The Garda Commissioner has been speaking out ahead of the launch of a new Garda code of ethics this morning.
A former High Court judge was tasked with reviewing the situation after two protected disclosures were made to Frances Fitzgerald by gardaí in October.
Daly also said the judge reviewing allegations about an orchestrated smear campaign has not made contact with the whistleblowers involved.
The report focussed on Shatter's handling of complaints made by Garda whistleblower Sergeant Maurice McCabe.
Mick Wallace and Clare Daly were frustrated by the Commissioner's last of clarity in some of her answers.
Explainer: What exactly does Ireland do to protect whistleblowers?
Those who choose to do the right thing can become victimised and ostracised, as we have seen in An Garda Síochána.
The inquiry will look into allegations of "wrongdoing" concerning recent disclosures.
'Something is rotten in the state of Denmark': What is happening with the gardaí now?
Another controversy raises its head as embattled Commissioner looks on.
Wallace said namaleaks.com is "the first of its kind in Ireland, both in terms of security and anonymity".
Last week, Martin Kenny put forward a number of claims in the Dáil over alleged Garda malpractice in the Sligo-Leitrim district.
John McGuinness claims that meeting was about Maurice McCabe.
The stories of gardaí Nicky Keogh and Keith Harrison are starting to get a lot more attention.
Garda Nóirín O'Sullivan and Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald had a difficult night.
The government says the Attorney General is examining its contents first.
EPCR have announced the referees for the European semi-finals weekend.
The drone programme has been referred to as a "global assassination campaign" that has murdered over 4,000 people, writes Julien Mercille.
Tournament rookie Angus Gardiner will hold the whistle for Ireland's home meeting against Italy.
Independent robot that don't need no man.
A new report claims points are still being unfairly cancelled.
The terms of reference for the investigation have been published.
The new Bill gives greater powers to GSOC.
The Public Accounts Committee has published its report into the penalty points system today.
GSOC has opened an investigation into the claims.
Plus: At what age do people begin to feel most confident about their looks?
The Protected Disclosures Act 2014 covers all employees, including gardaí and members of the Defence Forces.
The Transport Minister has been talking about the upcoming reshuffle, the Rugby World Cup and why he prefers Frances Fitzgerald to Alan Shatter.
Robert Olson is highlighting wider problems in the force, saying this morning that "culture is something you don't change with a couple of policies and it's fixed next week".
A guidance note was issued to all deputies and senators last night in the wake of recent controversies surrounding whistleblowers.
What makes someone eligible for a medical card?
Tony O'Brien, Director General of the HSE, will give the lowdown to the PAC this morning.
Simon O'Brien said that the organisation's remit should be "fundamentally reset" so it can "actively seek resolutions to issues and provide feedback to gardaí to bring about change".
How does a lack of oversight within an Garda Síochána affect Travellers?
Today the Justice Committee will examine how various groups are impacted by transparency issues within the force.
The Taoiseach said that he was sorry that matters raised by McCabe weren't dealt with sooner, words echoed by Frances Fitzgerald a short time later.
The Guerin Report found that Gardaí had taken "all appropriate steps" to deal with the case.
Explainer: What is the Guerin report and why was it needed?
It's already brought down a Minister for Justice before it was even published, but what is the Guerin Report about?
Frances Fitzgerald also says she will "take lessons" from the criticisms of her predecessor Alan Shatter.
The report recommends: The entire bail process, nine Garda investigations and the whole management of whistleblower complaints should be thoroughly probed in upcoming inquiry.
The Taoiseach made the announcement to the Dáil this afternoon.


Graduated from Sir J J College of Architecture, Mumbai, Sanjay Mohe is one of the founders of Bangalore based firm Mindspace. He has held many positions of repute prior to that. He has had a working association with Chandravarkar and Thacker Associates from 1983 of which he was one of the directors, until the inception of Mindspace in 2004.
Sanjay Mohe has unwaveringly devoted his time in creating projects that are an amalgam of the latest global practices, technological advances and local influences. His work epitomizes the spirit seeking "spaces without boundaries and ideas without limits" his leitmotif being creation of spaces which is in harmony with nature and sympathetic to eco system.
His work spans a spectrum of projects – Institutions, Research labs, Residential development, Residences, Beach resorts, Libraries, hospice and corporate offices. Mohe also gives lectures in Schools of Architecture across the country and in various architectural events.
Mohe has a lot of awards to his credit. Some of them include The Golden Architect Award by A+D & Spectrum Foundation Architecture Award (2009), India; J K Cements Architect of the Year Award - 1991 / 1999 / 2001 / 2004 / 2007 / 2008; The Award of the Journal of the Indian Institute of Architects - 2002; ar+d International Annual Award of Architectural Review (1999), London and d'line, for JRD Digital Library Bangalore; Gold Medal from ARCASIA (the Asian Forum for Institutes of Architecture-1998).


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Ашевская волость — административно-территориальная единица в составе Новоржевского уезда Псковской губернии, в том числе в РСФСР в 1924 — 1927 годах. Центром было село Ашево.

В рамках укрупнения дореволюционных волостей губернии, новая Ашевская волость была образована в соответствии с декретом ВЦИК от 10 апреля 1924 года из упразднённых Горской, части Барановской (дд. Порадино, Тупово), Гривинской, Захонской, Новинской (без Полистоаских болот), части Туровской (дд. Бояроао, Симаново, Стихириха) волостей и разделена на сельсоветы Ашевский, Горский, Лобановский, Марынский, Плесский, Цвенский, Чихачёвский, Юхновский. В июне 1925 года образован Соколовский, в начале 1927 года — Завещевский, Маютинский, Удовский, Шиловский сельсоветы.

В рамках ликвидации прежней системы административно-территориального деления РСФСР (волостей, уездов и губерний), Ашевская волость была упразднена в соответствии с Постановлением Президиума ВЦИК от 1 августа 1927 года, а Ашевский, Горский, Завещевский, Шиловский сельсоветы включены в состав Бежаницкого района Псковского округа Ленинградской области; Марынский, Маютинский, Плесский, Соколовский, Удоаский, Цвенский, Чихачёвский сельсоветы — а состав Чихачёвского района того же округа и области; Лобановский, Юхновский сельсоветы — а состав Новоржевского района того же округа и области.

Примечания

Волости Псковской губернии

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


The second session of the workshop was a master class by Kathryn Harrison. As a young photographer who has recently received her MFA from Yale, and whose work has been featured in publications like the New York Times, Aperture, and Format, she was able to provide a range of advice from how to be a working photographer to how to balance work and personal life. Harrison walked the students through her own photographs, showing them projects from her undergraduate degree as well as her most recent work about her family. Even when Harrison is not making work directly about her mom and her brother, all of her work is deeply rooted in the notion of family. For the remainder of the workshop, Harrison led students through portfolio reviews. She looked at each student's body of work, giving them feedback and helpful advice. She told the students that "it is important to photograph the way the world looks now. In twenty years, it will look completely different." Harrison's openness about her own work and her words of encouragement inspired students to continue making work and be confident in the direction their projects are going in.
This workshop was made possible with generous contributions from the Anne Levy Charitable Trust and The Reba Judith Sandler Foundation. Additional support was provided by the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.


I am a real estate agent from Propleague Plus Realty, in charge of projects and real estates in Mont Kiara, Subang, Bandar Sunway and Shah Alam.
My mission is to find the best valued property for buyers and tenants, while maintaining the best interest of owners.
Robin Chong, at your service!


Craft Published in Cloth Paper Scissors!
My Deux Pois Bakery confections were a contest finalist for a reader challenge hosted by Cloth Paper Scissors magazine. The challenge was called "All Buttoned Up" and needed to showcase the obvious, buttons!
It was a great surprise to receive my copy of the magazine in the mail before it even hit the news stand! I didn't know they were going to gift me a free copy. And I got a double feature...the contents page and the feature article. How sweet is that?
I'm happy to report that from the range 0 being perfect color acuity to 99 being pretty low...I got a whopping 7! Apparently, I have a minor deficiency in the aqua range...which if funny, because aqua is my favorite color. I love what I don't know, apparently.
Take the test and feel those rods vibrate!


A simple and beautiful way to show you care.
A white hypoestes is joined by green dieffenbachia, spathipyhllum, ficus and Boston fern that will be delivered in a beautiful plastic container.
Flower arrangement will be delivered to Matthews Funeral Home.
Fill in your credit card information on our secure site. We process all payments through Stripe. We do not store any credit card information on our servers. Your information is private and securely processed. We have an SSL certificate, look for the lock symbol in your browser.


text:
module TaxonDescribers
  class Conabio < Base
    def self.describer_name
      'CONABIO'
    end

    def self.describe(taxon)
      page = conabio_service.search(taxon.name)
      page.blank? ? nil : page
    end

    private
    def conabio_service
      @conabio_service = ConabioService.new
    end
  end
end

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Fall is the perfect time for cozy mysteries. And who is not the king of mysteries but Sherlock Holmes? This Labor Day weekend I wrapped up A Conspiracy in Belgravia by Sherry Thomas.
Second in a series the book follows Charlotte Holmes, AKA London's most famous private inspector. Gifted with the talent of observation and deduction, in a sexist society Charlotte is forced to offer her services underground by meeting clients and going into the field for her "bedridden" brother. In her work she is assisted by her assistant Mrs. Watson and Penelope, Watson's niece.
It is not until Lady Ingram shows up in the detective's parlor, seeking help to find her lost love that Charlotte finds herself between a rock and a hard place. Lady Ingram is clearly a woman in distress, but she is also estranged wife to Lord Ingram, Charlotte's benefactor and friend. Then the bodies start to appear.
Part mystery, part historical fiction, A Conspiracy in Belgravia was a departure from the usual Holmes literature. Notable was the theme of gender inequality in the period, and the massive divide that often separated the sexes. Strong female characters made up the backbone of the story, women who were unafraid to fly in the face of conventionality. Also included were women of all sizes. Charlotte was a woman who unashamedly enjoyed food and drink, a refreshing concept to come across in my reading when we are so often barraged with the ideal of thin athletic women in the media.
The writing was lyrical and rhythmic, the sentences flowed with a variety that keeps the plot line flowing. I made a game out of guessing at the details of the case, pulling at the loose threads the author leaves in the fabric of the story, but true to the spirit of a Sherlock mystery I was not able to puzzle out the ending until the last pages. There are some cliffhangers to the novel, and some details that might have made more sense had I read the first book in the series, but for most part the book can be enjoyed as a standalone.
The characters are well developed, and while reading the story I couldn't help but become invested in some of the relationships. I look forward to reading future books in the series, and the story line holds a lot of promise in the terms of growth. Overall I gave the book 4/5 stars, and I believe it is a book that a reader can relate to at any age. Charlotte is unapologetic of her unique personality and intellect, an inspiration to anyone who has found themselves marching to the beat of a different drum (namely all of humanity).
Any cozy fall reads you are enjoying? Now that Labor Day has come and passed I am starting to really get into the swing of the season! Nothing says Autumn more than a warm cup of tea and a book in hand.


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Organisation in Consultative Status with the UN Economic and Social Council since 2015
Return Week
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Palestinian Refugees in/from Syria Suffer War-Related Trauma
Category : Refugees News / Palestinians of Syria
Published Date: 12 Oct 2020
Residents of Syria's besieged Yarmouk Palestinian refugee camp collecting aid, Feb. 13, 2015. Without passports, the refugees have no place to go. (Rami Al-Sayed / AFP / Getty Images)
The ten-year warfare rocking the Syrian territories has forced Palestinian refugees, most notably children and the elderly, to endure terrible experiences and witness nightmarish scenes that far exceed one's capacity to get to grips with them.
With scenes of destruction, bloodshed, displacement, and death occurring around the clock, Palestinian refugees have gone traumatized and are now in need of psychological support.
Post-traumatic stress disorders, mental psychosis, sleeplessness and nightmares, eating disorders, and intense fear have all been among the symptoms with which Palestinian refugees, particularly children, have been diagnosed after they lost their homes, have had their parents/relatives killed in the war, underwent limb amputation, and witnessed daily scenes of death, dispossession, and destruction.
Almost ten years into the conflict, Palestine refugees continue to be one of the most vulnerable groups in Syria with immense humanitarian needs.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) said in its 2020 Syria regional crisis emergency appeal that 126,000 Palestine refugees in Syria (PRS) are identified as extremely vulnerable; 89% live in poverty; 91% live in extreme poverty; and 80% rely on UNRWA cash assistance as their main source of income.
UNRWA also said that 55% of PRS do not possess valid legal residency documents; 100% of PRS are in need of winterization assistance; and 86% of PRS households are reported to be in debt.
The majority of Palestinians sheltered in displacement camps set up across the Syrian territories have remained at bay from political calculations and frequently refused attempts by all warring parties to drag them into the raging warfare, saying their priority is to secure safe shelters for their children and families pending a just and lasting solution to their refugee plight and return to their motherland—Palestine.
Short Link : http://bit.ly/2SUV01m
Palestinian Refugee Student Snatches 1st Rank at Austrian University
Palestinian Refugee Receives Patent for Anti-Coronavirus Robot
Israel Court Slams Government for Delay in Demolishing Palestinian Village
Israeli Settlers Set Palestinian Olive Trees on Fire South of Nablus
Palestinian Family Goes Homeless as Israeli Forces Demolish Jerusalem House
Condition of Palestinian Families in Iraq Gets Worse due to Suspension of Rental Allowance
Palestine Refugee Students Join Forces to Raise Awareness about COVID-19
Palestinian Refugee Missing on Way to Bulgaria
Stranded Palestinian Refugee Woman Allowed to Enter Turkey
As New Year Rolls Up, Palestinian Refugees Severely Affected by Syria Warfare
The Palestinian Return Centre is an independent consultancy focusing on the historical, political and legal aspects of the Palestinian Refugees. The organization offers expert advice to various actors and agencies on the question of Palestinian Refugees within the context of the Nakba - The catastrophe following the forced displacement of Palestinians in 1948 - and serves as an information repository on other related aspects of the Palestine question and the Arab-Israeli conflict. It specializes in the research, analysis, and monitoring of issues pertaining to the dispersed Palestinians and their internationally recognized legal right to return.
Nakba 1948
Copyright © 2021 The Palestinian Return Centre.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared, The
Jonas Jonasson
The international publishing sensation--over two million copies sold A reluctant centenarian much like Forrest Gump (if Gump were an explosives expert with a fondness for vodka) decides it's not too late to start over... After a long and eventful life, Allan Karlsson ends up in a nursing home, believing it to be his last stop. The only problem is that he's still in good health, and in one day, he turns 100. A big celebration is in the works, but Allan really isn't interested (and he'd like a bit more control over his vodka consumption). So he decides to escape. He climbs out the window in his slippers and embarks on a hilarious and entirely unexpected journey, involving, among other surprises, a suitcase stuffed with cash, some unpleasant criminals, a friendly hot-dog stand operator, and an elephant (not to mention a death by elephant). It would be the adventure of a lifetime for anyone else, but Allan has a larger-than-life backstory: Not only has he witnessed some of the most important events of the twentieth century, but he has actually played a key role in them. Starting out in munitions as a boy, he somehow finds himself involved in many of the key explosions of the twentieth century and travels the world, sharing meals and more with everyone from Stalin, Churchill, and Truman to Mao, Franco, and de Gaulle. Quirky and utterly unique, The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared has charmed readers across the world. Jonas Jonasson is a former journalist and media consultant. He lives in Sweden. Praise for The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared: "[A] silly and wonderful novel. [The scenes] will just keep readers amused almost non-stop, and that's a feat few writers achieve. A great cure for the blues, especially for anyone who might feel bad about growing older."--Kirkus Reviews, Starred "[A] laugh-out-loud debut . . . Historical figures like Mao's third wife, Vice President Truman, and Stalin appear, to great comic effect. Other characters--most notably Albert Einstein's hapless half-brother--are cleverly spun into the raucous yarn, and all help drive this gentle lampoon of procedurals and thrillers."--Publishers Weekly, Starred "Eccentric, unusual and far-fetched in the best possible way."--The Bookseller "Scandi-crime's signature darkness is here dispelled by Allan Karlsson, the eponymous centenarian, who with unlikely sprightliness hops out of the window of his old people's home one afternoon . . . Fast-moving and relentlessly sunny . . . Like Allan, the plot is pleasingly nimble and the book's endearing charm offers a happy alternative to the more familiar Nordic noir."--The Guardian "Imaginative, laugh-out-loud . . . a brilliant satire on the foibles of mankind."--The Telegraph "A mordantly funny and loopily freewheeling debut novel about ageing disgracefully."--The Sunday Times "[A] witty caper. ***1/2"--People "The anti–Girl With the Dragon Tattoo . . . Jonasson's lighthearted novel shows the softer side of Sweden. . . . hilarious."--Marie Claire "This quirky novel is a sly, satirical look back at international relations in the 20th century through the eyes of an old man who has seen it all."--Library Journal
@naeem9211
Real feel good book
@avarisclari
This was a wonderful tale, spanning from the Russian revolution to nearly today. I highly recommend reading this.
@partymarty
Absolutely one of the funniest books I have ever read, chock-full of dry, sarcastic, morbid humor. Easily one of my favorite books of all time, an enthusiastic 5-star.
@nfette65562y 11mo
@nfette6556 completed #0000000100yearol... on 2019-01-11
@dante225y 7mo
@dante22 completed #mrd100salhaykhaz... on 2016-05-27
@dante22 began #mrd100salhaykhaz... on 2016-05-16


Some moments matter more than others. Consider the protagonist in your summer novel. Create a list of the top ten moments that mattered to this particular character. These moments will reflect the character's development through the novel.
Moments that mattered to _____ in the novel _____ by _____.


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Female Focus Friday: Lady Antebellum's Hillary Scott Talks Country Music
By Nicole Piering
When it comes to women in country music, there are few that personify grace and class like Lady Antebellum's Hillary Scott. She puts the Lady in the Antebellum and charms fans with her voice and songwriting prowess. In addition to her talent, she's one of my favorite people to follow on Twitter because of the photos she shares of her oh-so-adorable daughter, Eisele.
While she's known for being the front-woman of Lady A, Linda Davis' daughter, Kelsea Ballerini's mentor and an awesome mom, Hillary is also a well-spoken light in a sometimes smoke-and-mirror laden music industry.
The Argus Leader recently spoke to Hillary and we LOVED what she had to say.
On the topic of what is "real country music":
I think everybody should have a right to their own opinion, and that's ok. It's almost like there's just this inability to have this debate and have a difference of opinion. I think everything is always evolving. As a culture and a nation, and on the global scale, things are always going to be changing. That doesn't mean that you don't respect and give value to the history of what brought you to that point. It almost saddens me that there are a lot of people who are innovative and creative but feel like they're not getting support because they're so different. One of the things we love about living in this country and being a creative person is that you don't have any limits. You can always explore and find and chase your bliss in what you creatively want to say. We just need to cultivate the arts. It's a part of our brain that needs to be tapped into as much as possible. Obviously, I have my opinions of what I like and what I listen to, but I think that it all needs to be lived together. Let it all just be, and don't listen to it if you don't want to hear it. It's much simpler than they all make it out to be.
On "tomato-gate" and the Keith Hill controversy:
In my nine years in Lady Antebellum, and working on a music career since I was sixteen years old, there have only been a couple of times in my music community where you could really feel tension. That was one of them, because (while) people can say things in interviews that are misconstrued or misinterpreted, and I really try to give the benefit of the doubt, the more and more I looked into it I decided it's never a positive step when you tear anybody down. Male, female, group, duo. I think that there's a way in which to talk about the black and white truth of where things are without tearing people down, and I think more females do need to be played on the radio. Females are the majority of who listens to the radio, and there are a lot of songs sung by females which expresses exactly what all of the females at home or in their cars need to hear. I think more than anything it's about supporting country music across the board. It's about giving the audience a variety. So much of it is this type of song works so we're going to play multiple songs that are kind of similar, and then leave the other ones that might say something different are left by the wayside. I think it's really underestimating the audience in a lot of ways because I think everybody is looking to be inspired by a song that expresses something better than they ever could. That's what I love about music. What's therapeutic and beautiful about it is the ability to hear words that explain things better than you ever could.
Female Focused Friday, Hillary Scott, lady antebellum
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Nicole Piering
Blake Shelton Makes Sworn Statement in $2 Million Lawsuit Against "InTouch"
Back in October of 2015, Blake Shelton filed a $2 million lawsuit against InTouch Weekly over a cover story that alleged he was bound for
Tyler Farr cancels show after reported ER visit
Get well wishes going out to Tyler Farr who is apparently feeling a bit under the weather.
If You've Got an Extra $8 Million Lying Around, You Can Buy Reba's Farm
You can consider Reba McEntire gone from her Lebanon, Tennessee home. The queen of country has put her enormous home/ farm up for sale, and the
Include a Scion Car or Logo in Social Media Video and Win an Epic Adventure for Two
From July 24 through July 27 of each year, San Diego is packed from wall to wall and back with the freaks, geeks, and lovers
Miranda Lambert Closes Oklahoma Bed and Breakfast
Just weeks after closing down the Tishomingo, Oklahoma location of the Pink Pistol, Miranda Lambert's Ladysmith Bed and Breakfast has also closed its doors. The
Clayton Anderson's Releases New Single "In The Dark"
Looking for a tune to get you through the weekend? We've got the answer for you: Clayton Anderson's new single "In the Dark." The single
It's a ________ for Lady A's Charles Kelley! #BabyA
Lady Antebellum's Hillary Scott bus caught on fire on way to ACM
Lady Antebellum To Be Honored By Musicians On Call
See the 50th CMA Award Nominations
Gab's Countdown to Christmas: Lady Antebellum


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By River Nagel
Have you ever grieved over the loss of a loved one? We all have or will at one point or another in our lives. "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" opens with loss and grief, as the death and funeral for King T'Challa, aka Black Panther, proceeds in the opening act. This death mirrors the real life passing of acclaimed actor Chadwick Boseman, who died in 2020 from colon cancer before the draft for the "Black Panther" sequel was written. With Boseman's real life passing, the film "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" is shown as a tribute to Boseman, his life and his career.
"Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" has a PG-13 rating and a runtime of 2 hours and 41 minutes. Produced by Marvel Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, this is the 30th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and is the sequel to the 2018 film "Black Panther." It is also the final film of Phase Four of the MCU, also known as the beginning phase of the Multiverse Saga.
Ryan Coogler returns as director and writer for the "Black Panther" sequel. Having directed and co-written the original film with returning writer Joe Robert Cole. Kevin Feige returns as producer for this film with his co-producer, Nate Moore.
Returning to the screen from previous Marvel titles such as "Black Panther," "Avengers: Infinity War" and "Avengers: Endgame" is Letitia Wright as Princess Shuri, Lupita Nyong'o as Nakia, Danai Gurira as Okoye, Winston Duke as M'Baku and Angela Bassett as Queen Ramonda.
The "Black Panther" sequel also introduces us to new characters that make a big impact to not just this film, but the MCU as a whole. These include Tenoch Huerta Mejía as Namor, king of Talokan. Huerta is a famous Mexican actor who has made many appearances in films from both Latin America and Spain. He has also appeared in American projects such as "The Forever Purge" and "Narcos: Mexico." Actress Dominique Thorne makes her MCU debut as Riri Williams aka Ironheart. Thorne has appeared in such movies as "If Beale Street Could Talk" and "Judas and the Black Messiah." The actress is set to reprise her role as Riri Williams in the upcoming Disney+ show "Ironheart", which will premiere in late 2023.
At the end of the first "Black Panther" film, King T'Challa exposed the world to the secretly technologically advanced nation of Wakanda, thereby opening up Wakanda's borders to everyone. His plan was to help the world using Wakanda's vast resources. After the events of "Avengers: Infinity War" and "Avengers: Endgame," the world changed dramatically – and with change comes new threats.
The world's governments are now searching for vibranium, an advanced metal resource used widely in Wakanda. The nation now finds itself under threat of attack. They are perceived as weakened after the death of their king and protector. What the world and Wakanda do not know is that there is another source of vibranium, deep within the ocean in the ancient city of Talokan. This city of aquatic people is ruled by their king and god Namor. He comes to Wakanda with a proposition to join him against the surface world that intends to ransack both their cities for their resources. Will the people of Wakanda side with Namor against a world ready to rip them apart or will they refuse his offer and suffer Namor's wrath?
Many people believe that the superhero genre is oversaturated. Every couple of weeks there is a new comic book movie or show or video game. It is true that the superhero genre is more popular than ever, mostly because of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" might be another film in the long line of superhero movies, but do not let that hold you back from seeing it. This movie does employ many of the superhero genre plot points. The heroes, the villains, the world saving motives and, of course, the important battle of good versus evil. But what makes the "Black Panther" sequel unique is that it is a film about the emotional turmoil of loss and the idea of letting go.
The acting in this film is superb, especially from Wright, Basset and Huerta. The development of Wright's character Shuri from comic-relief-side-character to main player in this film is astonishing. Basset's role as a queen defending her country while simultaneously mourning the loss of her son is powerful and among other things Oscar-worthy. Huerta on the other hand had a lot to pull off in his role as Namor. Being new to the MCU, he had to cast a wide enough shadow to help himself stick out, not just from the other more well-known characters, but also to show his strength as an antagonist.
Being an antagonist in a Marvel film means you will be compared to all the other antagonists before you. Namor had to be on the same level as Loki, Thanos and especially Killmonger, the antagonist of the first "Black Panther" film. Huerta knocked it out of the park with his take on Namor: an antagonist that you can hate but also care for, giving him just the right amount of backstory to understand where he is coming from as a character. He is also given a motivation that you can fully understand. The motivation of saving his people makes the audience see him as not just a simple villain, but as a multidimensional character who believes he is in the right.
The cinematography was another positive experience of the movie. You as the audience are taken back to Wakanda. As in the first film, you see this fictional country as a technological marvel, but also brimming with different cultures, each represented in set design, costume design and character design. The feeling you get while in Wakanda is a mixture of something old and spiritual with something new and advanced.
We are also introduced to the world of Talokan. An ancient civilization that resides under the sea. Never seen or touched by the outside world. An ancient civilization filled with culture that inspired by multiple Mesoamerican cultures. You see only bits and pieces of this magical kingdom, but it is just enough to understand the people and bait you into wanting to see more. The underwater scenes are dream-like. The water almost becomes a character in itself. From the serene pools of undisturbed lakes within Wakanda to the violence of crashing ocean waves as the people of Talokan attack. The water can be seen as emotional as the film characters themselves. We cannot talk about "Wakanda Forever" without mentioning the first "Black Panther" film.
Going into this sequel, you cannot help but think about Chadwick Boseman and his great performance as T'Challa in the first film. That, and the storyline and impressive villain Killmonger, played by Michael B. Jordan. "Black Panther" was a great film overall and for the sequel to try to live up to that legacy is a hard burden to carry. In my opinion, the movie does a great job on its own. From the realistic characters to the great use of music and the intense action sequences. If you truly want to enjoy this film, experience it as its own thing and do not try to compare it with what the original "Black Panther" did. All and all, I give this movie 4½ dolphins out of 5.
Category O&E
Tagged Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Chadwick Boseman Movie Review River Nagel


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State gives flexibility to Maryland school systems in reopening plans — with 'guardrails'
Kelly Powers
Salisbury Daily Times
Superintendent of Maryland schools Karen Salmon said the state will allow flexibility to local school systems, in consultation with local health departments, to make decisions on reopening this fall.
With roughly nine jurisdictions already turning to totally virtual models, the Maryland Department of Education still awaits proposed plans from every school system. Salmon updated this status in a press conference alongside Gov. Larry Hogan early Wednesday evening.
"Within the framework of local control, the state will set a series of guardrails for school systems," she said.
All systems must follow CDC guidelines. All school systems must adhere to county health officials protocols in the event of a COVID-19 outbreak — such as notification of a positive case, amid other guidelines.
Schools must also meet a series of benchmarks, including incorporation of equity as component in local recovery plan, adopting and following health procedures, ensuring safe transportation and developing system for tracking attendance.
Last week the governor said Maryland jurisdictions were required to develop and share reopening plans with the Department of Education by an Aug. 14 deadline — and no amount of pressure from the federal level would rush the final decisions.
"We're not going to be bullied into going one direction or the other, and I mean that, one direction or the other," he said in a press conference on July 15. "I do think many people would love to see the kids get back to school. I certainly would. But I also don't want to send kids back to school if it will mean issues."
Salmon echoed his sentiments.
"We've always been working toward the goal of safely reopening," she said. "What happens in school buildings is an essential part of our children's development on so many levels: Academic, social emotional, and nutritional. These can never be fully replaced by a virtual environment. We want to get our students back to school as soon as possible for in-person instruction, and this should be the driving goal and the basis for all of our decisions."
But safety must remain the first priority.
The superintendent remains confident students may get back in the classroom within the 2020-21 school year.
The superintendent and the Maryland State Department of Education shared "Maryland Together" — the state's recovery plan for education — in May. Since that time, they have reportedly been meeting with county boards of education, local school superintendents, teachers, parents and other stakeholders to develop detailed recovery plans for all Maryland schools.
More:Somerset schools to begin fall virtually, move start date after Labor Day
UPDATE:Accomack County Public Schools adopts hybrid plan for fall 2020 instruction
Salmon said $100 million has been dedicated to equipping students with devices and connectivity, $100 million in tutoring programs, $10 million in enhancing broadband access and $20 million in CARES Act funding for rural broadband in Maryland.
According to Salmon, more than $255 million in funding has been committed to educational priorities.
"It's absolutely critical that instead of rushing — we get these decisions right," Hogan said Wednesday.
As recently as Tuesday night, the Somerset County Board of Education unanimously voted to begin the school year totally virtual amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Superintendent John Gaddis explained in a subsequent Facebook video that 60% of parents reported concern and would not be sending their children back to school, and 70% of teachers said they were concerned about returning to any in-person instruction. The system has said it will look to reassess come October.
"Together, we must support, protect, inspire and empower," Salmon said. "We are Maryland Strong, and we will continue moving forward together."
Maryland presses on through pandemic
It was 139 days ago that cases of the coronavirus were confirmed in Maryland, while 96 days ago the state saw its pandemic peak to-date.
And 68 days ago the Stay at Home order was lifted.
Wednesday morning came with over 80,000 cases in Maryland, and there were 1,746 total cases reported in Lower Shore counties. Hogan mentioned concern in metrics such as infection rates among those 35 and older, as well as a slight uptick in hospitalizations statewide — currently at 505 in Maryland, compared to a peak above 1,700. ICU rates remain stable and low, according to the governor.
Some experts have also cautioned on the possibility of outbreak in Ocean City — with at least 11 restaurants already closed — if visitors and the public do not remain vigilant in pandemic precautions.
"We're keeping a close eye on it," Hogan said of the beach town, having been in continued conversations with its mayor. "We are concerned about that."
Hogan and the National Governors Association also "implored" the U.S. Senate Wednesday to provide aid to states in the next COVID-19 relief bill.
More:Maryland dining: Latest COVID-19 restrictions on indoor, outdoor dining
More:NASA Wallops: Moon launch, private partnerships drive future after 75 years
He continued to emphasis the need for vigilance in a crisis that is not over. Hogan stressed that "troubling spikes" in infection have continued in other states throughout the country and within Maryland's region.
"We continue to strongly advise Marylanders to refrain from traveling to areas experiencing rapidly increasing positivity rates," he said. "Anyone who does travel to one of these areas should get tested and self-quarantine until testing negative."
The governor said testing results are experiencing delays due to the massive demand, but the state just surpassed 1 million tests completed as about 20,000 are reported each day. Hogan said the state is prepared to obtain additional testing equipment as his team looks toward flu season and additional outbreaks in the region.
Wicomico public schools extends virtual learning to Jan. 19 MISSION BBQ restaurant eyes spring 2021 for Salisbury opening Maryland State Police seeks help in locating missing Wicomico County man UPDATE: Missing Delmar mom, children located unharmed
Hogan said while this state remains in a good position in combating this virus and reopening the economy — it will take continued effort.
"Only you can keep Maryland open for business by wearing masks and continuing to follow public health guidelines," he said. "It's pretty simple: no shirt, no shoes, no mask, no service."
Hogan said patrons in bars and restaurants are required to be seated for service — with standing bar service not permissible. He said he "would not hesitate" to take statewide actions if and when his team deems necessary.
"I want to make very clear to the people of Maryland," the governor said, "This crisis is not over, and your actions may help determine whether we see a resurgence of the virus here in Maryland."


You've probably heard about Memory Maker, but may be wondering if it's worth it. A quick background, Memory Maker is a Disney PhotoPass product that allows you to pay for the entire "bundle" of photos taken by Disney PhotoPass photographers while at Walt Disney World. Memory Maker includes all of your Disney PhotoPass photos including character experiences, magic shots, and photos from select attraction and dining locations. You can find additional information about the nuts & bolts of what Memory Maker is, how much it costs, and how to use it in the Mouse for Less Guide to Disney's Memory Maker.
As most decisions about what you purchase or add-on during your Disney vacation are personal, I'd like to share the top 5 reasons I think Memory Maker is worth it.
5. You can lose your camera. Do you know that cameras are among the top lost/found items at Walt Disney World? You've painstakingly documented every one of your family's magical memories on your digital camera, but now you can't find it! Disney does have a solid system in place for recovering lost items and returning them to guests at Lost & Found, but some won't get their camera back. I know that I treasure the visual mementos that photos serve as and would be devastated if I lost all of the pictures I took on my vacation. I also fall prey to Murphy's Law – I truly believe that if I don't purchase Memory Maker, I will lose my camera. If I do purchase it, I won't lose it. Yes, that crazy theory is worth the money to me!
3. The attraction shots. Have you ever tried taking a selfie, or a family selfie while whipping around on Test Track? All the while worrying your camera or phone will go flying as you do? I wasn't one to purchase the individual pictures from attractions previously, but I now love that they're included on Memory Maker! I now have the photo to document when each daughter was old enough to ride a new attraction for the first time when they meet the height requirement, or an action shot of my family on Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. Those are invaluable photos to have. Then of course there are the videos now included from select attractions! I think these are a wonderful addition and I look forward to looking back at them years from now.
2. You'll be more likely to print them. Do you find that now that we've moved to a digital era from film, you have 500 times more photos, but don't have any "prints?" I have fallen into this conundrum, and end up with hardly any hard copies, prints, of the pictures I take. But I do try to print a photo book, or print the pictures to fill an album, so that we can remember each Disney vacation. I like to make one for each of my daughters. If no other picture is printed in our house, we like to get our vacation photos as those are some of our favorite memories. With the online options to edit and/or print your Memory Maker photos, you'll find they're too cute not to print! You can add text, borders, effects that will have you losing hours editing your photos! As I mentioned before, these are professional quality photos and you'll find they're highly frame-able! I also wonder what the statistic is for the number of people who use a PhotoPass shot for their Christmas cards?
1. Capturing those special moments. Yes, as parents we tend to have that camera or phone ready at all times, but the PhotoPass photographers are trained to know when a special moment is about to be made- they often take that picture of your child seeing a character for the first time, or the character doing something special for your child – not just the facing front, everyone smile pose. They capture the magic that happens! They are so intuitive that they know when a special character hug is coming or a proposal may occur. They are also strategically located throughout the parks so that the backgrounds of your pictures are some of the most breathtaking you can find. Disney PhotoPass photographers also take what are called Magic Shots. They'll have you or members of your family pose so that you may or may not have any idea why you're doing what you're doing, but they magically include some pixie dust and when you later view your photos, you'll see that they have added a special touch. Of course, it doesn't hurt to mention you have Memory Maker so that they will be inclined to take these shots. They just know when to "capture" the moment! I also find that as the one in our family who takes most of the pictures, I'm often not in any. Knowing we have Memory Maker, makes me stop whenever I see a PhotoPass photographer so that I am in our family photos too!
Pluto pretending to take a selfie with the restaurant pager at Chef Mickey's!
While I speak a lot about Disney's PhotoPass photographers, you may wonder why I'm talking about PhotoPass so much in a post about Memory Maker. To summarize, Memory Maker is the "product" you purchase to include everything I mentioned above – a Disney PhotoPass product. So use those photographers! They are more than happy to spend time taking pictures of your family in any and every possible combination you can think up! In order to get the best value for Memory Maker, have as many pictures taken as your schedule will allow!


Hello lovers of the craft! White Owl Social Club is proud and excited to once again host the release party for the yearly BRRRBON '14! The celebrated winter release is back, and in very very small quantities this year, due to Widmer's high velocity "30 for 30" campaign. No bottles have been produced, so if you want it, come get it at one of Portland's most cozy environments, and settle in next to the patio fire raging at full blast!
For those who don't know, BRRR is Widmer's annual Winter ale, and every year they take a small batch and age it in bourbon barrels for extra tasting pleasure. Most years, however, Widmer blends the raw aged batch with a little of the regular BRRR to cool it down a notch. But not this year! According to Widmer, for the 2014 BRRRBON, "100% of this beer was aged in barrels, it was not blended with non-barrel aged beer like our previous vintages." That's right folks, what you get is the raw product, 100% pure flavor country clocking in at a red hot 13% ABV after sitting in bourbon barrels for a cool 16 months!
Need I say more? Well, I will. Widmer brewers will also be on hand to drink the good stuff and talk the good word. Other Widmer flavors will also be tapped, such as the Hop Jack (2001 re-issue, from the 30 f0r 30 campaign), Big Ben Porter (1996 re-issue, from the 30 f0r 30 campaign), and of course the impressively competitive Upheaval IPA.
So come on down this Friday and get it done in 2014, possibly your only chance to taste the raw BRRRBON alongside some tasty White Owl menu treats and a hot patio fire.


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Home / Support Services / Confidential Advocates
Sexual Assault Resource Agency (SARA) - local crisis counselors are available 24/7 at 434-977-7273
Shelter for Help in Emergency (SHE) - local crisis counselors are available 24/7 at 434-293-8509
Women's Center Counseling Services - available 8:30-5, M-F (except holidays) at 434-982-2252
Rape and Incest National Network (RAINN) Online Hotline - crisis counseling via chat is available 24/7 at hotline.rainn.org/online
National Sexual Assault Hotline - crisis counselors are available 24/7 at (800) 656-4673
Confidential Resources at the Women's Center
Our counselors keep their conversations with their clients confidential at the Women's Center just as mental health practitioners do as part of their professional practices in other settings. In terms of information shared with our counselors about experiences of sexual assault or harassment, all of the counselors at the Women's Center are designated as Confidential Employees by the University. When students come to the Center seeking support after experiencing sexual assault or harassment, these employees are not required to share information about the student or event with the University's Title IX office.
Beyond our counseling staff, a few other select members of the staff at the Women's Center are also designated by the University as Confidential Employees. They, too, are not required to report information about sexual assault or harassment that is shared with them when they are in the Women's Center. We refer to these members of our staff, who work with programs that frequently intersect with issues of gender-based violence, as Confidential Advocates.
Claire Kaplan, our Program Director for Gender Violence and Social Change, is a Credentialed Advocate with a Designation of Comprehensive Victim Intervention Specialist by the National Organization for Victim Assistance. She partners directly with survivors as they work to heal, seek justice, and continue their education or work at the University. As a victim advocate, Claire provides information and guidance in the aftermath of violence. She also accompanies survivors to Title IX hearings, meetings with criminal justice professionals (police, prosecutors), and trials. For more information on our confidential advocacy services, please email Claire at cnk2r@virginia.edu or call her at (434) 982-2774.
More information about Title IX is available from UVA's Office for Equal Opportunity and Civil Rights (EOCR). EOCR offers resources for both UVA students and UVA employees on their website.
Please note that other members of the staff at the Women's Center who are not counselors or Confidential Advocates are what the University refers to as Responsible Employees. They are required to share information with the University's Title IX office when they learn that a student has experienced sexual assault or harassment. This includes most members of our administration and the staff members who work with our interns, Big Brothers, and Big Sisters.
survivor support network
Poe's Office Hours
Stop by the Women's Center to spend some time with our therapy dog, Poe!
Clients Share Growth and Gratitude
Promoting Student Well-being
Tips for Making & Keeping Your New Year's Resolution
Winter Break Options for Services


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Q: Remove a directory permanently from git In my personal git repo, I have a directory that contains thousands of small images that are no longer needed. Is there a way to delete them from the entire git history? I have tried
git filter-branch --index-filter "git rm -rf --cached --ignore-unmatch imgs" HEAD

and
git filter-branch --tree-filter 'rm -fr imgs' HEAD

but the size of the git repo remains unchanged. Any ideas?
Thanks

A: The ProGit book has an interesting section on Removing Object.
It does end with this:

Your history no longer contains a reference to that file.
  However, your reflog and a new set of refs that Git added when you did the filter-branch under .git/refs/original still do, so you have to remove them and then repack the database. You need to get rid of anything that has a pointer to those old commits before you repack:

$ rm -Rf .git/refs/original
$ rm -Rf .git/logs/
$ git gc
$ git prune --expire

(git prune --expire is not mandatory but can remove the directory content from the loose objects)
Backup everything before doing those commands, just in case ;)

A: If you want to go the manual cleanup route, there are some more files that may also contain
a ref to the position of your original branch before the git-filter-branch.
For example, I filtered my "home" branch:
.git/info/refs:

179ad3e725816234a7182476825862e28752746d refs/original/refs/heads/home

.git/packed-refs:

179ad3e725816234a7182476825862e28752746d refs/original/refs/heads/home

After I removed those lines, gitk did not show the old commits any more.

A: As this is an old question, perhaps some of this wasn't possible back then. This also assumes you're using bash or cygwin.
Warning: The second and third lines will permanently delete all commits unreachable from your branches/tags.
After running filter-branch, do
for ref in $(git for-each-ref --format='%(refname)' refs/original); do git update-ref -d $ref; done
git reflog expire --expire=now --all
git gc --prune=now

git for-each-ref --format='%(refname)' gets the reference names, and git update-ref -d deletes the reference. It is generally better not to modify the .git folder directly, and in particular this command handles the case when the refs are in packed-refs.
The second and third lines are taken directly from How to clean up unused side-branches in your commit trees?.

A: Actually none of these techniques workedfor me.
I found the most reliable was was to simply pull locally into another repo:
git pull file://$(pwd)/myGitRepo

It also saves you the hassle of deletig old tags.
see the story on my blog:
http://stubbisms.wordpress.com/2009/07/10/git-script-to-show-largest-pack-objects-and-trim-your-waist-line/

A: git-filter-branch by default saves old refs in refs/original/* namespace.
You need to delete them, and then do git gc --prune=now

A: Brandon Thomson asked in a comment to Rainer Blome's solution if this just fixed the gitk view or if the refs will be really gone.  A good way to check this is to remember one of the sha1 hashes (or a unique prefix of it) of the old commits and try
$ git ls-tree hash-value

This should show you the content of the repos main folder as it was in this commit. After
$ rm -Rf .git/refs/original
$ rm -Rf .git/logs/

as shown by VonC and removing the refs/original/… lines from .git/info/refs and .git/packed-refs as shown by Rainer Blome, a final
$ git gc --prune=now

made not only the refs, but also the old objects (commits, trees, and blobs) go away.  The above shown git ls-tree hash-value proves this.
Another nice command to check this is git count-objects -v (run it before the filter-brach and after the pruning and compare the size).
Note: As I'm not allowed yet to comment on the other answers, I had to write a new one although it mainly combines previous given answers.

A: Answer for the year 2021
This surprisingly turns out to be hard task. Google turns up pages that are way back dated to 2009 and StackOverflow discussions almost a decade old. Lot of those things don't work any more!
Here's what works (also recommended way according to git docs):
First install git-filter-repo:
pip install git-filter-repo

Next, delete folders from git history. This will rewrite entire Git history except for the excluded folder!
git filter-repo --force --invert-paths --path to/folder1 --path to/folder

Next, add back the remotes:
git remote add origin https://...

Next, force push upstream:
git push --force --set-upstream origin master

So that's the bunch of commands but I haven't found a shorter better way.

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