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Spotify's $3 billion funding round has closed
According to AllThingsD, noting "a person familiar with the transaction," Spotify has closed its oft-rumored $3 billion round of funding.
Spotify, an early leader in streaming music, has been expanding internationally as it hopes to change the face of music away from a transactional, paid model around individual tracks and albums.
Earlier sources stated that as much as $100 million could be injected into the company. At the above listed valuation, that puts the sold stake at 3.33%. According to the Wall Street Journal, Goldman Sachs was a potential actor in the investment. That report, differing slightly from today's news, listed the investment as "slightly more than $3 billion."
While the $3 billion figure may impress, it's down a fourth from the $4 billion figure that was bandied about 6 months ago. Still, picking up nine figures in cash for a sub-5% stake is hardly tough grapes for the company, which will now have ample cash to fuel its expansion.
Spotify has around 4 million subscribers that pay it monthly, at various price tiers. In the United States, for example, the service can cost $5, or $10 monthly, depending on what sort of access – mobile, for example – a user requires.
The music giant faces fresh competition from Microsoft, which has released a new service dubbed Xbox Music, which also features streaming capabilities. To combat that, Spotify has promised a Windows 8 application.
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FC Halifax Town: "We don't want to take our foot off the pedal," says Shaymen keeper Johnson
Alfreton Town 1-1 FC Halifax Town (Halifax win 3-2 on penalties): "We've found another way of winning," says Shaymen boss Wild
Former Harrogate and England No9 Martyn Wood takes over at Yorkshire Carnegie
Yorkshire Carnegie have appointed former England scrum-half Martyn Wood as their new director of rugby.
By Dave Craven
Wednesday, 24th July 2019, 2:11 pm
Yorkshire Carnegie's new director of rugby Martyn Wood.
Harrogate-born Wood, 42, has been in charge at National League One side Hull Ionians since 2017 but now moves to Emerald Headingley in the full-time role.
His appointment is the first step as the club move forward having had a Company Voluntary Arrangement approved and prepare for the 2019-20 Greene King IPA Championship season.
Wood started at hometown Harrogate but spent most of his playing career at Wasps before joining Bath where he went on to play in the 2004 Premiership final.
He earned his two England caps against Canada and the USA in 2001 having toured South Africa the previous year but has to retire at the age of just 29 in 2006 following a neck injury.
Wood said: "I am delighted to have the opportunity to lead Yorkshire Carnegie as the club's new Director of Rugby.
"I am under no illusion that the challenge in front of us is massive this season but it is one I am looking forward to.
"I appreciate that it has been a frustrating time for everyone involved with the club over the past few months but hopefully we can start with a clean page now and start to rebuild the club.
"I would like to thank everyone at Hull Ionians for the support I have received and the understanding they have shown me over this appointment.
"It has been a fantastic place for me over the last three years and I have made great friends; it will remain a special club for me."
Wood will now begin recruitment for his squad given all the first-team departed at the end of last season when the club hit financial problems.
Carnegie managing director Chris Gibson said: "Martyn has experience of the highest levels of the game but more importantly he is someone who understands the rugby culture within Yorkshire as well.
"We do have a big job on our hands rebuilding the squad for next season but Martyn is confident we can now begin to move forward and be ready to go come September."
Carnegie kick off the new season at Nottingham in the Championship Cup on September 20.
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https://www.chron.com/opinion/editorials/article/Oil-must-flow-5112498.php
Oil must flow
Pipelines remain the safest way to deliver crude across the country.
Updated 6:32 pm CST, Saturday, January 4, 2014
A train derailed in Casselton, N.D., on Monday.
Photo: Bruce Crummy, FRE
Businesses across Casselton, N.D., locked their doors on Tuesday. It wasn't part of a New Year's Eve celebration, but a citywide shutdown after a series of massive explosions resulting from a collision involving a mile-long train carrying crude oil. The burning plumes of black smoke rained choking fumes throughout the town of 2,400 while the local sheriff's office recommended a total evacuation.
No one died, and for that we should be thankful. As the town returns to normal, it isn't likely that much will change for the booming energy economy. Despite this disaster, the oil will continue to flow.
It kept flowing in October after a train carrying crude oil derailed and exploded in Alberta, Canada. It kept flowing in July after a train carrying oil in Quebec derailed, causing a blast that killed at least 42 people and destroyed more than 30 buildings. After all, petroleum is still the lifeblood of the global economy, and the oil must flow.
Renewable sources of energy grow every year, and natural gas can be a bridge to that cleaner energy future. But until we're on the other side, safety and efficiency will have to temper the dangerous power we harness in crude oil. Part of that safety means encouraging pipelines, which are routinely the safest way to move oil and gas across our country.
Almost 500,000 miles of pipeline crisscross our country, doing their daily work with routine reliability. But as Chronicle reporter Zain Shauk wrote for Fuelfix.com, a lack of pipelines near new oil and gas development have forced companies to rely on rail. So when those good-hearted but wrong-headed folks protest pipelines, they're not stopping the oil, they're just forcing it into riskier railcars. Pipelines are not without flaw, prone to leaks and disasters of their own.
But after another year of Keystone debates, train disasters and predictions of 50 more years of petroleum dominance, environmentalists from the White House down should take a sober look at the numbers and contemplate just how many more train disasters they want to risk for want of new pipelines.
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You are at:Home»News»People across the country make dream come true for man with Down syndrome after everything he owned was destroyed in a fire
People across the country make dream come true for man with Down syndrome after everything he owned was destroyed in a fire
By Texas Right to Life on	 July 25, 2017 News
Mark Orsillo's family describes him as an hysterically funny 34-year-old man with Down syndrome. Until recently, he was not a public figure. That changed after his family evacuated their California home amid raging wildfires and on very short notice. When they returned, they found that everything had been destroyed in the fire. The house, which Mark's father built, was burned to the ground along with Mark's apartment that was attached to the house. The family home they had shared for close to 30 years was gone, along with all their possessions except what they managed to take with them when evacuating. Mark was most upset about losing his prized possession: a massive movie collection.
Word spread of the fire's devastation, and Mark's sister, Danielle Devine, posted a video on Facebook asking people to donate unwanted DVDs. Danielle explained to People Magazine what Mark's collection of 300 movies meant to him: "DVDs for Mark are everything. He watches them, talks about them, collects them and organizes them, they're his hobby." Strangers across the country responded to Danielle's request, and movies began to arrive. Soon, Mark's collection had reached more than 400 DVDs, and donations continued to arrive.
Mark's family posted a video of his reaction to receiving the new DVDs, and his heartwarming enthusiasm soon went viral. Mark says he is now in "movie heaven" and is thrilled with the new collection. As the video continued to spread, Mark was featured on the news and across the internet.
Danielle explained to People why she is so grateful for the generosity shown to her brother. She said, "Mark is just the most loving person you'll ever meet. He doesn't have any bad days, he forgives everyone very easily and never gets offended. It's almost like the love is being returned to him a million times over, and he deserves it more than anybody."
Mark responded to Danielle's comment joking, "Yes I do!"
Because the Orsillo family received so many generous donations through the national attention, they reached out to other victims of the fire to share resources with those in need. Mark has also personally used his celebrity status to raise awareness about the ongoing needs of fire victims. Last week, he collected donations from 300 people to pass on to victims of the Wall Fire. As the Orsillos work to rebuild their home, they expressed gratitude for the generosity that restored Mark's prized collection and encouraged people to share that same generosity with the other victims of the devastating fire.
The family has also set up a YouTube channel where they will share videos of Mark reviewing movies and sharing his thoughts on Life. The devastation left in the wake of the fire was a great tragedy. However, we can all be grateful that through the misfortune, Mark gained a national audience and a platform to share his love of Life. To follow Mark's story, you can subscribe to his YouTube channel or follow him on Facebook.
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Home›Entertainment›Inside Hip Hop: The Entreprenuer
Inside Hip Hop: The Entreprenuer
Entertainment, Entertainment Interview, Music
by Zeke Soule
How Donte Fletcher Got His Start and Became His Own Boss
Today, in the digital age, many up and coming people in the music or entertainment industry are young entrepreneurs who utalize a combination of technology, education, and networking to their fullest ability. One person that is making his dreams a reality is Marlyand native Donte Fletcher.
Donte Fletcher is an audio engineer, studio owner, and entrepreneur living in Hyattsville, Maryland. He recently spoke with us about how he got his start in music and fashion. He's been involved with music since he was in 3rd grade. Before high school he played clarinet, trumpet, and taught himself to play piano. Production didn't come until after high school. After high school he fell more into the music but still wasn't chasing it. He really just wanted to produce and make beats. Always planning his next move he realized the engineer makes good money and you can go to school for it. The plan was to major in audio engineering and make money from beats on the side.
After attending New England School of Communications (NESCom), he fell in love with engineering and putting songs together. But it's not just the music he has a passion for, it's also fashion. As a self-proclaimed hustler, it doesn't matter what he sells whether it be music or clothes. Putting his lifestyle on the clothes was an outlet and it seemed to connect with some people. Today, many kids underestimate the difficulties in doing this. It's more than putting a logo on a t-shirt; even on his own clothing, Xskwizit Lifestyle, the tagline is "More Than a Brand."
While interning in New York Donte decided to put the clothing line on hiatus for about a year to master engineering and get where he needs to be in music. He's not done with clothing though. He plans on releasing new designs in the future. The clothing isn't about the quick flip he says, it's about longevity and just trusting the process. He credits his small success of turning a profit to being authentic.
He says it's not about the money. He was in the hole for the first 2 years after starting the brand.
"there are things behind the scenes that cost you."
It's the experiences and the people who wear them that matter to him. Although not the most popular clothing brand, the fact that people he doesn't know are buying makes it worth it to Donte.
After graduating from the NESCom he moved back to Maryland and worked various odd jobs including bagging groceries only making tips, and working on a pizza truck. He was interning at G-Town Studios for the summer but decided to make a major move come September. He packed his bags with a friend to interview for a position in New York. His friend was tattooing out of the hotel while he sold his clothes out of the hotel. The interview was only 5 minutes. Interning at the Cutting Room Studios in New York was the eye-opening experience he needed to get motivated for the future. After meeting bigger artists and learning from the studio manager for a few months he knew it was time to start his own studio. A major artist he met before leaving was Ryan Leslie, as a shoe collector he noticed Ryan's shoes. After hearing about a crazy deal in the studio, he decided to sell all his shoes and open a studio in Maryland.
At first he still worked at G-Town and Audio Illusions. Now, he's working in his own studio. He fell in love with the freedom of having your own studio. And when it came to deciding between a place to live and a studio, he chose to invest in the studio. The choice was clear: if he could only afford one or the other, the studio was more important because you can always find somewhere else to sleep. The risk was worth it.
After opening up The Trap Factory, major artists from the area went from being an idol of Donte's to a client. DMV area rapper Lightshow has worked with Donte on a few tracks recently.
Building relationships and networking is key. It's all about who you know and Donte took full advantage of that after sending a snippet through to Lightshow's associate. After being a fan for years it was time to work with the man. "They were looking for engineers so I sent [Lightshow] a snippet . . . I think it was the "Cut It" remix we recorded, when we mixed it he said it was going straight to the clubs."
When it comes to starting a creative company today Donte says you should stay authentic. But also, figure out what it is you want to do and find a way to get it yourself. Find the right avenue for you.
As far as influences goes he says, "Jay-Z, his whole demeanor. Pharrell and Ryan Leslie, there's a bunch, just how people move. I read a lot of books and information is key."
When asked about Hip-hop today and the outlook for the future Donte says it isn't just trash, but it's not what you'd love to see either. For some, he knows the talent and trend setters are especially around DC. "It's too much swag, too much culture. It's on the up and up, I like it."
When I asked what his favorite part about being his own boss was he said it's the freedom and creativity. There is no definite way to do anything. A typical weekend schedule could include sessions from 7PM-3AM, then working live sound from 7AM- 3PM and going back to the studio after that.
He doesn't need to be famous and known by everybody, but says to be known by his favorite artist would be an achievement. To be up there mentioned with Rick Rubin, Kanye and other producers.
"To be great is to be timeless...I know we can't live forever, the goal is to create something that will"
As far as short-term goals he tells us to be on the lookout for the artists he's working with now like Lil Big Borther, Al Chike, TaeLives and others.
If you want to get in touch with Donte or check out some of his work you can email him at TheTrapFactory00@gmail.com or visit his site thetrapfactory.co
TagsclothingDCdontehiphopproductionstudio
Zeke Soule
An intern at NCTV, as well as a senior communication student at Umass Amherst. Interested in business and music.


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ASMFC Moves to Reverse Downward Trend of Striped Bass
Managers set to prescribe much-needed conservation measures on iconic fishery
Faced with a crisis in the striped bass fishery and mounting concern from anglers all along the East Coast, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission's Striped Bass Management Board sent a clear signal today that it wants to do the right thing by requiring management measures via an addendum that would get them back to the target fishing mortality rate in 2020. There had been rumors that the Board would attempt to relax the current reference points – rather like moving the goal posts when you are losing the game – rather than take the hard steps necessary to recover the stock, but the Board elected not to take the easy way out. The proposed reductions apply to all areas and sectors and may require the use of circle hooks to reduce release mortality.
"Taking these steps to manage to the target reference point sends a strong signal they want this population to return to its former abundance, and not simply find the easiest way out of this mess," said Richen Brame, regional fisheries director for Coastal Conservation Association.
Striped bass are managed by reference points, or boundaries, with the 'Threshold Reference Point' as the line in the sand that managers cannot cross, or the stock begins to decline precipitously. The threshold reference point was crossed for the first time in the 2018 benchmark stock assessment and the action taken today by the ASMFC is the response to correct the situation and move the fishery back toward the 'Target Reference Point' which is the optimal zone for management of a healthy stock.
"Keeping the current reference points in place was critical," said David Sikorski, executive director of CCA Maryland. "We commend managers for recognizing that now is not the time to move the guardrails used to protect the future of this vitally important fishery"
Striped bass are an iconic recreational species along the Atlantic coast, with anglers wanting both an abundance of fish and the chance to catch a true trophy, both of which are by-products of managing at or below the target fishing mortality rate. The fishery has been one of the crown jewels for conservationists after it was brought back from the brink in the 1980s due to massive overfishing. In recent years, the fishery has been hampered by low recruitment, which means too few juveniles surviving to maturity to replenish the population due to a variety of environmental factors, both man-made and natural. While anglers have voiced frustration that managers did not act sooner to address the current crisis, it is hoped that the steps outlined today will reverse downward trends in the fishery until it moves into a period of better recruitment.
"This is not an ideal situation and we would rather have seen steps taken earlier that could have lessened the severity of what may be necessary now," said Brame. "To set this fishery back on the right path is going to require broadly based reductions in all segments and at the same time we as anglers need to address real problems that have emerged with how we release fish. We have got to find better ways to ensure that more of the fish we release survive. Managers have done their part and now anglers are going to have to step up to improve our fishing practices as well."
The ASMFC elected to implement management measures via the Addendum process, which takes three meetings to complete and means more conservative management measures can be in place by the 2020 fishing season. However, to make fundamental changes in management will require an Amendment process, which usually requires 18 months at minimum.
"We appreciate the efforts being made to end overfishing as soon as possible, but as part of the overall rebuilding process we would like to see future efforts to be conservative when setting future reference points, and to prioritize the development of management trigger requirements so that managers can react more quickly to recruitment or population declines than they have in recent years." said Sikorski. "We have to develop management techniques that prevent the mistakes of the past from being repeated."


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Home / Everything Else: Article / Director Patty Jenkins Explains Why She Left Thor: The Dark World
Director Patty Jenkins Explains Why She Left Thor: The Dark World
By Chen Shun / 26 Mar 2020 (Thursday)
It's without a doubt that most MCU movies are major box office hits. As such, filmmakers, if given a chance, will want to work on multiple comic book properties. (Marvel, DC) James Gunn, Chris Evans and Peter Dinklage are examples of this, and Wonder Woman director Patty Jenkins had the potential to join them.
Considering the success of the first Wonder Woman solo flick, one has to wonder how Patty Jenkins might have been able to turn things around for Thor: The Dark World. Jenkins recently opened up about her exit from Dark World, saying:
"I did not believe that I could make a good movie out of the script that they were planning on doing. I think it would have been a huge deal - it would have looked like it was my fault. It would've looked like, 'Oh my God, this woman directed it and she missed all these things.' That was the one time in my career where I really felt like, Do this with [another director] and it's not going to be a big deal. And maybe they'll understand it and love it more than I do. You can't do movies you don't believe in. The only reason to do it would be to prove to people that I could. But it wouldn't have proved anything if I didn't succeed. I don't think that I would have gotten another chance. And so, I'm super grateful."
It looks like Patty Jenkins simply wasn't satisfied with Thor 2's script, which explains why she departed over "creative differences." While it could have become great on her portfolio, Jenkins felt the pressure of producing a quality blockbuster since she'd be breaking new ground as a female director.
While Chris Hemsworth might be one of the hottest man alive, we have to admit Thor: The Dark World isn't one of the strongest releases by Marvel Studios'.
Do you think that Patty Jenkins could have revived Thor: The Dark World if she stayed on as director? Let us know in the comment box below!
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Home / Popular Culture / Music & Film / The Charlie Chaplin Archives
The Charlie Chaplin Archives
ISBN: 9783836580724 Category: Music & Film
Within a year of arriving in Hollywood in 1914, British-born Charlie Chaplin had become the slapstick king of America. By the end of his second year on the silver screen, Chaplin's fame had spread worldwide. He was the first international film star and rapidly one of the richest men in the world, with a million dollar contract, his own studio and his stock company of close collaborators. From Alaska to Zimbabwe, the bowler hat, cane, baggy trousers and outsized shoes of the Tramp became, and remains, an instantly recognizable silhouette.
With unrestricted access to the Chaplin archives, TASCHEN presents the ultimate book on the making of every one of his films. With 900 images, including stills, memos, storyboards and on-set photos, as well as interviews with Chaplin and his closest collaborators, it reveals the process behind the Chaplin genius, from the impromptu invention of early shots to the meticulous retakes and reworking of scenes and gags in his classic movies: The Kid (1921), The Gold Rush (1925), The Circus (1928), City Lights (1931), Modern Times (1936), and the provocative Hitler parody The Great Dictator (1940).
The book includes:
The Chaplin life history in words and pictures
900 images including many previously unseen stills, on-set photos, memos, documents, storyboards, posters, and designs, plus scripts and images for unmade films
An oral history, told from the point of view of Chaplin himself, drawing upon his extensive writings, many of which have never been reprinted before.
Supplementary interviews with some of his closest collaborators.
Material from over 150 books of press clippings in Chaplin's archives, which range from his early days in music halls to his death
Chaplin's short films, from Making a Living (1914) to The Pilgrim (1923), as well as all of his feature-length movies, from The Kid (1921) to A Countess from Hong Kong (1967)
Images and documents from the Chaplin Archives, © and/or Property of The Roy Export Company Ltd., scanned by Cineteca di Bologna
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Eddie McGuire taunts Peter V'Landys but concedes GF lost to Victoria
Eamonn Tiernan
Published: 09/07/2020 Updated: Thursday, 9 July 2020 11:56 AM GMT+10
McGuire is starting to concede the grand final could be lost to Melbourne due to its escalating coronavirus situation, but says it would still be the "worst nightmare" of rugby league boss Peter V'Landys. Credit: Getty
Collingwood president Eddie McGuire appears to be budging on his previously non-negotiable declaration the 2020 AFL grand final will be played at the MCG come hell or high water.
McGuire is starting to concede the grand final will be lost to Melbourne due to its escalating coronavirus problem, but says that would still be the "worst nightmare" of rugby league boss Peter V'Landys.
Sydney powerbrokers swooped on the opportunity to host the decider in the Harbour City for the first time in history last month and held high-level conversations with the AFL.
Veteran football reporter Caroline Wilson believes Sydney's ANZ Stadium has become the frontrunner if Melbourne cannot contain its COVID crisis.
Sydney has emerged as a genuine contender to snatch the AFL Grand Final away from the MCG as doubts grow over Melbourne's ability to host a capacity crowd by October.
"I think there's every chance now – and I know it came up in the presidents and CEOs hook-up this morning – that the Grand Final will leave Victoria," Wilson told Footy Classified.
"I know you (McGuire) have been very strong that there's a contract in place and it won't move, but I think you have changed your position, too, given the situation.
"Sydney is framing as a favourite at the moment. Obviously this would be a fantastic thing for the AFL's push into the northern markets.
"ANZ Stadium seems to be the ground. They were going to tear the stadium down and reconfigure it again. That hasn't happened for financial reasons."
Victoria has a contract until 2057 to host the grand final, primarily at the MCG. Credit: Getty
The MCG has a contract to host the AFL grand final until 2057 but this year's rights will likely be sold to another stadium due to the extreme circumstances which will significantly limit any potential crowd in Melbourne.
McGuire said a grand final in Sydney could inject a whopping $50 million into the game but also threaten V'Landys' stronghold on the code war in New South Wales.
"The economic impact of having a grand final anywhere outside of Victoria for a one-off season is big money," McGuire said.
"If we can get 75,000 into ANZ Stadium or 60,000 over in Perth or whatever the case may be, you're talking about what could be an extra $50 million for that coming back in.
"It's almost (ARL Commission chairman) Peter V'landys' worst nightmare in this situation. He's got what he wanted, he's got everybody up there and everyone's enjoying what's happening.
Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley says uncertainty around the playing hubs is having a negative effect on players.
"But most importantly the TV audiences for the AFL in Queensland – as the Broncos have been struggling in Brisbane and the Gold Coast (Suns) and the Brisbane Lions are doing so well – they're off the charts."
V'Landys restarted the NRL season ahead of every Australian football code and has previously admitted he "had a giggle" watching the AFL's response to the pandemic.
AFL boss Gillon McLachlan emphasised the MCG's contract but also praised ANZ Stadium as a venue.
"At the moment we've got an agreement to play the Grand Final at the MCG and that's where we are planning on playing the Grand Final," McLachlan told News Corp.
"However, if it was unable to be played there, for whatever reason, then there's the prospect of taking it (elsewhere).
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"Sydney is an amazing sporting town. It's got a great venue at ANZ, as to do many other cities in this country."
The most recent AFL Grand Final to not be played at the MCG was in 1991 at Waverley Park in Melbourne and before that it was in the pre-war era.


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Jennifer Blasco
Jennifer Blasco is a Real Estate Associate at Parker, Hudson, Rainer & Dobbs. Her practice focuses on acquisition, disposition, leasing, development and financing of commercial real estate.
Jennifer, the daughter of Cuban immigrants, was born and raised in Miami, Florida. Jennifer received her J.D. from Vanderbilt University Law School in 2017 and her B.A. in Criminology from the University of Florida. While at Vanderbilt Law School, Jennifer was an active member of "La Alianza", Vanderbilt's Hispanic Law Student Association, served as the Notes Development Editor for the Journal of Entertainment and Technology Law, and clerked for the Department of Justice Executive Office for Immigration Review at their Miami Immigration Court.
After graduating from law school, Jennifer moved to Atlanta to begin her legal career at Parker, Hudson, Rainer & Dobbs. During her spare time, Jennifer enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, and walking her dog, Josie, on the BeltLine. Jennifer looks forward to serving as GHBA's Vice President!
PROMOTE DIVERSITY: In legal organizations and the community
EDUCATION: Foster the exchange of ideas and information between Hispanic lawyers
COMMUNITY: Educate the Hispanic community on its legal rights and duties
EDUCATE: Facilitate the continuing legal education of our members
PROMOTE: The recruitment and retention of Georgia Hispanic students in law schools
The GHBA keeps its members abreast of opportunities to serve on the boards of various organizations, public service opportunities, and employment positions.


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Percy Allen
Storm falls short at home against Atlanta
Originally published June 10, 2018 at 6:31 pm Updated June 11, 2018 at 11:42 am
Forced to play with Breanna Stewart in foul trouble, the Storm saw a three-game home winning streak snapped, 67-64, to the Dream.
Seattle Times staff reporter
Almost everything went wrong for the Storm for 3½ quarters Sunday, and yet Seattle still had a chance to salvage a win in a game that was otherwise a complete disaster.
Down three points to the Atlanta Dream, Breanna Stewart got a look at a three-pointer but stepped in for a 12-footer with 7.3 seconds remaining that clanged off the rim.
Seattle had one last chance to tie, but Elizabeth Williams deflected Sue Bird's inbound pass and Stewart's desperate 25-footer at the buzzer never came close, capping a wild 67-64 defeat in front of 6,345 at KeyArena.
Chicago @ Storm, 7 p.m.
"It was a basketball game that was anything, but smooth," said Storm coach Dan Hughes who added to Seattle's chaotic performance with a verbal tirade at officials that resulted in his first technical foul of the season. "I did appreciate our efforts to put us back in it and put us back in it and put us back in it.
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"But … our strengths weren't necessarily our strengths today."
Atlanta, which entered the game second in the WNBA by allowing 79.1 points per game, shut down one of the most prolific offenses in the league.
Seattle is the best three-point shooting team in the WNBA, and ranks second in scoring.
But the Storm finished 27 points below its season average while making 4 of 26 from behind the arc – season lows for points and three-pointers.
"We didn't finish well from anywhere on the court," Hughes said. "We didn't finish well from the free-throw line (10 of 17). We didn't finish well from three and we didn't finish well inside. And defensively we weren't bad, but it put a lot of pressure on that phase."
Throughout the game Hughes engaged in a running dialogue with the referees and his emotions reached a tipping point early in the second quarter when they handed forward Natasha Howard a three-second violation, which negated a much-needed layup.
The Storm coach exploded from his seat and got face to face with official Karleene Tobin before assistant Gary Kloppenburg stepped in and ushered Hughes back to the sideline.
Atlanta received more fouls (21) than Seattle (20) and the Storm shot more free throws than the Dream (8 for 11), but Hughes' dustup highlighted Seattle's frustrations with the officials.
"They didn't give me any explanation," Stewart said when asked about the offciating. "There's only 12 teams in the WNBA. Obviously you know how certain teams play. I don't know. It's up to the refs."
The Storm's offensive dysfunction was a result of Stewart, the league's third leading scorer at 21.5 points a game, playing a career-low 19½ minutes because of foul trouble.
Stewart collected her third foul with 7:50 remaining in the second quarter and went to the bench for the rest of the half. Seattle trailed 39-31 at halftime.
With Stewart out, Howard carried Seattle with 15 points and a career-high 15 rebounds for her second double-double this season. Jewell Loyd added 14 points.
Atlanta (5-3) held off Seattle (6-3) thanks to its dynamic duo of Tiffany Hayes (23 points) and Angel McCoughtry (15 points and 10 rebounds).
Things took a turn for the worse for the Storm midway in the third quarter when Stewart picked up two fouls in a span of 38 seconds. The 6-foot-4 forward plowed into Jessica Breland for her fifth, forcing her to the bench for the rest of the quarter.
Four of Stewart's five fouls were on the offensive end.
"It was really tough," said Stewart who finished with 12 points on 5-of-12 shooting, three rebounds and five turnovers. "I wasn't able to play consistently until the fourth quarter. I don't know if there was much that I was doing differently as far as the way I play, but the refs saw something. It's tough.
"We had to do some different lineups from the jump and we didn't have the energy that we needed. We still had a chance to fight back. It's kind of frustrating, but I take the blame for it. I shouldn't have had five fouls."
Stewart returned with 8:29 left in the fourth and Seattle trailing 56-46.
With its leading scorer back on the court, the Storm went on a 15-4 run capped by Loyd, whose three-pointer that put Seattle up 61-60 with 2:34 left. It was the Storm's first lead since the first quarter.
"We knew at some point we were going to have an opportunity to really get into them and play, and that happened in the fourth quarter," Stewart said. "You have to like our fight. The way we fought back."
But Hayes countered with three straight layups that put Atlanta ahead 66-61.
Stewart answered with a traditional three-point play, but afterward the Storm star lamented the three-pointer she didn't take in the final seconds.
"We were down three," she said. "I should have shot the three. … I messed up."
Percy Allen: 206-464-2278 or pallen@seattletimes.com. On Twitter @percyallen.


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Learning from Olufemi Taiwo (part two)
By Tamie Davis on 4 March 2014 • ( 1 Comment )
I've finally finished Olufemi Taiwo's How colonialism preempted modernity in Africa, having sporadically slogged my way through it over the last few months. Taiwo's intellect is massive, and I felt like you practically had to have a Masters degree just to understand the English, let alone the fact that he covers philosophy, history, theology, economics, legal theory, etc. He is also very careful to tell you what he's going to say, to say it and then to tell you what he's said, so it can feel like he spends longer talking about his argument than actually arguing it! Nevertheless, this is a fascinating read.
Modernity, missionaries and democracy
Taiwo argues that Africa's problems today come not because of modernity but because the tenets of modernity were ineffectually implemented. This is where the missionary stuff fits in. The first wave were committed to modernism's values, believing in the inherent value and intelligence of African peoples and seeking to develop autonomy in them after hundreds of years of the slave trade. CMS father Henry Venn gets a good write up here. These missionaries had their failings, chiefly the paternalism and ignorance of treating Africans as 'culturally naked', but their aims were compassionate rather than exploitative, which often put them at loggerheads with the colonists. In Taiwo's view, the idea that we often run into among Tanzania's middle class, that missionaries functioned to soften Africans up with the gospel so the colonists could swoop in, is unfounded.
That said, Taiwo's argument at this point is largely based in west Africa. I'm not sure of the interplay between missionary work and the colonial enterprise in Tanzania specifically. The historical placement of these is important because the second wave of missionaries in the later 19th century were more tied to the colonial enterprise. Their outlook was that Africans were barely human, at least children in the world's family if not close to animals, with a lack of capacity to self-govern. Taiwo argues that the first wave of missionaries raised up many leaders, but that they had nowhere to go because the colonial administrators would not listen to or employ them.
For Taiwo, this aborted attempt at modernism has consequences today. Democracy is one outworking of modernism and many people are dismayed at its shallowness in Africa. However, despite the west's applause for so-called democratic countries in Africa today, Taiwo argues that much of democracy in Africa is anaemic, defined by 'having elected governments' but without the values or general conditions of life that contribute to actually 'being democratic'. (This argument seems particularly poignant in light of Woodberry's measure of democracy as beneficial, and Arthur's comments about that.) If democracy has failed in Africa, it is because the colonists did not abide by their own claim to modernity. While the colonial apologists have claimed that they brought the British legal system to Tanzania, Taiwo shows how, in Tanzania for example, 'natives' were disenfranchised from this system. He says we ought not to be surprised that a people who never experienced the British legal system or were able to participate in it, have not internalized its values.
Modernity and agency
Taiwo's argument is not that Africa should become more western, but rather that Africans should have been afforded the agency (a key tenet of modernism) to take what they wanted from modernism and apply it in their own context. Contradicting the myth that Africans were tradition-bound and suspicious of anything new, Taiwo gives examples of two constitutions in west Africa which were written by natives (his word), embodied the tenets of modernism, and were rejected by the colonial authorities because they would give too much autonomy to the native, that is were more committed to the tenets of modernism than the colonists were prepared to be!
A great highlight of the book is a chapter profiling three 'African prophets of modernity', a clergyman, a doctor and a philosopher, all from the nineteenth century, who sought to blend modernity with indigenous elements. However, they were dismissed by the colonists as out of character for an African, and even having a pathological desire to be like Europeans, which was against nature. Africa finds itself where it is today, Taiwo says, not because there is something inherently primitive in the African consciousness, but because African people were obstructed from creativity and self-governance at every point by the colonists.
Taiwo's concluding comments offer a way forward and like these 'African prophets' he believes that while modernity is good for Africa, it must be done in an African way. He says, "even if it were possible for the rest of the world to be like the West, that would be desirable only if it is the case that the ways of life that are enjoined by modernity and realized in some parts of the West are the best life for humans or are the best possible. They are neither." He argues that capitalism is not the only logical economic structure for a modern society. He doesn't really offer an alternative, but he says he hopes that recovering modernity from its association with colonialism and the west will open up this discussion. Perhaps most importantly for those of us who are western, he makes a call similar to what the Mission as Transformation movement is pursuing. That call is for westerners to discontinue 'their love affair with their own voices and dare to listen to those of others whose agency they have hitherto treated with levity, contempt even.'
Categories: Tanzania Uncategorized Written by Tamie
Tagged as: capitalism colonialism democracy History How colonialism preempted modernity in African missionary legacy modernity Olufemi Taiwo
Tamie Davis
Tamie Davis is an Aussie living in Tanzania, writing at meetjesusatuni.com.
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Worth the watch: Chimamanda Adichie's 'We should all be feminists'
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Sioné is the name of Samy Mahfar's residential building at 255 E. Houston St.
Here's a look at 255 E. Houston St./171 Suffolk St., the L-shaped parcel where work continues at developer Samy Mahfar's 14-floor residential building. (The condoplex on the corner of Houston and Stanton is part of a different project.)
[Entrance at 171 Suffolk St.]
Branding on the sidewalk bridge now reveals that the building is called Sioné ...
There's also a teaser site where prospects may sign up to be on a mailing list. The site describes Sioné this way — "A Limited Collection of Luxury Residences"...
The residences here range from studios to three bedrooms — all with or without terraces ...
There's a lot of backstory with this development. Quickly: In September 2016, Mahfar withdrew his application — after a five-year fight with Community Board 3 and local elected officials — for a commercial zoning change for this property and surrounding parcels. He wanted to put a restaurant or retail business on the ground floor. Under current zoning, only a community facility is allowed. (The new building has 6,258 square feet set aside for that usage.)
Mahfar, who has been accused of harassing rent-regulated tenants, had approval for a 10-floor building, which turned into 14 floors and 88 units.
As the Lo-Down reported in December 2017: "Mahfar had already received 421a tax breaks to build some affordable units, but he was also seeking a floor area bonus through the city's inclusionary housing program." It's not immediately clear how many affordable units may be available in this complex.
No. 255 previously housed the day-care center Action for Progress, which was forced to evacuate in 2009 after construction on the condoplex next door destabilized the building...
[EVG photo of No. 255 from 2012]
Next for 255 E. Houston St.: Community facility/school/medical building?
10-story building now in the works for 255 E. Houston St.
Debate over commercial overlay for 255 E. Houston St. and surrounding blocks continues
Report: Samy Mahfar drops bid for commercial overlay on East Houston and parts of the LES
Labels: 171 Suffolk St., 255 E. Houston St., Sioné
cmarrtyy said...
Sione is a Samoan variant of the English name John... The world gets smaller and the names get harder to pronounce. Sione? I guess it's better than calling it The John - especially for luxury apartments.
The hedge funders really don't care, its just another blip on the rentier portfolio.
I take it all the good names were already taken??


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https://www.med.cuhk.edu.hk/press-releases/cuhk-leading-asia-s-battle-to-improve-bile-duct-cancer-survival-rates-by-developing-a-novel-combinational-strategy-in-clinical-trial
CUHK leading Asia's battle to improve bile duct cancer survival rates by developing a novel combinational strategy in clinical trial
A multicentre clinical trial led by The Chinese University of Hong Kong's (CUHK) Faculty of Medicine (CU Medicine) with overseas medical institutions showed that the combination of selective internal radiotherapy (SIRT) and conventional chemotherapy is effective in treating intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) that is not suitable for surgery.
The standard first-line treatment for inoperable ICC is chemotherapy, which is associated with a median overall survival of 11.7 months. With the use of SIRT before chemotherapy, this clinical trial found that the median overall survival of patients with inoperable ICC could be improved to 21.6 months among those undergoing both treatments. The results were published in the renowned journal Liver Cancer.
Intra-hepatic cholangiocarcinoma is a growing health concern internationally, with increasing incidence
Biliary tract cancer is traditionally considered a less common cancer, accounting for only 3% of digestive tract cancers. However, the incidence of ICC, a subtype of biliary tract cancer arising from the bile duct in the liver, has been increasing over the past decade due to obesity and unhealthy lifestyles.
Over 80% of patients with ICC suffer from locally advanced or metastatic disease, rendering them unsuitable for surgery. These patients frequently present with symptoms such as jaundice, abdominal pain or weight loss. Researchers around the world are working hard discover better treatments for this group of patients.
Professor Stephen Chan says that the global incidence of ICC has been increasing over the past decade. Clinical researchers at CUHK are working hard to look for better treatments for patients.
A potential new option for patients with inoperable ICC
The clinical trial was designed and initiated by CU Medicine's Department of Clinical Oncology, in collaboration with the Department of Imaging and Interventional Radiology, and with the subsequent participation of three more sites in Asia, namely the Chulabhorn hospital in Thailand, the National Cancer Centre Singapore, and the National University of Singapore's Cancer Science Institute.
31 patients were screened, of whom 24 were recruited for the trial. The participating patients underwent screening for treatment by SIRT with yttrium 90, a regional therapy for tumour in the liver, followed by standard chemotherapy.
CU Medicine's Department of Imaging and Interventional Radiology Professor Simon Yu Chun-ho, highlighted the role of regional therapy in ICC. "SIRT involves the trans-arterial injection of radioactive materials containing yttrium-90 into the liver tumour. Although its role has been proven in hepatocellular carcinoma, there is a lack of clinical trial data on the role of SIRT in ICC, especially in the context of a standard chemotherapy regimen," he said.
The results showed that the median overall survival of patients who underwent SIRT, regardless of chemotherapy, was 13.6 months; and that for the group of patients who underwent both SIRT and chemotherapy, it was 21.6 months. Among 16 patients of the trial group, 25% experienced shrinkage of tumour and 75% had the disease under control. The new treatment was generally safe, with fewer than 10% of patients developing moderate to severe side effects.
Professor Simon Yu hopes that ICC patients will get a new option for more intensive treatment, after the research team collected data on the combined treatment strategy through the clinical trial.
"Conducting an investigator-initiated, multicentre clinical trial in a less common cancer is challenging but extremely meaningful," said Professor Stephen Chan Lam, Ip's Family Trust Professor of Clinical Oncology of the Department of Clinical Oncology at CU Medicine and the trial's principal investigator.
"Generally, the pharmaceutical industry is less interested in exploring treatment for less common cancers. It is the responsibility of clinical researchers at CUHK to look for better treatments for patients. I am grateful for the efforts of the four centres in three different regions to address this unmet need of our patients. Our data will give a potential option for more intensive treatment in selected patients, where the main disease burden is in the liver," Professor Chan added.
Tags:Bile duct cancerStephen CHANSimon YUDepartment of Clinical OncologyDepartment of Imaging and Interventional Radiology
CUHK Study Proves Ablative Chemoembolization Doubles the Progression-Free Survival for Liver Cancer Patients
CUHK Research Team Develops an AI System for Detecting COVID-19 Infections in CT with a Privacy Preserving Multinational Validation Study
CUHK Identifies Outcome Indicators for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Patients Receiving Prostatic Artery Embolisation
CUHK Proves Modified HIFU Treatment Effective for Treating Uterine Fibroids
CUHK Proves Prostate Artery Embolization Effective for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
CUHK's New Prostatic Artery Embolization Shows 90% Success Rate in Relieving Symptoms of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
CUHK Reveals Effectiveness of TEA for Treating Liver Cancer with a 70% Chance of Completely Destroying Tumor
Radiotherapy to Head and Neck Raises Risk for Stroke CUHK Proved Effectiveness of Carotid Angioplasty and Stenting
CUHK Succeeded in Animal Study and Clinical Case of Percutaneous Nanoknife New Breakthrough in Cancer Treatment
CUHK Proves a Non-invasive Technology Can Successfully Cure Cerebral Arteriovenous Malformation
Good News for Asian Patients First Local Clinical Study Shows High Success Rate and Effectiveness of Stenting for Intracranial Stenosis in Preventing Ischaemic Stroke
CUHK Proves the Potent Efficacy of Stenting for Carotid Artery Narrowing and Cardiac Contractility Modulation for Heart Failure
International lung cancer study involving CU Medicine reveals that combination of immune drugs and chemotherapy represents new treatment regime for metastatic NSCLC patients
Inaugural lecture from the Ip's Family Trust Professor in Clinical Oncology: A Joyful Prescription by Professor Stephen Chan
CUHK World First Shows AI-derived MRI Brain Indices Aid Clinical Detection of Three Cognitive Disorders at Early Stage
CU Medicine Study Proves Pocket-size Mobile Echocardiographic Screening Device Effective in Detecting Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm
Professor Tony Mok Recognised as a Giant of Cancer Care for His Remarkable Contribution in Advancing Global Healthcare in Lung Cancer
CUHK in collaboration with West China School of Medicine co-Led World's First-in-human Clinical Trial using CRISPR technology for lung cancer Confirmed gene-edited T-Cell Therapy is Safe and Feasible in Treatment of Advanced NSCLC
CUHK to Commence the Next-Generation Clinical Trials of CAR-T Cell Therapy for Haematological Malignancy
CUHK Receives an International Cancer Care Team Award Nominated by Patients
CUHK-led Global Study Sees Improvement in Overall Survival in Patients with Advanced Lung Cancer
A CUHK-led International Study Demonstrates Immune-checkpoint Inhibitor Is Effective in Patients with Advanced Nasopharyngeal Cancer
CUHK-led Research Confirms Novel Targeted Therapy Doubles the Effectiveness of Current Standard Treatment for ALK-Positive Lung Cancer
CUHK Unravels the Whole Genome of Nasopharyngeal Cancer A Great Leap Forward in Personalized Medicine Development
CUHK Sets up the Global First Research Registry on Early Onset Dementia in Chinese Population
CUHK Screening Reveals 1 in 3 Older Adults in Community Suffer Brain Small Vessel Disease, Early Prevention Recommended
CUHK and PWH Introduce Leading 3D Imaging System which Reduces Radiation Dosage by 90%
CUHK Joint Research Sets a New Global Direction for Lung Cancer Treatment Molecular Targeted Therapy Proved more Effective in Treating Patients with ALK-Positive Lung Cancer
CUHK Establishes New Hybrid Cardiovascular Operating Theatre and Multidisciplinary Team Significantly Reducing Operation Time and Risk of Thoracic Aortic Surgery
CUHK Discovers Innovative 'Flow Diverters' (Pipeline) as Effective Treatment for Cerebral Aneurysms in Asia's First Clinical Study in Collaboration with Seven Medical Centres
CUHK Pioneers MRI Iron Assessment for Thalassemia Children in Southern China
CUHK Announces 2022/23 Admission Scores for Medicine
CUHK's study sees a rising trend of multiple myeloma incidence, particularly in older males from high-income countries


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CARE HomeBlogA win for women
A win for women
By CARE Australia September 28, 2015 1 comment
A win for women and girls everywhere: World leaders have committed to a standalone Sustainable Development Goal for gender equality. © CARE
Are world leaders finally coming to the table when it comes to fighting for equality for women and girls? Some recent developments suggest "yes". But what needs to be done now to turn words into action?
Over the weekend just gone, a commitment to 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to transform the world by 2030 was made. 193 world leaders including Australia's Foreign Minister Julie Bishop gathered at the UN Summit in New York to discuss the goals.
In the lead-up to the summit CARE – with the help of over 1,212 Australians who signed our petition – lobbied the Australian Government to continue to back a standalone gender equality goal. We're pleased to announce world leaders did not back down and SDG five: "Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls" was passed.
A win for women everywhere
CARE commends this renewed focus on gender equality globally. Having worked in developing communities since 1945, we believe the most effective way to fight poverty and injustice is through programs that target women and girls.
By focusing on women and girls, we can achieve economic progress, expand markets and improve health and education outcomes for everyone. For example, if India enrolled one per cent more girls in secondary school, the country's GDP would rise by $5.5 billion.
World leaders have committed to a standalone gender equality goal. © CARE
This commitment to the empowerment of women and girls globally comes just days after Australia's new Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull denounced domestic violence as a "great national shame" and announced a multi-million dollar package to fight family violence and violence against women locally.
We've set the goal; now we need to fund it
CARE Australia CEO Dr Julia Newton-Howes welcomed the SDG commitments including the standalone gender equality goal. However she warned that agreeing to the goals was only the first step.
Dr Newton-Howes highlighted that Australia's current foreign aid commitment falls way below what is required to fulfil the goals: "Australia's aid budget grew steadily after the Millennium Development Goals [the predecessor to the SDGs] were introduced in 2000. But now, when new global commitments are being made, we face the biggest aid cuts in Australia's history."
In order to fulfil commitments to the gender equality goal, world leaders must be willing to put their money where their mouths are and back programs which improve access to women and girls' education and healthcare as well as remove barriers to political participation, reproductive rights, jobs and finance.
With your backing, CARE will continue to work tirelessly to ensure the voices of women and girls are heard. We will also continue to hold world leaders – including the Australian Government – accountable to the goals they have committed to and therefore to women and girls everywhere.
Make a donation to CARE's work today.
1 Comment Leave new
Jennifer Fitzgerald Sep 29 2015 at 10:09
We can look to the Blessed Virgin Mary for leadership and Prayers in our quest for all women and girls.


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20,000 free hepatitis C tests
July 28, 2016 180
Fundatia Renasterea will buy 20,000 hepatitis C tests that can be used free of charge, as part of the 'Stop Hepatitis' campaign, Fundatia Renasterea President Mihaela Geoana stated on Wednesday at a debate organised on this topic by the U.S. Embassy. "The communication will be made online, on the website of Ms. Oana Cuzino (www.doc.ro – editor's note), who is the ambassador of the campaign. The registration for hepatitis C tests is still open. The tests are carried out at Fundatia Renasterea, but those willing have to create a voucher and there are a few questions the patients have to answer before taking the test. The second stage of the campaign will start in a few days' time. There will be several centres where the testing will take place. The tests are free. (…) They are saliva-based tests," Mihaela Geoana said.
U.S. Ambassador Hans Klemm took a demonstrative test (photo).
"Romania unfortunately has one of the highest hepatitis C virus (HCV) prevalence rates in Europe, some 3.23 percent of Romanians are unfortunately victims to this disease. Although this is only an estimate because of the lack of testing, but nevertheless we estimate between 500,000 and 600,000 Romanians to be chronically ill from hepatitis C," said Ambassador Hans Klemm.
"The Ministry of Health named hepatitis a national public health priority. The Ministry also authorized new revolutionary interferon-free therapies and registered them on the Romanian market.
I am happy to hear now, after only one year, that almost 5,000 patients have entered into treatment with innovative hepatitis C therapy and the results are truly remarkable.
For example, the most recent data from just last month indicate that of the almost 1,877 patients who have completed the entire treatment, 100 percent tested negative for the virus. The final tests three months after they have finished the treatment showed a 99.3 percent cure rate. These data truly are extraordinary," he added.
000 free hepatitis C tests20
EC appoints Ruxandra Draghia-Akli Deputy Director-General for Research and Innovation
Prosecutor General's Office makes surprise announcement in Basescu-Firea blackmail case: Former President won't be indicted in uttering-of-threats case, investigations to be resumed
Deloitte: Romania, third place in technology companies' regional rankings
Nine O' Clock October 22, 2014
President Iohannis to school year opening ceremony: I want to restart education as a national debate theme
Nine O' Clock September 14, 2015 September 14, 2015
Child protection authorities to cut number of maternal assistants
Test December 15, 2009


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Review: 6 machine learning clouds
AWS vs Azure vs Google: What's the best cloud platform for enterprise?
Get to know the Premier 100 Class of 2017
Windows 10 cheat sheet
Apple Holic
By Jonny Evans, Computerworld |
Appleholic, (noun), æp·əl-hɑl·ɪk: An imaginative person who thinks about what Apple is doing, why and where it is going. Delivering popular Apple-related news, advice and entertainment since 1999.
Apple is building a machine learning system to rule them alI
The company's new machine learning tech, 'Overton,' reduces errors and is a first of its kind....
With Siri set to see significant improvements once iOS 13 ships, Apple is appearing at a key voice AI tradeshow and has published a study explaining some of the details of a first-of-its-kind machine learning (ML) tech it calls "Overton."
Defining a machine learning window
This week, Apple is sponsoring the world's largest spoken language processing conference, Interspeech 2019.
As part of its work at the event, it has submitted multiple research papers – and members of its growing machine learning teams will meet attendees there.
[Also read: iPhone 11: What is Deep Fusion and how does it work?]
Among other topics (see them all here), Apple will present papers on detecting expression/intent through voice, improving voice recognition, developing more accurate tools to understand speech nuances, using mirroring to build relationships between human users and speech assistants and using tech to optimize speech enhancement.
We may learn a little more about what the company is up to in ML at the all-new Interspeech Youtube portal, though we don't know if any Apple video will appear there.
It's not a shock Apple's scientists are engaging with the wider scientific community. The company has published sporadic machine learning papers and announcements on its own Machine Learning portal since 2017.
Introducing Overton
Apple claims to have a first-of-its kind solution with Overton – it aims to enable much of the personalization of ML models to be administered by the machine, not the human.
[ Further reading: The wireless road warrior's essential guide ]
Voice interaction is only the front-end of what happens when you ask Siri a question. Machine learning models must then try to understand the question, contextualize it and figure out the most accurate response. Delivering a high-quality response is actually harder than it seems.
Sure, for some interrogations all you'll get from Siri will be data it's found on a Wikipedia page, (though even then it might have checked several such pages to elect the most relevant response). But the eventual aim must be that Siri becomes an effective source for complex answers to complex problems – even to the extent of predicting them.
These next steps are hard to accomplish.
How can scientists become more confident that the response Siri has to make is the most accurate available?
That's the kind of challenge Apple is addressing with Overton, which "automates the life cycle of model construction, deployment, and monitoring."
In human terms that means the machine itself fixes and adjusts machine learning models in response to external stimuli, making it more accurate and repairing logical flaws that might lead to an incorrect conclusion. The idea is that humans can then focus on the high-end supervision of machine learning models.
This (I think) means that rather than needing to get deep inside increasingly complex code to make minor but necessary adjustments, humans can request a set of changes Overton then applies.
Quite literally, they're controlling the Overton window.
How will Apple use this?
I think Apple's ambitions for Siri extend beyond it being the digital equivalent of the slightly useless friend you sometimes query even though you know you may not get a useful response.
Siri is intended to be a voice-led helper capable of bringing high-level information, contextualized analysis and augmentation of the tasks you already do. Siri Suggestions shows that direction, though the implementations remain limited.
Apple says: "A major direction of on-going work are the systems that build on Overton to aid in managing data augmentation, programmatic supervision, and collaboration."
I also think Overton has user privacy implications.
Think about it like this:
Apple's scientists build models they believe to be highly accurate. These models run on the iOS device. Overton provides those models with a degree of independence and ML systems adjust models for accuracy and relevance – all without giving researchers granular insight into individual actions.
This means data managers (in this case, the scientists creating those models in the first place) occupy more generalized strategic roles in which information concerning individual users is not made available to them.
Apple creates ML machines to handle certain defined tasks, while also equipping the machines themselves to personalize the models they use. This seems to be what Overton is about – and was certainly part of what drove Apple to purchase Silk Labs.
Apple says Overton is the first machine learning management system set up to improve and monitor application quality. Reading between the lines, it may (and I stress "may," as I don't know any better) also be the technology used to identify when you point your iPhone 11 camera at a pet for a pet portrait.
Tomorrow's world is a work in progress.
Please follow me on Twitter, or join me in the AppleHolic's bar & grill and Apple Discussions groups on MeWe.
Jonny is a freelance writer who has been writing (mainly about Apple and technology) since 1999.


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Berbatov 'can see why Kane would want to move'
Former Tottenham striker Dimitar Berbatov has said he would understand if Harry Kane looks to leave the club.
There has been much speculation about the England captain's future, with reports suggesting he is running out of patience waiting to win major trophies at Spurs.
Tottenham could miss out on the Champions League, while a defeat to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final would make it another trophyless season.
Berbatov himself left Spurs to join Manchester United, who are among the clubs to have been linked with Kane.
And, speaking to Betfair, the Bulgarian said: "According to reports, he will look to leave Spurs if they fail to qualify for the Champions League next season.
"This isn't a surprise. I don't know if it will happen, but Kane is clearly thinking about his future.
"I can see why Kane would want to move if they don't make the Champions League and if they don't win the League Cup.
"I would not be surprised as of course he wants to play Champions League football. It depends on how Spurs finish the season."
Berbatov can empathise with Kane, having himself decided to move on after leading the line so effectively for Spurs.
He enjoyed a successful spell at United and later played for Fulham.
"I was Harry Kane at Tottenham once," Berbatov said.
"I was in this position with the same decision and at the same club. There will be big thoughts going through his head.
"If he moves, he will be disappointing lots of Spurs fans. Some will turn against him, it is how it is in football.
"Fans take it personally and think that you are leaving, they feel that you've betrayed the club.
"My situation was similar, but also slightly different.
"I wanted to go to the biggest club to win trophies and that was Manchester United.
"When I heard there was a chance to go there, I did not hesitate."
Mourinho 'was right' to blame players after 'shocking' Spurs display
Tottenham players reportedly unhappy with Mourinho
Mourinho 'was against deal to re-sign Bale'


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Int J Parasitol. 2018 Apr;48(5):387-393. doi: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2017.08.008. Epub 2017 Nov 12.
Clearance of schistosome parasites by resistant genotypes at a single genomic region in Biomphalaria glabrata snails involves cellular components of the hemolymph.
Allan ERO1, Gourbal B2, Dores CB3, Portet A2, Bayne CJ4, Blouin MS4.
Department of Integrative Biology, College of Science, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA. Electronic address: euanroallan@gmail.com.
Université Perpignan Via Domitia, Interactions Hôtes Pathogènes Environnements UMR 5244, CNRS, IFREMER, Univ. Montpellier, F-66860 Perpignan, France.
Department of Biomedical Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA.
Department of Integrative Biology, College of Science, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA.
Schistosomiasis is one of the most detrimental neglected tropical diseases. Controlling the spread of this parasitic illness requires effective sanitation, access to chemotherapeutic drugs, and control over populations of the freshwater snails, such as Biomphalaria glabrata, that are essential intermediate hosts for schistosomes. Effectively controlling this disease, while minimising ecological implications of such control, will require an extensive understanding of the immunological interactions between schistosomes and their molluscan intermediate hosts. Here we histologically characterise the clearance of schistosome larvae by snails that exhibit allelic variation at a single genomic region, the Guadeloupe resistance complex. We show that snails with a resistant Guadeloupe resistance complex genotype clear schistosomes within the first 24-48 h, and that this resistance can be transferred to susceptible snails via whole hemolymph but not cell-free plasma. These findings imply that Guadeloupe resistance complex-coded proteins help to coordinate hemocyte-mediated immune responses to schistosome infections in Guadeloupean snails.
Copyright © 2017 Australian Society for Parasitology. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Biomphalaria glabrata; Hemocyte; Hemolymph transfer; Histology; Plasma transfer; Resistance; Schistosomiasis
10.1016/j.ijpara.2017.08.008
Resistance phenotypes are conserved among inbred Guadeloupean Biomphalaria glabrata (BgGUA) lines. The susceptibility of nine independent homozygous BgGUA lines (3× S1S1, S2S2and RR) after exposure to 20 Guadeloupean Schistosoma mansoni (SmGUA) miracidia (n= 32 S11,32 S12,28 S13, 35 S21, 33 S22, 27 S23, 55 R1, 31 R2, 42 R3). Data are presented as the proportion of infected snails (+/− the S.E. of proportions). Significant differences (P <0.05, Z score of proportion) are denoted by asterisks (*).
Clearance of schistosome parasites by resistant genotypes at a single genomic region in Biomphalaria glabrata snails involves cellular components of the hemolymph
Int J Parasitol. ;48(5):387-393.
Resistant genotypes do not have modified integument anatomy or thickness, nor do they prevent Schistosoma mansoni miracidial penetration in Guadeloupean Biomphalaria glabrata (BgGUA). (A) The head-foot integument architecture of S1S1, S2S2, and RR BgGUA (scale bar = 100 μm). (B) The thickness of the integument of the head-foot of S1S1, S2S2, and RR BgGUA (n= 4). (C) The number of miracidia remaining in a well 2 h post-BgGUA exposure to 20 miracidia (n=12). Data presented as means (+/− S.D.). No significant differences (P >0.05, ANOVA) were observed.
Resistant Guadeloupean Biomphalaria glabrata (BgGUA) have fewer free sporocysts, and destroy schistosomes during the initial stages of infection. (A) Free and encapsulated sporocysts in BgGUA 24 h post-exposure (scale bar = 200 μm). (B) Total number and (C) number of free (unencapsulated/undegenerated) sporocysts found in individual SS and RR BgGUA 24 h and 48 h post-exposure. Data presented as means (+/− S.D.). Significant differences (P <0.05, student's t-test) are denoted by asterisks (*).
Transfer of resistant (RR) hemolymph, but not cell-free plasma or sensitive (SS) hemolymph, confers resistance to Guadeloupean Schistosoma mansoni (SmGUA). The susceptibility of homozygous S1S1 snails after exposure to 20 miracidia and transfer treatments. Groups of snails were treated with sham (SSS), S2S2 hemolymph (HL), RR plasma, or RR hemolymph (HL) 24 h pre-exposure (n=69 S1S1 + sham, n = 67 S1S1 + S2S2 HL, n = 31 S1S1 + RR plasma, n= 74 S1S1 + RR HL). Data are presented as the proportion of infected snails (+/− the S.E. of proportions), and significant differences (P <0.05, Z score of proportion) are denoted by an asterisk (*).
Publication types, MeSH terms, Grant support
Biomphalaria/genetics*
Biomphalaria/parasitology*
Genotype*
Hemolymph
Host-Parasite Interactions/genetics
Schistosoma mansoni/physiology*
R01 AI109134/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States


text:
Penelope Anne Rose Bould
Registered Member MBACP
Languages spoken: English, French
Contact Penelope Anne Rose
Therapist - Warwick
Warwick CV34
Contact Penelope Anne Rose for session rate.
Wheelchair accessible office
7 days a week but most sessions Monday to Friday,
late mornings
All sessions are either via phone or videocall platforms, such as FaceTime, Microsoft Teams, Skype, WhatsApp & Zoom - open to considering other suitable platforms.
Warm, mature integrative psychotherapist. Clients are reassured by my unusually broad training (attended over 370 learning events e.g., courses, conferences, workshops & webinars) & experience.
Appear on TV & radio e.g., BBC: as expert on mental health & wellbeing. 15 years advanced practice.
I can work with:
Multi-addictions
Legal testimony trained & experienced reports & evidence. Workshop leader. Guest lectured: 4 univs. e.g., Oxford Dept. Psychiatry. Ex Member Warwick University Medical School Advisory Board & school safeguarding governor.
Seeking a safe place to explore conditions, issues, problems, challenges or self-development? Seeking positive change? Solutions? Rowing? Psychosexual? Personal growth quest? Harassed? Bullied? Traumatised?
Past roles: NHS hospital; domestic viol.; young people's training centre; school; abuse survivors; older people. Worked e.g., with doctors, lawyers, police & soldiers + all sectors of society.
Diploma Theory & Practice of Counselling (Distinction Advanced Couns.; year's highest mark Merit - research; 95%-100% clinical placements portfolio; Cert. Health Psychol. exam 90% mark (Coventry Univ.); Cert. Abuse Survivors; Cert. Bereave.; Cert. Lifecoach. with NLP; Cert. Proficiency (BACP).
Extra training: e.g.: Sexual, Family Therapy & Systemic Practice (NHS), Couples & Families, Children & Young People, Art & Play in Therapy.
Full A to Z issues e.g.: Anxiety, Depression, Abuse, Acting, ADHD, ASD, Addiction, 12 Step Programmes, Disability, Diversity, Eating Disorders, Equality, M.E. (CFS), OCD, PTSD, Post Critical Incidents (NHS /Notts. Univ.), Presentations, Safeguarding, e-Safety, Sex Probs., Sex Offending. Read Psychol.& Sociology + Stats. at univs.
Ex full time broadcast journalist & P.R. director. Winner Euro Commission Breaking Barriers Award UK Certificate.
Hello, I provide assessments and treatments for people with an entire A to Z of issues, backed by an unusual range of education, training and experience.
Advanced level work from 2006. Post graduate Diploma completed 2008. Established full time from 2009.
Working with, for example:
* Adults
* Couples
* Psychosexual Issues for Couples & or Individuals
* Sex Offender Assessment & Treatment
* Family Therapy
* Children over 7 years of age and young people
* Addictions to Alcohol, Substances & Behaviours such as
Gadgets, Gaming, Gambling, Pornography, Sex & Shopping
* Especially knowledgeable in a positive approach to working with people living with disabilities.
* Worked professionally at national level in equality and diversity
* Approaches to the work with you enriched by my high commitment to extra learning through continual professional development, through reading, courses, conferences, workshops and webinars and other learning events.
Because I bring together approaches from a range of what are called modalities, I am an integrated practitioner, which I feel provides me with a bigger toolbox of ways of helping you in sessions and what I call practical 'Takeaway Techniques' which you can choose to use in your daily lives.
I am also an experienced clinical supervisor of other practitioners, since training to be a supervisor 2013-2014.
My first session
Your first session can be of any duration within reason, usually from 50 minutes upwards and often 90 minutes or even breakthrough sessions which are much longer, with comfort and refreshment and meal breaks.
All sessions are now online or by phone.
In couple and family work I would usually always also see each member of the couple or family on their own, as part of the work, so that everyone feels free to share all they need to, so adding value to the depth of the process.
Abuse, ADD / ADHD, AIDS/HIV, Anger management, Anxiety, Autism spectrum, Bereavement, Business coaching, Cancer, Career coaching, Child related issues, Chronic fatigue syndrome / ME, Coaching supervision, Cultural issues, Depression, Development coaching, Disability, Executive coaching, Health related issues, Identity issues, Infertility, Leadership coaching, Life coaching, Loss, Men's issues, Obsessions, OCD, Personal development, Phobias, Post-traumatic stress, Pregnancy related issues, Redundancy, Relationships, Self esteem, Service veterans, Sex-related issues, Sexual identity, Sexuality, Spirituality, Stress, Trauma, Women's issues, Work related issues
Brief therapy, CBT, Cognitive, Family therapy, Integrative, Neuro linguistic programming, Person centred, Solution focused brief therapy, Systemic
Adults, Children, Couples, EAP, Families, Groups, Older adults, Organisations, Young people
Online counselling, Telephone counselling, Time-limited
Trainer - WARWICK
Available for home visits
Experienced entertaining trainer in full time practice as an integrative / CBT psychotherapist / counsellor. Described by a professor at the University of Warwick as an "electrifying lecturer" & "right on message". Have lectured at universities in Oxford, Warwick, Coventry & Manchester. A trained actor and experienced festival compere I'm an ex-BBC reporter & presenter. I still appear on BBC programmes but now as an expert on mental health. I use theatre in education techniques to galvanise & retain interest in delegates, trainees & students. Winner of the European Commission Breaking Barriers Award Certificate for the UK, 2000. From 2007 to c2013 when it closed, due to government cuts, I was a member of the Warwickshire Psychological Welfare Group on call for post critical incidents and disaster work so I am especially expert in working with & can teach subjects such as trauma, PTSD and anxiety. I particularly offer training in:
* Anxiety * Depression & Suicidality
* Post Traumatic Stress
* Resilience & Stress Management
+ Dealing with Difficult People
* Disability Awareness * Assertiveness * Communicating in & Post a Disaster * Have lectured at 4 universities & a college, including guest lecturer at University of Oxford Department of Psychiatry, University of Warwick, Coventry University & what is now called Manchester Metropolitan University. * Former Member University of Warwick Medical School Advisory Board (2004-7) * Former Campaign Chair & Member Executive Board Coventry & Warwickshire Council of Disabled People (1998-2002) * Ex editor of the National Centre for Information & Advice on Educational Disadvantage which promoted anti-racism and equality on wide range of diversity issues
Abuse, Disability, Trauma
Supervisor - WARWICK
01926 408350 / 07432849739
Sessions can be weekdays and evenings and at weekends.
If you are supervisee and have an emergency you can call me at any time of day on any day of the year for an emergency session and I will do my best to be available, within reason.
A full time warm-hearted mature experienced therapist, I run workshops & I have been a guest lecturer at the University of Oxford Department of Psychiatry, Warwick Medical School and taught social workers and psychotherapy students about issues such methodology and diversity and GPs about diversity and issues such as depression and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (M.E.).
Trained and experienced in giving evidence for court cases.
A trained clinical supervisor, I have also worked in many welfare roles in a voluntary capacity where I have needed to supervise the support roles of others, including in a Women's Aid drop in centre and on helplines as well as elected university, college and trade union representative roles.
I'm an experienced manager, supervising staff as editor and PR officer of a national quango offering educational expertise and support and later managing director of a media agency. I currently manage staff and supervise their interactions with clients.
I have considerable experience in and I have undertaken training in safeguarding children and adults, including those living with learning difficulties and at risk, adults who live with impairments as disabled people and vulnerable adults such as those living with dementia.
Graduated in counselling in 2002 & worked at advanced level since 2006. I have helped to empower clients of all ages with a very wide range of issues, including personality disorders and many unusually complex cases with multiple needs involving multi disciplinary agency working. I first taught negotiating techniques decades ago following university level training in the subject and I am an experienced negotiator, mediator and advocate. I completed my training as a clinical supervisor in 2014.
I am a university approved clinical supervisor as well as available for qualified therapists.
Abuse, ADD / ADHD, Addictions, AIDS/HIV, Anger management, Anxiety, Autism spectrum, Bereavement, Business coaching, Cancer, Career coaching, Child related issues, Chronic fatigue syndrome / ME, Coaching supervision, Cultural issues, Depression, Development coaching, Disability, Eating disorders, Executive coaching, Health related issues, Identity issues, Infertility, Leadership coaching, Life coaching, Loss, Men's issues, Obsessions, OCD, Personal development, Phobias, Post-traumatic stress, Pregnancy related issues, Redundancy, Relationships, Self esteem, Self-harm, Service veterans, Sex-related issues, Sexual identity, Sexuality, Spirituality, Stress, Trauma, Women's issues, Work related issues
CBT, Cognitive, Family therapy, Integrative, Neuro linguistic programming, Person centred, Solution focused brief therapy, Systemic
Adults, Children, Couples, EAP, Families, Groups, Older adults, Organisations, Trainee, Young people
This page was printed from https://www.bacp.co.uk/profile/17ffd0a3-4090-e711-80e8-3863bb3640b8


text:
The Robert W Turnbull Collection
A collection of scrapbooks of concert criticisms written by Robert W Turnbull, music critic of the Glasgow Herald.
About Robert W Turnbull
Robert W. Turnbull was the music critic of the Glasgow Herald between 1899 and 1921. He was a musician who played piano, and organ. He played at many churches during his musical career, including Bluevale Church, and Caledonia Road United Free Church. He spent some time as a teacher of music before he turned to journalism.
His obituary in the Glasgow Herald states: "He had already attracted attention by the publication in a church magazine of articles which revealed not only a wide knowledge of music but an uncommonly fine literary craftsmanship […] His musical criticism, the delightfully racy articles he contributed to our columns, and his reviews of new music were notable for simplicity and lucidity of style and a lightness of touch that unmistakably revealed their authorship." (Glasgow Herald 19 November 1921, p6)
Review of Concert in the Cathedral, Glasgow Herald, 22 April 1901
The collection consists of ten scrapbooks of cuttings of concert criticisms written by Robert W Turnbull, music critic of the Glasgow Herald. They date from 1899-1921. These cuttings represent his articles and reviews and give a good insight into musical life in Glasgow at this time. A general music collection with opera well represented both by scores and librettos.
Robert W Turnbull listing (PDF, 99KB)
Death of Mr Robert Turnbull, our music critic. Glasgow Herald, 19 November 1921, p. 6
Robert Turnbull, an appreciation. Glasgow Herald, 21 November 1921, p. 5


text:
BJP to identify refugees in Lok Sabha constituencies
Team IVK | December 17, 2019
The ruling party has asked all its Lok Sabha MPs to identify the refugees, most of them living in clusters or in slums, in their constituencies and reach out to them. While 303 seats would be covered by its lawmakers, for many of the remaining.
New Delhi: BJP will start a nearly fortnight long drive from Tuesday in several Parliamentary constituencies across the country to identify and approach refugees from neighbouring countries living there and help them get citizenship under the new Citizenship Amendment Act, 2019.
The ruling party has asked all its Lok Sabha MPs to identify the refugees, most of them living in clusters or in slums, in their constituencies and reach out to them. While 303 seats would be covered by its lawmakers, for many of the remaining seats party office-bearers, MLAs and other leaders will be pressed into service.
BJP national secretary Satya Kumar is coordinating this exercise which will also include educating people about the Citizenship Amendment Act and take on the opposition parties which are protesting against it.
"We found that there are several refugees living for years in different parts of the country. In East Delhi constituency represented by Gautam Gambhir, there are roughly 16000 refugees from the neighbouring country.
Similarly, in Koppal Lok Sabha seat in Karnataka, there are an estimated 24,000 refugees," Kumar told ET. Some of the refugees from Pakistan and Bangladesh are still living in camps.
The drive that will end on December 31 will be focussed on the Lok Sabha constituencies. BJP has also prepared a White Paper on Citizenship Amendment Act, 2019- with a special stress on West Bengal and Assam and the stand taken by various political parties over the years- on the sensitive issue of citizenship to those who came to India from neighbouring countries, especially Pakistan and Bangladesh.
The white paper will be distributed widely and is being translated into regional languages to help convey the message more effectively.
It has a chapter on the Jawaharlal Nehru-Liaquat Ali pact signed in 1950 and how Pakistan flouted this deal by not protecting the rights of minorities living there. Meanwhile, the protests in Jamia Millia Islamia University, Aligarh Muslim University and Nadwa University, Lucknow turning violent has given a handle to BJP to polarise the issue and also play down the atrocities.
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TMC Tight-lipped on Prospect of Mamata Sharing Dais with PM Modi at Kolkata Function Amid CAA Protests
Prime Minister Modi will be on a two-day visit to Kolkata from January 11 and is scheduled to attend 150th anniversary function of Kolkata Port Trust (KOPT) on January 12, among many other scheduled programmes.
Stung by Jharkhand Debacle, Why BJP Needs to Alter Its Strategy in Neighbouring Bihar Ahead of 2020 Polls
The bickering between BJP and AJSU Party, mostly revolving around the question of which ally would field candidates and from where, was like oxygen to the otherwise 'asphyxiated' JMM-Congress-RJD combine.
Pankaja Munde removes mention of BJP from Twitter bio: Ex-Maharashtra MLA among several party leaders to have voiced dissent
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Kurukshetra to Have a Bharat Mata Temple, Says Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar


text:
Cybersquatting among the ruins
Before the second tower collapsed, the domain name land grab was already underway: From wtccollapse.com to nukeafghanistan.net.
By Bryan Geon
Published October 1, 2001 7:30PM (EDT)
On Tuesday morning, Sept. 11, while the twin towers of the World Trade Center crumbled and hijacked jetliners hurtled into the Pentagon and rural Pennsylvania, Americans were stricken by shock, anger, grief and grim fascination. Glued to televisions, radios and Internet news sites, many of us were uncertain of what was happening or how we should react. But scores of people around the world reacted decisively to the terrorist attacks, in a peculiar and eerily detached way: They registered Internet domain names commemorating the disaster.
Within moments after the first hijacked plane careered into the World Trade Center's south tower at 8:45 a.m., even as New York firefighters rushed up the stairwells, quick-thinking Net-savvy citizens pointed their browsers to the Web sites of Internet domain name registrars. Jim Burke, of Southington, Conn., was one of the first to react in this way. While learning new Unix commands online, he heard a report that a plane had crashed into the World Trade Center. Without knowing whether the report was true, and almost as a reflex action, he decided to register an appropriate domain name.
"I knew that if I was going to do anything, I was going to have to act fast," Burke says. He wasn't quite fast enough to register his first choice, worldtradecentercrash.com, which had already been taken moments earlier. Instead, he registered the domain name wtccrash.com. The second hijacked plane had not yet struck the south tower.
Over the course of the morning, as new developments were reported, registrants snapped up hundreds of new names, all variations on the same grim themes. The names wtccrash.net and wtccrash.org went quickly, followed by wordier versions like wtcplanecrash.com and tradecentercrash.com. After United Airlines Flight 175 crashed into the south tower at 9:03 a.m., plural replaced singular and worldtradecentercrashes.com and wtccrashes.com (nabbed by a registrant in Switzerland) were claimed. When the Pentagon was hit at 9:43 a.m., domain registrars faced a rush on names like pentagonattack.com, pentagondisaster.com and pentagoncrash.com. And then, back in New York, the towers began to fall.
A Canadian registered wtctowercollapse.com, presumably in the 23 minutes between the collapse of the south and north towers of the World Trade Center. Once both towers fell, a flurry of domain name registration burst across the Internet, mimicking, in its own way, the blizzard of dust and smoke surging through lower Manhattan. Registrants pounced on the names tradetowerscollapse.com, twintowerscollapse.com, wtccollapse.com, wtccollapse.net (registered in Korea), wtccrumbles.com and dozens of variants specifically describing the horrific events of the day, along with more broadly descriptive names like wtcsaga.com (registered in Hungary), wtcstory.com, nycdisaster.com and wtctragedy.com.
Once the airlines confirmed the flight numbers of the hijacked planes in the late morning, a slew of names immortalizing the doomed flights came into being.
Preexisting actual sites such as terrorism.com, the home page of the Terrorism Research Center, and afghanradio.com took on new relevance, while taleban.com, registered to the Taleban Mission to the United Nations, was quickly hacked.
Later in the day, the Bush administration named Osama bin Laden as a prime suspect in the attacks. Suddenly, this terrorist leader displaced Pamela Anderson as a popular Internet search term, and a new cluster of domain name registrants tried to seize the remaining unregistered cognates of the name. (Unlike the actual person, the now highly desirable osamabinladen.com was nabbed in 2000, as was the alternate spelling usamabinladen.com, registered to a possibly fictitious Usama bin Cocksucker in Helltown, Penn.) But the final, largest wave of disaster-related domain registrations began when registrants ceased to describe and began to opine.
Although there are many ways to describe the events of Sept. 11 in domain name shorthand, there are exponentially more ways to express opinions about what should be done in response to those events. Hundreds of topically expressive domain names were registered that Tuesday, ranging from the steely resolve of getosama.com to the more directly bloodthirsty killbinladen.com to the culturally sensitive nukeafghanistan.net and nukeafghanistan.com. (The latter name is registered to a well-known porn site, which also registered dozens of names in the same vein such as nukekabal.com [sic], avengewtc.com and us-afghanwar.com.)
What can one make of this scramble for domain name turf following one of the greatest disasters in United States history? One conclusion is that the Web has allowed us to react to disaster in a way that is brand new and highly individualized (although still fundamentally public). No analog to domain name registration was available to those who experienced calamities in the past. Today, anyone can go online and instantly claim as his or her own a piece of Internet real estate accessible, at least in theory, to hundreds of millions of people worldwide. And hundreds if not thousands of people took this route in response to the attacks -- for reasons good, bad and ugly.
Another clear lesson is that if terrorists intend to cripple the spirit of American capitalism, they'll have to try harder. Many of the domain names registered on Sept. 11, especially those registered early in the day, are now implicitly or explicitly for sale. It is fair to say that most of us did not have personal profit on our minds in the minutes and hours after the attack began, but at least some of the domain name registrants did, and they undeniably demonstrated initiative and entrepreneurial drive. Had New York been the target of nuclear or biological terrorism, one can be reasonably confident that nycnuke.com or nycanthrax.com would have been registered within minutes. (Amazingly, no one has yet registered those names on speculation.)
Many of the domain names registered that Tuesday were at least nominally intended as memorial sites, and allowed their registrants to grieve, provide information or encourage contributions online. The reason for registering certain other names is less clear, probably even to their registrants. It is likely that some people registered names to be able to participate in the event that was garnering so much attention, to retain a souvenir -- a virtual snow globe or collectible plate -- commemorating the disaster, or perhaps simply to provide reassurance that some certainty and normalcy remained in the world. Even during a time of unprecedented domestic turmoil, we can remain, in a weirdly literal, Internet-age sense, masters of our own domains.
And finally, domain name registration may represent a new gauge of public opinion in a fractious democracy. The variety and sheer number of domain names that sprang into being on Sept. 11 reflect, however imperfectly, the depth of feeling and range of opinion in this country about the events of that day. It is telling that, as of this writing, sparebinladen.com and spareafghanistan.com remain available for registration.
Bryan Geon
Bryan Geon is a writer.
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