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Fabricio Werdum doesn't understand Junior dos Santos. As he prepares to take on Stipe Miocic at UFC 198, Werdum told Combate he doesn't see why dos Santos wants to rematch him so badly, given "Cigano" already knocked him out back in 2008.
In Werdum's opinion, maybe that means Junior dos Santos just likes him.
"That's something I can't understand," Werdum said. "I think it's because I'm the champion now. I have never seen a guy who won a fight the way he did back in 2008 to ask for a rematch. Normally the loser will ask for it, not the winner. So there's something wrong. Why does he want that rematch? Maybe he wants something with me. Maybe he likes me, I don't know."
As for his upcoming challenge on Saturday, Fabricio Werdum already pictures the way he's going to win against Stipe Miocic. He believes it will be by knockout, with a kick or something different, he hopes, as he feels Stipe is not as threatening as many people think.
"I already see myself winning this fight," Werdum said. "I see myself knocking Stipe out. But it all depends, we never know how it's really going to be. But I do believe I'll impose my gameplan and try to knock him out with a kick or something different. Or maybe I'll catch him on the ground. I want to finish this fight as soon as possible. Of course I'll be patient, I have five rounds to finish it and I'm aware of that. I know it's not an easy fight, he earned his title shot. He has good boxing and wrestling, but I don't see him as a complete fighter."
"On the ground, for instance, I can't see him with his back on the ground and doing well. He lacks some things. I also think he was awarded his shot. Of course he has two good victories, but he talked, too. He asked for it. He was smart, actually. I would do that, too. In the heavyweight division you can get a title shot after two wins. It took me a little longer. When I came back to the UFC, I had to win five in a row. Sometimes reporters ask me who's next and I always say it's up to them, not me."
Fabricio Werdum is scheduled to defend the UFC heavyweight title against challenger Stipe Miocic in the main event of UFC 198, in Curitiba, Brazil, on May 14. |
The true value of a token
Bernd Lapp Blocked Unblock Follow Following Oct 10, 2017
Cryptocurrencies are not a short term investment. Period!
I woke up at 6.30 on a sunday morning because my mind had settled on this topic and I am finally now able to grasp the value of cryptocurrencies.
There has been a lot of hype around ICOs lately. Everyone wants to be part of what they perceive as a goldrush, and ICOs allow anyone to feel like an Investor on Shark Tank.
There is no doubt you can make an exponential return on your investment in an ICO, but here is some free advice: There are two Cryptocurrencies that have always been and will always be outperforming every ICO.
Bitcoin and Ether.
If you would have kept Bitcoin or Ether instead of investing it in an ICO, you would have gained more value than with 99% of the ICOs over the last 3 years. If you don’t believe me, go to https://icostats.com and take a look at any token older than 6 months. Find its increase in value and compare it to the increase in value of Bitcoin or Ether over time.
Short term gains are what investors love about ICOs, but to be successful you have to buy and sell a lot, and you will make a lot of mistakes doing so, especially with more and more ICOs coming out. If you are not spending your full day on trading but want to benefit from the value gain of Cryptocurrencies, stay out of ICOs and simply buy Bitcoin or Ether and just hold them.
One more thing, don’t say you “invest” in Bitcoin or Ether. By saying that, you demonstrate you do not understand the concept of these currencies. Bitcoin is designed as Digital Cash; to spend on daily transactions like coffee (although recent implementations don’t seem to support this idea from Satoshi Nakamoto anymore).
People compare Bitcoin to gold because it has a limited supply, which differentiates it from state issued cash or “fiat”. Fiat is only scarce for the individual, but not the central banks printing it. Satoshi Nakamoto does not use the term gold in his whitepaper and only used it to enhance Bitcoin’s capabilities as cash by adding a limited potential supply.(https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=583.msg11405#msg11405 )
Ether, on the other hand is actually only meant to be the fuel for computational power. It is designed to keep the Turing Complete Ethereum Blockchain secure from attackers. For attackers it would cost too much to create useless functions that would clog up the system and the functions could never run endlessly, as they would run out of gas eventually.
Neither were originally designed for speculation but can be used for it, just like tulips once have been.
Now that I have this off my mind, let’s talk about the value of the ICO Tokens.
Why should someone invest in an ICO and how does the token generate value?
ICOs are great tools to generate liquidity for a startup to create their product. ICOs tend to be used at a very early stage of a product creation, and most startups have nothing more than a whitepaper. That makes it risky and speculative to buy the token, as an investor really doesn’t know how, when, or if the token will be finally used. When supporting an ICO and buying the token, you have to understand the functionality of the token, because this will indicate the future value it may create.
Most of the projects I have seen don’t want their token to be a security, and therefore use it as the means of payment in the product the ICO is funding. The next section in this post will only focus on the types of projects that will let you earn their token by using their product. I will not cover tokens that represent shares, dividends, gives you access to a system, or are simply prefunding a product like in crowdfunding (where your token gets burned once you redeem it for the product).
Imagine a platform where you need a specific token to use the services offered in that platform, or a token that gives you premium access to services, and in addition you can also participate by earning the token. (Examples are — Golem, Storj, KIN, Swarm City, and many more)
To me this is the most interesting model and showcases the novelty of having a token in the first place.
If you are able to create a service that is so useful to people that they don’t mind going through the hassle of acquiring your token, the value of the token comes from within the platform itself.
Let’s imagine for a moment that you cannot buy a token but only earn it. How would you measure the value of the token when it comes time to spend it? Most likely on the amount of work you have put into it acquiring the token. If it takes you 10 hours of work to earn 10 tokens you would measure its value by this amount of work it took to acquire it. So if you want to buy a product that costs 10 tokens it must have an equivalent value as the work you have done to earn the tokens.
This is the same concept you live by right now. You earn your salary in a currency that is based on the region you live in. You will always look at the prices of goods and services, measuring it against your income, denominated in your local currency. Even if you go to another region (on holiday for example) with another currency, you always compare prices by calculating them in the currency you received your salary in.
This concept becomes more obvious for people that have changed workplaces and receive their new salary in the new regional currency. This shifts your valuation of the goods you can buy. In the beginning you will constantly convert the cost for a product to your former currency, as this is most familiar with you. Over time though, by being exposed to your new regional currency, you get used to paying the price that your regional market will ask. This is still based on the value you derived from the work you have done.
The conclusion is, you should not compare the long term value of a project’s token based on a currency outside the system. You should measure it by looking at the amount of effort/work it takes to earn the token, and the amount of value you can achieve by spending it. In addition, and this is the selling proposition of blockchain, the spending process should be really simple, trustless, and with low transaction costs.
I am often asked about the volatility of cryptocurrencies and how this will affect the consumer appreciation of a product based on cryptocurrency. It took me quite a while to understand that actually the question/concern only has value if you constantly compare the cryptocurrency to an outside of the system currency. So if you always compare a cryptocurrency with the value of the Fiat currency, you will be exposed to the volatility of the currency. An analogy is if you live in the US, but you compare the cost for your grocery shopping in Euros every day. But nobody does that, unless you are there for a short term only.
If you stay within one system, and earn and spend money in that system, only the effort for acquiring/earning the token will determine the value of that currency to you.
But as I pointed out before, if you want to benefit from cryptocurrency you should not think short term, you should think long term. Crypto is here to stay.
Looking forward to your comments.
Thank you Matthew Carano and Griff Green for editing this piece.
Disclaimer: I like to simplify things. Nothing written in my blog posts is scientifically researched and only reflects my personal point of view. I use naive logic and have come quite far doing so. |
Henri Richard holds the NHL record for most Stanley Cup championships. From 1956 to 1973, the legendary "Pocket Rocket" won 11 Stanley Cups, all with the Montreal Canadiens. Twice, in 1966 and in 1971, he scored the winning goal in the final game.
Richard's Stanley Cup victories began during his rookie season, 1955-56. That was also the start of the Canadiens' streak of five consecutive championships. Although the streak ended in 1960, Montreal and Richard won six more cups between 1964 and 1973.
In the 1973-74 season, Richard added another honor to his resume, the Bill Masterson Memorial Trophy. The trophy is given to the player who "best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey," according to the NHL. Richard was honored for his 20 years in the league and record 11 Stanley Cups.
Others Who Have Won Multiple Cups
Several other NHL players also have impressive Stanley Cup records:
Jean Beliveau won 10 Stanley Cups with the Canadiens from 1956 to 1971. His name is also on the cup another seven times as a member of Montreal's front office.
Another star of the Montreal Canadiens, Yvan Cournoyer won 10 Stanley Cups between 1965 and 1979.
Like Richard and Beliveau, Claude Provost won his first cup in 1956. He won nine Stanley Cups with the Canadiens, the last coming in 1969.
Red Kelly is the most successful NHL player who never played for Montreal. He won eight Stanley Cups with Detroit and Toronto between 1950 and 1967.
Before beginning a long career as a coach, Jacques Lemaire won eight Stanley Cups with the Montreal Canadiens from 1968 to 1979.
Maurice "Rocket" Richard, older brother of Henri Richard, won eight Stanley Cups during his legendary career with the Canadiens, between 1944 and 1960.
The Cup Was Elusive for One Longtime Player
At the opposite end of the scale is the player with perhaps the greatest hard-luck story: Phil Housley. From 1982 to 2003, Housley played 1,495 regular season games with Buffalo, Winnipeg, St. Louis, Calgary, New Jersey, Washington, Chicago, and Toronto. But he never lifted the Cup.
That makes him the leader in games played without ever winning a Stanley Cup.
Stanley Cup Origins
In 1888, the Governor-General of Canada, Lord Stanley of Preston—his sons and daughter enjoyed hockey—attended his first hockey competition, the Montreal Winter Carnival tournament. He was impressed with the game. |
American Airlines, a major employer in Charlotte, is on “high alert” that state lawmakers will target tax breaks on jet fuel in response to the company’s opposition to House Bill 2, the state’s new law on public accommodations and employment practices.
That’s according to an email Dana Fenton, Charlotte’s lobbyist in Raleigh, sent Wednesday to City Council and other officials in Charlotte, including interim aviation director Brent Cagle.
“American Airlines is on high alert as it is rumored that an amendment will be filed to eliminate the aviation fuel tax exemption,” wrote Fenton. “There has been increasing speculation recently that such a repeal would be attempted. Many in the NCGA connect such an amendment with the airline’s high profile call for repeal of House Bill 2.”
Fenton said he discussed the issue with an American Airlines government liaison. An American Airlines spokeswoman declined to comment Wednesday.
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The N.C. General Assembly is hammering out its budget, with the state House taking it up for debate Wednesday. The House and Senate will then work to reconcile their budgets and come up with a spending plan for the state.
The House passed its budget on second reading Wednesday, and there will be a third vote Thursday. The House did not discuss repealing the fuel exemption Wednesday, said State Rep. Scott Stone, a Charlotte Republican. It’s possible the Senate could still act, he said.
American is a major employer in Charlotte, which is its second-busiest hub behind Dallas/Fort Worth. The company operates about 650 flights a day from Charlotte Douglas International Airport – more than 90 percent of the airport’s total – and employs 11,000 people based at the city. Statewide, American employs 14,000.
The company took an early stand against HB2, which among other measures limits legal protections for LGBT individuals. The law was passed in response to a Charlotte ordinance that would have expanded anti-discrimination protections and allowed transgender individuals to use the bathroom of the gender with which they identify.
In March, American put out a statement that said HB2 is discriminatory: “Laws that allow such discrimination go against our fundamental belief of equality and are bad for the economies of the states in which they are enacted.”
Other companies such as Facebook, Google and Bank of America have also voiced their disapproval of HB2.
But American’s Charlotte hub doesn’t just benefit North Carolina: The company also receives a tax break from the state that saves it millions each year it would otherwise have to pay in taxes for jet fuel.
American lobbied heavily last year to preserve and extend a state law that capped a company’s jet fuel taxes at $2.5 million a year. That cap had been set to expire this year, which would have cost American Airlines millions of dollars in additional taxes.
Lawmakers went a step further, exempting jet fuel from sales tax entirely. American said the break was key for maintaining its ability to be profitable in Charlotte, a low-cost hub for the airline, while critics pointed to the airline industry’s string of record-beating profits as fuel prices plummeted last year.
Charlotte leaders generally view the jet fuel tax break as an important part of the city’s economic development: When the sales tax break was announced last year while the Charlotte Chamber was at its annual retreat in Durham, there was applause from local business and government leaders. |
The Canadian Press
OTTAWA -- Former prime minister Paul Martin will be in Alberta on Tuesday to unveil a new entrepreneurship program for aboriginal youth.
Martin will be at the Blood Reserve near Calgary along with Chief Charles Weasel Head and Scotiabank president and chief executive Brian Porter to announce the new initiative.
It will provide Grade 11 and 12 students with business knowledge and financial literacy skills. The program will also involve local business leaders mentoring the students.
The initiative is a collaboration between the Martin Aboriginal Educational Initiative, the Blood Tribe and Scotiabank (TSX:BNS). A similar program was launched in The Pas, Man., in 2011.
"The aboriginal population is one of the youngest and fastest-growing populations in Canada, yet Statistics Canada is telling you that there is generally lower levels of education within the community," said Scotiabank spokeswoman Ann DeRabbie.
"One in three haven't completed high school. An initiative like this, we have great hopes for in terms of encouraging students to stay in school."
A spokesperson for Martin didn't immediately reply to a request to interview the former prime minister.
The Blood Tribe also has a connection to the current prime minister, Stephen Harper.
The First Nation made Harper a ceremonial chief in the summer of 2011, making him the third sitting prime minister to be bestowed the honour. Jean Chretien was given the title before becoming prime minister. |
President Trump’s embrace of Russian President Vladimir Putin has put him at odds with national security adviser H.R. McMaster and other top aides, The Associated Press reported Thursday.
McMaster vocally disapproved of Trump's meetings with Putin at the Group of 20 (G-20) global summit earlier this month, the report said. He also opposed Trump meeting with top Russian officials at the White House and the president's decision not to speak out against Russian aggression in Europe.
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McMaster did not attend Trump's bilateral G-20 meeting with Putin in a highly unusual move. Trump brought only Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and a translator. Such meetings typically also include the national security adviser and a National Security Council expert.
Foreign officials told the AP they sensed "mixed signals" between Trump and his team on Russia. And U.S. officials said they were "dumbfounded" by Trump's approach to Russia given the evidence that Moscow interfered in last year's presidential election.
Trump held a second, informal talk with Putin hours after their formal bilateral sit-down at the G-20 summit in Hamburg earlier this month, the White House confirmed Tuesday.
In their second conversation, Trump spoke with the Russian leader for roughly an hour, joined only by Putin's translator, according to Tuesday reports. The meeting had previously gone undisclosed by the administration.
The White House confirmed that Trump and Putin spoke at a dinner for G-20 leaders and their spouses. But a White House official disputed that the discussion lasted an hour, saying the two only spoke "briefly" near the end of the dinner.
Both past and present advisers have said that characterizing any conversation with Putin as casual is a mistake. |
Sometime in late March of next year, a Chinese space station named Tiangong-1 is going to fall back down to Earth — and some big pieces may survive the reentry. The module’s descent has caused a bit of concern about debris raining form the sky. But in reality, a falling space station is the last thing anyone should be worried about.
Satellites and spacecraft fall to Earth all the time. Vehicles in lower orbits get bombarded by small particles in the planet’s upper atmosphere, and that eventually drags them downward. But usually, these falling objects are small enough or shaped in such a way that they’ll burn up safely while re-entering the atmosphere.
The problem with Tiangong-1 is that it’s rather massive
The problem with Tiangong-1 is that it’s rather massive. Launched in 2011, Tiangong-1 — or “Heavenly Place” — served as China’s first ever crewed space station. The module weighs nearly 19,000 pounds and it’s pretty dense too. And it’s estimated that around 10 to 40 percent of a spacecraft will make it down the ground. For small satellites, that’s not much. For Tiangong-1, that’s between 2,000 and 8,000 pounds.
With space vehicles of this size or bigger, operators usually have a plan to safely get rid of them when they’ve reached the end of their mission. If a large vehicle has thrusters, it’s possible to use the spacecraft’s remaining fuel to fire those engines intentionally and dump it over the ocean. Or you can send up another spacecraft with an engine to dock with the decay vehicle and plunge it somewhere safe.
But that’s not what happened with Tiangong-1. The space station wasn’t really meant to last past 2013, but China decided to extend its lifespan for a couple of years. Then in 2016, the Chinese Space Agency announced it had lost contact and control of the space station. And its orbit has been slowly degrading ever since, meaning it will ultimately make an uncontrolled re-entry. Or in other words: “We don’t know where it’s coming down.”
The United States Space Surveillance Network and other nations’ space agencies have been tracking it, and all we really know is that it’s going to come down somewhere between 43 degrees North and 43 degrees South latitude. That may seem like a big area, but most of the Earth’s surface included in that region is covered in ocean. And most of the land that’s included is unpopulated.
this is not the first time something this large, or bigger, has made an uncontrolled reentry before
So the odds of this thing coming down on your head are actually infinitesimal. There’s a little over a 1 in 10,000 chance it will hit any person or property at all. Plus, it may sound scary to hear 2,000 to 8,000 pounds of debris falling from the sky, but a lot of that gets broken up into pieces, some pretty small, that can spread across a range of many miles.
And this is definitely not the first time something this large, or even bigger, has made an uncontrolled reentry before. In 2011, the launch of a Russian spacecraft intended for Mars failed, leaving the vehicle stranded in lower Earth orbit. Called Phobos-Grunt, the spacecraft weighed nearly 30,000 pounds and it fell back to Earth in 2012, ultimately entering over the Pacific Ocean. NASA’s old space station Sky Lab also made an uncontrolled reentry -- and it weighed nearly 160,000 pounds when it fell to Earth.
Plus, in the more than 50 years we’ve been launching rockets, only one person is known to have been hit by space debris. Her name is Lottie Williams, and a tiny piece of a Delta rocket brushed her shoulder when she was out for a walk.
The good news is that Tiangong-1 will help experts better refine their space debris models. An international group of state agencies known as the IADC has picked this space station to track as it comes down, and following its descent will allow them to refine their prediction models. Unfortunately, they won’t be providing any warnings though. They’ll probably be able to pin down the time of reentry within plus or minus three hours, but exactly where and when this will happen is going to be uncertain for a while. |
SINGAPORE - A national service defaulter seeking Australian citizenship was advised by a tribunal in that country to first return to Singapore and face pending offences.
Rejecting his appeal, the Melbourne-based tribunal refused his plea to waive a clearance certificate from the Singapore police required to support his citizenship application.
"I consider the Australian people would reasonably expect that those applying for citizenship would respect laws of general application," wrote senior member A. Nikolic of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal of Australia.
"The existence of verifiable information that an applicant has not obeyed the laws of their existing country of citizenship understandably raises character concerns," he added, in decision grounds issued last week (Nov 22).
Australian permanent resident Ashley Rozario, 25, who was born here, remained in Singapore to complete his polytechnic studies when his parents migrated to Australia in January 2011. He joined them in November 2012, and has been there ever since.
His Singapore passport expired in 2014 but was not renewed as he had not reported for compulsory national service the year before.
However, this decision had an impact when his application for Australian citizenship made in 2015 was rejected by a delegate of the Minister for Immigration and Border Protection in January (2017).
It led to his appeal at a tribunal hearing last month.
The tribunal noted Mr Rozario had satisfied all legislative requirements for citizenship except for the issue of whether he is of good character within the meaning of the relevant Act.
For this, he needed to produce a certificate of clearance from the Singapore police stating he had no criminal convictions, but the police declined to provide him with one as he had "outstanding issues" in relation to his national service liability.
Mr Rozario sought a waiver of the certificate requirement as there were no prospects of getting the certificate or renewed passport.
In 2013, he received an e-mail from the Central Manpower Base that he had committed two offences of having failed to enlist for full-time NS and for remaining outside Singapore without a valid exit permit. He was told that if convicted, he could be fined up to $10,000 or jailed up to three years or both, and was advised to return as soon as possible.
Mr Rozario said he was committed to living in Australia as his whole family was there and he did not have a valid passport to travel abroad.
Currently a postgraduate student, his citizenship bid was strongly supported by several referees, including Dr Melanie Pritchard, the convenor of his Bachelor of Biotechnology honours course last year.
She described him as of sound character and an upstanding citizen of Monash University, adding she was aware he had not done compulsory military service in Singapore.
However, after weighing all the evidence and considering the applicable law, the tribunal rejected his appeal as he had not exhausted all reasonable options to resolve his outstanding issues in Singapore.
"It may be open for him to appeal against the decision of the Singapore authorities to reject his application for a clearance certificate, or to return to Singapore and address the pending offences," wrote Mr Nikolic.
"Obedience to and observance of the law are values that are fundamental to the assessment of character." |
Factory worker Matthew Lowe has cheated death after being dragged through a 12cm (5in) CD-sized gap, when his clothes got caught in an industrial machine.
Shattered: An X-ray showing pins used to repair Matthew Lowe’s body (Picture: Ben Lack)
In recovery: Matthew Lowe
Matthew Lowe suffered a broken back, pelvis, hips, and ribs, while his stomach and bowel were ruptured in the incident.
Afterwards, his partner was told by doctors to expect the worst.
The 25-year-old said: ‘I don’t know how I managed to survive.
‘Luckily, my head went through a bigger gap before my body was dragged through a space no wider than a CD case.’
Mr Lowe was working as a welder at Compass Engineering, near his home in Barnsley, when the accident happened.
He was next to a conveyor that moved metal into the factory when his clothes got caught and he was pulled sideways towards the machinery.
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Mr Lowe said: ‘I knew what was going to happen so I just relaxed and hoped for the best. It crushed my body, ripped my clothes to shreds and literally spat me out at the other end – but I was still alive.’
After six operations following the December 2008 ordeal, Mr Lowe’s only visible injury now is a weakened right arm.
But X-rays show how much metal was used to pin his battered body together again.
Mr Lowe is now training to be a site supervisor for Compass.
His employer and the German company that installed the conveyor system are to face magistrates in Barnsley accused of a safety breach. |
The Go-Go's: Still Going
Enlarge this image toggle caption Courtesy of the artist Courtesy of the artist
In the summer of 1981, The Go-Go's released Beauty and the Beat, a record that would become the first No. 1 album for an all-female band that wrote its own songs and played its own instruments. And believe it or not, that hasn't happened again since.
Despite their early success, The Go-Go's split up just four years later. But lately, they've reunited for the occasional tour. They're currently playing shows in celebration of the 30th anniversary of Beauty and the Beat. This weekend, Weekend All Things Considered guest host Rachel Martin spoke with a few of The Go-Go's just after they finished their sound check at the Wolftrap Foundation for the Performing Arts in northern Virginia.
"We thought if we sold 100,000 copies and were cool in L.A. and could get lots of boys, then we'd succeeded," singer Belinda Carlisle said when asked about the group's initial expectations for the album and the band. "That really was pretty much it — it was like a club. We had no idea." |
Wirapol Sukphol, previously known as the monk Luang Pu Nen Kham Chattiko, is shown at a court appearance after he was extradited from California. (Bangkok Post file photo by Pattarapong Chatpattarasill)
Disgraced former monk Nen Kham pleaded not guilty Monday to raping a minor when evidence in the case was examined at the Criminal Court.
According to prosecutors, Wirapol Sukphol took unofficial custody of a girl under the age of 15 from January 2000 to the middle of 2001 and raped her.
Mr Wirapol, 38, was formerly known as Luang Pu Nen Kham but has since been stripped of this honorific title in light of accusations against him of money laundering and child abduction.
He fled to the United States when police began investigating the claims against him, prompting prosecutors to seek his extradition. This was granted by a US court and he was brought back to Thailand on July 19.
Prosecutors said the teenage girl formerly filed a lawsuit against him for rape and unlawful detention at Si Sa Ket Provincial Court but she failed to testify.
The ex-monk became notorious when a series of photos showed him aboard private jets, flaunting designer accessories and huge wads of foreign currency. (File photo)
This led the court to drop the case and conclude the sexual act was consensual. But prosecutors said they had grounds to pursue the case further.
The first hearing in the new case will be held on June 8 next year, the Criminal Court said after Mr Wirapol was taken there Monday from Bangkok Remand Prison.
In addition to criminal charges, the former monk was slapped with a civil lawsuit by the prosecution seeking to have his assets and those of eight others worth a total of 40 million baht seized under the anti-money-laundering law. A witness hearing to that effect is under way.
Mr Wirapol gained infamy as the "jet-set monk" in 2013 after a video was released that showed him travelling aboard a private jet in a monastic robe while counting money.
He also showed off designer sunglasses and was seen carrying an expensive Louis Vuitton bag. Mr Wirapol was found to own dozens of luxury cars and vast tracts of land.
As Nen Kham, he ruled the Khantitham forest monastery in Kanthararom district, Si Sa Ket province as its abbot. He was expelled from the monkhood in absentia after fleeing for inappropriate conduct including having sex, boasting of supernatural powers and indulging in a lavish lifestyle. |
Rahul Gandhi said he was reading Upanishads, Puranas and the Bhagwad Gita to take on the RSS and BJP
Highlights Rahul Gandhi alleged that BJP doesn't fundamentally "understand India" He said BJP men think "entire universal knowledge" comes out of PM Modi He also said that he has decided to start watching Tamil movies
Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi today said he was reading Upanishads and the Bhagwad Gita to take on the RSS and BJP."Nowadays I study the Upanishads and the Gita since I am fighting the RSS and BJP," he said addressing party functionaries here."I ask them (RSS men), my friend, you are doing this, you are oppressing people, but it is written in the Upanishad that all people are the same and how come you are contradicting what your own religion says," party sources quoted him as having told them.He alleged that BJP does not fundamentally "understand India," and "understand only Nagpur," headquarters of the RSS.Taking potshots at Narendra Modi, he said BJP men were under the impression that the "entire universal knowledge" came out of the Prime Minister.Gandhi, who has accused BJP-RSS of attempting to thrust one idea on the nation, said every individual, be it in Tamil Nadu or Uttar Pradesh, had a right to express dissent if they were aggrieved, and imposition of one idea was not acceptable.While expressing his appreciation for people of Tamil Nadu, their language, culture and culinary, "which is a strength for India like other states," Gandhi said he had a special connect with the state.He also said that "he has decided to start watching Tamil movies," and "read about the culture of Tamil Nadu people.""Sent an SMS to my sister, I told my sister that I love coming to Tamil Nadu. I don't know ... some how I feel very connected to Tamil people," Gandhi said."I wrote (to Priyanka), I love Tamil, Tamils. She wrote back I love them too," he added.Tamil Nadu Congress Committee President Su Thirunavukkarasar, Congress Legislature Party leader K R Ramasamy were among the functionaries who attended the meeting. |
Las Vegas lawmaker says proposed stripper tax could raise millions
Two state Senators introduced bills Monday night that would regulate strip clubs and other live adult entertainment venues.
Sen. Mark Manendo, D-Las Vegas, wants to charge nude entertainment clubs a $10 per customer fee.
His bill, which was introduced Monday, would require the state to deposit those fees into accounts for victims of domestic violence and programs related to domestic violence as well as accounts for compensation of victims of crime.
Any nightclub, bar or restaurant that serves alcohol and offers live nude entertainment or live nude performances would be subject to the fees.
Nude, as defined in the bill, means fully unclothed or “clothed in a manner that leaves uncovered or visible through less than fully opaque clothing any portion of the breasts below the top of the areola of the breasts, if the person is female, or any portion of the genitals or buttocks.”
The business would not have to charge customers the fee but would need to find some mechanism to record daily attendance numbers and pay quarterly the $10 fee for each customer.
Manendo said his main focus is about revenue and that he thinks the bill can raise millions of dollars.
Because the bill raises a new fee, it requires a two-thirds vote of the Legislature to pass into law.
Sen. Barbara Cegavske, R-Las Vegas, also introduced a bill Monday that would regulate adult entertainment venues.
Under penalty of a misdemeanor, her bill would ban anyone less than 21-years-old from performing at such a business.
The bill exempts licensed brothels, but generally applies to any business “which emphasizes
and seeks, through one or more performers, to arouse, appeal to, excite or gratify the lust,
passions or sexual desires of the patrons of the establishment.”
Likewise, the bill defines a performer as an employee who “who seeks to arouse, appeal to, excite or gratify the lust, passions or sexual desires of the patrons of the establishment.” |
After eleven days of effort, Operation Sirius Business finally scores against Sirius Corporation.
Sirius Corporation security forces in the system were harassed for 11 days. The fighting was hard, but eventually Sirius Corporation’s influence was at its lowest, giving the Takurua Legion faction the opportunity to claim control of the system.
The spokesman for Operation Sirius Business said:
“We’re very happy with the results of this first offensive. The two-pronged approach of attacking Sirius Corp along with supplying tailored support to their rivals, allowed for a change of power with a minimum of loss in lives and infrastructure.”
Operation Sirius Business is now changing its target and its forces are now moving towards the Avik system.
You will not be surprised if we tell you that Sirius Corporation has not yet bothered to speak on the subject.
At the same time, the influence of Pleiades Resources Enterprise also seems to be falling in some of the systems that the organization has under its control. It is impossible to say for the moment whether this is the result of a coordinated attack or just the fruit of the usual game of influential movements. We will keep you informed as soon as we have more details.
As always, The Onionhead disclaims any responsibility for possible maltreatment of words and verbs during the writing of this article. |
NEW YORK -- He's a little young. He doesn't have much size.
But you might say that the New York Rangers like Chris Falzone's heart.
You could also say that in a season of inconsistent results, the Rangers got one right Monday when they signed the 15-year-old kid from New Jersey to a one-day contract.
Falzone was diagnosed with cancer at the start of his freshman year at Middletown South High School. He was first told that he would never play hockey again, and would need a full hip replacement. But after going through chemotherapy and spending time in a semi body cast, he was cleared to begin skating and is back playing hockey with a travel team.
Last week, he got a chance to skate with the Rangers at their practice facility. Monday, he was at Madison Square Garden, where he was given the contract and a No. 14 Rangers jersey, as part of MSG's Garden of Dreams week.
He's not in the lineup for Monday's game against the Pittsburgh Penguins. But he's one Ranger that would be more than happy to be a healthy scratch. |
Newton North High School, formerly Newton High School, is the larger and longer-established of two public high schools in Newton, Massachusetts, the other being Newton South High School. It is located in the village of Newtonville. The school recently underwent controversial reconstruction of its facility, making it one of the largest and most expensive high schools ever built in the United States, with a price tag of nearly US$200 million.[2][3] The new building opened for classes in September 2010. Contents
History Edit
In the 1850s, high school classes in Newton were conducted in buildings shared with grammar schools in the villages of Newton Centre, West Newton, Upper Falls, and Newton Corner. In 1859, Newton's population topped 8,000 residents for the first time, a threshold that required the town under Massachusetts state law to construct a separate high school. Newton High School's first principal was Mr J.N. Beals, for whom the current Beals House was named. Beals also served as one of new school's two teachers along with Miss Amy Breck. Beals left the job for health reasons after only one year and was replaced by Mr. E. D. Adams, for whom the current Adams House was named.[4] The first Newton High School building, located on Walnut Street in Newtonville, opened in September 1859, and modified in 1875. In 1898, the original building was replaced with a new building, also on Walnut Street. This building, The Classical Newton High School, eventually became known as Building I. The next building (Building II, circa 1906) was the Vocational High School and the third building of the Newton High School complex (Building III) opened in 1926 on Walnut Street. A field house/gymnasium building (also known as "the drill shed") adjacent to Building I, was also part of the complex, as were the athletic fields. Buildings I, II, and III were connected to each other via a series of maintenance tunnels. Newton High School was Newton's only public high school for more than 100 years until 1960 when Newton South High School opened. Newton High School was renamed Newton North High School in 1973 when a new building opened on Lowell Avenue. The first graduating class as "Newton North High School" was in the spring of 1974. After Newton North was built, all of the former "Newton High School" buildings were demolished. Reconstruction Edit The old building at 360 Lowell Avenue. By 2003, the 'old' Newton North building was 30 years old and aging poorly, with leaks, poor ventilation and crumbling stairs. After extensive community debate and a citizen review panel, a decision was reached to construct a replacement high school, with the final cost ultimately totaling $197.5 million, making it one of the most expensive high schools ever built in the state. A project consultant explained that the project's relatively high cost is partly due to demolition of the existing 450,000-square-foot (42,000 m2) building, hazardous material abatement in the existing building, and the new school's complex program, which includes a natatorium, vocational technology education program, and culinary arts facilities. Old building being dismantled At a public hearing in June 2006, community residents criticized the plan for its cost and for creating a new four-way intersection at Walnut Street and Trowbridge Avenue. Others claimed the proposed north-south orientation and lack of a basement level would waste energy as compared to the current structure.[5] Nonetheless, after a public referendum and vote in January 2007, Newton residents approved the current plan for a new building. Gund Partnership designed the new building, and Dore and Whittier Architects was the Architect of Record. Dimeo Construction Company was the construction manager and general contractor for the project.[6] The removal of the asbestos, laden throughout the existing building, was priced at $10 million.[7] The building was carefully dismantled, with contaminated construction debris packaged in lined cardboard boxes and shipped out in 650 trailer loads.[8] The construction site of the new Newton North in September, 2009. The new building is oriented on a north–south axis on the eastern side of the current lot with athletic fields to the west and a soccer field on the east side. The main entrance has returned to Walnut Street, as was the case from 1859 to 1973. The new building places the school office in a more accessible location – it was on the third floor in the old building – and ensures that most classrooms have natural light and windows to the outside.[9] The 413,000-square-foot (38,400 m2) school incorporates many environmentally conscious features that improve energy efficiency, and is among the first LEED-certified schools in the state.[10] Green features include rooftop solar panels, systems to reuse rainwater, interior materials with low emission of volatile organic compounds, and occupancy motion sensors. Unlike the previous school building, where 50 percent of the classrooms did not have windows or access to daylight, classrooms in the new school are flooded with natural light; light fixtures are dimmed based on the amount of daylight to conserve energy.
House system Edit
The school has long[clarification needed] been divided into administrative units called 'Houses'. Each house its own office, secretary, and Dean (formerly "Housemaster"), who deals with administrative and disciplinary matters for house students. The House system was designed to provide better communication, distributed administration, more personal attention to individuals, a smaller peer group for students, more practical social events, and even intra-house athletic teams. These are Adams, Barry, Beals and Riley, with each year group occupying one house. In the period of its largest population (≈3,000 students in the 1960s and later), there were six houses – the two additional houses being Bacon and Palmer – which also contained student common rooms and teachers' lounges. Originally, students in the same class were broken up into different houses; at present, the four houses correspond to the four grade levels. Students remain in the same house throughout their four years at Newton North. Houses are named for notable former principals, such as J.N. Beals and E.D. Adams.
Academics Edit
Newton North offers both traditional college-preparatory academic courses along with technical and vocational training. Traditional courses in the humanities and the sciences are streamed, often with College Prep, Advanced College Prep, Honors and Advanced Placement options. Starting with the 2014–2015 school year, course levels will be renamed to College Prep (formerly CII), Advanced College Prep (formerly (CI), and Honors/Advanced Placement (no change). Non-standard courses range from video production to architecture to automobile repair and even biodiesel production. Newton North holds the sixth position in Boston Magazine's 2010 rankings of public high schools.[11] Greengineering Edit During the academic year of 2009/2010 a Greengineering course was added in the Career and Tech. Ed. Department at Newton North High School. This class was created by Stefano Chinosi. The course taught students how to produce biodiesel, make fused plastic bags, and grow algae that would later be processed into fuel. The biodiesel was sold to a recycling company as well as the community at large. This program was the first of its kind in both Massachusetts and the United States of America.[12] Greengineering was renewed for the academic year of 2010/2011 with additions to curriculum for Greengineering 101 and a new Greengineering 201 course. They had started creating a styrofoam type material using mycelium. They planned to use it to replace the need of the non-green styrofoam and to create a surfboard made of fibreglass coated mycelium. During the 2016-2017 school year, greengineering had multiple new subject areas including pedal power and aquaponics. However in the beginning of the 2018 school year, Greengineering came to an end and was replaced with a new Sustainability course. Partnerships and exchanges Edit Students studying foreign languages have the opportunity to participate in one of several international exchange programs, including exchanges with French, Italian, Spanish and Mexican secondary schools. In addition, Newton North participates in the Newton-Beijing Jingshan School Exchange Program, the oldest exchange of public secondary school students between the United States and the People's Republic of China.[citation needed] The city of Newton hosts students and teachers for four months each fall and sends students and teachers to Beijing each spring.
Extracurriculars Edit
Notable alumni Edit |
In the latest installment of politicians speaking recklessly about musicians they know nothing about, failed Presidential candidate and Former Governor of Arkansas Mike Huckabee voiced his opinion on music's royal couple Jay Z and Beyoncé. In his new book coming out titled God, Guns, Grits and Gravy , Huckabee not only has a chapter where he mocks prison rapes, but he also concludes the veteran Brooklyn rapper has taken on misogynistic gender roles by exploiting his wife Bey as a "sex object. Huckabee's opinion of the dynamic duo was sparked by their performance of " Drunk In Love " at last year's Grammy award ceremony. Read the excerpt from his latest book posted by U.S. News & World Report on Thursday.
"...Beyonce is incredibly talented – gifted, in fact. She has an exceptional set of pipes and can actually sing. She is a terrific dancer – without the explicit moves best left for the privacy of her bedroom. Jay-Z is a very shrewd businessman, but I wonder: Does it occur to him that he is arguably crossing the line from husband to pimp by exploiting his wife as a sex object?"
So according to Huckabee, Beyoncé can't think for herself and Jay Z preys on his wife for financial and sexual gain. Jay didn't take too well to people talking about his daughter , so speaking negatively about his wife is bound to ignite a not-so-pleasant reaction.
Does anyone else think Mike Huckabee has completely lost his marbles?
[ US News ]
Related: Beyonce, Jay Z And Timbaland Are Being Sued Over “Drunk In Love” Sample
Jay Z And Beyonce Might Be Close To Buying This Baller $85 Million Mansion
Jay Z And Beyonce’s Biggest Moments In 2014 |
The first-generation Ford Mustang was manufactured by Ford from March 1964 until 1973. The introduction of the Mustang created a new class of automobile known as the pony car. The Mustang’s styling, with its long hood and short deck, proved wildly popular and inspired a host of competition.
It was initially introduced on April 17, 1964, as a hardtop and convertible with the fastback version put on sale in August 1964. At the time of its introduction, the Mustang, sharing its underpinnings with the Falcon, was slotted into a compact car segment.
With each revision, the Mustang saw an increase in overall dimensions and in engine power. The 1971 model saw a drastic redesign to its predecessors. After an initial surge, sales were steadily declining, as Ford began working on a new generation Mustang. With the onset of the 1973 oil crisis, Ford was prepared, having already designed the smaller Mustang II for the 1974 model year. This new car had no common components with preceding models.
Conception and styling [ edit ]
As Lee Iacocca's assistant general manager and chief engineer, Donald N. Frey was the head engineer for the Mustang project — supervising the development of the Mustang in a record 18 months from September 1962 to March 1964.[4][5] — while Iacocca himself championed the project as Ford Division general manager.
Drawing on inspiration from the mid-engined Ford Mustang I concept vehicle, Lee Iacocca ordered development of a new "small car"[6] to vice-president of design at Ford, Eugene Bordinat. Bordinat tasked Ford's three design studios (Ford, Lincoln-Mercury, and Advanced Design) to create proposals for the new vehicle.[7]
The design teams had been given five goals[8] for the design of the Mustang: It would seat four, have bucket seats and a floor mounted shifter, weigh no more than 2,500 pounds (1,100 kg) and be no more than 180 inches (5 m) in length, sell for less than $2,500, and have multiple power, comfort, and luxury options.
The Lincoln-Mercury design studio ultimately produced the winning design in the intramural contest, under Project Design Chief Joe Oros and his team of L. David Ash, Gale Halderman, and John Foster.[9][10]
In a 2004 interview, Oros recalls the planning behind the design:[11]
“ I told the team that I wanted the car to appeal to women, but I wanted men to desire it, too. I wanted a Ferrari-like front end, the motif centered on the front — something heavy-looking like a Maseratti [sic], but, please, not a trident — and I wanted air intakes on the side to cool the rear brakes. I said it should be as sporty as possible and look like it was related to European design. ”
Oros added:
“ I then called a meeting with all the Ford studio designers. We talked about the sporty car for most of that afternoon, setting parameters for what it should look like — and what it should not look like — by making lists on a large pad, a technique I adapted from the management seminar. We taped the lists up all around the studio to keep ourselves on track. We also had photographs of all the previous sporty cars that had been done in the Corporate Advanced studio as a guide to themes or ideas that were tired or not acceptable to management. Within a week we had hammered out a new design. We cut templates and fitted them to the clay model that had been started. We cut right into it, adding or deleting clay to accommodate our new theme, so it wasn't like starting all over. But we knew Lincoln-Mercury would have two models. And Advanced would have five, some they had previously shown and modified, plus a couple extras. But we would only have one model because Ford studio had a production schedule for a good many facelifts and other projects. We couldn't afford the manpower, but we made up for lost time by working around the clock so our model would be ready for the management review.[9] ”
L. David Ash is often credited with the actual styling of the Mustang. Ash, in a 1985 interview speaking of the origin of the Mustang design, when asked the degree of his contribution, said:
“ I would say substantial. However, anyone that says they designed the car by themselves, is wrong. Iacocca didn't design it. He conceived it. He's called the father of it, and, in that respect, he was. I did not design it in total, nor did Oros. It was designed by a design group. You look at the photograph taken at the award banquet for the Industrial Designers’ Society where the Mustang received the medal; it’s got Damon Woods in it (the group that did the interior), and Charlie Phaneuf (who was with Damon), and it’s got myself and John Foster (who was with me), it’s got (John) Najjar in it.[12] ”
“ So nobody actually did the car, as such. Iacocca in his book flat out comes and says I did the car. It's right there in print, "It's Dave Ash's Mustang." Bordinat will tell you I did the car. This book tells you I did the car, but, in actual fact, I had a lot of help, and I don't think anyone ever does a car by himself, not in these times anyway.[12] ”
Gale Haldeman, in a 2002 interview with Collectible Automobile, spoke of the Mustang's evolution through the Lincoln-Mercury studio:
“ Dave Ash had started a clay model of the car. He had this very boxy, very stiff-looking car. Joe came back from a management conference, saw it, and said, "No, no, no, we're not going to do that!" That's when he came to me… he said, "…we've just been given an assignment by [Gene] Bordinat to do a proposal on a small car that Lee [Iaccoca] wants to build. We've got to do one, and I want you to work on that project." I went home and sketched some cars, and I took about five or six sketches with me the next morning and put them up on the board. ”
“ We must have put 25 sketches on the board that morning, because Joe assigned three or four of us to do designs. Joe picked one of the sketches I did at home to be clay modeled… so we actually started over on [Dave Ash's] clay model with the theme from one of my designs, which had scoops on the sides and the hop-up quarter lines.[13] ”
To decrease developmental costs, the Mustang used chassis, suspension, and drivetrain components derived from the Ford Falcon and Fairlane. It used a unitized platform-type frame from the 1964 Falcon, and welded box-section side rails, including welded crossmembers. Although hardtop Mustangs accounted for the highest sales, durability problems with the new frame led to the engineering of a convertible first, which ensured adequate stiffness. Overall length of the Mustang and Falcon was identical, although the Mustang's wheelbase was slightly shorter. With an overall width of 68.2 in (1,732 mm), it was 2.4 in (61 mm) narrower, yet the wheel track was nearly identical. Shipping weight, approximately 2,570 lb (1,166 kg) with the straight six-cylinder engine, was also similar to the Falcon. A fully equipped V8 model weighed approximately 3,000 lb (1,361 kg). Although most of the mechanical parts were from the Falcon, the Mustang's body was completely different; sporting a shorter wheelbase, wider track, lower seating position and lower overall height. An industry first, the "torque box" was an innovative structural system that greatly stiffened the Mustang's construction and helped contribute to better handling.
Gale Haldeman spoke of the engineering and design of the car in his interview, stating:
“ No one knew the Mustang was going to be as popular as it was, but it created a huge stir in the company. Everybody just loved it, even the engineers, though we must have bent 75 in-house engineering and manufacturing rules. The Mustang had the first floating bumpers. The whole front end was a die-casting with a floating hood. ”
“ There were so many things the engineers said we shouldn't be doing, but they didn't want to change them either. There was so much enthusiasm right from the beginning. Even the drivers at the test track loved it. We would go there for meetings, and the crowds of people around it were huge. That was totally unusual, so we suspected the Mustang was going to be a hit. ”
The idea for a fastback originated with Joe Oros as well, and was designed in Charlie Phaneuf's studio.[14] Haldeman recalls:[14]
“ We did it in secret. No one, including [Hal] Sperlich or Iacocca, saw it until it was finished. We cast it in fiberglass, painted it bright red, and then showed it to Iacocca. He said, "We've got to do it!" ”
An additional 4-door model was designed by Dave Ash as a clay model, but was not considered.[6]
Since it was introduced four months before the normal start of the 1965 production year and manufactured alongside 1964 Ford Falcons and 1964 Mercury Comets, the earliest Mustangs are widely referred to as the 1964½ model.[19] Nevertheless, all "1964½" cars were given 1965 U.S. standard VINs at the time of production, and - with limited exception to the earliest of promotional materials[20] - were marketed by Ford as 1965 models.[21] The low-end model hardtop used a "U-code" 170 cu in (2.8 L) straight-6 engine[22] borrowed from the Falcon, as well as a three-speed manual transmission and retailed for US$2,368. Standard equipment for the early 1965 Mustangs included black front seat belts, a glove box light, and a padded dash board.[23] Production began in March 1964 and official introduction following on April 17 at the 1964 World's Fair. V8 models got a badge on the front fender that spelled out the engine's cubic inch displacement ("260" or "289") over a wide "V." This emblem was identical to the one on the 1964 Fairlane.
Several changes to the Mustang occurred at the start of the "normal" 1965 model year in August 1964, about four months after its introduction. These cars are known as "late 65's". The engine lineup was changed, with a 200 cu in (3.3 L) "T-code" engine that produced 120 hp (89 kW; 122 PS). Production of the Fairlane's "F-code" 260 cu in (4.3 L) engine ceased when the 1964 model year ended. It was replaced with a new 200 hp (150 kW) "C-code" 289 cu in (4.7 L) engine with a two-barrel carburetor as the base V8. An "A-code" 225 hp (168 kW; 228 PS) four-barrel carbureted version was next in line, followed by the unchanged 289 HiPo "K-code" equipped with a 4-barrel Autolite 4100 carburetor rated at 271 hp (202 kW; 275 PS) at 6000 rpm and 312 lb⋅ft (423 N⋅m) at 3400 rpm.[24] The DC electrical generator was replaced by a new AC alternator on all Fords (a way to distinguish a 1964 from a 1965 is to see if the alternator light on the dash says "GEN" or "ALT"). The Mustang GT version was introduced as the "GT Equipment Package" and included a V8 engine (most often the 225 hp (168 kW; 228 PS) 289), grille-mounted fog lamps, rocker panel stripes, and disc brakes. In the interior the GT option added a different instrument panel that included a speedometer, fuel gauge, temp. gauge, oil pressure gauge and ammeter in five round dials (the gauges were not marked with numbers, however.)[25] A four-barrel carbureted engine was now available with any body style. Additionally, reverse lights were an option added to the car from August 1964 production. The Mustang was originally available as either a hardtop or convertible, but during the car's early design phases a fastback model was strongly considered. In 1965, the Shelby Mustang was born, it was available only in newly introduced fastback body version with its swept-back rear glass and distinctive ventilation louvers.[26]
The standard interior features of the 1965 Mustang included adjustable driver and passenger bucket seats, an AM radio, and a floor mounted shifter in a variety of color options. Ford added additional interior options during the 1965 model year. The Interior Decor Group was popularly known as "Pony Interior" due to the addition of embossed running ponies on the seat fronts, and also included integral armrests, woodgrain appliqué accents, and a round gauge cluster that would replace the standard Falcon instrumentation. Also available were sun visors, a (mechanical) remote-operated mirror, a floor console, and a bench seat. Ford later offered an under-dash air-conditioning unit, and discontinued the vinyl with cloth insert seat option, offered only in early 1965 models. One option designed strictly for fun was the Rally-Pac. Introduced in 1963 after Ford's success at that year's Monte Carlo Rally and available on other Ford and Mercury compacts and intermediates, the Rally-Pac was a combination clock and tachometer[27] mounted to the steering column. It was available as a factory ordered item for US$69.30. Installed by a dealer, the Rally-Pac cost US$75.95.A 14" rim option was available for Rally-pac and GT350R vehicles widening front and rear track to 57.5". Reproductions are presently available from any number of Mustang restoration parts sources.[26] A compass, rear seat belts, A/C, and back-up lights were also optional.[27]
Nationwide survey of owners by Popular Mechanics included many complaints about leg room.[28] Fuel economy was very good for the period, with a published test by Popular Mechanics rating the small 260 cubic inch V8 with automatic transmission at 20.93 mpg at 60 mph.[28]
The 1966 Mustang debuted with moderate trim changes including a new grille, side ornamentation, wheel covers and gas cap. Ford's new C-4 "cruise-o-matic" three-speed auto transmission became available for the 225 hp V8. The 289 "HiPo" K-code engine was also offered with a c4 transmission, but it had stronger internals and can be identified by the outer casing of the servo which is marked with a 'C'. The long duration solid-lifter camshaft that allowed the high revving 289 to make the horsepower it was known for, was not friendly for a low stall speed automatic torque converter. The "HiPo" could be spotted very easily by the 1-inch-thick (25 mm) vibration damper, (as compared to 1/2 inch on the 225-hp version) and the absence of a vacuum advance unit on the dual point distributor. With the valve covers off, there is a large letter "K" stamped between the valve springs, along with screw in studs (vs. a pressed in stud for other 289s) for the adjustable rocker arms. A large number of new paint and interior color options, an AM/eight-track sound system, and one of the first AM/FM mono automobile radios were also offered. It also removed the Falcon instrument cluster; the previously optional features, including the round gauges and padded sun visors, became standard equipment. The Mustang would be the best-selling convertible in 1966, with 72,119 sold, beating the number two Impala by almost 2:1.[29]
The 1965 and 1966 Mustangs are differentiated by variations in the exterior, despite similar design. These variations include the emblem on the quarter-panels behind the doors. From August 1964 production, the emblem was a single vertical piece of chrome, while for 1966 models the emblem was smaller in height and had three horizontal bars extending from the design, resembling an "E". The front intake grilles and ornaments were also different. The 1965 front grille used a "honeycomb" pattern, while the 1966 version was a "slotted" style. While both model years used the "Horse and Corral" emblem on the grille, the 1965 had four bars extending from each side of the corral, while on the 1966, these bars were removed. The 1966 model year saw introduction of 'High Country Special' limited edition, 333 of them were sold in Colorado, Wyoming, and Nebraska.[30]
When Ford wanted to introduce the Mustang in Germany, they discovered that Krupp company had already registered the name for a truck.[31] The German company offered to sell the rights for US$10,000. Ford refused and removed Mustang badges from exported units, instead naming the cars as T-5 (a pre-production Mustang project name) for the German market until 1979 when Krupp copyrights expired.[31]
1965 Mustang AWD prototype [ edit ]
In 1965, Harry Ferguson Research purchased three Mustang hardtops and converted them to 4x4 in an attempt to sell potential clients on their FF AWD system.[32] A similar system was used in the Ferguson P99 Formula One car, and would go on to be featured in the Jensen FF, widely considered the first AWD passenger car. As in the Jensen FF, the AWD Mustangs also featured an ABS braking system, long before such a feature was commonplace.[citation needed]
1966 Right-Hand-Drive Mustang [ edit ]
Ford Australia organised the importation and conversion of 1966 Mustang to right-hand-drive (RHD) for Australian market.[33][34] This coincided with the launch of new XR Falcon for 1966, which was marketed as "Mustang-bred Falcon". To set the official conversion apart from the cottage industry, the RHD Mustangs were called "Ford Australia Delivered Mustang" and had compliance plates similar to XR Falcon. About 209 were imported to Australia with 48 units were converted in 1965 while the further 161 were done in 1966.
Hardtop
Fastback
Convertible
1966 Ford T-5 emblem
1965–1966 front end styles
1965 Prototype with Ferguson AWD and ABS
1965 Prototype with Ferguson AWD and ABS
Engines [ edit ]
engine displacement, type, carburetor type max. motive power at rpm max. torque at rpm 170 cu in (2.8 L) Thriftpower I6 (1964) 1-barrel 105 bhp (78 kW; 106 PS) @ 4,400 156 lb⋅ft (212 N⋅m) @ 2,400 200 cu in (3.3 L) Thriftpower I6 (1965–1966) 1-barrel 120 bhp (89 kW; 122 PS) @ 4,400 190 lb⋅ft (258 N⋅m) @ 2,400 260 cu in (4.3 L) Windsor V8 (1964) 2-barrel 164 bhp (122 kW; 166 PS) @ 4,400 258 lb⋅ft (350 N⋅m) @ 2,200 289 cu in (4.7 L) Windsor V8 (1965–1966) 2-barrel 200 bhp (149 kW; 203 PS) @ 4,400 282 lb⋅ft (382 N⋅m) @ 2,400 289 cu in (4.7 L) Windsor V8 (1964) 4-barrel 210 bhp (157 kW; 213 PS) @ 4,400 300 lb⋅ft (407 N⋅m) @ 2,800 289 cu in (4.7 L) Windsor V8 (1965–1966) 4-barrel 225 bhp (168 kW; 228 PS) @ 4,800 305 lb⋅ft (414 N⋅m) @ 3,200 289 cu in (4.7 L) Windsor HiPo V8 (1964–1966) 4-barrel 271 bhp (202 kW; 275 PS) @ 6,000 312 lb⋅ft (423 N⋅m) @ 3,400 [35][36]
The 1967 model year Mustang was the first redesign of the original model. Ford's designers began drawing up a larger version even as the original was achieving sales success, and while "Iacocca later complained about the Mustang's growth, he did oversee the redesign for 1967 ."[40] The major mechanical feature was to allow the installation of a big-block V8 engine. The overall size, interior and cargo space were increased. Exterior trim changes included concave taillights, side scoop (1967 model) and chrome (1968 model) side ornamentation, square rear-view mirrors, and usual yearly wheel and gas cap changes. The high-performance 289 option was placed behind the newer 335 hp (250 kW; 340 PS) 390 cu in (6.4 L) FE engine from the Ford Thunderbird, which was equipped with a four-barrel carburetor. During the mid-1968 model year, a drag racer for the street could be ordered with the optional 428 cu in (7.0 L) Cobra Jet engine which was officially rated at 335 hp (250 kW; 340 PS) all of these Mustangs were issued R codes on their VINs.[41]
The 1967 Deluxe Interior was revised, discontinuing the embossed running horse motif on the seat backs (the source for the "pony interior" nickname) in favor of a new deluxe interior package, which included special color options, brushed aluminum (from August 1966 production) or woodgrain dash trim, seat buttons, and special door panels. The hardtop also included upholstered quarter trim panels, a carryover from the 1965–1966 deluxe interior. The 1967 hardtop also had the chrome quarter trim caps, carried over from 1965–1966, but these were painted to match the interior in 1968 models. The 1967 deluxe interior included stainless steel-trimmed seat back shells, similar to those in the Thunderbird. These were dropped at the end of the 1967 model year, and were not included in the woodgrain-trimmed 1968 interior. The deluxe steering wheel, which had been included in the deluxe interior for the 1965–1966, became optional, and could also be ordered with the standard interior. The 1968 models that were produced from January 1968 were also the first model year to incorporate three-point lap and shoulder belts (which had previously been optional, in 1967–1968 models) as opposed to the standard lap belts. The air-conditioning option was fully integrated into the dash, the speakers and stereo were upgraded, and unique center and overhead consoles were options. The fastback model offered the option of a rear fold-down seat, and the convertible was available with folding glass windows. Gone was the Rally-Pac, since the new instrument cluster had provisions for an optional tachometer and clock. Its size and shape also precluded the installation of the accessory atop the steering column.[42] The convenience group with four warning lights for low fuel, seat belt reminder, parking brake not released, and door ajar were added to the instrument panel, or, if one ordered the optional console and A/C, the lights were mounted on the console.[43]
Changes for the 1968 model increased safety with a two-spoke energy-absorbing steering wheel, along with newly introduced shoulder belts. Other changes included front and rear side markers, "FORD" lettering removed from hood, rearview mirror moved from frame to windshield, a 302 cu in (4.9 L) V8 engine was now available, and C-Stripe graphics were added.[44]
The California Special Mustang, or GT/CS, was visually based on the Shelby model and was only sold in Western states. Its sister, the 'High Country Special', was sold in Denver, Colorado. While the GT/CS was only available as a coupe, the 'High Country Special' model was available in fastback and convertible configurations during the 1966 and 1967 model years, and as a coupe for 1968.[41]
The 1968 Ford Mustang GT Fastback reached iconic status after it was featured in the 1968 film Bullitt, starring Steve McQueen.[45] In the film, McQueen drove a modified 1968 Mustang GT 2+2 Fastback chasing a Dodge Charger through the streets of San Francisco.[46]
Engines [ edit ]
Engine displacement, type Year carburetor type max. motive power at rpm max. torque at rpm 200 cu in (3.3 L) Thriftpower I6 1968 1-barrel 115 bhp (86 kW; 117 PS) @ 4,400 190 lb⋅ft (258 N⋅m) @ 2,400 1967 120 bhp (89 kW; 122 PS) @ 4,400 289 cu in (4.7 L) Windsor V8 1968 2-barrel 195 bhp (145 kW; 198 PS) @ 4,600 288 lb⋅ft (390 N⋅m) @ 2,600 1967 200 bhp (149 kW; 203 PS) @ 4,400 282 lb⋅ft (382 N⋅m) @ 2,400 302 cu in (4.9 L) Windsor V8 1968 210 bhp (157 kW; 213 PS) @ 4,600 300 lb⋅ft (407 N⋅m) @ 2,600 289 cu in (4.7 L) Windsor V8 1967 4-barrel 225 bhp (168 kW; 228 PS) @ 4,800 305 lb⋅ft (414 N⋅m) @ 3,200 302 cu in (4.9 L) Windsor V8 1968 230 bhp (172 kW; 233 PS) @ 4,800 310 lb⋅ft (420 N⋅m) @ 2,800 289 cu in (4.7 L) Windsor HiPo V8 1967 271 bhp (202 kW; 275 PS) @ 6,000 312 lb⋅ft (423 N⋅m) @ 3,400 390 cu in (6.4 L) FE V8 1968 2-barrel 270 bhp (201 kW; 274 PS) @ 4,400 401 lb⋅ft (544 N⋅m) @ 2,600 1967 4-barrel 320 bhp (239 kW; 324 PS) @ 4,800 427 lb⋅ft (579 N⋅m) @ 3,200 1968 325 bhp (242 kW; 330 PS) @ 4,800 1969 320 bhp (239 kW; 324 PS) @ 4,600 428 cu in (7.0 L) Cobra Jet V8 1968 335 bhp (250 kW; 340 PS) @ 5,200 440 lb⋅ft (597 N⋅m) @ 3,400 [35][36][47]
The 1969 model year restyle "added more heft to the body" with body length extended by 3.8 inches (97 mm) (the wheelbase remaining at 108 inches), width increased by almost half an inch, and the Mustang's "weight went up markedly too."[51] 1969 was the first model to use quad headlamps placed both inside and outside the grille opening. The corralled grille pony was replaced with the pony and tribars logo, set off-center to the driver's side.[52] The car was longer than previous models and sported convex rather than concave side panels. The fastback body version was named SportsRoof in Ford's literature.[52]
The 1969 model year saw the introduction of the Mach 1, with a variety of powerplants options and many new styling and performance features. Distinctive reflective striping was placed along the body sides, with a pop-open gas cap, dual exhausts, matte-black hood with simulated air scoop and NASCAR-style cable and pin tiedowns.[53] It used steel wheels with bold-lettered Goodyear Polyglas tires. A functional "shaker" hood scoop - which visibly vibrated by being attached directly to the air cleaner through a hole in the hood - was available, as were tail-mounted wing and chin spoilers and rear window louvered blackout shade. The Mach 1 featured a deluxe interior with simulated wood trim, high backed seats, extra sound deadening, remote sports mirrors and other comforts. The Mach 1 proved popular with buyers with 72,458 cars sold through 1969.[54]
The Boss 302 was created to meet Trans Am rules and featured distinctive hockey-stick stripes, while the understated Boss 429 was created to homologate the Boss 429 engine (based on the new Ford 385 series engine) for NASCAR use. The two Boss models received fame on the track and street and to this day they still demand premium pricing for their pedigree. 1628 Boss 302's and 859 Boss 429's were sold through 1969[54] - making these vehicles somewhat rare.
A new "luxury" model became available starting for 1969, available in only the hardtop body style. The 'Grande' featured a soft ride, 55 pounds (24.9 kg) of extra sound deadening, as well as deluxe interior with simulated wood trim. It was popular with buyers with 22182 units sold through 1969.[54]
Amidst other special editions, the 1969 Mustang E was offered for those desiring high mpg. The 1969 Limited Edition Mustang E was a rare (about 50 produced) fastback special model designed for economy. It came with a six-cylinder engine (250 cu in (4.1 L)), a high stall torque converter for the standard automatic transmission and a very low, 2.33:1 rear axle ratio. Mustang E lettering on the rear quarters identified the special Mustang E.[55] Air conditioning was not available on the 'E' model.[53]
The Mustang GT was discontinued in 1969 due to poor sales versus the success of the new Mach 1 with only 5396 GT models sold that year.[56]
A new 250 cu in (4.1 L) Thriftpower I6 engine with 155 hp (116 kW; 157 PS) filled the gap between the existing 200 cu in (3.3 L) Thriftpower I6 and the V8 engine line-up.
Although 1969 continued with many of the same basic V8 engines available on 1968 models, notably a now revised 302 cu in (4.9 L) Windsor engine with 220 hp (164 kW; 223 PS), the 390 cu in (6.4 L) FE with 320 hp (239 kW; 324 PS) and the recently launched 428 cu in (7.0 L) Cobra Jet engine (with or without Ram-Air) with an advertised 335 hp (250 kW; 340 PS), a variety of revised options and changes were introduced to keep the Mustang fresh and competitive including a new performance V8 available in 250 hp (186 kW; 253 PS) or 290 hp (216 kW; 294 PS) tune known as the 351 cu in (5.8 L) Windsor (351W), which was effectively a stretched and revised 302 cu in (4.9 L) to achieve the extra stroke.
The 428 cu in (7.0 L) Cobra Jet engine continued unchanged in the 1969 and 1970 model years and continued to be advertised at just 335 hp (250 kW; 340 PS) despite being closer to 410 hp (306 kW; 416 PS). However, whenever a V or W axle was ordered (3.90 or 4.30 locking ratio) on any Cobra Jet Mustang, this kicked in various engine improvements which were designed to make the engine more reliable on the strip. These improvements included an engine oil cooler (which resulted in AC not remaining an option), stronger crankshaft and conrods and improved engine balancing and was named the 'Super Cobra Jet'. On the order form, these improvements were later referred to as 'Drag Pack'. Today, these models request a premium price despite offering no notable performance increase other than provided by their unique axle ratios.
The 1969 Shelby Mustang was now under Ford's control and made to look vastly different from regular production Mustangs, despite now being built inhouse by Ford.[57] The custom styling included a fiberglass front end with a combination loop bumper/grille that increased the car's overall length by 3 inches (76 mm), as well as five air intakes on the hood.[57] Two models were available, GT-350 (with a 351 cu in (5.8 L) Windsor (351W) producing 290 hp (216 kW; 294 PS)) and GT-500 (with the 428 cu in (7.0 L) Cobra Jet engine), in both sportsroof or convertible versions. All 1969–1970 Shelby Mustangs were produced in 1969. Because of dwindling sales, the 789 remaining 1969 cars were given new serial numbers and titled as 1970 models.[57] They had modified front air dam and a blackout paint treatment around the hood scoops.[52][58]
The 1970 model year Mustangs were restyled to be less aggressive and therefore returned to single headlamps which were moved to the inside of the grille opening with 'fins' on the outside of the grille sides. Some felt the aggressive styling of the 1969 model hurt its sales and this view prompted the headlamp revisions and simplification of other exterior styling aspects. It's worth noting though that 1969 model year sales exceeded those of 1970.[54] The rear fender air scoops were removed and the taillight panel was now flat instead of concave as seen on 1969 models. The interior options remained mostly unchanged.[58]
1970 model year saw the previous 351W V8 engine options replaced with a new 351 cu in (5.8 L) Cleveland (351C) V8 in either 2V (2-venturi carburetor) or 4V (4-venturi carburetor) versions. Though some early 1970 mustangs, built in 1969, had the 351W. The 351C 4V (M code) engine featured 11.0:1 compression and produced 300 bhp (224 kW; 304 PS) at 5400 rpm. This new performance engine incorporated elements learned from the Ford 385 series engine and the Boss 302, particularly the poly-angle combustion chambers with canted valves and the thin-wall casting technology.
Ford made 96 'Mustang Twister Special' cars for Kansas Ford dealers in late 1969. The Twister Specials were Grabber Orange Mach 1s with special decals. Ford also made a few 'Sidewinders', which were built in Dearborn, shipped to Omaha, and sold in Iowa and Nebraska. They were available in Grabber Green, Grabber Blue, Calypso Coral, and Yellow. The stripes came in the trunk to be installed by dealers.[58][59]
1969 Mustang Hardtop
1970 Mustang SportsRoof
Mustang Convertible
Shelby GT350
1970 Ford Mustang Grande
1969–1970 Mustang front end comparison
Engines [ edit ]
1971 [ edit ]
Introduced in September 1970, the 1971 Mustang was green-lighted by Ford's new president, Semon "Bunkie" Knudsen, formerly of General Motors. Again, the revised model grew in size, gaining 3 inches in width in order to accommodate Ford's big block 429 cu in (7.0 L) V8 without need for an extensive suspension redesign.[62]
As before there were three body styles offered: Hardtop (available in base or Grande trim), SportsRoof (available in base or Mach 1 trim), and convertible (no specific trim packages available).
1971–1972 Mustang hardtop
1971–1972 Mustang Grande hardtop
1971–1972 Mustang Grande hardtop
1971–1972 Mustang Mach 1 (w/o optional tape stripes)
1971 Mustang Boss 351
1971–1972 Mustang convertible
Hardtop [ edit ]
The new 1971 hardtop featured a prominent "tunnelback" rear window design with flowing rear pillars, a completion of the styling exercise of the outgoing model. Hardtops with 'Grande' trim gained a vinyl roof and Grande badges on the C-pillars.
An additional edition, the Spring Special, was available between March and May 1971,[63] which added Mach 1 styling cues (side stripes, tu-tone paint, urethane bumper, honeycomb grill with sportlamps) to the hardtop.[64][65]
SportsRoof [ edit ]
SportsRoof models were available in base configurations in addition to the Mach 1 and Boss 351 sport/performance options.
The Mach 1s were available with two-tone paint schemes, optional hockey-stick stripes, NACA (NASA) hood scoops (functional on 999 ordered with Ram Air), color keyed side mirrors, and additional sports/performance options. All Mach 1 models came stock with urethane front bumpers and an alternate grille equipped with amber sportlights. Though the Mach 1 is often associated with the NACA hood (a no-cost option) and other styling cues, base Mach 1s could be had with the standard hood and the 302 2V engine.
Boss 351 examples were similar in appearance to the Mach 1, and included a larger black-out hood than Mach 1's, front and rear spoilers, dual exhaust with no rear valance cutouts, and chrome bumpers paired with the sportlamp grille.
Convertible [ edit ]
Convertibles were equipped with a power top and a glass rear window. The 1973 models were the last Mustangs available as a convertible until the 1983 model year.[66][67][68] Convertibles featured no unique exterior visual package of their own during their first year of introduction.
1972 [ edit ]
1972 Mustang SportsRoof Sprint edition
Due to tightening emissions regulations, the Boss 351 edition and optional 429 big block were dropped after 1971,[69] leaving the 351 cu in (5.8 L) variants as the largest available engines for 1972 (and 1973).
Exterior differences were virtually unchanged, though all 1972 models were revised with "Fasten Seat Belt" warning lamps on the right side dash panel. The "Decor Group" exterior trim package was also revised, allowing coupe and convertible owners to option their car with tu-tone lower body paint, plus the honeycomb sportlamp grille from the Mach 1/Boss 351 and the Mach 1's urethane bumper.
A commemorative Olympic Sprint Edition (also available on the Pinto and Maverick) was released between March and June of this year.[70] Sprint editions were available in Hardtop and Sportsroof variants, and featured white paint schemes with light blue accents and USA shield decals on the rear quarter panels. An additional 50 Sprint convertibles were produced exclusively for the 1972 National Cherry Blossom Parade in Washington D.C.[71][72]
1972 saw the end of the special Ford muscle car performance engine era. At mid-year, Ford offered a slightly detuned Boss 351 engine, which could be ordered with any model. Only 398 Mustangs were built with the drag race oriented R code motor and was designated as the 351 HO. Mandatory options were the top loader 4 speed, competition N case rear end (427, 428, 429, Boss 351, 351HO), and air conditioning delete. Vacuum operated Ram Air was not available, however the HO came with the first full time cold air induction system in a Mustang, routing cold air via a 2 piece plastic duct under the battery tray to the air cleaner snorkel. All 351 HO cars were manufactured in Dearborn, MI.
1973 [ edit ]
1973 brought some mild restyling. The urethane front bumper became standard, and was enlarged in accordance with new NHTSA standards. All Mustang models had their sportlamps replaced with vertical turn signals, as the new bumper covered the previous turn signal locations in the front valance. Both a Mach 1 and base grille were offered, with differing insert patterns.
Mach 1 decals were also revised in 1972 for 1973 models, and the previous hockey stick side stripes of 1971–1972 models became an option on hardtops and convertibles with the addition of the 'Exterior Decor Group'. Magnum 500 wheels, previously optional, were superseded by forged aluminum 5-hole wheels.[66][73][74][75]
The 1973 model year Mustang was the final version of the original pony car,[76] as the model name migrated to the economy, Ford Pinto-based Mustang II the next year.
1973 Mustang hardtop with vinyl roof option
1973 Mustang Mach 1
1973 Mustang Convertible
1971–1973 Mustang front end comparison
Other variants [ edit ]
A small number of Mexican-produced cars were manufactured with the 'GT-351' trim package, under license by Shelby de Mexico. Additionally, 14 Shelby Europa vehicles were modified and decaled by Belgian Shelby dealer Claude Dubois for European clientele.[77][78][79][80][81]
Engines [ edit ]
Automakers in the U.S. switched from gross to net power and torque ratings in 1972 (coinciding with the introduction of low-compression engines); thus, it is difficult to compare power and torque ratings between 1971 and 1972.[73][82]
Production [ edit ]
In 1964 Mustang sales started with 22,000 orders taken on the first day at the World's Fair and around the country.[89] In the first two years of production, three Ford Motor Company plants in Milpitas, California; Dearborn, Michigan; and Metuchen, New Jersey produced almost 1.3 million Mustangs.[90]
Industry reaction [ edit ]
The Mustang's success left General Motors unprepared. Chrysler introduced the Plymouth Barracuda a few weeks before the Mustang, and although it was later redesigned as a distinct "pony car", it was initially a modified Plymouth Valiant.[91] However, the "fish car" did not enjoy as strong a market demand as Ford's "pony".[92] General Motors executives thought the rear-engined Chevrolet Corvair Monza would compete against the Mustang, but it also sold poorly by comparison.[93] The Monza performed well, but lacked a V8 engine and its reputation was tarnished by Ralph Nader in his book Unsafe At Any Speed.[94] It took GM until the 1967 model year to counter with the Chevrolet Camaro and Pontiac Firebird. Lincoln-Mercury joined the competition in 1966 with the Mercury Cougar, an "upmarket Mustang" and subsequent Motor Trend Car of the Year.[95] In 1967, American Motors (AMC) introduced the Javelin, an image changing "standout"[96] four-place pony car.[97] In 1969, the Dodge Challenger, a version of the Plymouth Barracuda platform, was last to join the pony car race.[98] This genre of small, sporty automobiles is often referred to as the "pony car" because of the Ford Mustang that established this market segment.[99]
References [ edit ] |
The Republic | azcentral.com Fri Oct 11, 2013 7:19 AM
Nationally, websites that exchange cash or resources for relationships, and those that facilitate affairs have seen an increase in sign-ups since the start of government shutdown.
In some cases, it’s government workers signing up, and in others, it’s likely people who benefit from government programs.
But neither type of site’s growth is being fueled by Arizonans.
SeekingArrangement.com, which launched in 2006 and calls itself the world’s largest sugar daddy site, says it’s experienced a 50 percent spike in average daily sign-ups since Sept. 29, just before last Tuesday’s shutdown, according to spokesman Leroy Velasquez.
Of that spike, 56 percent were single mothers.
“That’s odd because our single biggest demographic is college students,” said Velasquez, who floated the idea that the loss of Women, Infants and Children program’s benefits to about 9 million women might be driving this increase.
“And, this is normally a slow time of year because, with school starting, and the holidays coming up, people don’t have as much leisure time. So we weren’t expecting these increases.”
And on Miami-based SugarDaddie.com, which launched in 2002, registrations since Sept. 29 are up between 53 and 65 percent in states such as California, New York, Florida and Texas.
The link between a reduction in resources and registration to a sugar daddy website makes sense, according to SugarDaddie.com’s owner and CEO Steven Pasternack.
“You’ve got a lot of people who are scared... and the women come to sugar daddy websites to find that sense of security,” said Pasternack. “For the price of getting into the nightclub, you could be exposed to potentially thousands of dates for a month. You have financially stable guys contacting you... and you can choose who you like.”
Arizona is in the bottom third of registrations for SugarDaddie.com and represents 1.7 percent of registrations on SeekingArrangement.com.
It could be because the Arizona WIC program will continue to serve more than 160,000 women and children during the federal government shutdown.
The state should be able to continue giving approximately $61 per month for food to participants through November, according to Laura Oxley, the state’s Department of Health Services public information officer.
Women use the money to purchase the healthy foods listed on their WIC checks that meet the special nutrition needs of pregnant and breastfeeding mothers and young children.
And in another sign of how the shutdown is affecting people’s relationships, the affair-facilitating website AshleyMadison.com has seen a spike in .gov email addresses being registered with the site, especially in cities with high numbers of government workers, including Washington, D.C., New York City and Arlington, Va.
People who are not working are looking to fill time voids, entertainment voids and passion voids, by looking for something to do, “and one of those things was us,” said AshleyMadison.com CEO Noel Biderman.
The Toronto-based company caters to men and women are already in relationships launched in 2001 and has experienced membership spikes periodically due to inclement weather, and pockets of particularly high unemployment.
“It’s a moment of reflection,” said Biderman, “and it appears that with that time to reflect, one of the things they reflect on is they wonder what would happen if they dip their toes in the infidelity waters. And we’re not saying these people went on to have affairs, but they did sign up.” |
Left tackle Michael Oher did a solid job protecting Cam Newton's blindside in 2015, enough that the quarterback had an MVP season. ESPN Panthers reporter David Newton speaks with Oher about his interest to stay with the team. (1:49)
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Carolina Panthers left tackle Michael Oher smiled every time the word contract extension was mentioned. He wouldn’t say there have been discussions about one, but the smile made it clear Carolina is a team he wants to be with beyond this season. That the Panthers didn’t select a tackle in the draft suggests the organization might want Oher here long term.
Coach Ron Rivera’s face lit up at the mention of the player who many outside the organization felt was a huge risk last year when the Panthers signed him to a two-year, $7 million deal to protect quarterback Cam Newton's blindside. The risk, as has been well documented by now, turned into a reward. If this were another movie about Oher’s life -- see "The Blindside" -- it would have another happy ending.
That’s why an extension makes sense.
“I want to be here," Oher said with a huge smile. “Love the organization. It’s such a great organization. You wish you could be a part of this type stuff your whole career."
Michael Oher's ability to keep Cam Newton safe was a big reason for the Panthers' success last season. Jim Dedmon/Icon Sportswire
So does that mean an extension is coming?
“I’m going into my last year, so we’ll see what happens," Oher said, continuing to smile.
Would he like that to happen?
“You want to be a part of this type of team, the coaches. Great coaches," Oher said. “They help the players, because they know everything. I believe in great coaches, and you want to be a part of it."
Oher’s career seemed to be going nowhere in February of 2015. He was released by the Tennessee Titans one year after being signed to a five-year, $20 million deal.
Pro Football Focus rated Oher as one of the worst tackles in the NFL in 2014, when he started 11 games on the right side before going on injured reserve with a toe injury.
Prior to that, Oher spent five seasons playing right and left tackle for the Baltimore Ravens, who didn’t re-sign him after the 2013 season. PFF didn’t give Oher a favorable grade that year, either.
Oher did a solid job in pass protection this past season, which helped Newton throw a career-best 35 touchdown passes. But against the run, according to PFF, “no tackle came close to grading as badly as he did."
The Panthers don’t seem concerned. They believe reuniting Oher with offensive-line coach John Matsko has been positive. Oher had two of his best seasons under Matsko at Baltimore in 2009 and 2010.
Rivera is expecting even better things out of Oher this season.
“Oh, he’s so much more comfortable in what we’re doing and how we do it," he said. “He’s fit in very nicely with that group of guys. Players feed off of his energy and excitement."
The best evidence of how comfortable Rivera is with Oher is Carolina didn’t make any moves in the draft or free agency.
“It’s exciting to have him out here and watch him mix it up with the guys," Rivera said. “He’s been a big part of what we’ve done since he’s been here and he continues to be a big part for us."
Few have a better work ethic than Oher, usually one of the first players at the facility. He’s bought into Rivera’s post-Super Bowl speech that the best way to get back to the title game is to return to the little things that got you there the first time.
“Working out. Getting in shape. Starting over with the fundamentals like it’s Day 1," Oher said as he described his offseason. "... Starting from scratch and working our way back up."
The best way the Panthers can back up what they think of Oher is by extending his deal. Considering the top left tackles in the NFL are making between $12 million and $16.25 million, he’d likely come at a bargain.
Whether that is for an additional one, two or three years, Oher’s not fretting about it.
“These guys know what they’re doing," he said. “This organization builds great character, so whatever they feel [I deserve], I’ll be happy." |
Ken Saro-Wiwa was a writer and activist. He was one of the leaders of the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People, a community-rights and environmental movement which challenged the power of oil companies and the Nigerian government.
In 1994, the Nigerian government launched a concerted offensive against the Ogoni people to make the region safe for oil multinationals. 3,000 people were killed. In 1995, Ken Saro-Wiwa was executed by the Nigerian government.
His poem The True Prison bases itself on a recurring and striking anti-capitalist trope —that actual prisons are merely reflections and extensions of the shackles imposed on humanity by capitalism. The poem, written two years before he died, damns the state.
The Ruby Kid
It is not the leaking roof
Nor the singing mosquitoes
In the damp, wretched cell
It is not the clank of the key
As the warden locks you in
It is not the measly rations
Unfit for beast or man
Nor yet the emptiness of day
Dipping into the blankness of night
It is not
It is not
It is not
It is the lies that have been drummed
Into your ears for a generation
It is the security agent running amok
Executing callous calamitous orders
In exchange for a wretched meal a day
The magistrate writing into her book
A punishment she knows is undeserved
The moral decrepitude
The mental ineptitude
The meat of dictators
Cowardice masking as obedience
Lurking in our denigrated souls
It is fear damping trousers
That we dare not wash
It is this
It is this
It is this
Dear friend, turns our free world
Into a dreary prison |
THE short life of a newborn baby found buried in the Maroubra sand dunes has been commemorated over one year after her tragic death.
It is twelve months to the day since the little girl’s unidentified body was laid to rest after being discovered in a shallow grave near the beach.
Her biological mother has never been found but Maroubra locals Bill Green and Filomena D’Alessandro-Green adopted her as their own and named her Lily Grace.
media_camera Bronwyn Lorenc and baby William lay flowers at Lily Grace’s grave today. Picture: Bill Hearne
media_camera Ex-NSW Premier Kristina Keneally joined Filomena D’Alessandro-Green at service. Picture: Bill Hearne
media_camera Moving... Gravesite of Lily Grace in Matraville. Picture: Bill Hearne
Today, she and the many abandoned and unidentified children across the country were remembered at the inaugural Baby Lily Grace Awareness Day pre-dawn service.
The couple were joined by politicians, law enforcement officers and members of the community at the Eastern Suburbs Memorial Park to mourn and raise awareness into child abandonment.
In an emotional address inside a packed chapel, Ms D’Alessandro-Green spoke to Lily Grace’s mother and asked for a greater understanding of the plight of troubled parents.
“This child who almost went unnoticed now means so many things to so many different people,” she said.
“Initially I felt disbelief and disgust but this young woman is living in turmoil. She may not be in jail but she will never walk free.”
“Are you here? How desperate were you to do what you did?”
“Who are we to judge you,” she said.
media_camera A tribute left on South Maroubra beach where Lily Grace was found. Picture: John Appleyard
media_camera A toy and flowers left near shallow grave where Lily Grace was found. Picture: John Appleyard
Former NSW Premier Kristina Keneally was also in attendance and also addressed the crowd, calling for legislators to give more thought to children’s best interests.
“Imagine how society would be if we put our children at the centre of our decision making,” she said.
“Lily Grace’s death was a tragedy for our community ... But we can be grateful for what her life and death gave us.”
Coronial advocate Bronwyn Lorenc was intimately connected with Lily Grace and was heavily pregnant at the time she first took up the case.
Sitting in the front row of the chapel with her newborn son William, Ms Lorenc said the issue of child abandonment hit close to home.
“It’s a case that touched me quite a lot,” she said.
“I was heavily pregnant at the time so it was something very close to me.”
media_camera Filomena D'Alessandro at the public funeral for Lily Grace.
media_camera Filomena D'Alessandro releases butterflies in remembrance of Lily Grace.
“The biggest success is seeing the community effort gather behind this cause and the legacy Lily Grace left behind,” she said.
One legacy the congregation hopes to achieve is the introduction of baby boxes and safe haven laws to allow parents who feel forced to give up their babies to do so safely.
Deputy State Coroner Hugh Dillion recommended the reforms following a coronial inquest in February.
Speaking after today’s service Coroner Dillion emphasised the importance of the proposed measures.
“We don’t speak a lot about the sadness and grief of the parents. We’re very quick to condemn but nobody abandons their baby if they’re not abandoned themselves,” he said.
“Providing support to people who need it is critical,” he said.
Many wiped away tears during the service as they reflected on the suffering of those children and the ongoing torment of their parents before laying a rose at Lily Grace’s gravesite in the Garden of Innocence. |
“Over an Absinthe Bottle”
by
W.C. Morrow
Arthur Kimberlin, a young man of very high spirit, found himself a total stranger in San Francisco one rainy evening, at a time when his heart was breaking; for his hunger was of that most poignant kind in which physical suffering is forced to the highest point without impairment of the mental functions. There remained in his possession not a thing that he might have pawned for a morsel to eat; and even as it was, he had stripped his body of all articles of clothing except those which a remaining sense of decency compelled him to retain. Hence it was that cold assailed him and conspired with hunger to complete his misery. Having been brought into the world and reared a gentleman, he lacked the courage to beg and the skill to steal. Had not an extraordinary thing occurred to him, he either would have drowned himself in the bay within twenty-four hours or died of pneumonia in the street. He had been seventy hours without food, and his mental desperation had driven him far in its race with his physical needs to consume the strength within him; so that now, pale, weak, and tottering, he took what comfort he could find in the savory odors which came steaming up from the basement kitchens of the restaurants in Market Street, caring more to gain them than to avoid the rain. His teeth chattered; he shambled, stooped, and gasped. He was too desperate to curse his fate—he could only long for food. He could not reason; he could not understand that ten thousand hands might gladly have fed him; he could think only of the hunger which consumed him, and of food that could give him warmth and happiness.
When he had arrived at Mason Street, he saw a restaurant a little way up that thoroughfare, and for that he headed, crossing the street diagonally. He stopped before the window and ogled the steaks, thick and lined with fat; big oysters lying on ice; slices of ham as large as his hat; whole roasted chickens, brown and juicy. He ground his teeth, groaned, and staggered on.
A few steps beyond was a drinking-saloon, which had a private door at one side, with the words “Family Entrance” painted thereon. In the recess of the door (which was closed) stood a man. In spite of his agony, Kimberlin saw something in this man’s face that appalled and fascinated him. Night was on, and the light in the vicinity was dim; but it was apparent that the stranger had an appearance of whose character he himself must have been ignorant. Perhaps it was the unspeakable anguish of it that struck through Kimberlin’s sympathies. The young man came to an uncertain halt and stared at the stranger. At first he was unseen, for the stranger looked straight out into the street with singular fixity, and the death-like pallor of his face added a weirdness to the immobility of his gaze. Then he took notice of the young man.
“Ah,” he said, slowly and with peculiar distinctness, “the rain has caught you, too, without overcoat or umbrella! Stand in this doorway—there is room for two.”
The voice was not unkind, though it had an alarming hardness. It was the first word that had been addressed to the sufferer since hunger had seized him, and to be spoken to at all, and have his comfort regarded in the slightest way, gave him cheer. He entered the embrasure and stood beside the stranger, who at once relapsed into his fixed gaze at nothing across the street. But presently the stranger stirred himself again.
“It may rain a long time,” said he; “I am cold, and I observe that you tremble. Let us step inside and get a drink.”
He opened the door and Kimberlin followed, hope beginning to lay a warm hand upon his heart. The pale stranger led the way into one of the little private booths with which the place was furnished. Before sitting down he put his hand into his pocket and drew forth a roll of bank-bills.
“You are younger than I,” he said; “won’t you go to the bar and buy a bottle of absinthe, and bring a pitcher of water and some glasses? I don’t like for the waiters to come around. Here is a twenty-dollar bill.”
Kimberlin took the bill and started down through the corridor towards the bar. He clutched the money tightly in his palm; it felt warm and comfortable, and sent a delicious tingling through his arm. How many glorious hot meals did that bill represent? He clutched it tighter and hesitated. He thought he smelled a broiled steak, with fat little mushrooms and melted butter in the steaming dish. He stopped and looked back towards the door of the booth. He saw that the stranger had closed it. He could pass it, slip out the door, and buy something to eat. He turned and started, but the coward in him (there are other names for this) tripped his resolution; so he went straight to the bar and made the purchase. This was so unusual that the man who served him looked sharply at him.
“Ain’t goin’ to drink all o’ that, are you?” he asked.
“I have friends in the box,” replied Kimberlin, “and we want to drink quietly and without interruption. We are in Number 7.”
“Oh, beg pardon. That’s all right,” said the man.
Kimberlin’s step was very much stronger and steadier as he returned with the liquor. He opened the door of the booth. The stranger sat at the side of the little table, staring at the opposite wall just as he had stared across the street. He wore a wide-brimmed, slouch hat, drawn well down. It was only after Kimberlin had set the bottle, pitcher, and glasses on the table, and seated himself opposite the stranger and within his range of vision, that the pale man noticed him.
“Oh! you have brought it? How kind of you! Now please lock the door.”
Kimberlin had slipped the change into his pocket, and was in the act of bringing it out when the stranger said,—
“Keep the change. You will need it, for I am going to get it back in a way that may interest you. Let us first drink, and then I will explain.”
The pale man mixed two drinks of absinthe and water, and the two drank. Kimberlin, unsophisticated, had never tasted the liquor before, and he found it harsh and offensive; but no sooner had it reached his stomach than it began to warm him, and sent the most delicious thrill through his frame.
“It will do us good,” said the stranger; “presently we shall have more. Meanwhile, do you know how to throw dice?”
Kimberlin weakly confessed that he did not.
“I thought not. Well, please go to the bar and bring a dice-box. I would ring for it, but I don’t want the waiters to be coming in.”
Kimberlin fetched the box, again locked the door, and the game began. It was not one of the simple old games, but had complications, in which judgment, as well as chance, played a part. After a game or two without stakes, the stranger said,—
“You now seem to understand it. Very well—I will show you that you do not. We will now throw for a dollar a game, and in that way I shall win the money that you received in change. Otherwise I should be robbing you, and I imagine you cannot afford to lose. I mean no offence. I am a plain-spoken man, but I believe in honesty before politeness. I merely want a little diversion, and you are so kind-natured that I am sure you will not object.”
“On the contrary,” replied Kimberlin, “I shall enjoy it.”
“Very well; but let us have another drink before we start. I believe I am growing colder.”
They drank again, and this time the starving man took his liquor with relish—at least, it was something in his stomach, and it warmed and delighted him.
The stake was a dollar a side. Kimberlin won. The pale stranger smiled grimly, and opened another game. Again Kimberlin won. Then the stranger pushed back his hat and fixed that still gaze upon his opponent, smiling yet. With this full view of the pale stranger’s face, Kimberlin was more appalled than ever. He had begun to acquire a certain self-possession and ease, and his marvelling at the singular character of the adventure had begun to weaken, when this new incident threw him back into confusion. It was the extraordinary expression of the stranger’s face that alarmed him. Never upon the face of a living being had he seen a pallor so death-like and chilling. The face was more than pale; it was white. Kimberlin’s observing faculty had been sharpened by the absinthe, and, after having detected the stranger in an absent-minded effort two or three times to stroke a beard which had no existence, he reflected that some of the whiteness of the face might be due to the recent removal of a full beard. Besides the pallor, there were deep and sharp lines upon the face, which the electric light brought out very distinctly. With the exception of the steady glance of the eyes and an occasional hard smile, that seemed out of place upon such a face, the expression was that of stone inartistically cut. The eyes were black, but of heavy expression; the lower lip was purple; the hands were fine, white, and thin, and dark veins bulged out upon them. The stranger pulled down his hat.
“You are lucky,” he said. “Suppose we try another drink. There is nothing like absinthe to sharpen one’s wits, and I see that you and I are going to have a delightful game.”
After the drink the game proceeded. Kimberlin won from the very first, rarely losing a game. He became greatly excited. His eyes shone; color came to his cheeks. The stranger, having exhausted the roll of bills which he first produced, drew forth another, much larger and of higher denominations. There were several thousand dollars in the roll. At Kimberlin’s right hand were his winnings,—something like two hundred dollars. The stakes were raised, and the game went rapidly on. Another drink was taken. Then fortune turned the stranger’s way, and he won easily. It went back to Kimberlin, for he was now playing with all the judgment and skill he could command. Once only did it occur to him to wonder what he should do with the money if he should quit winner; but a sense of honor decided him that it would belong to the stranger.
By this time the absinthe had so sharpened Kimberlin’s faculties that, the temporary satisfaction which it had brought to his hunger having passed, his physical suffering returned with increased aggressiveness. Could he not order a supper with his earnings? No; that was out of the question, and the stranger said nothing about eating. Kimberlin continued to play, while the manifestations of hunger took the form of sharp pains, which darted through him viciously, causing him to writhe and grind his teeth. The stranger paid no attention, for he was now wholly absorbed in the game. He seemed puzzled and disconcerted. He played with great care, studying each throw minutely. No conversation passed between them now. They drank occasionally, the dice continued to rattle, the money kept piling up at Kimberlin’s hand.
The pale man began to behave strangely. At times he would start and throw back his head, as though he were listening. For a moment his eyes would sharpen and flash, and then sink into heaviness again. More than once Kimberlin, who had now begun to suspect that his antagonist was some kind of monster, saw a frightfully ghastly expression sweep over his face, and his features would become fixed for a very short time in a peculiar grimace. It was noticeable, however, that he was steadily sinking deeper and deeper into a condition of apathy. Occasionally he would raise his eyes to Kimberlin’s face after the young man had made an astonishingly lucky throw, and keep them fixed there with a steadiness that made the young man quail.
The stranger produced another roll of bills when the second was gone, and this had a value many times as great as the others together. The stakes were raised to a thousand dollars a game, and still Kimberlin won. At last the time came when the stranger braced himself for a final effort. With speech somewhat thick, but very deliberate and quiet, he said,—
“You have won seventy-four thousand dollars, which is exactly the amount I have remaining. We have been playing for several hours. I am tired, and I suppose you are. Let us finish the game. Each will now stake his all and throw a final game for it.”
Without hesitation, Kimberlin agreed. The bills made a considerable pile on the table. Kimberlin threw, and the box held but one combination that could possibly beat him; this combination might be thrown once in ten thousand times. The starving man’s heart beat violently as the stranger picked up the box with exasperating deliberation. It was a long time before he threw. He made his combinations and ended by defeating his opponent. He sat looking at the dice a long time, and then he slowly leaned back in his chair, settled himself comfortably, raised his eyes to Kimberlin’s, and fixed that unearthly stare upon him. He said not a word; his face contained not a trace of emotion or intelligence. He simply looked. One cannot keep one’s eyes open very long without winking, but the stranger did. He sat so motionless that Kimberlin began to be tortured.
“I will go now,” he said to the stranger—said that when he had not a cent and was starving.
The stranger made no reply, but did not relax his gaze; and under that gaze the young man shrank back in his own chair, terrified. He became aware that two men were cautiously talking in an adjoining booth. As there was now a deathly silence in his own, he listened, and this is what he heard:
“Yes; he was seen to turn into this street about three hours ago.”
“And he had shaved?”
“He must have done so; and to remove a full beard would naturally make a great change in a man.”
“But it may not have been he.”
“True enough; but his extreme pallor attracted attention. You know that he has been troubled with heart-disease lately, and it has affected him seriously.”
“Yes, but his old skill remains. Why, this is the most daring bank-robbery we ever had here. A hundred and forty-eight thousand dollars—think of it! How long has it been since he was let out of Joliet?”
“Eight years. In that time he has grown a beard, and lived by dice-throwing with men who thought they could detect him if he should swindle them; but that is impossible. No human being can come winner out of a game with him. He is evidently not here; let us look farther.”
Then the two men clinked glasses and passed out.
The dice-players—the pale one and the starving one—sat gazing at each other, with a hundred and forty-eight thousand dollars piled up between them. The winner made no move to take in the money; he merely sat and stared at Kimberlin, wholly unmoved by the conversation in the adjoining room. His imperturbability was amazing, his absolute stillness terrifying.
Kimberlin began to shake with an ague. The cold, steady gaze of the stranger sent ice into his marrow. Unable to bear longer this unwavering look, Kimberlin moved to one side, and then he was amazed to discover that the eyes of the pale man, instead of following him, remained fixed upon the spot where he had sat, or, rather, upon the wall behind it. A great dread beset the young man. He feared to make the slightest sound. Voices of men in the bar-room were audible, and the sufferer imagined that he heard others whispering and tip-toeing in the passage outside his booth. He poured out some absinthe, watching his strange companion all the while, and drank alone and unnoticed. He took a heavy drink, and it had a peculiar effect upon him: he felt his heart bounding with alarming force and rapidity, and breathing was difficult. Still his hunger remained, and that and the absinthe gave him an idea that the gastric acids were destroying him by digesting his stomach. He leaned forward and whispered to the stranger, but was given no attention. One of the man’s hands lay upon the table; Kimberlin placed his upon it, and then drew back in terror—the hand was as cold as a stone.
The money must not lie there exposed. Kimberlin arranged it into neat parcels, looking furtively every moment at his immovable companion, and in mortal fear that he would stir! Then he sat back and waited. A deadly fascination impelled him to move back into his former position, so as to bring his face directly before the gaze of the stranger. And so the two sat and stared at each other.
Kimberlin felt his breath coming heavier and his heart-beats growing weaker, but these conditions gave him comfort by reducing his anxiety and softening the pangs of hunger. He was growing more and more comfortable and yawned. If he had dared he might have gone to sleep.
Suddenly a fierce light flooded his vision and sent him with a bound to his feet. Had he been struck upon the head or stabbed to the heart? No; he was sound and alive. The pale stranger still sat there staring at nothing and immovable; but Kimberlin was no longer afraid of him. On the contrary, an extraordinary buoyancy of spirit and elasticity of body made him feel reckless and daring. His former timidity and scruples vanished, and he felt equal to any adventure. Without hesitation he gathered up the money and bestowed it in his several pockets.
“I am a fool to starve,” he said to himself, “with all this money ready to my hand.”
As cautiously as a thief he unlocked the door, stepped out, reclosed it, and boldly and with head erect stalked out upon the street. Much to his astonishment, he found the city in the bustle of the early evening, yet the sky was clear. It was evident to him that he had not been in the saloon as long as he had supposed. He walked along the street with the utmost unconcern of the dangers that beset him, and laughed softly but gleefully. Would he not eat now—ah, would he not? Why, he could buy a dozen restaurants! Not only that, but he would hunt the city up and down for hungry men and feed them with the fattest steaks, the juiciest roasts, and the biggest oysters that the town could supply. As for himself, he must eat first; after that he would set up a great establishment for feeding other hungry mortals without charge. Yes, he would eat first; if he pleased, he would eat till he should burst. In what single place could he find sufficient to satisfy his hunger? Could he live sufficiently long to have an ox killed and roasted whole for his supper? Besides an ox he would order two dozen broiled chickens, fifty dozen oysters, a dozen crabs, ten dozen eggs, ten hams, eight young pigs, twenty wild ducks, fifteen fish of four different kinds, eight salads, four dozen bottles each of claret, burgundy, and champagne; for pastry, eight plum-puddings, and for dessert, bushels of nuts, ices, and confections. It would require time to prepare such a meal, and if he could only live until it could be made ready it would be infinitely better than to spoil his appetite with a dozen or two meals of ordinary size. He thought he could live that long, for he felt amazingly strong and bright. Never in his life before had he walked with so great ease and lightness; his feet hardly touched the ground—he ran and leaped. It did him good to tantalize his hunger, for that would make his relish of the feast all the keener. Oh, but how they would stare when he would give his order, and how comically they would hang back, and how amazed they would be when he would throw a few thousands of dollars on the counter and tell them to take their money out of it and keep the change! Really, it was worth while to be so hungry as that, for then eating became an unspeakable luxury. And one must not be in too great a hurry to eat when one is so hungry—that is beastly. How much of the joy of living do rich people miss from eating before they are hungry—before they have gone three days and nights without food! And how manly it is, and how great self-control it shows, to dally with starvation when one has a dazzling fortune in one’s pocket and every restaurant has an open door! To be hungry without money—that is despair; to be starving with a bursting pocket—that is sublime! Surely the only true heaven is that in which one famishes in the presence of abundant food, which he might have for the taking, and then a gorged stomach and a long sleep.
The starving wretch, speculating thus, still kept from food. He felt himself growing in stature, and the people whom he met became pygmies. The streets widened, the stars became suns and dimmed the electric lights, and the most intoxicating odors and the sweetest music filled the air. Shouting, laughing, and singing, Kimberlin joined in a great chorus that swept over the city, and then——
The two detectives who had traced the famous bank-robber to the saloon in Mason Street, where Kimberlin had encountered the stranger of the pallid face, left the saloon; but, unable to pursue the trail farther, had finally returned. They found the door of booth No. 7 locked. After rapping and calling and receiving no answer, they burst open the door, and there they saw two men—one of middle age and the other very young—sitting perfectly still, and in the strangest manner imaginable staring at each other across the table. Between them was a great pile of money, arranged neatly in parcels. Near at hand were an empty absinthe bottle, a water-pitcher, glasses, and a dice-box, with the dice lying before the elder man as he had thrown them last. One of the detectives covered the elder man with a revolver and commanded,—
“Throw up your hands!”
But the dice-thrower paid no attention. The detectives exchanged startled glances. They looked closer into the faces of the two men, and then they discovered that both were dead. |
Kakadu National Park: Two men convicted, fined for illegal pig hunting
Updated
Two men who went pig hunting in Kakadu National Park have been fined and ordered to forfeit thousands of dollars worth of hunting equipment for breaking federal environmental regulations.
Key points: Men admitted pig hunting in Kakadu National Park
Park staff found hunters while conducting authorised helicopter pig culling
Traditional owners angry at increase in pig hunting at park
Jack O'Connor, 18, and Alexander Chala, 23, admitted to concealing their registration plates with duct tape before driving off-road over the Wildman River floodplains and into paperbark woodlands.
The Darwin Magistrates Court heard the national park's staff spotted the pair while conducting an authorised helicopter cull of feral pigs on the floodplains in October last year.
Ground staff on standby to assist the aerial culling found the men's ute hidden in bushland and covered with tree branches.
Staff on the helicopter then found O'Connor and Chala hunting on quad bikes with five hunting dogs, knives and GPS tracking devices.
Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions lawyer Patrick Berends told the court the men had blood-stained clothes and had used the dogs to subdue several feral pigs before killing them with the knives.
Aboriginal custodians furious
Mr Berends said traditional owners were furious about the frequency of illegal hunting in the park and the offending should be viewed as extremely serious.
A statement from Kakadu National Park ranger and traditional owner Jonathan Nadji was read out in court.
Mr Nadji is from the Bunitj clan and said his country includes parts of the East Alligator River, South Alligator River and Wildman River floodplains.
"I know more and more pig hunters are coming out to Kakadu, almost every weekend and using my country, breaking the laws and disrespecting our culture and traditions," he said.
"It has upset me greatly.
"I have tried to work with Parks to get more patrols by rangers into these areas.
"I am worried things will only get worse and my country will be taken over by piggers and others who have no right to hunt out in Kakadu.
"Nothing will be left for my children and their children unless we get strong."
'Disrespectful, ignorant behaviour'
The court heard O'Connor and Chala travelled many kilometres in their ute on unauthorised roads, past warning signs about not entering the area, and made their own off-road tracks.
"Such activity potentially causes the spread of noxious weeds such as mimosa pigra, gamba grass, olive hymenachne and mission grass," Mr Berends said.
Magistrate Elisabeth Armitage said a conviction was necessary to send a strong message to the community.
"I suspect that neither of you are aware of or capable of identifying sacred sites," she said.
"It's the kind of disrespectful, ignorant behaviour that these laws are designed to protect."
O'Connor and Chala pleaded guilty to several offences, including possessing devices for hunting, taking animals into the park, driving motor vehicles and killing non-native species contrary to the Environment Protection and Conservation Regulations.
The men's lawyer, Amy Dargan, told the court both men were remorseful and understood the impact their activities had on the environment.
The magistrate ordered O'Connor and Chala to pay $3,500 and $2,500 respectively.
They are also required to forfeit about $4,000 worth of hunting equipment, including GPS units, tracking dog collars, hunting vests and pig hunting knives.
Topics: law-crime-and-justice, national-parks, jabiru-0886
First posted |
Nur die Kirche überragt die Häuser im alten Ortskern. Vasari Nur die Kirche überragt die Häuser im alten Ortskern. Vasari
Wien. In Oberlaa ist die Welt noch in Ordnung. Hier hat alles seinen Platz, seine Richtigkeit. Das gibt Sicherheit. In Oberlaa reiht sich ein einstöckiges Haus neben das andere, überragt nur von der Kirche auf dem Hauptplatz. Jeder kennt jeden, man ist unter sich. Es wird ausschließlich Deutsch gesprochen. Der Pfarrer hält Feldmessen, die freiwillige Feuerwehr organisiert Frühschoppen, Männer in Lederhosen nehmen den Bieranstich vor, während die Schlagerband "Dirndl Rocker" jodelt und schunkelt. So war es immer schon. So soll es auch bleiben, wenn es nach den Oberlaaern geht. Doch wie lange noch?
Seit knapp 80 Jahren ist Oberlaa ein Teil von Wien. Das Dorf wurde, wie viele andere auch, von den Nazis an die Stadt angegliedert. Als nach dem Zweiten Weltkrieg die meisten Dörfer wieder an Niederösterreich zurückgegeben wurden, verblieb Oberlaa. Ein Veto der Sowjets verhinderte die Rückgabe. Seither gehört Oberlaa zum 10. Bezirk Favoriten. Als Wiener haben sich die Bewohner aber nie begriffen. Und schon gar nicht als Favoritner.
Über all die Jahrzehnte bewahrten sie den dörflichen Charakter ihres Ortes. Der Besucheransturm auf Therme und Kurpark hatte darauf keine Auswirkungen. Die beiden Aushängeschilder Oberlaas liegen schließlich auf der anderen Seite der Bahngleise, die den ländlich geprägten Ortskern vom restlichen Bezirk abschneiden. Doch die Gleise werden die Stadt nicht mehr länger aufhalten können. Mit der Verlängerung der U-Bahnlinie U1 nach Oberlaa wird sie nun zu dem Dorf hinaus wachsen. Das Dorf ist auf dem Weg zu einem urbanen Stadtteil.
Der Leiter der Landjugend, Franz Wieselthaler. Der Leiter der Landjugend, Franz Wieselthaler.
Bei diesem Gedanken umschleicht viele Oberlaaer ein mulmiges Gefühl. "Die Stadt wächst, so ist halt der Lauf der Zeit", sagt Monika Braunsteiner schulterzuckend. "Ist sicher gut für unser Geschäft", fügt sie hinzu. "Es wird auch einfacher sein, nach Hause zu kommen, wenn man etwas getrunken hat." Zwischen den Zeilen schwingt jedoch Verbitterung mit. Ihre Sätze klingen wie Durchhalteparolen. Seit 24 Jahren leitet Braunsteiner den Dorf-Wirt in Oberlaa, nur wenige hundert Meter, bevor die Felder beginnen. Schönbrunngelbe Fassade, Gastgarten mit Holzbänken, Tischtücher mit rot gestickten Herzen. Sie trinkt einen Schluck Wasser. "So wie früher wird es nicht mehr werden", sagt sie.
Monika Braunsteiner mit Tochter Barbara. Beide führen den Dorf-Wirt. Monika Braunsteiner mit Tochter Barbara. Beide führen den Dorf-Wirt.
Ein Leben mit Hasen, Schweinen und Hühnern
Braunsteiner, blonde Föhnfrisur, silberne Kugelohrringe, schwarz umrandete Brille, ist in Oberlaa aufgewachsen. Sie spielte im örtlichen Musikverein Klarinette, lernte hier ihren Mann kennen und gründete mit ihm eine Familie. Das Stadtleben war weit weg. "Wir hatten Hasen, Schweine, Kühe und Hühner", erinnert sie sich. Sie erzählt von der Gemeinschaft im Dorf, vom Zusammenhalt und dem gegenseitigen Vertrauen. "Niemand sperrte seine Wohnungstüre zu, die Bauernhäuser waren alle offen." Das sei heute unvorstellbar. Überall werde eingebrochen. "Es kommen viele fremde Menschen hierher. Das sind wir nicht gewohnt", sagt sie. Mit der U-Bahn werden es noch mehr werden, die Stadt plant tausende Wohnungen. "Das verunsichert uns", sagt sie.
Die neue Station in Oberlaa. Tausende neue Wohnungen werden in der Gegend gebaut. Die neue Station in Oberlaa. Tausende neue Wohnungen werden in der Gegend gebaut.
Es ist Mittagszeit beim Dorf-Wirt. Langsam trudeln die Gäste ein. Viele von ihnen sind Stammgäste. Manche von ihnen haben reserviert. Sie sind es gewohnt immer auf demselben Platz ihr Mittagessen einzunehmen. Die Tischgespräche drehen sich um die U-Bahnverlängerung. Bei Krautroulade, Cordon Bleu und Schnitzel malen sich die Oberlaaer ihre Zukunft aus. "Jetzt ist es vorbei mit der Ruhe", sagt eine ältere Frau im Blumenkleid. "Nur 20 Minuten brauchen wir jetzt zur Donau, 15 Minuten auf den Stephansplatz. Das hätte ich mir nicht gedacht", erklärt hingegen ein Mann mit Gelfrisur.
"Jetzt können wir mit der U-Bahn schneller in den Park fahren", freut sich eine Gruppe junger Favoritner. "Jetzt können wir mit der U-Bahn schneller in den Park fahren", freut sich eine Gruppe junger Favoritner.
Argumente dafür und dagegen werden abgewogen und diskutiert. Man ist nicht immer einer Meinung, außer in einem Punkt. Es geht um die bisherige Endstelle der U1, den Reumannplatz im Herzen von Favoriten. Der Platz ist für die Oberlaaer zu einem Symbol geworden. Ein Symbol, für alles, was schlecht läuft in Wiens bevölkerungsreichstem Bezirk.
Der Reumannplatz ist "in türkischer Hand"
"Waren Sie schon einmal dort?", fragt Braunsteiner. "Haben Sie sich das angeschaut?" Auf die Gegenfrage, was sie genau meint, fehlen der wortgewaltigen Frau für einen kurzen Moment die Worte. Dann sagt sie: "Wie das dort ausschaut. Da kann man ja nicht mehr hingehen." Früher habe sie an der dortigen Fußgängerzone noch eingekauft. Das ist nun vorbei. "Das ist alles in türkischer Hand. Bäckerei, Frisör, alles türkisch", erklärt die Wirtin. "Da hörst ja kein Wort Deutsch mehr."
Braunsteiner spricht aus, was viele Oberlaaer denken. "Der Reumannplatz ist Klein-Istanbul. Es würde uns im Traum nicht einfallen dorthin zu gehen", heißt es immer wieder bei einem Rundgang durch den Ort. So wie am Reumannplatz dürfe es in Oberlaa nie werden. "Da fühle ich mich nicht mehr zuhause, da fühle ich mich nicht mehr geborgen." Braunsteiner erklärt: "Die Leute haben Angst, dass die mit der U-Bahn jetzt zu uns kommen." |
When it comes to sacrificing civil liberties in the name of fighting crime, Washington D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty and his administration are full of innovative ideas. Among them:
• Giving police officers bigger, badder guns.
• Sending officers door to door requesting to conduct "voluntary" gun and drug searches of citizens' homes.
• Cordoning off portions of the city with almost certainly unconstitutional checkpoints requiring citizens to tell the police where they came from, where they're going, and what their business is in that particular neighborhood. The Washington Post reports that motorists refusing to answer questions or to submit to requested searches of their cars risk arrest.
Ah, but there's one crime-fighting idea Fenty adamantly opposes: letting law-abiding D.C. residents own a gun for self-protection. Seems that only the government can be trusted to protect you from crime. Except, of course, when it doesn't.
It's interesting that crime-fighting ideas requiring the citizenry to give up some of its freedoms are "innovative," while proposals that would give some freedom back are "dangerous." |
A Canadian soldier at CFB Halifax is urging Canada's new Treasury Board president, Liberal MP Scott Brison, to take a fresh look at a dispute involving dozens of military members who suffered steep financial losses when forced to sell their homes.
The request comes as federal government lawyers are pushing ahead with their efforts to have the courts toss out a proposed class-action lawsuit launched on behalf of those members.
The members claim they are entitled to compensation under a federal home-equity assistance program after they were posted to new locations and sold their homes during local housing market downturns. Many lost tens of thousands of dollars.
Under the rules, a military member can receive 100 per cent compensation if they sell in a so-called depressed market. The dispute revolves around what is considered a depressed market and the lawsuit claims the Treasury Board, which ultimately controls compensation, is refusing to pay.
Maj. Marcus Brauer has been with the Canadian Forces for 25 years. (CBC)
But as the proposed class action continues to grind through the courts, some of those involved are hoping the new Liberal government — and King-Hants MP Brison — will change the course.
"I would hope that Mr. Brison would look at the evidence before him," says Maj. Marcus Brauer, a father of five who lost $88,000 when forced to sell his home in Bon Accord, Alta., after the military posted him to Halifax. He was only compensated $15,000.
"Instead of making soldiers go into court to get their entitlements, that they would follow the applicable policy in the way that it was intended so that soldiers wouldn't have to suffer hardship when they're posted every two to three years."
Brauer has waged his own court battle against the federal government. Last year, a Federal Court judge ruled the Treasury Board was unreasonable in denying Brauer compensation, sending his case back to be considered a second time. Justice Richard Mosley even ordered the federal government pay Brauer's legal costs.
Brauer, however, will be back in court again on Jan. 19 after the Treasury Board once again rejected his claims for compensation earlier this year.
Maj. Marcus Brauer lost $73,000 in his relocation from Bon Accord, Alta., to Halifax. (CBC)
Also making its way through the courts is a proposed class action lawsuit, launched by Master Warrant Officer Neil Dodsworth, who now serves at CFB Gagetown in New Brunswick..
He lost $72,000 when forced to sell his home in Morinville, Alta., after he was posted from CFB Edmonton to CFB Kingston by the Canadian Forces in 2009.
In October, a Federal Court judge turned down a bid by lawyers with the federal Justice Department to have the proposed class action struck down. The government had argued the policy is clear and there were no false statements made to personnel.
But the federal government quietly filed for an appeal last month and continues to seek an order to strike the lawsuit.
"The way this is going, I believe they are just trying to ... get more time," Dodsworth said in an interview from his home in Oromocto, N.B. "In my view they're just seeing if anyone bows out of this case."
A spokesperson for the Treasury Board says it will not comment on the case as it is before the courts. |
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Commuters face travel chaos this evening after a huge sinkhole opened under the track at Forest Hill, disrupting Southern and London Overground trains.
The hole is affecting two railway tracks between East Croydon and London Bridge and trains are currently suspended.
It is set to cause chaos for commuters travelling home this evening and passengers are being advised to take alternative routes.
Passengers are venting their frustration on social media, with one tweeting: "Travelling with Southern rail has made a sinkhole in my soul."
Others described the rail disruptions as a "nightmare" and described it as "just more misery" for Southern Rail commuters with one customer describing it as "hell".
London Overground is not running between New Cross Gate and Crystal Palace because of the hole and tickets are being accepted on London Underground services.
Southern Rail services between Norwood Junction and London Bridge are being diverted via Victoria and tickets are being accepted on London buses and London Underground on reasonable routes.
Customers for London Bridge are advised to travel via Victoria or Blackfriars.
A Network Rail spokesperson said: “Our engineers are on site investigating a hole which has appeared next to the track at Forest Hill.
“As a result, two of the four railway lines in the area have been closed for safety reasons.
“Some trains are being diverted and we urge passengers travelling between London Bridge and East Croydon to check before they travel.
“We will update passengers with more information as soon we can.” |
The Washington Post recently quoted only a “sound bite” of my comments on marriage in America, the role of religious interpretation, government and law. My comments were distilled into a discourage about same-sex marriage, which is a narrow slice of my comments.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/imam-daayiee-abdullah-welcomes-gay-muslims-to-worship-marry/2013/04/17/3ebcab3a-a5db-11e2-b029-8fb7e977ef71_story.html
From my understanding of the Qur’an, marriage in Islam is between members of the opposite sex. Yet, I believe that people can engage in many types of sexual behaviors and still be Muslim. The goal is to try to understand God’s message and then to apply it. The way one has sex is not be their public definition. As a person of faith, the primary identifier is one’s relationship with the transcendent God/Allah and not one’s appetite for food, drink, sex, race or gender.
In America, religion is a very personal thing. As such, very few individuals like to be told how to define their relationship with God and wish to define their relationship with God on their own terms without government involvement. It is for this reason that I believe that faith in America is still very vibrant, while it is falling by the wayside in Europe.
Likewise on the issue of marriage, I do not believe that our government should ever have gotten into the business of “sanctifying” marriage. In other words, the gov’t should not define what “is” and “is not” marriage any more than they should define who “is” and “is not” a Muslim, Christian or Jew. In marriage, the gov’t should only be in the business of enforcing binding contracts between adult aka “civil unions”!
The issue of (religious) marriage as should have been put into the authority of religious communities. If we do that then, everyone would be free to practice whatever they like in their own religion as long as they do not infringe upon the constitutional right of others.
This is perfectly in line with my own faith tradition. The Qur’an says:
“To you be your way and to us be our way….”
Within Muslim history there have been many groups, sects, offshoots and various interpretations of the faith, each group interrupting the scriptures on their own terms in context, content and time and today is no different.
I have a particular reading and understand of Islam that puts sexual behavior in the light of specific verses and prophetic traditions, but he priority in religion is to find out what God wants and then to do that, not to find out what you want and then find the text that you think allows you to do it.
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On New Year’s Eve, President-elect Donald Trump told reporters at Mar-a-Lago that he knows things that others don’t when it comes to information on whether Russia was involved in hacking the election.
Well, during an interview on CNN this afternoon, a Trump national security adviser revealed his belief that the incoming POTUS may just be playing with the American public about what he does and doesn’t know.
In response to host Jim Sciutto’s questions about what Trump knows that intelligence agencies and Congress don’t, former CIA head James Woolsey explained that hacking leaves “room for weaving around like this.” Sciutto asked, “You’re saying he is weaving around by talking about this putative information?”
Woolsey explained that by doing this, Trump generates new headlines like he did during the campaign, Sciutto wanted to know if he was saying Trump was “playing us.”
“There is a possibility that he is a little bit, yes,” a smiling Woolsey answered.
A somewhat shocked Sciutto questioned the ex-CIA head, “Is that something a president-elect should be doing on a serious issue of national security?”
When Woolsey said Trump wasn’t “interfering interfering with anything or talking about anything classified,” Sciutto replied that it struck him as “interfering because this is an ongoing investigation.”
They would then go on to discuss the level of hacking that was involved and how dangerous it was.
Watch the entire interview above, via CNN.
[image via screebgrab]
–
Follow Justin Baragona on Twitter: @justinbaragona
Have a tip we should know? [email protected] |
School administrators have been told to run background checks on foreigners applying for work as teachers to weed out convicted paedophiles, an Education Ministry official said Monday.
Assistant Minister Thirakiat Charoensethasilp said the directive was sent to every educational institution in the country after the British embassy recently received a report that a British national with a record of child sexual abuse in the UK had applied for a job as a foreign-language teacher in Thailand.
Additionally, in the case of British applicants, schools were advised to check the UK's Association of Chief Police Officers' (Acro) Criminal Records Office website to determine if they have any sort of criminal record and require they present an Acro police certificate.
That is a way of screening foreigners to prevent students from becoming crime victims, Mr Thirakiart told Daily News Online.
"Those with records of child sexual abuse in the United Kingdom often look for a job as a teacher or a volunteer in other countries. Many of them choose to look for a teaching job or other jobs concerning children," he added.
Thee Pawangkanont, chief Office of the Basic Education Commission's child-assistance centre, said Obec had sent a letter containing the instructions to directors of the offices of primary and secondary education in all its educational zones. |
Since we are only used to hear announcements of IITs (Indian Institutes of Technology), IIMs (Indian Institutes of Management), and AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Science), Karnataka chief minister’s backing for establishing a school of economics in Bengaluru is a welcome move. Reading 2017-18 budget, Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah portrayed this approval as a significant achievement in higher education sector. The proposed school, named “Bengaluru Dr B.R.Ambedkar School of Economics" (BASE), will be modelled on the lines of London School of Economics (LSE). By associating with LSE, the government has stated the intent of building a ‘world-class’ university. While this school is expected to address the substantial need for basic economics talent in the state, the government’s intentions are to make it much more. The lack of Karnataka centric economics research is apparent in debates ranging from Kasturirangan report on the Western Ghats to Yettinahole Project to even dubbing in Kannada film industry. Can this school address this shortage?
The budget speech and grant documents are silent on actual grant amounts to this proposed institution. While there is a significant increase in “Grants-in-Aid General" to Bangalore University, there are no budget amounts under “asset creation" line. It is not even clear if the proposed school be part of Bangalore University. However, earlier this year, higher education minister, Basavaraj Rayareddy had announced the cabinet approval of ₹ 150 crore towards setting up Ambedkar School. Also, the cabinet granted 43 acres of land belonging to Bangalore University on a 99-year lease. The Indian Express also reported that Jindal Group has agreed to provide financial support (after all, Jindal group had approached Bangalore University in starting a Jindal School of Economics couple of years back. Following protests from the syndicate, they had withdrawn the idea). As per the minister, the school is expected to begin during the upcoming academic year (2017-18) using buildings of Bangalore University, temporarily. In the speed of starting classes soon, seems like the vision of “LSE-type, world-class institution" has been forgotten. It is in the danger of becoming one more educational institution in the state.
A World Bank report titled The Road to Academic Excellence: The making of world class research universities lays out necessary conditions of a world-class institution. The report lists three ‘must’ conditions to be present from the start: academic talent, financial resources, and governance—particularly autonomy and academic freedom. If the government is serious in its vision of world-class, perfection has to be the driver more than speed, especially in these initial days of Ambedkar School. While building world-class university is not possible within five-year term of the government, it can certainly plant the right seeds in right places now.
There are five steps, the government should follow, in this order, in building Ambedkar School.
First, create the right teams. An independent Governing Board that brings together a range of experts; it can start small and can grow eventually. Members of the governing board should be experts in different fields (academics, infrastructure, legal, etc.) and not all economists. The other team required is operational team to ‘make-it-happen’. This team needs two types of people—who can wade through bureaucracy, and who manage the project. For the former, bureaucrats who have a demonstrated track record of getting things done that require complex interdepartmental coordination and manage political forces pulling in multiple directions would be right fit. The government often relies on professors in managing the project progress in education institutions. Any professors in newly built IITs or IISERs (Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research) will tell you how wrong is this idea. Leading universities in the world hire professional managers for this job.
Second, the government should announce its grant plan for, at least, next 10 years to bring the financial predictability. Alternatively, release an endowment fund in the range of ₹ 500 to ₹ 600 crore now (if it seems high, it is around 10% of annual higher education expenditure in the state).
Third, the governing body and operational teams work on vision, mission, and roadmap of the institution. Before designing they ought to study other economics schools in India—Delhi School of Economics (DSE), Indian Statistical Institute (ISI), Indira Gandhi Institute of Development Research (IGIDR) to name a few. Rather than replicating these institutions, it is imperative to be different and stay relevant. Focusing on the needs of the state, not only as talent creation but also as a place for Karnataka centric research, is a must (even though LSE is a global thought leader, good portion of its research is on the needs of the United Kingdom). The roadmap should address the journey for next 25 years. The roadmap has the areas like curriculum coverage, content focus along with clear timelines. It is usually better to begin with a small number of students and programmes, then scale up after institutionalising a strong academic culture.
As the fourth step, architectural design and construction plan. A typical university in India would start breaking grounds, literally, without much considerations to the content focus. Winston Churchill once said, “We shape buildings; thereafter they shape us". Top universities include classroom design in their educational strategy. Physical infrastructure should follow from to the requirements of the roadmap and not the other way around. Since Ambedkar School will be a city university, it would be apt for the institution to spread across the city rather than in ‘a campus’. Regionally inspired architectures with a lot of open spaces, libraries—designed as public libraries—in different parts of the city will be good for ‘being with the city’.
Finally, when all these plans are in place, it is a good time to start attracting academic talents, professors, and then students. They are one of the most important members in the journey. Attracting global talent requires clarity. That is the reason why this is the last step in the execution. With clear roadmap and content focus, prospective professors understand their fit in the institution. At least for this school, the government should relax ‘Indian citizen’ constraint and open the positions for global talents while maintaining the regional balance. Once the teaching faculty comes on board, they can design courses, research labs in line with the vision and mission. In the similar lines, student selection should also be for diversity, starting with diversity in the state itself.
Some of these steps may look misplaced. That is because we are used to starting digging before having the blueprint ready. It is true that India needs 125 new universities per year for next five years to meet the demand. But it doesn’t mean that we should not focus on building some world-class institutions. We may make thousands of buildings every year, but once in few decades, we should also build Mysore palace or a Taj Mahal. Ambedkar School should be the next such palace for economics education in India.
Vikas Argod is a Bengaluru-based supply chain management consultant. This was written as a part of a #StatesMatter initiative by the Takshashila Institution, an initiative to deepen public discussion on Indian state budgets. |
Did you notice the release of WebMatrix 2? WebMatrix is a free, lightweight web development tool introduced in 2010. It's focus is on simplifying the web development experience for ASP.NET and PHP, and more recently node. Rob Conery actually turned me onto WebMatrix and we use it for the This Developer's Life Podcast website. I recommend it for students, designers, and web pros that either don't need or don't want the whole Visual Studio experience. It's also a nice companion to Sublime Text 2. There's even Git extensions, LESS, easy deployment and more for the front end developer.
If you want to download WebMatrix 2 and get started, it's free. It will use the Web Platform installer to install and you can use it along site VS if you want, or all by itself on any machine. It's actually a great companion for sites like Codecademy. Watch Vishal and Brady give a brief overview of the new features in WebMatrix 2 on Channel 9.
HTML, JavaScript, & CSS
The new Web Matrix 2 HTML editor adds useful stuff like code outlining, tag completion, formatting, syntax validation, and IntelliSense for HTML5.
The JavaScript editor has a better auto-formatting experience, and IntelliSense:
The new CSS editor in WebMatrix shares a lot with the new features included in the Visual Studio 2012 CSS editor. There's the color pickers, IntelliSense for the latest CSS3 modules, and better language support:
Here's the new hotness that I'm digging. For those who want to go beyond basic CSS, you can get preprocessors like LESS and Sass. Folks have been asking for better preprocessor support, and WebMatrix 2 includes support for LESS and Sass. The LESS editor supports the same great CSS features, along with IntelliSense for custom variables and mix-ins:
Like I said, there's lots of stuff built in. It's kind of a playground for features that will move their way between VS and WebMatrix.
Related Videos: To learn more about the new CSS editors in WebMatrix 2, check out these short videos:
Razor with ASP.NET Web Pages 2
As I mentioned, Rob and I use ASP.NET Web Pages on This Developers Life. It's kind of like PHP in that you can mix code and HTML in one file except the syntax is Razor and the language is C#. The combination of WebMatrix and ASP.NET Web Pages is an easy way to get started with web development. Make a file, start writing HTML then add some code. Later you can graduate (if you want) to ASP.NET MVC. In addition to improving the web editors, WebMatrix 2 adds IntelliSense for Razor, C#, and Visual Basic:
WebMatrix 2 and ASP.NET Web Pages 2 include many built in helpers that make it easy to do common things like send email, post a tweet, or resize an image. If the built in packages and helpers in Web Pages 2 aren't enough for what you want, WebMatrix now also supports installing libraries and helpers directly from NuGet!
Video: Justin and Vishal build an image sharing site with ASP.NET Web Pages and Windows Azure Web Sites.
Web Development with PHP
For applications that use PHP, there is a brand new PHP editor that features IntelliSense, code collapsing, and PHP 5.4 support. There's docs showing up inline there as well.
Video: Thao and Brady show the new PHP features in WebMatrix 2.
Web Development with Node.js
I have mentioned Azure before on the site and now that it supports Git deployment as well as node.js I've been paying more attention to it. One of the goals of WebMatrix 2 and Windows Azure is to make it easier to develop and host open source applications on the Windows platform. December brought support for node.js to Windows Azure. While Azure is making it easier to host node.js applications in cloud, WebMatrix 2 is aiming to improve the development experience. Out of the box are multiple project templates, IntelliSense, and support for several new languages. There's even an Express.js template.
Along with IntelliSense for the core modules built into node.js, WebMatrix also provides IntelliSense for third party modules installed via the Node Package Manager (NPM). This makes using things like the Windows Azure npm package much simpler:
Node.js uses a variety of rendering engines for writing views. I am told there are more planned and today WebMatrix 2 includes support for both Jade and EJS. I like Jade, myself.
I'm not sure where you fall in the Great CoffeeScript debate, but some developers like to write their applications using CoffeeScript. WebMatrix supports that also.
Video: Justin and Vishal show new Node.js features in WebMatrix 2.
Streamlined Database Tools
The database tools in WebMatrix work with SQL Server, SQL Compact Edition, and MySQL as well.:
When you're ready to publish your application, WebMatrix 2 will include your Database along with the list of changed files:
Video: Learn more about managing databases in WebMatrix 2.
Mobile Web Development
You can integrate an iPhone or iPad simulator into Visual Studio, as I've blogged before. WebMatrix 2 adds an extensible model for adding new browsers, and also includes support for simulating Windows Phone 7 as well as the iPhone and iPad via a partnership with Electric Plum. Full disclosure: I love the Electric Plum guys. So nice.
The templates included in WebMatrix 2 look nice on mobile devices out of the box since they use a combination of responsive design and jQuery Mobile.
For those working with jQuery Mobile, there's included IntelliSense for custom data-* attributes.
Videos: For more examples of using the mobile capabilities in WebMatrix 2, check out these videos:
The Application Gallery
There's a metric pile of Open Source projects in the Application Gallery so you can get WordPRess or Umbraco or whatever running just by File | New. Takes just a minute or two. ASP.NET and PHP apps all live together.
After you install your application, there is now a customizable dashboard, designed specifically for your app type. That means that WebMatrix knows you're using WordPress and will show you stuff that WordPress folks care about.
The team has worked with the community to provide a customizable experience for many of the applications in the gallery. The dashboard provides a series of links and resources that make it easier to learn more about your app.
For many of the applications in the gallery, there are a core set of files that should not be changed. WebMatrix will even warn users of these files.
While customizing an application, WebMatrix 2 also includes application-specific IntelliSense. This is useful when you're just getting started working with a new application:
Windows Azure & Remote Editing
You can also create and deploy apps directly from the Windows Azure portal. So, rather than starting from an app on your machine, you can create it in Azure, get it running then...
...you've got remote site editing. After creating an application in the cloud, you can directly open a remote view into your site. This is great for making edits on the go. I'd personally use Git or source control, but I do have to admit I have a few sites that are just up there as brochures and aren't formally deployed. This feature is nice for those sites.
For users using Windows Azure, the management portal allows users to install WebMatrix and open their site by clicking on a button in the command bar. This will download the site and install any required dependencies. This means once you've made your site in Azure, you can open it in WebMatrix, it will install, figure out your app (if it's in the gallery) and open it.
When you've finished making your changes, the same publish command will only push the files that have changed back to your host.
Video: Watch Faith customize a WordPress site and deploy it to Windows Azure.
Extension Gallery
If you're interested in extending WebMatrix 2, there is a new SDK that allows anyone to add new features or functionality. Many of the things in this post (including the mobile emulators!) are actually extensions that ship with WebMatrix 2.
When you're ready to start building, check out the extension gallery. It has a list of extensions currently available, along with documentation on how to make your own extension.
Video: Watch Walter show you how to build a basic extension and publish it to the WebMatrix 2 extension gallery.
Wrapping it up
This release of WebMatrix 2 supports making apps ASP.NET, PHP, and node.js. You can download WebMatrix free. Let the team know if you have any feedback. Thanks Justin for helping me with some details and screenshots on this post!
Related Links
Sponsor: Thanks to DevExpress for sponsoring this week's feed. Multi-channel experiences made easy: Discover DXTREME. Delight your users with apps designed expressly for their device. DXTREME, multi-channel tools build stunning apps across devices & optimize for the best of each platform, from Win8 to the iPhone. And, the powerful HTML5, CSS and JavaScript tools in DXTREME also build interactive web apps. |
Chinese billionaire warns Trump about losing US jobs
The billionaire owner of China's property-to-entertainment conglomerate Wanda Group has warned Donald Trump that over 20,000 US jobs would be put at risk if the US president-elect mishandles Chinese investment in the country.
"I have over $10 billion investment in the United States and employ over 20,000 people," Wanda's CEO Wang Jianlin said in a forum over the weekend, according to a transcript posted Saturday to the company's official site.
"If things are mishandled, they will have nothing to eat," he added.
China's Wanda Group CEO Wang Jianlin says the future of its over 20,000 employees in the United States could be threatened "if things are mishandled" ©FREDERIC J. BROWN (AFP/File)
Wang said he had asked Chris Dodd, chairman of the Motion Picture Association of America, to deliver his message to Trump.
He was responding to a question about US lawmakers' increasing scrutiny of Chinese acquisitions of American entertainment assets.
"At least in the movie and TV industry, you have to realise that English-language films rely on their Chinese box office for growth," Wang added.
Chinese firms have been on a high-profile overseas acquisition spree in recent years, snapping up leading film studios and television production companies.
Some US lawmakers have said that the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, a government group tasked with assessing the national security implications of foreign investments, should examine the deals, including Wanda's.
Wanda bought US movie theatre chain AMC for $2.6 billion in 2012, which in turn acquired the London-based Odeon & UCI cinema group this year in a deal worth around $1.2 billion.
In January, Wanda spent $3.5 billion to purchase Legendary Entertainment, the company behind the "Batman" trilogy and "Jurassic World", as well as the upcoming "The Great Wall", starring Matt Damon and directed by Chinese filmmaker Zhang Yimou.
In November, it acquired the maker of the Golden Globes awards show, Dick Clark Productions, for "approximately $1 billion".
Wang said the attention from the US Congress reflected the Chinese company's growing influence in the country. |
Daily Activity
W elcome back to the Magic: The Gathering Sealed Deck Builder! This week, we feature a sealed pool with 6 Theros booster packs.
Tips on Using the Sealed Deck Builder
When you start the application, you'll see all your cards in a Card Pool tray. If you can't see all the cards in your pool, you can expand the size of your tray by dragging black tool bar upward.
Drag cards from this tray to the field of columns at the top to build your deck. You can hold Shift to move a stack of cards at once, or use Control (Command on Mac) to select and move specific cards together.
When you’re done choosing cards for your deck, add some basic lands with the "Add Land" tray.
When you've completed your deck, click "Share" (in the top right corner) to post your deck build on our forums and compare strategies!
By using a combination of the Sort and Hide options, you can quickly get an idea of what your build will be like. Want to see the distribution of creature costs? Sort by Cost, and hide all non-creature cards. Want to easily hide non-red cards? Hold Control and click the red hide button (it will auto-hide all other colors.) Hold Shift while clicking any hide option, and it will unhide all cards.
For more tips and specific explanations while using the application, click "Help" in the bottom right corner. This will turn on a tip roll-over function to guide you through your fist build.
For the best performance, use Firefox or Chrome. Currently, the Sealed Deck Builder is not compatible with any mobile browsers. |
Sydney coach John Longmire faces a month-long selection headache, as the AFL's reigning premiers determine just who of their young guns are playing on borrowed time.
Longmire revealed on Tuesday that injured trio Adam Goodes (knee), Lewis Jetta (shin) and Sam Reid (quad) - all walk-up starters when fit - are 3-4 weeks away from senior selection.
At best, they'll return for the Swans' round-22 clash with Geelong but, realistically, it's more likely to be Hawthorn six days later or week one of the finals.
Whenever it comes, Longmire will have to make room and it won't be easy.
Incumbents Jed Lamb, Brandon Jack and Tom Mitchell are the least experienced in the team, but all have impressed for the second-placed Swans after making debuts earlier this season. |
Please help me.
I write this out of regret. Ever since I was little, my older brother has been sexually abusing me for years now. I have three older brothers and the culprit is the oldest. He's five years older than me.
In my second year of junior high school, he penetrated me and began sexually abusing me more than most married couples would have sex.
My mother worked as a teacher at a school far from home so she was always busy tending to her job and our home. As I was the youngest maknae, she left me to the care of my oldest brother. From taking me to daycare to school, to washing me, feeding me... my brother did everything from changing my panties to helping me with my homework. I remember he was in charge of everything regarding me.
Ever since I was little, I remember him touching me a lot. I was still a young child then and I thought it was just because he loved me as the maknae. And unlike now, we did not live in a generation where we could talk openly of sex so I was ignorant and did not suspect anything of his actions when I was an elementary school student.
However, once I became a junior high school student, I realized something was wrong. I could not do anything about it because they had been actions I had dealt with all my life.
My brother was of a higher position than even my father in our home. His presence was scary and difficult to handle. If my brother claimed something was right, it had to be right. No matter if something was white, it was black if my brother said it was.
My mother put all of her trust and anticipation into my brother. He was a top student who never ranked below #1 or #2 in his school, and on days where he was mad or frustrated, our entire home would feel the consequences.
I remember when my brother was frustrated from studying one day, he went into the kitchen and threw a glass cup. He even threw a container of kimchi my mother had been making... but my mother was busy hiding all of this from my father, hiding her tears, and making sure that my brother was never bothered.
At one point, my brother didn't even hesitate swearing at her to her face. That's how powerful of a figure he was in our home. In a home like this, it was impossible for me as the maknae to rebel against him.
When I was in my second year of junior high, my brother was a high school senior. My home became even more obsessed with making sure we did not bother him. As my parents had anticipated, my brother was accepted into med school and now that he had more time after his test, he began sexually abusing me more than most couples would have sex.
In my first year of junior high school, I got two questions wrong on my math exam, causing him to hit my butt and thighs over 100 times with a tennis bat. My mother, however, took his side and yelled at me as well.
I could not tell anyone about the things happening to me and spent my adolescence under the rule of my scary brother. It was a painful time for me as I had no idea who I was. I had no life of my own.
As I matured and my body became more of that of a woman's, I attempted suicide multiple times. That is the only memory I have of my youth. While other girls grew up with anticipations and dreams of their future, I grew up attempting suicide and mutilating myself.
In my second year of high school, my home room teacher said we could write anything we wanted to say so I used an alias and wrote that I thought I was pregnant and asked for help. The teacher found me but deemed it as a prank. I couldn't tell anyone or ask anyone for help, and that's how I grew up... I realized that the only way to escape this hell was to get into college in another district.
Unfortunately, my college was only an hour and a half away from home so I had to visit home during the weekends and breaks. As a college student, I attempted to rebel against my brother but the sexual abuse continued, along with swears and more assault.
In my sophomore year of college, I became pregnant with his child. Scared, I ran away to a single mother's association but my mother found me somehow and forced me to get an abortion and go back to school.
Every break, I'd run away to a relative's house, my friend's, or the library until I graduated from college.
When I turned 26, my mother arranged a marriage for me. I thought I could finally escape from my brother's grasp but having been exposed to so much sexual abuse and an abortion, it was difficult for me to get pregnant. We tried test tubes multiple times until I gave birth to twins in 2002, six years into my marriage.
In 2006, the year my kids turned five, my brother came to my home and assaulted me after checking that my kids were asleep, beginning the sexual abuse once again. I attempted to fight back but I was scared of waking my kids and could not do anything as he abused me.
At the time, my brother was building a new hospital and had asked my husband to work with him. My husband was a doctor himself and my brother needed his help. He promised that all of the income from his department would be given to him and that he would even buy him a house. All he asked for was his synergy in developing the department.
After raping me, my brother threatened to continue raping me until I persuaded my husband to join his hospital. He threatened to break my marriage as well. A few days later, he really did come back... but my kids were not sleeping. He came into the kitchen and touched beneath me while my kids were playing and left it at that.
Scared that my husband would find out, I begged him to join my brother. He agreed and we eventually moved for the hospital's opening in 2007. Everything, however, was a lie my brother had made up to use us. Unlike his promise, my husband was not given the income but a salary and put in hundreds of thousands in debt. My husband had a stroke from the stress and ended up quitting no less than four months since joining.
I was so angry... as if what he did to me wasn't enough, he put my husband at risk. I went to the hospital to argue with him but even there, he lifted my skirt and touch beneath there. All I could get out of him were the words, "Why would I share my benefits with you?"
My mother was always on my brother's side and called my husband swears for quitting so early into the hospital's opening. Our family ended up moving after being used... and I could not live from the psychological shock. To forget who I was, I became addicted to games and couldn't look after my own children. Attempting to commit suicide became a daily habit and I had to seek help.
My deteriorating mental condition eventually led to my divorce with my husband. I remarried... and the reason all of this came to light was because my second husband grew suspicious of my nightmares, my attempted suicides, weird actions...
Once he found out, he was angered, asking how a brother could do that to his only sister, how a human being could do that.. He sent those words to him in a text message and a few days later, my brother and my husband had a phone call for the first time.
He begged my husband to let him live, that he would be in trouble if this got out into the world, please let him live... and then he hung up, saying thank you, I'll take this call as your understanding. He never asked how I was doing or asked for my forgiveness. He merely asked that we let him live.
My husband gave him three days to come to our home and kneel in apology and ended the call there. Three days later, my brother never contacted us so I went to my parent's home. My parents, however, refused to let me in. They agreed to meet me outside the parking lot of a grocery store nearby.
They yelled at me, threatening me to kill myself... that I was causing all of this just because of a little touching my brother did. They accused me of wanting to live off of his money... I was never once let back inside their home.
As it turned out, my brother had already told my parents before I went to visit them. When even my own parents turned away from me, the realization made me so depressed. Honestly, my mother knew all along that I was being sexually abused.
I remember telling her once before so she knew that I was pregnant with his child at one point as well. She would often make me stay at a friend's house or the library so she must have known.
When I had told her, she did not react in any particular way. She had said, "So that's what happened... I'm sorry... mother could not protect you... no wonder he was always erect when he came out of your room.. I'm sorry..." and that was it. She never yelled at him, consoled me, or tried to get me help.
If only she had gotten me help, I would've never had to experience being sexually abused in front of my own children. The rage and torment I felt against my brother and mother... I had only wanted her to listen.. but they both stomped me to the ground.
So I went to the police straight away and filed a report against him for sexual abuse. I used the phone call with my husband along with phone calls to me as evidence.
While all of the police I showed it to agreed that my evidence proved my brother to be a bastard, that he was 100% guilty, my lawsuit was at a standstill for three months. I then received contact from the prosecutor saying that I did not have direct evidence. He said that I needed a recording of him directly saying that he sexually abused his younger sister. Funny thing is that he was the same person who had taken the evidence and called my brother a crazy bastard when he first heard it.
I suspect several reasons why: first, my second oldest brother works in public service, and second, my third oldest brother in the police. I feel that they influenced my case with my brother.
Currently, I unable to live life without medical help. I am so tormented knowing that even the law has ignored me. Living life and breathing is painful and I recently attempted suicide multiple times. I'd like to heal my wounds. I'd like to live a normal life.
Please help me.
Kuki News via NateA woman had reported her older brother for incest/rape but the court found him innocent of the charges due to there being a lack of evidence. Enraged, the woman took to the internet to plead her case, asking netizens for help.Full translation of her post:1. [+4,613, -26] The brother is not human but the mother even moreso. The mother is the biggest criminal in all this for doing nothing. So what if she's a teacher, she raised trash herself.2. [+4,087, -28] Wow, he's the most makjang trash I've ever heard of. And that mother gave birth to such trash... Her family must've been such hell for her.3. [+3,815, -40] Her brother's less than a dog but the mother's just as crazy. I hope that the reinvestigation makes him pay the consequences for his actions. Please find strength.4. [+395, -3] The mother's the worst. It scares me to think that a woman like that is a teacher.5. [+393, -6] I read the entire thing... and I can't even express my rage into words anymore. It feels like there's something lodged in my chest, it hurts to even breathe. I can't even begin to imagine how she must feel... If there's a god, please help her..6. [+332, -3] Hul, is the oppa a sociopath? And is she really their birth daughter? How can parents be like that to their own kid? And what has the father been doing this whole time?7. [+318, -3] Can't believe this is a true story... nevermind the oppa, the parents gave birth to that monster... No consequence could come close to what he would deserve.8. [+160, -5] He's a devil... Just kill him. Screw what the court says, just down some alcohol and go kill him.9. [+107, -2] All because society prioritizes grades and a high position in society, the family let their daughter rot in pain and embarrassment to make sure the oldest brother got all that he could to live a good life.10. [+106, -3] Can't believe I read the entire thing. How is he human? Any swear word isn't enough for him. |
The Senate GOP tax plan will propose to delay a corporate tax rate cut from 35% to 20% until 2019, breaking with Trump's preference that those cuts be effective immediately, The Washington Post reports, citing "four people briefed" on the plan. That also breaks with the House GOP plan, which would lower the rate next year.
Senators were briefed this morning on the Senate tax overhaul, which is expected to be introduced later Thursday. Separately, Sen. Bill Cassidy told reporters the Senate plan won't repeal the Affordable Care Act's individual mandate.
What it means: The delay on the corporate rate cut could lower the tax plan's cost by more than $100 billion, the paper says. Both House and Senate Republicans are working to keep the cost of their plans within the $1.5 trillion limit set by the budget.
(The first sentence of this article has been corrected to show the cut is to 20% not 30%.) |
Image caption Rudyard Kipling was one of the most popular writers in England in the late 19th and early 20th Centuries
More than 50 unpublished poems by Rudyard Kipling have been discovered by a US scholar.
Thomas Pinney found the manuscripts in a number of places including a Manhattan House that was being renovated and among the papers of a former head of the Cunard Line.
Pinney described it as a "tremendously exciting time for scholars and fans".
The poems will be published alongside 1,300 others in the first ever complete edition of Kipling's verse on 7 March.
Kipling, who lived from 1865 to 1936, was best known for his fictional short stories including The Jungle Book and poems Mandalay and If.
The newly discovered poems include several from World War I, including one titled Never Again In Any Port, as well as notes from a journal the writer kept on a tour of the war graves of Belgium and France in 1924.
Pinney, Emeritus Professor of English at Pomona College in California, said: "Kipling has long been neglected by scholars probably for political reasons. His texts have never properly been studied but things are starting to change.
"There is a treasure trove of uncollected, unpublished and unidentified work out there. I discovered another unrecorded item only recently and that sort of thing will keep happening."
One poem from 1899 comprises a diatribe against media intrusion titled The Press, which was one of Kipling's pet hates, echoing present day worries.
He wrote: "Had you friend a secret / Sorrow, shame or vice - / Have you promised not to tell / What's your lowest price? / All the housemaid fancied / All the butler guessed / Tell it to the public press / And we will do the rest."
There was also Kipling's comic verse, including an example written on a ship sailing from Adelaide to Ceylon, Sri Lanka, which is thought to have been read aloud by Kipling to those around him.
"It was a ship of the P&O / Put forth to sail the sea," he wrote, going on to show his frustration with the pace of the liner. "The children played on the rotten deck / A monthly growing band / Of sea-bred sin born innocents / That never knew the land."
Linda Bree, arts and literature editorial director at Cambridge University Press, said: "Kipling's If is one of the most popular poems in the English language, but this edition shows that he wrote much else to entertain, engage and challenge readers."
Kipling was born in Mumbai, India, and moved to England for schooling when he was five years old.
For much of the 20th Century, his reputation was damaged by his jingoistic imperialist views, with George Orwell describing him as "a prophet of British imperialism".
Poetry excerpts courtesy of The National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty. |
Hillary Clinton, presumptive Democratic Party nominee for the presidency, might have received a classified email on her personal account, according to a Fox News report. It’s another development in a long running scandal, where she has been criticized for keeping work-related emails on a private server during her time as Secretary of State.
A State Department message sent to Clinton on April 8, 2012, concerned the scheduling of a phone call with then-President of Malawi, Joyce Banda, and “to offer condolences on the passing of President [Bingu wa] Mutharika.” The State Department redacted several pages before releasing it. A label states it was classified on January 29, 2016, but there’s a line in the April 8 message (bottom of the first page), which shows the code, “C.” This may show it was already confidential. Clinton has previously said she didn’t send or receive any emails that had been classified at the time.
A Clinton campaign spokesman said it was only made confidential after she left office.
“This email was just a request for Secretary Clinton to make a phone call to express condolences over the passing of the President of Malawi,” Clinton campaign spokesman Brian Fallon told Fox News. “The fact that this email was classified after the fact suggests again that agencies in the government tend to err on the side of classifying even routine matters of diplomacy.”
This isn’t the first classified email linked to her private account. As of late February, a report had the total number at over 2,000.
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Follow Alberto Luperon on Twitter (@Alberto Luperon) |
• Executive vice-chairman said revenue is up to £42.3m • 'It's fair to say we are focused on strengthening the squad'
The Manchester United executive vice-chairman, Ed Woodward, said he is not "concerned" that failure to qualify for the Champions League for a prolonged period would affect commercial and financial strategy.
David Moyes is also expected to strengthen the squad with a minimum of four players in the summer, more signings than the club have made in recent years.
In a conference call with investors to discuss United's quarterly results, Woodward also stressed the club's digital strategy, citing how Juan Mata's £37.1m arrival last month increased the champions' Twitter followers by 288,000 – "14-fold" – and on Facebook "four-fold".
United are seventh in the table and if they lose at Arsenal and Liverpool beat Fulham on Wednesday evening they will be 12 points from a Champions League place.
Yet Woodward was bullish regarding how the prospect of not playing in the competition would affect United. When asked how long the club's financial strategy could continue without Champions League football, Woodward said: "The first thing I would say is our starting point [for] long-term strategy is to focus on building a competitive squad that challenges for trophies. Part of the financial strength we have and we have presented in the results today demonstrates that we have the ability to do that. We have the ability to buy players, to churn players, to make sure we are competing at the top level, which is what we should be doing.
"The second thing I'd say is that I think it takes a long time to build up a huge fan base, to have, if you like, the equity values of what we are as a business and a club projected out there so people can understand from a commercial perspective why it make sense to partner with us. And I don't think that will go away for a long time.
"Some of our competitors haven't won the Premier League for a long time but still sell a huge number of shirts – out there globally, some just down the road from us. So that's not something I'm sitting here concerned about. What I am focused on is that long-term strategy."
Regarding the prospect of Moyes' sizable rebuilding in the close season, Woodward, who would not offer the potential spend, said: "It's fair to say we are focused on strengthening the squad. We are looking at some players that perhaps we will sell this summer. We wouldn't necessarily be looking to churn a huge number of players as that can have a destabilising effect, but we aren't afraid of moving in the market in a way that perhaps we haven't seen in recent years.
"If you look at historic numbers [of new players recruited in previous summers] that gives you one guide; if you look at historic churning of players by numbers that gives you another guide. Historically we've had roughly three purchases and three sales each year and it's possible that we would do more than that. It is a dynamic situation and the market can throw up opportunities or the opposite of that as we go through the window."
Woodward also accepted that United are having a disappointing season, stating that "everyone from the team manager" is conscious of the club's poor performance.
He said: "We once again achieved a record revenue quarter with strong contributions from our commercial and broadcasting businesses despite the league position. We continue to see meaningful opportunities to grow our commercial business and the popularity of football on TV is leading to continued broadcasting revenue growth – all of which bodes well for the long-term stability and financial strength of our business. We are also very pleased to have added a world-class player in Juan Mata to our squad, who has already made a positive impact."
In the last three months of 2013 commercial revenue was up 18.8% to £42.3m. |
In the days since Harry Jaffa and Walter Berns passed away, the former’s angry disputes with his fellow Straussians have received a lot of commentary. There are those who say it was all quite childish. And you know, a lot of it was, precisely because the differences so often seemed small or, when examined closely, not really differences at all. Still, some of the differences are real enough to merit our close attention.
On the more general issue of which student of Strauss is more faithful to the true and complete teaching of Leo Strauss, the most obvious response is that the capable students of any great teacher always grab on to part of what he (or she) taught and confuse it with the whole. Marx and Hegel. Alexandre Kojève and Hegel. Maybe even Aristotle and Plato.
There are more complicated cases: Thomas Aquinas was an Aristotelian, in a way, who thought he was improving upon Aristotle. Frankly he sometimes did, even from a merely empirical view. Not giving that possibility more attention is the main shortcoming of Harry Jaffa’s otherwise quite remarkable commentary on Aristotle and Thomas (Thomism and Aristotelianism, 1949). And some outstanding students of Strauss, such as Stanley Rosen and Laurence Lampert, thought they had surpassed Strauss on key points. Maybe they did. But there’s little evidence they rose to his “pay grade” in the overall sense.
Strauss, a student of human nature if there ever was one, might have predicted that his followers would degenerate at times into quarrelsome sects. We can speculate that he would have been happy enough to see the sects named after two regions of his adopted country. He deliberately taught with the intent to create a proud cadre of American public intellectuals, and Strauss certainly must have felt some proper pride in his success.
All in all, the question of which Straussian or group of Straussians corresponds most perfectly to what the master actually thought shouldn’t be anyone’s bottom line. WW(L)ST? easily devolves into a silly question. More so: WWSD? He may or may not have, say, invaded Iraq. But it wouldn’t have been such a prudent move to leave that decision to the Strauss who had so many legendary practical “issues” even in the details of ordinary life. Straussians—including Berns and Jaffa—have disagreed on the prudence of invading Iraq and on about every other issue of “public policy.”
It is by Strauss, in fact, that we are so effectively reminded that in real life the best thinkers often stink at being “deciders.” There’s the extreme case of Heidegger. It might be the case (I actually doubt it) that Rousseau was a much greater thinker than Burke. But Burke was a pretty perfect decider; he was almost never wrong in his practical judgments. And the same observations can be made on the relationship between Kojève and Raymond Aron. Aron had an inferiority complex when it came to his status as a thinker in relation to both Kojève and Strauss, and it’s true enough that his theoretical efforts only soared so high. Most of Aron’s intellectual exertions were in the service of responsible political choices, and he remained clear-headed in situations when more gifted theorists were wont to disconnect theoretical aspirations from responsible, genuinely realistic practical judgment and the moral responsibility we all share.
Many Straussians seem to have learned from Leo Strauss that the philosopher—such as Strauss himself—is a “perfect man,” because he is an “investigator.” Even in that view, perfect doesn’t mean perfect in every way. The investigator, that is, ought not be confused with the wise man.
Most Straussians, it’s true, are more appreciative than not of the effectiveness of Enlightenment philosophers from Machiavelli onward in imposing a kind of humane if low-level political rationalism on the world. But those Straussians also remind us that the wise philosopher-king only exists in a book and is not to be confused with Socrates himself. The Enlightenment project was animated by an unwarranted confidence that those philosophers knew what they were doing.
Certainly their “anti-theological ire” and often rather complacent atheism shouldn’t be confused with forms of knowledge. And the later great philosophers who actually saw the results of enlightenment were generally in rebellion against a world in which God is dead and the moral and political worlds had been emptied of humanly worthy content. Here we Straussians think of Rousseau, Nietzsche, Heidegger, and the ambiguous case of Marx. But we also have to think of the young man Leo Strauss himself.
To return to Jaffa: Let me begin by admitting that, in the disputes he got into with all of the others, I always had a soft spot for Harry, whether or not he was actually right on this or that theoretical issue. And maybe even when his practical judgments were just wrong.
He was surely the most puritanical of the Straussians. He shared the contemporary form of puritanical moralism when it came to health, being a teetotaler, fierce objector to smoking, and extremist regarding personal fitness. As a result of his puritanical personal regimen (showing that extremism in pursuit of health is no vice), he made it to 96. Transhumanists such as our friend Peter Thiel who hope to make it to the Singularity have a lot to learn from Jaffa. (Well, Berns made it to 95 even with his love of scotch.)
Jaffa was also quite the moralist when it came to “traditional family values.” His theoretical disputes with his fellow Straussians were mixed up with concerns about divorce, the gay lifestyle, and so forth. He avidly went after anyone who seemed to talk up public Epicureanism. That’s why he seemingly overreacted when Berns said what is actually true—that America and liberalism generally owe a huge debt to Hobbes. And that’s why he seemingly overreacted when Allan Bloom and Thomas Pangle implied that the only way to lead an undeceived life was to pursue the playful erotic self-indulgence of the philosopher. Morality, from that Epicurean view, is for suckers. According to Jaffa, however, Aristotle and the Bible were actually in perfect agreement in teaching that the moral life is for us all.
Jaffa seemed never to think that extremism—in speech—in defense of liberty was a vice. His best efforts were always directed against anyone who shared Stephen Douglas’s fault of moral indifference. He could readily put Douglas’s, Scalia’s, and Taney’s “positivism” on the same page, and he let it be known that any positivist or traditionalist was, in principle, as soft on slavery as John C. Calhoun.
It is yet another form of positivism for a philosopher to distinguish, especially too radically or complacently, between the transpolitical truth of philosophy and the mere conventionalism of any particular political order. For Jaffa, the absolute truth of the principles of the Declaration of Independence was in constant need of unironic or un-exoteric political defense. That defense had to be authentically rational and authentically spirited. We remember it was Strauss’s class on the Nicomachean Ethics that turned Jaffa around, or turned him on to political philosophy. The man of moral virtue knows and practices the virtues—beginning with courage, magnanimity, and justice—as someone who proudly embraces the responsibilities given him as the rational animal.
In each of his spirited philosophic quarrels with his fellow Straussians, Jaffa was, I think, highlighting a real problem in “Straussianism,” whether or not he was fair in his criticisms. And his remedy was absolute dedication to political equality, a devotion that depends on an insight about irreducible personal significance that is, in fact, Biblical. Political equality depends upon natural equality, on an unironic affirmation of the truth that all men are created equal.
As Tocqueville tells us, a devotion to political equality that was both somewhat Aristotelian and very Biblical was singularly characteristic of the original American Puritans. Tocqueville’s criticism of the Puritans turned out to be that they weren’t Christian enough—that is, that they were too focused on the legalism of Exodus, Leviticus and Deuteronomy at the expense of the teaching of Jesus that was far from reducing even sin to a crime. Jaffa of course was hardly as puritanical as the Puritans, but he, like Lincoln, owed them something.
In the end, the political philosophy of Harry Jaffa is vulnerable to challenge from a Straussian, or a Thomistic, or a puritanical point of view. The objection that could be lodged is: does his philosophic American Founding really, in all honesty, give his moral dedication an adequate foundation? That, after all, is the objection that Lincoln himself may have had to the Founders—as is so memorably revealed in Jaffa’s Crisis of the House Divided. Jaffa, of course came to believe he had misunderstood both the Founders and Lincoln. Another way of expressing this egalitarian objection to the allegedly excessively self-interested and un-civic founding philosophy can be found in the work of the great neo-puritanical political thinker of our time, the late Carey McWilliams.
Maybe it would have been better and truer for Jaffa to highlight the irreducibly puritanical (Calvinist/Christian) contribution to the legislative compromise that was the Declaration. And maybe it would have been better to take more seriously Thomas’ criticisms of parts of Aristotle’s Ethics. The magnanimous man, as Aristotle admits, averts his eyes from his debts or what he has been given; in fact, he doesn’t wonder about who he is. Chastening pride with gratitude, as Thomas contends, is the route to a more realistic understanding of the relationship between human greatness and human equality.
But to give Jaffa the credit he’s due, the evolution of his thought was in the Thomistic direction of harmonizing reason and revelation—and not only on the level of morality. |
This is special. The Great Barrier Reef is home to almost 6000 species. Thanks to GoPro, here’s what the journey through it looks like for one of them: a turtle’s eye view of the Reef.
THEY are arguably the Great Barrier Reef’s least welcome inhabitants.
For four decades the reef has suffered plagues of the dreaded crown-of-thorns starfish, a prickly, venomous invertebrate that feeds on hard coral and annihilates marine communities.
So severe has the impact of these starfish been, the Australian Institute of Marine Science regards them as one of the two biggest threats posed to coral on the Great Barrier Reef, along with tropical cyclones.
Now researchers say they’ve found the simple ingredient that could wipe them out for good: vinegar.
A small injection has proved a deadly poison for the pest, wiping them out in just 48 hours.
Vinega has been used before, but scientists from Queensland’s James Cook University have refined the process to result in a 100 per cent kill rate, according to a new research paper.
And it’s a much cheaper alternative to ox bile, the current poison used by divers, lead author Lisa Bostrom-Einarsson said.
“(Ox bile) is expensive, requires permits and has to be mixed to the right concentration,” she said.
“We used 20 millilitres of vinegar, which is half the price and can be bought off the shelf at any local supermarket.”
The revelation came days after experts handed down a damning new report card on the state of the Great Barrier Reef.
While lab trials found no bad effect, Ms Bostrom-Einarsson said the next step was a large-scale sea trial to ensure the killing process wouldn’t harm other marine life.
“There’s no reason to think it won’t work or it’ll be dangerous, but we have to be sure,” she said.
Ms Bostrom-Einarsson said killing off one starfish at a time wasn’t an effective way to save coral reefs by itself but was the only method available.
She said divers managed to wipe out about 350,000 crown-of-thorns starfish on the Great Barrier Reef last year with two fulltime boat crews, but there were estimated to be about four to 12 million of them on the reef, with each female able to produce about 65 million eggs in a single breeding season.
“While it would take an insane effort to cull them all that way, we know that sustained efforts can save individual reefs,” Ms Bostrom-Einarsson said.
The sea trial is expected to begin by the end of the year.
As well as crown-of-thorns starfish outbreaks, pollution, overfishing and climate change have been flagged as the biggest threats to reef health.
Reef health earns a C-
The Great Barrier Reef earned a C-minus in a bleak new report card highlighting the poor condition of the inshore marine environment and the need for farmers to reduce pollutants flowing into the reef.
It vindicated the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO)’s ongoing concern about the health of the natural wonder, Queensland Environment Minister Steven Miles said.
“I’d say that if one of my kids came home with a report card like this, I’d be a bit disappointed,” he said at a RiverSymposium event in Brisbane on Monday.
“There’s more bad news here than good news.”
The report card monitored the reef from 2009 to 2014. There were some positive notes: sediment in the reef has reduced by 12 per cent, nutrients by 17 per cent and pesticide loads by 30 per cent.
But the report found that the progress had been sluggish and well behind the Queensland government’s water quality targets.
Only 25 per cent of farmers had adopted best management practice for reducing run-off, which includes pulling back on fertilisers. Graziers were exceeding their targets but sugar cane farmers were falling behind.
Dr Miles blamed the previous Newman government, noting all progress towards targets flatlined in 2013 and 2014.
“It does show that progress on meeting our targets had stalled,” he said.
But Deputy Opposition Leader John-Paul Langbroek defended the Liberal-National Party’s record, saying it had done more for the reef than any previous government.
“We commenced the work and it’s now important for everyone to work together,” he said.
Agriculturalists also defended their role, with Matt Kealley from peak lobby group Canegrowers arguing the target to reduce nitrogen run-off by 80 per cent by 2025 was a challenging one.
“I think targets are very ambitious” he told ABC News. “I’m not sure if we’ll meet them, but obviously the industry is there to play its part and do its part to try and get to improve water quality for the reef.
“I don’t agree with most of the nutrients coming from the sugar cane industry — we play our part, and we’re improving our practice all the time.”
The Queensland Government is spending $100 million over five years on reaching the targets.
World Wildlife Fund spokesman Sean Hoobin said the report constituted “a clear fail” for previous programs.
The world is watching
Earlier this year UNESCO spared Australia considerable embarrassment by leaving the Great Barrier Reef off its “in danger” list of shame, despite ongoing threats, opting instead to closely monitor it.
But it wants Australia to give an update on its Reef 2050 plan to the World Heritage Centre by December next year.
Last year Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio set off a cringe felt Australia-wide when he criticised the state of the reef.
“Since my very first dive in the Great Barrier Reef in Australia 20 years ago, to the dive I got to do in the very same location just two years ago, I’ve witnessed environmental devastation first-hand,” the actor and environmental activist said at an Ocean Conference in June last year.
“What once had looked like an endless underwater utopia is now riddled with bleached coral reefs and massive dead zones.”
DiCaprio went on the warn: “Unfortunately today, there’s no proper law enforcement capacity and little accountability for violating the law. It’s the Wild West on the high seas.”
In June actor Mark Ruffalo threw his weight in, tweeting a link to the Greenpeace website takeanotherlook.gp, which states the reef is “under threat from the coal industry”.
The Avengers star tweeted: “Coal & coral don’t mix. Join the movement to save the Great Barrier Reef”, alongside a photograph of himself smiling and holding up a sign that read “#savethereef”.
Before the UNESCO decision, billionaire businessman Richard Branson came under fire for saying the reef was being turned into an “industrial dumping ground”.
Sir Richard backed away from his comments after being accused of “trashing” the reef’s reputation, admitting he did not realise the Queensland Government had set targets in an effort to protect the reef.
“This is a very shabby intervention by a very rich businessman who makes a lot of money out of the Queensland economy and then has turned on the Queensland economy and set us up for a very bad outcome from the World Heritage Committee,” Queensland Resources Council chief Michael Roche fired back.
The reef still has its many big-name fans, including singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran, who told Sunrise host David Koch this month diving in the Great Barrier Reef was on his bucket list.
In response, Tourism Tropical North Queensland invited the star, who is touring Australia in November and December, to fly to the region for a VIP trip.
“We would love Ed Sheeran to be an ambassador for Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef and would happily pay for his flight and accommodation in return,” TTNQ chief Alex de Waal said. |
Breaking News Emails Get breaking news alerts and special reports. The news and stories that matter, delivered weekday mornings.
March 31, 2016, 12:57 PM GMT / Updated March 31, 2016, 12:57 PM GMT By Chuck Todd and Carrie Dann
First Read is a morning briefing from Meet the Press and the NBC Political Unit on the day's most important political stories and why they matter.
Why Trump’s flip-flops matter: In the space of hours yesterday, Donald Trump made a complete walk-back of his controversial comments on MSNBC suggesting that he would advocate punishment for women seeking abortions. He went from saying "there has to be some form of punishment, yeah” to "the doctor or any other person performing this illegal act upon a woman would be held legally responsible, not the woman.” Throughout the campaign, instances of Trump changing or amending a statement – or at least enduring withering criticism from within his own party for something he said -- have become routine. On nearly a weekly basis now, downballot Republicans are facing maddening political choices as they’re asked to comment on Trump’s constantly-changing policy positions and shocking pronouncements. And the constant whiplash makes for a compelling case for those inside the party who say it’s worth risking the backlash with Trump voters by doing whatever it takes to stop him. By the fall, can Republicans running downballot really afford to respond almost daily to something Trump said? It’s been tough enough this spring, and it’s only going to get more complicated.
Revisiting the controversies: It’s a particularly apt moment to revisit the cases when Trump has either dramatically changed a controversial position in a short period of time or said something so contentious that condemnations from his own party came as fast and furious as they did yesterday. Here’s a list from an extensive sampling of Trump’s reversals and the comments that drew the most intra-party criticism.
June 2015: On Mexican immigrants: “They’re bringing drugs, they’re bringing crime, they’re rapists.”
GOP critics included: Marco Rubio, Rick Perry and Jeb Bush
July 2015: On John McCain: “I like people who weren’t captured.”
GOP critics included: Scott Walker, Marco Rubio and the Republican National Committee
August 2015: On Megyn Kelly: “There was …. blood coming out of her, wherever.”
GOP critics included: Erick Erickson, Mike Huckabee, Carly Fiorina
August 2015: On health care: "As far as single-payer, it works in Canada.”
(He’s amended his positions on health care numerous times)
GOP critics included Erick Erickson, Rick Perry, Reid Ribble
September 2016: On Carly Fiorina: “Look at that face!”
(He later said he was referring to Fiorina’s “persona.”)
GOP critics included: Scott Walker, Jeb Bush
November 2015: On 9/11: “Thousands and thousands of people were cheering as that building was coming down.”
GOP critics included: George Pataki, Jeb Bush
December 2015: On Muslims: Enact "a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States.”
GOP critics included: Reince Priebus, Paul Ryan, Dick Cheney
February 2016: On David Duke’s endorsement: "I know nothing about David Duke.”
GOP critics included: Tim Scott, Mitch McConnell, Paul Ryan
February 2016: On waterboarding: “Torture works.”
GOP critics included: Michael Hayden, Lindsey Graham
March 2016: On Muslims: "I think Islam hates us.”
GOP critics included Marco Rubio, Jeff Flake
March 2016: On military leaders and torture: “When I say they’ll do as I tell them, they’ll do as I tell them.”
(He later clarified to say he acknowledges international laws.)
GOP critics included: A group of 70 Republican foreign policy experts who penned an open letter to Trump on the subject
March 2016: On women seeking an abortion: “There has to be some form of punishment, yeah.”
(He changed his position within hours)
GOP critics included: SBA List, March for Life, Ted Cruz
Marquette poll shows Cruz ahead
Yesterday’s Marquette University Law School poll in Wisconsin showed a pretty significant lead for Ted Cruz in the state, where the Texas senator has gone from trailing Trump badly in February to leading him by 10 points. There are a couple of smart theories out there about why Trump – who could have been tailor-made for a state with a high population of working class and small town conservatives – may be struggling there. As Dave Catanese pointed out yesterday, the same hugely influential conservative radio hosts who helped propel Scott Walker to power have been pummeling Trump, one reason why the frontrunner’s cringe-worthy interview with host Charlie Sykes was so noteworthy. And another smart GOP strategist made this point to us: “One thing about Wisconsin that is unique: There is no civil war in the GOP. Instead, they had a war with the Democrats (over Walker’s budget control act.) It galvanized our side TOGETHER against the bad guys.” If Trump loses big in the Badger State, it will be because the conservative divisions there weren’t deep enough for him to exploit as he has in other places. Also, keep in mind that there is a kind of civility to Wisconsin politics, not unlike there is in states like Iowa and Minnesota – two other states where Trump struggled.
Another big fundraising number for Sanders
NBC’s Kasie Hunt reports this morning that Bernie Sanders has raised close to $40 million so far in March, with the goal of hitting a total of $43.5 million to beat the campaign’s record haul in February. There’s no question that his ability to haul in grassroots cash makes him a powerful threat, even as he trails Clinton in the pledged and overall delegate counts. But it’s also worth noting that Sanders’ fundraising ability that may not ever translate into a boon for the party overall. When our colleague Rachel Maddow asked Sanders in an interview yesterday whether he would consider raising money for House and Senate campaign committees, as Clinton has been doing, Sanders was noncommittal. “Well, we'll see,” he said. “And, I mean right now, again, our focus is on winning the nomination. Secretary Clinton has access to kinds of money, that we don't, that we're not even interested in. So let's take it one step at a time.”
On the trail
Bernie Sanders talks trade in Pittsburgh and holds a rally in the Bronx. Bill and Hillary Clinton both campaign in New York. |
As far back as I can remember, I was told I would grow up to be an artist. By age six, my obsessively detailed renderings of Mechagodzilla, et al. were already drawing attention from adults. By the time I was eight years old, my parents had been persuaded by teachers and friends to enroll me in private art lessons.
I recall the informal "admissions test" with my first art instructor. A scale model of a bull was placed in front of me on a table and I was asked to draw it. The plastic bull was a faithful reproduction, full of muscles and knobby joints. It was an ugly, forlorn thing, far removed from my normal subject matter. After a few minutes, the resulting drawing was roughly in proportion, the details were well represented, and the perspective was pretty close. I was in.
Thus began eight years of regular art instruction. I progressed from pencils and pastels to watercolors and acrylics, and finally to oils. The content was mostly classical: lots of still lifes and landscapes. Meanwhile, back at home, I slowly covered my bedroom walls (and some of the ceiling) with colored-pencil and chalk-pastel recreations of Larry Elmore and Keith Parkinson book covers, fantasy calendar art, and as much imported Japanese animation as I could get my pre-Internet-suburban-child's hands on.
I enjoyed both the process and the results. But long before my art lessons stopped around age sixteen, I knew I would never be a professional artist. Partly, this was just a milder incarnation of other children's realizations that they would never be, say, Major League Baseball players. But the real turning point for me came with the onset of puberty and its accompanying compulsive self-analysis. I realized that I owed what success I had as an artist not to any specific art-related aptitude, but rather to a more general and completely orthogonal skill.
Drawing what you actually see—that is, drawing the plastic bull that's in front of you rather than the simplified, idealized image of a bull that's in your head—is something that does not come naturally to most people, let alone children. At its root, my gift was not the ability to draw what I saw. Rather, it was the ability to look at what I had drawn thus far and understand what was wrong with it.
By all accounts, Steve Jobs is no engineer. He was never a programming maven like Bill, nor was he a hardware wiz like Woz. On his own, Jobs could not create much of anything. But that's not his superpower.
While other children were satisfied with their loosely connected conglomerations of orbs and sticks, I saw something that bore little resemblance to its subject. And so, in my own work, I attempted to make the necessary corrections. When that failed, as it inevitably did, I started over. Again and again and again, each time making minor improvements, but all the while still seeing all the many ways that I had failed to persuade my body to produce the correct line or apply the appropriate coloring.
By my early teens, the truth of it was staring at me from the walls of my room, covered not with original artwork but with slavish reproductions of other works. Copying completed two-dimensional images played perfectly to my actual strengths. It was a trick. All that praise for my work and all those expectations for my future career in art were simply misattributions of my talent.
I was like Wolverine, whose superpower is not his nigh-indestructible skeleton or super-sharp metal claws, but rather his body's ability to heal, which made his surgical augmentation possible, and which allows those claws to repeatedly pierce his hands without causing permanent injury.
If ignorance is bliss…
This acute awareness of deficiencies colors all my memories of childhood. Toys, in particular, were a focal point of dissatisfaction. I didn't understand why toy manufacturers couldn't see the countless ways that their products differed from the on-screen characters, machinery, or structures that they were based on. Transforming toys were the biggest offenders, as it was often physically impossible for all configurations to look correct. (I would have been satisfied with just one, but even that rarely happened.)
But my scrutiny was not limited to my own artwork or the products of multinational conglomerates. Oh no, it extended to everything I encountered. This pasta is slightly over-cooked. The top of that door frame is not level. Some paint from that wall got onto the ceiling. Text displayed in 9-point Monaco exhibits a recurring one-pixel spacing anomaly in this operating system. Ahem.
Now, at this point, it's reasonable to ask, "Have you considered the possibility that you're just an excessively critical jerk?" I can tell you that, over the years, I have dwelled quite a bit on my…"peculiar predisposition," let's call it.
The drawbacks are obvious. Knowing what's wrong with something (or thinking that you do, which, for the purposes of this discussion, should be considered the same thing) does a fat lot of good if you lack the skills to correct it. And thinking that you know what's wrong with everything requires significant impulse control if you want to avoid pissing off everyone you meet.
But much worse than that, it means that everything you ever create appears to you as an accumulation of defeats. "Here's where I gave up trying to get that part right and moved on to the next part." Because at every turn, it's apparent to you exactly how poorly executed your work-in-progress is, and how far short it will inevitably fall when completed. But surrender you must, at each step of the process, because the alternative is to never complete anything—or to never start at all. |
Prenda Wants Another Judge Who Ruled Against Them Disqualified Because He Gave A Speech
from the same-old-bag-of-tricks dept
The e-mail further discloses information about the settlement demands in this case. Yet, Plaintiff’s settlement demands were filed under seal by order of the district court. The e-mail’s author appears to be in possession of non-public sealed information, which a reasonable person might conclude was furnished by the Magistrate Judge, even if it was not.
One of the many (weak) tricks in the big ol' Prenda "bag of tricks" is to accuse judges who rule against them of bias, and try to get them thrown off the case . It hasn't worked so far, but the Prenda spirit seems to be to never, ever, ever give up trying the same old bogus crap. So here we are with Paul Hansmeier trying to get magistrate judge Franklin Noel disqualified from the case in Minnesota where he's been a giant pain in the ass for Team Prenda , because he's been digging into their actions to determine if a bunch of Minnesota lawsuits were actually fraud on the court. Noel's been pretty careful and methodical, even as Team Prenda has done their usual tapdance. Remember, Judge Noel was the one who ordered them to show up in court with someone who could answer questions -- and Prenda failed to produce Mark Lutz (who, as far as I can tell, is still missing).So what was Noel's big crime that should get him thrown off the case? Apparently it was giving a talk about copyright trolls and some of the details of Prenda to the Student Federal Bar Association at the University of Minnesota Law School (added bonus: Paul Hansmeier and John Steele are alumni of that school). They claim that the talk is a form ofcommunication and shows that Judge Noel has "prejudged" them in part because the emailed description of the event mentioned Prenda's "bad behavior." Even as they admit that Noel probably didn't write the email, they say it's guilt by association.They also claim that the emailed announcement contains details that Hansmeier insists were only filed under seal in the cases -- suggesting that Judge Noel may have revealed that information:Of course, the information on settlement demands by Team Prenda can be found widely online. Hansmeier leaves that bit out, of course.Hansmeier continues to flail wildly around, arguing that Judge Noel has clearly beenincluding those "created by individuals who have been caught infringing" because "many of his comments echoed criticisms" on those blogs. Of course, what Hansmeier leaves out is that those same criticisms have now been validated byfederal courts. It is not, in any way, out of turn for Judge Noel to make note of that. Later, Hansmeier argues that the cases have generated "notoriety" and uses the example that a letter he sent the judge "was the subject of an immediate feature story on several pirate websites." As far as I know, we here at Techdirt were actually the first to write about that letter. I know Ars Technica picked up on our story and wrote one as well . Neither of our sites are "pirate blogs." We're both media organizations that cover a variety of issues. Earlier in his filing, Hansmeier argued that these pirate blogs were all set up by people who had been accused of infringement. That's a blatantly false statement regarding us, and one hopes that Hansmeier will correct the record, though that seems unlikely.Back to the issue at hand, it does seem astrange, and perhaps unwise, for a judge to give a talk about a case that is still ongoing. But whether or not it actually qualifies for being disqualified from the case seems like a stretch. But, it is the Prenda way: flail and flail and flail some more.
Filed Under: copyright trolls, disqualify, franklin noel, john steele, paul hansmeier
Companies: af holdings, prenda, prenda law |
The Mets won’t get an opportunity to see their former prospect in person until early August, when they travel to Detroit. If Michael Fulmer is still running a scoreless innings streak by then, we’ll really have a story. For now, we have a neat anecdote, and an encouraging start to a career.
Fulmer, the Tigers’ rookie right-hander traded by the Mets in exchange for Yoenis Cespedes last year, hasn’t allowed a run in 28.1 innings. It’s a stretch of starts that’s gotten him compared (fairly or not*) to Jake Arrieta just nine games into his career. It’s a stretch of starts worthy of consideration, especially given Fulmer’s first four were nothing short of a disaster. Is the real Fulmer closer to those first four, closer to these recent five, or somewhere in between? What changed?
*Not.
Much has been made of the changeup. Manager Brad Ausmus even went so far as declare a sort of pitch-type ultimatum regarding the changeup and Fulmer’s long-term future as a starting pitcher in the big leagues.
From a piece by Catherine Slonksnis of Bless You Boys:
“It’s going to be enormous for him,” manager Brad Ausmus said after the game. “As a starter, if he’s going to be a starting pitcher longterm, I think the changeup or some other pitch like it is going to be very important for him against left-handed hitters.”
Fulmer’s held up his end of the deal. A two-pitch guy in the minors, Fulmer had always gotten by on just his fastball and slider. The Tigers wanted more changeups, and they got more changeups:
The red line marks the start of Fulmer’s dominance. To the left of the red line: 7% changeups, 6.52 ERA. To the right of the red line: 18% changeups, 0.26 ERA. It’d be silly to think the changeup’s been responsible for the entire emergence, but it’s certainly played a role. Fulmer said something “just clicked.” Now, it’s served as a legitimate out pitch. The 40% whiff rate is well above average for a starting pitcher. He’s trusting it against right-handed batters on the first pitch, with two strikes, and everywhere in between. The location’s improved the more he’s thrown it:
And then there’s this. You remember Jeff Sullivan’s pitch-comp exercise? It’s mostly just for fun, but I wanted to have some fun with Fulmer’s changeup, so I pulled this trick out of the bag. Mostly I was just curious, but when the numbers showed up the way they did, I couldn’t not post them:
The Closest Changeups to Michael Fulmer’s Player Velo H Mov V Mov Spin Michael Fulmer 86.6 7.1 1.9 1772 Felix Hernandez 87.5 7.4 0.8 1825 Zack Greinke 88.8 7.1 2.8 1749 Chris Archer 87.6 7.2 3.7 1795 Corey Kluber 86.3 6.6 3.2 1684 AVERAGE 87.4 7.1 2.5 1765
The first two names are the names that really matter, because the first two names have reputations as two of the best changeup-throwers in baseball. Of course, there’s a major limitation here, and that’s that Felix and Greinke’s changeups are so good because of how they play off the respective fastballs. Felix and Greinke both throw in the low 90s, making their hard changeups resemble their fastballs almost to a T. This is what makes them so effective, not necessarily the movement. Greinke worked for years to get as little velocity separation as possible. Fulmer’s got a 10-mph gap. But he also gets as much arm-side run on the change as Felix and Greinke! And he gets as much drop!
He’s also got a fastball that shares movement traits with Greinke. The fastball goes 96 on average — one of the 10 hardest thrown four-seamers in baseball this year. But where it really sticks out is its “rise” — 10 inches more than a ball thrown without spin.
It’s the same kind of rise Greinke’s four-seamer gets. It’s the same kind of movement in general that Greinke’s four-seamer gets, just with an additional 5 mph of life:
Four-seam fastball movement characteristics
Fulmer : 1.3″ horizontal, 10.5″ vertical, 2,343 RPM
: 1.3″ horizontal, 10.5″ vertical, 2,343 RPM Greinke: 1.6″ horizontal, 10.1″ vertical, 2,397 RPM
This actually makes our Greinke changeup comp from earlier look a little better. The velocity may be off — and the velocity may be the most important factor to the success of Greinke’s changeup — but at least they share the same movement separation between their fastball and changeup. All that separates the two is a velocity gap of about 7 mph. That’s not bad for a pitch that Fulmer didn’t trust to throw against same-handed batters just a couple weeks back.
And of course, this is to say nothing of his slider, another pitch getting above-average whiff rates, the pitch that’s been his true out pitch all along. To say little of the fastball with excellent rise that Fulmer wisely elevates in the zone about two-thirds of time, one of the highest rates in baseball this season and right on par with his teammate Justin Verlander, who throws a similarly high-rising heater. The changeup was just the side project, the pitch that needed to come along eventually. It might already be here.
Fulmer thus far has actually been better against lefties than he’s been against righties. He’s held lefties to a wOBA of just .243, while a handful of home runs to righties have his wOBA against same-handed batters at .302. That won’t last forever, of course, but for a guy with the kind of fastball/slider combination that Fulmer possesses, the right-handers shouldn’t be a problem. The challenge that Fulmer had been issued was to throw a good enough changeup to keep left-handed hitters at bay. Thus far, he’s showing that challenge to be one he can handle. |
Mark Byrnes/CityLab
The first part in a series exploring little-seen contributions to cartography.
In the 1970s, early in her career as map librarian at the New York Public Library, Alice Hudson started researching women mapmakers throughout history. With few other women in her chosen field, she wondered how many had come before her. “I thought I might find 10,” she tells CityLab. But over the years, as she combed through maps, censuses, newspapers, and tips from colleagues, she was amazed by how many women there were in the early days of mapmaking. By the late ‘90s, she’d found over a thousand names of women who had drawn, published, printed, engraved, sold, or traded maps prior to 1900 alone. Reading mainstream history books, or even CityLab’s coverage of old maps, you might never know that women historically had much of a role at all in cartography. But really, they’ve been involved in mapmaking about as long as any man has. This week, I’ll present a selection of maps, profiles of mapmakers, and stories that testify to this history. Women have made maps to chart territories, educate students, sell propaganda, convey data, argue policy, and make art. In other words, women have made maps, period. And they continue to, as this century’s geospatial revolution turns.
Which women, and when? Mapmaking spans genders, centuries, cultures, and technologies. A complete history of women in cartography would require many volumes of pages, and possibly a graduate degree. To make this series sensible for online readers, I’ve narrowed my selection to works by women mapping North America over the past 300 years. Within this “small” range is a diversity of stories, styles, and approaches that, collected together, should provoke curiosity about the many more ways women have mapped the world. Women by another name
Cartography exploded in 17th- and 18th-century Europe, a period sometimes called the Age of Discovery. European explorers and settlers were competing for conquests and territory in the Americas, and navigational tools of all kinds proliferated and evolved in support of them. Women were involved in mapmaking during this time, though they almost invariably learned the trade through the men in their lives. Mary Ann Roque—who was among the first women Hudson discovered in her research—was one of these mapmakers. Long after her husband, John Roque, died in 1762, she carried on his prominent London map business, printing and selling maps of the world that he had drawn. One such map of North America is on display now at the Boston Public Library, in an exhibit curated by Hudson called “Women in Cartography.” Related Story #MapMonsterMonday Celebrates Cartographic Beasties of Yore A glorious weekly social media celebration for the Internet’s history and map nerds. Around the same time, in Paris, sisters Marie Catherine Haussard and Elizabeth Haussard were well-known for their engravings of “cartouches”—the label that identifies the subject of a map and its author, often with a decorative touch. They’d learned how to engrave from their father, but it was their own talents that brought them success. In the detail of the map of Eastern Canada shown above (also included in the BPL exhibit), signed by “C. Haussard,” the cartouche includes a few of the era’s popular symbols of the North American wilderness: pine trees, a beaver, and a canoe. Both Mary Ann Roque and the Haussards used their initials instead of names to attribute their works; this was a kind of marketing technique for women mapmakers, as it hid their gender from the buying public. But it also hid many of them from history.
“Their names never appear in books about mapmaking,” Hudson says. “They’re never named in the indexes, either because it was guys who were writing the books, or because the primary item was about the man who owned the business. Even when it was the wife”—or indeed, the daughters—“who had carried it on after he’d died.” If European women mapmakers were overshadowed by their male counterparts during this era, think of how little we know about maps made by native North American women. Mapmaking was also an important, if under-recognized, accounting of the often bloody encounters between native North Americans and white settlers. Cities are changing fast. Keep up with the CityLab Daily newsletter. The best way to follow issues you care about. Subscribe Loading... Mapping an untold story
As a child of Newfoundland’s Beothuk tribe in the early 1800s, Shanawdithit witnessed her people driven to virtual extinction by violent contact with British Marines. Against all odds, she managed to survive, and eventually became known as the last “full-blooded” member of the tribe. In her twenties, hungry and alone, Shanawdithit found work as a servant in a white settlement on the island, where she learned to read and write in English. She became the subject of anthropological interest for the explorer William Cormack, who was working to found a center devoted to Beothuk history. Under his watch, in 1829 Shanawdithit created five extraordinary narrative maps in which she compressed and plotted her memories of her tribe’s movements and collisions with the settlers some 18 years earlier. The rivers and lakes that appear in her maps are drawn with incredible geographical accuracy, according to the explorer James P. Howley, who wrote a 1915 history of her tribe, The Beothucks or Red Indians. The Beothuk people and all that pertained to them are marked in red, and the British in black. In the map pictured above, Shanawdithit depicted the capture of her aunt, Demasduit, whose English name was “Mary March.” Howley describes this map: This sketch is labelled "The taking of Mary March on the North side of the lake." And in another place "Two different scenes and times." It depicts, on a large scale, the North East Arm of Red Indian Lake. On the south side is again seen [Captain David] Buchan's party, marching in single file towards the outflowing river, with the accompanying Indians in red. Also the four Indians approaching to kill the two marines. … A third red line extends out on the lake upon which four figures are shown. In front of the wigwams on the ice are grouped half a dozen black, with one red figure in their midst. Standing near this group is a single red figure apparently of a large man, as if in the act of haranguing the group, while a little to one side is another red figure lying prone on the ice. It is almost needless to say this represents the furriers taking Mary March, her husband coming back to the rescue, and his dead body, after being shot, lying on the ice. Other native North Americans drew maps that depicted their encounters with European settlers, though very few have survived the centuries. Shanawdithit’s maps, and the stories she told Cormack, are among the last accounts of her people’s language, customs, and beliefs—and have become symbolic of a tragic chapter in Canadian history.
Geography lessons
The turn of the 19th century was a time of tremendous change on the North American continent, as new nations established their laws and societies. Among many other transitions, education was changing for young women. In the nascent United States, secondary schooling for girls proliferated for the first time. Academies taught the old domestic skills, such as sewing, music, and fine etiquette, but they also taught “solid subjects,” such as mathematics, history, and geography. In this moment came an object that blended these shifting educational domains: the embroidered silk globe. Produced by older female students at the Westtown School in Pennsylvania during the first half of the 19th century, these exquisite works were designed to teach geography, astronomy, the use of globes, and needlework all at once. Only a few inches in diameter, the globes were made of silk stretched over a wool-stuffed canvas form. The students would map longitude, latitude, and the tiny outlines of continents in simple stitches, and use ink to write the labels. And yes, they were actually designed to be used. Other schools for girls (in both the U.S. and the British Isles) had students create embroider maps on flat pieces of linen, rather than spherical globes. But the practice of combining stitchery with geography in any shape died out around the 1840s. Judith Tyner, a professor of cartography at California State University, Long Beach who has written on this practice suspects that this was because paper and pencils became cheaper, so girls started drawing maps instead. An example of this can be found in this map of the U.S. by the student Mary E. Johonott, dated 1822. As the 19th century rolled on and into the 20th, women continued producing maps that conveyed all kinds of messages, from Civil War-era propaganda to urban statistical data. I’ll explore some of them Wednesday. Find part two of this series here. |
Rod Peeler came face to face with Sir Rod Stewart once.
"He did a triple look," chuckled Peeler. "It wasn't just a look — it was, like, 'What?'"
It happened decades ago at a Winnipeg hotel and while the British rock star didn't talk to the Winnipeg real estate agent, that didn't dampen Peeler's enthusiasm for the musician — to whom he bears more than a passing resemblance.
It's the image of that likeness — coupled with Peeler's slogan, "I never sleep" — plastered on bus benches and billboards all over Winnipeg for the past three decades years that have made him "Winnipeg famous."
Peeler said he started getting mistaken for Rod Stewart when he was about 50.
"I think it had a lot to do with my hair, because I like to spike it up," said Peeler, who is a big fan of Stewart's music.
The now 70-year-old grandfather sometimes performs as a Rod Stewart impersonator for charity events in the city, most notably at the Winnipeg Realtors Gimme Shelter events.
"I didn't say I was any good," laughed Peeler.
Slogan leads to prank calls
Peeler's sense of humour has served him well as he has spent years dealing with prank calls in the middle of the night from people testing out his catchphrase, "I never sleep."
The inspiration for the slogan came from an ad in San Francisco, and from the lifestyle Peeler was leading 35 years ago when he got into the real estate business.
"We did not have all the technology," recalled Peeler, "so if you needed a signature from somebody you couldn't email it to them, you had to drive it over. If you wanted to show houses to buyers from out of town and they wanted to see 20 houses, you had to pick up 20 keys from 20 different places, phone 20 different agents."
Peeler says his 'I never sleep' slogan reflected the life of a busy realtor before cellphones. It also inspired pranksters who called at all hours to test the catchphrase.
All of that made for long days. Peeler said he would regularly arrive in the office before 7 a.m. and not get home until after 1 a.m.. "If you wanted to do business, that's what you had to do."
He said on weekends, his pager would go off two or three times a night as cheeky Winnipeggers called to see if he was up.
"I would call them back and they were laughing and they were at parties and all that," said Peeler. He insists he never got sick of it and that he returns the late-night calls. "I'm too much of an extrovert," he admitted.
Or maybe he recognized himself in the pranksters.
A self-described bratty kid who liked to play tricks, James Herbert Roderick Peeler grew up on a farm just outside Neepawa, Man. — 170 kilometres northwest of Winnipeg.
When he was 10 years old, his parents split up and he moved to Winnipeg with his mother and three siblings.
It was like I came from a place where we had everything to a place where we had nothing. - Rod Peeler
"It was like I came from a place where we had everything to a place where we had nothing," recalled Peeler.
The family moved into a one-bedroom apartment in what would become Osborne Village.
"Looking back now, I think, 'Oh my goodness, how did we do that?'" Peeler said of those financially difficult years. "But you know, it wasn't hard at all. I just had a ball."
Lifelong salesman
After graduating from Kelvin High School in 1965, Peeler went from a sales position at the Bay to Eaton's, where he became a buyer and a merchandising manager.
The father of three spent 15 years with the department store, flying across the country making deals with distributors.
Then the company centralized their buyers in Toronto, and the jet-setting stopped.
"I could have cried because it was such a good job," says Peeler, who considered moving to Toronto but was scared off by the high cost of housing.
Bored and frustrated with his scaled-back role, Peeler resigned from Eaton's in 1979.
'First month, I didn't sell anything'
After a brief stint with a jewelry company, he landed in real estate in 1982, starting at Delbro real estate, a company owned by his brother-in-law, Harry DeLeeuw.
"First month, I didn't sell anything," Peeler said. "I had three little kids, my pension money is going, and I have to feed them. When it's just you and a telephone and nothing else, it's almost like you're naked. What are you going to do? I had to start making it happen."
He pulled out all the stops to make his first sale, which was on Academy Road. "I had the signs up on the road, flags going on," Peeler recalled with excitement.
"I would stand in front of the house going, 'For Sale! Rod Peeler!'"
It worked.
At age 70, Peeler now has more bus bench ads than active listings. (Bridget Forbes)
"It was satisfying. It was incredible. I wasn't thinking of the money," said Peeler. And his client list grew quickly.
"Before you know it, you're busy with about 20 clients. By the time the year was finished, I couldn't believe how much money I had made."
People think that I'm kind of phony. - Rod Peeler
Despite a successful career, Peeler doesn't think the Rod Stewart image has necessarily helped him as a realtor.
"I do feel that several people think that I'm kind of phony because of that," said Peeler. "They think I'm more about me than I might be about their house. They're absolutely totally wrong, but that's what I have to live with because that's who I am."
These days, Peeler has more bus bench ads — 10 — than active listings (four).
"At 70 years of age, I don't want to work like I did when I was 35," said Peeler, who has suffered a heart attack and a stroke in the past 10 years, but still regularly golfs 36 holes a day.
"I don't want to do 75 or 80 deals a year. I'm happy if I'm doing 25 and live a good life, a balanced life," he said.
While he may have reduced the amount of business he does, Peeler insists he has no plans to retire anytime soon. |
Hillary Clinton’s Downtown Brooklyn campaign headquarters were evacuated Friday amid a scare over a suspicious white powder, sources said.
The substance was first discovered when two interns opened the letter in Clinton’s midtown Manhattan office on 45th Street at 5 p.m., according to police sources.
The interns then took the letter to the 11th floor of Clinton’s campaign office in Downtown Brooklyn around 5:30 p.m., the sources said.
Four people were exposed to the substance and emergency services ordered the entire floor to be evacuated, the sources said.
The Secret Service and Office of Emergency Management were also on hand. It was unclear Friday night if the substance was dangerous.
Clinton campaign spokesman Glen Caplin said in a statement, “Preliminary testing by federal and local officials has found the substance to be non-hazardous.
The four individuals involved have reported no health issues and, following a full examination by medical personnel, were each released to go home.
Our office remained open throughout this period and will remain open without interruption tomorrow morning.” |
Microsoft first unveiled its own Chromecast competitor back in September, 2014. Designed to support Android and Windows, the Miracast-powered HDMI dongle is a simple competitor to let you stream anything from your smartphone, tablet, or laptop to a TV screen. Microsoft is updating its Wireless Display Adapter today, shrinking its size and price.
The new version will debut for $49.95 ($10 less than the original) and Microsoft has improved its latency alongside making it a little smaller. If you had any issues plugging this into HDMI ports on certain TVs, then this new version should fit a little better.
Other than the price and size, nothing else has changed. Microsoft is using Miracast, which means that individual apps don't have to be updated to support the protocol. There's also no need for an internet connection, so you can stream local files from your device up to a TV, thanks to the Wi-Fi Direct connection. You can pre-order the new Wireless Display Adapter today in the US and Canada, and it will be available on March 1st. |
Google has purchased Word Lens, an impressive app that translates foreign languages in real time using the iPhone and Android smartphone built-in camera. It's now free for a limited time.
Image credit: Apple
Back in 2010, a company called Quest Visual debuted a little app called Word Lens. It scarcely seemed possible, but the app translated a number of different languages in real time using just the smartphone's camera. When traveling in a foreign country, Word Lens users would simply hold the phone up to a sign and the camera would immediately translate it.
Currently, users can translate between English and Portuguese, German, Italian, French, Russian, and Spanish.
It's easy to see why Google would want to own it — its stated mission is to make all the world's information searchable in any language — and Google Translate generally does this quite well, at least for web pages.
With Word Lens, iPhone users can translate the world. Apple even featured the app in its recent "Powerful" television ad for the iPhone 5s, and it's obvious why.
Even better, it doesn't require a connection to the internet, which is another benefit for business travelers.
Word Lens isn't perfect. It has trouble with particularly stylized text or handwriting, and the translations will make occasional mistakes. However, most of the time, it will at least get the point across.
No financial terms on the acquisition, which was announced on Quest Visual's website, were disclosed. Neither company shared details on what the future holds for Word Lens either, other than the website saying that the app and language packs would be "free to download for a limited time," while the Quest Visual team transitions to Google. Individual language packs previously cost $3 each.
Image credit: Quest Visual
The app itself is free to download from the App Store for both the iPhone and iPad, and I couldn't recommend it more highly. The translations are available via an in-app purchase, though they are currently free. It's also available on the Google Play Store for Android users.
Because we don't know how long Word Lens will remain on the stores, I recommend that you pick it up as soon as possible, particularly if you travel internationally.
Word Lens is truly one of the killer apps for mobile, and it should be a staple on every phone. Here's hoping that Google keeps it around in some form or another and doesn't kill it off.
What about you? Do you have a situation where you used — or should have used — Word Lens? Let us know in the comments below. |
<Log In>
Such a simple process enables us to do so much.
But relying upon companies to keep track of our names and passwords has also held us back, keeping us tied to the systems that don’t necessarily have our best interests at heart.
uPort hopes to replace the [Login Using Facebook] buttons that litter the web with a “self sovereign identity solution”. In other words, the person who creates the account has complete control of their virtual identity.
Created by Consensys, uPort aims to give ownership of our identities and data associated with them back to the user. Besides simply attaching a name to a private key, uPort can associate any string of information to our private key. Of particular interest is information that is verified by trusted entities.
“A newly created identity is not really valuable… but it becomes more valuable when you interact with more parties, and they can attest to some things, whether it is a bank or a city” explained uPort’s project lead, Rouven Heck.
These attestations – pieces of information, signed by a third party – are the basis for a decentralized reputation system. Peer-to-peer replacements for Uber, AirBnB, and eBay will soon disrupt the “disruptors”; allowing us to carry our positive reputations from one service to the next rather than having to start all over again.
The implications of this shift towards decentralized identities are tremendous, but are only just starting to be realized.
When I asked Rouven what he was most excited about, in terms of what uPort will enable, he laughed before exclaiming “Everything in blockchain!” We have just seen the tip of the iceberg in terms of how blockchains will change our society, and “This will unlock many more cool use cases.”
The Swiss city of Zug is leading the charge for legacy governments to adopt this technology. A pilot program will allow citizens to gain access to some of the city’s services using their uPort account. In turn, the city is able to attest that they believe the user to be a valid resident, signing this information with the city’s key. These attestations can be disclosed selectively by the identity’s owner during other transactions.
Zug is known as the crypto valley of Switzerland. Home to the Ethereum Foundation and a number of other crypto projects, it has consistently proven itself open to change, first accepting Bitcoin for payments back in 2015. During this pilot with uPort, citizens will only be able to perform low level tasks such as making payments to the city and voting on the open hours for institutions. If there is a success, however, they will expand to provide the same services to citizens who verify using traditional methods.
The current implementation of uPort is tied to Android and iOS releases. From the app, you can authorize transactions in other applications like sending a payment from your Ether wallet, or sharing particular pieces of information. Having this level of control over your identity could, for instance, show that you are over 21 to a barkeep without revealing your entire birthdate.
If your phone is lost, you can rely on a social recovery network, which could be comprised of pre-selected friends or trusted institutions to help you recover your account. Doing so will replace the public key tied to the identity with a new one.
Currently uPort is still on a testnet but hopes to be live on the Ethereum network within a couple months. They plan on supporting both public and private chains, multiple devices, and different types of keys. They recently ramped up their team from 12 to 19 people and are still looking for a product manager and iOS devs.
uPort is not the only project working on this concept of decentralized identity. With any luck, these projects will develop standards that permit these identities to be compatible with each other. This shift, of relying upon the blockchain rather than bank, governments, and corporations to control our identity, is a momentous step towards the crypto-utopic future.
Picture from Wikimedia Commons. |
If you were looking for a rare Pokémon and encountered the sign above, what would you do? Because I’d pay up to get whatever pocket monster was lurking within.
Ingress and Nintendo don’t seem to have made paid in-game locations a part of Pokémon Go’s business model right now (for that, look to in-app purchases), but the ability the app has to drive real-world foot traffic to locations is undeniable. The example above was posted to NeoGAF forums, but others abound, and some businesses are going the other way and using their Poké-presence to encourage folks to come inside.
Currently, PokéStops and Pokémon Gyms (key real-world locations and landmarks that Pokémon Go players visit to acquire collectibles and do battle) are pulled from the location database of Niantic’s original location-based AR game, Ingress. Those locations are generated through user submissions, which are open to anyone in the user community, and which are vetted by Niantic before being added to the public database.
Ingress used sponsored in-game locations to drive revenue, too. Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ teamed up with Niantic for a big branding campaign, for instance, which included uses its ATMs as “portals” within Ingress, as well as the introduction of a branded in-game object. Other sponsors for Ingress locations include Zipcar, AXA and Circle K, to name a few.
In an interview with gamesindustry.biz, Niantic Product Manager Brandon Badger explained how the company envisioned a branded location schema aimed at driving revenue from marketing in Ingress:
“I think that, we hope to end up with a model where, potentially there could be a cost-per-visit type model where large brands and small brands, as well, could sponsor different elements of the game, with the end of interacting with players and really tapping into that enthusiasm of players,” he told the publication in 2014.
Pokemon GO is just insane right now. This is in Central Park. It's basically been HQ for Pokemon GO. pic.twitter.com/3v2VfEHzNA — Jonathan (@IGIhosT) July 11, 2016
Already, people are using the tools made available by Niantic and Nintendo in Pokémon Go to capitalize on the potential for real-world traffic. Forbes contributor Jason Evangelho details how smart business owners are using “Lures,” an in-game item that turns any existing PokéStop into virtual feeding frenzy for players looking to catch Pokémon.
But this requires there to already be a PokéStop nearby – so naturally, businesses are already looking to get Niantic to add ones to their locations.
Not only Niantic, but Nintendo, too has a history of using the popularity of its products with consumers to drive foot traffic. The Nintendo Zone service offered special downloadable virtual items to players when they connected to specific locations, and Nintendo worked with McDonald’s in Japan and Boingo in the U.S. to provide access to Nintendo’s content free to users. Chris Scullion on Twitter points out the logic of a similar McDonald’s partnership forming with Pokémon Go:
I give it six months before McDonalds or someone of that ilk pays big bucks to have all their branches turned into Pokemon Go gyms — Chris Scullion (@scully1888) July 11, 2016
For businesses of all sizes, a game with this kind of engagement is definitely better than just dumping a wooden sandwich sign out on the sidewalk. |
The Eighth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals this week affirmed a U.S. District Court judge�s decisions to dismiss a pair of gun-rights lawsuits against the Columbia Police Department, the Boone County Prosecuting Attorney�s Office, Boone County and the city of Columbia.
A three-judge panel of the appellate court on Monday decided that U.S. Judge Nanette Laughrey correctly ruled in favor of the local entities in two gun cases.
The suits involved police Chief Ken Burton, several officers, Boone County Prosecuting Attorney Dan Knight, one of his assistants and one of his former assistants.
Local attorney Stephen Wyse had claimed police had no justification to confiscate guns from two father-son pairs � Raymond and Robert Franklin and Allan and Gregory Rodgers � in separate cases that began in 2008 and 2011, respectively.
What U.S. Circuit Judge Steven Colloton wrote in the appellate court�s 22-page opinion was much the same as Laughrey�s ruling.
The prosecutors, Colloton wrote, have absolute immunity and police officers have qualified immunity for their actions related to their professions, as set by precedent.
In an email, Glen Ehrhardt, who represented the city, county, police and prosecutors, said the ruling was not a surprise.
�We fully expected the Eighth Circuit would affirm the summary judgment entered by Judge Laughrey in favor of our clients as the record and facts in this case demonstrated their actions were appropriate and lawful,� Ehrhardt said. �We are pleased this matter is now concluded.�
Police arrested Gregory Rodgers in August 2011 for unlawful use of a weapon because he was carrying a concealed firearm when police went to serve a warrant for failure to appear.
Wyse, who did not respond to a message seeking comment, claimed in court filings that Gregory Rodgers had legally concealed the weapon because he was on the property of his apartment complex and had a Florida conceal gun permit.
Police subsequently searched Gregory Rodgers� apartment and a nearby storage area and seized several firearms belonging to both Allan and Gregory, including a Browning 9 mm pistol that was not returned until summer 2013.
Colloton wrote the warrant for Gregory Rodgers� arrest �justifies the seizure whether or not other reasons articulated by the officers � including unlawful use of a weapon � were also sufficient.� Colloton said officers in this case were entitled to qualified immunity because they �reasonably could have believed that Greg was forbidden to carry a concealed weapon without a permit in common outdoor areas of the apartment complex.�
Federal and local law enforcement went to Robert Franklin�s house in December 2008 to arrest a man named Billy Rogers on suspicion of drug trafficking. When Robert Franklin would not let them in his residence in the 1600 block of Sonora Drive, agents got a search warrant and raided the home.
During the search, authorities seized 12 firearms out of a locked bedroom, which also contained a piece of mail addressed to Raymond Franklin. Authorities also seized drug paraphernalia and small amounts of marijuana and cocaine.
The search led to a charge against Raymond Franklin for being a felon in possession of a firearm, despite the fact he was living in North Carolina at the time; the charge was eventually dismissed. Robert Franklin�s guns were not returned until August 2012, except for one that had been reported stolen and was returned to its owner.
Colloton ruled prosecutors were entitled to absolute immunity in the Franklin case, and police were given qualified immunity because the appellate court found �there was probable cause for the arrest and prosecution� based on the items found while looking for evidence of drug distribution.
Colloton wrote that Raymond Franklin �constructively possessed� a gun near the piece of mail addressed to him, meaning there was probable cause he had the intent to �exercise dominion or control over the object either directly or through another person or persons.� |
Posted 10 May 2015 - 08:44 AM
Ursh, on 10 May 2015 - 02:43 AM, said:
It would be fair. Then something below 35 tons could be considered a viable light.
I do okay in my kitfox, but I'd do even better if it wasn't a hotbox.
Urbie, Locust, Commando want to know how it's fair they don't get included?
Navid A1, on 10 May 2015 - 08:40 AM, said:
Please realize that a slow light kinda defeats the purpose of being a light. It was ok if clan lights had access to IS weaponry, but they dont... their weapons are the same hot ones that have been blanket nerfed to balance the big boys (timbies, dires...)... so no. To top it up, IS lights and mediums have access to uber-quirks and can still pack a puch higher than any clan light can ever hope for.
Medium IS mechs (even if they have less weapons) can cut through hordes of clan light like a hot knife (so no shame for your mediums).
Clan lights are being hit on many fronts: 1- hot clan weapons, 2- slow speed, 3- no quirks, 4- locked engine, 5- not enough truedubs.
Playing the role of glass cannons in them are different from the IS. in order not to overheat, you have to pack srms and close in to 270m and deal with eternity long cool downs (blanket nerf because of the big boys with no quirks to compensate)... glass close range and long cool downs don't match.
*Also, as a mist lynx, adder and cutefox pilot who usually carry in them, all i can say is: you have no idea how piloting a clan light feels.
As someone who drives Panthers and Urbanmechs, not sure how "slow Lights" defeat the purpose of Lights. Never saw in the great Book Of Mechwarrior where the only purpose Light Mechs serve was to go fast enough to gain lagshield. |
Philip Glass’ Sunday afternoon solo loft concert at 10 Elizabeth Street in New York City in the early 1970s. Photo from Words Without Music by Randall LeBry. Courtesy of Liveright.
The most important thing to understand for a listener new to “modern” art music—the thing I’m always trying to impress upon those patient souls who let me drag them to such concerts—is the need to shift their paradigm of judgment from beautiful/ugly to interesting/boring. To approach much of art music after, say, WWI with beauty as one’s primary criteria for liking something is to misunderstand the motivations of many of the most prominent composers working over the past century. For many 20th- and 21st-century composers, the working out of compositional processes—dodecaphonic series, mathematical formulae, grand minimalist arcs, etc.—is an end in itself, and composition is a quest for ingenuity and freshness of construction, rather than attractiveness to the ear. This is why listening to the music of our era requires a certain amount of work. To appraise it fairly, you’ve got to try to understand what formal element or problem the composer was trying to address—only then can you reasonably decide whether or not she succeeded, whether or not the work is compelling.
Philip Glass is a master of the sort of music (sometimes thrown together under the imperfect label “minimalism”) in which subtle formal processes play out over the course of the piece; that his harmonic language usually hews to a familiar tonality has meant that many casual listeners miss the scaffolding for the bewitching facade. But to really appreciate what Glass is up to in his works—some of which are viscerally captivating and others of which feel like the repetitive ramblings of a drunk or cokehead, tempo depending—you’ve got to make the effort I describe above to attempt to understand his artistic intentions. As it turns out, it’s not just the music that benefits from this approach—so too does Glass’ new memoir Words Without Music.
Glass’ intentions in this book are difficult to discern at first. While reading I often wondered if the composer was really interested in writing the book at all, given his seeming detachment from much of the material. In certain passages, there’s a feeling that an editor’s prompting—But didn’t you feel anything about that event, Phil?—has only just been excised from the text. But there is a deeper process at work. By my reading, Glass is using Words not to unburden himself or cement his place in musical history but as an exercise in self-mythologizing. Stick with the digressions and associative time-jumps long enough, and you’ll start to feel that Glass wants to convince us—and perhaps himself—that he is a certain kind of person possessing certain laudable qualities. But, as is the case with most attempts at autobiographical PR, contradictions quickly emerge—and it’s these that provide welcome notes of dissonance to an often bland score.
The most consistent of these friction points is the question of origins, a sort of Phil-from-the-block anxiety. Glass composes serious art music; since entering the University of Chicago at age 15, he has moved (taxi-driving and plumbing day jobs notwithstanding) in relatively rarefied circles. But Glass, the child of a librarian and record-store owner, was the kind of kid who was tasked with helping Dad watch out for shoplifters in the store’s “low-rent” Baltimore neighborhood, and he strives throughout Words to coax some kind of folk authenticity from that background. Of a childhood fight precipitated by the fact that Glass’ flute lessons made him seem gay, he writes: “The kid could have been six feet tall and I still would have beaten him, it didn’t matter. After that, no one bothered me about the flute.” Despite these earthy reminiscences, Glass’ connection to his home and family (and indeed most personal relationships) feels strained—he notes on a number of occasions, for example, how his mother was “mystified” by his work and writes strangely cool sentences about her. (“Ida was a very interesting woman.”) While other successful artists might try to forget their humble origins as quickly as possible, Glass seems fixated on finding some value in his—even as he shrinks from their roughness on the next page, as he does from his Dad’s readiness to “pulverize” thieves.
There’s similar ambivalence in Glass’ relationship to judgment among his fellow music professionals. Take this statement of independence, given in response to early vitriol directed at his operatic masterpieces Einstein on the Beach and Satyagraha: “They were going to be mad at me no matter what I did. But luckily I have a wonderful gene—the I-don’t-care-what-you-think gene. I have that big-time. I actually didn’t care then, and to this day I still don’t care.”
Philip Glass. Photo by Steve Pyke
But, in fact, Glass cares a great deal about what people—at least certain people—think; indeed, he feels most human when reflecting on his teachers and collaborators, individuals like Ravi Shankar (whose instruction in Indian musical traditions was pivotal in the development of Glass’ approach to rhythm) and Richard Serra for whom he holds an unexpected reverence. Words is in many ways a recounting of influences, and the best parts are explicitly about the relationship between student and teacher. If Glass decides to write more words, he might expand upon his time with the famous French technician and pedagogue Nadia Boulanger. The section devoted to their time together in Paris is by far the warmest and funniest of the memoir, as if the pull of her charisma drew a little color into the pallor of Glass’ prose. Of a particularly daunting exercise demanded of a randomly selected student each week, Glass, in a sort of bemused respect, writes: “God help you if you weren’t prepared or, even worse, not present. If she was expecting you to be there and you didn’t show up, you probably would just have to leave town.”
These sorts of tensions manifest in other arenas: Glass returns often, for example, to the space between the art and the business of music since he, as the founder of a record label and publishing company, is firmly engaged in both pursuits. His comfort with identifying as something of a workman rather than a solitary genius is genuinely refreshing: On the subject of taking commercial jobs, he writes, “I thought this selling out idea was a bizarre notion. It seemed to me that people who didn’t have to sell out … must have had rich parents. ”
But the conflict I found myself tracking more than any other was Glass’ sense of himself as a serious musical thinker against the notion within certain regions of the art music world that, because some of his music sounds “easy” or derivative, he might be, as he puts it, a “musical dunce.” A rare flash of anger in that regard:
I think they thought I was teasing them, trying to make fun of them, which was a ludicrous idea. Why would I go all the way to Europe to make fun of a bunch of yokels there who didn’t know anything about world music or even new music? They hadn’t spent time with Ravi Shankar. They hadn’t gone to India. They hadn’t made the journey I had, opening myself to all different sounds of music. They didn’t know anything.
These ignorant Europeans didn’t understand Glass’ music, but, more important, they didn’t appreciate his credentials, his pedigree. And for a man who is so deeply invested in a notion of cultural transmission and reinvention over time, lineage—and the respect that lineage should confer—is everything.
This, in the end, is Glass’ argument, the story of himself he wants to tell: that his music, though generally simple in effect, is thoughtful in conception and a natural and worthy product of a unique and enviable lineage. Does he make it well? As someone who generally admires Glass’ musical approach, if not every work, I think it’s correct to say that his oeuvre is more complex, historically situated, and widely influential on the whole than he is always credited for.
Does that argument, presented in the guise of autobiography, make for a good memoir? Of that, I’m less sure. But maybe that’s not the best question. For Glass, the point is always process, the doing of the thing, more so than the result. And keeping that in mind, I’m inclined to let him define success here in his own terms: “If you don’t know what to do, there’s actually a chance of doing something new. As long as you know what you’re doing, nothing much of interest is going to happen. That doesn’t mean I always succeeded at being interesting. Sometimes I did and sometimes I didn’t.”
—
Words Without Music by Philip Glass. Liveright.
See all the pieces in this month’s Slate Book Review.
Sign up for the Slate Book Review monthly newsletter. |
Bishop Hill writes:
As if there weren’t enough problems with climate data already, the latest bright idea from CAGW subscribers is to use opinion polls to measure climate change. I kid you not…
The journal Biology Letters this week reports a novel yet kind of obvious way to tackle the data dearth; simply asking Himalayan villagers about their experiences. To be fair, the phrase “simply asking” does the researchers a disservice, because what they emphasise throughout their paper is the need to gather local knowledge “rapidly and efficiently… using systematic tools”. It has to be structured, internally consistent and rigorous; that’s the message.
We know that some scientists are happy to treat climate model output as data. Now it seems that people’s opinions are to be counted as climatic data too.
It’s a funny old science, innit?
=============================================================
The story from the BBC by the always discerning Richard Black is here.
Here’s a gem:
For example, in some villages about half of the people questioned reported that summer was now starting earlier than 10 years ago; which raises the question of why the other half did not. In villages where life is based almost totally on farming, you might expect a more consistent view. In one sense, that is like putting two thermometers in the same place and finding that one registered a temperature rise while the other did not.
I can’t wait to see the uncertainty values with this one. Apparently Richard Black had no idea that he just described what station siting and UHI effects are all about. Of course when you deny those effects, it is easy to forget them in context.
BTW lest somebody thinks that “Sherpas” only refers to Mt. Everest mountain guides, see this. |
“Every once in a while, a product comes along that changes our perception of how we use technology, and how natural it can feel.”
– Marko Ahtisaari (Head of Design, Nokia), June 2011
As we usher in the start of a new calendar year, it is the perfect time to look back and wonder just what might have been. We look back at the highs and lows that we encountered over the past twelve months, and think of the path not taken. It is fitting, then, that perhaps we take one last look at what might have been for a device that could and should have changed the fortunes of a once-great company as well as the smartphone scene all at once.
Eighteen months ago, Nokia announced a smartphone unlike any other it has produced before. It was a proper smartphone, one that looked miles away from previous Nokia phones: it was sleek, modern and simple at the same time. The hardware was pretty modern, too; no underpowered processors with severely limited RAM issues to be seen here. And, it runs on an operating system that Nokia had announced dead months before the phone’s announcement.
This, ladies and gentlemen, is the Nokia N9.
From OSSO to MeeGo
For a detailed account of the history of MeeGo, head on to this brilliant article on Taskumuro, which has accounts from various ex-Nokia employees.
Long before the launch of the N9, in 2005 Nokia had a group of employees who were running a project called Open Source Software Operations (OSSO). Its goal was nothing short of ambitious: to produce a product that would change the world. In 2007 the OSSO team were renamed as Maemo, based on the open-sourced operating system of the same name that the team developed.
However, internal competition within Nokia from the Symbian team which began way back in 2005, brought about speculation inside Nokia that Symbian were deliberately slowing the Maemo team down for fear of Maemo’s success. It was the type of uphill challenges that the Maemo – and later on, MeeGo – team would have to constantly face for the next few years.
In 2010, Nokia and Intel reached an agreement to merge both companies’ open-source projects, Maemo and Mobile Intel (Moblin), into one open-sourced ecosystem called MeeGo. However, the merging of the two projects meant greater red tape, which hindered the progress of the Maemo team, who at the time were already developing its latest Maemo 6 OS – codenamed Harmattan.
Nevertheless, the MeeGo team pulled together, and in June 21, 2011, Nokia announced the N9, the world’s only MeeGo-based consumer smartphone, which runs on a unique instance of MeeGo called MeeGo-Harmattan.
Unfortunately for the N9, by the time it was announced, Nokia’s new CEO Stephen Elop announced a partnership with Microsoft in February that year. Under the agreement, all of Nokia’s mid-range and flagship devices will be running Microsoft’s Windows Phone OS, leaving MeeGo to “project” status for “longer-term market exploration”. Contractual obligations meant that the N9 had to be released, despite the Microsoft alliance, putting it in a unique position as an accessible niche consumer product.
The N9’s Hardware: Many Nokia – and Industry – Firsts
Nokia was very proud of the N9, and for good reason. The Swipe user interface was unlike any other UI in the market, and was very well received by critics. One reason why Swipe UI feels completely different on the N9 was because the N9 was built for the UI. The N9 was the first smartphone to employ a convex-curved glass that seamlessly flowed out of the polycarbonate body, which assists swipe gestures from the edge of the screen.
Also, the N9 was the first smartphone to use polycarbonate for its chassis. Polycarbonate’s properties make it one of the best choices for a smart device: it is more durable than standard plastic and the polymer is coloured through (or colour-inherent). It also has excellent antenna performance, unlike phones made from metal. Today, polycarbonate has made its way into plenty of other smartphones, proving that polycarbonate is no mere marketing gimmick.
The Finnish company is also extremely proud of the industrial design of the N9, which was known inside Nokia as the “Fabula” design language. This is a simple yet extremely difficult to manufacture design, simply because of the body’s tapered ends and seamless transition from polycarbonate to glass screen. The “Fabula” design language has proven to be such a hit among critics and consumers alike, it now lives on as the primary design for all of Nokia’s flagship devices, as can be seen with the Lumia 800, 900 and 920.
At a time when smartphone screen sizes were beginning to grow larger and more unwieldy, Nokia decided that the N9 would be a phone that could comfortably be operated with one hand as it is with both. The N9 sports a 3.9-inch display, which the company believed was the perfect screen size for one-handed usage. Fourteen months later, Apple announced the iPhone 5, featuring a 4-inch screen that the company mentions is the perfect size for use with one hand.
Finally, there is the screen itself. While the N9 did not push pixels like today’s Full HD Android smartphones, it had, at the time, one of the best smartphone displays in the market. There are two key reasons behind this, one of which is Nokia’s ClearBlack Display technology, which features polarizing filters that increases viewing angles as well as greatly improving outdoor usability. In addition, the N9’s screen was also built with no air gaps between the touchscreen and the Gorilla Glass on top, which gives the impression that the icons are “floating” on the display. Pair this technology with a ClearBlack AMOLED display, and you’ll have a screen where black colours are displayed so deeply that at you’ll have a hard time seeing where the screen ends and the bezel begins.
The N9’s Software: Inspiring Gestures on Other Platforms
Despite now being classified as a dead OS, MeeGo not only lives on with community projects such as Mer and Nemo (as well as Sailfish from Finnish startups Jolla Mobile – more on that later), many of the features seen on MeeGo-Harmattan live on today on other platforms.
Take Windows 8, for example. Of course, the Start Screen is more reminiscent of Windows Phone 8’s Live Tiles, but there was one gesture which came straight from MeeGo-Harmattan: while in any app on the Metro Windows 8 UI of the OS, a downward swipe from the top bezel to the bottom will close the app. This “Swipe down to close” gesture remains, for me at least, the most elegant gesture to close an app on any mobile platform – and potential patent lawsuits aside, it is pretty cool to see this gesture incorporated into Windows 8.
The World Gaze app, an experimental app from Nokia’s Beta Labs that was only available on the N9
Naturally, when talking about MeeGo-Harmattan’s gesture-driven UI, it isn’t difficult to draw comparisons with RIM’s upcoming operating system, BlackBerry 10. BB10 remains one of the most intriguing OS releases of this year, despite being close to a year late. Like MeeGo-Harmattan, BB10’s UI is heavily based on gestures. To unlock a BB10 device, users simply swipe up from the bottom bezel (on the N9, it is a double tap to wake the phone, and an edge-to-edge swipe to unlock). More than anything, BB10’s gestures appear to be an evolution to MeeGo-Harmattan’s Swipe UI, and despite initial complaints from Nokia followers, many have since gotten pretty excited over what RIM has to offer at the end of this month.
Glanceability Concept: Devastatingly Effective
When describing the concept of Live Tiles on Windows Phone, Ahtisaari describes a concept that Nokia refers to as “Glanceability”. Live Tiles allow users to keep up to date with the latest notifications without having to interact with the device in any way. Of course, this concept was revealed in an interview during the Stephen Elop era. The glanceability concept stretches further back in time, and can be seen on display even in Nokia’s feature phones of several years ago.
(Image Credit: pikachu @ forum.lowyat.net)
The N9 has an always-on low power screen mode which displays the time as well as phone notifications. Some community developers even managed to add more information to be displayed on the screen, such as weather and battery percentage. In addition, due to the properties of AMOLED screens, this low power screen mode takes up very little energy, and refreshes every few minutes to prevent the pixels from burning in. This low-power screen is the epitome of Nokia’s glanceability concept, and one which is not replicated anywhere else other than on some Symbian smartphones. The simple yet devastatingly effective idea of a low-power mode has since appeared on some Android devices, and may have also inspired Russian company Yota Devices to produce the YotaPhone, an intriguing Android smartphone coming this year that has two screens: a high-resoulution LCD main screen, and a secondary low-power Electronic Paper Display (EPD) which can display all user notifications, calendar entries as well as for use in apps, should developers support it.
The Big Picture: Nokia and Windows Phone
Nevertheless, Nokia has gone on a path of no return with its alliance with Microsoft. Looking back, the big-money deal definitely looks one-sided, and pushed the Finnish company to the brink of bankruptcy. As reported by TechCrunch, Nokia was very well aware of the fact that Windows Phone 7 was a stopgap OS whose devices had no upgrade path to the upcoming Windows Phone 8. Yet, Nokia went ahead with the deal and then prematurely announced that its current revenue-generating OS, Symbian, was to be discontinued in 2016, and the MeeGo efforts to be shelved (key members of the MeeGo team at Nokia left in July 2012, leaving it as good as dead). As a result, none of Nokia’s WP7 devices sold well, even with the deep discounts the Lumia phones were being sold at. Rumours also emerged that in the final quarter of 2011, Nokia sold more N9s than the sales of all Lumia smartphones.
One year on, and Nokia’s WP8 devices have finally seem to catch on with the public. Nokia’s flagship Lumia 920 has been well received by critics, who praised the smartphone’s stunning imaging capabilities and impressive build quality. The Windows Phone 8 platform also seems to have finally caught up with the other big players, though it still has its fair share of hiccups. Hence, the question remains: is Windows Phone 8 better than what Nokia’s MeeGo team could have come up with in the span of one year?
In the space of eight months, the MeeGo-Harmattan platform received three major software updates (although this also showed just how rushed the OS was when it was released), and the user experience after the final PR1.3 update remains among the most delightfully intuitive on any mobile device, despite the chip architecture that is now three years old. Hence the above question is as tantalising as it gets for anyone who follows Nokia.
Looking Forward
As an owner of an N9 myself, it is becoming perfectly clear that while there is incredible community support for applications (there was a software update for a Twitter client just last week), and developers continuing to experiment with the UI, the hardware is becoming increasingly dated. The days when I would pick up the N9 just to double tap and swipe around the homescreens for no apparent reason will soon end. The question that many N9 owners like myself are probably asking is, what next?
One solution could be the YotaPhone. It is certainly an interesting concept: an Android smartphone with a low-power e-ink screen and has Swipe-like gestures? It solves the apps issue that has plagued the platform and the hardware issue in one blow. On the other hand, BlackBerry 10 is another appealing avenue: it has another gesture-based UI that looks like an evolved version of Swipe, plus BlackBerry World has compatibility with Android apps.
(Image Credit: AllBoutN9)
However, the obvious choice would probably be Finnish startups Jolla Mobile. Founded and staffed by former Nokia MeeGo employees as well as some community developers, the company is building on the work done by the MeeGo spin-offs Mer and Nemo, and built an entirely new UI on top (Swipe UI remains Nokia’s intellectual property). In November, Jolla heralded the first public appearance of its MeeGo-based Sailfish OS and the company’s UI called Jolla UI. An announcement over its first device is expected to be released this quarter, with a view for a Q2 launch. Interestingly, Jolla will be producing its own Jolla-branded smartphones as well as licensing its OS in an effort to boost the fledgling ecosystem, despite the OS also being compatible with Android apps.
In his review, Vlad Savov of The Verge likened the N9 to an Italian supercar. To a certain extent, he was right: at times when the N9 worked, it was breathtaking; at others, the aging hardware can cause the OS to crash under heavy load. Personally, I feel the N9 is like our first car: it is a unique love affair between man and machine. It may not be the best car in the world, but it evokes a sense of excitement for the owner seeing it on the driveway that makes the him want to take it out for a spin. It is for that reason why the N9 is probably the most underrated smartphone ever made.
(Featured Image Credit: My Nokia Blog)
9 2 1 |
Private Credit and Public Debt in Financial Crises
Recovery from a recession triggered by a financial crisis is greatly influenced by the government’s fiscal position. A financial crisis puts considerable stress on the government’s budget, sometimes triggering attacks on public debt. Historical analysis shows that a private credit boom raises the odds of a financial crisis. Entering such a crisis with a swollen public debt may limit the government’s ability to respond and can result in a considerably slower recovery.
In financial crises, steep declines in output worsen the ratio of public debt to gross domestic product (GDP) even if the nominal amount of debt remains unchanged. Progressive tax systems cause government revenues to decline at a faster rate than output. Meanwhile, other automatic stabilizers, such as unemployment insurance programs, quickly swell public expenditures. The public sector often assumes private-sector debts to prevent a domino effect of defaults from toppling the financial system. Programs to stimulate the economy put further stress on public finances. As budget deficits balloon, deep economic downturns resulting from a private credit crunch often turn into sovereign debt crises.
This Economic Letter examines the interplay between private credit and public debt in financial crises in 17 advanced economies over the past 150 years. Although high levels of public debt seldom trigger financial crises in advanced economies, the government’s fiscal position greatly influences the depth of the recession, the speed of the recovery, and the tempo of fiscal rebalancing. In particular, it appears that keeping public debt low is a good insurance policy in case a financial crisis occurs and the financial sector needs to be rescued. A low level of debt coming into a crisis also gives the public sector more latitude to make up for the fall in demand. The ability of the public sector to provide fiscal stimulus after a crisis hits can make a recession less painful.
Financial crises, private credit, and public debt
The narrative of the recent the global financial crisis in advanced economies falls into two camps. One camp emphasizes private-sector overconfidence, overleveraging, and overborrowing; the other highlights public-sector profligacy, especially with regard to countries in the periphery of the euro zone. One camp talks of rescue and reform of the financial sector. The other calls for government austerity, noting that public debt has reached levels last seen following the two world wars.
Figure 1
Credit and debt since 1870: 17-country average Source: Jordà, Schularick, and Taylor (2013).
Figure 1 displays the average ratio of bank lending and public debt to GDP for 17 industrialized economies (Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States). Although public debt ratios had grown from the 1970s to the mid-1990s, they had declined toward their peacetime average before the 2008 financial crisis. By contrast, private credit maintained a fairly stable relationship with GDP until the 1970s and then surged to unprecedented levels right up to the outbreak of the crisis.
Spain provides an example of the woes in the euro zone periphery and the interplay of private credit and public debt. In 2007, Spain had a budget surplus of about 2% of GDP and government debt stood at 40% of GDP (OECD Country Statistical Profile). That was well below the level of debt in Germany, France, and the United States. But by 2012, Spain’s government debt had more than doubled, reaching nearly 90% of GDP, as the public sector assumed large losses from the banking sector and tax revenues collapsed.
Thus, what began as a banking crisis driven by the collapse of a real estate bubble quickly turned into a sovereign debt crisis. In June 2012, Spanish 10-year bond rates reached 7% and, even at that rate, Spain had a hard time accessing bond markets. Once sovereign debt comes under attack in financial markets, banks themselves become vulnerable since many of them hold public debt as assets on their balance sheets. The new bout of weakness in the banking system feeds back again into the government’s future liabilities, setting in motion what some have called the “deadly embrace” or “doom loop.”
The conundrum facing policymakers is this: Implement too much austerity and you risk choking off the nascent recovery, possibly delaying desired fiscal rebalancing. But, if austerity is delayed, bond markets may impose an even harsher correction by demanding higher interest rates on government debt. Matters are further complicated for countries in a monetary union, such as Spain. Such countries do not directly control monetary policy and therefore cannot offset fiscal policy adjustments through monetary stimulus by lowering domestic interest rates. In addition, central banks in these countries have limited capacity to stave off self-fulfilling panics since their lender-of-last-resort function evaporates.
Fluctuations in fiscal balances over the business cycle are natural. As economic activity temporarily stalls, revenues decline and expenditures increase. With the recovery, fiscal balances typically improve. But the debate on what is a country’s appropriate level of public debt in the medium run continues to rage. It is unclear whether high debt is a cause or a consequence of low economic growth. That said, public debt is not a good predictor of financial crises.
Financial crises are usually credit booms gone bust
Financial crises are notoriously unpredictable. Jordà, Schularick, and Taylor (2013a) show that a private credit boom during an expansion raises the likelihood of a subsequent financial crisis. In fact, several measures proposed after the 2008 global financial crisis aim to increase bank capital buffers in times of economic expansion to slow down the creation of credit.
What about public finances? During an expansion, how does the accumulation of public debt compare with a private credit boom in predicting financial crises? Should macroprudential policy, that is, policy designed to forestall financial crises, aim to reduce fiscal imbalances in an expansion, just as it seeks to put the brakes on private credit growth? Using historical evidence from 17 advanced economies, we find that a deteriorating fiscal position is not usually predictive of financial crises in advanced economies (see Jordà, Schularick, and Taylor 2013b). Figure 1 is consistent with this finding. Prior to the 2008 crisis, the average level of public debt across the 17 countries in our sample had been declining, whereas private credit had continued to increase.
Figure 2
Recoveries from normal recessions vs. financial crises
Figure 2 provides more forceful evidence. It shows how private credit buildup and public-sector deficits during an expansion affect the depth and speed of recovery from a financial crisis. By averaging across countries over time, Figure 2 displays the path of a normal recession. The figure then stratifies the path of recessions triggered by financial crises depending on whether private credit and the public sector grew above or below their historical means during the expansion. The stratification results in four possible recession/recovery paths, depending on whether both private credit and public debt grew above or below the mean: low credit and high public debt; low credit and low debt; high credit and low debt; high credit and high debt.
Figure 2 neatly demonstrates that a recession is made worse and a recovery slower when a credit boom is large in an expansion, regardless of the behavior of public-sector debt. The recession/recovery paths under scenarios of high growth or low growth of public-sector debt during an expansion are virtually identical. However, Figure 2 does not tell us how the overall public debt level at the start of the recession affects the ability of the government to respond to the demands a financial crisis imposes.
High debt, trouble ahead?
Do countries with high debt-to-GDP ratios face more pressure from bond markets, thereby limiting their ability to use fiscal policy to smooth out recessions from financial crises and hasten recovery? Answering this question requires statistical analysis beyond the simple averages shown in Figure 2 (see Jordà, Schularick, and Taylor 2013b for technical details). Countries may have high levels of debt for reasons that also affect how they respond to financial crises. Those reasons can mask the true effect of high public debt on output growth. For example, a tax break for interest paid on a mortgage for a second home would increase public debt by reducing tax revenue and increase private debt by encouraging consumers to borrow. Therefore, a recession is made worse because the private sector is accumulating too much debt rather than because of the buildup of public debt per se. One way around this confounding effect is to control for a rich set of macroeconomic characteristics to isolate the influence of the public debt level on the shape of the recovery from a financial crisis. Our sample excludes the recent global financial crisis and our conclusions are not driven by that episode, but data from that crisis can be used to crosscheck our findings.
Figure 3
GDP in recessions according to public debt levels
Figure 3 is based on such an approach. It shows that high levels of public debt can be a considerable drag on the recovery. The figure displays the path of per capita GDP in a typical recession compared with the paths under three scenarios following a financial crisis resulting from excess growth of private credit. Each of the three scenarios corresponds to a specified level of public debt at the start of the recession. The dotted line represents a low level of debt of about 15% as a ratio to GDP; the solid line represents a medium level of debt of about 50% of GDP, which is the historical average; and the dashed line represents a high level of debt of about 85% of GDP.
Figure 3 shows that when the credit boom is unwound, high levels of public debt can be problematic. Output remains severely depressed for many years and remains far off its peak levels even five years after a downturn begins. For example, Greece’s dramatic recession is consistent with this scenario. By contrast, low levels of debt make a recession less painful and a recovery much faster. In fact, the pattern is not much different from that seen in a normal recession not triggered by a financial crisis. Most countries had debt levels near the middle of the three scenarios. Their recession paths closely resemble that depicted in the figure.
Conclusion
Unlike normal recessions, those triggered by financial crises put considerably more strain on public finances. The government is often required to act as a backstop, assuming the losses of the banking system. If public debt is high at the start of the crisis, the government may be unable to fulfill its lender-of-last-resort function, thereby slowing the recovery.
Òscar Jordà is a senior research advisor in the Economic Research Department of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco.
Moritz Schularick is a professor of economics at the University of Bonn.
Alan M. Taylor is a professor of economics and finance at the University of California, Davis.
References
Jordà, Òscar, Moritz Schularick, and Alan M. Taylor. 2013a. “When Credit Bites Back.” Journal of Money, Credit and Banking 45(s2), pp. 3–28.
Jordà, Òscar, Moritz Schularick, and Alan M. Taylor. 2013b. “Sovereigns versus Banks: Crises, Causes, and Consequences.” FRB San Francisco Working Paper 2013-37. |
San Francisco - The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) today released Privacy Badger 2.0—a free browser extension for Chrome, Firefox, and Opera with new upgrades to help protect shoppers from online tracking.
“If you or your family does holiday shopping on the Internet, it’s likely that advertisers and other data collectors are learning a lot about you and the things you are interested in buying,” said EFF Staff Technologist Cooper Quintin, lead developer of Privacy Badger. “Privacy Badger 2.0 gives you more control over this data collection, spotting many of the sneaky trackers that follow you without your knowledge, and blocking them from transmitting information about you.”
Online trackers are embedded in images, scripts, or advertising on many webpages. Just visiting a page with a tracker can allow it collect a record of the page you are visiting and merge it with a database of what you visited before and after. One of the results of this tracking are the ads that seem to follow you around the web, reflecting your past browsing history. If Privacy Badger spots a tracker following you without your permission, it blocks all content from the tracker or screens out the tracking scripts or cookies.
Hundreds of thousands of users have already installed earlier releases of Privacy Badger. The new version allows you to import and export your data and preferences across browsers, allows for incognito mode, and has an improved experience with many more websites, along with many other upgrades.
“Neither you nor your loved ones should have to sacrifice your privacy to data miners in order to use the Internet,” said Quintin. “Installing Privacy Badger on your family’s computers is a practical and effective way to fight abuses in the online advertising industry, and make your family’s online experience safer and more secure.”
Privacy Badger works in tandem with the Do Not Track (DNT) policy. Users set the DNT flag in their browser settings or by installing Privacy Badger. Privacy Badger won’t block ads or third-party services that promise to honor all DNT requests.
For your free download of Privacy Badger:
https://www.eff.org/privacybadger |
This article comes to us courtesy of SF Weekly's The Snitch.
By Chris Roberts
Regulate Marijuana Like Wine, a marijuana legalization measure vying to get onto the November ballot, has only $80,000 in cash on hand, according to finance records. But in a poll released this week, it had potential support from 62 percent of likely voters -- and that, ballot proponents say, is quite literally money in the bank.
"That shows funders we can win," said Steve Kubby, a South Lake Tahoe marijuana activist and member of the Regulate Marijuana Like Wine's campaign committee. "Anytime you're polling over 60 percent, you command anyone's attention."
And history just might be on RMLW's side: Those poll numbers are also close to where Proposition 215 was 16 years ago, before the nation's first medical marijuana laws were approved by a million vote margin in November 1996, Kubby noted. Those are also rosier numbers than 2010's Proposition 19 -- which earned more votes than former Republican gubernatorial nominee Meg Whitman -- enjoyed before its historic defeat.
It's still going to be an uphill climb: Organizers have 30,000 signatures thus far, a fraction of the 504,760 validated signatures from registered California voters needed to qualify Regulate Marijuana Like Wine for the ballot (closer to 750,000 or more are in reality needed, allowing for invalidated scribbles and other snafus). Nonetheless, the poll means several billionaires are at this moment crunching numbers and deciding whether to bankroll the initiatives, Kubby told SF Weekly Thursday.
Regulate Marijuana Like Wine is one of several ballot measures concerning marijuana in the signature-gathering process. If passed, it would remove from the California law books all criminal statutes related to marijuana for adults 21 or older. Another ballot initiative, Repeal Cannabis Prohibition, would also undo criminal penalties pertaining to marijuana. A third, the California Cannabis and Hemp Initiative of 2012, would go even further, but has yet to commission the poll necessary to attract heaps of cash.
Another ballot initiative, called the Medical Marijuana Regulation, Control and Taxation Act, is sponsored by labor union UFCW and Americans for Safe Access. It seems to have a good shot at gathering the necessary money and signatures, but creates an updated regulatory framework for medical marijuana, and does not address adult legalization.
About $1.5 million is needed to obtain the required 504,760 valid signatures -- if done a month before the April 20 deadline. If the signature-gathering is done in the final, crazy month -- when everyone vying for the ballot is employing any paid signature gatherers they can find -- signature-gathering firms' prices quadruple, meaning it could cost as much as $5 million, Kubby noted.
"Right now, three different billionaires have our numbers, and are reviewing them," said Kubby, who declined to name them -- though very moneyed men, among them liberal make-it-rainer George Soros, Progressive Auto Insurance Chairman Peter Lewis, Napster cofounder Sean Parker, and Facebook cofounder Dustin Moskovitz, were tapped in 2010 for Prop 19. Are they willing to throw money after Regulate Marijuana Like Wine, too?
Maybe.
Lewis recently wrote an e-mail to cannabis activist Mickey Martin, who had asked Lewis for $1.5 million to fund a legalization ballot measure.
Lewis replied thusly:
"I have done considerable research which leads me to conclude that the time has not yet come for legalization. I believe that if the issue you want to pass isn't polling well above 60% in favor before the election, there is no chance to pass it. California is not there yet."
Is 62 percent enough for Lewis? Time will tell. In the meantime, the campaign is celebrating its poll numbers.
"Everyone, including the polling company, was shocked," Kubby said. "We owe a debt of gratitude to the United States attorneys, who pushed the voters this way with their ridiculous scare tactics. I can't think of anything better for our campaign."
For more San Francisco politics and beyond, follow The Snitch on Twitter. |
CELLPHONE calls sound terrible.
And the quality of the calls over the years has grown worse, in contrast to the evolution of other modern technologies, degrading into bad digital shouting matches, stutter starts and misunderstandings.
The reasons for these bad calls are many and complicated and basically come down to lousy audio technology that breaks up and squeezes the sound of your voice into little bits and pieces. Then, as those bits get transmitted over a bad or congested carrier connection, some get tossed away or lost and what comes out the other side is garbled or incomplete, sort of like a game of telephone.
Hope always seems to be near. In 2010, next-generation phone networks were supposed to route calls without delays and require less of that squeezing. In 2011, those high-speed LTE (Long-Term Evolution, sometimes called 4G) networks were even closer, and they’d be combined with better phones that would, this time, really truly improve call quality.
But all that turned out to be a lot more expensive and difficult than the carriers had anticipated, and so they haven’t done it yet. |
This article is over 3 years old
Shia leader convicted of inciting disobedience and hatred in Sunni-led kingdom but is acquitted of seeking to overthrow monarchy
A Bahraini court has jailed Shia opposition leader Ali Salman for four years after convicting him of inciting disobedience and hatred in the Sunni-ruled kingdom.
But the court acquitted him of the more serious charge of seeking to overthrow the monarchy and change the political system.
Salman, 49, was also found guilty of “insulting an official body”, the source said, referring to the interior ministry.
Salman’s al-Wefaq movement said on Twitter: “The regime is pushing toward aggravation and issued a sentence of four years for the Bahraini opposition leader Sheikh Ali Salman.”
His arrest on 28 December drew condemnation from both the US and Iran, as well as human rights groups, and triggered demonstrations across the kingdom.
Bahrain’s main opposition leader accused of plotting coup Read more
Bahrain, a tiny but strategic state that is home to the US navy’s fifth fleet, has been rocked by unrest since a Shia-led uprising in 2011 demanding a constitutional monarchy and more representative government. At least 89 people have been killed in clashes with security forces, while hundreds have been arrested and put on trial, rights groups say. |
The following is a guest post by Ana Tudor. Ana always does a great job digging into the math behind what we can do graphically on the web. In this case, that's extra-useful as there are several ways to handle SVG transforms and they require a bit of mathematical thinking, especially converting one type to another for the best cross browser support. Here's Ana.
Just like HTML elements, SVG elements can be manipulated using transform functions. However, a lot of things don't work the same way on SVG elements as they do on HTML elements.
For starters, CSS transforms on SVG elements don't work in IE. Of course, there's the option of using the SVG transform attributes for IE if we only need to apply 2D transforms on our elements.
However, all parameters for transform functions are numbers in this case, meaning we cannot control and combine units anymore. For example, we cannot use % values for translate functions (though % values wouldn't work for CSS transforms in Firefox either, whether we're talking about transform-origin values or translate() parameters) and all rotate or skew angle values are in degrees, we cannot use the other units we have available in CSS.
% values for transform-origin , but they are relative to the SVG, not to the element we've set transform-origin on like it is the case in Chrome. Firefox now supportsvalues for, but they are relative to the SVG, not to the element we've seton like it is the case in Chrome. Firefox seems to behave correctly in this case
Also problematic is the fact that JavaScript feature detection fails (reading the CSS transform value via JS will return the matrix equivalent of the transform we have set in our stylesheet) so we either need another way to check for IE or we use the transform attributes across the board (which feels like less work overall).
The main thing that works differently between HTML elements and SVG elements is the local coordinate system of the element. Every element, whether we're talking about HTML elements or SVG elements, has one. For HTML elements, this coordinate system originates at the 50% 50% point of the element. For SVG elements, the origin is, assuming we have no transform applied on the element itself or any of its ancestors inside the <svg> element, at the 0 0 point of the SVG canvas. This will cause different results following rotate , scale , or skew transforms if the 50% 50% point of the SVG element doesn't coincide with the 0 0 point of the SVG canvas.
In order to better understand this, let's see how transform functions work.
How transform functions work
One thing we need to understand about transforms is that they have a cumulative effect when applied on nested elements. This means that a transform applied on an element having descendants will also affect all of its descendants along with their own systems of coordinates and the results of any transforms on those descendants. For simplicity, we'll always assume that in the following cases, our elements don't have any ancestors with transforms applied on them. We'll also assume our elements don't have any descendants.
Translation
A translation moves all the points of an element in the same direction and by the same amount. Translation preserves parallelism, angles, and distances. It can be interpreted as shifting the origin of the element's system of coordinates - when that happens, any element whose position is described with respect to that origin (the element itself and any descendants it may have) gets shifted as well. Its result does not depend on the position of the system of coordinates.
Figure #1: translate transform: HTML elements (left) vs SVG elements (right)
The figure above presents the HTML case (left) versus the SVG case (right). The faded versions are the initial ones (before a translation was applied). Applying a translate transform shifts our elements and their systems of coordinates along with them. It would also shift any descendants if they had any.
As we already know, what differs between the two is the position of the coordinate system. For the HTML case, the origin of the system of coordinates is at the 50% 50% point of the element. For the SVG case, it's positioned at the 0 0 point of the SVG canvas (we have assumed there are no transforms on any of the element's possible ancestors inside the <svg> element). However, in a translation, the position of the system of coordinates relative to the element does not influence the final position of the element.
Both for HTML and SVG elements, when using CSS transforms, we have three translation functions available for 2D: translateX(tx) , translateY(ty) and translate(tx[, ty]) . The first two only act on the x and y directions (as given by the element's system of coordinates) respectively. Note that if another transform is applied before the translate, the x and y directions may not be horizontal and respectively vertical anymore. The third translation function moves the element by tx along the x axis and by ty along the y axis. ty is optional in this case and defaults to zero if not specified.
SVG elements can also be translated using transform attributes. In this case, we only have a translate(tx[ ty]) function. Here the values can also be space-separated, not just comma-separated like in the similar CSS transform function. So in the very simple case where 1 SVG user unit is equivalent to 1px , the following two ways of translating an SVG element are equivalent:
• using a CSS transform:
rect { /* doesn't work in IE */ transform: translate(295px, 115px); }
• using an SVG transform attribute:
<!-- works everywhere --> <rect width='150' height='80' transform='translate(295 115)' />
Note: the SVG transform attribute and the CSS transform property are going to be merged.
Consecutive translate() transforms are additive, meaning that we can write a chain like translate(tx1, ty1) translate(tx2, ty2) as translate(tx1 + tx2, ty1 + ty2) . Note that this is only true if the two translations are consecutive, without another type of transform chained between the two. Reversing a translation translate(tx, ty) is done via another translation translate(-tx, -ty) .
Rotation
A 2D rotation moves an element and any descendants it may have around a fixed point (a point whose position is preserved following the transform). The final result depends on the position of this fixed point. Starting from the same element, two rotations of identical angles around two different points will produce different results. Just like translation, rotation doesn't distort the element and preserves parallelism, angles, and distances. Consecutive rotate() transforms around the same fixed point are additive, just like translations. Reversing a rotation is done via another rotation of the same angle in opposite direction around the same fixed point.
Figure #2: basic rotate transform: HTML elements (left) vs SVG elements (right)
The figure above presents the HTML case (left) versus the basic SVG case (right). The faded versions are the initial ones (before a rotation was applied). Applying a rotation moves the elements and their systems of coordinates around the fixed origins and it would do the same to any descendants of our elements if they had any.
In the HTML case, the origin of the element's system of coordinates is situated at the element's 50% 50% point, so everything rotates around this point. In the SVG case however, the origin is situated at the 0 0 point of the SVG canvas (we have assumed there are no transforms on any of the element's possible ancestors inside the <svg> element), causing everything to move around that point.
The 2D rotation function is pretty straightforward in the case of CSS transforms: just rotate(angle) . The angle value can be expressed in degrees ( deg ), radians( deg ), turns ( turn ) or gradians ( grad ). We could also use a calc() value (for example, something like calc(.25turn - 30deg) ), but this only works in Chrome 38+/ Opera 25+ at the moment. If we use a positive angle value, then the rotation is a clockwise one (and, conversely, a negative angle value gives us a counter-clockwise rotation).
In the case of SVG transform attributes, the rotation function is a bit different - rotate(angle[ x y]) . The angle value works in the same way as for the similar CSS transform function (positive value means clockwise rotation, negative value means counter-clockwise rotation), but it has to be a unitless degree value. The optional unitless x and y parameters specify the coordinates of the fixed point we rotate the element (and its system of coordinates) around. If they are both omitted, then the fixed point is the origin of the system of coordinates. Specifying just the angle and the x parameters makes the value invalid and no transform is applied.
Just like in a translate() function, the parameters can be space-separated or comma-separated.
Note that the presence of the x and y parameters does not not mean the origin of the system of coordinates gets moved to that point. The system of coordinates, just like the element itself (and any descendants it may have) simply gets rotated around the x y point.
This means that we have two equivalent ways of rotating an SVG element (the result can be seen on the right in the previous figure):
• using a CSS transform:
rect { /* doesn't work in IE */ transform: rotate(45deg); }
• using an SVG transform attribute:
<!-- works everywhere --> <rect x='65' y='65' width='150' height='80' transform='rotate(45)' />
We can also specify a transform-origin value in our CSS to emulate the use of the x and y parameters. Length values are relative to the element's system of coordinates, but percentage values are relative to the element itself, so they seem perfect for what we want were. However, we should keep a couple of things in mind.
First, the CSS transform-origin and the fixed point specified inside the rotate() function are not the same. For a very simple example, let's say one using just a rotation around the 50% 50% point of the SVG element, this won't matter. Consider the following two:
rect { transform: rotate(45deg); /* doesn't work as intended in Firefox * % values are taken relative to the SVG, not the element * which actually seems to be correct */ transform-origin: 50% 50%; }
<rect x='65' y='65' width='150' height='80' transform='rotate(45 140 105)' /> <!-- 140 = 65 + 150/2 --> <!-- 105 = 65 + 80/2 -->
They both rotate the element the same way in Chrome, as seen in the following figure:
Figure #3: rotating an SVG element around a set point: using CSS (left) vs. using an SVG transform attribute (right)
This shows the difference between the two. When using CSS, the element's system of coordinates is first moved from the 0 0 point of the SVG canvas to the 50% 50% point of the element. Then, the element is rotated. When using an SVG transform attribute, the element and its system of coordinates are simply rotated around the point specified by the second and third arguments of the rotate() function, a point whose coordinates we've computed so that it's situated at the 50% 50% point of the element. The origin of the element's system of coordinates is still way outside the element, and that origin is going to influence any subsequent transform depending on it.
In order to better understand this, let's chain another rotation after the first that rotates the element by 45° in the opposite direction:
rect { transform: rotate(45deg) rotate(-45deg); transform-origin: 50% 50%; /* Chrome, Firefox behaves differently */ }
<rect x='65' y='65' width='150' height='80' transform='rotate(45 140 105) rotate(-45)' /> <!-- 140 = 65 + 150/2 --> <!-- 105 = 65 + 80/2 -->
Figure #4: chaining rotations on an SVG element: CSS transforms (left) vs. SVG transform attribute (right)
As the figure above shows, when using a CSS transform and setting the transform-origin to 50% 50% , the two rotations cancel each other, but when using the SVG transform attribute, the fixed point we rotate the element around differs from one rotation to the other — it's the 50% 50% point of the element for the first rotation, and the origin of the element's system of coordinates for the second. In this situation, reversing the rotation is easy; just use rotate(-45 140 105) instead of rotate(-45) .
However, this does not change the fact that we only have one transform-origin (because the element's system of coordinates only has one origin), but when using the SVG transform attribute, we can apply multiple rotations, each and every one of them rotating the element around a different point. So, if we want to first rotate our rectangle by 90° around its bottom right corner, and then by 90° more around its top right corner, that's easy with an SVG transform attribute — we just specify a different fixed point for each rotation.
<rect x='0' y='80' width='150' height='80' transform='rotate(90 150 160) rotate(90 150 80)'/> <!-- bottom right: x = x-offset + width = 0 + 150 = 150 y = y-offset + height = 80 + 80 = 160 top right: x = x-offset + width = 0 + 150 = 150 y = y-offset = 80 -->
Figure #5: chaining rotations around different fixed points (SVG transform attribute)
But how can we get the same effect with CSS transforms? It's easy for the first rotation because we can set the transform-origin to right bottom , but what about the second rotation? If we simply chain it after the first, it's just going to rotate the element by 90° more around the same fixed point ( right bottom ).
We need three chained transforms in order to rotate an element around a fixed point regardless of where its transform-origin is. The first one is a translate(x, y) transform that moves the origin of the element's system of coordinates such that it coincides with the fixed point we want to rotate everything around. The second one is the actual rotation. And, finally, the third one is a translate(-x, -y) — the reverse of the first translation.
In this case, our code would be:
rect { /* doesn't work as intended in Firefox * % values are taken relative to the SVG, not the element * which actually seems to be correct */ transform-origin: right bottom; /* or 100% 100%, same thing */ transform: rotate(90deg) translate(0, -100%) /* go from bottom right to top right */ rotate(90deg) translate(0, 100%); }
The figure below shows how this works, step by step:
Figure #6: illustration of how the chaining of CSS transforms works
The second problem with transform-origin is that only length values work in Firefox. Percentages and keywords don't, so we would have to replace them with length values. And, percentage values used inside translate() transforms also don't work in Firefox.
Percentage values now work as transform-origin values in Firefox as well, but they don't behave the same way they do in Chrome. Moreover, Firefox appears to be right in this case, so don't use this method!
Scaling
Scaling changes the distance from the origin of the element's system of coordinates to any point of the element (and of any descendants it may have) by the same factor in the specified direction. Unless the scaling factor is the same in all directions — in which case we have uniform scaling — the shape of the element is not preserved.
A scaling factor within the (-1, 1) range makes the element contract, while a scaling factor outside this range will enlarge it. A negative scaling factor will also perform a point reflection about the origin of the element's system of coordinates in addition to a size modification. If only one scaling factor is different from 1 , then we have directional scaling.
The result of a scale transform depends on the position of the origin of the system of coordinates. Starting from the same element, two scale transforms of the same factor will produce different results for different origins.
Figure #7: scale transform: HTML elements (left) vs SVG elements (right)
The figure above presents the HTML case (left) versus the SVG case (right). In both cases, we scale the element using a scale factor of sx along the x axis and a factor of sy along the y axis. What differs is the position of the origin of the element's system of coordinates, situated at the 50% 50% point of the element in the HTML case and at the 0 0 point of the SVG canvas (we have assumed there are no transforms on any of the element's possible ancestors inside the <svg> element) in the SVG case.
When using CSS transforms, we have three scaling functions available for 2D: scale(sx[, sy]) , scaleX(sx) and scaleY(sy) . The first scaling function scales the element by sx along the x axis and by sy along the y axis. The sy parameter is optional and, if not specified, it is assumed to be equal to sx , thus making the scale isotropic. sx and sy are always unitless values. The other two functions only act on the x and the y direction (as given by the element's system of coordinates) respectively. scaleX(sx) is equivalent to scale(sx, 1) or just scale(sx) , while scaleY(sy) is equivalent to scale(1, sy) . If another transform is applied before the scale, the x and y directions may not be horizontal and respectively vertical anymore.
In the case of SVG transform attributes, we only have a scale(sx[ sy]) function. Again, here the values can also be space-separated, not just comma-separated like in the similar CSS transform function.
So for SVG elements, the following two methods of scaling them are equivalent:
• using a CSS transform
rect { /* doesn't work in IE */ transform: scale(2, 1.5); }
• using an SVG transform attribute
<!-- works everywhere --> <rect x='65' y='65' width='150' height='80' transform='scale(2 1.5)' />
These both produce the same result, shown in the right half of figure #7. But what if we want the same effect we get when applying this exact scale function to an HTML element? Well, the same way we can do this in rotations.
Using CSS transforms, we have the option of setting the the appropriate transform-origin on our SVG element, or of chaining translates before and after the scale — first we translate the system of coordinates so its origin is at the 50% 50% point of our SVG element, then apply the scale, and then reverse the first translation. Using an SVG transform attribute, we only have the option of chaining transforms. So the code for our case above would be:
• using a CSS transform with transform-origin (don't do this)
rect { /* doesn't work in IE */ transform: scale(2, 1.5); /* doesn't work as intended in Firefox * % values are taken relative to the SVG, not the element * which actually seems to be correct */ transform-origin: 50% 50%; }
• using chained CSS transforms
rect { /* doesn't work in IE */ transform: translate(140px, 105px) scale(2 1.5) translate(-140px, -105px); }
• using chained transform functions as the value for an SVG transform attribute
<rect x='65' y='65' width='150' height='80' transform='translate(140 105) scale(2 1.5) translate(-140 -105)'/> <!-- works everywhere -->
The following demo illustrates just how the chaining method works (click the play ► button to start):
See the Pen Chaining on SVG elements to scale wrt a certain point by Ana Tudor (@thebabydino) on CodePen.
Something else to remember about scaling is that two consecutive scale() transforms scale(sx1, sy1) scale(sx2, sy2) can be written as scale(sx1*sx2, sy1*sy2) and reversing a scale(sx1, sy1) transform is done with a scale(1/sx1, 1/sy1) one. If all scale factors in absolute value are equal to 1 , then that scale is its own inverse.
Skewing
Skewing an element along an axis displaces each of its points (except those being precisely on the skew axis) in that direction by an amount that depends on the skew angle and the distance between that point and the skew axis. This means that only the coordinate along the skew axis changes, while the coordinate along the other axis remains unchanged. Unlike rotation, skewing distorts the element, turning squares into non-equilateral parallelograms and circles into ellipses. It doesn't preserve angles (for a skew of angle α , the 90° angles of a rectangular element become 90° ± α ) or the length of any segment not parallel to the skew axis. However, the area of the element is preserved.
Unlike translation or rotation, skewing is not additive. Skewing an element along an axis by an angle α1 and then skewing it again along the same axis by another angle α2 is not equivalent to skewing it along that axis by an angle α1 + α2 .
The demo below illustrates how skewing works — change the angle and/or the axis to see how it affects the initial square.
See the Pen How the skew transform works by Ana Tudor (@thebabydino) on CodePen.
The skew angle is the angle between the final and initial position of the axis that changes after applying the transform (not the axis along which we skew the element). A positive skew angle in the [0°, 90°] interval adds a value of the same sign as the unchanged coordinate to the initial value of the coordinate that changes (the coordinate along the skew axis), while a negative value in the [-90°, 0°] interval adds a value whose sign opposes that of the fixed coordinate.
If we perform a skew along the x axis, then for any point of our element, the y coordinate of that point remains the same, while the x coordinate changes by an amount d depending on the skew angle and on the fixed y coordinate (this talk explains how the d amount can be computed around minute 15). The top and bottom edge (and any other segment parallel to the x axis) stay the same length, while the left and right edges get longer as we increase the skew angle, going to infinity in the case of a ±90° angle. Once that value is exceeded, they start getting shorter until we get to a ±180° angle.
Note that the result of a skew using an angle α in the (90°, 180°] interval is equivalent to the result of a skew of angle α - 180° (which would end up being in the (-90°, 0°] interval). Also, the result of a skew of an angle α in the (-180°, -90°] interval is equivalent to the result of a skew of angle α + 180° (which would end up being in the [0°, 90°) interval).
If we perform a skew along the y axis, the x coordinate remains the same for any point of our element, while the y coordinate changes by an amount d depending on the skew angle and on the fixed x coordinate. The right and left edge (and any other segment parallel to the y axis) stay the same length, while the top and bottom edges get longer as we increase the skew angle, going to infinity in the case of a ±90° angle. Once that value is exceeded, they start getting shorter until we get to a ±180° angle.
Just like in scaling, the result of a skew operation depends on the position of the origin of the element's system of coordinates. Starting from the same element, two skew transforms of the same angle along the same axis will produce different results for different origins.
Figure #8: skew transform: HTML elements (left) vs SVG elements (right)
The figure above presents the HTML case (left) versus the SVG case (right). In both cases, we skew our elements along the x axis by the same angle. What differs is the position of the origin of the element's system of coordinates, situated at the 50% 50% point of the element in the HTML case and at the 0 0 point of the SVG canvas in the SVG case. We have assumed there are no transforms on any of the element's possible ancestors inside the <svg> element in the SVG case.
For simplicity, let's focus on what happens with just one point of our elements: the top right corner. In both cases, the y coordinate gets preserved — the point does not move vertically, only horizontally. However, we see that, horizontally, this corner moves to the left (the negative direction of the x axis) in the HTML case and to the right (the positive direction of the x axis) in the SVG case. And, the bottom right corner moves to the right following the skew in both the HTML and the SVG case. So, how does this work?
Well, as mentioned before, in a skew along the x axis, the y coordinate of any point stays the same, while to the initial x coordinate of the same point we add an amount d which depends on the skew angle and on the fixed y coordinate. This amount d has the sign of the fixed coordinate y if the skew angle is in the [0°, 90°] interval, and the opposing sign if the skew angle is in the [-90°, 0°] interval.
Our angle is 60° in both cases, so the sign of the y coordinate of the top right corner is what makes the difference here. In the HTML case, with the origin of the element's system of coordinates situated at the 50% 50% point of the element, the y coordinate of the element's top right corner is negative as the y axis points down. However, in the SVG case, with the origin of the element's system of coordinates situated at the 0 0 point of the SVG canvas, the y coordinate of the element's top right corner is positive. This means that in the HTML case, we add a negative amount to the initial x coordinate of the top right corner, causing it to move left, while in the SVG case, we add a positive amount to the initial x coordinate of the top right corner, causing it to move right.
Whether we're skewing an SVG element using CSS transforms or the SVG transform attribute, we have two functions available: skewX(angle) and skewY(angle) . The first skews the element along the x axis, while the second one skews it along the y axis.
In CSS transforms, the angle is a value with a unit. It can be expressed in degrees ( deg ), radians ( rad ), turns ( turn ), gradians ( grad ) or even using calc() to combine any of these units (but keep in mind that using calc() with angle units only works in Blink browsers at this point).
When skewing the element with the help of SVG transform attributes, our angle value is always a unitless degree value.
This means that we have two equivalent ways of skewing an SVG element (the result can be seen on the right in the previous figure):
• using CSS transforms:
rect { transform: skewX(60deg); /* doesn't work in IE */ }
• using an SVG transform attribute:
<!-- works everywhere --> <rect x='65' y='65' width='150' height='80' transform='skewX(60)' />
If we want the same effect we get when applying this exact skew function on an HTML element, we have three ways of obtaining it, just like in scaling:
• using a CSS transform with transform-origin (don't do this)
rect { /* doesn't work in IE */ transform: skewX(60deg); /* doesn't work as intended in Firefox * % values are taken relative to the SVG, not the element * which actually seems to be correct */ transform-origin: 50% 50%; }
• using chained CSS transforms
rect { /* doesn't work in IE */ transform: translate(140px, 105px) skewX(60deg) translate(-140px, -105px); }
• using chained transform functions as the value for an SVG transform attribute
<!-- works everywhere --> <rect x='65' y='65' width='150' height='80' transform='translate(140 105) skewX(60) translate(-140 -105)' />
The following demo illustrates just how the chaining method works:
See the Pen Chaining on SVG elements to skew wrt a certain point by Ana Tudor (@thebabydino) on CodePen.
Shortening the chain
All right, chaining transforms does the job. We can rotate, scale, and skew SVG elements and they behave just like HTML elements would with those same transforms. And, if we use chained transforms as the value for an SVG attribute, we can even get the result we want in IE. But it's ugly! Isn't there a simpler way of doing this?
Well, if we start with our SVG rectangle positioned with its 50% 50% point at the 0 0 point of the SVG canvas, we can cut one translation out of the chain, reducing our rotation code to:
<rect x='-75' y='-40' width='150' height='80' transform='translate(140 105) rotate(45)'/> <!-- 75 = 150/2, 40 = 80/2 -->
See the Pen
Chaining on SVG elements to rotate wrt a certain point #1 by Ana Tudor (@thebabydino) on CodePen.
We could also get rid of the first translation with a properly chosen viewBox attribute on the <svg> element containing our rectangle. The viewBox attribute has four space-separated components. The first two specify the x and y coordinates of the top left corner of the SVG canvas in user units, while the other two specify its width and height in user units. If a viewBox attribute is not specified, the coordinates of the top left corner will be 0 0 .
Below, you can see the difference between an <svg> element with no viewBox specified, and one with viewBox='-140 -105 280 210' :
Figure #9: <svg> element with no viewBox specified vs. <svg> element with viewBox specified
Coming back to our example, if we set the viewBox such that the 0 0 point of the SVG canvas is positioned where we want to have the 50% 50% point of our rectangle, our code becomes:
<svg viewBox='-140 -105 650 350'> <rect x='-75' y='-40' width='150' height='80' transform='rotate(45)'/> </svg>
See the Pen Setting proper `viewBox` to rotate wrt a certain point #1 by Ana Tudor (@thebabydino) on CodePen.
Practical use
Putting the 0 0 point of our SVG canvas and any other element we might want right in the middle makes it easier to work with transforms because it makes the 0 0 point of the SVG canvas coincide with the 50% 50% point of the element we want to transform. The following demo (click to play/pause) shows three four-point stars which are initially positioned in the middle and then rotated, translated, skewed, and scaled without any need for setting a transform-origin or adding additional translations to the chain:
See the Pen SVG Stars - final by Ana Tudor (@thebabydino) on CodePen.
Let's see how this demo works, step by step.
Creating the star is pretty simple — it's just a polygon with eight points. The demo below shows how they're positioned relative to the origin ( 0 0 ) of the SVG canvas. Hover the x,y pairs in the code or the points themselves to see which corresponds to which.
See the Pen 4 point star - the points by Ana Tudor (@thebabydino) on CodePen.
We have three such stars. We won't repeat the code for the polygon 3 times, we'll just put it inside <defs> and <use> it three times later.
<svg viewBox='-512 -512 1024 1024'> <defs> <polygon id='star' points='250,0 64,64 0,250 -64,64 -250,0 -64,-64 0,-250 64,-64'/> </defs> <g> <use xlink:href='#star'/> <use xlink:href='#star'/> <use xlink:href='#star'/> </g> </svg>
The first thing we'll do is scale our stars from 0 to 1 :
use { animation: ani 4s linear infinite; } @keyframes ani { 0% { transform: scale(0); } 25%, 100% { transform: scale(1); } }
This gives us the following result:
See the Pen SVG Stars - step #1 by Ana Tudor (@thebabydino) on CodePen.
The next thing we want to do is add some rotation to our keyframe animation. But, we want a different rotation for each star — let's say a random angle plus a specific angle computed based on the index of the star. This means we can't keep using the same keyframe animation for all three of them; we need three different animations. This will also help us make the fills different.
$n: 3; $α: 360deg/$n; $β: random($α/1deg)*1deg; @for $i from 1 through $n { $γ: $β + ($i - 1)*$α; use:nth-of-type(#{$i}) { fill: hsl($γ, 100%, 80%); animation: ani-#{$i} 4s linear infinite; } @keyframes ani-#{$i} { 0% { transform: scale(0); } 25% { transform: scale(1); } 50%, 100% { transform: rotate($γ); } } }
You can see the result of this code below:
See the Pen SVG Stars - step #2 by Ana Tudor (@thebabydino) on CodePen.
The next step is translating and scaling down our stars:
@keyframes ani-#{$i} { 0% { transform: scale(0); } 25% { transform: scale(1); } 50% { transform: rotate($γ); } 75%, 100% { transform: rotate($γ) translate(13em) scale(.2); } }
See the Pen SVG Stars - step #3 by Ana Tudor (@thebabydino) on CodePen.
We're almost there! We just need to skew our stars and use a scale transform to correct their dimensions post-skew.
@keyframes ani-#{$i} { 0% { transform: scale(0); } 25% { transform: scale(1); } 50% { transform: rotate($γ); } 75% { transform: rotate($γ) translate(13em) scale(.2); } 83% { transform: rotate($γ) translate(13em) scale(.2) skewY(30deg) scaleX(.866); } 91% { transform: rotate($γ) translate(13em) scale(.2) skewY(60deg) scaleX(.5); } 100% { transform: rotate($γ) translate(13em) scale(.2) skewY(90deg) scaleX(0); } }
Here I've added more than one new keyframe for precision. While the skew angle changes linearly, the corrective scale factor doesn't — its value is the cosine of the skew angle and, as the next figure shows, the graph of the cosine function is not a straight line between 0° and 90° .
Figure #10: graph of sine (blue) an cosine (red)
However, this pure CSS demo is a bit buggy in Firefox and doesn't work at all in IE since no IE version supports CSS transforms on SVG elements. We can fix all this if we use SVG transform attributes and animate their value changes with JavaScript. You can see the JavaScript version below (click to start).
See the Pen SVG Stars - step #3 by Ana Tudor (@thebabydino) on CodePen. |
No, Internet, it is not true that cheap, effective, and polite private cops have booted Houston’s boys in blue off their stools at this Sharpstown Shipley’s, even if versions of this error-ridden story have gone viral in certain circles.
Here’s the version of the story that’s floating around. Two years ago “Sharpstown, Texas, fired its entire police department” and replaced with them with a private security firm called S.E.A.L. Solutions. Not only have the rent-a-cops brought down crime by a whopping 61 percent, they’ve saved taxpayers $200,000 a year. And best of all, since they are a private company, they are thus eminently liable to lawsuits in the event of a case of police brutality, and thus, a kinder, gentler lot:
Another aspect, and possibly the most important, that sets privatized police apart from agents of the state, is that they have a negative incentive to initiate force. Force and violence are vastly more expensive than today’s police lead us to believe. Causing injury or death, or wrongfully depriving someone of their rights is very expensive if these costs are realized for the ones who cause them. The state does not care, however. They can and will defer their liability to the tax farm. The act of deferment of liability is a function solely reserved for the state, and it creates an incentive to act in an unethical manner. In the case of SEAL Security, each of their officers, as well as their entire operation, can be held liable, both criminally and financially. This is something about which the state knows nothing.
So, cheaper cops bringing down the crime rate while being nice and respectful about it, and doing so without taking a dime of tax money. Cop Block, Alex Jones, and Joe Rogan are lovin’ it! Libertarian paradise!
Only very little of it is true.
First, there is no such place as Sharpstown, Texas. Sharpstown is a master-planned community in southwest Houston, Texas. Sharpstown has never had its own schools, fire department, mayor, post offices, city council, or police force. It is under the jurisdiction of the Houston Police Department, just like downtown Houston, River Oaks, and Fifth Ward.
Second, they didn’t fire anybody, technically speaking. They just refused to renew a yearly contract with the Harris County Constables’ Office for extra security patrols. (Sharpstown residents can still be ticketed and/or arrested by Harris County constables, just as they could by an HPD cop. I am sure some resident will try to pull the “You can’t bust me, we fired you,” card soon.) In addition to patrol, process-serving, and court security, Harris County constables will contract with neighborhoods for supplemental patrols, but their services do not come cheap. The Braeswood Place neighborhood, in near southwest Houston, pays $360,000 yearly for five deputy constables to patrol its confines.
And then there’s that alleged 61 percent reduction in crime. That number apparently originates from an “independent study” conducted by the Sharpstown Civic Association, a group with a vested interest in combating its image as a haven for crime. According to a more objective source—Houston’s NBC affiliate—Sharpstown had the most total crimes of any Houston neighborhood in 2013, the first full year of the S.E.A.L. patrols.
This isn’t the first time this story has gone around. Here’s a news video from April 2013, about five months after the civic association hired S.E.A.L. (I have no idea why this one did not go viral, like the latest one has, but such is the nature of the ’net. Maybe the bogus claims were not overblown enough.)
Note that the tagline claims that “crime” has gone down 50 percent since the rent-a-cops took over, but the head of the SCA states only that monthly home burglaries declined from twenty to eleven.
So in the end, Sharpstown did not fire its police force, and if crime went down significantly under the watch of the security guards who replaced the constables, it remained the neighborhood with the most total crimes in all of Houston. (I’ll bet it’s true that they saved money though.)
The story amounts to this: a neighborhood with lots of crime turned to a cheaper alternative to fight it, and it might or might not be working, depending on who you talk to. Whoever is behind this PR coup for both Sharpstown and S.E.A.L deserves a raise, and the Internet loses that much more credibility. Sigh.
(Photo: John Nova Lomax) |
With the Syrian military still reeling from the loss of Palmyra (Tadmur) and two valuable nearby gas fields to ISIS in the past week, warplanes have begun to pound the area, with state media claiming over 160 airstrikes today against ISIS targets.
State media reports claimed over 50 ISIS fighters killed in the strikes, which covered Palmyra, al-Suknah, and the area around the gas fields. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also reported four civilians slain.
ISIS, however, doesn’t appear to be slowing its offensive, and has moved further down the highway between Palmyra (Tadmur) and Damascus, seizing a valuable set of phosphate mines in the area.
The losses are likely taking a toll on the Assad government, which has already lost more or less all of the nation’s oil assets, and has now lost gas fields vital to their electricity production, and phosphate mines that represented one of their last real marketable export products.
Syria’s airstrikes in the immediate vicinity of Palmyra appear to have been limited to avoid any hits on the valuable ancient city, which is a UN heritage site.
Last 5 posts by Jason Ditz |
Near-constant beeps and bloops and other electronic tones harass our 21st-century ears, so the Doctor Who theme might not blow you away. But the Workshop was founded in 1958 -- well before synthesizers were effectively available. Making electronic sounds was possible, but it took lots of time and lots of work. Making them sound good took even more. Tape loops were a Workshop signature years before the Beatles were praised as visionaries for using them on "Tomorrow Never Knows." A loop for today's musician is a repeating snippet of digitally stored sound triggered by a keystroke. For the Workshop's members, it was literally a loop of tape. Some loops circled the Workshop's studio; one stretched down the hallway to the receptionist's desk.
The Doctor Who theme took days of cutting and splicing individual notes. In his book Strange Sounds, Mark Brend notes that without multitrack recorders, the final mix was achieved by putting all the tracks on separate machines. With the tapes cued up exactly, the "play" buttons were deployed with a "one, two, three, go!" It took a few tries. Although the music was written by Ron Grainer, an outside composer hired by the BBC, it was Workshop member Delia Derbyshire who masterminded the otherworldly production. Upon hearing it, a very impressed Grainer barely recognized it as his composition. Due to BBC policies at the time, Grainer -- against his objections -- is still officially credited as the sole writer.
Equally inclined to music and mathematics, Derbyshire grew up during the war in the heavily bombed city of Coventry. "My love for abstract music came from the air raid sirens ... that was electronic music," she once said. That influence is heard most explicitly in her "Music of Spheres" (below).
For those raised on Doctor Who and other BBC programming, the Workshop created a soundscape that made the once harsh and alien sounds of electronic tones not just familiar but beautiful. It's not much of a stretch to assume that the Radiophonic Workshop had a lot to do with why the best synth-pop bands of the 1980s came out of the U.K.
Housed in a former roller skating rink that provided few resources, the Workshop relied on a DIY ingenuity. The members, of varying levels of musical training, scrounged up oscillators from other BBC offices, tuned them to different pitches and connected them to an octave's worth of keys ripped from an old piano. They rigged up their own instruments, such as a wooden plank outfitted with a single string and two pickups. The sounds of silverware being jostled, a metal lampshade struck, or water poured from a cider jug were recorded and then slowed down, sped up or reversed until a jaunty tune emerged. Doing away with traditional instruments, composing was no longer just arranging notes; the Workshop built from scratch the very sounds of those notes. Take, for example, the description embedded below of creating the music for the reading letters portion of Woman's Hour. |
The Supreme Court is deliberating in a case that will decide whether in-home personal care and home health aides are allowed to unionize and bargain agreements with government agencies. The case will also decide whether their contracts can require every aide who benefits from the collective bargaining agreement to pay her fair share in agency fees (or dues, if she is a union member). These collective bargaining agreements have made a huge difference in the lives of the overwhelmingly female and disproportionately minority workforce that cares for the sick and disabled, the frail elderly and small children in their homes or in the homes of the customers.
Until the 1990’s, when states and counties across the nation began creating public entities to act as employers and bargain collectively with the workers’ unions, the in-home care workers rarely were paid more than the minimum wage, they had no coverage for health or dental insurance and no pension or retirement plan. Even today, after almost two decades of progress, half of these workers have incomes less than twice the poverty level and they earn far less than workers in other occupations – even after taking into account gender, age, race, education, and geography.
But where in-home aides have been permitted to unionize and bargain collectively they have improved pay and benefits, training, retention, and the safety of clients and workers alike. In Illinois, where the Supreme Court case challenging unionization arose, the latest contract includes $13.00 an hour pay, health and dental insurance, a grievance procedure, and paid training hours – a huge improvement over what was formerly minimum wage work with no benefits and no respect.
That is what is at stake in Harris v. Quinn: whether a workforce of 2 million women who are vital to the care of our aging society, vital to the cost-effective care of the disabled (in-home care generally is half as expensive as institutionalization), vital also to the development of small children and infants whose parents work, will have an effective voice to transform their undervalued profession into one that can attract and retain workers. History shows us that without unionization, these jobs will continue to be undervalued and the workers treated with disrespect. Without the collective power and the voice a union provides, in-home care will once again be too poorly paid to support a decent standard of living and will be outsourced to temporary immigrant workers in a process that will create a downward spiral of wages and working conditions.
Out of 818 occupations, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that personal care aides will be number one in growth over the next 10 years, both in terms of growth rate and sheer numbers. Home health aides are projected to be the fourth fastest growing occupation. Harris v. Quinn will decide whether the gradual, ongoing improvement in the quality and desirability of these jobs continues or the clock is turned back. |
Not really ‘news’, but “a significant number of major bicycle manufacturers have recognised the advantages metric sizing offers frame design”… you don’t say.
There is no doubt that the bicycle world is caught in the middle of an imperial/metric battle, a battle that has been raging on for years (we wrote a great piece on it in the mag… that I can’t find right now!). And it is a bloody nightmare! Travel measured in inches and millimetres, wheels in inches, bar diameters in millimetres… we could go on. In Europe metric rules supreme (in fact the original idea that the metric system is based on came about in 1799 in France!), in the US (and oddly only Myanmar and Liberia too – so says Wikipedia!) imperial is king.
So the ‘news’ is that a bunch of seemingly unrelated suspension brands (Cane Creek, DVO, Manitou, RockShox, Suntour and X Fusion) have got together and decided that all the measurements and fittings on their rear shocks will now be metric (what about forks?). We told you that it wasn’t really ‘news’… and it’s not even April Fools yet. Here’s the release:
SUSPENSION MANUFACTURERS INTRODUCE METRIC SHOCK SIZING
SIX OF THE BICYCLE INDUSTRY’S MAIN SUSPENSION MANUFACTURERS ANNOUNCED
TODAY THAT, BEGINNING WITH MODEL YEAR 2017 BICYCLES, CONSUMERS WILL SEE
SEVERAL NEW SHOCK LENGTHS AND FITMENT OPTIONS.
The new lengths are based on metric dimensions instead of the imperial-based dimensions of most current shock offerings. Cane Creek, DVO Suspension, Manitou, RockShox, SR Suntour, and X-Fusion are each working independently to develop shock options within their own product lines, and each brand will announce its metric sizing offerings separately.
The group of suspension manufacturers says that metric sizing allows both suspension and frame manufacturers to significantly simplify rear shock sizing and fitment, while also providing performance benefits to both suspension and frame designs.
A significant number of major bicycle manufacturers have recognised the advantages metric sizing offers frame design, and will be introducing new bikes equipped with metric rear shocks in the near future.
Though the group is enthusiastic about the future of metric sizing in suspension, each company says it will remain committed to supporting its imperial shock sizes as long as market demand is relevant. |
Oliver Queen went over a cliff, but he’s still alive and kicking as the Green Arrow on The CW. Agent Coulson was stabbed through the heart, and yet leads the Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. over on ABC. Even Sara Lance took three arrows to the chest only to be resurrected as the White Canary for Legends of Tomorrow. Sensing a theme?
In an era where death on TV is hardly permanent anymore, killing off a character on a super series is even less so, which begs the question: Does death even matter on a superhero show? That question becomes more pertinent in the wake of what’s happening on the silver screen — spoiler alert: read all about that big Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice moment here.
As Arrow nears the end of its fourth season — which kicked off with the promise that someone would end up in a grave — EW caught up with Arrow and Legends of Tomorrow executive producer Marc Guggenheim to get his take on what superhero deaths even mean these days:
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: Nobody has really killed off any major heroes on TV. Can you even do that?
MARC GUGGENHEIM: Well, I mean, we killed off Hawkman (Falk Hentschel) in episode 2 of Legends. I do feel like we’ve done it. One could argue that you hadn’t spent enough time with Carter before we killed him, but it’s hard to ignore the fact that he is a major hero. That said, you’re right, we haven’t killed off — on any of the shows — a superhero yet. We’ve killed off plenty of other people.
Are you even allowed to do that? If you went to DC and said you want to kill off Arsenal (Colton Haynes) or an established character from the comics, are you even allowed to? Or is there a conversation that needs to be had where you show why it has to happen?
No, I don’t think so. We killed off Sara Lance in episode 1 of season 3, so that, for us, was the first time we killed off a superhero. Again, one can always distinguish by saying, “She wasn’t a series regular, so that doesn’t count.” I will say that there were some very brief discussions when we were writing Colton Haynes off the show of do we kill Arsenal? That actually led to the fake-out that we ultimately did in episode 319 where you thought we killed off Roy, but we revealed that we really didn’t by the end of the episode.
There’s no like we have to go to DC and get permission. DC is our partner in all this and we casually keep them updated on all the storylines. They are aware of all of our plans. It’s not like they watch the episodes, or even read the scripts and that’s the first time they’re hearing about something. We’re touching base with DC throughout the year on a very regular basis just saying, “Hey, we’re doing this or we’re doing that.” Sometimes it includes a character death and other times it’s a plot twist or plot development. They’re just in our process and aware of it. I can say that never, at any point, has DC said, “Don’t do that.” They never said, “Don’t kill off this character or don’t do this plot twist.” Whatever moments you want to reference either on Flash, Legends or Arrow, DC has never said, “No, you can’t do that.” Let’s say we decided to kill off Arsenal last year, I don’t think it would’ve been an issue.
Ultimately with Roy’s fake death, was that more of a case of you wanting to leave open the possibility of Colton returning?
Oh yeah, 100 percent. We love Colton and he was amenable to returning, and obviously we just had him back on the show. It was 1,000 percent we don’t want to take this character off the table for us.
Is there an argument to be made that comic heroes should be immortal? That they’re not regular characters in the classic sense, that since they go on and on in the comics that that’s just they way they should be — changing actors, different stories, but they’re just never-ending?
No. Here’s the thing, I’m going to give you a more inside baseball or deeper answer than you’re looking for, but I’m a longtime comic book fan. Any longtime comic book fan knows that death in comic books nowadays is pretty meaningless. Everyone knows that when a character dies, it’s a good story, particularly if it’s well done, but that character is coming back. Eventually, by hook or by crook, that character is coming back.
Right now, in the Marvel universe, Wolverine is dead. I can guarantee you — and I’m not talking out of school — that by the time the next Wolverine movie comes out, Wolverine will be back and alive. That’s just a given. I’m not spoiling anything and I’m not revealing any secrets, that’s just the reality. So, that’s comic books.
Now make the switch over to comic book shows and I feel like, right now in comic book shows, death operates in a different place, in large part because you’re dealing with actors who get let out of their contracts when their characters are killed off. You know it’s not such an easy thing for them to return. I think death has much more currency in these TV shows than it does in comics. That said, one of the things we own now in Legends, Arrow, and Flash is that death has a different meaning now that we’re in a world of parallel universes on Flash and time travel on Legends.
All that being said, I don’t believe that superheroes shouldn’t die. They are living myths, but I like the fact that they’re mortal myths. I think it gives stakes to the stories and I think it humanizes them in a necessary way to make you care about these characters. I’m a big believer in it when the death actually matters. It’s harder in actual comic books where you can always bring characters back. That said, killing off a character in comics, that can make for a great story. The death of Wolverine that Marvel just did a few months back was a really, really entertaining, well told story that was a great send-off of Wolverine for the time. Even the inevitable resurrection doesn’t, in my mind, take away from the reading experience of enjoying a good story.
How do you keep the suspense going or subvert expectations about your main characters if they’re always in jeopardy and audiences know they’re ultimately going to be OK?
I guess that’s the thing, I don’t accept the premise that they ultimately are going to be OK, because I don’t accept the premise that superheroes can’t die. Hopefully the audience knows that everyone is up for grabs. The only one who’s probably not up for grabs on Arrow is Oliver Queen, but everyone else is fair game.
Even when we’re expecting a death not to be permanent, what’s the most important deciding factor in killing a character?
For us, it’s always been what is the impact that that death has on all the other characters who don’t die? Can you get more story or great drama out of killing off one character for all the other surviving characters? We internally refer to that as the story math. That’s something that we always consider. It’s not about — just to sort of channel my inner internet troll — it’s not about killing off a character to prop up the other characters. It’s what narrative possibilities, what story possibilities does the death open up?
What I find fascinating is you guys showcased the grave at the beginning of the season. You are using death as a driving force this season, because we don’t know who is in the grave — and really you guys didn’t know who was in it in the beginning. Did you have a big pool of people and then narrowed it down as you went? And why did you decide to go that route? Because that potential death would keep people coming back?
No. I don’t think we expected the reaction to the grave to be as profound or as scintillating as it turned out to be. For us, it was like we’re going into season 4, we’ve pretty much killed off a character every season — actually, not pretty much, we have killed off a character every season — are we truly revealing or spoiling anything to say, “Yes, someone is going to die this year”? Anyone who has watched the previous three seasons of Arrow knows that someone is likely to die in season 4. The big surprise would be, in season 5, if we didn’t kill anybody.
Do you feel like the possibility of being killed off keeps actors in line? Or does that just not work anymore given that people don’t feel death is permanent?
No, it’s not that actually. Because, again, death is permanent from a contractual basis. If you kill off a character, that actor is not working on the show on a regular basis. That said, I can tell you it actually doesn’t change the cast’s behavior.
What do you think about the trend of “faking” character deaths on tv — like Jon Snow on Game of Thrones or Glenn on The Walking Dead? Are TV shows taking a more superhero comic book approach to non-comic book shows?
First of all, you’ve cited two shows, one of which is based on a comic book, the other that’s very heavily genre…
But there are many other non-genre shows, those were just at the top of my head.
I know! I would say, in all honesty, in many ways, there’s always been an element of soap opera that runs through all comic books. In many ways, I think comic books have been borrowing from the narrative conventions of TV shows, more than TV shows borrowing from the narrative conventions of comic books. Maybe I’m saying that just to be contrarian, I don’t know, but I feel like death and, even fake deaths, have really been sort of a tried and true plot device in television for a very long time. In many respects, I think comic books have almost taken their cue from soap operas and television dramas.
Again, as death starts to lose its currency, writers are always looking, “Well, what’s the next surprise? Oh, faking someone’s death.” That’s why we did it on Arrow last year. Walking Dead did it this year. Game of Thrones is going to do it next year. Our job on Arrow, I always feel, is how do we be at the forefront of something and not following other people? How do we do stuff that no one else has done before? Like I said, we killed Canary on Arrow before we killed Hawkman on Legends. How are we always at the tip of the spear?
Arrow airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET on The CW. |
Governor Steve Bullock today issued an amendatory veto to House Bill 83, adding language that will allow counties to conduct the special Congressional election, scheduled for May 25, by an automatic absentee mailing.
“We can and should help more people participate in our democracy by streamlining government and saving taxpayers’ money,” said Governor Bullock during a press conference. “I take seriously my responsibility to strengthen our democracy by helping make sure that more eligible citizens can participate in that democracy – not fewer. And what is better for democracy than to put a ballot in the hands of every registered voter?”
If the amendatory veto is upheld by the Legislature, every voter will be mailed an absentee ballot for the May 25 election. A mail ballot election is projected to save counties $750,000 and alleviate the difficulties of finding physical locations for precincts, a challenge created by the fact that this election is taking place at an unusual time.
Governor Bullock announced the amendatory veto during a press conference held today and asked the Legislature to accept the amendatory veto as soon as possible to best prepare county clerk and records for the special election. He also expressed his disappointment in the opposition to Senator Fitzpatrick’s mail ballot bill that failed earlier, Senate Bill 305, that it might benefit one party over the other.
“The right to vote, indeed the obligation as a citizen to vote, has no basis in partisan politics,” Governor Bullock said. “It is a sacred right, born in our Constitution. And to sully it by intentionally trying to keep people away from voting takes the deepest kind of cynicism. At its core, it is un-American.”
The amendatory veto also gives voters the opportunity to vote in person on election day or during the 29 days prior at the central election office for the county or any satellite office established by any county. Certain populations requiring special attention, such as handicapped voters, will receive appropriate in-person polling accommodations.
American Indians, under a Secretary of State’s directive issued in 2014 and still in force, will be able to vote at satellite offices located centrally on their reservations. And all counties may open additional satellite offices, and polling locations, where needed or appropriate to serve rural populations. |
Scott Laird helped Preston win promotion to the Championship in 2015
Newly-promoted League Two club Forest Green Rovers have signed left-back Scott Laird on a two-year deal after his release by Scunthorpe United.
The 29-year-old was on loan at Walsall in 2016-17, making 26 starts in League One after joining the Iron in 2015.
The former Scotland youth international has also previously played for Preston, Stevenage, Torquay and Plymouth.
"I'm from Somerset so it's nice to be able to move nearer home," Laird told the Gloucestershire club's website.
"I haven't been able to do that for 10 years in my football career. It's great to be a part of something that can really kick on."
Meanwhile, Forest Green have named Helen Taylor - an ambassador for the club's sponsor - as the club's new chief executive, while long-serving supporter Phil Butterworth replaces David Drew - Stroud's new Member of Parliament - as vice-chairman.
Find all the latest football transfers on our dedicated page. |
Yet one more minor emergency, this one caused by cannabis.
So I loaded up my MFLB with a mix of ATF and Sour Diesel, and fired it up for my nominal two tokes using a freshly-charged battery. I was trying to be very cautious because I’ve had some problems in the past getting a wee bit too high after the extra power of a fresh battery was used.
OK, so just two hits, didn’t get too high, all is well. But about 10 minutes later, all of a sudden I’m feeling shaky, nervous, and hyper. No fun at all, actually downright scary. Probably I just got a lot of THC vaporized due to the fast-acting battery, but how can I fix this fast? I don’t have any fast-acting indica at hand.
So I thought way outside the box, and came up with some handy, quick-acting, all-purpose CNS depressant: ethanol, in the form of Maker’s Mark bourbon. Half a shot glass of that and I was quickly calmed but not impaired. Low dosages of alcohol can also be used medicinally! |
On VoreI have uploaded new essays on vore:
Premature Birth = Vore Love?
Vore Community Statistics
Hate in the Vore Community
Welcome to my essay on the very diverse and unusual subject of vore. If you are reading this out of curiosity or to learn more about vore, then you've come to the right place. If you are here because you do not understand vore, then I would encourage you to read the entire essay, as you will likely learn quite a bit. Regardless of how you found the essay or your reason for reading, I would love to hear your feedback, so please feel free to post a comment - after you have read the essay in it's entirety.
Overview
Well, first off, what exactly is vore? At its barest |
A 46-year-old woman who had sex with a 14-year-old boy has told the Old Bailey she believed he was 17.
Amanda Lockhart is accused of grooming the 'reluctant' boy for sex before forcing him to rub her breasts and have sex.
The court heard the youngster, who Lockhart allowed to take naked photos of her, felt he could not refuse her demands.
Lockhart, of Croydon, south London, claims she was duped into sex after the boy said he was 17 years old, even showing her his passport to prove his age.
Amanda Lockhart is accused of grooming a 14-year-old for sex. She claims she thought he was aged 17
She claims he then tried to blackmail her for £500 by threatening to show the naked photos he took to others.
Prosecutor Jose Olivares-Chandler said that, in a police interview, Lockhart 'asserted it was him not her that encouraged sexual activity’.
'The defendant admitted having sexual intercourse with (the boy) but denied knowing his true age’, the prosecutor added.
She claimed that the boy turned 'aggressive' after the tryst but she refused to give in to his alleged blackmail attempt.
Mr Olivares-Chandler said Lockhart initially got the boy to touch her legs when the grooming began.
Lockhart denies five counts of engaging in sexual activity in a child at the Old Bailey (pictured)
‘He said he didn’t want to but she asked him again and he complied with her demands’, Mr Olivares-Chandler said.
She then convinced him to have sex with her in January last year, the court heard.
Mr Olivares-Chandler said: ‘She told him to go to the bathroom with her. He didn’t do so but she repeated her demand and once again he did as he was told.’
Mr Olivares-Chandler said the boy refused to take his clothes off so Lockhart undressed him while kissing and touching him.
‘He didn’t feel like there was anything he could do to stop the defendant’s sexual advances’, he said.
‘During the sexual activity in the bathroom, he took photos of the defendant who was naked on his mobile phone’, said the prosecutor.
‘He did so because he was afraid the defendant would engage in sexual activity in the future and he did so to prove to his family that it had taken place.’
The boy sent the pictures to his cousin, who then reported Lockhart to the police.
Lockhart denies five counts of engaging in sexual activity in a child. |
— File Photo
PESHAWAR: A decisive operation has been launched against militants in the Tirah valley of Bara by Special Services Groups (SSG) forces along with regular troops, during which at least 23 troops have been killed along with local lashkar men.
Scores of militants have also been killed in the offensive during the last three days.
Official sources confirmed to Dawn.com that several soldiers, including SSG commandos, have been killed in the battle for Tirah valley on Saturday, around 30 militants have also been confirmed dead along with scores of others injured.
On late Sunday evening, a clash took place between security forces and militants in Akka Khel area of Bara tehsil. Ten militants were killed in the fighting, official sources said.
Sources said that SSG commandos along with regular army troops and Frontier Corps are battling to root out the last pockets of resistance in the Tirah valley especially on the border of Orakzai Agency.
The landlocked area is reported to be a bastion of the banned Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other foreign militants.
The offensive has entered a crucial phase, after softening of targets by gunships and jet fighters.
Ground troops along with local volunteers have been mobilised to clear the area.
Security experts had already hinted at a decisive strike in the Tirah valley as the TTP and Lashkar-i-Islam had started consolidating their positions in the valley.
The two groups pose a serious threat to the settled areas especially Peshawar.
The FC media cell had confirmed on Friday that four soldiers were killed and over 14 militants had died in the clashes which have been continuing since then.
Sources have confirmed to Dawn.com that one dead body of an SSG commando and six injured SSG soldiers along with eight other solders were shifted to the CMH Peshawar on Saturday.
Artillery and mortar shelling has also intensified as troops have started an advance march and door-to-door offensive to clear pockets of resistance.
The former secretary of security for Fata region and an expert on tribal affairs, Brigadier Mehmood Shah speaking to Dawn.com said that Tirah would become a headache for the Pakistan administration if it is not cleared of militants.
He said that militants from Khyber Agency's Bara area and the Dara Admakhel TTP have also shifted their operational base to Tirah valley as they consider it to be a safer place to regroup.
He added that if Tirah valley is left unattended, it would become even more dangerous than South Waziristan Agency.
The recent clashes between the Ansarul Islam (AI) and the TTP, also supported by the Lashkar-i-Islam (LI), had left many fighters dead on both sides, providing a conducive environment for security forces to launch a major offensive.
Another factor which might help the security forces this time is the internal rift in the TTP after the death of its commander Tariq Afridi.
Following the death of Tariq Afridi, the Central TTP and Afridi’s own faction both have appointed their own chiefs.
This indicates widening rifts between the Hakimullah-led militants and Tariq Afridi's loyalists who suspect that the TTP central commander was responsible for Afridi's murder.
The central TTP nominated Umer Khalifa while the Afridi faction nominated Zubair alias 'Kaka' as their chief.
But widening difference clearly surfaced after the two factions were unable to consolidate their positions.
The TTP-AI fight has made things more difficult for the TTP in Tirah valley.
The TTP spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan has repeatedly blamed security forces of backing the AI while he has also refused to accept the Dara Adamkhel Taliban chief Zaubair.
Security forces may benefit from the discontent and can take the TTP factions separately who are already at odds with each other.
They can also take on the LI through the AI whose fighters are already part of the Zakha Khel peace committee, which is fighting the LI in Maidan valley. |
Post by shadowm » July 14th, 2014, 8:53 am
Wesnoth 1.11.16 (1.12 beta 6) is out!
Players should test this and later beta versions and all the various new features and units added since 1.10.x for single-player and multiplayer games.
should test this and later beta versions and all the various new features and units added since 1.10.x for single-player and multiplayer games. Content authors should port their content to these versions and test it now to ensure first-time players of version 1.12.0 — or Wesnoth in general — have a chance to play with their favorite add-ons when the time comes.
should port their content to these versions and test it to ensure first-time players of version 1.12.0 — or Wesnoth in general — have a chance to play with their favorite add-ons when the time comes. Translators should work on translating mainline Wesnoth and try to aim for 100% completion before 1.12.0, which is expected to become available within a couple of months eventually soon. Players with the required language skills can also help — all the instructions to contribute to the mainline translation teams are in the wiki.
Fixed WML load error handling and reporting » 1.11.15 caused WML preprocessor and parser errors found at game/add-on load time to not be reported to the player in the GUI, and the game to carry on with a incomplete and malformed WML tree in many cases, resulting in all sorts of unexpected behavior obfuscating the real source of the issue. This issue was A regression in versioncaused WML preprocessor and parser errors found at game/add-on load time to not be reported to the player in the GUI, and the game to carry on with a incomplete and malformed WML tree in many cases, resulting in all sorts of unexpected behavior obfuscating the real source of the issue. This issue was reported on the forums by SkyOne and is fixed in this release.
MP game reloading fixes » Formerly, MP saved games generated by other players while another player was disconnected or blocked network transmissions could contain corrupted data if it became that player’s turn before the game was saved (bug #21397 [Gna.org] ). This long-standing issue has been fixed in this release.
Fixed unit movement issues in planning mode »
Make sure to report to us if you find any other problems with this feature. An issue with continued unit moves scheduled in planning mode (bug #22231 [Gna.org] ) has been fixed in this release, and the planning mode in general is expected to be working as intended again.
Saved game map previews » Load Game dialog should no longer be displaying incorrect/missing data in this release (bug save_index file in the user configuration directory is reset or deleted by hand. The map preview pane in thedialog should no longer be displaying incorrect/missing data in this release (bug #22086 [Gna.org] ). New saved games from this release should work correctly, but saves from previous releases may continue to display incorrectly until thefile in the user configuration directory is reset or deleted by hand.
Workaround for mouse tracking issues on OS X » mouse pointer being mapped incorrectly on the Wesnoth window on some Apple OS X systems, such as those equipped with Retina screens (bug An issue with thebeing mapped incorrectly on the Wesnoth window on some Apple OS X systems, such as those equipped with Retina screens (bug #20332 [Gna.org] ), was found to be caused by the window resolution being set to values larger than the actual amount of space available on the screen. Since this is directly tied to the screen resolution autodetection mechanism, Wesnoth defaults to 800x600 on OS X from now on as a stopgap measure.
User interface improvements, tweaks, and fixes » A long-standing issue causing most of the minimap control buttons and the End Turn button to appear in the wrong state during WML start events (at the start of a scenario, before the initial objectives are displayed) has been fixed in this release.
control buttons and the End Turn button to appear in the wrong state during WML events (at the start of a scenario, before the initial objectives are displayed) has been fixed in this release. The game defaults to the classic unit/village color coding and “satellite” terrain representation on the minimap. The alternatives introduced in version 1.11.8 remain available through the controls below the minimap.
Enemy units no longer have orbs (introduced in version 1.11.5).
The invisible Impassable and Unwalkable overlay terrains are no longer displayed on the minimap (bug #21298 [Gna.org]).
and overlay terrains are no longer displayed on the minimap (bug #21298 [Gna.org]). Since the Update Add-ons shortcut in the add-ons server connection dialog was removed in version 1.11.0, the Update All (add-ons) option became considerably less visible to players unless they were specifically looking for it. To address this, the Update All button is now available on all Add-on Manager views, and enabled whenever there is at least one add-on on the list that may be upgraded.
shortcut in the add-ons server connection dialog was removed in version 1.11.0, the (add-ons) option became considerably less visible to players unless they were specifically looking for it. To address this, the Update All button is now available on all Add-on Manager views, and enabled whenever there is at least one add-on on the list that may be upgraded. The in-game Chat Log dialog now includes a button to copy the current page to clipboard.
dialog now includes a button to copy the current page to clipboard. The Hotkey Settings dialog now displays icons for actions that have one associated.
dialog now displays icons for actions that have one associated. An issue with the WML load error dialog not displaying an add-on name for add-ons downloaded with clients older than Wesnoth 1.11.6 (built-in client) or 1.11.10 (external wesnoth_addon_manager tool) has been fixed.
tool) has been fixed. The Gamestate Inspector dialog (as accessed via :inspect ) now includes a button to copy the currently selected object’s contents to clipboard.
dialog (as accessed via ) now includes a button to copy the currently selected object’s contents to clipboard. Certain “assertion failed” crashes related to the Gamestate Inspector have been fixed (#22095 [Gna.org], #22144 [Gna.org]).
The Gamestate Inspector now outputs valid WML for most WML-based objects (in particular those including multi-line values), thus allowing it to be safely copied and pasted into WML documents.
The incomplete/broken UnitBox and Widescreen game UI themes have been removed for this and future 1.11.x/1.12.x releases.
Editor changes » hotkey bindings for selecting the brush size/shape for the current tool (number keys 1-5), and restores the F5 functionality to reload WML content while in the editor (bug
A few unfinished features were disabled in this release as they are unlikely to be completed in time for 1.12.0 (especially so during the feature and string freeze): Custom ToD schedule creation dialog
Item placement tool
Loyal unit toggle Additionally, the ToD schedule and music playlist menus are no longer available in pure map mode. This release adds defaultbindings for selecting thefor the current tool (number keys 1-5), and restores the F5 functionality toWML content while in the editor (bug #21717 [Gna.org] ).A few unfinished features were disabled in this release as they are unlikely to be completed in time for 1.12.0 (especially so during the feature and string freeze):Additionally, the ToD schedule and music playlist menus are no longer available in pure map mode.
Changes to Mushroom Grove terrains » Mushroom Grove overlays always counted as plain Fungus tiles for unit movement costs and defense calculation purposes. This is no longer the case, and now they work like regular tree forest tiles — meaning that the effective movement cost is the worst value available for the unit between the base and overlay, and its defense is the best value.
Note: This change does not apply to the Lit Mushroom Grove overlay in this release due to an oversight. This will be addressed in version 1.11.17.
Due to the nature of this change, UMC maintainers are strongly advised to evaluate its impact on their own scenarios and maps and update them accordingly. In previous releases (including 1.10.x and earlier versions), mixed terrains includingoverlays always counted as plain Fungus tiles for unit movement costs and defense calculation purposes. This is no longer the case, and now they work like regular tree forest tiles — meaning that the effective movement cost is the worst value available for the unit between the base and overlay, and its defense is the best value.This change does not apply to theoverlay in this release due to an oversight.Due to the nature of this change, UMC maintainers areto evaluate its impact on their own scenarios and maps and update them accordingly.
[tt][filter_vision][/tt] fixes and changes »
In this and future versions, [filter_vision] works like most other WML conditionals such as [have_unit] . That is: When used in a SUF, a [filter_vision] check succeeds if there is any side with vision of the unit (no fog on its location and the unit is not hidden from that side by an ability) which passes the side filter ( SSF ) in [filter_vision] , and fails otherwise.
check succeeds if there is side with vision of the unit (no fog on its location and the unit is not hidden from that side by an ability) which passes the side filter ( ) in , and fails otherwise. When used in a SLF, a [filter_vision] check succeeds if there is any side with vision of the location (no fog on it, or if respect_fog=false , then no shroud) which passes the SSF in [filter_vision] , and fails otherwise. The [allied_with] / [enemy_of] tags in SSFs had some related issues — they were originally intended to match if any side matches the filter, but they ended up being implemented in a needlessly confusing manner, where they in most cases match if all sides matching the filter are allies/enemies, but if there are none then they report false anyways. To work around this, [has_ally] and [has_enemy] have been added, which correctly match when any side matching the filter is an ally or enemy.
Thus, excepting for [allied_with] / [enemy_of] , all filters in 1.11.16+ are simply a check for any object matching the filter data. The [filter_vision] tag introduced in the 1.11.x series was discovered to behave with different logic depending on whether it was in a unit filter ( SUF ) or location filter ( SLF ) . Neither implementation was correct, and the simplest way to fix it was to make it work as originally intended, at the expense of breaking existing WML making use of it.In this and future versions,works like most other WML conditionals such as. That is:Thetags in SSFs had some related issues — they were originally intended to match ifside matches the filter, but they ended up being implemented in a needlessly confusing manner, where they in most cases match ifsides matching the filter are allies/enemies, but if there are none then they report false anyways. To work around this,andhave been added, which correctly match whenside matching the filter is an ally or enemy.Thus, excepting for, all filters in 1.11.16+ are simply a check for any object matching the filter data.
Startup and game data directory autodetection changes » stderr instead of crashing if it is unable to parse certain command line switches.
The diagnostics output when the game data directory is not correctly set have been improved as well to avoid confusion.
Before: Code: Select all 20140714 00:54:06 error filesystem: Trying to open file with empty name. 20140714 00:54:06 error config: Could not open file could not initialize fonts After: Code: Select all 20140714 00:54:08 error font: could not resolve path to fonts.cfg, file not found could not initialize fonts An error at this point during initialization usually indicates that the data directory above was not correctly set or detected. Try passing the correct path in the command line with the --config-dir switch or as the only argument. Note: The message ought to suggest using --data-dir , not --config-dir . This issue will be
Finally, the game data directory autodetection at startup has been improved to also consider the parent of the directory holding the Wesnoth binary as a candidate instead of just the directory itself, without having to specify the path in the command line ( wesnoth .. ). This should especially help CMake users building Wesnoth in a subdirectory of the source tree. In this version, Wesnoth provides helpful error messages oninstead of crashing if it is unable to parse certain command line switches.The diagnostics output when the game data directory is not correctly set have been improved as well to avoid confusion.The message ought to suggest using, not. This issue will be fixed in version 1.11.17.Finally, the game data directory autodetection at startup has been improved to also consider the parent of the directory holding the Wesnoth binary as a candidate instead of just the directory itself, without having to specify the path in the command line (). This should especially help CMake users building Wesnoth in a subdirectory of the source tree.
WML maintenance tools GUI » wmllint , wmlindent , and wmlscope tools is now part of this and future releases, and can be found under data/tools/GUI.pyw in the distribution. This interface (also written in Python) is aimed at add-on maintainers requiring a more accessible and newbie-friendly method to run wmllint and other tools on their content. Elvish_Hunter’s graphical front-end to the, andtools is now part of this and future releases, and can be found underin the distribution. This interface (also written in Python) is aimed at add-on maintainers requiring a more accessible and newbie-friendly method to runand other tools on their content.
Known issues » Start-of-scenario saves have some known issues: They cannot be loaded correctly in Multiplayer (bug #22068 [Gna.org]) Map previews do not work for them, except under very specific conditions. This is by design, however, since the map is not always loaded in memory when the Load Game dialog is brought up, and start-of-scenario saves do not include map data of their own.
have some known issues: Map labels are not displayed to other clients in networked multiplayer games (bug #22251 [Gna.org]).
are not displayed to other clients in networked multiplayer games (bug #22251 [Gna.org]). Random map generation causes OOS in MP campaigns (bug #22307 [Gna.org]). A potential fix was committed and will be available in version 1.11.17.
causes OOS in MP campaigns (bug #22307 [Gna.org]). A potential fix was committed and will be available in version 1.11.17. Lit Mushroom Grove always has Fungus terrain defense/movement costs regardless of the base terrain. This will be fixed in version 1.11.17 (commit).
always has Fungus terrain defense/movement costs regardless of the base terrain. This will be fixed in version 1.11.17 (commit). Disabling Preferences → Advanced → Lobby sounds does not have an effect unless the experimental lobby is enabled (buggy, not recommended).
does not have an effect unless the experimental lobby is enabled (buggy, recommended). When the game data directory is not correctly detected or set in the command line, the game will suggest using the --config-dir switch, when it is supposed to suggest using --data-dir instead. This will be fixed in version 1.11.17 (commit).
switch, when it is supposed to suggest using instead. This will be fixed in version 1.11.17 (commit). Hotkeys have multiple issues: The preferences file may be flooded with “null” hotkey entries after customization, negatively impacting performance and resource usage (bug #21969 [Gna.org]). Certain default hotkeys cannot be cleared with the Clear Hotkey option (bug #21983 [Gna.org]). This will not be fixed for 1.12. Hotkeys using Ctrl or Alt modifiers may not work (bug #22219 [Gna.org]).
have multiple issues: Legend of Wesmere has multiple issues: Lua errors cropping up in various scenarios. Loss of the player’s recall list and gold (bug #22221 [Gna.org]). There is a known workaround for this issue. Some maps are oddly shifted (bug #22073 [Gna.org]). Olurf does not appear in “Elves’ Last Stand” — see this forum thread.
has multiple issues:
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It’s been a while since the last release, so there should be plenty of fixes and improvements in our sixth 1.12 beta for you to check out! No new ground-breaking features, though, since thefor 1.11.x is still in effect to facilitate testing, bug fixing, and translation efforts. And of course, as is the case with previous beta releases, weto ensure the best possible quality for the upcomingstable release:Everyone willing to test this beta release should report any bugs they encounter, be they issues found during normal gameplay, or when working with WML or Lua for add-on content. Every properly-filed bug report is useful to us,Typos in the English text of the game should also be reported in the wiki so they can be amended as soon as possible.Here is a list of the most important changes since the last development release:As usual, there aremore changes in addition to the aforementioned, including translation updates and fixes for recent and long-standing issues. Most of these items are listed in the full changelog . There’s also an alternative players changelog including only those changes deemed to be relevant for regular players. Finally, an announcement including a list with the most notable changes between 1.10 and 1.12 will be made available along with the 1.12.0 release when it is ready.Do you want to help shape the future of Wesnoth? You are always free to join us in the IRC channel on irc.freenode.net to ask for help with getting started! Source code (384.6 MB) ( MD5 sum Xdelta from 1.11.15 (4.0 MB) ( About Xdelta The, andpackages are already available and can be found on the Download page in the wiki.All knownpackagers have been contacted, and binaries for your distribution may have already been created. Information about where to get the respective binaries or how to install them can be found on the Linux binaries page in the wiki.Downloads formay be found on the Download page in the wiki as they become available.The multiplayer server for 1.11.16 is up and running. This server can be used to play with other players running 1.11.16 and later 1.11.x and 1.12.x versions, unless a future bug fix requires raising the version requirements again. (Yes, it keeps happening. Also, have a cookie for reading on this far.)The add-ons server for 1.12.x is already running. It was started for 1.11.10 and it will serve all future beta andreleases from this series, as well as all releases in the stable 1.12.x series.If you find any bugs, do not hesitate to report them, but please read the instructions on how to report bugs first! As bug reports in the forums tend to be forgotten, you will get better results using our bug tracker . We require your help for finding and fixing issues, no matter how obvious, trivial or complicated they seem!Have fun! |
An Israeli military aircraft was able to capture on film the recent explosion which took out a Hezbollah rocket storage warehouse in Lebanon.
The explosion took place last Friday at 12:45, on the outskirts of the Lebanese village of Shihabiya, just south of the Litani River.
The footage shows how in the hours following the blast, Hezbollah operatives were trying to conceal the warehouse' content by placing sheets of tarp arount it, to obscure the scene.
It also shows how dozens of Hezbollah operatives shuttled the remaining rockets to warehouses nearby and to a mosque adjacent to Nabatieh, north of the Litani River.
Hezbollah blocked the Lebanese military and UNIFIL from arriving at the scene until after the remaining weapons were relocated.
It is believed that various kinds of rockets were stored in the warehouse, from short-range, 107mm rockets, to medium-range, 122mm rockets.
The incident's location – a Hezbollah facility south of the Litani River, brings into question UN Resolution 1701, which states the area is to be demilitarized. It also stresses the Lebanese army's acquiescence in regards to Hezbollah's activity in the area, as well as the UNIFIL problematic policies, as it does nothing to stop Hezbollah's armament. |
European Council president says UK leaving could make EU 'stronger', but other countries may now try to leave
Bank of England governor offered £250bn after pound and FTSE 100 slumped before markets made late recovery
Mr Johnson later made what amounted to a pitch to succeed Mr Cameron in Downing Street at a press conference
Boris Johnson booed and called a 'tw*t' as he emerged from London home without commenting on result
Mr Cameron admits he cannot be the 'captain' who steers the UK to new future outside the Brussels club
PM gives tearful resignation speech after Leave secures dramatic victory by 52 per cent to 48 per cent
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While the country reflects on one of the most seismic political events Britain has experienced in peacetime, David Cameron closes the day knowing his time as Prime Minister is set to come to a dramatic end.
The sun sets on a day in politics which had begun with Mr Cameron flanked by his wife Samantha in Downing Street as both fought back tears and he spoke of how he had been 'proud' to serve as PM for the past six years.
Mr Cameron said it would not be right for him to be the 'captain of the ship' while the UK negotiated its exit from the EU.
And as voters changed the course of history, one of those who reigned victorious was former London Mayor Boris Johnson, who set out his claim that Britain now had an opportunity to re-establish itself on the world stage - and consequently made a pitch to be Prime Minister of a new 'great' Britain outside the EU.
Boris Johnson set out his vision for a revitalised, outward looking country in a speech just hours after his long-time rival tearfully declared that he would stand aside in the wake of the referendum Brexit vote.
But it immediately became clear that whoever is in Downing Street will face a struggle to hold the UK together - as SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon warned it was now 'highly likely' that a second ballot on independence will be held north of the border.
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Embrace: After the Prime Minister said that the UK needed a new leader he clasped hands with his wife - who was too emotional to return his smile after the devastating Brexit defeat
Emotional: Mrs Cameron clearly had tears in her eyes as her husband resigned - Mr Cameron himself struggled to get through his speech
Boris Johnson stopped short of confirming that he would stand to succeed David Cameron today - but made a broad appeal to people stay calm and help forge a better future
The developments came after the Leave campaign stacked up 52 per cent of the votes - despite massive support for Remain in Scotland and major cities including London.
The Bank of England governor Mark Carney has attempted to reassure panicking markets this morning after the Pound nose-dived to its lowest level against the US dollar for 31 years, and the FTSE slumped by 8 per cent. The index closed just 2.7 per cent down, as it recovered.
After his speech, Mr Cameron travelled to Buckingham Palace to discuss the results with the Queen.
Boris Johnson thanked voters for trusting his plan to leave the EU today and sought to reassure young Remain voters by saying we will be no less European despite cutting ties with Brussels.
He insisted there was no need for 'haste' in the process of officially withdrawing from the EU as he appealed for calm and sought to reassure fears over economic and political uncertainty.
After the EU referendum results delivered a shock win for Brexit in the early hours of this morning, Mr Johnson said the EU was 'a noble idea for its time' but was 'not longer right for this country'.
Brussels was 'too remote, too opaque and not not accountable enough to the people it is meant to serve,' the former Mayor of London added as he hailed the 'glorious opportunity' that quitting the EU gave the UK.
President Barack Obama said the UK will remain an 'indispensable partner' of the United States following the Brexit vote in the referendum - even though he intervened in the campaign to say voting to leave would leave Britain at the 'back of the queue' for a trade deal.
Mr Obama said: 'The people of the United Kingdom have spoken, and we respect their decision. The special relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom is enduring, and the United Kingdom's membership in Nato remains a vital cornerstone of US foreign, security and economic policy.
'So too is our relationship with the European Union, which has done so much to promote stability, stimulate economic growth, and foster the spread of democratic values and ideals across the continent and beyond.
'The United Kingdom and the European Union will remain indispensable partners of the United States even as they begin negotiating their ongoing relationship to ensure continued stability, security and prosperity for Europe, Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the world.'
The bombshell announcement came after possibly the most dramatic night Britain has experienced in peacetime. Among the biggest developments are:
Leave ended up the clear winner in the EU referendum by 52 per cent to 48 per cent, after Remain's strong performance in Scotland and big cities such as London failed to offset huge Brexit votes in England and Wales.
David Cameron resigns as result was confirmed with Boris Johnson now the bookies' favourite to replace him as Prime Minister
Brexit sent the pound plunging against the US dollar, losing around 20 cents to hit its lowest level since 1985. The FTSE was also down as much as 7 per cent in morning trading. But it closed 2.7% down and pound also recovered
Standard & Poor's have also warned that Britain's AAA credit rating looks 'untenable' in the wake of the Brexit vote.
The Bank of England has moved to reassure investors that it will take 'all necessary steps', including £250bn to stabilise the economy.
Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon said it was now 'highly likely' that a second independence referendum will be held
European Council president Donald Tusk expressed sorrow at Brexit but insisted: 'What doesn't kill you only makes you stronger'
German Chancellor Angela Merkel expressed 'deep regret' that the UK had chosen to leave, while French president Francois Hollande said negotiations over terms should start as quickly as possible.
Tony Blair said the decision would have 'vast' political and economic consequences for the UK and all sides had to be 'grown up'
President Barack Obama said the UK will remain 'indispensable partners' of the United States - despite his earlier trade deal warning
Mr Johnson, who was booed and called a 'tw*t' by protesters as he left his home in central London this morning, started off his statement at the Vote Leave HQ in central London by paying tribute to his 'extraordinary' Tory colleague Mr Cameron.
The former London mayor stopped short of confirming that he would stand to succeed the PM - but made a pitch for people to help him forge a better future.
He also sought to soothe fears over the financial market panic that has greeted the historic result, stressing that nothing would change in the short term.
'I want to begin by paying tribute to David Cameron who has spoken earlier form Downing Street. I know I speak for Michael when I say how sad I am he has decided to step down but obviously I respect that decision,' Mr Johnson said.
'I have known David Cameron for a very long time and I believe he has been one of the most extraordinary politicians of our age.
'A brave and principled man whose given superb leadership of his party and his country for many years – reforming our public services, delivering one nation Conservative government, making this country the most dynamic economy in Europe and with his own brand of compassionate Conservatism that rightly earned him the first majority government for decades.'
David Cameron said he could not be the 'captain of the ship' while the UK negotiated its exit from the EU as he announced he would be resigning as Prime Minister and Tory leader
David and Samantha Cameron comforted each other after he made his emotional statement outside the famous door of 10 Downing Street
Mr Cameron (left) said he accepted the verdict of the 'great democratic exercise' which saw the Leave campaign triumph. His wife Samantha appeared to be getting emotional as her husband announced that he would stand down in October
FTSE 100 RALLIES AFTER RECORD FALL AS BREXIT SHOCKS MARKETS The FTSE 100 rallied today and closed just 2.7 per cent down after more than £100billion was wiped out by panicked traders when Brexit was confirmed. The London stock market has returned to the levels of last week despite dropping by seven per cent - around 450 points - when it opened this morning. The UK's banks were the hardest hit with RBS shares down 34 per cent, Lloyds down 28 per cent and Barclays down 30 per cent as the markets opened. London's top flight index had lost more than £100billion earlier in the session, while world markets descended into chaos as uncertainty spread across the globe. Within minutes Bank of England Governor Mark Carney said would inject up to £250billion into the economy to steady the ship and the FTSE moved gradually upwards. By 4,30pm £45billion had been wiped off the value of the UK's biggest companies and roughly 280 points had been restored. Brexiters had predicted a sharp devaluation of the pound at the FTSE 100 was inevitable if they won, but argued that this would be healthy and boost exports.
Defending the Tory policy of holding the referendum, Mr Johnson said: 'The rights of all of us to elect and remove the people who make the key decisions in their lives. I think the electorate have searched in their hearts and answered as honestly as they can.
'They have decided it is time to vote to take back control.'
Mr Johnson said: 'In voting to leave the EU it is vital to stress there is now no need for haste and, indeed, as the Prime minister has just said, nothing will change over the short term except that work will have to begin on how to give effect to the will of the people and to extricate this country from the supranational system.'
He also stressed that the PM had been 'right' to say he would not immediately trigger Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty - the formal mechanism for leaving the EU.
'To those who may be anxious, whether at home or abroad this does not mean the United Kingdom will be in any way less united. Nor, indeed, does it mean it will be any less European,' Mr Johnson said.
'I want to speak directly to the millions of people who did not vote for this outcome, especially young people, who may feel this decision in some way involves pulling up a draw bridge or any kind of isolationism.
'I think the very opposite is true. We cannot turn our backs of Europe, we are part of Europe. Our children and our grandchildren will have a wonderful future as Europeans, travelling to the continent, understanding the languages, and cultures that make up our common European civilisation.'
Mr Johnson said he believed the country now had a 'glorious opportunity'.
'We can pass our laws, set our taxes, entirely according to the needs of the UK economy,' he said.
'We can control our own borders, in a way that is not discriminatory but fair, and balanced and take the wind out of the sales of the extremists and those who would play politics of immigration.
'Above all, we can find our voice in the world again. A voice that is commensurate with the fifth biggest economy on earth – powerful, liberal, humane, an extraordinary force for good in the world.
'And the most precious thing this country has given the continent is the idea of parliamentary democracy.'
Choking back tears, Mr Cameron - who led the Tories to a shock majority in the general election barely a year ago - said he would not depart immediately and would seek to 'steady the ship' and calm the financial markets over the coming 'weeks and months'.
But he said a new Prime Minister should be in place for the Conservative Party conference at the beginning of October.
'I held nothing back. I was absolutely clear about my belief that Britain is stronger, safer and better off inside the EU,' he said.
'And I made clear the referendum was about this and this alone – not the future of any single politician including myself.
'But the British people have made a very clear decision to take a different path and as such I think the country requires fresh leadership to take it in this direction.'
Both Mr and Mrs Cameron appeared to be struggling to hold back tears as as they walked out of Number 10 for him to announce his resignation as Prime Minister
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn watched on a screen as Mr Cameron announced his resignation in the wake of the EU referendum vote. He is also coming under intense pressure over his role in the botched Remain campaign
Hundreds of media were packed into Downing Street to watch Mr Cameron deliver his resignation statement in the wake of the referendum, while protester and spectators strained to see up the famous street from Whitehall
Scottish First minister Nicola Sturgeon said it was now 'highly likely' that there would be a second independence referendum north of the border, potentially within a matter of months
Emerging from Downing Street grim-faced and hand-in-hand with his wife, Mr Cameron stepped up to a government podium and said: 'I will do everything I can as Prime Minister to steady the ship over the coming weeks and months but I do not think it would be right for me to try to be the captain that steers our country to its next destination.
'This is not a decision I have taken lightly but I do believe it is in the national interest to have a period of stability and then the new leadership required.
'There is no need for a precise timetable today but in my view we should aim to have a new Prime Minister in place by the start of the Conservative Party conference in October.'
He added: 'Delivering stability will be important. And I will continue in post as Prime Minister with my cabinet for the next three months.'
Tony Blair said Brexit made him 'sad for our country, for Europe, for the world' as he also hit out at Jeremy Corbyn's Labour campaign today
Mr Cameron said he had spoken to the Queen this morning to alert her to his decision. He also said he would not be triggering Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty but would instead leave it to his successor.
'The negotiation with the EU will need to begin under a new Prime Minister and I think it is right this new Prime Minister takes the decision about when to trigger Article 50 and start the formal and legal process of leaving the EU,' Mr Cameron said.
'The British people have made a choice that not only needs to be respected but those on the losing side of the argument, myself included, should help to make it work.
'Britain is a special country, we have so many great advantages – a Parliamentary democracy where we resolve great issues about our future through peaceful debate.
'A great trading nation with our science and arts, our engineering and creativity, respected the world over.'And while we are not perfect, I do believe we can be a model of a multi racial, multi faith democracy where people can come and make a contribution and rise to the very highest their talent allows.'
He went on: 'Although leaving Europe was not the path I recommended, I am the first to praise our incredible strengths. I have said before Britain can survive outside the EU and indeed that we could find a way.
'Now the decision has been made to leave, we need to find the best way. I will do everything I can to help.
'I love this country, and I feel honoured to have served it and I will do everything I can in future to help this great country succeed.'
No10 officials are said to have tried to persuade Mr Cameron to stay on beyond the party conference in October. Pro-Brexit MPs argued that, if the PM removed George Osborne as Chancellor, there would be no successful challenge to his position.
But one pro-Brexit minister accused Mr Cameron of pursuing a ‘scorched earth’ policy designed to wreck chances of making a success of withdrawal, adding: ‘He repeatedly said he would deliver the verdict of the British people, whatever it was, and instead he has decided to cut and run. Another minister said they did not think it was possible for Mr Cameron to cling on for so many months without appointing a team to negotiate new terms with the EU. Mr Johnson described the PM as ‘one of the most extraordinary politicians of our age’.
‘It was his bravery that gave this country the first referendum on the European Union for 43 years,’ he added. Former Tory prime minister Sir John Major said: ‘I think it’s very sad that David has decided he has to go. I think he made the right decision.’
Moments after Mr Cameron finished speaking, Mr Carney made a televised statement from the Bank of England in Threadneedle Street urging calm.
He said it was 'inevitable' there would be a period of 'uncertainty' in the wake of the Brexit vote, and admitted it would take 'some time' for the UK to forge new arrangements with the EU and the rest of the world.
But the governor - who previously warned that Brexit was the biggest domestic risk to the economy - insisted the Bank and the Treasury had been doing 'extensive emergency planning'.
'We are well prepared for this,' he said.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel expressed her 'great regret' after David Cameron's push for a Remain vote in the EU referendum failed. French President Francois Hollande said the UK's vote to leave the EU must act as a 'jolt' to the bloc to implement the 'profound change' needed to address its troubles
And as the repercussions of the political earthquake reverberate through the nation - indeed the continent - Whitehall may be facing questions as to why it did not listen to the people on immigration - a massive and integral part of the debate for many.
Much of the evidence suggests immigration was one of the main reasons why many leavers voted to quit - with the biggest punches dealt by voters in the Midlands, Eastern England, Lincolnshire and Humberside - in areas where Eastern European immigration has been a huge concern.
CAMERON'S CLOSEST FRIEND IN POLITICS QUITS AS TORY CHAIRMAN Lord Feldman will leave Downing Street with David Cameron after announcing he was quitting as Tory chairman Conservative Party chairman Andrew Feldman will step down when the Prime Minister leaves Downing Street later this year. David Cameron has asked Lord Feldman to stay on while the party elects a new leader, which is expected to take place before the autumn conference. Lord Feldman, one of David Cameron's closest friends, has been embroiled in both the scandal over bullying within Tory ranks and the investigations into general election expense declarations. A Conservative spokeswoman said: 'Andrew Feldman always said that he would serve alongside the Prime Minister for as long as he was needed. 'The Prime Minister has asked him to stay as chairman of the Conservative Party whilst the leadership campaign takes place. 'He will ensure that the party conference is properly delivered in the autumn. 'Lord Feldman will step down when the Prime Minister leaves Downing Street.' Lord Feldman was seen visiting Downing Street on Friday morning shortly before Mr Cameron announced his resignation.
Meanwhile, enraged Labour MPs today called for Jeremy Corbyn to resign over his failure to prevent a Brexit vote in yesterday's historic EU referendum.
One Labour MP remarked today: 'He is toast' and called on the Shadow Cabinet to oust him immediately.
Calls for Mr Corbyn to follow the Prime Minister and fall on his sword have grown louder after as many as half of Labour voters abandoned the political mainstream to support the Leave campaign.
Grandee Dame Margaret Hodge has tabled a motion of no confidence in Mr Corbyn and if he does not leave of his own accord, he faces a secret ballot of MPs to overthrow him.
Mr Corbyn has never had significant support among Labour MPs and would be likely to lose a secret vote.
The Labour leader has faced repeated accusations he ran a limp, half-hearted campaign for Remain hampered by his long-held Euroscepticism.
Tony Blair said Brexit made him 'sad for our country, for Europe, for the world' as he hit out at Jeremy Corbyn's Labour campaign today.
The former Prime Minister, a strong EU supporter, said: 'There will be very big consequences and we need to think our way through those carefully. But there is no point in hiding it - for me this a very, very sad day.'
He blasted Labour's Remain campaign, saying Mr Corbyn and his followers had not set out the 'enormous consequences' of quitting the EU.
Asked if the party's leader should resign, Mr Blair said: 'I think there are much, much bigger questions for the Labour Party right now. We've got to consider what our purpose is, where we are going and what we are trying to do here.'
A joint statement issued by EU leaders today expressed 'regret' over the UK's decision. But they promised to respect the British people's decision and called for negotiations to be launched 'swiftly'.
French President François Hollande said he wanted the UK to start talks over its exit package negotiations 'as soon as possible', while German Chancellor Angela Merkel expressed her 'great regret'.
The EU's joint statement said: 'In a free and democratic process, the British people have expressed their wish to leave the European Union. We regret this decision but respect it.
'This is an unprecedented situation but we are united in our response. We will stand strong and uphold the EU's core values of promoting peace and the well-being of its peoples.
'The Union of 27 Member States will continue. The Union is the framework of our common political future.
'We are bound together by history, geography and common interests and will develop our cooperation on this basis.
'Together we will address our common challenges to generate growth, increase prosperity and ensure a safe and secure environment for our citizens. The institutions will play their full role in this endeavour.
'We now expect the United Kingdom government to give effect to this decision of the British people as soon as possible, however painful that process may be. Any delay would unnecessarily prolong uncertainty.'
Eurosceptic parties across the continent are intensifying demands for their own referendums in the wake of the Brexit vote, as the repercussions of the political earthquake gradually become clear.
Shortly after the result was announced, Marine Le Pen, the leader of the Front National in France, called for a 'Frexit' vote on Twitter, while the far-Right Dutch firebrand Geert Wilders called for a 'Nexit'.
In Italy the leader of the Italian anti-immigrant Northern League, Matteo Salvini, called the European Union 'a cage of crazies' that is killing jobs and citizen dignity.
And there are also fears that Brexit could also trigger a Czexit, a Swexit, and a Grexit in the Czech Republic, Sweden andGreece. Even if the union holds, the political earthquake that has erupted in Britain will have far-reaching aftershocks.
DAVE VS BORIS - HOW THE LONG TERM FRIENDS AND RIVALS MEASURE UP DAVID WILLIAM DONALD CAMERON ALEXANDER BORIS DE PFEFFEL JOHNSON Age: 49 Educated: Eton College Brasenose College, Oxford Degree: Politics, Philosophy and Economics University drinking society: Bullingdon Club Height: 6ft 1in Constituency: Witney Big jobs: Prime Minister Adviser to Norman Lamont in the Treasury during 1980s Memorable moment: Leading the Conservatives to a surprise overall majority at the general election last year Hobbies: Tennis (beats Boris), 'chlilaxing' at Chequers country retreat Age: 52 Educated: Eton College Balliol College, Oxford Degree: Classics University drinking society: Bullingdon Club Height: 5ft 9in Constituency: Uxbridge and South Ruislip Big jobs: Mayor of London Brussels correspondent for the Daily Telegraph Memorable moment: Getting stuck on a zip wire while carrying union jack flags during the 2012 Olympics Hobbies: Tennis (loses to Dave), singing Beethoven
Boris Johnson did not make any comment to waiting media as he emerged from his London home after Mr Cameron announced his resignation today
The former London mayor was booed and insulted by protesters, who called him a tw*t, as he got into a waiting Addison Lee car and drove away
Remain supporters descended on Westminster today to protest against Britain's choice to leave the European Union
THE RUNNERS AND RIDERS: WHO WILL LEAD THE RACE TO REPLACE DAVID CAMERON AT NUMBER 10? Conservative leadership contests are fought in two parts - first the Tory MPs whittle down the contenders to just two before the Tory membership picks a winner. The format has a habit of squeezing out contenders and in 2005 Liam Fox ran but never made it into the final round - contested in the end by David Cameron and David Davis. BORIS JOHNSON The overwhelming favorite going into the contest, the former Mayor of London has led the Vote Leave campaign to an improbable victory. Declaring for Brexit in February cemented the Uxbridge MP as a darling of the Tory right and he seems certain to make the shortlist. Johnson has a celebrity unique among British politicians but despite eight years running the capital, he will have a big job to do to persuade the country he is up to leading the country. GEORGE OSBORNE The Chancellor of the Exchequer has long been the heir-apparent to David Cameron. The Prime Minister's deputy and close ally has spent six years in Number 11, is credited by many in the Tory Party for rescuing the economy and is a prized tactician. But his leadership bid has almost certainly been crashed off the tracks by a catastrophic Budget in March and his role standing shoulder to shoulder with the PM during the referendum campaign. RUTH DAVIDSON The Leader of the Scottish Conservatives arrives at the contest having pulled off the near miracle of overhauling Labour to take second in Scotland. Davidson was a star of the referendum campaign for her combative appearance at the final TV debate and as someone a million miles from the old Etonian Tory which has proven toxic with much of the electorate she would be prized by the One Nation wing of the party. Her candidacy is a longshot - not least because she is not an MP and has a huge job opposing Nicola Sturgeon in Holyrood. But on the day Britain backed Brexit is anything impossible? THERESA MAY After six years as Home Secretary, Theresa May is the sober, serious choice - and probably the strongest 'continuity candidate' who could succeed Cameron. May has become the longest serving Home Secretary, thriving in a brief which has proved the graveyard for many a political career. Tough, a safe pair of hands and widely respected - if not always seen fondly - May could be the anti-Boris. STEPHEN CRABB Perhaps the biggest unknown in the race, the work and pensions secretary was parachuted into the top of front line politics as the replacement for Iain Duncan Smith after his bombshell resignation over the Budget. Crabb, a Welsh son of a broken home, could be the leading One Nation candidate in the leadership race. Being a new name - and one who was quiet in the referendum - could allow Crabb to define himself a unifying candidate. LIAM FOX A heavy weight with Cabinet experience, Fox has run for the leadership before - and lost. But he is extremely popular on the right of the party and played a leading role in referendum campaign, appearing with different parts of the Leave movement. The former defence secretary is known to have a war chest ready and waiting for the leadership campaign and is well connected on the Tory benches. While it is perhaps hard to see a route onto the final shortlist, Fox would undoubtedly be well organised and a fearsome candidate.
Britons are 'chippy, ungrateful to Eastern European immigrants, economically illiterate and sad': Luvvies react to Brexit
Richard Bacon today blasted people who backed Brexit as 'chippy, inward looking and ungrateful to Eastern European immigrants' as stars had their say on the referendum result.
The broadcaster also said that those who voted to leave the EU were also 'economically illiterate' in a series of barbed tweets.
Harry Potter creator JK Rowling even said she wished for the magic from her books to go back and change the decision.
The author, who lives in Scotland, wrote: 'I don't think I've ever wanted magic more', adding: 'Scotland will seek independence now. Cameron's legacy will be breaking up two unions. Neither needed to happen'.
Scathing: Richard Bacon said today that a Brexit is 'inward looking', 'chippy', and 'ungrateful to Eastern Europeans' and JK Rowling said it will lead to the break-up of the UK
Stinging: This is Richard Bacon's reaction to the EU referendum vote and said that it was 'economically illiterate' and 'sad'
Upset: Harry Potter author JK Rowling called for magic to reverse the decision that shook British establishment
Blame game: David Cameron was accused of breaking up two Unions without ever needed to do so
Other stars also rushed to criticise the decision to leave.
James Corden wrote: 'I can't get my head around what's happening in Britain. I'm so sorry to the youth of Britain. I fear you've been let down today'.
In a play on words BBC star Gary Lineker tweeted: 'U kip for a couple of hours and look what happens. What have we gone and done?'
He added later: 'We should maybe change the "Union Jack" to "I'm alright Jack".'
Model Alexa Chung tweeted a broken heart emoji while Boy George wrote: 'There's no use crying over spilt milk. We'll just ave (sic) to mek (sic) the best of it!'.
Another star to speak out was Niall Horan of boy band One Direction - who was not previously known for his political activism.
The 22-year-old singer, who is from Ireland but has been based in Britain since he appeared on The X Factor in 2010, singled out Nigel Farage for criticism as he expressed his upset at the result.
'It's a sad day,' Horan wrote on Twitter. 'The economic impact that this is going to have is definitely going to make those voters regret their decision.
'And I see Farage is talking c**p and telling lies as per usual on telly. Let's see what he does now. He really is a terrible man.
'How can you sway that many people into thinking their health service is going to be funded and when the vote goes your way tell them we shouldn't have said that and it was a mistake? Bulls***.'
Messages: James Corden said the youth of Britain has been let down - Gary Lineker cited the influence if Ukip and said: 'What have we gone and done?'
Sentiment: Model Alexa Chung tweeted a simple heartbroken emoji as she joined the long queue of stars to tweet
Singer Lily Allen also took to Twitter to vent her fury and desperation at the result of the Brexit vote.
She posted: 'Well Millennials. We're really f*****.'
While some celebrities tweeted their despair at the notion of a Brexit, comedians made light of the situation with Ricky Gervais, Hugh Laurie and Frankie Boyle all cracking wise.
Remarking on the resignation of Prime Minister David Cameron, Gervais wrote: 'Relax. Boris Johnson is going to take over now.'
While Laurie focused on the effect the Brexit will have on Britons attending Euro 2016, by writing: 'First hairline crack in the plasterwork: England fans will be paying 25 quid for a bottle of beer by Monday.'
Scottish stand-up Boyle joked that Britons should look for a new home, he said: 'It's important to accept the result and move on, possibly to a new country.'
Rant: One Direction star Niall Horan vented his fury about the Leave campaign on Twitter earlier today
Monthy Python legend Eric Idle remained deadpan and suggested that British Leave voters had made a rod for their own backs.
He simply posted: 'UK. Foot. Shot.'
Millionaire businessman and Apprentice boss Alan Sugar also tweeted his concern about the Brexit.
In particular Lord Sugar spoke of the financial effects that the country's exit from the EU could have, he wrote: 'I just woke to hear we are out of the EU. Shocked to say the least. I fear for the future. Markets collapsed lets hope temporary.'
Artists, actors and musicians including Benedict Cumberbatch and Helena Bonham Carter signed a 'luvvies' letter' claiming leaving the EU would make Britain ‘less imaginative’.
The warning was signed by 250 of Britain's celebrities and says if Britain were to leave the European Union it would become ‘an outsider shouting from the wings’.
Gallows humour: Comedians took to Twitter to share their views on the Brexit, with standup Frankie Boyle announcing that it may be time to leave the country
Among other signatories were the singer Paloma Faith, 50 Shades of Grey director Sam Taylor-Wood, Trainspotting director Danny Boyle, 12 Years a Slave star Chiwetel Ejiofor and The Wire actor Dominic West.
Tracey Emin, Steve Coogan, Sir Patrick Stewart, Dame Kristin Scott Thomas, Keira Knightley, Jude Law, Eddie Izzard, Bill Nighy, Jenny Agutter and Jessie Ware have also signed.
These so-called 'cultural stars' also warned a Brexit vote could undermine the creative arts, pointing out many of them worked on projects supported by EU money.
Brexit would also undermine ‘collaborating across borders’ they said in a letter to the Guardian before the vote.
'From the smallest gallery to the biggest blockbuster, many of us have worked on projects that would never have happened without vital EU funding or by collaborating across borders,' the letter says.
Concern: Lord Alan Sugar tweeted that he was worried about what the future could hold after a Brexit
'Britain is not just stronger in Europe, it is more imaginative and more creative, and our global creative success would be severely weakened by walking away.
'From the Bard to Bowie, British creativity inspires and influences the rest of the world,' it says.
'We believe that being part of the EU bolsters Britain's leading role on the world stage.'
'And what would 'out' really mean? Leaving Europe would be a leap into the unknown for millions of people across the UK who work in the creative industries, and for the millions more at home and abroad who benefit from the growth and vibrancy of Britain's cultural sector.'
The letter was organised by Britain Stronger in Europe, the official campaign to persuade voters to remain in the EU.
Sturgeon says new Scottish independence vote is now 'highly likely' and could be held within months as nationalists pounce after Scotland votes to stay in the EU - while England backs Brexit
SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon today said she could call a new independence referendum within months.
The First Minister revealed a second vote in just two years on whether Scotland should leave the United Kingdom in now 'highly likely' after Britain voted to quit the EU.
Two thirds of Scottish voters backed staying in the EU yesterday - but because of a huge revolt in Middle England and Wales the UK decided to cuts its ties with Brussels.
Ms Sturgeon said the Scottish Government will begin to prepare the legislation required to enable a second independence referendum to take place and said it was 'inconceivable' the UK Government could stop it.
She said: 'There is no doubt circumstances since 2014 have changed. The option of a second referendum must be on the table and it is on the table'.
Her intervention has also led to calls by Sinn Fein for a vote on Irish unity because Northern Ireland also backed Remain.
'It's on the table': Nicola Sturgeon (pictured today) has said she will start work immediately to pave the way for a second Scottish independence referendum
All 32 local authorities in Scotland delivered a vote for Remain - Nicola Sturgeon this shows that her country was being pulled out against its will
While the UK as a whole voted to leave the European Union, Scots overwhelmingly opted to remain, with Ms Sturgeon declaring the result meant there had been a 'significant and material change in the circumstances in which Scotland voted against independence' in 2014.
She said: 'As things stand, Scotland faces the prospect of being taken out of the EU against our will. I regard that as democratically unacceptable.'
Speaking at her official residence, Bute House in Edinburgh, she said: 'I intend to take all possible steps and explore all possible options to give effect to how people in Scotland voted - in other words to secure our continuing place in the EU, and in the single market in particular.'
The SNP manifesto for May's Holyrood elections said the Scottish Parliament 'should have the right to hold another referendum if there is a significant and material change in the circumstances that prevailed in 2014, such as Scotland being taken out of the EU against our will'.
Ms Sturgeon said: 'It is, therefore, a statement of the obvious that a second referendum must be on the table, and it is on the table.'
All 32 local authority areas north of the border returned a majority for Remain in the EU referendum, with the country voting by 62% to 38% in favour of Remain.
Ms Sturgeon said: 'Unfortunately, of course, yesterday's result in Scotland was not echoed across the whole of the United Kingdom. The UK-wide vote to leave the EU is one that I deeply regret.
'The vote across England and Wales was a rejection of the EU and it was a sign of divergence between Scotland and large parts of the rest of the UK and how we see our place in the rest of the world.'
Furious Scottish nationalists had already pounced on today's historic vote to leave the EU by immediately demanding a second referendum on splitting from the UK.
The SNP said the UK faces a 'constitutional crisis' after Scotland voted overwhelmingly in favour of staying in the EU but is on course to cut ties with Brussels after the Leave won the overall UK vote.
All 32 authorities north of the border delivered majority wins for Remain and joined only London and Northern Ireland as areas that did not vote for Brexit.
Irish republicans have already used the referendum result to call for the reunification of Ireland.
Almost two thirds - 62 per cent - of Scots who voted had backed staying part of the EU, with 38 per cent opting for Brexit.
As things stand, Scotland faces the prospect of being taken out of the EU against our will. I regard that as democratically unacceptable SNP Leader Nicola Sturgeon
After counting had finished in the early hours of this morning, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said Scotland had delivered an 'unequivocal' vote to stay in Europe and said it was 'clear that the people of Scotland see their future as part of the European Union'.
It suggests she is already planning a second independence referendum after the SNP manifesto for the Scottish elections last month said they would demand another vote if there is 'significant and material' change in circumstances, such as Scotland being taken out of the EU against its will.
The passionate pro-union Harry Potter author JK Rowling angrily hit out at David Cameron, accusing him of putting the future of the UK in jeopardy for calling the referendum in the first place.
She wrote: 'Scotland will seek independence now. Cameron's legacy will be breaking up two unions. Neither needed to happen.'
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon (pictured casting her vote yesterday) said Scotland had delivered an 'unequivocal' vote to stay in Europe and said it was 'clear that the people of Scotland see their future as part of the European Union'
This morning Ms Sturgeon's predecessor as First Minister Alex Salmond said he was 'quite certain' Ms Sturgeon would 'implement the manifesto' because England is 'dragging us out the EU'.
He said a second referendum on splitting from the UK should be held within two years so Scotland is not forced out of the EU.
The process of withdrawing from Brussels will take up to two years from when the UK Government triggers Article 50 of the Lisbon treaty - which sets out the formal arrangements for leaving.
'From when that starting gun is fired, it's a two-year period,' Mr Salmond said of the withdrawal process.
Insisting a second independence referendum was justified, he added: 'So whatever that period is - two years, two-and-a-half years, that would have to be the timescale of the next referendum because what you would want to do is remain in the European Union while the rest of the UK moved out.'
Holyrood External Affairs Secretary Fiona Hylsop warned that a decision by the UK to quit Europe would have 'consequences'.
She told the BBC: 'Scotland clearly and decisively voted to remain part of the European Union, 62 to 38 with an increased turn out form the Scottish Parliament elections barely six weeks ago.
Harry Potter author J.K Rowling angrily hit out at David Cameron this morning, accusing him of putting the future of the union in jeopardy by calling the EU referendum in the first place
This morning her predecessor Alex Salmond (right) said he was 'quite certain' Nicola Sturgeon (left) would 'implement the manifesto' because England is 'dragging us out the EU'
'That sends a strong message, it's quite clear we see a different type of politics in Scotland, a different approach to constitutional affairs.'
'I think people will be looking very closely at this result and looking at the prospects for Scotland and what is in the best interests of Scotland going forward.
'We're quite clear, the Scottish Government will protect Scotland's interests whatever the circumstances and we intend to do that.'
How the Scottish Government will do that 'will depend on exactly what the result is', Ms Hyslop added.
'But we're very clear, the Scottish people have spoken. Their interests are about maintaining that membership, they are interested in maintaining our relations with Europe. We have to find the means with which we can do that.'
While she said there is 'some way to go in determining the mechanism of doing that', she said: 'Decisions have consequences and if the United Kingdom has made a decision against the interests of the Scottish people that will have consequences.'
After all the results north of the border were declared, Ms Sturgeon said: 'Scotland has delivered a strong, unequivocal vote to remain in the EU, and I welcome that endorsement of our European status.
'And while the overall result remains to be declared, the vote here makes clear that the people of Scotland see their future as part of the European Union.'
She added: 'Scotland has contributed significantly to the Remain vote across the UK. That reflects the positive campaign the SNP fought, which highlighted the gains and benefits of our EU membership, and people across Scotland have responded to that positive message.
'We await the final UK-wide result, but Scotland has spoken - and spoken decisively.'
A furious Mr Salmond told the BBC: 'Scotland looks like it is going to vote solidly Remain. If there was a Leave vote in England, dragging us out the EU, I'm quite certain Nicola Sturgeon would implement the SNP manifesto.'
Britain walks through the Brexit door: Referendum night began with on-the-day polls showing Remain cruising to a four point win but ended with a shock surge to Leave
The Brexit battle turned in Sunderland overnight as a huge win for the Leave campaign signaled the referendum would not end as expected.
Remain was handed four and six point leads in on-the-day opinion polls after the final ballots were closed. The results were so striking, Ukip leader Nigel Farage effectively conceded the referendum.
But a shock result in Sunderland which saw the Out camp win by 61 per cent to 39 per cent. Analysis before the referendum had suggested Leave could be on track to win if they were more than six percentage points ahead.
A surprise victory for Brexit in Swansea, where the pro-EU side had been expecting to romp home, signposted a disastrous showing for Remain across Wales. Areas like Carmarthenshire decisively turned their back on Brussels.
Newcastle was less clear cut for the pro-EU side than they had hoped, seeing them sneak home by just 51 per cent to 49 per cent.
Remain had some bright spots, with chunky wins in London, Scotland and Oxford. Wandsworth in particular piled in with a massive 77 per cent in favour of staying.
However, the big English cities and Scotland were not enough to offset the will of the rest of the country, and Leave passed the finishing post at 6am.
Speaking at a jubilant Leave.EU rally in central London, Mr Farage said June 23 would go down in history as 'our independence day'.
In a remark that could prove controversial after Labour MP Jo Cox was shot dead last week, Mr Farage said the country was separating from the EU 'without a single bullet being fired' .
'Dare to dream that the dawn is breaking on an independent United Kingdom,' he said.
'This, if the predictions now are right, this will be a victory for real people, a victory for ordinary people, a victory for decent people.
'We have fought against the multinationals, we have fought against the big merchant banks, we have fought against big politics, we have fought against lies, corruption and deceit.
Nigel Farage claims a historic win for the Leave Campaign, saying the vote is 'a victory for real people, a victory for ordinary people, a victory for decent people'
A Leave campaigner celebrates in London amid scenes of utter elation with a commanding lead and just a few areas left to declare
'And today honesty, decency and belief in nation, I think now is going to win.
'And we will have done it without having to fight, without a single bullet being fired, we'd have done it by damned hard work on the ground.'
Mr Farage praised Ukip donor Arron Banks along with Labour and Tory MPs and those of 'no party' who have taken part in the Leave campaign.
He went on: 'And we'll have done it not just for ourselves, we'll have done it for the whole of Europe.
'I hope this victory brings down this failed project and leads us to a Europe of sovereign nation states, trading together, being friends together, cooperating together, and let's get rid of the flag, the anthem, Brussels, and all that has gone wrong.
'Let June 23 go down in our history as our independence day.'
Setting the stage for another independence referendum north of the border, Scottish First minister Nicola Sturgeon said: 'Scotland has delivered a strong, unequivocal vote to remain in the EU, and I welcome that endorsement of our European status.
'And while the overall result remains to be declared, the vote here makes clear that the people of Scotland see their future as part of the European Union.'
Tony Blair (pictured today) said the referendum decision had 'vast' implications politically and economically for Britain
A discarded Vote Remain placard in Parliament Square as the country woke up to the news it has voted to leave the EU
The SNP leader added: 'Scotland has contributed significantly to the Remain vote across the UK. That reflects the positive campaign the SNP fought, which highlighted the gains and benefits of our EU membership, and people across Scotland have responded to that positive message.
'We await the final UK-wide result, but Scotland has spoken - and spoken decisively.'
Former first minister Alex Salmond said the ballot should take place within the next two years while negotiations were still ongoing about the UK's exit, so that Scotland could break away from Britain before it left the bloc.
Former Europe minister and Labour MP Keith Vaz told the BBC the outcome was a 'catastrophe'. 'Frankly, in a thousand years I would never have believed that the British people would have voted this way,' he said.
'And they have done so and I think that they voted emotionally rather than looking at the facts.
'It'll be catastrophic for our country, for the rest of Europe and indeed the world.'
He added: 'The issues of immigration are extremely important, if you look at the campaign I think that there needed to be a much stronger campaign to stay in.'
Labour's Jonathan Ashworth said the Conservative Party was 'utterly preoccupied with leadership infighting rather than the future of the country', adding: 'This letter cannot unsay what senior Tory politicians have been telling us for weeks - that the British people simply cannot trust David Cameron.'
The atmosphere at the Leave.EU campaign party in London is jubilant as voters in the early stages give them a larger lead than expected and they win key battlegrounds
More people enjoy the party at the Leave.EU base in Westminster where people look as though they are beginning to think they may even win the referendum vote
Lib Dem former Cabinet minister Sir Vince Cable said Mr Cameron's authority would be 'completely gone' in the event of the Leave win.
He described holding the referendum as a 'very bad call' by the Prime Minister, who failed to understand what happens 'when you just throw the cards in the air'.
But senior Tories rallied round in an effort to protect the PM. Cabinet minister Chris Grayling - a Brexit backer - said: 'It would be an absolute nonsense if David Cameron felt, having given the country that choice, if they take the decision he couldn't carry on the job. We are completely behind him staying, we want him to stay and that letter is a statement of commitment to his leadership.'
Marine Le Pen, the leader of France's hard-right Front National, hailed the referendum result as a 'victory for liberty' on Twitter
Before Mr Cameron's announcement, Work and Pensions Secretary Stephen Crabb said he did not think the Prime Minister 'could have done any more' and it was 'absolutely essential' that he remains in No 10.
He said: 'There isn't anybody else around the Cabinet table or outside the Cabinet, for that matter, or in any of the other political parties who can give this country the kind of leadership skills and abilities that David Cameron can at this, what is going to be very challenging weeks and months for the country.'
He added: 'I just think there is a disconnect with the white working class. We didn't get our core messages across to them.
'When we tried to explain to them just how important the European Single Market was to their jobs, their livelihoods, we didn't quite land those messages successfully.
'And I think that is one of the themes that is emerging this evening is that old industrial white working class areas clearly haven't bought the message that we have tried hard to communicate.
'In those areas which are strongly perhaps white working class there will be a strong vote for Out and that's something as a Government we need to respond to.
'Clearly, I think one of the features of this referendum are some of those social divisions and clearly as a Government, as a political class, all parties, we need to show that we're responding to that.'
Nigel Farage looked somber as he conceded defeat at around 11pm, admitting that Remain may edge the victory, but he looked overjoyed after a series of results that were better than expected for the campaign at 12.30am
Remain campaigners celebrated as the result came in for Gibraltar which voted In overwhelmingly. But it was downhill after that as Out won key battlegrounds
On the counting floor in Sunderland, there are scenes of joy as the huge win is announced, which will send ripples of hope to their fellow Brexit voters across the country
Pro-Brexit former defence secretary Liam Fox called for a 'period of calm' and urged the Government not to invoke article 50 straight away while insisting Mr Cameron must stay on as PM.
Dr Fox told BBC News: 'A lot of things were said in advance of this referendum that we might want to think about again and that (invoking article 50) is one of them.
'I think that it doesn't make any sense to trigger article 50 without having a period of reflection first, for the Cabinet to determine exactly what it is that we're going to be seeking and in what timescale.
'And then you have to also consider what is happening with the French elections and the German elections next year and the implications that that might have for them.
'So a period of calm, a period of reflection, to let it all sink in and to work through what the actual technicalities are.'
Nigel Farage's job as an MEP will cease to exist when we leave the EU, and he has repeatedly failed to win a seat in the House of Commons
Young Brexiteers react with jubilation to the EU referendum results at a party thrown by Leave.EU
Business Minister Anna Soubry said: 'I will respect the result. It's a dreadful decision. We have to make the best of it.'
Former cabinet minister Sir Eric Pickles said: 'Very sad at the decision #EUref , but that is how democracy works, so we better get on with it.'
Shadow chancellor John McDonnell said he believed around two-thirds of Labour voters backed Remain.
'A lot of Conservative voters have gone for out. There's a solid base on the Tory party for out that have gone against their own Prime Minister,' he told Sky News.
'Within the Labour vote I think it looks as though two-thirds one-third split, might be less than that, we'll see.'
Ex Labour leader Ed Miliband said a Remain majority would be 'a vote for staying in the EU, but not a vote for the status quo in this country'.
'Whatever happens, the country will need to come together, there will need to be healing,' he said.
'It's a nation divided and the PM will have a big responsibility - particularly if it's a Remain win - to show he understands what people are saying on the Leave side of the argument.
SNP Minister Humza Yousaf at the EU Referendum count for Glasgow (left) and volunteers at the Royal Horticultural Halls in London counting the ballot papers
As the result in Sunderland gives Brexit a huge win, Leave campaigners in London celebrate with utter jubilation at a victory so big it indicates in the early stages that they may have the edge
Shadow Home Secretary Andy Burnham speaks to a colleague as the EU referendum ballot vote count gets under way at the Manchester (left). Pictured, right, is a Remain campaigner in Glasgow
The mood among Remain campaigners looked more glum. This In supporter in Northern Ireland checks his mobile phone for early results which paint a grim picture for the overall result
'Labour faces that responsibility too. As far as Labour voters are concerned, there are two issues. There is obviously immigration, but beneath that there is a whole set of issues about people's lives and the fact that they don't feel politics is listening to them.'
Ukip MEP Diane James said the large win for Leave in Sunderland could be down to anger over the local Nissan car plant writing to employees to make clear the company would prefer Britain to stay in the EU.
She told BBC News: 'Nissan, I believe, was one of those companies that was effectively asked by the Prime Minister to write a letter to the employees and I think what you're seeing here is the reaction to that, which I understand has been quite widespread across the country where people have actually taken offence at being directed to do something and then seemingly that whole message has been undermined in the later stage.'
The Bank of England said it would take 'all necessary steps' to ensure monetary and financial stability in the wake of the Brexit vote.
'The Bank of England is monitoring developments closely,' it said in a statement.
'It has undertaken extensive contingency planning and is working closely with HM Treasury, other domestic authorities and overseas central banks. The Bank of England will take all necessary steps to meet its responsibilities for monetary and financial stability.'
But Standard & Poor's said the Brexit decision was likely to see the country lose its AAA credit rating - potentially driving up the cost of government borrowing.
Chief ratings officer Moritz Kraemer told the Financial Times: 'We think that a AAA-rating is untenable under the circumstances.'
The turnout in parts of Scotland were lower than the rest of the country, with Glasgow at 56.3%. In Glasgow 253,000 ballot papers were verified out of a total electorate of 449,806.
Moments after the polls closed at 10pm last night Mr Farage appeared to concede defeat.
'It's been an extraordinary referendum campaign, turnout looks to be exceptionally high and it looks like Remain will edge it,' he said.
'Ukip and I are going nowhere and the party will only continue to grow stronger in the future.'
The Leave campaign got off to a great start in Sunderland but the party didn't start prematurely at the Leave.EU party in Westminster, where volunteers eagerly await the results
But when the Sunderland result came in, Leave campaigners jumped for joy, cheered and congratulated each other after a huge win
David Cameron's close aide Liz Sugg attended a Stronger In referendum party at the Royal Festival Hall, where activists were wearing blue T-shirts and drinking from disposable cups
But speaking at a Leave.EU referendum night party later as results started to flow in, Mr Farage stressed he was not ruling out a Leave victory and 'hoped and prayed' his sense defeat was wrong.
'The Eurosceptic genie is out of the bottle. And it will now not be put back,' he said.
Highlighting the government's controversial decision to extend voter registration deadline by two days to make up for the website going down for just a couple of hours, Mr Farage said: 'My sense of this is the government's registration scheme, getting two million voters on in the 48 hour extension maybe what tips the balance. I hope I'm wrong. I hope I am made a fool of.
'But either way, whether I am right or wrong, if we do stay part of this union it is doomed, it is finished anyway.
'If we fail tonight, it will not be us that kicks out the first brick from the wall but somebody else.'
He added: 'We are running them close, they have been scared, they have behaved pretty appallingly.
'Win or lose this battle tonight, we will win this war, we will get our country back, we will get our independence back and we will get our borders back.'
Early in the night Education Secretary Nicky Morgan was among senior Remain figures who voiced confidence they were on track for victory.
She told BBC News: 'Obviously we've got a long night ahead of us. We are confident and hopeful that there will be a victory for the Remain campaign but we'll obviously have to see.'
Nigel Farage told reporters that he thought the Remain camp had 'edged' the contest. He said the government's decision to extend the deadline for voter registration could have swung the result and pledged that the Eurosceptic 'genie will not be put back in the bottle'
If there is a Remain victory the Government will go on seeking reform in the EU, she added.
'I think if there's been a clear win then that's sending a message,' Mrs Morgan said.
'One of the things obviously is going to be implementing the reform deal the Prime Minister secured back in February.'
Labour's Chuka Umunna said he still believed the outcome would be 'close'. 'If I was forced to call it I am reasonably confident that Remain gets a result.'
Northern Ireland secretary Theresa Villiers, another supporter of Brexit, said her instinct was that Remain would win the vote.
But high-profile Leave campaigner Iain Duncan Smith cast doubt on Mr Farage's suggestion that Remain is set for victory.
'I never quite follow what Nigel Farage says,' the former work and pensions secretary told the BBC. 'Quite often he says two different things at the same time.
'I genuinely do not have a sense of how this has gone.'
The concern was etched into the face of Ed Miliband, former leader of the Labour party, as the referendum votes were counted
A Vote Leave source stressed that no-one could know the results yet, and suggested Mr Farage had been 'unhelpful' throughout the campaign.
Lord Ashdown said the result was 'too close to call' and insisted he had learnt not to make predictions following his promise at the general election to eat his hat after declaring the exit polls were wrong.
He said: 'Once bittten, twice shy. I suspect eat my hat has gone down into the political lexicon against my name forever.
'I don't think anybody can make a prediction, this is far too close. We are in the margin of error.'
The Liberal Democrat former leader added: 'I think there has been a bit too much hyperbole. I'm not sure the political class has covered itself in glory in this and I suspect we have an electorate that is more confused than it needs to be.'
Brendan Chilton, general secretary of Labour Leave, said: 'Nigel may have said that but until the votes are counted we don't really know what's happened.
'It's a bit concerning if that is the case. I obviously hope we have won.'
Mr Chilton said his gut feeling at 10pm was that Leave would 'win, just'. He added: 'Even if we don't win, if it's close, that is a magnificent achievement.'
Conservative former justice minister Damian Green said the result should 'settle it for a generation'.
'A win is a win so it should put an end to it,' he added.
In Gibraltar, which is taking part in the referendum as a British overseas territory within the EU, turnout was a healthy 84 per cent.
But torrential rain and flooding in the South East caused transport disruption which may have prevented some voters from reaching the ballot box in time. Some polling stations were forced to close, and two in Kingston-upon-Thames had to be relocated after becoming inundated.
Paddy Ashdown joins supporters for the Stronger Together campaign in the shadow of the London Eye as they await the result
The campaigns have brought people from different parties together, with Labour's Chuka Umunna, Member of Parliament for Streatham, and Conservative Nicky Morgan, Secretary of State for Education and Minister for Women and Equalities, campaigning together
Eddie Izzard joins supporters of the Stronger In Campaign at Royal Festival Hall in London after a hard-fought campaign the will finally come to an end when the official result is announced just after 7am
As the polls closed, more than 80 Brexit rebels in David Cameron's Tory party sent a letter to Downing Street urging him to stay on as PM whatever the result.
With Mr Cameron's Remain campaign appearing on course for victory in the referendum, the group led by Boris Johnson and Michael Gove reached out an olive branch.
The intention of the letter - made public as soon as polls closed in the referendum - was to begin the process of healing wounds in the Tory Party.
Some 84 Tories signed the letter to tell Mr Cameron: 'We believe whatever the British people decide you have both a mandate and a duty to continue leading the nation implementing our policies.'
As well as Mr Johnson and Mr Gove, the signatories included Cabinet-level Brexit backers Chris Grayling and John Whittingdale, but not Iain Duncan Smith, who quit as work and pensions secretary shortly before the referendum.
Tory MP Robert Syms said that two-thirds of Conservative MPs who broke with the PM to back Leave had signed the letter, but said it had not been possible to reach all of them to ask them to sign.
Mr Duncan Smith said he was not asked to sign the letter but insisted Mr Cameron should stay on as PM.
Mr Duncan Smith told BBC News: 'Actually I wasn't asked to sign the letter but I've been very public all along to say that I think he has a duty to stay.
'I'm not in government any longer so I assume that's why I wasn't asked - I'm just a backbencher.'
Mr Farage's early pessimism about the prospects for Brexit triggered a rise in the value of Sterling by almost a cent against the dollar as the markets breathed a sigh of relief.
The counter at Sunderland rushes to get the results through in the city first to return their verdict in tonight's referendum
Boris Johnson hijacked his own daughter's graduation earlier today by unveiling a Brexit banner with just hours to go until polls close in the historic EU referendum
As his 22-year-old daughter Lara was enjoying her big day at St Andrews University in Fife, Scotland, the leading Vote Leave campaigner waved a poster with the words: 'Last chance to vote'.
But one student defied the ex-London Mayor by marching up to collect her degree with a Remain poster of her own as voters went to the polls across the country.
Mr Johnson performed the stunt as he sat in the balcony of the Younger Hall alongside his wife Marina Wheeler QC, revealing the poster to the packed audience and causing mayhem as students then unveiled their own 'Remain' messages to the crowds.
Lara Johnson was awarded a degree in Latin and Comparative Literature from the Scottish university. Her dad flew up to Scotland for the occasion, posing for selfies with excited students after four months of hard-fought campaigning to persuade voters to back Britain leaving the EU.
Ali West said she could not pass up the opportunity to make the Remain case to Mr Johnson, insisting: 'Boris Johnson was in the audience at my graduation today, so naturally I had some thoughts.'
Speaking this evening, the Leave champion said: 'From what I have heard and all the information is that turnout is good in areas where we need it to be.'
Regional Counting Officer Sue Stanhope announces the turnout for Sunderland as 64.9 per cent and Leave emerge victorious with 61.3 per cent of the vote. It's a good start for Brexit as experts said that a six per cent lead would suggest the vote would finish tied
The Former Mayor of London and Vote Leave Campaigner Boris Johnson on the tube on his way vote at his local polling station today. It's a day on which he has spent plenty of time on the move, watching his daughter graduate from St Andrew's in Scotland
Nigel Farage arrives at the Brexit party in Westminster and is pictured with his trademark pint of ale but looks less than happy as it looks like the Leave campaign is heading for defeat
Ukip leader Nigel Farage has shown a multitude of expressions throughout the evening. From hope (left), to shock (centre) and confusion (right), the evening will be a rollercoaster for the man who has campaigned on the issue for 25 years
Pollsters have been left licking their wounds after following up on their abject failure to predict last year's general election result by calling the referendum wrong.
Last night a flurry of eve-of-referendum polls suggested the result is still too close to call.
A YouGov poll for The Times gave Remain a lead of 51 to 49. FTI Consulting gave Remain the edge by 51.4 per cent to 48.6 per cent once 'don't knows' are taken out.
YouGov chief Peter Kellner has admitted that the failure was 'embarrassing'.
Two further polls by Opinium and TNS showed the reverse, with Leave on 51 per cent and Remain on 49 per cent.
Opinium Research recorded a tiny lead for Brexit in its final survey of 3,000 voters this week as it found 45 per cent backed Leave and 44 per cent backed Remain.
But after taking into account the margin of error in the study, the firm declared it impossible to predict a winner.
A week ago, Opinium had the referendum tied at 44 per cent each while at the start of June the pollster had Remain ahead 43-41.
The poll fits with the mixed found by all of the polling firms in the last week of the race, with some results showing small leads for either side while other showed a tie.
By contrast, betting markets have continued to show Remain as the strong favourite as the race enters its final hours.
Adam Drummond, of Opinium Research said: 'This really is ''too close to call'' territory with undecided voters holding the balance of the vote in their hands.
'Although referendum campaigns normally see a move back to the status quo as we get closer to polling day, this hasn't yet shown up in our polls and the Remain camp will have to hope that it happens in the polling booth itself if Britain is to stay in the European Union.'
In its latest poll, Opinium interviewed 3,011 voters between Monday and Wednesday. |
What to eat before Spartan Race
Proper nutrition goes hand-in-hand with physical performance as well as recovery after every physical activity.
A strong mind and body could never be achieved without the right nourishment, which would only be obtained from the food you take (and the right timing of your meals).
As all seasoned Spartan racers advise, “Eat like a Spartan to perform like one.”
Start being more mindful of your food intake the moment you start training for the race. Remember that good nutrition can either make or break your training/race performance.
Feed the beast in you by eating right and constantly hydrating your body.
Begin by consuming easily digested carbohydrates combined with a blend of protein so you can have the right amount of energy your body will need.
During every training/workout (and during the race itself), it is important to replenish your energy level through electrolyte-carbohydrate beverage or gummies/simple sugars every hour.
Eating right is not sufficient, a proper workout routine is essential! And if you are a complete beginner, I suggest you to read also "5 tips for Spartan Race beginner"
5 principles in Spartan eating
1. Do not eat processed food. Ancient Spartans were never exposed to soda, cookies, candies, chips, cereals, hotdogs, and other types of processed food.
To replicate their ideal diet, avoid food groups that come with less nutritional value and more on unwanted chemicals.
2. Do occasional fasting. Eating nothing for about 16 hours to 24 hours at times may be good for your system.
3. Go organic. Fortunately, this is the age when more people are turning to organic types of food—those that have not undergone chemical or industrial processing like organic vegetables, fruits, grains, and even meats.
4. Eat only when you are hungry. Hunger is a natural mechanism that serves as a cue that the body needs nutrients to do its functions properly.
Thus, nothing else knows when to consume food than your own body. Do not force it to enjoy food when it still has not given the signal to eat.
5. Be flexible. The human body is designed to eat generally any type of natural food. As long as you do not overindulge, it would always be healthy to eat especially before any tedious physical activity.
Something different for women
Female racers should consume more food rich in iron like lean meats, beans, fish, leafy greens, and fortified grains.
This is because biologically, they have a different level of testosterone and estrogen compared to male racers.
They have up to 11% higher body fat compared to men, thus, requiring less overall calories but have a higher need for iron as they lose a great amount of the nutrient when they undergo monthly menstruation.
Ideal meals before, during, and after Spartan Race
Pre-Race Meal (an hour or two before training/race)
A slice of whole-grain bread with 2 tablespoons of peanut butter, 1 piece of banana, and a cup of milk.
What to Take during Training/Race
Electrolyte replenishment drink (Gatorade or any alternative) and protein bars.
Post-Race Meal (30 minutes to an hour after training/race)
Protein shake and roasted pistachios. Whey protein in the shake helps repair muscles and supplies important nutrients for fast and effective recovery. |
Specifically, the new processor integrates a "semi-custom" AMD graphics chip and the second generation of Intel's "High Bandwidth Memory (HBM2)", which is comparable to GDDR 5 in a traditional laptop. The three typically distinct components are able to coexist on one chip because of Intel's Embedded Multi-Die Interconnect Bridge (EMIB), which "allows heterogeneous silicon to quickly pass information in extremely close proximity." The company also came up with a power-sharing framework that lets the GPU manage each component's temperature, performance and energy use.
This infrastructure should free up about three square inches of board space that could either be used for other components as described above, or make for thinner laptops altogether. The idea is that powerful laptops for gamers no longer have to be chunky beasts.
The new Core H processor is the first consumer product to use EMIB, and will be released in the first quarter of 2018, and many laptop makers are expected to offer products powered by the chip. This is a pretty significant development that not only benefits the enthusiast audience, but could also have trickle down effects that could improve mainstream laptops (and even other devices) in the future. |
Alan talks to Queensland vet, Dr David Pascoe, and to Treasurer Joe Hockey, about the plight of an 87 year old farmer driven off the land by the ANZ bank.
THIS FACE BOOK POST HAS GONE VIRAL AND IS NOW HEADING TOWARDS 1.5 MILLION HITS SINCE WE POSTED IT ON MONDAY AFTERNOON. THIS IS THE TRUTH OF WHAT IS REALLY HAPPENING TO OUR FARMERS IN AUSTRALIA
Dr David Pascoe BVSc PhD OVH Repro
AUSTRALIA YOU ARE AMAZING!
Politicians of Australia, the people are speaking - and you need to listen.
The team of people who are supporting David - who is flat out working and operating on horses right now - took a call from one of Australia's most respected and best loved former political leaders this morning who said:
THAT VETS LETTER HAS BECOME A DEFINING MOMENT IN OUR NATIONS HISTORY.."
read it yourself....
AN OPEN LETTER TO THE AUSTRALIAN PEOPLE:
Dear Men and Women of Australia,
There are two photographs on this page, and while they might look like father and daughter, they are separated by two nations, one ocean and some seventy years.
Yet incredibly, they are both part of the same tragedy, the kind that leaves deep and irreparable scars on a nation and its people for a lifetime.
The young woman who was born in 1907. The elderly man who was born twenty years later in 1927.
The photograph of the woman was taken in the Great Depression of 1936 when the man was still only 9 years old.
Her name was Florence Owens Thompson and she was a 32 year old mother of seven who was photographed sitting homeless in a tent. The image was published across the newspapers of America and it managed to enrage the nation, because people could not believe that Americans could be treated in such a way.
It forced President Roosevelt to act, to step up and become a leader for his times: he launched soup kitchens, work gangs, programs for the homeless, dams and roads and railways were built – and he gave his people hope.
John Steinbeck later wrote a book called The Grapes of Wrath which became an American literary Icon. It was about a drought that made the farmers penniless – and how the banks had forced them off their land so they could sell it on to the big powerful corporations. What happened to the farmers of Oklahoma ultimately carved a deep and shameful scar across the American identity that was felt throughout the Twentieth Century.
The second photograph on this page is of Charlie Phillott, now 87, an elderly farmer from the ruggedly beautiful Carisbrooke Station at Winton. He has owned his station since 1960, nurtured it and loved it like a part of his own flesh. He is a grand old gentleman, one of the much loved and honoured fathers of his community.
Not so long ago, the ANZ bank came and drove him off his beloved station because the drought had devalued his land and they told him he was considered an unviable risk. Yet Charlie Phillott has never once missed a single mortgage payment.
Today this dignified Grand Old Man of the West is living like some hunted down refugee in Winton, shocked and humiliated and penniless. And most of all, Charlie Phillott is ashamed, because as a member of the Great Generation - those fine and decent and ethical men and women who built this country – he believes that what happened to him was somehow his own fault. And the ANZ Bank certainly wanted to make sure they made him feel like that.
Last Friday my wife Heather and I flew up with Alan Jones to attend the Farmers Last Stand drought and debt meeting in Winton. And after what I saw being done to our own people, I have never been more ashamed to be Australian in my life.
What is happening out there is little more than corporate terrorism: our own Australian people are being bullied, threatened and abused by both banks and mining companies until they are forced off their own land.
So we must ask: is this simply to move the people off their land and free up it up for mining by foreign mining companies or make suddenly newly empty farms available for purchase by Chinese buyers? As outrageous as it might seem, all the evidence flooding in seems to suggest that this is exactly what is going on.
What is the role of Government in all of this? Why have both the State and Federal Government stood back and allowed such a dreadful travesty to happen to our own people? Where was Campbell Newman on this issue? Where was Prime Minister Abbott? The answer is nowhere to be seen.
For the last few months, the Prime Minister has warned us against the threats of terrorism to our nation. We have been alerted to ISIS and its clear and present danger to the Australian people.
Abbott has despatched Australian military forces into the Middle East in an effort to destroy this threat to our own safety and security. This mobilization of our military forces has come at a massive and unbudgeted expense to the average Australian taxpayer which the Prime Minister estimates to be around half a billion dollars each year.
We are told that terrorism is dangerous not only because of the threat to human life but also because it displaces populations and creates the massive human cost of refugees.
Yet not one single newspaper or politician in this land has exposed the fact that the worst form of terrorism that is happening right now is going on inside the very heartland of our own nation as banks and foreign mining companies are deliberately and cruelly forcing our own Australian farmers off the land.
What we saw in the main hall of the Winton Shire Council on Friday simply defied all description: a room filled with hundreds of broken and battered refuges from our own country. It was a scene more tragic and traumatic than a dozen desperate funerals all laced onto the one stage.
Right now, all over the inland of both Queensland and NSW, there is nothing but social and financial carnage on a scale that has never before been witnessed in this nation.
It was 41 degrees when we touched down at the Winton airport, and when you fly in low over this landscape it is simply Apocalyptic: there has not been a drop of rain in Winton for two years and there is not a sheep, a cow, a kangaroo, an emu or a bird in sight. Even the trees in the very belly of the creeks are dying.
There is little doubt that this is a natural disaster of incredible magnitude – and yet nobody – neither state nor the federal government - is willing to declare it as such.
The suicide rate has now reached such epic proportions right across the inland: not just the farmer who takes the walk “ up the paddock” and does away with himself but also their children and their wives. Once again, it has barely been covered by the media, a dreadful masquerade that has assisted by the reticence and shame of honourable farming families caught in these tragic situations.
My wife is one of the toughest women I know. Her family went into North West of Queensland as pioneers one hundred years ago: this is her blood country and these are her people . Yet when she stood up to speak to this crowd on Friday she suddenly broke down: she told me later that when she looked into the eyes of her own people, what she saw was enough to break her heart
And yet not one of us knew it was this bad, this much of a national tragedy. The truth is that these days, the Australian media basically doesn’t give a damn. They have been muzzled and shut down by governments and foreign mining companies to the extent that they are no longer willing to write the real story. So the responsibility is now left to people like us, to social media – and you, the Australian people.
And so the banks have been free to play their games and completely terrorise these people at their leisure. The drought has devalued the land and the banks have seen their opportunity to strike. It was exactly the excuse that they needed to clean up and make a fortune, because once the rains come – as they always do – this land will be worth four to ten times the price.
In fact, when farmers have asked for the payout figures, the banks have been either deeply reluctant or not capable of providing the mortgage trail because they have on-sold the mortgage - just like sub-prime agriculture.
This problem isn’t simply happening in Winton, but rather right across the entire inland across Queensland and NSW. The banks have been bringing in the police to evict Australian famers and their families from their farms, many of them multigenerational. One farmer matter of factly told us it took “oh, about 7 police” to evict him from his first farm and “maybe about twelve” to evict him from his second farm which had been in his family for many generations. You think they are kidding you. Then you see the expression in their eyes.
And there was something far worse in the room on Friday: the fear of speaking out against the banks: when we asked people to tell us who had done this to them, they would immediately start to shake and cry and look away: They have been silenced to protect the good corporate image of their tormentors called the banks. What in God’s name have the bastard banks been allowed to do to our people?
This is a travesty against the rights and the human dignity of every Australian
So it’s only fair that we start to name a few of major banks involved: The ANZ is a major culprit (they made $7 billion profit last year). Then there is Rabo - which is an international agricultural bank - the NAB, Bank West and Westpac (who paid CEO Gail Kelly a yearly salary of some $12 million). They are all equally guilty. For any that we have missed, rest assured they will be publicly exposed as well
But here’s the thing: when these people are forced off their farms, they have nowhere to go. There are no refugee services waiting, such is the case for those who attempt to enter the sovereign borders of this nation. The farmers simply drive to the nearest town – that’s if the banks haven’t stripped their cars off them as well - and they try and find somewhere to sleep. Some are sleeping on the backs of trucks in swags. There is basically no home or accommodation made available to take them. They camp out, shocked and broken and penniless – and they are living on weet bix and noodles. If there is someone that can lend a family enough money to buy food, they will: otherwise they are left completely alone.
And consider this: not one of them has asked for help. Not one. They just do the best they can, ashamed and broken and brainwashed by the banks to believe that everything that has happened is completely their own fault
There is not one single word of this from a politicians lips, with the exception of the incredibly courageous father and son team of Bob and Robbie Katter, who organised the Farmers Last Stand meeting. The Katter family have been in the North since the 1890’s, and nobody who sat in that hall last Friday could question their love and commitment to their own people.
There is barely a mention of any of this as well in the newspapers, with the exception of as brief splash of publicity that followed our visit.
The Minister for Agriculture Barnaby Joyce attended the meeting in a bitter blue-funk kind of mood that saw him mostly hunched over and staring at the floor. He had given $100 million of financial assistance in a lousy deal where the Government will borrow at 2.75% and loan it back at 3.21%.
The last thing these people need is another loan: they need a Redevelopment Bank to refinance their own loans: issuing a loan to pay off a loan is nothing more than financial suicide.
The reality is that Joyce cannot get support from what he calls “the shits in Cabinet” to create a desperately needed Redevelopment Bank so that these farmers can get cheap loans to tide them through to the end of the drought.
Our sources suggest that those “shits in Cabinet” include Malcolm Turnbull – Minister for Communications and the uber-cool trendy city-centric Liberal in the black leather jacket:, Andrew Robb – Minster for Trade and Investment and the man behind the free trade deal, the man who suddenly acquired three trendy Sydney restaurants almost overnight, the man who seems to suddenly desperate to sell off our farms to China – and one Greg Hunt, Environment Minister and the man who is instantly approving almost every single mining project that is put in front of him.
At the conclusion of the meeting, we stood and met some of the people in the crowd. My wife talked to women who would hug her for dear life, and when they walked away people would suddenly murmur “oh, she was forced off last week” or “they are being forced off tomorrow” . Not one of them mentioned it to us. They had too much pride.
The Australian people need to be both informed and desperately outraged about what is being done to our own people. This is about every right that was once held dear to us: human rights, property rights, civil rights. And most all, our right to freedom of speech. All of that has been taken away from these people – and the rest of us need to understand that we are probably next.
In the last four weeks the Newman Government has removed all farmers rights to protest to a mine and given mining companies the rights to take all the water they want from the Great Artesian Basin – and at no cost to them at all.
And all of this has happened under the watch of both Premier Newman and Prime Minister Abbott.
Until Friday, we used to think of Winton as the home of Waltzing Matilda: it was written at a local station and first performed in the North Gregory Hotel. I think it was Don McLean who wrote, “something touched me deep inside…the day the music died”… in his song American Pie, and for us, last Friday was the day music died.
We will never be able to sing Waltzing Matilda again until we see some justice for these people, and all the farmers of the inland.
This is no longer the Australia we once knew: no longer our country, no longer our people, no longer the decent caring leaders we once remembered.
Right now, the banks, the mining mates, the corrupt politicians and all the ‘mongrels in suits’ have won – and the Australian people don’t have a clue what has been done to them.
Like the American Depression and the iconic photograph of Florence Owens Thompson, there is a terrible, gaping wound that has been carved across the heartland of this nation.
We need to fully grasp that, and to understand that our people – dignified, decent and honourable old men like Charlie Phillott - have been deliberately terrorized, brutalised – and sold out.
In one sense, Charlie Phillott has become the symbol overnight of every decent Australian: the simple right to live out our lives on the land we love - and the land we are still free to call our own. At least until some dangerously persuaded corrupted trendy liberal theorist decided to strip all that away.
The truth is, no Australian was ever consulted about whether or not they wanted to see their land mined into oblivion or see our precious water poisoned and given away for free, whether they wanted to be driven off their land by the greed of banking executives who saw the chance to make a profit by wiping out the weakest and most vulnerable amongst us.
No Australian was ever consulted about whether or not we wanted to see our beloved homeland sold on the cheap to greedy faceless foreigners just because some slimy two-faced minister managed to convince a weakened prime minster to meekly carry out his bidding.
Nobody has asked us. We the People. Not once.
So if we are ever going to do something, then we’d better realise that its now only two minutes to midnight – so we’d better move fast.
Regards
David
Please share this as widely as you can across Australia. You are now the only truthful means we have to spread the message.
Contact politicians, contact newspapers, radio and television stations. Demand that your voice is heard.
PHOTOS:
Charlie Phillott (left) The Australian December 2014:
Florence Owens Thompson (Dorthea Lange) March 1936 (originally photographed in b&w and retouched) |
Chana masala with chickpeas (garbanzo beans) and spinach is a vegetarian and vegan variation of a traditional and popular Indian food dish. Simple Indian vegetarian recipes such as this one make it so easy to have a home-cooked Indian meal with very little effort. Pair it with rice or an Indian bread like chapati or naan, or with rice.
This recipe is simplified for Western cooks, with more common spices and ingredients you can find at most well-stocked large grocery stores. If you don't have all the spices on hand, it's OK to omit one of them without too much trouble, but don't omit more than two or you will have a completely different (and bland) dish on your hands. A more traditional chana masala recipe would call for a few ingredients such as amchur (dried mango powder) and pomegranate seeds that can only be sourced either online or at a local Indian grocery. |
An unhappy holiday for Fernando © Getty Images Enlarge Related Links Drivers:
Fernando Alonso Teams:
Ferrari
Fernando Alonso has found himself embroiled in a row with his local media after clashing with photographers.
After arriving in a private jet for a holiday on the small Portuguese island of Porto Santo, Alonso lost his temper with a group of paparazzi photographers as he walked through the airport.
A video shows the 29-year-old telling the group in Spanish: "The first photographer or camera I see in the next days, I will leave the next day and tell everyone that Porto Santo is a disaster … "Ok? So please leave us alone." He then gave a thumbs-down gesture.
The footage was featured in local news coverage, with some reporting that Alonso has been even more aggressive on occasions.
His next official engagement is Ferrari's traditional Wroom event in the Italian Dolomites.
© ESPN Sports Media Ltd. |
10 Mind-Broadening Facebook Pages You Should Like
Facebook is often an immense black hole of trivial rubbish and mind-numbing drivel.
But that doesn’t stop us from using it all the time (well, me and about a billion other people). Certainly much good has come from the birth of this social media giant, but it’s also important to keep in mind that the site is highly addicting (internet equivalent of crack, I’d say) and often a counterproductive time-suck.
However, it is possible to transform those hours we all spend on Facebook into something positive and even enriching.
Consider setting a limit on how much time you spend on Facebook each day (the Chrome add-on ‘Web Timer’ and the apps ‘Cold Turkey’ for Windows or ‘SelfControl’ for Mac can help). You can use News Feed Eradicator to remove your newsfeed altogether.
You might want to ‘unfollow the posts’ of anyone from your newsfeed who isn’t either a close relation/loved one or a source of pertinent/stimulating content. I’ve literally hidden hundreds of “friends”, probably 95% of the people I’m connected to on Facebook (sorry guys).
Most importantly, ‘like’ pages that post excellent, mind-broadening content. Beware: ‘Liking’ too many such pages could turn your newsfeed into an over-saturated billboard of watered-down “wisdom.” However, if you pick and choose wisely, you’ll find that many pages post consistently thought-provoking, eye-opening stuff.
10 Mind-Broadening Facebook Pages
Consider “liking” a few of the following 10 pages, which I consider to be top-notch:
Aeon is quite possibly my favorite online publication. They consistently publish some of the most well-written, fascinating, and thought-provoking essays I’ve ever read. I highly recommend letting their work expand your world.
If you want to digest books rapidly, I recommend Blinkist. They distill non-fiction books down to potent 15-minute insight-blasts. Try it free.
The Refine The Mind page—the page of this very blog you’re reading—is filled with philosophical excerpts, profound and/or chuckle-worthy memes, insights on global issues, links to intriguing/important reads, and more. You can also follow Refine The Mind on Twitter and Instagram.
HighExistence became one of my favorite websites a while ago (I’ve even written for them.). They explore the intersection of science, spirituality, philosophy, and self-development. And they post the dankest of memes.
This remarkable organization has Elon Musk and Stephen Hawking on its board of directors. They focus on the relationship between emerging technologies, the preservation of humanity, and the future of all life on Earth.
Radically Enlightened is one of my favorite lesser-known gems of the Internet multiverse. Dedicated to global activism and critical thought in the areas of current events, culture, spirituality, and philosophy.
Future Thinkers is a blog and podcast that is all about the future. I love their work. They cover everything from transhumanism and artificial intelligence to psychedelics and virtual reality, and so much more.
When it comes to content related to environmental awareness, appreciation, and activism, Give a Shit About Nature really nails it. Furthermore, the page’s admin practices what he preaches, working on various philanthropic projects. He recently planted 25,000 trees after running a campaign on his page.
Probably the best page on Facebook for keeping up with the very latest, cutting-edge breakthroughs in science and technology.
This is one of the most unique and world-expanding pages on Facebook. They share a poignant blend of art and literature that aims to capture the sublime and surreal.
The Life You Can Save is a thought leader in the domain of effective altruism, global issues, and ending world poverty. I’m absolutely passionate about the effective altruism movement and highly encourage you to look into it. Here’s an intro I wrote to the movement.
That’s me. :] On my personal page I share all of the best and most important stuff I’m reading and thinking about. Thought-provoking quotes, memes, essays, podcasts, interviews, and more. You can ‘friend’ me on Facebook as well if you like, or follow me on Twitter and Instagram.
Note: Facebook’s latest algorithms will hide the content of pages that you follow from your newsfeed. To see more or all of what any of these pages post, you must either add them to an Interest List or “like” their content consistently.
Concluding Thoughts
I hope some of these pages appeal to you. I also hope that I’ve convinced you to use Facebook less and make better use of the time you do spend residing in its oft-devious clutches.
Also, if you eventually decide that Facebook just isn’t for you, that you cannot use it responsibly, WikiHow has an excellent article on ideas/tips for quitting the site.
Here’s to using the Internet as the amazing tool for world betterment that it can be, not as another flashy means of passing the time. Take care, friends. |
Capt. Gail Harris reports from the Aspen Security Forum 2017 Day 1: Secretary of Homeland Security, John F. Kelly discusses airline security, border security, election interference, cyber attacks and countering violent extremists.
I am a card carrying Geek and proud of it. One of my favorite events is the annual Aspen Security Forum. The speakers represent a who’s who of the DC national security community. A big plus for me is that it’s held in my home state of Colorado so I don’t have to go through airport Hell to attend.
This is the eighth year it’s been held and is one of the many programs the Aspen Institute puts together. Scheduled speakers include the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Commander of U.S. Cyber Command/NSA, the head of the CIA and the Director of National Intelligence.
The Chairman of the Aspen Institute’s Homeland Security Program is Clark K. Ervin. In the introduction of the program’s booklet he states among other things:
We seem to be ceding global leadership without a fight, without even realizing it. For the next few days, as we survey the state of play from region to region and issue to issue, we will grapple with a fundamental, dispiriting question – are we witnessing the end of the American century?
The conference opened with a bang. Moderator Pete Williams, Justice Correspondent for NBC News, introduced Secretary of Homeland Security, John F. Kelly as the opening speaker. [Full video]
Secretary Kelly confessed that prior to his appointment he had been surprised President Trump, or anyone who knew Trump, knew about him. He had been retired about 8 months after 45 years in the Marine Corps, when he got a call from Reince Priebus one Saturday afternoon while watching a football game. Priebus told him that Trump would like to have an opportunity to talk maybe about going into the administration, before hanging up. Kelly, whose two sons served as Marines and his daughter is in the FBI, joked that after discussing the matter with this wife she encouraged him to go back to work because she was “really tired of this quality retired time we’re spending together.” Note: It’s a common joke in military circles that when a military member retires his or her spouse strongly encourages them to get out from under their feet!
The following is a brief overview of some of the things that jumped out at me from the discussion.
This July 19-22, top experts & officials will discuss today’s key national security issues at #AspenSecurity Forum: https://t.co/Hf6gfSXN8o pic.twitter.com/DPrtc8Acej — Aspen Security Forum (@AspenSecurity) July 12, 2017
Airline Security
The first question Williams asked Secretary Kelly concerned airport security. Williams raised the issue of the ban on portable electronic devices in carryon bags, asking, “So how did you arrive at what is obviously a compromise between the security you might have wanted and what the airline said they would accept or the traveling public would accept?” Secretary Kelly responded that there was “no compromise at all”, and that there are people who work very hard to knock airplanes out of the sky. “That’s the Stanley Cup, World Series if you will”.
Without going into details of the intelligence reports, Secretary Kelly said the threat was sophisticated and real. He initially didn’t feel that overseas airports had the capability to detect the threat. Kelly explained, “having been around explosions all my life, the device, as it was described to me, had an amount of explosive on it that I just did not believe could destroy an airplane in flight.” A test of the threat material was conducted and it successfully blew up an airplane. This new threat advanced the opportunity to raise the standards of global airport security. If you want to fly directly to the US, you must follow certain security guidelines. According to Kelly, he’s reasonably certain we can detect the threat device with existing technology. Discussions included the use of CT technology (computer tomography), to be implemented within 1-2 years. Cargo aircraft remains another area of concern.
Border Security
Williams moved the topic to questions about border security. He noted that in Kelly’s confirmation questionnaire for the Homeland Security Committee he had said this, “The number one threat to the nation is that we do not have control of our borders.” Williams asked, “now that you’ve had some time in the job do you still think that’s the number one threat to the U.S. security?” “It is from my perspective,” the Secretary responded.
Secretary Kelly said the point President Trump made in their initial conversation was that we have to secure our border without impeding those who enter the country legally. He said they are doing the best they can to stop the movement of people or material entering illegally. Secretary Kelly expressed concern that those responsible for terrorist attacks will enter illegally.
As Americans, we haven't done enough to address drug trafficking & need to inject investment explains @DHSgov Secretary Kelly #AspenSecurity pic.twitter.com/CHZp5NVf2D — Aspen Security Forum (@AspenSecurity) July 20, 2017
“I believe if there was a terrorist attack from outside the United States, once the forensics are done it will be seen that that individual or individuals came into the United States with either a dirty bomb or whatever they brought … into the United States through this network,” Kelly said.
Secretary Kelly referenced what he described as a sophisticated network that operates illegally to bring people and materials into the US as the greatest threat. He noted that illegal movement was down 70%, and stressed on several occasions the goal to counter illegal immigration and not legal. “We are trying to get our arms around and are getting our arms around illegal immigration, not legal immigration.”
Election Interference and Cyber Attacks
Williams next asked Secretary Kelly if the US has a coherent strategy to prevent future election meddling, asking, “so what’s being done now to deter the Russians or another country from interrupting or destroying or somehow tampering with our state election systems?” The Secretary said the response he’s getting from states is that they don’t want Homeland Security involved in their election process. The Secretary explained that DHS is ready and able to assist, and if states don’t want the help, “I think they’re nuts.” According to Kelly, DHS can continue to monitor threat activities by nation states, criminals looking to make money from malware, and vandals “who just do this for kicks”.
Secretary Kelly also discussed meeting with Silicon Valley execs to ask for assistance with the terrorist social media issue and to form partnerships with the commercial tech industry. He emphasized that many Silicon Valley types, in the US and worldwide, are already doing a lot to help, describing them as “very talented people that could make a hell of a lot more money on the outside, but they are dedicated public servants and they are setting the standard for protecting everything in our country.”
Kelly explained that the issue is not just about use of social media for ISIS propaganda. “This is not just about Muslim extremism. This is about neo-Nazis, white supremacists, this is about any extremists, any that could, that is, that are actively trying to recruit young people, get them radicalized. But we’re trying to stop this before those young people take action that they will be sorry for the rest of their life and create great trauma to the country.”
Countering Violent Extremists
One of the questions Williams asked concerned government grants given to develop Countering Violent Extremists (CVE). The DHS has awarded 26 grants totaling $10 million over two years under the CVE program. Williams mentioned that most grants had been given to police organizations and not Muslim organizations. “Why isn’t more of that money going to groups that want to be a bridge between the government and — for example, the Muslim community or to Muslim organizations directly?”
Secretary Kelly said that right now this is in the experimental category. He questioned the metrics of success if such funds are granted, asking whether we could tell young people weren’t getting radicalized.
Secretary Kelly emphasized, “I think this is as much a local and a family and a mosque and a synagogue and a church problem as it is a federal problem. So let’s look at people who are already trying to get at this problem. You know, what cities, what states are investing their own money. What police departments have good ideas already and are putting their own efforts against it and maybe look at what they are doing and reinforce what they are doing.”
It’s my intent in these notes to give you highlights of what the speakers said during their talks. In the days after the forum ends, I’ll probably write about my opinion of some of these issues.
Think I’ll end here. More highlights to follow.
Gail Harris, Lima Charlie News
[Edited by Anthony A. LoPresti]
Captain Gail Harris (U.S. Navy, Ret.), was the highest-ranking African American female officer in the US Navy at the time of her retirement in 2001. Her 28 year career in intelligence included hands-on leadership during every major conflict from the Cold War, to El Salvador, to Desert Storm, to Kosovo, and she was at the forefront of one of the Department of Defense’s newest challenges, Cyber Warfare. Gail also writes for the Foreign Policy Association, is author of “A Woman’s War”, serves as Senior Fellow for the George Washington Center For Cyber & Homeland Security and is a Senior Advisor for the Truman National Security Project.
Follow Capt. Harris on Twitter @GailHarrisLC
Lima Charlie provides global news, insight & analysis by military veterans and service members Worldwide.
For up-to-date news, please follow us on twitter at @LimaCharlieNews
Full video of interview here:
In case you missed it: |
Help Needed! Ask Ubuntu Accomplishment Documentation
I have something rather cool to show you:
This is a screenshot of Ubuntu Accomplishments with support for Ask Ubuntu badges. This means that when you get an Ask Ubuntu badge, you will see a notification bubble appear on your desktop, and you can see all of your Ask Ubuntu badges with the rest of your trophies.
Currently all the Ask Ubuntu badges are working with Ubuntu Accomplishments, and all have working integration tests.
One of the nice features of Ubuntu Accomplishments is that you can browse documentation for the different Opportunities that you have not yet accomplished. This provides a neat way of learning how to accomplish new things.
As an example, I don’t have the Strunk and White Ask Ubuntu trophy yet. When I click on it I see:
While we have all the Ask Ubuntu accomplishments working and all the tests written, we still need help to get the documentation written for all the badges. This is where we need your help.
How To Help
Helping is simple!
Head over to this page for instructions of how to get started. You will basically grab the accomplishments, pick one from the list that has not had documentation written yet, submit the docs, and then tick it off the list.
We really want to get the Ask Ubuntu accomplishments into the 0.2 Ubuntu Accomplishments release next week, so if you folks can help, that would be awesome! |
See that chopper right there? That's the Eurocopter X3, and as of last week, it can cruise at more than half the speed of a commercial jet. Although the helicopter was striving to hit 220 knots, it actually blew past that milestone to maintain 232 knots (450 km or 279.6 miles per hour) in level, stabilized flight -- a new record for this aircraft. For the uninitiated, the X3 earns its "hybrid" moniker by combining two turboshaft engines that power five-blade main rotor system and two propellers installed on short-span fixed wings -- which, in layman's terms, allows it to hover like a helicopter should while reaching the kind of speeds you'd expect from a turboprop-powered aircraft. (And before you get too excited, yes, this one requires pilots .) While we love the idea of a high-speed joy ride for tourists, this thing will be used for long-distance search and rescue missions, along with border patrol, coast guard duties, offshore operations, passenger and troop transport, and medical evacuation. So no ride for you, but you can get your vicarious thrill anyway with a short, percussion-heavy video after the break. |
While the headliners are undoubtedly important to a music festival, any seasoned festival-goer will tell you that the undercard is what makes the experience truly special. There’s nothing better than wandering the festival and discovering some amazing new artist you had never heard of. So, to give you a little help, we are going to highlight some of the lesser known performers on the lineup that should definitely be on your radar this year.
1. Mac DeMarco
Day 1“Freaking Out The Neighborhood”
I know to some Mac is a pretty well known artist, but I’ve met too many people during the research of this piece that had no clue who he was. So, to all of you reading that have yet to discover the deliciously relaxing slacker rock of this Canadian singer – get ready to join the fan club. DeMarco’s tunes have the ability to instantly put anyone in a better mood and his happiness while performing is incredibly contagious. Make sure you find this jam session for a late day pick-me-up.
Image Source: YouTube |
Girls across Africa will soon have money right at their fingertips—quite literally.
Thanks to the Praekelt Foundation, which uses open-source technology to deliver information and services to developing countries, mobile banking is on its way to empowering young girls to become financially independent.
The foundation is taking its custom-made mobile messaging app, Vumi—currently used in more than 10 African countries—and creating an easy way to turn prepaid cell phone minutes into savings, with which users can deposit, withdraw, and earn airtime minutes in exchange for digital currency. While mobile banking has been making its way to developing countries in recent years, this service is one of the first to work on feature phones—no data connection or smartphone required.
Only 18 percent of the population in the Middle East and Africa have savings accounts, compared with 89 percent of the population in high-income countries. And in developing countries, only 37 percent of women have bank accounts of any kind. The Praekelt Foundation is planning to market the service to girls in an effort to boost gender equality and provide women with financial tools, which can have positive implications for a nation’s education and health outcomes.
“By investing in their economic potential through education and by delaying child marriage and teen pregnancy, issues such as HIV and AIDS can be resolved and the cycle of poverty can be broken,” said Gustav Praekelt, founder of the eponymous foundation.
Vumi has been a popular mobile messaging app since its launch in 2012; it has been used in South Africa to text expectant mothers with health information, and several countries have used it to engage voters during elections with mobile messaging campaigns. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (which funds TakePart World) also uses the app to spread awareness about health and education via text.
The Praekelt Foundation will test its new mobile savings pilot program in South Africa by engaging girls who already use Vumi. Setting up a savings account would be an additional feature. Existing users are prompted within the app to create a savings wallet, and the foundation matches their investment. The girls can also earn airtime minutes from the foundation as a reward for reading educational materials and engaging in activities such as texting and sharing finance information through the app.
“Our goal is to create the habit of saving by rewarding girls with conditional cash transfers and helping them set savings goals with engaging and relevant financial education,” said Praekelt. “Over time, she will be able to cash out her savings against goods that have a positive impact on her life.”
Converting airtime minutes into digital currency is then made possible through a partnership with Stellar, a technology that allows users to send and receive money in any currency.
“Financial access is that foundational step to be able to pay for health care, to be able to pay for housing, to pay for education,” said Stellar’s executive director, Joyce Kim. “If we have these huge blocks of the world that are cut off from that system, we are limiting not only their economic potential, but their ability to improve their own lives.”
Women and girls in developing countries don’t typically have bank accounts, for a variety of reasons. They’re often excluded from financial education, and families often don’t see the long-term benefits of saving when they sometimes struggle to put food on the table. The money they do have is typically in the form of assets such as jewelry and livestock, and cash is often simply hidden in homes.
The pilot program will launch in South Africa in the next few months, followed by Kenya and Nigeria. Praekelt is the only organization using Stellar at this time, but others could follow suit for different applications.
“The infrastructure has to be global, but the products have to be local,” Kim said. “This is not about charity; this is about tools that let people make their own lives better, and that’s powerful.” |
Released in 2008 for the Xbox 360, Trouble in Paradise (TiP) is the sequel to 2006’s Viva Pinata. I have opted to review the sequel as it very much builds on everything the first game does without being too different – in that it’s almost an expansion of the first game. The majority of the game’s positives and negatives apply to both games, so I’d recommend playing TiP if you’ve never played either game.
Brief summary: The player takes control of a garden which they can design, expand and fill with whatever they please. The main aim of the game is to attract pinatas (lovable cartoon animals) to your garden and persuading them to take up residence. You can do all kinds of things with them including building them homes, breeding them, selling them, and dressing them up in little hats.
The Good
+ Joy of discovery: The best thing about the game is the feeling you get when a new pinata approaches the garden, and you succeed in making it a resident. The rarer animals can have particularly stringent requirements (80% of your garden is filled with water, have 6 fully grown banana trees, etc) and the cut scene of an animal becoming a resident is a satisfying reward for your painstaking garden craftmanship.
+ Lots of animals: There are over 80 animals in the game, wich doesn’t include the various colour variants and evolutions. Each animal is unique and has its own preferences, personalities and characteristics, which represents real value. Many animals are also un-co-habitable – either fighting whenever they meet, or requiring conflicting environments – forcing the player to think carefully about how they lay out and divide their garden. In order to habitate all of the pinatas in the game, you’ll need more than one garden.
+ Lots of other things: Rare haven’t restricted the attention to detail to the pinata. There’s an impressive amount of depth to the other features of the game – the plants and trees all have to be treated well to get the most out of them, and planted in different types of soil or given different plant food, will yield different results. The other NPCs in the world are also charming and add another layer to the game – with each of them providing a service to the player to help them improve and maintain their garden.
+ Technical treat: As the gameplay is quite passive, the aesthetics of the game have the tough job of retaining your attention but also being easy-on-the-eye. The game is a delight to look at, with vibrant colours of the pinata meshing with the environment beautifully. The bloom lighting is used well, and the animation of the pinata has clearly had a lot of love and care applied, with almost Ardman-esque levels of attention to detail.
Neither Good nor Bad
~Difficulty: Don’t let the sickly sweet style fool you – this game is a challenge. once your garden grows, so does the risk of potential pitfalls and number of things to micro-manage and juggle. It can turn into quite a daunting task remembering to water your plants at the right time whilst trying to lure in that Chippopotamus you’ve been trying to nab for the past two hours, and younger gamers may get frustrated with the amount of time it actually takes to make progress.
~Trouble: As suggested by the title, the theme of the game is ‘trouble’ – with threats to your garden that were present in the original given more prominence in TiP. Professor Pester and the Ruffians will be a constant thorn in your side, coming into your garden and annoying your pinata – as if you didn’t have enough trouble managing your garden as it is. Whilst it does add another layer of depth to the game, it does get frustrating and I often found myself wondering if I would enjoy the game more without the constant threat of a nuisance.
~Wild zones: Another promoted feature of TiP was the addition of two ne ‘wild areas’ – Pinarctic and Dessert Desert – which allow the player to capture wild Pinata and bring them back to their garden. These areas are fine, but they didn’t really add anything to the game, as the capture process is quite laborious, and doesn’t compare to the satisfaction of luring a pinata into your garden the traditional way.
The Bad
-Controls: The main controls haven’t really evolved since the first game. It’s never easy to employ a cursor-based UI on a console, and whilst TiP does an OK job, you can’t shake the feeling that they could be done better.
-Size limitations: The garden size has been increased over the original, but it is still far too small, and worse still the game deems your garden to be ‘full’ at a certain point, stopping you adding more things. This is probably due to technical limitations of the 360, but understandable as it may be, it’s still a frustration.
-Autosave judder: An unfortunate hangover form the last game is the ‘judder’ the game experiences when it auto-saves, often causing you to mess up what you’re doing at the time. It was a well documented criticism of the first game, so it’s a shame it wasn’t improved upon for the second.
Overall
Viva Pinata: Trouble in Paradise is a unique game that certainly isn’t for everyone, but at its best can elicit a sweet sense of calm satisfaction not found in most other games.
8/10 |
MEDITATION increases our ability to tap into the hidden recesses of our brain that are usually outside the reach of our conscious awareness.
That’s according to Madelijn Strick of Utrecht University in the Netherlands and colleagues, who tested whether meditation has an effect on our ability to pick up subliminal messages.
The brain registers subliminal messages, but we are often unable to recall them consciously. To investigate, the team recruited 34 experienced practitioners of Zen meditation and randomly assigned them to either a meditation group or a control group. The meditation group was asked to meditate for 20 minutes in a session led by a professional Zen master. The control group was asked to merely relax for 20 minutes.
The volunteers were then asked 20 questions, each with three or four correct answers – for instance: “Name one of the four seasons”. Just before the subjects saw the question on a computer screen one potential answer – such as “spring” – flashed up for a subliminal 16 milliseconds.
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The meditation group gave 6.8 answers, on average, that matched the subliminal words, whereas the control group gave just 4.9 (Consciousness and Cognition, DOI: 10.1016/j.concog.2012.02.010).
Strick thinks that the explanation lies in the difference between what the brain is paying attention to and what we are conscious of. Meditators are potentially accessing more of what the brain has paid attention to than non-meditators, she says.
Meditators are potentially accessing more of what the brain has paid attention to than non-meditators
“It is a truly exciting development that the second wave of rigorous, scientific meditation research is now yielding concrete results,” says Thomas Metzinger, at Johannes Gutenberg University in Mainz, Germany. “Meditation may be best seen as a process that literally expands the space of conscious experience.” |
THE Queen has sent her condolences to the widow of former Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland.
Buckingham Palace confirmed that a note would be sent to Martin McGuinness' wife Bernadette, with the divisive figure in the Northern Ireland peace process having faced criticism by his detractors just hours after his death.
16 When McGuinness asked the Queen how she was doing in Belfast in June last year, the monarch replied: 'Well, I'm still alive'
The monarch last met with McGuinness, who had fought against British rule in Northern Ireland, in June last year, with the Queen joking "I'm still alive" when he asked how she was.
The pair had previously met as relations thawed, with their first meeting marked by a historic handshake in 2012.
AFP photographer Paul Faith captured the telling image, recalling that McGuinness had been "quite relaxed" despite those around the pair - including security - on tenterhooks.
16 McGuinness died of a short and rare heart condition surrounded by his friends and family this morning
The Queen's message of condolences comes despite heavy criticism of McGuinness, including sharp comments led by Norman Tebbit, who said the world was a "sweeter and cleaner place" after the 66-year-old's death.
Speaking to ITV's Good Morning Britain, Mr Tebbit said: "He was a coward of course.
"The reason that he suddenly became a man of peace, as you call it, was that he was desperately afraid that he was going to be arrested and charged with a number of murders that he had personally committed."
Mr Tebbit, whose wife Margaret was left permanently paralysed after an explosion at the Grand Hotel in Brighton in 1984, refused to believe McGuinness had changed when he moved into politics, saying that there had been none of the necessary "confession of sins and repentance".
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16 McGuinness was the chief of the IRA when Prince Charles' great uncle Lord Mountbatten was killed in a bomb attack - McGuinness and the heir to the throne are pictured here shaking hands in May 2015
When pushed on his thoughts over the peace process that Mr McGuinness was instrumental to, Lord Tebitt said: "You might just as well say if Himmler had of succeeded Hitler and wiped out the Jews it would have removed the problem and there would have been peace in Europe."
Questioned over whether he was swayed by his own experiences, including the injuries suffered by his wife, the former UK Conservative Secretary of State said: "It's not merely that these creatures crippled my wife but they also murdered five of my close friends.
"I only hope that his death will help to bring some sort of closure to those families and friends of those whose murder he accomplished."
16 Norman Tebbit is rescued from the Grand Hotel in Brighton where PM Margaret Thatcher and her cabinet were targeted by the IRA in 1984
PA:Press Association 16 Five people were killed and 31 injured in the bomb blast at the Conservative party conference
Lord and Lady Tebbit pose at The Grand Hotel after returning in 2009
The 85-year-old also refused to see any similarties between McGuinness and South African leader Nelson Mandela when questioned by the show's hosts, saying: "There is no parallel whatsoever.
"Nelson Mandela's position was of course he was living in a country which was not a democracy, the majority could not vote in South Africa.
"In Northern Ireland the problem for the IRA was that they couldn't achieve their aims by democratic means.
"The ballot was useless to them, they always lost, so they used the bullet instead."
PA:Press Association 16 Lord Tebbit said that he did not look back kindly on McGuinness
Blistering attack on Martin McGuinness from Lord Tebbitt. 'He was a coward who never atoned for his crimes.' @GMB — Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) March 21, 2017
Lord Tebbit said: "I'm just pleased that the world is a sweeter and cleaner place now.
"He was not only a multi-murderer, he was a coward. He knew that the IRA were defeated because British intelligence had penetrated right the way up to the Army Council and that the end was coming.
"He then sought to save his own skin and he knew that it was likely he would be charged before long with several murders which he had personally committed and he decided that the only thing to do was to opt for peace.
"He claimed to be a Roman Catholic. I hope that his beliefs turn out to be true and he'll be parked in a particularly hot and unpleasant corner of hell for the rest of eternity."
While admitting on Talk Radio that he had never met McGuinness, he said he would have wanted to meet him "only on a dark night".
The 66-year-old republican died in Derry's Altnagevin hospital surrounded by his friends and family, just two months after he resigned from his role in government.
The Sinn Féin chief is understood to have been suffering from a rare heart condition.
His death has sparked a divided reaction in his home country and across the UK.
To his supporters he was a peacemaker who was willing to compromise and form ties with the unionists to help bring an end to the Troubles in Northern Ireland.
To others he was a key figure in the IRA terrorist group that slaughtered more than 1,500 people in its conflict with Northern Ireland's unionists and the British government.
The younger sister of an IRA bombing victim was just one to lash out, saying "the truth has died" with McGuinness' death.
Julie Hambleton said relatives of many of the terrorist group's victims were still waiting for "truth and justice", claiming: "He was very opaque and selective with the truth.
"With him, the truth has died and that's the big problem."
Julie, who leads the Justice4the21 campaign which last year won fresh inquests into the deaths of 21 people who died in two pub bombings in Birmingham in 1974, said she still hoped other former IRA members would speak about what happened during The Troubles.
She said: "I can but hope that lips will be looser, not just for our loved ones but for everybody's sake - many of whom still after all these years have no body to bury."
Caters News Agency 16 Image shows the aftermath of the Birmingham pub bombings in 1974 where 21 people lost their lives
McGuinness is seen here at the funeral of IRA explosives expert Colm Keenan in 1972
The paramilitary turned politician always denied leading the IRA at the height of the Troubles.
McGuinness' political career came to end just months ago when he resigned as Deputy First Minister in the Northern Ireland assembly.
The move was apparently prompted by the refusal of the first minister Arlene Foster to stand down during an inquiry into a public energy scandal.
After the signing of the Good Friday agreement in 1998, McGuinness developed a deep and close relationship with his longtime rival Ian Paisley - the bullish leader of the Democratic Unionist Party.
Their friendship is said to have enabled the success of the Northern Ireland peace process.
Sinn Féin and the DUP agreed to share power in 2007 and Paisley became First Minister while McGuinness became Deputy First Minister.
The pair earned the nickname "The Chuckle Brothers" as images of them laughing and joking together frequently appeared in the press.
Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness are sworn in as Ministers of the Northern Ireland Assembly in May 2007
16 McGuinness with Tony Blair and Gerry Adams during peace negotiations in Downing Street in 2005
PA:Press Association 16 Constituency staff of Belfast West MLA Alex Maskey tie lilies to the gates of Connolly House, Andersonstown, Belfast, after the death of Northern Ireland's former deputy first minister
PA:Press Association 16 A passerby stops at the gates of Connolly House, Andersonstown, Belfast to read a message from Gerry Adams after the death of McGuinness
Tony Blair, the Prime Minister when the Good Friday Agreement was signed, paid tribute to McGuinness.
He said: "I grew up watching and hearing about the Martin McGuinness who was a leading member of the IRA engaged in armed struggle. I came to know the Martin McGuinness who set aside that armed struggle in favour of making peace."
The British Prime Minister Theresa May said this morning: "While I can never condone the path he took in the earlier part of his life, Martin McGuinness ultimately played a defining role in the leading the Republican movement away from violence.
"In doing so, he made an essential and historic contribution to the extraordinary journey of Northern Ireland from conflict to peace."
16 McGuinness visited Downing Street in October last year for talks with Theresa May about Britain's decision to leave the EU
Months before he resigned McGuinness met with the Queen at Hillsborough Castle in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
When he asked the monarch how she was doing, she replied: "Well, I'm still alive."
McGuinness' closest political ally Gerry Adams, the president of Sinn Fein, confirmed the death of his longtime friend this morning.
Adams said: "Throughout his life Martin show great determination, dignity and humility and it was no different during his short illness.
"He was a passionate republican who worked tirelessly for the peace and reconciliation of his country."
McGuinness and Adams worked with Labour Prime Minister Tony Blair to help bring about the signing of the Good Friday agreement on April 10 1998.
The agreement was a major political development in the peace process that decided how Northern Ireland should be governed.
16 Martin McGuinness and Gerry Adams pictured at the 20th anniversary of the deployment of British soldiers in Northern Ireland
16 McGuinness and Gerrry Adams in the grounds of Castle Buildings, Stormont, after peace talks with Unionists broke down in 1998
'He set aside that armed struggle in favour of making peace': Tony Blair's statement on Martin McGuinness Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair said: "I am very sorry to learn of Martin's death and send his family my deep sympathy and condolences. "I grew up watching and hearing about the Martin McGuinness who was a leading member of the IRA engaged in armed struggle. I came to know the Martin McGuinness who set aside that armed struggle in favour of making peace. There will be some who cannot forget the bitter legacy of the war. And for those who lost loved ones in it that is completely understandable. But for those of us able finally to bring about the Northern Ireland peace agreement, we know we could never have done it without Martin's leadership, courage and quiet insistence that the past should not define the future. "After first meeting in Northern Ireland and then again shortly after in Downing Street - an historic meeting, between a British PM and the Republican leadership in the Cabinet room where so much Irish history had been made - he explained at length to me the causes of Republican grievance. I listened. We talked. And as the meeting went on he explained why he thought despite all the grievance there was a chance for peace. "Over the years - through the arduous negotiation of the Good Friday Agreement - and for the years after it, I got to know Martin well. We met many, many times and as the trust grew between himself, my team, Gerry Adams and their team, so the discussions became increasingly open, frank and therefore productive. "By the time that extraordinary day arrived in 2007 after almost a decade of hard work where we could witness the - to my generation - incredible sight of he and Ian Paisley sitting down together in Government, the transition of Martin to reconciliator was complete. "Whatever the past, the Martin I knew was a thoughtful, reflective and committed individual. Once he became the peace maker he became it wholeheartedly and with no shortage of determined opposition to those who wanted to carry on the war. "I will remember him therefore with immense gratitude for the part he played in the peace process and with genuine affection for the man I came to know and admire for his contribution to peace."
McGuinness, who was married with four children, was the IRA's chief of staff from 1979 until 1982.
He ran the paramilitary organisation when Lord Mountbatten, Prince Philip's uncle, and 18 British soldiers were killed on the same day.
So sad Martin McGuinness has died. Some will never forgive his past but without him there would be no peace. The man I knew was a great guy — Alastair PEOPLE’S VOTE Campbell (@campbellclaret) March 21, 2017
Martin McGuinness played a huge role in bringing about peace in Northern Ireland. He was a great family man and my thoughts are with them — Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) March 21, 2017
McGuinness served as deputy first minister of Northern Ireland between May 2007 to January 2017.
His resignation sparked a snap election that resulted in Sinn Féin coming within a seat of the Democratic Unionists as the largest party in the assembly.
His health deteriorated in the days after the result and he had to be moved from his home in Derry to a hospital in the city.
McGuinness was said to be suffering from amyloidosis.
The condition is caused by deposits of an abnormal protein called amyloids in tissues and organs within the body.
McGuinness was once described as "Britain's number one terrorist" and was second in command of the IRA in Derry at the age of 21.
He held the position at the time of Bloody Sunday when 14 civil rights protesters were killed by British soldiers.
A year later he was convicted by the Special Criminal Court after he was found near a car containing explosives and ammunition.
He was sentenced to six months in prison in 1973.
After his release he became an increasingly important figure in the IRA's political arm Sinn Fein. |
Hi everyone. It’s my great pleasure to be here today to announce the details of the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita ports of Lone Survivor. I’ve been so exited to tell you guys about it for the last few weeks, but I had to hold it in until it was finalised! Anyone who knows me or follows my twitter feed will be aware that I’m a massive Sony fan and literally play 95% of the games I play on my PS3. It’s the console that fits me the best, and it’s the controller I imagine when I’m designing my games: so this really is a dream come true!
But for those who missed it the first time round, and what with it having been out almost a year now (my goodness!) … what is Lone Survivor? It’s a game very personal to me that took almost seven years to get right. I guess you could call it a blend of ‘Lynchian’ psychological horror, point’n’click adventure mechanics and a virtual pet-like ‘physical and mental survival simulation’ – the idea being that how you choose to survive is up to you. It’s the last record of a nameless, masked protagonist, holed-up in a city full of diseased monsters, starving and exhausted. When we join him on his quest, he has already begun to question whether all of what he sees is even real.
My hope is that you can play through the game in the style that suits you best – I wanted to try and make a role-playing game with meaningful choices. It’s an experiment in making every insignificant fact in the game having an invisible, or murkily visible effect on your outcome, however small. And also to try and get away from showing statistics so that people ‘feel’ their way around… perhaps people are more inclined to role-play when that’s the case? There’s no longer a need to ‘min-max’ everything? And I think it sort of came together? It’s certainly an area I’m interested in exploring in my future games.
To my amazement, Lone Survivor has turned into something of a phenomenon over the last year. Since its release, it’s been nominated for a Golden Joystick, picked by many blogs and magazines as Horror Game Of The Year, and has received many glowing reviews. Sales have been beyond anything I could have imagined: I only wanted to be able to fund the next game, and that bas been done several times over, probably. Its story seems to provoke heated debate amongst fans and critics – I never get tired of reading people’s different interpretations, that has definitely been the highlight of sharing it with so many people. People seem to love the music, the weird mechanics, fans write to me about the ‘depth’, ‘realistic treatment of adult themes’ and ‘warm humour’ in the writing etc.
As a brief personal aside… my late papa, Johnny Byrne, who the game is dedicated to, was a writer . And Lone Survivor actually contains at least a brief novel’s worth of text. I found this out when I hacked it out of the game ready for translation! It’s the first large piece of writing I’ve ever released into the world, and it did take far longer than I imagined, and it didn’t click with everybody… And to get a bit deep for a second, a large theme was his own illness, and me dealing with that… But, basically, what I’m trying to say is, for people to get what I’m trying to go for, and maybe even to take something away from it… Well, I’m completely floored and humbled. I really could never have expected or hoped for this to happen. I just needed to make this game, even though I had no idea if it would connect with anyone else. More than anything, I wanted Lone Survivor to be a game that approaches issues rarely touched on in games – the effects of grief, mental health issues, the examination of drug use and abuse. And, somehow, the stars aligned and the good news is I’m able to keep making games for the foreseeable future, because I really do love it!
I have the utmost confidence in London studio, Curve , who are handling the conversion duties, to produce the ultimate version of the game. They are moving into publishing with such excellent titles as Thomas Was Alone , and I’m proud to be joining their stable! It is still important for very small development teams, such as myself, to have help in publishing on console platforms. And, while Sony are doing great work to reduce the amount of bureaucracy needed to make it possible, and I applaud them for this, it is still impractical for a one-man team to self-publish (go through certification, age ratings, translations etc.) As I said, this has been a life-long dream for me, to release a game on a great console with a bespoke controller, and this shows just how far things have come that a one-man team can do that with minimal help from a publisher. Whether that still makes this an indie release or not is up to you to decide (see Spelunky’s Derek Yu’s great article that deals with this subject.) To me it’s just a word that’s occasionally useful to give context, not something I give much weight – I consider myself a maker of games first and foremost! The main thing is that all the content is being made by me, with my own funding, without any external input. Besides which, Curve are an entirely independent entity, so this is a very grey area and again shows me how easy it can be to get hung up on the word. Anyway, the important thing is that their excellent track record speaks for itself, and that their own games have a really good sense of feel (something that’s very important to me personally.) I’m positive that they’ll only improve the game with their years of console development experience, and are just the right people for the job. And of course I’m overseeing it closely at every stage to make sure it looks, sounds and plays exactly right!
Extra secret bonus stuff And stuff…
One exciting aspect of this announcement for me is that I’ve secretly been devoting a lot time and resources into adding additional content into the game, initially exclusive to the PS3 / Vita. I even disappeared to another country for two weeks to work on it in complete isolation, to get back into the right vibe (making sure to eat and sleep poorly!) Of course, there will be Trophies, Cross-Buy and Cross-Play support, but I’ve also been working on (amongst one or two other surprises) more than twenty new items, new dialogue with all NPC’s, two extensive new side quests, two new locations, and a brand new ‘Yellow’ ending, featuring a new piece of music for the ending. I’m looking into touch control for movement and inventory use. The idea is that this version really will be enhanced in every way, smoother, nicer to control, with a lot of little extras that don’t change the game itself, just add to it (in fact, almost all of the content is only accessible in … wait for it … NEW GAME+!).
I hope you enjoy the game. And for those who’ve already supported it, thankyou so much. I can’t wait to share the new content with all of you in the summer!
I don’t have anything to announce at this point regarding bringing the additional content to PC / Mac / Linux, at least until I can focus my resources on it after the release. But it’s something I hope to do, so I’ll keep you posted about that!
I’ll leave you with a link to the new trailer, which you can also find on the Sony EU blog… Just click on the image at the top!
Cheers,
Jasper |
by Robert Beckhusen. Robert Beckhusen is a freelance writer who contributes regularly at War is Boring. He’s also written for publications including C4ISR Journal, Wired, The Daily Beast and World Politics Review. You can follow him on Twitter.
Russia’s invasion of Crimea was a coup de grace long in the making. It not only resulted in the annexation of the territory of a European state by another, it has serious consequences for the ability of NATO to defend to itself in the future.
According to a recent report from the National Defence Academy of Latvia’s Center for Security and Strategic Research, the operational art being developed — and now being deployed — by Russia could potentially undermine and defeat NATO in a limited conflict.
It’s a striking claim. But it wouldn’t involve a direct fight, where Russia faces numerous disadvantages. Instead, the reason NATO is at risk is through what the report describes as Russia’s “operationalization of a new form of warfare that cannot be characterized as a military campaign in the classic sense of the term,” writes Janis Berzins, the report’s author.
This new strategy goes out of its way to avoid fighting a conventional war. The number of troops used in a campaign is kept at the minimum, with soldiers mainly used to deliver a killing blow after unconventional means have succeeded. This strategy sees warfare as “based on the idea that the main battlespace is the mind and, as a result, new-generation wars are to be dominated by information and psychological warfare.”
In Crimea, Russia deliberately avoided physically destroying Ukrainian forces on conventional terms. Russia used relatively few outside conventional forces of its own, relying instead on fewer than 10,000 naval infantry troops stationed on the peninsula and supported by airborne infantry and special forces units based in Russia. These were supported by armed insurgent-type auxiliaries. But by the time the troops commenced military action, Ukrainian forces were already defeated by a combination of discreet and covert measures. Worse for Ukraine, the Kremlin could ostensibly — though not convincingly — tell the world Russia was not the aggressor by putting the burden of starting armed hostilities onto Ukraine.
According to the report, Russia’s military conceptualizes warfare in eight distinct phases. The first phase is a slew of non-military techniques — economic, diplomatic and ideological — designed to set the stage for military action. This escalates to the second, third and fourth stages, which includes bribing and intimidating opposing military officers, and engaging in diplomatic and military misdirection.
In Crimea, armed militants — promoted by state-owned media as discontented local civilians — began appearing on the ground. By the time Russian forces arrived ground, Ukrainian troops were isolated in their bases and unable to determine where their enemy was, its size and disposition, and even who they were. After this stage, the operation moved into a period “consisting of psychological warfare, intimidation, bribery, and internet/media propaganda to undermine resistance, thus avoiding the use of firepower,” Berzins writes.
The final two stages — which did not occur in Crimea — involve the use of heavier weapons seen in more conventional forms of warfare. It’s also worth noting that the kind of warfare envisioned here is still a work in progress. Some of the weapons Russia would like to employ in similar future operations are still experimental. For example, the report describes these latter phases as involving a “combination of targeted information operation, electronic warfare operation, aerospace operation, continuous airforce harassment, combined with the use of high-precision weapons launched from various platforms (long-range artillery, and weapons based on new physical principles, including microwaves, radiation, non-lethal biological weapons).”
If an enemy force has managed to hold on for much longer, the job would fall to special forces units. These units would “spot which enemy units have survived and transmit their coordinates to the attacker’s missile and artillery units.” The remaining adversaries would then be destroyed.
The Latvian military has real reasons to be concerned about this strategy. Russia has — since before the Soviet era — pursued a defense in depth strategy to defend itself from an invasion. After Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania joined NATO in 2004, Russia’s key cities were now within a few hundred miles of a potential attacker. Latvia is also home to a Russian-speaking minority that the Kremlin could use as a base of support to — over the long term — destabilize the Latvian government.
It’s also worth noting Latvia’s military could not repel a Russian invasion. The U.S. sent a company-sized group of paratroopers to the country in April as a means to deter Russia. This would also not be able to stop an invasion, but the possibility of American troops being harmed in a NATO-allied country by Russian troops acts a deterrent. “Russia’s aggression in Ukraine has renewed our resolve to strengthening NATO’s defense plans and capabilities,” U.S. Rear Adm. John Kirby said.
But the report warns it might not be as much of a deterrent as NATO’s planners might think–and a conventional invasion is unlikely. As Russia is engaging in “a non-traditional form of combat just recently being operationalized on such a scale, a fair question is whether NATO’s own legal framework and instruments are ready to deal with it,” Berzins writes.
For example, NATO’s Article 5 requires that member states are obliged to defend each other in case of an “armed attack.” But does the Crimea invasion count as an armed attack? According to the Kremlin, it wasn’t. Could you prove — in a hypothetical Crimea-type operation in Latvia — that the troops are in fact Russian soldiers? Are Latvian troops — who are prevented from interfering in the country’s internal affairs — responsible for stopping the invasion? These are difficult questions. If there are answers, are they convincing enough for European politicians to risk severing all economic ties with Russia? Is it worth going to war with Russia? This uncertainty means that a NATO-allied state could conceivably see itself invaded, and the alliance unable to effectively respond.
To avoid this scenario, the report recommends several major reforms. One involves modifying NATO’s Article 5. The others involve Latvian government policies and organization, as well as managing cultural issues within Latvian borders and promoting economic development in marginalized Russian-speaking regions. Further, the report warns of Russian agents inside the security services, who may attempt to co-opt officials. It also recommends reforming the conscription model to be “a mix between the Finnish, the Swiss, and the Israeli model, with every Latvian citizen being a soldier, ready to defend his/her country.” It also recommends decentralizing the decision to take action. Instead of relying on the government, which may hesitate to respond to an invasion, “each citizen has the right to resist the aggressor, including by military defense, guerrilla warfare, civil disobedience, non-collaboration, and other means.” |
Haselden Construction
The federal government has just finished construction on a zero-energy office building, the nation’s largest, and is hoping that commercial developers will follow its lead. The 222,000-square-foot Research Support Facility is on the Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory campus in Golden, Colo. Just over 800 employees will occupy the building once it officially opens in late August.
A zero-energy building creates as much energy as it uses over the course of a year, said John Andary, a principal at Stantec, the sustainable design consultants for the project. Thanks to various “passive” design techniques and technologies, the facility will consume 50 percent less energy than buildings constructed to current commercial codes, he predicts. The remaining power needs will be generated onsite from solar panels, allowing the building to operate at an annual net-zero energy basis.
Remarkably, many of the efficiency “innovations” are existing building techniques, some of them centuries old, that were developed to make the best use of natural light and the earth’s ability to heat and cool. By contrast, modern building design, based on the ubiquity of cheap energy, moved away from many of those principles.
“We went back to simple design techniques that were used before there were electric lights and before we had air conditioning compressors,” Mr. Andary said. “What you had then were narrow buildings that optimized the use of daylight and windows you could open to provide ventilation.”
The building’s east-to-west orientation and narrow 60-foot width will bring daylight into all interior work spaces. Typical office buildings may devote 30 percent of their total energy expenditures to lighting alone. To take advantage of the operable windows, one of the building’s many “smart” features will notify occupants in a message sent to their computer screens when they should open or close their windows, based on a comparison of inside and outside temperatures.
Mr. Andary described the walls as “concrete sandwich panels” – a layer of concrete on the outside, a layer of insulation and then a smooth concrete layer facing the interior office space. “This gives the same effect as an old stone cathedral where the mass of the building absorbs heat during the day to keep the interior cool, and then releases this heat when the temperature drops at night,” he said.
A low-energy radiant heating and cooling system will further control the interior temperatures. Rather than using a traditional (and energy demanding) forced air system to heat and cool the building, the radiant system essentially heats or chills the building mass itself using water pipes in the concrete floor slabs that circulate hot or cold water depending on the season.
Corrugated metal panels cover much of the building’s south exterior, capturing solar heat and funneling it to a concrete thermal labyrinth beneath the building that also serves as the foundation. The labyrinth stores the heat or can release it into the building when additional heating is required during the coldest months.
Much of the building is composed of recycled materials, including some from the runway of Denver’s defunct Stapleton Airport. Reclaimed steel natural gas pipes are used as structural columns. The lobby is lined with wood recovered from Colorado pine trees destroyed by a bark beetle infestation that has been unfolding in this part of the country since 1996.
The Department of Energy expects the project to get a platinum rating from the United States Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED, program. Platinum is its highest rating under LEED, the mostly widely accepted green building certification. Although more expensive than conventional commercial buildings, the new building’s cost, $259 per square foot, is in line with that of other LEED buildings.
The Department of Energy is hoping that the building will become a showcase for energy-efficient design. “Once we prove that the building works, and we will be monitoring this very carefully, we think others will want to emulate what we’ve done here,” said Bill Glover, the chief operating officer of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.
The Department of Energy plans to share the building’s design with any interested party through the publication of a how-to manual at the laboratory’s Web site this fall.
Here’s a video documentary on the project: |
When it comes to evading the consequences of aging - frailty, pain, and death - our ancestors could aim as high as they liked, and it would have made no difference. The knowledge and technology of their eras could do little but somewhat slow aging, or somewhat reduce the suffering inherent in the last years of life. So, aside from the few in each generation who overestimated the bounds of the possible or deluded themselves in worse ways, they stopped aiming high. The state of the art in the human approach to aging came to be a collection of ways to avoid despair, to accept what is rather than attempt to change it, some of which are very useful indeed within that narrow scope. Stoicism, for example, is an outstanding example of thought applied to thought, an illustration of one of the ways in which philosophy can have practical outcomes, if approached in the right way.
The past is the past, however. The age in which nothing could be done about aging is over. The visionary few are now right, and the stoic many are now wrong. Rejuvenation therapies based on repair of the root causes of aging are on the horizon, and the first of them are presently in clinical development. Stocism in the face of the inevitable, for so long the rational approach to aging, is now irrational. All of the mental apparatus assembled to deal with the certainty of decline is obsolete and harmful. Coming to terms with aging is self-sabotage, a slow form of suicide on the eve of working rejuvenation treatments. Aiming high, aiming to bring aging under medical control, is the right course of action for our era. It is the way to save the most lives, to prevent the most suffering, to bring the greatest benefit to the most people.
Scientists are waging a war against human aging. But what happens next?
We all grow old. We all die. For Aubrey de Grey, a biogerontologist and chief science officer of the SENS Research Foundation, accepting these truths is, well, not good enough. He decided in his late twenties (he's currently 54) that he "wanted to make a difference to humanity" and that battling age was the best way to do it. His life's work is now a struggle against physics and biology, the twin collaborators in bodily decay. He calls it a "war on age." de Grey considers aging an engineering problem. The human body is a machine, he told me in the following interview, and like any machine, it can be maintained for as long as we want. This is not an isolated view. There is a broader anti-aging movement afoot, which seems to be growing every day. de Grey's work is particularly interesting. For too long, he argues, scientists have been looking for solutions in all the wrong places. There is no monocausal explanation for aging. We age because the many physical systems that make up our body begin to fail at the same time and in mutually detrimental ways. So he's developed what he calls a "divide-and-conquer strategy," isolating the seven known causes of aging and tackling them individually. Whether it's cell loss or corrosive mitochondrial mutations, de Grey believes each problem is essentially mechanical, and can therefore be solved. Sean Illing: Is there a simple way to describe theoretically what the anti-aging therapies you're working on will look like - what they'll do to or for the body? Aubrey de Grey: Oh, much more than theoretically. The only reason why this whole approach has legs is because 15 or 17 or so years ago, I was actually able to go out and enumerate and classify the types of damage. We've been studying it for a long time, so when I started out in this field in the mid-'90s so I could learn about things, I was gratified to see that actually aging was pretty well understood. Scientists love to say that aging is not well understood because the purpose of scientists is to find things, out so they have to constantly tell people that nothing is understood, but it's actually bullshit. The fact is, aging is pretty well understood, and the best of it is that not only can we enumerate the various types of damage the body does to itself throughout our lives, we can also categorize them, classify them into a variable number of categories. We know how people age; we understand the mechanics of it. More importantly, for each category there is a generic approach to fixing it, to actually performing the maintenance approach that I'm describing, repairing the damage. Sean Illing: Can you give me an example of one of these categories and what the approach to fixing it looks like? Aubrey de Grey: One example is cell loss. Cell loss simply means cells dying and not being automatically replaced by the division of other cells, so that happens progressively in a few tissues in the body and it definitely drives certain aspects of aging. Let's take Parkinson's disease. That's driven by the progressive loss of a particular type of neuron, the dopaminergic neuron, in a particular part of the brain. And what's the generic fix for cell loss? Obviously it's stem cell therapy. That's what we do. We preprogram cells in the laboratory into a state where you can inject them into the body and they will divide and differentiate to replace themselves that the body is not replacing on its own. And stem cell therapy for Parkinson's disease is looking very promising right now. Sean Illing: Is it best to think of aging as a kind of engineering problem that can be reversed or stalled? You're not trying to solve the problem of death or even aging, really. It's more about undoing the damage associated with aging. Aubrey de Grey: Absolutely. It's a part of technology. The whole of medicine is a branch of technology. It's a way of manipulating what would otherwise happen, so this is just one part of medicine. Certainly the goal is to undo the damage that accumulates during life, and whether you call that "solving aging" is up to you. Sean Illing: What do you say to those who see this as a quixotic quest for immortality, just the latest example of humanity trying to transcend its condition? Aubrey de Grey: Sympathy, mainly. I understand it takes a certain amount of guts to aim high, to actually try to do things that nobody can do, that nobody's done before. Especially things that people have been trying to do for a long time. I understand most people don't have that kind of courage, and I don't hate them for that. I pity them. Of course, the problem is that they do get in my way, because I need to bring money in the door and actually get all this done. Luckily, there are some people out there who do have courage and money, and so we're making progress. Sean Illing: Are there any ethical questions or reservations that give you pause at all? Aubrey de Grey: Not at all. Once one comes to the realization that this is just medicine, then one can address the entire universe of potential so-called ethical objections in one go. Are you in favor of medicine or not? In order to have any so-called ethical objection to the work we do, the position that one has to take is the position that medicine for the elderly is only a good thing so long as it doesn't work very well, and that's a position no one wants to take. Sean Illing: When will the therapies you're developing be ready for human experimentation? Aubrey de Grey: That will happen incrementally over the next 20 years. Each component of the SENS panel will have standalone value in addressing one or another disease of old age, and some of them are already in clinical trials. Some of them are a lot harder, and the full benefit will only be seen when we can combine them all, which is a long way out.
The future of rejuvenation is only as certain as the work directed to bring it about. Once any particular technology reaches a critical mass of support within the research and development communities, then it becomes an avalanche, as is happening today for senescent cell clearance in the form of varied senolytic therapies as a method of rejuvenation. But pushing the most promising technologies to that point requires a great deal of advocacy, funding, and effort - all too many lines of research that are just as promising as senolytics still languish in comparative obscurity. Aubrey de Grey, the Methuselah Foundation, and SENS Research Foundation advocated senescent cell clearance for more than 15 years, but only in the past few years has this finally gone somewhere. It is a tough business to be in, changing the minds of the world, but the advocates were right: right to aim high, and right about the fundamental reasons for picking senescent cell clearance as an approach, based on a guiding philosophy of repair of cell and tissue damage. The mainstream research community that rejected senolytic approaches until recently was wrong: wrong to aim at the lesser target of modestly slowing aging, and wrong for choosing the guiding philosophy of altering metabolism in order to slow down the rate at which cell and tissue damage accumulates.
Research at the cutting edge depends absolutely upon philanthropy. Within the present very conservative establishment of research funding, truly novel projects simply don't get funded: there is only funding for later stages of development, once risks have been reduced and consensus exists across large portions of the research community. Prior to that, in the small and vital space where new ideas and new science happen, there is next to no support. This is why it is hard for individual career researchers to break through and aim high. But where the research community and its supporters do not aim high, they fail to achieve results such as the current brace of senolytic therapies under development, an approach with a demonstrated ability to reverse measures of aging in laboratory animals. If you look at the SENS Research Foundation portfolio of rejuvenation research, a portfolio that has long included clearance of senescent cells, the majority of it has only progressed to the degree that individual visionary patrons - including many in the audience here - have been willing to fund it over the years. It has been slow and frustrating, but the wheel is turning. The success accomplished for the field of cellular senescence must now be repeated for a half dozen other vital lines of rejuvenation biotechnology. Aim high. |
The NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope has produced a remarkable new image of a pair of interacting galaxies known as NGC 5765.
NGC 5765 was discovered by the British astronomer Sir John Herschel on April 24, 1830.
The pair is located in the constellation Virgo, about 400 million light-years away from Earth.
One member of the pair is the intermediate spiral galaxy NGC 5765A (also known as LEDA 53011 and MCG+01-38-004).
The other member is the spiral galaxy NGC 5765B (also known as LEDA 53012 and MCG+01-38-005).
NGC 5765B is also a special kind of megamaser.
According to astronomers, megamasers are intensely bright, around 100 million times brighter than the masers found in galaxies like our own Milky Way Galaxy. The entire galaxy essentially acts as an astronomical laser that beams out microwave emission rather than visible light.
In NGC 5765B, an active galactic nucleus pumps out huge amounts of energy, which stimulates clouds of surrounding water.
Water’s constituent atoms of hydrogen and oxygen are able to absorb some of this energy and re-emit it at specific wavelengths, one of which falls within the microwave regime. NGC 5765B is thus known as a water megamaser.
Astrophysicists can use such objects to probe the fundamental properties of the Universe.
The microwave emissions from NGC 5765B were used to calculate a refined value for the Hubble constant, a measure of how fast the Universe is expanding.
This constant is named after the astronomer whose observations were responsible for the discovery of the expanding Universe and after whom the Hubble Space Telescope was named, Edwin Hubble. |
South Korea successfully launched a test missile with a range capable of striking anywhere in North Korea, reports the New York Times.
The ballistic missile, fired from a test site in a coastal area south of Seoul, the capital, has a range of up to 497 miles, as per an agreement with the United States. The South Korean government has already tested the Hyunmoo-2 missile four times, and it will be ready for use after two more trial-launches.
This comes after President Moon Jae-in announced his intentions to pursue diplomatic talks with North Korea regarding the cessation of North Korea’s nuclear weapons program since sanctions have not been effective.
“I am a believer in dialogue, but I also know that dialogue is possible when we have a strong national defense,” said President Moon Jae-in after the launch. “A policy of embracing North Korea is possible when we have a defense capability that surpasses that of North Korea.”
North Korea has been stepping up its own weapons development in recent years, including multiple attempts to build an intercontinental ballistic missile. Last month, the North launched a missile that landed in the waters off the coast of Japan. The latest series of tests conducted by North Korea have raised fears that North Korea plans to attack South Korea, Japan, and U.S. military installations in the Pacific.
South Korean officials, including President Moon, will meet with President Trump later this month to discuss a joint strategy to stop North Korea’s weapon development.
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