text:
CFE/Democracy Panel/Day 1: EU Chair Slovenia Minister to Press(+EF): For a Pluralist Debate
*Strasbourg/EU Parliament/Angelo Marcopolo/- KickStarting "the Most Popular" Citizens' Panel in the Coference on Europe's Future (CFE), as EU Parliament's Coordinator, Guy Verhofstadt, had called it (See: http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/eppressheadtoefoncitizenspanels.html + Statement to "Eurofora" at: http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/cfeverhofstadtoefcitizensmaychange.html, etc), i.e. that on Democracy, the Young EU-President-in-office, Slovenian Minister on EU Affairs, Gasper Dovzan, in a Message for the Press, including "Eurofora", called, Today in Strasboug, for "a Substantial Debate", where "All Views" should "be Included", in order to "Establish Dialogue".
- He was, in fact, Referring to what the Experienced, Twice EU Council's President (2008 + 2022), Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Jansa, had Stressed, in his Press Conference at EU Parliament in Strasbourg, last July, together with the latter's Head, Italian MEP David Sassoli, i.e. that "We (EU) want All Voices to be Heard in the Debate on the Future of Europe", Because "only on this Basis will we be Able to Find Common Ground Ahead", (See : http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/euheadjansafordialogue.html).
- "All Political Views, are Legitimate and Equal", Because "they are Part of a Democratic Process", "Part of a Debate that is Necessary for me, Even if we doN't Agree" on some points, Jansa had stressed from the outset in the Plenary, to the MEPs. -*
- And Now, with the Conference on the Future of Europe", "We (EU) have to Open Spaces for Different Opinions, and, at the End, Find Common Grounds". Because, "If we Exclude, from the Beginning, it will Not lead to Positive Results". So, since "September, at least one Panel will have Discussions on Different Ideas. This will be the Beginning of a very Frank Dialogue between Various Political Forces", Jansa had announced. And "this Will Continue in the Future", because "Progress canNot be stoped !", he had Vowed.
+ In fact, Now "We Want that the whole Debate Moves really at the Substance", Added Today the Key EU Minister, Gasper Dovzan. - "Over the Summer, the Organisation (of the Conference) has been Ameliorated, and Now we are really Seing the Substantial Debate, with the Citizens at its Center".
- "I Hope we'l Continue at this pace, and, at the End, we shall see the EU Institutions take these Proposals, Coming from the Citizens, and Seriously consider how to Improve European Policies, to the Benefit of Its Citizens and of course its Businesses". Because "I Hope we ll Close the Gap between European Citizens and EU Institutions, and Bring European Citizens Closer to EU Institutions, and, at the same time, the EU Institutions Closer to European Citizens", Dovzan wished. Since "Our Future is a European Future, and there is No Other Future for European Citizens than inside the EU", he stressed.
=> That's why, "We (the Slovenian EU Presidency 2021) have put the Conference on the Future of Europe, at the Center of our Priorities".
+ And "the Conference on Europe's Future is an Important Process", that "we Want to be as Open as possible, and... All Views to be Included. That is why we are Working also towards Establishing Dialogue, withIn the Conference", but "Also Between the Conference and ...some Other Stakeholders, who might not be Officialy Included", "such as the Partners from Western Balkans, and some Other Interest Groups. (Because) "it's really very Important that All Views are Included", the Co-Chair of the CFE Added, at this September's End.
+ "At the same Time, we (the Slovenian EU 2021 Presidency) are Preparing a couple of Events, in our Home Country, like the Bled Strategic Forum, (etc), where we offered a Platform for Both European Leaders, but Also Civil Society, and Business Representatives", he Announced, for an EU Process due to Develop Further until the End of this Year, and the Beginning of the Next (2022), when France takes over the Rotating EU Presidency, coinciding with the Time Scheduled for Conclusions.
>>> Nowadays, European People "Need to Fight for the EU" to be "Peaceful and Connected", "Strong Outside, and more Inclusive + Flexible Inside", the Slovenian EU Presidency's Minister stressed in the CFE's Plenary, providing a Wider Overall Picture.
=> Threfore, "Our Priorities are the Conference on Europe's Future, EU Resilience, Green and Digital Transfomation, Security in EU Neighbourhood, and Enlargement (at the Western Balkans)", he described.
- On the "Conference for Europe's Future", we (EU) Need some Light for Next Year (2022), and "this Panel", concerning "the Foundations of the EU", relates also to "Citizens' Confidence on Institutions", through "Rule of Law, with Respct, Objectivity, and Participation", etc. So, "we (EU Council) shall Listen to Your Recommendations", he Promised.
+ Meanwhile, in a "Press Briefing" where "Eurofora" was Invited, Earlier Today, Organizers stressed that such EU Citizens' Panels were "UnPrecedented" events, because 3 EU Institutions Work Together in them (EU Parliament, Commission, and Council), added to EU "Citizens' Involvement", as well as to their Aim to "Produce Concrete Results, in Panels' Recommendations for the Plenary which will make Proposals" for EU Reform.
This 2nd Citizens' Panel includes Democracy, Rule of Law, Values, and Internal Security, on which Participants would present their "Vision and Dreams", take into account also Other People's relevant Publications at the Conference's Web "Platform", as well as "Top Experts' Input", pursuing by Discussions between them, Before chosing Final "Topics and Streams", (in Addition to Electing 20 "Ambassadors" for the Plenary of the CFE). Most of that done in "MultiLinguism", allowing People to Speak in their Mother Tongue.
>>> However, it was a Surprise to attest that, for the 1st (and may be Unique) Time, Despite the Notorious Big Popularity of those Issues (Comp. Supra), and their objective Importance for Nowadays' Europe, (since, inter alia, in fact, Any eventual Progress in EU Integration, should be accompagnied Also by More Democracy for EU Citizens, in order to Work well, (as Many Top EU Politicians had Already Aknowledged, since a Long Time Ago : F.ex., inter alia, Also the Franco-German couple Wolfgang Schäuble, currently Buntestag's President, and Joseph Daul, then President of the Biggest European Party : that of ChristianDemocrats/EPP, at a landmark Event hosted by the CoE in Strasbourg : See ..., etc),
Nevertheless, Exceptionaly, there was ...Not Any Question at all Raised by at least 1 Journalist, at the End of this Briefing, (Even if it was Transmitted Also by Video-Conference via "Webex" Invitations to the Press) !...
=> It's true that "Eurofora" (who Followed most of it) had an Exceptional Health Problem, and was Surprized by a Last-Minute announced Change of the Usual Timing, from Late Evening to Early Noon. But What happened to All Other Collegues ?
Was that Event a "Victim of its Success" ? I.e., perhaps some Organizers thought that a so Popular Issue as EU Democracy (Comp. Supra), did Not Need to be Boosted vis a vis Journalists, so that it was Left to be the Only one among 4 Panels, withOut Any Link to EU Parliament's Plenary week, Neither to anOther adjacent Big EU Event, (as f.ex. the forthcoming "EYE" Mega-Gathering for Young People here, Scheduled Near the 3rd Panel on Natural Environment and Climate ?
Or was it Something Else ?
Main Menu
Home Press Deontology/Ethics 2009 Innovation Year EU endorses EuroFora's idea Multi-Lingual FORUM Subscribers/Donors FAQs Advanced search EuroFora supports Seabird newsitems In Brief European Headquarters' MAPs CoE Journalists Protection PlatformBRIEF NEWS
- 00:00 - 02.06.2021
- 00:00 - 18.10.2020
- 00:00 - 19.06.2020
- 00:00 - 18.05.2020
- 00:00 - 20.04.2020
- 00:00 - 02.02.2020
- 00:00 - 09.12.2019
- 00:00 - 27.11.2019
- 00:00 - 16.11.2019
- Yes, we could have prevented Ferguson riots says World Democracy Forum's Young American NGO to ERFRA
- Spanish People Elect CenterRIGHT Majority with 1st Party and Total of 178 MPs (6 More than the Left)
- Pflimlin's vision
- The European Athletic "Dream Team", after Barcelona 2010 Sport Championship Results
- Source Conseil d'Europe à ERFRA: Debatre Liberté d'Opposants à Loi livrant Mariage+Enfants à Homos ?
- Head of BioEthics InterGroup, MEP Peter Liese : "Embryonic stem cell research reaching its END" !?
- Spain: Jailed Turkish Terror suspect with Explosive,Drones,Chechen accomplices stirs Merah+ Burgas ?
- UN Head Ban Ki Moon at CoE World Democracy Forum : - "Listen to the People !"
Latest News
- EUOmbudsmen Conference 2022: Digital Gaps affect People's Trust threaten EF Project on EU Future ?
- French Election : Black Out on Virus, but Obligation for Fake 'Vaccines" Challenged
- Both French Presidential Candidates point at "Humanism" in crucial times...
- France : Zemmour = Outsider may become Game Changer in Presidential + Parliamentary Elections 2022
- PACE President Cox skips Turkey Worst (Occupation) case compared to Russia (DeMilitarisation) query
Posetioci: 56236949Archive
Login Form
Other Menu
The recent paradox of freezing EU Talks with front-runner Croatia, while continuing controversial EU - Turkey talks, despite Zagreb's acceptance of Refugees' Human Rights to return, that Ankara refuses fex. in Cyprus, while both have "Good Neighborhood" problems vis a vis Slovenia, or Greece, Cyprus and Armenia respectively, can it be justified by the non-fullfilment of EU criteria, as Slovenia says, or, is it "Double Standards" ?
The question became unavoidable after statements by Presidents of Slovenia and Croatia, Tuerk and Mesic, respectively, to "EuroFora", exclusively or among Strasbourg's journalists this week at the CoE, on the sidelines of its 2009 Summer University for Political Schools, which topically brought them together as successive key-note speakers.
Comming only a few Months before EU checks Turkey's compliance to its commitments on Cyprus, etc., scheduled for December 2009, this obviously has a special importance for the coherence of EU Enlargement's principles.
Suspension of EU Negotiations is a normal consequence in case of a Candidate Country's failure to fullfil EU Conditions, such as "Good Neighborhood relations", stressed at first Slovenian President Danilo Tuerk, current CoE's chair.
But, regarding EU's Criteria, there shouldn't be any "Double Standards", reacted Croatian President Stjepan Mesic, commenting the fact that Turkey's controversial EU negotiations continue, while they were recently "freezed" in the case of Croatia, an "unquestionably European Country", which oficially accepts to respect Refugees Human Rights, contrary to Ankara's notorious refusals or reluctance.
Questioned earlier what "consequences on EU's Enlargement policy" can have the "Ban on EU Membership Negotiations", imposed to Croatia, Tuerk replied that "this question comes down to the fulfillement of (EU) Criteria for membership. One has to look at each Candidate Country ., from the point of view whether it fullfils the Criteria that EU has set. One of them are Good Neighborhood Relations, I'd like to remind. And also, there are other factors, such as Justice, Home affairs, Rule of Law, and others".
- "Now, ..Candidate Countries are at Different Levels of fulfillement of Criteria", he observed.
- " Croatia is obviously the closest to that. I'm rather optimistic : I think that in the coming Months we'll have an opportunity to look at all these issues constructively and hopefully we'll be able to make progress". "My main concern, at this point, is the situation in Bosnia : We haven't seen enough progres domesticaly. We haven't seen enough during ..political parties within their country.We need a New Energy, a new energetic move towards the Candidature for EU membership. "Other (Western Balkan) Countries (Serbia, Montenegro, FYROM, Albania) have been making soaring Progress, and I think that they should be ready, in a few Years, for the Candidate status".
- "As far as the Western Balkans are concerned, .. nobody should be left outside" the EU, Slovenian's President concluded, ommitting to mention Turkey's controversial EU bid.
- "This process may be seen as Slow, but.. Slovenia has also has also been exposed to various "Booms of Slowness" in our accession period. But now we can say that the process was relatively quick, because changes which occur after becoming EU member, are quite large, and they require proper Preparations before the (EU) membership becomes a new factor, an impacting line for a new (EU) member country".
EU "Solidarity" ?
Slovenian statements made some participants from certain 3rd Countries as FYROM, etc. claim that "the Principle of EU Solidarity" would "produce a.. rising European Union Nationalism (sic !), against Non-EU Countries", as they said, asking unhappy foreign countries to form a "bloc" to exert pressure on the EU...
But Croatian President Stjepan Mesic dismissed that, supporting "EU Integration", "after the Economy also in Political" issues, as "the achievement" of our times. In EU there is "diversity, but it's United", he stressed, "EU has to be United so that it can become a central factor of Peace" also at the surrounding areas, he replied.
Speaking later exclusively to "EuroFora", the experienced twice President of Croatia, former President of the International "Non-Aligned" movement, denounced "Double Standards" in the way EU treats recently Croatia compared to Turkey :
- "I think that there shouldn't be Double Standards", stressed the Croatian President, in reply to a Question comparing the freeze of EU - Croatia talks, with the continuation of EU - Turkey talks, despite the fact that Croatia is an "unquestionably European country", while Turkey's EU bid is notoriously controversial.
Mesic was reacting to the observation that, even if he confirmed his "respect of Refugees' Human Rights to return, etc. (See infra), nevertheless, EU talks are suspended with Croatia.. While for oher, controversial candidates, who refuse to respect Refugees' Rights to return, etc., as fex. Turkey does in occupied Cyprus and elsewhere, EU negotiations continue".
- "I believe that Croatia's accession will confirm that all European Countries who fulfill all of the Conditions and achieve European Standards, have to join the EU. There shouldn't be any Double Standards", went on to add in reply President Mesic.
In this relation, Croatia's President found "of paramount importance", CoE's "mechanisms enforcing ECHR's judgements"
- "On Refugees and Displaced persons, the process will be completed only after the last person demanding to return will be allowed to do so !", President Mesic Croatia stressed earlier, setting a general standard of obvious importance also for otherr candidates, as f.ex. Turkey, often accused to exclude or heavily restrict Greek Cypriot Displaced persons' return to their Family Homes and ancestral land, provoke difficulties to Turkish-Kurd IDPs return to their home regions at the South-East, etc.
Some "2.000 People are still reported Missing" in former Yugoslavia, for some Years, (as in Cyprus, modern Europe's oldest case, for 3 Decades. Nagorno-Karabach, Tcecnya in Russia, etc, more recently), and Investigations "will only be completed after establishing the fate of the last one of them", he added.
Speaking earlier on "War Crimes", President Mesic stressed that "Leaders are responsible for (the) Wars (of the Past), not the People", and called against Impunity : "Individuals have to be held Responsible for Crimes. International Penal Tribunals have to persecute those individuals", perpetrators of War Crimes, he underlined.
Such statements naturally made Mesic rather popular at ECHR, whose President, French EuroJudge, Professor Jean-Paul Costa, looked particularly smiling when he welcomed him later on Wednesday afternoon, after Slovenian President Daniko Tuerk earlier this week.
SMF Recent Topics SA
- Record Hospitalisati... (0) Breadman
- How Many Infected by... (1) Thunderbird
- Real Cause for Europ... (0) Breadman
- Interesting Australi... (0) Aurora
- Plus de mRNA Faux-&q... (0) Aurora
- EU: Lukashenko as E... (0) WKalina
- Why NATO in Ukraine,... (0) Geopol
- Afghanistan's key : ... (0) Thunderbird
- Anti-Pass Demonstrat... (0) Aurora
- Veran - Fioraso : Mê... (1) JohnsonE


text:
Phone: 803-442-6330
Degrees and Certifications:
Degrees: BA Education- UNC-Chapel Hill MA Education- SE Baptist Theological Seminary Certifications: Elementary K-6 Special Education K-12 Social Studies 9-12
Mrs. Jane Ayers
Welcome!!! I am looking forward to continuing in the Resource teacher position at Belvedere Elementary. I have taught in both grade level classrooms and special education programs for over twenty years. I am originally from Garner, North Carolina but I have lived in North Augusta two separate times for a total of 19 years. We love this area of South Carolina! In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family, listening to music with friends around the world and watching sports. (GO TAR HEELS!) I absolutely love teaching and Belvedere Elementary School! My greatest goals are to help my students believe in themselves and to learn all that they can each year. I am looking forward to a great year of learning and look forward to supporting your child. I am a big believer in open communication with parents/guardians, so please feel free to contact me at the school (803-442-6330) or by email at firstname.lastname@example.com if you ever have any questions or concerns! Thank you!!

subset: commoncrawl


text:
- Status Closed
- Percent Complete
- Task Type Bugs
- Category User Interface
- Assigned To No-one
- Operating System All players
- Severity Low
- Priority Very Low
- Reported Version Release 3.4
- Due in Version Undecided
Due Date
- Votes
- Private
Opened by adityabhandari - 2009-12-17
Last edited by Llorean - 2009-12-17
FS#10859 - User Experience and Rockbox- A rethink required?
Rockbox is an amazing and powerful achievement. I own an iPod video 5g and for me, rockbox was a godsend that allowed me to break free from itunes and its tyrannies.
As much as I love rockbox, I have to say that while a great amount has been accomplished in terms of functionality, the user experience has not been paid due attention. The user interface is very, well, developer like :].
If we want rockbox to be truly embraced, even by the non-technical users, we need to give the user-experience a rethink, and not just a facelift.
I am a trained usability engineer and am very interested in collaborating with people interested in taking forward the UX cause.
If interested, we can collaborate online. Contact me at
Things don't change unless someone does the work. Rather than just posting on the tracker "please come to me, and I'll tell you how to redesign your project" why not get involved on the -dev mailing list? Post specific improvements you think can be done, and patches to demonstrate how this makes Rockbox more usable.
Remember that you need to think about the UI across all targets, not just the iPod 5G. That means starting with very small, very limited monochrome screens and working up.
Thanks Paul for completely mis-interpreting me. Please _read_ what is written and not interpret. I never asked anyone to come to me and solicit my help. I expressed an interest in future collaboration to make Rockbox more usable. And because I am new to flyspray, and rockbox development in general, I didn't know where else to voice my thoughts but here.
Also, being a usability engineer means that I am not at all trained to code, develop 'patches', however, I can come up with wireframes for the proposed navigation and use.
Also, could you point me to as to how and where I can be part of the "-dev mailing list"?
Saying "please email me, I have advice on how you should redesign your project" is exactly what you did here. Saying "don't interpret it" doesn't really work. You said you want it re-engineered, and you said you want someone from us to email you to discuss how. You asked us to come to you. You even filed this as a "bug" when there's nothing specifically broken (except subjectively) rather than trying to approach the project through a more appropriate channel (the forum, the mailing lists).
The Rockbox mailing list is located at http://www.rockbox.org/mail/
If you're not willing to do any coding at all, though, don't expect a particularly positive response. Everyone has a personal preference for how Rockbox should be. If you can't actually show that your way is better, you're just more or less going to be another person saying "I think it would be great if…"
At the very least you'll need to be able to mock-up a UI somehow or describe exceedingly clearly how everything would work. Then, since you won't code, you'll have to find someone who actually has the time to rewrite a significant portion of the code to do it for you. Not a small task.
Is there a particular reason that you seem so angry?
I explained why I logged it as a bug, I think you conveniently did not read that bit. Again, who said anything about re-engineering anything? I understand that Rockbox is a HUGE product/project and that whining about things that I don't like would not really make a difference. So, please, give me a break, I want to help, and I don't like to start off any work with hostilities.
YES, I want to contribute! Is that so hard to understand?
So, I am willing to bury the bad feelings and start over again. Let's do this in a forward-thinking way. What say?
Now that we have that out of the way.
Mock-up UIs are something that I can do. And to good detail as well. I can also make flash prototypes so that people understand exactly what I am trying to say.
Btw, I take it that you're a developer? How long have you been associated with Rockbox?
Also, would you happen to know what is the most primitive device supported by rockbox?
Thanks and Regards
As I've said twice now, please take any desire to discuss this to a more appropriate channel of communication.
Available keyboard shortcuts
- Alt + ⇧ Shift + l Login Dialog / Logout
- Alt + ⇧ Shift + a Add new task
- Alt + ⇧ Shift + m My searches
- Alt + ⇧ Shift + t focus taskid search
- o open selected task
- j move cursor down
- k move cursor up
Task Details
- n Next task
- p Previous task
- Alt + ⇧ Shift + e ↵ Enter Edit this task
- Alt + ⇧ Shift + w watch task
- Alt + ⇧ Shift + y Close Task
Task Editing
- Alt + ⇧ Shift + s save task


text:
Giant sequence fashions for software program improvement actions – Google AI Weblog
Software program isn't created in a single dramatic step. It improves little by little, one little step at a time — modifying, operating unit exams, fixing construct errors, addressing code opinions, modifying some extra, appeasing linters, and fixing extra errors — till lastly it turns into adequate to merge right into a code repository. Software program engineering isn't an remoted course of, however a dialogue amongst human builders, code reviewers, bug reporters, software program architects and instruments, resembling compilers, unit exams, linters and static analyzers.
At this time we describe DIDACT (Dynamic Built-in Developer ACTivity), which is a strategy for coaching massive machine studying (ML) fashions for software program improvement. The novelty of DIDACT is that it makes use of the method of software program improvement because the supply of coaching information for the mannequin, quite than simply the polished finish state of that course of, the completed code. By exposing the mannequin to the contexts that builders see as they work, paired with the actions they absorb response, the mannequin learns in regards to the dynamics of software program improvement and is extra aligned with how builders spend their time. We leverage instrumentation of Google's software program improvement to scale up the amount and variety of developer-activity information past earlier works. Outcomes are extraordinarily promising alongside two dimensions: usefulness to skilled software program builders, and as a possible foundation for imbuing ML fashions with basic software program improvement abilities.
DIDACT is a multi-task mannequin educated on improvement actions that embody modifying, debugging, restore, and code evaluate. |
We constructed and deployed internally three DIDACT instruments, Remark Decision (which we not too long ago introduced), Construct Restore, and Tip Prediction, every built-in at totally different levels of the event workflow. All three of those instruments obtained enthusiastic suggestions from hundreds of inside builders. We see this as the last word take a look at of usefulness: do skilled builders, who are sometimes specialists on the code base and who've fastidiously honed workflows, leverage the instruments to enhance their productiveness?
Maybe most excitingly, we display how DIDACT is a primary step in direction of a general-purpose developer-assistance agent. We present that the educated mannequin can be utilized in quite a lot of stunning methods, by way of prompting with prefixes of developer actions, and by chaining collectively a number of predictions to roll out longer exercise trajectories. We imagine DIDACT paves a promising path in direction of creating brokers that may usually help throughout the software program improvement course of.
A treasure trove of knowledge in regards to the software program engineering course of
Google's software program engineering toolchains retailer each operation associated to code as a log of interactions amongst instruments and builders, and have achieved so for many years. In precept, one may use this document to replay intimately the important thing episodes within the "software program engineering video" of how Google's codebase got here to be, step-by-step — one code edit, compilation, remark, variable rename, and many others., at a time.
Google code lives in a monorepo, a single repository of code for all instruments and programs. A software program developer sometimes experiments with code adjustments in a neighborhood copy-on-write workspace managed by a system referred to as Clients in the Cloud (CitC). When the developer is able to package deal a set of code adjustments collectively for a particular function (e.g., fixing a bug), they create a changelist (CL) in Critique, Google's code-review system. As with different forms of code-review programs, the developer engages in a dialog with a peer reviewer about performance and magnificence. The developer edits their CL to handle reviewer feedback because the dialog progresses. Finally, the reviewer declares "LGTM!" ("seems to be good to me"), and the CL is merged into the code repository.
In fact, along with a dialog with the code reviewer, the developer additionally maintains a "dialog" of types with a plethora of different software program engineering instruments, such because the compiler, the testing framework, linters, static analyzers, fuzzers, and many others.
A multi-task mannequin for software program engineering
DIDACT makes use of interactions amongst engineers and instruments to energy ML fashions that help Google builders, by suggesting or enhancing actions builders take — in context — whereas pursuing their software-engineering duties. To try this, we have now outlined a variety of duties about particular person developer actions: repairing a damaged construct, predicting a code-review remark, addressing a code-review remark, renaming a variable, modifying a file, and many others. We use a standard formalism for every exercise: it takes some State (a code file), some Intent (annotations particular to the exercise, resembling code-review feedback or compiler errors), and produces an Motion (the operation taken to handle the duty). This Motion is sort of a mini programming language, and will be prolonged for newly added actions. It covers issues like modifying, including feedback, renaming variables, marking up code with errors, and many others. We name this language DevScript.
The DIDACT mannequin is prompted with a process, code snippets, and annotations associated to that process, and produces improvement actions, e.g., edits or feedback. |
This state-intent-action formalism permits us to seize many alternative duties in a basic method. What's extra, DevScript is a concise approach to specific complicated actions, with out the necessity to output the entire state (the unique code) as it might be after the motion takes place; this makes the mannequin extra environment friendly and extra interpretable. For instance, a rename would possibly contact a file in dozens of locations, however a mannequin can predict a single rename motion.
An ML peer programmer
DIDACT does a superb job on particular person assistive duties. For instance, under we present DIDACT doing code clean-up after performance is generally achieved. It seems to be on the code together with some ultimate feedback by the code reviewer (marked with "human" within the animation), and predicts edits to handle these feedback (rendered as a diff).
The multimodal nature of DIDACT additionally provides rise to some stunning capabilities, paying homage to behaviors rising with scale. One such functionality is historical past augmentation, which will be enabled by way of prompting. Realizing what the developer did not too long ago permits the mannequin to make a greater guess about what the developer ought to do subsequent.
An illustration of history-augmented code completion in motion. |
A strong such process exemplifying this functionality is history-augmented code completion. Within the determine under, the developer provides a brand new operate parameter (1), and strikes the cursor into the documentation (2). Conditioned on the historical past of developer edits and the cursor place, the mannequin completes the road (3) by appropriately predicting the docstring entry for the brand new parameter.
An illustration of edit prediction, over a number of chained iterations. |
In an much more highly effective history-augmented process, edit prediction, the mannequin can select the place to edit subsequent in a trend that's traditionally constant. If the developer deletes a operate parameter (1), the mannequin can use historical past to appropriately predict an replace to the docstring (2) that removes the deleted parameter (with out the human developer manually putting the cursor there) and to replace an announcement within the operate (3) in a syntactically (and — arguably — semantically) right method. With historical past, the mannequin can unambiguously determine find out how to proceed the "modifying video" appropriately. With out historical past, the mannequin wouldn't know whether or not the lacking operate parameter is intentional (as a result of the developer is within the technique of an extended edit to take away it) or unintended (through which case the mannequin ought to re-add it to repair the issue).
The mannequin can go even additional. For instance, we began with a clean file and requested the mannequin to successively predict what edits would come subsequent till it had written a full code file. The astonishing half is that the mannequin developed code in a step-by-step method that would appear pure to a developer: It began by first creating a completely working skeleton with imports, flags, and a primary most important operate. It then incrementally added new performance, like studying from a file and writing outcomes, and added performance to filter out some strains primarily based on a user-provided common expression, which required adjustments throughout the file, like including new flags.
DIDACT turns Google's software program improvement course of into coaching demonstrations for ML developer assistants, and makes use of these demonstrations to coach fashions that assemble code in a step-by-step trend, interactively with instruments and code reviewers. These improvements are already powering instruments loved by Google builders daily. The DIDACT method enhances the good strides taken by massive language fashions at Google and elsewhere, in direction of applied sciences that ease toil, enhance productiveness, and improve the standard of labor of software program engineers.
This work is the results of a multi-year collaboration amongst Google Analysis, Google Core Techniques and Experiences, and DeepMind. We wish to acknowledge our colleagues Jacob Austin, Pascal Lamblin, Pierre-Antoine Manzagol, and Daniel Zheng, who be a part of us as the important thing drivers of this venture. This work couldn't have occurred with out the numerous and sustained contributions of our companions at Alphabet (Peter Choy, Henryk Michalewski, Subhodeep Moitra, Malgorzata Salawa, Vaibhav Tulsyan, and Manushree Vijayvergiya), in addition to the many individuals who collected information, recognized duties, constructed merchandise, strategized, evangelized, and helped us execute on the numerous sides of this agenda (Ankur Agarwal, Paige Bailey, Marc Brockschmidt, Rodrigo Damazio Bovendorp, Satish Chandra, Savinee Dancs, Matt Frazier, Alexander Frömmgen, Nimesh Ghelani, Chris Gorgolewski, Chenjie Gu, Vincent Hellendoorn, Franjo Ivančić, Marko Ivanković, Emily Johnston, Luka Kalinovcic, Lera Kharatyan, Jessica Ko, Markus Kusano, Kathy Nix, Sara Qu, Marc Rasi, Marcus Revaj, Ballie Sandhu, Michael Sloan, Tom Small, Gabriela Surita, Maxim Tabachnyk, David Tattersall, Sara Toth, Kevin Villela, Sara Wiltberger, and Donald Duo Zhao) and our extraordinarily supportive management (Martín Abadi, Joelle Barral, Jeff Dean, Madhura Dudhgaonkar, Douglas Eck, Zoubin Ghahramani, Hugo Larochelle, Chandu Thekkath, and Niranjan Tulpule). Thanks!


text:
Terms and Conditions
• We accept all major credit cards as well as PayPal.
All transfers conducted through Lone Star Botanicals are handled by third party dedicated gateways to guarantee your protection. Card information is not stored and all card information is handled over SSL encryption. Your purchase transaction data is stored only as long as is necessary to complete your purchase transaction. After this is complete, your purchase transaction information is deleted.
• We accept payment via check or money order for pre-approved wholesale and bulk account orders. These transactions are arranged and handled on an individualized basis.
• At Lone Star Botanicals we stand behind our products and hope you are more than satisfied with your selections. If you are dissatisfied, please write us with your return request to firstname.lastname@example.com with the word RETURN in the email subject line within 7 days of delivery. We are more than happy to fix any issues that may arise due to an error on our part.
• While we always aim to stay fully stocked, occasionally an item in high demand or out of season may be unavailable. We're always happy to help you find a replacement product.
• If you receive a product from us that appears to have been damaged in shipping, please contact us immediately at email@example.com with the word DAMAGED in the subject line and a photo of the damaged item. We will remedy this as quick as possible.
• Want to stay on top of what's happening at Lone Star Botanicals? Be the first to know about new products, discounts, special events, and anything else going on within the Lone Star family by entering your email below. We will never share your personal information with any third parties.
• We offer retail, wholesale, and bulk ordering options.
o For individual retail orders, you are welcome to shop 24 hours a day on our website!
o For wholesale orders, you may set up a wholesale account with us if you plan on ordering 25 lbs or more of product. If you need assistance with setting up a wholesale account or placing a wholesale order please contact us at email@example.com.
o Bulk orders require 300 lbs or more of product and are handled on an individualized basis. For assistance with bulk orders please contact firstname.lastname@example.com.
• Certificates of Analysis (COA) are available for all of our botanicals. These certificates include details about safety and quality testing, as well as organic integrity.
• While we believe in the medicinal properties and healing qualities of herbs, we recommend that you consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, or on any medications. The research and information we provide on our website is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
As a privately owned web site, we reserve the right to edit or remove comments that contain spam, advertising, vulgarity, threats of violence, racism, anti-Semitism, or personal/abusive attacks on other users. The same applies to trolling, the use of multiple aliases, or just generally being a jerk. Enforcement of this policy is at the sole discretion of the site administrators and repeat offenders may be blocked or permanently banned without warning.


text:
Table of Contents
Which is urad dal?
Urad dal, also known as Split Black Gram, is one of the famous lentils used in southern part of Asia, especially in Indian cuisine. Rich in protein, fat and carbohydrates, urad dal is brimming with many health benefits.
What is urad called in english?
04/11Urad dal English name: Black lentils, Black gram.
What is the Colour of urad dal?
Urad also know commonly as Black Gram originated in India, where it has been in cultivation from ancient times and it is one of the highly prized pulses of India. As the name suggests whole black gram is black in colour and split dehulled are white in color.
Is black dal and urad dal same?
Black Gram, also known as "Urad Dal," are pulses that, although commonly called lentils, are actually related to cowpeas and mung beans. They originated in India, where they are still an important culinary ingredient, used in popular dishes such as dal makhani, dosa and papadum.
Is urad dal black or white?
Urad dal has black skin, while the inside is creamy white. This white lentil is rich in protein and the iron content is good for improving hemoglobin count. Urad dal is great for vegan and low fat diets.
How is urad dal made?
What is Urad Dal? It is a simple dal where the soaked dal is pressure cooked along with salt, turmeric powder, ginger and water. Once it is boiled properly, it is tempered with hing, cumin seeds, dry red chillies, ginger and onion.
Is moong dal and urad dal same?
Just like mung beans and moong dal, whole urad dal is a different thing all its own. You can also find split versions that still have their black hulls on, but whole urad dal is the most common. Think of it as the black bean of the dal world: distinct in flavor and texture with a dark richness that other legumes lack.
Is Toor Dal and urad dal same?
Of course, we do have other varieties of dals that come in different colors. Masoor Dal has got reddish tone to it, whereas Urad Dal is known for its dark black color. But yellow color has become quite synonymous with traditional dals. As for Moong Dal and Toor Dal, both of them have the same color.
How can you tell quality urad dal?
A good way to check for good quality urad dal is to soak a small handful in a cup of water. If the dal is fresh, within half an hour you will see bubbles on the surface of the water. Fresh lentils have more bacteria on the surface than aged ones; these are vital for the fermentation process.
Is urad dal same as moong dal?
Is urad and urad same?
A type of flour, commonly used in India, made by grinding black gram pulses or lentils into a fine powder. Urad flour is often used for making dosa crepes, idli cakes and uttappam, which is similar to a pancake. Urad flour may also be referred to as urid flour.
Why urad dal causes gas?
Urad dal improves digestive fire due to its Ushna (hot) potency and corrects constipation, gas and bloating. This is because of its Rechana (laxative) property. But due to its Guru (heavy), nature, it should be taken in small quantity as it takes time to digest and can cause gas.
How many images of urad dal are there?
urad dal images 3,128 urad dal stock photos, vectors, and illustrations are available royalty-free. See urad dal stock video clips of 32 white urad dalurad daalwhite uradmungo beanurad dal of bowlblack gramuradurad spliturad whitesplit black lentil
What is the difference between white urad dal and black urad dal?
White urad dal. Isolated on white background Black urad dal lentil beans in a bile isolated. Against white Urad dal in a small dish. Urad dal ( skinned and split black gram ) in a small dish Black urad dal bean lentils texture background. Black urad dal bean lentils Urad dal. On sack and out of them Black beans Urad dal, black gram, vigna mungo.
What is urad dal puri?
Masala Dhokla made up of rice or urad dal is a popular breakfast or Snacks recipe from Gujarat, India, served with Green chutney. And fried chilli.. Selective Urad dal puri with Coconut chutney from India. Urad dal puri Indian flatbread which is made with wheat flour served as breakfast dish Vada, indian snack food.
What is urad dal laddu?
Urad Dal – Urad, also referred to as urad dal, udad dal, urd bean, urd, urid, black matpe bean, black gram Urad Dal Laddu. Indian Traditional Sweet Food Urad Dal Laddu made of butter, dry fruits, fenugreek and other spices, laddu food mostly eat in winter season for Urad Dal Laddu.


text:
Project Graduation
What Is PROJECT GRADUATION (OR PROJECT GRAD)?
PROJECT GRAD is the after graduation all-night (11p-3a) party. This is a supervised, alcohol, drug-free, safe event for our graduates.
What Is the PROJECT GRAD Committee?
PROJECT GRAD COMMITTEE is the parent-based, volunteer committee that supports, plans and fund-raises for PROJECT GRAD.
The PROJECT GRAD Committee is looking for committee members to help make the Class of 2024's PROJECT GRAD party the BEST it can be. If you are interested in learning more about PROJECT GRAD, please reach out to the Committee Chairperson at [email protected].


text:
Nirbhaya Convicts Will Not Be Hanged On January 22 After One Files Mercy Plea In Court
While the nation awaits the execution Nirbhaya gangrape convicts, the Delhi government told the high court court that execution of the death row convicts in the Nirbhaya gangrape and murder case will not take place on January 22 as a mercy plea has been filed by one of them. The preparations for the death sentence to be carried out are in full swing. The Tihar Jail also carried out a dummy hanging two days ago.
The "dummy execution" was done by the jail authorities to test the gallows using sacks filled with debris and stones according to the weight of the four men. The test was done at Jail 3 of Tihar, Asia's largest prison complex, where the convicts will be executed. Jail cell 3 was where Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru was hanged in 2013.
The four convicts -- Vinay Sharma (26), Mukesh Kumar (32), Akshay Kumar Singh (31) and Pawan Gupta (25) -- are to be hanged on January 22 at 7 am in Tihar jail. A Delhi court had issued their death warrants on January 7.
Justices Manmohan and Sangita Dhingra Sehgal were told by the Delhi government and the Centre that the petition filed by convict Mukesh, challenging his death warrant, was premature.
The Delhi government and the prison authorities informed the court that under the rules, it will have to wait for the mercy plea to be decided before executing the death warrant.
They also said that none of the four convicts can be executed on January 22 unless the present mercy plea is decided.
The Supreme Court had on Tuesday dismissed the curative pleas of Mukesh and Vinay.


text:
El riad shrine poker run
El Riad Shrine in Sioux Falls · Events Calendar & Tickets ...
vascularplant - PDF Free Download edning af fisk sverige bouncer jobs in chicago il ebay icon qcon icici prudential mutual fund nav history jogos de shopp... Spectral - Foto - Anglie comment1, http://www.operationsports.com/rethunbaran/videos/282075-105610721 - 0841072107610721085-1082107210831077108510761072/ - ramadan_kalendar_2016_chelny, >:DDD, http://www.operationsports.com/chaytilburgbruc/videos/282305-juras - sic …
2018 El Kahir Fez-tival Of Trees & More. Halloween 5K Run, Saturday, October 13. Omelet Breakfast – First Sundays. Basket Night – Second Fridays.
El Riad Shrine Motor Corps added an event. December 13, 2018 · The Frozen Pub Run is just like a poker run you do in the summer except in the winter and you dont have to ride or drive. ELRIAD MOTOR CORPS :: Home We think Summer is finally here!! Parade season starting soon!! Keep an eye out for us!!
Take in the sights of north-central Oklahoma on the annual Enid Shrine Poker Run, "Kruz'n the Plains." Enid is the home base for the ride. On Saturday, the first bike will go out at 10am and the last bike will go out at noon, with bikes departing from Cycle Ward in downtown Enid. Riders will meet after the run to enjoy live music and bike ...
This is a keyword rich description of your page. Keep it to 160 characters or less. El Riad Shrine Patient Christmas Party 2017 - YouTube El Riad Shrine Patient Christmas Party 2017. El Riad Shrine Patient Christmas Party 2017. Skip navigation Sign in. Search. Loading... Close. This video is unavailable. Watch Queue
El Zagal Shrine Fall Poker Run held in Fargo, ND on Sep 09, 2018 information on LightningCustoms.com. Biker Events Calendar 2019 Major Motorcycle Events Submit Rallies. Motorcycle Rallies Calendar 2019 List of Major Biker Rallies . Search Events.
Poker run. Quite the same Wikipedia. Just better.Poker runs usually require a fee to enter and some for each additional hand; in some events a small part of the fee may go to funding the event, including the prizes, while the rest goes to the event's charity recipient or club treasury. The Arreat Summit - Shrines and Wells
Kool Deadwood Nites - The Motor Market
El Riad Shrine - Home | Facebook El Riad Shrine is the shriners organization located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Jump to. Sections of this page. Accessibility Help. Press alt + / to open this menu. Business Manager. Home. About. Events. Photos. Videos. Posts. Reviews. Community. See more of El Riad Shrine on Facebook. Log In. or. Create New Account. See more of El Riad ... HogBarn Motorcycle Events Calendar 2008 A fund raiser for the El Riad Motor Corps equipment fund $15 pre-registration at Fresh Horses or the El Riad Shrine Center $20 per person the day of the poker run Sign-up at Fresh Horses bar from 11 AM to 1 PM This is a bus tour poker run, and the bus leaves at 1 PM, returning at 5:30 PM Bottoms Up Corson SD - 34 Photos - 79 Reviews - Bar ... See more of Bottoms Up Corson SD on Facebook. Log In. Forgot account? or. Create New Account. ... (El Riad Shrine) May 20 Ride For A Cure Poker Run BTMC (Critters) June 2 Bottoms Up Pink Ladies Poker Run June 10 Poker Run BU July 28 Beard Clash. Starting Dates for Darts. Wednesday Traveling Doubles – April 25th.
- Batman v superman free online
- Free online zorro slot games
- Yahoo game free download
- Calendario torneos poker casino alicante
- Slot machine guns n roses
- Online casino gambling sites
- Basic no limit holdem strategy
- Who was the original wheel of fortune game show host
- Us poker sites that take paypal
- Wheel of fortune mobile game apk
- Decathlon patin a roulette pour fille
- Real online casino android app
- Texas holdem violentos e perigosos
- Poker night 2 max kiss
- Comic 8 casino kings ganool streaming
- Nhung bi mat trong casino
- Comic 8 casino kings ganool streaming
- Casino close to canton ga
- Www casino net com
- Casino des palmiers hyeres var
- How much does a executive casino host make
- Lightning link casino online


text:
The top Republican on the Senate Ag Committee wants the Department of Agriculture to show how it spent $11 billion in funding designed to help producers weather the financial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Arkansas Republican John Boozman, who is in line to chair the committee if Republicans gain control of the Senate in next week's midterm elections, is seeking specifics on funding from the fiscal 2021 omnibus spending bill.
In that legislation, Congress allocated $11 billion "prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus by providing support for agricultural producers, growers, and processors impacted by" the impacts of the market shocks stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The legislation, signed into law on Dec. 27, 2020, after a brief protest from then-President Donald Trump, contained some specifics on how the money was to be spent, including $20-per-acre payments under the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program.
In a letter to Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack, Boozman said he was satisfied with the department's implementation of the specifics Congress outlined in the bill, but wants to see how it handled the rest of the money.
"Many of USDA's efforts appropriately aligned with the intent of Congress to help agriculture and food industry stakeholders respond to the COVID-19 pandemic," he wrote. "I am concerned, however, that as the need for additional financial resources to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic has waned, USDA has begun using unobligated balances … for projects unrelated to mitigating the impacts of the coronavirus."
In his letter, Boozman specifically asks for "a report of all programs and activities funded or intended to be funded" using the money in the appropriations bill "and USDA's rationale explaining how the use of said funds is consistent with the law." Boozman also seeks specific amounts across programs funded with the COVID relief funds as well as any analysis conducted by USDA's general counsel and chief economist offices.
Interested in more coverage and insights? Receive a free month of Agri-Pulse!
Boozman's letter underscores the probable increase in oversight the Biden administration — and its Department of Agriculture — would see if Republicans control either chamber in the next Congress. Republicans are widely expected to take control of the House and could win the Senate as well.
Boozman wants the information from USDA by the end of November.
In a statement, USDA press secretary Marissa Perry told Agri-Pulse USDA has acted in accordance with the spending bill and has "continued to conduct vitally important work to aid in the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and ensure that impacted producers, growers, processors, and others along the supply chain can look to a prosperous future. USDA has undertaken this work in an open and transparent fashion and is committed to continuing to work closely with our Congressional partners."
This story has been updated to include a USDA statement.
For more news, go to www.Agri-Pulse.com.


text:
Taça da Liga group stage drawn
24 Sep, 2022
Sporting CP play CS Marítimo, Rio Ave FC and SC Farense in Group B
Sporting Clube de Portugal will face CS Marítimo, Rio Ave FC and SC Farense in Group B of the 2022/2023 Taça da Liga.
The first phase of the competition is scheduled for the period between November 18th and December 17th, with the quarter-finals - involving the top finishers in each group - set for December 20th to 23rd. The final four will be held in Leiria, between January 21st and 28th, 2023.
Sporting CP have won the Taça da Liga for the last two seasons, and a total of four times in their history.
Matchday 1 – Sporting CP vs. SC Farense
Matchday 2 – Rio Ave FC vs. Sporting CP
Matchday 3 – Sporting CP vs. CS Marítimo


text:
Tori Amos hasn't shied away from anything in her decades-spanning career, and her fifteenth album — Native Invader, out today, is no different. Emotional, lyrical, and fiery, the album's lush, melodic soundscapes reels from major issue to major issue, turning the personal into the global and the political. But don't take the album's produced, often dreamy sound as an indication that this Amos is any less powerful than the Tori of previous eras. Where she once broke your heart into pieces with the pounding of her harpsichord, Amos is now calling on her listeners to take a stand with every urgent bass line and every ethereal echo. A stand against hate, against climate change, against the never-ending machinations of the political machine.
It's a lot to absorb in in one listen, and this album deserves many. As a follower of Amos' work since my teenage years, it's one that I've been waiting for. While her most recent albums — Abnormally Attracted To Sin, Night Of Hunters, Gold Dust, Unrepentant Geraldines — have all featured standouts that have a home on any Spotify playlist I curate (I'm only allowed to bring Midwinter Graces out around the holidays), Native Invader feels like it must be listened through. And then listened through again until you really hear it.
Much of the album's power comes from how intimate it feels. Amos' original intent was to connect with the stories and song lines of her mother's family, but then the universe decided it had other plans. First, the 2016 election shook America to its core; then, only months later, Amos' mother, Maryellen Amos, suffered a debilitating stroke that robbed her of the ability to speak. The pain that sweeps through the album is Amos', but as she unleashes the full spectrum of her emotions across the sonic divide — grief, hope, anger, a frustration with fake news (that's an emotion now), healing — it feels like yours, too.
"It wasn't going to be a record of pain, blood and bone when I began," Amos said in a release leading up to the album's drop date. "It wasn't going to be a record of division. But the Muses 9 insisted that I listened and watched the conflicts that were traumatizing the nation and write about those raw emotions. Hopefully people will find strength and resilience within the songs to give them the energy to survive the storms that we are currently in."
I spoke to Amos about Native Invader, the militia of the mind, and how to stay strong when it feels like the entire world is collapsing.
You've said that Native Invader isn't an album that you actually set out to make. Can you tell me more about that?
Well, a year ago — over a year ago now — I had been told to take a trip; a road trip to the Smoky Mountains, not knowing what I would find there. And I was told by people that I respect to just be open, and to listen, and to just expose myself to the streams, and the nature, and the waterfalls, and the rivers, and the rocks, and the trees, and the ridges. And just be as open as I possibly could. And I might not know what it all meant at the time. And they were exactly right. It wasn't until the autumn, it wasn't until mid-November the songs then started to really come.
This album has many themes: Your mother's stroke, nature, politics. How did you bring it all together?
It's the Muses' work. Really — the Muses 9. I co-create with them, but they are driving this message, more than on some albums, because that's just how it worked this time. Sometimes I was just taking dictation, literally. It was just being shown to me and I was trying to not miss anything they were saying. And yes, of course there's a level of collaboration with it. But, there were moments when I was just honestly being a scribe.
I'd be walking down the street and just, there it is: Verse, chorus, chords, melody, structure, bang! It doesn't happen all the time, but when it does, it's pretty cool.
More than any other album in your recent past I feel like there's a lot of nostalgia on this album. I know it's a different sound, but I was listening to it and I was like, 'Oh, this reminds me of Choir Girl, or oh, this reminds me of American Doll Posse, or this reminds me of Scarlet's Walk.' I wonder if that was intentional.
It wasn't intention no, it was just — I think it's sort of like cooking in the kitchen. You grab for the Worcester sauce to put in the cannellini beans, and you grab for, well you have some arrabiata sauce left over from the night before and you go, 'Oh, that'll go in the beans,' and then you say, 'Oh, and that spinach could go in the bean, but oh my god we need lots of cracked pepper what are we missing?' It's that type of, it's sonic cooking, Mark [Hawley] and I in there.
One line that really struck me was your reference to "the militia of the mind," on "Up The Creek." It felt like a call to action. Can you tell me more about the militia of the mind? What are you hoping this militia will accomplish when they "arm themselves against those climate blind?"
They're already forming, I saw them in Brooklyn the other night, the beginnings of it. We saw it in the March For Science and we saw it in the Women's March, in their walk more than in the speeches.
The energy of the militia of the mind — it's not necessarily overtly confrontational, where they're calling people out on a microphone. It's much more of an energy that's fusing into a synergy. And that, that is what it's gonna take to combat the plutocrats who serve the American oligarchs.
Is that a reference to our current president?
Oh no, he serves them. Of course, he's a master showman, but don't get confused who's running this show. No, it's the Benjamins. The computers were getting to me through people. You know, it's like a film, what was happening. It's a mother with a toddler in a coffee line somewhere as I'm doing the Netflix promo and she comes up to me and says, 'By the way,' and I get this message: 'Are you aware of the think tank? You need to do some research.'
And so then I start researching, and I could tell you some of them, but I mean there are think tanks everywhere pushing all kind of agendas. But, there's some that are much more influential and powerful than others.
In a recent interview you said that words are weapons. Right now, there's a huge battle between one side saying, 'Yes, words are weapons, speech is important, what we say matters,' and the other side saying, 'You precious snowflakes, words aren't violence, words aren't weapons, words are just words.' What do you think about that?
Perhaps it would be more productive to step into neutrality. I'm talking about an energy force, neutrality is a powerful force because it gives you objectivity and clarity and groundedness. That's what I think of this. I think of course words are being weaponized, I talk about it on "Bang," the record, the Muses talk about it.
People need to activate right now: Themselves and their awareness and their clarity, and get out of this political, emotional taser they're getting attacked by every day and which they, in response, attack back. That is futile. That's how people are becoming consumed.
That's what the Muses were trying to — you know, they really read me the riot act. They said, 'You know, understand this is a human response, Tori, but this is a bit Human Response 101 with the plutocrats. This is not how you respond.' And they're just sitting there cross-legged on the couch, looking at me, you know?
They don't talk to me all the time, but when they do, they do. And the thing is, back to what you were just saying, that's probably one of the most important things being asked all day. To me, anyway, in all of my interviews. People are becoming consumed and losing themselves in this, and that's why you need to discipline, we all need to discipline ourselves and only have so much time committed to the news cycle a day. And then go create. Whether that's in your garden, whether that's in a kitchen, whether that's in whatever your work is. But then where are your hobbies? Where is your passion?
It doesn't feel like we're allowed to have hobbies anymore.
Yes, I understand. I understand that. So activate it, reactivate it. Go invade your creative essence. Reinvade it. That's what Native Invader is about. Because it's been stolen from you, and it had been stolen from me for a moment and then the Muses kicked my ass and said, 'Oh Tori, really, get off the cross we need the wood.'
The term Native Invader brings forth a very strong image. Can you tell me more about that and how you came to that concept?
They [the Muses 9] said, 'This is what you need to do.' And I looked at it and I said, 'But it's a paradox,' and they said, 'Yes it is. What do you want us to clap for you for that?' I said, 'Okay, alright,' and they said, 'So, put it through different lenses, hold it, carry it around, see different ways that this makes sense."'
The most tragic Native Invader is Mary's stroke, for me. That's tragic, there is no upside to that. The stroke that went from her heart to the left side of her brain.
But then as a mother, another native invader is Tash [Tori's daughter], when she was hanging out in mommy timeshare for nine months. That was a win-win, though, because that's an exchange of energy that's very hard to describe. But although I had a hard time walking up hills during my nine months, it was still euphoric.
When you're talking about your mother and native invaders it feels like you're saying like, 'Your body turned against you. This is your body, you expect it to be yours and it turns against you.' That's a fear many of us have.
Yes, whether it's dementia, people have been talking to me about dealing with their parents, especially early onset dementia or Alzheimer's, and people having grandparents that then don't know who they are anymore. And that's a real aspect to the phrase. But nature, nature has a way — whether it's with fires, a force that comes in and there's a forest fire, and yes, it's destructive but then eventually there is a fertilization and a regrowth, eventually.
There's a transmutation, there's a transmutation that happens. And it might take time. It might take time for that transformation to happen.
In the song "Wings," you have two lyrics that strikes me: 'Is it too late to make myself safe place' and also, 'Sometimes big boys need to cry.' which I think are really important in our time right now. As I was listening to the song, it kind of sent me back to when I was 17 and just coming out of the closet.
This isn't just applied to men but it is very male-centric this song, from my perspective. A lot of men don't have the opportunity to sit in a pub and express their fears with another guy. It isn't part of our culture where guys are encouraged, whether gay or straight, to really talk about what just happened, in an argument say, whether it's at work, whether it's 'Why did this guy throw me shade? Why was I think undermined in this moment by somebody who I considered a friend?'
Now, women, it is part of our relationships with each other to talk about emotional stuff. Sometimes really deep stuff. Even with acquaintances. It can be somebody that you don't know too much but you happen to be with during break time, or in a moment. Something happened that day and you go, 'You know, something really strange happened,' and I go, 'Okay, so what strange happened? Hi I'm Tori.' And she says, 'Hi, I'm Jill.' Okay we've met. You're a journalist. Whatever, I mean you can have this conversation that is quite personal and deep.
Well, guys are not afforded that and so some things stay, just don't get expressed and released. And then what can happen is there's a heaviness. So, the wings, think about it, there's such a heaviness of emotion that they can't fly above it. Because they haven't released it in order to float.
And they're not encouraged to cry. It's looked upon as a weakness, opposed to as emotion, being an emotional guy is a powerful guy.
You've said that in your early career, especially the "Y Kant Tori Read" era, you were seduced by success. And that it's very easy to be seduced by success. What important lessons have you learned from that? What are you seduced by now?
Oh. That's a good question, that's a good question. I don't know if I know what I'm seduced by now. [If I did] that means the seducer, and I'm talking about energies, not necessarily a person, that means it's not a very good seducer. So, you don't know usually. If you know you're being seduced.
But sometimes, we can be drawn to things. For instance, I read somewhere that when the Russians want to groom you, you don't know you're being groomed. Unless you're very experienced and you understand how that works. But, sometimes a lot of us feel like we're in control and we feel like, 'Oh yeah, I've got this.' No, Tori, you don't got this. No you don't, you don't, what do you have? You're being had, you don't even realize it. You know sometimes we feel like we're in control but we're consumers. You're just buying more products.
It's a force that's very good if the energy is good, then you have to ask yourself, 'Why am I purchasing this? Do I need this? Do I really want this?' and then you go, 'Yeah, I kinda do. I do. And I'm fully going into this.' And if you check yourself, then yes, you need to trust that.
But sometimes, I'm seeing a picture being painted that I feel like stepping in, and then I put in the cart.
You're going on tour in a really politically rocky time and much of your fan base are part of minority groups. You have a huge following in the LGBT community and right now is a really difficult time for us. Fans have oftentimes looked to you as kind of a friend, a mother, a mentor. What your feelings are about going, about this out on tour this time? Do you anticipate people needing you even more?
Listen: It's about a tone, it's about an energy, it's about creating a place for conversation for the community. Everybody that's in the community or wants to be part of the community that hasn't come before. They're welcome. They are welcome. And it's a place for people to gather. There was a similar energy that was going on in 2001, after 9/11. But it was a very different invader then, if you see what I mean.
However, our government then was arming up for war and a lot of things were being canceled. If you remember, there were songs being blacklisted, such as "Imagine." There was censorship happening. But, the community encouraged me to tour anyway, even though officials were trying to get a lot of acts to cancel. And I didn't buy that.
Mark and I talked about it and we said, 'We feel that we need to do this.' And so, yeah, we had enough faith to take our infant on the road. She was a year and two months. And, that was her first world tour, on Strange Little Girls. And, she is a strange little baby. A wonderful baby, but meaning, she was a wonderful baby, in strange times. That's more accurate. Very strange. But we felt safe enough to take our infant. Therefore we felt would be fine for the community, although we were told it was dangerous. But that was propaganda we felt.
I do think there's a similar energy, you can say that, I've toured in strange times before. That's the closest that I would say, is to our times now. But, it's not an outside force, outside the United States, flying planes into buildings. It's, that's why the militia of the mind is gathering at the concerts. And exchanging ideas and thoughts. And energy.
This is your Fifteenth album, and your earlier albums are hitting major milestones. Are you thinking about your legacy?
No. I'm too busy to think about that. If you have to think about that you've got too much time on your hands and you need to chop wood, carry water.
Tori Amos is touring now.
Interview condensed and edited for clarity.
Native Invader is out today via Decca records. Get it here.


text:
At TopGear South Africa, we've all agreed that one of the many motoring heroes of our generation that we'd all like to have a coffee with is one Andreus Preuninger. He is the man currently at the head of Porsche's GT division, responsible for taking already mesmerising Porsche sportscars and then transforming them into even more spectacular machines. We think he is a genius and as you way well know, a true genius possesses a touch of madness to go with it. A car that will absolutely convince you of this is the 991-gen 911 GT2 RS.
Iconic? Certainly. Nordschleife track records tell this story. FIagrant? Absolutely. An unmistakeable shape with massive wings and scoops tell of that. Its credentials list reads like nothing else we know of, a car that has remapped the engineering possibilities of that all-insatiable of concepts – Speed. This is the creation of Mr P. It's mad and masterful.
It's all business in here. The entire layout is driver-centric, the instrument binnacle is classic Porsche and the centre console is bereft of unneccsary buttons. There's no Comfort, Sport and Sport Plus buttons here. What you get is one Sport button for the dampers only and then options to turn the TC and ESC off – if you dare. That's it. There's one engine mode and we'd call it – ballistic plus. Yes, the likes of climate control and infotainment system are available but really, this isn't that kind of car.
Fitted with the Weissach Package, you can't help notice the carbo-tanium roll cage in the back not the alcantara trim throughouth the cabin and the stitched Nürburgring insignia on the headrests. Should you choose the Clubsport package, a 4-point racing harness is thrown in and when you get behind the wheel, you'll understand why you might just opt for that.
The GT2 RS game is that of marrying two turbochargers to, in this case, the 3,8-litre flat six that does work in the 991-generation Turbo S. Those two turbos account for the staggering 515kW of power and 750Nm of torque put down through the rear wheels via 325/30 21-inch rubber. Then there is a 7-speed PDK transmission that is heavily reinforced to cope with all this madness because truly, madness it is.
I approached the GT2 RS with much respect of course. I knew the stats, read the stories and watched all the content around the car, including how it snatched the Nürburgring record from the Huracan Performance and beat its own 918 Spyder at that. It was one of those moments where even the most arrogant of haters stood up and uttered those three words. What the…?!! GT2 RS is menacing in reputation and menacing in its demeanour.
You can't miss its massive fixed rear wing nor can you miss that it has been shaped to gulp in air at every opportunity. The manipulation of air is everything here – to cool the engine and the brakes yes, but also to create as much downforce on the axles all the while cut through the air in the most efficient and undisturbed way. That roll cage in the rear is unmissable as are the strong carbon cues across the whole body. It's a visual message that says in no uncertain terms - 'you better be wide awake from the moment you step inside.'
You can't help it really. The 911 GT2 RS will awaken your senses the moment you turn the key. It doesn't emit that wild, high-pitched bark of the GT3 RS. It's loud but lower in the bassy tones and that is accentuated when you depress the exhaust note button on the centre console.
Not much will jolt your adrenal glands more than that first foray into pedal-to-the-floor territory. Those turbos take enormous breaths before catapulting the GT2 RS into the unbelievable speeds we think we know. Again, I know the stats: 0 – 100km/h in under 3 seconds. 0 – 160km/h in 5.8-seconds. 200km/h in a half-blink over 8-seconds. You get the game here. Knowing the numbers and then experiencing them first hand is like reading of a Joburg thunderstorm and then getting pummelled by one its lightning bolts. The magic is in the delivery of it all. Somehow Porsche has used such significant trickery in the traction management to apply the driving force to those Michelin Pilot Cup Sport 2 tyres that it doesn't feel as scary as your brain is registering the accelerative mayhem. There's a lot going on underneath you as that sumptuous dual-clutch PDK sings through the gears, as those turbos swell to crescendo.
Buried into the bucket seats, I'm wondering when the intensity will stop or at the very least, let off. But it doesn't. I have to let off before I run out of road. Consider the approach to corners carefully then, because you'll be entering at a speed much higher than you expected but no surprises here, the GT2 RS is as direct as you'd expect. That legendary 911 communication between steering input and behaviour is better than ever. The ride is hard of course. This is no GT car by any means. Everything is focused around track-bred work. There's an immediacy to everything the car does. Power on – it's there. Steering input – immediate. Braking? Porsche Ceramic brakes are standard fare here. 410mm at the front. 390mm at the rear. They work but they work very hard to quell these insane speeds. Again, their bite is immediate and there's no strange feeling that some ceramic brakes emit.
These cars are very rare and very difficult to come by, despite the depths of the pocket. At R5-Million you're investing in an icon, something with legacy and legend. If you're in that haloed group of people who have access to the car, it is truly a worthy and spectacular bit of engineering if you know what you're buying. It won't lose half its value in a year nor will you tire of its immense performance. Does it have competitors to consider? A McLaren 720S comes close but the retained value equation needs to be considered and you'll certainly be paying more for the Mac anyway.
The GT2 RS is built for purpose. It's a car that is to mere mortals a jolt of immortality. Every time you turn, mash the pedal, hit the brakes, take in the sound sensations etc, your adrenal triggers shoot more immortality into your veins, leaving you in spellbound awe and thinking you can take on anything. BUT – be careful. The GT2 RS is an engineering icon, a demon of speed that absolutely MUST be treated with more respect than you may think. It is so fast that the true edge of its ability will only be found by those who are driving geniuses – those who are special enough and mad enough to really tame this beast.
Porsche and Mr Preuninger are smart enough to know that these people exist. Not many of them but they're there. I would say that everyone should drive a GT2 RS just once in their lifetime, but no, I retract that. Only the chosen should – such is its immense capability and such is the reverent respect I have for it…and for the genius and madness of Porsche GT's boss.
Enter your email address to receive regular Top Gear SA newsletters
Enter your email address to receive regular Top Gear SA newsletters


text:
Hamilton High School students representing 12 curriculum areas were selected as students of the month for September.
They are:
- Mitchell Stachowiak, applied engineering and technology;
- Savannah Brant, art;
- Avidan Trujillo, business education;
- Erika Houston Johnson, communication arts;
- Alexcia Engle, family and consumer sciences;
- John Arnold, fitness education;
- Emma Vlaski, mathematics;
- Ava Schweikart, music;
- Elise Damato, science;
- Olivia George, social studies;
- Alexis Offman, student resources; and
- Colin Toryfter, world languages.
Students received a certificate and a pin for their accomplishment.


text:
Have you ever tried scrape painting? You are going to love it! In fact, I have become addicted to it! And since Valentine's day is just around the corner, let's create a DIY Valentine's Day Craft filled with love and glitter. Who doesn't like sparkly things?! If you are not a fan of glitter, you can always skip it. Crafting is very beneficial for children. It improves their creativity, patience, fine motor-skills, and pencil grip.
Gather your supplies and let's get crafty!
Supplies Needed for Valentine's Day Craft
- Watercolor Paper
- Acrylic Paint (we used iridescent pink, red, orange)
- Long piece of cardboard or a Squeegee
- Piece of paper
- Pencil
- Scissors
- Acrylic or permanent Markers (we used black and red)
- Glue
- Thin paint brush or craft stick (optional)
- Glitter (optional)
- Tray or tin foil (optional)
Activity Directions:
- Squeeze a little bit of acrylic paint of your choice (we used pink, red, and orange) onto the watercolor paper.
2. Use a long piece of cardboard or squeegee to carefully scrape the paint across the whole paper. Let it dry.
3. Sketch a heart shape on a piece of paper and cut it out. Once the acrylic paint is dry, trace the heart shape on the back of your scrape painting. Cut it out.
4. Draw the face features on the heart. Winky eyes with eyelashes are always fun and super chic! Add two red circles for the cheeks as well as another red circle for the lips! Finish the happy face design with a curvy line across the lips.
5. If you are a fan of glitter, keep on reading! Squeeze little bit of the liquid glue onto the bottom of the heart. Use the thin paint brush or craft stick to spread the glue across the paper.
6. It's time for your creativity to shine! Sprinkle glitter over the liquid glue. You can play with different colors if you like! Tip:Have a tray or tin foil handy to get rid of the excess glitter.
7. Shake off the excess glitter. Use the tray or tin foil if you like.
8. Ta-Daaaaa. You just created your very own DIY Valentine 's Day craft. If you made this Valentine's with your kiddos, don't forget to praise them. Feel free to hang this piece of art onto your walls or gift it to someone special!
Check out more craft ideas and activities and comment below with your favorite ideas!
Happy Valentine's Day to you all.
Stay well and healthy.
This article does contain Amazon Affiliate links. If you choose to purchase through these links, a teeny tiny portion goes to our site and we are so grateful.