{"text": " 28 BANGOR, Maine \u2014 Police reportedly have taken a human fetus into evidence after a woman walked through Pickering Square carrying it in a bag Friday afternoon. 15 There have been no arrests and no one was taken into custody, Sgt. 6 Bob Bishop said Friday night. 31 Investigators are releasing few details aside from what Lt. Tim Reid, who heads the department\u2019s Criminal Investigation Division, revealed in a brief written statement Friday evening. 24 At 2:06 p.m., police received reports of a woman walking through Pickering Square while carrying a bag with a fetus in it. 17 Investigators reportedly retrieved a fetus, but details of why it was being carried were withheld. 25 Investigators also went to High Street, which was closed briefly, around the same time as part of the investigation according to Sgt. 3 Garry Higgins. 17 Bishop said the fetus would be taken to the medical examiner\u2019s office on Monday."} {"text": " 48 President Donald Trump told friends at his exclusive Florida resort \u201cYou all just got a lot richer,\u201d just hours after signing a sweeping $1.5 trillion tax reform bill that experts said would disproportionately help the wealthiest Americans, a report on Sunday said. 56 Trump made the announcement during a dinner at Mar-a-Lago on Friday evening, boasting to his fellow one-percenters that the \u201cbiggest in history\u201d tax cut he signed earlier in the day would make them even wealthier, CBS reported, citing people sitting near the president\u2019s table who heard the remarks. 32 \u201cYou all just got a lot richer,\u201d Trump said, Friday at a dinner at Mar-a-Lago, two friends at a table near the president told CBS News. 26 Late last week, Trump signed the sweeping Republican tax bill into law, marking his first major legislative accomplishment since winning the White House. 27 He spoke at length during the signing, thanking Republicans in Congress for getting the legislation to his desk and predicting it would help the economy. 15 \u201cIt\u2019s going to be a tremendous thing for the American people. 20 It\u2019s going to be fantastic for the economy,\u201d Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. 13 Trump and congressional Republicans have been pushing tax reform for several months. 14 Trump has pitched the tax-reform plan as a boon to the middle class. 55 Democrats, however, have criticized the tax overhaul, passed by the GOP-majority Congress without their support, as a giveaway to corporations and the country\u2019s richest, while hurting middle-class and low-income Americans, noting that while the corporate tax cuts are permanent those for individuals expire in 10 years. 25 According to a report in the New York Times, Trump stands to reap an $11 million windfall because of the tax overhaul."} {"text": " 43 Fledgling U.K.-based driverless car startup FiveAI has raised \u00a314 million ($18 million) in a series A round of funding led by Lakestar Capital, with participation from existing seed investors Notion Capital, Amadeus Capital Partners, and Kindred. 34 Founded out of Bristol in 2015, FiveAI is leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to build the brains and navigation systems to power the autonomous cars of the future. 33 The company had previously revealed that it\u2019s working toward an AI-powered system that enables self-driving cars to navigate all kinds of environments using simpler maps than has traditionally been possible. 45 Indeed, rather than leaning on a mass repository of data involving detailed 3D maps of the world\u2019s roads, it says that its system will be able to create a map of the world in real time as vehicles move along. 36 Global investments\n\nThe burgeoning autonomous driving industry has seen a marked increase in investment in recent times, as technology companies and automotive firms converge at a crossroads that could determine the future of mobility. 54 With Google\u2019s parent company Alphabet committing to self-driving cars, Intel shelling out more than $15 billion to acquire computer vision firm Mobileye, and Volvo testing a range of self-driving trucks, there\u2019s no denying a future where autonomy plays a central part in our day-to-day transport. 11 One problem that needs to be solved relates to safety. 27 For vehicles to maneuver through traffic and hazardous conditions at great speeds, they must have a self-awareness and an understanding of the environment around them. 45 There isn\u2019t time to \u201cthink\u201d and process data; they need to be able to react with split-second precision \u2014 that\u2019s why quality maps, sensors, and onboard cameras capable of instantly processing detailed imagery are important. 36 Where FiveAI claims to differ, however, is that it promises to use \u201cstrong AI to solve the challenge\u201d of requiring highly detailed 3D imagery and localization for cars to navigate themselves. 33 \u201c[W]e don\u2019t need to map 37.2 kilometers of roads across the planet to deliver a reliable solution,\u201d the company proudly proclaims on its website. 51 FiveAI had raised a $2.7 million seed round in July 2016 and nabbed \u00a312.8 million ($16.6 million) in government funding a few months back for a consortium it\u2019s leading to push ahead with autonomous car testing on London roads via a project called StreetWise. 35 The latest tranche, together with its government-provided funding, will go toward helping FiveAI test its technology in the same environment it hopes it will finally be used: busy, urban streets. 23 \u201cLondon has one of the best public transport systems in the world,\u201d said FiveAI cofounder and CEO Stan Boland. 29 \u201cCycling, walking, buses and trains offer a great service for most commuters, but some journeys are still being served by personal or individual transport. 28 Initially we\u2019ll target these journeys with our shared mobility solution which will also pave the way for potential large-scale autonomous public transport in the future. 75 In the short term, from day one of service launch, the StreetWise project will increase public transport usage, reduce congestion and emissions, and make our urban areas more liveable for all.\u201d\n\nLocal focus\n\nWith countless companies from the U.S. and elsewhere already at fairly advanced stages in terms of testing self-driving vehicles, one of FiveAI\u2019s core selling points is that it\u2019s a local company. 38 The likes of Alphabet\u2019s Waymo and Uber are investing heavily in this field, and there is some anxiety that major U.S. tech giants could \u201clock up\u201d European cities with U.S.-built proprietary systems. 29 Furthermore, U.K. and European conurbations may pose quite distinct challenges to those elsewhere in the world, which is why a more localized solution is being touted. 52 \u201cDense European cities present totally different technical, behavioural, regulatory, and infrastructure challenges to their U.S. and Chinese counterparts for safe urban driverless technologies,\u201d explained Lakestar Capital\u2019s Dharmash Mistry, who will also join FiveAI\u2019s board as a result of the investment. 77 \u201cBy assembling its talented team in the U.K. and seeking to support London\u2019s transport objectives in partnership with the city itself, FiveAI can play a vital role in reducing congestion, emissions, costs, accidents and journey times, boosting the city economy at the same time.\u201d\n\nFiveAI added that it plans to launch a \u201csupervised trial\u201d of a fleet of autonomous vehicles on London roads by 2019."} {"text": " 25 Donald Trump has widened the gap between himself and Democratic presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton, according to a new Utah Policy survey released Monday. 36 The Republican presidential nominee leads Clinton 39 percent to 24 percent in a five-way race that includes Libertarian nominee Gary Johnson, independent candidate and Utah native Evan McMullin and Green Party nominee Jill Stein. 13 Trump previously led his Democratic opponent by 12 percentage points in August. 22 He continues to trail Clinton among independent voters, this time by 4 percentage points \u2014 29 percent to 25 percent. 19 Despite growing up in Utah and headquartering his campaign there, McMullin has failed to gain much traction. 26 It appears most of his support has come from previously undecided voters or individuals who supported other candidates besides Trump before McMullin entered the race. 34 However, while 82 percent of self-identified Democrats backed Clinton in the poll, far fewer Republican respondents (61 percent) said they plan to cast their ballot for Trump in November. 22 Eleven percent of Republicans said they are considering Johnson, while 13 percent said they are open to voting for McMullin. 13 The survey of 605 likely voters in Utah was conducted Sept. 1-9. 13 Results contain a margin of error plus or minus 3.98 percentage points."} {"text": " 14 These days, it seems everything Guillermo Del Toro touches turns to gold. 37 While the director is firmly focused on his big budget film Pacific Rim, HBO recently option a property he\u2019s attached to and FX order a pilot based on a book series he wrote. 33 The FX pilot will be based on The Strain, a trilogy of vampire novels co-authored by Del Toro, which will be overseen by Lost executive producer and co-show-runner Carlton Cuse. 7 Del Toro will direct the pilot. 33 Then there\u2019s The Nutshell Studies of Unexplained Death by Corinne May Botz, which HBO optioned for a possible series with Del Toro to executive producer and possibly direct too. 9 Read more about both projects after the jump. 25 Variety broke the news of the FX pilot, which is a big deal because they ordered a pilot based strickly on a pitch. 25 Most of the time, after a pitch, there are a few others steps that must be taken before getting to the pilot. 14 The names Carlton Cuse and Guillermo Del Toro surely didn\u2019t hurt. 39 As for The Strain itself, on its most basic level, it\u2019s a zombie invasion story where the virus that infects people doesn\u2019t turn them into zombies, it turns them into vampires. 19 Del Toro wrote the three books with Chuck Hogan, and the pair will co-write the pilot too. 16 Del Toro will direct and sees the series as something with a very defined ending. 8 Cuse is currently working on Bates Motel. 45 Del Toro is also the executive producer of the property The Nutshell Studies of Unexplained Death, which is the true story of a 1950s woman who made real life dioramas of murder scenes to help investigators learn more about the intricacies of crime. 28 HBO has just optioned the novel for a possible series, which is far from a sure thing, but it sounds like a very cool concept. 7 Read more at The Hollywood Reporter. 26 Do you think these two series\u2019, in addition to the Hulk show, will take away from Del Toro\u2019s main goals?"} {"text": " 26 Protomartyr is a Detroit punk band that, like fellow Michiganders Bars Of Gold, bares traces of the neon golden post-punk of the Constantines. 41 But whereas the members of Bars Of Gold hail from an emo/post-rock background, Protomartyr is all angular hardscrabble aggression, as if their Detroit brethren Tyvek found a way to funnel all that pent-up nervous tension into kinetic energy. 54 Stepping outside the Detroit metro area and across the pond, fans of Iceage and Savages would probably dig Protomartyr\u2019s forthcoming Hardly Art debut and second album overall, Under Color Of Official Right, which embeds a warm harmonic glow in a framework of raw, muscular, industrial post-punk. 29 (Not industrial the genre, industrial as in factories with lots of sharp edges where the equipment could kill you if you\u2019re not careful.) 23 It\u2019s a rad record, and lead single \u201cScum, Rise!\u201d is a fine taste of it. 5 Listen or download below. 20 Protomartyr \u2013 \u201cScum, Rise!\u201d\n\nUnder Color Of Official Right is out 4/8 via Hardly Art."} {"text": " 48 Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption Tesco Bank chief executive tells Radio 4's Today around 20,000 customers were affected\n\nTesco Bank's chief executive has blamed \"a systematic, sophisticated attack\" for the money taken from 20,000 of its customer accounts. 28 Benny Higgins said the bank knew \"exactly\" what the attack was, but could not say more because it was part of a criminal investigation. 14 He said all affected customers would be refunded by the end of Tuesday. 17 About 40,000 accounts saw suspicious transactions over the weekend, of which half had money taken. 27 The bank is still blocking current account customers from making online payments using their debit card, a temporary measure it put in place on Sunday. 32 But it said customers would still be able to use their cards for cash withdrawals and chip and pin payments, while bill payments and direct debits would continue as normal. 22 \"We are working hard to resume normal service on current accounts as soon as possible,\" said Mr Higgins. 27 Earlier, the bank confirmed some accounts \"have been subject to online criminal activity, in some cases resulting in money being withdrawn fraudulently\". 16 Mr Higgins also apologised for the \"worry and inconvenience\" that customers have faced. 11 Tesco Bank attack: How can you protect your account? 9 Tesco bank attack: What do we know? 15 One cybersecurity expert said this could be an unprecedented breach at a British bank. 22 I was just about to go to bed when I received a text message from Tesco saying there had been fraud. 7 So of course you panic.\" 51 Kevin Smith, Tesco Bank customer\n\n\"I've not heard of an attack of this nature and scale on a UK bank where it appears that the bank's central system is the target,\" said Prof Alan Woodward, a security consultant who has worked with Europol. 29 Over the weekend, customers complained about money being withdrawn without permission, cards being blocked and long delays to get through to the bank on the phone. 22 \"Any financial loss that results from this fraudulent activity will be borne by the bank,\" Mr Higgins said. 9 \"Customers are not at financial risk.\" 15 Tesco has yet to use the word \"hacking\" to describe the breach. 21 The bank has more than seven million customer accounts and 4,000 staff, based in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Newcastle. 35 Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption 'Tesco texted to say fraud on account'\n\nKevin Smith, from Blackpool, said he had lost \u00a3500 from one account and \u00a320 from another. 29 He said: \"I was just about to go to bed when I received a text message from Tesco saying there had been fraud on my account. 7 So of course you panic.\" 21 Alan Baxter, from Berwick-upon-Tweed, said he had lost \u00a3600, leaving him with just \u00a321.88 in the bank. 22 He said: \"Tesco said they couldn't offer me emergency funds but would offer \u00a325 as a goodwill gesture. 11 \"I've got food and petrol to pay for. 22 I have a delivery of coal coming tomorrow for our coal-fired heater and I won't be able to pay.\" 35 'Money has vanished'\n\nOther customers complained on Tesco Bank's website and through social media about long delays when calling the company's customer service line to find out if their account was affected. 23 Mark Noakes, from Thrapston, told the BBC: \"Looked at my account this morning to find a large hole! 14 There was \u00a32 in there; there should have been a lot more! 39 \"Finally got through to customer services to be told it would take 48 hours to sort as there had been a lot of transactions on my account that could not be linked to me or my wife. 12 \"For such a big company they are not being professional. 23 I'm doing well compared to some others as I have another bank account and this will all get sorted somehow.\" 39 Image copyright Tesco Bank\n\nAnalysis: Rory Cellan-Jones, BBC technology correspondent\n\nMake no mistake, while Tesco Bank is stressing that relatively small amounts were taken from 20,000 accounts, this is a very serious security incident. 30 All Tesco Bank will say is that it has been the victim of \"online criminal activity\" so we have little detail on the nature of the attack. 46 But what is different is that it involves tens of thousands falling victim in a 24 hour period to what appears to be an automated process, rather than individuals clicking on links in phishing emails or having their details stolen after downloading malicious software. 28 That could involve the attackers exploiting a vulnerability in the bank's website - or even gaining physical access to a branch and then the central systems. 24 Whatever has happened, the damage to trust in Tesco Bank and online banking in general will be greater than the financial cost. 28 Robert Schifreen, editor of the computer safety website SecuritySmart, said Tesco Bank must tell people what happened and how fraudsters obtained customers' bank details. 45 \"It could be, for example, that people have been attaching skimming devices, card readers and cameras specifically to Tesco's cash point machines, so that they've been capturing people's accounts there,\" he told the BBC. 18 \"It could be somebody who works at Tesco Bank who's had access to the database. 21 It could be somebody else, who Tesco have passed information to, and that information has been hacked.\" 47 'Action and arrests'\n\nA National Crime Agency (NCA) spokesman confirmed it was leading the investigation into the case, but stressed there was \"no set formula\" for dealing with cyber attacks, which tend to \"vary in terms of sophistication\". 19 \"It will be investigated and hopefully that will lead to action and arrests,\" he said. 56 Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption WATCH: Experts say the attack is unlike any they have seen before\n\nThe UK's data regulator, the Information Commissioner's Office, also said it was looking into the case and could investigate if customers' personal data has not been kept secure. 38 Tesco Bank said: \"We continue to work with the authorities and regulators to address the fraud and will keep our customers informed through regular updates on our website, Twitter, and direct communication.\" 28 But the regulators and Tesco Bank have been warned by a senior MP that they must take steps to ensure customers are protected from a similar attack. 40 \"This is just the latest in a long list of failures and breaches of banking IT systems, exposing many thousands of customers to uncertainty and disruption,\" said Andrew Tyrie, chairman of the Treasury Committee. 10 \"We can't carry on like this.\" 17 Refund rules\n\nUK bank customers have had money stolen from their online accounts by criminals before. 32 Last year, the NCA warned internet users to protect themselves against a strain of malicious software, which had enabled criminals to steal an estimated \u00a320m from UK bank accounts. 32 The Financial Conduct Authority says banks must refund unauthorised payments immediately, unless they have evidence that the customer was at fault or the payment was more than 13 months ago. 22 Banks are also required to refund any charges or interest added to your account as a result of the fraudulent payments. 23 Tesco Bank has been owned by Tesco plc since 2008, after starting as a joint venture with Royal Bank of Scotland. 20 Shares in Tesco are down 1% amid predictions that the brand could be damaged by the security breach."} {"text": " 32 Allen, who once disparaged the flanker reverse as a \u201cgimmicky play,\u201d never officially confirmed or denied that he had chosen the play at Nixon\u2019s behest. 57 Marv Levy, an assistant coach for Allen, claimed that before the playoff game, his boss had arranged for Nixon to take credit for the flanker reverse, so that his friend the president would look \u201cvery sage.\u201d\n\nPronouncing football his \u201cfavorite sport,\u201d Nixon applied its language to politics. 94 When he was angry over something done or said by some politician, he would write in the margin of his daily news summary, \u201cGet someone to hit him.\u201d Nixon once told Henry Kissinger, his national security adviser at the time, that war should be fought like football: \u201cYou give ground in the middle of the field, hold the line and the goal line and then score a touchdown.\u201d\n\nAs president, Nixon derived some of his tenacity from his experience with the Poets. 54 Citing his old coach, he would say, \u201cYou have got to hate to lose and get up off that floor and come back to fight again.\u201d But there is little evidence that he learned other football lessons, such as teamwork or respect for the rules of the game. 82 After Nixon was forced to resign in the Watergate scandal, his three-time Cabinet member Elliot Richardson, who had quit in protest during the so-called Saturday Night Massacre of October 1973, said, \u201cHis use of football analogies was so revealing \u2014 anything was O.K., except what the referee sees and blows the whistle on.\u201d\n\nMore than a historical curiosity, Nixon\u2019s intense interest in football continues to affect fans of the sport today. 2 N.F.L. 19 games were regularly blacked out on television in their home markets in an effort to boost ticket sales. 36 In December 1972, the Washington team was to face the Packers in the playoffs on its home turf, and Nixon was incensed that fans like him could not see the games on television. 27 Secretly recording their telephone conversation (the tape was released in 2012), Nixon ordered his attorney general, Richard Kleindienst, to ask N.F.L. 11 Commissioner Pete Rozelle to lift the blackout for the playoffs. 31 Nixon said, \u201cI\u2019m for pro football all the way,\u201d adding that \u201cI want us to get some publicity\u201d for removing the blackout. 19 To clinch the deal, Nixon ordered Kleindienst to inform Rozelle that the president would give the N.F.L. 22 \u201cabsolute protection\u201d by vetoing any effort by \u201cthe damn Congress\u201d to cancel the blackout on regular-season games."} {"text": " 31 Cloning Your Dog, For A Mere $100,000\n\ntoggle caption Edmund D. Fountain for NPR\n\nIt's a typical morning at the Dupont Veterinary Clinic in Lafayette, La. 28 Dr. Phillip Dupont is caring for cats and dogs in the examining room while his wife, Paula, answers the phone and pet owners' questions. 12 Their two dogs are sleeping on the floor behind her desk. 25 \"That's Ken and Henry,\" Paula says, pointing to the slim, midsize dogs with floppy ears and long snouts. 13 Both dogs are tan, gray and white, with similar markings. 23 \"I put a red collar on Ken and a black collar on Henry so I can tell who's who.\" 12 Ken and Henry are genetically identical, though not exact replicas. 43 They're clones of the Duponts' last dog, Melvin \u2014 created when scientists injected one of Melvin's skin cells, which contained all of his DNA, into a donor egg that had been emptied of its original DNA. 37 Ken and Henry are two of only about 600 dogs that have been cloned since scientists at Sooam Biotech, a suburban company near Seoul, South Korea, developed the technology to create cloned canines. 15 The Duponts sat down with Shots to explain why they decided to clone Melvin. 25 Enlarge this image toggle caption Edmund D. Fountain for NPR Edmund D. Fountain for NPR\n\n\"He was different,\" says Phillip Dupont. 14 \"Of all the dogs I had, he was completely different.\" 22 Melvin was supposed to be a Catahoula leopard dog, Louisiana's state dog (sometimes called a Catahoula hound). 15 Turned out, Melvin was a mutt, probably part Catahoula and part Doberman. 12 \"I paid $50 for him,\" says Phillip. 10 \"But I wasn't going to return it. 15 I thought for a while I was going to put him to sleep.\" 6 Then he changed his mind. 13 \"Turned out to be the best dog I ever owned.\" 45 Enlarge this image toggle caption Courtesy of Paula Dupont Courtesy of Paula Dupont\n\nThe Duponts have lots of stories about what made Melvin the best dog they ever owned, including the time Melvin found car keys Phillip had lost in the tall grass. 20 The couple trusted the dog so much they let him babysit their grandson in the backyard all by himself. 8 \"He listened,\" says Phillip. 17 \"You could talk to him and you swore he understood what you were talking about. 5 It was weird.\" 29 So a couple of years ago, when Melvin was about 9 and starting to show his age, the Duponts turned to a lab in South Korea. 17 Even though the process would cost them $100,000, the couple decided to do it. 13 They'd already spent that much on a Humvee, Phillip notes. 8 \"So, what the heck?\" 27 He sent some of Melvin's skin cells off to the lab \u2014 the only place in the world that is cloning dogs for pet owners. 9 The first cloned puppy soon died from distemper. 12 The lab tried again, this time producing two healthy clones. 25 Enlarge this image toggle caption Edmund D. Fountain for NPR Edmund D. Fountain for NPR\n\nFor a while it was like having three Melvins. 14 The personalities of the dogs, the Duponts say, are very similar. 12 But less than two years later, Melvin's time came. 13 \"It was hard,\" says Phillip, choking back tears. 16 Having the clones \u2014 Ken and Henry \u2014 helped the couple cope with the loss. 25 \"They come running through the house and jump in your lap \u2014 a 75-pound dog sitting in your lap, watching TV.\" 25 They still miss Melvin, they say, but having two more dogs so similar to him has helped \"quite a bit.\" 14 Most of the dogs cloned so far have been for grieving pet owners. 16 Some have been for police agencies looking for special skills \u2014 bomb-sniffing, for example. 25 Enlarge this image toggle caption Edmund D. Fountain for NPR Edmund D. Fountain for NPR\n\nBut not everyone thinks this idea is so great. 53 \"If you love dogs and you really want to have your companion animal cloned, you really do need to take very seriously the health and well-being of all the dogs that would be involved in this process,\" says Insoo Hyun, a bioethicist at Case Western Reserve University. 34 To clone a dog you need to use a lot of other dogs to serve as egg donors and surrogates, Hyun explains, and that means many dogs are undergoing surgical procedures. 20 Most of the time the process doesn't work; many attempts are required to produce a single clone. 23 \"I think there are probably better ways to spend $100,000 if you really care about animals,\" Hyun says. 27 Enlarge this image toggle caption Edmund D. Fountain for NPR Edmund D. Fountain for NPR\n\nHe also wonders about the health of Sooam's cloned puppies. 24 Most cloned animals end up pretty sickly \u2014 all that for a dog that isn't even an exact replica of the original. 17 \"All cloning does is reproduce the genome of your original pet,\" Hyun explains. 25 \"But maybe the way your dog interacted with you \u2014 and even the way it looks \u2014 was also strongly environmentally influenced.\" 12 You can never duplicate that kind of influence, Hyun says. 28 When pressed about how much the clones are really alike, the Duponts admit there are little differences, much as differences show up among identical twins. 22 The white stripe on Henry's nose is a lot wider than Ken's, and Henry weighs a bit less. 7 Ken is more of a loner. 12 But that's about it for differences, the couple insists. 16 \"They're so much like Melvin it's unreal,\" Phillip Dupont says. 12 So far, he adds, both clones seem perfectly healthy. 35 As far as whether other dogs suffered in creating theirs \u2014 the Duponts dismiss that notion, based on what they saw at the lab when they visited twice to pick up their clones. 17 \"Even though South Koreans eat dogs, they love their pets,\" Phillip says. 15 \"They've got rooms for these dogs to sleep in, with beds. 10 They've got technicians who sleep with the dogs. 12 And [the dogs] are all well cared for.\" 29 He says the lab staff told him that after dogs have served as donors or surrogates, \"they're fixed up and go to new homes.\" 27 (Sooam Biotech did not confirm or deny that assertion when NPR asked what happens to the dogs the company uses as donors and surrogates). 27 The Duponts also say they don't feel bad about spending so much money to create cloned dogs, when so many other dogs need homes. 31 There will always be strays on the road and too many dogs at the animal shelter, because irresponsible owners don't spay or neuter their pets, Paula says. 24 In contrast, she says, families that clone their pets don't do it \"with the idea of producing 10 more. 12 We're looking at having the one special dog again.\" 16 Or, in their case, two special dogs again, and maybe one more. 14 The Duponts are already talking about cloning Melvin again \u2014 for their grandson."} {"text": " 28 Far from left field comes a giallo horror tribute called Francesca, a strange and surreal feature that treads a fine line between greatness and bizarro silliness. 22 Unearthed Films releases the movie this month in a blu-ray collector's edition that's got great bang for the buck. 13 Using retro looking artwork, the packaging alone is worth the purchase. 11 It's a self enclosed piece of pop culture art. 22 With a story that sometimes lacks focus, some may have a hard time with the slow flow of the flick. 35 However, this thing is a love note to an earlier era and the people behind it do a bang up job recreating the blood soaked vibe and the dirty tones of Italian cinema. 42 Hitting on all the points that a great giallo film would emphasize, there is mystery, hack and slash horror, pornographic hints of eroticism, and a criminal underbelly all lead by the unsolved case of a missing girl. 17 With a crazed opening sequence, the setup is all there for a mild cult classic. 20 This short motion picture is a virtual time machine that will convince you it was filmed 40 years ago. 33 It's brutal at times, slow at others, and altogether a fun 80 minutes spent with old school editing, gradient looking environments, and some really cool lighting effects. 25 Using a grainy film stock feel and a gross looking color job, it hits some high points but is altogether a bit confusing. 27 Yet, fans of this genre will relish in the highlights and won't be bothered by the director's shortcomings in offering a succinct story. 16 Visually, Francesca is murky at times but highly skilled and dialed in at others. 39 Paying well deserved respect for the films it tries to emulate, the movie arrives in time for Halloween in a great 3 disc package including a blu-ray, a dvd, and the movie's excellent score. 23 The entire set is really nice and is a definite must for horror collectors and those that gravitate towards dynamic cinematic entries. 8 This isn't your typical horror fare. 36 If you're not bothered by a story that's a bit hard to follow, you'll have a great time with this one, especially if you're a fan of giallo films. 35 While I'm not gonna go super high on my score for the movie as a whole, the packaging, the music, and the experience are definitely worthy of a purchase. 4 Check it out. 2 Score\n\n-CG"} {"text": " 23 It\u2019s infuriating -- the world has never been wealthier but the gap between rich and poor is growing every day. 23 But there is a way out: it\u2019s called Unconditional Basic Income and experts say it can completely eradicate poverty! 29 Throughout the years, many Nobel Prize-winning economists have proposed this form of social security as the answer to poverty and societal problems such as soaring healthcare costs. 36 Politicians are afraid to speak out because it\u2019s often misunderstood, but EU citizens have decided to challenge this with a call for more research on this promising, unique and bold solution! 40 When 1 million of us show our support, we will deliver this petition to the European Commission with the demand that it acts on resolutions concerning basic income that were already adopted by the EU Parliament in 2010. 26 Sign here and share it with all your friends and family to make sure that our politicians can no longer ignore this solution to poverty. 24 PS - Over 285.000 signatures have already been collected in an official EU petition that has now been closed (the ECI-UBI). 7 Let\u2019s continue the effort!"} {"text": " 19 ANDREW Johns and Darren Lockyer agree \u2014 the Storm are lucky to be in the NRL grand final. 23 \u201cFor me the best team lost (Saturday\u2019s preliminary final),\u201d Johns told The Sunday Footy Show. 12 \u201cThey didn\u2019t have much luck, the Raiders. 26 The Storm were OK, but if they are going to trouble the Sharks next Sunday, they have to improve and improve a lot. 11 \u201cThey had conditions to suit, wet and slippery. 31 But the conditions for next Sunday are going to be dry, which will suit Sharks.\u201d\n\nmedia_camera Andrew Johns has backed the Sharks to win the NRL grand final. 23 Lockyer said: \u201cDefensively the (the Storm) were strong, but I thought they had a bit of luck. 21 \u201cThey got a lot of penalties and they ended up only beating the Raiders by two points at home. 34 \u201cThe Raiders had a few injuries and had a few chances they dropped.\u201d\n\nJohns, Lockyer and Brad Fittler all backed the Sharks to win their first ever premiership next Sunday."} {"text": " 14 It was short and sweet, the way Bill Buss would have liked. 63 About two dozen people gathered at the Rosar Morrison Funeral home in downtown Toronto on Tuesday to remember Buss, a 71-year-old homeless man who died in early June, curled up behind a boarded-up cubbyhole under a staircase on Parliament St., near Shuter St. For three weeks after his decomposed remains were discovered, no one knew who he was. 37 The casket is carried out of a funeral home chapel as acquaintances and the Good Neighbours' Club said farewell to Bill Buss, a homeless man whose body lay hidden under a stairwell for weeks. 33 ( Chris So / TORONTO STAR )\n\nThose who knew Buss the best talked about the enigma he was, and tearfully apologized for not being with him in his dying hours. 40 \u201cI can\u2019t remember a single time when he needed anything,\u201d Lauro Monteiro, director of operations at the Good Neighbours\u2019 Club, a drop-in centre near Moss Park, told the small gathering. 57 \u201cSadly, we weren\u2019t able to help him when he needed us.\u201d Buss\u2019 legacy, said Monteiro, is that \u201cwe improve how we deal with our clients on the streets.\u201d\n\nArticle Continued Below\n\n(The funeral service was organized by the club, paid for by the city. 17 Monteiro said his agency organizes at least 20 to 25 funerals of homeless people annually.) 29 Monteiro, likely the person who knew Buss best, said he was born in the tiny hamlet of Minitonas near Duck Mountain Provincial Park in central Manitoba. 28 How and when he got to Toronto is unclear, but for the past 17 years, Buss spent his days at the Good Neighbours\u2019 Club. 30 He was there in the library from 8 a.m. until the doors closed at 5 p.m. Buss wasn\u2019t much of a talker, mostly keeping to himself. 18 Monteiro says the senior was gentle, well-dressed and knew a lot of about mechanics and machines. 20 He leafed through old encyclopedias and vintage copies of Popular Mechanics magazine and sometimes talked about what he read. 10 Buss stopped coming to the club sometime in March. 22 He talked of some family in Windsor, but no one, including police, has been able to locate any. 27 Ed Keays, of the Good Shepherd Centre, where Buss sometimes went, remembered him as someone always respectful to the clients and the volunteers. 22 Article Continued Below\n\nAs Monteiro and Keays shared anecdotes from Buss\u2019 life, there were some nods, some laughs. 18 Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam (Ward 27, Toronto Centre-Rosedale) was among those who attended the service. 63 Anne Marie Batten, a street nurse who took flowers to where Buss\u2019 body was found, said many homeless people came up to her and shared their fear of \u201cdying alone.\u201d Buss is among the estimated 400 homeless people who are afraid to use shelters and spend their nights outside downtown stores, in hospital lobbies and stairwells. 11 Many are elderly and frail, and fear being beaten. 43 As agencies like the Good Neighbours\u2019 Club and the Good Shepherd Centre were holding the funeral service for Buss, their volunteers were looking for another 71-year-old man who frequented the club but has been absent for at least two weeks. 26 \u201cNo one has seen him,\u201d said Monteiro, adding that the man has addictions but has never gone missing for so long. 21 After how Buss died, alone and anonymous, Monteiro doesn\u2019t want anyone else to end like that. 20 Buss was so shy that there is not a single photograph of him at the Good Neighbours\u2019 Club. 25 \u201cI have gone through thousands of photos but not one of his \u2014 not even somewhere in the background,\u201d Monteiro said. 19 So there were no photos at the memorial; just two bunches of white flowers flanking the casket."} {"text": " 11 The scene each day at the Bethlehem checkpoint is horrifying. 49 Lucky Palestinians who have managed to obtain authorization to work in Israel \u2014 the \u201cticket to life,\u201d they call it \u2014 undergo an exhausting, agonizing wait that can last five hours, even when they arrive early in the morning to beat the crowds. 25 This is the journey thousands must make to reach jobs that help them survive the economic distress in areas controlled by the Palestinian Authority. 25 The inhumane overcrowding to get through the \u201clines\u201d at the checkpoint forces many workers to climb the fences just to avoid suffocation. 43 Some workers, many in their 40s and 50s who don\u2019t have it in them to withstand the long hours of crowding, try to arrive at 2 a.m. to avoid the misery that will increase as more laborers arrive. 33 \u201cThe fight for a piece of railing is the hardest of all,\u201d said Ahmed Darajah, a 42-year-old father of eight from Beit Sahour who works in a quarry. 18 \u201cOnly the strong can climb the railing and hold tight to the barbwire fence for hours. 28 Not everyone has the strength to keep hanging in the air all night, and only the strong survive [and keep their place in line]. 27 The rest pray to God.\u201d\n\nThe official name of the checkpoint at Bethlehem is the Rachel Checkpoint, but it is also called Checkpoint 300. 28 Its location wasn\u2019t chosen through any planning or forethought, and no one intended for thousands of people to pass through the crossing every day. 58 On Feb. 25, 1994 \u2014 the day settler Baruch Goldstein massacred 29 Palestinians at the Cave of the Patriarchs \u2014 Ilan Biran, commander of the Israel Defense Forces Central Command, ordered that a temporary checkpoint be built quickly in the Bethlehem area to prevent angry Palestinians from getting to the nearby Gilo settlement neighborhood. 38 The deputy brigade commander, Shlomo Tzaban, marked off 300 steps from the Tomb of Rachel, on the outskirts of Bethlehem, and set up the first concrete structure that would become the Rachel Checkpoint. 20 Over the years, it has become a central crossing for Palestinian workers entering Israel from the West Bank. 11 Palestinians must pass through concrete pathways along the separation barrier. 33 At the crossing itself, military police operate carousels that allow only a small group of workers at a time to pass into the security-check area to verify their authorization to work. 24 According to data provided to Al-Monitor by the civil administration, 58,000 workers exit the West Bank to work in Israel each day. 13 An additional 27,000 Palestinians are authorized to work in West Bank settlements. 25 In February, to ease the burden of unemployment in the PA-controlled territories, the security Cabinet authorized 30,000 additional work permits for Palestinians. 18 Since then, the Cabinet has authorized another 7,000 permits to be issued in the coming weeks. 16 Workers from the West Bank enter Israel through 15 checkpoints scattered along the Green Line. 9 Checkpoint 300 is the busiest and most crowded. 26 Civil administration data shows 7,000 workers passing through that checkpoint every day, but according to the Palestinians, the actual number is much higher. 29 The West Bank Labor Association reports that 15,000 workers pass through the checkpoint daily, a figure an Israeli security source also believes to be closer to reality. 18 Regardless of the precise number, the checkpoint was not built to handle today's massive flow. 42 \u201cThere\u2019s a demand for workers from the Bethlehem area because it is considered a quieter and more moderate area than other areas in the West Bank,\u201d the Israeli security source told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity. 19 \u201cIsraeli employers prefer Bethlehem workers because they have a reputation as workers you can relatively depend on. 15 They don\u2019t present a security threat like workers from Jenin or Nablus. 62 Hebron-area residents also prefer to cross into Israel through Checkpoint 300 because most of them work in the Jerusalem or Tel Aviv area, and not as much in the Beersheba area [in the south].\u201d\n\nThe reason workers are unable to cross Checkpoint 300 in a humane and appropriate fashion lies in the way it is administered. 43 The operation of the other crossings from the Palestinian territories into Israel, including the Erez crossing at the Gaza Strip, has been transferred from the IDF to the Defense Ministry, which hires corporate contractors that use advanced security methods. 22 The crossings surrounding Jerusalem have remained the joint responsibility of the IDF, the military police and the civilian Israeli police. 28 The IDF is not against transferring responsibility for Checkpoint 300 to the Defense Ministry and the Ports Authority, but the Israel Police oppose such a move. 19 Giving up control of the crossing would cost the force millions of shekels in lost manpower and budgeting. 39 At the Eyal Checkpoint, operated by the Defense Ministry near the Israeli town of Rosh HaAyin, some 12,000 Palestinian workers pass through daily without crowding, thanks to advanced security methods like those used at airports. 35 By contrast, Jamal Abu Warda, a resident of Aida refugee camp near Bethlehem, told Al-Monitor that almost every day Palestinian workers are sent to hospitals with injuries sustained at Checkpoint 300. 29 \u201cThis week I arrived at the checkpoint at 2:30 [a.m.] in order to be one of the first in line,\u201d Abu Warda said. 19 \u201cWhen I arrived, there was already a long line, but I managed to push in. 6 Suddenly, terrible crowding started. 18 I and a few other workers fell to the ground as others fell on top of us. 7 I felt that I was suffocating. 19 I thought I was dying, but the workers couldn\u2019t be stopped because everyone was pushing. 31 \"I don\u2019t know who thought of it, but then a row of workers formed a human chain and prevented others from falling on top of us. 8 That\u2019s how I was saved. 20 Friends poured water on me and sat me to the side for 15 minutes until I could breathe again. 16 I didn\u2019t go to work that day; I went to the hospital. 14 It\u2019s a shame that [they] do this to us. 8 What do we want, after all? 64 To live with dignity and to provide food for our kids.\u201d\n\nGiven Abu Warda\u2019s testimony and that of many other workers, it seems safe to say that if Israel doesn\u2019t improve conditions at Checkpoint 300, it is only a matter of time before disaster strikes there, with Palestinian workers suffocating or being trampled to death."} {"text": " 24 The previous post made right after Ferguson announced his retirement did not really get any attention or bring forth any discussion at all. 35 I guess people didn\u2019t like the quality, what was written or were too fed up with the amount of blogs and newspapers sharing their opinion, to care about a rreddevils-post. 3 Fair enough. 9 Following is an attempt on a better one. 15 It has been a couple of very hectic days for us Man United fans. 18 Ferguson is retiring, Gill is leaving and Scholesy has kicked his final ball at Old Trafford. 33 A lot of rumors about players coming in and players leaving followed the hiring of David Moyes, and the rumor with the most momentum has been that Wayne Rooney wants out. 35 This was confirmed by Sir Alex Ferguson a couple days ago, and the latest news tell us that Giggs, Moyes and Ferguson met with Rooney in a hotel to discuss his future. 30 Seeing as Giggs was brought in by the managers, it seems pretty obvious that Ferguson and Moyes have set out on a mission to convince Wayne to stay. 20 This post is going to look at the concequences of Rooney staying at United or leaving for another club. 11 Who is getting the short end of the stick here? 7 The signal effect\n\nRooney wants out? 4 How dare he! 16 Many different opinions have been voiced out when it comes to Rooney leaving or staying. 35 The fact that he comes in with a transfer request for the second time in three years has made me and most of the other United fans I\u2019ve talked with, furious. 32 He can stay or he can go, but either way, the transfer request can have a bigger impact on the future of the club than one first might think. 26 First of all, if he changes his mind (is convinced by Giggs, Ferguson and Moyes), we come off as weak. 21 Is Manchester United a club where a player can dick around like that, TWICE, and still be wanted? 11 Shouldn\u2019t a player like that be thrown out? 24 After thinking about it for a while, I realised that even if we might come off weak, it also shows strength. 16 Being able to keep a player that we wanted to keep, shows some strength. 17 Rooney also probably has the highest maximum level of performance of any player in the squad. 14 A Rooney in top form is a top 5 player in the world. 38 Other players would love to partner up with that, and having a player like Rooney in the club could be the deciding factor if another star player is debating whether to join United or say Arsenal. 16 Secondly, the way we are treating Rooney is very unlike Manchester Uniteds\u2019 tradition. 48 Having a look at previous players going against the way of the club, be that by whining about not getting enough play time, wanting higher wages, losing focus on the game or screwing with the team spirit, Ferguson has always offloaded them quickly. 13 Jaap Stam, Ruud Van Nistelrooy, Carlos Tevez, David Beckham. 26 Players that in some way betrayed what the club stood for, justified or not, have always been thrown out as fast as possible. 21 Yet, we are, for the second time in two years, doing everything we can to keep Rooney. 13 Third, what does this show the other players at the club? 16 You can whine your way to a better contract, the club still wants you. 32 A couple of seasons later, you can be unhappy because you didn\u2019t get to play full games (because you played sub-par), and then whine again. 3 What happens? 5 We still want you. 33 That said, I realise it isn\u2019t as black and white as I am writing it, but I figured this is how it could come off to some players. 32 I also realise Rooney is a very special player, with the potential of leading Man United to five or ten new titles, and keeping him would have great benefits. 7 So Rooney leaves, what then? 18 The most important point for me is selling him to a club outside of the Premier League. 19 A Rooney at Chelsea or City wouldn\u2019t just improve the team he joins by a lot. 24 It also fucks with the team morale, the morale of the fans and ultimately can lead to a very weakened Man United. 27 The positives would be that Kagawa would finally get to play in his best role, behind Van Persie, and next to Rooneys replacement signing. 24 With Rooney in the club, and on the pitch, Kagawa is very often pushed out to the left attacking midfield position. 19 He is good at it, but he is A LOT better when he gets to play centrally. 34 When Shinji is given the ball, faced forward and with team members moving, he is in my opinion just as good at orchestrating attacks as Cazorla, Mata and David Silva. 12 He just has not been given the chance too many times. 31 With Rooney in the club, Kagawa tends to get the short end of the stick when we put our starting XI, and Wayne is given the central position. 26 And don\u2019t get me wrong, Wayne is a fantastic CAM/SS, but it has kind of been crippling Shinji in many ways. 36 They tend to run into eachothers\u2019 space, and what happens is that we lose a valuable passing option by both of them having the tendency to drift into the middle of the pitch. 9 A replacement would also have to be made. 28 Not necessarily because we don\u2019t have players to fill the gaps ability-wise, but because with a world star leaving, you need a boost. 11 You need a signing that shows that United means business. 9 We mean to win it again in 2013/2014. 30 If Rooney leaves, I see Kagawa claming the role Rooney has had this season, with a top class LAM/CAM coming in to take the wide left position. 18 That would be the ideal way to utilize both Kagawa, Van Persie and the new guy. 12 Rooney is convinced to stay, how do we solve this? 11 First off, an apology way bigger than last time. 12 This is going to take a lot of time to heal. 10 He will never be our captain or vice-captain now. 39 He is going to have to find a way to make it up to his team mates and the fans, and find his way into the top form Wayne Rooney that we all know is world class. 36 In the formation department, Moyes will have to figure out if he wants Rooney as a midfielder, as a support striker, as a part of a three man attack behind Van Persie. 39 Best case scenario for me, would be to have a fully motivated Wayne Rooney being part of a United attacking force next season, that has worked out a way for Kagawa and Rooney to play together. 51 Having watched Steven Pienaar talk about how Moyes works on specific movement details in the attacking part of the game, I am pretty sure that the offensive movement patterns and team play between Rooney and Kagawa is only going to get better, and eventually flourish into something fantastic. 24 We have seen glimpses this season, and there is no reason to think that it is not going to get even better. 17 If Rooney stays, the only position we have to strengthen, is the midfield position. 13 Someone to play next to Carrick, or replace him long term. 25 Perhaps Moyes brings Fellaini with him, or looks to Scotland where he has bought many players from during his time as Everton manager. 21 A lot of fans want Victor Wanyama, and he could be the machine we need to control the midfield. 44 With such an attacking line-up as we usually send out on the pitch, and seeing how Carrick has become more directly involved with the offensive play, a midfielder that can box-to-box it up, or be our anchor would be great. 10 If Rooney stays, we can focus on that. 37 Because our offensive 5-6 players are more than good enough with Rooney, Kagawa, RvP, Welbeck, Nani, Young, Cleverley, Valencia and the young players like Januzaj and Powell coming through. 20 With or Without Roo\n\nWhether Rooney stays or leaves, he most definately deserves appreciation for his time here. 13 Since he joined us in 2004, he has been our talisman. 4 Our star player. 6 Our warrior, our winner. 13 He started out as an immature kid who just loved the game. 24 He was sent off for an ironic applause in the Champions League, he got booked constantly by referees for his big mouth. 6 He has matured with us. 27 He has won countless awards, including PFA player of the year, PFA young player of the year, PFA fans player of the year. 32 He has been on team of the season, he has won 5 league titles, 2 league cups, 3 community shields and of course the Champions League in 2007/2008. 17 Most importantly, he was always an instrumental part of us the team winning the titles. 16 He worked his ass off for them, and we should be thankful for that. 18 No matter how betrayed we feel, we should thank him for what he did for us. 1 Advertisements"} {"text": " 19 UPDATE: Reports out of Finland suggest Barkov could miss 4-6 weeks of NHL action with the injury. 43 Finland has suffered yet another big loss to their Olympic Team, and it again comes at centre as Florida Panthers rookie sensation Aleksander \u201cSasha\u201d Barkov has been ruled out for the remainder of the tournament with a knee injury. 15 The injury was suffered in Finland\u2019s 6-1 victory over Norway on Friday. 34 It is unclear if this is related to the minor knee injury that Barkov suffered playing for the Panthers in late January and caused him to miss four games before the Olympic break. 25 Barkov had one assist, four shots on goal, and two penalty minutes in two games for the Finns before he was injured. 10 Finland is 2-0 with wins over Norway and Austria. 14 They face Canada with top spot in Group C on the line Sunday. 29 Olli Jokinen of the Winnipeg Jets and Mikael Granlund of the Minnesota Wild are now the only two NHL level natural centres that Finland has on the roster. 29 The roster also includes Tuomo Ruutu who has played centre in the past in the NHL but is currently playing more on the wing for the Carolina Hurricanes. 27 Prior to the tournament the Finns got word that they would be without their top two centres, Mikko Koivu and Valterri Filppula due to injuries. 29 They are also without Saku Koivu and Sean Bergenheim who both decided to sit out the Olympics to rest up for the stretch run of the NHL season. 18 The 18-year-old Barkov has eight goals and 24 points in 54 games for the Panthers this season. 16 He was the Panthers first pick, 2nd overall in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. 23 Earlier this year he became the youngest player to a score a goal in the NHL since the 1967 post-expansion era began. 13 Barkov is the son of former Russian National team member Alexander Barkov. 25 However his father played professional hockey in Finland, and the younger Barkov was born in Finland and spent most of his life there. 43 Due to his dual citizenship, Aleksander could have played for Russia, but choose to represent Finland at the IIHF Under 18 level, and once that decision is made he would remain a Finnish national for IIHF purposes going forward. 5 Thank you for reading. 13 Please take a moment to follow me on Twitter \u2013 @lastwordBkerr. 19 Support LWOS by following us on Twitter \u2013@LastWordOnSport \u2013 and \u201cliking\u201d our Facebook page. 6 Interested in writing for LWOS? 15 We are looking for enthusiastic, talented writers to join our Baseball writing team. 20 Visit our \u201cWrite for Us\u201d page for very easy details in how you can get started today!"} {"text": " 17 By the late 1980s, AIDS had been in the United States for almost a decade. 32 AIDS became the number one killer of young men in New York City, then of young men in the country, then of young men and women in the country. 20 Despite the gravity of the AIDS crisis, in the late 1980s there was little public acknowledgement of AIDS. 11 A group of artists in Manhattan decided to change that. 38 New York artist Patrick O\u2019Connel would spend days visiting friends in the hospital, going to funerals, and coming home to a panicked answering machine message from friends who just learned they were sick. 17 O\u2019Connel and other artists banded together and started making art in response to AIDS. 10 In 1988 they began calling their collective Visual AIDS. 14 Visual AIDS held public events and organized gallery shows to raise AIDS awareness. 20 But of all the work the group did, they made their biggest impact with a simple little symbol. 18 A little concept that, at the time, was very novel: The AIDS awareness ribbon. 11 It all started one night in the spring of 1991. 18 A costume designer named Marc Happel got invited to a meeting of the Visual AIDS artist caucus. 19 Happel had heard about the group\u2019s search for a symbol, and he had an idea. 11 This was at the time of the Persian Gulf War. 26 Marc had been taking trips driving around upstate New York, where he had seen yellow ribbons tied around trees, in honor of servicemen. 18 Marc Happel thought that Visual AIDS could do something similar, to acknowledge the war at home. 9 But the tree didn\u2019t seem right. 16 Marc thought that perhaps they could fold a ribbon and pin it on their lapels. 14 The group decided that the ribbon ought to be red\u2014the color of blood. 22 A local ribbon supplier donated spools of red grosgrain ribbon, and Visual AIDS began cutting, folding, and pinning. 28 The Visual AIDS Artist Caucus members held what they called \u201cribbon bees\u201d\u2014like a quilting bee, where a bunch of people gathered to work. 12 The looped, inverted-V shape came after trying out numerous styles. 25 Visual AIDS would hand-cut, fold, and pin thousands of ribbons, all just to hand out for free, attached to pamphlets. 13 At this point the red ribbons were essentially just an art project. 29 But in mid-May of 1991, one of the Visual AIDS directors had a crazy idea: they should get their pins on stage at the Tony Awards. 28 A number of the artists had Broadway connections, but group only had two weeks to convince the organizers of the Tony Awards to embrace the ribbons. 33 They coaxed celebrity dressers into pinning the ribbons on Broadway stars before the ceremony, and they got to work making new, bigger, flashier ribbons that the camera could capture. 18 On the night of the show\u2014June 7th, 1991\u2014the Visual AIDS artists were watching with bated breath. 13 They weren\u2019t sure if anyone would be wearing the ribbons. 24 One of the hosts, the actor Jeremy Irons, walked out on the stage with a red ribbon pinned to his lapel. 21 The first award winner of the night, Daisey Eagan, star of The Secret Garden, wore a ribbon. 6 Kevin Spacey wore a ribbon. 6 Penn and Teller wore ribbons. 15 By the end of the show, the celebrities not wearing ribbons stuck out. 8 But no one explained the ribbons on-air. 20 Rumor had it that the network threatened to go to commercial break if anyone tried to talk about AIDS. 31 Turns out, this degree of mystery provided some incredibly good press, and the next day, newspapers were buzzing about these mysterious red ribbons and what they meant. 7 Word got out about the ribbons. 17 Soon they were worn at the Emmys, and then the Oscars and the Grammy Awards. 31 The members of Visual AIDS continued to gather to make these ribbons, huddled together in Marc\u2019s loft, while they watched celebrities wear their creations on TV. 20 School groups and church groups started contacting Visual AIDS, asking how they could start their own ribbon project. 5 It became a phenomenon. 13 By the end of 1992, the ribbons had become a fad. 24 There were red ribbon diamond necklaces, red ribbon Christmas ornaments, red ribbon t-shirts, red ribbons on nearly every product imaginable. 26 Some members of Visual AIDS thought they should trademark the red ribbon, so that Visual AIDS would get money any time it was used. 24 But Patrick O\u2019Connel and Marc Happel believe that if they had, the symbol would not have been embraced so universally. 14 The spirit of the project was that everyone had permission to use it. 13 The ribbon\u2019s creators felt a backlash from other AIDS advocates. 13 At first, wearing the ribbon had felt like a radical act. 17 But as the ribbon became more ubiquitous, some activists called wearing it an easy out. 24 Critics said it was a way to look like you cared about people with AIDS, without actually doing anything to help them. 16 Basically, the same criticisms that met the Livestrong bracelet and the ice bucket challenge. 54 But Marc Happel says that\u2019s okay:\n\nWhat we wanted to do was create something that a mother in Michigan could wear on the lapel of her blouse, and you know maybe her son was living in New York and living with AIDS, and she wanted to do something. 36 I think it was just, it was also a symbol that we created that, that somebody could wear, and somebody might go up to them and say, \u201cWhat is that? 23 Why are you wearing that red ribbon?\u201d And hopefully that person would say, \u201cHere\u2019s why\u201d. 7 The ribbon was doing its job. 6 People were talking about AIDS. 26 The New York Times declared 1992 \u201cThe Year of the Ribbon.\u201d President Clinton set up the White House Office of National AIDS Policy. 10 The National Institute of Health expanded its AIDS research. 9 The government funded the national HIV Epidemiology Study. 30 Over time, the awareness ribbon had gotten so much attention for AIDS, that more than 200 other causes began using a looped awareness ribbon as their symbol. 16 Now, there are more causes that want ribbons than there are colors of ribbon. 28 The teal ribbon, for instance, is used for ovarian cancer awareness, anti-bullying awareness, Tourette\u2019s syndrome awareness, and tsunami victim awareness. 12 The ribbon\u2019s ubiquity has reached the point of parody. 26 When the band Death Cab for Cutie wore light blue ribbons at the 2009 Grammys, people wondered, were they boosting second-hand smoke awareness? 5 Or adrenocortical carcinoma awareness? 18 It turns out that Death Cab for Cutie had started their own cause: Auto-Tune abuse awareness. 33 Marc Happel actually thinks it\u2019s great that people took that simple little ribbon, made it their own, and used it for whatever cause they choose to fight for. 10 Still, that original red ribbon retains its relevance. 31 Even if AIDS isn\u2019t the killer it used to be, the number of people living with HIV is the United States is now higher than ever before. 7 The disease is still with us. 6 And so is its symbol."} {"text": " 16 The news was released following the conclusion of the AHL's Board of Governor meetings. 26 The American Hockey League made a few announcements on Thursday that will impact the Golden Knights' top minor league affiliate, the Chicago Wolves. 2 1. 33 The Wolves will play in the Central Division\n\nUnlike the NHL, which very seldom makes changes to its divisions or conferences, the format that the AHL plays under changes regularly. 19 This is largely a result of the league's member teams changing on a regular basis as well. 53 This season alone, the Laval Rockets debut as the Montreal Canadiens' former affiliate, the St. John's IceCaps exit the league; the Ottawa Senators moved their affiliate from Binghamton, NY to Belleville, Ont., and the New Jersey Devils moved into Binghamton from Albany, NY. 20 This had minimal effect on the Chicago Wolves, who will play in the Western Conference's Central Division. 64 2017-18 Central Division\n\nChicago Wolves (Vegas)\n\nManitoba Moose (Winnipeg)\n\nMilwaukee Admirals (Nashville)\n\nRockford IceHogs (Chicago)\n\nGrand Rapids Griffins (Detroit)\n\nIowa Wild (Minnesota)\n\nCleveland Monsters (Columbus)\n\nThe only change from last season is that the Charlotte Checkers (Carolina) exited the Central Division to move to the Eastern Conference. 10 Video: Chicago Wolves head coach Rocky Thompson\n\n2. 12 These are the three other divisions in the AHL this season. 157 2017-18 Pacific Division (Western Conference)\n\nSan Jose Barracuda (San Jose)\n\nStockton Heat (Calgary)\n\nSan Diego Gulls (Anaheim)\n\nOntario Reign (Los Angeles)\n\nTucson Roadrunners (Arizona)\n\nTexas Stars (Dallas)\n\nSan Antonio Rampage (Colorado)\n\n2017-18 Atlantic Division (Eastern Conference)\n\nCharlotte Checkers (Carolina)\n\nWilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (Pittsburgh)\n\nHershey Bears (Washington)\n\nLehigh Valley Phantoms (Philadelphia)\n\nBridgeport Sound Tigers (NY Islanders)\n\nHartford Wolf Pack (NY Rangers)\n\nSpringfield Thunderbirds (Florida)\n\nProvidence Bruins (Boston)\n\n2017-18 North Division (Eastern Conference)\n\nUtica Comets (Vancouver)\n\nRochester Americans (Buffalo)\n\nBinghamton Devils (New Jersey)\n\nSyracuse Crunch (Tampa Bay)\n\nBelleville Senators (Ottawa)\n\nToronto Marlies (Toronto)\n\nLaval Rocket (Montreal)\n\nVideo: Tomas Hyka chats on the last day of Development Camp\n\n3. 39 The standings will operate differently than the NHL\n\nIn the AHL, the Wolves' Central Division and both Eastern Conference divisions play 76 games, while the Pacific Divison plays 68 (all related to travel). 25 As a result, standings places are determined by what percentage of points a team has obtained compared to how games they have played. 28 Teams are seeded 1-4 by how they finish in their division, and only play teams in their division in the first two rounds of the playoffs. 15 The entire Calder Cup Playoffs, like in the NHL, are four rounds. 2 4. 36 There will be an AHL expansion team after this coming season\n\nBefore the Golden Knights entered the NHL, it was simple; 30 NHL teams, 30 AHL teams, everyone had their own. 36 When Vegas took over the Chicago Wolves, however, it left the St. Louis Blues without an affiliate (although the Blues will send some players to the Wolves this year, anyway). 16 The AHL confirmed on Thursday that a 31st team will join its league in 2018-19. 20 It hasn't confirmed yet what city that team will play in, or whom it will be affiliated. 10 Video: Reid Duke chats with Gary Lawless\n\n5. 25 This will impact the Golden Knights\n\nOn the surface, this won't have much of an immediate effect on Vegas' on-ice fortunes. 32 But with more than 80 percent of NHL players having begun their careers in the AHL, what happens in the AHL does have great significance to Vegas' future fortunes. 20 This season, who the Golden Knights send to the Wolves will be a bit of a mish mosh. 21 None of the 12 players the team drafted this June will be eligible to play for the Wolves this season. 65 However, with the Golden Knights selecting more players (30) than the team has roster spots (23), and having been active in the early days of free agency, the composition of Chicago's roster is becoming clearer - although we won't be fully sure of who'll be on the Wolves until after Golden Knights training camp. 46 Basically, anyone who doesn't make the Golden Knights - who may come up or down from the AHL on a regular basis - will play for Chicago, which probably fielding a veteran lineup will have a strong chance of contending this season. 20 Which for the Golden Knights, is part of instilling a winning organizational culture from the top, down."} {"text": " 70 This article is over 2 years old\n\nPro-EU group distributes crowdfunded flags to concertgoers for use during traditional union jack-waving performance\n\nCampaigners hand out thousands of EU flags for Last Night of the Proms\n\nPro-EU music lovers have been out in force since the early hours of Saturday at the Royal Albert Hall to hand out thousands of EU flags to concertgoers before the Last Night of the Proms. 31 Organisers behind the show of European solidarity arrived at the west London venue to distribute the 2,500 flags they bought after raising \u00a31,006 for the plan through a crowdfunding campaign. 15 Traditionally prom-goers triumphantly wave union flags on the last Saturday of the concert series. 30 This year, however, it looks as though the blue EU flag and its yellow stars will jostle for space against the red, white and blue crosses. 74 In a statement, the organisers, who want to remain anonymous, said: \u201cMusic doesn\u2019t recognise borders, religion, gender, age, status or creed and most orchestras, shows and music schools rely heavily on talented musicians from inside and outside the EU.\u201d\n\nThey added: \u201cAccordionist Romano Viazzani summed it up perfectly when he said: \u2018Music is the universal language. 28 It builds bridges and tears down walls\u2019.\u201d\n\nOn Saturday morning the team tweeted a picture of concertgoers with EU flags gathered outside the venue. 38 They captioned the image: \u201cFirst prom-goers arrive with EU flags in solidarity with musicians and music.\u201d\n\nEU Flag Mafia (@EUflagmafia) Remain party goers bring union and EU flags for the proms. 8 We're British, but EU too. 32 Proud of both pic.twitter.com/23V8J83ckI\n\nIn a series of tweets, the people behind the movement urged concertgoers to pick up one of the flags on their way in to the performance. 59 The Musicians\u2019 Union sent a message of support on Twitter on Friday, saying: \u201cWe support musicians and prom-goers pro-EU show of solidarity at the Last Night of the Proms.\u201d\n\nAlthough the pro-EU group stressed the event was a celebration, not a protest, there has been a high-profile backlash against their campaign. 21 The prominent Brexit backer Aaron Banks has pledged to hand out five times as many union jacks as EU flags. 16 The Leave.EU co-founder paid \u00a35,000 for 10,000 union flags to be doled out to concertgoers. 24 However, the organisers hit back in a tweet, saying: \u201cAaron Banks of Ukip produces 10,000 flags for 5,000 proms-goers. 32 Over promised yet again I see.\u201d\n\nTwitter users supported the move, with @EricaNeustadt writing: \u201cA real positive to have #union jacks alongside #EU flags! 12 Thank you #Brexit for helping @EUflagmafia\u2019s campaign!"} {"text": " 15 PODIUM INTERVIEWS (conducted by Sir Patrick Stewart) Q: Congratulations, Lewis. 24 You might say that there\u2019s nothing like a pleasant, quiet drive along the river on a Sunday afternoon in Montreal. 12 But this was a little different, wasn\u2019t it? 6 Lewis Hamilton: It was! 19 I just want to start by saying thank you to this crowd -- you guys have been amazing. 20 Every year we come back, every year the crowd grows, the energy grows, the atmosphere grows. 23 I don\u2019t think anywhere in the world we do qualifying and have the reaction we have here, thank you! 12 Q: It means something special to you, this track? 5 LH: It is! 30 I mean, I had my first pole here, I had my first win here ten years ago, and to repeat it this weekend is incredibly special. 44 I really have to thank my team who made this possible, the guys back at the factory have worked so hard to really fix what we had in the last race, to bring it here and give it to the Ferraris. 5 It\u2019s great. 18 Valtteri did a fantastic job to get collectively great points; I\u2019m over the moon. 11 Q: It\u2019s a wonderful win, congratulations. 4 Valtteri, congratulations. 11 This is a good season, isn\u2019t it? 6 This is your fourth podium. 5 Isn\u2019t it? 3 It is. 5 How did it feel? 7 Valtteri Bottas: It felt good! 6 Thank you Montreal, again. 30 It\u2019s my fifth time racing here, and my third time up here on the podium, so it\u2019s been a good place for me. 21 It\u2019s always good to be here, and as a team we really needed to get those points. 34 After a tough race in Monaco I\u2019m pretty impressed with what the team has done to get it together, and how much we have improved in two weeks is impressive. 15 I\u2019m just very, very proud to be a part of this. 16 Q: And how does it feel, following Lewis like this around the track? 33 VB: You know, in the beginning it was tough being behind the Red Bull, and then I was stuck behind one of the Force Indias for some time there. 12 We split the strategy with Lewis, I went on soft. 24 Initially we had [unclear] control of the race and I knew what I had to do to bring the car home. 8 It was a good day for us. 6 Q: Well, congratulations. 3 Daniel Ricciardo! 4 What an afternoon! 10 You seemed to be having a lot of fun. 12 But don\u2019t you always have a lot of fun? 19 Daniel Ricciardo: Today I don\u2019t think I had fun till I saw the chequered flag! 4 It was tough. 18 I was defending the whole race, and we weren\u2019t that quick to be honest. 35 I had pressure, so I couldn\u2019t afford to do any mistakes, and it was getting quite hot so concentration was being tested, but it was a lot of fun. 19 I enjoyed it and it is awesome to be on the podium here, with all the fans. 9 As Lewis said, it\u2019s awesome. 5 It\u2019s amazing. 15 [crowd roars] I think I hear something\u2026 I have to do something. 21 [DR does \u2018shoey\u2019 then gives PS \u2018shoey\u2019] Q: This is becoming a ritual! 3 Good vintage! 2 Cheers! 2 Congratulations. 13 Lewis\u2026 LH: I\u2019m proud of you for doing that! 10 It\u2019s something I couldn\u2019t do. 9 Have you seen how sweaty his feet are? 30 Q: I don\u2019t care \u2013 I\u2019m on the podium for the first time; I\u2019ll drink out of anybody\u2019s shoe! 17 You were in the lead for the whole race, from pole to the last lap. 5 How does that feel? 6 What impact does it have? 19 LH: I\u2019ll tell you that in a second, but can you read my mind? 2 Yes. 4 You are happy! 22 LH: I\u2019m just so honoured to be here this weekend, to match the record yesterday in qualifying. 46 LIke I said, I work with a great group of people, I\u2019m a small part of a big team, so a big thank you to everyone, and let\u2019s keep it going for the rest of the season! 9 PS: Do you hear that, Canada? 6 Montreal -- what he said! 3 Thank you! 3 Thank you! 43 Next Previous Enlarge 1 / 6 Race winner Lewis Hamilton (GBR) Mercedes AMG F1 in the Press Conference at Formula One World Championship, Rd7, Canadian Grand Prix, Race, Montreal, Canada, Sunday 11 June 2017. 39 \u00a9 Sutton Motorsport Images Valtteri Bottas (FIN) Mercedes AMG F1 in the Press Conference at Formula One World Championship, Rd7, Canadian Grand Prix, Race, Montreal, Canada, Sunday 11 June 2017. 39 \u00a9 Sutton Motorsport Images Daniel Ricciardo (AUS) Red Bull Racing in the Press Conference at Formula One World Championship, Rd7, Canadian Grand Prix, Race, Montreal, Canada, Sunday 11 June 2017. 43 \u00a9 Sutton Motorsport Images Daniel Ricciardo (AUS) Red Bull Racing celebrates on the podium and does a shoey at Formula One World Championship, Rd7, Canadian Grand Prix, Race, Montreal, Canada, Sunday 11 June 2017. 46 \u00a9 Sutton Motorsport Images Daniel Ricciardo (AUS) Red Bull Racing celebrates on the podium with the champagne and does a shoey at Formula One World Championship, Rd7, Canadian Grand Prix, Race, Montreal, Canada, Sunday 11 June 2017. 50 \u00a9 Sutton Motorsport Images Patrick Stewart (GBR) celebrates and does a shoey on the podium watched by Daniel Ricciardo (AUS) Red Bull Racing at Formula One World Championship, Rd7, Canadian Grand Prix, Race, Montreal, Canada, Sunday 11 June 2017. 15 \u00a9 Sutton Motorsport Images Info Close\n\nPRESS CONFERENCE Q: Lewis, many congratulations. 6 Amazing atmosphere, amazing win. 26 Ten years you\u2019ve been coming here to Montreal, you\u2019ve had six poles and now you\u2019ve had six wins. 21 I believe that\u2019s the first time in your career you\u2019ve won the same race six times. 8 Quite a day, quite a moment. 43 I guess it was one of those days that worked out quite well for you -- once you\u2019d got Turn One, the strategy came towards you, you controlled the race; it must have been a great day. 17 LH: It\u2019s been an incredible weekend -- I couldn\u2019t be happier. 31 Firstly, for the team to have come away from Monaco, everyone kind scratching their heads but everyone wanting to work, to pull together, which we did. 34 I don\u2019t think in the five years I\u2019ve been with the team that I\u2019ve seen them pull so well together and really work towards the same cause. 54 Understand the car and then come here and deliver what we\u2019ve delivered \u2013 a great blow to the Ferraris, I think, because Valtteri did a fantastic job to get a 1-2 \u2013 it\u2019s our first 1-2 together \u2013 and it\u2019s important points for the team. 5 So, well deserved. 23 It\u2019s kind of crazy to think that I had my first pole position and grand prix win here years ago. 18 It felt great; it felt very reminiscent of 2007 in terms of how the race went. 21 Once we did the restart, once I got past the pit straight it was all under control from there. 17 I had to manage the car, the tyres, it\u2019s a long race! 33 When you\u2019re out there on your own it feels very long -- when you\u2019ve got 35 laps to go, you think it\u2019s a long way. 12 Just hoping that the car holds together, which it did. 37 The crowd here -- as I mentioned on the podium -- every year they turn up in their masses, and the energy from them is as close to the British Grand Prix as anywhere else. 20 Really, the energy\u2019s fantastic -- you could almost hear them through qualifying, just generally excited. 13 The city\u2019s been buzzing, as it is every year. 25 I\u2019ve definitely put on weight, because the food is great, and it\u2019s very hard not to eat it. 16 I\u2019m just really, really happy and a big thank you to everyone. 29 Q: Valtteri, as Lewis said it\u2019s amazingly the first one-two of the season, really well done, really built on that aggressive start. 11 The move on Sebastian Vettel crucial to the outcome today. 32 Tell us a little bit about that and then also the decision to go with the soft tyre after had done, obviously, the same thing before you I think. 25 VB: Yes, so first of all, like Lewis said, I\u2019m also really happy for us as a team. 28 It\u2019s been really impressive to see in only two weeks what we have been able to do and improve with everything, with the team. 24 Never seen a group of people, so determined to win and get back on top and now a one-two here is amazing. 8 Really proud to be part of that. 11 Lewis did a really good job all weekend and today. 23 Obviously in the start I tried to do everything I can to be aggressive, to try and get ahead of Ferraris. 23 Had a bit of a lock-up there, which was compromising my first stint \u2013 but I knew there was an opportunity. 6 I kind of dived in. 17 I knew that the inside line is the way to go, so that was good. 21 Then, lost a bit of time behind the Red Bull and then after the stop behind the Force India. 69 We decided to go for the soft based on what the team saw with other cars running the soft \u2013 but it wasn\u2019t quite as good as I was expecting as well, so the pace was missing a bit in the second stint but still, I knew what I had to do in the end: bring the car home and get the points. 20 Not maybe the ideal tyre for me today but I tried everything to make the most out of that. 13 Q: Coming to you Daniel, third podium in a row. 7 It\u2019s becoming a habit. 34 On the cool down your engineer said you \u201chad a bit on today.\u201d Obviously, a lot of it going on in your rear-view mirrors, so a word about that. 24 There\u2019s a bit of a controversy with Force India, Ocon asking to be allowed to have a crack at you. 19 From what you saw, do you think he would have had a better chance than P\u00e9rez did? 9 Be interesting to here your thoughts on that. 30 And also, did you feel the same way as Valtteri, that the soft didn\u2019t quite turn out the way you thought it was going to? 25 DR: Yeah, if he wants to have a crack we can go at it in the car park in about an hour! 4 It was tough. 7 I had a race of defence. 40 The soft, yeah, it was a bit slow to get going and then, for a few laps, I was able to pull away from P\u00e9rez and it looked like then maybe the supersoft was struggling. 17 But then, yeah, I couldn\u2019t get anything out really of the soft. 16 It was really hard to find the grip and quite easy to make a mistake. 7 Hard to be consistent every lap. 10 And then, yeah, P\u00e9rez started coming again. 36 For sure the supersoft I think was better \u2013 and yeah we weren\u2019t particularly quick with that tyre but, yeah, just managed to put in as clean laps as I could. 17 It was tricky with the level of grip the tyre had but also with the wind. 15 The wind was throwing the car around quite a lot and that was tricky. 25 And then a few laps to go I heard Seb was coming, so yeah, I couldn\u2019t rest the whole race. 10 It was a tough one, y\u2019know. 11 It was quite warm and tested the concentration and everything. 5 Very, very happy. 24 Got carried away on the podium and didn\u2019t manage to thank the team but yeah, three podiums in a row. 4 Happy with that. 28 Obviously, we\u2019re not the quickest car on the track at the moment but we\u2019re managing to put it together on a Sunday. 7 Yeah, it\u2019s nice. 6 It\u2019s nice obviously. 19 Max had his problems today, I\u2019m sure he would have been up there as well. 13 We\u2019ll try to get both cars on the podium soon. 39 QUESTIONS FROM THE FLOOR Q: (Ysef Harding \u2013 Xero Xone News) Lewis, you were controlled, you were measured and you made this look, like Sir Patrick Stewart said, incredibly easy today. 40 You\u2019ve had a whole lot of milestones here and it seems like after the incredible, emotional weekend that you\u2019ve had, I asked you on Thursday if this place is very special to you. 11 Has today and this weekend made it even more special? 4 LH: Definitely. 22 It\u2019s always been a special place for me, as I said, being my first grand prix win. 39 I think every year I feel the fans have grown with me over these ten years and I think that it\u2019s just my appreciation for Canada and the people here has just grown over the time. 31 It\u2019s crazy to think after ten years I enjoy driving every single lap just as much as I did ten years ago when I was 22 years old. 21 I absolutely loved it the whole way today and I hope that I get many more experiences like that here. 16 Q: (Bill Beacon \u2013 Canadian Press) This is for Lewis and Valtteri. 25 How were you able to avoid all that mess on the first lap, and how do you think all that affected the race? 12 LH: I\u2019ve not really got much to say. 15 I got a really good start, so I was generally in the clear. 57 I think I saw in my mirror\u2026 I think it might have been Valtteri on the inside, I thought saw him lock-up, and I thought he was going to\u2026 I didn\u2019t know who was on the right of me but I came out of Turn Two and saw that Valtteri was behind. 4 You were behind? 38 VB: Yeah, I was third LH: \u2026 so the Red Bull, I think, and then seeing the Ferraris further back, I was thinking \u2018that\u2019s fantastic for us\u2019. 46 Next Previous Enlarge 1 / 6 Race winner Lewis Hamilton (GBR) Mercedes AMG F1 celebrates on the podium with the champagne at Formula One World Championship, Rd7, Canadian Grand Prix, Race, Montreal, Canada, Sunday 11 June 2017. 53 \u00a9 Sutton Motorsport Images Race winner Lewis Hamilton (GBR) Mercedes AMG F1 celebrates on the podium with the champagne and Daniel Ricciardo (AUS) Red Bull Racing at Formula One World Championship, Rd7, Canadian Grand Prix, Race, Montreal, Canada, Sunday 11 June 2017. 51 \u00a9 Sutton Motorsport Images Valtteri Bottas (FIN) Mercedes AMG F1 and Lewis Hamilton (GBR) Mercedes AMG F1 celebrate on the podium with the champagne at Formula One World Championship, Rd7, Canadian Grand Prix, Race, Montreal, Canada, Sunday 11 June 2017. 75 \u00a9 Sutton Motorsport Images Valtteri Bottas (FIN) Mercedes AMG F1, Loic Serra (SUI) Mercedes AMG F1 Head of Vehicle Dynamics, race winner Lewis Hamilton (GBR) Mercedes AMG F1 and Daniel Ricciardo (AUS) Red Bull Racing celebrate on the podium with the trophies at Formula One World Championship, Rd7, Canadian Grand Prix, Race, Montreal, Canada, Sunday 11 June 2017. 39 \u00a9 Sutton Motorsport Images Valtteri Bottas (FIN) Mercedes AMG F1 celebrates on the podium at Formula One World Championship, Rd7, Canadian Grand Prix, Race, Montreal, Canada, Sunday 11 June 2017. 42 \u00a9 Sutton Motorsport Images Daniel Ricciardo (AUS) Red Bull Racing celebrates on the podium with the trophy at Formula One World Championship, Rd7, Canadian Grand Prix, Race, Montreal, Canada, Sunday 11 June 2017. 6 \u00a9 Sutton Motorsport Images Info Close"} {"text": " 22 Neural Networks\n\nThe Wolfram Language has state-of-the-art capabilities for the construction, training and deployment of neural network machine learning systems. 28 Many standard layer types are available and are assembled symbolically into a network, which can then immediately be trained and deployed on available CPUs and GPUs. 36 Automated Machine Learning\n\nClassify \u2014 automatic training and classification using neural networks and other methods\n\nPredict \u2014 automatic training and data prediction\n\nFeatureExtraction \u2014 automatic feature extraction from image, text, numeric, etc. 60 data\n\nImageIdentify \u2014 fully trained image identification for common objects\n\nNet Representation\n\nNetGraph \u2014 symbolic representation of trained or untrained net graphs to be applied to data\n\nNetChain \u2014 symbolic representation of a simple chain of net layers\n\nNetPort \u2014 symbolic representation of a named input or output port for a layer\n\nNetExtract \u2014 extract properties and weights etc. 78 from nets\n\nNetInformation \u2014 give summary and detailed information about any network\n\nNet Operations\n\nNetTrain \u2014 train parameters in any net from examples\n\nNetInitialize \u2014 randomly initialize parameters for a network\n\nNetPortGradient \u2014 differentiate a net with respect to a port\n\nNetStateObject \u2014 store and reuse recurrent state in a net\n\nNetTrainResultsObject \u2014 represent what happened in net training\n\nPrebuilt Material\n\nNetModel \u2014 complete pre-trained net models\n\nResourceData \u2014 access to training data, networks, etc. 243 Basic Layers\n\nLinearLayer \u2014 trainable layer with dense connections computing\n\nElementwiseLayer \u2014 apply a specified function to each element in a tensor\n\nSoftmaxLayer \u2014 layer globally normalizing elements to the unit interval\n\nLoss Layers\n\nMeanSquaredLossLayer \u25aa MeanAbsoluteLossLayer \u25aa CrossEntropyLossLayer \u25aa ContrastiveLossLayer \u25aa CTCLossLayer\n\nElementwise Computation Layers\n\nElementwiseLayer \u25aa ThreadingLayer \u25aa ConstantTimesLayer \u25aa ConstantPlusLayer\n\nStructure Manipulation Layers\n\nCatenateLayer \u25aa AppendLayer \u25aa FlattenLayer \u25aa ReshapeLayer \u25aa ReplicateLayer \u25aa PaddingLayer \u25aa PartLayer \u25aa TransposeLayer\n\nArray Operation Layers\n\nConstantArrayLayer \u2014 embed a learned constant array into a NetGraph\n\nSummationLayer \u25aa TotalLayer \u25ab AggregationLayer \u25aa DotLayer\n\nConvolutional and Filtering Layers\n\nConvolutionLayer \u25aa DeconvolutionLayer \u25aa PoolingLayer \u25aa ResizeLayer \u25aa SpatialTransformationLayer\n\nRecurrent Layers\n\nBasicRecurrentLayer \u25aa GatedRecurrentLayer \u25aa LongShortTermMemoryLayer\n\nSequence-Handling Layers\n\nEmbeddingLayer \u2014 trainable layer for embedding integers into continuous vector spaces\n\nSequenceLastLayer \u25aa SequenceReverseLayer \u25aa SequenceMostLayer \u25aa SequenceRestLayer \u25aa UnitVectorLayer\n\nSequenceAttentionLayer \u2014 trainable layer for finding weights for inputs based on queries\n\nTraining Optimization Layers\n\nImageAugmentationLayer \u25aa BatchNormalizationLayer \u25aa DropoutLayer \u25aa LocalResponseNormalizationLayer \u25aa InstanceNormalizationLayer\n\nHigher-Order Network Construction\n\nNetMapOperator \u2014 define a network that maps over a sequence\n\nNetFoldOperator \u2014 define a recurrent network that folds in elements of a sequence\n\nNetPairEmbeddingOperator \u25aa NetNestOperator \u25aa NetBidirectionalOperator\n\nNetwork Surgery\n\nNetDrop \u25aa NetTake \u25aa NetAppend \u25aa NetPrepend \u25aa NetJoin\n\nNetDelete \u25aa NetInsert \u25aa NetReplace \u25aa NetReplacePart\n\nNetFlatten \u25aa NetRename\n\nWeight Sharing\n\nNetSharedArray \u2014 represent an array shared between several layers\n\nNetInsertSharedArrays \u2014 convert all arrays in a net into shared arrays\n\nEncoding & Decoding\n\nNetEncoder \u2014 convert images, categories, etc. 68 to net-compatible numerical arrays\n\n\"Audio\" \u25aa \"AudioMelSpectrogram\" \u25aa \"AudioMFCC\" \u25aa \"AudioSpectrogram\" \u25aa \"AudioSTFT\" \u25aa \"Boolean\" \u25aa \"Characters\" \u25aa \"Class\" \u25aa \"Function\" \u25aa \"Image\" \u25aa \"Image3D\" \u25aa \"Scalar\" \u25aa \"Tokens\"\n\nNetDecoder \u2014 interpret net-generated numerical arrays as images, probabilities, etc. 91 \"Boolean\" \u25aa \"Characters\" \u25aa \"Class\" \u25aa \"CTCBeamSearch\" \u25aa \"Image\" \u25aa \"Image3D\" \u25aa \"Scalar\" \u25aa \"Tokens\"\n\nActivation Functions\n\nRamp \u2014 rectified linear (ReLU)\n\nTanh \u25aa LogisticSigmoid \u25aa Exp \u25aa Log \u25aa Sin \u25aa Cos \u25aa Sqrt \u25aa Abs\n\nImporting & Exporting\n\n\"WLNet\" \u2014 Wolfram Language Net representation format\n\n\"MXNet\" \u2014 MXNet net representation format\n\nImport \u25aa Export\n\nManaging Data & Training\n\nClassifierMeasurements \u2014 measure accuracy, recall, etc. 26 of a classifier net\n\nDeleteMissing \u2014 remove missing data before training\n\nLossFunction \u25aa TargetDevice \u25aa ValidationSet \u25aa TrainingProgressFunction \u25aa TrainingProgressCheckpointing \u25aa TrainingProgressReporting \u25aa LearningRateMultipliers \u25aa NetEvaluationMode"} {"text": " 39 As a whole, the Thoroughbred is best known as a racehorse, designed and bred solely to perform at his peak in a burst of sheer power, determination and raw speed unmatched in most other breeds. 13 But what happens when that athlete\u2019s racing career is over? 45 Understanding the rigors of the training process\u2014from the time that horse is sent to a training center as a yearling or 2-year-old, to potentially running his first race\u2014helps us understand how the Thoroughbred we see today has developed, both physically and mentally. 35 In a blink of an eye, when that horse's racing career ends and he enters what we call \"retirement,\" it is often anything but the common conception of retirement. 12 Many Thoroughbreds are brought into our lives straight from the track. 30 Many are inexpensive purchases or even giveaways, arriving as raw material that, in some cases, people have not taken the time to evaluate or work with. 29 Yet these horses are often expected and trained to look and act a certain way in order to catch up to their warmblood counterparts in the show world. 35 We find that one of the problems with training Thoroughbreds from the track is this unrealistic timeframe, this rush to have them \"catch up\" to their age groups in other breeds. 5 ADVERTISEMENT Thanks for watching! 7 Visit Website\n\nADVERTISEMENT Thanks for watching! 7 Visit Website\n\nADVERTISEMENT Thanks for watching! 43 Visit Website\n\nWhat I would like to share is my in-depth experience with a variety of Thoroughbreds from many different exposures: a timeline of expectations, training and care through examples of equines with whom I have worked or been involved. 34 I hope that by reading about my experiences, you will gain not only understanding and knowledge, but a new appreciation for the breed, if you don't have that already. 8 Let's saddle up for the journey! 19 To read more about Priscilla Godsoe's background and her philosophy about retraining off-the-track Thoroughbreds, click here."} {"text": " 48 Taxes and Social Security on $100,000 Around The World\n\nSaw an interesting graphic in the Economist depicting the approximate amount of taxes (net of offsets) governments around the world collect on $100,000; about the middle class average income level in developed countries. 21 This is compared to the amount of social security (or safety net) the government provides to its workers. 36 The logical argument for higher taxes would be justified by a higher percentage of social security, as is the case in Europe which has higher taxes but more social welfare programs for its citizens. 49 Unfortunately this is not the case in many developing, socialist leaning, countries like India, Mexico and Turkey, where $100,000 puts you firmly in the \u201cwealthy\u201d class, who are taxed much more heavily with relatively lower levels of employee social security. 24 With the bush tax cuts expiring in 2011, and higher taxes on the horizon, this topic is of particular concern domestically. 32 But the good news is that America is still one of the lowest taxing countries for this level of income, while still providing a decent safety net to its citizens. 19 If you make more than $100,000 just be thankful that you don\u2019t live in Pakistan! 30 Alternatively if you don\u2019t want to rely on the government at all and pay no taxes on your fortune, then Bahama is the place for you."} {"text": " 26 Every few months, I get in a particular mood that inspires me to look for reasonable finite values to assign to superficially divergent sums. 26 I\u2019d like to share some of them with you and start a discussion of just what \u201creasonable\u201d means in this context. 24 Finally, I have an open (and open-ended) question on very divergent series for you all to have a crack at. 64 I\u2019m wrapping up an introductory calculus class at the moment, and in the course of doing other things I had the occasion to use the famous formula\n\nI would bet that when most of us first saw this formula, we quickly started plugging in large values of without regard to such refined principles as \u201cradius of convergence\u201d. 35 Setting gives the unsurprising equation\n\nbut yields the much more impressive-looking\n\nSo my question to you, gentle reader: is this a cute little bit of nonsense, or an honest mathematical truth? 13 Let us get the most obvious complaint out of the way first. 16 \u201cHow could we add only positive numbers and end up with a negative number? 32 After all, we can prove that the sum of two positive numbers is positive!\u201d Certainly this is true: any finite sum of positive numbers is still positive. 38 But the axioms governing the arithmetic of real numbers involve only operations with a finite number of inputs, and the logical derivations we use to reason with these axioms all have a finite number of steps. 30 So in fact, the axioms of the real numbers don\u2019t tell us anything at all about what the sign of an expression such as should be. 4 We are liberated! 5 Well, not quite. 30 Let us quickly recall how the closed expression for the sum of the geometric series is usually derived:\n\nNow, why would this proof hold for but not ? 15 The canonical answer is that the series diverges when , rendering the proof nonsense. 25 More precisely, the set\n\nhas no limit points in the real numbers, so the partial sums are not approaching any real number. 16 We should feel ashamed for blithely trying to do arithmetic with such a foul expression! 19 Then again, why should we listen to topological complaints about an algebraic statement with an algebraic proof? 25 In fact, if instead of using the absolute value for our metric we used the 2-adic valuation, the sum honestly converges to . 50 We (and by \u201cwe\u201d I mean \u201cI\u201d) might be inclined to think that the statement\n\nis just true, though some poor benighted axiom systems (such as the real numbers) may be too unrefined to prove it for all values of . 54 But forget about the abstraction for a moment: even your very-much-corporeal computer agrees that the sum of binary numbers\n\nThe moral, maybe, is that we shouldn\u2019t let intuition developed from the topology of the real number line get in the way of giving reasonable answers to infinite sums. 24 Tomorrow, I\u2019ll post more on methods for summing divergent series and what I might mean by \u201creasonable answers\u201d. 20 Also tomorrow: some potentially unreasonable answers for divergent sums, and a sum that seems to actually diverge. 8 Advertisements\n\nLike this: Like Loading... Related"} {"text": " 24 Because Netflix never publishes ratings, it\u2019s been free to hold on to TV shows for as long as it wants. 31 In the last five years, the streaming giant hasn\u2019t shown a tendency to dump many of its original series, until producers wanted for them to end. 40 That changed in 2017, as the economics of programming more TV finally caught up with Netflix, which axed first-year series like \u201cThe Get Down,\u201d \u201cGirlboss,\u201d and \u201cGypsy.\u201d\n\nWhat changed? 30 \u201cIt wasn\u2019t like we were setting out to cancel more shows,\u201d Ted Sarandos says in this week\u2019s Variety cover story about Netflix. 35 \u201cIt was the idea of saying, \u2018Are you being risky enough?\u2019 The bad thing about renewing a show that isn\u2019t being watched, it creates opportunity cost. 39 And a lot of opportunity lost for fans to find something they are going to love.\u201d\n\nSarandos revealed that Netflix\u2019s preference is to allow showrunners to tie up loose ends for series with loyal followings. 28 When they dropped the Wachowskis\u2019 sci-fi series \u201cSense8\u201d in June, they offered a two-hour finale, which was originally rebuffed by Lana Wachowski. 29 \u201cShe would have liked to have gone on, but she wasn\u2019t as excited about doing the two-hour [finale],\u201d Sarandos says. 16 Yet Wachowski reconsidered after a wave of outcry on social media about the show stopping. 14 \u201cThe fan influence on her was very helpful,\u201d Sarandos says. 24 \u201cHer desire to have an ending increased a lot.\u201d\n\nFor more from this week\u2019s cover story, click here."} {"text": " 28 February 9, 2016 - The NBA announced today that Bulls forward/center Pau Gasol will replace injured Bulls guard/forward Jimmy Butler in the 2016 NBA All-Star Game. 22 For Gasol, it marks the second consecutive season that he has been named an All-Star and his sixth selection overall. 54 The 35-year old Gasol has appeared in 48 games, where he has averaged 17.0 ppg, 10.9 rpg (third in the East; sixth in the NBA), 3.3 apg, 2.02 bpg (second in the East; fifth in the NBA) and 0.63 spg in 31.9 mpg. 17 On the year, he is shooting .477 from the floor and .809 from the line. 21 He has also turned in a team-high 29 double-doubles (second in the East; fifth in the NBA). 26 A 14-year veteran of the NBA, Gasol has led Chicago in scoring 12 times, in boards 33 times and in assists eight times. 19 He has scored 20 or more points 14 times, including two contests with at least 30 points. 15 The Bulls big man has also grabbed 10 or more rebounds in 31 games. 41 Gasol also joins former Bulls center Artis Gilmore (1978, 1979; 1981, 1982) and Joakim Noah (2013, 2014) as the only big men in team history to garner All-Star accolades in consecutive seasons. 37 NBA All-Star 2016, the 65th NBA All-Star Game, will be played in Toronto at Air Canada Centre on Sunday, Feb. 14 (7:30 p.m., CT) and will be televised on TNT."} {"text": " 7 THE SPLC AS INCITER OF MURDER? 18 Under the SPLC\u2019s Own Logic, It\u2019s Guilty In The Chapel Hill Killings. 55 \u201cSomehow, if he had liked Sean Hannity and the Southern Baptist Convention instead of Rachel Maddow and the Freedom from Religion Foundation, I don\u2019t think we would witness the media restraint we\u2019re seeing when it comes to connecting this killer\u2019s politics to his terrible deeds. 18 And again, I would note the irony of his fondness for the Southern Poverty Law Center. 17 By the SPLC\u2019s own logic, the SPLC shares responsibility for another hate crime. 60 Now that the SPLC has been hoisted by its own petard twice in a few years, I hope it and other liberal groups act more responsibly the next time they want to blame a tragic crime on someone\u2019s personal politics.\u201d\n\nRelated: SPLC apologizes, removes Dr. Ben Carson from its \u201cExtremist\u201d list. 18 Also related: Of Double Standards and Triple Homicides: Media Malpractice and the North Carolina Murders. 65 \u201cIt is ironic that in the wake of President Barack Obama\u2019s remarks about a \u2018random\u2019 attack by a Muslim terrorist on a Kosher supermarket \u2014 note that the White House will not call it a jihadist attack on Jews \u2014 in the case of the victims in North Carolina, again from the start they were identified as Muslims. 39 Randomness is clearly in the eye of the beholder.\u201d To be fair, this killer had some pretty suspicious associations, what with Facebook \u201clikes\u201d for the SPLC, HuffPo, Rachel Maddow, etc."} {"text": " 19 Roughly two years after the first Mustangs landed in Ford showrooms, the Mercury Cougar made its debut. 35 Founded in 1938, the Mercury brand was initially conceived as a way of bridging the divide between FoMoCo\u2019s standard Ford models and the premium offerings they produced under the Lincoln badge. 38 As such, Mercury vehicles typically placed more of an emphasis on luxury content than their Ford counterparts did, and generally attracted more mature buyers who preferred measured restraint over bravado and comfort over outright performance. 38 When the muscle car craze began to heat up in the mid-1960s as baby boomers came of age, however, the market demand for performance quickly became impossible for domestic automakers of any ilk to ignore. 35 So when Ford sold over a million examples of its new Mustang in the first year and a half it was on sale, those numbers did not go unnoticed by the Mercury brass. 19 Roughly two years after the first Mustangs landed in Ford showrooms, the Mercury Cougar made its debut. 58 Sharing the majority of its mechanical hardware with the 1967 Mustang, the Cougar sported a 3-inch-longer wheelbase along with European-influenced styling and luxury appointments that helped differentiate the model from its Ford counterpart; a formula that would prove effective enough for Motor Trend to name the Mercury Cougar its Car of the Year for 1967. 42 While the Cougar recipe had proven effective, muscle car mania continued to build momentum toward the end of the decade, and with it, the demand for more extroverted models that wore their high-performance credentials on their sleeves grew. 56 To go up against attention-grabbing models like the Chevrolet Camaro SS396, Pontiac Firebird Ram Air 400, and Ford\u2019s own Mustang Mach I, Mercury debuted the Cougar Eliminator for 1969, a model which abandoned any sense of subtlety in a bid for the hearts and wallets of horsepower-hungry performance enthusiasts. 28 Cougar Goes High Impact\n\nIt should be noted that the Eliminator wasn\u2019t Mercury\u2019s first attempt to bring potent high performance to the Cougar. 56 Offered at the Cougar\u2019s debut, the GT package shoehorned a 390-cube big-block V8 into the \u201967 model along with a number of other performance upgrades, while 1968 saw the addition of the 335-horsepower, 428ci Cobra Jet, as well as the 390-horsepower, 427ci V8 to the options sheet. 34 Both were available as part of the GT-E options package, which included uprated suspension, brakes, cooling, and other go-fast components, as well as a handful of aesthetic tweaks. 43 Despite the capability on tap with the GT-E, the fact that only a few hundred buyers had opted for package had Mercury concerned that the Cougar was getting lost in the crowd amongst a field of attention-grabbing offerings from other marques. 20 The Eliminator package served as their response in 1969, and its intentions were made clear from a glance. 42 Available in head-turning paint hues like Competition Orange and Bright Blue and outfitted with a large hood scoop, front and rear spoilers and a model-specific graphics package, the Eliminator put its cards on the table for all to see. 12 Fortunately it had the hardware to back up its performance look. 57 The standard engine with the Eliminator package was a 351 Windsor small-block V8 rated at 290 horsepower and 385 lb-ft of torque, while the 390-cube four-barrel V8, the 428 Cobra Jet, and the high-winding Boss 302 V8 were optional, offering a notoriously underrated 320, 335, and 290 horsepower, respectively. 25 These mills were hooked to a three-speed manual gearbox as standard, while a C6 automatic and a four-speed manual transmission were also optional. 59 Though it was never made officially available, Mercury also managed to get the Mustang Boss 429\u2019s big-block mill into a pair of Cougar Eliminators, which the company then sold to drag racers Dyno Don Nicholson and Fast Eddie Schartman for use on the drag racing circuit at a bargain rate of $1 apiece. 22 Drag Pak Options Two particularly rare options for Cougar Eliminator models were aimed directly at the drag racing set of enthusiasts. 55 Opting for the the Drag Pak option added the following: \u2022 3.91 gear ratio \u2022 Traction Lok differential \u2022 Engine oil cooler The even rarer Super Drag Pak took things a step further, swapping in a Detroit Locker rearend with a 4.30 gear ratio to go along with the engine oil cooler. 27 Nineteen seventy would see some minor aesthetic tweaks for the Cougar, including a restyled front-end that incorporated a center hood extension over the front grille. 38 The Eliminator package now came standard with high-back bucket seats, a black-grain instrument panel, a 6,000-rpm tachometer (8,000 rpm for Boss 302-equipped models) and a Hurst shifter with aluminum T-handle for manual-transmission cars. 49 The Eliminator color palette also expanded to six options from the four offered the previous year with the addition of Competition Green, Competition Gold, and Pastel Blue, while White was dropped from the options list, and a new set of graphics were also added. 55 The standard engine was now either the 290hp 351 Windsor V8 or a 300hp 351 Cleveland V8 depending on build date and availability, with the latter being the more desirable of the two not only due to the higher horsepower rating, but because its canted valve positioning offered better cylinder head flow. 30 While the 390ci V8 was dropped from the options sheet, both the Boss 302 and 428 Cobra Jet motors made a return essentially unchanged from the previous year. 69 Flying Under The Radar\n\nDespite being armed with some of the most potent performance hardware Ford had on hand and looks to match, the Cougar Eliminator failed to make a significant impact on enthusiasts, with Mercury selling just 2,250 examples in 1969 and 2,267 in 1970 \u2013 a far cry from the 74,458 and 40,970 Mustang Mach 1 models that Ford had sold those same years. 112 While some of that could be attributed to Mercury\u2019s established public perception that was more synonymous with comfort than quarter mile times, the Cougar\u2019s longer wheelbase and additional heft versus the competition meant that \u2013 while undoubtedly quick in Eliminator guise, Mercury\u2019s pony car was often outpaced by its competitive set both at the stop light and the drag strip \u2013 with Car Life magazine noting that \u201cthe Cougar has grown too big and plush to be able to roll up its sleeves and scrap with the new, young tough stuff.\u201d\n\nThe 1969-70 Mercury Cougar Eliminators have become sought-after collectibles. 15 It would prove to be the last year the Eliminator package would be offered. 36 When the second-generation Cougar debuted for the 1971 model year, Mercury decided to reposition its pony car as more of a personal luxury car alternative to the Thunderbird rather than a stoplight street fighter. 48 By the following year the muscle car era was quickly drawing to a close, and like so many muscle cars of the era, the Cougar soon found itself in the throes of a decade typified by gas rationing and pollution controls rather than high performance. 47 Due to its brief production stint and the relatively low number of cars built, the 1969-70 Mercury Cougar Eliminators have become sought-after collectibles for Blue Oval fanatics, with the values of clean, highly optioned examples reaching well into six-figure territory in recent years."} {"text": " 26 VIPs synthesis and characterization\n\nAs the carrier material to design the VIPs, we used highly monodisperse SNPs produced following the method developed by St\u00f6ber31. 23 The statistical analysis of micrographs acquired using high-resolution field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) revealed a mean diameter of 410 nm. 23 The high propensity of those nanoparticles to self-assemble into three-dimensional colloidal arrays represents an additional evidence of their high monodispersity (Fig. 3 2a). 11 Figure 2: Representative FESEM micrographs and layer growth kinetics. 35 (a) Colloidal self-assembled three-dimensional arrays formed by the starting SNPs, (b) growth kinetics of the recognition layer as a function of the poly-condensation reaction time (mean\u00b1s.e.m.). 40 Nanoparticles as they appear (c) before and (d,e) after growth of the recognition layer; (d) VIPs AT and (e) VIPs OM , both with 8 nm-thick recognition layers. 28 (f,g) Micrographs of VIPs OM and VIPs AT once the virions were removed; (h) Close-up view of a VIPs OM . 20 Scale bars represent: a, 5 \u03bcm; c\u2013g, 100 nm; and h, 10 nm. 22 Full size image\n\nThe first step in VIPs synthesis consisted of grafting the template virions on the surface of the SNPs. 22 In order to provide anchoring amine moieties for this cross-linking, the SNPs were partially modified with aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES). 27 A low density of amine groups at the SNP surface is essential to leave enough silanol groups for the further surface-initiated poly-condensation of the recognition layer. 17 Further coupling of the virions was carried out in water using glutaraldehyde as a homo-bifunctional crosslinker. 11 We used two small RNA plant viruses as model viruses. 26 Tomato bushy stunt virus (TBSV) and turnip yellow mosaic virus (TYMV) are non-enveloped, icosahedral, single-stranded RNA viruses (Fig. 3 1b). 25 Their capsids are made of 180 copies of protein subunits, with a mass of 40 kDa for TBSV and 20 kDa for TYMV32. 32 The virions have diameters of 33 and 28 nm, molecular weights of 9.0 \u00d7 103 and 5.5 \u00d7 103 kDa, and isoelectric points of 4.1 and 3.8, respectively. 18 Once the virions were bound, a silsesquioxane layer was grown from the surface of the SNPs. 34 To produce this recognition layer by following a protein mimetic approach, we selected organosilanes that mimic the lateral chains of amino acids known to be of importance in protein\u2013protein interactions (Fig. 4 1c)33,34. 23 We hypothesized that these building blocks will self-assemble at the surface of the virions before their covalent incorporation within the recognition layer. 32 This was expected to improve the recognition properties of the VIPs by creating not only a shape but also a chemical imprint that is complementary to the surface of the virion. 49 Hereinafter, the term VIPs OM stands for particles imprinted with TYMV virions and having a recognition layer composed of an organosilanes mixture (OM), and the term non-imprinted particles (NIPs) OM for NIPs produced in the absence of template using the same OM. 30 As controls, we selected two additional formulations, one with tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) alone and one with a mixture of APTES and TEOS (AT). 34 The corresponding VIPs are abbreviated VIPs AT for TYMV-imprinted particles having a recognition layer made of AT, and NIPs AT for those produced under the same conditions in the absence of template. 45 The kinetics of surface-initiated growth of the silsesquioxane recognition layer in water at 10 \u00b0C followed by FESEM revealed that the thickness of the external layer reached only 2 nm after 75 h when the poly-condensation reaction was performed with TEOS alone (Fig. 3 2b). 40 In the presence of APTES, the layer was 15 nm thick after 10 h. This faster growth can be safely attributed to the catalytic effect of the primary amine function of APTES on the hydrolysis of the organosilanes35. 30 The size of the particles prepared with the mixture of organosilanes increased according to a sigmoidal function; the layer thickness reached 14 nm after 75 h (Fig. 3 2b). 29 The slower kinetics as compared with that of the APTES/TEOS mixture may be explained by the lower amount of APTES present in a constant total amount of organosilanes. 20 These results demonstrate the possibility of growing an organosilanes layer at the surface of the nanoparticles under aqueous conditions. 33 They also confirmed that neither the crosslinking chemistry of the SNPs (using APTES and glutaraldehyde) nor the presence of the virions at the surface of the SNPs hampered this growth. 40 An examination of the morphology of the particles produced with AT reveals the presence of open cavities with an average diameter of ~20 nm at the surface of the VIPs for a layer thickness of 8 nm (Fig. 3 2d). 33 This suggests that the growth of the layer had started at the surface of the SNPs but was hindered by the virions, resulting in the formation of crater-like imprints (Fig. 3 2d). 23 The virions were destroyed by the physical treatment of the particles before and/or during the FESEM imaging, thus leaving empty imprints. 27 Particles synthesized in the presence of the silane mixture were distinguishable from predecessors by the presence of protuberances measuring about 32 nm in diameter (Fig. 22 2e) and by a thin shell around every virion that was not removed under FESEM sample preparation and imaging conditions. 29 Thus, poly-condensation started not only at the surface of the SNPs but also at the surface of the virions that act as a template for this reaction. 26 This observation supported our hypothesis that the selected silanes interacted with the entire surface of the virions before they were incorporated in the recognition layer. 18 The ability of silicatein proteins to act as templates/catalysts for the biomineralization of silica has been demonstrated36. 23 Numerous biomimetic synthetic silica systems have been reported and are mainly based on the modification of the protein to introduce catalytic/template sequences36,37,38. 24 Here, we demonstrated that the template effect could be obtained by using a mixture of organosilanes that self-assemble around the native virus. 22 By submitting these VIPs to an ultrasonic treatment under acidic conditions, this shell was broken without altering the recognition layer. 13 FESEM micrographs showed that the protuberances observed previously were eliminated (Fig. 3 2f). 19 The cleaned particles exhibited empty cavities at their surface, meaning that the virus imprinting method was successful. 21 Also, the particles produced using the APTES/TEOS mixture resulted in being completely cleaned after the ultrasonic treatment (Fig. 3 2g). 34 Images of the cavities taken at a higher magnification revealed their hexagonal shape (with an edge length of 11 nm), which originated from that of the template virus (Fig. 3 2h). 27 Altogether, these results confirmed that the three-dimensional icosahedral architecture of the template virions was preserved under the mild conditions used throughout the full chemical synthesis. 17 Virus-binding assays\n\nThe binding performances of the synthesized VIPs were assessed in aqueous batch rebinding assays. 36 VIPs and NIPs were incubated with TBSV or TYMV virions under well-defined conditions and, following centrifugation, the proportion of unbound virions was quantified using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) (Fig. 3 3). 18 Figure 3: Binding of virions of the templated TYMV and non-templated TBSV to VIPs and NIPs. 16 Symbols are for TYMV (open squares) and for TBSV (solid squares). 15 Binding time, selectivity, composition and thickness of the recognition layer were compared. 43 (a\u2013d) Four types of particles were assayed: (a) VIPs OM , (b) NIPs OM , (c) VIPs AT and (d) NIPs AT ; OM and AT particles with 8-mm-thick recognition layers. 14 (e\u2013h) Nanoparticles with recognition layers of increasing thicknesses (mean\u00b1s.e.m.) 27 were assayed: (e) VIPs OM , (f) NIPs OM , (g) VIPs AT and (h) NIPs AT . 16 All values are presented normalized in percentage of initial virus concentration (mean\u00b1s.e.m.). 55 Full size image\n\nThe results of the binding experiments revealed that, starting from an initial virus concentration of 65 pM, after 30 min, as much as 95% of TYMV were bound to VIPs OM possessing 8-nm-thick recognition layers (834 \u03bcg ml\u22121 or 100 \u03bcg per 120 \u03bcl; Fig. 3 3a). 21 Under the same conditions, these nanoparticles after 30 min bound no more than 12% of TBSV (Fig. 3 3a). 28 Thus, VIPs OM specifically bind the template virions and almost none of the virions of another icosahedral virus possessing a comparable particle diameter and isoelectric point. 40 Quantification of the intrinsic binding of NIPs possessing the same chemical composition as VIPs but having no imprints resulted in 21% of TYMV virions and 6% of TBSV virions bound after 45 min, respectively (Fig. 3 3b). 32 Thus, TYMV adsorbs on NIPs OM more than TBSV does, but the difference between both viruses is too small to explain the strong effect observed with the VIPs OM . 32 The selectivity of the VIPs, at a target concentration in the pM range, is essentially owing to the presence of the virion imprints at the surface of the nanoparticles. 30 To assess the influence of the chemical composition of the recognition layer, VIPs with an 8 nm recognition layer synthesized with AT were assayed under the same conditions. 24 VIPs AT bound 80% of the TYMV virions in 30 min while binding of TBSV virions was <5% (Fig. 3 3c). 51 As for NIPs, they bound significantly more TYMV virions (that is, 40% in 30 min) than TBSV virions (5% in 30 min), showing that their binding performances were lower than those of the VIPs prepared with an APTES/TEOS mixture (Fig. 3 3d). 23 This pointed to the importance of the chemical composition of the recognition layer and supported our hypothesis of an organosilanes chemical imprinting. 46 According to our initial hypothesis, increasing the recognition layer thickness (limited to the radius of the virion) should significantly increase the surface area available for interactions per virion and, hence, the number of potential interaction points between hosts and guests. 33 To verify the influence of the thickness of the recognition layer on the affinity of VIPs for their template, we produced VIPs OM and VIPs AT with layers of various thicknesses. 33 In batch assays, the binding of the template to the VIPs OM increased with the thickness of the recognition layer (625 \u03bcg ml\u22121 or 75 \u03bcg per 120 \u03bcl). 35 The fraction of bound virus reached 34% for a layer thickness of 3 nm, 74% for one of 9 nm and 100% for a layer of 14 nm (Fig. 3 3e). 41 The non-template virus (TBSV) was bound only to a limited extent to particles with thin recognition layers: 10% of the non-template virus, while particles with a layer of 14 nm had bound to 30%. 10 In binding assays done with NIPs OM (Fig. 13 3f), only about 10% of each virus was bound. 11 VIPs AT particles bound specifically to their template (Fig. 14 3g), and there was no major effect from recognition layer thickness. 40 As much as 40% of the virions of TYMV were bound to particles with a recognition layer of 6 nm and 70% to the particles with recognition layers of 8, 11, 14 or 16 nm. 11 None of the NIPs AT bound either virus (Fig. 3 3h). 28 Again, these results confirmed that the affinity of the VIPs material for its template virus can be tuned by varying the thickness of the recognition layer. 43 Competition binding assay in serum and rebinding\n\nTo assess the selectivity of the VIPs OM and the effect of a more complex matrix, we performed competition binding assays in buffer and human serum (HS) at different dilutions (Fig. 3 4a). 37 HS is a complex matrix possessing, in addition to a high total protein concentration (60\u201385 g l\u22121, predominantly albumin and immunoglobulins), lipids, metabolites, vitamins, regulatory factors and electrolytes. 35 It has to be added that for non-diluted HS, the ELISA test used did not show a consistent response and therefore prevented us from evaluating the VIPs OM -binding performances in these conditions. 32 The assays performed in buffer revealed that 84% of the template TYMV was bound to VIPs OM while only 10% of the non-template TBSV was bound to the particles. 12 This result confirmed the selectivity of VIPs OM for its template. 34 The competition assays performed in HS showed that VIPs OM are specifically binding 45, 64 and 88% of the template TYMV at 1:10, 1:50 and 1:100 HS dilutions, respectively. 26 The non-template TBSV binding on the particles is of 6, 16 and 18% at 1:10, 1:50 and 1:100 HS dilution, respectively. 24 These results confirmed that the VIPs OM maintained their capabilities of discriminating between the two viruses in complex matrix, such as HS. 29 Figure 4: Competition binding assay of the templated TYMV and non-templated TBSV to VIPs OM in complex matrices and FESEM of VIPs OM after a rebinding assay. 19 (a) Symbols are for TYMV (white bars) and for TBSV (black bars). 39 The competition assays were performed with VIPs OM particles with a 8-nm-thick recognition layer in buffer containing bovine serum albumin (75 \u03bcg ml\u22121) and in different dilution of HS (1:10, 1:50 and 1:100). 16 All values are presented normalized in percentage of initial virus concentration (mean\u00b1s.e.m.). 15 (b) VIPs OM particles after the binding assay with the template TYMV. 6 Scale bar represent 100 nm. 3 Full size image"} {"text": " 18 LOS ANGELES -- Very little has gone according to plan for the Los Angeles Lakers this season. 42 So little, in fact, that executive vice president Jim Buss said Thursday it would be foolish to \"blow it up\" until the team has played enough games together to correctly identify why it has so badly underachieved. 24 \"We still like this team a lot,\" Buss said Thursday in an interview with ESPNLA 710 radio in Los Angeles. 10 \"How can you not believe in this team? 7 This team is built to win. 9 It's a very, very solid team. 13 We haven't seen them all together and play together for games. 16 In my mind, we would not consider a temporary fix or blow it up. 10 Why blow up something we have a future with? 29 \"It's very difficult to talk this way because we're five games under or six games under .500, and we've dug ourselves a hole. 33 But at the same time, I feel that if we put it together, we can string seven or eight games in a row and dig ourselves out of this hole. 27 If we play with the energy we've seen in the last two games, then I think you go into the playoffs with momentum.\" 16 Buss was referring, of course, to the Lakers' injury woes this season. 13 Steve Nash missed seven weeks with a broken bone in his leg. 24 Dwight Howard has struggled in his recovery from back surgery and is now out indefinitely with a torn labrum in his right shoulder. 17 Pau Gasol has missed time with assorted leg injuries and is now out with a concussion. 18 Backup point guard Steve Blake has missed all but the first five games with an abdominal injury. 16 Still, bad luck hasn't been the whole story of the Lakers' season. 35 The team fired coach Mike Brown five games into the season and chose Mike D'Antoni to replace him when former coach and 11-time NBA champion Phil Jackson was available and interested in the job. 28 General manager Mitch Kupchak has previously said the Lakers chose D'Antoni because they felt his system would apply to this roster better than Jackson's Triangle offense. 21 Buss concurred and said he, Kupchak and his father, owner Dr. Jerry Buss, still feel that way. 31 \"We thought Steve Nash was our future point guard for the next three years and we needed a coach we felt would fit with him,\" Buss said. 18 \"That was one of the main issues where we thought that D'Antoni was better than Phil. 27 Well, not better, nobody's better than Phil, but we felt that he fit the team the way we wanted to work it. 7 \"I like D'Antoni a lot. 8 I still believe in him 100 percent. 7 I have no questions about him. 13 We just have to have this team work together and play together. 11 We just don't have enough information to analyze anything. 15 It's just not enough data to put your finger on a problem.\" 22 Injuries and everything else aside, what if this team and its $99.2 million payroll don't make the playoffs? 32 \"We stuck our neck out with this payroll because Kobe (Bryant) is in the twilight of his career and we want to win championships,\" Buss said. 14 \"Now, am I upset that we might not make the playoffs? 3 Of course. 18 I'd be upset if I had a $10 payroll or a $200 million payroll. 13 I want to make the playoffs and I want to win championships. 4 But to panic? 10 No, we're not going to panic.\" 24 The Lakers could face a difficult situation in convincing Howard to re-sign with them when he becomes an unrestricted free agent July 1. 43 The Lakers can offer more years and more money than any other team because of the way the NBA's new collective bargaining agreement is structured, but would Howard want to stick around after a season that's gone so poorly?"} {"text": " 29 YANGON, Myanmar (AP) \u2014 Doctors Without Borders said Friday it has been expelled from Myanmar and that tens of thousands of lives are at risk. 29 The decision came after the humanitarian group reported it treated nearly two dozen Rohingya Muslim victims of communal violence in Rakhine state, which the government has denied. 26 The humanitarian group said it was \"deeply shocked\" by Myanmar's decision to expel it after two decades of work in the country. 24 The United States said it was very concerned and urged the government to continue to provide \"unfettered\" access for humanitarian agencies. 63 \"Today for the first time in MSF's history of operations in the country, HIV/AIDS clinics in Rakhine, Shan and Kachin states, as well as Yangon division, were closed and patients were unable to receive the treatment they needed,\" the Doctors Without Borders said in a statement, using the French acronym for its name. 23 As Myanmar's main provider of HIV drugs, supplying treatment to 30,000 people, the group described the impact as devastating. 40 Myanmar's presidential spokesman Ye Htut had criticized Doctors Without Borders in the Myanmar Freedom newspaper for hiring \"Bengalis,\" the term the government uses for the Rohingya Muslim minority, and lacked transparency in its work. 22 He also accused the group of misleading the world about an attack last month in the remote northern part of Rakhine. 34 The United Nations says more than 40 Rohingya may have been killed, but the government has vehemently denied allegations that a Buddhist mob rampaged through a village, killing women and children. 14 It says one policeman was killed by Rohingya and no other violence occurred. 12 Doctors Without Borders said it treated 22 injured and traumatized Rohingya. 12 Repeated attempts to reach Ye Htut for comment were unsuccessful Friday. 20 Myanmar, a predominantly Buddhist nation of 60 million, only recently emerged from a half-century of military rule. 26 Since then, ethnic tensions have swept Rakhine state, raising concerns from the United States and others that the bloodshed could undermine democratic reforms. 22 Up to 280 people have been killed and tens of thousands more have fled their homes, most of them Rohingya. 24 Since the violence erupted in June 2012, Doctors Without Borders has worked in 15 camps for the displaced people in Rakhine state. 34 For many of the sickest patients, the organization offers the best and sometimes only care, because traveling outside the camps for treatment in local Buddhist-run hospitals can be dangerous and expensive. 18 The aid group has worked to help smooth the referral process for emergency transport from some camps. 44 Due to increasing threats and intimidation from a group of Rakhine Buddhists who have been holding near daily protests against Doctors Without Borders, the organization has said its activities have been severely hampered and that it has not received enough government support. 42 \"We urge the government to continue to work with the international community to provide humanitarian assistance to communities in need and to unsure unfettered access for humanitarian agencies,\" U.S. State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki told reporters in Washington. 25 Democratic Rep. Joe Crowley, one of the most prominent voices in the U.S. Congress on Myanmar, also reacted to the reported expulsion. 13 \"It is the responsibility of the Burmese government to protect civilians. 12 This is deeply troubling,\" he said in a tweet. 22 Psaki said the U.S. understands that Myanmar's government and Doctors Without Borders are in discussions on the group resuming operations. 13 ____\n\nAssociated Press writer Matthew Pennington in Washington contributed to this report."} {"text": " 11 Our Sun is less than half way through its life. 20 It formed 4.5 billion years ago, but it has got six billion more before the fuel runs out. 16 It will then flare up, vaporizing any life that might still remain on Earth. 29 Any creatures witnessing the Sun\u2019s demise six billion years hence will not be human\u2011they will be as different from us as we are from a bug. 33 Post-human evolution could be as prolonged as the Darwinian evolution that has led to us, but at the much accelerated rate allowed by genetic modification and the advance of machine intelligence. 9 However this century may be a defining moment. 35 We humans are entitled to feel uniquely significant, as the first known species with the power and the responsibility to mold its own future \u2014and perhaps the future of intelligence in the cosmos. 25 Three new technologies will be crucial in the rest of this century: advanced biotech, artificial intelligence and the ability to explore space. 31 Interstellar Travel and Post-Humans Read Full Article\n\nBy 2100 courageous pioneers may have established \u201cbases\u201d independent from the Earth but do not ever expect mass emigration from Earth. 18 It is a dangerous delusion to think that space offers an escape from Earth\u2019s problems. 17 There is no \u201cPlanet B\u201d and space is an inherently hostile environment for humans. 45 For that reason, even though we may wish to regulate genetic and cyborg technology on Earth, we should surely wish the space pioneers good luck in using all such techniques to adapt to different atmospheres, different g-forces, and so on. 20 This might be the first step toward divergence into a new species: the beginning of the post-human era. 14 But are we unique, or is there intelligent life out there already? 36 There may be simple organisms on Mars or in the ice-covered oceans of Jupiter\u2019s moon Europa but few would bet on it; and certainly nobody expects a complex biosphere in such locations. 39 For that, we must look to the distant stars and here the prospects are far brighter: we have recognized that there are, within our Milky Way Galaxy, millions of planets resembling the young Earth. 11 But do we expect alien life on these extra-solar planets? 19 Conjectures about advanced or intelligent life are, of course, far shakier than those about simple life. 43 Perhaps the Galaxy already teems with advanced life, and our descendants will \u201cplug in\u201d to a galactic community \u2014as rather \u201cjunior members.\u201d On the other hand, our Earth may be unique and the searches may fail. 6 This would disappoint the searchers. 7 But it would have an upside. 8 Humans could then be less cosmically modest. 14 Our tiny planet could be the most important place in the entire cosmos. 47 Moreover, we would be living at a unique time in our planet\u2019s history: our species would have cosmic significance, for being the transient precursor to a culture dominated by machines, extending deep into the future and spreading far beyond Earth. 30 Interstellar travel is inherently of long duration, and is, therefore, an enterprise for post-humans, evolved from our species not via natural selection but by design. 17 The first voyagers to the stars will not be human, and maybe not even organic. 5 Evolution is just beginning. 24 Intelligent entities\u2014descended from Earthly life\u2014could spread through the entire Galaxy, evolving into a teeming complexity far beyond what we can even conceive. 13 And that is not all: there is a final disconcerting twist. 28 Post-human intelligence will develop hyper-computers with the processing power to simulate living things \u2014even entire worlds as complex as the one we perceive ourselves to be in. 12 Maybe these kinds of superintelligences already exist elsewhere in the multiverse. 9 What would these superintelligences do with their hyper-computers? 13 They could create virtual universes vastly outnumbering the \u201creal\u201d ones. 13 So perhaps we are \u201cartificial life\u201d in a virtual universe. 33 This concept opens up the possibility of a new kind of \u201cvirtual time travel,\u201d because the advanced beings creating the simulation can, in effect, rerun the past. 15 Possibilities once in the realms of science fiction have shifted into serious scientific debate. 36 From the very first moments of the big bang to the mind-blowing possibilities for alien life, parallel universes, and beyond, scientists are led to worlds even weirder than most fiction writers envisage. 34 It is remarkable that our brains, which have changed little since our ancestors roamed the African savannah, have allowed us to understand the counter-intuitive worlds of the quantum and the cosmos. 22 But there is no reason to think that our comprehension is matched to an understanding of all key features of reality. 27 If our remote descendants reach the stars, they will surely far surpass us not only in lifespan, but in insight as well as technology. 6 Read the full article here."} {"text": " 45 WASHINGTON (AP) \u2014 President Barack Obama called the top Republican in the GOP-controlled House Tuesday, telling Speaker John Boehner once again that he won't negotiate over reopening the government or must-pass legislation to prevent a U.S. default on its obligations. 36 In the second week of the partial government shutdown, Obama's call, revealed by Boehner's office, came as the speaker softened the tone of his rhetoric in remarks to the media. 13 The White House said Obama would hold a news conference Tuesday afternoon. 60 The White House also confirmed the call and said Obama repeated to Boehner \"what he told him when they met at the White House last week: the president is willing to negotiate with Republicans \u2014 after the threat of government shutdown and default have been removed \u2014 over policies that Republicans think would strengthen the country.\" 8 \"I want to have a conversation. 9 I'm not drawing lines in the sand. 20 It is time for us to just sit down and resolve our differences,\" said Boehner, R-Ohio. 10 He added: \"There's no boundaries here. 15 There's nothing on the table, there's nothing off the table.\" 31 For his part, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said he is willing to negotiate over the budget but only after the government is funded and the debt ceiling lifted. 11 \"All we're asking is that government be reopened. 17 Stop threatening a catastrophic default on the nation's bills,\" the Nevada Democrat said. 34 At the same time, Democrats controlling the Senate planned to move quickly toward a vote to allow the government to borrow more money by raising the statutory limit on the federal debt. 27 A spokesman said Reid could unveil the debt limit measure as early as Tuesday, setting the table for a test vote later in the week. 50 The measure is expected to provide enough borrowing room to last beyond next year's election, which means it likely will permit $1 trillion or more in new borrowing above the current $16.7 trillion debt ceiling that the administration says will be hit on Oct. 17. 13 It's not expected to include new spending cuts sought by Republicans. 46 GOP aides said that the House vote would set up a new bipartisan panel to negotiate reopening the government and avoiding a default, tied to legislation to make sure federal employees who are required to work during the partial shutdown get paid on time. 11 Those affected include families of service members killed in action. 20 Survivors are typically sent a $100,000 payment within three days to help with costs such as funeral expenses. 35 Because of the shutdown, the Defense Department doesn't have the authority to make the payments, officials said Monday, even though most of the department's civilian workers have been recalled. 27 Some 350,000 civilian Defense Department workers were summoned back to work Monday as the result of legislation Congress passed and Obama signed after the shutdown began. 17 Many other agencies, such as NASA and the Environmental Protection Agency, remain mostly shuttered. 18 Even the White House is feeling the effects, with about 3 out of 4 staffers furloughed. 14 It's not clear whether Reid's gambit will work in the Senate. 21 Republicans are expected to oppose the measure if it doesn't contain budget cuts to make a dent in deficits. 16 The question is whether Republicans will try to hold up the measure with a filibuster. 9 Such a showdown could unnerve the financial markets. 34 Until recently, debt limit increases have not been the target of filibusters; the first in memory came four years ago, when Democrats controlled the Senate with a filibuster-proof 60 votes. 32 Many Republicans in the Senate, including Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky and Whip John Cornyn of Texas, have voted for so-called clean debt limit increases during Republican administrations. 18 Some Republicans seemed wary of participating in a filibuster that could rattle the stock and bond markets. 38 \"We shouldn't be dismissing anything out of hand, whether it's the debt ceiling or what we're going to do with this government shutdown,\" Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, said. 32 \"We've got a situation where you've got a calendar running, you've got people who are frustrated and upset, so let's figure it out.\" 45 The impasse over the shutdown \u2014 sparked by House Republicans' insistence that a temporary funding bill contain concessions on Obama's health care law \u2014 shows no signs of breaking, as each side sticks to its guns and repeats its talking points."} {"text": " 39 BBC's billions that fund a green agenda\n\nThe corporation is under investigation after being inundated with complaints that its editorial coverage of climate change is biased in favour of those who say it is a man-made phenomenon. 28 The \u00a38billion pension fund is likely to come under close scrutiny over its commitment to promote a low-carbon economy while struggling to reverse an estimated \u00a32billion deficit. 45 Concerns are growing that BBC journalists and their bosses regard disputed scientific theory that climate change is caused by mankind as \u201cmainstream\u201d while huge sums of employees\u2019 money is invested in companies whose success depends on the theory being widely accepted. 38 The fund, which has 58,744 members, accounts for about \u00a38 of the \u00a3142.50 licence fee and the proportion looks likely to rise while programme budgets may have to be cut to help reduce the deficit. 33 The BBC is the only media organisation in Britain whose pension fund is a member of the Institutional Investors Group on Climate Change, which has more than 50 members across Europe. 16 Its chairman is Peter Dunscombe, also the BBC\u2019s Head of Pensions Investment. 48 Prominent among its recent campaigns was a call for a \u201cstrong and binding\u201d global agreement on climate change \u2013 one that fell on deaf ears after the UN climate summit in Copenhagen failed to reach agreement on emissions targets and a cut in greenhouse gases. 17 Veteran journalist and former BBC newsreader Peter Sissons is unhappy with the corporation\u2019s coverage. 40 He said recently: \u201cThe corporation\u2019s most famous interrogators invariably begin by accepting that \u2018the science is settled\u2019 when there are countless reputable scientists and climatologists producing work that says it isn\u2019t. 28 It is, in effect, BBC policy, enthusiastically carried out by the BBC\u2019s environment correspondents, that those views should not be heard. 76 \u201cI was not proud to be working for an organisation with a corporate mind so closed on such an important issue.\u201d Official BBC editorial policy governing how its correspondents should cover global warming was revealed after a member of the public wrote in: \u201cI have heard reports that the BBC has decided not to broadcast any news or reports which disprove, disagree, or cast doubt on global warming theory. 11 Could you provide some form of justification for this?\u201d"} {"text": " 38 MOSCOW \u2014 Managers of the Zenit Arena, a giant half-built stadium in St. Petersburg, received an official letter from the Ministry of Emergency Situations last week demanding that they immediately create shelter facilities for wartime. 72 The stadium, under construction for the upcoming World Cup 2018, is located outside the city boundaries, the letter said, but in case of nuclear attack it is in the potential \u201czone of war destruction and radiation fallout.\u201d\n\nThe last time Russians heard authorities talk like this about a potential mobilization for a nuclear strike was 20 years ago, and it all seemed highly improbable. 11 Now, it appears, the Kremlin is not joking. 33 Up to 40 million people participated in recent civil-defense exercises all across the country, learning about how to hide and where exactly to run to in case of a nuclear war. 36 But whether the motive behind this is self-defense, an implied threat to the West, a means to mobilize and control public opinion, or all of the above, is not entirely clear. 30 \u201cThese are the most serious tensions between Moscow and Washington in decades, said Sergei Markov, a member of the Civic Chamber, a Moscow-based state institution. 71 \u201cThe war might begin even before the November elections in the U.S.\u201d\n\n\u201cI personally plan to stock 200 cans of pork to be ready for a potential war crisis,\u201d Markov told The Daily Beast in an interview, \u201cand I advise everybody to do the same.\u201d\n\nState Duma Deputy Vadim Dengin said he hoped that there would be no war with United States. 25 \u201cI cannot understand why the West cannot just leave us in peace, let us be,\u201c the official said. 55 \u201cAmericans should realize that it will be their children looking for shelters, too, if they are serious about attacking Russia.\u201c\n\nOn Thursday, Vladimir Gladkov, a 19-year-old student, said he heard from a neighbor that the closest bomb shelter to his apartment building was Kitai Gorod metro station. 6 A thermonuclear bomb on Moscow? 45 Gladkov, who was born years after the Soviet Cold War with the United States was over, sounded frustrated: \u201cAmericans are not crazy to bomb us, I am not sure why our authorities want people to experience hysterical panic attacks. 16 Maybe somebody feels annoyed that we feel too free and happy,\u201d he suggested. 30 In Russia, where generations have suffered from wars or economic crises, panic takes over quickly as a kind of contagious epidemic and some respond with millennial obsessions. 22 During the impoverished years of the early 1990s, thousands of Russians moved to settlements in the Taiga seeking mystical salvation. 19 Over 3,000 believers in Christ Vissarion still live in the Siberian woods waiting for the End of Light. 13 In 2012 many in Russia waited in fear for the Mayan Doomsday. 16 People bought bottles of vodka, matches, and candles to survive the dark times. 36 There is an expression that every Russian knows well: \u201cTo save for a black day.\u201d And there are so many black days in Russian history\u2014not just days, but years of devastation. 31 \u201cMy life is just one everlasting black day,\u201d says Baba Zoya, an old woman living alone in the village of Bezvodnoye in the Nizhny Novgorod region. 10 The 82-year-old pensioner finds winters especially hard to survive. 35 \u201cOn some cold winter days when every joint, every bone hurts, I have no energy to go out and buy a piece of bread,\u201d she told The Daily Beast. 25 Her only comforts are her old dog and a falling-apart armchair outside of her old dark wood isba, a Russian traditional log house. 19 She remembers World War II only too well\u2014dozens of Bezvodnoye men left one day and never came back. 21 \u201cI wish, my dear, that you live your life without such awful memories,\u201d she said. 38 Last week Perm, a city of more than 1 million people in the Ural region, prepared shelters \u201cfor the employees who would continue to work during wartime,\u201d the state Russia channel reported. 41 Experts from the Ministry of Emergency Situations inspected one of the shelters to make sure there is enough space, medicine, and minimal provision; the daily norm of water was three liters per person, the channel reported. 48 Television shows devoted to the civil-defense drills explained to Russians that there was no reason to panic, that during wartime authorities would make sure that there was no radiation on public transport, that every person would have at least 300 grams of bread per day. 40 From early morning on Thursday, activists received boxes with baby food, plastic bags full of diapers and used warm clothes at Russia Behind Bars NGO, which had been supporting Russian convicts for the last eight years. 13 Were there bomb shelters for the population of Russia\u2019s prisons? 23 \u201cNo chance to survive in prison,\u201d the head of the NGO, Olga Romanova, told The Daily Beast. 40 \u201cRussian prisoners will be doomed, everybody in jail realizes that.\u201d\n\nFor her part, Romanova said she knew exactly where she would go and how many minutes it would take for NATO missiles to reach Moscow. 34 \u201cIf they bomb Moscow, I might make it to Taganka metro station, it takes me about 5 minutes to run from my house,\u201d Romanova told The Daily Beast. 25 \u201cMy husband and I have already discussed and decided that we would only bring a couple of water bottles and our passports.\u201d"} {"text": " 20 10 years ago\n\nSources tell CNN Tom Daschle is Obama's choice for Secretary of Health and Human Services. 51 CHICAGO (CNN) - Three sources close to the transition and in a position to know tell CNN that former Sen. Tom Daschle is President-elect Barack Obama's choice to be Secretary of Health and Human Services and the former Senate Majority Leader has indicated he wants the job. 34 Most significantly, Daschle negotiated that he will also serve as the White House health \"czar\" - or point person - so that he will report directly to the incoming President. 33 The significance is this guarantees that by wearing two hats Daschle, and not White House staffers, will be writing the health care plan that Obama submits to Congress next year. 39 The sources said the precise timing of the announcement has not been worked out, but Daschle is likely to officially join the Obama transition team as the lead adviser on health issues in the next few weeks. 8 An Obama transition official had no comment. 32 Daschle is billed as a \"special public policy advisor\" in the Washington office of the lobbying firm Alston Bird, though he is technically not a federally registered lobbyist. 25 But his wife, Linda Daschle, is a registered lobbyist at the powerful firm Baker Donelson, which does have some health clients."} {"text": " 24 Shades of gray in Sammy's skin He says he isn't racist, but Sammy Sosa's new look raises troubling questions. 8 Is Sammy Sosa trying to look white? 15 If you've seen recent photos of him, it's a fair question. 17 The last time most of us saw Sosa, his skin was the color of mahogany. 13 Now it looks as if he dipped his face in baking powder. 37 Photos of Sosa at the Latino Grammy Awards last week floated from inbox to inbox and blog to blog, arguably causing as much controversy as his dishonest performance at the congressional steroid hearings in 2005. 60 [+] Enlarge Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images This is Sosa's look last week\n\nAnd just as I didn't believe then that Sosa was steroid-free, I don't buy now that Sosa's drastically lightened skin is merely the result of a skin rejuvenation process and an illusion caused by bright TV lights at the awards show. 27 According to Sosa, who addressed the skin controversy with ESPNDeportes.com's Enrique Rojas, he is using a cream that \"whitens\" his skin. 11 Mostly, Sosa said, it's a skin softener. 13 Yeah, and using that corked bat was a \"mistake.\" 52 Sosa certainly isn't the first sports figure to use cosmetic assistance -- [cough] Jerry Jones -- but when a once-dark-complected man from the Dominican Republic is whitening his skin and wearing green colored contact lenses, it suggests he's suffering from issues that extend well beyond dermatology. 39 Sosa's new look implies that he has a \"color complex\" -- a term used to describe those who have been brainwashed to believe adopting more \"white\" features will help them gain mainstream acceptance. 36 If you don't believe there's any racial component to Sosa's new look, you haven't been paying attention to the backlash he's been receiving since those photos hit the Web. 23 Time magazine wrote about it, quoting Chicago dermatologist Dr. Jonith Breadon, who asked \"Why would he do this?\" 37 And during halftime of Tuesday's NBA broadcast on TNT, Charles Barkley and crew clowned Sosa, even going so far as to paint Barkley's face in white cream to mock the former Cub. 18 \"I love you, Sammy,\" Barkley said, \"but c'mon, man!\" 15 And in the background, analyst Kenny Smith shouted, \"Say it loud! 9 I'm black and I'm proud!\" 29 Although we might never know Sosa's true motivations for changing his appearance, the consensus is that he lightened his skin in an effort to look whiter. 16 [+] Enlarge Andrew H. Walker/Getty Image and this is his look in May. 36 The same was said about Michael Jackson, even though he was diagnosed with the skin condition vitiligo, which reportedly was the cause of his skin tone's transformation from caramel to milky white. 15 But vitiligo never explained the obvious surgical changes to Jackson's nose and lips. 20 And using a skin softener doesn't explain why Sosa's eye color and hair texture are suddenly different. 31 Sosa claimed he's not a \"racist,\" but that doesn't address whether he's being honest when he says he's happy being who he is. 32 \"A lot of younger people probably just think Sosa's weird,\" said Dr. Todd Boyd, a professor of critical studies at the USC School of Cinematic Arts. 46 \"Whereas those old enough to remember the days when Ebony magazine still had ads for skin lightening cream on their pages, these people might look at Sammy with a certain amount of disgust and see his actions as the epitome of self-hatred.\" 16 I've always questioned whether Sosa tried too hard to be accepted by white America. 36 When Sosa and Mark McGwire teamed up to bring baseball back to relevance with their exciting home run chase in 1998, Sosa seemed all too eager to play the role of the buffoonish sidekick. 19 His antics made it easier for Sosa to be accepted as a friendly challenger instead of a villain. 52 \"Sammy never seemed to realize that the joke was on him every time he acted out that Chico Escuela role: 'Baseball been berry, berry good to me,'\" said Boyd, referring to the fictional baseball player Garrett Morris played on \"Saturday Night Live.\" 21 \"And then all of a sudden he can't speak English when he's sitting in front of Congress? 20 I'm sure Sammy has his fans, but a lot of people view him as a clown.\" 48 Some of you are probably wondering why Sosa's skin color is an issue, especially given that white people routinely go to tanning booths to darken their skin, and non-ethnic women receive injections and implants that make their lips look fuller and their behinds bigger. 7 The difference is history and perception. 19 Historically, black features have been ridiculed, exaggerated and patronized, often for the amusement of whites. 61 As a result, some people of color have adopted a negative attitude toward their looks, so when someone like Sosa goes to such lengths to alter his appearance and says -- even in jest -- that he plans to market the product, too, you have to wonder whether there's an underlying issue of racial identity. 25 Even though I'm wary of Sosa's motives, I believe him when he insists he isn't trying to look like Jackson. 12 I just wonder why Sosa isn't satisfied looking like himself. 10 Jemele Hill can be reached at jemeleespn@gmail.com."} {"text": " 27 In an announcement by Scott Stricklin today, Mississippi State Volleyball head coach Jenny Hazelwood will be reassigned to an administrative position within the Athletic Department. 26 This comes after an abysmal 7-26 record this season, with only two conference victories over Tennessee (3-2) and LSU (3-2). 22 For six years, Hazelwood led the Lady Bulldog squad to a 55-129 record and a 20-96 mark in SEC play. 17 During her coaching career, Mississippi State Volleyball accomplished its first 12 win season since 2006. 24 Included in those 12 victories was a 3-1 win over the Tennessee Lady Volunteers in Knoxville, a feat never accomplished after 1995. 27 Also in 2013, the Lady Bulldogs attained 8 home victories, which is enough to rank as the second-most home victories in a single season. 13 Coach Hazelwood was not without talent during her coaching tenure in Starkville. 32 During her six years, the Lady Bulldogs comprised of 2 AVCA All-Americans, 5 All-SEC players, a CoSIDA Academic All-American, 36 All-SEC Academic and All-SEC Freshman Academic members. 20 This past season, freshman libero Payton Harris ranked 2nd in the country in digs and digs per set. 21 Harris also set a school record for digs in a season, but finished second on the SEC single-season list. 16 Athletic Director Scott Stricklin announced that the search for a suitable replacement has begun immediately. 33 No timeline has been set for the announcement of Jenny Hazelwood\u2019s successor, but expectations are high as fans look to begin a good run by this mostly overlooked program. 44 Fans can agree that this has not been the greatest of times for the Mississippi State volleyball program, but if the next season and next coach start off on a high note, then things could change dramatically inside the Newell-Grissom Building."} {"text": " 26 The hacker collective Anonymous has issued a new video warning that World War Three could soon break out as tensions rise on the Korean peninsula. 37 The video, released Saturday by the loose collective of affiliated hackers, attempts to connect the geopolitical dots, concluding that 'all the signs of a looming war on the Korean peninsula are surfacing.' 53 Using the group's signature computerized voice and shadowy figure clad in a Guy Fawkes mask, the roughly seven-minute video highlights American military buildup in East Asia and warnings from the Chinese and Japanese government to their citizens, among other developments, as evidence that global war is inching closer. 41 'Watching as each country moves strategic pieces into place, but unlike past world wars, although there will be ground troops, the battle is likely to be fierce, brutal and quick,' the Anonymous video prognosticates. 12 North Korean soldiers seen marching in a military parade last month. 33 The hacker group Anonymous warns that tensions on the peninsula could spark World War Three\n\nThe US missile defense system THAAD is seen being installed on a golf course in South Korea. 64 This is just one military move that Anonymous says points toward a looming global war\n\nAnonymous, a decentralized group that grew out of the imageboard 4chan in the 2000s, has a history of using hacked data, targeted harassment, and publicity campaigns in a self-described effort to spread 'information and facts the government doesn't want you to know.' 40 'With three superpowers drawn into the mix, other nations will be coerced into choosing sides,' the group says in its latest video, although it isn't clear which three nations the group is referring to. 8 The video makes no mention of Russia. 13 The video goes on to highlight several recent developments in East Asia. 27 First, it points to the recent roll-out of the American THAAD ballistic missile defense system in South Korea, a move condemned by the Chinese. 39 China's recent warning to its citizens to leave North Korea, and military buildup at the North Korean border in anticipation of a potential flood of North Korean refugees, also merit attention, according to Anonymous. 19 'The pragmatic Chinese, it seems, are starting to lose their patience,' the group says. 46 As further evidence of looming war, Anonymous points to a recent warning the Japanese government gave its citizens living near military bases, alerting them that they could only have a 10 minute warning in the event of a nuclear attack from North Korea. 51 Anonymous, a decentralized group that grew out of the imageboard 4chan in the 2000s, says it wants to spread 'information and facts the government doesn't want you to know'\n\nThe group notes that the US recently conducted a test launch of a Minuteman 3 intercontinental ballistic missile. 28 The May 3 test launch is shown\n\nThe ominous video also notes that the US recently conducted a test launch of a Minuteman 3 intercontinental ballistic missile. 19 Military officials said that test had been planned for 10 months as part of ongoing force readiness assessments. 28 The group also points out the mixed motives of the Chinese, who are considered the isolated North Korean regime's only ally on the international stage. 30 'Although China doesn't want radioactive fallout and refugees on its borders, do they really want their neighbor giving up nukes when keeps the US in check?' 16 North Korea is not believed to have nuclear-capable missiles able to reach the continental US. 28 Despite its ominous warnings, Anonymous does caution that all of this 'doesn't mean outright war yet,' adding forbiddingly: 'for the moment'."} {"text": " 6 Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb. 36 ), who withheld his support for the Senate-passed healthcare reform bill until practically the last minute, strongly hinted that he is prepared to back the final push to finish the job this spring. 24 \"Doing nothing on healthcare reform might seem like a reasonable option to some, but in my opinion it\u2019s not. 29 Our nation\u2019s healthcare crisis will only get worse the longer we delay,\" Nelson said at a conference hosted by the Federation of American Hospitals. 29 ADVERTISEMENT\n\nNelson took aim at Republicans who have called for Presidentand congressional Democrats to scrap the bills that passed the House and Senate last year and begin anew. 44 \"There are those who\u2019ve said, \u2018Well, let\u2019s start all over.\u2019 Well, that\u2019s a very appealing idea but for some, that\u2019s code for doing nothing,\" Nelson said. 28 \"Some in Washington say we should do that, start all over with a clean piece of paper and now write a bipartisan health reform bill. 13 Many who want that never started healthcare reform in the last decade. 16 So saying, \u2018Stop and start over again\u2019 just means \u2018Stop.' 127 \"Nelson had been a skeptic of the Democratic healthcare reform proposals since the legislative process began a year ago and voted for the Senate bill only after securing new language designed to prevent federal money from paying for abortion services as well as additional funding for his home state's Medicaid program.But with his vote for the bill on the record, and his name indelibly linked to healthcare reform because of the so-called \"Cornhusker kickback\" deal for the Medicaid money \u2014 which Obama proposed extending to all states \u2014 Nelson appears poised to join his fellow Democrats in advancing the legislation via budget reconciliation rules that would allow a House-Senate compromise package to pass the upper chamber on a simple majority vote. 23 Nelson's popularity at home took a hit as a result of his role in the process, something he indirectly acknowledged. 18 \"I think the American people are of many different minds about this,\" Nelson said. 14 \"but that doesn\u2019t mean that we have to stop working. 41 \"Reiterating previous statements, Nelson defended the use of reconciliation to pass the healthcare bill, citing as precedent his support for reconciliation when it was used to pass President George W. Bush's tax cuts over Democratic objections. 24 \"Reconciliation is really about whether a bill deserves and up-or-down vote when one side is obstructing the process,\" he said.Sen. 5 Evan Bayh (D-Ind. 44 ), speaking at the same event, predicted that the Senate Democratic leadership would easily be able to lock down the 50 votes it needs to pass the reconciliation process (with Vice Presidentavailable to cast a tie-breaking vote if needed). 14 \"They are surely going to get 50 votes,\" Bayh said. 38 Observing that it will be more difficult for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) to get 216 members of her caucus to vote for healthcare reform, however, Bayh was less optimistic about final passage. 18 \"I think it's about 51 percent that something will get passed,\" he said."} {"text": " 3 Awful indeed. 4 This is awful. 10 Trump supporters are getting beat up on live TV. 12 @Jacobnbc reports cops are only now getting around the protesters. 26 \u2014 Katy Tur (@KatyTurNBC) June 3, 2016\n\nProtests outside of Donald Trump rallies have produced more arresting images than arrests lately. 27 Some photos capture riot police clashing with demonstrators hurling rocks, while others show individuals caught up in the escalating chaos just by leaving the venue. 21 Check out the \u201cThis is what hate leads to\u201d sign as protesters draw and quarter some Trump signage. 26 Protesters outside Trump's San Jose rally yell at supporters walking by, rip apart signs and chant \"f**k Trump!\" 28 pic.twitter.com/mfwv5W6FsW \u2014 Jacob Rascon (@Jacobnbc) June 3, 2016\n\n#SanJose Should we let him know that it hasn't been Mexico since 1848? 47 pic.twitter.com/4HK2dLFDeX \u2014 Jill Lang (@Bastille1791) June 3, 2016\n\nWe\u2019re honestly unsure if the Trump supporter taunted and pelted with eggs outside of his San Jose rally Thursday was particularly unlucky, or fortunate not to have been more seriously hurt. 20 Is the media still pushing the narrative that Trump incites violence at his rallies or has that been retired? 8 Protesters cornering Trump supporters as they leave. 5 This woman taunted them. 32 They cornered her & threw eggs at her pic.twitter.com/MiDGDBkKIo \u2014 Sara Murray (@SaraMurray) June 3, 2016\n\n@SaraMurray @Acosta You see the guy with the mask? 18 He is not a protestor, he is a criminal looking for any reason to hurt someone. 33 \u2014 Jessica Hershey (@JHersheyFitness) June 3, 2016\n\n@SaraMurray @WilliamAmos\n\nThere will come a point where the left will not be able to be violent with impunity. 5 I fear that day. 32 \u2014 America's Hat\u00a9 (@ianslessor) June 3, 2016\n\nWoman who supports Trump surrounded by protesters, who taunt her, then throw eggs and bottles at her. 35 pic.twitter.com/nHJ3cgYOfR \u2014 Jacob Rascon (@Jacobnbc) June 3, 2016\n\nWatch: The moment a Trump supporter, surrounded by protesters, is egged in the face, hit by other food. 30 pic.twitter.com/qYFdwJWvrS \u2014 Jacob Rascon (@Jacobnbc) June 3, 2016\n\nPolice now trying to push protesters back, but they are fighting, throwing things at officers. 22 \u2014 Jacob Rascon (@Jacobnbc) June 3, 2016\n\nProtesters also cornered a couple who were NOT antagonizing them. 17 They closed in on the couple, threw water at them and spit in their faces. 82 \u2014 Sara Murray (@SaraMurray) June 3, 2016\n\n\"Make California Mexico again\" chanted in San Jose at #Trump rally pic.twitter.com/So4Ycrm02p \u2014 Tim Pool (@Timcast) June 3, 2016\n\nProtesters stormed this guy's tent to trash it but ppl talked them down because \"he's just trying to make a living\" pic.twitter.com/h8rE5OK3g7 \u2014 Joe Perticone (@JoePerticone) June 3, 2016\n\nProtesters have now hopped onto a car. 11 Who appears to be the owner seems cool with it. 26 pic.twitter.com/CV4PrRi2IQ \u2014 Candace Smith (@CandaceSmith_) June 3, 2016\n\nProtesters have now rushed the Marriott door, right next to convention center. 6 Throwing ice and possibly Cheetos? 31 pic.twitter.com/CSVNVpWnUW \u2014 Candace Smith (@CandaceSmith_) June 3, 2016\n\nCheetos sounds correct, as it\u2019s a likely reference to Trump\u2019s peculiar orange hue. 19 We\u2019re pretty certain it was more than that that caused a supporter to bleed, though. 11 This is truly disturbing, and all caught on video. 43 NOW: #Trump supporter attacked and left bleeding in San Jose pic.twitter.com/kC2GVz9JcZ \u2014 Tim Pool (@Timcast) June 3, 2016\n\nBig fight breaks out pic.twitter.com/Ld8via9LTF \u2014 Joe Perticone (@JoePerticone) June 3, 2016\n\nMore fighting. 37 This guy is bleeding from the face pic.twitter.com/eRpglVqhE0 \u2014 Nicky Woolf (@NickyWoolf) June 3, 2016\n\nAnd that doesn\u2019t even include attacks on police and a flag burning here and there. 97 Protesters throwing traffic cones at police outside Trump rally in San Jose pic.twitter.com/GojRHY2VHs \u2014 Ben Schreckinger (@SchreckReports) June 3, 2016\n\nFollow our reporter @dcbigjohn, who is at the scene of clashes outside tonight\u2019s Trump rally in San Jose pic.twitter.com/g4b6V9l5PG \u2014 BuzzFeed News (@BuzzFeedNews) June 3, 2016\n\nTrump hats being burned pic.twitter.com/vg3cyp3nql \u2014 Nicky Woolf (@NickyWoolf) June 3, 2016\n\nTo all the people who attacked Trump supporters in San Jose, thanks for writing the next few months of Trump ads. 6 Not a smart tactic kids. 23 \u2014 J Neo Marvin (@JNeoMarvin) June 3, 2016\n\nUpdate:\n\nHere\u2019s more insanity caught on video. 15 Maybe the uniter in chief would consider addressing this, this \u2026 okey dokey? 15 Raw video: Punches thrown in clashes following @realDonaldTrump rally in San Jose. 19 pic.twitter.com/U4d7vSbkf2 \u2014 M. Scott Mahaskey (@smahaskey) June 3, 2016\n\nProtest is moving pretty quickly. 54 The guy in stripes just punched out, knocked a pregnant lady to the ground pic.twitter.com/kPFKtmJ5Oh \u2014 Nicky Woolf (@NickyWoolf) June 3, 2016\n\nIncredibly scary watching one Trump supporter run for his life away from dozens of protestors trying to beat him up, and to see no police. 11 \u2014 Steve Krakauer (@SteveKrak) June 3, 2016"} {"text": " 31 Meredith\u2019s discovery generated enough publicity that members of the public started sending her pictures of squirrels from their own backyards, some of whom had the same lesions. 30 Most of the shots came from Scotland, but one was from Brownsea Island\u2014an island off the southern coast of England, and some 480 miles away from Edinburgh. 24 \u201cSomeone had done a day trip there, seen a squirrel, and said: Is this leprosy?\u201d says Meredith. 63 \u201cI looked at it and said: Wow, it\u2019s identical!\u201d\n\nWorking with Stewart Cole, from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne, Meredith analyzed the cadavers of 110 red squirrels from Great Britain and Ireland, and found that almost a third of them had leprosy, including several without any clinical signs. 30 Those in Scotland, Ireland, and the Isle of Wight were infected with Mycobacterium lepromatosis\u2014a second species of leprosy bacterium that was only identified in humans in 2008. 19 By contrast, all the squirrels from Brownsea Island had M. leprae, the more traditional leprosy microbe. 43 By comparing the microbes\u2019 genomes, the team showed that the M. leprae strains currently infecting the Brownsea squirrels are almost identical to those recovered from a medieval human skeleton buried in the nearby city of Winchester some 730 years ago. 34 So it\u2019s possible that humans passed M. leprae to red squirrels several centuries ago, and that the Brownsea individuals have harbored the microbe long after its eradication on the mainland. 11 Could the squirrels ever pass the disease back to us? 24 Armadillos certainly do in the United States, but for the moment, there\u2019s no evidence of squirrel-to-human transmission in Britain. 24 \u201cIt\u2019s not impossible, but there\u2019s no evidence that we\u2019re at risk,\u201d says Meredith. 19 \u201cWe\u2019re more concerned about the squirrels.\u201d\n\nRed squirrels are an endangered species in Britain. 31 Once common, they\u2019ve had to contend with the introduction of gray squirrels from the Americas, which outcompeted them and infected them with squirrelpox\u2014an often fatal disease. 27 As a result, the country is currently home to more than 2.5 million grays but just 140,000 reds, most of which live in Scotland. 27 Those that get leprosy can live for many years with the condition, but Meredith wants to see if their health suffers in the long run. 24 They might eventually die because they\u2019re unable to feed properly, or because leprosy makes them more vulnerable to other infections. 38 (Contrary to stigma, leprosy doesn\u2019t make body parts fall off; instead, deadened peripheral nerves sometimes stop people from noticing injuries or infections in their extremities, leading to eventual amputations.) 11 Why did the squirrels become infected in the first place? 29 They belong to a different order of mammals than either humans or nine-banded armadillos, and all three species are separated by around 100 million years of evolution. 26 And yet the three of us, out of all the mammals in the world, are the only ones know to harbor M. leprae. 24 And for that matter, why does the red squirrel get infected when the closely related grey squirrel doesn\u2019t seem to?"} {"text": " 1 . 34 The video game industry has been around as early as the 1970\u2019s, with mainstream popularity first beginning during the Golden Age of the Arcade in the early 80\u2019s. 28 The industry has gone through a lot of changes throughout the decades, but is still proving more popular than ever with the advent of mobile gaming. 39 Throughout all of these years, times have changed; companies have come and gone, the graphics have drastically improved, and many franchises have been rebooted and have discovered new found success, or miserable failure. 30 The industry has been through a lot since 1972, and despite the longevity, video games are still finding new ways to completely irritate gamers the world over. 17 Here are the ten biggest modern day screw ups that the gaming industry is guiltiest of. 2 10. 30 Sexism\n\nSexism is a huge problem in the video game industry, and the sexulization and objectification of women can be seen in all corners of the gaming community. 50 Looking at a handful of sexually driven male power fantasy mods, from anything involving a dis-empowered Lara Croft, to the endless nude mods that can be found in PC gaming, over sexualized female characters in video games are par for the course in modern day gaming. 13 Not only that, but the toxic communities involved are even worse. 31 Misogynistic men make rude remarks in threads and forums, with many women giving up random online gaming all together because of the vile communities that can often pervade them. 23 And do I really need to even remind people about how awful the Gamergate controversy was at it\u2019s fever pitch? 14 Video games are supposed to bring people together, not tear them apart. 23 Gaming as a whole should be about making new friendships with people who share a common mutual interest in a great hobby. 19 It is the year 2015: isn\u2019t it about time everyone should be treated as equal? 2 9. 16 Lack of Creativity\n\nRemember when Gears of War created the use of a covering mechanic? 21 Or how Resident Evil 4 made a huge leap forward by implementing third-person view to the survival horror franchise?? 17 What about Call of Duty: Modern Warfare\u2019s use of a perk-based multiplayer shooter? 19 Nearly all games today have the same gameplay mechanics that have milked the cow of creativity bone dry. 34 We need to demand that developers up their efforts in terms of innovation, as the only way to make bigger and better games is to come up with new ways to play. 2 8. 20 Digital Downloads\n\nWhen I first heard about digitally downloading full games, I thought it was a brilliant idea. 31 Being able to just play a game console without having the put a disc in was a cool notion, but the flaws in downloading games became apparent rather quickly. 32 Downloading games comes with a fair share of irritations, with the main source of aggravation being that titles take up way too much space on an already limited hard drive. 17 Add-ons can take up to 5GB, and new releases take a whopping 60GBs on average. 36 It doesn\u2019t help the fact that most gamers own consoles that have at most a 500GB of space on their console, leaving most to choose what to keep and what to delete. 17 How can gamers expect a digital future when there isn\u2019t any room for one? 2 7. 22 Motion Control Gaming\n\nI\u2019m going to be honest, I am not a big fan of motion control gaming. 20 Motion control gaming is useless, and half of the time the controls don\u2019t recognize your movements. 13 I enjoy the complexity that comes with playing games on a controller. 35 I don\u2019t understand why Microsoft, Nintendo, and Sony try to plaster motion controls down our throats, I am especially blaming Nintendo and their seventh generation home console the Wii. 41 The Wii Remotes and PlayStation Move Motion controllers are ugly and useless, and they pretty much cause early arthritis with a simple flick of the wrist if it\u2019s motion control gaming why have a controller for it? 10 I mean is it really motion control gaming then? 2 6. 28 Quick Time Events\n\nQuick Times Events (QTEs), even after all of these years, remain the most useless gaming mechanic in video game history. 30 QTEs always set players in these amazing scenarios, only to immediately take control away from them in favor of an overly simplified series of fast paced button prompts. 43 At best: QTE\u2019s are lazy attempts at streamlining gameplay, at worse, they are either way too easy or way too difficult, and help to compromise the quality of an otherwise awesome chunk of would be gameplay. 6 Go away QTE\u2019s. 6 Go, far far away. 2 5. 30 Rushing Games\n\nGame companies of the past share some of the same issues as companies from today: rushing unfinished games to meet a deadline is one of them. 34 Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain is an excellent example of this, as a lot of gamers were disappointed in how the game ended\u2026among a long list of other issues. 49 With initial rumors speculating that Konami rushed Kojima to release the game by September first due to contractual agreements (which turned out to be true as they forced Kojima to leave no long after), many now can understand why TPP has the problems it does. 18 To say that publishers can be are abusive to the developers of these games is an understatement. 55 You constantly have games being published when they are simply not ready, but developers have no choice, and are forced to meet a specific deadline they don\u2019t agree with, which can lead to harsh scrutiny upon the release of a game, or even worse: a complete flop. 46 These kinds of issues between pubs and devs are what drives good talent away from making great games, rushing games sometimes cause so many issues, gamers don\u2019t even bothering completing the game, and end up returning it as a result. 2 4. 30 Misleading Advertisements\n\nMost triple A games today have so much money being spent on marketing the game, sometimes advertising the game costs more than developing the actual product. 38 What\u2019s worse is the game in the trailer can be completely different than the one you end up buying on day one, which is a frustrating truth for many a hopeful gamer out there. 23 One great example of misleading marketing is Halo 5: Guardians\u2019 and it\u2019s \u201cHunt The Truth\u201d campaign. 61 As an aside, I\u2019m not bashing Halo 5 at all: I believe it\u2019s all around a fun game, but if you had to ask me what the biggest let down of Halo 5 would be, I would have to say the campaign was NOTHING like the marketing made it out to be. 26 Without spoiling anything, the advertisements had very little to do with what actually went on in Halo 5, which ended up being disappointing. 31 I love a good marketing campaign as much as the next gamer, but if you\u2019re going to market something, don\u2019t completely lie about it. 2 3. 33 Toning down Games\n\nGames today are toned down on so many levels, whether it\u2019s in difficulty or content (to get a lower ESRB rating) is irritating pandering. 30 Nothing irks me more than when developers attempt to \u201ctone down\u201d an experience in order to somehow be more age appropriate for a \u201cyounger demographic\u201d. 46 If a game is mature, then it should have the courage to stand behind that decision, and if a kid is too young to be playing a violent video game, they obviously shouldn\u2019t be playing it in the first place. 28 There is a reason the ESRB still exists today, and that is to provide a helpful guide line that suggests appropriate games for different age groups. 25 So, note to developers: stop toning down mature games like Halo or Grand Theft Auto just so you can increase your profit. 26 You might make a few more casual bucks, but you\u2019re gonna lose some hardcore fans (serious cash) that way. 2 2. 40 Repetitiveness in Franchises\n\nJust like movies, any game that is critically acclaimed and is a commercial success, deserves a sequel turn it into a franchise instead of a one-hit wonder; that\u2019s basic common sense. 46 However, the problem that we are seeing today is the receptiveness in a majority of franchises; like Silent Hill, for example, it was a popular series in the 1990s it practically popularized survival horror games along with games like Resident Evil. 99 Now let\u2019s push forward to the 2000s after Silent Hill 4: The Room many fans were starting to lose hope that the series was declining, these last few entries in the series have just been a disappointment, especially with some of the games being released in the 21st century trying to tell the origins of Silent Hill; news flash, Konami Silent Hill fans DO NOT WANT TO KNOW THE ORIGINS of Silent Hill, in fact not knowing how the town came to be is what made the earlier entries terrifying. 190 It\u2019s like they are running out of ideas or something, it wasn\u2019t until Silent Hills PT came out that I saw hope in Silent Hill, I thought this would be the game back to its glory days of it being the kind of game you did not want to play in the pitch black dark and then Konami went ahead and screwed that up by cancelling it, or Call of Duty, for example, each year there is a new game coming out, first off it\u2019s destroying the campaign mode, Call of Duty use to have amazing stories to tell in their campaigns and now they are unoriginal and dull, it\u2019s like the developers aren\u2019t even trying to give gamers a bang for their buck, it doesn\u2019t help the fact that the online multiplayer is the same gameplay mechanics the only difference being the different names of the weapons you\u2019re using and the maps are what really what makes the entries today stand out from each other. 2 1. 21 Removing content and turning it into DLC/Episodic expansions\n\nThis is the number one problem I have with video games today. 31 I don\u2019t understand why companies continue to release new games, and take out content only for them to release it at a later time as downloadable content. 53 Why on earth do companies think it\u2019s ok to release a BRAND NEW GAME for $60 only for them to leave out a vast majority of content, so they can indirectly force gamers into buying the DLC so that the game will actually feel like a complete game. 50 It\u2019s a ridiculous thing that is going on in the video game world, games like Destiny and Star Wars Battlefront reboot are a prime example of what I am talking about they take out so much content and then force gamers to buy the season pass. 40 Or even games like Mortal Kombat X who are offering new characters and outfits, whatever happened to unlocking characters or new clothing in the game by performing something within the game itself or by actually completing the game? 27 I miss that now you\u2019re telling me if I want to play as Cloud in Super Smash Bros I have to PAY FOR HIM! 55 Oh and don\u2019t even get me started with Final Fantasy VII\u2018s reboot, I saw the trailer and I was so excited for it then Square Enix slaps me right in the face by saying they plan to turn the reboot into an episodic game like ARE YOU KIDDING ME? 15 The original release wasn\u2019t episodic, oh what\u2019s that Square? 9 It takes too long to make the game? 52 IT\u2019S A REBOOT it\u2019s not like you\u2019re starting from scratch, just package the game into three discs like you did in 1997 why are you trying to con gamers into taking more of their money by doing things like that is just plain greediness. 18 DLC is just another excuse for companies to make you pull more money out of your wallet. 18 What\u2019s next we are going to have to start paying to play Betas and Demos? 6 Article from Gamersyndrome.com\n\nRelated posts:"} {"text": " 29 Steve Bannon has called President Donald Trump's administration the most divided in history in a candid interview about policy divides in the White House and Republican Party. 36 'No administration in history has been so divided among itself about the direction about where it should go,' Bannon told the Washington Post on Saturday, one day after leaving the White House. 24 Bannon said that Trump's base is frustrated by Congressional foot-dragging on his campaign promises, including trade, immigration, and taxes. 36 'If the Republican Party on Capitol Hill gets behind the president on his plans and not theirs, it will all be sweetness and light, be one big happy family,' Bannon said. 76 Steve Bannon (seen center in a file photo from Februrary) has called President Donald Trump's administration the most divided in history\n\nBannon said that Trump's base is frustrated by Congressional foot-dragging on his campaign promises, including trade, immigration, and taxes\n\nBannon, who is said to be readying his right-wing news operation Breitbart for 'war', noted that he doesn't believe 'sweetness' will be forthcoming. 41 While he was White House chief strategist, Bannon staked out his bitter opposition to the 'globalist' set in the Trump administration, describing himself as an economic nationalist who made fulfilling Trump's campaign vows a top priority. 33 But he doesn't believe that the divide between economic nationalists and the Wall Street wing of the Republican party is quite the same as the divides in the country at large. 16 'The tensions in the White House are slightly different than the tensions in the country. 7 It's still a divided country. 11 Fifty percent of the people did not support President Trump. 21 Most of those people do not support his policies in any way, shape or form,' Bannon said. 14 Earlier on Saturday, Trump expressed his gratitude to Bannon on social media. 11 'I want to thank Steve Bannon for his service. 17 He came to the campaign during my run against Crooked Hillary Clinton - it was great! 11 Thanks S,' Trump wrote to his Twitter feed. 15 Trump's chief political strategist departed just shy of seven months into the administration. 92 President Donald Trump sent his appreciation for Steve Bannon in a tweet less than 24 hours after being fired from the administration\n\nBannon returned to his former post as executive chairman at Breitbart News\n\nBannon has already returned to lead Brietbart News, a position he held before leaving last year to help the Trump campaign\n\nWhite House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said in a statement on Friday: 'White House Chief of Staff John Kelly and Steve Bannon have mutually agreed today would be Steve's last day.' 16 'We are grateful for his service and wish him the best,' she said. 36 Bannon's exit is the latest in a string of high-profile departures from the White House, which includes former chief of staff Reince Priebus and ex-White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer, among others. 29 The administration has also seen former National Security Director Michael Flynn depart in January, and Anthony Scaramucci, White House Communications Director, sacked in late July. 33 The Brietbart News editor did not leave in a whimper, however, telling The Weekly Standard shortly after his dismissal that he's finally 'free' to 'crush the opposition.' 20 'I've got my hands back on my weapons,' Bannon, 63, told the publication. 10 'Someone said, 'it's Bannon the Barbarian.' 10 I am definitely going to crush the opposition.' 66 US President Donald Trump disembarks from Air Force One upon arrival at Morristown Municipal Airport in Morristown, New Jersey\n\nMedia reports suggest that the 'opposition' consist of senior economic adviser Gary Cohn, Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner and National Security Adviser HR McMaster, officials Bannon views as moderating forces in the West Wing steering the President away from a nationalist agenda. 36 Rumors of Bannon's imminent ouster swirled around Washington for weeks before Friday, with aides in the White House suggesting Bannon's toxic rapport with McMaster and Cohn was leading to his imminent dismissal. 16 According to The New York Times, Bannon's caustic disposition didn't help either. 28 He who would frequently clash with other senior aides on issues over trade, the war in Afghanistan, taxes, immigration and the role of government. 41 The Times also reported that Trump had grown weary of Bannon over the past several months, believing that he was a source of leaking in the White House and angry that he was promoting his image in the media. 37 By Friday night, Bannon was back at an editorial board meeting at Brietbart News, assuming his prior position as head of the company before leaving last year to help Trump run his presidential campaign."} {"text": " 38 Hidden Burmese Spitfires to be excavated\n\nUpdated\n\nDozens of rare Spitfire fighter planes buried in Burma during World War II are to be dug up under an agreement between the Burmese government and a British aviation enthusiast. 30 The iconic single-seat aircraft are believed to have been hidden unassembled in crates by the former colonial power to prevent them falling into Japanese hands almost seven decades ago. 24 Local businessman Htoo Htoo Zaw, who is involved with the project, says the excavation is expected to take about two years. 14 \"We expect to dig up about 60 fighters,\" he said. 27 Based on a survey of hundreds of witnesses, the team plans to dig in three locations in Rangoon, northern Kachin state and central Mandalay. 40 If successfully excavated, some of the Spitfires are expected to be returned to Britain, which ruled Burma until independence in 1948 but was temporarily forced out of much of the country in 1942 by invading Japanese forces. 30 \"We want to strengthen relations between Britain and our country and benefit millions of people in the world who want to see Spitfires,\" Mr Zaw said. 31 The dig is the result of a more than a decade-long search of former air force bases in Burma by British farmer and aviation aficionado David Cundall using radar technology. 28 \"It took me more than 15 years, but I finally found them,\" Mr Cundall told British newspaper The Daily Telegraph earlier this year. 21 \"I'm only a small farmer, I'm not a multi-millionaire, and it has been a struggle. 16 \"Spitfires are beautiful aeroplanes and should not be rotting away in a foreign land. 15 They saved our neck in the Battle of Britain and they should be preserved. 10 \"They were just buried there in transport crates. 13 They were waxed, wrapped in greased paper and their joints tarred. 8 They will be in near-perfect condition.\" 12 About 20,000 Spitfires were built by Britain from 1938 to 1948. 29 The planes captured the imagination of the British public during the Battle of Britain, when the Royal Air Force prevented the German Luftwaffe from invading in 1940. 12 Today, just a few dozen are still in flying condition. 10 AFP\n\nTopics: world-war-2, history, myanmar\n\nFirst posted"} {"text": " 43 Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton found a defender Thursday in \u201cMorning Joe\u201d host Joe Scarborough, who said Clinton never explicitly said her Democratic presidential rival Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) was \u201cunqualified\u201d to be President. 30 Scarborough, a former Republican congressman from Florida, said Clinton dodged his direct question about whether she thought Sanders was qualified for the nation\u2019s highest office. 34 \u201cI tried to get Hillary Clinton four times \u2013 three or four times \u2013 to say that Bernie Sanders was unqualified to be President of the United States,\u201d he said. 71 \u201cI keep going until I get an answer or give up and after three or four attempts with Secretary Clinton, I gave up because she was not going to say the words \u2018He is unqualified to be President of the United States.\u2019\u201d\n\nScarborough then asked MSNBC contributor Mike Barnicle if his take away from the interview was Clinton arguing that Sanders isn\u2019t qualified. 21 \u201cNo, she clearly did not say Bernie Sanders was not qualified to be President,\u201d Barnicle agreed. 46 \u201cThis is going to be a 12-day tension convention here in New York state between Sen. Sanders and Secretary Clinton.\u201d\n\nCo-host Mika Brzezinski pointed out Clinton said Sanders hadn\u2019t \u201cdone his homework\u201d about how to restructure the big banks. 14 \u201cBut she never said he was not qualified,\u201d Scarborough responded. 19 Scarborough pressed Clinton three times on whether Sanders is ready to be President on Wednesday\u2019s show. 61 Clinton didn\u2019t explicitly call the senator \u201cunqualified,\u201d but did say Sanders \u201chasn\u2019t done his homework\u201d and has been talking about \u201cdoing things that he obviously hasn\u2019t really studied or understood.\u201d\n\nClinton also questioned Sanders\u2019 credentials as a Democrat in two Wednesday interviews, including on MSNBC. 20 Sanders hit back over the remarks, saying \u201cI don\u2019t believe that she is qualified.\u201d"} {"text": " 58 Republican lawmakers returning to Washington are being bombarded with questions about whether their party is coming apart over Donald Trump Donald John TrumpREAD: Cohen testimony alleges Trump knew Stone talked with WikiLeaks about DNC emails Trump urges North Korea to denuclearize ahead of summit Venezuela's Maduro says he fears 'bad' people around Trump MORE. 27 Many are undecided over whether to support Trump, their presumptive presidential nominee, creating a schism in the party unlike anything seen in modern politics. 109 ADVERTISEMENT\n\nThe top two leaders in Congress, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell Addison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellWhite House pleads with Senate GOP on emergency declaration Senate Dems seek to turn tables on GOP in climate change fight Pence meets with Senate GOP for 'robust' discussion on Trump declaration MORE (R-Ky.) and Speaker Paul Ryan Paul Davis RyanBrexit and exit: A transatlantic comparison Five takeaways from McCabe\u2019s allegations against Trump The Hill's 12:30 Report: Sanders set to shake up 2020 race MORE (R-Wis.), are divided over backing Trump ahead of meetings with the businessman on Thursday. 53 The second-place finisher in the GOP race, Sen. Ted Cruz Rafael (Ted) Edward CruzCornyn less popular than Cruz in Texas: poll Trump unleashing digital juggernaut ahead of 2020 Inviting Kim Jong Un to Washington MORE (R-Texas), has shown no signs of an imminent Trump endorsement. 36 And a group of influential conservatives led by Bill Kristol, the editor of the Weekly Standard, and Erick Erickson, a writer and radio host, are scrambling to find a third-party alternative. 34 Republican lawmakers worry that some of Trump\u2019s positions, such as banning Muslims from entering the country and building a wall along the southern border, will sink the GOP brand. 18 But only a few are willing to say so publicly, fearing a backlash from his supporters. 84 \u201cTo the extent that people coalesce around our presumptive nominee, if people assume that those are our policy positions, that\u2019s troubling, it really is,\u201d said Sen. Jeff Flake Jeffrey (Jeff) Lane FlakeBrexit and exit: A transatlantic comparison Poll: 33% of Kentucky voters approve of McConnell Trump suggests Heller lost reelection bid because he was 'hostile' during 2016 presidential campaign MORE (R-Ariz.), who is not endorsing Trump. 93 \u201cWe want to support our nominee but as long as he takes some of these positions it makes it very difficult.\u201d\n\nOther Republicans offer vague support, pledging to back \u201cthe ticket\u201d or keep Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton Hillary Diane Rodham ClintonREAD: Cohen testimony alleges Trump knew Stone talked with WikiLeaks about DNC emails County GOP in Minnesota shares image comparing Sanders to Hitler Holder: 'Time to make the Electoral College a vestige of the past' MORE out of the White House without mentioning Trump. 92 Sen. Johnny Isakson John (Johnny) Hardy IsaksonWhip List: Where Republicans stand on emergency declaration vote On The Money: Lawmakers wait for Trump verdict on border deal | Trump touts deal as offering B for security | McConnell presses Trump to sign off | National debt tops T | Watchdog details IRS shutdown woes Trump criticizes border wall deal: 'Can't say I'm happy' MORE (R-Ga.) says he\u2019s going to worry about his own reelection instead of the national party turmoil. 18 \u201cThe most important thing I can control is me and getting reelected,\u201d he said. 31 A new Landmark Communications/Rosetta Stone poll shows Trump and Clinton in a statistical tie in Georgia, a state that Republican nominees have carried in the past five presidential elections. 11 Trump\u2019s allies are scrambling to shore up support. 75 Sen. Jeff Sessions Jefferson (Jeff) Beauregard SessionsFormer Trump refugee director did not notify superiors about family separation warnings Court rejects challenge to Mueller's appointment Trump says he hasn't spoken to Barr about Mueller report MORE (R-Ala.), who for a long time was the only member of the Senate to have endorsed Trump, said efforts are underway to set up meetings between the billionaire and skeptical colleagues. 18 He said there would be \u201cmore than one\u201d meeting but declined to offer further detail. 24 Gleeful Democrats have been quick to exploit the chaos, using Trump\u2019s controversial statements and positions to attack vulnerable GOP incumbents. 7 \u201cDonald Trump is no accident. 7 His nomination is not some mistake. 54 Donald Trump is the natural evolution of a party that spent eight years honing a platform that is anti-immigrant, anti-woman, anti-Obama and anti-working people,\u201d Harry Reid Harry Mason ReidSenate confirms Trump court pick despite missing two 'blue slips' Can Lindsey Graham take the politics out of judicial battles? 18 Bottom Line MORE, the Senate Democratic leader from Nevada, said on the floor Monday afternoon. 10 Republican strategists acknowledge the party is in uncharted territory. 23 They\u2019re urging embattled lawmakers to do whatever is necessary to avoid becoming collateral damage if Trump\u2019s candidacy implodes. 43 \u201cThe best course of action is to acknowledge that you\u2019re not going to avoid media questions on Trump but handle it definitively one way or the other,\u201d said Josh Holmes, a former senior aide to McConnell. 71 \u201cThe best way to handle it is to clearly articulate your view in a way that does not subject you to an ongoing discussion of everything Donald Trump says and does going forward.\u201d\n\nSen. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.), who faces a tough reelection race in a state President Obama carried twice, tried to do just that in an op-ed published Sunday by The Philadelphia Inquirer. 32 He urged Trump to unify the party by convincing him and his colleagues that he is committed to the principles of limited government, individual freedom and a strong national defense. 34 Toomey also warned against using political tactics that divide the electorate by race, sex and income, \u201cpitting Americans against one another in a cynical effort\u201d to advance political interests. 52 And he called on the combative nominee to ease up on personal attacks and \u201cconsider the value of constructive advice.\u201d\n\nBut with Trump a magnet for controversy, Republicans are likely to be fielding questions about him from now until Election Day, regardless of whether they support him. 29 Trump\u2019s victory in the Republican presidential primary, which he cemented last week by trouncing Cruz in Indiana, has created several worries for the GOP. 23 The businessman\u2019s numbers with Hispanics, white women and young voters \u2014 three crucial swing blocs \u2014 border on disastrous. 18 And his unchained rhetoric and bombastic style mean the general election could take unexpected twists and turns. 37 Yet voters have turned out in historic numbers in the Republican presidential primary to support Trump, and he\u2019s drawn many Democrats and independents into the fold, enlarging the party\u2019s tent. 44 That dynamic puts GOP lawmakers facing tough reelection races in an excruciating position: They don\u2019t want to alienate Trump\u2019s supporters by criticizing him, but fear that alienating women and Hispanics if they back the businessman too strongly. 62 Sen. John McCain John Sidney McCainGOP lobbyists worry Trump lags in K Street fundraising Mark Kelly kicks off Senate bid: \u2018A mission to lift up hardworking Arizonans\u2019 Gabbard hits back at Meghan McCain after fight over Assad MORE (R-Ariz.), the 2008 Republican nominee for president, is caught in the vice as much as anyone. 37 More than 20 percent of the state\u2019s eligible voters are Hispanic, yet Arizona Republicans have a history of backing the kind of hard-line anti-immigrant measures that are part of Trump\u2019s platform. 51 McCain, who also has to worry about a late primary date in August, is backing Trump, somewhat reluctantly, but other senior party leaders, such as Mitt Romney, the 2012 nominee, and the past two Republican presidents, George W. Bush and George H.W. 9 Bush, don\u2019t plan to endorse. 23 As much as GOP candidates might be tempted to reject Trump, they could risk a fatal political backlash for doing so. 35 \u201cTrump won so many votes in Republican primaries that a lot of Republican lawmakers want to stay on the good side of his voters,\u201d said John Ullyot, a GOP strategist. 23 But other conservative strategists are warning of a general election bloodbath and urging Republicans to abandon Trump and support a third-party candidate. 57 \u201cWhite there is not a single blue state that risks going red because of Trump, there are now four red states that risk turning blue,\u201d Erickson wrote on The Resurgent, his website, pointing to Utah, Georgia, Mississippi and Arizona as states that could go to Democrats in November. 14 \u201cRepublican races in the Senate have all been downgraded for the GOP. 12 Numerous House races are in jeopardy too,\u201d he wrote. 21 But Erickson and allied conservatives have yet to find a viable alternative candidate who wants to wage a third-party bid."} {"text": " 33 Back in April of 2016, New York City\u2019s music scene lost a major part of its independence when AEG Live purchased Bowery Presents, the prominent East Coast promoter. 34 Today, the dominos continue to fall as Bowery Ballroom and Mercury Lounge, the two major venues not included in the AEG-Bowery deal, have announced a new partnership with Live Nation. 25 Michael Swier, the founder of Bowery Ballroom and Mercury Lounge, has joined forces with the concert giant to form Mercury East Productions. 40 Swier, who also co-founded Bowery Presents before leaving the company in 2010, will retain ownership of the clubs with his partners, though all shows there will now be booked and promoted under the Mercury East banner. 40 The deal also includes support for staging concerts at Madison Square Garden and Radio City Music Hall, and teams Mercury East with Founders Entertainment, the Live Nation-owned group behind the Governors Ball and The Meadows music festivals. 39 \u201cThe way the landscape has changed these days, with consolidation, this is the counterbalance one would need to exist and compete with the formidable Bowery Presents-AEG alliance,\u201d Swier told The New York Times. 55 \u201cGoing it alone was not an option.\u201d\n\n(Read: The 100 Greatest American Music Venues)\n\nThe Bowery-AEG partnership included venues like Terminal 5, Music Hall of Williamsburg, Rough Trade, and the newly opened Brooklyn Steel, as well as a number of clubs along the East Coast. 21 AEG and the owners of the Barclays Center recently purchased Webster Hall and shut it down ahead of major renovations. 36 Mercury East, meanwhile, puts Mercury Lounge and Bowery Ballroom in the same pool as Live Nation\u2019s Irving Plaza, Gramercy Theater, Warsaw, and the Ford Amphitheater in Coney Island. 27 There are also rough plans to open new venues around the city and expand the Mercury brand along the East Coast, just as Bowery has. 31 In other words, there are no major concert venues left in NYC that are not affiliated with either AEG, Live Nation, or the Madison Square Garden Company. 31 Though Swier saw the move as necessary to compete with the AEG giant next door, he says Mercury East won\u2019t impact the way he runs his venues. 16 \u201cThey haven\u2019t totally taken away the indie mind-set,\u201d he said. 7 \u201cThat is my core.\u201d"} {"text": " 33 Illinois State Representative Brandon Phelps has sponsored a bill which would repeal the ban on silencers in the Land of Lincoln and allow them to be used while hunting, to boot. 26 What are the odds that Democrat Phelps\u2019 bill will pass, allowing more people access to a bit of common sense firearm safety equipment? 31 Hard to say, but probably less than the chances that a news outlet could run a story on the subject without including some feckless non-sequitur from an anti-rights organization . 1 . 1 . 27 The bill\u2019s sponsor, Rep. Brandon Phelps, D-Harrisburg, said gun owners want silencers for a simple reason: to avoid hearing loss. 25 \u201cThere are a lot of veterans, a lot of hunters and shooters, who have suffered hearing loss,\u201d Phelps said\u2026. 28 Mark Walsh, campaign director for the Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence, said Illinois has about 1,000 deaths annually from gunshots, including homicides and suicides. 18 \u201cAdding silencers to that mix, I think is a bad policy,\u201d Walsh said. 36 \u201cIt\u2019s a bill that we would be opposed to.\u201d\n\nFor the life of me, I can\u2019t imagine why anyone has a serious objection to the ownership of silencers. 18 In notorously gun-squeamish places like continental Europe or the UK, silencers are considered to be\u2026good manners. 21 This Democrat from Illinois has a good idea, said not many people ever in the history of the world. 35 I\u2019m sure this bill can use all the calls to Land o\u2019 Lincoln legislators it can get in order to get it on Governor Rauner\u2019s desk for a signature."} {"text": " 22 Compendium of Beastly Breeds A compendium for those, that wish to learn how to properly take care of\n\nextraplanar breeds. 14 Beastly Breeds These dogs were discovered or bred by\n\ncunning and adventures scholars. 19 Who for years have searched for some of these breeds, throughout the lands of the different planes. 15 Those which are found on the different planes of existence have properties to match. 14 Volo himself found the Blackhound while traveling the grimy plane of the Shadowfell. 10 Breeding these beasts is not recommended for untrained folks. 25 As you might have already guessed, most of these breeds behave like \"normal\", human loving dogs from the Material Plane. 11 If one can except their downsides... or murderous tendencies. 41 The dogs documented in this compendium are distant cousins or rare offshoots of other common dog breeds, bred with magical beasts, or in some\n\nrarer cases, dogs stuck in a particular \"state\"\n\nof their lives. 16 Scholars are constantly discovering newer\n\nand more useful breeds or more uses for older breeds. 9 So nothing is certain and nothing is final. 22 New breeds may be added to the compendium when a scholar with new and or useful knowledge survives the return journey. 9 We sincerely hope they manage this scholarly struggle. 5 Keen Hearing and Smell. 8 One thing at least is for sure. 23 All of these horrifying breeds have one thing in common, all of them have very good sense of smell and hearing. 3 Merciless Hunters. 7 No matter, how they look. 21 Each and every one of the documented below breeds, are bread or created to hunt, or outright kill. 22 They can ram, bite, burn or claw anyone they decide, they don't like or are sicced upon. 14 Anyone defenseless or rather squishy individual should be warry around these merciless beasts. 3 Spiteful Services. 26 Despite looking strikingly like man's best friend, these monsters aren't as keen to serve a master, as their more ordinary counterparts. 26 A lot of the documented breed below will outright refuse to serve masters who are unable to rule over the creature with an iron fist. 16 A firm voice and prominent postures are what keep these breeds subservient and in check. 29 Otherwise, they might not listen to their new master, in the best of cases, or outright maul their face off in the worst of cases. 20 Arborean Were Hound Bred by the warlike avareli, for defense against the lycanthropy attacks on their great sects. 34 This breed reached the peak of its popularity, as scholars have determined, centuries ago when there were still werewolves on the planes of Arvandor, fighting in packs for the avareli. 24 The were hound has almost no distinguishing features, from its counterpart on the Material Plane, also has the same varied palate. 10 Besides its transformation, which occurs every full moon. 36 This breed is perfect for the brave hunter, who isn't above chaining up his faithful companion, once every couple of weeks, to a tree and running far away for the night. 12 Perfect for hunting larger game, and defending yourself against were-beasts. 27 Just be sure to always have a silvered weapon close by and always speak clearly and sharply, so it knows who's the pack leader. 144 Arborean Were Hound Medium beast (shapechanger), unaligned Armor Class 12, 13 (natural armor) in were form\n\n12, 13 (natural armor) in were form Hit Points 45 (6d8 + 18)\n\n45 (6d8 + 18) Speed 40 ft., (50 ft., climb 40 ft. in were form) STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA 16 (+3) 14 (+2) 16 (+3) 5 (-3) 11 (+0) 6 (-2) Damage Immunities bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage from non magical weapons that aren't silvered\n\nbludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage from non magical weapons that aren't silvered Senses passive Perception 10\n\npassive Perception 10 Languages -\n\n- Challenge 3 (700 XP) Keen Hearing and Smell. 19 The arborean were hound has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on hearing or smell. 3 Pack Tactics. 37 The arborean were hound has advantage on an attack roll against a creature if at least one of the were hound's allies is within 5 feet of the creature and the ally isn't incapacitated. 2 Shapechanger. 26 The arborean were hound can use its action to polymorph into a were-hound form, or back into its true form, which is dog-like. 17 Its statistics are the same, other than its AC and size, in each form. 10 It reverts to its true form if it dies. 8 Actions Multiattack (Were Form Only). 19 The arborean were hound makes two attacks: one with its bite and one with its claws Bite. 14 Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5ft., one target. 10 Hit 7 (1d8 + 3) piercing damage. 2 Claw. 14 Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5ft., one target. 10 Hit 8 (2d4 + 3) slashing damage. 20 1\n\nBlood-hound Probably the most alien breed documented in this compendium, the blood-hound is unquestionably foreign to us. 34 This strange creature has the ability to move through small holes, transform at will into a medium-sized blood puddle, survive without air or water, and the power to digest anything. 20 The poor scholars that came across this breed have managed to accumulate at least some useful knowledge about it. 42 This is the perfect breed for mercenaries or hunters, who are used to hunting only by scent, the blood-hound needs only a drop of blood to locate its target, even if they are on another plane of existence. 23 Even though they aren't very smart, they are quite tough and unrelenting, chasing their pray until the very end. 25 To any mercenary or adventurer who comes across one of these abominations for the first time they can make for a truly horrifying sight. 30 This breed is easier to train and look after, though most scholars suggest you wear clothes that don't stain and command with a fierce tone of voice. 22 It is thought that this breed was summoned by foul clerics and wizards, to act as guardians for their lairs. 7 Damnation Now this is truly unnerving. 31 It is thought that some perverted mind bred a gibbering mouther with a type of dog from the Material Plane, to create this sick perversion of the natural order. 11 This is the preferred pet for any evil inclined individual. 39 Thus far the most intelligent of all the discovered monstrous breeds, the damnation isn't as combat-oriented, but still harbors malicious intents, toward almost anyone it can see... which can be anyone around it. 13 It executes its plans far more craftily than the typical hunting dog. 13 This breed is perfect for goading foolish adventurers, into dastardly traps. 27 It's required for one to have an iron fist and cunning intellect to command this breed and stay one step ahead of its clever mind. 20 The monster won't always do as told and has a tendency to eat anything that smells remotely edible. 14 Hellish Burnard This devilishly looking beast will make any monster owning adventurer proud. 9 Too bad it doesn't work for free. 41 Scholars have found out, through trial and error, that this vial breed takes its master or owner, as more of a contract holder, to whom it has landed its skills until their mutually beneficial contract expires. 20 It will not serve you unless you offered it something that is precious to you... or your soul. 47 This explains why we have only been able to spot them lurking in the fiery pits of the Nine Hells.It doesn't typically follow commands from a good-aligned creature, neither will they make a contract with them, unless in the direst, of circumstances. 22 The hellish burnard is perfect for hunting large game, and even minor demons, which it seems to hate fiercely. 29 This breed is ideal for protecting wizards dabbling in the affairs of demons, or for hunters who would like to feel safe while hunting in monster-infested ruins. 23 They are fairly obedient and vicious carnivores, preferring t eat raw meat which they roast in their gully, before swallowing. 45 Just be careful not to anger this powerful beast...\n\nBlood-hound Medium elemental, chaotic neutral Armor Class 13 (natural armour)\n\n13 (natural armour) Hit Points 30 (4d8 + 12)\n\n30 (4d8 + 12) Speed 35ft. 116 STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA 12 (+1) 13 (+1) 17 (+3) 4 (-3) 14 (+2) 6 (-2) Skills Perception +4, Stealth +3\n\nPerception +4, Stealth +3 Damage Resistances bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks\n\nbludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks Condition Immunities exhaustion, grappled, paralyzed, petrified, prone, restrained, unconscious\n\nexhaustion, grappled, paralyzed, petrified, prone, restrained, unconscious Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 11\n\ndarkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 11 Languages -\n\n- Challenge 2 (450 XP) Keen Smell. 15 The blood-hound has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on smell. 3 Liquid State. 12 The elemental can enter a hostile creature's spaceand stop there. 15 It can move through a space as narrow as 1 inch wide without squeezing. 2 Overflow. 25 If the blood-hound is healed past its maximum hit points, it receives a temporary hit point for each point healed over its maximum. 3 Actions Bite. 14 Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5ft., one target. 10 Hit 5 (1d8 + 1) piercing damage. 3 Bloody Saunter. 22 The blood-hound moves in the form of a blood puddle up to 15 ft. away, provoking no attacks of opportunity. 116 2\n\nDamnation Medium aberration, lawful evil Armor Class 12\n\n12 Hit Points 18 (4d8)\n\n18 (4d8) Speed 40 ft. STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA 12 (+1) 14 (+2) 10 (+0) 15 (+2) 12 (+1) 8 (-1) Skills Arcana +4, Insight +3,Perception +6\n\nArcana +4, Insight +3,Perception +6 Senses truesight 120 ft., passive Perception 16 (natural)\n\ntruesight 120 ft., passive Perception 16 (natural) Languages understands abyssal, but can't speak, telepathy 30 ft.\n\nunderstands abyssal, but can't speak, telepathy 30 ft. 9 Challenge 2 (450 XP) All-Around Vision. 19 The damation can't be surprised, and enemies can\u2019t gain combat advantage by flanking it. 3 Keen Senses. 19 The damnation has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on hearing, sight and smell. 3 Actions Bite. 14 Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5ft., one target. 10 Hit 5 (1d6 + 2) piercing damage. 2 Gore. 14 Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5ft., one target. 10 Hit 7 (2d4 + 2) piercing damage. 67 Hellish Burnard Medium fiend (devil), neutral evil Armor Class 13\n\n13 Hit Points 32 (5d8 + 10)\n\n32 (5d8 + 10) Speed 40 ft., 15 ft. fly STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA 15 (+2) 14 (+2) 14 (+2) 6 (-2) 10 (+0) 5 (-3) Skills. 93 Athletics +4, Insight +2, Perception +2\n\nAthletics +4, Insight +2, Perception +2 Damage Resistances cold, bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from non magical weapons that aren't silvered\n\ncold, bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from non magical weapons that aren't silvered Damage Immunities fire\n\nfire Senses darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 10\n\ndarkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 10 Languages understands Infernal, but can't speak, telepathy 60 ft.\n\nunderstands Infernal, but can't speak, telepathy 60 ft. 10 Challenge 2 (450 XP) Devil's Sight. 11 Magical darkness doesn't impede the hellish burnard's darkvision. 2 Charge. 38 If the hellish burnard moves at least 20 ft. straight toward a target and then hits it with a ram attack on the same turn, the target takes an extra 5 (2d8) bludgeoning damage. 22 If the target is a creature, it must succeed on a DC 13 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone. 5 Keen Hearing and Smell. 18 The hellish burnard has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on hearing or smell. 3 Actions Bite. 14 Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5ft., one target. 17 Hit 9 (2d6 + 2) piercing damage plus 4 (1d8) fire damage. 2 Ram. 14 Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5ft., one target. 10 Hit 6 (1d8 + 2) bludgeoning damage. 26 3\n\nJawmeranian Found in an isolated part of the Feywild, this particular breed was thought to have evolved naturally, with no outside interventions. 37 Our scholars only managed to find it by accident, when one of them stumbled upon one jawmeranian scavenging for food, since they seen to have, utterly devastated the area surrounding their hidden alcove. 19 They seem to be able to chew and digest anything, though they prefer fish and small faeries. 20 They aren't picky when it comes to climate because their fur protects them from almost all climate changes. 31 As far as our scholars have discovered, they are very dull and slow-witted, they do take commands, but only after you scream it at the several times. 36 Niflheim Iced Akita The now ruined Niflheim, merged with the Elemental Chaos, was very dangerous to find, but our team of expert, adventurer scholars, were sent there on a mission. 31 To find this breed specifically, following an odd rumor, we heard in a tavern in Sigil, about a pack of frozen half-wolfs running in the frozen mists. 10 We initially dismissed it as some kind of ghost... 22 This adorable, frozen beast is intelligent, loving and loyal to a fold... and freezes most everything around it. 29 Our scholars discovered, that this is the perfect breed for hauling heavy objects across the frozen wastelands, running down hurt animals, and quick-freezing your food. 13 Its favorite food is flavored ice, and it's easily trained. 13 Great for anyone willing to put up with a bit of ice. 24 Shadowhound The smaller and faster cousin of the shadow mastiff, this breed too was discovered by Volo's expedition to the Shadowfell. 33 Though it is still unknown what twisted mind took the time and effort to, breed this twisted shadowy monster, the scholars have found a couple of uses for this breed. 48 For example, this is one of the most energetic beasts on the planes of the Shadowfell, if one wishes to procure one of these beasts, one must be ready to chase it and scramble after it, or lose sight of it fairly quickly. 24 This breed requires lots of exercises and needs to be kept in almost total darkness or become progressively weaker until they evaporate completely. 9 They do not seem to need any food. 15 Unlike the other documented breeds, the shadowhound is a bit easier to command. 11 They listen to commands and enjoy running quite a lot. 24 This breed is also perfect for hunting during the darkest hours of the night, or in the darkest corners of the world. 10 Ideal for hunting the fastest and smallest of animals. 114 Jawmeranian Large fey, unaligned Armor Class 13 (natural armour)\n\n13 (natural armour) Hit Points 56 (8d10 + 12)\n\n56 (8d10 + 12) Speed 35 ft. STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA 16 (+3) 11 (+0) 15 (+2) 3 (-4) 10 (+0) 6 (-2) Skills Athletics +5, Perception +2\n\nAthletics +5, Perception +2 Damage Resistances cold, fire\n\ncold, fire Senses low-light vision 60 ft., passive Perception 10\n\nlow-light vision 60 ft., passive Perception 10 Languages -\n\n- Challenge 3 (700 XP) Keen Hearing and Smell. 17 The jawmeranian has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on hearing or smell. 3 Magic Resistance. 14 The jawmeranian has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects. 3 Pack Tactics. 34 The jawmeranian has advantage on an attack roll against a creature if at least one of the jawmeranian's allies is within 5 ft. of the creature and the ally isn't incapacitated. 3 Actions Bite. 14 Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5ft., one target. 21 Hit 10 (2d6 + 3) piercing damage, and the target is grappled (escape DC 12). 19 Until this grapple ends, the target is restrained, and the jawmeranian can't bite another target. 34 4\n\nSoulful Retriever Noticed by the scholars, who have been to the other side and back, these trustworthy ghosts, have the form of a normal dog from the Material Plane. 23 If one can ignore the damp trailing mist around its body and the blood-curdling screams coming from the bottle in its mouth. 20 The soulful retriever is an unusual undead that patrols the Ethereal and Border realm, searching for lost souls. 33 Unlike the other evil inclined monster documented here, this breed, if it can even be called that, positively radiates joy when it sees a human or a humanoid ghost. 36 This is no problem for a ghost, as the scholars have already found out, the soulful retriever will simply lead the lost or roaming soul to their designated place in the astral seas. 51 If, however, by some strange manner it finds a living being in its realm it will simply lead it in circles until the poor creature is hopelessly lost or withered away into a lost soul itself, at which point the soulful retriever will carry out its duties. 29 It doesn't seem to be tamable, since after a while it just wonders off, or goes back to the Ethereal plane to continue its services. 19 We have found out that soulful retriever doesn't require air, food, drink, or sleep. 68 Niflheim Iced Akita Medium elemental, unalinged Armor Class 13 (natural armor)\n\n13 (natural armor) Hit Points 26 (4d8 + 8)\n\n26 (4d8 + 8) Speed 40 ft. STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA 12 (+1) 16 (+3) 15 (+2) 6 (-2) 9 (+0) 5 (-3) Skills. 89 Perception +2, Stealth +5\n\nPerception +2, Stealth +5 Damage Vulnerabilities fire\n\nfire Damage Resistances acid; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks\n\nacid; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks Damage Immunities cold, poison\n\ncold, poison Condition Immunities exhaustion, poisoned\n\nexhaustion, poisoned Senses passive Perception 10\n\npassive Perception 10 Languages understands Aquan and Auran, but can't speak\n\nunderstands Aquan and Auran, but can't speak Challenge 3 (700 XP) Arctic Camouflage. 19 The niflheim iced akita has advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks made ti hude in snowy terrain. 17 Death Burst.When the niflheim iced akita dies, it explodes in a burst of jagged ice. 38 Each creature within 5 feet of it must make a DC 11 Dexterity saving throw, taking 5 (1d10) slashing damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. 5 Keen Hearing and Smell. 19 The niflheim iced akita has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on hearing or smell. 3 Actions Bite. 14 Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5ft., one target. 40 Hit 6 (1d8 + 2) piercing damage plus 5 (2d4) cold damage, and the target must succeed on a DC 11 Constitution saving throw or become restrained until the end of its next turn. 19 Frost Breath (Recharge 6): The niflheim iced akita exhales a 15-foot line of cold air. 36 Each creature in that line must succeed on a DC 12 Dexterity saving throw, taking (2d6) cold damage on a failed save, or haalf as much damage on a succeddful one. 28 5\n\nShadowhound Medium monstrosity, chaotic neutral Armor Class 13\n\n13 Hit Points 30 (4d8 + 12)\n\n30 (4d8 + 12) Speed 40ft. 100 STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA 6 (-2) 16 (+3) 16 (+3) 4 (-3) 12 (+1) 8 (-1) Skills Perception +3, Stealth +4\n\nPerception +3, Stealth +4 Damage Immunities bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks while in dim light or darkness\n\nbludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks while in dim light or darkness Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 11\n\ndarkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 11 Languages -\n\n- Challenge 2 (450 XP) Dark Fusion. 19 While in dim light or darkness, the blackhound can take the Hide action as a free action. 5 Keen Hearing and Smell. 17 The blackhound has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on hearing or smell. 3 Pack Tactics. 34 The blackhound has advantage on an attack roll against a creature if at least one of the blackhound's allies is within 5 feet of the creature and the ally isn't incapacitated. 3 Light Allergies. 19 While in sunlight, the blackhound has disadvantage on attack rolls, ability checks, and saving throws. 12 It also takes 4 (1d8) radiant damage every turn. 3 Actions Bite. 14 Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5ft., one target. 10 Hit 7 (1d8 + 3) piercing damage. 145 Soulful Retriever Medium undead, lawful neutral Armor Class 12\n\n12 Hit Points 26 (4d8 + 8)\n\n26 (4d8 + 8) Speed 40 ft., 10 ft. fly STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA 6 (-2) 14 (+2) 14 (+2) 7 (-2) 13 (+1) 5 (-3) Damage Resistances fire, lightning, thunder, bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks\n\nfire, lightning, thunder, bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks Damage Immunities cold, necrotic\n\ncold, necrotic Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion, frightened, petrified, poisoned, restrained\n\ncharmed, exhaustion, frightened, petrified, poisoned, restrained Senses passive Perception 10\n\npassive Perception 10 Languages -\n\n- Challenge 3 (700 XP) Incorporeal Movement. 17 The soulful retriever can move through other creatures and objects as if they were difficult terrain. 17 It takes 5 (1d10) force damage if it ends its turn inside an object. 5 Keen Hearing and Smell. 18 The soulful retriever has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on hearing or smell. 4 Actions Withering Lick. 14 Melee Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, reach 5ft., one target. 8 Hit 7 (2d6) necrotic damage. 2 Etherealness. 16 The soulful retriever enters the Ethereal Plane from the Material Plane, or vice versa. 34 It is visible on the Material Plane while it is in the Border Ethereal, and vice versa, yet it can't affect or be affected by anything on the other plane. 1 6"} {"text": " 39 (Reuters Health) - The Affordable Care Act likely extended the lives of thousands of seniors who took advantage of free screening exams and were diagnosed with treatable, early-stage colorectal cancer, a new study suggests. 52 FILE PHOTO - The federal government forms for applying for health coverage are seen at a rally held by supporters of the Affordable Care Act, widely referred to as \"Obamacare\", outside the Jackson-Hinds Comprehensive Health Center in Jackson, Mississippi, U.S. on October 4, 2013. 54 REUTERS/Jonathan Bachman/File Photo\n\n\u201cI think the prevention-related provisions of the Affordable Care Act helped to detect cancer at earlier and more treatable stages and eventually will save lives,\u201d said senior author Nengliang \u201cAaron\u201d Yao, a health-policy professor at the University of Virginia School of Medicine in Charlottesville. 38 Before the Affordable Care Act, often called Obamacare, took effect, people ages 65 and older who were insured under Medicare had to pay $275 for colonoscopies, the report in Health Affairs says. 15 The Affordable Care Act (ACA) directed that colonoscopies be offered for free. 34 From 2011, when the law took effect, until 2013, an additional 8,400 seniors, or 8 percent more than before, were diagnosed with early-stage colorectal cancer, researchers estimated. 50 \u201cThe study does a very nice job of showing that when you remove financial barriers to healthcare, health improves,\u201d said Dr. Cary Gross, a professor at the Yale School of Medicine, in New Haven, Connecticut who was not involved in the study. 70 \u201cWhen the Affordable Care Act granted more generous coverage, we were more likely to detect cancer at an earlier stage.\u201d\n\n\u201cThis shows that when it comes to creating a new healthcare plan, the devil\u2019s in the details, and policymakers need to look at things like how will the proposed changes affect cancer screening,\u201d Gross said in a phone interview. 26 Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of U.S. cancer-related deaths, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC. 10 Nearly 52,000 Americans died from colorectal cancer in 2013. 38 Though research shows that screening reduces the risk of dying from colorectal cancer, only 25 percent of uninsured people and 60 percent of insured people had been screened as recommended, a 2015 CDC study showed. 36 Both Yao and Gross would like President Donald Trump and Republican lawmakers, who have pledged to repeal the ACA, to consider the ramifications of the new study before ruling on future healthcare legislation. 29 \u201cI\u2019m very concerned that policymakers who are trying to save money by not covering cancer-prevention services are being penny-wise and pound-foolish,\u201d Gross said. 82 \u201cThey may save money today, but we will be paying a lot more taking care of patients with metastatic cancer down the road.\u201d\n\n\u201cI\u2019m worried on behalf of our patients and our communities that these great strides we\u2019ve made against cancer will evaporate if the important provisions of the Affordable Care Act, which ensure that patients can access cancer screening services without additional costs, are taken away,\u201d he said. 16 In the new study, researchers examined data from 18 cancer registries across the U.S. 36 They found no change in the number of Medicare early-stage cancer diagnoses for breast cancer between the period before Obamacare, from 2008 until 2010, until the period after, from 2011 until 2013. 46 Mammography to screen for breast cancer became free for Medicare patients under the ACA, but before that, it cost just $9 \u2013 a significantly smaller financial barrier than the $275 cost of a colonoscopy, Yao said in a phone interview. 23 In addition, breast cancer screening had been marketed more successfully than colorectal screening before the ACA was enacted, he said. 30 Gross noted that colonoscopies can actually prevent cancer, because doctors can remove polyps during the procedure, whereas mammograms only allow doctors to see growths in the breast. 30 The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force found convincing evidence that colorectal cancer screening substantially reduces deaths in adults between 50 and 75 years old, it said last year. 20 The task force recommended screening with colonoscopy, stool analyses or flexible sigmoidoscopy combined with a fecal-occult blood test. 22 The new study could not determine the impact of free colonoscopies on metastatic colorectal cancer rates or mortality from colorectal cancer. 12 Gross urged follow-up studies examining those numbers after they become available. 12 SOURCE: bit.ly/2jhSW2H Health Affairs, online January 9, 2017."} {"text": " 22 Of course, some of this is because Facebook was wise enough to seed its SDK to developers months in advance. 21 But it's also because the company laid out its groundwork for bots in Messenger as early as last year. 26 In 2015, Facebook unveiled its Messenger for Businesses program, which would allow consumers like you and me to talk with businesses on Messenger. 25 You could chat with Hyatt to ask for more towels in your room or with Sprint to find out why your network was slow. 23 Of course, you'd be speaking to a customer-support agent rather than a bot, but it was a starting point. 40 On top of that, Facebook has been working with partners like Uber, Lyft and KLM to try out an early version of a bot system where you could request a car or book a flight through Messenger. 24 \"These [programs] really formed what is being built today,\" said Peter Martinazzi, a product manager for Messenger. 20 \"We did a really slow and deliberate approach over the past year, learning along the way.\" 13 The Messenger for Businesses initiatives, he said, have been successful. 14 \"People have messaged businesses twice as much as they did before.\" 16 The result is a healthy roster of partners right when Messenger's bot platform launches. 35 Big national brands like Bank of America and Burger King are already onboard while news outlets like CNN and The Wall Street Journal are already using the service to deliver headlines on the fly. 21 Microsoft, on the other hand, only had a few Bing bots on Skype when it announced its platform. 23 It seems that even though Microsoft announced its bot platform two weeks before Facebook did, the latter is already well ahead. 51 That's not to say that Microsoft didn't already have a few bot initiatives going: It's experimented with Tay, the infamous Twitter bot, and it has deployed several thousand bots on WeChat, a popular chat app in China, before having them pulled down. 34 Indeed, Tay is actually a spin-off of Xiaoice, a bot that's been on WeChat, Weibo and Line (two other popular Asian chat apps) for a few years. 15 But none of that is useful if Microsoft doesn't get help from developers. 26 Facebook, on the other hand, already has a healthy relationship with plenty of companies and brands, thanks to Pages and advertising initiatives. 22 So it wasn't too much of a leap to get many of them onboard the Messenger bot plan, too. 11 Companies already know that Facebook is where the money is. 13 Developing bots for Messenger ahead of competitors like Skype is a no-brainer."} {"text": " 31 Literature\n\nSW: A Dragoon's Bantha\n\nThe scent of smoking dewback hide filtered through the scrubbers in Moshier's helmet as he pressed against his dead mount's flank. 13 He still wasn't sure where the Sand People had come from. 35 One moment the patrol had been following in the trail of the probe droid as it scanned the dunes and the next it was down and the rest of the squad was under fire. 25 The other dewback rider in the squad had gone down first, and then Moshier had been dismounted by a shot to the leg. 19 The rest had happened so fast that Moshier wasn't even certain what had happened in what order. 19 All he knew for sure was that he was the only remaining member of his squad still standing. 16 He glanced down at the blasted greave where the raider's slug thrower had struck. 22 He'd been lucky, it might have blown a chunk out of his armor but he still had the leg. 19 Behind the dead dewback he could hear the snorting language of the Sand People as they moved around. 14 He wasn't sure if they knew he was still alive or not. 4 One thing was ce"} {"text": " 28 A trade pact between Australia and 10 other nations has been salvaged, with Canada returning to the negotiating table after boycotting talks at the last minute. 28 The 11-nation deal was thrown into limbo on Friday after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau snubbed a leader's meeting and raised a raft of unforeseen issues. 21 But negotiators from all countries involved in the Trans-Pacific Partnership, including Canada, held further talks on Friday night. 30 The 11 countries involved in the have reportedly agreed to core elements of a deal, while several provisions contained in the pact still need to be ironed out. 31 Australian officials remain tight-lipped on the progress, but New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said the so-called TPP-11 were no longer talking about countries walking away from the deal. 42 \"It would be fair to say that there is still a little bit of clarification required around where those talks have finally landed,\" Ms Ardern told reporters at the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Vietnam on Saturday. 25 \"But there is a view that things are being bought together, but there remains a bit of a work in progress.\" 15 Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull hoped to seal the mega trade deal while in Vietnam. 28 The 11 nations involved had worked in overdrive to resurrect the trade deal this week, which first fell apart after Donald Trump withdrew the United States. 26 Australia, Japan and other countries pushing hard to get the deal over the line were furious with Mr Trudeau's no-show on Friday evening. 26 New Zealand Trade Minister David Parker said the nation's had returned to a position where the text of the deal was \"stabilised\". 23 \"In that sense there is a legal agreement in respect of just about all of it,\" Mr Parker said. 20 \"The 'just about' could be important; there are four provisions of the TPP which are suspended. 25 Although progress has been made clarifying those issues, there is still more work to be done to bring them to a finality.\" 26 Earlier, Mr Trump effectively slammed the door shut on any hope of America rejoining the TPP negotiations during his address to the APEC summit. 22 The US president said he was willing to strike trade deals with Pacific nations, but only on a country-to-country basis. 29 Australia will still walk away from the summit with a free trade pact with Peru that will eliminate nearly all tariffs exporters face into the Latin American country. 19 The Peru agreement is a significant boost for Australia's sugar industry, farmers and mining services firms."} {"text": " 23 For the past 3 weeks I\u2019ve been building \u201cThe Cypherfunks\u201d, and it is now ready for pre-announcement. 19 \u201cThe Cypherfunks\u201d is a decentralized band and cryptocurrency: sustaining a new type of music collective. 27 To quote the website:\n\nThe idea is to create a music collective anyone can be a part of (in all manners of affiliation). 18 The time is ripe to attempt such an experiment thanks to the Internet, technology and cryptocurrencies. 28 With the age of the Internet, it\u2019s a given that the sum of the talent outside any group is always greater than those inside. 13 We see this with open source companies and projects such as Linux. 23 Collectively, the sum of contributions made possible through the Internet to a mutual goal, always results in wondrous new concepts. 12 \u201cThe Cypherfunks\u201d is such a new experiment towards music. 9 We are all part of one big band. 19 We release music under this collective, and we all have equal rights to \u201cThe Cypherfunks\u201d. 21 Music is to be produced, reproduced, shared, reshared, sampled, resampled in all forms and manner. 28 Like Lennon and McCartney famously collaborated within The Beatles, so can any form of affiliations come together as \u201cThe Cypherfunks\u201d to create and remix. 12 Anyone can also play and gig as \u201cThe Cypherfunks\u201d. 25 As bedroom producers, and garage acts, we know that this is a passion: a passion we would like to continue doing. 15 In order to sustain this: \u201cThe Cypherfunks\u201d is also a cryptocurrency. 16 We can tip, pay and transact with others in and outside of the collective. 4 Like a rendition? 5 Tip a fellow member. 21 Perhaps \u201cThe Cypherfunks\u201d want to play at a local venue, but don\u2019t have enough money? 5 Donate through the Internet. 30 The cryptocurrency also means that if the collective releases great music, we ALL become successful: enabling us to continue churning out great music to share and remix. 20 It is music, decentralized: attempting to be the world\u2019s biggest, and most diverse band. 8 We are ALL \u201cThe Cypherfunks\u201d. 4 A decentralized band. 6 An \u201copen-source\u201d band. 4 Everything is working. 16 Just have to do some final small adjustments, and it is good to go. 17 This is my first attempt at creating a cryptocurrency, so I anticipate some hiccups initially. 15 I hope you will bear with me, as we jam and music together! 11 The tentative release date is: 21 February 8am UTC. 25 This gives me the whole of Friday (I\u2019m GMT+2) to help and work out problems if there will be any. 6 This IS a community project. 8 I\u2019m only the lead developer. 14 We need miners, developer, musicians, listeners, fans, etc. 3 So join! 4 You are welcome! 29 More details on the website: http://thecypherfunks.com\n\nFollow @thecypherfunks where I\u2019ll be posting most of the updates in the run-up to the launch. 38 Thanks to the people who has been a soundboard for various parts of it so far: Christopher Franko, Bryce Weiner, Candice Holdsworth, Niel de la Rouviere, the \u201cCrypto Klets Kamer\u201d. 23 Here\u2019s the first song that forms part of the collective: a happy epic anthem about \u201cThe Cypherfunks\u201d. 2 Woohoo! 5 Let\u2019s go!"} {"text": " 6 The red cups are here! 26 That's right, it's officially the holiday season in Toronto because the Starbucks red cups have landed at cafes all across the city. 33 Instead of the much-maligned simple design from last year, Starbucks has introduced 13 different cups designed by loyal customers from around the world, including two artists from the Toronto area. 11 Starbucks asked customers to share their cup designs on Instagram. 13 The global coffee chain chose 13 from the 1,200 entries it received. 16 Anna Bucciarelli, from Toronto, created the so-called \"Love and Joy\" cup. 9 It features a snow-covered village and leaping reindeer. 30 According to Starbucks, Anna \"was trained in petrykivka, an ancient Ukrainian decorative folk art, which influenced her design's intricate line work and details.\" 17 Erica, a new paralegal graduate from Markham, made the \"Graphic Swirls\" cup. 14 She got started on it while helping her sister recover from knee surgery. 27 \"My sister was stuck on the couch for a month, so we spent a lot of time colouring together,\" she told Starbucks. 18 \"When I wanted to change it up, I switched to doodling on Starbucks cups!\" 26 Anna and Erica's cups join 11 other festive creations by coffee drinkers from various countries, including Russia, Indonesia and the United States. 4 Photos via Starbucks."} {"text": " 4 Oversight, oversight. 20 Now that we've seen the sweeping new powers in the government's anti-terrorism bill, everybody wants oversight. 10 But we already have it, says the government. 25 Don't worry, the prime minister tells the House of Commons, SIRC is there and SIRC will do the job just fine. 10 It \"provides robust oversight,\" he says. 44 Of course, if you asked a hundred Canadians what \"SIRC\" means, you might not find many who know it's the Security Intelligence Review Committee, in charge of keeping tabs on CSIS, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service. 50 And, if you asked those knowledgeable Canadians to name a member of SIRC, chances are the only name they'd come up with is that of Dr. Arthur Porter \u2014 but only because SIRC's former chairman now stews in a Panamanian jail on charges of fraud. 29 Dr. Arthur Porter, left, seen giving Prime Minister Stephen Harper a tour of Montreal General Hospital in 2006, was later appointed as chair of SIRC. 10 He now faces fraud charges in a Panama jail. 36 (Ryan Remiorz/Canadian Press)\n\nIn truth, it's not fair to the distinguished Canadians who serve and have served on SIRC that Porter should have become shorthand for SIRC's lack of credibility. 46 That problem really arises less from Porter's sordid story than from the fact that Canada's allies all make their spy agencies accountable to powerful parliamentary or congressional committees \u2014 not to small, understaffed appointed bodies whose expertise has often been in doubt. 23 SIRC itself does not entirely agree with the government about its suitability to just carry on doing what it's been doing. 24 Instead, its latest annual report seems to beg the government to update the process, somehow, perhaps with a parliamentary committee. 41 \"It seems reasonable,\" the SIRC report says, \"for Canadians to ask whether the intelligence accountability framework that was designed 30 years ago is still appropriate to deal with the realities of contemporary intelligence work.\" 13 Despite this, the government insists that SIRC is all we need. 14 So it's not too soon to take a look at its record. 10 How does it perform when the chips are down? 35 No elephant here\n\nIt happens that we have seen exactly how SIRC performed in what was, until Sept. 11, the deadliest terrorist attack in history: the Air India bombing of 1985. 17 The bombing was planned and the bombs were placed, in Canada, by Canadian citizens. 17 In its wake, stunning information emerged about the detailed knowledge CSIS had of the plot. 22 CSIS agents knew exactly who was involved and tailed them to a test bombing, three weeks before the real thing. 22 CSIS had even wiretapped the leader of the plot for months beforehand \u2014 precisely because it knew he was a threat. 29 His name was Talwinder Singh Parmar, and, when the plane blew up, the CSIS agent watching him exclaimed instantly: \"Parmar did it!\" 17 Years later, a former head of CSIS, Reid Morden, summed it up bluntly. 13 CSIS, he told the CBC, \"dropped the ball.\" 21 And, years after that, retired Supreme Court justice John Major's judicial inquiry concluded that Morden was correct. 27 In fact, the failure of an array of government agencies to read the writing on the wall, Major said, was \"inexcusable.\" 41 That was news to SIRC, though, which had taken a look at the evidence when it was much fresher \u2014 in 1992 \u2014 and decided it was all perfectly excusable \u2014 nothing to see here, move along. 22 That's astonishing, in retrospect, but even more so when you take a closer look at what SIRC knew. 39 Relatives of Daljit Singh Grewal, a victim of the Air India Flight 182 bombing, find his name on a monument to those who died during a memorial marking the 25th anniversary of the bombing in 2010. 33 (Darryl Dyck/Canadian Press)\n\nIt found that, yes, there was an abundance of known threats to Air India, rising to a crescendo in the days before the bombing. 36 SIRC also knew that hundreds of wiretaps had been inexplicably erased \u2014 and that the erasures continued even after the bombing, when CSIS knew that the man on the tapes was the prime suspect. 25 SIRC's report is heavily redacted, but its headlines alone convey the drumbeat of warnings: \"More Threats to Air India.\" 9 Then, \"Air India Again Threatened.\" 9 Then, \"Something Big to Happen!\" 16 But SIRC saw and reported all this and concluded that there was \u2026 no problem. 2 Why? 9 Because there was \"no specific threat.\" 26 That became a familiar line, repeated by both Liberal and Conservative governments in the years that followed to excuse what Major later found inexcusable. 7 \"There was nothing specific.\" 8 \"We couldn't have known.\" 12 \"There was no threat naming Air India Flight 182.\" 13 The threat was always just to an Air India plane in Canada. 21 Here's the problem that makes that whole refrain a farce: Air India had no other plane to bomb. 9 It had only one weekly flight from Canada. 5 It was Flight 182. 14 Each week as the threats intensified, everyone knew which plane to watch. 20 Looking back, SIRC's report seems like an object lesson in how not to conduct a serious investigation. 26 SIRC managed to find the trunk, the tusks, the tail and the massive body \u2014 but still missed the elephant in the room. 23 'Intolerable misrepresentation'\n\nIn more recent years, SIRC has clearly become less gullible and more willing to criticize the spies it oversees. 37 Even so, a stunning passage in its most recent annual report can only serve to vindicate concern about the powers CSIS will soon have to brand suspects as dangerous and to intervene in their lives. 26 The committee tore a strip off CSIS for outright deception over a complaint by a federal employee who lost his security clearance on fraudulent grounds. 27 SIRC accused CSIS of \"intolerable misrepresentation ... SIRC had been seriously misled by CSIS ... SIRC found CSIS's lack of candour most disturbing.\" 30 Candour, or the lack of it, also lay at the heart of a stinging court ruling in November 2013 by Justice Richard Mosley of the Federal Court. 37 In that case, CSIS was found to have misled the court about a wiretap it pretended would take place in Canada, when it was actually going to be done overseas by a foreign government. 46 Mosley ruled that \"the failure to disclose that information was the result of a deliberate decision to keep the court in the dark.\u2026 This was a breach of the duty of candour owed by the service and their legal advisers to the court.\" 37 (On Thursday, the Supreme Court agreed to hear the federal government's appeal of Mosley's ruling, although the government has tabled legislation that among other things clarifies the rules for CSIS.) 17 The ruling sent ripples far and wide, and the government moved to change the law. 21 Now, it insists the courts will be a second line of defence to ensure CSIS plays by the rules. 31 But the Mosley ruling suggests the agency was quite prepared \u2014 on the advice of the Department of Justice, mind \u2014 to try an end run around the courts. 34 It seems, then, that the growing concern about oversight is not just a nice way for the opposition to raise a fuss without actually opposing the government's crackdown on terror. 35 And don't expect the inspector general of CSIS to help out here \u2014 that position was abolished by the government two years ago on the grounds that it duplicated the work of SIRC. 18 Today, the government says that a parliamentary review committee would also duplicate the work of SIRC. 18 So, unless the government has a change of heart, SIRC will be on its own. 28 Chaired by the redoubtable Deborah Grey, a motorcycle-riding former Reform and Conservative MP, it will have a much broader range of CSIS powers to consider. 17 But will it be the sleepy SIRC that gave CSIS a free pass on Air India? 12 Or the one that raked CSIS over the coals for lying? 10 We may find out \u2014 or we may not. 17 SIRC reports tend to have a lot of blank spaces where the secrets used to be."} {"text": " 22 Texas Federal Judge Andrew Hanen issued a temporary injunction halting the Executive Amnesty program announced last year by President Barack Obama. 19 Texas Governor Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton responded to the late night decision by the judge. 35 The ruling came in response to a lawsuit filed on December 3rd, 2014, by then Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott (now Governor Abbott) on behalf of the State of Texas. 15 At the time of the filing, Texas was joined by sixteen other states. 15 That number has increased to twenty-six states, more than half of the country. 190 In the ruling (attached below), Judge Hanen wrote, \u201cThe ultimate question before the Court is: Do the laws of the United States, including the Constitution, give the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) the power to take the action at issue in this case?\u201d The judge laid out three issues to answer in this ruling: \u201c(1) whether the States have standing to bring this case; (2) whether the DHS has the necessary discretion to institute the DAPA (Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents) program; and (3) whether the DAPA program is constitutional, comports with existing laws, and was legally adopted.\u201d\n\nThe Judge ruled that \u201cat least one plaintiff has satisfied all the necessary elements to maintain a lawsuit and to obtain a temporary injunction.\u201d This means that, not only can the lawsuit continue, but the judge has ordered that the President or the Secretary of Homeland Security cannot take action on the DAPA program. 116 \u201cThe United States of America, its departments, agencies, officers, agents and employees and Jeh Johnson, secretary of the Department of Homeland Security; R. Gil Kerlikowske, commissioner of United States customs and Border Protection; Ronald D. Vitiello, deputy chief of United States Border Patrol, United States Customs and Border Protection; Thomas S. Winkowski, acting director of United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement; and Leon Rodriguez, director of United States Citizenship and Immigration Services are hereby enjoined from implementing any and all aspects or phases of the Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents,\u201d the injunction read. 12 Governor Abbott responded to the ruling handed down late Monday night. 55 \u201cPresident Obama abdicated his responsibility to uphold the United States Constitution when he attempted to circumvent the laws passed by Congress via executive fiat, and Judge Hanen\u2019s decision rightly stops the President\u2019s overreach in its tracks,\u201d Abbott wrote in a press release obtained by Breitbart Texas. 34 \u2018We live in a nation governed by a system of checks and balances, and the President\u2019s attempt to by-pass the will of the American people was successfully checked today. 63 The District Court\u2019s ruling is very clear \u2014 it prevents the President from implementing the policies in \u2018any and all aspects.\u2019\u201d\n\nAttorney General Paxton also responded to the injunction stating, \u201cThis decision is a victory for the rule of law in America and a crucial first step in reining in President Obama\u2019s lawlessness. 29 The President\u2019s action, both unilateral and unconstitutional, was an affront to everyone pursuing a life of freedom and opportunity in America the right way. 101 This injunction makes it clear that the President is not a law unto himself, and must work with our elected leaders in Congress and satisfy the courts in a fashion our Founding Fathers envisioned.\u201d\n\nThe other states joining Texas in the lawsuit are: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, West Virginia, Wisconsin. 6 This article has been updated. 9 This article was contributed to by Ildefonso Ortiz. 8 Follow him on Twitter and on Facebook. 21 Bob Price is a senior political news contributor for Breitbart Texas and a member of the original Breitbart Texas team. 7 Follow him on Twitter @BobPriceBBTX. 2 Court Opinion"} {"text": " 19 Introduction\n\nPlistBuddy is a tool provided by Apple to perform operations on a plist file using bash commands. 13 We can add, edit and delete any values in a plist. 8 You can find it at: /usr/libexec/PlistBuddy . 21 In this article, we are going to see how PlistBuddy works and finally an example with a Xcode project. 3 Happy Reading! 33 Contents\n\nCommands\n\nPlistBuddy provides several commands to perform operations on a plist file:\n\nHelp\n\nIt prints a list of commands available, value types supported and some examples of common usages. 12 Exit\n\nWe can use it to exit from the Interactive Shell. 12 The changes won\u2019t be saved in the plist file. 11 Save\n\nIt saves the current changes in the plist file. 19 Revert\n\nIt discards the current changes not saved and reloads the last saved version of the plist file. 24 Clear [type]\n\nIt deletes the content of the file and creates a new root with the type specified in the parameter. 11 Print [entry]\n\nIt prints the value of entry . 15 If we don\u2019t specify the entry, it prints the entire file. 18 Set [entry] [value]\n\nIt updates entry setting the value specified in the parameter. 22 Add [entry] [type] [value]\n\nIt adds a new entry with the specified type and value. 15 Copy [entrySrc] [entryDst]\n\nIt copies the entry entrySrc in entryDst . 9 We cannot override an existing entryDst value. 13 Delete [entry]\n\nIt deletes the entry from the plist file. 18 Merge [file] [entry]\n\nIt adds the content of a plist file to entry. 19 If we omit the parameter entry , the content will be added at the root of the file. 19 Import [entry] [file]\n\nIt sets or creates the entry assigning the content of file . 19 For example, we may copy the content of a txt file inside an entry of type string . 16 Note about Types\n\nWe\u2019ve just seen that some commands have a parameter type . 108 PlistBuddy supports the following types:\n\nstring\n\narray\n\ndict\n\nbool\n\nreal\n\ninteger\n\ndate\n\ndata\n\nExamples\n\nAdd to the dictionary mydict an integer element test with value 1 : 1 2 Add : mydict : test integer 1\n\nan integer element with value : Add at the index 0 of the array myarray a string with the value Hello : 1 2 Add : myarray : 0 string Hello\n\nof the array a string with the value : Delete the entire array: 1 2 Delete : myarray\n\nImport the content of a file and set it to the entry myfile : 1 2 Import : myfile test . 54 txt\n\nOptions\n\nWhen we run the command /usr/libexec/PlistBuddy , we can use the following options:\n\n-c [command]\n\nWe can use it to run an inline command like:\n\n1 2 / usr / libexec / PlistBuddy - c \"Add :test integer 20\" ~ / Desktop / test . 14 plist\n\nThe file will be automatically saved after the execution of the command. 48 -x\n\nWe can use it to print the plist content in the form of a xml plist:\n\n1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 / usr / libexec / PlistBuddy - x - c \"Print\" ~ / Desktop / test . 3 plist 15 xml version = \"1.0\" encoding = \"UTF-8\" ?> < ! 57 DOCTYPE plist PUBLIC \"-//Apple//DTD PLIST 1.0//EN\" \"http://www.apple.com/DTDs/PropertyList-1.0.dtd\" > < plist version = \"1.0\" > < dict > < key > test < / key > < integer > 20 < / integer > < / dict > < / plist >\n\n-h\n\nIt prints the complete help info. 16 Interactive Shell\n\nWe can start learning PlistBuddy using its interactive shell to test the commands. 23 We can open the interactive shell like this:\n\n1 2 / usr / libexec / PlistBuddy ~ / Desktop / test . 19 plist\n\nWith the command above, we are asking PlistBuddy to open the file test.plist in the Desktop. 37 If the file doesn\u2019t exist, PlistBuddy creates it printing the following output message:\n\n1 2 File Doesn ' t Exist , Will Create : / Users / MyUser / Desktop / test . 18 plist\n\nIn this example, we are using the path ~/Desktop/ only for the sake of explanation. 11 We can use any paths where we have write permissions. 26 Once we open the interactive shell, we should have an output like this:\n\n1 2 Command :\n\nwhich is waiting a our input. 18 At this point, we can write a command of PlistBuddy and press enter to execute it. 12 We can exit from the interactive shell with the command exit . 27 Usage with Xcode\n\nLet\u2019s consider a Xcode project with two targets:\n\nEach target has its info plist file ( AppFree.plist and AppFull.plist ). 21 These two files have a lot common information like the supported orientation, the launch screen name and so on. 10 The maintenance of these plist files may be painful. 18 If we have to add a new common value, we should add it in both files. 9 With PlistBuddy , we can improve this situation. 49 We can move all the common values in a new plist file Base.plist :\n\nThen, in Build Phases , we can add a new Run Script Phase and move it below Target Dependencies :\n\nIn this way, the script will be executed before compiling the application. 65 Inside the new script phase, we can merge Base.plist with the target info plist:\n\n1 2 3 4 5 INFO_PLIST = \"${SRCROOT}/Plist/AppFull.plist\" BASE_PLIST = \"${SRCROOT}/Plist/Base.plist\" / usr / libexec / PlistBuddy - c \"Merge $BASE_PLIST\" \"$INFO_PLIST\"\n\nThe example above is for the target AppFull . 17 For AppFree , we can use the same script and rename the plist file of INFO_PLIST . 13 Conclusion\n\nThe maintenance of a project with several targets is sometimes painful. 10 Thanks to PlistBuddy , we can reduce the pain. 7 PlistBuddy is a very powerful tool. 7 The only limit is our imagination. 11 Share this: Facebook\n\nLinkedIn\n\nTwitter\n\nReddit\n\nPocket\n\nMore\n\nEmail\n\nPrint"} {"text": " 56 Osama bin Laden Was a Francophile\n\nWhen Navy SEALs stormed Osama bin Laden\u2019s Pakistani compound in 2011, they found enough publications on France for the Director of National Intelligence to combine all of the materials into their own separate category when a bulk of recovered documents were released to the public Wednesday. 21 In other words, if his taste in books is to be believed, bin Laden was a full-blown Francophile. 23 He seems to have taken an interest in everything French, ranging from economic surveys to academic history books and news reports. 43 Among the materials acquired in the 2011 raid were the 245-page clunker Economic and Social Conditions in France during the 18th Century, originally written in French by academic Henri S\u00e9e in 1927 and published in English by Batoche Books in 2004. 10 Bin Laden appears to have had the English copy. 22 The SEALs also found a call for submissions to French Culture, Politics, and Society Journal, a peer-reviewed publication. 38 Whether bin Laden was considering submitting commentary on S\u00e9e\u2019s book to the journal, which publishes \u201crefereed research articles, timely essays, and reviews of books,\u201d the world may never know. 32 On his bookshelf were two publications that implied he might have greatly admired France\u2019s defense acquisition program, or at least have been interested in learning more about it. 40 One was a 1992 U.S. congressional assessment of France\u2019s restructuring of the defense industry, and the other a 2009 policy brief on France\u2019s weapons acquisitions policies published by the Center for New American Security. 38 He also had a copy of \u201cNuclear France Abroad,\u201d a 41-page deep-dive into France\u2019s nuclear history published in 2009, and a separate breakdown of French radioactive waste management programs from 2008. 32 This was in addition to a list of French shipping companies and a description of the French water programs, as well as the Canadian government\u2019s profile of France. 47 If it is the same profile published on the Canadian government\u2019s website today, it would have been a great place for bin Laden to double-check that yes, the capital of France is still Paris, and the currency is indeed the Euro. 12 The remaining texts are overwhelmingly concerned with France\u2019s economy. 53 In addition to S\u00e9e\u2019s book there were academic papers questioning France\u2019s role in the Great Depression, a 2009 economic survey of the country, 2011 economic \u201cupdate\u201d published by Rabobank, and even what appears to be an academic journal paper on French wage inequality. 35 One prominent French-related omission: any issues of Charlie Hebdo, the satirical magazine attacked earlier this year by militants who killed 12 people and claimed affiliation with al Qaeda\u2019s Yemeni affiliate. 3 Salah Malkawi/Getty Images"} {"text": " 37 Gardiner\u2019s frogs from the Seychelles islands, one of the smallest frogs in the world, do not possess a middle ear with an eardrum yet can croak themselves, and hear other frogs. 32 An international team of scientists using X-rays has now solved this mystery and established that these frogs are using their mouth cavity and tissue to transmit sound to their inner ears. 12 The results are published in PNAS on September 2, 2013. 25 The way sound is heard is common to many lineages of animals and appeared during the Triassic age (200-250 million years ago). 34 Although the auditory systems of the four-legged animals have undergone many changes since, they have in common the middle ear with eardrum and ossicles, which emerged independently in the major lineages. 36 On the other hand, some animals notably most frogs, do not possess an outer ear like humans, but a middle ear with an eardrum located directly on the surface of the head. 34 Incoming sound waves make the eardrum vibrate, and the eardrum delivers these vibrations using the ossicles to the inner ear where hair cells translate them into electric signals sent to the brain. 14 Is it possible to detect sound in the brain without a middle ear? 23 The answer is no because 99.9% of a sound wave reaching an animal is reflected at the surface of its skin. 22 Photo of a male Gardiner\u2019s Frog (S. Gardineri) taken in its natural habitat of the Seychelles Islands. 29 Credit R. Boistel/CNRS\n\n\u201cHowever, we know of frog species that croak like other frogs but do not have tympanic middle ears to listen to each other. 22 This seems to be a contradiction,\u201d says Renaud Boistel from the IPHEP of the University of Poitiers and CNRS. 40 \u201cThese small animals, known as Gardiner\u2019s frogs, have been living isolated in the rainforest of the Seychelles for 47 to 65 million years, ever since these islands split away from the main continent. 50 If they can hear, their auditory system must be a survivor of life forms on the ancient supercontinent Gondwana.\u201d\n\nTo establish whether these frogs actually use sound to communicate with each other, the scientists set up loudspeakers in their natural habitat and broadcast pre-recorded frog songs. 23 This caused males present in the rainforest to answer, proving that they were able to hear the sound from the loudspeakers. 11 Click on the image below to hear the frog croak. 13 Illustration of the experiment proving that Gardiner\u2019s frogs can hear. 13 When a song is broadcast via loudspeaker, male frogs will reply. 34 Credit R. Boistel/CNRS\n\nX-rays reveal a new hearing mechanism for animals without an ear\n\nThe next step was to identify the mechanism by which these seemingly deaf frogs were able to hear sound. 33 Various mechanisms have been proposed: an extra-tympanic pathway through the lungs, muscles which in frogs connect the pectoral girdle to the region of the inner ear, or bone conduction. 15 \u201cWhether body tissue will transport sound or not depends on its biomechanical properties. 52 With X-ray imaging techniques here at the ESRF, we could establish that neither the pulmonary system nor the muscles of these frogs contribute significantly to the transmission of sound to the inner ears\u201d, says Peter Cloetens, a scientist at the ESRF who took part in the study. 56 \u201cAs these animals are tiny, just one centimetre long, we needed X-ray images of the soft tissue and the bony parts with micrometric resolution to determine which body parts contribute to sound propagation.\u201d\n\nThis computer animation sequence reveals the interior structure and anatomy of the head of Gardiner\u2019s frog. 24 Credit R. Boistel/CNRS\n\nNumerical simulations helped to investigate the third hypothesis: that the sound was received through the frog\u2019s head. 22 These simulations confirmed that the mouth acts as a resonator, or amplifier, for the frequencies emitted by this species. 57 Synchrotron X-ray imaging on different species showed that the transmission of the sound from the oral cavity to the inner ear has been optimized by two evolutionary adaptations: a reduced thickness of the tissue between the mouth and the inner ear and a smaller number of tissue layers between the mouth and the inner ear. 32 \u201cThe combination of a mouth cavity and bone conduction allows Gardiner\u2019s frogs to perceive sound effectively without use of a tympanic middle ear\u201d, concludes Renaud Boistel. 77 References:\n\nThe team led by Renaud Boistel from CNRS and University of Poitiers, comprised also scientists from Institut Langevin of ESPCI ParisTech, Universit\u00e9 Paris Sud (Orsay), the Laboratoire de M\u00e9canique et d'Acoustique (Marseilles), the Institute of Systems and Synthetic Biology at the University of Evry (France), the Nature Protection Trust of Seychelles, and the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) in Grenoble. 30 Renaud Boistel et al., How minute sooglossid frogs hear without a middle ear, Advance Online Publication PNAS Early Edition 2 September 2013, DOI/10.1073/pnas.1302218110\n\nText by Kirstin Colvin"} {"text": " 23 The Senate Intelligence Committee held an open hearing to discuss Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) legislation with top intelligence officials. 21 The hearing got heated when Senator Angus King grilled the officials on whether the President tried to influence their work. 19 Following is a transcript of the video:\n\nKING: What you feel isn't relevant, admiral. 8 What you feel is not the answer. 12 The answer is, why are you not answering the questions? 8 Is it an invocation of executive privilege. 10 If there is, let's hear about it. 9 If there isn't, answer the questions. 11 ROGERS: I stand by the comments I've made. 21 I'm not interested in repeating myself, sir, and I don't mean that in a contentious way. 24 KING: Well I do mean it in a contentious way, I don't understand why you're not answering our questions. 48 You can't \u2014 when you were confirmed, before the armed services committee you took an oath: \"do you solemnly swear to give the committee the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you, God.\" 6 You answered yes to that. 28 ROGERS: And I've also answered that those conversations are classified and it is not appropriate in an open forum, to discuss those classified conversations. 20 KING: What is classified about a conversation involving whether or not you should intervene in the FBI investigation? 11 ROGERS: Sir, I stand by my previous comments. 31 KING: You swore that oath to tell us the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, and today you are refusing to do so. 14 What is the legal basis for your refusal to testify to this committee? 37 COATS: I'm not sure I have a legal basis, but I'm more than willing to sit before this committee \u2026 during its investigative process in a closed session and answer your questions. 17 KING: Well we're going to be having a closed session in a few hours. 20 Do you commit to me that you're going to answer these questions in a direct and unencumbered way? 36 COATS: I plan to do that but I do have to work through the legal counsel at the White House relative to whether or not they're going to exercise executive [privilege]."}