text:
Nestinarstvo (;  - anastenária) é um ritual do fogo originariamente realizado em vários vilarejos nos montes Strandzha, próximos à zona costeira do Mar Negro, no extremo sudeste da Bulgária. Consiste numa forma de dança sobres brasas (жарава, zharava), realizada pelo nestinari (нестинари). A apresentação geralmente se processa na praça central dos vilarejos, perante toda a população, no dia dos santos Constantino e Helena ou dos santos padroeiros da vila. O ritual constitui um sincretismo único entre as crenças ortodoxas e velhas tradições pagãs da região do Strandzha.

Tradicionalmente, o direito de liderar o ritual era hereditário, de modo que o chefe nestinari seria apenas sucedido pelo seu filho ou filha, e unicamente quando estivesse muito velho ou doente para fazê-lo. A casa do chefe nestinari era considerada sagrada por abrigar o stolnina (столнина) - uma pequena capela onde jazem os ícones de diversos santos, bem como o tambor sagrado utilizado especificamente para o ritual, ao qual a tradição popular confere a particularidade de curar quem o toque caso esteja doente.

No dia do ritual, os aldeões se dirigem à stolnina liderados pelo nestinari e pelo sacerdote, onde se processa a incensação dos ícones sacros e dos outros nestinari, simbolizando a transferência de poder espiritual e inspiração divina. Os aldeões seguem, então, rumo a um regato carregando os ícones dos santos, e lá partilham e comem da oferenda previamente sacrificada. Após o pôr do sol, a multidão acende uma grande fogueira e dança o horo (uma forma tradicional de dança de roda) até que o fogo se extinga e a fogueira se transforme inteiramente em brasas. A dança sobre as brasas que se segue, considerada como o clímax da festividade, é acompanhada pelo toque do tambor sagrado e pelo som de gaita-de-foles. Popularmente, acredita-se que alguns dos dançantes atinjam um estado de transe mediúnico enquanto dançam, o que explicaria por que não queimam os pés nem sentem dor durante o ritual.

Cultura da Bulgária
Religião na Bulgária
Obras-primas do Patrimônio Oral e Imaterial da Humanidade

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
iver grove
Want to lease a Vanbrugh? Kings Weston House, Bristol for sale
July 12, 2011 July 18, 2011 Matthew Beckett - The Country Seat25 Comments
Kings Weston House, Somerset (Image: Knight Frank)
For some, the height of connoisseurship is to own a Picasso or a Rembrandt, and, in the same way, one can also aspire to live in a house designed by one of the great architects. Yet, although some were prolific, the best were often to be found working on the largest projects, limiting their capacity to turn their hands to other projects, making their surviving buildings rare. The damage and devastation which subsequent generations have wrought on our architectural heritage have also made these special houses all the rarer. So it is always of particular interest when the opportunity to own one of these houses arises; such as Kings Weston House, Somerset, designed by the wonderful Sir John Vanbrugh.
Vanbrugh (b.1664 – d.1726) was one of the most interesting architects this nation has ever produced. Yet to think of Vanbrugh is inevitably to also think of Nicholas Hawksmoor (b.1661 – d.1736) who provided the technical support necessary to ensure that Vanbrugh's flights of architectural fancy were realisable as solid buildings worthy of his aristocratic patrons. However, this was not a partnership which diminished one through association with the other – both were brilliant architects who each gained from their collaboration. As John Summerson put it in Architecture in Britain (1530-1839): 'The truth can only be that both Hawksmoor and Vanbrugh were very exceptional men.'
Vanbrugh was an intensely private person – the few hundred surviving letters in his hand betray few family details or about his early adventures as a soldier, spy, hostage, East India Company trader, or playwright. His time in the Forces seems to have imbued his style with a tendency towards the militaristic, most clearly expressed in his work in landscapes where huge sham fortified 'defenses' march across parkland, defending nothing and fooling few. Yet this bombastic nature is part of the flamboyant and theatrical nature of the man, part of what gave him the flair to succeed architecturally in an age when statements in stone were as important as any made in print or Parliament.
Castle Howard, Yorkshire (Image: Country Life Picture Library)
In his grandest buildings, Vanbrugh appears to almost be designing monuments which happen to have living accommodation – but he was especially pleased that Castle Howard was as practical as it was impressive. Writing in 1713 to Edward Southall, his client at Kings Weston, he states:
"I am much pleased here (amongst other things) to find Lord Carlisle so thoroughly convinced of the Conveniencys of his new house, now he has had a years tryall of it."
Proud of how draught-free the house was, which helped retain heat, Vanburgh stated;
"He likewise finds, that all his Rooms, with moderate fires Are Ovens."
Kings Weston House, Somerset (Image: Country Life Picture Library)
Kings Weston (built between 1710-19) was to be Vanbrugh's fourth commission (after Castle Howard, Blenheim Palace and Kimbolton Castle) and was a house very much to Vanbrugh's style, creating a 'Noble and Masculine Shew'. The house, dramatically sited above the Bristol Channel, was built for Sir Edward Southall, a well-educated civil servant, well-versed in architecture who had spent considerable time travelling in Italy. Southall clearly had strong ideas as to the influences and design of his house; and Vanbrugh, with his long history of collaboration, was the ideal architect to work with this knowledgeable client. That said, this is clearly a Vanbrugh house – the imposing giant pilasters, the strong Classical detailing, the almost military look which is reinforced by the unusual arcaded design of the chimneys which emphasised a castle-like quality of a central bastion.
(By the way, it's interesting the close similarity between the entrance to Kings Weston and that of the smaller Iver Grove in Buckinghamshire (built 1722-24) by John James, who had worked with Sir Christopher Wren).
The house passed through several generations of Southalls including Edward's great-grandson who employed Robert Mylne in 1763 to add stables and the Shirehampton Lodge and also remodel the principal rooms. Edward's son, also Edward, lived there until his death in 1832 without issue. The house was then sold in 1833 to Philip John Miles for £210,000 (approx. £17m today) who became the local MP, as had the Southalls been before him. Three generations of the Miles family lived there until the death of Philip Napier Miles in 1935, marking the last time the house was used as a home. The house was sold at auction for £9,800 (approx. £500,000) with the intention of using it as a school. This was interrupted by the Second World War when it became a hospital – a role it has also fulfilled in the Great War. Post-war, it became the Bristol College School of Architecture, before becoming a Police training centre from 1970-1995.
Perhaps one of the saddest aspects is how the setting of this fine house has been compromised: to the north, a road and housing estate, to the west, more houses, and to the south, a golf course. This is often the outcome of houses which lack a determined owner with the need to keep a large estate, and particularly of houses which fall into the clutches of local authorities who are only too happy to build over the parkland, often with little sensitivity as to the overall setting.
With the departure of the Police, the house was boarded up, neglected and facing an uncertain future. However, in 2000, it was bought by a local businessman, John Hardy, who converted the house in to a successful wedding and conference venue, apparently pouring significant funds into the project. His commitment ultimately cost him his marriage and the remaining lease – probably 115-years – is now for sale for £2m (the freehold is still owned by Bristol City Council). Although this would still make an ideal family home, Mr Hardy has expressed a desire that it remain open to the public. Whoever buys Kings Weston will certainly be buying one of the finest houses in the country. Perhaps it will remain open to the public, but it would be equally exciting to see the house restored as a home, a private retreat overlooking the Bristol Channel where the owner can contemplate the genius of Vanbrugh and enjoy knowing that an architectural DNA links their domain with the palaces of Castle Howard and Blenheim, a smaller scale distillation of the grand flamboyance which came to define English Baroque.
Original story: 'Bristol's Kings Weston House up for sale for £2 million to help pay for owner's divorce' [Bristol Evening Post]
More details: 'Love affair with a £2m mansion that ended in divorce… King Weston House's owner was 'totally consumed' by major Georgian renovation' [Daily Mail]
Property details: 'Kings Weston House' [Knight Frank] – £2m
More images: 'Kings Weston House' [Country Life Picture Library]
History of the house: 'Kings Weston House' [kingsweston.com]
Newsarchitecture, blenheim palace, bristol, castle howard, conservation, country house, edward southall, english, estate, georgian, grade-i, heritage, houses, iver grove, kings weston house, listed, lord carlisle, nicholas hawksmoor, restoration, robert mylne, sir john summerson, sir john vanbrugh, somerset
The state of the country house market: Autumn 2010
October 7, 2010 February 10, 2011 Matthew Beckett - The Country Seat12 Comments
Noseley Hall, Leicestershire (Image: Knight Frank)
Throughout September, the increasing weight of each week's 'Country Life' magazine heralds the starts of one of the busy periods for launches of country houses. As an relatively unscientific barometer it would appear that the market is doing well with some impressive estates and houses being offered up to tantalise the armchair enthusiast and serious purchaser alike – but a few houses are still proving difficult to shift.
The September 1 magazine provided a summary of the successes of the year-to-date with glowing reports from estate agents who, despite some fears in January about an uncertain year ahead, are happy to highlight their successes. The article quotes Crispin Holborow of Savills who rightly points out that 'best in class' houses will always sell quickly and for above their guide price if the right buyers start competing. He cites Ropley House in Hampshire which sold at over it's guide price of £4.25m, as did the grade-I listed Shanks House in Somerset which was offered with 70-acres for £5.5m, but their biggest success was the coveted Chadacre estate in Suffolk with 680-acres which reputedly sold for more than double it's £10m asking price. Other houses such as the elegant grade-I Worlingham Hall – regarded by Norman Scarfe as 'the most beautiful house of manageable size in Suffolk' – also sold over it's guide price of £3.9m.
Other houses sold close to their guide include Peatling Hall in Leicestershire (mentioned on this blog in July) which was offered at £4.75m, whilst the stunning Compton Pauncefoot Castle in Somerset suffered from an unfortunately timed launch in September 2008 at £17m which knocked buyer confidence meaning that it hung around until Febuary 2010 before selling at £15m. Others had to drop their prices or accept being sold in lots with Kiddington Hall in Oxfordshire selling for £15m to Jemima Khan once the rest of the 2,000-acre estate had been sold (originally offered as one for £42m), whilst Fillongley Hall in Warwickshire has yet to find a buyer even after selling 400- out of the original 500-acres originally offered when it went on the market in 2005 (£3.5m, Savills). Pusey House in Oxfordshire, which was originally launched with 643-acres but when featured as the lead property advert in the September 15 magazine it was offered with just 67.
So who are the awkward squad? Grade-I listed Noseley Hall in Leicestershire is still with Knight Frank with the same acreage; though now at £12m rather than the original £14m asking price, and Iver Grove in Buckinghamshire, a pocket Palladian gem, is still being offered (again with Knight Frank) – though mysteriously with no price, so probably less that the £4.5m guide in February 2010; and way down from it's original price of £6.5m when it was first launched in 2007. Up country, Yester House in Scotland is still available despite having had it's price halved from £15m to £8m since the original launch in August 2008.
So, although the property market does seem buoyant, it does seem that some are struggling. Perhaps the flurry of launches will bring an influx of new buyers who may take a renewed interest in the harder-to-sell properties, but they equally may well wonder why they are still available and pass them over. It seems that some owners who are keen to sell are being flexible, either dropping the price or selling in lots, but for owners who refuse to budge the market may take a very long time to rise to meet what they think their property is worth. It seems flexibility is still a vital attribute whatever rung of the property ladder you are on.
Newsarchitecture, buckinghamshire, chadacre estate, compton pauncefoot castle, country house, country life magazine, crispin holborow, estate, fillongley hall, for sale, georgian, grade-i, grade-ii, hampshire, heritage, houses, iver grove, jemima khan, kiddington hall, knight frank, leicestershire, listed, norman scarfe, noseley hall, oxfordshire, palladian, peatling hall, pusey house, ropley house, savills, scotland, shanks house, somerset, suffolk, warwickshire, worlingham hall, yester house
An architectural gem – but still slow to sell: Iver Grove
February 7, 2010 February 7, 2010 Matthew Beckett - The Country Seat4 Comments
Iver Grove, Buckinghamshire (Image: The Listed Property Owners Club)
When it was completed in 1724, Iver Grove was one of the first houses in Britain built using the then radical Palladian styling; pre-dating even Lord Burlington's famous Chiswick House. Iver Grove is a beautiful and compact red brick essay in the use of the Classical elements with a Doric portico and topped with an elegant pediment. Although originally attributed to either Sir Christopher Wren or Nicholas Hawksmoor, it's now more widely accepted to be the work of John James who worked with Wren on St Paul's Cathedral and succeeded him as the surveyor of the Commissioners' Churches. The front steps lead into a spacious and light entrance hall featuring the original oak staircase.
That the house is here today is remarkable in itself as after WWII it was in a parlous state and at risk of becoming one of the many hundreds of country houses demolished in the 1950s. The house was smothered in ivy, riddled with dry rot and had been subject to various thefts of lead and fixtures and vandals who had smashed all but one of the Wedgewood stained-glass panels in window over the staircase. The house was one of the first to be bought by the Government in an effort to save it – although this led to angry questions in the House of Commons from philistine MPs who demanded to know why we had spent more saving an "extremely beautiful house" (Lord John Hope) than we had sent to aid the Congo. Such amazing short-sightedness still prevails today with those asking why we spend any money on heritage with similarly spurious justifications.
Anyway, thanks to the Government, the house was rescued through a programme of works which included demolishing the collapsed Victorian wing – and in so doing bring the house back to it original scale, and conveniently making it more manageable. So when the this grade-I listed house was first launched in 2007 with much press coverage including a glowing write-up by Marcus Binney in The Times ('A fast track to perfection') and later in Country Life ('Georgian estate for sale') it was thought it would sell quickly. However, £6.5m price tag was probably boosted by its architectural importance above the fact that it was a six-bedroom house with just 17-acres near to the M25. The price was probably quickly identified as the issue as in The Times article in May the price is £6.5m, by the time the Country Life article was published in December the price was given as 'offers over £5m'. Now, two and half years later the price has dropped to a more reasonable £4.25m, and hopefully this will entice a new sympathetic purchaser with a desire to live in an important country house with manageable grounds but who will appreciate being just 17 miles from Hyde Park corner. Actually, if I win the lottery, I'll probably go for it.
Full details: 'Iver Grove, Buckinghamshire' [Knight Frank]
for sale, Newsarchitecture, buckinghamshire, conservation, country house, english, estate, for sale, georgian, grade-i, heritage, houses, iver grove, john james, listed, palladio, restoration

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Q: Parquet files to avro and kafka SourceRecord I'm trying to convert parquet files into SourceRecords. I'm currently stuck on generating connect schema from avro schema. I'm able to read parquets to GenericRecords:
public static Seq<GenericRecord> genericRecordsOf(Seq<String> parquets) {
    Configuration config = new Configuration();
    config.setBoolean(AVRO_COMPATIBILITY, true);
    config.setBoolean("parquet.avro.add-list-element-records", false);
    config.setBoolean("parquet.avro.write-old-list-structure", false);
    config.setClass("parquet.avro.data.supplier", SchemaTest.class, AvroDataSupplier.class);
    config.set("fs.s3a.impl", S3AFileSystem.class.getCanonicalName());
    return parquets.flatMap(input -> {
          Builder<Record> builder = Try(() -> AvroParquetReader
              .<Record>builder(HadoopInputFile.fromPath(new Path(input), config))
              )
              .get();
          return readRecords(builder);
        }
    );
  }

  private static List<GenericRecord> readRecords(Builder<Record> builder) {
    return Try
        .withResources(builder::build)
        .of(SchemaTest::readRecords)
        .get();
  }

  private static List<GenericRecord> readRecords(ParquetReader<Record> reader) {
    List<GenericRecord> records = new LinkedList<>();
    Record genericRecord = readRecord(reader);
    while (genericRecord != null) {
      records.add(genericRecord);
      genericRecord = readRecord(reader);
    }
    return records;
  }

  private static Record readRecord(ParquetReader<Record> reader) {
    return Try.of(reader::read).get();
  }

The issue is while I'm trying to make connect data from it, using io.confluent.connect.avro.AvroData.toConnectData(avroSchema, avroValue).
The exception:

Exception in thread "main" org.apache.kafka.connect.errors.DataException: Mismatched names: name already added to SchemaBuilder (org.apache.kafka.connect.data.Decimal) differs from name in source schema (cedingrate)
        at io.confluent.connect.avro.AvroData.toConnectSchema(AvroData.java:1969)
        at io.confluent.connect.avro.AvroData.toConnectSchema(AvroData.java:1669)
        at io.confluent.connect.avro.AvroData.toConnectSchemaWithCycles(AvroData.java:2000)
        at io.confluent.connect.avro.AvroData.toConnectSchema(AvroData.java:1836)
        at io.confluent.connect.avro.AvroData.toConnectSchema(AvroData.java:1669)
        at io.confluent.connect.avro.AvroData.toConnectSchema(AvroData.java:1803)
        at io.confluent.connect.avro.AvroData.toConnectSchema(AvroData.java:1645)
        at io.confluent.connect.avro.AvroData.toConnectData(AvroData.java:1326)
        at io.confluent.connect.avro.AvroData.toConnectData(AvroData.java:1307)
        at com.tryg.data.ingestors.guidewire.factories.SchemaTest.lambda$main$0(SchemaTest.java:103)
        at io.vavr.Value.forEach(Value.java:340)
        at com.tryg.data.ingestors.guidewire.factories.SchemaTest.main(SchemaTest.java:102)

and avro schema generated by AvroParquetReader is (fragment):
"type": "record",
  "name": "spark_schema",
  "fields": [
    {
      "name": "cedingrate",
      "type": [
        "null",
        {
          "type": "fixed",
          ***"name": "cedingrate",
          "size": 16,
          "logicalType": "decimal",
          "precision": 38,
          "scale": 6
        }
      ],
      "default": null
    },
...

I have debugged into the AvroData code and found out that the issue is that AvroData expects "name": "org.apache.kafka.connect.data.Decimal" instead of "name": "cedingrate" in the place marked with ***.
Cedingrate is the field name in parquet file. The parquet files are being generated by Guidewire cloud data access framework.
I dont know where to look for further.
Any tips apreciated.
Regards, Dawid.

A: TLDR; use io.confluent.connect.avro.AvroData class from kafka-connect-avro-data:6.2.6 dependency to convert avro to connect data.
The above solution will work with io.confluent.connect.avro.AvroData class which is delivered in kafka-connect-avro-data (maven dependency) with version up to 6.2.6.
In version 7.0.0, avro fixed schemas, which are being converted to connect schemas by io.confluent.connect.avro.AvroData, are treated as schemas with type FIXED. Up to 7.0.0, they are treated as BYTE type schemas.
There is some kind of incompatibility between parquet-avro dependency (the way how AvroParquetReader builds fixed schemas from parquet files) and kafka-connect-avro-data (the way how  AvroData converts schemas from avro to connect). I wasn't able to find out which of those components work according to avro schema requirements.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Norwegian architecture firm Snøhetta has been selected as the winner of a competition to design a cable car that will take visitors to the top of Virgolo Mountain, near Bolzano, Italy, for the first time in 40 years. The mountain has been practically inaccessible since the city closed its historic cable railway in 1976. The new cable car transit system will take visitors to the top in just one minute.
The design is based on two rings. One forms the base station, the other the top station, while the cable connects tangentially. It makes the summit just a five minute trip from the city center. The new cable car also interacts with the city via a landscape at the end of the Südtirolerstraße, which brings nature into the city.
At the top, a restaurant, café, infinity pool, and meeting rooms with views of the city and surrounding countryside are also planned. "Mountain Square" at the top the Virgolo will be an open space for everything from open-air markets to concerts.
The project is currently displayed in the showroom of department store Bozen Bolzano in the Palais Menz in Bolzano Mustergasse.


text:
Nino Bule (nacido el 19 de marzo de 1976) es un exfutbolista croata que se desempeñaba como delantero.

Nino Bule jugó 3 veces para la selección de fútbol de Croacia entre 1999 y 2004.

Trayectoria

Clubes

Selección nacional

Estadística de equipo nacional

Referencias

Futbolistas de Croacia
Futbolistas de la selección de fútbol de Croacia
Futbolistas del NK Zagreb
Futbolistas del Gamba Osaka
Futbolistas del FC Admira Wacker Mödling
Futbolistas del HNK Rijeka
Futbolistas del Panserraikos


text:
import _debug from 'debug'
import forEach from 'lodash/forEach'
import Peer, { SignalData } from 'simple-peer'
import { Decoder } from '../codec'
import * as constants from '../constants'
import { insertableStreamsCodec } from '../insertable-streams'
import { ClientSocket } from '../socket'
import { Dispatch, GetState } from '../store'
import { TextDecoder } from '../textcodec'
import { config } from '../window'
import { addMessage } from './ChatActions'
import * as NotifyActions from './NotifyActions'
import * as StreamActions from './StreamActions'

const { peerConfig } = config

const debug = _debug('peercalls')
const sdpDebug = _debug('peercalls:sdp')

export interface Peers {
  [id: string]: Peer.Instance
}

export interface PeerHandlerOptions {
  socket: ClientSocket
  peer: { id: string }
  dispatch: Dispatch
  getState: GetState
}

class PeerHandler {
  socket: ClientSocket
  peer: { id: string }
  dispatch: Dispatch
  getState: GetState
  decoder = new Decoder()
  textDecoder = new TextDecoder('utf-8')

  constructor (readonly options: PeerHandlerOptions) {
    this.socket = options.socket
    this.peer = options.peer
    this.dispatch = options.dispatch
    this.getState = options.getState
  }
  handleError = (err: Error) => {
    const { dispatch, getState, peer } = this
    debug('peer: %s, error %s', peer.id, err.stack)
    dispatch(NotifyActions.error('A peer connection error occurred'))
    const pc = getState().peers[peer.id]
    pc && pc.destroy()
    dispatch(removePeer(peer.id))
  }
  handleSignal = (signal: SignalData) => {
    const { socket, peer } = this
    sdpDebug('local signal: %s, signal: %o', peer.id, signal)

    const payload = { peerId: peer.id, signal }
    socket.emit('signal', payload)
  }
  handleConnect = () => {
    const { dispatch, peer, getState } = this
    debug('peer: %s, connect', peer.id)
    dispatch(NotifyActions.warning('Peer connection established'))

    const state = getState()
    const pc = state.peers[peer.id]
    forEach(state.streams.localStreams, s => {
      // If the local user pressed join call before this peer has joined the
      // call, now is the time to share local media stream with the peer since
      // we no longer automatically send the stream to the peer.
      s!.stream.getTracks().forEach(track => {
        const sender = pc.addTrack(track, s!.stream)
        insertableStreamsCodec.encrypt(sender)
      })
    })
  }
  handleTrack = (
    track: MediaStreamTrack,
    stream: MediaStream,
    transceiver: RTCRtpTransceiver,
  ) => {
    const { peer, dispatch } = this
    const peerId = peer.id
    const streamId = stream.id
    const mid = transceiver.mid!

    debug('peer: %s, track: %s, stream: %s, mid: %s',
          peerId, track.id, stream.id, mid)

    // Listen to mute event to know when a track was removed
    // https://github.com/feross/simple-peer/issues/512
    track.onmute = () => {
      debug(
        'peer: %s, track mute (id: %s, stream.id: %s)',
        peerId, track.id, stream.id)
      dispatch(StreamActions.removeTrack({ peerId, track, streamId }))
    }

    function addTrack() {
      debug(
        'peer: %s, track unmute (id: %s, stream.id: %s)',
        peerId, track.id, stream.id)
      dispatch(StreamActions.addTrack({
        streamId,
        peerId,
        track,
        receiver: transceiver.receiver,
      }))
    }

    if (!track.muted) {
      addTrack()
    }
    track.onunmute = addTrack
  }
  handleData = (buffer: ArrayBuffer) => {
    const { dispatch, peer } = this

    const dataContainer = this.decoder.decode(buffer)
    if (!dataContainer) {
      // not all chunks have been received yet
      return
    }

    const { data } = dataContainer
    const message = JSON.parse(this.textDecoder.decode(data))

    debug('peer: %s, message: %o', peer.id, message)
    dispatch(addMessage(message))
  }
  handleClose = () => {
    const { dispatch, peer } = this
    dispatch(NotifyActions.error('Peer connection closed'))
    dispatch(removePeer(peer.id))
  }
}

export interface CreatePeerOptions {
  socket: ClientSocket
  peer: { id: string }
  initiator: boolean
  stream?: MediaStream
}

export function createPeer (options: CreatePeerOptions) {
  const { socket, peer, initiator, stream } = options

  return (dispatch: Dispatch, getState: GetState) => {
    const peerId = peer.id
    debug(
      'create peer: %s, hasStream: %s, initiator: %s',
      peerId, !!stream, initiator)
    dispatch(NotifyActions.warning('Connecting to peer...'))

    const oldPeer = getState().peers[peerId]
    if (oldPeer) {
      dispatch(NotifyActions.info('Cleaning up old connection...'))
      oldPeer.destroy()
      dispatch(removePeer(peerId))
    }

    debug('Using ice servers: %o', peerConfig.iceServers)

    const pc = new Peer({
      initiator,
      config: {
        iceServers: peerConfig.iceServers,
        encodedInsertableStreams: peerConfig.encodedInsertableStreams,
        // legacy flags for insertable streams
        enableInsertableStreams: peerConfig.encodedInsertableStreams,
        forceEncodedVideoInsertableStreams:
          peerConfig.encodedInsertableStreams,
        forceEncodedAudioInsertableStreams:
          peerConfig.encodedInsertableStreams,
      },
      channelName: constants.PEER_DATA_CHANNEL_NAME,
      // trickle: false,
      // Allow the peer to receive video, even if it's not sending stream:
      // https://github.com/feross/simple-peer/issues/95
      offerConstraints: {
        offerToReceiveAudio: true,
        offerToReceiveVideo: true,
      },
      stream,
    })

    const handler = new PeerHandler({
      socket,
      peer,
      dispatch,
      getState,
    })

    pc.once(constants.PEER_EVENT_ERROR, handler.handleError)
    pc.once(constants.PEER_EVENT_CONNECT, handler.handleConnect)
    pc.once(constants.PEER_EVENT_CLOSE, handler.handleClose)
    pc.on(constants.PEER_EVENT_SIGNAL, handler.handleSignal)
    pc.on(constants.PEER_EVENT_TRACK, handler.handleTrack)
    pc.on(constants.PEER_EVENT_DATA, handler.handleData)

    dispatch(addPeer({ peer: pc, peerId }))
  }
}

export interface AddPeerParams {
  peer: Peer.Instance
  peerId: string
}

export interface AddPeerAction {
  type: 'PEER_ADD'
  payload: AddPeerParams
}

export const addPeer = (payload: AddPeerParams): AddPeerAction => ({
  type: constants.PEER_ADD,
  payload,
})

export interface RemovePeerAction {
  type: 'PEER_REMOVE'
  payload: { peerId: string }
}

export interface RemoveAllPeersAction {
  type: 'PEER_REMOVE_ALL'
}

export const removePeer = (peerId: string): RemovePeerAction => ({
  type: constants.PEER_REMOVE,
  payload: { peerId },
})

export const removeAllPeers = (): RemoveAllPeersAction => ({
  type: constants.PEER_REMOVE_ALL,
})

export type PeerAction =
  AddPeerAction |
  RemovePeerAction |
  RemoveAllPeersAction

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
EU: Forever Timid on Erdogan's Turkey?
The EU searches for a solid strategy for dealing with Turkey. The new U.S. administration may induce it to toughen its course.
By Ronald Meinardus, December 14, 2020
Credit: patrice6000 - Shutterstock.com
The EU has played softball with Turkish president Erdogan. But it could be a mistake for him to believe that it will do so forever.
Ankara held its fingers crossed that Trump would prevail. Now, Erdogan's calculus is changing as he must come to terms with the 46th US President.
The incoming Biden administration will change the European equation on Turkey. Biden has not been one to mince his words on Turkey in the past.
As the EU searches for a solid strategy for dealing with Turkey, the new US administration may induce it to toughen its course.
Erdogan must understand that EU sanctions postponed are not sanctions abandoned.
In the run-up to the recent EU summit in Brussels, speculations ran high that EU leaders would impose stiff sanctions against Turkey over its Mediterranean drilling activities.
Three countries — Greece, Cyprus and France — led the campaign to punish Ankara for what the EU terms "unilateral actions and provocations."
EU: Tough talk, soft stick?
The EU's language to date has been clear and harsh, but its actions vis-à-vis Ankara are timid and, in effect, toothless.
For now, the EU has refrained from hard punitive measures affecting entire sectors of the Turkish economy.
Instead, EU leaders agreed to punish individuals and companies implicated in planning or taking part in what the EU says is unauthorized drilling in disputed maritime zones.
Also, the weapons embargo that is being pushed by the Greeks and by two opposition parties in Germany, the Greens and the left party Die Linke, is off the table — for the time being, at least.
The EU could get much tougher soon
In Europe's high-level politics, few things are permanent. The EU heads of state and/or government tasked Josep Borrell, the EU's foreign policy chief, to keep a close eye on Turkey's conduct in the coming three months and report back in March.
Actually, he had done just that ahead of the most recent meeting. The former Spanish Foreign Minister's account was not favorable for Mr. Erdogan: "We have not seen a fundamental change in the Turkish behavior," Borrell said.
"On the contrary, in several aspects the situation has worsened." Borrell's negative grade card, however, had no impact on the policymakers.
EU still dis-united on Erdogan
While everyone seems to agree that Recep Tayyip Erdogan's behavior, or misbehavior to use a more fitting term, is the cause of the problems in the Eastern Mediterranean, the Europeans are at odds how to deal with the troublemaker.
In the end, they resolved — for now — to reach out with a "positive agenda," i.e., an offer of economic and political incentives should Erdogan change his course.
The package of measures includes better economic relations, the modernization of the Customs Union and more money for the four million Syrian refugees who have found a new home in Anatolia.
A watershed moment?
EU-Turkey relations are at a watershed moment, Josep Borrell had said ahead of the summit.
However, he had used exactly the same words before an earlier summit in October announcing wide ranging pending strategic decisions. These did not materialize, once again leaving future EU-Turkey relations in limbo.
His pronouncements have lost much of their importance in domestic Turkish politics. Turkish analysts refer to a process of "de-Europeanization" for the drifting away of Ankara from the West.
As for his part, Mr. Erdogan has been sending conflicting signals. Quite recently, he proclaimed: "We see ourselves in Europe, not anywhere else; we look to build our future with Europe."
Shortly thereafter, he accused the EU of "strategic blindness" and stated: "The EU has never acted honestly, it has never kept its promises towards Turkey."
Postponed is not abandoned
However, it could be a real mistake on Mr. Erdogan's part to believe that the EU will play softball with him forever.
After all, sanctions postponed are not sanctions abandoned. The EU will tackle the Turkish issue once again at the next summit in March.
Meanwhile, the expectation in Europe is that Erdogan will stand still in the dispute with Greece and Cyprus, allowing at least for a resumption of the diplomatic process.
Erdogan in his own words
If we take Erdogan by his words, it is doubtful that he will stick to a moratorium: "We will not accept plans that aim to confine our country," he said, before turning on to Greece and Cyprus which he accused of "imperialist expansionism."
It seems only a matter of time before Ankara dispatches once again its research vessel, the Oruc Reis.
President Erdogan had the vessel parked in the harbor of Antalya for the duration of the EU summit. Resuming explorations in disputed waters would once again fan the flames in the region.
Diplo-speak
"The EU will seek to coordinate on matters relating to Turkey and the Eastern Mediterranean with the United States," the heads of state announce in Friday's communique.
At first sight, this sounds positive. But it is essentially a confession of weakness: Europe is not in the position to bring the erratic partner in Ankara to senses without American help.
The Biden team will change the equation
The big question is what the incoming Biden administration is up to.
The President-elect has not been one to mince his words on Turkey in the past. For example, Mr. Biden had called on President Trump to press the Turks to avoid "any further provocative actions against Greece."
Sure, that was before the elections, at a time when Greek American votes were for grabs. But it is very hard to imagine that the cozy relationship which Messrs. Erdogan and Trump enjoyed with one another will continue.
Nervousness in Ankara
During the entire 2020 U.S. presidential campaign, the political class in Ankara held the fingers crossed that Donald Trump, the incumbent, would prevail.
Now, Erdogan's calculus is changing. He must come to terms with the 46th U.S. President.
This, optimists in Ankara opine, presents Turkey's President with the opportunity to mend the relations with the West.
EU-Turkey relations could only benefit from such a move. However, Mr. Erdogan's key coalition partner, the MHP, seems very focused on limiting the president's room of maneuver.
"Army of Islam": Erdogan's Plot Against Israel
Erdogan's Hostage Diplomacy: Why We Need a Transatlantic Response
Options for Turkey
Tags: latest, United States, Turkey, European Union, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Joe Biden
About Ronald Meinardus
Ronald Meinardus is the head of the Turkey Office of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (FNF) in Istanbul.
Full bio → | View all posts by Ronald Meinardus →
Responses to "EU: Forever Timid on Erdogan's Turkey?"


The Tingles In My Toes & That Burning In My Feet….
Oh wowzers- it was one of those nights! Yes the type of night, when tingles in my toes, feeling like the nerves in my feet were burning and then of course the leg twitches begin giving an extra amount of shooting pain. You see, this happens when my nervous system goes into major short circuit warfare. It's occurance because I am one of many across the globe living with neuropathy. Neuropathy is nerve damage or some kind of internal disruption. That's the simple definition BUT what's not simple about neuropathy is the cure – THERE ISN'T ONE !
If you are a person who isn't affected by this hideous condition then you will have absolutely no idea about what life is like, living an average day or night. So let me try and explain. Most people have little or any knowledge of how their nerves work and how vital they are to daily life anyway and so when the nervous system breakdowns they find it impossible to understand. I as a neuropathy sufferer have faced the difficult task of explaining my weird symptoms to doctors, friends and family for a long time. The description of my pain as spoken about at the beginning of this blog, has left me feeling frustrated and not taken seriously on many occasions. But what is happening is damage to the nerves itself and particularly the lining that protects the nerve. What is occurring to neuropathy sufferers like me, are a number of confusing, functional breakdowns which send out wrong signals, or no signals at all. It really can be compared to a short circuit in a domestic electrical system but the resulting feelings and sensations are pretty unique to the condition and every sufferer. It's important to remember that neuropathy affects all sorts of people from all areas of society across the globe. Just as their are many people like me that suffer with neuropathy, there are also over 100 causes and over 100 types of neuropathy, so pinning down exactly how someone feels with their condition really depends on where the nerve damage is happening and what part of your body is being affected.
So, where will neuropathy strike and how do you recognise it? That is the biggest problem for all neuropathy sufferers! Generally speaking though, it's in the feet first. The best way to explain this to you, is as I had it explained to me. Feet are at the end of the nerve pathways and the furthest away from the central nervous system. So perhaps logical that problems happen there first. The nerves there are part of the peripheral nerve system. This is peripheral neuropathy and what my diagnosis is. The nervous system consists of the spinal cord leading to the brain which makes up the central nervous system – all the nerves radiating out from there are peripheral nerves. Back to the feet, where the signals of neuropathy usually begin! Let me tell you, that this pain is never an overnight happening, it can take years to develop before you even notice anything which is why it is so difficult to diagnose and treat. My neuropathy has lead to my walking gait being strangely affected usually by losing my footing or miss stepping. I feel as though I am doing the right thing in order to make my feet move in the right direction but they do something completely out of order else which usually leads to falling. This collection of actions are because the wrong signals are being sent out, through a communication breakdown between my brain and my feet. Not only do the feet feel odd and painful but my legs can feel like they are becoming weaker. Climbing stairs and the simple action of walking can feel like an fitness boot camp , as I constantly now trip over or stumble when I least expect it. I now use a 4 wheeler walker as assistance with balance and security when I walk. Because of the nerve damage in my feet now when I walk , I will clench my feet in order to get a better grip on the ground beneath me. Obviously this leads to loss of relaxation and then muscular cramping of the feet occurs. So yes, balance becomes a major issue when chronically affected by neuropathy and i often feel like I'm walking around like I am drunk. Feelings and sensations like what I experience in my feet, also affects my hands and arms. When these instances occur, i can lose control of my grip usually causing me to drop things. This is where, you cannot even imagine the effect this has on me or others effected. What happens is a total loss of trust and confidence in our own actions leaving you frightened and confused as to what is happening and that isn't taking into account neuropathy pain!
The pain neuropathy brings – OMG, where do I start! The most difficult thing for friends and family to understand is the pain neuropathy can bring. It's like nothing else you've ever experienced. My introduction was just the tip of the iceberg. It can range from mild tingling or burning, to pain that can leave you crying in agony, especially at night (the reason I was up, writing this). It can feel as though the affected areas are on fire and burning sensations are perhaps the commonest after tingling. Tingling sounds innocent enough but it can be so severe that it's extremely painful and then you long for the numbness that I initially began with. I often feel like what feels like electric shock symptoms. It's little wonder that opiates are my only course of action but even they have their limitations, leading to increased doses and other debilitating symptoms occurring and of course addiction to those medications. So with all of those weird feelings and sensations, I need to be especially careful with hot water as to me it can feel cold or vice versa leading to cases of burning myself. The same goes for my urinary problems and digestive malfunction. It's very difficult to relate these to nerve damage but they are also common symptoms of neuropathy. The nerves to blood vessels, intestines and bladder are damaged by this condition and give out faulty signals leading to abnormal behaviour in functions which most take for granted. What happens is that i feel bloated after eating only very small portions or I will have difficulty emptying my full bladder yet the brain tells me that my bladder is empty. This has left me permanently disabled and now needing to self catheterise daily. This sort of thing leads to infections and instances of diarrhoea and constipation.
So do you see why trying to explain this, unless you have experienced it, is so very difficult! If you don't live with neuropathy, you just don't understand what it's like. But hopefully I have given you a better insight of what it's really like to have neuropathy in your life. It's a horrible condition because it's unpredictability. Some people go for years with only mild discomforts with only a little tingling here and a little numbness there – while others like myself suffer dreadfully and need to be at times on the heaviest of opiate medications to control the symptoms. All i ask is that if you know anyone that has neuropathy, PLEASE offer sympathy and understanding because their lives are difficult. Chronic pain is a feature of this condition but the chronic pain of neuropathy is possibly one of the meanest of them all and not to be underestimated.
Asking for help, is the hardest thing when you are chronically ill……WHY???
Simply, because when we ask for help, it's acknowledging that we can't do things for ourselves anymore. Admitting that I required assistance for particular housekeeping chores was such a big thing for me – but I accepted it but I held back from accepting the personal care help, because by accepting that help was me becoming worthless. By knowing that I can not safely go into the bathroom and shower myself is heart wrenching. I've had to really search deep within myself to allow personal care to be ok and do you know, I think I am now comfortable with it because I know my safety is paramount with me being able to being able to still live and love the life that I am in.
So what is this home & personal care that I talk of?
Home & Personal care is provided by home care workers who visit people that are somehow incapacitated by illness or disability in their own homes and help them to live as independently as possible.
It's about maintaining a person's quality of life in their home – keeping them safe and comfortable, attending to their physical needs and supporting them with their daily activities of living. It's also important for their social and emotional needs so that they can still enjoy life. As I mentioned earlier, these services help those ill or disabled or it might be for people getting older, who are chronically ill, or perhaps recovering from surgery or disability.
There are many reasons and times in life when someone might need help with daily activities, perhaps a family carer needs to get out of the house and a care worker can come in an provide a few hours of respite care, an adult child may have relocated house to another city or town and can't help their elderly parent with tasks around the house anymore, a degenerative illness or disease may affect a persons ability to complete activities of daily living like meal preparation and daily grooming.
When the care worker comes to the home, they may need to help with the cleaning of certain areas of the home, making beds, mopping and/or vacuuming of floors. Personal care workers maybe called on to give assistance with showering, bathing, toileting, getting dressed, shaving, helping the particular person in moving around, or perhaps getting in or/and out of the bed and of perhaps medication reminders.
After having my home care workers now for a number of months I am so very grateful and I now look forward to my personal care workers coming to help me wash my hair and generally freshen up.
Life is about now and I can't push things away just because it may be icky or intrusive – if these workers can help us still live it's worth taking a chance and that's what life is all about.
Carers help life continue for the chronic illness goddess/warrior and I for one stand in honouring them for all the work they do for us the chronically ill and disabled.
Understanding Chronic Nerve Pain – Neuropathy!
Chronic Nerve Pain it keeps you awake all night…….Let me explain!
So I think everybody at some stage has had tingles or numb fingers or toes or perhaps even felt the nerve at the back of their leg twitch. These are all normal but nothing prepares you for the effects of your nervous system going into major short-circuit mode or in other words CHRONIC NERVE PAIN!
When that happens, you may well find out what it's like to be one of the millions of people across the world who are living with neuropathy. What is neuropathy? It simply is nerve damage and the cure is? Well …..there isn't one.
However, those facts tell people who aren't affected absolutely nothing about what life is like with this chronically difficult to treat condition. Most people have no concept of how nerves work and how essential they are to daily life anyway (why would you, when everything works as it should!) so therefore find it impossible to understand what happens when the nervous system breaks down.
The neuropathy sufferer is faced with the task of explaining their mysteriously weird symptoms to many people who disbelieve what is being felt.
So as one that is being kept awake a great deal of every night let me explain what happens, Often resulting from damage or degeneration to the nerve itself and cells, that protect the nerves of us the neuropathy sufferers are subjected to a series of confusing and functional breakdowns which send out wrong messages, or no messages at all. It basically can be compared to a short circuit in a electrical system resulting in feelings and sensations that are pretty unique to the sufferers health issues. Neuropathy affects many people from all over the globe. What does it feel like and why are its symptoms so difficult to explain? There are over 100 causes and also over 100 types of neuropathy, so diagnosing exactly how someone feels with their neuropathy really depends on where the nerve damage is happening and what part of your body is being affected.
Autonomic means involuntary, so autonomic neuropathy affects the nerves directing bodily functions you aren't aware of and have little control over, such as breathing and heartbeat but also digestion (including bladder and bowel functions), sexual response and circulatory problems. It's easily the neuropathy with the most serious symptoms.
So I've told you about the types of neuropathy and that what is being felt is like nothing you can actually describe but where does neuropathy strike in the body. Well I would say, most people suffer nerve pain problems in their feet first. Feet are at the end of the nerve pathways and the furthest away from the central nervous system. So perhaps it is logical that problems would happen there first. So back to the feet, where the majority of people first notice something going wrong but neuropathy is never an immediate finding – it can take years to develop and creeps up on you without you really noticing a pattern developing – it's part of the reason why it is so difficult to diagnose and treat. Initially, you may suffer a loss of feeling or numbness in the toes. Gradually, you begin to feel as though the toes are numb and painful, along with tingling, or other strange sensations. It's as though the toes have been anaesthetised on the surface, yet just underneath it's painful, or tingling. This set of feelings often spreads to the other areas of the foot or leg. To describe the feeling – it is similar to be walking on ice or snow with bare feet or sometimes as if your bare feet are walking across an electric force field. It is a weird feeling and very uncomfortable. When you have severe nerve pain/ neuropathy it can feel as though you're walking on bare bones. The problem is that the numbness can lead you to walk strangely, or lose your footing so that you fall. You feel as though you're doing the right thing to make your feet move in the right direction but they do something else instead which is truly frustrating.Basically the wrong messages are being sent out and there's a communication breakdown between the brain and the feet. So as this is happening to your feet, you may begin to feel like your legs are heavy, or like your muscles aren't responding and becoming weaker. Climbing stairs can be both painful, tiring and frustrating and just plain walking can feel like a massive effort because you begin to constantly trip over what feels like air and just stumbling when you least expect it becomes a daily occurance.
This is why I've ended up using a walking stick and more recently a 4 wheeler because of my muscular tiredness and to give me the feeling of more security with balance when i walk. Balance has become a major issue for me and sometimes I feel like I am walking like a demented alien.
As my neuropathy has worsened, I've developed it in my hands. I began lose control of my grip and I started dropping things which is totally frustrating. I've now lost use of my right arm and the effect this has on me is massive as I have a lack of self trust and confidence in my own daily actions leaving me frightened and confused as to what is happening to me.
I would say the hardest thing for people to understand is the pain neuropathy can bring. It's like nothing else ive ever experienced. It can range from mild tingling or burning, to pain that can leave me screaming like I am going to die AND especially at night. It can feel as though your affected areas are on fire and burning sensations are perhaps the commonest after tingling. Tingling sounds innocent enough but it can be so severe that it's extremely painful and then i long for the numbness that i began with. I often get the feeling of a 'electric shock' in my legs and arms. Often the muscles will spasm, leading to twitches and spasms which together with the shocks, the burning and the tingling can lead me to actually cry.
It has to be said, everybody's neuropathy is unique to themselves, so the symptoms you see here can be anything from mild to severe. It's little wonder that opiates can be the only course of action in the end but even they have their limitations, leading to increased doses and addiction.
So I've let you know about all the sensations, you can experience and the strangest of feelings. Stepping on a stone may feel like treading on broken glass and hot bath water can feel cold leading to many cases of burns. People with neuropathy need to use an unaffected part of their body to test textures and temperatures, so we don't hurt ourselves.
Other problems with neuropathy can be urinary problems and digestive malfunction. The nerves to blood vessels, intestines and bladder are damaged by the disease and give out faulty messages leading to abnormal behaviour in functions which we take for granted. In my circumstances, I can feel bloated after eating only a very small portion; and I can no longer empty my full bladder even though my brain thinks my bladder is empty. This has led to problems with constipation and diarrhoea.
I Hope I have given you some idea of what it's really like to live with nerve pain/neuropathy. It's a horrible disease because it's so unpredictable. I and many others live with only mild discomforts with only a little tingling & numbness here and there but then can suffer dreadfully in a instant needing to be on the harshest of medication to control the dreaded symptoms and it must be remembered that the medication only helps to manage symptoms it doesn't cure them. So till a cure is found I and many others will just have to live with neuropathy as best as they can and find the best treatment available to help their own nerve problems.
Let's NOT tear each other down, it's about walking together.


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text:
Weekender Best Bets for April 12-14
WARHOL EXHIBIT: "Gallery Goes Pop," an exhibit of silk screens by Andy Warhol, wraps up its run in the David McCune International Art Gallery on the campus of Methodist University. Hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. A $10 donation is requested. Call 910-630-7107.
TATTOO CONVENTION: The All American Tattoo Convention is scheduled through Sunday at the Crown Expo Center. Doors open at 2 p.m. Friday and noon Saturday and Sunday. Single-day tickets are $25, a three-day pass is $40 in advance. Discounts and VIP packages available. Children 15 and under admitted free. Call 910-438-4100 or go to crowncomplexnc.com.
"THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE": Gilbert Theater, 116 Green St., presents the fantasy through April 21. Weekend shows are Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets are $14 and $16. Call 910-678-7186 or go to gilberttheater.com.
"THE CAKE": Cape Fear Regional Theatre, 1209 Hay St., presents the play through April 21. Weekend shows are Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets are $20 and $25. Call 910-323-4233 or go to cfrt.org.
FESTIVAL D'AVION: The festival, a celebration of freedom and flight which honors the men and women of the armed forces, kicks off with a concert by Eagles tribute band On the Border at 7 p.m. at the Moore County Airport, 7825 Aviation Drive in Carthage. Events continue Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased online at festivaldavion.com
FANS FIRST LOOK: The Fayetteville Woodpeckers are inviting people to check out the new Segra Stadium with events from noon to 3 p.m. The event starts with a ribbon cutting, after which fans can tour the downtown Fayetteville stadium. Call 910-339-1989 or go to milb.com/fayetteville.
"ODE TO JOY": The Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra will perform Beethoven's 9th Symphony at 7:30 p.m. in Huff Concert Hall on the campus of Methodist University. A pre-concert talk begins at 6:45 p.m. Tickets are $10.28 to $26.17. Call 910-433-4690 or go to fayettevillesymphony.org.
PRAYER WALK: The As One Prayer Walk is scheduled starting at 10 a.m. in Festival Park in downtown Fayetteville. Call 910-703-7504 or go to asoneprayerwalk.org.
SPRING FLING: Spring Lake will host its annual Spring Fling from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Main Street. Activities include music, games and food vendors. Call 910-436–0241 or go to spring-lake.org.
LUMBEE EXHIBIT: A portrait exhibition titled "Lumbee Indians: A People and a Place" opens at 1 p.m. in Old Main on the campus of the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. The exhibit features the photographs of Chip Cavan and Travis Dove. Call 910-521-6282 or go to uncp.edu/nativemuseum.
DANCING ANGELS FUNDRAISER: A scholarship fundraiser by Louise Cantrell, who lost her husband and two daughters in a fire, is scheduled from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Special Forces Association, 4990 Doc Bennett Road. Includes a silent auction, face-painting, food and appearances by the All Veterans Parachute Team. Call 914-374-3827 or go to dancingangelsfoundation.org.
SANFORD STREET FEST: The third annual Downtown Sanford Street Fest starts at 1 p.m. Events include music, food trucks, cornhole tournament and a fireworks display. Call 919-777-1133 or go to sanfordstreetfest.com.
"PARTY FOR THE PINE": Weymouth Woods Sandhills Nature Preserve will host a party from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. to celebrate the 471st birthday of the oldest known living long leaf pine at the Boyd Tract, 555 E. Connecticut Ave. in Southern Pines. Activities include food trucks, face-painting and hikes to the old tree. Call 910-692-2167 or go to ncparks.gov.
"A TASTE OF HOKE": Hoke County culinary arts students are presenting an event at 3 p.m. in the gymnasium of Hoke County High School, 505 S. Bethel Road in Raeford. General admission is $20, $15 for Hoke County employees and students. Tickets available at the high school.
"GAME OF THRONES" PARTY: Hugger Mugger Brewery, 229 Wicker St. in Sanford, will host a "Game of Thrones" season premiere party from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Activities include costume and trivia contests, photo booth and food trucks. The event is a fundraiser for Temple Theatre. Tickets vary depending on the activity. Call 919-774-4155 or go to gotfundraiser.eventbrite.com.
DOG JOG: Carvers Creek State Park is inviting dog owners to participate in a 2-mile jog starting at 9 a.m. Dogs must be on leashes. Meet in front of the welcome center. Call 910-436-4681.


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K'antu Ensemble are a group of young, highly talented musicians who explore the less-trodden territories of early music, combining elements of folk and world music from Europe and South America. Their successful album, Gusto, was featured on BBC Radio 3 and the ensemble has played such venues as King's Place, Symphony Hall and St Martin-in-the-Fields. They have toured extensively and were invited to perform at the prestigious Gottingen International Festival in Germany.
The musicians play a variety of baroque instruments in exciting, imaginative arrangements, sometimes with vocals and always with rousing percussion that will make you want to dance.


Action Car Centre has moved to 180 Newell ST Bungalow Cairns.This business has been Going for the last 23 years,and has maintained the same ownership for this period of time.We are committed to providing the people of Far North Queensland with good quality used vehicles, at very competitive prices. We also want our customers to feel secure when purchasing from us. To enable this, we provide ra range of warranty and roadside service options, so that you will never be left in the lurch.
Gary Glennon-Tooley is your first point of contact.I have over 30 years experience in the motor trade, and will endeavour to make your time at Action Car Centre as enjoyable, and hassle free as possible. No Statutory Warranty on all B/Class Vehicles We Offer a National Warranty for 12/MTHS on all Vehicles.


Unfortunately, in most cases of colon cancer, early symptoms do not occur. Signs and symptoms generally develop only after the disease has spread beyond its earliest, most treatable stages. Once symptoms do appear, they may include blood in the stool, abdominal discomfort, and change in frequency of bowel movements. Since early symptoms will most likely not occur, screening before signs of the disease are present is the most effective way to detect the cancer when it may most easily be treated.
For most people with colon cancer, early symptoms do not develop. So it's important to have regular screening tests to check for colon cancer, even when no symptoms are present.
These symptoms may be caused by colon cancer, but they also can be the result of other conditions. Therefore, it is important to check with a doctor if you have any of these possible colon cancer symptoms so a proper diagnosis can be made.
Don't wait to feel pain before seeking medical attention. Pain usually isn't an early symptom of colon cancer.
In most cases, early symptoms do not develop when someone has colon cancer. Therefore, screening for the disease is important -- even if you have no symptoms. Screening allows the doctor to find polyps or colon cancer early. Colon cancer is highly curable if diagnosed and treated early.


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Threat Isolation: Why You Can Now Browse Without Fear
Published on Oct 20 2017, 8:33 PM Last Updated on Oct 20 2017, 8:33 PM
by Mark Urban 1
The battle between malicious hackers and enterprise security practitioners has become an ever escalating arms race.
Organizations would invest in ant-virus, anti-spam, and host intrusion prevention services to bolster their security. And it would work - for a time. Attackers reacted by upping their game and started to make progress again. Then, advanced malware sandboxes came along to catch more sophisticated attacks.
Before long, however, bad actors found new ways to slip their malware past even the most sophisticated network defenses, confounding beleaguered defenders with advanced persistent attacks, spear phishing and other exploits.
And now cybercriminals have started to use encrypted channels, multi-vector and multi-phased attacks.
When enterprise security practitioners use forensic tools to conduct breach investigations, they often trace breach sources back to employees who clicked on very clever phishing emails or have been led to a risky website that quickly downloads some zero-day malicious content to their devices. The bad guys have become experts at using techniques like social engineering to trick employees into making security mistakes. It can be subtle – a new, clever web site with a bit of bad JavaScript here, a malicious style sheets there, or maybe a document with just the last fragment malicious payload that activates after a day or two.
The arms race script will repeat and change in ways we can't know today. But we're looking to drive innovation in a different way – for the good guys.
Turning Point in the Malware Battle
The advent of web and email isolation technology provides enterprises with a powerful tool to seal off their networks from infection, approaching security in a dramatically different way.
The technology works by positioning itself between the users and the internet so that potentially malicious content gets executed in a secure, containerized environment, "isolating" the user from all code and content, good or bad. It works in the background, so there's no impact on user experience. They can interact with the website or the email content as if the isolation process was not even occurring.
Early adopters in the healthcare, finance, government and telecommunications sectors are already deploying the technology to combat malware-laden threats arriving over the internet. But it is still early in what's shaping up to be a major transition in the way security organizations fight malware. Indeed, Gartner, which included web isolation as one of the 10 most important technologies in the information security field, expects about 50% of enterprises will adopt isolation technology by 2021.
Since most attacks begin with malware delivered either through email, URL links or malicious websites carried over the internet, the very act of moving the browsing process directly from the end-user's device and isolating it in a network container eliminates the threat of a potential infection.
"This is a fundamentally different approach where malware can't get to the users any longer," said Mark Urban, Symantec's VP of Product Strategy and Operations. "I think this can be a game-changing technology."
It's also why Symantec last week announced an agreement to acquire Israel-based Fireglass, whose leading edge technology creates virtualized websites that let users browse content without having to fear that viruses might infect their devices and corporate networks.
Fireglass's isolation technology deploys virtual containers which process web browsing sessions remotely. It delivers the end user a "visual stream" that is completely safe from malware. By placing traffic in a cloud or on-prem isolation container, no ransomware or other malicious content and malware can wind up infecting endpoints or systems.
"There's no ability for code or content to reach users," Urban noted. "It's just a visual stream. Users can see it, click it, and interact with it just like normal. But nothing actually gets downloaded into their computer or executed into a browser except the visual image, which is harmless. All the HTML, Java, CSS – all the code – gets executed in a safe virtual container. In some ways, it's the ultimate protection because bad stuff can't reach the end user."
The computing architecture in web and email isolation serves as a proxy that essentially isolates the users and devices inside the enterprise and carefully manages their connections to the outside world. It applies different technologies that analyze information and content to ensure that malware can't get into the network.
"There is no silver bullet. But having a multi-layer approach to detection – with anti-virus scanning , advanced malware sandboxes, and behavioral analytics – is critically important," Urban said. " And isolation technology adds the latest high-impact capabilities to the mix, allowing employees to interact with higher-risk sites and emails which in a safe and secure manner."
Isolation offers organizations a way to strike a balance between IT's desire to keep their computing environment safe and employees, who need to access information over the public internet. Millions of hosts - domains, subdomains, or IP addresses - pop up every day and many have life spans of less than 24 hours. Many organizations choose to set their Secure Web Gateways to block users from going to types of uncategorized sites because of the risk they represent, even though many are legitimate destinations for business purposes.
"The age-old challenge for security organizations is to find the right balance between keeping users happy and keeping their computing environment safe," according to Urban.
"In a perfect world, these organizations would block everything that's even a little bit risky, and users would be OK." he continued, "but in the real world, users do complain and security has to strike a balance between risk and access." With web and email isolation, Urban added, users can get to the information they need and the business is protected from any threats lurking in the shadows. "The isolation path gives them a lot more flexibility," he said.
What Does Fireglass Do?
The core technology can be delivered on-premises or as a cloud-service. It intercepts and executes web requests in a remote secured environment and will offer users safe access to uncategorized websites, without risk of malware infection, since each website interaction is isolated from the network. The same isolation benefits hold true for files delivered from the web - users access files through isolation instead of downloading them to their machines.
Businesses can then let their users interact with these sites and documents to accomplish their tasks, knowing that any malware introduced via these sessions will remain isolated from their network and not infect their environment.
The upshot: A more open environment, happier users and better threat prevention. Now that's a winning combination.
Integrations, Integrations, Integrations…
Published on Jul 20 2017, 7:12 PM Last Updated on Jul 20 2017, 7:12 PM
by peter_doggart 3
In June 2017, we officially announced the new Symantec Technology Integration Partner Program (#TIPP), bringing together the Blue Coat and Symantec worlds and creating the largest and broadest technology partner eco-system in cyber security.
In this blog, I wanted to share what this means for our customers as well as our technology partners and showcase a new tool we call the Integration Cyber Defense Map - Download the Map
Defending ourselves from cyber threats is hard. If you look at a typical enterprise, they will have acquired around 30-60 security vendors over the years, but unfortunately maybe only half of those would have been deployed. Why? Cyber-security requires discipline, a long-term viewpoint and for all these systems to work together to make operational sense. And that simply hasn't happened. It's a shame that many of these systems are just left on the shelf and not fully utilized.
One can argue whether deploying 10 vendors is better than 60, but in any case, it is critical that cyber security systems be able to share data and context about what they know, what has been blocked and why, what they have detected as suspicious and so on. The Symantec Integration Cyber Defense Platform together with TIPP sets up this framework
To help our customers understand how the Integrated Cyber Defense platform can help, we have created an interactive map of all internal and external partner technology integrations.
This showcases many hundreds of integrations across our entire product portfolio and how they map to our own 24 product areas as well as our 23 partner solution categories and our 100+ TIPP partners.
If you are a Symantec End Point or ProxySG customer, simply mouse-over that product to see all the current active partner solutions and then drill down to learn more. Alternatively, if you have deployed deception technologies, another EDR solution, simply mouse-over and find quickly which Symantec products work together. Access the Map Here.
We have a very strong pipeline of additional integrations for 2017 so this map will be updated frequently.
For our technology partners, we have also worked hard to make this the best program in the industry, with access to a rich set of APIs', product support, demo licensing for engineering and certification, documentation as well as access to our community portal; Symantec Connect, with direct access to over 700,000 users.
Any customers and partners wanting to learn more about TIPP, click here. https://www.symantec.com/partners/programs/technology-integration-partners
Managing Mobility
Endpoint Virtualization Suite
Endpoint Virtualization
IT Management Suite Documentation
Symantec Security Information Manager
Protection Engine for Network Attached Storage
Cyber Security Exercise
Symantec Mobility Device Management
Virtual Secure Web Gateway
Data Loss Prevention and CASB - Symantec DLP Cloud and Symantec CloudSOC
Cloud-Delivered Web Security Services
WebFilter Intelligence Services
Protection for SharePoint Servers
CacheFlow
Symantec Mobility Suite
Advanced Threat Protection for Email
Management Center
Symantec Mobility Threat Protection
Encrypted Traffic Management
Endpoint Suite
Protection Engine for Cloud Services
Authentic Document IDs for Brew
Certificate Lifecycle Platform
Symantec Mobility Application Management
Embedded Security Critical System Protection


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Obama Sits Down With CBS News
Barack Obama speaks out on politics, the presidency, and Donald Trump
In his first TV interview since Joe Biden's election, the former president sits down with "CBS This Morning" co-host Gayle King to discuss his memoir, "A Promised Land"; life in and after the White House; and speaking out against his successor
Barack Obama on America past and present
The former president shares the advice he would give President Trump, his thoughts on the killing of George Floyd, and what's behind the divisions in Washington and across the U.S.
President Obama's thoughts after leaving the Trump inauguration
President Barack Obama tells 60 Minutes what he was thinking about as his helicopter departed from President Trump's inauguration.
Barack Obama on Trump: "This is not normal"
In his interview with CBS News' Gayle King, former President Barack Obama comments on Election 2020, and President Donald Trump's allegations, without evidence, that his election loss was due to fraud.
Obama: GOP allies didn't allege "any fraud" before Trump's claims
The former president said it was "disappointing" to see Republicans supporting President Trump's baseless claims that the election was rigged.
Obama on Trump's baseless election fraud claims
The former president says he's troubled by Republicans going along with President Trump's claims. See the interview, Sunday on 60 Minutes.
Obama to be interviewed on "60 Minutes" and "CBS Sunday Morning"
The former president will return to CBS News to speak with Gayle King for "CBS Sunday Morning," and Scott Pelley for "60 Minutes."
Confirmation hearings will begin Tuesday for some key members of President-elect Joe Biden's Cabinet.
Biden spokeswoman Jen Psaki tweeted Monday that the new administration does not intend to lift the travel conditions on January 26.
Senators Roy Blunt and Amy Klobuchar, who are in charge of inauguration preparations, spoke with "CBS Evening News" about security plans and the future of the nation.
"We're coming for you": New videos from inside the U.S. Capitol riot
Of the 1,000 people who may have entered the Capitol on January 6, federal investigators are focusing on extremist groups that may have scoped out the building and trained for the assault.
Yellen to call for "big" action at Senate confirmation hearing
CBS News has obtained her prepared remarks.
Trump expected to grant up to 100 clemency actions Tuesday
Tuesday marks President Trump's final full day in office.
Biden taps Warren ally for key financial regulation role
Picks to lead the CFPB and SEC are seen as tough defenders of consumer and investor rights.
Public health experts are urging ICE to implement a vaccination plan for its detention system, which is currently holding more than 15,000 immigrants.
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Museum of London to display Trump Baby balloon
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Official: "No special treatment" for 72 Aussie Open players in quarantine
"The virus doesn't treat you specially, so neither do we," said Daniel Andrews, Victoria's state premier.
Norway says no link between vaccine and elderly deaths
Norway has reported 33 deaths among elderly people who have received their first dose, according to public health authorities.
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A caller who identified themselves as the former partner of Riley Williams told authorities that she planned to give the device to a friend who would sell it to Russia's foreign intelligence service, a claim that authorities are investigating but have not yet confirmed.
The zoo explained that their animal care team intervened, but couldn't save the calf's life.
"Insurrectionists planning attacks across the country this week and Florida is jailing scientists for the crimes of knowing and speaking," she tweeted.
"Sunday Morning" Matinee: "Paradise Square"
The new musical tells a story set in 1863 New York, in the violent Five Points neighborhood, where Irish and Black cultures meet. Watch an excerpt.
New museum honors African American musicians who "paved the way"
The National Museum of African American Music has more than 1,600 artifacts and memorabilia to help tell the story of Black trailblazers and innovators.
Phil Spector, who rose to worldwide fame in the 1960s as the music producer who created what's known as the "Wall of Sound," has died in prison after being convicted of the murder of actress Lana Clarkson. Jamie Yuccas reports.
Phil Spector, famed producer convicted of murder, dies at 81
California state prison officials said he died Saturday of natural causes at a hospital.
New museum celebrates African American music
Anthony Mason gets a look inside the new National Museum of African American Music in Nashville for the first time. The museum is a celebration of African Americans' contributions to and influence across the musical landscape, and with new historical context, rewriting their role in the American soundtrack. Mason talks to Grammy winners H.E.R. and Darius Rucker about their own influences and the impact they hope this museum will have.
Richard Branson company launches rocket from under plane's wing
Virgin Orbit asserts its method offers maximum flexibility since the launching Boeing 747s could take off from airports anywhere.
Twitter suspends Congresswoman over election fraud claims
Republican Congresswoman from Georgia condemned big tech companies for "silencing" conservative views.
Social media – hailed as an organizing tool for pro-democracy rallies – has also become a forum for conspiracy theories, racism and disinformation. What are the implications of tech companies "de-platforming" users (even a president) for speech that enflames?
It was not immediately clear what went wrong or what will be needed to fix it.
Smartwatches can help detect COVID-19 before symptoms show
Your smartwatch may know you have the coronavirus before you do, according to a growing body of research.
Gottlieb expects new virus variant to dominate U.S. infections in 5 weeks
The new variant discovered in the United Kingdom is currently about 0.5% of all infections in the U.S.
These states are doing best (and worst) at vaccinating people
West Virginia is leading the pack, while big states like California and Georgia are struggling, according to CDC data.
Past COVID infection provides at least 5 months of immunity, study shows
Researchers noted that someone who's been infected may still be able to carry the virus and pass it on to others.
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The grim news comes as Los Angeles is battling a more contagious variant of the virus. California leads the world in coronavirus cases, with over 3 million residents infected.
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Man arrested for allegedly living in airport for months
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Blue Origin launches New Shepard test flight
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Hindsight is 2020: An Unprecedented Election
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Security is tight in the nation's capitol in the days leading up to Preisdent-elect Joe Biden's inauguration. CBS News senior investigative correspondent Catherine Herridge joins CBSN's "Red & Blue" host Elaine Quijano to discuss the latest developments in the investigation into the January 6 attack on the Capitol and the alleged theft of a laptop from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's office.
COVID vaccine timeline unknown for ICE detainees
Nearly 9,000 immigrants in ICE custody have been infected with the coronavirus since the beginning of the pandemic. U.S. immigrations officials have agreed to vaccinate more than 15,000 detainees once doses become available. But the agency still has no concrete timeline on when that will be. CBS News immigration reporter Camilo Montoya-Galvez joins CBSN's Elaine Quijano to discuss.
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What started out as a fringe conspiracy theory in 2017 has recently spread into the mainstream. Dozens of people linked to the baseless QAnon conspiracy theory ran for federal office in 2020, and two were elected to Congress. This CBSN Originals documentary explores how QAnon has taken root amid challenging times and a growing distrust in American institutions, and what it means for the future of the country.
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ASTC awards more than $200,000 to 26 science centers and museums to advance equity in gender representation as part of the IF/THEN Initiative
June 24, 2020 June 23, 2020 / ASTC News & Announcements, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion / By ASTC Staff
The IF/THEN® Gender Equity Grant Program aims to increase the representation of women and gender minorities in STEM The Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC) is pleased to announce the recipients of the first cycle of IF/THEN® Gender Equity Grants. Through the support of IF/THEN®, an initiative of Lyda Hill Philanthropies, more than $200,000 …
ASTC awards more than $200,000 to 26 science centers and museums to advance equity in gender representation as part of the IF/THEN Initiative Read More »
20 science centers and museums receive grants to support STEM engagement during the COVID-19 pandemic
June 23, 2020 June 23, 2020 / ASTC News & Announcements, Resources & Learning / By ASTC Staff
Program is supported by the Voya Foundation Twenty science centers and museums around the United States will receive $5,000 each in support of STEM engagement during the COVID-19 pandemic. These grants were made possible by generous support from Voya Foundation through a competition managed by the Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC). This flexible …
20 science centers and museums receive grants to support STEM engagement during the COVID-19 pandemic Read More »


A simple winter soup made with the most delicious of all the winter squash - kabocha. Roast a head of garlic along with the squash for a rich, caramelized flavor and stir in sauteed kale for a hit of fresh green.
But in all seriousness, kabocha and I have been having quite the love affair this winter. I can't get enough of it's dense, creamy texture and rich sweetness! I've been throwing roast cubes of it into everything I eat...and sometimes snacking on caramelized cubes of it between meals. But mostly, I've been making soup. Lots and lots of soup.
I tend to get sick of pureed soups pretty quickly, but I remain enamored with this basic one, even after multiple batches. You can use this recipe as a template and add different flavors and spices as you like. Give it a Middle Eastern flair with a sprinkle of za'atar, swirl of olive oil and dollop of plain yogurt. Stir in sweet rice cake balls to make a traditional Korean soup called danhobak juk. Stir in curry and turmeric for an Indian spiced soup. Or, go all Paula Dean with it and cook the kale in rendered bacon fat then garnishing with crumbled bacon. Kale cancels out bacon, or something like that.
For a topping, I saved the kabocha squash seeds and roasted them as I whipped up the soup. One thing I love about winter squash is you get a meal and a snack out of one piece of produce. Squash seeds are packed with nutrition - healthy fats, fiber, zinc, and copper to name a few. I've seen many recipes that call for meticulously soaking and cleaning the seeds, but I say pfffttt to that! The squash "guts," if you will, may not be as pretty, but it adds flavor and that's the important thing.
This is one of those recipes that speaks for itself, so I'll just get to it. But first, tell me your go-to winter soups in the comments below. The temperature is dropping and I need some inspiration!
You could certainly make this with any other winter squash, it's just that kabocha is the best, so why would you :) Other greens, like chard or collards, work in this as well, just adjust your cooking times accordingly so the greens are wilted, not crunchy.
Carefully cut the squash in half. Scoop out the seeds and guts using a spoon, reserving only the seeds in a small bowl. Cut each half in half so you have four sections. Drizzle with a teaspoon of olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Place on a large baking sheet.
Peel away the paper outer layers of the garlic. Drizzle with 1 teaspoon olive oil and wrap with a square of aluminum foil. Place alongside the squash.
Place pan with garlic and squash in the oven and roast about 45 minutes until tender. Check the squash after about 30 minutes with a fork to see if it's tender. Remove from oven and set aside until cool enough to handle.
While cooling, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large pot. Add onion and saute 3-5 minutes until translucent. Add kale, salt and pepper and saute until wilted, adding a couple tablespoons of water to help it steam.
While the kale is wilting, scoop squash flesh and roasted garlic (just squeeze the individual cloves out of it's paper) into a blender. Add vegetable broth, turmeric and caynne and blend until pureed. Pour into the pot with the kale. Add 2 cups water to the blender to help rinse out the remaining squash puree and pour that into the soup. Season with salt and pepper.
Bring soup to a simmer then cook 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Reduce oven temp to 375. While the soup is simmering, toss the seeds with 1 teaspoon olive oil, salt and pepper. Spread evenly on a baking sheet (can use the same one you roasted the squash on). Roast for 10-15 minutes until crispy and crunchy, but not browned.
Serve soup garnished with toasted seeds.


Quality German thermal engineering meets quality Australian Chassis.
Proven Ferroplast thermal qualities and precise Schmitz Cargobull assembly process merged with established Australian Trailer manufacturing to create the ideal combination for B-Double and Road train application for Australian conditions.
Krueger remains a well-established Family Owned Australian Business servicing the Australian Transport Industry for over 30 years providing innovative design born from an extensive knowledge of the Australian Market. The consolidation of both areas of expertise results in a unique level of standard in Refrigerated Transport Equipment for Australia.