text:
by Kenneth Stump, Ocean Policy Fellow at The Ocean Foundation
Forage Fish (School of Goldband Fusilier, Pterocaesio chrysozona. Papua New Guinea – Source: Wikimedia Commons)
As much as a third of the global annual catch of wild fish, totaling tens of billions of pounds of fish every year, consists of small to medium-sized forage fish that serve as prey for other fish, seabirds and marine mammals. Much of this catch is not destined for direct human consumption but instead is processed into fishmeal and oil for use in a variety of livestock and poultry feeds, pets foods, fish oil supplements and, increasingly, as the base of feedstock for farmed fish such as Atlantic salmon and crustaceans such as shrimp.
The Lenfest Ocean Program, a project of the Pew Charitable Trusts, commissioned a Forage Fish Task Force to assess the impacts of these industrial-scale fisheries on competing marine predators and ocean food webs. The report, "Little Fish, Big Impact,"[1]finds that these fish generally have far greater monetary value if left in the water to feed larger, more valuable food and game fish (cod, haddock, flounder, tuna, salmon, striped bass, bluefish, marlin, etc.) than as industrial fodder for livestock and farmed salmon. The Task Force's key recommendation to prevent the decline of dependent predators (fish, marine mammals, seabirds) is to leave more prey in the water by reducing fishing on these key forage fish to half the conventional level that fishery managers typically aim for to achieve maximum sustainable yield (MSY) for the fishery.
The Lenfest report is a welcome addition to the growing body of research that highlights the threat posed by these massive fisheries to the ocean food web and the need for a more conservative management approach. Its recommendations validate and lend support to the ongoing efforts of many conservationists and recreational fishermen to reduce fishing on key forage species in U.S. waters, such as Atlantic menhaden and herring and Pacific sardines. Similar scientific findings and recommendations were published last year in research funded by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), the London-based sustainable seafood certification group.[2]
For all of its good points, however, the Lenfest Forage Fish Task Force report, like the MSC-sponsored research that preceded it, suffers from an overly narrow definition of forage fish. The Lenfest definition includes only a subset of small, silvery "baitfish" (e.g., anchoveta, sardine, menhaden, capelin, sand eel), which leaves out squids and other linchpin prey species such as Alaska pollock, hakes and mackerels, all of which are targets of some of the largest fisheries in the world. The North Pacific pollock fishery (U.S. and Russian combined) is the largest food fish fishery in the world, second only to the South American anchoveta reduction fishery in size. The direct and indirect competitive effects of the fishery on the prey availability have been implicated in the decades-long declines of competing pollock predators such as endangered Steller sea lions and depleted northern fur seals off Alaska's southwest coast, among others.
The exclusive focus on a subset of small, silvery finfish that fit the Task Force's definition does not diminish the importance of its recommendations for a more conservative approach to forage fish fisheries generally in order to prevent the decline of top predators, but it highlights the need to identify key forage fish on an ecosystem-by-ecosystem basis. Otherwise there will be a strong temptation for fishery managers to limit the discussion of forage fish to a select subset of species while conveniently ignoring the food web impacts of some of the largest fisheries in the world. That is the case of the decline northern fur seal off Alaska right now, where steadily declining fur seal pup production appears related to declining prey availability and stands in sharp contrast to the fortunes of the pollock fishery over the same period (See figure above).
Conventional fishery policies fail to account for the critical role of forage fish as food for marine mammals, seabirds and commercially important fish such as tunas, salmon and cod. Leaving more prey fish in the water is critical to protect the ocean food web and the Lenfest report outlines a management strategy for doing so that makes good economic as well as ecological sense.
[1] Available at: http://www.lenfestocean.org/foragefish.
[2] Anthony D.M. Smith et al. (2011), Impacts of Low-Trophic Level Species on Marine Ecosystems, Science Vol. 333: 1147-1150.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
A senior fellow at the Brookings Institute, a Washington DC foreign policy think tank, said in a blog post that "while successive U.S. administrations have actively supported this effort (the Greece-FYROM name dispute), the Trump administration deserves kudos for quiet engagement that helped push it over the line."
Amanda Sloat, the institute's Robert Bosch Senior Fellow of Foreign Policy at Brookings' Center on the United States and Europe suggests in her piece that officials from the Trump Administration were instrumental in pushing today's deal between Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and Prime Minister Zoran Zaev, his counterpart in Skopje.
According to a televised address to the Greek people, Tsipras announced that a deal had been struck to allow the nation to call itself the Republic of North Macedonia.
Sloat outlines what she called "quiet diplomacy" that helped seal the deal between the two leaders.
"The United States has been engaged in quiet diplomacy in recent months, led by Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs Wess Mitchell and supported by ambassadors in Athens and Skopje. During a March visit to the region, Mitchell rightly observed that conditions for reaching a compromise were "better than they have ever been."
Senior administration figures have given their support, Sloat argues. "Defense Secretary Jim Mattis met Macedonian Defense Minister Radmila Shekerinska in early May, Vice President Mike Pence called Greek Prime Minister Tsipras in mid-May, and Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias met Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and National Security Advisor John Bolton in Washington several days later.
Sloat also said that "Special credit goes to Matthew Nimetz, a 78-year-old American diplomat who has served as the United Nations Special Representative for the name issue since 1999."
The entire report from Brookings is here.
Since you're here… I have a small favor to ask.
More and more people than ever before are reading The Pappas Post and despite increasing costs to maintain the site and provide you with the quality content that you deserve, I will never "force" you to pay for our website or add a paywall. I believe in the democracy of the internet and want to keep this site and its enriching content free for everyone. But at the same time I'm asking those who frequent the site to chip in and help keep it both high quality— and free. We've implemented a "free-will" annual subscription for those who want to support our efforts. I guess it's fair to call it a philotimo subscription… because you don't have to do it but it's really the right thing to do if you love the site and the content we publish. So if you like The Pappas Post and want to help, please consider becoming a "philotimo subscriber". Click here to subscribe. If you'd rather make a one time donation, we will gladly accept any amount, with appreciation. Click here to donate any amount.


text:
This creamy and delicious Broccoli Cheddar Soup is the ultimate comfort food for chilly winter nights. Pair it with slices of your favorite bread such as a baguette, homemade garlic bread, or sourdough bread. Anything tastes so much better with cheese — do you agree? Thus, this creamy broccoli soup served with cheddar cheese will surely satisfy you and make you crave for more.
Making Your Own Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Get creative with this soup and add more veggies as you wish. In this recipe, we used celery, broccoli, and carrots. You can even throw in some potatoes, peas, or cauliflower. You can even add small bits of meat such as chicken, ham, or bacon.
You can also use mozzarella or freshly grated Parmesan cheese instead of cheddar. Instead of milk, you can even use heavy cream or substitute whole milk for skimmed or fresh milk.
However you prepare your broccoli cheddar soup or whatever vegetables you add, it will surely make you feel warm and cozy. This is even a great pick-me-up meal if you have the blues or a cold. Serve it to family and friends who feel under the weather and they will surely feel better.
Hot Soup, Cold Nights
This recipe has all the delicious ingredients that will not only satisfy your hunger but make you feel warm all over. As I look at the window and admire the soft blanket of snow, I am thankful that I have a hot bowl of creamy broccoli cheddar soup. We all sat round the dinner table and enjoy our hot bowls with sourdough bread. I'm thinking of serving this for our Thanksgiving dinner, too.
Don't forget to share this delicious recipe with your friends. If you're looking for more soup ideas, check out our Keto chicken soup recipe or New England Clam Chowder.
Broccoli Cheddar Soup
- 4 tbsp butter
- 1 piece medium yellow onion chopped
- 2 stalks celery thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- Kosher salt
- freshly ground black pepper
- 1 head large broccoli finely chopped
- 1 piece large carrot grated
- 2 cups whole milk
- 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese plus more for garnish
- slices of baguette, garlic bread, or sourdough bread for serving
- In a large soup pot, melt butter over medium heat. Add the onions and celery and stir-fry for 5 minutes. Whisk in the flour and cook for a minute.
- Gradually stir in the chicken broth. Season with salt and pepper.
- Add the broccoli and carrots. Bring to a boil then reduce heat to low. Let it simmer for 20 minutes until the vegetables are tender.
- Slowly pour the milk and let it simmer. Add the cheddar.
- Season with salt and pepper and add more cheddar as desired. Serve with your favorite slices of bread.


text:
California Bay-Delta Public Advisory Committee Public Meetings, 42588-42589 [05-14577]
Download as PDFAgencies
[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 141 (Monday, July 25, 2005)] [Notices] [Pages 42588-42589] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 05-14577] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Reclamation California Bay-Delta Public Advisory Committee Public Meetings AGENCY: Bureau of Reclamation, Interior. ACTION: Notice of meetings. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, the California Bay-Delta Public Advisory Committee (Committee) will meet on August 10, September 7, October 12, and November 9, 2005. These meetings will focus on the State's intense effort to fulfill the Governor's mandate for an independent fiscal and management review of the CALFED Bay-Delta Program by the end of 2005. Discussions will include a refocus of CALFED on resolving conflicts in the Delta, priority setting, and development of an action plan to finance CALFED over the next 10 years. DATES: The next four Committee meetings will be held on Wednesday, August 10, 2005; Wednesday, September 7, 2005; Wednesday, October 12, 2005; and Wednesday, November 9, 2005 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. If reasonable accommodation is needed due to a disability, please contact Pauline Nevins at (916) 445-5511 or TDD (800) 735-2929 at least 1 week prior to the meeting. ADDRESSES: These meetings will be held at the John E. Moss Federal Building located at 650 Capitol Mall, 5th Floor, Sacramento, California. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Keith Coolidge, California Bay-Delta Authority, at 916-445-0092, or Diane Buzzard, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, at 916-978-5022. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Committee was established to provide advice and recommendations to the Secretary of the Interior on implementation of the CALFED Bay-Delta Program. The Committee makes recommendations on annual priorities, integration of the eleven Program elements, and overall balancing of the four Program objectives of ecosystem restoration, water quality, levee system integrity, and water supply reliability. The Program is a consortium of State and Federal agencies with the mission to develop and implement a long-term comprehensive plan that will restore ecological health and improve water management for beneficial uses of the San Francisco/Sacramento and San Joaquin Bay Delta. Committee agendas and meeting materials will be available prior to all meetings on the California Bay-Delta Authority Web site at https:// calwater.ca.gov and at the meetings. These meetings are open to the public. Oral comments will be accepted from members of the public at each meeting and will be limited to 3-5 minutes. (Authority: The Committee was established pursuant to the Department of the Interior's [[Page 42589]] authority to implement the Water Supply, Reliability, and Environmental Improvement Act, Pub. L. 108-361; the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, 16 U.S.C. 661 et. seq.; the Endangered Species Act, 16 U.S.C. 1531 et. seq.; and the Reclamation Act of 1902, 43 U.S.C. 391 et. seq., and the acts amendatory thereof or supplementary thereto, all collectively referred to as the Federal Reclamation laws, and in particular, the Central Valley Project Improvement Act, 34 U.S.C. 3401.) Dated: July 7, 2005. Allan Oto, Special Projects Officer, Mid-Pacific Region, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. [FR Doc. 05-14577 Filed 7-22-05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-MN-M
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google
Privacy Policy and
Terms of Service apply.


text:
Star Wars has just erased one of the first LGBTQ+ characters introduced into canon in the Disney era – a major mistake for Lucasfilm..
Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi might have effectively erased one of the Disney era's first LGBTQ+ characters. It's sadly a matter of record that the Disney era of Star Wars has had a major problem in terms of LGBTQ+ representation (at least as far as the films and TV shows are concerned). Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker offered a token lesbian kiss in the background, but this was so minor that Disney could easily cut it in Singapore to avoid a higher age rating. Sadly, Lucasfilm continue to make LGBTQ+ mistakes with Star Wars.
Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi episode 6 was very familiar to viewers who engage with the wider transmedia franchise that is Star Wars, because it struck the same story beats as E.K. Johnston's Ahsoka novel. This isn't a coincidence; as Lucasfilm's Dave Filoni explained in an interview with Nerdist, the episode was "based on the same outline I gave publishing for the novel. It was always the same story." In both stories, Ahsoka is living on a farming planet and reveals ability to use the Force when she helps someone in need – leading to an Inquisitor paying her a visit. Even Ahsoka's impressive lightsaber fight is similar, with the former Jedi swiftly defeating the Inquisitor even though she is unarmed. But there is, unfortunately, one crucial detail that's changed; Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi has erased one of the Disney canon's first LGBTQ+ characters, while also whitewashing a Black character.
Kaeden Larte Was Very Important For Star Wars
In E.K. Johnston's novel Ahsoka, the former Jedi became a close friend of two Black sisters who lived on the farming moon of Raada. The elder of the two sisters, Kaeden Larte, had befriended Ahsoka when she first arrived on the moon and she helped Ahsoka to settle in. A year after the events of Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith, the residents of Raada attempted to rebel against the Empire in response to Imperial restrictions and the introduction of new crops that would exhaust the soil of nutrients. This was a spontaneous rebellion, nothing to do with what would become the Rebel Alliance, and these rebels were swiftly defeated. Ahsoka refused to participate, but was unable to stand by and watch them die.
READ: The Set Up 2 (2022) – Nollywood Movie
E.K. Johnston's books have been tremendous in terms of adding diversity to the Star Wars galaxy. The book version of Ahsoka was a trailblazer, immediately developing a Black woman as a major supporting character and ending by establishing her future role in the Rebel Alliance at the point when Ahsoka called upon Bail Organa to help save these early rebels. She then was revealed to be one of the first explicitly LGBTQ+ characters of the Disney era, when she admitted her attraction to Ahsoka. "I could kiss you," she told the former Jedi Padawan. "Not now, I mean. My timing is terrible and you have all these Jedi hang-ups. I just wanted you to know in case we die." Ahsoka's befuddled response led many to suggest that she could also be considered both asexual and aromantic.
The Wedding Plan (2022) – Nollywood Movie
But Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi's Ahsoka stories change all that. Although Filoni claimed to be telling the same story, he clearly didn't bother to revisit E.K. Johnston's version of it, simply going with his own iteration based on the notes he'd given to Lucasfilm Publishing. The Larte sisters are gone, replaced with a pair of white siblings, and there's no hint that one of the replacements might be considered queer. A prominent Black LGBTQ+ character has literally been erased in the story's retelling
Star Wars All But Completely Erases Kaeden Larte From Canon
It is possible to make this work in terms of continuity, but the fix is awkward. Another story could suggest that Ahsoka decided not to join the rebellion after Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi episode 6, instead heading to another rural community and experiencing strikingly similar events that led her to call on Bail Organa once again. Star Wars canon is messy, largely because there are so many stories told in countless different mediums, and fans often engage in head-canon to try to fix them. What's more, as The Dork Side of the Force notes, there is some evidence Lucasfilm deliberately left wriggle-room for this argument; the two siblings in Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi were originally named, but Lucasfilm chose to remove their names, presumably because they realized the characters were too different to the Larte sisters of the book.
But it's important to remember that, although there is the potential for a clumsy fix, this would be an afterthought or a headcanon. Filoni's point remains; that Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi episode 6 is based on the same notes he passed on to Lucasfilm Publishing for Johnston's novel. As he put it, "It was always the same story." As far as Lucasfilm is concerned, the Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi timeline runs up to the moment in which Ahsoka joined the rebellion. There's no room for Kaeden Larte in that story (and the hint of Ahsoka's queerness, which meant so much for asexual and aromantic readers, is erased as well).
Tales Of The Jedi's Kaeden Larte Retcon Was Completely Unnecessary
The erasure of Kaeden Larte is particularly disturbing because it was so very unnecessary. It wouldn't have taken much to adjust the skin tones of the two siblings in Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi episode 6, and a single line of dialogue could have alluded to the older sister being queer. The decision not to name the characters makes this feel almost purposeful; as though Lucasfilm Animation created this story, somebody realized they'd whitewashed a Black character and removed a sexual orientation, and they tried to work around the mistake rather than fix it. Star Wars has a history of such LGBTQ+ mistakes, and this one could have been avoided with ease.
This issue becomes even more problematic when it is considered in the light of recent Star Wars trends. Lucasfilm Publishing has always been light years ahead of the films and TV shows in terms of diversity and representation, with both Black and queer characters introduced in canon books and comics from as far back as 2015. This was particularly important given Lucasfilm had stressed they were abandoning the old tiered approach to continuity and canon, which had effectively played different mediums against one another, and that new books and comics were equally canon to the movies. It meant these new characters really did matter, as much as anyone seen on-screen.
But newer Star Wars has begun breaking the canon, with blatant contradictions hand-waved away with the excuse different versions are true "from a certain point of view." Previously seen as something of a bad habit only of note to hardcore fans, this approach has now effectively erased a Black LGBTQ+ character. This raises real concerns for the future, as Star Wars TV expands into the High Republic Era currently being explored in books and comics that are notable for their inclusion of both queer and Black characters.
Star Wars Needs To Improve Its LGBTQ+ Representation
Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi serves as just another illustration of a longstanding problem; the sad fact that Star Wars needs to improve its representation, especially in TV and film. Andor is best seen as a trailblazer for the franchise, a Disney+ TV show that remembers Star Wars has always been political, making overt comments about prejudice and showing the franchise's second on-screen queer couple (the rebels Vel Sartha and Cinta Kaz). Still, the fact they are only the second is telling, and shows how much improvement needs to be made.
Lucasfilm Publishing continues to show the way, effortlessly integrating LGBTQ+ representation into its books and comics. Unfortunately, as noted, even this seems to be under threat; maintaining that element doesn't seem to be a priority for Lucasfilm Television in any adaptations, as indicated by the sad example of Kaeden Larte. Hopefully there will be enough of a backlash to Star Wars' latest clumsy mistake to force Filoni and his Disney+ teams to realize their error.


text:
Honest Mary's, local fast-casual grain bowl restaurant in the Arboretum, is expanding to a second location closer to Central Austin. It will open at 4800 Burnet Road in the Rosedale Village Shopping Center on Tuesday, January 22.
Honest Mary's serves grain bowls with mostly organic, local ingredients that rotate seasonally. The restaurant has suggested bowls (like Golden Grain bowl with quinoa, arugula, apples, beets, chickpeas, goat cheese, and pecans), or patrons can create their own. The restaurant also serves kombucha, wine, and beer. Honest Mary's has proved to be a popular spot for lunch, with lines often stretching out the door.
The menu will remain the same at the new location, but the look of the restaurant will be quite different to fit the neighborhood. That means a patio, greenery, and a skylight, courtesy Chioco Design. Honest Mary's neighbors at the new development, which is across the street from the original Pinthouse Pizza, will include Fluff Meringues.
Profits from the first day of the Rosedale restaurant will go to Fostering Hope Austin. There may also be more locations of Honest Mary's, which first opened in 2017, in the works.


text:
Hi there,
For me life is about good company and good conversations, oh and goooood food ofcourse.
I enjoy going to the movies, having a good laugh with mates and generally keeping fit and living a healthy lifestyle. I love the outdoors and thoroughly enjoy morning jogs during the summer - best way to kick start the weekend
I am.. well.. a lot more :) if you're lucky I'll give you a chance to find out more
Interested in meeting people looking for online dating like Mystiq Creddie?
Why not join the UKs best online dating agency The Asian Single Solution
Hope to find a guy who I can be myself with, makes me laugh, supports and is interested in understanding what I also want in life.
Looking for a companion to share my life with


text:
I am 14 years old Singaporean who not really social.
Playing Go have me mock by classmates as they think it weird and laugh at me for being like an old man. I don't have the talent or play with as much passion as other. I play GO so as to become more flexible in life and of course the main reason is it is fun.
Recently, I have create a site with my friends.
feedback are welcome. but no spaming lol Hobby -Playing Go -read manga watch anime -sleeping - reading fanfic KGS
the site which help me to improve the most, I original strength increase from 28k to 20k during two years playing at OGS. then when I join this site to play real time GO, I improve from 20k to 12k. though think my strength should be 11k.
Looking at the entire board all the time, I not good at setting up my stone for strong shape. I make mistake thank to misread( a prove of my carelessness in GO and life) for 1/6 of the time. if you saw me making a mistake in a game against me, then cograte on the way as it mean it is usually a one that can stage a come back for you. Not knowing any proper joseki and had hard time to solve Life and Death make me weak. I don't never hold back though there time when I do hesitate to place move that do not grant victory in ranked. I do wish for victory in every game. even against SDK which is impossible. I usually think even when my opponent is thinking.
don't have one maybe one of the reason that I progressing slow.
well shiori is the first person I really wish to play as there this one time that my opponent told me she is quite strong. then play her not really meet up to my expectation, but still interest me. not sure why. her strength in Go improve faster than me and thing she can beat me already if she had the desire of it when playing me. as for nekofang well she improve at an great speed maybe because she hang out with stronger players more than me. Ability wise she either on par with me or above me. below is unlikely. hope to play either them soon again. I lost to her badly recently haha. yet she still consider me as a rival which I feel uneasy. friend yes but to have rival way weaker than oneself seem weird unless you think that person have talent that will surpass him/her. About her so called solid move from me,that a lies because at that time she a beginner and so felt so.
this guy is a mystery to me as I always heard Shiori praising him. Hoping to play against him, as wanted to know the strength between two of us, we always unable to play a 19x19 even though we even once tried by set a time and date to play yet a event for him happen ended it. hoping to play him soon.
well unlike most GO players who want to become pro or maybe even a titleholder, I play go for increase in ability. Pro or titleholder interest me but given my current ability don't brag first as I only have 16 years left to become a pro if I remember correctly about must become pro before 30 years old. Though I do like to be a SDK by 9 August. My country national day. Though from the look of it, it is near impossible.
Not knowing lot of Go proverb and term make me confuse when reviewing game with friend on KGS as they use it a lot of time. Now all I can do is review game and correct the mistake so as to remember the correct move by instinct.


text:
A forest fire happens in Mồng Gà Mountain in Hương Sơn District, Hà Tĩnh province on June 30, 2020. — VNA/VNS Photo |
HÀ NỘI — As many as 160 forest fires were reported across Việt Nam in the last six months, destroying about 756ha of forest, according to the Việt Nam Fire and Rescue Police Department under the Public Security Ministry.
During the same period last year, 156 forest fires were reported nationwide, destroying 930 ha of forest. Notably, the total area of destroyed forest last year increased by 64 per cent compared with the figures of the first half of 2018.
According to the Forestry Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, last year's peak for forest fires fell between June 26 and July 1, mostly in the central provinces of Nghệ An, Hà Tĩnh, Quảng Bình, Quảng Trị, Thừa Thiên-Huế, Đà Nẵng, Quảng Ngãi and Phú Yên.
Now with northern and central provinces faced with a heatwave forecast to last days, the risk of forest fires has increased.
The National Centre for Hydro-Meteorology Forecasting on Thursday reported that most northern provinces on Wednesday experienced temperatures up to 38 degree Celsius, while central provinces from Thanh Hoá to Phú Yên saw the mercury rise to more than 39 degrees Celsius in some areas.
The temperature was reportedly higher on Thursday as provinces from Thanh Hoá to Quảng Trị saw 37-40 degrees Celsius and even more than 40 degrees in some areas.
The weather forecasting centre said the heatwave would continue.
Meanwhile, in the central province of Thanh Hoá, on Thursday, a forest fire lasted more than seven hours in two communes – Hải Nhân and Ninh Hải – in Tĩnh Gia District.
The fire started at noon and spread to an area of about 50 ha.
Earlier, on June 29, a fire raged for six hours in the central province of Nghệ An. It began at about 8pm in a pine forest in Diễn Châu District's Diễn An Commune. Hot weather and strong winds caused the fire to spread over dozens of hectares of pine forest. More than 200 households who live near the fire were evacuated.
On the same evening, another forest fire happened in Ân Phú Commune, Vũ Quang District in the neighbouring province of Hà Tĩnh. The fire then spread to two communes – Sơn Long and Sơn Trà – in Hương Sơn District. It took nearly two days to control the fire.
Dozens of hectares of pine and acacia forest on Sơn Thành Commune, Yên Thành District, Nghệ An Province were destroyed by fire.
Common causes
Prolonged heat with temperature up to 43 degrees Celsius in central coastal areas in the last 12 days of June was blamed as the main cause of forest fires.
High temperatures and humidity of less than 30 per cent made forests more vulnerable to fire and once the fires happened, it was hard to extinguish them.
Poor quality of forests has been mentioned as a factor that increases the risk of forest fires in central provinces, Vietnam News Agency reported early this week.
In central Việt Nam, primary forests account for only 7 per cent of total forests and the remaining forests are secondary forests.
Of the secondary forests, impoverished ones account for about 70 per cent.
The secondary forests are said to be more sensitive to fire than primary ones.
Pine forest, Melaleuca forests, bamboo forests, eucalyptus forest, dipterocarp forest are easily flammable. These kinds of trees are very common in the central region with a total area of nearly 6 million hectares.
Human activities, especially burning in forest areas, also cause forest fires.
According to Nghệ An Province's Forest Protection Division, four out of nine forest fires in the province since the beginning of this year were related to human activities.
Modest funding, lack of equipment and staff are also problems in forest fire prevention and control.
Forest environment services
Since 2011, Việt Nam has been implementing a national payment for forest environmental services (PFES) scheme that has mobilised thousands of households to protect and manage more than 5 million hectares of forest land.
More than $230 million has been disbursed to participating households in 40 provinces and the socioeconomic and conservation benefits have been well-regarded.
PFES schemes are based on environmental service 'users' rewarding or compensating 'providers' of those environmental services.
The northern mountainous province of Sơn La has run PFES since 2009.
Out of 637,018ha of forest in the province, 537,000ha has been protected and developed with funding from the PFES policy, thus, the quality of forest and forest biodiversity has improved regularly.
In the northern mountainous province of Lai Châu, PFES also helps reduce forest fires.
Task forces were established at every commune in the province, responsible for patrolling and protecting certain forest areas as well as detecting potential risks/violations. The task forces are paid with the funding from PFES.
Vàng Thị Thánh, chairwoman of Num Nưa Commune People's Committee in Mường Tè District, said local authorities strengthened communicating on forest fire prevention and control to local residents, especially during the dry season.
More than 4,000ha of forest in the commune was protected by its task forces.
According to Mường Tè District People's Committee, it set up 126 task forces specialising in forest fire prevention and control. For the last few years, no forest fires have hit the district. — VNS


text:
A plant-based life has become something of a trend, with influencers eager to show off their avo smashed toast or celery juice rituals.
A trend usually refers to something that is popular right now but eventually fades away to make way for the next hot thing waiting in line.
When we talk about plant-based living, we refer to it as a lifestyle, meaning it's something that is simply part of our day to day life, not just a passing trend.
Switching to a plant-based lifestyle has a heap of benefits, not only for your health but for your skin too! Of course we realize we are all beautiful, unique human beings and perhaps going fully plant-based sounds a little intimidating for you right now.
That is okay! Baby steps, and small daily changes are what it's all about, even switching up a few meals a week for a vegan alternative can make all the difference!
Keep reading for just a few benefits of going plant-based or at least, primarily plant-based!
Reduces inflammation in your body
Inflammation is the root of disease.
When you have a lot of internal inflammation going on, you are at a much higher risk of disease, so finding ways to decrease inflammation in your body is incredibly important.
One of the best ways to do this is through your diet. Yes, it's important to manage your stress levels, and exercise is key in any healthy lifestyle, but when you are eating right, your body can naturally better manage stress and you'll feel far more motivated to get in that workout!
A diet rich in healthy fats, a rainbow of fruits and veggies, nuts, seeds, beans and legumes will help to fight inflammation so you can start to understand what the hype is around plant-based living!
Of course when internal inflammation is reduced, this naturally translates to less external inflammation and clearer, calmer skin, hallelujah!
Boosts energy
When you start eating lighter, yet more nutrient-dense meals, you start to feel lighter. You feel less sluggish and heavy and your energy levels start to soar!
Of course when your energy levels are high you will feel far more motivated to be active, to be productive!
If you aren't sure what a plant-based breakfast looks like then click here for some excellent options!
Lifts your spirits
There's no better natural mood booster than the foods you put into your body on a daily basis!
Every single thing you eat has an impact on your mental health so be sure you make it good!
The health of your gut dictates the health of your mind, when your gut is not functioning as it should your brain will produce less serotonin and you may feel depressed and anxious.
Start every day with a cup of warm water and the juice of half a lemon to wake up your digestive system and to prep it so it can fully absorb all the nutrients to follow!
If you aren't sure where to start then here are some mouth-watering vegan meals to get you started!
Of course, when it comes to your skin, you should be using just as nutritious ingredients externally and this is where our beautiful line comes in.
By eating a plant-based diet, as well as slathering your skin in our high-vibe, luxurious, all natural ingredients, your skin will have its best chance to look and feel its absolute best, and you'll feel wonderfully uplifted too!
If you enjoyed this post, you may find these interesting as well:


text:
The Change Monster
02 oktober 2020
Ahhhh change. We know it's inevitable but that doesn't make us like it.
That's because change exposes our human brains to a roller coaster of psychological reactions; From confusion to anger to depression.. It's no wonder many of us tend to freak out.
But change isn't all that terrible either. Humans and companies alike need it to evolve, become more efficient and thrive along the way, too.
Adapt or die. You know?
When companies try to embrace change, it's often referred to as 'Change Management'. They'll hire a fancy management guru or demand that everyone reads an enlightened book. Then they'll invest in costly restructuring initiatives that try to balance market conditions, shifting consumer demands, ever-changing technologies and a whole host of other things.
So far so good, right?
Well, all of the above still doesn't deal with the fact that people.. don't like change.
Have you ever tried telling someone that has been doing things a certain way for a long time "you have to do it differently"?
So what to do when you're trying to implement an organizational shift and don't want an uprising the size of the French Revolution on your hands?
We've collected some tips to save you from premature decapitation:
- Try to communicate what it would mean NOT to embrace change. When your people understand that NOT changing may pose an even greater threat, they might open up to the idea more easily.
- Involve your team in decision making where possible. Empowered people feel more in control and will have less tendency to freak out.
- Minimize uncertainty wherever possible. Communicate, communicate, communicate. And then some.
- Celebrate your successes in moving towards the goal. Acknowledging that your team's efforts are working will keep them engaged in the long run.
- Keep explaining the reasons to change. Over and over. Your team will forget, at times, and it is up to you to keep them motivated.
- Be as transparent as you possibly can. An information vacuum feeds the Change Monster like no other. Spare yourself the trouble and share all that you can.
Finally, keep in mind that change feels less scary when you feel like you're the one driving it. The same goes for your people, too.
Now that you're armed with the right tools we salute you and hope you'll embrace the monster. Adapt or die, remember?
You got this.


text:
STAMFORD, CT – January 4, 2021 – Today JBL announced its newest program, JBL Campus SoundSessions, providing more opportunities for minority students who aspire to work in music production, marketing, business, technology or engineering. The mentor program launched to address the challenges minorities face in the workforce by introducing them to professionals who work behind the scenes and at the corporate levels of the music and audio industries. With diversity at the core of JBL's culture, JBL chose to work alongside Culture Creators, an organization created to amplify the contributions of individuals who have shaped the world's view of Black culture by providing a platform that engages and celebrates their accomplishments. Starting this month, select HBCU students will have the unique opportunity to learn directly from JBL executives, engineers and music industry changemakers for a chance to win a $25,000 scholarship toward their education.
The JBL Campus SoundSessions are a curated set of six intimate, educational conversations that provide career insights from JBL executives and influential music industry speakers. These sessions are designed to give students a platform to ask questions, hear personal stories of growth and challenges, and expand their professional network. Accepted students who virtually attend all six of the 60-90-minute SoundSessions from January through April 2021 will receive an official certificate of completion to cite on their CV and the eligibility to apply to $50,000 in JBL SoundScholarships via a business case study competition.
"As a brand dedicated to elevating life's experiences, it is important that we invest in the evolution of equality and representation in the music industry by breaking down barriers and providing access to resources that will inspire and teach the next generation of industry changemakers," said Ralph Santana, Chief Marketing Officer at HARMAN. "We are thrilled to launch the JBL Campus SoundSessions as a way to support HBCU students and provide them with resources that will help elevate their career paths. A major challenge for people of color is the limited availability of mentors within their communities. Together we hope to motivate these young students to visualize the options for their future and ensure anything they dream is attainable."
The JBL Campus SoundSessions' curriculum will align with various cultural moments throughout the program, including National Mentorship Month, Black History Month and Women's History Month. The program will also be promoted and available to all HBCU campuses, with students able to apply at JBLCampus.com/HBCUSoundSessions.
JBL creates the amazing sound that shapes life's most epic moments. From iconic events like Woodstock and concerts at Madison Square Garden, to games at Yankee Stadium and weekend road trips, JBL elevates listeners' experiences with award-winning audio that lets them make the most of every moment. With 75 years of unmatched professional credentials and industry leading innovation, JBL has expertly blended a bold vision of the future with the passion and talent of engineers and designers around the globe. JBL's Signature Professional Sound is the leading technology that powers major pop culture events, and the brand has partnered with the world's top talent across music, sports and esports.
HARMAN International (harman.com), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co, LTD., designs and engineers connected products and solutions for automakers, consumers, and enterprises worldwide, including connected car systems, audio and visual products, enterprise automation solutions; and services supporting the Internet of Things. With leading brands including AKG®, Harman Kardon®, Infinity®, JBL®, Lexicon®, Mark Levinson® and Revel®, HARMAN is admired by audiophiles, musicians and the entertainment venues where they perform around the world. More than 25 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with HARMAN audio and connected car systems. Our software services power billions of mobile devices and systems that are connected, integrated and secure across all platforms, from work and home to car and mobile. HARMAN has a workforce of approximately 30,000 people across the Americas, Europe, and Asia.
For more information:
Denise Daly
© 2020 HARMAN International Industries, Incorporated. All rights reserved. Harman Kardon, Infinity, JBL, Lexicon and Mark Levinson are trademarks of HARMAN International Industries, Incorporated, registered in the United States and/or other countries. AKG is a trademark of AKG Acoustics GmbH, registered in the United States and/or other countries. Features, specifications, and appearance are subject to change without notice.


text:
SAN FRANCISCO: Hi-tech startups spend more on PR than any other marketing channel, according to a new study from hi-tech marketing firm Launch Pad and PR firm Blanc & Otus.
The study finds that while marketing dollars continue to decrease out of proportion to other departments, what's left of the marketing budget is going increasingly to PR. PR allocations make up 25% of such marketing budgets, up from 19% last year.
"Companies have found that PR is the most cost-effective way to get their name out there," said Shelley Harrison, CEO of Launch Pad. "It's hard for CEOs to see other CEOs' names in lights, and not see their own."
She added, "They also find that it's often hard to explain what their companies do in a single-page ad, so they use PR."
But PR is expected to do more with less. Of the 33 startups queried, marketing fell from 20% of corporate expenditures in 2000 to a mere 13% in 2001, while engineering increased from 29% to more than 50%.
"PR has worked for startups, so when they cut budgets, they don't cut PR as much," said Harrison. "And these companies will need to rely on PR more as they rebrand themselves and develop new plans. And they're doing it for pennies. How can a company tell PR people they have to revamp everything from its name to its audiences, if the budgets keep getting smaller?"


text:
TV chef says W.Va. show won't insult residents
Published 9:57 am Thursday, September 10, 2009
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (AP) — Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver has only been in Huntington for a day, but he's already encountered one of the delicacies that's helped earn the town the designation of America's unhealthiest city — a 15" frankfurter from local favorite Hillbilly Hotdogs.
"It tasted great," he said.
Oliver is filming a reality TV show for ABC in Huntington this fall because of the city's reputation as the fattest metropolitan area in the country. He's hoping to replicate some of the programs he helped launch in his native Britain, designed to improve the quality of food kids get at school and people make at home.
But he isn't in town to insult its residents or crusade against beloved comfort foods.
"I'm not going to be attacking anyone, per se, it's just getting my head around what's different about this town," Oliver said at a public meeting in city hall in front of about 150 people.
Oliver will confront some serious problem s in the course of the two-to-three month schedule planned for the show. A 2006 report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention named the Huntington metropolitan area as the unhealthiest of 150 areas studied.
Nearly half the adults in Huntington are obese. The region also leads in a half-dozen other illness measures, including heart disease and diabetes.
The situation was highlighted last year by an Associated Press story that outraged some in the area, who claimed it was too harsh toward the city.
Those nerves are still raw, and Oliver said he knows there are people in town who don't want him here.
"Ultimately, I'm a foreigner," he said. "I've got no place being here in some ways, but I think I've got all the right reasons for being here."
Part of the reason for the town hall meeting, which was filmed by ABC, was to allay fears that the show will be trafficking in tired stereotypes of fat hillbillies.
"I don't even know what a hillbilly is," Oliver said. "The reason I'm here is because some say this is the most unhealthy town in America, which is the most unhealthy country in the world," he said.
Oliver was short on details for the show's plans. He announced a crash course in cooking to be held in the city on Friday, and said there will likely be liaisons with schools, churches and community groups. He wants to focus on getting more people cooking from scratch at home, as well as improving the quality of food in the schools.
"What really works is when lots of little things come together and can use each other's resources," he said.
Oliver got an enthusiastic reception at the meeting, although some in the crowd were skeptical that the show's effort will be able to overcome the areas problems, which are rooted in economics and other issues.
"Some of us know that Whole Foods, et cetera are more expensive than the foods that most people consume around here," resident John Procto r said.
Others said that focusing on school meals alone will not address the problem of the food children eat with their families at home.
"If the food at home doesn't change, the food they eat at school isn't going to have enough of an impact," Eve Atkinson said.
The goal of the show is to create programs that will last long after the TV crews have gone home, Oliver said, adding that he understands the problem has deep roots and multiple causes.
"I don't come here like some angel thinking I can fix that," he said, "but I have been fairly good at creating situations that allow people to help themselves."
City officials have embraced Oliver's effort, opening City Hall for Wednesday's meeting and pledging to work with the show during the next several months.
Mayor Kim Wolfe said Huntington ultimately stands to gain, despite the stigma of being dubbed the country's least healthy city.


text:
Disaster Report is a long-running series of unconventional survival horror games. The first game was released on PlayStation 2 and followed many survival horror staples, without the horror part. Sure, you collect scattered memos, hunt for keys and codes, and manage your resources, but the only real enemy is a natural disaster.
Each entry in the series focuses on a natural disaster hitting a city. The player is tasked with surviving the disaster and making it out alive. In addition, you meet other survivors and making choices that lead you to different endings. The newest entry to come west, Disaster Report 4: Summer Memories, retains much of the campy and janky spectacle that the series is known for, and I loved it for that.
Disaster Report 4: Summer Memories feels like a seamless update to its predecessors, with most things that I liked about the series still intact. As a bonus, the previous games did their best to pretend everything was American, but Summer Memories' localization has no pretenses about the Japanese setting.
Overall, my time with the game was full of peaks and valleys. Just when I was ready to throw down my controller for the day, a fantastic set-piece would appear. Then, when I thought my problems with the game were over, I'd want to throw my controller down all over again. I'm not sure you can call that a delicate balance, but as someone who enjoyed the other titles, all I could think was, "Yay! This is as janky as I hoped!"
Worry not if you haven't experienced the earlier entries of the series because not much changed, not even the graphics for the most part. Disaster Report 4: Summer Memories's frame-rate is shocking. I'm no FPS expert, so I can't tell you what it actually was, but it doesn't exactly feel smooth by any means. But then, like a peak rising out of a valley, the reason for this becomes worth it.
To simulate an Earthquake scenario, the ground will sometimes shake, requiring you to brace yourself, lest you fall on your ass, and take damage. But during scripted quakes, not only does the ground shake, but buildings begin to fall. The frame-rate is lower because the game is poised to throw buildings down to street level at any time. The spectacle of looking in the right place and seeing a freeway overpass topple is honestly incredible.
The only downside to this, aside from the frame-rate, is that if you're in the wrong place at the wrong time, you'll be crushed by falling debris. This, understandably, kills you instantly. Thankfully, the game is aware this is a cheap death, so rather than reloading a save, you'll be taken to just before your death. It makes quakes feel dangerous without making them unfair.
Still, there is one part of the gameplay I can't as easily justify. Disaster Report 4: Summer Memories gives almost zero indication where you should go next. A woman calling out for help is useful, but not when the entire game is dubbed in Japanese, and ambient noises aren't subtitled. This was the most frequent "valley" in my metaphor. Sometimes, side-quests would need to be finished to set a trigger for the next event, and the woman mentioned earlier only becomes accessible after doing an unrelated scenario in a convenience store.
In another case, the chain of events required went like this: There's a police blockade around a hotel-fire, preventing progress. Talk to an NPC at a car dealership. When you exit, a quake happens. This shatters a window leading to an Italian Restaurant, letting you walk in. Going through the back corridors takes you to an alleyway. You enter the back of a jewelry store. You find the manager murdered, and a woman stealing jewels in the store's office. Take her down, get the key to the store, and leave out the locked front door.
You'll have noticed that this becomes quite exciting at the end. That was the peak to emerge out of the valley of being lost. I love it when this series puts you in extreme situations, but the exact way to get there puts a damper on the excitement of it all. Still, on that note, the NPC interactions do shine… provided you find them.
Approaching an important NPC will trigger a short load time before a cutscene. It can be as simple as deciding how your character reacts, or as complicated as getting some keys or plot details. Some side-character interactions range from "tame" to "this feels as goofy as a Yakuza game." All in the right way, of course. In some cases, you'll decide how your character feels about an NPC; for the record, I tried to romance the teacher.
Generally, Disaster Report has a conspiracy behind the scenes that caused the disaster. This is both very goofy and a bit more satisfying than "wow, that was bad luck." Disaster Report 4: Summer Memories revolves around corporate tension between Vestola and Kerberos, who seem to be mobile network providers. It's implied early on that Kerberos had a hand in the Earthquake. Again I must stress, this series is wonderfully goofy.
Despite the peaks and valleys, and as difficult as it is to get around, once you find the thread, the scenarios you're pulled through are genuinely engaging. I also found enjoyment in the large number of NPCs, speaking roles, or not. Unlike the first game's barren streets, it really adds to the feeling that you're all struggling together.
Disaster Report 4: Summer Memories features many over-the-top dramatized survival scenarios that are incredibly enjoyable. The resource management and systems kept me playing regardless of the low framerate and aged graphics. Each scene is cleverly written and features some memorable characters who make surviving through these natural disasters so very worth it in the end.
This post may contain Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate Noisy Pixel earns from qualifying purchases.


text:
Bi-Weekly Talk: Improving Local Search for Distributed Resource Allocation and Equilibrium Computation
Wednesday, 04.04.2018, 10:15am
Location: RWTH Aachen University, Department of Computer Science - Ahornstr. 55, building E3, room 9u10
Speaker: Vipin Ravindran Vijayalakshmi
Improving local search for distributed resource allocation and equilibrium computation Abstract: Congestion games constitute an important class of games to model resource allocation by different users such as in traffic networks. We study the approximation ratio of local optima in these games. However, we allow for that the cost functions used during the local search procedure may be different from the overall objective function. Our analysis exhibits an interesting method to choose these cost functions to obtain the following results:
1. As computing an exact or even approximate pure Nash equilibrium is in general PLS-complete, Caragiannis et al. presented a polynomial-time algorithm that computes (2 + \epsilon)-approximate pure Nash equilibria for games with linear cost functions and further results for polynomial cost functions. We show that this factor can be improved to 1.67+\epsilon by a seemingly simple modification of their algorithm using our technique.
2. Bilo and Vinci presented an algorithm to compute load dependent taxes that improve the price of anarchy for example for linear game from 2.5 to 2. Our methods yield slightly weaker results, for example 2.1 for linear games. However, our tax functions are locally computable and independent of the actually instance of the game.


text:
Children's entertainment superstar Peppa Pig released her first album, aptly titled My First Album, on July 19. The impact of a true artiste like Peppa was immediate — no other female pop icon could ever dream of reaching the heights Peppa did with the nuance achieved in lead single, "It's Peppa Pig." This ... is piggy pop. The music landscape was forever changed.
Or so Peppa's "stans" on Twitter would have you believe.
Leading up to and following the release of My First Album, Twitter gays and the pop music-focused have been ironically hyping up Peppa to the extent that it feels genuine. The reaction is quintessential shitposting. The album is for actual kids, with sweet songs about things like going to the zoo, but has been inflated to Carly Rae Jepsen's Emotion.
How did Peppa leap from performing the innocuous "Bing Bong Zoo" to "Peppa Pig announced that she will be be taking over Stark Industries following Tony's death"? Why is Peppa occupying the stan Twitter spotlight right now?
Peppa the Pig has meme pedigree, and her moment in the spotlight is a prime example of how online stan and gay Twitter culture elevates female pop stars to icon status, whether they're real or not.
who invented the music industry ?
— avery-stream traffic (@peppaslullaby) July 22, 2019
rt for peppa pig
like for beyonce pic.twitter.com/RoEjqSFxq1
Peppa Pig: a meme origin story
Let's backtrack: Peppa Pig is the titular star of Peppa Pig, a massively popular British children's cartoon that began airing in the U.K. in 2006. The series has successfully crossed the pond and found its footing in the U.S. to the extent that American parents have reported their kids picking up British accents after watching too much Peppa Pig.
Has your kid suddenly developed a British accent like this cute girl from the Charlotte-area?
— NBC Charlotte (@wcnc) February 13, 2019
Well, it might be due to the "Peppa-pig syndrome" https://t.co/X2UCz6WSVo (Video: Brandi Nichole Hall) pic.twitter.com/Fba7pwiFvu
Peppa's internet fame didn't stop there. The show, like most children's entertainment, is hilariously deadpan and surreal (although Peppa Pig typically skews more wholesome than cursed). One clip in which Peppa shares her favorite music with a group of other kids has been particularly dragged through the meme wringer. While the original episode containing the scene in question aired in 2010, edits that superimposed songs like DJ Assault's "Ass-N-Titties" began popping up in 2014. The format is simple: in the clip, a group of older kids share their favorite music, declare that they don't like kids' music — "no, no, no!" — then listen to Peppa's music, which she prefaces by describing as "very grown-up." It's an evergreen meme format easily adaptable to hit songs like Lil Nas X's "Old Town Road," so long as the music fits the grown-up criteria:
Peppa got her second bout of virality in March 2018 thanks to a 5-year-old clip in which she suddenly hangs up on one of her friends, Suzy Sheep. After lamenting to her mother that she can't figure out to whistle, Peppa rings her friend Suzy to determine whether or not she's alone in her plight. Suzy can't whistle, but quickly manages to produce a sound after Peppa explains it to her. Peppa immediately, and brutally, hangs up the phone. The image captures the full spectrum of emotion in one deadpan look.
"Congratulations American Express card holder! You just won a free crui-"
— Anthony Edward Stark (@staynsee_) March 17, 2018
Me: pic.twitter.com/TeC3SlhTKS
Peppa's place as a background meme icon is solid. She's famous enough to have almost milkshake-ducked after a 2009 clip of her not correcting her narrator for saying "firemen" instead of "firefighters" resurfaced on social media. Leading up to the album release, a tweet declaring her to be over 7 feet tall made the rounds. At this point, Peppa humor is funny because it just is.
Peppa Pig as a gay icon meme
The official Peppa Pig account announced My First Album on Twitter on July 15, several days before it's release, but Peppa got a push into the shitposting stream by rapper Iggy Azalea. Azalea also released her third album In My Defense on July 19, and joked on Twitter that Peppa's release was going to overshadow her own. To be fair ... I haven't seen anyone talking about In My Defense on my feed.
It's over for me now. https://t.co/pWfsAgUbUz
— IGGY AZALEA (@IGGYAZALEA) July 16, 2019
Treating Peppa like serious competition became the focus of the joke, which was further popularized by other celebrities like Lil Nas X, who alluded to an "Old Town Road" remix featuring Peppa on July 22. Given the rapper's chart-topping remix strategy and propensity to memes, I would be exactly zero percent surprised if he released a remix sampling Peppa's "Expert Daddy Pig."
u think they ready???!! @peppapig pic.twitter.com/R7cznq3ipv
— nope (@LilNasX) July 22, 2019
Aside from basic jokes about the album selling out, the true focus of the meme influx has been to elevate Peppa to full-on idol status. The phenomena is particularly tied to K-pop fandom: Numerous accounts continue to pop up and pretend to be Peppa Pig — or written in Hangul, the Korean alphabet, 페파피그 — fansites (a K-pop specific term that signifies an individual or group of individuals that takes and distributes photos of idols) and stans.
— 페파 PEPPA (@eOne_PeppaPig) July 18, 2019
just finished recording at MCountdown! Let's stream the #BingBongZoo fancam and vote for #peppafirstwin #peppapig #GetPeppaTo1m pic.twitter.com/qMPOfJJhHV
By jokingly placing Peppa on the female pop star pedestal, the cartoon pig ultimately qualified as a gay icon, following in the footsteps of Jepsen, Kim Petras, and other women who, regardless of whether they're queer themselves, have massive fan bases of gay men who claim them as icons. The phenomenon has existed throughout a good chunk of the 20th century, tracing back to the likes of Judy Garland and Bette Midler. Broadly, a gay icon makes a direct impact on the gay community through their work, their advocacy, or some combination of the two. In the modern age, gay icons predominately are figures who provide cultural capital to the gay community; female pop stars frequently forge relationships with their gay fan bases in a way that makes them feel seen.
With music fandom being by nature obsessive and dedicated, supporting an artist in the digital age means streaming their music. With all of the hype Peppa was getting on Twitter, people were bound to actually give her album a listen. The phenomenon went from joke to tangible when people started to notice that Peppa's related artists on Spotify were comprised of artists like Slayyyter, Rina Sawayama, and Loona (stan Loona) — all gay icons in their own right.
YALL PLEASE I CANNOT THE RELATED ARTISTS OOGRMOGMEA pic.twitter.com/3QtOrwsvPY
— Snorp (@Sn0rp) July 23, 2019
The effect carries over to Spotify's auto-generated radio playlist, "Peppa Pig Radio," which is determined via algorithm and appears to be somewhat tailored to individual users. However, screenshots posted on Twitter reveal a stupidly funny list of commonalities between the artists Spotify recommends to fans of Peppa Pig.
Frankly, the list slaps. I've been listening to it for six hours straight. If anything, this proves that gay Twitter is more than willing to overcommit to the bit (and that Spotify's suggestions are surprisingly malleable).
every gay person is listening to peppa pig and as a result ... peppa pig radio on spotify is the best playlist of all time .... pic.twitter.com/bRmG7KuIgX
— nicole boyce (@nicolewboyce) July 23, 2019
The leap from meme sweetheart to gay icon wouldn't have been possible without Peppa's already solid standing on social media. Ultimately, the contents of her album itself aren't really important. The fact that it signifies her debut as a musician is what matters — it qualifies her for parody pop stardom. And even putting aside the music, contemporary queer culture has a habit of adapting nonsensical figures like the Babadook or Mothman as gay icons — why not Peppa, too?


text:
The sleek new Vintage Interactive doorbell camera makes it easy for you to get instant front door awareness no matter where you are. See more, know more and do more at the front door with this next-generation doorbell.
- Smarter Alerts :Exclusive Video Analytics allow for rapid people detection and fewer false alerts. You'll always know when someone is at the door, even if they don't ring the bell.
- Added Convenience and Security: Adjust the front porch lights, lock or unlock the front door, open and close garage doors and arm or disarm your system directly from the doorbell call screen.
- Mobile Optimized Experience: View visitors in full screen portrait mode on your phone and speak with them wherever you are—whether you're on the go or on the couch.
- Real Time Conversations:Have two-way conversations with visitors at any time of day or night with improved Two-Way Audio, HD resolution, HDR and infrared night vision.
- Instant Awareness: Check the live view video feed from the app or record clips automatically when the doorbell is pressed or a person is detected.


text:
Su carrito está vacío
Become A Provider
Provider Login
AnteAGE® Cleanser is designed to provide a balanced approach to cleansing, for all skin types. As we are exposed to more environmental pollutants, our skin increasingly becomes hypersensitive. This gentle, foaming cleanser, enriched with essential fatty acids, anti-oxidants, botanicals, and detoxifying actives will thoroughly cleanse all traces of impurities, excess oil, and surface debris, while leaving the skin soft, soothed, hydrated and balanced.
AnteAGE® Serum & Accelerator is our flagship skincare system formulated with everything you need for healthy, youthful-looking skin. Vitamins B, C, and E, Hyaluronic Acid, Peptides and Growth Factors combine to give you a well-rounded and effective daily system that is gentle enough for all skin types.
AnteAGE® Moisturizer will help you beat the cool winter months by providing your skin with a refreshing dose of hydration. The perfect size to carry with you and formulated with antioxidants, anti-aging, anti-pollution, anti-inflammatory, skin regeneration, brightening, blue light protection and skin microbiome support. Apply daily for thoroughly nourished skin.


text:
We use cookies on this website to enhance your experience. For more information, visit our cookie policy.
We haven't seen you in the last 19 minutes, so we will log you out of your Barefoot account in the next few seconds unless you click Stay logged in below.
Age: 7-11 years
Type: Unplugged
Curriculum Links to: D&T
Computational Thinking Concepts & Approaches:
In this unplugged activity pupils spot patterns in pairs of similar recipes to identify common steps that they can reuse in new recipes that they create. Example sets of simple recipes are provided on how to make sandwiches, pizza and milkshakes. The emphasis of this activity is on pupils thinking what is the same, what is different and are there general common elements that they can reuse.
Computing Science
Health and Wellbeing: Food and Health:
This can be done by:
Thinking Skills and Personal Capabilities (TSPC)
Personal Development and Mutual Understanding (PDMU)
Mathematics and Numeracy (Processes)
AoLE Science and Technology
What Matters Statement Computation is the foundation for our digital world
Descriptions of learning Progression Step 2
AoLE Health and Well-being
What Matters Statement Developing physical health and well-being has lifelong benefits. Descriptions of learning Progression Step 3
Pupils sort objects according to their features and develop their ability to spot patterns.
Pupils create simple models from modelling dough or draw quick sketches for a partner to guess what they are representing. They learn to include only that which is most important. Pupils link this idea to what is and is not included in simple computer simulations and games.
Pupils explain the rule for a number sequence and predict which numbers come next, extending their knowledge of simple rule-based algorithms and using logical reasoning.


text:
There are several commonly used, but deprecated, Linux networking commands, including: arp, ifconfig, iptunnel, iwconfig, nameif, netstat, and route. Here, we deal with what to do if you run across the error specific to ifconfig:/usr/sbin/ifconfig: No such file or directory.
Option #1: Use the Command 'ip'
ip a
ip addr
Both display details on all network interfaces, just as ifconfig would.
Option #2: Install net-tools
As a matter of best practice we'll update our packages:
yum -y update
Then let's install ifconfig, which is apart of the package net-tools, and any other required packages:
yum -y install net-tools


text:
After awarding him the 2017 Nobel Prize in Literature, the Swedish Academy described Kazuo Ishiguro as a writer "who, in novels of great emotional force, has uncovered the abyss beneath our illusory sense of connection with the world."
This comment brings to mind Ishiguro's 2005 novel Never Let Me Go – shortlisted for that year's Man Booker Prize. Set in a dystopian England, it tells the story of Kathy, a 31-year-old woman nearing the end of her life, who attempts to come to terms with her fate and her unconventional childhood at the seemingly idyllic Hailsham boarding school with friends Ruth and Tommy.
We discover that all students at Hailsham are clones created with the sole purpose of eventually donating their organs, and that the 'bliss' of the school was constructed by a headmistress who aimed to give the clones a humane education in contrast to other institutions built for the same purpose.
Despite the sci-fi themes of the plot, the novel does not focus on details of genetic science. Instead, it concentrates on the changing relationships between the three main characters and is arguably better described as a thought-provoking and emotional 'coming of age' novel.
Ishiguro's 1989 novel The Remains of the Day further showcases his ability create a complex world, illustrated with such deceptive simplicity that it is eerily similar to our own. The novel, which won the 1989 Man Booker Prize, tells the story of Stevens, a 1950s English butler who has dedicated his life to the loyal service of the recently deceased Lord Darlington. He receives a letter from a former colleague, housekeeper Miss Kenton, and after being encouraged by his new employer, the wealthy American Mr Farraday, to take a well-earned break, Stevens arranges to meet with Miss Kenton in Cornwall. The novel largely takes place in a series of flashbacks, slowly building a picture of Stevens' lost opportunities – particularly with Miss Kenton – and focusing on dignity, social constraints, loyalty, and politics.
While I have always loved his work, it was not until I had the privilege of seeing Ishiguro interviewed at London's Royal Festival Hall in July this year that he began to take his place as my favourite author. His modesty shone through when, despite all but two of his novels and short story collections being shortlisted for major awards, he complained of the ineffectiveness of his own methods of writing and praised Michael Ondaatje the other guest, for his organisation.
This same modesty was also reflected in his Nobel Lecture. He commented, "part of me feels like an imposter and part of me feels bad that I've got this before other living writers", expressing his surprise at being named winner, even wondering if the announcement was a case of "fake news".
Ishiguro's blend of creative expertise and humility, when it comes to being praised for his extraordinary work, truly make him a remarkable individual.
Image: Frankie Fouganthin via Wikimedia Commons.


text:
An Important Shift Is Happening In The Market Right Now…
This week's market action has been interesting. Indicators on tech stocks have been bearish. This can be seen in the chart of Invesco QQQ Trust (NASDAQ: QQQ), which is an ETF that tracks an index of tech stocks. QQQ has been the market leader in the bull market that started in March 2020.
I've highlighted three points in the chart.
Point 1. A bullish candlestick pattern has formed, but there was no follow through. That's a cause for concern that the rally is running out of steam.
Point 2. QQQ starts to move upward, but it's unable to reach a new high, which increases my concern. That indicates the bulls lacked enough buying power to push prices through an important resistance level. This formed a small topping pattern and indicates a decline in likely.
Point 3. At the bottom of the chart, my Income Trader Volatility (ITV) indicator shows a bearish crossover. This previous crossover in April preceded a small decline. In March, a more significant decline followed the bearish signal.
While this chart is worrying, the next chart offers hope for the bulls. SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust (NYSE: DIA) is breaking out to new highs, and ITV is bullish.
What This Means And How I'm Trading It
This divergence between bearish signals for one large group of stocks and bullish signals for another is unusual. It almost certainly indicates a big move is ahead. Unfortunately, the divergence doesn't offer insights into the direction of that move. For insights into that, we need to watch for follow-through in these ETFs over the next few days. And that's exactly what I'll be doing.
I believe the divergence will resolve to the upside in the case of large-cap stocks. And it's one reason why I recently targeted American Express Company (NYSE: AXP) for a trade over at my Income Trader premium service.
The stock is on a bullish ITV signal. Additionally, the chart pattern is also bullish with a breakout to new highs.
This is a short-term recommendation. Like almost all stocks, AXP is at least fairly valued. Analysts expect strong growth in the company as the economy recovers. Exceeding expectations could push the stock to new highs, but there are risks to that outlook in the long run.
To minimize the risks on the trade, I am recommending a trade that will be open for only a little more than a month. There is little risk of adverse news in that time, and the strength of large caps should persist for several weeks as traders move from aggressive positions to more conservative strategies.
I believe the strategy we use is better than simply buying and holding a stock. It focuses on the short-term and allows us to generate income immediately. This means we can easily move on to another promising trade — or repeat a similar trade in the stock if we want.
This strategy isn't used by many individual investors — but it should be. It's so easy that you can think of it like entering a "P.I.N." code and getting paid from the market.
Want to learn more? Go here to learn more now…


text:
You may be surprised to find out that natural gas is odorless. That horrible smell of sulfur has been deliberately added so that you can be alerted to gas leaks in the home. Natural gas can be fatal if the level is high enough. It is considered one of the cleanest and safest fuels and is used in many homes to power water heaters, stoves as well as other appliances. If it is burning correctly, it produces carbon dioxide and water vapor. In fact, natural gas gives off less greenhouse emissions than oil, coal, and wood.
Natural gas is highly combustible, which means that it is economical since you only need a little to produce lots of heat. Unfortunately, that means that a leak can become and explosion or a fire. Any leaks should not be taken lightly. If you suspect that you have a gas leak, do the following:
Do's and don'ts if you suspect a gas leak
Should you suspect that there is a gas leak, you need to drop everything you are doing and exit the house immediately. Be sure not to turn any switches on or off, do not unplug anything and do not use the phone. Additionally, do not press the doorbell, light matches or candles, or smoke, and do not touch any appliance controls or make any adjustments to the thermostat.
Instead, put out any open flames and get everyone out of the house or the area where the smell is depending on how strong the smell is. Once you are out of the house, call the gas company and wait for their arrival. Alternatively, you can call emergency services. If you don't have a local gas company close enough, you can call a plumbing contractor that deals with gas.
If you are only able to smell the gas when you are close to the appliance, look to see if the pilot light is still on or if it has gone out. It could also be that you have left the burner valve slightly open. If you are able to find the problem and fix it, then you will have resolved the issue. If you are not sure, get the professionals to deal with it.
What if you can't smell it?
If you are suffering from a stuffy nose or a cold, it is possible not to smell gas as it is leaking. This is why you should have a gas detector in your home that will alert you of any gas leaks. Always make sure that your detectors are functional by checking them often and replacing batteries as needed.
If you inhale natural gas in large quantities, you can actually asphyxiate. You will experience chest pain and fatigue as the body loses oxygen since you will be breathing in more CO (Carbon monoxide). This has can cause death.
If the smell of gas is outdoors, be sure to report it immediately. Make sure not to operate or park cars close to a gas source. Should you hear the gas escaping, immediately go to the neighbor's house and call the gas company or plumbing contractor, and stay out of your home.


text:
Book review: 'Factfulness' inspires new hope
Opinions without strong supporting facts are misleading
September 8, 2021
Does anyone else get instantly depressed when they hear negative news? Do you feel as though the world is not getting any better? As students in particular, do you ever feel like there is no hope for the future on this planet?
"Factfulness: Ten Reasons We're Wrong About the World" by Hans Rosling helped me counter these tendencies and view things through a more fact-based and realistic lens.
I heard about the book while watching a Bill Gates interview on YouTube. Rosling, professor of international health and a man who can make data sing, collaborated with Anna Rosling Rönnlund and Ola Rosling. Working together, the three outlined 10 instinctual biases that cause people to misinterpret the world around them.
"This book is a very last battle in my lifelong mission to fight devastating global ignorance," wrote Hans Rosling, who passed away in 2017. "It is my last attempt to make an impact on the world: to change people's ways of thinking, calm their irrational fears and redirect their energies into constructive activities."
When I originally finished reading "Factfulness," I was confused by the optimism and statistics included in the book, which contrasts themselves with the distressing headlines of the failure of our world leaders to fight the net carbon dioxide emission count.
I felt unsure about the reality presented by the book's graphs about falling hunger and death rates worldwide, placed next to the news story about two orphaned sisters who were refused food by scared neighbors because they feared contracting COVID-19.
It seemed reality could not possibly echo what the authors show us in the book. But what could really be believed?
My questioning of his decades of research actually proved him right. I concluded that we are molded by the news to believe that negativity is the only reality that exists. I do not know what I would be trying to prove by saying that again.
By proving that point, Hans Rosling provides hope for his readers. But it is not just aimless hope he provides, it's the hope from facts.
It was a bit ironic reading how the world is getting better and how distorted our worldview is amid a pandemic with no end in sight. We have grown to believe that to satiate our natural, negative instinct, we should expect bad news. Sounds depressing, right? It is, and there is a point to this. The media loves to use drama to get our attention. The media rarely reports good news.
Hans Rosling also wrote, "More bad news is sometimes due to better surveillance of suffering, not a worsening world."
We cannot expect the media to report the hopeful stories — we have to find it.
Negative events covered in the media —say a hurricane hitting Louisiana — weighs more in our brains, even though it is highly unlikely to affect us personally. Hans Rosling's work shows us that living in fear of these events is not what we should focus on.
Quoting Daniel Kahneman: "People tend to assess the relative importance of issues by the ease with which they are retrieved from memory – and this is largely determined by the extent of coverage in the media."
The world needs to understand itself to better prepare for the future. Right now, our world leaders do not understand what we need to even survive the future.
My favorite example of this need is a story the authors tell in this book. While attending the World Economic Forum in 2015, he asked three fact questions to "1,000 of the world's most powerful and influential political and business leaders."
When they were asked simple questions about global trends – why the world's population is increasing, how many young women go to school, how many of us live in poverty – our leaders systematically get the answers wrong.
So wrong, in fact, that a chimpanzee choosing answers at random will consistently outguess these journalists, Nobel laureates and investment bankers.
These are our leaders in politics and media. They have the latest data on the greatest issues in any country. If they do not know the answers to these questions, how could we?
"Factfulness" really wakes readers up to the fact that ignorance is not just a lack of education or knowledge. It is actually a systemic human tendency to ignore facts, ground ourselves in reality, and let rumors and manipulative figures rule our lives.
It turns out that the world, for all its imperfections, is in a much better state than we might think. Much better than most news outlets and media sources would reveal through their headlines.
But when we focus and worry about everything the news is telling us instead of embracing a worldview based on facts, we can lose our ability to focus on the things that threaten us the most.
"Factfulness" points to multiple examples in which global conditions have improved. Despite what we might believe, improvements across our world have created a higher quality of life for more inhabitants than ever before. Through these examples he is dispelling many commonly held beliefs about people and cultures.
This book and its statistics are not the end-all-be-all for any issue. It is a starting point to changing how we think, so we can view our world's issues more clearly.
Inspiring and revelatory, filled with lively anecdotes and moving stories, "Factfulness" is an urgent and essential book that will change the way you see the world.
We should all read this book. I thank Bill Gates for sharing this as the most educational book of the current time.


text:
About National University of La Plata
The National University of La Plata (UNLP) was established in 1897 in La Plata, capital of the Buenos Aires Province. The university's motto is "for science and the motherland". This historic university has undergone many changes since its inception to include 16 different faculties in addition to a physics institute founded in 1905.
The university offers more than 100 different degrees in the fields of architecture and urbanism, arts, agriculture and forestry, astronomy and geophysical sciences, economics, law and social sciences, medical sciences, informatics, engineering, dentistry, psychology, social work, veterinary sciences, humanities and education sciences and more.
UNLP houses several cultural activities to provide students with a full-fledged experience; including a university radio, press and theatre. Other academic research centres and institutions such as the museum of natural sciences, the institute of physical education and the astronomical observatory, to name but a few, are housed within the university campus, which is divided into five main groups, with each housing several faculties.
Just like Argentina, the university itself has undergone a cultural shift to include more "modern" activities to provide students with a preview of the Argentinian culture. This includes a university choir, the first of its kind throughout Argentina, and a string quartet.
The university's alumni list is impressive, with three presidents namely Raul Alfonsin, Néstor Kirchner and Cristina Fernández de Kirchner. Other notable alumni include noble peace laureates Adolfo Pérez Ezquivel and Carlos Saavedra Lamas as well as several inventors in the field of medicine.
Explore these featured universities
Explore rankings data for National University of La Plata
Key statistics
- 23.9No. of students per staff(1)
- 5%Percentage of International Students(1)
- n/aProportion of ISR Publication(1)
- 56 : 44Student Ratio of Females to Males(1)
- 118,688Number of FTE Students(1)


text:
We are proud of our list of references and satisfied clients which tell more about us than anything else.
Each hotel represents a unique experience and reflects the individual vision. Many years of experience in manufacture and installation of furniture in hotel interiors teach us how important it is when creation and vision respond to the requirements of a commercial environment.
Reference• Hotel "Zepter", Belgrade, Serbia;
• Hotel "Orašac", Belgrade, Serbia;
• Hotel "Marriott", Belgrade, Serbia;
• Hotel "Sučević", Belgrade, Serbia;
• Hotel "IN", Belgrade, Serbia;
• Hotel "Prestiž", Belgrade, Serbia;
• Hotel "Admiral", Belgrade, Serbia;
• Hotel SPA "Jodna Banja", Novi Sad, Serbia;
• Hotel "Park", Novi Sad, Serbia;
• Hotel "Vila Breg", Vršac, Serbia;
• Hotel "Plaža", Kladovo, Serbia;
• Hotel "Palić", Palić, Serbia;
• Hotel "Jezero", Palić, Serbia;
• Hotel "Izvor", Aranđelovac, Serbia;
• Hotel "Mona", Zlatibor, Serbia;
• Hotel "Slovenska plaža", Budva, Montenegro;
• Hotel "Regent" Porto Montenegro, Montenegro;
• Hotel "The H Hotel", Podgorica, Montenegro;
• Hotel "Maestral&Casino", Sveti Stefan, Montenegro;
• Hotel "Banja Slatina", Republika Srpska;
• Hotel "Milenij", Opatija, Croatia;
• Hotel "Solaris Jure", Šibenik, Croatia;
• Hotel "Riezler Hof" , Austria;
• Hotel "Salzburg", Austria;
Solutions of company ENTERO for hospitality facilities bring long-term value to the owners, while at the same time creating unforgettable experiences for guests. Fundamental research and understanding of current and future trends result in ambiences that skillfully combine functionality with top-shelf aesthetics.
Reference• Restaurant Mythologia, Belgrade, Serbia;
• "Winary Kovačević", Irig, Serbia;
• Sport and SPA centar , Beočin, Serbia;
• "Porto Montenegro", Tivat, Montenegro;
• Caffe "Fill Rouge", Podgorica, Montenegro;
• Sport and business centar "Milenijum", Vršac, Serbia;
• Restaurant "Magelan", Belgrade, Serbia;
• Business centar "Aktau", Almaty, Kazakhstan...
Transforming a house or apartment into a home can be a complex task, which we approach with the utmost care. From production and choice of materials, to fitting the details as a whole, ENTERO strives to emphasize your individual style and build the natural foundations of your living space.
Reference• Luxury villas and apartments in Serbia and Montenegro;
• Luxury residential buildings in Serbia and Montenegro;
• Luxury residential villas "Lustica Bay", Montenegro;
• Business residential building TQ PLAZA, Budva, Montenegro;
• Luxury house complex "Meisho hills", Marbella, Spain;
• Luxury villa, Montreux, Switzerland...
The main result to which ENTERO directs the process of designing public spaces implies the authenticity of each individual part of the space, in order to make them functional, attractive and sustainable.
Reference• Oil refinery Pančevo, Serbia;
• "Beograd berza" , Belgrade, Serbia;
• "ŽTP", Belgrade, Serbia;
• "A" Bank Belgrade, Serbia;
• "Delta" bank Belgrade, Serbia;
• "Bank of Greece" office, Belgrade, Serbia;
• "Maxima Center GP6", Belgrade, Serbia;
• "HVB" banka , Novi Sad, Serbia;
• "Kulska banka", Novi Sad, Serbia;
• "PIONIR" factory main building, Subotica, Serbia;
• Sport and business center "Milenijum", Vršac, Serbia;
• Business center "Đekić" , Podgorica, Montenegro;
• Business complex, Podgorica, Montenegro;
• "SKOPSKA PIVARA" main building, Skoplje, FYR Macedonia;
• Palace "Otradno", Yalta, Ukraine;
• Mayor's office in Mirni, Yakutia, Ukraine;
• Business center "Aktau", Almaty, Kazakhstan;
• University of Central Asia, UCA Campus Town, Khorog, Tajikistan;
• Bank in Luxemburg, Luxemburg;
• Seat of Russian culture, Bethlehem, Palestine;
If you want to be always up to date with our
latest projects and news, follow us on Instagram:
or sign up for our Newsletter:


text:
Syska & Hennessy/William E. Scrantom
Syska & Hennessy(New York) has namedWilliam E. Scrantom, P.E., a senior vice president. Scrantom is the director of healthcare—western region, which consists of a staff of over 40 engineering professionals. He has over 17 years of experience as a consulting mechanical engineer, including 15 years focused exclusively on development of healthcare facilities.


text:
Food category
Location:Home Page
GB 2762-2017National food safety standard Maximum levels of contaminants in foodThis database is developed according to the standard text of National food safety standard Maximum levels of contaminants in food(GB 2762-2017). The query results are for reference only. This standard stipulates the indicators for maximum levels of lead, cadmium, mercury, arsenic, tin, nickel,chromium, nitrite, nitrate, benzo (a) pyrene, N-dimethyl nitrosamine, polychlorinated biphenyl and 3-chloro-1,2 propanediol in foods.
1 Terms and Definitions


text:
Man with Down Syndrome in Viral Pro-Life Video: 'I Don't Want To Make It Illegal, I Want To Make It Unthinkable'
Actor, Special Olympian and pro-life advocate Frank Stephens believes that abortion should be unthinkable, thanks to his life lived with Down Syndrome.
Stephens spoke out about the abortion debate on Friday's edition of "Fox and Friends," and said he believes that ignorance of those with disabilities like his own have led to the conclusion that their lives don't matter.
"When they get a chance to get to know us they basically get a chance to like us," Stephens told Fox News' Ainsley Earhardt.
"About abortion, I don't want to make it illegal," Stephens said. "I want to make it unthinkable. Politicians change laws. I want to change people's hearts. I want to change people's hearts by changing people's minds and hearts together."
Stephens speaks in schools, to the media and even to Congress and is an ambassador for the Global Down Syndrome Foundation.
According to a study by the National Center for Biotechnology Information, 67 percent of prenatal diagnoses of Down Syndrome in the United States resulted in abortions.
For several countries across the globe, however, being diagnosed with Down Syndrome in utero is considerably more dangerous for the child.
CBS News reported in August of 2017 that since prenatal screening was introduced in Iceland in the early 2000s, almost 100 percent of those who received a positive test chose to abort their baby.
As of 2015, Denmark had a 98 percent abortion rate and France had a 77 percent abortion rate for positive tests of Down Syndrome.
Stephens believes that if mothers understood what life could be like for their children, they might change their minds.
"My life is worth living because it is fantastic," Stephens stated. "I've gotten to travel all over the world."
"I get to workshop a play in New York. I'm going to be in two documentaries which will be on next month. And I have a lovely girlfriend, friends and a wonderful family."
"I don't want to make abortion illegal. I want to make it unthinkable," says Frank Stephens, a special Olympian who wants abortion advocates to know that the lives of people with special needs have unlimited value. #ProLife pic.twitter.com/637JJKCChm
— Rep. Doug Collins (@RepDougCollins) February 1, 2019
The issue of abortion was brought into the headlines once again, thanks to New York's recent third-trimester abortion law and Virginia's attempt to follow suit — push the law even further to allow the killing of babies while they are being born.
Stephens' message was brought to the forefront of many minds by actor Ashton Kutcher, who posted a video on his Facebook page featuring the pro-life advocate speaking to a Congressional committee in October of 2017.
Stephens mentioned Kutcher in his Fox interview and said, "I'd like to thank my friend Ashton Kutcher for bringing back my testimony. It's like the walking dead because it just won't stay down."
While speaking to the committee, Stephens emphasized his own quality of life, and his right to exist, despite what testing or abortion advocates might say.
"Across the world, a notion is being sold that maybe we don't need research concerning Down Syndrome. Some people say prenatal screenings will identify Down syndrome in the womb, and those pregnancies will just be terminated," Stephens said.
"It's is hard for me to sit here and say those words. Let's be clear, I completely understand that the people pushing that particular 'final solution' are saying that people like me should not exist. They are saying that we have too little value to exist."
Near the end of his comments, Stephens implored the panel, "Let's be America, not Iceland or Denmark. Let's pursue answers, not 'final solutions.'"
Truth and Accuracy
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Read our editorial standards.


text: The Hilltops Council comprises three distinct directorates and the office of the General Manager that work in close collaboration with each other to deliver services to the region's residents and community. Each Director has the responsibility to ensure that the strategic direction of their directorate is in line with the Hilltops Community Strategic Plan and Council's values and culture. Services are delivered to the community via several divisions that make up each directorate.


text:
Future Focused
Innovating for you never stops: We're constantly evolving and investing in you. With our expertise and products, we are the partner that keeps you on the pulse of what's next.
Latest News
The fan landscape is evolving. Fans want more flexibility than ever before, crave immersive experiences, and live for those once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. Growing with the next generation of fans is more important than ever before.
Modern Ticketing Essentials: Beyond the Ticket is a free ...
Every year, the Super Bowl brings big thrills to football fans across the country, pitting the Conference champions against each other for the final matchup of the season. Millions tune in to the televised game, but nothing beats being there live. This year, tickets were 100% mobile as fans ...
Digital ticketing is the new norm — but for some fans, it still feels like the future. As digital experts, we know fan experiences are better when they know what to expect.
Here are 4 best practices to help bring your fans up to speed and transform how they experience live.
1. Communication ...
It's an honor to do what we do — innovating, pushing boundaries, bringing you closer to fans and the future. And we always have and always will be proud to be your partner.


text:
Daughter's Message For Her Shaheed Father Will Leave You In Tears
Our safety and their lives, without a complaint, trading their family's future for our peace, without holding back. The sacrifices that our Army presents so people like you and me can have a peaceful sleep are eternal and something we can't ever repay.
Among these brave unsung heroes is Major Akbar Awan Shaheed. He embraced shahadat on on 10th June, 2008. He hoisted Pakistan's flag on Gora Pari post, Afghan border, three hours before his death.
While having dinner with other soldiers after Maghrib prayers, their post was attacked by a US missile (from Afghan area). Maj Akbar, injured himself, dragged body of another shaheed inside the post and ordered others to vacate it. In second and third attacks, Major Akbar received heavy injuries, which he couldn't survive.
This brave soldier's legacy outlasted by a young widow and two children. When Major Akbar embraced martyrdom, his older son was two years old and younger daughter was only two months old.
Ever since he left this world, his kids have kept him alive. His daughter, Fatima, made a sketch of her father and with the sketch she writes a message saying 'come and see how is the sketch, I miss you'
It is not only heartwarming and immensely touching but also reflects what our brave soldiers are doing for us.
While talking to Siasat.pk's team member, Major Akbar's wife said ''My husband was the chosen one from Allah Almighty''.
On highlighting the struggles of a young single mother, she said that it is a hard job, but whenever she feels like giving up, her husband's bravery gives her strength.
''I feel like Akbar and Allah Almighty are watching over me, all the time'', she said.
She vocalized her plans for her children and said she wants them to walk in the footprints of their brave father and she will never let her children forget the sacrifice he gave for this homeland.
What do you think about this? Let us know in the comments section below.


text:
A Pineapple Express may sound delicious but this warm Pacific airflow created some interesting weather conditions for our week up at the Blanket Glacier Chalet from March 8-16.
We arrived in Revelstoke Friday evening to Spring like conditions which had many of us worried about skiing but the flowers were a good distraction! Saturday morning Marion, our host, started a mad dash to meet the helicopter when she informed us that we had our departure times wrong and where an hour late. We were soon whirling our way from the muddy valley through blue skies into the snow zone surrounding the Blanket Chalet.
Everyone quickly sorted their food and gear in the chalet, grabbed a quick lunch and headed out the door for some avalanche rescue practice. We left the recovered beers for Alex, our co-host for the week, to resuscitate while we skinned up to Caribou Ridge to get our bearings and check out the snow conditions. We did a few laps and found some good snow before heading in for the first of many great meals.
We had a bit of everything throughout the week including snow, strong winds, sun and rain which made for a challenging snow pack. Cabin fever set in on the rainy days which led to the first annual "Wet Blanket Special Games" which was won by Kelly (K1) who cleaned up in – Axe Sticking, Doodling and Snow Carving with runner up prizes going to: Vance – Back Country Luge, Andy & Steve D – Cricket and Kelly (K2) – Loud Drinking. Due to the loud drinking competition running late some participants were relegated to sleeping in the wood shed.
Even with the damp weather most of us had a good time and the week ended too early. Our host Marion injured her Achilles tendon and had to be helicoptered out early so we hope she has a speedy recovery and can get out on her new skis soon.