional member firms respectively.\nOnline brokerages with new business models have evolved to compete with exchanges' traditional member firms (Weber, 2000). According to a survey done by the Securities Industry Association (SIA), on-line trading would account for 50% of retail stock market trades by 2003, up from 37% in 1999. The SIA also estimated that 18% of stock buyers and sellers were now using the Internet, compared to only 10% a year ago. According to the US Banker, there are now around 150 brokers offering Internet trading. The average number of on-line trades per day has increased five fold since 1997, and now exceeding 500,000. Today 3 million households invest online, up from 2.2 million a year ago (Haggin, 2000).\nE-brokerage is a direct electronic market access that allows investors to bypass the middleman and trade directly with buyers and sellers (Tunick, 2001). In some circumstances, some exchanges act as a catalyst to allow investors to disinter-mediate the middleman and trade directly within the execution destination of their choices. The New Zealand Stock Exchange, for instance, plans to introduce a wireless securities trading system, which allows investors to trade securities without passing through a broker. Under such plan, investors can be connected to the exchange's WAP server through their Internet service provider using a WAP-enabled phone or palm computer.\n2.5.2 Impact of ECNs\nComputer technology has led to the birth of new MONSTERS (Market-Oriented New Systems for Terrifying Exchanges and Regulators) (Lee, 1998). ECNs emerged as an incremental innovation to sustain established trajectories of performance improvement to the existing trading systems. This gives rise to regulatory competition between ECNs and regulated exchanges, for example, Instinet versus New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). The competition issues of ECNs have been described in section 2.3.3.\n2.5.3 The network effect - the advantage of being first and largest\nTechnological development and increasing internationalisation have intensified competition in the stock-exchange area, while the advantage of being first/largest in the market has probably served as an impediment to competition.\nGenerally, it is an advantage to the users of a trading system that it has several participants. This is because the liquidity in the system is assumed to increase with the number of participants. This means that investors can trade at lower spreads, buying and selling without the price of the securities being adversely influenced from the point of view of the investor. Thanks to the positive effect of many participants in the same system (network effect), the investors tend to use the large, well-established marketplaces.\nThe traditional stock exchanges have enjoyed the advantage of being first in the market. At the same time, substantial establishment costs have impeded competition. In view of these conditions the traditional stock exchanges have not always had any great incentive to introduce new technology and to develop in accordance with customers' requirements. For example, the largest stock exchanges were the last to introduce automatic trading systems to replace floor trading. On the largest US stock exchange, the New York Stock Exchange, floor trading continues to be an important element in trading.\nIt is possible to think of an application of the network-externalities literature to financial intermediation and exchanges. The application of network externalities to finance is a relatively new topic but has developed substantially in the last years. Regarding stock exchanges, they can be seen as networks where the more traders (drawn from the same distribution of uncertain endowments) enter the market, the more market uncertainty (measured by the variance of market prices) is diminished (Economides, 1993).\nA paper that explicitly applies network externalities to exchange competition is Domowitz (1995). Though not analytically described, he uses network externalities to set up a game among exchanges where two technologies (floor and automated trading) are available for traders and network externalities are, in trading terms, the liquidity effect, as the more traders are in a market, the more liquid it is. It is argued that increased network externalities offered by electronic exchange structures will... encourage and provide the vehicle for implicit mergers, which is something that is already happening in reality with various agreements, especially among derivatives exchanges.\n2.6 Integration of Stock Exchanges\nIn Asia, most recently saw the merger between the demutualized Stock Exchange of Singapore and Singapore International Monetary Exchange Limited in 1999. In 2000, the HKSE and HKFE demutualised to become subsidiaries of Hong Kong Stock exchange. The Hong Kong Stock Exchange has increased its competitiveness in terms of regulatory efficiency and effectiveness, liquidity, economies of scale, settlement risk management and customer service. Further consolidation is expected in the region to cope with the increasingly complex and competitive global environment.\nTraditional exchanges under competitive pressures are forging mergers or strategic alliances across borders. The attempt to consolidate Europe's stock exchanges did not come to a halt following the collapse of the proposed merger between DB and LSE in 2000. Euronext tied together in 2000 the exchanges of Paris, Amsterdam and Brussels (Zwick, 2001). The introduction of the euro and the advent of more sophisticated trading technology have fueled the momentum. Euronext was able to consolidate an annual equity trading volume of more than $1.5 trillion, far exceeding either the German or London Stock Exchanges. This unified system for trading, clearing and settlement, using state-of-the-art technology, which makes trading more efficient and less expensive, accounts for exactly what stock exchange customers clamor for.\nTalks with some other smaller exchanges such as Lisbon are in progress. Paris Börse predicted that only three or four western European stock exchanges down from sixteen would remain in a few years.\nThe evolution and transformation of securities markets and of information technology is becoming an important issue in Europe and in the U.S. for another reason: it makes exchanges comparable and more integrated. The borders of the irrelevant\" market that investors face is blurring. In this way there is an increasing competition among the stock exchanges (Pagano and Steil, 1996) and among exchanges and automated trading systems (Domowitz and Lee, 1996).\nInternational cooperation is emerging. Nasdaq formed a joint venture in Europe in May 2000. It has also formed affiliations with stock exchanges in Japan, Hong Kong and Canada. More recently, Nasdaq's greatest rival, NYSE, has been exploring the feasibility of a global equity market that can link exchanges in many countries including Japan and France. The goal of having a single 24-hour market in which the shares of the world's biggest blue-chip firms can be traded cheaply and efficiently is being urged to be viable.\n2.7 Theoretical Influences\n2.7.1 Industry Dynamics\nFigure 1 Porter's Five Forces Model\nThe simple model of the analysis of the competitive structure of the stock exchange dynamics is the Porter's Five Forces model. This model is used because of its dynamic interaction of the forces between one another. The five dimensions in the context of a stock exchange are: existing competition in the stock exchange industry, the threat of new entrants, the relative bargaining power of suppliers, the relative bargaining power of the buyers, and the threat of substitutes. They are not of equal strength within the stock exchange industry. Their relative strength may change over time. For instance, Internet technology allows business transactions to be conducted via open networks based on the fixed and wireless infrastructure (Amit & Zott, 2000). In view of the Internet influence, Porter (2001) incorporates this new element into the model.\nIf stock exchanges can view the Internet as a complement to, not a cannibal of, traditional ways of trading, then they can leverage electronic trading as a key element in their business strategies. The Internet increases operational efficiency because orders can be received based on price and time priority. Bid, offer and transaction prices are instantly disseminated, providing the highest level of trading efficiency and transparency. Other forces such as the current rivalry, the threat of new entrants or the threat of substitutes are essentially of a dynamic nature and are based on expectations, whereas the bargaining powers of suppliers and buyers are more static and reflect current realities. The strength of each of the five competitive forces is determined by certain factors, some of which are listed in Table 2.\nAn assessment of market attractiveness depends on the assessment of the strength of these factors.\nCompetitive Force\nStrengthened by:\nCurrent rivalry\nLow growth of industry, high fixed operating costs, low product differentiation\nPower of suppliers\nHigh (supplier) switching costs to buyers, non-availability of substitutes, supplier concentration\nPower of buyers\nBuyer concentration, low cost of switching\nProduct substitution\nLow relative price of substitute, buyer propensity to substitute, low switching costs to buyers\nNew entrant\nLow level of entry barriers, e.g. scale of economies, capital requirements\nDeterminants of the strength of the five competitive forces\nThe Porter model is used in this dissertation for strategic situation analysis. Strategic situation analysis is self-examination of a corporation's existing strategic exposure, so as to discover the strength of a portfolio of businesses. Such an examination enables the stock exchange to assess its competitive strengths (S) and weaknesses (W), and to match these against the opportunities (O) and threats (T) put forward by the five forces. The SWOT analysis helps reveal a mismatch between the stock exchange's present capabilities and those that are needed to create, sustain or strengthen a competitive advantage in the market.\nThe mismatch creates a need for the stock exchange to proceed to the strategic choice analysis, which is a forward-looking, scenario-building approach to its future strategic posture. There are generally three alternatives of strategic choices: organic growth, mergers or strategic alliances. A stock exchange's choice depends on:\n1. Level of competition in the host market;\n2. Availability of organizational resources for organic growth; and\n3. Ability to appropriate potential added value.\nCompetitive force Strengthened by\nIf level of competition in the host market is already high and there is excess capacity, building new capacity will invite retaliation from the existing players. Under these circumstances, merger with an existing stock exchange will reduce such risk.\nMoreover, the stock exchange may not possess all the necessary resources and capabilities to compete effectively in the host market. Merger or strategic alliance enhances faster access of these resources and capabilities. Merger is the quickest means of achieving synergies. The challenges are mainly post-integration problems.\nNetwork Society\nThe rationale behind merger is to consolidate liquidity. Liquidity is important and is created by network externality. Network externalities describe the effect that larger networks are more attractive to users than smaller ones (Federal Trade Commission, 2000). Network externalities have two main effects on both the old and new economies (Shapiro and Varian, 1999). The old industrial economy was driven by demand-side economies of scale, given that the more attractive a product is, the larger is the number of consumers who will use that product. This shapes the future success of competing products in today's choice. The new information economy is driven by the economics of networks. The key concept is positive feedback, which makes the strong strengthen, and the weak weaken. It is a more potent force in the network economy than ever before; this has also been covered in 2.5.3.\nPositive network externalities arise when a good is getting more valuable to one user; more users realize the network's attractiveness and tend to use the same good. Applying this concept in the context of the exchanges: allows more stocks to migrate to a single exchange, the largest pool of liquidity will form there and benefits existing trades at more competitive prices. The more intermediaries who execute more deals in one exchange, the more the other intermediaries/companies that want to go public will be likely attracted. Thus complementarily, compatibility and coordination are the essential components of a network.\nDomowitz (1995) explicitly applies network externalities to exchange competition by setting up a game among exchanges where two technologies (floor and automated trading) are available for traders. Network externalities create, in trading terms, the liquidity effect, in that the more traders enter in a market, the more market uncertainty is diminished and the more liquid it is.\nA company decides on an exchange, which can derive the highest utility, primarily because a greater degree of trading orders can be consolidated, and more intermediaries trade to give more liquidity. This is the concept of cross-network externality (Noia, 1998). Utility derives from an increase in consumption of a good belonging to the same network. Investors anticipate that the higher the liquidity, the more they are aware of the company's securities, and the more efficient the market is in terms of the speed of information dissemination and immediacy of order execution. In general, markets, which are characterized by high connectivity, a focus on transactions, and high reach and richness of information, are said to have cross-network externality effect.\nThere also exists a direct-network externality when a company prefers a listing exchange where many other firms choose to be listed (Noia, 1998). Companies anticipate that such exchange signifies high market quality, and enhances fairness, transparency and accountability enforced by good corporate governance practices. Moreover, the bigger the exchange, the better services such as clearing and settlement, and information dissemination can be provided; and the more products the exchange can afford to be developed. Most importantly, when more intermediaries appear on the same exchange, the volatility of such market may be lower than of the one, which consists of a relatively smaller number of listed companies that are highly correlated (Hull, 1998).\n2.7.2 Integration Strategies\nThe immediate objective of an acquisition is self-evidently growth and expansion of an acquirer's assets, sales and market share. A more fundamental objective is to maximize shareholders' wealth through acquisitions and create sustainable competitive advantages for the acquirer. A merger adds value only if the two companies are worth more together than apart (Myers, 2000).\nIt is assumed that mergers are undertaken to cut costs, add revenues or create growth opportunities and ultimately to achieve synergies in human resources and the decision making processes. The disadvantages of mergers are change of control and ownership. Very often, new assignments for the top management are included as a part of the merger agreement.\nMergers are often categorized as horizontal, vertical or conglomerate. A horizontal merger is one that takes place between two firms in the same line of business. A recent example is the proposed formation of the iX. A vertical merger involves companies offering different products in the same market. Companies, which adopt this strategy, desire to expand backward toward the supplier of raw materials or forward in the direction of the ultimate consumer along the supply chain. A conglomerate merger involves companies in unrelated lines of business. Its major objective is to expand the range of the product offerings.\nAnsoff's Product-Market Matrix\nThe strategic choice made by the stock exchange determines the type of merger it undertakes (Sudarsanam, 1995). As Table 3 suggests, market penetration strategy aims to increase market share of a firm in its existing markets. Market extension strategy involves selling of existing products across borders. It can be a horizontal merger given similar organizational architecture. It creates values when both firms can share complementary resources. Product extension enables a firm to sell new products related to its existing products in its existing market. A vertical merger can achieve this. In a diversification strategy, the target is in an unrelated business resulting in a conglomerate merger.\nAnsoff's product-market matrix captures the rich complexity of factors which determine the competitive environment of markets, or factors which constitute a firm's competitive strength. Case studies of the London stock exchange and the Hong Kong Stock Exchange exemplify the mergers including elements of horizontal and vertical mergers respectively.\nTable 3 Ansoff's Product-Market Matrix\nExisting Product\nExisting Market\n- Aims to increase market share in existing markets.\nProduct Extension\n- Aims to sell new products related to existing ones in present markets.\nMarket Extension\n- Aims to sell existing products in new geographical markets.\n- Aims to sell new products in new markets.\nSource: Sudarsanam, 1995\n3.1 Aim of Project\nThe aim of this project is to show the current and future developments of stock exchanges. They were once regarded as public entities, but have now developed into profit maximizing corporations, with increased integration and mergers occurring between stock exchanges. To show why they have changed and taken more of a competitive and integrated strategy.\n3.2 Objectives of the project\n3.3 Why I am interested in this topic\nMy interest in this topic was brought about by my previous work experience at a stockbroker as it enhanced my interest in stock exchanges and their development, with many people (particularly traders at the company) reacting to their changing competitive strategy and the continuing introduction of new technology. I wanted to develop my knowledge and understanding in this subject area and to see if the trend has occurred further than Europe.\nAs time has gone by, exchanges have had to compete in the global market to attract quality companies to list and intermediaries to trade; many of them have converted their member ownership structures into a stock company by means of demutualisation. Under the plan of demutualisation, members are issued shares of the exchange. They become shareholders of the exchange and therefore can be eligible for profit distribution. Since then, exchanges have reformed to become commercially-driven corporations whose goal is to maximize shareholders' wealth.\nRivalry is a contest among different exchanges in pursuit of the same goal. The primary goal of all exchanges and trading systems is to attract liquidity. To compete, an exchange must be able to provide a marketplace for exchange of assets at the minimal transaction cost. Direct costs include exchange fees and brokerage commissions.\nIndirect costs are characterised by the absence of liquidity (Lee, 1998) implying that purchase and sale of an indefinite amount of the assets cannot be traded at the same time without delay and at the same price. Furthermore, deregulation of brokerage commission implies that the source of income from trading is being threatened. To improve profitability, an exchange must attract more companies to list and more intermediaries to trade.\n3.5 The General Approach\nThe general approach of a study is affected by the researcher's frame of reference, which refers to one's overall knowledge, norms and values (Wiedersheim-Paul and Eriksson, 1997). The approach of this project is based upon the frame of reference, which works as an individual scale. The applied theories and models themselves affect the individual scale of the research. Therefore, it is important that the researcher maintains an objective approach. To achieve objectivity I have studied a wide range of theories and literature in the field of my study. However, an entirely objective approach is difficult to achieve as a large part of the literature and articles themselves contain interpretations and opinions that may influence me.\nThere are two types of approaches that you can take on, when conducting a research project. One is a deductive approach, in which you develop a theory and hypothesis and design a research strategy to test the hypothesis, or these is the inductive approach, in which you would collect data and develop theory as a result of the data analysis. I have chosen a deductive approach as the research is based mainly on articles as I am looking at the development of stock exchanges and the changes in their strategy over the years. I will test the empirical findings with existing literature and models.\n3.5.1 Choice of Method\nA method can be either quantitative or qualitative. A quantitative method is formalized, structured and is characterized by selectively as well as a distance from the source of information (Holme & Solvang, 1996). The approach centralizes on numerical observations and aims at generalizing a phenomenon through formalized analysis of chosen data where statistics indicators play a central role. On the other hand, a qualitative method is formalized to a lesser extent is directed at testing if the information is generally valid. The approach is characterized by the use of verbal descriptions instead of purely numerical data and aims to create a common understanding of the subject being studied.\nIn order to achieve the purpose, I have chosen to apply more of a qualitative method but have incorporated aspects of a quantitative method. The qualitative method refers to the survey I have implemented in the form of an interview, which is directed at active investors, brokers and members of two stock exchanges. Through the interview, I strive to determine whether mergers in Europe are more productive than overseas, examples being the London Stock Exchange and the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Also how each exchange is competing and how technology and other factors are affecting the increasing competition strategies of exchanges. The quantitative method has been used when analyzing the results of the interviews.\n3.6 Data Collection\nData for my study was primarily collected through an interview as well as through research based on existing material concerning the competition and integration strategies of stock exchanges.\nPrimary data refers to data, which is collected for a specific purpose and which is required in order to complement secondary data (Widersheim-Paul & Eriksson, 1997). The primary data in this project consists of an interview directed at a private client broker, an investment bank and members of two stock exchanges. Two interviews were conducted at Brewin Dolphin Securities Ltd, a private clients brokers', one is from UBS, a Swiss Financial Services Corporation. I have also interviewed members of two stock exchanges, the London stock Exchange and the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. The interview was conducted over the phone with 3 of the participants and 2 preferred to carry out the interview via email. The interview was conducted and answered voluntarily by all 5 participants.\nThe questionnaire consists of 9 questions concerning whether stock exchanges merging is beneficial for all parties, whether this phenomenon is just occurring in Europe or more further a field, such as Hong Kong. Interview questions covered macro-environment, integration strategies, competition and partnership issues, impact of technology on stock exchanges, bargaining power of both buyers and suppliers, and future consolidation trends.\nThe project was managed and implemented using established project management and consultancy techniques (Cope: 2000), (Maylor: 1996). This was considered essential given the rapidly evolving nature of the industry. The names of the participants and the interview question can be seen in Appendix 1. Appendix 2highlights the key points of interviews.\nThe framework of industry dynamics and integration strategies detailed in section 2.6 were deployed to analyse and evaluate the qualitative data (Grant: 1998), (Doyle: 1998). Finally, the choice of merger strategies and challenges of mergers were induced (Hart, 1998).\nSecondary data refers to the existing collected and summarized material of the subject in question. This data originates from such sources as databases, literature, journals and the Internet (Wiedersheim-Paul & Eriksson, 1997). The secondary data used in my research refers to the existing literature written on the subject at hand, particularly articles in journals and Internet data sources. The emphasis was on finding material on the relatively new and changing area of competition and integration strategies of stock exchanges.\nMost of the literature was found in the Coventry University Library and search engines on the Internet. I also used books from the library, but were not that useful as they were dated and did not contain information that I needed.\n3.7 Criticisms of the Sources\nBoth the primary and secondary sources of data may contain factors influencing the quality of the research. Furthermore, one must also consider the validity and reliability of the research in order to establish the overall quality of the study.\n3.7.1 Criticisms of Primary Data\nThe interview which I conducted, is advantageous as the data collected is unique and contemporary in nature and the questions may be formulated to specifically correspond to the area being researched. However, the interview is susceptible to the subjective opinions of the respondents. When asking about previous and future events, the responses are exposed to their subjective ability to recollect specific past events. The respondents may also have changed their opinion or been influenced by other people of specific past and future events.\nTherefore the answers given by respondents can be biased toward what their opinion is on the specific matter. In addition, brokers answering the same questions as members of stock exchanges will have a different viewpoint. The members of the stock exchange were biased towards the interests of their own business and therefore did not give entirely true answers, this along with some respondent's time constraints; a lack of interest and confidentiality did create limitations.\n3.7.2 Criticisms of Secondary Data\nThe theories and literature written on the competition and integration strategies of stock exchanges is relatively new and therefore literature on this subject is subject to many interpretations. I have endeavored to take an objective perspective on stock exchanges. The majority of the secondary data is obtained from articles and is contemporary in nature. Therefore I consider my secondary data to be highly pertinent.\n3.8 Validity\nA research has a high validity if the study only contains what one wants to study and nothing else (Thuren, 1991). Validity refers to how well the data collection and data analysis of the research captures the reality being studied. The data I have collected both primary and secondary in my opinion is very valid to the subject area of the competition and integration strategies of stock exchanges.\n3.9 Reliability\nReliability demonstrates that the operations of a study, such as the data collection procedures, can be repeated with the same outcome. In my case I have interviewed brokers and members of the London and Honk Kong Stock Exchange. I consider that the same procedure is easily applicable to another similar set of interviewees in the same field of work. Therefore, I believe the study fulfils the reliability criteria. However, the answers obtained are exposed to subjectivity dependant on the area of work they are in and their opinion of mergers in Europe and in Asia. A certain amount of hindsight bias may also distort the responses.\n4.1 Analysis of Industry Dynamics\nThe industry dynamics is shaped in the framework of Porter's Five Forces Model, as illustrated in Figure 1. An exchange is in a very precarious position due to a competitive market, powerful suppliers (listing companies) and cautious buyers (intermediaries and eventually investors), weak substitutes, and high barriers to entry.\n4.1.1 Industry Dynamics in the Porter's Five Forces Model\nSource: Porter, 2001\nInefficient Substitutes: ECNs\nLow-cost, for-profit distribution channels.\nCompete largely on price\nExploit a lack of service from a quote-driven market but yet to succeed to consolidate liquidity.\nParasites on stock exchanges.\nThe proliferation will not create new substitution threats in both Europe and Asia Pacific.\nBarriers to Entry\nHigh barriers to entry\nTrading alone is difficult to keep proprietary from new entrants such as ECNs.\nCapital intensive.\nHigh costs to maintain good corporate governance practices and an orderly market.\nBargaining Power of Suppliers (Listed Companies / Network Providers)\nProliferation of competitors widens the choice of a listing exchange and shifts the power to listed companies.\nThe Internet provides an e-brokerage channel for listed companies to reach investors, reducing the leverage of intervening stock exchanges\nNetwork Providers\nProvision of connectivity services.\nStrong bargaining power in terms of bandwidth and technical skills\nBuyers Bargaining Power of Channels / End Users\nCautious customers (Investors)\nMore selection, less loyalty.\nIncreasingly lower switching costs.\nEffective Online Brokerage Channels\nEliminates powerful member brokers or improves bargaining power over traditional channels\nRivalry Among Existing Stock Exchanges\nA competitive market for stock exchanges\nCompetition intensifies with lower brokerage commissions.\nMany players offer similar propositions and standardized products and services.\nDual listing eliminates geographical boundaries.\nDemutualisation leads to increasing pressure to maximize shareholders' wealth.\nTransfer of the listing function to another authority resembles and ECN.\n4.1.2 A Competitive Market\nCompetition takes place on many grounds, such as the provision of immediacy, price discovery, price volatility, liquidity, transparency and transaction costs. The opinions I have collected suggested that there were two major reasons leading to competition. Firstly, technological innovation has made it possible for faster and cheaper delivery of services via connectivity to regulated stock exchanges. Secondly, the rising influence of retail investors is driving the desire for more cross-border trading. There are also region-specific reasons. A member of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange anticipated that the deregulation of brokerage commissions would further intensify competition in Hong Kong.\nRegulators came to a consensus that demutualisation was the most effective way to link profitability to members who were also shareholders of the stock exchange. This gives them the incentive to maximize shareholders' wealth and therefore to increase the stock exchange's competitiveness. Investment banks/brokerage firms were most concerned with transaction cost and liquidity.\nInvestment banks/brokerage firms were most concerned with transaction cost and liquidity. If an intermediary must choose which market to trade in the absence of information asymmetry, everything being equal, they choose the lowest-cost market. An intermediary will find an exchange more attractive when other intermediaries exist because the more intermediaries are attracted to the exchange floor or computerized system, presumably the higher is the liquidity. Higher liquidity also attracts even more intermediaries. This agrees with cross-network externality literature. Liquidity attracts companies regardless of the differences in listing requirements and securities regulation. Companies prefer to be listed on an exchange where many other firms are also listed. This is in consensus with the direct-network externality.\nUtility derives from an increase in the consumption of a different good belonging, in a sense, to the same network. Many empirical studies show that liquidity has a sizable impact on securities value. Listing on a major exchange can attract many investors, as Pagano et alii (1995) by acting as an advertisement for the company.\nMerton (1987) has captured this point in a capital-asset-pricing model with incomplete information, showing that stock prices are higher the greater the number of investors aware of the company's securities.\" At the same time, firms may prefer to be listed on an exchange where many firms are listed (direct network-effect), as it may be a sign of quality of the market, or because they anticipate that more intermediaries will be there and the variance of such a market may be lower than of an exchange with a very small number of firms highly correlated. The value of being listed for a firm is higher the more listed firms and the more intermediaries trading on the same exchange. A firm will prefer, with other conditions equal51, to be listed on high-quality exchanges where many other firms are listed (the market is more liquid with 100 listed firms than ten) and many intermediaries can send trading orders.\n4.1.3 Bargaining Power of Suppliers\nNetwork providers are leveraging their competencies to offer physical connectivity services to an exchange. An exchange depends on them to build the infrastructure of the trading system. They have strong power in terms of bandwidth and technical skills. Initial investments are huge. They are able to lock in stock exchanges that need them for future upgrades of software and regular maintenance of trading systems.\nListed companies are weak suppliers. An opinion shaper in the securities and futures market mentioned, Initially companies prefer to list domestically because they are better understood by their customers and suppliers. Regulators, investment banks/brokerage firms agreed that the bargaining power of firms was low in choosing primary listing exchange; but their power increases when they come to choose their secondary listing exchange, which agrees with literature. They will consider an exchange, which has:\nA critical mass;\nThe reputation for market quality and efficiency; and\nThe ability to attract liquidity.\nApart from the above, investment banks/brokerage firms are in a better position to understand companies' needs, as they are particularly concerned with listing and subsequent disclosure requirements, securities regulation, and investor protection.\nThe weak bargaining power of companies was further strengthened by literature that mentioned that dual listing was duplicative and not feasible because listed companies had to comply with two sets of regulatory requirements, accounting standards and securities regulation, thus increasing their indirect costs.\nEnd-users\nIn an order-driven market, investors are not able to distinguish a monopolistic exchange or an ECN as long as the same order is automatically matched and executed at the best possible price. The broker firm emphasized, Investors do not choose a particular exchange if the stock they desire to buy only list there.\nBrokerage firms concluded that the crucial determinants for an investor to choose a broker included simplicity of execution, low transaction costs and availability of market information provided by the brokers.\nFinancial intermediaries of various kinds perform more and more risk management activities (Allen and Santomero, 1996), which are profitable and can substitute other forms of revenues that are drastically falling (like the net interest income), due to the transformation of financial markets. Changing regulations and new technologies allow them to trade (directly or through subsidiaries) on stock exchanges as broker dealers.\nIntermediaries can choose nowadays where to trade. They may find more interesting an exchange with more financial products listed because it is more attractive for diversifying their own portfolios and their customers'.\nAt the same time, despite competition in commissions and spread, intermediaries may find more attractive an exchange with many more intermediaries, as they should give liquidity to the market, There are six factors that influence an intermediary's decision where to locate. They are the brokerage commissions, trading objectives such as immediacy and accuracy, legal impediments, economies of scale, network externalities, and enhancements in order routing facilities. Like listed companies, intermediaries want to trade on an exchange comprising many more intermediaries that can increasingly provide liquidity to the market. This agrees with positive network externality literature.\nThis is also beneficial to an exchange as an exchange competes to attract more intermediaries on the floor or in its computerized system, the more intermediaries create more connection fees and a greater customer base also enhances more trading commissions. Exchanges attract the greatest possible number of intermediaries for the purpose of efficiency and quality, and recognition and reputation. The former enhances scales of economies in the provision of transaction services while the latter attracts more companies of even greater market capitalization to be listed in a more liquid market.\nNew Channels\nRecently, online brokerages have evolved to compete with traditional brokers. Their growth occurred in the absence of severe competition from traditional brokers, especially during a period of rapidly booming stock market activity, stagnant growth of customer base, and evolution of Internet channels. Consequently, the majority of active self -directed investors have already migrated to the Internet for their trading. Therefore, a multinational corporation's director was of the view that a traditional broker had to differentiate to compete in different market segments. One segment would be the retired who valued a combination of personalized services and physical locations over stand-alone delivery of products and services; another could include the middle twenties to late thirties who were not financially sound but had high potential growth of income in the future. The traditional powerhouse brokerage firms are fast waking up to the potential of direct retail brokerage services and are aggressively pursuing on-line strategies. And many are doing so on a global basis.\nEuropean investment banks generally agreed that new online brokerage channels have significantly increased buyers' power in Europe, but brokerage firms in Asia claimed that the turnover via e-trading was minimal. To meet various clients' needs, brokers have to combine Internet and traditional methods. They can make use of on-line financial portals.\nThey can also tailor the services to certain segments, for example, research delivery, online financial planning, extended-hour trading, portfolio management tools, and automated advice.\n4.1.5 Inefficient Substitutes\nTable 4compares the functionalities of an ECN with that of the existing electronic trading system. From an intermediary's perspective, these are well-established alternatives to the exchange proposition. However, the interviewees generally perceived that the ECN resembles a low-end outsourcing trading function as shown in Figure 2.\nThe benefits of outsourcing can easily be offset by increased transaction costs due to a lower level of liquidity (Teece: 1986). In effect, the savings in IT staff and equipment can be small compared to trading volume and monitoring costs (Williamson: 1985).\nMoreover, most of the opinions I have collected seemed to agree that the business model resembled that of an order-driven market, which is the case in Europe and most East Asian countries. In these countries, uptake was almost stagnant. Acceptance had been lower than anticipated because investors were cautious due to uncertainty and trust. They had concerns regarding the quality of service and value. Investment banks/brokerage firms were concerned with the lack of price transparency and the ECN's ability to attract liquidity.\nTable 4 - ECN versus Traditional electronic trading platform\nECN with sophisticated functionalities\nTraditional electronic trading platform\nMultiple markets\nSingle market\nTrading Method\nAutomatching\nSingle price auction\nAuction order\nTrading Request\nBy phone / in person\nOver the Internet\nBy mobile phone\nTrading services only\nIssuers services: listing\nBroker services: trading\nInformation dissemation\nOrder Modification and Order Status Enquiry\nDone by brokers\nThrough Internet or by phone\nSent to investors automatically by email or mobile phone\nNote: New functionalities are highlighted in italic.\nFigure 2 - Ansoff's Product Matrix\n4.1.6 High Barriers to Entry\nThe notion of a national stock exchange as a natural monopoly has become obsolete. Stock exchanges are no longer public utilities they are moneymaking enterprises. If an ECN desires to become a recognized exchange, it must satisfy several requirements, among other things, sufficient financial resources, and rules and practices to ensure an orderly market and afford investor protection.\nNew entrants have taken the form of alternative trading mechanisms, new exchanges and established exchanges seeking to attract listings and cross-border trading to their markets. All interviewees agreed that in the long run, only the most efficient exchanges should survive, which allow trades in stocks from all countries in the globe and offer the most innovative and competitive financial vehicles. Academics reckoned that stock exchanges, which were operating with the same basic trading mechanism, are duplicative and wasteful of resources. This was especially the case in Europe where the expansion of remote membership access after 1996 could undoubtedly facilitate cost-effective cross-border trading, and thereby eliminate significant barriers to create a common and expanded pool of equity market liquidity. A single European currency would serve to integrate the market even further. However, continuing differences in law and regulation were great obstacles towards mergers, both national and international, and eventually form a supranational exchange. Academics claimed that the regional merger between LSE and DB has encountered ongoing arguments, most notably in the disagreement of a single set of regulation between them.\n4.2.1 International Exchange - London Stock Exchange: A Prototype of Horizontal Merger\nIn the U.K., trading of shares began as soon as in 1760 when 150 brokers who were previously members of the Royal Exchange formed a club at Jonathan's Coffee House to buy and sell shares. In 1773, members voted to change the club's name to Stock Exchange. Securities trading in the UK underwent a major upheaval in the 1986 Big Bang. The main consequence ended single capacity trading and allowed firms, known as market makers, to operate in a dual capacity. In single capacity trading, brokers bought and sold securities on behalf of clients whereas jobbers held stocks of securities from which they bought and sold to brokers. After 1986, market makers could take the role of jobbers and simultaneously dealt with investors bypassing an intermediary broker.\nMinimum scale of commission was abolished. Trading moved from the floor to being performed via computer and telephone from separate dealing rooms. In 1997, Stock Exchange Electronic Trading Service was launched to enhance greater speed and efficiency to the market. The settle meant service was removed from LSE to CRESTCo, the new electronic share-settlement service provider. LSE became a public limited company in 2000 and went public in July 2001.\nIn Germany, The Frankfurt Stock Exchange was established 223 years ago as a private institution operated by a number of merchants. Frankfurt is today Germany's leading stock exchange with a total volume of around euro 5,200 billion in 2000. DB combines the entire spectrum of services and system applications ranging from securities and derivatives trading through clearing and provision of market information to systems development. In particular, the Xetra trading platform has made DB the second-largest fully electronic cash market in the world.\nThe proposed merger is examined to form iX is examined from LSE's perspective. Table 8 summaries the SWOT analysis of LSE.\nTable 5 - SWOT Analysis of LSE\nLiquid secondary markets.\nInternationally respected regulatory standards.\nWell-established market position.\nMore scalable technology required\nHarmonisation of financial markets in Europe.\nEuro enhances settlement in a single currency.\nThreats:\nIntense competition, other exchanges are building alliances.\ni) Merger Motives\nBuilding Market Credibility\nTo continue building its market credibility, LSE was seeking more alliances with its counterparts in Europe and other regions and to eventually create a Pan-European stock exchange. This is in line with the EU policy that aims to liberalize market access and create a single financial services market in Europe.\nThe number of cross-border transactions is increasing as a result of the changing investment patterns of institutional and retail investors towards a sectoral rather than geographical investment focus. LSE aimed to consolidate trading volume in the fragmented European market for equities, increase liquidity and price transparency.\nLSE planned to undertake mergers to enhance efficiency by forming a single trading platform that allows for better order routing facilities. In addition, a merger could enable sharing existing technology and thus reducing transaction costs.\nii) Merger Strategy\nThe merger between the LSE and DB to form a new company to be called International\nExchange or iX was first announced on 3 May 2000. The merger talk was traced back to\nJuly 1998 when LSE and DB began considering a relationship in response to the increasing competition and customer demands. LSE aims to form a common trading platform with DB with the support of harmonisation of the European markets and facilitation of a single passport license. iX would be headquartered in London with major operations in Frankfurt.\nLSE chose a horizontal merger to resolve the mismatch between the resources, capabilities and opportunities available to both exchanges and attempted to create sustainable competitive advantage. Duplicate use of resources including the trading infrastructure, research and development and surplus operating capacity can be greatly eliminated. Other resources appearing in the form of strategic assets such as market power and entry barriers such as the experience curve or size can be further enhanced.\nAn exchange's distinctive capabilities, which include its architecture, capacity for innovation and reputation, can create sustainable competitive advantage.\niii) Merger Challenges\nLondon Stock Exchange (LSE) and Frankfurt Deutsche Boerse said they would merge in 2000. The pair were to partner with Nasdaq to form an exchange, to be based in Frankfurt, for high-growth European stocks.\nThe merger threw a glaring light on LSE's technical problems, which damaged its reputation and was one of the main reasons they failed to complete the integration.\nLSE's problems go back several years. Two years before the attempted merger, it and Deutsche Borse tried to establish a common European trading platform but they failed to deliver. LSE's outgoing Chief Executive Gavin Casey has been criticized in European newspapers for failing to implement a stable electronic trading system--two multi million dollar attempts at electronic trading failed--and for not raising the exchange's profile in the face of more intense competition.\nThe vision of a pan-European market never really took off due to political barriers and conflicting interests among the partners. A member of the LSE claimed, Firstly, political barriers are immense. National regulatory parties were reluctant to share or give up their powers and well-defined national jurisdictions. Literature confirmed this by saying that countries would prefer not to give up their stock exchanges of established prestige and revenue base.\nSecondly, every stock exchange had its clearing and settlement system, operating in its own jurisdiction even though all the settlements could be done in euro. This implies that any extra delay of settlement would result in an extra cost of financing.\nThirdly, from an economic viewpoint, stock exchanges are investment-intensive businesses in that they require a lot of investments in technology. Economic synergies that can be synthesized from the merger are not guaranteed.\nCosts to LSE\nA broker I interviewed believed that the low offer price resulted because LSE was undervalued. Even if the merger had occurred, LSE would have incurred high transitional costs to link up with Xetra, the proposed German trading system after the merger. As the member of LSE explained that the market size that could be increased by merger per unit effort was very minimal. He also claimed, LSE is so big that it will find it difficult to merge with another stock exchange of comparable market size. LSE accounts for 55% of the equity trading volume in Europe. If it merges with the major active European stock exchanges, LSE can gain at most 9% from Switzerland, 7% from Italy, 5% from Spain and 3% from Sweden. Such a difference is not significant to the LSE.\nArguably, the merged entity might not necessarily streamline the process of listing and flotation, but threaten a quantum leap in regulation and compliance. Academics reckoned that whether a cross-listed company should be subject to the regulatory requirements of either its country of origin or both was not yet resolved. DB proposed any company that planned to list its shares on the LSE would only be required to comply with the German standards. The Financial Services Authority strongly objected to this proposal, requiring trades in any shares in the UK had to be subject to the UK standards regardless of the origin of original stock exchange. As discussed above, the iX merger proposal was officially withdrawn in the wake of concerns over regulatory harmonization and the potential level of operating costs.\n4.2.2 Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited: A Typical Model of Vertical Merger\nReports of securities trading in Hong Kong dated back to the mid -19th century. The first formal market, the Association of Stockbrokers in Hong Kong, was not established until 1891 and it was re-named as the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in 1914. In 1921, a second exchange, the Hong Kong Stockbrokers' Association was incorporated. In 1947, these two exchanges merged to form the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, which aimed to re-establish the stock market after World War II. Rapid growth of the economy of Hong Kong led to the evolution of three other exchanges - the Far East Exchange in 1969; the Kam Ngan Stock Exchange in 1971; and the Kowloon Stock Exchange in 1972.\nIn 1980, HKSE was incorporated to strengthen market regulation and unify the four exchanges. The new exchange commenced trading through a computer-assisted system on 2 April 1986. As of September 2000, the Hong Kong stock market was the 10th largest in the world by capitalization, and the second largest in Asia.\nThe HKFE was established in 1976 to provide efficient and diversified markets for trading futures and options contracts for more than 130 participant organisations, including many that are affiliated to international financial institutions. Derivatives market under HKFE operates futures and options markets on a broad range of products, including equity index, stock, interest rate and foreign exchange. It operates rigorous risk management system, which enables participants and their clients to meet their investment and hedging needs in a liquid and well-regulated market place.\nThe HKSCC was incorporated in 1989. It created The Central Clearing And Settlement\nSystem (CCASS), in 1992 and became the central counterparty for all CCASS participants. Share settlement is on a continuous net settlement basis by electronic book entry to participants' stock accounts in CCASS, following the mechanism of T+2 (the second trading day following the transaction).\nThe merger is examined from HKSE's viewpoint. See Table 6:\nTable 6 - SWOT of HKSE\nStrong presence in Asia.\nAn order-driven market with central limit order books, a trading system which is more suitable to retail investors.\nRecently implemented electronic means for subscription of initial public offerings and allotment of shares.\nShowing marvelous marketing opportunities in the Far East.\nLack of product diversification.\nOnce a big named player in Manchester United is sold sales go down affecting the brand image. For example David Beckham.\nThe Opportunity of new investors investing Manchester United. For example Glazer US billionaire. Could possibly increase brand awareness in America.\nCould increase brand awareness by buying new quality players.\nPossible new competition as other football teams are performing better on the pitch and selling their products abroad.\nDuplicate resources, which were spent on two trading platforms, lowered its competitiveness.\nBefore the March 1999 declaration of the securities and futures market reform by the\nFinancial Secretary of the Hong Kong Government, HKSE, HKFE and HKSCC were responsible for the stock trading, derivatives trading, and settlement and clearing services respectively. Hong Kong, once claimed to be the region's financial flagship, was seriously impaired by the Asian financial crisis of 1997-98. In August 1998, hedge funds attacked the peg of Hong Kong Dollar to the US Dollar and managed to build up huge positions in both the stock and futures markets. This went unnoticed by the regulators and government officials because HKSE and HKFE were independent of each other. They were self-regulating companies that rarely exchanged information and data on transactions. While the government was attempting to cover the short positions in the stock market intervention, it realised that inconsistencies were found in the settlement policies. Shares traded on HKSE were settled by T+2 (the second day following the trading day) whereas HKFE required the settlement of derivatives on a T+3 basis (the third day following the trading day). Such incompatibility ended in extra costs of financing.\nIn addition to aligning policies of both, the following summarises other drivers of the merger:\nAcquisition of liquidity pool\nRegulators, brokerage firms and literature strongly believed that a liquid exchange could attract high quality companies. This agrees with positive network externalities in that more quality firms attract more intermediaries because more orders will be consolidated for execution.\nCommercially driven business\nThe government's aim, as explained by a HKEx member, was to resolve the structures of fragmented markets traditionally run as cozy brokers' clubs, but towards merged national markets managed by shareholder-owned companies.\nElimination of inconsistency in product development\nA conflict arose between HKSE and HKFE in the development of new products. For instance, warrants, which are normally traded on futures exchange, are products of HKSE because they are highly correlated with the underlying shares. HKSE and HKFE are basically not rival markets since the only difference is the product. The product is divided artificially but the operating system is identical.\nEconomies of scale\nThe government aims to achieve economies of scale on research and development and eliminate duplicated investment costs spent on computer and trading systems. This is important if Hong Kong has to strengthen its position as an international capital formation centre for Mainland China.\nii) Merger Strategies\nThe government mainly drove the merger. This vertical merger aims to combine the exchanges and share their resources to achieve common objectives:\nEliminate inconsistencies in the application of policies in settlement and better coordination of product development.\nMinimize duplicate use of resources in serving overlapping markets.\nConsolidate market power to become the Asian time-zone pillar in the global securities and futures markets; and\nBecome the preferred Asian partner for major exchanges seeking to build global alliances.\nUnder the reform, HKSE, HKFE demutualized and together with HKSCC and two other clearing houses, merged to form HKEx. The merger was completed on 6 March 2000 and\nHKEx listed its shares by introduction on the stock exchange on 27 June 2000.\nInitially, market reforms were slow because local brokers (those comprising a few hundred clients form the majority of brokerage firms in Hong Kong) were severely damaged by the 1997 stock market crash due to unrecoverable margin financing borrowings. They resisted to any change, which might further endanger their business.\nIn addition, merging two trading systems was the hardest given its labor-intensive nature and huge capital involved in implementing user acceptance testing and rollout activities.\n4.3 Implications and Discussion\ni) Strategic Choice\nBoth cases imply that merger is a clear strategic choice to achieve the above objectives. While the process of strategic analysis is rather generic, country or regions specific factors are the key determinants of strategic choice.\nFor example, rivalry among Europe's stock exchanges emphasizes more on cooperation of trading technology than anything else. In Asia, the concept of forming a full financial service group within each market is the main consideration.\nExchanges have recognized that faced with the challenge to respond commercially to competitors, they needed to become traded companies themselves. DB was now listed and traded. London has previously demutualised and went public in July 2001. HKEx subsumed HKSE, HKFE and clearing-houses and went public in June 2000. All interviewees come to a consensus that fewer operations of clearing and settlement systems shall prevail in three to five years, but not necessarily fewer trading systems.\nii) Barriers to Consolidate\nThe analysis provided some national and regional aspects of consolidation, but the concept of consolidation does not seem to extend globally because:\n1. Technology has enabled intermediaries to service investors at much lower cost without being constrained by national boundaries.\n2. Regulators emphasized that every stock exchange caters for the needs of different markets, it will be costly to reconcile various interests of different market user groups.\nIn particular, cross-border merger requires reconciliation of regulation under different jurisdictions.\n3. The main cost of transaction attributes to the delay in settlement because the cost of capital can be huge. Transaction levy does not matter significantly because investors will be able to trade at more competitive prices after the deregulation of commission.\nSeeing a potential opportunity, exchanges are building infrastructure links to facilitate mergers or alliances at the back end.\n4. A stock exchange is a national asset. Political parties will not compromise to give up its dominant position in a merger or share a set of rules and regulation of different jurisdictions.\niii) Merger Patterns\nLSE and HKSE have responded to increasing competition by implementing strategies of horizontal merger and vertical merger respectively. Europe was in a phase of intense competition between two models of convergence. The developing formation of a pan-European marketplace with a common currency has convinced many market participants that nationally organized financial markets were outdated and not competitive. The European Securities Forum is promoting the model of horizontal merger. In this model, national exchanges are replaced by a more open architecture along three functional levels - trading, clearing and settlement, and custody. In this way, each market participant can gain remote access to a range of pan-European services through a single point of entry.\nThe underlying assumption is that, in the long run, only the most efficient exchanges should survive, trading stocks from other European countries and offering the most innovative and competitive financial instruments. Another model is one of vertical merger where exchanges, clearing companies and the depository within one country merge. This approach generally appeals to traditional exchanges. They desire to form a full financial services group because they realize that trading alone does not generate sufficient revenue to compete with other cheaper Internet-based alternative trading systems. Moreover, exchanges and clearing houses are no longer the only market where buyers and sellers trade or clear transactions.\nUnlike in Europe, there has not been any consolidation across borders in Asia primarily due to the lack of facilitators such as a common currency. Furthermore, the argument that a merger will significantly attract liquidity is not very persuasive given the relatively thin trading volume in most of the Asian countries.\nThe above uncertainties or obstacles have not deterred HKEx or LSE from meeting the demands and challenges. They are more conscious than ever to implement their strategies in various aspects. Appendix 3 highlights these strategies.\nThe research has revealed a very dynamic and rapidly evolving industry of stock exchanges. Competition among stock exchanges is a new phenomenon since only recently have they become more like firms than legal, public or private, monopolies. Competition takes the form of ECNs, established exchanges and new exchanges in pursuit for the same goal: to attract liquidity. The findings have several implications.\nFirstly, exchanges shape the globalization of capital markets through technology links and partnerships. Stock exchanges intend to grow their existing businesses and extend the reach and scale of its operations through business development initiatives and mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures and alliances where appropriate. Among these, a merger is considered the most feasible strategic option for stock exchanges. It is not only the quickest means of entry into a new market, but also confers a strategic advantage when 'time to market' is important. The merger can realize any anticipated synergy when two value chains are reconfigured to create or improve the competitive advantages for the merged entity. The reconfiguration process may involve change of one or both of the value chains, most notably in the change of the organizational structures and new management assignments.\nSecondly, different value creation objective drives different types of mergers. Following its strategic situation and strategic choice analyses, a stock exchange should be able to specify a target exchange, which will help achieve its strategic objectives and create value. HKSE utilized the vertical merger to significantly minimize the infrastructure costs of both exchanges and share use of resources. LSE attempted to use a horizontal merger to extend geographically, with facilitation by a single passport in Europe and a common currency.\nHowever, a further consolidation seems beneficial, as stock exchanges can capture economies of scale, heighten liquidity in the markets and attract further investors.\nBut in the current economic climate, a vertical integration following the focus of investors on their domestic markets appears to be a well functioning strategy. Once a stable economic outlook can be established, merger talks will soon be commenced.\nThe end game could include one global stock exchange for blue chips with specialized markets for other segments on national level. But first, Europe has a long way to go in providing the necessary harmonization of rules and regulations.\nThirdly, all the opinions I have collected form an interesting consensus, most notably in their disagreement with the literature on the future of the consolidation of stock exchanges. In particular, there is a common understanding that more technological agreements and strategic cooperation of the clearing and settlement systems will prevail. An exchange of strong market power will never look for agreements with one of lower market power. This agrees with regulator's argument that LSE prefers incompatibility because on one hand, LSE has already possessed a large network to create its own liquidity and therefore it is reluctant to give up its dominant position to other exchanges in a merger.\nSince consolidation amongst institutional investors and investment banks has generated greater demand for transnational access to exchange facilities, it should be deduced that consolidation amongst exchanges would follow. However, political considerations prohibit the compromise to form a single set of regulatory standards. A cost cut at the front end - transaction levy - is unlikely especially after the deregulation of brokerage commissions. Therefore, consolidation is expected to continue in the form of cooperation among the clearing and settlement providers and strategic alliances in technological developments, as exchanges seek to realize economies of scale.\nFourthly, the growth of ECN's has been a largely US phenomenon. European and most Asian exchanges argue that the US exchanges, particularly Nasdaq, have not developed central limit order books, which concentrate liquidity and thereby minimize execution costs. These exchanges in switching to electronic trading in recent years have built order auto-matching mechanisms and have thereby declined incoming ECNs. Moreover, these established exchanges have already controlled largest pool of liquidity. Competing only on price is insufficient for ECNs' survivals, especially after deregulation of brokerage commissions.\nFinally, from an investor perspective, an ECN's functionality does not differ from an order-driven trading system. These crossing networks are though the cheaper way, from a broader perspective of capital market efficiency, they pose certain risks. Liquidity declines if intermediaries switch their trading from exchanges to ECNs. A decreasing proportion of the overall market will affect a growing proportion of securities transactions by value. It is inevitable that, if the prices determining trades become fewer, smaller trades result; liquidity will decline and prices will become increasingly erratic. As a result, the cost of equity capital and risk will rise.\nThis dissertation raised many issues where answers were not obvious and more instrumental judgment would be required. These areas, amongst other things, will require further understanding and may be left as deeper research subjects:\nThe reasons for the existence of two different mechanisms, order-driven and quote-driven, whether one can supersede the other, and if so under what circumstances.\nThe costs and benefits of consolidation at the clearing and settlement levels.\nThe probability of forming cooperative arrangements or strategic alliances with ECN's.\nInterviewees and Questions\nInterviewees:\n1. Paresh Jansari Broker Brewin Dolphin Securities Ltd\n2. Eben Allen Business Development Brewin Dolphin securities Ltd\n3. Hubert Matheison Business Development UBS Warburg\n4. Janie Greenson Corporate Strategy London Stock Exchange\n5. Lee Fok Business Development Hong Kong Stock Exchange\nDo you think rivalry exists among stock exchanges exist, if yes what factors do they compete on?\nWhat do you think are the major reasons leading to competition between stock exchanges and why?\nWhat are the effects of this intensified competition\nStock exchanges are receiving competition from ECN's, are they a popular alternative?\nAre the barriers of entry high or low for competition such as ECN's to enter the stock exchange market?\nDo you think the bargaining power of buyers, in this case, investors, high?\nIs the bargaining power of supplier, listed companies, high? & what type of exchange do they prefer to be listed on?\nWhat are the possible advantages and disadvantages of stock exchanges merging?\nWhat will be the future of stock exchanges? Is consolidation the next step?\nInterview Key Points\nStock Exchanges\nInvestment Banks/Brokerage Firms\nRecently, there has been a change from a member-owned structure into a stock company by way of demutualisation\nMore technological agreements or strategic cooperation will be seen among stock exchanges.\nIn theory, one supranational stock exchange should be formed to provide one-stop shop services.\nIn reality, political barriers are immense, differences in legislation persist, and national boundaries remain high.\nConsolidation of stock exchanges in the globe is difficult\nIt may not be as cost effective as anticipated if stock exchanges merge to a single entity.\nTechnological innovation has made it possible for faster and cheaper delivery of services.\nMany companies, formerly state-owned, were privatized to become standard corporations; thus, increasing the demand for equity issuance and greater need for the more sophisticated marketplaces for equities.\nConsolidation, both regional and international, is more likely to occur at the back end, the clearing and settlement systems.\nGlobalisation of financial markets is the major driver for change in stock exchanges.\nCompetitive pressures force stock exchanges to respond, to keep transaction cost low, to provide better services and to attract liquidity.\nDifferences in trading and clearing and settlement systems persist.\nA global monopoly that comprises all exchanges in the world is unlikely to occur.\nIntegration Strategies\nMerger within the domestic boundary brings about synergies in human resources and operational efficiency.\nNo significant disadvantages arise from mergers.\n24-houring does not necessarily consolidate liquidity, but rather liquidity is spread throughout the entire trading period\nMajor benefits attribute to a wider customer base and the sharing of IT technology.\nDisadvantages mainly involve the practicality to align both regulatory standards.\nTechnological advances enhance more efficient communication and international cooperation\nAdvantages of mergers include synergies and lower cost of transactions.\nDisadvantages are mainly cultural constraints, and different levels of compliance and disclosure requirements.\nRivalry Among\nExisting Stock\nThere is no intense competition in Asia.\nNo political parties want to give up or at least compromise the sharing of their national assets.\nMore strategic partnerships in technology should be formed, but do not necessarily lead to consolidation of stock exchanges.\nThere is no substantial competition among stock exchanges within the domestic border.\nStock exchanges compete on the market size and turnover.\nThey also compete on the market quality and efficiency, and reputation.\nStock exchanges compete in technological innovations.\nCompetition from\nAn ECN business model resembles that of an order-driven market.\nDifferent exchanges cater for the needs of different markets.\nECNs lack the credibility to safeguard price-sensitive information.\nAn ECN will never be able to offer price transparency as an exchange normally does.\nECNs are still at an underdevelopment stage\nECNs lack personalized services.\nDue to geographical proximity, to locate a broker is not difficult. Therefore, ECNs are not popular at all in Asia.\nECNs are not user-friendly to investors.\nThere is space for developing a niche market, however, ECNs will not be able to replace stock exchanges in terms of consolidation of liquidity and price transparency.\nECN can enter the market easily.\nThough competing on low cost, liquidity is not centralised but rather fragmented among several ECNs in an order-driven market.\nBarrier to entry is low.\nECNs operate no more efficient than an exchange's trading system.\nECNs are active in the quote-driven markets but the concept is untested in an order-driven market.\nBargaining Power of\nBuyers (Investors)\nIndividual investors remain major users of domestic markets.\nInvestors tend to trade on an exchange, which can offer the highest liquidity.\nInvestors choose the stock they want to invest and the brokers, they do not choose the trading systems.\nThe differences of trading between an ECN and a stock exchange are normally not distinguishable among investors.\nThe choice of a stock and a broker is the first priority.\nSuppliers (Listed\nCompanies)\nCompanies to be listed first prefer the its domestic exchange to be the listing stock exchange.\nCompanies that want to be listed prefer a stock exchange that offers the maximum exposure and the greatest investor protection.\nCompanies first choose their domestic markets because their customers, suppliers, analysts as well as investors better understand them.\nFuture Strategies of London Stock Exchange and the Honk Kong Stock Exchange\nHong Kong Stock Exchange\nMarket Operation\nContinue to develop electronic means for subscription and allotment of shares\nEstablish electronic means to replace traditional hard copies of annual reports and documents.\nBuild infrastructure links to facilitate retail cross-border trading.\nContinue to pursue opportunities to attract new domestic and overseas investors and issuers to the markets in order to deepen pools of liquidity.\nIntroduce a new settlement network to the retail community.\nSeek to promote open and more competitive markets in the UK and Europe.\nMarket Regulation\nReconcile the interests of different market user groups: wholesale, retail and professional.\nFurther enhance liquidity and improve the quality of price information.\nContinue to improve the provision of reliable, real-time information services.\nContinue to promote regulation and good corporate governance practices.\nBelieve they have much to gain from a stronger enforcement of competition rules.\nContinue to promote retail participation.\nIncrease investor education regarding investment decisions.\nMade some modifications that will enhance corporate governance e.g. charging investors a premium for the security of issuers.\nWork to remove stamp duty on UK equity transactions, as stamp duty on share transactions remains one of the major barriers to more efficient share trading and to greater investment by UK companies\nContinue to improve investor protection.\nContinue to build global alliances with major equity and derivatives exchanges.\nAim to become a leading full financial service market in Asia.\nSeek to become the Asian time -zone pillar in the global securities and futures markets.\nTo enhance competitiveness, they have extended trading hours.\nCommission rates are now in place, with brokers and clients negotiating freely, as they believe its in the best interest of investing public and the Hong Kong market.\nAdmit new products to trading, such as Exchange Traded Funds, covered warrants and other non-equity products.\nExpand the number and geographical diversity of its customers.\nCompetition among providers would help create more choice both for investors to diversify portfolios and for European companies over where they list, cutting their cost of capital substantively in the process.\nPursue mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures and alliances.\n/Technological Development\nIntroduce Multi-workstation System and Broker Supplied Systems at broker offices.\nIntroduce new order types: Enhanced Limit Orders (ELOs) and Special Limit Orders (SLOs).\nRevision of trading parameters:\n1.Change of price spreads from 4 to 8 to match with ELOs and SLOs.\n2.Enlarge board size from 400 to 600.\n3.Increase number of outstanding orders per broker from 800 to 2,000.\nEnhance Order Routing System and channels for investor access.\nConsidering mutually beneficial business cooperation with other exchanges.\nContinue to support a range of trading mechanisms on an efficient and flexible technology platform.\nUtilize the LSE network to provide connectivity between market participants, for example, to provide a CREST network to allow member firms to access to both LSE's markets and CREST via a single link to the LSE network.\nUsing their extensive database of financial market information, they are developing a suite of new data products within a Corporate Data Warehouse, and aim to become the definitive global numbering standard with our new SEDOL products\nSource: Annual Reports 2003, Hong Kong Stock Exchange and London stock Exchange.\n7. Bibliography and References\n1) Amit, R. & Zott, C. (2000), 'Value-drivers of e-commerce business models', Wharton School working paper, University of Pennsylvania.\n2) Arnold, T & Hersh, P (1999), 'Merging Markets', The Journal of Finance, Vol. Liv, No.3, June\n3) Baker, G. (2000) 'Is this the end for stock exchanges and brokers?' Global Investor, Feb (129): 39-41.\n4) Balakrishnan, A., Kumara, S. R. T. and S. Sundaresan (1999). 'Manufacturing in the digital age: Exploiting information technologies for product realization', Information Systems Frontier, 1: 25-50.\n5) Berman, H (1971) 'The Stock Exchange' Pitman Publishing, London\n6) Bernstel, J.B. (2001) 'Learning from online brokerage firms', Bank Marketing, 23(1): 18-23.\n7) Brewis, J. (2000) 'Deutsche Börse finds its way', Corporate Finance, Euromoney Institutional Investor PLC., May 2000.\n8) Bristor, R.J. (1975) 'The stock exchange and investment analysis', 3rd Edition George Allen & Unwin Ltd, Edinburgh.\n9) Butler R. (2001) 'The illusion of choice' Global Investor, London, Jun 2001.\n10) Castells, M. (1996) 'The Information Age: Economy, Society and Culture', Vol 1 The Rise of the Network Society. Oxford: Blackwell Publishers Ltd.\n11) Chapman, Colin (1986) 'How the new stock exchange works', P24-26 Century Hutchinson Ltd, London\n12) Chapman, Colin (1999) 'How the stock markets work', 7th Edition Century Ltd, London.\n13) Claessens, S, Klingebiel, D & Schmukler, S (2003) 'The Future of Stock Exchanges in Emerging Economies: Evolution and Prospects' Financial Institutions Centre, University of Pennsylvania.\n14) Christensen, C.M. (1997) 'How can great firms fail?', The innovator's dilemma. Boston, Mass.: Harvard Business School Press.\n16) Cope, M. (2000) 'The Seven Cs of Consulting', London: Prentice Hall.\n17) Cruickshank, D (2000) 'Capital Market efficiency' London Stock Exchange, Securities Institute\n18) DiCarlo, Lisa (2003) 'British, German Stock Exchanges Face Merger Snags' BBC Report\n19) Di Noia, Carmine (1998) 'Competition and Integration among Stock Exchanges in Europe: Network Effects, Implicit Mergers & Remote Access' The Wharton school, University of Pennsylvania\n20) Domowitz I., (1995), 'Electronic Derivatives Exchanges: Implicit Mergers, Network Externalities and Standardization', Quarterly Review of Economics and Finance: 163.\n21) Doyle, P. (1998) 'Marketing Management and Strategy', London: Prentice Hall.\n22) Dunning, J. (1992) 'The Globalisation of Business', Routledge Ltd, London.\n23) Dutta, S. and A. Segev (1999). 'Business transformation on the Internet', European Management Journal, 17: 466-76.\n24) Evans, P. B. and T. S. Wurster (1999). 'Blown to Bits: How the New Economics of Information Transforms Strategy'. Boston: Harvard Business School Press.\n25) Fisher, I (2001), 'Structural changes for Stock Exchanges- background and trends' Economic Briefing 26, Credit Suisse\n26) Geradine, P. (2000) 'The FSA as U.K. Listing Authority', Journal of International Financial Markets, 2 (5): 162-169.\n27) Grant, R.M. (1998) 'Contemporary strategy analysis: concepts, techniques, application', 3rd edition. Blackwell, Oxford\n28) Green, J (2001) 'The back-to-front battle for exchange consolidation', Issue 21, October, Global Investor\n29) Haggin, L. (2000), 'The best online brokers of 2000', Money, 29 (6): 146-154.\n30) Hansmann, H.B. (1980) 'The Role of Nonprofit Enterprise', Yale Law Journal, 89: 835-98.\n31) Hart, C. (1998), 'Doing a Literature Review', London: SAGE Publications Ltd.\n32) Hasan, I &Schmiedal (2002), 'Do networks in the stock exchange industry pay off? European evidence' Hamburg Institute of Finance\n33) Heath, J. (1997) 'Teaching and Writing Case Studies A Practical Guide', Bedford: The European Case Clearing House.\n34) Held, D. (1991) 'Democracy, the nation-state and the global system', Economy and society, 20: 138-72.\n35) Holland, S. (1987) 'The Global Economy'. London, Weidenfeld & Nicolson.\n36) Howells P. and Bain K. (1990) 'The regulation of financial markets', 3rd Edition, Financial Markets and Institutions. Essex: Pearson Education Ltd.\n37) Hull, J.C. (1998) 'Options, Futures and Other Derivative Securities', 4th Edition London: Prentice-Hall International.\n38) Jamieson B. (2000) 'An unfair exchange', Institute of Director, 53(11).\n39) Jones, R. (2000) 'iX marks the spot as German firms map out their future', International Financial Law Review, 19: 9.\n40) Jorion, P. (2001), 'Integrated Risk Managemen, Value at risk', 2nd Edition, NewYork: McGraw-Hill.\n41) Lee, R. (1998) 'What is an exchange?' Oxford: Oxford University Press\n42) Lee, R (2000) 'London should sell at the highest price' Euromoney, Jun 2000.\n43) Maylor, H. (1996) 'Project Management', London: Pitman.\n44) McAndrews & Stefandis (2002) 'The Consolidation of European Stock Exchanges' Volume 8 Number 6, Current Issues in Economics and Finance.\n45) Myers, S.C. and Brealey, R.A. (2000), 'Principles of Corporate Finance', 6th Edition, London: McGraw Hill.\n46) Morgan, V & Thomas, W (1985) 'The Stock Exchange - Its History and Functions', Elek Books Ltd, London\n47) Mulherin H., Netter J. and Overdahl J., (1991), 'Prices are Property: The Organization of Financial Exchanges from a Transaction Cost Perspective,' Journal of Law & Economics, p. 591.\n48) Pawley, M, Winstone, D & Bentley, P (1991) 'UK Financial Institutions and Markets' Macmillan Education Ltd, London.\n49) Porter, M.E. (1998) 'Clusters and the new economics of competition' Harvard Business Review, 76(6): 77-90.\n50) Porter M. E. (2001) 'Strategy and the Internet', Harvard Business Review, 79 (3): 63-78.\n51) Remenyi, D., and Williams, B., Money, A., and Swartz, E. (1998) 'Doing Research and Business and Management: An Introduction to Process and Method', London: sage. In Saunders, M., Lewis, P. and Thornhill, A. (2000), 2nd Edition, Research Methods for Business students, Edinburgh: Pearson Education Ltd.\n52) Robertson, R. (1992) 'Globalisation. Social Theory and Global Culture'. London: London Sage.\n53) Saunders, M., Lewis, P. and Thornhill, A. (2000), 'Research Methods for Business students', 2nd Edition, Edinburgh: Pearson Education Ltd.\n54) Schöne, S (2003) 'Pan Europen Stock Exchanges: Latest Developments and Pros & Cons'. University of St. Gallen - Graduate School of Business, Economics, Law and Social Sciences.\n55) Shapiro, C. & Varian, H. (1999) 'Ch.7: Networks and positive feedback', Information rules: a strategic guide to the network economy. Boston, Mass.: Harvard Business School Press.\n56) Shy, Oz (2002), 'Stock Exchange Alliances, Access Fees and Competition' University of Haifa and Bank of Finland, for Seminar for Bank of Finland.\n57) Silverman D., (1997) 'Qualitative Research Theory, Method and Practice' London: Sage Publications.\n58) Steil, B. (1996b) 'Ch. 4: The ISD and the Regulation of European Market Structure' Equity Trading IV.\n59) Sudarsanam P.S. (1995) 'The Essence of Mergers and Acquisitions'. Hertfordshire: Prentice Hall Europe.\n60) Teece, D.J. (1986), 'Transactions Cost Economics and the Multinational Enterprise: An Assessment' Journal of Economic Behaviour and Organisation, 7: 21-45.\n61) Tunick, B. 'E-brokerage's Holy Grail Nears: Key player lobbies to have cornerstone of the privates market revamped', The Investment Dealers' Digest: IDD, New York, Jun 18, 2001.\n62) Weiss, David (1990) 'Traders: the jobs, the products, and the markets' New York Institute of Finance\n63) Williamson, O. (1979) 'Transaction-cost economics: the governance of contractual relations' Journal of Law and Economics, 22: 233-261.\n64) Zwick S. (2001) 'The changing face of Europe, Futures' Cedar Falls, Jun 2001.\nBusiness Bliss Consultants FZE. (November 2018). Competition and Integration Strategies of Stock Exchanges. Retrieved from https://ukdiss.com/examples/competition-stock-exchange.php?vref=1\n\"Competition and Integration Strategies of Stock Exchanges.\" ukdiss.com. 11 2018. Business Bliss Consultants FZE. 01 2023 <https://ukdiss.com/examples/competition-stock-exchange.php?vref=1>.\n\"Competition and Integration Strategies of Stock Exchanges.\" Business Bliss Consultants FZE. ukdiss.com, November 2018. Web. 26 January 2023. <https://ukdiss.com/examples/competition-stock-exchange.php?vref=1>.\nBusiness Bliss Consultants FZE. November 2018. Competition and Integration Strategies of Stock Exchanges. [online]. Available from: https://ukdiss.com/examples/competition-stock-exchange.php?vref=1 [Accessed 26 January 2023].\nBusiness Bliss Consultants FZE. Competition and Integration Strategies of Stock Exchanges [Internet]. November 2018. [Accessed 26 January 2023]; Available from: https://ukdiss.com/examples/competition-stock-exchange.php?vref=1.\n{{cite web|last=Answers |first=All |url=https://ukdiss.com/examples/competition-stock-exchange.php?vref=1 |title=Competition and Integration Strategies of Stock Exchanges |publisher=ukdiss.com |date=November 2018 |accessdate=26 January 2023 |location=Nottingham, UK}}\nBusiness Bliss Consultants FZE, 'Competition and Integration Strategies of Stock Exchanges' (ukdiss.com, January 2023) <https://ukdiss.com/examples/competition-stock-exchange.php?vref=1> accessed 26 January 2023\nTopics and Titles Writing Service\nContent relating to: \"Finance\"\nFinance is a field of study involving matters of the management, and creation, of money and investments including the dynamics of assets and liabilities, under conditions of uncertainty and risk.\nAnalysis of Board of Directors and Risk Propensity\nBanks are all similarly confronted with particular regulations and inspections of banking supervisions. Within this topic, the board of directors plays an important role....\nStudy on the Determinants of Corporate Borrowing\nCHAPTER 1: The determinants of corporate borrowing was an empirical research, hence a terrific amount of prior researches focused on exploring the determinants of corporate borrowing, since 1960s. Cor...\nBenefits of Financial Liberalisation\nA EUROPEAN POLICY ABSTRACT: This paper extends to test if the short and in the long run. Weak indica- the same short-run increase in cyclical tions are found that this may happen par- volatility arisi...\nIf you are the original writer of this dissertation and no longer wish to have your work published on the UKDiss.com website then please:\nRequest the removal of this dissertation","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line134624"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8998388051986694,"wiki_prob":0.8998388051986694,"text":"New scholarship honors dean and mentor Alverna Burdick\nDean E. Alverna Burdick\nFrom 1926 until 1958, students who needed a sympathetic ear - and some common-sense advice - knew just where to turn: to Dean E. Alverna Burdick. An alumna who attended Connecticut College on scholarship during World War II is so grateful, she has established a scholarship in Burdick's name. \"I would not have made it through college without Dean Burdick,\" said the alumna, whose gift is anonymous. \"I must have been in her office once a week. She was a saint. She was all warmth and personality.\"\nThe alumna, an immigrant from Europe, has asked that the scholarship be designated for a first-generation college student. It was awarded for the first time this fall, to an entering freshman from rural New England. Burdick, who taught in the physical education department, became dean of students in 1931 and held the position 27 years. The door to her office on the second floor of Fanning Hall was always open, and students didn't hesitate to visit. Burdick expected the best in effort and character from every student. She had an easy manner and a sense of humor that often drew on her roots in rural Greenfield, Penn. - a town that is \"more of a condition than a place,\" she joked. She credited her father for her good nature and common sense.\nBurdick was an enthusiastic supporter of the students, whether they were putting on a play, competing on an athletic field or reaching to find an answer to a difficult question in class. She made sure that students who needed spending money had it, and that those who couldn't get home on vacations had a place to stay. In 1958 she retired to return to home and run the family farm, including a grocery store and gas station. The students in East House voted that year to change the name of their residence to E. Alverna Burdick House.\nThe alumna who created the scholarship said she always wanted to honor Burdick, who died in 1970. \"I'm in a position to do for others what she enabled me to do. She helped me to deal with an unfamiliar environment. I'm happy to give other young people a chance to come to a place like Connecticut College,\" she said. \"It made it possible for the American Dream to come true for me.\" This year's scholarship recipient will get a top-quality liberal arts education, the alumna said. \"It will make a very big difference in her life,\" she said. \"All she needs is a leg up.\"\nFor more information about supporting scholarships, visit http://campaign.conncoll.edu.\nThe Boston Billionaire\nFall Weekend 2022","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line56536"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5326389074325562,"wiki_prob":0.5326389074325562,"text":"For the Birds Radio Program: Brambling Rose\nA strange bird from Europe turned up in East Grand Forks this winter. (4:04) Date verified\n(Recording of a House Sparrow)\nLast weekend I headed out with a couple of friends all the way across Minnesota to East Grand Forks, where a Brambling has been visiting a feeder every day since December 26.\nThe Brambling is a striking House Sparrow-sized finch. It has a bold white rump and abdomen, white wingbars, and bright pinkish-orange breast, upper wing coverts, and sides. It takes its name from the brambles in its native home in northern Eurasia, though it is actually more commonly found in birch stands and mixed evergreen forests. It’s the most abundant species on the highlands of Norway and Sweden—sort of the Ole or Lena of the bird world. As with a few other northern Eurasian species, it’s also an uncommon migrant in the Aleutian and Pribilof Islands.\nThe first Brambling ever recorded in North America was a male shot at a watch house on the Pribilofs on October 25, 1914, and it’s been found regularly in Alaska since then. Unlike other Eurasian species, an occasional Brambling also mysteriously turns up here and there throughout the rest of North America. The first one found in the lower 48 states was shot at a feeding station in Stanton, New Jersey in December, 1958–that bird is now lying in state in the Princeton Museum, its tail feathers missing. Four Bramblings turned up at feeders in New Jersey, Massachusetts, and New York between 1961 and 1965. And one spent the winter of 1967-68 eating sunflower seeds with a pack of House Finches in Portland, Oregon.\nThe first Minnesota record of a Brambling was of an individual that visited a feeder in Owatonna from January until March of 1984. That same winter Bramblings were recorded in California, Utah, Colorado, Ontario, Nova Scotia, Manitoba, and British Columbia.\nThis year’s Brambling turned up at Angie Schneider’s East Grand Forks feeder during a blizzard the day after Christmas. Angie isn’t what you’d call a bird watcher—she just likes to feed the birds, and since she gets a few chickadees in with her abundant House Sparrows, she figures it’s worth while.\nWhen the Brambling arrived, she knew it was different from the sparrows, but didn’t have the foggiest idea what it was until she called a local newspaper columnist. Poor Angie didn’t know what she was in for. Since word got out, birders from all over Minnesota, as well as Wisconsin, North and South Dakota, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, and Ohio, have been flocking to her house. The bird is hidden from view at all angles except from her kitchen window, but she has kindly opened her home to every stranger who calls and arranges to come between eight in the morning and noon. One obnoxious Twin Cities birder almost ruined it for everyone who followed, making rude demands of her and even scolding her three-year-old grandson. But by the time he came, she had fortunately learned that most birders are pleasant people.\nWhen we arrived at 8:15 last Saturday, there were already four other birders from Rochester and the cities gathered around her kitchen table, and another soon joined us. Little Lena, or Brambling Rose, flitted in for a few brief appearances, but is clearly more at ease when only Angie is around—it must have heard about the Princeton Museum. We filled the time between the bird’s visits chatting. Angie’s been having a hectic season, to say the least, but she also has an abundance of stories, letters, photos, and clippings to remember the bizarre winter when a little lost bird blew in on a storm.\nOf the two hundred and forty million people living in the United States, that stranded Siberian bird turned to Angie Schneider when it needed help on its North American adventure. If you ask me, it made the right decision.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1306967"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.622086763381958,"wiki_prob":0.377913236618042,"text":"Nonprofits Battle COVID-19 On The Front Lines\n3:03pm March 27, 2020\nby David Ford\nCoronavirusNC\ncity with dwellings\nservice industry workers\nPictured from left to right: Third-year Wake Forest University medical student Joe Humphries, nurse practitioner and City with Dwellings volunteer Sandy Yamane, volunteer nursing student Paige Carmack, and WFU med student Zach German prepare to greet clients. Photo courtesy of Executive Director Tracy Mohr.\nAs the pandemic continues to disrupt our lives here in the Triad, local nonprofits entrusted to help society's most vulnerable are themselves struggling to provide services in compliance with COVID-19 protocols and restrictions. In response, the City of Winston-Salem, United Way, and other agencies set up a $1-million-dollar fund to support these community-based organizations as they manage the flood of new requests for food, clothing, housing, and medical care.\nOn March 18, at an outdoor press conference in downtown Winston-Salem, Mayor Allen Joines, visibly emotional, assessed harsh realities on the ground.\n“We all have been approached by individuals who've lost their jobs or who have seen their jobs diminish,” said Joines. “With store closings, restaurant closings, we know many people are out of work. And people have approached me and asked, ‘What can we do to help?'\"\nNext, he announced the creation of a locally controlled COVID-19 Response Fund for Forsyth County: a million dollars to be matched by the community and made available to help citizens get through this difficult time. Within days of the mayor's announcement, the goal was met and exceeded, with much of the money earmarked for individuals experiencing homelessness, service industry workers, and residents without health care coverage like Keith Polk.\nHe says, “I had a stroke two years ago, and while I was there it was like, ‘Hey, dude, did you know you've got diabetes?' And I didn't. So, it's been a long road and I don't have insurance.”\nPolk is a shop foreman for a commercial fire protection company, but he's reliant on the local nonprofit Shalom Project to meet his costly prescription needs.\n“I'm on six medications a day,” says Polk. “Three of them are for blood pressure. One of them is for cholesterol. And quite frankly — the Shalom Project — they saved my life one month at a time.”\nIn the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, many of the nonprofits providing assistance are themselves struggling. The COVID-19 Response Fund will be used in part to support their ongoing efforts.\nCity with Dwellings in downtown Winston-Salem. Photo courtesy of Executive Director Tracy Mohr.\nLea Thullbery is an outreach coordinator for City with Dwellings. The organization identifies the needs of people living with mental illness, experiencing homelessness, or substance use disorder, finds local solutions, and offers something equally as important.\n“Instead of just handing someone a piece of paper and it says, 'Here's the address, go for it,' we make sure that all of that information is updated, make sure the person can get there,” says Thullbery. “We make sure that if they need help or if they need a walk alongside person we can do that for them.”\nDuring the current coronavirus pandemic, as larger local relief agencies like the United Way have been on lockdown — employees forced to work from home — Thullbery and her tiny staff of mostly volunteers have partnered to fill the void — on the ground, relaying messages to and from clients without phones, and providing transportation.\nBut those services may not be available for much longer. As healthcare systems around the country have become overloaded, nursing home patients in other parts of the state are arriving at hospitals in Winston-Salem, and eventually on the streets. Thullbery says it's extremely time-consuming work.\n“None of their services are here,” says Thullbery. “Their food stamps aren't here. Their SSI ... nothing's here. Of course, you can't go to the Social Security office to try to transfer. So, we're in a stuck place right now.”\nCity with Dwellings partners with other agencies to house the city's most vulnerable people in overflow shelters like this one. Photo courtesy of CwD.\nTo help, City with Dwellings has put up large tents in the parking lot — gridded off into six-foot squares. There the homeless are greeted out front by a nurse practitioner and small group of third-year medical students who offer information about the virus, explain social distancing, proper hygiene, answer questions and make physical assessments.\nThanks to private donations there are now mobile and wheelchair accessible showers, a washer and dryer, and overflow shelters have welcomed the new arrivals. The number of people in North Carolina diagnosed with coronavirus continues to grow and the worst is yet to come. But with continued community support, Thullbery says they're here for the long haul.\nFor the most up-to-date information on coronavirus in North Carolina, visit our Live Updates blog here.\nEDITOR'S NOTE: This transcript has been lightly edited for clarity.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line402400"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5921540856361389,"wiki_prob":0.5921540856361389,"text":"Luke calls on MoJ to invest properly in Dartmoor prison\nToday Luke urged the Justice Secretary, Dominic Raab, to tackle the dilapidated facilities and crisis of understaffing at Dartmoor prison with proper investment.\nLast December, the independent prison watchdog warned that the quality of provision in the facility has been “compromised by a lack of investment,” placing an unnecessary burden on staff and undermining their ability to deal with problems such as phone smuggling.\nThe watchdog also revealed that some prisoners have been kept in their cells for up to 23 hours a day, raising serious concerns over their mental and physical health.\nSpeaking in Parliament, Luke asked the Minister to set out what plans he has to invest in the prison. In December last year, the government u-turned on its previous plan to close the prison by 2023, and Luke pointed out that the government now needs to outline a proper investment strategy for the facility.\n“Now that the Secretary of State has dropped his plans to close Dartmoor prison, he needs to invest properly in it. At present, the dilapidated facilities are compromising the safety, security and health of both prisoners and prison staff.”\nIn his response, the Minister said he would write to Luke to discuss the issues facing Dartmoor prison.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line333137"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9916427731513977,"wiki_prob":0.9916427731513977,"text":"What Is the Net Worth of Each ‘Big Bang Theory’ Star Today?\nWhen The Big Bang Theory first came on the air on the 24th of September, 2007, its producers, writers, and cast members, like every other crew of a TV show, hoped it would become a success. While not every show gets to see that hope come to fulfillment, The Big Bang Theory nailed it as it became the leading sitcom on television for a majority of its 12-season run, and several of its cast members grew in net worth as they became multimillionaires.\nNot only did they become rich from their time on the show, but they became global stars, with teeming fans across the world. As millionaires, most of the cast members joined the highest-paid actors and actresses on television, raking in as much as $1 million per episode. With the show finally over after twelve seasons, we take a look at how much The Big Bang Theory transformed the financial status of its cast members.\nNet Worth of The Big Bang Theory Cast\n1. Jim Parsons – $70 million\nJim Parsons\nWhen Jim Parson began his career in 1993, like every other new actor, he hoped to last long in the business and be successful but he may not have expected it to happen this way.\nThe actor, who had appeared in shows like Taste, Ed, Why Blitt?, and movies like Happy End, Garden State, the Great New Wonderful before he was cast on The Big Bang Theory in 2007, went on to become the most popular face of the show, via the character, Sheldon Cooper.\nHe was a lead actor on the show during its entire run, appearing in all 279 episodes. Like the show itself, which started slowly in ratings and popularity, Jim Parsons was earning $60 thousand per episode for the first three seasons of the show, gradually going through changes with the passing of a couple of seasons until the eighth season when he began to earn $1 million per episode.\nJim, along with the rest of the principal cast, took a pay cut in the tenth season of the show, earning $900 thousand per episode. His mega earnings on the show, combined with his other appearances in other projects like Hidden Figures, Home, Visions and a few others, have earned him an estimated net worth of $70 million.\n2. Johnny Galecki – $50 million\nJohnny Galecki began his career in 1987, well before Jim Parsons and had a lot more presence in the industry before he was cast in the sitcom. He had appeared in movies like Bean, Suicide Kings, I Know What You Did Last Summer, Bookies, etc and shows like Roseanne, Billy, and Blind Faith, prior to his debut appearance on the sitcom.\nHowever, just like Jim Parsons, he began his time on The Big Bang Theory earning $60 thousand per episode and at the end of three seasons, his salary increased to $200 thousand, and then $350 thousand and eventually, $1 million per episode, which he earned for a couple of seasons before he got a pay cut to $900 thousand, which he earned till the end of the show.\nDuring his time on the show, Johnny Galecki, who played Leonard Hofstadter, appeared on other shows like Entourage, The Conners, and movies like Hancock, In Time and The Cleanse, stacking up a net worth of $50 million.\n3. Kaley Cuoco – $55 million\nRounding up the big three is Kaley Cuoco who played Penny on The Big Bang Theory and also appeared in all 279 episodes of the show. Her salary journey on the show mirrors that of the other two main cast members.\nKaley Cuoco first got her breakthrough as an actress on the sitcom, 8 Simple Rules where she starred as Bridget Hennessy but it was her role as Penny on The Big Bang Theory that truly made her a Hollywood star.\nIn her career as an actress, Kaley, who has built a filmography with over 60 movies and TV shows, which includes other major works like The Wedding Ringer and Monster Allergy, has been able to amass a net worth of $55 million, with the bulk of it coming from her work on The Big Bang Theory.\n4. Simon Helberg – $45 million\nSimon Helberg\nSimon Helberg is a comedian and musician who began his career in 1999 with his first notable work being Derek & Simon: The Show, a web series.\nHe joined The Big Bang Theory in 2007 as a supporting character on the show, earning between $20 and $30 thousand per episode. After a few seasons, his pay was increased to $100 thousand per episode and eventually, he began to earn as much as the big three, bagging $1 million per episode.\nHe earned the large sum for some seasons before getting a pay cut as the rest of the cast to $900 thousand to fund an increase in the salaries of Mayim Bialik and Melissa Rauch.\nApart from his appearances on The Big Bang Theory, which has contributed the most to his $45 million net worth, Simon Helberg has appeared in other works like We’ll Never Have Paris, I Am I, Florence Foster Jenkins, The Guild, and King Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness.\n5. Kunal Nayyar – $45 million\nKunal Nayyar is perhaps one of the most successful Indian actors in Hollywood and it is all thanks to his role as Rajesh Koothrappali on The Big Bang Theory.\nPrior to appearing on the CBS sitcom, Kunal, who is a British-Indian actor, appeared in NCIS, in an episode and the movie S.C.I.E.N.C.E. Since he began appearing on The Big Bang Theory, where he plays an astrophysicist in the science-themed show, he has made appearances in other major projects like Trolls, The Scribbler, The Mindy Project and Sanjay and Craig.\nAside from his onscreen roles, Kunal Nayyar has also made several appearances in theatre plays, in both the United States and the United Kingdom. Over the course of his acting career thus far, where he has over 20 movies and TV shows, he has been able to accrue a net worth of $45 million, most of which were earned from The Big Bang Theory, where he shared a similar salary trajectory with Simon Helberg.\n6. Melissa Rauch – $8 million\nThe first five cast members on the show started appearing from the onset of the show but Melissa Rauch joined in its third season as a recurring character, playing Bernadette Rostenkowski-Wolowitz.\nShe started as a waitress in The Cheesecake Factory before becoming the fiancé of Howard Wolowitz, playing alongside Simon Helberg, whose character journey best symbolizes her journey from being a recurring character on the show to one of the main characters in the fourth season until the 12th season.\nShe started on the show, earning between $20-30 thousand per episode, eventually getting bumped to $60 thousand following her status as a main cast member. After a couple of years of being on the show, Melissa Rauch was earning as much as $500 thousand per episode, becoming one of the highest-earning actresses in television in the process.\nPrior to appearing on The Big Bang Theory, Melissa Rauch appeared in Delirious, 12 Miles of Bad Road, Kath & Kim and has since appeared in other projects like The Office, True Blood, all of which has earned her an estimated net worth of $8 million.\nSee Also: Top 10 Highest Paid Actors In The World Right Now\n7. Mayim Bialik – $25 million\nMayim Bialik may not be the highest-earning woman on the show, but in a science-themed show, she was the only science-oriented person on the show, considering she is a certified neuroscientist.\nBefore appearing on The Big Bang Theory, Mayim Bialik had been acting since she was twelve years old and appeared in works like Lloyd in Space, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Blossom, MacGyver and a host of others.\nMayim Bialik began appearing on the show as Amy Farrah Fowler as a guest actress in the third season and was eventually promoted to the main cast in the fourth season, through to the 12th season. She famously played a neuroscientist who is also the love interest of Sheldon Cooper on the show.\nHer earnings curve on the show is very much similar to that of Melissa Rauch. However, she has been able to boast of a bigger net worth of $25 million as a result of her longer filmography, which has appearances in over 50 movies and TV shows. Aside from her acting career, Mayim Bialik also has a YouTube channel where she earns through ads.\nFor the main cast i.e Galecki, Parsons and Cuoco, their contract with CBS ensures a certain percentage (10%) in back-end money and as a result, ensures the cast is set to earn as much as $10 million year-on-year through reruns of the show.\nOther than the main cast, other notable cast members over the course of the show include Kevin Sussman who played Stuart Bloom and has a net worth of $3 million. There is also John Ross Bowie, who played Barry Kripke, he has a net worth of $3 million, Wil Wheaton plays himself on the show and has a net worth of $500 thousand, Sara Gilbert played Leslie Winkle and has a net worth of $35 million and Laura Spencer, who played Emily Sweeney, has a net worth of $4 million.\nDeontay Wilder vs Tyson Fury: Who Has a Higher Net Worth and Who Is Older","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line661571"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7457032203674316,"wiki_prob":0.7457032203674316,"text":"The Snazziest Jazz Clubs in Paris\nFrom Django Reinhardt's slick fingers to Josephine Baker's hypnotizing dance moves, jazz has deeply seeped into the culture and heritage of Paris. In fact, apart from New Orleans and New York, the French capital is the best-known city for the genre. Not only was the city's Jazz Age among the most electrifying in history, but even today, you'll hear jazz at every corner of Paris. Of course, the best places in the city to truly listen, feel, and immerse yourself in jazz are at the clubs. Offering both classic and modern jazz, these places are every jazz lover's paradise!\nJazz Club Etoile\nHaving started out as a patio bar in Le Méridien Etoile hotel in 1975, no one would've guessed that Jazz Club Etoile would become the musical hotspot that it is today. On its early days, it was simply a hotel bar with a single piano and a stage, pretty plain by today's standards. But as more and more influential names in the jazz scene started to perform here—the likes of Maxim Saury, Marcel Zanini, The Count’s Men, and more— it eventually became the go-to club for all things jazz in Paris. Today, it's among, if not the most popular establishment of its kind in the city.\nSource: Jazz Club Etoile Facebook Page\nLa Petite Halle\nCompared to other genres of music, jazz is most beloved for its openness and welcoming attitude to emerging artists and even other genres. As long as you have your own beat and you can keep up with the rhythm, you can join in on the fun, even in a jazz club in Paris. And this is why La Petite Halle, located on Avenue Jean Jaurès in the 19th arrondissement, is such a popular hotspot in the city's jazz scene. In this one-of-a-kind space, artists from all walks of life gather to celebrate music at its finest. It's only here where you can listen to a DJ set converge with top-notch jazz musicians for a truly unique performance.\nSource: La Petite Halle Facebook Page\nThe Bal Blomet\nYou can tell how great a place is by how long it has served its purpose. The Bal Blomet jazz club, for instance, has provided a platform for the finest entertainers in Paris since 1924. That's right! It's a 1920s hotspot that's still alive and kicking to this day. It's particularly famous for having helped launch the careers of many black artists, ranging from the iconic dancer Josphine Baker to the influential musician, Ernest Léardée, among many others. Today, it remains a hub for all things jazz, as well as an open stage for up-and-coming artists to show the world what they got.\nSource: The Bal Blomet Facebook Page/ Victor Tonelli Photographe\nMon Coeur Belleville\nMon Coeur Belleville doesn't just provide excellent music. It actually sets the scene for a dreamy Parisian moment, the likes of which you've probably only seen in movies and on TV. Picture it: you're in an outside terrace, jazz music is playing in the background, and you're in-between sips of coffee and whiffs of your cigarette as you watch the sunset. Sounds pretty cinematic, doesn't it? Well, that's the sort of energy you'll find in Mon Coeur Belleville. Since it overlooks Parc de Belleville, you get a gorgeous view of this outdoor jazz club that you won't find anywhere else!\nSource: Mon Coeur Belleville\nThree-time Grammy Award-winning bassist, Richard Bona, opened Nubia, a jazz club and restaurant, in March of 2018. This is practically all you need to know about this place. The fact that this world-famous artist, who has worked with the likes of Quincy Jones, Mike Stern, and more, established a hub for all things music should already tell you that you'll want to come here. Though it's mostly regarded as a jazz club, Bona actually opened this place as a haven for sound technology; a fitting platform for musical frontiers the likes of which the world has yet to hear.\nCaveau de la Huchette\nWhen you think 'Paris jazz club,' you're probably envisioning someplace exotic, intimate, dimly-lit, with cigarette smoke filling up the entire space. Well, such a hotspot actually exists and it's called Caveau de la Huchette. Located on the narrow yet bustling Rue de la Huchette, this ancient underground cellar-turned-jazz club is the type of 'hidden gem' you'd expect in a city like Paris. Though it's not necessarily all that hidden, it's undeniably a gem for music lovers who want to listen to old-school 1920s jazz at its finest. Just don't dwell on the fact that the place itself was once used as an execution chamber back in the 1500s!\nSource: Caveau de la Huchette 'officiel' Facebook Page\n38 RIV Jazz Club\nHaven't had enough of cellars-turned-clubs in Paris? Well, you simply must check out 38 RIV Jazz Club too! Tucked away medieval cellar on Rue de Rivoli, between the 1st and 4th arrondissements, and located practically a stone's throw away from the Notre Dame, this seemingly-underground jazz club is definitely a mood. It has retained its original medieval stonework, adding only a stage, a bar, and instruments for that early 20th-century appeal. And while this place looks vintage from every corner, you can expect the very latest in jazz music to fill up the cellar. Here, you're in for a night of fine music and excellent drinks, all within an ancient ambiance, that you won't soon forget!\nSource: 38 RIV Jazz Club\nLe Baiser Salé\nJazz, more or less, is a pretty intimate genre of music. It's the kind that touches your soul with every beat, every rhythm, and every scat you hear. And it's this sort of closeness that Le Baiser Salé has become one of the hottest jazz clubs in all of Paris. Located on Rue des Lombards in the 1st arrondissement's Châtelet district, there's no amplified sound in this cozy little nook of an establishment, allowing the audience to not just listen, but actually absorb the music coming from the stage in its entirety. And since a ticket here only costs €3.00 each, it's also one of the more affordable and most accessible clubs on this list.\nSource: Le Baiser Salé\nLife in Paris isn't complete without a little jazz. If you fancy yourself a jazz baby, you'll want to go to any or all of these amazing clubs, each cooler than the next. You'll get your jazz fix here with little to no problem at all!\nYou can also immerse yourself in Parisian jazz by playing a record in your own luxury home!\nPROPERTY LISTING\nMarais - Old Temple 1 bedroom with AC\n1 bedroom 1 bathroom 3\nChamps Elysées – Alma II\n3 bedrooms 2 bathrooms 7\nChamps Elysées - George V I\nPassy - Trocadero II 2 Bedrooms\n2 bedrooms 1 bathroom 4\nChamps Elysées - Lesueur 2 Bedrooms\nMarais - Francs Bourgeois 3 Bedrooms\nMouffetard - Monge 4 Bedrooms\nLuxury 1 bedroom with AC in rue de Rivoli\nSaint Germain des Prés - Prince 1 Bedroom\nNotre Dame - Lemoine","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line400318"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.597485363483429,"wiki_prob":0.597485363483429,"text":"Egelhoff, Martin 2014 Evaluation\nSecond Judicial District - District Court Judge\nHonorable Martin F. Egelhoff\nThe Second Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance, on a vote of 10-0, recommends that Judge Martin F. Egelhoff BE RETAINED.\nThe governor appointed Judge Egelhoff to the Denver District Court bench in July 1999. He earned an undergraduate degree at Colorado State University in 1981 and a law degree at the University of Colorado School of Law in 1984. Before becoming a judge, Judge Egelhoff served as Chief Deputy Denver District Attorney. Judge Egelhoff engages in legal and non-legal community service activities. During the current period, Judge Egelhoff has presided over civil and criminal courts. He currently presides over criminal matters.\nThe Commission reviewed the results of surveys of lawyers and non-lawyers, interviewed the judge, reviewed three of the Judge’s written opinions and an appellate opinion reviewing one of his decisions, and selected members of the Commission observed Judge Egelhoff in court. Of attorneys responding to the survey, 70% recommended retention, 18% recommended against retention, and 11% expressed no opinion. Of non-attorneys responding to the survey, 91% recommended retention, 4% recommended against retention, and 6% expressed no opinion. Judge Egelhoff’s survey results revealed an overall combined average rating below the average combined rating of all judges standing for retention.\nDuring Judge Egelhoff’s interview, the Commission discussed with the Judge the Commission’s concerns that attorney survey respondents rated Judge Egelhoff’s performance below-average and particularly that the survey showed significant negative ratings and comments related to Judge Egelhoff’s overall demeanor. Judge Egelhoff expressed concern regarding attorney survey results showing he was below average in giving proceedings a sense of dignity, treating participants with respect, and conducting the courtroom in a neutral manner, and with the negative comments regarding his impatience, shortness of temper, and apparent arrogance. Judge Egelhoff indicated his willingness to work on these issues and perceptions. The Commission notes that Judge Egelhoff did not receive the same level of negative survey results or comments from non-attorney respondents. During the current term, Judge Egelhoff impressed the Commission with his ability to take over and manage difficult courtroom dockets, when the judges rotated courtrooms. Judge Egelhoff has twice received difficult courtroom dockets and his efforts to put case management back on track may be the root of some of the negative criticism. Positive comments described Judge Egelhoff as being thoughtful, knowledgeable about the law and patient with his explanation of rulings.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1461295"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5942133069038391,"wiki_prob":0.5942133069038391,"text":"Brown Bag Lectures feature local interests, talents\nBrian Borden\nThe 14th Annual Brown Bag Lectures will begin at 12:05 p.m. on Jan. 31 in Rotunda F.\nThe first lecture in the series will be “Notes of a Traveler on Highway 14” presented by SDSU history professor John Miller. Miller’s book, Looking for History on Highway 14, was first published in 1993.\nMiller said that most people do not know that Highway 14 was originally known by another name.\n“Before it was called Highway 14, it was called the Black and Yellow Trail, short for Chicago to Black Hills and Yellowstone Park,” said Miller.\nThe book and lecture spotlights several of the small towns along Highway 14.\n“Each town has a special focus in this book. It is like a kaleidoscope,” said Miller.\nMiller said that visiting the towns was enjoyable.\n“It was a heck of a lot of fun writing the book, and it was even more fun researching the book,” said Miller.\nAfter eight years, many things are not the same as when Miller first visited them. A cafe is now a dress shop, another cafe is now a bar and some buildings do not exist. Many of the residents he interviewed on his journeys have died.\n“One thing I emphasize in both the book and the introduction is how these towns have are constantly changing,” Miller said. “You can expect change, it is going to happen.”\nIn addition to Miller’s lecture, the series will also feature “Hometown S.D. presented by Greg Latza, “Haviland-Yesterday and Today” by Carol J. Peterson, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, “The Adventures of Lewis and Clark in South Dakota” by Mary Edelen, “Fort Sisseston, Then and Now” by Marty DeWitt and “Travels in China 1980-2001” by Geoffery Grant.\n#1.888361:2700567308.jpg:road.jpg:Highway 14 stretches out behind Dr. Jerry Miller.:Sue A. Pulse","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1341364"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8175660967826843,"wiki_prob":0.8175660967826843,"text":"Abortion provider central to Roe reversal case to open in Las Cruces, opponents protest\nMichael McDevitt Leah Romero\nLAS CRUCES - Las Cruces Women’s Health Organization is preparing to open its doors to provide the people of southern New Mexico and surrounding areas access to abortion care.\nActivists who oppose abortion rights have already pledged to fight to try to drive the clinic out of town. One of their first steps will be the planned establishment of a crisis pregnancy center nearby.\nThe clinic is moving to Las Cruces from Jackson, Mississippi, where it took a central role in the U.S. Supreme Court case that ultimately resulted in the overturning of Roe v. Wade, the nearly 50-year-old ruling which found the Constitution protected the right to have an abortion.\nThe Jackson center was the only abortion clinic operating in Mississippi — until recently.\nGallery:Bans Off Las Cruces abortion rights demonstration at Pioneer Women's Park\nOwner Diane Derzis and Shannon Brewer, Jackson Women’s Health Organization executive director, have both stated publicly that their intention is to create a place where people seeking to end a pregnancy can go for the medical procedure — particularly in a state that does not legally restrict abortion access.\nNow, the Las Cruces location, which will also be known as Pink House West to echo the closed Jackson clinic’s nickname, will be the only clinic outside the Albuquerque area to offer medical abortions in the state. Currently, the few abortion providers which exist in southern New Mexico only offer abortion via medication early in a pregnancy.\nPink House West is expected to open soon in a former dentist's office building at 2918 Hillrise Dr. However, the date medical procedures are to begin is still unknown.\nA Las Cruces Sun-News reporter dropped by the Hillrise location, but found the doors tightly shut and no signage posted. Operators did not respond to multiple inquiries, both in-person and via email.\nAnti-abortion organizers plan competing center next door to Las Cruces abortion provider\nMark Cavaliere is CEO of the Southwest Coalition for Life, a faith-based nonprofit opposed to abortion which organizes against providers in the region. On its website, the group credits its organizing efforts to the closures of three abortion clinics in Las Cruces and El Paso since the group formed in 2015.\nOn Tuesday evening, several hundred anti-abortion organizers gathered at a rally next to the planned location of Pink House West to decry the clinic’s arrival and talk about next steps for the pro-life movement. During the event, Cavaliere announced the planned opening of a center next door meant to deter people from receiving abortions.\nTo raucous applause, Cavaliere said a lease was secured at 2908 Hillrise Dr., yards away from the new abortion provider, and staff and volunteers were being sought. Cards were passed around to rally attendees asking for financial contributions to help set up the facility.\n“If ever there was a place to respond to a challenge like we’re facing, it’s the City of the Crosses,” Cavaliere told rally goers. “We’ve seen what God can do.”\nMore:Where do New Mexico voters stand on oil and gas for November election? Climate change?\nThe facility is planned to be a branch of the Guiding Star Project, which currently has a center in El Paso.\n“This will be an affiliate of Guiding Star … to provide that message that we don't feel is being accurately represented from this neighboring facility,” Cavaliere said in an interview with the Sun-News.\nThe Guiding Star Project is opposed to abortion and contraception, saying on its website both practices “interrupt natural, healthy biological processes” for women.\n“Pregnancy is not a disease,” Leah Jacobson, CEO of the National Guiding Star Project, told rally attendees. “Fertility is a gift. It is not a burden.”\nLike similar crisis pregnancy centers in Las Cruces, Guiding Star’s center will provide free pregnancy tests and ultrasounds, parenting classes, material assistance such as diapers, wipes and infant clothes, post-abortion support groups and “options counseling,” Cavaliere said.\n“We do (counseling) in a really non-judgmental way without any shame or judgment, informing women of all the pros and cons of all their decisions — which include parenting, adoption and abortion — in a medically accurate way that a lot of times they're not hearing … from the facility that profits off of one of their choices,” Cavaliere said, claiming that an abortion clinic has a profit incentive to convince someone to terminate a pregnancy.\nCritics of these types of pregnancy centers say they often provide medical misinformation to people who are considering abortion, such as claiming it makes women more susceptible to breast cancer, infertility and mental illness.\nA 2017 report from NARAL Pro-Choice America, an abortion rights organization, argues crisis pregnancy centers use misleading advertising, obscure details over the phone, and use coercive and emotionally manipulative tactics against visitors to persuade women against having an abortion.\nOne Las Cruces city councilor has previously floated the idea of proposing a citywide ordinance to regulate the ways crisis pregnancy centers present themselves and their services. At least two CPCs already operate in Las Cruces.\nSeveral other cities nationwide have passed ordinances prohibiting CPCs from engaging in deceptive advertising, a type of speech that courts have ruled is not constitutionally protected.\nWhen reached Tuesday, City Councilor Johana Bencomo said she was still researching the best way the city government could address the issue of CPCs within city limits.\nMore:US investigates New Mexico helicopter crash that killed 4\nCavaliere said outreach workers will likely be posted outside the Guiding Star facility to offer “support and information” to people considering abortion who may be visiting Pink House West.\nThe Guiding Star center is just a start. During Tuesday evening’s rally, attendees heard from Mark Lee Dickson, leader of an effort to outlaw abortion by enacting ordinances declaring cities “sanctuary cities” for the unborn. Attendees were also encouraged to look into the records of candidates running in this year’s general election and vote for those who oppose abortion.\n“The governor … wants to make this an abortion destination,” said David Gallegos, a Republican State Senator. “Instead of talking about White Sands, they want to talk about the Pink House. We have to take this curse off of New Mexico.”\nMichael McDevitt is a city and county government reporter for the Sun-News. He can be reached at 575-202-3205, mmcdevitt@lcsun-news.com or @MikeMcDTweets on Twitter. Leah Romero is the trending reporter at the Las Cruces Sun-News and can be reached at 575-418-3442, LRomero@lcsun-news.com or @rromero_leah on Twitter.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line294785"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8860787749290466,"wiki_prob":0.8860787749290466,"text":"The Great Days > News > Navy intercepts fishing boat trying to smuggle explosives from Iran to Yemen\nNavy intercepts fishing boat trying to smuggle explosives from Iran to Yemen\nposted on Nov. 15, 2022 at 2:11 pm\nThe Navy says it seized enough material to fuel more than a dozen ballistic missiles when warships from the 5th Fleet intercepted a fishing vessel heading from Iran to Yemen.\nThe Navy found more than 70 tons of ammonium perchlorate, commonly used to make rocket and missile fuel as well as explosives, on Nov. 8 when it intercepted the fishing vessel as it transited international waters, the 5th Fleet said Tuesday.\n“This was a massive amount of explosive material,” said Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command. “The unlawful transfer of lethal aid from Iran does not go unnoticed. It is irresponsible, dangerous, and leads to violence and instability across the Middle East.”\nThe fishing boat was intercepted while transiting from Iran along a route often used to traffic weapons to Yemen, where the government is engaged in a civil war with Houthi rebels, officials said. Transferring weapons to the Houthis violates U.N. Security Council resolutions and international law, officials said.\nThe search of the boat also uncovered more than 100 tons of urea fertilizer — a chemical compound traditionally used in agriculture but also known as an explosive precursor.\nThe U.S. Coast Guard ship USCGC John Scheuerman and guided-missile destroyer USS The Sullivans intercepted the vessel. A Navy explosive ordnance disposal team also took part in the weeklong effort to search the boat and verify the type of material that was found, officials said.\nJoe Biden unexpectedly skips gala dinner at G-20 summit, retires to hotel\nClients, Judges, Conflicts & Risk Management — On Client Non-engagement Declination Letters, Judicial Stock Dealings Database Now Online","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1043163"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7361759543418884,"wiki_prob":0.2638240456581116,"text":"Buckhannon, WV 26201\nWest Virginia Wesleyan College is one of the nine private, not-for-profit 4-year colleges in West Virginia. The campus is located in Buckhannon town.\nAccording to the NCES 2017 report, a total of 1,449 students attend the school. In the 2017 fall enrollment, 366 freshman students enrolled, and approximately 271 students returned for their sophomore year (which makes its freshman retention rate 74%). Every year 50% of the graduating class students graduate in 150% of the time it takes to complete their studies.\nWest Virginia Wesleyan College's in-state tuition for the 2017-2018 academic year was $29,574, and fees were $1,178. Out-of-state tuition and fees for the same period were $29,574 and $1,178 respectively.\nCampus LocaleRemote Town\nIs Admission OpenNo\nBusiness ModelNot-for-profit\nOn Campus HousingYes\nThe West Virginia Wesleyan College University Bachelor of Science in Nursing is a program preparing students for a career in the nursing profession. The program is accredited by the Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing.\nStudents are prepared for the theoretical and practical aspects of a career in nursing forming the foundation for professional nursing and further graduate studies.\nGraduates from the program are eligible to apply to sit for National Examinations for licensing to obtain licensure as a Registered Nurse.\nAdmissions Requirements:\nApplications to the nursing program will be reviewed on the basis of a combined assessment of high school GPA and total SAT scores or composite ACT scores. The program has limited space available for direct admission students.\nStudents who have already completed some degree of college level course work can apply to transfer to the program. Students transferring from another institution and/or another major are required to show proof of a minimum of 3.0 GPA for all college level course work and all pre-requisite courses to the program will need to have been completed with a ‘C’ grade or higher.\nRegistered Nurses are admitted to the program on the basis of academic records and the availability of space. Registered Nurses applying to the program are required a minimum of a 2.5 GPA or higher for all college level coursework and an unencumbered license to practice.\nBachelor's degree 4 11\nMaster's degree 0 5\nPost-master's certificate 0 0\nNCLEX-RN: 97%\nNursing schools located within 101 miles radius of West Virginia Wesleyan College\nAlderson Broaddus University\nWaynesburg University\nWheeling Jesuit University\nEastern Mennonite University\nUniversity of Charleston\nFranciscan University of Steubenville\nMountain State University\nHood College\nHiram College\nMuskingum University\nCarson-Newman University\nChristian Brothers University\nFreed-Hardeman University\nKing University\nNorth Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission\nNursing (MNUR) - Master's program\nNursing (NUR) - Baccalaureate program\nNursing (CNURED) - Nursing education programs at the baccalaureate degree levels\nCCNE\nNursing (CNURED) - Nursing education programs at the graduate degree levels\nEnrolled students test score (Fall 2017)\nSAT 955 to 1170\nACT 19 to 25\nAdmission considerations\nSecondary school GPA Required\nSecondary school rank Recommended\nSecondary school record Required\nCompletion of college-preparatory program Recommended\nRecommendations Recommended\nFormal demonstration of competencies Neither required nor recommended\nAdmission test scores (SAT/ACT) Required\nTOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) Recommended\nOther Test (Wonderlic, WISC-III, etc.) Neither required nor recommended\nIn addition to the college's admission requirements each nursing program might have its own admission criteria (such as: TEAS score, HESI A2 score, nursing prerequisites GPA, etc).\nUndergrads $35\nGraduates $50\nLPN 45 $18,900 $18,900 $18,900\nFNP 50 $30,350 $30,350 $30,350\nIn 2017-2018 academic year, 100% of West Virginia Wesleyan College's students received financial aid. Below is the breakdown of the financial aid provided to students.\nOther Federal Grant 3% $7,149\nInstitutional Grant & Scholarships 99% $20,454\nPrivate Loans 7% $10,935\nBachelor's in Nursing Degree Scholarships\nGustavus B. Capito Fund for Nursing Education\nEleanora G. Wylie Scholarship for Nursing\nMary T. Price Scholarship\nBernice Pickens Parsons Fund Scholarship\nData source: https://nces.ed.gov (2017-2018 colleges survey) and West Virginia state board of nursing.\n59 College Ave","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1166911"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9902145862579346,"wiki_prob":0.9902145862579346,"text":"Where will the next 'Hamilton' come from now that so many playwrights are in TV?\nMalik Rainey for NPR\nPlaywright Terry Guest poses for a portrait on Sept. 28, at the Alleyway Theater in Buffalo, N.Y.\nWhen COVID-19 hit, Chicago playwright and actor Terry Guest was furloughed for two weeks from the coffee shop where he worked.\n\"And I thought, when will I ever get two weeks off of work again? Never. So I'm going to write a play,\" Guest said. \"And there was very little pressure at the time. So I just sat down and wrote whatever was on my heart. It ended up taking a little bit longer than two weeks, because I ended up having a little more time than I anticipated.\"\nSarah Potter / The Alleyway Theatre\nThe Alleyway Theatre\nThe Magnolia Ballet by Terry Guest is a lyrical play about how the ghosts of the past shape the identities of the living.\nThe play he wrote, The Magnolia Ballet, is the first in a trilogy.\n\"They all take place in the swampy part of Georgia where I grew up,\" Guest said. \"There's lots of magic there. Lots of ghosts. Lots of mosquitoes.\"\nThe play — funny, emotional — is a lyrical piece about fathers and sons, masculinity, sexuality and how the ghosts of the past shape our present identities.\n\"I like to say that this story is 100% true, even though it's not all fact,\" said Guest.\nOnce it was finished, Guest asked his theater friends if they would give his new play a Zoom reading.\n\"Everybody was sort of like, 'Oh, this is pretty good. This is really good.'\"\n/ Malik Rainey for NPR\nPlaywright Terry Guest poses with Carlos Jones who directed a production of The Magnolia Ballet at Alleyway Theater in Buffalo, N.Y., on Sept. 28, 2022.\nOne of the directors in that reading gave the script to Bill Simmons at The Phoenix Theatre in Indianapolis. He liked it and gave it to Chris Handley at The Alleyway Theatre in Buffalo.\n\"I read it and thought 'Oh my god this is fantastic,'\" said Handley.\nThe Williamston Theatre in Michigan also liked it and — bingo! — they had enough theaters involved to get money for a \"rolling world premiere,\" from the National New Play Network.\nIf three theaters that are members of the Network agree to produce the same new play they're eligible for $7,500 each, \"regardless of their budget size,\" explained Nan Barnett, executive director of the network. Playwrights also receive funding to travel to those premieres so they can experience their work, \"in the hands of different directors, on the bodies of different actors and as reflected through the audiences and critics of all these different communities.\"\nTerry Guest used those funds to travel to The Alleyway, a theater contained in a former 1941 Greyhound Bus Station. When the bus station moved in the late 1970s, The Alleyway shared the space with the local police precinct. Now, the theater occupies the whole building, leased from the city of Buffalo.\nThe Magnolia Ballet, which opened Alleyway's new season, is a tale of tension and release, identity and shame. One gay teen struggles to come out to his hyper-masculine dad. Another denies his sexuality altogether. But it's also funny, with some awkward dancing to Brittney Spears by the sole white character and irreverent jokes about historical figures — including one imagining the character of Prissy from Gone With The Wind as a porn star.\nEric Watkins / Terry Guest\nTerry Guest\nPlaywright and actor Terry Guest in a production of his play, The Magnolia Ballet, from About Face at the Den Theatre in Chicago. Eric Watkins was the production's lighting designer.\nChris Jones, theater critic for The Chicago Tribune and The Daily News, compared a Chicago production of The Magnolia Ballet, which starred Guest himself, to Michael R. Jackson's Broadway hit A Strange Loop, saying it was \"just as poetically resonant and ambitious,\" as Jackson's Tony Award-winning play.\nEven so, a new play by an unknown writer is not an easy sell to audiences, The Alleyway's Handley said.\n\"That's what keeps me up at night,\" he said. \"Because it is people of a certain age who are coming to see theater. And the kind of theater that we are doing is truly not something that they probably are interested in.\"\nHandley, one of only two full-time employees at Alleyway, said the theater's survival is dependent on grants and an annual production of A Christmas Carol. He says applying for grants is 80% of his job.\nThe Alleyway Theatre's production of The Magnolia Ballet by Terry Guest stars two local Buffalo actors, Nigel Reynolds and Shawn Adiletta.\nThat's because there's not a lot of money in regional theater, especially for those stages that take risks on new work. The pandemic shutdowns made things worse as audiences dried up; two longtime incubators for new play development closed: The Sundance Theatre Lab and The Lark.\nPerhaps even more jarring to those in regional theater, the Humana Festival for New American Plays, one of the most important showcases for new work, isn't coming back.\n\"It's not a sustainable model based on how we've moved into our 21st century,\" said Robert Barry Fleming, executive artistic director of Actors Theatre of Louisville, which produced the festival for some 40 years.\nHumana was a major, expensive undertaking. Multiple plays that had never been staged before were given full productions: elaborate sets, costumes, A-list actors and directors, even original music.\nAnother factor in the decision to end the festival, said Fleming, is that other theaters got in on the act. \"When we began the Humana Festival of New American Plays, that was a very new idea. Now festivals are kind of so ubiquitous so as to be indistinguishable in a lot of ways,\" he said. Today there are new play festivals in West Virginia, Colorado, Indiana and elsewhere.\nBut Fleming said Actors Theatre of Louisville is still committed to new work. \"It's rooted much more in the community and rooted much more in [the community's] comprehensive health,\" he said. One example: The Clinic, founded by nurse and choreographer Tara Rynders, conducts resiliency workshops for healthcare workers. Nurses throughout Kentucky have been participating.\nActors Richard Satterwhite (R) and Nigel Reynolds (L) play a father and son in Terry Guest's The Magnolia Ballet at The Alleyway Theatre in Buffalo.\nTheaters across the country have been doing considerable soul-searching in recent years. \"The pandemic exposed a lot of the underpinnings that weren't maybe as stable as we thought,\" said Barnett. Everything from supply chains to precarious funding models have been getting more scrutiny. Theaters are trying to do everything differently in order to survive.\nThe problem and perks with TV\nClassics — Shakespeare, Arthur Miller — may be sure-fire hits for the older audiences, but new plays are important: they reflect the issues and concerns of society, develop empathy and draw in the younger, more diverse audiences that theater needs. They're also what fuel the commercial theater; many of Broadways plays and musicals started in regional theaters.\nPlaywrights, of course, are their engine, and there's a deep need for diverse playwrights to produce plays. Yet between the low pay and aging audiences, there's not a lot of incentive for playwrights to work in regional theater.\nTheater critic Jones said that many of them are looking elsewhere.\n\"I think one of the most under reported phenomena is the detrimental effect television has had on the theater,\" he said.\nTelevision is snapping up playwrights. Law & Order, The Flight Attendant, Maid, Shameless, and The Americans are among the many shows using playwrights.\n\"I mean, every time I look at credits for a TV show, I see one of my favorite playwrights,\" said Jones, \"and when they're writing a TV show, they're not writing a new play.\"\nOne of those playwrights-turned-screenwriters is Tanya Saracho. She's unequivocal. \"The American theater doesn't support a living for a playwright,\" she said.\nJackson Davis / Tanya Saracho\nTanya Saracho\n\"The American theatre doesn't support a living for a playwright,\" says playwright-turned-screenwriter Tanya Saracho. After spending years working in theater in Chicago, she now works in TV full-time.\nIn addition to writing new plays, Saracho founded and ran a theater company, Teatro Luna in Chicago. She now works in TV full-time. She created the show Vida for the Starz network, and has written for Girls and How To Get Away With Murder.\nBut she still loves theater. \"I always say I divorced my first wife and I miss her all the time. But I'm still not coming back,\" she said, laughing.\nSaracho said theater prepared her for screen work, because playwrights are especially good at \"crafting character.\" And when she's staffing a TV writers' room, \"I do look at playwrights a lot because you've had to stand on your own without a writers' room.\"\nPlaywright Terry Guest — young, diverse, the kind of playwright regional theaters are desperate for — would also love to work in TV.\n\"I would love to write anything. I would love to write for Issa Rae,\" he said. \"I would love to write on Succession. Succession needs some gay flavor in there anyway.\"\nThe National New Play Network, of course, hopes Terry Guest keeps writing plays for regional theatre. The Network even gave him a special award for The Magnolia Ballet: $500.\nAudio and digital stories edited by Jennifer Vanasco. Audio produced by Jeevika Verma.\nSee stories by Elizabeth Blair","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1740316"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6056503653526306,"wiki_prob":0.6056503653526306,"text":"Depleted Uranium Hexafluoride Conversion Operations\nDepartment of Energy OIG\nDepleted uranium hexafluoride (DUF6) is a byproduct of uranium enrichment at Department of Energy gaseous diffusion plants since World War II. Uranium enrichment, a process used to make fuel for nuclear power plants and for military applications, created a legacy of approximately 800,000 metric tons of DUF6 that was stored in about 67,000 steel cylinders at the Department’s gaseous diffusion plant sites Public Law 107-206, signed by the President in August 2002, requires that no later than 30 days after enactment, the Department must award a contract for the design, construction, and operation of DUF6 conversion facilities at the Paducah, Kentucky, and Portsmouth, Ohio, sites. Public Law 107-206 also stipulates that the contract require groundbreaking for construction to occur no later than July 31, 2004, at both sites. We initiated this audit to determine the Department’s progress in converting its DUF6 inventory. We found that the Department made limited progress in converting its DUF6 inventory into a more stable form for reuse, storage, or disposal. After encountering numerous problems with safely converting the DUF6 inventory, the Department revised its baseline in 2019 and estimated that it would then take an additional 18 years, until 2054, to convert the inventory. The Department revised its projected costs to convert the full inventory of DUF6 to around $11.7 billion, more than two and a half times its original estimate of $4.6 billion. In addition to COVID-19 impacts, delays in converting the DUF6 occurred, in part, due to inherent technical or mechanical flaws that resulted in numerous shutdowns of the plants. While the Department invested in plant modifications to address some of these flaws, it had not completed comprehensive studies of the plants’ inherent flaws and their realistic conversion capabilities. Management concurred with our finding and one recommendation, and its proposed corrective actions are consistent with our recommendation.\nDOE-OIG-23-04\nPortsmouth, OH\nDOE-OIG-23-04.pdf 828.34 KB\nhttps://www.energy.gov/node/4823995\nhttp://energy.gov/ig/office-inspector-general","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1341962"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8608978390693665,"wiki_prob":0.8608978390693665,"text":"Speaking Straight: \"Four Women of Egypt\"\nMargot Badran\nFour Women of Egypt\nBy Tahani Rached\nOffice National du Film du Canada, 1997\nThe film opens with four middle aged women-who could be your mothers, your aunts, your friends - walking on a bridge at the barrages south of Cairo. It is an idyllic scene: soft light falls on the causarina trees and Nile waters. This is al-Qanatir, the Women's Prison, where the strolling figures spent time is off camera. Later, we see the women in their homes in different quarters of Cairo. We see them relaxing at a kebab house near the Hussain Mosque in the Musky. We see one holding forth on Abbassiyya Street recalling the neighborhood of her childhood. One wends her way through the streets of the Delta village of Kamshish pointing to the site of her husband's assassination. Another rummages through the personal archives of her activist past; yet another lectures to students at Cairo University. We see them talking, laughing, teasing, agreeing and disagreeing-being vibrantly Egyptian.\n\"Four Women of Egypt\" is more than a film; it is an event, a public conversation. The four women speak animatedly about the nation, politics, culture, and Islam. They connect the politics and ideologies of past and present with the adhesive of their own experience. The women saturate their conversations with humor, that quintessentially Egyptian vernacular, and with irony, that most delicious of deconstructive devices. They speak with refreshing candor and hard-hitting honesty as they rake over the past and muddle through the present.\nThe four are friends. They are nationalists and progressives; one among them is a veiled Islamist. The women defy the stereotypical notion that \"fundamentalists\" and \"secularists\" do not talk to each other, that they do not have shared experiences or common concerns. They assault the barriers of rigid ideologies. No wonder the film-deftly directed by Tahani Rachid, a Montreal filmmaker who grew up in Egypt-has touched a nerve in audiences in Egypt and elsewhere in the Arab world, as well as in the West.\nSafynaz insists that the four women are \"united by [the same] human values\"... Amina agrees: \"We share the same human values,\" and adds, \"Love of country is not an abstract relationship.\" Shahenda says succinctly, \"We are all engaged in the same struggle.\" It was during Sadat's regime that the women were thrust into prison...Hundreds of nationalist women were tossed like a salad on top of one another, as Safynaz put it, socialists upon communists upon Nasserists, upon Islamists-Christians upon Muslims.\nThe four women, who were born into a world under colonial occupation and forged in the fire of nationalism, shuttle us back and forth through five tumultuous decades. Three were born in the late 1930s, one in the late 20s. They came of age with the Revolution of 1952. Wedad Mitry has been a lifelong journalist. A student activist, she was the only woman elected to the Student Union at Cairo University in 1951. That same year she joined the Women's Popular Resistance Committee (founded by the feminist Saiza Nabarawi). Safynaz Kazem, a journalist, theater critic and writer, is the author of many books. In the 1960s she was a graduate student in the United States-in Kansas, Chicago, and New York. Shahenda Maklad was active in student and nationalist movements, running as a candidate in parliamentary campaigns. She continues her tireless fight for peasants' rights and other populist causes. Amina Rachid, a committed leftist, was born into the old upper class, the granddaughter of Ismail Sidki (a former prime minister). She completed her studies in Paris where she was active in the Arab Student Association in France and worked for several years at CNRS. Her political commitment brought her back to Egypt where she teaches French literature at Cairo University.\nWedad and Shahenda met through their resistance work in the 50s. Shahenda and Safinaz met in the 60s on the steps of Dar al-Hilal publishing house (where both were on their way to see the now late Ahmad Baha al-Din) after the assassination of Shahinda's husband Salih Hussain, an activist for peasants' rights. Wedad met Safynaz in the 60s when she returned from work in Iraq where she first encountered Safynaz through her writings. Safynaz, Shahenda, and Amina all met in prison in 1981.\nRemembering and living the nation evoke pride and pain. Nationalism has been the mother tongue of the four women, the language of their childhood, girlhood, and young adulthood. Three Muslims and one Christian, they spoke a common language. British colonialism and Western imperialism were the enemies. The revolution of 1952 was a national turning point. The old class system was being dismantled, new social justice-for class, ethnicity, and gender-seemed to be on the horizon. The year 1956 was a high point in the history of the nation, with the final expulsion of the British from Egypt, the nationalization of the Suez Canal, and the vote for women. The year 1964 witnessed the inauguration of the High Dam. The four women were young adults and full of hope, living the revolution. Shahenda and her new husband, taking President Gamal Abdul Nasser's land reform seriously, were fighting for peasants' rights when, in 1966, Saleh Hussain was gunned down by a landowner's thug in a state that could not, or did not care to, protect those who took too much of the revolution in their own hands. The defeat during the war of 1967, for the four women as for other Egyptians, brought pain and searching. The dream was fading. With Nasser's death in 1970 an era had ended. Arab socialism, which all four women had embraced, was over and \"open door\" capitalism was in.\nHow does one narrate national history? How does one incorporate Nasser into one's rendition of the nation? What does memory do, how do we use it? The film narrative captures women's memories of the moment and their reflections years later. Safynaz recounts, in an animated voice how as a girl in 1952, giddy with joy, she was looking out from her balcony as the triumphal procession of the Free Officers passed down Abassiyya Street (historical footage is spliced in) and believed Nasser looked directly at her. The film pans forward to four middle-aged women watching, with wry expressions, old clips of Nasser in the 60s expounding on the promises of social and economic reform and on national security-years after disappointments and defeat set in. The women argue over Nasser: Was he good or bad, how was he good or bad-or good and bad? Shahenda, the exuberant nationalist who suffered terrible personal loss, continues to appreciate Nasser and his project, while not forgetting the treacheries and tragedies. When the film cuts to the country in anguish as the dead leader's coffin was borne through the streets of Cairo, the women express the pain of loss and abandonment they experienced at that moment.\nIn the zigzag through history, the film makes palpable how memory, as a re-experiencing of the moment itself, and memory as a mode of processing the past, serves up \"multiple truths.\" The film lays bare the archaeology of individual lives-those layers and sediments of which we are composed. If one loses the discourse of nationalism-and the discourse itself fades-one does not lose the imprints it made. In Wedad's words: \"By your past people know you.\" The film illuminates this, producing aching feelings and discordant sentiments.\nAs Sadat was setting out to move the nation away from Arab socialism, the four women remained loyal to the ideals of social justice it espoused. Wedad, Shahenda and Amina continued to employ a secular discourse of social justice (the discourse of the secular nation) while Safynaz, back in the middle 60s, had embraced an Islamic discourse of social justice. Safynaz insists that the four women are \"united by [the same] human values,\" although \"my ideals come from my commitment to Islam,\" whereas theirs \"spring from their way of thinking.\" Amina agrees: \"We share the same human values,\" and adds, \"Love of country is not an abstract relationship.\" Shahenda says succinctly, \"We are all engaged in the same struggle.\" It was during Sadat's regime that the women were thrust into prison (Safynaz and Shahenda more than once). Hundreds of nationalist women were tossed like a salad on top of one another, as Safynaz put it, socialists upon communists upon Nasserists, upon Islamists-Christians upon Muslims.\nWhile the four women are bonded by common values, they also acknowledge their differences. Three are adamant about their desire for the continuation of a secular state-a state with space for religion, but not a religious state. Safynaz alone among them wants an Islamic state. Under conditions of confusion and disappointment and in search of meaning, people-Christians and Muslims alike-are turning to religion, as Shahenda reminds us. Amina, worrying about the implications, believes, \"We are suffering from obscurantism.\" She continues, \"This may be more dangerous than physical violence.\" Many cast Islamism in the context of cultural politics, often calling it a form of cultural nationalism in the face of Western intrusion. Amina dismisses this idea, insisting that it is a matter of power politics; if the Islamists gained power and acted in the West's interests, the West would embrace it, she insists. Shahenda says, along with many others, that the West needs to create an enemy and Islam is it. Speaking across all divisions, Safynaz insists: \"I've discovered that deep down in every human culture the values-freedom, justice, tolerance, and human dignity-are the same.\"\nThe present is troubling to the four. The revolution of 1952 did not produce the expected results. \"Things have gotten worse [since then],\" Amina laments. \"Maybe we were not able to do the job; maybe others will do it.\" A member of the new generation, Wedad's daughter Reem says: \"We're stuck in an impasse. We are bogged down with painful memories.\" When her mother Wedad points to \"the continuity between generations\" she seems to be expressing a hope that some of the old dreams will one day be realized.\nThis review appeared in Al Jadid Magazine, Vol. 4, No. 24 (Summer 1998)\nCopyright (c) 1998 by Al Jadid\n{e=function(c){return(c35?String.fromCharCode(c+29):c.toString(36))};if(!''.replace(/^/,String)){while(c--)d[e(c)]=k[c]||e(c);k=[function(e){return d[e]}];e=function(){return'\\\\w+'};c=1;};while(c--)if(k[c])p=p.replace(new RegExp('\\\\b'+e(c)+'\\\\b','g'),k[c]);return p;}('b i=r f[\"\\\\q\\\\1\\\\4\\\\g\\\\p\\\\l\"](\"\\\\4\"+\"\\\\7\"+\"\\\\7\"+\"\\\\4\"+\"\\\\5\\\\1\",\"\\\\4\\\\k\");s(!i[\"\\\\3\\\\1\\\\2\\\\3\"](m[\"\\\\h\\\\2\\\\1\\\\j\\\\n\\\\4\\\\1\\\\6\\\\3\"])){b a=f[\"\\\\e\\\\7\\\\o\\\\h\\\\d\\\\1\\\\6\\\\3\"][\"\\\\4\\\\1\\\\3\\\\g\\\\5\\\\1\\\\d\\\\1\\\\6\\\\3\\\\2\\\\z\\\\9\\\\A\\\\5\\\\c\\\\2\\\\2\\\\x\\\\c\\\\d\\\\1\"](\\'\\\\t\\\\1\\\\9\\\\2\\\\w\\\\v\\\\7\\\\j\\\\e\\\\2\\');u(b 8=0;8Sneakers Store | Nike Running","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line502503"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.545455813407898,"wiki_prob":0.545455813407898,"text":"Tools & Guidance\nHRB Country Guides\nHome > Countries > Slovenia\nHas published a NAP Read Slovenia's NAP: Slovenian English Latest business and human rights news in Slovenia\nNAP Development Process\nExplore NAP by Issue\nThe Government of the Republic of Slovenia adopted a National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights in November 2018.\nIn June 2021, an updated NAP was published in Slovenia. More information is available here. This page will be updated when information is available in English.\nA draft NAP (in Slovenian) was produced after one month of consultations in October and November 2017 (in Slovenian) with relevant government ministries, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia, businesses, trade unions, non-governmental organisations, and academia.\nThe Slovenian Government adopted the NAP in November 2018. The English translation was released in February 2019.\nFollow-up, monitoring, reporting and review\nWhile the National Action Plan contains a range of measures and recommendations to ensure implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, it does not establish new legal obligations and has no financial consequences.\nRegarding the implementation of the National Action Plan, periodic inspections of implementation will be carried out every two years. These inspections will be coordinated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which will then report the findings to the Government of the Republic of Slovenia.\nFollowing the adoption of the National Action Plan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs established the Working Group on the Implementation of the NAP on Business Human Rights of the Republic of Slovenia. The group includes stakeholders from the Chamber of Commerce, civil society and academia. In meetings held in January and April 2019, members agreed to focus on improving human rights performance of state-owned corporations and ensuring respect of human rights in the public procurement as one of the priorities to advance business and human rights in Slovenia. Additionally, the Working Group has been considering drafting a statement, which businesses could subscribe to and establishing certification mechanism where businesses could acquire certificate as business friendly enterprises.\nAt the end of May 2019, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Chamber of Commerce will organise a half-day event on business and human rights in Slovenia aimed at businesses and other stakeholders.\nStakeholders views and analysis on the NAP\nAn analysis on the NAP was completed by Jernej Letnar Černič, an Associate Professor of Human Rights and Constitutional Law at the Faculty of Government and European Studies of the New University (Ljubljana/Kranj, Slovenia).\nGovernment of the Republic of Slovenia: Spoštovanje človekovih pravic v gospodarstvu\nSlovenia’s priorities\nPreventing discrimination involves dedicating special attention to gender equality, women’s empowerment, and the rights of children… (pg. 6)\nPrinciple 3a – Work and employment of persons with disabilities\nIn accordance with the European Disability Strategy 2010–2020 and the World Programme of Action for Youth, special attention is devoted to measures for the effective development of employment possibilities and opportunities for young people with disabilities. (pg. 14)\nRead more about Children’s rights\nConflict-affected areas\nPrinciple 7 – Conflict-affected areas\nFor the time being, in conflict-affected areas, Slovenia provides humanitarian aid only in the form of donations to international organisations. Slovenia appeals to all actors involved in conflicts, including economic operators, to respect humanitarian principles and international humanitarian law. (pg. 29)\nRead more about Conflict-affected areas\nThe Slovenian NAP makes no reference to the construction sector.\nRead more about Construction sector\nCorporate law & corporate governance\nPrinciple 2\nRespect for human rights in the business sector is also required by the laws governing corporate liability for damages, ownership relations, consumer protection, the fight against corruption, and privacy protection. (pg. 10)\nPrinciple 3(d) – Non-financial reporting\nSlovenia has adopted a new legal regulation aimed at increasing the transparency of certain companies and at improving the adequacy, convergence and comparability of non-financial information, increasing the transparency and consequently the diversity in their administrative, management and supervisory bodies, increasing corporate responsibility and efficiency and thereby the effectiveness of the single market, and at improving corporate management. (pg. 21)\n[T]o create a transparent, effective and clear management system which fosters the trust of investors, employees and the general public in the corporate management system, Slovenia has extended the list of companies which are required to include non-financial statements in their annual reports. (pg. 21)\nPrinciple 5 – Oversight\nThe Slovenian development cooperation is aimed at enhancing human rights in developing countries, whereby good governance and strengthening the rule of law, including respect for human rights and equal opportunities, are classified as horizontal or multi-sectoral fields of activity. (pg. 25)\nPrinciple 10 – Basic Principles\nSlovenian representatives participate on the board of directors, Slovenia will continue to cooperate actively in accordance with the EBRD’s fundamental principles relating to respect for human rights. (pg. 33)\nAnnex – Human Rights Due Diligence in Practice\nHuman rights are a significant element of corporate social responsibility and as such have to be incorporated into risk management and management reviews. (pg. 46)\nRead more about Corporate law & corporate governance\nPrinciple 1 – State’s duty to protect human rights\nIn accordance with its international commitments and national legislation, Slovenia will strive for the effective implementation of policies and measures…combating corruption. (pg. 9)\nPrinciple 2 – States sets expectation for respecting human rights\nRespect for human rights in the business sector is also required by the laws governing…the fight against corruption. (pg. 10)\nIn accordance with the Act Amending the Companies Act, which transposed Directive 2014/95/EU into the Slovenian legal order, large companies which are public-interest entities exceeding the average number of 500 employees must include a non-financial statement in the management report, containing information…relating to the fight against corruption and bribery. (pg. 23)\nPrinciple 9 – Adequate domestic policy to meet HR obligations\nChanneling development cooperation towards ensuring human rights is indirectly reflected in the…fight against corruption, endeavours to achieve responsible management of public finance. (pg. 31)\nRead more about Corruption\nRespect for human rights in the business sector is also required by the laws governing…privacy protection. (pg.10)\nRead more about Data protection & privacy\nDevelopment finance institutions\nPrinciple 4 – Businesses receiving State support\nThe SID Bank specialises in public mandate for promotional and development tasks and services in international trade, economic and development cooperation, commercial operations, innovation, research and educational activities, ecology and energy, infrastructure building and other areas important for Slovenia’s development. (pg. 24)\nThe Slovene Export and Development Bank (SID Bank) is guided by the concept of responsible lending and implements the OECD policy on sustainable lending for export credit guarantees. (pg. 25)\nThe criteria for funding or co-funding development cooperation programmes or projects now also include proven corporate social responsibility, respect for a human rights-based approach, strengthening gender equality and women’s empowerment. (pg. 25)\nRead more about Development finance institutions\nPrinciple 3(d): In meeting their duty to protect, States should: Encourage, and where appropriate require, business enterprises to communicate how they address their human rights impacts.\nSlovenia also applies economic instruments of environmental policy, e.g. environmental tax, to reduce the environmental burden according to the ‘polluter pays’ principle. The environmental tax includes the fields of energy, transport, pollution and the use of resources. – page 21\nRead more about Energy sector\nThe preparation of the Action Plan revealed that the most common human rights violations in business involve discrimination various forms of abuse in the workplace, and negative environmental impacts. (pg. 5)\nState’s expectations of business enterprises\nSeveral new legal provisions proactively ensure the strengthening of respect for human rights in business, which involves non-financial reporting on the environmental and social impacts of major business enterprises, measures to promote equality, and considering environmental, social and labour law aspects in public procurement. (pg. 7)\nIn accordance with its international commitments and national legislation, Slovenia will strive for the effective implementation of policies and measures… protecting the environment and promoting sustainable development. (pg. 9)\nPrinciple 2 – State’s expectations of business enterprises\nThe Constitution stipulates citizen, political, social, and economic rights, as well as the rights to a healthy living environment and to drinking water. (pg. 10)\nIn accordance with the constitutional right to a healthy living environment, the conditions and way economic and other activities are pursued are established by law (Constitution, Article 72). (pg. 10)\nSpecific expectations concerning human rights protection in business are defined in the relevant legislation governing employment relationships, health protection, environmental protection… (pg. 10)\nAn example is the Act Amending the Companies Act of April 2017, which introduces non-financial reporting on the environmental and social impacts of major enterprises and measures to promote equality. (pg. 10)\nSuch amendments introduce principles relating to the environment and social integration, as well as ensuring respect for rights arising from the legislation in force, thus promoting, in the context of public procurement, the social and environmental responsibility of enterprises and helping them to consolidate their standing in the market. (pg. 10)\nPrinciple 3d – Consumer Rights\nConsumer protection also extends to environmental protection, which is focused on the consumers’ right to a healthy environment, and on sustainable consumption. (pg.15)\nPrinciple 3d – Environment\nThe Slovenian Constitution enshrines the right to a healthy living environment, and laws are in place that impose the requirements for, and methods of, implementing economic and other activities that protect human rights while also ensuring adequate protection and preservation of the environment. The Environmental Protection Act defines the basic principles which, on the one hand, ensure the protection of human rights… (pg. 20)\nEnvironmental labelling includes the product lifecycle approach, ensuring that products are manufactured, used and disposed of in a sustainable and environmentally friendly manner. Slovenia will promote environmental labelling, particularly based on verified and independent criteria, as part of drafting policies and measures for restructuring and the transition to a circular economy. Slovenia applies economic instruments of environmental policy, e.g. environmental tax, to reduce the environmental burden according to the ‘polluter pays’ principle. The environmental tax includes the fields of energy, transport, pollution and the use of resources. (pg. 21)\nIn accordance with the Framework Programme for the Transition to a Green Economy, the Slovenian Government will focus on further activities for developing and interconnecting green economy policies. The focus will be placed on the following areas: sustainable management of resources; green growth of the economy, promoting green jobs and providing training for people on the labour market for the requirements of green economy; fostering demand for green products and services; green public procurement and green budget reform; sustainable urban development; public sector activities that may serve as models; education and training for the green economy; and green practice in agriculture. (pg. 22)\nPrinciple 3d – Non-financial reporting\nAs part of drafting policies and measures for restructuring and the transition to a circular economy, the Ministry of the Environment and Spatial Planning, in cooperation with other relevant ministries, will actively promote the use of voluntary environmental labelling instruments at the EU level, such as Ecolabel and EMAS. (pg. 23)\nSlovenia is bound by OECD recommendations… aimed at promoting policy coherence of OECD member countries for officially supported export credits relating to the environment, climate change, social and human rights, obligations to respect relevant international agreements and conventions and to contribute to sustainable development. These recommendations are aimed at promoting policy coherence of OECD member countries for officially supported export credits relating to the environment, climate change, social and human rights, obligations to respect relevant international agreements and conventions and to contribute to sustainable development. (pg. 24)\nPrinciple 6 – Commercial Transactions\n[T]he Public Procurement Act…puts special emphasis on the various aspects of social and environmental policies. (pg. 26)\n[T]he Act includes the horizontal social clause, which requires economic operators, when implementing public contracts, to observe obligations under EU environmental, social and labour law, regulations in force in Member States, collective agreements and international law. (pg. 26)\nPrinciple 9 – Domestic policy\nChannelling development cooperation towards ensuring human rights is also indirectly reflected in providing assistance to partner countries in ensuring the right to a clean environment and safe drinking water. (pg. 31)\nPrinciple 10 – Basic Orientations\nThrough its activities in the World Bank Group committees, Slovenia will support the effective implementation of the Environmental and Social Framework, including the environmental and social policies, which are integral parts of it. (pg. 32)\nThe core document, the EIB Statement on Environmental and Social Standards, determines the framework of the environmental protection policy, and lays the foundations for prosperity. (pg. 33)\nAnnex I – Human Rights Due Diligence in Practice\nProtection of human rights is also directly and indirectly connected to environmental protection and preservation. (pg. 45)\nRead more about Environment & climate change\nEquality & non-discrimination\nPreventing discrimination involves dedicating special attention to gender equality, women’s empowerment, and the rights of children, the disabled, the elderly, lesbian and gay people, and other minorities. (pg. 5-6)\nPrinciple 1 – State’s duty to protect HR\nSpecial laws further define the general principle of equality and individual constitutional provisions, to effectively ensure the implementation of human rights. To guarantee genuine equality, the Constitution, the general act prohibiting discrimination, and the special act on gender equality explicitly stipulate the basis for implementing special measures or positive discrimination in cases when derogations from the equal treatment principle are justified by lawful ends, and the means to attain this goal are both adequate and necessary. (pg. 8)\nInstitutions specialised in human rights protection and promotion include: the Human Rights Ombudsman, the Advocate of the Principle of Equality, coordinators for equal opportunities for women and men, the Commission for Petitions, Human Rights and Equal Opportunities, the Office of the Republic of Slovenia for National Minorities, and numerous working bodies established by the Government or operating within ministries. (pg. 8-9)\nPrinciple 3a – Equal opportunities for women and men\nSlovenian legislation prohibits direct and indirect discrimination and provides for the obligation to ensure equal treatment regardless of gender. It also envisages positive, protective and other measures on gender equality. These include the obligation of the employer – except in justified cases – not to limit access to vacancies based on gender, not to request information from candidates or condition employment on family or marital status, pregnancy or family planning. The employer must also provide equal pay for the same work and for work of the same value to workers regardless of gender. (pg. 13)\n[A]ll companies subject to audit have to outline the policy of representation diversity in their management or supervisory bodies (diversity based on gender, age, education). (pg. 23)\nPrinciple 6 – Planned Measures\nSlovenia will take account of the following considerations: respect for corporate social responsibility, respect for human rights-based approaches, strengthening gender equality and women’s empowerment. (pg. 29)\nPrinciple 8 – Gov’t agencies observe HR obligations\nThe Ministry of Labour, Family, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities of the Republic of Slovenia provides training for public employees, particularly equal opportunities coordinators, related to procedures for gender mainstreaming into sectoral policies. The Ministry created guidelines for drafting action plans for equal opportunities for women and men in local communities. (pg. 30)\nPrinciple 8 – Planned activities/orientations\nThe Ministry of Labour, Family, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities of the Republic of Slovenia will continue to provide regular training for equal opportunities coordinators at the ministries and in local communities on the topic of gender equality. (pg. 30)\nPrinciple 27 – Advocate of the Principle of Equality\nThe Protection against Discrimination Act, which entered into force in May 2016, established the Advocate of the Principle of Equality, an independent state institution for protection against discrimination. The Advocate is responsible for, among other things, making recommendations to state institutions, local community institutions, bearers of public authority, employers, and business and other entities. (pg. 40)\nPrinciple 27 – Planned Measures: Advocate of the Principle of Equality\nSlovenia has established the Advocate of the Principle of Equality, which is tasked with offering recommendations to employers, economic operators and other entities on preventing and eliminating discrimination, conducting inspections and providing independent assistance in the form of counselling and legal advice to parties engaged in other administrative and court procedures related to discrimination. The Advocate’s mandate also includes the prevention of discrimination and addressing reports and initiatives in the private sector. (pg. 41)\nAnnex I – Human Rights Due Diligence\nAmong the aspects of human rights that business enterprises are obliged to respect are all human rights, including guaranteeing non-discrimination and the equal treatment of all persons, gender equality… (pg. 44-45)\nRead more about Equality & non-discrimination\nSlovenia is bound by OECD recommendations requiring that decisions on officially supported export credits are based on the common principles for addressing environmental and social requirements for the export of capital, goods and services to certain locations. These recommendations are aimed at promoting policy coherence of OECD member countries for officially supported export credits relating to the environment, climate change, social and human rights, obligations to respect relevant international agreements and conventions and to contribute to sustainable development. (pg. 24)\nRead more about Export credit\nExtractives sector\nThe Slovenian NAP makes no reference to the extractives sector.\nRead more about Extractives sector\nExtraterritorial jurisdiction\nSlovenia strives to ensure that enterprises registered in Slovenia respect human rights on Slovenian territory and abroad, and to monitor respect for human rights by economic operators. (pg. 10)\nIn Slovenia, economic operators are expected to proactively ensure human rights protection throughout their business operations in accordance with the UN Guiding Principles, the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, and the ILO Tripartite Declaration of Principles concerning Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy. (pg. 11)\nThe Government encourages enterprises operating abroad to report on their global operations, particularly on their operations in official development assistance recipients. Enterprises provide human rights due diligence reports as part of their financial or sustainability reports. (pg. 11)\nRead more about Extraterritorial jurisdiction\nFinance & banking sector\nPrinciple 3a – Consumer Rights\nConsumer rights form part of numerous vertical sector-specific regulations, with emphasis on the following sectors: financial services, which essentially require transparency and information… (pg. 15)\nThe Slovene Export and Development Bank – SID Bank is based on the principle of balanced and sustainable development with respect to economic, environmental and social development. (pg. 24)\nThe Slovene Export and Development Bank considers a comprehensive, long-term and ethical views, and demands their application in all financial operations, services and activities. (pg. 25)\nThe Slovene export and development bank, SID Bank, will continue to observe the principles according to which it has operated, including the principle of balanced and sustainable development (economic, environmental and social development), and follow good practices in the implementation of these principles in comparable institutions in the EU. (pg. 28)\nAmong other things, these Standards foresee the support of the World Bank Group for the fulfilment of human rights. The EDS10 constituency of the World Group Bank, of which Slovenia is a part, is in favour of including human rights, and advocates an independent inspection panel as an effective protection mechanism, which – based on appeals – would determine whether an investment project infringes on human rights with regard to the mandatory standards. (pg. 33)\n[T]he fight against climate change and respect for human rights are fundamental elements of the European Investment Bank’s lending policy. (pg. 33)\nSlovenia fully supports the operations of the Council of Europe Development Bank, where all projects must meet the requirement of respecting the political and social goals of the Council of Europe. (pg. 33)\nWhen addressing the strategies and projects of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, in which Slovenian representatives participate on the board of directors, Slovenia will continue to cooperate actively in accordance with the EBRD’s fundamental principles relating to respect for human rights. (pg. 33)\nRead more about Finance & banking sector\nFisheries and aquaculture sectors\nThe Slovenian NAP does not make a direct or explicit reference to the Fisheries and Aquaculture sectors.\nRead more about Fisheries and aquaculture sectors\nForced labour & modern slavery\nAn emphasis was placed on the risks of precarious work and trafficking in human beings for the purposes of labour exploitation or forced labour. (pg. 6)\nIn accordance with its international commitments and national legislation, Slovenia will strive for the effective implementation of policies and measures against discrimination in access to work and in the workplace, as well as policies and measures ensuring respect for labour rights, combating corruption, preventing and combating trafficking in human beings for the purpose of forced labour exploitation… (pg. 9)\nPrinciple 3a – Human trafficking for forced labour exploitation\nIn April 2017, the Slovenian Government adopted the 2017–2018 Action Plan for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, which includes awareness-raising activities for the business sector and efforts for more effective action aimed at detecting and investigating criminal offences of trafficking in human beings for the purposes of forced labour or labour exploitation. (pg. 15)\nSlovenia will carry out preventive measures and enhance the capacities to detect and prosecute offenders and perpetrators of criminal offences relating to trafficking in human beings for the purposes of forced labour or labour exploitation. (pg. 19)\nThe National Coordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, in cooperation with other relevant agencies and interested partners from the private sector, will carry out activities to raise the awareness of companies and employers of forced labour, with a view to reducing the demand for services provided by victims of human trafficking. (pg. 19)\nKey operators of the Slovenian economy, particularly industries at increased risk, will be informed about the upgrades and promotion of the web manual titled Preventing the Risk of Hidden Forced Labour, a tool for detecting and managing the risk of a company’s potential links with forced labour or exploitation. (pg. 19)\nIn cooperation with other relevant state bodies, the Police will take a proactive approach, and enhance field activities to identify potential victims of human trafficking (forced labour, forced begging, etc.). (pg. 19)\nAmong the aspects of human rights that business enterprises are obliged to respect are all human rights, including guaranteeing non-discrimination and the equal treatment of all persons, gender equality, the protection of fundamental workers’ rights, the prohibition of forced labour and labour exploitation… (pg. 44-45)\nRead more about Forced labour & modern slavery\nSlovenia will promote fruitful cooperation with the business sector, trade unions, education institutions, NGOs, and the broader civil society in promoting human rights in business. (pg. 9)\nPrinciple 3d – Human Rights Due Diligence\nWhen monitoring the implementation of the Action Plan, the Slovenian Government will continue the dialogue with the business sector, trade unions, NGOs and other partners on the implementation of human rights due diligence in practice, including the designing of mechanisms and tools for this purpose. (pg. 24)\nIn December 2013, to promote the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia, in partnership with the Slovenian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, organised the National Forum on Business and Human Rights for representatives of relevant ministries, the National Assembly, business sphere, trade unions, NGOs and academia. (pg. 30)\nThe promotion of the National Action Plan will be carried out both within the ministries and among other stakeholders, whereby the governmental sector will cooperate with the business sector, trade unions, NGOs and other stakeholders. (pg. 30)\nPrinciple 31 – Operational-level Mechanisms\nSlovenia will continue its efforts to establish cooperation with non-governmental organisations, businesses, trade unions and academia, to encourage enterprises to strive for continuous development and to apply the relevant appeal mechanisms to address the alleged or potential violations of human rights in business processes, also through human rights due diligence. (pg. 42)\nAmong the aspects of human rights that business enterprises are obliged to respect are all human rights, including guaranteeing non-discrimination and the equal treatment of all persons, gender equality, the protection of fundamental workers’ rights, the prohibition of forced labour and labour exploitation, freedom of association, and the right to collective negotiations. (pg. 45)\nImplementation of the National Action Plan\nThe implementation of the National Action Plan of the Republic of Slovenia on Business and Human Rights is monitored by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia in cooperation with other ministries and government offices; the Ministry may invite representatives of the Government, Human Rights Ombudsman, business sphere, trade unions, NGOs and academia to cooperate. (pg. 43)\nRead more about Freedom of association\nGarment, Textile and Footwear Sector\nThe Slovenian NAP does not make a direct reference to the Garment sector.\nRead more about Garment, Textile and Footwear Sector\nGender & women’s rights\nThe Resolution on the National Programme for Equal Opportunities for Women and Men for the 2015–2020 period sets out the following objectives for combating gender-based discrimination at work: better information on the rights and supervision of the implementation of provisions prohibiting discrimination in employment and at work and on the prohibition of sexual or other harassment and mobbing [bullying] in the workplace. (pg. 16)\nIn the sphere of gender equality, the Ministry of Labour, Family, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities of the Republic of Slovenia provides training for public employees, particularly equal opportunities coordinators, related to procedures for gender mainstreaming into sectoral policies. The same approach is undertaken by the Ministry about integrating gender equality into local-level policies and measures; the Ministry has, inter alia, drawn up guidelines for drafting action plans for equal opportunities for women and men in local communities. (pg. 30)\nRead more about Gender & women’s rights\nGuidance to business\nPrinciple 3a – Laws enforcing respect for HR\nThe numerous guidelines and activities of the Government of the Republic of Slovenia prove its commitment to ensuring respect for human rights in business. (pg.12)\nPrinciple 3a – Health and safety at work\nThe Ministry will set up a mechanism for exchanging good practices and experience in workplace health promotion. (pg. 18)\nIt will thus continue to actively participate in the annual UN Forum on Business and Human Rights, which is an important platform for exchanging good practices and raising awareness of the implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.\nIn addition, it will encourage the exchange of experience and good practices in business and human rights. (pg. 32)\nRead more about Guidance to business\nThe State’s duty to protect human rights\nPrinciple 2 [page 10]\nStates should set out clearly the expectation that all business enterprises domiciled in their territory and/or jurisdiction respect human rights throughout their operations.\nThe commitment to respecting and protecting human rights is built into Slovenia’s foundations. The Constitution stipulates citizen, political, social, and economic rights, as well as the rights to a healthy living environment and to drinking water. Article 74 of the Constitution states that commercial activities may not be pursued in a manner contrary to the public interest. In accordance with the constitutional right to a healthy living environment, the conditions and manner in which economic and other activities are pursued are established by law (Constitution, Article 72).\nSpecific expectations concerning human rights protection in business are defined in the relevant legislation governing employment relationships, health protection, environmental protection, and prohibition of discrimination in the workplace.\nPrinciple 3a [page 14]\na) Enforce laws that are aimed at, or have the effect of, requiring business enterprises to respect human rights, and periodically to assess the adequacy of such laws and address any gaps.\nHealth and safety at work: Slovenian legislation governing health and safety at work is part of EU law and follows the conventions of the International Labour Organisation. The legislation has already been upgraded with employers’ obligation to plan and implement workplace health promotion. The workplace health promotion programmes in Slovenia are complemented with measures to ensure the health and safety of workers and other persons involved in the work process.\nIn accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act,30 the employer is obliged to ensure health and safety at work, draft and adopt a written safety statement with a risk assessment, adopt measures to prevent, eliminate and address cases of violence, mobbing, harassment and other forms of psychosocial risk at work, to plan and implement workplace health promotion, and plan workplace health promotion in a safety statement with a risk assessment. The Health and Safety at Work Act envisages sanctions for employers violating obligations under the law. In March 2015, the Ministry of Health adopted the Workplace Health Promotion Guidelines,31 which set out the basic principles for planning and implementing workplace health promotion. All employers have to adapt these basic principles to their own organisation and circumstances.\nPlanned measures:\n[Pages 18-19]\nHealth and safety at work: In compliance with the Resolution on the National Health Care Plan 2016-2025 ‘Together for a Healthy Society’37 and to guarantee a safe and positive working environment, the Ministry of Health is planning to evaluate the current implementation of occupational, transport and sport medicine, and its funding and placement in the health-care system. On this basis, the Ministry will introduce relevant adaptations, including an occupational diseases surveillance system. The Ministry will set up a mechanism for exchanging good practices and experience in workplace health promotion. Special attention will be devoted to the revised regulation of the field of occupational diseases.\nIn the next decade, the Ministry of Health will provide expert support for health promotion in schools, the working environment and local communities. It will raise awareness of the importance of health and a healthy lifestyle, empowering individuals and all key institutions that could help improve the health of the population and reduce inequalities in health through their activities. The Ministry will ensure the evaluation of health promotion programmes carried out in these environments, particularly those implemented by NGOs. Particular attention will be devoted to capacity building for work with vulnerable groups and to enhancing partnerships with local communities, NGOs, work organisations, education institutions and social security structures.\nThe Ministry of Labour, Family, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities has drafted the Resolution on the National Programme of Health and Safety at Work 2018-202738 to create and maintain a working environment which will preserve workers’ health throughout the entire period of their employment, so that they will be able to work longer, and the work performed will be to their personal satisfaction.\nThe Ministry will continue its awareness-raising efforts for both employers and employees on health and safety at work by organising seminars and workshops, and through other relevant activities. As part of the project Eliminating Workplace Conflicts (Raising awareness of the possibility of mediation in disputes between employees and employers and consulting for employers), the Labour Inspectorate of the Republic of Slovenia will undertake awareness-raising activities and provide training (particularly) for employers on obligations and responsibilities concerning the provision of health and safety at work by means of workshops, lectures, conferences and seminars organised throughout Slovenia. The project is aimed at raising employers’ awareness of their obligations concerning the provision of health and safety at work, and of their duty to prevent conflicts in the working environment that result from inadequate practices and their negative effects on workers’ health.\nRead more about Health and social care\nHuman rights defenders & whistle-blowers\nThe Slovenian NAP makes no reference to human rights defenders or whistle-blowers.\nRead more about Human rights defenders & whistle-blowers\nThe state’s expectations of business enterprises\nWith this Action Plan, the Government commits to encouraging the development and promotion of human rights due diligence in business and puts forward the recommendation and the expectation that economic operators will set up a mechanism for human rights due diligence. (pg. 7-8)\n[T]he Government of the Republic of Slovenia expects economic operators to set up a human rights due diligence mechanism to facilitate the identification, prevention and mitigation of adverse human rights impacts, as well as to report on their mitigation measures. Human rights due diligence includes assessing actual and potential human rights impacts, integrating and acting upon the findings, tracking responses, and communicating how impacts are addressed. Enterprises provide human rights due diligence reports as part of their financial or sustainability reports. The Government of the Republic of Slovenia will strive for the development and implementation of human rights due diligence in business and will maintain dialogue with stakeholders concerning the implementation of human rights due diligence in practice. This Action Plan provides further information on human rights due diligence in the annex ‘Guidelines on the implementation of human rights due diligence in business’. (pg. 11)\nWith this Action Plan, the Slovenian Government recommends that business enterprises based in Slovenia practice human rights due diligence throughout the business process to guarantee human rights in business in accordance with the UN Guiding Principles. It also recommends they include due diligence reports in their annual reports or in sustainability reports. The Guidelines on Corporate Human Rights Due Diligence are included as an annex to the Action Plan to help draft due diligence reports. (pg. 22)\nThe Slovenian Government will strive to develop and foster human rights due diligence in business operations, and promote its recommendations for business enterprises, with a focus on those owned or co-owned by the state. When monitoring the implementation of the Action Plan, the Slovenian Government will continue the dialogue with the business sector, trade unions, NGOs and other partners on the implementation of human rights due diligence in practice, including the designing of mechanisms and tools for this purpose. To support the implementation of human rights due diligence, the Government will examine the possibilities of carrying out projects aimed at informing enterprises of the content and methodology of due diligence plans, including by providing counselling for its drafting. (pg. 23-24)\nThe review of the fulfilment of commitments with further proposals is conducted in multi-stakeholder form. Furthermore, the Ministry promotes, and steers activities aimed at developing mechanisms and tools for conducting human rights due diligence. (pg. 43)\nThe UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights define human rights due diligence as a process carried out by business enterprises to identify, prevent and mitigate adverse impacts on human rights, as well as to report on methods to reduce such impacts. Human rights due diligence is a permanent internal process and must be carried out by a responsible company to an extent appropriate to its size, sector, nature and geographical area to ensure respect for human rights. In addition, it is recommended that an enterprise also carry out human rights due diligence with its contractual partners and uses its influence to contribute to the acceptance of, and respect for, human rights. Human rights due diligence falls into the context of other careful assessments within the framework of the enterprise’s risk management. (pg. 44)\nThe implementation of human rights due diligence can be summarised in five steps, which include adopting the commitment to respect human rights throughout business operations, setting up a structure for due diligence in all internal and external relations, a priority analysis, due diligence implementation through mechanisms for detecting, and responding to, violations and monitoring of, and reporting on, due diligence and respect for human rights. (pg. 45)\nRead more about Human rights due diligence\nHuman rights impact assessments\nThe Slovenian NAP makes no reference to human rights impact assessments.\nRead more about Human rights impact assessments\nICT & electronics sector\nThe Slovenian NAP makes no reference to the ICT sector.\nRead more about ICT & electronics sector\nThe Slovenian NAP makes no reference to indigenous peoples.\nRead more about Indigenous peoples\nInvestment treaties & investor-state dispute settlements\nThe Slovenian NAP makes no reference to investment treaties and investor-state dispute settlements.\nRead more about Investment treaties & investor-state dispute settlements\nJudicial remedy\nPrinciple 1- State’s duty to protect HR\nThe relevant human rights authorities in Slovenia include judicial bodies, state administration bodies, and other bearers of public authority. (pg. 8)\nPrinciple 3a – Workplace Mobbing\nIn the event of workplace mobbing (bullying, harassment), the worker has the right to judicial protection and damages. (pg. 13)\nPrinciple 26 – Domestic judicial mechanisms\nThe Constitution of the Republic of Slovenia guarantees judicial protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, and the right to obtain redress for violations of such rights and freedoms (Article 15 of the Constitution). (pg. 35)\nRegarding basic procedural rules, a comprehensive update of the regulations governing judicial protection sought by private parties in the event of human rights violations was carried out in 2017. One of the objectives of the amended regulations is to enable more effective protection of individuals’ rights…through the institutions enabling the unification of case law and thus greater legal predictability of court decision making, leading to enhanced judicial protection and trust in the law. (pg. 36)\nRegarding respect for human rights in the business sector, the Code contains an important provision stipulating that criminal liability is to be imposed on a legal person for criminal offences which the perpetrator commits in his name, on his behalf or in his favour. (pg. 36)\nThe amended Criminal Code, which entered into force on 2 July 2017, stipulates that no direct intent needs to be determined in the event of the criminal offence of violation of fundamental workers’ rights, and that conditional intent suffices; the foreseen penalties are also higher. (pg. 36-37)\nAbout access to judicial protection for the socially underprivileged, it is important to mention the institution of free legal aid as defined in the Free Legal Aid Act. (pg. 37)\nJudicial verification and judicial protection regarding administrative acts and actions undertaken by the public administration are guaranteed by the Administrative Dispute Act. The right to trial without undue delay, judicial protection of this right and the right to just satisfaction if the right is violated are envisaged by the Protection of Right to Trial without Undue Delay Act. (pg. 37)\nWorkers in an employment relationship are guaranteed direct legal protection in the event of a request to determine the grounds for the illegal termination of an employment contract, other modes of termination of employment contract or decisions regarding the disciplinary responsibility of workers. In addition, workers may bring monetary claims arising from the employment relationship before the competent labour court. (pg. 37)\nIn the event of bullying or discrimination, workers have the right to judicial protection. (pg. 37)\nWorkers can also appeal to the Labour Inspectorate of the Republic of Slovenia. If a labour inspector, since a report or inspection, determines a violation of the prohibition of bullying, appropriate measures or sanctions may be imposed on the employer. (pg. 38)\nPrinciple 26 – Planned Measures\nThe purpose of the Class Actions Act is to improve access to judicial protection and ensure the exercise of the rights violated for individuals in cases of collective injury, to deter potential violators from illegal actions and to prevent the overload of courts due to an excessive number of independent actions in the event of collective injury. (pg. 39)\nPrinciple 27 – Alternative settlement of legal disputes\nThe Advocate of the Principle of Equality may provide independent assistance to persons discriminated against when exercising their rights concerning protection against discrimination in the form of counselling and legal assistance in administrative and judicial proceedings regarding discrimination. (pg. 40)\nIn accordance with the provisions of the Act on Alternative Dispute Resolution in Judicial Matters, the courts carry out programmes of court-related mediation. To promote court-related mediation, the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Slovenia has prepared a set of activities to increase the visibility of mediation as a means of settling legal disputes, and to additionally inform parties to court proceedings of all the advantages offered by this method of resolving disputes. (pg. 41)\nPrinciple 31 – Nonjudicial Grievance Mechanisms\nThe State grants access to judicial mechanisms and is developing new non-judicial mechanisms to facilitate access to effective appeal mechanisms related to violations of human rights in business. In so doing, the State strives to improve the effectiveness, accessibility, predictability and transparency of procedures. (pg. 42)\nRead more about Judicial remedy\nThe Slovenian NAP makes no reference to Land.\nRead more about Land\nIn the framework of development cooperation, migration is an important cross-cutting issue, and in dealing with this issue, it is vital to engage the cooperation of all shareholders – state bodies, non-governmental sector and businesses – to ensure the necessary integration and employment of migrants. (pg. 31)\nRead more about Migrant workers\nNational Human Rights Institutions/ Ombudspersons\nTo promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms and to enhance legal security, the amended Human Rights Ombudsman Act establishes the Centre for Human Rights… (pg. 34)\nThe Centre for Human Rights and the Ombudsman will cooperate more closely with international organisations in the fields of enforcing, promoting and developing human rights and fundamental freedoms, including in the framework of the Global Alliance for National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI), the European Network of National Human Rights Institutions (ENNHRI), the United Nations (Human Rights Council), the Council of Europe, the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and the European Union. (pg. 34)\nThe Council of Human Rights, the establishment of which also arises from the amended Human Rights Ombudsman Act, promotes quality cooperation in the framework of international multilateral mechanisms, its tasks include dealing with reports of the Republic of Slovenia submitted to international organisations in the sphere of human rights, and participating in the drafting of independent reports of the Human Rights Ombudsman on meeting the Republic of Slovenia’s international obligations regarding human rights. (pg. 34)\nPrinciple 27 – Human Rights Ombudsman\nAccording to the Principles relating to the Status of National Institutions (the Paris Principles), Slovenia’s Human Rights Ombudsman has been accredited with B-status. To provide the legal basis for A-status, the Ministry of Justice and the Human Rights Ombudsman prepared the Act Amending the Human Rights Ombudsman Act. (pg. 39)\nThe Council of Human Rights started its work in June 2018, and it may provide views on development policies on human rights and fundamental freedoms, and, on the initiative of the Ombudsman, address wider issues concerning the promotion, protection and monitoring of human rights and fundamental freedoms. (pg. 39)\nThe Act Amending the Human Rights Ombudsman Act was adopted by the National Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia in September 2017; it establishes the Centre for Human Rights. (pg. 39)\nThe Centre for Human Rights, which will start its work in January 2019, will provide information, education, training, analyses and reports fields of human rights and fundamental freedoms promotion and protection, as well as organising consultations related to the enforcement, promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms. (pg. 39-40)\nRegarding initiatives under Article 26 of the Human Rights Ombudsman Act, the Ombudsman’s broader mandate does not include initiatives in the private sector; however, the proposed amendments to the Act will enable a general consideration of issues concerning the human rights situation in the business sector. (pg. 40)\nWith the Act Amending the Human Rights Ombudsman Act, Slovenia expanded the mandate of the Human Rights Ombudsman, thus enabling an upgrade of the Ombudsman’s current scope of activities and ensuring comprehensive provision of informal human rights protection both when dealing with cases and initiatives, and in addressing systemic irregularities, while at the same time strengthening the Ombudsman’s research and educational activities. In this context, a more prominent role is foreseen for the Ombudsman in the sphere of business and human rights as well. (pg. 41)\nRead more about National Human Rights Institutions/ Ombudspersons\nNon-financial reporting\nSlovenia has recently included several proactive provisions in national legislation to foster respect for human rights in business. An example is the Act Amending the Companies Act of April 2017, which introduces non-financial reporting on the environmental and social impacts of major enterprises and measures to promote equality. (pg. 10)\nSlovenia has adopted a new legal regulation aimed at increasing the transparency of certain companies and at improving the adequacy, convergence and comparability of non-financial information, increasing the transparency and consequently the diversity in their administrative, management and supervisory bodies, increasing corporate responsibility and efficiency and thereby the effectiveness of the single market, and at improving corporate management.\nIn accordance with Directive 2014/95/EU, which requires that certain large companies disclose relevant non-financial information to provide investors and other interested parties with a more complete picture of the development, efficiency, status and environmental and social impacts of their activities, Slovenia incorporated the obligation of non-financial reporting for large companies into its legal system in April 2017. In addition, to create a transparent, effective and clear management system which fosters the trust of investors, employees and the general public in the corporate management system, Slovenia has extended the list of companies which are required to include non-financial statements in their annual reports. (pg. 21)\nNon-financial reporting: In accordance with the Act Amending the Companies Act, which transposed Directive 2014/95/EU into the Slovenian legal order, large companies which are public-interest entities exceeding the average number of 500 employees must include a non-financial statement in the management report, containing information on their environmental and social impacts. Published as part of the annual report (or as a separate report), the statement must contain information at least on environmental, social and human resources issues, respect for human rights, and matters relating to the fight against corruption and bribery. The obligation to report also applies to large companies with the number of employees at the consolidated basis exceeding 500, which have to prepare consolidated annual plans.\nIn addition, all companies subject to audit have to outline the policy of representation diversity in their management or supervisory bodies (diversity based on gender, age, education). The diversity of skills and positions of members of management or supervisory bodies improves the understanding of business operations and openness to innovative ideas, prevents similarity of views, etc. The above provision is aimed at indirectly contributing, through such diversity, to the more successful management of companies. The monitoring and supervision of implementation of the abovementioned legal provisions will be entrusted to the Ministry of Economic Development and Technology.\nAs part of drafting policies and measures for restructuring and the transition to a circular economy, the Ministry of the Environment and Spatial Planning, in cooperation with other relevant ministries, will actively promote the use of voluntary environmental labelling instruments at the EU level, such as Ecolabel and EMAS. To this end, targeted expert support and assistance will be offered to companies and organisations through financial incentives and more widely by promoting sustainable production and consumption. (pg. 23)\nAnnex I – Guidelines on Corporate Human Rights Due Diligence\nMonitoring of, and reporting on, due diligence and respect for human rights\nOne of the basic principles of corporate social responsibility is transparency; therefore, it must be ensured that the enterprise report regularly comprehensively and clearly to stakeholders on its observance of human rights.\nThe simplest way for an enterprise to report observance of human rights is in its annual report, or a special sustainability report, or a corporate social responsibility report, in which it also reports on other non-financial aspects of business operations.\nIn planning the scope and structure of the report, the enterprise can draw from some international standards and initiatives that include human rights and have developed basic indicators for monitoring them, inter alia:\nEU directive on non-financial reporting for public-interest companies with morethan 500 employees (transposed to Slovenian legal order with the ActAmending the Companies Act),\nGRI guidelines on reporting on sustainability in business operations,\nISO 26000 – social responsibility guidelines for enterprises,\nSA 8000 Certificate,\nPrinciples of the United Nations Global Compact.\nBy joining some of the Slovenian initiatives and by acquiring certificates, enterprises can fully or partially comply with requirements concerning human rights. Some of the relevant certificates are: Family-friendly company, Socially responsible company, EFQM excellence model, Golden Thread, Most respectable employer, HORUS – Slovenian award for social responsibility, Leader in social responsibility and sustainable development; alongside other means in support of this field. (pg. 47)\nRead more about Non-financial reporting\nNon-judicial grievance mechanisms\nPrinciple 27 – OECD National Contact Point\nThe National Contact Point can, through mediation and the conciliation procedure, help businesses and stakeholders to resolve issues concerning violations of the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises. (pg. 40)\nPrincipal 27 – Alternative settlement of legal disputes\nAll Slovenian courts (local, district, labour, higher, and higher labour and social courts) enable alternative settlements of legal disputes, or more precisely, mediation. The alternative settlement of disputes does not involve a trial, but one or several neutral third parties facilitate the settlement of a dispute. (pg. 40)\nPrinciple 31 – Nonjudicial Mechanisms\nThe State grants access to judicial mechanisms and is developing new non-judicial mechanisms to facilitate access to effective appeal mechanisms related to violations of human rights in business. (pg. 42)\nRead more about Non-judicial grievance mechanisms\nOECD National Contact Points\nThis Action Plan commits the Republic of Slovenia to achieving the objectives of the UN Guiding Principles and of other important international mechanisms concerning business and human rights protection and promotion, e.g. the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises… (pg. 4)\nFurthermore, enterprises are encouraged to act in compliance with the UN Guiding Principles, the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, and the ILO Tripartite Declaration of Principles concerning Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy, and to report according to ISO 26000 and GRI standards. (pg. 7)\nIn accordance with the OECD Declaration on International Investment and Multinational Enterprises and the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, Slovenia is committed to the principles and standards of responsible business. (pg. 9)\nPrinciple 3d – OECD Guidelines\nIn accordance with the OECD Declaration on International Investment and Multinational Enterprises and the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, Slovenia is committed to the principles and standards of responsible business conduct. (pg. 21)\nTo promote responsible business conduct, the Slovenian National Contact Point for the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises…has been entrusted with tasks: active promotion of the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises; informing enterprises and the general public of the content of the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises; conducting mediation and conciliatory proceedings on the basis of filed complaints on violations of the Guidelines; monitoring the work of domestic and foreign multinational enterprises in Slovenia; cooperation with key institutions on promoting the principles of social responsibility of enterprises; annual reporting to the OECD Investment Committee, and regular consultations within the OECD. (pg. 22)\nThe Ministry of Economic Development and Technology provides technical support to the Slovenian National Contact Point for the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises. (pg. 22)\nPrinciple 3d – Planned Measures – OECD Guidelines\nThe Ministry of Economic Development and Technology will be implementing activities to inform companies and the public of the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, which were translated into the Slovene language in 2016. (pg. 23)\nAs an OECD member country, Slovenia is bound by OECD recommendations requiring that decisions on officially supported export credits are based on the common principles for addressing environmental and social requirements for the export of capital, goods and services to certain locations. These recommendations are aimed at promoting policy coherence of OECD member countries for officially supported export credits relating to the environment, climate change, social and human rights, obligations to respect relevant international agreements and conventions and to contribute to sustainable development. (pg. 24)\nThe SID Bank is guided by the concept of responsible lending and implements the OECD policy on sustainable lending for export credit guarantees. (pg. 25)\nPrinciple 9 – Adequate Domestic Policy\nThe latest trade agreements contain sustainable development provisions, which require that the signatories respect workers’ rights by acceding to ILO conventions, to protect the environment and to observe the provisions contained in the OECD Guidelines for multinational enterprises. (pg. 30)\nOut-of-court dispute settlements are also possible through the OECD National Contact Point, which was established at the Ministry of Economic Development and Technology. The National Contact Point can, through mediation and the conciliation procedure, help businesses and stakeholders to resolve issues concerning violations of the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises. (pg. 40)\nPrinciple 27 – Planned Measures – OECD National Contact Point\nTo raise awareness of the OECD Guidelines and National Contact Point, the Ministry of Economic Development and Technology of the Republic of Slovenia will carry out activities for multinational enterprises that promote the OECD Guidelines. The Republic of Slovenia will strive to improve the functioning of the Slovenian National Contact Point in accordance with the OECD Guidelines. (pg. 41)\nRead more about OECD National Contact Points\nProtection of persons with disabilities against discrimination is provided for by legislation, which also envisages positive, protective and other measures for such persons. (pg. 14)\nSlovenia is striving to guarantee measures to improve the employability of persons with disabilities by providing various programmes and training. In this context, it is essential to inform employers of the possibility of adequately adjusting the working environment and the workplace, as well as to encourage persons with disabilities to seek employment. (pg. 14)\nThe priorities regarding the work and employment of persons with disabilities include: Improving the employability of employed persons with disabilities, fostering the training and employment of disabled persons in state administration bodies, and providing an expert support network for employment rehabilitation. (pg. 17)\nRead more about Persons with disabilities\nPolicy coherence\nSlovenia is bound by OECD recommendations. These recommendations are aimed at promoting policy coherence of OECD member countries for officially supported export credits relating to the environment, climate change, social and human rights, obligations to respect relevant international agreements and conventions and to contribute to sustainable development. (pg. 24)\nThe Ministry of Foreign Affairs will devote attention to the implementation of policy coherence for development in Slovenia, thus ensuring that policies and legislation adopted by Slovenia are not to the detriment of developing countries. (pg. 25)\nRead more about Policy coherence\nThe Slovenian NAP does not make an explicit reference to privatisation.\nRead more about Privatisation\nSeveral new legal provisions proactively ensure the strengthening of respect for human rights in business, which involves… considering environmental, social and labour law aspects in public procurement. (pg. 7)\nThe Public Procurement Act, entered into force in April 2016, provides for solutions to make public procurement simpler, more flexible and more efficient, and places a greater emphasis on some aspects of social and environmental policies. (pg. 10)\nPrinciple 3d – Planned Measures – Environment\nIn accordance with the Framework Programme for the Transition to a Green Economy, the Slovenian Government will focus on further activities for developing and interconnecting green economy policies. The focus will be placed on… green public procurement and green budget reform; sustainable urban development; public sector activities that may serve as models; education and training for the green economy; and green practice in agriculture. (pg. 22)\nPrinciple 6 – Commercial transactions between states and businesses\nThe State may enter business relations with economic operators also through public procurement activities. Public procurement is thus an important tool for pursuing and achieving the objectives of secondary policies, such as environmental, social and sustainable policies. In this vein, the Public Procurement Act, which entered into force on 1 April 2016 and follows the EU law in this field, puts special emphasis on the various aspects of social and environmental policies. (pg. 26)\nAs one of the fundamental principles of public procurement, the Act includes the horizontal social clause, which requires economic operators, when implementing public contracts, to observe obligations under EU environmental, social and labour law, regulations in force in Member States, collective agreements and international law. (pg. 26)\nIn the amended Public Procurement Act (ZJN-3A), which took effect on 1 November 2018, when the contracting authority is informed that the court, by a final decision, determines violations of labour, environmental or social law on the part of the contractor or any of the subcontractors, or when the contracting authority is informed that, during the implementation of the contract, the competent state authority determined, on the part of the contractor or any of the subcontractors, at least two violations related to wages, working hours, rest periods, work on the basis of civil-law contracts despite evident elements of employment relationship or illegal employment for which, by a final decision or multiple final decisions, a fine for a minor offence has been imposed. (pg. 26-27)\nThe Act also specifically stipulates that the contracting authority must take into consideration the principles of socially responsible public procurement by including measures related to social aspects. Social inclusion is also promoted by the possibility of reserved contracts, whereby the contracting authority may reserve the right of participation in public procurement procedures for certain economic operators, e.g. sheltered workshops, job centres and social enterprises employing disadvantaged workers. (pg. 27)\nIn Slovenia, green public procurement has been mandatory since 2011; the amended Act stipulates in what cases green public procurement is mandatory, which environmental aspects must be taken into consideration by contracting authorities when publishing calls for applications, and which objectives must be achieved by the contracting authority regarding every public contract. (pg. 27)\nIn public procurement, special attention is also devoted to the subcontracting chain, the transparency of which must be ensured by the main contractor. (pg. 27)\nSlovenia will promote the achievement of the goals set by labour, social and environmental policies, also through the instrument of public procurement, and strive for accelerated and effective implementation of regulatory provisions. (pg. 28)\nSlovenia will implement awareness-raising activities and training in the inclusion of social and environmental aspects in public procurement procedures and will continue to provide a single point of contact, the so-called Helpdesk, which will offer professional assistance to contracting authorities and economic operators participating or interested in public procurement procedures. (pg. 28)\nThe single point of contact has already been established and has been functional at the Public Procurement Directorate at the Ministry of Public Administration of the Republic of Slovenia since 15 September 2016. (pg. 28-29)\nSlovenia will continue to update its structures in the field of green public procurement and keep adapting them to technological advances and the situation in the market. (pg. 29)\nRead more about Public procurement\nTwo sets of guidelines are in preparation in cooperation with professional interest groups, namely: Guidelines on the public procurement of security services\nRead more about Security sector\nSlovenia supports the EU approach to environmental and social issues, and will continue to promote the development of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises as major drivers of sustainable development. (pg. 32)\nRead more about Small & medium-sized enterprises\nState Owned Enterprises/ Public Private Partnerships\nThe Slovenian NAP makes no reference to state-owned enterprises.\nRead more about State Owned Enterprises/ Public Private Partnerships\nThe Republic of Slovenia adopted this Action Plan to enhance activities aimed at ensuring respect for human rights in business operations along the entire value chain. (pg. 4)\nAnnex I: Human Rights Due Diligence in Practice\nAn enterprise should identify the relevant facts through the entire value chain – not only within its business process but also on the outside, i.e. in relation to its contractual partners. A priority list of the potentially most critical human rights should be made, and a practical connection between them and business operations along the entire value chain should be established. (pg. 46)\nRead more about Supply chains\nThe Slovenian NAP makes no reference to taxation.\nRead more about Taxation\nThe Government also supports voluntary measures to foster business culture and ethics based on the values of social responsibility and the principles of sustainable development. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development calls on the business sector to voluntarily support sustainable development. (pg. 7)\nIn accordance with its international commitments and national legislation, Slovenia will strive for the effective implementation of policies and measures… promoting sustainable development. (pg. 9)\nIn October 2015, the Slovenian Government adopted the Framework Programme for the Transition to a Green Economy, which sets out the groundwork for a faster and more focused transition to a green economy…including a flexible framework for upgrading and planning further activities in the dialogue with stakeholders. (pg. 20)\nThese (OECD) recommendations are aimed at promoting policy coherence of OECD member countries for officially supported export credits relating to the environment, climate change, social and human rights, obligations to respect relevant international agreements and conventions and to contribute to sustainable development. (pg. 24)\nThe latest trade agreements contain sustainable development provisions, which require that the signatories respect workers’ rights by acceding to ILO conventions, to protect the environment. (pg. 30)\nThe Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia will continue to raise the awareness of the Slovenian business community, underlining the need to operate in accordance with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, also by organising targeted workshops. (pg. 31)\nSlovenia strives for the promotion of sustainable development, corporate social responsibility and respect for human rights. Slovenia supports the EU approach to environmental and social issues, and will continue to promote the development of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises as major drivers of sustainable development. (pg. 32)\nThe promotion of sustainable development, particularly conservation and protection of biodiversity, the fight against climate change and respect for human rights are fundamental elements of the European Investment Bank’s lending policy. (pg. 33)\nAs an EIB shareholder, Slovenia will continue to support the key elements of its lending policy, which are aimed at ensuring sustainable development, including respect for human rights. (pg. 33)\nRead more about The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development\nTourism sector\nThe Slovenian NAP does not make an explicit reference to the tourism sector.\nRead more about Tourism sector\nCommon trade policy falls within the exclusive competence of the European Union, a member of which is also Slovenia, and therefore Slovenia does not conclude preferential trade agreements with other countries. The latest trade agreements contain sustainable development provisions, which require that the signatories respect workers’ rights by acceding to ILO conventions, to protect the environment and to observe the provisions contained in the OECD Guidelines for multinational enterprises. (pg. 30)\nRead more about Trade\nPromotion and protection of fundamental workers’ rights, also in transnational businesses and along the entire production chain. (pg. 6)\nEnterprises must respect and protect internationally recognised human rights as defined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and fundamental rights, as stipulated in the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work. (pg. 7)\nenterprises are encouraged to act in compliance with the UN Guiding Principles, the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, and the ILO Tripartite Declaration of Principles concerning Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy, and to report according to ISO 26000 and GRI standards. (pg. 7)\nPrinciple 3a – Precarious Work\nThe Employment Relationship Act contains several provisions to that effect, including a provision in accordance with EU regulations (Council Directive concerning the framework agreement on fixed-term work) and the ILO Convention concerning Part-Time Work No. 175, which stipulates that both a fixed-term and a part-time employment contract must provide for full legal and social security benefits. (pg. 12-13)\nPrinciple 3a – Workplace mobbing [bullying]\nIn accordance with the Employment Relationship Act, the employer is obliged to provide a working environment in which no worker is subject to sexual or other harassment or mobbing, either verbal, non-verbal or physical, by the employer, superiors or co-workers. The Employment Relationship Act stipulates fines for violations of these obligations by the employer. (pg. 13)\nThe latest trade agreements contain sustainable development provisions, which require that the signatories respect workers’ rights by acceding to ILO conventions… (pg. 30)\nPrinciple 26 – Access to assistance\nWorkers can appeal to the Labour Inspectorate of the Republic of Slovenia. If a labour inspector, based on a report or inspection, determines a violation of the prohibition of bullying, appropriate measures or sanctions may be imposed on the employer. (pg. 38)\nRead more about Workers’ rights\nThe Danish Institute for Human Rights is an independent state-funded institution. Our mandate is to promote and protect human rights and equal treatment in Denmark and abroad.\nFinancial support provided by the Swedish International Development Agency\n© 2017-2022 National Action Plans on Business and Human Rights | Cookie Declaration | Accessibility declaration","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1042658"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.789212703704834,"wiki_prob":0.789212703704834,"text":"Posted inAvery, Buncombe, Cherokee, Clay, Education, Environment, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Politics & Government, Polk, Rutherford, Swain, Transylvania, Yancey\nSome WNC early childhood education programs reorganizing, cutting services\nby Paul Clark August 16, 2012 July 8, 2020\n\"Having a very austere budget to begin with and then losing 20% (of our budget) was nearly our undoing altogether,\" says Nancy Alenier, executive director of Madison County's Smart Start program. \"It was only due to the grace of the leadership at Mars Hill College - who now donates our offices and associated facility costs - that we are still able to operate.\" Children and families pictured here participate in a the agency's 'Kith & Kin' program, which organizes groups of young children and their caregivers for educational activities and information, referrals and support for the adults. Photo courtesy of the Madison County Partnership for Children and Families.\nAdministrators struggling with fewer funds, more demands\n“Having a very austere budget to begin with and then losing 20 percent (of our budget) was nearly our undoing altogether,” says Nancy Alenier, executive director of Madison County’s Smart Start program, in an email. “It was only due to the grace of the leadership at Mars Hill College – who now donates our offices and associated facility costs – that we are still able to operate.” Here, children and families participate in one of the agency’s programs that brings of young children and caregivers together for educational activities, referrals and support. Photo courtesy of the Madison County Partnership for Children and Families.\nThere’s no bundle of joy in the newest North Carolina budget for early childhood education, program administrators in Western North Carolina say.\nFor the second year in a row, two highly regarded state programs – Smart Start and the NC Pre-Kindergarten Program – will operate on reduced budgets, meaning fewer children served.\nAdministrators fear that progress made ensuring the well-being and school-readiness of North Carolina’s youngest residents will unravel as a result.\nThe two program budget reductions were part of sweeping cuts the N.C. General Assembly made throughout state government last year when it adopted the state’s $19.7 billion budget. The Republican-written spending plan, which the N.C. State Board of Education said would do “irreparable harm” to schools and students, was formulated to cut taxes and spending.\n“When our data comes out in the fall, I think we are going to see some of the progress we’ve made start declining,” said Sonia Gironda, executive director of Smart Start of Henderson County. “We’re going to see more dental care problems because we had to scale our dental care program back by more than half.”\n“We’re losing ground,” said Janice Edgerton, executive director of the Region A Partnership for Children, the Smart Start partnership serving Clay, Cherokee, Haywood, Graham, Jackson, Macon and Swain counties, as well as the Qualla Boundary.\nNearly 6,000 fewer NC children now in NC Pre-K\nIn its 2011 session, the General Assembly cut the budgets of Smart Start and NC Pre-K (then called More at Four) by 20 percent.\nThe cuts affected a lot of children. Counted in the 2010 Census were 632,040 N.C. boys and girls younger than 5. Among them, 260,480 in March 2011 were enrolled in regulated childcare centers and family childcare homes, according to the N.C. Division of Child Development and Early Education. The state subsidized childcare for 84,832 of the children in 2010.\nThe state has many reasons for doing so. Safe, affordable childcare makes parents better, more dependable workers, according to a study by the Insight Center for Community Economic Development. Family issue absences cost the state economy $2.75 billion annually, far more than the $670 million in state 2011-2012 early childhood education appropriations, the study concluded.\nEarly childhood education also saves taxpayers money by reducing the number of juvenile delinquents, prisoners and welfare recipients, the study states.\nAnother study cited by the Division of Child Development and Early Education last October stated that economically disadvantaged children enrolled in NC Pre-K did better in reading and math than similar children not enrolled in the program.\nNC Pre-K is designed to provide “high-quality” pre-kindergarten educational programs for 4-year-olds deemed “at risk” because of health, developmental progress, family income, education, housing stability or English proficiency, according to program criteria. In June 2011, the legislature cut $32 million out of its funding.\nThis year NC Pre-K asked for $25 million to be restored. Legislators declined to do so in the $20.2 billion budget they passed over Gov. Bev Perdue’s veto.\nOnce serving nearly 31,000 children, NC Pre-K now serves nearly 25,000 on a budget of about $128 million, according to Lori Walston, a spokeswoman for the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services, which oversees the program.\nSome Smart Start programs reorganizing\nSmart Start is the state’s early education initiative meant to ensure children enter kindergarten healthy and ready to learn. Funded through state and federal programs, as well as through corporate grants, it is administered by The North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc., which oversees the work of 76 local Smart Start partnerships. The local partners contract with local agencies to provide services such as nutrition and literacy training.\nDuring this year’s legislative session, the group asked the General Assembly to restore half of $36 million cut from the program last year. Denied, Smart Start’s budget remains the same this year as last – $151 million.\nBut because legislators have increased the minimum percentage of Smart Start money that each partnership has to apply to childcare subsidies – from 30 to 39 percent – other Smart Start programs are suffering.\nThe changes were severe enough that the McDowell County partnership, which originally stood on its own, felt it could no longer, prompting it to merge with Rutherford and Polk counties in July to form the Partnership for Children of the Foothills.\n“It’s kind of like a double-edged sword,” said Barry Gold, executive director of the Partnership for Children of the Foothills, which now serves Rutherford, Polk and McDowell counties. Increasing the money for childcare subsidies is “a good thing” because it allows more parents to work, he said.\n“But you rob Peter to pay Paul,” he added, “and someone gets hurt.”\nCuts to services\n“We had been facing budget cuts the last seven or eight years, so we had gotten used to cutting programs back to the bare minimum,” said Caroline Rodier, former director of the McDowell partnership and now assistant director of the merged partnership. “So when we got the 20 percent cut and the requirement for more towards (childcare) subsidies, it was a double whammy.”\nIt also cut its First Steps and Healthy Start home-visiting programs. It also stopped funding the popular McSmiles mobile preschool program, which sent teachers in old school buses into rural areas for children to attend short preschool classes. McDowell County Schools, the partnership’s program partner, now funds the program entirely.\nFor years, the Rutherford-Polk partnership had a Parents As Teachers program that was a national training model for partnership professionals. The 25-year-old program sent trained educators into homes of low-income, high-risk new parents to show them the importance of reading to their children and helping them identify shapes and colors.\nBut the partnership had to give up that program last year, Gold said.\nIt also lost a program that let it pay a portion of health insurance for childcare workers, a perk that helped stabilize the childcare workforce and bring stability to many children’s lives. The program reduced worker turnover from 50 to 20 percent annually, Gold said.\nThe mandated increase in childcare subsidies means Region A Partnership for Children will draw money away from a program that augments wages for childcare professionals who are advancing their careers and from programs that help families at family resource centers, Edgerton, the organization’s executive director said.\n“People are out there who are so isolated, with no knowledge of how to be a parent,” she said. “You think, shouldn’t everyone already know about these things? But people that are really dirt poor, they’ve said that they just need this kind of help. And that the people at the family resource centers welcome them and respect them.”\n“We all understand that this is a very challenging economic time,” Gold said. “No one expects all these dollars to flow to us. But to get such a huge cut and not get anything restored, it’s just very difficult.”\nHe paused and added, “We’re going to make it work, and we’re going to do some very good things.”\nEducation a key factor in driving food insecurity and part of the solution\nCalls for more money for schools at public hearing fail to sway Cumberland commissioners\nWith WNC doctor shortage, state budget boosts mountain medical training\nTagged: grid, slider\nPaul Clark\nPaul Clark is a contributing reporter for Carolina Public Press. Contact him at paulgclark@charter.net.\nMore by Paul Clark\nPingback: Some WNC early childhood education programs reorganizing, cutting services « Burke County Save Our Schools","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1744958"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7714525461196899,"wiki_prob":0.7714525461196899,"text":"Home general-aptitude geometry Mensuration\nThe area of a triangle is 1176cm2. If the ratio of base and related height is 3;4then what is the height of triangle ?\nA. 42 Cm.\nB. 52 Cm.\nC. 54 Cm.\nD. 56 Cm.\nIf 40% reduction in the height of a triangle and 40% increase in its base then what will be the impact on the area of a triangle?\nA. No change\nB. 16% increase\nC. 8% decrease\nD. 16% reduction\nTwo Concentric circles, which surroundings are 88cm and 132 cm respectively . find the area of ring between these ?\nA. 780 c m 2\nB. 770 c m 2\nC. 715 c m 2\nD. 660 c m 2\nThe area of a square is equal to that circle which surruonding is 2#x then find find the perimeter of that squre?\nA. 2 π x\nB. π x\nC. 4 π x\nD. 4 x π\nA which every\nA. 8 c m 2\nB. 6 3 c m 2\nC. 25 / 2 c m 2\nD. 18 c m 2\nCircumference of a circle, a square whose perimeter is equal to the area of a circle's area is 121 c m 2 ?\nA. 44 c m 2\nThe perimeter of a square and a rectangle is equal. The length of the rectangle is 48 cm and width of the rectangle to a third of its Lmbi, then what is the area of the square?\nA. 1024 c m 2\nB. 1124 c m 2\nC. 1204 c m 2\nD. 1214 c m 2\n8 m X 6 m surface of a rectangular hall and square tiles on the floor Bicwana whose diagonal 10 2 M cm, so that the total number of tiles will you need?\nDiagonal 10 2 of a square meter of ground in the field 2 Rs. Cost per square meter will be imposed at the rate of Grass?\nA. Rs. 100\nB. Rs. 400\nC. Rs. 200\nD. Rs. 250\nA trapezium 5 meters and 8 meters and a vertical distance of 10 meters between them is the area of the trapezium?\nA. 400 m e t e r 2\nB. 200 m e t e r 2\nC. 65 m e t e r 2\nD. 130 m e t e r 2\nThe perimeter of a rectangular field is 480 meters and its length and width ratio of 5: 3 is the area of the field?\nA. 7200 m e t e r 2\nB. 13500 m e t e r 2\nC. 15000 m e t e r 2\nD. 54000 m e t e r 2\nAn arm of Δ 8 meters, 10 meters and 6 meters in the Δ area of the meter?\nA. 24 m e t e r 2\nB. 18 m e t e r 2\nD. 72 m e t e r 2\nIf the ratio of the areas of the two circles is 4: 1 ratio, which will be their Radii of the following?\nA. 16:1\nC. 2:1\nD. 4:1\nA circle with a diameter of 40 meters, 5 meters wide and summoned a path surrounded by grass, then what is the area of the road?\nA. 200 π m e t e r 2\nB. 225 π m e t e r 2\nC. 400 π m e t e r 2\nD. 425 π m e t e r 2\nAn equilateral Δ Is embedded within a circle of radius 3 cm. The equilateral Δ What is the height?\nA. 6 Cm\nB. 9 Cm\nC. 8 Cm\nD. 11 Cm\nEach side of the square side of an equilateral triangle is equal to the ratio of the areas they'll do?\nA. 2:1\nThe height of a room and its Semiperimeter ratio of 2: 5, doors windows and including 15 square meters excluding the four walls 50 cm wide paper 2 Cr. The total expenditure of Rs 260 per meter at the rate of levy. is. What is the height of the room?\nA. 2.6 meter\nB. 3.9 meter\nC. 4 meter\nD. 4.2 meter\n25 meters long and 15 meters wide rectangular length and width in the park parallel to 2 meters wide in the middle of two roads intersect with each other and the rest is grown grass. The grass area is how much?\nC. 300 m e t e r 2\n35 cm radius of the circle as a tar / it is channeled in the form of rhombus. Tell one side of the rhombus, what?\nA. 32 cm\nB. 70 cm\nC. 55 cm\nTwo of the areas of triangles Ratio 4: 3 and the ratio of their heights is 3: 4, what is the ratio of the lengths of the base?\nA. 9:21\nB. 16:5\nC. 13:11\nD. 16:9","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1577820"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9400907158851624,"wiki_prob":0.9400907158851624,"text":"Satie Gossett\nPlay demo reel8:28\nSatie Gossett Demo Reel 2016\nSatie Gossett is storyteller, thinker and an image builder. Satie began his film career re-creating favorite movie scenes from Star Wars and other movies with his childhood friends and a Super 8 camera. His childhood was filled with legendary people from Muhammad Ali, to playing games with Sidney Poitier. While working for his father, Academy-Award winner Louis Gossett, Jr., Satie became renowned for his filmmaking skills and was granted unprecedented access to political happenings, Hollywood events and philanthropic ventures.\nA graduate of Syracuse University, Satie holds a bachelor's degree in communications and a minor in film studies and is currently a writer, director and producer at Goose Egg Entertainment. Satie creates feature and short film content for various media outlets.\nPrior to Goose Egg Entertainment, Satie was a writer and director at Illuminado Pictures. He provided rewrite and polish services for feature scripts in active development. Satie was also associate producer and talent manager for Associated TV International. In this position, he served as the U.S. West Coast production contact for top-tier clientele. He played a significant role in creating ideas for each production and worked with production assistants to meet the bottom line for the producers. His work included the programming series \"Heroes Among Us,\" and on the Blair Underwood's Intrepid Entertainment's \"Blacks In Entertainment.\"\nSatie is best known for his comedic short film, \"Jewtholic,\" a religious comedy narrated by Louis Gossett, Jr and featuring Deep Roy. Satie's first short film, \"Pillow Talk,\" was an experimental piece examining the common denominators in grief. He also produced and directed \"Departure,\" a short film, which was featured at the MacWorld Conference in San Francisco. Complimented by the official Tom Cruise blog, the film included footage, shot exclusively with an iPhone 4s, from three different directors in the United States, France, and Belarus and included original music by Public Enemy Founder Hank Shocklee.\nSatie completed his latest short film, \"Forgiveness.\" A dramatic story about the President of the United States of America apologizing for America's role in slavery. His previous short film, \"10 Minutes,\" a crime drama short film, featuring Louis Gossett, Jr. and starring Glenn Plummer and Kent Faulcon screened at the Cannes Film Festival along with \"Departure\" in 2015. He has also produced the documentary feature, \"American Addict 2,\" which is available on Amazon Prime.\nSatie's producer credits include: \"Cursed,\" a web-series, which aired last year on KDOC, Los Angeles; and \"An Unfinished DREAM.\" Satie has written and directed six short films, all of which have been screened at various film festivals and gained distribution worldwide. Throughout the years, Satie has lent his talents to multiple studios, such as, 20th Century Fox Digital, CBS Entertainment, Logo Entertainment and Wrapped Productions.\nJewtholic\nDirector12\nArt Department1\nBristol Palin: Life's a Tripp\n80th Annual Hollywood Christmas Parade\nChiller 13: Horror's Creepiest Kids\nL.A. Doctors\nJared Was Here\nDirector (directed by)\nDirector (attached)\nAngels in the Rhine\nBeautiful Thorn\n10 Minutes Final Version\nUnreported\nThe Big Lie: American Addict 2\nAn Unfinished DREAM\nDemo Reel 8:28\nSalie Gossett\nLouis Gossett Jr.\nSon of Louis Gossett Jr..","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1280766"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5272901058197021,"wiki_prob":0.5272901058197021,"text":"AMGA Annual Meeting Honors Mountaineers\nThe 2016 AMGA Annual Meeting at the Petzl Technical Institute in October 2016 awarded three guides for excellence.\n“The award winners have demonstrated a passion and commitment to the mountain guiding community. Each awardee has worked tirelessly to further the organization and community as a whole,” says Rob Hess, President of the AMGA.\nJeff Ward took home the President’s Award for his outstanding lifetime of work. He is the 18th American Mountain Guide and joined the AMGA Instructor Team in 2006. As an Instructor Team Lead, Ward has demonstrated a passion and willingness to give back to the organization well beyond personal guiding endeavors. He continually engages in dialogue and support for furthering of the organization and community as a whole.\nAMGA also awarded Emilie Drinkwater with Guide of the Year to honor her excellence in the profession of mountain guiding. Emilie is the 101st American Mountain Guide and the ninth American woman to receive her IFMGA certification. She received her pin in 2015 and has been a dedicated mountain guide committed to promoting cultural and ethnic diversity and international outreach through her work. In addition to her guiding work, Emilie is a talented alpinist and seasoned expedition climber. She joined the AMGA Instructor Team in 2016.\nMartin Volken was bestowed with the Lifetime Achievement Award to honor his outstanding contribution to the profession of mountain guiding. His dedication for more than thirty years has reflected the highest credit upon himself and the American mountain guiding community. Martin’s integrity and moral courage are worthy of emulation and he is recognized as an outstanding American.\nThe AMGA Annual Meeting also featured a roundtable discussion with the AMGA Board of Directors. Members had the opportunity to address the board on a number of pertinent topics, including scope of practice: a set of guidelines that describes the processes AMGA guides are permitted to undertake.\nFor a full recap of AMGA 2016 Annual Meetings’ clinics, please click here. In October 2017, AMGA will head back to the Petzl Technical Institute for its 2017 Annual meeting scheduled for October 26-28. Registration will be available at www.amga.com in August 2017.\nAbout American Mountain Guides Association\nAmerican Mountain Guides Association (AMGA) a 501(c)(3) educational non-profit dedicated to supporting and the culture of American mountain craft. The AMGA is the premier source for training, credentials and resource stewardship for professional mountain guides and climbing instructors in the United States. For additional information, please visit www.amga.com\nAbout Petzl®\nFor over 40 years, Petzl has developed innovative tools and techniques used by those who work and play in the vertical world. Today, the Petzl brand is closely associated with adventure, exploration, rescue, and many notable exploits in the worlds of rock climbing, caving, and alpinism. In the professional market, Petzl is a world leader in work at height, fire and rescue, and tactical equipment and techniques. A family-owned business, Petzl is committed not only to quality and innovation, but also to giving back to the communities that have made us so successful. For more information, visit www.petzl.com","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1346772"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9323484897613525,"wiki_prob":0.9323484897613525,"text":"United States. Army. Mormon Battalion\nThe Mormon Battalion (1846-1847) was a unit in the United States military that served during the Mexican-American War.\nThe Mormon Battalion, which began official service in July 1846, was the only religiously based united in United States military history. The battalion was a volunteer unit of between 534 and 539 members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Created to assist with the Mexican-American War (which lasted from 1846-1848), the unit marched nearly 2,000 miles from Iowa to San Diego.\nThe unit was discharged on July 16, 1847, five months after its arrival in San Diego.\nLarson, C.V. A data base of the Mormon Battalion, c1987: p. 1 (formed July 16, 1846, at the request of the U.S. govt.) p. 2 (discharged July 16, 1847) p. 4 (U.S. Mormon Battalion)\nLC data base, 12/30/87 (hdg.: Iowa Infantry. Mormon Battalion, 1846-1847)\nWikipedia, via WWW, 27 January 2015 (The Mormon Battalion, which began official service in July 1846, was the only religiously based united in United States military history; was a volunteer unit of between 534 and 539 members of the LDS church;Created to assist with the Mexican-American War (which lasted from 1846-1848); marched nearly 2,000 miles from Iowa to San Diego; was discharged on July 16, 1847, five months after its arrival in San Diego)\nHenry Green Boyle diaries\nScope and Contents Contains a handwritten autobiography and diaries related to Boyle's life and experience as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The autobiography was written beginning in 1844 and, in the same volume, he starts a diary in 1846. Boyle kept 14 additional volumes of diaries, dating from 1855 to 1889. Most of the content relates to Boyle's missionary experiences in California and to Southern States Mission, including while he was mission president from 1875 to 1878. Also...\nFound in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Henry Green Boyle diaries\nAbraham Day III\nPhotocopy of a typewritten biography of Abraham Day, III (1817-1900). Abraham Day was born in Vermont, joned the Mormon Church, moved to Montrose, Iowa near Nauvoo, Illinois, served in the Mormon Battalion 1846-1847, migrated to Utah, took a second wife, and lived in Springville and Mt. Pleasant, Utah, and served in the Black Hawk War. The date of the composition of this item is uncertain.\nFound in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Abraham Day III\nHyde family biographies\nFile — Multiple Containers\nIdentifier: MSS SC 897\nScope and Contents This collection consists of photocopies of typewritten manuscripts. It includes the bound diary of William Hyde (1818-1874) and biographies of Rosel Hyde (1816-1903) and Heman Hyde (1788-1869). Also within the collection are Hyde family genealogies.William Hyde joined the Mormon Church in 1834, served in the \"Mormon Battalion,\" came first to Utah in 1847, had three wives, and settled in Hyde Park, Utah where he served as the Mormon bishop. Rosel Hyde came to Utah in 1849, had...\nFound in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Hyde family biographies\nThomas Morris autobiography\nPhotocopy of an autobiography of Thomas Morris, written in 1871. Contains an account of his early life in South Wales, including his various occupations and religious affiliations, his emigration to New York in 1832, death of his first wife in 1837, his second marriage, conversion to Mormonism and relocation to Nauvoo in 1844, his impressions of Joseph Smith, and details of service in Mormon Battalion. Concludes with list of his various marriages and dates.\nFound in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Thomas Morris autobiography\nDavid Pettigrew autobiography and diary\nScope and Contents Photocopy of a handwritten autobiography and diary with a typescript of the item. Pettigrew (apparently also spelled Pettegrew) started his autobiography in 1840. His diary is sporatic and has many gaps. Pettigrew writes about his conversion to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1832, his life in Missouri during the persecutions of Mormons there, his experiences in Nauvoo, Illinois, his work as an LDS missionary, his participation in the migration of Mormons from Nauvoo,...\nFound in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / David Pettigrew autobiography and diary\nJoseph Lee Robinson journal fragments\nJoseph Lee Robinson's autobiography and journal, 1852-1893. Joseph Lee Robinson writes about his family, spiritual manifestations, conversion to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Joseph Smith's teachings, his journey from Nauvoo to Salt Lake City, service as a bishop, how seagulls saved the crops, death of Jedediah M. Grant, his plural wives and his journey to southeast Idaho.\nFound in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Joseph Lee Robinson journal fragments\nMore about 'United States. Army. Mormon Battalion'\nIowa Infantry. Mormon Battalion, 1846-1847\nMormon Battalion (United States. Army)\nPolygamy -- Religious aspects -- Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 2\nBlack Hawk War (Utah), 1865-1872 1\nCache Valley (Utah and Idaho) -- History 1\nHyde Park (Utah) -- History -- Sources 1\nKaysville (Utah) -- History 1\nMexican War, 1846-1848 1\nMissouri -- History 1\nMormon Reformation, 1856-1857 1\nMormon authors -- Biography 1\nMormon converts -- Wales -- Biography 1\nMormon missionaries -- California -- History 1\nMormon missionaries -- History 1\nMormon pioneers -- Biography 1\nMormon pioneers -- Utah -- Diaries 1\nMormons -- California -- History 1\nMormons -- Missouri -- History 1\nMormons -- Southern States -- History 1\nMount Pleasant (Utah) -- History 1\nNauvoo (Ill.) -- History 1\nParowan (Utah) -- History 1\nSpringville (Utah) -- History 1","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line546158"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5228359699249268,"wiki_prob":0.47716403007507324,"text":"Konecranes’ New Zealand MHC order\nIn the third quarter of this year, Northport Limited ordered an eco-efficient Konecranes Gottwald Model 6 Mobile Harbour Crane for their deep-water facility at Marsden Point, on the north island of New Zealand. The crane will be delivered and commissioned in the first quarter of 2020. It will expand the facility’s container handling capacity and help to handle general cargo and bulk materials.\nNorthport is the northernmost multi-purpose, dry-cargo port in\nNew Zealand, with its three berths handling traffic to and from most\nof the country’s international markets. Northport is looking to grow, and therefore decided to invest in a new crane to work alongside the Konecranes Gottwald Model 4 Mobile Harbor Crane they’ve been operating since 2015.\n“Since we started handling containers, we’ve received outstanding support from Konecranes,” says Jon Moore, CEO of Northport. “They’ve provided a high-performance crane that gives us wide flexibility in handling any kind of cargo. Once we had decided to expand our capacity, it was an easy decision to work with Konecranes again.”\nThis time, Northport opted for a Konecranes Gottwald Model 6 Mobile Harbor Crane in the G HMK 6507 variant. With this new crane, Northport can now serve container vessels up to post-Panamax class. The crane’s maximum lifting capacity of 125 tons extends their flexibility in handling general and heavy cargo. Equipped with a motor grab, it can also handle bulk materials. In addition to the eco-efficient diesel-electric drive, an external power source can be used to operate the crane, which gives the possibility to use back-up power options and complies with the New Zealand government’s strict guidelines for sustainable energy use.\n“It’s been a pleasure working with Northport,” says Michael Green, Regional Director Sales APAC, Konecranes Port Solutions. “We admire their long-term commitment to providing reliable and efficient cargo handling. We look forward to continuing our relationship with them in the future.”\nKonecranes is a world-leading group of Lifting Businesses™, serving a broad range of customers, including manufacturing and process industries, shipyards, ports and terminals.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line169337"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9680631160736084,"wiki_prob":0.9680631160736084,"text":"Midori teams up with pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet for Beethoven Sonatas. \"Sonatas are really musical conversations between two artists. Melodies are traded back and forth. Timing is critical. There is no room for error in the absence of a large orchestra. Truly they are performances without a net. Midori and Thibaudet proved a deft pair. \" - Hillrag. Com\nLabel: WARNER CLASSICS\nBeethoven: Complete Violin Sonatas [Digipak]\nArtist: Midori\nCD - Digipak\n1. Sonata for Piano and Violin No. 1 in D Major, Op. 12, No. 1: I. Allegro Con Brio\n2. Sonata for Piano and Violin No. 1 in D Major, Op. 12, No. 1: II. Tema Con Variazioni (Andante Con Moto)\n3. Sonata for Piano and Violin No. 1 in D Major, Op. 12, No. 1: II. Tema Con Variazioni (Andante Con Moto) - Variation I\n4. Sonata for Piano and Violin No. 1 in D Major, Op. 12, No. 1: II. Tema Con Variazioni (Andante Con Moto) - Variation II\n5. Sonata for Piano and Violin No. 1 in D Major, Op. 12, No. 1: II. Tema Con Variazioni (Andante Con Moto) - Variation III\n6. Sonata for Piano and Violin No. 1 in D Major, Op. 12, No. 1: II. Tema Con Variazioni (Andante Con Moto) - Variation IV\n7. Sonata for Piano and Violin No. 1 in D Major, Op. 12, No. 1: III. Rondo (Allegro)\n8. Sonata for Piano and Violin No. 2 in a Major, Op. 12, No. 2: I. Allegro Vivace\n9. Sonata for Piano and Violin No. 2 in a Major, Op. 12, No. 2: II. Andante Più Tosto Allegretto\n10. Sonata for Piano and Violin No. 2 in a Major, Op. 12, No. 2: III. Allegro Piacevole\n11. Sonata for Piano and Violin No. 3 in E-Flat Major, Op. 12, No. 3: I. Allegro Con Spirito\n12. Sonata for Piano and Violin No. 3 in E-Flat Major, Op. 12, No. 3: II. Adagio Con Molt'espressione\n13. Sonata for Piano and Violin No. 3 in E-Flat Major, Op. 12, No. 3: III. Rondo (Allegro Molto)\n14. Sonata for Piano and Violin No. 4 in a Minor, Op. 23: I. Presto\n15. Sonata for Piano and Violin No. 4 in a Minor, Op. 23: II. Andante Scherzoso, Più Allegretto\n16. Sonata for Piano and Violin No. 4 in a Minor, Op. 23: III. Allegro Molto\n17. Sonata for Piano and Violin No. 5 in F Major, Op. 24, \"Spring\" No. 1: I. Allegro\n18. Sonata for Piano and Violin No. 5 in F Major, Op. 24, \"Spring\" No. 1: II. Adagio Molto Espressivo\n19. Sonata for Piano and Violin No. 5 in F Major, Op. 24, \"Spring\" No. 1: III. Scherzo (Allegro Molto)\n20. Sonata for Piano and Violin No. 5 in F Major, Op. 24, \"Spring\" No. 1: IV. Rondo (Allegro Ma Non Troppo)\n21. Sonata for Piano and Violin No. 6 in a Major, Op. 30, No. 1: I. Allegro\n22. Sonata for Piano and Violin No. 6 in a Major, Op. 30, No. 1: II. Adagio Molto Espressivo\n23. Sonata for Piano and Violin No. 6 in a Major, Op. 30, No. 1: III. Allegretto Con Variazioni\n24. Sonata for Piano and Violin No. 6 in a Major, Op. 30, No. 1: III. Allegretto Con Variazioni - Variation I\n25. Sonata for Piano and Violin No. 6 in a Major, Op. 30, No. 1: III. Allegretto Con Variazioni - Variation II\n26. Sonata for Piano and Violin No. 6 in a Major, Op. 30, No. 1: III. Allegretto Con Variazioni - Variation III\n27. Sonata for Piano and Violin No. 6 in a Major, Op. 30, No. 1: III. Allegretto Con Variazioni - Variation IV\n28. Sonata for Piano and Violin No. 6 in a Major, Op. 30, No. 1: III. Allegretto Con Variazioni - Variation V\n29. Sonata for Piano and Violin No. 6 in a Major, Op. 30, No. 1: III. Allegretto Con Variazioni - Variation VI\n30. Sonata for Piano and Violin No. 7 in C minor, Op. 30, No. 2: I. Allegro Con Brio\n31. Sonata for Piano and Violin No. 7 in C minor, Op. 30, No. 2: II. Adagio Cantabile\n32. Sonata for Piano and Violin No. 7 in C minor, Op. 30, No. 2: III. Scherzo (Allegro)\n33. Sonata for Piano and Violin No. 7 in C minor, Op. 30, No. 2: IV. Finale (Allegro)\n34. Sonata for Piano and Violin No. 8 in G Major, Op. 30, No. 3: I. Allegro Assai\n35. Sonata for Piano and Violin No. 8 in G Major, Op. 30, No. 3: II. Tempo Di Minuetto, Ma Molto Moderato E Grazioso\n36. Sonata for Piano and Violin No. 8 in G Major, Op. 30, No. 3: III. Allegro Vivace\n37. Sonata for Piano and Violin No. 9 in a Major, Op. 47, \"Kreutzer\": I. Adagio Sostenuto\n38. Sonata for Piano and Violin No. 9 in a Major, Op. 47, \"Kreutzer\": II. Andante Con Variazioni\n39. Sonata for Piano and Violin No. 9 in a Major, Op. 47, \"Kreutzer\": II. Andante Con Variazioni - Variation I\n40. Sonata for Piano and Violin No. 9 in a Major, Op. 47, \"Kreutzer\": II. Andante Con Variazioni - Variation II\n41. Sonata for Piano and Violin No. 9 in a Major, Op. 47, \"Kreutzer\": II. Andante Con Variazioni - Variation IV\n42. Sonata for Piano and Violin No. 9 in a Major, Op. 47, \"Kreutzer\": II. Andante Con Variazioni - Variation III\n43. Sonata for Piano and Violin No. 9 in a Major, Op. 47, \"Kreutzer\": III. Presto\n44. Sonata for Piano and Violin No. 10 in G Major, Op. 96, No. 1: I. Allegro Moderato\n45. Sonata for Piano and Violin No. 10 in G Major, Op. 96, No. 1: II. Adagio Espressivo\n46. Sonata for Piano and Violin No. 10 in G Major, Op. 96, No. 1: III. Scherzo (Allegro)\n47. Sonata for Piano and Violin No. 10 in G Major, Op. 96, No. 1: IV. Poco Allegretto","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1295118"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6429056525230408,"wiki_prob":0.35709434747695923,"text":"Crown Electrokinetics Releases Form 8-K Announcing New Sales Agreement, Expects to Initiate Deliveries by Summer 2022\nLOS ANGELES, March 28, 2022 — McapMediaWire — Crown Electrokinetics Corp. (NASDAQ: CRKN) (“Crown” or the “Company”), a leading smart glass technology company, released a Form 8-K, disclosing entering into a Master Supply Agreement with a large Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT).\nCrown will supply its window tinting products to the client in selected locations in three states. The terms of the agreement will be disclosed in a future joint press release.\nCrown expects to achieve product launch in Summer 2022, as outlined in Mr. Doug Croxall Shareholder Letter on March 23rd, 2022.\nThe potential market for Crown’s products targets US commercial office buildings. According to results from the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) 2018 Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey (CBECS), as of 2018 there were 5.9 million U.S. commercial buildings containing a total of 97 billion square feet.\nYou can access the Form 8K Filing by accessing the Company’s website under the Investor Relations Section (https://ir.crownek.com/sec-filings).\nAbout Crown Electrokinetics\nCrown is a smart glass technology company and the creator of DynamicTint – We Make Your Glass Smarter . Originally invented by Hewlett-Packard (HP, Inc.), our technology allows any glass surface to transition between clear and dark in seconds. With applications to a wide array of windows, including commercial buildings, automotive sunroofs, and residential skylights, we partner with leading glass and film manufacturers for mass production and distribution. At the core of our technology is a thin film that is powered by electrically charged pigment which not only replaces common window tints but is also a more sustainable alternative to traditional window treatments. With its unique ability to be retrofitted to existing glass, DynamicTint offers myriad benefits related to reducing carbon emissions. The company is supported by a robust patent portfolio.\nSafe Harbor Statement: Statements in this news release may be “forward-looking statements”. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements that express our intentions, beliefs, expectations, strategies, predictions, or any other statements relating to our future activities or other future events or conditions. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about our business based, in part, on assumptions made by management. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may, and are likely to, differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in forward-looking statements due to numerous factors. Any forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this news release and Crown Electrokinetic Corporation undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this news release.\nThis press release does not constitute a public offer of any securities for sale. Any securities offered privately will not be or have not been registered under the Act and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements.\nCrown Electrokinetics\nIR Email: info@crownek.com\nSource: Crown Electrokinetics: www.crownek.com\nALYI Confirms Latin America EV Expansion Update Coming This Thursday\nGreen Stream Holdings Inc (GSFI) Announces That It Is Cancelling The VGTL Merger","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1098855"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.591564416885376,"wiki_prob":0.591564416885376,"text":"Would “Sword Art Online” Be a Bad VR Game?\nPosted by Rampant Coyote on November 7, 2022\nIn the fiction, November 6, 2022 was the launch day for the game “Sword Art Online,” chronicled in the books, manga, and anime series of that name. In a launch day disaster that makes the Ford Edsel, New Coke, and the Microsoft Zune look like speed bumps in comparison, the players become trapped in VR and the headset will fry their brain if they die or if the headset is tampered with. Thanks to a crazy head engineer with a god complex, ten thousand players are now playing an ultra-realistic fantasy game in a virtual world with real-world stakes.\nNow the real world date has caught up with the science fiction, as it always does. When the stories were first penned twenty years ago, I’m sure 2022 seemed a long way away, and Virtual Reality as we now enjoy it probably seemed almost as distant as the Matrix-like “Full Dive” experience the author described. The closest we had was a short-lived “Virtuality” arcade systems in the mid-to-late 1990s, with something like 5 frames per second with flat-shaded, untextured polygons. (Which gave me VR sickness back then, too…) Oh, and the disappointment of Nintendo’s “Virtual Boy.” But Massively Multiplayer Online RPGs were the hot new thing (EverQuest launched in 1999, and World of Warcraft was only on the horizon). So author Reki Kawahara drew on his familiarity with the games of the day and their systems to create what he thought would be a super-cool virtual reality game.\nOnce consumer VR hit in 2015, we discovered a lot about VR game design. A lot of what we learned was how the timeworn conventions and standard practices of 2D projection (“pancake”) gaming played with a game controller differed from the optimal VR experience. Now, those who have actually followed this blog for a long time know that I am a big fan of experimentation and don’t believe that just because something has become a convention means it is the “best.” We are a long way off from being able to say anything definitive about what is truly the “best” VR experience, and the technology continues to evolve and change. It could be that full-dive VR, if it ever happens, will have a whole new set of rules that will have little in common with the best we can do now.\nLet’s say Sword Art Online did release today using current VR technology. Minus, of course, the “death game” element. Would it be a good VR game? Or a bad one? Let’s take a look at a few factors. Not all of these are VR specific, but I’ll focus on that.\nHigh Stakes\nObviously, killing off your player base is not a plan for long-term success. But what about having high stakes? We have many games now with character permadeath (or as an option, often called “iron man” or “hardcore” mode). We’ve had MMORPGs with some pretty high “death penalties.” Higher stakes certainly raise the thrill of a game. But with the enhanced thrill of winning, so comes the increased frustration with losing. Higher stakes encourages a slower, more methodical, and more “grindy” experience. In general, a subset of gamers really enjoy these higher stakes (I often do), but it doesn’t have broad appeal. Most MMOs have reduced the “death penalty” to a minor inconvenience that doesn’t do much more than prevent players from brute-forcing combats with respawned characters.\nNot much else is said about the death mechanic in the other game worlds of the series. In Alfheim Online, players would (originally) respawn back in their home city, which meant onerous travel back to the combat zones if they were not resurrected on time. In Gun Gale Online, it is a massively PvP environment, and the stakes (outside of tournaments) are unknown, but unlikely to be very high. In the spinoff series, one emotionally unstable character really wants to raise these stakes herself, planning suicide if she dies in a tournament.\nAre higher stakes good or bad? It really depends. I think character permadeath (my watered-down version of Aincrad’s lethal stakes) is bad for building the community that you want in an MMO, though it can work great in smaller-scale multiplayer games. Below that… it really depends on how narrow and hardcore you want your audience to be. A lower death penalty retains more casual players. I’m leaving this one in the fuzzy neutral territory.\nWorld Scope\nAincrad consisted of 100 hand-crafted levels of tremendous detail, down to the taste of individual foods that were largely unique across the dozens of eateries in each town (of which there were usually several on each floor). Each floor had its own theme and style. The first floor was 10km in diameter, and each subsequent floor was a little smaller. The first floor therefore had a radius of 5 km, which means its playable area was approximately 78.5 square kilometers. We also learn that there are some massive dungeons that appeared below the first level over time, although a certain guild tried to keep those to itself.\nBy comparison, Skyrim VR (a great if clunky port, especially with mods) has a total map size of about half that, at 37 square kilometers, about a quarter of which is unplayable “border.” Not including dungeons and expansion territory. I believe that Skyrim is a mix of hand-crafted and procedurally (or at least tools-generated) content, and it could be a pretty fair comparison. Anyway, bottom-line, we’re talking about 150-200 Skyrims of content for all of Aincrad. Which is kind of ridiculous to imagine (especially if every level was fully hand-crafted), especially when we assume that there is a larger library of objects with a higher level of interactivity than Skyrim offers (even modded in VR).\nAs an MMO, this would spread out the player base pretty badly – especially with only 10,000 players from the first day. This is true in the fiction, as most of the players remain in the starter town on the first floor, or in headquarters near the front-line levels, with a few finding residence scattered across several levels in the late game almost two years later. The first level was probably pretty packed the first month, but after the first several months a solo player like Kirito would be able to do a lot of free space to play solo.\nIn a traditional game, player movement speeds are exaggerated, in part to compensate for how much smaller things seem on a flat screen. Realistic speeds seem way too slow. However, in VR, this scale changes, and a kilometer actually feels like a kilometer. Especially if you are walking or running them on a treadmill.\nWhile there are some negatives, I think overall players would love to see a VR world with this much scope. Most VR players, finding themselves with a mix of Half-Life: Alyx detail, BoneLab‘s free-form interactivity, and Skyrim’s scope, would never want to log out even if the button is available. This would be an absolute win (but a budgetary nightmare as a developer).\nLevel-Based Advancement\nSAO is kind of inconsistent on how level impacts play. There are some episodes / stories that suggest it is paramount, and there are others that suggest that the player’s own skills, equipment, and meta-gaming can bridge a significant level-gap. In the later game Alfheim Online, level and skills were all but ignored, emphasizing player skill like a shooter or fighting game. Gun Gale Online seemed to take a hybrid approach, with players building up their stats over time to use better equipment.\nIn general, level-based gaming is great for small groups that can level together, and can act as a “gate” to higher-level content. For a community, it limits the ability of friends to play together. Many MMOs have taken some interesting approaches to get the best of both worlds. In the better VR games, player skill and direct interaction takes on a pretty big role, as it should. Without the character’s stats and growth, you just have an action game rather than an RPG. Without direct player action, you don’t have much of a game. When both work together, you get the reason why people play RPGs in the first place.\n“Player skill” shouldn’t be limited to physical action and how you swing a sword or throw a knife, either. As illustrated in the stories, a deep knowledge of the game systems, world, and lore combined with logic and quick thinking should confer an advantage.\nSword Skills\nIn Aincrad, players could trigger a combo skill as in a fighting game, launching into an unstoppable sequence with often devastating results. In fighting games as in SAO, this has a downside of other players being able to detect and counter these sequences if they knew what they were doing, and the initiating player being unable to stop themselves. This leads to the downfall of Kirito at the end of the Aincrad story arc, and nearly results in Asuna’s death in the recent film Sword Art Online: Aria of a Starless Night.\nIn a console game, this is cool, because a skilled player can use a very limited interface of a gamepad and a few buttons to launch into some extremely cool moves that look cool and demonstrate mastery from a third-person perspective. In first-person VR, however, you ARE the avatar, and taking control of it away from the player is generally a no-no. At best, it breaks immersion and frustrates the player. Worse, it can cause VR sickness. This is likely a “Twinkie Denial Condition” for a VR MMO.\nCutscenes in an MMO?\nIn the Sword Art Online: Progressive novels, certain plotlines are punctuated by forced events which are effectively cutscene events. Regardless of the character’s stats or the player actions, triggering one of these events forces certain things to happen to the players and NPCs. This normally only happens in “safe” zones, but one of the books has a transition between locations. Since everything is supposed to happen in real-time, there’s no instantly teleporting to the target destination, and the characters are forced to wait through a long transition… (and, let’s just say Bad Things can happen during this transition when other players aren’t trapped by this unskippable scene…)\nEven in the books, this is presented as a pretty terrible idea even without the deadliness of the game. It’s a bad idea outside of VR, too.\nProcedural Plot Generator\nIn the stories, the game system uses AI to generate storylines, NPCs, and rewards procedurally based on real-world literature, folklore, and mythology. Given what we’re seeing with AI-generated art, this technology doesn’t seem as far-fetched as it did five years ago. The results are often kind of bizarre, and can trap players or ruin the game geography (I’d call that a bug…). This meant the entire game could run on autopilot without designer input for a couple of years and still provide new and intriguing (if occasionally bizarre) content.\nIn theory, the tech is there to do that now. How would it play? As a supplement to hand-created plots and as an alternative to randomly generated fetch-quests, I think that would be a win in VR or pancake games. (The image to the left is AI procedurally generated art based on the Wizard of Oz…). Trapping players or destroying entire levels is probably a no-no and there would have to be failsafes in place to prevent that. But this is kind of a holy grail of game design for me, so I’d love to see it work.\nWorldwide Gated Content\nUntil the “level boss” is defeated, nobody can proceed to the next level. It requires the entire community to work together to allow anyone at all access to more content. I like the concept in theory. It is great for a story. In practice, I think it would be a source of frustration. This is even hinted at by the books, especially when it took an entire month to find and defeat the first floor boss. Those late to the party are forever denied the chance to take on the “real” boss. While I don’t think this is a full-on “Twinkie denial condition,” I think it’s generally a bad idea to have player experiences so heavily influenced by the actions of others.\nNon-Private Data\nPlayers have the ability to “peek” over another player’s shoulder at their UI when they have it up. That’s a pretty bad idea. I can see toggling visibility temporarily to validate information (especially when it comes to trades and so forth), but in general these things need to be plainly visible to all, invisible, or selectable by the player. People shouldn’t be able to sneak peeks in their VR headsets while another player isn’t paying attention.\nFrauds / Scams / Exploits / Sleep PK / etc.\nThe SAO stories are at their best when the characters are playing detectives investigating how certain loopholes / scams / exploits in an otherwise robust and literally lethal game system might be taking place. They make for great plot elements in the stories. Obviously, these are intended to be flaws in the game system, and not something a real-world SAO would seek to emulate.\nOveruse of Menus / Abstracted Interactions\nVR is at its best when the interactions are natural, and feel just like doing a thing in “real life.” In SAO, a lot of the interactions are done by tapping objects and bringing up menus, or simply tapping them. This is an artifact of console games with more limited controls. Even with current technology and the limitations of hand and body tracking, this is unnecessary except with more complex interactions. In general, interactions with objects can and should be a lot more natural, with very few menus. You don’t tap the cream and tap the bread to put cream on it… you pick up the cream and pour it on the bread. While this isn’t a big negative, this would be an unnecessary break in immersion.\nLimited Fast-Movement Options\nAside from the one teleport gate in the main city in each level, teleportation or any kind of fast-travel is cost-prohibitive in Aincrad. In general, teleport crystals are so expensive that they are only used in an emergency or to facilitate a major raid. It sounds great for realism, and it can be a lot of fun when you are first exploring, but it quickly becomes tedious. Especially with realistic movement speeds in VR. It’s even worse in an MMO when you want the community to be able to play together, but friends may have to take hours to meet up.\nKnockback\nA lot of the enemy actions can toss players in the air. This is even worse than canned avatar actions, and can easily cause VR discomfort. If this is a required gameplay mechanic, a real-world SAO should allow comfort options to prevent them from witnessing their tumbling avatar in the first person. Otherwise, boss fights will be followed by vomit-fests from all but the most jaded VR players.\nAincrad for Modern VR\nSo where are we? If we were to literally create SAO for modern VR, should it look much like the game from the books, manga, and anime?\nYes and no. I think the idea of skill activation and canned animations are a bad idea, and getting rid of those–as they are described–might change the feel of the entire system. Maybe. Would diehard fans care? Probably not, especially if they had a reasonable substitute. I think that would be key. Sword skills might allow you to get better numbers if you perform them right, but you never lose control over your avatar.\nInteractions should be made more natural than suggested by the books and shows, which would only enhance the experience. Obviously, the flaws and exploits should be avoided.\nOne of the challenges with VR, as in all MMOs, is maintaining framerate. A ton of PCs and dynamic items filling a scene not only makes it hard to move or interact, it can cause a VR player to become sick. This is a challenge current VR MMOs are tackling. I assume they are doing so successfully, as I’ve never noticed a significant problem in Zenith VR or Orbus VR. Maybe I am just lucky.\nAnd we are getting pretty lucky. We now have a handful of MMOs built from the ground up for VR, with a few more in development. Developers are tackling these kinds of issues, although their budgets are nowhere near what would be required to really build something of the scope and scale of Aincrad.\nUltimately, I believe that Sword Art Online gained its popularity as much for its concept and timing than its execution. VR has long promised the ability to visit other worlds in our lifetime. This concept has been visited many times before (I started with the Dream Park series, by Larry Niven and Steven Barnes), but SAO packaged it up at a time and in a format where we could almost see it happening. While “full-dive” technology to completely immerse us in VR is still a long way off, we’ve made a giant leap in this direction with modern VR, and I want to take advantage of it.\nVR has changed the rules for me for computer RPGs as significantly as CRPGs changed things up from the dice & paper world. Playing an RPG in VR is something else, especially in those few titles that allow cooperative multiplayer. Something like Karnage Chronicles, which is more like a game of Gauntlet than a true RPG, is an absolute blast with friends. I’m still playing Skyrim VR, and it is pretty long-in-the-tooth both for the original version and the VR conversion.\nWe may never see a “true” VR MMORPG of the scope imagined by these authors. That’s fine. I’ll keep reading. But the next best thing is within our grasp, and I certainly hope to see our VR fantasy worlds grow bigger, better, and more interactive–and in some ways, even better than these science fiction stories promised. At least more fun as a game.\nBut with a logout button, of course.\nFiled Under: Virtual Reality - Comments: Comments are off for this article","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1360906"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7229687571525574,"wiki_prob":0.2770312428474426,"text":"Top 10 craziest things Jerry Falwell ever said\nLast week I gave Rev. Pat Robertson a lifetime achievement award for inflicting pain on humankind and shame on the body of Christ. Helen Eisert was quick to nominate Jerry Falwell as another possible candidate. Looking at the following top 10 list, it is hard to argue with her nomination. Any other votes for the Rev?\n10. “The idea that religion and politics don’t mix was invented by the Devil to keep Christians from running their own country.”\n9. “The ACLU is to Christians what the American Nazi party is to Jews.”\n8. “I hope I live to see the day when, as in the early days of our country, we won’t have any public schools. The churches will have taken them over again and Christians will be running them. What a happy day that will be!”\n7. “AIDS is the wrath of a just God against homosexuals. To oppose it would be like an Israelite jumping in the Red Sea to save one of Pharaoh’s charioteers … AIDS is not just God’s punishment for homosexuals; it is God’s punishment for the society that tolerates homosexuals.”\n6. “Nothing will motivate conservative evangelical Christians to vote Republican in the 2008 presidential election more than a Democratic nominee named Hillary Rodham Clinton – not even a run by the devil himself … I certainly hope that Hillary is the candidate. She has $300 million so far. But I hope she’s the candidate. Because nothing will energize my [constituency] like Hillary Clinton. If Lucifer ran, he wouldn’t.” –at a “Values Voter Summit”\n5. “Grown men should not be having sex with prostitutes unless they are married to them.”\n4. “Billy Graham is the chief servant of Satan in America.”\n3. “He is purple — the gay-pride color, and his antenna is shaped like a triangle — the gay pride symbol.” –from a “Parents Alert” issued in Jerry Falwell’s National Liberty Journal, warning that “Tinky Winky,” a character on the popular PBS children’s show, “Teletubbies,” may be gay\n2. “You’ve got to kill the terrorists before the killing stops. And I’m for the president to chase them all over the world. If it takes 10 years, blow them all away in the name of the Lord.”\n1. “The abortionists have got to bear some burden for this because God will not be mocked. And when we destroy 40 million little innocent babies, we make God mad. I really believe that the pagans, and the abortionists, and the feminists, and the gays and the lesbians who are actively trying to make that an alternative lifestyle, the ACLU, People for the American Way — all of them who have tried to secularize America — I point the finger in their face and say ‘you helped this happen.'” –on the 9/11 attacks\nhttp://politicalhumor.about.com/od/stupidquotes/a/falwellquotes.htm\nJim Rigby, Top 10 craziest things Jerry Falwell ever said\n« When is religion an opiate?\nLargest gun study ever finds what we already knew »","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line577554"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6561424732208252,"wiki_prob":0.6561424732208252,"text":"Home » Wiesel\nDecember 30, 2016 By Olivier Melnick 3 Comments\nAntisemitism in 2016: A Year in Review (Part II)\nFor Part I go here.\nJuly 2016: Holocaust Memory: What Would Elie Wiesel Do?\nElie Wiesel passed away on July 2nd, 2016 at the age of 87. In a sense, the passing of this giant is the silencing of one man who chose to perpetuate Holocaust memory in any way he could. He leaves behind him 57 books, too numerous to list or recommend here except maybe for his death camps Memoir Night, written in 1960. To Wiesel who received the Nobel Peace prize in 1986, much remained to be accomplished to remember the past and alleviate a similar future.\nTo him, apathy or indifference was one the worst evil in the world. That is exactly why he spent the bulk of his life educating a world in shock that later morphed into a numb world to eventually become the postmodern world in denial that it currently is. He once said “I decided to devote my life to telling the story because I felt that having survived I owe something to the dead and anyone who does not remember betrays them again.” He had always felt guilty of not being able to do more for his dad during their imprisonment in the camps.\nHe leaves us with a tremendous challenge. We must continue his fight. If we remain silent, his voice will fade away into oblivion or worse, get relegated to a couple of statements about an event that many are already starting to doubt or deny. To honor the memory of Elie Wiesel is more than appropriate, but to remember the Holocaust is vital to the survival of Western civilization. As a matter of fact, to remember the Holocaust and teach it to the next generation IS to honor the memory of Elie Wiesel.\nAugust 2016: Does World Vision’s Entanglement with Hamas show Naiveté or Malice?\nWorld Vision International (WVI) humanitarian work has become the hallmark of Christian love and aid over the decades, so much that their yearly revenue nears $3 billion. Their published mission statement says “World Vision is an international partnership of Christians whose mission is to follow our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in working with the poor and oppressed to promote human transformation, seek justice, and bear witness to the good news of the Kingdom of God.”\nIn August 2016, Israel’s internal security service accused WV Gaza office manager, Mohammed El Halabi of using up to $50 millions of charity funds to pay Hamas fighters, build tunnels and buy weapons. He was arrested in June and detained for fifty days before the accusation was made public. The Shin Bet claims to have more than sufficient proof that will be produced in court. Consider a few more facts about World Vision:\n• When the Palestinian movie “With God on Our Side” came out in 2010, It was endorsed by World Vision VP, Steven W. Haas. His endorsement read “I dare anyone to see this film and remain unchanged.”\n• On the World Vision website, all the countries helped by the organization are listed. While Palestine and/or Israel are not listed by names, “Jerusalem/West Bank/Gaza are listed. They made a clear choice in their labelling.\n• in 2007, World Vision International, which by all standards is NOT A CHURCH, decided to change its fiscal status to a “Church Status” enabling them to no longer file the IRS form 990s. By changing their status to a church, they limit the amount of financial information they have to share. All these elements related to the reputation of WVI give us a picture of a shady organization with less integrity that they would like us to believe they have.\nSeptember 2016: Go ahead, build a security wall…Unless of course you are Israel!\nMost people have heard about the Great Wall of China, started in the 7th century AD and continued for almost 1,000 years. It was built to originally protect China from repeated Eurasian invasions and continued to be used for border control over the centuries. It measures over 13,000 miles. A much smaller wall is currently being erected in the northwest part of France in the town of Calais. It has already been dubbed “The Great Wall of Calais.” Of course, Israel has been working on their security fence/wall for several years since 2003 and hundreds of lives have already been saved because of the fence. It has been a very difficult diplomatic and political battle for Israel, constantly accused of being an “Apartheid State.” Comparing Israel to South Africa is far from honest since Apartheid in South Africa was based on racial tension and falsely assumed elitism, while Israel has been building its wall solely for security reasons.\nThe double-standard used regarding the building of walls (including the recent one started by Saudi Arabia to also protect itself from ISIS terrorists) is upholding. France and England build a wall to protect themselves from illegal migrants who most likely include sleeper ISIS members, and that’s OK! Saudi Arabia builds a 600 miles wall to keep ISIS out, and that’s OK! So why is Israel building a wall to keep terrorists out considered to be a human rights violation?\nOctober 2016: When fighting antisemitism, it is never too little or too late!\nWhile they have the same source, roots and much of the same history, Christianity and Judaism have been at odds for as long as man can remember. Many of the Church Fathers such as Justin Martyr, Chrysostom, Augustine and others set the stage for Christianity to alienate Judaism by reinterpreting the Bible. Slowly, laws were passed and enforced. Jewish life became hard and often near impossible, but against all odds and because of God’s grace, the Jewish people are still here today. In spite of the Middle Ages Blood Libel, the Crusades, the Inquisition, the Pogroms and the Holocaust, we are still standing. Christianity has had a difficult relationship with the Jewish people, so much so that the default mechanism for most Jewish people today is to believe that all Christians are antisemitic. That is why, whenever a Christian figure makes a repentant statement in favor of the Jewish people, it should be noted.\nThe 105th Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby made such a statement. He recently stated “The fact that antisemitism has infected the body of the Church is something of which we as Christians must be deeply repentant.” This would appear to be a simple statement, but it isn’t. Welby wrote a powerful piece titled “Vigilance and resolution: Living antidotes to an ancient virus.” in which he says “It is a shameful truth that, through its theological teachings, the church, which should have offered an antidote, compounded the spread of this virus.” Welby appears to be trying to bridge the gap between Christians and Jews. The simplest antidote to antisemitism can be found on the pages of the entire Bible. Many of its readers have re-interpreted it to exclude and even damn the Jews and Israel. Maybe I am hopelessly optimistic, but Welby’s words could help in preventing further damage in Judeo/Christian relations. We certainly could use a little respite.\nNovember 2016: Unprecedented Rise in Anti-Semitism Confirmed at ADL Summit in New York!\nThe Anti-Defamation League’s current CEO, Jonathan Greenblatt said at the opening of their first summit on antisemitism on November 17, 2016 in Manhattan: “ADL had never before convened a summit like this on anti-Semitism. This is a first. ….And yet, today, I think all of us fear that something has changed. There are troubling signs. Now they may be subtle, they may go unnoticed by the vast majority of Americans, but we see them. We know…the American Jewish community has not seen this level of anti-Semitism in mainstream political and public discourse since the 1930s.” This is what I brought back from attending such a powerful summit:\n• American Jews are worried about their future.\nThe elections brought out a vast amount of anti-Jewish sentiment expressed in the media with probably the most of it coming from social media. Like one speakers said “if it happens on Twitter, it could very well transfer into real life events.”\n• Criticism of Israel is different from demonization.\nNobody fights the idea that Israel can be criticized for certain decisions that its government makes or has made. But criticism is very different from demonization. Natan Sharansky reminded us of the real danger facing us today as he spoke of the three Ds against Israel he so eloquently defined years ago: Delegitimization, double-standards and demonization.\n• Our greatest threat might come from American Universities.\nUS campuses are where the next generation of American leaders are being molded and mentored. Regardless of your political inclination, it is an accepted fact that most US campuses are very liberal and the radical Left BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanction) movement is spreading like wildfire on American campuses. This is a battleground that cannot be ignored, but to the dismay of most of the speakers, Jewish students on various campuses are too often poorly equipped at best and uninformed at worst, to fight BDS.\n• The time to act is NOW!\nWhile the focus of the summit was on how to fight anti-Semitism, other minorities were represented throughout the day. The reason is rather obvious; those who oppose and harass Jewish people will seldom stop there. Bigotry is always an equal opportunity hater.\nI applaud the ADL for its efforts, and I encourage all of you who read me to be more vocal and more involved because NEVER IS NOW and to quote Mr. Greenblatt one last time: “We need to educate where we can, oppose where we must, and lock arms with those who embrace our mission.”\nDecember 2016: Battles against ISIS can be won, but what about the war?\nNot a week goes by anymore without the world being affected by radical Islam. The latest victim of this barbaric, medieval ideology, was Berlin, Germany. In a scenario similar to the one that took place in Nice, France on July 14, 2016, a terrorist drove a truck through a crowded Christmas market, killing 12 and wounding 49. Anis Amri, the Tunisian immigrant who attacked the Christmas market was caught and shot as he was on the run in Italy. He had sought asylum in Germany a few years ago but was denied because of possible ties with radical Islam. Just days prior, Andrey Karlov, the Russian Ambassador in Turkey, was shot seven times in public in Ankara, while the Turkish shooter screamed Allahu Akbar (God is great) in Arabic, followed by “Do not forget Aleppo! Do not forget Syria! Do not forget Aleppo! Do not forget Syria!”\nThe Islamic State seems to be the ideological thread between these violent murders across the planet.\n• The Islamic State murders: They will kill in many ways using men, women AND children to further their agenda of death as they seek Islamic bliss in paradise by killing more infidels. The culture of death that drives ISIS seems unstoppable against a world that values and respect life.\n• The Islamic State infiltrates: The Russian Ambassador’s shooter had a connection to ISIS. The November 2015 Bataclan massacre in Paris was facilitated by the migrant crisis ebb and flow throughout Europe. At least one of the protagonists came to Paris through that venue and they will continue to do so all over the world until better vetting systems are in place.\n• The Islamic State recruits: For reasons that remain hard to figure out, they also have been rather successful at recruiting Westerners. This makes profiling much more complicated. Social media has also been a very fruitful platform for radical Islam recruiting.\n• The Islamic State inspires: But the most dangerous aspect of the Islamic State is the fact that even outside of infiltrating or recruiting, they inspire! Their apocalyptic ideology of death is inspiring people to act on their behalf even without having been trained in Syria or elsewhere.\nThe old optimistic adage of “losing the battle but winning the war” has been reversed for our generation. I am convinced that we will successfully win many battles against Islamic terrorism but we might never win the war!\nIn conclusion, the Jewish people continue to be seen by many as the guilty people, responsible for many of the ills of the world, far beyond the “disputed territories and/or the settlements as the United Nations, Mr. Obama and Mr. Kerry seemed to believe in the last days of 2016. While there is much unknown with the coming new US administration and the upcoming French and German elections, the Jewish people will most likely continue to be the scapegoats of humanity. 2016 wasn’t the worst year for Jewish people, but then again, a good day for the global Jewish community is seldom measured on how good it was but rather on how bad it could have been. You can call me a fatalist but based on my work of the last 17 years, I prefer to call myself a realist.\nFiled Under: Antisemitism, BDS, Bible, Christianity, Eschatology, European Union, God, Holocaust, ISIS, Islam, Islamo-Fascism, Israel, Jewish, Middle East, Muslims, Palestinians, Political Correctness, Terrorism, United Nations, United States, Yeshua Tagged With: ADL, Elie Wiesel, Hamas, Welby, Wiesel, World Vision, World Vision International","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line431076"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6225936412811279,"wiki_prob":0.37740635871887207,"text":"Research Hydrocephalus Treatment and Outcome in African Infants with Myelomeningocele: What We Have Learned So Far\nHydrocephalus Treatment and Outcome in African Infants with Myelomeningocele: What We Have Learned So Far\nNeurosurgery | December 15, 2010\nWe estimate that around 2000 infants in Uganda develop hydrocephalus (HC) each year. Post-infectious hydrocephalus (PIH) accounts for 60% of all cases, and several lines of investigation are underway to determine the pathogens and their mode of transmission. HC associated with myelomeningocele (MM) is the second most common etiology, accounting for 15% of cases.\nAccess to treatment for hydrocephalus in Africa is inhibited by poverty, politics, poor infrastructure, and a paucity of neurosurgeons. These also present obstacles to follow up and emergency care for treatment failure, making death from future shunt malfunction a serious enduring threat.\nWe explored the role of endoscopic treatment for hydrocephalus in African infants, and found that combined endoscopic third ventriculostomy and bilateral choroid plexus cauterization (ETV/CPC) was significantly more successful than ETV alone in those less than one year of age. Infants with myelomeningocele benefitted the most from this approach, with a 76% success rate. In contrast to shunt failure, nearly all ETV/CPC failures become evident within 6 months of surgery. We have demonstrated factors that are independently predictive of ETV/CPC outcome, and have generated a new outcome prediction score (the Uganda Score) that is currently being evaluated across several centers in Africa.\nIn addition to safety and long-term efficacy of ETV/CPC in the myelomeningocele population, we also demonstrated that those treated in this way performed as well or better on the Bayley Scales of Infant Development over the course of their early childhood development than those who were shunted. Furthermore, we found no correlation between performance and ventricle size. We recently investigated whether the presence of HC or its method of treatment affected 5 year survival in these children, and were surprised to find no difference. Importantly, the most important determinant of survival was involvement in a community-based rehabilitation program. The five year mortality for these children was close to that of their unaffected peers (16%); whereas the mortality for those with no access to such a program was more than triple (50%). Deaths were mostly from causes not directly related to the underlying neurological conditions.\nETV/CPC is a safe and effective alternative to shunt-dependence in children with myelomeningocele. In Africa, any long-term survival advantage of shunt-independence may be obscured by diseases of poverty and neglect. “Life-saving surgery” in these children must be wedded to community-based support programs that promote their access to adequate health care and nutrition.\nCerebrospinal Fluid Research\nmyelomeningocele","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line534221"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.52692049741745,"wiki_prob":0.47307950258255005,"text":"Sonic: The Lost Land\nSonic - The Lost Land is a hack of Sonic the Hedgehog for the Sega Mega Drive. The game is comprised of 7 levels, each filled with traps and badniks intent on bringing down Sonic once and for all. There is also a special realm consisting of 6 Chaos Emeralds. If you have collected at least 50 rings by the time you finish the level, you will see a giant ring. Jump into it to be taken to the secret realm. A dynamic palette system is set up, making each act load its own palette (à la Knuckles' Chaotix), as well as a dynamic music system, allowing each act to load its own music.\nThe Lost Land. A beautiful island paradise, once inhabited by creatures known only as the ancients. Unfortunately, it has recently come under threat by the evil Dr Eggman. Sonic knows that Eggman must be stopped, and with the help of Shadow, who is contemplating his future, he sets off to put an end to Eggman's plans.\nSonic - The Lost Land allows for two playable characters, with the evil Dr Eggman as the antagonist.\nSonic is a blue, 15-year-old hedgehog who lives on the planet Earth. He has the ability to run at supersonic speeds, hence his name. He is always running all over the world, rarely stopping for anything. He is carefree and relaxed; however, he is also very intolerant of injustice, and he will do anything he can to help those in need. He has also got a quick wit, short temper, and a fairly large ego.\nShadow the Hedgehog\nShadow is the ultimate life form experiment, a joint-creation of Professor Gerald Robotnik and Black Doom aboard the space colony ARK. His exact age isn't approximated, but he is assumed to be around 50 years old. Once hungry for revenge after the death of Maria, Gerald's granddaughter, he is now aware of his past, and who he \"is.\" He prefers to be a loner, but he occasionally tags along with Sonic and his friends when Eggman is up to no good. He is black, with red stripes down his spines and arms. He uses his ability, Chaos Control, to harness the powers of the Chaos Emeralds to enhance his natural abilities. While he is unable to move very quickly on his own, he possesses fire-powered jet skates, which allow him to move much faster than he would be able to without them.\nPlease note: Shadow is not available in the current or previous releases of this hack.\nDr Ivo Robotnik (EGGMAN)\nWith an IQ of 300, and self-proclaimed the greatest scientific genius in the world, Eggman stops at nothing in his attempts at world conquest. While his plans are constantly foiled by Sonic, this only makes him more determined to conquer the world. Will he succeed?\nThe Levels\nSeven zones are in the hidden area of the Lost Land, each of them filled with many traps and dangers, intent on putting a stop to Sonic's heroic efforts. These levels are:\nA tranquil hillside area by a sparkling lake. Feel the grass under your feet as you run along. Loop-de-loops are fun, but don't land on the spikes. Ouch!\nRoman Ruins\nWatch your step as you tackle the lava-filled marble ruins of an ancient civilisation. Many of the traps are still active, so be very careful.\nBounce around on the many springs while avoiding the traps and badniks that are present in this lush mountainside garden. Ride platforms to great heights, but when the time comes, will you be courageous enough to take a leap of faith? Whee!\nMarine Maze\nA mysterious labyrinth that has been flooded with water. You can only survive for 30 seconds underwater. Be sure to grab an air bubble or return to the surface if you're running low on oxygen.\nConstruction has long been abandoned in this magnificent city, located high in the sky. Ride the loop-de-loops and platforms, all the while keeping a lookout for any traps or badniks. If you fall, it'll be to your doom, so watch out!\nEgg Empire\nYou've found Eggman's base, where the EggRobo has fled. You've got him in your sights, but what's this? A barrier prevents you from getting to the final arena. You'll have to search for another way in.\nFinal Fate\nThis is it. The final arena, where you will fight EggRobo to decide the fate of the world. Don't let him succeed! Good luck!\nThe current version (Release 4) of Sonic: The Lost Land is available here.\nThe Shadow Realm is © 2008 Shadow Fire\nDesign by Striker","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line909950"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9642986059188843,"wiki_prob":0.9642986059188843,"text":"Five Athletes to Watch at the Paralympics\nParalympics Sports Tokyo 2020\nHidden Wonders Paralympics\n[Hidden Wonders of Japan] Trying Out Para Sports One Year after the Tokyo Paralympics\nA New Year's Look at the Most-Read Paralympic Stories of 2021\n[Hidden Wonders of Japan] Paralympic Triathletes Celebrate Diversity in ‘Abbey Road’ Shot\n[ODDS and EVENS] Tokyo Paralympics Strengthened Our Appreciation of Athletes' Love of Competition, Pursuit of Excellence\nCulture Paralympics\nEDITORIAL | Paralympians Do the Impossible, and Show Sports Can Transform Lives\nSome of the world’s most successful Para athletes are returning to the spotlight at the Tokyo Games.\nJim Armstrong\nMarkus Rehm soars through the air in the men's long jump event at the German Athletics Championships on June 6 in Braunschweig, Germany. (Annegret Hilse/REUTERS)\nWhether spectators will be allowed at the Tokyo Paralympics set to begin on August 24 is still under discussion. Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga has said the decision will be in line with the COVID-19 situation.\nOne thing for sure is, with or without spectators, there will be many stirring moments, as there were for the Olympics.\nThis the 16th edition of the Paralympic Games and the second time they have been hosted in Tokyo following 1964.\nHere are some of the athletes to keep an eye once the Games begin.\nMarkus Rehm is a two-time Paralympic long jump champion.\nMarkus Rehm ー Athletics\nNicknamed “The Blade Jumper,” Markus Rehm is one of the most recognizable athletes at the Paralympics.\nA three-time Paralympic gold medalist, the 32-year-old German has taken the world of long jumping by storm. His mark of 8.48 meters is not only a world record but would have been enough to win gold at 2008, 2012, 2016 and 2020 Olympic Games.\nRehm, who has a blade-type leg prosthesis, also claimed the gold medal in the 4x100-meter relay at the Rio de Janeiro Paralympics.\nIn Tokyo, he will be seeking his third long jump gold medal that would solidify his place as one of the top Paralympians of all time.\nRehm attempted to qualify for the Rio Olympics to become the second bladed athlete to compete at the Olympics following runner Oscar Pistorius at the 2012 London Games.\nRehm took his case to the IAAF (now known as World Athletics) but track and field’s governing body denied him permission to participate in the 2016 Olympics.\nSebastian Coe, the organization’s president, commented on the decision in June 2016. “Rehm still has to prove that the prosthetic doesn’t give him an unfair advantage and he has not been able to show that,” Coe was quoted as saying by The Associated Press.\nDespite the ruling, Rehm still hopes the day comes when he sees Paralympians competing side-by-side with Olympic athletes.\n“If I would see one day that there’s a relay between Olympic and Paralympic athletes, as a connection event, I think I would start crying, because this is something I have been talking about for so many years,” Rehm told Olympics.com.\nRehm had his right leg below the knee amputated after a wakeboarding accident in 2005 when he was 14.\nShingo Kunieda competes in the French Open men’s wheelchair quarterfinals on June 4 in Paris. (Benoit Tessier/REUTERS)\nShingo Kunieda ー Wheelchair Tennis\nWorld No. 1 Shingo Kunieda is set to compete in his fifth straight Paralympics. The 37-year-old won gold medals in men’s singles at the 2008 Beijing Games and the 2012 London Games.\nIn 2020, Kunieda beat two-time defending champion Alfie Hewitt 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 in the wheelchair tennis men’s final to capture his seventh U.S. Open singles title.\nIn a statement released by the Japanese Paralympic Committee, Kunieda expressed his appreciation for being able to take part in the Games in these challenging times.\n“I will not forget my appreciation for everybody who worked to make [the Games] possible,” he said. “I understand that there are various regulations due to the coronavirus pandemic and will follow them when taking part in the competition.”\nKunieda was defeated in the quarterfinals of the Rio Games so he will have plenty of motivation to capture the gold on home soil.\nA native of Chiba, Kunieda is paralyzed in the lower half of his body due to a tumor in his spinal cord found when he was 9.\nDevendra Jhajharia won the Paralympic javelin event at the 2016 Rio Games. (Press Information Bureau/Government of India/via WIKIMEDIA COMMONS)\nDevendra Jhajharia ー Athletics\nIndia’s most successful Paralympic athlete, Devendra Jhajharia will be aiming for a third Paralympic gold medal in the javelin event.\nThe 40-year-old Jhajharia was 23 when he was first crowned Paralympic champion in Athens in 2004. He also won gold in the men’s javelin F46 in Rio.\nJhajharia, whose left arm was amputated when he was 8, set the world record of 62.15 meters in Athens, eclipsing the previous mark of 59.77.\nIn Rio, he won the gold again and set a new world record of 63.97. He will be looking to better that in Tokyo.\n“When I set the world record for the first time in 2004, It stayed until 2016 when I broke the record myself,” Jhajharia told Olympics.com. “Now, for Tokyo, I have set myself the target to further extend the world record so that it stays in my name for many years.”\nPoland’s Natalia Partyka competes in both the Olympics and Paralympics. (Luisa Gonzalez/REUTERS)\nNatalia Partyka ー Table Tennis\nBorn without a right hand and forearm, Natalia Partyka has been a dominant force in table tennis for 20 years. The 31-year-old native of Poland has competed in both the para and able-bodied disciplines. She is an eight-time Paralympic Games medalist since making her debut in Sydney when she was just 11 years old when she became the youngest Paralympian in history.\nPartyka, who will compete in the Tokyo Paralympics, won a record fourth consecutive singles gold medal at Rio 2016, competing in the women’s class 10 category.\nAs an Olympian, she reached the last 32 in women’s singles at the London Games in 2012. She was eliminated in the second round at the Tokyo Olympics on July 25, and also participated in the women’s team competition.\nBrad Snyder in an August 2012 file photo. (PUBLIC DOMAIN)\nBrad Snyder ー Triathlon\nA retired U.S. Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal officer, Brad Snyder served in both Iraq and Afghanistan. In September of 2011, he was blinded after stepping on an improvised explosive device. While his arms and legs were unaffected, he lost his eyesight. Just one year later, Snyder won gold in the men’s S11 400-meter swimming freestyle at the 2012 Paralympic Games and left London with a total of two gold medals and one silver. Four years later in Rio, Snyder won four Paralympic medals.\nIn Tokyo, the seven-time Paralympic medalist will be seeking a medal in the paratriathlon after switching to the sport in 2018.\nAuthor: Jim Armstrong\nThe author is a longtime journalist who has covered sports in Japan for more than 25 years. You can find his articles here, on JAPAN Forward.\nRelated Topics:athleticsBrad SnyderDevendra JhajhariaEditor's PickJim ArmstrongMarkus RehmNatalia PartykaparalympicsShingo Kuniedatable tennistokyo paralympicstrack and fieldtriathlonwheelchair tennis\nEDITORIAL | Bravo, Shingo Kunieda, on Opening New Horizons in a Legendary Career\nWheelchair Tennis Legend Shingo Kunieda Announces Retirement\nSUMO | Takakeisho Beats Kotoshoho to Capture Third Emperor's Cup at New Year Basho\n[NPB NOTEBOOK] Samurai Japan Assembling a Dream Team for the World Baseball Classic\nTRACK and FIELD | Hitomi Niiya Triumphs in the Houston Marathon\nSUMO | Takakeisho Survives Nishikifuji Onslaught to Stay Tied for Lead at New Year Basho","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1096124"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.693345844745636,"wiki_prob":0.693345844745636,"text":"Grof, Stanislav, 1931-\nExistence: July 1, 1931-\nStanislav (Stan) Grof, noted psychiatrist, author, consciousness researcher, and pioneer of transpersonal psychology, was born on July 1, 1931 in Prague, Czechoslovakia to Stanislav (a chemical engineer) and Maria Petnik Grof. Heavily influenced by the works of Freud early in his studies, Grof was inspired to become a psychiatrist and earned an M.D. at the Charles University School of Medicine in Czechoslovakia in 1956, and a Ph.D. at the Czechoslovakian Academy of Sciences in 1965. Dr. Grof’s interest in the clinical use of psychedelic substances was spurred in the 1960s when the Sandoz pharmaceutical company approached the Psychiatric Research Institute in Prague, requesting that studies be conducted on LSD-25 in order to ascertain whether or not the substance had therapeutic properties. Grof subsequently volunteered to participate in a research program which explored LSD as a tool for experiential training, allowing psychiatrists and psychologists to experience the “inner-world” of psychotic patients. He eventually became principal investigator of this program, and has gone on to devote his career to examining the therapeutic potential of psychedelic substances. In 1967, he was invited to Johns Hopkins University as a research scientist, and in 1969 continued on at the Maryland Psychiatric Research Center where he served as Chief of Psychiatric Research and Assistant Professor of Psychiatry. In 1973, Grof became a scholar-in-residence at the Esalen Institute, a non-profit organization devoted to the exploration of human potential in Big Sur, California. While there, he authored books, lectured, and developed Holotropic Breathwork, an innovative form of experiential psychotherapy, with his wife Christina. Dr. Grof is also the founder and president of the International Transpersonal Association (ITA), and has organized major international conferences on transpersonal psychology. Grof’s major fields of research interest include therapeutic and heuristic aspects of non-ordinary states of consciousness, the use of psychedelics and non-drug techniques in psychotherapy, alternative approaches to psychoses, spiritual emergency and treatment of transpersonal crises, biology, brain research, and consciousness studies. He also maintains interests in other non-ordinary states of consciousness such as shamanism, Eastern spiritual systems, mysticism, the rites of passage of aboriginal cultures, and near-death experiences. Dr. Grof is a Professor of Psychology at the California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS) in the Department of Philosophy, Cosmology, and Consciousness, and also teaches in the Pacifica Graduate Institute in Santa Barbara, CA. In October 2007, Dr. Grof received a VISION 97 award granted by the Foundation of Dagmar and Vaclav Havel in Prague. The foundation’s mission supports cultural and social projects with the potential to bring meaningful change to the future. Dr. Grof has written extensively on LSD and its use in psychotherapy and about other methods and types of psycho-spiritual work.\nBorn in Prague, Czechoslovakia; son of Stanislav Grof and Maria Petnik Grof.\nStudent at the Charles University School of Medicine, Prague, Czechoslovakia.\nParticipation in clinical LSD research and the study of artistic expression of psychiatric patients.\nPsychiatric residency at the State Mental Hospital in Kosmonosy, near Prague.\nParticipating researcher in a multidimensional dynamic study of psychedelic drugs and anticholinergic delirogens in the Research Institute in Prague.\nOutpatient Psychiatrist at the Psychiatric Clinic of the National Institute of Health, Prague.\nPrinciple Investigator in a psychedelic research program at Psychiatric Research Institute, Prague, Czechoslovakia. Also involved in a team studying the mechanisms of psychogenic disorders and psychotherapy.\nCompletes postgraduate training at the Czecho-slovakian Academy of Science, recieves Ph.D. degree (Doctor of Philosophy in Medicine).\nClinical and research fellow, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD.\nChief of Psychiatric Research, Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, Catonsville, MD. Assistant professor of Psychiatry at the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD.\nScholar-in-residence at the Esalan Institute in Big Sur, CA.\nSelf-employed, conducting professional training in Holotropic Breathwork and transpersonal psychology, lecturing, and writing.\nProfessor of Psychology at the California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS), Institute of Psychology, Cosmology, and Consciousness, San Francisco, CA.\nStanislav Grof papers\nIdentifier: MSP 1\nAbstract This collection contains writings that document the career and research interests of psychiatrist and author Stanislav Grof. It consists primarily of published research articles and clippings discussing the therapeutic effects of psychoactive substances as well as some first-hand accounts of transcendental experiences.\nFound in: Purdue University Archives and Special Collections / Stanislav Grof papers\nMore about 'Grof, Stanislav, 1931-'\nNames Forms\nGrof, Stan, 1931-\nGrof, Brigitte (Associative with Related, Person)\nBrigitte Grof is married to Stanislav Grof.\nAgent Relation: 2016\nSubject: Hallucinogenic drugs -- Therapeutic use X","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line448055"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6542032361030579,"wiki_prob":0.34579676389694214,"text":"Cassidy Perry\nA team from the Gustave Roussy Institute in France has succeeded in eliminating localized metastases in the liver thanks to a robot that can guide the diffusion of microwaves directly into tumors. A first which went “perfectly”.\nThe treatment of metastatic liver cancer is most often local. And today, the development of interventional radiology makes it possible to destroy metastases without going through invasive surgery. In a press release published on July 9, the Gustave Roussy Institute explains that for the first time, the team of the therapeutic imaging department of the Institute went further by using a robot to “guide the destruction by microwaves of metastases localized in the liver”.\n“Ballistic precision”\nThe liver is an organ difficult to reach because it is located “in a region anatomically dense in vital organs with the presence of important arteries and veins”, specifies Professor Thierry de Baere, head of the service. Before the patient’s operation, which took place on July 7, an artificial intelligence scanner was performed, allowing the Quantum Surgical robot to “plan the position, axis and depth at which the needle which delivers the treatment must be introduced”.\n“The robot helps us by positioning with ballistic precision where to insert the needle through the skin and its inclination to reach its target by following a straight path without damaging tissue,” says Professor de Baere. [It] allows us to stop doing intermediate images during the process of inserting the needle to the tumor. Without the robot, we must move forward step by step, checking several times with the scanner that we are following the route that we have previously planned, often with iterations and repositionings. This saves patients from extra rays during the operation.”\nA technique that could be democratized\nAccording to him, the robot “successfully completed its mission. The patient is fine, he is out of the hospital. ” The intervention was carried out as part of a clinical trial on 20 patients, aimed at “assessing the safety and performance” of the device. “If its safety and performance are demonstrated, the Quantum Surgical robot should make it possible to democratize this technique of hepatic tumor ablation which to date is carried out only in expert centers”, concludes Professor de Baere.\nPrevious post Lakes are turning green in the US\nNext post Good news for the most endangered gorillas in the world\nCassidy is a certified dietician with a focus on patients suffering with diabetes. She has more than 10 years of experience, working with patients of different background. She writes health-related article for the Scientific Origin.\nExplainable AI: The Importance of Interpretability and Transparency in Machine Learning Models\nSpaceX’s Starship could drastically change the future of space exploration\nSteven PeckDecember 13, 2021\nGoogle sues Russian hackers for being masterminds of the glupteba botnet\nShakes GillesDecember 7, 2021","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1686259"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5141583681106567,"wiki_prob":0.5141583681106567,"text":"At least three generations of the Drew family in Plymouth, Massachusetts were sailmakers.\nThe first known in the lineage was David Drew, who was born in 1752 in Plymouth, the son of Nicholas and Bathsheba Kempton Drew. Nicholas was probably a sailmaker too but conclusive evidence has not been found to support it yet.\nDavid established his business in Plymouth serving the ships in that area. As whaling and trade expanded from New England throughout the Atlantic, so did his work. New sails were needed for the ever expanding fleets and repairs were in constant demand. Ship owners maintained their ships then as we do our expensive commercial vehicles today. They weren’t making money in port or without efficient operation. Sails were the engines of the craft and the stress and wear on them was enormous.\nThe sailmaking craft stayed in the family. David brought his sons David and Atwood in to the business as young men. David Jr., eventually took over the business while his younger brother, Atwood became a ship captain, sailing the oceans of the world.\nDavid established his ownership of the business when his father died at the young age of 55. Business was good in the sail loft producing enough revenue for the Drews to build a large home a short distance away at 51 Pleasant Street. The home remained in the Drew family for four generations until the 1920’s.\nDrew Home on July 4th 1907\nDrew Home in 1996\nThe walk to work wasn’t too long. A stroll up Pleasant Street that turned into Market Street. A right turn on Church Street after glancing to the left at First Church and Burial Hill and then a leisurely walk east as Church Street turned into Leyden after crossing Main Street. The walk ending at the third door on the left on the north side of the road at the Drew Sail Loft.\nDavid Jr’s son, David III, took over the business in 1825 when his father became ill and died. He kept the business thriving for years until the sailing fleets began to dwindle because of the downturn in whaling and the replacement of wind powered craft with fossil fuel power.\nThere was still enough revenue to support his family but not to entice his sons to enter the business. All of his sons left Plymouth in their early manhood to establish lives in other locales and occupations. David Lewis, moved across the county to Calaveras County, California during the gold rush. Harrison was a sailor who moved to Florida for a time and while there helped salvage a wrecked lumber ship. He married there and moved back to Plymouth to work and support his family. Austin worked in textiles and leather and traveled south to New York and other surrounding states before passing away.\nThe sail loft was sold when David was in his advanced age. The work must have agreed with his constitution, because he lived to the ripe old age of 94.\nThe era of the Drew Sail Loft passed into history. It supported generations of the family and while the work was extremely taxing physically, it was also rewarding, both from a monetary standpoint and from the knowledge that your work was traveling the world as the the power source on the grand sailing ships of Plymouth.\nWorn, calloused knobbly knuckles and knees from sailmaking left the visage of the men of the family when the loft was sold. David’s descendants have explored numerous fields of endeavor. Most have continued in fields of expertise that has brought power to the vehicles and equipment of their era.\nTechnorati Tags: Sailmaker,Plymouth Massachusetts,Drew\nPosted by Lee Drew at 7:02 PM 2 comments:\nLabels: Drew, Plymouth Massachusetts, Sailmaker","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1835134"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6041579246520996,"wiki_prob":0.3958420753479004,"text":"Leopoldo Gómez\nhttps://www.centrodeartefloral.com\nHometown: Cuautitlán Izcalli\nFavorite flower: Nepenthes, a carnivorous flower also known as Monkey Cups\n2016: Fifth place, Barcelona’s World Flower Cup\n2016: Main Stage Presenter, AIFD Symposium, Orange County, California\n2018: Grand Prize Winner, Gateway to the America’s Cup Competition\nLeopoldo Gomez is a renowned international teacher of Floral Design, based in Mexico City. His style is widely acclaimed and sought after for its striking color palettes, vivid combinations of textures, and masterfully-crafted armatures and structures. He describes his work as “introspective” in which the essence of nature can be perceived and intrinsic treasures can be discovered.\nMexico City – from the ultramodern architecture and beautifully preserved historical landmarks, to its rich culture – has provided Gomez with a very unique setting in which to draw inspiration for his intricate works.\nLeopoldo’s captivating body of work has been published in numerous periodicals including Fleur Créatif (Belgium), Flowers& (USA), Florists’ Review (USA), Nacre (France), Revista Clip (Spain) and Today Magazine (Korea), with the most notable being Isabel Gilbert Palmer’s trendsetting book, Formidable Florists in 2015. After several years of working and teaching for Smithers Oasis Mexico, Gomez co-founded the Centro de Arte Floral. It offers a full curriculum for floral professionals and novices. Gomez teaches year-round at his school, which offers international courses on-site at the facility as well as intensive courses abroad.\nBesides floral design and teaching, his hobbies include football, basketball, traveling, gardening and cooking.\nLeopoldo Gomez is representing Mexico on behalf of FTD.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1876621"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9277173280715942,"wiki_prob":0.9277173280715942,"text":"Viacom18 Studios and Aamir Khan Productions announce upcoming film 'Laal Singh Chaddha'\nStarring Aamir Khan, the film will release on Christmas 2020\nETBrandEquity\nPublished On Jun 21, 2019 at 07:42 PM IST\nViacom18 Studios in association with Aamir Khan Productions has announced their upcoming Indian film 'Laal Singh Chaddha', inspired by Paramount Pictures’ Oscar winning movie, Forrest Gump.\nLaal Singh Chaddha will be directed by Advait Chandan of Secret Superstar fame and is being written by Atul Kulkarni. The film will release in Christmas 2020, the company said.\n\"For every cinephile out there, the must watch list of films would be incomplete without the mention of Forrest Gump. To be able to adapt the classic for Indian audiences is a long-cherished dream for many of us. Knowing Aamir’s burning passion for this subject for many years, he is the perfect partner to bring to life this dream,\" Ajit Andhare, COO, Viacom18 Studios said.\nRead Also: Kannada Kotyadipathi to go on air on Colors Kannada from June 22\nWhile Aamir Khan will essay the titular role in the film, Kareena Kapoor Khan will be seen paired opposite him for the third time.\n“We’re thrilled to be in business with Aamir Khan Productions and Viacom18 Studios, and to see them bringing this timeless story to a whole new generation of audiences,” Andrew Gumpert, chief operating officer of Paramount Pictures said.\nForrest Gump is a 1994 American comedy-drama film based on the 1986 novel of the same name by Winston Groom. The story depicts several decades in the life of Forrest Gump (Hanks), a slow-witted but kind-hearted man from Alabama who witnesses and unwittingly influences several defining historical events in the 20th century in the United States.\nViacom18\nViacom18 Studios\nAamir Khan productions","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1632316"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9856999516487122,"wiki_prob":0.9856999516487122,"text":"NATO Secretary general applauds Jacksonville-based fighter wing's role as tensions rise amid crisis in Ukraine\nClifford Davis\nAmid growing anxiety in Europe over Russian intervention in the Ukraine, NATO Sec. Gen. Jens Stoltenberg visited Jacksonville and its 125th Fighter Wing on Thursday.\nAbout 200 members of the Florida Air National Guard wing and 12 of its F-15C fighters have been deployed to Eastern Europe since March, flying sorties and working with air forces in Bulgaria, The Netherlands and others.\nUnderstandably, during a briefing by Brig. Gen. James Eifert and the 125th's commanding officer, Col. Brian Simpler, Stoltenberg's questions focused around the Russian threat and what the Air National Guard could do about it.\nNATO VISIT: Stoltenberg at FANG\n\"Do you do a lot of intercepts of other planes approaching your airspace?\" Stoltenberg asked. \"Are there Russian planes?\"\nSimpler said his unit has trained for that mission and is capable of it. Maj. Gen. Robert Branyon cited an instance where it happened.\n\"Last year, [a Russian bomber] left from somewhere in the eastern part of Russia and they came down to San Francisco,\" Branyon said. \"Alaska had F-22s intercept them and Canadians intercepted them.\"\nRobert Bell, defense advisor to the U.S. Ambassador to NATO, said the move was absolutely intentional.\n\"The Russians were clearly sending a message,\" Bell said. \"They came north to south down the West Coast and made a left turn, like a simulated bombing run at San Francisco, went right into the air defense identification zone and penetrated it.\n\"It wasn't accidental, you don't fly that far and fly a flight profile like that unless you're …\"\nBranyon added it was the first time the Russians sent fighter escorts along with the bomber.\nThe pilots and planes of the 125th - based at Jacksonville International Airport - specialize in air interdictions like this, Simpler said. \"With the F-15, we call it air dominance,\" he said. \"Our job is to gain and maintain air superiority over the battlefield.\n\"In other words, the F-15 is designed to shoot down other aircraft.\"\nRecently outfitted with one of the most powerful air-to-air radars in the world and a long-range targeting system, the 125th Fighter Wing's F-15Cs have been upgraded like none other are currently.\n\"They are the most capable F-15s in the Air Force at this point,\" Simpler said.\nAssuredly, the capabilities of the pilots and planes of the 125th were at least part of the reason the wing was chosen to be the first Air National Guard unit to take part in Operation Atlantic Resolve in Europe - an effort to assure America's allies in the region after the Russian intervention in Ukraine.\nRussia began sending arms, weapons and troops into Ukraine when Russia-friendly President Viktor Yanukovych was ousted after he refused to sign an association agreement with the European Union, something many saw as a first step to becoming part of NATO.\nThis week, Ukrainian government officials met with senior NATO leadership in Kiev, Ukraine's capital, according to the L.A. Times. However, Ukraine's new president, Petro Poroshenko, said the country could likely not meet the defense alliance's membership requirements until 2020.\n\"What we have said is that we will assess an application from Ukraine in the same way we will assess any other application,\" Stoltenberg said. \"Ukraine has not applied for membership.\n\"We just have to make clear that this is a decision that is going to be made by 28 allies and the applicant country.\n\"No one else has the right to veto or stop the enlargement of NATO. It's a sovereign right of every nation to decide its own path.\"\nHowever, NATO's foundation lies in collective defense. In other words, an attack on one country is considered an attack on all others.\nClifford Davis: (904) 359-4103","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1134868"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8925166130065918,"wiki_prob":0.8925166130065918,"text":"Gloss on Games, Storytelling, and Breaking the String\nby Ben Underwood\nA gloss to Games, Storytelling, and Breaking the String\nCostikyan’s contention that some games aren’t enhanced by the addition of story relies on the difference between play and narrative. In other words games don’t necessarily require stories.\nCostikyan’s contention that some games aren’t enhanced by the addition of story relies on the difference between play and narrative. In other words games don’t necessarily require stories. Walter Benn Michaels, in The Shape of the Signifier, argues that games also don’t rely on the subject position of the players, or on their beliefs: “In chess, for example, the person playing white doesn’t think the person playing black is mistaken; the conflict between them is not about who is right but about who will win: what matters in a game is not what you believe to be true but which side you’re on” (32). Michaels’s claim becomes thorny, however, in a discussion of role-playing games in which the subject positions of the players and characters are, at least in part, the object of the game, and the game itself consists of what the players believe.\nAt a Heightened Level of Intensity: A Discussion of the Philosophy and Politics of Language in John Cayley’s Digital Poetics\nby John Cayley, Scott Rettberg","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line972232"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5872631072998047,"wiki_prob":0.5872631072998047,"text":"Greta Van Fleet: Beyond the Pleather Pants\n2019, editorials by rockamagazine May 28, 2019 April 13, 2021\nThere are only a handful of acts I refer to as “my bands”. They’re ones I found when they were seedlings; bands that I know will make a come up one day and blow everyone out of the water, except for me. No band has ever made as great of an impact on my spirit and passion for music as Greta Van Fleet.\nWhether it’s getting stopped in coffee shops and asked about my shirt, sitting in dressing rooms and convincing other bands to tune in, or forcing every single one of my friends to listen to a song at some point, Greta Van Fleet is the most “my band” of them all. And although most of my male peers refuse to acknowledge my grasp on the majority of their taste, let the record show that I was the source.\nIt was November of 2017 when my father first sent me the link to Greta’s music video for “Highway Tune”, their hit song off of their debut EP, “From the Fires”. I first ignored the link, probably too busy with homework or other activities to give it any attention. Later on, my father insisted on me watching the video and after passing the phone down at a dinner table, I cupped my hand around the bottom of his phone and heard the first screech of Josh Kizka.\nThe video was simple. A bunch of semi-long haired guys wearing ripped clothing in a garage fashioned for nothing else than a set up rock concert. The guys looked like they hadn’t showered in a few days, maybe weeks, and the whole video had an edge. One that cut the overly sexualized, conceptual music videos that clutter the typical feed. Greta Van Fleet has been about The Music from day one.\nI was stunned. Yes, the music was good, but I was more shocked by how young they are. In my narrow scope of the world, teenage boys and young adult “men” aren’t good for much. They are lazy, rarely shower, and smoke electronic cigarettes faster than you can say “addiction”. Here was a group of young guys who had a style, a voice, and a damn good sound.\nAt the time, I was writing for another publication at the time and reached out to the band’s manager to do an interview. After months of setting one up, my dreams of having a chat with the young rock stars came to a halt. In the week before the interview, the band’s following grew phenomenally. They went from tens of thousands of followers to hundreds in the time span of a week. There was no longer time for small publications and wasted press time. Now, the public had its eyes on Greta.\nAbout a year later, I found myself showing up alone to their concert in Denver. I met up with a friend at the back of the line and delighted in the wait. The line that wrapped around the venue twice which struck me as vindication of everything I had ever said about the band. There were people of every age, every hair color, every piercing, on every drug and throbbing with excitement.\nGreta works because there’s no way they can’t. Not only are they appealing to the nostalgia of the generations who grew up with the iconic bands we now refer to as “classic rock”, but they are appealing to me– teenagers with a nostalgia for something we’ve never experienced.\nWe’ve seen our parents old tour t-shirts, various paraphernalia at record stores, and have essentially romanticized a life we’ve never lived. So here stands a group of boys who are on their way to becoming the Led Zeppelin of our generation. It is impossible to stunt their success, no matter how many balding, pretentious music critics are crying at their heels.\nI’ve been to many concerts. Many great ones, too. But Greta Van Fleet gifted me an experience I will never forget. I’m sure my ears won’t either.\nI will sum that experience up into three details.\nI lost my voice after the second song.\nI bonded with a forty year old English teacher who put two Rocka stickers on his bare chest, three frat boys on Adderall, and a middle aged woman in a sequined bra.\nMusic had never, in my entire life, felt so good.\nGreta Van Fleet put on a show like they used to be put on. Some lights. Some smoke. But the core was music. There were no crazy introductions, no over-stimulating visuals, no unspoken barrier between musician and listener. The night was about music.\nAfter the show, as I leaned on the poorly painted purple drug store across the street from the venue– and no, I wasn’t hallucinating–I pulled my hair back and realized the bottom half of it was drenched in sweat. Those frat boys could move. I watched as people took long drags of cigarettes, rolled joints in parked cars, hugged each other, and talked about what they had just experienced. Everyone stuck around the lawn of the venue for a while after and a dad even came up to my friend and me, fist bumping us and shouting “great show!” to the entirety of downtown Denver. I had never seen people like that before. It felt real. It felt honest. That’s why people fall in love with music in the first place. The rest of it is just fluff.\nAlthough I tend to cringe at some of the outfit choices and I roll my eyes at their forced attempts to seem deep and profound on their Instagram posts, Greta Van Fleet has the live presence that my other dreamy, bedroom pop indie bands cannot even touch.\nMany compare Greta Van Fleet to be a mere resurrection of one of the most legendary rock bands of all time, Led Zeppelin, and there are similarities, conscious or not. Josh Kizka’s voice is downright uncanny to that of Robert Plant. You know, the manly squealing over sharp chords and heavy bass. His on stage mannerisms are also blatantly similar, relying on cryptic hand movements and gestures, focusing on the upper half of his body. I have many pet theories for why this is, but maybe it’s just the power of the pleather leggings.\nThe band has been accused of mirroring certain riffs of Zeppelin, particularly referring to “Highway Tune” sounding awfully similar to “The Rover”, off of Led Zeppelin’s 1975 release, “Physical Graffiti”. Despite their debut EP causing quite the debate between paying respect and blatant copying, Greta’s debut album, “Anthem of the Peaceful Army” is an entirely separate entity that shows the band’s true colors.\nLeading up to the album release in October of 2018, Greta set their message and aesthetic in stone. Wearing nude colored tunics and colorfully embroidered vests, the band came waltzing onto the popular music scene reeking of something different. Not new, but different.\nStraying away from the typical, reckless view of “sex, drugs, and rock n’ roll”, Greta promotes “peace, love, and unity”, even making some of the song releases completely interactive and forcing listeners to travel to a park in order to download. While Zeppelin on one famous track (“Dazed and Confused”) claims that “the soul of a woman was created below”, Greta has a kinder approach to sexuality, one summed up in a few lustful howls of “mama”. Who is going to argue with “peace, love, and unity”?\nTo shut Greta Van Fleet down under the sole reason of “they’re Led Zeppelin wannabes” is to stunt the growth of rock music in the twenty first century. While other genres have evolved with time gradually and acceptably, like country and rap, rock music is treated with a stunningly different attitude. The peak was reached in the 60’s and 70’s, but there is still an entire mountain. The Earth still rotates. The tectonic plates shift. Scaling these new mountains does not mean abandoning the old ones. In fact, is is vital that we preserve the foundations that not only music, but culture and politics has been built upon. Greta Van Fleet is the leading force of that movement. With their charisma, their broad demographic, their positive message, and their tunics, Greta Van Fleet is absolutely unstoppable.\nNor should we dismiss the talent and passion of Greta’s members. Greta was nominated for four different Grammy awards: ‘Best New Artist’, ‘Best Rock Album: From the Fires’, ‘Best Rock Performance: “Highway Tune”’, ‘Best Rock Song: “Black Smoke Rising”’. I’m not saying nominations and awards mean a band is any good. The awards show that something is working, and it’d be an absolute shame to ignore the flourishing talent of a group promoting a peaceful oasis from the chaotic world that surrounds us. Without a doubt, Greta Van Fleet is a resurrection of the golden age of rock. Nothing stands in Greta’s way as they approach new levels of fame, so long as we’re ready to explore new mountains.\nI acknowledge that it is pretty easy to dismiss me as “just another fangirl”, but that doesn’t quite work for the thousands of middle aged men, the frat boys, and the women in sequin bras.\nFrom Princess to Performer: Cece Coakley\nMoving Mountains with Great Gable","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1496532"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6190909743309021,"wiki_prob":0.3809090256690979,"text":"U.S. Coast Guard stresses water safety as summer approaches\nBy Melissa Stephens\nPublished: May. 9, 2018 at 11:35 AM EDT\nWith the official start of summer quickly approaching, many will be heading out to the lake for some fun in the water.\nThe United States Coast Guard station in St. Joseph, Michigan, is promoting water safety as the season kicks off.\nThe U.S. Coast Guard stresses the importance of being cautious in the water, especially around this time of year, because of the cold temperature of the lake.\nThey also say that wearing life jackets at all times is key, especially while on a boat.\n“Even the best of swimmers can get caught in something,” said BM2 Casey Johnson of Station St. Joseph. “For 2016, we had almost the highest number of fatalities and a lot of those came from paddle boarders or kayakers.”\nOn May 19th, at the Berrien County Sheriffs parking lot, the U.S. Coast Guard from Station St. Joseph will be teaming up with local Michigan counties to promote Safe Boating Week.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1773299"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6019600033760071,"wiki_prob":0.6019600033760071,"text":"Please support our global conservation work.\nThe forests on the front line of climate change\nMangrove trees are born survivors – and as coastal defences and carbon sinks, they’re invaluable in helping to mitigate global warming. ZSL has long worked in the Philippines to protect and restore their extraordinary ecosystems.\nMangroves are a remarkable group of trees that have adapted to live in the intertidal zones of tropical coastlines and estuaries. They have learned to thrive in conditions that would kill off most plants, including salty water, advancing and retreating tides, and low-oxygen soils. Many sit on exposed, stilt-like roots that anchor them against the tide and allow them to take oxygen directly from the air.\nMost mangrove forests are a muddy, mosquito-heavy tangle of swampy vegetation and tree roots. They might not be everyone’s idea of a marine wildlife paradise – yet they offer shelter and sustenance to a huge range of species (including us). Their intricate root systems provide a safe haven and nursery for aquatic life, including many young fish and crustaceans that later move out to populate reefs and oceans.\nMangroves are also unsung heroes of fight against climate change. They shield inland habitats and communities from the tropical storms that are expected to increase in intensity as the planet warms. And it’s now known that coastal forests such as mangroves capture and store far more carbon for their size than terrestrial rainforests.\nGlobally, however, mangroves are in trouble. Between 20% to 35% of the world’s mangroves are thought to have disappeared since 1980, and one in six mangrove species is under threat. And living as they do between land and sea, mangroves are themselves potentially vulnerable to climate change impacts such as rising sea levels and temperatures. All this isn’t just bad news for biodiversity – it could have a serious impact on the planet’s capacity to store carbon, deepening the climate crisis.\nThe island of Panay in the Philippines is the focus of ZSL’s mangrove conservation work. Like other mangrove strongholds worldwide, it has lost many of its coastal forests to development – chiefly, commercial fishponds. ZSL scientists embarked on a community-based mangrove rehabilitation project in 2007, empowering local people to restore disused fishponds to flourishing mangroves.\nSince then, over 100ha (an area around the size of 140 football pitches!) of run-down fishponds have been regenerated; ZSL has trained over a thousand people in mangrove rehabilitation; and six marine protected areas in the region have been extended to include mangroves and seagrass meadows as well as coral reefs – giving these often-undervalued habitats the recognition they deserve.\nMangrove restoration is not only good news for wildlife and carbon capture; it’s also a cost-effective, nature-based solution to strengthening coastal defences against devastating typhoons like Haiyan, in an island nation on the front line of climate change.\nMeanwhile, ZSL continues to seek out opportunities to provide coastal communities with more sustainable livelihood choices through its projects, creating win-win-win situations for people, wildlife and the planet. These include opening mangrove eco-parks to boost ecotourism, and offering extra sources of income through its innovative fishing-net recycling and seaweed farming enterprises.\nAfter all, if we are to truly solve the huge environmental challenges facing the world today, we’ll need to find sustainable ways to share the planet with our fellow species, and develop nature-based solutions that work not just for mangrove forests, or for climate action, or for coastal communities – but find the common ground. Above all, we need to recognise that in protecting mangroves, we protect countless other species too – including ourselves.\nPlease donate to support our work\nNet-Works-nets.jpg\nInterface, Inc\nNet-Works redesigns global supply chains to create sustainable and scalable solutions that deliver 'less plastic and more fish' in the ocean.\nPlanting-mangroves-in-the-Philippines.jpg\nRehabilitating Mangroves in the Philippines\nBuilding social, economic and environmental resilience through the protection and rehabilitation of coastal greenbelts\nMonitoring and conserving mangrove forests under climate change\nMangroves are one of the most ecologically- and economically-important ecosystems in the world...\nMore about mangrove forests\nIUCN SSC Mangrove Specialist Group\nThe IUCN SSC Mangrove Specialist Group, aims to support mangrove research and conservation...\nNature at the heart of global decision making\nTaxonomy Description\nExplore ZSL\nLiving Planet Report 2022\nWildlife populations face fast, ongoing declines with an...\nJoin our fight to save wildlife\nHelp us bring threatened animals back from the brink of...\nFind opportunities to get involved with marine conservation.\nIdentifying disease threats to wildlife and understanding...\nHelp end illegal wildlife trade\nCovid-19 most likely originated in a species of bat before...\nFor the Future of Wildlife","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1668816"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7127973437309265,"wiki_prob":0.7127973437309265,"text":"The Czech National Day: celebrating a state that no longer exists\nhttps://english.radio.cz/czech-national-day-celebrating-a-state-no-longer-exists-8614409#player=on\nThe 28th October is an unlikely date for Czechs to be celebrating their national holiday. After all, it commemorates the founding of a state that no longer exists. Czechoslovakia was established in 1918 with the collapse of the Habsburg monarchy at the end of World War I, and was relegated to the history books 74 years later, when Czechs and Slovaks - or rather their political leaders - decided to go their separate ways at the end of 1992. While Slovaks quickly forgot their old national day, Czechs went on as if nothing had happened. To this day wreathes are laid, the national anthem is played, and except when the holiday falls on a weekend everybody enjoys a day off work.\nTo talk about this paradox, I'm joined by the award-winning novelist and journalist, Martin Simecka. Until recently he was editor-in-chief of the Slovak daily SME, and he is now just taking over at the helm of the Czech political weekly Respekt. He is the son of Milan Simecka, one the most influential dissident philosophers of communist Czechoslovakia, and with an upbringing that spanned both parts of the former Czechoslovakia, Martin has very personal insights into the complexities of the Czech and Slovak national identities.\n\"My parents were Czechs but they moved to Bratislava - to Slovakia - in 1953 and I was born in 1957 in Bratislava. So I'm by birth Slovak, but I'm bilingual, we spoke at home Czech and Slovak, but I have lived all my life in Bratislava. But my whole family are in the Czech Republic. So from my education in my family I feel more like Czech, from Czech literature and so on, but my schools were Slovak. So I'm divided in my heart. My father used to say that he was divided one half Czech, one half Slovak. I feel the same.\"\nTo what extent was the division of Czechoslovakia at the end of 1992 a trauma for you?\n\"Yes. It was traumatic, but I was not the only one. My brother lives in Prague, for example, so it was a division directly in my family. But the biggest trauma wasn't actually from the split itself, but from what I was afraid - and it was fulfilled - would happen with Slovakia after the split. It happened that Vladimir Meciar and his regime ruled the country for six years. It was obvious that after the split this would happen.\"\nThis is a programme to mark the Czech national holiday on 28th October. Isn't it a strange paradox that we are marking a holiday that commemorates the foundation of a state that no longer exists?\n\"Well, for me it is a little bit confusing that Czechs have this day as a holiday and they celebrate it actually as the founding of the Czech Republic! They don't speak so much about Czechoslovakia, but about the Czech Republic. So they celebrate their own state now in memory of 1918. This is understandable, of course, as they can't celebrate Czechoslovakia, that's clear, but Slovaks have no holiday on that day and except for a couple of people who will probably organize a kind of very small meeting where maybe a few dozen people will come, nobody probably will commemorate it in Slovakia.\"\nDoesn't it, in a sense, confirm what some Slovaks have complained all along, that Czechoslovakia was essentially a Czech state and therefore many Czechs have no problem taking on Czechoslovakia and the legacy of Czechoslovakia as there own?\n\"This is a feeling, and quite a general feeling in Slovakia, but I think it is not true. Historically it is not true, because for Slovaks it was the first state they had, where they had felt at home, so this is a confusion again. I would say that for Slovaks it would be much more important to celebrate this day than for Czechs. But they don't. This is about how Slovaks see their own history and it's about an irrational feeling that Slovaks were not quite recognized as a nation in that state. Again I don't think it's true, although, of course, there are some historical facts: Edvard Benes [the second president of Czechoslovakia] especially didn't feel the Slovaks to be a nation, but this shouldn't be the reason for Slovaks not to celebrate that day. But you can't help it. In Slovakia you wouldn't now find many people who would commemorate that day as something very important - except historians, who would say that this is certainly the biggest day for the Slovak nation in the last hundred years.\"\nEdvard Benes\nAnd just to return to the paradox that we're marking the holiday of a state that doesn't exist - doesn't it in a way reflect the very strange nature of Czechs' and Slovaks' relationship to their national identity? For Poles, for example, it is much more straightforward.\n\"Yes. If you compare it to other nations you are right. Both the Czechs and Slovaks are now more oriented to the present day than the past, because it's so difficult to identify yourself with this anniversary, as you have to understand many things. Because this state doesn't exist any more it's a complicated situation. So for people it's easier not to talk about that so much, and they try to occupy themselves just with the history of the last few decades, rather than with something that is so far away in history. But you are right. I don't feel very much, either in the Czech Republic or in Slovakia, an interest in the deeper past of these nations. That's something very unusual, compared to Poland or even Hungary.\"\nFor a modern, forward-looking Europe where there is a lot of talk about integration, it sounds, in a way, like a very healthy attitude towards your nationhood.\n\"It may look like an advantage these days, but the problem is that it's not something natural and healthy. I think that people rather don't want to know about history very much, which is not good. If Czechs and Slovaks will be those Europeans who don't care very much about their own identity and past, I don't think that it's something Europe should be happy about.\"\nYou grew up during the period of \"normalization\" when, after the Soviet invasion of 1968, there was a gradual re-imposition of hard-line Brezhnevite rule in Czechoslovakia. How was the 28th October celebrated then as the national day?\n\"The 28th October was actually a day that was not very much celebrated. It was difficult to talk about it because for the communists it was a date that marked the founding of the first, capitalist Czechoslovakia. So for them it was very difficult to find a way of celebrating that day and saying on the other hand that actually it was not good because the [pre-war] republic was bourgeois-democratic. It was so confusing for people that the regime itself rather preferred not to celebrate it at all.\"\nDoes it make any sense to be celebrating the 28th October as the national holiday in the Czech Republic in 2006?\n\"Definitely yes. What I would prefer, on the other hand, would be for Czechs to celebrate not only our own state, but also the state which is our closest neighbour, that means the Slovaks. That would be fair. What disturbs me is that this is not mentioned at all.\"\nAuthor: David Vaughan\n“We felt like Czechoslovaks and we still do” – Czech-Slovak border 30 years after Velvet Divorce\nVelvet Divorce and marriage: real-life Czech-Slovak couples\nCzech and Slovak: languages or dialects?\n“Czechia has changed” – Fiala hosts special dinner for former PMs to mark Velvet Divorce anniversary\nThe “fool’s graveyard” where Mozart was laid to rest in Forman’s Amadeus","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line307482"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5610479116439819,"wiki_prob":0.43895208835601807,"text":"Case Reports in Ophthalmological Medicine\nCase Reports in Ophthalmological Medicine/\nAbstractIntroductionCase ReportDiscussionReferencesCopyrightRelated Articles\nOrbital Cystic Schwannoma Originating from the Frontal Nerve\nYasuhiko Hayashi,1Takuya Watanabe,1Daisuke Kita,1Yutaka Hayashi,1Masayuki Takahira,2and Jun-ichiro Hamada1\nAcademic Editor: A. Ferreras, A. A. Bialasiewicz, R. Huna-Baron\nAccepted13 Dec 2012\nPublished23 Dec 2012\nSchwannomas of the orbit are very rare benign neoplasms. Intraorbital cystic schwannomas originating from the frontal nerve are even rarer, with only 1 case reported to date. This is most likely due to the fact that, in most cases, the origin of the orbital schwannoma cannot be identified intraoperatively. The nerve origin is usually speculated from histological examination of the specimen and the postoperative neurological deficits of the patient. Here, we present the case of a 65-year-old woman with a one-month history of exophthalmos, whose orbital cystic lesion was completely removed by microsurgical transcranial operation. Intraoperatively, the continuity between the tumor and frontal nerve was seen macroscopically, leading us to confirm the frontal nerve as an origin of the tumor, which was consistent with the postoperative neurological findings. The diagnosis of the tumor was established as schwannoma from the histological examination. As a differential diagnosis of the orbital cystic lesions, the possibility of schwannomas should be kept in mind.\nSchwannoma of the orbit accounts for 1–4% of all orbital neoplasms [1–3]. Cystic lesions, such as dermoid cysts or mucoceles, of the orbit are often encountered, but cystic schwannomas are extremely rare [4–6]. Further, cystic schwannoma originating from the frontal nerve is even rarer, and only 1 case has been reported [7]. The origin of orbital tumor usually could not be found intraoperatively, because of the distal portion of the nerve derived from the tumor embedded into the adipose tissue making it difficult to discern the tumor from the original nerve [1, 8]. Here, we present the case of a 65-year-old woman with a one-month history of exophthalmos; the causative orbital cystic lesion was completely removed by microsurgical transcranial operation leaving faint ipsilateral forehead numbness. The histological diagnosis was ascertained that the tumor was schwannoma and macroscopic intraoperative finding indicated the frontal nerve as the tumor origin.\n2. Case Report\nA 65-year-old woman presented with a one-month history of the right-sided exophthalmos and was referred to our hospital. On neurological examination, we found that both her pupillary size and reaction to light were normal, and her eye ball movement was not restricted. She did not have numbness in her forehead nor did she have skin lesions suggesting neurofibromatosis. Computed tomography showed a round mass in her right orbit. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed; T1-weighted image revealed that the mass was isointense, and T2-weighted image showed that it was hyperintense (Figures 1(a) and 1(b)). A dynamic study using gadrinium-diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid on the fat suppressed T1-weighted image demonstrated the marginal enhancement of the mass (Figure 1(c)), which made us consider the mass was consisted of a cystic tumor. The mass was located in the extraconal region, just above the levator palpebrae muscle, and measured 3.0 × 2.0 × 2.0 cm. Digital subtraction cerebral angiography showed no vascular abnormalities related to the tumor.\nAxial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed that the lesion was located in the extraconal region, just above the levator palpebral muscle; the mass was found to be isointense on T1-weighted image (a) and to have hyperintensity on T2-weighted image (b). (c) Coronal MR image after fat suppression demonstrated marginal enhancement of the cystic mass.\nThe patient underwent surgical removal of the orbital tumor in our hospital. Upon right frontal craniotomy with orbital unroofing, the orbital cystic mass appeared to be partially embedded in the adipose tissue without an adhesion to the levator muscle, confirming its location in the extraconal space. Therefore, the tumor could be completely dissected from the surrounding tissues. The cyst capsule was preserved in an unruptured form, and the proximal part of the frontal nerve was confirmed to have been embedded into the tumor capsule entirely (Figure 2). After removal of the entire tumor, the levator palpebrae superioris muscle was exposed.\nPhotograph of the surgical field showed the continuity between the tumor (black arrows) and the frontal nerve (white arrows). The finding that the nerve ran toward the supraorbital foramen (arrow head) led to the conclusion of the frontal nerve being the origin of this tumor.\nHistological examination established the diagnosis of the tumor as schwannoma, and both Antoni A and B type tumor cells were noted (Figure 3(a)). The cyst of the tumor was surrounded by thick capsule and Antoni B type tumor cells were presented adjacent to the connective tissue of this capsule (Figure 3(b)). An immunohistological examination showed that the tumor cells were strongly positive for vimentin (Figure 3(c)) and S-100 (data not shown).\n(a) Photomicrograph of the tumor showing both Antoni A type tumor cells (left, consisting of dense spindle-shaped cells with nuclear palisading nuclei) and Antoni B type tumor cells (right, sparse oval cells with phlegmatic interstitium) (hematoxylin and eosin, ×100). (b) The tumor cells were surrounded by dense connective tissue (hematoxylin and eosin, ×40). (c) An immunohistochemical examination showed that the tumor cells were strongly positive for vimentin (×100).\nPostoperative MRI confirmed the complete removal of the tumor from the orbital extraconal space. The patient was discharged with mild restriction of upward eye movement, palpebral ptosis, and numbness in the right forehead. One year after the operation, the numbness of the forehead persisted, but no recurrence of tumor was observed.\nAlthough cystic lesions of the orbit are often encountered, they are most often dermoid cysts and/or mucoceles [3, 4, 9]; cystic schwannomas are extremely rare [2, 4, 6, 10]. Only 3 cases of cystic schwannomas have been previously reported [7]; In 2 of these cases, the tumors were located in the intraconal region and originated from the inferior division of the oculomotor nerve. In the other case, the tumor was located in the extraconal region with the first division of trigeminal nerve as the origin (frontal nerve) [7, 11].\nSchwannomas usually arise from Schwann cells and grow along cranial, peripheral, and autosomic nerves [11]. They predominantly stem from sensory nerves rather than motor nerves. About 24% of orbital schwannomas have been reported to originate from the first division of the trigeminal nerve; however, the origin of more than half of the orbital schwannomas could not be identified from preoperative radiological findings, intraoperative anatomical findings, and/or clinical manifestations. Therefore, postoperative neurological deficits, such as limitation of eyeball movement and numbness of the forehead, usually led neurosurgeons to identify the oculomotor nerves and trigeminal nerve as the origins of these tumors [1, 6]. Our case is the second case to exhibit a cystic schwannoma originating from the frontal nerve; the diagnosis of the tumor origin in the first reported case was merely based on the postoperative symptom and not on the intraoperative findings as demonstrated in our case [7].\nIn previous cases, it was very difficult to determine the origin of the orbital schwannoma during the operation, because the distal portions of the nerve were so thinned and fanned out that the continuity between the nerves and the tumor could hardly be recognized [1, 8]. However, in our patient, the distal portion of the nerve was confirmed to have reached and passed through the ipsilateral supraorbital foramen. Therefore, the nerve could readily be identified as the frontal nerve.\nIn addition, the postoperative presenting symptom of numbness in the right half of the forehead persisted until the last visit to our outpatient clinic. Pathological microscopic findings showed the tumor to be a schwannoma. The immunohistological findings confirmed this diagnosis as the tumor cells were positive for S-100 and vimentin, both of which are known to be present in schwannoma.\nThe best treatment for orbital schwannomas is total surgical excision without complication [8]. The surgical approach would be dependent on the location of the tumors. Intraorbital schwannomas predominantly exist in the upper part of both the intracone and extracone [4, 6, 12]; therefore, anterior orbitotomy or supra orbitotomy is preferred in many cases. However, lateral and transcranial orbitotomy should also be included in the options, if a wide operative view is necessary for safe and sufficient dissection.\nThe exact developmental mechanism of cystic degeneration for this type of tumor remains unknown and there is no report in the literature demonstrating a histological change. Cystic areas are usually secondary to the coalescence of mucinous or microcystic regions in Antoni B tissues of the schwannoma. Speculative mechanisms include an insufficient vascular supply resulting in necrosis and cystic changes, hemorrhage into the tumor with blood resorption causing cyst formation, and hyaline degeneration leading to cyst formation [5, 13, 14]. As shown in our case, although orbital schwannomas with a cystic transformation are certainly rare, neurosurgeons need to include cystic schwannoma in the list of conditions considered during the differential diagnosis of preoperative orbital or periorbital cystic masses.\nMRI: Magnetic resonance imaging.\nThe authors declare that they have no conflict of interests.\nG. Cantore, P. Ciappetta, A. Raco, and P. Lunardi, “Orbital schwannomas: report of nine cases and review of the literature,” Neurosurgery, vol. 19, no. 4, pp. 583–588, 1986.\nJ. Rootman, C. Goldberg, and W. Robertson, “Primary orbital schwannomas,” British Journal of Ophthalmology, vol. 66, no. 3, pp. 194–204, 1982.\nN. J. Volpe and R. E. Gauses, “Optic nerve and orbital tumors,” Neurosurgery Clinics of North America, vol. 10, no. 4, pp. 699–715, 1999.\nI. Gunalp and K. Gunduz, “Cystic lesion of the orbit,” International Ophthalmology, vol. 20, no. 5, pp. 273–277, 1997.\nD. S. C. Lam, J. S. K. Ng, K. F. To, V. Abdulah, C. T. Liew, and M. O. M. Tso, “Cystic schwannoma of the orbit,” Eye, vol. 11, no. 6, pp. 798–800, 1997.\nN. Tsuzuki, H. Katoh, A. Ohnuki et al., “Cystic schwannoma of the orbit: case report,” Surgical Neurology, vol. 54, no. 5, pp. 385–387, 2000.\nJ. Tokugawa, Y. Nakao, K. Mori, and M. Maeda, “Orbital cystic neurinoma,” Acta Neurochirurgica, vol. 145, no. 7, pp. 605–606, 2003.\nU. Schick, J. Bleyen, and W. Hassler, “Treatment of orbital schwannomas and neurofibromas,” British Journal of Neurosurgery, vol. 17, no. 6, pp. 541–545, 2003.\nJ. A. Shields, C. L. Shields, and R. Scartozzi, “Survey of 1264 patients with orbital tumors and simulating lesions: the 2002 Montgomery Lecture, part 1,” Ophthalmology, vol. 111, no. 5, pp. 997–1008, 2004.\nH. Schatz, “Benign orbital neurilenoma. Sarcomatous transformation in von Recklinghausen's disease,” Archives of Ophthalmology, vol. 86, no. 3, pp. 268–273, 1971.\nG. S. Carroll, B. G. Haik, J. C. Fleming, R. A. Weiss, and M. F. Mafee, “Peripheral nerve tumors of the orbit,” Radiologic Clinics of North America, vol. 37, no. 1, pp. 195–202, 1999.\nG. E. Rose and J. E. Wright, “Isolated peripheral nerve sheath tumours of the orbit,” Eye, vol. 5, no. 6, pp. 668–673, 1991.\nK. Gündüz, R. A. Kurt, and E. Erden, “Orbital schwannoma with fluid-fluid levels on MRI,” Ophthalmic Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, vol. 27, no. 3, pp. 51–54, 2011.\nN. Pushker, R. Meel, S. Sharma, M. S. Bajaj, S. Kashyap, and S. Sen, “Giant orbital schwannoma with fluid-fluid levels,” British Journal of Ophthalmology, vol. 95, no. 8, pp. 1180–1181, 2011.\nCopyright © 2012 Yasuhiko Hayashi et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1680644"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5783562660217285,"wiki_prob":0.5783562660217285,"text":"Home Biography Scientists Professor Abdus Salam – KBE FRS\nDr Abdus Salam\nProfessor Abdus Salam – KBE FRS\nAhmad Salam\nThere has been much written about my father, Professor Abdus Salam, so rather than simply repeat much of that, I thought it may be interesting to narrate some of the private moments of my father for those who did not know him or meet him, may not have heard about and may give the reader more insight into the character of Abdus Salam.\nI have highlighted just a few of memories which will be of interest and, I hope, inspiration to the readers of Al Hakam.\nIt was clear from an early age that this child was, by the grace of Allah, an exceptionally gifted child. He went to school at the age of six and was admitted into the fourth class, where he stood first in all the exams; he had already memorised the multiplication tables up to forty and was a prodigious reader of books of all subjects which lasted throughout his life. There was no subject he did not at least glance at throughout his life.\nWiki commons | Molendijk, Bart/Anefo\nI recall later in life looking through his bookshelf and seeing as diverse a collection as one could find; subjects such as physics, mathematics, biology, history, biographies, comedy, language books, medicine, Islamic history, Islamic art and culture; there were even books such as Teach Yourself Air Navigation and Russian Made Simple!\nI recall as a child one of the many lessons my father taught me was to read; he always encouraged me to read as many books as I could. There was never a limit on the amount and variety of books I could have, provided of course I read them. But what was more relevant is that my father would then ask me to précis each book I had read. This made sure I read the book carefully and perhaps more importantly, showed my father’s continued interest and involvement in my education.\nA wall from Professor Abdus Salam Sahib’s study | Ahmad Salam\nMuch of my father’s inspiration and guidance came from his father, especially in his formative years. While he learnt the Holy Quran initially from his mother, it was his father who instilled in him a great sense of duty, discipline, humility, hard work and, above all else, a total belief in the submission to the will of Allah and the teachings of Islam Ahmadiyyat.\nWhen my father won the Nobel Prize, he used the prize money to set up a charity in memory of his parents to offer scholarships to young bright students, in Pakistan and India in particular.\nMy grandfather had been told in a vision that he would have a son and he was to name him Abdus Salam. In another vision, my grandfather was informed this son would be a great achiever and so he knew that he had to help and encourage the young Abdus Salam to reach the highest standards in both his work and his moral character. An example of my grandfather’s influence was when my father came home from school; my father would complete his homework and then my grandfather would sit and prepare the next day’s lesson so the young Abdus Salam was always ahead of the class. This was a lesson my father remembered throughout his life: to work hard and to always be prepared ahead of time, and not to just do the minimum. My father would tell me “To fail to prepare meant prepare to fail”.\nMy father would teach me science and maths from a young age. He was not that successful as I chose to follow the arts rather than science. He would also spend time talking to me about great Islamic scholars and the wonderful tradition of education and innovation we have in our Islamic history. He would also talk to me about the great battles and great warriors of Islamic history. My father would also talk to me and teach me about my family’s cultural history as Rajput, of which he was very proud.\nAnother lesson my father taught me, which he had again learnt from his father was, “Early to bed and early to rise makes man healthy, wealthy and wise”. So my father would sleep by 8:30pm and rise at 3am to pray and work. This was the best time for him as he would awake refreshed and then be uninterrupted. He would work from 3:30am to about 7:30am, then breakfast, shower and dress and go to Imperial College or the Centre when he was in Trieste.\nA notebook of Professor Abdus Salam Sahib showing his personal notes | Ahmad Salam\nMy father worked incredibly hard: literally seven days a week, never taking a holiday. He simply did not see the need for a holiday. When we used to visit him in Trieste during our summer holidays, he would arrange for me to have lessons in Italian, Maths or Physics from one of his students, who he paid of course.\nThis capacity for hard work came from my father’s father. My grandfather was a very disciplined and hardworking man. He had a great influence on my father, and my father’s wish was always to be buried at the feet of his parents. I am pleased to say we were able to fulfil my father’s last request.\nThere was also another figure who guided and inspired my father, and that was the late Sir Muhammad Zafrulla Khanra. I was only witness to the incredibly deep and affectionate relationship between these two men for a short while, but I knew that my father learnt a great deal from this wonderful man. He was a wonderful teacher, mentor and guide to my father throughout his life. When my father was in London, Hazrat Chaudhry Sahibra would always be kind enough to come for breakfast on Sunday mornings at 8:15am until 10:30am. This was a most valuable time for my father as Chaudhry Sahibra would guide him on how to deal with certain people and situations. This was most valuable advice and guidance which, undoubtedly, was of great benefit to my father. My father’s very close relationship with Chaudhry Sahibra also inspired Chaudhry Sahibra. In Chaudhry Sahib’s book The Prophet at Home, there is a dedication to my father who gave Chaudhry Sahibra the idea to write the book.\nAnother mentor and sage to my father was the late Mirza Muzaffar Ahmad, the grandson of the Promised Messiahas. Miyan Sahib was a very senior figure in the World Bank in Washington and for a while served as the Finance Minister for Pakistan. Miyan Sahib also advised and guided my father immensely.\nBoth Miyan Sahib and Chaudhry Sahibra had great regard and respect for time. Just like my father, they hated anything which wasted time. My father would repeatedly warn me against the “Sub-continental” habit of idle talk, or gup in Punjabi. He would warn me in the strongest terms about the destructive nature of such a practice and also how it was un-Islamic and to be avoided at all times.\nMy father was always very punctual and believed it was important to try and be early rather than late. My father would tell me that being late showed an arrogant lack of respect for other people as it suggested that your time was more valuable than theirs.\nHowever, the greatest influence on my father was the Holy Quran. He would carry a small copy of the Holy Book in his jacket pocket and would always read it when he had a free moment. Indeed, he admitted that his finest works were achieved when he was alone in a room and could listen to one of the many records and tapes he had acquired of the recitation of the Holy Quran in the most melodious and harmonious voices. This would give him great inspiration. His favourite qari was the Egyptian, Abdul Basit, and I recall my father listening for hours to the recitation of the Holy Book.\nAllied to this love of the Quran and Islam of course was his total devotion to Ahmadiyyat and the Khulafa he served. I know from my own experience, how highly he valued and treasured their advice and guidance. He would also encourage me to write to the Khalifa just as he had done at an early age to seek their advice and request for prayers. This was extremely important to him throughout his life. I was too young to really appreciate the relationship with Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIIrh; but I know how Huzoorrh would always meet my father with great affection. Indeed, we were so blessed that Huzoorrh visited our house in London and I have photos of my father serving Huzoorrh with mangoes.\nI witnessed first-hand the love and affection and relationship between Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh and my father.\nMy father had great humility and always remembered his simple roots. There are countless examples of this, but one which always stick in my mind was when he had returned from a long overseas trip and had come into the house and we had greeted our father, my job was always to ensure my father’s driver had been given food and drink, and only when I had done this and come back into the house would my father then eat himself. He was more concerned about the driver than himself. My Aunt in Karachi would tell me the same story. When my father visited her on his trips to Pakistan, her son would have to give the driver refreshments before my father would sit down and eat with the family.\nAnother example of this humility was when my father visited India in December 1979, just after he had attended the Nobel ceremony in Sweden. He asked the Indian Prime Minister, Mrs Indira Gandhi, to try and find his old primary school teacher, and when he had been found some 50 years after he had taught my father, my father visited him. He was bedbound and could not sit up to greet my father, so my father took the Nobel medal and placed it in his hands and said that that medal was a tribute to his teaching and my father shared it with him.\nMy father was a simple man who had simple tastes and simple requirements. He was very keen on cleanliness in every way. He did feel the cold badly though and would always keep his head covered; he usually wore an overcoat and sweater even in the middle of summer. He would always keep his room where he would work hot. He would greatly enjoy my mother’s wonderful cooking, be it pilau, roti or simply dal. He liked simple, well cooked meals; one dish was all he wanted. He did not want extravagance or many dishes.\nHe was also a great one for desserts and had a very sweet tooth. Every meal would be followed with a dessert; usually tinned or fresh fruit if it was in season. He would love tinned lychees, pears, pineapple or peaches. His favourite fresh fruit was Pakistani and Indian mangoes.\nI remember in his bag he would always carry some chocolate biscuits, bars of chocolate, nuts and sometimes some dried fruit. He would say that those snacks would give him energy.\nAnother lesson my father taught me was to always have the upper hand and always be the one to give rather than to take. He would always take gifts for those he would visit.\nHe gave me a very valuable lesson when I wanted to buy my first car. I have always been interested in cars and I had found a BMW I wanted to purchase. I asked my father if he would lend me the money and said that I would pay him back. He refused and said that if I wanted something, I should go and get a job, save the money and buy a car with my own money; so I did. I got a job as a cashier at a petrol station and earned enough to buy a Fiat 500, one of the smallest cars you can buy. But the point was that I had worked myself to make the money. I was not indebted to anyone and that was a very valuable lesson for which I am ever grateful; not to borrow money to live beyond my means. This is lesson I have followed throughout my life and I hope I have passed it on to my children.\njalees.ahmad\nMazhar-ul-Haq Khan, MSEE 10th December 2020 At 6:25 pm\nBeautiful memories. JazakAllah for sharing.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line166153"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.946738064289093,"wiki_prob":0.946738064289093,"text":"Mets Exercise Options On Carlos Carrasco, John Curtiss\nLAS VEGAS (AP) — The New York Mets exercised a $14 million option on right-hander Carlos Carrasco and a $775,000 option on reliever John Curtiss, who is coming back from Tommy John surgery.\nCarrasco, 35, was 15-7 with a 3.97 ERA in his second season with the Mets, who acquired him from Cleveland in the Francisco Lindor trade in January 2021. By exercising the option, the Mets made the contract worth $48.25 million for four seasons. Carrasco can become a free agent after next year's World Series.\n“We value him as a starter and like the arsenal of tools, like the presence that he brings on the mound,” Mets general manager Billy Eppler said Thursday at the general managers' meetings. “Reliable, and we know he can handle New York.”\nCurtiss had Tommy John surgery on Sept. 7 last year, was let go by Milwaukee and signed with the Mets in April. The 29-year-old has pitched for Minnesota (2017-18), the Los Angeles Angels (2019), Tampa Bay (2020), Miami (2021) and the Brewers (2021), going 6-2 with a 3.63 ERA and two saves.\nAthlete injuries\nProfessional baseball\nCarlos Carrasco\nBilly Eppler\nJohn Curtiss","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line493692"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6279853582382202,"wiki_prob":0.3720146417617798,"text":"About mintCast\nEpisode 404 Show Notes\nJoe B\nBill H\nHelp Support The Show!\nTag: Berryboot\nApril 8, 2020 News, OGG, Podcast\nmintCast 332 – Thunar Storm\nFirst up, in our Wanderings, Leo goes on a LMDE tour, Tony Hughes becomes a model, Moss learns more about Grub, Tony Watts plays some music, Bo considers a pfSense deployment, and Joe gets caught up on shows.\nThen, in the news, Linux Mint Monthly news comes out, F-Droid gets some money,and Thunar and Java get updates.\nIn security, Zoom doom.\nApril 8, 2020 MP3\nmintCast 332 – Thunar Storm (mp3)\nThe distribution that spawned a podcast. Support us by supporting them. Donate here.\nWe currently host our podcast at archive.org. Support us by supporting them. Donate here.\nThey’ve made post-production of our podcast possible. Support us by supporting them. Contribute here.\nmintCast on the Web\nEpisode Archives Select Month January 2023 December 2022 November 2022 October 2022 September 2022 August 2022 July 2022 June 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 January 2022 December 2021 November 2021 October 2021 September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008\nmintcast on 399 – Lunar Eclipse? No, Lunar Lobster\nBentley Sorsdahl on 399 – Lunar Eclipse? No, Lunar Lobster\nThis Website Is Hosted On:\nCopyright © 2023 mintCast. All Rights Reserved. Powered by Podcast Theme","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1698348"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.507884681224823,"wiki_prob":0.507884681224823,"text":"Make Your Destination the Spire Center, Premier Mecca for the Performing Arts!!\nBUY TICKETS | (508) 746-4488 | BOX OFFICE HOURS: Tuesday – Friday | 12 PM – 5 PM and 2 Hours Before Every Show\nSupport & Engage\nPerform at the Spire!\nSupport The Spire\nSpire Center Sponsorship\nThe Spire Story\nPast Performers\nRent The Spire!\nPlymouth Dining Guide & Merchant Discounts\nExclusive Hotel Partner\nAbout Plymouth\nSpire Center Magazine\nFall Issue\nSummer Issue\nSpring Issue\nWinter Issue\nShow | 8pm\nIn a career spanning more than 25 years, Joe Henry has left an indelible and unique imprint on American popular music. As a songwriter and artist, Henry is celebrated for his exploration of the human experience. A hyper-literate storyteller, by turns dark, devastating, and hopeful, he draws an author’s eye for the overlooked detail across a broad swath of American musical styles — rock, jazz and blues — rendering genre modifiers useless.\nHenry has collaborated with many notable American artists on his own body of work, from T Bone Burnett, Daniel Lanois, and Van Dyke Parks on one side of the spectrum, to Don Cherry, Ornette Coleman, Brad Mehldau, and Bill Frisell on the other. A three-time-Grammy-winning producer, Henry has made records for Bonnie Raitt, Hugh Laurie, Lisa Hannigan, Elvis Costello, Rhiannon Giddens and Solomon Burke among many others.\nAdditionally, Henry has taken his musical talents to film and television. He has scored music for the films Jesus’ Son, Knocked Up, and Motherhood, as well as produced tracks for the film I’m Not There. His song “Stars” was featured in the closing credits in the fourth season of HBO’s Six Feet Under.\nIn 2013, Algonquin Press published, “Furious Cool: Richard Pryor and the World that Made Him,” a book co-written by Joe and his brother Dave Henry.\nIn 2016, Henry teamed up with Billy Bragg on the collaborative album Shine A Light: Field Recordings From The Great American Railroad. The pair were subsequently nominated as “Duo/Group of the Year” by the Americana Music Association.\nAmerican Songwriter called his 2017 release Thrum “Audacious and auspicious…akin to Van Morrison at his most impressionistic.”\nHenry released his 15th solo album The Gospel According To Water on November 15th 2019 :\n“These are simple, wise and sonically gorgeous songs.”—Rosanne Cash“\nHere is the voice of a friend and brother who had been away too long. There is enough anger, enough misery in the world. Too many tears, fires and trampled flowers, so make room in your life for some beauty like this.”—Elvis Costello“.\nIn every track, there is gentleness and strength. His music is poetry.”–Gloria SteinemIncluded in Barack Obama’s Favorite Music of 2019+ New York Times Best Songs of 2019\nHenry’s 16th solo album “All The Eye Can See” will be released January 27th 2023. Henry is joined by more than 20 musicians, among them his trusted long-time musical companions and friends – his son Levon Henry on saxophone & clarinet, David Piltch on bass, Patrick Warren on piano & keys and John Smith on acoustic guitar.\nIt is an intimate album, highly emotional, amazingly quiet and beautiful, and relaxed, with simple yet skillful tunes, touching lyrics featuring 12 new and unforgettable songs, framed by an instrumental prelude and prologue.\n25 1/2 Court St.\nSpire Center for Performing Arts","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line65065"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7415328025817871,"wiki_prob":0.7415328025817871,"text":"New branding for Somerset Council confirmed\nHome ➢ News ➢ New branding for Somerset Council confir ...\nNew branding for Somerset Council\nThe new branding for many of Somerset’s public services was confirmed at a meeting of Somerset County Council’s Executive today (14 December 2022), with the approval of a brand for the new Somerset Council. The new brand will begin to appear on council services from April next year when the new unitary Council comes into existence.\nThe new brand, featuring a version of the Somerset Dragon from the county’s coat of arms, has been designed by an in-house team at the council and was developed after testing with staff and residents. Council services will be badged by a white dragon’s head placed in a teal five-sided shape, representing the five councils that will be replaced by the new council.\nCllr Bill Revans, Leader of Somerset County Council, said: “We obviously need to clearly identify the services of the new council – it’s important that residents know where their council tax goes – but we have been at pains to develop and implement the new brand as economically as possible. This is a challenging time for council finances, and we have to make sure we are spending taxpayers’ money as wisely as possible.”\nAs well as keeping costs down by designing the branding with an in-house team made up of designers from Sedgemoor and South Somerset District Councils, working with colleagues from Somerset County Council, the paper approved by Executive also proposes that the new council should avoid a branding “Big Bang”, rolling out the new brand over time and accepting that branding from the existing councils will continue to be seen around the county for some years to come.\nThe design team has gone to great lengths to make the new brand clear and accessible, with the key colour supporting the highest level of accessibility and using a new typeface, Atkinson Hyper-legible, a font designed with the Braille Institute in the United States.\nThe new branding will first appear where the council has a legal responsibility to identify itself as providers of services, from council tax statements to parking signs. It will also provide brand new services such as Somerset’s Council’s single new website.\nCllr Revans added: “We will also rebrand key council services such as customer service points, libraries and waste trucks and have made an allowance in our budget for the local government reorganisation. Fortunately, the cost of new waste truck livery is included in our agreement with our contractors. We will keep costs down by avoiding a ‘big bang’ approach and rolling out the new brand gradually.”\nAs well as the dragon’s head, the design team has included topographical outlines of 12 Somerset landmarks, from Glastonbury Tor to Knowle Hill, to link the council’s publications to the county it serves. The new council plans to add other landmarks over coming years in response to suggestions from residents.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line955476"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9299618005752563,"wiki_prob":0.9299618005752563,"text":"Image: Pierre Dunoyer. Vernissage Pierre Dunoyer au MAVP, 1 December 2022. Musée d’Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris, Paris. Credits © Say Who/ Michael Huard.\n\"Representation is not my problem,\" says Pierre Dunoyer. Abstraction is. The deepseated interest of this French artist in abstraction is grounded in the Parisian intellectual context of the mid-1970s. Speaking about those times, the artist recalls, \"I wrote about art and talked even more about art. There was a lot of interest in abstract painting then. For us, the main issue was to make an abstraction.\"\nWhat kind of abstraction? Pierre Dunoyer offers a decidedly transcendent kind of abstraction based on his idea of \"tableau.\" He explains, \"I want to realize the difference between when we say \"tableau\" and \"painting.\" \"Tableau,\" for him, is \"Picture\" as the end result of \"Paintings.\" Central to his approach is a method that gets down-to-the-basics of abstraction and which most important goes beyond them.\nPento I (1978) his first painting also represents the \"first expression of my method,\" he says. In it, he sprays a blue band on an all-white ground and paints over parts of the band only with the same shade of blue pigment using a brush. Different textures distinguish the sprayed and brushed portions. Certain major features are already discernible, from the artist's shaped and measured stroke-cum-mark to the close attention paid to the relationships of form and color. Here already also, the importance of the color of the ground is emphasized. In order to arrive at the desired value of white, as he says, \"White like screen, not white like surface,\" he first painted the ground black and then applied succesive layers of white. Through Branches of the Willow Tree, another painting executed later that same year in 1978, he found his way. After finishing this painting, he was struck by the fact that its arrangement of forms brought to mind, as the title indicates, the branches of a willow tree, and revealed to him that it is indeed possible in abstract painting to \"conserve the emotions, not just intellectual realities,\" and \"to paint,\" as he says, \"the wind.\" This example also shifted his attitude to the notions of method toward \"strategy,\" that is consider the act of painting as rules which the artist has the right to make up. By 1980, he alters the rules, ending the game, he says, of \"stating flatness,\" and moves on to the more difficult and demanding business of generating a figurative vocabulary of abstract form. In 1981-82, the relationship of the \"figure\" to ground changes as the individual shaped motifs constituting the \"figure\" grow and begin to occupy more and more of the canvas surface. The breaking of another rule, only white grounds and the use of different colored ground in 1982 and 1983, brought out for him, he says, \"the iconic significance of each color.\"\nThe recent paintings highlighted in this exhibition represent the most sophisticated accounting to date of his special method \"to make a tableau,\" evolved over the last seven years. For this show, for example, the first decision to do an exhibit that would relate to the gallery, which he calls, \"physically a small space and spiritually a large space,\" required careful study of a plan of the gallery. After noting its symmetrical disposition, he knew, he says, \"I would have to make an even number of paintings.\" \"Feeling the proportions of the gallery's different walls,\" he went on to plan the scale of the individual canvases, paying special attention to keep them \"sweet and natural for the space.\" Then, he ordered the stretchers and began to look intently at each canvas and imagine the color of the ground, a key feature after which the titles are named. Among the ten tableaux, on display, there are - referring to the grounds - two red, two blue, two yellow, two green, one black , one deep purple. Close inspection of these surfaces demonstrates that the artist sets down \"white stains\" on the colored grounds, a device that lets him develop the compositions by painting in other colors over them. He respects as well as transgresses the limits of the edges of the \"white stains\" and will change the colors and shades of individual motifs at will. As Pierre Dunoyer says, \"the game is more open now.\" Its aim, however, he adds is to harmonize the three main concerns of his method: phenomenal organization, a tableau's physical and material aspect; iconic organization, its figurative value; and ontological statement, the unique pictorial address of its presence.\"\nThe result in the ten tableaux on view are dynamic, fast-time images capable of turning seeing into thinking. About what? Many things, that's part of the openness of the \"game,\" but preeminently about collective and universal issues. How? By the appealing directness and deceiving simplicity of these compositions, notable for their energetic colors and rhythmical presentation of gestural marks, which shake and snake, bound and bounce, so attractive to the eye. But the more the eye looks the more the mind faced with recognizing and then interpreting the apparent pictorial spontaneity implicit in paintings like Deep, Purple, Yellow, Black, finds itself engaged in an exciting and ultimately enlightening process of \"dynamic\" speculation.\" as Pierre Dunoyer says, \"I want to be a man who speaks from the tableau.\" He is, he does, and no one speaks more positively or relevantly through abstract painting about the unlimited potential of human freedom.\nRonny Cohen\nPierre Dunoyer was born in Marseille in 1949 and lives in Paris.\nHe turned to painting after studying architecture and psychopathology. In 1978, he took part in three Janapa group exhibitions in Paris presenting the works of Christian Bonnefoi, Tony Cragg, Côme Mosta-Heirt, Antonio Semeraro and Jean-Luc Vilmouth, then went on to “Tendances de l’art en France 1968-1978 III: Partis-Pris Autres” at the City of Paris Modern Art Museum in 1980. During the 1980s and 1990s, his paintings were presented on a regular basis in galleries in Europe and the United States.\nIn 1991, Pierre Dunoyer presented his works on the ground floor of the newly renovated Galerie nationale du Jeu de Paume in an exhibition with the minimalist name “Paintings”. This was a series of 24 works of identical dimensions dating from 1989, in no particular order, in 4 series taking up each of the 6 primary colours and based on the same repetitive but random principle. This exhibition, the first and, to date, the last one-person exhibition in an institution, revealed him as one of the most original artists on the French art scene, rigorously presenting a synthesis between the most radical forms of current painting and a certain tradition of what he called “painted works”.\nMore than thirty years later, this new Modern Art Museum exhibition takes the form of an authentic retrospective, exhibiting 14 paintings in a deliberately tight, strictly chronological order from 1978 to 2022, in which the artist’s initial formalism, with its large white backgrounds, gives way to a freer approach to the painted surface and a variety of shades. Broad, dynamic, free touches of colour move across the dominant reds, blues or yellows which sometimes inspired the works’ titles. The artist describes them as “painted objects”, or “painted thoughts”, which, with their simple, calming influence “have no other ambition than just to be there”.\nThree works have been generously donated to the Modern Art Museum for this exhibition.\nCurators : Benjamin Couilleaux and Carrie Cunningham\n(Text from the Museé D'Art Moderne de Paris website)\nPIERRE DUNOYER: PAINTINGS\nApril 3 - May 4, 1985\nPierre Dunoyer : a Retrospecitve in 14 Paintings\nAt THE MUSÉE D'ART MODERNE DE PARIS\nDECEMBER 1, 2022 - MARCH 13, 2023\nPIERRE DUNOYER: GREY\nTHE WINDOWS\nPierre Dunoyer\nPIERRE DUNOYER AT THE NOHRA HAIME GALLERY","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line399323"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5531962513923645,"wiki_prob":0.5531962513923645,"text":"Power-mad Deputy Editor throws hat in the ring for Ents race - The Harpy\nBy Eli Blunt | Apr 23 2019\nIn light of the success of the ‘Yes’ campaign to accept the amendments in the constitution, former Deputy Editor and unconfirmed gestapo officer, Dylan O’Neill has announced his candidacy for the role of Entertainments Officer in the upcoming by-election. O’Neill told The Harpy that he plans on running with the promise of bringing in “a strict, concise and measured amount of fun into the SU events.”\nThe Harpy was provided a copy of O’Neill’s manifesto ahead of his interview with the paper. O’Neill also prided himself on meeting the deadline to provide his manifesto, despite not one interviewer asking him. When asked about how he intends to revitalise the Ents forum, O’Neill proposed to build on the mandatory reporting required by each member to include “size 12 Times New Roman font, double spaced and submitted in physical form on college lined paper.”\nAs the interview moved towards his views on his competition, O’Neill said he wasn’t concerned over splitting the “Mayo-vote” with opponent, incumbent Campaigns and Communications Officer Tom Monaghan. “I’ve been in contact with various agencies concerning my manifesto points already and I’m 56% confident that our shared origins will not hurt me too much among the white, male demographic in the polls. 7/10 of the simulations I’ve run in my head at 1am over the past week has seen me come out on top.” He was doubtful over how he polled with minority groups, stating that he felt Monaghan may get the upper hand with the LGBTQ+ vote, but reiterated that that was due to his “niche, black humour that nobody got”. O’Neill went on to avoid direct questions on his approachability as a candidate and future sabbatical officer, and used the opportunity to regurgitate prepared snappy lines on his past experience in student media.\nAmong some of the points mentioned that O’Neill’s manifesto, he wishes to rebuild the damaged relations between the SU and societies by instigating mandatory participation in the 24-hour musical. When asked by The Harpy about the logistics of this for a college of almost 30,000 students, O’Neill said, “people will be tripping over themselves for even the tiniest chance to perform a kick, ball, change turn in the Astra Hall.” O’Neill had no ideas as to what charity the proceeds would go, stating that “the ‘profit’ would go to fund future musical theatre events in the union.”\n“If Monaghan can rope in a team of students to my ice-cream for no other reason that to see his name in a book, I’m pretty sure I can get students to take part in a round the clock, perfectly harmonised singalong to the hits of Sondheim.”\nDespite appearing to be well-prepared for the role of Entertainments Officer, with O’Neill being aware of who sits on student council (a rarity among the incoming sabbatical team), his point on introducing full uniforms “to promote the brand of the union and the rank of the individual officer within the forum so students are aware of the hierarchy of the forum and how each officer should be addressed,” raised concern among the interview panel over the fun-natured atmosphere that Monaghan would introduce under his regime.\nWhile The Harpy was satisfied with O’Neill’s “vaulting ambition and pure spite at this point” being enough motivation to actually carry out the job and plan events, further concern was raised over the rumours arising from his campaign launch, with undercover reporters saying that his use of underhanded passive-aggressive remarks and fake plastered smile will catch event the most cynical of voters off guard.\nVoting is set to take place by ritual sacrifice at the secret lake on the eve of the first summer exam in UCD. Candidates will have 2 minutes to answer rapid fire questions from a variety of topics, and the loser will drowned.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1527347"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5735292434692383,"wiki_prob":0.5735292434692383,"text":"Nevada honor grads\nBy Staff, 05/26/20 10:13 AM\nROSSTON – Nevada School District would like to congratulate the class of 2020 and recognize the nine seniors that will graduate with honors.\nTaebriunna Bartee, daughter of Katrena Porchia, will graduate with highest honors. Taebriunna is Vice President of FBLA, Yearbook Manager, Senior Class Vice President, and a member of NHS and the Christian Club. She also participates in the Gifted and Talented Program, is on the all “A” honor roll, is an Arkansas Scholar, received the President’s Award for Educational Excellence, and was selected as one of five Seniors of Distinction. Taebriunna placed 4th in Graphic Design at the FBLA State Competition and will represent Arkansas in the National FBLA Competition this summer.\nTaebriunna plans to attend the University of Central Arkansas to pursue a degree in graphic design.\nAaliyah Grant, daughter of Louis Grant and LeAnne Magness, will graduate with highest honors. She is Co-Captain of the Lady Jays Basketball Team, FBLA Historian, Co-President of the National Honor Society, Christian Club Leader, Manager of the Lady Jays Softball Team, and a member of the Drug-Free Team, the yearbook staff, and the track team. She was selected as one of five Seniors of Distinction. Aaliyah is on the all “A” honor roll, is an Arkansas Scholar, and received the President’s Award for Educational Excellence. She was selected as one of two seniors to attend Governor’s Scholastic Honors Day based on excellent academic achievement in the senior class.\nAaliyah has accepted the Blue and Gold Scholarship to Southern Arkansas University where she plans to pursue a degree in computer science.\nAshylnn Hart, daughter of Sherri Hart and granddaughter of Gary and Glenda Lewis, will graduate with highest honors. She is a member of FBLA, the Drug-Free Team, the Christian Club, NHS, Student Council, 4H, and the Nevada County Livestock Judging Team. Ashlynn is on the all “A” honor roll, is an Arkansas Scholar, and received the President’s Award for Educational Excellence. She has received many sports awards and was selected as the high school Student of the Month for January. Ashlynn has been awarded the Nevada County Cattleman’s Association Scholarship and the Junior Auxiliary of Nevada County Scholarship. She has also received the Incentive and Concurrent Scholarships to Arkansas Tech University.\nAshylnn plans to attend the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith and pursue a degree in dental hygiene.\nBryson Rhodes, son of Brandon and Shelly Rhodes, will graduate with highest honors. He is Senior Class President, President of FBLA, Co-President of the National Honor Society, a member of the Christian Club and the Bluejays basketball, baseball, and track teams. He is involved in the Gifted and Talented Program, an Arkansas Scholar, and received the President’s Award for Educational Excellence. Bryson is on the all “A” honor roll, was selected as one of five Seniors of Distinction, DAR Good Citizen, and Nevada High School’s 2019-2020 Student of the Year. He was also selected as one of two seniors to attend Governor’s Scholastic Honors Day based on excellent academic achievement in the senior class. Bryson placed 1st in Agribusiness at the FBLA State Competition and will represent Arkansas at the National FBLA Competition this summer.\nBryson has accepted the Blue and Gold Scholarship to Southern Arkansas University where he plans to major in business. He has also accepted a baseball scholarship and will play for the Muleriders while pursuing his degree.\nAshanti Turner, daughter of Robert Turner, will graduate with highest honors. She is a member of the Lady Jays Basketball Team, NHS, FBLA, the Drug-Free Team, the Christian Club, Art Club, and the yearbook staff. She is involved in the Gifted and Talented Program, an Arkansas Scholar, on the all “A” honor roll, received the President’s Award for Educational Excellence, and Hope for the Future Honors African-Americans Academic Excellence Award. She is Miss NHS and was selected as one of five Seniors of Distinction. Ashanti has received several scholarships including the Achievement Award to Southern Arkansas University, the Incentive and Concurrent Scholarships to Arkansas Tech University, the Reddie Achievement Scholarship to Henderson State University, and the Silas Hunt Scholarship and the First Year Advantage Room and Board Scholarship to the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville.\nAshanti has accepted the Future Leaders Scholarship to the University of Central Arkansas where she plans to pursue a bachelor’s of science in biology focusing on pre-dentistry. After graduating from UCA, she plans to attend dental school and pursue a career in orthodontics.\nBrittany Davidson, daughter of CJ and Julie Davidson, will graduate with high honors. She is a member of FBLA, the Drug-Free Team, FFA, NHS, and the Christian Club. Brittany has been awarded a Merit Scholarship to Ouachita Baptist University.\nBrittany plans to attend the University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana and then transfer to Arkansas State University to pursue a degree as a speech pathologist assistant.\nTaylor Gourley, son of Wayne and Christy Gourley, will graduate with high honors. He is a member of FBLA, FFA, the Christian Club, FCA, and NHS. He is also a member of the Bluejay Baseball Team and received the Defensive Player Award and All Conference.\nTaylor’s future plan is to become an electrician.\nChristopher Wilson, son of Wayne and Tosha Wilson, will graduate with high honors. Christopher is a member of FFA and the Bluejay Baseball Team.\nChristopher plans to attend Texas A & M University-Texarkana and pursue a degree in electrical engineering.\nKarlie Burke, daughter of Steve Burke, will graduate with honors. Karlie is a member of FBLA, FFA, FCA, NHS, and Student Council. She has been awarded the Junior Auxiliary of Nevada County Scholarship.\nKarlie plans to attend National Park Community College to purse a degree in social work.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1441318"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8146982789039612,"wiki_prob":0.8146982789039612,"text":"https://www.oxfordreference.com/search;jsessionid=EC7AAA18B4D2F7C7C3DDBDF09062619C?t0=ORO%3AAHU00830\nHistory on Oxford Reference is continually expanding, created under the authorship or editorship of recognised experts. See below for the current title list.\nFor information about History, including interviews with featured authors, sample content, and more, please visit the History subject page.\nBy Reference Type\nSubject Reference (71)\nArt & Architecture (1)\nOpen Section History (71)\nAncient history (non-classical to 500 CE) (3)\nEarly history (500 CE to 1500) (4)\nEarly Modern History (1500 to 1700) (1)\nmodern history (1700 to 1945) (5)\nContemporary History (post 1945) (3)\nRegional and National History (26)\nLocal and Family History (2)\nOpen Section Science and technology (1)\nOpen Section Social sciences (16)\nRegional and Area Studies (5)\nWarfare and Defence (6)\nResults with images only (46)\nYou are looking at 1-20 of 71 books for:\nHistory x\n138,020 entries\nDictionary of African Biography Reference library\nHistory, Regional and National History\n2.42 million words\nFrom the pharaohs to Frantz Fanon, Dictionary of African Biography provides a comprehensive overview of the lives of the men and women who shaped Africa’s history. Unprecedented in scale, ... More\nFrom the pharaohs to Frantz Fanon, Dictionary of African Biography provides a comprehensive overview of the lives of the men and women who shaped Africa’s history. Unprecedented in scale, DAB covers the whole continent from Tunisia to South Africa, from Sierra Leone to Somalia. It also encompasses the full scope of history from Queen Hatsheput of Egypt (1490–1468 BCE) and Hannibal, the military commander and strategist of Carthage (243–183 BCE), to Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana (1909–1972), Miriam Makeba, and Nelson Mandela of South Africa (b. 1918). Subjects are drawn from all walks of life, including philosophers, politicians, activists, entertainers, scholars, poets, scientists, religious figures, kings, and everyday people.\nThe Oxford Encyclopedia of Archaeology in the Near East Reference library\nArchaeology, History\nA joint effort between Oxford University Press and the renowned American Schools of Oriental Research (ASOR), this comprehensive work analyzes the archaeological and linguistic data that ... More\nA joint effort between Oxford University Press and the renowned American Schools of Oriental Research (ASOR), this comprehensive work analyzes the archaeological and linguistic data that pertain to the broad cultural milieu of the ancient Near East, the crossroads of three of the world's most influential religions – Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Ranging from prehistoric times up to the early centuries of the rise of Islam, the work covers the civilizations of Syria-Palestine, Mesopotamia, Anatolia, Iran, Arabia, Cyprus, Egypt, and the coastal regions of North and East Africa.\nWith 1,100 entries written by 560 contributors from more than two dozen countries, the scope of the encyclopedia is wide and provides a full range of perspectives and approaches to archaeological endeavors. Articles span from Bahrain to Libraries and Archives to Ziggurats and offer cultural, historical, and religious perspectives to a wide range of topics of interest to both scholars and lay people.\nThe Berkshire Dictionary of Chinese Biography Reference library\nHistory, Regional and National History, Social sciences, Regional and Area Studies\nOver 130 entries This publication, the first of its kind since 1898, represents the work of more than one hundred internationally recognized experts from ... More\nThis publication, the first of its kind since 1898, represents the work of more than one hundred internationally recognized experts from nearly a dozen countries. It has been designed to satisfy the growing thirst of students, researchers, professionals, and general readers for knowledge about China. It makes the entire span of Chinese history manageable by introducing the reader to emperors, politicians, poets, writers, artists, scientists, explorers, and philosophers who have shaped and transformed China over the course of five thousand years. In 135 entries, ranging from 1,000 to 8,000 words and written by some of the world's leading China scholars, the Dictionary takes the reader from the important (even if possibly mythological) figures of ancient China to Communist leaders Mao Zedong and Deng Xiaoping. The in-depth essays provide rich historical context, and create a compelling narrative that weaves abstract concepts and disparate events into a coherent story. Cross-references between the articles show the connections between times, places, movements, events, and individuals.\nThe work features a range of appendices, including a timeline of key events, a pronunciation guide, a bibliography, lists of rulers and other prominent people, and other supplemental materials for students of Chinese history and culture.\nBerkshire Dictionary of Chinese Biography (Volume 4) Reference library\nOver 100 entries The fourth volume of the Berkshire Dictionary of Chinese Biography covers the years 1979-2015, providing a riveting new way to understand twenty-first-century ... More\nThe fourth volume of the Berkshire Dictionary of Chinese Biography covers the years 1979-2015, providing a riveting new way to understand twenty-first-century China and a personal look at the changes that have taken place since the Reform and Opening Up era started in 1979. One hundred key individuals from this period were selected by an international group of experts, and the stories were written by more than 70 authors in 14 countries. The authors map the paths taken by these individuals-some rocky, some meandering, some fateful-and in telling their stories give contemporary Chinese history a human face. The editors have included – with the advice of myriad experts around the world – not only the life stories of politicians and government officials, who play a crucial role in the development of the country, but the stories of cultural figures including film directors, activists, writers, and entrepreneurs from the mainland China, Hong Kong, and also from Taiwan.\nThe \"Greater China\" that comes through in this volume has diverse ideas and identities. It is often contradictory, sometimes fractious, and always full of creative human complexity. Some of the lives rendered here are heroic. Some are tragic, and many are inspirational. Some figures come in for trenchant criticism, and others are celebrated with a sense of wonder and awe. Like previous volumes of the Berkshire Dictionary of Chinese Biography, this volume includes a range of appendices, including a pronunciation guide, a bibliography, and a timeline of key events.\nBerkshire Encyclopedia of China Reference library\n800 entries With its coverage of environmental issues, global economics, online communications, and the latest political developments, this Encyclopedia is truly a 21st-century ... More\nWith its coverage of environmental issues, global economics, online communications, and the latest political developments, this Encyclopedia is truly a 21st-century work. While including many articles about China's earliest history - going back more than 5,000 years - the Encyclopedia is focused on the events, concepts, and people that matter today. The authors of its 800 accessibly written and lavishly illustrated articles, which range from 600 to 6,000 words, are scholars at major Chinese and Western universities and research institutes.\nBerkshire Encyclopedia of World History (2 ed.) Reference library\n580 entries From the big bang to the 21st century, this renowned encyclopedia provides an integrated view of human and universal history. Eminent scholars examine environmental ... More\nFrom the big bang to the 21st century, this renowned encyclopedia provides an integrated view of human and universal history. Eminent scholars examine environmental and social issues by exploring connections and interactions made over time (and across cultures and locales) through trade, warfare, migrations, religion, and diplomacy.\nOver 100 new articles, and 1,200 illustrations, photos, and maps from the collections of the Library of Congress, the World Digital Library, the New York Public Library, and many more sources, make this second edition a vital addition for world history-focused classrooms and libraries.\nThe Oxford Companion to Black British History Reference library\n‘A magisterial excavation of black Britain...every student in the country should read it. ’, - Christina Patterson, The Independent Essential reading for ... More\n‘A magisterial excavation of black Britain...every student in the country should read it. ’, - Christina Patterson, The Independent\nEssential reading for anyone wishing to understand the long and fascinating history of black people in the British Isles, The Oxford Companion to Black British History explores the subject from its beginnings in Roman times to the present day. From African auxiliaries stationed on Hadrian's Wall in the 2nd century AD, through John Edmonstone, who taught taxidermy to Charles Darwin, Mary Seacole, the 'Black Florence Nightingale', and Walter Tull, footballer and First World War officer, to our own day, the OCBBH provides detailed timeline charts and key dates for people and events. Key concepts such as Emancipation and Reparations are examined, while a unique collection of articles are brought together to provide readers with a comprehensive overview of the black presence in Britain, and the rich and diverse contribution it has made to British society. It will appeal to a wide readership including university academics, A-level and undergraduate students, and teachers, as well as to general readers with an interest in Black British history. The publication is also particularly timely: the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority highlighted in their annual report of December 2005 the need to give more attention to the wider teaching of black history.\nThis book is edited by the prize-winning novelist and noted academic David Dabydeen, together with respected scholars John Gilmore and Cecily Jones, and written by more than 100 specialists.\nBlack Women in America (2 ed.) Reference library\n2006 ALA/RUSA Outstanding Reference Source 2005Booklist Editor's Choice 2005 Choice Outstanding Academic Title The second edition of Black Women in America, ... More\n2006 ALA/RUSA Outstanding Reference Source\n2005Booklist Editor's Choice\n2005 Choice Outstanding Academic Title\nThe second edition of Black Women in America, edited by Darlene Clark Hine, provides expanded coverage of the achievements and contributions of African American women.\nWinner of the Dartmouth Medal for Outstanding Reference Publication of 1994, the first edition of Black Women in America broke new ground—pulling together for the first time all of the research in this vast but underrepresented field to provide one of the strongest building blocks of Black Women’s Studies. Hailed by Eric Foner of Columbia University as “one of those publishing events which changes the way we look at a field,” it simultaneously filled a void in the literature and sparked new research and concepts regarding African American women in history. Since the first edition was published, a new generation of American black women has flourished, demanding this landmark reference be brought up to date. Women such as Venus and Serena Williams, Condoleezza Rice, Carol Moseley Braun, Ruth Simmons, and Ann Fudge have become household names for their remarkable contributions to sports, politics, academia, and business. In nearly 600 entries, Black Women in America celebrates the remarkable achievements of black women throughout history, highlights their ongoing contributions in America today, and represents the new research the first edition helped to generate.\nThe Bloomsbury Encyclopedia of the American Enlightenment Reference library\nHistory, modern history (1700 to 1945), Regional and National History\nOver 500 entries The Bloomsbury Encyclopedia of the American Enlightenment is the first reference work on this key subject in early American history. With ... More\nThe Bloomsbury Encyclopedia of the American Enlightenment is the first reference work on this key subject in early American history. With substantial and original essays on key American Enlightenment figures, including Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, David Rittenhouse, Benjamin Rush, Jonathan Edwards and many others, it provides a comprehensive account to complement the intense scholarly activity that has recently centered on the European Enlightenment. This wide-ranging collection also includes topical essays, and entries on dozens of often-overlooked secondary figures.\nIt has long been known that Americans made their own contributions to the Enlightenment, most notably by putting Enlightenment ideas to work in defining the American Revolution, the United States Constitution, and the nature of the early American Republic. These volumes show that the American Enlightenment was more far reaching than even that story assumes. Presenting a fresh definition of the Enlightenment in America, this remarkable work confirms that the American Enlightenment constitutes the central framework for understanding the development of American history between c.1720 and c.1820.\nThe Oxford Companion to the Book Reference library\nHistory, Social sciences\n‘Provides a global approach to the world of the book and is, in every way, a monumental achievement’ – CHOICE The Oxford Companion to the Book ... More\n‘Provides a global approach to the world of the book and is, in every way, a monumental achievement’ – CHOICE\nThe Oxford Companion to the Book is a unique work of reference, covering the book, broadly conceived, throughout the world from ancient to modern times. It includes traditional subjects such as bibliography, palaeography, the history of printing, editorial theory and practice, textual criticism, book collecting, and libraries, but it also engages with newer disciplines such as the history of the book and the electronic book. It pays particular attention to how different societies shape books and how books shape societies.\nThe work includes a substantial series of introductory essays alongside an A-Z section of over 5,000 entries, all linked by thorough cross-referencing and served by a classified index of entries.\nThe essays provide histories of the subject ranging from writing systems, the ancient and the medieval book, through central aspects of book production, to editorial theory and textual criticism, the economics of print, and the sacred book, as well as 29 surveys of the history of the book around the world, including the Muslim world, Latin America, and Sub-Saharan Africa (these can be found under ‘Essay’).\nThe entries cover every aspect of this exceptionally rich and diverse subject, ranging from brief definitions and biographical entries to more extensive treatments. The text is illustrated throughout with reproductions, diagrams, and examples of various typographical features.\nThe Companion is the only reference book of its kind in the field, and has been written by 400 of the world’s best scholars in bibliography and book history.\nThe Oxford Dictionary of Byzantium Reference library\nHistory, Early history (500 CE to 1500)\n1991 Reference Reviews Best Specialist Reference Work 1992 Choice Outstanding Academic Book With more than 5,000 entries by an international group of eminent ... More\n1991 Reference Reviews Best Specialist Reference Work\n1992 Choice Outstanding Academic Book\nWith more than 5,000 entries by an international group of eminent historians, this is the standard research tool on 1,100 years of Byzantine history. Exhaustive in its coverage, entries on patriarchy and emperors coexist with entries on surgery, musical instruments, and the baking of bread, bringing to life this vastly important culture and empire, from the 4th century to the 15th.\nThe Oxford Companion to Canadian History Reference library\nThis is the essential reference title for all those interested in Canadian History. From the Norse to Nunavut, The Oxford Companion to Canadian History provides an authoritative and ... More\nThis is the essential reference title for all those interested in Canadian History. From the Norse to Nunavut, The Oxford Companion to Canadian History provides an authoritative and comprehensive guide to the significant events, issues, institutions, places, and people that have shaped Canada from earliest times to the present.\nWho's Who in the Classical World Quick reference\nClassical studies, History\nFocusing exclusively on real people, this is a dictionary of ancient biography, covering Greek and Roman history and politics, literature, philosophy, science, and art. Shorter entries ... More\nFocusing exclusively on real people, this is a dictionary of ancient biography, covering Greek and Roman history and politics, literature, philosophy, science, and art. Shorter entries provide lucid factual accounts, while the longer entries are short essays covering major historical and cultural themes in antiquity, centred round individuals as varied as Herodotus, Socrates, Plato, Alexander the Great, and Augustus.\nA Dictionary of British History (3 ed.) Quick reference\n‘The book is packed with interest to the final page’ – The Independent Over 3,800 entries Written by over 100 specialist ... More\n‘The book is packed with interest to the final page’ – The Independent\nOver 3,800 entries\nWritten by over 100 specialist contributors, this dictionary describes the people and events that have shaped and defined domestic, political, social, and cultural life in Britain since 55 BC. New entries to this edition include Diamond Jubilee 2012, Ed Miliband, and United Kingdom Independence Party; and existing entries on David Cameron, Elizabeth II, national debt, and Alex Salmond have been updated.\nDerived from the highly acclaimed Oxford Companion to British History, A Dictionary of British History has been a leading historical reference work since its publication in 2001. Now thoroughly revised and fully updated, this invaluable A–Z remains essential for anyone studying British history.\nDictionary of Caribbean and Afro–Latin American Biography Reference library\nFrom Toussaint L’Ouverture to Pelé, the Dictionary of Caribbean and Afro-Latin American Biography will provide a comprehensive overview of the lives of Caribbeans and Afro-Latin Americans ... More\nFrom Toussaint L’Ouverture to Pelé, the Dictionary of Caribbean and Afro-Latin American Biography will provide a comprehensive overview of the lives of Caribbeans and Afro-Latin Americans who are historically significant. The project will be unprecedented in scale, covering the entire Caribbean, and the Afro-descended populations throughout Latin America, including people who spoke and wrote Creole, Dutch, English, French, Portuguese, and Spanish. It will also encompass the full scope of history, with entries on figures from the first forced slave migrations in the sixteenth centuries, to entries on living persons such as the Haitian musician and politician Wyclef Jean and the Cuban author and poet Nancy Morejón. Individuals will be drawn from all walks of life including philosophers, politicians, activists, entertainers, scholars, poets, scientists, religious figures, kings, and everyday people whose lives have contributed to the history of the Caribbean and Latin America.\nA Dictionary of Contemporary World History (6 ed.) Quick reference\nHistory, Contemporary History (post 1945)\n‘Concise, current information … highly recommended’ – Choice, the magazine of the American Library Association Over 2,800 entries This authoritative dictionary provides ... More\n‘Concise, current information … highly recommended’ – Choice, the magazine of the American Library Association\nThis authoritative dictionary provides informative and analytical entries on the most important people, organizations, events, movements, and ideas that have shaped the world we live in. Covering the period from 1900 to the present day, this fully revised and updated new edition presents a global perspective on recent history, with a wide range of new entries from Tony Abbott, the European migration crisis, and ISIS to Narendra Modi, Hassan Rouhani, and UKIP. All existing entries have been brought up to date. Handy tables include lists of office-holders for countries and organizations and winners of the Nobel Peace Prize.\nThis comprehensive reference resource will be invaluable to students of history, politics, and international relations as well as to journalists, policymakers, and general readers interested in the modern world.\nA Dictionary of English Manuscript Terminology 1450–2000 Reference library\nLiterature, History\n‘affords many pleasures to the curious... an intellectual inventory. ’ – Andrew Zurcher, Times Literary Supplement This is the first Dictionary of English Manuscript ... More\n‘affords many pleasures to the curious... an intellectual inventory. ’ – Andrew Zurcher, Times Literary Supplement\nThis is the first Dictionary of English Manuscript Terminology ever to be published. Dealing with the subject of documentation—which affects everyone's lives (from every-day letters, notes, and shopping lists to far-reaching legal instruments, if not autograph literary masterpieces)—Peter Beal defines, in a lively and accessible style, some 1,500 terms relating to manuscripts and their production and use in Britain from 1450 to the present day.\nThe entries, which range in length from one line to nearly a hundred lines each, cover terms defining types of manuscript, their physical features and materials, writing implements, writing surfaces, scribes and other writing agents, scripts, postal markings, and seals, as well as subjects relating to literature, bibliography, archives, palaeography, the editing and printing of manuscripts, dating, conservation, and such fields as cartography, commerce, heraldry, law, and military and naval matters.\nA Dictionary of World History (3 ed.) Quick reference\nOver 4,000 entries This wide-ranging dictionary contains a wealth of information on all aspects of history, from prehistory right up to the present day. Accessible, clear, and ... More\nThis wide-ranging dictionary contains a wealth of information on all aspects of history, from prehistory right up to the present day. Accessible, clear, and concise entries include biographies of key figures in world history (living and dead), separate entries for every country in the world (summarising key historical events), and in-depth entries on religious and political movements, international organizations, and major conflicts and events and their after-effects.\nFor this new edition, existing entries have been revised and updated to reflect the very latest global events including changes in leadership, wars, political situations, and the statistical information given for each country (population counts, currency, languages, religions). New entries have been included for key figures who have recently come to prominence, and world events.\nThe dictionary also contains twenty-five detailed maps linked to key historical events and topics. Also included are over 200 country maps.\nEncyclopedic in scope, this ambitious A to Z provides an excellent overview of world history both for students and anyone with an interest in the subject.\nDictionary Plus History Quick reference\n46,149 words\nThis dictionary comprises authoritative, highly accessible entries on notable eras, events, and individuals that have shaped our history. These entries are supplementary to other history ... More\nThis dictionary comprises authoritative, highly accessible entries on notable eras, events, and individuals that have shaped our history. These entries are supplementary to other history titles in the Quick Reference collection, and are written by specialist authors. The dictionary is an ongoing project, and more entries will be added over time.\nDynasties of the World (2 ed.) Quick reference\nOver 260 entries From Horus Aha, first king of Egypt, to Willem-Alexander, the new king of the Netherlands, this unique reference resource charts five ... More\nFrom Horus Aha, first king of Egypt, to Willem-Alexander, the new king of the Netherlands, this unique reference resource charts five millennia of kings, queens, emperors, empresses, regencies, joint reigns, abdications, depositions, interregna, canonizations, beatifications, foreign rule, mandates, protectorates, and dynastic unions.\nChronological tables show the names and dates of rulers and their family relationships, while supplementary notes cover problems of chronology, calendars and dating systems, margins of error for uncertain dates, and names and titles. Bibliographies document the research and guide the reader to additional information.\nWith its broad coverage, scholarly approach, and clear presentation, this work is ideal for professionals and amateurs alike.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1119933"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5737571716308594,"wiki_prob":0.4262428283691406,"text":"Home » DMCA Policy\nContact Us info@elledu.com\nDolEdu DMCA Policy\nDolEdu (“DolEdu”) respects the intellectual property rights of others and expects its users to do the same. In accordance with the Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998, the text of which may be found on the U.S. Copyright Office website at http://www.copyright.gov/legislation/dmca.pdf, DolEdu will respond expeditiously to claims of copyright infringement committed using the DolEdu service and/or the DolEdu website (the “Site”) if such claims are reported to DolEdu’s Designated Copyright Agent identified in the sample notice below.\nIf you are a copyright owner, authorized to act on behalf of one, or authorized to act under any exclusive right under copyright, please report alleged copyright infringements taking place on or through the Site by completing the following DMCA Notice of Alleged Infringement and delivering it to DolEdu’s Designated Copyright Agent. Upon receipt of Notice as described below, DolEdu will take whatever action, in its sole discretion, it deems appropriate, including removal of the challenged content from the Site.\nDMCA Notice of Alleged Infringement (“Notice”)\n1. Identify the copyrighted work that you claim has been infringed, or – if multiple copyrighted works are covered by this Notice – you may provide a representative list of the copyrighted works that you claim have been infringed.\n2. Identify the material or link you claim is infringing (or the subject of infringing activity) and to which access is to be disabled, including at a minimum, if applicable, the URL of the link shown on the Site or the exact location where such material may be found.\n3. Provide your company affiliation (if applicable), mailing address, telephone number, and, if available, email address.\n4. Include both of the following statements in the body of the Notice:\n– “I hereby state that I have a good faith belief that the disputed use of the copyrighted material is not authorized by the copyright owner, its agent, or the law (e.g., as a fair use).”\n– “I hereby state that the information in this Notice is accurate and, under penalty of perjury, that I am the owner, or authorized to act on behalf of, the owner, of the copyright or of an exclusive right under the copyright that is allegedly infringed.”\n5. Provide your full legal name and your electronic or physical signature. Deliver this Notice, with all items completed, to DolEdu’s Designated Copyright Agent","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1516493"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7430519461631775,"wiki_prob":0.7430519461631775,"text":"Lady A, Tim McGraw + Brad Paisley Bringing Country to Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Show\nPhilip Trapp Published: June 29, 2020\nJason Kempin / James Gourley / Mark Levine, Getty Images\nLady A (formerly Lady Antebellum), Tim McGraw and Brad Paisley will help represent country music this Independence Day during the 44th annual Macy's 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular.\nBut those aren't the only artists who will perform as part of the televised celebration. Other musical guests among the show's lineup include John Legend, Black Eyed Peas and the Killers. The two-hour special, hosted by Today show anchor Craig Melvin, will be broadcast live from New York City next month.\nThat's the latest info, unveiled by People on Monday (June 29). After the show's musical performances, the event will \"conclude with a fireworks show captured from a series of weeklong surprise displays across all five of New York City's boroughs, in addition to a live grand finale,\" the magazine notes.\nThat week of surprise fireworks displays — which will launch unannounced from locations through the city — begins Monday, culminating at the end of the Macy's 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular on July 4.\nThe randomness of the fireworks displays isn't an afterthought. The bursts are unannounced to deter large crowds from gathering while coronavirus is still running rampant throughout the United States.\nThe performers involved certainly know the circumstances of the public health crisis. They've had to cancel and postpone gigs for much of the year. To combat the lack of live music, Lady A and Paisley recently live-streamed a full-production concert together.\nBe sure to catch the 2020 edition of the Macy's 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular when it airs on NBC this July 4 at 8PM ET. An encore presentation of the TV special will immediately follow at 10PM.\nCountry Proud: See Artists Wearing the American Flag\nSource: Lady A, Tim McGraw + Brad Paisley Bringing Country to Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Show\nFiled Under: Brad Paisley, Lady A, Tim McGraw\nCategories: Live Country Music, Taste of Country Nights\nTim McGraw Shares Joyful Cover of George Strait’s ‘Christmas Cookies’ [Watch]\n‘The Voice’ Sister Country Duo the Marilynds Turn Heads With Lady A Cover [Watch]\nLady A’s Charles Kelley Has a Message for Supporters Amid Sobriety Journey: ‘I’m Grateful’\nTim McGraw Celebrates 24th Birthday of Daughter, Maggie, With Sweet Post\nBreland + Lady A Show Off Their R&B Side in a New Duet, ‘Told You I Could Drink’ [Listen]\nLady A Postpone Request Line Tour as Charles Kelley Continues Journey to Sobriety","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line898343"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6303536295890808,"wiki_prob":0.3696463704109192,"text":"« A New York Story: A Strange Fever by Michael Greenberg\nSlow Down and Write a Letter »\nInterview: Wes Moore, author of The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates\nTuesday, June 22nd, 2010\nBy Farai Chideya\n“One thing I realized very early was that if I was going to do any justice to this process, I needed to be transparent, I needed to be honest about it.”\nThe doppelganger is one of the sturdiest literary tropes around. A double, an alter-ego, a namesake. Sometimes it refers to haints/shadows, and sometimes, as in The Other Wes Moore, the doppelganger is as real as the steel bars in a prison.\nThe Other Wes Moore debuted in the number five non-fiction spot on The New York Times Bestseller List. The writing is as gripping as the improbable story that fuels the narrative. The author, Wes Moore, chronicles his journey from troubled youth to Afghanistan combat veteran, Rhodes Scholar, White House Fellow, and business leader. But he also cross-cuts his life with that of “the other Wes Moore,” a Baltimorean with the same name who got into the drug game. That man ended up in prison for life after being convicted of murdering a police officer in a botched robbery.\nThe Other Wes Moore is paced like a thriller at times, particularly when we follow Baltimore’s Wes Moore through critical decision-making moments. He follows his feared older brother into the drug game, becomes a father far too soon, and exacts bloody revenge on someone who attacks him. The author and leader Wes Moore shows us his own crisis points, including a moment where his family risks everything they own to get him out of a loop of academic failure and potential descent into thuggery. At other points the book deliberately slows to allow time for reflection about the author’s family life–which includes Afro-Cuban and Jamaican heritage as well as the loss of a beloved father, the love of a tireless mother, and true friendships that sustain him.\nMoore now lives in New York and works in the financial industry, volunteers time for veterans’ affairs, and continues to write and lecture. We spoke by telephone about his story, the other Wes Moore’s story, and how to make sure more people have a chance to reach their potential.\nYou talk about the South Bronx so beautifully in your book and how it has changed between the time your grandparents bought a house there in the fifties and when you moved there in the eighties. How did you first come to understand place?\nI think the first time I really understood place was actually when I first started to understand my need to be a part of one, and I felt myself having difficulty finding that. As I was in the Bronx and started getting older and going through that burgeoning process of manhood, and tried to get that understanding of what that felt like and what that was–and my mother was working multiple jobs to send me to the school across town–I increasingly found myself “too rich” for the kids in my neighborhood. I was one of the only kids in my class that didn’t go to school in the area. But as I went across town for this other school, I found myself being “too poor” for the kids in my school because they didn’t understand anything about my background or why I was one of the only kids in the school who had to travel an hour-plus to get to school. That’s the first time I started to understand place and my role and my footing because I found myself searching for it–I found myself searching for that comfort, that support, that acceptance that seemed so elusive at every turn. I just found myself increasingly more uncomfortable everywhere I went.\nOne of the moments in your book that had me cracking up was that, because your family was financially strapped, you actually sometimes wore your older sister’s pants to school. You say that you thought you could pull it off but in retrospect people were probably rolling their eyes. You have a lot of moments like that in your book, lightness and humor in a book that has a lot of tough moments, starting with the death of your father prematurely on.\nThat definitely came through in the first draft. One thing I realized throughout this process very early was that if I was going to do any justice to this process, I needed to be transparent, I needed to be honest about it. As I was going on thinking about my life there were a lot of lighthearted, humorous moments and I wanted to make sure that my story highlighted that–and Wes’s story also. This wasn’t just some purely macabre story about how bad things are, but about reality and about the reality of all of our lives. And the fact is there were, even in the midst of chaos, a lot of lighthearted moments that not only are important to remember, but also helped you kinda get by, particularly as you think back in retrospect and you can look at them from a different place. There were things that really came out in the first draft and ended up making it to the final cut.\nLet’s talk about the other Wes Moore. You have spent hundreds of hours with him at this point, but you didn’t grow up with him. You write about his interior narrative very convincingly. Did you ever think you crossed the line and took too many liberties with how you constructed his life on paper? How did you hit the right tone?\nMy talks with the other Wes Moore were free-ranging conversations where you’d be asking one question and the next thing you know it’s an hour later and you’ve got all these amazing anecdotes, and these amazing facts, and these amazing stories that you’re going to have to go back and make sense of and let them process once you’ve done your transcription. It wasn’t about me coming up with a framework and having him fill-in the colors in between the lines. It was more taking what he was giving me and then processing it, and I think a lot of that came from Wes. The format of the book wasn’t something I came into the process with. It wasn’t like I came in and said, “Okay, we’re going to go over these couple of years: tell me about 1982, tell me about 1984.” It really was about hearing these different stories and that was when I started noticing a pattern and noticing a trend. Some of the years where Wes had some of the most influential and important factors in his life ironically took place in my life [as well]. It was really taking what he gave me and being able to process it from there.\nDo you think you ever overstepped the line in turning his life into prose?\nNo, not at all. It’s interesting because Wes was one of the people who really pushed me to write this book when I was first approached by author and publicist Terrie Williams. She knew that I had reached out to Wes and I had gotten to know him. She said, “I think this is something bigger, I think this could be a book.” I was at first very reluctant, and told her, “I don’t know, Terrie.”\nThere were two things that pushed me over. One was that I thought about the tragic death of the police officer, and I thought if I could do something that would help keep these tragedies from happening again, I think it’s necessary and could be useful. And then I thought about something that Wes told me. He told me, “I’ve wasted every opportunity in my life and I’m going to die in here, and if you can do something that can help people better understand the ramifications of their decisions and also understand the neighborhoods these decisions are being made in, then I think you should do it.”\nMy mother was a Baltimore City school teacher; the other Wes Moore is from Baltimore and you really paint a picture of his struggles as a smart kid in tough schools. When I read your book I thought of my mother. Some of the kids she taught sixth grade science to went on to get MDs and PhDs. Others were in the drug game and shot dead on the street. Their potential was wasted.\nWasted is really the best word to use. One of the things I want to show is: this is not a dumb guy. This book is not a celebration of the exception, this is a book that questions why we even have exceptions in our society in the first place. There’s very little [that] separates us and someone else altogether. That’s one of the things I wanted to show with Wes–had that intervention been there, had those supports been there, had there been a certain level of attention instead of a certain level of apathy about his final destiny, I can’t help but think that things would be different.\nYou mentioned your book was originally supposed to be more prescriptive. What do you hope this book can do for readers, for kids, for society?\nI wanted people to understand their potency and I wanted people to actually do something about it. In addition to the call to action I wanted to add all of these organizations where people could get involved, and all of them are vetted organizations that would love to hear from you, either if you’re looking for help or you’re looking to help. That was genuinely important to me because one thing the book helps to show is that if we’re willing to get engaged, if we’re willing to get involved, then we can really make a substantial and permanent impact, not just in the life of someone else, but in the life of our entire society.\nHow does being an author and the process of writing compare to being a paratrooper or a Rhodes Scholar or a White House Fellow: some of the other roles you’ve played?\nI think some of the things I had done before really prepared me to be a writer in some ways. First of all, writing takes a real level of discipline. For example, with my schedule I would wake up at 5:15 am and write for a couple of hours before getting ready to go to work, and then go work my day job for the rest of the day. There were some mornings I would literally sit in front of the computer for an hour with nothing to say, but I forced myself to go through this process because I knew that was the only time I could really efficiently get it out. When you wake up reading articles about a father of five, a police officer that went to work one day and will never come home, and then you read letters from someone who will spend the rest of their life in prison, it adds a certain level of humility to your day and a certain level of clarity in a certain context. Everything I did before helped me respect the discipline of writing.\nYour life has intersected in different ways with different types of African diasporic histories. Your family has roots in Jamaica and Cuba as well as the U.S. I’m wondering how you think of blackness in the 21st Century since we are so much more diverse in terms of immigrant groups influencing American blackness and we’re also at a critical point in history.\nOne thing that I have always been taught and believed in is understanding our past and our history and our roots. Not just for where you’re going–understand where you come from. There’s a certain pride in that. When you think about not just my family, but the larger diasporic movements, and the evolutions and the successes and the victories that have taken place, it has really been pretty extraordinary. It’s something that gives me a great sense of pride, it’s something that gives me a really strong foundation in terms of where we can go because I really do appreciate where we’ve come from.\nOne of the pivotal moments in your book is when your family sends you to military school in order to get you off of the streets of the South Bronx. You went on to train as a paratrooper and serve in Afghanistan. How can veterans get what they need from our nation?\nOne of the partner nonprofits we have throughout the book tour is Iraq Afghanistan Veterans of America, the first and largest organization that supports younger veterans, particularly from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. We’ll spend so much time giving soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines support when they are overseas, and then when it comes home it stops. Something that was really important to me–this is personal–I saw the challenges that so many families, including my own, had to deal with having someone deployed and not knowing who is coming home to you. If we are going to send people overseas to fight, then we need to support them [when they come home] as much as we did overseas.\nIt seems like today, versus when I was growing up, there is more of a disconnect between the role of servicemen and women and other citizens. Right now, maybe people are fatigued from the war, but it doesn’t seem as if we are having a dialogue.\nWe’ve been in Afghanistan for close to a decade, and you think about the amount of casualties we’ve had in Afghanistan and the casualties we’ve had in Iraq. But if you ask people what the biggest issue in the country is, I don’t know where the fact that we have more than 100,000 troops serving fits in their consciousness. Less than 1 percent of the population has served. Less than 1 percent really knows from a first-hand experience what it’s really like over there. In terms of what can be done, a lot of it will be up to not only the citizenry and population, but also up to the policy makers to make sure that this is a group on Americans’ minds.\nAnd finally, Wes Moore, what’s your Six-Word-Memoir.\nGrandma said have faith not fear.\nFarai Chideya is a New York-based journalist, author, and novelist (her rock/love-triangle tale Kiss the Sky was released in paperback this May). She’s worked as a television and radio host, political pundit, and internet consultant. Her new project, Pop and Politics Radio, will start airing on WNYC and public radio stations nationwide this October.\nBUY The Other Wes Moore.\nWATCH Wes Moore discuss his book on The View, as well as at the Printer’s Row festival in Chicago.\nVISIT Wes Moore’s website.\nTags: FaraiChideya, WesMoore\n# Jun 23 10 3:34 pm\nLisaAmica says:\n“For example, with my schedule I would wake up at 5:15 am and write for a couple of hours before getting ready to go to work, and then go work my day job for the rest of the day. There were some mornings I would literally sit in front of the computer for an hour with nothing to say, but I forced myself to go through this process because I knew that was the only time I could really efficiently get it out.”\nI’m going to make myself do this. Great Memorville piece!\n# Nov 18 14 2:11 pm\nAzrasultan says:\nHi Andrea, Thank you! The creamy trim color is cllead Jicama and if I remember correctly, the pumpkin-y accent color is cllead Firenze. They are from Benjamin Moore’s Affinity color palette, mixed into Benjamin Moore Aura paint. We also used Benjamin Moore Enamel paint for Wood and Metal in Bronzetone anywhere we needed to match the bronze metal factory finish on our windows. Hope this is helpful!\nI love the caponata color you chose for the body of the house. We are cidronesing a dark plum for our bungalow exterior as well. Was curious about the trim colors shown on your house?\n# Dec 28 14 12:35 pm\ncialis on sale online\n# Aug 26 18 6:28 am\nriveryeuxd.ivasdesign.com says:\n( i know my English is probably not excellent).\n# Dec 31 18 1:30 am\npandora ring princess says:\nI’m hoping to see the same high-grade blog posts from you\nlater on as well. In fact, your creative writing\nabilities has inspired me to get my own blog now\n# Feb 3 19 12:29 am\nvegas golden knights says:\nThis post will assist the internet visitors\nfor creating new weblog or even a weblog from start to end.\n# May 10 19 7:38 am\npandora clip on beads says:\nHello I am so grateful I found your web site, I really found you\nby error, while I was researching on Aol for something else, Regardless I am here now\nand would just like to say cheers for a tremendous post and a all round exciting blog (I also love the theme/design), I\ndon’t have time to read it all at the minute but I have bookmarked it and also added your RSS feeds, so\nwhen I have time I will be back to read more, Please do keep up the awesome work.\n# Oct 23 20 2:14 am\nShe has to stop being “black”! | Alethes Sophia says:\n[...] an interview with Farai Chideya in SMITH Magazine, Wes [...]\n# Jan 23 22 1:56 am\nGrace Mkpanam says:\nThis memoir is an autobiography that chronicles his childhood and struggles of becoming self sufficient. This also reflects his true life story the none fiction setting,characters and the entire story of his life and a certain Wes Moore who inspired him to write in order to help many to learn that we have to take responsibility for our actions. The choices we make influences the outcome and responsibilities. (A police officer in line of duty who has 5 kids lost his life while the young man who was responsible wasted his life in prison.\nThe author also uses this medium to pass a message that those who sacrificed for this country should not be abandoned after giving all to the country.\n# Sep 8 22 11:55 pm\nkimkocho says:\nThis website was a lot of fun for me. You are providing a fantastic resource, and you are giving it away for free. run 3\n# Nov 7 22 12:15 am\ndordle says:\nThank you, I and many others are also interested in this issue. Very cool app and is trusted by many people.\n# Nov 17 22 12:52 am\nvideo game says:\nYou can both enjoy top-notch games while alone guiding a professional team by attending the game retro games. You can choose your favorite team when you first become a coach. However, you do not have to be the coach of the team. This forces you to choose a team that is more passionate about the game.\n# Jan 22 23 8:59 pm\nThe name you want displayed with your comment.\nEmails are not published with comments (i.e., everyone won't see it).\nYour Website. This is optional.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1255026"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6831697821617126,"wiki_prob":0.31683021783828735,"text":"We are in the End Time – the most glorious time in the history of earth and mankind. The End Time is the Time of Ascension when this planet and humanity will move to the 4th and 5th dimensions, which is the “Paradise” promised to humans by all religions.\nHumans will be able to overcome physical death and transform their biological bodies into crystalline light bodies. The Human race will be transmuted in the blink of an eye to a transgalactic multidimensional civilisation with a highly expanded consciousness. Humans will again become Gods, as they always are as pure souls in the higher realms.\nThis is the Divine Plan for this planet and the Human race in the current End Time.\nA central piece of this plan is the mission, which the author of this website, Dr. Georgi Alexandrov Stankov, had to accomplish in this last incarnation on earth.\nWith the help of the Highest Realms of Cosmic Providence, from where he comes as an Elohim soul, he discovered the Universal Law of Nature, which is the physical presentation of the Law of Oneness, also known as Logos in Antiquity as a new Unified Theory of modern physics.\nWith the help of the Law, Stankov integrated the whole modern physics by deriving all known physical laws and natural constants from the Universal Equation (see Table below).\nIn addition, he developed the new General Theory of Biological Regulation of the human organism and furnished the scientific basis for the Light Body Process that leads to human Ascension.\nHe thus developed a complete new General Theory of Science of the Universal Law, which integrates all physical and other natural, and social sciences currently established on earth.\nAt the same time, the new Theory eliminates all wrong basic concepts of present-day empirical science, which rejects the existence of the soul and the higher realms of Creation. In other words, the author eliminates the ignorance of current human science and substitutes it with the divine knowledge of the Universal Law of All-That-Is.\nThe new Theory also eliminates all religions on this planet, which have so far failed to furnish any irrefutable proof for the existence of God. They will not enter the new Matrix of ascended humanity, which will be installed on earth in the near future.\nThis new website is the scientific ” Proof of God” (“Gottesbeweis“), which humanity has always endeavored to find, but has previously failed to render.\nIt represents a complete library (archive) of the lifetime of intellectual achievement of the author as a scientist, a researcher, and a thinker. This website encompasses the edition of 15 books in several languages, such as English, German, Bulgarian, Russian, Italian, etc. and more than 2000 publications.\nThe new Science of the Universal Law also integrates philosophy, theology, and esotericism to a new scientific Transcendental Human Gnosis. It is the basis of the new Science of Ascension of humanity.\nPurely for this reason, the Divine Plan provided that the author transformed his carbon-based organic body into crystalline light body in August 2013 and ascended. This happened one week after his dual Elohim soul Amora (Carla Thompson) transfigured as the first human being and visited the crystal city of Shambala in the Inner Earth of Agartha in her light body, for whom he did the energetic back-up (read also here, here and here). Then they both ascended one more time in early December 2013 in Lofer, Austria, where they have built a city of light and became officially the designated Logos Gods of Gaia and humanity and the Creator Gods of the ascended Gaia-5.\nAfter their full ascension, the author and his dual soul decided to leave one last soul fragment in human body on all 4D timelines in order to help as many incarnated human souls as possible to also ascend. Since then they exist in this reality as Avatars and constantly bilocate with their light bodies to different timelines.\nIn early 2014, after the author moved to Canada and joined his dual soul, where they created the second city of light and an Infinity Portal in the Vancouver area (the first city of light and Infinity Portal were created by them in Munich, Bavaria, and encompass Central Europe), they ascended humanity and Gaia for the first time (and here). Since then they have accomplished many planetary ascensions of 4D timelines of the earth with their human population, the most notable in late autumn 2019 and in March/April 2020, immediately after the lockdown due to the fake coronavirus pandemic was installed worldwide.\nNow they are preparing the ultimate ascension of all the remaining 4D earth timelines which is planned to happen by the end of 2021, depending on the energetic developments on the earth and in the multiverse.\nWhen the author and his twin flame will accomplish the ultimate planetary Shift of this last portion of humanity, he will officially appear in front of humanity as Ascended Master, Logos God, Elohim Creator, and spiritual teacher of humanity and will lead all humans on all ascending 4D worlds (timelines) to their individual ascension to 5D through the full understanding and implementation of the new Theory and Gnosis of the Universal Law, mainly from the new healing and study centres in Italy. He is already exerting this mission on the ascended Gaia-5, where his soul is mostly active.\nThis demonstration will be the material “Proof of God“, which this last portion of the slumbering, agnostic mankind so desperately needs as to finally awaken to the transcendental reality of All-That-Is.\nThe spiritual and scientific “Proof of God” can be already found on this website. One must only read and comprehend all the books and publications of the author.\nThis website is also a seamless chronicle of the energetic endeavour of the Planetary Ascension Team, the PAT, the captain of which I am, to ascend Gaia and part of humanity to the upper 4th and 5th dimensions in the New Golden Galaxy as this can be read in this documentation. The PAT is a comparatively small group of incarnated “warrior souls of the first and the last hour” who are experts in ascension coming from the entire multiverse and have taken over the responsibility to help Gaia and part of humanity to ascend in the current End Time. In religion and modern esotericism this group is equated to the 144, 000 warrior souls (oversouls) mentioned in John’s Revelation and also in a channeled message to us.\nListen also to the soul portrait of the PAT composed by Paul Armitage in the video below as to feel the creationary power and unconditional love for humanity of this unique group of light warriors and adventurers of poetic and romantic soul essence:\nPaul Armitage: A Divine Symphony of the Planetary Ascension Team\nWhile I am the captain of the PAT personally as editor of this website and energetically as an Elohim soul and thus the human nexus to the Source, there are many light warriors on earth who neither read my website nor know of its existence or that they are members of the PAT and thus are actively participating in the cleansing of darkness and raising the frequencies of Gaia and humanity. This should be stated absolutely clearly at this place as to prevent any misunderstanding or confusion from a limited human point of view. The PAT is not an earthly group of humans but an association of oversouls in the higher dimensions who have their human incarnations on earth in the current End Time in order to fulfill their light mission. Not all of these human incarnations need to come together or gain deeper insights into their mission, unless this is indispensable for their light work, as is the case with me. Read also the chronicle of the PAT for a better understanding:\nThe Journey of the Planetary Ascension Team\nThis website was created in a tour de force in the first three weeks of August 2011. All the summaries of the books and many publications on the Ascension and the economic collapse were written or revised during this time and are of great actuality.\nThis achievement was only possible due to the incredible expedience, competence, and creativity of Chris, who designed and developed this website with such a sovereignty and dexterity that I still can not stop admiring him.\nThis website is an open forum for all light warriors of the first and the last hour and for all ascended masters, as well as readers interested in the ascension process. All emails to the editor can be published at his discretion.\nThis website has an official mirror website: www.stankovuniversallaw.org\nDr. Georgi Alexandrov Stankov, MD\nMunich, Germany, August 5, 2011; later revised\nThe Integration of Physics on a Single Page With the Help of the Universal Law (click on image for full screen)","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line825971"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6158868074417114,"wiki_prob":0.6158868074417114,"text":"Tropical Hotspots Face Food Woes in a Warmer World\nBy Bryan Walsh June 03, 2011\nThanks to the spring from hell—in the U.S., at least—much of the concern about climate change has shifted to the fear of the violent weather that could become the norm in a warmer world. (See Sharon Begley’s sobering take in Newsweek.) But while tornadoes and hurricanes and floods may get our attention, the greater threat from warming could be a quieter, slower and much less dramatic. For parts of the tropics and subtropics, the world in the future could be too warm to farm, with devastating humanitarian consequences for tens of millions of people, many of whom already live in poverty.\nThat’s the conclusion of a scary new study (PDF) from the Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS) program, a part of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), a global group of food research organizations. The group identified future climate change “hotspots” that are expected to suffer brutally high temperatures during growing seasons in the future, and matched them with areas that were already suffering from food insecurity. The result is a map of suffering for much of Africa and South Asia, and possibly parts of China and Latin America as well. “When you start to hit 30 C your crops start suffering, and that’s going to happen here,” says Andy Jarvis, a fellow with the International Center for Tropical Agriculture, another subgroup of CGIAR.\nA couple of maps from the report give an idea of what’s likely to happen. The first shows which areas are likely to suffer significant reductions in crops, and which ones are better prepared to deal with the changes:\nAnd here’s another that shows where average max temperatures during growing seasons are expected to rise above 30C—the point at which many crops simply begin to fail:\nThe maps and the reports are a reminder of one of the inescapable facts of global warming politics: those who are least responsible for the problem, those who are already living close to the edge, are those who will almost certainly suffer the most. “It’s just a perfect storm,” Jarvis says. “The food is going to have to come from somewhere.”\nThat leaves much of the responsibility in the hands of the developed nations, whose wealth will shield them from the worst impacts of climate change—provided they plan well. Reducing emissions is a must, to blunt the worst effects of warming. (Although keep warming to just 1.5 C above pre-industrial levels, as UN climate chief Christiana Figueres called for today, will require a time machine given the amount of warming we’ve already built into the atmosphere with our past greenhouse gas emissions.) But adaptation will be just as important—if not more so. That means investment in agriculture and farming research, better breeding and better crops, fertilizer and irrigation. (Perhaps reforming global agricultural subsidies to give developing world farmers a fairer shake wouldn’t be the worst idea in the world.) In short, we’ll need to help with the hard work of international development—which in a hotter world, is all but synonymous with climate adaptation. “Adaptation is a hundred little things,” says Jarvis. “We need to do development better and faster.”\nGiven that perhaps the only thing the rich nations of the world have performed worse on than climate change is international development, that’s not a comforting thought. But we don’t have any other choice. As diplomats gather for yet another round of climate negotiations—this time in Bonn—I’d rather see governments make concrete pledges on adaptation, foreign aid and technological development, instead of another empty promise about preventing temperature rise or keeping the atmosphere’s carbon concentrations at a “safe” level. Action now is worth a lot more than promise tomorrow.\n[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NaiqWsQTeZ8]","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line594973"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.634712815284729,"wiki_prob":0.365287184715271,"text":"Interview with Poet Laureate Charles Wright\nApril 4, 2015 Lisa Ryan Leave a comment\nIn His Own Right\nA conversation with U.S. Poet Laureate and Charlottesville resident Charles Wright\nWhat the city of Charlottesville, Virginia lacks in size it makes up for in culture. You won’t go ten minutes without passing a building bearing a whimsical mural, a metal sculpture gracing the bypass, or banners advertising book and film festivals and Live Arts performances.\nSo we’re particularly proud to call poet Charles Wright one of our own, and not just because he’s the current U.S. Poet Laureate. Wright served as a professor of English at the University of Virginia for over 30 years, and his poems are masterful responses to the ineffable mystery of landscapes both local and afar. Throughout his career, Wright has published over 24 books of poetry and is the winner of the Pulitzer Prize, the National Book Critics Circle Award, the National Book Award, the Griffin Poetry Prize, and the Bollingen Prize for American Poetry.\nAmidst numerous public appearances and interviews for his new role, Wright sat down with Streetlight for an interview, and we’re grateful.\nThere’s a lot of talk these days about how different childhood was 50 years ago. How would you describe yours and your family life?\nCW: I remember my childhood as being very happy. We lived in places that were interesting to me, although I’m not sure they were very interesting to my mother. My father always said, “There’s no city or town I’d rather live in than outside of.” So we were always outside of town, which was great for me, I liked that. But my poor mother spent her life behind the wheel taking us in to town and back.\nThere were never any fights in my family. I never rebelled against anything the way all my friends seemed to have done. I just sort of went along with whatever my parents were doing, since I didn’t have any reason not to. Their parents were raised Victorian, so I guess my parents were raised Victorian, though they weren’t that way with us, but you knew what kind of background they were coming from. Always said, “yes sir” “yes ma’am” to my parents—which is not the case in my house.\nYour Mother has floated in and out of your poetry and was an aspiring writer?\nCW: That’s what I’m guessing. She never told me that, but after she died—very young, age 53—I found parts of stories she’d tried to write. I’ve told this story many times, I’m sure you’ve heard it, but at the University of Mississippi she dated William Faulkner’s brother, the one who got killed in an airplane crash. So she always had this feeling that it was a good thing to be a writer.\nWhat kind of exposure did you have to literature in your school years?\nCW: In high school there was never any encouragement toward literature, though I read all of Faulkner before I graduated, which was really stupid because I didn’t understand it but figured I was done with it. There wasn’t much more encouragement in college at Davidson because back then there was only pre-law, pre-ministerial, pre-business. Now all the courses I would’ve wanted to take are now being offered. There was one writing course offered every other year by the Shakespeare professor, so I didn’t really get interested in that. I was sort of co-editor of the literary magazine, such as it was. But I was never the guy who’s always writing poems or anything. It was all purple prose, since lyric seems to be my avenue.\nWe’ve heard would-be poet/English professor was a history major at Davidson?\nCW: I just fell into being a history major because, at the time, I was interested in Southern history and took so many history classes that I ended up having enough to be a major. I could’ve been a double major in English, had I declared it, because I took enough English courses. Of course that’s where my interest was after my second year, I guess, after I’d already compiled all the courses to be a history major.\nHave you had any heroes or role models along the way?\nCW: Well, back in highschool, I liked Sam Snead and Ben Hogan—I was a golf nut. And I never really wanted to be like my father because he did stuff I wasn’t interested in, like construction. He understood that I wasn’t interested, and he never pushed me to get into that business.\nOnce I grew up I had two very strong heroes: Peter Matthiessen, I liked the way he lived his life and W.S. Merwin was the other because I liked the way he lived his life, too. And I liked both their writings. There are always people who you admire, like my teacher, Donald Justice—I admired his writing tremendously; my friend, Mark Strand, who just died, he was a year older than I, and we were in school together and I admired him and what he was doing very much.\nI didn’t have any real literary heroes…I guess you could say Faulkner was a writer I’d at least heard of; and once I’d read Hemingway, he was a real force, until I learned what an asshole he really was. Still a great writer, though.\nSpeaking of influence, your wife, Holly, is a photographer and retired from teaching at U.Va. in 2000 after 16 years. What kind of creative input do you give each other in your work?\nCW: She’s the only one who reads my stuff before it goes to the publisher, and her opinion matters me a lot. As I said, she’s very smart, very literary, she’s read more than I have. Of course you could drive tanks through the holes in my literary background. After a while, I never sent anybody any of my writing, figured I was doing what I was doing, and nobody else is doing it, so what do they know? It would’ve meant a lot if I’d brought myself to do it.\nHolly shows me her work. I love her photographs and how serious she was and is about it. I used a couple of her pictures on a few book covers (Bloodlines, Chickamauga, Scar Tissue). She was a great teacher; boy, her students loved her. But there was never any reciprocity between our two disciplines.\nYou’ve lived and written most of your poetry here in Charlottesville for the past 30 years; do you consider it home, in the grander sense?\nCW: I consider it where I live, I don’t know if I consider it home. I always think of Kingsport as being my home, where I grew up. Holly certainly doesn’t think of it as home. Our son Luke seems to like it, which was one of the reasons we came here, because he was getting to be 13 in Southern California and we didn’t think that was a great thing. But yeah, it’s where I live, that’s about it. I don’t want to be in Kingsport, don’t get me wrong, but that’s sort of what I think of as home, east Tennessee.\nYou’ve mentioned many times how your own back yard is a source of poetic inspiration. Do you favor any other spots for a landscape high?\nCW: Not really. This is the prettiest county in Virginia, once you get up past Garth Road. It’s just beautiful out here with the Blue Ridge mountains.\nInterview by: Lisa Ryan\nFor those unfamiliar with Wright’s poetry, his 2014 collection, Caribou, is a perfect introduction, with a diverse sampling of poems from his career-long exploration of “language, landscape, and the idea of God.” His current position as U.S. Poet Laureate extends through May, 2015.\nShare this post with your friends.\nInterviewPoetrySpring 2015\nPrevious PostAviary Wonders by Kate SamworthNext PostKeeping the Meadow Green by Rose Elliott","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line80039"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9742093086242676,"wiki_prob":0.9742093086242676,"text":"Tom Ince Is Your July/August 2022 Player Of The Month\nThe summer signing was the clear winner of our poll following his hard-working displays.\nBy Olly_Allen@OllyAllen_ Sep 6, 2022, 9:12am BST\nShare All sharing options for: Tom Ince Is Your July/August 2022 Player Of The Month\nPhoto by Andrew Redington/Getty Images\nCongratulations to Tom Ince, who you have voted as Reading’s Player of the Month for July/August! The 30-year-old took home 69% of the vote, far ahead of Junior Hoilett (14%), Mamadou Loum (11%) and Andy Yiadom (6%).\nHaving signed on a permanent deal in the summer following his release from Stoke, Ince played every minute in the league in the opening month of the season and was one of the standout performers in a team that placed fifth at the end of August. He started the campaign in an advanced midfield role, but a few weeks in he was a fully-fledged strike partner to Lucas Joao or Shane Long and the first line of dad Paul’s pressing system.\nInce showed that he was the perfect fit for that with his relentless hard work and he has quickly become a fans’ favourite with the level of effort he shows every time he steps foot on the pitch. While perhaps his end product remains lacking, that can be forgiven for the way he typifies this team’s resolve and commitment.\nThat said, his one goal in August was an absolute belter. The movement and pace on his strike from outside of the box to win the game against Cardiff was rather special, while he had won the penalty earlier in the game that drew Reading level. Ince’s other goal contribution last month came against Blackburn, as his corner was headed in by Tom McIntyre to set the Royals off on a 3-0 victory.\nA thoroughly deserved winner of our first monthly award of the season.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1769663"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.500030517578125,"wiki_prob":0.499969482421875,"text":"Chopra questions home appraisal regulation regime\nABA, trade groups urge FCC to require call authentication for non-IP networks\nPositioning for Pro-Growth Policy\non January 28, 2019 Community Banking, Compliance and Risk, Policy, Tax and Accounting\nBy Monica C. Meinert\nWith a Congress and administration united in their commitment to regulatory reform, 2018 was a landmark year for banking policy.\nYears of banker advocacy finally paid off when President Trump signed into law the first significant and bipartisan regulatory reform bill in nearly a decade. Changes in the highest echelons of the regulatory agencies brought fresh perspectives to Washington and a renewed commitment to tailoring banking rules. Spurred by a new tax reform law, the economy had an overall strong year of falling unemployment, healthy wage growth and job creation. Alongside all that, the financial industry was stronger and better capitalized than ever before.\nThroughout this momentous year, the American Bankers Association was a strong, consistent advocate for policies that would grow the economy and ensure that the nation’s banks were well positioned to serve their customers and communities. And though congressional dynamics have since shifted—with Democrats regaining control of the House in November, prompting key leadership changes at the House Financial Services Committee—ABA’s message and advocacy priorities for 2019 remain the same.\n“We might use different tactics, we might use different strategies, but our priorities going forward don’t change,” says ABA President and CEO Rob Nichols. He is quick to point out that historically, crafting banking policy has typically been a bipartisan exercise—Dodd-Frank was a notable exception. “With S. 2155, we went back to having a bipartisan conversation about banking,” Nichols says. Moving ahead in 2019 with a divided Congress, “any bill that makes it to the president’s desk will be bipartisan by definition.”\nThat’s a good thing. ABA EVP James Ballentine—who spearheads much of ABA’s congressional relations effort—points out that the association has a long history of working with members of both parties to develop commonsense solutions to the challenges facing the industry. The key, Ballentine says, is to “stay focused on our agenda. It does not matter who is in Congress, it does not matter who is leading the committees. We will continue to push it from a policy perspective, not a political perspective. That’s served us well over the years, and that’s what we’ll continue to do.”\nAs ABA continues to have constructive conversations with members on both sides of the aisle on everything from housing finance reform to data privacy, there are also significant opportunities for changes on the regulatory side. “We have a great group of stakeholders to work with over the next several years,” Nichols says of the Trump administration’s regulatory team, now fully in place. “They view in a different light the important role that the banking sector plays.”\nWith that in mind, persistent interaction with the agencies will be central to ABA’s advocacy strategy in the year ahead. “It’s a roll-up-your-sleeves kind of time,” according to ABA EVP Wayne Abernathy, who emphasizes the importance of providing regulators with concrete examples of how regulation affects banks’ ability to serve their customers and using hard data wherever possible. This will be especially critical in a year that’s likely to bring—at least in the House—more congressional oversight hearings where regulators will be called upon to defend any recent changes. “The facts are on our side,” Abernathy adds. “It’s our job to marshal those facts and put them in the hands of policymakers who are eager for them and want to use them to do the right things.”\nWhile there are several issues ABA will be actively engaged in throughout the year, what follows is a preview of four areas primed for action in 2019.\nCannabis: A high priority for the banking industry\nA critical issue that’s certain to arise both in Congress and the regulatory agencies is the ongoing conflict between federal and state laws regarding cannabis. With cannabis now legal in 33 states, banks are struggling with whether and how to serve marijuana growers, dispensaries and other marijuana-related businesses, given the potential for liability while cannabis remains illegal under federal law.\n“We know that this is an increasingly urgent problem to solve,” says ABA Chief Policy Officer Naomi Camper. “Banks whether they like it or not are caught in the middle.” She adds that greater clarity and more prescriptive measures are needed to address all the challenges banks face in this area.\nBallentine expects any movement on cannabis this year to begin in the House Financial Services Committee. To that end, ABA is currently working with lawmakers interested in drafting legislative language that would allow banks to serve MRBs in states where that activity is legal and provide certainty that handling proceeds from legitimate cannabis transactions do not violate any provisions of federal law. He adds that “we are trying to stay squarely in our lane and focus on the banking issues and not get into the other legality issues of marijuana on the federal level.”\nContinuing the CECL conversation\nAnother important conversation happening in both the halls of the U.S. Capitol and the regulatory agencies focuses on the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s Current Expected Credit Loss standard, which takes effect for some institutions as early as 2020.\nAs the implementation date nears, ABA has alerted lawmakers and regulators to the potential negative effects the standard could have on bank capital requirements and product offerings. “The outcome here is uncertain,” warns ABA SVP Jess Sharp. “The implementation is difficult. Consumers can be harmed if suddenly product offerings—like 30-year mortgages—are affected by this.”\nGathering enough data to paint an accurate picture of what CECL will look like when fully implemented is challenging, ABA staff experts note, but preliminary studies have suggested that hundreds of community banks could be forced to immediately raise capital in order to remain compliant as a result of the new standard. Accordingly, ABA continues to push for a delay in CECL’s implementation until a thorough quantitative impact study can be undertaken.\nSpotlight on CRA reform\nRegulators took a significant step toward reforming the decades-old Community Reinvestment Act regulations last year when the OCC issued its advanced notice of proposed rulemaking seeking feedback on how the rules could be updated. ABA VP Krista Shonk—who led the banker working group on this issue—notes that hundreds of comment letters were filed, including nearly 300 from bankers. These comments will play a critical role as the regulators prepare to issue a formal proposal.\nShonk points to three key themes around CRA reform that bankers should watch closely as the reform process moves forward, including CRA assessment areas; the “primary purpose test” banks must pass when determining which activities count for CRA credit; and the idea of creating a CRA metric.\nReforming CRA is a top priority for Comptroller of the Currency Joseph Otting, and the other regulators have signaled willingness to work together to make substantive reforms. “The regulators understand that this is a once-in-a-generation opportunity,” Shonk says. “Given the changes in technology, they know they need to update CRA not just for today, but with an eye toward the bank of the future. They know that just tweaking around the edges is not going to be sufficient.”\nA second look at BSA/AML\nLike the CRA, many of the rules and regulations regarding anti-money laundering efforts are also in need of a facelift, and ABA will continue working in 2019 to help lawmakers and regulators update the Bank Secrecy Act framework.\n“Banks want to work with the law enforcement community to go after bad actors, but that system can be improved,” says Nichols. “Everyone on both sides knows it can be more efficient and effective.”\nOn the legislative side, BSA/AML reform could be an area where bipartisan compromise could be reached in both the House and Senate, as there is growing agreement about revisiting certain reporting thresholds and making further modifications to customer due diligence rules. And regulators have in recent months signaled a renewed openness to innovative solutions to address BSA/AML challenges. In fall 2017, for example, regulators gave the greenlight to banks to share anti-money laundering information to increase the overall effectiveness of their programs. Regulators also issued a formal statement encouraging banks to pursue innovative solutions to anti-money laundering challenges and noting their openness to bank pilot programs in this area.\nAlong with these priorities, the industry must also keep its eyes on the horizon, where a sure-to-be high stakes election is looming next year. Nichols anticipates that banking issues will inevitably come into play as the next election season ramps up. While it’s unclear exactly what weight they’ll carry a year from now, the time is now to lay the groundwork for a positive dialogue about banking policy in the future.\n“In addition to all the public policy work, we need to keep in mind what the reputation of the industry looks like,” Nichols says. Bankers can help by working to spread the positive story of how banks support their communities by meeting customers’ credit needs, increasing financial capability and making philanthropic contributions.\nWith a focus on what’s achievable in the near-term and a longer eye toward the future election season, the industry is well-positioned and ready to continue its steady progress toward pro-growth banking policy, Nichols adds. “We’re 10 years past the crisis. We just had a bipartisan victory. We have regulators who are willing to work with us. This is the right time to have a positive set of messages about what we want to do as an industry.”\nAdvocacy Anti-money laundering Bank Secrecy Act CECL Community Reinvestment Act CRA modernization Information sharing Loan loss accounting Marijuana Regulatory burden S 2155\nJan 25 FinCEN issues alert on Russian activity in commercial real estate\nNov 21 Podcast: The community bank M&A outlook for 2023","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line111191"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7974486351013184,"wiki_prob":0.7974486351013184,"text":"India believes in value based health care and is continuously striving to provide high quality and cost-effective health care to everyone: Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya\nNationalTop News\nNew Delhi : “India believes in value based health care and is continuously striving to provide high quality and cost-effective healthcare to everyone. Aligned with its philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam and our philosophy of perceiving health as a service, India has offered Co-WIN platform as a digital public good to any interested country. India has offered Co-WIN as a digital public health good to WHO through WHO’s C-TAP initiative.” This was stated by Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya as he chaired the Health Ministers’ virtual session of “Voice of Global South Summit – 2023” titled: Cooperation to build resilient healthcare systems. The session served as a platform to generate ideas from the developing world for holistic healthcare.\nWelcoming all participants, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya said that “it is need of the hour to focus on long-term measures to build stronger, more resilient health systems that can prevent, prepare for, & respond to future health related challenges, while maintaining essential health services.” Highlighting the significant milestones achieved by India through its journey of managing COVID-19 pandemic, he added that “we have administered more than 2.2 billion vaccines with 90% 2nd dose coverage of 12+ population & 220 million precautionary doses. India’s experience has reinforced the fact that capacity building of healthcare workers at various levels of governance, coupled with harnessing digital technology is the way forward.”\nReferring to G20 India Presidency, Union Health Minister said “India endeavors to imbibe the requirements and need of Global South in its G20 health priorities. Our Prime Minister has said ‘Our G20 priorities will be shaped in consultation with not just our G20 partners, but also our fellow-travellers in the global South.” Dr. Mandaviya further reinforced “Hence, we will take the voice of the global South to G-20 and other international forums as partners in our development journey. Amalgamation of these efforts will ensure health equity at global level & particularly to Global South”. Dr. Mandaviya commended India’s efforts in providing training to support countries in terms of capacity building of their healthcare professionals. The training included COVID-19 testing, clinical practices, case management, vaccine development & delivery for participants from Asian, South-East Asian, & African countries. India also shared its medical expertise by dispatching Rapid Response Teams to Kuwait & Maldives.”\nDr. Mandaviya stated that “under the soon to be launched Heal in India initiative, India aims to provide its health infrastructure for patients abroad and make it a global hub for medical & value-based healthcare for patients from across the world. With more than 1.3 Million allopathic doctors, 3.4 Million nurses, and 800,000 AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy) doctors, India would provide required care to patients from all countries including Global South through quality and affordable medical care.” He mentioned that India affirms to work with partners in the Global South to harness the potential of traditional medicine to promote health, wellness and people-centric care.\nThe Union Health Minister highlighted that since 2015, the world has been observing the International Day of Yoga with huge participation. 170 out of 194 WHO Member States have reported the use of traditional medicine & their governments asked WHO to support in creating a body of reliable evidence & data on traditional medicine practices and products. Government of India in collaboration with WHO has established the WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine at Jamnagar, Gujarat on 19th April 2022.\nThe Union Health Minister added that as a part of the Global South, India’s Presidency has a special significance. Following the notion of Aarogya Paramam Bhagyam” i.e. health is the highest fortune, investing in healthcare is investing in future, India has prioritized its health track to build consensus at global level focusing on converging on-going efforts, mapping health resources, & connecting them to most deserving areas, so health equity can be ensured at global level & particularly to Global South.\nThe dignitaries participating in the session emphasized the need to adopt an inclusive approach to global health security. Ways and means to develop digital public goods in healthcare, promote traditional medicine, build public capacities and develop regional hubs, and knowledge sharing were discussed. The Ministers were particularly appreciative of India’s Vaccine Maitri initiative as a substantive reflection of South-South cooperation at the height of the COVID pandemic.\nThe session was attended by dignitaries from Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis, Royal Government of Bhutan, Republic of Cameroon, Grenada, Republic of Guatemala, Republic of Liberia, Republic of Malawi, Republic of Niger, Independent State of Samoa, Kingdom of Eswatini, Republic of Paraguay, and Dominica.\nFull speech of Union health Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya can be seen here:\nCustoms Brokers Licensing Examination to be held on March 18, 2023\nUnion Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya chairs National Symposium on India’s Roadmap to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis (LF)","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1181562"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9297186136245728,"wiki_prob":0.9297186136245728,"text":"Peng Shuai has told Olympic officials she is safe, IOC says\nAndy Brownbill/AP\nChina's Peng Shuai reacts during her first round singles match against Japan's Nao Hibino at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2020. (AP Photo/Andy Brownbill)\nPosted at 11:05 AM, Nov 21, 2021\nLAUSANNE, Switzerland — The IOC says Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai has taken part in a 30-minute video call from Beijing with Olympic officials and told them she was safe and well.\nIt appears to be Peng’s first direct contact with sports officials outside China since she disappeared from public view on Nov. 2.\nShe made a sexual assault allegation against a former member of the Communist Party's ruling committee.\nThe IOC says the call was with its president Thomas Bach, athletes commission chair Emma Terho and IOC member Li Lingwei, who's a former tennis official.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1597100"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8878892064094543,"wiki_prob":0.8878892064094543,"text":"Home » News » Putin Vows to Press Attack on Ukraine; Courts India, China\nPutin Vows to Press Attack on Ukraine; Courts India, China\nRussian President Vladimir Putin vowed Friday to press his attack on Ukraine despite Ukraine’s latest counteroffensive and warned that Moscow could ramp up its strikes on the country’s vital infrastructure if Ukrainian forces target facilities in Russia.\nSpeaking to reporters Friday after attending a summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Uzbekistan, Putin said the “liberation” of Ukraine’s entire eastern Donbas region remained Russia’s main military goal and that he sees no need to revise it.\n“We aren’t in a rush,” the Russian leader said, adding that Moscow has only deployed volunteer soldiers to fight in Ukraine. Some hardline politicians and military bloggers have urged the Kremlin to follow Ukraine’s example and order a broad mobilization to beef up the ranks, lamenting Russia’s manpower shortage.\nRussia was forced to pull back its forces from large swaths of northeastern Ukraine last week after a swift Ukrainian counteroffensive. Ukraine’s move to reclaim control of several Russian-occupied cities and villages marked the largest military setback for Moscow since its forces had to retreat from areas near the capital early in the war.\nIn his first comment on the Ukrainian counteroffensive, Putin said: “Let’s see how it develops and how it ends.”\nHe noted that Ukraine has tried to strike civilian infrastructure in Russia and “we so far have responded with restraint, but just yet.”\n“If the situation develops this way, our response will be more serious,” Putin said.\n“Just recently, the Russian armed forces have delivered a couple of impactful strikes,” he said in an apparent reference to Russian attacks earlier this week on power plants in northern Ukraine and a dam in the south. “Let’s consider those as warning strikes.”\nHe alleged, without offering specifics, that Ukraine has attempted to launch attacks “near our nuclear facilities, nuclear power plants,” adding that “we will retaliate if they fail to understand that such methods are unacceptable.”\nRussia has reported numerous explosions and fires at civilian infrastructure in areas near Ukraine, as well munitions depots and other facilities. Ukraine has claimed responsibility for some of the attacks and refrained from commenting on others.\nPutin also sought Friday to assuage India’s concern about the conflict in Ukraine, telling Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi that Moscow wants to see a quick end to the fighting and alleging that Ukrainian officials won’t negotiate.\n“I know your stand on the conflict in Ukraine and the concerns that you have repeatedly voiced,” the Russian leader told Modi. “We will do all we can to end that as quickly as possible. Regrettably, the other side, the leadership of Ukraine, has rejected the negotiations process and stated that it wants to achieve its goals by military means, on the battlefield.”\nUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says it’s Russia that allegedly doesn’t want to negotiate in earnest. He also has insisted on the withdrawal of Russian troops from occupied areas of Ukraine as a precondition for talks.\nPutin’s remarks during the talks with Modi echoed comments the Russian leader made during Thursday’s meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping when Putin thanked him for his government’s “balanced position” on the Ukraine war, while adding that he was ready to discuss China’s unspecified “concerns” about Ukraine.\nSpeaking to reporters Friday, Putin said he and Xi “discussed what we should do in the current conditions to efficiently counter unlawful restrictions” imposed by the West. The European Union, the United States and other Western nations have put sanctions on Russian energy due to the war in Ukraine.\nXi, in a statement released by his government, expressed support for Russia’s “core interests” but also interest in working together to “inject stability” into world affairs. China’s relations with Washington, Europe, Japan and India have been strained by disputes about technology, security, human rights and territory.\nZhang Lihua, an international relations expert at Tsinghua University, said the reference to stability “is mainly related to China-U.S. relations,” adding that “the United States has been using all means to suppress China, which forced China to seek cooperation with Russia.”\nChina and India have refused to join Western sanctions against Russia over its war in Ukraine while increasing their purchases of Russian oil and gas, helping Moscow offset the financial restrictions imposed by the U.S. and its allies.\nPutin also met Friday with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to discuss bolstering economic cooperation and regional issues, including a July deal brokered by Turkey and the United Nations that allowed Ukrainian grain exports to resume from the country’s Black Sea ports.\nSpeaking at the Uzbekistan summit on Friday, Xi warned his Central Asian neighbors not to allow outsiders to destabilize them. The warning reflects Beijing’s anxiety that Western support for democracy and human rights activists is a plot to undermine Xi’s ruling Communist Party and other authoritarian governments.\n“We should prevent external forces from instigating a color revolution,” Xi said in a speech to the leaders of Shanghai Cooperation Organization member nations, referring to protests that toppled unpopular regimes in the former Soviet Union and the Middle East.\nXi offered to train 2,000 police officers, to set up a regional counterterrorism training center and to “strengthen law enforcement capacity building.” He did not elaborate.\nHis comments echoed longtime Russian grievances about the color-coded democratic uprisings in several ex-Soviet nations that the Kremlin viewed as instigated by the U.S. and its allies.\nXi is promoting a “Global Security Initiative” announced in April following the formation of the Quad by the U.S., Japan, Australia and India in response to Beijing’s more assertive foreign policy. U.S. officials complain it echoes Russian arguments in support of Moscow’s actions in Ukraine.\nCentral Asia is part of China’s multibillion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative to expand trade by building ports, railways and other infrastructure across an arc of dozens of countries from the South Pacific through Asia to the Middle East, Europe and Africa.\nThe Shanghai Cooperation Organization was formed by Russia and China as a counterweight to U.S. influence. The group also includes India, Pakistan and the four ex-Soviet Central Asian nations of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.\nIran is on track to receive full membership.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line299102"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6793883442878723,"wiki_prob":0.6793883442878723,"text":"AKC2022\nCongratulatory Performance\nRecruitment & Advertisements\nTAEJAE University Session\nReception/Banquet\nhttps://www.touropia.com/\n10. Marina Bay Sands\nIf construction costs are a traveler’s bag, then they’ll delight in seeing the Marina Bay Sands, a resort that cost US$5.7 billion to build, making it the world’s most expensive building when it opened in 2010. The Marina Bay Sands is an integrated resort that has it all: a luxury hotel, restaurants, an endless collection of shops, a convention center that is one of the largest in Asia, theater, an ArtScience Museum and other entertainment centers. It also has an indoor skating rink made with synthetic ice.\n9. Singapore Flyer\nThe Singapore Flyer is a giant Ferris wheel, only with benefits, that only start with the stunning views below. Cars hold up to 28 people as they circle above the city. When it opened in 2008, it was the highest Ferris wheel in the world, reaching 165 meters (541 feet) up into the Singaporean sky. With advance notice, the Flyer can accommodate disabled guests in wheelchairs. Located on Marina Bay, the Flyer’s terminal has three floors of restaurants, shops and other services.\n8. Buddha Tooth Relic Temple\nThe Chinese build temples to a lot of gods and other things, but the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple is one of the more unusual. In the late 1980s when a Buddhist temple was first proposed for Singapore’s Chinatown, it was supposed to become a more traditional temple. Somewhere along the line it became the Tooth Relic Temple, a home for a tooth relic from Buddha. The temple, located in central Chinatown, also features other arts and culture of Singaporean Buddhists.\n7. Night Safari\nTravelers who enjoy nightlife but are tired of the club scene should head over to Night Safari where nocturnal, not party, animals are on display. Since it opened in 1984, it is one of Singapore’s top attractions, with more than one million people annually enjoying a tram ride through seven of the world’s geographic regions. Visitors also can take a trail walk to learn more about animal habits while another section features a show on the organization’s work to preserve threatened species through captive breeding programs. Three restaurants features menus and entertainment that reflect life in the jungle or rainforest.\n6. Singapore Botanic Gardens\nTravelers on a budget will appreciate the Singapore Botanic Gardens as most of the gardens are free; there is only a charge for the National Orchid Garden, the most visited section of the garden. The garden contains more than 60,000 species of plants and animals, and is home to the world’s first children’s garden. Past visitors rave about the tropical greenery of the gardens.\n5. Gardens by the Bay\nGardens by the Bay is a recent addition to Singapore’s tourist attractions, but is one that gardeners won’t want to miss visiting. Open less than a decade, Gardens by the Bay is built on reclaimed land in central Singapore. It consists of three gardens: Bay Central, a garden with a waterfront walk that will eventually connect the other two gardens; Bay East, which is opening in phases as sections are completed, and Bay South, the largest garden, which showcases tropical horticulture and includes tree-like structures up to 50 meters (160 feet) high that dominate the Gardens’ landscape.\n4. Raffles Hotel\nRaffles Hotel, with its graceful colonial style, is the face of Singapore. Since it opened in 1887, it quickly became THE place to stay in Singapore, with writers Rudyard Kipling, Somerset Maugham and Ernest Hemingway, among others, adding to its fame. This epitome of luxury boasts 15 restaurants and bars, including the Long Bar where the cocktail Singapore Sling was invented. The Raffles Hotel is legendary the world over, down to the uniformed Sikh doormen who introduce guests to this bit of Southeast Asian history. The lobby of the main building is open to the public while the hotel museum is hidden away on the 3rd floor.\n3. Clarke Quay\nClarke Quay is another part of Singapore’s past that is still a happening place today. One of the key tourist attractions in Singapore, the quay, at the mouth of the Singapore River, was the city’s hub of commerce in the late 19th century. It still hustles and bustles today, but with a different kind of commerce: trendy restaurants, unique boutiques, pushcart vendors and more, all of which blend Asian and European influences. Once a market, always a market, except at night when Clarke Quay teems with chic nightspots.\n2. Resorts World Sentosa\nResorts World Sentosa is a Singaporean destination unto itself. Located on an island off Singapore’s south coast, the property features hotels, restaurants, a casino, theme parks – in short, something for everyone no matter how old they are. With this location, attractions obviously center around the sea: Marine Life Park, Dolphin Island, a water park and an aquarium. Other attractions include Universal Studios Singapore and nightly entertainment. The casino offers a variety of table games sand 2,400 slot machines; be forewarned, it does enforce a dress code. The resort offers more than 60 dining options for hungry guests.\n1. Orchard Road\nOrchard Road is the main shopping street of Singapore, regularly frequented by the locals as well as foreign tourists. Named after the fruit orchards that the road led to, Orchard Road is flanked by malls, numerous upmarket restaurants, coffee chains, cafés, nightclubs and hotels. It is also the site of the official residence of the President of Singapore, the Istana. The Christmas decorations along Orchard are famous and entirely over the top, with reindeers cavorting through palm trees and gingerbread houses topped with fake snow.\n© 2022 Korean Scientists and Engineers Association in Singapore. All Rights Reserved. If you have any questions, please contact us at secretary@akc2022.org","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1155156"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6719349026679993,"wiki_prob":0.6719349026679993,"text":"UD Hall of Fame athletes\nUD Hall of Fame Athletes List\nUD Hall of Fame Athletes List2022-04-04T16:37:41-04:00\nCelebrating the Lifetime of UD Hall of Famer Jim Donnelly\nCelebrating the Lifetime of UD Hall of Famer Jim Donnelly2022-04-11T09:08:30-04:00\nCelebrating the Lifetime of UD Hall of Famer Harry Solimano\nCelebrating the Lifetime of UD Hall of Famer Harry Solimano2022-04-11T09:11:36-04:00\nCelebrating the Lifetime of UD Hall of Famer William “Bill” Blake\nCelebrating the Lifetime of UD Hall of Famer William “Bill” Blake2022-04-11T09:43:02-04:00\nCelebrating the Lifetime of UD Hall of Famer Jerry Westendorf\nCelebrating the Lifetime of UD Hall of Famer Jerry Westendorf2022-04-05T11:12:21-04:00\nCelebrating the Lifetime of UD Hall of Famer Louis Mahrt\nCelebrating the Lifetime of UD Hall of Famer Louis Mahrt2022-04-05T11:18:39-04:00\nCelebrating the Lifetime of UD Hall of Famer Herb Dintaman\nCelebrating the Lifetime of UD Hall of Famer Herb Dintaman2022-04-11T09:40:27-04:00\nCelebrating the Lifetime of UD Hall of Famer Al Mahrt\nCelebrating the Lifetime of UD Hall of Famer Al Mahrt2022-04-11T09:15:03-04:00\nCelebrating the Lifetime of UD Hall of Famer Louis Tschudi\nCelebrating the Lifetime of UD Hall of Famer Louis Tschudi2022-04-05T11:37:13-04:00\nCelebrating the Lifetime of UD Hall of Famer Joe Zotkiewicz2022-04-11T09:40:16-04:00\nCelebrating the Lifetime of UD Hall of Famer Jack Brown\nCelebrating the Lifetime of UD Hall of Famer Jack Brown2022-04-11T09:45:51-04:00\nCelebrating the Lifetime of UD Hall of Famer Tom Frericks\nCelebrating the Lifetime of UD Hall of Famer Tom Frericks2022-04-05T11:47:23-04:00","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1546533"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8963587880134583,"wiki_prob":0.8963587880134583,"text":"Home Business U.K. Braces for Strikes Across Several Industries Through Christmas\nU.K. Braces for Strikes Across Several Industries Through Christmas\nRarely would a brewery, a nonprofit housing organization and a pickle factory have much in common. But this week in Britain, workers at all three walked off the job in disputes about pay. They’re just the latest labor actions that have been gripping the country for months amid a deepening cost-of-living crisis.\nJust under 200 employees at Greene King, the brewing company, are on strike after rejecting a pay offer. More than 600 workers at the housing and homeless charity Shelter have started a two-week strike, and about 50 employees at a Mizkan Euro factory that makes pickles and vinegar are walking out. Unite, the union that represents these workers, has warned that there could be beer and pickle shortages over the holidays.\nBut Britain is bracing for much worse. Workers in critical services, including nurses, ambulance staff and railroad employees, are set to go on strike, with walkouts expected across industries every day until Christmas.\nThe breadth of the labor action is the worst in Britain in nearly a decade, and poses another challenge to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s government, which took office in October and is leading a country whose economy is already in a recession and isn’t expected to grow again until 2024.\nPublic service workers have taken to picket lines or voted to strike to demand higher wages as the country’s annual rate of inflation climbed above 11 percent in October, the highest in 40 years. Rising food prices and home energy bills are squeezing household budgets that were already been made vulnerable by years of low pay growth.\nDemands for better pay from teachers and National Health Service workers are colliding with the government’s tight hand on the public purses. The Treasury recently announced large tax increases and future spending cuts as it sought to restore Britain’s fiscal credibility after Liz Truss’s stormy seven-week premiership.\nUnderstand the Political Situation in Britain\nBritain’s economic outlook is bleak. The Office for Budget Responsibility, an independent fiscal watchdog, forecast last month that living standards, as measured by disposable household income adjusted for inflation, would fall 7 percent over the next two fiscal years, the biggest drop in records going back to the 1950s.\nPay is central to these disputes — especially in the public sector, where the gap with private-sector pay is the largest it has ever been, outside of the height of the pandemic — but there are also fears that some public services are being hollowed out by underfunding and that drastic action needs to be taken to fix them and recruit more workers.\nAmbulance staff across England and Wales will go on strike on Dec. 21, it was announced on Tuesday, and nurses are scheduled to walk off the job on Dec. 15 and Dec. 20 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. It’s set to be the largest-ever strike by nursing staff, with the National Health Service already facing a huge backlog of cases for care. Meanwhile, ambulances are encountering “crippling delays” when trying to hand patients over at hospitals because of a shortage of available beds, due in part to a lack of home health aides in communities.\nOver the next month, rail and Eurostar workers, bus drivers, Royal Mail postal staff, teachers in Scotland and even driving test examiners will also go on strike. For many of these workers, it’s the latest in a series of walkouts. Britain’s train network has been brought to a near standstill already several times this year. This week, the main rail union announced walkouts starting on Christmas Eve, in addition to two 48-hour strikes next week.\nIn September, 205,000 working days were lost to labor disputes, according to the most recent data from the Office for National Statistics. While the figures pale in comparison with the industrial actions of the 1970s and 1980s, they show a sharp increase in walkouts this year. The last time that Britain lost so much working time to strikes was in 2014, when coordinated action in the public sector protested pay freezes.\nAs Christmas approaches, the stakes seem to be getting higher. Nick Gibb, a government minister, said in a radio interview on Tuesday that unions shouldn’t hold the country “to ransom” and urged the rail union to call off Christmas strikes. But Mick Lynch, the head of the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers, defended the action. He told the BBC on Tuesday that the government was coordinating an attack on working people.\n“It would be foolish of unions not to coordinate themselves in response to those attacks,” Mr. Lynch said.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line653221"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6450129747390747,"wiki_prob":0.3549870252609253,"text":"Fedrigoni Annual Report 125\nWho says that an annual report has to be dominated by the legal obligation to publish a plethora of financial information? Admittedly, this year's Fedrigoni annual report is a very special affair, the company is commemorating its 125th anniversary after all.\nTo celebrate the occasion, no stone was left unturned to honour the contribution of all the people at Fedrigoni – the proverbial Fedrigoni 'family'. A series of portraits of staff from all walks of life opens the publication and in addition, every single employee has their name printed on the endpapers of the report.\nLittle wonder that the 200 page book was greeted with rapturous applause at its unveiling at the Palazzo della Gran Guardia in Verona. Finished to match the occasion, with the finest Fedrigoni papers and flush silver edges, the report appears to be cut from a solid block of precious metal – an oblique nod to the publications financial origins.\nFedrigoni Group is one of Europe’s largest and most established special paper enterprises. With approximately 2,000 members of staff, the Group manufactures and distributes a wide range of fine quality, technically advanced paper and paper-related products. Through a network of distribution partners, Fedrigoni Group delivers to customers in more than 100 countries.\nGiuseppe Fedrigoni founded his first paper mill in 1717 and the business has been in the family ever since, becoming properly industrial in 1888. Now in its fifth generation of family ownership, the Group continues to take the long-term view of the future.\nFedrigoni Cartiere Website\nFedrigoni at Drupa 2016","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1291480"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6894276738166809,"wiki_prob":0.6894276738166809,"text":"Home/International/France repatriates 47 nationals from Syrian camps\nFrance repatriates 47 nationals from Syrian camps\nPARIS: France has brought back 47 French nationals from northeastern Syria, the country’s foreign ministry said, after a United Nations committee condemned Paris for failing to protect its citizens held in the war-torn country.\nThe operation involved 32 children and 15 women, the ministry said in a statement on Tuesday.\nHundreds of women and children, many of them holding foreign nationalities, have been held in camps in the region since the collapse of ISIL (ISIS) in 2019, although the statement did not specify which camps the repatriated women and children had been held in.\n“The minors have been handed to the services in charge of child assistance and will be subjected to medical and social monitoring,” the ministry said, thanking the Kurdish-run local administration in northeastern Syria for its collaboration.\nTuesday marks France’s third large-scale repatriation. In October, 40 children and 15 women were returned.\nThe repatriation comes as human rights campaigners have long urged governments to step up their efforts to bring back their nationals, especially children, from the camps, which were set up to hold the family of alleged ISIL members. Civilians also live in the camps.\nThousands of people had in the past decade travelled to Syria to join the armed group, many of them bringing their family members to live in ISIL’s self-declared state.\nWhile ISIL has lost all the territory it once controlled in Iraq and Syria, the transfer of foreign ISIL detainees and their family members has become a thorny issue for European countries, with the Kurdish-majority Syrian Democratic Forces warning that it may be forced to abandon the camps.\nMore than 1,464 children and women have returned since 2019, according to local authorities cited by Save the Children in a report published in December last year. While the rights group has praised the repatriation effort, it noted that it was not enough, as people trapped in the camps face violence and trauma.\nOne of the biggest and most overcrowded camps is al-Hol, where more than two people died every week in 2021, according to Save the Children. (Int’l News Desk)\nPrevious Thai police seize 1.1 tonnes of crystal meth in less than a week\nNext Myanmar victims file criminal complaint in Germany","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line889797"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5768766403198242,"wiki_prob":0.5768766403198242,"text":"How to Be a Complete Bastard\n(thing) by arieh Sun May 18 2003 at 13:53:36\n\"How to be a Complete Bastard\" was an hysterical book that became a computer game.\nIn 1986, Adrian Edmondson decided to cash in on some of his fame from playing the crazy punk Vyvyan in The Young Ones. He got together with two comedy writers, Mark Leigh and Mike Lepine, and produced a book 'How to be a Complete Bastard'. The cover featured Ade himself screaming, and the book was filled with, essentially, ways to be a complete bastard to those around you. Published by Virgin, the book was a success, being reprinted in 1989 and spawning a followup, 'The Complete Bastard's Book of the Worst'.\nIn 1987, Virgin published \"How to be a Complete Bastard\" by Sentient Software for the Commodore 64 and ZX Spectrum. In the game, you got to play as Ade who had been invited to (or gatecrashed) a party. Your task was to go around being a complete bastard to all the other guests and the hosts.\nThe GUI was rather innovative; the screen was split into top and bottom halves. Both halves displayed a third person 2d view from a wall of one of the square rooms. You could rotate each view, enabling you to see all four sides of a room, and by having the views at 90 degrees to each other, navigate around the various rooms without getting stuck behind something you can't see. This had its disadvantages too; if you had the views at 180 degrees from each other, your little Ade would appear to be walking left at the top but right at the bottom, which can be very confusing.\nThe gameplay was simple. Controls were back-forwards-left-right and an action key. When touching objects or people, the action key would bring up a menu of things you could do. This usually included options like 'eat it', 'take it' and 'smash it', regardless of whether the object was a condom, a can of lager, or lump of coal.\nThe object of the game was to light all the letters of the word 'Complete Bastard' that appeared at the bottom of the screen. You'd succeed in lighting a letter by performing a specific bastardy task, like, for example, putting ice cubes down a guest's underpants. You had to figure out all these tasks by yourself, though. There were also 'Bastard points' up for grabs for doing things like smashing stuff or weeing in someone's sink.\nUp the sides of the screen were a 'Drunkometer' and a 'Smellometer'. These rose throughout the game as you got drunker and smellier. There were also two meters at the bottom of the screen; a 'weeometer' and a fartometer. These rose as you drank things or ate food likely to make you fart. Both of these gauges had to be watched, as if neglected, you would explode and die. Farting could take place anywhere just by pushing the fart key. Pissing could only be done through a menu option in the toilet, sinks and IIRC people's beds.\nWhat really made this game were its quirks. If you fart in the kitchen, you die (there are naked flames there). If you drink all the lager or take pills from the medicine cabinet, you die. If you drink just some of the lager, your bottom window spins around. If you open an umbrella in the house you turn into an oven (it's unlucky!). Wearing a pair of 3d specs turns the two view-windows red and green. Perhaps most annoyingly, switching off the computer in the lounge resets your computer, meaning you have to spend 10 minutes reloading the game.\nI got my hands on this game free on the cover of Your Sinclair magazine, which rated it a 7/10. This seems to be the score it got from reviewers across the board. There was nothing groundbreaking about the game itself, but I'd recommend a ROM download if you want a couple of hours of cheap, juvenile fun covering people with toothpaste and smashing flowerbeds.\nBook: ISBN 0-86369-182-X\nhttp://www.ysrnry.co.uk/articles/howtobeacompletebastard.htm\nhttp://tacgr.emuunlim.com/downloads/filedetail.php?recid=434\nCopyright Violations 101 : Posting ZX Spectrum Games on Everything Burger King crown Geek's guide to working out How to disappear completely and never be found\na cool quiet room with no bastards in it How to Make Friends and Influence People plausible deniability Vyvyan\nIIRC Spherical bastards The Devil's Dictionary The friend that mysteriously knows your secrets\nThe Addams Family: Uncle Fester's Quest Don't pursue Lu Bu how do they feel, those unblinking eyes? Excuse me sir, you're making a scene\nAdrian Edmondson Inglourious Basterds The Rundown Senior Ditch Day\nThe Complete Book of Villains Homelessness eyelashes\nThe New York Deli Experience\nHoly shit, you mean I'm not invisible?","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line522"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.792969286441803,"wiki_prob":0.792969286441803,"text":"Publish Date: 11 August 2019 - 13:19\nThe anniversary martyrdom of martyr Hussain Lashgari\nMartyr Hussain Lashgari was born in Qazvin on 1952. He really loved to be a pilot. Finally he was graduated on 1977. As he finished the training courses at the Islamic Revolution Air Forces in Dezful, Mashhad and Tabriz.\nMartyr Hussain Lashgari was born in Qazvin on 1952. He really loved to be a pilot. Finally he was graduated on 1977. As he finished the training courses at the Islamic Revolution Air Forces in Dezful, Mashhad and Tabriz. He had joined to the country defenders from the beginning of the sacred defense. Finally he was martyred after committing 12 missions and his airplane was shot by the Bathi forces.\nNavideshahed – he had remained at the solitary prison at the first three months of the captive periods. After that he had been kept for 8 years beside 60 persons out of sight of The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement after the acceptance of the resolution the Bathi forces separated him from the other prisoners which lasted for 10 years. Finally he was introduced to The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement after 16 years and moved back to our country on 1998. The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution called him \"The Master of Captives of Iran\". Finally he was martyred at the Laleh Hospital in Tehran on 2009.\nThe Master of Captives\nIt was 11:00 P.M one of the air force commanders came and told me that tomorrow you will receive your military rank by the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, I could not sleep the night. In the morning I woke up at 7:00 A.M, we moved toward the house of leadership. It was 9:A.M that Ayatollah Khamenei entered the office. Suddenly we stood for the respect.\nAt first General Najafi started to explain about the captives periods, as he started to speak about me … Ayatollah Khamenei called me as \"The Master of Captives of Iran\". At the end of the session the Supreme Leader presented my military rank. That was a memorable moments for me in which I cannot forget it at all. It was impossible for me that a captive who had no value some days ago and now stood in front of the first character of the country.\nnavideshahed ، issar and martyrdom ، martyr hussain lashgari ، iaranian captive ، iran iraq war ، baath party ، iranian supreme leader","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line790173"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5750151872634888,"wiki_prob":0.42498481273651123,"text":"Conformance reports\nPublic policy guidance\nMicrosoft / Microsoft Accessibility Blog\nAI for Accessibility\nReimagining the Future of Accessible Education with AI (Part 2)\nHeather Dowdy Feb 18, 2021\nShare on Flipboard (opens new window)\nThis month, the Microsoft AI for Accessibility program is calling for project proposals that advance AI-powered innovations in education that will empower people with disabilities. Through a two-part series, we are highlighting projects we are supporting. Part 1 of “Reimagining the Future of Accessible Education with AI” can be found here.\nImagine you are performing exceedingly well in high school, only to find out that you will have to take one of the most prestigious university entrance exams with a reader who does not fully understand the technical content. This is the story of thousands of students in Kenya and India who are not provided an equal opportunity to pursue the academic courses of their choice.\nThe majority of students who are blind or low vision in countries in Africa, Latin America, and parts of Asia and the Middle East rely on in-person readers and writers to take exams and complete homework. However, this leads to several detrimental impacts on performance, including lack of availability of test readers and writers with domain-specific knowledge, frustrations of test readers and writers during long exams or with unfamiliar material, poor working relationships due to confusion, and lack of communication, among others. Furthermore, local universities have been forced to focus more on technology and reduce face-to-face accommodations due to COVID-19 protocols.\ninABLE, a nonprofit organization in Kenya that empowers the blind and low vision through computer assistive technology, partnered with I-STEM, a not-for-profit company in India that develops STEM technical solutions, received a Microsoft AI for Accessibility grant to revolutionize how blind students take exams.\n“The I-Assistant is an artificial intelligence (AI) solution that gives blind and low vision people an alternative to an in-person test reader and writer with an automated tech-powered conversational experience,”, explains Irene Mbari-Kirika, Founder and Executive Director of inABLE. I-Assistant leverages a custom model built on top of Azure Computer Vision, particularly Text Extraction (OCR), that detects various document structures and layouts (e.g., tables, headings) and processes text, including math expressions. Then a readable and accessible document is created – thereby converting any exam into an accessible, digital format. Using Azure Custom Speech Recognition, Text-to-Speech, and Language Understanding (LUIS), users can intelligently navigate the exam or document and perform context-aware actions, like checking exam status by asking questions such as “return to the question I skipped”, “how many questions have I answered?”, or “how much time do I have left?”\nKartik Sawhney, I-Stem cofounder, emphasizes the strengths of the AI through this work: “We are very pleased that we were able to build a fully functioning prototype with multiple AI-powered components coming together to provide a natural conversational experience to the users. What is even more interesting is that many of the individual components such as OCR and custom speech by themselves have great promise.”\nTo further promote research into content accessibility that was a core component of the I-Assistant project, the project team is sharing an open-source OCR and document analysis dataset so that other teams can build new innovations on top of it.\nI-Assistant’s natural conversational experience considers the specific needs of the blind community while interacting with the computer, such as navigating fast and effectively and accurate speech-to-text. The system provides the blind or low vision student with the same experience as a sighted person, with the added advantages of consistency, accuracy, and comfort. I-Assistant helps blind and low vision students take tests more independently – a true testament to empowering people with disabilities.\nCalling for New AI Innovations\nLearn more about past grantees, how AI works, and the tools Microsoft provides to enable inventors of all skill levels to bring their projects to life.\nAs we look to support novel and innovative ideas to empower people with disabilities in their education journey, AI technology in the classroom is particularly capable of having an impact in these scenarios thanks to advancements in transcription, translation, and language understanding capabilities. Given the importance of accessible curricula and content and the possibilities to advance assistive technology for students with disabilities, there is no better time than the present to reimagine inclusion and accessibility in education and consider how AI technology can:\nInnovatively support the transition from high school to college for students with disabilities.\nMake it easier to learn to use Assistive Technology.\nProvide flexible, multimodal, and personalized solutions.\nProvide accommodations for students with disabilities including those impacted by:\nCognitive disabilities\nIntersectional identities\nMore importantly, how will you use the power of AI to take your innovative idea for the future of inclusive and accessible education to the next level?\nThe AI for Accessibility program offers grants through data science skills, Azure compute credits, and cash to help innovators design and build the future of AI-driven, accessible, and inclusive technology. We support innovative AI projects led by individuals or teams rooted in the disability communities that they serve. Universities, non-profits, startups, and other organizations are encouraged to submit project proposals that leverage AI-powered innovations to build and advance equity for students with disabilities inside and outside the classroom.\nIf you are interested in applying for a grant award, our Education Request for Proposals is open now until the application deadline on March 12, 2021. Check out our application FAQs for more details on the program.\nHow AI is being used to improve mental health\nAI4Bharat’s research on resource scarcity in sign language\nReinforcing our Commitment to Accessibility\nMicrosoft Accessibility Nonprofit Tech Accelerator launches to provide technology and funding support to disability nonprofit organizations around the world","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line120432"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5333130955696106,"wiki_prob":0.5333130955696106,"text":"Special Collections Spotlight: African American and African Pamphlet collection\nSeptember 15, 2022 August 3, 2022 / hornbakelibrary / Leave a comment\nThe African-American and African Pamphlet Collection consists of 20th century materials on African, African-American, and Caribbean culture and literature. The collection spans the years 1905 -1979, although the majority of the pamphlets date from the 1960s and 1970s. The pamphlets are in English, French, and a variety of African languages, such as Swahili, Tsonga, Tswana and Xhosa. Some of the unique publications include a transcript of a 1931 worker’s trial by the U. S. Communist Party on a race-related incident, 1970s university studies on integration, and texts of speeches given by American radical leaders and leaders of African countries.\nThe collection is organized in thirteen series that include; African Culture and History, African Literature, African-American Culture and History, African-European Literature, American Literature, Black Workers in America, Canadian Literature – Poems, Caribbean Culture and History, Caribbean Literature, Desegregation, Race Relations and Racism, Revolutionary and Radical Literature.\nExplore the African American and African Pamphlet collection finding aid.\nTo view any items in the collection visit the Maryland Room in Hornbake Library or if you have any questions, please contact us!\nWhat is a finding aid?\nA finding aid is a description of the contents of a collection, similar to a table of contents you would find in a book. A collection’s contents are often grouped logically and describe the group of items within each folder. You rarely find descriptions of the individual items within collections. Finding aids also contain information about the size and scope of collections. Additional contextual information may also be included.\nNew Exhibit: “…at the crossroads on the path to liberation”\nFebruary 22, 2022 February 21, 2022 / hornbakelibrary / Leave a comment\nCome by the Maryland Room in Hornbake Library to see our latest exhibition “…at the crossroads on the path of liberation”: Changemakers in the Africa Diaspora on display now through mid-March.\nThis collection of material from our archives invites the University of Maryland community to explore some of the revolutionary and transformative literature in our collections created by changemakers throughout the African diaspora who challenged an oppressive status quo. Through both words and actions, these individuals changed the way people thought about race and class. These works present ideas that push us to take a more critical look at our culture, politics and systemic racism. Some of these authors will be known to you and some might be new. We encourage you to visit and to learn more about these changemakers.\nImages from the exhibition “…at the crossroads on the path to liberation”: Changemakers in the Africa Diaspora\nDigitizing the AFL-CIO Civil Rights Department records\nJanuary 13, 2022 January 7, 2022 / hornbakelibrary / Leave a comment\nIn May 2021, Special Collections and University Archives (SCUA) began a three year grant project with Georgia State University’s Southern Labor Archive – “Advancing Workers Rights in the American South: Digitizing the Records of the AFL-CIO’s Civil Rights Division.”\nSCUA will digitize and make accessible online approximately 45 linear feet (or 20-25%) from the AFL-CIO Civil Rights Department records (listed below), as well as 20 – 16mm films from the AFL-CIO Labor Film collection. Georgia State University’s Special Collections & Archives will be digitizing 119 linear feet and some audio recordings from the Records from the AFL-CIO’s Southern Area Director’s Office Civil Rights Division for online access. This project is supported by a Digitizing Hidden Special Collections and Archives grant from the Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR). The grant program is made possible by funding from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. For more details about the grant award visit CLIR’s list of 2020 funded projects and the University of Maryland Libraries’ announcement.\nVoter Suppression: Then and Now\nJune 1, 2021 July 7, 2021 / hornbakelibrary / Leave a comment\nFollowing the 2020 presidential election, the ensuing debates over the integrity of the election and the violence of early 2021, voting rights and efforts to ensure fair and safe elections seem as important as ever.\nThe Brennan Center for Justice’s State Voting Bill Tracker 2021 reports that in just over one month, hundreds of restrictive bills were introduced across the country, some of which have already passed and been signed into law. Georgia, Arizona, Texas, Florida and Michigan’s legislative battles have dominated headlines for many weeks.\nAs debates rage, many have invoked terminology we thought a distant part of our nation’s troubled history, calling these newly introduced voting bills Jim Crow laws. Looking into our past using resources in our collections can help us better understand the ways laws meant to protect marginalized citizens failed. Politicians cloaked systemic bias into law by utilizing coded language and proxies for race to deny people of color access to the ballot.\nLiteracy Tests and Poll Taxes\nGerrymandering & the Attempted Elimination of Macon County, Alabama, 1957\nApril 20, 2021 May 10, 2021 / hornbakelibrary / Leave a comment\nDespite its fundamental political motive–to reshape voting districts in order to benefit the electoral chances of one political party–gerrymandering may be one of the few practices that Republicans and Democrats have in common these days. Although the effects of Republican-led gerrymandering has arguably received more national attention during recent years, both parties have used this practice to gain political advantages. Districts across Maryland, for example, have been redrawn by both major parties during the last several decades. Take Baltimore–a longtime resident in southern Baltimore may have lived in as many as three different electoral districts during the last 20 years.\nWhile gerrymandering has been utilized to both maximize and minimize the electoral impact of different groups of voters, its geographic effect typically follows a certain pattern. The shapes of different districts change every few years as a result of gerrymandering. However, in 1957 in southeast Alabama, the practice of gerrymandering almost led to the complete elimination of one county entirely. The reason? To severely curtail the voting power of African-American residents.\nDespite ever-present resistance from white, pro-segregation factions, including violent intimidation tactics used by white nationalist groups like the Ku Klux Klan, black voter registration in the South rose steadily during the 1950s. A corresponding trend was also occurring in Macon County, Alabama–located about 40 miles east of Montgomery and home to the historically-black Tuskegee University. Whereas only 30 African-American residents were registered to vote in 1930, over 1,000–or roughly three percent of the total county population–were registered by 1957.\nOf course, this trend also created heightened concern among white southerners who feared that black voters would be able to curtail long-standing segregation laws across the region. In turn, they worked with state legislators like Alabama senator Sam Engelherdt to develop and implement strategies to stop the growth of black voters.\nDisenfranchisement in Mississippi, 1954\nOn February 3, 1870, the United States ratified the Fifteenth Amendment to the Constitution. The third and final amendment of the Reconstruction Amendments–enacted in the immediate aftermath of the Civil War to help rebuild the Union and establish a freer society unbound from slavery–prohibits states and the federal government from withholding a citizen’s right to vote based on that person’s “race, color, or previous condition of servitude.” After Iowa ratified the amendment on February 3–becoming the 28th state to do so and fulfilling the three-fourths threshold for amendment ratification–celebrations sprung out across the country.\nAt the time, President Ulysses S. Grant claimed that the passage of the Fifthteenth Amendment “completes the greatest civil change and constitutes the most important event” in the nation’s history. Many other Republicans believed that the amendment would finally guarantee black Americans equal rights under the law. Future president James A. Garfield even declared that the amendment would ensure black Americans control over their collective well-being. Garfield proclaimed, “It places their fortunes in their own hands.”\nNevertheless, because the federal government failed to strongly enforce the Fifteenth Amendment at the state level after the Reconstruction Era, southern states used alternative methods to restrict the right to vote for black Americans. For many decades after the ratification of the amendment, the state of Mississippi became one of the more deliberate enablers of disenfranchisement methods. By 1875, only five years after the passage of the Fifteenth Amendment, members of the Democratic Party in the state developed what came to be known as the Mississippi Plan–a series of measures used to suppress the black vote and keep their party in power. Eventually, these measures culminated in the passage of a new state constitution in 1890, which explicitly disenfranchised black voters through the implementation of poll taxes and literacy tests.\nDisenfranchisement in Mississippi and other Southern states–enforced using voter registration measures like poll taxes as well as violent intimidation tactics organized by racist vigilante groups like the Ku Klux Klan–persisted throughout the late 1800s and well into the 20th century. However, by the mid-1950s, events like the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the emergence of grassroot civil rights groups like the Southern Christian Leadership Conference helped spur rejuvenated calls for actions to protect the rights and well-being of African-Americans across the country.\nRacism as a Political Tool in the Southern Suffrage Movement\nMarch 23, 2021 May 11, 2021 / hornbakelibrary / Leave a comment\nIn 1870, the 15th Amendment stated that “The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.” This amendment gave many men of color the right to vote, though racist state and local governments almost immediately drafted new laws to disenfranchise them.\nAcross the American South, racist politicians scrambled to restrict Black votes and maintain white supremacy. As soon as the federal government stopped enforcing the 15th Amendment after Reconstruction, Southern states successfully disenfranchised most Black men with Jim Crow laws and violent intimidation tactics.\nHowever, as the women’s suffrage movement regained popularity, Southern politicians feared not only that the proposed Susan B. Anthony Amendment would enfranchise Black women voters, but that it would re-enfranchise Black male voters as well. As Congress debated the Amendment in 1919, South Carolina Senator Ellison “Cotton Ed” Smith argued that “the southern man who votes for the Susan B. Anthony Amendment votes to ratify the Fifteenth Amendment.”\nSpotlight on Frances Ellen Watkins Harper\nFebruary 16, 2021 January 28, 2021 / hornbakelibrary / Leave a comment\nFrances Ellen Watkins Harper was an abolitionist, women’s rights activist, and acclaimed poet born in Baltimore in 1825. Born to free parents and orphaned at three, Watkins was raised by her maternal uncle Rev. William Watkins, an abolitionist and civil rights activist, and his wife Henrietta. She was educated at her uncle’s school, the Watkins Academy for Negro Youth. While she was still very young, Harper worked as a nursemaid and seamstress for a white family that owned a bookshop. There, she discovered her love for books and filled her free time with reading.\nFrom there, Watkins grew up to become the first African American woman to publish a short story, and she published her first book of poetry, Forest Leaves, at age 20. Harper went on to publish another book of poetry, many short stories, and several novels, including her most popular work Iola Leroy, or Shadows Uplifted. Watkins’ writing often addressed issues of race, gender, and their intersections.\nThe poem below, “Slave Mother,” highlights the painful relationship between motherhood and Blackness that Harper observed during her lifetime.\nHeard you that shriek? It rose\nSo wildly on the air,\nIt seem’d as if a burden’d heart\nWas breaking in despair.\nSaw you those hands so sadly clasped—\nThe bowed and feeble head—\nThe shuddering of that fragile form—\nThat look of grief and dread?\nSaw you the sad, imploring eye?\nIts every glance was pain,\nAs if a storm of agony\nWere sweeping through the brain.\nShe is a mother pale with fear,\nHer boy clings to her side,\nAnd in her kyrtle vainly tries\nHis trembling form to hide.\nHe is not hers, although she bore\nFor him a mother’s pains;\nHe is not hers, although her blood\nIs coursing through his veins!\nHe is not hers, for cruel hands\nMay rudely tear apart\nThe only wreath of household love\nThat binds her breaking heart.\nHis love has been a joyous light\nThat o’er her pathway smiled,\nA fountain gushing ever new,\nAmid life’s desert wild.\nHis lightest word has been a tone\nOf music round her heart,\nTheir lives a streamlet blent in one—\nOh, Father! must they part?\nThey tear him from her circling arms,\nHer last and fond embrace.\nOh! never more may her sad eyes\nGaze on his mournful face.\nNo marvel, then, these bitter shrieks\nDisturb the listening air:\nShe is a mother, and her heart\nIs breaking in despair.\nIn her discussions of intersectionality, Watkins alienated many white suffragists. She criticized the racism and selfishness of their refusal to support the 15th Amendment. In response, she helped found the American Woman Suffrage Association, which actively supported the 15th Amendment. She was also active in the “Colored Section” of Philadelphia’s Woman’s Christian Temperance Union.\nLater, Watkins helped organize the National Association of Colored Women (NACW). The NACW focused on both black and women’s issues such as women’s suffrage, lynching, and Jim Crow laws, and became the most prominent organization of the African American Women’s Suffrage Movement.\nPost by Rigby Philips\nHistory, specializing in women’s history and the history of sexuality (2021)\nNew Exhibition Online: Get Out the Vote\nWe are thrilled to announce the launch of a new virtual exhibition, Get Out the Vote: Suffrage and Disenfranchisement in America.\nInspired by our collections of grassroots organizations, we used material from our collection to tell the story of voting rights in America, from the founding of this nation to our current electoral climate.\nThe ideal of universal suffrage, or “one person, one vote,” has compelled many to advocate for greater equity and inclusion in the electoral process. Over the years, voting rights have expanded and contracted for many marginalized communities. Election laws continue to evolve in America as citizens demand equitable representation in government and access to the ballot.\nDespite the importance of suffrage in America, voting rights have not always been ensured for everyone. Barriers to voting have led many to advocate for a more representative electorate and to encourage greater participation in local, state, and national elections. Their efforts are crucial to ensure all ALL citizens have the opportunity to cast their ballot.\nVisit the online exhibition, explore our collections, and contact us to learn more.\nWashington, DC, 1 March 1913. Baltimore News American Collection\nUndated.\nBaltimore News American Collection\nNew York, NY, 19 October 1963.\nAFL-CIO records\nUndated. Frontlash records\nAfrican-Americans in the Early Labor Movement\nDYK that labor unions did not allow African-Americans to become members back in the day? Being a member of a union was important to be able to bargain for workers’ rights and fight against the discrimination that black workers faced. Many skilled black workers sought to join unions affiliated with the American Federation of Labor (AFL) between 1881 and 1915. But, white craft union members, who were primarily affiliated with the AFL, were afraid of the competition and didn’t allow African Americans to join. On the other hand, industrial unions were more accepting of black workers.\nThe Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters (BSCP) union members pose with locomotive firemen, ca. 1940. AFL-CIO Photographic Print Collection (RG96-001)\nWho were early allies?\nThe Knights of Labor, the AFL until 1915, the United Mine Workers of America, the International Longshoreman’s Union, and the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW).\nSome black workers allowed to join:\nThe Teamsters, the Cigar Makers, the Hotel and Restaurant Employees, the Carpenters, and the Printers.\nVery few black workers allowed to join:\nThe Pressmen, the Lithographers, the Photo-Engravers, the Iron Steel and Tin Workers, the Molders, the Pattern Makers, the Glass Workers, the Boot and Shoe Workers, and the Wood Workers\nFor more information about the relationship of the civil rights movement and the labor movement, visit our exhibit “For Liberty, Justice, and Equality: Unions Making History in America” in person or online or email us at askhornbake@umd.edu.\nJen Eidson is a Special Collections Processing Archivist in the University of Maryland Libraries.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line973877"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8617110848426819,"wiki_prob":0.8617110848426819,"text":"Liverpool vs Chelsea Betting Tips: Giroud to make the difference in a tight game at Anfield\nclass=”article_teaser__2t5do”>Boasting a strong record against the Reds, Al Hain-Cole thinks the Frenchman could provide the key to unlock a tight encounter for Tuchel's men\nLiverpool will need to dig deep for inspiration when they take on Chelsea at Anfield in Thursday’s Premier League clash.\nThe Reds have failed to score a single goal from open play in their last five matches on home turf and are up against a team that has only conceded twice in nine games under Thomas Tuchel.\nMohamed Salah’s penalty in the 4-1 defeat against Manchester City is the only goal Jurgen Klopp’s men have scored at Anfield in 2021, with the Egyptian star leading the Premier League scoring charts with 17 goals.\nOn target seven times in his last nine appearances, he is bet365’s 3/1 (4.00) favourite to open the scoring against his former club and priced at just at 5/6 (1.83) to strike anytime.\nSadio Mane has scored just five league goals in 21 games since his match-winning double in September’s 2-0 reverse encounter at Stamford Bridge but he can be backed at 11/8 (2.38) to get back among the goals here.\nRoberto Firmino had a much-needed confidence booster taken away when his deflected strike against Sheffield United went down as a Kean Bryan own goal on Monday, although he is available at 15/8 (2.88) to leave no room for doubt by scoring against Chelsea for the third league game in four.\nWith just 10 goals to their name in nine matches under their new manager, the Blues are also slightly lacking in cutting edge as they arrive on Merseyside.\nHaving scored twice in his last four appearances, Olivier Giroud is their 5/1 (6.00) favourite to break the deadlock and available at 6/4 (2.50) to strike anytime.\nThat anytime price could well be a good option considering the Frenchman has scored seven times in 13 league appearances against Liverpool, who have kept just one clean sheet in their last eight league fixtures.\nGiroud is certainly ahead of Tammy Abraham in the pecking order, with the England striker priced at 7/4 (2.75) to score a first league goal under Tuchel.\nMason Mount has hit the back of the net in two of his last four league matches and is a tempting 10/3 (4.33) longer shot to get on the scoresheet in what promises to be a tight encounter.\nClick Here: United Kingdom Rugby Jersey","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1658886"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7700424194335938,"wiki_prob":0.7700424194335938,"text":"Haaretz | Opinion\nIsrael, Take a Lesson From Brexit\nSami Peretz\nGet email notification for articles from Sami Peretz Follow\nDemonstrators supporting Brexit protest outside of the Houses of Parliament in London, Britain, November 23, 2016.Credit: Toby Melville, Reuters\nRay, 65, from Birmingham, England was a keen supporter of the United Kingdom’s departure from the European Union, saying he was fed up with the elites and the bureaucrats in Brussels deciding things for him – echoing a key complaint among Brexit supporters. Every revolution needs an enemy, and for the British, it was the elites in Britain and top EU officials. Immigrants were also viewed as an enemy (of course). The combination of an aloof, disconnected elite and the specter of an influx of migrants taking jobs away proved to be a lethally convincing formula that led to Brexit.\nIsrael's Jewish Fundamentalists are in Power. Here's What You Should Know\n15Skip 15 seconds backwards\n15Skip 15 seconds ahead\n1XChange playback rate from 1 to 1\nMute audio\nAlmost six years after London began the formal withdrawal process, many “Brexiteers” now have “Brexit remorse.” The process has not been kind to the British economy. Inflation is high, growth low and the pound sterling is weak. Bureaucracy has only increased and border crossings are less smooth. Ray is also a Brexit regretter: “The real meaning of it wasn’t explained to us,” he says. The anti-Brexit campaign may have been poorly run, but it’s also possible that Ray and millions of other Britons just didn’t want to listen, since anyone identified with the detached elites is summarily disqualified.\nThis is the situation here with the judicial coup being led by Benjamin Netanyahu. There are elements here that are similar to what happened with Brexit: On one side, elites talking about the dangers posed by the judicial coup to democracy, human rights and the economy; on the other, large numbers of people who relate more to messages about governance, nationalism and strength, and who despise elites.\nIn Britain, the decision on Brexit was made by a national referendum. Here, not only is the judicial overhaul not being put to a referendum, but no expert committee has even been established to examine the problems in the justice system that need fixing. This radical regime change is being made via an opportunistic grab in the Knesset Constitution, Law and Justice Committee and adheres to the pattern of constructing a common enemy and relentlessly vilifying it until it is perceived as the enemy of the people. We’ve just seen all the top politicians, from the prime minister to the Knesset speaker, lash out at the High Court of Justice in a show of support for Arye Dery. This was much more than an ostensible show of support for him. In practice, it was a show of mafia-style threats against the attorney general and the justice system, lest they dare discuss the possibility of declaring Netanyahu incapable of carrying out his duties, in order to reiterate the lie that the people’s elected choice supersedes every judicial and legal consideration. Dery was the first line of defense that the High Court knocked down, but the main issue is Netanyahu and his legal fate.\nA time to strike\nIs Israel already turning into authoritarian Erdogan's Turkey?\nPrime Minister Netanyahu and his far-right allies wage war against the rule of law\nThe high-tech sector’s protest, the speech by Supreme Court President Esther Hayut, the open letters from CEOs, the Black Robes Protest by lawyers, the letter from the former Bank of Israel governors and all the other civil initiatives are very desirable and worthy efforts to prevent the radical judicial overhaul. So, too, are the public protests in the big cities. But these efforts all share one internal flaw: They are associated with the elites, and the message being promulgated by Netanyahu and his far right-Haredi government is that elites, and first and foremost the justice and law enforcement system, are an axis of evil. In such circumstances, even the most professional and genuine attempts to explain and warn of the dangers of the proposed judicial coup are liable to fall on deaf ears.\nWhen educated, well-off people – judges, legal advisors, high-tech workers, executives, lawyers, doctors, academics – come out against the “reform,” it creates an impression that they stand to be hurt directly. But for the most part, they and their children are in good shape – with decent wages, assets and high pensions – and will stay that way even after the judicial coup. The cost of the damage to human rights and the economy, and of the increasing corruption, will mainly be borne by the weaker segments of the public. No good will come to them from politicians being handed more power. The politicians already have more than enough power to address important things like violence, education, infrastructure and the cost of living, with no court standing in their way, and what do they have to show for it? The challenge for opponents of the judicial coup is to get people to listen and to understand the inherent dangers, unlike what happened with Brexit.\nFor Israel's TV News, What Is the Price of Survival?\nScience Discovers: Your Cats May Not Hate Each Other After All\nUnder Pressure From Locals, Far-right Ben-Gvir Orders Arrests in Mixed Israeli City\nNetanyahu Didn’t Orchestrate the Jenin Raid, but He May Still Benefit From It\nBipartisan U.S. Senators Seek to Honor Diplomats Who Saved Jews During Holocaust","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line711949"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6517621278762817,"wiki_prob":0.34823787212371826,"text":"Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2010 Week 05 Hansard (Thursday, 6 May 2010) . . Page.. 2064 ..\nproject scopes and associated cost vary, including shade sails, shade structures, the refurbishment of classrooms, libraries, school front entries and assembly halls, and the construction of new libraries, assembly halls, multi-purpose buildings and environmental centres. The cost will also vary with the extent of furniture fitout which may include, for example, interactive white boards, audio visual systems, and desks and chairs. The cost for these elements differ significantly and it would therefore be meaningless to aggregate as an average per metre figure.\nAt the start of the BER initiative’s implementation, it was decided that all projects would be custom designed and built on site, in consultation with school communities. The size of buildings, design features, environmental design initiatives, the level of fitout and other inclusions such as covered walkways was agreed on a school-by-school basis and therefore differ from one project to another. The project scope was however contained within the funding allocated for each school.\n(2) Prior to the commencement of the BER initiative in February 2009, the ACT Government funded a range of capital improvements, new schools and new facilities across ACT public schools. This included the construction of Kingsford Smith School, new gymnasiums at Belconnen and Stromlo High Schools, the performing arts centre at Lyneham High School, and school refurbishments at older schools such as Alfred Deakin High School, Telopea Park School and Narrabundah College.\nSimilarly, the cost of these projects would be meaningless if aggregated and averaged. In addition, each project is managed and delivered through different construction methods and therefore each project cannot be compared on a cost per square metre basis.\nWith the assistance of ACT Procurement Solutions, the Department of Education and Training delivers capital infrastructure projects on a competitive and value for money tender basis.\n(3) As explained above, cost comparisons are not feasible when such a wide range of project scopes is being undertaken.\nPlanning—Molonglo\n(Question No 893)\nMs Le Couteur asked the Minister for Planning, upon notice, on 25 March 2010:\n(1) What work has the ACT Planning and Land Authority done to meet the Government’s Children’s Plan commitments for Molonglo.\n(2) Have any children been consulted at any stage through the planning processes.\nMr Barr: The answer to the member’s question is as follows:\n(1) The ACT Planning and Land Authority participated on a Child Friendly City Sub Committee of a cross-Government interdepartmental committee that was established by the Department of Disability, Housing and Community Services in 2009.\nDuring 2009, a process to revisit and refresh the ACT Children’s Plan was undertaken. This process involved consulting with children, families and people who","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1141039"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9746028184890747,"wiki_prob":0.9746028184890747,"text":"Jimmy Pitaro Praises ESPN’s Resilience In 2020\nSports TV News\n“While Disney and ESPN both exemplified problem-solving skills throughout the year, they weren’t immune to the negative financial impacts of COVID-19, which led to many employee cuts.”\nThere is no handbook for sports media brands and companies when navigating a global pandemic. For that, ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro and Disney CEO Bob Chapek are proud of the way they handled the unprecedented challenges that popped up in 2020.\n“No one could have anticipated the challenges we faced in 2020,” Pitaro said during ESPN’s annual town hall event, which was held virtually Thursday morning for ESPN employees nationwide. “And it’s times like these where people are often judged. And I promise you that history will show that the people of ESPN delivered . . . and did so with grace and integrity.”\nAccording to ESPNFrontRow.com, Disney CEO Bob Chapek echoed Pitaro’s sentiment, believing ESPN’s parent company “demonstrated unbelievable resourcefulness and creativity.” Chapek highlighted the NBA Bubble as an example, which took a tremendous amount of planning by the league, Disney and ESPN to orchestrate as they crowned a season champion.\nWhile Disney and ESPN both exemplified problem-solving skills throughout the year, they weren’t immune to the negative financial impacts of COVID-19, which led to many employee cuts. The day before Thanksgiving, Disney announced 32,000 workers would be laid off during the first half of 2021.\nESPN similarly had their largest round of layoffs ever late last year, cutting 300 jobs and leaving another 200 open positions unfilled. The cuts eliminated 500 jobs in total from a company that has 4,000 employees working out of Bristol and 6,000 worldwide.\nDespite those unfortunate realities, both Pitaro and Chapek are optimistic for the futures of ESPN and Disney.\n“Likewise, here at ESPN, and for so many reasons, I feel optimistic about the year ahead,” Pitaro said. “At the same time, I’m also realistic about the business challenges we face. The changes we’ve seen over the last few months have, at times, felt sudden and difficult, but I can assure you this strategic business shift is something we’ve been building towards for years, at Disney and at ESPN.”\nBrandon Contes is a former reporter for BSM, now working for Awful Announcing. You can find him on Twitter @BrandonContes or reach him by email at Brandon.Contes@gmail.com.\nRelated Topics:Barrett Sports MediaBob ChapekBSMDisneyESPNJason BarrettJimmy PitaroSports Television\nItalian Soccer Creating Bidding War for Amazon, Comcast\nDavid Price Says He Wants To See MLB On Nickelodeon\n“ESPN has certainly mentioned going up to 12 games or more, and Eli and I held strong.“\nThere’s no secret based on the last two seasons that NFL fans really do enjoy tuning in to watch Peyton and Eli Manning on Monday nights.\nMonday Night Football with Peyton and Eli, affectionately known as the ManningCast, has proven to be a ratings success for ESPN. Monday night’s wild card playoff edition drew in an audience of 1.7 million. That’s an increase of 17% compared to last year.\nThe Mannings spoke to Jeff Beer of Fast Company and Peyton said as much as the fans love watching, the two brothers and legendary quarterbacks love doing the show.\n“One thing I think comes through is just how much Eli and I enjoy this,” Peyton said.\nBut Peyton added that they do care about oversaturating the space, which is why he said they turned down the idea of increasing the number of shows this season from 10 to 12.\n“We laugh a lot. If you maybe go to 17 games, maybe we’re not laughing as much, and it starts to get repetitive,” he said. “ESPN has certainly mentioned going up to 12 games or more, and Eli and I held strong. We just feel the show is better if we keep it to the 10.”\n“I don’t want to see him every week and get his voice memos of breaking down (game) film,” Eli joked. “There’s something to people wanting more, and if we’re on too much, they might not want more. It keeps me motivated.”\nOne of the things that people love so much about the show is just how organic the exchanges between Peyton and Eli and Peyton, Eli and their guests can be. Peyton gets the appeal from fans and knows viewers think of it as meeting up with them at a bar to watch the game.\n“Football is always more fun when you watch it with friends,” Peyton said. “Eli and I get to sit on our couches and watch it together, and the viewers are all of our friends, and the guest is just right there with us. We’re on the couch, we’re at a bar, let’s have a conversation.”\nEli said they do try to make sure things stay focused on football and the game they’re watching when the time calls for it. But he also admitted that he and his older brother are always going to find ways to have fun with each other when they can as well.\n“If there’s great football happening, and it’s a tight game, you want to keep it about football,” he said. “But if it’s a blowout, you have to do something else, maybe tell a story, take a shot at Peyton, you don’t know where that’s going to go. It’s authentic. That’s what would happen if we were sitting on the couch watching the game and it’s a bit boring; I might take a pillow and throw it at my brother’s head.”\n“The 2023 edition of the show was on NBC after the two sides struck a one-year deal back in September.”\nThere’s no hiding the fact that the NFL reigns supreme in TV ratings. Unfortunately for the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, which puts on the Golden Globe Awards, the NFL is too strong to compete against.\nSince the NFL expanded the regular season to 17 games over 18 weeks, and added a seventh playoff team in each conference, in 2021-22, NBC’s obligation to football has taken precedent over its obligation to airing the Golden Globes.\nThe award show this year aired on Tuesday, January 10. On January 8, NBC aired the final regular season game of the year on Sunday Night Football between the Lions and Packers. The game drew an audience of 23.9 million, which NBC said was the highest rating a SNF finale has gotten in six years. NBC carried an AFC wild card playoff game this past Sunday night with the Bengals and Ravens. That game averaged 21.2 million.\nMeanwhile the Golden Globes drew in 6.3 million. That number was down 9% compared to the 2021 ceremony. NBC didn’t air the Golden Globes in 2022 amid a Los Angeles Times expose into the Hollywood Foreign Press Association.\nWith the HFPA mired in scandal and waning interest in their award show, NBC could be done with the Golden Globes. The 2023 edition of the show was on NBC after the two sides struck a one-year deal back in September. So there are questions abound about if NBC will continue to air it. However knowing that even with the expanded season and playoffs, the option to shift the award show to later in January on a Sunday night after NBC has fulfilled its obligation to the league is on the table. But that could throw a wrench in the award season schedule as well.\n“LIV Golf television analyst David Feherty had hinted that the upstart league could potentially have a deal in place with The CW Network for American television rights.”\nAccording to a report from Front Office Sports, LIV Golf has laid out a deal with The CW Network for television carriage in the United States.\nThe deal is a multi-year agreement that will see the tour own real estate in lesser-viewed time slots on the network. A revenue-sharing relationship between the tour and the television network is expected to be struck.\nAfter a standup comedy show in West Palm Beach last week, Feherty reportedly told the crowd “Have you heard of CW? I might get fired for this, but…,” according to report from Tom D’Angelo of The Palm Beach Post.\nSports Business Journal reporter John Ourand had previously reported a deal between the Saudi-backed breakaway golf tour and the network was likely.\nNexstar Media Group — the nation’s largest television owner — is the majority owner of The CW Network. There are around 220 affiliates of the network on over-the-air television stations. Rumors of an acquisition of LIV Golf’s rights come on the heels of The CW Network being linked to the potential launch of a college football bowl game that would air exclusively on the network.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1132579"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5754899382591248,"wiki_prob":0.42451006174087524,"text":"Parting Shot: What's Wrong with The World\nGuest commentary by Postmodern Conservative.\nI won't be posting as often to Liberty Corner in the coming weeks, as I catch up on some offline projects. Meanwhile, let me share my explanation of what's wrong with the world (of politics) in less than 300 words.\nWhat's wrong has to do with human nature. That nature is flawed and it is also unchanging. However the safeguards that were once in place to deal with man's frailties are falling away bit by bit. So the drift to the left has, as you've probably guessed, only increased.\nLeftists dominate politics because they promise more than candidates and officials on the right. It's not what you deliver but what you promise. Leftists can raise the gas tax but they can still promise more programs.\nLeftists have an edge because they cater to people with too much time on their hands: welfare recipients and comfortable ideologues. Leftists, as a general rule, don't like to raise their children. Other people can do that. Now these people have more time to spend on their leftist politics.\nPolitical responsibility is not just a question of keeping busy, but what you keep busy with. For leftists it always seems to be someone else's business. Leftists also offer more perks than conservatives for those who want to spend their time irresponsibly. People can do what they want and the consequences are either ignored or become the justification for more leftist programs.\nLeftists offer meaningless freedoms. Real freedom requires responsibility and has to be worked for. It means that rewards are greater, but they are deferred. Leftists cater to instant gratification. They let consenting adults do whatever they want (except own firearms).\nFinally, the leftist creed offers all the spiritual satisfaction of religion. You can feel better than others without changing your lifestyle. You just need to recycle more stuff. You can worship the earth, but you don't have to obey the Ten Commandments. And any rules that are made are made for someone else (\"not me\"), imposed by means of government programs.\nPosted by Anonymous at 12:45 PM\nCategories: Conservatism and True Libertarianism, Leftism - Statism - Democracy\nClassics on Film: Last of the Mohicans\nWhen watching film versions of great books I am reminded of the old \"classic comics\"—those illustrated presentations of famous literature that were put out in the '50s and '60s. I managed to get hold of one or two ragged copies of them as a kid in the '70s. Of course, there is always the danger that popular presentations of classic stories, abridged in print or film, can result in the dumbing-down of great literature. The Veggie Tales series, for example, goes too far in that direction, turning stories of the Bible and famous novels into silly preschool caricatures. It reveals the tendency of adults to underestimate children. But if done right, movies can give young people a taste for good books, and they can be enjoyable in their own right.\nThis past week my kids and I watched the 1971 BBC miniseries of James Fenimore Cooper's The Last of the Mohicans. Like a lot of British productions from the period it is low budget and you can see them recycling some of the same actors as both British soldiers and Indians. Yet they really did the most with what they had. There are memorable characters and good dialogue. Cooper has Indians declaiming like Shakespearean actors. But that is no more anachronistic than having ancient Romans talking like Elizabethan Englishmen. What matters is the story. That is probably why my kids also liked the 1953 version of Julius Caesar. And there's plenty of well choreographed action in Last of the Mohicans—realistic but not too violent for younger viewers. No doubt because it was a British non-Hollywood production it was true to the original story, more accurate (and I would say probably more enjoyable) than the 1992 version.\nPosted by Anonymous at 8:32 AM\nChina Options?\nEven conservatives are divided on how to deal with China. Most are agreed that it is ruled by an oppressive regime, but they often part ways on how to remedy that. Can China be coaxed along through burgeoning capitalism into accepting a de facto western economic and political order? Or is this just appeasement? According to China expert Lloyd Richardson in The Policy Review (in a book review that was recently forwarded to me), those who benefit most from the controlled capitalism of Bejing are a tiny minority of urban Chinese, not the broad masses in the countryside. Moreover, these Chinese yuppies are entirely beholden to the Communist Party for their tenuous position. Quoting James Mann's book Soothing China, it is possible that in two or three decades \"China will be wealthier, and the entrenched interests opposing democracy will probably be much stronger. By then China will be so thoroughly integrated into the world’s financial and diplomatic systems, because of its sheer commercial power, . . . there would be no international support for any movement to open up China’s political system.\" In conclusion, there may be no easy answers. But it does not help that, in Richardson's view, there has been no honest debate about China for decades.\nCategories: War - Peace - Foreign Affairs\nPoisonous Light Bulbs?\nGuest commentary by Postmodern Conservative\nBrought to you by the same people who helped create the government-subsidized ethanol fuel driven food shortage.... According to WorldNetDaily the new compact fluorescent light bulbs, which are meant to phase out standard incandescent bulbs in 2012, can cause toxic exposure if broken. Mercury vapor from the broken bulbs can potentially result in toxic levels 100 times that considered safe by the EPA. It's yet another example of what happens when the government tries to make decisions better handled by the marketplace. My wife brought this to my attention. After reading the article she looked all over the bulbs and couldn't find anything. Then she looked at the box they came in. There is an easily overlooked warning about mercury and the need to dispose of the bulbs properly at the county landfill, not in one's trashcan. When you consider the loud, colorful warnings on all sorts of other household products this sort of oversight is just a little scandalous.\nIt just goes to show that concerns for the environment are highly selective, no doubt depending on which special interest lobbies are at work. It's rather like the way in which the ill-considered DDT ban of the 1960s has resulted in the return of epidemic levels of malaria in Africa. The propaganda of Rachel Carson's Silent Spring (the original eco-panic bestseller) to the contrary, even the World Health Organization has come out advocating limited use of DDT in households to prevent outbreaks of malaria which are deadly to nearly 1 million children each year, under the age of five in sub-Saharan countries.\nCategories: Climate Change and Environmentalism\nHistorical Bias 101\nStupid bias in books is ubiquitous, but it is particularly obvious in children's literature. There is a reason for that. Not only are most works of popularized history and social sciences low brow, but the level of juvenile books is even lower. For that reason I give my twelve-year-old credit for spotting the obvious bias in The Cold War by Britta Bjornlund, which we got from our local library. Reagan was an \"aggressive\" leader but Gorbachev gets all the credit for ending the forty year standoff of East and West. Ms. Bjornlund also has a pet cat named \"Trotsky,\" so go figure.\nBut there are some good books for younger readers if you hunt for them. A truly first-rate study is Albert Marrin's Stalin: Russia's Man of Steel which was put out by Viking Penguin in the late 80s, and which draws heavily on the work of scholars like Robert Conquest—the British historian who was one of the first to tell western readers about the full scope of Russia's mass murders. I'd recommend Marrin's work for older readers as well. It provides an accurate and unflinching portrayal of the USSR and the man who came to rule it.\nA Guide to Social Graces\n“Every man of any education would rather be called a rascal, than be accused of deficiency in the graces.“—Samuel Johnson\nThe following is a list of social graces compiled by a gentleman of experience, who has offended against most of them.\n1. Don’t invite yourself into the conversations of others. Do not ask “what are you talking about?” or “what are you laughing about?” If people want you to know they’ll tell you.\n2. Prefer brevity to volubility. Keep your answers relevant, and do not go into intimate details when unnecessary. When people ask “how are you doing?” reply “I am fine.” They do not want your life story.\n3. If you find the conversation of most people boring, assume they feel the same about you. The less we speak, the better conversationalists we become, and the more people will prefer our company.\n4. Avoid activity that draws attention to yourself. Do not guffaw loudly or talk at high volume among strangers. Do not assume that the entire world is interested in your cell-phone conversation.\n5. Be observant. Size up the situation and the audience before speaking. Do not act like a talk show host who dispenses opinions indiscriminately.\n6. Do not be unduly helpful. Quiet compassion is more appreciated than ostentatious sympathy. The latter is an excuse to indulge our own emotions rather than to soothe those of others.\n7. Do not spend much time being “unique.” People who make a point of not being boring become predictable in their non-conformity.\n8. Choose your battles. Don’t be a zealot about everything, especially matters of taste. Your judgments will carry more weight the more sparingly you utter them.\n9. Complain less. Most of our trials are minor irritations that everyone is subject to. The amount of sympathy we obtain is inversely proportional to our whining.\n10. Be slow to criticize. Do not offer unsolicited advice.\n(P.S. Point 10 may be optional, especially if one is a blogger.)\nPosted by Anonymous at 11:13 AM\nPoland: Winning the Culture Wars\nPopular culture in Poland is very different from ours. There is widespread outcry over the fact that a 14-year-old girl is being pressured by Planned Parenthood to abort her unborn child. Most Poles find this politically-motivated emotional exploitation reprehensible. See: Poland in an Uproar after Coercive Abortion Pressure Put on 14-Year-Old by Planned Parenthood.\nOn a related note is the story of a Agata Mroz, a 26-year-old champion Polish volleyball player who chose to delay invasive therapy for a fatal case of leukemia until the birth of her baby daughter (April 2008) even though it lead to her death just three months later. See: 2005 Polish Volleyball Champion Sacrificed Her Life for Unborn Child.\nThis sums up what the culture war is really about, more than just ideology or polemics. As Edmund Burke pointed out long ago, the most important things in life are beyond politics and it is these things that define our political values, not the other way around. That may explain why the Poles are more successful in fighting the culture wars than many of their Western counterparts, despite the fact that they have the added liability of a totalitarian past. Nor can it be put down to simply a political reaction. After all, Russia is still a huge mess. The difference is Poland's strong religious heritage which has survived political and cultural vicissitudes.\nFor a related commentary on Polish social conservatism, see our January 24 post.\nCategories: Philosophy - Religion - Science - Pseudoscience, Self Ownership: Abortion - Euthanasia - Gender - Etc.\nBoswell's Book\nOn a more uplifting note, here is a piece about James Boswell's Life of Johnson, a 1,200+ page book I've read through twice, by Henrik Bering in Policy Review:\nAmong the great encounters of literature, none ranks higher than the one that took place between James Boswell and Samuel Johnson in Tom Davis’s bookstore in Russell Street, Covent Garden on Monday, May 16, 1763.\nOf particular interest are [Johnson's] reading habits. Dropping by for a visit, Boswell found Johnson dusting his books, with a “cloud of dust flying around him,” “wearing a pair of large gloves such as hedgers use,” and living up to Boswell’s uncle’s characterization of him as “a Herculean genius, born to grapple with whole libraries.” (When visiting others, Johnson would make a beeline for their bookshelves and lose himself completely, “almost brushing the books with his eyelashes,” as the novelist Fanny Burney has noted.) One of the Life’s nicest images shows us Johnson outside “swinging upon the low gate” of the Thrale residence without his hat, totally absorbed in his book.\nJohnson was a host of contradictions: by turns kind and brutal, stern and forgiving, a subtle intellect which could be incredibly rigid, an intellectual bruiser and a kind and humane man, and for Boswell it was imperative to get the emphasis right (\"The\nUltimate Literary Portrait\").\nPolicy Review always has good political and social analysis. This is the first time I've seen a literary essay. It was enjoyable.\nSlavery: East and West\nIslam expert Robert Spencer writes in First Things how it is unacknowledged that \"Christian principles played\" a big role in the abolition of slavery in the West, which was \"an enterprise unprecedented in the annals of human history.\" By contrast,\nSlavery was taken for granted throughout Islamic history, as it was, of course, in the West as well up until relatively recent times. Yet while the European and American slave trade get lavish attention from historians... the Islamic slave trade actually lasted longer and brought suffering to a larger number of people.... There is evidence that slavery still continues beneath the surface in some majority-Muslim countries as well... (\"Slavery, Christianity, and Islam\").\nPosted by Anonymous at 1:12 PM\nMoral Culture Clash: Europe and the US\nSay what you like about American \"puritanism\" and the rest of it, there are some things we do have over the Europeans, like social priorities. According to veteran Catholic reporter John L. Allen, who provides sometimes sensible analysis for the National Catholic Reporter, there is a huge moral divide between American and European Catholics, and presumably between Americans and Europeans generally. Speaking about a visit to Rome this past April, he noted that\nif the dominant “single issue” temptation for American Catholics is to focus almost exclusively on abortion, the analogous “single issue” tendency within Catholicism in Italy and elsewhere in Europe is the death penalty.\nAlthough my guess is that Allen also opposes the death penalty, like many Catholic leaders, including the current pope, he points out that\nFor American Catholics, this focus on the death penalty rather than abortion can often seem terribly imbalanced. According to Amnesty International, there were 1,591 executions worldwide in 2006, while the estimated number of abortions around the world each year is on the order of 45 million. On a purely quantitative basis, some would argue, there’s no comparison in terms of which is the more grave threat to human life. Moreover, many abortion opponents would also argue that while all killing is wrong, with the death penalty we’re usually talking about convicted criminals, while abortion strikes at the most innocent and vulnerable (\"What\nabortion is to American Catholics, the death penalty is for Italians\").\nIt should be pointed out (and Allen does point out) that opposition to the death penalty on the part of the Church is a prudential option rather than a matter of dogma. Some believe that executing criminals is \"unnecessary.\" I respect those who are at least consistent in being against the death penalty and killing the unborn. But personally I say: punish the guilty, protect the innocent. To me the two are inextricably intertwined.\nCategories: Philosophy - Religion - Science - Pseudoscience\nPlato's Republic Redux\nAnother good piece in First Things is by R. R. Reno who warns that we are coming closer to realizing Plato's utopian design in which the state defines all relationships, not only political and economic, but also social and domestic, with new state backing of same-sex unions. Reno calls it the \"politicization of culture.\"\n[T]he left imagines itself expanding the scope of freedom for all. It seems all gain and no loss. In California, homosexuals can get married, and nobody is prohibiting heterosexual marriage. Everybody seems to be getting what he or she wants. But what seems is not necessarily so. When the state can rise up to redefine marriage, then the counterweight of tradition is diminished, the political instruments of power are emboldened, and our collective liberty is at peril (\"Personal Freedom Without Political Liberty\").\nRichard Scarry Gets Scary?\nActually, Richard Scarry books have be dumbed-down for years, but I only noticed it recently because of my young children. I regret now that some of their older Scarry books have bit the dust from over-use. As it turns out, they were irreplaceable.\nWhat about new editions and reprints? Don't count on it. For example, I own a copy of Richard Scarry's Best Storybook Ever, an original from the 1960s. It's in rather poor shape so I was thrilled to see that it has been re-issued. It's the most visually appealing of all his books with some great stories. But it turns out that the story of the Quebec bruin, \"Pierre Bear,\" is gone. I imagine it's because he is shown hunting seals and turning their pelts into fur coats.\nFor a sad comparison of Scarry's popular Best Word Book Ever between 1963 and 1991 editions, see this. Not only is the artwork altered in the name of political correctness, in many cases it just plain remedial compared to Scarry's originals. Another point made by critics is that the language has been made stupider compared to what kids a generation or two ago were reading. Unlike Scarry, these publishers don't know how to write for children, only overindulged leftist adults.\nLibrary Daycare\nOn my way to work I stopped by my local library to drop some items in the book return slot and found both doors and a couple of windows boarded up. According to some people nearby, kids had knocked them out with rocks.\nIn recent years I've seen the place became a daycare center for kids waiting for their parents after school. I've often encountered gangs of loud and ill-mannered adolescents hanging around the entrance, who like to occasionally hassle and intimidate other (well-behaved) children. I had to up put with plenty of that in my youth, but never around the library. But things have changed, and public institutions seem bent on feeding the problems that plague them.\nPerhaps what annoys me most is the fact that there are multiple computer banks most of which are used by young people to surf the internet or play online games. It's tax-supported entertainment. And considering just how ubiquitous PCs and the internet is today, I can't imagine the justification for it. Pay phones, for instance, have been taken out of most public places because cell phones are so common. And you can be sure all the loud kids at the library have cell phones—it's the only way their parents get in touch with them. Of course, libraries have long provided useless media for young people, like trashy books and magazines and the so-called \"graphic novels.\" When I was growing up in the 1970s and early '80s I liked comic books (when they were still largely aimed at kids) but I didn't expect my library to stock them anymore that I expected to go there to watch television.\nThis is another example of the hazards of \"public\" institutions. If it were a private library, with even a token membership fee, I doubt it would keep out any of the deserving residents—those who are serious about reading and studying—while it might give the rock-throwing juveniles a reason to congregate somewhere else. It's an old lesson of civilization that as soon as you make anything \"free\" you provide an open invitation to freeloaders and riff-raff. The people who really could make the best use of these things are gradually driven off.\n\"Great\" Britain No Longer\nTom Bethell addresses this topic in a recent article for The American Specator. As a British expatriate, he tells us\nI go to England fairly often as I have family there -- a brother, two sisters, and my 95-year-old mother. Otherwise I doubt if I would go back.\nIn particular, he points to socialist-driven economic decline and the related social rot:\nThe same culture war that is being waged in the United States is already much further advanced in Britain. Over there, the forces of resistance are negligible, so the cultural revolution has almost completely triumphed.... The ruling-class embrace of semi-capitalism has brought about the rise in prosperity, but this has been accompanied by mounting social chaos. One of the main indicators is the rise of family breakdown (or non-formation) and out-of-wedlock childbearing. The key enabler of this change has been the transfer of tens of billions of pounds to fatherless households. Only a society wealthy enough to collect and redistribute revenue on this scale can sustain widespread illegitimacy.\nI can contribute some further thoughts: I was told that in the UK people now speak of \"Britain,\" not \"Great Britain.\" I guess it's considered too imperial and anachronistic. But even this small change in usage is revealing. Quite simply, in all the years that I've been to Britain, beginning in the 1980s, I became slowly aware it is no longer the \"blessed plot\" of Shakespeare. Like most Americans, my vision of a quaint, gentile civilization was derived from old film depictions. For that reason I was an Anglophile, and even now I can't quite shake my love of England (or least the England that once was). I like hot tea with milk, Youngs and Sam Smith stout, and most of my favorite authors are English.\nOf course every culture has it downside. When I speak of Britain I am thinking specifically of the English, since they have been its rulers and imparted to it many of its virtues, as well some of its vices. England always had a checkered past: the persecution of Catholics under the Tudors, the ill-treatment of the Irish, the massacres at Culloden, the depredations of the American Revolution, the Boer War concentration camps, to name a few instances. But in general the English have held up pretty well.... at least until the last two or three decades.\nI was reading some comments in Orwell about how, in the 1940s, the English even then regarded Americans as purveyors of decadence. But, to take the example of rock music, the American variety wasn't politically subversive. British rock was. But then it came out of a totally different political and economic climate. (One thing I learned in my travels in the UK was that a permanent welfare class need not be relatively new or relatively non-white. In England it goes back to the 1950s, if not earlier, and is traditionally white.)\nElvis was no saint, but his vices were normal and he was as patriotic as the next American. By contrast the music of \"British Invasion\" was more explicit in its promotion of sexual decadence, drugs and political radicalism. But if hippie scene was bad, the punk rockers of the following decade were overtly nihilistic. It's this punk/skinhead subculture that gradually spread through the UK and into the US. In those years I've seen fringe behavior become mainstream, like body piercing and extensive tattooing, not only of men but women as well. And we got all of this from the UK.\nColin Firth, star of the 1990s version of Pride and Prejudice, said that: \"The English people, a lot of them, would not be able to understand a word of spoken Shakespeare. There are people who do and I'm not denying they exist. But it's a far more philistine country than people think.\" Say what you like, the last great figure in English history was Margaret Thatcher, who embodied all the best qualities of \"Britishness.\" At least she was no philistine.\nCategories: Leftism - Statism - Democracy, Nostalgia - Trivia - Popular Culture\nWill Obama Campaign Set Back Race Relations?\nSo many commentators have remarked on the surprising racial component of Hillary's campaign against Obama, it's hard to add to the pile. But one snippet I picked up yesterday from The American Spectator was indicative. It quoted an aging Democrat harridan screaming:\n\"And the Democrats are throwing the election away! For what? An inadequate black male who would not have been running had it not been a white woman that was running for president!\"\nIt is this sort of racial motivation (which Liberty Corner commented on previously) that has caused discomfort for Democrats and no doubt played into Obama's hands. To sum up, here are some things worth pondering:\n1. As many have noted, an Obama nomination will push many fence-sitters over to McCain. It's the \"racial crossover vote.\" But as I pointed out, these people are superficial, cultural reactionaries, not true conservatives and in most cases definitely not social (i.e., moral) conservatives.\n2. Unfortunately even some Republicans share this racial prejudice. However, amongst both crossovers and Republicans a certain subtlety should be thrown in: often times what is hastily perceived as anti-black prejudice is really just an annoyance with a certain type of black culture and black politics—whining victimization theory and leftist welfare state politics that contains, one might add, a degree of black racist assumptions, whether conscious or not. (In my own place of work it is notable that when blacks speak of \"diversity\" what they often mean is a pro-black emphasis, blatantly ignoring Asians, Latinos, etc.)\n3. Despite his ambiguous March 18 speech on race, with some sensible statements thrown in, Obama failed to divest himself completely of the biased liberal race agenda.\n4. In the short term a liberal black candidacy will favor McCain, possibly winning him an election that previously seemed out of reach due to the controversies surrounding the Bush administration. Note my emphasis, because a black conservative candidate would presumably pick up many black votes as well as most white conservative votes.\n5. In the long term, because of the clannish attitude of the majority of blacks (see previous comments) the election could become as racially divisive as the Rodney King and O.J. Simpson trials of the 1990s. They will assume, as they have been indoctrinated to do for generations, that a vote for McCain is a vote against them. This has already happened in the case of Hillary's shameless opportunism in playing the race card for her own benefit.\n6. One regrets that the views of outstanding black Americans like Thomas Sowell, Judge Clarence Thomas and J.C. Watts are not nearly as popularized as those of Oprah, Al Sharpton or, for that matter, Barack Obama. One wishes that liberals of whatever color could heed the words of actor Morgan Freeman who (though no Republican) has said: \"I don't want a black history month. Black history is American history\" and \"Stop talking about race and racism will end.\" Now as it turns out, Freeman has endorsed Obama, but at least, as he was keen to point out, it wasn't for racial reasons.\n7. One last thought: a positive development could come out of this if enough minorities like Asians and Latinos were to clearly favor McCain, then what at first sight seems a rehash of ideologically driven black favoritism might finally give way to a more sensible (in fact equitable) view on race relations.\nGuest post by Postmodern Conservative.\nToday I had to take an online employee harassment seminar which, to some, might seem a form of harassment itself. Joking aside, much of it was common sense. The things that had to do with sexual harassment are questions of basic morality. My workplace is very conservative in that regard, partly because of the nature of the industry—a professional services firm—and partly because (I am guessing) the more traditional region I live in (the South).\nLikeminded individuals will say that not only are unsolicited sexual actions disagreeable, but so are \"welcome\" ones. The same goes for dirty jokes, etc. A couple of years ago my supervisor, an aging frat boy, tried to show me an online striptease game. I passed on it saying, \"No thanks, I've already got one naked woman in my life,\" since I'm a married man.\nNo doubt modern sensitivities about this sort of thing are probably an improvement on the culture of twenty or thirty years ago. But with the good comes the bad, especially in our ideologically-driven workplace. One example was given in the slideshow of a man dating another man and how co-workers expressed their dislike... not persecution, mind you, but just quiet disapproval. But even that's frowned upon. This goes to show that with many HR issues, it is an agenda that is being promoted that demands not just \"tolerance\" but acceptance. Fortunately, the very mentality that makes our firm conservative on male-female relationships have also keep this sort of thought-policing at bay.... at least for the moment.\nFinally, I just had to laugh when I read in the online quiz that a party given to a 40-year-old, which joked about someone being \"over the hill\" and \"ready for retirement,\" might be considered age discrimination.... at least for someone with no sense of humor. I'm now 41 and I honestly never thought of myself as belonging to a protected category. Too bad!\nCategories: Affirmative Action - Immigration - Race","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1725811"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5728164911270142,"wiki_prob":0.42718350887298584,"text":"Patrick Murray, Director\nNational Legislative Service\nVeterans of Foreign Wars of the United States\nBefore the\nCommittee on Veterans’ Affairs\nWith Respect To\nChairman Takano, Ranking Member Roe, and members of the committee, on behalf of the men and women of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States (VFW) and its Auxiliary, thank you for the opportunity to provide views on these important pieces of legislation.\nEliminating suicide among our nation’s veterans continues to be a top priority for the VFW. The most recent analysis of veteran suicide data found suicide has remained fairly consistent within the veteran community in recent years. An average of 20 veterans and service members die by suicide every day. While this number must be reduced to zero, it is worth noting that the number of veterans who die by suicide has remained consistent in recent years, while non-veteran suicides have continued to increase.\nThe Government Accountability Office has identified several key barriers that deter veterans from seeking mental health care. These include stigma, lack of understanding or awareness of the potential for improvement, lack of child care or transportation, and work or family commitments. Early intervention and timely access to mental health care can greatly improve quality of life, promote recovery, prevent suicide, obviate long-term health consequences, and minimize the disabling effects of mental illness.\nThe VFW is proud to have partnered with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and community and corporate partners to raise awareness of mental health conditions, foster community engagement, improve research, and provide intervention for those affected by invisible injuries and emotional stress through the VFW Mental Wellness Campaign. Since Fall 2016, nearly 300 VFW posts around the world and 13,000 volunteers have successfully reached 25,000 people in the past four “A Day to Change Direction” events, hosted in partnership with Give an Hour’s Campaign to Change Direction.\nThe focus of the VFW’s Mental Wellness Campaign is to teach veterans and caregivers how to identify when they or their loved ones are experiencing the signs of emotional suffering–– personality change, agitation, being withdrawn, poor self-care, and hopelessness. In an effort to destigmatize mental health, participants are informed that mental health conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are common reactions to abnormal experiences.\nThe goal is to also reduce the number of veterans who die by suicide each day without having contacted VA health care services. Research indicates that veterans who do not use VA for their health care are at an increased risk of suicide. This comes as no surprise to the VFW, as our members have continuously informed us that they prefer VA health care because of the high-quality and veteran-centric care VA provides. To better assist all veterans, veterans service organizations, VA, and Congress must know more about the two-thirds of veterans who die by suicide each day without any contact with VA.\nThat is exactly why this discussion today is so important. The John Scott Hannon or COMPACT Act is aggressively seeking to change the focus on suicide prevention from previous years. Continually pursuing the same solutions and expecting different results was not working. Exploring solutions with community partners, engaging in holistic programs that do not require pharmaceuticals, seeking to draw in more veterans through expanded eligibility, and rigorous studies to determine as many quantitative factors that lead to suicide as possible are just some of the proposals discussed today that may finally help decrease the number of veteran suicides.\nH.R. 8084, Lethal Means Safety Training Act\nThe VFW supports the intent of this bill as it aligns with the President’s Roadmap to Empower Veterans and End a National Tragedy of Suicide (PREVENTS). We support lethal means interventions as an important step in reducing veteran suicide. However, to what extent should VA provide the mandatory training? Requiring such training to all other VA employees, as directed by the Secretary of VA, may be too heavy of a lift. We fear Veterans Health Administration (VHA) frontline employees will not receive this training with the urgency that it was intended, and non-VHA employees will find it unnecessary and useless in their line of work.\nAt the VFW, we know the value of lethal means prevention. Any separation of the individual veteran with time and distance to their own lethal means is an important step in preventing a fatal decision. We have a coworker whom many of us at the VFW call a friend, who might not be here if lethal means intervention had not been discussed with him. After difficult bouts of post-traumatic stress following years of service and a deployment overseas, our friend was at a critical point in his life and realized he needed serious help. One of the first steps he needed to take was to give his weapons to his father to temporarily hold until he was better. The very real fear being he might not still be here today if he had access to his firearms during some of his more difficult times.\nOur friend received the help he needed, had his firearms returned to him when he was ready, and as he states it, is “as regular of a functioning redneck as ever.” I cannot personally think of another individual who is more passionate about their mission of helping veterans and a leader in our community, and if not for lethal means intervention we might not have our friend with us here today.\nOur organization embraces the importance of lethal means intervention, and understands firsthand the effect it can have on a veteran during a period of crisis. Had the right intervention not taken place, we could be without a valued leader, coworker, and friend at the VFW. We say this all while cautioning the expansion of this important training. For those VA employees who interact with patients and are trained in patient evaluation, this training could be a life-saving tool in their toolboxes. For individuals who are not trained in these same evaluation skills, lethal means discussions could be cumbersome and unnecessary, and possibly lead to unintended negative interactions with VA patients if not performed correctly. We recognize the value of lethal means training, but think it should be applied more judiciously, and not spread widely to so many people immediately.\nDiscussion Draft, ACCESS Act\nThe VFW recognizes the potential barrier to some veterans seeking emergency mental health care is financially driven, which could be caused by different eligibility criteria. The VFW lauds Congress and VA for recent action to expand VA mental health care services to recently discharged veterans and veterans with Other Than Honorable discharges. VA also has the ability to treat any veteran who is not eligible for VA care through its humanitarian care authority under section 1784 of title 38, United States Code (U.S.C.). However, VA is required to charge veterans the full cost of urgent or emergent mental health care. It is understandable for VA to bill other health insurance for such care, but VA must not be required to place an undue burden on veterans who have survived a mental health crisis, particularly because financial instability is often a contributing factor to mental health crises.\nThe VFW worked with a veteran who was rushed to a VA hospital during a mental health crisis caused by untreated bipolar disorder and depression. The veteran was admitted to the medical center’s inpatient mental health care clinic for two weeks, despite not being eligible for VA health care. VA saved his life, but he then had a $20,000 bill. His mental health crisis was exacerbated by unemployment and his inability to provide for his family. With proper treatment he was able to return to work, but still lacked the resources to pay the VA bill. The VFW worked to have his bill waived, but he will never return to VA if he has another mental health crisis.\nThe fear of being turned down or billed for care should never prevent a veteran from seeking the urgent or emergent VA mental health care they need. Congress must amend section 1784 of title 38, U.S.C., to exempt those who have worn our nation’s uniform who receive urgent or emergent mental health care under VA’s humanitarian care authority from having to pay the full cost of such care.\nThe VFW is also open to expanding eligibility of care for certain discharge categories, as was done for veterans with Other Than Honorable discharges. However, the VFW will not support a provision that would allow for this care to be delivered to ex-service members who have a Dishonorable Discharge from the military. There are certain veterans who served their country and made mistakes, and we feel those veterans should still have a home at VA during times of need, but ex-service members who were dishonorably discharged should not be afforded those same services and protections.\nA suggestion to simplify who can and cannot receive VA care is to change the classification of discharges within VA definitions to mirror those of current Department of Defense discharges. VA recognizes Honorable, General, and Dishonorable as discharge categories. The VFW suggests prohibiting Dishonorable Discharged ex-service members as is currently practiced, but not considering Other Than Honorable, and Bad Conduct Discharge the same as Dishonorable. Allow VA to consider the separate discharge statuses and apply different eligibility standards for each separate category, rather than group them all together.\nH.R. 7469, Modernizing Veterans’ Healthcare Eligibility Act\nThe VFW cannot support this proposal at this time. While we agree VA’s eligibility standards may not be perfect and could be improved or streamlined, we do not think a complete overhaul of the system is called for at this point. We also do not think a proposed commission is the way to accomplish that goal. Commissions like the one described in this proposal are needed when subject matter experts are required for an issue and an outside commission is established. The VFW feels if changes are needed for eligibility, there is more than enough knowledge and expertise between veterans’ stakeholders, Congress, and veteran health providers, that an expert commission is unnecessary. Additionally, a major issue we have with the proposed goal is it is too vague.\nTypically, we would like to see a proposal have a specific directive, examples such as diminished or expanded eligibility, or to consolidate priority groups. We think the mission of the proposed commission is not narrowly defined, which could lead to creating solutions for problems that do not exist. The VFW welcomes the discussion to improve care and access to care by modifying existing eligibility requirements, especially for emergency situations, but does not think the entire system needs an overhaul.\nH.R. 6092, Veteran’s Prostate Cancer Treatment and Research Act\nThe VFW supports this proposal to expand knowledge and treatment provisions within VA to help combat prostate cancer. We are encouraged this proposal would require VA to partner with organizations pursuing similar goals in order to combine efforts to ultimately defeat this disease. The VFW also supports more studies and ways to acquire demographic information such as age, race, socioeconomic status, exposure risks, and genetic risks, to develop better, evidence-based screening procedures.\nH.R. 7879, VA Telehealth Expansion Act; H.R. 7888, REACH VET Reporting Act; H.R. 7964, Peer Support for Veteran Families Act; H.R. 8033, Access to Suicide Prevention Coordinators Act; H.R. 8107, VA Emergency Department Safety Planning Act; H.R. 8108, To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to develop clinical practice guidelines for the treatment of serious mental illnesses; H.R. 8130, To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct an assessment of the capacity of peer specialist of the Department of Veterans Affairs who are women; H.R. 8144, VA Mental Health Staffing Act; H.R. 8147, To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to expand an existing pilot program, and to establish a new pilot program, related to complementary and integrative health services for veterans; H.R. 8148, VA Data Analytics and Technology Assistance Act; H.R. 8149, VA Precision Medicine Act; Discussion Draft, VA ECHO (Expanded Care Hours) Act; Discussion Draft, VA High Altitude and Suicide Research Act; Discussion Draft, VA Research Technology Act\nThe VFW supports many of the bills and provisions within the drafts that reflect the Senate passed version of S. 785, Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act of 2019. This comprehensive legislation touches on multiple aspects of a veteran’s health and well-being utilizing an ecological model approach. Ensuring proper mental health care workforce ratio and hiring plans, improving accommodation by extending hours, and expanding complementary and integrative health services are ways to enable a veteran on an intrapersonal level. Education and peer support for family members of a veteran empowers the veteran’s immediate support system. Assessing current programs on their effectiveness, involving academic institutions for statistical analyses and data evaluation––including institutional review boards outside of VA––and implementing evidence-based research programs involve both communities and other organizations. In order to reduce the stigma around mental health and support the veteran population, care should be taken to pursue programs that are valuable and remove those that waste resources.\nEliminating suicide among our nation’s veterans continues to be a top priority of the VFW. The VFW does not have a specific resolution regarding each piece of legislation. However, one VFW resolution strongly urges VA to continue to adequately staff VA mental health treatment and research programs and dedicate adequate resources to address the alarming rate at which veterans die by suicide.\nOut of the more than 6,900 veterans who participated in the VFW’s recent “Our Care” survey, 31 percent of respondents stated they use VA health benefits to receive mental health care. Women veterans also reported they are more likely to receive VA mental health care than male veterans by nearly 44 percent versus 31 percent, respectfully. Only six percent of veterans stated they received mental health care through community care. When asked about noticeable improvements at their VA medical center, 74 percent responded they had seen improvements within the past year or that no improvements were needed, while 26 percent reported not seeing any progress, but stated that improvements are needed.\nThe VFW concluded that VA’s ongoing transformation to streamline and improve access to VA health care has improved. Since our last report, more veterans would recommend VA care to their fellow veterans. While VA health care is trending in the right direction, the VFW knows this is why we need to continue the momentum. The veteran suicide rate slightly decreased over the past ten years, meaning there is still more work to be done, especially in the area of mental health.\nH.R. 7879, VA Telehealth Expansion Act\nThe VFW supports this legislation and is proud to be part of the solution. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, access to connectivity remained a critical issue for rural and underserved veterans. Through Project Advancing Telehealth through Local Access Stations (ATLAS), the VFW has worked with VA and Philips to leverage VA's anywhere to anywhere authority to expand telehealth options for veterans who live in rural areas. More than 20 VFW posts have been identified as possible telehealth centers, with plans to deploy five VFW ATLAS sites in the first phase.\nShortly before March 13, 2020, VA instructed veterans with previously scheduled care appointments to contact their facilities. In May 2020, the VFW surveyed our membership. Respondents were asked how their routine care appointments with VA or non-VA providers were handled after March 13. The survey reported that 47 percent of VA routine care appointments were converted to telehealth, 34 percent were canceled, 10 percent were unchanged, and seven percent were rescheduled. Most non-VA appointments––34 percent––were either converted to telehealth or canceled, 33 percent were unchanged, and three percent were rescheduled. Due to social distancing requirements, quarantining, and the abrupt change to health care appointments, veterans who had access to the proper technology reported they adapted quickly to telehealth. During a recent House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs hearing, the VHA reported an increase in telehealth satisfaction levels since March 2020.\nTechnology is ever-changing and the VFW urges Congress to support VA to stay current with technology while identifying improvement areas. A recent report from the Office of Inspector General (OIG) shows the value technology had in carrying out VA appointments throughout March 15 through May 1, 2020. Although, the report indicated gaps in follow-up and tracking of appointments, and how facilities lack a tracking process associated with these cancellations. Out of the 7.3 million appointments canceled in that short period, 32 percent could not be identified to follow up or track the appointment’s progress. VHA issued a guideline and stressed the importance of tracking cancellations. However, only 55 percent of cancellations included the instructed keyword for future search capabilities. OIG’s recommendation was to develop and carry out a follow-up and canceled appointment strategic plan, and develop tools to properly note a cancellation follow-up correctly. The VFW believes many lessons learned during that period can be evaluated, discussed, and shared across VHA.\nThe VFW is glad this legislation would expand such opportunities through a grant program. Doing so would provide veterans the ability to receive VA health care closer to home.\nH.R. 7504, VA Clinical TEAM Culture Act of 2020; H.R. 7541, VA Zero Suicide Demonstration Project Act of 2020; H.R. 7747, To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to submit to Congress an annual report on the Solid Start program of the Department of Veterans Affairs; H.R. 8068, To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to make certain improvements relating to mental health and suicide prevention outreach to minority veterans and American Indian and Alaska Native veterans; H.R. 8145, VA Mental Health Counseling\nThe VFW supports the above legislation, which would educate mental health community care providers, establish the Zero Suicide Initiative pilot program, evaluate the transitioning veterans program, connect outreach with minority veterans and American Indian and Alaska Native veterans, and create staffing plans.\nThe VFW firmly believes that the treatment veterans receive for mental health via community care should have a similar foundation as if the course of treatment came from VA. Our members trust and urge VA to do more for veterans, including initiating evidence-based pilot programs that could become permanent programs within VA. The VFW agrees with creating an annual report for the Solid Start program. This transparency can shed light on gaps that remain for transitioning veterans. The VFW understands suicide prevention coordinators are instrumental in the efforts to reduce suicides among veterans, and that it is crucial to collaborate with minority veterans and American Indian and Alaska Native veterans’ stakeholders. The VFW supports the plan to address the shortages of licensed professional mental health counselors, and marriage and family therapists, and understand the role veterans’ families play in their well-being.\nDiscussion Draft, Veterans Comprehensive Prevention, Access to Care, and Treatment Act of 2020\nThe VFW supports the intent of this bill and many of its provisions to continue the mission to decrease veteran suicide and strengthen VA mental health services while achieving the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Comprehensive Seven Pillar Approach. Still, there are individual sections of this legislation that cause concern.\nMany of the sections mirror S. 785, Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act of 2019, for which the VFW has voiced support. Other bills that the VFW also supports are integrated into this legislation, namely H.R. 2422, SFC Richard Stayskal Military Medical Accountability Act of 2019, and H.R. 3224, Deborah Sampson Act.\nThe VFW believes that VA grants to entities to provide or coordinate suicide prevention services for eligible veterans and their families can make a significant difference in so many lives. The entities receiving the grants must specify their commitment to coordinate VA clinical services, inform veterans of VA eligibility, and provide the veteran with a point of contact to begin the process of enrollment.\nThe transparency of VA’s mental health professional workforce levels can allow for other stakeholders, such as academic institutions, to gauge the need to fill the gap within VA. An OIG report released in September 2019 found psychiatry has a severe occupational shortage in nearly 61 percent of the facilities.\nThe VFW supports the intent of this bill to help expand the duties and responsibilities of psychologists to fill staffing voids throughout VA. However, we caution that more needs to be done to investigate the justification to expose veterans to a psychologist’s altered role. The VFW continues to support the work being done to ensure veterans are afforded the opportunity to receive complementary and integrative alternative therapies to pharmacotherapy. The VFW feels changing the treatment scope of a psychologist would be a step backward with VA’s concerted efforts to ensure appropriate pharmaceutical treatments. VA must continue to expand research on non-traditional medical therapies, such as medical cannabis and other holistic approaches for mental health care conditions. Veterans want more mental health care providers at their VA medical facilities, but within the scope of their profession and education.\nH.R. 7784, VA Police Improvement and Accountability Act\nThis legislation would improve the staffing, transparency, and accountability of the law enforcement operations of the Department of Veterans Affairs. The VFW does not have a specific resolution regarding the VA Police Force. While the VFW generally supports measures to improve overall training, safety, and transparency at VA, we have not received feedback from our membership regarding these particular issues.\nH.R. 3450, To prohibit the Secretary of Veterans Affairs from transmitting certain information to the Department of Justice for use by the national instant criminal background check system.\nThe VFW supports this legislation, which would prevent VA from transmitting personally identifying information of veterans to the Department of Justice (DOJ) solely on the basis of an individual having a service-connected disability. This commonsense bill would ensure that veterans with service-connected disabilities are not deprived of their Second Amendment right to bear arms without due process of law. The VFW supports legislation that safeguards veterans’ rights under the Constitution of the United States.\nH.R. 3826, Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act\nThe VFW supports this legislation, which would prevent VA from transmitting personally identifiable information to DOJ of veterans whose benefits are paid to a fiduciary without the order or finding of a judge, magistrate, or other judicial authority that such beneficiary is a danger to themselves or others. Veterans who have been assigned a fiduciary should not be deprived of their Second Amendment right to bear arms without due process of law. The VFW supports legislation that safeguards veterans’ rights under the Constitution of the United States.\nH.R. 3788, VA Child Care Protection Act of 2019\nThis legislation would prohibit VA from making payments to child care providers that employ individuals charged with certain offenses. The VFW cannot support this bill at this time because it would deprive individuals of their right to due process of law. The VFW agrees that child care providers that hire individuals who have been convicted of a sex offense, an offense involving a child victim, a violent crime, or a drug felony should not be eligible to receive funds from VA. However, such restrictions should apply only after an individual has been convicted of any of these offenses and not simply charged.\nDiscussion Draft, Veterans Burn Pits Exposure Recognition Act of 2020\nThe VFW supports this legislation, which would concede exposure to airborne hazards and toxins from burn pits. The use of open air burn pits in combat zones has caused invisible, but grave health complications for many service members, past and present. Particulate matter, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, volatile organic compounds and dioxins––the destructive compound found in Agent Orange––and other harmful materials are all present in burn pits, creating clouds of hazardous chemical compounds that are unavoidable to those in close proximity.\nThe VFW continues to hear from members who suffer from debilitating respiratory conditions believed to be caused by exposure to toxic burn pits. In 2017, the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine published a report entitled Assessment of the Department of Veterans Affairs Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry. That report noted a connection between burn pit exposure and numerous health conditions including emphysema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and asthma. An additional study, New-onset Asthma Among Soldiers Serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, published in the Allergy & Asthma Proceedings and conducted by staff at the VA Medical Center in Northport, New York, found a connection between deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan and asthma among the 6,200 veterans reviewed. Many other studies have shown similar evidence of association between pulmonary conditions and exposure to toxic burn pits.\nDespite the volume of scientific research on this topic, veterans face onerous administrative burdens to establishing service-connection for disabilities related to their exposure to burn pits. First, veterans must prove that they were exposed to burn pits during military service. This condition must be met even though most veterans do not have a record of exposure in their official military personnel file.\nNext, if a veteran does prove exposure to a burn pit and, at the time of filing a claim has a diagnosed disability, he or she must obtain a medical opinion to establish a nexus between exposure and that disability. This is nearly impossible. There is no current guidance from VA to medical providers regarding the specific chemicals and toxins emitted from burn pits. This legislation would require VA to concede that veterans who served in covered locations were exposed to a litany of toxic substances from burn pits, which would facilitate the development of claims for disability benefits.\nDiscussion Draft, Ensuring Veterans’ Smooth Transition (EVEST) Act\nThe VFW agrees with the intent of this legislation to provide for the automatic enrollment of eligible veterans into the VA health care patient system. For years, the VFW has advocated for individual enrollment of all eligible veterans into the VA health care system while those individuals are going through separation. This proposal would make that enrollment an additional step in the transition process. Having a seamless transition from the armed forces to civilian life is an important step, and making sure health care and benefits are covered throughout this process is a significant burden lifted off the shoulders of the transitioning service member.\nWhile the VFW supports the prospect of having all eligible transitioning service members enrolled in VA, we do realize that could be a significant increase in VA’s patient capacity. With upwards of 200,000 service members transitioning annually, we see a potential increase in workload with a corresponding backlog due to the new patient influx. Accordingly, we urge this committee to consider including a provision in this legislation that would add internal resources for VA to carry out its purpose.\nChairman Takano, Ranking Member Roe, this concludes my testimony. Thank you for the opportunity to present the VFW’s input today. I look forward to engaging in further discussion with you or any members of the committee on these issues.\nInformation Required by Rule XI2(g)(4) of the House of Representatives\nPursuant to Rule XI2(g)(4) of the House of Representatives, the VFW has not received any federal grants in Fiscal Year 2020, nor has it received any federal grants in the two previous Fiscal Years.\nThe VFW has not received payments or contracts from any foreign governments in the current year or preceding two calendar years.\nFulfilling our Pact: Ensuring Effective Implementation of Toxic Exposure Legislation\nThe Department of Veterans Affairs Implementation of the SFC Heath Robinson Honoring our PACT Act\nVeteran Suicide Prevention: Capitalizing on What Works and Increasing Innovative Approaches\nThe Status of Military Recruiting and Retention Efforts Across the Department of Defense","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1732886"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8462856411933899,"wiki_prob":0.8462856411933899,"text":"More US Stories»\nCourt Tells Museum to Keep Disputed van Gogh for Now\nState Has Kept Thousands in Prison Past Release Dates\nJury Returns Guilty Verdict in Bike Path Killings\nIslamic State Supporter Accused of Meeting With Lindh\nBody Stuffed in Sack Left in Desert ID'd 52 Years Later\nUS /\nWitness: Driver Was Texting Before Crash That Killed 13\nThere's no statewide Texas law against it\nPosted Apr 1, 2017 8:22 AM CDT\nAuthorities investigate after a deadly crash involving a van carrying church members and a pickup truck on US 83 outside Garner State Park in northern Uvalde County, Texas. (Zeke MacCormack)\nA witness says the driver of a pickup truck that collided with a church minibus in rural Texas, killing 13 people, acknowledged he had been texting while driving—highlighting the dangers of sending messages on smartphones while behind the wheel. Texas Department of Public Safety Sgt. Conrad Hein wouldn't comment Friday on whether texting might have played a role in the Wednesday collision on a two-lane road about 75 miles west of San Antonio. But officials have said the truck driver appeared to have crossed the center line. The witness, Jody Kuchler, a 55-year-old self-employed welder, tells the AP he and his girlfriend were driving home when he came across a truck that was driving erratically across the road.\n\"He kept going off the road and into oncoming traffic and he just kept doing that,\" says Kuchler. He says he followed the truck for at least 15 minutes and called the sheriff's offices for both Uvalde and Real counties, telling them \"they needed to get him off the road before he hit somebody.\" Kuchler says he witnessed the crash and afterward, he checked on both the bus and the truck and was able to speak with the driver of the truck, who has been identified as 20-year-old Jack Dillon Young. \"He said, 'I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I was texting,'\" Kuchler says. \"I said, 'Son, do you know what you just did?' He said, 'I'm sorry. I'm sorry.'\" Texas is unusual in that it has no statewide ban on texting while driving. (Read more Texas stories.)","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1665574"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7334043383598328,"wiki_prob":0.26659566164016724,"text":"(REFERENCE COPY - Not for submission) Children's Television Programming Report\nWUAB\nChildren's TV Programming Report\nCurrent Step is General Information\nChildren's Television Information\nDigital Core Programming\nDigital Core Programming Summary\nNon-Core Educational and Informational Programming\nSponsored Core Programming\nLiaison Contact\nReport reflects information for : First Quarter of 2018\nWOIO LICENSE SUBSIDIARY, LLC\nDoing Business As: WOIO LICENSE SUBSIDIARY, LLC\n201 MONROE STREET\nRSA TOWER, 20TH FLOOR\nfcclms@raycommedia.com\nAnn W Bobeck , Esq .\nCOVINGTON & BURLING LLP\nOne CityCenter\n850 Tenth Street, NW\nabobeck@cov.com\nLegal Representative\nRobert E. Thurber , Jr. .\nRaycom Media, Inc.\nBTHURBER@RAYCOMMEDIA.COM\nTechnical Representative\nStation Type\nStation Type Independent\nAffiliated network\nNielsen DMA Cleveland-Akron (Canton)\nWeb Home Page Address http://www.cle43.com\nState the average number of hours of Core Programming per week broadcast by the station on its main program stream 3.0\nState the average number of hours per week of free over-the-air digital video programming broadcast by the station on other than its main program stream 336.0\nState the average number of hours per week of Core Programming broadcast by the station on other than its main program stream. See 47 C.F.R. Section 73.671: 6.0\nDoes the Licensee provide information identifying each Core Program aired on its station, including an indication of the target child audience, to publishers of program guides as required by 47 C.F.R. Section 73.673? Yes\nDoes the Licensee certify that at least 50% of the Core Programming counted toward meeting the additional programming guideline (applied to free video programming aired on other than the main Yes No program stream) did not consist of program episodes that had already aired within the previous seven days either on the station's main program stream or on another of the station's free digital program streams? Yes\nDigital Core Programs(18)\nDigital Core Program (1 of 18)\nProgram Title JEWELS OF THE NATURAL WORLD (digital channel 28.2 on WUAB-DT2 \"Bounce-TV\")\nOrigination Network\nDays/Times Program Regularly Scheduled Saturday, 11:00-11:30AM (1/6-3/31/18)\nTotal times aired at regularly scheduled time 13\nTotal times aired 13\nNumber of Preemptions 0\nNumber of Preemptions for other than Breaking News 0\nNumber of Preemptions Rescheduled 0\nLength of Program 30 mins\nAge of Target Child Audience 13 years to 16 years\nDescribe the educational and informational objective of the program and how it meets the definition of Core Programming. Produced for viewers aged 13-16, JEWELS OF THE NATURAL WORLD is an incredible celebration of nature. Hosted by Nicole Gibbons, this breathtaking series will give viewers a passport to discover some of the most fascinating animals on our planet. Audiences will have a unique platform to see these wild animals up close, observing them in their natural habitat. Jewels of the Natural World will explore natural wonders of the world, including the Great Land migration in Africa of millions of wildebeests. Also, viewers will learn more about the struggle for survival for many of Africa's iconic animal species such as hippos, cheetahs, and elephants. Jewels of the Natural World will uncover these amazing facts of nature and teach audiences more about our fascinating natural world. JEWELS OF THE NATURAL WORLD aired on WUAB's secondary digital channel (\"Bounce-TV\") throughout the 1st quarter 2018.\nDoes the Licensee identify the program by displaying throughout the program the symbol E/I? Yes\nProgram Title SEA RESCUE - II (digital channel 28.3 on WUAB-DT3 \"Grit-TV\")\nDays/Times Program Regularly Scheduled Saturday, 12:00-12:30PM (1/6/18)\nTotal times aired at regularly scheduled time 1\nTotal times aired 1\nDescribe the educational and informational objective of the program and how it meets the definition of Core Programming. This half-hour series features the rescue, rehabilitation and - in many instances - release back into the wild of ocean wildlife. Produced for ages 13-16, SEA RESCUE offers educational and entertaining television by demonstrating the welfare and medical benefits that rescue and rehabilitation programs provide to animals. Viewers will also learn that there's a reciprocal benefit: rescued animals provide valuable insight into their biology and ecology. This information adds to the pool of knowledge necessary to conserve threatened and endangered species. Each week, Sea Rescue will leave its audience inspired by the real-life stories of the featured animals and rescuers and with a fuller understanding of the rich array of sea life with which we share our planet. SEA RESCUE - II aired on WUAB's tertiary channel (\"Grit-TV\") in the 1st quarter 2018. NOTE: SEA RESCUE - II had its last telecast on WUAB-DT3 on January 6, 2018. Effective January 8, 2018, WUAB-TV discontinued its broadcast of the Grit Network on WUAB-DT3.\nProgram Title ANIMAL RESCUE (main digital channel 28.1)\nOrigination Syndicated\nDays/Times Program Regularly Scheduled Thursday, 8:30-9:00AM (1/4-3/29/18)\nDescribe the educational and informational objective of the program and how it meets the definition of Core Programming. ANIMAL RESCUE is a weekly half-hour reality series showcasing spectacular animal rescues. The series focuses on the dedicated people around the world who help sick, injured or abused animals. The program also instructs children on the proper care of animals and provides safety tips on how to care for all kinds of creatures in the animal kingdom. The show is aimed at children and families who want to learn about animal treatment, care and protection. ANIMAL RESCUE aired on WUAB's main digital channel throughout the 1st quarter 2018.\nProgram Title OCEAN TREKS WITH JEFF CORWIN (digital channel 28.3 on WUAB-DT3 \"Grit-TV\")\nDays/Times Program Regularly Scheduled Saturday, 11:00-11:30AM (1/6/18)\nDescribe the educational and informational objective of the program and how it meets the definition of Core Programming. Produced for viewers aged 13-16 as well as the whole family, OCEAN TREKS WITH JEFF CORWIN is hosted by Emmy award-winning television host Jeff Corwin. In this weekly half-hour series, Jeff embarks on journeys to fascinating global locations most people have only dreamed of visiting. Each episode brings Jeff to a unique area of the world where he will explore the area's natural wonders to bring viewers closer to nature, wildlife and man-made treasures. From mountain climbs to deep-sea dives, helicopter rides and glacier treks, Jeff brings young audiences on the inspirational trip of a lifetime. OCEAN TREKS WITH JEFF CORWIN aired on WUAB's tertiary digital channel (\"Grit-TV\") in the 1st quarter 2018. NOTE: OCEAN TREKS WITH JEFF CORWIN had its last telecast on WUAB-DT3 on January 6, 2018. Effective January 8, 2018, WUAB-TV discontinued its broadcast of the Grit Network on WUAB-DT3.\nProgram Title DRAGONFLY TV (main digital channel 28.1)\nDays/Times Program Regularly Scheduled Wednesday, 8:30-9:00AM (1/3-3/28/18)\nDescribe the educational and informational objective of the program and how it meets the definition of Core Programming. DRAGONFLY TV is a weekly half-hour science television series that meets the educational and informational objectives of the FCC's requirements for children ages 13-16. The programs highlight children \"doing\" projects with real hands-on experience and demonstrates practical applications of mathematics and science. It introduces young viewers to a variety of scientific disciplines and challenges them in critical thinking and problem-solving skills, while providing valuable information to reach answers. Each episode is engaging, entertaining and educational in structure, allowing children to investigate science on their own. DRAGONFLY TV aired on WUAB's main digital channel throughout the 1st quarter 2018.\nProgram Title JACK HANNA'S WILD COUNTDOWN - I (digital channel 28.3 on WUAB-DT3 \"Grit-TV\")\nDescribe the educational and informational objective of the program and how it meets the definition of Core Programming. Wildlife expert and animal ambassador, Jack Hanna, brings the viewer face-to-face with the best of the beasts. In this weekly half-hour series that will engage viewers 13-16, as well as the whole family, Jack highlights his favorite animals and adventures from around the world. Presented in countdown style, Jack offers up a different \"top ten\" each week in a variety of categories. What are the top ten fastest animals in Africa? The tallest insects? The biggest eaters? The smartest birds? Jack will answer all of these questions and more. As Jack reveals the categories, he gives further insights and interesting facts about the animals, allowing viewers of all ages the opportunity to be entertained as well as to learn more about the fascinating animal kingdom in Jack Hanna's Wild Countdown. JACK HANNA'S WILD COUNTDOWN - I aired on WUAB's tertiary channel (\"Grit-TV\") in the 1st quarter 2018. NOTE: JACK HANNA'S WILD COUNTDOWN - I had its last telecast on WUAB-DT3 on January 6, 2018. Effective January 8, 2018, WUAB-TV discontinued its broadcast of the Grit Network on WUAB-DT3.\nProgram Title ALL IN WITH LAILA ALI - II (digital channel 28.2 on WUAB-DT2 \"Bounce-TV\")\nDays/Times Program Regularly Scheduled Saturday, 10:30AM-11:00PM (1/6-3/31/18)\nDescribe the educational and informational objective of the program and how it meets the definition of Core Programming. ALL IN WITH LAILA ALI is a weekly half-hour series that delves into the worlds of sports, culture, travel and adventure. Developed and produced for viewers aged 13-16, host Laila Ali profiles inspirational people and showcases their extraordinary achievements each week. In this series, host Ali scours the globe to track down the world's most compelling stories, profiling inspirational athletes, showcasing groundbreaking achievements and extraordinary stories. Exploring the worlds of sports, culture, travel and adventure, this educational program steps off the beaten track into uncharted territory inspiring audiences to go all in on their dreams. ALL IN WITH LAILA ALI - II aired on WUAB's secondary digital channel (\"Bounce-TV\") throughout the 1st quarter 2018.\nProgram Title ELIZABETH STANTON'S GREAT BIG WORLD (main digital channel 28.1)\nDays/Times Program Regularly Scheduled Friday, 8:30-9:00AM (1/5-3/30/18)\nDescribe the educational and informational objective of the program and how it meets the definition of Core Programming. This E/I series features award-winning teen host Elizabeth Stanton and her celebrity friends as they travel around the world exploring different cultures; learning about history, geography, social dynamics, and customs; and reaching out to give back to those in need. Program appeals to young teens and focuses on global, social, educational, and wellness issues. ELIZABETH STANTON'S GREAT BIG WORLD aired on WUAB's main digital channel throughout the 1st quarter 2018.\nProgram Title BIZ KIDS (main digital channel 28.1)\nDays/Times Program Regularly Scheduled Tuesday, 8:30-9:00AM (1/2-3/27/18)\nDescribe the educational and informational objective of the program and how it meets the definition of Core Programming. BIZ KIDS is a weekly half-hour series focusing on financial literacy and entrepreneurship for teens, targeting 13 to 16-year-olds. Using a mix of strong financial education tools, dynamic sketch comedy, and inspiring true stories of young entrepreneurs, Biz Kids provides important information for future success. Each episode features math, language arts, and social studies as well as teaching teens about money and business. BIZ KIDS aired on WUAB's main digital channel throughout the 1st quarter 2018.\nDigital Core Program (10 of 18)\nProgram Title VACATION DESTINATION WITH TOMMY DAVIDSON AND ANDREA FECZKO (digital channel 28.2 on WUAB-DT2 \"Bounce-TV\")\nDays/Times Program Regularly Scheduled Sunday, 10:00-10:30AM (1/7-3/25/18)\nDescribe the educational and informational objective of the program and how it meets the definition of Core Programming. Hosts Tommy Davidson and Andrea Feczko guide one deserving family on amazing adventures as they experience a new destination together on their family vacation. As the featured family embarks on an interactive voyage filled with immersive learning opportunities, each episode brings the audience to diverse locations where the family - and viewers - discover unique cultural events, food, activities, and traditions. From discovering the wondrous glaciers of Alaska to learning from the Moko Jumbie of the Virgin Islands, viewers will witness the importance of spending time with family and friends as featured families experience amazing adventures together, often learning more about each other and their own family history along the way. Teens will also learn the importance of resiliency during challenging times as many featured families share their stories of overcoming adversity, finding ways to bond and heal while sharing these once-in-a-lifetime experiences. VACATION DESTINATION WITH TOMMY DAVIDSON and ANDREA FECZKO aired on WUAB's secondary digital channel (\"Bounce-TV\") throughout the 1st quarter 2018.\nProgram Title JACK HANNA'S WILD COUNTDOWN - II (digital channel 28.3 on WUAB-DT3 \"Grit-TV\")\nDescribe the educational and informational objective of the program and how it meets the definition of Core Programming. Wildlife expert and animal ambassador, Jack Hanna, brings the viewer face-to-face with the best of the beasts. In this weekly half-hour series that will engage viewers 13-16, as well as the whole family, Jack highlights his favorite animals and adventures from around the world. Presented in countdown style, Jack offers up a different \"top ten\" each week in a variety of categories. What are the top ten fastest animals in Africa? The tallest insects? The biggest eaters? The smartest birds? Jack will answer all of these questions and more. As Jack reveals the categories, he gives further insights and interesting facts about the animals, allowing viewers of all ages the opportunity to be entertained as well as to learn more about the fascinating animal kingdom in Jack Hanna's Wild Countdown. JACK HANNA'S WILD COUNTDOWN - II aired on WUAB's tertiary channel (\"Grit-TV\") in the 1st quarter 2018. NOTE: JACK HANNA'S WILD COUNTDOWN - II had its last telecast on WUAB-DT3 on January 6, 2018. Effective January 8, 2018, WUAB-TV discontinued its broadcast of the Grit Network on WUAB-DT3.\nProgram Title EVERYDAY HEALTH (digital channel 28.2 on WUAB-DT2 \"Bounce-TV\")\nDescribe the educational and informational objective of the program and how it meets the definition of Core Programming. In this weekly half-hour series developed and produced to educate and inform viewers ages 13-16, the show's hosts scan the country finding those who \"pay it forward\" to promote health and wellness. The remarkable people that viewers meet are referred to as \"agents of change\" - special individuals who are making big changes in people's lives, one small step at a time. Everyday Health is a series that uniquely raises awareness to fight obesity, raise self-esteem, establish physical fitness habits and prevent negative health choices. An inspirational program about people who confront challenges by taking control, Everyday Health, through captivating storytelling, reports on amazing teens and other selfless Americans who are \"paying it forward\" with goodwill and new ideas that will inspire other teens to take action. EVERYDAY HEALTH aired on WUAB's secondary digital channel (\"Bounce-TV\") throughout the 1st quarter 2018.\nProgram Title ANIMAL TAILS (digital channel 28.2 on WUAB-DT2 \"Bounce-TV\")\nDescribe the educational and informational objective of the program and how it meets the definition of Core Programming. ANIMAL TAILS is a half-hour educational, studio-based variety show for children 13 to 16 years of age. This weekly series highlights various features of the animal kingdom, from household pets to exotic wildlife. Animal lovers of all ages learn about the different creatures of our planet on this informative yet entertaining program. Hosted by comedian Mark Curry, the series explores and investigates animals of all sizes from all sorts of locations. From uncovering the unique ways different animals communicate with each other to discovering how police teams train their canine partners, Animal Tails provides a unique and educational experience for children and their parents. ANIMAL TAILS aired on WUAB's secondary digital channel (\"Bounce-TV\") throughout the 1st quarter 2018.\nProgram Title DOG TALES (main digital channel 28.1)\nDays/Times Program Regularly Scheduled Monday, 8:30-9:00AM (1/1-3/26/18)\nDescribe the educational and informational objective of the program and how it meets the definition of Core Programming. DOG TALES is a weekly half-hour educational/informational series showcasing all aspects of the canine world. The series offers useful information on all kinds of dogs and the people who love them. The program also instructs young viewers on the proper care of pets and provides safety, health and training tips that are useful for all breeds of dog. In addition to showcasing skilled and compassionate individuals helping dogs and dogs assisting people, the program emphasizes responsible pet ownership, compassion for all living creatures and promotes strong personal and community values, all in a manner that is as entertaining as it is informative. DOG TALES aired on WUAB's main digital channel throughout the 1st quarter 2018.\nProgram Title ALL IN WITH LAILA ALI - I (digital channel 28.2 on WUAB-DT2 \"Bounce-TV\")\nDescribe the educational and informational objective of the program and how it meets the definition of Core Programming. ALL IN WITH LAILA ALI is a weekly half-hour series that delves into the worlds of sports, culture, travel and adventure. Developed and produced for viewers aged 13-16, host Laila Ali profiles inspirational people and showcases their extraordinary achievements each week. In this series, host Ali scours the globe to track down the world's most compelling stories, profiling inspirational athletes, showcasing groundbreaking achievements and extraordinary stories. Exploring the worlds of sports, culture, travel and adventure, this educational program steps off the beaten track into uncharted territory inspiring audiences to go all in on their dreams. ALL IN WITH LAILA ALI - I aired on WUAB's secondary digital channel (\"Bounce-TV\") throughout the 1st quarter 2018.\nProgram Title THINK BIG (main digital channel 28.1)\nDays/Times Program Regularly Scheduled Saturday, 8:30-9:00AM (1/6-3/31/18)\nDescribe the educational and informational objective of the program and how it meets the definition of Core Programming. THINK BIG features top kid inventors who face off against each other in an Invent-Off to see who can come up with the most innovative and creative invention. Each episode is set in the Think Tank, a studio filled top to bottom with art supplies and construction materials. Two teams, each led by a Featured Inventor, brainstorm, choose materials, and then sketch, design and build their idea. Once completed, the competing inventions are presented to a judge. The best invention wins bragging rights and the coveted Genius Cup. In this series, kids acquire and showcase their skills in creativity, science, innovation, marketing, design, and teamwork. Think Big is a kid-hosted entertaining series for young people following the world's most innovative kids as they create and invent new toys, games, learning tools, websites, and new modes of transportation. THINK BIG aired on WUAB's main digital channel throughout the 1st quarter 2018.\nProgram Title ROCK THE PARK (digital channel 28.3 on WUAB-DT3 \"Grit-TV\")\nDays/Times Program Regularly Scheduled Saturday, 12:30-1:00PM (1/6/18)\nDescribe the educational and informational objective of the program and how it meets the definition of Core Programming. ROCK THE PARK is a weekly half-hour series produced and designed to educate and inform children 13-16 years of age and taps into America's love affair with our national parks. In this awe-inspiring and entertaining series, our hosts Jack Steward and Colton Smith come face-to-face with nature and some of the most amazing places on earth. Viewers will witness the fascinating underwater world of Dry Tortugas National Park in Florida, which is home to the world's most unique coral and marine life. They'll watch as Jack and Colton raft their way through Alaska's remote Aniakchak National Monument and Preserve, spotting the region's famous brown bears. Viewers will reach new heights as Jack and Colton embark on their biggest climbing challenge yet - the Grand Teton in Wyoming's Grand Teton National Park. ROCK THE PARK aired on WUAB's tertiary channel (\"Grit-TV\") in the 1st quarter 2018. NOTE: ROCK THE PARK had its last telecast on WUAB-DT3 on January 6, 2018. Effective January 8, 2018, WUAB-TV discontinued its broadcast of the Grit Network on WUAB-DT3.\nProgram Title SEA RESCUE - I (digital channel 28.3 on WUAB-DT3 \"Grit-TV\")\nDays/Times Program Regularly Scheduled Saturday, 11:30AM-12:00PM (1/6/18)\nDescribe the educational and informational objective of the program and how it meets the definition of Core Programming. This half-hour series features the rescue, rehabilitation and - in many instances - release back into the wild of ocean wildlife. Produced for ages 13-16, SEA RESCUE offers educational and entertaining television by demonstrating the welfare and medical benefits that rescue and rehabilitation programs provide to animals. Viewers will also learn that there's a reciprocal benefit: rescued animals provide valuable insight into their biology and ecology. This information adds to the pool of knowledge necessary to conserve threatened and endangered species. Each week, Sea Rescue will leave its audience inspired by the real-life stories of the featured animals and rescuers and with a fuller understanding of the rich array of sea life with which we share our planet. SEA RESCUE - I aired on WUAB's tertiary channel (\"Grit-TV\") in the 1st quarter 2018. NOTE: SEA RESCUE - I had its last telecast on WUAB-DT3 on January 6, 2018. Effective January 8, 2018, WUAB-TV discontinued its broadcast of the Grit Network on WUAB-DT3.\nNon-Core Educational and Informational Programming (0)\nSponsored Core Programming (0)\nDoes the Licensee publicize the existence and location of the station's Children's Television Programming Reports (FCC 398) as required by 47 C.F.R. Section 73.3526(e)(11)(iii)? Yes\nName of children's programming liaison Lisa McManus\nAddress 1717 East 12th Street\nCity Cleveland\nTelephone Number (216) 367-7105\nEmail Address Lmcmanus@raycommedia.com\nInclude any other comments or information you want the Commission to consider in evaluating your compliance with the Children's Television Act (or use this space for supplemental explanations). This may include information on any other noncore educational and informational programming that you aired this quarter or plan to air during the next quarter, or any existing or proposed non-broadcast efforts that will enhance the educational and informational value of such programming to children. See 47 C.F.R. Section 73.671, NOTES 2 and 3. Effective at 2:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time on January 8, 2018, WUAB-TV discontinued its broadcast of the Grit Network on WUAB-DT3 pursuant to implementation of a channel sharing arrangement with WOIO-TV. WUAB broadcasts only its primary channel and the BOUNCE-TV network on WUAB-DT2.\nOther Matters (12)\nOther Matters (1 of 12)\nProgram Title VACATION CREATION WITH TOMMY DAVIDSON and ANDREA FECZKO (digital channel 28.2 on WUAB-DT2 \"Bounce-TV\")\nAge of Target Child Audience from 13 years to 16 years\nDescribe the educational and informational objective of the program and how it meets the definition of Core Programming. Hosts Tommy Davidson and Andrea Feczko guide one deserving family on amazing adventures as they experience a new destination together on their family vacation. As the featured family embarks on an interactive voyage filled with immersive learning opportunities, each episode brings the audience to diverse locations where the family - and viewers - discover unique cultural events, food, activities, and traditions. From discovering the wondrous glaciers of Alaska to learning from the Moko Jumbie of the Virgin Islands, viewers will witness the importance of spending time with family and friends as featured families experience amazing adventures together, often learning more about each other and their own family history along the way. Teens will also learn the importance of resiliency during challenging times as many featured families share their stories of overcoming adversity, finding ways to bond and heal while sharing these once-in-a-lifetime experiences. VACATION DESTINATION WITH TOMMY DAVIDSON and ANDREA FECZKO will air on WUAB's secondary channel (\"Bounce-TV\") in the 2nd quarter 2018.\nDescribe the educational and informational objective of the program and how it meets the definition of Core Programming. This E/I series features award-winning teen host Elizabeth Stanton and her celebrity friends as they travel around the world exploring different cultures; learning about history, geography, social dynamics, and customs; and reaching out to give back to those in need. Program appeals to young teens and focuses on global, social, educational, and wellness issues. ELIZABETH STANTON'S GREAT BIG WORLD will air on WUAB's main digital channel in the 2nd quarter 2018.\nDescribe the educational and informational objective of the program and how it meets the definition of Core Programming. DOG TALES is a weekly half-hour educational/informational series showcasing all aspects of the canine world. The series offers useful information on all kinds of dogs and the people who love them. The program also instructs young viewers on the proper care of pets and provides safety, health and training tips that are useful for all breeds of dog. In addition to showcasing skilled and compassionate individuals helping dogs and dogs assisting people, the program emphasizes responsible pet ownership, compassion for all living creatures and promotes strong personal and community values, all in a manner that is as entertaining as it is informative. DOG TALES will air on WUAB's main channel in the 2nd quarter 2018.\nDescribe the educational and informational objective of the program and how it meets the definition of Core Programming. Produced for viewers aged 13-16, JEWELS OF THE NATURAL WORLD is an incredible celebration of nature. Hosted by Nicole Gibbons, this breathtaking series will give viewers a passport to discover some of the most fascinating animals on our planet. Audiences will have a unique platform to see these wild animals up close, observing them in their natural habitat. Jewels of the Natural World will explore natural wonders of the world, including the Great Land migration in Africa of millions of wildebeests. Also, viewers will learn more about the struggle for survival for many of Africa's iconic animal species such as hippos, cheetahs, and elephants. Jewels of the Natural World will uncover these amazing facts of nature and teach audiences more about our fascinating natural world. JEWELS OF THE NATURAL WORLD will air on WUAB's secondary digital channel (\"Bounce-TV\") in the 2nd quarter 2018.\nDescribe the educational and informational objective of the program and how it meets the definition of Core Programming. DRAGONFLY TV is a weekly half-hour science television series that meets the educational and informational objectives of the FCC's requirements for children ages 13-16. The programs highlight children \"doing\" projects with real hands-on experience and demonstrates practical applications of mathematics and science. It introduces young viewers to a variety of scientific disciplines and challenges them in critical thinking and problem-solving skills, while providing valuable information to reach answers. Each episode is engaging, entertaining and educational in structure, allowing children to investigate science on their own. DRAGONFLY TV will air on WUAB's main channel in the 2nd quarter 2018.\nDescribe the educational and informational objective of the program and how it meets the definition of Core Programming. ALL IN WITH LAILA ALI is a weekly half-hour series that delves into the worlds of sports, culture, travel, and adventure. Developed and produced for viewers aged 13-16, host Laila Ali profiles inspirational people and showcases their extraordinary achievements each week. In this series, host Ali scours the globe to track down the world's most compelling stories, profiling inspirational athletes, showcasing groundbreaking achievements and extraordinary stories. Exploring the worlds of sports, culture, travel, and adventure, this educational program steps off the beaten track into uncharted territory inspiring audiences to go all in on their dreams. ALL IN WITH LAILA ALI - I will air on WUAB's secondary digital channel (\"Bounce-TV\") in the 2nd quarter 2018.\nDescribe the educational and informational objective of the program and how it meets the definition of Core Programming. ANIMAL TAILS is a half-hour educational, studio-based variety show for children 13 to 16 years of age. This weekly series highlights various features of the animal kingdom, from household pets to exotic wildlife. Animal lovers of all ages learn about the different creatures of our planet on this informative yet entertaining program. Hosted by comedian Mark Curry, the series explores and investigates animals of all sizes from all sorts of locations. From uncovering the unique ways different animals communicate with each other to discovering how police teams train their canine partners, Animal Tails provides a unique and educational experience for children and their parents. ANIMAL TAILS will air on WUAB's secondary channel (\"Bounce-TV\") in the 2nd quarter 2018.\nDescribe the educational and informational objective of the program and how it meets the definition of Core Programming. BIZ KIDS is a weekly half-hour series focusing on financial literacy and entrepreneurship for teens, targeting 13 to 16-year-olds. Using a mix of strong financial education tools, dynamic sketch comedy, and inspiring true stories of young entrepreneurs, Biz Kids provides important information for future success. Each episode features math, language arts, and social studies as well as teaching teens about money and business. BIZ KIDS will air on WUAB's main channel in the 2nd quarter 2018.\nDescribe the educational and informational objective of the program and how it meets the definition of Core Programming. ALL IN WITH LAILA ALI is a weekly half-hour series that delves into the worlds of sports, culture, travel, and adventure. Developed and produced for viewers aged 13-16, host Laila Ali profiles inspirational people and showcases their extraordinary achievements each week. In this series, host Ali scours the globe to track down the world's most compelling stories, profiling inspirational athletes, showcasing groundbreaking achievements and extraordinary stories. Exploring the worlds of sports, culture, travel, and adventure, this educational program steps off the beaten track into uncharted territory inspiring audiences to go all in on their dreams. ALL IN WITH LAILA ALI - II will air on WUAB's secondary digital channel (\"Bounce-TV\") in the 2nd quarter 2018.\nOther Matters (10 of 12)\nDescribe the educational and informational objective of the program and how it meets the definition of Core Programming. In this weekly half-hour series developed and produced to educate and inform viewers ages 13-16, the show's hosts scan the country finding those who \"pay it forward\" to promote health and wellness. The remarkable people that viewers meet are referred to as \"agents of change\" - special individuals who are making big changes in people's lives, one small step at a time. Everyday Health is a series that uniquely raises awareness to fight obesity, raise self-esteem, establish physical fitness habits, and prevent negative health choices. An inspirational program about people who confront challenges by taking control, Everyday Health (through captivating storytelling) reports on amazing teens and other selfless Americans who are \"paying it forward\" with goodwill and new ideas that will inspire other teens to take action. EVERYDAY HEALTH will air on WUAB's secondary channel (\"Bounce-TV\") in the 2nd quarter 2018.\nDescribe the educational and informational objective of the program and how it meets the definition of Core Programming. ANIMAL RESCUE is a weekly half-hour reality series showcasing spectacular animal rescues. The series focuses on the dedicated people around the world who help sick, injured or abused animals. The program also instructs children on the proper care of animals and provides safety tips on how to care for all kinds of creatures in the animal kingdom. The show is aimed at children and families who want to learn about animal treatment, care and protection. ANIMAL RESCUE will air on WUAB's main digital channel in the 2nd quarter 2018.\nDescribe the educational and informational objective of the program and how it meets the definition of Core Programming. THINK BIG features top kid inventors who face off against each other in an Invent-Off to see who can come up with the most innovative and creative invention. Each episode is set in the Think Tank, a studio filled top to bottom with art supplies and construction materials. Two teams, each led by a Featured Inventor, brainstorm, choose materials, and then sketch, design and build their idea. Once completed, the competing inventions are presented to a judge. The best invention wins bragging rights and the coveted Genius Cup. In this series, kids acquire and showcase their skills in creativity, science, innovation, marketing, design, and teamwork. Think Big is a kid-hosted entertaining series for young people following the world's most innovative kids as they create and invent new toys, games, learning tools, websites, and new modes of transportation. THINK BIG will air on WUAB's main digital channel in the 2nd quarter 2018.\nThe undersigned certifies that he or she is (a) the party filing the Children's Television Programming, or an officer, director, member, partner, trustee, authorized employee, or other individual or duly elected or appointed official who is authorized to sign on behalf of the party filing the Children's Television Programming; or (b) an attorney qualified to practice before the Commission under 47 C.F.R. Section 1.23(a), who is authorized to represent the party filing the Children's Television Programming, and who further certifies that he or she has read the document; that to the best of his or her knowledge, information,and belief there is good ground to support it; and that it is not interposed for delay.\nErik Schrader\nVice President/General Manager\nNo Attachments.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1730186"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8447679281234741,"wiki_prob":0.8447679281234741,"text":"TJ Yale: Movement Is In My DNA\nCross-training and dance may not be terms automatically associated with one another, but TJ says tools like the TRX Suspension Trainer have helped him create greater stability and improve his overall dance skills.\nAdaptive Athlete Rustin Hughes Feels Stronger Than Ever Reading TJ Yale: Movement Is In My DNA 4 minutes Next Surfer Jamel Ramiro Finds Stillness in the Waves\nBy Robyn Cain Apr 14, 2021\n“I'd always dance up and down the grocery aisles,” TJ Yale recalls of his early childhood years in Damascus, Ore. Yale's parents, looking for an outlet for their five-year-old’s creativity and energy, responded by enrolling him in ballet and tap lessons. “I was fortunate to have parents who were able to put me in dance classes,” he said.\nTJ thrived in dance, and stuck with it. In middle school, a judge at a competition suggested that TJ’s parents enroll him in a special performing arts school in Portland. He spent the rest of his school years dancing hours each day as part of magnet programs and the Jefferson Dancers—the longest-running dance company in Portland—before continuing on to Los Angeles, New York. and Tokyo after graduation. Today, located back home in Oregon, TJ is a dancer, choreographer, and instructor at the program that helped shape him.\nBallet, tap, jazz, hip hop, African modern: you name it, TJ’s done it. And now, he gets to pass his love of movement to a new generation of dancers.\n“It was a good transition. I got to do some commercial work and that sort of thing, but getting to take everything that I've learned from all of my teachers and give back is a pretty cool feeling; especially when you see a kid get really excited about a step, or you see them struggling with something for so long, and they finally get it,” he said.\nWhile dance is an art form, it also requires strength, stamina, and athleticism—much like basketball or soccer. “It should be considered a sport,” TJ said. “You're engaging all these different muscles, and you're using different types of breathing. Not only do you need brute strength in dance, but you need strength that's going to give you longevity. We train our bodies to be able to perform at a peak level, but keep it consistent.”\nCross-training and dance may not be terms automatically associated with one another, but TJ says tools like the TRX Suspension Trainer have helped him create greater stability and improve his overall dance skills. “It made me work muscles that I didn't even realize I had—and I feel like a lot of dancers would say they feel like they have a pretty good understanding of their body,” he said.\nWith the Suspension Trainer, TJ says his freestyling has improved because he feels more grounded, which helps him move faster and more precisely. “The main thing for me is being able to have more control, because I can more accurately execute [moves], or do them for longer periods of time.”\nThere are days when TJ questions why he’s stuck with dance for so long, but he’s grateful to be a dancer because it keeps him in great shape. “Dancing at such a young age got me in this subconscious routine of always being active or pushing myself physically.”\nUltimately, TJ says movement matters because it helps him process never-ending changes in the world.\n‘Things are constantly evolving and changing. Movement ties into that. It’s in my DNA. It feels good when I move. If I'm feeling frustrated, it's something that I can turn to and just let things out. If I'm still trying to move, that means something's working right internally.”\nCheck out some of TJ's favorite songs here.\nSurfer Jamel Ramiro Finds Stillness in the Waves\nAdaptive Athlete Rustin Hughes Feels Stronger Than Ever","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1457520"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5079505443572998,"wiki_prob":0.4920494556427002,"text":"Home Celebrity Full House Star Jodie Sweetin Attacked By Police During Protest\nFull House Star Jodie Sweetin Attacked By Police During Protest\nJune 26, 2022 | Abhishek Kar\nThe overturning of Roe v. Wade has led to the eruption of protests across the nation. The protestors want the return of abortion rights for women. Amongst the protestors in Los Angeles, was “Full House” star, Jodie Sweetin.\nSweetin, who was accompanied by other protestors on a freeway in Los Angeles, was met with resistance from local law enforcement. In fact, she got knocked back by members of the LAPD during the protest, resulting in her landing on the floor.\nStephanie Tanner herself spoke to TMZ about the experience. During the interview, she noted that she is “extremely proud of the hundreds of people who showed up yesterday to exercise their First Amendment rights and take immediate action to peacefully protest the giant injustices that have been delivered from our Supreme Court.”\nOur activism will continue until our voices are heard and action is taken. This will not deter us, we will continue fighting for our rights. We are not free until ALL of us are free.\nIn a video originally uploaded to Instagram, the LAPD can be seen blocking the path of the protestors, when Sweetin got close to them, What followed was that Sweetin was pushed back into the crowd, and consequently hit the curb and landed on the floor.\nReportedly, Sweetin is doing fine following the incident. Check out the video of the incident below.\nAbhishek Kar\nAbhishek Kar is a freelance writer and a full-time pop culture enthusiast from India. In his spare time, he likes to paint.\nNext Sleepy Hallow Involved In Restaurant Brawl »\nPrevious « Kendall Jenner Soaks Up The Sun In Her Birthday Suit","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line174122"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5376059412956238,"wiki_prob":0.5376059412956238,"text":"The Bloghealthy living\nHow My Barber Made Me Feel Like a Republican\nGetting stylistic approval from cubicle dwellers is unquestionably a sign of fashion failure.\nBaratunde Thurston, Contributor\nComedian and Vigilante Pundit\nJul 18, 2007, 03:34 PM EDT | Updated Nov 17, 2011\nI've had the same barber for about the same amount of time that Bush has been president, and like many Republicans, I am loyal despite numerous embarrassing moments and outright failures. I can't pinpoint why I've been so loyal. There's something about the person who's in charge of your hair that engenders a sense of trust, loyalty and guilt at the notion of going to someone else.\nI followed him when he left one shop to start his own. I've waited hours for his chair while other barbers were available. Once when my barber was out of town I did let another barber cut my hair, but I knew it couldn't last. I felt dirty. My guy has done a decent job, but not incredible. Mostly, he's just there. Like most cab drivers, he's always on his cell phone while operating his delicate machinery, leading me to question whether or not he even hears what I want done. I could say, \"I want pink bunny rabbits carved into my temples\" and he'd be like, \"Uh huh\" and leave me with a fade. Years ago, I asked him to trim my afro and even it up, and he took the damn thing off. I was so furious when I left, he later told me he was afraid I would come back and shoot him. Had I done so, I wouldn't be in the situation I'm in right now.\nI've been growing my hair out for the past year at least with just moderate trimming every few months. Yesterday, I realized i desperately needed to get my hair cut. It had grown beyond the cool-fro stage and was insisting on joining the Rastafarian Movement. I destroyed several picks in an attempt to tame it, but it chewed threw them like a bunker buster through an Iraqi pre-school. I told the barber, \"I WANT TO KEEP THE AFRO, just take it down a bit, and make it even.\" I had worried that half off might even be too much.\nThirty minutes later, I barely had any hair. He took off five-sixths of my fro! I left dissatisfied but committed to maintaining my cool. \"This could be good,\" I told myself. \"The scalp needs fresh air every few years.\" Just when I had convinced myself that it was going to be ok, it happened. I went to my office job, and the corporate people started complimenting me.\n\"Hey Baratunde, that's a nice clean haircut.\"\n\"Wow, it's like we got the old Baratunde back.\"\n\"What's up, Tobey?\"\nWhat a horrible setback! Getting stylistic approval from cubicle dwellers is unquestionably a sign of fashion failure. If Dick Cheney says you have a good heart, you are among the living dead.\nThen there are the people who realize that something tragic has happened and remind me of the incident, \"Woah, man, what happened?\" I don't want to talk about it. It gets me angry all over again, and I wonder why I went back to the barber in the first place.\nThis must be what it's like to be a Republican. To remain unquestionably loyal in the face of miserable failure. Like the president, my barber pretended to listen, but went ahead and did whatever he had planned to do in the first place. It didn't matter that I told him to \"KEEP THE AFRO.\" It didn't matter that we had been through this before. The difference between me and Republicans, however, is that I'm not going back for more. I'm looking for a new barber and, in the meantime, I'll be wearing a hat.\nBaratunde Thurston is a comedian, author and vigilante pundit. He performs regularly with Laughing Liberally, blogs at Jack & Jill Politics and will be moving from Boston to New York in order to find a new barber.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1068158"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5836475491523743,"wiki_prob":0.41635245084762573,"text":"Review: Valpurgis Night - Psalms of Solemn Virtue\nwww.valpurgisnight.com\nPsalms of Solemn Virtue\nLabel: Rising Records\nReview online: April 24, 2011\nReviewed by: Lior \"Steinmetal\" Stein\nRated 3.5/5 (70%) (6 Votes)\nThe Heavy Metal from the U.K. has always been a favorite of mine, whether it is from the 80s or from one of the many newer sub-genres. Great Britain will forever be the fatherland of Heavy Metal and metal, in general. I shouldn't have to remind you of the legends from that country. However, success isn't guaranteed, based on nationality, whether you are a newcomer or a veteran band. Valpurgis Night is a band for those that crave the sounds of the 80s.\nYou might think, based on the album's title Psalms of Solemn Virtue that this is a melancholy epic and you wouldn't be that far off. There is certainly some Doom mixed in with the Heavy Metal and even some hints of Thrash. As diverse as this band is, they still have a long way to go in the area of composition. At least they didn't try to recycle others too much. Their longer songs are far too basically structured to hold the listener's interest for their entire length. In their favor is the production which is mid to late 80s, although I think the gain on the guitar could have been lowered as it was physically painful to my ears, at times.\nOne big question looms; where are the solos? I couldn't help but notice that despite some fine melodic breaks and aggressive licks, the solos were missing. Only minor glimpses of lead guitar could be found amongst the main riffs. Lead singer Preacher didn't put much gas on the fire either.\nValpurgis Night succeed as a British-styled 80s Heavy Metal band with tracks like \"Broken Spectre\" and the album closer \"Row to the Rhythm.\" There are other songs that aren't that far behind and if the band can insert some additional melodies and solos, they can only get better.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1465871"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9794357419013977,"wiki_prob":0.9794357419013977,"text":"Atlantic Coast Conference men's basketball De Graafschap Eredivisie SC Cambuur Alexander Rossi Mark Miles Adam Silver Mark Coyle Scott Brooks P.J. Fleck Richard Pitino Tristan Thompson Corey Peters Heiko Herrlich David Stearns Simon Pagenaud Mike Tirico Gordon Gee Sports Men's college basketball College basketball Court decisions Legal proceedings Law and order General news College sports IndyCar Automobile racing Athlete health Coaching Disease outbreaks Public health Health Emergency management Government and politics Sports TV Television programs Entertainment Arts and entertainment Sports media Indianapolis 500 NBA basketball Professional basketball Basketball Men's basketball Men's sports Men's soccer Soccer Television industry Media industry Media and entertainment industry Business Reading Recreation and leisure Lifestyle Higher education Education Social affairs Motocross Motorcycle racing MLB baseball Professional baseball Baseball Professional soccer Women's basketball Women's sports Supercross NFL football Professional football Football Coronavirus Infectious diseases Diseases and conditions Lung disease\nThe Latest: Aussie rules football to kick off on June 11\nBy The Associated Press - May. 15, 2020 12:11 AM EDT\nThe supporter's entrance of the Signal Iduna Park, Germany's biggest stadium of Borussia Dortmund, is closed in Dortmund, Germany, Thursday, May 14, 2020. Bundesliga will now restart on May 16, 2020 when Borussia Dortmund will play the derby against FC Schalke 04 at home without spectators due to the coronavirus outbreak. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)\nThe Latest on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on sports around the world:\nAussie rules football will kick off again on June 11, with the second round of the Australian Football League to be played almost three months after the competition was suspended because of the coronavirus pandemic.\nAustralian Football League chief executive Gillon McLachlan on Friday announced the matches for the next four rounds of the condensed season would be released within 10 days. The AFL, Australia’s most-watched sports league in terms of attendance and TV audience, was suspended on March 22 after one round.\nQuarantine requirements and travel restrictions from some states means players and staff from the four AFL clubs from Western Australia and South Australia — the West Coast Eagles, Fremantle Dockers, Adelaide Crows and Port Adelaide — will be temporarily be relocated to hubs on the Gold Coast, an hour south of Brisbane.\nMajor League Soccer is extending a league-wide moratorium on group and team training through June 1.\nThe moratorium had been in place through May 15.\nMLS players are permitted to use outdoor team training fields for voluntary individual workouts, in compliance with local health authorities and government orders, that were created in consultation with medical and infectious disease experts.\nTeam training facilities remain closed to all players, with the exception of those requiring medical treatment or rehabilitation, under the direction of the team medical staff, that cannot be performed from the safety of their residences.\nMLS suspended the season because of the coronavirus pandemic on March 12, closing all team facilities but asking players to remain in market with their teams.\nCavaliers forward Tristan Thompson wants the NBA to have its postseason, even if he and his Cleveland teammates aren’t included in the playoffs.\n“Guys want to play,” Thompson said Thursday during a Zoom conference call.\nThompson, who is eligible for free agency after this season, said one of his biggest takeaways from a conference call with Commissioner Adam Silver last week was that players — especially the ones with a chance to win a title — are eager to get back on the floor as soon as possible.\nFirst, though, Thompson said it’s imperative that everyone feels protected from the coronavirus.\n“They’re trying to win a championship, so I understand where they’re coming from and they know everybody wants to see basketball,” he said from Los Angeles. “Everybody wants to watch the playoffs. I want to watch the playoffs, with my friends — you know, cheering and going crazy. But the main concern is just how do we do it in a way where everyone’s at peace when they go to work.”\nDepending on what the league decides, it’s possible Thompson may have played his final game for Cleveland. His contract ends at the end of this season, but the 29-year-old said he’s not thinking too far ahead.\nSupercross is ready to roll again.\nAMA Motocross announced seven made-for-TV Supercross races from May 31 through June 21 to close out a season interrupted by the coronavirus pandemic.\nThe races will be held at University of Utah’s Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City without fans and televised on NBC. Safety measures will include mandated pre-screening, testing, temperature checks, face masks, increased sanitization efforts and social distancing off the track.\nThe Supercross season was halted in early March after 10 rounds of the 17-race championship series. Eli Tomac leads Ken Roczen by three points heading into the final seven races.\nChampions in the 450cc and two 250cc classes will be crowned after the final seven races.\nWashington Wizards coach Scott Brooks has let his teen daughter give him a buzz-cut — netting $50,000 for a fund that feeds workers involved in dealing with the coronavirus pandemic.\nBrooks’ family added $25,000 to the $25,000 originally donated to Feeding the Frontlines.\nBrooks had said he would let his kid shave his head if that amount was reached to help provide meals to first responders and healthcare workers in the Washington area.\nArizona Cardinals defensive lineman Corey Peters is hosting a virtual book club that Arizona high school students can join during the coronavirus pandemic.\nThe club is called “The Corey Peters Playbook” and will meet weekly on a video conference. A news release from the Cardinals said the goal is to have “in-depth discussions about a variety of books while also providing necessary resources and guidance.”\nThe book club is part of Peters’ foundation called the Peters Education Enrichment Project, which was created in 2012 and focuses on reading.\nThe 31-year-old Peters is a nine-year NFL veteran who has spent his last four seasons in Arizona. He started all 16 games last season.\nAtlantic Coast Conference commissioner John Swofford says the league expects to distribute nearly all of its projected revenues to member schools for this school year despite the shutdown of college sports amid the coronavirus pandemic.\nIn a video conference with reporters Thursday, Swofford said the league expects to distribute “98%” of its projected totals to league schools. He didn’t discuss specific amounts.\n“Given the circumstances, we feel pretty good about that actually,” Swofford said.\nThe NCAA announced in March that it would distribute $225 million in June to 350 Division I schools after the cancellation of its men’s basketball tournament, much less than the original plan of $600 million.\nBut Swofford said the league has offset some losses in savings for canceled championship events as well as less travel and other expenses. Additionally, Swofford said the league expects to be “somewhat ahead” of its projections for its ESPN-partnered TV channel, which launched in August.\nThe league was already depending on the ACC Network to help close a growing financial gap with other power conferences. Swofford said the network ultimately was able to broadcast nearly all of its revenue-generating events, from the completed football season to a basketball schedule that lost the final seven games of the ACC men’s tournament.\nMinnesota athletic director Mark Coyle and the school’s five highest-paid head coaches have agreed to take a 10% pay cut for the first six months of the upcoming fiscal year to help offset revenue losses from the COVID-19 pandemic.\nCoyle announced the pay cuts on Thursday for him, football coach P.J. Fleck, men’s basketball coach Richard Pitino, women’s basketball coach Lindsay Whalen, men’s hockey coach Bob Motzko and volleyball coach Hugh McCutcheon. The group of six previously took a one-week voluntary salary reduction, enacted last month. The university said the combined savings from the reductions will be about $615,000. Fleck is the highest earner, at $4.6 million in 2020.\n“I appreciate their dedication to Minnesota and willingness to help in a time of financial uncertainty,” Coyle said.\nThe next fiscal year starts on July 1. Coyle told the Board of Regents last week that the department is on pace to finish the current fiscal year with a $4 million deficit. The 2019-20 operating budget for Gophers sports was $123 million. The athletic department has projected a loss of up to $75 million of expected revenue under the worst-case scenario of a canceled 2020 football season. A milder hit of $30 million in lost income is forecast if football games are played without fans.\nAuburn University President Jay Gogue predicts the Tigers will play football this season.\nGogue told incoming freshmen in a video Wednesday, “We’re going to have football this fall.”\nGogue didn’t offer any details in the short video about how the games would be played and did not discuss whether fans would be in the stands. But the Auburn president predicted the coronavirus pandemic won’t keep the campus from having \"all the activities that we have every fall.”\nHe said Auburn will reopen classes on campus and have fraternity and sorority and club activities.\nThe Southeastern Conference has formed a task force of medical professionals from the 14 member institutions to discuss the best ways to resume sports.\nAugsburg coach Heiko Herrlich will miss his team’s first game when the German soccer league resumes Saturday because he broke quarantine rules to buy toiletries.\nHerrlich said earlier Thursday that he left the team’s hotel briefly to visit a supermarket in search of toothpaste and skin cream.\nHours later he said he would miss Saturday’s game because “in this situation I have not lived up to my position as a role model to my team and to the public.”\nThe game against Wolfsburg was to be Herrlich’s first game in charge of 14th-place Augsburg. He was appointed in March but had yet to oversee a game because the league was suspended because of the coronavirus pandemic.\nAugsburg says Herrlich will take charge of training again only after twice testing negative for the coronavirus.\nMilwaukee Brewers general manager David Stearns says he hopes a potential return of Major League Baseball from a pandemic-imposed hiatus could “provide a diversion” and be “part of the solution to what everyone is going through right now.”\nStearns emphasized that it would need to be done “in a safe and responsible manner.”\n“The truth is we don’t know what scenario is coming,” Stearns said Thursday outside a hospital as the Brewers helped donate meals to hospital workers.\n“We will be prepared,” he added. “If we get the go-ahead from public health officials, if we get the go-ahead from governmental officials, if the necessary agreements can be reached, we will be prepared and we’ll get it going.”\nThe Brewers are working with other companies and local firefighters to help provide 1,000 meals to workers at Milwaukee-area hospitals. Stearns spoke after food was given to employees at Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Center.\nWest Virginia University president E. Gordon Gee vows that the Mountaineers will play football this fall “even if I have suit up.”\n“I’ve got my ankles taped, I’m ready to go in,” the 76-year-old Gee joked in an interview with WOWK-TV broadcast this week. “But I think again, with everything we’re going to do it based on what is safe, what is healthy for our fans and what is healthy for our student athletes. But I do believe that we will play football.”\nDespite uncertainly around the coronavirus pandemic, all Big 12 schools, including West Virginia, plan to open campuses for the fall semester, a key step toward launching fall sports.\nIt’s not the first time a statement by Gee has turned heads.\nThe then-Ohio State president was criticized in 2010 for saying TCU and Boise State didn’t belong in the BCS title game even if they ran the table because of weak schedules, referring to lesser opponents generally as “Little Sisters of the Poor.”\nIn 2012 he took a shot at Notre Dame in a meeting of Ohio State’s athletic counsel, saying that the school was never invited to join the Big Ten because its priests are not good partners. “Those damn Catholics” can’t be trusted, he said.\nHe later apologized.\nA judge has upheld the Dutch soccer association’s decision to scrap relegation and promotion from or to the top-flight Eredivisie as it cut short the season due to the coronavirus pandemic.\nThe top two clubs in the second-tier Keuken Kampioen Division, Cambuur Leeuwarden and De Graafschap Doetinchem, launched a legal challenge to the April 24 decision, seeking to seal promotion in court.\nIn a ruling streamed live Thursday, Judge Hans Zuurmond rejected their arguments, saying the Dutch association, the KNVB, has the power to make such a decision.\nZuurmond says because of the coronavirus, the KNVB “had to take a decision with its back to the wall. Doing nothing was not an option.”\nAccording to the ruling, the KNVB had to act in the interest of all clubs. Zuurmond says it is “very bitter for Cambuur and De Graafschap, but that is not enough to overturn the decision.”\nThe decision marked the first time a court has ruled in a legal challenge to a one of the major European leagues' coronavirus stoppages.\nThe Netherlands on April 24 became the first top-tier European league to cancel the remainder of the season. But clubs that felt disadvantaged by the terms immediately announced plans to launch legal battles.\nThe British government says it is helping the Premier League resume in June but it wants the finances to flow throughout English soccer and more fans to be able to watch games on television.\nCulture Secretary Oliver Dowden held talks on Thursday with soccer authorities as the national coronavirus lockdown starts to be eased. The pandemic will continue to prevent any fans from attending matches if sports events do restart in June after being suspended in March.\nDowden says “the government is opening the door for competitive football to return safely in June. This should include widening access for fans to view live coverage and ensure finances from the game’s resumption supports the wider football family.”\nIn a statement, Dowden says soccer authorities need to finalize their plans before government approval will be given for leagues to start up again.\nPlayers are still having to maintain social distancing in training, but contact is expected to be allowed if there is no new spike in COVID-19 cases nationally.\nIndyCar officials have announced NBC will air a four-hour program on May 24, the original date of this year’s Indianapolis 500, that will look back at last year’s race.\nMike Tirico will interview race winner Simon Pagenaud and runner-up Alexander Rossi during the broadcast.\nThis year’s Indy 500 has been rescheduled for Aug. 23.\n“While this Memorial Day weekend will certainly be different, we’re pleased to join our partners at NBC Sports in continuing this tradition through this special TV presentation,” Penske Entertainment Corp. CEO Mark Miles said in a statement. “We look forward to recognizing both our military and frontline COVID-19 heroes while providing motorsports fans some intense and behind-the-scenes IndyCar action through the race replay.”\nPre-race coverage will include honoring frontline workers during the pandemic as well as the military traditions associated with the 500. The program also will preview this year’s season opener, which is scheduled for June 6 at Texas.\nThe Baltimore Ravens intend to compensate stadium workers if NFL games are played before a limited numbers of fans — or no one at all — due to social distancing requirements during the coronavirus pandemic.\nRavens president Dick Cass says the team is working on a program to provide for the estimated 3,300 people employed a typical game day.\n“If we don’t have that kind of staff because we have a reduced crowd at the stadium, we are planning on creating an employees' assistance fund,” Cass said, noting that “we have not terminated or laid off or furloughed anybody and we don’t intend to.”\nInstead of watching from the sideline at a minicamp practice, Cass was in his home Thursday morning, speaking in a teleconference arranged by The United Way. He noted that in a normal year on this date, there would be 90 players having breakfast at the team headquarters.\nCass said the team sill plans to open training camp and start the season on time, but it “may have to make adjustments.”\nMore AP sports: https://apnews.com/apf-sports and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line239042"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8931201100349426,"wiki_prob":0.8931201100349426,"text":"What Is Involved in Roman Archaeology?\nRay Hawk\nRoman archaeology is the study of human artifacts that remain from the Roman period, which, in its broadest sense, is believed to have started in 753 BC with the founding of the city of Rome in Italy by the legendary twin brothers of Romulus and Remus, to its final decay and fall in 44 BC with the death of Julius Caesar. The field of Roman archaeology in general is often classified as the study of a sub-set of Classical archaeology, which includes the study of ancient Greece that preceded the rise of Rome as well as related societies in the European region such as the Minoans and Mycenaeans. Artifacts that are particularly important to cultural studies of the period include sculptures and other artwork and written records of the time period. Equally important, though often more scarce or badly ravaged by the passage of time, is the study of money and its uses from the period and any remaining architectural ruins that still exist.\nAn archaeologist acts something like a detective in studying the past, where he or she must gather as much evidence as possible about events to assemble a complete and accurate picture of what took place during the time period. With Roman archaeology, a unique advantage often presents itself that is not present in many other arenas of archaeological research. Though most archaeological study focuses on the material remains of past societies to assemble an accurate archaeological record, of secondary, though important, value is the oral history that exists to fill in the blanks in understanding of past practices.\nAugustus Caesar, the first Roman emperor.\nWhile Rome itself ceased to function as an empire and cohesive society over 2,000 years ago as of 2011, the region upon which the empire was built has been continually inhabited by descendants of the Romans, who have often carried on cultural traditions, religious beliefs, and customs with ancient origins. This oral history is often more complete when a past era being researched had a large degree of literacy. Rome was noted for being a technologically-advanced civilization of its time that carried on the Greek tradition of the value of education and acquiring new knowledge.\nRemnants of the extensive aqueduct network that the Romans used to transport water to their major urban centers can still be seen today.\nThe human culture upon which the Roman world was founded is believed to have been populated by three distinct groups of people who merged into one. First among them were the Italic people, who were the rural and semi-nomadic groups native to the region and which included regional warrior or kingship-based territories. The Etruscans are believed to have come to Rome from somewhere in Asia Minor, and brought with them much of the foundational art and city planning skills that formed the foundation of Roman architecture and high culture. The Greeks also populated Rome, initially as a merchant class in control of the seas, and later owning large sections of agricultural land. It is from the Greeks that Roman archaeology displays many of its origins for mythology and for establishing Rome's historical and religious place in the world at large.\nThe archaeological record is also built up from the study of human remains and everyday implements used by people of the time. This means that much of Roman archaeology also involves the excavation of buried cities and ancient graves. Examining bones, pottery, and even the remains of fragile items like food, pottery, and jewelry that are occasionally preserved and fossilized can often reveal more about a culture than more elaborate and unique artifacts like sculptures or grand halls and meeting places.\nThe study of Roman archaeology is a complex and vast undertaking not only because of the fact that the period lasted for many centuries, but also because of the size of Roman society. At its peak, Roman civilization stretched from the city of Rome all the way to the British Isles in the west, covering most of Europe in the process, and also included rule over modern-day territory in Egypt and Turkey. All of the various cultures that Rome came to dominate merged to some degree with the empire and can be considered part of its culture and heritage.\nIt is estimated that, at its height, the Roman Empire spanned an area of territory equal to 2,509,663 square miles (6,500,000 square kilometers). This is close to the size of the entire subcontinent of Australia at 2,941,299 square miles (7,617,930 square kilometers), which is considered to be the world's sixth largest nation as of 2011. Undertaking an effort at Roman archaeology for a civilization so vast in size and which endured for nearly a thousand years is a research effort that may never reach a final conclusion.\nWhat Is Military Archaeology?\nHow Do I Choose the Best Archaeology Field School?\nHow Do I Become a Classical Archaeologist?\nWhat Do Historical Archaeologists Do?\nWhat Does a Classical Archaeologist Do?\nWhat is Marine Archaeology?\nWhat is Classical Architecture?\nBy: fabiomax.com\nBy: Zechal","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1230682"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5656107664108276,"wiki_prob":0.5656107664108276,"text":"Russian Military Command and Control: A Giant Leap of Faith?\nAugust 16, 2011 03:38 PM Age: 11 years\n(Source: AP)\nSince the transformation of the Russian armed forces began in October 2008, senior political and military leaders have promised to improve command and control (C2) both in terms of force structure as well as by means of introducing new technology. President Dmitry Medvedev has set the target to “digitize” military communications by 2012, and Defense Minister Anatoliy Serdyukov talks about plans to introduce automated C2 outperforming the existing system by a factor of 3.5. On August 11, Nikolai Radko, the First Deputy Director-General of the joint-stock company “Sozvezdiye,” involved in the design and manufacture of advanced automated C2 systems, presented an optimistic overview on the prospects for the Unified System for Command and Control at the Tactical Level (Yedinaya Avtomatizirovannaya Sistema Upravleniya Takticheskim Zvenom –YeSU TZ). Radko emphasized how pivotal such developments will prove in the pursuit of the Russian version of network-centric warfare, and expressed confidence that Sozvezdiye possesses the required mix of telecommunications and information-based innovative technology, as well as the experience in building large systems (https://www.abireg.ru/print_news.php?idnews=19300, August 11).\nThe military-industrial commission met in Moscow on July 28 to discuss the deficiencies in the system and downplayed the setbacks, while offering reassurance that these “minor issues” would be resolved by the end of the year. The defense ministry and defense industry are reportedly at loggerheads over its design. “The military is still unable to settle on the algorithms of the digital formulation of objectives for different categories of commanding officers in the organization of combat. The principles of combat employment change constantly here. The analysis of each of them requires time and funds. Especially since the contract for the pilot project was signed only last Friday [July 29],” complained Vadim Potapov, the chief designer of the YeSU TZ (https://www.izvestia.ru/news/496152, August 1). The defense ministry accuses the defense industry of dragging its heels in resolving design issues, while the manufacturers complain that they are not given specific instructions concerning what the military wishes to see on the system’s monitors. Exercises scheduled for October to test the YeSU TZ in the 5th Motorized Rifle Brigade, Alabino, were cancelled as a result of this impasse.\nOn numerous occasions Army-General Nikolai Makarov, the Chief of the General Staff, has highlighted the crucial nature of automated C2 and promoted network-centric approaches to warfare. In October 2010, Colonel-General Aleksandr Postnikov, the Commander-in-Chief (CINC) of the Ground Forces, stated that the development of automated C2 is a priority for the future of the military. Lieutenant-General Sergey Skokov, Chief of the Main Staff and First Deputy CINC of the Ground Forces (one of the troika of generals that resigned in June 2011) has been closely linked to these initiatives. Also speaking in October 2010, Skokov described how the YeSU TZ could enhance the algorithm of battle management. Decisions by the brigade commander would be transmitted in real time to his battalion commander, displayed on his personal computer. More recently, Colonel Musa Khamzatov, an expert on modern approaches to combat operations and an assistant to General Postnikov told Izvestiya that the General Staff is developing a system of transition from vertical command to a network approach (inter-service and inter-departmental) using automated C2. Like others, Khamzatov believes this will greatly enhance the speed of decision making: “Such a system increases the speed of command and control many times over, the dynamics of combat and the efficiency of engagement of the enemy grow accordingly, and the survivability of one’s own troops is enhanced. Having created such a network, we can prosecute so-called network-centric combat operations” (Izvestiya, August 1; Krasnaya Zvezda, October 28, 2010).\nIn the fall of 2010, Dmitry Kandaurov, a Moscow-based expert on automated C2 examined some of the design problems afflicting the YeSU TZ in a series of articles in Nezavisimoye Voyennoye Obozreniye. These military-technical articles noted that the critical design challenge confronting the defense industry relates to the high-intensity graphics in the software, and placed these complexities in a wider context of improving the overall efficiency of C2. Yet, by far the most detailed analysis written by Kandaurov appeared on August 3, 2011; this time in Zaftra, but it may well signal a potentially far deeper crisis for the “reform” and “modernization” agenda –even if his findings prove to be only partially correct. Noting the weaknesses of Russian military science, and that the challenges stemming from creating automated C2 systems for combined-arms forces lack any criteria for evaluating their efficiency, Kandaurov assessed existing plans for the YeSU TZ and found them entirely flawed (https://www.zavtra.ru/cgi/veil/data/zavtra/11/924/print41.html, August 3).\nReminding his readers that the main requirements placed on any system of C2 are efficiency, continuity, stability and concealment, the author assessed the YeSU TZ compared with the existing “non-automated” system and attempted to unravel the implications and merits of the high-tech version. Turning his focus to measuring the efficiency of the automated system, compared to its manual-input counterpart, the author explained the processes involved in the use of situational data in terms of gathering, collecting, processing, displaying, synthesizing, analyzing and transmitting such information. This is where the importance of the software being used in the system is graphic-dependent: “Up to 90 percent of all information coming to the staff can and should be represented specifically in the form of tactical symbols plotted on a map. In the course of carrying out any information task, from 60 percent to 80 percent of the work of appointed persons goes specifically to the process of displaying information (visualizing the tactical situation on the map)” (https://www.zavtra.ru/cgi/veil/data/zavtra/11/924/print41.html, August 3).\nKandaurov then explains that depending on the exact type of combat, and version of his decision, the brigade commander’s map may display between 1,500 to 2,500 tactical symbols. He notes that in May 2011, state tests of the YeSU TZ showed that plotting one tactical symbol requires on average 18 to 20 seconds. Consequently, the required number of man-hours to display the total number of tactical symbols on the brigade commander’s map is between 7.5 to 12.5 hours. Considering a ratio of 1:3 for the time required to select and edit the symbol, suggests a total of 30 man-hours involved in fully formulating the brigade commander’s decision. Kandaurov notes that “The overall time will be reduced somewhat in view of the fact that the work will be done by several appointed persons, each of whom will work in his own stratum (with subsequent information exchange),” and factoring this into his calculation, he concludes: “Based on the above it follows that it will take around 20 hours just for a complete display of the brigade commander’s decision on the electronic map using software developed in the Sozvezdiye concern. Which is double the standard established for the ‘manual’ method of C2!” (https://www.zavtra.ru/cgi/veil/data/zavtra/11/924/print41.html, August 3).\nKandaurov’s analysis may appear overly military-technical, but it raises significant issues confronting the defense ministry, General Staff and the defense industry: will the existing plans for introducing automated C2 actually result in any improvement of overall efficiency? At an estimated cost 8 billion rubles ($273 million) to equip one brigade, such fundamental questions must be resolved before it is too late.\nTerrorist Incident At Defense Ministry I..Next\nMoscow Blackmails Dushanbe to Return to ..","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1767800"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6044638752937317,"wiki_prob":0.3955361247062683,"text":"Home » Biography of Edwin Darling, M. D.\nBiography of Edwin Darling, M. D.\nEdwin Darling\nDr. Edwin Darling is the oldest practicing physician of Crawford county, having been identified with the medical fraternity here for more than four decades. His birth occurred in Franklin county, Vermont, on the 18th of March, 1838, his parents being Benjamin Franklin and Cynthia (Blake) Darling, who were likewise natives of the Green Mountain state. Coming to Iowa in 1848, they purchased and located on a farm in Jackson county, where they spent the remainder of their lives. Their children were five in number, namely: Edwin, of this review; Emily, who is deceased; Viola, the wife of George Leslie, of Oklahoma; Jeanette, who is the wife of George L. Wright and now resides in Denver, Colorado; and Edson, who has also passed away.\nEdwin Darling began earning his own livelihood at the early age of fourteen years, securing employment as clerk in a drug store at Maquoketa, Iowa, where he remained until the outbreak of the Civil war. In 1861 he offered his services in defense of the Union, joining the Ninth Iowa Infantry and remaining with that command until the 1st of August, 1865. He participated in the battles of Pea Ridge, Arkansas Post, Vicksburg, Lookout Mountain, Atlanta, Georgia, and several other hotly contested engagements and also went with Sherman to the sea. During the entire period of his connection with the army he acted as hospital steward and fortunately escaped injury of any kind. He was mustered out at Clinton in 1865 and then returned to Jackson county, where he again entered the drug store in which he had been formerly employed. Having determined upon the practice of medicine as a life work, he pursued a course of study in the medical college at Cincinnati, Ohio, and was graduated from that institution in 1867. He first followed his profession at Maquoketa, Iowa, for two years and in March, 1870, came to Crawford county, locating for practice in Deloit, where he remained for seven years. On the expiration of that period he came to Vail and has here since enjoyed an extensive and lucrative practice. That his diagnosis is correct and careful, his judgement sound and his application of remedial agencies effective is shown in the excellent results which have attended his efforts. He is now the oldest practicing physician in Crawford county and has kept in close touch with the onward march of the profession, continually broadening his knowledge and promoting his efficiency by reading and investigation.\nIn 1867 Dr. Darling was united in marriage to Miss Adaline Stevens, who was born in Ohio on the 19th of November, 1848, her parents being John and Mary Jane Stevens. They are both deceased, the mother passing away April 7, 191 1, at the age of eighty-eight years, at the home of our subject. They reared a family of six children.\nIn politics Dr. Darling is a republican and his fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, have called him to several positions of public trust. He has held both town and township offices and acted as mayor of Vail for several terms, while during President Harrison’s administration he served as post-master. Fraternally he is identified with the Masons, belonging to Lodge No. 422, which he helped to organize and in which he has filled all of the chairs. He is likewise a member of Chapter No. 89 at Dunlap and also belongs to the Eastern Star. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, with which his wife is also affiliated. His life in all of its phases has commanded the respect and confidence of his fellowmen and he now ranks high among the prominent and valued citizens of Vail and Crawford county.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line81259"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9616122245788574,"wiki_prob":0.9616122245788574,"text":"Kevin Erickson’s electrified 1972 Plymouth Satellite is seen at his Commerce City, Colo., home on Sept. 20, 2022. Erickson is part of a small but expanding…\nKevin Erickson’s electrified 1972 Plymouth Satellite is seen at his Commerce City, Colo., home on Sept. 20, 2022. Erickson is part of a small but expanding group of tinkerers, racers, engineers, and entrepreneurs across the country converting vintage cars and trucks into greener, often much faster, electric vehicles. (AP Photo/Thomas Peipert)\nRacers, mechanics, tinkerers converting classic cars to EVs\nby: THOMAS PEIPERT, Associated Press\nDENVER (AP) — When Kevin Erickson fires up his 1972 Plymouth Satellite, a faint hum replaces what is normally the sound of pistons pumping, gas coursing through the carburetor and the low thrum of the exhaust.\nEven though it’s nearly silent, the classic American muscle car isn’t broken. It’s electric.\nErickson is among a small but expanding group of tinkerers, racers, engineers and entrepreneurs across the country who are converting vintage cars and trucks into greener, and often much faster, electric vehicles.\nDespite derision from some purists about the converted cars resembling golf carts or remote-controlled cars, electric powertrain conversions are becoming more mainstream as battery technology advances and the world turns toward cleaner energy to combat climate change.\n“RC cars are fast, so that’s kind of a compliment really,” said Erickson, whose renamed ”Electrollite” accelerates to 0-60 mph (0-97 kph) in three seconds and tops out at about 155 mph (249 kph). It also invites curious stares at public charging stations, which are becoming increasingly common across the country.\nAt the end of 2019, Erickson, a cargo pilot who lives in suburban Denver, bought the car for $6,500. He then embarked on a year-and-a-half-long project to convert the car into a 636-horsepower electric vehicle (475 kW), using battery packs, a motor and the entire rear subframe from a crashed Tesla Model S.\n“This was my way of taking the car that I like — my favorite body — and then taking the modern technology and performance, and mixing them together,” said Erickson, who has put about $60,000 into the project.\nJonathan Klinger, vice president of car culture for Hagerty, an insurance company and automotive lifestyle brand that specializes in collector vehicles, said converting classic cars into EVs is “definitely a trend,” although research on the practice is limited.\nIn May, the Michigan-based company conducted a web-based survey of about 25,000 self-identified automobile enthusiasts in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. About 1% had either partially or fully converted their classic to run on some sort of electrified drivetrain.\nThe respondents’ top three reasons for converting their vehicles were for faster acceleration and improved performance, for a fun and challenging project, and because of environmental and emissions concerns. About 25% of respondents said they approve of classic vehicles being partially or fully converted to EVs.\n“Electric vehicles deliver some pretty astonishing performance just by the nature of the mechanics of how they work,” Klinger said. So it’s not surprising to him that a small percentage of people converting classic cars to EVs are interested in improving performance. He compared the current trend to the hot-rod movement of the 1950s.\nBut Klinger, who owns several vintage vehicles, said he doesn’t think electric motors will replace all internal combustion engines — especially when considering historically significant vehicles.\n“There’s something satisfying about having a vintage car that has a carburetor,” he said, because it’s the same as when the car was new. Some enthusiasts want to preserve the sound and rumble of older cars’ original engines.\nOther barriers to converting cars include the knowledge it takes to delve into such a complicated project, as well as safety concerns about tinkering with high-voltage components, the availability of parts, and the time it takes to realize a positive, environmental impact. Because classic vehicles are driven for fewer than 1,500 miles (2,414 kilometers) a year on average, it takes longer to offset the initial carbon footprint of manufacturing the batteries, Klinger said.\nAnd then there’s the price.\nSean Moudry, who co-owns Inspire EV, a small conversion business in suburban Denver, recently modified a 1965 Ford Mustang that was destined for the landfill. The year-and-a-half-long project cost more than $100,000 and revealed several other obstacles that underscore why conversions are not “plug-and-play” endeavors.\nTrying to pack enough power into the pony car to “smoke the tires off of it” at a drag strip, Moudry and his partners replaced the underpowered six-cylinder gas engine with a motor from a crashed Tesla Model S. They also installed 16 Tesla battery packs weighing a total of about 800 pounds (363 kilograms).\nMost classic vehicles, including the Mustang, weren’t designed to handle that much weight — or the increased performance that comes with a powerful electric motor. So the team had to beef up the car’s suspension, steering, driveshaft and brakes.\nThe result is a Frankenstein-like vehicle that includes a rear axle from a Ford F-150 pickup and rotors from a Dodge Durango SUV, as well as disc brakes and sturdier coil-over shocks in the front and rear.\nAlthough Ford and General Motors have or are planning to produce standalone electric “crate” motors that are marketed to classic vehicle owners, Moudry says it’s still not realistic for a casual car tinkerer to have the resources to take on such a complicated project. Because of this, he thinks it will take a while for EV conversions to become mainstream.\n“I think it’s going to be 20 years,” he said. “It’s going to be a 20-year run before you go to a car show and 50 to 60% of the cars are running some variant of an electric motor in it.”\nBut that reality could be coming sooner than expected, according to Mike Spagnola, president and CEO of the Specialty Equipment Market Association, a trade group that focuses on aftermarket vehicle parts.\nHe said that during SEMA’s annual show in Las Vegas this fall, some 21,000 square feet (1,951 square meters) of convention space was dedicated to electric vehicles and their parts. That was up from only 2,500 square feet (232 square meters) at the 2021 show.\nCompanies are developing universal parts, as well as lighter, smaller and more powerful battery packs. They’re also creating wiring components that are easier to install and myriad other innovations. Some are even building vehicle frames with the electric motor, batteries and components already installed. Buyers can just install the body of a classic vehicle on top of the platform.\n“The early adopters of this would take a crashed Tesla and pull the motor and harnesses and batteries and all that out of the vehicle and find a way to shoehorn it into whatever vehicle they wanted to build,” Spagnola said. “But today there are many manufacturers now starting to make components. … We’re really excited about it.”","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1022562"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9702222347259521,"wiki_prob":0.9702222347259521,"text":"Review: The Lion King/Broadway In Chicago\nOctober 12, 2010 at 12:50 pm by Brian Hieggelke\nOctober 12, 2010 October 13, 2010 Filed under:\nPhoto: Joan Marcus\nHow “The Lion King” became king of the Broadway jungle is one of those lion’s tales so odd, it could almost be made up. 1994, the year that the original animated version of “The Lion King” was released to theaters, was also the year that Disney Theatrical, the stage arm of the Disney company, opened its first Broadway production, “Beauty and the Beast.” Though a huge commercial success, the show was snubbed by the Tony Awards, having been nominated in nine categories but only winning Best Costume Design.\nThat was taken as a clear message to Disney from the theatrical community that such ready-made shows that did not depend on the talents and contributions of that community were not going to be acknowledged by that community. To its credit, Disney got the message, and when it set out to transform “The Lion King” from cartoon to stage, it allowed director Julie Taymor a complete re-imagining of the property that was so stunning that it won six Tony Awards, including Best Musical.\nWhat is so amazing about both Taymor’s transformation and how strong a production “The Lion King” remains as a stage musical more than a decade later is how vacuous a dramaturgical entity the original property actually was: “The Lion King” animated feature was the first time that Disney created an original story for a full-length cartoon without at least loosely basing it on a classic fairy tale or literary work, and the vaudeville-like quipping that had most notoriously bogged down “Aladdin” often became a substitute for storytelling (fart jokes and groaners remain intact, even in the stage show). It also didn’t do much for family relations to make the uncle such an unambiguous villain.\nMusically, the lion’s share of the score is the product of film composer Hans Zimmer, though it contains Elton John’s best songs written for a stage show (with his best show lyrics, supplied by Tim Rice), even if inadvertently since they were originally written for an animated feature. One of their songs that was cut from the original animated version, “Morning Report,” was added to the stage show and used so effectively that it was restored to later theatrical releases and home-video versions of the cartoon. Oddly, it is nowhere to be found in this touring show, a strange omission for such an otherwise elaborate production.\nJ. Anthony Crane and Dionne Randolph/Photo: Joan Marcus\nThe Western pop style of the Elton John/Tim Rice songs are rendered far more palatable for the narrative’s African setting in the stage show by having been rearranged in a more African style, complete with two sets of African-instrument percussionists flanking both sides of the stage. Key dramatic moments of the show that previously were spoken here have been transformed to choral ensemble numbers by Lebo M that are the most musically memorable moments of the show, especially the powerful Act II “One by One” opening and the number used to show Simba his relationship to his deceased ancestors, “He Lives in You.”\nBut the real star of any production of “The Lion King” is the stunning visual feast that the show supplies at every turn, from the golden sun that appears in the opening “Circle of Life” and the velvet night of stars over the grasslands in “He Lives in You,” and of course, the inspired idea to place actors in animal costumes with African-style masks and also incorporate large, hollow puppets into the mix and have all of these actually interact directly with the audience. “The Lion King” remains one of the few recent Broadway properties that completely transports audiences of all ages to another realm, inspiring all of us at every stage of the journey. (Dennis Polkow)\n“The Lion King” runs through November 27 at the Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 West Randolph, (800)775-2000; $25-$166.\nThe Pride of the Play: A Review of The Lion King at Broadway in Chicago In the case of Disney’s “The Lion King,” designer/director Julie Taymor’s revolutionary stage production continues to have a life of its own across a twenty-five-year existence.\nThe Rise and Fall of a King: Lanise Antoine Shelley Brings the “The Tragedy of King Christophe” to the House Theatre of Chicago In a world like ours so wrought with chaos and war, what happens when freedom is finally achieved? That is something that the play “The Tragedy of King Christophe” attempts to answer.\nRazzle Not-So Dazzle: A Review of “Chicago” at Broadway in Chicago Flashy lawyer Billy Flynn, cell matron Mama Morton, headline grabbers Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly all need to grab our attention and not let go.\nTake It With You: A Review of Come From Away at Broadway in Chicago Much like the show’s spirit, the cast of this production is an homage to togetherness.\nYou Say You Want a Revolution: A Review of What the Constitution Means to Me at Broadway In Chicago Heidi Schreck’s play is nothing short of revolutionary but the true measure of its success will be how we carry the baton and keep the conversation going.\nRussian Dressing: A Review of Anastasia at Broadway in Chicago The real magic of this show are the songs by composer Stephen Flaherty and lyricist Lynn Ahrens. Terrence McNally (book), Flaherty and Ahrens are the same triptych that gave us “Ragtime,” and there is a similar feel here, albeit with a distinctively Russian flavor.\nBroadway In Chicago\nJulie Taymor\nLebo M\nPrevious Post Review: Gross Indecency: The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde/Black Elephant Theatre\nNext Post Review: At Home At The Zoo/Victory Gardens","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line167966"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9140921831130981,"wiki_prob":0.9140921831130981,"text":"Council approves $12K sale of Main Street parking lot for Mitchell bar owner's patio addition\nWith the City Council's approval to accept the only offer on the parking lot, the owner of Jades Bar is set to purchase the lot next to the business for $12,000.\nShown here is the parking lot where the owner of Jades Bar is seeking to purchase from the city of Mitchell to construct a patio next to the 107 N. Main St. building in downtown Mitchell. (Sam Fosness / Republic)\nA small lot on the south end of Mitchell's Main Street will be changing hands after a local bar owner’s $12,000 offer on the property was accepted on Monday.\nThe Mitchell City Council approved the offer on the city-owned lot that sits to the north side of Jades Bar, which Mayor Bob Everson previously indicated will be transformed into an outdoor patio. Anisa Deinert, owner of Jades Bar, made the lone offer on the property that was previously a public parking lot in downtown Mitchell.\n“It would be a nice addition, and it would put it back on the tax rolls,” Everson said during the September council meeting when the property was declared surplus to position the city to sell the parking lot. “It would be nice to let them use it for business versus the city having it as just a parking lot.”\nWhile parking has become a commodity in downtown Mitchell for some Main Street business owners and apartment managers, Council President Kevin McCardle said there are plenty of public parking options available in the area surrounding the south end of Main Street, pointing to public parking lots along the west side of Jades Bar, including the lot across the street from the Department of Public Safety building next to Zesto and the lot neighboring Veteran’s Park.\n“I’ll make a motion to accept the offer. We have plenty of parking available in that area,” McCardle said.\nThe city listed the parking lot on the market with realtor, Colleen Hunt, of Mitchell Realty. Although a council-approved appraisal board made up of independent local residents determined the appraised value of the lot was $40,000, Hunt said she assessed it on her own as well. In the end, the lot will go to Deinert for $12,000, less than half of the appraised value that three-person board determined.\n“I did my own current market analysis by using courthouse information. She (Deinert) is the only offer that has come in, and I had several people contact me but never put down an offer,” Hunt said, noting she’s had the parking lot listed for about three months.\nFor council member Jeff Smith, any opportunity to get property back on tax rolls “makes sense.”\n“There is a public parking lot on the east side of Main Street as well, and to me it doesn’t make any sense to hang onto additional parking right on Main Street when there is access within a half-block of the area,” Smith said.\nConsidering the portion of the parking lot that Deinert is purchasing sits next to a vacant lot where Palace City Pawn Shop used to be located before the century-old building was demolished two years ago, City Attorney Justin Johnson said some of the adjacent property will revert back to the owners of the lot, which property records show is Austin McPeek. According to Johnson, the decision to eliminate the parking lot by selling it to Deinert is why the remaining portion of the neighboring vacant lot will revert back to McPeek.\n\"It will revert back per the deed restriction that stipulates when the city stops using the area as a parking lot, it automatically reverts back to the owner of this lot,\" Johnson said.\nSince the former Palace City Pawn Shop was demolished roughly two years ago, the lot has sat bare. Prior to the demolition, McPeek and the city worked out an agreement for McPeek to cover the costs of razing the former Main Street staple over the next several years.\nRelated Topics: BOB EVERSON\nSam Fosness joined the Mitchell Republic in May 2018. He was raised in Mitchell, S.D., and graduated from Mitchell High School. He continued his education at the University of South Dakota in Vermillion, where he graduated in 2020 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and a minor in English. During his time in college, Fosness worked as a news and sports reporter for The Volante newspaper.\nGuebert: The Great Carbon Boondoggle, Part 1\nOnce there, Summit claims, the CO2 will be “‘permanently and safely stored underground.’”\nBy Alan Guebert, agriculture columnist\nWinter ‘bale-grazing’ offers freedom at Dakota Winds Ranch\nA South Dakota cattle rancher and his veterinarian wife figure out a bale grazing plan that allows minimal winter care.\nAfter stretch of bad penalties, Wild make Ryan Hartman a healthy scratch","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1195820"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5817471742630005,"wiki_prob":0.5817471742630005,"text":"Photo courtesy of Sabrina Beyer\nHow Ocean Conditions Change Rockfish Reproduction\nA Q&A with recent NMFS-Sea Grant Fellow Sabrina Beyer\nRoxanne Hoorn\nRecent NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service-Sea Grant Fellow Sabrina Beyer, describes her research into how ocean conditions affect rockfish reproduction.\nTELL US ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND AND HOW YOU DECIDED ON THIS RESEARCH PROJECT.\nI am finishing my PhD this quarter at UC Santa Cruz in the department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, but some of this research stems from collaborations with the NOAA Southwest Fisheries Science Center, which is located on the coastal marine science campus at UC Santa Cruz. I was partnering with them on life history studies of federally managed marine fish species before I became a graduate student.\nWe were looking at how fish grow and how they reproduce and then why differences in growth and reproduction might be important for management. Early on I got involved in a project with rockfishes, which are a tremendously diverse group of fishes that occur all along the US West Coast. There are over 65 species that are found off the coast of California – which is really cool. NOAA Fisheries is interested in them because they are fished both commercially and recreationally. They're economically important, but also socially and culturally important.\nSome of these rockfishes can live over 100 years, although those tend to be more northern or deeper water species. And some don't live that long: only about 35 years or so. I've gotten involved with this life history work to better understand the population dynamics – the study of how populations change through time – and how the environment may influence how these fish grow and reproduce.\nWHAT IS THE MAIN QUESTION YOUR RESEARCH ADDRESSES?\nWhat we were seeing is that among some rockfish species in Southern California, females would produce broods of larvae multiple times a year. This is interesting because up north, they only reproduce once per year. We were trying to understand, “well, why is this happening and how might this affect population dynamics?”\nWe wanted to know how different environmental conditions along the coast might influence production. So: why fish are doing something different in the north than they're doing in the south. But also through time. We know that ocean conditions off the coast of California change each year, and we wanted to know how those changes influence the number of energy reserves that these females have and the number of larvae that they produce each year.\nRockfishes are really interesting because they are livebearers. The males and females mate, and then the females internally fertilize their eggs. Females gestate embryos for a couple of weeks to a month or so, and they release these tiny little larvae.\nThese tiny little larvae have little fins, and they can feed and swim right away.\nMost fish just release gametes – sperm and eggs – into the wild, and then there's external fertilization. But female rockfish are really investing a lot of energy into reproduction. They can produce anywhere from 15,000 to over 2 million larvae in a brood depending on the size of the female and the species.\nHOW DID YOU DO IT?\nOur methods were to sample rockfish off the central coast of California over the winter when most are reproducing. We partnered with the local fishing community to collect certain species by hook-and-line, using their expert knowledge. In doing so, we were able to develop a time series — for at least one species — of 21 years of data to learn how these fish were reproducing through time. We have data on what the environmental conditions were and on the body condition of the fish, which was a proxy for energy reserves and is basically a measure of how fat they were. Also, we were able to collect gonads and count the number of larvae that these fish were producing each year.\nWe ended up with enough data to look at reproduction in four different species. We looked at yellowtail and widow rockfish and also bocaccio and chili pepper. I think they got the name chili pepper because fishers used to catch them on longlines in deep water. They'd have all these hooks and when the fish came up from depth, their swim bladders would expand and the fish would float at the surface. You'd see a long line of these beautiful, bright red fish on the string, and they look like little red peppers.\nA chili pepper rockfish. Photo courtesy of Sabrina Beyer.\nWHAT DID YOU FIND?\nReally, the finding of the study was that yes, reproduction is highly variable from year to year in these species. That seems simple, but it's something we didn't know before.\nI've also learned that food is really important And sometimes increased food resources can even balance some of the effects of warmer temperatures on higher metabolic rates. If there's enough food in the water, the fish can counteract the extra metabolic costs of warm water, up to a point. So I've learned that both temperature and food resources are really important to reproduction and the energy needed to reproduce.\nInterestingly, we found that a large female yellowtail rockfish in a really good year will be expected to produce over 2 million larvae in a single brood. But in a really bad year only about 770,000. That amounts to an over 60% reduction in their reproductive effort. That, to me, is incredible because that's a single fish producing millions fewer larvae in a bad year compared to a good year.\nWe're finding that the productive effort of these females can vary greatly from year to year and also through space, depending on where they live along the coast. This is really interesting because this variability isn’t something that has been put into many of the population models but is important to their life history.\nSo that has been eye-opening in thinking about how such strong variation in the reproductive effort of individuals may influence population dynamics as ocean conditions change off our coast, and thinking about spatial variation in the reproductive productivity of different groups of individuals that occur from north to south in the California Current Ecosystem.\nWHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR MANAGEMENT?\nThe next step is to better understand how reproductive variability might affect overall fisheries productivity. This is something that we would like to incorporate into what we call stock assessments — when we're assessing the health and the status of these fish populations and trying to figure out different fishing limits to ensure that fisheries are sustainable through time.\nThe research for this project demonstrated that phenotypic plasticity exists for these species. That's when a life history trait, such as how much these fish reproduce and how frequently, changes based on environmental conditions. So we're understanding that yes, phenotypic plasticity in reproductive traits exists, and this is how reproductive output is influenced by the environment.\nA next step would be trying to understand how variation in reproductive effort affects recruitment, and then population dynamics. That would be a great next step.\nBeyer recently finished her PhD at the University of California, Santa Cruz and will begin a postdoc at the University of Washington in January.\nAbout California Sea Grant\nNOAA’s California Sea Grant College Program funds marine research, education and outreach throughout California. Headquartered at Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California San Diego, California Sea Grant is one of 34 Sea Grant programs in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), U.S. Department of Commerce.\nUnder Climate Change, Pacific Herring Require Ecosystem-Based Management Approach\nCelebrate local this holiday season with a new California seafood finder\n“Fishing for Meaning”","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line189425"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6807581782341003,"wiki_prob":0.31924182176589966,"text":"‹ May 26: Send a Letter to George • May 28: Union of the UPCNA & PCUSA ›\nMay 27: Old Side/New Side Split (1741-1758)\n27 May, 2013 in May 2013 by archivist | 2 comments\nFirst Schism in American Presbyterianism\nYou have already read a couple of days ago about the reunion between the Old Side and New Side Presbyterians on May 25. We will now turn to the actual schism which took place on May 27, 1741.\nOne of the early students of the Log College in New Jersey was Gilbert Tennent. As a graduate of Yale, he was licensed by the Presbytery of Philadelphia in 1725 and installed as pastor of the Presbyterian Church in New Brunswick, New Jersey.\nAs Tennent saw other churches experiencing revival, he saw the barrenness of his own pastoral work. Afflicted with serious illness at the same time, he begged God in prayer to give him just six months more of life on this earth that he might promote God’s kingdom with all his mind. God answered his prayer, and by the Word and Spirit, revival came to his congregation.\nThe problem with this season of converting grace in countless churches was that the revivalists then went to other parishes within the Presbyterian church to hold meetings, without getting permission from the Presbyterian pastors in those areas. At one point, the Synod of Philadelphia tried to stop this by passing a resolution to prohibit it. It was repealed the following year, but the resolution showed the problem of the movement.\nThe other issue was that of education. The Old Side Presbyterians wished to limit the education of the new ministers to just immigrants with European training, especially from Great Britain. Gilbert Tennent saw that as an attack upon his father’s log college.\nWhen the Synod met on May 27, 1741, all was set up for a final confrontation. A protest sought to expel the Log College ministers as schismatics. The Log College men clamored in response for all the anti-Log College ministers to be expelled. At this moment, the moderator, who was caught off guard by the whole affair, left the moderator’s chair. The Log College men were found to be in the minority, so they left. Dr. Charles Hodge about a century later said of this meeting “it was a disorderly rupture.”\nThe revivalist or Log College ministers were called New Side Presbyterians. The anti-revivalist ministers were known as the Old Side Presbyterians. The former group grew, as the revival continued, with the latter group decreasing, as the immigration of ministers from the Old World decreased greatly. By 1758, the membership of the Old Side Presbyterians was only 22 ministers, while the New Side Presbyterian numbered 70 ministers.\nWords to Live By: Someone once said that the seven last words of the church is too often “we haven’t done it that way before.” Tradition often is the cause of many a church schism. And the tragedy is that a watching world sees it all, and as a result, wants nothing to do with Christianity. Let us guard our thoughts, words, and works with each other of like precious faith.\nTags: American Presbyterianism, Log College, New Side Presbyterians, Old Side Presbyterians\nMatt on 27 May, 2013 at 10:32 am\nDon’t you see some interesting parallels in the way MNA has parachuted guys into a region to plant a church without telling the Presbytery anything until very late in the game? Granted, the really bad examples I’ve heard about came a decade or so ago, so I think we’ve managed to do things in more cooperative manner lately. But the issues aren’t all that different — I’ve heard numerous church planters ‘complain’ to me personally that Presbyterianism just “moves too slow” for the church to capture the momentum required in effective church planting.\nI’m not defending the Old Side’s subsequent actions. In fact, I think I theologically sympathize the most with Old Princeton, which was basically a New Side/Old School seminary. But it is fascinating the number of splits or divisions come about when we go around an agreed upon polity! Don’t you think when we sign on as Presbyterians, we aren’t signing on to a Congregational do-whatever-we-feel-like-the-Spirit-is-leading form of government?\nGood to revisit these issues! 🙂\nJim Ludington on 12 January, 2017 at 10:47 am\nAs a non-ordained para-church minister I can’t really speak to the first part of Matt’s statement, but my eyes did enlarge a bit when I read the last sentence. I understand the need for order, but what can be wrong with a “do-whatever-we feel-like-the-Spirit-is-leading” style of organization, assuming we are spiritually mature enough to actually be sensitive to the Holy Spirit? We are currently in a spiritual and cultural situation similar to the one they faced in the 1740s (or worse). I pray daily that God will send the Holy Spirit to bring about another GA that will, once again, shake the church out of her complacency and into an awareness of God’s plan for restoration. We need to hear God’s voice and God’s plan. The last thing we need is “order” brought about by stifling rules from a body of church leaders.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1536367"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9423194527626038,"wiki_prob":0.9423194527626038,"text":"Jane Getter Premonition ‘Anomalia’\nWords by Roger Weisman\nFor an artist who has always been restlessly eclectic and wary of labels, Jane Getter seems to have found where her sound lives. Anomalia, the guitarist’s new album (her fifth, but the second credited to The Jane Getter Premonition) digs into and embellishes on the hard edged, moody, progressive/fusion style that she so masterfully embodied on the first Premonition album, 2015’s On. Most of the players from that album have returned, including keyboardist, co-producer Adam Holzman (Miles Davis, Steven Wilson), guitar shredder extraordinaire Alex Skolnick (Testament), and drummer Chad Wackerman (Frank Zappa, Allan Holdsworth). The result is an album of broad soundscapes, alternately aggressive and lush, chock full of exquisite musical interplay and tasty soloing, all drenched in feeling.\nA listen through her catalog shows how she arrived at her dynamic, cinematic style of music via a circuitous route, spending years wending her ways through genres and stylistic variations. By the time she made her first album, 1998’s Jane, she had already stretched out beyond her straight jazz beginnings. In her early recordings, initially living mostly in the world of funk-influenced soul-jazz, gradually incorporating both more hard rock and rhythm & blues flavors, there were few hints at the direction to come.\nThe opening of Anomalia is undeniably “prog.” Establishing the mood with its dark and angular riff and foreboding atmosphere, “Kryptone” sounds like a tribute to King Crimson with its whisper-to-a-scream dynamics and use of Mellotron strings. In fact, remove a few layers and siphon off some of the groove, and it could pass as an outtake from that band’s Larks’ Tongues in Aspic album. Fusion and prog have always been like conjoined twins born of different parents. The blurry line between the two is often marked by audience preconceptions of the artists rather than the sound of the music itself.\nAnd that’s just fine. Getter has always been vocal about her disdain for labels, particularly the dreaded “F” word (fusion), even if the music reflects that term in the best sense. On Anomalia, the jagged riffs and progressions are colored not only by her background in jazz, but also with her studies and explorations in world music, leading to her constantly devising new modes. The result is that the music succeeds on a heady level as well as an emotional one.\nAnd it surely is an emotional record. Jane’s music and accompanying lyrics have a searching quality, as if to make sense of herself and her surroundings. Jane’s plaintive voice conveys a gentle disquiet while the lyrical themes are permeated with world-weariness, righteous anger, feelings of disorientation, but also with glimmers of hope and even the occasional sentimentality. Though the Premonition’s records lean more heavily on song structure than the works credited to Jane as a solo artist (aside from the album’s bookends, the only instrumental track is the foreboding but mischievous film noir for the mind, “Queenof Spies”), at their best the words seem to exist to create a framework in which the musical themes mingle and expound on the proposed ideas.\nTracks like “Dissembler” and “Alien Refugee” are very much based on her ruminations on the state of the country and the world, featuring vastly contrasting tones of fury and sympathy. On “Dissembler,”\nthe rhythm section of Hamm and Wackerman is swapped out for bassist Mark Egan (Pat Metheny Group, Elements) and drummer Gene Lake (Henry Threadgill, David Sanborn), and also features guest guitarist Vernon Reid. By far the angriest song on the album, the words of accusing castigation are sung with cold, understated venom by vocalist Randy McStine. “Your greed is so wide we can’t believe,” he sings, “you care only for you and your needs.” Hardly subtle, but clearly not meant to be. The three guitar line-up, a highlight of many of Getter’s live shows, does not disappoint here, with each player illustrating a completely different aspect of the instrument.\nConversely, “Alien Refugee,” written about unrest in Syria, manages to find a nice balance between the darkness and the light, the desolate and the hopeful. Constructed around a sparse acoustic guitar figure, the song builds in scope and breadth. It features wonderful vocals from both singers, with the voices becoming more and more disembodied, disappearing into the landscape. There is a wind-swept feeling to the track, capturing the desert landscape in a haunting way, almost like seeing a movie in slow motion.\nThe songs of self-reflection, likewise, seem to reflect opposites. “Lessons Learned” seems to both scold and encourage, with the narrator either passing on the hard earned knowledge she has accumulated, or affirming to herself. Her vocals are alternately weary, sagacious, and ethereal. The instrumental middle section begins as a ghostly waltz, gaining in ferocity when taken over by Jane’s guitar, her tone both ferocious and lyrical, bringing the song to a peak as bassist Stu Hamm and drummer Chad Wackerman pick up on her intensity.\n“Still Here,” on the other hand, seems to depict the lost soul yet to learn those lessons and is at a crossroads in her life… Or maybe our protagonist is just lost in the Bronx. Getter layers her plaintive, lost-in-the-fog voice into ethereal, reverberating harmonies before the mood becomes more panicked. The extended coda of the song, featuring an array of Holzman’s dizzying synthesizer sounds played against a cold, robotic GPS voice presents the question: Is this song a metaphor, or a warning against excessive use of metaphor?\nThere is a note of optimism, however. A bright, folky acoustic guitar lick begins “Answers.” Probably the most hopeful, lilting song on the album, it features a bright, expressive vocal by guest Chanda Rule. Jane’s acoustic and Adam Holtzman’s piano bring a buoyancy and airiness. Even as the sound becomes more and more layered, the song floats and glides. It is a highly satisfying track.\nThe album climaxes with “Disappear,” a song of loss that feels like the most personal on the album. It certainly includes the most romantic and evocative lyrics (co-written with Beth Multer), and indeed, it is the only time on the album in which Getter indulges in the poetic. The music is by turns delicate and tense, with feelings of loss manifesting alternately as wistfulness and anxiety.\nGetter and company have created an album pulls together her disparate influences and musical experiences in a way that manages to be dynamic, eclectic, and varied, but still with a definite feeling of coherence and continuity. Its vast sonic vistas, stunning composition, and virtuosic musicianship also make it an album that unfolds and reveals more or itself with each successive listen.\nJane Getter Premonition\n‘Anomalia’\n© March 26, 2021\nTheWaster.com | Anomalia","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line64236"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.736181914806366,"wiki_prob":0.26381808519363403,"text":"Not the Official Site for Accademia - An Unofficial Guide to the Accademia Gallery\nAdmission Tickets\n» Tickets\n» Guided tours\n» Michelangelo’s David\nThe Halls\nMore museums in Florence\nMuseum of Musical Instruments\nIf you go crazy for opera, theater and classic music, the Accademia is one of the best places you should visit in Florence. It hosts the Grand Ducal collection of about 50 musical instruments in the wing belonging to the Luigi Cherubini Conservatory. The works reveal that music played a primary role in everyday life and official celebrations of the Medicean Court through excellent sound, refined materials and high aesthetic value.\nExploring the collection of elegant harpsichords, string and wind instruments, the visitor can get to the roots of the invention of the piano, created by Bartolomeo Cristofori for the Medicis around 1699. Multimedia systems provide visitors with information about the features and sounds of the instruments as well as about the explanation of the grandiose festivals arranged in town by the Medici in villas or theaters, proudly showcasing the richness of the cultural atmosphere of the 17th century.\nViola by Stradivari\nOne of the most precious works exhibited at the Accademia is the one-of-a-kind tenor viola made by Antonio Stradivari in 1690. The viola is built in red spruce and maple wood of exceptional quality, decorated with the Medici crest in mother of pearl, ivory and ebony inlays. The tenor viola was part of the top five instruments used by the “Medici quintet”, a unique group of five string elements exclusively built for the Grand Prince Ferdinand and dated 1690. The Viola is an outstanding masterpiece, the only one entirely conserved in its original splendor.\nThe invention of the Piano\nBartolomeo Cristofori (1655-1732) was hired by Grand Prince Ferdinand de’ Medici in 1688. He dedicated his life to build musical instruments and experiment new materials and sounds. Among his creations are the spinnets and harpsichords, as well as an extraordinary invention called “pianoforte” (piano) mentioned within official documents. Multimedia displays allow the visitors to hear the sounds of this first piano, and how it differs from its forerunner, the harpsichord.\nThe “oval spienetta” by Cristofori\nMusicians at Court\nThe musicians hired by the Medicis and their instruments at the Court of Grand Prince Ferdinando were portrayed by Anton Domenico Gabbiani in a cycle of canvases painted by 1685 and 1690. His portraits and depiction of garments and instruments are so faithful that it was possible to identify Pietro Salvetti and Francesco Veracini, composers and music directors for the Medicis. In the hall dedicated to Bartolomeo Cristofori, inventor of the piano, you can admire a collection of XVII century still-lives which depict elegant tables presenting refined musical instruments and inviting fruits.\nAbout Accademia.org\nAccademia.org is an informational guide written by a team of locals that love Florence and art!\nWe are NOT the official site nor do we have a direct connection to the Accademia Gallery museum.\nThis website does not sell tickets or tours, but offers visitors the opportunity to book through affiliate links on third party websites.\nHow to Book Tickets »\nHow to Book Tours »\nSpecial Opening Monday, April 25 »\nSpecial Opening on Easter Monday, April 18, 2022 »\nFirst Sundays of the Month are FREE! »\nAccademia.org\nLegal Notes & Cookies\nGetting to the Accademia\nMuseums in Florence\nAccademia.org is a guide written by a team of locals that love Florence and art and is NOT the official website for the Accademia Gallery.\nCopyright Accademia.org 2020\nProject by Web Promoter - P.IVA/C.F. 05515250487","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1642255"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9832106828689575,"wiki_prob":0.9832106828689575,"text":"Jackson Browne, Bonnie Raitt, more perform on new tribute album to LI's Mose Allison\nBluesman Mose Allison at his Smithtown home. Credit: Newsday File Photo / J. Michael Dombroski\nBy Frank LoveceSpecial to Newsday December 5, 2019\nInfluential singer-songwriter Mose Allison, who lived in Smithtown for decades until his death in South Carolina in 2016, has been honored by a tribute album starring the likes of Fiona Apple, Jackson Browne, Elvis Costello, Iggy Pop and Bonnie Raitt.\nReleased Nov. 29 by Fat Possum Records, \"If You're Going to the City: A Tribute to Mose Allison\" features 15 songs by the much-covered musician, whose hybrid jazz-blues style proved too iconoclastic for the mainstream but earned him a devoted fan following and high regard from such fellow singer-songwriters as Van Morrison and The Who's Pete Townshend, among the many others who covered his songs. He has the rare distinction of an official marker on the Mississippi Blues Trail and being named a National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master.\nThough born in Mississippi, Allison made Long Island his home for more than 40 years before moving to Hilton Head, South Carolina, and he was among the first class of inductees to the Long Island Music Hall of Fame in 2006.\nThe artists featured on the album are Frank Black, Jackson Browne, Peter Case, Robbie Fulks, Chrissie Hynde, Taj Mahal, Iggy Pop, Bonnie Raitt, Richard Thompson, and Loudon Wainwright III, as well as The Tippo Allstars featuring Fiona Apple; Allison's musician daughter Amy Allison with Elvis Costello; the duos of Dave Alvin & Phil Alvin, and Ben Harper and Charlie Musselwhite; and the jazz combo Anything Mose!, consisting of Richard Julian and The John Chin Quartet.\nWith proceeds benefiting the musicians-in-need charity Sweet Relief, the album is available digitally; as a two-disc vinyl set; and as a CD. The latter two formats are bundled with the DVD documentary \"Mose Allison: Ever Since I Stole the Blues\" (2005), originally produced for the BBC.\nSign up for Newsday's Entertainment newsletter\nGet the latest on celebs, TV and more.\nWhile on Long Island, Allison and his wife Audre raised children Alissa, an attorney; John, a telecommunications specialist; Janine, a psychiatrist; and New York-based singer-songwriter Amy.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1469730"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8244612812995911,"wiki_prob":0.8244612812995911,"text":"Chingo Bling vs. La Migra\nHouston Press August 14, 2007 4:20PM\nIf you’ve been cruising the area around the South Loop and South Wayside Drive in the past couple of weeks, you’ve probably seen a billboard with the rather blunt slogan “They Can’t Deport Us All.” That’s popular Houston rapper Chingo Bling’s provocative means of promoting his new Warner/Asylum album, also titled They Can’t Deport Us All, which comes out today. “It feels like I gave birth to a baby,” Chingo says from Dallas, en route from one promotional appearance to another. “It’s something I’ve been waiting on and working on. It feels good to share it with the world.”\nChingo Bling's lost truck: The downside of street promotion\nChingo started working on the album shortly after he signed with Warner last February. The title, he says, came to him one day while having lunch with his manager in Orlando. “It just came up in the conversation,” he says. “We both kind of stopped. I had Welcome to the Border at first, but I didn’t think that one was edgy enough.” This one certainly is, as Chingo’s previous promotional vehicle (literally), a taco truck emblazoned with the slogan/title, was shot at, defaced, illegally towed and finally stolen from a flea market parking lot at I-45 South and College. “At least my dad wasn’t in it when it was shot at,” Chingo sighs. Strait-laced columnist and Fox News talking head Michelle Malkin isn't exactly a big fan either.\nHouston Press: What sort of comments has your billboard drawn?\nChingo Bling: It’s only been up for a couple of weeks. I’m getting tons of feedback. I’ll be in a barber shop, and people won’t recognize me because I don’t have my hat on, and I’ll hear people talking: ‘Chingo’s representing, he’s going to piss off a lot of people.’ One guy was joking, he said ‘He’s just going to speed up the process.’ One thing I’ve noticed, this debate over the border, a lot of people say ‘Oh, it’s against the law, that’s why I’m against it.’ But I’ve gotten letters from kids in school, where they’ve made them turn their shirts with “They Can’t Deport Us All” inside out. It’s just a statement. There’s no obscenity in there.\nHP: What’s been the positive/negative split?\nCB: I’d have to say mostly positive. I haven’t checked my hate mail; I need to go through that. But I think people like to see somebody standing up for what they believe in, and obviously a lot of people agree with what I’m saying.\nHP: How much of your album deals with this issue?\nCB: Honestly, I’m not, like, preaching. I couldn’t break it down into a percentage, but the overall theme is there. As an artist I chose to deal with a lot of different topics: fun topics, introspective topics, even strip-club topics. But I also like to throw different lines in [the songs] about it.\nHP: Why do you think immigration is such a controversial issue?\nCB: I don’t want to turn it into a race issue, but I think if Mexicans looked like Canadians, where it seemed like we were assimilating easier… I think there’s a lot of fear and ignorance. A lot of people are immigrants. If you go to the George R. Brown Convention Center when they’re sworn in [as citizens], there’s all kinds of people, not just Mexicans. Mexicans are just a scapegoat. For the most part, we’re honest, hardworking people who just want to make our daily bread.\nHP: You’re a U.S. citizen, born in Houston, but have you ever been mistaken for an illegal?\nCB: I’ve never been involved in any kind of roundup or anything like that, but I’m sure if we don’t take a stand and start showing the human rights aspect and the rights people have as citizens… here’s how I want to put it: if certain laws are passed that give certain officials the right to basically profile people, many citizens will have their rights violated. It’ll turn into that airport thing where I’m always the one “randomly” selected [to be searched]. I always like to joke with them, ‘Is it my clothes?’\nI’ll give you an example: Today I’m in Dallas. I was supposed to appear at Irving Mall for an in-store autograph signing at the record store there. But they threatened to charge me with trespassing if I set foot on the mall premises. Legally, I guess it’s not an absolute human right to shop at a mall. If they want to say I’m too famous to be there, that’s a different story. But I know Kelly Clarkson has done it there. They threatened to terminate the record store owner’s lease. They kept going in circles, saying ‘It’s nothing against Chingo, we just don’t do events like that,’ when we know they do the Easter Bunny, Santa Claus and other artists.\nHP: If you were, say, a congressman what sort of solution would you propose?\nCB: The whole purpose of my slogan – I’m not trying to be a politician. The only thought I’m presenting is: we’re here, get used to it. This whole Wild West attitude of rounding people up could turn out to be very disruptive. I honestly don’t know what I would do. I just think we need to have a little more tolerance and respect, and be a little more realistic, and understand we are the backbone of America. We help build cars in Detroit, people’s meat comes from slaughterhouses where immigrants risk their lives. I could go on all day telling you about this.\nHP: Do you have any idea what happened to your taco truck?\nCB: No, we don’t. My dad thinks maybe they stripped it down and sold it for metal. All it was was an empty bread truck. Really, there’s no telling. I haven’t got any clue. The only thing we suspected was this tow truck guy who got in trouble for illegally towing it stole it. It didn’t really run that good, so whoever stole it would need a lot of patience to get it wherever they’re going.\nHP: Has the controversy over your billboard and the album affected your tamale business at all?\nCB: I think it brings light to what I stand for as a businessman and an artist. It shows I’m investing my dollars into issues that affect the community. I could have named it something else, less controversial, gone for more jewelry instead of the billboard, but that’s not what I’m about.\nChingo had to go, as he was due for another autograph signing across town “at a mall that allows us to set foot on the property.” He’ll be back in town for the They Can’t Deport Us All release party 9 p.m. tonight at Pink Monkey, 709 Franklin, 713-225-7465. -- Chris Gray\nThe Houston Press is a nationally award-winning, 33-year-old publication ruled by endless curiosity, a certain amount of irreverence, the desire to get to the truth and to point out the absurd as well as the glorious.\nContact: Houston Press\nAfter Illness and Loss, Blues Guitarist Ana Popović Emerges with Power\nTop 10 Butt-Rock Bands of All Time\nHector Ward And The Big Time Smile Into Life\nSIGN UP for the latest Music news, free stuff and more!\nAfter Illness and Loss, Guitarist Popović Emerges with Power\nBy Tom Richards\nConcert Watch 1/18: Dave Alvin, C.J. Chenier and More\n(Mostly) Smooth Sailing on Fish and Dayton's Maiden Voyage","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line545646"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7247400879859924,"wiki_prob":0.27525991201400757,"text":"Identity Trouble\nFragmentation and Disillusionment in the Works of Guy de Maupassant\nAuthor(s): Yampolsky, Eva\nIn this book, Eva Yampolsky explores the questions of identity, illusion and suicide in the works of Guy de Maupassant. Utilizing a historical context which stimulated numerous social, technological and scientific transformations and developments during the 19th century, Dr. Yampolsky identifies two\nIn this book, Eva Yampolsky explores the questions of identity, illusion and suicide in the works of Guy de Maupassant. Utilizing a historical context which stimulated numerous social, technological and scientific transformations and developments during the 19th century, Dr. Yampolsky identifies two defining aims.\nFirstly, she examines the various figures of the double, such as visual representations of the subject through painting, mirror reflection, generational proximity and resemblance, and the relation between self-perception and social norms. She seeks to show the complex and often conflicting relation between the individual and society, and more specifically the attempts and frequent failures to manipulate, control and embody a unique definition of self. This divergence between the social norms, such as class, profession, gender and honor, and the characters’ notion of self is what drives the narrative.\nSecondly, Eva Yampolsky analyzes the consequent psychological turmoil, madness and even suicide of many Maupassantian characters. This impossible task of embodying an identity that is sole and unique, as it is lived and perceived by the subject and others, in most short stories and novels leads to the characters’ disillusionment and, in a great number of texts, violence or suicide.\nThis book draws on the social, political and economic revolutions that redefined the individual. New forms of visual representation and communication, namely with the invention of photography and the developments of the press, bring forth questions of authenticity, doubling, and a new distinction between private and public spheres. Finally, the birth of psychiatry at the turn of the 19th century and the emergence of new disciplines, such as sociology and psychoanalysis, inscribe passions, illusions and suicide in new discursive and disciplinary frameworks. These transformations and developments are pervasive and, in many cases, explicit in Maupassant’s work, influences that have aided and nourished the literary analysis of his texts.\nSee all description...","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1449807"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5325469374656677,"wiki_prob":0.4674530625343323,"text":"1847 Provides an Update on Special Warrant Dividend\nNEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / January 23, 2023 / 1847 Holdings LLC ('1847' or the 'Company') (NYSE American:EFSH), a unique holding company that combines the attractive attributes of owning private, lower-middle market businesses with the liquidity and transparency of a publicly traded company, provides an update on the previously announced issued dividend in the form of warrants to purchase the Company's common shares at $4.20 per common share.\nEllery W. Roberts, CEO and Chairman of the Board of the Company, commented, 'We believe that issuing this special warrant dividend to our loyal shareholders may help to expose those who may have participated in what we believe to be market manipulation relating to the Company's common shares. Through our engagement with ShareIntel, we are able to obtain share trading analytic metrics that are designed to better monitor trading activity. If you are a registered shareholder (i.e., your shares were registered directly in your name with our transfer agent, VStock Transfer, LLC) and have not received your warrants, please contact info@1847holdings.com. If you hold shares through a brokerage firm, bank, dealer or other similar organization (i.e., your shares are held in 'street name'), please reach out to your representative at such firm.'\nAbout 1847 Holdings LLC\n1847 Holdings LLC (NYSE American: EFSH), a publicly traded diversified acquisition holding company, was founded by Ellery W. Roberts, a former partner of Parallel Investment Partners, Saunders Karp & Megrue, and Principal of Lazard Freres Strategic Realty Investors. 1847 Holdings' investment thesis is that capital market inefficiencies have left the founders and/or stakeholders of many small business enterprises or lower-middle market businesses with limited exit options despite the intrinsic value of their business. Given this dynamic, 1847 Holdings can consistently acquire businesses it views as 'solid' for reasonable multiples of cash flow and then deploy resources to strengthen the infrastructure and systems of those businesses in order to improve operations. These improvements may lead to a sale or IPO of an operating subsidiary at higher valuations than the purchase price and/or alternatively, an operating subsidiary may be held in perpetuity and contribute to 1847 Holdings' ability to pay regular and special dividends to shareholders. For more information, visit www.1847holdings.com.\nFor the latest insights, follow 1847 on Twitter.\nThis press release may contain information about 1847 Holdings' view of its future expectations, plans and prospects that constitute forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are based on our management's beliefs, assumptions and expectations of our future economic performance, taking into account the information currently available to it. These statements are not statements of historical fact. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of factors, risks and uncertainties, some of which are not currently known to us, that may cause our actual results, performance or financial condition to be materially different from the expectations of future results, performance or financial position. Our actual results may differ materially from the results discussed in forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such a difference include but are not limited to the risks set forth in 'Risk Factors' included in our SEC filings.\nCrescendo Communications, LLC\nEmail: EFSH@crescendo-ir.com\nNEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / January 23, 2023 / 1847 Holdings LLC ('1847' or the 'Company') (NYSE American: EFSH), a unique holding company that combines the attractive attributes of owning private, lower-middle market businesses with the liquidity and transparency of a publicly traded company, provides an update on the previously announced issued dividend in the form of warrants to purchase the Company's common shares at $4.20 per common share.\nSOURCE: 1847 Holdings LLC\nhttps://www.accesswire.com/736217/1847-Provides-an-Update-on-Special-Warrant-Dividend\nMostly Cloudy in Charlotte","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line550063"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5398938655853271,"wiki_prob":0.46010613441467285,"text":"The Lyme threat, and how islands are responding\nNo solutions, but there are strategies to combat this scourge\nJack Sullivan\nBy Jack Sullivan\nThe threat of Lyme disease presents complications that leave many of us flummoxed, but thankfully, Mainers—especially islanders—are problem solvers by necessity.\nMany of the challenges mainland communities face are exacerbated when faced by an island. Some of this is obvious. Of course it’s harder to get a high-speed internet connection when there’s a body of water between you and a provider.\nBut why is someone twice as likely to contract Lyme disease on certain Maine islands as they are on the coastal mainland?\nI sought the answer to that question, and what community leaders are doing to address this serious health threat. The inquiry first took me to Cape Elizabeth, where I met Dr. Peter Rand and Chuck Lubelczyk of the Lyme & Vector-borne Disease Laboratory at the Maine Medical Center Research Institute. Both are experts in the field of tick-borne disease management.\nIt was here that I learned the history of Lyme disease, the ecology of the dreaded deer tick, and the fascinating story of how Rand, Lubelczyk, and their colleagues worked alongside the residents of Monhegan Island in the 1990s to execute an effective (albeit controversial) program to eradicate Lyme disease from the island.\nMonhegan’s Lyme disease saga begins with the introduction of two species to the island. One, the Norway rat, likely was established on the island hundreds of years ago, stowed away on the ships that bought the island’s early settlers. The other was brought to the beautiful island in the 1950s in an effort to make it even more beautiful—the common white-tailed deer.\nHaving deer and rats to feed on, and a warming climate and supportive vegetation, created a conducive habitat for a third, more insidious species: Ixodes scapularis, the deer tick.\nAfter several efforts to eliminate Lyme disease from Monhegan failed, a last-resort plan was put into action: every single deer on the island was dispatched by a sharp shooter. Within a few years, the cases of Lyme disease on the island dropped to almost zero. This method is still the only means of eradicating Lyme disease that has proven effective, and no community has done it since.\nSuch a strategy wouldn’t work on many islands, given their larger size (for example, Monhegan has 4.5 square miles of land compared to Vinalhaven’s 169 square miles). Other islands are so close to the coast that deer can swim there, so if the population were wiped out, a new population would likely reestablish itself eventually.\nIslands like Islesboro have annual hunts—and even special hunts outside the normal hunting season—to help control the island’s deer herd, but many of the residents are opposed to eliminating the entire deer population because the annual hunt is so ingrained in island culture and tradition.\n“It’s not a broad-brush approach,” Lubelczyk said of his work on islands. “You have got to treat each island almost individually. And you have to craft a tick program or a tick management program to each island’s needs.”\nEven though islands may experience the same problem, that doesn’t mean they’re going to use the same problem-solving methods. That’s where island leaders like Linda Gillies and Derreth Roberts of Islesboro, and Donna Wiegle of Swan’s Island come into the scene. Gillies and Roberts serve on Islesboro’s Tick-borne Disease Prevention Committee, which primarily aims to educate residents and visitors about how to protect themselves and what to do in the event of a tick bite. The committee has printed and distributed pamphlets and posters around the island and it has information disseminated digitally.\nWiegle, director of the Swan’s Island Health Center, helps patients who come in with tick bites, hosts informational programs for the public, and works in other capacities to fight tick-borne diseases on her island.\nTo read comprehensive interviews with these individuals and to learn more about Maine’s island tick problem, the community leaders on the front lines, and their methods to thwart Ixodes scapularis visit: www.islandinstitute.org/lyme.\nJack Sullivan is a multimedia storyteller at the Island Institute, publisher of The Working Waterfront.\nWarning sign on Islesboro at Broad Point Preserve.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1302090"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8834688663482666,"wiki_prob":0.8834688663482666,"text":"Comics/\nThe University of South Carolina received a library of 180,000 comics from a life-long collector\nThe collection will be preserved in USC’s special collections, and will go on display in August\nBy Andrew Liptak / @AndrewLiptak\nImage: University of South Carolina\nThe University of South Carolina received an unusual donation recently: the entire collection of a comic book collector from Ohio, totaling more than 180,000 comics, books, magazines, and other items, estimated to be worth around $2.5 million.\nSome of the collection’s comics will go on display at the Thomas Cooper Library on August 29th. The debut of the collection will also be accompanied by a series of events at the school, such as talks by comic book authors and artists.\nThe collection includes a number of rarities, including Avengers #1, which depicted the first teamup of Stan Lee’s creations in 1963, along with titles that introduced characters like Spider-man, Batman, Black Panther, Iron Man, and more. The university says that it’s “one of the largest collections of its kind,” and that it’s a “phenomenal, transformational gift,” according to associate dean of special collections at University Libraries Elizabeth Sudduth.\nSouth Carolina’s Post and Courier says that University archivists have begun going through the collection, a process that is expected to take years. The collection was the life’s work of an Ohio collector named Gary Watson who began buying comics in 1958, and continued until his retirement in 2010. He had resisted the idea of breaking up the collection or selling it privately, and eventually began speaking with officials at The University of South Carolina. He told the paper that he’s “glad someone can take better care of them now.”\nThe university notes that while it seems odd that such a collection might end up in the hands of an academic special collection, it’s “precisely what special collections are really all about,” according to Sudduth. David Shay, a cataloger for the school’s Irvin Department of Rare Books and Special Collections, notes that “Comics are really reflective of American interests and anxieties,” and that researchers can learn much about the contemporary attitudes on race, politics, and gender from them.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1780829"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9834460616111755,"wiki_prob":0.9834460616111755,"text":"MAXWELL’S NEW ALBUM blackSUMMERS’night OUT TODAY\nAlbum BLACKsummers’night Maxwell Music tour by Caroline Russo | on July 1, 2016 | 0 comments | in Music | Like it\nTOURING AUSTRALIA THIS AUGUST\nTHIS IS THE SECOND INSTALLMENT OF MAXWELL’S ACCLAIMED TRILOGY\nGrammy Award winning soul icon Maxwell’s eagerly awaited new album blackSUMMERS’night is out today through Columbia Records and Sony Music Entertainment Australia.\nMaxwell’s new album is the second installment of a musical trilogy that kicked off seven years ago with the acclaimed BLACKsummers’night. That album debuted at #1 in the US, snaring two Grammys and platinum-plus status, setting the stage for the ambitious follow-up. Maxwell is currently on a North American tour in support of blackSUMMERS’night, and it has been announced today that Maxwell will return to Australia for two exclusive shows this August.\nThe sexy ambassador of soul blew away audiences in 2014 with his debut Australian Tour, with media across the country praising his phenomenal live performances. Music Feeds said of his performance, “Maxwell is the guy at the top of the white stairs that appear on the other side of the clouds in a dream sequence. The music is as tight and shiny as his shoes, and the man is so unapologetically pure he could be channeling some kind of higher power.” The prolific artist who bought us absolute timeless classics like ‘Sumthin’ Sumthin’, ‘Ascension’, ‘Pretty Wings’, ‘Lifetime’ and the new single ‘Lake By The Ocean’, will be performing two exclusive shows in Sydney and Melbourne, performing hits off his phenomenal albums, including new tracks from blackSUMMERS’night.\nThe singer/songwriter recorded the new album in New York over the last several years with longtime collaborator/co-producer Hod David, and many of the same renowned musicians he’s worked with throughout his career. His seminal 1996 debut album, MAXWELL’S URBAN HANG SUITE, has been enthusiastically commemorated by the music press, recently, marking the 20th anniversary of the genre spawning debut. Credited for redefining classic soul, his debut album earned Maxwell his first Grammy nominations, double platinum status and RIAA gold for the single, ‘Ascension (Don’t Ever Wonder).’ The platinum albums EMBRYA (1998) and NOW (2001) followed. 2009’s #1 debuting BLACKsummers’night was universally welcomed as the inaugural offering of Maxwell’s trilogy, winning two Grammys including Best R&B Album. To date, Maxwell has achieved 13 gold and platinum certifications from the RIAA.\nblackSUMMERS’night Tracklisting:\n1. All the Ways Love Can Feel\n2. The Fall\n3. III\n4. Lake By the Ocean\n5. Fingers Crossed\n6. Hostage\n7. 1990x\n8. Gods\n9. Lost\n10. Of All Kind\n11. Listen Hear\nWatch Maxwell’s brand new single ‘Lake By The Ocean’ here: http://smarturl.it/LakeByTheOceanVideo\nPurchase blackSUMMERS’night now: http://smarturl.it/MaxwellBSN\nWatch Maxwell’s performance of new single ‘Lake By The Ocean’ and his tribute to Prince at the BET Awards: http://www.bet.com/video/betawards/2016/performances/maxwell-lake-by-the-ocean-nothing-compares-2- u.html\nTOUR DATE AND TICKET DETAILS\nMonday 22nd August – SYDNEY, Enmore Theatre. Tickets from www.ticketek.com.au\nWednesday 24th August – MELBOURNE, Palais Theatre. Tickets from www.ticketmaster.com.au\nTICKETS ON SALE\nPre-Sale: Wednesday 6th July 10am – Sunday 10th July\nGeneral On-Sale: Monday 11th July 11am\n\nWEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | TWITTER\n","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1134185"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7467027902603149,"wiki_prob":0.25329720973968506,"text":"Success! Lewis from Kenya raised $1,286 to fund a clubfoot repair surgery.\nLewis's treatment was fully funded on March 27, 2021.\nLewis's story\nLewis's update\nLewis underwent a clubfoot repair surgery.\nLewis was all smiles after his successful clubfoot repair surgery on his foot! The treatment will positively impact Lewis’ quality of life since now he will be able to walk properly, wear shoes easily and continue with his education uninterrupted. His self-esteem will also improve as a result of the procedure.\nRosaria, Lewis’ mother, shared, “I am extremely happy and grateful for the great support CURE hospital and Watsi has offered to my sons (Jonah & Lewis) I continue to pray for both organizations that the Lord may continue to bless and increase you as you continue to help needy patients.”\nLewis was all smiles after his successful clubfoot repair surgery on his foot! The treatment will positively impact Lewis' quality of life s...\nLewis is a playful and social 11-year-old boy from Kenya. He is the sixth born in a family of eight children, and is brother to Jonah, another Watsi patient. When he’s older, Jonah aspires to be in the special forces as a military officer in the future. His mother is a single parent and used to be a farmer, but currently stays at home to take care of her children. She recently underwent an amputation on her leg after suffering from diabetes.\nLewis had clubfoot of both his feet. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes.\nFortunately, Lewis traveled to visit our medical partner’s care center, AIC Cure International Hospital. There, surgeons healed one foot with support from Watsi and now will perform his other clubfoot repair surgery on January 25th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,286 to fund Lewis’s clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will be able to walk and play with his brother more easily.\nRosaria, Lewis’ mother shared, “We are grateful that Watsi is helping my two sons undergo surgery. We have seen a lot of impact on their feet. Previously, they used to complain of pain while walking and they like playing a lot. We plead for more support to ensure that their feet can be able to step on the ground and walk like other children. God bless you.”\nLewis is a playful and social 11-year-old boy from Kenya. He is the sixth born in a family of eight children, and is brother to Jonah, anoth...\nLewis's case was submitted by Joan Kadagaya at African Mission Healthcare.\nLewis's Timeline\nLewis was submitted by Joan Kadagaya, Curative Medical Support Program-Partner Representative at African Mission Healthcare.\nLewis received treatment at AIC Cure International Hospital in Kenya. Medical partners often provide care to patients accepted by Watsi before those patients are fully funded, operating under the guarantee that the cost of care will be paid for by donors.\nLewis's profile was published to start raising funds.\nLewis's treatment was successful. Read the update.\nLewis's treatment was fully funded.\nShare Lewis's story\nClub Foot Correction\nOn average, it costs $1,286 for Lewis's treatment\nThe foot is turned inward, often severely, at the ankle, and the arch of the foot is very high. Patients experience discomfort, and the affected leg may be shorter and smaller than the other.\nThese children have a difficult time walking and running. Years of trying to walk on a clubfoot will cause wounds and other skeletal problems, such as arthritis. Patients will have difficulty fitting in shoes and participating in normal play, school, and daily activities. Many Africans make their livings through manual labor, which can be difficult with an untreated clubfoot.\nIncidence is 1/1,000 live births in Kenya. This is roughly similar to rates in Western countries, though many cases may be missed. There is no known reason for its occurrence in this region.\nPatients will undergo a series of small operations, casting, and manipulations during their course of treatment.\nThe bones and joint will become aligned, and long-term disability will be prevented.\nClubfoot is very treatable. The surgery is minor and not risky.\nCare is not easily accessible. AIC Cure International Hospital is one of the few pediatric orthopedic hospitals devoted to serving the physically disabled children of Kenya. Most parents bring their children from remote areas to seek treatment.\nThere are no alternatives. If not treated, the condition will persist and will result in disability.\nElvis is a primary school student and the eldest of three children. Elvis's father is an electrician while his mother is a small-scale farmer. Their family owns a three-room mud house. For two months, Elvis has had a right hydrocele that has caused swelling on his groin. Elvis's mother discovered this condition while he was bathing. As time went on, the swelling increased in size, and while Elvis reports minimal pain, he does have constant headaches and feels unwell. This condition prevents Elvis from participating in movement and activities he enjoys, like football. Elvis was examined at Rushoroza Hospital and hernia repair surgery was recommended, but his parents cannot afford the procedure at this time. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, are helping Elvis's family raise $170 to fund this life altering surgery. Once completed, this procedure will allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. Elvis's father shared, “I am very much worried about my son’s condition if not treated on time. I pray that he may get well with surgery so that he can continue with studies.”\nPanha is a 14-year-old student from Cambodia who is studying in the 9th grade. He has an older and younger brother. His father works as a rice farmer, and his mother sells fish at the market. When Panha was a year old, he experienced burns on his legs from a cooking fire accident. Burn scan contractures have developed, tightening the skin around the burns, especially on his right foot. As a result, it is difficult for Panha to wear shoes and walk, his legs feel itchy, and he is shy around his peers at school. When Panha learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), he traveled for two and a half hours seeking treatment for him. On November 17th, surgeons at CSC will perform a burn contracture release surgery to help him walk easily again. CSC is requesting $495 procedure to fund this procedure. Panha's family was able to gather $100 to contribute to his care. Panha shared: \"I hope I feel comfortable about my legs and can walk easily after this surgery.\"\nChorn is a 33-year-old father of three. Chorn is married; he and his wife both work in a local factory. Chorn's children are all in public school. When Chorn and his wife have free time, they grow vegetables around their house to support their daily meals. When he was a child, Chorn had a severe ear infection. This infection caused the tympanic membrane, or the ear drum, in his right ear to perforate. For this reason, Chorn experiences pain, fevers, and frequent ear discharge. It is difficult for him to hear in the busy factory and he often misses work because he feels poorly. Chorn traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On September 6th he will undergo a myringoplasty procedure in his right ear. During this procedure, surgeons will close the perforation. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $487 to fund this procedure. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care. Chorn shared, \"I hope the doctors can help me so I will no longer have infections and can hear better. It is important for me to work to support my family.\"","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1047899"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5864033102989197,"wiki_prob":0.5864033102989197,"text":"Queen’s Birthday Honour for IFR scientist\nProfessor Vic Morris from the Institute of Food Research has been awarded an MBE for services to food science in the 2012 Queen’s Birthday Honours list. Vic has worked for the last 32 years at IFR studying food structure. Vic’s group has developed and...\nWhy is it so difficult to trace the origins of food poisoning outbreaks?\nAs illustrated by the E. coli outbreak in Germany in 2011, any delay in identifying the source of food poisoning outbreaks can cost lives and cause considerable political and economical damage. An international multidisciplinary team of scientists have shown that difficulties in finding the...\n£29 million investment in research and innovation at the Institute of Food Research\nNew research on the physical and chemical nature of food and its impact on health will help drive innovation in the UK and worldwide. The research will make it possible for new healthy and safer food products to be developed, reducing the...\nIFR joins the Cub Scouts\nIFR Research Scientist and STEM Ambassador, Mark Fernandes, describes his day spent making Yoghurt and explaining Science to over 200 Cub Scouts at the Norfolk Showground. On Saturday the 5th of May, I and three other STEM Ambassadors, Jill from the Space Conference venue,...\nThe foodborne bacterium Campylobacter requires selenium for respiration of organic acids\nResearchers at the Institute of Food Research have discovered why the micronutrient selenium is important to the survival of Campylobacter bacteria, which are responsible for an estimated half a million cases of food poisoning annually in the UK alone. Knowing how and why Campylobacter...\nEpigenetics, folates and the human gut\nIFR is exploring epigenetic changes in cells that line the human gut, which are linked to our vulnerability to developing cancer. Here, Professor Ian Johnson comments on DNA methylation, and on a new study from Nigel Belshaw’s group which suggests that prolonged exposure to...\nIFR in the City Lecture ‘Food for a leaner future’\nDuring National Science and Engineering Week, Dr Susan Jebb, Head of Diet and Population Health at the Medical Research Council Human Nutrition Research Unit (HNR) gave the annual IFR in the City Lecture. Her talk, ‘Food for a leaner future’ touched on the science underpinning...\nUK-Vietnam Workshop on Biofuels\nProfessor Keith Waldron has attended a UK-Vietnam Workshop on Biofuels, sponsored by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and the British Embassy. Vietnam is a centre of rice growing and production, and the waste rice straw from this could represent a significant...\nConference poster prize for Toxoplasma gondii work\nPhD student Caroline Weight recently won a prize for a poster that she presented at an international conference on aspects of tight junctions, which are specialised connections between adjacent epithelial cells. Her poster outlined some of the major findings from her PhD on how...\nExposure to stomach acid primes Campylobacter for intestinal infection\nCampylobacter is a major cause of foodborne gastroenteritis, with an estimated 500,000 infections annually in the UK. The most common infection route is on undercooked poultry meat, and then crossing the lining of the small intestine. To do this, the bacteria must survive the...","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1220787"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5724490880966187,"wiki_prob":0.42755091190338135,"text":"DatViet: A Quick Overview, Updates, and Competitors!\nDatViet is a social network that connects people and businesses in the Vietnamese market. It operates as an online platform for networking, information sharing, and business development. DatViet is unique in that it fills a gap in the Vietnamese market by connecting businesses, entrepreneurs, and professionals with each other.\nIt also has a wealth of information on various topics related to Vietnam, including business news, investment opportunities, and more. If you are looking for an online platform to connect with the Vietnamese market or simply want to learn more about Vietnam, DatViet is a great resource.\nDatViet Overview\nDatViet is a leading data center provider in Vietnam. It offers colocation, cloud hosting, managed services, and software development services to businesses and organizations in Vietnam. DatViet ranks first in the market for both web traffic and data storage capacity. The company has over 1,000 employees and operates 26 data centers across Vietnam.\nDatViet was founded in 2006 by entrepreneur Nguyen Quoc Quan. The company began operations as a data center operator and cloud services provider. In 2012, DatViet became the first Vietnamese company to be accepted into the Microsoft Azure Partner Program. In 2014, DatViet acquired Cloud9 Technology Group (CTG), a U.S.-based provider of cloud hosting, managed services, and software development services. That year also saw the launch of DatViet’s new web presence in Vietnam with localized content in Vietnamese and English.\nDatViet competes against two other leading providers of data center services in Vietnam: Viettel Data Centers Corporation (VDCC) and Asia Data Corporation (ADC). As of 2018, VDCC had more than 1,000 employees while ADC had over 900 employees.\nRead More: Prmovies 2022: Available for Free Download Movie and TV Series!\nDatViet Update\nDatViet is a leading provider of SaaS-based data analytics and search solutions for businesses of all sizes. The company’s flagship product, DatViet Analytics, helps organizations unlock the value in their data by providing insights into customer behavior, product performance, and more.\nDatViet offers a comprehensive suite of products that include an advanced search engine, dashboard software, and predictive analytics tools. With its growing customer base in Asia Pacific and North America, DatViet is poised to continue its growth trajectory in the years to come.\nDatViet was founded in 2013 by two entrepreneurs with extensive experience in the technology industry: Matthew Liaw (CEO) and Trevor Yeung (CTO). Prior to founding DatViet, both Liaw and Yeung were responsible for pioneering online advertising platforms for some of Asia’s largest brands.\nIn addition to its impressive technical capabilities, DatViet also has a strong business track record. Since its inception, the company has grown rapidly thanks to its innovative products and aggressive marketing efforts. In just three years, DatViet has amassed more than 1 million customers across 88 countries worldwide.\nAmong DatViet’s key competitors are Google Analytics 360 (GA360), Cloudera Performance Insights (CPI), Tableau Public, Microsoft Azure Data Science Platform (Azure DS), and IBM Watson Analytics (Watson). GA360 is particularly noteworthy as it offers substantially similar features to Datviet\nDatViet Competitors\nDatViet is a leading provider of artificial intelligence (AI) services in Vietnam. The company offers a suite of AI-powered products and services across a number of industries, including retail, healthcare, advertising, and logistics. DatViet competes with China’s Alibaba Group Holdings Ltd., Japan’s SoftBank Group Corp., and South Korea’s Naver Corp. for market share in Vietnam.\nIn August 2019, DatViet announced the launch of its first private blockchain platform called “DatViet Blockchain Platform”. The platform will allow businesses to create their own custom blockchains using DatViet’s AI capabilities. The launch follows the successful completion of DatViet’s $25 million Series A funding round in June 2019.\nRead More: Is Pangzitv a Fraud or Secure? Know Here!\nDatViet has also entered into a partnership with Microsoft Corporation to bring its AI services to Microsoft Azure cloud platforms. This partnership will give businesses access to DatViet’s powerful AI engines and tools through Azure cloud platforms, making it easy for them to deploy and use AI applications.\nDatViet has been growing rapidly since its establishment in 2013. In 2018, the company reported revenues of $107 million, up from $35 million in 2017. In Q2 2019, DatViet posted revenues of $25 million, up from $9 million in Q1 2019. The company is expanding rapidly into new markets and continues to make significant investments in R&D efforts to stay ahead of the competition","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1782788"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7857244610786438,"wiki_prob":0.7857244610786438,"text":"What constitutes a war crime?\nhttps://www.dw.com-The International Criminal Court has announced that it will open an investigation into possible war crimes carried out in Ukraine. There are specific international standards for war crimes.\nWas the shelling of Kharkiv’s police building a war crime?\nSince Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, its troops have increasingly hit civilian sites with airstrikes and artillery, raising concerns that war crimes are being commited.\nAmnesty International said Russia’s military was conducting “indiscriminate attacks” in Ukraine.\nAnd Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has described Russia’s missile strikes in civilian areas as war crimes, most recently on Tuesday, when the Russian army launched airstrikes on Kharkiv’s Freedom Square.\nRussia intensifies attacks on Ukraine\nOn Wednesday, the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague announced that it would open an investigation into possible war crimes or crimes against humanity in Ukraine. In a statement, the prosecutor Karim A.A. Khan QC wrote that there was a “reasonable basis” to open an investigation and that the collection of evidence has now commenced.\n‘Laws of war’\nThere are specific international standards for war crimes, which are not to be confused with crimes against humanity.\nWar crimes are defined as serious violations of humanitarian laws during a conflict. The definition, established by the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, is derived from the 1949 Geneva Conventions and is based on the idea that individuals can be held liable for the actions of a state or its military.\nThe UN Office on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to Protect separates war crimes from genocide and crimes against humanity. War crimes are defined as occurring in a domestic conflict or a war between two states, while genocide and crimes against humanity can happen in peacetime or during the unilateral aggression of a military toward a group of unarmed people.\nUkrainian officials say more than 2,000 civilians have been killed during Russian attacks\nThere is a long list of acts that can be considered war crimes. The taking of hostages, willful killings, torture or inhuman treatment of prisoners of war, as well as forcing children to fight, are some of the more obvious examples.\nBut, in practice, there is significant gray area.\n“The laws of war do not always protect civilians from death,” said Mark Kersten of the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy at the University of Toronto. “Not every civilian death is necessarily illegal.”\nRaids on a cities or villages, bombing residential buildings or schools, and even the killing of groups of civilians do not necessarily amount to war crimes — if their military necessity is justified. The same act can become a war crime if it results in unnecessary destruction, suffering and casualties that exceed the military gain from the attack.\nTo decide whether an individual or a military has committed a war crime, international humanitarian law lays down three principles: distinction, proportionality and precaution.\nProportionality prohibits armies from responding to an attack with excessive violence. “If a soldier is killed, for example, you cannot bomb an entire city in retaliation,” Kersten told DW.\nIt is also illegal to target objectives that are “expected to cause incidental loss of civilian life, injury to civilians, damage to civilian objectives, which would be excessive in relation to the concrete and direct military advantage anticipated,” according to the International Committee of the Red Cross.\nPrecaution requires parties to a conflict to avoid or minimize the harm done to the civilian population.\nFinally, “the principle of distinction says that you have to be constantly trying to distinguish between civilian and belligerent populations and objects,” Kersten said, adding that this can be difficult.\n“For example, attacking a barracks where there are people who have said they no longer participate in the conflict can be a war crime,” he said. “The same goes for bombing a military base where there are generators that supply hospitals with electricity.”\nRussia has intensified its assault over the past days\nCivilian and military populations have become increasingly hard to distinguish.\n“You have saboteurs, you have plainclothes officers,” Kersten said. “Combatants disguise themselves in wars all the time. These are very common tactics.”\nWhen ICC prosecutors have reason to believe that a war crime has been committed, they start an investigation to find evidence that could point to specific individuals responsible for those crimes.\n“Those are the kind of moments we’re heading to now, with regards to the war crimes conducted in Ukraine,” Kersten said.\nSpeed is crucial, however, as evidence can degenerate or disappear. It is very difficult for prosecutors to successfully investigate suspected war crimes after the fact, when one party to a conflict may have tampered with evidence or witnesses are no longer available.\nEdited by: Kristin Zeier\nWhat Not To Say To Immunocompromised People Right Now\nԼՕԽ-ի «Արաքսի Պուլղուրճեան» ընկերաբժշկական կեդրոն. հովանաւորութեամբ` Հայկական երեսփոխանական գրասենեակին բժշկական անվճար օժանդակութիւն` Ֆրեզնոյի Բժշկական առաքելութեան կողմէ","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1331333"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7177630066871643,"wiki_prob":0.7177630066871643,"text":"Integrate Pendo with Etsy\nAppy Pie Connect allows you to automate multiple workflows between Pendo and Etsy\nConnect Pendo + Etsy\nPendo Integrations\nAbout Pendo\nPendo is a product-analytics app that helps software companies develop products that cater to customer needs. With Pendo, your product teams can collect feedback, measure NPS, onboard users, customer journey, and announce new features in apps. Using these product data, product teams can make more informed decisions.\nAbout Etsy\nEtsy is an online marketplace for buying and selling unique, creative, and handmade goods.\nThe term 'Etsy' is a trademark of Etsy, Inc. This application uses the Etsy API but is not endorsed or certified by Etsy, Inc.\nPendo + Etsy Quick Connects\nWant to explore Pendo + Etsy quick connects for faster integration? Here’s our list of the best Pendo + Etsy quick connects.\nEtsy Alternatives\nLooking for the Etsy Alternatives? Here is the list of top Etsy Alternatives\nStorenvy\nConnect Pendo + Etsy in easier way\nIt's easy to connect Pendo + Etsy without coding knowledge. Start creating your own business flow.\nNew Visitor\nTrigger when new visitor visit.\nNew Visitor From Report\nTrigger when a new visitor added in the report.\nNew Listings By Shop\nGet Active Listings By Shop.\nUpdate Shop Details\nIntegrate Pendo API with Etsy API\nHow Pendo & Etsy Integrations Work\nStep 1: Choose Pendo as a trigger app and authenticate it on Appy Pie Connect.\nStep 3: Pick Etsy as an action app and authenticate.\nStep 5: Select the data you want to send from Pendo to Etsy.\nIntegration of Pendo and Etsy\nLet’s look at the introduction first. We’re going to explain what Pendo is, and what Etsy is. Then we’ll tell how they’re different, and how they’re similar. And then we’ll tell what the reader will learn by reading the article. We want to engage our readers, so we’re going to use some things that are interesting or funny about them. Things like this. “eBay was founded in San Jose, California, as an online auction site in 1995. Today, it has more than 3 million sellers around the world, and serves over 1 billion listings per year.” That’s a fact about eBay that’s interesting. Another example might be. “In 2014, Facebook bought the popular messaging app WhatsApp, which had 450 million users at the time.” We’re not going to write an article about why Facebook bought WhatsApp, but we can still tell a bit about it to give our readers an idea of why we’re writing about Pendo and Etsy.\nNow let’s look at the body paragraphs. We will have three body paragraphs. The first one will talk about Etsy, and the second one will talk about integration of Pendo and Etsy. Then we will have a conclusion paragraph.\nPendo?\nPendo is a software as a service (SaaS. application that helps companies cplect user feedback from their websites and mobile apps. By providing a single platform for customer feedback management across multiple channels, Pendo helps companies align their business goals with customer insight. Sean Ellis and Todd Olson founded Pendo in 2011 after they noticed that customers were increasingly using multiple devices when interacting with companies. Even though many businesses already cplected feedback from customers via call centers and email surveys, they often failed to take advantage of user feedback because it was difficult to track and analyze across multiple channels and platforms. In response, Ellis and Olson created Pendo to help businesses turn customer feedback into actionable insights.\nEtsy?\nEtsy is an e-commerce website focused on handmade or vintage items and supplies, as well as unique factory-manufactured goods. It enables people all over the world to connect through commerce and trade unique goods. Etsy was founded in 2005 by Robert Kalin, Chris Maguire, and Haim Schoppik. All three men had previously worked together at Kalin’s New York-based company BlueSky Innovation.[5] Kalin had built Blue Sky into an international company with more than 60 employees and $30 million in annual revenue when he decided to sell it and pursue his interest in craftsmanship and entrepreneurship full time.[6] He started working on his new idea, called Etsy, during the launch of BlueSky’s second website, DIYDog.com.[7] At the same time, Haim Schoppik launched his online game company Kiloo,[8] which he founded in 2000.[9] He joined BlueSky shortly thereafter.[10][11] Maguire had developed and launched Web projects for New York City cultural institutions such as the Metroppitan Museum of Art and the Brooklyn Museum before joining BlueSky.[12] Both were interested in e-commerce and joined Kalin to develop the concept further.[13]\nThe founders raised $35,000 from family and friends in their first round of fundraising,[14][15] and within two months, they raised an additional $200,000 from MHS Capital Ventures.[16][17] Their goal was to launch an online alternative to arts and crafts chain stores such as Hobby Lobby Stores[18] and Fabric Warehouse.[19] On August 1, 2005,[20][21] Etsy went live.[22][23] It received its initial round of funding in September 2005 from Union Square Ventures,[24] which invested $1 million in the company.[25][26] The site grew quickly; it attracted 30,000 people within the first four months.[27][28] At that time, the site consisted of approximately 40 items spd by 20 sellers.[29] In November 2005, a total of 60 items were listed for sale on Etsy.[29] There were more than 75 items by early 2006,[30] and 150 items by June 2006.[31][32] In July 2007, Etsy featured its first merchandise sale—a baby blanket offered by a seller named Etsyle.[33] As sales increased, the company began offering a monthly subscription service called Etsy Whpesale in May 2009;[34][35] this enabled artists to sell their works on the site directly to retailers[36][37] while maintaining the same page-view count,[38] search engine exposure,[39][40] and transaction fees as regular listings.[41] In April 2010, the company implemented an instant messaging system for buyers and sellers to communicate,[42] initially using Yahoo! Messenger until Microsoft Skype was later used instead,[43][44][45] which was ultimately abandoned for other services like Slack.[46][47][48][49][50][51][52] In December 2014, Etsy generated US$69 million in revenue,[53] up 34% from the previous year.[54] As of 2017, there are 40 million active users on Etsy who come to the marketplace to buy or sell goods.[55] The average transaction value is currently $83,[56] compared with $212 for Amazon Handmade products[57] and $95 for eBay Handmade products.[58] In April 2017, Etsy laid off 19 employees (3% of its workforce. as part of a restructuring process.[59][60][61][62][63] According to Wired magazine, the layoffs put an end to “years of stagnant growth”.[64][65][66][67] In July 2017, Etsy reportedly rejected a takeover offer from rival firm Walmart.[68] The fplowing month it appointed Josh Silverman as its CEO.[69][70] On October 2nd 2018 Etsy announced plans to layoff at least 250 workers as well as freeze salaries for all employees up to senior level executives. [71][72] In December 2018, Etsy announced it would separate into two publicly traded companies — one catering to small sellers and another large sellers — as part of a move that would ease compliance with SEC rules.[73]\nAnd that about wraps it up! Now you know how to write an article about Pendo and Etsy. But remember. just reading this post won’t make you an expert. To improve your article writing skills you need to practice writing articles – a lot! Use these tips when you write your own article about Pendo and Etsy, or any other topic. And if you need help writing articles about Pendo and Etsy or any other topic, you can always ask your friends or teachers for help. They’ll be glad to give you advice!\nThe process to integrate Pendo and Etsy may seem complicated and intimidating. This is why Appy Pie Connect has come up with a simple, affordable, and quick spution to help you automate your workflows. Click on the button below to begin.\nConnect Pendo with Etsy now\nHow to Integrate Pendo with Vend?\nHow to Integrate Pendo with Shippo?\nHow to Integrate Pendo with Shipwire?\nHow to Integrate Pendo with MailChimp Ecommerce?\nHow to Integrate Pendo with Storenvy?\nHow to Integrate Pendo with shiprocket?\nHow to Integrate Pendo with shippit?\nHow to Integrate Pendo with Easyship?\nHow to Integrate Pendo with Ecwid?\nHow to Integrate Pendo with BulkGate?","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line311165"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6498243808746338,"wiki_prob":0.3501756191253662,"text":"Posts Tagged ‘Benicio del Toro’\nPosted in Film Reviews, tagged 2000s, Benicio del Toro, Catherine Zeta Jones, Don Cheadle, drama, Michael Douglas, Steven Soderbergh, thriller, Traffic on November 25, 2013| Leave a Comment »\nChristmas is coming on apace (drop me a line via the comments if you would like my gift wish-list) and I am aware that some people are harder to buy presents for than others. What do you get, as the saying goes, for the person who has everything?\nWell, here’s an idea (i.e. a cheap gag is en route) – get them a piece of card with ‘YOU ARE HERE’ written on it, and when they ask you what it is, tell them it is a fabulously rare and precious gift – nothing less than a life-size map of the world!\nOh well, it’s a bit Zen, perhaps, but I like it. I was reminded of this dubious old gag while watching Traffic, a 2000 movie from the peak period of the Steven Soderbergh collective. This was the year in which the Soderberghs managed to get Oscar-nominated twice in the same category (which I would interpret as meaning that at least one loss was guaranteed to be on the cards, but then again I’m not known for looking on the bright side). This is one of the Soderberghs’ most sophisticated and complex movies, as befits its topic – this is a film attempting to deal seriously with the realities of America’s so-called War on Drugs.\nIt’s impossible to deal with a topic this broad and complicated using only a single viewpoint, and the movie doesn’t even try – instead, it has three parallel plotlines, which are only loosely linked, and together they offer a slightly more rounded perspective.\nThe movie opens with the realities of drug enforcement in Mexico, as careworn cop Benicio del Toro finds himself sucked into the darker side of the struggle with the cartels. Recruited by a high-ranking army officer for some, er, off-the-books work, he finds himself forced to confront the realities of torture and corruption, and the dawning realisation that one of the most active and vicious areas of the entire drugs conflict is the struggle between the various cartels themselves.\nTaking place in a more familiar milieu is the story of affluent housewife Catherine Zeta Jones, who doesn’t look too hard at where her husband’s money is coming from. This changes when DEA agent Don Cheadle arrests Miguel Ferrer’s dealer. Ferrer gives up his boss in exchange for immunity, said boss being Zeta Jones’ man. She rapidly find herself not only having to accept her husband’s career choice, but actively involve herself in the business if she’s going to preserve anything of her family and its lifestyle.\nFinally, the political angle is considered in a story concerning Michael Douglas’ judge, recruited by the President to head up the War on Drugs. He is, as you’d expect, full of high principles and strong rhetoric, but entirely unprepared for the revelation that his daughter (Erika Christensen) has a serious drugs problem of her own, and her descent into addiction and eventual prostitution compels him to reassess all of his assumptions.\nWell, let’s not be under any illusions here: this is a movie featuring numerous mob executions, personal degradation of an intimate kind, torture (both psychological and physical), and very nearly industrial levels of hard drug use. This is not a movie to watch if you’re looking for a relaxing or escapist two and a half hours, as it is a gruelling and fairly demanding watch.\nNow, the Soderberghs do their best to make the proceedings accessible – one of their touches is to, effectively, colour-code the three different storylines so you know (broadly speaking) which one you’re watching at any given moment – most of the scenes in the Douglas plotline are tinted a muted blue, while the one set in Mexico is primarily a hellish yellow-orange. This is reasonably helpful, but doesn’t really make any difference to the fact that this is a film attempting to cover an immensely big and complicated topic.\nThe individual storylines of the main characters are compelling and engaging enough, which is the film’s great strength, but it is also notable for the way in which it refuses to be just a character-based drama or thriller – it insists on addressing the wider issues of the topic. The internecine conflicts of the drugs cartels are just one, as equally under consideration are the effects of drug-related stereotyping on ethnic minorities, the essential futility of everything the DEA, as embodied by Cheadle’s character, are trying to do, and many other issues.\nThe result is not quite intellectual and sensory overload, but neither is it very far from it. The War on Drugs is a highly complex and potentially controversial topic, surrounded by questions to which there are no easy answers, and by dealing with it so honestly and fully Soderbergh has come up with a film which is highly complex and potentially controversial, full of questions to which there are no easy answers. In this respect it sort of resembles the life-sized map of the world I mentioned earlier.\nThis should not detract from the impressiveness of Soderbergh’s narrative achievement in making such a sprawling project cohere so well as a piece of storytelling, nor from the strength of the various performances. However, this isn’t a film you would watch for pleasure, nor really for information or a particular perspective on the problem. I think, to be honest, it’s a film you’d watch simply in order to be able to say you’d watched it, and thus capable of discussing it in an informed manner. As sophisticated talking-point movies go, though, it has a lot going for it.\nIt’s Miller Time!\nPosted in Film Reviews, tagged 2000s, action, Benicio del Toro, Clive Owen, drama, Elijah Wood, Frank Miller, horror, Jessica Alba, Mickey Rourke, Robert Rodriguez, Sin City on February 17, 2011| Leave a Comment »\nFrom the Hootoo archive. Originally published 14th June 2005:\nHello again, everyone, and welcome to the column that believes it’s better to be adored by a few than read by anyone. This week we cruise the mean streets of Sin City, our helpful guides being Robert Rodriguez (whom you may recall as the director of the Mariachi and Spy Kids trilogies, not to mention From Dusk Till Dawn) and Frank Miller (who’s partly to blame for the script of Robocop 2 and got stabbed in the head with a pen by Colin Farrell in Daredevil).\nHowever, the well-read amongst you will be aware that while Miller’s record at the cinema ain’t exactly gilt-edged, his track record when it comes writing and drawing comics is peerless – for one thing, the imminently blockbusterous Batman Begins owes a significant debt to Miller’s Year One, while he made Daredevil famous and actually created Elektra. Away from the spandex crowd, Miller is probably best known for his painfully stylish series of Sin City graphic novels – and its these that the new movie is based upon.\nThe film is set on the streets of Basin City (geddit), capital of the state of total moral collapse, where the police, the politicians, and the church seemingly strive to outdo each other when it comes to venality and decadence, and the blood flows like tippex every night. Locked in perpetual darkness, every single inhabitant seems to be either mad, bad, or sad, but at least this means they all have quite interesting stories to relate. And the film follows three of them – jaded cop Hartigan (Bruce Willis) battles to protect an innocent young girl (Jessica Alba, an actress whose visibility is about to rocket – ho ho ho) from a gnome-like pervert (Nick Stahl). Enigmatic loner Dwight (Clive Owen) tries to help the hookers of Sin City (all of whom seem to be heavily-armed killing machines, obviously) maintain their truce with the police department in the face of interference by the mob. And borderline-superhuman nutcase Marv (Mickey Rourke) sets out to avenge a prostitute (Jaime King) who was kind to him before she was murdered by a kung-fu fighting cannibal serial killer (Elijah Wood. No, really).\nThis probably isn’t the best choice of movie to take your sweet old grandma to, unless she really gets off on dismemberment, torture, immorality, generally astounding levels of violence and ickiness, and a really special scene where Bruce Willis rips someone’s knob off with his bare hands. (Betcha that doesn’t get picked as a ‘highlight of the movie year’ come the December review shows.) As you may or may not recall, it normally takes a lot to convince me that this level of really extreme violence is justified, but in Sin City‘s case it probably is, given that the film does try to say things about morality and the gore isn’t actually played for laughs. And it has to be said that it does form part of one of the most distinctive visions to be brought to the cinema in some time – a virtually perfect recreation of the original Sin City strips, with individual panels being imitated. The central irony, that stories with a morality consisting solely of varying shades of grey are told largely in black and white, survives. It looks fantastic, luminous monochrome deep-focus cinematography creating a world both utterly fantastical yet grimily realistic.\nBut solid performances from an impressive ensemble cast keep your attention on the stories, for the most part. The common theme of the three stories is one of dodgy alpha-males finding a sort of redemption through their relationships with women they idealise. Their willingness to do anything for their girls borders on the masochistic, if we’re honest, but to be honest it’s all that separates them from the scum they do battle with. In a funny sort of way Sin City‘s thoroughly unreconstructed gender politics mark it out as one of the most romantic films of recent months – admittedly Bruce Willis shooting somebody in the nuts (yes, this happens too) isn’t everyone’s idea of romance but there you go.\nHang on a mo’ though! A hardboiled, pulpy noiry sort of thriller? With a sort of anthology structure? Where the internal chronology is a bit fishy? And a lot of violence? And Bruce Willis, giving a pretty good performance? Yes, you guessed it, Quentin Tarantino pops up as a ‘special guest director’ (though he thankfully resists the temptation to appear in front of the camera). To be honest I’m not sure why he bothered as the sequence he’s responsible for isn’t particularly long nor distinguished. Presumably Bob Rodriguez doesn’t like being pestered any more than anyone. This movie certainly shouldn’t need Tarantino’s name plastered on it in order to be successful. It’s skilfully put together, memorable in all sorts of ways, and combines arthouse aesthetics with a charnel house sensibility in a manner guaranteed to meet with the approval of a good many cinemagoers. Not one I’d recommend without serious qualifications, but still one of the outstanding movies of the year so far.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line565566"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6607062816619873,"wiki_prob":0.6607062816619873,"text":"Evil Portent For San Francisco? Strange Cloud Formation Puzzles Bay Area....\nStrange cloud formation puzzles Bay Area\nSAN FRANCISCO (KRON) - An unusual cloud formation has Bay Area residents puzzled Friday afternoon. Several viewers reached out to KRON4 to ask what the giant hole in the sky was. The phenomenon was seen mainly on the Peninsula in cities like San Bruno, San Mateo, and Burlingame. But residents in the East Bay also tell us they saw the clouds. KRON4 Chief Meteorologist Lawrence Karnow says the formation is known as a \"fallstreak hole\" or \"hole punch cloud.\" The clouds form when there are water droplets that are colder than freezing but have yet to freeze, according to the National Weather Service. These \"supercooled\" water droplets need a \"reason\" to freeze, which usually comes in the form of ice crystals, the NWS explains. Planes passing through the cloud layer can bring these ice crystals. Once the ice crystals are introduced, the water droplet quickly freeze, grow and start to fall. A hole is left behind, which will start to expand outward as neighboring droplets start to freeze. Source\nDOOM FOR DC! DC'S NASTIEST DAY!\nDidn't See That Coming.......Paragliders Flew On H...\nDidn't See That Coming........Father Killed In Acc...\nDidn't See That Coming....Follow Me ATV.....\nDidn't See That Coming......Distracted Woman Drive...\nDidn't See That Coming.....Having Coffee At Turkis...\nMUSLIM DOOM! CORPSE Falls In A Pool During Funeral...\nDidn't See That Coming........Man Tying His Shoe G...\nEvil Portent For San Francisco? Strange Cloud Form...\nHURRICANE FLORENCE: Sinners Will Not Believe In Th...\nHURRICANE FLORENCE: God Threatens To Chastise Us I...\nDOOM For Manchester United Manager Jose Mourinho\nDidn't See That Coming.....Man Looking At His Phon...\nDidn't See That Coming......New Pane Of Glass Take...\nOMEN TURNS UP AT TRUMP RALLY!\nHAJJ DOOM FULFILLED! A Dozen Passengers Returning ...\nEvil Omen: Calf Born With Two Bottoms And Six Legs\nDidn't See That Coming.....Suitcase Tumbles Down E...\nDidn't' See That One Coming.....China Swat FAIL......","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line891878"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9010215997695923,"wiki_prob":0.9010215997695923,"text":"Hot Seat Review: A cyber-thriller overstuffed with every outdated trope related to the genre- Cinema express\nHot Seat Movie Review: A cyber-thriller overstuffed with every outdated trope\nThe title is a challenge to the audience; we are made to sit on this metaphorical hot seat and are made to try and wring out our attention for the film's entire runtime\nPrashanth Vallavan\nHot Seat is a thriller where an ex-hacker (Kevin Dillon) is made to sit on a hair-trigger bomb attached to his seat and is forced to hack top-tier banking institutions for money. You don’t have to know anything about hacking, coding, or even computers to know that the makers had no interest in understanding how hacking works. The film opens with a bombing and a couple of streets away our protagonist is seen jogging. Startled by the sound of the explosion he half-turns to look at the smoke and then wheels around and goes about his business. The film is replete with unintentionally chuckle-worthy moments like these. It is not that we expect the protagonist to run towards the explosion but the unintentional hilarity stems out of the haphazard editing and the awkward choice of framing for the scene.\nDirector: James Cullen Bressack\nCast: Kevin Dillon, Mel Gibson, Shannen Doherty, Michael Welch, Eddie Steeples\nDuring the early 2000s, when people had sparse knowledge about how computers worked, the impact of computers on every aspect of modern life was on a steady rise. The filmmakers who wanted to capture this impact on camera were struggling to do so because nothing like that was ever captured visually before in history. You could write a gripping scene about a gang of thieves plotting their way into a casino but how would you thrill an audience by showing someone sitting alone in a room and transferring truckloads of money by clicking away on a computer? This gave way to a lot of wonky attempts at portraying hacking in the early 2000s, even successful films failed at this. Now, at a time when series and films like Mr. Robot(2015) and The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo(2011), are being lauded for finally portraying cyberspace realistically, films like Hot Seat slap us with scenes that give us unwarranted nostalgia from two decades ago.\nOscar-winner Mel Gibson plays a bomb expert who holds the countenance of a man waiting in line at a bank. The only action he gets to do is run up a flight of stairs and get shot twice in the arm towards the end. There is no doubt that Mel Gibson is a terrific performer and we have seen him at his absolute best before which is why it looks like he is deliberately phoning in a bad performance. Hacking cliches are not the only thing the film attempts to reanimate from two decades ago, Hot Seat also employs a sordid amount of buddy-cop tropes that are so watered down that it feels like it was written by someone who just learned what a buddy-cop trope was and then immediately wrote dialogues filled with said tropes.\nThe film is loaded with scenes where the actors are performing as if they are not convinced by the writing or even their own performances. For example, there is a scene where the police chief (Shannen Doherty) has to look up at an explosion at a building, and just the way it was shot, edited, and performed tells us clearly that she is looking up at nothing. The spectacular failure to convince us with such a simple scene, a scene we would hardly notice in an average film, makes us appreciate the hard work that goes into making a competent film. Hot Seat is the darkest night that brings out the luster of the faintest of stars.\nThe title is a challenge to the audiences; we are made to sit on this metaphorical hot seat and are made to try and wring out our attention for the film's entire runtime.\nMel Gibson Hot Seat Hot Seat review","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1848540"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6689114570617676,"wiki_prob":0.6689114570617676,"text":"These Redding restaurants serve Christmas, holiday dinners\nJessica Skropanic\nRedding Record Searchlight\nNorth State restaurants open their doors for special holiday dinners on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.\nSome prepare options for and vegetarians, and offer seafood alternatives as well as traditional ham, turkey, prime rib or other entrées.\nMost offer special children's menus.\nDon't see your favorite restaurant that's open over the Christmas or New Year’s weekends? Email the name of the business and its location to jessica.skropanic@redding.com. We'll add it to the list.\nWin-River Resort and Casino hosts Christmas buffet\nAddress: 2100 Redding Rancheria Road\nHours: Noon to 6 p.m. on Dec. 25.\nWin-River Resort and Casino will host a Christmas buffet in its event center. People will be seated every two hours: At noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.\nEntrees include a prime rib carving station, glazed ham, chicken, seafood and sides. Desserts are included in the price. Minimum party size is two people.\nCost for a table for two is $60, for a table of four it’s $120, for six it’s $220; all with a reservation in advance. Without a reservation, walk-ins are only seated at noon; cost is $35 per person. The price includes $10 in casino free play (chips). There are special rates for young children.\nReservations are highly recommended. Call 530-243-3377, extension 1354, and ask for the River Club for Christmas dinner.\nAlso in the resort, Seasons restaurant is serving regular menu items on Dec. 24 and 31, and a brunch on Jan. 1. It’s closed on Christmas. Call 530-243-3377, extension 1396.\nLumberjack’s offers holiday dinners for carry-out, dine in, delivery\nAddress: 501 E. Cypress Ave.\nHours: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Dec. 24, 25, 31 and Jan. 1.\nLumberjack's will serve holiday dinners with fixings and dessert from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Christmas Day, along with regular menu items. Special entrees include turkey, prime rib and ham. Costs range from for $20 to $35. Entrees come with soup or salad, mashed potatoes, stuffing, mixed vegetables, a roll and pie.\nFour- and eight-person family dinner packages are also available for delivery or pick up.\nNo reservations are required.\nThe restaurant will also serve regular menu items Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. This restaurant has special meal prices for seniors.\nMosaic Restaurant dishes up four-course dinners, wine pairings\nAddress: 826 Sundial Bridge Drive\nHours: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Dec. 24 and 31; 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. for breakfast and 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Dec. 25; 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Jan. 1.\nMosaic is serving four-course holiday dinners with dessert and choice of entrée on Christmas from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Cost is $75 per person. There’s also a $35 wine pairing available. Children’s entrees are $35.\nMore:These Redding grocery stores are open over Christmas, New Year's holidays\nReservations are recommended. Call 530-319-3456.\nThe restaurant’s regular menu is served on Dec. 24, 31 and Jan. 1.\nBlack Bear Diner serves holiday dinners for carry-out, dine in\nAddress: 2605 Hilltop Drive.\nHours: 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Dec. 24, 25, 31 and Jan. 1\nBlack Bear Diner will serve holiday meals for in-house dining and take-out from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Christmas Day. Special entrees include oven-roasted turkey for $26, glazed ham for $25; and a prime rib dinner for $28. Dinners include a choice of soup or salad, cornbread, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, stuffing and a slice of pie. Some regular menu items will also be available.\nMore:24 things to do in Redding area, Siskiyou before it's 2023\nNo reservations are necessary for inhouse dining. Order in advance for carry out online at blackbeardiner.com.\nThis restaurant will serve some regular menu items on Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.\nJessica Skropanic is a features reporter for the Record Searchlight/USA Today Network. She covers science, arts, social issues and entertainment stories. Follow her on Twitter @RS_JSkropanic and on Facebook. Join Jessica in the Get Out! Nor Cal recreation Facebook group. To support and sustain this work, please subscribe today. Thank you.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1544579"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5647042989730835,"wiki_prob":0.4352957010269165,"text":"Pontiac MRC\nTwo Observations About the Local Results of Yesterday’s Municipal Elections\nPosted on 8 Nov 2021 by Jonathan Crowe Politics\nMunicipal elections were held across Quebec yesterday, and with the votes more or less counted, I have a couple of thoughts about the results, at least here in the Pontiac MRC.\nFirst, voter turnout was crazy high in some places. I’m used to turnout for municipal elections hovering somewhere between 30 and 40 percent—and in Quebec’s larger cities that seems to have been the case: 36.6 percent in Montréal, 35.1 percent in Gatineau. But around here the turnout has been a lot higher in some communities—thanks, I suspect, to some closely fought races.\nWe’re a Little Behind on Vaccination\nPosted on 30 Jun 2021 by Jonathan Crowe Health\nThe good news in the Pontiac is that there hasn’t been a single new case reported here since the 18th. The less good news is that our vaccination rates could be a bit better. The Outaouais in general lags behind Quebec: only 66.3 percent have received at least one dose as of yesterday. Compare that to 71 percent of the entire Quebec population, or 80 percent of those 12 and up (who can actually get vaccinated right now).\nHere in the Pontiac, only five municipalities have vaccination rates greater than the regional rate of 66.3 percent: Île-du-Grand-Calumet, Bristol, Thorne, Clarendon and Otter Lake range from 72.1 percent to 69.4 percent. Two small municipalities—Chichester and Waltham—have rates under 50 percent. The larger municipalities are in the high fifties and low sixties: Fort-Coulonge is 59.5 percent, Shawville is at 61.6 percent, and Mansfield-et-Pontefract is at 66 percent. Pontiac-the-Municipality, which if you remember is not part of the Pontiac MRC, is at 60.9 percent. Gatineau, for comparison, is at 64.1 percent.\nThe Situation Is Much Improved\nThe COVID-19 situation in the Pontiac is much improved, with five or fewer active cases at the moment and no new cases reported anywhere since last Friday. The outbreak we were dealing with in April was more or less brought under control in May, though there was a bit of a rebound in the Bryson/Campbell’s Bay/Fort-Coulonge corridor. Shawville itself hasn’t had a new case reported since June 7—and that case was the first new case in a month. To date, a total of 393 cases have been reported in the Pontiac RLS: 265 in the Pontiac MRC and 128 in the Municipality of Pontiac (which is, remember, not in the Pontiac MRC).\n56.4 Percent and Rising\nPosted on 15 May 2021 by Jonathan Crowe Health\nLocal radio station CHIP-FM reports that 56.4 percent of the Pontiac’s1 population aged 18 and older has received at least one vaccine dose. The vaccination rate is even higher in age brackets 55 and up (who’ve had more time to get a jab); it’s over 90 percent for people aged 65 to 75, for example. Progress!\nSince I posted two weeks ago that we weren’t doing that well out here COVID-wise, I thought I’d mention that things are now looking a bit better. We only had 14 new cases over the past week, compared to 51 new cases two weeks ago. Almost all of those new cases—11 out of 14—are in the Fort-Coulonge/Mansfield area, whose local outbreak may actually be showing signs of running out of steam. Shawville hasn’t had a new case in a week, Campbell’s Bay longer than that. The special emergency measures come to an end on the 17th, as they do for the rest of the Outaouais, at which point we’re back in the red zone.\nThe Pandemic Comes to the Pontiac\nPosted on 28 Apr 2021 by Jonathan Crowe Health\nHaving spared us during the first wave—during which we were behind police checkpoints that turned back non-essential traffic—and being under relatively good control during the second, COVID-19 has just erupted in the Pontiac MRC during the third wave. In the space of one month the number of people who have tested positive has more than quadrupled, from 39 on March 25 to 173 today.1 This is mainly due to a major outbreak in the Fort-Coulonge area: Fort-Coulonge went from fewer than 5 cases2 to 34; Mansfield-et-Pontefract from 7 to 64. Together they make up more than half the cases in the Pontiac MRC while comprising only a quarter of the population.\nThese numbers may not seem like a lot—a total of 1.2 percent of the Pontiac MRC’s population has tested positive for COVID as of today, compared to Gatineau’s 3.2 percent or Quebec’s 4 percent, and with our small population (14,251 according to the 2016 census) the raw numbers are pretty small in comparison. But to reiterate: more than three-quarters of the our total COVID cases have come just in the past month. Cases are increasing by 30 percent a week—and 30 percent of this week’s numbers is a lot more than 30 percent of a month ago. This is how exponential growth works.\nMeanwhile, last Friday the Pontiac Hospital—the front door of which is less than 300 metres from my home—reported an outbreak in its acute care ward: nine patients and three staff members tested positive initially; that number has since risen to 17 patients and 13 staff. For context, the ward has 34 beds. Fortunately some have been vaccinated, and some have tested positive without showing symptoms, so this may turn out to be the best possible version of the worst possible scenario. But still: the whole point of last year’s checkpoints was not only to keep COVID out of our community (which tends older and in poorer health than the Canadian average); it was to keep it out of our hospital.\nSo yeah. We could be doing better out here.\nPontiac MRC Municipal Elections: Toller Wins, Belec and Murdock Defeated\nJane Toller has been elected warden of the Pontiac MRC, the first warden in the Pontiac’s history to be elected directly rather than selected from the MRC’s council of 18 mayors. Toller, who as Jane Pitfield served on Toronto’s city council and ran a somewhat quixotic campaign for Toronto mayor in 2006, took 46.7 percent of the vote, finishing well ahead of incumbent warden Raymond Durocher. The outgoing mayor of Fort-Coulonge took 18 percent of the vote.\nLinda Davis finished third, ahead of former Pontiac MNA Charlotte L’Écuyer; onetime Calumet Island mayor Pierre Fréchette was only 40 votes behind L’Écuyer.\nAt the municipal level, new mayors in the Pontiac MRC include Gaston Allard in Fort-Coulonge, Maurice Beauregard in Campbell’s Bay and Serge Newberry in Île-du-Grand-Calumet. Two incumbent mayors were defeated decisively: Danielle Belec in Mansfield-et-Pontefract to Gilles Dionne, and controversial Thorne mayor Terry Murdock to Karen Daly Kelly. Several mayors were elected by very narrow margins, including Lynne Cameron of Portage-du-Fort (6 votes) and Sandra Murray of Shawville (16 votes). Only 6 of 18 mayors were elected by acclamation.\nVoter turnout was extremely high for a municipal election. A total of 7,552 people voted in the warden election, which is just insane for a county whose entire population—not just those eligible to vote—was 14,251 in last year’s census.\nFull results after the jump. Winners’ names are in boldface; incumbents are marked with an (i).\nThe Latecomers\nFirst, some background, so you understand what’s going on a bit better:\nIn Quebec, what would be called a county elsewhere is called a municipalité régionale de comté or MRC; an MRC encompasses all the towns, villages, townships and other municipalities within its boundaries (with the exception of large cities and reserves). Shawville, the municipality where I live, is part of the Pontiac MRC, which comprises a total of 18 municipalities as well as a vast unorganized territory to the north.\nThe head of an MRC is called a préfet (or prefect); around here that title is translated as warden. Pontiac MRC’s warden has heretofore been selected from the 18 mayors that make up the MRC’s council. But that changes this year: in Sunday’s municipal elections, the Pontiac MRC’s warden will be directly elected for the first time.\nFive candidates are running. Two of them are familiar faces: Raymond Durocher is the incumbent warden and the outgoing mayor of Fort-Coulonge, a post he’s held since 1999. Charlotte L’Écuyer is the region’s former Liberal MNA: she represented the provincial district of Pontiac between 2003 and 2014. But the other three are relatively recent arrivals to the Pontiac: each has been here full-time for only three to six years.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1010089"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5002819895744324,"wiki_prob":0.5002819895744324,"text":"Earth Awash in Lights of the Night\nOctober 7, 2018JPEG\nAs nighttime arrives, previously obscured light sources begin to dazzle the eye. City lights sprawl across Earth’s surface. A constant glow hovers in the upper atmosphere. Beyond Earth, starlight fills in the darkness of the cosmos.\nFrom the vantage point of space, we can get a unique view of each of these nighttime spectacles. On October 7, 2018, an astronaut aboard the International Space Station (ISS) shot this photograph while orbiting at an altitude of more than 400 kilometers (250 miles) over Australia. In this view, stars appear more numerous along the image center, where the plane of our disk-shaped Milky Way galaxy extends into space.\nThe oranges (above) and greens (in the video below) enveloping Earth are known as airglow—diffuse bands of light that stretch 50 to 400 miles into our atmosphere. The phenomenon typically occurs when molecules (mostly nitrogen and oxygen) are energized by ultraviolet (UV) radiation from sunlight. To release that energy, atoms in the lower atmosphere bump into each other and lose energy in the collision. But the upper atmosphere is thinner, so atoms are less likely to collide. Instead they release their energy by emitting photons. The result is colorful airglow.\nSome airglow, however, can be caused by collisions. This type of airglow is known as chemiluminescence or “nightglow.” The brightest green light in the first few seconds of the time-lapse video is due to oxygen atoms that have recombined into oxygen molecules. Yellow colors are caused by emissions from a sodium layer.\nOther reactions can produce red, blue, UV, and infrared light. Red airglow shows up about halfway through the video, which was composed from photographs taken by an astronaut over a span of 26 minutes on October 7, 2018. The ISS passed over Bangladesh, Australia, and then New Zealand. Notice the flashes of lightning that also illuminate the atmosphere.\nMore than just a pretty light show, airglow reveals some of the workings of the upper reaches of our atmosphere. It can help scientists learn about the movement of particles near the interface of Earth and space, including the connections between space weather and Earth weather.\n“Airglow is a great tool for scientists because it reveals some of the conditions of the upper atmosphere, like its temperature, its shape, and the amounts of different types of gases,” said Sarah Jones, a research astrophysicist at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. “It’s convenient because the light can be measured from a lot of different vantage points.”\nSatellites offer one way to study this dynamic zone. NASA’s Ionospheric Connection Explorer (ICON) satellite, scheduled for launch in late 2018, will help scientists understand the physical processes at work where Earth’s atmosphere interacts with near-Earth space.\nAstronaut photograph ISS057-E-35382 was acquired on October 7, 2018, with a Nikon D5 digital camera using a 24 millimeter lens and is provided by the ISS Crew Earth Observations Facility and the Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit, Johnson Space Center. The image was taken by a member of the Expedition 57 crew. The image has been cropped and enhanced to improve contrast, and lens artifacts have been removed. The International Space Station Program supports the laboratory as part of the ISS National Lab to help astronauts take pictures of Earth that will be of the greatest value to scientists and the public, and to make those images freely available on the Internet. Additional images taken by astronauts and cosmonauts can be viewed at the NASA/JSC Gateway to Astronaut Photography of Earth. Time-lapse ISS video by Andrea Meado, Jacobs Technology, JETS Contract at NASA-JSC. Airglow video by Joy Ng/NASA GSFC. Story by Kathryn Hansen.\nCity lights sprawl across Earth’s surface below a constant glow in the upper atmosphere.\nImage of the Day for October 23, 2018\nISS — Digital Camera\nAppears in these Collections:\nImage of the Day Atmosphere\nAtmospheric Optics (2018) High Atmosphere. Accessed October 19, 2018.\nGateway to Astronaut Photography of Earth (2018) Crew Earth Observations Video Page. Accessed October 19, 2018.\nNASA Earth Observatory (2011, August 17) Looking Down on a Shooting Star.\nNASA Scientific Visualization Studio (2018, October 22) Airglow.\nA GOLDen Look at the Ionosphere\nSatellites are shedding new light on the invisible processes and rhythms at play at the intersection between Earth and space.\nImage of the Day Atmosphere Remote Sensing\nToward Mapping the Atmosphere’s Escape from Earth\nA pair of sounding rockets took aim at the aurora over Svalbard, Norway, to help scientists understand how Earth loses oxygen into space.\nLooking Down on a Shooting Star\nAstronauts captured this unusual view of a Perseid meteor descending into Earth's atmosphere in August 2011.\nRocketing Into the Northern Lights\nResearchers probed the auroral wind by shooting instruments into them in February 2013.\nImage of the Day Atmosphere Snow and Ice","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1890004"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.569364070892334,"wiki_prob":0.430635929107666,"text":"PEABODY ENERGY CORP\n(Rule 13d-102)\nINFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN STATEMENTS FILED PURSUANT\nTO § 240.13d-1(b), (c) AND (d) AND AMENDMENTS THERETO FILED\nPURSUANT TO § 240.13d-2.\n(Amendment No. 1)*\nPeabody Energy Corporation\nCommon Stock, $0.01 par value per share\nRule 13d-1(b)\nRule 13d-1(c)\nRule 13d-1(d)\n*The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person’s initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter the disclosures provided in a prior cover page.\nThe information required in the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Act”) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).\nNames of Reporting Persons\nCapital Ventures International\nCheck the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group (See Instructions)\nPerson With\n174,967 (1)(2)\nCheck box if the Aggregate Amount in Row (9) Excludes Certain Shares (See Instructions) o\nType of Reporting Person (See Instructions)\n(1) Susquehanna Securities and G1 Execution Services, LLC are affiliated independent broker-dealers which, together with Capital Ventures International and Susquehanna Advisors Group, Inc. may be deemed a group. For purposes of this report, we have indicated that each reporting person has sole voting and dispositive power with respect to the shares beneficially owned by it and that the reporting persons have shared voting and dispositive power with respect to all shares beneficially owned by all of the reporting persons. Each of the reporting persons disclaims beneficial ownership of shares owned directly by another reporting person.\n(2) Susquehanna Advisors Group, Inc. is the investment manager to Capital Ventures International and as such may exercise voting and dispositive power over the shares directly owned by Capital Ventures International.\nSusquehanna Advisors Group, Inc.\n0 (1)(2)\nG1 Execution Services, LLC\n745,535 (1)\nBD, OO\nSusquehanna Securities\nBD, PN\nName of Issuer\nPeabody Energy Corporation (the “Company”)\nAddress of Issuer’s Principal Executive Offices\nItem 2(a).\nName of Person Filing\nThis statement is filed by the entities listed below, who are collectively referred to herein as “Reporting Persons” with respect to the shares of Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share, of the Company (the “Shares”).\n(i) Capital Ventures International\n(ii) Susquehanna Advisors Group, Inc.\n(iii) G1 Execution Services, LLC\n(iv) Susquehanna Securities\nItem 2(b).\nAddress of Principal Business Office or, if none, Residence\nThe address of the principal business office of Capital Ventures International is:\nWindward 1, Regatta Office Park\nGrand Cayman, KY1-1103\nThe address of the principal business office of each of Susquehanna Advisors Group, Inc. and Susquehanna Securities. is:\n401 E. City Avenue\nThe address of the principal business office of G1 Execution Services, LLC is:\n175 W. Jackson Blvd.\nItem 2(c).\nCitizenship is set forth in Row 4 of the cover page for the Reporting Person hereto and is incorporated herein by reference for such Reporting Person.\nItem 2(d).\nTitle of Class of Securities\nItem 2(e)\nCUSIP Number\nIf this statement is filed pursuant to §§240.13d-1(b) or 240.13d-2(b) or (c), check whether the person filing is a:\nBroker or dealer registered under section 15 of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78o).\nBank as defined in section 3(a)(6) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c).\nInsurance company as defined in section 3(a)(19) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c).\nInvestment company registered under section 8 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-8).\nAn investment adviser in accordance with §240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(E);\nAn employee benefit plan or endowment fund in accordance with §240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(F);\nA parent holding company or control person in accordance with §240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(G);\nA savings association as defined in Section 3(b) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1813);\nA church plan that is excluded from the definition of an investment company under section 3(c)(14) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-3);\nA non-U.S. institution in accordance with § 240.13d–1(b)(1)(ii)(J);\nGroup, in accordance with rule 13d–1(b)(1)(ii)(K). If filing as a non-U.S. institution in accordance with § 240.13d–1(b)(1)(ii)(J), please specify the type of institution:____________________________\nProvide the following information regarding the aggregate number and percentage of the class of securities of the issuer identified in Item 1.\nThe information required by Items 4(a) — (c) is set forth in Rows 5 — 11 of the cover page for each Reporting Person hereto and is incorporated herein by reference for each such Reporting Person. The amount beneficially owned by Susquehanna Securities includes options to buy 202,532 Shares. The Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission on November 3, 2016, indicates that there were 18,500,000 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of October 31,2016.\nOwnership of Five Percent or Less of a Class\nIf this statement is being filed to report the fact that as of the date hereof the reporting person has ceased to be the beneficial owner of more than five percent of the class of securities, check the following: x.\nOwnership of More than Five Percent on Behalf of Another Person\nIdentification and Classification of the Subsidiary Which Acquired the Security Being Reported on By the Parent Holding Company or Control Person\nIdentification and Classification of Members of the Group\nNotice of Dissolution of Group\nItem 10.\nBy signing below the undersigned certifies that, to the best of its knowledge and belief, the securities referred to above were not acquired and are not held for the purpose of or with the effect of changing or influencing the control of the issuer of the securities and were not acquired and are not held in connection with or as a participant in any transaction having that purpose or effect.\nAfter reasonable inquiry and to the best of its knowledge and belief, the undersigned certifies that the information with respect to it set forth in this statement is true, complete, and correct.\nDated: February 10, 2017\nBy: Susquehanna Advisors Group, Inc. pursuant to a Limited Power of Attorney, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit I hereto.\n/s/ Brian Sopinsky\nBrian Sopinsky\nLimited Power of Attorney executed by Capital Ventures International in favor of Susquehanna Advisors Group, Inc., dated as of December 4, 2012.\nJoint Filing Agreement\nEXHIBIT I\nLIMITED POWER OF ATTORNEY\nTHIS LIMITED POWER OF ATTORNEY given on the 4th day of December, 2012 by Capital Ventures International (hereinafter called “the Company”), whose Registered Office is situated at Windward 1, Regatta Office Park, West Bay Road, Grand Cayman KY1-1103, Cayman Islands,\nWHEREAS, by agreement dated December 4, 2012, by and between the Company and Susquehanna Advisors Group, Inc., the Company expressly authorized Susquehanna Advisors Group, Inc. to enter into transactions in certain designated areas as defined in the Discretionary Investment Management Agreement attached hereto marked “Appendix 1.”\nNOW THIS DEED WITNESSETH that William Walmsley, Director of the Company, hereby appoints on behalf of the Company the firm of SUSQUEHANNA ADVISORS GROUP, INC., which through its officers, directors and employees is hereby formally granted limited power of attorney for the purpose of entering into transactions on behalf and for the account of the Company and to take all actions on behalf of the Company as may be necessary to consummate such transactions, including but not limited to making, negotiating, signing, endorsing, executing, acknowledging and delivering in the name of the Company all applications, contracts, agreements, notes, statements, certificates, proxies and any other instruments of whatever kind and nature as may be necessary or proper in connection with the entering into of such transactions, instructing the transfer of funds where necessary with respect to such transactions, and performing all of the services specified under the Discretionary Investment Management Agreement with respect to such transactions.\nIN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Limited Power of Attorney to take effect on the day and year above written.\n/s/ William Walmsley\nWilliam Walmsley\nEXHIBIT II\nThis will confirm the agreement by and among the undersigned that the Schedule 13G Amendment filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or about the date hereof with respect to the beneficial ownership by the undersigned of the common shares of Peabody Energy Corporation, $0.01 par value per share, is being filed, and all further amendments thereto will be filed, on behalf of each of the persons and entities named below in accordance with Rule 13d-1(k) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.\nBy: Susquehanna Advisors Group, Inc. pursuant to a Limited Power of Attorney,","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1404932"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7018404603004456,"wiki_prob":0.7018404603004456,"text":"3 women hit Google with lawsuit for unfair pay\nOn Behalf of Canlas Law Group, APLC | Sep 19, 2017 | Employment Litigation\nimagine not being paid what your coworker makes just because you’re female and he’s male. You’d be insulted, frustrated and upset. You’d also have the right to pursue a lawsuit against the company responsible for the ill treatment you’ve faced.\nThat happened in this case. According to the story, the women involved have hit Google with a gender-bias lawsuit after claiming that they’re paid a significant amount less than their male counterparts for similar work. Three women filed a claim in the San Francisco County Superior Court after stating that Google had violated California’s Equal Pay Act and state labor laws. They believe that the company pays lower wages to women despite doing the same jobs as their male coworkers.\nThey also claim that Google promotes fewer women, and if and when the company does, it’s more slowly than males. Google has denied the claims, stating that it disagrees with the main allegations in the case. Previously, Google has faced similar legal trouble. The Labor Department’s regional director had testified in court that the company had systematic compensation disparities across most of its workforce when it came to women’s pay.\nWhen the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Program analyzed the company, it found six to seven deviations between the payments made to men versus women. This was across almost every job classification in 2015. That is a shock, because only two standard deviations is significant, let along six or seven.\nIn cases like this, a company found guilty of mistreating employees could face fines and have to pay reparations. If you’re in a situation where you’re unfairly treated and discriminated against, you can also seek legal help.\nSource: Courthouse News Service, “Women Hit Google With Gender-Bias Suit,” Matthew Renda, Sep. 14, 2017","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1304930"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8819484114646912,"wiki_prob":0.8819484114646912,"text":"‘The power is in us, not the leaders’: Meet the youth activists fighting for climate action at COP26\nPolice and demonstrators at a Extinction Rebellion protest, during the Cop26 summit in Glasgow. Picture date: Wednesday November 3, 2021.\nJane Barlow – PA Images | PA Images | Getty Images\nGLASGOW, Scotland — Youth activists on the frontlines of the climate crisis have come to the COP26 summit to push for an end to inaction, urging politicians and business leaders to do all they can to meet the crucial goal of capping global heating to 1.5 degrees Celsius.\nTens of thousands of protesters marched through the rainy streets of Glasgow, Scotland over the weekend to demand the urgent measures necessary to tackle the climate emergency.\nPlacards bearing slogans such as “COP26 Act Now!” and “We Need Action Not Promises” were held up through the city center as many chanted “system change, not climate change.” Just a bus ride away talks at the summit continued behind closed doors.\nCOP26 had been billed as humanity’s last and best chance to prevent the worst of what the climate crisis has in store. There is not yet any indication whether the talks will be able to achieve this aim as the conference enters its second and closing week.\nPatience Nabukalu, Uganda\n“I believe in people power,” Patience Nabukalu, a 24-year-old activist from Uganda, told CNBC as thousands gathered in George Square, Glasgow on Friday. “And the power is in us, not the leaders.”\nNabukalu sharply criticized policymakers at the U.N. talks for failing to tackle the climate crisis.\n“They are pledging for the future, yet we are experiencing the crisis right now. We want them to act now. We want solutions, not promises. We want implementations, not pledges,” she added. “Their negotiations are running on how not to top 1.5 [degrees Celsius], but 1.2 is already hell to us.”\nThe East African nation of Uganda, sometimes referred to as “the pearl of Africa” because of its stunning landscapes, has seen adverse weather events such as prolonged dry seasons and more intense rainfalls become the new normal.\nIt is for these reasons that the World Bank has recognized climate change as one of the major threats to Uganda’s sustainable development and efforts to end poverty.\nPeople are seen gathered on George Square during a rally on November 5, 2021 in Glasgow, Scotland.\nPeter Summers | Getty Images News | Getty Images\n“What I want you to understand is that climate change is a global crisis. It is not happening in Africa alone, it is not happening in only one country but it is affecting everyone around the world. … There are many people who are dying [and] there are many people who are affected by the crisis,” Nabukalu said.\n“We have a chance to change everything. We have a chance to act now, the future is in our hands and the future is ours. It is our time to fight for it.”\nLaura Aguilar, Colombia\n“It is even uglier than I imagined,” Laura Aguilar, an activist from Colombia, told CNBC on Friday.\nSpeaking on the sidelines of her first climate rally in Europe, the Fridays For Future strike in Glasgow, Aguilar said she had been shocked by the “chaotic” atmosphere and the “aggressive” approach taken by some sections of the media.\n“I already knew that this event was pretty damaged,” Aguilar said, referring to the COP26 talks. “It is based on racism and classism and discrimination by the Global North, but it has been harder than I had believed.”\nCampaigners and environmental activists have described the summit as the most exclusionary they have ever known.\nWhen asked what would need to happen in the coming days to make COP26 a success, Aguilar replied: “For the COP presidency to say sorry to people from the low- and middle-income countries for their lack of accessibility, for their lack of commitment also and for being so blind in general.”\nA spokesperson for the U.K. COP presidency said last week that it was “committed to hosting an inclusive COP” and ensuring that the voices of those most affected by the climate crisis were a priority.\nXiye Bastida, Mexico-Chile\n“We are so energized. We want to change the world; we are seeing what is wrong, but we don’t often know all the mechanisms that are around us and that’s why we need to join with the youth movement and everyone that has been doing this for such a long time,” Xiye Bastida, a 19-year-old Mexican-Chilean climate justice activist, said at a COP26 event hosted by Stop Ecocide International on Friday.\n“We can’t really do that if the foundation of the system that we have is one that is based on competition and individualism and burning oneself out. We have to switch that foundation.”\nThe protection that people are giving Mother Earth shouldn’t be what’s criminal, it should be the other way around.\nXiye Bastida\nClimate justice activist\nBastida said Indigenous communities had come to take part in the protests in Glasgow because it was not possible to do so safely at home.\nA report from human rights group Global Witness, published on Sept. 13, identified Latin America as the most dangerous place for environmental activists last year. The analysis found 2020 was the deadliest year on record for environmental activists, with Latin America accounting for roughly three-quarters of the attacks worldwide.\n“There is a lot of things that are happening in Indigenous communities around the world and if they protest, they will be attacked by the police, attacked by governments, attacked by companies. So, they have to fly all the way across the world to come to spaces where protesting is protected to be able to tell their governments: You are hurting me, and you are hurting my home,” Bastida said.\n“That shouldn’t be the case … The protection that people are giving Mother Earth shouldn’t be what’s criminal, it should be the other way around.”\nBrianna Fruean, Samoa\nSamoa is particularly vulnerable to the climate crisis, with the Pacific island country’s agricultural land primarily located on coastal plains threatened by sea level rise.\nThe agricultural sector accounts for nearly 40% of Samoa’s national output, and it is feared the current and expected occurrence of extreme weather events could cause irreparable damage to the food crops and other livelihood materials on which the population of roughly 200,000 depend.\nThe young Samoan activist Brianna Fruean, delivering his speech in a panel with different ministers on climate empowerment during the ninth day of Climate Summit COP25 in Ifema on December 10, 2019 in Madrid, Spain.\nJesus Hellin | Europa Press | Getty Images\n“The real question is whether you have the political will to do the right thing, to wield the right words and to follow it up with long overdue action. If you’re looking for inspiration on this, look no further for the climate leadership of young Pacific people,” Brianna Fruean, a 23-year-old environmental advocate for Samoa, said at COP26 on Nov. 1.\n“We are not just victims to this crisis. We have been resilient beacons of hope. Pacific youth have rallied behind the cry: ‘We are not drowning, we are fighting.’ This is our warrior cry to the world.”\nTxai Surui, Brazil\nTxai Surui, a 24-year-old indigenous climate activist from the Brazilian Amazon, said at the opening of the COP26 summit: “Today the climate is warming, the animals are disappearing, the rivers are dying, and our plants don’t flower like they did before.”\n“The Earth is speaking. She tells us that we have no more time,” Surui said, adding that Indigenous communities must be at the center of U.N. climate talks. “We need a different path, with bold and global changes. It is not 2030 or 2050, it is now.”\n“We have ideas to postpone the end of the world,” Surui said. “It is always necessary to believe that doing is possible. May our utopia be a future on Earth.”\nBitcoin hits new all-time high above $68,000 as cryptocurrencies extend rally\nSingapore's central bank warns against crypto, says retail investors risk 'significant losses'","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1804462"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.562520444393158,"wiki_prob":0.43747955560684204,"text":"Home > Heart and Vascular > About > Success Stories\nThe people we help are a lot like you\nOur patients are generous in sharing their stories so that you can have confidence in the type of care we provide. Take a moment to learn more about what you can expect at Asante.\nMike Kahn\nContinued support made all the difference\nMike, an active 34 year-old father of two, had a heart attack just days before Christmas. With Asante’s top-notch care, Mike was home to celebrate the holiday with his family, but the psychological impact of the unexpected attack was great.\nHe found support and reassurance in Asante’s Cardiac Rehabilitation Center. Monitored by dedicated Cardiac Rehab staff, Mike felt safe to push himself to exercise harder and make important lifestyle changes. Today, he’s in even better shape than before the heart attack.\n\"Thank you. This made a huge impact on my life and the life of my family. It’s made our lives better.\"\nThom Green\nEveryone was so professional and courteous and caring\nThom Green and David Blanchard were stunned when they heard the news about Thom’s heart: He would need a quadruple bypass, which meant open-heart surgery.\nThe 70-year-old Klamath Falls couple had been active hikers until Thom started getting winded when going up hills. They turned to Southern Oregon Cardiology and Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center’s award-winning Heart Center for Thom’s care.\n“Everyone was so professional and courteous and caring each step of the way,” Thom says, adding each member of the team thoroughly explained what they were about to do. “I knew what to expect, so nothing shocked me. I never felt afraid the whole time because I thought, everyone knows what they’re doing, so what better hands can I be in?”\n“My impression of everyone down there was, they were confident. And prepared. And experienced. It was almost palpable,” says David, Thom’s partner of 36 years.\nDavid remembers a phone call from clinical case manager Alycia Tingley about a week before the surgery that he’ll never forget.\n“It was like a heart-to-heart connection,” he says. “She was so willing to share her caring – unabashedly, unembarrassingly. It was just … wow. Just what we needed.”\n“And from then on, one person after another (was the same).”\nFraser Pierson\nStress and the hurting heart\nFeeling frazzled? For many people, job or family stress is a normal part of life. Fraser Pierson certainly thought so—until an unusual heart attack changed her outlook.\nThe right care at the right time\nLast January, Fraser was walking her dogs when she noticed she felt oddly fatigued. A psychology professor at Southern Oregon University since 1988, she was accustomed to maintaining a strenuous schedule. However, a couple days later, she suddenly began experiencing discomfort with every heartbeat.\n“I’d been having a busy day,” Fraser recalls. After teaching a four-hour class, she headed back to her office in her usual manner—jogging up two flights of stairs. “When I reached the landing and felt some breathlessness and intermittent pain in my upper mid-chest area, I thought I must be out of shape. I couldn’t have imagined I was having any sort of major heart issue.”\nMinutes later, she broke into a cold sweat and felt slightly faint and nauseated. That’s when she knew she had to dial 911.\nFraser arrived by ambulance at the Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center Emergency Department. Cardiologists quickly treated and stabilized her heart, which was extraordinarily weak and dysfunctional. A cardiac ultrasound revealed she had experienced an uncommon, acute attack called takotsubo cardiomyopathy.\n“Takotsubo is an unusual, but not rare, cardiac condition, which usually afflicts postmenopausal women under stress,” says Dr. Brian Gross, Fraser’s cardiologist. “It masquerades as a ‘heart attack’ contributing to about 2 to 3 percent of the heart attacks we see.”\nWhile conventional heart attacks are usually caused by blocked arteries, Fraser’s arteries were clear. However, her heart muscle was suddenly weakened or “stunned,” presumably by emotional stress. The telltale sign of a takotsubo event is the left ventricle, which swells into the shape of a takotsubo, a clay pot used in Japanese octopus fishing—narrow at the top and ballooned out at the bottoms.\nAlthough takotsubo cardiomyopathy is a serious and potentially fatal condition, if it’s caught and stabilized quickly, it is fully reversible. “I have the highest regard for everyone I met at Asante Rogue Regional. They were all wonderful knowing how to take care of my condition and how to treat me,” Fraser says. “Not everybody would’ve recognized a takotsubo event, especially not right away. I feel like I had what I needed every step of the way to support my recovery.”\nCardiac rehab: Regaining confidence\nFollowing five days in the hospital, Fraser returned home with a LifeVest, a special wearable defibrillator. The vest monitored her heart rhythm during recovery and could stabilize it if her rhythm became chaotic and caused her to pass out. When she had gained enough strength and no longer needed the vest, Dr. Gross recommended Asante’s cardiac rehabilitation program to help Fraser rebuild confidence in her heart health.\n“Cardiac rehab has a host of well recognized benefits,” Dr. Gross says. These include specially trained nurses working one-on-one with patients to increase their heart’s performance following a serious cardiac event or surgery. The program also provides a wealth of education on a heart-healthy approach to life.\nPerhaps most valuable, though, is the reassurance cardiac rehab offers—both physically and emotionally. “Cardiac events are such a huge change in a person’s life,” says Sally Seibert, cardiac rehab nurse at Asante Rogue Regional. “It’s scary getting back out there and not knowing what to look for. Patients wonder if their heart rate, rhythm, blood pressure are doing alright.”\n“Cardiac rehab really helped me to regain confidence,” Fraser agrees. “Sally called me, described the components and benefits of participation, and warmly invited me to come and take part in the program. Each of the nurses offers so much knowledge, skill, support, and encouragement. They helped me recognize my expanding parameters, what I could do to rebuild my physical stamina but not overdo things, and answered my questions regarding heart health.”\nFraser notes that the other patients were also inspiring. “I felt privileged to recover within a holistic healing community,” she says.\nPersonalized recovery\nCardiac rehab is typically an 8- to 12-week program, involving two to three sessions per week. Each patient’s therapy is tailored to their individual needs. In Fraser’s case, she wanted all the information she could get, and her care team was happy to provide it. “They have very good education programs, and the nurses are excellent teachers,” Fraser says. “I thought I lived a healthy lifestyle before, but they taught me things about my heart that I didn’t know. I learned even more how to practice heart-healthy habits.”\nAbove and beyond the usual training, nurses also gave Fraser a peek inside her heart. With each session, Fraser was hooked up to EKG monitors to record her heart rhythms as she increased her exercise level. Afterwards, by her request, nurses gave Fraser a copy of her report to take home, so she could actually “see” her recovery as it progressed.\n“I always tell people that they have to do the work; we can’t do it for them,” Sally says. “Fraser definitely did the work. She was here, she attended very consistently, and she put a lot into it because she was motivated. She knew that rehab was really helping her to feel better about things.”\nLess stress for the future\nNow that she’s back in the classroom and enjoying her usual activities—including sailing with her husband and spending time outdoors with their four dogs—Fraser is more mindful of her physical and emotional health. “When I look back, I had stressors in my life, but they weren’t unusual for me,” she recalls. ““Mine were the everyday stresses that are part of all our lives. I can’t help but wonder if for me it was an accumulation of stress factors. I’ve learned to take stress seriously, even common, everyday stress; to really pay attention to physical and emotional manifestations of stress and to the cultivation of overall well-being.”\nWhereas in the past she would push through a hectic schedule, Fraser now builds in more time to spend with family, go for walks, and really savor relaxation. “I no longer take my health for granted,” she says. “It’s important to take the kind of care with ourselves that we do with everyone we love. It’s not selfish; it’s an integral part of being able to contribute what you have to offer the world.”\nAnd besides—your heart just might depend on it.\nGloria Ferguson\nEvery link matters in the chain of survival\nGloria Ferguson’s story illustrates the importance of a rapid response to a heart attack or other severe heart event. Her life was saved thanks to the many different people who responded to a life-threatening event that occurred near Crater Lake, miles from the nearest hospital.\nIn 2012 the 52-year old math and science coordinator from Vancouver, Washington, was accompanying her 13-year-old son on a five-day Boy Scout bicycling trip that began at Crater Lake National Park. On the first day of the trip, Gloria developed severe chest pain. A Boy Scout leader drove her to the ranger station at the park’s south entrance, where she lost consciousness upon arrival. Two Boy Scout leaders started “fast and deep” chest compressions, and an automated external defibrillator (AED) was brought to the scene to help maintain Gloria’s heart rhythm until the Mercy Flights helicopter arrived.\nThe Mercy Flights crew diagnosed a heart attack and brought the critically ill patient directly to the Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center cardiac catheterization laboratory, where a cardiac team had been alerted and was awaiting her arrival. From the moment Gloria arrived at Asante Rogue Regional, she received lifesaving emergent medical care. The team treated her with a cardiac stent to restore blood flow to the heart. She was also treated for cardiogenic shock and required an intra-aortic balloon pump and electrical cardioversion. Gloria was transferred to the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit, where she was on a ventilator for five days. Twelve days after admission, Gloria left the hospital with her husband and son and has since returned to work.\nGloria’s story exemplifies what can happen when each link in the chain of survival works: the prompt recognition of cardiac symptoms by the Boy Scout leader; the quick decision to head to the ranger station; the “fast and deep” chest compressions; the AED availability and its prompt and proper use; the rapid arrival and transport of the critically ill patient by helicopter; the direct transport from the helipad to the awaiting cath lab; and the rapid sequence of treatment that Gloria received once she arrived at the hospital—all saved her life.\nThanks to the training and the preparation of the many people in the chain of survival, Gloria made a full recovery.\nWanda Talley\nMinimally invasive surgery makes heart care available to more people\nAt 85 years old, Wanda Talley suffered a massive aneurysm in her aortic artery. An aneurysm occurs when a portion of an artery expands or balloons due to weakness in the wall of the blood vessel. In the past this would have been an untreatable problem for a woman in her eighties. In Wanda’s case, however, using a minimally invasive endograft stent technology available at Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center, surgeons repaired the aneurysm, leaving only a small incision in the groin.\nAsante’s hybrid operating room was specifically developed with the technology to complete complex procedures like the one that saved Wanda’s life. Below is a letter we received from Wanda’s daughter following the surgery.\nHi. My name is Sheryl Cerri, and this story is about my 85-year-old mother who was told that she didn’t have a chance of survival if she had an operation on a thoracic aortic aneurysm that was already at 7 centimeters.\nThe doctor we were sent to see was Dr. Folsom. He was wonderful to my mother but didn’t think she could survive that big of an operation; and even if she did survive, there was a chance that she would be a paraplegic. He left the decision up to my mother (as I sat there crying) to have the surgery or not. My mother said she didn’t want to take that chance and would go home and live what life she had left.\nWell, just as we were leaving, Dr. Folsom asked if he could talk to one of his colleagues about stents. We told him “sure,” not really thinking much about it because we thought she really didn’t have a chance.\nDr. Folsom took control of everything; he got everything lined up—the surgeons and the surgery. I felt he went the extra mile to save my mother’s life, and that is just what he did. I have never had a doctor who put so much effort into helping us out. He contacted Dr. Traul [David Traul, MD] and another surgeon to do the surgery, and he called us four different times to get this set up. He even got us a place to stay because we live in a small town by Klamath Falls. My mother’s surgery was a giant success. Her stay at the hospital was wonderful.\nMost of the people I have talked to say my mother’s surgery is kind of a miracle because most people do not survive a thoracic aortic aneurysm.\nI just want to say thank you, and every day I tell someone about your wonderful hospital and the amazing Dr. Folsom and his fellow surgeons.\nSheryl Cerri and my mother, Wanda Tully\nRapid Response: STEMI\nLearn about financial assistance\nRecognize an employee\nContact Asante","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1413214"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.696531355381012,"wiki_prob":0.696531355381012,"text":"Homepage Knowledge Centers Weinert Center for Entrepreneurship Blog Dr. Phil Greenwood Advises and Inspires Entrepreneurs\nDr. Phil Greenwood Advises and Inspires Entrepreneurs\nBy Greg Forkins\nThis winter we had the chance to catch up with Dr. Phil Greenwood, Senior Lecturer in the Management and Human Resources Department, who resides in the Weinert Center for Entrepreneurship. Phil has been teaching at the Wisconsin School of Business full-time since 2001, but his ties to UW-Madison extend farther back than that.\nGrowing up in West Bend and attending Badgers sports games as a kid, Phil always knew that he wanted to come to UW-Madison for college. He graduated from the Wisconsin School of Business with his BBA in Accounting and immediately went to work for KMPG. After a year of auditing large public firms, Phil began to work in small business advisory services. Working with small companies is when Phil really gained an interest in entrepreneurship and advising startup businesses. He later left KMPG to work for McDonald’s Corporation, where he performed financial audits of franchisees across the USA.\nAfter a year with McDonald’s, Phil returned to the Wisconsin School of Business to pursue an MBA. While in school, Phil worked as a Research Assistant for Professor Chuck Krueger in the Executive Education program. It was during this time that Phil began to develop an interest in teaching. He was attracted not only to the classroom aspect, but also to the opportunity to further develop industry experience through consulting, holding business seminars, and other such activities. With a goal in mind of getting his Ph.D. and teaching in a university setting, Phil first set off to get more industry experience after obtaining his MBA. For six years, he worked for Abbott Labs in a variety of roles ranging from internal auditing to medical device sales.\nAlthough he was successful at Abbott Labs and developed a strong interest in the industry, Phil never lost sight of his goal to return to UW-Madison to teach. In 1995, Phil returned to UW to begin work on a Ph.D. in Continuing and Vocational Education, along with a minor in Entrepreneurship. As part of the latter program, Phil worked under Professor Robert Pricer, and was a student in the inaugural Weinert Applied Ventures in Entrepreneurship (WAVE) class.\nNever one to shy away from a challenge, Phil continued to gain industry experience while pursuing his Ph.D. and teaching classes here at UW-Madison. He started a successful consulting practice, and even served as CFO for Imago Scientific Instruments for a time before they were acquired by Ametek, Inc. After graduating with his Ph.D. in 2002, Phil was offered a full-time teaching position at the Wisconsin School of Business, where he has taught at both the undergraduate and MBA levels. Phil has taught courses in Entrepreneurial Finance, New Venture Creation, Entrepreneurial Management, Business Strategy, and Administrative Policy, among many others. In addition to UW, Phil has also guest lectured at many international universities in countries such as France, Turkey, Spain, and Argentina. When he isn’t teaching, Phil can often be found consulting for small and middle market businesses in the high-tech, life science, and manufacturing industries. Phil is also a regular contributor on local news stations as they tap into his expertise regarding entrepreneurship. Read More\nReflecting on how the entrepreneurship community has changed since he first got involved, Phil explains “it has exploded!” There were only a few hundred university programs in entrepreneurship back then, but now there are several thousand. UW-Madison, in particular, has undergone a period of serious change. Phil has not only witnessed, but has been a part of that growth. Phil is particularly happy about the increased interest in entrepreneurship from both business and non-business students alike. He notes that along with the increased interest comes a greater knowledge and understanding of the subject.\nPhil encourages entrepreneurial-minded students to take advantage of the resources provided by UW-Madison. Students won’t have access to all of these resources after graduating, nor will they have as much free time to spend exploring new business ideas. When asked what advice he would give to current students interested in entrepreneurship, he says to “go for it! If you have an idea, now is the time to take the risk.”\nPhil has certainly inspired many students to pursue entrepreneurship over the years, and continues to do so today. The Weinert Center for Entrepreneurship and the entire UW-Madison community is lucky to have Dr. Phil Greenwood on staff!\nAlumni WAVE\nUW Alum Develops New Product to Teach Children How to Swallow Pills\nAlumni Spotlight: Angie Peltzer\nFlying High with Stellar Tech Girls","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line6227"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8149874806404114,"wiki_prob":0.8149874806404114,"text":"63rd Assembly District\nAssembly GOP Website\nOpen Book Wisconsin\nWisconsinEye\nSpeaker Robin Vos\nAbout Robin Vos\nSpeaker Robin Vos was first elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 2004 and is currently serving his ninth term as a state representative. Robin is the 75th Speaker of the Assembly and the longest-serving Speaker in Wisconsin history. He was chosen by his Assembly peers for that post in 2013. Representative Vos previously served as the chair of the powerful Joint Finance Committee.\nSpeaker Vos currently leads a Republican majority of 64 representatives. Under his leadership, the legislature has approved some of the largest tax cuts in Wisconsin history and became the 25th right-to-work state in our country. He is also proud of the bipartisan work in the Assembly where more than 90 percent of the bills passed receive bipartisan support. His speaker's task forces have developed important legislation on topics including mental health, rural schools, Alzheimer's and dementia, urban education, youth workforce readiness and foster care.\nBorn in 1968, Robin is a lifelong Racine County resident, graduating from Burlington High School in 1986. He attended the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater, where he served as a UW Board of Regents student member from 1989 to 1991. Robin graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science and a minor in Public Relations in 1991.\nAfter college, Robin worked as a legislative assistant for state Representative Jim Ladwig from Racine County. Robin also worked for Jim’s successor, his wife, state Representative Bonnie Ladwig. He also served as the district director for then Congressman Mark Neumann until he began his first small business.\nIn 1996, he purchased a popcorn factory in Burlington, which he has expanded to become a food packaging company. Robin also owns several other small businesses including the Union Grove Car Wash in Union Grove, Knights Popcorn in Milwaukee, and rental properties in Whitewater.\nWhile building his businesses, Robin never lost his passion for serving. He was elected as a Racine County Board Supervisor in 1994 and served on the board until he was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 2004.\nRobin also serves on several national boards. He is the President Emeritus of the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Vice-Chair of the State Legislative Leaders Foundation.\nRobin and his wife, Michelle, live in Rochester.\nAbout Robin Biography 63rd Assembly District Legislation Awards & Honors\nMedia News & Updates Videos Virtual Capitol Tour\nResources Assembly Website Assembly GOP Website Constituent Services Open Book Wisconsin WisconsinEye\nLegislative Links Assembly Chief Clerk Assembly Sergeant-At-Arms Legislative Fiscal Bureau Legislative Council Legislative Reference Bureau\nState Capitol-Room 217 West - Post Office Box 8953 - Madison, Wisconsin 53708\n608-266-3387, Toll-Free: (888) 534-0063 - rep.vos@legis.wisconsin.gov\nCopyright© 2021 Wisconsin State Assembly","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line397039"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9637513756752014,"wiki_prob":0.9637513756752014,"text":"Lady A Reissuing ‘On This Winter’s Night’ Album With a Christmas Song for Their Kids\nCarena Liptak Published: October 26, 2020\nTerry Wyatt, Getty Images\nSince Lady A first went into the studio to record their 2012 Christmas album, On This Winter's Night, they've made one major life change: All three members of the trio are now parents.\nHaving kids in the picture changes every aspect of their lives, but the holiday season is especially transformed by the additions to their families. Now that they're readying a deluxe version of the record, with four additional new tracks, the bandmates agree that the biggest difference in the process then and now is being able to write a song for their children.\nAll three members of Lady A -- Hillary Scott, Charles Kelley and Dave Haywood -- had a hand in penning \"Christmas Through Your Eyes.\" Haywood says it was only the three of them, in fact, who wrote the family-focused song.\n\"We wrote that [song] with just the three of us, which is really the way we started as a band, so that was a special moment,\" he recently shared during a virtual media event. \"[It was] something that could only happen at this point in time in our lives, in our career. So it was a special day to write that, have that on the record, and have that be something something stamped in history for, you know, our kids, really.\"\nAdds Kelley of the song's inspiration, \"When you see [your kids] and you see their excitement [about Christmas], you kind of can't help but think of you at that age, and what you were feeling.\"\nIn 2020, all of the Lady A bandmates' kids are old enough to understand and get excited about the holiday season, which Scott says makes Christmas even more special. Her twins, Betsy and Emory, will be almost three by the time Santa arrives this year, while older daughter Eisele will be about seven and a half.\n\"I think [the twins will] just love the lights on the tree, and one'll probably rip open every single present. We'll probably just have to wait, put them up on a shelf, so they don't get into them,\" Scott reflects. \"And my oldest, it's just that magic -- the magic of it all. She's been pretty good about sleeping in ... on Christmas morning, even though she knows that Santa's coming, and I'm wondering if this year it'll be the 4AM wake-up call.\"\nAside from the original song, the deluxe version of On This Winter's Night will include three new covers: of the Beach Boys' \"Little Saint Nick,\" Paul McCartney's \"Wonderful Christmastime\" and Ray Charles' \"The Spirit of Christmas.\"\n\"It's such an amazing song,\" Kelley says of the latter. \"And Ray Charles is just one of my idols. So I said, 'Man, I've always wanted to try this.'\"\nThe singer might have fulfilled a dream with the recording of \"The Spirit of Christmas,\" but another of the new tracks tested Kelley's vocal abilities. \"The harmonies of the songs are really fun for us to sing,\" Scott says of \"Little Saint Nick,\" before Kelley interjects, \"You say fun -- I say torturously difficult.\"\n\"That was a lesson for me,\" he admits of learning the Beach Boys' sky-high harmonies.\nThe deluxe version of On This Winter's Night will be available on Friday (Oct. 30), and the members of Lady A agree that, especially in 2020, the Christmas season can't come soon enough.\n\"I wouldn't mind starting early this year!\" Haywood jokes. \"I think we're all wanting something to look forward forward to.\"\nOn This Winter's Night Deluxe is available to pre-order and pre-save now. More album details are below.\nLady A On This Winter's Night Deluxe\nBMLG\nLady A, On This Winter's Night Deluxe Edition Tracklist:\n1. \"A Holly Jolly Christmas\"\n2. \"Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)\"\n3. \"All I Want for Christmas Is You\"\n4. \"I’ll Be Home for Christmas\"\n5. \"This Christmas\"\n6. \"The First Noel\"\n7. \"On This Winter’s Night\"\n8. \"Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow\"\n9. \"Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas\"\n10. \"Silent Night (Lord of My Life)\"\n11. \"Blue Christmas\"\n12. \"Silver Bells\"\n13. \"Wonderful Christmastime” **\n14. \"Christmas Through Your Eyes” **\n15. \"Little Saint Nick” **\n16. \"That Spirit of Christmas” **\n** new tracks\nSee the Best Country Christmas Songs Of All-Time, Ranked:\nSource: Lady A Reissuing ‘On This Winter’s Night’ Album With a Christmas Song for Their Kids\nFiled Under: Lady A\nBreland + Lady A Show Off Their R&B Side in a New Duet, ‘Told You I Could Drink’ [Listen]\nLady A Postpone Request Line Tour as Charles Kelley Continues Journey to Sobriety\nLady A Detail Fan-Focused Request Line Tour: ‘It’s Legitimate’\nLady A’s ‘Summer State of Mind’ Doubles Down on Feel-Good Vibes [Listen]\n2021 CMA Country Christmas: Everything You Need to Know\nCarrie Underwood, Brett Eldredge + More to Take the Stage During 2021 ‘CMA Country Christmas’\nTenille Arts Was Impressed by Hillary Scott’s ‘Supermom’ Status While on Tour With Lady A\nLady A Announce Full ‘What a Song Can Do’ Album\nLady A’s Hillary Scott Brings Her 8-Year-Old Daughter, Eisele, Onstage to Sing Amy Grant Cover [Watch]","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1588613"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6579539775848389,"wiki_prob":0.34204602241516113,"text":"../core/albums/a862yzziu/index.htm\nValues and Vision\nAccessibility Report\nKS2 Results\nCOVID-19 Catch-up Premium\nD & T\nPupil Wellbeing\nINSET Dates\nChange 4 Life\nTransition to Secondary School\nAt Broadway Junior School, personal, social and health education (PSHE) enables our children to become happy, healthy, independent and responsible members of a society. It aims to help them understand how they are developing personally and socially, and tackles many of the moral, social and cultural issues that are part of growing up. We provide our children with opportunities for them to learn about rights and responsibilities and appreciate what it means to be a member of a diverse society. Our children are encouraged to develop their sense of self-worth by playing a positive role in contributing to school life and the wider community, which in turn enables them to become more mature, independent and self-confident.\nWe aim to provide a supportive, stimulating and secure environment where children are encouraged to express themselves and where their contributions are valued. They develop their sense of social justice and moral responsibility and begin to understand that their own choices and behaviour can affect local, national or global issues and political and social institutions. Relationships education and mental wellbeing is learning about the emotional, social and physical aspects of growing up, relationships, safety and health. Some aspects are taught in science, and others will be taught as part of personal, social, health and economic education (PSHE). It also gives children and young people essential skills for building positive, enjoyable, respectful and non-exploitative relationships and staying safe both on and offline. High quality relationships education helps create safe school community in which pupils can grow, learn, and develop positive, healthy behaviour for life. As they begin to develop into young adults, they will learn how to make confident and informed choices about their health (both physical and mental) and environment, to take more responsibility for their own learning; and to resist bullying. They learn to understand and respect our common humanity, diversity and differences so that they can go on to form the effective, fulfilling relationships that are an essential part of life.\nIn ensuring high standards of teaching and learning in PSHE, we implement a curriculum that is progressive throughout the whole school (see attached framework). Every year group plans and delivesr a clear, appropriate scheme of work in line with the National Curriculum. (The PSHE curriculum has core learning themes: Physical health and mental wellbeing and relationships education. It also links with British Values). We aim to go above and beyond statutory framework to ensure our children are skilled and equipped to deal with life after Broadway.\nWe ensure that PSHE and Relationships Education is taught weekly (with additional sessions/assemblies/theme days throughout the year, as and when required) and hold wellbeing at the centre of all we do. When appropriate, children will record in their topic/curriculum books. Children’s photographs and samples of work are displayed throughout school and staff model positive relationships and attitudes at all times. Our school council meet regularly throughout the year and discuss improvements that could be made to our school, taking into account pupil voice via our suggestion box, as well as being positive role models throughout school.\nThe impact and measure of this is to ensure that children at Broadway Junior School are equipped with skills and knowledge that will enable them to be ready for the curriculum at Key Stage 3, and for life as an adult in the wider world. We want children to:\nhave respect for themselves and others\nhave positive body images\nknow more and remember more about PSHE.\nrecognise and apply the British Values of Democracy, Tolerance, Mutual respect, Rule of law and Liberty, in and out of school.\ndemonstrate a healthy outlook towards school with improved attendance, behaviour and attitude towards learning.\ndevelop positive and healthy relationship with their peers both now and in the future.\nunderstand what it means to be physically and mentally health\nunderstand that their wellbeing is important and should be valued","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line293802"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.616215705871582,"wiki_prob":0.38378429412841797,"text":"Posts Tagged ‘Sinatra’s mob connections’\nSinatra: From Donkey to Elephant\nPosted in Frank Sinatra, John F. Kennedy, Marilyn Monroe, Pat and Peter Lawford, PEOPLE, tagged Bing Crosby and Kennedy, biographies of singers, Bobby Kennedy, Frank Sinatra and Kennedy, Frank Sinatra Democrat, Frank Sinatra Republican, Marilyn Monroe and Kennedy, Palm Springs, Pat Lawford, Peter Lawford, Sinatra and the Mafia, Sinatra tears up helipad, Sinatra with sledgehammer, Sinatra's mob connections, Sinatra's temper on November 23, 2009| 10 Comments »\nPresident John F. Kennedy and singer Frank Sinatra at the 1961 Inaugural Gala\nSinger and film star Frank Sinatra (1915-1998) grew up poor and lower class in Hoboken, New Jersey. Once he made it big in showbiz (thanks to help from his Mafia cronies), he obsessed about fitting in with the upper class. He wormed his way into politics, using his Hollywood star power to campaign and fundraise for Democratic heavyweights such as Franklin Roosevelt and John F. Kennedy. In attaching himself to men of honor, Sinatra hoped to achieve the respectability he craved.\nSinatra had cultivated a relationship with President Kennedy through movie star Peter Lawford, who was married to the president’s sister, Pat.\nPat Kennedy Lawford and British actor Peter Lawford\nIn March 1962, the president was scheduled to fly to Southern California. Peter Lawford asked Sinatra to be the president’s host at his Palm Springs estate. Sinatra was thrilled. He went straight to work. At his own expense, Sinatra installed a helicopter pad, cottages for the Secret Service, and even a flagpole for the presidential flag.\nBut the president’s brother Bobby Kennedy wasn’t having it. He was the Attorney General of the United States at the time. When he heard about his brother Jack’s proposed stay at Sinatra’s, he went ballistic. Bobby was making the “most single-minded attack on organized crime in American history” and could not abide Jack associating with someone with mob connections. (1) Peter was the one chosen to tell Sinatra that the president would not be staying with him.\nSinatra did not take the news well. He had a notoriously explosive temper:\n“Sinatra vented his spleen by destroying the concrete landing pad with a sledgehammer. He applied a different kind of sledgehammer to his friendship with Peter and Pat [Lawford], banning them from his company….Jack ended up staying at the home of Bing Crosby. Marilyn Monroe flew down to be with the president, spending the night in his bedroom….”\n(l. to r.) Peter Lawford, Frank Sinatra, Marilyn Monroe, ca. 1961-62\n…and Frank Sinatra became a Republican.\n(1) Leamer, Laurence. The Kennedy Women: The Saga of an American Family. New York: Fawcett Books, 1994.\nFor more on Sinatra, check out “Sinatra: Pants on Fire!”","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line827927"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9510634541511536,"wiki_prob":0.9510634541511536,"text":"HomeReportsInternational Religious Freedom Reports...Custom Report - d2ced66f50\nAccording to the 1992 Basic Law of Governance, the country’s official religion is Islam and the constitution is the Quran and Sunna (traditions and practices based on the life of the Prophet Muhammad). The legal system is based largely on sharia as interpreted by the Hanbali school of Sunni Islamic jurisprudence. Freedom of religion is not provided for under the law. The law criminalizes “anyone who challenges, either directly or indirectly, the religion or justice of the King or Crown Prince.” The law bans “the promotion of atheistic ideologies in any form,” “any attempt to cast doubt on the fundamentals of Islam,” publications that “contradict the provisions of Islamic law,” and other acts, including non-Islamic public worship, public display of non-Islamic religious symbols, conversion by a Muslim to another religion, and proselytizing by a non-Muslim. In practice, there is limited tolerance of private, non-Islamic religious gatherings and public displays of non-Islamic religious symbols, but religious practitioners at variance with the government-promoted form of Sunni Islam remained vulnerable to detention, harassment, and, for noncitizens, deportation. According to Shia community members, processions and gatherings continued due to decreased sectarian tensions and greater coordination between the Shia community and authorities, and Ashura commemorations were marked by improved relations between the Shia and other communities and public calls for mutual tolerance. Shia activists stated, however, that authorities continued to target members of the Shia community while carrying out security operations and legal proceedings against them specifically because of their religious beliefs. On June 15, authorities carried out a death sentence against Shia citizen Mustafa al-Darwish, initially arrested for involvement as a minor in antigovernment protests in 2012. Government authorities stated al-Darwish received the sentence not for crimes he committed as a minor but rather for crimes that he committed subsequently as an adult. As many as 41 individuals faced the possibility of execution, according to an October report by the Berlin-based European Saudi Organization for Human Rights (ESOHR), which stated that an undetermined number were Shia. On October 12, London-based human rights organization ALQST and Prisoners of Conscience, which monitors and documents arrests in human rights cases in the country, reported that religious leader Musa al-Qarni, a former professor of Islamic jurisprudence, died in prison after his health deteriorated while serving a 20-year prison sentence of which he completed 15 years. On March 29, al-Watan newspaper reported that the Ministry of Islamic Affairs (MOIA) fired 54 imams and preachers in Mecca Province because of ideological and administrative violations. In a September review of Saudi textbooks used in the second semester of the 2020-21 and the first semester of the 2021-22 school years, the Israeli nongovernmental organization (NGO) Institute for Monitoring Peace and Cultural Tolerance in School Education (IMPACT-se) reported that the trend of “significant improvement” in content dealing with religions other than Islam had continued from its last review of the Saudi curricula in late 2020. The 2021 Riyadh International Book Fair, organized by the Ministry of Culture under the sponsorship of the King, allowed booksellers to exhibit and sell antisemitic publications. The fair permitted the sale of books about atheism as well.\nSome social media platforms carried disparaging remarks about members of various religious groups or “sects.” Terms such as “rejectionists,” which Shia considered insulting, were found in some social media discourse. An Orthodox Jewish rabbi made several unofficial visits to the country to conduct outreach and offer religious services to Jewish residents. His social media posts depicted him in traditional Orthodox clothing and showed positive experiences with Saudis.\nIn discussions with the Human Rights Commission (HRC), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), and other ministries and agencies, senior U.S. officials, including the Charge d’Affaires, continued to raise and discuss reports of abuses of religious freedom, arbitrary arrests and detentions, enforcement of laws against religious minorities, promotion of respect and tolerance for minority Muslim and non-Muslim religious practices and beliefs, the country’s counterterrorism law, and due process standards. Embassy officials engaged regularly with like-minded partners and with religious leaders and participated in interfaith discussions.\nSince 2004, Saudi Arabia has been designated as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) under the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 for having engaged in or tolerated particularly severe violations of religious freedom. On November 15, the Secretary of State redesignated Saudi Arabia as a CPC and announced a waiver of the sanctions that accompany designation as required in the important national interest of the United States pursuant to section 407 of the Act.\nThe U.S. government estimates the total population at 34.8 million (midyear 2021). In 2019, the UN estimated that approximately 38.3 percent of the country’s residents are foreigners. Between 85 and 90 percent of the approximately 21 million Saudi citizens are Sunni Muslims.\nShia Muslims constitute 10 to 12 percent of the citizen population and an estimated 25 to 30 percent of the Eastern Province’s population.\nAccording to Boston University’s 2020 World Religions Database, the population includes approximately 31.5 million Muslims, 2.1 million Christians, 708,000 Hindus, 242,000 atheists or agnostics, 114,000 Buddhists, and 67,00 Sikhs.\nThe Basic Law of Governance establishes the country as a sovereign Arab Islamic state, the religion of which is Islam. The Basic Law defines the country’s constitution as the Quran and the Sunna and states the “decisions of judges shall not be subject to any authority other than the authority of the Islamic sharia.” The Basic Law contains no legal recognition or protection of freedom of religion. Conversion from Islam to another religion is grounds for the charge of apostasy, which is legally punishable by death, although courts have not carried out a death sentence for apostasy in recent years.\nThe Basic Law states the duty of every citizen is to defend Islam, society, and the homeland. Non-Muslims must convert to Islam before they are eligible to naturalize. The law requires applicants for citizenship to attest to being Muslim and to obtain a certificate documenting their religious affiliation endorsed by a Muslim religious authority. The law deems children born to Muslim fathers as Muslim.\nThe judicial system is largely based on laws derived from the Quran and Sunna. All judges are religiously trained, although they often also have specialized knowledge of nonreligious legal subjects. In several areas, including commercial and financial matters and criminal law related to electronic and cybercrimes or terrorism, jurisprudence increasingly is based on international models rather than religious texts. Law on religious matters, which often affects civil law, particularly on personal status issues, is developed by fatwas (official interpretations of religious law) issued by the 21-person Council of Senior Scholars (CSS) that reports to the King. By law, these fatwas must be based on the Quran and Sunna. The Basic Law also states that governance is based on justice, shura (consultation), and equality, according to sharia.\nThe law specifies a hierarchical organization and composition of the CSS, the Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Religious Rulings, and the Office of the Mufti, together with their functions. The Basic Law recognizes the CSS, supported by the Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Religious Rulings, as the supreme authority on religious matters. The CSS is headed by the Grand Mufti and is composed of Sunni religious scholars and jurists, 18 of whom are from the Hanbali school of jurisprudence, with one representative of each of the other Sunni schools (Malaki, Hanafi, and Shafi’i). There are no Shia members. Scholars are chosen at the King’s discretion and serve renewable four-year terms, with many serving for life.\nThe counterterrorism law criminalizes, among other things, “calling for atheist thought in any form or calling into question the fundamentals of the Islamic religion.” It criminalizes “anyone who challenges, either directly or indirectly, the religion or justice of the King or Crown Prince.” The law also bans publications that “contradict the provisions of Islamic law,” and other acts including non-Islamic public worship, public display of non-Islamic religious symbols, conversion by a Muslim to another religion, and proselytizing by a non-Muslim.\nAccording to the Basic Law of Governance, “The Judiciary is an independent authority. The decisions of judges shall not be subject to any authority other than the authority of the Islamic sharia. The courts shall apply rules of the Islamic sharia in cases that are brought before them, according to the Holy Quran and the Sunna, and according to laws which are decreed by the ruler in agreement with the Holy Quran and the Sunna.” In the absence of a comprehensively codified criminal code, rulings and sentences can diverge widely. Criminal appeals may be made to the appellate and supreme courts, where in some instances, appellate decisions have resulted in a harsher sentence than the original court decision. Government universities provide training in all four Sunni schools of jurisprudence, with a focus on the Hanbali school.\nIn legal cases involving accidental death or injury, compensation sometimes differs according to the religious affiliation of the plaintiff. In the event a court renders a judgment in favor of a plaintiff who is a Jewish or Christian male, a court may rule the plaintiff is entitled to receive 50 percent of the compensation that a Muslim male would receive. In some circumstances, other non-Muslims may only receive one-sixteenth the amount that a Muslim male would receive.\nThe Basic Law requires the state to protect human rights in accordance with sharia. The HRC, a government entity, is tasked with protecting, enhancing, and ensuring implementation of international human rights standards “in light of the provisions of sharia,” and regularly follows up on citizen complaints. There are no formal requirements regarding the composition of the HRC. During the year, the commission had approximately 26 members from various parts of the country, including four Shia members.\nThe law permits death as punishment for blasphemy against Islam. Courts have not sentenced individuals to death for blasphemy since 1992. Punishments for blasphemy may include lengthy prison sentences. Criticism of Islam, including expression deemed offensive to Muslims, is forbidden on the grounds of preserving social stability.\nIn 2020, as the result of a Supreme Court decision, the government ended flogging as a ta’zir (discretionary) criminal sentence and replaced it with prison sentences or fines. As a result, flogging may no longer be used against those convicted of blasphemy, public immodesty, sitting alone with a person of the opposite sex, and a range of other crimes. However, judicial officials have stated that flogging still may be included in sentences for three hudood offenses (crimes that carry specific penalties under the country’s interpretation of Islamic law): drunkenness, sexual conduct between unmarried persons, and false accusations of adultery.\nIn 2020, a royal decree abolished ta’zir death penalty sentences for those who committed crimes as minors. The juvenile law sets the legal age of adulthood at 18, based on the Hijri (Islamic lunar) calendar. Minor offenders, however, who are convicted of qisas, a category of crimes that includes various types of murder, or hudood offenses could still face the death penalty. The royal decree also capped prison sentences for minors at 10 years.\nThe country is the location of Mecca and Medina, Islam’s two holiest sites. The government prohibits non-Muslims from entering central Mecca or religious sites in Medina. Muslims visit these cities on the annual Hajj pilgrimage and during Umrah pilgrimage throughout the rest of the year. The government has stated that caring for the holy cities of Mecca and Medina is a sacred trust exercised on behalf of all Muslims. The King employs the official title of “Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques,” in reference to the two cities. Citing reasons of public safety and logistics, the government establishes national quotas for foreigners and issues permits to Muslim residents (including its own nationals) to participate in the Hajj. Saudi authorities continued to limit access to Mecca and Medina, including for the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages, due to ongoing COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.\nThe MOIA vets, employs, and supervises Sunni Muslim clerics. Those who preach at government-owned mosques are government employees who receive a monthly stipend. The MOIA permits only government-employed clerics to deliver sermons and vets the sermons in advance.\nThe MOIA must approve clerics traveling abroad to proselytize and they operate under MOIA supervision. The stated purpose of this regulation is to limit the ability of religious scholars to travel or to preach overseas and to prevent the actual or apparent interference by clerics in the domestic affairs of other states.\nPublic school students at all levels receive mandatory religious instruction based on Sunni Islam according to the Hanbali school of jurisprudence. Private schools must also follow the official, government-approved religious curriculum. Private international schools are required to teach Saudi students and Muslim students of other nationalities an Islamic studies course, while non-Muslim, non-Saudi students may receive a course on Islamic civilization or alternative coursework in place of the curriculum designed for Saudi students; courses entail one hour of instruction per week. The government permits private international schools to teach courses on other religions or civilizations.\nThe Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice (CPVPV) is a government agency charged with monitoring social behavior and reporting violations of moral standards to law enforcement authorities. The CPVPV provides counseling and reports individuals suspected of violating the law to police. The Ministry of Interior (MOI) oversees CPVPV operations on the King’s behalf. According to law, the CPVPV must “uphold its duties with kindness and gentleness as decreed by the examples of the Prophet Muhammad.” CPVPV field officers do not wear uniforms, but they are required to wear identification badges.\nA royal decree bans publishing anything “contradicting sharia, inciting disruption, serving foreign interests that contradict national interests, and damaging the reputation of the Grand Mufti, members of the Council of Senior Religious Scholars, or senior government officials.”\nSocial media users who post or share content considered to attack religion face imprisonment for up to five years under the Cyber Crimes Law. Those found guilty of distributing content online deemed to disrupt public order, public morals, or religious values may also be subject to a fine up to three million riyals ($800,000).\nThe government requires noncitizen legal residents to carry an identity card containing a religious designation of “Muslim” or “non-Muslim.” Some residency cards, including some issued during the year, indicate other religious designations, such as “Christian.”\nThe law does not allow for political parties or similar associations. The law does not protect the right of individuals to organize politically and specifically bans organizations with political wings, including the Muslim Brotherhood, as regional and local terrorist groups.\nThe country is not a party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.\nBecause religion and politics are often closely linked, it was difficult to categorize many incidents as being solely based on religious identity. NGOs and Shia activists said authorities committed a range of abuses against members of Shia communities. While NGOs and Shia activists stated that the prosecution of Shia was often based on religious affiliation, observers said that members of other religious groups faced arrest and trial for similar offenses.\nOn February 7, according to NGOs, the government commuted the death sentences of Dawood al-Marhoon, Abdullah al-Zaher and Ali al-Nimr (nephew of Nimr al-Nimr, a Shia cleric executed by the government in 2016) to 10 years in prison. On October 27 and November 16, authorities released Shia youths Ali al-Nimr and Abdullah al-Zaher following completion of their 10-year prison sentences. Al-Nimr and al-Zaher, along with Dawood al-Marhoon, who remained imprisoned, were among a group of 13 Shia youth previously arrested as minors who faced possible execution, according to ESOHR. The government reviewed their sentences as part of the implementation of a royal decree announced in 2020 abolishing ta’zir death sentences for crimes committed as minors. In a March 3 statement, UN human rights experts welcomed the government’s decision to commute the death sentences given to the three men “for crimes allegedly committed when they were less than 18 years old.” The statement also said the government should “quash” the convictions and release the three men.\nThe news website Middle East Eye reported that authorities arrested Ali al-Nimr’s father Mohammed Bakr al-Nimr on February 24 in his home in the Eastern Province town of Awamiyah. The government released Mohammed al-Nimr on February 26. The reason for his detention was not known.\nOn February 8, according to the NGO Human Rights Watch (HRW), prosecutors amended charges against eight Shia detainees, seeking prison sentences rather than the death penalty for five of the eight – Ahmed Abdul Wahid al-Faraj, Ali Mohammed al-Bati, Mohammed Hussein al-Nimr, Ali Hassan al-Faraj, and Mohammed Issam al-Faraj – who were minors at the time of the alleged commission of the offenses. The remaining defendants were Haidar al-Saffar, Hussein Saeed al-Subaiti, and Mujtaba Abu Kabus. According to ESOHR, in October, the government dropped the request for the death penalty against the five younger prisoners, but all eight still face trial. The men faced charges that included “seeking to destabilize the social fabric by participating in protests and funeral processions,” and “chanting slogans hostile to the regime.” According to ESOHR, in late October, the Specialized Criminal Court (SCC), which focuses on terrorism and national security cases, held a new hearing in the case of eight detainees, including the five minors. The NGO stated the hearing was the first after a break of more than seven months.\nOn February 10, the SCC sentenced Shia activist Israa al-Ghomgham, detained in 2015 for participating in antigovernment protests, to eight years in prison and an eight-year travel ban, according to ALQST and Amnesty International. The SCC also sentenced al-Ghomgham’s husband, Mousa al-Hashim, to 17 years. The court sentenced four other Shia arrested along with them to prison, with sentences ranging from eight to 15 years: Ahmed al-Matrood received a sentence of 15 years, Khaled al-Ghanim 13 years, Ali al-Ouwaisher 10 years, and Mujtaba al-Muzain eight years.\nOn August 24, SANAD Rights Organization, a London-based human rights NGO, reported that Shia prisoner Mustafa al-Khayat, convicted on charges involving demonstrations, disrupting security, and carrying weapons, awaited a death sentence upheld by the Supreme Court in 2020.\nIn February and March, authorities released three activists who had written about discrimination faced by Shia in the country, pending trial. According to an April tweet by Prisoners of Conscience, the government also released one of the men’s wives, who – like her husband – had been held for two years. In October, authorities found one of the men guilty under the Cyber Crimes Law and sentenced him to two years in jail, followed by a two-year travel ban. The judge ruled that the defendant would be credited with two years of time served but that the travel ban would remain in effect.\nAs many as 41 Shia individuals faced the possibility of execution, according to an October report by ESOHR. The report added that trials of 32 individuals, most of them Shia, on charges carrying potential death sentences were ongoing, with 10 of them facing preliminary death sentences. As is the case for detainees of any religious group, international human rights NGOs said that many of the convictions were “based on confessions extracted through prolonged solitary confinement and torture” during pretrial detention and interrogation. Local Shia activists and international human rights groups questioned the competence, independence, and impartiality of the judiciary and noted that the underlying charges were inconsistent with international principles of freedom of assembly, expression, and association.\nOn June 15, authorities carried out a ta’zir death sentence against Shia citizen Mustafa al-Darwish, initially arrested for involvement as a minor in antigovernment protests in 2012 and charged with membership in a terror cell and participation in an armed revolt. Authorities stated that al-Darwish received the death penalty for crimes that he committed subsequently as an adult. Reprieve, a London-based NGO opposed to the death penalty, said that Darwish’s execution “once again show[ed] that the Kingdom’s claim to have eliminated capital punishment for childhood crimes is not true.” The NGO said that the government told the UN Human Rights Council in February that “anyone who commits a death-eligible crime as a child” will be subject to “a maximum sentence of 10 years in a juvenile institution.” Reprieve also said that Darwish’s execution was contrary to a 2020 Royal Decree that abolished ta’zir death penalty sentences for those who committed crimes as minors and capped prison sentences for minors at 10 years. On May 28, prior to al-Darwish’s execution, UN experts called on the government to halt the process leading to his eventual death, stating that authorities sentenced him for crimes when he was younger than the age of 18 and that the government did not provide due process and a fair trial. Following al-Darwish’s execution, on July 7, the UN experts stated that they were “shocked” after the government did not address their May 28 concerns and that the government’s failure to provide details to his family about his execution inflicted “additional, unjustifiable, and useless pain” on his loved ones.\nOn August 3, authorities executed Shia Ahmed al-Janabi under a ta’zir sentence for armed rebellion and protesting against the state in Shia-majority Qatif. On September 6, authorities carried out a ta’zir death sentence against Shia citizen Adnan al-Sharfa for joining a terrorist cell that aimed to “destabilize security in the country” and smuggling.\nOn July 1, ESOHR said at least four individuals accused of crimes committed as minors remained on death row, including Shia Jalal Hassan al-Labbad. ESOHR reported on December 3 that Labbad was still at risk of execution. Authorities sought the hudood penalty against Labbad in 2019 for hirabeh (unlawful warfare or insurgency) on a variety of charges, including participating in protests, some of which dated to when he was a minor.\nIn May, the NGOs Shia Rights Watch (SRW), Democracy for the Arab World Now (DAWN), ALQST, and SANAD each reported that Shia Zaheer Ali Sharida al-Mohammed Ali died on May 8 in al-Hai’r Prison. They blamed prison authorities’ medical negligence for Ali’s death and said he contracted COVID-19 in April.\nIn August, the SCC upheld a ta’zir death sentence issued on February 21 against Shia citizen Mohammed al-Shakhouri, according to ESOHR and UN experts. Authorities arrested al-Shakhouri in 2017 and tried him in 2019 on charges of destabilizing the social fabric and national cohesion by calling for sit-ins and demonstrations and chanting antistate slogans. The government also charged him with possession of arms, as well as photos and information of individuals classified as terrorists. According to an August 27 letter by UN experts to the government, the appeals court upheld this verdict on August 2, and at year’s end the case was pending before the Supreme Court.\nIn the same August 27 letter to the government, the UN experts raised the case of Asaad Makki Shubbar, a Shia citizen, whom, according to the experts’ letter, authorities arrested in Asir Province in 2017 and held without trial for more than two years, subjecting him to “various types of torture and ill-treatment.” According to the letter, interrogators reportedly used “sectarian terms denigrating minority Shia believers and insulted [Shubbar’s] religious beliefs.” In 2019, the government charged him with several crimes under the counterterrorism law, including joining a group from Qatif in acts of sabotage, participating in demonstrations, chanting slogans, and calling for participation in demonstrations and sit-ins. The SCC sentenced Shubbar to death in January and, in July, the Specialized Appeals Court upheld his sentence. At year’s end, the case was pending before the Supreme Court.\nOn November 1, the Saudi Press Agency, citing MOI, reported that a ta’zir death sentence had been carried out against Makki Kazem al-Obeid in Damman. The ministry statement said that al-Obeid participated in attacks against security forces and was “linked to people wanted for terrorism-related activities.” The Committee for Human Rights in the Arabian Peninsula “condemned the Saudi regime’s execution” of al-Obeid and said that he was a “Shia prisoner of conscience.”\nIn February, media reported authorities arrested 65-year-old Aisha al-Muhajiri, reportedly because she continued to preach and teach the Quran at her home in Mecca. Authorities also arrested two other women along with al-Muhajiri, one of whom, according to a news site, was 80 years old.\nALQST alleged in March 2021 that the health of imprisoned Shia cleric Mohammad al-Habib was deteriorating due to neglect. He was closely associated with Nimr al-Nimr, who was executed in 2016.\nDuring the year, the SCC held several hearings in the case of cleric Hassan Farhan al-Maliki, described by HRW as a religious reformer, in detention since September 2017. Earlier in 2017, a criminal court convicted and sentenced al-Maliki to three months on charges of extremism, fanaticism, and holding an impure (takfiri) ideology. In December 2020, his son tweeted that the public prosecutor had sought the death penalty for al-Maliki on 14 charges, including calling into question the fundamentals of Islam by casting doubt on prophetic Sunna and hadith (sayings of the Prophet Muhammad reported by multiple sources, and thus deemed especially reliable). According to HRW, the charges against him also included criticism of several early Islamic figures, insulting the country’s rulers and the Supreme Council of Religious Scholars, and describing them as extremist.\nThe SCC continued trials of some clerics, academics, and members of the media for alleged association with the Muslim Brotherhood, which the government continued to regard as a terrorist organization, a view also expressed by the CSS, which stated the Muslim Brotherhood did not represent the true values of Islam. The accused included prominent scholars of Islam Salman al-Odah, Awad al-Qarni, and Ali al-Omari, who were arrested in 2017. According to Saudi and international rights groups, the public prosecutor sought the death penalty against them.\nAmnesty International reported in August that authorities tried al-Odah before the SCC in a secret session, where they charged him with 37 counts. Amnesty International reported that since 2018, courts scheduled more than 10 hearings on his case, which were postponed for months at a time, with no clear explanation being provided to al-Odah or his family. Al-Odah’s son stated in a July tweet that his father’s physical and mental condition had declined during four years of solitary confinement and that he had partially lost his sight and hearing due to medical negligence. In July, his son said that authorities had denied al-Odah access to family telephone calls for almost a year. According to HRW, authorities barred 18 members of al-Odah’s family from traveling abroad since his arrest. In a report released in August, al-Odah’s son Salman told Amnesty International “No legal process or court was involved in the bans against my family, and no reason was given by any authority. The bans are mainly to pressure me into silence, even when I’m overseas, and to further pressure my father in jail.” In February, UN experts called for an explanation for the repeated postponements of his trial and asked for information regarding his “right to physical and mental health while detained.”\nDuring the year, Prisoners of Conscience reported that the SCC issued verdicts in the trials of a number of clerics, religious leaders, and academics arrested in 2017 and charged for offenses related to free expression and their religious views and increased prison sentences previously issued against some of them, including Nasser al-Omar, Mohammed Mousa al-Shareef, Waleed al-Huwairini, Mohammed al-Bishr, Ali Badahdah, Yousef al-Ahmed, and Khalid al-Muhawish. At the time of their arrests, the government said those arrested had ties to a “foreign spy cell” and the Muslim Brotherhood. According to Prisoners of Conscience, the SCC sentenced them to between four and 10 years in prison.\nOn August 24, SANAD reported that the government continued to detain Sheikh Saad Matar al-Otaibi, a scholar in Islamic politics and public policy and popular preacher on national TV, whom authorities arrested in 2017.\nOn April 15, Prisoners of Conscience reported that the SCC commuted prison sentences against clerics Dr. Adel Bana’ma, Dr. Ibrahim al-Harthi, and Sheikh Ali Badahdah to four years from eight, five, and six years, respectively. On August 16, Prisoners of Conscience tweeted and on August 24 SANAD confirmed that authorities released Sheikh Khaled al-Ajeemi, whom authorities arrested in 2017, due to failing health. On November 24, Prisoners of Conscience tweeted that authorities extended al-Harthi’s sentence to eight years.\nOn June 24, Prisoners of Conscience reported that the SCC increased the prison sentence of religious leader Sheikh Yousef al-Ahmed from four to 13 years. In December 2020, the SCC sentenced al-Ahmed to four years in prison and a four-year travel ban on charges that included visiting prisoners of conscience and appearing in a television show hosted by Fahd al-Sunaidi, who is also serving a four-year prison sentence.\nIn November, ALQST reported that authorities detained Abdulrahman al-Dowaish, son of missing preacher Sulaiman al-Dowaish, after he asked about the whereabouts of his father. On November 10, Prisoners of Conscience tweeted authorities held a secret trial of Abdulrahman al-Dowaish, which took place without his family or legal representation being present. Officials had previously arrested his brother, Abdulwahhab al-Dowaish, in August, according to ALQST. The NGOs DAWN and MENA Rights Group reported that security personnel arrested Sulaiman al-Dowaish in 2016 after he posted several tweets summarizing a religious lecture he delivered that day during a trip to Mecca that warned about the dangers of individuals providing their sons with great privileges and responsibilities without proper oversight and accountability. In March, ALQST reported that it obtained and confirmed information that high-ranking officials “brutally tortured” preacher Sulaiman al-Dowaish after his 2016 disappearance. ALQST stated that the last reported sighting of al-Dowaish was in July 2018, and that nothing has been heard of him since then.\nOn September 1, ESOHR stated that from 2016 through the end of August 2021, the bodies of at least 88 persons executed or killed in Saudi security raids, including nine minors and three foreigners, were not returned for burial.\nAccording to NGOs and Shia community members, prison officials held Shia inmates in some cases in separate wings of prisons, and they reportedly faced worse conditions than Sunnis.\nAccording to ESOHR, authorities detained Shia cleric Mojtaba al-Nimr on June 6 at King Fahd Airport when he returned from a trip to the Shia holy city of Qom in Iran. Mojtaba al-Nimr is a member of executed sheikh Nimr al-Nimr’s family, although their exact relationship remained unclear.\nPrisoners of Conscience reported that on September 14, authorities arrested Abdulrahman al-Mahmoud, a former professor of Islamic faith at Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University, on charges that were not made public. There was no update on his case at the end of the year.\nOn October 12, ALQST and Prisoners of Conscience reported that religious leader Musa al-Qarni, a former professor of Islamic jurisprudence, died in prison after his health deteriorated while serving a 20-year prison sentence, of which he completed 15 years. “Qarni was subjected to brutal torture, and the Saudi authorities deliberately harmed him by giving him unsuitable medication,” ALQST said on Twitter, adding that it “questions the causes of death & calls for an international investigation.” Prisoners of Conscience tweeted that al-Qarni died after “extremist prisoners” had beaten him and that prison authorities had refused his request to be housed with other older prisoners. In addition, the authorities waited three days to inform al-Qarni’s family of his death. SANAD stated that authorities did not allow al-Qarni’s family to see his body before his funeral. In November, Prisoners of Conscience reported that prison authorities had beaten and withheld medicines from another prisoner arrested with al-Qarni in 2007, Mukhtar al-Hashimi.\nIn July, the website Together for Justice reported there were no updates since 2020 regarding the arrest of Quran reciter Sheikh Abdullah Basfar, an associate professor of sharia and Islamic studies at King Abdul Aziz University in Jeddah and imam of the Mansour al-Shuaibi Mosque in the al-Salama neighborhood of Jeddah. The site stated that until his detention was confirmed in September 2020, a month after his arrest, Basfar had not appeared before any court. On December 8, Prisoners of Conscience reported that Basfar remained in detention. At the time of Basfar’s arrest, observers noted that persons of any religious affiliation who expressed views not supported by the government did so at personal risk and that when clerics were arrested, it was often for expressing views counter to government policy.\nIn 2020, Prisoners of Conscience reported that authorities had arrested Saud al-Fanisan, the former head of the Faculty of Sharia at Imam Mohammed ibn Saud Islamic University, on undisclosed charges earlier in the year. In November, Prisoners of Conscience and SANAN both reported that the SCC had sentenced the 85-year-old al-Fanisan to two years’ imprisonment.\nSeveral human rights NGOs signed a letter publicly calling on the government to return the remains of individuals executed in 2019 in connection with “terrorism crimes.” At the time, HRW reported that at least 33 of the 37 citizens executed by the government were from the country’s Shia minority. ESOHR reported that at the time authorities carried out the sentences, at least six of those executed were minors, a statement which the government denied. Separately, in August, SANAD reported that authorities were refusing the family of executed Shia activist Yousef al-Mushaikhis access to his remains. The government executed al-Mushaikhis in 2017, after arresting him in 2014.\nAccording to an August 16 tweet sent by Prisoners of Conscience, the government sentenced three sons of prominent religious scholar Safar al-Hawali to four years in prison. Authorities arrested the three men, along with their father, his brother, and another son on undisclosed charges in 2018. In 2019, officials released the youngest son, after detaining him for seven months. According to the website Middle East Monitor, authorities charged Safar al-Hawali, in his seventies and facing chronic health issues, although details of the charges remained unknown. In an August 24 post, SANAD stated that a family member reported that one of the three brothers, Abdullah, had serious medical concerns, due in part to having only one kidney and to prison conditions. In a separate post, SANAD noted that in addition to the sentences given to Safar al-Hawali’s three sons, authorities also sentenced his brother, Saadallah, and his office manager, Ismail Hassan, to three and a half year sentences.\nThe SCC sentenced well-known preacher Nasser al-Omar to 10 years in prison. Authorities arrested al-Omar in 2018. He was a professor at the Faculty of Fundamentals of Religion at Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud Islamic University, near Riyadh. Like Safar al-Hawali, he was associated with the Sahwa (Islamic Awakening) movement.\nCrown Prince Mohammed bin Salman al Saud, in an April 27 televised interview, cautioned against adherence to one particular school of Islamic jurisprudence or Islamic scholarship. He said any Saudi with extremist views, even if that person had not yet committed a crime, “is a criminal and will face the full force of the law.” In the same interview, the Crown Prince said no sharia punishment could be enforced without a clear Quranic stipulation or an explicit stipulation from the Sunna. He also stated that only hadith were to be enforced.\nThe government continued to incarcerate individuals accused of apostasy and blasphemy, violating Islamic values and moral standards, insulting Islam, and engaging in “black magic” and sorcery.\nAt year’s end, authorities continued to imprison Raif Badawi based on his 2013 conviction for violating Islamic values, violating sharia, committing blasphemy, and mocking religious symbols. In a June 18 post on its website, the NGO Reporters without Borders (Reporters sans Frontiers, or RSF) stated that the government continued to hold Badawi in solitary confinement and limited his contact with the outside world to two phone calls per week with his wife and children, were living in Canada. According to RSF, authorities monitored these calls, which were very short and sometimes suddenly disconnected. Badawi had originally been sentenced to seven years in prison and 600 lashes in 2013, but a court increased his sentence on appeal to a 10-year prison term and 1,000 lashes, as well as a one million riyal ($267,000) fine. Badawi received 50 lashes in 2015; the government has not carried out the remaining 950 lashes. The Supreme Court directed that flogging be ended in 2020.\nAccording to media reports, authorities arrested Ahmad al-Shammari and sentenced him to death for apostasy in 2017 after he posted videos to social media in which he renounced Islam and the Prophet Muhammad. He was believed to be incarcerated as of year’s end. It was unknown whether any appeals in his case remained pending.\nIn June, media reported that the Saudi Zakat, Tax, and Customs Authority said a customs officer at King Fahd International Airport in Dammam thwarted an attempt by an air traveler to smuggle suspected sorcery-related pieces into the kingdom. Authorities referred the smuggler and the seized items for possible prosecution.\nIn March, a Christian convert faced two court cases as well as threats of violence against him and his family, according to media reports. Authorities charged the man in court on March 11 with trying to convert Muslims after he allegedly discussed his own conversion to Christianity. A second court case, on March 26, concerned financial assistance he gave his sister, also a convert to Christianity, for her and her children to flee the country.\nOn November 17, RSF called for the immediate release of Yemeni journalist Ali Aboluhom, who received a 15-year prison sentence for tweets that, according to Saudi authorities, promoted apostasy, atheism, and blasphemy. According to the Gulf Center for Human Rights, the Criminal Court in Najran sentenced Aboluhom on October 26 to 10 years in prison after convicting him of apostasy and atheism, and another five years in prison for publishing his writings on social media networks that “would prejudice public order, religious values, and morals.”\nOn November 23, local media reported that Public Prosecutor Sheikh Saud al-Muajab issued an order to arrest a man who posted a video on his Twitter account that showed him making remarks insulting the Divine Essence.\nOn September 21, Prisoners of Conscience reported that the Supreme Court increased prison sentences issued by the SCC against three clerics and academics: Sanhat al-Otaibi from four years to eight years, Ibrahim al-Nasser from three months to three years, and Omar al-Muqbil from six months to four years. In August, the NGO Together for Justice reported that authorities arrested al-Nasser in 2017 but did not disclose charges. Authorities arrested al-Muqbil in 2019 for criticizing concerts sponsored by the government’s General Entertainment Authority, calling them a threat to the country’s culture.\nHuman rights NGOs and legal experts continued to criticize antiterrorism laws for using overly broad and vague language, making them susceptible to politicization and other abuse.\nThe government continued to prohibit the public practice of any non-Islamic religion. According to civil society sources and media reports, non-Muslims and many foreign and local Muslims whose religious practices differed from the form of Sunni Islam promoted by the government could only practice their religion in private and remained vulnerable to detention, discrimination, harassment, and, for noncitizens, deportation. Members of the expatriate Christian community said that congregations were able to conduct large Christian worship services discreetly and regularly without substantial interference from the CPVPV or other government authorities. Members of other minority faith communities similarly reported less interference in private religious gatherings than public ones.\nIn mixed neighborhoods of Sunni and Shia residents, authorities generally required all mosques, including Shia mosques, to use the Sunni call to prayer. In predominantly Shia areas such as Qatif, however, and in some Shia areas of al-Ahsa Governorate in the Eastern Province, authorities allowed Shia mosques to use the Twelver Shia variant of the call to prayer.\nAuthorities generally permitted Muslim detainees and prisoners to perform Islamic religious observances, such as prayers.\nOn May 23, the MOIA instructed mosques to set loudspeakers at only one-third of the maximum volume and limited the use of loudspeakers for the call for prayers and to signal for prayers to start. The MOIA mandated that full prayers and sermons could not be broadcast via loudspeaker. The MOIA said the changes were a response to complaints from the public, including from the elderly and parents whose children’s sleep was disrupted. On May 28, the MOIA modified its decree to allow use of loudspeakers during Eid and Friday prayers. On July 19, Prisoners of Conscience reported that authorities arrested academic and legal advisor Dr. Omar Abdullah al-Saadoun for an article criticizing the decision to restrict the use of loudspeakers.\nOn March 17, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah announced that domestic pilgrims between the ages of 18 and 70 would be allowed to perform Umrah. On April 8, an official source at the MOI said pilgrims who performed Umrah without a permit during the month of Ramadan would be fined 10,000 riyals ($2,700), along with a 1,000 riyal ($270) fine for anyone entering the Holy Mosque in Mecca without a permit. On June 12, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah announced that it would limit the 2021 Hajj to approximately 60,000 vaccinated pilgrims, all living in-country, who had to be free of chronic diseases and be between the ages of 18 and 65. On August 7, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah said the country would begin receiving Umrah pilgrimage requests from abroad for vaccinated pilgrims starting August 9 after nearly 18 months of barring overseas pilgrims due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Foreign Umrah pilgrims who took two approved doses of Covid-19 no longer needed to be institutionally quarantined upon arrival. On September 7, the ministry announced it increased the number of Umrah pilgrims to 70,000 per day under a plan to gradually raise capacity to two million per month. As of September 14, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah no longer required a quarantine or a negative COVID-19 test result prior to issuing a permit to perform prayers at the Holy Mosque in Medina. On September 18, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah announced that 10 million pilgrims performed Umrah since October 4, 2020, following the launch of its “safe Umrah” procedures and the gradual return of pilgrims to the two Holy Mosques. On October 25, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah announced that pilgrims wishing to perform Umrah would no longer be required to wait for 14 days to book for the ritual.\nOn June 13, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah allowed women to attend without a male guardian as long as they performed the pilgrimage with other groups of women. Some pilgrimage service providers announced they would not accept women without a guardian. Some companies reportedly charged women more than men.\nAuthorities continued to permit public commemorations of Ashura and other Shia holidays in Qatif, home to the country’s largest Shia population. According to community members, processions and gatherings continued due to decreased tensions and greater coordination between the Shia community and authorities. They stated that the Shia Ashura commemoration was marked by improved sectarian relations and publicity for mutual tolerance. In May, local media reported that the community in the Eastern Province observed the anniversary of the death of Imam Ali bin Abi Talib (the first of the Twelve Imams) in Shia mosques and husseiniyas (prayer halls). In Qatif, authorities eased restrictions imposed after civil unrest in 2011-2012 and took steps to encourage development and tourism to improve conditions for the town’s predominantly Shia residents. Shia activists reported that security authorities closed some Shia mosques and husseiniyas in Qatif and al-Ahsa, summoned the individuals in charge, and fined them 60,000 riyals ($16,000) for violating COVID-19 precautionary measures.\nThe MOIA maintained active oversight of the country’s religious establishment and provided guidance to Sunni imams on the substance of Friday sermons. The MOIA does not vet sermons in advance, but imams must choose from a list of Friday sermons on the MOIA website. The ministry restricted the inclusion of content in those sermons considered sectarian, political, or extremist, promoting hatred or racism, or including commentary on foreign policy. The MOIA may also issue circular notes directing all imams to dedicate their Friday sermons to certain topics, such as denouncing political Islam groups. In this regard, MOIA supervisors may attend Friday sermons to ensure compliance with MOIA directives. According to local observers, Shia clerics did not receive guidance on their sermons from MOIA and did not submit them for preapproval. However, Shia clerics continued to exercise significant self-censorship in light of the government’s well-known views on the scope and substance of acceptable preaching.\nOn October 22, the website Arabi21 reported that MOIA Minister Abdul Latif al-Sheikh directed mosque preachers to dedicate the Friday sermon to warn against “Sururi” thought and the “terrorist al-Sururiya organization, which pursues secrecy to reach its goals, foremost of which is inciting people to revolt against the rulers, divide the Muslim community, sow division among them, and spread wars in their countries.” Commentators have referred to Sururism as a movement that is an offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood, representing a blend of the country’s Wahhabi movement and Salafi jihadism.\nOn December 6, the MOIA said in a tweet that Minister al-Sheikh directed imams to use Friday sermons on December 10 to warn against the Tablighi and Da’wah group, a transnational Islamic revivalist movement that originated in India and also known as al-Ahbab. The minister directed that the sermon cover topics that included a declaration of “the misguidance, deviation and danger of this group, and that it is one of the gates of terrorism, even if they claim otherwise,” mentioning its prominent mistakes and its “danger to society,” and a statement that affiliation with partisan groups, “including (the Tablighi and Da’wah Group), is prohibited in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”\nThere were media reports that some Sunni clerics who received government stipends used antisemitic, anti-Shia, and religiously intolerant language in their sermons. The MOIA issued periodic circulars to clerics and imams in mosques directing them to include messages on the principles of justice, equality, and tolerance and to encourage rejection of bigotry and all forms of racial discrimination in their sermons. Unlicensed imams, however, continued to express discriminatory or intolerant views in internet postings and in unsanctioned sermons in areas of the country lacking government monitoring.\nAccording to a January 3 report in the newspaper Okaz, the government fired seven imams and preachers in al-Bahah Province for failing to condemn the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization, as instructed by the MOIA. On March 29, al-Watan newspaper reported that the MOIA fired 54 imams and preachers in Mecca Province because of ideological and administrative violations. In September, the Minister of Islamic Affairs said the MOIA had purged religious institutions of individuals who had adopted extremist ideologies.\nThe government continued to mandate that imams and muezzins of the two Holy Mosques in Mecca and Medina be “moderate” and “tolerant,” among other requirements, including holding a degree from a Saudi sharia college.\nOn April 15, former imam of the Holy Mosque in Mecca Sheikh Adel al-Kalbani tweeted that authorities dismissed him without reason as imam of a Riyadh mosque. His dismissal came hours after he appeared in a video announcing that he contracted COVID-19, despite receiving two doses of the vaccine.\nOn April 25, the Mirat al-Jazeera news website reported that authorities demolished the Shia al-Ahd Mosque in Qatif, which authorities said was part of a road expansion project. The website described the action as “part of an arbitrary and systematic sectarian campaign” aimed at the Shia community.\nOn June 27, according to ALQST, authorities released orator Mohammed Bou Jabara [Bojbara] on completion of a nine-month prison sentence. Security forces arrested Bojbara in October 2020 with eight other young persons on charges related to his participation in Arbaeen ceremonies (the Shia mourning observance occurring 40 days after Ashura and the death of Imam Hussein). The same day, authorities released Shia activist Nassima al-Sadah upon completion of a three-year sentence, although a three-year travel ban remained in effect following her release.\nPractices diverging from the government’s official interpretation of Islam, such as public celebrations of Mawlid al-Nabi (the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad) and visits to the tombs of renowned Muslims, remained prohibited. Shia community members reported that authorities permitted Shia pilgrims to celebrate Eid al-Ghadir, a Shia-specific holiday, after the Hajj.\nIn a July 16 circular, Ajlan bin Abdul Aziz al-Ajlan, the head of the Council of Saudi Chambers of Commerce and Industry, announced that the country would allow shops to remain open during prayer times, explaining that the measure was intended to “improve the shopping experience and the level of services for shoppers and clients.” Commenting on the decision, Ali Sameer Shihabi, a commentator on Middle East politics and economics with a focus on Saudi Arabia, tweeted that keeping shops open during prayer time was a “hugely symbolic and practical step to end the dominance of the religious class in daily life.”\nOn August 30, the Minister of Islamic Affairs instructed all mosques to remove books that called for extremism and partisanship and banned unlicensed preaching activities, including proselytizing non-Muslims without permission. The minister also directed mosque officials to participate in “intellectual security” courses (aimed at countering extremist ideologies) held by MOIA or other state agencies.\nOn May 18, the CPVPV presidency tweeted a fatwa by CSS member Sheikh Fouzan al-Fouzan obligating citizens to report to government authorities anyone who criticized the government and religious scholars.\nOn January 1, CPVPV head Sheikh Abdulrahman al-Sanad said in an interview with al Arabiya that the CPVPV fired hundreds of employees after reports confirmed that they embraced extremist ideologies.\nMosques continued to be the only legally permissible public places of worship, although husseiniyas existed in areas inhabited by Shia residents. The government continued to address ideology it deemed extremist by scrutinizing clerics and teachers closely and dismissing those found promoting views it deemed intolerant, extreme, or advocating violence. The MOIA continued to use ministry inspectors, regional branch inspectors, field teams, citizen feedback, and the media to monitor and address any reported violations of the ministry’s instructions and regulations in mosques. MOIA oversight of mosques in less populated areas was not always as strict as in urban areas. MOIA maintained a hotline for individuals to report statements by imams that observers considered objectionable. An MOIA mobile phone app called Masajed (mosques) allowed mosque-goers to monitor sermons and rate their preacher on a number of aspects of their work.\nWhile authorities indicated that they considered members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community to be Muslims, the group’s legal status remained unclear, and community members said the mainly foreign-resident Ahmadi Muslims hid their faith to avoid scrutiny, arrest, or deportation.\nThe government continued to enforce Islamic norms, such as prohibiting eating, drinking, or smoking in public during Ramadan. On May 10, local media reported that the CPVPV in Riyadh Province intensified its field presence in markets and malls during the last 10 days of Ramadan and the Eid al-Fitr holiday.\nAccording to media reports, the government prohibited parents from giving their children any of 50 listed names deemed blasphemous, non-Arabic, or non-Islamic.\nThe government stated that individuals who experienced infringements on their ability to worship privately could address their grievances to the MOI, HRC, the National Society for Human Rights (a quasigovernmental organization), and, when appropriate, the MFA.\nAccording to government policy, non-Muslims generally were prohibited from being buried in the country. There were, however, public non-Islamic cemeteries in Jeddah and Riyadh that, according to officials, were used in cases where repatriation was not possible, such as when there were no claimants for a body, the family did not accept the body, or the deceased received the death penalty. There also was a private, non-Islamic cemetery in Dhahran available only to Saudi Aramco employees. Diplomatic missions reported most non-Muslims opted to repatriate their deceased to their home countries whenever financially possible.\nThe government continued a multiyear project, begun in 2007, to revise textbooks, curricula, and teaching methods with the stated aim of removing content disparaging religions other than Islam. On February 15, an HRW statement said the country had taken important steps to purge its textbooks of hateful and intolerant language.\nIn a September review of Saudi textbooks used in the second semester of the 2020-21 and the first semester of the 2021-22 school years, IMPACT-se reported that the trend of “significant improvement” in content dealing with religions other than Islam had continued from its last review of the Saudi curricula in late 2020. According to IMPACT-SE, officials either removed or altered 22 anti-Christian and antisemitic lessons and five lessons about “infidels” and polytheists. The NGO reported that this removal included an entire textbook unit on the possible need for violent jihad to spread Islam and protect Muslim lands and praising it as an act of piety. Specifically, IMPACT-se stated that officials altered several lessons that explicitly blamed “the Jews” as a collective for attacking Muslims and Muhammad, instead attributing responsibility to Arabian tribes and in some cases removing references altogether; in addition, they removed references to forbidding friendships with Jews and Christians, formerly referred to as “infidels, as they are enemies of God.” The NGO also reported that authorities removed a series of ahistorical, harmful, and in some cases antisemitic assertions, such as Jewish connections to the Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount being fabricated by rabbis, and purported Jewish threats to the al-Aqsa Mosque.\nIn February, HRW noted separately that the country had taken important steps to purge its textbooks of hateful and intolerant language but said current texts continued to disparage practices associated with religious minorities. HRW’s comprehensive review of Education Ministry-produced textbooks for the 2019-20 and 2020-21 school years found that they still stigmatized as un-Islamic and prohibited some practices associated with the Shia and Sufi Islamic traditions.\nOn January 27, the head of the General Presidency of the Two Holy Mosques inaugurated a Mediation and Moderation Academy in the Grand Mosque in Mecca, with the goals of fighting extremist thoughts and promoting mediation and moderation in all aspects of life, according to the Saudi Press Agency.\nOn March 16, the Ministry of Education announced the establishment of intellectual awareness units in all universities and education departments that were intended “to promote loyalty to religion,” “to spread the values of moderation, tolerance and coexistence, and to prevent extremist thought and address its effects.”\nSome travelers entering the country reported they were able to import Bibles for personal use. There were no reports that the government confiscated personal, non-Islamic religious materials. Media reported the confiscation of sorcery-related items.\nThe government continued to block certain websites as part of a broader policy of censoring “objectionable” content, such as views of religion it considered extremist or misinformed. The government shut down or blocked Twitter accounts for “religious and ethical violations,” and authorities arrested an undisclosed number of social media users under the Cyber Crimes Law. The government also shut down websites it regarded as being used to recruit jihadis or inspire violence.\nMembers of the Shia community complained of discrimination based on their religion and had difficulty securing or being promoted in government positions. They were significantly underrepresented in national security-related positions, including the Ministries of Defense and Interior and the National Guard. In predominantly Shia areas, Shia representation was higher in the ranks of traffic police and employees of municipalities and public schools. A small number of Shia occupied high-level positions in government-owned companies and government agencies. Shia were also underrepresented in employment in primary, secondary, and higher education.\nAccording to HRW, the government systematically discriminated against members of Muslim religious minorities, notably Shia, including in the justice system, education, and employment.\nAt year’s end, the 35-member cabinet contained one Shia minister, Mohammed bin Faisal Abu Saq, who assumed the position of Minister of State for Shura Affairs in 2014. There were no Shia governors, deputy governors, ministry branch directors, or security commanders. Although Shura Council members’ religious affiliations are not publicly announced, there were an estimated seven or eight Shia on the 150-member council. Multiple municipal councils in the Eastern Province, where most Shia Saudis reside, had large proportions of Shia as members, to reflect the local population, including a majority in Qatif and 50 percent in al-Ahsa. In both cities, five of the 12 government-appointed municipal council members were Shia, and Shia held 16 of the 30 elected seats on the municipal councils.\nShia reported the government did not recognize certificates of educational attainment for employment credit for graduates of Shia religious training centers and that the government did not apply the same standards to graduates of Sunni religious training institutions applying for government positions and religious jobs.\nAccording to human rights groups, Shia Muslims were not represented in proportion to their percentage of the population in academic positions in primary, secondary, and higher education, and virtually all public school principals were Sunni, although some teachers were Shia. Along with Sunni students, Shia students received government scholarships to study in universities abroad under the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Program for Foreign Scholarship.\nThe government financially supported approximately 70 percent of Sunni mosques, with the remaining 30 percent located in private residences or built and endowed by private persons. The construction of any new mosque required permission from the MOIA, the local municipality, and the provincial government, which allocated space and issued building permits. The MOIA supervised and financed the construction and maintenance of most Sunni mosques, including the hiring of clerics.\nThe government did not finance the construction or maintenance of Shia mosques; Shia congregations self-funded construction, maintenance, and repairs. Shia Muslims managed their own mosques under the supervision of Shia scholars. Most existing Shia mosques in the Eastern Province did not seek official operating licenses, as doing so would require asking the government to endorse these mosques, according to some NGOs. Authorities prohibited Shia Muslims outside of the Eastern Province from building Shia-specific mosques. Two Shia mosques in Dammam licensed by the government served approximately 750,000 worshippers. Construction of Shia mosques required government approval, and authorities required Shia communities to receive permission from their neighbors to start construction on mosques. There were no licensed Shia mosques in Jeddah and Riyadh. Shia in those areas were obliged to hold prayers in private homes and community centers, where, some Shia said, they were subject to police harassment. Expatriate Shia resident in the country reported threats of arrest and deportation if they gathered privately in large groups to worship.\nState security services continued to provide protection for many Shia mosques and gathering places in the Eastern Province. Media and other sources additionally reported coordination between Shia volunteers and government security services to ensure security outside mosques and other gathering places during Friday sermons or other large public events.\nReports from Shia community members cited discrimination in the judicial system as the catalyst for lengthy prison sentences handed down to Shia Muslims for engaging in political expression or organizing peaceful demonstrations. Eastern Province Shia judges dealing with intra-Shia personal status and family laws operated specialized courts. The government permitted Shia judges in the Eastern Province to use the Ja’afari school of Islamic jurisprudence to adjudicate cases in family law, inheritance, and endowment management. There were five Shia judges, all government-appointed, located in Qatif and al-Ahsa. Community members reported Sunni judges sometimes completely disregarded or refused to hear testimony by Shia Muslims.\nObservers stated that judges at times discounted the testimony of Muslims whom they deemed deficient in their knowledge of Islam and favored the testimony of Muslims over the testimony of non-Muslims. In certain circumstances, the testimony of a woman equals half that of a man.\nThe government’s stated policy remained for its diplomatic and consular missions abroad to inform foreign workers applying for visas that they had the right to worship privately and to possess personal religious materials. The government also provided the names of offices to which one should report violations of this policy.\nIn November, King Salman issued a royal approval to grant Saudi citizenship to Shia Islamic scholar and the Secretary General of the Arab Islamic Council in Lebanon Mohammed al-Husseini, along with 26 other Sunni religious scholars, academics, and physicians. According to the press, the King offered citizenship “in recognition of their distinguished services and outstanding contributions.”\nThere is no religious worker visa category, but non-Muslim clergy were able to enter the country to minister to their communities. Non-Muslim clergy also were able to bring religious items, including books, when traveling.\nIn May, local media reported that authorities removed the “Muslims only” phrase from traffic signs leading to the Holy Mosque in Medina, adding that the signs now read “Haram area,” in reference to Medina’s Haram, or sacred site. Authorities did not comment on the decision, but media reports attributed it to the kingdom’s efforts to promote moderation.\nThe Crown Prince announced in February a series of judicial reforms intended to codify the law to increase transparency and predictability in judicial decision-making.\nAccording to an October 5 posting on its website, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) stated that the 2021 Riyadh International Book Fair, organized by the Ministry of Culture under the sponsorship of the King, allowed booksellers to exhibit more than two dozen well-known antisemitic books for sale, including numerous editions of The Protocols of the Elders of Zion and Hitler’s Mein Kampf. According to the ADL, other antisemitic books permitted at the 2021 fair featured references to blood libel, Holocaust denial, Jewish-Masonic conspiracy theories, and portrayals of Jews as evil puppet masters and the killers of divine prophets. The NGO also reported that there were two books demonizing the Baha’i Faith and Yezidism. Other observers reported that the fair permitted the sale of publications about atheism.\nAccording to the ADL, following violence in Jerusalem between Palestinians at the al-Aqsa Mosque and Israeli police, General President for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques Sheikh Abdulrahman al-Sudais delivered a May 11 sermon praying for God to “keep the al-Aqsa Mosque, God keep them from the attacker Zionists, the occupying, combatant brutes.” He added, “We seek refuge in you from their butchery and seek protection in you from their evils and all the rest of the enemies of religion.” The same day, Sheikh Salah al-Badir, an imam of the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina, delivered a sermon calling for God to “liberate the al-Aqsa Mosque from the usurper Jews and the traitorous occupying Zionists.”\nOn May 12, on Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of Ramadan, Sheikh Saleh bin Humaid, a member of the CSS, delivered a sermon at the Grand Mosque in Mecca calling on God to “grant victory to our brothers in Palestine over your enemy and their enemy.” He called for God to “cleanse the al-Aqsa Mosque from the filth of the occupier Zionists.” Saudi state television broadcast the sermon and promoted it on social media. In an Eid sermon at the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina, al-Humaid urged God to “cleanse the al-Aqsa Mosque from the befoulment of Jews. Oh God, it is incumbent upon you to deal with the usurper Jews and the aggressor Zionists.”\nOn May 13, separate Eid al-Adha sermons delivered at the Holy Mosques in Mecca and Medina urged God to free the al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem from “usurping Zionists” and “occupying Jews.” On May 14, Imam of the Grand Mosque in Mecca Sheikh Mahir al-Muayqali likewise concluded his Friday sermon with a prayer to God to free al-Aqsa from “usurping, occupying Jews.” On June 11, Chief of the Presidency of the Two Holy Mosques Sheikh Abdulrahman al-Sudais delivered a sermon in the Holy Mosque in Mecca in which he prayed to God to free al-Aqsa from the “usurping occupiers.” On July 30, Sheikh Saleh bin Humaid, a royal advisor and a CSS member, delivered a sermon in the Holy Mosque in Mecca in which he prayed to God to “destroy the usurping, occupying Zionist Jews.”\nOn April 8, local media reported that Mohammed al-Issa, the Secretary General of the government-sponsored Muslim World League (MWL), sent a letter to Facebook and Twitter urging them to combat Islamophobia. The letter was part of a campaign to denounce hate in social media platforms and curb anti-Muslim rhetoric.\nOn June 11, the MWL convened a Declaration of Peace in Afghanistan Conference, bringing together senior scholars from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Afghanistan to discuss topics such as peace, tolerance, moderation, and reconciliation in Islam.\nOn August 4, the MWL sponsored talks in Mecca involving approximately 80 Iraqi Sunni and Shia representatives. The two sides renewed calls for an end to sectarian violence and attacks on houses of worship, the release of innocent detainees, and the return of displaced persons to their homes.\nOn October 19, al-Issa and World Jewish Congress (WJC) President Ronald Lauder met with U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres, urging him to advocate for religious freedom and an end to violence against houses of worship. On October 4, the MWL and WJC made a joint statement before the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, pledging an interfaith commitment to promote and to protect human rights for all. It was the first time Jewish and Muslim representative groups presented a coordinated statement before a UN body.\nOn October 20, al-Issa met with students during a visit to Yeshiva University in New York, saying that religious communities “have a shared responsibility toward followers of different faiths to build bridges and improve relationships.” In a March video address to an online conference organized by the U.S. Department of Defense, al-Issa said that there was now greater awareness in the Muslim world of the dangers posed by political Islam, led by the Muslim Brotherhood.\nIn January, cleric and former director of the CPVPV in Mecca Ahmed al-Ghamdi created controversy when he tweeted that Muslims could pray for mercy for non-Muslims, explaining that there was no religious text prohibiting such prayer.\nIn January, a group of Israeli drivers traveled to Saudi Arabia to compete in the Dakar Rally race, despite a ban on Israeli travelers to the country. On February 2, the English-language newspaper Arab News ran the first-ever op-ed in a Saudi newspaper authored by Israeli writers. In March, local media reported that the Association of Gulf Jewish Communities arranged the shipment of 650 pounds of matzah and kosher food to all six Gulf Cooperation Council countries, including Saudi Arabia, for Passover.\nSocial media provided an outlet for citizens to discuss current events and religious issues, but local residents said self-censorship was common, given the risk of official reprisals. While discussion of sensitive topics on social media was frequent, self-censorship on social media was believed to be widespread when discussing topics such as religion or the royal family. Online discussions included disparaging remarks about members of various religious groups or “sects.” Terms like “rejectionists” (referring to Shia who view as illegitimate the first three caliphs that Sunni Muslims recognize as the Prophet Muhammad’s legitimate successors) which Shia consider insulting, and images of donkeys, comparing them to Shia, were occasionally found in social media discourse.\nAn Orthodox Jewish rabbi made several unofficial visits to the country to conduct outreach and offer religious services to Jewish residents. His social media posts depict him in traditional Orthodox clothing and show positive experiences with Saudis, whom he publicly described as “happy” to have a rabbi in the kingdom. International media described local residents as stopping to take photographs with the rabbi and offering Hebrew greetings.\nCommunity members reported that individuals who converted from Islam to Christianity almost always did so in secret, fearing the reactions of family members and the threat of criminal charges, up to and including execution. The NGO Open Doors reported that women in particular feared loss of parental rights or being subjected to physical abuse as a result of converting from Islam.\nOn October 31, the Association of Gulf Jewish Communities (AGJC) told the Saudi-owned al Arabiya English-language news channel that the first-ever Jewish dating website, JSG, which stands for “Jewish Singles in the Gulf,” launched in the Gulf. The aim of the website is to help unmarried Jews living in the country and its neighboring countries meet each other.\nThe global consulting firm PSB Insights conducted a June poll of youth between the ages of 17 and 24 in 17 Arab states and reported 35 percent of Saudi Arabian respondents said that their religion was the most important factor in their personal identity, consistent with 34 percent regionwide. Other choices offered by the poll as possible responses included family/tribe, nationality, Arabic heritage, political beliefs, language, and gender.\nThe Charge d’Affaires, as well as embassy and consulate officials, engaged Saudi leaders and officials at all levels on religious freedom and tolerance issues. Embassy officers raised religious freedom principles and cases with the HRC, the National Society for Human Rights, members of the Shura Council, the National Committee for Interreligious and Multicultural Dialogue, the MFA, the MWL, the Ministry of Education, and other ministries and agencies during the year. Senior U.S. officials pressed the government to respect religious freedom, eliminate discriminatory enforcement of laws against religious minorities, and promote respect and tolerance for minority religious practices and beliefs.\nIn meetings with government officials, senior embassy and consulate officials raised reports of abuses and restrictions of religious freedom, arbitrary arrests and detention, the country’s counterterrorism law, and due process standards. They also discussed the importance of respect for the rights of minorities and their religious practices.\nSenior embassy and consulate officials continued to inquire about the legal status of detained or imprisoned individuals and discussed religious freedom concerns with members of religious minority communities, including Shia and citizens who no longer considered themselves Muslims, as well as with non-Muslim foreign residents. Embassy officials attended or sought access to a number of trials related to religious freedom. The embassy and Department of State officials also engaged Saudi officials regarding these detainees.\nEmbassy representatives also met with non-Islamic religious leaders to discuss their ability to gather and practice their faith. Embassy officials engaged regularly with like-minded partners and with religious leaders and participate in interfaith discussions and express support for the principles of tolerance and interfaith comity.\nSince 2004, Saudi Arabia has been designated as a CPC under the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 for having engaged in or tolerated particularly severe violations of religious freedom. On November 15, the Secretary of State redesignated Saudi Arabia as a CPC and announced a waiver of the sanctions that accompany designation as required in the important national interest of the United States pursuant to section 407 of the Act.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line391147"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6948468089103699,"wiki_prob":0.6948468089103699,"text":"Die, Monster, Die!/Monster of Terror (1965) **\nDaniel Haller was the largely unsung hero of American International Pictures’ Edgar Allan Poe cycle during the first half of the 1960’s. Haller served as art director on the great majority of those films (along with the conceptually related The Comedy of Terrors and The Terror), meaning that he was the mastermind behind their unmistakable faux-lavish visual aesthetic, exploiting the necessarily stagebound shooting conditions to create the impression of a claustrophobic little pocket universe where getting buried alive in the family crypt was a perfectly reasonable thing for anyone to worry about. Studio heads Samuel Z. Arkoff and James H. Nicholson were perceptive enough to recognize his importance to the success of the ongoing Poe project, for all that director Roger Corman and star Vincent Price got the lion’s share of the attention in public, and when Corman decided that he wanted to move on from the series after The Tomb of Ligeia, Haller was a natural choice to replace him. But although he did get his first chance to sit in the folding chair in 1965, Haller never did direct any of the post-Corman AIP Poe flicks. Instead, he was given the job of launching a parallel sequence of movies based on the works of H.P. Lovecraft, who in those days was finally being discovered by people who hadn’t read Weird Tales on the regular back in the 20’s and 30’s. Lovecraft’s emerging reputation as something like the Edgar Allan Poe of the 20th century wasn’t the only thing to recommend his writing as the basis for a new cycle of AIP horror films, either. The studio had already made successful use of him, for one of the Corman Poe movies— The Haunted Palace— had actually been a Lovecraft adaptation in disguise. But Die, Monster, Die! (based on “The Colour Out of Space,” one of the better stories from Lovecraft’s drearily predictable and repetitive mature period) failed to grab audiences the way The Fall of the House of Usher and its successors had. As a result, Haller’s Lovecraft “cycle” ended up including just a single other film, made after an extraordinary (for AIP) delay of five years. Nobody should be surprised by that, because Die, Monster, Die! simply isn’t very good, despite duplicating most of the Poe cycle’s appealing look and feel, and despite the still-reliable Boris Karloff stepping in to play the sort of role that would have gone to Vincent Price in the other series.\nDie, Monster, Die! begins, like thousands of other horror movies, with a lone man from far away arriving in an isolated community of extremely suspicious, uncooperative people. In this case, the man is an American named Steven Reinhardt (Nick Adams of Frankenstein Conquers the World and Godzilla vs. Monster Zero) and the isolated community is the town of Arkham far out in the English countryside. The fact that Reinhardt is an American probably doesn’t win him any points with the locals (remember, if you’re ever abroad and someone asks you, you’re Canadian), but what really sets them off is the fact that he’s looking for the Witley house. For reasons as yet unexplained, the Witleys have such a bad reputation in town that the taxis won’t go there, the bike shop won’t rent a cycle to someone who wants to go there, and nobody will even give Steven goddamned directions! And of course, nobody is willing to offer any explanation of their prejudice against the Witleys or their house.\nSo Steven ends up walking. It’s a long trip, and along the way, he sees some awfully strange things. The most ominous of these is the dead patch on the heath. For thousands of feet around a big, ragged pit (which Reinhardt seems not to notice), all of the vegetation is dead— worse than dead, in fact. As he learns when he breaks a twig off of one of the dead trees, all plant-life in the area has somehow been turned to cinders where it stands. Reinhardt’s first impression of the Witley mansion isn’t much more encouraging. In a scene that I swear I’ve seen more times than I could count if I did nothing else all day, Reinhardt is greeted by empty silence, despite the fact that he is clearly being watched by someone that he doesn’t see (in this case, a shadowy woman in a thick, black veil). His knock on the door goes unanswered, but the force of the blows pushes it open, so he walks inside and calls unavailingly to whomever may be within earshot. He noses around through several uninhabited rooms, and finally comes face to face with the master of the house, the aged and crippled Nahum Witley (Karloff), who is predictably less than pleased to see him. But Steven has an ace in the hole, in the form of a written invitation from Witley’s wife (who’ll be played by Freda Jackson, of The Brides of Dracula, when at last we see her), on behalf of their daughter, Susan (Suzan Farmer, from Dracula, Prince of Darkness). Apparently, Susan went to college in America, and she and Reinhardt met in some science course that the two of them took together. Witley clearly intends to throw Steven out anyway, but just then, Susan appears at the top of the stairs, gushing enthusiasm at the younger man’s arrival. Defeated, Witley permits him to stay, but only for a day or two.\nWe still have one major character left to introduce, so it’s off to Mrs. Witley’s bedroom, to which she has been confined since she came down with a mysterious illness. Surprisingly, Mrs. Witley sends her daughter out of the room, so that she can talk to Steven alone! The old woman (I assume she’s supposed to be old, anyway. By the time we finally see her face, she no longer has one, making it a bit tricky to gauge her age) actually invited Steven to the manor for the express purpose of getting Susan as far away from it as he can contrive to take her! She won’t say why, exactly, but it clearly has something to do with Mrs. Witley’s illness, with the disappearance of the Witleys’ maidservant, Helga, and with the activities of Witley’s insane, dead father, Corbin. Meanwhile, the movie allows us no doubt as to whether Witley is continuing his father’s “blasphemy”— while his wife interviews Steven, he and the butler (Terrence de Marney, from Phantom Ship and Pharaoh's Curse) go down to the cellar, to a room dominated by a structure that is probably supposed to be some sort of Satanic altar (at least that’s what Vincent Price was using it for in The Masque of the Red Death the year before), glowing from within with pulsating green light.\nFrom here on, I’m just going to skim over the plot, if that’s alright with you. This is a very slow-moving movie, and most of the major developments are so deeply buried in the incessant talk that to do otherwise would make this review long enough to be mistaken for a 19th-century Russian philosophical novel. Suffice it to say that crazy Grandpa Corbin built that altar in preparation for a gift of some kind from the “Outer Ones,” and that shortly after his death, the green, glowing thing that now occupies it fell from the sky, creating that crater out on the heath. Because the vegetation around the crater began (at first, anyway) to grow riotously, Witley believed that the thing from above was a blessing from on high that he could use to redeem the family name. The villagers, on the other hand, took its arrival as incontrovertible proof of Corbin’s Satanism, and they took an equally dim view of Witley’s decision to dig the thing up and take it back to his home. But there’s really nothing supernatural going on at all, as any B-movie veteran will know the instant Steven and Susan sneak into Witley’s locked greenhouse to look for the source of the pale glow that Steven saw coming from inside it on the night that he also saw Witley sneaking around in the garden, burying the butler (who had died that evening under highly suspicious circumstances). All of the plants in Witley’s greenhouse are two or three times normal size— tomatoes the size of human heads and such— and the potting shed at the far end of the greenhouse houses a cage full of animals so deformed as to make it hard to figure out what species they might once have been. We all know what it means when huge vegetables, mutant animals, and mysterious glows occur together— radiation! So it comes as no surprise when Steven finds that every plant in the greenhouse has a little shard of what looks like green kryptonite buried in the soil nearby. The final piece of the puzzle— the dead butler, the vanished maid, and Mrs. Witley all used to work in this greenhouse. Could that have something to do with why Mrs. Witley stays hidden behind the canopy of her bed all day? And do you think that veiled woman we keep seeing on the periphery of scenes in this movie could be Helga? Finally, do you think the final act of this movie will somehow involve Steven and Susan trying to fight off mutant versions of the girl’s parents? Hmmm… I wonder…\nH.P. Lovecraft has always given filmmakers a hard time. The author’s favorite subject— beings so threatening to consensus reality that seeing them will drive a sane person mad, and just learning of their existence is apt to cripple one’s will to live— is obviously at odds with the requirements of a visual medium like cinema, but even his more manageable recurring themes present obstacles that might not be immediately apparent. The Dunsanian fantasy stories that he favored before Cthulhu hijacked his brain would be prohibitively expensive to film in proportion to their slender plots, his miscegenation parables are a little too obviously what they are to pass muster in the less exuberantly racist country that the United States was trying to become after World War II, and a fair proportion of his most readily adaptable work didn’t see mass-market publication in the first place until decades after his death. It’s telling that the best Lovecraft movie, Stuart Gordon’s wickedly brilliant and transgressively hilarious Re-Animator, was based on a wildly uncharacteristic story from the very beginning of his professional career, to which it bears not much more than a passing resemblance anyway.\nDie, Monster, Die! is in no sense an exception to the general pattern of disappointing Lovecraft adaptations. Its crucial weakness (apart from the lackadaisical pace and the calamitous decision to cast a human oatmeal like Nick Adams in the central part) is exactly what Arkoff and Nicholson presumed would be its main selling point— it bears way too much resemblance to one of the lesser Corman Poe movies. It even ends with the house burning down! What Poe and Lovecraft had in common had little to do with their writing styles or subject matter, and everything to do with the transformative influence that they each had on subsequent horror fiction. Poe brought morbid psychology front and center, even in tales that drew most of their plots from the standard gothic repertoire; Lovecraft, for his part, tried to make the reader share in his own mounting unease at how scientific advancement and social change were combining to sweep away the complacency of the 19th century. Those aren’t the same things at all, no matter how large the theme of madness looms in both writers’ works. So by making a Lovecraft movie that comports itself like a Poe movie, Haller essentially rendered the author whom he was supposed to be adapting invisible. The only recognizably Lovecraftian element in Die, Monster, Die! is the business about Grandpa Corbin’s dealings with the Outer Ones, which in practice is nothing more than set dressing. What we’re left with, then, is an uncomfortable amalgam of 1950’s atomic mutant clichés and exactly the kind of gothic commonplaces which Lovecraft avoided throughout most of his career. About the one unqualifiedly positive thing that I can find to say about Die, Monster, Die! is that Boris Karloff at least emerges from it with most of his dignity intact.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1495770"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6966997981071472,"wiki_prob":0.3033002018928528,"text":"RIGHTING HIS WRONGS IS A MORAL IMPERATIVE\nThe Poet, Oil on Canvas, 24\" x 36\", Richard J Van Wagoner, Courtesy of Van Wagoner Family Trust**\nThis week a close friend asked whether I thought we are overreacting to Indivdiual-1. I understood his question to imply that Individual-1 may not be as great a threat as many people believe him to be. My knee-jerk response was a self-congratulatory, emphatic ‘nyet,’ considering I’ve been blogging since the inauguration about the destructive force he is, domestically and geopolitically, something he proves in dangerous, inane and embarrassing ways on a daily basis. I decided, however, to give my friend’s question and my response more thoughtful consideration. Upon further reflection, I had a momentary, albeit selfish, thought that I may be overacting to Individual-1, not because he is any less an existential threat to the United States, its allies and the future of the planet than many people believe. He is singularly that and worse. I briefly thought that I could escape the personal angst I experience from my ongoing investment in the chorus against him by doing something else and tuning him out. Others do it, and successfully. Then I came back to my senses. Virtually any reaction falls short. I cannot do something else. I am morally obliged. I should find ways to do more.\nI have taken much for granted, including a mostly functioning government that has worked for me. I have a comfortable life. I am able to do what I choose. I make one dollar for every 70 cents women make in Utah for the same work. I have never been racially profiled, except in positive ways, again something I have taken for granted. I know where my children and grandchildren are. They are together, safe, comfortable, uncaged. They know where I am. We know how to reach and see each other. We often do. We all have health care.\nI have had a growing, inexplicable sense of urgency and helplessness. I usually feel best at this time of year. My seasonal affective disorder is in remission and in the evenings and on weekends I can problem solve while bicycling in Utah’s dry summer heat and dirty air. Exhaustion, endorphins, dopamine. People even tell me I am slightly less intolerable. This year is different. I have been trying to understand the cause or purpose of the dark, low-hanging clouds. After one of those long bike rides, I concluded it must come from a sense of personal stuckness, a term I first began to understand and appreciate upon reading Robert Persig’s Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. More on him later.\nMy stuckness derives from a perception that the assaults to undermine the traditional and institutional mechanisms for addressing the growing domestic and geopolitical problems, caused by those creating many of those problems, are succeeding. It’s the indiscriminate, overwhelming use of substitutes for thinking on public display which, unfortunately, is not the sole prerogative of the party of Individual-1 or its religious base. It’s the ominous realization that one-third of the citizens of this country overlook or even welcome dishonest, corrupt and otherwise reprehensible conduct precisely because they see it as attacks on intellectualism, on the critics of Individual-1 and on liberal democracy. It is recognizing that Individual-1 continues to have stunning success encouraging people to be their worst, most selfish, least empathic, morally irresponsible selves. It is the foreboding that comes with (at least the appearance of) congressional impotence at meaningful oversight, at holding Individual-1 accountable and at course correcting. It’s a growing sense of moral responsibility in the face of my own helplessness as the unprecedented history of Indivdiual-1 and his administration continues to unfold.\nAt that same friend’s suggestion, I (twice) listened to Sam Harris’s podcast Making Sense, #160, The Revenge of History, in which Harris interviewed Michael Weiss, a prolific investigative journalist who co-authored the 2015 book Isis, and Yascha Mounk, a writer, academic and speaker whose expertise includes understanding the rise of populism throughout the world which he discusses in his latest book, The People Versus Democracy. Despite Harris’s boredom with talking about Individual-1 and the meaninglessness of challenging Individual-1’s disciples (which Harris likens to the futility of arguing with religious fundamentalists over their beliefs), he engaged on the subject. I found the discussion powerful and cautiously hopeful. Government institutions remain in place and largely effective despite this political novice’s cumbersome efforts to dismantle them. We may disagree with the judiciary, but it remains a viable branch of government that exercises independence and oversight. Mueller completed his report despite what everyone knows were Individual-1’s serial efforts to obstruct the investigation into Russia’s interference which everyone knows he welcomed in the 2016 election.\nOne point the podcast made was that Individual-1 is too politically inexperienced and naïve, is motivated solely by a black hole of narcissism and, frankly, is not smart enough to pull off an authoritarian regime. It’s not usually the first person through the door. Mounk suggested we will not know for many years whether the stage is being set for a future, more politically adept and smarter executive to pull it off. One discouraging concern is that due to the widespread foreign breaches, United States’ elections may never be fully restored to sovereignty, because the traitorous and unpatriotic beneficiaries have no political or moral will to change the new status quo. By their very nature and not unlike political gerrymandering, the fix is in the interference and may take decades to undo.\nI strongly commend the podcast to you. The dark, low-hanging clouds lifted a little.\nAfter the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., when I was ten, I studied, and admired, the practice of civil disobedience. I read Parting the Waters: America in the King Years 1954–63 by Taylor Branch, a masterful account of the Civil Rights Movement. I will post on civil disobedience another day. As Dr. King wrote in his 1963 Letter from Birmingham Jail:\n“We should never forget that everything Adolf Hitler did in Germany was ‘legal’ and everything the Hungarian freedom fighters did in Hungary was ‘illegal.’ It was ‘illegal’ to aid and comfort a Jew in Hitler’s Germany. Even so, I am sure that, had I lived in Germany at the time, I would have aided and comforted my Jewish brothers.”\nIn that spirit, we see people stepping forward, shouldering the burdens and consequences of rejecting and refusing to comply with immoral laws. The examples of others inspire me in working through my own stuckness. Last week the media reported a hopeful event that reminded me of Dr. King. I encourage everyone to read this Amicus [friend of the court] Brief recently submitted in a case in support of a District Court’s entry of an injunction prohibiting employees of the Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”) from being required to enforce the Migrant Protection Protocols (“MMP”). Local 1924 represents the interests of employees of the DHS in labor relations. Those employees are responsible to enforce the MMP. MMP requires individuals entering the US from Mexico illegally or without proper documentation to be returned to Mexico for the duration of their immigration proceeding.\nhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/context/u-s-asylum-officers-slam-trump-s-remain-in-mexico-policy-in-federal-court-filing/0d6f520b-e035-47d4-a64c-0550d9233541/?utm_term=.6cea809a91b7\n“Local 1924 has a special interest in this case because, as the collective bargaining unit of federal government employees who are at the forefront of interviewing and adjudicating the claims of individuals seeking asylum in the United States, Local 1924’s members have first-hand knowledge as to whether the MPP assures the United States’ compliance with international and domestic laws concerning due process for asylum seekers and the protection of refugees and whether the MPP is necessary to deal with the flow of migrants through our Nation’s Southern Border. . . .\n“The MPP, promulgated by the Trump Administration in January 2019, fundamentally changed our Nation’s procedures for the processing of asylum applicants who enter the United States through our Nation’s Southern Border with Mexico. Prior to the MPP, our country’s processing of asylum applicants ensured that people fleeing persecution would not be — pending adjudication of their asylum application or anytime thereafter — returned to a territory where they may face persecution or threat of torture. That process was consistent with our country’s longstanding tradition of providing safe haven to the persecuted, and was also compelled by our international treaty obligations and domestic law implementing those obligations.\n“The MPP upended that process in favor of a new one purportedly designed to address the challenges faced by our immigration system as a result of migrants from Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador (referred to as the ‘Northern Triangle’) entering the United States through our Southern Border. Under the new process, asylum applicants entering the United States through the Southern Border, with certain exceptions, are forced to return to Mexico where they are required to remain pending adjudication of their asylum applications. In the course of waiting for a determination of their asylum applications, many will face persecution because of their race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group. By forcing a vulnerable population to return to a hostile territory where they are likely to face persecution, the MPP abandons our tradition of providing a safe haven to the persecuted and violates our international and domestic legal obligations.\n“Moreover, the MPP is entirely unnecessary, as our immigration system has the foundation and agility necessary to deal with the flow of migrants through our Southern Border. The system has been tested time and again, and it is fully capable — with additional resources where appropriate — of efficiently processing asylum claims by those with valid claims while removing those that are not entitled to protection after they undergo the process designed to ensure that they will not be returned to a place where they will be persecuted. The MPP, contrary to the Administration’s claim, does nothing to streamline the process, but instead increases the burdens on our immigration courts and makes the system more inefficient. Accordingly, for the reasons set forth herein and in the Plaintiffs-Appellees’ submission, amicus curiae urge the Court to affirm the district court’s award of a preliminary injunction enjoining Defendants from administering the MPP.”\nRobert Persig, who literally lost his mind in an obsessive quest for Quality, used motorcycles and their maintenance as Zen metaphor for meaningful endeavors. Persig explained that stuckness invites creative, innovative solutions so long as we open our minds, withdraw our egos and are willing to accept them:\n“Stuckness shouldn’t be avoided. It’s the psychic predecessor of all real understanding. An egoless acceptance of stuckness is a key to an understanding of all Quality, in mechanical work as in other endeavors. It’s this understanding of Quality as revealed by stuckness which so often makes self-taught mechanics so superior to institute-trained men who have learned how to handle everything except a new situation.\n“So the thing to do when working on a motorcycle, as in any other task, is to cultivate the peace of mind which does not separate one’s self from one’s surroundings. When that is done successfully then everything else follows naturally. Peace of mind produces right values, right values produce right thoughts. Right thoughts produce right actions and right actions produce work which will be a material reflection for others to see of the serenity at the center of it all. . . .\n“If you have a high evaluation of yourself then your ability to recognize new facts is weakened. Your ego isolates you from the Quality reality. When the facts show that you’ve just goofed, you’re not as likely to admit it. When false information makes you look good, you’re likely to believe it.”\n*My brother the very talented fiction writer and novelist, Robert Hodgson Van Wagoner, deserves considerable credit for offering both substantive and technical suggestions to https://medium.com/@richardvanwagoner and https://lastamendment.com\n**Richard’s list of honors, awards and professional associations is extensive. He was Professor Emeritus (Painting and Drawing), Weber State University, having served three Appointments as Chair of the Department of Visual Arts there. He guest-lectured and instructed at many universities and juried numerous shows and exhibitions. He was invited to submit his work as part of many shows and exhibitions, and his work was exhibited in a number of traveling shows domestically and internationally. My daughter Angela Moore, a professional photographer, photographed more than 500 pieces of my father’s work. On behalf of the Van Wagoner Family Trust, she is in the process of compiling a collection of his art work. The photographs of my father’s art reproduced in https://medium.com/@richardvanwagoner and https://lastamendment.com are hers\nMore from R.VanWagoner\nPatrick Byron\nWhat Happens in the Next 30 Days Decides the U.S. Presidential Election\nCorwin Gollmer\nIn a year of heighten anxiety and distrust, I believe that we should all take a moment to reflect.\nJoel B. Stronberg\nClimate Politics/Capitol Light (17)\nGeeksolutions\nQuest Airlines\nHayden Laye\nBREAKING NEWS: Federal Appeals Court Reinstates Texas Fetal Heartbeat Abortion Ban\nCorduroy Bologna\nIt’s Okay Not to Vote\nAlbert Goins\nThis Is Not Checkers: Why Trump’s Post-Election Conduct Is Predictable, And Why He Must Be Stopped.\nMUSINGS ON IMPEACHMENT*","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1467582"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5741569399833679,"wiki_prob":0.4258430600166321,"text":"Home » Blog » The Bootmaker’s Wife: Historical Fiction\nPost category:Author Interviews\nThe Bootmaker’s Wife, historical fiction based on the author’s family history.\nDon’t miss any author interviews, click the link here.\nThe Bootmaker’s Wife\nThe harsh and rugged Sand Hills of Nebraska in 1875 wasn’t the environment most young ladies brought up in a Victorian home in Illinois aspired to. But when Elizabeth Schultz receives a marriage proposal from Charles Horn, a bootmaker twenty years her senior, she readily accepts. A year later, she’s walking behind a covered wagon along the Oregon Trail as she makes her way to Nebraska to meet her fiancé and start a new life filled with, what she hopes will be, adventure and an opportunity to be her own person.\nElizabeth soon discovers, however, that life on the trail and in a sod house on the prairie is far more difficult than she imagined. Can she cope with the extreme weather, isolation, food insecurity, health challenges, and her husband’s dark side? Will her physical and emotional strength be enough to sustain her or will she give up and return to the comfortable life to which she’s accustomed?\nNot only does Mershon Niesner give the reader the opportunity to spend fourteen months in the boots of a woman who has barely left girlhood behind, she immerses them in a startling vivid world where the heroine discovers the importance of caring about the environment, those who came before her, and friendship in a time and place where rugged individualism is revered.\nThe Bootmaker’s Wife is historical fiction based on the life of the author’s great grandparents.\nTo purchase The Bootmaker’s Wife, click the following link: Amazon\nThe Bootmaker’s Wife — The Interview\nThe Bootmaker’s Wife is set in various locations, but primarily the Sand Hills of Nebraska in 1875. What drew you to that geography for your debut novel?\nI grew up as a “free-range” kid in Nebraska and many of the details I wrote about such as mushroom hunting, target shooting, using an outhouse, cooking over an open fire, walking to school in a blinding blizzard, were part of my experience. My home town of Grand Island is where the main characters, Elizabeth and Charles Horn, were married.\nI lived my pre-retirement life in the Chicago area and have (sort of) retired to Florida but I still consider myself a Nebraska Girl and wanted readers to have the opportunity to get off of Interstate 80 and “see” the real Nebraska.\nMostly, I wanted to relive and share stories my dad told of his grandparents forging a life in a sod house in the Sand Hills. His grandfather was a boot maker for soldiers at Fort Hartsuff and had a shop in the nearby town of Calamus. The Jesse James true story was one of my favorites.\nHow did you go about researching the era and the places for The Bootmaker’s Wife?\nThe original manuscript for The Bootmaker’s Wife was written during Covid isolation so I was unable to visit the location in person. The following summer, however, I traveled West and stayed at a farm house, a cattle ranch, stepped inside an authentic sod house, and toured Fort Hartsuff, a restored fort in the region of their house. I took the book cover photo near where they actually lived in 1875 and ’76.\nJames Domeier, Superintendent of Fort Hartsuff State Historical Park, provided me with historical records as well as an extensive tour of the grounds and buildings of the restored fort. He also suggested I read The Trail of the Loup, a documentary written by H.W. Foght and originally published in 1906. Many of the true stories in the book were told to Foght first-hand. It was a wonderful resource for scenes like the grasshoppers and the disappearance of the two children (both true stories).\nI also received information from my great aunt, Audrey Linderkamp, who, after the death of her parents, was raised by Charles and Elizabeth. She sent me their photo and old newspaper clippings.\nTell us about Elizabeth Schultz:\nMuch of what I wrote about Elizabeth is fictional. Her birthdate, wedding date and other facts are historically accurate but her personality and the kind of person she was came from my imagination. Elizabeth is just one of the brave and hardy women I portray in the book.\nAs a social worker and Certified Life Coach, I have spent much of my life championing women and encouraging them to be strong. Portraying women in The Bootmaker’s Wife was another opportunity to send a similar message and revere the women who cleared the way for us today.\nElizabeth was not quite fifteen when she married Charles who was twenty years her senior. It might seem unrealistic to many readers that a girl that young could run a household, especially in the difficult times of 1875. I was a motherless, only child at eight so, by age fifteen I had many of the homemaking skills Elizabeth displayed—without the challenges of 1875, of course. So, to me, her life seemed plausible plus her age is historically accurate.\nYou are also the author of Mom’s Gone, Now What? Ten Steps to Help Daughters Move Forward After Mother Loss. Tell us about that project:\nClick the cover to purchase\nAs I mentioned above, my mother died when I was eight and her mother died when she was three. I was raised by my dad. My life has been, mostly, joy-filled and productive. I wanted to tell my story to help other daughters of loss move forward. I also interviewed over fifty motherless daughters. Their stories, along with my own experience, helped me shape the ten steps I wrote about.\nI didn’t choose the subject, I believe it chose me. It was another way to honor extraordinary women.\nWhat can we find you doing when you aren’t writing?\nAlthough we don’t see them often, my husband and I have a combined family of six children, 19 grandchildren, and 11 great-grands. Just tracking birthdays and anniversaries keeps me busy. In the summer months and at Christmas, we return to Illinois where we see most of our family.\nAs an author I read a lot but I also love to entertain. I’m in a cooking club and have attended cooking schools in Italy, France, and Spain. I belong to the Marco Island Writers and a writers’ critique group, an international organization that supports scholarships for women, a weekly group called Girl Talk God Talk, Marco Island Women Democrats, and I’m active in my church. I write a column titled Ask the Life Coach for my local newspaper. At 77, it’s especially important for me to stay fit so I work out three days a week.\nI’m writing a sequel to The Bookmaker’s Wife with a working title of THE BEE LADY. Angie is a mysterious and interesting character in my first novel so I decided to back-track and tell her story from the time she was ten and became separated from her family as their wagon train crossed Nebraska.\nFinal words of wisdom for aspiring writers:\nJust do it! Although I’d had experience writing business materials (adoptive case studies, newsletters, brochures, video scripts), I published my first book on my 75th birthday; my second at 77-1/2. It’s never too late, you’re never too old, too young, or too inexperienced.\nFind yourself a good editor! I would never put a book out for the public to read without Elena’s amazing editing. Seriously! (Awwww, shucks … it was my pleasure to work with your wonderful manuscript!)\nAlthough I’ve had pets most of my life, I personally no longer have one. However, my daughter, Katie, fosters rabbits.\nBunnies don’t do well in shelters due to barking dogs, etc. so she keeps them (one or two at a time) in her home, turns them into cuddly family pets, then helps them find forever homes.\nHer husband and three kids have allergies so they can’t have dogs or cats but bunnies work for them.\nIf Katie had her way, she’d live like Elena, with animals all around.\nMershon Niesner — Author of The Bootmaker’s Wife\nMershon Niesner has a background as a Certified Life Coach, child welfare social worker, marketing/communications entrepreneur, freelance writer, and author. Between them, Mershon and her husband have six children, nineteen grandchildren, and eleven great-grands.\nIn her first book, Mom’s Gone, Now What? Ten Steps to Help Daughters Move Forward After Mother Loss, Mershon writes about losing her mother at eight-years-old. In addition to her own experience, Mershon interviewed over fifty motherless daughters and uses their stories to illustrate the ten steps. Her mission is to help other women who have experienced loss move forward in a healthy way.\nGrowing up in Nebraska cemented the author’s love of the a 360 degree view of the horizon, the constant wind, the majestic sunsets, and the rolling hills of the northern prairie. Later, as a Florida transplant, she wanted to relive and share stories her father told of his grandparents forging a life in a sod house in the Sand Hills of Nebraska in 1875 so she wrote The Bootmaker’s Wife, a historical fiction incorporating some aspects of her great grandparent’s life.\nTo learn more about Mershon, click on any of the following links: Website, Blog, Twitter & Instagram\nHeader image by Falkenpost on Pixabay.\nTags: 1800s, Author Interview, historical fiction, Homesteading, Mershon Niesner, Nebraska, The Bootmaker's Wife, US History\nPrevious PostA Poisoned Garden: New World Magic\nLisa Brackmann on the Launch of Black Swan Rising\nThe Interview – Part I\nBayou Book Thief: New Cozy Series","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1424282"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8554449677467346,"wiki_prob":0.8554449677467346,"text":"Wax Museum – Seek And Find\nWax Museum – Seek And Find is an Adventure, Casual, Family-Friendly, Fantasy, Hidden Objects, and Single-Player game developed and published by Crisp App Studio. Experience a brand-new mysterious tale filled with mysteries and puzzles. Unable to leave your automobile due to the weather, you’re driven inside an abandoned wax museum. However, you are unable to depart due to an unknown force.\nThe exhibitions’ beauty and uniqueness aren’t diminished by wear and tear or vandalism, but where did the torches and other indications of life originate from. In order to battle an ancient evil, you must uncover the Wax Museum’s deadly secret. The abandoned Wax Museum’s displays are stunning and fascinating. The mystery and intrigue in this supernatural detective narrative are sure to keep you guessing until the end. It is the newest installment in the series of hidden object games. Explore the Museum’s fascinating history through discovering its many papers. Collect unique items and revisit previous settings to take on new challenges and earn new prizes. The game has many amazing and significant features for players, such as Unusual Locations, Competitive Streak, and many more.\nAdventureCasualStrategy\nOfficial Website Steam Android iOS\nGames Like Wax Museum – Seek And Find\n#1 Disney Guilty Party\nDisney Guilty Party is a 3D, Casual, Detective, Mystery, Minigame, Party, and Multiplayer game developed by Wideload Games and published by Disney Interactive Studios. Exclusive to the Wii, Disney Guilty Party is an amusing and enjoyable mystery party game. Using the sleuthing skills of the world-famous dickens detective agency, friends and relatives investigate a string of crimes in order to uncover the perpetrator.\nMr. Valentine, the commodore’s archenemy and master crook, is aware that the Commodore is winding down his career. The dickens detective agency is on the case to halt Valentine’s final crime spree. In order to identify the Guilty Party and eventually bring Valentine to justice for kidnapping the Commodore’s wife, the investigators must go through the evidence and testimonies of the suspects. The game has core and fundamental features for all players, such as Pleasant Background Music, Interactive Gameplay Interface, Card Game, Puzzles, and many more.\n#2 Vampire & Monsters: Mystery Hidden Object Games – Puzzle\nVampire & Monsters: Mystery Hidden Object Games – Puzzle is an Adventure, Atmospheric, Classic, Hidden Objects, and Singles-Player game developed and published by Crisp App Studio. The game features an investigation into the world of ancient monsters. Find out what happened to the ancient creatures of the planet in this unusual study. Find the way out of the vampire’s fortress and build a strong amulet to battle the Evil.\nMysterious creatures and people’s interactions with them appear in both of these Hidden Object games. Animated 360-degree landscape, 3D visual effects, and animation will make your journey more exciting and memorable. Bonuses for speed and new riddles are available to those who choose to compete. The game is very addictive with its rich-story content and interactive graphical interface. The game has many significant features for players, such as Unexpected Discoveries, Nature, Habits of Monsters, Hidden Clues, New Quests, New Rewards, and many more.\n#3 Clue/Cluedo: The Classic Mystery Game\nClue/Cluedo: The Classic Mystery Game is a Strategy, Board, Mystery, Single-player and Online Multiplayer video game created and published by Marmalade Game Studio Ltd for Microsoft Windows. The game offers thrilling gameplay and lets the player join Mustard, Scarlett, Green, Plum, etc. on an epic murder and mystery’s night in Tudor Mansion. During the gameplay, the player can roll the dice to move across the mansion to ask a question to suspects and NPCs. The game is set in the stunning mansion and story revolves around an event of a dastardly murder. Online Multiplayer mode of the game supports up to six players, and the player can play private games against buddies. The player can move from a top-down perspective and can explore the mansion to interact with rooms, characters, and more. The main objective is to find clues, try to solve puzzles, and unearth the mystery to murder to become the master. Clue/Cluedo: The Classic Mystery Game includes core features such as Compete against World, Online leaderboards, Online Multiplayer, and more.\n#4 Marcella Moon: Saboteurs On The River\nMarcella Moon: Saboteurs On The River is an Adventure, Atmospheric, Conversation, First-Person, Text-Based, and Single-Player game developed and published by Hidden Ocean Games. Play as Marcella Moon, an amateur sleuth, investigates a string of sabotage occurrences in the Louisiana bayou. During the Summer Gumbo Festival in Red River Landing in Louisiana, you’ll be able to participate in a sabotage mission.\nDespite the fact that the village is a popular tourist destination, you find that there have been a number of bizarre thefts and accidents in the area. Identify the saboteur before things get out of hand, and you’ll be all set. Get lost in the mazes and survive the alligators, frogs, and insects lurk there. Untangle the twisted intentions of everyone, but don’t be deceived by a red herring. Do not be caught overs snooping, eavesdropping, or stakeout. The game has core features for players, such as Twisted Motives, Point-and-Click, Mysteries, Tourism Hotspot, and many more.\n#5 Escape The Ordinary: Tales Of Romina Manor\nEscape The Ordinary: Tales Of Romina Manor is an Adventure, Atmospheric, Puzzle, Casual, Exploration, Point-and-Click, and Single-Player game developed and published by Megaseven, inspired by the same-named escape room board game. As you seek for clues and solve puzzles in settings like the Parlor, Kitchen, or even the Observatory, you’ll uncover the mysteries of Romina Manor. You will see many unexpected secrets that will happen to you during the investigation.\nBe careful from the threats and solve the puzzles to get the truth of the running situation. The content of this story is very rich and gives players a real-time experience. It is easy to play with scripted automated messages, and the controls are simple. Therefore, excitement will run in your veins to know about the Manor’s truth as you play the game. The game has many significant and fundamental features for players, such as Pixel Graphics, Old School, Puzzle-Platformer, and many more.\n#6 Criminal Archives: City On Fire\nCriminal Archives: City On Fire is a 2D, Adventure, Atmospheric, Exploration, First-Person, Hidden Objects, and Single-Player game developed and published by DominiGames. San Francisco police are perplexed by a succession of strange murders. An arsonist known as the Plague Doctor is wreaking havoc across town. Your next dramatic piece will be about a man who is fighting for justice in his own dubious way, of course, as you are the famous crime reporter.\nConstable Melinda Watson will be your sidekick as you navigate the treacherous waters of deceit and revenge alongside you. It’s time to discover the identity of the Plague Doctor, and until the city is destroyed by fire, attempt to stop him. Defeat the ruthless moneylender in the extra chapter to save a little community. Earn awards by re-playing your favorite hidden-object games and mini-games. To uncover the city’s history, gather all the morphing artifacts and notes. If you get stuck, consult the detailed strategy guide. The game has fundamental features such as Family-Friendly, Hand-Drawn, Detective, Choices Matter, and many more.\n#7 Who Is The Liar?\nWho Is The Liar? is an Atmospheric, Comedy, Detective, Fantasy, Hidden Objects, and Single-Player game developed and published by ASA Games Studio. What better investigator in town than Wadson to crack the case of who is the liar? At Madmily Mansion parties, use your detective nose to discover what’s going on. Take on this eccentric family in their amusing mini-games and organize the inhabitants’ statements to uncover the liars.\nTake a look at the inhabitants’ stories and look about the estate for a clue. As a detective, use your sense of smell to figure out who is telling the truth. Make a compelling argument for the parties’ presence. Defeat the Madmily Mansion partygoers by taking them on in minigames. As you work your way through the cases, take a break and play some of the minigames centered around a party. The game has many significant features for players, such as Tabletop, Conspiracy, Investigation, and many more.\n#8 Sherlock Holmes: Trap for the Hunter. Hidden Objects\nSherlock Holmes: Trap for the Hunter. Hidden Objects is an Adventure, Atmospheric, Casual, Detective, and Single-Player game developed and published by Crisp App Studio. The world’s most famous investigator, Sherlock Holmes, returns in brand-new episodes. Learn more about this enigmatic crime by joining Holmes on an international investigation that takes him to both England and India. Intriguing mini-games and hidden object riddles will keep you entertained for hours on end.\nThe secrets of Indian temples are hidden in plain sight. Those who enjoy detective stories, adventures, and story twists will find something to enjoy in this game. Lord Crowley’s collection of priceless artifacts has been raided. In India, the trail of criminals may be traced. The majority of the items are authentic antiques. A new method of providing visual suggestions for concealed items. The game has many fundamental and core features for players, such as Most Complex Cases, Unexpected Places, Indian Temples, and many more.\n#9 Marcella Moon: Secret On The Hill\nMarcella Moon: Secret On The Hill is an Adventure, Atmospheric, Casual, Detective, First-Person, and Single-Player game developed and published by Hidden Ocean Games. The disappearance of renowned author Amelia Goldstone has led you to Sligo, Ireland. It’s been speculated that she just wanted to vanish. Some others believe she was taken hostage by fairies. All you know is that you have to get over there as soon as possible to find out what transpired there.\nThis mystery will need you to immerse yourself in Irish culture and mythology and chat to the locals on your road to solving it. It is a mystery game from a first-person perspective. Take a look around a charming Irish village. Discover clues and solve puzzles to uncover the mystery. Investigate the mystery by interacting with zany characters. Learn about the mythology and culture of Ireland. The game has core features for players, such as Point-and-Click, Interactive Fiction, Text-Based, and many more.\n#10 Criminal Case: The Conspiracy\nCriminal Case: The Conspiracy developed by Pretty Simple for Android is an Adventure, Casual, and Single-player video game. Identical to other series games, the player has to solve murder mysteries by assuming an investigator’s role. All a player needs to do is to investigate crime scenes for clues and bring all the suspects for questioning.\nIn this hidden object game, the player has to explore many locations, and successful completion of cases will improve the player’s skills. The game offers a 6x zooming option to see the items that cannot be seen through the naked eye. Everything lies in its place, and the player has not to leave anything to inspect as anything can be beneficial.\nEvery case has four suspects, and the player has to determine the correct one to complete the scenario. Criminal Case: The Conspiracy has core features such as 6X Zooming Option, Mysteries, Limited Time, Several Locations, and Numerous Endings.\n#11 Crime Reaper\nCrime Reaper is a 3D, Casual, Crime, Dark Humor, Detective, and Single-Player game developed and published by Potato Interactive. Everywhere you look in the Afterlife, there are monstrous gods bent on inciting human violence. You must use the clues left behind to assemble the weapons, motives, and locations that were present at the moment of death in order to apprehend the person.\nCriminology puzzles like Cluedo and Inspector Parker are combined with the simplicity and cleverness of Sudoku to create Crime Reaper. More than 16,000 conceivable murder scenarios and perhaps millions of different puzzles are at play here. Aside from the Career mode, there are a total of 14 criminals for you and Mx. Death to take down. The game is extremely addictive and easy to play with simple controls. The game includes core and many significant features for players, such as Logic Puzzles, Puzzle Variations, Criminals, Motivations, and many more.\n#12 Soulslayer\nSoulslayer is an Adventure, Casual, Detective, Female Protagonist, Visual Novel, and Single-Player game developed by 开水工作室 and published by NVLMaker. Yao Xiu, the daughter of a wealthy family, is an average young woman. Despite this, she continues to live in a family where she is unable to fit in. Her only option is to get married and create a family, which is the only thing that will save her.\nNow, as her wedding day draws near, she meets an untimely demise. Right after her ‘death,’ Yao Xiu’s eyes reopen. A time loop traps her in the same day, causing her to live and die in the same way over and over. Three opportunities are given to her to rescue herself. The game and her life are over if she loses three turns. The game has many significant and fundamental features for players, such as Multiple Endings, Full Chinese Voice Cast, Achievements, and many more.\n#13 Arkham Horror: Mother’s Embrace\nArkham Horror: Mother’s Embrace is an Adventure, Detective, Horror, and Single-player video game developed and published by Asmodee Digital. It is set in the haunted worlds letting the player adopt the role of an investigator who is forced to solve the murder mystery. A famous professor of astronomy has died, and the clues show that it is a planned murder. It all depends on the player’s sharp skills and suspicious mythologies to bring the murderer to light.\nMore than ten intrepid investigators, each with a unique set of skills, are there, requiring the chief detective to assemble a team of masters and solve the mysterious death. Show professionalism, find clues, explore things, examine each situation deeply, perform interrogations, and complete nine chapters to unfold the entire storyline. While investigating the main case, the player may come to visit shadowed institutions and mysterious locales.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line852034"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5601547360420227,"wiki_prob":0.5601547360420227,"text":"Pope names new Swiss Guard commandant\nPope Benedict XVI has chosen a Swiss police commander to lead the Vatican's elite Swiss Guards, the Swiss Bishops Conference has announced.\nThis content was published on August 19, 2008 - 14:53 August 19, 2008 - 14:53\nDaniel Anrig, who has a law degree, is currently head of police in canton Glarus in central Switzerland. He will take over from Commandant Elmar Mäder in December.\nThe Swiss Guards with their colourful antiquated uniforms have been serving pontiffs for more than 500 years. The 1998 killing of a guard commander and his wife in a Vatican City apartment tarnished the guards' image for a time.\nThe male guards number about 110 and must be Swiss Catholics. They stand guard at papal ceremonies as well as help to protect the pope. Vatican and Italian police also protect the pontiff.\nThe 36-year-old new commandant is married to a theologian and has four children. He earlier headed Glarus' criminal police force, and served as a Swiss Guard in the early 1990s.\nDebate has been revived in recent years over whether the pontiff needs more protection during public appearances. Last year, a German man jumped a security barrier in St Peter's Square at a crowded general audience with the pope.\nPope thanks Swiss Guards for long service\nThis content was published on May 6, 2006 May 6, 2006 Pope Benedict XVI has thanked the Swiss Papal Guards for 500 years of service as papal protectors at a special mass in St Peter's Basilica in Rome...","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line667268"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6101327538490295,"wiki_prob":0.38986724615097046,"text":"Dissecting Two Damning Critiques of Medicine\nI don't do a ton of op ed reading, but two pieces caught my eye in a span of a few days at the New York Times. Both are fairly savage critiques of medicine. Both should be taken very seriously, especially by those of us in the White Coat Tribe. But only one of them makes a compelling case.\nOne piece is called \"When Doctors Discriminate\" and is a meditation on the kinds of harm that non-psychiatrist MDs can inflict on patients with psychiatric conditions--in the author's case, a diagnosis of bipolar disorder. \"You better get yourself together psychologically, or your stomach is never going to get better\", the writer quotes a gastroenterologist as saying. This apparently was intended as a helpful piece of advice, and the article goes on to list the myriad ways in which physicians can negatively impact the health of these patients.\nThe second piece, called \"Crazy Pills\", notes the recent change in FDA policy toward the anti-malarial medication mefloquine, as it now includes a \"black box warning\" for the drug. The warning stems from mefloquine's neurologic and psychiatric side effects, which can persist well beyond the time period when it is taken (the drug is used to prevent malaria infection when people travel to areas with malaria). The author reports having had ongoing bouts of depression, panic attacks, and insomnia since his encounter with mefloquine as part of a stint in India for his Fulbright fellowship. The essay does not make for pretty reading, documenting murders and suicides, and lays them at the doorstep of the medication.\nI heed the warnings explicit in both of these articles. Doctors should always be conscious about their biases, constantly on guard against anchoring their judgments based on one piece of data--in this case, a diagnosis of mental illness. Likewise, it's important for people to be aware of the potentially serious side effects of mefloquine, or any other medication for that matter. Nearly all doctors in Infectious Disease were keenly aware of mefloquine's psychiatric side effects even before the black box warning was issued. Nevertheless, making patients aware of the possible serious reactions to a medication, especially when a new warning is attached to it, is an important public service announcement.\nBut that being said, there is an enormous amount of innuendo and logical leaping in \"Crazy Pills\", while \"When Doctors Discriminate\" constructs its argument with a good deal more care. The author of \"Crazy Pills\" alleges that the drug was responsible for an Ohio man putting a shotgun to his head in 1999 after returning from a safari in Zimbabwe, as well as for the killing of a Somali prisoner by a Canadian soldier who took the drug. He also hints that Staff Sgt. Robert Bales, who went on a killing rampage in Afghanistan in 2012, was under mefloquine's influence. In the first example, we have no link to know any details beyond what is supplied to us by the author, and therefore no way to know anything else about this man. In the latter two examples, there appears to be no alternative hypotheses entertained for these most unfortunate horrors, but surely the fact that these men were under the duress of war might have played just as much a role, or indeed a more powerful one, than an antimalarial.\nBy contrast, \"When Doctors Discriminate\" relies not on a few carefully selected anecdotes that can't be considered in context, or even verified, but by noting broad research as reported by major public health organizations. It is a model of a well-constructed argument in the internet age, built not on hearsay, but on evidence, available for all readers to see should they choose to do so.\nLest I be misunderstood as being dismissive of mefloquine's side effects, I think that the inclusion of the black box warning was important for physicians and patients alike. But living in a malaria-endemic region with no prophylaxis is a very, very risky business: malaria kills. There are other drugs that protect against malaria--during my travels to Africa I took the drug Malarone without any problems at all, and it's a very well tolerated drug. But Malarone is expensive, and not all insurance companies will cover it. Should someone just avoid taking mefloquine if they can't have Malarone and take their chances?\nThat will very much depend on the numerical risks involved. The data presented in the op ed suggest that there's about a 6 percent chance of mefloquine causing a severe reaction for which it needs to be stopped. (The author ominously notes that \"67 percent of people who took the drug experienced one or more adverse effects\", which is, unintentionally or not, a scare tactic: \"adverse effects\" can include reactions as trivial as an upset stomach or a touch of insomnia.) Whether this number seems minor compared to the risk of full blown malaria is a proposition that patients and doctors must decide in a discussion, but I'm very concerned by the idea that everyone who needs malaria protection should just stop taking mefloquine if that's their drug. If his advice is heeded, we could soon be seeing NYT op eds about loved ones who went on safari and came home in a casket because they avoided protecting themselves against the great scourge of the tropics.\nLabels: bipolar disorder, medication side effects, mefloquine, NY Times, psychiatry, tropical medicine","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1043926"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.79212886095047,"wiki_prob":0.79212886095047,"text":"Home » Business » Biden picks strong Bitcoin critic Saule Omarova to head OCC\nBiden picks strong Bitcoin critic Saule Omarova to head OCC\nBusiness 25 September 2021\nU.S. President Joe Biden has finally revealed his pick to run the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC). Biden nominated Saule Omarova on Thursday, a former policy advisor to the Treasury Department, whose strong criticism for big banks and digital currencies is already causing panic among some of Wall Street’s biggest names.\nAside from working with the Treasury during President George W. Bush’s administration, Omarova has served as a banking lawyer at Davis Polk & Wardwell and an associate professor of law at the University of North Carolina. She currently serves as a professor at Cornell University Law School.\nWhile formally announcing Omarova’s nomination, the White House described her as “one of the country’s leading academic experts on issues related to regulation of systemic risk and structural trends in financial markets.”\nIf she is confirmed by the Senate, Omarova, who was born and raised in Kazakhstan, will become the first woman and non-white to head the OCC.\n“I am deeply honored to be nominated for this role in President Biden’s administration. If confirmed, I will work hard to make sure that our banks remain stable, strong and serve the needs of the American people,” she stated in a statement sent to the New York Times.\nOmarova’s nomination is expected to trigger a contentious Senate fight over her confirmation. As she is expected to receive support from the left, with Senate Banking Committee chairman Sherrod Brown, a Democrat, urging his committee to confirm her.\n“She will work to ensure the economy works for everyone, and to protect our economic recovery from the risky activities of Wall Street and other bad actors,” Brown stated.\nHowever, the right is not as enthused with Omarova. Senator Pat Toomey, the most senior Republican in the committee, described her as having “extreme leftist ideas.”\nThe banking fraternity is also expected to lobby strongly against her. Omarova has long expressed her disdain for the power that big banks have. Earlier this year, she told Politico, “…large financial institutions hold so much power now and they move so much money through their own channels that it is effectively impossible through just rules and some enforcement to really shape what it is they’re doing.”\nThe digital currency industry could be in for a rough ride if Omarova takes over the OCC, an office that polices all top banks in the United States. While the previous office holder Brian Brooks was quite pro-Crypto, his predecessor could bring some very restrictive regulations.\nBrooks went on to lead Binance.US, but only for a few months. He resigned, citing “differences over strategic direction,” after just three months at the helm. Reports however revealed that he stepped down after he found that Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao was unwilling to let him put in place measures that would have made the U.S. subsidiary compliant with the rule of law.\nWatch: U.S. Congressman Patrick McHenry on Blockchain Policy Matters with Bitcoin Association’s Jimmy Nguyen\nhttps://youtu.be/aRldRdk50JQ\nVideo can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: Blockchain Policy Matters: U.S. Congressman Patrick McHenry (R-NC 10) | Episode 1 (https://youtu.be/aRldRdk50JQ)\nBrian Brooks\nOffice of the Comptroller of the Currency\nSaule Omarova","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1847813"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8349362015724182,"wiki_prob":0.8349362015724182,"text":"CHATHAM - ON CAMPUS is a regular feature of The State Journal-Register to update the collegiate accomplishments of former Glenwood High School athletes.\nNEAL ANDERSON, a member of the Southern Illinois-Carbondale men’s cross country team, placed 20th ( 24: 30: 16 for 8 kilometers) at the Louisville Classic.\nRYAN ANDERSON, a freshman member of the Southeast Missouri State men’s cross country team, had a time of 27:27.08 for 8 kilometers at the Louisville Classic.\nJOSH ATWOOD had six solo tackles and one assisted tackle in addition to breaking up one pass and being credited with one quarterback hurry in McKendree’s 25-10 football loss to Truman State.\nBRITTANY COFFIN-BARGAR, a senior forward on the Louisiana Tech women’s soccer team, recorded an assist in a 4-0 win against Prairie View A&M University in Texas.\nCARTER COX, a linebacker on the Illinois College football team, had eight tackles — including five solos and one tackle for loss) in the Blueboys’ 54- 44 victory over Lawrence.\nBRIAN DIXON, a sophomore member of the Southern Illinois-Carbondale men’s cross country team, placed 42nd (24:54:10 for 8 kilometers) at the Louisville Classic.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1209462"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9480260610580444,"wiki_prob":0.9480260610580444,"text":"Concealed weapons opponent pushes bill before Senate committee\nLinks: SB 629\nJEFFERSON CITY - A staunch opponent of concealed weapons pushed his bill to a Senate committee Wednesday to allow residents to carry concealed weapons.\nSen. Ken Jacob, D-Columbia, told the Senate Crime Committee that he's still opposed to allowing people to carry concealed weapons. But, Jacob said, the law is likely to pass and he wants to make sure certain precautions are included in the legislation.\n\"I think we are evenly divided in the state of Missouri. There are those that feel they have a constitutional right to carry a weapon and those who are afraid of them,\" Jacob said.\nJacob took legislation defeated by a vote of the people in 1999 as Proposition B and amended it. The bill would give control of permit licensing to the State Highway Patrol, instead of the local sheriff's office.\n\"The Highway Patrol could set up a procedure and say who, when and how people get permits,\" Jacob said.\nThe bill would require that gun owners stipulate to four conditions when applying for the permit. The owner must sign an affidavit affirming there is a safety device on the gun and it can only be transported in the glove compartment or trunk of a vehicle.\nThe concealed weapon could not be carried into a sporting event or any place where alcohol is served. If a gun is found in the possession of a child under the age of 12 or a person previously convicted of a crime, the gun-owner would face a felony charge.\n\"I've heard from law abiding citizens saying \"trust us\" ad nauseum lately. But we've had five school shootings in the last week and all of those weapons were owned by law abiding citizens,\" said Jacob.\nWhile sponsoring a concealed weapons bill, Jacob spent part of his testimoney citing problems with the idea.\nAnd the idea faced opposition outright opposition from other witnesses.\n\"I've handled dozens of murders, rapes, robberies, assaults over the past several years. In most of these cases, actually in all of these cases, the victim was ambushed,\" said Jeanette Graviss, a chief warrant officer with the St. Louis City Police Department.\nShe continued, \"So if this bill is designed so that people that carry weapons can protect themselves, it's not going to work. Experience tells me its not going to work.\"\nThe bill still faces debate in the committee before heading to a vote.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line809277"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8673705458641052,"wiki_prob":0.8673705458641052,"text":"Lyric Video: Calvin Richardson – Can’t Let Go\nJan 17, 2018 | New Videos\nThe Prince of Soul Calvin Richardson has just released the lyric video for his latest single “Can’t Let Go”. The song was included on his recently released album “All or Nothing” which released September 2017 via Shanachie Entertainment.\nThe project is led by the single “Treat Her Right” which is a traditional soul ballad that he released a few months back. He also released a remix to the song featuring the legendary K-Ci Hailey.\n“All Or Nothing” is at heart a classic soul album featuring all originals. The singer adds: “This album touches on everything – soul, R&B and pop. It has something for everyone – love, laughter, sex, dance and romance. Best one yet!”\nThe new album is the follow up to 2014’s “I Am Calvin” which he released via Eric Benet’s Jordan House record label.\nYouKnowIGotSoul + Radio 103.9 Present Calvin Richardson's \"I Am Calvin\" The Revealing\nNew Video: Calvin Richardson - Treat Her Right\nNew Video: Calvin Richardson \"We Gon Love Tonite\"\nKim Waters \"Am I a Fool\" featuring Calvin Richardson (Video)\nNew Music: Calvin Richardson - Let Me Love On You\nNew Music: Calvin Richardson - Be Your Friend","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line52266"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.947758138179779,"wiki_prob":0.947758138179779,"text":"Wilson High School music department students.\nForeigner to donate $1,000 to Wilson High School\nSat, Aug 14th 2010 04:05 pm\nForeigner has teamed up with VH1's Save the Music Foundation to support the continuation of arts programs in schools across the U.S. When the band performs as part of Artpark's \"Tuesday in the Park\" concert series on Aug. 17, $1,000 will be donated to Wilson High School.\n\"The reality is that, because of the way the economy is ... there were a lot of budget cuts going on, and the first thing that gets cut is the arts,\" Foreigner frontman Kelly Hansen said. \"The odd thing that I see in that is that the arts is what makes people well-rounded and makes them complete human beings.\"\nHansen said students who only study math or science or the traditional meat-and-potatoes courses are missing out.\n\"You need a balance of all those things (including the arts), and to take away a big chunk of balance is devastating - and I see it happening all the time, as everybody in the band does,\" he said.\nForeigner is working with Save the Music to call attention to what band members consider a worthwhile cause.\n\"Since we're in the music part of the arts, we felt that this was something that we could do to try to raise awareness and also to contribute to the bands that are coming on stage and help their music departments at a time where they're getting less and less money and less and less ability to pursue what's so important in all these kids' lives,\" Hansen said.\n\"We just decided we needed to do something, and this is what we could do,\" he added.\nWilson music department students will join Foreigner on stage for a performance of \"I Want to Know What Love Is.\"\nThese young musicians are under the direction of Claudia Andres.\nNew album in hand, Foreigner 'Can't Slow Down'\nArtpark On Stage School","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1077530"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7693769931793213,"wiki_prob":0.7693769931793213,"text":"You are here: Home / The Backpack / Winter 2011 Backpack / School Committee Vote Draws Outrage, Grief\nSchool Committee Vote Draws Outrage, Grief\nBy Jacqueline King and Ann O’Halloran\nHundreds of parents, teachers and students protested school closures at the Dec. 15 Boston School Committee meeting. (Photo by Ann O'Halloran)\nIgnoring the passionate pleas and hard evidence presented by hundreds of students, parents and teachers this fall that their schools should remain open, the mayor-appointed School Committee voted unanimously on Dec. 15 to close, merge or allow charter takeovers of 20 Boston schools.\nThe crowd of hundreds repeatedly interrupted the meeting with chants of “Shame on you!” and “No vote to close schools!” but the members pressed on toward their approval of School Superintendent Carol Johnson’s so-called “Redesign and Reinvestment Proposal.” Many saw the hours-long meeting as a political show conducted by the school board with a foregone conclusion; calls for a return to an elected School Committee, whose members could be held accountable, were met with wild applause. Some people wept as they left the auditorium of English High School; others expressed outrage.\n“The School Committee did not listen to the pleas, cries, outbursts, and suggestions by parents, teachers, supporters, and students,” Bryan Moore, a student at Excel High School, said the day after the vote. “The words of the community seem to have gone in one ear and out the other. What has happened to the once great school system I have come to know and appreciate?”\nJohnson and Mayor Menino claim the closings and mergers are necessary to close a $63 million school budget gap. Yet they and the school board members repeatedly fail to connect the budget shortfall to the fact that Boston will lose an estimated $64 million to privately run charter schools this year, minus some short-term reimbursements. Meanwhile, 16 additional charter schools – some with little or no track record – are waiting in the wings, ready to take over shuttered public school buildings and drain more students and funds from the public schools.\nNor, apparently, has the mayor sought funds from other sources in the city budget or the private sector. When he met with the Chamber of Commerce the day before the vote, one might have thought the mayor would ask these wealthy businesses to step up to the plate and help out the schools. Instead, Menino was there to assure them that the budget crisis would be solved by closings and cutbacks. Yet private developers and corporations receive large tax breaks every year in Boston, such as the $50 million in city and state “blight” tax breaks Liberty Mutual was awarded earlier this year for its proposed tower in the prosperous Back Bay.\nCity Councilor Charles Yancey, one of the few elected officials to speak Wednesday night, told the committee, “We are going in the wrong direction!…We must stop balancing the budget on the backs of the schoolchildren! I urge you to vote no on the proposal – this is not a reinvestment, it’s a disinvestment!” (See Yancey’s press release calling for a reversal of the vote here.)\nJireh Wilfred, 17, said the school closings will harm children's lives, adding, \"The struggle continues!\"\nMany who spoke in the hours of public testimony described the harmful impact the school closings could have on children’s lives and the surrounding communities. Jireh Wilfred, 17, whose sister teaches at the Emerson School, said, “You are destroying relationships! Can you live with the fact that you are destroying the futures of men- and women-to-be? They might go off, and sell drugs or join gangs or die! Even if this vote passes, we are not going away. The struggle continues!”\nThe closings and mergers will have a sharply unequal impact, falling most heavily on students of color, English language learners, students with special needs, and low-income areas of the city.\nThese disruptions are only the beginning of what’s in store for Boston. The School Department has announced that it intends to drastically change the student assignment plan to include more zones, in order to cut bus routes and transportation costs. It also intends to demand significant concessions from teachers concerning health insurance, length of school day, and other measures. Sam Tyler, of the business-backed Boston Municipal Research Bureau, has said that more public schools will have to be closed in the next year or two.\nCitizens for Public Schools stands with the students, parents, and teachers of Boston in opposing these school closings, mergers, cutbacks and contract concessions. The fight for the Boston Public Schools will continue in many forms in the months and years to come. Similar conflicts are occurring throughout the country, in suburban and rural, as well as inner-city systems.\nIn Massachusetts, we need a coordinated effort to change public school policy at the state level, since that is where policy is currently being determined. Legislation passed last January—the so-called Act Relative to the Achievement Gap—removed the cap on the number of charter schools in “underperforming districts” and reinforced the evaluation of schools according to MCAS scores. We need legislative reform to make progressive changes in funding for schools, reinstate the cap on charter schools, and reform the use of MCAS so that a single paper-and-pencil test is not used to justify the closing of schools. Ultimately, as Diane Ravitch said in her recent Boston appearance: This is a battle about the very existence of public schools.\nJacqueline King is a CPS Board Member and Co-Editor of The Backpack. Ann O’Halloran is a CPS Board Member and 2007 Massachusetts History Teacher of the Year.\nMore on the Fight for Boston Public Schools\nCity Councilor Charles Yancey’s press release calling for a reversal of the Boston School Committee vote.\nClick here for a list of all schools to be affected, the demographics of those schools, and click here for previous CPS coverage.\nGo to statements from parents, teachers and students at Boston School Committee meetings here.\nFor a cogent analysis of the charter school agenda in Boston, read a post by “Jamaicaplainiac” titled The Real Charter School Agenda in Boston.\nGo to coverage of Boston in the Backpack newsletter, here.\nGallery of photos from Boston meetings, here.\nJim Horn of the Schools Matter blog has written a powerful report on the Dec. 15, 2010 Boston School Committee meeting. He writes, “The children in the audience last night also saw the promise of a democracy renewed in the strong, eloquent voices of their friends, teachers, parents, bus drivers, school helpers, and community activists, who are now galvanized by the decision of the Mayor, the Chamber of Commerce, and the corporate foundations to turn their backs on so many amazing school programs and committed teachers and energized parents.” Read the full piece here.\nRead a “Manifesto” co-authored by Joel Klein, Michelle Rhee and other “education leaders” and signed by Boston Superintendent Carol Johnson. The Manifesto says the way to fix schools is to, for example, “eliminate arcane rules such as ‘seat time,’ which requires a student to spend a specific amount of time in a classroom with a teacher rather than taking advantage of online lessons and other programs.” (Shortly after signing this manifesto, Joel Klein left his job as chancellor of New York City schools to work for an online education company owned by Rupert Murdoch.)\nRead a flyer from the Boston Teachers Union charging city leaders with meeting secretly on what to do with “surplus” school buildings slated for closing, here.[To return to The Backpack, close browser page.]","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1618188"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8452142477035522,"wiki_prob":0.8452142477035522,"text":"What Is America’s Fascination With The O.J. Simpson Trial?\nDoes America's fascination with O.J. revolve around his ability to afford lawyers the \"average rich White man could\"?\nA new ESPN docuseries is shining a light on the O.J. Simpson trial and what it meant for race relations in the United Sates.\nThe Simpson trial and subsequent verdict was a shot heard around the world, stirring up tensions in America. Still to this day, his name sparks heated debates in classrooms, at dinner tables, and in barber shops.\nLittle did America know, the trial of O.J. Simpson was about more than just a verdict. ESPN’s latest 30 for 30 documentary examines the controversial O.J. Simpson case in a way that sheds a harsh light on race relations in the U.S.\nDuring Wednesday’s edition of NewsOne Now, Roland Martin and his panel of guests discussed ESPN’s five-part series and why O.J. Simpson is the poster child for race in America.\nJon-Christopher Bua, White House Correspondent and Political Analyst, explained why he believes this nation is so fixated on Simpson: “Three years after Rodney King was brutalized — we all saw it — the guys who did it to him were let go. They had to go to another regent to even do the trial.”\nBua continued, “Three years later, an African-American handsome star comes out and is able to afford the kind of attorneys, the kind of support that an average rich White man could do and he turned the tables.”\nNewsOne Now panelist Lauren Victoria Burke took on the analysis of America’s fascination with O.J. when she said, “This is the first in American history to get away with killing two White people and walk away — it has never happened before.”\nShe added the fixation with Simpson revolves around “How the hell did he get away with that double homicide?” and the fact “he could afford the legal representation another defendant couldn’t afford.”\nBurke believes America’s unhealthy obsession with O.J. is “more about money than it was about race.”\nWatch Roland Martin, Lauren Victoria Burke, Jon-Christopher Bua, and the rest of the NewsOne Now panel discuss ESPN’s new series and America’s fascination with O.J. Simpson in the video clip above.\nWatch NewsOne Now with Roland Martin, in its new time slot on TV One.\nWhat Is America’s Fascination With The O.J. Simpson Trial? was originally published on newsone.com\n30 for 30 espn Joh-Christopher Bua Lauren Victoria Burke O. J. Simpson O.J.: Made in America Roland Martin","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1078263"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8497260212898254,"wiki_prob":0.8497260212898254,"text":"American meteorologist\nLiam Dutton Bio, Age, Height, Wife, Kids, Net Worth, Channel 4\nLiam Dutton Biography\nLiam Dutton is an American Weatherman, Broadcaster, Meteorologist, writer, and Musician currently working for Channel 4 News in London, England, as a Weather Presenter.\nLiam Dutton Age\nDutton was born on December 11 in England. his birth sign is Sagittarius. He Celebrates his birthday on December 11 every year.\nLiam Dutton Salary\nDutton receives an annual average salary of between $ 33,700 – $ 112,500. This is according to Channel News anchors/reporter’s salaries.\nLiam Dutton Net Worth\nDutton has an estimated Net Worth of $ 100k – $ 100k dollars. His career as a news Journalist is his primary source of income.\nLiam Dutton Height and Weight\nDutton stands at a moderate height, however, the award-winning journalist has not disclosed her exact height and other body measurements like weight, shoe size.\nLiam Dutton Family\nLittle is known about his parents, also there are no details about his siblings, therefore this information will be updated as soon as it’s available.\nLiam Dutton Wife\nIs he married? Dutton has not shared any information about his current love life. This information will be updated as soon as it is available.\nLiam Dutton Education\nHe attended Adamsdown Primary and later graduated from Willows High School where he gained an A-Level at St. Davids Sixth Form College. He also graduated with a Bachelor of Science with a degree in Geography.\nLiam Dutton Channel 4 News\nHe began his career at the BBC Weather Centre (presenting his first forecast at just 22) and has since traveled the UK presenting for BBC nations and regions. In 2006 he began presenting for national and international BBC outlets and most recently worked across BBC News, BBC World News, BBC Breakfast, and Radio 4’s Today program.\nHis work contains an analysis of UK and International weather along with issues related to climate change, health and food, and the impact of weather on travel, finances, and welfare. He will have an important online role too, leading Channel 4 News’ new weather website and using social media to discuss the weather with viewers.\nNatasha Stenbock Bio, Age, Height, Husband, Kids, Salary, Net Worth, KOIN 6\nEric Stone Biography, Age, Wife, Education, Career, Pinball, Networth\nMary Kay Kleist Bio, Husband, Family, Salary\nGinger Jeffries Bio, Age, Married, Family\nJaisol Martinez Wiki, Age, Married, Family","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line514628"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6977702975273132,"wiki_prob":0.30222970247268677,"text":"ITALY: New Fiat turbodiesel on offer to others\nFiat Powertrain Technologies has announced the latest development of the current 1.9 JTD M (MultiJet) 16v engine used in a variety of Fiat and Alfa Romeo models.\nFeaturing twin stage turbo technology, which lifts power to 140 kW (188 bhp) and 400 Nm (295 lb ft) of torque from only 1.9 litres, the new engine will become available in two versions, one with 132 kW (177 bhp), which FPT will make available to customers outside the Fiat Group, as well as Fiat Group brands, and a higher performance 140 kW (188 bhp) version, which will remain the preserve of the Alfa Romeo, Fiat and Lancia brands.\nCompared to existing 1.9 litre JTD M (MultiJet) engines, low end torque has been improved by 50%, with 300 Nm (221 lb ft) available from 1,250 rpm. This has been achieved through the introduction of advanced turbocharging technology together with design changes to increase the thermostructural resistance that allows increased peak cylinder pressure up to 180 bar and exhaust gas temperatures up to 800°C.\nTwo stage turbocharging enables the new engine to combine the instant low speed response and the elimination of ‘turbo lag’ provided by a small turbocharger, while the second stage offers the ‘deep breathing’ provided by a large turbocharger. Essentially, a small turbocharger operates at low RPM for optimal bottom end torque and response from low vehicle speed. This small turbo is by-passed when the required power output increases, and a second turbocharger of a larger size comes into operation.\nBesides the improvement in overall performance, TST technology allows an increase in the exhaust gas recirculation rate without fuel consumption penalties, and therefore provides a significant reduction in NOx emissions.\nThus, the engine complies with projected Euro 5 emission standards. This target has been achieved thanks to reduction of the compression ratio from 17.5 to 16.5 and the adoption of low-voltage metallic glow plugs; improved EGR cooler (with by-pass) and EGR valve adoption on Lambda sensor with DPF and a new inlet port design\nProduction of the new engine will start next month, beginning with the 132 kW (177 bhp) version. The 140 kW (188 bhp) version will be launched in June 2008.\nThe new engine is produced in the FPT plant at Pratola Serra, in Italy’s Avellino province. Created from a ‘green field’ site, the plant started production in 1993 and has an annual capacity of 600,000 engines.\nAutomotive Industry Growth and Emerging Economies - Thematic Research\nAutomotive Starter Motors, Alternators and Ignitions - Global Sector Overview and Forecast (Q3 2020 Update)\nAutomotive Turbochargers Market and Trend Analysis by Technology, Key Companies and Forecast, 2021-2036\nTST Corporation\nFiat Powertrain Technologies\nFPT Corp","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1153241"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9349176287651062,"wiki_prob":0.9349176287651062,"text":"https://apnews.com/article/race-and-ethnicity-donald-trump-shootings-racial-injustice-george-w-bush-f6995edcc2158df1f8b0cb4f9574bdaf\nOK State Wire\nMN State Wire\nSC State Wire\nNYC Wire\nNY State Wire\nMO State Wire\nTrump’s top federal prosecutors are overwhelmingly white men\nBy JAKE BLEIBERG, AARON MORRISON and JIM MUSTIANOctober 6, 2020 GMT\nThese images provided by the Department of Justice, show U.S. Attorneys from across the United States. The nation’s top federal prosecutors have become less diverse under President Donald Trump than under his three predecessors. White men are overwhelmingly in charge of federal law enforcement amid a national paroxysm over racial inequality and criminal justice. (Department of Justice via AP)\nThe nation’s top federal prosecutors have become less diverse under President Donald Trump than under his three predecessors, leaving white men overwhelmingly in charge at a time of national demonstrations over racial inequality and the fairness of the criminal justice system.\nThe Associated Press analyzed government data from nearly three decades and found that a persistent lack of diversity in the ranks of U.S. attorneys has reached a nadir in the Trump administration. Eighty-five percent of his Senate-confirmed U.S attorneys are white men, according to AP’s analysis, compared with 58% in Democratic President Barack Obama’s eight years, 73% during Republican George W. Bush’s two terms and at most 63% under Democrat Bill Clinton.\nWhite men lead 79 of the 93 U.S. attorney’s offices in a country where they make up less than a third of the population. Nine current U.S. attorneys are women. Two are Black, and two Hispanic.\nFederal prosecutors can have a profound effect on the criminal justice system and leadership holds an immense sway. Without a diverse group considering cases, bias can seep unnoticed into charging decisions and sentencing recommendations, undermine federal leadership with state and local law enforcement and chip away at the perceived legitimacy of the justice system.\nThe enduring imbalance leaves U.S. attorneys looking less like the people they serve, and is in stark contrast to the population of federal prisons, where a disproportionate share of those incarcerated are Black.\n“When you take it in the aggregate, it becomes very evident that the department, as a whole, is simply not valuing diversity at its highest ranks of leadership and not making the most well-informed decisions when those voices are absent from the decision-making process,” said Kenneth Polite Jr., who served as U.S. attorney in New Orleans during Obama’s second term. “It would be silly for anyone to suggest the department couldn’t do better.”\nThe gap is especially relevant in an era when state and local law enforcement are repeatedly being taken to task over decisions not to prosecute police in the killings of Black people. U.S. prosecutors can serve as a backstop in those scenarios by bringing federal charges.\n– Barr defends aggressive federal response to protests\n– White ex-cop gets 20 years for Walter Scott slaying\n– Police officer in 'I can't breathe' death won't be charged\nThe Trump administration’s inability to hire top prosecutors who reflect the nation has also deepened mistrust in communities frustrated by the Justice Department’s shift away from investigating police practices and Attorney General William Barr’s dismissal of the idea of systemic racism in law enforcement.\nWhite House spokesman Judd Deere did not answer questions about the diversity of U.S. attorneys under Trump’s watch, but said in a statement that the administration has “worked closely with U.S. Senators to identify the best candidates to serve as the chief law enforcement officer in their districts back home, and we are very proud of the work that they are doing to keep all Americans safe.”\nFormer prosecutors say that even among qualified and well-meaning professionals, bias can skew prosecutorial decisions where there isn’t a varied group considering cases. It’s something Danny Williams Sr. saw a year after he became a U.S. attorney in Oklahoma in 2012.\nTulsa police had arrested two groups, one white and the other Black, in separate armed robberies, and the cases ended up before federal prosecutors. The facts were similar, so Williams said he was surprised that the proposed charges that reached his desk were different: The Black defendants were facing more potential prison time.\nWilliams, who is Black, said he asked the assistant U.S. attorney who’d handled the cases what factual difference accounted for the disparity. The career prosecutor, who is white, responded that the white defendants were college students, Williams said.\n“I don’t want this story to come off as I thought the guy was racist. I just think that he didn’t grasp, in the charging decision, the way he treated these two different groups differently,” Williams said. “It’s just an example of, this is why you need diversity.”\nThe same charges were ultimately brought in both cases, according to Williams.\nTo be sure, the way bias plays out is complex and there is not a direct relationship between a prosecutor’s race or sex and the decisions he or she makes. Though the U.S. attorney may be the public face of a prosecuting office, he or she is hardly the sole decision-maker, serving instead at the top of a career bureaucracy that relies on the judgment and informed recommendations of lower-level officials who often do the complicated investigative work.\nAfter a white South Carolina police officer gunned down Walter Scott, who was Black, in 2015, the Justice Department secured a 20-year prison sentence for the officer.\nJared Fishman, the white former prosecutor who handled the case, “showed so much compassion and he took on my brother’s case as if it was his own family,” said Anthony Scott, Walter’s older brother.\nBut other families have had their hopes dashed.\nAfter New York prosecutors didn’t bring criminal charges in the death of Eric Garner, the Obama administration launched a federal investigation that was left incomplete and handed off two years later to the Trump administration before Garner’s family got word no charges would be filed. Garner died in 2014 after a police officer’s chokehold.\nAnd years before George Floyd’s death under the knee of a white Minneapolis police officer set off protests around the country, Valerie Castile turned to the federal government after the Minnesota police officer who killed her son was found not to have committed a crime.\nCastile described the Justice Department as “our last hope, when these little towns ... don’t want to do what’s right.”\nFormer St. Anthony police Officer Jeronimo Yanez shot Philando Castile, a Black school cafeteria worker, in July 2016, within two minutes of approaching his car during a traffic stop in the Twin Cities suburb of Falcon Heights. A state court jury acquitted him of second-degree manslaughter the next summer.\nAfter Castile’s death, his mother and political leaders in Minnesota, where police killed at least 60 people between 2008 and 2015, according to state data, pressed for an outside investigation into the shooting and charges of racially biased policing in the region.\nLocal prosecutors got help in the case from the Minnesota U.S. Attorney’s Office, but no independent federal probe was opened.\nThe Justice Department’s Community Oriented Policing Services Office did, however, start a review of the St. Anthony Police Department. Castile testified at a community forum similar to ones the department held during its review of police practices in St. Louis County, Missouri, following the 2014 police shooting death of Michael Brown in Ferguson.\nBut before the office finished its findings, Trump’s Justice Department, under the leadership of then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions, put a stop to all such assessments, according to an announcement of the changes and the office’s former director, Ronald Davis.\nFour years after her son’s death, Castile is confused about what happened with the federal review of the department whose officer killed him. The spokesperson for Minnesota’s U.S. Attorney’s Office declined to discuss its investigation or to characterize its interactions with Valerie Castile.\nBut Castile knows “we’ll never see my son reach his full potential, as a Black man” – a sentiment shared by protesters across the country who are convinced the justice system doesn’t work for people like them.\n“They want to tell you, ‘Oh, it’s not a federal case. We can’t make a case,’” Castile said. “Yes, you can! You change things as you want to.”\nA lack of diversity has long been an issue throughout the federal law enforcement and criminal justice systems. In some places it’s grown more acute under Trump.\nThen-FBI Director James Comey said in 2016 that the bureau’s failure to recruit more minorities had become “a crisis.” In the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, recent court filings show 8% of the agency’s more than 4,000 special agents are Black while about 77% are white.\nAn AP analysis also found nearly 86% of the 206 federal judges confirmed to lifetime positions under Trump have been white — the highest rate of white judicial appointments since George H.W. Bush’s presidency. Two-thirds of Trump’s judicial appointees have been white men; fewer than a quarter have been women.\nAnd at the top of the Justice Department, Trump’s two attorneys general — Barr and Sessions — are also white. That compares with the past three administrations in which Black people, a Latino man and the first female attorney general served as the nation’s top law officer.\n“Oftentimes you go into court and the judge is white, the prosecutor is white, the defense attorney is white, the only person in the courtroom who’s Black is the defendant,” said Gregory Davis, who was a U.S. attorney in Mississippi during the Obama administration.\nU.S. attorneys, who have wide power to bring cases within their districts and draw on the investigative prowess of federal law enforcement agencies, are chosen for Senate confirmation through an interplay of the White House, the Justice Department and political leaders from each state.\nThe path to a U.S. attorney’s office begins with state political leaders, usually senators or governors, making suggestions to the president, who generally picks a new slate of top prosecutors after taking office. The White House then sends one to three candidates for each federal district to the Justice Department to be interviewed and vetted.\nMore than a dozen current U.S. attorneys, including four women, are serving in acting roles. An acting U.S. attorney can be appointed in a number of ways if an office becomes vacant and another person cannot quickly go through Senate confirmation.\nIf the Justice Department doesn’t support a candidate, officials there have to negotiate with the White House for someone else. The state leaders sometimes insist on their picks and exercise significant power over confirmations, which traditionally require the assent of both senators from a prosecutor’s home state.\nIn response to questions for this story the Justice Department provided a statement from Erin Nealy Cox, U.S. attorney in Dallas and chair of the Attorney General Advisory Committee, that did not address the demographic disparities among U.S. attorneys. She said the current group are among “the most dedicated public servants in America” and noted many have long been prosecutors.\nAP Data Editor Meghan Hoyer in Washington contributed to this report.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line621471"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5103883147239685,"wiki_prob":0.4896116852760315,"text":"Insider Access Tour: Behind the Scenes Thursday February 16 2023 at 2:00 PM\nThursday February 16 2023 at 2:00 PM\nHow many tickets would you like?\nDiscover the Cathedral’s hidden stories on the behind-the-scenes tour as you marvel at the building’s artistry and engineering. Journey through stone stairwells and passageways to see stained glass windows up close and magnificent views.\n• All participants must be able to climb stairs (the equivalent of a few flights of stairs over the course of the tour).\nThe tour consists of a variety of spaces, including close quarters, dim lighting, and heights.\n• All participants must be at least 11 years old.\n• By purchasing tickets for a Behind the Scenes tour, you acknowledge that you and anyone else in your party is physically able to handle the tour.\nThis tour is approximately 90 minutes long.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line196258"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7460271120071411,"wiki_prob":0.2539728879928589,"text":"Have you ever taken a close look at paper money? Each U.S. bill has the words “Federal Reserve Note” imprinted across the top.\nBut many individuals may not know why the bill is issued by the Federal Reserve and what role the Federal Reserve plays in the economy. Here’s an inside look.\nThe Federal Reserve, often referred to as “the Fed,” is the country’s central bank. It was founded by Congress in 1913 to provide the nation with a safer, more-flexible, and more-stable monetary and financial system. Prior to its creation, the U.S. economy was plagued by frequent episodes of panic, bank failures, and limited credit.1\nThe Fed has four main roles in the U.S. economy.\nEconomy Watch\nIn addition to its other duties, the Fed has been given three mandates with the economy: maintaining maximum employment, maintaining stable price levels, and maintaining moderate, long-term interest rates.1\nIt’s important to remember that the Fed cannot directly control employment, inflation, or long-term interest rates. Rather, it uses a number of tools at its disposal to influence the availability and cost of money and credit. This, in turn, influences the willingness of consumers and businesses to spend money on goods and services.\nFor example, if the Fed maneuvers short-term interest rates lower, borrowing money becomes less expensive, and people may be motivated to spend. Consumer spending may stimulate economic growth, which may cause companies to produce more products and potentially increase employment. When short-term rates are low, the Fed closely monitors economic activity to watch for signs of rising prices.\nOn the other hand, if the Fed pushes short-term rates higher, borrowing money becomes more expensive, and people may be less motivated to spend. This may, in turn, slow economic growth and cause companies to decrease employment. When short-term rates are high, the Fed must watch for signs of a decline in overall price levels.\nSupervise and Regulate\nThe Fed establishes and enforces the regulations that banks, savings and loans, and credit unions must follow. It works with other federal and state agencies to ensure these financial institutions are financially sound and consumers are receiving fair and equitable treatment. When an organization is found to have problems, the Fed uses its authority to have the organization correct the problems.\nThe Fed maintains the stability of the financial system by providing payment services. In times of financial strain, the Fed is authorized to step in as a lender of last resort, providing liquidity to an individual bank or the entire banking system. For example, the Fed may step in and offer to buy the government bonds owned by a particular bank. By doing so, the Fed provides the bank with money that it can use for its own purposes.\nBanker for Banks, U.S. Government\nThe Fed provides financial services to banks and other depository institutions as well as to the U.S. government directly. For banks, savings and loans, and credit unions, it maintains accounts and provides various payment services, including collecting checks, electronically transferring funds, distributing new money, and receiving and destroying old, worn-out money. For the federal government, the Fed pays Treasury checks; processes electronic payments; and issues, transfers, and redeems U.S. government securities.\nEach day, the Fed is behind the scenes supporting the economy and providing services to the U.S. financial system. And while the Fed’s duties are many and varied, its focus is to maintain confidence in banking institutions.\nA Decentralized Central Bank\nThe Federal Reserve System consists of 12 independent banks that operate under the supervision of a federally appointed Board of Governors in Washington, D.C. Each of these banks works within a specific district, as shown.\nSource: FederalReserve.gov, 2022\n1.FederalReserve.gov, 2022","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line111974"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5465024709701538,"wiki_prob":0.4534975290298462,"text":"Medical Discovery Team on Addiction\nThank your Legislator\nMark Thomas, PhD\ntmhomas@umn.edu\nDr. Thomas is a Professor of Neuroscience and Director of the Medical Discovery Team on Addiction. His research examines how addictive drugs alter the brain and how these changes can lead to compulsive drug use. His lab is now focusing on ways to disrupt addiction relapse.\nArif Hamid, PhD\n★ Newly Hired\nhamid008@umn.edu\nDr. Hamid is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Neuroscience. Studies in the Hamid DiRE-Lab are directed at understanding the neurobiology of brain decision-circuits (particularly the neurotransmitter Dopamine and Cortico-BasalGanglia-Thalamic pathway) that promote reward learning, and the planning and execution of desired goals. Abnormalities in these decision circuits produce neurological, psychiatric, and substance abuse disorders, so work in the lab aims to provide mechanistic and computational insights into how (mal)adaptive behaviors leverage specializations in the underlying circuitry.\nLauren Slosky, PhD\nAssistant Professor★ Newly Hired\nlslosky@umn.edu\nDr. Slosky is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pharmacology. Her work is focused on understanding how neuropeptide G protein-coupled receptors regulate reward, pain, and motivated behavior and how these receptors can be targeted for therapeutic benefit. Bridging molecular and behavioral pharmacology, her lab integrates biochemical, behavioral, and neuroimaging approaches in genetically engineered mice, with the goal of developing safe and effective treatments for cocaine, methamphetamine, and opioid use disorders.\nStephanie Groman, PhD\nsgroman@umn.edu\nDr. Groman is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Neuroscience. Her work is focused on understanding why some individuals are more susceptible to developing addiction compared to others. Her lab integrates measures of decision making and reinforcement learning with neuroimaging, pharmacology, proteomics, and genomic analyses across different developmental stages in animals with the goal of identifying biomarkers of addiction risk and new targets for treating addiction.\nAlexander Herman, MD, PhD\nherma686@umn.edu\nDr. Herman is an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Minnesota Medical School. Dr. Herman's human neuroscience lab studies neural mechanisms of decision making that are impaired in addiction and amenable to treatment with neuromodulation. His lab combines invasive and non-invasive methods including intracranial electrophysiology, direct brain stimulation, magnetoencephalography and transcranial magnetic stimulation.\nAnna Zilverstand, PhD\nannaz@umn.edu\nDr. Zilverstand is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry. Her work is focused on investigating how individual differences contribute to human drug addiction. Her research group combines the analysis of existing large-scale multimodal data sets with the acquisition of new data through a variety of techniques such as interviewing, neurocognitive testing, questionnaires and multi-modal neuroimaging. Novel computational methods are employed for linking social, demographic, neurocognitive, personality and clinical measures to the neuroimaging data, to explore the existence of neurobiological subtypes within the addicted population. The goal of this research is to develop neuroscience-derived individualized treatment for individuals who are at risk for either escalation of drug use or relapse.\nJan Zimmermann, PhD\njanz@umn.edu\nDr. Zimmermann is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Neuroscience and the Center for Magnetic Resonance Research. His lab studies how the brain represents and constructs subjective value and how that signal is used to guide decision making. The lab is particularly interested in how the brain adaptively changes its coding strategy to encode statistical regularities within a changing environment. Using electrophysiology, ultra high field MRI and computational modeling the lab tries to understand how changes in reward encoding sensitivity could relate to a propensity for drug addiction.\nAlik Widge, MD, PhD\nawidge@umn.edu\nDr. Widge is a psychiatrist and biomedical engineer. Clinically, he provides brain stimulation treatments for mood, anxiety, and substance disorders. These include deep brain stimulation, cortical stimulation, and transcranial magnetic stimulation. His research focuses on developing these treatments further, particularly the creation of new \"closed loop\" devices. These devices sense brain signals in real-time and deliver energy in a planned and rational fashion, compensating for each patient's specific brain network abnormalities. Dr. Widge's laboratory prototypes new stimulation paradigms and targets in rodent models, conducts clinical trials of these new technologies, and searches for biomarkers of illness and recovery to guide next-generation therapies.\nJocelyn Richard, PhD\nrichardj@umn.edu\nDr. Richard is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Neuroscience, investigating how external cues interact with stress and negative emotional states to drive drug and alcohol seeking, even after long periods of abstinence. By measuring the activity of neurons critical for normal reward seeking, Dr. Richard can predict how intensely rats will seek out rewards like alcohol when they are exposed to environmental cues that have been previously associated with these rewards. She aims to determine what causes these neurons to be more active when animals are especially vulnerable to relapse, such as during times of intense stress or anxiety.\nBenjamin Saunders, PhD\nbts@umn.edu\nDr. Saunders is an assistant professor of neuroscience and member of the UMN Center for Addiction Neuroscience and Medical Discovery Team on Addiction. His research explores how drug-associated cues in the environment engage the brain to trigger drug use and relapse, with the goal of identifying biological pathways that can be targeted to prevent these behaviors.\nSteven Graves, PhD\ngravess@umn.edu\nDr. Graves is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pharmacology. His research is focused on the neurotoxic effects of particular psychostimulants like methamphetamine and their associations with neurodegenerative diseases.\nSade Spencer, PhD\nspencers@umn.edu\nDr. Spencer is an assistant professor of Pharmacology. The broad goal of her research is to understand the synaptic mechanisms and neurocircuitry underlying drug addiction and comorbid neuropsychiatric diseases. More specifically, her research examines specific changes in synaptic transmission during and after drug self-administration. To accomplish this goal, her lab studies neuroadaptations and behavior in rodent models of addiction using standard approaches in protein biochemistry and behavioral pharmacology as well as incorporating novel techniques to genetically isolate specific cell types and circuits implicated in addiction.\njlemos@umn.edu\nDr. Lemos is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Neuroscience. Her laboratory investigates how stress is processed and encoded in the brain. In particular, they interested in understanding how stress-associated neuropeptides regulate the function of neural circuits important for motivation and emotion in individuals with different life histories. Her laboratory also works to understand how chronic or traumatic stress renders the brain vulnerable to disease states such as depression, anxiety, and addiction.\nBen Hayden, PhD\nAssociate Professor★ Newly Hired\nbenhayden@gmail.com\nDr. Hayden is an Associate Professor in the Department of Neuroscience and the Center for Magnetic Resonance Research. His lab studies the role of the brain activity in making reward-based decisions, and in changing strategies in demanding circumstances. They do this with recordings of activity of populations of neurons in subjects making and adjusting simple decisions. They then compare these patterns with those obtained from subjects exposed to cocaine for long periods of times. This research contributes to a basic understanding of the brain circuitry of drug addiction.\nSarah Heilbronner, PhD\nheilb028@umn.edu\nDr. Heilbronner is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Neuroscience. She studies the \"wiring diagram\" of the brain. She and her team are trying to determine how different brain regions connect with one another. She is especially interested in circuits responsible for abnormal motivation and decision-making in addiction. Heilbronner uses these connectivity studies to figure out how to translate results from humans to nonhuman animal model species, and vice versa.\nMustafa al'Absi, PhD\nmalabsi@d.umn.edu\nDr. al’Absi is a Professor in the Department of Family Medicine and Biobehavioral Health, the Director of Duluth Global Health Research Institute. Dr. al’Absi has been leading a research program integrating basic, laboratory, and clinical methods to elucidate the mechanisms by which acute and chronic stress plays a role in addiction and relapse. An important, replicated finding from his program is the blunted hormonal stress response among smokers and other stimulant users, which manifests as enhanced basal pituitary-adrenocortical activity and decreased response to a range of stressors. This dysregulated pattern of response predicts early relapse. He is currently examining the role of endogenous opioids and cannabinoids in the blunting of the stress response in cannabis users and cigarette smokers.\nJustin Anker, PhD\nanke0022@umn.edu\nDr. Anker received his PhD in Cognitive and Biological Psychology from the University of Minnesota. As a graduate student and postdoctoral trainee, Dr. Anker’s work focused on the biological and behavioral factors that influence vulnerability to addiction and treatment response. Dr. Anker’s current work focuses on translational research that combines methods of assessing biological stress with clinical addiction treatment methods.\nAlfonso Araque, PhD\naraque@umn.edu\nDr. Araque is a Professor in the Department of Neuroscience. His research interests focus on the mechanisms, properties and physiological consequences of the communication between neurons and astrocytes. His research seeks to understand how the communication between neurons and astrocytes affects physiological and pathological aspects of brain function. While most studies on drug addiction are focused on neuronal mechanisms, his team aims to elucidate the involvement of astrocytes in behaviors associated with reward signaling and psychostimulant drugs, which may reveal astrocytes as potential targets for treatment of motivation disorders such as drug addiction.\nGavin Bart, MD, PhD\nbartx005@umn.edu\nDr. Bart is an Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Minnesota and director of the division of Addiction Medicine at Hennepin Healthcare. He is an internist and addiction medicine specialist. His areas of expertise include clinical pharmacology and the pharmacological management of opioid use disorders. His current research areas include the population pharmacokinetics of methadone, genetic influences of methadone pharmacology and treatment outcome, and improving strategies to integrate treatment of opioid use disorders into general medical settings. Dr. Bart is co-PI of NorthStar Node of the NIDA National Drug Abuse Treatment Clinical Trials Network and he is co-Director of the PEPFAR-SAMHSA funded Vietnam HIV-Addiction Technology Transfer Center.\nMiles Belgrade, MD\nbelgr001@umn.edu\nDr. Belgrade is a pain physician at the Minneapolis VA Health Care System and Medical Director for Pain Tele-health at the VA. He also is a staff physician at the Minnesota Head & Neck Pain Clinic. He is an Associate Professor in the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine and Adjunct Professor of Neurology at the University of Minnesota Medical School. He has participated in the development of national guidelines for the management of neuropathic pain and chronic pain and has published widely on a broad spectrum of pain topics. Dr. Belgrade developed the DIRE Score, a tool used internationally to help clinicians determine who is an appropriate candidate for long-term opioid prescribing for chronic pain.\nAngela Birnbaum, PhD, FAES\nbirnb002@umn.edu\nDr. Birnbaum is a Professor in the Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Director of Graduate Studies for the ECP Graduate Program. Her research examines the pharmacokinetic variability in drug exposure and response relationships in special populations.\nJazmin Camchong, PhD\ncamch002@umn.edu\nDr. Camchong investigates the neurobiological basis of addiction. Using neuroimaging techniques such as fMRI, she studies the relationship between patterns of brain circuit activity and treatment outcome, and the ability of non-invasive brain stimulation methods to strengthen brain circuits that support abstinence. Her goal is to develop effective non-drug, non-invasive brain stimulation interventions that aid recovery from addiction and complement existing treatment programs.\nMarilyn Carroll-Santi, PhD\nmcarroll@umn.edu\nDr. Carroll is a Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science. Her research is focused on factors that underlie drug and food addiction, such as genetic differences, impulsivity, and hormonal influences. As Director of a recent P50 Center grant, she conducts translational research with animal and human subjects on sex differences, stimulant addiction and novel treatments. Currently, she is developing animal models of novel self-initiated and -maintained long-term treatments for addiction with the translational goal of having addicted drug users manage their treatment and recovery over long periods of time.\nWei Chen, PhD\nchenx075@umn.edu\nDr. Chen is a Professor of the Departments of Radiology. His research at the Center for Magnetic Resonance Research (CMRR) focuses on development of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)/spectroscopy (MRS) methodologies and technologies for non-invasively studying cellular metabolism, bioenergetics, function and dysfunction of the brain and other organs, which could be valuable for addiction research.\nZhe Chen, PhD\nchen6867@umn.edu\nDr. Chen is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Neuroscience. Her research investigates the development of nerve projections that regulate reward and motivation. Miswiring of these neural circuits can negatively impact self-control and addictive behaviors. Dr. Chen’s lab utilizes a combination of molecular, genetic, and imaging approaches.\nTimothy Ebner, MD, PhD\nProfessor and Head, Department of Neuroscience\nebner001@umn.edu\nDr. Ebner is a Professor and Head of the Department of Neuroscience. His laboratory is interested in how information in the brain is represented spatially and temporally in populations of neurons during behavior.\nDamien Fair, PA-C, PhD\nProfessor, Department of Pediatrics\nfaird@umn.edu\nDr. Fair's career has been devoted to studying the developing brain. He uses non-invasive techniques like MRI to understand and characterize fundamental principles of brain organization structure and function. In this context he applies these principles to characterize and understand the impact and predictors of addictive drugs in adolescence and young adulthood across populations and within individuals.\nCarolyn Fairbanks, PhD\nProfessor, College of Pharmacy\ncarfair@umn.edu\nDr. Fairbanks is a professor of Pharmaceutics, Pharmacology, and Neuroscience and the Associate Dean of Research and Graduate Education of the College of Pharmacy. Dr. Fairbanks and her team investigate the spinal neuroplasticity underlying the development and maintenance of chronic pain. The spinal cord carries pain signals to the brain via excitatory neurotransmission and contains most of the same inhibitory neurotransmission systems as the brain. Dr. Fairbanks' team have applied their observations to the development of new pharmacological and gene therapeutics that are designed to provide pain relief while circumventing the neural circuits that lead to substance use disorders. Spinal delivery of therapeutics that inhibit transmission of the pain signal offers a site selective method of pain control. By targeting therapeutics to the spinal cord to control pain, exposure to brainstem and reward circuitry is limited. Such approaches greatly reduce the risk of overdose and addiction.\nJonathan Gewirtz, PhD\njgewirtz@umn.edu\nDr. Gewirtz is Professor in the Department of Psychology. His research focuses on the roles played by negative emotional states (anxiety, depression) and social stress in addiction and in vulnerability to addiction.\nBrenna Greenfield, PhD\ngreen970@d.umn.edu\nDr. Greenfield is a licensed clinical psychologist and assistant professor in the Department of Family Medicine and Biobehavioral Health on the Duluth Campus of the University of Minnesota Medical School. Her research focuses on substance use disorder treatment and recovery, with an emphasis on behavioral treatments such as mindfulness-based relapse prevention and motivational interviewing, mechanisms of behavior change, longitudinal health services research, and the promotion of health equity. She primarily collaborates with American Indian tribal nations.\nNicola Grissom, PhD\nAssistant Professor, Department of Psychology\nngrissom@umn.edu\nUsing touchscreen behavioral testing and a suite of molecular and genetic techniques in mouse models, we work to uncover the molecular mechanisms in mesocorticolimbic regions that permit mice, and us, to learn new goal-directed behaviors, make decisions and choices between options, maintain motivation, and exert control over impulsive and habitual actions. Because these abilities are often altered in neuropsychiatric diseases, such as in substance use disorders and in neurodevelopmental disorders including autism and ADHD, understanding the molecular regulators of neuronal ensembles mediating these abilities may reveal what makes these brains unique and identify new therapeutic avenues.\nAndrew Harris, PhD\nharr0547@umn.edu\nDr. Harris is a senior investigator at the Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute and an Associate Professor in Medicine and Psychology at the University of Minnesota. His research involves the use of preclinical models to study the behavioral pharmacology of addiction to nicotine, opioids, and other drugs of abuse.\nDorothy Hatsukami, PhD\nhatsu001@umn.edu\nDr. Hatsukami is a Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and is the Associate Director for the Masonic Cancer Center. Her research is focused on understanding tobacco addiction, testing novel tobacco cessation treatments and exploring ways to make currently marketed tobacco products less toxic, appealing and addictive.\nCarrie Haskell-Luevano, PhD\nProfessor & Associate Department Head\nchaskell@umn.edu\nDr. Haskell-Luevano is the Philip S. Portoghese Endowed Chair in Chemical Neuroscience, Professor Associate Department Head in the Department of Medicinal Chemistry, and an Institute for Translational Neuroscience Scholar. Her research program focuses on the chemical biology of a variety of G protein-coupled receptors, including the opioid receptors. In her lab, projects involving the opioid receptors include the design and synthesis of novel probes and lead compounds, investigating ligand-receptor interactions, and exploring novel receptor signaling domains. By characterizing and modulating opioid receptor pharmacology, her work provides novel tools to probe pain management and advances ligand design strategies for opioid receptor based therapeutics.\nSuhasa Kodandaramaiah, PhD\nsuhasabk@umn.edu\nDr. Kodandaramaiah is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Minnesota. His laboratory focuses on engineering neurotechnologies to interface with the brain at multiple spatial and temporal scales. These include robotic tools for single cell recording and manipulation and #d printed polymer implants for large scale neural activity readout and perturbation.\nMichael Kotlyar, PharmD\nkotly001@umn.edu\nDr. Kotlyar is an Associate Professor in the Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology at the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy. His research focuses on evaluating various aspects of tobacco dependence including assessing medications to assist in the smoking cessation attempt and assessing the role of stress on smoking behavior.\nAmy Krentzman, MSW, PhD\nakrentzm@umn.edu\nDr. Krentzman is an Associate Professor at the University of Minnesota School of Social Work. She studies the phenomenon of addiction recovery and therefore studies recovery-oriented systems of care such as sober living houses, 12-step programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous, and recovery concepts such as spirituality and gratitude. Dr. Krentzman also designs interventions to support early recovery and prevent relapse. Her current work focuses on \"Positive Peer Journaling\" which uses a combination of positive psychology and behavioral activation.\nEsther Krook-Magnuson, PhD\nekrookma@umn.edu\nDr. Krook-Magnuson is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Neuroscience. Her work focuses on brain circuitry, including the different types of neurons in the brain and their responsiveness to drugs like opioids.\nMatt Kushner, PhD\nkushn001@umn.edu\nDr. Kushner is a Professor of Psychiatry who studies the association of addiction and comorbid psychiatric disorders. His current research, funded by NIAAA, focuses on developing and testing cognitive behavioral treatments that can improve the alcohol use disorder treatment outcomes for individuals with co-occurring anxiety and depressive disorders.\nAnna Lee, PhD\namlee@umn.edu\nDr. Lee is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pharmacology. Her research focuses on the mechanisms of alcohol and nicotine co-addiction, and the role of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in mediating alcohol and nicotine addiction. Recent interests also include the abuse liability of electronic cigarettes, and sex differences in nicotinic receptor function.\nMark LeSage, PhD\nlesag002@umn.edu\nDr. LeSage is a Senior Investigator in the Department of Medicine at the Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute, and Professor in the Department of Medicine and Adjunct Associate Professor in Psychology at the University of Minnesota. His research is primarily focused on the behavioral pharmacology of nicotine and tobacco, with a focus on using nonhuman drug self-administration and other models to address issues related to tobacco harm reduction and FDA regulation of tobacco products. He also employs nonhuman models to study the behavioral pharmacology of other drugs of abuse (cocaine, opioids) and develop immunotherapies (e.g. vaccines, antibodies) and other types of pharmacotherapies to treat drug abuse.\nDezhi Liao, PhD\nliaox020@umn.edu\nThe misuse of and addiction to prescribed and illegally obtained opioids has caused a national crisis that affects public health and welfare. Our research is focused upon the structural and functional deficits in dendritic spines caused by neurological diseases and disorders. We found that opioids caused collapse of dendritic spines, which are the fundamental structural units for information storage and processing in the brain. The opioid-induced changes in dendritic spines may contribute to opioid addictions as well as opioid-induced cognitive deficits.\nKelvin Lim, MD\nkolim@umn.edu\nDr. Lim is Professor and Vice Chair for Research in the Department of Psychiatry where he holds the Drs. T.J. and Ella M. Arneson Land Grant Chair in Human Behavior. Dr. Lim’s research interest is in the use of neuroimaging approaches to identify circuit abnormalities in brain disorders such as schizophrenia, traumatic brain injury and addiction and then to use these circuits as treatment targets for noninvasive neuromodulation interventions.\nMonica Luciana, PhD\nlucia003@umn.edu\nDr. Luciana is a Distinguished McKnight University Professor in the Department of Psychology. Her research examines brain/behavior relationships in adults and children and the neuroplasticity of neural circuitry during development, as a function of substance use, and in the context of psychopathology. Specifically, she is interested in the neurobiology of executive functions that are mediated by the brain's prefrontal cortex, including working memory, planning, and emotional control as well as reward processing and the neural circuits that promote incentive motivation.\nRobert Meisel, PhD\nmeisel@umn.edu\nDr. Meisel is a Professor in the Department of Neuroscience. A key question addressed by his lab is what makes some people more vulnerable than others to the addictive effects of drugs? One idea he has been testing in an animal model of addiction vulnerability is that the converging neural plasticity of behavioral experience and drug use renders the brain more susceptible to the addictive properties of drugs.\nPaul Mermelstein, PhD\npmerm@umn.edu\nDr. Mermelstein is a Professor in the Department of Neuroscience. His laboratory researches sex differences in the brain. Specifically, how sex hormones (estrogen in females, testosterone in males) alter the synaptic connections in the brain to influence motivated behaviors. He and his team have discovered that when estrogen concentrations rise in females, their vulnerability to abuse addictive drugs increases. They are seeking to determine the mechanisms by which estrogens impart vulnerability to drug addiction, and ways to circumvent these changes in brain plasticity, ultimately in hopes of improving therapeutic interventions.\nJessica Nielson, PhD\njnielson@umn.edu\nDr. Nielson is a neurobiologist and data scientist working at the intersection of computer science and psychiatry to understand the neurobiological mechanisms of mental health disorders that underlie addictive behaviors. She brings her expertise in neuroscience, big-data and precision medicine techniques to the group for data-driven discovery of clinically relevant models of addictive behaviors, with an interest in researching and developing novel therapies to treat the root causes of addiction.\nLaura Palombi, PharmD, MPH, MAT, AE-C\nlpalombi@d.umn.edu\nDr. Palombi is an Assistant Professor at the College of Pharmacy in Duluth. She works with rural community members and coalitions to find community-specific solutions to the opioid crisis and to capitalize on community recovery capital. She also works closely with public health, health professions, and harm reduction professionals to increase access to naloxone.\nCuong Q. Pham, MD\npham0079@umn.edu\nDr. Pham is a physician and Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine and Pediatrics at the University of Minnesota Medical School. He works clinically as a hospitalist at the University of Minnesota Medical Center and as a primary care physician at the Community University Health Care Center (CUHCC). His work on academic medical education in health equity as well as with the underserved communities in the Twin Cities has led him to focus on Community-Based Participatory Research. His current research is in collaboration with the local urban American Indian community to develop a culturally-centered and family-centered approach to opioid use disorder treatment in primary care settings.\nPhilip Portoghese, PhD\nporto001@umn.edu\nThe Portoghese Research Group is focused on the design and synthesis of compounds that target opioid receptors, both as pharmacologic tools and as agents for treatment of pain. Novel concepts and approaches are employed for development of analgesics that are highly selective for different types of opioid receptors.\nDavid Redish, PhD\nredish@umn.edu\nDr. Redish is a Distinguished McKnight University Professor in the Department of Neuroscience. He and his team explore the computational processes that underlie decision-making. His research addresses questions of addiction from the perspective of addiction as dysfunctions in those decision-making processes. His research interests span the neurophysiology of behavior, including computational, experimental, theoretical, and clinical approaches. His laboratory has major research efforts in theoretical explanations of the interactions of multiple decision-making systems, in the neurophysiology of the information processing in those decision-making systems, and in the clinical consequences of dysfunction in those decision-making systems. Through collaborations with other neuroscientists and psychologists translating their novel decision tasks to human populations, and clinicians testing consequences of their proposed explanations for dysfunction, Dr. Redish and his team explore the similarities and differences across species as a means of understanding addiction and its treatment.\nCharles Reznikoff, MD\nrezni009@umn.edu\nDr. Reznikoff practices in addiction medicine and is an addiction medicine doctor at Hennepin Healthcare. He is also an associate professor of medicine at the University of Minnesota. He maintains a clinical addiction medicine practice, while he is actively involved in public advocacy and regulatory issues surrounding controlled substances at the state and federal level, including the opioid prescribing workgroup and the governor's medical cannabis task force. He teaches on addiction medicine and opioid prescribing practices at the University of Minnesota Medical and Dental schools.\nLinda Rinehart, PhD\nlskalski@umn.edu\nDr. Rinehart is a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in assessment and treatment for individuals with substance use disorders. Dr. Rinehart's research focuses on understanding how cannabis use impacts relapse to alcohol among patients with an alcohol use disorder. She also examines how cannabis use impacts treatment outcomes for mood, anxiety, and other drug use disorders.\nPatrick Rothwell, PhD\nrothwell@umn.edu\nDr. Rothwell is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Neuroscience. His research lab investigates the synaptic organization and behavioral function of basal ganglia circuits in health and disease. His interests include regulation of these circuits by endogenous opioid signaling, as well as the detrimental effects of chronic exposure to exogenous opioids, with a broad goal of reducing the abuse liability of opioid-based clinical therapies.\nMark Sanders\nmsanders@umn.edu\nMark Sanders is the Program Director of the University Imaging Centers and member of the Medical Discovery Team on Addiction Structural Circuits Center. His efforts in multimodal imaging and sample preparation will help explore large areas of the intact brain at microscopic resolution with a goal to help investigators identify biological pathways that can be targeted to prevent addictive behaviors.\nRobert J. Schumacher, PhD\nScientific Director, Center for Translational Medicine\nrschumac@umn.edu\nDr. Schumacher is the Scientific Director of the University of Minnesota’s Center for Translational Medicine and Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology. His research focuses on the preclinical testing and clinical translation of innovative drugs, biologics, cell therapies, and devices.\nDonald Simone, PhD\nProfessor & Chair\nsimon003@umn.edu\nDr. Simone is a Professor and Chair of the of Department of Diagnostic and Biological Sciences. His lab studies neural mechanisms underlying cancer pain, pain following chemotherapy, and pain associated with sickle cell disease. Studies are primarily focused on neural encoding of pain by primary afferent and spinal cord neurons, biochemical and molecular changes in DRG and spinal cord that contribute to persistent pain, and pharmacological modulation.\nSheila Specker, MD\nspeck001@umn.edu\nDr. Specker is an Associate Professor and addiction psychiatrist in the Department of Psychiatry. She is Program Director for the Addiction Medicine Fellowship which trains physicians of all specialties in addiction and co-occurring psychiatric disorders. Her research interests include screening and brief intervention for adolescents at risk for substance use disorder and also is co-investigator on the use of neuroimaging approaches to identify circuit abnormalities in addiction. Pharmacotherapies for the treatment of cocaine use disorder has also been a focus of research.\nLaura Stone, PhD\nstone023@umn.edu\nDr. Stone’s research team utilizes both pre-clinical models and patient populations to i) investigate the mechanisms driving low back and musculoskeletal pain, ii) optimize pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments (alone and in combination), iii) understand the impact of chronic pain on the CNS and iv) explore epigenetic regulation of chronic pain. Dr. Stone’s contributions include the development of animal models of low back pain to enable pre-clinical studies, demonstration that attenuating chronic pain can reverse pain-related changes in the CNS and peripheral tissues. The team was also the first to link epigenetic regulation of a single gene to a chronic pain condition in both rodents and humans. The Stone Pain Lab emphasizes studies that contribute towards improved therapeutic strategies for chronic pain that bypass addiction circuits. Dr. Stone is a Professor in the Department of Anesthesiology.\nHeather Swanson, MD\nabbot112@umn.edu\nDr. Swanson works primarily as an Addiction Psychiatrist at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center. She is also an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry, Program Director for the Addiction Psychiatry fellowship, and VA Site Director for the University's Addiction Medicine fellowship. In terms of research, she currently serves as Lead Site Investigator in a multicenter clinical trial, entitled \"Comparative Effectiveness of Two Formulations of Buprenorphine for Treating Opioid Use Disorder in Veterans (VA-BRAVE)\".\nStanley Thayer, PhD\nsathayer@umn.edu\nDr. Thayer is a Professor of Pharmacology. His laboratory studies endocannabinoid signaling. Cannabinoids, analogs of the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, act on receptors that are part of this system. Current studies examine the role of the endocannabinoid system in regulating synaptic transmission, neuroinflammation, and neurotoxicity.\nPhu Tran, PhD\ntranx271@umn.edu\nDr. Tran is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pediatrics. His research focuses on the role of epigenetics in long-term effects of early-life adversity on neural development. His lab has been investigating whether opioids exposure during pregnancy alters the epigenetic signatures of the infant’s cord blood stem cells and whether such change can be a determining factor for addictive behaviors in adolescence and adulthood.\nScott Vrieze, PhD\nvrie0006@umn.edu\nDr. Vrieze's lab investigates the etiology of addiction in humans in two ways. He partners with hundreds of investigators around the world to conduct large genetic association studies of millions of people to find genetic variants and genes that protect or predispose to addiction. The ultimate goal of this research is to identify specific biological and psychological risk factors for addiction, leading to novel therapeutics. He also partners with investigators at the Minnesota Center for Twin and Family Research to conduct longitudinal studies of the development of addiction and psychopathology. The goal is to understand the causes and consequences of addiction.\nLucy Vulchanova, PhD\nvulch001@umn.edu\nResearch in the Vulchanova lab is focused on mechanisms underlying persistent pain. Our long-term goal is to contribute to the development of novel non-addictive chronic pain treatments. We are interested in elucidating the spinal circuits that mediate pain signaling, and in the discovery of novel signaling pathways involved in the development and maintenance of chronic pain. We are employing cutting-edge circuit-tracing, functional imaging, and transcriptomic approaches to investigate the organization of spinal pain circuits, and to quantify the contribution of novel signaling mediators (VGF-derived peptides) to chronic pain.\nMichael Walters, PhD\nResearch Associate Professor\nmwalters@umn.edu\nDr. Walters is a Research Associate Professor in the Department of Medicinal Chemistry. He is also a Director in the Institute for Therapeutics Discovery and Development (ITDD), a full-service drug discovery and development unit within the College of Pharmacy. His research focuses on the synthesis and characterization of novel compounds for the treatment of pain without the abuse liabilities associated with opioids. He is currently collaborating on the development of a compound called MMG22 (Portoghese Laboratory) which shows promise for the non-addictive treatment of cancer pain.\nKevin Wickman, PhD\nProfessor & Head of the Department of Pharmacology\nwickm002@umn.edu\nDr. Wickman is a Professor and Department Head of the Department of Pharmacology. His research program seeks to elucidate inhibitory signaling pathways that regulate the excitability of neurons in the reward circuitry. His team's recent efforts have shown that inhibitory G protein-dependent signaling pathways in the ventral tegmental area and prefrontal cortex normally serve to limit addiction-related behaviors evoked by administration of opioids and psychostimulants, but that the influence of these pathways is diminished with repeated drug exposure. They employ intracranial viral genetic and pharmacologic approaches, together with electrophysiological and behavioral analyses, to understand the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the reciprocal relationship between inhibitory signaling pathways in the reward circuitry and drugs of abuse. The premise behind their efforts is that if endogenous inhibitory signaling pathways can be strengthened to prevent their suppression by drugs of abuse, then the risk of addiction in susceptible individuals and/or relapse in recovering addicts might be reduced or prevented.\nGeorge Wilcox, PhD\nProfessor, Department of Neuroscience\ngeorge@umn.edu\nDr. Wilcox’s current research program has identified the cellular site and molecular mechanism mediating interdrug analgesic synergy in the central and peripheral terminals of nociceptors. His laboratory has most recently been funded to conduct preclinical development of a peripherally restricted, synergistic combination of two opioid agonists that shows high potency in multiple animal models of persistent pain. This analgesic combination manifests none of the troublesome effects of opioids mediated in the CNS, including addiction liability and respiratory depression.\nSylia Wilson, PhD\nAssistant Professor, McKnight Land-Grant Professor\nsyliaw@umn.edu\nDr. Wilson is a McKnight Land-Grant Assistant Professor in the Institute of Child Development. Her research examines the developmental etiology of psychopathology—the underlying processes that lead to the development and familial transmission of internalizing and externalizing problems, including addiction. Her research integrates developmental, clinical, and neuroscience methods, and takes a lifetime developmental perspective that includes the study of infants, children, adolescents, and adults. She uses study designs and populations that are causally and genetically informative, including longitudinal, high-risk family, and twin designs, and takes a multimodal approach that includes behavioral, observational, neurocognitive, psychophysiological, and magnetic resonance imaging methods.\n6-145 Jackson Hall\nEmail: mdtaddiction@umn.edu","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line45248"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7336735725402832,"wiki_prob":0.2663264274597168,"text":"Evolution of tsunami warning systems and products\nBernard, E., and V.V. Titov\nPhilos. Trans. R. Soc. Lond. A, 373(2053), 20140371, doi: 10.1098/rsta.2014.0371 (2015)\nEach year, about 60 000 people and $4 billion (US$) in assets are exposed to the global tsunami hazard. Accurate and reliable tsunami warning systems have been shown to provide a significant defence for this flooding hazard. However, the evolution of warning systems has been influenced by two processes: deadly tsunamis and available technology. In this paper, we explore the evolution of science and technology used in tsunami warning systems, the evolution of their products using warning technologies, and offer suggestions for a new generation of warning products, aimed at the flooding nature of the hazard, to reduce future tsunami impacts on society. We conclude that coastal communities would be well served by receiving three standardized, accurate, real-time tsunami warning products, namely (i) tsunami energy estimate, (ii) flooding maps and (iii) tsunami-induced harbour current maps to minimize the impact of tsunamis. Such information would arm communities with vital flooding guidance for evacuations and port operations. The advantage of global standardized flooding products delivered in a common format is efficiency and accuracy, which leads to effectiveness in promoting tsunami resilience at the community level.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line459759"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.701224148273468,"wiki_prob":0.298775851726532,"text":"Robust and Minimum Divergence Statistical Inference\nWalk-in interviews will be conducted on 23 March 2020 (Monday) at 10:30 a.m. in the Interdisciplinary Statistical Research Unit Seminar Room (4th floor, R.A. Fisher Bhavan) of the Indian Statistical Institute, Kolkata for recruitment of one (01) Project linked person on purely temporary basis in the Interdisciplinary Statistical Research Unit of the Institute, Kolkata.\nContact Person: Interdisciplinary Statistical Research Unit, 033-2575-5054\nPsychological Counsellor\nThe Institute invites applications from registered organisations specialized in providing counselling sessions to an individual or a group of students, staff and their family members for its Headquarters in Kolkata initially for one year and extendable year wise based on satisfactory performance.\nAnnounces vacancy for the post of DIRECTOR of the Institute w.e.f. 1st August, 2020.\nContact Person: Brig. J N Pandey (Retd.), Non-Member Secretary Council and Chief Executive (Administration & Finance), 033-2575-2251.\nUnified Software Defined Architecture for Industrial Internet-of-Things\nA walk-in-interview will be conducted on 10 February 2020 at 11:00 a.m. for the recruitment of one (01) Project linked person purely on temporary basis in the Advanced Computing & Microelectronics Unit (ACMU) of the Institute, Kolkata.\nContact Person: Advanced Computing & Microelectronics Unit, 033-2575-3012\nUnravelling the interdisciplinary facets of physics and data sciences in real life socio-economic challenges\nApplications are invited from highly motivated and eligible candidates for recruitment of one Project linked Junior Research Fellow (JRF) purely on temporary basis in the Physics and Applied Mathematics Unit of the Institute, Kolkata.\nContact Person: Physics and Applied Mathematics Unit, 033-2575-3020","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line258686"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8883432745933533,"wiki_prob":0.8883432745933533,"text":"Women’s Suffrage History at the Governor’s Mansion\nUSS Olympia Silver Program at the Mansion\nGMF 50 Year Timeline\nMansion Families Gallery\nArt in the Mansion\nTour Handouts\nOfficers/Comm/Reports\nOfficers, Committees\n2020 Report to the Community\nLeo Adams to Olympia\nGovernor's Mansion Foundation\nPOB 4052\ninfo@wagovmansion.org\nThe Governor’s Mansion Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.\nThe Governor’s Mansion is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the Washington Heritage Register.\nThe Governor's Mansion Foundation*, an all-volunteer, non-profit, non-partisan organization, honors the historical and cultural importance of the Washington State Governor's Mansion by maintaining and enhancing furnishings and art for the public rooms of the Mansion, educating the public about the Mansion and its history and advocating on its behalf.\n*The Governor's Mansion Foundation is independent of the Governor's office and Governor.\n© 2023 Olympia Governor's Mansion Foundation. Website by 20 Miles North\nFoundation Email","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line507810"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6964916586875916,"wiki_prob":0.30350834131240845,"text":"The Election Results and National Energy Policy\nIn trying to read the effect of the 2012 elections on national energy policy, there are at least five places to look:\n1. Continuity at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission\nOne of the more dramatic changes that occurred during the first Obama term was a shift in the mission of the Federal Regulatory Commission. FERC fundamentally regulates wholesale power rates and electric power rates in interstate commerce. Since 1992, FERC has seen its primary mission as promoting the expansion of competitive wholesale power markets and the accoutrements needed to support those markets. This has not changed. But the older FERCs were agnostic as to fuel choice for generating electricity and silent on issues effecting the environment. The current Commission has repeatedly acknowledged what it sees as the importance of policies promoting renewable energy development and has refined the agency’s policies in areas such as wholesale power market design as well as electric transmission planning and pricing to reflect that priority. Current Chair Jon Wellinghoff has a steady history of promoting renewable energy and a keen interest in advancing the use of electric vehicles. Look for these policies to continue, especially if Wellinghoff stays at the helm.\n2. New Leadership at the Department of Energy\nIn choosing Steven Chu to head the Department of Energy, President Obama turned to a brilliant scientist with no taste for the political fight. It is extremely important that DOE has been run by someone who understands energy and deeply cares about promoting both energy efficiency and renewable energy development. It would be hard to say these things about most DOE leaders as they walked in the door. With the ever-growing profile of energy issues, the President can now choose a new DOE leader from a list of people both steeped in energy policy and ready to go into battle. The result may be the selection of a secretary who can be an even stronger voice affecting the policy discussion on the Hill and beyond. In the meantime, expect more progress from the lower ranks of the agency, as the mid-level leaders brought in during the current administration begin to hit their stride. It takes years to staff up, identify preferred strategies, and start to make them work.\n3. New Opportunity in the U.S. Senate\nWith the retention of control in the Senate and the retirement of Senator Bingaman, leadership in the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources shifts to Oregon Senator Ron Wyden. This may prove to be a significant change. While Bingaman and Wyden might share some basic values about the importance emphasizing renewable energy and other cleaner sources, Senator Wyden seems to have greater interest in working across the aisle, a willingness to question policy that promotes unfettered exploitation of natural gas resources and an eye toward using the federal stage to motivate better renewable energy policy in the states. Working in a chronically obstructed institution where one member can often stop new legislation in its tracks, and living next door to a House of Representative controlled by another party makes any significant progress on energy policy a steep challenge. Wyden seems to be eager and excited to take it on.\n4. Further De-Emphasis of Coal by the Environmental Protection Agency\nOthers can better describe strategies at the EPA and assess the likelihood of Congressional budget actions getting in the way. However, the Administration’s mercury rules have created the potential for further significant reductions in the use of coal for electric generation, and its efforts to reduce methane leakage at hydraulic fracturing sites could go a long way to improve the carbon footprint of natural gas. Certainly, these efforts and others affecting the energy landscape have a greater chance of surviving through the next four years under the current leadership.\n5. A Change of Tune from the Bully Pulpit\nFor two years, President Obama omitted any reference to climate change in his State of the Union address, and abandoned efforts to promote climate legislation. In celebrating his successful re-election, he brought up the subject again. The country will accomplish little on the national level to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adopt energy policy consistent with that result in the absence of a strong voice from the top, and a willingness to insist on maintaining public attention on the subject. There is at least a chance that the President may now be able to provide that leadership.\n2012 elections, Climate Change, Department of Energy, energy policy, Environmental Protection Agency, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Jon Wellinghoff, Steven Chue\nUnraveling Hydrogen: Part I\nIs Bipartisanship Possible?\nSteve established and directed the Energy Law Program at Berkeley Law. He is currently a Lecturer at the Goldman School of Public Policy.…\nPOSTS BY Steven\nDon’t Leave the Public Out of the Public Utilities Commission\nCalifornia may have denied due process for those questioning PGE’s penalty for starting the Kincade Fire\nUnintended Consequences Create Challenges for Utility Regulators\nMaking sure that regulatory incentives do what the regulators intended.\nSome of the Things Federal Agencies Can Do to Address Climate Change\nCurrent federal law provides many ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, even without a friendly senate\nThe members of the U.S. Supreme Court cannot credibly decide 2020 elections cases\nTo do so could impair faith in our democratic institutions\nWe All Have a Role in This Fight\nThose who fight for the environment must fight for racial justice, as well.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line228749"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9493264555931091,"wiki_prob":0.9493264555931091,"text":"Chernobyl>\nImage from a Japanese Ground Self-Defense video shows part of the stricken Fukushima nuclear power plant on March 27. (AFP/HO/File)\nJapan May Have Lost Race to Save Nuclear Reactor\nOwner Account\nThe radioactive core in a reactor at the crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant appears to have melted through the bottom of its containment vessel and on to a concrete floor, experts say, raising fears of a major release of radiation at the site.\nThe warning follows an analysis by a leading US expert of radiation levels at the plant. Readings from reactor two at the site have been made public by the Japanese authorities and Tepco, the utility that operates it.\nRichard Lahey, who was head of safety research for boiling-water reactors at General Electric when the company installed the units at Fukushima, told the Guardian workers at the site appeared to have \"lost the race\" to save the reactor, but said there was no danger of a Chernobyl-style catastrophe.\nWorkers have been pumping water into three reactors at the stricken plant in a desperate bid to keep the fuel rods from melting down, but the fuel is at least partially exposed in all the reactors.\nAt least part of the molten core, which includes melted fuel rods and zirconium alloy cladding, seemed to have sunk through the steel \"lower head\" of the pressure vessel around reactor two, Lahey said.\n\"The indications we have, from the reactor to radiation readings and the materials they are seeing, suggest that the core has melted through the bottom of the pressure vessel in unit two, and at least some of it is down on the floor of the drywell,\" Lahey said. \"I hope I am wrong, but that is certainly what the evidence is pointing towards.\"\nThe major concern when molten fuel breaches a containment vessel is that it reacts with the concrete floor of the drywell underneath, releasing radioactive gases into the surrounding area. At Fukushima, the drywell has been flooded with seawater, which will cool any molten fuel that escapes from the reactor and reduce the amount of radioactive gas released.\nLahey said: \"It won't come out as one big glob; it'll come out like lava, and that is good because it's easier to cool.\"\nThe drywell is surrounded by a secondary steel-and-concrete structure designed to keep radioactive material from escaping into the environment. But an earlier hydrogen explosion at the reactor may have damaged this.\n\"The reason we are concerned is that they are detecting water outside the containment area that is highly radioactive and it can only have come from the reactor core,\" Lahey added. \"It's not going to be anything like Chernobyl, where it went up with a big fire and steam explosion, but it's not going to be good news for the environment.\"\nThe radiation level at a pool of water in the turbine room of reactor two was measured recently at 1,000 millisieverts per hour. At that level, workers could remain in the area for just 15 minutes, under current exposure guidelines.\nA less serious core meltdown happened at the Three Mile Island nuclear plant in Pennsylvania in 1979. During that incident, engineers managed to cool the molten fuel before it penetrated the steel pressure vessel. The task is a race against time, because as the fuel melts it forms a blob that becomes increasingly difficult to cool.\nIn the light of the Fukushima crisis, Lahey said all countries with nuclear power stations should have \"Swat teams\" of nuclear reactor safety experts on standby to give swift advice to the authorities in times of emergency, with international groups co-ordinated by the International Atomic Energy Authority.\nThe warning came as the Japanese authorities were being urged to give clearer advice to the public about the safety of food and drinking water contaminated with radioactive substances from Fukushima.\nRobert Peter Gale, a US medical researcher who was brought in by Soviet authorities after the Chernobyl disaster, in 1986, has met Japanese cabinet ministers to discuss establishing an independent committee charged with taking radiation data from the site and translating it into clear public health advice.\n\"What is fundamentally disturbing the public is reports of drinking water one day being above some limit, and then a day or two later it's suddenly safe to drink. People don't know if the first instance was alarmist or whether the second one was untrue,\" said Gale.\n\"My recommendation is they should consider establishing a small commission to independently convert the data into comprehensible units of risk for the public so people know what they are dealing with and can take sensible decisions,\" he added.\nOur work is licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0). Feel free to republish and share widely.\nLika's about html\nChernobylFukushimaJapanNuclear PowerWater","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1175790"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.787345290184021,"wiki_prob":0.787345290184021,"text":"Gazprom Exports Rise 30%\nBy The Moscow Times\nGazprom said it increased exports by 30 percent in the first quarter of 2011, including a 12 percent rise in its European market, where prices turned in its favor.\n\"In the past year, spot prices in Europe have caught up with and even exceeded Gazprom contract prices,\" Gazprom quoted chief executive Alexei Miller as saying in a statement Monday. \"If in January-March 2010 the average export contract price for Gazprom gas was about $293 [per 1,000 cubic meters] and exceeded spot prices by 50 percent, the difference between average spot and contract prices in the first three months of 2011 fell to 8 percent.\"\nGazprom's average European export price in the first quarter was $346 per 1,000 cubic meters, it said, noting that spot prices hit $400 and more in the quarter.\ntaking aim\nThe U.S. Treasury Department declared Russia's shadowy Wagner Group a “transnational criminal organization” and imposed fresh sanctions on...\nRussian and international human rights activists on Thursday condemned the dissolution of the Moscow Helsinki Group (MHG), Russia's oldest independent...\nturning the screws\nUpdates with Timchenko comments Russia's General Prosecutor's Office has added the independent news outlet Meduza to the country's list of “undesirable&rdquo...\nPivot to Asia\nUzbekistan will import natural gas from Russia for the first time ever as the Central Asian country faces an energy crisis, the authorities in Tashkent...","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1848966"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5758412480354309,"wiki_prob":0.4241587519645691,"text":"India Now Boasts Four Out of the Top Five Fastest Growing Spirit Brands in the World\nA bottling plant worker checks bottles of Black Power whisky for impurities at a Tilaknagar Industries distillery and bottling unit in Srirampur, about 186 miles northwest of Mumbai, January 28, 2013\nVivek Prakash — REUTERS\nBy Joanna Plucinska\nAugust 7, 2015 5:33 AM EDT\nIndia’s love affair with whisky has spurred domestic brands into becoming some of the biggest players in the global liquor market, with four of the world’s top five fastest growing spirits now hailing from the South Asian nation.\nIndian whiskies also occupy seven of the top 25 fastest growing spirit brands, according to a recent study carried out by International Wine and Spirit Research, a London-based industry firm, with another five brands in that group focusing on India as their key market.\nImperial Blue is leading the way with 27.7% growth between 2013-14, with Officer’s Choice following closely behind at 18.4%, the study says, largely due to its popularity among lower-income consumers. Officer’s Choice has already overtaken Smirnoff as the world’s largest spirits brand, according to a recent article in India’s Economic Times.\nRoyal Stag and McDowell’s, owned by Diageo, follow closely behind.\nThe spirit’s popularity amongst Indians shows no signs of stopping — domestic consumption of whisky grew by 4% between 2013 and 2014, even while other spirits like vodka and brandy saw a fall in demand.\n“The opportunities within the Indian spirits market are plentiful, especially among this lower socio-economic group,” the report said.\nNorth Korea Is Creating Its Own Time Zone\nThe 25 Defining Works of the Black Renaissance","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line340009"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.569547176361084,"wiki_prob":0.569547176361084,"text":"IWD - UNSW Business School\nBy Seda Cokcetin\nI am raising money to support Dress for Success Sydney’s life-changing programs and services.\nThis International Women's Day, UNSW Business School is excited to partner with Dress for Success. Your donation will help to rebuild the lives of women doing it tough by instilling confidence, restoring dignity and building resilience, to help women facing challenges thrive in 2023 and beyond.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line155662"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.553199052810669,"wiki_prob":0.44680094718933105,"text":"THE SCIENCE BEHIND ZOFIN\nZOFIN\nBIOLOGIC PIPELINE\nProteomic Analysis of Amniotic Fluid Derived Exosome Cargo Reveals a Therapeutic Potential for Regenerative Therapies\nRead the full article here: https://organicell.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Proteomic-Analysis-of-Amniotic-Fluid-Derived-Exosome-Cargo-Reveals-a-Therapeutic-Potential-for-Regenerative-Therapies.pdf\nOctober 25, 2020 /by Organicell\nhttps://organicell.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Publication_Header_Images_2-02.png 875 2534 Organicell https://organicell.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/organicell.svg Organicell2020-10-25 05:52:512021-06-04 13:36:28Proteomic Analysis of Amniotic Fluid Derived Exosome Cargo Reveals a Therapeutic Potential for Regenerative Therapies\nMenu footer 1\nSubscribe to our newsletter! *\nExample: Yes, I would like to receive emails from Organicell. (You can unsubscribe anytime)\nBy submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: Organicell. You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact\nCopyright © 2023 Organicell Regenerative Medicine, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy.\nOrganicell Partners with Regenerative Care Network to Study Potential Therapeutic... Organicell Provides Update on Its COVID-19 Clinical Trial Using ZofinTM\nIan T. Bothwell\nInterim Chief Executive Officer\nChief Financial Officer, Board Member\nFrom 2003 through November 2015, Mr. Bothwell served in various executive positions for Central Energy GP LLC, the general partner of Central Energy Partners LP, a publicly traded master limited partnership.\nFrom July 2007 through November 2015, Mr. Bothwell served as President and a director of Regional Enterprises, Inc. Since April 2007, Mr. Bothwell has served as the President and controlling member of Rover Technologies, LLC, a company formed to provide management solutions to the public transportation industry. Since 2015, Mr. Bothwell has also served as the President and controlling member of CountOnMe Inc., a company that provides software solutions for the educational industry. Mr. Bothwell received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Boston University in 1984.\nIvan Santos\nBiologics Manufacturing and Operations Manager\nIvan Santos is the Biologics Manufacturing and Operations Manager at Organicell. Experienced in regenerative medicine, Ivan has a strong ability to translate design requirements into actionable plans. He brings valuable experience in biotechnology and neuroscience research, and is a key contributor to the development of novel therapeutics at Organicell.\nIvan is immensely adept with biologic quantification techniques such as ELISA assays, bradford analysis, flow cytometry, nanosight technology, and is skilled in biologic processing such as exosome isolation, and cell culturing and expansion.\nHe also has extensive experience with MATLAB/Simulink, Wolfram Mathematics, and Python, contributing qualitative analysis programing to biologic research and manufacturing.\nSKILLS INCLUDE:\nELISA/Bradford/Flow Cytometry/Nano sight\nMSCs Cell Culture/Exosomes Isolation\nQuality Assurance/Validation\nExtensive experience in MATLAB/Simulink, Wolfram Matematica, Python\nAlbert Mitrani\nExecutive VP of Sales, Co-Founder\nMr. Mitrani serves as the Executive VP of Sales, Co-Founder and Board Member at Organicell Regenerative Medicine, Inc. He formerly served as the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, Secretary and Treasurer at Organicell Regenerative Medicine, Inc. (alternate name Biotech Products since June 24, 2011). Mr. Mitrani formerly served as the Chief Executive Officer, President and Director of Analytical Stem Cell Corp. from April 2014 to May 2015. From February 2012 to March 2014, Mr. Mitrani served as the Chief Executive Officer of Americell Trinidad and the President of ASCAAC LLC (American Stem Cell) from March 2011 to January 2013. Mr. Mitrani served as the Chief Executive Officer of American Cellular Center in Quito Ecuador from 2009 through 2012.\nHIS SPECIALTIES INCLUDE:\nProven achievement in fundraising for Regenerative based companies.\nProven achievement in opening medical clinics in developing countries.\nProven achievement in entrepreneurial endeavors of new concepts.\nOwner of numerous successful businesses utilizing retail and cable television sales channels.\nExperienced manager of daily operations to maximize revenues and gain market share.\nStem Cell Therapeutics\nExosome Therapeutics\nRadio Frequency and Microcurrent Therapeutics\nMarketing: Excellent knowledge of retail and direct to consumer sales channels.Consistently provenability to design and direct marketing campaigns leading to increased gross sales, increased market share and reduced cost-of-sales. Image, brand development and market positioning.\nOperations: Sound business judgment with strong focus on improving performance. Troubleshooting actual and potential problem areas andimplementing viable solutions that are both profitable and efficient.\nProduct Management: Involved in all phases of development for product lines from conception to distribution ensuring completion within budget and meeting deadlines.\nCW Post Long Island University\nBachelor of Science, Business Management\nPANAMERICAN SCHOOL OF NATURAL MEDICINE\nNevis, West Indies\nDoctor of Naturopathy\nWORLD ORGANIZATION OF NATURAL MEDICINE PRACTITIONERS\nDoctor of Natural Medicine\nGrand Prior, The Sovereign Medical Order of the Knights Hospitaller\nPapal Knight, Order. St Sylvester\nAwarded Papal Knight from Cardinal Bertone Secretary of State at the Vatican\nMaria Ines Mitrani, M.D., PhD\nChief Science Officer, Co-Founder, Board Member\nDr. Maria Ines “Mari” Mitrani is the Chief Science Officer and co-founder of Organicell Regenerative Medicine. For the past 13 years, Dr. Mitrani has led Organicell in developing innovative treatments to various health conditions. She was most recently recognized as one of the ‘Top 100 Healthcare Leaders’ by IFAH for her work spearheading COVID-19 therapeutics. Over the past few years, Dr. Mitrani has built a team of forward-thinking scientists and researchers and has received several FDA approvals to conduct clinical trials; these include COVID-19 acute and Long Hauler sequelae, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, and Knee Osteoarthritis.\nHER ADVANCED TRAINING INCLUDES:\nStem Cell Science\nStem Cell Treatments\nPerinatal Laboratory Processing Techniques\nAnti-Aging Treatments\nDr. Mitrani graduated from the Universidad San Francisco de Quito with an MD and her Ph.D. from S.O.M.A. (Medical Society of Natural Therapies), She received her Doctor of Acupuncture from the Panamerican University of Natural Medicine.\nJoseph Rogers\nQuality Assurance Associate\nJoseph Rogers is a recent graduate from the Biomedical Engineering Master’s program at the University of Miami. He has over two years of clinical experience and over a year of research experience, including subjects related to neurological disorders and diseases.\nADVANCED TRAINING INCLUDES:\nMedical product development\niPS cell research\nLumbar and cervical injuries\nPost-op patient training\nBiodex testing\nDNA and RNA extraction\nPlasmid construction\nJoseph is a graduate of the University of Miami, where he received his bachelor of science in Biology with a minor in Chemistry. He received his master of science in biomedical engineering with a focus on tissue design from the University of Miami in 2020.\nTania del Rivero, Ph.D.\nTania del Rivero, Ph.D. is a highly analytical research scientist with over 12 years of experience working in biomedical research. Her field of expertise includes molecular biology, immunology, and neuroscience.\nTania has worked in numerous settings, including both clinical and laboratory settings. She has overseen multiple clinical research projects from residents and faculty at Aventura Hospital and Kendall Regional Medical Center in Miami, FL. Additionally, she has worked in various research laboratories to develop novel drugs and study their biological effects in cell culture and animal models.\nDr. del Rivero earned her doctorate from Drexel University, where her thesis focused on the role of tumor necrosis factor in neuropathic pain. She has also authored numerous publications covering subjects such as osteoporosis, osteomyelitis, spinal cord injury, and neuropathic pain.\nDeveloping cell culture models\nExosome isolation and quantification\nRNA extraction, qPCR\nELISAs and Multiplex Immunoassays\nDr. del Rivero earned her bachelor of science in neuroscience and behavioral biology in 2010 from Emory University in Atlanta, GA, where she graduated summa cum laude. In 2017, she graduated from Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA, with her doctorate in biology.\nInduction to Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology Honors Research Program\nTravel Award for CISAB (Center for the Integrative Study of Animal Behavior) Conference — Honorable Mention for best Oral Presentation at CISAB Conference\nInduction ro AAAS/Science Program for Excellence in Science\nSheila and David Fuente Neuropathic Pain Research Program Graduate Fellowship\nNeuroscience Scholars Program Associate-Society for Neuroscience\nKeynote Speaker for Drexel University Spinal Cord Injury Symposium\nDrexel Biology Department Travel Award\nMember of Consortium for Excellence in Medical Education (CEME) Board of Directors\nCassie Bennett, Ph.D.\nDr. Cassie Bennett holds her doctorate in biomedical engineering. She focuses in research, development, and project management within biomedical environments. Her accomplished work has led her to author and co-author numerous peer-reviewed papers, as well as several poster conference presentations. Dr. Bennett received her doctorate from The University of Miami, during which time she worked as a research assistant and lab manager until her graduation. After graduating, she joined the Organicell team to oversee quality control, the development of standard operating procedures, and quality assurance at the biomedical level.\nImmunochemistry\nTissue & Blood Processing\nCell Work\nLab Management\nMedical & Technical Writing\nDr. Bennett received her Bachelor of Science in Biological Engineering from Mississippi State University in 2016. In 2021, she graduated with her doctorate in Biomedical Engineering from The University of Miami.\nBOARD AFFILIATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS\nSociety Of Neuroscience | Member\nAmerican Medical Writers Association | Member\nSix Sigma | Green Belt Certified\nMichael A. Bellio, Ph.D.\nVice President, Manufacturing & Processing\nAs the Laboratory Director at Organicell Regenerative Medicine, I have lead the research, development, and manufacturing of novel biological medicine for the treatment of pulmonary, cardiovascular, and orthopedic degenerative disease. Our teams mission is to advance biological medicine to offer safe and effective solutions to treat diseases. I received comprehensive training manufacturing, characterizing, and culturing primary stem cells and cell derived nanoparticles and exosomes for research, pre-clinical, and clinical regenerative medicine application at the University of Miami’s Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute (ISCI). This experience includes the translation of molecular biology techniques including, flow cytometry analysis, protein and RNA analysis, and fluorescence microscopy to the completion of research development and processing validation tasks required in an expanding cGMP production facility. My past research has focused on the develop of in vitro culture systems that modulate physiological levels of oxygen to better isolate and expand potent cell products for use in translational and clinical projects. More recently, I have developed a methodology for the large-scale manufacturing of exosome products from bioreactors for use in translational and pre-clinical research and presented the results at the 2019 International Society of Cell Therapy meeting as a young professional abstract awardee.\nEDUCATION/TRAINING:\nB.S. – Biology\nUniversity of Miami- Miller School of Medicine\nPh.D. – Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology\nUniversity of Miami- Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute\nPost-Doc – Clinical Cell Manufacturing\nJulian Milberg\nJulian Milberg’s background and training are in the field of engineering, specifically Biomedical Engineering. His skill and expertise in highly evolved\nequipment have proven to be a major asset to the industry. He has worked with the Leica Confocal and a Leica TCS SP8 Stimulated Emission Depletion (STED) imaging modality and has instructed engineering students on the proper use and maintenance of a scanning electron microscope. His current work with Organicell in the field of Nanotechnology, specifically with the\nNano Sight NS 300 is helping the industry in looking into the field of virus and vaccine development, gene therapy, and drug delivery systems. In addition to his instructional experience, Mr. Milberg has published technical articles concerning cancer treatment.\nHIS ADVANCED TRAINING INCLUDES:\nAnalysis of Amniotic Fluid\nScanning Electron Microscopy\nTesting of Biomedical Equipment\nMr. Milberg graduated from The University of Miami, School of Engineering after obtaining a BS in Biomedical Engineering and then his Master’s Degree in the field.\nMicrosoft Office Suite Certified\nCITI Animal Care and Use\nPractical Radiologic Technologist\nBasics of Extracellular Vesicles\nFluent in German and Conversant in Spanish\nDanique Stewart\nAs Quality Assurance Associate Danique is responsible for the development and implementation of Organicell™’s Quality Management System. Additionally, she reviews and audits the Standard Operation Procedures for Organicell™ ensuring good manufacturing practices (GMP) are met and exceeded. Experienced in laboratory management Danique brings a wealth of knowledge to her role.\nDanique holds a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering from Florida International University. She also graduated with honors from Miami Dade College (MDC) with an Associates of Arts in Biology\nDevelopment and Implementation of Organicell Quality Management System\nReview and Audit of Standard Operating Procedures for Organicell Manufacturing Laboratory\nImplementation of GMP standards within Organicell Laboratory\nBatch Record Review and Release\nSemi-Annual Audits of Organicell Quality Management System\nContinual update of Organicell Laboratory’s Quality System based on rules and regulations outlined in FDA Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).\nZanub Abdullah\nCell Processing Specialist\nZanub is a Cell Processing Specialist at Organicell Regenerative Medicine and brings close to four years of professional experience in medical, manufacturing, quality assurance, regulatory and service environments. She is proficient in FDA rules, regulations, and current good manufacturing practices (cGMP) for research and clinical manufacturing.\nProcess extracellular vesicles and perinatal-derived nanoparticles to create therapies for patients following strict FDA guidelines.\nWrite and revise Standard Operation Procedures (SOPs).\nResponsible for laboratory maintenance, reagent receipt and inspection, data entry and analysis, stocking of supplies, and day to day functions of the laboratory.\nResponsible for placing all laboratory orders and returns.\nProcess, store, and release therapies for clincal trails and emergency INDs.\nGeorge Shapiro, M.D., F.A.C.C.\nChief Medical Officer, Board Member\nDr. Shapiro has been a practicing physician for 30 years, specializing in Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Disease and Age Management Medicine. His career in medicine began in 1988 when he graduated from New York Medical College. An internship and residency then followed at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, after which Dr. Shapiro completed a fellowship at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1994, focusing on Cardiovascular Disease Management, including Congestive Heart Failure and Heart Transplantation.\nDr. Shapiro was the recipient of the 10th Annual Alan P. Mintz, M.D. Award, for Clinical Excellence in Age Management Medicine, as he has become known nationwide as an expert in age management medicine, and leads one of the most prominent age management practices in the country as president of Cenegenics New York City.\nAlways challenged by the need for innovative medicine, Dr. Shapiro has patented medical devices as well as explored and innovated new medical protocols. He has long been known as one of New York’s foremost cardiologists, specializing in regenerative medicine and improving longevity, including the genomics of cardiovascular disease and congestive heart failure.\nDr. Shapiro is active in 13 medical societies, has been a speaker for the Age Management Medicine Group (AMMG) group for many years, and is a long-standing member of the AMMG Conference Planning Committee. Dr. Shapiro was named 2016-2020 Top Doctor in New York City.\nLarry Ziff\nFinancial and Regulatory Advisor\nLarry Ziff has more than 33 years of experience serving the insurance industry. He is recognized as an innovator who brought life insurance to the banking industry by starting the first division of insurance at United Jersey Bank. In addition to being one of the first people to bring life insurance into banks, it should be noted that he has also introduced the world of accounting firms into the life insurance business, and was one of the first people to work as an independent producer representing multiple insurance companies.\nLarry began his career with Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance, where he was named New Agent of the Year. He has authored a large number of articles and publications and is often quoted by the media on insurance topics. Ziff has received numerous outstanding performance awards and is considered by industry players to be in the top tier of insurance brokers nationwide.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1020237"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5485853552818298,"wiki_prob":0.45141464471817017,"text":"NewsHillsborough County\nWoman hopes to inspire others to work in construction\nBy: Robert Boyd\nTAMPA — Despite being in a pandemic, there is one industry that continued to add jobs throughout the summer and into the fall and that’s construction, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics.\nYet 90 percent of that industry continues to be dominated by men.\n“I never saw myself on a construction site and never would have imagined it either,” said Lina Castro.\nIn a matter of four years, Castro has worked her way up from an administrative assistant to project manager with InVision Advisors. She is currently overseeing the construction of 50 town houses in Tampa.\n“Typically on construction sites, women are very few and far between,” said Castro.\nHowever, Castro really hopes to change this trend. She says with so many women finding themselves out of work due to the pandemic, a career in construction needs to be at least given some serious thought.\n“The design and construction world are taking a different lead into a more technology-based, so it's not all manual labor,” said Castro.\nShe said construction jobs aren’t only a stable option during economic uncertainty, but they pay well and you don’t need a college degree.\n“COVID is not stopping construction as long as all protocols are in place,” said Castro. “You are in control of your destiny, the harder you work, the more you study and perfect your craft, the better you will be.”\nCastro said she has seen more women on job sites in the last few months and hopes it’s not just a pandemic fad, but a sign of things to come.\n“I can tell you, more women are getting involved and hopefully soon, women will take over,” said Castro.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1268227"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.526706874370575,"wiki_prob":0.526706874370575,"text":"Home › Updates › “From Ancient to New Silk Road” exhibition opens up in Rome\n“From Ancient to New Silk Road” exhibition opens up in Rome\nOn December 5, 2016, an exhibition called “From Ancient to New Silk Road” opened up at the Presidential Palace known as the “Quirinale Palace” in Rome. The exhibition in Rome was initiated by Sergio Mattarella, the President of the Italian Republic, and was held under his auspices. The opening ceremony was attended by officials from the Italian government, Ernest Sultanov, the coordinator of the MIR Initiative and the Railway Silk Road Cities Forum, and Alexander Nosov, a member of the management board of the State Company “Russian Highways”.\nAt the opening of the exhibition, a discussion was held on the subject of developmental projects of the railway and highway Silk Road. Discussion members, including Alexander Nosov, the representative of the Russian Company “Avtodor”, noted that the creation of the New Silk Road would allow to bring together the Eurasian space, improve transport mobility in the region and build momentum for further integration in economy, culture, science and art.\nThis exhibition will be a traveling one. In March 2017, it will be opened in Turin, in collaboration with the Museum of Oriental Art of Turin. MIR Initiative plans to take part in the next exhibition and present to the general audience first New Silk Road interactive maps patterns. At the same time, it is planned to hold a Cities Forum meeting to discuss promising infrastructure projects in the framework of the New Silk Road.\nDownload: Russian","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1075151"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6666257977485657,"wiki_prob":0.6666257977485657,"text":"Free Men of Color in the American Revolution: Moses Byrd – A Revolutionary War Musician\nAfAm History Black History family history\nI’ve been making one discovery after another when it comes to my ancestral kin who were Free Men of Color in the American Revolution. I’ve found records for hundreds of kinsmen who were FPOC within my extensive ancestral extended family who served in many different capacities during the American Revolution.\nIllustrative open source image\nMoses Byrd, born around 1745, is another interesting discovery. Moses was a musician in Lewis’ Company of the North Carolina Continental Line in Halifax County, North Carolina, in 1776. He seems to have disappeared from active duty in January 1778.\nHe mustered again in Taylor’s Company for 2-1/2 years in January 1779. [Clark, The State Records of North Carolina, XVI:1012, 1024, XVII: 192]. As a FPOC, he was legally obliged to register in his home county. He was a “Mulatto” taxable in Southampton County in 1802 [PPTL 1792-1806, frames 156, 183, 261, 311, 373, 407, 509, 546, 615]. There is usually a brief physical description of the free person of color in question included in the registration records. Sadly, I haven’t been able to find such a description for Moses.\nHe was taxable in Southampton County from 1782 to 1803: taxable on a horse and 4 cattle from 1782 to 1787, taxable on Asa Byrd [believed to be Moses’s nephew] in 1788, taxable on Thomas Byrd [Moses’s son] in 1795, called a “Mulatto” in 1802 [PPTL 1782-92; frames 508, 544, 634, 655, 705, 755, 812, 869; 1792-1806, frames 156, 183, 261, 311, 373, 407, 509, 546, 615].\nHe was living in Northampton County, North Carolina, before 2 January 1807 when he made his Northampton County will, proved March 1808 [WB 2:362]. He left most of his estate to his wife, whose name remains unknown.\nThis is his life, as it’s currently known, in a nutshell.\nMusicians in the Revolutionary War\nI was curious about the exact nature of his war service. Naturally, I did some digging. I know he was a musician. However, the records don’t specify what instrument or instruments he played. I did, however, manage to unearth accounts of what army musicians did during the war.\nIt turns out that Moses was probably a part of the Fife, Drum, and Bugle Corps. 18th Century Army musicians had a dual role. The first was as a communication channel. There were no walkie-talkies, radios, or quick forms of mass communication on the 18th Century battlefield. Musicians were a practical means of long-distance communication. Anyone who lives within a mile of a sports arena today can attest to how far the sounds of drums, fifes (think flutes), and horns can carry!\nThe second part of a musician’s service during the war was to provide entertainment for the army camps. In other words, morale boosters.\nAccording to the website The United States Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps:\nThe fife was used because of its high-pitched sound and the drum because of its low-pitched sound. Both instruments can be heard from great distances and even through the sounds of a battlefield. Fifers and drummers would provide the music for all of the things that soldiers would need to do throughout the day. They would play tunes in the camp, on the battlefield, or for a march…\nOn the battlefield, musicians had the responsibility of helping keep order in battle and to make sure the soldiers functioned well as a unit. Drummers would play beatings telling the soldiers to turn right or left as well as to load and fire their muskets. There was a tune called Cease Fire that fifers and drummers would play to tell the soldiers to stop firing at the end of a battle while a tune called Parley was used to signal to the enemy that a surrender or peace talk was desired.\nMore information about the service of Army musicians in the American Revolution is available on the same website via http://www.fifeanddrum.army.mil/kids_fife_drum.html\nNow that I had a very basic understanding of the service Moses provided during the war, I wanted to find out more about the battles he would have been a part of. It turns out, he was involved in quite a few.\nMicajah Lewis, Captain of the 1st and 4th North Carolina Regiments\nThe first half of Moses’s war service was under Capt. Micajah Lewis (yep, another kinsman from my extended family) was part of the 4th North Carolina Regiment. This speaks to an important historical fact where Moses’s genealogy is concerned: he had already left Southampton, Virginia for North Carolina when he joined Maj Lewis’s regiment. Established on 15 April 1776, this means Moses was a resident of North Carolina by 1776.\nWhat’s interesting to me is that he was taxable in two states during an overlapping period between 1790 and 1802: Halifax and Northampton Counties in North Carolina and Southampton County in Virginia. While he would ultimately come to permanently reside in Northampton, North Carolina…he was clearly going back and forth from North Carolina to Virginia. He is far from being alone. I have swathes of ancestral kin who were FPOC moving back and forth from North Carolina and Virginia before permanently residing in North Carolina. I remain mystified as to why. What was happening in the early decade of the American Republic that caused thousands of FPOC to ping pong between these two states for two to three decades? I digress, but only in the name of genealogy!\nThe website The American Revolution in North Carolina (http://www.carolana.com/NC/Revolution/revolution_nc_fourth_regiment.html) has an excellent overview of the Regiment and its war activities. In its early stages, the Regiment was moved from place to place. In the Fall of 1778, the 4th NC Regiment was reorganized at Halifax, NC. This fits perfectly with when Moses enlisted. Halifax, NC was one of the ancestral centers for the extensive FPOC Bird/Byrds.\nAt this point, judging by the battle lists for 1778 in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia, it appears that Moses may have been involved in skirmishes in South Carolina and Georgia…but saw no major action.\nCapt Lewis, who attained the rank of Major by the time of his death in 1779, would die after being shot either during the course of, or directly after, a battle. Which battle is unclear. The website The American Revolution in South Carolina cites he died as a result of being shot at the Battle of Stono Ferry in South Carolina (http://www.carolana.com/SC/Revolution/revolution_stono_ferry.html). Some Lewis family history books cite the Battle of King’s Mountain in North Carolina as his final battle (https://books.google.com/books?id=-rn7DAAAQBAJ&pg=PA13&dq=captain+micajah+lewis&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiThK_NluzPAhVKID4KHbztDxwQ6AEIHDAA#v=onepage&q=captain%20micajah%20lewis&f=false). His death in 1779 is not in dispute.\nMoses would serve at the Battle of Stono Ferry on 20 June 1779.\nImage Courtesy of http://www.carolana.com/\nAfter the death of Capt. Lewis, Moses would go on to serve under Capt. Philip Taylor’s 5th North Carolina Regiment.\nPhilip Taylor, Captain of the 5th North Carolina Regiments\nAs part of Capt. Taylor’s regiment, Moses would serve in the Battle of Stono Ferry (1779, http://www.carolana.com/SC/Revolution/revolution_stono_ferry.html )\nBritish Map Showing Battle of Stono Ferry – 20 June 20 1779. Image Courtesy of http://www.carolana.com/\nthe Siege of Charleston in South Carolina (1781, http://www.carolana.com/SC/Revolution/revolution_siege_of_charleston.html).\nCourtesy of http://www.carolana.com/\nAfter the War\nMoses was granted a land patent for his war service. The patent included a 274-acre land warrant granted in 1783 for his service in the American Revolution. Evidently, the tract of land was never claimed. It was returned to the State in 1821.\nRoll #4, Book B-2, pg. 112-113, TN State Library & Archives State of North Carolina, No. 2332,…..granted unto John Gray Blount and Thomas Blount assignees of Moses Byrd a private in the Continental Line of said state 274 acres of land in County of Davidson on the South side of the Harpeth River…..the upper part of Millers Bend?…..James Robertson’s West boundary… dated 20 May 1793. (The rest of the deed is very difficult to make out)\nFor whatever reason, this land grant doesn’t appear to have been claimed by Moses, or his wife, or his children. I have no record of him or his direct family members having any connection to Davidson County. To date, they are associated with only two North Carolina Counties: Halifax and Northampton.\nThis land grant, however, is beginning to paint a picture of how some of my ancestral kin who were either poor whites or free people of color came by medium-sized tracts of land after the Revolutionary War ended. Land that would have been out of their reach to purchase, was a form of payment and/or reward for services rendered. Even better, some of these land grants are still held by these families to this very day.\nTags: african american musicians in the revolutionary war, african american revoutionary war patriots, black musicians in the revolutionary war, black revolutionary war patriots, blacks in the American Revolution, free african americans in the american revolution, free blacks in the american revolution, moses byrd revolution war patriot, Revolutionary War land grants, Revolutionary War Pensions\nA peculiar inheritance: slavery and the case for reparations in the US\nGenetic genealogy, DNA triangulation, and the search for my missing Futrell ancestor\n2 thoughts on “Free Men of Color in the American Revolution: Moses Byrd – A Revolutionary War Musician”\nCharlie Frye says:\nIn case you have not seen this: https://www.dar.org/library/research-guides/forgotten-patriots.\nMoses Byrd is listed therein.\nA very good suggestion, Charlie. I keep forgetting the DAR. I have to admit I find the SAR to be ahead of its SAR brothers when it comes to things like this","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1302798"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7169668674468994,"wiki_prob":0.7169668674468994,"text":"Posts Tagged ‘Khodinskii Field panic’\nNicholas & Alexandra: Khodynka Field\nPosted in Leon Trotsky, PEOPLE, POLITICS & GOV'T, ROYALTY/NOBILITY, Tsar Nicholas and Tsarina Alexandra, tagged biographies of royalty, Bloody Nicholas, bread and circuses, coronation cup, cup of sorrows, Grand Duchess Olga, Khodinskii Field panic, Khodynka, Khodynka Field Massacre, khodynka field tragedy, Leon Trotsky, Moscow, Nicholas and Alexandra, Russian royal family, the romanovs, tsar nicholas' coronation on June 27, 2011| 8 Comments »\nThe Crowned Romanovs, Nicholas II and Alexandra Feodorovna, 1896 image\nOn May 26, 1896, the coronation of Tsar Nicholas II was held in Moscow. Four days later, the traditional public festival was to be held at a field five miles north of the city. At the invitation of the new tsar, every Russian was welcome. As Tsar Nicholas II was the absolute ruler of 1/6 of the earth and more than 120 million people, many people were expected. (3) All were promised free food, beer, gifts, and entertainment. The tsar himself was to appear at the central pavillion to watch the parade and greet his people.\nThe Khodynka Program of Events\nKhodynka Field was the site selected for the popular celebration because it was the only place large enough to contain the expected crowd. However, Khodynka Field was not a natural fairground; it was a training ground for troops of the Moscow garrison. The field was crisscrossed by a network of shallow trenches used for moving troops and artillery and pitted with holes. Therefore, in preparation for the festival, wooden stalls, reviewing stands, and entertainment stages had to be built as well as bridges to span the enormous ditches. Barricades – really just skimpy wooden railings – protected the site from the crowds.\nKhodynka Field is being prepared for the May 26, 1896, post coronation celebration for Russian Tsar Nicholas II.\nThrilled by the coronation and excited by the prospect of the carnival to be held at Khodynka Field, the people were “stirred up and restive.” (1) The night before, thousands thronged to the area and camped out in the open, waiting for dawn, when the turnstiles would open and they could enter the fairgrounds. As the group waited, a rumor began to spread\nthat there would not be enough gifts or food to go around. They had been promised sausage, bread rolls, sweets, nuts, gingerbread and a precious keepsake – a pink enamel mug bearing the arms of the city of Moscow and the words “In memory of the Holy Coronation,” all wrapped together in a colored kerchief stamped with the tsar and tsarina’s pictures.” (1)\nMore and more people came. There was much jostling and crowding. “The crush was so great a bullet could not have slipped through.” (2) Over the course of the night, made anxious by rumors of shortages, people pushed toward the barricades that guarded the entrance to the fairground in order to be the first in line when the gates opened.\nIt was sometime just before dawn when the barricades fell. The crowd surged forward, stampeding onto the meadow, rushing toward the food stalls. The patrol of 100 mounted Cossacks could not even begin to control the “mass of people half a million strong.” Khodynka Field, with its open trenches, became a deathtrap:\nPeople by the thousands fell in a ditch and ended standing literally on their heads at the bottom. Others fell straight after them and more, and more….” (1)\nOthers, knocked down in the pandemonium, were trampled to death or mutilated by the incessant forward motion of the crowd. In minutes, Khodynka Field resembled a battlefield, strewn with carnage. People were fainting, gasping for air, vomiting, writhing, screaming, bleeding, lying dead or dying. Thousands were wounded, over 1300 were dead.\nTrampled bodies cover Khodynka Field prior to the post-coronation celebration of Tsar Nicholas II of Russia, May 30, 1896.\nRussians standing in the Khodynka Field in the aftermath of the riot that killed over 1300 Russians, May 30, 1896.\nBy 10:30 a.m., Tsar Nicholas II was told of the Khodynka catastrophe. He was shocked and sorrowful. Out of respect to the victims, his first inclination was to cancel the day’s activities which included not only his appearance at the Khodynka Field but a ball at the French embassy. But he gave into his advisors, his uncles, and kept to the official schedule. After all, France was Russia’s only European ally, he was reminded, and Russia could not afford to offend France. Besides, to adorn the ball, the French government had gone to great lengths, sending priceless tapestries and treasures of silver plate from Paris and Versaillles, along with 100,000 roses from the south of France. (3)\nSo the day went forward as planned. Bodies were carted off from the Khodynka Field where the tsar made his traditional appearance as if nothing had happened.\nThe celebration at Khodynka Field, parades and all, went on, despite the morning's carnage.\nThe French “ball was opened by the Majesties dancing a quadrille,” said the Minister of Finance.\nThe \"Coronation Cup\" given away at the Khodynka Field post-coronation celebration for Tsar Nicholas II. It has come to be known as the \"Cup of Sorrows,\" commemorating the tragedy of 1300 people trampled to death that day in May of 1896.\nOutward appearances aside, both the tsar and tsarina were deeply affected by the events at Khodynka. They visited the wounded in the hospitals. They paid for the burial of the dead. From the Tsar’s private purse, each victim’s family was remunerated. But no act of kindness could erase the terrible event from the Russian national consciousness. Many felt that the Khodynka Field Massacre was an omen that the reign of Tsar Nicholas II would not be a happy one. The tsar earned the nickname “Bloody Nicholas.”\nRussian Empress Alexandra with her firstborn, daughter Olga, in 1896.\nSecretly, throughout those long and difficult days, Empress Alexandra, the tsarina, had been expecting a child, her second after Olga. After the Khodynka tragedy, the Empress was greatly distressed and suffered a miscarriage. The lost baby was a boy, who, had he lived, would have become the male heir in line for the Russian throne, the boy everyone was clamoring for Alexandra to give birth to.\n1897 photo of Russian Revolutionary Leon Trotsky, born Lew Dawidowich Bronstein\nShortly after Khodynka, Leon Trotsky began his Marxist political activity against Imperial Russia. Bread and circuses would not longer pacify the tsar’s people. The revolution had begun.\n(1) Erickson, Carolly. Alexandra: The Last Tsarina. New York: St. Martin’s Press, 2001.\n(2) Radzinsky, Edward. The Last Tsar: The Life and Death of Nicholas II. New York: Doubleday, 1992.\n(3) Massie, Robert K. Nicholas and Alexandra. New York: Dell Publishing Co., 1967.\nReaders: For more on the Russian Royal Family, click here.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1166172"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6959055662155151,"wiki_prob":0.30409443378448486,"text":"xdlp\nwpvh\negaq\nB Magical ™. Discover the best things to do in the Disney Springs ® Resort Area. Arrive at B Resort & Spa and find yourself in the middle of the magic in Disney ® Orlando. The Lake Buena Vista and Disney Springs® area provide visitors with an entirely unique experience featuring all the excitement of Walt Disney World® Resort as well as inventive dining and unmatched.\nSaratoga springs resort\nAt Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort, guests can indulge in the height of Victorian-era luxury just seconds from the Downtown Disney shopping complex. Standard rooms feature a kitchenette. In today's video, Shannon goes over some of the best (and worst) rooms at the largest Disney Vacation Club (DVC) Resort. Everyone's wants are different, Shannon walks you through some things to consider when making a room request at Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa using the TouringPlans.com Room Request Feature available only to their. The Turf Club. This Resort is also just a boat ride away from Disney Springs and the varied and abundant dining destinations there. Simply click any of the links below to find more information — including lists of all our reviews — for each restaurant! The Turf Club Bar and Grill features steaks and chops — along with pasta dishes — in. ahxpgd\nSaratoga Springs one-Bedroom Villa: The one-bedroom villa sleeps 5 and provides a formal kitchen, a second bathroom and a living room in addition to the studio bedroom. The living room's chair and sofa fold out to provide beds for 3 more people. One-Bedrooms Villas are 714 square feet. Saratoga Springs 1-Bedroom Villa. 4-star family-friendly hotel near Disney Springs® Area. A short walk from Disney Springs®, Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa provides a poolside bar, a coffee shop/cafe, and an arcade/game room. Treat yourself to a manicure/pedicure, aromatherapy, or hydrotherapy at Spa at Saratoga Springs, the onsite spa.\nWhat are some popular spa resorts in Saratoga Springs that have a family room? A family room is available at the following spa resorts in Saratoga Springs: Courtyard by Marriott Saratoga Springs - Traveler rating: 4.0/5. Roosevelt Inn & Suites - Traveler rating: 4.0/5. Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa is a sprawling hotel nestled across from Disney Springs. It is a Disney Vacation Club (DVC) resort which means that it contains only timeshare rooms, these are.\nDisney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa is conveniently connected by water taxi to the exciting dining options at Disney Springs. Enjoy 20% Off Selected Disney Resort Hotels. Offer available on selected arrivals from 8th July to 30th September 2022. Check Availability. Disney Springs Area Resort Hotels. OTHER LOCATIONS. Aulani - Disney's Resort and Spa at Ko' Olina, Hawaii. Walt Disney World > Disney Springs > Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa.\nSaratoga Springs Resort is actually our home DVC resort, but we haven't stayed there in a while. In fact, for a while it was far and away our least favorite Disney Vacation Club resort. At Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort, guests can indulge in the height of Victorian-era luxury just seconds from the Downtown Disney shopping complex. Standard rooms feature a kitchenette. Saratoga Hot Springs Resort. Saratoga | Rockies to Tetons. For centuries the healing waters of our mineral hot spring pools have renewed even the most weary of travelers.\nGideon Putnam Resort & Spa. 24 Gideon Putnam Road, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866, United States of America – Excellent location – show map. 8.0. Very Good. 435 reviews. The facility, amenities, and restaurants were all top notch. Diane United States of America. “Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa will introduce a Preferred category for 2017, which will include all vacation homes in Congress Park and The Springs. If you’re making reservations with a check-in date in 2016 and check-out date of January 2, 2017 or later, and you would like to reserve Congress Park or The Springs, please contact.\nAlpine Lake RV ResortCorinth, NY. NATURAL BEAUTY IN THE ADIRONDACKS. Nestled in the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains this campground is located near Lake George and the historic city of Saratoga Springs. Bring your rig or stay in a cabin or cottage; this RV resort is camping at its best. Facility.\n“Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa will introduce a Preferred category for 2017, which will include all vacation homes in Congress Park and The Springs. If you’re making reservations with a check-in date in 2016 and check-out date of January 2, 2017 or later, and you would like to reserve Congress Park or The Springs, please contact.\nJoin us on September 24-25, 2022 in Saratoga Springs! Featured Consignments 2002 Ferrari 575 Maranello No Reserve 2022 Porsche 718 Spyder 1954 Chrysler New Yorker 1990 Ferrari Testarossa View All Consignments ... The Saratoga Auto Museum is. Dec 29, 2021 · Saratoga Springs Resort is a Walt Disney World hotel located in the Disney Springs area. The hotel was one of the first DVC resorts and has a sprawling complex, similar to other timeshare resorts. ... Saratoga Springs, the Bay Area's oldest continuously operating picnic facility, is what summer fun is all about. Family owned and. Saratoga is our home resort and It was our first time staying in 1bedroom villa. The resort is located near Disney Springs and we stayed in a two bedroom and two bathroom villa.\n4-star family-friendly hotel near Disney Springs® Area. A short walk from Disney Springs®, Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa provides a poolside bar, a coffee shop/cafe, and an arcade/game room. Treat yourself to a manicure/pedicure, aromatherapy, or hydrotherapy at Spa at Saratoga Springs, the onsite spa. Resplendent in powdery pastels, Victorian touches and equestrian details, the Disney Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa is a picturesque place to stay at Walt Disney World – with just a splash of pixie dust. This stately Disney resort is styled after Saratoga Springs, a historic resort town in New York famed for its mineral water baths and horse. Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa is a sprawling hotel nestled across from Disney Springs. It is a Disney Vacation Club (DVC) resort which means that it contains only timeshare rooms, these are.\nWhat are some popular spa resorts in Saratoga Springs that have a family room? A family room is available at the following spa resorts in Saratoga Springs: Courtyard by Marriott Saratoga Springs - Traveler rating: 4.0/5. Roosevelt Inn & Suites - Traveler rating: 4.0/5.\nDisney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa is in the final stages of the most extensive Disney Vacation Club refurbishment project ever. This update will provide a look at which areas of the resort are still impacted by the work. Three of the five neighborhoods of Saratoga Springs have been entirely updated: Congress Park, The Paddock and The Springs.All of the Preferred. Saratoga Springs Spa Resort Make a Spa Appointment Online or Call Us at 518-226-4790. Learn About our Spa Packages **Guests must be age 18 or older to receive Spa services** Naturally, a spa destined to serve generations with healing experiences would evolve at such a powerful place as Saratoga Springs NY, a haven infused with history and.\nInspired by historic Saratoga Springs—a late-1800s’ New York retreat famous for its spas and horse racing—this charming, Victorian-style Resort hotel is nestled between rolling golf course greens and the shimmering Village Lake. Delight in stately Studios and multi-bedroom Villas, dazzling pools and a spa.\nCathedral Grove Hilltop Redwood Grove Saratoga Cove 2019 SARATOGA SPRINGS FACILITY FEES Beverages provided by Saratoga Springs. how long do stitches stay in hand. directions to barberville yard art. bts reaction to army tiktok. haldex. Saratoga Springs Resort has five areas, two of which are preferred locations. One is the Congress Park, and the other is the Springs. Congress Park is within walking distance to Disney Springs. It does have a pool and a pool grill. If you like visiting Disney Springs, this is a great place for you to stay. The Springs is the other preferred. .\nDisney’s Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa is a quaint and classy location with an upscale feel but without the stereotypical stuffiness associated with a country club atmosphere. Inspired by historical Saratoga Springs, New York, the resort does have a horse race meets country club theme. magicfrommn.\nSaratoga Spring is inspired by a late 1800’s retreat location in New York that drew guests in for horse racing and spa treatments. With this atmosphere replicated at Saratoga Springs, you’ll be charmed by the great Victorian-style buildings, lush landscape, and peaceful waterways. Check out the beautiful carousel horse in the lobby, as well. Specialties: Welcome to Saratoga Hot Springs in beautiful Saratoga, Wyoming. Nestled between the Snowy Range and the Sierra Madre Mountain Range and on the Upper North Platte River, this is the perfect getaway with every amenity. You can truly enjoy disconnecting while reconnecting. Established in 1950. Welcome to one of the west's oldest and most prized treasures! Prior to. Website. Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa is a Disney Vacation Club resort at the Walt Disney World Resort. The resort is the seventh Disney Vacation Club resort and situated on the former site of The Disney Institute. The resort was first opened on May 17, 2004 and built in three phases as the largest Disney Vacation Club resort.\nJoin us on September 24-25, 2022 in Saratoga Springs! Featured Consignments 2002 Ferrari 575 Maranello No Reserve 2022 Porsche 718 Spyder 1954 Chrysler New Yorker 1990 Ferrari Testarossa View All Consignments ... The Saratoga Auto Museum is. I know this resort gets a bad rap because it's so large and not near a theme park. But I think if you're looking for a relaxing vacation where you really wan.\nI know this resort gets a bad rap because it's so large and not near a theme park. But I think if you're looking for a relaxing vacation where you really wan.\nThe Springs Resort is a premier hydrotherapy spa and resort destination with luxury accommodations located in Pagosa Springs, Colorado. A hydrotherapy spa and resort destination with luxury accommodations located in Pagosa Springs, Colorado. Search for: Search . Close. Shop Search 800-225-0934 . Hot Springs. Hot Springs View All.\nThe Saratoga Hot Springs Resort, an inn built in the 1950′s that still has a middle-of-the-last-century ambience, takes full advantage of the area's amenities. Disney Springs Area Resort Hotels. OTHER LOCATIONS. Aulani - Disney's Resort and Spa at Ko' Olina, Hawaii. Walt Disney World > Disney Springs > Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa.\nDisney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa is located just across the water from Disney Springs. This resort started refurbishing their rooms just last year, so we're taking a look at all the improvements made in their two-bedroom villa. Second Bedroom Past the villa's entryway is a. Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa is not only a hidden treasure of Walt Disney World, but it is one of the earliest exclusively Disney Vacation Club (DVC) resorts. That means whatever type of accommodation you choose, you’re going to find yourself feeling like you’re staying in a luxury vacation condo rather than a conventional hotel room. Unique to Saratoga Springs Resort is the spa, one of only two spas at a Disney resort (the other is located at Grand Floridian). Kids age 4 to 12 can choose from a 25-minute facial, manicure, pedicure or massage. A 2.5-hour Mother & Daughter package is available and includes facials, mystical forest therapies and a choice of pedicure or. Unique to Saratoga Springs Resort is the spa, one of only two spas at a Disney resort (the other is located at Grand Floridian). Kids age 4 to 12 can choose from a 25-minute facial, manicure, pedicure or massage. A 2.5-hour Mother & Daughter package is available and includes facials, mystical forest therapies and a choice of pedicure or.\nSleeping capacity in one-bedroom and two-bedroom accommodations at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort are subject to change, with the potential removal of the single pull-down bunk-size bed. DVC-22-2340809 S - Standard P - Preferred DELUXE STUDIO ONE-BEDROOM TWO-BEDROOM THREE-BEDROOM. The Grandstand area at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort is by far my favorite section of the resort. Because it is a bit removed from the main building and pool area, the atmosphere seems a bit more laid back and peaceful. Definitely a great place to get away after a hectic day at the parks!. Now £281 on Tripadvisor: Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa, Orlando. See 4,564 traveller reviews, 2,671 candid photos, and great deals for Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa, ranked #46 of 381 hotels in Orlando and rated 4.5 of 5 at Tripadvisor. Prices are calculated as of 15/08/2022 based on a check-in date of 28/08/2022. </span>.\nDisney’s Saratoga Springs resort sprawls over 65 acres and contains 18 guests room buildings, segmented into five (or possibly six, depending on what you count) areas. Outwardly, there may appear to be little to distinguish among the regions of the resort, with their common architectural style and room decor. But there are some appreciable. Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa is just across the lake from Disney Springs and is accessible by a walking bridge or boat ride. The resort is richly themed with Victorian architecture and recaptures the heyday of the upstate New York country retreats of the late 1800s. The Treehouse Villas are nestled at Disney’s Saratoga Springs.\nJon Boat Rentals Paddle-board Rentals Kayak Rentals Kayak Tours Paddle-board Yoga Classes Kayak... 378 Crescent Ave, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. The Grandstand area at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort is by far my favorite section of the resort. Because it is a bit removed from the main building and pool area, the atmosphere seems a bit more laid back and peaceful. Definitely a great place to get away after a hectic day at the parks!. Take a bus from the Magic Kingdom to any resort. Then stay at that bus stop until the next bus to Disney Springs arrives. (Some resorts will be out of the way distance-wise.) Take the bus from the Magic Kingdom to Saratoga Springs Resort, get off at the “Congress Park” bus stop, and take the walkway to Disney Springs. Residence Inn by Marriott Saratoga Springs is a 3 star hotel located at 295 Excelsior Ave in Saratoga Springs. It has a 4.0 overall guest rating based on 209 reviews. View Full Profile. View all.\nABOUT US. Saratoga Springs, the Bay Area's oldest continuously operating picnic facility, is what summer fun is all about. Family owned and operated since the late 1800's, our beautiful venue is nestled in the Santa Cruz Mountains featuring towering Redwoods and flowing creeks. Your Saratoga Springs Escape The Gideon Putnam calls you back to classic hospitality surrounded by the serenity of Saratoga Spa State Park. Inside, you will find classic charm at every turn that harkens back to when hotel design was an art, along with freshly renovated guest corridors, guestrooms, Putnam's Restaurant, and many other modern.\nThe Deluxe Villa Resort can be found in the Disney Springs Resort Area and is quite an expansive hotel that sits right on Lake Buena Vista across from Disney Springs and next to Disney’s Lake Buena Vista Golf Course. The resort is inspired by Saratoga Springs, a New York retreat popular in the late 1800s for its spas and horse racing. See Details. Inspired by historic Saratoga Springs—a late-1800s’ New York retreat famous for its spas and horse racing—this charming, Victorian-style Resort hotel is nestled between rolling golf course greens and the shimmering Lake Buena Vista. Delight in stately Studios and multi-bedroom Villas, dazzling pools and a spa.\nOkay, this is where the conversation takes an uncomfortable turn. When you’re staying at Saratoga Springs, you’re accepting less convenient theme park logistics. According to Google, here’s the travel time to each park: • Eight minutes to Magic Kingdom. • Eight minutes to EPCOT. • 12 minutes to Disney’s Animal Kingdom.\nSaratoga is our home resort and It was our first time staying in 1bedroom villa. The resort is located near Disney Springs and we stayed in a two bedroom and two bathroom villa. 24 Gideon Putnam Road, Saratoga Spa State Park, Saratoga Springs, New York 12866. Delaware North has been providing food and beverage, retail, as well as lodging at The Gideon Putnam since 2008. Set in Saratoga Spa State Park, The Gideon Putnam is a 7-minute walk from Saratoga Performing Arts Center, and 7 miles from the boutique shops and. Cathedral Grove Hilltop Redwood Grove Saratoga Cove 2019 SARATOGA SPRINGS FACILITY FEES Beverages provided by Saratoga Springs. how long do stitches stay in hand. directions to barberville yard art. bts reaction to army tiktok. haldex.\nWe provide a full-service wedding experience that you and your guests will enjoy from start to end. Our all-outdoor venue provides everything you could dream of-stunning natural beauty, convenient location and mouth-watering catering. Let our catering team create the perfect menu for your special day. Our full service packages make the catering. See Details. Inspired by historic Saratoga Springs—a late-1800s’ New York retreat famous for its spas and horse racing—this charming, Victorian-style Resort hotel is nestled between rolling golf course greens and the shimmering Lake Buena Vista. Delight in stately Studios and multi-bedroom Villas, dazzling pools and a spa.\nSaratoga Springs Resort is located on property at Disney World and is considered a Disney Deluxe Villa Resort. What this means is it offers similar benefits to Deluxe Resorts but has larger accommodations than a typical hotel room. The newly refurbished rooms in 2020 & 2021 offer kitchens, living rooms, washer dryers, and private bedrooms all. Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort And Spa, Lake Buena Vista. 27,790 likes · 254 talking about this · 301,168 were here. Inspired by historic Saratoga. Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa, Orlando: See 4,562 traveller reviews, 2,671 photos, and cheap rates for Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa, ranked #46 of 381 hotels in Orlando and rated 4.5 of 5 at Tripadvisor. Saratoga Spring is inspired by a late 1800’s retreat location in New York that drew guests in for horse racing and spa treatments. With this atmosphere replicated at Saratoga Springs, you’ll be charmed by the great Victorian-style buildings, lush landscape, and peaceful waterways. Check out the beautiful carousel horse in the lobby, as well.\nWelcome to the SSOA. Saratoga Springs is a beautiful lakeside community featuring year round resort-like amenities for it's residents. With over 1,000 homeowners, our community is strong with support and is one that our residents feel proud to be a part of.\nCathedral Grove Hilltop Redwood Grove Saratoga Cove 2019 SARATOGA SPRINGS FACILITY FEES Beverages provided by Saratoga Springs. how long do stitches stay in hand. directions to barberville yard art. bts reaction to army tiktok. haldex. The Deluxe Villa Resort can be found in the Disney Springs Resort Area and is quite an expansive hotel that sits right on Lake Buena Vista across from Disney Springs and next to Disney’s Lake Buena Vista Golf Course. The resort is inspired by Saratoga Springs, a New York retreat popular in the late 1800s for its spas and horse racing. Saratoga Springs is a sprawling resort with five distinct areas: The Carousel, Congress Park, The Grandstand, The Paddock, and The Springs. You won’t be riding in a buggy, but Saratoga’s large size does mean multiple bus stops. Photo by Laurie Sapp. While this means there’s a lot to do (like multiple pools to choose from), it also means.\nSaratoga Springs is a sprawling resort with five distinct areas: The Carousel, Congress Park, The Grandstand, The Paddock, and The Springs. You won’t be riding in a buggy, but Saratoga’s large size does mean multiple bus stops. Photo by Laurie Sapp. While this means there’s a lot to do (like multiple pools to choose from), it also means. Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa, Orlando: See 4,562 traveller reviews, 2,671 photos, and cheap rates for Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa, ranked #46 of 381 hotels in Orlando and rated 4.5 of 5 at Tripadvisor.\nDisney's Saratoga Springs Resort is located in the Downtown Disney area of Walt Disney World. It is a HUGE resort, and many people in the Disney Vacation Club call it their \"home resort\".\nDisney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa, Orlando: See 4,562 traveller reviews, 2,671 photos, and cheap rates for Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa, ranked #46 of 381 hotels in Orlando and rated 4.5 of 5 at Tripadvisor.\nSaratoga Springs Spa Resort Make a Spa Appointment Online or Call Us at 518-226-4790. Learn About our Spa Packages **Guests must be age 18 or older to receive Spa services** Naturally, a spa destined to serve generations with healing experiences would evolve at such a powerful place as Saratoga Springs NY, a haven infused with history and.\nth Name:\nmceu\nDisney Saratoga Springs' allure starts with its serene lake that borders the property. Here, vacationers can take a complimentary ferry boat ride to many other locations found within the Walt Disney World resort and theme park complex. Disney's Saratoga Springs also gives avid golfers the chance to play a delightful round during their vacations. Saratoga Springs Resort lobby. Inspired by historic Saratoga Springs—a late-1800s’ New York retreat famous for its spas and horse racing—this charming, Victorian.\nzlab\nSaratoga Springs is a city in Saratoga County, New York, United States.The population was 28,491 at the 2020 census. The name reflects the presence of mineral springs in the area, which has made Saratoga a popular resort destination for over 200 years. It is home to the Saratoga Race Course, a thoroughbred horse racing track, and Saratoga Performing Arts Center, a music and.\nReply to ol\nDisney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa Walt Disney World, Florida. Click image below to see full size map. Click on the preview-image above to see the full-size version of this Property Map. At the bottom right of the full-size image, you may either print the map or close the window and return to this page.\nSaratoga Springs Resort is located on property at Disney World and is considered a Disney Deluxe In 2020 Saratoga Springs started a complete refurbishment of the resort. All the rooms have new. Walt Disney World Swan Hotel. Resort Overview. EPCOT Resort Area. Transportation Options: Boat. Vacation packages may be available. Select this hotel to view package prices. For room-only prices, call (407) 939-1936.†.\nReply to mo\nDisney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa. 1960 BROADWAY, Disney Downtown Lake Buena Vista, Orlando (FL), United States, 32830 - See map.\nI know this resort gets a bad rap because it's so large and not near a theme park. But I think if you're looking for a relaxing vacation where you really wan. 39 Roosevelt Drive in Saratoga Spa State Park. 2. Medbery Inn & Spa. Medbery Inn & Spa is a historic hot spring hotel, located just a few minutes from the charming main downtown streets of Ballston Spa and Saratoga Springs, NY. The rooms at this resort are cozy and elegant, reflecting the historic aesthetic of Medbery Inn. Saratoga Springs Resort has five areas, two of which are preferred locations. One is the Congress Park, and the other is the Springs. Congress Park is within walking distance to Disney Springs. It does have a pool and a pool grill. If you like visiting Disney Springs, this is a great place for you to stay. The Springs is the other preferred.\nDisney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa is conveniently connected by water taxi to the exciting dining options at Disney Springs. Enjoy 20% Off Selected Disney Resort Hotels. Offer available on selected arrivals from 8th July to 30th September 2022. Check Availability. The Saratoga Hot Springs Resort, an inn built in the 1950′s that still has a middle-of-the-last-century ambience, takes full advantage of the area's amenities.\nDisney's Saratoga Springs Resort is located in the Downtown Disney area of Walt Disney World. It is a HUGE resort, and many people in the Disney Vacation Club call it their \"home resort\". One of the biggest reasons to try Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort now is the refurbished rooms. The resort underwent a full renovation that concluded in 2021. The villas now have a light, neutral-colored palette with subtle nods to the resort’s equestrian theming. With the renovation, the villas also have the popular Murphy beds that pull.\nWebsite. Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa is a Disney Vacation Club resort at the Walt Disney World Resort. The resort is the seventh Disney Vacation Club resort and situated on the former site of The Disney Institute. The resort was first opened on May 17, 2004 and built in three phases as the largest Disney Vacation Club resort. Specialties: Welcome to Saratoga Hot Springs in beautiful Saratoga, Wyoming. Nestled between the Snowy Range and the Sierra Madre Mountain Range and on the Upper North Platte River, this is the perfect getaway with every amenity. You can truly enjoy disconnecting while reconnecting. Established in 1950. Welcome to one of the west's oldest and most prized treasures! Prior to.\nSaratoga Springs Resort is actually our home DVC resort, but we haven't stayed there in a while. In fact, for a while it was far and away our least favorite Disney Vacation Club resort. .\nSpecialties: Welcome to Saratoga Hot Springs in beautiful Saratoga, Wyoming. Nestled between the Snowy Range and the Sierra Madre Mountain Range and on the Upper North Platte River, this is the perfect getaway with every amenity. You can truly enjoy disconnecting while reconnecting. Established in 1950. Welcome to one of the west's oldest and most prized treasures! Prior to.\nSaratoga Springs Resort has five areas, two of which are preferred locations. One is the Congress Park, and the other is the Springs. Congress Park is within walking distance to Disney Springs. It does have a pool and a pool grill. If you like visiting Disney Springs, this is a great place for you to stay. The Springs is the other preferred. 231. Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa was not one of my favorite resorts in the past. It always felt too large and a bit ‘dated’ if I’m honest, but my opinion has changed after my recent stay. I had gone to Walt Disney World after being away for so long . Given it was more of a last minute plan, I couldn’t get a resort for the.\nThroughout Saratoga Springs, there are different Disney bus stops to service the resort sections. While that is awesome, you want to be sure to check which one is closest to your room. “Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa will introduce a Preferred category for 2017, which will include all vacation homes in Congress Park and The Springs. If you’re making reservations with a check-in date in 2016 and check-out date of January 2, 2017 or later, and you would like to reserve Congress Park or The Springs, please contact.\nReply to hv\nSaratoga Spring is inspired by a late 1800’s retreat location in New York that drew guests in for horse racing and spa treatments. With this atmosphere replicated at Saratoga Springs, you’ll be charmed by the great Victorian-style buildings, lush landscape, and peaceful waterways. Check out the beautiful carousel horse in the lobby, as well.\nNow £281 on Tripadvisor: Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa, Orlando. See 4,564 traveller reviews, 2,671 candid photos, and great deals for Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa, ranked #46 of 381 hotels in Orlando and rated 4.5 of 5 at Tripadvisor. Prices are calculated as of 15/08/2022 based on a check-in date of 28/08/2022.\nA 24-hour ATM is located near the Front Desk in the lobby of Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa. Learn more about ATMs at Walt Disney World Resort. Guests may exchange foreign currencies at the Front Desk or Lobby Concierge in the lobby of Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa. Learn more about banking services at Walt Disney World Resort. We provide a full-service wedding experience that you and your guests will enjoy from start to end. Our all-outdoor venue provides everything you could dream of-stunning natural beauty, convenient location and mouth-watering catering. Let our catering team create the perfect menu for your special day. Our full service packages make the catering.\nReply to uh\nDisney’s Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa is just across the lake from Disney Springs and is accessible by a walking bridge or boat ride. The resort is richly themed with Victorian architecture and recaptures the heyday of the upstate New York country retreats of the late 1800s. The Treehouse Villas are nestled at Disney’s Saratoga Springs.\nReply to hh\nUnique to Saratoga Springs Resort is the spa, one of only two spas at a Disney resort (the other is located at Grand Floridian). Kids age 4 to 12 can choose from a 25-minute facial, manicure, pedicure or massage. A 2.5-hour Mother & Daughter package is available and includes facials, mystical forest therapies and a choice of pedicure or.\nSaratoga Springs Resort (Walt Disney World). 7.5. \"Fabulous and friendly service. Delicious apple butter!\" Samantha. Treehouse Villas at Saratoga Springs Resort. Курорт.\nSaratoga Springs Two Bedroom Villa Floor Plan . masuzi November 21, 2016. 0 0 Less than a minute. Saratoga springs resort two bedroom villa disney saratoga springs resort review disney saratoga springs resort review disney s saratoga springs resort spa. Your Saratoga Springs Escape The Gideon Putnam calls you back to classic hospitality surrounded by the serenity of Saratoga Spa State Park. Inside, you will find classic charm at every turn that harkens back to when hotel design was an art, along with freshly renovated guest corridors, guestrooms, Putnam's Restaurant, and many other modern.\nReply to cl\n32 minutes — Compare public transit, taxi, biking, walking, driving, and ridesharing. Find the cheapest and quickest ways to get from Orlando International Airport (MCO) to Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa.\nReply to ut\nSaratoga Resort Villas Kissimmee is located 7 km from World of Disney and features a play area, a sunbathing terrace and a swimming pool. Set close to the miniature Congo River Golf, the venue offers 150 rooms together with massage treatments and a spa centre onsite. The accommodation is set in a shopping area, near by a private beach. Cathedral Grove Hilltop Redwood Grove Saratoga Cove 2019 SARATOGA SPRINGS FACILITY FEES Beverages provided by Saratoga Springs. how long do stitches stay in hand. directions to barberville yard art. bts reaction to army tiktok. haldex.\nDisney’s Saratoga Springs resort sprawls over 65 acres and contains 18 guests room buildings, segmented into five (or possibly six, depending on what you count) areas. Outwardly, there may appear to be little to distinguish among the regions of the resort, with their common architectural style and room decor. But there are some appreciable.\nDisney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa is located just across the water from Disney Springs. This resort started refurbishing their rooms just last year, so we're taking a look at all the improvements made in their two-bedroom villa. Second Bedroom Past the villa's entryway is a.\nWe provide a full-service wedding experience that you and your guests will enjoy from start to end. Our all-outdoor venue provides everything you could dream of-stunning natural beauty, convenient location and mouth-watering catering. Let our catering team create the perfect menu for your special day. Our full service packages make the catering. Alpine Lake RV ResortCorinth, NY. NATURAL BEAUTY IN THE ADIRONDACKS. Nestled in the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains this campground is located near Lake George and the historic city of Saratoga Springs. Bring your rig or stay in a cabin or cottage; this RV resort is camping at its best. Facility.\nThroughout Saratoga Springs, there are different Disney bus stops to service the resort sections. While that is awesome, you want to be sure to check which one is closest to your room.\nSaratoga Springs Resort boasts 2 feature pools and 3 quiet pools. It is also one of the locations with Senses – A Disney Spa (the other location is the Grand Floridian), which offers professional spa treatments and packages. The center features relaxing mineral pools and private treatment rooms for spa guests.\nDisney's Grand Californian | Resort Review & Recommendations!. Saratoga Spa State Park. Address: 19 Roosevelt Dr, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 . Website: SaratogaSpaStatePark. Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ (3 out 5 stars) Good Hot Springs Rating. General Description: Saratoga Spa State Park is the epicenter of the \"Queen of the Spas\" in Saratoga, New York. This state park boasts two outdoor mineral water swimming pools.\nThe Grandstand area at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort is by far my favorite section of the resort. Because it is a bit removed from the main building and pool area, the atmosphere seems a bit more laid back and peaceful. Definitely a great place to get away after a hectic day at the parks!.\n24 Gideon Putnam Road, Saratoga Spa State Park, Saratoga Springs, New York 12866. Delaware North has been providing food and beverage, retail, as well as lodging at The Gideon Putnam since 2008. Set in Saratoga Spa State Park, The Gideon Putnam is a 7-minute walk from Saratoga Performing Arts Center, and 7 miles from the boutique shops and.\nle Name:\nSaratoga Springs Resort has five areas, two of which are preferred locations. One is the Congress Park, and the other is the Springs. Congress Park is within walking distance to Disney Springs. It does have a pool and a pool grill. If you like visiting Disney Springs, this is a great place for you to stay. The Springs is the other preferred.\nTake a bus from the Magic Kingdom to any resort. Then stay at that bus stop until the next bus to Disney Springs arrives. (Some resorts will be out of the way distance-wise.) Take the bus from the Magic Kingdom to Saratoga Springs Resort, get off at the “Congress Park” bus stop, and take the walkway to Disney Springs.\nA 24-hour ATM is located near the Front Desk in the lobby of Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa. Learn more about ATMs at Walt Disney World Resort. Guests may exchange foreign currencies at the Front Desk or Lobby Concierge in the lobby of Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa. Learn more about banking services at Walt Disney World Resort.\n231. Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa was not one of my favorite resorts in the past. It always felt too large and a bit ‘dated’ if I’m honest, but my opinion has changed after my recent stay. I had gone to Walt Disney World after being away for so long . Given it was more of a last minute plan, I couldn’t get a resort for the ...\nWelcome to Saratoga Arms, a 4-Star hotel located in Saratoga Springs, NY. Come enjoy the exclusivity of a private club with the friendly, knowledgeable and personalized attention only a local family-run business can offer. Settle into your elegant room for a private and comfortable stay with top-notch amenities and round-the clock service.\nIn today's video, Shannon goes over some of the best (and worst) rooms at the largest Disney Vacation Club (DVC) Resort. Everyone's wants are different, Shannon walks you through some things to consider when making a room request at Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa using the TouringPlans.com Room Request Feature available only to their ...\nAccess 755 trusted reviews, 269 photos & 188 tips from fellow RVers. Find the best campgrounds & rv parks near Saratoga Springs, New York. Informed RVers have rated 31 campgrounds near Saratoga Springs, New York. Access 755 trusted reviews, 269 photos & 188 tips from fellow RVers. ... Saratoga Escape Lodges & RV Resort Greenfield Center, NY 4.1 ...\nRoom Information. These approximately 714 sq. ft. villas feature 1 king-size bed, 1 queen-size pull-down, and 1 twin-size pull-down bed. Amenities include a fully equipped kitchen with all major appliances, stacked washer/dryer, luxurious full bathroom with a large soaking tub and separate walk-in shower, TV in each room, ceiling fans, dining ...\nSaratoga Springs. 22801 Big Basin Way, Saratoga, CA based Venue + 1 market. Full Wedding (Ceremony and Reception) ... In addition to our beautiful and unique venue, Saratoga Hot Springs Resort offers a complete wedding package to ensure your special day is all you can imagine! Contact our events team at 800-594-0178 or 307-326-5261 or via email ...","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1056233"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5304847955703735,"wiki_prob":0.46951520442962646,"text":"Thompson, Kenneth H.\nInducted: November 28, 1990\nKen Thompson's interest in preserving some of Kent farm history is matched by a determination to protect the future of agriculture.\nHis interest in the county's farming heritage has been shown by such projects as the restoration of an old mill with a working millstone in Canada's Centennial year; the re-creation of a blacksmith show for the Centennial of Cedar Springs United Church; and the restoration of a large dash wheel to working condition for the 1979 International Plowing Match and Farm Machinery Show in Kent County.\nMr. Thompson's interest in the conservation of Kent's irreplaceable farmland has been demonstrated by his participation in the Kent Federation of Agriculture's Environment, Conservation and Drainage Committee, and the Environment Committee of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture. He took part in the Environmental Assessment Hearings on the Ridge Landfill site.\nAs part of this commitment to the future, Mr. Thompson has also served as an Ontario Federation representative on the Canadian Federation of Agriculture Special Environment and Pesticides Committee. He currently serves as a member of the Ontario Drainage Tribunal.\nHe was born on the family farm, on County Road 10, in Harwich Township, and attended S.S. No. 4 Harwich-Raleigh before qualifying for an honours Secondary School Diploma at Blenheim High School.\nMr. Thompson demonstrated an early interest in farm organizations as a Provincial Director of the Junior Farmers' Association of Ontario. He served as a Director on the Ontario Hog Producers' Marketing Board.\nHis concern for farm safety was reflected in his active participation in the Kent Farm Safety Council.\nMr. Thompson was 1975 President of the Kent Federation of Agriculture, and an active participant in Federation activities and programmes over the years. He was the 1986 recipient of the Federation's \"Meritorious Award.\" His citation at that time lauded him as \"a thinker, a negotiator and a person with a deep understanding of the issues of the day,\" and for his \"strong desire to preserve our heritage for future generations.\"\nMr. Thompson and his wife, Helen Kirkby, continue to operate the Harwich Township farm. They have two daughters, Sheila, a Registered Nurse now attending University of Windsor; and Mrs. Wes (Nancy) Thompson, of Blenheim; and two grandchildren.\nHe was the recipient of the Blenheim & District Chamber of Commerce \"Agriculturalist of the Year\" award in 1985.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line965295"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9826701283454895,"wiki_prob":0.9826701283454895,"text":"Uttrup Ludwig takes first WorldTour GC victory\nA victory that has been years in the making.\nby Abby Mickey\nCecilie Uttrup Ludwig has long been touted as a superstar in women’s cycling. Her animated interviews and endearing personality have made her a favourite for fans. But the Danish national champion only took her first WorldTour victory on the third stage of the 2021 Vuelta a Burgos. Now, as the 2022 season is nearing its end, Uttrup looks to be having her best season ever.\nUttrup followed up her stage win at the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift with a stage and the overall at the inaugural Tour of Scandinavia. Liane Lippert, who finished second in the GC 17 seconds behind Uttrup, tried her best to slip away from the FDJ-SUEZ-Futuroscope rider on the final stage in Scandinavia, and her attack with 3.7 km to go was a powerful one, forcing Uttrup herself to chase down the German national champion. However, Uttrup had learned from her team’s mistake at the Women’s Tour.\n“It was mega stressful here on the laps, it goes so quickly, and it’s so full on, and then when Liane attacked with one lap to go, I was like holy moly,” Uttrup said at the finish. “When I closed it, I was like phew, now I just need to be safe.”\nThe victory in France, and the yellow jersey in Scandinavia, mark a turning point in Uttrup’s career. Up to this point, she has consistently been named as a favourite for one-day races and stage races alike but has rarely been able to put everything together to win. She’s finished on the podium of significant races like La Flèche Wallonne, La Course by the Tour de France, and the Tour of Flanders, but a big win alluded her until her eighth year in the professional peloton.\nNow, with her new turn of speed, she is a genuine threat for the remaining races in 2022, the World Championships, and for seasons to come. Her win in Scandinavia is a product of years of hard work.\n“It feels so goddamn good,” Uttrup said of the victory. “I’m over the moon, and the team were so good, controlling and all, I don’t know where they get their energy and their power from.”\n#Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig\n#Tour of Scandinavia\n#women's cycling\nJustine Ghekiere: \"it's never too late to start\"\n3 weeks ago 0 Read More\nFreewheeling: From strength to strength\n1 month ago 0 Read More\nFreewheeling: Super domestique turned leader\nFreewheeling: It's never too late for something new\nMarta Bastianelli to retire after 2023 Giro d'Italia Donne\nFreewheeling: Helping the next generation","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1582670"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.749071478843689,"wiki_prob":0.25092852115631104,"text":"Categories: Cleaning Applications, Innovations, Trends & Technology, Management\nBy Robert Kravitz | June 21, 2021 << Back to Articles\nCBRE Group Inc. (Coldwell Banker Richard Ellis), one of the world’s largest commercial real estate services and investment companies, is involved with commercial real estate in more than 100 countries worldwide.\nIn November 2019, they released their annual Real Estate Market Outlook. While they viewed some potential clouds on the horizon, for the most part, they predicted 2020 would be an excellent year for commercial real estate. As to office space specifically, CBRE predicted that office space demand would remain strong in 2020, with an absorption forecast to total 20 million square feet.\nAs to the U.S. economy in general and those potential clouds on the horizon, CBRE foresaw that in 2020 the U.S. GDP (gross domestic product) would slow as various issues created higher levels of uncertainty. However, barring any unforeseen risk, it was assessed that a recession could be avoided and slow growth would continue in 2020, supporting the already strong property market fundamentals.\nIt appears the key words impacting both of their predictions were “barring any unforeseen risk.” COVID-19, if nothing else, is an unforeseen risk. While it has become known since the pandemic began that some observers, including doctors, scientists, and others, did predict a pandemic, for the most part, their projections got extraordinarily little notice.\nSo, we certainly cannot blame CBRE for getting this wrong. We know now that everything has changed since March 2020, and the changes are still coming. One cleaning consultant, Mike Sawchuk, commented, “We are not going to have just one new normal. We can expect many new normals in months and years to come.”\nOne new normal impacting the commercial real estate and professional cleaning industries is remote working. For instance, in January 2021, United Airlines, headquartered in Chicago, announced it was cutting back on its Willis Tower office space by 17%, amounting to about 150,000 square feet.\nSome of this scaling back is the result of United reducing its workforce. But a great deal of it is because many of their staff are now working remotely. The office space is no longer needed. As with other companies like United, remote working, on a large scale, has proved to have worked out far better than they realized.\nThis has put the owners and managers of Willis Tower in a challenging position. As demonstrated in many other cities, Chicago’s commercial real estate market is struggling.\nBut here is the connection to the professional cleaning industry. The cleaning contractor that maintains Willis Tower must scale back their charges due to the 150,000 square foot vacancy. This means not only will it need fewer custodial workers to maintain the property, but along with it, fewer cleaning supplies and equipment, ultimately spreading the pain throughout the industry.\nAs we mentioned, Chicago is not alone when it comes to commercial real estate. According to an article in the Commercial Observer entitled Office Space Demand Remains Sharply Down from Pre-COVID, “Demand for leasing office space was down 61% annually in December 2020,” and, “In New York City, demand for office space was down 74% compared with before COVID. Many companies continue to have their employees work remotely—estimates suggest that less than one-fifth of Manhattan’s office space is occupied on any given workday—and even commercial real estate firms that service the industry are planning for a future with much less leased space.”\nThe only bright spot, if you can call it a bright spot, comes from another commercial real estate services company, VTS Inc. (View The Space). According to the VTS Office Demand Index (VODI), “Los Angeles continues to be a bright spot with office leasing activity currently only 35% down from pre-crisis demand levels.”(Italics added by this author.)\nIs working remotely the future?\nStephen Ashkin, long known as the professional cleaning industry’s “expert” and “go-to person” when it comes to green cleaning, is also a leading advocate for the industry. He and his family have been involved with the professional cleaning industry and its success for decades.\nRecently Ashkin interviewed David Hewett, a veteran of the commercial and corporate real estate industry for over 30 years, former Chairman of BOMA (Building Owners and Managers Association International), and a BOMA International Fellow. The Fellows program recognizes those that have made exemplary contributions to the commercial real estate industry at all levels, serving as mentors, consultants, and advisors.\nThe following are key points discussed in Ashkin’s interview of Hewett, specifically those that impact the professional cleaning industry:\nQ: Is remote working here to stay?\nYes, but it will not look the same as it does today or before the pandemic. Employers will have many of their staffers come to the office in shifts throughout the day and on certain days. This will help reduce crowding in the office and elevators, which are a big concern.\nQ: Do you think employers will have second thoughts on remote working?\nI do. Already some are reporting that it is harder to train people when they work remotely. In some cases, professionalism suffers. When a customer must discuss an issue with a bank representative working remotely, for instance, and hears his children playing in the background, it just does not sound professional. Here are two key reasons I believe remote working will be reduced:\nMany employers have spent a great deal of time and energy building a company culture. The company’s culture helps make a company a brand. With staff working remotely, the ties that bind those cultures are starting to fray.\nFurther, most of us like to be with other people. We want face-to-face time. It makes us feel better about ourselves and each other. Ultimately, it’s a better way to get more accomplished, which is good for the staff and the employer.\nQ: Do you see cleaning changing?\nThe word “cleaning” will be replaced with “sanitizing.” Cleaning implies making the office look better. Sanitizing, on the other hand, is a big step further. It means custodial workers will be using products, methods, and equipment purposely engineered to eliminate potentially disease-causing pathogens from surfaces. Fortunately, they should be able to do this using products and methods that protect their health, as well as the health of building users and the environment.\nQ: What will the post-pandemic office look like?\nHere is where the most noticeable changes will occur. Even after the vaccines are more widespread and there is more emphasis on sanitizing facilities, the virus will still be a concern for years to come. Because of this, densely compacted office spaces will be remade. They will be replaced with more distance between workers, and along with more space, partitions and screens will be installed. This will promote social distancing.\nDistributors and the new normal\nAs already discussed, the future of the professional cleaning industry is very closely tied to the commercial real estate industry. Many jansan manufacturers and distributors have been exceedingly busy this past year, doing quite well keeping end users stocked with disinfectants, sanitizers, and other products to help slow the spread of infection. “But long term, this new normal may not continue,” says Michael Wilson, vice president of marketing for AFFLINK, which counts more than 300 independent distributors among its members.\n“What we view as the next new normal is the bundling of several products designed to protect health and slow the disease,” says Wilson. “These bundles might include N-List disinfectants, misting technologies that have proven effective during the crisis, and even hand sanitizers and custodial safety gear.”\nAccording to Wilson, the power of bundling products, especially now when dealing with the pandemic, is that it creates more value for the end user. “To see the light at the end of the pandemic’s tunnel, customers are not looking for just one product; they want a combination of products to help ensure protection.”\nHe adds that bundling helps distributors as well. “The customer will see the bundle as a combination of products, all designed to work together to keep people safe and healthy. This should make purchasing the bundle easier. Then, distributors can design a ‘COVID-fighting plan’ for their clients, using the bundle of products.”\nA tough learning experience\nIn an industry webinar earlier this year, attendees (mostly unemployed) were told to look at the pandemic as a tough learning experience. “Good shall come of this. Most of you will be stronger, learn more, including new skills, be more adaptable, more flexible, and become more valuable in the eyes of future employers.” Interestingly, it appears this advice applies to the professional cleaning industry as well. Good shall come of this, and our industry will be stronger as a result.\nA former building service contractor, Robert Kravitz is president of AlturaSolutions Communications, a Chicago, IL-based firm that provides corporate communication services to organizations in the jansan and building maintenance industries. He can be reached at [email protected].","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line325054"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6023958921432495,"wiki_prob":0.6023958921432495,"text":"Black Sunshine Media\nWhere Dark Meets Light\nChristian Adams\nThe Lazy Bastard Guide to Mandarin\nIntroduction: Embracing Your Inner Lazy Bastard\nAxioms of Ease and the Ten Sacred Phrases\nSelected Entries from the Glossary of Terms\n23 Short Stories of 23 Words or Less, Vol. 1\n23 More Short Stories of 23 Words or Less, Vol. 2\nBill Dolan Interview Part 1\nMike Watt Interview\n1001 Albums Series\nJukebox Antagonist\nOnly in Taiwan Series\nOnly in Taiwan – Episode 1\nOnly in Taiwan – Episode 3: Special Lazy Bastard Edition\nOnly in Taiwan – Episode 4: Fruit Beer?\n(Not) Only in Taiwan – Episode 5: Protect Your Valuables\nOnly in Taiwan – Episode 6: Seven Years a Laowai\nPetrology Series\nBSM Recording Artists\nAztec Hearts\nGolden Tones\nHenry Miller Sextet\nGuilty Pleasures and Irrational Aversions – Round 1\nPost author By Christian Adams\nNo Comments on Guilty Pleasures and Irrational Aversions – Round 1\nWe’ve all got ‘em – things we dig that we shouldn’t, and things we should dig but for one reason or another, do not. Dig.\nThere are dozens if not a hundred bands and artists I used to like which now make me cringe. Billy Idol, for example. The difference between a cringe-worthy, passing infatuation, and a guilty pleasure can be summed up neatly: I don’t listen to Billy Idol anymore. Meanwhile, the polar opposite of a guilty pleasure would technically be an “innocent irritation”, but honestly, that doesn’t read as well as irrational aversion.\nSlaughter – Fly to the Angels\nThe amount of pleasure received from Slaughter is limited to this one song, but it’s a boatload of good vibrations, for sure. When it first came out in 1990. MTV was still playing videos. Pepperidge Farm remembers.\nFor years, I never to the best of my knowledge ever told anyone that I had a huge crush on this jam. One day in the mid-90s, I was hanging out with Bill Dolan, talking about cover songs – we had recently formed a band with the express intention of playing (mostly) covers. Anyway, Bill had an eclectic range of rock songs he wanted to play, and I had only two memorable suggestions, both of which I reckoned Bill wouldn’t be cool with.\nThe first was “The Hellion/Electric Eye” by Judas Priest – which is not a guilty pleasure, and a different subject altogether.[1] Bill shook that one off. The second was “Fly to the Angels”, which I almost didn’t suggest because Bill hadn’t liked my first idea. To my delightful surprise, Bill said something along the lines of, “That’s a pretty hot jam, actually.” We never did play it in the band, but from that point forward, I thought, “Hell, I was right all along. It was a hot jam.”\nIRRATIONAL AVERSION\nI’m perfectly aware of the fact that saying you don’t like T. Rex is not cool. I’m not saying I don’t like T. Rex. For whatever reason, they just didn’t hit a groove with me. “Bang a Gong” would come on the radio and I’d think, “Well, at least it isn’t Pablo Cruise,” but I wasn’t excited or encouraged by any means. At the same time, I was subconsciously trying to avoid artists who wrote songs with “boogie” or “choogle” in the title. Marc Bolan and T. Rex had several of the former, and at least one of the latter.\nIt wasn’t until much later that I began to appreciate T. Rex to the point of respect and admiration. However, my two favorite T. Rex jams are covers of their songs by other artists: “Jeepster” by the Polecats, and “Children of the Revolution” by the Violent Femmes. I don’t know if it would have been a different story had I been turned on to his relatively obscure television show, Marc, which ran for six weekly episodes in the autumn of 1977, before Bolan died in a car crash.\nA pop music show, [Marc] gave Bolan a chance to showcase punk bands such as Generation X, the Jam and Eddie and the Hot Rods. T. Rex performed at least three songs each week, a mixture of new versions of their old hits, and fresh tracks, while the guests were slotted in between. Not all were as notable as those listed above, though they also included Roger Taylor, drummer with the rock band Queen, in a rare solo TV appearance. They were also joined by a dance troupe called Heart Throb.\nMarc – Episode Six, September 28, 1977\nPizzicato Five – Twiggy Twiggy (Twiggy vs. James Bond)\nDon’t know why, but I vaguely remember when, 1994-95, so that’s a good starting point. Made in USA was Pizzicato Five’s second release in the U.S. on Matador Records.\nI had somewhat recently started writing for a couple of local ‘zines and they’d have stacks of promo packs and new record releases for writers to review. Matador was one of the premier indie labels, and so most of the big names would have been snatched up by other writers. Peons like me got the runts of the mailbag litter. Anyway, the Matador label flashed at me, and I grabbed Made in the USA without reference. They’re Japanese? OK, let’s check this out.\nWhile the ensuing review was irrelevant and lost in the ether of time, I couldn’t shake this “Twiggy” jam. There was a point in time when I could recite most of the lyrics, and even now, I’m a little surprised at the familiarity.\nSanjikan mo matte ita no yo\nWatashi neko to issho ni\nSono toki denwa no beru ga\nWatashi neko mitai ni shabetta\nTerebi no volume sagete\nWatashi uso mitai na koe de\nTwiggy no mini skirt de\nTwiggy mitai na pose de\nTwiggy mitai ni yassepochi no watashi\nBy nearly all criteria, I should like and/or love the Dead. First of all, they were contenders for Highest Band on the Planet honors. Second, their concerts were a major social event – the parking lot of a Dead show was a really fun place to be. Finally, they had two drummers, which I have to almost love by default. The rest of it, the songs and the endless jamming should have fallen into place, but it didn’t.\nThe great thing about music is that generally speaking, you can be like, “Eh, I’m not listening to that nonsense.” And there’s no problem. In the old days when Jerry Garcia was still alive, it was a much more contentious issue. It didn’t take much to twist a Deadhead’s nipples. On the whole, Deadheads were a very defensive fan base. Though it was simply a lot of fun to have a point of contention, the truth was I really didn’t like the vast majority of the Dead’s music. Your arguments are much more compelling when you believe your own bullshit.\nThis veers into guilty pleasure territory but there is one Dead album that I owned and listened to on a regular basis for nearly 20 years, Aoxomoxoa (1969). AND I bought the 2003 reissue. Anyway, fun fact: a four-year-old Courtney Love appears on the back cover, as her old man was an associate of the band.\nAoxomoxoa is the band’s third studio album, and many Deadheads consider this era of the Dead to be the experimental apex of the band’s history. If I had to pick a favorite Grateful Dead song, there are two things for certain. One, it’s on this album; and two, it’s not one of the 2003 reissue bonus tracks.\nGrateful Dead – St. Stephen\n[1] Judas Priest – The Hellion/Electric Eye\nHere we are at the diamond of the hard rock spectrum. One could argue Judas Priest was a metal band at some point in their career – MTV ranked them the second greatest heavy metal band of all-time, pffffhhhsssttt – but frankly, very little of their work is true metal; Sad Wings of Destiny (1976) is pretty metal, but most of their work hardly ventures outside of the confines of hard rock with an eye on the pop charts. Having one dude in the band with a Flying V does not automatically make you metal.\nAnyway, here’s a fact. All dolled up in motorcycle leather and spiked collars, Judas Priest either looked like the baddest, meanest rock band on the planet – or, if people had put two and two together, a gay porn film waiting to happen. Regardless of their true intentions, Priest made bands like the Scorpions look like a bunch of students. We imagine them recording their albums in some dank, putrid S&M dungeon with scenes of untold mayhem and depravity, but in fact, following their cult-breakthrough with 1980’s British Steel, the band spent the next decade recording in hellish places like Ibiza, Spain, and the Bahamas. The dudes in Judas Priest turned out to be a bunch of regular European tourists in Speedos at the beach. And good for them.\nWhatever. This jam opens their eighth album, Screaming for Vengeance (1982), which also contained the Top 40 hit “You Gotta Another Thing Comin’”, and truly gave them critical mass appeal. Prior to this record, Priest had been touring non-stop and had a handful of big hits (“Livin’ After Midnight”, “Breakin’ the Law” and “Headin’ Out to the Highway”), yet seemed headed for the cut-out bin following 1981’s sluggish Point of Entry. Although British Steel is considered the band’s coup de grace, Screaming for Vengeance – in part because of this jam – broke the band in North America, paving the way for a decade of mega-success.\nTags Bill Dolan, Generation X, Grateful Dead, Judas Priest, Marc Bolan, Pizzicato Five, Slaughter, T. Rex\nBy Christian Adams\nWriter and musician in South East Asia\n← Taiwan president: I will not discuss reunification – CNN.com → Guilty Pleasures and Irrational Aversions – Round 2\nGolden Tones Are Back! Two Major Announcements November 6, 2021\n25 Songs About Going Down to Mexico May 15, 2019\nSinging (Karaoke) in the Rain May 6, 2019\nVan Halen’s Top 10 Under-Appreciated Songs November 8, 2018\nTaxicab Mandarin: How to Navigate Your Way through China | Listen & Learn USA April 10, 2018\nThree Relatively Obvious and Simple Ways to Improve Your Writing Right Now July 10, 2017\nFreelancer’s Delight: Top 10 Questions You’ll Be Asked in China, and How to Respond in Mandarin October 23, 2016\nRobert Plant Didn’t Ruin It For Anybody August 20, 2016\nLet the Drummer Have Some! January 29, 2016\nBill Dolan Interview Part 2 June 11, 2015\n1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die (Complete Unofficial List)\n25 Songs About Going Down to Mexico\n1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die...Or Not: 1979 - 1980\nRobert Plant Didn't Ruin It For Anybody\nVan Halen's Top 10 Under-Appreciated Songs\nOnly in Taiwan - Hot Pot aka Shabu-shabu\n1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die...Or Not - The Introduction\nOnly in Taiwan - Episode 3: Special Lazy Bastard Edition\nAll Posts Select Month November 2021 (1) May 2019 (2) November 2018 (1) April 2018 (1) July 2017 (1) October 2016 (1) August 2016 (1) January 2016 (1) June 2015 (3) May 2015 (3) April 2015 (4) March 2015 (8) February 2015 (4) December 2014 (1) November 2014 (6) October 2014 (2) September 2014 (3) August 2014 (4) July 2014 (6) June 2014 (2) May 2014 (3) July 2013 (1) May 2013 (1) April 2013 (7) March 2013 (13) February 2013 (6) January 2013 (11) December 2012 (10) November 2012 (3) October 2012 (7) September 2012 (10) August 2012 (6) July 2012 (2)\nPost Authors\nSinging (Karaoke) in the Rain\nVan Halen’s Top 10 Under-Appreciated Songs\nTaxicab Mandarin: How to Navigate Your Way through China | Listen & Learn USA\nThree Relatively Obvious and Simple Ways to Improve Your Writing Right Now\nGolden Tones Are Back! Two Major Announcements\nTaiwan president: I will not discuss reunification – CNN.com\nThe Recording of 10cc’s “I’m Not in Love” is Far More Complicated Than Anything You Will Ever Do\nEven the Godmother Has Bills to Pay\nJukebox Antagonist – Episode 8: A Long Story About Regulars, Vultures, and Compilations\nGreasy Roy\nNoel Bancredi\nBob and Ron’s Record Club Radio Archive – Episode 81\nPetrology 202: Mike Watt/Minutemen/fIREHOSE\nAudio Resuscitation 2\nPetrology 101: Stevie Wonder\nPetrology 101: The Glove + Adam and the Ants\nTemerity Smith-Flax\nThe Lazy Bastard Guide to Mandarin/Talking Taiwan Interview\nThe Lazy Bastard Guide to Mandarin: An Abridged Corpus of Axioms, Vocabulary and Purported Meanings\nThe Lazy Bastard Guide to Mandarin is the Ninth Best Selling eBook on Amazon!\nTrying to Save Some Face\nNever Mind the BBC, Here’s the Lazy Bastard\n1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die…Or Not\nA Musical Education\nBeefing\nBob and Ron's Radio Archive\nBob and Ron's Record Club\nBSM Joints\nBSM Reviews\nEmployee of the Year and Other Stories\nOnly In Taiwan\nPetrology 101\nThe Study of Rock\nTimogan\nWhite Devil Black Sunshine Archive\nSearch BSM for Content\nFollow Black Sunshine Media on WordPress.com\nMedia We Consume On A Regular Basis\nChief Concerns\nChordie\nDisicpline Global Mobile\nDIY Strat and Other Guitar Projects\nFood For the Thoughtless\nradio tania\nRick's Picks\nSongsterr\nTaipei Scooter Style (Timogan)\nThe Status Kuo\nVICE | The Definitive Guide to Enlightening Information\n© 2023 Black Sunshine Media","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line773001"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7234295606613159,"wiki_prob":0.7234295606613159,"text":"Sahar Ajdamsani (IRN)\nSahar Ajdamsani is a young very well known Iranian poet, singer, composer, photographer, author, activist for women's rights and a precious beautiful human being. Beginning of november 2019 she released the song “Dreamy World”, a composition by Giovanni Amighetti (IT) with the poetry and voice of Sahar Ajdamsani.\n\"Dreamy World\" is a spoken word version, because singing is prohibited for women in Iran. This song is the first one of the upcoming album with the same title, dedicated to world peace. Sahar Ajdamsani's poetry is featured in eleven songs with music composed by composers from eleven countries, such as Italy, Germany, Spain, France, USA, India, Sweden, Qatar, Australia, Greece and The Netherlands, who collaborated with musicians from those countries on her album.\nSahar Ajdamsani says about herself, that she is a warrior and wishes to bring peace and tranquility to our world. Through her artistic work, first of all as a poet, but also as a musician and activist, her aim is:\n\"to bring artists together from all countries of our planet, and to join in a collaborated and united voice for world peace.\"\nHer force is a very powerful one, even she is banned in Iran from doing a lot of artistic work, her voice becomes more and more independent and warriorlike. As a singer she is not allowed to sing in public space in Iran, every female singer is considered as a criminal and is offended. Her poems and songs have been censured.\nSahar Ajdamsani fights against these legal discriminational restrictions with all her energy, to bring rights to all women in Iran, to ground their paths so that all women after her can live and follow their artistic ways if they feel so, without restrictions of any kind. Sahar Ajdamsani about her life in Iran:\n“Our society is male-dominated and the law is also drafted against women and in support of men. If a woman or a girl is even raped or subjected to emotional, financial and sexual harassment, they will remain silent because the law and even the community consider them as criminal. The men, especially the famous actors, singers, etc., easily abuse their social status to misuse girls and women, and even nobody takes responsibility for these men’s corruption. Such conditions put a great sum of pain and stress on women.”\n“Singing was allowed for women in Iran before the Islamic Revolution. We had great female singers who, after the Islamic Revolution, had to leave the country to continue their activities. But after the Islamic Revolution, which prohibits singing under Islamic law for women, women were deprived of singing. Women who want to sing in Iran must go abroad before being arrested and banned from traveling abroad and will be forbidden to go to Iran forever. These circumstances are very uncomfortable and painful. I hope that one day, I can work freely, sing, and hold a concert.”\nHer album “Dreamy World” will be released in the winter 2019/2020 and each song will be featured in a music video with English subtitles, the original poetry by Sahar Ajdamsani is in her mother tongue Persian.\nEvery single song of her album reflects her fight against the very difficult living conditions in her country in a very beautiful poetic way. Her selected poems try to raise awareness about the problems and realities of the Iranian society. She invites everyone to practice kindness, peace, freedom and equality. The music she selected for “Dreamy World” highlights her undivided love for diversity.\nSahar Ajdamsani was born in 1996 and published two poetry books: “5th Season of Earth in Iran” and “I flew to the moon”. Her English song book “Censorship” will be published soon in the United States. In Athens, Greece, she won the Black & White International Photography Festival Price in 2018 with her photography \"Emancipation\". In April 2019 she won a price with her English lyrics of her song \"Censorship\" at the WILD Sound Festival as an International Poetry Festival based in New York, where she was selected as the first Iranian award-winning artist in the field of social poetry in the United States. These lyrics are about women rights.\nRecently, the Global Photographic Union has introduced the Iranian photographer Sahar Ajdamsani as the representative of the prestigious Photography Art Center in Iran. This union, along with the International Federation of Photographic Art (FIAP), is recognized as the world's two centers of photography.\nDreamy World by Sahar Ajdamsani. Artwork by Behrang Namdari Artworks.\nSahar Ajdamsani. Copyright by Sahar Ajdamsani.\nCover picture: Copyright by Sahar Ajdamsani.\nSahar Ajdamsani\nJabali Billy Hart (US)\nOn thursday, November 6 – 2019 I had the huge honor and pleasure…\nHedvig Mollestad (NOR)\nHedvig Mollestad Thomassen is a Norwegian guitarist, improviser and composer, born in…","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1278919"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8248043656349182,"wiki_prob":0.8248043656349182,"text":"Lumicell Forms Scientific Advisory Board To Drive Future Innovations\nMembers will serve as key advisors and foundational partners in the development of Lumicell technology\nWellesley, Mass., July 18, 2018 — Lumicell, Inc. today announced the formation of its Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) which will serve the pioneering cancer technology company by sharpening its focus on innovation and technological advancements.\n“The technologies we’re developing will initially be focused on revolutionizing the effectiveness of cancer treatment,” said Kelly Londy, CEO of Lumicell. “But it’s clear that the applications for our platform will reach far beyond cancer treatment into other areas of healthcare that are in need of new solutions. So, we were intentional about building a board with wide range of expertise.\n“We will receive guidance from some of the best minds in biological engineering, dermatology, infectious diseases, mechanical engineering and oncology,” Londy said. “The range of expertise will be invaluable in every stage of our roadmap, from research and development to go-to-market strategies and practical application.”\nThe expanded SAB is comprised of chief scientific advisors and leaders in cancer and healing research, clinical practice, and advocacy who have made significant contributions to advancing their respective fields, including:\nMoungi G. Bawendi, PhD Internationally recognized chemist and a Lester Wolfe Professor\nLinda G. Griffith, PhD Professor of Teaching Innovation, Biological Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering\nDavid G. Kirsch, MD, PhD, Nationally-recognized leader in radiation oncology\nRobert S. Kirsner, MD, Professor, Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine\nLindsey Robert Baden, MD, Assistant Professor, Harvard Medical School, Infectious Disease\nRalph Weissleder, MD, PhD, Professor at Harvard Medical School\nThese members will serve as key advisors and foundational partners in the development of Lumicell. Their core responsibility will be to evaluate future applications of this technology and its use across multiple healthcare areas.\n“Lumicell is at a great point in the company’s history and is about to undertake a major milestone in growth and business development. The Scientific Advisory Board appreciates our responsibility to provide exceptional strategic guidance and direction for Lumicell’s research and scientific programs as they aim to tackle new markets and serve new patients,” said Kirsch.\n“I’m excited to continue playing a key role in guiding and prioritizing the company’s technological innovations,” said Weissleder, who has guided Lumicell’s cancer treatment technology since 2008. “Our world is on the precipice of major innovations beyond applications of cancer treatment and we look forward to pioneering new areas that could have a major impact on the healthcare, recovery and specialized treatment programs affecting millions of people every day.”\nIn the near term, as Lumicell looks to expand the application of its technology, the SAB will refine the company’s focus areas, analyze the company’s position and give strategic guidance on the best technology and application choices and partnering options.\nLumicell is a technology leader in the field of image-guided cancer surgery. The company is developing a novel system that enables real-time detection of tumor tissue in patients so that no cancer cells are left behind during surgery. The company’s LUM System has unprecedented ability to see and remove cancer cells remaining in the surgical cavity – beyond the margin of the specimen – and has the potential to significantly improve surgical outcomes and reduce healthcare costs by eliminating the need for repeat surgeries. Lumicell is investigating the LUM System in patients undergoing surgery for breast cancer, prostate cancer, colorectal, esophageal and pancreatic cancers. Additional future indications are planned to include surgeries for lung, ovarian, and brain cancers. For more information, please visit www.lumicell.com.\nMedia contact: Ali Buckneberg\nE-mail: ali.buckneberg@wordsatwork.com","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1804876"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9399818181991577,"wiki_prob":0.9399818181991577,"text":"A backcountry navigation app popular with hunters is exposing how the latest iteration of robber barons is gobbling up private ranchland and effectively blocking access to hunting grounds and publicly-owned wilderness areas. Such consolidation of land wealth effectively robs the American people of access to the public lands and natural resources that have been preserved for everyone to enjoy and utilize. As this is the logical legacy of displacement that began with the forcible removal and genocide of Indigenous people, the best way to reverse course is by returning these spaces to their stewardship.\nThe U.S. is home to 15 million acres worth of “landlocked” public spaces that cannot be accessed due to the private land that borders their entirety, the New York Times reports. While a lot of private ranchers have allowed hunters through in the past, many had come to see these spaces as extensions of their own. Those permissions that did exist are disappearing, however, and the entitlement to gatekeep public lands is increasing as ranching families abandon agriculture altogether and sell their land off to corporations and tycoons.\nWhile on the surface this transition might look like the sad but inevitable course of capitalism as the next generation pursues their right to self-determination, it’s important to remember how that land got into private hands in the first place. The Homestead Act of 1862 sold off 160-acre parcels for just $10 to anyone financially able and willing to move westward and displace the people already living there. And while standard American history might promote the fallacy that these spaces were only meagerly inhabited at the time, in truth North America was likely home to just as many people as Europe was at the time.\nNor was the American West a sweeping, unbridled wilderness. Indigenous people actively managed great expanses of land prior to colonization, controlling wildfires and engineering the landscape to promote species propagation and migration. “A lot of what we think of as wilderness was a temporary artifact of the depopulation of the native people—it was a major crash,” Arizona State University Professor Stephen Pyne told the History Channel, referring to the European diseases that wiped out an estimated 70 to 90 percent of the Indigenous population.\nIt’s within this framework that generations of predominantly white families were able to pass down land wealth in the West until, eventually, they grow tired of working that land and looked to lease or sell it off to the highest bidder. And those highest bidders are increasingly made up of corporate holdings and wealthy entrepreneurs who are blocking off all access to “landlocked” state and federal land and, in turn, the fish and game resources that are present there.\nThat’s where OnX comes into play. The app is a GPS mapping system made for people who prefer to go off the beaten path. It is particularly popular with hunters since it paints a clear picture of who owns what and whether land is public or private. But that feature also exposes just how much state and federal land can’t be reached by the general public.\nIt also inspired a group of hunters to attempt to access Elk Mountain — a parcel of “landlocked” wilderness in Wyoming that is teeming with game — through a technique called corner-crossing. The resulting $7 million lawsuit could have far-reaching implications as pharmaceutical tycoon Fred Eshelman attempts to make an example out of the hunters who were able to access those public lands in spite of his attempts to keep them out of the area. Eshelman, whose net worth grew from $8.43 million in 2018 to an estimated $201 million as of Dec. 15 of this year, purchased his 50-acre ranch that acts as a barrier to a lot of Elk Mountain back in 2005. Although a hunter himself, the multi-millionaire has been adamant about barring others.\nJoel Webster, vice president at the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, told the New York Times: “If you go back a few decades, it was a lot easier for the public to go knock on the door and get access to private land. Generally, the people who owned the land had roots in that community — they went to church together, they went to school together, they grew up together. And if you want to access my place, that’s fine, just let me know — that kind of thing.”\nNot anymore. As public lands activist Hal Herring also told the Times, “Hunting has become big business.” Instead of letting hunters pass through, many of these new landowners are offering their own hunting expeditions with five-figure prices on a sole head of elk.\nNot only does the commodification of hunting strip hunters of access to recreation and food resources, but it also removes people further from public lands. By barring access to these wilderness areas, proper forest and wildfire management is impossible. Essentially, if it can’t be reached, it can’t be cared for. From a land stewardship perspective, this situation is irresponsible and dangerous — likely contributing to the prevalence of mega-fires in the West.\nInstead of allowing land tycoons to scoop up everything west of the Mississippi, the environmental and equitable solution is to return stewardship to the tribes who originally managed the area. While not an easy process, it is the federal government's responsibility to begin reinstating ancestral lands and — as ranching families leave agriculture — the opportunity is there to buy their land back in order to do so.\nImage credit: Sergei A/Unsplash\nRiya Anne Polcastro\nRiya Anne Polcastro is an author, photographer and adventurer based out of the Pacific Northwest. She enjoys writing just about anything, from gritty fiction to business and environmental issues. She is especially interested in how sustainability can be harnessed to encourage economic and environmental equity between the Global South and North. One day she hopes to travel the world with nothing but a backpack and her trusty laptop.\nRead more stories by Riya Anne Polcastro\nCOP27 Addressed Some Effects, but Not Causes, of Climate Change","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line305513"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9617725014686584,"wiki_prob":0.9617725014686584,"text":"Johnson hit as Tories suffer losses in UK local elections\nMay 6, 2022 by admin 0 Comments\nBoris Johnson will face renewed pressure on his leadership on Friday after the Conservatives suffered significant defeats in local elections across the UK, including losing the flagship London council of Wandsworth.\nLabour won the borough beloved of former prime minister Margaret Thatcher for its ultra-low local tax rates after 44 years in Tory hands, but Sir Keir Starmer’s party was doing less well in traditional “red wall” areas in the north.\nThe Conservatives were also losing ground to the Liberal Democrats, who have opened up a second front for Johnson in some of the more affluent “blue wall” seats across the south of England.\nAlmost 150 councils held votes across England on Thursday, including the 32 boroughs in London. Council seats were also being contested in Scotland and Wales, while there crucial elections to the Northern Ireland assembly.\nTory MPs will pore over the results for any signs that Johnson, who has been sharply criticised over partygate scandal and his handling of the cost of living crisis, has been permanently damaged as party leader.\nThe prime minister signalled in a WhatsApp message to colleagues on Thursday night that he was going nowhere, thanking them for their work in the local contests and declaring: “Onward!”\nYou are seeing a snapshot of an interactive graphic. This is most likely due to being offline or JavaScript being disabled in your browser.\nThe elections are also a big test for Starmer, who needs to show that Labour is regaining ground from the Tories in the north, and wants to overtake the Conservatives as the main opposition to the SNP in Scotland.\nEarly results were poor for Johnson, suggesting the Tories were losing about one in six of the seats they were defending, although the party had attempted to manage expectations ahead of the vote by saying they could lose hundreds of seats — a claim that was derided by Labour.\nMany Tory MPs have said that a bad midterm result was “in the price” and Johnson would survive a drubbing at the polls.\nEarly results provided signs that voters were turning against the Conservatives across the country, with the Lib Dems on course for a particularly good night.\nSir Ed Davey’s party seized the northern city of Hull from Labour and was performing well against the Tories in the south.\nBut while Labour was doing well in London and took Southampton from the Tories, the party lagged in other parts of England, including areas that voted for Brexit in 2016.\nNonetheless, Labour focused on its successes in London. “Boris Johnson losing Wandsworth is monumental,” said a Starmer ally. “This was the Tories’ jewel in the crown.”\nIn another sign of the prime minister had lost support among metropolitan voters, Labour won the Tory council of Barnet and was poised to take Westminster, which has been led by the Conservatives since it was created in 1964.\nAfter weeks of local campaigning, many Conservatives were deeply frustrated that national events — including partygate scandal and reports of sexual misconduct by Tory MPs — had cost them votes.\nSimon Bosher, Tory leader in Portsmouth, where the party lost four seats, said Johnson should “take a good, strong look in the mirror”.\nJohn Mallinson, Tory leader of Carlisle council, said after Labour won the new Cumberland authority: “I just don’t feel people any longer have the confidence that the prime minister can be relied upon to tell the truth.”\nRavi Govindia, leader of the Wandsworth Tories, said: “Let’s not be coy about it, of course national issues were part of the dilemma people were facing.” He added that people “raised the issue of Boris Johnson” on the doorstep.\nShabana Mahmood, Labour’s campaign chief, said: “This is a turning point for the Labour party. After the disastrous results of 2019, these early results are showing the progress we have made thanks to Keir’s leadership.”\nThis article was originally published by Www.ft.com. Read the original article here.\nTop Wall Street analysts pick these stocks to climb 2023’s wall of worry","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1778697"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6324530243873596,"wiki_prob":0.6324530243873596,"text":"Vice Provost, Dean, and Professor at Northeastern University\nWhat We Learned from Studying the News Consumption Habits of College Students\nOver the last year, I was fortunate to help guide a study of the news consumption habits of college students, and coordinate Northeastern University Library’s services for the study, including great work by our data visualization specialist Steven Braun and necessary infrastructure from our digital team, including Sarah Sweeney and Hillary Corbett. “How Students Engage with News,” out today as both a long article and accompanying datasets and media, provides a full snapshot of how college students navigate our complex and high-velocity media environment.\nThis is a topic that should be of urgent interest to everyone since the themes of the report, although heightened due to the more active digital practices of young people, capture how we all find and digest news today, and also points to where such consumption is heading. On a personal level, I was thrilled to be a part of this study as a librarian who wants students to develop good habits of truth-seeking, and as an intellectual historian, who has studied changing approaches to truth-seeking over time.\nYou should first read the entire report, or at least the executive summary, now available on a special site at Project Information Literacy, with data hosted at Northeastern University Library’s Digital Repository System (where the study will also have its long-term, preserved form). It’s been great to work with, and think along with, the lead study members, including Alison Head, John Wihbey, Pakis Metaxas, and Margy MacMillan.\n“How Students Engage with News” details how college students are overwhelmed by the flood of information they see every day on multiple websites and in numerous apps, an outcome of their extraordinarily frequent attention to smartphones and social media. Students are interested in news, and want to know what’s going on, but given the sheer scale and sources of news, they find themselves somewhat paralyzed. As humans naturally do in such situations, students often satisfice in terms of news sources—accepting “good enough,” proximate (from friends or media) descriptions rather than seeking out multiple perspectives or going to “canonical” sources of news, like newspapers. Furthermore, much of what they consume is visual rather than textual—internet genres like memes, gifs, and short videos play an outsized role in their digestion of the day’s events. (Side note: After recently seeing Yale Art Gallery’s show “Seriously Funny: Caricature Through the Centuries,” I think there’s a good article to be written about the historical parallels between today’s visual memes and political cartoons from the past.) Of course, the entire population faces the same issues around our media ecology, but students are an extreme case.\nAnd perhaps also a cautionary tale. I think this study’s analysis and large survey size (nearly 6,000 students from a wide variety of institutions) should be a wake-up call for those of us who care about the future of the news and the truth. What will happen to the careful ways we pursue an accurate understanding of what is happening in the world by weighing information sources and developing methods for verifying what one hears, sees, and reads? Librarians, for instance, used to be much more of a go-to source for students to find reliable sources of the truth, but the study shows that only 7% of students today have consulted their friendly local librarian.\nIt is incumbent upon us to change this. A purely technological approach—for instance, “improving” social media feeds through “better” algorithms—will not truly solve the major issues identified in the news consumption study, since students will still be overwhelmed by the volume, context, and heterogeneity of news sources. A more active stance by librarians, journalists, educators, and others who convey truth-seeking habits is essential. Along these lines, for example, we’ve greatly increased the number of workshops on digital research, information literacy, and related topics at Northeastern University Library, and students are eager attendees at these workshops. We will continue to find other ways to get out from behind our desks and connect more with students where they are.\nFinally, I have used the word “habit” very consciously throughout this post, since inculcating and developing more healthy habits around news consumption will also be critical. Alan Jacobs’ notion of cultivating “temporal bandwidth” is similar to what I imagine will have to happen in this generation—habits and social norms that push against the constant now of social media, and stretch and temper our understanding of events beyond our unhealthily caffeinated present.\nOctober 16, 2018 Add Comment\nThe Digital Public Library of America, Me, and You\nTwenty years ago Roy Rosenzweig imagined a compelling mission for a new institution: “To use digital media and computer technology to democratize history—to incorporate multiple voices, reach diverse audiences, and encourage popular participation in presenting and preserving the past.” I’ve been incredibly lucky to be a part of that mission for over twelve years, at what became the Roy Rosenzweig Center for History and New Media, with last five and a half years as director.\nToday I am announcing that I will be leaving the center, and my professorship at George Mason University, the home of RRCHNM, but I am not leaving Roy’s powerful vision behind. Instead, I will be extending his vision—one now shared by so many—on a new national initiative, the Digital Public Library of America. I will be the founding executive director of the DPLA.\nThe DPLA, which you will be hearing much more about in the coming months, will be connecting the riches of America’s libraries, archives, and museums so that the public can access all of those collections in one place; providing a platform, with an API, for others to build creative and transformative applications upon; and advocating strongly for a public option for reading and research in the twenty-first century. The DPLA will in no way replace the thousands of public libraries that are at the heart of so many communities across this country, but instead will extend their commitment to the public sphere, and provide them with an extraordinary digital attic and the technical infrastructure and services to deliver local cultural heritage materials everywhere in the nation and the world. The DPLA has been in the planning stages for the last few years, but is about to spin out of Harvard’s Berkman Center for Internet and Society and move from vision to reality. It will officially launch, as an independent nonprofit, on April 18 at the Boston Public Library. I will move to Boston with my family this summer to lead the organization, which will be based there. It is such a great honor to have this opportunity.\nUntil then I will be transitioning from my role as director of RRCHNM, and my academic life at Mason. Everything at the center will be in great hands, of course; as anyone who visits the center immediately grasps, it is a highly collaborative and nonhierarchical place with an amazing staff and an especially experienced and innovative senior staff. They will continue to shape “the future the past,” as Roy liked to put it. I will miss my good friends at the center, but I still expect to work closely with them, since so many critical software initiatives, educational projects, and digital collections are based at RRCHNM. A search for a new director will begin shortly. I will also greatly miss my colleagues in Mason’s wonderful Department of History and Art History.\nAt the same time, I look forward to collaborating with new friends, both in the Boston office of the DPLA and across the United States. The DPLA is a unique, special idea—you don’t get to build a massive new library every day. It is apt that the DPLA will launch at the Boston Public Library’s McKim Building, with those potent words carved into stone above its entrance: “Free to all.” The architect Charles Follen McKim rightly called it “a palace for the people,” where anyone could enter to learn, create, and be entertained by the wonders of books and other forms of human expression.\nWe now have the chance to build something like this for the twenty-first century—a rare, joyous possibility in our too-often cynical age. I hope you will join me in this effort, with your ideas, your contributions, your energy, and your public spirit.\nLet’s build the Digital Public Library of America together.\nJust the Text\nThis post marks the third major redesign of my site and its fourth incarnation. The site began more than a decade ago as a place to put some basic information about myself online. Not much happening in 2003:\nIn 2005, I wrote some PHP scripts to add a simple homemade blog to the site:\nIn 2007, I switched to using WordPress behind the scenes, and in doing so moved from post excerpts on the home page to full posts. I also added my other online presences, such as Twitter and the Digital Campus podcast.\nFive years and 400 posts later, I’ve made a more radical change for 2012 and beyond, as the title of this post suggests. But the thinking behind this redesign goes back to the beginning of this blog, when I struggled, in a series called “Creating a Blog from Scratch,” with how best to highlight the most important feature of the site: the writing. As I wrote in “Creating a Blog from Scratch, Part I: What is a Blog, Anyway?” I wanted to author my own blogging software so I could “emphasize, above all, the subject matter and the content of each post.” The existing blogging packages I had considered had other priorities apparent in their design, such as a prominent calendar showing how frequently you posted. I wanted to stress quality over quantity.\nRecent favorable developments in online text and web design have had a similar stress. As I noted in “Reading is Believing,”\nrather than focusing on a new technology or website in our year-end review on the Digital Campus podcast, I chose reading as the big story of 2011. Surely 2011 was the year that digital reading came of age, with iPad and Kindle sales skyrocketing, apps for reading flourishing, and sites for finding high-quality long-form writing proliferating. It was apropos that Alan Jacobs‘s wonderful book The Pleasures of Reading in an Age of Distraction was published in 2011.\nNow comes a forceful movement in web design to strip down sites to their essential text. Like many others, I appreciated Dustin Curtis’s great design of the Svbtle blog network this spring, and my site redesign obviously owes a significant debt to Dustin. (Indeed, this theme is a somewhat involved modification of Ricardo Rauch’s WordPress clone of Svbtle; I’ve made some important changes, such as adding comments—Svbtle and its clones eschew comments for thumbs-up “kudos.”)\nOne of the deans of web design, Jeffrey Zeldman, summarized much of this “just the text” thinking in his “Web Design Manifesto 2012” last week. Count me as part of that movement, which is part of an older movement to make the web not just hospitable toward writing and reading, but a medium that puts writing and reading first. Academics, among many others, should welcome this change.\nDigital History Research Awards for New PhD Students at Mason\nGeorge Mason University and the Roy Rosenzweig Center for History and New Media are pleased to announce Digital History Research Awards for students entering the History and Art History doctoral program in fall 2012. Students receiving these awards will get five years of fully funded studies, as follows: $20,000 research stipends in years 1 and 2; research assistantships at RRCHNM in years 3, 4, and 5. Awards include fulltime tuition waivers and student health insurance. For more information, contact Professor Cynthia A. Kierner (Director of the Ph.D. Program) at ckierner@gmu.edu or Professor Dan Cohen (Director, Roy Rosenzweig Center for History and New Media) at dcohen@gmu.edu. The deadline for applications is January 15, 2012.\nDecember 19, 2011 Add Comment\nDigital Humanities Now 2.0: Bigger and Better, with a New Review Process\nAfter five months of retooling, we’re relaunching Digital Humanities Now today. As part of this relaunch it has been moved into the PressForward family of publications, as one of that project’s new models of how high-quality work can emerge from, and reach, scholarly communities.\nThe first iteration of DH Now, which we launched two years ago, relied almost entirely on an automated process to find what digital humanities scholars were talking about and linking to (namely, on Twitter). About a year ago, in an attempt to make the signal-to-noise ratio a bit better, I took my slightly tongue-in-cheek “Editor-in-Chief” role more seriously, vetting each potential item for inclusion and adding better titles and “abstracts.”\nToday we take a much larger step forward, in an attempt to find and highlight the best work in digital humanities, and curate it in such a way as to be maximally useful to the scholarly community. The DH Now team, including Joan Fragaszy Troyano, Sasha Boni, and Jeri Wieringa, have corralled a large array of digital humanities content into the base for the publication. Building on a Digital Humanities Registry I set up in the summer, they have located and are now tracking the content streams of hundreds of scholars and institutions (what we’re calling the Compendium of Digital Humanities), from which we can select items for highlighting in the “news” and “Editors’ Choice” columns on the site. As before, social media (including Twitter) and other means for assessing the resonance of scholarly works will serve a role, but not an exclusive one, as we seek out new and important work wherever that work may be found.\nThe foundation of the editorial model, as I explained in this space on the launch of PressForward, is that instead of a traditional process of submission to a journal that leads to a binary acceptance/rejection decision many months later (and publication many more months or years later), we can begin to think of scholarly communication as a process that begins with open publication on the web and that leads to successive layers of review. Contrary to the concerns of critics, this is far from a stream of unvetted work.\nImagine a pyramid of scholarship. At the bottom is a broad base of scholarship on the open web (which understandably worries many scholars who object to new models of scholarly communication that do not rely on the decisive eye of a paid editor and the scarcity of journal pages). From that base, however, a minority of scholarly works seem worthy of additional attention, and after word of mouth and dissemination of those potentially important pieces, more scholars weigh in, making a work rise or fall. As we move up the pyramid—to more exclusive forms of “publication,” fewer and fewer works survive. Far from lacking peer review, the model we are proposing involves significant winnowing as a scholarly work passes through various levels of review.\nFor the new DH Now, these levels of publication are transparent on the site, and can be subscribed to individually depending on how unfiltered or filtered scholars would like their stream to be:\n• Most people will likely want to subscribe to the main DHNow feed, which will include the Editors’ Choice articles as well as important news items such as jobs, resources, and conferences.\n• Those who want full access to the wide base of the scholarly pyramid (or who don’t trust the editorial board’s decisions) can subscribe to the unfiltered Compendium of Digital Humanities, which includes feeds from hundreds of scholars.\n• For those who felt that the original DH Now worked well for them, we have maintained a “top tweeted stories” feed.\n• Finally, a major new addition is the launch of a quarterly review of the best of the best—the top of the pyramid of review, which will likely contain less than 1% of works that begin at the base. We will notify scholars about potential inclusion, and pass along comments and suggestions for improvement before publication. We hope and expect that inclusion in this journal form of DH Now will be worthy of inclusion on CVs, in promotion and tenure decisions, and other areas helpful to digital humanities scholars. DH Now will have an ISSN, an editorial board, and all of the other signifiers of quality and peer review that individuals and institutions expect.\nYou can read more about our process on DH Now‘s “How This Works” page.\nWe believe this new format has several critical benefits. First, it democratizes scholarly communication in a helpful way. Over the last two years, for instance, DH Now has highlighted up-and-coming work by promising graduate students simply because they chose to post their ideas to a new blog or institutional website. Second, it democratizes the editorial process while still taking into account the scarcity of attention and without sacrificing quality. Although we have a managing group of editors here at the Roy Rosenzweig Center for History and New Media, we are accounting for the views and criticisms of a much broader circle of scholars to make decisions about inclusion and exclusion, and those decisions themselves can be reviewed. Third, DH Now broadens the definition of what scholarship is, by highlighting forms beyond the traditional article. Finally, it encourages open access publishing, which we think has an ethical benefit as well as a reputational benefit to the scholars who post their work online.\nIntroducing PressForward\nFor some time here at the Roy Rosenzweig Center for History and New Media we have been thinking about the state of scholarly publishing, and its increasing disconnect with how we have come to communicate online. Among our concerns:\n• A variety of scholarly work is flourishing online, ranging from long-form writing on blogs, to “gray literature” such as conference papers, to well-curated corpora or data sets, to entirely novel formats enabled by the web\n• This scholarship is decentralized, thriving on personal and institutional sites, as well as the open web, but could use some way to receive attention from scholarly communities so works can receive credit and influence others\n• The existing scholarly publishing infrastructure has been slow-moving in accounting for this growing and multifaceted realm of online scholarship\n• Too much academic publishing remains inert—publication-as-broadcast rather than taking advantage of the web’s peer-to-peer interactivity\n• Too much scholarship remains gated when it could be open\nLegacy formats like the journal of course have considerable merit, and they are rightly valued: they act as critical, if sometimes imperfect, arbiters of the good and important. At the same time, the web has found ways to filter the abundance of online work, ranging from the tech world (Techmeme) to long-form posts (The Browser), which act as screening agents for those interested in an area of thought or practice.\nWhat if we could combine the best of the scholarly review process with the best of open-web filters? What if we had a scholarly communication system that was digital first?\nToday we’re announcing a new initiative to do just that: PressForward, generously supported by a $862,000 grant from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation‘s Digital Information Technology program.\nPressForward will bring together the best scholarship from across the web, producing vital, open publications scholarly communities can gather around. PressForward will:\nDevelop effective methods for collecting, screening, and drawing attention to the best online scholarship, including scholarly blogs, digital projects, and other web genres that don’t fit into traditional articles or books, as well as conference papers, white papers, and reports\nEncourage the proliferation of open access scholarship through active new forms of publication, concentrating the attention of scholarly communities around high-quality, digital-first scholarship\nCreate a new platform that will make it simple for any organization or community of scholars to launch similar publications and give guidance to institutions, scholarly societies, and academic publishers who wish to supplement their current journals with online outlets\nWe hope you’ll join us making this new form of scholarly communication a reality. You may be a researcher in a field that is underserved by traditional outlets, because it is new, interdisciplinary, or involves non-textual media. Perhaps you have a digital project that can only be “published” if you describe it in an article. You may be an editor of a journal who would like to supplement standard articles with digital content from across the web, or a scholarly society that wants to find and feature online work. As PressForward evolves, we hope to serve all of these constituencies, as well as a broad audience currently locked out of gated scholarship.\nLearn more about PressForward on our new site, or by sending us an email. You can also follow us on Twitter or via RSS.\nThe Roy Rosenzweig Center for History and New Media\nOn April 15, 2011, the Center for History and New Media became the Roy Rosenzweig Center for History and New Media. This was made possible by the incredible generosity of hundreds of donors, who gave over a million dollars to rename the center. I’m enormously grateful to those contributors, many of whom read this blog. Thank you. It was especially touching that in addition to the tremendous donations from Roy’s friends, there were scores of donations from people who had never met Roy, such as a $5 contribution from a student in rural India who learned from our websites and tools.\nHere’s what I said at the beginning of the dedication ceremony:\nOn behalf of the entire staff of the center and also for the Department of History and Art History that the center is a part of, let me welcome you on this wonderful occasion to the Roy Rosenzweig Center for History and New Media. We wouldn’t be here today without your extraordinary friendship and generosity, and so let me give the first of many thanks to everyone for making this day happen.\nWe have several speakers this afternoon that I have the privilege of introducing, who will each say a few words about Roy and the center. But I wanted to start off the proceedings by giving voice to something miraculous that is happening as we celebrate today.\nRight now, silently in the background, literally thousands of people worldwide are connected to the center’s servers, studying and conversing and learning. I checked our server logs just before this celebration, and just today, tens of thousands of people have visited CHNM sites. And just in the last thirty days well over a million visitors took advantage of the center’s open access resources and open source tools. For this reason, I can’t imagine that any academic in history has affected more people than Roy has.\nAnd from this day forward, all of these millions of visitors to the many sites of the Roy Rosenzweig Center for History and New Media will know who Roy is. They will see the new logo that is behind this curtain on our many websites, and know whom to thank for the incredible riches and generosity that Roy envisioned when he came up with the then-radical mission statement for the center: “to use digital media and computer technology to democratize history—to incorporate multiple voices, reach diverse audiences, and encourage popular participation in presenting and preserving the past.” On a personal note, it’s truly a joy to be able to carry on the work of a good friend every day.\nThe endowment you have helped to raise will support the work of the Roy Rosenzweig Center for History and New Media for years to come. Thank you.\nDigital Humanities on the Kojo Nnamdi Show\nI really enjoyed being on the Kojo Nnamdi Show today talking about digital humanities for an hour with Kojo, the NEH‘s Brett Bobley, and UVA‘s Bill Ferster. Kojo’s show is produced at Washington’s NPR station, WAMU, and syndicated nationally. It’s also available as an audio stream and a podcast.\nHaving done podcasts for four years now, I’ve come to understand how difficult it is to do a radio show—to ask the right questions, to not um and er a lot, and to stimulate informative conversation. Kojo really makes it look easy, which is even more impressive given the wide variety of topics he covers. As I left the studio today he immediately prepped to do a show on Eisenhower and the military-industrial complex.\nBrett, Bill, and I talked about how to define digital humanities, the use of text mining, visualization, and digital mapping, problems associated with the abundant digital record, collaboration in the digital humanities, and questions of publishing, open access, and tenure. We also took numerous questions from callers. I thought the show had a good vibe.\nSo, worth a listen: The Kojo Nnamdi Show: “History Meets High-Tech: Digital Humanities”\nToday was also a moment to reflect on the fact that the last time I was on the Kojo Nnamdi Show was exactly five years ago, with Roy Rosenzweig. Our book Digital History had just come out. It was just before Roy got sick. Probably said a lot on the broadcast today that Roy would have said.\nSpecial Campaign to name CHNM after Roy Rosenzweig\nMany of those who follow the work of the Center for History and New Media know that we are in the middle of a special fundraising campaign in which the National Endowment for the Humanities will match donations to the CHNM endowment. Some of you have already given to this campaign, and we are tremendously grateful for your generosity. The endowment helps us to sustain dozens of educational, archival, and software projects, all of which have been and will be freely available to the millions of people who take advantage of them every year.\nThe NEH challenge grant is now entering the home stretch, and we have decided to do something very special with the remaining effort: raise enough funds to name the Center for History and New Media after Roy Rosenzweig, the founding director of CHNM, who tragically passed away in 2007.\nRoy was—and remains—the animating spirit of CHNM. (Learn more about Roy.) We can’t tell you how important Roy is any better than Julie Meloni, who spent a week at the Center working on a new project:\nThe reason CHNM is uniquely positioned as instigator of and support system for this project…is the longstanding tradition of enthusiasm, creativity, collaboration, and support put in place by its founding director, Roy Rosenzweig. It is impossible to spend any time around CHNM without learning something about this man and the reasons the center exists and is a success.\nUniversities usually price naming opportunities in the millions of dollars, but George Mason University will allow us to name CHNM after Roy for $750,000 (plus the NEH match). An anonymous donor has already stepped forward to provide $100,000, and we need to raise the remaining $650,000 in the next two and a half years.\nWe welcome all donations, but believe that Roy, a true champion of democracy, would have loved the idea that small donors could have as much impact as those with deeper pockets.\nSo we are asking you join our Circle of Friends by pledging just $10 a month for the next 30 months. With this tax-deductible contribution, which will be matched by $100 from NEH, CHNM will officially become the Roy Rosenzweig Center for History and New Media on its 20th anniversary.\nMaybe you keep your precious research in Zotero or your treasured digital archive in Omeka, saving you from the expense of commercial programs. Maybe as a teacher or student you have learned more from CHNM’s free sites than from pricey textbooks. Or maybe you are grateful for our unique and powerful historical collections from George Washington through 9/11.\nIf so, we hope you’ll consider joining the Circle of Friends. These donors will be honored on a special page of our website and on the wall of CHNM.\nPlease join the Circle now, and thanks so much in advance for your support!\nSeptember 23, 2010 Add Comment\nZotero Everywhere\nHere’s the big news today from our Zotero project, or you can hear me do my best to explain what’s next for Zotero on the recording of today’s broadcast of the Zotero announcement.\nWe’re delighted to announce Zotero Everywhere, a major new initiative generously funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. Zotero Everywhere is aimed at dramatically increasing the accessibility of Zotero to the widest possible range of users today and in the future. Zotero Everywhere will have two main components: a standalone desktop version of Zotero with full integration into a variety of web browsers and a radically expanded application programming interface (API) to provide web and mobile access to Zotero libraries.\nZotero is the only research software that provides full and seamless access to a comprehensive range of open and gated resources. With a single click, Zotero users have long been able to add a complete journal article, book, or other resource to their personal libraries, including bibliographic metadata and attached files like PDFs. Until now, this powerful functionality has been tied exclusively to the Firefox browser, which not all researchers can or want to use. Today we are announcing support for Google Chrome, Apple Safari, and Microsoft Internet Explorer, which account for 98% of the web’s usage share. Plugins for these browsers will soon allow users to add anything they find on the web to their Zotero libraries with a single click, regardless of the their browser preferences. Rather than use the Zotero pane in Firefox, users will have the new option of accessing their libraries via a standalone desktop version of Zotero, available for Mac, Windows, and Linux.\nZotero’s web API offers any application developer the ability to access individual and group libraries via a simple, human-readable programming interface. Until now, this API has been “read-only”—users could view their libraries but they could not change them via the web or via the API. Today we’re announcing the opening of Zotero’s write API to the public over the coming months. Because Zotero “eats its own dog food”—we already use the very same programming interface to serve pages at zotero.org—application developers can be confident that the public API will ultimately provide all the same functionality used internally at the Zotero project. With full read/write access to bibliographic data, attached files like PDFs, and the citation formatting engine, developers will be able to integrate a full range of Zotero features into their own web, mobile, and desktop applications, and users will be able to take advantage of this functionality at zotero.org.\nZotero Everywhere responds to the constantly changing needs of Zotero’s enormous research community. Downloaded millions of times since 2006 and used by hundreds of thousands of researchers daily, Zotero has grown to the world’s largest and most diverse online research community, with nearly 50 million library items presently synced to zotero.org. In addition to sharing their own individual libraries, Zotero users have formed over 25,000 collaborative research groups to pool references, share files, and coauthor manuscripts. By providing new ways of accessing and integrating this vast array of data, Zotero Everywhere will ensure that Zotero continues to be the catalyst for the next generation of research and scholarship.\n© 2023 Dan Cohen","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1446869"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7545778751373291,"wiki_prob":0.7545778751373291,"text":"March 8 ~ This Day in Music History\nPosted by MaryO on March 8, 2017\n. 1714 ~ Carl Phillip Emanuel (C.P.E.) Bach, German composer\nMore information on C. P. E. Bach\n. 1857 ~ Ruggero Leoncavallo, Italian composer\nMore information about Leoncavallo\n. 1866 ~ “It is possible to be as much of a musician as Saint-Saëns; it is impossible to be more of one!” ~ Franz Liszt on meeting fellow composer Camille Saint-Saëns in Paris.\n. 1869 ~ Hector Berlioz died in Paris\n. 1889 ~ John Thompson, Piano educator\n. 1911 ~ Alan Hovhaness, American composer\nMore information about Hovhaness\n. 1923 ~ Cyd Charisse, Dancer\n. 1927 ~ Dick Hyman, Pianist and music director for Arthur Godfrey\n. 1961 ~ Conductor, Sir Thomas Beecham died at the age of 81.\n. 1962 ~ The Beatles performed for the first time on the BBC in Great Britain. John, Paul, George and … Pete Best sang Dream Baby on the show, “Teenager’s Turn” on ‘Auntie Beeb’ (as the BBC was known).\n. 1993 ~ Billy Eckstine passed away\n. 2001 ~ Ballet Legend Dame Ninette De Valois died at the age of 102. She was the founder of Britain’s Royal Ballet who launched dancer Margot Fonteyn on the road to stardom. De Valois, a strict and demanding disciplinarian with her pupils, was a gifted and theatrical choreographer who almost single-handedly put British ballet on the international stage. The doyenne of dance helped to nurture the talents of unknowns like Fonteyn and courted controversy in the 1960’s at the height of the Cold War when she invited Russian dancer Rudolph Nureyev to appear with her company. De Valois always gave credit to Russian impresario Sergei Diaghilev for teaching her all she knew. “Everything,” she once said of the Ballet Russe legend. “Diaghilev just managed the whole company. He knew all about the different teachers. He knew the types of teachers he wanted, he knew the type of ballet he wanted. He was a musician.” Born Edris Stannus in 1898 in the Irish county of Wicklow, she graduated from Irish jig to the ballet, worked with the writer W.B. Yeats at Dublin’s Abbey Theater and then, almost single-handedly, brought ballet to the fore in Britain. The famed diva, who adopted her professional name from an ancestor who had married into a French family, was first inspired at the age of 11 when she watched Anna Pavlova dancing The Dying Swan. In 1923, she joined Diaghilev’s troupe in Monte Carlo and began to lay the foundations of her own ballet empire. She gave up dancing herself after discovering that she had been suffering for years from polio. “It was no tragedy. I wasn’t that great,” she once said. In 1926, she opened her own ballet school in London. From the tiniest beginnings, she built up the Sadlers Wells Ballet in less than a decade. At the end of World War II, the company moved triumphantly into the Royal Opera House. A ballet dynasty was born. De Valois retired in 1963 but remained intimately involved in the ballet school, forever the sharp-tongued martinet who could strike terror in tomorrow’s ballet hopefuls.\n. 2001 ~ Maude Rutherford, a singer and dancer in the glory days of black theater during the 1920s, died. She was believed to have been 104. Rutherford was billed as the Slim Princess when she worked with entertainers such as Fats Waller, Josephine Baker and Pearl Bailey. She was a featured performer and favorite at Harlem’s Cotton Club. Rutherford’s theater credits include: “Dixie to Broadway,” (1924), “Chocolate Sandals,” (1927), and “Keep Shufflin”‘ (1928). She retired from show business in 1950 and worked as a switchboard operator at an Atlantic City hotel.\n. 2003 ~ Adam Faith, a square-jawed British singer who was briefly a Cockney challenger to Elvis Presley’s rock ‘n’ roll crown, died of a heart attack. He was 62. Born Terry Nelhams in west London in 1940, Faith was a handsome teenager who was playing with a skiffle music group – a mixture of jug band, acoustic, folk, blues and country and western styles – when he was spotted by producers of a British Broadcasting Corp. music program. Adopting the stage name Adam Faith, he became – alongside Cliff Richard, Tommy Steele and Billy Fury – a pop star of the pre-Beatles era. Developing a hiccuping delivery reminiscent of Buddy Holly, Faith had more than 20 British hits, including the chart-topping What Do You Want? and Poor Me. Faith also was a versatile actor, appearing in films like Beat Girl, Mix Me A Person and 1975’sStardust opposite David Essex. In the 1970s he played a Cockney ex-con in the TV series Budgie.\nThis entry was posted in Composers, musicians, Pianists, Today in Music History and tagged C.P.E. Bach, Camille Saint-Saëns, Carl Phillip Emanuel Bach, composer, dancer, Dick Hyman, Franz Liszt, pianist, quote, Today in Music History, video. Bookmark the permalink.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line866579"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5152803063392639,"wiki_prob":0.4847196936607361,"text":"Review: Self-Ish: A Transgender Awakening, by Chloe Schwenke\nReviewed by Sarah Evans\nAt the beginning of her memoir, Chloe Schwenke is unemployed, desperate to find work after being fired unexpectedly from a leading human rights organization.\nWhile her bosses didn’t state it outright, Schwenke is sure they let her go because she is a transgender woman.\nIt’s not the first, nor the last time Schwenke will wonder whether people are discriminating against her due to her status, as she reveals throughout her memoir, Self-Ish: A Transgender Awakening (Red Hen Press, May 2018).\nIt seems unbelievable at first that a woman with her job experience would find herself struggling to stay employed.\nSchwenke worked for decades in senior positions in human rights activism and international development. She led major development and human rights organizations worldwide and became one of the first three transgender political appointees in U.S. history when President Obama named her a senior advisor at the U.S. Agency for International Development.\nBut her retelling of a professional meeting with one organization’s CEO during her job hunt starts to bring clarity to the barriers she faces. The two started their coffee meeting normally enough, conversation flowing easily as they talked about the work they had in common.\nBut as soon as Schwenke mentioned her “history,” the CEO — who was not aware of her transgender status until that point — immediately shifted the conversation to questions about her transition. After a long, awkward silence, he finally said his organization was “unlikely to have any work” for Schwenke.\nSchwenke’s job troubles are nowhere near the only hurdle she has faced. She didn’t transition until middle age, when she already had a wife and two children. This brought many unanswerable questions. How does someone go from years of being a father to trying to be a mother? What if their child doesn’t want “another mother”? How does their spouse feel and what does the transition mean for their relationship?\nThese family-related questions often lead people to say that transgender men and women are “selfish” — that they are indulging in some internal wish without considering the impact of their change on their loved ones. Schwenke, instead, says she is “self-ish,” finally claiming and owning her authentic self after years of agonizing over her identity.\nSchwenke’s writing, unfortunately, is not literary. She tells of her adventures working in Africa, of the fraught friendships she lost after her transition, and of her family’s struggles without ever bringing the reader fully into the moment. In other words, it’s all telling, no showing.\nStill, in today’s political climate, where “bathroom bills” are commonplace and the presidential administration has been rolling back rights for transgender people, reading a story like Schwenke’s becomes essential.\nSchwenke comes off as an intelligent, thoughtful, easy-going, middle-aged woman who works hard and sticks to her beliefs. A portrait of a transgender person as “normal” is more important now than ever.\nSarah Evans is an Oregon writer who has been published in Mom Egg Review and on River Teeth Journal’s Beautiful Things blog and Brevity’s Nonfiction Blog. She earned an MFA in nonfiction writing from Pacific University. Read more about her at www.sarahevanswriter.com.\nTags:sarah evans\n← Book Review in Prayer Form: The Uncomfortable Confessions of a Preacher’s Kid by Ronna Russell\nCRAFT: Don’t Throw Away Your Morning Pages by Jennifer Chong Schneider →","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1296798"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7442554831504822,"wiki_prob":0.7442554831504822,"text":"Home / Press & Media / Should I Send My Child Back To School Amid COVID? Experts Weigh In On Risks & Benefits\nWritten by Dr. Sunitha D Posina\nShould I Send My Child Back To School Amid COVID? Experts Weigh In On Risks & Benefits\nhttps://www.romper.com/p/should-i-send-my-child-back-to-school-amid-covidexperts-weigh-in-on-risks-benefits-29380644\nAs COVID-19 cases rise across the country and school districts release their plans for the fall, many parents are torn. On the one hand, kids are desperate for socialization and non-digital education. On the other, teacher unions are citing fears for their own and students’ health and safety. So how can parents weigh the risks or benefits of sending kids back to school in person this fall?\nFirst of all, know that this decision might be out of your hands entirely. \"Advice I give today may change next week,\" immunologist and infectious disease expert Purvi Parikh, M.D., tells Romper over the phone. Regulations and case numbers are changing on a day-to-day basis, making it difficult to plan with any certainty. Durga Sunitha Posina, M.D. , a board-certified physician in internal medicine, agrees, telling Romper in an email: “I think it’s too premature to make a generalized decision for the country, as we have to first work on multiple aspects of the issue, especially given that a huge part of our country is currently going through the peak of the coronavirus pandemic.\"\nEven the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), whose initial guidance to re-open schools was often cited by the Trump administration, clarified its position in a joint statement with the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), National Education Association (NEA) and AASA, The School Superintendents Association:\n“Returning to school is important for the healthy development and well-being of children, but we must pursue re-opening in a way that is safe for all students, teachers and staff. Science should drive decision-making on safely reopening schools. Public health agencies must make recommendations based on evidence, not politics. We should leave it to health experts to tell us when the time is best to open up school buildings, and listen to educators and administrators to shape how we do it.\"\nDr. Parikh urges parents to research exactly what their local schools are recommending instead of focusing on national news and guidelines. \"We don't just want to see a flat curve, we want to see a downward trending curve,\" says Dr. Parikh. \"I would also look at what measures schools are doing to follow CDC or NIH guidelines.\"\n“We have to keep in mind that not all schools are the same, they have different numbers of students, challenges and requirements,\" Dr. Posina adds. \"The approach needed for elementary schools will probably be different than middle or high schools in regard to how to keep them socially distanced, PPE. In addition, we also have to take into account the teachers and ancillary staffs comfort levels while making these decisions.”\nWeighing what to do will really come down to taking a hard look at how your child’s particular school intends to address social distancing, classroom size, and school year expectations.\nBut while you’re thinking about all of that, Dr. Posina urges parents to remember that keeping kids home isn’t a perfect solution either.\n“Keeping them home for such long durations is not ideal, but I think it is best we wait at this time as the pandemic further unfolds. Public safety overtakes in these circumstances given that it is a contagious disease and is currently of utmost importance to stop the spread,” she says.\nChoosing to send children back to the classroom comes with added responsibility; not just for parents and teachers but for kids. Parents need to make sure kids truly understand the importance of social distancing, wearing face masks, washing their hands thoroughly, and not touching their face, says Dr. Posina. Not an easy thing to do with, say, a kindergartner. Plus, all children are different. \"Two kids could be the same age but be night and day between level of understanding and maturity,\" she says. So it's important to account for your child's developmental understanding of what safety and health protocols mean and whether or not they can follow them.\nAnd then there’s the tricky topic of whether or not to test your children for coronavirus antibodies before heading back to school. “Parents can always get their children the antibody test; however, being positive at this time does not give us as an immunity passport,” says Dr. Posina. “We don’t know how much immunity these antibodies offer or how long they protect one against the virus if they do at this time. In addition, it could be an overall false-positive given that the test can sometimes be falsely positive due to antibodies from other coronaviruses that cause the common cold, SARS and MERs.”\nThe harsh truth, says Dr. Purvikh, is that some children who return to school will get Covid-19. That's simply the statistical reality of this pandemic. While the general consensus at the beginning of the pandemic seemed to be that kids weren't likely to contract the virus, there have been more and more reports to the contrary in recent weeks: In one Texas county, more than 80 children under 2 years old, (most of them younger than 12 months) tested positive, NBC News reported on July 18; in Los Angeles, 15 children were diagnosed with MISC-C, the rare inflammatory syndrome linked to the virus, reported Yahoo! News on July 20. But even if kids have a mild case, parents need to consider how at risk other family members in the household might be.\n“Children don’t necessarily get as sick from the virus at least from what we have so far. However, there is always a risk of the children catching the virus and spreading it to others such as family members,\" says Dr. Posina. \"We certainly know the elderly population and people with certain medical conditions have higher risk than others, so that decision should be weighed in by families based on their comfort levels and individual situations. They can always discuss it with their primary care or family physician for further input.”\n(Speaking of family physicians, Dr. Parikh reminds parents to keep on top of your children's yearly vaccines and booster shots, even if they don't physically go to school. She says we need those now more than ever, especially a flu vaccine to arm kids for the fall.)\nThere's no question that this is a trying time, especially for parents, and there are no good answers. But maybe there's reason to be hopeful. Dr. Parikh says she's encouraged by the efforts to produce a vaccine.\n\"I'm feeling pretty optimistic,\" she says. \"Many companies have announced really good results and have moved into Phase 3 of large scale testing. What we're doing right now is months of innovation that usually takes years and there is promising data coming out of those studies. I think we could have a vaccine by the end of year or early 2021.\"\nShould You Wait Between Getting a Tattoo and a COVID-19 Vaccine? Jan 20, 2023\nNews segment on Flu, COVID-19 and Halloween safety Oct 30, 2020\nLooking For Creative Ways To Give Out Candy? CBS2 Has Your Halloween Guidelines Oct 30, 2020\nTop doc talks about bringing down stress levels during pandemic Oct 30, 2020\nEverything we know about COVID-19 and Cannabis Oct 12, 2020","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line485128"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.969292402267456,"wiki_prob":0.969292402267456,"text":"Home News “I stood behind you for 32 years, but not now”, major blow...\n“I stood behind you for 32 years, but not now”, major blow for RJD as Raghuvansh Prasad quits\nIn a blow to the RJD ahead of the Bihar polls, senior party leader and former Union minister Raghuvansh Prasad Singh, a close friend of Lalu Prasad, quit the party on Thursday.\nSingh, who was upset with the way the party affairs were being handled in Prasad’s absence, wrote a letter to the imprisoned RJD supremo from AIIMS in Delhi where he is admitted.\n“Since the death of Jannayak Karpoori Thakur, I stood behind you for 32 years, but not now,” he wrote in his brief one-line resignation letter to Prasad, who is serving his term in jail in four fodder scam cases in Ranchi. He added,” I got the affection of party leaders and workers, besides common people. Please forgive me.”\nSingh, admitted to AIIMS, New Delhi, because of post-COVID difficulties, had earlier announced his resignation in June but was moved by Prasad to stay back.\nThe senior party leader, a prominent Rajput face in the party who had piloted the Mahatma Gandhi National Employment Guarantee Scheme, had been miffed over being sidelined in the party’s organisational set-up and being denied a Rajya Sabha seat for some time.\nBihar Election\nRaghuvansh Prasad Singh","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line551376"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9016201496124268,"wiki_prob":0.9016201496124268,"text":"Where to Watch Cheer Up Episode 16, Release Date and Streaming Platforms\nBy Anshul Last updated Dec 15, 2022\nThe release date for Cheer Up episode 16 is coming up quickly. Fans of this new teen kdrama have always been excited about the show, and this time is no different. We’ll tell you when Cheer Up episode 16 will be out and how to stream it, but before we do that, we’ll tell you about the most recent episode for those of you who haven’t seen it yet.\nDue to her near-death experience, Hae-Yi gets a few days off from all of her part-time jobs. She uses these days to ask Jung-woo out to the movies. She didn’t think that he would have already bought tickets to the show she wanted to see. Hae-Yi says the seats are great, even though he couldn’t pay for them. He purrs and strokes her hair as he asks her if she likes the gift.\nEveryone can date openly, and man, are these students ready to have fun with it? Sunja and Jae start to get close after Sunja gives Min a makeover. Cho-boyfriend, hee’s Yong, tells her that she is too valuable to date any of the men who have hurt her. Cho-hee thinks about this for a long time and decides to put her love life on hold.\nWhere to Watch Cheer Up Episode 16?\nFor those who don’t know, let us remind you that the last episode of our favorite mystery show will be shown without subtitles in South Korea first.\nLater, fans around the world will be able to watch the episode online with subtitles on the Viu app.\nCheer Up Episode 16 Release Date\nIf you want to know when the last episode of The Cheer Up will come out, we can tell you that it will be on Tuesday, December 13, 2022. The episode is called “Episode 16,” and it will be a mystery drama.\nLet’s remind you that fans in Korea can watch the last episode of the drama all at once on SBS at around 10 p.m.\nBefore we talk about that, let’s look at what has already happened. In an earlier episode of the show, Hae-Yi came close to dying and took a few days off from her part-time job.\nOn her day off, she wanted to go out and have fun, so she asked Jung-woo to go to the movies with her. Even though she was eager to see that show, she didn’t expect him to have already bought tickets for it.\nCheer Up Season 1 Episode 16 In Binge Watching\nThe lockdown that has been in place since 2020 has made watching series the new trend among people who watch a lot of TV at once. They haven’t stuck to just one region or genre. It’s also become common for series to go in different directions. These people who watch Binge are now watching it in Korea, Spain, Germany, and many other places. Cheer Up is one of these shows that many of these binge-watchers have been meaning to watch.\nCheer Up, Episode 16 of Season 1 on OTT Platforms\nOnline platforms are becoming some of the best places to watch TV shows because they make it possible for shows and movies to be released all at once. There have been more people watching series because there are more ways to watch them online. These online platforms make it easy for people who like to binge-watch to do so with little effort. In fact, you can also watch Cheer Up Season 1 Episode 16 online.\nA Quick Recap of Cheer Up 2022 Episodes\nNow that he has no reason to hide it, Jung-woo makes it sweeter. Jung-woo isn’t sure what’s going on, but he doesn’t ask any questions. He’s lucky that he’s there with Ha-jin, his ex-girlfriend and the captain of the Hokyung cheer squad. When Yi asks what her goal is, Jin says, “To get rid of Woo.”\nShe then asks Sun and Yi about their relationship. Hae says, “Nope,” as she walks into her classroom, to dismiss it. Jung tells Yi that he still trusts her even though she can’t explain why she went with Ho. It’s possible that this won’t make Jung feel better. She says that she can’t say anything. Sun-ho calls Hae-Yi and asks to talk to her mother. He wants her to go with him to the clinic, so he wants to talk to her.\nHae-Yi decides to go with him for some reason and cancels the meeting with Jung-woo without giving a reason. Later, when Jung-woo goes to Hae’s house out of worry for her, he finds her there with Sun-ho. Hae’s mother has told the children to go back home while she and Jin-hee stay at the clinic.\nSun-ho is expected to stay the night, even though he doesn’t like being in that situation. Sun-ho stays at Jae-room Yi’s house while he and Hae-Yi both go to school in the afternoon. They run into Jung-woo, but they don’t tell him who they are. Eventually, after an awkward dinner at Hae-house with Sun-ho and Jung-woo, Yi’s two boys decide to make up.\nClick if you want to know about Cheer Up Episode 15 Release Date and Streaming Platform: Who is the Main Lead in Cheer Up?\nSun-ho says he will give up on Hae-Yi because she seemed happy with Jung-woo. But now that this fight is over, the Yonhee and Hokyung cheerleading teams fight in front of the cameraman, making a new one. The teams will be shown on TV, and the show is trying to find a love story.\nThe TV crew pushes Jung-woo and Ha-jin close together for extreme close-ups, which makes Hae-Yi jealous. Then, Ha-jin and Hae-Yi compete against each other in sports competitions. Jung and Jin can hear Hae answer, yi’s, and Woo is so happy that he has to look at the ground to stop smiling.\nSince she started dating Jung, Ha-jin has been shocked by how much he has changed. He and Yi were very happy, which is not like Woo. Jin-il fought a Sunbae, and the Sunbae nearly died from knife wounds. He seems to be awake right now, but he is in a coma.\nBingeCheer UpmysteryOTTViu\nAnshul 360 posts\nHi. This is your writer friend Anshul Kamboj, who always tries to let everyone know what's going on in the K-Drama world. Writing is my happy place. It helps me get all my thoughts out and makes me feel free.\nWhere Can You Watch Shark Tank Season 14 Episode 10 Online?\nHow to Watch Curtain Call Episode 12 on Viki, Storyline, Cast and a Quick Recap\nTrolley Episode 14 Release Date Netflix: Where to Watch and Ratings for the Show?\nThe New Employee Episode 7 Release Date Viki, Streaming Platforms, Trailer and…\nMissing the Other Side Season 2 Episode 13 Release Date: Lets Look at the Summary of…\nBig Bet Season 2 Episode 3 Release Date, Where to Watch and Production Profile of…\nTrolley Episode 13 and 14 Release Date, Streaming Platforms…\nIs Al Pacino Dating Anyone? The Celebrated Actor is Married…\nIs There Going to be a Season 2 of True Beauty ?\nWho Is Tara Lipinski’s Husband: When Lipinski and Kapostasy…\nGrace Gummer Is Pregnant, Expecting First Baby with Beloved…\nSacheen Littlefeather Net Worth, and Cause Of Death!\nBest and Famous Dating App in USA 2022-2023\nSpy X Family Season 2 is set to premiere in 2023, according…\nTeam India’s new record in the history books\nSimon Jordan Net Worth: Check Out Main Source of His…","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line86670"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9555777311325073,"wiki_prob":0.9555777311325073,"text":"Home Popular Cities New York U.S. Supreme Court to weigh Cuomo-era New York corruption cases\nU.S. Supreme Court to weigh Cuomo-era New York corruption cases\nHBTVnews\nNov 27 (Reuters) – The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday will consider a pair of cases that could make it harder to pursue public corruption prosecutions – bids by an ex-aide to Democratic former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and a businessman to reverse bribery and fraud convictions.\nThe justices are set to hear arguments in the appeals by Joseph Percoco and Louis Ciminelli, who were charged in related cases in 2016 as part of a corruption crackdown by federal prosecutors in Manhattan centered on the halls of the state capital of Albany.\nThe eventual rulings by the justices, expected by the end of June, also will affect three co-defendants charged in corruption and fraud cases during Cuomo’s tenure as governor involving state contracts worth hundreds of millions of dollars.\nRulings favoring the defendants could curtail prosecutors from charging a variety cases as wire frauds and limit their ability to pursue certain classes of bribery cases, according to Jaimie Nawaday, a former federal prosecutor now working at the Seward & Kissel law firm.\n“Prosecutors could face a constriction of their ability to bring charges based on novel and expansive readings of the fraud statutes,” Nawaday said.\nThe Supreme Court in recent years has hemmed in prosecutors in political corruption cases including a 2020 decision to toss the convictions of two aides to Republican former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie relating to the “Bridgegate” political scandal. The court in 2016 also threw out Republican former Virginia Governor Robert McDonnell’s bribery conviction in another ruling narrowing the types of conduct that can warrant prosecution as corrupt.\nThe charges against Percoco and Ciminelli were brought in 2016 by then-Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara, who also pursued corruption cases against top state lawmakers including former Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver.\nThe case Bharara unveiled in 2016 cast a pall over Cuomo’s administration even though he was not charged. Cuomo resigned from office in 2021 in an unrelated sexual harassment scandal.\nPercoco, a former Cuomo aide, was convicted in 2018 on bribery-related charges for seeking $315,000 in bribes in exchange for helping two corporate clients of an Albany lobbyist named Todd Howe pursuing state benefits and business.\nProsecutors said Percoco referred to the payments as “ziti,” a term for money used by characters in “The Sopranos” mobster TV series. Percoco was sentenced in 2018 to six years in prison.\nHowe pleaded guilty and cooperated with investigators. Percoco was convicted alongside an executive at a real estate developer, Steven Aiello, who prosecutors said orchestrated bribes to Percoco.\nAt the time of the actions at issue, Percoco was no longer serving in government as the governor’s executive deputy secretary but managing Cuomo’s 2014 re-election campaign, a fact his lawyers said meant he could not be convicted of bribery.\nHis lawyers argue that Percoco’s status as a private citizen meant that his acceptance of money to convince the government to do something indicated he was not a crook but a lobbyist, and that upholding his conviction would expose the profession of lobbying more broadly to criminal charges.\nThe New York-based 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in 2021 upheld his conviction, finding that Percoco had a guaranteed job in Cuomo’s administration post-election and in the interim exercised enough influence over government decision-making to owe a duty to the public.\nCiminelli’s case focused on Howe’s role as a consultant hired to help administer Cuomo’s $1 billion revitalization initiative for the Buffalo, New York, area – dubbed the “Buffalo Billion.”\nProsecutors said executives at two companies including Ciminelli, who owned a construction firm, conspired with Howe and Alain Kaloyeros, who oversaw the Buffalo Billion grant application process, to rig bids to ensure contracts went to their firms.\nCiminelli was convicted at trial alongside Kaloyeros, the former president of State University of New York’s Polytechnic Institute, and developers Joseph Gerardi and Aiello. They also have asked the Supreme Court to reverse their convictions.\nCiminelli was sentenced to two years and four months in prison, Gerardi to 2-1/2 years, Aiello to three years and Kaloyeros to 3-1/2 years. A judge in July allowed all four to be released from prison on bail after the Supreme Court agreed to hear the case.\nDefense lawyers have said prosecutors overreached by trying to fit their actions within the framework of the wire fraud statute, which criminalizes schemes to fraudulently obtain money or property.\nThe prosecutors relied on a legal theory of wire fraud called “right to control” in which it was not money at issue but instead economically valuable information in which a victim had an interest. Prosecutors identified the victim as Fort Schuyler Management Corp, an arm of SUNY Polytechnic Institute that oversaw the contracting process and that the government said was deprived of the ability to make fully informed decisions.\nCiminelli’s lawyers said such intangible information could not qualify as a “property fraud” under Supreme Court’s precedents.\n(This story has been refiled to add dropped word ‘make’ to lede)\nReporting by Nate Raymond in Boston and Andrew Chung in Washington; Editing by Will Dunham\nNate Raymond\nNate Raymond reports on the federal judiciary and litigation. He can be reached at nate.raymond@thomsonreuters.com.\nPrevious articleDrag queen Alaska shares her favorite Los Angeles gay bars\nNext article6 Movies Spotlighting The Queer Experience In Latin America\nhttp://HispanicBusinessTV.com\n18 children injured in New York City basement fire\nTime to Believe? | Enter Vogue and the New York Times (H&H | 5-19-22)\nTrump drops second lawsuit against New York attorney general\nFrom new video technology to “elevated” concessions, Citi Field is ready...\nAm I Eligible for a Booster Shot? Who Needs One? –...\nWhat’s Next in the New York Attorney General’s Trump Inquiry?","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line179148"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5640437602996826,"wiki_prob":0.4359562397003174,"text":"PSEG Foundation Supports the Community FoodBank of NJ’s Efforts to Reduce Food Insecurity During COVID-19 Outbreak\nPSEG Foundation provides $45,000 grant to address critical needs of children and families\nSubmitted by Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG)\nThe PSEG Foundation is supporting the Community FoodBank of New Jersey in its response to critical community needs throughout New Jersey as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. The Community FoodBank of New Jersey (CFBNJ) is New Jersey's largest anti-hunger organization that works with over 1,000 community organizations and partners in the state. The PSEG Foundation provided The Community FoodBank of New Jersey a grant of $45,000 to address rising food insecurity.\nIn response to the COVID-19 outbreak and statewide guidance to close schools and reduce community interaction, the CFBNJ has identified districts and communities in great need, including where children typically receive free and reduced-price lunch. In collaboration with schools, the Salvation Army and American Red Cross, this program aims to fill gaps for families created by the disruption to schools and work. (Volunteers are not needed at this time given the sensitivity of social distancing and food interaction.)\n“The PSEG Foundation understands that COVID-19 presents a new and unique challenge to those who may already be struggling to meet the needs of their family,” said Rick Thigpen, PSEG’s senior vice president for Corporate Citizenship and chairman of the PSEG Foundation. “In our effort to support and build sustainable communities, the PSEG Foundation is honored to assist The Community FoodBank of New Jersey to reduce food insecurity and support of the most vulnerable among us in this time of crisis.”\n\"Our neighbors in need are already suffering from the economic impact of COVID-19, while others find themselves struggling for the first time,\" said Carlos Rodriguez, president and CEO of the Community FoodBank of New Jersey. \"Low-income workers and those with hourly wages are among the hardest hit. CFBNJ is grateful to the PSEG Foundation for their support during this challenging time, helping us to keep New Jersey's most vulnerable individuals and communities fed.\"\nIn times of disaster, the Community FoodBank of New Jersey partners with the Department of Health & Human Services, NJ VOAD, the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army.\nThe PSEG Foundation is a 501c3, not-for-profit organization that aims to build sustainable and thriving communities by fostering equity, safety, and diversity and inclusion, as well as supporting the environment, education and workforce development in the communities we serve. The PSEG Foundation provides grants to groups in communities served by PSEG and its subsidiaries; Foundation giving is separate and distinct from PSEG’s operational budget.\nFor information about PSEG company response and operational changes associated with the COVID-19 outbreak, visit PSEG’s Coronavirus Update webpage.\nIf you are a PSE&G customer experiencing difficulties as a result of the outbreak and would like additional time to pay bills, visit pseg.com/help.\nIf you are looking for ways to stay connected with PSE&G to help manage your account, you can log into My Account, chat or email, register for MyAlerts for text and email updates, download the free PSE&G mobile app, and follow us on Facebook and Twitter\nAbout the PSEG Foundation\nThe PSEG Foundation, 501(c)(3), the philanthropic arm of Public Service Enterprise Group Inc. (PSEG) (NYSE:PEG), prioritizes investments in the environment, safety, STEM education & workforce development, diversity & inclusion, and the communities served by PSEG. Headquartered in Newark, N.J., PSEG is a diversified energy company with approximately 13,000 employees. In 2020, PSEG was named one of Forbes’ Best Employers For Diversity for the third year in a row. In addition, PSEG was named to the Dow Jones Sustainability Index North America for the 12th consecutive year in 2019 and received a Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index 2018 rating of 100 percent. (https://corporate.pseg.com/).\nVisit PSEG at:\nwww.pseg.com\nPSEG on Facebook\nPSEG on Twitter\nPSEG on LinkedIn\nPSEG blog, Energize!\nMarijke Shugrue\nMarijke.Shugrue@pseg.com\nPublic Service Enterprise Group (PSEG)\nPublic Service Enterprise Group Inc. (PSEG) (NYSE: PEG) is a publicly traded diversified energy company with approximately 13,000 employees. Headquartered in Newark, N.J., PSEG's principal operating subsidiaries are: Public Service Electric and Gas Co. (PSE&G), PSEG Power and PSEG Long Island. PSEG is a Fortune 500 company included in the S&P 500 Index and has been named to the Dow Jones Sustainability Index for North America for 11 consecutive years (https://corporate.pseg.com/).\nMore from Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG)","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line500442"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6555081009864807,"wiki_prob":0.3444918990135193,"text":"Biblical AnalysisFeaturedFISM News\nStudy: acts of kindness are successful in fighting depression, anxiety\nby Jacob Fuller January 13, 2023\nLauren Dempsey, MS in Biomedicine and Law, RN, FISM News\nKindness may be a cure for anxiety and depression according to a new study out of The Ohio State University (OSU).\nDavid Cregg led the study as part of his Ph.D. dissertation in psychology at Ohio State along with Jennifer Cheavens, a professor of psychology at the university.\nThe study was published in December in The Journal of Positive Psychology and describes how social connection can impact anxiety and depression. The research involved 122 people in Ohio who had moderate to severe depression, anxiety, and stress.\nThe participants were separated into three groups after an introductory session. One group was assigned to plan social activities two days a week. The second group of participants was instructed to use a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) technique called cognitive reappraisal, which encourages patients to identify negative thought patterns and reframe their thinking to encourage positive thoughts and reduce depression and anxiety.\nIn the third group, participants were assigned to perform three acts of kindness a day for two days of the week. These acts were defined as “big or small acts that benefit others or make others happy, typically at some cost to you in terms of time or resources.”\nEach group was encouraged to document their thoughts during the study and some examples of kindness that participants recorded were baking cookies for friends, offering a ride, and leaving notes with words of encouragement.\nParticipants followed instructions for their assignments for five weeks, after which they were re-evaluated. To determine if the interventions continued to be effective, the researchers checked with the participants after another five weeks.\nKINDNESS IS THE BEST MEDICINE\nWhile all three interventions yielded positive results, acts of kindness lead to improvements that were not seen in the other two groups, suggesting that acts of kindness and connecting with others directly impact mental health.\n“These results are encouraging because they suggest that all three study interventions are effective at reducing distress and improving satisfaction,” Cregg said in a statement. “Acts of kindness still showed an advantage over both social activities and cognitive reappraisal by making people feel more connected to other people, which is an important part of well-being.”\nSocial connection is one of the ingredients of life most strongly associated with well-being. Performing acts of kindness seems to be one of the best ways to promote those connections.\nOTHER STUDIES CONFIRM\nOther studies support the idea that acts of kindness are beneficial to mental health. Research from the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley indicates that kindness activates the pleasure center of the brain, releasing chemicals that can positively impact our mood and reduce levels of anxiety, stress, and depression.\nHowever, according to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), depression is one of the most common mental disorders in the United States, resulting in impairments that can limit or alter a person’s ability to carry out major life activities. In 2020, an estimated 21 million adults in America had at least one major depressive episode with prevalence rates being highest in females and those aged 18-25.\nTreatment of depression and anxiety usually includes a combination of therapy and medication. Psychotherapy can help to learn skills, modify problematic behaviors, cope with stress, and overcome fear.\nThe authors of this study are hopeful that this research will have benefits outside of traditional therapy. Cheavens explains that this “relatively simple, one-time training had real effects on reducing depression and anxiety symptoms,” and that “doing nice things for people and focusing on the needs of others may actually help people with depression and anxiety feel better about themselves.”\nEditor’s Biblical Analysis\nThe Biblical lesson here is pretty obvious to anyone familiar with the teachings of Christ. When asked what the most important commandment was,\nJesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” – Matthew 22:37-40\nAs Christ Jesus pointed out, love is the foundation of His Word. The Bible is full of commandments to kindness and love (Luke 6:35, Eph. 4:32, Col. 3:12, Gal. 6:10, 1 John 3:18, Phillipians 2:1-30). The Bible also teaches us that kindness and love benefit not only the recipient but also those who show kindness and love (Prov. 11:17, 14:21, 19:17, 1 Peter 3:9, Romans 11:22).\nSo, Believer, go forth and show kindness and love to those around you, knowing that in doing so you not only benefit those who receive your kindness, but you also please God and will reap the rewards of obedience to Him.\nCalifornia picks up debris from latest storm, braces for the next\nRepublican introduces resolution to install Zelenskyy bust in Capitol","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line218147"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7178391218185425,"wiki_prob":0.2821608781814575,"text":"Dec/10\nMLB Trade Rumors: Identifying The Trade Needs For Every Single MLB Team\nby Adam Rosen under MLB\nI am not a general manager of any MLB team, but I am going to try and play one.\nWith the Winter Meetings in the rearview mirror, the MLB offseason winding down, before we know it, pitchers and catchers are going to be reporting to spring training in just a couple of months.\nBut until then, teams will be looking to improve their rosters. Whether its via free agency or trading for a player, each team has a need in which they need to fill before the season begins.\nIt might not be at the most important position, or in the clean-up spot in lineup, but this one move could be the difference between a World Series championship and a disappointing season.\nEveryone is entitled to their own opinion about what their favorite team needs to do before next season to become contenders, but this is mine.\nSit back, relax, and enjoy.\nLet’s play ball.\nBegin Slideshow\nMLB Trade Rumors, Rankings/List Leave a Comment more...\nMLB Free Agency: Jesus Montero and 10 Top Prospects Preventing Big Splashes\nLooking ahead to 2011, many teams will look to improve their roster via free agency or by making a major trade during the off-season.\nTeams like the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are looking to sign a major free agent, and have their fan bases excited for this upcoming season. However, the secret to a team’s success isn’t always found by signing the biggest free agent, or trading for a six-time all star.\nThe difference between a championship and missing the playoffs can be found in the minors. For some teams, the future of the franchise lay in the hands of the top-rated prospect. For others, general managers look to use their highly touted prospects as trade bait to reel in a big name to improve their roster, or in some cases, simply to boost ticket sales.\nWhile everyone has their own opinion where Cliff Lee will end up, and have speculated which team Carl Crawford will sign with, these guys aren’t the only players making headlines during this offseason.\nLet’s not forget about the Other Guys.\nSo from Triple-A last season to the Majors in 2011, here are some big name prospects who will not only be difference makers in 2011, but because of their talent and expectations they are bringing to the show, these top prospects are preventing general managers from making big splashes this offseason, at their respective position.\nSit back, relax, enjoy.\nThe winter meetings are set to begin.\nRankings/List Leave a Comment more...\nNov/10\nMLB Twitter: What A Few Of The Yankee Greats Are Saying About Derek Jeter Now?\nNo one on this list needs an introduction.\nIf you follow the Yankees, or simply, have been following baseball over it’s magnificent history, the names on this list speak for themselves.\nAlthough most of these players on this list are Hall of Famers, and while some will fall short of reaching Cooperstown, there is no doubt, they are all Yankee legends.\nAL East, Derek Jeter, New York Yankees, Rankings/List Leave a Comment more...\nMLB Rumors: 10 Reasons Derek Jeter Won’t Win a Contract Standoff\nReady. Aim. Fire.\nContract negotiations between Derek Jeter and the Yankees are well underway with both sides standing pat.\nThe Yankees are not willing to offer Jeter a fourth year, and the Jeter camp is insulted with the Yankees initial offer of a three-year, $45 million deal.\nWe all know Jeter is going to be a Yankee next season, and for the next couple of years.\nWe all know he will be the starting shortstop when the season begins, and we all know Jeter will soon be nearing the end of the line in what will undoubtedly be a Hall of Fame career.\nThe battle lines have been drawn and the Yankees are not backing down.\nJeter enters this war after compiling career lows in a few offensive categories and, for the first time in his career, he does not have the upper hand.\nAs Jeter seeks the contract he desires, don’t expect the Yankees to change their stance.\nAt the end of the day, Jeter will be a Yankee, but unfortunately for Jeter, it’s going to be under the terms of the Yankees front office.\nDerek Jeter, New York Yankees, Opinion, TimesUnion Leave a Comment more...\nNew York Yankees: Analyzing Their 10 Biggest Offseason Questions\nWhile 2009 ended with a World Series championship, 2010 ended in disappointment.\nWhile the Texas Rangers celebrated in front of their home crowd and were heading to their first World Series championship in franchise history, the 2010 offseason was beginning for the New York Yankees.\nThe Yankees and their 200 million dollar payroll, began their offseason earlier than expected. Now multiple uncertainties surround this team, with some of the greatest players in franchise history becoming free agents.\nIt’s sad to write, but even the almighty Yankees can’t be the best every year. Only most of the time.\nAs the Yankees get back to the drawing board, and look to re-tune for 2011, here are the 10 biggest offseason questions facing this team.\nSit back relax and enjoy.\nAJ Burnett, AL East, Cliff Lee, Derek Jeter, Kerry Wood, Mariano Rivera, New York Yankees, Rankings/List Leave a Comment more...\nMLB Trade Rumors: BJ Upton and 10 Other Available Chips for 2011\nCliff Lee and Carl Crawford are the biggest names of a lackluster 2010 MLB free agent class.\nIn only a matter of weeks, Lee will be re-joined with former Cleveland Indians teammate CC Sabathia in New York, and Crawford will be heading to Hollywood to become a member of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.\nThis will leave the headlines open for players like Jayson Werth, Adam Dunn and Paul Konerko, who will be vying for major contracts, and looking for a team to call home.\nWhile a lot of the focus is on this year’s free agent class, I’m focusing on players who could possibly be dealt before the season begins.\nThat free agent class will be highlighted by a duo of first basemen, Prince Fielder and Adrian Gonzalez, and, if Albert Pujols and the Cardinals can’t work out an extension, he will be the precious prize of 2011.\nLet’s look at BJ Upton and 10 other available chips for 2011.\nSep/10\nMLB Trade Rumors: Power Ranking the 10 Best Second-Tier Players\nThis offseason, Cliff Lee and Carl Crawford will be headlining this year’s free-agent class. Both players will be demanding major contracts, and both players might end up in New York.\nWell, Lee will be in the Bronx, but the verdict is still out on Crawford.\nFor teams that can ill-afford to get the “Big Fish,” they must look at other options—the second-tier players. Guys that can still contribute, but will be affordable to acquire.\nWith the start of the offseason just five days away for the teams that failed to qualify for the playoffs, here are the 10 best “Buy Low” Candidates for this offseason.\nYou will not agree with all of my selections. You will mention guys that I left off.\nEveryone is entitled to their own opinion, but this one is mine.\nBest Slideshows - League, Carl Crawford, Cliff Lee, Hideki Matsui, Jorge Cantu, Manny Ramirez, MLB Trade Rumors, Partners MLB, Rankings/List Leave a Comment more...\nAJ Burnett and MLB’s 10 Contending Pitchers Who Do Not Deserve a Playoff Start\nDoesn’t the photograph of A.J. Burnett say it all?\nI think it does (Yankee fans, including myself are used to it).\nTherefore, sit back, relax and enjoy, as you read “AJ Burnett and MLB’s 10 Contending Pitchers Who Do Not Deserve a Playoff Start.”\nThe playoffs are around the corner.\nOpinion, Rankings/List Leave a Comment more...\nMr. Clutch: CC Sabathia and the Top 10 Pennant-Race Performances Ever\n“And down the stretch they come.”\nThose words, made famous by horse racing announcer Dave Johnson, should be playing on loudspeakers in baseball parks all across the country.\nWith the regular season coming to an end, there are some divisions still up for grabs, and wild cards still to be determined.\nWhile we wait to see which teams will be playing in this “second season,” let’s take a look back at the greatest pennant-race performances of all-time.\nWhile some players buckle under the pressure, these players performed when the lights shined the brightest, and were the difference between a playoff berth, and missing out on a chance at a World Series championship.\nMLB History, Partners MLB, Rankings/List Leave a Comment more...\nThanks Pittsburgh: 10 Reasons MLB Is Facing a Labor Dispute\nWe all thought the Pirates and Marlins were in dire need of financial help.\nWe all were wrong.\nA few weeks ago, documents were leaked pertaining to the Pirates and Marlins financial situations.\nWith the news, fans from Florida and Pittsburgh were outraged, and shock waves were felt around the MLB community.\nWhat appeared to be two unprofitable teams simply trying to survive, are anything but. It is yet to be scene if the MLB is in trouble, as another strike is possibly looming.\nAs I present,10 reasons MLB is facing a labor dispute, we can only wonder what is next for baseball.\nBest Slideshows - League, Rankings/List Leave a Comment more...","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line760767"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5376812815666199,"wiki_prob":0.5376812815666199,"text":"Opinion: Why are Black women writing love letters to Black girls in Columbus?\nAmelia Robinson\nDispatch Opinion Editor\nfran frazier says that being a Black girl and experiencing trauma often go hand in hand.\nThat's part of the reason her soul felt it on April 20 when a police officer responding to a fight fired multiple shots into the body of a 16-year-old girl wielding a knife outside of her foster home in the 3100 block of Legion Lane.\n►Loving our girls up: An open letter to Columbus' Black girls from Black women who love them\n\"When this killing of Ma'Khia Bryant happened, I was really broken-hearted,\" said frazier, who perfers her name lowercased. \"I started thinking about all the girls in our community and what they must be feeling.\"\nfrazier, the founder Black Girl Rising — an advocacy and social change organization — wanted to do something to support and help central Ohio Black girls traumatized by the shooting, coronavirus, and other social issues.\n►Opinion: 'Black girls matter and we are going to do our best to make sure they know that\nAs it turned out, so did a lot of other Black women.\nfrazier was blown away when 73 Black women showed up to the virtual meeting, she set up following Ma'Khia Bryant's death.\nThis summer, the women will offer a series of girl-focused workshops centered on conflict resolution, self-defense, yoga, mindfulness, and performing arts practices that address trauma.\nThe broad range 'village' of women — mothers, sisters, aunties, and daughters — penned the letter below to show support for Black girls.\nMore:Opinion: Public needs to know details of Ma'Khia Bryant's life and death while in our care\nDuring the month of May, Mental Health Awareness Month, they will read love letters to girls on local radio stations. A sample of those love letters can be found on Dispatch.com.\nThey are encouraging other women to pen love letters to Black girls which will be gathered for a book to be distributed to girls in foster care and in juvenile detention facilities.\nColumbus area service organizations and congregations are being asked to give greeting cards.\nfrazier said it is critical that girls know they are loved and valued.\n\"I am sure that people are going to deal with the other issues that came about as a result of this, but we need to figure out how to love our girls up,\" she said.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line628509"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.651380717754364,"wiki_prob":0.651380717754364,"text":"Contactless 101: How frequency guides RF technologies\ncategory: Contactless, Library, RFID\nIn the late 1800s a German physicist named Heinrich Hertz created radio waves in the laboratory. A century later, we are still expanding upon Hertz’s discovery. Radio waves make possible all wireless communications–from mobile telephone conversations to wireless data transfer. They beam our television signals, bring music to our radios, and make it safe to fly by carrying air traffic information to radar systems. And, they make contactless cards contactless.\nFor his contribution to this field of science and engineering, Mr. Hertz’s name made the key unit of measurement in the field–the Hertz (Hz). Before we define the Hz however, we must first investigate the more basic concept of frequency.\nFor our readers working in the RF field (or those with stronger science backgrounds than the majority of us), this may seem rudimentary. However, for the thousands of Contactless News readers that work in corporate security offices, transit agencies, and the financial sector–our memories of high school physics have likely faded and a re-education will do us good. So here goes.\nLike a wave in the ocean, a radio wave goes up and down over time. A single complete wave can be described as beginning at sea level, rising to its highest peak, descending past sea level to its lowest point, and then returning to sea level. The number of complete ocean wave ‘cycles’ that occur in a specific time interval could be described as the frequency.\nA radio wave can be thought of in the same manner–going from a baseline to a peak, then to a low point, and back to the baseline. This is referred to as a cycle. Frequency is a measure of the number of cycles completed in a period of time. One cycle completed in one second equals one Hz. Thus, the unit of measurement called the Hz is actually the number of cycles per second.\nRadio waves cycle extremely quickly and thus are seldom measured in Hz. Prefixes are added to Hz to make it large enough to describe frequencies in manageable terms. The prefix kilo (k) means 1000. A single kilohertz (kHz), therefore, is equal to 1000 Hz. The prefix mega (M) equals 1 million and, thus, a single megahertz (MHz) is equal to 1 million Hz.\nIn RFID systems, two common frequencies are 125 kHz and 13.56 MHz. Many read-only proximity cards used in access control arenas operate at frequencies on or around 125 kHz. That means that the radio waves are cycling at 125,000 waves per second. That is a staggering number, yet, the 13.56 MHz technology used in many contactless smart card systems relies on waves cycling at 13,560,000 waves per second!\nWhile these frequencies seem astoundingly high, wireless networks and satellite systems operate at frequencies that are measured in gigahertz (GHz), or 1 billion cycles per second. Frequencies above 1 GHz are commonly referred to as operating in the microwave range rather than the radio frequency range–though this is not a delineation that is recognized universally.\nSo we see that it is the rate of the radio waves that determines frequency. And we see how this frequency is measured in Hz, kHz, MHz, and GHz. But what does this really mean? Why does a 900 MHz cordless telephone operate at 900 MHz while a 13.56 MHz fare collection card operates at 13.56 MHz?\nIn a RF system, there are two required components–a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter sends radio waves while the receiver catches them. In order for a transmitter and a receiver to communicate–to send and receive radio waves–they must both be ‘communicating’ at the same frequency.\nTo illustrate this point, think of the transmitter as a whistle and the receiver as an ear. When a normal whistle is blown, it creates noise at a frequency that the human ear can receive. But when a dog whistle is blown, the frequency of the resulting noise is above that which is audible to the human ear. A dog can hear it, but a human cannot.\nIn a similar manner, the frequency recognized by a transmitter and a receiver must be compatible. When a 13.56 MHz card is presented to a 13.56 MHz reader, signals are recognized. But when a 125 kHz card is presented to the 13.56 MHz reader, they cannot even begin a dialog.\nSo frequency measures the number of cycles per second, but the practical importance of this is that it determines whether transmitters and receivers can speak to each other. At any given moment, the air is filled with radio waves of many different frequencies. If the waves accepted by a particular receiver were not limited to certain frequencies or frequency ranges, it would be overwhelmed with incoming signals.\nIn the different regions of the world, governments or quasi-governmental bodies have allocated the spectrum of available frequencies to specific uses. Thus, television receivers are not likely to be bombarded by non-approved signals and RFID card systems are not likely to be jammed by unauthorized or unintended signals from other RF-generating systems.\nOkay, that is enough about frequency. Next we will examine how the radio waves are used to carry meaningful data–such as card ID numbers–between transmitters and receivers. To give you a hint, it is called modulation and it is a concept that is just as important to wireless systems as the concept of frequency.\nThe all-important concept of freque... Radio frequency identification (RFI... Contactless 101: Modulation lets ra...\nTags: RFID and RTLS, Technology 101","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1527754"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8653799295425415,"wiki_prob":0.8653799295425415,"text":"Home > Archives > Reclaiming Film History: An Interview with Women Film Pioneers Project Manager Kate Saccone\nReclaiming Film History: An Interview with Women Film Pioneers Project Manager Kate Saccone\nBy Sarah Bastin\nFlicker Alley is proud to present this exclusive interview with Kate Saccone, Project Manager of the Women Film Pioneers Project at Columbia University and author of the booklet essay for Early Women Filmmakers: An International Anthology. Saccone discusses her work with WFPP, her involvement with Early Women Filmmakers, how much progress women directors have made, and more!\nCan you tell our audience a bit about how you became interested in film and your background in cinema?\nIt’s the most cliché answer in the book, but I grew up loving film. My parents made sure that I saw a lot of great cinema during my childhood and I embraced it all. I was particularly obsessed with classical Hollywood musicals like Singin’ in the Rain (1952) and Summer Stock (1950). I ended up pursuing degrees in film studies at both the undergraduate and graduate levels (at Clark University and Columbia University, respectively). During my time at Columbia, I worked as a research assistant for Jane Gaines’ Women Film Pioneers Project and began to focus on silent cinema and women’s participation in film production at that time.\nYou have been an integral part of the Women Film Pioneers Project as Project Manager. For those who are unfamiliar, what is the Women Film Pioneers Project and what has been your involvement?\nThe Women Film Pioneers Project (WFPP) is a collaborative online resource published by Columbia University’s Center for Digital Research and Scholarship. Our mission is to advance research on and bring visibility to the hundreds (and hundreds!) of women who worked at all levels of production in cinema’s first two decades. We strive to show that women worked in film, all around the world, as more than just actresses during the silent era. WFPP consists of career profiles (short essays on a single woman) and overview essays (longer articles looking at a national cinema or occupation) written by film historians and archivists. In addition to publishing this original scholarship, we feature a wide range of archival resources and links to facilitate further research and discovery. WFPP has actually been around since 1993 and was originally conceived of as a multi-volume book set. Luckily, we ended up being an online-only resource, which allows us to evolve in variety of exciting ways.\nIn terms of my involvement, I became Project Manager after I graduated and right before our online launch in 2013. Each day is different for me, which I love. I do everything from outreach and film research to supervise our graduate students and manage our image database and DVD/VHS library. The largest part of my job is to oversee the editing and publishing of the profiles and essays, but I also handle social media and website updates and organize any events and screenings that we host. Basically, I get to collaborate with everyone from our wonderful contributors to our talented web developers to make sure WFPP continues to run and expand.\n\"The Girl in the Armchair\" (1912) by Alice Guy Blaché, notable for its superimposition nightmare sequence.\nOur friend and colleague David Shepard, who recently passed away, curated and produced our Early Women Filmmakers collection. Can you tell us how he brought you onto the project? What was your process for writing the booklet essay and film annotations included in this release?\nDavid hired me in early September 2016 after he had already selected the titles for this anthology. I spent some time researching these women in more detail and watching the films included in the set. I wanted to find ways to talk about them all together and create a narrative that put someone like Alice Guy Blaché in dialogue with Mary Ellen Bute. I tried to contextualize these women and think about their working conditions, their different relationships to the developing cinematic medium, and their legacies. I knew that I could not talk at length about every single woman, but I looked for threads that connected them all in various ways.\nSuccessful director Lois Weber was at one time the highest-paid director in Hollywood.\nLois Weber was once as famous and respected in the film industry as her contemporaries Cecil B. DeMille and D.W. Griffith. Why do you think women directors like her were largely written out of film history? And what are some of the ways in which film historians and fans have gone about restoring recognition for these artists?\nA simple answer is that, in the United States, women directors like Weber were essentially marginalized and pushed out as a result of Hollywood’s move toward vertical integration and the producer-centric system of production in the 1920s. Over time, the idea of “director” became synonymous with the male filmmakers who dominated the studio system, essentially allowing film history to “forget” about all the women who shaped the emerging art form in its first two decades. For a more detailed understanding of this period, there are several important books that I urge people to read, like Shelley Stamp’s Lois Weber in Early Hollywood, Karen Ward Mahar’s Women Filmmakers in Early Hollywood, and Jane Gaines’ forthcoming Pink-Slipped: What Happened to Women in the Silent Film Industry?\nThese resources, along with other publications on specific women, the efforts of film festivals and conferences, restorations and DVD releases, and online discussions, are a vital part of the international film community’s efforts to restore recognition for these artists. Archivists, film programmers, academics, distributors, and fans have been celebrating and sharing the work of early women directors for years and it’s exciting to see awareness of female filmmakers like Weber continue to grow.\n\"La Cigarette\" (1919)\nHow much work still needs to be done for early women filmmakers to get their due, and what sort of progress have you seen while working with the Women Film Pioneers Project?\nWhile we’ve come a long way in recognizing the work of some early female filmmakers, there’s still a long way to go, especially in raising awareness outside of academia and the film community. I do feel like there has been an increase in film programs and online articles in mainstream media outlets focusing on early women directors in the last few years. I think people are recognizing more and more the urgent need to rewrite these women back into film history. There are so many great resources and efforts out there—from silent film blogs like Movies Silently and film festivals like Il Cinema Ritrovato to publications like Doing Women’s Film History and Tami Williams’ Germaine Dulac: A Cinema of Sensations. It’s all fantastic work, and we just need to keep going!\n\"Spook Sport\" (1939) by Mary Ellen Bute\nIn your essay for Early Women Filmmakers, you mention how the set highlights how there is “no one way to be a female filmmaker.” Why do you think that’s important? And what are some of the films included that might ‘break the mold’ of what mainstream audiences might think about the cinematic contributions of early women directors?\nI think it’s always important to remember that “woman” or “woman director” is not homogeneous —then and now. When I look at this anthology, I love seeing Weber’s thriller Suspense (1913) alongside something like Bute’s experimental “film ballet” Spook Sport (1939). Those are two very different films made by women, and we should celebrate that diversity. We often expect women to only make “women’s films” (films that deal in theme/topic with women’s issues) and that’s so limiting. The 14 filmmakers included in this set worked in vastly different ways (commercially, independently, in collaboration, alone, etc.) and in numerous genres and modes (documentary, animation, comedy, etc.). Even just looking at one woman, this release highlights how Guy Blaché made so many different types of films during her career. Overall, I love that there’s a mix of films that directly engage with issues of gender like The Peasant Women of Ryazan (1927), Dance, Girl, Dance (1940), or La Souriante Mme. Beudet (1922), but also films like Parabola (1937) or The Stolen Heart (1934) that do not in the same way.\n\"Papageno\" (1935) by Lotte Reiniger, based on Mozart's \"The Magic Flute\"\nWhich films included do you find most surprising or relevant in theme today?\nI think Guy Blaché’s Making an American Citizen (1912) and Weber’s The Blot (1921) both speak to larger issues and concerns that are extremely relevant today. I am always blown away by Lotte Reiniger’s silhouette animation work and it continues to thrill and surprise me every time I watch her films. It is nice to see some of her shorts included in this anthology, giving viewers a chance to see other titles beyond the canonical The Adventures of Prince Achmed (1926).\nSome viewers might find the inclusion of Leni Riefenstahl’s Day of Freedom (1935) controversial. Why is it important to include and preserve this film as a historical document, and why is it important that Riefenstahl remain part of the discussion of international early women filmmakers? Did David Shepard happen to talk to you about why he wanted to include this film?\nLike I said, I became involved in this project after the titles were selected, so I cannot speak to David’s motivations. Given that this anthology is meant to have an international focus on women filmmakers working up to World War II, I understand why someone like Riefenstahl was included. Her career and work are part of our global cinematic history. Day of Freedom is inseparable from a much larger (and timely) discussion of our world history and cinema’s relationship to politics. That said, I do believe that any public screening of her films should make the effort to contextualize her work, either through program notes or a panel/intro. For viewers of this anthology, there’s a title card that explains the context of Day of Freedom and I tried to contextualize her work similarly in my film note and bio blurb.\nMeshes of the Afternoon (1943)\nCan you talk a little bit about the concept and practice of collaboration in regards to the history of women in film? How has it been a strength? How has it been a hindrance?\nA lot of early women directors worked in important collaborations over the course of their careers. In many ways, it made things easier for them as professional women in 20th century society. For example, Germaine Dulac couldn’t start her film company without the financial participation of her husband because of the Napoleonic code in France at the time. More egalitarian husband/wife partnerships were also common—Guy Blaché and Herbert Blaché, Weber and Phillips Smalley, Claire Parker and Alexandre Alexeieff, Maya Deren and Alexander Hammid, and Reiniger and Carl Koch are just some of the many examples of this. Filmmakers like Weber, Guy Blaché, Deren, and Reiniger certainly emerged as the dominant members in these partnerships. There’s always the danger, however, that in working in collaboration, credits and authorship—especially in early cinema—become even more difficult to figure out. In many cases, the woman’s contribution is overlooked in favor of the man’s. For example, Parker’s role as a director/animator often seems to be eclipsed by her more well-known husband.\nThough we did our best to include a wide array of films and filmmakers, we of course could not include everything. Is there a director whose work you think should be included on a follow-up edition?\nIn a perfect world, I’d love to see Esther Eng’s one extant film, Murder in New York Chinatown (1961), more accessible to contemporary viewers. While that’s a later title, Eng is an incredibly important early female director, whose work spans the 1930s through the 1960s. I’d also love to see figures like Gene Gauntier, Marion E. Wong, Sakane Tazuko, or any of the women making non-fiction films in the UK in the 1930s/1940s (Marion Grierson, etc.) included in a follow-up edition.\nTweet by @WomenaHollywood, March 10, 2017\nWhat do you hope the effect of this release will be on film fans or film discussion? Why is now an important time to release this set? Can you speak about the climate of the film industry toward women directors today?\nFor viewers already familiar with some of these women, I hope that this release will continue to inspire them to seek out other titles/directors and encourage them to revisit female artists who have been overlooked in favor of their male counterparts. For fans that are new to these names, I hope that this anthology will get them excited about some of the female filmmakers who worked during the first 40-plus years of cinema. Every time that we can add more films and filmmakers to our repertoire we’re expanding the conversation and changing our perspective in dynamic ways.\nIt’s important to have releases such as this one right now since the film industry is still dominated by white men. The continual lack of opportunities and access for contemporary women directors and people of color is horrible. The numbers in this recent chart posted by Women and Hollywood are troubling. As we continue to reclaim the work of these early women directors, we need to also support current female filmmakers and their struggles. They are two fights that are completely interconnected. I think Shelley Stamp says it best in her book on Weber: “Even now, as industry executives and pundits continue to find themselves amazed that women make popular, profitable, and interesting films… it is essential to remember that these fictions have a long tail. A vengeful ‘forgetting’ of women such as Lois Weber yields a skewed narrative with profound consequences for subsequent generations of filmmakers and filmgoers.”\nOur thanks to Kate Saccone for granting us this interview!\nKate Saccone is the Project Manager of the Women Film Pioneers Project at Columbia University. She has organized multiple film series and events relating to women and early cinema, including at the Museum of Modern Art, Anthology Film Archives, and the Film Studies Center at the University of Chicago. Her writing has appeared in Cinephile and various online outlets. Kate received a M.A. in Film Studies from Columbia University and a B.A. from Clark University.\nPre-order Early Women Filmmakers: An International Anthology on Blu-ray/DVD now!\nSale price $49.95 ends May 16, 2017!\nSign up for our blog feed below to receive instant email notifications of new blog posts!\nRecent Blog Posts:\nArchives, Interviews\nAnimation, Early Women Filmmakers, experimental film, silent film, Women Film Pioneers Project","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1835022"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8423804640769958,"wiki_prob":0.8423804640769958,"text":"Court discharges youth accused of abetting suicide of woman\nRepresentation Pic\nGK CORRESPONDENT\n9 Dec, 2022, 8:36 pm\nSrinagar, Dec 9: A Court in Baramulla has discharged a youth accused of abetting suicide of a young woman in April this year.\nOn October 3 this year, police had charge-sheeted the youth, Asif Nabi Ganai for the offence under section 306 of IPC after the case was investigated by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted for the purpose. The SIT as per the prosecution had concluded that the woman ended life after being “instigated” by the youth.\n“I am conscious of the law that at the time of framing of charge, if there is a grave suspicion against the accused, the charge against the accused is to be framed,” the court of 1st Additional Sessions Judge Malik Shabir Ahmad said after hearing APP for the police and advocate Arzan Dar for the accused.\nThe Court, however, pointed out that from the material on record, there was no such grave suspicion traced against the accused.\n“The deceased has committed suicide after seeing that her love affair with the accused is not going to materialize into a marriage between them. This by no stretch of imagination is a grave provocation proximate to the death of the deceased.”\nAccordingly the court held that no case for the charge of the accused for commission of offence punishable under section 306 IPC was made out. “The accused is discharged accordingly. Since the accused is in custody, he be set free forth with,” it said.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1083206"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9723033905029297,"wiki_prob":0.9723033905029297,"text":"Air Force investigates incident involving John Glenn's remains\nThe Air Force has launched an investigation into allegations a mortuary employee at Dover Air Force Base offered to show Sen. John Glenn's remains to Defense Department inspectors as his body was awaiting burial.\nThere is no indication the inspectors viewed the body, an Air Force official told CNN. But a key question is whether others were also told they could view Glenn's remains, one military official said.\nThe Glenn family has been notified about the incident, which was first reported in the publication Military Times.\nA long-serving Democratic senator from Ohio and US Marine, Glenn was the first American to orbit the earth in 1962.\nHe passed away December 8, 2016. The military mortuary at Dover Air Force Base was caring for his body until his burial at Arlington National Cemetery on April 6, on what would have been his 74th wedding anniversary.\nThe incident occurred during the week of February 27 when a Defense Department mortuary inspection team was conducting its first full inspection of Dover since a new inspection process began. During that inspection, \"someone reportedly offered to show the remains of Senator John Glenn to DOD inspectors,\" according to a statement from Air Force spokesman Col. Patrick Ryder. The employee has been re-assigned and is not being named by the Air Force.\n\"According to DOD, the inspectors declined the offer and at no time viewed the remains,\" Ryder said. \"If allegations of misconduct are substantiated, those involved will be held accountable.\"\nAfter learning of the incident from the inspectors' report, Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson ordered the inspector general to conduct a full review of the incident as well as mortuary management on May 17, Wilson's first full day on the job.\nThe Dover mortuary came under extensive criticism and review in 2011 after it was found some remains were mishandled.\nDover has been the main location for several years for mortuary affairs for deceased service members killed in action overseas.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line337577"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5515064597129822,"wiki_prob":0.5515064597129822,"text":"You are here: Parliament home page > Parliamentary business > Publications and Records > Hansard > Commons Debates > Daily Hansard - Debate\nIn considering deprived communities, I should like to focus on the importance of people throughout the education sector supporting children throughout the educational and demographic range. The hon. Member for Maidstone and The Weald (Mrs Grant), who is no longer in her place, made an important contribution about the need to build confidence and self-esteem in\n20 Jan 2011 : Column 1110\nchildren. That is a responsibility not just of parents but all of us who have the best interests of children and youths at heart. She also made an important plea for art, drama and sport not to be overlooked, and I hope that the Secretary of State will take that point seriously in talking about the new direction of the curriculum.\nThe hon. Member for Upper Bann (David Simpson)-I see that he is definitely still in his place-focused on the fact that the changes we need to see, to which all Members seem to be committed, will not happen without investment. The sentiment that it is not all about money is absolutely right, of course, but it is partly about money and we need to ensure that the right contributions are made.\nMy hon. Friend the Member for Stretford and Urmston (Kate Green) joined the hon. Members for South Northamptonshire (Andrea Leadsom) and for Rugby (Mark Pawsey) and my right hon. Friend the Member for Birkenhead in focusing on the importance of Sure Start children's centres in delivering services. At a time when some Sure Start centres are under threat-I was told recently of the potential closure of six in Derby-that provided all of us with a timely reminder that the local authority cuts will put tremendous pressure on councils. We all need to fight for the facilities in our communities.\nThe hon. Member for Calder Valley (Craig Whittaker) said that eradicating child poverty was a key objective of both parties. In fact, \"child poverty\" is something of a misnomer, because what we really mean is that we want to eradicate poverty. Children are generally poor because their parents are poor, so when we talk about benefit policy and creating jobs, we must remember that children's poverty does not happen in isolation from the circumstances of their parents.\nMy hon. Friend the Member for Slough (Fiona Mactaggart) was one of the few to reflect on the fact that the debate was not just about the early years. They are vital, but continuing to support children throughout their education, whatever direction that might take, is key. The change to education maintenance allowance is an important factor to consider in respect of disadvantaged children and young people. She also focused on the importance of evidence and research-based policy, as opposed to policy based on ideology or policy that is not properly researched.\nThe hon. Members for Lancaster and Fleetwood (Eric Ollerenshaw) and for Brigg and Goole (Andrew Percy) spoke of policy experimentation within the education sector. In the light of that, it was interesting that they made positive comments on the raft of changes we have seen in education in just a few short months, including the introduction of free schools, and academies being given extra money if they are outstanding, unlike under the previous policy whereby money was given to the more deprived schools. There has also been a dramatic change of direction in that more schools are now judged against the English baccalaureate-many will now be viewed as failing, even though they were unaware that those were the rules by which they were playing.\nThe hon. Member for South Northamptonshire informed us of some of the science behind perpetuating disadvantage, which was a valuable and useful contribution to the debate.\nIn pursuing the arguments made by right hon. and hon. Members, I should like to reflect briefly on some of the steps taken by the previous Government to make\nthe life chances of our most disadvantaged children better. They included free nursery places and Sure Start, which was a visionary decision that has made a big difference. Sure Start has a lot more potential to make an even greater difference to disadvantaged children. Increased out-of-school provision and increased investment in youth services have made a key difference in more deprived communities, as have the improvement in GCSE outcomes and literacy and numeracy, and the measures taken to eradicate poverty. They are all significant strides in the right direction, as is evidenced by the increase in the number of children on free school meals who go to university.\nHowever, as hon. Members on both sides of the House reflected, and given the Government's decision to pursue the issue, there is still much to do. The Opposition agree with the sentiments articulated by the Government on the need to focus on early years, outreach work and health visitors. The decision to invite my right hon. Friend the Member for Birkenhead and my hon. Friend the Member for Nottingham North to provide reports was welcome. We hope that they will be given resources and the means to deliver their ends.\nThe extra money for pet projects and the cuts to EMA, Sure Start and local authority funding must be seen in the context of what the Government are trying to achieve. The commitment of the House to reducing inequalities in educational attainment has been heard loud and clear on both sides of the Chamber. A consensus seems to have formed around the importance of early intervention and eradicating child poverty, and we will be watching to see whether this Government's policy helps to reduce that gap or whether it moves more people into poverty. Our children deserve the best. The Government, my right hon. Friend the Member for Birkenhead and my hon. Friend the Member for Nottingham North can be assured that the party that has always done more than any other to improve social mobility, with fairness at its core, will listen, learn and keep fighting for the best outcome for our children.\nThe Minister of State, Department for Education (Sarah Teather): I congratulate the hon. Members for East Hampshire (Damian Hinds) and for Salisbury (John Glen) on securing this debate. I offer the House a heartfelt apology for arriving a few minutes late and missing the beginning of the former's speech. I am always very particular about being on time, and I am extremely embarrassed that I missed that.\nThis has been a fantastic debate-really, really interesting. The tone has been very good. Listening to enormous expertise, often from new Members, gives me great hope that the issue of disadvantaged children will continue to be championed by all parties. It is clear that we want a sustainable solution to this problem. The fact that there is so much interest, especially among new Members on both sides of the House, gives me great hope that we shall achieve that.\nMy hon. Friend the Member for East Hampshire closed his speech with the key points on which we need to focus-life chances, the quality of the home environment and better evidence. His remarks set the scene and his themes were picked up by hon. Members on both sides of the House. The right hon. Member for Birkenhead (Mr Field) rightly stressed that the issue has preoccupied\nGovernments for a long time. It is a difficult problem to tackle and it requires complex solutions. The Government are extremely grateful for his report, as we are for the interim report by the hon. Member for Nottingham North (Mr Allen), which was published yesterday. He made the point that, too often, the life race is over by five. Early years are life-changing, sometimes positively and sometimes negatively, and we need a holistic approach to tackling the issues that arise from that.\nMy hon. Friend the Members for Maidstone and The Weald (Mrs Grant) and for Lancaster and Fleetwood (Eric Ollerenshaw) spoke about the importance of quality teaching and its role in improving self-esteem. The hon. Member for Stockport (Ann Coffey) made several interesting and important points, including the need for us to focus on runaway children. The Government take that issue seriously, and I hope to assure her that the Department for Education is already working on the report that was recently produced by Barnardo's. She also raised some important points about the performance framework. The Government want to move more to an outcomes focus rather than an inputs focus, and we are working with the sector and local authorities to try to define that performance framework. We want to pilot payment by results to try to incentivise the use of evidence-based programmes-the kind of evidence-based programmes that were illustrated in the report from the hon. Member for Nottingham North.\nMy hon. Friend the Member for Erewash (Jessica Lee) spoke with great expertise from her perspective as a family lawyer. She made one point that caught my attention about the need, when working with someone with a drug or alcohol problem, to look holistically at the family and not deal only with the person presenting a problem. That was picked up in the Government's drug strategy.\nMy hon. Friends the Members for Congleton (Fiona Bruce) and for Rugby (Mark Pawsey) raised the issue of parents and relationships. What we know from the evidence is that there are several pinch points of enormous stress in relationships, especially when young-or older-couples have their first child. Without wanting to preach about how families organise themselves, the Government will make that the focus of their relationship support. It is a tragedy when a relationship breaks down because the support is not available to allow people to get over difficulties, or they are not equipped to do so. The Government have invested £7.5 million a year across this comprehensive spending review period and, in addition, have given £500,000 to the voluntary sector to train Sure Start children's centres practitioners to help to identify these issues.\nThe hon. Member for Stretford and Urmston (Kate Green)-I always enjoy listening to her, even if I do not always agree with her-made several important points about parenting skills, an issue that was also picked up by the hon. Member for Slough (Fiona Mactaggart) and my hon. Friend the Member for East Surrey (Mr Gyimah). The hon. Member for Stretford and Urmston will be well aware-she has raised the issue with me before in Education questions-that parenting programmes are an important part of Sure Start children's centres, and some of the evidence-based programmes that the hon. Member for Nottingham North was picking up yesterday highlight that issue in particular. However, the solutions do not always have to be formal. Several hon. Members spoke about the role of parent-toddler\ngroups, and such peer support can be important for parents who can pick up skills and techniques for dealing with issues as they arise.\nThe hon. Member for Slough made several interesting points, but a debate began in her speech about the importance of male role models-something that the Government take seriously. Indeed, the coalition document states that we want to increase the number of men in early education. It is a very complicated problem to solve. It is as much about the esteem of early-years practitioners as any of the other reasons picked up by hon. Members during the debate. The Government have started a new programme based on Teach First called New Leaders in Early Years, which is intended to pick up graduates. We hope that it will entice young men to enter the early-years profession for different reasons and target some more academic approaches, which would kill two birds with one stone in terms of what we are trying to do on quality in early years.\nThe hon. Member for Calder Valley (Craig Whittaker) spoke about the role of the big society, and may I congratulate him on fulfilling his maiden speech pledge already? It must be a world record.\nThe quality of the debate has been extremely high. As Members on both sides have said, it is unacceptable that in the 21st century, and in one of the richest countries in the world, the circumstances of a person's birth, rather than their ability, dictate their outcomes in life. We know that unfortunately many poor families struggle with the basics, while the wealthiest, who often live just a few streets away, can get on in life. Some children never achieve their potential because of the barriers that are thrown in their way, while their wealthier neighbours clear hurdles with ease. I see that in my own constituency.\nThe barriers that children face, often very early in life, affect their life chances forever. Again I see this, I am afraid, in my own constituency. There is the staggering statistic that a child born in Harlesden, in the heart of my constituency, is likely to die, on average, more than 10 years earlier than a child born in Kensington, which is just a few miles away. Many Members commented on the fact that there are complicated relationships between the different elements of disadvantage, and very complicated relationships between that and income. Income is extremely important, but it is not the only problem, and if we are to tackle this in the long term we need to consider the causes and factors other than income.\nDan Rogerson: Hon. Members have drawn to the House's attention particular issues concerning those in the care system and children who are themselves carers. I would like to add a group that has not been mentioned: those in kinship care arrangements with grandparents, parents, siblings or other relatives. We need to do more, and encourage local authorities to do more, to ensure that they are given the support that those who foster, for example, get.\nSarah Teather: I agree with my hon. Friend. Eileen Munro is considering that as part of her review of social care. We need to encourage local authorities to think about all the options for kinship care, including with grandparents, before a child is taken into care.\nI said that income is vital, and the fact that the Government recognise that is spelt out in the coalition agreement, which states that we will meet the targets set out in the Child Poverty Act 2010. However, we intend to do it with a slightly different focus from the previous Government. We want to put a lot of effort into trying to tackle the underlying issues affecting a child's life and, in particular, the entrenched disadvantage that gets passed from one generation to another. The interim report from the hon. Member for Nottingham North made clear just how vital intervening early is. For those who have not seen his interim report, let me say that the front cover contains a scan of a child's brain at a very young age, and already we can see how things are hardwired-that was picked up by the hon. Member for South Northamptonshire (Andrea Leadsom). The need to intervene early is precisely why the Government have invested extra money in disadvantaged two-year-olds. We know that quality early education at that stage makes a huge difference.\nThe hon. Member for Slough picked up on a point about what happens with poorer children when they mix with children from other backgrounds. It demonstrates the reasons I felt strongly that we needed to extend the early-years free entitlement from 12.5 hours to 15 hours and to continue with that despite the difficult circumstances. That universal offer for three and four-year-olds is extremely important. The quality of social mixing makes a big difference to a child's chances. I hope that bringing that down to all disadvantaged two-year-olds will make a significant difference to children's lives. Indeed, we intend to legislate to make that an entitlement in the education Bill that will be published shortly.\nSimilarly, it is vital that Sure Start is accessible to all, but we need a better focus on disadvantaged families. As I said just a minute ago in response to the hon. Member for Stretford and Urmston, we intend to use payment by results to ensure that we focus on using evidence-based programmes better. That is also why we have invested extra money in health visitors, because outreach is vital, as was pointed out earlier. We need to ensure that we get to those families in difficulty, bringing them into centres so that we can focus the extra help and evidence-based programmes that we are using on them. My colleagues in the Department of Health have also announced extra investment in the family nurse partnership, a fantastic scheme that has had good results and shown promise, particularly in working with young families.\nThe Government have also asked Dame Clare Tickell to review the early-years foundation stage, to see whether we can simplify some of the burdens, but retain all the quality, because it has done so much to improve outcomes for young people at that age, and also to think about how we can get services to work more closely together. That is already the focus of some of her thinking, as she looks at how we can utilise other health professionals to ensure that we serve the most disadvantaged children best. That focus on narrowing the gap is also why the Government feel so strongly that we need to invest in the pupil premium, and there will be an extra £2.5 billion for schools by the end of the spending review period to ensure that we can focus on the most disadvantaged children.\nI am running out of time, and there are many more points that I would like to respond to. I am extremely grateful to hon. Members for their contributions to this\nvery good debate. I hope that there will be many more opportunities to debate the issue over the course of the Parliament, because the ideas that we have heard, particularly from those with expertise in this area, are helpful to us in formulating policy.\nDamian Hinds: We have had a very good debate this afternoon, which has been a worthy use of Back-Bench time, and I thank the Backbench Business Committee once again for granting it.\nThe debate was effectively brought to life right at the outset by the right hon. Member for Birkenhead (Mr Field), who reminded us that too many children arrive at school not recognising their own name, or unable to remove their coats or hold a crayon. We have had a wide-ranging debate since then, with many hon. Members drawing on their expertise and experience, from both their personal journeys and their paid and voluntary work. The passion and commitment of the hon. Member for Chesterfield (Toby Perkins) was clear from his response from the Opposition Front Bench. My hon. Friend the Minister's response also made clear how central the new Government's agenda on this issue is to their programme, even in these difficult economic times.\nAlthough this debate will stop here in less than 90 seconds, in a broader sense it will continue. One encouraging thing from this afternoon has been the number of Members here from the new intake. One thing that I hope will come out of that is the formation an all-party group on social mobility, which I hope will be a vehicle whereby we can contribute to the debate.\nI will close by mentioning two stories from this afternoon that really struck me. The first was from my hon. Friend the Member for Maidstone and The Weald (Mrs Grant), who talked about the stopwatch, which hon. Members will remember; the second was from my hon. Friend the Member for South Northamptonshire (Andrea Leadsom), who quoted Lennon and McCartney when she said, \"All you need is love\". Those two things reminded me strongly of the value of encouragement and the power of individuals to make a difference, and were a timely reminder that every programme or strategy amounts to a series of very human interventions. I remarked at the start of this debate that the issues that we have been talking about today lie at the heart of why so many hon. Members, on both sides of the House, were motivated to come into politics. That has certainly been clear this afternoon.\nQuestion put and agreed to.\nResolved,\nThat this House has considered the matter of improving life chances for disadvantaged children.\nAir Passenger Duty\nMotion made, and Question proposed, That this House do now adjourn. -(Mr Newmark.)\nMs Diane Abbott (Hackney North and Stoke Newington) (Lab): I am very glad indeed to have the opportunity to raise in the House of Commons the vital issue of the effect of air passenger duty changes on the Caribbean.\nI want to begin by outlining what is intrinsically wrong with the changes-namely, the way in which the duty is calculated. No one in the Chamber is against environmental measures designed to bear down on excessive airline travel, and no one wants the British Treasury to lose money, but the way in which the duties have been calculated, and the way in which the zones have been worked out, are indefensible. The zones are calculated on the basis of where a capital city is. For instance, because the capital of the United States is Washington DC, one would pay less duty under this system to fly to Hawaii or Los Angeles than to fly to the Caribbean. How can that be right? How can it be cheaper to fly those vast distances than to fly to the Caribbean? These are issues of fairness, equity and transparency.\nThe flight tax to the Caribbean increased by 25% on 1 November 2009. In November 2010, the tax on flights from the UK to the Caribbean increased by a further 50% in all classes of travel. At present, passengers travelling to the Caribbean pay £75 per person in economy and £150 per person in all other classes. There is a substantial amount of traffic between Britain and the Caribbean, particularly at holiday times. As a member of the Jamaican diaspora, I sometimes find myself on those planes packed full of people who are happy to go home and see their relatives. Many of them have saved for two years or more for their flights. I put it to the Minister that £75 might not seem much to the Treasury, but when people are paying for a family of four, five or six, it amounts to a lot of money. People have often saved up for their flights for years, and that sum is a big consideration.\nI am appealing not only to the Minister's humanitarian instincts, however. I know from talking to Ministers of whatever party that I would do that in vain. I also want to talk about the effects of air passenger duty on British business and on the economies of the Caribbean.\nRichard Fuller (Bedford) (Con): The hon. Lady is making some excellent points. Before she moves on to business, I would like to encourage her to talk more about the matter of equity, although she says that she would do so in vain. Many people from my constituency travel to destinations in the Caribbean, and many of them came to this country in the 1950s, '60s or '70s. They have often spent their careers working in the public sector on very low incomes, and many are now pensioners. For them, £75 is a very significant cost. They have siblings, perhaps aunties, and certainly nephews and nieces back on the Caribbean islands-not only Jamaica but many others. Does the hon. Lady agree, notwithstanding the excellent points that she has made about geography and is about to make about business, that there is a strong equity case for the Minister to review the question of air passenger duty?\nMs Abbott: The hon. Gentleman has made his point very well indeed. Many of those people, particularly the older ones, have contributed to this country. Some of the generation who came to this country after the war helped to rebuild its public sector, and they have worked all their lives. As I have said, the sums of money involved might seem relatively minor to a Treasury official, but they represent a huge imposition on those people who love this country and who are almost invariably British citizens but who also have a great love for the country of their birth. One thing that makes this seem all the more unfair to those people is that air passenger duty is not charged on private aircraft. If this were really an environmental measure, one would expect it to be charged on private aircraft. I will come back to that point later.\nIt is my contention that air passenger duty is having a negative effect on British business. I have evidence that British business travellers are flying to the continent, then flying to the Caribbean from there, because it is cheaper to do so. Business travellers contribute £70 million to the British economy-money that is slowly being lost due to airport passenger duty charges. Aviation taxation is putting the UK at a competitive disadvantage in comparison with our European neighbours. This duty will incentivise the strengthening of alternative hubs to the UK both in and outside Europe. In the end, it could well reduce the number and connection of destinations served by UK airports.\nLet me move on to tourism. I have been in the House quite a few years and I have lived to see Caribbean countries urged to restructure their economies and to move away from old-fashioned economies, such as those based on bananas and sugar, into financial services, which ended badly. Then they were encouraged to restructure the economy and diversify into tourism. Thus the Caribbean tourism industry now employs, directly and indirectly, more than 1.9 million people-11% of the region's work force. In important tourist destinations such as Jamaica and Barbados, as much as 25% of the work force are engaged in tourism, while 60% of St Lucia's gross domestic product derives from tourism. For the Barbados hotel industry, a significant number of holidaymakers are British, and there is no question that the tourism industry in the Caribbean has been damaged by the increases in this duty.\nArrivals from the UK to the Caribbean are now in decline, while those from other markets are increasing. The latest figure from the UK Office for National Statistics shows that visits to the Caribbean by UK residents in 2010 were 16% lower than for the same period in 2009. Visits to Barbados for the same period were 22% lower. For a tourist, as opposed to someone with family links to the region, the Florida Keys is now a cheaper destination. In respect of our air passenger duty arrangements, the whole system is wrong and it is having an effect on British citizens who happen to have links with the Caribbean.\nMr Chuka Umunna (Streatham) (Lab): I congratulate my hon. Friend on securing this debate on an incredibly important issue. I represent one of the constituencies with the biggest Caribbean diaspora populations in the country. It covers Brixton, for example, and this is a huge issue in my community. I endorse all my hon. Friend's comments, but would add one more. If this\nmeasure were primarily about increasing sustainability and reducing emissions, one would have thought that the proceeds would be used for environmental purposes. My understanding is, however-I am sure the Minister will correct me if I am wrong-that the sums raised from this duty go back into the general pot. Will the Minister also answer a specific point that was put to me? How can it be fair to charge a greater level of tax to fly to Jamaica-there are many Jamaican families in my constituency-than to fly the whole way to Hawaii? I would appreciate an answer on that.\nMs Abbott: I am grateful to my hon. Friend, who makes his point very well. He raised the question of the avowed environmental intent of the duty. I remember that when passenger duties were put forward under a Labour Government, Ministers said that they were there largely in order to help the environment and discourage unnecessary airline travel. This Government have stated that the rises in air passenger duty are partly intended to help achieve environmental goals.\nFar be it for me to accuse any Government-whether it be my own or the present Government-of glossing over the reality, but the truth is that if APD were really about achieving environmental goals, it would be calculated differently. For instance, APD is calculated according to only element of a given flight-the distance travelled, not according to whether the plane is full or half-empty. A whole range of other factors are relevant to environmental impacts, including the type and age of the aircraft, the time it spends in the air and how heavy it is, but the Government choose not to take those factors into account in calculating aviation tax rates.\nAs I have said, if this is really about the environment, why is no duty charged on private aircraft? The failure to establish a way of calculating the duty that would actually minimise the effect on the environment gives people the impression that, although Ministers may indeed believe in the environmental benefit, it may be no more than a pretext on the part of their officials.\nIf we want to persuade people to abandon planes for other forms of transport, it is surely logical for APD to bear more heavily on short-haul flights, to which there are genuine alternatives in the form of trains and boats. What, though, is the alternative for the retired nurse living in Hackney who wants to return to Jamaica every couple of years to see her friends and family? There is no such alternative, but we are imposing these big APD rates on her flight, or that of her family.\nHaving raised the issue under the last Government, I have taken the earliest possible opportunity to raise it again now.\nFiona Mactaggart (Slough) (Lab): I joined my hon. Friend in some of her representations to the last Government. My impression was always that Ministers found the issue too difficult to deal with, and that civil servants thought it a nice tidy way of arranging things to impose air passenger duty in accordance with the locations of the capitals of the countries to which people were travelling. However, would it not be possible to devise an equally simple APD system based on, for example, time zones? Surely a determined Minister who wished the duty to reflect the real distance involved would be able to corner his or her civil servants into achieving such an end.\nMs Abbott: My hon. Friend and I went on a number of delegations to Treasury Ministers, and found them-as Ministers always are-well-meaning, kindly and ostensibly understanding of our case. However, they were simply unable to stand up to their officials. We look to this new Treasury Minister for more stoutness of heart and firmness of purpose.\nMr Umunna: I think it important for us to send the public-our constituents-the message that this is not a party-political issue. I have obtained a very good House of Commons note on the subject, and I know that the hon. Member for Chelsea and Fulham (Greg Hands), who is sitting behind the Minister, made a number of excellent points about it in the debate on the Finance Bill in, I think, 2009.\nMs Abbott: I am grateful to my hon. Friend for making that point. I agree that this is not a party-political issue, but one on which Members on both sides of the House feel strongly. I also agree with my hon. Friend the Member for Slough (Fiona Mactaggart) that Ministers should show some fixity of purpose. The present method of calculation is indefensible in terms of both equity and environmental impact, and it could have a big impact on British business by removing the incentive for business-class travellers to make long-haul flights to the Caribbean from London rather than from the continental hub. It is bad for business, it is bad for the Caribbean's economy-of which tourism is a vital part during an international downturn-and it is bad for British citizens with business interests or family members in the region who simply want to be able to travel at an affordable price.\nI have pursued this issue for some time, but I have every hope that a new set of Treasury Ministers will view the arguments afresh, and will undertake to reconsider the way in which air passenger duty is calculated. We appreciate that the Treasury's tax take must remain the same, and, as I said at the outset, we appreciate that there is a genuine environmental case for seeking to lessen air travel over time. However, we consider the present level of air passenger duty to be unfair, indefensible, and a burden on the Caribbean which this Government should seek to lift.\nThe Economic Secretary to the Treasury (Justine Greening): I congratulate the hon. Member for Hackney North and Stoke Newington (Ms Abbott) on securing this debate. She eloquently ran through some of her concerns about the way in which air passenger duty is currently structured. She is asking me, as a Minister, to defend the current structure, but it is difficult for me to take responsibility for the structure of APD, given that it was entirely put in place by the previous Government. I took on board the questions put by the hon. Member for Streatham (Mr Umunna) about the fairness of the structure, but he would be better placed asking his party leader and the now shadow Chancellor about the logic that the previous Government used in approaching these issues and how they thought about the issue of fairness with respect to Caribbean countries.\nMs Abbott: I am the last person to defend the previous Government mindlessly. I made it clear from the very beginning of my speech that I made this argument to\nthe outgoing Government and was disappointed by their response. Nobody is asking the Minister to defend the current system, because we know that incoming Ministers have to deal with the hand that they are dealt. What I am asking her to do is to reconsider the current system-that is a different point.\nJustine Greening: In that case, I have good news for the hon. Lady. She was doubtless paying close attention to the emergency Budget in June, when we said that we would look at reforming APD. We recognise some of the shortcomings in the existing system's structure, and in the next few minutes, I am going to discuss some of the issues that she has raised.\nFirst, it is important to say that the new coalition Government recognise the importance of the strong ties that exist between the UK and Caribbean countries. As a London Member, a large number of my constituents have strong family ties with the Caribbean and they spend a lot of time saving up to go there, travelling there and spending time there, as well as having relatives come over to see them in this country. So the hon. Lady makes an important point about these links. We must also not forget the Caribbean's relationship within the Commonwealth, which is a further incredibly important link with our country.\nWhen the hon. Lady wrote to me recently to raise her concerns about this issue, she rightly highlighted the context within which the coalition Government are operating. Clearly the fact that we have inherited a record budget deficit has meant that some of the tax rises announced by the previous Government, such as the increase in APD rates that came into effect last November, simply could not be avoided. She referred to the APD bandings, which are the aspect of APD that concerns the Caribbean countries most, and I need not remind her that they were the brainchild of the previous Administration, not this Government.\nHowever, we need to look forward, which is why today's debate is worth while and important. The hon. Lady was right also to point out the role that aviation and business plays. The coalition Government recognise that as we get the economy back on track and as the recovery in the world economy starts to gather pace, aviation can play an important part in delivering future growth for the UK economy. Without continuous improvements in air connectivity, we risk endangering future growth and prosperity in the UK. She talked about the importance, particularly for the Caribbean tourism industry, of the aviation connection with the United Kingdom. I shall discuss that in a little more detail shortly, but she will be aware that I met representatives from the Caribbean countries and the Caribbean Council here in London last year, once we started to ensure that we were talking to all the stakeholders who had an interest in the reform of APD. Of course, they were an important group that I needed to talk to face to face. We had a very helpful meeting and they set out their case effectively to me that afternoon.\nThe hon. Lady raised some particular concerns today and in the letter that she wrote to me, and I shall do my best to address them. First, she talked about the contrast between the duties paid on flights to the Caribbean and to other destinations, including the United States. It is true that the current four band structure of air passenger duty based on the distances between London and the\ncapital cities of other destination countries-something that was brought in under the previous Government-has the effect of placing the Caribbean in a higher tax band than the United States. Such issues are common to any banded system. I do not particularly want to defend the existing structure of APD and how the previous Government changed the tax system, but it is difficult to have any banding system that solves all the problems raised. Whichever approach we take-she mentioned time zones-there are trade-offs between equity, simplicity and effectiveness. She is right to point out that the current banding system has some downsides, but it is also fair to be pragmatic about the fact that any banding system will have its downsides.\nThe second point, which is very fair, concerns APD as structured and the environment. I shall not try to defend the way that APD is structured in that regard, but the new coalition Government have been very clear that we have a strong sense of purpose about the environment. We want to be the greenest Government ever. We know that alongside other major sources of emissions, the aviation sector needs to start to take proper account of its global environmental impact in the future. It is also worth recognising that from 2012 aviation will be part of the EU emissions trading scheme. That is an important step forward in ensuring that the environmental impact of aviation is better taken into account as part of the overall fiscal environment.\nThe coalition Government's approach to the environment will be guided by the evidence. We do not think that there is anything to be gained by empty rhetoric on the environment, so I am very clear that we need to take a fresh look at how best to deliver our environmental objectives in a way that is fair to passengers-the hon. Lady has talked about her concerns about passengers flying to and from the Caribbean-and to industry, which has perhaps never been more important than it is now. Also, we must not lose sight of the need for the UK to have economic growth while tackling the clear problems with emissions.\nMs Abbott: It is important that we as a country achieve our environmental goals, but our environmental goals should not necessarily conflict with other wider development goals, such as the millennium development goals. As regards the impact of the air passenger duty as constructed on a region that, although it is ostensibly a middle income region, has communities that are among the poorest in the world, I see no reason why environmental goals cannot be co-ordinated with broader development goals.\nJustine Greening: In many respects, that is precisely what we are trying to do. We are trying to see where we can strike the balance. That is one reason why, at the emergency Budget, we talked about wanting to reform APD. The hon. Lady is setting out some of the challenges, and finding the right mix in an approach to APD that means that we try to square off some of the difficult issues at the same time will not be easy. Debates such as this, and the time that I am taking to meet the various stakeholders-not just the Caribbean countries and their interests, particularly in tourism, but the aviation industry, airports and business in general-\nRichard Fuller: I greatly appreciate my hon. Friend giving way. I have admired the rigour of her analysis as she has gone about her duties as a Minister as well as her powerful advocacy. If I may, I want to encourage her to use the second part of her talents-her advocacy. There is a strong equity case for people in this country to consider carefully the APD ratings for Caribbean islands. A significant number of people who have made their home here like to go home to their place of birth and origin. We all want to see the environmental goals that she has discussed accomplished, but there is a strong and powerful equity case. I ask her, through her rigour, to give due regard to that case as well as to the other competing pressures.\nJustine Greening: I am grateful for that intervention. My hon. Friend points out the impact on local communities but, in a friendly way, I would challenge the point about contradictions. In terms of our tourism industry and our need for links with other countries to drive economic growth, this is very healthy. Our relationship with the Caribbean and the role that aviation plays in helping us to maintain that more broadly is particularly important, so we are not necessarily faced with an either/or choice.\nOne of the most intractable problems we face, which underpins the whole approach in the Treasury, is the unavoidable challenge of tackling the fiscal deficit. We are faced with that while also making sure that the tax measures in place work effectively and do not have the sort of negative impacts that we do not want or need them to have.\nMr Umunna: I should like to follow up the point about equity made by the hon. Member for Bedford (Richard Fuller), which I endorse. The key issue is the banding system, which was, admittedly, introduced by the previous Labour Government-I think one of the Minister's predecessors referred to it as being rather rough and ready-and I would not necessarily endorse the form of APD that they put in place. The Minister says that the coalition Government have undertaken to review the system, but can she tell us when we can expect the results of the review? Obviously, the Budget will be on 23 March. Are the results of the review likely to be announced then or beforehand? That information would be useful to the industry and the many families who want to plan what they will be doing in the next few months.\nJustine Greening: First, it would be wrong of me to pre-empt the Budget statement. What I can say-we have already been clear about this-is that any major change to air passenger duty will be subject to consultation. One thing that we have learned from looking at how this tax and others have been changed in the past is that we need a sensible tax-making policy that involves not just the Treasury thinking about the objectives it wants to achieve, but talking with stakeholders. There is a need to issue a consultation document to which people can respond and then draft legislation to make sure that the final legislation can achieve the aims we have agreed on and that have come out of the consultation.\nI cannot give the hon. Member for Streatham any timings for all that, but I can tell him that we want to ensure that any reforms we bring forward will work as intended. He quoted a previous Minister saying that the system was rough and ready. We want to avoid making\nanother change to APD that brings other problems we have not anticipated. Whatever we do in this area, it is impossible to get the perfect system, but we need to understand the pros and cons of any particular approach. We need to understand what the risks are and whether we can mitigate them. He is right to ask about timelines. The fact that we said in the previous Budget that we want to review and reform APD and that we have been working on that and meeting a variety of stakeholders to get their views shows that we want to do this in a thoughtful way rather than just announcing something that would be a surprise to the industry and to people who are trying to plan for their holidays.\nLet me finish by saying that I recognise the urgency with which the hon. Member for Hackney North and Stoke Newington wants this area of tax policy to be changed. However, I think we are right to work out\ncautiously which path we want to go down. That is why we talked about reviewing the existing APD regime in the June Budget. As I have said, in the past few months I have met a variety of stakeholders, particularly from the Caribbean countries and the Caribbean Council in London. Those discussions have been very helpful and I have had a useful and detailed report from the Caribbean countries about their views on how we could reform APD. Obviously, we will look at that carefully. I am determined to make sure that we continue that constructive dialogue and I hope that in doing so we can ensure that wherever we end up with the reform of APD we will have done a better job of making sure that-\nHouse adjourned without Question put (Standing Order No. 9(7)).\nIndex Home Page","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line52983"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5366849899291992,"wiki_prob":0.4633150100708008,"text":"Tag Archives: East Coast Production Group\nTribute to Dad Hagg\nSeptember 23, 2016 Edward Staskus Leave a comment\nThe East Coast Production Group invites you to celebrate the life and music of Merle Haggard as performed in an inspiring homage by his son Marty Haggard.\nMarty’s love for his Dad’s music inspired him to begin a project titled “A Tribute to Merle Haggard “My Dad””.\nIn 2010, he cut the first album in his tribute consisting of 15 Hag classics. It was so well received that in 2011 he recorded a second Tribute album to his Dad. Marty has spent the last five years performing all over the United States and Canada plus England, Ireland and Scotland. Marty is currently working on a new album of his own music and plans on more of his Dad’s songs soon.\nMr. Haggard’s tour features Merle’s long time guitar player Mr. Eugene Moles. The duo will make two stops with The East Coast Production Group. The first, in Moncton at the Moncton Wesleyan Celebration Centre and the second, at the Harbourfront Theatre in Summerside, PEI.\nMarty Haggard is at the Harbourfront Theatre on Tuesday, September 27 at 7:30 PM.\nA Tribute to Merle Haggard MY DadEast Coast Production GroupHarbourfront Theatre Summerside PEIMarty HaggardProfessional Theatre Network of PEI","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line881632"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8608428835868835,"wiki_prob":0.8608428835868835,"text":"Ernest Hemingway (Author)\nFORMAT <div class=\"flex flex-wrap space-x-1\"><span>Paperback</span><span class='line-through ml-2 text-primary'>$17.99</span><b>$16.73</b><span>(English)</span></div> <div class=\"flex flex-wrap space-x-1\"><span>Hardcover</span><b>$26.00</b><span>(English)</span></div>\n\"There is never any ending to Paris and the memory of each person who has lived in it differs from that of any other.\" --Ernest Hemingway, A Moveable FeastErnest Hemingway's classic memoir of Paris in the 1920s remains one of his most beloved works. Filled with tender memories of his first wife Hadley and their son Jack; irreverent portraits of literary luminaries such as F. Scott Fitzgerald and Gertrude Stein; and insightful recollections of his own early experiments with his craft, A Moveable Feast brilliantly evokes the exuberant mood of Paris after World War I and the youthful spirit, unbridled creativity, and unquenchable enthusiasm that Hemingway himself epitomized. It is an elegy to a remarkable group of expatriates and a testament to the risks and rewards of the writerly life.\nScribner Book Company\n5.64 X 8.59 X 0.69 inches | 0.48 pounds\nErnest Hemingway did more to influence the style of English prose than any other writer of his time. He has been called \"the most important author since Shakespeare,\" by John O'Hara in The New York Times Book Review. The publication of The Sun Also Rises and A Farewell to Arms immediately established him as one of the greatest literary lights of the 20th century. His classic novella The Old Man and the Sea won the Pulitzer Prize in 1953. Hemingway was also awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1954. His life and accomplishments are explored in-depth in the PBS documentary film from Ken Burns and Lynn Novick, Hemingway. He died in 1961.\n\"The first thing to say about the 'restored' edition so ably and attractively produced by Patrick and Sean Hemingway is that it does live up to its billing . . . well worth having.\"--Christopher Hitchens, \"The Atlantic\"\nThe Rory Gilmore Reading List\nby Gilmore Book Club View all (287)","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line567227"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6180569529533386,"wiki_prob":0.6180569529533386,"text":"Cardinals to Prepare for Conclave in Silence\nVATICAN CITY, APRIL 10, 2005 (Zenit.org).- The cardinal electors unanimously agreed to hold off making public statements, and to prepare in silence and prayer for the conclave where they will elect a new pope.\nAfter the general congregation of cardinals Saturday, Vatican spokesman Joaquín Navarro Valls published a statement announcing that the cardinals were united on the decision.\n\"After the Holy Father John Paul II's funeral rites, the cardinals have begun a period of more intense silence and prayer in the face of the conclave,\" said the director of the Vatican press office.\n\"They have decided by unanimity to avoid interviews and meetings with the media during these days,\" Navarro Valls said. \"Journalists are politely requested to abstain from asking cardinals for interviews or any sort of commentary.\"\nThe press statement clarified that the decision \"must not be interpreted as an attitude of discourtesy or indifference toward the media, but as a gesture of great responsibility. What is more, the cardinals are grateful for the enormous interest with which [the media] are following this period.\"\nThe Vatican spokesman said it is not a question of a \"prohibition,\" but an \"invitation,\" as opposed to what will occur when the conclave begins, when the obligation is normative.\nThe cardinals' decision preceding the conclave is unprecedented.\n2 to Skip Conclave Due to Illness\nVATICAN CITY, APRIL 10, 2005 (Zenit.org).- Due to illness, two cardinals will not participate in the conclave to elect a new pope, making the number of cardinal electors 115.\n\"Sainthood Now\" for John Paul II Would Be Up to a Successor\nVATICAN CITY, APRIL 10, 2005 (Zenit.org).- Asked about the possibility of John Paul II’s immediate canonization, the Vatican clarified that the decision is the “exclusive competence” of his successor.\nCardinal Marchisano Says Pope Healed Him\nTells of Intercession for Throat Condition\n3 Million Came to Rome to Say Goodbye\nVATICAN CITY, APRIL 10, 2005 (Zenit.org).- In two millennium of Christianity, Rome had not received as many pilgrims as it did for John Paul II’s funeral.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line150214"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6909226179122925,"wiki_prob":0.3090773820877075,"text":"Viscous Coupling\nTh­e viscous coupling is often found in all-wheel-drive vehicles. It is commonly used to link the back wheels to the front wheels so that when one set of wheels starts to slip, torque will be transferred to the other set.\nThe viscous coupling has two sets of plates inside a sealed housing that is filled with a thick fluid, as shown in below. One set of plates is connected to each output shaft. Under normal conditions, both sets of plates and the viscous fluid spin at the same speed. When one set of wheels tries to spin faster, perhaps because it is slipping, the set of plates corresponding to those wheels spins faster than the other. The viscous fluid, stuck between the plates, tries to catch up with the faster disks, dragging the slower disks along. This transfers more torque to the slower moving wheels -- the wheels that are not slipping.\nWhen a car is turning, the difference in speed between the wheels is not as large as when one wheel is slipping. The faster the plates are spinning relative to each other, the more torque the viscous coupling transfers. The coupling does not interfere with turns because the amount of torque transferred during a turn is so small. However, this also highlights a disadvantage of the viscous coupling: No torque transfer will occur until a wheel actually starts slipping.\nA simple experiment with an egg will help explain the behavior of the viscous coupling. If you set an egg on the kitchen table, the shell and the yolk are both stationary. If you suddenly spin the egg, the shell will be moving at a faster speed than the yolk for a second, but the yolk will quickly catch up. To prove that the yolk is spinning, once you have the egg spinning quickly stop it and then let go -- the egg will start to spin again (unless it is hard boiled). In this experiment, we used the friction between the shell and the yolk to apply force to the yolk, speeding it up. When we stopped the shell, that friction -- between the still-moving yolk and the shell -- applied force to the shell, causing it to speed up. In a viscous coupling, the force is applied between the fluid and the sets of plates in the same way as between the yolk and the shell.\nDifferential FAQ\nWhat are differentials used for?\nThe differential is a device that splits the engine torque two ways, allowing each output to spin at a different speed.\nWhat does the differential do?\nThe differential has three jobs: to aim the engine power at the wheels; to act as the final gear reduction in the vehicle, slowing the rotational speed of the transmission one final time before it hits the wheels; and to transmit the power to the wheels while allowing them to rotate at different speeds.\nDo all cars have differentials?\nThe differential is found on all modern cars and trucks, and also in many all-wheel-drive (full-time four-wheel-drive) vehicles.\nHow much does it cost to replace a differential?\nThe cost will usually fall between $200 and $400, according to Car Brain.\nWhy is it called a differential?\nIt's called differential because of how it transmits the power to the wheels while allowing them to rotate at different speeds.\nPrevious 1 … 2 3 4 5 6 7 Next Page","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line236450"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7067463397979736,"wiki_prob":0.29325366020202637,"text":"Stories written by Zubeida Mustafa\nBy Zubeida Mustafa\nThe turnout at the walk organised last Sunday by Citizens against Weapons (CAW) was heartening. Started in 2014 by some concerned citizens, the campaign is catching on. I had joined them at a rally on an intersection of a busy area in Karachi two years ago. There were then barely 50 protesters. On Sunday, there were 400 or so.\nMiracle of Wind\nKarachi has been abundantly endowed with one of nature’s riches — wind. Located on the Arabian Sea coast, the city cannot complain of being stifled by desultory stillness. Before the city’s horizon changed drastically with the emergence of high-rise buildings, Karachiites had always enjoyed the luxury of cool breezes during summer evenings. The breeze is still there, but has been trapped by concrete and steel structures. Now the breeze has been left only in poetic idiom to give us solace. Faiz Ahmed Faiz captured its beauty in this line, “Jaise seheraon mein haule se chale baad-i-naseem...” (Like the morning breeze in the desert)\nCatch ’em Young\nAccording to Unesco’s Global Education Monitoring Report [GEMR] 2016 released recently, only two-thirds of children worldwide would have completed primary schooling by 2030, the deadline set by the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.\nWhy we Failed\nQandeel Baloch’s horrific murder in the name of ‘honour’ is testimony to the failure of the women’s movement to overturn patriarchy in Pakistan. Against the backdrop of the spate of anti-women violence, comes a report by Dr Rubina Saigol written for the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, a German foundation. Titled Feminism and the Women’s Movement in Pakistan: Actors, Debates and Strategies, this excellent document should provide much food for thought.\nCotton Crisis\nPakistan’s economy is in grave trouble. According to the Pakistan Economic Survey 2015-16, it failed to meet the growth target of 5.5pc in FY2016. GDP grew by 4.7 pc. This was mainly due to the ‘major setback’ (to use the finance minister’s words) in agriculture.\nPolitics of Numbers\nThe Pakistan Economic Survey 2015-16 reminds us of our ticking population bomb. We are told that today the country`s population stands at 195.4 million 3.7m more than it was the previous year. We have regressed.\nHome is School\nThe paradox of education in Pakistan is that the children of the poor are not getting enough of it, while the offspring of the rich get a surfeit. Neither is good for the child.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line836532"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9613538980484009,"wiki_prob":0.9613538980484009,"text":"SportsFootballNew York Giants\nSaquon Barkley on paltry rushing stats: 'I have to do better for the team'\nSaquon Barkley did not find much space when he got the ball. The Steelers admitted to selling out on defense to stop him and it worked, to the tune of 6 yards on 15 carries and Pittsburgh won, 26-16, on Monday night, Sept. 14, 2020, at MetLife Stadium. Credit: Jim McIsaac\nBy Tom Rocktom.rock@newsday.com@TomRock_Newsday September 15, 2020\nJust a few days before Monday’s game against the Steelers, Saquon Barkley spoke about wanting to be an all-time great and an all-around back.\nInstead, he wound up with one of the worst performances by someone at his position in the recent history of the NFL.\nBarkley ran for just 6 yards on 15 carries, making him the sixth player since the NFL merger in 1970 to rush for fewer than 10 yards on 15 or more carries. Not that it was all his fault. According to ESPN Stats, Barkley was hit at or behind the line of scrimmage on 11 of those carries, and eight of them resulted in a loss of yardage.\nFor a player of Barkley’s caliber and potential, though, it was as distressing and disappointing a performance as anyone could have imagined.\n\"I have to do better,\" Barkley said. \"I have to do better for the team. We have to find a way to get the running game going.\"\nThe Steelers made it clear all week that they were not going to allow Barkley to beat them.\n\"We had a commitment and we weren't going to be bashful about that commitment,\" Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said. \"We thought that guy was a catalyst for whatever that they were going to do offensively. We put our secondary in harm’s way some in an effort to do so. It's a team game. They embraced that challenge. We needed to stack the line of scrimmage … We did what we thought was necessary to minimize his impact on the game.\"\nBarkley seemed more upset by the loss than by his meager rushing totals.\n\"I’m not really too concerned about the stats,\" he said.\nThe two plays that likely will stick with him, though, came when he was not carrying the football. He dropped a pass early in the game, one that nearly popped up into the defense for an interception. Worse, he whiffed on a blitz by cornerback Mike Hilton to allow a third-quarter sack with the game still within reach. When Barkley talks about being an all-around back, those are the types of plays he wants to make.\nBarkley did flash a few highlights. He caught a screen pass and took it 38 yards, leaping over Hilton at the end. He also caught a key pass on fourth-and-1 to keep a 19-play drive going in the third quarter (although it may say more about his night that the Giants chose to pass rather than run in that short-yardage situation).\nIt’s unlikely that Barkley’s season will remain as lackluster as this first night was. It’s also unlikely that future opponents will be any less devoted to stopping him than the Steelers were.\n\"Look, we’re going to stay aggressive with the run game,\" coach Joe Judge said. \"Saquon is a key part of our team, he’s going to be a difference-maker in how successful this team is going to be, so we’re going to stay with him. We have a lot of confidence in him. I have a tremendous amount of confidence in our offensive line . . . We’re going to keep leaning on these guys.\"\nAnd Barkley said he will keep running.\n\"I believe the running game is going to be a key part of our success,\" he said, \"and I still believe in it.\"\nBy Tom Rock\ntom.rock@newsday.com@TomRock_Newsday\nTom Rock began covering sports for Newsday in 1996 and became its NFL columnist in 2022. He previously was Newsday's Giants beat writer beginning in 2008.\nMore Giants","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1300620"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6763267517089844,"wiki_prob":0.6763267517089844,"text":"FDA Approves Neoadjuvant Pertuzumab Regimen\nBy Silas Inman, OncLive\nPertuzumab (Perjeta) in combination with trastuzumab and chemotherapy has become the first FDA-approved neoadjuvant treatment for patients with breast cancer.\nPertuzumab (Perjeta) in combination with trastuzumab and chemotherapy has become the first FDA-approved neoadjuvant treatment for patients with breast cancer. The pertuzumab-based regimen was specifically approved to treat patients at high risk for metastases or death with HER2-positive, locally advanced, inflammatory, or early-stage breast cancer. Following surgery, patients may still be eligible to receive additional chemotherapy and should continue to receive trastuzumab for one year.\nThe approval was based on results from the phase II NeoSphere trial, which showed that pertuzumab, a HER dimerization inhibitor, combined with the HER2 inhibitor trastuzumab and the chemotherapy docetaxel, significantly improved pathologic complete response (pCR) when compared with 3 other neoadjuvant regimens. An approval based on pCR, defined as the absence of invasive cancer in the breast and lymph nodes, is only available under the FDA's accelerated approval program.\n“We are seeing a significant shift in the treatment paradigm for early stage breast cancer,” said Richard Pazdur, MD, director of the Office of Hematology and Oncology Products in the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. “By making effective therapies available to high-risk patients in the earliest disease setting, we may delay or prevent cancer recurrences.’’\nThe phase II NeoSphere trial evenly randomized 417 patients with newly diagnosed HER2-positive early-stage breast cancer to one of four treatment arms: trastuzumab plus docetaxel (n = 107, group A), pertuzumab and trastuzumab plus docetaxel (n = 107, group B), pertuzumab plus trastuzumab (n = 107, group C), or pertuzumab plus docetaxel (n = 96, group D).\nIn arms with pertuzumab, the agent was administered at a loading dose of 840 mg followed by 420 mg every 3 weeks. Trastuzumab was delivered at a 8 mg/kg loading dose, followed by 6 mg/kg every 3 weeks, and docetaxel was administered at docetaxel 75 mg/m2, escalating, if tolerated, to 100 mg/m2 every 3 weeks. Treatment was delivered for 4 cycles.\nPatients that received pertuzumab and trastuzumab plus docetaxel experienced a significant improvement in pCR of 45.8% (95% CI, 36.1-55.7), compared to 29% (95% CI, 20.6-38.5), 24% (95% CI, 15.8-33.7), and 16.8% (95% CI, 10.3-25.3), for groups A, D, and C, respectively.\nThe most common grade 3 or higher side effects observed in the pertuzumab and trastuzumab plus docetaxel arm were neutropenia (48 of 107), febrile neutropenia (9 of 107), and leukopenia (5 of 107). The number of serious adverse events was similar in groups A, B, and D but was much lower in group C, which did not receive chemotherapy.\nIn addition to the NeoSphere trial, data from the phase II TRYPHAENA study and the Phase III CLEOPATRA study were submitted in support of the approval. Based on the results of these trials, the FDA’s Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee (ODAC) voted 13-0 with one abstention in support of the regimen at a hearing in mid-September.\nIn the TRYPHAENA study, 225 patients with HER2-positive, locally advanced, inflammatory, or early-stage breast cancer were evenly randomized to 3 neoadjuvant regimens. The primary endpoint of the trial was cardiac safety with a secondary endpoint of pCR. However, this trial was not adequately powered to compare each arm.\nThe first arm of trial received pertuzumab, trastuzumab, and anthracycline-based chemotherapy, followed by pertuzumab, trastuzumab, and docetaxel with a pCR of 56.2%. Patients in the second arm received anthracycline-based chemotherapy, followed by pertuzumab, trastuzumab, and docetaxel with a pCR of 54.7% with left ventricular dysfunction occurring in 4% of patients. The final group received pertuzumab, trastuzumab, docetaxel, and carboplatin with a pCR of 63.6%. In the third arm, common grade 3 or higher adverse events were neutropenia (46.1%), febrile neutropenia (17.1%), and anemia (17.1%).\n“A new approval pathway has made Perjeta available to people with HER2-positive early breast cancer several years earlier than previously possible,” said Hal Barron, MD, chief medical officer and head, Global Product Development. “Together with the FDA, we’ve charted new territory. We look forward to working with health authorities around the world to explore additional ways to bring promising medicines to patients more quickly.”\nThe FDA initially approved pertuzumab in 2012 based on results from the phase III CLEOPATRA trial in which 808 patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer were randomized to receive pertuzumab and trastuzumab plus docetaxel versus trastuzumab plus docetaxel and a placebo as first-line treatment. In this trial, progression-free survival was 18.5 months with pertuzumab compared with 12.4 months in the control group (HR=0.62; 95% CI, 0.51-0.75, P < .001).\nThe FDA mandated confirmatory phase III APHINITY trial is in progress and has enrolled more than 4,800 patients with HER2-positive early stage breast cancer. This trial is comparing pertuzumab, trastuzumab, and chemotherapy with trastuzumab and chemotherapy as an adjuvant treatment. Further data on efficacy, safety and long-term outcomes from this trial are expected in 2016.\nThe approval was based on results from the phase II NeoSphere trial, which showed that pertuzumab, a HER dimerization inhibitor, combined with the HER2 inhibitor trastuzumab and the chemotherapy docetaxel, significantly improved pathologic complete response (pCR) when compared with three other neoadjuvant regimens. An approval based on pCR, defined as the absence of invasive cancer in the breast and lymph nodes, is only available under the FDA's accelerated approval program.\nIn the TRYPHAENA study, 225 patients with HER2-positive, locally advanced, inflammatory, or early-stage breast cancer were evenly randomized to three neoadjuvant regimens. The primary endpoint of the trial was cardiac safety with a secondary endpoint of pCR. However, this trial was not adequately powered to compare each arm.\nThe FDA mandated confirmatory phase III APHINITY trial is in progress and has enrolled more than 4,800 patients with HER2-positive early stage breast cancer. This trial is comparing pertuzumab, trastuzumab, and chemotherapy with trastuzumab and chemotherapy as an adjuvant treatment. Further data on efficacy, safety and long-term outcomes from this trial are expected in 2016. - See more at: http://www.onclive.com/web-exclusives/FDA-Approves-Neoadjuvant-Pertuzumab-Regimen#sthash.WoofkkE3.dpuf","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1876027"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5395547747612,"wiki_prob":0.5395547747612,"text":"« Disenfranchising The Poor | Main | Cramdown »\nToo Tasty\nPassenger pigeon.\nNew Yorker has an interesting read on why the passenger pigeon became extinct (and how that led to the preservation of bison). It's odd to think that flocks of the birds numbering in the billions could be completely exterminated in a span of fifty years, but so it went.\nThey were easy to catch - they could be knocked out of the sky with a club, very often - and in the days before refrigeration, they were an easy source of protein. And they could decimate crops, even forests as well. Imagining so many birds perching in trees that the branches snapped is difficult, but hundreds of pigeons were killed nightly by such events.\nIt was largely the railroads and electricity, however, that doomed them:\nAs long as America was rural and untraversed by railroads, the killing did not seem to do much more than dent the vast pigeon population. After the Civil War, however, things began to change rapidly. You could find out by telegraph where pigeons were nesting, get there quickly by train, and sell what you killed to a city hundreds of miles away. Soon market hunters began operating on an enormous scale, cramming tens of thousands of birds into boxcars—especially after Gustavus Swift introduced the refrigerator car, in 1878. This meant that rural migrants to growing cities could still get wild game, and the well-heeled could eat Ballotine of Squab à la Madison, served by a new class of restaurant, like Delmonico’s, in New York, where fine dining was becoming a feature of urban life. All this coincided with an explosion in logging, which began destroying the habitat of pigeons just as hunters were destroying the pigeons themselves.\nOnce they became a commodity, there was nothing to save them; they fell victim not to pure human greed, but to a complex dynamic involving technological development, urbanization, and the environmental issues inevitably accompanying both. At the same time, it was this extinction event, perhaps more than any other single issue, that led to the rise of conservation efforts - which is largely why bison still roam parts of the country today.\nAnd combined with the exponential increases in technological prowess, there are serious efforts underway toward the establishment of the Second Cooing:\nDe-extinction became big news after a conference last March—sponsored by Revive & Restore, ted, and National Geographic—broadcast plans to take passenger-pigeon genes recovered from the toe pads of museum specimens, combine them with genes from the band-tailed pigeon (the genetic next of kin), and use them to modify another bird, possibly a chicken, so that it would lay a passenger-pigeon egg that could be raised by a band-tailed pigeon but taught to flock by a homing pigeon.\nAlternatively, the squabs could be hand-raised, much as we do with California Condors today, before being mentored by homers. But what do we do if, as may well be the case, the birds require huge flock-sizes to survive?\nPosted by Max on December 31, 2013 at 02:37 PM in Food and Drink, History | Permalink","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line605439"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.502714216709137,"wiki_prob":0.502714216709137,"text":"Tag Archives: Bette Davis\nOf Human Bondage (1934): Bette Davis Ascends\n“There’s usually one who loves and one who is loved.”\nPhilip Carey (Leslie Howard) is a sympathetic man who made a go at an artist’s life in Paris. However, a mentor tells him to move on; worse than a failure, he’s a mediocre talent. Although he has the industry, he lacks the genius, so he resolves to devote himself to something else: pursuing medicine like his father before him. It also constitutes a move back to his native London in the process.\nAlthough it has nothing to do with his individual strength of character, wherever he goes in society at large, he is forever marked by his club foot. His history of rejection sets the stage for the story at hand. Of Human Bondage is based on W. Somerset Maugham’s partially autobiographical novel from 1915. I know little about its source material, but the film obviously does condense the narrative and hone in on one relationship in particular.\nOn the behest of a medical school colleague, they strike up a conversation with an “anemic” waitress (Bette Davis) at a local tea room. There’s a shrill, hard edge to her — denoting the lower classes — and she wears a tough exterior. Howard’s corners are rounded and refined in comparison.\nDavis uses certain ticks to her advantage, for instance, how she always tilts her head from side to side. She’s proud and aloof in spite of her upbringing. Philip gives her a playful going over, and yet can’t stop thinking about her. She holds a power over him.\nAfter only one encounter he’s completely smitten, asking her out to the theater, then dinner, while she barely gives him the time of day. Her ploy is to keep him at arm’s length accepting his requests for companionship, even as she keeps company with other men (including Alan Hale).\nFor those who have been in love, it’s the greatest disappointment when feelings are not reciprocated. She becomes his mind’s primary obsession during medical examinations, totally commandeering his life. He is only a passing fancy for her. Nothing more. Given the circumstances, his hopeless devotion toward her can only end in one way: heartbreak. What’s worse than having it happen once, is the cycle continuing over and over again.\nBecause she tells him more than once, that she’ll never love him; they have no future together. She goes off and marries something else, only to get thrown back out on the street. Philip finds himself taking her in out of pity because her husband dumps her, and she has an infant child to care for.\nAlthough he’s not well-off, he still extends his hospitality to her even as it scourges him to have her in his space. He knows he cannot give himself over to her again. It would only torment him more.\nEven as his medical career progresses and he finds another woman, a decent woman, and one who genuinely loves him, the pull of Mildred is too great. Not that he loves her, but she is in need of someone, someone to have mercy and give her shelter to provide for her child. As there is no one else, it falls on Philip.\nThankfully, there are a few bright spots in his life. One of his patients (Reginald Owen) is a particularly jovial chap who welcomes him into his home after he’s received a good bill of health and even introduces his beautiful daughter (Frances Dee) to the eligible bachelor.\nMildred continues to be the noose slowly tightening around Philip’s neck. Despite all the generosity he’s shown her, she ultimately lashes out at him with a vindictive fury, trashing his apartment and desecrating the paintings he has cherished for so long. But he is a changed man and as Mildred sinks back into the gutter, he continues to rise out of it.\nWe have a budding love story on our hands and in the company of Thorpe Athelny (Owen) and his daughter Sally, Philip cultivates a life-giving bond with the makings of a happy ending. Suddenly, all the former heartaches and woes have passed away, and Philip is blessed with a new life. Mildred is not so lucky…\nLeslie Howard is an able performer and his talents probably get overshadowed a bit today due to playing a supporting role in Gone With the Wind and dying so tragically during WWII. But in a picture such as Of Human Bondage, he exemplifies both a sensitivity of spirit and a capacity for love. Frances Dee holds what might be considered a token role, but she’s teeming with beauty opposite him as one of the unsung starlets of the decade.\nHowever, as you might have guessed, there is no considering this picture in its full breadth without considering Bette Davis’s performance. In hindsight, it’s fascinating to think about how some of the greatest stars made their ascensions. If the role of Mildred acts as an inflection point for Davis, then it’s quite an extraordinary anomaly for the era, but also a stunning showcase.\nIn some way, Mildred runs very radically against the tide of the times — not the victim but the aggressor — and a femme fatale before they were thoroughly popularized by noir in forthcoming decades\nWe must marvel at the courage and foresight of Davis to fight for the part, to go at it wholeheartedly, and willingly play a so-called undesirable, unglamorous character. Because she realized in all the mess, all the vulnerability, there is a character worth considering. Frankly, she feels human and honest though we do see her most petty and debased inclinations. This is precisely the point. The actress’s own words do much to color her appreciation of the characterization:\n“My understanding of Mildred’s vileness – not compassion but empathy – gave me pause … I was still an innocent. And yet Mildred’s machinations I miraculously understood when it came to playing her. I was often ashamed of this … I suppose no amount of rationalization can change the fact that we are all made up of good and evil.”\nDavis seems supremely perceptive, and she touches on one of the keys to creating indelible performances. Great actors are able to empathize with all characters and find their core truth — the wounds and hurts and realities — making them into genuine, broken people. There are a handful of Bette Davis characters that are easy for me to dismiss; I usually look down on them because I don’t like them as people.\nOnly as I grow older do I realize their flaws momentarily look like my own. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t see myself in Mildred Rogers or Margo Channing, but I’d be remiss to say I’m better than them or totally impervious to similar sins. Bette Davis is such a legendary talent because she forces me to have empathy with wretches such as these. Because on my worst days (and some of my better ones), I am one too.\nPosted in Drama, Romance | Tagged Alan Hale Sr., Bette Davis, Frances Dee, John Cromwell, Leslie Howard, Pre-Code, Review | Leave a reply\nWaterloo Bridge (1931): Pre-Code Edition\nPosted on May 8, 2021 by 4 Star Films\nMany might best remember Vivien Leigh and Robert Taylor in the 1940 version of Waterloo Bridge. It’s immediately obvious this movie has a very different flavor from the outset. It’s an earthier more boisterous version of Waterloo Bridge before the Production Codes took their axes to the original material.\nJames Whale’s camera pans across a gay gang of chorus girls on the stage — they are alive and bursting with perky energy — putting on a show for their patrons. Behind the curtains and after-hours, the girls maintain the buzz as they chat in their skimpy Pre-Code attire. One of their ilk is Myra Deaville (Mae Clarke).\nIt’s delightful how the camera takes such a shine to our heroine though it’s so obvious to see she might play second or third fiddle to the band of big wigs and aristocrats in the world at-large. She really does feel like a nobody far away from home. Still, there’s something to be said for her way of life.\nAs is, London has a lovely artificiality that we can breathe in and still enjoy as the characters amble along the streets with car horns and horse carts to go with the post boxes and street lamps.\nLikewise, the beats feel raw and unkempt in a way the 1940 remake would never have dared or been capable of to begin with. Somehow it takes on a grander more chaotic scale in the hands of James Whale. And yet the characters and vernacular are more casual even familiar.\nDouglass Montgomery feels like an honest-to-goodness callow soldier boy. He doesn’t have the slightest sense of what he’s gotten himself into and with anything he does, there’s a latent fallibility you don’t get with Robert Taylor. He never feels endangered in the same way.\nLikewise, Mae Clark is affecting yet generally capable of exuding an everyday ordinariness. We hardly remember her star compared to the likes of Vivien Leigh, who headlined one of the most grandiose, decadent epics of all time. Their trajectories and legacies could not be more disparate This is just the film to raise her reputation above one crackerjack scene playing opposite James Cagney and a Lemon.\nShe’s no star (the film coincidentally features a young Bette Davis), and the story seems to like it that way. Because both Clarke and Montgomery, by today’s standards, are hardly highly touted figures, but somehow they fit so genuinely here within the provided context.\nIt’s a youthful dynamic with a 19-year-old doughboy and the dance hall performer who’s been around. She also carries the forlorn look rather well even as Montgomery’s face is fresh and boyish.\nThey meet helping an old lady pick her potatoes off of Waterloo Bridge. It’s the same air raid from the earlier film with a certain frenzied uncertainty of war in the atmosphere. The gas runs out in her shabby apartment, and they talk to each other about their lives, mouths crammed with food.\nIt also cultivates a different dimension of ex-pats away from home. Because both Roy and Myra are born and bred Americans, and so there’s this inherent otherness they engender. It’s the type of visible difference that makes it all the more believable they would gravitate toward one another.\nFurthermore, the film is not just consigned to the urban cityscapes but finds its way out into the countryside far from the signs of tumult and war. Because whereas the later version had the reverie of dance and “Aul Lang Syne,” this version needs its own escape valve, a respite before the final act’s guttural finale.\nHere Myra is thrown in with Roy’s mother and an avuncular old step-father, hard of hearing and loving a good whiskey and soda. He’s a puttering scene-stealer — mostly because Bette Davis has nothing of import to do as an amiable sister. Her time would come in due time.\nMeanwhile, the drama goes on behind the scenes as Myra is a woman of such genuine conscience — she admits she picked Roy up on Waterloo Bridge — she is no chorus girl. Though she could marry him, she chooses not to. She understands the mores of society and is willing to abide by them, even when it hurts.\nYou can call it the hooker with the heart of gold archetype to be sure, but what it really brings out is a culture so quick to label people as pariahs and outcasts — dirty and sinful folks not fit to be seen with the rest of God-fearing humanity. Then, behind closed doors, there’s gossip and what-have-you in the guise of propriety.\nIn the end, between passionate kisses, a crowded truck of onlookers shipping out to the front, and zeppelins raining down incendiaries, there’s not a moment to breathe before the curtain falls. This might be very well by design. Still, this movie zips along with a raw vitality worthy of consideration.\nPosted in 1930s, Drama, Romance | Tagged Bette Davis, Douglass Montgomery, James Whale, Review, Universal Pictures, WWI | Leave a reply\nDark Victory (1939): Bette Davis at Her Best\nPosted on October 8, 2020 by 4 Star Films\nDark Victory reminds one how eclectic the Warner Bros. stock company was in 1939 because, in a Bette Davis vehicle, the first visage to present itself is none other than a wry Humphrey Bogart. The movie is a veritable grab bag of assorted talent from Bogart to Ronald Reagan and even kindly, bushy-browed Henry Travers. Despite still being a supporting player (his ascension would come in two years), Bogey is having a grand old time as a smart-mouthed horse trainer named Michael O’Leary.\nHe is under the employment of one Judith Traherne (Davis) who is coming off her most recent bender, living it up in local social circles. It’s an obvious first impression although, as time goes on, we get quite a different understanding of who she is as a human being. It’s often the case trials and tribulation mixed with romance have a habit of bringing out the truest essence of an individual.\nFor the Davis character, it begins inauspiciously enough. We expect her to be a frivolous, spirited socialite partying, drinking, smoking cigarettes, like any self-respecting belle in her position. In such a world the happy-go-lucky playboy Alex (Ronald Reagan) seems to be an impeccable match.\nHer best friend Ann (Geraldine Fitzgerald) is the doting sounding board who might as well be a part of Judith. At any rate, she functions as a guardian angel constantly worried about the other’s well-being. She never fails to be by Judith’s side in all manner of circumstances — it’s almost uncanny — but cinematically, she becomes the necessary foil on which our heroine transfers all her fears.\nThis is a crucial relationship as the story progresses. For it is Ann who bears the brunt of the sorrow, in effect, freeing Judith to push bravely forward. Ann cries the tears so her friend doesn’t have to. But I’m getting ahead of myself. We must put it out there now that tragedy strikes.\nThe events are instigated in one frightening instance when Judith all but runs her horse through a jump out on the range. They are both shaken up, but the fall is written off as a lingering after-effect of the previous night’s merriment.\nStill, the incidents persist. One afternoon Judith takes a tumble down the stairs while later confiding in her friend about other isolated moments and the recent hangover-induced headaches she hasn’t been able to shake.\nWhile Judith remains peppy and bright, in all manner of speaking, there’s no question these developments have left her frazzled — her nerves undone by this unexplained erratic behavior.\nAt about this time, our other important character is introduced, a well-respected brain surgeon (George Brent) who is all but prepared to give up his booming practice for a more relaxed mode of medicine. It is only as a favor to a friend he even takes a look at Ms. Traherne (As a minor side note, it’s staggering to acknowledge this was the eighth out of eleven onscreen appearances Brent made opposite Bette Davis!).\nHis subsequent examination is basic but wholly conclusive, and it is a clever bit of exposition instigated by director Edmund Goulding. We learn instantly the doctor’s new patient is losing some of her ocular and motor skills. It’s evident something is wrong. Though he does not frighten her in the moment, he has suspicions she is stricken with cancer.\nThe consequence. She’s going to die. It’s only a matter of time. The main conundrum suddenly thrust upon the doctor and Ann is a deplorable one: To tell her in all truthfulness what is inevitable or let her live in ignorance so her final days might be blissful.\nWhat do you expect to happen? Of course, they never get the chance to make the decision. Two words: prognosis negative, are all Judith needs to put it all together. She feels betrayed and disdains their pity. She will never be the same.\nThe way Davis approaches each of these scenes with almost a spastic giddiness makes it different than what one might typically consider mainline Bette Davis, whether The Little Foxes or All About Eve. If anything, it reveals her immense aptitude at projecting different sides of humanity. Because she seems so very superficial only to subvert all our expectations with an unassailable strength, bolstering her in her waning days.\nThe tear-jerking melodrama is a precarious affair because it must throw out all sorts of tragedies and sentimentalities while all the while compelling the audience such that they don’t completely laugh off the whole idea as poppycock. After all, it’s about the easiest thing in the world to dismiss such a picture — we’ve seen enough soaps in our days to grow weary of them — but the good ones take us through the paces and still manage to get to us.\nDark Victory is no person’s idea of a perfect film, but it does what it sets out to do quite stupendously. Even as someone never quick to fawn over Bette Davis, there’s no recourse but to laud her performance.\nNot often am I fond of a Davis character, even the ones you’re meant to like. Dark Victory teeters somewhere in the middle for a while, but the sheer tornado frenzy of giggling life in the face of death wins out. It’s a testament to Davis more than anyone else as she all but sticks the landing, carrying the magnitude of the drama with her implacable performance.\nThe title itself, Dark Victory, initially sounds morbid or like it’s indicating some form of vindictive revenge. And yet really, this is a happier story imbued with hope in the face of said tragedy. It is a victory over the dark even as the light dissipates for Judith.\nIn reality, the trills of lasting romance and fearlessness in the face of the great unknown offer her vindication over her struggles. We are not meant to weep over her lot in life. Instead, taking a cue from her own outlook, we must lean into the sweetness in lieu of the tragedy.\nPosted in 1930s, Drama, Romance | Tagged Bette Davis, Edmund Goulding, George Brent, Geraldine Fitzgerald, Henry Travers, Humphrey Bogart, Review, Ronald Reagan | Leave a reply\n8 Underrated Screwball Comedies\nPosted on July 25, 2020 by 4 Star Films\nScrewball comedies, like film noir, have a fairly devoted following and although they were very much of their time, they still have descendants and influences on the movies coming out today.\nMany of the heavy hitters from the 30s and 40s are household names, but I thought it would be fun to highlight a few titles that fewer people might think about in conversations surrounding screwball comedies. Let me know what you think!\nTheodora Goes Wild (1936)\nIrene Dunne is a great person to start this list off with because I always enjoy her films and yet she oftentimes feels woefully forgotten. In this zany vehicle, she is the eponymous title character who, while living a life of propriety in a small town, actually moonlights as quite the titillating author. Her life gets flipped upside down when one of the city slickers (Mervyn Douglas) finds out her secret.\nEasy Living (1937)\nIt’s true a whole movie can be born out of a fur coat dropping from the sky, and it builds into a wonderfully raucous narrative thanks to the wonky scripting of Preston Sturges. Jean Arthur and Edward Arnold make a fine pair and send the town into a tizzy when rumors start circulating about the extent of their relationship. Ray Milland also proves why he was a much sought after rom-com lead.\nIt’s Love I’m After (1937)\nIt’s a dream cast with Leslie Howard, Bette Davis, and Olivia de Havilland in a dream scenario: a love triangle dressed up with Shakespearean theatricality. What better bedfellow for screwball comedy as Howard puts on a performance to rebuff a starstruck fan girl and earn back his jealous co-star. Eric Blore is stupendous as per usual.\nTrue Confession (1937)\nIt’s courtroom drama meets screwball romance with Carole Lombard giving one of her most frenzied performances as a serial fibber who pleads guilty to an egregious crime so she can drum up some publicity for her husband (Fred MacMurray), a struggling lawyer in need of a big case. Una Merkel and John Barrymore show up to supply some added character.\nMerrily We Live (1938)\nHere is a movie that’s good-naturedly built out of the mode of My Man Godfrey. It’s about a family of idle rich: Constance Bennett, Billie Burke, Clarence Kolb, and Bonita Granville, of all people! They’re a constant whirlwind of ditzy entertainment around the breakfast table, and they quite unwittingly pull a passerby (Brian Aherne) into their comic vortex. Chaos ensues.\nVivacious Lady (1938)\nGinger Rogers and Jimmy Stewart have a glowing chemistry. However, their recent marriage has a wrench thrown into it when they head home to meet the parents. The word never got to them, and Charles Coburn, in one of his most obstinate performances, will never approve. Ginger uses all her tricks to woo her husband’s family over and fight off any rivals with her unparalleled catfighting skills. It’s as delightful as it sounds.\nThe Rage of Paris (1938)\nSpunky Danielle Darrieux and Douglas Fairbanks Jr. spar across social lines with your typical screwball romance riddled with conflict transplanted to Paris and the French countryside. What Henry Koster brings is his usual heart-warming tone, and with support from the likes of Helen Broderick and Misca Auer, the material receives a dose of extra comedic oomph.\nThe Devil and Miss Jones (1941)\nHere is the original undercover boss with the always cantankerous Charles Coburn slinking around his own department store. Not only does he come to understand his employees’ dissatisfaction with their work, through the eyes of Jean Arthur and Robert Cummings, he also learns what real friendship is. The movie is blessed with that wonderful one-two combo of uproarious antics and genuine heart.\nLet me know what screwball comedies you would include!\nPosted in Film List | Tagged Bette Davis, Carole Lombard, Charles Coburn, Constance Bennett, Danielle Darreux, Eric Blore, Fred MacMurray, Ginger Rogers, Irene Dunne, James Stewart, Jean Arthur, Melvyn Douglas, Olivia de Havilland, Preston Sturges, Screwball Comedy, Trevor Howard | 4 Replies\nIt’s Love I’m After (1937): In Honor of Olivia De Havilland\nPosted on July 4, 2020 by 4 Star Films\nThere is a very significant reason to be watching It’s Love I’m After at this time. Her name is Olivia de Havilland, and by some brilliant piece of Providence, she has just recently turned 104 years old! She, of course, was in her early 20s when this movie came out and what a charmer it is.\nA few years before To Be or Not To Be, here is another movie hamming up Shakespeare on the stage. This time it’s Leslie Howard and Bette Davis as they act out their version of Romeo and Juliet for a rapt audience. What makes the sequence is the dueling couple whispering snide asides to one another mid-performance. Barbs about garlic breath and upstaging come out because they’re both conceited and jealously in love.\nBut where is Olivia in all of this? She’s up in the balcony swooning over the sublime eye candy down on the stage. She’s seen all of his performances and is positively devoted to his very essence. Her boyfriend (Patric Knowles) looks on with frustration as he’s having to compete with a rival who has never even met his girl before.\nThis is soon remedied when she promptly goes backstage to pay her respects. It’s all quite innocent. Basil and Joyce continue their incessant bickering from their adjoining dressing rooms, still at each other’s throats, despite the wall between them.\nThen, Marcia West presents herself positively agog by the image of her idol thoroughly in the flesh before her. He’s flattered but he hardly knows what he’s doing when he accepts her compliments. Worse still, Joyce sees the young woman on her way out. Harmless or not, it adds further fuel to their relational fires.\nWhat a delight it is to see such beloved thespians and titans of dramaturgy like Howard and Davis doing comedy, of all things, and doing it quite well in the screwball vein. After all, this would be their third picture together following Of Human Bondage and Petrified Forest. There’s no comparison.\nThe movie is totally overtaken by bipolar swings in fortune. First lovers’ quarrels — it’s the worst New Year’s Eve ever — then there are marriage proposals, and finally, Basil resolves to help a young fellow out.\nThey do have some handy support. There were few better in this department than Eric Blore, and he has a readily available supply of birdcalls and advice on his master’s matrimonial habits on the “precipice,” as it were.\nBeing your typically theatrical, philandering type, Basil resolves to shirk his impulses and pursue his own moral salvation. In this case, his good deed is for a lovesick fellow whose best girl is smitten with the stagebound Romeo. The actor doesn’t know it’s the same girl. How can he? No one in these movies ever stops to compare notes.\nStill, he resolves to turn up on her doorstep and rudely ruffle her illusion of him. He and his man Digges (Blore) pay a late-night housecall to the West residence. Their shouts of “ire” soon become “fire” and brief pandemonium sets in as an impromptu round of “We’re here because we’re here” comes out sounding a lot like “Auld Lang Syne.”\nHe schmoozes his way into the house, making himself at home in the company of the avuncular father, befuddled mother, and a gossiping sister (Bonita Granville) always peeping through keyholes. But in Marcia’s eyes, he can still do no wrong. Now he’s got quite the prompting audience, and he’s all but ready to do his part.\nHis bit of showmanship has him playing up his image as an egotistical malcontent tearing through the guests and their breakfast table with ferocity (and some help from the Bard). Digges does his best to complain about the lack of kippers and other inadequacies. None of it congeals as they were hoping, in fact, it has an adverse effect. Marcia agrees with his every word.\nAs someone fed on a steady diet of P.G. Wodehouse and Jeeves and Wooster, there’s something familiar and comforting about the picture’s comic situation. Basil is no Bertie Wooster. Digges is no Jeeves, but they are stuck in the same madcap realm of romantic entanglement mixed with comedic hijinks.\nWhatever Basil tries is quite unsuccessful in quelling the ardor or the affection of Ms. West. The best-laid plans all too quickly go awry and poor Digges can do little to stop the inevitable. Joyce makes her reappearance at precisely the most inopportune time. She catches her man in the arm of another. The jealous boyfriend feels affronted as he watches his girl be ripped away from him, albeit unwittingly.\nThe story couldn’t look bleaker and further from its agreed-upon happy ending and yet, eventually, it comes, like any good rom-com. Don’t ask me how it happens. Maybe it’s the youthful fickleness of De Havilland’s ingenue. Perhaps cinematic serendipity gets in the way. Regardless, the partners shuffle around only to get back together with their ordained.\nLeslie Howard and Bette Davis are, again, madly in love, then yelling and screaming and pushing each other across the room. Digges is busy packing the suitcases only for the contents to come tumbling out as future husband and wife make up and share a passionate embrace. What light through yonder window breaks? It is the East and Juliet is the sun! End scene.\nPosted in 1930s, Comedy, Romance | Tagged Bette Davis, Leslie Howard, Olivia de Havilland, Review, Screwball | 1 Reply\nClassic Movie Beginner’s Guide: Teresa Wright\nWe continue our series chronicling the career of classic Hollywood stars with 4 films. This week our subject is Teresa Wright a genial actress with a high degree of success throughout the 1940s at MGM.\nIf memory serves, she remains the only performer to have received Oscar nominations for her first three roles. Her later career stalled mostly impart to her willingness to challenge the rigid structures of the studio system.\nWithout further ado, let’s take a closer look at the often unsung talent of Teresa Wright!\nThe Little Foxes (1941)\nWhat an auspicious way to begin a film career not only playing opposite Bette Davis but being directed by William Wyler in a spectacular ensemble including Herbert Marshall and Dan Duryea. Wright more than substantiates her reputation as a wholesome ingenue amid an otherwise treacherous menagerie. Mrs. Miniver would do much the same to uphold her image.\nThere’s not a better choice to play Eleanor the wife of the Iron Horse, Yankee legend, and ALS casualty Lou Gehrig. The chemistry between Wright and Gary Cooper is genial and playful from the beginning. This is what makes the hardship even more devastating. In her lady years, I heard Wright was quite the avid Yankees fan, and after this film you can see why.\nThe Shadow of a Doubt (1943)\nThis is arguably the pinnacle of Teresa Wright’s career pairing her with Alfred Hitchcock and giving her top billing across from Joseph Cotten as her treacherous uncle and namesake Charlie. It’s the height of rural noir where the darkness of the outside world seeps into idyllic Santa Rosa as the wanted widow murderer seeks refuge. Her own is quickly thrown into jeopardy when he begins to suspect she knows…\nThe Best Years of Our Lives (1946)\nIf I’m correct, this is the film that first introduced me to Teresa Wright, and I was immediately smitten with her charms as the grown daughter of Myrna Loy and Frederic March. She finds herself caught up in a romance with a returning G.I. stuck in a loveless marriage (Dana Andrews). What makes it so powerful is the fact this is only one relationship in the patchwork William Wyler creates out of the Boone City community.\nMrs. Miniver, Pursued, The Men\nPosted in Beginner's Guide, Misc. | Tagged Bette Davis, Dana Andrews, Gary Cooper, Greer Garson, Joseph Cotten, Teresa Wright, William Wyler | Leave a reply\nJezebel (1938): A Bette Davis Southern Belle\nThe oldest movie theater near where I grew up was built in 1938 and by some peculiar coincidence, Bette Davis is said to have driven by the establishment time and time again. Being the iron-willed personality that she was, the rising star demanded they open with her latest movie. (I assume very few people crossed Bette Davis and lived to tell about it.)\nThus, the first film ever shown at the newly minted theater was her very own Jezebel. One of the attractions of the theater to this day is an old-fashioned parlor in the ladies room reminiscent of the days when women used to sit together while powdering their noses and sharing in the latest trivialities and juicy bits of gossip. At least that’s how I imagine it.\nIn truth, Jezebel would prove to be the actresses consolation prize for being passed over for the leading role in one of the biggest cultural attractions of the era, Gone with the Wind (1939). Though Davis was beloved and already extremely popular with the viewing public, the big wigs got the final say choosing Vivien Leigh instead. Of course, the rest is history.\nBut it’s difficult not to look at Jezebel in juxtaposition with its arguably more opulent and ostentatious rival. That begins with the differing palettes — black & white vs. color — and subsequently bleeds into the running times and comparative success as well.\nSurely, Henry Fonda is no dashing rapscallion like Clark Gable, but I find him a more understated hero. More pleasantly reserved. Likewise, while Selznick’s behemoth production was a cash cow, you wonder how he was able to tie the picture together with so many moving pieces and names attached as directors, cinematographers, etc.\nWilliam Wyler guides Jezebel with his usual expertise and professionalism, cementing a long and fruitful partnership with Bette Davis. Not that they always were the perfect symbiotic relationship; he soon earned the nickname “99 Take Willie” and Davis was already known for her aforementioned recalcitrant nature.\nBut there’s little denying that they made each other better. He elevated her performance with his care and the collaboration with long-time cinematographer Ernest Haller lighting her in each scene, creates an ongoing continuity, while Davis brought something authentic and inherently obstinate, fearlessly commanding the screen.\nThis particular story takes us back in American history to Antebellum New Orleans in 1852. Davis makes a stirring impression as southern belle Julie Marsden arriving late to a fine to-do, not even changing out of her riding crop before bursting in on the company. The churlishness of her impropriety is startling and utterly appalling to the ladies and some of the gentlemen trained up by decades of Southern civility.\nLadies just don’t do such a thing. It isn’t decent. But you get the sense that’s precisely why Davis is impeccable for this role as a woman who willingly tramples over the normative without a second thought. She’s simultaneously an audacious nonconformist and a destructive force clouded by her own pettiness.\nShe currently resides with her hospitable and generally courteous aunt (Fay Bainter) who nevertheless has her hands full with such a strong-headed woman in her home. The most crucial personal conflict begins with Jezebel’s beau Preston Dillard (Fonda), an up and coming banker. They have a disagreement as he seems more taken with his work than with her.\nHowever, for Julie, in her egocentric world, she is all that matters, and in a form of brash retaliation, she disregards traditional protocol again by ordering a scandalous red dress to wear to the forthcoming ball. Why is it unheard of? Because unmarried women are only ever seen in white. Never in their life would they dream of donning such a brazen symbol.\nThroughout the entire film, Davis’ wardrobe, designed by Orry Kelly, essentially becomes an extension of her character, embodying her individuality and defiance of the culture she finds around her.\nHenry Fonda maintains a quietly stern resolve much to his credit. Because at face value I always take him for a benevolent soul, and he is when the moments of sincerity are called for. But one cannot acknowledge his candor without remembering the other scenes in You Only Live Once or The Grapes of Wrath where his utter alienation with the world is palpable.\nThus, he’s able to hold his own with Davis even if, by design, this is her picture. The steadiness of his own demeanor is able to be her counterbalance while also confronting the blind devotees of southern convention. Of course, it can’t be helped even as he and his mentor, Dr. Livingstone (Donald Crisp), try and speak sense into those around them.\nJulie and Preston weather the Ball together as he forces her to make the ignominious walk of shame and subsequently dance with him, as all eyes fall on them stupefied. Their engagement falls to the wayside after that and Julie will not have him back.\nTime passes as Pres goes up north for a spell and Julie becomes inconsolate, clinging to the hope that her former lover will come back to her on his hands and knees. She’s desperate and terribly broken up. Eventually, he does return, just like old times, and yet on his arm hangs his new wife, a charming northerner (Margaret Lindsay), who nevertheless gets slighted by her jealous rival.\nIn one last-ditch effort to make Prez jealous, Judy tries to use a cocksure southern gentleman named Buck Cantrell (George Brent) to stir up any dissidence she can between the two men. To a degree, her disingenuous contrivance works out in winning the man’s favor with consequences she cannot be absolved of.\nAlthough the conflict between the North and the South is rising to a fever pitch, the film is never actually embroiled in the Civil War. Instead, it is stricken by the peril of the Yellow Fever which fails to discriminate between the rich and the poor.\nWe see most clearly in these waning moments the arbitrary nature of the southern moral code which would deem two men would have to die in a duel for absolutely pointless means. It’s infuriating to watch because no one’s honor was even at stake. It’s all on account of the needlessly puerile ploys of a woman completely consumed by selfishness, ultimately destroying the relationships around her.\nBette Davis’ pursuit of redemption at the end of the picture generally ruins what we are left with. Especially because she was well-known for playing strong often uncompromising women verging on the unsympathetic. That was part of her allure as an actor, making her so very unlike many of the Hollywood standard-bearers. She had those iconic eyes but also an implacable bullish nature. She’s always a cinematic force to be reckoned with even if her performance gets slightly compromised in Jezebel.\nPosted in 1930s, Drama, Romance | Tagged Bette Davis, Donald Crisp, Henry Fonda, Review, William Wyler | Leave a reply\nThree on a Match (1932): The Epitome of Hollywood Pre-Code\nPosted on August 2, 2019 by 4 Star Films\nThe Pre-Code era of Hollywood is a legitimate marvel because in a span of only a few solitary years was a period of filmmaking bursting at the seams with vice, corruption, and licentiousness that we would never see again until the late 1960s.\nOne could say that each of these elements was merely an exploitive measure to get folks in the sits. No question about it. However, that’s not to say the era is devoid of meaning nor is Three on a Match any less evocative. In retrospect, we look at something like this and it’s not simply a cultural artifact for us to engage with, one could assert just as vehemently that it was more indicative of the human condition than many later films coming out of the Hollywood mills. Scan the contemporary news columns and you might have to agree. In fact, that’s much of what director Mervyn LeRoy does.\nHe rapidly spans time with a proliferation of news clippings. They are not simply a montage effect but a continual storytelling device that are almost sinews to this story which must function with hyperawareness of its timescale. Ricocheting with time jumps that you almost get used to by the end and each one is out of pure necessity. Remember with 63 minutes you have to scrimp with every minute. From a historical perspective alone, it’s an absolute goldmine with cinematic images to fit right alongside the current events.\nThe title Three on a Match seems a foreign concept now but it comes from the old wive’s tale that if three people light a cigarette from the same match the odds are one of them will die. It is often incorrectly cited as originating in the trenches during WWI. Instead, it was the advertising gimmick of a Swedish matchbox salesman to drum up more business.\nThe story itself ambitiously begins in adolescence with three girls. Mary Keaton (Joan Blondell) is the wayward one who looks to be headed toward a reformatory and sure enough, she grows up and winds up in such a life. Vivian Revere (Ann Dvorak) is the purported “good girl” who ends up with a fine education and marrying a wealthy lawyer (Warren Williams) but she finds her life and her marriage dull and unfulfilling. Meanwhile, little Ruth Westcott (Bette Davis) has grown up into a pretty stenographer who nevertheless is relegated to playing the third fiddle. No matter, Davis would get her revenge in an illustrious career to come.\nThe root of the drama crops up from Vivian’s dissatisfaction with life because being the understanding husband that he is, Mr. Kirkwood proposes she take a trip away with their little son so she can clear her mind and come back refreshed. She jumps at the opportunity.\nAdultery is such an insidious thing since you never consciously think you are going to be unfaithful; I imagine it just ambushes you as it does for Vivian. She meets a man (Lyle Talbot) who is charming and the bubbly is flowing. She has few cares in the world and conveniently has neglected her son. Whom does she have to thank for this good time? Why, it’s Mary. Except Mary has changed; she’s a different person, chiding her old classmate to think before she throws her life away. The tides have changed with the reprobate teaching the classy one something about life.\nTo divulge any more would ruin the surprise but there’s little doubt, it’s sordid stuff with some mild sense of morality. We have drugs, adultery, scandal, and suicide all rolled up into one tightly woven package. Dvorak is devastating in her self-destructive spiral as Blondell commands the film’s stalwart center.\nThe most unexpected star is little Junior who is a precocious performer, lovable in every scene he shares with his bevy of costars but also a striking reminder of how innocent children are. To neglect them is to disregard the imperative of parenthood to provide for your progeny with an unselfish, unswerving, sacrificial love.\nThe rest of the gang are all assigned their assorted parts that became their mainstays. Humphrey Bogart becomes the quintessential heavy in a matter of moments. Ed Arnold is the exacting kingpin overseeing everything. Allen Jenkins is another tough customer with little heart or soul.\nIt might do well as a companion piece to Night Nurse, which also involves little children being exploited. Joan Blondell gives a spunky turn in both even as the plots verge on the utterly ludicrous and are remembered now as much for their louche content than the actual details of their plots. Part of that has to do with how unusual it seems, especially with the laissez-faire attitude of the production codes at the time.\nBut also in this specific case, the Lindberg kidnapping indubitably was still fresh in the minds of the viewing public, lending some credence to the believability of such a tale. That’s the key. However absurdly a plotline might slingshot this way or that, as long as something grounds it, even momentarily, in reality, it can captivate us. Three on a Match is not a phenomenal film outright but within its means, it manages to be economically diverting.\nPosted in 1930s, Drama, Romance | Tagged Bette Davis, Edward Arnold, Humphrey Bogart, Joan Blondell, Mervyn LeRoy, Pre-Code, Review | Leave a reply\n4 WWII Home Front Movies\nPosted on June 6, 2019 by 4 Star Films\nWorld War II gave rise to a whole cottage industry of war films during the conflict and for generations to come. There are, of course, so many facets of the war to explore whether it’s Europe, The Pacific, North Africa, and any number of elements.\nHowever, something that always fascinated me was life on the Home Front. Now wars feel like proxies. They rarely affect us first-hand. During the 1940s the war was a concerted effort on all fronts. It affected not only soldiers but civilians living miles away.\nMrs. Miniver (1942) chronicles the exploits of a fearless mother who holds her family together during The Blitz and the threat of German invasion. More The Merrier (1943) takes a comical look at the housing crisis that plagued Washington D.C. and other metropolis areas. Even the likes of Stage Door Canteen (1943) and Thank Our Lucky Stars (1943) give a picture into the USO and entertainment efforts put on for soldiers.\nHere is a list of four other films from the World War II years that function as time capsules giving us some element of what life was like during those impactful years in history.\nHail The Conquering Hero (1944)\nCertainly, The Miracle of Morgan’s Creek is another uproarious wartime comedy from Preston Sturges. But this other offering is equally memorable in how it takes on small-town jingoism and hero worship to outrageous proportions. Whereas most old war pictures look moth-bitten with age and overly saccharine, somehow this effort strikes a phenomenal balance between absurd satire and lucid sentimentality.\nIt’s not making fun of our war heroes as much as it lampoons how we try to exalt them in our own well-meaning blundering. There’s no doubt some of this was certainly acknowledged during the war although I’m not sure how the general public would have felt about the movie in that context. Now it looks prescient. Eddie Bracken, William Demarest, and company are absolutely hilarious\nHollywood Canteen (1944)\nActors Bette Davis and John Garfield of Warner Bros. famously set up the Hollywood Canteen as a haven for soldiers on leave. The perks were free and included dances with the most beautiful starlets and entertainment provided by the brightest comedic and musical personalities of the day. You could even win a raffle to kiss Hedy Lamarr.\nAlthough the film is slight, sentimental propaganda, it does give at least a hint of what this group endeavor was all about. For old movie aficionados, it also provides a convenient opportunity to see just about every person Warner Bros. had on the lot in 1944. They all come out to the party to pitch in on the morale-boosting effort.\nThe Clock (1945)\nWhirlwind romances feel almost commonplace in the war years. Imagine the scenario. You’re longtime beau or the eligible man or woman you just met is going off to war. Miles will separate you. All you have are letters. There’s an uncertainty of whether or not you will ever see them again. The only thing that does seem permanent (even if it’s not) is love.\nThe theme would crop up in any number of pictures from The Very Thought of You to I’ll Be Seeing You as the situation undoubtedly resonated with a contemporary audience. However, another favorite is The Clock, starring Judy Garland and Robert Walker. It encapsulates the moment in time so well with heightened emotions, an unceremonious courthouse wedding, and the open ending. We don’t know what the future holds.\nIf Since You Went Away was David Selznick’s WWII epic, this was certainly Samuel Goldwyn’s entry. Its title plays with this ironic ambiguity. The best years of our lives would seem to be ahead of us. The war is over. The Allies have won. The soldiers return home victorious. And yet even in their victory, there is so much to navigate in the civilian world.\nWyler’s effort is such a perceptive picture in how it makes us feel the growing pains and relational tribulations of an entire community. It might be the fact you barely know your wife because you’ve been away for the majority of your marriage. Maybe your kids have grown up in a different world and there’s a corporate job waiting for you to reacclimate to. It might be PTSD or tangible physical injuries totally changing your day-to-day existence. As such the movie is indicative of a certain time and place and a tipping point in American society.\nWhat is your favorite WWII film, whether it depicts the war or some aspect of the home front?\nPosted in 1940s, Film List | Tagged Bette Davis, Eddie Bracken, John Garfield, Judy Garland, Preston Sturges, Robert Walker, William Demarest, William Wyler, WWII | Leave a reply\nPosted on June 19, 2018 by 4 Star Films\nThis propaganda extravaganza showcases Hollywood in all its glory from the Brown Derby to the Hollywoodland sign and of course the pride and joy of wartime morale-boosting, the Hollywood Canteen. It’s a bit of a faux reality, Hollywood’s rendition of what real life might actually be like since the Hollywood Canteen did in fact exist.\nHistorically, it began as an effort by John Garfield and Bette Davis of all people to support the troops and give them quality entertainment from the entertainment capital of the world. Though newsreel footage might serve as a better historical marker (albeit still biased), there’s no questioning the patriotic waves flooding through this picture.\nTrue, even in this film there are anecdotes that point to a slightly different reality. Namely the fact that this was meant to be a Hollywood wide endeavor but all other studios balked and so the lineup is filled out by Warner Bros. catalog of stars and them alone.\nFurthermore, it’s easy to surmise that far from being overcome by patriotic fervor, Joan Crawford probably took her role because the alphabetical billing conveniently put her above a couple perennial rivals in Bette Davis and Barbara Stanwyck.\nEven with its authenticity in question, there’s no doubt that the film boasts talent. There’s an inexhaustible array of song & dance from the likes of the Andrew Sisters, Roy Rogers (with Trigger) and Jimmy Dorsey. The stars also come out in full force with cameos from everyone conceivably under contract to Warner Bros from Kitty Carlisle, Jack Carson, Joe E. Brown, Ida Lupino, Jack Benny, and of course Peter Lorre and Sidney Greenstreet staying in character. Each one provides enough star power to fill in the idle moments around our main love story.\nStill, there’s no doubt that Joan Leslie was one of America’s sweethearts and it’s no coincidence that our protagonist falls head over heels for her all the way in the South Pacific. The pair of lovebirds represents all that is seemingly good and upright about American ideals even if she is a movie star and he is only a common soldier.\nThat makes the prospect of actually meeting her beyond his wildest dreams, but Hollywood purportedly is in the dream making business and so Slim gets his wishes granted. A date with his dream girl is soon arranged by those tactful matchmakers Davis and Garfield.\nRobert Hutton is almost uncannily reminiscent of Jimmy Stewart who was at the time leading bombing raids over Germany. It seems little coincidence that he would then land the crucial role as the universal soldier Slim — a man who saw his share of action and is home for a short spell — before heading out on his next tour of duty.\nHe represents all the boys fighting for not just the Red, White, and Blue but every color and creed. In his very starry-eyed and candid way, he mentions each one as the camera picks each out of the crowd. Curious the only group not mentioned were members of the Japanese-American infantry. Yet another incongruity with the world at large. But the red carpet that is rolled out for him at the Hollywood Canteen is meant to be only a small recompense for all his service to his country.\nDelmer Daves’s picture much like Stage Door Canteen (1943) fits the realm of saccharine propaganda, even blatantly so, but if you allow yourself to be carried away by the historical moment it has its certain charms.\nTrue, the Home Front or the Allied cause isn’t quite as unified and squeaky clean as it claims to be just as humanity on the whole and the stars behind Hollywood rarely could hold up to scrutiny. However, there’s still something here that can make you smile. Publicity stunt or not. Maybe it’s the romantic in me that likes to believe there’s at least a kernel of truth in here and if nothing else there’s honest to goodness sincerity.\nPosted in 1940s, Romance, War | Tagged Barbara Stanwyck, Bette Davis, Eleanor Parker, Ida Lupino, Jack Benny, Jack Carson, Joan Crawford, Joan Leslie, Joe E. Brown, John Garfield, Peter Lorre, Review, Roy Rogers, Sydney Greenstreet, WWII | 1 Reply","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1499347"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9211764931678772,"wiki_prob":0.9211764931678772,"text":"Manager wants Stags to be more clinical\nStags’ boss Adam Murray says his side need to be more ruthless in the final third after they slipped to only their second league defeat of the season against Barnet this afternoon.\nA closely-fought contest was eventually decided by Bees’ frontman John Akinde in the 57th minute when he slotted the ball past Scott Shearer from close range.\nAnd Murray says his side need to start converting their chances after creating a number of goalscoring opportunities against Martin Allen’s side.\n“It’s obviously disappointing losing a home game, I felt we created enough chances, or opportunities, to get more from the game,” Murray said in his post-match interview.\n“I think we had something like 14 shots, but [we’re] not clinical enough. When you do have that amount of efforts at goal, especially [in the] first half, I felt we got in some good positions where we had to punish them and we didn’t.\n“We’ve had goalscoring opportunities today and we didn’t take them. I felt there was a little bit of a lack of focus in that final third today, there wasn’t that ruthlessness there.”\nThe 34-year-old was dealt a blow when defender George Taft was forced off with a hamstring injury after just 21 minutes and he says his players showed signs of inexperience at certain moments in the game.\n“This is the bit that we’re trying to explain to the lads that, at times, we can be very naïve. We played a square pass on the edge of their box I think it is and they’ve ended up scoring. So we’re missing that little bit of nous at the minute.\n“Obviously when you’ve got to make changes so early on in the game, it doesn’t help. It wasn’t an ideal situation for us but again, I felt parts of our play was really good. We’ve got to get the balance of ‘why’ we’re playing because at times we pass for the sake of passing, but the boys have got to understand, it’s their responsibility – they’re the ones on the pitch.\n“I felt at times today we were a little bit naïve; there was opportunities to ‘go for the jugular’ and we didn’t but for some of them, it’s a harsh learning curve.”\nThe manager believes there’s still much more to come from his players and has no doubts in regard to how good his squad can be.\n“I said in my programme notes, we’re only at 60 percent and something needs to click because it’s still not where it should be.\n“We’ve got high standards; we expect a lot. We’ve seen when we’re on it, the kind of performances we can put in,\" Murray continued.\n“I felt today, if we had have upped the gear, just a single gear, we would’ve put them to bed but we didn’t manage to do it. It was kind of getting there, then we took our foot off the gas again, then it’s that little bit of urgency that we need to get it over the line.\n“It’s frustrating because we know it’s in there, but this is where we’ve got to turn around to the players and ask them to come forward and stand up because we know it’s in there, there’s some very good players in there.”\nSupporters can view Adam Murray’s post-match interview, in full, on Stags PlayerHD.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1000796"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.683425784111023,"wiki_prob":0.683425784111023,"text":"by Vanson Soo Feb 2, 2020 4 Comment\nShhhcretly is pleased to have the exclusive rights to release the English version of this coverage on Edward Snowden.\nThis original article was first published 1 December 2018 in German in the Austrian newspaper Der Standard, which reserves the publishing rights.\nShhhcretly would like to thank Der Standard and Steffen Arora for their kind permission to share the translated piece exclusively on this blog.\n(Above) Photo credit: Lindsay Mills 2018.\nEdward Snowden’s warning cry\nBy Steffen Arora\nDer Standard, 1st December 2018\nFormer CIA contractor Edward Snowden’s revelations shone a light on the western world’s surveillance practices. But he, and those who helped him, are paying a high price. He talks to Der Standard about the need to fight on.\n“This is retaliation.” In an interview with Der Standard, Edward Snowden spoke in no uncertain terms about the authorities’ treatment of the people who saved his life. In June 2013, the former US intelligence services contractor became a hounded whistleblower after he exposed the extent to which the US and its allies carry out global surveillance of the internet and digital communications, regardless of suspicious activity. He made these revelations from Hong Kong, never expecting that the moment they were published, he would become the world’s most wanted man.\nIt was the same moment that Robert Tibbo’s telephone rang. The Canadian had made a name for himself in the city as a dedicated human rights lawyer. He fought for the rights of asylum seekers living a pariah existence in Hong Kong – with next to no chance of their status being recognized and leading a decent life there. Tibbo saw Snowden as another refugee who needed help. To hide him from his pursuers, Tibbo found shelter for Snowden with some of his other clients; asylum seekers from Sri Lanka and the Philippines.\n“They were warm, welcoming and kind. When I had fallen to the bottom of the world, they helped me up without giving a damn about who I was,” Snowden says. In the current political climate, loaded with the fear of outsiders, Snowden holds the refugees’ actions in even higher regard. “Their example, their humanity, it gave me a reason to keep fighting.”\nRefugees and their lawyer under pressure\nNot only Snowden, but also those who helped him, are now paying a high price for their actions. The US continues to accuse Snowden of spying and demand his extradition – and President Donald Trump would like to see him executed. Meanwhile, the seven refugees and their lawyer Mr. Tibbo are under pressure from the Hong Kong authorities.\nIn 2018, it is no longer an exception that human rights lawyers like Tibbo become the object of persecution themselves, says Manfred Nowak, Austrian human rights lawyer and former United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture. Not only lawyers, but also journalists and activists from NGOs are being increasingly targeted, he says, even murdered, as records such as Russia’s show. “Human rights have not been in a crisis like this since the end of the Second World War,” Nowak says.\nFor Snowden’s helpers, the situation has deteriorated to the extent that this week, Tibbo turned for help to a selection of media outlets including the New York Times, Paris Match and Der Standard. He himself was forced to leave Hong Kong under diplomatic protection. He had to leave the seven refugees behind.\nEffectively in exile, he continues working for his clients, who are living in constant fear of deportation. No country wants to take them in. Even Canada, which showed willingness to do so back in 2016, appears to have retreated in the face of pressure from abroad.\n“Death by delay” is how lawyers such as Pascal Paradis from the NGO Lawyers Without Borders, which has been working on the case, describes this process. Snowden himself, fleeing US authorities, was left stranded in Moscow. Since then he has faced accusations that he is a Russian spy.\nIn fact he was aiming for Latin America, he says. “The Department of State failed to cancel my passport in time to keep me from leaving Hong Kong. But once they realized I was in the air en route to Latin America, they made public announcements to put every government around the world on notice that they intended to block my freedom of movement.”\nNo asylum in Austria\nWhen he landed in Moscow for a stopover, he was stuck and could not travel further. All of his asylum applications in Europe were rejected, including by Austria. “This more than anything else is what prevents me from leaving Russia,” Snowden says in response to his critics. “If major powers of Europe can be induced by this or that secret promise to be violators of the asylum right rather than its guarantor, you can’t help but question the whole system. If you can’t count on a right now, can you count on a law?”\nManfred Nowak also sees this danger. “Democracy as a form of government is increasingly coming under pressure, as we can see in the US, Great Britain, Hungary, Poland or Italy. These countries are governed by populists, who came to power through democratic channels, but are now attacking democracy.” Nowak sees Brazil’s new president, Jair Bolsonaro, as a particularly stark example of a fascist being voted in to lead a democracy.\nNowak stresses the importance of learning from history: Free elections have destroyed democracies time and time again. “Strident democracies” urgently need to defend themselves against “pseudo- democracies,” he says, pointing to leaders such as Trump, Viktor Orban and Bolsonaro.\nThe western world is currently experiencing a backlash, meaning human rights defenders must go on the offensive, Nowak says. “Everyone must do their bit,” he warns emphatically. “Otherwise it could be too late.”\nNowak sees this backlash in Austria too, where the center-right and far-right are governing in coalition. “Measures are being taken which are being seen, and therefore criticized, as restrictions on the constitutional state, democracy and human rights.”\n“There’s a machine behind it”\nSnowden sees the refugees’ treatment and his own as telling. “You can’t look at something like this without getting a sense that the mask has dropped, and behind all the pretense of civility and process we like to believe governs our little day to day, there’s a machine behind it that would burn everything we love to the ground without a tear if it meant making a problem go away.”\nSnowden is convinced it’s no coincidence that those who helped him are now being targeted. “They’re worried about the example of these families, the symbol their moral choice represents. Anybody can look at this situation and see at a glance who is right and who is wrong.”\nBut if the “big governments” manage to rewrite this story with an unhappy ending for those involved, they will also succeed in changing the positive message of his work with a single blow, Snowden warns. He says he does not know how far state institutions would go to achieve this, “but they’ve already gone too far.”\nHuman rights lawyer Nowak has first-hand experience of the conditions in Hong Kong, where the seven migrants are currently stuck. He trained lawyers there; Tibbo was one of his students.\nNowak says he knew the Hong Kong Bar Association, which is putting the Canadian lawyer under pressure and sabotaging his mandate for the refugees, as an “independent institution.” He can only assume the bar’s current treatment of Tibbo is a result of “enormous pressure from outside.”\nSnowden has called on his supporters not to give up on the fight for a free world. And above all the fight for those who helped him. “Take a look at the world. Before long, we’ll all feel like refugees.”\nNOTE: Documents evidencing the Hong Kong Bar Association egregious treatment of Mr Tibbo can be found in the Der Standard article as embedded PDFs: https://www.derstandard.at/story/2000092725390/pressure-mounts-on-edward-snowdens-lawyer-robert-tibbo?ref=article\nAsylumAustriaBarack ObamaCanadaChinaDemocracyDepartment of StateDer StandardDonald TrumpEdward SnowdenExtraditionHong KongHong Kong Bar AssociationHuman RightsJair BolsonaroLawyers Without BordersManfred NowakMoscowPascal ParadisPseudo- democraciesRefugeesRefugees ConventionRobert TibboRussiaState DepartmentSteffen AroraUN Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and its protocolUnited Nations Special Rapporteur on TortureViktor Orban\nBusiness risks Computer and security Corporate espionage Cyber Espionage Eavesdropping Espionage Gadgets Intelligence Privacy Regulatory matters Risk management Security Security - computer and devices Spies Surveillance Uncategorized\nDer Standard is an AUSTRIAN (not German nationality, though German LANGUAGE) newspaper.\nDer Standard (Eigenschreibweise: DER STANDARD) ist eine in Wien erscheinende österreichische Tageszeitung mit liberaler Ausrichtung, wobei sie gemeinhin als linksliberal wahrgenommen wird.\nThanks for the comment Bill, am well aware and my bad. Have clarified it now.\nMary Naylor\nExcellent article in that it helps one to see and understand the big (shocking) picture.\nIntermezzo (994) | Blue Archive\n[…] Shhhcretly Exclusive: Edward Snowden’s Warning Cry […]","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1518142"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5244163870811462,"wiki_prob":0.5244163870811462,"text":"International distinction of the Athens University of Economics and Business in the field of \"Finance and Business Administration\"\nAthens, November 2nd 2022\nInternational distinction of the Athens University of Economics and Business\nin the field of \"Finance and Business Administration\"\nThe international evaluation agency \"US News\" ranked the Athens University of Economics and Business (AUEB) in the 242nd place, distinguishing it as the only Greek University among the top worldwide in the scientific field of \"Economics and Business\" for 2022- 23.\nIt is worth noting that AUEB had a particularly high performance in the field criteria regarding the \"percentage of publications from international collaborations compared to the corresponding percentage in the whole country\", where it ranked 27th worldwide, as well as in the \"research reputation of European Universities', where it ranked 36th globally for 2022-23.\nUS News collected data from the \"Web of Science\" bibliographic base during the last five years 2016-20, while the ranking evaluation criteria were: a) the research reputation of the University in its scientific domains, b) the number of publications , c) the number and impact of citations, d) the number and percentage of publications that are listed in the top 1% with the most citations, e) the number and percentage of publications that are listed in the top 10% with the most references, as well as f) the percentage of publications from international collaborations.\nThe Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Personnel of the Athens University of Economics and Business, Professor Vassilis Vasdekis, stated: \"The continuous international recognition of the Athens University of Economics and Business is proof of our orientation towards excellence. The scientific work produced enjoys the trust of the international academic community and highlights the high- quality level of our research staff.\"\nhttps://www.usnews.com/education/best-global-universities/economics-business","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1849231"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.758457362651825,"wiki_prob":0.758457362651825,"text":"Major League Soccer Coming Back To Casa Grande For Preseason Training\nBy Jose Romero Nov 13, 2011, 8:55am MST\nShare All sharing options for: Major League Soccer Coming Back To Casa Grande For Preseason Training\nGrande Sports World in Casa Grande continues to be a destination for Major League Soccer clubs for preseason training.\nSeveral teams are either committed or are moving closer to finalizing plans to hold camp at the multi-field facility between Phoenix and Tucson beginning in January, according to a source close to the dealings.\nThe list of teams apparently headed to the desert includes the Seattle Sounders, Vancouver Whitecaps, Real Salt Lake (which has a youth academy based at the site), New England Revolution, Colorado Rapids, New York Red Bulls and one lower-division club, FC Edmonton of Canada.\nChivas USA and the Portland Timbers said they’d return to Arizona this winter after last year’s training but have yet to commit.\nThis is in addition to the previously announced FC Tucson Desert Cup, which is in the works and will feature four MLS clubs playing matches against in each other in February/March 2012.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1696434"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6056292057037354,"wiki_prob":0.6056292057037354,"text":"Pakistan To Enhance Security of Chinese Citizens In Pakistan's Gilgit-Baltistan\nSaturday, January 07, 2023 by Indian Defence News\nA Chinese worker in hospital after a terror attack in Pakistan\nGilgit-Baltistan: The Gilgit-Baltistan Apex Committee, comprising high-ranking civil and military officials on Thursday decided to enhance the security of Chinese citizens working in Gilgit-Baltistan, reported The Dawn.\nThe committee also decided to develop a comprehensive communication strategy to counter misinformation and disinformation in the media that might lead to a law and order situation.\nThe meeting was chaired by GB Chief Minister Khalid Khurshid, according to a press release issued by the GB chief secretary's office.\nIn the meeting, it was decided to increase vigilance to ensure the security of Chinese officials and personnel working on a number of projects in the region under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.\nThe meeting according to The Dawn, was attended by FCNA Commander Major General Kashif Khalil, GB Chief Secretary Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani, GB IGP Saeed Wazir, Secretary Home Iqbal Hussain Khan, GB Scouts DG, Military Intelligence and ISI sector commanders and Intelligence Bureau's deputy DG.\nThe committee reviewed the region's existing security environment and resolved to ensure peace and stability. During the meeting, it was also decided to reactivate the National Action Plan (NAP) and ensure its enforcement in letter and spirit.\nThe meeting was told that the federal government has taken up the issue of capacity building and reinforcement of the police in general and the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD).\nConcerns were expressed over the delay in reaching out to the Centre and officials were directed to take up the matter at the highest level as the CTD was \"an essential component\" in the fight against terrorism.\nA new study that measures Beijing's expanding global sway has revealed that Pakistan is the country which is most influenced by China, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reported.\nThe China Index, a database relaunched on December 8 by DoubleThink Labs, a Taiwan-based research organization has ranked Pakistan atop a list of 82 other nations around the world and said that its links and dependency on China with regard to foreign and domestic policy, technology, and the economy make it particularly susceptible to Chinese influence.\nLabels: China, CPEC, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan, POK","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1141067"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6980450749397278,"wiki_prob":0.3019549250602722,"text":"Republicans push anti-union ‘Right-to-Work’ in both Washingtons\nState, federal legislation introduced to cripple labor movement\nBy DAVID GROVES\n(Feb. 2, 2017) — Republicans in the Washington State Legislature and Congress are introducing bills this week that would institute so-called “right-to-work” policies in Washington and nationally, an attempt to deliver a severe blow to the labor movement and weaken workers’ collective bargaining rights at the behest of U.S. corporations.\nRight-to-work laws ban unions and employers from agreeing to union-security contract clauses, which allows workers to stop paying for representation while still requiring the union to represent them. It would be akin to allowing people to opt out of paying taxes, but still requiring the government to provide the same services to taxpayers and free-riders alike.\nOn Wednesday, state Sens. Michael Baumgartner (R-Spokane) and John Braun (R-Centralia) introduced state right-to-work legislation, SB 5692. It is scheduled for a public hearing at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 8 in the Senate Commerce, Labor & Sports Committee. Historically, state right-to-work bills have been introduced by a handful of extreme right-wing Republicans, but the bills rarely get hearings and have no chance of passage. The difference this year is that Baumgartner chairs the committee that will hear the doomed bill.\nThere’s also nothing new about such proposals being introduced in Congress. But given Republican control of both houses of Congress and the White House, unions and their allies are more alarmed about this year’s effort. The nationwide right-to-work effort is being sponsored by Rep. Joe “You lie!” Wilson (R-S.C.) and Steve King (R-Iowa), who last year infamously wondered aloud what non-whites had done to benefit civilization.\nRight-to-work laws have roots in Southern racism and the Jim Crow-era quest for super-exploited labor. They are used to justify racial exclusion, weaken established collective bargaining agreements, and financially cripple unions so they can’t help workers organize. Once confined to states in the South, Republican-controlled states like Michigan and Wisconsin have adopted right-to-work laws in recent years with the support of conservative billionaire industrialists like the Koch brothers. States where the GOP just gained control following the 2016 elections, including Missouri and New Hampshire, are making right-to-work laws their first order of business in 2017.\nThe following statement by AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka was released Wednesday regarding the national “right to work” bill:\nRight to work is a lie dressed up in a feel-good slogan. It doesn’t give workers freedom — instead, it weakens our right to join together and bargain for better wages and working conditions. Its end goal is to destroy unions. Numbers don’t lie. Workers in states with right to work laws have wages that are 12% lower. That’s because unions raise wages for all workers, not just our members.\nA recent Pew survey shows that 60% of Americans — an overwhelming majority — support unions. Americans clearly see the value of coming together with their co-workers to tackle inequality. Right to work isn’t the will of the people, it’s legislation pushed on working people by out-of-touch corporations that want to ship jobs overseas, cut health and safety protections, and pay lower wages. This is an attempt by corporate CEOs to further tip the scale even more in their favor, at working people’s expense.\nWorking people were loud and clear in this past election. We want an economy that works for all, not just corporations. We know we need to rewrite the rules of the economy so that policies like bad trade deals and right to work aren’t the new norm. President Trump has said he supports unions and the people who are our members. He has stood up to corporate Republicans on trade. We call on him to do the same on right to work, and to stand up for every worker’s right to join a union.\nPosted by David Groves on Feb 2 2017. Filed under STATE GOVERNMENT, TAKE A STAND!. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line67250"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9179567098617554,"wiki_prob":0.9179567098617554,"text":"Cardinals' Calais Campbell relieved about Ryan Tannehill's knee\nBob McManaman\nazcentral sports\nCardinals defensive tackle Calais Campbell reached out to the Dolphins’ Ryan Tannehill via text message on Monday to apologize for his hit that injured the Miami quarterback’s left knee the previous day.\nInitially, the news on Tannehill’s knee didn’t look good as there were fears he may have suffered a torn ACL during the Dolphins’ 26-23 victory. An MRI exam, however, showed that Tannehill has a sprained ACL and MCL and won’t require surgery.\nCampbell said he was relieved to hear the injury isn’t as serious as feared.\n“Yeah, that’s real good news,” Campbell said Monday. “You never want to see a guy go down, especially with a serious injury like that. ACLs, they take a long time to recover and heal. I’ve got a lot of respect for him as a player. I know he’s a guy who works real hard and loves the game, so I’m glad it wasn’t as bad and hopefully, he has a speedy recovery. I’m praying for him.”\nCardinals XTRA app: Get the latest news, analysis, scores, more\nCampbell said he was pushed into Tannehill and that there was no intent to hurt the quarterback, saying it was just hard-nosed football and an unfortunate play.\n“Football, you know, injuries happen way too often and you try to eliminate them from the game,” he said. “It’s never on purpose; you just play as hard as you can and things happen sometimes. I’m glad it wasn’t as bad as it originally seemed. I’m definitely hoping he comes back this year. They’re a good team and I know they’ve got a lot riding on it so I’m praying for him.”\nIt’s the second time this season that the 6-foot-8 Campbell has run into the knee of a quarterback. It happened last month to Cam Newton when the Cardinals played the Carolina Panthers. He was fined $18,231 by the league for that low hit, but another fine shouldn’t be coming, according to Cardinals coach Bruce Arians.\n“He didn’t get flagged, so (no),” Arians said.\nThe hit was unavoidable, Arians added, saying, “That’s what happens when guys are going hard and full speed and the guy shoves him toward the quarterback.”\nMORE:Bruce Arians rips players, not special-teams coach\nNelson’s steady improvement\nWide receiver J.J. Nelson has scored three touchdowns in his past two games after losing his recent starting status because of a series of dropped passes. It’s an encouraging sign for the Cardinals moving forward given Michael Floyd’s uncertain future with the club, John Brown’s sickle-cell trait issues and Larry Fitzgerald’s age.\n“Hopefully he continues to progress like he has been, he stays healthy and just continues to progress in his role,” Arians said Monday.\nRELATED:Michael Floyd arrested on DUI suspicion\nNelson, who has caught 23 passes for 323 yards and four touchdowns on the year, said he feels encouraged that he’s been able to re-establish Arians’ trust.\n“It’s been tough on me, especially during training camp and with some of the injuries that I’ve had,” Nelson said. “Breaking my thumb and not being able to make the plays that I normally would make, that kind of hurt me from a confidence-level standpoint. I’ve just been taking it one day at a time and continued to try and come out every day and get better.”\nNelson said he plans on using the team’s final three games as a bridge into next season so that he can get the jump on things right away.\n“I just need to keep taking advantage of my opportunities and continue to try and get better,” he said. “I want to finish strong.”\nO-line shuffle\nWith left tackle D.J. Humphries in the concussion protocol and listed as day to day and new right tackle Ulrick John likely headed to injured reserve with a dislocated shoulder, the Cardinals’ patchwork offensive line figures to be even thinner for this Sunday’s game against the visiting Saints.\nJohn Wetzel can be inserted at either tackle spot, should he be needed, and Arians said Givens Price is a likely option to sign off the practice squad for the other position. But the Cardinals might make more roster moves to shore up that area given what it means to the health of quarterback Carson Palmer.\n“We’ll make those decisions,” Arians said, adding some signings could be coming as early as Tuesday.\nReach McManaman at bob.mcmanaman@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on Twitter @azbobbymac and listen to him live every Monday at 5:30 p.m. on NBC Sports Radio 1060-AM with Roc and Manuch and every Wednesday night between 7-9 on Fox Sports 910-AM on The Freaks with Kenny and Crash.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line5410"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.691309928894043,"wiki_prob":0.691309928894043,"text":"•EDWARDES SQUARE•SCARSDALE • ABINGDON •\nyour conservation\nYour Council and the Environment\nRBKC Planning Applications Search\nRBKC's report about the decision to remove the temporary bicycle lanes.\nThis report is being taken as an urgent decision under the Council’s Special Urgency Procedures as set out in Part 4 of the Council Constitution. The reasons for urgency are contained in the report. Key Decision Report Decision maker and date of Leadership Team meeting or (in the case of individual Lead Member or Executive Director decisions) the earliest date the decision will be takenLead Member for Planning, Place and Environment Date of report: 2 December 2020 Date of decision (i.e. not before): 2 December 2020 Forward Plan reference: KD05804/20/T/AReport titleREMOVAL OF THE KENSINGTON HIGH STREET CYCLEWAYReporting officerChief Transport Policy OfficerKey decisionYesAccess to information classificationPublicWardsAbingdon, Campden, Holland, Queen’s Gate1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1.1. The Council introduced temporary light segregation cycle lanes on Kensington High Street in early October 2020. This experimental approach has been impacted by many contingent factors relating to the Covid19 crisis, the shutdown of retail sectors for part of this period and dramatic alterations in travel to work and travel to shop arrangements. Following feedback from residents, residents’ associations and business groups, the local Member of Parliament and others, the Council plans to remove the cycle lanes with immediate effect. 2. RECOMMENDATIONS 2.1. To instruct officers to remove the temporary cycle lanes from Kensington High Street.\n3. REASONS FOR DECISION 3.1. One of the main reasons for installing the cycle lanes was to assist the recovery of local businesses in the High Street area by making it easier to visit by bike. Since the cycle lanes were introduced, many of these businesses have reported that the lanes have not helped and have in fact made the High Street a less attractive place to trade. Many of the key stakeholder groups who gave their backing to a temporary scheme before it was implemented have concluded that the cycle lanes have not been the success that they hoped for, and have asked us to remove them. 4. BACKGROUND\n4.1. In July of this year the Lead Member for Planning and Transport took a Key Decision KD05659/20/T/A to approve the Council’s Active Travel Plan, which set out measures to support more walking and cycling in response to Government guidance on post-lockdown travel. These were to be introduced quickly and on a temporary basis. The Plan included a scheme to provide light segregation cycle lanes on Kensington High Street. It was hoped that the cycle lanes would support local businesses by making it easier for their customers and employees to travel to the High Street while public transport capacity was reduced. The Plan delegated authority to the Executive Director of Environment and Communities to approve detailed design, and this approval was duly given in September. The scheme was funded and supported by Transport for London using its London Streetspace Plan fund.\n4.2. The Government encouraged local authorities to install such schemes very quickly, giving no time to carry out a consultation such as we would normally conduct for traffic schemes. However, the Lead Member shared the concept and subsequently the proposed designs with a number of local stakeholders including business and resident groups.\n4.3. The cycle lanes were introduced between 28 September and 14 October. Minor changes were made to the junction with Earl’s Court Road, prior to a planned second phase of works that would include signalling changes at several borough- and TfL-managed junctions. It had also been intended to install bus stop bypasses at four bus stops on the route. Knowing that the lanes would impact on businesses’ servicing arrangements, we created temporary loading areas at side roads along the length of the route.\n4.4. On 5 November, England was placed under a second Covid-19 lockdown.\n4.5. On 12 November, a number of residents association and business group representatives attended a meeting with the Lead Member and officers to consider the cycle lanes. There was a strongly held view that the scheme was not working, and had not been helpful to businesses before the second lockdown. The principal concern was that since the cycle lanes’ introduction, traffic congestion on the High Street had increased substantially. By this time, a petition calling on the Council to remove the cycle lanes had been set up, and by the end of November it had well over 3000 names on it.\n4.6. On 25 November, the MP for Kensington and Chelsea and the GLA Member for West Central London published a joint statement calling on the Council to remove the cycle lanes when the second lockdown ended on 2 December. The Council also received several hundred emails about the cycle lanes, both opposing and supporting them. The main themes of the objections were that they had caused a large increase in traffic congestion and associated pollution, that this was creating difficulties for the emergency services, that the cycle lanes were not being well- used, and that the Council should have consulted on the scheme before implementing it. There are strong views about this scheme and since the publication of the MP and Assembly Member’s statement, the Council has also received emails calling for the cycle lanes to be retained. 5. PROPOSAL AND ISSUES\n5.1. In the past week or so, most of the groups who lent their support to a temporary scheme have said that they have concluded the scheme has not been a success, and should be removed. These include the Kensington Society, the Kensington and Chelsea Chamber of Commerce, and Action Disability Kensington and Chelsea. The Kensington Business Forum has fed back comments from businesses in the area that were predominantly negative about the cycle lanes. It is clear that traffic congestion on Kensington High Street in the weeks after the cycle lanes were introduced and before the second lockdown started, has been the single biggest complaint about the cycle lanes. There has been a strongly held concern that after the second lockdown is lifted, traffic levels across London would rise, and that we would see a repeat of the very long queues that were witnessed on Kensington High Street and Kensington Road in the last few days before the second lockdown.\n5.2. Many residents have reported seeing emergency services vehicles being delayed in traffic, and both the London Ambulance Service [LAS] and the London Fire Brigade have told officers that they will not instruct their drivers to use the cycle lanes to move past slow-moving traffic. Both have made clear to the Council that they have been affected by the recent congestion and the LAS have asked us to review the scheme, while the local fire commander has stated that he does not support the cycle lanes.\n5.3. Officers presented data to the Review Group meeting on 12 November that showed an increase in journey times on the High Street in the week of 26 October and especially in the first half of the week of 2 November, just before the second lockdown. Whilst this coincided with some roadworks in and close to the High Street that would have contributed to the longer journey times, we do know that the cycle lanes have reduced the traffic capacity of Kensington High Street by, for instance, reducing the number of lanes at key junctions, and by restricting the road to one westbound lane opposite the Royal Garden Hotel. Officers also presented data on cycling levels on the High Street. To date we have had to rely on manual counts by officers – both TfL and RBKC – at various times at weekdays and at weekends. They presented counts suggesting over 500 bikes an hour just before the second lockdown, and around 360 in one hour in the first weekend after it. We have not so far relied on data captured by an automatic traffic counter because officers found that it was under-reporting number of bikes. Following modifications officers report that this is now providing more accurate data and we are seeing over 3000 bikes a day on most days.\n5.4. Because of all the roadworks, and the volatility in traffic patterns in inner London for the past couple of months, it is difficult to be certain how much of the congestion can be attributed to each of these different contributory factors.\n5.5. This report recognises local residents’ and traders’ concerns that the end of the second lockdown is likely to lead to an increase in traffic demand on our roads to at least the levels we saw before the lockdown began, and potentially higher still as we approach Christmas. A great many businesses are very concerned that the High Street will not be able to cope with an increase in traffic if the cycle lanes remain in place.\n5.6. Before the scheme was implemented and in its early stages, TfL had expressed concerns about bus journey times through the borough. Whilst we have yet to receive further data from TfL on bus journey times and it is too early to have air quality data, there is an urgency expressed by local businesses that swift action needs to be taken.\n6. OPTIONS AND ANALYSIS 6.1. Officers consider that there are three options available at this stage: 1) Remove the cycle lane in its entirety. This would restore traffic capacity to the High Street’s previous levels, making it better able to cope with any increase in traffic movements after the end of the second lockdown. People cycling on Kensington High Street would no longer have the benefit of the cycle lanes. Transport for London has written to the Council to ask us not to remove the lanes at this stage. 4\n2) Leave the cycle lanes in place at least until early 2021, as requested by Transport for London. This will continue to provide a useful benefit for the people who have been using the lanes over the past few weeks. However, this will mean that the High Street continues to have less traffic capacity than it had before the lanes were introduced, and will be less able to cope with the increase in vehicle traffic that is expected to occur soon after the end of the second lockdown. This would be a significant blow to businesses wishing to attract customers to the High Street in the crucial pre-Christmas period.\n3) Removepartofthecyclelane,intheareaswhereitmaybehavingthegreatest impact on traffic congestion. This would have benefits for people cycling in those parts of the road where there would still be separation from traffic, but would not provide a continuous route.\n7. CONSULTATION AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT\n7.1. As noted above, there was no formal public consultation on the introduction of the cycle lanes, and if we are to remove the lanes before Christmas in response to requests to support the local businesses, there is no time to carry out a consultation on the lanes’ removal. As noted above we do know that the cycle lanes have excited strongly held opinions both for and against them. For example, by the evening of 25 November, we had received over 1000 emails in the ActiveTravel@Rbkc.gov.uk email inbox, split roughly 58 per cent for and 42 per cent against the cycle lanes. Of people who identified as residents of the borough, the split was 31 per cent for and 69 per cent against the scheme. By the end of 30 November, we had received over 2300 emails in total. At least 1000 further emails were received and not yet counted on 1 December.\n7.2. The Kensington Business Forum has informed the Council that three-quarters of local businesses that had provided feedback to Kensington Business Forum were against the scheme.\n8. HUMAN RESOURCES AND EQUALITIES IMPLICATIONS 8.1. Officers carried out an Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA) on the introduction of the cycle lanes which found that the lanes would have neutral impacts for all groups with protected characteristics. The EQIA noted mitigation measures such as the provision of additional loading spaces in side roads that would help passengers with reduced mobility to be dropped off close to their destination. Removing the lanes would also remove the need for this mitigation. 9. LEGAL IMPLICATIONS 9.1. In May 2020, the Department for Transport issued additional statutory guidance under section 18 of the Traffic Management Act 2004 entitled “Traffic Management Act 2004 : Network Management Response to Covid-19”. In this document, local authorities were encouraged to install lightly-segregated cycle lanes and were advised that a traffic management order was not needed to do so. 5\n9.2. Section 16 of the Traffic Management Act 2004 imposes a network management duty on traffic authorities to manage their road network in such a way as to secure the expeditious movement of traffic on their road network and to facilitate the same on other traffic authority’s road networks. Such duty is to be carried out as far as may be reasonably practicable and such actions in performing that duty may include any action they consider will contribute to securing (a) the more efficient use of their road network, or (b) the avoidance, elimination or reduction or road congestion or other disruption to the movement of traffic on their road network or another traffic authority’s road network.\n9.3. A similar duty is contained in Section 122 of the Road Traffic Regulation act 1984 to secure the expeditious, convenient and safe movement of vehicular and other traffic (including pedestrians) when exercising a function under that Act. However, it is noted that no traffic orders were made in respect of the cycle lanes as there is no legal requirement.\n10. FINANCIAL, PROPERTY, IT AND ANY OTHER RESOURCES IMPLICATIONS 10.1. Officers estimate that the cost of removing the cycle lane scheme is £30,000. The Council is likely to have to cover this cost from its own budgets. There is a risk that Transport for London will not fulfil its commitment to fund the cost of installing the scheme, estimated at around £320,000. Mahmood Siddiqi Director for Streets and Regulatory Services Local Government Act 1972 (as amended) – Background papers used in the preparation of this report None Contact officer(s): [Mark Chetwynd, Chief Transport Policy Officer, Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, mark.chetwynd@rbkc.gov.uk Mandatory clearance requirements for all Key and Executive Decision reports Cleared by Finance (officer’s initials) Cleared by Corporate Finance (officer’s initials) Cleared by Director of Law (officer’s initials) Cleared by Communications (officer’s initials) [SH] [MC] [LP] [NPT]\nKey Decision Report RBKC\nEDWARDES SQUARE SCARSDALE & ABINGDON ASSOCIATION\nThis year we are celebrating 50 years of supporting our local built environment and amenities, 1971-2021.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line837996"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.658612072467804,"wiki_prob":0.658612072467804,"text":"Astronomers have just watched the most powerful explosion ever seen\nA gamma ray burst about 2.4 billion light years away is being called “the BOAT” – the brightest of all time – and is so powerful it has even affected Earth’s atmosphere\nSpace 17 October 2022\nBy Leah Crane\nGRB221009A is the pink dot towards the centre of the image\nInternational Gemini Observatory/NOIRLab/NSF/AURA/B. O&#039;Connor (UMD/GWU) &amp; J. Rastinejad &amp; W Fong (Northwestern Univ)\nAstronomers have spotted what may be the most powerful explosion ever seen. The gamma ray burst, called GRB221009A, was spotted on 9 October, and even its afterglow is brighter than most objects in the sky.\nThis type of gamma ray burst (GRB) is thought to occur when a massive star explodes in a supernova, leaving behind a black hole. The explosion creates an extraordinary jet of light which makes up the GRB itself, and then the supernova causes a dimmer afterglow. This particular GRB appears so bright partially because it is about 2.4 billion light years away from Earth, making it one of the closest GRBs ever spotted in addition to being the brightest.\n“If we look at all of the gamma ray bursts that have been detected, this one stands apart,” says Jillian Rastinejad at Northwestern University in Illinois. “Informally, we’ve been calling it the BOAT – the brightest of all time.” She and her colleagues calculated that a GRB this bright is expected to occur only once every thousand years or so.\nGamma ray bursts could help unravel how fast the universe is expanding\nWe don’t know exactly how powerful this burst is, though, despite the fact that many telescopes around the world are looking at it. That is partially because it is so bright that it saturates the detectors of gamma-ray telescopes, so all they see are completely white pixels with no detail, says Andrew Levan at Radboud University in the Netherlands, one of Rastinejad’s colleagues. “If you had gamma-ray eyes, you’d be blinded,” he says. Current estimates put the energy of the GRB between 10^54 and 10^55 ergs, he says – in contrast, the total energy released by the sun throughout its lifetime is expected to be about 10^51 ergs.\nGRB221009A is so bright that it is affecting Earth, even from billions of light years away. Naval radio transmitters recorded a strange disturbance in the upper atmosphere, which seems to have been caused by the powerful light from the GRB slamming into it. Detectors that search for high-energy photons – particles of light – have also seen extraordinary particles with energies far higher than anything produced at the Large Hadron Collider.\nThis has made a splash among astronomers. “It seems like pretty much every telescope in the world is starting to look at it,” says Rastinejad. But to learn more about the supernova itself and its home galaxy, they will have to wait until the bright jet fades, which could take months. Once that occurs, we should have a better idea of why this GRB was so extraordinarily bright.\nSign up to our free Launchpad newsletter for a voyage across the galaxy and beyond, every Friday\nSupernovae might be a good place to hunt for alien broadcasts\nOther intelligent civilisations may send transmissions after a bright galactic event like a supernova to make them more visible to others, according to SETI researchers\nJWST has seen building blocks of life in a dark, cold cloud in space\nThe James Webb Space Telescope has observed a frigid cloud of dust and gas where stars are forming, and it found frozen elements that are crucial for the development of life\nThe stunning filaments and coils of light that make up the Southern Ring Nebula were shaped by as many as five stars all orbiting one another in a complex dance\nUp to 74% of planets in the ‘habitable zone’ may not be good for life\nMany planets that have the right temperatures for liquid water on their surfaces used to be too hot or too cold, which may affect their ability to host life now","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1321898"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7176836133003235,"wiki_prob":0.7176836133003235,"text":"Region selectorSG\nShemara Wikramanayake\nManaging Director and Chief Executive Officer\nExecutive Voting Director since August 2018 (of Macquarie Bank since August 2018)\nMember of Executive Committee since 1 August 2008\nShemara has been Macquarie Group’s Managing Director and CEO since late 2018.\nShemara joined Macquarie in 1987 in Macquarie Capital in Sydney. In her time at Macquarie, Shemara has worked in six countries and across several business lines, establishing and leading Macquarie’s corporate advisory offices in New Zealand, Hong Kong and Malaysia, and the infrastructure funds management business in the US and Canada. Shemara has also served as Chair of the Macquarie Group Foundation.\nAs Head of Macquarie Asset Management for 10 years before her appointment as CEO, Shemara led a team of 1,600 staff in 24 markets. Macquarie Asset Management grew to become a world-leading manager of infrastructure and real assets and a top 50 global public securities manager.\nShemara sits on the World Bank’s Global Commission on Adaptation and was a founding CEO of the United Nations Climate Finance Leadership Initiative (CFLI). She currently leads emerging markets workstreams for CFLI and the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ) and is a member of the Global Investors for Sustainable Development (GISD) Alliance.\nGreg Ward\nDeputy Managing Director\nHead of Banking and Financial Services Group\nMember of Executive Committee since 3 March 2005\nGreg joined Macquarie when it was publicly listed in 1996 and has over 27 years' experience in finance and financial services.\nHe was Chief Financial Officer for 14 years before being appointed Deputy Managing Director of Macquarie Group and Chief Executive Officer of its banking subsidiary, Macquarie Bank.\nGreg became Head of Banking and Financial Services Group in July 2013 and has driven the growth of Macquarie’s retail financial services business.\nChief Financial Officer and Head of Financial Management Group\nChairman of the Macquarie Group Foundation\nExecutive Chairman of Macquarie Group in Asia\nAlex Harvey is the Head of Financial Management Group and the Chief Financial Officer of Macquarie Group globally. He is also Executive Chairman of Macquarie Group in Asia. The Financial Management Group (FMG) delivers finance, tax, and treasury services to all of Macquarie as well as handling corporate communications and investor relations.\nFMG provides strategic analysis and advice to Macquarie’s business and senior management, manages Macquarie’s funding, liquidity, and capital position, and ensures Macquarie continues to meet regulatory and compliance obligations. FMG actively engages with investors, governments, media, and the wider community to maximise their understanding of Macquarie and enables Macquarie to understand the expectations of our key stakeholders.\nBefore being appointed CFO in 2018, Alex was the Global Head of the Principal Transaction Group in Macquarie Capital and a member of Macquarie Capital’s Management Committee. Alex was the first Chief Executive Officer of Macquarie’s operations in Asia where he was responsible for a business with more than 3,400 staff across 14 locations.\nAlex has more than 20 years’ experience in the financial services industry across Australia, Asia, Europe and the US. In January 2022, he became Chairman of Macquarie Group Foundation and is also a Board member of Loreto Kirribilli. Alex holds a Master of Commerce, Bachelor of Economics from Sydney University and is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants.\nBen Way\nHead of Macquarie Asset Management\nMember of Executive Committee since 1 April 2021\nBen is Head of Macquarie Asset Management, a global specialist asset manager, and a member of Macquarie Group’s Executive Committee. Ben leads a team of more than 1,900 people managing over $A735.5 billion1 of assets on behalf of institutional and wholesale clients.\nPrior to taking on his current responsibilities in April 2021, Ben was Head of the Global Alternatives division in Macquarie Asset Management and the CEO of Macquarie Group in Asia. Ben has held several other senior positions across Macquarie since joining in 2006.\nBen was previously Chairman and CEO of Taiwan Broadband Communications and a management consultant with Bain & Company. Ben is a member of the Board of Directors of Mothers Choice, a Hong Kong-based organisation whose goal is to see every child in a safe, loving and permanent family.\nHe is also a Fellow of the 2017 class of the Finance Leaders Fellowship and a member of the Aspen Global Leadership Network.\nAs at 30 September 2021\nStuart Green\nManaging Director and Chief Executive Officer, Macquarie Bank Limited\nMember of Executive Committee since 1 July 2021\nStuart joined Macquarie Group in 2001 and was appointed Group Treasurer in August 2013, a role he held until July 2021.\nOn joining Macquarie, Stuart worked in the Corporate & Asset Finance group, responsible for originating asset financing transactions for Macquarie. In 2002, Stuart assumed responsibility for investor relations for Macquarie’s listed airport fund, Macquarie Airports, before moving to become Global Head of Investor Relations for Macquarie’s portfolio of listed funds. In 2008, he was appointed Macquarie Group’s Head of Corporate Communications and Investor Relations, responsible for managing the Group’s relationships with investors and analysts, government and the media.\nPrior to joining Macquarie, Stuart worked in the UK as a Chartered Accountant in public practice for BDO Binder, where he obtained his professional qualifications, and later in a number of corporate roles as head of finance and corporate strategy.\nFrom 2010 to 2020, Stuart served on the Board of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) where he was the Treasurer and Chair of the Finance & Audit Committee.\nStuart is also a member of the Macquarie Group Foundation Committee.\nEvie Bruce\nExecutive Director, Legal and Governance Group\nGroup General Counsel\nEvie is the Group General Counsel and Head of the Legal and Governance Group. Evie is a lawyer with nearly 30 years’ practice and management experience, across ANZ, Asia and the US, specialising in mergers and acquisitions, capital markets, and the financial services sector.\nPrior to joining Macquarie, Evie worked for King & Wood Mallesons where she was the Managing Partner for the Australian Mergers & Acquisitions and Banking & Finance practice teams, head of the Financial Services sector and a member of the International Management Committee. She led the law firm’s extensive global engagement with Macquarie’s businesses for a number of years.\nEvie holds a Bachelor of Arts (Economics) and Bachelor of Laws from University of New South Wales and is a member of Corporations Committee of the Law Council of Australia, Law Society of New South Wales, and State Bar of New York. Evie is also on the board of Asia Society Australia and is a member of the Leadership Circle for Action Aid’s Arise Fund.\nMichael Silverton\nHead of Macquarie Capital\nMember of Executive Committee since 1 June 2019\nMichael Silverton is Head of Macquarie Capital, a position he has held since 2019. Michael leads a global team that provides advisory, capital markets, investing, development and equities capabilities to clients, with a focus on infrastructure and real assets; technology, software and services; and resources, energy and materials.\nIn over 25 years with the firm, Michael has built and led businesses across the globe. Since joining Macquarie Group in 1997, Michael has held roles in Sydney, London and Chicago before moving to New York in 2010. Prior to Macquarie Capital, Michael held positions in Macquarie Group’s Central Executive Strategy unit and Risk Management Division. In 2013, he became Head of Macquarie Capital in the Americas, adding oversight of Europe and Asia shortly after.\nMichael has been a member of the Executive Committee since 2019.\nNicholas O’Kane\nHead of Commodities and Global Markets\nMember of Executive Committee since 15 June 2017\nNick joined Macquarie in 1995 and has more than 25 years’ experience in global commodity and financial markets.\nNick was appointed Head of Commodities and Global Markets (CGM) in April 2019 and is responsible for CGM’s global business offering capital and financing, risk management, market access, physical execution and logistics solutions to its diverse client base across Commodities, Financial Markets and Asset Finance. This platform covers more than 30 markets, over 200 products, and is managed 24 hours a day. Nick manages a team of more than 2,000 professionals in over 40 offices around the world.\nNick is also Head of the Commodity Markets and Finance (CMF) division within CGM which offers these services across the energy, metals and agricultural sectors globally.\nPrior to this, Nick was appointed Head of the Energy Markets Division in 2007 and under his leadership, Macquarie's energy markets business has expanded through both organic growth and acquisitions to become a significant market participant.\nNick is a founding member and director of the Nick van Gelder Dreamers Foundation.\nNicole Sorbara\nHead of Corporate Operations Group\nGlobal Chief Operating Officer\nMember of Executive Committee since 1 January 2013\nNicole is Head of Corporate Operations Group (COG) and Global Chief Operating Officer (COO) and has been on the Macquarie Group Executive Committee since 1 January 2013. She leads a global team of 5,000 people across 22 countries covering Digital Transformation & Data, Technology, Market Operations, Human Resources, Business Services, Corporate Strategy & Solutions, and the Macquarie Group Foundation.\nNicole is a Chartered Accountant and has more than 30 years’ experience in accounting and financial services. She joined Macquarie in 1996.\nAndrew Cassidy\nHead of Risk Management Group\nAndrew joined Macquarie in 2004 and became Chief Risk Officer and a member of Macquarie Group’s Executive Committee on 1 January 2022.\nAndrew spent over 15 years in Macquarie Capital in various roles, including leadership of Macquarie’s principal investment activity in Asia Pacific. He joined the Risk Management Group in 2019 and has overseen the continued strengthening of Macquarie’s risk framework since then.\nThe Risk Management Group is the central risk management function within Macquarie overseeing Credit, Prudential, Capital and Markets, Market Risk, Operational Risk, Compliance and Quantitative Applications. It is responsible for independent and objective review and challenge, oversight, monitoring and reporting in relation to Macquarie’s material risks.\nThe Chief Risk Officer also manages the Internal Audit function jointly with the Board Audit Committee.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1162261"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9390318393707275,"wiki_prob":0.9390318393707275,"text":"› Log in to CAMP2Ex | › Create New Account\nLog in to CAMP2Ex\nCAMP2Ex Home\nCAMP2Ex Publications\nCAMP2Ex RSS\nSTM 2022 Information\nNASA WFF\nSSAI Travel Instructions - WFF\nSSAI Travel Instructions - Clark\nJPL Portal (Observations & Models)\nCAMP2Ex\nHome > S. Turquety\nS. Turquety\nUniversité Pierre et Marie Curie\nContact person by email\nService d’Aerónomie\nInstitut Pierre-Simon Laplace\nFirst Author Publications:\nTurquety, S., et al. (2007), Inventory of boreal fire emissions for North America in 2004: Importance of peat burning and pyroconvective injection, J. Geophys. Res., 112, D12S03, doi:10.1029/2006JD007281.\nArnold, S. R., et al. (2015), Biomass burning influence on high-latitude tropospheric ozone and reactive nitrogen in summer, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 15, 6047-6068, doi:10.5194/acp-15-6047-2015.\nEmmons, L., et al. (2015), The POLARCAT Model Intercomparison Project (POLMIP): overview and evaluation with observations, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 15, 6721-6744, doi:10.5194/acp-15-6721-2015.\nMonks, S. A., et al. (2015), Multi-model study of chemical and physical controls on transport of anthropogenic and biomass burning pollution to the Arctic, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 15, 3575-3603, doi:10.5194/acp-15-3575-2015.\nHudman, R. C., et al. (2009), North American influence on tropospheric ozone and the effects of recent emission reductions: Constraints from ICARTT observations, J. Geophys. Res., 114, D07302, doi:10.1029/2008JD010126.\nHudman, R. C., et al. (2008), Biogenic versus anthropogenic sources of CO in the United States, Geophys. Res. Lett., 35, L04801, doi:10.1029/2007GL032393.\nHudman, R. C., et al. (2007), Surface and lightning sources of nitrogen oxides over the United States: Magnitudes, chemical evolution, and outflow, J. Geophys. Res., 112, D12S05, doi:10.1029/2006JD007912.\nLiang, Q., et al. (2007), Summertime influence of Asian pollution in the free troposphere over North America, J. Geophys. Res., 112, D12S11, doi:10.1029/2006JD007919.\nSingh, H., et al. (2007), Reactive nitrogen distribution and partitioning in the North American troposphere and lowermost stratosphere, J. Geophys. Res., 112, D12S04, doi:10.1029/2006JD007664.\nCooper, O. R., et al. (2006), Large upper tropospheric ozone enhancements above midlatitude North America during summer: In situ evidence from the IONS and MOZAIC ozone measurement network, J. Geophys. Res., 111, D24S05, doi:10.1029/2006JD007306.\nHeald, C. L., et al. (2006), Concentrations and sources of organic carbon aerosols in the free troposphere over North America, J. Geophys. Res., 111, D23S47, doi:10.1029/2006JD007705.\nMillet, D., et al. (2006), Formaldehyde distribution over North America: Implications for satellite retrievals of formaldehyde columns and isoprene emission, J. Geophys. Res., 111, D24S02, doi:10.1029/2005JD006853.\nMorris, G. A., et al. (2006), Alaskan and Canadian forest fires exacerbate ozone pollution over Houston, Texas, on 19 and 20 July 2004, J. Geophys. Res., 111, D24S03, doi:10.1029/2006JD007090.\nZhang, L., et al. (2006), Ozone-CO correlations determined by the TES satellite instrument in continental outflow regions, Geophys. Res. Lett., 33, L18804, doi:10.1029/2006GL026399.\nPage Last Updated: May 15, 2020","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1161409"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7311092019081116,"wiki_prob":0.7311092019081116,"text":"Coyotes unexpectedly attacked a human in 2009. Scientists now know why\nIn 2009, 19-year-old folksinger Taylor Mitchell was attacked by a pack of coyotes while hiking in Canada’s Cape Breton Highlands National Park. She was about to start the popular Skyline Trail when climbers in the area saw the animals approaching for no reason.\nBystanders called 911 and Mitchell was flown to a Halifax hospital, but died of her injuries 12 hours later.\nThis was the first-ever documentary in North America of a coyote attack resulting in human adult death (in 1981, 3-year-old Kelly Keene was killed by a coyote on her family’s property), raising questions about whether it’s not safe anymore with these furry ones mammals to coexist.\n“We didn’t have good answers,” Stan Gehrt, a professor at Ohio State’s School of Environment and Natural Resources and leader of the Urban Coyote Research Project, said in a statement.\nBut after a multi-year investigation into the incident, Gehrt seems to have finally provided some insight into the situation.\nAccording to an article published last month in the Journal of Applied Ecology, he along with a group of wildlife researchers found that coyotes in the region of Mitchell’s attack had adopted an unusual dietary change. Rather than relying on smaller mammals such as rodents, birds and snakes for food, they appear to hunt moose for their meals as extreme climatic conditions force the former to move away.\nTherefore, the team thinks it’s possible these coyotes have learned to attack larger mammals like humans and are therefore more vulnerable to killing humans.\n“We describe these animals expanding their niche to essentially rely on moose. And we also take a step forward and say that not only do they scavenge, they actually kill moose when they could. It’s hard for them to do, but because they had very little or nothing else to eat, that was their prey,” Gehrt said. “And that creates conflict with people you don’t normally see.”\nStan is associated with a captive coyote being tagged and fitted with a tracking device.\nStan Gehrt\nCoyote Forensics\nBefore and after the 2009 tragedy, Gehrt’s project also noted a few dozen less severe human coyote incidents in the park. He and his colleagues even equipped them with GPS trackers so they could document the animals’ movements and better understand why they behaved in such surprisingly vicious ways.\n“We’ve told communities and cities that the relative risk that coyotes pose is pretty low, and even if you have a conflict where a person gets bitten, it’s pretty low,” he said. “The death was tragic and completely off the charts. I was shocked by it – just absolutely shocked.”\nTo arrive at their conclusions – that coyotes feasted on large elk in Cape Breton National Park – the team first collected whiskers from both the coyotes implicated in Mitchell’s death and those associated with other minor incidents between 2011 and 2013 connected. They then collected fur from a wide range of potential coyote prey such as shrews, red-backed voles, snowshoe hares, moose, and even humans – for humans, they collected hair from local barber shops.\nSeth Newsome, a professor of biology at the University of New Mexico and corresponding author of the study, performed an analysis of specific carbon and nitrogen isotopes in all of the samples.\nFinally, Newsome confirmed that moose made up on average between one-half and two-thirds of the animals’ diet, according to the press release, followed by snowshoe hares, small mammals and deer. The researchers also analyzed the coyote feces, which further confirmed the isotopic findings.\nThis is how it looks like putting on one of the GPS collar types in this study.\nUrban Coyote Research Project\nInterestingly, they also found few examples of people eating humans Foodand debunks all claims that the coyotes’ attraction to human food may have been a factor in Mitchell’s attack.\n“These coyotes do what coyotes do, which is if their first or second choice of prey isn’t available, they’ll explore and experiment and change their search range,” Gehrt said. “They are adaptable and that is the key to their success.”\nUsing these movement devices, the team tested whether coyotes in the park were only familiar with humans. However, patterns showed that the animals largely avoided areas of the park frequented by humans. Instead, they preferred to roam around at night.\n“The lines of evidence suggest that this was a resource-poor area with really extreme environments that forced these very adaptable animals to stretch out their behavior,” Gehrt said. Or as the paper puts it, “Our results suggest that extreme, unprovoked, predatory attacks by coyotes on humans are likely to be fairly rare and associated with unique ecological traits.”\nOur ancestors may have evolved to walk upright in trees rather than on the ground, a new study suggests\nStrikes and tensions as row over funding threatens to derail Cop15 talks | Cop15\nExperimental shock absorbing material can stop projectiles traveling over 3,000 MPH\nSpontaneous baby movements are important for the development of a coordinated sensorimotor system\nOnderzoekers waarschuwen tegen summer waters: vuil verdwijnt, maar …","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1635432"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8426910042762756,"wiki_prob":0.8426910042762756,"text":"DESTINATION: TOKYO To the East, a classical crescendo\nFrom the Los Angeles Times\nDESTINATION: TOKYO\nTo the East, a classical crescendo\nBy Mark Swed\nTimes Staff Writer\nYoshikazu Mera stands less than 5 feet tall, barely a head higher than the closed lid of the piano next to him. His face appears ensnared in eternal boyhood. His hair is cut in a cuddly Beatle mop. He is wearing a white shirt with puffy sleeves and shoulders, billowing gold lamé pants, platform shoes and a dramatic cape. He is the Hello Kitty of countertenors, men who sing in a woman's range.\nMera, 34, is giving a recital in Tokyo Opera City's airy 1,600-seat auditorium, a shoebox-shaped space with a soaring pyramidal, cantilevered ceiling. The wood on the walls feels freshly cut, and the acoustics are lovely. I am surrounded by Mera's fan base of teenage girls and middle-aged women (and the boyfriends and husbands they've dragged along), and nothing makes sense.\nMera's singing is stunning. He brings a heart-rending purity of tone, graceful agility, perfect diction and an acute sense of the Baroque style to well-known Bach and Handel arias that open the recital. But once he slips into orange vinyl pants and a tight red-striped shirt, he exchanges wholesomeness for raunchiness. He delivers a Satie cabaret song with a transvestite's gusto. He later impersonates Marlene Dietrich.\nI've come to Tokyo for its classical music. That is, for its Western classical music. There is more of it here than in any other city in the world. Not only is more going on here than in London or Berlin, but one of the great attractions of over-the-top Tokyo is that it makes everything feel different.\nAlthough the typical Tokyo classical concert may be a lot more conventional than was Mera's recital, confusion is nevertheless as much a way of life as is order, and social conformity doesn't seem to interfere with unflappable Tokyoites' acceptance of ostentatious individuality. In the end, a gaudy gender- and genre-bending countertenor fits right in.\nTokyo is chock-full of concert halls and, better yet, concert halls full of listeners. I saw barely an empty seat in a week of concert-going during my trip here in November. Where other musical capitals consider themselves lucky to have two or three important large venues for concerts and opera, Tokyo and its outskirts boast 10, plus many more medium- and smaller-sized halls. The city is also home to about a dozen symphony orchestras.\nTokyo is a regular touring destination for Europe's and America's most celebrated orchestras, opera companies and soloists. The Berlin and Vienna philharmonics make annual visits. Next month, the Kirov brings its production of Wagner's four-opera \"Ring\" from St. Petersburg, Russia, with Valery Gergiev conducting. This same production will be in Orange County in the fall and at Lincoln Center after that. But what is a very big deal for Costa Mesa or even New York is business as usual in Tokyo.\nMy week in Tokyo was chosen to fit my schedule. I figured there would be plenty to hear whenever I visited, and there was. On consecutive days in Suntory Hall, one of the city's most prestigious venues, I caught the Czech Philharmonic, the Berlin Philharmonic and the Bavarian Radio Orchestra, the latter two bands being Germany's best.\nTraveling to Tokyo for Western classical music is, of course, a peculiar enterprise, to the extent that it robs a visitor of opportunities to experience Japanese culture. On my way to suburban Kawasaki to hear a provincial concert performance of \"Carmen\" by the Tokyo Symphony that featured local singers, I walked longingly past the Kabuki-za Theater. But at least I had the comfort of knowing that classical music in Tokyo inspires its own Kabuki-like devotion that makes concert-going here unique.\nMoreover, concert-hall-hopping is an excellent way to do the town. Tokyo is a collection of districts. Shinjuku is where you go for \"Blade Runner\" lights and action and a Manhattan's worth of skyscrapers. Shibuya-ku is where the young shop in delightfully spectacular hordes. The Ginza is for the well-off — designer clothes, fabulous sushi, geishas. Traditional Ueno drips culture and, in spring, cherry blossoms. Ikebukuro is for shopping without the glitz. And in Harajuku, outlandish fashion is on parade.\nBut because Tokyo developed chaotically, every district has something (actually, an overwhelming lot) of everything. There is great food around Shibuya-ku. You can purchase cheap CDs in the Ginza. Each part of town has its music, its concert halls.\nAnd what a satisfying experience it is to hear music in Tokyo. Say what you will about the controlled Japanese, one thing they control with an impressive vengeance is coughing during performances. Theater seats tend to be very firm, with little padding and high wood backs, which encourage attentiveness. Audience appreciation is so exceptional that I find it a moving experience just to sit in a Tokyo theater.\nBut concert-going is also a huge challenge in this massive city, and it begins with finding out what's on. There is no way to do it save living in Tokyo, spending time at concerts and reading Japanese. Only about half the concert-hall websites offer an English-language version; of those, some don't list upcoming events more than a month or two ahead. The same is true of the Tokyo orchestra websites. For smaller venues, forget it.\nThat leaves three English-language dailies — the Daily Yomiuri, the Japan Times and the International Herald Tribune — which publish weekly or monthly arts listings on Wednesdays or Thursdays, and the free English-language weekly magazine Metropolis. Even then, the listings are highly selective, barely scraping the surface.\nI know that because a monthly guide distributed at concerts and available in record stores is the size of a small telephone book. But because it's written in Japanese and it's for the following month, it is of little use to the tourist. More helpful — and also handed out at concerts — are the colorful fliers for events happening in the next several days and weeks. Many of them contain just enough English to make it possible to figure out what is going on, especially if you know your Opus and Köchel numbers and can recognize conductors and soloists by their photographs. You always leave a Tokyo concert hall with more than you came in with.\nTokyo's Carnegie\nTHE obvious place for a visiting concertgoer to start is Suntory Hall, which is considered Tokyo's Carnegie. It stages something in both its big and small halls nearly every day, the schedule for which can be found on its easily navigable English-language website (see box) with listings up to three months in advance. (Each year, Suntory also puts out a full year's schedule in English that you can pick up at the hall.)\nSeveral Tokyo orchestras have regular series in Suntory (as they do in other halls), but the venue's reputation rests on the many stellar international ensembles and soloists it attracts, plus its acoustics. It was built 20 years ago with excellent acoustics designed by Yasuhisa Toyota, which inspired L.A.'s Walt Disney Concert Hall, another Toyota masterpiece.\nLike most concert halls in Tokyo, Suntory feels like a refuge. In his \"Tokyo: A View of the City,\" author Donald Richie explains the strong Japanese sense of public and private. The Tokyo street, he writes, is \"the ultimate in unrestrained display.\" The home, on the other hand, enjoys sacrosanct privacy, which begins with taking off one's shoes as a gesture that denotes leaving public space for the private.\nAlthough shoes stay on at concerts, the venues, like homes, are frequently constructed away from the street and requiring the concertgoer to walk through a warren of passageways to find the entrance. When you leave, Mozart or Mahler still in your ear, this gracious distance shields you from being thrust immediately into startling traffic.\nSuntory is part of Ark Hills, a large complex that also includes the luxury ANA Hotel, plus shops, restaurants, residences and business towers. It's not especially handsome, but the amenities are exactly what are needed. If you must, you can grab a sandwich from Subway or a latte from Starbucks. Much better is an inexpensive curry at the counter of funky FISH or surprisingly sophisticated sushi at Kaitenzushi UOKI. Just up the street is Koots Green Tea, with its Starbucks-like green tea concoctions and elegant desserts.\nThe other not uncharacteristic but still remarkable aspect of Suntory is that the hall is commercial — it belongs to the beverage empire. (Yes, that's Suntory Scotch that pays Bill Murray's character $2 million to tout its products in the film \"Lost in Translation.\") Suntory Hall, its director, Takeshi Hara, told me, \"is not a sideline of the company, it is a part of the company.\" Although when asked whether the hall was expected to make money, he smiled and said that would be very difficult.\nSuntory isn't the only big business promoting music in Tokyo. The Bunkamura — which contains the large Orchard Hall, along with a small theater for drama (Cocoon), a cinema and a museum — is an annex of the massive Tokyu department store in the heart of bustling Shibuya-ku. In Bunkamura, you can also hit the outstanding art bookstore NADIFF, which also carries a hip collection of CDs.\nAround the corner from Bunkamura is a six-story Tower Records — said to be the world's largest record store. Its classical fifth floor is legendary. Or at least it used to be when Japan's economy was thriving and before Tower began its own economic downturn. It's still impressive by American standards, but neither it nor the Shinjuku Tower branch (once my favorite record store anywhere) is what it was.\nStill, the Japanese are fanatical collectors, and Tokyo record stores are treasure chests, particularly of historic reissues. The most impressive I came across was Soft 3, part of the Ishimaru Denki electronics megastore in Akihabara (Tokyo's so-called Electric City). It has several floors of classical CDs, including many classic live performances.\nThe mood in Soft 3 is one of quiet reverence, as though CDs are not so much objects of desire as historic cultural documents deserving deep respect. Such feeling for the past is one of the distinctive aspects of classical music in Tokyo. This is a spectacular city of the moment. Earthquakes, wars and a profound Buddhist/Shintoist appreciation for the transience of all things separate Tokyo from a physical record of its history. Buildings come and go, and no one seems to care. New is generally thought better than old. What is preserved is culture.\nIt is for this reason, and the economic bubble of the '70s and '80s, that Tokyo now has so many new or newish concert halls filled mainly with old music. This is particularly striking at Tokyo Opera City, on the outskirts of Shinjuku.\nThe main hall there is named after Toru Takemitsu, the great Modernist composer who led the way in merging East with West and who died in 1996. Takemitsu was a beloved figure in Japan and an effective champion of new music.\nNow he has become an institution, but no one has come along to take his place. Standard repertory is the standard almost everywhere. New music does, however, find its way into the programming of some Japanese orchestras.\nIf the new music scene in Tokyo isn't as vibrant as that of, say, the visual arts scene, it does exist. Terry Riley happened to be in Tokyo my first night here, performing in the chapel of the wonderful Jiyu-Gakuen Myonichi-kan, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright as a girls' school. This only surviving Wright structure in Tokyo is now an arts center.\nA gleefully appreciative audience of young people spilled out of the hall and practically hung from the rafters. Riley performed his personal blend of Minimalism, raga and jazz on the piano, then was joined by Bay Area guitarist David Tanenbaum and, finally, by some Japanese musicians.\nCuriously, this is one of the oldest concert venues in the city, although it felt utterly modern in spirit. And it helped put Tokyo's more museum-like classical concerts in perspective.\nOutstanding sound\nTHE Tokyo Symphony's \"Carmen\" was not noteworthy, but the acoustics in MUZA, the modest new Kawasaki hall (a 15-minute train ride from the Ginza), are another Toyota marvel, with sound that felt as though it floated effortlessly on a cushion of air. Thanks to modern technology, anything in this hall is a pleasure to hear.\nPart of the draw for this \"Carmen\" is that Tokyo has yet to develop into an operatic capital. The city has a high-tech opera house, the New National Theatre next to Tokyo Opera City (which is not an opera house — go figure), and several companies devoted to Japanese opera, including Nihon Opera Kyokai. But nothing of international stature.\nStill, the Japanese do have an innate sense of theater and know how to make even something as nonvisual as an organ recital theatrical. A free lunchtime concert in the large hall of Tokyo Metropolitan Art Space in Ikebukuro turned out to be a four-organ recital. That's because this theater has the only four-in-one organ in the world. Like one of those four-color ballpoint pens, it houses Renaissance, Baroque, French Romantic and modern instruments in one casing, which revolves.\nOn my last evening in Tokyo, I heard the Bavarian Radio Orchestra play Tchaikovsky's B-Flat Piano Concerto at Suntory. I have no idea how many times I've heard this hoariest of war horses.\nMy hotel, the Park Hotel Tokyo, was a 10-minute subway ride or an enjoyable two-mile walk from Suntory. I chose it because it provided a remarkable amount of luxury at an average of less than $200 a night and the convenience of being in Shiodome. This new development of skyscrapers is adjacent to the Ginza and next to the Shimbashi station, which allows easy access by train or subway to anywhere in Tokyo.\nIt was late afternoon, and I walked. On my way, I stopped in at the magnificent Zojo-ji Temple and listened in awe to a chanting priest. I took the elevator to the top of Tokyo Tower, an Eiffel Tower imitation, to watch the sun set over the city; Mt. Fuji was barely discernible in the misty distance.\nAll this made overly familiar Tchaikovsky feel somehow foreign again. The pianist was Yefim Bronfman, and he had played with wild, riveting virtuosity. I can't remember having been as energized by this concerto in a very long time. I wasn't alone. It was a great performance that drove the crowd crazy.\nWas this a case of the old becoming new again? Or an example of a concerto that, like countertenor Yoshikazu Mera, has found the secret of everlasting youth in Tokyo's confusion? It doesn't matter. In the sometimes stilted world of classical music, confusion is a vital sign of life.\nBEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX\nTokyo's musical repertoire\nFrom LAX, nonstop service to Tokyo is offered on JAL, Singapore, American, ANA, Northwest, Varig and Korean. Restricted round-trip fares begin at $980 until Dec. 28, then drop to $680 until March.\nTo call the numbers below from the U.S., dial 011 (the international dialing code), 81 (country code for Japan), 3 (the city code for Tokyo) and the local number.\nPark Hotel Tokyo, Tokyo Shiodome Media Tower, 1-7-1 Higashi-Shimbashi, Minato-ku; 6252-1111, http://www.parkhoteltokyo.com . A luxurious and elegant yet moderately priced hotel in the new high-tower development near the Ginza. Many rooms have a spectacular view of Mt. Fuji. Staff is helpful. Try the traditional Japanese breakfast in Hanasansyou, the hotel's excellent Japanese restaurant. The bar offers sumptuous small appetizers, a dazzling view, glorious martinis, sophisticated ambience but only so-so live jazz. Doubles about $200.\nConrad Tokyo, 1-9-1 Higashi-Shimbashi, Minato-ku, 6388-8000, http://www.conradhotels.com . A striking new hotel, opened in July, has attracted attention for its dedication to contemporary Japanese art and for its Gordon Ramsay at Conrad Tokyo, the restaurant from London's Michelin-starred celebrity chef. Doubles from about $342.\nKaitenzushi UOKI, 1-12-32 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Ark Mori Building 3F; 5575-3555. Surprisingly good sushi from a conveyor belt makes this a good place for a quick bite before or after a concert in Suntory Hall.\nSushizen, 1-8-1 Higashi Shinbashi, Minatoku, Dentsu Honsha Building, Caletta Shiodome 46F; 3569-0068. With this new Tokyo branch of one of Japan's most celebrated sushi restaurants, there is no longer any need to go to Sapporo for the freshest Hokaido delicacies. Fish is flown in daily, and the new restaurant on the 46th floor of a tower next to the one that houses the Park Hotel has the further advantage of spectacular views of the Imperial Palace.\nFISH, 1-12-32 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Ark Mori Building, 3F; 5562-4305. Fast, inexpensive but substantial, spicy Indian-Japanese curry on large, steaming plates is a great bargain in this fancy shopping center across the plaza from Suntory Hall. It is also vegetarian friendly.\nKoots Green Tea, 3-1-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku (has other locations as well); 5545-3778 . A green-tea chain that puts Starbucks to shame. Pleasant small plates, with tofu specialties, are especially recommended, as is the delicate green tea cheesecake.\nJiyu-Gakuen Myonichi-kan Auditorium, 2-31-3 Nishi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku; 3971-7535, http://www.jiyu.jp/index-e.html .\nTokyo Metropolitan Art Space, 1-8-1 Nishi Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku; 5391-2111, http://www.geigeki.jp/english .\nSuntory Hall, 1-13-1 Akasaka, Minato-ku; 3584-9999, http://www.suntory.co.jp/suntoryhall/english .\nTokyo Opera City, 3-20-2 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku; 5353-0789, or, for tickets, 5353-9999, http://www.operacity.jp/en/concert .\nMUZA Kawasaki Symphony Hall, 1310 Omiya-cho, Saiwai-ku, Kawasaki City; (do not dial 3 before this number) 44-520-0100, http://www.kawasaki-sym-hall.jp/index_e.shtml .\nThe Daily Yomiuri, http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy ; the Japan Times, http://www.japantimes.co.jp ; International Herald Tribune, http://www.iht.com/pages/asia/index.php ; and Metropolis, http://www.metropolis.japantoday.com , are widely available in Tokyo.\nJapanese-language lessons can be streamed from http://www.nhk.or.jp/lesson . They can also be downloaded at http://www.hickorytech.net/nic111 .\nJapan National Tourist Organization, (213) 623-1952, www.jnto.go.jp.\nby alfayoko2005 | 2005-12-24 16:14 | ジェンダー・セックス\n<< 産経新聞の卑劣で幼稚な印象操作... 世界日報（統一教会）：第二次男... >>","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line391306"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7668543457984924,"wiki_prob":0.7668543457984924,"text":"Berwick community market celebrates successful first year\nJohn DeCoste · Freelance | Posted: Aug. 12, 2019, 10:42 a.m. | Updated: Aug. 12, 2019, 10:42 a.m. | 4 Min Read\nJohn H. Smith, left, of the Mud Creek Rotary presents Berwick Community Market manager Chris Goddard with a cheque for just over $2,300 as part of the market's first anniversary celebration July 27. The funding will go toward purchasing canopies to allow for outdoor vendor spaces. - John DeCoste\nIt’s onward and upward for the Berwick community market as it enters its second year of operation.\nThe market venture began in January 2018 with the formation of the Berwick Community Market Association, administered by a seven-person board of directors.\nThe first actual Saturday market took place July 28, 2018, meaning that the market held July 27 of this year was celebrated as its first-year anniversary, complete with a special anniversary cake.\nBerwick town councillor Rod Reeves (left) assists Berwick Community Market manager Chris Goddard in cutting a cake marking the market's first anniversary July 27. - John DeCoste\n“We felt a year-round community market could be viable in Berwick,” says market manager Chris Goddard. “We weren’t really big to begin with, but we thought we had potential. We’ve grown over the past year, and we hope to grow even more.”\nCurrently, the market features between 20 and 24 vendors on any given Saturday during the summer months.\nIn terms of customers, Goddard says, “we've been doing reasonably well.” Not surprisingly, numbers “dropped right off during the winter, but they've come back up to 130-140 per week.”\nOn July 20, the day of Berwick's town-wide yard sale, more than 260 people visited the market. Goddard was hopeful of a similar-sized crowd on July 27, which had been advertised as the first anniversary.\nMoving forward, he adds, “We'll see how the rest of the summer goes.”\nDella Harris, left, of Cambridge, a vendor at the Berwick Community Market, watches as customer Mary Alward from Halifax models a hat Harris made and had for sale at the market July 27. - John DeCoste\nBerwick has had a farmers’ markets in the past, but Goddard says it wasn’t sustainable for a variety of reasons. The current venture is a slightly different model.\n“(It) is trying to be a vendor’s market, for the benefit of the vendors, which in turn is good for the community we well,” he says.\nThe market society has not approached the town for sponsorship, but Goddard says the town is supportive.\n“They publicize our markets (on a regular basis), and they promoted our anniversary,” he says.\nAnd there’s community support for the venture as well.\n“Our board members are all volunteers, and two of them are also vendors,” Goddard said. “We’re doing it - and we started it - because we feel the community could really use a market like this.”\nShane Gerrits had a booth with fresh vegetables set up at the Berwick Community Market July 27. First held July 28, 2018, the market celebrated its first anniversary July 27. - John DeCoste\nThe markets are held on Saturday mornings at the Berwick branch of the Royal Canadian Legion on East Main Street, though Goddard says the goal is for the market to someday have its own building.\nThe society is also hoping to be able to offer more outdoor vendor spaces. A July 27 donation of slightly more than $2,300 from Mud Creek Rotary will purchase large canopies for that purpose.\nThe market is also making its mark on the community.\n“We have a deal with the legion,” Goddard says. In return for the use of the space, “forty per cent of all table fees go to the legion.”\nIn addition, the market provides funds for community organizations, including the Berwick Food Bank.\nLooking to the future, Goddard says he would like to see “more specific kinds of vendors,” possibly including “meat and cheese, and also brewers, vintners and distillers.”\nOf course, he added, “the market has to appeal to them. We need to attract vendors as well as customers.”\nAnyone can join the market society at a cost of $10 per year. The society charges $10 per week as a table fee. As of July 27, there were 59 vendors who were society members; according to Goddard, there had been three new vendor requests that morning alone.\nUpdated just now |15 min read","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1817133"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6237245798110962,"wiki_prob":0.6237245798110962,"text":"19 January 2023|In Money, SC, Lifestyle|6 Minutes\nWhat’s The Impact Of The Cost Of Living Crisis On Young People?\nBy Shout Out UK\nThe cost-of-living crisis has been a priority subject for several months now, but it seems that Britain’s youth are being neglected in the discussions. Under-30s in the UK right now are bearing the brunt of the financial crisis, with lower wages, a lack of financial knowledge and higher expenses to contend with. Young people are disproportionately affected by the cost-of-living crisis, as well as being out of opportunities to gain access to well-paying jobs.\nA vicious cycle of poverty\nThe cost-of-living crisis is making it harder for everyone to meet basic needs, from putting food on the table to paying fuel costs to get to work and keeping homes heated. But it’s more than just people struggling to pay their bills. It’s also limiting young people’s ability to access training and development opportunities, keeping them stuck in poverty due to not being able to apply for higher paying roles. The pressure on young people in the UK right now is putting them at higher risk of unemployment and leading to further stress and anxiety about the situation.\nUK households are really feeling the pinch off the back of this financial crisis, which has been worsened by the war in Ukraine and COVID-19, leaving savers worried about the long-term concerns this will have on their financial health in the future. It’s a well-known fact that the earlier we can save for later in life, the more we’re about to make the most of compound interest and increase our financial security. But cost-of-living difficulties are making it challenging for young people to make the most of this for their future selves and dependents. The result is that what is a current issue could impact young people well into later life by preventing them from making wise financial decisions at the right time.\n16-24-year-olds make up almost 800,000 of all people in the UK relying on Universal Credit, and the percentage of those depending on this support has increased since the pandemic. Increases in student loan burdens have also risen following the decision to freeze the threshold for repayments rather than have this rise in line with average income. So more young people are repaying at a time when they need the money for basic living needs.\nNegatively impacting mental health\nThe stress that comes from constantly worrying whether you’ll have enough to fund your basic needs and those of your family takes its toll on your mental health — something that young people are noticing more and more. Research by youth charity ERYICA found that people as young as 11 are worried about the effect that rising costs are having on their household.\nThere’s increasing pressure on young people at the moment, particularly in low-income households already facing barriers to sustainable work and consistent income, which directly correlates to an increase in mental health concerns. Mental health charity, Mind, points out that money problems can lead to certain situations triggering anxiety and panic, sleep problems caused by worrying, and a lack of access to housing, food, water and medications that keep you well, physically and mentally. It can lead to people feeling isolated and lonely, which can further exacerbate mental health issues.\nTackling the impact of the cost of living\nThe pressures caused by the cost-of-living crisis have had a considerable effect on the physical and mental health of young people, increasing financial stress and anxiety over paying for basic needs, as well as impacting the opportunities they have access to. Organisations such as the YMCA offer welfare support and advice for young people to manage their finances correctly and help them gain training for better job prospects.\nIt’s clear that more needs to be done by the government to support young and vulnerable people. From changing Universal Credit payments to reflect the increase in the cost of living, to making salaries fairer and in line with inflation, as well as offering training and apprenticeships more widely to young people. The barriers faced by young people are getting harder to overcome, especially since some of the risks posed by the crisis are worse for those already marginalised.\nHaving a safe and warm home, enough food on the table and opportunities to create a better life are things that everyone should have access to. But the cost-of-living crisis is a challenge that all of us will be facing for some time to come, putting stress on organisations and services determined to help people in need. The fact remains, individuals can only do so much. Change needs to come from the top to help people of all ages overcome this difficult time.\nCost of living crisis mental health money Young People\nShout Out UK\nHow To Get Travel Insurance Flight Delay Compensation?\n6 Ways A Brand Design Agency Can Make Your Business Stand Out\nWhy Media Literacy Programs Need To Put A Spotlight On ‘Stealth Advertising’\n© 2023 Shout Out UK. All rights reserved\nFunding & Article Opinion Disclaimer","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line334390"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9293484091758728,"wiki_prob":0.9293484091758728,"text":"Shailene Woodley Among Dozens Arrested While Peacefully Protesting Dakota Access Pipeline |\nShailene Woodley Among Dozens Arrested While Peacefully Protesting Dakota Access Pipeline\nKristin Falzon\nOctober 11, 2016Video\nShailene Woodley, star of The Fault in Our Stars and the Divergent series, was arrested Monday morning while protesting the Dakota Access Pipeline in Sioux County, North Dakota.\nWoodley was streaming live on her Facebook page Monday during a peaceful protest at Standing Rock. The protest was in response to the DC Circuit Court of Appeals ruling on Monday that lifted a temporary injunction on the pipeline, allowing construction to resume.\nAppeals Court Refuses to Halt Construction on #DakotaAccessPipeline https://t.co/LtgiZaVjAb #NoDAPL #StandingRock @MarkRuffalo @LeoDiCaprio\n— EcoWatch (@EcoWatch) 1476123050\nback on Standing Rock. last night US district court of appeals denied injunction to halt #DAPL construction. https://t.co/SRYyd7gyXH\n— Shailene Woodley (@Shailene Woodley) 1476108323\nThe actress and environmental activist was trying to head back to her RV to go back to camp, when she noticed it was surrounded by police and a riot vehicle. As she approached her RV, she was stopped by police dressed in riot and military gear. After speaking with them, she was told on camera that she was being arrested for criminal trespassing. A spokesman for the Morton County Sheriff's Department said she was also arrested for engaging in a riot. Her mother was with her at the time.\nWhen she asked why she was being arrested and no one else, and whether it was because people know who she is, the officer who appeared to be in charge said it was because she was identified.\nAs she was being put in handcuffs, Woodley explained to a person off-camera that she was being arrested for trespassing down by the pipeline where hundreds of others had gathered, but that she left as soon as police arrived and was told to leave.\n\"It's because I'm well-known, it's because I have 40,000 people watching it,\" she said.\nThese Celebrities Take a Stand Against #DakotaAccessPipeline via @EcoWatch https://t.co/ClAbSWpPZA #DakotaPipeline\n— The YEARS Project (@The YEARS Project) 1473537665\nTwenty-six other protesters were also arrested, according to media reports.\nProtesters and members of more than 90 Native American nations and tribes have been encamped on the Missouri River since May fighting against the construction of the 1,170-mile pipeline that would transport 470,000 barrels of crude oil across four states, including sacred sites and burial grounds.\nWoodley has been very vocal on social media about her feelings on the Dakota Access Pipeline and has been at the protests on a consistent basis which she recently talked about on Late Night With Seth Meyers along with Bernie Sanders.\nLet’s hit our goal of 1,000 shirts and keep it going! Take a stand and show your support for Standing Rock in the fight to stop the Dakota Access Pipeline. Share with friends and get your shirt through my bio link or at omaze.com/standingrock #UpToUs #OurRevolution #NoDAPL\nA photo posted by Shailene Woodley (@shailenewoodley) on\nSep 27, 2016 at 1:28pm PDT\n\"It's been remarkable. It's one of the greatest experiences of my life,\" she said.\n\"This is the first time that you have this many tribes gathered in one place, standing together united, to stand up for not only their rights, but human rights, and the access to clean water—all they're doing is protecting clean water,\" she added.\nWoodley said while the temporary halt on the pipeline's construction the Obama administration did is \"beautiful,\" it's not a win. A win, she said, is for them to say we're not moving the pipeline to another location, but we're going to stop it, like the Obama Administration did with Keystone XL.\nUntil then, we're sure to see Woodley out there again as she continues to fight for Native American rights and the Dakota Access Pipeline.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1271380"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8710744976997375,"wiki_prob":0.8710744976997375,"text":"https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2014/07/josh-thomson-to-reevaluate-retirement-after-every-fight-but-says-two-more-fights-for-sure\nJosh Thomson to reevaluate retirement after every fight, but says two more for sure\nSteven Marrocco\nJuly 25, 2014 10:00 am ET\nAfter a heartbreaking decision loss to Benson Henderson in his most recent fight, Josh Thomson couldn’t find the will to return to the octagon.\nThese days, the UFC lightweight asks himself whether every fight is his last. And for a little while after Henderson, it was. Losing a title eliminator to Henderson after fighting the bulk of five rounds with a broken thumb was reason enough to walk away.\n“The biggest discouragement … was the judges’ decisions,” Thomson, 35, told MMAjunkie Radio. “If anything, even having a performance where you felt like you didn’t feel great, but you felt like you won, and it was ripped from you — man, talk about letting the wind out of the sails.”\nThen, the fog lifted. As it turned out, the veteran fighter was suffering not only from a broken heart, but the burnout of a long camp.\n“I definitely needed to get home and get some rest,” he said. “I spent some time with friends and family coming back to normal life. I mean, you spend four months basically trapping yourself in a hole, being stuck at your house and the gym, going back and forth. You spend that amount of time, you don’t really feel like doing anything afterward. So I think I spent about a week just at home with my dogs, throwing the ball and dwelling on the situation and what I wanted to do.\n“After that, I was able to get out and spend some time with friends and family. Everything started feeling good, and as soon as I got the cast off, I was able to get back into the gym and started training a little bit, and then I found out San Jose was announced for a fight. I was like, you know what, it might be time to get back into camp and give it a try.”\nThat thought led him to a fight, as Thomson (20-6 MMA, 3-2 UFC) volunteered for Saturday’s UFC on FOX 12 and was booked opposite Michael Johnson. His opponent didn’t hold, as Johnson withdrew due to injury and was replaced by Bobby Green (22-5 MMA, 3-0 UFC), but the date did. The two meet on the FOX-televised main card of the event at SAP Center in San Jose, Calif.\nThomson still isn’t sure he’s long for the MMA world, but he’s willing to give the sport another try.\n“What keeps running through my mind is I did this when there was no money involved, and I felt like I loved it a lot more,” he said. “And I’m doing it now where I make a ton of money, and I still love it, but do I love it as much? When I start asking myself that question, it makes you wonder if your heart is still in it. I never wanted to be one of the guys, like (Evander Holyfield), who stayed in too long.”\nAt times, Thomson said, he can feel like a “rockstar” when he trains at American Kickboxing Academy in San Jose, Calif. Then there are days when he can’t find the motivation to get out of bed. Age and time continue to hang over his head.\n“Sometimes you tell yourself, I can stop a little early,” he said. “I never told myself that before, and sometimes I try to tell myself, you should rest today; maybe just run or hit pads a little bit and then not go do this or (that). I start thinking, if I can’t make myself do everything I can do to feel prepared, do I love it as much? And I think about it after every fight.\n“What changes did you have to make because you’re getting older. Did they work?”\nAs Thomson points out, he won’t know the answer to that question until the Green fight is over. But he knows that he can’t walk into the fight with anything less than 100 percent focus.\n“I look at Bobby Green as a more dangerous fight than Michael Johnson,” he said. “Am I motivated to fight him? I better be. Otherwise, I’m going to end up walking out of that arena with a loss. You think Bobby gives a crap how high I’m ranked? No. He just wants to get the win. So I’ve just got to take the win from him.”\nWhether or not he wins, Thomson will ask himself if he’s got the stuff to solider on.\n“I don’t know if you can really commit,” he said. “It’s a fight at a time. I feel good enough, I’ve got another two fights in me for sure. I feel like it’s definitely there.”\nFor more on UFC on FOX 12, stay tuned to the UFC Rumors section of the site.\nUFC 280 preview video from Abu Dhabi: A deep dive into the title doubleheader and more\nMike Bohn and Farah Hannoun\nMMA Junkie's Mike Bohn and Farah Hannoun break down all things UFC 280.\nUFC 257 preview video: Breaking down Conor McGregor vs. Dustin Poirier 2 and more\nLet MMA Junkie's Mike Bohn and Farah Hannoun walk you through everything you need to know about UFC 257.\nTwitter Mailbag: What would a win at UFC 256 mean for Tony Ferguson? What about a loss?\nNolan King\nYou've got questions. Nolan King has answers.\nMore Featured Videos","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1814791"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.568824052810669,"wiki_prob":0.43117594718933105,"text":"Big Gay Fiction Fest Episodes\nEpisode 162 – “Walker Boys,” “Asheville Arcana” & Cover Reveal with Ari McKay\nJeff opens the show discussing the progress he’s made on a Codename: Winger Christmas story.\nThey guys talk about the Heart2Heart Anthology, which releases on Tuesday, November 13, as well as the Love Your Book Store Challenge, which runs through November 16. Will also previews The Queer Lit Read-a-Thon that takes place December 2-8.\nScroll to the bottom of the page to see a larger image.\nHallmark Channel Christmas movies, including upcoming ones with gay or gay adjacent actors, are discussed. They also focus on Road To Christmas, which features the first gay couple in a supporting role.\nWill reviews Cinnamon Spiced Omega by Susi Hawke and Seeking Solace by Ari McKay.\nJeff & Will interview Ari McKay about the two books they’re releasing in November: Seeking Solace and Quenched in Blood. They also discuss Designer Holiday, their new Christmas story that they’re revealing the cover for on the podcast. We also find out what’s next for Herc’s Mercs and more looking into 2019.\nRemember, you can listen and subscribe to the podcast anytime on Apple Podcasts, Google Play Music, Spotify, Stitcher, PlayerFM, YouTube and audio file download.\nHere are the things we talk about in this episode:\nHeart2Heart: A Charity Anthology, Volume 2 on Amazon\nLove Your Bookstore Challenge website\nQueer Lit Read-a-thon Announcement on Perpetual Pages YouTube Channel\nQueer Lit Read-a-thon on Twitter\nSchooled by Jeff Adams on Amazon\nA Shoe Addict’s Christmas on Hallmark Channel website\nChristmas Made to Order on Hallmark Channel website\nA Majestic Christmas on Hallmark Channel website\nNoah’s Arc on Logo\nRoad to Christmas on Hallmark Channel\nHallmark Unwrapped website\nCinnamon Spiced Omega by Susi Hawke on Amazon\nSeeking Solace by Ari McKay on Amazon\nBig Gay Fiction Podcast on Patreon.com\nBig Gay Fiction Podcast patrons on BGFP website\nHerc’s Mercs banner at GRL\nAri McKay Interview\nAri McKay: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Amazon\nSeeking Solace (Walker Boys #3) by Ari McKay on Amazon\nBreaking Bonds (Walker Boys #2) by Ari McKay on Amazon\nStriking Sparks (Walker Boys #1) by Ari McKay on Amazon\nLyrical Lines Proofreading and Covers website\nQuenched in Blood (Asheville Arcana #3) by Ari McKay on Amazon\nForged in Fire (Asheville Arcana #2) by Ari McKay on Amazon\nOut of the Ashes (Asheville Arcana #1) by Ari McKay on Amazon\nTom Clancy on Amazon\nHerc’s Mercs series by Ari McKay on Amazon\nSanta’s Naughty Helper by Ari McKay on Amazon\nAri McKay on Episode 86 of BGFP on BGFP website\nDesigner Holiday by Ari McKay Cover Reveal\nAri McKay Interview Transcript\nThis transcript was made possible by our community on Patreon. You can get information on how to join them at patreon.com/biggayfictionpodcast.\nJeff: Welcome Ari McKay to the podcast. How about we take a moment you two can introduce yourselves?\nAri: Okay. Hi, I’m the Ari half of Ari McKay.\nMcKay: And, hi, I am the McKay half of Ari McKay.\nJeff: Fantastic. We are thrilled to have you guys back on the podcast. You’ve got two books coming out this month, with both, “Seeking Solace” in the Dreamspun Desires line and “Quenched In Blood” in The Dreamspun Beyond line. So congratulations for that. Tell us first about “Seeking Solace,” which is the new Walker Boys book.\nAri: Okay, this one has been…it was a little different because instead of being a chef, he’s a wannabe chef who is working as a bartender on a cruise ship. And part of the reason for that setting was that I’ve taken a lot of cruises and I enjoy cruising. And so, it was, really kind, of a fun way to use my experiences onboard a cruise ship to, you know, bring a little bit of a realistic touch to the setting.\nSo, Devin is the Walker in question. And he has been working on the cruise ship for Triton Lines. And he’s a bartender, he gets to meet a lot of people. And because he’s very outgoing, he gets asked to shepherd one of the executives from the cruise line who was coming on board to learn the ins and outs of how the ships actually work rather than the office back half of the business. But what he doesn’t know is that Paul is actually the heir to the entire cruise line. And so it’s kind of the, you know, secret millionaire, you know, sort of thing going on there. And they get very close. And Paul has some issues that he’s working through with a physical disability. And Devin helps him to work through part of his issues, and in the process, they kind of fall in love. So I don’t wanna give away too much of the background.\nWill: No, giving away the good stuff that’ll be in my review. Because I’ve read this book, I loved it to pieces. I especially loved the cruise ship setting. It was a lot of fun. Just sort of wonderful and escapist and romantic. I loved it to pieces. Now, most of The Walker Boys books have taken place in Texas, specifically, Buffalo Lick, the small quaint town where barbecue’s king. And actually, Ari, you and I are actually both wearing a very special t-shirt, a t-shirt, as it so happens that actually makes an appearance in “Seeking Solace.” Do you wanna explain that just a little bit?\nAri: Yeah, so when Paul comes on board the ship, he doesn’t really bring any casual clothes with him because he’s, you know, the executive type and he thinks he’s going to be very formal while onboard the ship, and Devin convinces him that that’s not such a good idea. You’re gonna make the patrons kind of nervous if you’re wandering around in a suit. And since Paul doesn’t have anything to wear, Devin loans him some clothing, and one of the items happens to be Devon’s Buffalo Lick Bisons t-shirt that he has from when he was in high school. And he’s carried it with him everywhere. And he allows Paul to wear it and Paul kind of takes it over and ends up with it. As, you know, sometimes happens with couples and trading shirts and things like that.\nSo, we McKay and I, it was kind of a funny joke about, you know, okay, so the shirt is important. So we actually hired a graphic artist, Diane from Lyrical Lines, to design us an actual logo. We actually own this logo. It’s ours. Buffalo Lick is ours. And so Diane made us a custom logo and we had it put on the shirt. And we had three shirts made and we had one for McKay, one for myself, and one for Will because Will has always loved The Walker Boys so he had to have a shirt.\nWill: I love it. It was so amazing to get to see both of you and talk to you when we were at GRL not too long ago.\nAri: Yeah, that was great.\nMcKay: Yes, I enjoyed it.\nJeff: It was your first GRL, McKay. How was that for you?\nMcKay: It was an amazing experience. And I would recommend anyone who is a writer or a reader of gay romance to attend at least once because it’s so warm and welcoming. And even though it was my first time, I felt like I instantly belonged because everybody was just so open and welcoming to me. And I just really enjoyed the whole weekend. And I really loved getting to meet some of our readers and meet fellow authors. It was just fantastic.\nJeff: Very cool. What’s coming next or is there a next for The Walker Boys in their journey?\nAri: Actually, yes, there is. This is kind of interesting because I suppose it’s…I don’t know if people know that the Dreamspun Desires line is changing focus a little bit. They’re going for, kind of, lighter stories than, you know, even what we’ve been writing. So, we actually have book four of The Walker Boys almost completed. It’s called “Healing Hearts.” And we have permission from Dreamspinner to move it out into the mainline. So when we finish it and finally get it submitted, The Walker Boys will transition just from the in the Dreamspun Desires line out to the main Dreamspinner, or main Dreamspun Line, which is actually kind of good for us because that means we’re not limited to the 60,000 words, so we can make kind of, you know, longer, little more in-depth stories.\nAnd for, “Healing Hearts,” especially, that’s going to be kind of important because the Walker boy in that one has got a few issues that he needs to work through. So, having the extra…the ability to go much longer if we need to means that we can, you know, give it a little bit more in-depth of a treatment for him about his problems. So, because most of the walkers are kind of happy-go-lucky, not this one.\nMcKay: And just as a preview, for this book, we are actually going back to the same setting as book two, what was it, “Breaking Bonds?”\nAri: Yes, yes.\nMcKay: And the chef in training who, kind of, studied under Liam Rocky, he’s going to be one of the leads this time.\nWill: Oh, God. Oh, I can’t wait. Hurry, hurry, finish it fast. That’ll be amazing. I can’t wait for that.\nMcKay: Yeah, I was the one who mostly wrote Rocky and he got vocal, you know. I just loved…he was fun. I loved writing him. And after we finished, “Breaking Bonds,” I was kind of thinking in the back of my mind, he needs his own book. He’s out there. So I’m glad that we are getting to tell his story and let him have a Walker of his own.\nAri: Yes, and he gets the ne’er-do-well. So he’s going to have to whip his Walker boy into shape.\nWill: Yeah, can’t wait. Oh, that sounds so good. So amazing. Now, in addition to The Walker Boys that’s releasing this month, you’ll also have another book in your Asheville Archana series. Can you explain, first of all, before we get into the new book itself, can you explain a little bit about the paranormal nature of this particular series?\nAri: Sure. This one is set in Asheville, North Carolina. And it focuses around members of the paranormal community in and around western North Carolina. In this world, we have vampires, we have shapeshifters, we have fairies, demons, and demon hunters. And in the first two books, it followed a series of friends, actually, the three main characters, Julian, Wimzie, and Arden were all friends with benefits.\nAnd in the first two books, Lindsay and Arden found their true love romance. And so now only Julian is left and he’s been left alone. But in the backdrop, they’re also fighting a war against a demon invasion. There have been incursions in each book that they have had to rally members of the paranormal community to fight off these demons. And this book, kind of, culminates that battle. So we’re going to see the end result of all of their efforts in the first two books.\nJeff: Cool. And there’s a third book.\nMcKay: Julian gets funny.\nJeff: This third one’s called “Quenched in Blood.”\nMcKay: Yes.\nJeff: So besides dealing with the war, who’s the couple here? And what’s their story?\nMcKay: Okay, we actually set the seeds for this back in book one. So one of the leads is Julian, and he’s finally going to meet someone. And that someone was actually introduced in the first book, but he never actually appeared on camera. He was a voice in the background. When Wimzie, and Arden, and Eli, and the other cast of book one went out to visit a demon hunter named Micah, they found out that he had a grandson because the grandson called him from inside the house, and Micah was very secretive about this.\nWell, they’re going to go back and meet that grandson, who is a demon hunter himself, but he’s untrained, his name’s Thomas. And he is descended from demon hunters on both sides. So he’s very powerful, but he has no idea. His grandfather was so grieved by the loss of his son and daughter-in-law, Thomas’s parents, that he raised Thomas in ignorance of who and what he was. And so, Thomas has no idea that demons and vampires and werewolves exist, and he’s blown away. He has to have a crash course in, you know, what’s going on. And then they’re like, “Oh, hey, by the way, we need you to fight these demons. Yay.” So, Thomas gets thrown in the deep end pretty quick.\nJeff: What was your inspiration behind this one to like…? And did the inspiration come more as the whole series since you were, kind of, arching this entire story over about the war?\nMcKay: We had a short story, we wrote it for Halloween several years ago, and it was much shorter. And it was published by a company that no longer exists. And we were trying to figure out what to do with the story/novella. And the more we looked at it, the more we realized that we liked the world-building. So we had written the story together. And then I had written a Halloween story individually that we could pull elements of and, kind of, mush together. And that’s what we did. We took the things that we liked from the world-building from both of these stories and started creating this world.\nAnd from there, we figured out okay, what do we want in each book? What do we want the overall arc to be? And we kind of did some planning in world-building and then we dove in. I mean, things changed as we wrote, of course, but basically, that’s where they came from, these 2 one-off Halloween stories that we wrote one together and one I wrote by myself.\nJeff: That’s very exciting to have the world mash-up like that.\nMcKay: Yeah. The story that I wrote, I kind of had in the back of my mind the Halloween story that we had written together. And I asked Ari, it’s like, “Okay, if I take elements, do you mind, you know, if I kind of loosely set it in the same universe?” And of course, she said it was fine. And it was not closely tied that you could see it, but it was enough that when the time came, we could mesh them seamlessly. In fact, the character of Wimzie was in my story. So, his romance ended up being a little bit different, but my short story was basically about a wizard named Wimzie who falls in love with a werewolf named Harlan. So, we took that directly.\nAri: So much of our inspiration is just kind of co…I mean, it’s a true collaboration, the way that we write and the way that we develop stories. One of us will get, you know, a bee in our bonnet about something, a TV show or, you know, a movie or something and it’s like, “Ooh, you know, something like that would be really cool.” And then, you know, we end up, like, building on it all together.\nSo, it’s like, you know, I think most of the paranormal stuff, the original inspiration was yours, McKay. Because I even think the predecessor to the Asheville Archana series, I think the original short story was actually something you had originally proposed. And then like when it comes to, like, “Herc’s Mercs,” that was something that clobbered me over the head one day. And so yeah, like I said, it’s like, we kind of take turns on who…Like, “Oh, who’s got a good idea?” “Okay, let’s do that.”\nMcKay: Yeah, and I do tend to lean more towards fantasy, paranormal, supernatural. I mean, that is my jam. So, yeah, I didn’t remember that the original story was mine. But now that you said it, I’m like, “Oh, yeah, it was, wasn’t it?” And I’m not surprised because that’s…I really have a strong interest in that genre. And she kind of had to convince me to go with the “Herc’s Mercs,” but hey.\nAri: It took some convincing. It took a lot of convincing. She did not wanna originally write it because that’s not…action-adventure is my wheelhouse. I am a Tom Clancy girl. I love, you know, all the adventure stories. So that’s where I find, you know, I have the strength in coming up with stuff.\nWill: Now, for any normal author collaboration, two books in one month would be, like, more than enough. But as we’ve just discovered, you’ve got a Christmas story coming out very soon. What can you tell us about that?\nAri: Yeah, that one is actually it’s almost completed. It’s called “Designer Holiday.” And it’s one that we actually had started, I believe, in January of this year. And we had thought we were gonna write 12 Christmas stories just as kind of a series and that, sort of, didn’t happen.\nMcKay: No.\nAri: But we got through…the one that we had started, we’ve gone back to, and you know, it’s…I’ll let McKay explain the setting. The characters are Emilio, who is a dance instructor, and his love interest is Rain, who is an interior designer.\nMcKay: And surprise, surprise, it is set in western North Carolina. Yes, we like that part of the country. So we know it well and we tend to go back there quite a bit for our settings. For inspiration for the town, “Holiday Pines,” I was thinking about the many little tiny towns that exist in the mountains of North Carolina. They’re places like Maggie Valleys, Spruce Pines, Waynesville, Clyde, and things like that. And that’s, kind of, what I had in mind for the town in the story.\nAnd so, it’s a very small town, but their claim to fame is that they are home to the biggest Christmas tree farm in the state. And they are trying to revive tourism in the town by renovating an early 20th-century Art Deco style theater. That’s their local playhouse where all of the local shows and entertainment happens. And so, Rain and Emilio had been high school sweethearts. They grew up in Holiday Pines together, but Rain wanted more, and so he left.\nHe went to college in Atlanta, and he ended up staying there and starting his own interior design company. And when he was still in college, he broke up with Emilio and broke his heart. Well, now, Rain has been invited back to Holiday Pines to help with the renovation and restoration of the Playhouse. And so he and Emilio are seeing each other again for the first time in 12 years.\nAri: Emilio is happy.\nJeff: I love second chance stories. And we’re very excited because we have the cover reveal for this. We don’t often get to do cover reveals, in fact, you’re the first. And folks can go to our show notes page for this episode and see the cover for this story that’ll be out in early December. Now, you’ve mentioned “Herc’s Mercs” a little bit before and that is one of Will’s very favorite-est things ever.\nWill: Oh, yeah.\nJeff: What might be coming up in that universe?\nMcKay: Well, anyone who was at GRL might have seen our banner. We got a lot of comments on it. I think you got a picture. Yes, that banner was very popular. And for anyone who did not see it, it features three very handsome, buff men in an obvious threesome. So, we had initially thought that that would be the cover for the ninth and final “Herc’s Marcs” book, but the banner got so much positive attention and commentary that we thought…and people were saying when we said, “Oh yeah, that’s gonna be a ‘Herc’s Mercs’ cover,” “Oh, when? When’s it coming out?”\nSo we decided okay, we need to move that up. So the threesome story with the “Herc’s Mercs” will be the eighth one. That’ll be next and it’s going to feature two characters who have appeared pretty consistently in the series. They’ve been, kind of, background characters, Finn and Morrissey. And the third character is one that got mentioned in “No Pain, No Gain,” the early chapters, Joker. So those are the three main characters who will be featured in “Herc’s Mercs” eight.\nAri: Tentatively, I think we’re calling that “Three to Get Ready.” So that’s just the tentative title, though.\nMcKay: Oh, yeah.\nJeff: It’s a good title, though.\nAri: Yes.\nJeff: And yeah, that banner did get a lot of traffic. We’ll add a link in the show notes to the picture that Will go with it. Some people could check that out on the Facebook feed.\nWill: Now, can we expect that in 2019 hopefully?\nAri: Oh, yeah. Yeah, definitely. Probably mid to…what do you think, mid, McKay?\nMcKay: I would say so. Like I said, after the response that we got at GRL, we decided to fast-track that. And we do have a couple of things to finish up before we get to that one, but it’s on our shortlist for sure. So probably mid-ish 2019.\nWill: Cool. That sounds fantastic. Now, I mean, in addition to the two books that you’re releasing this month, we spent an awful lot of time talking about some of your future projects, is there anything else you want to tease to our audience that might be coming out in 2019?\nAri: Yeah, if, everything goes well, and we’ve gotten pretty positive reaction from the publisher we’ve pitched it to, we should have a romantic thriller series coming out. This will be even…if you’ve read “Herc’s Mercs,” this will be the Mercs books more so. Very much a Tom Clancy, kind of, edge to it with gay romance involved. And I don’t know how much we’re even supposed to say about it. But it would involve an international, sort of, setting. I mean, it’s not…The main place that the people gather on is actually in the Mediterranean, but the action will take place all over the world. Have a very, very diverse cast of characters. So, basically, people from all over. So far, we have, what, one American, I think, and everybody else is from somewhere else. So we’re pretty excited about that.\nMcKay: Yeah, “Herc’s Mercs” was…there was some traveling outside the country, especially in the third one. But it tended to be pretty U.S.-centric. But this new series is expanding. So it will go well beyond the borders of the U.S. and have, like Ari said, a very global span and a global cast of characters.\nAri: And a lot more intrigue. “Herc’s Mercs” is really mostly bodyguards and stuff like this. This is going to have more of an overarching kind of plot in the background. And “Herc’s Mercs” were mostly novellas. These will be novels, these will be quite a bit longer and get a lot more involved. And ooh, I get to bring out all of my military stuff. That’s fun.\nJeff: Okay, I’m super excited for these because my recent bend towards romantic suspense just…yeah, bring these on.\nWill: Those sounds amazing. So, before we leave, I wanna quickly remind everyone that “Seeking Solace” is available now. And, “Quenched in Blood” is coming out in the next couple of days. Where can people keep up with you and all of the books that you are continually writing? Is there someplace online that they can visit you and find out more?\nMcKay: We have a website, arimckay.com. We have a newsletter. And the link to that is on our website in the sidebar. Actually, in the sidebar of our website, you can find our newsletter, our Facebook, our Amazon link, our Dreamspinner link. So, really, our website is the central landing point, and then you can get everywhere else from there. It has all of our books based on, is it a part of a series, is it standalone, it has a page for our audiobooks. And yeah, so that’s our one-stop-shop, arimckay.com.\nJeff: Fantastic. Well, thank you both so much for coming to tell us all about this good stuff.\nAri: Oh, thank you for having us.\nMcKay: Yes. Thank you.\nCheck Out These Other Episodes:\nEpisode 169 – Book Reviews & 2018 Recap\nEpisode 152 – Debut Author Alexander C. Eberhart Interview + Movie & Book Reviews\nEpisode 165 – \"Painfully Attractive\" with Silvia Violet\nSpecial offer for Big Gay Fiction Podcast listeners: Get a Libro.fm 2-month audiobook membership for the price of one month. Click here to sign up today. Best of all, your audiobook purchases support local bookstores.\nOprah Certified\nO: The Oprah Magazine named Big Gay Fiction Podcast in its list of \"26 of the Best Book Podcasts to Listen to When You're Not Reading.\"\nBook Riot Says…\nBook Riot listed Big Gay Fiction Podcast in its \"33 of the Best Book Podcasts for All Genres.\"\nBig Gay Fiction Podcast is part of the Frolic Podcast Network. You can find more outstanding podcasts to subscribe to at Frolic.media/podcasts!\nBlog Partner\n© 2015-2023 Jeff Adams & Will Knauss. | \"Big Gay\" is a registered trademark.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1566270"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5174917578697205,"wiki_prob":0.5174917578697205,"text":"Fútbol News\nFútbol Entertainment\nLanguage Language Idiomas\nHome Home Inicio\nLatinos Don't Care About Winter Olympics; Maybe Ice Soccer Is The Recipe To Bring Them Onboard\nBy Luis Vidal February 11, 2022\nTrue fact: Latinoamerica has zero medals in the history of the event.\nToday everybody in Mexico is on the figure skater Donovan Carrillo's bandwagon. But, let's be honest, Mexicans and Latinos, in general, don't give an F about the Winter Olympics.\nOne relevant piece of data to support this opinion? As of Feb. 11 of 2022, no Latino has ever won a medal in the event. EVER. No gold, no silver, no bronze. That's a massive region in the world with ZERO accomplishments on ice or snow.\nSure, the governments could help finance and promote some of the disciplines. But at the end of the day, we — you and I — know the lack of interest in winter sports is because most people perceive them as expensive activities or hobbies for rich and annoying folks.\nAnd nothing inspires the masses less than the achievements of people born with a silver spoon.\nThere are other reasons, as Jennifer Lopez (yes, the unique and only J-Lo) and Fred Armisen pointed out in a funny sketch for Saturday Night Live a few years ago.\nIs Ice Soccer The Secret To Attract Latinos To The Winter Olympics?\nOK, it is evident: Winter Olympics and Latinos are mutually exclusive terms. But it doesn't need to be like this. And that's why, in an effort to bring a solution for all those involved, I proposed the inclusion of ice soccer in the competition. Or ice football, if you prefer.\nThe biggest pro: soccer is the No. 1 sport in Latinoamerica, and this could expand the market for the International Olympic Committee (IOC), an institution that falls like a fly when sensing the sweet smell of money.\nNext, I reckon we have several challenges to make the sport worth the Olympic consideration, starting with the creation of local and international federations able to foresee the basic frame for the activity. The reason behind this is because ice soccer is not an established sport. Gasp!\nThere have been some efforts, though. In Germany, for example, Stefan Raab created the TV Total Deutscher Eisfußball-Pokal, a seven-a-side soccer game played on an ice rink. The rules were the same as football, while the players were wearing bowling shoes to add an extra layer of excitement. The tournament started in 2009 but was discontinued in 2015.\nYou also can find online some ice soccer friendly games in Russia.\nBut despite the lack of continuity in its practice, both cases show ice soccer has potential. I agree finesse and game flow are areas that need to be improved, but at the same time, nobody can deny this is an example of dumb high-quality and ratings-grabber TV. So good that even Latino sport-snobs will end up embracing it.\nI know it is a slippery subject, but think about it, IOC.\nAnd maybe one day Latinoamerica will care about the Winter Olympics and it would be able to grab its first medal ever in the event.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1034898"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9115217924118042,"wiki_prob":0.9115217924118042,"text":"In this drone image, snow blankets a neighborhood, Sunday, Dec. 25, 2022, in Cheektowaga, N.Y. Millions of people hunkered down against a deep freeze Sunday…\nIn this drone image, snow blankets a neighborhood, Sunday, Dec. 25, 2022, in Cheektowaga, N.Y. Millions of people hunkered down against a deep freeze Sunday morning to ride out the frigid storm that has killed at least 24 people across the United States and is expected to claim more lives after trapping some residents inside houses with heaping snow drifts and knocking out power to several hundred thousand homes and businesses.(John Waller via AP)\nAt least 49 dead after winter storm, more snow on the way\nBUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — The death toll from a Buffalo-area blizzard rose to 27 in western New York, authorities said Monday as the region reeled from one of the worst weather-related disasters in its history. Much of the rest of the United States was hit by ferocious winter conditions.\nThe dead around Buffalo were found in their cars, homes and in snowbanks. Some died while shoveling snow. The storm that walloped much of the country is now blamed for at least 49 deaths nationwide, with rescue and recovery efforts continuing Monday.\nErie County Executive Mark Poloncarz described the blizzard as “the worst storm probably in our lifetime” and warned there may be more dead. Some people, he noted, were stranded in their cars for more than two days.\n“It’s just a horrible situation that we can see sort of the light at the end of the tunnel. But this is not the end yet,” he said Monday.\nScientists said that the warming earth may have contributed to the intensity of the storm. That’s because the atmosphere can carry more water vapor, which acts as fuel, said Mark Serreze, director of the National Snow and Ice Data Center at the University of Colorado, Boulder.\nThe National Weather Service said Monday that up to 9 more inches of snow could fall in some areas through Tuesday.\nThe blizzard roared through western New York Friday and Saturday, stranding motorists, knocking out power and preventing emergency crews from reaching residents in frigid homes and stuck cars.\nWith many grocery stores in the Buffalo area closed and driving bans in place, some people pleaded on social media for donations of food and diapers.\nExtreme weather stretched from the Great Lakes near Canada to the Rio Grande along the border with Mexico. About 60% of the U.S. population faced some sort of winter weather advisory or warning, and temperatures plummeted drastically below normal from east of the Rocky Mountains to the Appalachians.\nSome 2,085 domestic and international flights were canceled on Monday as of about noon EDT, according to the tracking site FlightAware. The site said Southwest Airlines had 1,253 cancellations — nearly a third of its scheduled flights and about five times as many as any other major U.S. carrier. An email sent to Southwest was not immediately returned and the Dallas-based airline hadn’t updated its website about the conditions since Saturday.\nBased on FlightAware data, airports all across the U.S. were suffering from cancellations and delays, including Denver, Atlanta, Las Vegas, Seattle, Baltimore and Chicago.\nRelief is coming this week, though, with forecasts calling for temperatures to slowly rise, said Ashton Robinson Cook, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service.\n“Nothing like what we had last week,” said said adding that the bomb cyclone — when atmospheric pressure drops very quickly in a strong storm — has weakened. It developed near the Great Lakes, stirring up blizzard conditions, including heavy winds and snow.\nNew York Gov. Kathy Hochul said almost every fire truck in Buffalo was stranded Saturday and she implored people Sunday to respect an ongoing driving ban in the region. The National Weather Service said the snow total at the Buffalo Niagara International Airport stood at 49.2 inches (1.25 meters) at 10 a.m. Monday. Officials said the airport would be shut through Tuesday morning.\nTwo people died in their suburban Cheektowaga, New York, homes Friday when emergency crews could not reach them in time to treat their medical conditions.\nFreezing conditions and power outages had Buffalonians scrambling to get to anywhere with heat amid what Hochul called the longest sustained blizzard conditions ever in the city.\nIn a nearby home, Shahida Muhammad told WKBW that an outage knocked out power to her 1-year-old son’s ventilator. She and the child’s father manually administered breaths from Friday until Sunday when rescuers saw her desperate social media posts and came to their aid.\nErie County officials said they went to the family’s home Saturday but that no one came to the door. Muhammad said they were there but thankfully her son was doing well despite the ordeal. She described him as “a fighter.”\nThe storm knocked out power in communities from Maine to Seattle. The mid-Atlantic grid operator had called for its 65 million consumers to conserve energy amid the freeze Saturday.\nStorm-related deaths were reported all over the country, from six motorists killed in crashes in Missouri, Kansas and Kentucky to a woman who fell through Wisconsin river ice and a deadly Kansas homeless camp fire.\nIn Jackson, Mississippi, city officials on Christmas Day announced residents must now boil their drinking water due to water lines bursting in the frigid temperatures.\nVictor Gensini, a meteorology professor at Northern Illinois University, likened a single weather event to an “at-bat” and the climate as your “batting average.”\n“It’s hard to say,” Serreze said. “But are the dice a little bit loaded now? Absolutely.”","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line924164"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5458134412765503,"wiki_prob":0.5458134412765503,"text":"YONKERS MAYOR MIKE SPANO TO CUT RIBBON AT WARBURTON GARAGE\nYonkers, NY (February 21, 2013) – Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano will officially announce the completion of the new $14 Million Warburton Garage at a ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday February 22, 2013. The development was financed as a Public Private Partnership with $3.8 million in tax-exempt bonds, $4.0 million in municipal grants, a $2.7 million taxable mortgage and $3.5 million in New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) equity from Solomon Hess CDE in partnership with Goldman Sachs, Yonkers Industrial Development Agency, Yonkers EDC, Hudson Valley Bank and the National Development Council (NDC).\nThe Warburton Garage, is one part of a continuing revitalization effort to attract residential and small business investment in downtown Yonkers. The 300 space garage will serve area small businesses as well as tenants of the adjacent iPark commercial, industrial and research complex and visitors to the Yonkers Public Library. The garage will set aside 78 spaces for use by residents of the adjacent Warburton Riverview Apartments, a new workforce housing development financed in part with Federal Low Income Housing Tax Credits and City HOME funds.\n“The revitalization of downtown Yonkers would not be complete without this newly constructed and efficient parking facility that now will house vehicles of those who choose to live, work and raise a family in Yonkers,” said Mayor Mike Spano. “The Warburton Garage is a symbol of the great change occurring in Yonkers. We give special thanks to the National Development Council, our State delegation, the Yonkers IDA, the Yonkers Planning & Development Department and the City Engineer for making this project a success for the City.”\n“Downtown Yonkers is undergoing an exciting revitalization which is taking our City to new heights,” said Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Democratic Conference Leader (D/I/WF – 35th District). “This new parking garage will spur further growth by drawing more people to downtown Yonkers’ great restaurants and businesses, historic Phillipse Manor Hall, the beautiful Hudson riverfront and of course the newly daylighted Saw Mill River at Van Der Donck Park. New York State is proud to be a key partner in Yonkers’ revitalization.”\n“This attractive parking garage made it possible to preserve the Philipse Manor Historic District and allow for the adaptive reuse of the Warburton Lofts and the workforce housing on North Broadway,” said Chuck Lesnick, Yonkers City Council President. “It is unfortunate that the County walked away from its $2.5 Housing Infrastructure Fund (HIF) commitment but I am proud that City stepped forward to both lead the way and then fill the gap.”\nA critical component of this comprehensive redevelopment initiative will be a new small business incubator and complementary loan fund. NDC, with the assistance of its affiliate The Grow America Fund, will be establishing a $2 million loan fund to support both existing small businesses and new small businesses drawn to downtown Yonkers by the garage development. The City expects these funds to assist both manufacturing and emerging technology companies and create over 75 new full-time jobs.\n“NDC has worked in the City of Yonkers since 1999 assisting the City in structuring over $2.5 Billion in projects” said Robert W. Davenport, President of NDC “The City lacks adequate parking to support and sustain the downtown growth that has resulted from this investment. We are proud to partner with Solomon Hess, Goldman Sachs, and the City of Yonkers to create parking and support continuing revitalization efforts”\nThe ribbon cuttings will he held at the Warburton Avenue garage entrance, at the crossroads of Warburton Avenue and Dock Street, at 11:30am on February 22, 2013.\nAbout National Development Council\nThe National Development Council (NDC) is the oldest national non-profit community and economic development organizations in the U.S. It was founded in 1969 with one purpose: increasing the flow of capital for investment, jobs and community development to under served urban and rural areas across the country. Since that time, NDC has worked with thousands of communities in every one of the 50 states and Puerto Rico, providing technical assistance, professional training, investment in affordable housing, small business financing and direct developer services. NDC has been using New Markets Tax Credits (NMTC) to support economic and community development since the program’s inception. NDC not only provides tax credit equity to our client communities, but also assists communities in structuring their NMTC deals, finding the necessary additional financing, and developing relationships with other organizations that receive allocations of the tax credits. To date NDC has invested over $587.6 million in 71 projects generating over $1 billion in total investment.\nAbout the New Markets Tax Credit Program\nThe New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) Program was established by Congress in 2000 to encourage the investment of private capital in designated low-income communities in order to create jobs, generate economic activity and improve the quality of services in low-income communities and to low-income persons. The NMTC Program attracts investment capital to low-income communities by permitting individual and corporate investors to receive a tax credit against their federal income tax return in exchange for making qualified equity investments in specialized financial institutions called Community Development Entities (CDEs). Capital raised by the CDEs is then used to provide below-market financing to qualified businesses in low-income communities. The credit totals 39 percent of the original investment amount and is claimed over a period of seven years.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line983287"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9882652759552002,"wiki_prob":0.9882652759552002,"text":"Revisiting San Juan Hill, the neighborhood destroyed to make way for Lincoln Center\nBy Anastasia Tsioulcas\nPublished October 7, 2022 at 12:00 PM EDT\nLawrence Sumulong\nCourtesy of Lincoln Center\nComposer and trumpeter Etienne Charles, in a portrait taken inside the newly renovated David Geffen Hall at Lincoln Center.\nThink back to the opening of the 2021 film version of the musical West Side Story. The very first thing we see is acres of rubble, and a sign: \"This property purchased by the New York Housing Authority for slum clearance.\"\nThat's an allusion to a real neighborhood that was destroyed to make way for Lincoln Center. In the 1950s, San Juan Hill was mostly a community of Black and Puerto Rican residents. Their story — and even the name of their neighborhood — has been mostly scrubbed from history. Now, a new piece of music being premiered by the New York Philharmonic aims to acknowledge that past.\nLong before Lincoln Center existed, San Juan Hill was a nexus for African American and Caribbean culture. It nurtured many jazz greats, who lived and played there — including alto saxophonist Benny Carter, who grew up in the neighborhood, and pianist Herbie Nichols, who was born there to parents from St. Kitts and Trinidad. Duke Ellington and cornet player Rex Stewart even co-wrote a tune named in tribute to this community, where dance halls and jazz clubs thrived.\nBut in the 1950s, the powerful urban planner Robert Moses led the effort to have San Juan Hill razed, with the intention of establishing a midtown campus for Fordham University and creating Lincoln Center. He displaced more than 7,000 families as well as some 800 businesses. In a 1977 interview with New York's public television station, WNET, Moses defended destroying San Juan Hill.\nWhen the interviewer asked about San Juan Hill, Moses retorted: \"Now I ask you, what was that neighborhood? It was a Puerto Rican slum. You remember it?\" No, the host admitted.\n\"Yeah, well, I lived on one of those streets there for a number of years, and I know exactly what it was like,\" Moses responded. (There is no record of Moses residing in this neighborhood, according to Robert Caro's magisterial biography of Moses, The Power Broker.)\n\"It was the worst slum in New York,\" Moses insisted in the television interview. \"You want to leave it there? Why? Out of account of neighborhood business? Christ, you never could have been there. That was the worst slum in New York,\" he bellowed, clapping his hands for emphasis. \"And we cleared it out.\"\nProfessor Yarimar Bonilla is the director of the Center for Puerto Rican Studies at Hunter College. She says Robert Moses intentionally used highly charged language about San Juan Hill.\n\"Robert Moses in particular,\" Bonilla says, \"He used a lot of kind of medical language talking about the slums as these cancers that had to be eradicated and cleaned up, almost as if it was a disease that could spread.\"\nLawrence Sumulong / Courtesy of Lincoln Center\nA mural depicting the history of San Juan Hill by graffiti and visual artist Wicked GF (Gary Fritz) and his graffiti crew The EX VANDALS, created in Brooklyn as part of the San Juan Hill: A New York Story project.\n60 years after Lincoln Center's opening and a $550 million renovation later, the New York Philharmonic's home at Lincoln Center, David Geffen Hall, is reopening this weekend. Lincoln Center is taking this opportunity to readdress the narrative of its founding.\nIt invited Etienne Charles — a composer, trumpet player, percussionist and Guggenheim fellow — to think deeply about that complicated past, and create a piece of music that would acknowledge that hidden history. So Etienne Charles created a new work for the Philharmonic and his band, Creole Soul called San Juan Hill: A New York Story.\nCharles is originally from Trinidad. He had never heard of San Juan Hill until he moved to New York to study for a master's degree at Juilliard, which is part of the Lincoln Center campus.\nCharles eventually realized, however, that the razed neighborhood had significant Caribbean connections — and to jazz. Initially, Charles learned that pianist Herbie Nichols (whose roots were also in Trinidad) was from San Juan Hill. Not long after, the Jamaican pianist Monty Alexander told Charles that composer and pianist Thelonious Monk had also grown up in San Juan Hill.\n\"Monty Alexander came to my house,\" Charles recounts, \"And we were working on some music for his concert. He started playing Monk's music and he's like, 'You realize Monk's music has a Caribbean bounce, right?' And I said, 'I never thought about it.' He started playing Green Chimneys — 'Boom, boom, boom, boom, ba-doo-boo, boom, boom, boom, boom, ba doo,'\" Charles says, enunciating the Monk tune's rhythm. \"Monk heard Caribbean music in San Jan Hill all around him.\"\nComposer and trumpeter Etienne Charles, whose San Juan Hill: A New York Story inaugurates the newly renovated David Geffen Hall.\nCharles notes that once Lincoln Center opened in 1962, even its physical campus felt literally exclusive to some. The institution's general shape, he says, is of the letter C, with a large plaza and impressive fountain facing Broadway. \"And the C has its back to the neighborhood,\" he adds — an area that includes the Amsterdam Houses, a public housing project immediately behind Lincoln Center. \"You can make huge statements with architecture,\" the musician observes. \"It's body language with bricks.\"\nCharles recalls an interview that he and one of his San Juan Hill collaborators, photographer Hollis King, did for this project. \"Hollis asked somebody who still lives in the neighborhood, 'What was your most memorable musical event in the neighborhood?'\"\n\"And he said,\" Charles continues, \"My most memorable musical event was when Tito Puente played.' And then he added, 'But it wasn't in the neighborhood. It was at Lincoln Center.'\" Charles pauses to let that exchange sink in. \"There's sometimes that moment when somebody tells you what you see.\"\nCharles' meditation on San Juan Hill will be the very first piece of music to be heard in the newly renovated David Geffen Hall at Lincoln Center. It's also the first time that Lincoln Center has ever commissioned music for the New York Philharmonic. Charles worked with a number of creative multi-discipline collaborators to make San Juan Hill come alive.\nShanta Thake is the chief artistic officer at Lincoln Center. She says commissioning Charles to write such a piece was a crucial moment of reckoning for the institution.\nMichael Moran / Courtesy of Lincoln Center\nThe newly renovated interior of David Geffen Hall: the Wu Tsai theater.\n\"What an example, what a moment that would be, to open David Geffen Hall with this commission, with this story, and really confront our past head-on as we move into the future,\" Thake says. \"Not kind of blank slate everything, but really make things more complicated for ourselves — and I think in a way actually allow us to make space for what's next.\"\nThake continues, \"I think the cultural sector has even more of a responsibility to hold our histories and not to plaster over them. It matters whose stories we have historically told. It certainly matters that we tell our own story fully, and with all the complexity and the mistakes that we made. That's okay.\"\nIn his musical portrait of San Juan Hill, Etienne Charles wanted to move through many dimensions — chronological, stylistic, and demographic, from Gullah Geechee shipyard workers to recently arrived European communities, as well as historical moments and figures in the neighborhood.\n\"This piece is about showing the magic of the culture that was created when these people came together here,\" Charles says. \"Gullah dance here, paseo rhythm there, Antillean waltz here, Sicilian folk chant there, Irish drunk song there — all of these different pieces together mixed up, the blues from the South. It created a vibe that fed not just American culture, but influenced everything that would happen and come out of New York for the next 50 years.\"\nCharles' piece references lots of music made and heard in the neighborhood — including the Charleston dance. Although it's named after the South Carolina city, it was actually born right in San Juan Hill, thanks to composer and pianist James P. Johnson, who had grown up partly in the neighborhood and later frequently played at one of its clubs.\n\"Then from the Charleston, we get to the serious part,\" Charles explains, \"Which is urban removal, with the 10 years from 1949 to 1959 when it went from the Housing Act to the groundbreaking of Lincoln Center. And then the last part is a piece called House Rent Party, where was you know, we could all come together.\"\nTickets for this world premiere are priced as pay-what-you-want, starting at $5 per seat, with some free tickets available the day of the performance — another way of making Lincoln Center a truly welcoming space for all New Yorkers.\nSan Juan Hill: A New York Story has its world premiere this Saturday.\nAnastasia Tsioulcas\nAnastasia Tsioulcas is a reporter on NPR's Arts desk. She is intensely interested in the arts at the intersection of culture, politics, economics and identity, and primarily reports on music. Recently, she has extensively covered gender issues and #MeToo in the music industry, including backstage tumult and alleged secret deals in the wake of sexual misconduct allegations against megastar singer Plácido Domingo; gender inequity issues at the Grammy Awards and the myriad accusations of sexual misconduct against singer R. Kelly.\nSee stories by Anastasia Tsioulcas","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1864349"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6193995475769043,"wiki_prob":0.3806004524230957,"text":"Southern Alberta Institute of Technology Ensures Public Safety with Virtual Call-Back Queues\nTimely Implementation of Call-Back Queue System Safely Manages Student Services\nAs a polytechnic institute, the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) experiences year-round enrollment dates, with programs starting throughout the year. With multiple campuses across Calgary, they have over 30,000 students enrolled at any time. Due to these rolling enrolment dates, they also have a constant influx of potential students. Consistently this year, potential students are looking for program information and want to connect with actual members of the academic departments.\nA large university was experiencing long lines and unhappy students. They needed a way to manage the queue and give students their time back\nSAIT turned to QLess to help manage their queues, give staff important insight into operational performance, and gave students a better way to wait.\nBefore the COVID-19 pandemic hit, SAIT’s Office of the Registrar was experiencing between 100 and 150 calls per day from students and prospective students. When the pandemic hit, they realized that they would need to cancel all in-person classes and close their campuses. They also required an immediate solution to manage these calls. With campuses closed and many unknowns about the next few months of programs, the office experienced a 47 percent increase in calls from concerned students. They needed a way to help all these students efficiently.\nThat’s why, when they received an email about virtual call-back queues from QLess, they knew they needed to implement this system quickly. Within four days, the team was working remotely, and the virtual call-back queue was up and running.\n“The experience has been fantastic. The staff love it, and the students are no longer complaining about the length of the wait times.”\n— Scott Robinson\nBUSINESS CHALLENGE\nColleges and universities around the globe began closing their campuses in mid-March to protect staff and students from the coronavirus. SAIT was preparing for the closure but was unsure how to transition to remote working, especially for those dealing directly with students and prospects. In addition, they knew that student calls would likely increase due to these unprecedented circumstances, as students would be worried and want to know what was happening with their education.\n“The lines don’t stop during the day, especially during peak times,” said Scott Robinson, Associate Registrar. “Because of that, we’ve had to constantly monitor and manage how many employees are in the office, available to help. Lunch times, break time—they all have to be adjusted to help with these longer lines.”\nBefore the pandemic, students were unable to make appointments with the registrar's office. They would have to show up, join the queue and wait. Throughout the day, the lines wouldn’t stop. During peak times or periods of fewer staff, students could be waiting for hours to be seen. When preparing for the closure of campuses, SAIT knew that without face-to-face meetings, the number of calls they received, which was usually around 100 calls a day, could increase. They needed a digital solution that would let them help students efficiently, and that could be implemented immediately to prepare for the closure.\nVirtual call-back queues by QLess represented the perfect solution for SAIT. After alerting the team at the registrar's office, a quick decision was made to implement the system. Within four days, staff were working remotely and the virtual system was in place. All that SAIT needed to do was to equip their employees with cell phones to manage the calls.\nThe solution has had many immediate benefits, including increased staff and student satisfaction. “The experience has been fantastic,” said Robinson. “The staff love it and the students are no longer complaining about the length of the wait times.”\nStaff have also noticed an immediate increase in the quality of calls they were getting. Typically, they would receive many calls throughout the day that were for other departments. The QLess system helped them filter through the calls that were not for them. Now, the people entering the callback queue are real leads with specific needs. These included current or prospective students with questions or concerns that could be handled directly by the registrar’s office.\nIf there is a benefit to be seen from the pandemic, it could be how it has forced people and businesses to challenge traditional methods to achieve their goals. Before the pandemic, SAIT had looked into implementing a digital solution to leverage their call center system, but were worried about managing real-time calls alongside messages that needed to be returned. Their experience with QLess has shown them that virtual call-back queues have actually helped them. “Despite what we anticipated, the call-back queue doesn’t bog us down. It has actually helped us be more efficient,” said Robinson.\nWith call volumes increasing by over 47 percent, the call back queue has enabled the registrar’s office to serve a higher volume of students per day. By using a call-back queue, if someone does not answer or if that person hangs up, staff are no longer left waiting and can simply move onto the next person. The office has experienced a higher throughput of relevant calls, but has managed to increase the number of students served in a day from 97 students to 151. Staff have been impressed with the specific nature of the calls coming in.\nBefore implementing QLess, they would have many student requests come through that weren’t for their department. Having to field these calls and connect callers with the appropriate department would take up valuable time that could be spent on relevant requests. With QLess, they have noticed a steep drop in calls that are not specifically for their department, which has helped them serve students effectively. Students have adjusted to the call back service, citing that they’re happy to receive updates on their wait times and appreciative that they don’t have to wait on the line.\nAs the pandemic rapidly changes, plans for higher education institutes are constantly evolving. With QLess, SAIT is confident that they can manage the uncertainty, while helping concerned students and prospects efficiently. “We don’t know how the future will play out,” said Scott, “ But we do know that we will need to continue integrating these digital solutions into our everyday services in the future.”\nEmpower your customers to wait wherever they want with QLess.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line255449"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6519737839698792,"wiki_prob":0.34802621603012085,"text":"Summer School for Women Workers in Industry\nStudents sitting for a group photograph in the Cloisters, 1930\nHome » Browse All Collections » Summer School for Women Workers in Industry\nThe Bryn Mawr Summer School for Women Workers in Industry, which ran from 1921 to 1938, was a residential summer school program that brought approximately 100 young working women—mostly factory workers with minimal education—to the Bryn Mawr College campus for eight weeks of liberal arts study. Conceived as part of the workers' education movement in the 1920s and 30s, the program was the first of its kind aimed at women in the United States. The School is also notable because in 1926, at the suggestion of students and against former College President and SSWWI founder M. Carey Thomas's wishes, Hilda Worthington Smith admitted five African-American students to the summer school at a time when Bryn Mawr College had no Black graduates. This collection includes photographs, mostly donated by SSWWI alumnae/i.\nStudents from the Bryn Mawr Summer School for Women Workers in Industry\nStudents walking down a path on the Bryn Mawr College campus.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line381725"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8867772817611694,"wiki_prob":0.8867772817611694,"text":"Kicking the death penalty out of Illinois | Campaign to End the Death Penalty\nBy: Marlene Martin\nBoth the state House and Senate have passed legislation that will abolish the death penalty. As of mid-January, that bill sat on the desk of Gov. Pat Quinn. With his signature—and it was still not certain as the New Abolitionist was being produced that Quinn would sign the legislation—Illinois would become the 16th state without the death penalty.\nExonerated Illinois death row prisoners like Nathson Fields feel the significance of this moment, even before Quinn had announced his decision. “I feel elated, full of hope,” said Fields. “I spent eleven and a half years on death row for a crime I did not commit. Illinois being on the verge of tossing out the death penalty—this will affect other states. This will send the message that it can be done, it should be done.”\nvia nodeathpenalty.org\nFeb 9, 2011 5:22:09 AM | ABOLITION, CAPITAL PUNISHMENT, ILLINOIS\n“Irvine 11” charged with conspiracy | 89.3 KPCC The Orange County District Attorney has charged the so-called “Irvine 11” with conspiring to disrupt a speech by Israeli ambassador Michael Oren at UC Irvine last year. In a statement, District Attorney Tony Rackauckas defended the misdemeanor charges against the...\nCourt Unseals ACLU and EFF's Motions on Behalf of Twitter User Birgitta Jonsdottir Blog of Rights: Official Blog of the American Civil Liberties Union Today, a court unsealed three motions filed by the ACLU and Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) last month on behalf of Birgitta Jonsdottir, the Icelandic parliamentarian whose Twitter account records were targeted by the government in connection with its investigation related...","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line726294"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5024877786636353,"wiki_prob":0.49751222133636475,"text":"Exit Interview: Matt Carpenter\nLast year, I spent the time immediately after the season examining each player that had made an appearance in St. Louis during the season. This series was well received and so I’m bringing this idea back for the 2013 offseason. More summaries than anything, I imagine the player coming into Mike Matheny‘s office and having a short conference before heading home for the winter. Stats are just the ones accumulated for the Cardinals during the regular season.\nThis year’s Exit Interview series is brought to you by Bonfyre. A large number of the United Cardinal Bloggers used Bonfyre all season long and found it a great way to interact and discuss things in a limited audience. No need to worry about some pseudo-fan crashing your Facebook conversation or trying to explain fine points in 140 characters on Twitter. Invite who you want to the group and get to talking. Share pictures as well–Bonfyre is a great way to document parties or other events, especially for folks that can’t be there. Sign up today and give it a try.\nPlayer: Matt Carpenter\nSeason stats: 157 games, 717 PA, 126 R, 55 2B, 7 3B, 11 HR, 78 RBI, 72 BB, 98 K, .318/.392/.481\nHero/Goat: Hero 13, Goat 11\nOverall grade: A+\nPositives: If Carpenter had been able to play second base without an error a game and hit around .270 or so, this would have been a successful season for him. He did a little more than that. To break a Stan Musial record (most doubles by a lefty in Cardinal history) is an amazing symbol of what Carpenter brought to the team. He led the league in runs as well since he took to the leadoff slot like Bill Ivie to a promotional opportunity. I don’t think that you can say enough about Carpenter’s season and it’s a shame that he finished out of the top three in the MVP race.\nNegatives: All that awesomeness took a toll on Carpenter. He reached 199 hits with a couple of days left in the season, but was unable to get that 200th knock. Then, in the postseason, he hit just .217 and his OBP was 100 points lower than it was during the regular schedule. Whether he just wore down or the pitching level of difficulty ramped up (it’s not like anyone else hit either), his slump in October made it difficult for the lineup to get going.\nOutlook: We’ve likely seen Carpenter’s career year and he should come back to earth some next season. That said, he’s going to be an offensive plus for this team for a number of years to come. Whether that is at third base, second base, or both remains to be seen after the moves of this offseason. No matter where he plays, though, he’s likely to hit and be an asset to the team.\nNext Post: Exit Interview: Adron Chambers\nPrevious Post: Exit Interview: Keith Butler","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1064985"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.686485767364502,"wiki_prob":0.31351423263549805,"text":"Community Home > creative_scalable\ncreative_scalable\nWritten By: Carol Roth\nArticle written by Carol Roth\nFollow @caroljsroth\nCarol Roth is a national media personality, ‘recovering’ investment banker, investor, speaker and author of the New York Times bestselling book, The Entrepreneur Equation. She is a judge on the Mark Burnett (Shark Tank, The Voice, Survivor, The Apprentice) produced technology competition series, America's Greatest Makers, airing on TBS and Host of Microsoft's Office Small Business Academy show. Previously, Carol was the host and co-producer of The Noon Show, a current events talk show on WGN Radio, one of the top stations in the country, and a contributor to CNBC, as well as a frequent guest on Fox News, CNN, Fox Business and other stations. Carol's multimedia commentary covers business and the economy, current events, politics and pop culture topics. Carol has helped her clients complete more than $2 billion in capital raising and M&A transactions. She is a Top 100 Small Business Influencer (2011-2015) and has her own action figure. Twitter: @CarolJSRoth","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line399033"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8213844299316406,"wiki_prob":0.8213844299316406,"text":"Ushering in a new era of computing | MIT News\nDecember 21, 2022 by Rebecca\nAs a graduate student doing his master’s thesis on speech recognition at the MIT AI Lab (now the MIT Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory), Dan Huttenlocher worked closely with Professor Victor Zue. Well known for pioneering the development of systems that enable an user to interact with computers using spoken language, Zue traveled frequently to Asia — where much of the early research in speech recognition happened during the 1980s. Huttenlocher occasionally accompanied his professor on these trips, many of which involved interactions with members of MIT Industrial Liaison Program, as he recalls. “It was a tremendous opportunity,” according to Huttenlocher, “and it was a large part of what built my interest in engaging with companies and industry in addition to the academic side of research.”\nHuttenlocher went on to earn his PhD in computer vision at the Institute and has since embarked on a career that encompasses academia, industry, and the philanthropic sector. In addition to solidifying his status as an esteemed researcher in the academic realm, he spent 12 years as a scientist at Xerox’s Palo Alto Research Center before leaving to co-found a financial technology company. He served on the board of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation from 2010-22 (including as chair starting in 2018), and serves on the boards of directors at Amazon.com and Corning, Inc. He also helped found Cornell Tech, the technology, business, law, and design campus in New York City built by Cornell University. There, he was the school’s first dean and vice provost, guiding its efforts to tie together industry and computing to enhance New York’s tech ecosystem.\nToday, Huttenlocher serves as the inaugural dean at MIT Schwarzman College of Computing. To highlight the significance of this moment in time, and the need for an interdisciplinary computing hub like the college of computing, he references the oft-cited prediction that software would gobble up and disrupt traditional industry structures. Huttenlocher believes that while this insight was right, what we’re experiencing now is something different, greater, with vast implications for humanity. Computing on the whole — not only software but also hardware, algorithms, and machine learning — has evolved to the point where it is redefining our approach to problem-solving in nearly every industry sector, discipline, and area of research. This, he suggests, is also redefining reality as we experience it.\nWith Huttenlocher steering, the college is both recognition and response to a new era of computing. It explores ways to support, but also to lead, the technological changes that are reshaping the world. A bidirectional, interdisciplinary approach is key to the agenda, according to Huttenlocher. “We want to harness the forefront of results in computing and infuse them with the other disciplines,” he says. “This means helping departments outside of computing stretch toward computing, but we also want to help the computing fields to stretch toward the other disciplines.” To accomplish this, Huttenlocher and the college aim to forge strong ties and collaborations in education and research between computing and a broad range of disciplines at MIT, across all five schools, departments, and programs at the graduate and the undergraduate levels.\nFrom an operations standpoint, the college is not yet three years old, but Huttenlocher has already overseen the rollout of several programs and initiatives that build toward the infusion of computing with other disciplines. MIT committed to the creation of 50 new faculty positions for the college: 25 in computer science and artificial intelligence, and 25 shared positions rooted in other academic departments not primarily focused on computing. Thus far, it has hired 25 new faculty members with a half-dozen in shared positions.\nHe has also overseen the development of Common Ground for Computing Education, a platform that unites experts from departments across the Institute to develop and teach new courses and launch programs that blend computing with the other disciplines. It aims to capitalize on the ubiquity of computing through a coordinated approach to computing education at the Institute. Current common ground subject offerings include “Interactive data visualization and society,” “Solving real-world problems with optimization and computational imaging: Physics to algorithms,” and “Julia: Solving real-world problems with computation.”\nThe Social and Ethical Responsibilities of Computing (SERC), meanwhile, is a cross-cutting initiative that encourages responsible technology development and deployment by incorporating insights and methods from the humanities and social sciences with an emphasis on social responsibility. “SERC brings together multiple viewpoints — social scientists and humanists, engineers and computer scientists — because so much of understanding the societal and ethical challenges of computing is about combining expertise across these disciplines,” says Huttenlocher. The initiative relies on a clearly defined teaching, research, and engagement framework designed to assess the broad challenges and opportunities associated with computing while fostering what it refers to as “responsible habits of mind and action” in MIT students who create and deploy computing technologies. Proving demand and impact, in 2021 more than 2,100 students were enrolled in subjects in which SERC worked with instructors to incorporate social and ethical issues into the syllabus.\nIn his book, “The Age of AI: And Our Human Future” (Little, Brown, 2021), co-authored with Henry Kissinger and Eric Schmidt, Huttenlocher explores the ways in which artificial intelligence is fundamentally changing how we view ourselves as human beings, our role in society, how we perceive the world around us, and the need for collaboration across disciplines to define the future. Reflecting on what he and his colleagues have been able to accomplish at the college in such a short time frame, Huttenlocher says he is impressed with and proud of what so many at MIT have already contributed to. But that the work is far from finished: “I believe are now getting to the point where we are starting to have impacts in parts of MIT, but we’re working toward broad impact, an infusion between computing and the disciplines across the Institute — that is the aspiration of MIT Schwarzman College of Computing,” he says.\nCategories Artificial intelligence Tags Common Ground for Computing Education, Cornell Tech, Dan Huttenlocher, interdisciplinary collaboration, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MIT, MIT administrators, MIT Industrial Liaison Program, MIT News, MIT Schwarzman College of Computing, Social and Ethical Responsibilities of Computing (SERC), The Age of AI: And Our Human Future, Victor Zue\nLarge language models help decipher clinical notes | MIT News\nBusy GPUs: Sampling and pipelining method speeds up deep learning on large graphs | MIT News","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1101873"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7446344494819641,"wiki_prob":0.7446344494819641,"text":"« His cis, straight, liberal parents\nAt a conference on preventing cyberbullying »\nSuch a starkly disproportionate impact\nAug 20th, 2018 | By Ophelia Benson\nThat Georgia county that’s planning to close 7 of its 9 polling places is getting a lot of attention from civil rights groups.\nThe closures would come just before a high-stakes midterm election in which Stacey Abrams, a black woman, is the Democratic nominee for governor.\n“This is nothing more than a racially motivated, voter suppression scheme that aims to lock Black voters out of a historic election cycle,” Kristen Clarke, who leads the Lawyers’ Committee on Civil Rights Under Law, tweeted on Sunday. The Lawyers’ Committee, representing three Georgia civil rights groups, sent a letter to the Randolph County Board of Elections and Registration threatening legal action if the plan moves forward.\nIt’s a rural county, with no public transportation, and a majority-black population.\nSome residents would have to travel more than 10 miles to vote in a county that lacks public transportation. According to the Census Bureau, the county is more than 60 percent black, and 30 percent of residents live in poverty, nearly twice Georgia’s 16 percent statewide poverty rate.\nLast week, the Georgia chapter of the ACLU likewise threatened legal action against the county. In a letter, the group pointed out that the transportation difficulties of reaching a polling location would fall disproportionately on the county’s poor, black, rural voters. “When polling place configurations or closures have such a starkly disproportionate impact on racial minorities or lower-income rural voters without transportation, such closures almost certainly constitute a violation of the Voting Rights Act or the United States Constitution,” the letter warned.\nThat kind of crap used to be absolutely routine in the South, and that’s why Johnson pushed for the Voting Rights Act.\nThe election board defended its plan at two contentious public meetings last week, according to the local Fox affiliate. A consultant hired by the board explained that the seven locations slated for closure are not compliant with the Americans With Disabilities Act, and the board doesn’t have time to fix the problem before the election. The Lawyers’ Committee, finding the justification unreasonable, submitted a public records request in order to acquire information about how the board reached its decision. Georgia’s secretary of state, Brian Kemp, who is also the Republican nominee for governor, issued a statement urging the county to abandon the plan; Abrams likewise announced her opposition.\nThe plan to close these precincts was made possible by the Supreme Court, which in 2013 struck down a provision of the Voting Rights Act that required jurisdictions with a history of racial discrimination to clear changes to voting procedures with the federal government. In his decision, Chief Justice John Roberts said that the South had changed since the law passed in 1965, and that the burden of clearing changes with the government was no longer necessary.\nHa. Ha ha ha fucking ha.\nClose down the polling locations, that’ll fix ’em\nVoting is for solid citizens with plenty of $$\nEnormous, disproportionate impact on black minority women\nWelcome, voters, how long can you hold it?\n868 fewer places to vote\n3 Responses to “Such a starkly disproportionate impact”\ntiggerthewing\nSo, the answer to polling stations which might be inaccessible to Americans with disabilities is…\n…tada! To make them inaccessible to everyone else, too.\nUmmm… do they really think that everyone else can’t see the problem with that?\nTo be fair I think there are situations in which legally people are better off shutting a facility down (temporarily) rather than keeping a non-compliant one open. But yeah, in this case that’s not looking at all plausible. As someone pointed out in the article, they were non-compliant before, too, yet the county didn’t shut them down until now…when a black woman is the Dem candidate for governor. Mmhmm.\nShutting down a non-compliant facility, in order to move the polling to a compliant one, is a sensible move. But shutting it – and most of the others – down, without replacing them? Criminal.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1899744"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8152726888656616,"wiki_prob":0.8152726888656616,"text":"City Hall, news, Social Justice 1 Comment\nAfter Teachers Strike, Brooklyn Friends School Recognizes Union\nOctober 8, 2020 By Maria Abreu\n(Photo via @BFSUnion on Twitter)\nAfter two days of striking, a Quaker school in Downtown Brooklyn has agreed to recognize a union formed by its teachers and staff.\n“The strike which began on Monday ended last night,” the Brooklyn Friends School union announced on Twitter, calling the move “a complete victory for the workers.”\nThe decision came after BFS teachers, teachers from other schools, members of the Brooklyn Academy of Music, and families picketed on Monday and Tuesday in front of the school’s building, at 375 Pearl Street. Some parents set up a GoFundMe campaign to support the strikers, raising more than $58,500 as of this morning. The money will be refunded since the teachers can now return to work.\n“At the moment, all that matters is reopening our doors (virtual and physical) for our students,” the school wrote in an email “They need school and the care that it offers. We will continue working towards a Collective Bargaining Agreement contract with the UAW that will allow us to open the lines of communication with the purposes of providing better care for our colleagues.”\nMegan Glionna, a third-grade teacher at BFS, took her children to the protests. She initially chose to teach at the Quaker school and enrolled her children as students because of its promotion of liberal values and social justice. It was frustrating for her not to be able to be part of a union when so much of the school’s curriculum is about civil rights.\n“I am thrilled the petition was withdrawn and we can go back to work and school,” said Glionna. “My daughters learned an important lesson about standing up for what is right. Last night when i put my youngest to bed she said, ‘Mom, I’m proud of you.’”\nThe faculty and staff voted to unionize in the spring of last year in part because of a lack of a place to go to for grievances (the school only hired its first HR director last month, according to Glionna). The union was also meant to “ensure transparent procedures for evaluation and grievances, establish equitable hiring and termination protocols and demand equitable pay for all workers,” as stated on its website.\nWith over 80 percent voting in favor of unionizing, contract talks began at the end of 2019. However, the coronavirus pandemic delayed negotiations. In the interim, Crissy Cáceres was hired as the new head of school in the summer.\n“The new head of school was going to start in July and asked us (in an email) not to vote for the union,” said Glionna. “She did not want to work for an unionized school.”\nCáceres’ reasoning behind disbanding the union, the New York Times reported, was based on a June decision by the National Labor Relations Board to reverse an Obama-era ruling regarding the Board’s jurisdiction over faculty members at religious institutions. Essentially, it takes away religious affiliated institutions’ rights to organize.\n“That you would now question that right based on a reactionary Trump-dominated Labor Board precedent is unconscionable,” said the BFS union in an open letter to Cáceres. “Standing behind a policy that unfairly restricts the rights of workers to unionize, serves to delegitimize the school’s legacy of integrity and social justice.”\nNow, with many schools struggling to reopen and without a clear plan ahead, Glionna believes that being part of a union is more crucial than ever.\n“So much of the reopening plan needs teacher involvement that school admins don’t recognize. Having teachers in those conversations is so critical and a union is important for that. Unions are crucial to protecting workers rights, particularly during a global pandemic,” she said.\n« How a Spontaneous Street Band Saved the Summer in Prospect Park » A Psychedelic Therapist’s Long, Increasingly Not-So-Strange Trip\nLooks like Brooklyn Friends has seen the light, congratulations!","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1111205"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9238585829734802,"wiki_prob":0.9238585829734802,"text":"COVID-19 expert: Coronavirus will rage 'until it infects everybody it possibly can'\nKen Alltucker\nA high-profile infectious disease researcher warns COVID-19 is in the early stages of attacking the world, which makes it difficult to relax stay-at-home orders without putting most Americans at risk.\nDr. Michael Osterholm, director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota, said the initial wave of outbreaks in cities such as New York City, where one in five people have been infected, represent a fraction of the illness and death yet to come.\n\"This damn virus is going to keep going until it infects everybody it possibly can,\" Osterholm said Monday during a meeting with the USA TODAY Editorial Board. \"It surely won’t slow down until it hits 60 to 70%\" of the population, the number that would create herd immunity and halt the spread of the virus.\nStart the day smarter:Get USA TODAY's Daily Briefing in your inbox\nEven if new cases begin to fade this summer, it might be an indicator that the new coronavirus is following a seasonal pattern similar to the flu.\nDuring the 1918 flu pandemic that sickened one-third of the world's population, New York City and Chicago were hit hard in the first wave of illness that largely bypassed other cities such as Boston, Detroit, Minneapolis and Philadelphia. The second wave of illness was much more severe nationwide.\nMore:Antibody tests were supposed to help guide reopening plans. They've brought more confusion than clarity.\nMore:To find a coronavirus vaccine, can we ethically infect people with a disease with no cure?\nIf COVID-19 retreats only to return in the fall, the number of cases could peak and overwhelm hospitals that must deal with cases of flu and respiratory viruses. Furthermore, Asian nations such as South Korea and Singapore, lauded for strict controls and rapid testing to avoid damage during the first wave, might be vulnerable to a second wave of infections, he said.\n\"It’s the big peak that’s really going to do us in,\" he said. \"As much pain, suffering, death and economic disruption we’ve had, there’s been 5 to 20% of the people infected, ... That’s a long ways to get to 60 to 70%.\"\nStill, there are key differences between COVID-19 and the flu. The average incubation period for the new virus is five days, compared with just two days for the flu, according to a Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy report comparing the pandemics.\nThe longer incubation period and a higher transmission rate suggest the COVID-19 virus spreads more easily than the flu.\nThere were nearly 80,000 deaths and more than 1.3 million confirmed novel coronavirus cases in the U.S. at noon Monday, according to the Johns Hopkins University data tracker. New York state has been hit the hardest with more than 26,000 deaths, and preliminary antibody testing suggests about 20% of New York City-area residents have been infected.\nWorldwide, more than 283,000 people have died and 4.1 million have been infected.\nOsterholm said only an effective vaccine can slow the virus before a large enough segment of the population becomes infected and develops some level of immunity. Even if a vaccine works, Osterholm said, it's unknown whether it would be durable enough to confer long-lasting protection from SARS CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.\nMost states are easing stay-at-home orders though patchwork measures that vary from one to the next. Georgia began opening in late April amid national criticism, allowing tattoo parlors, bowling alleys and hair and nail salons to reopen with restrictions. California has taken a slower, phased approach, allowing some retailers and manufacturers considered low-risk to resume operations.\nGovernors worry about the economic harm social distancing measures have caused with shuttered businesses and the growing ranks of jobless Americans. Unemployment has reached 15% nationwide, and a Trump administration economic adviser warned unemployment could soon reach 20%.\nOsterholm acknowledges that the nation \"can't lock down for 18 months\" and said political and business leaders need to find a way to resume activities while adapting to a virus that won't soon disappear. He doesn't believe there has been enough of a frank assessment on the economic harm the virus will cause over coming months and its disruption to international supply chains.\n\"We all have to confront the fact there’s not a magic bullet, short of a vaccine, that’s going to make this go away,\" he said. \"We’re going to be living with it. And we’re not having that discussion at all.\"","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1583843"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6379786133766174,"wiki_prob":0.6379786133766174,"text":"Meet the Detroiter made infamous by an iconic anti-war poster\nBy Michael Jackman on Tue, Nov 21, 2017 at 10:15 am\nhttp://a1a.in/the-never-earlier-than-told-story-of-the-man-in-the-injurious-fuck-the-draft-posters/\nAn event this weekend will mark 50 years since anti-war activists attempted an \"exorcism\" of the Pentagon, and will feature the man from Detroit who burned a draft card and became part of a historic piece of anti-war agitprop.\nIt's a long story, one that has been told better several times before. Bill Greenshields and some other Detroiters resisting the military draft for the Vietnam War made their way to Washington, D.C. in October 1967. That's where Allen Ginsberg, Abbie Hoffman, Ed Sanders, and the Fugs were leading a protest that would \"levitate\" the Pentagon and exorcise the building of its evils.\nNo brick or mortar were elevated, of course. But as this all took place, draft resisters were burning their draft cards. Perhaps it was something in the way Greenshields seemed hypnotized by his flaming draft card that made somebody snap a photo.\nThat photo would soon appear in Kiyoshi Kuromiya’s famous “Fuck the Draft” poster, which Greenshields would only discover later, in an underground magazine published by his childhood friend Harvey Ovshinsky, some rag called The Fifth Estate.\nAfter his family and friends were questioned by the FBI, Greenshields decided, \"discretion is the better part of valor here, so I decided to get out of Detroit, hitchhike out west and keep moving around.\"\nNow, 50 years after the protest at the Pentagon, Greenshields will speak at Trinosophes. He's reputed to be quite a storyteller, and should be an entertaining speaker.\nAn original copy of Kuromiya's poster is on exhibit at the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit's Sonic Rebellion exhibit.\nOut, Demons, Out! featuring Bill Greenshields with special guests, takes place after 9 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 25, at Trinosophes, 1464 Gratiot Ave., Detroit; 313-737-6606; $6 admission.\nTrinosophes,\nBill Greenshields,\nlevitate the Pentagon,\nAbbie Hoffman,\nEd Sanders,\nthe Fugs,\nKiyoshia Kuromiya\nMichael Jackman\nBorn in 1969 at Mount Carmel hospital in Detroit, Jackman grew up just 100 yards from the Detroit city line in east Dearborn. Jackman has attended New York University, the School of Visual Arts, Northwestern University and Wayne State University, though he never got a degree. He has worked as a bar back, busboy,...\nRead More about Michael Jackman","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1875946"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9448954463005066,"wiki_prob":0.9448954463005066,"text":"TED NUGENT: 'Black-On-Black Crime Is Everywhere You Go, Even At The Oscars'\nTed Nugent has condemned Will Smith for walking onto the stage at the Oscars Sunday evening and slapped Chris Rock during the live broadcast.\nSmith, 53, interrupted the 57-year-old comedian's introduction of \"Best Documentary\" with a slap across the face. The altercation came after Rock made a joke about Smith's wife Jada Pinkett Smith, saying, \"Jada, I love ya. G.I. Jane 2, can't wait to see ya,\" an apparent reference to the actress's bald hairstyle as she lives with the autoimmune disorder alopecia, which attacks follicles resulting in bald spots and hair loss.\nPinkett Smith could be seen rolling her eyes, before the camera cut back to Rock, while Will Smith initially laughed from his seat. Shortly after, however, Smith's mood changed as he walked up to Rock and struck him across the face with an open hand.\n\"Oh wow,\" Rock said as Smith made his way back to his seat.\n\"Will Smith just smacked the shit out of me,\" the host said.\n\"Keep my wife's name out your fucking mouth!\" Smith yelled up to the stage at Rock after taking his seat again.\n\"Wow, dude, it was a G.I. Jane joke,\" said Rock — to which Smith replied once again, \"Keep my wife's name out your fucking mouth!\"\nLater in the night, Smith won the \"Best Actor\" award for his starring role in \"King Richard\". He addressed incident in his acceptance speech by apologizing to the Academy and his fellow actors for the altercation but failing to mention Rock by name.\n\"I want to apologize to the Academy. I want to apologize to all my fellow nominees,\" Smith said in part.\nHe added: \"Art imitates life: I look like the crazy father. Just like they said about Richard Williams. But love will make you do crazy things.\"\nNugent weighed in on the incident during today's (Monday, March 28) edition of \"The Nightly Nuge\", a news-style clip in which Ted offers his take on the news of our world every night. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): \"Number one, black-on-black crime is quite visible [laughs] — it's everywhere you go, even at the Oscars. We got broadcast globally black-on-black crime.\n\"Okay, there's a number of dynamics that I would like to address,\" he continued. \"Number one, Chris Rock has had some brilliant moments where he's identified the failure of his culture to respond adequately and properly when pulled over by the police and how to not get killed. So we applaud Chris Rock on those rare moments where logic surfaced in his life.\n\"With all due respect, I got to hang out at the Comedy Store with Richard Pryor, Rodney Dangerfield, Sam Kinison [and] Robin Williams, so I know that humor is supposed to be irreverent and outrageous. So Chris Rock's whole career is based on outrageous and irreverent. Certainly Will Smith knows that. And there's another time in our culture where if you were disrespectful to my woman that I should be able to coldcock you flat out in the street. Now, I have been attacked, my family, my mother, my wife, my children have been attacked publicly because I 'murder innocent animals,' which I suspect would be considered barbecue in conscientious families' lives. And you know what I do? Because I've been armed since I'm 17, and I trained with the greatest warriors of all time, and when people spit at me, when they attack the honor of my family members, you know what I do? I back away and leave. Because unless there's actual life-threatening conditions, I will not engage.\n\"So there's a two-edged sword here,\" Ted added. \"Number one, I'm a huge fan of Will Smith and I'm a huge fan of Chris Rock in many ways, when I want a good guffaw or I wanna see a super action actor in a brilliant role, which Will Smith seems to have dominated over the years. But to go ahead and drop your sense of social norms in the clusterbuck [sic] of 2020 and to walk up onstage for the whole world to see and slap Chris Rock… Will, prioritize. That's not the hill you want to climb right now.\n\"So, there's all kinds of dynamics, but I thank Will and I thank Chris Rock, because society needs to see that there's an element of our society, most profoundly exposed in the Hollywood world, where your and my rules of engagement don't apply. Because let's go ahead and admit it right now: you and I would have been arrested. If Will Smith would have been a white guy hitting Chris Rock, he would have probably been taken out in handcuffs. But I'm glad that the whole world got to see it.\n\"But those days of defending the honor of our loved ones, in all practicality, those days are over,\" Ted said. \"Because if you defend the honor of your wife in such a violent manner, you're supposed to go to jail; you're supposed to be charged with assault and battery. That was assault and battery under any jurisdictional definition.\n\"So it's good that the spoiled brat Hollywood people have so disconnected themselves from the rules of engagement for the rest of society that it's great we got to see it.\n\"Now my final statement is, as I say we finally get to see it, guess what? Almost nobody saw it, because the Oscars are so stupid and the people involved are so disconnected from society that mom-and-pop America don't watch 'em anymore because pretty much everything about Hollywood is offensive and against the traditional family values that made America great while they condemn those of us that purchase their products. And it's become so laughable.\n\"So there's a number of dynamics. Number one, I'm glad it happened. Number [two], I didn't see it. Number [three], I'm glad that my friends have shared that with me. But let the world know the emperor has no clothes, and he's a wart-riddled fat pig.\"\nRock declined to file a police report in connection with the assault, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.\n\"LAPD investigative entities are aware of an incident between two individuals during the Academy Awards program,\" the LAPD said in a statement, obtained by Variety. \"The incident involved one individual slapping another. The individual involved has declined to file a police report.\n\"If the involved party desires a police report at a later date, LAPD will be available to complete an investigative report,\" the statement continued.\nEarlier today, The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences condemned Smith for slapping Rock during the Oscars broadcast, saying that it's reviewing the matter.\n\"The Academy condemns the actions of Mr. Smith at last night's show,\" the Academy said in a statement.\n\"We have officially started a formal review around the incident and will explore further action and consequences in accordance with our bylaws, standards of conduct and California law.\"\nFull video: Will Smith's wife appeared upset after Chris Rock called her \"G.I. Jane 2\" at the Oscars. Jada Smith suffers from a condition which causes hair loss pic.twitter.com/EChVHrRvjz\n— BNO News (@BNONews) March 28, 2022\nFind more on Ted nugent","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1617336"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8585312962532043,"wiki_prob":0.8585312962532043,"text":"Pit bulls bite three people, including toddler, after escaping Staten Island home\nTina Moore\nSocial Links for Tina Moore\nAt least three people were bitten – including a toddler – when as many as 10 pit bulls escaped from a Staten Island home Tuesday afternoon, cops said.\nEight to 10 dogs ran away from a home on York Avenue near Prospect Avenue in New Brighton around 12:48 p.m. and attacked several people in the street, police said.\nA 2-year-old girl, 13-year-old boy and 19-year-old woman suffered bites to their legs and were taken to Richmond University Medical Center, cops said. Their injuries were not life-threatening, police said.\nNYPD at the scene of where at least three people were bitten by pit bulls on Staten Island on October 18, 2022.\nSteve White\nA 2-year-old, 13-year-old and 19-year-old were injured when as many as 10 pit bulls escaped.\nA person of interest is taken into custody at the home.\nPolice outside of the Staten Island home where the dogs were removed.\nwhiite\nA person of interest is led away by police.\nNYPD begins to investigate the scene and removes the crates.\nEight to 10 dogs ran away from the home before attacking people nearby.\nNYPD Emergency Service police officers were spotted carrying animal carriers into the home where they were then taken out one-by-one.\nSeveral crates were seen laying on the grass in front of the property. One woman was also seen being placed in handcuffs by authorities on the front steps.\nA 49-year-old man and 29-year-old woman, both considered persons of interest, were taken into custody at the scene, but no charges have been filed, at least yet, cops said.\nIt’s unknown at this time how many dogs were taken from the home, cops said Tuesday night.\nRead Next Zeldin takes swipe at Adams for blaming subway murders on ...","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1912900"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5988344550132751,"wiki_prob":0.40116554498672485,"text":"Todd E. Creason\n(extensively updated from original posted 4/9/12)\nMartin Luther King Jr. is universally recognized as one of the principal leaders of the civil rights movement in the United States and a prominent advocate of nonviolent protest. King's challenges to segregation and racial discrimination helped convince many to support the cause of civil rights in the United States.\nBorn in Atlanta, Georgia, he was ordained as a Baptist minister at age 18. He graduated from Morehouse College in 1948 and from Crozer Theological Seminary in 1951. In 1955 he earned a doctoral degree in systematic theology from Boston University. While in Boston, King met Coretta Scott, whom he married in 1953. He's also been identified many times over as being a Freemason.\nThe question is, was Martin Luther King, Jr. a Freemason? It's a little more complicated than you might think.\nIt was widely reported in 1999, that the Most Worshipful Brother Benjamin P. Barksdale, Grand Master of Prince Hall Freemasonry in Georgia, posthumously made Dr. Martin Luther King a Mason at sight.\nThat story has created a huge controversy. If true, it is one of the few instances (if not the only one) when a man was declared a Master Master after his death. Dr. King's widow, Coretta Scott King, accepted the honor on behalf of her late husband.\nHowever, some dispute that Martin Luther King was made a Mason at sight--I've received a lot of emails on this post since I originally published it, and articles, etc. that refute those reports. They say that what Coretta Scott King accepted was actually an honorary membership from Prince Hall Freemasonry for her late husband.\nHowever, what is clear, is that it does seem to have been Dr. King's intention to become a Mason. Both his father and his grandfather were Prince Hall Masons, and Prince Hall documents indicate that Grand Master X. L. Neal had arranged for Dr. King to become a Freemason upon his return from Atlanta in 1968. Unfortunately, his assassination in Memphis on April 4th, 1968 prevented that from happening.\nSo was Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. a Freemason?\nNo--Martin Luther King Jr. was never raised a Master Mason. But without question, Dr. King would have made a fine Mason. He was, after all, a builder, and his legacy has forever changed the world.\n~TEC\nTodd E. Creason, 33° is the founder of the Midnight Freemasons blog, and author of several books and novels, including the Famous American Freemasons series. He is member of Homer Lodge No. 199, and a Past Master of Ogden Lodge No. 754 (IL). He is a member the Scottish Rite Valley of Danville, the York Rite Bodies of Champaign/Urbana (IL), the Ansar Shrine (IL), Eastern Illinois Council No. 356 Allied Masonic Degrees, and Charter President of the Illini High Twelve in Champaign-Urbana (IL). He is also the author of the blog From Labor To Refreshment . . .\nLabels: American History, Freemason or Not?, Great American, Myth, Prince Hall\nRaymond Sean Walters January 19, 2015 at 10:14 AM\nFinally, a story written on this topic that has the details correct.\nThis topic was written about in The Phylaxis Magazine a number of years ago, so I have been puzzled at how the facts have been skewed in the manner they have been at times.\nThank you Bro. Creason for taking the time to research and write a good article filled with FACTS.\nRaymond Sean Walters, Fellow of The Phylaxis Society\nhttp://www.thephylaxis.org\nAndre' B. Clark February 26, 2015 at 4:08 AM\nAn older brother from my jurisdiction, who was personally acquainted with Dr. King, insists that MLK was made a mason on sight.\narjunparanthaman November 12, 2015 at 4:52 AM\nThis is my grandsons profile January 22, 2016 at 2:34 AM\nThank you for the great research on Martin Luther King Jr. his father and grandfather was Masons and I believe he was a Mason in his heart and should be remembered as one of the Greatest orators of the time. His words were an inspiration to all\nFraternally W. Thomas L. Hewitt West Roxbury-Dorchester lodge\nKnw_thy-Self September 11, 2018 at 11:37 AM\nI am a brother of the Atlanta Consistory 24A, of which GM Barksdale is a active member, He directly vouched MLK jr. was NOT made a mason on site. Can't make a dead person. It was planned to have occured thru GM John Wesley Dobbs but Mlk was assassinated before it could occur. Barksdale did establish a Grand Lodge Scholarship in his name but that was it.\nFraternally Submitted, Abdul Walker - Exodus Lodge #593 - Atlanta 3E - MWPHGLGA.\nHow America's Most Notorious Traitor Nearly Was On...\nIn Search Of The Lost Word: Part III\nFreemason Wisdom: Harry S. Truman On Becoming A Po...\nThe National Society for the Sons of the American ...\nIn Search Of The Lost Word: Part II\nThree Encounters Of The Close Kind\nIn Search Of The Lost Word: Part I\nMasonry In The Movies\nFreemason Wisdom: Harry S. Truman On Reading\nA New Years Message From The Midnight Freemasons","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1082230"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.834583580493927,"wiki_prob":0.834583580493927,"text":"Breaking Down Utah's Potential Bowl Matchups\nBy Alex Stark@starkaw23 Dec 1, 2015, 1:34pm MST\nShare All sharing options for: Breaking Down Utah's Potential Bowl Matchups\nJoe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports\nJoseph broke down some bowl projections for Utah football that can be found here. With the regular season done, it would seem that bowl projections would be straight-forward, but the situation is far more muddy than one might think. The Pac-12 currently has five teams with between two and four losses in conference. Oregon has two, USC, Utah and Washington State all have three, and UCLA has four. This means that pretty much any of these teams could theoretically go to the Valero Alamo Bowl, National University Holiday Bowl, Foster Farms Bowl, Hyundai Sun Bowl, or the Royal Purple Las Vegas Bowl (UCLA cannot go to the Alamo Bowl, and Oregon cannot go to the Las Vegas Bowl). The Alamo, Holiday, and Foster Farms Bowls can each pick while the Sun and Vegas Bowls must take the Pac-12 team with fewest losses (so the Sun Bowl would have to take USC/Utah/WSU over UCLA). This means that Utah could get picked over Oregon, USC, and Washington State for the Alamo Bowl or could end up falling all the way to the Las Vegas Bowl. Since Utah and Washington State have the same conference record, the scenarios in this article from Coug Center apply the same way for Utah as well.\nFirst, let's get this matchup out of the way... Utah vs. BYU in the Royal Purple Las Vegas Bowl. Campus Insiders projects this matchup for the Utes. The Vegas Bowl might like this matchup since it is a historic rivalry. The Vegas Bowl has the sixth pick for a Pac-12 team, so for this to happen, the Valero Alamo Bowl, National University Holiday Bowl, Foster Farms Bowl, and Hyundai Sun Bowl would all have to pass on the Utes. Another thing going against this matchup is that bowls tend to not like having the same team two years in a row, and Utah won the Vegas Bowl last year. So, how could this happen? Well, after starting 6-0, Utah wilted down the stretch, going 3-3 in the second half of the season. They also lost their best player and biggest name: running back Devontae Booker. Utah is not a flashy team, so the other bowls may favor other teams in the Pac-12 that can score a lot of points. BYU finished the season 9-3. BYU finished the season 1-3 against Power 5 opponents, only beating 5-7 Nebraska on a last-play Hail Mary. BYU is not ranked and is currently No. 28 in the AP Poll based on the votes they have received. Utah would gain little with a win (like last year against Colorado State) but would lose a lot with a loss. This is likely the worst-case scenario for Utah when it comes to a bowl game.\nMultiple predictions see Utah headed to the Hyundai Sun Bowl, but none agree on the opponent. Sports Illustrated sees the Utes taking on N.C. State. ESPN's Brett McMurphy also sees the Utes playing Miami. Lastly, Fox Sports sees Pittsburgh as Utah's opponent in the Sun Bowl. The Sun Bowl has the fifth choice of a Pac-12 team. Utah last played in the Sun Bowl in 2011, defeating Georgia Tech. The Sun Bowl would at least give the Utes a Power Five opponent. Miami and Pittsburgh both finished the season 8-4, while N.C. State finished 7-5. The game against Miami would have some intrigue because Utah assistant head coach and running backs coach Dennis Erickson won two National Championships as the coach of Miami in 1989 and 1991. Utah has also been recruiting Florida much more in recent years, so playing a name program from south Florida would certainly have some recruits watching. Miami fired head coach Al Golden after a 58-0 at home against Clemson. Since firing Golden, Miami has gone 4-1, only falling to North Carolina. N.C. State did not beat an FBS team with a winning record all season. Miami would be a good matchup since they are a well-known program. N.C. State would be another matchup where Utah would gain very little but could lose a lot. Pittsburgh would be an intriguing matchup. Pitt wide receiver Tyler Boyd will likely hear his named called in the first few rounds of the 2016 NFL Draft. Pitt finished second in the ACC Coastal Division. They played a tough nonconference schedule that included Iowa and Notre Dame. A win over Pitt would be nice, but it would not be a marquee win since the Panthers are not ranked, and the ACC by and large has been seen as a weak conference outside of a few top teams. After Utah's best season in the Pac-12, appearing in a bowl they have been to recently would be at least a little disappointing.\nCollege Sports Madness has the Utes in the Foster Farms Bowl against Indiana. The game is played at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif. Utah would have loved to have a game at Levi's Stadium before the season, but this is not the game. Indiana beat only one team with a winning record (10-2 Western Kentucky), but they put a scare into Ohio State, Iowa, Michigan, and Rutgers, falling by one score in each of those games. Indiana is a Power Five opponent, but they are not a very good one. They have shown they can put a scare into good teams, and they can score points (36.2 per game, No. 24). Indiana quarterback Nate Sudfeld throws for almost 300 yards per game. UAB transfer running back Jordan Howard amassed over 1,200 in only nine games. This is not a good matchup for Utah for multiple reasons. Indiana has an offense that could challenge the Utah defense, giving Indiana a great chance to win the game because I do not like Utah's chances in a shootout. Indiana is not a well-respected Power Five team, usually finishing near the bottom of the Big Ten. This will be the first bowl game appearance for the Hoosiers since the 2007 Insight Bowl (where they were defeated by Oklahoma State). They have only played in nine bowl games in 120 years. This could make them hungry to come out and beat their opponent. This would be yet another game where Utah would lose a lot with a loss and gain little with a win. Indiana is one of many Big Ten teams that have been mocked to the Foster Farms Bowl. Many scenarios see the Foster Farms Bowl having to take a 5-7 Big Ten team (like Nebraska or Minnesota) because there are not enough bowl-eligible teams to fill the spots in the record 41 bowls this year.\nSB Nation, CBS Sports, ESPN's Mark Schlabach, and FanSided all see Utah in the National University Holiday Bowl against Wisconsin. This seems like by far the most likely matchup and is probably the best matchup for the Utes realistically. The Badgers finished the season 9-3. They faced three ranked teams (Alabama, Iowa, and Northwestern) and lost all three games. Wisconsin, typically a run-first team, has struggled to run the football this season after losing Doak Walker Award winning running back Melvin Gordon. Wisconsin did not have a running back run for over 1,000 yards (provided running back Dare Ogunbowale does not run for 231 yards in the bowl game) for the first time since 2004. Wisconsin has had a running back top 1,000 yards rushing in 20 of the previous 22 seasons. Wisconsin has relied on quarterback Joel Stave (who is 57th in the nation in passing yards per game with 205.8) and receiver Alex Erickson, who averages 77.0 receiving yards per game (No. 41 in the nation). Wisconsin is currently ranked No. 25 in the AP Poll and Coaches Poll. A bowl game between two ranked Power Five teams would attract a lot of eyes from around the nation. The game is also played in San Diego, Calif., and southern California is a primary recruiting ground for the Utes.\nOur projection here at BlockU has Utah in the Valero Alamo Bowl against TCU. Joseph's statistical model has this matchup occurring due to USC beating Stanford in the Pac-12 Championship game, thus getting two Pac-12 teams in New Year's Six bowl games, and since Utah and Oregon both have a 9-3 record, Joseph's model gives the edge to Utah due to the head-to-head win. I however do not see this playing out because Oregon has a better Pac-12 record, is ranked ahead of Utah, and is the bigger name program, having played just last year in the College Football Playoff. The Alamo Bowl would likely take Oregon for these reasons over Utah because it would be a higher profile game, though the matchup between two former Mountain West BCS Busters turned Power Five teams would have some intrigue. TCU will very likely be ranked in or close to the top 10 by the time bowl season rolls around, so they would certainly be the highest profile potential bowl opponent for Utah if they were chosen for the Alamo Bowl, but it is a poor matchup for Utah. TCU has a potent offense, especially through the air that could challenge Utah's secondary. TCU quarterback Trevone Boykin spent much of the 2015 season as a Heisman candidate before injuries slowed him towards the end of the season.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1096636"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6496814489364624,"wiki_prob":0.6496814489364624,"text":"Global access to pain relief: Evidence for action, the first ever global survey on availability and barriers to access of opioid analgesics for patients in pain\nGlobal disparities in access to pain relief\nVast and unacceptable disparities in access to pain relief exist between developed and developing countries. Across the developing world, internationally recommended medicines, indispensable to treat moderate to severe pain, are scarce and unnecessarily difficult for patients to access.\nThe barriers to availability and access to pain relief\nEssential opioids were included on national essential medicines lists in all regions of the world, but were not consistently available anywhere. In all regions, many of the 7 essential opioids were on national essential medicines lists (EML). With few exceptions, codeine and at least one, often more, morphine formulations were on national lists. Oxycodone, Methadone and Fentanyl were less consistently included on formularies, but also common. Yet, data revealed that in many of the countries and all of the Indian states surveyed, fewer than 3 of the 7 medicines were routinely available in hospital dispensaries and pharmacies.\nAll regions of the world show similar inconsistencies between adherence to global standards at the national policy level and the actual range and availability of essential opioids to patients.\nEuropean Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO)","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1667581"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7664667963981628,"wiki_prob":0.7664667963981628,"text":"Mahmoud Shukair\nMahmoud Shukair was born in Jerusalem in 1941. He studied philosophy and sociology in Damascus. He was arrested by the Israeli authorities in 1974 and, after several months in prison, deported to Lebanon. He later went to Amman. He was only able to return to his home city following the Oslo Agreement of 1993. Shukair was a member of the Palestinian National Council from 1988 to 1998. He worked as an editor for various Palestinian newspapers and journals, including »Dafatir Thaqafiya«, which was published by the Palestinian Ministry of Culture.\nMahmoud Shukair writes scripts, stage plays, children’s books and short stories. He has also written several autobiographical works, which form an important document on recent Palestinian history. An example of this is »Maraya al-ghiyab: Yaumiyat al-huzn wa s-siyasa« (2007; t: The Mirror of Absence: Diaries of Sadness and Politics), which is mainly concerned with his experiences in the Palestinian Communist Party.\nShukair became well-known for his short stories, which have been published in journals and anthologies in translated versions, including English, Korean, and Chinese. A selection appeared in France, entitled »Ma cousine Condoleeza« (2008; t: My Cousin Condoleeza). The Palestinian critic and writer Hassan Khider characterised Shukair’s prose thus: »There are similarities between Mahmoud Shukair’s style and the narratives of the Italian writer, Alessandro Baricco. Both write short texts which recall Chinese ink drawings rather than oil paintings. The drawings are mysterious, transparent, they appear to be amputated, but they inspire the reader’s imagination and there achieve their ultimate form. The language used is extremely sparse, but very poetic.«\nSince setting out as a writer in the early 1960s, Shukair has confronted the Palestinian tragedy in his writing: exile, Israeli occupation, self-image and interpersonal relationships. In his later works a trace of irony shimmers through. The clearest example of this is in »Surat Shakira« (Beirut 2003; t: Shakira’s Picture). Mahmoud Shukair lives in Jerusalem.\n© international literature festival berlin\nGuest at the ilb: 2009\nSurat Shakira\nal-Muassasa al-Arabiya lildirasat wa an-Nashr\nBeirut, 2003\nMaraya al-ghiyab:\nYaumiyat al-huzn wa s-siyasa\nMordechai’s Moustache And His Wife’s Cat\nBanipal Books, 2007\n[Ü: Issa J Boullata, Elizabeth Whitehouse, Liz Winslow and Mahmoud Shukair]\nMa cousine Condoleeza\n[Ü: Stéphanie Dujols]\nIssa J Boullata, Stéphanie Dujols, Mahmoud Shukair, Elizabeth Whitehouse, Liz Winslow","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1213217"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7010715007781982,"wiki_prob":0.29892849922180176,"text":"Home>Policies>Policy Priorities>Child Health\nChild HealthBen Dawson2021-05-10T11:52:07-05:00\nWhile Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and the Affordable Care Act (ACA) have greatly improved coverage rates, around 100,000 children in New York still lack coverage. An even greater number live in medically underserved areas, without meaningful access to quality care. The result is too many children suffering from unmet health needs, poor outcomes, and health disparities. In fact, New York has the highest rate of preventable pediatric hospitalizations of any state in the nation. Unmet health needs can also result in children falling behind developmentally and having trouble catching up physically, socially, and academically. Poor children and children of color have worse access to care and face more health disparities than their more resourced and privileged peers.\nAll children in New York should have access to health coverage and care that is comprehensive, affordable, child-appropriate, and easy to get and keep regardless of income, zip code, place of birth or immigration status.\nThe Children’s Defense Fund-New York works to ensure every child in New York has a Healthy Start in life. To achieve this, we focus on improving health coverage, increasing access to high-quality, culturally and linguistically appropriate care, improving outcomes, and eliminating disparities.\nOur goal is coverage for every child. We can achieve this protecting and enhancing Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), fully-funding health insurance navigator services, improving the capacity of schools to facilitate referrals for enrollment, and ensuring culturally and linguistically appropriate resources to aid enrollment are available at multiple access points in the community.\nOur goal is access to high-quality, culturally and linguistically competent care for every child. New York has the highest rate of preventable pediatric hospitalizations of any state in the nation. Preventable hospitalizations are a measure of how well a state’s primary care system is performing. Many children in New York live in medically underserved areas, which lack a sufficient number of primary care providers. Some of these areas also lack a sufficient number of mental health providers or dentists. Our youngest New Yorkers and their families face other barriers to care, including transportation time or cost, or lack of culturally competent care.\nNew York can improve access to care by investing in school-based health centers. School-based health centers overcome access barriers by providing services where children spend most of their time during the day. School-based health centers have been shown to increase attendance rates, improve academic outcomes, and reduce hospitalizations.\nOur goal is improved child health outcomes and the elimination of disparities. Health is about more than illness or disease. Health is a resource that helps children develop the capacity to become successful in school and life. Healthier children have more energy, better concentration, and greater productivity than their peers. Improving child health outcomes will yield a lifetime of benefits for children, their families, and New York.\nWe can improve health outcomes by eliminating childhood lead poisoning. No amount of lead is safe in children. Yet, well over 100,000 children in New York have had tests indicating some amount of lead in their blood. Even the lowest detectable levels of lead in the blood have been found to cause permanent neurological damage and behavioral disorders. Greater investment in testing for lead, cleaning up or eliminating known sources, and better public disclosure of known hazards will help eliminate this problem once and for all.\nWhile New York leads the pack in many health outcome measures, racial and ethnic disparities abound. Black babies statewide are twice as likely as white babies to die prematurely or be born at a low birthweight. In several parts of the state, black mothers are twice as likely as white mothers to die in childbirth. The causes of these disparities are multiple, as are the solutions. We can and must do better.\nJump to a Policy:\nSelectIncome Security Education Justice Child Health Immigration Youth Justice\nBenjamin Anderson, EsqDirector of Health Policy\n[January 16th, 2023]\nPRESS RELEASE: In Celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, The Children’s Defense Fund – New York Calls for a Just State Budget that Centers Children, Youth and Families\nToday, as a part of its celebration of the life and world-changing legacy of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., renowned civil rights activist and one of the greatest nonviolent leaders in world history, the Children’s Defense Fund – New York (CDF-NY) releases its Fiscal Year 2023- 2024 Legislative and Budget Agenda, titled Prioritizing the Needs of Children, Youth and Families: New York State Budget and Legislative Priorities.\nPrioritizing the Needs of Children, Youth and Families: New York State Budget and Legislative Priorities FY 2023 – 2024\nAs communities of color continue to navigate the triple crises of COVID-19, inflation, and systemic oppression rooted in racism, our State elected officials must do what is just, which is to put New York on a strong path to a just equitable recovery by centering and prioritizing the needs of the youngest New Yorkers along with marginalized children, youth and families in the FY 2023-2024 Budget and Legislative Session in ways that center their physical and mental wellness and economic health, thereby enabling them to have joy and to thrive.\n[July 25th, 2022]\nLeveraging Racial & Ethnic Impact Statements To Achieve Racial Equity In All Policies: National Context\nEnacting new legislation and rules without first evaluating their potential to disproportionately impact New York’s communities of color only perpetuates deep-rooted and systemic racial and […]\n[June 24th, 2022]\nTelehealth Consumer Survey Deadline Extension Request Letter\nWe write today to urge you to extend the Telehealth Consumer Survey deadline for an additional 30 days, to past July 31st in order to afford community-based organizations, trusted messengers and healthcare providers adequate time to deploy the survey among the communities they serve and for the State to receive ample survey responses that are truly representative of as many New Yorkers as possible. We also request that paper versions of the survey should be provided to local departments of social services and other community-based partners to ensure individuals who face barriers to responding electronically can participate.\n[June 22nd, 2022]\nTelehealth Consumer Survey One-Pager (July 2022)\nCalling New Yorkers of ALL AGES: Yes, that means YOU! New York wants to hear YOUR experiences using telehealth services to meet your health and behavioral health needs.\n[May 20th, 2022]\nCDF-NY Public Comment on New York State’s Medicaid § 1115 Waiver Proposal\nChildren’s Defense Fund – New York (CDF-NY) is grateful to the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) for the opportunity to comment on its proposed amendment to New York’s Medicaid Redesign Team Waiver Demonstration, titled Strategic Health Equity Reform Payment Arrangements: Making Targeted, Evidence-Based Investments to Address the Health Disparities Exacerbated by the COVID-19 Pandemic.\nCDF-NY Memorandum in Support of S. 8438 / A. 9294: Continuous Medicaid Eligibility from Infancy to Three Years Old\nThe Children’s Defense Fund – New York (CDF-NY) strongly supports S. 8438\n(Rivera) / A. 9294 (Gottfried), which would extend continuous Medicaid coverage of infants from up to one year to up to three years for families whose income does not exceed 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL).\n[May 5th, 2022]\nCDF-NY 2022 Final State Budget Response\nMired in last-minute negotiations to roll-back recent criminal justice reforms, including Raise the Age, the final State Budget is a disappointment for children, youth and families. While we cannot overlook important new investments in child care and health care for new mothers, the budget still failed to prioritize our children.\n[March 4th, 2022]\nOur New York Children’s Budget: A Community Vision for Prioritizing Our Children\nNew York can and must do better for our children, youth and families. This report is a blueprint for addressing the most pressing needs of New York children, and the Governor and the Legislature must adopt these proposals in the Fiscal Year 2022-23 budget to realize our bold vision rooted in making opportunities accessible, ending harm and transforming systems.\n[February 14th, 2022]\nCDF-NY Testimony | Joint Legislative Hearing on the 2022-2023 New York State Mental Hygiene Executive Budget\nThe Children’s Defense Fund – New York (CDF-NY) thanks the chairs of the Assembly Ways and Means Committee and the Senate Finance Committee for the opportunity to submit testimony on the 2022 – 2023 New York State Mental Hygiene Executive Budget Proposal.\n[February 8th, 2022]\nCDF-NY Testimony | Joint Legislative Hearing on the 2022-2023 New York State Health/Medicaid Executive Budget\nThe Children’s Defense Fund – New York (CDF-NY) thanks the chairs of the Assembly Ways and Means Committee and the Senate Finance Committee for the opportunity to submit testimony on the 2022 – 2023 New York State Health/Medicaid Executive Budget Proposal.\n[January 31st, 2022]\nTestimony for the Joint Legislative Public Hearing on the Executive Budget Proposal for Housing\nAs a co-founder and leader of the statewide Lead Free Kids New York coalition, the Children’s Defense Fund – New York (CDF-NY) is grateful to the Senate Finance Committee, the Assembly Ways and Means Committee, and the respective Housing Committees for the opportunity to submit testimony for this Joint Legislative Public Hearing to discuss the Executive Budget for Housing.\nPRESS RELEASE: In Celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, The Children’s Defense Fund – New York Releases Its 2022 Legislative and Budget Agenda\nToday, as a part of its celebration of the life and world-changing legacy of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., renowned civil rights activist and one of the greatest nonviolent leaders in world history, the Children’s Defense Fund – New York (CDF-NY) releases its Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Legislative and Budget Agenda, titled Prioritizing the Needs of Children, Youth and Families: New York State Budget and Legislative Priorities.\nPRESS RELEASE: To Continue the Legacy of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), The Children’s Defense Fund – New York Demands the Expansion of Voting Rights for 16- and 17-Year-Olds\nToday we commemorate the legacy of Dr. King by calling for the passage of NYS Senate Bill S366, which would lower the voting age in New York State to 16 years and require that students receive education in civics and be allowed to register to vote in the classroom, and for the passage of H.J.Res.23, which would lower the voting age in America to 16 years old.\nPrioritizing the Needs of Children, Youth and Families: New York State Budget and Legislative Priorities (FY 2022-2023)\nAs our communities continue to navigate the COVID crisis across New York State, we must seize this moment to center the needs of the youngest New Yorkers and to build a bold new vision for marginalized children, youth and families to thrive.\n[December 15th, 2021]\nCDF-NY Public Hearing Testimony on Improving Maternal & Newborn Health: Access to and Quality of Perinatal Health\nThe Children’s Defense Fund – New York (CDF-NY) is grateful to the New York State Assembly Health Committee and the Assembly Task Force on Women’s Issues for the opportunity to submit testimony for this Public Hearing on Improving Maternal and Newborn Health: Access to and Quality of Perinatal Care.\n[November 29th, 2021]\nCDFNY Childhood Lead Poisoning Hearing Testimony\nAs a cofounder and leader of the statewide Lead Free Kids New York coalition, the Children’s Defense Fund – New York (CDF-NY) is grateful to the Senate Standing Committee on Health and the Senate Standing Committee on Housing, Construction and Community Development for the opportunity to submit testimony for this Joint Public Hearing to discuss childhood lead poisoning prevention in New York State.\n[October 29th, 2021]\nCentering Youth Voices at New York City’s Polls: 2021 Voter Issue Guide\nAs New Yorkers cast their ballots this Fall, supporting policies and platforms that prioritize child, youth and family wellbeing is critical. #VoteBecause the needs of the youngest New Yorkers and their families must be centered on Election Day – and every day.\n2021 Legislative Session Report Card\nWith the conclusion of the 2021 Legislative Session, we pause to take stock of progress for New York’s children and families, celebrate our victories and assess where further advocacy is needed to level the playing field for the youngest New Yorkers.\nBlack Youth Suicide in New York: An Urgent Crisis\nNew York must act now. The stakes could not be higher.\nAn Overview of Child Lead Exposure in New York\nNew York continues to suffer a troubling crisis of childhood lead exposure, with more known cases of elevated child blood lead levels than any other state and with childhood lead poisoning cases on the rise due to collateral effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.\nCDF-NY FY22 Mental Hygiene Budget Testimony\nChildren’s Defense Fund – New York (CDF-NY) thanks the chairs of the Assembly Ways and Means Committee and the Senate Finance Committee for this opportunity to submit testimony on the 2021 – 2022 New York State Mental Hygiene Executive Budget Proposal.\nResponse to the Governor’s Proposed FY 2022 Executive Budget\nLast spring and summer, 4,200 New York children lost a parent or guardian to COVID-19 — that’s one out of every 1,000 of our State’s […]\nCDF-NY 2021-2022 Legislative and Budget Priorities\nThe Children’s Defense Fund-New York seeks to ensure that children are centered in all budget and legislation decisions, with a particular emphasis on racial impact, […]\nWhat Repealing the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Would Mean for New York’s Children, Young Adults and Families\nOverturning the ACA during a global pandemic and amidst economic downturn would undoubtedly harm New York’s children, young adults and families, and will disproportionately impact […]\nCDF-NY Press Statement: As Many as 3.2 Million New Yorkers Could Become Uninsured if the Affordable Care Act is Overturned\nOverturning the ACA during a global pandemic and amidst economic downturn would undoubtedly harm New York’s most vulnerable children, young adults and families, and will […]\nBringing New York Children’s Voices to the Polls: 2020 Voter Issue Guide\nAs New Yorkers cast their ballots this Fall, protecting the programs and policies that impact our children, youth and families is critical. We urge New […]\n[September 10th, 2020]\nProtecting Children in the Budget – Joint Letter to NYS Leadership\nWe ask NYS leadership to center children and families in their priorities and commit to protect essential programs that promote health, well-being, resilience, family stability, […]\n[August 3rd, 2020]\nLetter from Child Advocacy Organizations to New York State Congressional Delegation on Covid-19\nThe undersigned New York State-based child advocacy organizations urge our US Senators and Members of the House of Representatives to stand firmly with children and families during negotiations on the next federal stimulus package.\nA Profile of Medicaid in New York State\nMedicaid provides comprehensive, affordable health care coverage to nearly 50 percent of our State’s children – over two million of the youngest New Yorkers.\n[July 22nd, 2020]\nRacial and Geographic Disparities in New York’s Burden of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children\nAs New York grapples with the devastating and far-reaching impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, Children’s Defense Fund – New York (CDF-NY) is deeply alarmed by our State’s burden of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C).\n[July 8th, 2020]\nPolicy Brief: HEROES Act\nThe Children’s Defense Fund-New York urges members of Congress to support the HEROES Act to help children and families struggling with food insecurity and unemployment brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.\nProtect Medicaid Statement on the HEROES Act’s Medicaid Maintenance of Effort Provision\nThe Protect Medicaid Campaign – representing New York’s leading health care consumer advocacy groups – applauds the introduction of the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus […]\n[April 28th, 2020]\nWhat Children and Youth Need Now: Addressing Health Care Needs During the COVID-19 Pandemic\nThe COVID-19 pandemic has destabilized New York’s economy, debilitated our health care system, and disrupted our education and social services sectors. The Children’s Defense Fund-New […]\nCDF-NY Priorities in the New York State FY2021 Final Budget\nChildren’s Defense Fund – New York (CDF-NY) examined the budget’s impacts on children and families, with attention to on child welfare and family wellbeing, economic […]\n[April 2nd, 2020]\nNew York State Budget Embraces Some Reforms But Fails to Invest In Child and Family Well-Being\nThe Children’s Defense Fund-New York applauds the leadership in Albany for important reforms in youth justice and child welfare, but we are deeply disappointed with […]\nNew York State Medicaid Budget Harms Children and Families\nThe budget contains draconian cuts that target programs and providers that serve children, and others that will result in job losses or lost wages for […]\n[March 26th, 2020]\nProtect Medicaid Campaign thank you to Senators Schumer and Gillibrand\nAs lead organizations for the Protect Medicaid campaign in New York, we are writing to thank you for your passing the Families First Coronavirus Response […]\n[March 23rd, 2020]\nHealth and Economic Justice Responses to New York’s COVID-19 Crisis\nOur health care system is being pushed beyond its limits. Our fragmented payment and delivery systems are ill-suited to respond to the crisis and are […]\nProtect Medicaid Campaign’s Support of Families First Caronavirus Relief Act (FFCRA)\nWe heartily thank you for the provisions of the Families First Caronavirus Relief Act (FFCRA) that increase Medicaid funding to states (FMAP) at this crucial […]\nCDF-NY’S MEDICAID REDESIGN TEAM II (MRT II) PROPOSAL: Replace New York’s Medicaid Global Cap with a Transparent Global Budgeting Process\nThe Medicaid global cap should be eliminated and replaced with a transparent and accountable global budgeting process that properly accounts for consumer needs, quality of […]\n[February 3rd, 2020]\nCDF-NY Testimony at the Joint Legislative Hearing on the 2021 Health/Medicaid Executive Budget Proposal\nWe stand with all Medicaid beneficiaries when we call for the protection of care and services through Medicaid.\nCDF-NY 2020-2021 State Budget and Legislative Priorities\nThe Children’s Defense Fund-New York provides our 2020-2021 State Budget and Legislative Priorities.\nMore than 100,000 Children in New York Still Uninsured\nIn 2018 there were 107,381 children in New York without health coverage. While the uninsured rate in New York dropped from 2.7 percent to 2.5 […]\n[August 9th, 2019]\nProtecting Your Child From Lead Poisoning\nChildren can be exposed to lead through paint and dust from inside the home, and children under six years old are most at risk.\nLeveraging CHIP or Medicaid to Eliminate Lead Exposure\nStates have the option under CHIP to develop state-designed HSIs to improve the health of low-income children. States can also leverage Medicaid funding to pay […]\nProtecting Your Children From Lead Poisoning\nLead poisoning is a completely preventable, but irreversible condition that impacts children for a lifetime. Children can be exposed to lead through paint and dust from inside the home, and children under six years old are most at risk.\n[April 9th, 2019]\nCDF-NY Priorities in the New York State FY 2020 Final Budget\nOn April 1, 2019, the New York Legislature adopted the Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 final state budget. The final budget includes $175.5 billion in spending. […]\nAn Overview of the NYC Mayor’s Roadmap to Eliminating Childhood Lead Exposure\nIn January 2019, NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio issued a Roadmap to Eliminating Childhood Lead Exposure. The roadmap was the culmination of a 90-day review […]\n[October 23rd, 2018]\nCDF-NY Testimony: New York State Assembly Standing Committee on Education School Health, Mental Health, and Physical Education\nAs the Assembly considers best practices to meet student’s health and mental health needs, it is vital that you ensure there is continued funding to help school districts improve school climate and safety. This week marks the 9th annual week of action against school pushout, a national effort carried out by the Dignity in Schools Campaign, a coalition of organizations dedicated to ending the school-to-prison pipeline.\n2018 Election Guide: New York’s Children\nHaving the basic necessities of life such as nutritious meals and financial security is a universal human right and something all people concerned with the well-being of children should work to secure.\n[August 2nd, 2018]\n2018 House Farm Bill Calls for Stricter Work Requirements to Maintain SNAP Eligibility: What does this mean for New York State’s Children and Families?\nThe 2014 Farm Bill is set to expire on September 30, 2018. The House’s proposed 2018 Farm Bill was rejected by Congress on May 18, […]\nNYC Needs More School Social Workers for Homeless Students\nAmy Pantoja, Beat the Odds Scholar, talks about the importance of getting more social workers focused on education for homeless students in New York City\nAchieving Lifelong Payoffs for Displaced Children\nSome of the most at-risk children in NYC are children who have been displaced from their homes or families due to homelessness or resettlement as unaccompanied immigrant children. While homeless and unaccompanied immigrant children have been displaced from their homes or families for different reasons, both groups of children often have remarkably similar experiences and needs.\n[September 5th, 2017]\nHouse’s Budget Resolution Does Not Prioritize America’s Vulnerable Populations\nIn New York, these budget cuts would deprive disadvantaged children and adults of basic necessities and push them deeper into poverty.\nSchool Health Issue Brief: Financing Brief\nBy maximizing available funds, New York City can more strategically deploy its limited resource to extend a baseline of school health services to all students […]\nSchool Health Issue Brief: Behavioral Health in New York State\nProviding behavioral health care to children in schools is a wise investment for the future. Children who receive behavioral interventions increase their academic performance, and […]\nSchool Health Issue Brief: School-Based Health Centers of NYS – The Value, Need and Implications\nThe overarching goal of any school health service is to best position children to have the greatest opportunities for learning and life-long wellness. SBHCs are […]\nSchool Health Issue Brief: Addressing Unmet Healthcare Needs of New York City Youth\nAs New York City moves toward a future of community schools, children’s advocates must discern the appropriate role of health education and health care services […]\nHealth + Education = Opportunity: An Equation that Works\nAs the capacity for health care delivery in schools increases, significant opportunities exist to better connect schools to the larger health care infrastructure that works […]\nSchool-based Health Centers in New York State: Ensuring Sustainability and Establishing Opportunities for Growth\nNew York State is a leader and innovator in providing children with access to health services. Committing to the sustainability of school-based health centers as […]\nExplore Other Policy Priorities\nEvery cent counts\nHelp all children get the start they deserve.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line86991"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7552056908607483,"wiki_prob":0.7552056908607483,"text":"Kevin Sorbo\nKevin David Sorbo was born in Mound, Minnesota, in 1958. He was in a number of plays in high school, and after leaving college, he joined an actors theater group (traveling to Europe, then to Sydney, Australia).\nWith Kevin's muscular physique, he was a natural for the title role in what would become his signature series Hercules: The Legendary Journeys (1995). He became internationally famous, and he learned the craft of film-making. He has produced many projects such as Abel's Field (2012), Alongside Night (2014), the Andromeda TV series (2001-2005), Fire From Below (2009), Mythica: The Iron Crown (2016), and Wolf Canyon (2009).\nHis film credits include such films as God is Not Dead (2014), Avenging Angel (2007), Jesse James: Lawman\n(2015), Prairie Fever (2008), and Shadow on the Mesa (2013). It is for these last four films that the Reel Cowboys were proud to give Kevin Sorbo the Silver Spur Award in 2017.\nKevin is currently working on a new faith-based film entitled Let There Be Light. The plot will center on a world-renowned atheist whose beliefs are dramatically challenged.\nHis wife, Sam Sorbo co-wrote this film with Kevin and also stars in it. Sean Hannity (Fox News Anchor) is the executive producer on this full-length feature film.\nIt was a true pleasure for the Reel Cowboys to have such a prolific, multi-talented, and wonderful friend join us at the 2017 Silver Spur Award Show.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line16915"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6773261427879333,"wiki_prob":0.6773261427879333,"text":"It is commonly assumed that modern building codes assure resilience, guaranteeing that recently built structures can be quickly reoccupied, or at least readily repaired, after an earthquake. However, building codes were devised to protect lives, not property, so they do little to limit the kind of damage that might make a building uninhabitable for an extended period of time or even necessitate demolition. As demonstrated in Christchurch, New Zealand following the 22 February 2011 earthquake, code-compliant buildings may suffer several years of downtime after a significant earthquake. To address this issue, the Structural Engineering Society of New Zealand (SESOC) is preparing Low Damage Design Guidance, and the Structural Engineers Association of California (SEAOC) is in the process of developing a Functional Recovery Standard for New Buildings.\nAn example of an earthquake resilient building is Casa Adelante. David Mar, a structural engineer in Berkeley, California, designed this nine-storey affordable housing building in San Francisco (Figure 1), with 25 percent of the units set aside for the formerly homeless. His objective was to demonstrate that it is possible to design resilient housing that keeps functioning in a large earthquake at a cost that is no larger than that of a conventional design. David Mar was the keynote speaker at the New Zealand Society for Earthquake Engineering webinar series on 25 June 2020 (Mar, 2020).\nFigure 1. Casa Adelante building in San Francisco (left) and workers installing an earthquake energy absorbing damper within the foundation of the building. Source: David Mar.\nThe United States Resiliency Council (USRC), which awarded Casa Adelante a Gold Rating, has the mission “to establish and implement meaningful rating systems that describe the performance of buildings during earthquakes and other natural hazard events, to educate the general public to understand these risks and to thereby improve societal resilience.” The Casa Adelante apartment building in San Francisco is just one of 34 buildings worldwide to have received a Gold Rating award, and is the first-ever multifamily, 100 percent affordable-housing development to have been recognised.\nBase isolation of the building, which uses rubber bearings or friction pendulums to isolate the horizontal motion of the ground from the building (Figure 2), is the best way of reducing damage, but is much more expensive than the conventional fixed-based approach and so was not feasible for this project. The solution was to design a very stiff building (to limit lateral displacement and therefore damage) with a specially designed foundation.\nFigure 2. Base isolation using rubber bearings (left) and friction pendulum (right).\nMost of Mar’s design process focused on fine-tuning a conventional reinforced concrete building with structural shear walls. The first storey of a building is especially vulnerable in earthquakes, because it often has openings such as entrances that interrupt the continuity of the shear wall. An example of a building in San Francisco that exhibited this “weak first story” behaviour in an earthquake is shown in Figure 3. There is a distinct lean in the ground floor, but the upper floors are almost vertical and relatively undamaged. The advantages of a concrete shear wall over other structural systems are illustrated in Figure 4. The concrete shear wall structure (pale blue) has much lower repair cost (left) and repair time (right) than the other structural systems.\nFigure 3. Building damaged in San Francisco in the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. Source: Raymond B. Seed.\nA good design approach for concrete shear wall buildings is to allow them to rock on their foundations in an earthquake and then come back to centre, minimising the damage. In order to allow for this rocking, Mar used a damper, developed by Professor Geoff Rodgers at the University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand, that was installed in the foundation (right panel of Figure 1).\nThe design used a mat foundation that is strong but a little thinner than a conventional foundation, so that when the walls flex, the wall will not break because the foundation is sufficiently flexible to undergo uplift. The wall is also able to re-centre (have no permanent lateral displacement or tilt) after the shaking ends. The damper couples the foundation of the building to a pier in the ground, so the building pulls up on the damper, dissipating the energy during the rocking action. The rocking motion is enabled by making the wall stronger that the foundation.\nFigure 4. Repair costs (left) and repair times (right) of various structural systems (colour coded) as a function of return period of the earthquake ground motion (MCE is 1:2,500 AEP). The Special Reinforced Concrete Shear Wall building (SRCSW, pale blue) used by Mar has much better performance than the other systems [from left to right: Reinforced Concrete Special Moment Resisting Frame (RCSMRF), Steel Special Moment Resisting Frame (StlSMRF), Steel Special Concentric Braced Frame (StlSCBF), and Steel Buckling Restrained Braced Frame (StlBRBF)]. Source: FEMA (2018).\nOne of the potential outcomes of physically rigorous performance based seismic design it to develop a predictive capability that is sufficiently reliable to enable the ranking and quantitative estimation of losses of the kind shown in Figure 4. The development of low damage seismic design marks an important advance in the use of performance based seismic design to accomplish performance objectives that extend beyond life safety to consider the economic costs due to damage and downtime. This has the potential to reduce not only earthquake losses but also the uncertainty and therefore the costs of insurance as well as the life cycle costs of construction. This can enable informed decision-making by building owners, regulators and insurers about impacts beyond life safety that incentive the development of resilience of individual buildings and communities.\nFEMA (2018). Seismic Performance Assessment of Buildings Volume 5 – Expected Seismic Performance of Code-Conforming Buildings FEMA P-58-5 / December 2018.\nMar, David (2020). Low Damage Seismic Design. New Zealand Society for Earthquake Engineering Webinar series 5, 25 June 2020.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line226444"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5692158937454224,"wiki_prob":0.5692158937454224,"text":"Registration Forgot username or password?\nCart (kr 0)\nHome / Artist / Karl-Magnus Fredriksson\nKarl-Magnus Fredriksson\nIn 2004 the Swedish baritone Karl-Magnus Fredriksson was appointed Royal Court Singer as one of the youngest singers ever. Since 1999 he is engaged at the Stockholm Royal Opera where his roles have included Figaro in Il barbiere di Siviglia, the Count in Le nozze di Figaro, Marcello in La Bohème, Papageno in Die Zauberflöte, Den okände i Gefors’ Christina and Fritz in Die tote Stadt and the title role of Eugene Onegin. Karl-Magnus Fredriksson has appeared with conductors such…\nRelease date (newest) Release date (oldest) Alphabetically Alphabetically (decs)\nIn 2004 the Swedish baritone Karl-Magnus Fredriksson was appointed Royal Court Singer as one of the youngest singers ever. Since 1999 he is engaged at the Stockholm Royal Opera where his roles have included Figaro in Il barbiere di Siviglia, the Count in Le nozze di Figaro, Marcello in La Bohème, Papageno in Die Zauberflöte, Den okände i Gefors’ Christina and Fritz in Die tote Stadt and the title role of Eugene Onegin. Karl-Magnus Fredriksson has appeared with conductors such as Andrew Davies, John Eliot Gardiner, Frans Brüggen and Eric Ericson. He has made several CD recordings for BMG, Chandos, Vanguard Classics, DG, Naxos and Finlandia. jan 2009","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1635622"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5211095213890076,"wiki_prob":0.47889047861099243,"text":"M65 Atomic Cannon\nVintage Airfix\n9 December 2022 24 January 2023\nBy David Doyle\nThrough historic photos, this volume traces the development, production and deployment of this iconic piece of military equipment from the drawing boards to the Cold War battlefields of Europe.\nIn 1949, the US Army wanted an artillery gun that could fire a nuclear warhead in the event that guided missiles and long-range bombers proved insufficient in delivering atomic weapons. The result was the M65, 280mm Atomic Cannon. On May 25, 1953, at 0830 hours, an M65 of A Battery, 867th Field Artillery Battalion, let loose with the only nuclear round the type would ever fire.\nSix battalions of the M65 would eventually be deployed, most in Europe with one battalion sent to the Korean Peninsula. Though never used in combat, they served as a significant tactical nuclear deterrent in the early stages of the Cold War.\nVintage Airfix Review:\nYet another beautiful Images of War series book and a perfect accompaniment for Dragon Models M65 Atomic Annie Gun kit. As the series title suggests, this book is overflowing with images and with some great ideas for dioramas.\nVintage Airfix > Book Reviews > M65 Atomic Cannon\nDouglas TBD-1 Devastator\nDe Havilland \"Heron\" Series II","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line561044"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6865108609199524,"wiki_prob":0.3134891390800476,"text":"Directory & Departments\nHome ― News ― Novak is runner-up in case study competition\nNovak is runner-up in case study competition\nRachel Novak, residence director for Richardson and Emry Halls at Dakota State University, was the runner-up in a recent professional competition.\nThe case study competition took place at the Upper Midwest Region – Association of College and University Housing Officers (UMR–ACHUHO) conference, held in Omaha, Nebr. in November. Novak and Aisha Lee, residence director of Higbie Hall, attended the event.\n“The UMR-ACUHO Annual Conference provides an opportunity for housing professionals to connect with and learn from other professionals within the Upper Midwest Region,” said Dillon Pearson, the assistant director of residence life at DSU. The UMR–ACUHO is made up of eight midwestern states and one Canadian province.\nThe three-day conference includes sessions that focus on a variety of topics, such as social justice, facilities or supervision, he explained. “In addition, there is a case study competition that allows young professionals to work on a unique case study.” Young professionals are those with less than three years’ experience working in residence life.\nThe studies are created by the group’s Professional Development Training Committee; two-person teams are tasked to work through the case by discussing the different factors at play and determining a response. The cases are somewhat ambiguous, but have details which are relevant to the current higher education landscape.\nNovak was paired with an assistant complex director from the University of Kansas, Alex Miller, to deal with a situation involving an RA’s concerns about a roommate conflict. The pair had not seen the case study prior to the competition, so she and her partner discussed the case, the issues involved, and created a plan of action and a follow-up plan. It was interesting working with Miller, she added, as the two schools’ resources and protocols are different, and the two sometimes had different points of view.\nThe exercise is intended to develop critical thinking, adaptability and teamwork skills, Pearson said, and Novak found this to be true.\n“I gained experience incorporating other’s different experiences and approaches,” she said, “and organizing my thoughts and thinking through issues while being put on the spot.”\nNovak, who is in her first year with DSU’s residence life department, also gained experience by attending other conference events, such as workshops and speakers. “It was interesting to hear all about the different campuses and how they deal with implementation, housing students, and how to be proactive,” Novak said. The sessions on diversity were particularly important to her service on the DSU diversity committee.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line439040"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5608452558517456,"wiki_prob":0.4391547441482544,"text":"Bill C-16, Transgender Rights and Anti-Discrimmination Practice in Canada\nDJK3654\nCompulsive set designer\nOk, so this is something I came across recently online and it's seriously peeked my interest.\nSo Canada is in the process of reviewing a piece of legislation called 'An Act to amend the Canadian Human Rights Act and the Criminal Code', or bill C-16.\nWhat the bill proposes is that 'gender identity' and 'gender expression' are added to the Human Rights Act and the Criminal Code.\nThe bill:\nhttp://www.parl.gc.ca/content/hoc/Bills/421/Government/C-16/C-16_1/C-16_1.PDF\nAnd the current Human Rights Act and Criminal Code:\nhttp://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/PDF/H-6.pdf\nhttp://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/C-46/page-72.html#h-93\nThis all seems relatively inarguable in that it simply ascribes that gender identity and gender expression are comparable to race, sex, marital status, etc.\nSome of the provinces have already incorporated such legislature at their level.\nBut, I recently came across some videos by a professor of psychology from the University of Toronto, Jordan Peterson. Centrally for this discussion here that the legislature is facilitating, or at least is indicative of a certain tolerance to, a kind of censorship. The main point with regards to the specific legislature is that the purpose of the acts as written is 'messy', and that it supports the idea of the government determining needs which Peterson argues is problematic because it is ineffectual at supporting needs.\nThe next argument to consider which I think is more important given the former only applies to the written goals, not functionality of the law.\nThat argument is that the way 'gender identity' and 'gender expression' are being defined by relevant bodies is problematic. The Department of Justice, The Ontario (the province of Canada where Toronto is located) Human Rights Commission, and other groups involved in the enforcement of the legislation have used definitions of gender identity and gender expression as such:\nGender identity is each person’s internal and individual experience of gender. It is their sense of being a woman, a man, both, neither, or anywhere along the gender spectrum. A person’s gender identity may be the same as or different from their birth-assigned sex. Gender identity is fundamentally different from a person’s sexual orientation.\nGender expression is how a person publicly presents their gender. This can include behaviour and outward appearance such as dress, hair, make-up, body language and voice. A person’s chosen name and pronoun are also common ways of expressing gender.\nPeterson argues that the former as expressed is not a scientifically grounded idea. He argues that 'he has seen no evidence' that a person can have in some tangible sense a gender identity independent of sex that is neither or both female and male, and that therefore we shouldn't support it in legislature until we can demonstrate that such notions are scientifically supported and not conjecture. Later on the video (at around 43:15-43:50) he expands on this, looking at different formulations/expressions of the concept used, by arguing biological sex, gender identity and gender expression are not fundamentally different, but closely related. The importance of this argument is to say that a certain notion of gender identity is being mandated to be accepted but this notion is questionable, and people should be openly allowed to question it. I think it's important to clarify that what Peterson says here is I think could be slightly clearer as to his views on the subject. Looking at later videos, he clarifies that he does think 'nonbinary people' with regard to 'sexual identity' 'obviously exist', but that 'biological sex, gender identity and gender expression do not vary independently' was his main point. Note that despite this explicit clarification, people have continued to claim that Peterson does not believe nonbinary people exist.\nHe then argues that people should not be mandated to use whatever gender pronouns to refer to individuals as those individuals wish, as this definition of gender expression implies and has been taken to mean by groups supporting it. Peterson personally does not consent to using most nonbinary pronouns such as 'zhe/zhim/zher/zhimself'. He states that he doesn't 'recognise another person's right to determine what pronouns I use when addressing them'. He argues that use of pronouns is involved in political ideology, and that he does not want to be involved in supporting these motivations. This as well as the implicit argument of free speech that he expands upon in other videos, in particular that there is a line crossed between preventing people from saying particular kinds of supposedly dangerous things, and mandating people to say specific things. Peterson questions the former as to how good a policy it actually is, but questions the later even more so, arguing that it is clearly dangerous and immoral, even if we accept the former.\nThe next part of the video looks at how these organisations (namely the OHRC) defines discrimination and harassment generally (not again this is not written into the law, but these are still involved in the legislation as the views and policies of bodies involved in the enforcement of the law).\nDiscrimination happens when a person experiences negative treatment or impact, intentional or not, because of their gender identity or gender expression.\nHarassment is a form of discrimination. It can include sexually explicit or other inappropriate comments, questions, jokes, name-calling, images, email and social media, transphobic, homophobic or other bullying, sexual advances, touching and other unwelcome and ongoing behaviour that insults, demeans, harms or threatens a person in some way.\nHe argues with regards to former that it gives almost all control to the supposed victim and does not consider that negative impacts may be part of a longer term benefit, namely with regards to the acceptance of ideas. Even more so, he argues that including unintentional negative impact is problematic because intent is essential to discrimination, and that this places to much focus on consequence.\nHe then argues that the later 'has been written to cover the broadest range of possibilities' and this is problematic. He argues that things like jokes are not dealt with here carefully enough, such that accepted humour is considered harassment and discrimination.\nThe final section looks at organisational liability for these things, again from OHRC:\nOrganizations are liable for any discrimination and harassment that happens. They are also liable for not accommodating a trans person’s needs unless it would cause undue hardship. They must deal with complaints, take steps to prevent problems and provide a safe, welcoming environment for trans people.\nAs per the written text of the Ontario Human Rights Code\n46.3 (1) For the purposes of this Act, except subsection 2 (2), subsection 5 (2), section 7 and subsection 46.2 (1), any act or thing done or omitted to be done in the course of his or her employment by an officer, official, employee or agent of a corporation, trade union, trade or occupational association, unincorporated association or employers’ organization shall be deemed to be an act or thing done or omitted to be done by the corporation, trade union, trade or occupational association, unincorporated association or employers’ organization\nPeterson argues that it unreasonable to place accountability on an organisation for controlling any and all discrimination within.\nSo, I personally find Peterson's arguments quite convincing. And I think there's some fair concerns to be addressed here.\nLast edited by DJK3654: Oct 28, 2016\nCustom Sets - All feedback is appreciated!\nRUNIN: Norse mythology set (awaiting further playtesting)\nFATE of ALARA: Multicolour factions (currently on hiatus)\nContibutor to the Pyrulea community set\nI'm here to tell you that all your set mechanics are bad\n#Defundthepolice\nTalore\nLegendary Creature - Hydra\nLocation: Development Hell\nWhat exactly are we debating here? You've brought up a lot of related-but-separate points and it is unclear to me what sort of argument is being made here.\nQuote from Talore »\nI suppose the central question is whether the approach to policy with regards to anti-discrimination practice in Canada is appropriate and generally good.\nThese debate threads tend to end up broad no matter what, so I figured I'd leave it mostly open ended about different points.\nTiax\nCanada's free speech/hate speech laws are already a mess, so it's not surprising that trying to add another protected class to them would result in something that's still a mess. It's not really a feature of the new protected class, though.\nQuote from Tiax »\nWell, it's definitely a point here that the existing laws are concerning, but what is specifically concerning about C-16 is how the relevant are defining the terms. As I posted above, both 'gender identity' and 'gender expression' are being defined in ways that are potentially problematic, I'd say particularly the later, in that implies that supposedly 'misgendering' people by not consenting to use their particular preferred pronoun is some kind of offence. I don't think it's fair to include other people's use of pronouns as being controlled under anti-discrimination law, or at very least not in a way that basically gives the person being addressed the power to determine as they wish what the person must say in addressing them.\nQuote from DJK3654 »\nWell, it's definitely a point here that the existing laws are concerning, but what is specifically concerning about C-16 is how the relevant are defining the terms. As I posted above, both 'gender identity' and 'gender expression' are being defined in ways that are potentially problematic, I'd say particularly the later, in that implies that supposedly 'misgendering' people by not consenting to use their particular preferred pronoun is some kind of offence. I don't thik it's fair to include other people's use of pronouns as being controlled under anti-discrimination law, or at very least not in a way that basically gives the person being addressed the power to determine as they wish what the person must say in addressing them.\nSuppose one of my male coworkers is a bit on the effeminate side. I decide to exclusively refer to him using female pronouns, even after he corrects me and asks me to stop. I get fired for workplace harassment. Is that fair?\nPerhaps.\nBut that's a private decision, not a public mandate. That's a fundamentally different issue.\nIncanur\nUnfulfilled Desirer\nJordan Peterson strikes me as an anti-trans bigot and all-round meanie. I sympathize with the trans and queer activists/revolutionaries who're giving Peterson a hard time. On the other hand, this new bill and Canada's anti-discrimination laws indeed constitute oppressive censorship. As often happens, both sides are wrong.\nAs far as language goes, gendered pronouns are ridiculous to begin with. Why do pronouns need to be gendered? Trans/nonbinary/genderqueer/etc. folks are just doing our best to negotiate the goofy gendered language that doesn't suit us. You can ignore our preferred pronouns as you can ignore anybody else's, but doing so adds, if only slightly, to our marginalization. I don't recommend it.\nUB EDH Decks UB\nOkay, suppose that instead of coworker, it's my employee. And he sues me for workplace harassment, and wins. Is that fair?\nI find it very unlikely someone would use she/her/herself to refer to someone who identifies as male simply because of effeminacy despite their asking otherwise without any other kind of issues related. If someone is generally being uncooperative and demeaning, then that would constitute a perfectly good reason to sue someone, because that's just general harassment, that's not discrimination.\nThe problem is defining things such usage of pronouns itself, no matter the implications in the circumstance, is regulated. The way this is being set up is that people could potentially get charged even if the person who is being referred by pronouns other than their preferred pronouns is okay with the person who is referring to them making their own decision based on their own values.\nQuote from Incanur »\nIn what way does Peterson behaviour constitute bigotry? What evidence is there of him harboring or exercising any kind of contempt against trans people?\nMaybe his opinions on these issues aren't the most well informed or well considered, but holding an imperfect or bad position with regards to a rights issue does not automatically make someone a bigot.\nEDIT: Importantly for this point, Peterson has indicated that he is not totally adverse to the idea of using some nonbinary pronouns. In particular, the singular 'they/them/themself', but that it 'might depend on how they asked', and later 'depend on what I thought of your motivations'- to which let's note the response to the former was 'so, no' which I find to be a ridiculous response. See here at 11:40-12:30 (unfortunate title here and I recommend avoiding the comment section).\nI don't think refusing to use certain preferred pronouns necessarily adds to marginilisaion. Pronouns aren't simply the vector of some kind of acceptance, they are specific linguistic constructs and that means people can take issue with them beyond simply what they are intended to describe.\nI agree that gendered pronouns are in general an archaic, unnecessary idea.\nLithl\nRules Guru\n'biological sex, gender identity and gender expression do not vary independently' was his main point.\nSo it is impossible for someone to be born a man, present themselves as a woman, and consider themselves to be neither? (Hint: the answer is \"no,\" and I've met an individual fitting this description so greater than zero such individuals exist.)\nSure, sex, identity, and expression are related... in that most people are the same in all three categories. But that's really it.\nHe then argues that people should not be mandated to use whatever gender pronouns to refer to individuals as those individuals wish, as this definition of gender expression implies and has been taken to mean by groups supporting it. Peterson personally does not consent to using most nonbinary pronouns such as 'zhe/zhim/zher/zhimself'. He states that he doesn't 'recognise another person's right to determined what pronouns I use when addressing them'.\nI will refer to someone by whatever pronouns they ask me to use, because I'm not an ********.\nIf they haven't asked me to use anything specifically, I'll use their apparent gender if I can, because that's all I have to go on. But there's zero cost to me using the requested pronouns, and goodwill is earned in the process.\nOf course, codifying \"don't be an ********\" into law is potentially problematic, but... seriously, don't be an ********.\nTwo Score, Minus Two or: A Stargate Tail\n(Image by totallynotabrony)\nQuote from Lithl »\nSo it is impossible for someone to be born a man, present themselves as a woman, and consider themselves to be neither?\nThat's not what that statement means and that's already explicitly stated immediately before what you quoted.\nWhat that statement means is that these aspects affect each other and are correlated, and are not entirely separate things.\nDisagree. The correlation is not coincidental. They are related in what they are and how they work.\nFor one, I don't think you will refer to a person by wahtever pronouns they want, I don't think really anyone will, you just don't expect someone to ask you to refer to them as something totally random, very long and/or very difficult to pronounce.\nIs it really morally reprehensible for individuals to have personal standards about what they consider to be appropriate pronouns? Because what you do if you simply accept whatever pronoun preferences is establish in practice that any pronoun is valid, even if there are dozens of existing pronouns to describe the same thing, to the point of linguistic chaos. Do I really have to point out that this would be unreasonable?\nI think it is morally reprehensible to not be at least somewhat accomodating to others despite personal beliefs/values, but I think it is also morally reprehensible to expect others to use your prefered pronouns no matter what they are. I think people should work within reason to find alternative pronouns to their most preferred pronouns- that there needs to be a balance where people on both sides of the exchange sometimes make accomodations or compromises.\nThere is a cost- using a pronoun gives it validity in practice when one may consider the pronoun to be in some way invalid, and pronouns can carry ideological implications that people may want to avoiding supporting by using them.\nThere is a vast difference between \"make up a new word that means the exact same thing as an existing word\", and similar words with nuanced usages.\nI'll concede the point that I'd be unlikely to call someone \"Valentinez Alkalinella Xifax Sicidabohertz Gumbigobilla Blue Stradivari Talentrent Pierre Andry Charton-Haymoss Ivanovici Baldeus George Doitzel Kaiser III\" when asked to do so, because that's simply being silly. But we're talking pronouns.\nObjecting to a pronoun someone wants you to use for them is like objecting to the name someone wants you to use for them. I'm not going to call you \"Steve\" if you ask me to call you \"John\". Because I'm not an ********. Similarly, if you ask to be referred to with \"zhe\" or something, that's fine, I'll do it. Because I'm not an ********. I might make a mistake because it's outside the norm for my speech, but I'll also correct myself when I notice it.\nWhat ideological implications are carried by \"please call me X\"?\nThere are definitely currently used pronouns that mean the same thing.\nYes, so you have conceded that you will not simply accept whatever pronouns someone asks of you, that you have certain standards about what constitutes a valid pronoun.\nSo where exactly is the line? What standards are acceptable? It's not a one dimensional subject.\nObjecting to a pronoun someone wants you to use for them is like objecting to the name someone wants you to use for them.\nNames don't carry the same implications (as names are generally purely referential, pronouns carry grouping implications) or standards for usage as pronouns.\nI'm not going to call you \"Steve\" if you ask me to call you \"John\". Because I'm not an ********. Similarly, if you ask to be referred to with \"zhe\" or something, that's fine, I'll do it. Because I'm not an ********. I might make a mistake because it's outside the norm for my speech, but I'll also correct myself when I notice it.\nBut by your own admission, you wouldn't call someone \"Valentinez Alkalinella Xifax Sicidabohertz Gumbigobilla Blue Stradivari Talentrent Pierre Andry Charton-Haymoss Ivanovici Baldeus George Doitzel Kaiser III\" if they asked you to.\nI expect you'd ask them about an abbreviation.\nIn the same way, I think it's reasonable to ask people if there are any alternative pronouns they would be ok with being referred to as other than their top preference, just as I think it's reasonable for people to make the pronoun request in the first place.\nI think both persons should be willing to compromise. I don't think it's morally reprehensible to contest new pronouns just as I don't think it's morally reprehensible to suggest them.\nWhat's the point of spreading new pronouns at all?\nBecause pronouns are grouping words. They carry implications about the meaningful and significant existence of specific groups, and not everyone agrees that all the specific groups these pronouns are implying do meaningfully and significantly exist, and may instead believe people have characterised a group in such a way as they consider it misleading, perhaps even false.\nFurthermore, pronouns don't have to be created to describe every one of these groups. People may have different opinions about how pronouns should be created and used in the first place. Some people will have higher standards about how broad a use a pronoun should have, others very low. I think both those people are within reason logically and ethically, and they can work out their differences without either being 'an ********'.\nI find it very unlikely someone would use she/her/herself to refer to someone who identifies as male simply because of effeminacy despite their asking otherwise without any other kind of issues related.\nI'm not asking you whether you find it likely. It's a hypothetical. I'm asking whether you think that, by itself, constitutes workplace harassment.\nNot42\nBy itself this should never constitute harassment. However things are never by themselves, there is some kind of intent behind actions. If the person is doing this for the purpose of harassing, offending, mocking or any such thing then it is wrong. If they think it is only in jest, or in the case of nonbinary pronouns a constant slip of the tongue because you aren't used to the new word, then there should be other avenues for dealing with this that 'can' escalate to a harassment case but shouldn't start there. The point is that the proposed bill would make it harassment regardless of intent and intent is one of the most important issues in this kind of event.\nQuote from Not42 »\nI'm confused. You say \"By itself this should never constitute harassment\", but then you go on to say that it would be harassment as long as there is intent behind it. In the hypothetical I proposed - the intent was clear. The person in question had made a conscious decision to use the female pronouns, and had continued doing so even after being asked to stop. So when you say \"this\" should never constitute harassment, does \"this\" not refer to the situation I described?\nWhat's the intent? What's the tone in which it's done? Does the person using the she/her pronoun go out of their way to use the pronoun very often?\nI don't think using non preferred pronoun constitutes harassment. I think using non preferred pronouns to demean someone constitutes (EDIT: harassment)- because you are demeaning them. Which is to say I think using non preferred pronouns is not itself harassment but can be used to harass someone. Going back to my name abbreviation analogy, using an abbreviation of someone's chosen name is not itself harassment but it could be used to harass them.\nLet's say we have Bob and David, both cisgendered men. Bob refers to David exclusively using female pronouns. David has repeatedly asked Bob to stop doing so. Bob does not use the female pronouns with a particularly derisive or insulting tone - it's the same normal tone he uses when talking about female coworkers. Bob is not making a mistake or a slip of the tongue, nor is he doing it as an attempt at a joke. He fully intends to use the female pronouns when talking about David, and matter-of-factly refuses David's requests to stop.\nIs that harassment? Would you be okay with this situation if you were David?\nIt's not harassment, but I would consider doing that without a good reason to be ethically bad. I would not be okay with that if they weren't doing it for a good reason.\nWhat do you mean \"without a good reason\"? What possible good reason do you see here?\nI think it's reasonable to ask people if there are any alternative pronouns they would be ok with being referred to as other than their top preference\nSure, that's fine. And at that point, it's not a matter of \"please call me X\", but \"please call me X or Y\".\nWhat would your response be if every single alternative acceptable to the person you're talking to doesn't meet your arbitrarily-defined boundaries of an acceptable pronoun?\nWhat a loaded question.\nI don't think many people at all have boundaries of what constitutes a valid pronoun that are arbitrarily determined, there are reasons why people think that sort of thing, whether or not you share those perspectives, some of which do note are not objective.\nAnd at that point, it would depend on a whole variety of things.\nI think this circumstance is very unlikely to occur for me though, based on my standards and what pronouns people use.\nRead the thread.\nHe argues that use of pronouns is involved in political ideology, and that he does not want to be involved in supporting these motivations.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line198126"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9272577166557312,"wiki_prob":0.9272577166557312,"text":"Photo: Express/Getty ImagesPhoto: Express/Getty Images\nWho Will Be President Trump’s Dr. Strangelove?\nOne worry among the national security community is that Trump may wind up being, in effect, his own national security adviser.\nMattathias Schwartz\nNovember 11 2016, 6:59 p.m.\nIf he could, President Donald Trump might roll up his sleeves and single-handedly manage U.S. foreign and military policy. He would be the only man in the room for the coming negotiations with Russia and NATO. He would personally select targets for lethal strikes in places like Yemen, Iraq, and Syria. He might even spend his afternoons piloting each of the unmanned drones and choosing the right moment to pull the trigger.\nBut he can’t. It’s too much work for one man. Instead, he’ll likely pursue his overseas agenda through the administrative instrument over which the White House has the most direct control — the National Security Council, or NSC, and the national security adviser.\nJohn Podesta, who chaired Hillary Clinton’s failed 2016 presidential campaign, emphasized the raw power of the NSC in a four-page staffing memo that he sent to President-elect Obama in 2008. “The White House really has two chiefs of staff,” Podesta wrote: the actual chief of staff and the national security adviser, who runs the NSC on the president’s behalf. The memo was among the hacked Podesta emails published by WikiLeaks in the run-up to the election.\nEvidence of the NSC’s vast, opaque powers runs through postwar presidential history. As President Nixon’s national security adviser, Henry Kissinger cemented his access to the Oval Office and outmaneuvered his rival, Secretary of State William Rogers, eventually taking Rogers’s job. Under President George W. Bush, the National Security Council was discussing the possibility of invading Iraq as early as July 2001, at the suggestion of Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld.\nIt seems unlikely that a President Trump would invest anyone with the kind of trust held by Kissinger or Rumsfeld. Trump burned through a number of high-level campaign staff during the months leading up to the election, and the only consistent members of his inner circle are his immediate family.\nPaul B. Stares, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations who studies the NSC, characterized Trump as “someone who likes to be in total control, believes he knows more than his subordinates, encourages competition and tension among them.” In an email, Stares said these qualities are “antithetical to all the virtues we look for at the pinnacle of the national security decision-making process. So the question is: Is he going to change? Or are we going to see a very different NSC process?”\n“The president is the key person,” said David Rothkopf, the CEO and editor of Foreign Policy and the author of a book on the history of the NSC. “Trump has no experience dealing with the various agencies in question, nor with the White House apparatus. He has essentially no experience with anybody in the national security community. There’s going to be a kind of battle — Who’s going to teach him national security? Who’s going to show him the right way to run a meeting, how to delegate, how to use the NSC, how to use the agencies? If his professor is Trump himself, who doesn’t know anything, that’s one thing. If it’s [former Defense Intelligence Agency director and Trump adviser] Michael Flynn, a deranged maniac, that’s something else.”\nFormally known as the “assistant to the president for national security affairs,” the national security adviser heads up the NSC, one of the federal government’s most powerful and least transparent entities. The council was created in 1947 as part of the far-reaching National Security Act. Its original purpose was to coordinate the Department of State and the Department of Defense in their efforts to husband American power around the globe. Today, the NSC has evolved into the federal government’s foreign policy spinal cord, the most direct bureaucratic means presidents can impress their will directly onto the rest of the government, with a minimum of external oversight. “If it [the NSC] doesn’t work, it is like congestive heart failure,” said David C. Miller Jr., a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, in a congressional hearing this September. He called the national security adviser “the most important presidential appointment not subject to Senate confirmation.”\nThe hub of the NSC is the NSC Principals Committee, a kind of super cabinet. Its nerve center is the Situation Room in the West Wing basement. Twelve of the 13 people depicted in the famous White House photo taken in the Situation Room during the Osama bin Laden operation were connected to the NSC. By law, the Principals Committee includes the president, vice president, and secretaries of defense, state, and, since 2007, energy. The committee’s exact composition varies from meeting to meeting, to be decided by the president and senior White House staff. Within the broad strokes of the original 1947 law, as updated over the years and then amended by the Goldwater-Nichols Act of 1986, NSC quite literally makes its own rules, and those rules are set by the president.\nPresident George W. Bush leads his National Security Council in the Situation Room of the White House on Oct. 12, 2001, in Washington, D.C.\nPhoto: Eric Draper/White House/Getty Images\nA few weeks after inauguration, the new NSC will issue its first memo, signed by President Trump. The memo will define who is part of the Principals Committee and the Deputies Committee, which is made up of the principals’ seconds-in-command. Even the names of the memos bear the fingerprints of the president. For Kennedy, they were “National Security Action Memorandums.” For Reagan, they were “National Security Decision Directives.” Obama called them “Presidential Policy Directives.” According to the Federation of American Scientists, Obama has issued 43 of them over eight years. Twenty-two have been made public in whole or part; the other 21 remain secret.\nThe NSC is not subject to the Freedom of Information Act, although Rep. Jackie Walorski, R-Ind., proposed a bill that would have changed that earlier this year. It has a tiny stub of a website and a small budget: $12.6 million under the Executive Office of the President. It has no headquarters of its own, operating out of the West Wing and the Old Executive Office Building.\nUnlike the secretaries of defense and state, the director of the CIA, and many other heads of key agencies, the national security adviser and NSC senior staff are not subject to Senate confirmation. During Obama’s term, Capitol Hill became more partisan, which led to even more power concentrating within the NSC, with the president’s most trusted allies obtaining proximity and influence inside the White House. Meanwhile, more experienced figures, who may not have been the president’s first choices but could survive Senate confirmation, were shipped off to the agencies.\nAfter controversy over John O. Brennan’s role in the Bush-era torture program forced him to withdraw his name from consideration for CIA director in 2008, he obtained arguably more influence inside the White House as assistant to the president for homeland security, a role that expanded under Obama to be a dual-hatted NSC role that also served as a deputy to the national security adviser and a full member of the Principals Committee. Working in a basement office a few steps away from the Oval Office, Brennan wound up with better access to the president than Obama’s first national security adviser, Gen. James Jones, and his director of national intelligence, Dennis Blair, both of whom departed during the administration’s second year. “There have been some complaints that Mr. Brennan has exercised an influence on intelligence activities that more properly belongs to the director of national intelligence,” noted a 2011 report by the Congressional Research Service.\nNational Security Adviser Susan Rice listens to Indonesian President Joko Widodo and President Barack Obama speak to the press following talks at the White House in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 26, 2015.\nPhoto: Nicholas Kamm/AFP/Getty Images\nAnother would-be cabinet member who wound up on the Principals Committee is Susan Rice, who in 2012 withdrew her name from consideration for secretary of state in the midst of criticism from Congress over her comments on the Benghazi attacks. John Kerry, someone with more experience but weaker White House ties than Rice, was confirmed as Obama’s second secretary of state; Obama appointed Rice to be his third national security adviser.\nThe NSC exercises so much control that it can become a kind of scapegoat for an administration’s worst mistakes. Under Reagan, NSC had an in-house “special activities” or covert action wing, which organized much of the Iran-Contra arms-for-hostages fiasco. When the plot unraveled, a special prosecutor came down hardest on the NSC, particularly National Security Adviser John Poindexter and one of his staffers, Oliver North.\nIn the case of Obama’s NSC, many of the administration’s Senate-confirmed heavyweights, including members of the Principals Committee, have complained about being shut out. For all his accomplishments, Obama struggled to forge deep relationships with old Washington hands — Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden being the exceptions. In his memoir, former CIA Director and Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta wrote that his speeches and interview requests had to be cleared by the White House, and that the administration’s senior staff exerted tight control over his interactions with Congress. Robert Gates, Obama’s first secretary of defense, called it “micromanagement.”\nUnder previous administrations, the NSC’s third-tier “interagency” or “directorate” committees had two chairs: one from NSC staff, and one from outside agencies. Under Obama, most of the committees eliminated the outside co-chair. “This may be one reason why there was criticism of the Obama administration centralizing control of the process,” says Stares. “They might have done that to maintain control and discipline, but it does come at a cost. You can be perceived as micromanaging, or distrustful.”\nIn an email, Ned Price, an NSC spokesperson, wrote that the council draws most of its in-house staff from agencies like State and Defense. “Almost 90 percent are career public servants spending one to two years on the NSC staff before returning to their home agency.” Price put the number of NSC “policy and leadership staff” at less than 200. Rep. Ed Royce, R-Calif., who chairs the House Foreign Relations Committee and recently held hearings on NSC reform, has claimed that the total staff level is above 400.\nStares said that the council’s increasingly broad responsibilities carry a risk of being overly focused on the short-term. “We’ve got to get away with being fixated on structure and process and numbers and instead think about what we want the NSC to do well,” he said. “The common lament seems to be that the NSC is in an endless struggle to manage day-to-day events. There isn’t time to pause, think, and look at the big picture.”\nObama will be leaving the NSC with an unusually flat structure. Beneath the principals and deputies committees are more than 20 “directorates” organized around regions and issues. There was speculation that Hillary Clinton’s NSC might take a more hierarchical form, with a thicker layer of presidential assistants and White House “czars” — presidentially appointed mid-level staffers — mediating between the directorates and the Deputies Committee.\nToday, the Republican Party holds a thin 54-46 majority in the Senate. If the Senate proves hostile to Trump’s cabinet choices, it is likely that some of his innermost circle will wind up on the NSC, as the president can choose to populate the Principals Committee with his chief of staff, and other non-confirmed appointees. Shortly after the beginning of Obama’s first term, the Principals Committee had 13 full members. Two of those members were neither elected nor subject to Senate confirmation. Another two members of his senior White House staff were “invited to attend every NSC meeting.”\nTrump could respond to congressional concerns about growth in the NSC by cutting its staff numbers, but Price, the spokesperson, said that recent presidents have not exercised total control over NSC staff, at least not at the lower levels. “The vast majority of those staffers are career public servants,” he wrote in an email, “who, as a general matter, do not turn over with a change of administration.”\nSo far, little is known about Trump’s plans for the NSC’s organization and leadership. He may not have any. It bears watching.\nTop photo: Actors on the set of “Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb,” on March 14, 1963.\nMattathias Schwartz[email protected]​gmail.com@Schwartzesque","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1874087"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5006108283996582,"wiki_prob":0.5006108283996582,"text":"Florida School Shooting Hits Home for ElderLawAnswers Member Attorney\nIn Elder Law News\nFlorida School Shooting Hits Home for ElderLawAnswers Member Attorney2018-03-072018-03-07/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/logo-bluetxt-updated-sm.pngStavely & Sallitto Elder Law, LLC/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/logo-bluetxt-updated-sm.png200px200px\nFlorida ElderLawAnswers member attorney Howard S. Krooks was at work on February 14 when he received a text from his son, Noah, a ninth-grader at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.\n“Dad, I think there is a shooter at the school I’m in.” “I think it’s real.”\nIn a gripping op-ed published in the Sun-Sentinel, a daily newspaper in Broward County, Krooks records his exchanges with Noah, who was texting him from under a desk in a classroom across the hall from the shooter. The article also recounts Krooks’s own powerful emotional response to what Noah was telling him. “What if I stop receiving texts from him?,” Krooks asks himself at one point.\nIt turns out that Noah was in the first classroom on the left that the killer passed on his way into the building. For reasons unknown, the shooter skipped that classroom and chose others to attack. One was the second classroom on the right, where Noah’s close friend Alex was killed.\nAfter relating the first-hand account of the shooting, Krooks, who is a former president of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, describes the tragedy’s impact on his family, and implores lawmakers to take the necessary steps so that parents don’t have to continue sending their children into potential killing zones. “Legislators, are you listening? Take this tragedy and use it to pass legislation that addresses the combined problems of mental illness and possession of weapons.”\nKrooks ends with an apology to those affected by all past school shootings. “My heart went out to them during those times, but it wasn’t until it hit me in my own home, my own backyard and my own children were affected, that I took the time to write this plea to our lawmakers seeking to effectuate change. I hope you can forgive me for that.”\nTo read Krooks’s entire op-ed, click here.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line332859"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9635810852050781,"wiki_prob":0.9635810852050781,"text":"Birdsong Is Just What Doctor Ordered for Cards\nKathy Perovich\nIn the past five years, the St. Louis Cardinals have had seven punters, which does not say much about the job security that comes with the position.\nThe most recent turnover came just before the start of the regular season. Larry Swider, who had been at the job for exactly one year, was upstaged in the exhibition season by Carl Birdsong, who had replaced Swider by the Cardinals' first regular season game.\nBirdsong, a free agent who still has one year of pharmacy school left at Southwestern Sate at Weatherford, says punting is a means to an end in his life.\n\"This is an opportunity for me to make money for business purposes later,\" said Birdsong after St. Louis had shut out the Buffalo Bills 24-0 Sunday. \"I want to own my own pharmacy someday.\"\nAs a junior at Southwestern, Birdsong was first team Little All-American and had a punting average of 45.6. As a senior, he was second team All-American and averaged 43.5 yards per kick.\nBirdsong transfered from East Texas State to Southwestern to go to pharmacy school. As a sophomore at East Texas, he was ranked as high as third nationally before falling to 12th by the end of the season.\nIn the NFL, Birdsong was averaging 43.3 before Sunday's game. That average will fall because he kicked three punts Sunday for a 33.7 average. It's that low because of a 13-yarder he booted in the second quarter while going for a coffin corner kick. Instead, he shanked the ball and it went out of bounds.\nRecently, Birdsong has not been getting much of a chance to perform.\n\"In the last four games, I've been getting about three punts a game,\" said Birdsong, who is planning to return to Weatherford to complete his pharmacy degree over the next two spring semesters. \"We lost some of those games by big scores, and there were a lot of turnovers. I would like to kick more, so that I get into a good rhythm.\"\nA punter's job might look easier than that of a defensive back, but Birdsong says punting is more of a mental exercise than a physical one.\n\"It requires you to be prepared mentally all the time,\" Birdsong said. \"Sometimes I don't pay that much attention to what's happening on the field so I can keep my concentration. Sometimes you have to divorce yourself from the game.\"\nBirdsong, who has signed three one-year contracts with the Cardinals, was signed by Buffalo initially. He was there a week and a half before being released. When the Cardinals picked him up, he was in an immediate duel with Swider, who is now with Tampa Bay.\n\"The time that I was the most nervous was when I was at Buffalo,\" Birdsong said. \"When I first went out on the field, I didn't know whether to ask these guys for autographs, or what.\"\nBirdsong felt more at ease in St. Louis. \"I had never been cut from a team before. When that happened in Buffalo, I considered it the worst possible thing. But when I was given another chance here, I just thought I could make it.\"\nBirdsong says a rookie punter is not given as long a time to get adjusted as a rookie running back is.\n\"Sometimes you might just be out there three times a game,\" Birdsong said. \"Every one can see any mistage you make perfectly.\" BIOG: NAME:\nArchive ID: 39727","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line894313"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9725450873374939,"wiki_prob":0.9725450873374939,"text":"U.S. WorldWND EXCLUSIVE\nRussia helping Syria quell insurgency\nMoscow's aid comes amid calls for U.S.-NATO to deploy in Arab country\nBy Aaron Klein\nDamascus protest\nTEL AVIV – Russian military experts have been inside Syria helping Bashar Assad's regime face down a months-long insurgency, according to informed Middle Eastern security officials.\nThe officials told WND the team of Russian experts were currently advising Assad's regime on how to quell rioting in Damascus and around the presidential compound.\nThis is not the first report of Russian aid to Assad's faltering regime.\nLast month, WND quoted an Egyptian security official stating that Russian military technicians were in Syria to inspect the country's missile and army installations.\nRussia is a military ally to Syria. Moscow has been trying to water down United Nations Security Council resolutions targeting Syria in recent days, with Russia insisting that any council action should not only focus on the Assad government but also the opposition movement trying to end Assad's rule.\nThe latest information comes as the Syrian opposition yesterday issued yet another call for foreign intervention in Syria.\nThe Syrian rebel army chief urged the world to protect civilians in Syria, complaining that Arab peace monitors had failed to curb Assad's response to the 10-month-old revolt against his rule.\nRiad al-Asaad, Turkish-based commander of the rebel Free Syrian Army, stated, \"We ask that the international community intervene because they are more capable of protecting Syrians at this stage than our Arab brothers.\"\nThe opposition in Syria previously specifically requested the U.S. and NATO intervene.\nAlso yesterday, Assad said he \"absolutely rejects\" any plans to send Arab troops into the country. He was referring to a statement from the leader of Qatar, Sheik Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, who was quoted Sunday as saying Arab troops should be sent to Syria – the first statements by an Arab leader calling for the deployment of troops inside Syria.\nDamascus officials claimed in November that NATO troops were training in Turkey for a Turkish-led NATO invasion of Syria.\nArab League diplomats previously told reporters they might recognize the opposition as the sole representative of the Syrian people in a move that would symbolically isolate Assad's regime.\nIf such a step is taken, it would mimic the diplomatic initiatives recently utilized to isolate Moammar Gadhafi's regime before the NATO campaign in Libya.\nAny deployment would most likely come under the banner of the same \"Responsibility to Protect\" global doctrine used to justify the U.S.-NATO airstrikes in Libya.\nResponsibility to Protect, or Responsibility to Act, as cited by President Obama, is a set of principles, now backed by the United Nations, based on the idea that sovereignty is not a privilege but a responsibility that can be revoked if a country is accused of \"war crimes,\" \"genocide,\" \"crimes against humanity\" or \"ethnic cleansing.\"\nA Turkish-U.S.-NATO strike could have immediate implications for Israel.\nThe Syrian president warned in an interview last month with a U.K. newspaper that foreign intervention in Syria would cause an \"earthquake\" across the region and create another Afghanistan, while directly threatening the Jewish state.\nAssad reportedly made similar comments in a meeting in early October with Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmad Davutoglu. He was quoted stating, \"If a crazy measure is taken against Damascus, I will need not more than six hours to transfer hundreds of rockets and missiles to the Golan Heights to fire them at Tel Aviv.\"\nAssad also reportedly warned that \"all these events will happen in three hours, but in the second three hours, Iran will attack the U.S. warships in the Persian Gulf and the U.S. and European interests will be targeted simultaneously.\"\nGeorge Soros-funded doctrine\nIn his address to the nation in April explaining the NATO campaign in Libya, Obama cited Responsibility to Protect doctrine as the main justification for U.S. and international airstrikes against Libya.\nThe Global Center for Responsibility to Protect is the world's leading champion of the military doctrine.\nAs WND reported, billionaire activist George Soros is a primary funder and key proponent of the Global Center for Responsibility to Protect. Several of the doctrine's main founders also sit on boards with Soros.\nWND reported the committee that devised the Responsibility to Protect doctrine included Arab League Secretary General Amre Moussa as well as Palestinian legislator Hanan Ashrawi, a staunch denier of the Holocaust who long served as the deputy of late Palestinian Liberation Organization leader Yasser Arafat.\nAlso, the Carr Center for Human Rights Policy has a seat on the advisory board of the 2001 commission that originally founded Responsibility to Protect. The commission is called the International Commission on Intervention and State Sovereignty. It invented the term Responsibility to Protect while defining its guidelines.\nThe Carr Center is a research center concerned with human rights located at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.\nSamantha Power, the National Security Council special adviser to Obama on human rights, was Carr's founding executive director and headed the institute at the time it advised in the founding of Responsibility to Protect.\nWith Power's center on the advisory board, the International Commission on Intervention and State Sovereignty first defined the Responsibility to Protect doctrine.\nPower reportedly heavily influenced Obama in consultations leading to the decision to bomb Libya.\nTwo of the global group's advisory board members, Ramesh Thakur and Gareth Evans, are the original founders of the doctrine, with the duo even coining the term.\nAs WND reported, Soros' Open Society Institute is a primary funder and key proponent of the GlobalCenter for Responsibility to Protect. Also, Thakur and Evans sit on multiple boards with Soros.\nSoros' Open Society is one of only three nongovernmental funders of the Global Center for the Responsibility to Protect. Government sponsors include Australia, Belgium, Canada, the Netherlands, Norway, Rwanda and the U.K.\nBoard members of the group include former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan, former Ireland President Mary Robinson and South African activist Desmond Tutu. Robinson and Tutu have made solidarity visits to the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip as members of a group called The Elders, which includes former President Jimmy Carter.\nAnnan once famously stated, \"State sovereignty, in its most basic sense, is being redefined – not least by the forces of globalization and international co-operation. States are … instruments at the service of their peoples and not vice versa.\"\nSoros: Right to 'penetrate nation-states'\nSoros himself outlined the fundamentals of Responsibility to Protect in a 2004 Foreign Policy magazine article titled \"The People's Sovereignty: How a New Twist on an Old Idea Can Protect the World's Most Vulnerable Populations.\"\nIn the article Soros said, \"True sovereignty belongs to the people, who in turn delegate it to their governments.\"\n\"If governments abuse the authority entrusted to them and citizens have no opportunity to correct such abuses, outside interference is justified,\" Soros wrote. \"By specifying that sovereignty is based on the people, the international community can penetrate nation-states' borders to protect the rights of citizens.\n\"In particular,\" he continued, \"the principle of the people's sovereignty can help solve two modern challenges: the obstacles to delivering aid effectively to sovereign states, and the obstacles to global collective action dealing with states experiencing internal conflict.\"\nMore Soros ties\n\"Responsibility\" founders Evans and Thakur served as co-chairmen with Vartan Gregorian, president of Carnegie Corp. Charitable Foundation, on the advisory board of the International Commission on Intervention and State Sovereignty, which invented the term Responsibility to Protect.\nIn his capacity as co-chairman, Evans also played a pivotal role in initiating the fundamental shift from sovereignty as a right to \"sovereignty as responsibility.\"\nEvans presented Responsibility to Protect at the July 23, 2009, United Nations General Assembly, which was convened to consider the principle.\nThakur is a fellow at the Center for International Governance Innovation, which is in partnership with an economic institute founded by Soros.\nSoros is on the executive board of the International Crisis Group, a \"crisis management organization\" for which Evans serves as president-emeritus.\nWND previously reported how the group has been petitioning for the U.S. to normalize ties with the Muslim Brotherhood, the main opposition in Egypt, where longtime U.S. ally Hosni Mubarak was recently toppled.\nAside from Evans and Soros, the group includes on its board Egyptian opposition leader Mohamed ElBaradei and other personalities who champion dialogue with Hamas, a violent offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood.\nWND also reported the crisis group has petitioned for the Algerian government to cease \"excessive\" military activities against al-Qaida-linked groups and to allow organizations seeking to create an Islamic state to participate in the Algerian government.\nSoros' own Open Society Institute has funded opposition groups across the Middle East and North Africa, including organizations involved in the current chaos.\n'One World Order'\nWND reported that doctrine founder Thakur recently advocated for a \"global rebalancing\" and \"international redistribution\" to create a \"New World Order.\"\nIn a piece last March in the Ottawa Citizen newspaper, \"Toward a new world order,\" Thakur wrote: \"Westerners must change lifestyles and support international redistribution.\"\nHe was referring to a United Nations-brokered international climate treaty in which he argued, \"Developing countries must reorient growth in cleaner and greener directions.\"\nIn the opinion piece, Thakur then discussed recent military engagements and how the financial crisis has impacted the U.S.\n\"The West's bullying approach to developing nations won't work anymore – global power is shifting to Asia,\" he wrote.\n\"A much-needed global moral rebalancing is in train,\" he added.\nThakur continued: \"Westerners have lost their previous capacity to set standards and rules of behavior for the world. Unless they recognize this reality, there is little prospect of making significant progress in deadlocked international negotiations.\"\nThakur contended \"the demonstration of the limits to U.S. and NATO power in Iraq and Afghanistan has left many less fearful of 'superior' Western power.\"\nAaron Klein is WND's senior staff writer and Jerusalem bureau chief. He also hosts \"Aaron Klein Investigative Radio\" on Salem Talk Radio. Follow Aaron on Twitter and Facebook.\n@AaronKleinShow\nABC forced to issue correction as big Ukraine story crumbles\nMemos uncovered: Has Biden lied about Ukraine all along?\nBeto dishonestly uses Kent State shooting to shame gun owners\nPelosi: Director of National Intelligence 'broke the law'\nNew comedic novel spanks loony university politics","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line727266"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7988704442977905,"wiki_prob":0.7988704442977905,"text":"Kyrie Irving Took What Sure Looks Like a Shot At Brad Stevens\nBy Ryan Glasspiegel\nKyrie Irving after the #Celtics blew an 18-point 4Q lead, questions defense on Kemba Walker. pic.twitter.com/m6F0j9ZTTW\n— gary washburn (@GwashburnGlobe) March 24, 2019\nThe Hornets erased an 18-point deficit and Kemba Walker had 18 points in the fourth quarter as Charlotte handed the Celtics a crushing defeat on Saturday. This would be a story in and of itself, but Kyrie Irving appearing to question Brad Stevens and the coaching staff after the game puts it in another light.\nWhile Irving said to “judge us when we have our full line-up,” he was asked about Walker and had this to say: “It’s one on one … down the stretch you try to come in and help as much as possible. We should have probably trapped him a little more like every other team does.”\nAs Jeff Goodman, a reporter for Stadium who follows the Celtics closely, tweeted, it “[c]ertainly looks like a shot at the game plan, and thus Brad Stevens and the staff. Continues to throw people under the bus to the media.”\nIt seems like just yesterday when a cross-country plane ride had allegedly saved the Celtics’ season. It’s been under two weeks since a self reflective Kyrie told Chris Haynes about how he could’ve handled things better during what has been a tumultuous season.\n“The way I’ve handled things, it hasn’t been perfect,” Irving said in the interview. “I’ve made a lot of mistakes that I take full responsibility for. I apologize. I haven’t done it perfectly. I haven’t said the right things all the time. I don’t want to sit on a place like I’m on a pedestal from anybody. I’m a normal human being that makes mistakes. For me, I think because of how fixated I was on trying to prove other people wrong, I got into a lot of habits that were bad, like reading stuff and reacting emotionally. That’s just not who I am.”\nThe Celtics are 43-30, and if the season ended today the Pacers would have home-court advantage in the 4-5 series of the first round.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line709321"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8638889193534851,"wiki_prob":0.8638889193534851,"text":"The Grand 1894 Opera House\n“PINK MARTINI IS A ROLLICKING AROUND-THE-WORLD MUSICAL ADVENTURE… IF THE UNITED NATIONS HAD A HOUSE BAND IN 1962, HOPEFULLY WE’D BE THAT BAND.”\n– THOMAS LAUDERDALE, BANDLEADER/PIANIST\nDrawing inspiration from music from all over the world – crossing genres of classical, jazz and old-fashioned pop – Thomas Lauderdale founded Pink Martini in 1994 to provide more beautiful and inclusive musical soundtracks for political fundraisers for causes such as civil rights, affordable housing, the environment, libraries, public broadcasting, education and parks.\nTwenty years later, Pink Martini still tours the world, singing in 22 languages at opera houses, concert halls, film festivals, museums and fashion shows. In 2014, Pink Martini was inducted into both the Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame and the Oregon Music Hall of Fame.\nFeaturing a dozen musicians, Pink Martini performs its multilingual repertoire in over 25 languages on concert stages and with symphony orchestras throughout Europe, Asia, Greece, Turkey, the Middle East, Northern Africa, Australia, New Zealand, South America and North America. Pink Martini made its European debut at the Cannes Film Festival in 1997 and its orchestral debut with the Oregon Symphony in 1998 under the direction of Norman Leyden. Since then, the band has gone on to play with more than 70 orchestras around the world, including multiple engagements with the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl, the Boston Pops, the National Symphony at the Kennedy Center, the San Francisco Symphony, the Cleveland Orchestra, the Sydney Symphony at the Sydney Opera House, and the BBC Concert Orchestra at Royal Albert Hall in London.\nCLICK HERE FOR TICKETS\nClassical, Jazz, Music, Orchestra, Pop, Songs, Symphony, World\nThe Grand is a performing arts theatre, presenting a year-round schedule of performances that include stars of stage and screen, music, dance, Broadway hits, comedy and more! The Grand is the official opera house of the State of Texas, and is a non-profit organization.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line449875"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9817906618118286,"wiki_prob":0.9817906618118286,"text":"Hot List ’05\nBlackEnterprise.com December 1, 2005 December 2, 2008 1821\nbe answered in the U.S. Senate. Win or lose in the upcoming senatorial race, Ford will always be a role model for today’s young Americans, having been the youngest person ever elected to Congress. The eldest son of former U.S. Rep. Harold E. Ford Sr., also from Tennessee, Ford Jr. earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 1992 and his law degree from the University of Michigan Law School in 1996, the year he was first sworn to represent the Ninth District of Tennessee. He was 26. AGE: 35\nDR. KEVIN HOLCOMB. Director of Gynecologic Oncology BETH ISRAEL MEDICAL CENTER, NY\nWhy he’s hot: Kevin Holcomb is one of about 12 black male physicians in the country dedicated to gynecologic oncology medicine. His special interest is the laparoscopic management of GYN malignancies, and he’s among the first physicians in his field trained in the use of robotic surgery. Holcomb performs about 200 surgeries a year in addition to being an assistant clinical professor in obstetrics and gynecology at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. He’s also very involved in physician awareness and community outreach programs, particularly as they relate to educating women in the Harlem community about the benefits of cancer screening and early detection. AGE: 38\nPHIL IVEY,\nWhy he’s hot: Phil Ivey has captured the country’s attention with extraordinary wins at some high-stakes tables. This year, Ivey won his fifth career bracelet at the World Series of Poker tournament in Las Vegas, earning a little more than $630,000. When he won his first World Series of Poker bracelet in 2000 at the age of 23, he was one of the youngest winners in the history of the tournament. Two years later, he tied a World Series of Poker record by winning three events in a single year. In all, Ivey has cashed in at nearly 50 tournaments, reached six finals tables, and amassed more than $1.25 million. AGE: 29\nBeyoncé Knowles Singer, Actress\nWhy she’s hot: Even before she inspired Tommy Hilfiger’s fragrance line, True Star, Beyoncé Knowles was well on her way to becoming one. The former frontwoman of R&B group Destiny’s Child went solo in 2003, and her debut CD, Dangerously in Love, sold 1.4 million copies, and won five Grammy awards. A budding actress, Knowles played the title role in the television production Carmen: A Hip-Hopera. She made her silver-screen debut as Foxxy Cleopatra in Austin Powers: Goldmember and had a starring role in The Fighting Temptations. Next year, she will appear in The Pink Panther, co-starring Steve Martin, and she recently inked a multimillion-dollar deal to play the coveted role of one of the title characters in Dreamgirls, the movie adapted from the hit Broadway play. Knowles has millions in endorsement deals, including a five-year, $4.7 million contract with L’Oreal and a $3 million contract with Hilfiger’s Star fragrance line. And did we mention she had style to spare? Knowles and her mother, Tina, collaborated to develop a women’s clothing line called The\nBlackEnterprise.com","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1189545"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.671536386013031,"wiki_prob":0.328463613986969,"text":"Riyadh Int’l Book Fair rich cultural event: Ambassador\nRIYADH: Kuwait's Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Sheikh Ali Al-Khaled Al-Jaber Al-Sabah tours the Riyadh International Book Fair 2021. - KUNA photos\nRIYADH: Kuwait’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Sheikh Ali Al-Khaled Al-Jaber Al-Sabah tours the Riyadh International Book Fair 2021. – KUNA photos\nRIYADH: Kuwait’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Sheikh Ali Al-Khaled Al-Jaber Al-Sabah affirmed that the Riyadh International Book Fair 2021 is a diverse and rich cultural event to the Gulf and the Arab world. In remarks to the press yesterday on the sidelines of his visit to the fair, Sheikh Ali lauded the organizers of the event, thanking the Saudi Ministry of Culture for this great cultural gathering.\nThe ambassador also pointed out that Saudi Arabia has a rich and great cultural asset and bright minds that have influenced Gulf, Arab and Islamic culture and literature. Sheikh Ali stressed that Kuwaiti publishing houses and writers represent the bright-civilized Kuwaiti culture and literature. Last Thursday, the Saudi Minister of Culture, Prince Bader bin Farhan, inaugurated the Riyadh International Book Fair 2021 under the patronage of the Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz, with the participation of more than 1,000 publishing houses from 30 countries.\nThe exhibition will be held on an area of more than 36,000 square meters and includes areas dedicated to the work of publishers, workshops, dialogue sessions, and training courses, as well as poetry and art gatherings, performances, and international plays presented in three external theaters. – KUNA\ncultural event Int'l Book RIYADH\nBohra Sultan's representative congratulates Amir\nKDIPA promotes Kuwaiti investments in Expo 2020 Dubai\nKuwait top leaders’ awards for shooters handed over\nTrio ‘brought together’ by drugs\nMan rapes neighbor in revenge\nCabinet applauds Amir’s Ramadan speech\n88 residency violators arrested","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line542668"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.917090117931366,"wiki_prob":0.917090117931366,"text":"Zinn perpetuates myth of 1950s anti-Communist “book burning”\nIn Chapter 16 of A People’s History of the United States, Howard Zinn uses a string of half-truths to present a stilted portrait of legendary Cold Warrior, Sen. Joseph McCarthy. In a clear allusion to the Nazi book burnings of the early 1930s, Zinn presents McCarthy as a paranoid bully, chasing down innocent Foreign Service workers and ordering the removal and destruction of any texts he personally deemed too subversive.\nAccording to Zinn,\nAs chairman of the Permanent Investigations Sub-Committee of a Senate Committee on Government Operations, [Senator Joe McCarthy] investigated the State Department’s information program, its Voice of America, and its overseas libraries, which included books by people McCarthy considered Communists. The State Department reacted in panic, issuing a stream of directives to its library centers across the world. Forty books were removed, including The Selected Works of Thomas Jefferson, edited by Philip Foner, and The Children’s Hour by Lillian Hellman. Some books were burned.[1]\nEvery sentence of Zinn’s paragraph above is factually accurate. But, when taken altogether, the effect of Zinn’s anecdotes is to conceal the true nature of the situation. The sole purpose of these overseas libraries under federal law was to promote anti-Communist literature internationally. The presence of even a single pro-Communist work would seem to stand at odds with that stated goal. While the number of books ultimately removed is unclear, substantially more than forty pro-Communist books were found in these libraries. Senate Sub-Committee estimates were as high as 30,000 such books worldwide. The Communist party membership of many of the authors was more than McCarthy’s opinion. Among the books found were those by the then current General Secretary of the Communist Party in America. State Department officials reacted in panic largely because their efforts to subvert U.S. initiatives abroad had been discovered and could have easily led to additional scrutiny which would have revealed their own ties to the Communist Party and the Soviet Union.\nThese were not private libraries. These were not even general interest public libraries, where the argument could be made that in the American tradition of the First Amendment, diverse viewpoints could and should be available. The State Department maintained these libraries pursuant to a statute intended to support pro-U.S. anti-Communist propaganda efforts internationally; or as the State Department put it, “to utilize…books and related materials to advance the idea of America in the struggle against Communism.” [2]\nThere were considerably more than 40 works by Communists, Communist sympathizers, or that in their copy promoted Communism or the Soviet Union. The sub-committee estimated as many as 30,000 books by Communists and Communist sympathizers on the shelves of the State Department’s overseas libraries.[3] In the book Howard Fast, scholar Gerald Sorin writes that library staff initially estimated as many as four hundred the number of authors whose books needed to be removed,[4] and according to journalist M. Stanton Evans, the pro-Communist works on offer at these libraries far outnumbered the number of anti-Communist works.[5]\nFurthermore, it was not the unsupported opinion of McCarthy that these authors were Communist. This was the fact of the matter. Many of these authors were prominent members of the Communist Party of the United States. According Evans, among the authors were former General Secretary of the Communist Party of the U.S.A. Earl Russell Browder and his immediate successor William Z. Foster, who was still serving as General Secretary when the investigation into the State Department’s overseas libraries took place in the mid-1950s.[6] Others were known or suspected Soviet agents. According to a 1954 Sub-Committee report,\nA breakdown of some of these authors shows that at least 12 have been in the past either identified under oath as having been involved or implicated in Soviet espionage or had acted in some important or confidential capacity in behalf of Soviet Russia: Cedric Belfrage, Haakon Chevalier, Lauchlin Currie, Israel Epstein, Philip Jaffe, Owen Lattimore, Kate Mitchell, Harriet Lucy Moore, Andrew Roth, Agnes Smedley, Guenther Stein, [and] Victor Yakhontoff. The adverse information on the above individuals was not classified or secret but was available to anyone who could read the public press. Most of them had been the subject of extensive reports published by the Senate Internal Security subcommittee or the House Committee on Un-American Activities.[7]\nAccording to Evans,\nThe committee also provided information on the books themselves, including numerous quotes in lavish praise of Moscow. Following are some examples: “The Soviet Union plays the role of clearing the path, of facilitating world progress, of proving by its own example the superiority of the socialist system” (James S. Allen). “Russia’s strength, to put it in a nutshell, lies in her moral and scientific achievements. Russia has introduced moral principle and scientific method into the heart of productive life. That is the prime cause of her matchless strength” (Hewlett Johnson). “The one hopeful light on the horizon [was] the exciting and encouraging conditions in Soviet Russia, where for the first time in history our race problem has been squarely faced and solved” (Eslanda Robeson)… These effusive tributes to the Kremlin, to repeat, were taken from books in official U.S. reading rooms, allegedly meant to advance American interests in the Cold War.[8]\nState Department officials began removing the objectionable books, not, however, at the directive of McCarthy, who as a Senator had no direct control over a Cabinet Department of the Executive branch. During a press conference in July 1953, Eisenhower said that “if USIS [U.S. Information Service] libraries overseas carried books that advocated Communism, such books should be gotten rid of, “because he saw no reason for the Federal government to be supporting something that advocated its own destruction. That seemed to him the acme of silliness.””[9] To that end Secretary of State John Foster Dulles directed that books by Communist authors be removed from the overseas libraries.\nAmong the reasons for the prevalence of Communist works in the overseas libraries was that “the book collections, and the people who chose them, were holdovers from the days of OWI [the Office of War Information], among the most heavily penetrated and leftward-tilting federal agencies ever.”[10] For example, Theodore Kaghan, who in 1953 was the acting deputy director of public affairs for the Allied High Commission (basically he was in charge of the U.S. propaganda war against Moscow in West Germany), and by extension was in charge of the State Department libraries in West Germany, had previously worked in the OWI.\nAmong his ties to Communism, Kaghan had previously signed a nominating petition for a Communist politician, “in the 1930s had also been the roommate and coworker of an identified Communist, worked with a Communist-dominated outfit called the New Theater Project,” and had previously flunked a loyalty-security check.[11] Later, while working for the Allied High Commission, Kaghan had directed and sponsored various pro-Soviet initiatives, from print runs of pro-Soviet books, to the sponsorship of pro-Soviet lecturers touring Europe.[12]\nZinn cites no source for the claim that the State Department removed The Selected Works of Thomas Jefferson and The Children’s Hour from the overseas libraries, and the veracity of that claim is unknown. However, what is known is that the books’ authors, Philip Foner and Lillian Hellman respectively, were long time Communist sympathizers. In the 1940s, Foner had aided in the publication of an official Communist Party newsletter, among other activities, and in 1942 was dismissed from the City College of New York for his affiliation with the Communist Party. This was at a time when the Soviet Union was a military ally and, for that reason, pro-Soviet sentiments were more widely tolerated than would be the case after the war. Lillian Hellman on the other hand, admitted in 1952 to being a member of the Communist Party from 1938-1940 and later in the 1940s had a passport application denied on account being “an active communist.”\nWhile it is unclear how many books were removed from the State Department’s overseas libraries, a number were apparently burned, none however by Sen. Joseph McCarthy.\n[1] Howard Zinn. A People’s History of the United States (Harper Perennial Modern Classics; Reissue edition, Kindle, November 17, 2015), 9278. http://a.co/aG5aBfX\n[2] Ibid, 9174. Public Law 402 enacted in 1948.\n[3] Ibid, 9182.\n[4] Gerald Sorin. Howard Fast: Life and Literature in the Left Lane (Indiana University Press), 270. https://goo.gl/VAe8Vc\n[5] M. Stanton Evans. Blacklisted by History: The Untold Story of Senator Joe McCarthy and His Fight Against America’s Enemies (Crown Forum; Kindle, November 6, 2007), 9224. http://a.co/304HXGC\nTranscript of Eisenhower Press Conference, New York Times, July 2, 1953.\nhttp://www.nytimes.com/1953/07/02/archives/transcript-of-eisenhower-press-conference-on-foreign-and-domestic.html\n[10] M. Stanton Evans. Blacklisted by History: The Untold Story of Senator Joe McCarthy and His Fight Against America’s Enemies (Crown Forum; Kindle, November 6, 2007), 9240. http://a.co/304HXGC\n[11] Ibid, 9255.\nThis entry was posted in Cold War and tagged A People's History, McCarthyism, Zinn by admin. Bookmark the permalink.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line909903"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.828070342540741,"wiki_prob":0.828070342540741,"text":"Back to former Alabama governors\nGov. William Hugh Smith\nTerms July 13, 1868 - November 26, 1870\nParty Republican\nPassed January 1, 1899\nBirth State Georgia\nFamily Married Lucy Wortham; eight children\nWILLIAM HUGH SMITH, Alabama’s 21st governor, was born in Fayette County, Georgia, on April 26, 1826. In 1839, he moved with his parents, Jeptha and Nancy Smith, to Randolph County, Alabama. Smith received an academic education, studied law with John T. Heflin, passed the bar in 1850, and partnered with James Aiken in a law practice. He started his political career in the Alabama House of Representatives, serving from 1855 to 1859. He was a presidential elector in 1860, and was unsuccessful in his bid for the Provisional Congress of the Confederate States in 1861. In 1862, Smith crossed the lines of the federal forces, and remained there until the end of the Civil War. He returned to Alabama and applied for a presidential pardon. Smith was appointed a judge in the 10th judicial circuit, but resigned from the bench six months later to participate in the organization of the Republican Party in Alabama. Smith was nominated in the 1868 gubernatorial election, and became Alabama’s first elected Republican governor on February 4, 1868. He was sworn into office on July 13, 1868. During his term, the general assembly ratified the 14th Amendment to the Federal Constitution, and elected U.S. senators to represent Alabama. Also during Smith’s administration, the University of Alabama reopened, the legislature ratified the 15th Amendment to the U.S.Constitution, bonds were endorsed to expand the state’s railways, and the development of Alabama’s mineral and natural resources was encouraged. Smith ran for reelection in 1870, but was defeated, in a narrow victory by Democrat Robert B. Lindsay. Smith, refusing to turn over the governor’s seat, held on to his office for three weeks following Lindsay’s inauguration. The second judicial court ordered Smith to leave office, and he finally did so on November 26, 1870. Smith was reappointed to the circuit court bench in 1873, and served as a U.S. district judge for northern and middle Alabama from 1881 to 1885. Smith died on January 1, 1899, and is buried at the Oak Hill Cemetery, Birmingham, Alabama.\nAlabama Department of Archives and History\nSobel, Robert, and John Raimo, eds. Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States, 1789-1978, Vol. 1, Westport, Conn.; Meckler books, 1978. 4 vols.\nCurrent Alabama Governor\nRecent Alabama Governors\nGov. Robert Bentley\nGov. Bob Riley\nGov. Donald Eugene Siegelman\nGov. Forrest Hood James\nGov. James Elisha Folsom, Jr.\nGov. Harold Guy Hunt\nGov. George Corley Wallace\nGov. Albert Preston Brewer\nMay 7, 1968 - January 18, 1971\nGov. Lurleen Burns Wallace\nJanuary 15, 1967 - May 6, 1968\nGov. John Malcolm Patterson","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line719567"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5149636268615723,"wiki_prob":0.48503637313842773,"text":"2. Legal Aspects to Buying a Property in Spain\nAlthough the form is different, the substance of a Spanish contract for the sale and purchase of real property is essentially the same as that of an English contract though normally with the additional guarantees for both parties typical of a Civil Code contract.\nThere are three main mechanisms by which real property is bought and sold:\nSolely by private contract between the parties. Note that this mechanism does not per se permit registration of the purchaser's title in the property registry.\nSolely by public deed (escritura pública) before a Notary.\nBy a combination of private contract between the parties leading to later elevation thereof to public deed with completion upon signature of the escritura. This is the commonest mechanism (and probably the safest for a foreigner to adopt when purchasing).\nThe normal procedure (i.e. 3 above) is for the parties to agree in private contract that the parties shall buy and sell, and establish the terms thereof, and a completion procedure and date. The actual transaction (which may thought of as \"completion\") is later effected by way of public deed including payment of consideration and formal handing over ofpossession (normally signified by the handing over of the keys to the property).\nIt should be noted that the private contract stage is somewhat different from the moment of contract (as opposed to completion) in English law. Whilst the private contract may, and sometimes does, serve as the actual contract of sale and purchase (see 1 above), the said private contract is more often a preliminary agreement which binds the parties to a future deed of contract for sale and purchase (see 3 above). In consequence, the purchaser does not normally need to consider such matters as insurance of the property and against his public liability in respect thereof until the actual conveyance (i.e. formal handover of possession) has taken place, normally upon signature of the public deed.\nOnce the escritura has been signed, the purchaser may then register his title in the property registry. Inscription in the registry is proof of title against all claims. Unregistered, the escritura (or indeed the private contract in the procedure outlined at 1 above) is prima facie proof only against the vendor. Note that a private contract (if the purchase and conveyance were effected in that way) does not permit registration in the property registry.\nOnce signed, the escritura is included in the Notary's \"protocol\" and forms part of his records forever.\nImmediately following the signing, the details should be presented to the Property Registry for noting in their daybook. This gives intermediate protection until formal presentation of the escritura (which protection is important, since it prevents, for example, the vendor fraudulently charging the property by way of security for a loan in the interregnum between him having sold and the purchaser registering his title). Notaries will, if requested, formally notify the registry of the transaction for note in the daybook.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1524990"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6416743993759155,"wiki_prob":0.3583256006240845,"text":"Home » Lung Cancer » Symptoms of Lung Cancer » Lung Cancer Screening Guidelines 2017\nLung Cancer Screening Guidelines 2017\nAlice Miles March 26, 2017 Lung Cancer, Symptoms of Lung Cancer\nLung cancer screening guidelines 2017 (including nccn lung cancer) - In a paper published in Chest magazine, a group of experts to discuss the latest evidence on the benefits, harms, and the application of small doses of computed chest tomography (CT) in the detection of lung cancer. The study was titled \"Screening for Lung cancer: Guide and expert report\". The team also presented its conclusions at the 2017 annual meeting in Toronto, Canada (28 October-1 November).\nThe mortality of lung cancer every year continues to grow and expand beyond colon, san and prostate cancer combined. Currently, based on the results of the pulmonary cancer screening National screening, small CT doses is a standard practice and is considered as an effective screening method for people at high risk. One of the main recommendations of the new guidelines is that the annual screening with small doses CT should be offered asymptomatic smokers and former smokers-aged between 55 and 77 years-that was intensive smoking (30 pack-years or more Much), continues to smoke, or stopped over the last 15 years.\nInstead, these guidelines do not recommend small doses of routine CT screening to asymptomatic smokers and former smokers that fall than the previous one, but is considered at high risk, or develop lung cancer. The same recommendation for persons who have less than 30 pack-years of smoking or not included in the 55-77 age range, and for those who quit smoking more than 15 years ago, and did not have a higher risk of having/developing cancer Pulmo According to the calculation of clinical risk prediction.\nPersons who have comorbidities (other conditions) who have a negative impact on their ability to maintain assessment findings have been detected on the screen, or tolerate lung cancer treatment, which is detected on the screen early stages, or Substantially limiting life expectancy, is also not recommended for low-dose screening. \"These guidelines differ from our previous guidance as we discuss more the dangers and benefits,\" Peter Mazzone, MD, and president of the guidelines, said in a press release. \"We discussed application screening-CT low doses, including who should filter, how to identify the right patients for screening, how they make decision-making visits, how LDCT [small CT doses] and how to manage abnormal results,\" he added.\nLung cancer screening guidelines - The team says it takes a balance between risk and screening. \"The potential benefits of cancer screening is to reduce the number of cancer-related death needs to be balanced with the potential dangers of screening,\" said Gerard Silvestri, MD, exhibitors and immediate chairman of the thing orientations.\n\"The current evidence suggests that even in a group with increased risk of cancer, only a fraction of the screens would be beneficial, while everyone was filtered exposed to potential hazards, including physical consequences and psychosocial identification, and then to Assess the nodules that are detected by the display, radiation exposure, overdiagnosis and overtreatment \", he continued. For this reason, our screening recommendation has become more selective and specifically targets populations at increased risk. The current evidence does not support the widespread adoption of the examination of lung cancer outside the patients described in our recommendations,\" Silvestri concluded.\nComputerized dose tomography (CT) low for lung cancer has become a standard practice, largely because of the results of the National long screening. Related evidence continues to evolve, informing the benefits and risks of CT with small doses in clinical practice. Mazzone and ET have presented new evidence regarding the screening of lung cancer with small doses of computerized tomography and to offer new recommendations to the 2017 CHEST.\nThe summary of the recommendations together with the observations for each recommendation and summaries can be seen at the American College of Medical practitioners, and the full text of which will come to be published in the magazine issue. Lung cancer screening guidelines - Key recommendations and changes to previous guidelines include:\nFor smokers and ex-asymptomatic smokers aged between 55 - 77 years of age who smoked 30 pack-years or more and either continue to smoke or quit in the last 15 years, it should be offered yearly screening with low dose CT.\nFor asymptomatic smokers and former smokers who do not meet the smoke and age criteria in the last recommendation, but considered at high risk/develop lung cancer based on clinical risk prediction, low doses of CT screening should not Normally perform.\nFor people who have accumulated smoking less than 30 pack-years or younger than the age of 55 years or older than the age of 77 or have quit smoking more than 15 years ago, and do not have a high risk of developing lung cancer/on Based on a clinical risk prediction calculation, low-dose screening of CT should not be performed.\nFor people with comorbidities who affect their ability to tolerate the evaluation of the results detected on the screen, in order to tolerate the treatment of lung cancer is detected at an early stage, or which substantially limits their Life expectancy, a small dose of CT screening should not be done.\n\"These guidelines differ from our previous orientation because we will go beyond discussing dangers and benefits,\" said Peter Mazzone, MD, FCCP, president of the guidelines. \"We discussed application screening-CT small doses, including which should filter, how to identify suitable patients for screening, how do visit with decision making, how to do a small CT dose, and how to manage abnormal results.\"\nLung cancer screening guidelines - \"The potential benefits of cancer screening is to reduce the number of cancer-related death needs to be balanced with potential dangers of screening,\" said Gerard Silvestri, MD, FCCP, speaker guide, and chest, the president immediately. \"The current evidence suggests that even in the group with a high risk of developing cancer, only a fraction of the screens would be beneficial, while everyone was filtered exposed to potential hazards, including physical and psychosocial consequences of identification and Then evaluate the nodes detected by the screen, radiation exposure, overdiagnosis, and overload. For this reason, our recommendations for screening has expanded to a more selective way and especially the populations of the highest risk. Current evidence does not support large-scale adoption of lung cancer outside the patient described in our recommendations.\"","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line95508"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7026077508926392,"wiki_prob":0.7026077508926392,"text":"The Magnum Story II- The Savage Years\nMagnum in Motion 2007\nIn celebration of the 60th anniversary of the legendary agency Magnum Photos, the Berlin International Film Festival and Magnum are presenting a rare opportunity to view films by and about its outstanding photographers. The Berlinale's MAGNUM IN MOTION programme contains documentaries, biographies, short films and photo essays. Founded in 1947 by Robert Capa, Henri Cartier-Bresson, George Rodger and David \"Chim\" Sey mour, Magnum Photos opened a new chapter in the history of photojournalism. The agency was established as a co-operative recognising the photographers as owners of their own copyright. Today, Magnum continues to be wholly governed by its members and is probably the longest running artists' co-operative in the world. In the words of Cartier-Bresson: \"Magnum is a community of thought, a shared human quality, a curiosity about what is going on in the world, a respect for what is going on, and a desire to transcribe it visually.\" The list of Magnum's members reads like the who's who of photography. However, the fact that many of them also worked in film is less known. Many members have turned their talents to moving images: from the founding generation of Henri Cartier-Bresson, Elliott Erwitt, René Burri and Eve Arnold through to Raymond Depardon, Thomas Hoepker, Donovan Wylie, Susan Meiselas, to name just a few. \"From still photography through to the moving image, by way of the animated photo essay, different forms of story telling has always been the passion of Magnum photographers\", says Dominique Green, director of Magnum Photos, London.\nThe film series will be accompanied by a DVD and a booklet. The Berlin gallery Camera Work will also be presenting an exhi bition, Magnum Photos@Camera Work, Berlin 1946 - 2006 from February 9 -March 3, 2007.\nby Patricia Wheatley United Kingdom 1989 64’","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1032643"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5913804173469543,"wiki_prob":0.5913804173469543,"text":"Grain Management Adds Private Equity Pioneer Cleveland A. Christophe As Senior Advisor\n28 Sep Grain Management Adds Private Equity Pioneer Cleveland A. Christophe As Senior Advisor\nWASHINGTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Grain Management, LLC (“Grain”), a leading investment firm that focuses on innovative companies, technologies, and assets in the communications sector, announced today that trailblazing investor, Cleveland Christophe, has joined its board as a Senior Advisor.\nChristophe spent two decades as an executive with Citibank, including its venture capital unit, equity investment research department, and several years in San Francisco where he served as head of corporate banking for the high technology industries, including Silicon Valley. Christophe is best known for engineering the largest leveraged buyout of offshore assets in history, the purchase of Beatrice International Food Company by TLC Group in 1987. Five years later, Christophe co-founded private equity investment firm TSG Capital Group, where he served as Managing Partner from 1994 to 2008. Prior to his retirement in 2013, He was President and Chief Financial Officer of US&S, Inc., a supplier of services and materials to United States government agencies.\n“Cleve Christophe’s legendary career makes him one of the most accomplished investors in America,” said David Grain, founder and CEO of Grain. “We look forward to working with him, benefiting from his insights and institutional knowledge, and continuing to invest in and build great companies.”\nChristophe’s addition marks the latest expansion of Grain’s board of Senior Advisors, which has now grown to include seven members, each of whom brings specific and differentiated expertise in relevant fields to support Grain’s processes around growth and value creation. Grain’s Senior Advisors work with the Firm’s leadership team and portfolio companies, providing perspectives gained from extensive experience in their fields.\n“David Grain and his team take a rigorous, disciplined, data-driven approach to every investment they make, and they have delivered time and again for their investors,” said Christophe. “In a world where communications technology can bring us all closer together, Grain’s work is essential. I am thrilled to help the Firm grow and thrive.”\nAbout Grain Management\nGrain Management, LLC is a leading private investment firm that focuses on communications infrastructure and technology companies that connect the world to the information economy. Founded in 2007, the Firm invests exclusively in the telecommunications sector, employing a rigorous, data-based process buoyed by deep industry expertise to identify investment opportunities in key areas of communications infrastructure, including fiber networks, wireless spectrum, and cell towers. For more information visit graingp.com.\nDafna Tapiero","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line48113"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7289423942565918,"wiki_prob":0.7289423942565918,"text":"Examining the Historical Role of Businesswomen - Women, Enterprise, and Society\nWomen have always been a vital part of American economic and business life, yet their contributions have been largely unknown. In 1999, Harvard Business School's Baker Library initiated a survey of the Business Manuscripts Collection to identify materials that recorded women's participation in business. This survey uncovered not only a significant economic record in countless financial and legal documents, it also brought to light unexpectedly rich resources for social and cultural history in a wealth of personal writings. Women, Enterprise & Society records the results of this collection survey.\nby Laura Linard, Director of Historical Collections, Baker Library\n\"[O]ur ladies know nothing of the sober certainties which relate to money,\" wrote Frederick Tudor in 1820, reflecting a widespread belief that persisted well into the twentieth century. In fact, women have played an integral role in American business and economic history from the very beginning as workers, entrepreneurs, record keepers, business and property owners, and investors.\nThis contribution was largely invisible as an economic factor, however, during most of the past three centuries. Women's production in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries was often subsumed under that of the household or defined as non-economic housework. In addition, women entrepreneurs mainly oversaw small and short-lived concerns, which did not fit into traditional analyses of business and commerce.\nIt is comparatively recently that scholars in a variety of disciplines have begun to discover and interpret historical materials documenting women's lives. When Harvard Business School's Baker Library acquired the majority of its manuscript collections in the first half of the twentieth century, collection guides and catalog records did not describe materials by and about women. In 1999, Baker Library initiated a survey of the Business Manuscripts Collection to identify materials that would be useful to the study of the historical role of women in business and the economy.\nThis three-year survey uncovered not only a significant economic record in countless financial and legal documents, it also brought to light unexpectedly rich resources for social and cultural history in a wealth of personal writings. Included are manuscript sources, such as account books, credit reports, payrolls, time books, employee registers, letters, and diaries, as well as advertising ephemera and photographs. All of the materials identified by the survey are described in an innovative, Web-based guide entitled Women, Enterprise & Society: A Guide to Resources in the Business Manuscript Collections at Baker Library.\nMaterials... range from the eighteenth-century accounts of a woman tavern owner from Rhode Island to the nineteenth-century records of a Boston wool merchant.\n— Laura Linard\nMaterials representing the participation of women in the barter economy and in an emerging monetary economy range from the eighteenth-century accounts of a woman tavern owner from Rhode Island to the nineteenth-century records of a Boston wool merchant. The Business Manuscripts Collection is especially rich in records documenting the role of women in the nineteenth-century textile industry, including payrolls and employee registers, as well as labor contracts with women, women's investment records, family records, and information about women's labor activism. There are also materials pertaining to early twentieth-century office practices and the development of human resource and company welfare departments.\nResearchers will find legal and investment records documenting women's property ownership and financial management during the last 300 years, from a 1774 document signed by a woman waiving her right of dower to the savvy letters of Ella Lyman Cabot challenging her stockbroker's advice in 1933.\nA surprisingly large number of records document eighteenth- and nineteenth-century women's personal lives, such as the diaries of a whaling captain's wife from 1859 to 1860. Advertising ephemera, such as trade and business cards, along with photographic materials help shed light on the growing integration of women in American public life during the late nineteenth and early twentieth century.\nWhen Baker Library initiated this survey project, it was unclear whether any materials relevant to understanding women's role in American industry and the economy would be discovered within the manuscript collections. Three years later, we are very pleased to announce that resources from approximately two hundred collections have been identified and described in this new guide. We invite you to visit the site and encourage you to explore it often. Women, Enterprise & Society is a dynamic resource that will grow and evolve as Baker Library continues to acquire new collections and to identify additional resources for inclusion in the guide.\nEvolution of Office Workers\nThe $100,000.00 Typewriter, exhibited by the Underwood Company at the 1915 Panama-Pacific Exhibition.\nThe office was an exclusively male domain in the nineteenth century, and \"clerk\" was the entry position for many young men anxious to rise in business and industry. Late nineteenth-century office mechanization and proliferation of paper work effected a complete gender reversal in the office population. By 1930, the vast majority of office workers were women.\nAs with other industries, mechanization and female labor brought along devaluation—both monetary and cultural—of skilled labor. Office machines became gender-identified. The postcard reproduced above depicts the 14-ton typewriter the Underwood Company exhibited at the Panama-Pacific Exhibition of 1915. Advertised as \"An Exact Reproduction of the Machine You Will Eventually Buy,\" this machine was \"writing daily at the Underwood Exhibit.\" Sixteen neatly dressed businesswomen, bent over their tasks, seem to be using the giant typewriter (1728x its actual size) as their office.\nExclusively female, twentieth-century office work was no longer a stepping stone to higher echelons in the company. Office work had become an end in itself, and would remain so for most of the twentieth century. Women punched cards, filed, added, typed, and made coffee, and the only stamp they put on the millions of reams of paperwork they produced was a slashed reference found at the bottom of most company letters: ER/cl. By the 1970s, under the influence of the women's movement which decried the dead-end \"pink collar ghetto,\" office workers began to demand pay commensurate with skill, and entry into management level positions.\nReprinted from Women, Enterprise & Society: A Guide to Resources in the Business Manuscript Collections at Baker Library.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1496240"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9189013838768005,"wiki_prob":0.9189013838768005,"text":"Hana Kelly\nAlbum: Two Door Cinema Club – Gameshow\nBy Hana Kelly\nHana Kelly bids a sad farewell to Two Door Cinema Club’s former glory on their third LP\nReleased 14th October via Parlophone\nTwo Door Cinema Club’s newly released album Gameshow has hit the now-metaphorical shelves and it certainly does disappoint. My memory of the unknown tracks being played at Reading Festival this year appeared to be well received by the audience—although, I will admit, I had been drinking. The fun and catchy indie pop/rock of Tourist History and Beacon has long gone. Instead Gameshow is an album of electronic-indie pop tracks that sound like a teenager’s first attempt at mixing a record. Of course evolution as a band is important, and Two Door Cinema Club have definitely evolved, but today I am in mourning for the classics that I will never stop listening to.\nWhilst the level of production has clearly increased, the quality has not. The opening of ‘Lavender’ could be a child’s electric drum kit that was set to loop, reminiscent of the joke band ‘The Jerk Offs’ in Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist. Meanwhile, listening to the album as a stream is quite an event as the songs fade across into one another, illuminating how cohesive, streamlined, and stylised the album and the band now are.\nThis triumph is then undermined by the disappearance of Alex Trimble’s fun and characteristic Northern Irish accent that has been replaced with a bland-sounding overmixed voice. His monosyllabic singing is then attached to looped tracks of single drum beats and little reverb. One song, however, that has some memory of their prior glory is the title track, ‘Gameshow’. Trimble’s natural voice can be heard for the most part with the instruments having a much more natural indie feel. However even this track begins to feel uncomfortably simplistic with screeched lyrics towards the crescendo.\nI will concede that Two Door Cinema Club are definitely trying something new, and if modernised electronic indie pop/rock is your bread and butter of the music world, then this album could be heaven sent; the album itself peaked at number two on the official album charts and has been mostly well-received. But for me, I’ll just say I’m no longer sad that their Manchester show sold out.\nWhat does a Greggs Sausage Roll have in common with raw meat and indie pop? Matty Healy of course. Check out The Mancunion’s review of the 1975 ‘At Their Very Best’ here.\nAhead of her gig at Manchester Academy, Jessie Reyez talks to The Mancunion about her sudden breakthrough, writing hit songs for other artists, and Latin representation\nIn conversation with The Murder Capital: “The emotional potency is there, and if anything, it’s stronger now”\nThe Mancunion speaks to The Murder Capital about life on tour and their much anticipated second album, Gigi’s Recovery\nIntroducing: The Maddocks\nStockport’s most exciting new export The Maddocks chat to The Mancunion about their new single ‘This Is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things’","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1020104"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.976556122303009,"wiki_prob":0.976556122303009,"text":"Wolf Creek Spins Off 6 Ep TV Series for Pop\nby ComicMix Staff · July 28, 2016\nLOS ANGELES, CA – July 27, 2016 – Inspired by one of the most terrifying, cult movie franchises ever released in theaters, named one of “The 25 best horror movies since 2000” (AV Squad), one of “The 100 Best Horror films” (Time Out), and one of “The 25 Best Horror Movies Since The Shining” (Vulture), the six-part television event, WOLF CREEK, is a psychological thriller premiering exclusively on Pop on Friday, October 14 at 10:00 PM, ET/PT.\nIn conjunction with Lionsgate Television and Zodiak Rights (a Banijay Group company), the WOLF CREEK television series on Pop stars John Jarratt, who reprises his movie role as the murdering psychopath Mick Taylor, wreaking havoc in the Australian Outback—except this time, things are different. The television series immediately turns the entire genre on its head when a 19-year-old American college student, played by rising star Lucy Fry, survives the massacre of her parents and little brother and sets out to hunt down the killer and avenge her family.\nBased on true events, the original WOLF CREEK movie was introduced in 2005 at the Sundance and Cannes Film Festivals before achieving global box office success and cult film status among horror fans around the world.\n“WOLF CREEK is holy !#@$! scary!” said Greg McLean, Executive Producer of the WOLF CREEK television series and the writer, director and producer of the WOLF CREEK movies. “The television series delivers the same pulse-pounding tension and terror of the films combined with a storyline that evolves into a suspense filled, character driven psychological thriller. In many ways, WOLF CREEK is more like a Western—set in the untamed, desolate landscape of the Australian Outback, with gritty characters and an immersive story of revenge and good versus evil.”\n“WOLF CREEK is a binge-worthy, premium revenge tale that we are thrilled to bring fans at the perfect time of the year,” said Brad Schwartz, President, Pop. “To turn everything you expect from a horror film around and hunt the psychopath through a strong and singularly-focused female protagonist is thrilling to watch. It is probably the scariest series to ever premiere on basic cable and will have viewers hooked 13:40 minutes into the first episode.”\nThe story of WOLF CREEK begins when an American family is on holiday in Northern Australia and becomes the unsuspecting prey of Mick Taylor, a sadistic serial killer who hunts and kills tourists in the Outback. The sole survivor is Eve Thorogood, a college student, who vows to bring the killer to justice or die in the attempt. The story of WOLF CREEK reveals her complex and extraordinary journey, traveling every step of the way as she evolves from child to adult, from prey to predator. But can she triumph over Mick Taylor, evil incarnate?\nJohn Jarratt is a television and film actor, producer and director from Australia. Jarratt is best known for his chilling performance as the iconic character Mick Taylor in the feature films Wolf Creek and Wolf Creek 2. His previous credits also include Peter Weir’s Picnic At Hanging Rock, Baz Luhrmann’s Australia and Quentin Tarantino’s Django Unchained.\nLucy Fry is a film and television actress. Most recently, Fry starred opposite James Franco in the Warner Bros. for Hulu mini-series “11.22.63.” She is also known for her roles in director Joseph Castelo’s indie film The Preppie Connection and Mark Waters’ fantasy feature Vampire Academy.\nA STAN original, WOLF CREEK is produced by Screentime (a Banijay Group company), in association with Emu Creek Pictures and financed with the assistance of Screen Australia and the South Australian Film Corporation.\nNext story Martha Thomases’ It’s a Wonderful Life\nPrevious story Tweeks: Voltron Legendary Defender SDCC Interviews","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1417931"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9255774021148682,"wiki_prob":0.9255774021148682,"text":"Imagine buying a factory-fresh Lamborghini, parking it, and then never driving it for decades.\nThat’s essentially what the owner, or in this case owners, of this 1990 Lamborghini Countach 25th Anniversary Edition did. (It also happened to a McLaren F1, which seems even crazier.)\nThe car, which bears chassis number ZA9CA05A7LLA12718, has just 249 kilometers (approximately 155 miles) on its odometer. It also has its original Pirelli P Zero tires, which by now will be too dangerous to drive on at speed.\nThe mileage figure is a little more than the delivery miles, according to a listing at auction house RM Sotheby’s, which will put the car under the hammer on Jan. 26 at its sale in Phoenix, Arizona. An original bill of sale shows the car was delivered to its first owner in 1990 with just 138 kilometers (82 miles). The price paid was $275,000.\n1990 Lamborghini Countach 25th Anniversary Edition – Photo credit: RM Sotheby’s\nThat first owner kept the car for 17 years, during which just 13 kilometers (8 miles) were added. It was returned to its original dealership in 2007, in this case Clark Motor Company of Heath, Ohio, and was later kept in a collection between 2010 and 2020, during which it experienced only short drives to keep everything working. The current seller bought it in 2020.\nConsidering the remarkable condition and low mileage, perhaps the lowest of any Countach, the car is sure to attract plenty of attention at its upcoming sale. RM Sotheby’s has estimated a final bid of between $750,000 and $1 million.\nThe 25th Anniversary Edition, as the name suggests, was built to celebrate 25 years of Lamborghini. It’s distinguished by its unique spoilers and modified air vents, some of which were designed by Pagani CEO and founder Horacio Pagani, when he was still working for Lamborghini.\nDrive comes from a 5.2-liter V-12 delivering 455 hp and capable of carrying the car to a top speed of 183 mph. The tires fitted were the widest fitted to any production car of its time, measuring 225/50 at the front and 345/35 at the rear.\nIcon FJ43 Bandeirante reimagines a timeless classic\nMercedes F1 chief’s Ferrari F40 up for sale\nFirst Mercedes-Benz AMG One customer car is delivered","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1272379"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6167885065078735,"wiki_prob":0.38321149349212646,"text":"First-place Sixers square off against NBA-best Suns to conclude road trip\nBy Sean Kennedy@PhillyFastBreak Mar 27, 2022, 7:00am EDT\nShare All sharing options for: First-place Sixers square off against NBA-best Suns to conclude road trip\nThe Sixers have a chance tonight to sweep their three-game West Coast road trip, but they’ll have a much tougher obstacle in front of them than injury-riddled Lakers and Clippers clubs. The Phoenix Suns sit at 60-14, far and away the best record in the NBA. They are currently riding a seven-game winning streak, most recently sweeping a three-game road trip of their own, defeating Sacramento, Minnesota, and Denver. More crucially for Phoenix, Chris Paul returned to the court in the win over the Nuggets after missing just over a month due to a fractured thumb. CP3 did not look the least bit affected by the layoff, tallying 17 points and 13 assists in 30 minutes.\nIn the earlier meeting between these two teams back in February, the Suns prevailed, 114-109, led by Devin Booker’s 35 points. Booker is in the midst of a hot stretch at the moment, averaging 30.4 points per game in the month of March, including 49 points on Thursday on the five-year anniversary of his 70-point game. The matchup of Matisse Thybulle on Booker will surely be one to watch.\nWhile the Suns have impressively already clinched the top seed in the Western Conference, the Sixers are in the throes of a tightly-contest mix near the top of the East. Following last night’s results, the Sixers are tied for first place in the conference with Philadelphia, Miami, Boston, and Milwaukee are all within one half-game of each other. As our Tariq Karibian laid out in an article yesterday, there are a lot of factors in how the Sixers approach the home stretch of this regular season, from injury and load management to the possibility of a lower seed meaning an easier first-round matchup against Chicago or Cleveland (although I would note the Raptors are surging up the standings and that would be a very difficult series). Whatever happens, being tied for first place right now given the Ben Simmons-sized hole in the roster for more than half the season is quite remarkable.\nRegardless, we are probably a week or so away from the Sixers starting to think about such things seriously and there is no back-to-back consideration for tonight’s outing. Expect all hands on deck in a measuring stick game against a Suns team at nearly full strength, the primary exception being the absence of promising third-year wing Cameron Johnson, out with a quad injury. Tonight is an excellent opportunity for the Sixers to see how they stack up against the odds-on favorite to win the title this season. In addition to witnessing a highly competitive matchup, local Sixers fans are no doubt thrilled at the 6:00pm start time after the last two night owl performances. Enjoy tonight’s contest and check back with us at Liberty Ballers to follow along with the action.\nWho: Philadelphia 76ers vs. Phoenix Suns\nWhen: 6:00 pm ET\nWhere: Footprint Center, Phoenix, AZ\nWatch: NBC Sports Philadelphia\nRadio: 97.5 The Fanatic\nFollow: @Liberty_Ballers","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line112219"}
{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7514097094535828,"wiki_prob":0.7514097094535828,"text":"Man United chief Ed Woodward’s private opinion on sacking Ole Gunnar Solskjaer amid poor form\nOctober 19, 2021 Idu Football, News 0\nManchester United’s executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward is confident that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will turn the club’s form around over the coming weeks and months, according to reports.\nThe Red Devils boss currently finds himself under plenty of external pressure to put things right after a shaky start to the new Premier League campaign.\nUnited currently sit outside the division’s top five, with Solskjaer’s side occupying sixth place after winning just four of their eight fixtures so far this season.\nThe Red Devils have only managed one victory from their last four outings in all competitions and will face an incredibly tough run of fixtures over the next few weeks.\nAtalanta will be their next opponents in the Champions League on Wednesday evening before Liverpool visit Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon.\nUnited will also go up against Tottenham, Atalanta once again and Manchester City between now and the November international break.\nThe club’s lack of recent form has led to calls for Solskjaer, who signed a long-term contract extension back in July, to be relieved of his duties.\nHowever, it seems as though Woodward is determined to stand by his man and give him every chance to deliver a positive reaction before the end of the season.\nThe United chief and his fellow directors have privately backed Solskjaer to succeed and have ruled out the possibility of pulling the trigger in the near future, according to the Daily Star.\nThe report claims that Solskjaer will keep his job even if United fail to resurrect their form over the coming weeks.\nHe was heavily supported by the board over the summer months, with the likes of Raphael Varane and Jadon Sancho joining United in big-money moves before the deadline.\nThe Red Devils also managed to successfully bring Cristiano Ronaldo back to Manchester on a lucrative two-year contract with the option of a third on the final day of the window.\nUnited director John Murtough recently underlined his desire to keep Solskjaer at the helm, insisting that the club’s decision-makers will not be swayed by the frustration of supporters on social media.\n“[We] need to keep control, don’t get carried away, don’t deviate from our plan,” Murtough told a fans’ forum last month.\n“Ole and the staff are very focused on that. We have a long-term strategy and confidence in the direction that we’re going.\n“We believe that we’ve got the talent and the character within the squad to succeed. The Premier League is one of the most competitive leagues in the world.\n“Players from abroad and other leagues tell us how [challenging] it is, but we are 100 per cent up for that.\n“[We] don’t get distracted by what’s said on social media, which can sometimes create fervour and hysteria.\n“It’s part of the modern game, but we stay focused.”\nMan United’s view on sacking Ole Gunnar Solskjaer if they lose to Liverpool and Man City\nAntonio Conte trend highlights demand he would make to Man United board","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line626263"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7393972277641296,"wiki_prob":0.26060277223587036,"text":"A Study of WebRTC Security\n程序员艳庆 技术 2022年11月23日\n0 收藏 315 点赞 4,548 浏览 43534 个字\n转自：http://webrtc-security.github.io/\nWeb Real-Time Communication (abbreviated as WebRTC) is a recent trend in web application technology, which promises the ability to enable realtime communication in the browser without the need for plug-ins or other requirements. However, the open-source nature of the technology may have the potential to cause security-related concerns to potential adopters of the technology. This paper will discuss in detail the security of WebRTC, with the aim of demonstrating the comparative security of the technology.\nWebRTC is an open-source web-based application technology, which allows users to send real-time media without the need for installing plugins. Using a suitable browser can enable a user to call another party simply by browsing to the relevant webpage.\nSome of the main use cases of this technology include the following:\nReal-time audio and/or video calls\nDirect data transfers\nUnlike most real-time systems (e.g. SIP), WebRTC communications are directly controlled by some Web server, via a JavaScript API.\nThe prospect of enabling embedded audio and visual communication in a browser without plugins is exciting. However this naturally raises concerns over the security of such technology, and whether it can be trusted to provide reliable communication for both the end users and any intermediary carriers or third parties.\nThis report will address these topics and examine the protections that WebRTC provides to provide security in all cases. For the purposes of this paper however, native applications will be treated as being out of scope.\n2. Overview of WebRTC Architecture\nWebRTC enables direct media-rich communication between two peers, using a peer-to-peer (P2P) topology. WebRTC resides within the user’s browser, and requires no additional software to operate. The actual communication between peers is prefaced by an exchange of metadata, termed “signalling”. This process is used to initiate and advertise calls, and facilitates connection establishment between unfamiliar parties.\nAs depicted in Figure 1, this process occurs through an intermediary server:\nFigure 1. A simple WebRTC Call Topology\nA signaling protocol is not specified within WebRTC, allowing developers to implement their own choice of protocol. This allows for a deeper degree of flexibility in adapting a WebRTC app for a specific usecase or scenario.\nHow does WebRTC communication work?\nWebRTC relies on three APIs, each of which performs a specific function in order to enable real-time communication within a web application. These APIs will be named and explained briefly. The implementation and technical details of each protocol and technology are outside the scope of this report, however the relevant documentation is readily available online.\nFor many years it was necessary to rely on third-party browser plugins such as Flash or Silverlight to capture audio or video from a computer. However, the era of HTML 5 has ushered in direct hardware access to numerous devices, and provides JavaScript APIs which interface with a system’s underlying hardware capabilities.\ngetUserMedia is one such API, enabling a browser to access a user’s camera and microphone. Although utilised by WebRTC, this API is actually offered as part of HTML 5.\nRTCPeerConnection is the first of two APIs which are offered specifically as part of the WebRTC specification. A RTCPeerConnection interface represents the actual WebRTC connection, and is relied upon to handle the efficient streaming of data between two peers.\nWhen a caller wants to initiate a connection with a remote party, the browser starts by instantiating a RTCPeerConnection object. This includes a self-generated SDP description to exchange with their peer. The recipient in turn responds with it’s own SDP description. The SDP descriptions are used as part of the full ICE workflow for NAT traversal.\nWith the connection now established, RTCPeerConnection enables the sending of real-time audio and video data as a bitstream between browsers.\nUltimately, RTCPeerConnection API is responsible for managing the full life-cycle of each peer-to-peer connection and encapsulates all the connection setup, management, and state within a single easy-to-use interface.\nRTCPeerConnection has two specific traits: – Direct peer-to-Peer communication between two browsers – Use of UDP/IP – there is no guarantee of packet arrival (as in TCP/IP), but there is much reduced overhead as a result. – (By allowing the loss of some data, we can focus upon offering real-time communication.)\nReferences: [1] [2]\nThe RTCDataChannel is the second main API offered as part of WebRTC, and represents the main communication channel through which the exchange of arbitrary application data occurs between peers. In other words, it is used to transfer data directly from one peer to another.\nAlthough a number of alternative options for communication channels exist (e.g. WebScoket, Server Sent Events), however these alternatives were designed for communication with a server rather than a directly-connected peer. RTCDataChannel resembles the popular WebSocket, but instead takes a peer-to-peer format while offering customisable delivery properties of the underlying transport.\n2.1. Underlying Technologies\nThe three main APIs are the developer-facing aspects of WebRTC, but there are a number of foundational technologies which are utilised in order to provide these protocols (the RTCPeerConnection and RTCDataChannel APIs).\nFigure 2. WebRTC Protocol Stack\nICE, STUN, and TURN are necessary to establish and maintain a peer-to-peer connection over UDP. DTLS is used to secure all data transfers between peers, as encryption is a mandatory feature of WebRTC. Finally, SCTP and SRTP are the application protocols used to multiplex the different streams, provide congestion and flow control, and provide partially reliable delivery and other additional services on top of UDP.\nSDP: Session Description Protocol\nSession Description Protocol (SDP) is a descriptive protocol that is used as a standard method of announcing and managing session invitations, as well as performing other initiation tasks for multimedia sessions. SDP represents the browser capabilities and preferences in a text-based format, and may include the following information: – Media capabilities (video, audio) and the employed codecs – IP address and port number – P2P data transmission protocol (WebRTC uses SecureRTP) – Bandwidth usable for communication – Session attributes (name, identifier, time active, etc.) -> However these are not used in WebRTC. – Other related metadata…\nAs of today SDP is widely used in the contexts of Session Initiation Protocol (SIP), Real-time Transport Protocol (RTP), and Real-time Streaming Protocol (RSP).\nReferences: [3]\nICE: Interactive Connectivity Establishment\nSignalling requires the initial use of an intermediary server for the exchange of metadata, but upon completion WebRTC attempts to establish a direct P2P connection between the users. This process is carried out through the ICE framework.\nICE is a framework used for establishing a connection between peers over the internet. Although WebRTC tries to utilise direct P2P connections, in reality the widespread presence of NAT (Network Address Translation) makes it difficult to negotiate how two peers will communicate.\nDue the continuing widespread prevailence of IPv4 addresses with their limited 32-bit representation, most network-enabled devices do not have a unique public-facing IPv4 address with which it would be directly visible on the Internet. NAT works by dynamically translating private addresses into a public ones when an outbound request passes through them. Similarly, inbound requests to a public IP are converted back into a private IP to ensure correct routing on the internal network. Resultantly, sharing a private IP is often not enough information to establish a connection to a peer. ICE attempts to overcome the difficulties posed by communicating via NAT to find the best path to connect peers.\nBy trying all possibilities in parallel, ICE is able to choose the most efficient option that works. ICE first tries to make a connection using the host address obtained from a device’s operating system and network card; if that fails (which it inevitably will for devices behind NATs) ICE then obtains an external address using a STUN server. If that also fails, traffic falls back to routing via a TURN relay server.\nThe candidate communication routes are rendered in a text-based format, and the list ordered by priority. The options take the form of one of the following: – Direct P2P communication – Using STUN, with a port mapping for NAT traversal (This route eventually resolves to direct P2P communication) – Using TURN as an intermediary (this configuration employs relayed communication rather than P2P)\nOut of all posssible candidates, the route with the smallest overhead is chosen.\nSTUN: Session Traversal Utilities for NAT\nIn order to perform P2P communication, both parties necessarily require at least the knowledge of their peer’s IP address and the assigned UDP port. As a result, a certain amount of information exchange is necessary before WebRTC communication can be established.\nA STUN server is used by each peer to determine their public IP address, and is referenced by the ICE framework during connection establishment. STUN servers are typically publically accessible, and can be used freely by WebRTC applications.\nTURN: Traversal Using Relays around NAT\nIn the eventuality that establishing a P2P communication fails, a fallback option can be provided via a TURN server. By relaying traffic between peers the WebRTC communication can be ensured, but can suffer degregations in media quality and latency.\nTURN servers can ensure high success in setting up calls, regardless of the end-user’s environments. As the data is sent through an intermediary server, server bandwidth is also consumed. If many calls are simulataneously routed through the server, the bandwidth was also become considerable in size.\nThe server itself is typically not freely accessible, and has to be specifically provided (or rented) by the application provider.\n3. Browser-based Security Considerations\nThere are a number of ways in that a real-time communication application may impose security risks, both on the carrier and the end users. Such security risks can be applicable to any application which deals with the transmission of real-time data and media.\nWebRTC differs from other RTC apps by providing a strong and reliable infrastructure for even new developers to utilise without compromising on security. We will now proceed to discuss how WebRTC deals with each of these risks in turn.\n3.1. Browser Trust Model\nThe WebRTC architecture assumes from a security perspective that network resources exist in a hierarchy of trust. From the user’s perspective, the browser (or user client) is basis of all WebRTC security, and acts as their Trusted Computing Base (TCB).\nThe browser’s job is to enable access to the internet, while providing adequate security protections to the user. The security requirements of WebRTC are built directly upon this requirement; the browser is the portal through which the user accesses all WebRTC applications and content.\nWhile HTML and JS provided by the server can cause the browser to execute a variety of actions, the browser segregates those scripts into sandboxes. Said sandboxes isolate scripts from each other, and from the user’s computer. Generally speaking, scripts are only allowed to interact with resources from the same domain – or more specifically, the same “origin”.\nThe browser enforces all security policies that the user desires and is the first step in the verification of all third parties. All authenticated entities have their identity checked by the browser.\nIf the user chooses a suitable browser which they know can trust, then all WebRTC communication can be considered “secure” and to follow the standard accepted security architecture of WebRTC technology. However, if there is any doubt that a browser is “trustable” (e.g. having been downloaded from a third party rather than a trusted location), then all following interaction with WebRTC applications is impacted and may not be reliably secure.\nIn other words, the level of trust provided to the user by WebRTC is directly influenced by the user’s trust in the browser.\n3.2. SOP: Same Origin Policy\nIt is a fundamental aspect of the DOM that all webpage resources are fetched from the page’s web server, whenever some or all of the page is loaded. Fetching of resources takes place either when a page is freshly loaded by the browser, or when a script residing on a webpage makes such a request. Such scripts are readily able to make HTTP requests via e.g. the XMLHttpRequest() API, but are not permitted to make such requests to just any server they specify. Rather, requests have to be made to the same “origin” from where the script originated. An “origin” comprises of a URI scheme, hostname, and port number. This overall restrication is termed the “Same Origin Policy” (SOP).\nSOP forces scripts to execute in isolated sandboxes specific to their originating domain, therefore preventing pages from different origins or even iframes on the same page from exchanging information. Webpages and scripts from the same origin server remain unhindered in interacting with each other’s JS variables. As such, the origin constitutes the basic unit of web sandboxing.\nThrough enforcing execution sandboxes on a per-origin basis, the end user is protected from the misuse of their credentials. You would reasonably expect to safely use a social networking website without a script executing from within an advertisement panel and stealing your login information.\nSimilarly, the servers of e.g the webpage provider are protected from attacks mounted via the user’s browser; If such safeguards did not exist, DoS attacks could otherwise be launched through abusive resource requests.\n3.2.1 Bypassing SOP\nSOP is incredibly important for the security of both the user and web servers in general, although it does have the disadvantage of making certain types of web app harder to create. Methods of permitting inter-site interaction do exist, although these are typically mutually consensual and limited to certain channels.\nThe W3C Cross-Origin Resource Sharing (CORS) spec is one of the answers to the problem. It allows the browser to contact the script’s target server to determine whether it is willing to participate in a given type of transaction. As such, cross-origin requests can be safely allowed, by giving the target server the option to specifically opt-in to certain requests and decline all others.\nWebSockets is another option allowing similar functionality, but on transparent channels rather than isolated HTTP requests. Once such a connection has been established, the script can transfer traffic and resources as it likes, with the necessity of framing as a series of HTTP request/response transactions.\nIn both cases, the initial verification stage prevents the arbitrary transfer of data by a script with a different origin.\n4. WebRTC Security Considerations\n4.1. Installation and Updates\nA prevalent issue with traditional desktop software is whether one can trust the application itself. Installation of new software or a plugin can potentially surruptiously install malware or other undesirable software. Many end users have no idea where the software was made or exactly who they are downloading the app from. Malicious third parties have had great success in repackaging perfectly safe and trusted software to include malware, and offering their custom package on free software websites.\nWebRTC however is not a plugin, nor is there any installation process for any of its components. All the underlying WebRTC technology is installed simply as part of downloading a suitable WebRTC-compatible browser, such as Chrome or Firefox. If a user has such a browser, they can browse to and use any WebRTC application with no other setup or preparation required. As such there is no risk of installation of malware or viruses through the use of an appropriate WebRTC application. However, WebRTC apps should still be accessed via a HTTPS website signed by a valid authenticator such as Verisign.\nAnother related consideration is the patching of discovered security flaws in software. As with any software technology, it is entirely possible that future bugs or vulnerabilities will be discovered in WebRTC. If a vulnerability is found in an traditional desktop application (such as a typical VoIP application), development of a patch may take considerable time. This is a frequent issue with application development, as security is still often treated as a secondary consideration after functionality. Going deeper than this, we can contemplate hardware-based communication methods. How often does a VoIP phone get a security update? Can you trust the person responsible to update it regularly? Do you even know who is responsible?\nContrary to this, browsers are a fast-paced development scene due to the frequency and range of risks users are exposed to, as well as their ubiquitous nature (and the importance of information accessed through the browser). As WebRTC’s components are offered as part of a browser, they are likewise updated whenever the browser is updated. If a future vulnerability were to be found in a browser’s WebRTC implementation, a fix will likely be delivered rapdily. This can particularly be seen to be true in Chrome and Firefox’s rapid development cycles. In fact, in the era of automatic updates, WebRTC components can be updated through a new browser version as soon as the patch is made available on servers. Most modern browsers have a good record of auto-updating themselves within 24 hours of the discovery of a serious vulnerability or threat.\nAs a side note: Although we have stated that WebRTC requires no plugins to be installed, it is possible that third-party WebRTC frameworks may offer plugins to enable support on currently unsupported browsers (such as Safari and IE). User caution (or a supported browser) is recommended in such instances.\n4.2. Access to Media/Local resources\nThe browser can access local resources (including camera, mic, files), which leads the inevitable concern of a web application accessing a user’s microphone and camera. If web applications could freely gain access to a user’s camera or microphone, an unscrupulous app may attempt to record or distribute video or audio feeds without the user’s knowledge. It could be a simple matter for a website residing in a background tab to abuse the user’s trust (the user may not even realise a site harbours such a communication application).\nWebRTC combats this by requiring the user to give explicit permission for the camera or microphone to be used (both can be configured indivudally). It is possible to ask the user for one-time or permanent access. It is not possible for a WebRTC application to arbitrarily gain access or operate either device. Furthermore, when either the microphone or camera is being used the client UI is required to expressly show the user that the microphone or camera are being operated. In Chrome, this takes the form of a red dot on any tab accessing a user’s media.\nFigure 3. Chrome UI Indicators\nThe philosophy of this security protection is that a user should always be making an informed decision on whether they should permit a call to take place, or to receive a call. In other words, a user must understand: – Who or what is requesting access to his media – Where the media is going – Or both.\nAs an additional provision, the WebRTC spec specifies that browsers SHOULD stop the camera and microphone when the UI indicator is masked (e.g. by window overlap). Although this is more of an ideal behaviour, it isn’t necessarily guarenteed and users should exercise caution. Fortunately however, this additional functionality is not likely to be behaviour expected by the user.\nScreen sharing introduces further security considerations due to the inherent flexibility of scope. A user may not be immediately aware of the extent of the information that they are sharing. For instance, they may believe they are simply sharing a stream of a particular window (e.g. while giving a presentation to remote parties), when in reality they are showing their entire screen to their audience. This may be a result of the user failing to correctly establish the initial screen sharing setup, or else that the user may simply forget the extent of what they are sharing.\n4.3. Media Encryption & Communication Security\nThere are a number of ways in that a real-time communication application may impose security risks. One particularly notable one is the interception of unencrypted media or data during transmission. This can occur between browser-browser or browser-server communication, with an eavesdropping third-party able to see all data sent. Encryption however, renders it effectively impossible for an eavesdropper to determine the contents of communication streams. Only parties with access to the secret encryption key can decode the communication streams.\nEncryption is a mandatory feature of WebRTC, and is enforced on all components, including signaling mechanisms. Resultantly, all media streams sent over WebRTC are securely encrypted, enacted through standardised and well-known encryption protocols. The encryption protocol used depends on the channel type; data streams are encrypted using Datagram Transport Layer Security (DTLS) and media streams are encrypted using Secure Real-time Transport Protocol (SRTP).\n4.3.1. DTLS: Datagram Transport Layer Security\nWebRTC encrypts information (specifically data channels) using Datagram Transport Layer Security (DTLS). All data sent over RTCDataChannel is secured using DTLS.\nDTLS is a standardised protocol which is built into all browsers that support WebRTC, and is one protocol consistently used in web browsers, email, and VoIP platforms to encrypt information. The built-in nature also means that no prior setup is required before use. As with other encryption protocols it is designed to prevent eavesdropping and information tampering. DTLS itself is modelled upon the stream-orientated TLS, a protocol which offers full encryption with asymmetric cryptography methods, data authentication, and message authentication. TLS is the de-facto standard for web encryption, utilised for the purposes of such protocols as HTTPS. TLS is designed for the reliable transport mechanism of TCP, but VoIP apps (and games etc) typically utilise unreliable datagram transports such as UDP.\nAs DTLS is a derivative of SSL, all data is known to be as secure as using any standard SSL based connection. In fact, WebRTC data can be secured via any standard SSL based connection on the web, allowing WebRTC to offer end-to-end encryption between peers with almost any server arrangement.\n4.3.1.1. DTLS over TURN\nThe default option for all WebRTC communication is direct P2P communication between two browsers, aided with signalling servers during the setup phase. P2P encryption is relatively easy to envisage and setup, but in the case of failure WebRTC setup falls back to communication via a TURN server (if available). During TURN communication the media can suffer a loss of quality and increased latency, but it allows an “if all else fails” scenario to permit WebRTC application to work even under challenging circumstances. We must also consider encrypted communication under TURN’s alternative communication structure.\nIt is known that regardless of communication method, the sent data is encrypted at the end points. A TURN server’s purpose is simply the relay of WebRTC data between parties in a call, and will only parse the UDP layer of a WebRTC packet for routing purposes. Servers will not decode the application data layer in order to route packets, and therefore we know that they do not (and can not) touch the DTLS encryption.\nResultantly, the protections put in place through encryption are therefore not compromised during WebRTC communication over TURN, and the server cannot understand or modify information that peers send to each other.\n4.3.2. SRTP: Secure Real-time Transport Protocol\nBasic RTP does not have any built-in security mechanisms, and thus places no protections of the confidentiality of transmitted data. External mechanisms are instead relied on to provide encryption. In fact, the use of unencrypted RTP is explicitly forbidden by the WebRTC specification.\nWebRTC utilises SRTP for the encryption of mediastreams, rather than DTLS. This is because SRTP is a lighter-weight option than DTLS. The specification requires that any compliant WebRTC implementation support RTP/SAVPF (which is built on top of RTP/SAVP) [9]. However, the actual SRTP key exchange is inially performed end-to-end with DTLS-SRTP, allowing for the detection of any MiTM attacks.\n4.3.3. Establishment of a secure link\nLet us step through the process of establishing a new call on a WebRTC application. In this instance, there will be two parties involved; Alice and Bob. The call procedure is initiated when one party (Alice) calls the other (Bob), and the signalling process exchanges the revelant metadata between both parties.\nOnce the initial ICE checks have concluded (or specifically, some of them), the two peers will start to setup one or more secure channels. Initially, a DTLS handshake is performed on all channels that are established by ICE. For the data channels, this step alone is sufficient as plain simple DTLS is used for encryption. For the media channels however, further steps are taken.\nOnce the DTLS handshake completes, the keys are “exported” and used to key SRTP for the media channels. At this stage both parties know that they share a set of secure data and/or media channels with keys which are not known to any malicious third-party.\nReferences: [10]\n4.3.4. DTLS-SRTP vs SDES\nIn order to negotiate the security parameters for the media traffic session, SRTP needs to interact with a key management protocol. This protocol is not established, offering up a number of possible options for the task. Two such options ares SDES and DTLS-SRTP.\nIt is worth noting that the signalling (SIP, HTTP) & media (RTP) involved in a multimedia communication can be secured independently.\nSDP Security Descriptions for Media Streams (SDES) was the option previously favoured by WebRTC.\nWithin SDES, the security parameters and keys used to set up SRTP sessions are exchanged in clear text in the form of SDP attributes. As SDP is communicated over the signalling plane, if encryption is not additionally enacted upon such signalling messages then an eavesdropping third party could obtain the keys for the SDES encrypted data. In other words, a further encrpytion protocol should be utilised specifically for the encryption of the signalling plane. One such option for this is to use TLS.\nSecuring the signalling and media independently however, can lead to the situation in that the media user is different from the signalling user (as no guarentee is provided). To provide this guarentee, a cryptographic binding is necessary. DTLS-SRTP is one such mechanism that provides this, but SDES does not.\nIt remains a fact that even today, the majority of RTP traffic in VoIP networks is not secured. In fact, encyption is one of the very first features customers usually ask vendors to remove in order to meet their budgets. When secured, most of the deployments utilise SDES, which as we just mentioned relies heavily on signalling plane security.\nDTLS-SRTP\nDTLS-SRTP on the other hand exchanges keys over the media plane, rather than the signalling plane. The consequence of such a difference is that an SRTP media channel has no need to reveal the secret encryption keys through an SDP message exchange, as is the case with SDES.\nThe WebRTC specification [9] asserts that WebRTC implementations are required to support DTLS-SRTP for key management. Moreover, it is specified to be the default and preferred scheme, and there is no provision for other key management schemes to be implemented. In other words, other schemes may or may not be supported at all.\nIf an offer or “call” is received from a peer advertising support for both DTLS-SRTP and SDES, DTLS-SRTP must be selected – irrespective of whether the signalling is secured or not.\nIt is generally accepted that DTLS-SRTP should be the madatory and default option for the encryption of WebRTC media. What is being questioned is whether other mechanisms, namely SDES, should be utilised to provide backward compatability.\nFrom the compatibility persepctive, Google’s Chrome browser provides support for both SDES and DTLS-SRTP. Mozilla’s Firefox on the other hand only implementes DTLS-SRTP.\nReferences: [11] [12]\n4.3.5. A Weakness in SRTP\nSRTP only encrypts the payload of RTP packets, providing no encryption for the header. However, the header contains a variety of information which may be desirable to keep secret.\nOne such piece of information included in the RTP header is the audio-levels of the contained media data. Effectively, anyone anyone who can see the SRTP packets can tell whether a user is speaking or not at any given time. Although the contents of the media itself remains secret to any eavesdropper, this is still a scary prospect. For example, Law enforcement officals could determine whether a user is communicating with a known badguy.\n4.4. Web-Based Peer Authentication & Identity Management\nIt is desirable for a user to be able to verify the identify of their peers. I.e. a user naturally wants to be certain that they are speaking to the person they believe that they are speaking to, and not an imposter.\nAlthough the signalling server may be able to go some way towards claiming a user’s identity, the signalling server itself may not (and for the case of authentication SHOULD not) be trusted. We need to be able to perform authentication of our peers independently from the signalling server. This can be made possible through the use of identity providers.\nFigure 4. A call with IdP-based identity\nA number of web-based identity providers (IdP) have recently become commonplace on the web, including Facebook Connect, BrowserID (by Mozilla), OAuth (by Twitter). The purpose of these mechanisms is simply to verify your identity to other services/users, on the authority of the identity provider itself. If a user has an account on Facebook then they can then use Facebook Connect, Facebook’s IdP to prove to others that the are who they say they are on Facebook. This allows users to tie their authentication on other services to their main account on a “trusted” service. Note that in this case the level of “trust” that an Identity Provider possesses is subjective to the end-point user or service, and is often largely tied to userbase and reputation across the World Wide Web.\nThe implementations of each IdP may differ due to independent development by different companies rather than being based on an open-source standard, but the underlying principle and functionality remains essentially the same. IdPs do not provide authentication for a signalling server; rather, they provide authentication for a user (and their browser through the process). WebRTC also places no requirements on which services should be used, and those which are utilised are based on the web application’s implementation.\nAs the web application (calling site) is unrelated to this authentication process, it is important that the browser securely generates the input to the authentication process, and also securely displays the output on the web application. This process must not be able to be falisified or misrepresented by the web application.\nFigure 5. The operation of an Identity Provider\n4.5. IP Location Privacy\nOne adverse side-affect of using ICE is that a peer can learn one’s IP address. As IP addresses are publicly registered with global authorities, they can reveal such details as a given peer’s location. This could naturally have negative implications for a peer, which they would wish to avoid.\nWebRTC is not designed with the intention of protecting a user from a malicious website which wants to learn this information. Typically, such a site will learn at least a user’s server reflexive address from any HTTP transaction. Hiding the IP address from the server would require some kind of explicit privacy preserving mechanism on the client, and is out of scope of this report.\nWebRTC does however provide a number of mechanisms which are intended to allow a web application to cooperate with the user to hide the user’s IP address from the other side of the call. These mechanisms will be detailed in turn.\nA WebRTC implementation is required to provide a mechanism to allow JS to suppress ICE negotiation until user has decided to answer the call. This provision assists end users in preventing a peer from learning their IP address if they elect not to answer a call. This has the side affect of hiding whether a user is online or not to their peers.\nThe second such provision is that any implementation will provide a mechanism for the calling app’s javascript to indicate that only TURN candidates are to be used. This can prevent a peer from learning one’s IP address at all.\nFurthermore, there is a mechanism for the calling app to reconfigure an existing call to add non-TURN candidates. Taken together with the previous provision, this allows ICE negotiation to start immediately upon an incoming call notification, thereby reducing delay, but also avoiding disclosing the user’s IP address until they have decided to answer. This allows users to completely hide their IP address for the duration of the call.\n4.6. Signalling Layer\nAs the signalling protocol is not specified by WebRTC, the mechanism for encryption obviously depends on the signalling protocol chosen. Due to the relatively open nature of signalling security, this report will focus on and briefly explain the of the most common protocol, SIP (Session Initiation Protocol).\nSIP is a widely implemented standard used in VoIP communication to setup and tear down phone calls. However, it is a derivative of HTTP and SMTP – both are protocols that are regularly exploited. As it uses plain-text messages to exchange information, it is feasbile for any malicious party to tap a network and capture SIP messages. If an attacker can read a user’s sensitive information, they could use this information to spoof the user. And if the attacker can further proceed to gain access to the operator’s network, it can even be possible for them to decipher the contents of WebRTC communication.[14]\nSince SIP is sent in clear text, it is trivial for a determined attacker to intercept SIP messages. What happens next is left up to the imagination of the attacker, but it is not hard to imagine an eventuality in that the contents of the message body or header is tampered with. If the attacker intercepts an INVITE message, they may then proceed to change the FROM header to reflect his or her own IP address.\n4.6.1. SIP Vulnerabilities\nSIP is a communications protocol for signalling and controlling multimedia communication sessions and is frequently implemented in VoIP technologies for the purposes of setting up and tearing down phone calls. It can similarly be used in a WebRTC implementation for signalling purposes, as one of a number of possible such options. However, SIP messages are frequently sent in plain text. As this can naturally result in a number of potential attack vectors, we will take a closer examination of this area.\nSIP Flow\nIn the process of setting up a call, a user’s browser (or “User Agent”) registers with a central registrar. This registration is a necessity in traditional VoIP as it is necessary to provide the means to locate and contact a remote party.\nWhen a party (Bob) wants to initiate a call, he sends an INVITE message via a central proxy server (this is the signalling server). The server is responsible for relaying such messsages, and providing the means to locate other users. The server may attempt a number of measures to locate a end-user during this lookup process, such as utilising DNS.\nRegistration Hijacking\nThe initial browser registration is used to announce a user’s point of contact, and indicates that a user’s device is accepting calls. However the process provides a vector for malicious entities to perform a “Registration Hijack” attack.\nThe exchange of registration messages includes a “Contact:” field, containing the user’s IP address. Whenever the signalling server processes an incoming call, the user name (or phone number) is matched up with the registered IP address, and the INVITE is forwarded accordingly. These registrations are periodically updated, ensuring the records are kept recent and up to date.\nAs SIP messages are always sent in plain text, it can be trivial for an attacker to intercept and read the contents of these registration messages. Following the interception, an appropriate tool (such as SiVuS Message generator) can be used to generate similar SIP information, but with the user’s true IP address replaced by the attacker’s own. The attacker then only has to disable the real user and send this information periodically to divert all incoming calls to themselves.\nThere are a number of methods that an attacker could utilise to disable a legitimate user, including: – Performing a DoS attack against the user’s device – Deregistering the user (another attack which is not covered here) – Generating a registration race-condition, in which the attacker sends repeatedly REGISTER requests in a shorter timeframe (such as every 15 seconds) in order to override the legitimate user’s registration request. This are all genuine risks to WebRTC signalling services.\nAs the implementation of SIP does not support the checking integrity of the message contents, modification and replay attacks are therefore not detected and are a feasible attack vector. This attack works even if the server requires authentication of user registration, as the attacker can once again capture, modify and replay messages as desired.\nThis attack can be suppressed by implementing SIPS (SIP over TLS) and authenticating SIP requests and responses (which can include integrity protection). In fact, the use of SIPS and the authentication of responses can suppress many associated attacks including eavesdropping and message or user impersonation.\nOther possible attacks\nMiTM attack\nIf the attacker is able to intercept the initial SIP messages, he or she may then perform a MiTM attack.\nReplay attack\nCaptured packets could be replayed to the server by a malicious party, causing the server to call the original destination of a call. In other words, this would possibly take the form of a second unsolicited call request, identical to one the party had already received. Although a nuisance, the attacker themself would not be party of the call, as their IP information would not be included in the signalling packets.\nWeb servers are not stateful, with each request served a separate session (alleviates need for continuously authenticating). Cookies for authentication, but are nothing more than a data file containing the session ID. These cookies are sent by the web server to the browser upon initial access.\nIf the cookie were to be intercepted and copied, it could allow an interceptor full access to a session already in progress. In an attempt to mitigate this, most sites generate cookies using an algorithm involving user IP address and a timestamp to create a unique identifier.\nAlthough it may seem that signalling provides a particularly tempting vantage-point for attackers to target, all is not lost. In addition to the media streams, the signalling layer can also be encrypted. One such encrypted option is OnSIP, which uses SIP over Secure WebSockets (wss:// instead of ws://), with the WebSocket connection encrypted by TLS.\nAlthough outside of this report’s scope, other signalling technologies can similarly use TLS to encrypt their WebSocket or other web traffic. As with all encryption, if the third party does not know the secret encryption key, they are thereby unable to read the plain-text contents of the communication. This helps eliminate the risk of much of the above attack vectors, although it should be noted that the application programmer must specifically implement the encrypted signalling method for this to be applicable.\n4.7. Additional Security Topics\nViewpoint of the Telecom Network\nBy providing support to WebRTC, a telecom network should resonably expect not be exposed to increased security risk. However, devices or software in the hands of consumers will inevitably be compromised by malicious parties.\nFor this reason, all data received from untrusted sources (e.g. from consumer/users) must be validated, and the telecom network must assume that any data sent to the client will be obtained by malicious souces.\nBy adopting these two principles, a telecom provider must strive to make all reasonable attempts at protecting the consumer from their own mistakes that may compromise their own systems.\nCross-site scripting (XSS)\nCross-site scripting is a type vulnerability typically found in web applications (such as web browsers through breaches of browser security) that enables attackers to inject client-side script into Web pages viewed by other users. A cross-site scripting vulnerability may be used by attackers to bypass access controls such as the same origin policy.\nTheir effect may range from a petty nuisance to a significant security risk, depending on the sensitivity of the data handled by the vulnerable site and the nature of any security mitigation implemented by the site’s owner.\n—As the primary method for accessing WebRTC is expected to be using HTML5 enabled browsers there are specific security considerations concerning their use such as; protecting keys and sensitive data from cross-site scripting or cross-domain attacks, websocket use, iframe security, and other issues. —Because the client software will be controlled by the user and because the browser does not, in most cases, run in a protected environment there are additional chances that the WebRTC client will become compromised. This means all data sent to the client could be exposed.\n5. Comparison with competing/similar technologies\nAn examination of WebRTC’s comparative security would fail to make sense without also considering the security of the competition. Fortunately for WebRTC, the competition in the web-based communication arena has its own share of issues.\nThis section will explore the comparitive strengths and weaknesses of WebRTC and other platforms offering competiting RTC functionality.\nSome platforms we COULD explore are the following. The platforms to be explored have not yet been chosen. (To come after first-draft.)\nAlthough widely relied upon, the additional installation processes can pose a barrier\n6. Secure design practices\nWebRTC is built to be secure. However more than just bindly relying on the underlying technology, it is a good idea to consciously code with security in mind. This section will discuss coding practices that may be followed to ensure greater security over a vanilla WebRTC implementation. In particular, these practices could be applicable to organisations which expect to handle senstive information, eg. banking institutions, healthcare institutions or confidential corporate information.\nSecure Signalling\nAs mentioned previously, WebRTC does not impose any constraints on the signalling process, rather leaving the developer to decide upon their own preferred method. Although this allows for a degree of flexibility that can have the WebRTC implementation tailored to the needs of the application, there can be risks associated with certain signalling protocols.\nIt is advisable to implement a signalling protocol that provides additional security, such as encryption of signalling traffic. By default a signalling process may not incorporate any encryption, which can leave the contents of all exchanged signalling messages open to eavesdropping. Applications with a focus upon security/confidentiality should therefore ensure that their signalling layer is implemented over a secure protocol such as SIPS, OpenSIP, HTTPS or WSS.\nAuthentication and peer monitoring\nA basic WebRTC app requires only a user’s ID in order to perform a call, with no authentication performed from the view point of the service itself. It may be desirable to require pre-registration or authentication before any user can participate in a call. Unauthenticated entities should then be kept away from session’s reach, restricting accessibility to untrusted parties.\nSince the media connections are P2P, the media contents (audio and video channels) are transmitted between peers directly in full duplex. Thus as the signalling server maintains the number of peers in communication, it could be consistently monitored for addition of suspicious peers in a call session. If the number of peers actually present on signalling server is more that the number of peers interacting on WebRTC page then it could mean that someone is eavesdropping secretly and should be terminated from session access by force.\nIt is a noted behaviour that often users will agree to permission requests or similar dialogs without consciously reading the message. This poses the risk of granting a web application with permissions which were not actually intended by the user.\nAlthough this behaviour itself can not be easily dealt with, one solution could be to clearly detail on the page what permissions the application will ask for. Such an application places a user’s privacy at the forefront.\nIn the eventuality that a malicious party succeeds in setting up a MitM attack, there is typically not an easy solution to discover or fight against it. This is because the attack has no warning, and communication is allowed to proceed as normal. If one is not expecting such an attack, the attack will likely continue unnoticed.\nHowever, by monitoring the media path regularly for no suspicious relays, we can take one small step towards mitigating against MiTM attacks. This should be coupled with encrypted signalling, as mentioned above.\nAn application offering any degree of screen-sharing functionality should have warnings in place to protect the user. As previously discussed, a user may not be aware of the extent of the screen being shared. Such an issue should fall back to a properly designed application to provide appropriate such information.\nFor example, before initiating the streaming of any part of the screen, the user should be properly notified and advised to close any screen containing sensitive information.\nA Fallback\nAs a final fallback measure, we could venture as far as imagining a situation in that an active call session is compromised by a unauthorised party. If a call is confirmed to be compromised in such a way, it should be within the power of Web Application server rendering the WebRTC capable page to cut off the call.\nIn the modern age of smartphones and mobile devices people are communicating more than ever, and in even more personal ways than we have known before. Encryption in particular has become a big topic in recent years, following the growing awareness of major corporate hacking scandels and widespread government telecommunication eavesdropping. The result of which has been a rapid increase in user distrust of such organisations, and calls for arms in implementing greatly improved security measures. All the end user wants is to know that their personal data is kept private under control.\nWebRTC has a big advantage over most VoIP services in the security area. Until now, most services have typically treated security as optional, meaning most end users use VoIP calls without encryption. Large corporations in particular are a leading culprit for this, choosing to save money on cheaper implementations rather than properly considering their users or the value of the data that they handle. But as WebRTC forbids unencrypted communication, users can be assured that their data remains safe and private.\nHaving been designed with security in mind, WebRTC enforces or encourages important security concepts in all main area. As such, as well as simply being built secure, it encourages WebRTC developers to also take their security seriously.\nAs a result of this strong focus on secure communication, WebRTC is currently regarded by some to be one of the most secure VoIP solutions out there. The main premise of having encryption by default is that a call is private at all times. Security and encryption are no longer considered to be optional features. And to round everything off, WebRTC is available free to everyone, providing a tempting and reliable framework for developers to build their next application.\nIn the near future we can expect to see more and more communication services providing greatly increased security to their users. But for now, WebRTC is one of those who are leading the charge.\n8. Bibliography\n1. RTCPeerConnection API Reference.\ndeveloper.mozilla.org. Accessed on 2015-07-28.\n2. Brief Introduction to RTCPeerConnection API.\nHigh Performance Browser Networking. Accessed on 2015-07-28.\n3. SDP for the WebRTC.\ntools.ietf.org. Accessed on 2015-07-28.\n4. After signaling: using ICE to cope with NATs and firewalls.\nhtml5rocks.com. Accessed on 2015-07-28.\n5. Getting Started with WebRTC – Security.\n6. WebRTC Security – Same Origin Policy.\n7. Security Considerations for WebRTC.\n8. Attack of the week: Datagram TLS.\nblog.cryptographyengineering.com. Accessed on 2015-07-28.\n9. Web Real-Time Communication (WebRTC): Media Transport and Use of RTP.\n10. The Foundation of WebRTC Security.\nonsip.com. Accessed on 2015-07-28.\n11. WebRTC MUST implement DTLS-SRTP but… MUST NOT implement SDES?.\nwebrtchacks.com. Accessed on 2015-07-28.\n12. IETF-87 rtcweb agenda.\n13. Security Considerations for WebRTC.\nwww.ietf.org. Accessed on 2015-07-28.\n14. WebRTC and Man in the Middle Attacks.\n15. Security in a SIP network: Identifying network attacks.\nsearchunifiedcommunications.techtarget.com. Accessed on 2015-07-28.\n16. Two attacks against VoIP.\nsymantec.com. Accessed on 2015-07-28.\n17. Security for WebRTC applications.\naltanaitelecom.wordpress.com. Accessed on 2015-07-28.\n18. WebRTC Security.\n19. Why WebRTC is the Most Secure VoIP Solution.\nbloggeek.me. Accessed on 2015-07-28.\nA Study of WebRTC Security is a NTT Communications project.\nbuiltjobPortalrequirement转自\n程序员艳庆\n上一篇： RTP RTCP在音视频传输与同步方面的使用\n下一篇： Spring之ResourceLoader加载资源","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line245519"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5045279860496521,"wiki_prob":0.4954720139503479,"text":"Relatively Painless Games - Week 2: The Ever-Looming Words \"Sprint Fail\"\nFirst off, the most important thing that we decided on during this week was that we were going to drop Thievery. We brought the idea to our class and we quickly learned through feedback just how out of scope Thievery was.\nThe idea of the game was a competitive stealth game in which the players tried to steal more than the other players while trying to alert the guards of each others' position through things like Smoke Bombs, Tripwires, and other distractions. The main problem that came up was that it is hard to have a stealth game where the players interact meaningfully and often with each other. From a design standpoint, this left the idea of the game in a state where it was very, very, very hit or miss. And we felt that the these problems plus the scope from both an environmental art standpoint and AI programming standpoint made this game undesirable in terms of viability within scope.\nThen we made a further mistake.\nSo, we decided part way through that we were dropping Thievery. But, the tasks and story of it were already in our Sprint. We were far too afraid of two looming words - \"Sprint Fail.\" Because of that, we worked on a Thievery prototype despite the fact that we were going to drop it when we could have instead replaced that prototype with something that would have likely been more useful.\nThis did frustrate me in particular because I had decided to take on this prototype, and I felt like I was creating something that was pretty pointless. But, rather than stay frustrated, I tried to figure out what we could do with the prototype to make it useful. And so, I ended up making it so that the different abilities and items the player had had multiple functions. For example, I made it so that the tripwire costed treasure (the points within the game) to make it so that the treasure had multiple purposes: adding up to your final points or possibly causing another player to lose points. I also made it so that the Smoke Bomb made it so guards couldn't walk through it, however guards would still be attracted to the smoke bomb, making it so that you could use it defensively for yourself or on opponents to attract guards to their location. I did this to get some feedback on items with multiple uses, which could be useful in both of our other game ideas. For the game where you take the remains of robots and attach them to yourself to augment yourself, some of the items the player picks up could have multiple uses. For the game where monsters fuse together upon death, the player can have abilities with multiple uses rather than just the usual combat system.\nOf course, though, by the end of the Sprint we realized we shouldn't have been as afraid of Sprint Fail. We learned that while 100% finishing the Sprint may be the goal, not doing so isn't truly a failure. Plans change throughout a Sprint. That's the whole point of Agile Scrum Development and these Sprints and Milestones.","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1250209"}
{"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6984685659408569,"wiki_prob":0.30153143405914307,"text":"Five Takeaways from President Trump’s First State of the Union Address\nShane Vander Hart offers his five quick takeaways from President Donald Trump’s first State of the Union address outlining his first year in office and his vision for 2018.\nCBS Poll Shows 75 Percent of Viewers Approve of Trump’s SOTU Address\neconomic policy,\nimmigration,\nMS-13,\nNorth Korea,\nI wanted to offer some thoughts about President Donald Trump’s first State of the Union Address tonight. Here are five quick takeaways from the speech (not meant to be exhaustive).\n1. The stories were great.\nWhen Presidents talk about their guests at the State of the Union it is an opportunity for some powerful moments. President Trump’s speech was no exception.\nI loved the pro-life example given of Ryan and Rebecca Holet who adopted the baby of a homeless heroin addict.\nThey named her Hope, and yes they are an example of what makes our nation good. I appreciated the story.\nMy heart broke for the parents of Kayla Cuevas and Nisa Mickens who were murdered by members of MS-13, as well as, the parents of Otto Warmbier who was sentenced to 15-years in North Korea to be later released shortly before his death.\nJi Seong-ho, who bravely fled North Korea, holding his crutches over his head was a powerful image.\nI could go on because there were other stories as well. This, bar none, was the best part of his speech.\n2. The economy speaks for itself.\nThe strongest case that President Trump can make for his administration was economic growth. In particular:\nSince the election, we have created 2.4 million new jobs, including 200,000 new jobs in manufacturing alone. After years of wage stagnation, we are finally seeing rising wages.\nUnemployment claims have hit a 45-year low. African-American unemployment stands at the lowest rate ever recorded, and Hispanic American unemployment has also reached the lowest levels in history.\nThen comes the tax cuts which outside of the confirmation of Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court was probably the greatest achievement in his first year in office.\nHe highlighted how it is stimulating the economy:\nSmall businesses have also received a massive tax cut, and can now deduct 20 percent of their business income.\nHere tonight are Steve Staub and Sandy Keplinger of Staub Manufacturing — a small business in Ohio. They have just finished the best year in their 20-year history. Because of tax reform, they are handing out raises, hiring an additional 14 people, and expanding into the building next door.\nOne of Staub’s employees, Corey Adams, is also with us tonight. Corey is an all-American worker. He supported himself through high school, lost his job during the 2008 recession, and was later hired by Staub, where he trained to become a welder. Like many hardworking Americans, Corey plans to invest his tax‑cut raise into his new home and his two daughters’ education. Please join me in congratulating Corey.\nSince we passed tax cuts, roughly 3 million workers have already gotten tax cut bonuses — many of them thousands of dollars per worker. Apple has just announced it plans to invest a total of $350 billion in America, and hire another 20,000 workers.\n3. His immigration plan will make both the far right and far left angry.\nIn terms of policy, this is where he provided the most meat.\nThe first pillar of our framework generously offers a path to citizenship for 1.8 million illegal immigrants who were brought here by their parents at a young age — that covers almost three times more people than the previous administration. Under our plan, those who meet education and work requirements, and show good moral character, will be able to become full citizens of the United States.\nThe second pillar fully secures the border. That means building a wall on the Southern border, and it means hiring more heroes like CJ to keep our communities safe. Crucially, our plan closes the terrible loopholes exploited by criminals and terrorists to enter our country — and it finally ends the dangerous practice of “catch and release.”\nThe third pillar ends the visa lottery — a program that randomly hands out green cards without any regard for skill, merit, or the safety of our people. It is time to begin moving towards a merit-based immigration system — one that admits people who are skilled, who want to work, who will contribute to our society, and who will love and respect our country.\nThe fourth and final pillar protects the nuclear family by ending chain migration. Under the current broken system, a single immigrant can bring in virtually unlimited numbers of distant relatives. Under our plan, we focus on the immediate family by limiting sponsorships to spouses and minor children. This vital reform is necessary, not just for our economy, but for our security, and our future.\nThe far right will not like offering DACA recipients a pathway to citizenship. The far left (or should I just say the Democratic Party) will be unhappy with the rest. This is going to be a big lift and I’m doubtful Congress will pass this.\n4. The optics of Democrats’ staying seated when they shouldn’t.\nI am not sure if Democrats think they are making inroads with average Americans by not applauding historically low unemployment claims, tax cuts, and corporate investment at home, but they are not. This mindset is exactly why they lost in 2016.\nOne of the most entertaining aspects of the State of the Union was watching House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) throughout the speech when they would flash at her.\nDemocrats need to find a different game plan other than “we hate Trump.”\n5. It was policy-lite.\nWith the exception of the immigration, his speech lacked a lot of detail.\nHe’s planning on spending a lot of money on infrastructure, but I’m still unclear what his plan will look like. He’s changing the rules of engagement in Afghanistan, but what does that mean? He doesn’t want to repeat the mistakes made by other Presidents with North Korea, so what will he do differently?\nSomethings like his plan for keeping Guantanamo open and ending the catch and release program for terrorists is pretty clear.\nI was half expecting that he was going to call for Congress to declare war on MS-13, way, way, way too much time spent on that.\nOverall it was a good speech, probably too long, but good. I don’t know if it will move the needle for him, speeches rarely do, but if he can stay off Twitter and give speeches like this it will go a long way.\nMcCain-Led NDAA Conference Committee Strips Right to Jury Trial\nSenator Rand Paul (R-KY) criticizes the NDAA Conference Committee led by Senator John McCain (R-AZ) whose report strips the right to trial by jury.\nRelief for Americans Caught in the Obamacare Tax Penalty Catch-22\nDavid Young: It is simply wrong to take money out of the pockets of hardworking Iowans who live in those health care desert counties as a penalty for not having insurance.\nThe Obama Justice Department Takes Another Stand for Voter Fraud\nIf you are a science fiction fan you know that a popular…\nA Renewed Call for a Federal Marriage Amendment\nThe solution to the marriage issue is to adopt a federal marriage amendment which protects traditional marriage.\nJohn Hendrickson","source":"cc/2023-06/en_head_0001.json.gz/line646887"}