text:
Trump praises 'extraordinary' US-UK alliance on state visit
By : Plumbers Surbiton
Media captionTheresa May: "Unity of purpose will preserve deep-rooted ties" with US
US President Donald Trump has said the US and UK have the "greatest alliance the world has ever known".
In a news conference with Theresa May, he promised a "phenomenal" trade deal after the UK leaves the European Union, but added that "everything is on the table" – including the NHS.
Mrs May said the scope of trade talks had to be agreed by both countries.
Mr Trump also said he turned down a meeting with Jeremy Corbyn, who addressed protesters in Westminster.
The US president met Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage at the US ambassador's residence, Winfield House.
Mr Farage tweeted that it was a "good meeting" and Mr Trump "really believes in Brexit".
On the second day of his three-day state visit, Mr Trump said:
Mrs May had done "a very good job" in getting the Brexit negotiations to this point and said "she's probably a better negotiator than I am"
Brexit "will happen and it probably should happen" because the UK is "a great, great country and it wants its own identity"
Protests against him were "very small" and "fake news"
Both the US and UK are "determined to ensure that Iran never develops nuclear weapons and stops supporting and engaging in terrorism"
The two countries would reach an agreement to protect intelligence sharing, despite their disagreement over Huawei – the mobile internet infrastructure company which the US says is a risk to national security
Conservative leadership candidate Boris Johnson would do "a very good job", as would Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt, but he "did not know" Michael Gove
Analysis: The 'end of an era' for May
By James Landale, BBC diplomatic correspondent
Theresa May's news conference with Donald Trump had an "end of era" feel to it.
Only days before she stands down as the Conservatives' leader, the prime minister set out clear positions she hoped may survive her premiership.
On Iran, the UK and US agree on the threat but disagree on the solution, and the US must "do everything to avoid escalation which is in no-one's interest".
On China, she said both sides cannot ignore the threat to their interests, but they must also recognise the country's "economic significance" – a clear warning against a lasting US trade war with Beijing.
On the transatlantic relationship, she emphasised she and the president were only "the latest guardians of this precious and profound friendship".
In other words, she is going and so one day will he, and the relationship will endure.
Read more from our diplomatic correspondent
Protesters gathered in central London to voice their opposition to President Trump's visit, with other demonstrations planned for Birmingham, Sheffield, Glasgow, Chester, Leicester, Oxford and Exeter.
Mr Corbyn – who boycotted the state dinner – was joined at the rally by members of other political parties, including the Liberal Democrats and the Green Party.
Addressing the crowds, he criticised the US president's attack on Sadiq Khan, in which he described the London Mayor as a "stone cold loser".
EPA/ANDY RAIN
Protesters against the presidential visit launched a Trump baby blimp on Parliament Square
Media captionAnti-Trump protesters gathered in Trafalgar Square
Mr Corbyn said: "I am proud that our city has a Muslim mayor, that we can chase down Islamophobia, anti-Semitism, any form of racism within our society," he said.
The Labour leader had proposed talks with Mr Trump, saying he was ready to engage with the US president on issues such as climate change, threats to peace and the refugee crisis, but these were refused.
"I want to be able to have that dialogue to bring about the better and more peaceful world that we all want to live in," Mr Corbyn told the crowd of protesters.
When asked about the Labour leader, the US president said he did "not know him, never met him, never spoke to him", adding: "He wanted to meet today or tomorrow and I decided I would not do that."
Describing Mr Corbyn as a "negative force", Mr Trump said: "I really don't like critics as much as I like and respect people who get things done."
At the protest
By Marie Jackson, BBC News
The whistling and whooping ramps up as Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn takes to the stage in Whitehall.
The rainy streets are now packed with cagoule-clad protesters holding aloft umbrellas and placards saying "Dump Trump".
Some have their faces covered with #trumpstinks masks, others wear badges saying "another nasty woman against Trump".
There are mums with small children in buggies who have given up a day in the park to make their young voices heard, alongside seasoned protesters and US expats.
A little further up the street, police officers are dealing with a disturbance by the English Defence League.
The rain's holding off for the moment but Mr Corbyn has a message for the visiting president.
"Think on, please, about a world that is aiming for peace and disarmament, that defeats racism and misogyny."
The crowd roars cheers of support.
Mr Trump also said the NHS would be included in post-Brexit trade talks between the US and the UK.
The US president said "everything is on the table" in future discussions between the countries, adding that a "phenomenal" trade deal would be reached.
But Health Secretary Matt Hancock was among several Conservative leadership candidates who said they would not allow the NHS to become part of any trade talks. "Not on my watch," he tweeted.
Mrs May said any trade agreement would follow talks about "what should or should not be in that trade deal for the future".
After speaking of the US and UK's "special relationship", she also said the leaders had "openly" discussed their differences, such as on climate change, Iran and China.
Media captionThe US President promises a post-Brexit trade deal with the UK "two or three times as big as now"
Analysis: What would a US-UK trade deal mean for the NHS?
By Hugh Pym, BBC health editor
There is nothing to stop American or any other foreign firms bidding for NHS contracts under current rules, as long as they have a subsidiary in the EU.
The health reforms in England in 2012 required local commissioners to put large contracts out to tender.
A subsidiary of the US company United Health, along with British firms like Virgin and Circle, is among private groups which has won such contracts.
Around 7% of the English health budget goes to private providers.
There are different contracting arrangements in other parts of the UK.
The head of NHS England, Simon Stevens, has called for new legislation to drop the requirement for health commissioners to put contracts out to tender.
But if the government decides to do this it's not clear whether that might be overridden by the sort of trade deal with the US mentioned today by Mr Trump.
That's the suspicion of those who argue the NHS is vulnerable to covert privatisation.
The US president is also expected to meet Tory leadership hopefuls Michael Gove and Jeremy Hunt, and had a phone conversation with Boris Johnson during his visit.
He also met former Cabinet ministers Iain Duncan Smith and Owen Paterson.
Mr Trump and the first lady were taken to Downing Street in a limousine known as the Beast
Media captionThe US president arrives for talks with Mrs May at Downing Street
On Monday Mr Trump was welcomed by the Queen and had lunch at Buckingham Palace with senior royals. He also visited Westminster Abbey and had tea at Clarence House with the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall.
He attended a state banquet at Buckingham Palace in the evening, during which Mr Trump praised the "eternal friendship" between the UK and US.
The Queen said the countries were celebrating an alliance which had ensured the "safety and prosperity of both our peoples for decades".
The president's visit coincides with the commemorations for the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings, which the Queen, Mr Trump and other heads of state will attend at Portsmouth on Wednesday.
Are you following the state visit? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk
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text:
What do do if tie and onlyUseRecordingWithMostSources enabled
The song "Sam Smith Feat. A$AP Rocky - I'm Not the Only One" (3:43 min) is found two times with manual match.
The acoustid https://acoustid.org/track/d578bd40-33a6-4137-83cb-867e240c1906 with two recordings and both have an equal no of sources, in this case you could eventually compare the title and artist (once more), or take the first one.
I deleted the second recording Tony Orlando & Dawn - Save the last dance for me, because in the part Additional user-submitted metadata of this acoustid suggested that the song "Sam Smith Feat. A$AP Rocky - I'm Not the Only One" is the right one to match.
Now that the second source is deleted the song is matched.
Currently if two recordings are linked to an Acoustid and both have the same number of sources the last one returned from Acoustid will overwrite any other recordings with the same no of sources and hence the last one added will be returned. This is incorrect but not sure we want to do the onlyUseRecordingWithMostSources option is enabled to prevent bad Acoustid links but if two recordings have the same no of sources so there is no clear winner can we trust either.
And really what are more concerned about is when an Acoustid links to completely different recordings, i.e different songs by either
1. same artist, in which case one is clearly wrong
2. different artist and song, may both be valid but when matchig a single song how do we know whch except for match on existing metadata, but this relies on that existing metadata being correct.
Solution as follows:
1. If multiple recordings have the same number of sources then return releases for both recordings but only if all the recording song titles have the same (lowercase)name, if they are different names very hard to know which (if either) is right so just don't return any.
2. Additionally even if onlyUseRecordingWithMostSources is disabled (as it is when matching multiple songs to a release) then instead of returning releases for all recordings linked to the acoustid we now only returns releases for the recording with the most sources AND for any other recordings that have the same name as the recording with the most sources.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Tag: suo moto
Criticism mounts against Supreme Court
The Supreme Court judgment, which bars the human rights watchdog from communicating with foreign organizations, appears to weaken its ability to engage with the UN human rights system and is "yet another example of the judiciary undermining human rights protection in the Maldives," a UN rights chief has said.
The apex court on Tuesday declared a rights assessment submitted to the UN by the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM) as unlawful, and issued a legally binding 11-point guideline.
The guideline requires the HRCM to communicate with foreign bodies through relevant government institutions, and warn against causing damage to the reputation of the Maldives.
The High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein in a statement on Friday said it was "completely unacceptable" for the Supreme Court to impose restrictions on the commission's engagement with international bodies.
"In this case, the Supreme Court appears to be yet again overreaching its mandate by playing a legislative role. Laws regulating the very important human rights monitoring and reporting work of civil society and independent institutions must be transparently adopted by legislative bodies following wide consultations and open debate, in line with international human rights and standards," he said.
The guideline was issued under controversial suomoto regulations that allow the Supreme Court to prosecute and pass judgment.
The charges relate to an HRCM report to the UN's Universal Periodic Review, in which the commission said the Supreme Court controlled and influenced the lower courts to the detriment of the Maldivian judiciary.
The UPR studies the human rights record of all 193 UN member states and is aimed at supporting and expanding the protection of human rights.
The Maldives underwent a second inspection in May. Nations across the world criticized the Maldives over the politicization of the judiciary and raised concern over the Supreme Court's prosecution of HRCM.
Zeid reminded the government that it had committed to ensuring the HRCM's independence after the UPR. The foreign ministry had also committed to ensure that the HRCM and other civil society groups would be able to participate in international mechanisms without reprisals.
Noting that three new commissioners are to be appointed for August and September, Zeid said: "The appointments must be made through a participatory, transparent and consultative selection process, with the extensive involvement of civil society.
"New commissioners must be selected on the basis of their proven commitment to human rights, integrity and independence, not their political loyalties."
President Abdulla Yameen has nominated a former MP of the ruling Progressive Party of the Maldives (PPM), the wife of a current PPM MP and a senior official at the gender ministry for the HRCM. The three are expected to gain parliamentary approval as the ruling coalition enjoys a comfortable majority in the parliament.
The International Service for Human Rights (ISHR), a Geneva-based advocacy group, has said the Supreme Court's ruling is a clear breach of the Maldives' membership of the UN human rights council.
The Maldives was first elected to the council in 2010 and re-elected for a second term in November 2013.
"For a member state of the UN Human Rights Council to retaliate against a national human rights institution for providing a report to the council is tantamount to contempt and is plainly incompatible with membership of that body," ISHR Program Manager, Eleanor Openshaw.
The Asian Center for Human Rights has also called for Maldives to be suspended from the council over the imprisonment of ex-president Mohamed Nasheed and other politicians.
Zeid, in his statement also said: "We have long been concerned about the deeply flawed role of the judiciary in the Maldives, including in the case against former president Nasheed."
The UN Special Rapporteurs on independence of judges and lawyers, Gabriela Knaul, and on the situation of human rights defenders, Michel Forst have described the Supreme Court verdict "an act of reprisal" and urged the court to reconsider its verdict.
In March last year, the Supreme Court had sacked the Elections Commission's president and vice-president when they criticized a 16-point electoral guideline issued by the court after it annulled the first round of presidential elections in September 2013.
In 2012, the Supreme Court ruled that the anti-corruption watchdog was not authorized to suspend government contracts even if they suspected major corruption.
The president of the Anti – Corruption Commission at the time said the ruling rendered the ACC powerless to stop corruption.
Posted on June 20, 2015 June 21, 2015 Author Shafaa HameedCategories PoliticsTags Gabriela Knaul, HRCM, HRCM Supreme Court, ISHR, judiciary, maldives maldives news, minivan news, suo moto, UN, UN rights chief, un special rapporteur Gabriela Knaul2 Comments on Criticism mounts against Supreme Court
Supreme Court verdict against HRCM 'an act of reprisal,' says UN experts
The Supreme Court's ruling which imposes several restrictions on the Maldives human rights watchdog "is an act of reprisal" and contravenes both the Maldives' Constitution and its international human rights obligations, two UN rights experts have said.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled a report submitted by the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM) to the UN in September last year as unlawful.
Judges set an 11-point guideline barring the commission from communicating with foreign bodies without oversight from "relevant state institutions."
The guideline also orders the HRCM to ensure their activities are conducted with the full cooperation of other state institutions and that they "will not ruin the reputation of the Maldives."
"The Supreme Court's decision is purely and simply an act of reprisal against the Human Rights Commission for its legitimate cooperation with the UN human rights systems and its mechanisms," said the UN special rapporteurs on the independence of judges and lawyers, Gabriela Knaul, and on the situation of human rights defenders, Michel Forst.
Knaul and Forst have urged the Supreme Court to reconsider its verdict.
The Supreme Court had charged the HRCM with treason under controversial suomoto regulations that allow the court to prosecute and pass judgment.
The charges related to an HRCM report to the UN's Universal Periodic Review, in which the commission said the Supreme Court controlled and influenced the lower courts to the detriment of the Maldives judiciary.
The UPR is a process that involves a review of the human rights records of all UN member states by other states, in order to improve the situation in all countries and address violations.
During a second hearing last year, the HRCM said its observations were based on reports by Knaul, the International Commission of Jurists and advocacy NGO Transparency Maldives.
Judges censured the commission then, saying the judiciary had rejected Knaul's 2013 report as "invalid."
Chief Justice Abdulla Saeed on Tuesday said the HRCM report was biased and undermined judicial independence in the Maldives.
Knaul and Forst said the Supreme Court verdict "is an undue interference into the independent work of the commission and their right to share information freely with the UN."
The verdict is at attempt to strip the HRCM of its independence and "severely limit its constitutional prerogative to promote, as well as monitor and assess observance of, human rights in the country," they said.
The Supreme Court has contravened the Maldives constitution which enshrines the independence of the Human Rights Commission, they added.
"While the judiciary is to decide matters before it without any restrictions, improper influences, inducements, or threats, it is bound by the powers granted by the Constitution and the laws and must function in full compliance with the state's international human rights obligations."
Knaul and Forst said the government has not responded to an October 2014 letter they had written regarding the charges.
"We deeply regret that the government of the Maldives has failed to respond to this letter and urge the government to respond to the questions addressed in a timely manner."
The main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party, civil society groups and lawyers have also condemned the Supreme Court's ruling and said the court has infringed on the parliament's mandate by "writing laws" for the HRCM.
In March last year, the court had sacked the Elections Commission's president and vice-president when they criticized a 16-point electoral guideline issued by the court after it annulled the first round of presidential elections in September 2013.
Posted on June 19, 2015 June 20, 2015 Author Zaheena RasheedCategories PoliticsTags Gabriela Knaul, HRCM, maldives, maldives news, Michel Forst, suo moto, supreme court3 Comments on Supreme Court verdict against HRCM 'an act of reprisal,' says UN experts
Supreme Court renders human rights watchdog toothless
The Supreme Court has declared a rights assessment submitted to the UN by the human rights watchdog as unlawful, and has issued an 11-point guideline barring the independent body from communicating with foreign organizations without government oversight.
Chief Justice Abdulla Saeed delivered a verdict today, eight months after the apex court charged the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM) with treason.
He said the September 2014 report submitted to the UN Human Rights Council was biased, encouraged terrorists and undermined judicial independence in the Maldives.
In the report, the HRCM had said the Supreme Court controlled and influenced the lower courts to the detriment of the Maldivian judiciary.
Days after the report was publicised, the Supreme Court brought charges against the HRCM under controversial suomoto regulations that allow the apex court to prosecute and pass judgment.
The case had remained stalled after just two hearings.
The 11-point guideline issued today orders the HRCM to protect unity, peace and order, and uphold Maldivian norms, faith, etiquette and the rule of law.
The Supreme Court said the HRCM must not overstep its mandate and ordered the independent body to cooperate with government institutions, communicate with foreign bodies through the relevant government institutions, and protect the Maldives' reputation.
The written verdict was not available at the time of going to press.
In March last year, the apex court sacked the Election Commission's president and vice-president when they criticised a 16-point electoral guideline issued by the Supreme Court after annulling the first round of presidential elections in September 2013.
Judicial control
The HRCM's two-page report submitted to the UN's Universal Periodic Review (UPR) said: "The judicial system is controlled and influenced by the Supreme Court, weakening judicial powers vested in other superior courts and lower courts."
The Maldives was first reviewed in 2010 and underwent a second inspection in May.
During the review in Geneva, countries across the world blasted the Maldives for the 'politicisation of the judiciary' and raised concern over the Supreme Court's prosecution of the HRCM.
Several countries then recommended that the Maldives ensure impartiality and independence of the judiciary and provide training to judges.
The foreign ministry has deferred accepting or rejecting the recommendations, pending "national level consultation." A decision will be communicated before the 30th session of the human rights council in September or October 2015.
Trial summary
At the second hearing on September 30, 2014, the HRCM had denied charges and said that the commission's observations on the judiciary were based on reports by the UN Special Rapporteur on Independence of Judges and Lawyers Gabriela Knaul, the International Commission of Jurists and the national chapter of Transparency International.
Then-Chief Justice Ahmed Faiz said the judiciary had rejected Knaul's report as invalid and reprimanded the HRCM for alleged failure to consult the Supreme Court in writing the UPR submission.
Faiz and Judge Muthasim Adnan were removed from the seven-member bench in December.
The HRCM in March said the Supreme Court's suomoto case was the biggest challenge the watchdog has faced in its 11-year history.
The HRCM Act grants members immunity from prosecution in relation to acts carried out as part of the commission's duties.
Today's ruling comes as the parliament prepares to appoint three new members to the HRCM as the five-year terms of three members are due to expire in August.
The three members are HRCM president Mariyam Azra, vice-president Ahmed Tholal and member Jeehan Mahmood.
President Abdulla Yameen has nominated a former ruling party MP to the position. The opposition has accused the president of stacking independent commissions through the ruling-party controlled parliament.
Posted on June 16, 2015 June 16, 2015 Author Zaheena RasheedCategories PoliticsTags HRCM, judiciary, maldives, maldives news, suo moto, supreme court
Maldives judiciary hammered in UN human rights review
Countries across the world have blasted the Maldives for it's politicized judiciary and expressed alarm over threats to journalists and human rights defenders at a UN periodic review of human rights in Geneva today.
The imprisonment of former president Mohamed Nasheed on terrorism charges was also noted with concern by Norway, Germany, the United Kingdom, Denmark, the United States, Canada and Australia.
But many countries welcomed new anti-torture laws and laws protecting migrant worker and women's rights in the Maldives, and applauded progress in healthcare and education.
The UN's Universal Periodic Review (UPR) comes amidst heightened international scrutiny of the Maldives over political turbulence triggered by Nasheed's arrest in February. Hundreds were arrested this weekend in a 20,000 strong anti-government protest.
Foreign Minister Dunya Maumoon said the Maldives is training and building capacity of judges, and said criticism of Nasheed's trial had "mainly focused on the process and not the merits."
Many countries also slammed the Maldives for the Supreme Court's decision to try members of the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM) for treason over a submission to the UPR.
Despite the strong criticism, the foreign ministry in a statement tonight said the human rights council had "praised Maldives for the tremendous progress it has achieved in the promotion and protection of human rights."
Judicial reform
Expressing concern over a "lack of respect for the most basic principals of fair trial and due process" during Nasheed's trial, Norway called on the Maldives to release the opposition leader immediately.
Germany noted a climate of growing fear in the Maldives due to increasing gang related violence, religious intolerance, and attacks and death threats faced by journalists, politicians and civil society groups.
The UK meanwhile called on the Maldives to ensure administration of justice is "fully consistent with international human rights standards" and take urgent action to protect journalists, NGOs and to investigate and prosecute individuals behind the threats.
The UK also expressed concern over arrests of opposition leaders during the mass antigovernment protest on May 1, and called for dialogue between the government and opposition parties.
Denmark noted irregularities and rushed processes in Nasheed's trial, and recommended the "Maldives restore confidence in its legal system by ensuring the clear and unambiguous division of powers, including the indisputable independence of its judicial processes and judges."
The United States urged the Maldives to end politically motivated prosecutions, including the Supreme Court's prosecution of members of the human rights watchdog.
The US said it was concerned about fair trial guarantees and said Maldives must strengthen the independence of the judiciary by reforming the process by which the judicial watchdog – the Judicial Services Commission – selects and appoints judges.
Adding its voice to calls for Nasheed's release, Canada said Maldives must reaffirm its commitment to democracy and rule of law, and institute an independent bar association.
Meanwhile, India said the judiciary must adhere to due process to maintain public trust and said the space for legitimate political dissent must be safeguarded.
Botswana, Brazil, Argentina, Slovenia, New Zealand, Ghana, Switzerland, Italy, Ireland, South Korea, Bangladesh, Liechtenstein, Netherlands, Trinidad and Tobago, Kenya and France also spoke on the need for judicial reform.
International spotlight
Responding to criticism of Nasheed's trial, foreign minister Dunya said the case "has highlighted the profound need to work together and strengthen oversight institutions, including the judiciary and the need to bring urgent reforms to the judiciary."
She censured Nasheed for his decision not to seek an appeal, stating appellate courts were set in place to address shortcomings by the lower courts.
Nasheed's lawyers had decided not to appeal after the criminal court failed to provide the necessary documentation within a shortened ten-day appeal period. The opposition leader has instead appealed to president Abdulla Yameen to reduce his sentence and release him through special procedures in the Clemency Act.
On the Supreme Court's prosecution of the human rights commission, the Maldives representative in Geneva, Geela Ali, declined to comment, stating: "as the matter is yet to be decided, we deem it inappropriate to comment on the matter just yet."
The charges were brought in September last year under new suo moto regulations that allow the Supreme Court to prosecute and pass judgment. The case is still pending.
Dunya said the Maldives had formulated a judicial sector strategic action plan with new benchmarks for increasing efficiency, effectiveness and public confidence in the judiciary.
"Almost everyone seems to have something to say, about what they think is good for the Maldives. As a result, every baby step that the Maldives takes is fiercely debated all over the world, including in the corridors of power in key capitals," she said.
"It is easy to criticize, but we urge you to not only do that: invest in us, bring about meaningful change."
She insisted Maldives' institutions must have the space to grow organically, and said meaningful democratic change cannot be imposed. Change "can only be sustained if the change is locally owned, locally driven and locally shaped," she said.
Posted on May 6, 2015 May 7, 2015 Author Zaheena RasheedCategories PoliticsTags Foreign Minister Dunya Maumoon, geneva, HRCM, maldives, Maldives judiciary, maldives news, May Day, Mohamed Nasheed, suo moto, supreme court, UPR8 Comments on Maldives judiciary hammered in UN human rights review
Maldives human rights watchdog under siege
The Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM) has slammed the judiciary for compromising its independence, describing the Supreme Court's suo moto proceedings over a submission to the UN Human Rights Council as the biggest challenge the watchdog has faced in its 11-year history.
In its 2014 annual report, the independent commission noted the Supreme Court and the Juvenile Court accused the HRCM of making false allegations in the Universal Periodic Review and a confidential report into a 15-year-old rape victim's flogging sentence.
The Supreme Court and Juvenile Court's charges affected the commission's independence and ability to carry out its mandate, the report said.
The controversial suo moto regulations allow the Supreme Court to initiate proceedings, prosecute and pass judgment. The first case of its kind, in March 2014, saw the apex court sack the Elections Commission's President and Vice President for contempt of court.
Jumhooree Party (JP) MP Ali Hussein said the judiciary's "harassment of HRCM" was an indication of the "extraordinary levels of judicial activism in the country."
"The judiciary is acting outside its boundaries, it is annulling laws, making laws, dismissing members of the independent commissions. The judiciary needs to be restrained immediately. But there is no way to hold them accountable."
Judges must be educated and sensitised to human rights, fundamental norms and best practices in a democratic society, he continued.
However, lamenting President Abdulla Yameen's decision to appoint disgraced Supreme Court Judge Ali Hameed to the judicial watchdog Judicial Services Commission (JSC), Ali said judicial reform was only possible through a long hard people's struggle.
Hameed was implicated in a series of sex tapes involving foreign women, but the police have closed the investigation citing non-cooperation from the judge, according to media reports. The JSC subsequently refused to take action against Hameed.
Meanwhile, parliamentary group leader of the ruling Progressive Party of the Maldives (PPM), Ahmed Nihan, said the People's Majlis must play a key role in mediating the conflict between the HRCM and the judiciary to ensure the commission's independence.
The majority leader described the dispute as "a teething trouble in a nascent democracy," and said the HRCM must continue to exist as "a pillar of multi-party democracy."
The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) agreed the responsibility for ensuring HRCM's independence rested with parliament, but said the PPM-dominated Majlis had no regard for the independence of the state's watchdog bodies.
MDP MP Eva Abdulla also accused ruling party MPs of harassing human rights commissioners through the parliament.
The five members of the HRCM were summoned separately to the Majlis last week and questioned in a closed-door meeting regarding the commission's statement condemning the Criminal Court's 13-year sentence on former President Mohamed Nasheed.
The HRCM on March 14 expressed concern over apparent lack of due process in the opposition leader's trial, and said the Criminal Court had failed to respond to a request to monitor court proceedings.
Eva also noted increasing threats against the HRCM, most recently that of a group of angry men on February 24 entered the commission's officers and threatened to harm the five commissioners following a statement condemning the police's mistreatment of Nasheed ahead of a hearing on February 23.
HRCM Vice President Ahmed Tholal meanwhile received threatening calls and messages after the police claimed he had called them "baagee" or traitor on February 22. The police have since withdrawn the claim.
The Supreme Court's suo moto case is still pending "like a sword hanging over the HRCM," Eva said.
The MP for Galholhu North also concurred with JP's Ali Hussein, stating the judiciary should be held answerable through the JSC.
"We must end this judicial dictatorship. Within the People's Majlis we must ensure the JSC fulfills its mandate. And above all, appoint qualified judges to the judiciary," she said.
The HRCM in its report said the judiciary faced the most number of challenges in protecting human rights in 2014. The commission also expressed concern over the sudden dismissal of Chief Justice Ahmed Faiz and Justice Muthasim Adnan in December.
Posted on March 23, 2015 March 29, 2015 Author Zaheena RasheedCategories Features & Comment, PoliticsTags ahmed nihan, Ahmed Tholal, Ali Hussein, Eva Abdulla, HRCM, maldives, maldives news, suo moto, supreme court3 Comments on Maldives human rights watchdog under siege
OHCHR expresses concern over Human Rights Commission charges
The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has expressed concern over the Supreme Court's suo moto case against the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM).
"We are deeply concerned about the case initiated by the Supreme Court of the Maldives against the five members of the Human Rights Commission of the country," read the press briefing.
The OHCHR expressed its concerns in a press release yesterday (October 17) from spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Ravina Shamdasani.
The Supreme Court has charged the HRCM with undermining the constitution and the sovereignty of the Maldives by spreading falsehoods about the judiciary in its submission for the UN Human Rights Council's Universal Periodic Review.
Next year's review – the Maldives' second since the introduction of the process – will take place between April and May next year.
The OHCHR statement noted that, in making the UPR submission, the commission had operated in line with international principles governing national institutions.
The OHCHR urged the government to "firmly defend the independence of the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives in line with the commitments made during the first UPR of the Maldives in 2011."
"The government has a responsibility to ensure a safe operating space for the commission and for civil society actors in the country, so that they are able to cooperate with UN human rights mechanisms without fear of reprisals," read the press release.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein has also written directly to the Maldivian Government to express his concerns over the issue.
Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird has already called the case "unfortunate", describing the court's action as "a decision that will not help restore its credibility."
The Supreme Court came under intense international criticism following its role in the 2013 presidential election, which included the annulment of the first round based on evidence later discredited by UN experts.
"Free Speech must be protected, not trampled," said Baird late last month.
The Asia Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions urged President Abdulla Yameen to ensure the independence of the HRCM and to guarantee immunity from prosecution for its members.
In the second court hearing held in the case on September 30, the Supreme Court denounced the submission's section on the judiciary as "dangerous", "irresponsible" and "poorly researched."
The Supreme Court slammed commission members for basing criticism of the judiciary on findings from the 2013 report by UN Special Rapporteur Gabriela Knaul that it had previously rejected.
Former Judicial Service Comission member Aishath Velezinee was denied entry into the hearing after being issued a pass at the reception, with a court official telling her that she could not be let into the court room for security reasons.
In similar suo moto action in March, senior members of the Elections Commission were dismissed after being prosecuted for charged with contempt of court and disobedience to order.
Suo moto cases – unheard of in the Maldives before this year – involve the court taking the initiative to bring charges which are then overseen by its own judges.
While the President's Office has also criticised the HRCM's submission, suggesting that sections on the death penalty are misleading, the Maldivian Democratic Party has accused the court of undermining the commission's mandate.
Posted on October 18, 2014 October 18, 2014 Author Ismail Humaam HamidCategories PoliticsTags HRCM, maldives news, OHCH, suo moto, supreme court, UPR
Asia Pacific Forum urges president to preserve independence of HRCM
No additional reporting by missing journalist Ahmed Rilwan
The Asia Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions (APF) has urged President Abdulla Yameen to ensure the independence of the Human Rights Commission of Maldives and guarantee immunity from prosecution for its members.
All five members of the HRCM are currently on trial at the Supreme Court, which has initiated suo moto proceedings against the commission on charges of undermining the constitution by allegedly including false information in its Universal Periodic Review (UPR) submission to the UN Human Rights Council.
"In expressing its considered opinion to the UPR, the HRCM is fulfilling its official and legal mandate," reads a letter from APF Chairperson Dr Ali Ben Smaihk Al-Marri sent to President Yameen on September 24.
"With the greatest respect, we urge you to preserve the independence of the HRCM and guarantee the immunity of members of the HRCM. The APF is willing to provide you any assistance you think fit on this matter."
The APF is a member organisation of national human rights bodies of the Asia Pacific region with a membership of 22 institutions.
In its letter, APF noted that the HRCM was "a highly valued and respected member" of the organisation and expressed "gravest concern" over the Supreme Court's actions.
The ongoing trial was "a concerning threat to the independence of the commission," the organisation said.
The APF referred to Article 27(a) of the HRCM Act, which grants members immunity from prosecution for "committing or omitting an act in good faith".
Moreover, Article 27(b) states that the commission could only be sued regarding published reports following an inquiry which establishes the falsehood of a component of the report.
"In addition, the UN international standards relating to NHRIs, the 'Paris Principles' set out, that in terms of a NHRIs independence, competence and responsibilities a NHRI is able to 'contribute to the reports which States are required to submit to United Nations bodies and committees, and to regional institutions, pursuant to their treaty obligations and, where necessary, to express an opinion on the subject, with due respect for their independence,'" the APF letter stated.
At last week's second hearing of the suo moto trial, Chief Justice Ahmed Faiz Hussain slammed the commission for basing its observation – that the Supreme Court controlled and influenced the judiciary to the detriment of lower courts – on a 2013 report by the UN Special Rapporteur for Independence of Judges and Lawyers Gabriela Knaul.
Faiz said the judiciary had rejected Knaul's report as invalid. In June 2013, the government accused Knaul of undermining the Maldives' sovereignty and jurisdiction.
On Tuesday (September 30), the European Union (EU) delegation in Colombo and EU member states expressed concern with the Supreme Court trial undermining the HRCM's independence.
Meanwhile, former Justice Minister Ahmed 'Seena' Zahir called on the public last week to speak out for judicial reform and warned of a burgeoning "judicial dictatorship."
Posted on October 2, 2014 October 2, 2014 Author Ahmed NaishCategories PoliticsTags Asia Pacific Forum, Human Rights Commission of Maldives, maldives news, president abdulla yameen, suo moto, supreme court1 Comment on Asia Pacific Forum urges president to preserve independence of HRCM
Former justice minister slams "judicial dictatorship"
The Maldivian judiciary is not functioning as envisioned in the revised constitution adopted in August 2008 and should be reformed, former Justice Minister and former Speaker Ahmed 'Seena' Zahir has said in a scathing critique of the justice system.
"If we don't want an executive dictatorship from a dictatorship, we don't want a judicial dictatorship either," the former speaker of parliament reportedly said at a ceremony held on Monday night (September 29) to inaugurate an association of former students of the private Malé English School (MES).
Zahir's criticism follows the Supreme Court initiating suo moto proceedings against members of the Human Rights Commission of Maldives over its Universal Periodic Review (UPR) submission to the UN Human Rights Council.
The Special Majlis constitutional assembly convened to amend the constitution – of which he was a member – did not envision the judiciary "meddling" in executive affairs, Zahir said.
Judges were offered tenure, job security and high pay, he noted.
He added that the judiciary was misinterpreting constitutional provisions while the mandate of judges was limited to conducting trials.
"That should be brought to an end. It won't come to a halt by jailing those who talk about this. Someone has to raise their voices on behalf of the people," he said.
Zahir called on the public to exercise the constitutional right to freedom of expression and raise their voices for judicial reform.
The MES senior student association could take up the call as it should be done in an academic and unbiased manner without politicisation, he advised.
Zahir – who served as justice minister in the cabinet of former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom and participated in the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives' (PPM) presidential campaign last year – suggested that political parties were unwilling to speak out for judicial reform.
He also noted that the judiciary would have to arbitrate and settle commercial disputes under foreign investment laws.
Such laws, however, would not serve its purpose of attracting foreign investment if the judiciary remained unreformed, Zahir contended.
Zahir advised a bipartisan effort to amend the constitution, noting that the ruling PPM and coalition partner Maldives Development Alliance had a comfortable majority in the People's Majlis.
"And their supporters also support amending the constitution," he said, adding that the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) would also back such an effort as it has been advocating for judicial reform.
However, Zahir said he did not see efforts to reform the judiciary through parliament.
The purpose of amending the constitution should not be "removing A from the post and appointing B," he added.
Suo moto
Less than two weeks before the parliamentary polls in March, the Supreme Court charged Elections Commission Chair Fuwad Thowfeek and Deputy Chair Ahmed Fayaz with contempt of court and dismissed the pair under unprecedented suo moto proceedings.
Subsequent changes to contempt of court regulations made in June authorised courts to penalise individuals for any expression, action, gesture, or piece of writing "inside or outside a courtroom" that could be considered contempt of court.
At yesterday's trial against the HRCM members, Chief Justice Ahmed Faiz Hussain slammed the commission for basing its observation – that the Supreme Court controlled and influenced the judiciary to the detriment of lower courts – on a 2013 report by the UN Special Rapporteur for Independence of Judges and Lawyers Gabriela Knaul.
Meanwhile, in 2012, the United Nations Human Rights Council, of which the Maldives is a member, said it was "deeply concerned about the state of the judiciary in the Maldives."
"The state has admitted that this body's independence is seriously compromised. The Committee has said the judiciary is desperately in need of more serious training, and higher standards of qualification," a statement read.
The Supreme Court in particular needed "radical readjustment," the committee said. "As 6 of 7 Supreme Court judges are experts in Sharia law and nothing more, this court in particular is in need of radical readjustment. This must be done to guarantee just trials, and fair judgments for the people of Maldives."
Posted on October 1, 2014 October 2, 2014 Author Ahmed NaishCategories PoliticsTags constitution, former Justice Minister Ahmed 'Seena' Zahir, judicial dictatorship, judiciary, maldives news, MDP, ppm, suo moto, supreme court7 Comments on Former justice minister slams "judicial dictatorship"
UPR report shared with judiciary before submission, says HRCM at Supreme Court trial
The Human Rights Commission of Maldives (HRCM) shared its Universal Period Review (UPR) report with the Department of Judicial Administration (DJA) and sought feedback ahead of submission to the UN Human Rights Council, the commission's lawyer told the Supreme Court today.
The DJA – which functions under the direct supervision of the Supreme Court – did not respond to the request for commentary on the report or object to its content, the lawyer noted at the first hearing of the trial.
All five HRCM members are on trial after the apex court initiated suo moto proceedings in relation to the UPR report, which suggested that the Supreme Court's control over the judiciary was undermining powers of lower courts.
At the beginning of the hearing, Chief Justice Ahmed Faiz Hussain reportedly said that the HRCM's report contained false and misleading information concerning procedural matters of the judiciary.
The suo moto proceedings – which allows the court to act as both prosecution and judge – were initiated to hold the commission's members accountable under Article 141 of the Constitution, Article 9 of the Judicature Act, and Supreme Court regulations, the chief justice said.
Article 141(b) states, "The Supreme Court shall be the highest authority for the administration of justice in the Maldives."
Article 141(c) states, "No officials performing public functions, or any other persons, shall interfere with and influence the functions of the courts," while section (d) states, "Persons or bodies performing public functions, through legislative and other measures, must assist and protect the courts to ensure the independence, eminence, dignity, impartiality, accessibility and effectiveness of the courts."
The commission's attorney Maumoon Hameed explained that each UN member state was required to submit a report for the UPR.
The UPR is a state-driven process that reviews the human rights records of all 193 UN member states every four years, based on submissions by the government, the UN, NGOs and human rights commissions. The Maldives' review is scheduled to take place in April or May 2015.
In a press release today, the HRCM said it submitted as evidence information regarding the UPR process as well as commentary received from various state institutions.
"At today's hearing, the commission requested an opportunity to submit further information and evidence," the press release stated.
"The Supreme Court adjourned today's hearing. The commission has not yet been informed of a date for the next hearing."
The next hearing has since been scheduled for 1:30pm on Sunday, September 28.
Noting that Supreme Court decisions could not be challenged as it was the highest court of appeal, Hameed had, however, asked for five working days to prepare a defence.
Control of judiciary
Less than two weeks before the parliamentary polls in March, the Supreme Court had charged Elections Commission Chair Fuwad Thowfeek and Deputy Chair Ahmed Fayaz with contempt of court and dismissed the pair under unprecedented suo moto proceedings.
Meanwhile, in a press statement yesterday, the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party noted that under Article 27 of the HRCM Act a case could only be filed against the commission regarding published reports following an inquiry which proves components of the report to have been false.
In its UPR report, the HRCM stated that the Supreme Court's control of the judiciary was weakening judicial powers vested in lower courts.
"Supreme Court issued a circular ordering all state institutions not to communicate to individual courts regarding any information relating to the judiciary except through the Supreme Court. HRCM is facing difficulties in gathering information related to judiciary due to lack of cooperation," the report stated.
Moreover, the report noted that "due to shortfalls in judicial system, functioning of the judiciary is often questionable on various grounds including independence, transparency, interference, influence, competency, consistency, and accessibility."
Through a raft of regulations enacted in recent months, the Supreme Court has sought to consolidate control over administrative affairs of the judiciary.
In a comprehensive report on the Maldivian judiciary released in May 2013, United Nations Special Rapporteur for the Independence of Judges and Lawyers, Gabriela Knaul, wrote that centralising administrative decisions in the hands of the Supreme Court "has undoubtedly contributed to the strong impression that lower courts are excluded from the administration of justice and decision-making processes."
The Maldives representative to the UNHRC subsequently accused the special rapporteur of undermining the sovereignty of the country.
Criticism of the Supreme Court's role in the electoral process by United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay last October was meanwhile described as "ill-informed" and "irresponsible" by former President Dr Mohamed Waheed.
Posted on September 24, 2014 Author Ahmed NaishCategories PoliticsTags Ahmed Tholal, contempt of court, elections commission, Fuwad Thowfeek, Human Rights Commission of Maldives (HRCM), jeehan mahmood, maldives news, Mariyam Azra, suo moto, supreme court3 Comments on UPR report shared with judiciary before submission, says HRCM at Supreme Court trial


YARMOUTH — School Committee member Bob Watterson is not seeking re-election in the June 14 election.
Nomination papers were due back to Town Hall on April 29. Watterson said he's not seeking re-election because of time constraints related to opening a new business.
There are two candidates for two Town Council seats and three candidates for two School Committee seats.
Town Councilors Pat Thompson and Rob Waeldner are seeking re-election, as is School Committee member Leah Guay. Joan Dollarhite and Ann Fleming are also running for School Committee.
On the Water District Board of Trustees, Stephen Gorden didn't file for re-election and no one else took out papers. Gorden couldn't be reached for comment.
All offices have three-year terms.


text:
Isaiah Washington Returns To 'Grey's' For First Time Since 2007 Firing
May 2nd 2014 5:34AM
On "Grey's Anatomy," one character made an unexpected return.
DR. BURKE: "Don't you run the risk of your cells undergoing apoptosis when seeded on the hydragel?"
CRISTINA: "I was very surprised."
That's right, Dr. Preston Burke is back.
Sandra Oh tweeted the big news to fans -- many who responded with... Nooooo!
You might remember back in 2007, ABC decided not to renew Isaiah Washington's contract after an on-set incident with fellow cast members Patrick Dempsey and T.R. Knight. Apparently, he had made a homophobic slur, but later apologized.
But some fans were glad to see him back -- it finally provided some closure to his storyline -- and Cristina's. Burke offered Cristina an amazing opportunity to replace him at his hospital. We can only guess she'll take the job since she is leaving the show.
Oh spoke exclusively with The Hollywood Reporter, saying...
"Creatively, I really feel like I gave it my all, and I feel ready to let her go,"
Sandra Oh's last episode will be the season finale of 'Grey's Anatomy,' which airs May 15th.
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text:
Tiny Desert Concert: Tyler Broderick
By Mark Brodie, Sarah Ventre
Published: Friday, October 16, 2015 - 4:59pm
Updated: Tuesday, October 20, 2015 - 2:16pm
tiny desert concert tyler broderick 101615.mp3
(Photo by Michelle McCausland)
Tyler Broderick of the indie pop band Diners.
Tyler Broderick of the indie pop band Diners performed a Tiny Desert Concert in the studio.
Broderick is 22, and has already been writing songs for ten years, which means for a long time he wasn't even old enough to get into a lot of local venues. So he said his aspirations were hyperlocal in scope.
If you're in a band and would like to play a Tiny Desert Concert, email us: theshow@kjzz.org.
Updated 10/20/2015 at 2:16 p.m.


Rogoc is an orc located at the Hall of Legends in Orgrimmar. He sells Bloodthirsty Gladiator set items in exchange for [Mark of Honor], and previously sold honor trade goods.
Patch 4.1.0 (2011-04-26): The Honor Trade Goods Vendors can now exchange [Honor Points] for [Justice Points] at rates of 375 to 250.


One Star is an animated TV sitcom pilot.
Involved in the project from the pre-production stage to final delivery.
Setup the general 3d method for the show and the master lighting and rendering pipelines. Creation of 3d sets and characters. Development of render passes and the compositing of a selection of the final shots.
This was a full 3d project of 29 minutes duration.
Corridor Shot – Creation of the environment including modelling, texturing, baked lighting and scene lighting and rendering. Generated the cg passes and composited the shot.
Exterior House Shot – Build and texturing of the house and environment.
Lit the scenes and created the passes which were composited with Photoshop and Fusion to the final shot.
Build of the "Deek" character (blue jumper) including the base blend shapes.
Kitchen Shot – Scene setup, dressing and lighting. Rendering and comp.
Reception Shot – Created the environment, including build, texturing and lighting.
KNTV Philosophy is an animated TV show of 10 episodes and 90 minutes CG footage.
Creation of the central set including modelling, texturing and prebaked lighting and addition props and effects. Scene and render prep of the characters. Setup the character lighting, scene layout, render method and composited the majority of the final shots.
These sub shots originate from previz which were animated with 2 other people. They were mocked up in 3d and the camera and sub moves approved prior to the sub element being shot on a stage "dry for wet." Creation of a sub model, which was used for the previz and to lineup the digital environment. As part of a small team working on the particle, matter, water environment, bubbles and volumetric lighting which is all 3d generated. In addition to the underwater sequence previz and 3d elements were created for surface set extensions.
These shots form part of a longer sequence that was used for promotional purposes.
Involved in the preparation of assets, scene layout, lighting and rendering.
A 3d pilot for TV show.
Involved in the environment modelling and texturing.
Created the water simulation, rendering and particle effects.
Also the project lighting, rendering and compositing.
The temple is a scale physical model. The explosion is a digital effect.
The build of a CGI facsimile of the temple from blueprints and reference photography.
This was used to add CGI effects to the motion control plate and create lighting and volumetric passes etc. Creation of 3d flocking birds for the shots in this sequence. There are digital people running and falling from the blast which were animated and rendered. The burnt and scarred landscape left after the blast is a 3d textured model which was lit and rendered out.
The space visuals are taken from a 3 minute space fly through film which was created to be projected at BT's Innovation Centre. With the clients input development of the look and direction of the film. The project included animation and camera moves, modelling, texturing, lighting, multi pass rendering, particle effects and paint work.
Also the compositing of the shots and sequence edit.
Anamatics from the sequence. Animation, lighting and rendered of the shots. Also effects animation. The sub conning tower and plane build. Tech setup of the planes rotors and guns. Compositing of the elements to mock up final shots.
This was part of RnD for "PitchBlack." The brief was for circular spiraling clouds. Animation and volumetric shader development, lighting and rendering.
From a sequence of a giant octopus attacking a ship. Rigging of the tentacle. Texturing, shot lighting and rendered.
This car chase is a shortened version of a 7 minute sequence from the film. This was a long project and I was involved in most areas of the sequence working within a team. Model rebuilt and added detail to the red & grey Winebago vehicle from a scanned miniature, textured it and added the headlight effects etc. Animation of a third of the shots in the sequence. Worked on the developing and rendering out the various passes used to create the final composite, for example interactive lighting and reflection passes.
Provided lens flare, planet, debris and smoke effects for a number of establishing shots throughout the film.
Skiff escaping "PitchBlack" planet. Skiff craft model build, working from blue prints to match full scale set mockup. Texturing and surface effects. Animation of shots. Scene lighting and trail effects. Test comps and final rendered elements.
Examples taken from a 65 shot Pipeline (bomb) sequence.
Build and texturing of digital replicas of the "PIGS" (The rigs that Bond fly's along on.) These models were used for the full CGI shots and digital additions. In the first of the sparks shots the "PIG" behind Bond is a CGI addition. Shadow and interactive lighting passes were created for the digital and physical tunnel utilizing the digital models.
Scene setup and lighting. Animation of the shots in the sequence. CGI sparks creation and interactive lighting for the screwdriver breaking against the wall. The final "jumping off" shot involved a digital set extension and the addition of CG lights and shadows. Created final rendered passes and test composites Also involved in the initial RnD.
One of the core team who produced the opening 60 shot Bubble Fighter sequence. Involved initially in the development of an animatic of the complete sequence.
1) Animation of pull back though Hyper-Gate, lighting and rendering.
2) Sedition Raider fires. Animation, lighting and rendering, laser blast effect.
3) Freighter attacked. Designed and built buildings, texturing. Sedition animation, interactive lighting.
4) Rescue craft (Pugs) launch doors open. Design of craft, doors and mechanism. Animation of shot, texturing, lighting and rendering.
Created lighting and scene setups for many additional shots. Also worked on multiply 3d package integration, test comps, render management and effects animation.
Car build, texturing, animation. Lighting rendered of the shot. This was a global illumination and reflection test. Compositing of the digital car into live action background.


Slovenia or the Republic of Slovenia is a country of the European Union since May 1, 2004, located in the south-east of Europe and having belonged, until 1992, to the former Yugoslavia . Its capital is Ljubljana.
The country has an area of 20,273 km2, about half of that of Switzerland, and its population is about 2 million (2,011,000 to be precise).
Slovenia located east of southern Europe, in the eastern part of the Alps, on the Adriatic Sea between Austria and Croatia.
Slovenia shares borders with four countries: Italy, Hungary, Austria and Croatia; and has a small coast of 50 km with the Adriatic Sea in the extreme south-west of the country.
Its highest point is Triglav, an Alpine peak that is represented on the coat of arms on the Slovenian flag.
It is a hilly and mountainous country since 90% of its surface is located at more than 200 meters of altitude. The rest is composed of flat areas, especially towards Hungary. The eastern regions are composed of rounded, heavily wooded mountains with endangered animal species such as lynx and bears.
The country also remains predominantly wooded since 57% of its area is composed of forests, including old-growth forests, existing since prehistoric times, protected from human activity.
There are three types of climates in Slovenia: alpine, continental and Mediterranean climates. Temperatures vary a lot, it can frequently make more than 35 ° C in summer and less than -15 ° C in winter in the city of Ljubljana, the capital.
The main river of Slovenia is the Sava, a river that is a tributary, that is to say a stream that will flow into another larger river: here the Danube.
The country has only one national park, the Triglav National Park; it is in this park that is the highest point in Slovenia, Mount Triglav, which gave its name to the park.
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text:
Q: Tensorflow.keras not training and stoping with error 'No algorithm worked!' in Colab I created a CNN model and it trained properly for the first and completed all epochs but when I closed the runtime and came back after a day and tried to retrain. It gives this error.
NotFoundError:  No algorithm worked!
 [[node sequential_2/conv2d_4/Conv2D (defined at <ipython-input-7-5d7257468056>:45) ]] [Op:__inference_train_function_3464]

Note: I am training this in google colab
Here's the error code.
model.compile(optimizer='adam' , loss='categorical_crossentropy', metrics=['accuracy'])
model.fit(train_dataset,batch_size=16,epochs=40,verbrose = 1,
         validation_data=val_data,validation_steps = 16
         ,shuffle=True, steps_per_epoch=80,
         use_multiprocessing=False,callbacks=[callbacks])
model.save('/content/drive/My Drive/eyes2.h5')
model.summary()

Link to notebook
https://colab.research.google.com/drive/1Qf05-Axd1gjuZhBDv7LwNtO_znIg4iKf

A: I had this exact error message with Tensorflow when running a known-working model. As suggested by Bharath, it did appear to be related to version incompatibility.
However, I did not downgrade to fix it as this seems counter-intuitive and a step backwards. Here's an alternative solution that worked for me:
$ python3 -m pip install --upgrade pip
$ python3 -m pip install --upgrade pandas numpy matplotlib # probably not necessary
$ python3 -m pip uninstall tensorflow-gpu # if you have the old style packages installed
$ python3 -m pip install --upgrade tf-nightly

The Tensorflow installation instructions and GPU installation instructions were useful when solving this.

A: Try downgrading tensorflow to 1.x. Recently colab has updated tensorflow from 1.x to 2.x as its default which might be leading to this error. .

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
Clinton wrestling advances 13 out of regionals
Matt Sisoler Daily Telegram Sports Writer @lenaweesisoler
The Clinton and Sand Creek wrestling teams had a strong day at the Division 4 individual regionals that Clinton hosted on Saturday.
Combined, the Redskins and Aggies had 16 wrestlers finish in the top four spots in their respective weight classes, qualifying them for the state tournament on March 1 and 2 at Ford Field in Detroit.
Clinton in particular flexed its muscles, as out of 14 grapplers that the Redskins advanced to the regional round, 13 of them qualified for the state tournament, with all 13 state qualifiers making the championship matches.
Leading the Redskins strong day in front of its home crowd were five individual regional champions: AJ Baxter (119), Noah Comar (125), Spencer Konz (135) and Brayden Randolph (160). Brandon Beach (112), Christian Minard (125), George Ames (130), Kent McCombs (140), Riley Jeffrey (145), Jeffrey Konz (152) and Cecil Rafferty (171) also advanced to states, going 2-1 on the day to take second place.
"We're very happy with today," said Clinton coach Jeff Rolland. "...I'm happy with 13 (qualifiers). I thought we underperformed maybe a little bit in the finals, but I'm excited for it. We're already working towards next weekend now."
Comar and Minard made it an all-Clinton final at 125 by winning three of their four matches prior to the final via pins, with Minard's 12-1 victory by major decision in the semifinal being the only outlier, before Comar finished the day by getting his third pin of the day in one minute, 24 seconds in the final against Minard.
Rolland stated that, even though he wasn't a regional winner, he was very impressed with Rafferty's performance in the regional competition.
"Man, he wrestled on fire," Rolland said of Rafferty. "He was possessed. He was what we considered an 'edge kid' today. We knew he could get through, but we knew his bracket was very, very tough today, and man did he come out on fire. Cecil performed like he should perform all the time, he had a great day, even finishing second. Carson Scroggie's very tough, but he wrestled as well as anybody on our squad today, even in taking second."
Sand Creek's wrestlers had a solid day as well, as three of its seven regional qualifiers will also be making the trip to Ford Field in two weeks.
A pair of wrestlers made the regional finals for the Aggies, but only one of them emerged with a 3-0 day and a regional championship. Sand Creek's 171-pounder Scroggie was able to strike fast against Rafferty, pinning the Redskins grappler in just 38 seconds into the final, marking the second straight year where he picked up all of his wins at regionals via pins.
At 160 pounds, Mitchell Moore took second, dropping a 15-4 major decision against Randolph in the final, while 189-pounder Brenden Pickles went 2-2 after getting a pinfall and a 9-2 decision in the consolation rounds, getting him to the third-place match en route to take fourth place to round out the state qualifiers from the county.
"We wanted four (state qualifiers) and I thought we could get four," said Sand Creek coach Marc Spicer. "...Feel bad for (152-pounder) Ryan Lakatos, but really happy for Brenden Pickles, Mitchell Moore and Carson. Just ready to go and get at state and see what we can do."
The strong showing at the individual regional, with the Redskins advancing the most kids out of Lenawee County from regionals to the state tournament, 13 compared to Hudson's eight and Division 2 Tecumseh's six, shows the growth of Clinton's program in recent years.
"When you start putting us in conversations with Hudson, Manchester, New Lothrop, Carson City and those programs, that's all you can ask for," Rolland said. "Four, five years ago, when Casey (Randolph) and I talked and our goal was to be in those conversations when we weren't even on the radar, and now we're in those conversations, so that says everything with those programs that have done it for a long time, and Casey and I have worked hard, long time.
"Casey's done a great job developing our kids, our youth program has done a great job developing," he continued. "Our middle school coach, George Ames does a great job, so all of those guys have a part in this, and so now to be mentioned on the level with those teams, is the reward for it."


text:
package org.apache.ignite.internal.processors.cache.distributed.near;

import org.apache.ignite.internal.processors.cache.distributed.GridCachePartitionedReloadAllAbstractSelfTest;

/**
 * Tests reloadAll for near cache.
 */
public class GridCacheNearReloadAllSelfTest extends GridCachePartitionedReloadAllAbstractSelfTest {
    /** {@inheritDoc} */
    @Override protected boolean nearEnabled() {
        return true;
    }
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
The BloodStorm
Vaughan In General Updates, The BloodStorm
Hey everyone! It's 2023, the Year of The BloodStorm! I know, it's not actually a real thing, but it is the year I'm releasing my series and publishing multiple titles….
© 2023 VaughanWSmith.com.


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Resume posted by discountcodeglasses.com9 in Nursing.
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Over the weekend, I had a really delightful (if far too short) visit to good friends who live in Devon. My friend and fellow knitting enthusiast Grace had been promising me she had some good yarn shops to introduce me when I next visited. We only had time for one shop, so we made it a good one: Wool on the Exe in Exeter.
Hi friends! How's your Tuesday going?


that they do not peek at each other's visual! How does it work?
when the activity begins. They must not look over their shoulders at any time.
piece of paper and pen/pencil.
possible, taking into account size, shape detail and annotation.
to set an overall time limit for the activity.
5. After the allocated time, pupils compare their drawings.
6. Pupils might then swap roles.
Belum ada tanggapan untuk "BACK-to-BACK"


Any Adult Readers Out there Willing to critique a book?
One thing I know is that truck drivers have a lot of time to think and many of us have worn a lot of hats. This is the perfect recipe for being a writer. Driver Have You got a story banging around your head waiting to be told? why not put it down in writing. I did and I'm letting You critique my work here. Read the first section of my book "A Work of Fiction" then send me an Email and a paragraph or two with what You think about this "Work of Fiction" and if You choose, I'll send You the password so You can read the entire enchilada for free.
Of course of course of course....is that a horse??
Irene, thank You. password has been sent. Have an Awesome Day!


text:
Watson Team
COATING APPLICATIONS
Custom Aerosols
Bridge Coatings
UV Cure Coatings
Gas Cylinder Coatings
Exterior Pipe Coatings
OEM Coatings
Transmission Towers
Watson Coatings Management Team
Gary Watson – President/CEO
Veteran who served from 1981 through 1984 in the 101 Airborne Division before being hired as the first salesman by the company. Became Sales Manager up until purchasing the company with Tom in 1992, becoming President. Total of 28 years with the company and experience in Sales and Sales Management.
Tom Watson – Vice President/COO
The first employee of the company in 1979 working in the plant. Became Plant Manager and managed the plant up until purchasing the company with Gary in 1992. Currently handles raw material purchases for the plant and oversees companies overall financial health. Has a total of 33 years with the company and experience in Coatings Production, Raw Material Procurement and Management.
Jerry Mitchell – Vice President / CFO
Accounting Degree from Michigan State University (80) and MBA from University of Missouri, Columbia (84). Worked as Controller of St Louis Steel Products until it was purchased by Chicago Heights Steel in 1992 and was hired as Controller by Watson in 1992 and became CFO in 2005. 28 years experience in Accounting and Financial Management of manufacturing facilities.
Watson Coatings Sales Management
Rick Noles – Director of Sales & Marketing
Majored in Chemical Engineering at University of Missouri, Columbia. Worked as a Technical Service Engineer and Technical Service Engineering Manager at Carboline Co. from 1980–1987. Worked as a Marketing Sales Manager from 1989-1992 for Rust-Oleum Corp. and has worked for Watson Coatings from 1992 to present. Has a total of 30 years experience in the Paint & Coatings industry in Sales, Marketing and Technical Support, including 19 years with Watson Coatings.
Gary Meyer – Pipe Coatings Manager
Began working for Rockford Coatings in Rockford, IL in 1981 after serving in the Navy. Worked in the Plant until 1989 rising to the position of Plant Manager. Was hired by Watson Coatings as Plant Manager in 1989 until 2010 when he became Pipe Coatings Manager. Has a total of 31 years of coatings experience in Production and Sales, including 23 years with Watson Coatings.
Paul Powers – National Sales Manager/Structural Steel Division
Has worked for Sherwin Williams (1984-1988), Carboline Company (1988-1992), Rust-Oleum Corp. (1992-1996), Devoe Coatings Co. (1996-2006) which are all Industrial Coatings manufacturers. Paul is a NACE Certified Coatings Inspector (#5643) and belongs to NACE, SSPC and the PDCA. Has 28 years of Sales and Sales Management experience in the Coatings Industry, including 6 years with Watson Coatings.
John Markowski – Marketing Manager
Graduated from University of Missouri, Columbia with a BS/BA in Marketing. Worked for Carboline company from (1978-1985) as a chemist. Worked for Rockford Coatings and Premiere Coatings from 1985-2011 as a chemist and specialist in UV Cure Coatings. Currently working as chemist developing Solvent-based coatings and on Marketing of Solvent and Water-based coatings. Has 34 years of coatings experience as a Chemist and in Sales and Marketing.
Watson Coatings Plant Management
Mel Meyer – Technical Director
Has a degree in Chemistry from the University of Missouri, Columbia. Worked for Rockford Coatings as a Chemist from 1964 until rising to become Vice President and managed the company until 1989. Started his own company Premiere Coatings in 1989 which he ran until 2010. Merged Premiere Coatings with Watson Coatings in 2010 and is currently acting Technical Director for Watson Coatings in Charge of the Lab and Plant. Has a total of 48 years experience in Coatings Development, Technical Support, Plant and Sales Management.
Jeff Thompson – Plant Manager
Worked for Rockford Coatings from 1981-1989. Worked for Premiere Coatings from 1989-2008 where he worked in plant and was in charge of color matching and color computer and QA/QC for all products. Began working for Watson Coatings in 2008, in charge of QA/QC and was promoted to Plant Manager in 2010. Has 31 years experience in Coatings Production, Color Matching and Plant Management.
Alan Girard – Plant Supervisor
Worked for Rockford Coatings, Mid-States Paint Company from 1986-1991. Began working for Watson Coatings in 1991 in the plant, becoming Plant Supervisor in 2010. Has a total of 26 years coating experience in Production and Supervision, 21 years with Watson Coatings.
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Workers' Party member and Non-Constituency Member of Parliament, Leon Perera, posted a Facebook message on 20 Jul supporting his comrade's online spat with the Minister of Social and Family Development. The NCMP's comments attracted several responses, some of which were vitriolic and coordinated.
An academic, Mr Ian Chong, noted such comments which seemed to be well coordinated and asked if the Media Literacy Council (MLC) has a response to such vitriol.
This was when Mr Calvin Cheng, former Nominated Member of Parliament and a member of Media Literacy Council, posted his first comment. He accused Mr Chong of being a "second rate academics with too much time" on his hands to participate in such online activities. He further justified that name-calling was justified when talking to people without substance.
After claiming that he will never be reprimanded for any comments he make online because he is self-employed, the former NMP seemed to threaten the academic with termination of employment for engaging in such online conversation.
He further claimed that his term and that of his comrades with MLC is limited, and seemed to imply that he will not be concerned if the matter is escalated to the Council.
When Mr Chong told him that his employment is secure as long as he does not "talk about killing children", Mr Cheng seemed to escalate the threat by referring to the Ministry of Education – suggesting that the Ministry should by concerned about the academic's comments as well.
He further claimed that he had a group with him who are equally concerned about Mr Chong's comments. He then posted information about where Mr Chong is employed (which is available in public domain). His remarks seemed to encourage astroturfing, with the sole intention of getting Mr Chong into trouble with his employers.
This publication wrote to the Chairman of Media Literacy Council, Professor Tan Cheng Han, to ask if he, as the head of the Council, had a comment on the comments made online by Mr Cheng. Prof Tan replied to us and said that he will choose not to comment.
This is not the first time Mr Cheng's online spat had been brought to the attention of the MLC Chairman. In November last year, another controversy was brought to the chairman, where Mr Cheng seemingly advocated the killing of children of terrorists "in case they grow up to take revenge".
Mr Cheng was right in stating that he will not be concerned if his online conduct was escalated to the MLC, because the council members terms are limited and is coming to an end.


Is Qatar the Foremost Supporter of the Islamic State's Sunni Jihad?
Following Al Qaeda's September 11, 2001 attack against the United States, Qatar's state-owned Al Jazeera was introduced to the U.S. public as the channel that received the tape where Osama Bin Laden claimed responsibility for the worst terrorist attack on American soil in U.S. history.
After a spike in interest for the then-mysterious television channel, which at the time only spoke a foreign language that not many Americans had ever heard in person, The New York Times responded by sending a journalist to Qatar, who would travel to Doha to visit the Al Jazeera Arabic headquarters.
The Qatari ruling family owns Al Jazeera Media Network, which has now infiltrated the United States after it recently secured the purchase of Al Gore's failed Current TV. The Emirs' Al Jazeera America now has 12 bureaus installed within the United States, including Washington, D.C., and its headquarters in New York City.
Fast-forward to present day, and figures from all continents and political stripes still point to Qatar's role in propagating and abetting terror, not just through its media networks but through state-sponsored actions. The small but powerful oil-rich nation-state of Qatar has been in the news lately for all the wrong reasons.
Some international leaders have implicated Qatari officials–accusing them of financing the Islamic State (IS) terror group that is rampaging through Syria and Iraq and continuing to expand its self-proclaimed Sunni caliphate.
In late August, German aid development minister Gerd Mueller openly commented on IS's funding: "Who is financing these troops? Hint: Qatar," he said, after being forced to walk back the comments due to their lack of political correctness.
Look no further than a series of official documents from the Obama administration about Qatar, and you will see that it is a major financial hub, fundraising for jihadist groups including the Taliban, al-Qaeda, and others. In April, in the State Department's country reports on terrorism, they specifically worried about Qatar's relationship with Islamist groups. They worried Qatar had enabled a very permissive environment for fundraising for jihadist groups. It's obvious why the Taliban set up its political office in Doha and why the Taliban wanted these five to send off to Qatar. They know it's a very permissive environment with Islamist sympathies.
Qatar is also unapologetically supportive of the Muslim Brotherhood, a global organization founded by a stout Hitler admirer that seeks the same endgame as Al Qaeda and the Islamic State: a worldwide Sunni caliphate.
But if we listen to the political left, the allegations that Qatar is funding the Islamic State and collaborating with the Muslim Brotherhood to overthrow governments are simply "myths." According to a recent article released by the left-wing Brookings Institute, author William McCants frames Qatar as a victim, calling Doha "everyone's favorite boogeyman… criticism of Qatar for funding Islamists should exclude the Islamic State." However, nowhere does the article mention that Brookings has allowed for a steady cash stream from Qatar to flow into their coffers, estimated at the tune of 2.5 to 5 million dollars per year.
Qatar is also home to a political system that permits widespread domestic human rights abuses.
This week, two UK nationals have "disappeared" in Qatar after investigating its treatment of migrant workers. Female migrant workers in Qatar recently told reporters that they have been "slapped, pulled by the hair, poked in the eyes… kicked down the stairs," and raped.
Meanwhile, the United States continues its confusingly close relationship with the ruthless Emirs.
The United States signed in July a massive $11 billion dollar arms deal with Qatar that included Apache Helicopters, Patriot missile defense systems, and Javelin MANPADS (Man-portable air-defense systems), capable of bringing down a commercial airliner.
In June, the United States negotiated an agreement with Qatar as an intermediary that freed five top Taliban commanders in exchange for Army deserter Bowe Bergdahl. When the Taliban officials touched down in Qatar, they were met with open arms and given heroes' welcomes.
At Breitbart News's National Security, we are committed to keeping you informed through daily updates, documenting the West's de facto war against jihad, and covering significant developments that often pass through the mainstream media unnoticed and unreported.


Like most people, I can lose hours looking through Instagram and blogs at some of my favourite fashion mongers – yes, I love Friends and this is a Joey term! So, with this time wasting exercise in mind, I have decided to turn it into a weekly post so you can all waste some time here on WEAR IT/dublin.
First up, and I do believe she needs not introduction, Ms MR. Man Repeller, Leandra Medine. One of the most credible, and funny, bloggers in the over saturated market, Leandra does it her way. If you want to see pictures of Starbucks coffee, endless leg, shoe and cute footpath shots, or every item from the high street that every other women on the planet is wearing, Man Repeller is not the lady for you.
If you want to see alternative designers, seventeen ways to wear a bandana, vintage denim – lots of denim in fact – and some of the most eclectic outfits and accessories on the market, she is the lady for YOU.
Get a cup and tea, block any calls and take note, ladies.


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MRI as potential diagnostic tool for autism
Medical researchers at the University of Utah are using MRI to identify areas in the brains of people with autism that do not communicate properly.
Elizabeth Armstrong Moore
Oct. 18, 2010 12:39 p.m. PT
No major structural differences between the brains of people with autism and those without it have been identified, with the exception of brain volume and head circumference in children. So the bulk of neurological research on the disorder focuses on how various regions of the brain communicate with one another.
Now, in a study published in October in the journal Cerebral Cortex, researchers at the University of Utah say they are one step closer to using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to diagnose autism.
Principal investigator Janet Lainhart leads a multidisciplinary research group that is conducting a longitudinal neuroimaging study of the brain in autism. University of Utah
"This work adds an important piece of information to the autism puzzle," says principal investigator Janet Lainhart, an associate professor of psychiatry and pediatrics. "It adds evidence of functional impairment in brain connectivity in autism and brings us a step closer to a better understanding of this disorder. When you understand it at a biological level, you can envision how the disorder develops, what are the factors that cause it, and how can we change it."
The researchers monitored 53 males with high-functioning autism and 39 typically developing males from late childhood through early adulthood. MRIs of these patients show lower-level communication between regions associated with functions such as facial recognition and motor skills than the levels found in MRIs of people without the disorder.
In the article abstract, the researchers note: "Interhemispheric connectivity differences were better explained by diagnosis of autism than by potentially confounding neuropsychological metrics of language, IQ, or handedness."
While connectivity abnormalities have already been identified in patients with autism in previous studies, this is the first of its kind to characterize abnormalities in the entire brain rather than in specific pathways. Imaging of the entire brain has the potential to help experts identify specific types of the disorder.
"This is a complex disorder that doesn't just fall into one category," Lainhart says. "We hope the information can lead us to characterizing different types of autism that may have different symptoms or prognoses that will allow us to identify the best treatment for each affected individual."
Because the study was limited to high-functioning males, the findings may not translate to females, younger children, or "lower functioning" individuals with autism, the researchers write. One skeptic, Laura Bono of the autism advocacy group "Safe Minds," tells Business Week that using MRI as a primary screening tool is unrealistic and therefore not terribly beneficial:
Knowing that diagnosing autism is about looking for certain behaviors, only children already identified as having issues that might be a function of autism would be screened. So if there's no targeted treatment to follow up on the results of this kind of scan, then it's just another expensive test for parents who are already barraged with so many tests at diagnosis. And in that case, I see this as just a waste of money.
So there's a bit of a Catch-22: the scans must be put to the test to develop targeted treatments, but until there are targeted treatments, using the scans widely is impractical and expensive.
Needless to say, this study is likely not the last to come from Lainhart's autism imaging research group--which includes experts from the University of Utah, Brigham Young University, the University of Wisconsin, and Harvard University.
Discuss: MRI as potential diagnostic tool for autism


Rev. Tracy Reeves leads hymn singing. She was also the winner of the chili cookoff (see her plaque at right).
Bishop Sudarshana Devadhar and Rev. Ellen Bridge offer the liturgy.
District Co-Lay Leaders Hazel Hammond, left, and Susan Chafee present the bishop with a wreath.


A documentary director from Long Island made Oscars history Tuesday by becoming the first openly transgender filmmaker nominated for an Academy Award.
Yance Ford's "Strong Island" was nominated for Best Documentary Feature Tuesday morning. In his directorial debut, Ford focuses on the death of his brother, William Ford, who was shot and killed in 1992.
Speaking to News 4 over Skype Tuesday, Ford said he and his partner were elated when they saw the logo for the film, released on Netflix, during the nominations.
"We must have been hyperventilating so loudly that we didn't hear Tiffany Haddish and her co-host, but we saw 'Strong Island' on the screen, and as soon as we saw the movie my partner and I lost it," said Ford.
Just 24 years old at the time, William Ford, who is black, was shot and killed by a white 19-year-old auto body shop employee who claimed it was self-defense. An all-white grand jury did not bring any charges against the defendant.
Twenty-five years later, Ford thinks it is still important to address systematic failures in the justice system.
"There's very little difference between what is said of victims today who are unarmed and killed by people who are heavily armed, and what was said about my brother 25 years ago," said Ford.


BEXLEY, Ohio -- Thanks to a season-high 21 points from sophomore Alison Schafer, Denison women's basketball returned to Bexley, Ohio on Saturday afternoon where they defeated Franklin College, 71-63, on day two of the Capital University/Marriott Columbus Airport Holiday Tournament. Schafer's season-best also matches a career-high that she totaled against Thomas More College back on Nov. 27, 2016.
The Big Red assisted in Schafer's career-night by shooting 40-percent from beyond the arc and connecting on a perfect 13-for-13 from the charity stripe. They also put together their best quarter of the night in the final frame when Denison forced six Franklin turnovers and totaled 7-of-11 shooting after only leading 50-47 entering the fourth.
The Grizzlies started the final quarter going three of four from the free throw line to trail by only one, 53-52, with 8:22 remaining in the contest. The Big Red countered over the next 2:43 of play as a layup from sophomore Lauren Hofer was followed by Brittany Atkinson's three-point bucket to take a 58-52 lead with 5:39 left in the game.
Schafer kept the DU lead at six, 61-55, as she tallied one of her four three-pointers on the night with less than five minutes to go. Franklin didn't back down as Maddie O'Day countered with her own perimeter jumper and cut the Grizzly deficit to 61-58, but Hofer converted back-to-back layups to increase the Denison advantage to 65-58 with 4:07 left in the quarter.
Franklin made one final push with 2:33 remaining as Kelsey Smith buried a three that cut the Denison lead to 65-63. The Big Red ended the night on a 6-0 scoring run, led by four points from junior Valesha Province, as they held off the Grizzly comeback and secured the win.
Schafer added seven rebounds and a spot on the all-tournament team to her 21-point effort, while Lauren Longbrake added 10 points and 11 boards, totaling a double-double. Hofer contributed 12 points and four rebounds for the Big Red and Atkinson and Province chipped in nine points each.
Franklin's Bayleigh Walker led all scorers with 23 points on 9-of-20 from the field. Erin Bradley also added eight points and six rebounds.
Denison will return to action this coming Wednesday, Jan. 3 when they travel to Delaware, Ohio for a matchup with Ohio Wesleyan University at 6 p.m.


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