Posted on June 27, 2020 by News Editor
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New in and titles back in stock this week
The Real Coco Chanel Antigonus The One-Eyed The Real Beatrix Potter
The Hawker Hunter The Mighty Warrior Kings The Nonconformist Revolution
Now back in stock
Happy Odyssey by Sir Adrian Carton de Wiart with a foreword by Winston Churchill.
Adrian Carton de Wiart's autobiography is one of the most remarkable of military memoirs. He was the son of a Belgian barrister, Leon Constant Ghislain Carton de Wiart (1854-1915). He, himself, was intended for the law, but abandoned his studies at Balliol College, Oxford, in 1899 to serve as a trooper in the South African War.
He abandoned the law for all time on 14 September 1901 when he received a direct commission in the 4th Dragoon Guards. Carton de Wiart's extraordinary military career embraced service with the Somaliland Camel Corps (1914-15), liaison officer with Polish forces (1939), membership of the British Military Mission to Yugoslavia (1941), a period as a prisoner of war (1941-43), and three years as Churchill's representative to Chiang Kai-shek (1943-46).
During the Great War, besides commanding the 8th Glosters, Carton de Wiart was GOC 12 Brigade (1917) and GOC 105 Brigade (April 1918). Both these command were terminated by wounds. He was wounded eight times during the war (including the loss of an eye and a hand), won the VC during the Battle of the Somme, was mentioned in despatches six times, and was the model for Brigadier Ben Ritchie Hook in the Sword of Honour trilogy of Evelyn Waugh.
Now available for Kindle and ePub download
Sex and Sexuality in Victorian Britain Powering the World's Airliners A History of English Place Names and Where They Came From Tracing Your Poor Ancestors
The Secret US Plan to Overthrow the British Empire Black Swan Class Sloops The Roman Imperial Succession The People's Army in the Spanish Civil War
Battle in the Baltic Ladies of Magna Carta Egyptomaniacs Hungarian Armoured Fighting Vehicles in the Second World War


ISRO's Mangalyaan programme team wins US-based 2015 Space Pioneer Award
India's Mars Orbiter Mission (MoM) or Mangalyaan programme team won the 2015 Space Pioneer Award.
FP Staff January 13, 2015 15:45:24 IST
The programme team of India's Mars Orbiter Mission (MoM) or Mangalyaan has won the 2015 Space Pioneer Award in the science and engineering category awarded by US-based educational and scientific group National Space Society (NSS).
Mangalyaan won the 2015 Space Pioneer Award.
In a statement issued by the NSS, it said that the award had been won by ISRO's Mars Orbiter Programme Team. "This award will be presented to an Isro representative during the National Space Society's 2015 International Space Development Conference, the 34th ISDC, to be held in Toronto, Canada," said the statement.
The statement also said that the team was being awarded for its accomplishments of sending the first Indian spacecraft to Mars and making India the first country to do so on the first try.
India's Mangalyaan mission which cost around $74 million and is one of the cheapest space missions, was launched on 5 November, 2013 and successfully entered the Red planet's orbit last year on 24 September.
In November, 2014, Mangalyaan was named among the best inventions of 2014 by TIME magazine which described it as a technological feat that will allow India to flex its "interplanetary muscles."
"Nobody gets Mars right on the first try. The US didn't, Russia didn't, the Europeans didn't. But on 24 September, India did. That's when the Mangalyaan... went into orbit around the Red Planet, a technological feat no other Asian nation has yet achieved," TIME had said about Mangalyaan, calling it "The Supersmart Spacecraft."
On the cost involved to make Mangalyaan, TIME had said that at that price, the Mangalyaan is equipped with just five onboard instruments that allow it to do simple tasks like measure Martian methane and surface composition.
"More important, however, it allows India to flex its interplanetary muscles, which portends great things for the country's space programme and for science in general," TIME had said.
Mangalyaan has five instruments aboard: a camera, two spectrometers, a radiometer and a photometer. It aims to understand the process by which water was lost on Mars, measure methane levels in the Martian atmosphere, map the surface, composition and mineralogy of Mars and take images of the Martian surface.
2015 Space Pioneer Award
Mars Orbiter Mission
Flight surgeons to train in space medicine in Russia to assist Gaganyaan astronauts: ISRO officials
The training program for astronauts, affected by the lockdown in Russia, is expected to end by March 2021.
ISRO to adopt 100 Atal Tinkering Labs to promote space, science related education
The students will not only gain theoretical but also practical and application-based knowledge of STEM and Space Education.
'Long kept secret': Top ISRO scientist Tapan Misra claims he was poisoned three years ago
Misra alleged he was poisoned with deadly arsenic trioxide on May 23, 2017, during a promotion interview at ISRO headquarters in Bengaluru


Happy Ducks, Obsolete Root Cellars, and Other Signs of the Warmest January on Record
By Brian Halweil| January 31, 2012
I've been thumbing through the short, final chapters of Joan Gussow's most recent book, Growing, Older. They're humorous even if the themes include dying, lifelong regrets, sea level rise and climate change. The later geological preoccupations are shared by both of us—we both garden in floodprone areas—and the balmy, 60-degree afternoons this past weekend reminded me that the future-oriented predictions of climate scientists seem more and more to have arrived in the here and now. (And, my colleagues at Edible Brooklyn tell me, the annual winter festival at Prospect Park was just cancelled, due to weather too warm to make snow.)
Our ducks have been plenty happy that their kiddie pool pond hasn't frozen over and that they can still grub for worms in the (still) soft soil.
THE HAMPTONS–I've been thumbing through the short, final chapters of Joan Gussow's most recent book, Growing, Older. They're humorous even if the themes include dying, lifelong regrets, sea level rise and climate change. The later geological preoccupations are shared by both of us—we both garden in floodprone areas—and the balmy, 60-degree afternoons this past weekend reminded me that the future-oriented predictions of climate scientists seem more and more to have arrived in the here and now. (And, my colleagues at Edible Brooklyn tell me, the annual winter festival at Prospect Park was just cancelled, due to weather too warm to make snow.)
It will be another couple of weeks before global weather watchers, like NOAA, release their monthly data, but my money says we're on track for another warmest winter on record. On a Saturday morning seal-spotting walk to Oyster Pond in Montauk, we overhead a veteran hiker remark that he had never seen so many T-shirted folks on the trail at the end of January, traditionally the coldest time of the year.
For our post-hike lunch at Hampton Chutney Company in Amagansett, we got to enjoy our lassi and dosas, on the outdoor picnic tables sans outwear (a very un-wintery thing to do). We bumped into farmer friend Scott Chaskey, who was coming from a pick-up day at Quail Hill Farm, and who noted that the ground has yet to freeze at Quail Hill and the root cellar, packed with goodies for CSA members, wasn't as cold as he'd like it to be. Had he known, he might not have pulled all the carrots and parsnips and beets in a rush just before the New Year.
But how could we know? At the annual Food Almanac event put on by Food Systems Network NYC, the panelists offered a number of likely and hopeful predictions. Thomas Forster said that New York City would continue to lead the world in urban-rural alliances to reverse climate change and other global challenges. American Farmland Trust's David Haight predicted that the loss of farmland might come to a halt—it has slowed dramatically in the last five years–and begin to reverse this year.
And Print restaurant's pastry chef Heather Carlucci-Rodriguez, who also founded Chefs for the Marcellus, said 2012 would see the rise of chefs and restaurant workers as major opponents to fracking in Upstate New York: If there's no clean water, then there's no restaurant business, Carlucci suggested, noting that businesses ranging from the Park Slope Coop to Ommegang Brewery are considering quitting Upstate if fracking goes forward.
Cheryl Rogowski shared reflections from her family farm in Orange County, noting this time last year, the farm was under a yard of snow, and just a few months ago, post Hurricane Irene, the farm was under 8 feet of water. After cleaning up and digging out, Rogowski's attention turned to what she called "weather management." She has relocated her greenhouses and other important structures to the highest ground on the farm and is redoubling her efforts to extend her growing season and build the supply of vegetables she can sell year-round.
"This has turned from a story of destruction to one of resilience," Greenmarket director Michael Hurwitz recently said when he reflected on Greenmarket growers, some of whom lost 80 percent of their crop. (Resilience and adapatability—in the face of climate change and other challenges–are also themes of this week's Pennsylvania Association of Sustainable Agriculture (PASA conference, where I'm speaking on Friday.)
Climate change deniers are always suggesting endless silver linings to a warming planet. Although it's likely that with longer growing seasons will also come weeds, pests and other threats once held in check by winter. Still, on my own homestead, our coldframes are as abundant as ever, and I wish I'd sown a cover crop of kale, tatsoi and other hardy greens over our whole garden. Our oyster cages still hang from the dock, with little threat of being iced in. The warm weather has been particularly friendly to our latest agricultural addition—four jet-black Cayuga ducks.
Ducks have no problem with frigid weather: our breed was first domesticated around Lake Cayuga way up north. But as anyone who knows anything about ducks can tell you, they love water—splashing in it, diving under it and guzzling large quantities. On the handful of days when the mercury dipped into the 20s and 30s, the ducks emerged from their pen in the morning to stare wistfully at their kiddie pool pond frozen over. Their water dispenser–and our outdoor hose bib–had also frozen, so we toted a bucket of tepid water from the kitchen sink and filled a dog bowl for them.
Better-prepared farmers would have installed an ingenious device called a frost-proof yard hydrant, which looks like an old fashioned water pump. The valve that controls the flow of water is buried below the frost line, so after you're done dispensing water, the water falls back below this valve, keeping the above ground portion from freezing and bursting. It's the next big farm investment we're budgeting for, although I wonder if–like snow tires, cross-country skiis and other cold-season paraphernalia–we will need them less and less.
Or as Gussow might say in one of her endearing messages–part meteorlogical report, part philosophical reflection–she records on her answering machine: "You've reached the riverfront home of Joan Gussow. It's a balmy and 60 degrees in late January. Climate change is here. I hope we're prepared."
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Next up on the Event Calendar: That Holiday Everyone Loves to Hate
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Is that Nutrition Advice Based on Real Science or Marketing?
How Sam Kass Made Over the Obamas' Pantry Could Help Us All Eat a Little Better


RAM'S HEAD INN: GOURMET OF SHELTER ISLAND
Dining, New York
MANAGING YOUR FINANCIAL RISK
The Ram's Head Inn is best known as a farm-to-table restaurant on Shelter Island, where its culinary team sources herbs, fruits, and vegetables from the restaurant's own garden offering an extraordinary experience with their seasonally focused menus and reopens this April.
Owners James and Linda Eklund just recently announced their new Executive Chef for the upcoming 2017 season, Matt Murphey whose menu is influenced by his travels in Italy and Europe. His innovative ideas and wealth of fine dining experience will greatly contribute to the restaurant's menu. In fact, he created several new items for the bar menu for Ram's Head cocktail & music, Harbor Hall. Working in some of the top kitchens in NYC, Murphey has held sous chef positions at the Ritz Carlton, the Rainbow Room, and The Russian Tea Room. Additionaly he held executive chef positions at A.R.OC, Broadway Grill, La Colombe D'or, Melrose Hotel in Washington DC, the Centerport Yacht Club, and Jedidiah Hawkins Inn.
UrbanSpace Lincoln Road Holiday Market Announces Final Vendor Line Up
After working with such great restaurants, Matt Murphy settled on Long Island and opened Anatres Café in Greenport. USA Today eventually named it one of the best ten restaurants on Long Island. Afterwards he opened The Kitchen at Greenport, and was inducted into the Chef 2000 Group in 1996. At the helm of the Rams Head Inn's brunch, lunch and dinner menu, he plans to continue using locally sourced ingredients while revamping the menu. This spring diners will certainly look forward to enjoying his latest creations.
"Matt will complete the full fine dining/farm-to-table experience that we have provided our guests since the early 90's," said Linda Eklund, owner of the Ram's Head Inn. "His passion for food and knowledge of the abundance of 'local delicacies' make him the perfect fit for the Ram's Head" noted Mrs. Eklund.
631-749-0811 | theramsheadinn.com
Resident March 29, 2017
Dining, Florida
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Dialogue Special Report Art & Culture Literati Footloose
Shehr
Fashion Interviews Reviews Overviews In the picture Vibe Charts
TNS Special Report
Print Story
Urban warriors
Umber Khairi
It's been interesting to see that it took the killing of a high profile, anti-terrorist cop to jolt the general public into the realisation that policemen are not just humans, but often brave humans who lay their lives on the line -- every minute of every day.
For the Taliban, the assassination of CID SP Aslam Khan was a major hit: he was a thorn in their side not just because he worked effectively in counter-terrorism but because of his defiance and his very public refusal to be intimidated by them.
Those who feared that his being so high profile would hasten his death were right, but what perhaps nobody foresaw was that his killing would touch such a nerve with the media and general public, and lead to such an outpouring of sympathy and public grief. And this happened because by openly challenging the terrorists Aslam Khan became a symbol of resistance to terrorism and crime, a flagbearer for the writ of the state.
I watched this month's media coverage with interest not just because it was a gripping story but because I have seen police life from up close and I personally know what a tough and thankless job it is. First, there is the fact that unlike in the army you are not "sent to war", you are fighting a war, all day, every day. Since cops are meant to challenge those who break the law, and these are mostly rather nasty, ruthless people, an effective cop makes a lot of enemies, threatens many vested interests and generally is much resented.
You do not deal with 'nice' people and your job is not to be Mr Nice Guy or win popularity polls. Policing a city like Karachi is perhaps a great adventure for many of the young officers who work there: urban life is reduced to the most basic and brutal struggles of human existence. It's a gun-slinging, relentless cycle of crime fighting and survival. And you need to fight on several fronts: it's not just the criminals you have to deal with, it is also the pressure from your own superior officers, politician bosses and intelligence agencies that is an ongoing battle as they tell you to turn a blind eye to selected crimes or instruct you to fabricate cases.
So what motivates these urban warriors? Is it all just a power trip with the excitement of an adrenaline-fuelled game of cops and robbers? I asked a young ASP this question many years ago and he replied that although all of the above were a consideration there was also the fact that you felt that your work could make a real difference to lives and communities.
What of all the crookedness and venality in the force? Well, an interesting perspective is it that it is not fancy manners or financial corruption that divides good cops from bad: it is whether you are anti-crime or not anti-crime i.e. whether you fight the criminals or whether you are complicit with them.
So for all the stories of corruption, torture and bribery you hear about the police, consider all the stories you do not hear. The accounts of the raids, encounters, arrests and rescues. Think of the men who storm in to release a hostage, or who just try to maintain law and order in the face of pointless protest (like the Karachi policeman who was killed during the protest against a YouTube film), or the men who cannot celebrate Eid with their families because they are on duty guarding those who are at the prayer congregation. Or those who are taunted by arrested criminals who warn them "the court will let us off, but we know where you live and where your children go to school".
So should we protect those who try to protect us, or should we cosy up to their killers?
This is the basic question we need to ask ourselves in a terrible conflict that seems to have now become suicidal on both sides. And we should also take a moment to pay silent tribute to all those policemen who have been targeted and killed in Sindh and KP and Balochistan.
And if movies help you make sense of real life then I suggest you watch the Batman flick, The Dark Knight Rises: in that film the anarchy that follows the terrorists' targeting of the police force is terrifying because it is so close to the reality of modern day Pakistan….
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Taurus Holdings, Inc Announces New Manufacturing Facility, Corporate Headquarters is Moving to Bainbridge
April 12, 2018 Dustin Dowdy Around our Area, Featured Posts, Flint Media, News 1
Governor Nathan Deal announces that Taurus USA will build a manufacturing operation and their corporate headquarters in Bainbridge, Georgia.
"The big news is that Taurus USA is going to build a manufacturing facility in this community and create some 300 jobs", said Georgia Governor Nathan Deal, officially announcing the arrival of one of the largest firearms producers in the United States to southwest Georgia.
Taurus Holdings, Inc will be moving their manufacturing operations and corporate headquarters to Bainbridge, breaking ground on a new facility in the Commodore Industrial Park this summer and opening the doors in January of 2020.
The Governor was introduced by Georgia Senator Dean Burke, a Bainbridge resident and former City Council Member. The news was made official at a ceremony at the Kirbo Center on ABAC's Bainbridge campus Thursday morning in a building full of excited residents and dignitaries, including members of the Bainbridge City Council, Decatur County Board of Commissioners, the Development Authority of Decatur County and more.
Taurus CEO David Blenker got a roaring ovation when he announced to the crowd, "We are absolutely moving our corporate headquarters to Bainbridge, Georgia" and stated that all Taurus pistols and Heritage revolvers would be manufactured in Bainbridge as well. "I truly believe that the future of the company will thrive in Bainbridge, Georgia". Speaking about the large turnout and obvious community support, Mr. Blenker said, "We made the right decision".
Taurus Holdings CEO David Blenker announced that Taurus USA is moving their manufacturing operation and corportate headquarters to Bainbridge, Georgia.
According to a story told by Mr. Blenker, the process started nearly 15 years ago when they first toured the state of Georgia with the state's economic development team. Then, nearly two years ago, Mr. Blenker was hunting at Southwind Plantation in south Decatur County when he mentioned that Taurus might be interested in moving to Georgia. According to Blenker, Southwind Owner Tim Smith overheard the conversation and insisted that Mr. Blenker meet Rick McKaskill, the Director of the Development Authority and the other local decision makers. "18 months later, we're so proud to be here".
Keith Lyle, the Chairman of the Development Authority welcomed the company by stating, "We look forward to years of prosperity and welcome our new corporate partner". Mr. Lyle then took the opportunity to speak to future prospects saying, "If you're a business or industry looking to locate, then Bainbridge, Georgia needs to be at the top of your list. Bainbridge, Georgia is open for business!".
Nathan Deal
Taurus USA Breaks Ground on Bainbridge Site
Work Begins on the Taurus USA Site
Governor Deal Coming to Bainbridge for Major Manufacturing Facility Announcement
Chamber: Leadercast Live Coming to Kirbo Center
Press Release: Anna Kinchen Hired as Communications and Events Coordinator for Chamber of Commerce
Scripture Of The Day – April 12th
Bainbridge and Decatur County Arrest Reports for Thursday, April 12th, 2018
Rodney A. Prince
WOW, WONDERFUL, HALLUJAH and thank you Mayor Reynolds, City Council, County Commissioners, City Manager, County Manager, Development Authority Director, Regional Development Authority, Chamber of Commerce and everyone else that was instrumental in securing Taurus Gun Manufacturing locating a new manufacturing facility in Bainbridge. This is great for Bainbridge, Decatur County, and Southwest Georgia. As many of you, whom I have driven crazy for the last 8 or so years, know this has been desperately needed since the onset of the Great Recession some 10 years ago. I believe this accomplishment to be the turning of the tide for our local economy and restores hope to a wonderful community. I know many of you have gone above the call of duty working diligently to bring this new economic development to our community and even cast a difficult vote here and there for the good of our community. Thanks again to all who helped make this happen. A BIG THANKS TO TAURUS !!! Your company and its employees are going to love Bainbridge!


X Plus Bun - Retrofire, Pt. 7
I didn't know how to explain to Hopper and Mel that nothing would happen to us as far as the inhabitants of the Behemoth were concerned. I didn't think there was anybun alive in that craft. I was much more concerned about the levels of radiation that our probe registered, even though Mel said it wasn't much. He thought, at that level of exposure we could spend a lot of time in the wreck before we would have to worry about anything. I, simply, am not a big fan of dying from radiation poisoning.
"Major, do you think that is what killed their crew, long time ago? Do you think they had a core meltdown? If this thing is old enough, the radiation levels would eventually drop low enough to be negligible," wondered Hopper.
"No, that's not what we're dealing with here!" rebuked Mel.
"We're picking up those bursts only from time to time. We got them when we approached the 'dock' and when the probe was on the move," continued Mel.
"I tell you what, let's retrieve the probe; we'll go in first thing in the 'morning,'" I said. Thus, we pulled the probe out of the Behemoth. To save the propellant, instead of flying it back, we just slowly pulled on its antenna. We stowed it in our airlock, and Mel ran a double decontamination cycle on it. Our airlock can serve as a decontamination container, but we only simulated the procedure during training, so it took us a while to complete it. It's funny how your paws want to tremble when your hide is on the line.
The next "morning," we sent the probe back into the Behemoth; nothing had changed. We got ready to follow it. One rule would guide our exploration. Our incursion would last for a third of our propellant or oxygen supply, and whichever ran down first would trigger our return.
We drew lots for who would be the lead EBA and I won the slot, Hopper drew second, and Mel, the disappointing and disapproving; a hair short of disgruntled, drew third. Both seemed convinced that the arrangement was random and so they didn't object
Hopper Mel, out of the corridor
The first thing we noticed was the radiation past the airlock. As the corridor lit up once we entered it, our sensors picked up a burst of something radioactive and then nothing. Either our sensors went bad, all of them at the same time, or whatever was emitting the gamma rays had stopped. We followed the probe's antenna, and when we caught up with the probe, we send it on farther down ahead of us. We took no detours. When the probe went as far as it could, we followed it again and repeated this process several times. We kept a close eye on our supplies and location. Mel was in charge of the tracker. Hopefully, we would be able to reverse course and return without getting lost.
We paused for a bit to estimate our progress. We should have been close to the tip of the Behemoth, but the corridor kept on going in a gentle curve. Luckily, we didn't have to take any turns yet, so going back should have been easy. We were getting a little edgy, though. Hopper was working extra hard to keep his cool, and his oxygen sensor proved it. I had a feeling he would be the first to hit the one-third mark of oxygen depletion. At this rate, we only had a few minutes left, so I decided to pick up the pace.
The corridor continued to curve in front of me. From time to time, I had to push off from its surface. Sometimes, I would overcorrect and fly into the opposite side and had to bounce off that. We passed a few junctions, but somehow, I didn't feel tempted to explore them.
Suddenly, the corridor ended and opened into a cavern. I struggled to stop moving. Hopper and Mel flew out into the room and struggled to stop as well. As much as I pretended to be ready for any surprise, the change in surroundings was startling. The room was spacious and looked empty. Our headlights and paw torches barely illuminated it. The good news was we had plenty of propellant; the bad news was Hopper was almost at the "go back" oxygen level.
Mr. Toes 3 Bunstronauts doing their PR bid for the Bunstronaut Office
The room was puzzling. We had to be somewhere close to the nose of the Behemoth.
"Make sure you're recording this," I reminded everybun, as I turned on my helmet camera. I took a quick look around and noticed we were all still floating. Mel was the closest to the corridor out of which we had flown, but there were a lot more openings, more outlets, in this room. Did all roads lead to here? I decided to go back to the one we came from. No matter what, we would not be getting lost here.
"Guys, I 'll stay by the opening, you have a look at the surface of this place," I announced. I gave Mel a "high-five" as I passed him; I had our corridor straight ahead, then something hit my visor. I looked to my right and tried to follow whatever it was, but I lost it. Something else hit my helmet again with a gentle "pop." I swung my head around, but I still missed whatever it was that hit me.
Darn, I hit something!" exclaimed Hopper, then I saw it heading for the left side of my head. A small pebble like those we saw in one of the rooms yesterday. "Keep calm! I hit something too. I think those are fragments of those formations we saw. Chunks of them are floating about here!" I said. Now, I noticed a few more of them. This chamber had a glow to it like the other spaces, but was spacious enough that its dim light didn't reveal much. As I got closer to our exit corridor, I noticed how it blended with the chamber.It had no discernible edge and smoothly morphed into the dimpled chamber. I looked up and saw a formation of "pebbles" arranged like a vine or a branch, stretching from the surface toward the middle of this cavern. I could briefly see larger shapes connected with small and quite tiny ones, like grapes that fused together. I wanted to turn around, but the opening of the corridor was approaching fast, and I chose to make a soft landing on the side wall. I lost the visual contact with the pebbles.
Mr. Toes
"Wow! You won't believe what I just saw!" yelled Hopper.
"Try me! Those pebbles, growing together like thick ropes, no?" asked Mel.
"Yeah! That's right!" sounded Hopper.
Then I almost died. Somewhere, a flash of light went off, as bright as a nuke, and then another one tinged with purple. I felt a sudden rush of blood to my head before my mind could even register what had happened. I couldn't see anything; my ears were ringing and hissing, and everything went quiet. My space suit was silent. I felt the life support system in my suit going off-line, and all I could hear was white noise. My noggin tried to make sense of it all. How could I see the second flash when I should have been blinded by the first one? I hit something, and my head snapped forward; I tried to extend my paws in front of my head. My heart was thumping like a jackhammer, and the veins behind my eyes wanted to burst. I kept tumbling somewhere and tried to protect my visor with my right paw as my left paw fumbled for the reset switch on my suit.
- Renee: taking care of critters, photography
- Mr. Bun, Ijon Thichy The Nth: story
- Mrs. Angie: editing
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Labels: Bun Fiction, X Plus Bun
Cracker (left) and Minnie Mouse (right)
Momo and Zoe
Bunfiction Update
Nubby
Koda Bear
Gilbert and Tilly
Espresso "Scrappy" and Latte "Nipper" Update
Hoppy and Happy New Year, Everybunny!!


UK softball finishes weekend with five wins
The Courier-Journal
Kentucky softball finished its weekend 5-0 after a 12-0 five-inning win over Memphis in Boca Raton, Florida, on Sunday. The Wildcats allowed two hits.
Kentucky scored four runs in the second and seven in the third en route to the win. The Wildcats notched 11 hits. Rachael Metzger went 1 for 1 with a grand slam. Abbey Cheek went 2 for 3 with three RBIs and a run, and Jenny Schaper hit 2 for 3 with an RBI and a run scored.
Erin Rethlake (3-0) picked up the win with a complete game. She scruck out three and walked one.
UK (10-4) now heads to Carbondale, Illinois, for three games starting with Northern Illinois on Friday at 2 p.m.


Home Columns Guest Spot
Interview: Culture of fear is coming back—Kamlepo
by Boniface Phiri
in Guest Spot
Kamlepo Kalua, one of the fighters for multiparty democracy, shares his experiences in Parliament with our Weekend Nation. Excerpts:
How would you describe your time in Parliament so far?
Kamlepo Kalua
It's been enriching although disappointing sometimes; disappointing in the sense that the spirit of multiparty democracy is not being followed. The ruling party feels they are the owners of democracy and they prescribe whatever they want without even due respect.
Why do you think this is the case?
This is the case because the House is full of 'aganyu' [hired hands]. The ruling party is playing politics of robots where most of its members of Parliament don't clearly understand their roles as people's representatives but support everything even though it is against their conscience because they fear that if they do anything against the spirit of the Cabinet they would be in trouble. The culture of fear and silence which we wanted to clear in 1993 is coming back and we can see it in the National Assembly.
What do you mean by 'politics of robots'?
A robot functions according to the wishes of the programmer and this is exactly what MPs on the ruling side are doing—behaving as if they have been programmed. For instance, the Cabinet can say here is a Bill you may not understand but support it all the same! MPs on the government side should be able to freely scrutinise bills and set a direction for government so that what passes in that House has everyone's sense of ownership. I am also concerned with the behaviour and conduct of some UDF MPs who have abandoned what people wanted them to do and instead they have embarked on politics of appeasement; they want to appease the one who is benefiting from the process.
So, what should be done for the so-called 'robots' to tow the democratic line?
It's very difficult because fear is also at play here; when a robot is gripped with fear it panders to the whims of the master. But I don't understand how someone elected by the people in the village can be compromised like that. It's important for them to realise that the electorate are expecting a lot from them than towing the party line with tails between their legs.
You also once or twice described some MPs as 'strangers'; what did you mean?
Most people who fought for multiparty democracy are not with us today and what you see in that house are strangers. It annoys me to see them behave in the manner I have described above. Most of them don't understand what we invested in this process; most importantly the blood our colleagues shed.
Would you be so blunt if the PP were still in power?
Yes! If they were to come up with something that I don't agree with I would have disagreed with them because democracy is about agreeing to disagree. I would show those in opposition that this is what democracy is all about, but it's unfortunate that I am in the opposition. Sometimes I don't want to comment because I don't want to be misunderstood. But sometimes I do just as I did the other day when I saw that all Cabinet ministers were not available in the chamber, yet we were debating very serious issues of national importance. That demonstrates that this government doesn't conform to the spirit of democracy which we fought for.
Why do you think you won the Rumphi East parliamentary seat after five attempts?
I was voted because the people were tired of some political chancers and opportunists. The people wanted somebody who is serious and believes in democracy and, I should also say, perseverance has helped.
Trust BWB to issue statements that makes sense only to themselves
BWB snoring on the job
Malawian men fight for gender justice
'We lack high-tech security gadgets'
SPECIAL INTERVIEW—Dr. Martha Phiri , AfDB director for human capital, youth and skills development


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Tchami Tickets
Martin Bresso or Tchami, as he is professionally known, is a French DJ and producer hailing from Paris. The artist is considered the pioneer of the "future house" genre. Tchami's music has influenced many of his contemporaries and leading names in EDM such as DJ Skrillex, DJ Snake and Diplo. His DJ name came from his time in Africa where he spent many years honing his musical skills. Tchami has become a widely popular DJ in the world and has a great fan following in America. As a result, the artist is performing a string of live shows in the country and Canada, Tchami tickets for which are on sale now.
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Buy Hard Summer Music Festival: Major Lazer, Zhu, Tchami, RL Grime & Juice Wrld - Sunday, California Speedway Tickets for Sun Aug 04 2019 Hard Summer Music Festival: Major Lazer, Zhu, Tchami, RL Grime & Juice Wrld - Sunday, California Speedway tickets for 08/04 01:00 PM at California Speedway, Fontana, CA
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His music
Tchami has always been involved in producing electronic music, creating tracks in the House category. However, he commonly finds inspiration from popular culture and mainstream pop music. For example, his remix of Janet Jackson's "Go Deep" is still considered one of his finest works to date. While in Africa, he toured with DJ Snake, Kaleem Taylor, Oliver $, Martin Garrix and Jimi Jules, and this experience informed his music greatly. It was after these tours that he actually began experimenting with House music and created a new sub-genre. His original single "Promesses" debuted on # 7 on the UK Charts.
With the release of his first E.P, "Promesses", Tchami was launched into the limelight and began songwriting and composing for renowned artists. He co-wrote Lil Jon and DJ Snake's 2013 hit which is still featured in top ten EDM lists four years down the road.
2015 was a big year in more than one ways for Tchami. He launched his first studio album titled "After Life" and its title song featured Stacy Barthe on vocals. Furthermore, he created his first OST for a movie, the Zac Efron featuring "We Are Friends". This track was a remix of Aluna George's "You Know You Like It".
In 2016, Tchami went on to start his own record label by the name of 'Confession' and released another E.P on it; "SIAW". The label has since been a haven for budding EDM artists who have yet to gain a big break. It has become an institution without boundaries, as Tchami recruits and listens to talent from across the globe. The label is still young, but going strong as it has many exciting projects in the pipeline.
Rumored Second E.P
In 2017, there are many rumors surrounding Tchami's future projects. While anticipation is high, the artist has released "Adieu" which many believe to be the first track of his upcoming E.P, although he has yet to comment on these rumors. Tchami also made a Spotify debut by releasing "World to Me" with the U.K singer MNEK; however the track was quickly made private. As if this wasn't strange enough, another single was released titled "Godspell" on which Taiki Nuight featured. Fans are speculating that something big is in the works, and they expect an announcement sometime soon.
Tchami has been as big on touring as he is on creating records. He toured with DJs Skrillex and Snake on the 2015 "Pardon My French" tour. This was a transnational affair and it lasted for over a year from 2016 to the beginnings of 2017. His second world tour was a solo trek called "The Prophecy Tour" and it ended in March 2017. This tour headlined Tchami and it was great exposure for the artist.
The Current Shows
Tchami is a hardworking man and is always involved in one (normally more than one) new project. Even now, he has released a new single with Malaa called "Summer 99". He has also announced a string of dates in North America for his exclusive live performances. Toronto, Brooklyn, Los Angeles and Miami are just some of the cities where the artist has yet to perform. Tchami tickets for these shows and more are on sale now.
TCHAMI NEWS AND UPDATES
Tchami announces North American tour
Tchami Schedule
Nothing beats the joy of watching your favorite music artist perform live! Tchami's concert dates are out and fans are looking forward to the upcoming shows. The next concert will be held in Fontana at the Auto Club Speedway on 4-Aug-19, while the last available date is for the event scheduled for Chicago at the Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island on 31-Aug-19. For complete information regarding dates and venues, please visit our website.
Hard Summer Music Festival: Major Lazer, Zhu, Tchami, RL Grime & Juice Wrld - Sunday California Speedway Fontana, CA Sun Aug 04 201901:00 PM
North Coast Music Festival: Major Lazer, Tchami & Jauz - Saturday Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island Chicago, IL Sat Aug 31 201902:30 PM
Tchami Ticket Prices
The average price for Tchami Tickets start from $145. The minimum get in price is $16 for Tchami Tickets at the Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island, Chicago. For a detailed look at ticket prices and amazing discounts, visit our website.
Hard Summer Music Festival: Major Lazer, Zhu, Tchami, RL Grime & Juice Wrld - Sunday Fontana 4-Aug-19 $394 $293
North Coast Music Festival: Major Lazer, Tchami & Jauz - Saturday Chicago 31-Aug-19 $145 $16


Power Trip and Obituary pay tribute to Riley Gale in powerful performance
Back in August, Power Trip frontman Riley Gale tragically passed away at the age of 34. Now, members of Power Trip and Obituary have come together to honor Gale with a powerful performance of "Executioner's Tax (Swing Of The Axe)." This m...
21 Northern Californian artists who have influenced AFI's Hunter Burgan
Southern California gets a lot of credit for being the birthplace of many bands that you know and love such as Black Flag and Bad Religion, but Northern California's discography, which includes both Green Day and Metallica, isn't exactly that shabby either. The area m...
Scott Waldman
24 metal and metalcore bands who changed vocalists and then switched back
Being in a band ain't easy. You've got many creative personalities in a massive tug of war. Oh yeah, then you have to live with each other and those decisions on the road for months on end. Lineup changes aren't uncommon, though a vocalist switch-up has the possibility to be the most debilitating. Some bands h...
Bradley Zorgdrager
One of Frank Iero's guitars ended up with Slayer's Gary Holt—here's how
It looks like one of Frank Iero's guitars has ended up in the hands of Gary Holt for a reason you may not think. This week, the Slayer and Exodus musician revealed just how he became the new owner of one of Iero's guitars. Read more: Metro Station know about that comparison to MGK and YUNGBLUD's song Over the years, Frank Iero has collected quite a few guitars during his time in My Chemical Romanc
QUIZ: Which '90s metal band are you the most like?
Some people claim that classic-rock juggernauts Led Zeppelin started the heavy metal genre. Other purists say that isn't the case, and heavy metal owes everything to Black Sabbath (and Ozzy Fuckin' Osbourne). Regardless of where you stand on the genealogy, the oft-lampooned genre hit its commercial peak in the '90s, with albums from the Big Four moving more units than ever before and receiving amp
Gary Holt wasn't happy Kirk Hammett used Exodus material for Metallica
In 1983, Kirk Hammett left Exodus to join Metallica. Although decades have passed since he left the band, his former Exodus bandmate is digging up some old stories. Gary Holt, Exodus' guitarist, says that Hammett previously used Exodus material without permission in Metallica's music...
Gary Holt says he tested positive for COVID-19 but is "in the clear"
A few weeks ago, Slayer and Exodus guitarist Gary Holt revealed he was suffering from all of the symptoms of the COVID-19 coronavirus and today he's confirming he has tested positive. In a now-deleted post on his Instagram account, Holt explains that his test results came back positive while his wife Lisa tested negative. Read More: Watch Tom DeLonge par... Read More ...
Joe Smith-Engelhardt
Gary Holt finds humor in "suffering from all the symptoms" of coronavirus
Gary Holt, the legendary and at times controversial guitarist of Slayer and Exodus might have coronavirus. In a recent social media post, Holt said he is showing the symptoms and is now self-quarantining. Holt last made headlines for re-releasing his "Kill The Kardashians" shirt and calling Tekashi 6ix9ine a "little rainbow brite asshole." R...
Koltan Greenwood
Gary Holt reprints "Kill The Kardashians" shirt to combat "bootleggers"
Slayer and Exodus guitarist Gary Holt is the king of being outspoken. Just last week the musical legend aired his thoughts on Tekashi 6ix9ine in one of the bluntest social media posts of all time. Now, Holt is returning to the roots with one of his first controversial moments regarding the Kardashians...
Gary Holt reacts to "snitch" Tekashi 6ix9ine's prison request: "F— you"
Slayer and Exodus guitarist Gary Holt recently had a few blunt words to say over Tekashi 6ix9ine's recent request to serve the remainder of his jail sentence at home. Holt took to Instagram to vehemently express his feeling towards the jailed rapper...
Slayer guitarist doesn't actually hate Kardashians, attacks modern rap
Gary Holt is plenty busy shredding guitar for Slayer and Exodus but he still managed to find some time to talk on a number of topics at a music clinic in Michigan. Holt is very outspoken against the Kardashians, frequently wearing shirts that read "Kill The Kardashians," but he apparently doesn't hate them. Read More: Oli Sykes s... Read More ...
Slayer guitarist doesn't like Imagine Dragons
Wow. The Imagine Dragons hate came thick and quick after the group got the nation's attention during Sunday's Lil Wayne-assisted college football halftime show. (The one that happened as Clemson took the championship from Alabama.) But it's Slayer and Exodus guitarist Gary Holt who seemingly spoke up with perhaps the bluntest words for the act who consistently nab rock accolades while taking flak
Alternative Press Magazine
Fan arrested for posting band lyrics to Facebook
UPDATE Sept. 5: After spending eight days jail, James Evans, who was arrested for posting Exodus lyrics on Facebook, has been released. He's been told his case will be deferred for six months. He will also have to undergo a mental evaluation. Ev ...
Matt Crane
Slayer announce fall U.S. headlining tour with Suicidal Tendencies and Exodus
Slayer have announced that they will be heading out on a full U.S. headlining tour this fall. The band will kick the tour off on November 12 in Oakland, California and wrap things up on December 5 in Detroit, Michigan. Support will come from Suicidal Tendencies and Exodus. Tickets ...
AltPress
Early days of Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth featured in new book 'Murder In The Front Row'
While the average AltPress.com reader may not be old enough to remember the burgeoning metal scene that existed in California's Bay Area in the early 80s, chances are good some of your favorite bands do--countless contemporary metal acts count bands like Metallica and Slayer among their influences, and even if they don't, plenty of them grew up listening to it (Looking in your direction, Gerard


$2M project will unearth hidden stream at Tower Grove Park
by: Patrick Clark
ST. LOUIS – There are the things we can see with our naked eye and others you cannot; but they're still there, even if you can't see them.
Bill Reininger, executive director of Tower Grove Park, says a stream once ran all the way through the park after the turn of the 20th century.
"There were three that ran through the park. The other two are daylighted right now on the west and the middle (of the park)," Reininger said. "So, it's going to be great to bring that third one back in and have the park look like it did a hundred years ago."
Buried in 1913 for sanitary reasons in the southeast corner of the park, a series of bridges give the best sign of where the stream should be.
Tower Grove Park pavilions to receive million-dollar renovations
A new, $2 million year-long project will unearth the stream. The 1,400-foot-long path will feature natural play-areas as well as design and an acknowledgment of the Osage people that called this area home long before St. Louis was settled in 1764.
"By having plant material on the sides of it it's going to add habitat for bugs and bees and birds," Reininger said. "Build it and they will come, which will be really fun. We're going to have bioretention areas on it, so we're going to help with the storm mitigation of the park as well as the surrounding neighborhoods. Cause there's about 40 acres of surface that drain into this area. So, we'll help be able to treat a lot of water and help the sewer system out quite a bit."
The Crawford Taylor Foundation and members of the Taylor family are providing construction and endowment grants for the project set to bring rushing water back to the surface.
"You have these structures that are a part of our historical fabric that look weird," Reininger said. "It's a footbridge with dirt right up next to it. So, to be able to bring that channel up to it and have the water run through them again is just really going to be splendid."


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Official: No evidence of shots fired at…
Official: No evidence of shots fired at military base
PUBLISHED: February 19, 2016 at 1:21 p.m. | UPDATED: May 17, 2018 at 8:20 a.m.
JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. (AP) — A military official says a Virginia base was locked down after contractors working on a roof thought they heard gunshots and called 911.
The Daily Press of Newport News reports (http://bit.ly/1PLUFWu ) that Col. William Galbraith told reporters that security forces investigated the report at Joint Base Langley-Eustis and did not find any indication of a shooting. He said the cause of the noise had not been determined.
The incident occurred about 11:30 a.m. Friday near the Soldier and Family Readiness Center. The lockdown lasted about an hour.
Langley Air Force Base in Hampton and Fort Eustis in Newport News merged in 2010. They are separated by 17 miles.


Rydges to manage Fremantle's Esplanade Hotel
Rydges Hotels and Resorts have been appointed by Primewest to manage the 300 room Esplanade Hotel in Fremantle.
Primewest entered a contract to purchase the hotel in October, settlement has now occurred with Rydges taking over management of the iconic property this week.
The Esplanade Fremantle is one of Western Australia's major conference, corporate and leisure hotels.
The Rydges group plans to build on its great reputation for service and first class facilities while ensuring the property remains at the forefront of current hospitality industry trends.
Changes set to take place over a period of time will include the introduction of Rydges Dream Beds throughout the hotel, a significant upgrade of Wi-Fi services and a renewed focus on the hotel's food and beverage offering, which is always a strong foundation in any Rydges hotel.
Rydges have appointed one of their longest serving and most senior executives to be the Hotel's new general manager. David Bornmann was previously a West Australian resident when he managed Rydges Perth and is excited to be returning home.
"The Esplanade is a real institution for both locals and visitors to Fremantle, so it's a fantastic property to be aligned with. We will be working hard to keep the best elements of the hotel, as well as adding some modern touches to make guests' experiences even better," he said.
Primewest is a leading Perth-based property developer with a national portfolio exceeding $1.5 billion. Properties include shopping centres, bulky retail, CBD offices, industrial and broad acre residential subdivisions. Primewest and Rydges established a relationship following the acquisition of Rydges Kalgoorlie in 2007.
TFE to manage Gambaro Hotel
Brisbane's Gambaro Hotel to become a TFE Hotels Collection property.
Hot hotel: Rydges Fortitude Valley
Rydges is set to open a new hotel in Brisbane in February 2016.
8Hotels to manage Aarons Hotel Perth
8Hotels has entered into a definitive long-term management agreement to operate a 96 room Pensione…
Mantra to manage new Sydney airport hotel
Sydney Airport has announced that Mantra Group manage its new 136-room hotel.
The New Esplanade Hotel to be remodelled
A team of architects and designers have been commissioned to remodel The New Esplanade Hotel…
The 140-year-old venue has been renovated and expanded to offer more event spaces and public…
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rydges
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First published in 1982, Forensic Medicine has been a trusted book of reference, not only for students of medicine, but also for law enforcement agencies in India. Since the last edition of this book, the field of medicine, as with any science, has evolved significantly with the advent of technology; the legislation in India too has undergone a great deal of change with several new laws being passed and numerous amendments being made to the existing ones. The third edition of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology has been fortified to make it an up-to-date source of reference for students of medicine. It contains several clinical case studies that have been provided by the author, drawn from his own experiences at AIIMS, New Delhi. Numerous photographs and illustrations have also been included in this edition to help the reader visualise concepts better. The book is intended for undergraduate students of medicine but should also be a useful guide to forensic medicine for postgraduate students, medical practitioners, lawyers, police officers and members of the judiciary.
Contents: Preface to the Third Edition. Preface to the First Edition. Section I. Forensic Medicine: 1. Introduction and history. 2. Legal procedures in India and abroad. 3. The medical council of India, medical ethics and negligence. 4. Personal identity. 5. Death: diagnosis and postmortem changes. 6. The medico-legal autopsy and related procedures. 7. Examination of mutilated bodies, skeletal human remains and exhumation. 8. Mass disasters. 9. Sudden and unexpected death. 10. Mechanical and firearm injuries. 11. Regional injuries. 12. Road traffic, railway and aircraft accidents. 13. Medico-legal aspects of wounds. 14. Thermal, electrical and radiation injuries. 15. Asphyxial deaths. 16. Decompression and altitude sickness. 17. Sexual offences and paraphilias. 18. Virginity, pregnancy, delivery and abortion. 19. Impotence, sterility and artificial insemination. 20. Infanticide, battered baby and sudden infant death syndrome. 21. Forensic psychiatry. 22. Blood, semen and other biological materials. 23. Death from starvation. 24 death and complications in the operation theatre. 25. Medicolegal aspects of AIDS. Section II. Toxicology: 26. General toxicology. 27. Corrosive poisons. 28. Heavy metal poisoning. 29. Agricultural poisons. 30. Poisonous plants. 31. Poisonous snakes and arthropods. 32. Drugs of intoxication and dependence. 33. Irrespirable gases. 34. Food poisoning. Appendices. Index.
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P V Guharaj
P V Guharaj, MRCP (Edin), MRCP (Glasg), FRCP (Glasg), Formerly, Director of Kozhikode Medical College, Kerala Sudhir K Gupta, MBBS (Gold Medal), MD (BHU), DNB, MNAMS, FICS (Chicago) Professor and Head, Department of Forensic Medicine All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi.
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Title	Forensic Medicine and Toxicology
Author	Sudhir K Gupta
Format	Softcover
Date published:	13.08.2019
Edition	3rd ed.
Publisher	Universities Press (India) Pvt. Ltd.
length	736p.
Subjects Medical > Medicine
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FBI searched President Joe Biden's Delaware beach home Wednesday in classified documents investigation
Stan Wawrinka beats Mischa Zverev, retains Geneva Open title
GENEVA (AP) — Stan Wawrinka warmed up for the French Open by retaining his home Geneva Open title on Saturday, beating Mischa Zverev 4-6, 6-3, 6-3.
The top-seeded Wawrinka clinched by breaking serve with a fierce forehand crosscourt pass to beat left-hander Zverev's advance to the net.
Wawrinka's first title in 2017 is the 16th of his career, and the seventh on clay including the 2015 French Open. The Swiss is the No. 3 seed at Roland Garros, and first plays the 152nd-ranked Josef Kovalik of Slovakia.
Victory against the 33rd-ranked Zverev avenged a loss when Wawrinka last faced him, at the previous Swiss event on tour in Basel in October.
"I would have hated you if you had beaten me in two tournaments," Wawrinka quipped to his opponent in the post-match ceremonies.
Zverev, who came through qualifying, still seeks a first career title at age 29. The Russia-born German's second runner-up finish comes more than six years after his first, at Metz, France.
"It was a long week for me," Zverev said. "I have never expected to be in a final in a clay-court tournament."
Using serve-and-volley skills too rarely seen in modern tennis, Zverev took control of the first set after he and Wawrinka traded three straight breaks of serve.
Zverev served for the set at 5-3, and trailed 0-30 before reeling off four straight points including two volley winners.
Wawrinka quickly found trouble to begin the second set, then rallied from 0-40 down to hold serve and forced a break in the next game.
Zverev saved two set points when trailing 5-2 on his serve and made Wawrinka serve out for the set.
In the decider, Wawrinka put constant pressure on Zverev's serve and clinched with a third break.
Zverev has earned the No. 32 seeding at the French Open, which begins on Sunday, and could play defending champion Novak Djokovic in the third round.


Film Review: The Visitor (1979)
The Visitor is a very different animal where Italian horror films are concerned. It's not a giallo or an offshoot of giallo like The Black Cat or Argento's Three Mothers series. It's not a zombie film at the least. I'd describe it as fitting closer to Italian Satanic horror films – films inspired by or seeking to mimic Rosemary's Baby, The Exorcist, The Omen, and other similar films. These films rely less on plot cohesion and more on mood and tone. It doesn't quite matter if the motivations of the characters are clearly spelled out or the narrative beats are coherent so long as the emotional beats are.
This is as much through a deliberate artistic choice as through necessity – with the way the Italian film industry works, actors do their performances in their native language and are then overdubbed in the language of the country the film is released in (English, Italian, etc.). The lines of native actors from that country stay with the original actors' performances, while the rest is dubbed. This, combined with the fact that often the crews on these films don't necessarily speak English well, means that the performances in these films can be something of a mixed bag. This is the case here.
The plot of The Visitor, as much as there is one, is a mix in particular of Rosemary's Baby and The Omen, with a side of SF. In the ancient past, an alien criminal named Zateen came to Earth, pursued by an alien space cop – Yahweh. However, Zateen sired many children before his defeat, and he's been able to bind his spirit to his bloodline, occasionally emerging through psychically gifted people to wreck havoc. We're told this by a Christ-like figure (played by an uncredited Franco Nero), to a group of bald-headed children, looking almost like members of a cult – if we hadn't previously seen an image of Jerzy Colsowicz (John Huston) walking through a psychedelic desert, and seeing an image of Zateen's latest host – a young girl. Nero's character (possibly YHWH himself), sends Jerzy to face Zateen's latest host and their followers.
This sets up the main plot of the story – the young girl, Katy (Paige Conner), wrecks havoc with a rage beyond her years, as a group of Zateen's followers works to grow the power of their master and bring his reincarnation by getting Katy's mother pregnant with a son, whose incestuous offspring with Katy will be Zateen's reincarnation. Meanwhile, Jerzy and a group of bald-headed followers work to flush out Zateen's followers and to soften up Katy so they can remove the evil from her.
It's kind of weird how this film is shot – Jerzy and his supporters are depicted in the same sort of shadowy manner that would almost be sinister if it weren't for the fact that the film set up that they're working for YHWH – while Katy is acting, straight up, like she's effectively already the host for Satan (or Satan's proxy). Lance Hendriksen plays a young member of the Zateenists, tasked with siring a son with Katy's mother, Barbara.
Joanne Nail plays Barbara and, aside from Paige Connor, she is the standout role in the film. She is playing a woman who is suddenly thrust into a horrible situation that keeps getting worse and worse as the film goes on. And then there's John Huston as Jerzy. Considering my introduction to Huston was as the voice of Gandalf from the Ranken-Bass Tolkien adaptations, considering the time of this film's release, and considering that Huston is playing a white-haired, bearded, paternal man, who is apparently something like an Angel, I can't help but imagine Huston having read the script not long after reading The Lord of the Rings, and deciding that he's going to play Jerzy like Gandalf, since the Maiar are Tolkien's version of Angels.
The film's visuals are also good – it's clear that the director, Giulio Paradisi – did a lot of location shooting in Atlanta to build up the city's role in the film, and it gives the movie a vibe that other Italian horror films set in the US don't have. The internal sets are also very nicely done. I also appreciate the use of a Pong clone in a scene between Huston and Connor as a visual representation of the verbal sparring the two characters are taking part in.
All in all, while I enjoyed the film, I also recognize that part of the roots of my enjoyment of the film is also with the recognition that this is a movie that is very different than how we view horror films, especially in comparison with American and British horror films. If you put your focus on the visuals, you'll get a much better experience than if you were expecting a film that is totally narratively coherent.
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1970s in film
on October 28, 2018 September 22, 2018 </a	by Alexander Case
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10 Twitter Accounts To Follow If You Want To Be A Global HBCU Citizen
"A little exposure to a city like Sulaimani will help Trump understand that the Middle East is a much more complex place than he seems to believe. Perhaps Trump could even give a speech at the American University in Sulaimani, just as President Obama did at Cairo University early in his first term." – Peter Bergen
Today, more and more HBCU students and alumni are embracing the passport. Traveling abroad has become even more of a priority as a mixture of factors that range from value being placed on experiences over material possessions, heightened frustration with the cultural climate in the US, and simply more exposure to the benefits. Beyond travel, more than a few HBCU alumni have become expats and taking careers abroad opening a whole new world of opportunity. Whether one chooses to travel or work abroad, we are now in a world where having a global perspective is paramount.
How does one go about learning how to understand the world from truly global perspective? The most sure fire way is to read and consume perspectives from around the world. This is not to be confused with reading about the world from only a US perspective. That is to say, reading about East Africa on CNN, MSNBC, or Fox is vastly different than reading about East Africa from an actual East African publication.
As such, we have comprised ten Twitter account can get you on the road to truly becoming the HBCU global citizen who not only trek's the world, but understands its intricacies.
@OurWorldInData
An online publication that presents empirical research and data that show how living conditions around the world are changing. The web publication on global development uses interactive data visualisations (charts and maps) to present the research findings on development that explain the causes and consequences of the observed changes. (Wikipedia)
@The_EastAfrican
The EastAfrican is circulated in Kenya and the other countries of the African Great Lakes region, including Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda. It contains stories and in-depth analysis from each country in the region, in addition to international stories. (Wikipedia)
@ChinaDailyUSA
A Beijing, China based paper that is considered one of China's more liberal news outlets, like almost all media in the country is state run. Its importance can not be understated as it is one of many vessels of communication for the world's number two superpower and its views.
@ForeignAffairs
An American magazine of international relations and U.S. foreign policy published by the Council on Foreign Relations, a nonprofit, nonpartisan, membership organization and think tank specializing in U.S. foreign policy and international affairs. (Wikipedia)
@IanBremmer
The president and founder of Eurasia Group, the leading global political risk research and consulting firm. He is credited with bringing the craft of political risk to financial markets—he created Wall Street's first global political risk index (GPRI)—and for establishing political risk as an academic discipline. His definition of emerging markets—"those countries where politics matters at least as much as economics for market outcomes"—has become an industry standard. "G-Zero," his term for a global power vacuum in which no country is willing and able to set the international agenda, is widely accepted by policymakers and thought leaders. (Eurasia Group)
@SecurityScholar
Natalie Sambhi is a Research Fellow at the Perth USAsia Centre where she publishes on Indonesian foreign and defence policy as well as Southeast Asian security. She was most recently an Analyst at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) from 2012 to 2016 and Managing Editor of ASPI's blog, The Strategist. She worked previously at the Department of Defence and University of Canberra. (Security Scholar)
@Ipeaonline
The (Brazilian) think tank's main goals are the following evaluate and propose essential public policies and programs to improve the social, economic and structural development of the country; formulate prospective studies to guide development strategies for medium and long-term outcomes; assist the Brazilian federal government in its aim to improve the efficiency of its decisions; and contribute to the improvement of the public debate related to the country's development endeavors and government actions. (Ipea.gov)
@ChathamHouse
The Royal Institute of International Affairs, commonly known as Chatham House, is a not-for-profit and non-governmental organisation based in London whose mission is to analyse and promote the understanding of major international issues and current affairs. (Wikipedia)
@JapanTimes
The Japan Times was launched by Motosada Zumoto on March 22, 1897, with the goal of giving Japanese an opportunity to read and discuss news and current events in English to help Japan to participate in the international community. (Wikipedia)
Often forgotten as an aspect of global and international affairs, geography plays a significant role in the way countries, nations, and cultures interact with each other. This publication gives insight to geography, culture, and nature that shape many nations.
Connect with us on Twitter at @HBCUMoney and let us know what you are reading to help shape your global world.
Posted in Lifestyle
Tagged brazil, chatham house, china daily, hardly home, ian bremmer, ipea brasil, japan times, national geographic, our world in data, study abroad
Living & Teaching Abroad: Xavier University (LA) Alumna Britney Francis Conquers Beijing
There has been a recent revelation in the past five years that African Americans need to get out and explore the world. The passport has become the new IT thing to have among African America's young and educated. Adding to that reality is that more and more college students must set themselves apart in a more competitive global workforce. One sure way to do that is to show that you have the ability to go anywhere and be successful, especially if it means going some place out of your comfort zone. If adding tools to your tool chest is what sets you apart, then studying abroad during your undergraduate years gives you one mean hammer to swing. It also presents some amazing career opportunities upon graduation if you are willing to take the chance. HBCU Money caught up with Britney Francis, an alumna of Xavier University (LA), who is conquering the classroom in the capital of arguably the world's number two superpower – China.
How did the opportunity arise for you to live and teach in Beijing, China?
By May 2016, I was unfulfilled, disillusioned and dissatisfied with life, particularly with my job. I had also been going through a health issue that had been going on for nearly 3 years at the time. Feeling like I needed real change, I was inspired by a friend from high school who had gotten a teaching job in Dubai. I had started to come around to the idea of teaching, and had started studying to test for an acceleration program that helps people become teachers — who had degrees in other specialties besides education. I had my sights set on becoming a high school history teacher in Houston. I had also been mentoring kids at the juvenile justice center and felt it was time to get into the classroom to find other ways to reach the youth. So I figured, "hey — maybe I can also teach abroad particularly next year or the following year". I thought I would do myself a service by gaining experience in the States before taking the show abroad. I was interested in Japan and started to do research. For some reason, it seemed much harder to get to Japan (which wasn't true but you don't know what you don't know). Then I started to see posts from China. After researching for a few weeks on various job boards, I came across a job ad for an education company called Education First, based in China. What made me pull the trigger was getting written up at my job for performance issues (and my health stuff, if you wanna keep it a buck. My manager had told me that all I had been going through was "impacting the business" – whatever that means). I was so bored and disgusted; the place was no doubt a dead-end job. My work and my health continued to suffer and I was listening to podcasts at my desk all day… anything to escape. I had applied at a charter school at the recommendation of a friend. I had written an elaborate essay but received a response almost immediately saying they would "keep my application on file". Something inside me told me to change a few of the words around and apply to the same company I had seen in China days before. So I did, and by the end of that week I had the job and was set to arrive in Beijing by September. PERFECT timing!
How do you believe going to an HBCU and XULA in particular prepared you for being an expatriate?
One thing I always say is that being HBCU alum prepared me for life in a way I feel no other school could have. I learned so much about myself at my HBCU and my sense of Black pride strengthened. Being a Xavier student during the year Hurricane Katrina ravaged the city of New Orleans is what particularly made me strong. It made all of us strong. We had faith in our school and returned to the city five months after the storm hit. Houses were destroyed, there was mold everywhere. The city was crippled and the students/admin kept it pushing. Hell, all schools in the NOLA area did the same thing. Most of us that returned after the storm have graduated and have moved on to do great things in our lives.
Living in a place like China where most people you encounter are ignorant and inherently racist, I feel that what I've experienced prior to now gave me tough skin. But not to say it's the all bad. For every ignorant person, there are a million more kind, giving, and helpful people here as well. The mindset, cultural and societal norms here are SOOO different.
As an educator, what are some differences and conversely similarities you have noticed between the education systems of China in comparison to the United States?
Being that my teaching experience is only limited to my time here in China I can't speak too much on the American side as I haven't seen it from the eyes of a teacher. But I will say that certain teaching methods I've tried to use on my older students were frowned upon, especially in instances where I tried to make my classes fun (for my high school students). Things that I know worked for me as a student or methods I've researched can sometimes be overridden as you're expected to adapt to the "Chinese way" and not have much say-so in the matter.
Chinese students don't have lives of your typical American teenager. They are groomed to study 7 days a week and get LOADS of homework. On weekends, they study, sleep and play on their computers. They don't have social lives, and hardly date. Emphasis is placed on math and science more than other subject areas. And I've found that most parents here will pressure their kids to be successful, to the point where they are depressed and often unsure of themselves. I've even had parents ask me "how can my son/daughter be better?" with an overall class score of 99 and rated highest in the entire class. On the other side, there's also a bit of denial when it comes to things like learning disabilities and behavioral disorders.
Do you have a favorite memory thus far in your time there?
Most of my favorite memories involve my students, present and old. Children are so amazing and smart and I've become emotionally attached to nearly all of my students. It's very hard saying goodbye to students when new opportunities arise and it's time to move on to a new school (or they move on to a new school). My other favorite memories involve all the friends I've made here and especially the trips I've taken. Living here has afforded me opportunities to travel that I didn't have before and it's been amazing. So far, I've been to Thailand, S. Korea, Hong Kong, and a few interesting cities around China. I have so many other places to see before I pack up and head back home.
Being African-American in China, what has that particular part of the experience been like for you?
Honestly, it can be a bit frustrating. It can go either two ways: either people are deathly afraid of you or WAY too curious/friendly/unable to respect boundaries. Being Black in China, you can expect people to take pictures of you without your permission. It's cute at first – until after you've been here a few months, you had a long day at work and just trying to get home to your bed. Seeing someone sneaking a picture of you like you're a zoo exhibit can be angering. Also, people don't have concepts of boundaries and personal space. With there being 20+ million people in bigger cities, there's not much room for you to breathe and people like to touch your hair or try to rub your skin to see if the black comes off. I try not to fault most people for it because they are conditioned and they simply don't know much about the world outside of China. They also assume any black person they see is from Africa… and when you don't know the language you can't explain to them how the Diaspora works. It's just a LOT of ignorance. For me personally, in work spaces and social spaces, I require respect from everybody I interact with, language barrier be damned. It's the only way I can cope with what goes on around here.
We know you can not prepare for everything prior to living abroad, but is there something you wish you had known in particular prior to your move?
No. Besides bringing enough black hair care products and make-up that matches your tone to last you a while, there's nothing I think I could have been told prior that would have made much of a difference. Everyone's experience is different. You could ask another person to talk about their experiences and they may LOVE it here, or hate it with their entire being. I like that I was given the opportunity to come here and be out of my comfort zone. Everything I've learned about myself and the world thus far has only enhanced my personal growth. I am a different person than I was in September 2016 and I can only continue to soar from here. I'm still very happy about my decision to move here.
Tell us about one of your fondest HBCU memories while at XULA?
Graduation day. Enough said.
Britney Francis is an English teacher from southern Louisiana by way of Houston, TX. She has a bachelors degree in Communications from Xavier University of Louisiana, with a concentration in public relations and speech communication. She is currently working as a kindergarten teacher in Beijing, China. She is passionate about travel, sports, and children's causes.
Follow her experiences via Twitter at @britneyisland
Tagged beijing, britney francis, china, study abroad, teaching, xavier university, XULA


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Fourth of July events
Updated: June 26, 2008, 5 a.m.
Celebrate upcoming Fourth of July with fireworks and barbecues
4th of July in Dahlonega, Dahlonega. Community reading of The Constitution, formal flag raising, Appalachian music, arts and crafts and a fireworks display. 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. July 4, Dahlonega Gold Museum Historic Site and North Georgia College & State University, downtown Dahlonega. Free. 706-864-3513.
Independence Day at Vogel, Blairsville. Flag-raising ceremony, bicycle parade, sand castle building and other games. Begins 8:30 a.m. July 4, Vogel State Park, 7485 Vogel State Park Road, Blairsville. $3 parking. 706-745-2628.
4th of July Celebration and Barbecue, Gainesville. Softball and other games. 4 to 8 p.m. July 4, Bethel United Methodist Church, 900 Mill St. SE, Gainesville. 770-536-3029.
Fourth of July Festival, Dahlonega. Pig roast, live music, wine, grape-stomping contest, bocce ball tournament and fireworks. 3 to 9 p.m. July 4 and 5, Montaluce Estates and Vineyard, 501 Hightower Church Road, Dahlonega. Pig roast: $10 adults, $6 children. Free to attend. Bocce ball players should bring bocce balls. 800-251-4385.
July 4th Mountain Style, Helen. Watermelon seed spitting contest, sack races and relays. July 4-6, Unicoi State Park & Lodge, 1788 Ga. 3356, Helen. $3 parking. 800-573-9659, ext. 305.
Patriotic Pastimes, Dawsonville. Live music, old-fashioned games, hayrides and animal programs. July 4-6: 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Amicalola Falls State Park and Lodge, $3 parking. 706-265-1969.


The current score is Nicholas Sparks: Two, Audience: Zero. At least that's how it feels this year as the "it-man" of tearjerker romances rakes in the bucks from not one, but TWO movie adaptations of his novels. Kleenex sales skyrocket and IQ's plummet as we flock with packs of girlfriends (or whipped boyfriends) to the theatre for a good cry. But is it really that simple? Can we be so easily manipulated by Dear John letters one month and Miley Cyrus' Last Song the next?
The answer lies in the packed theatre I was sitting in – every seat sold out and not a dry eye in the house (except perhaps mine, but I'm heartless). In The Last Song Miley Cyrus plays Ronnie, a rebellious sixteen year old brat forced to spend the summer in a beach town with her sweet father (Greg Kinnear), who she resents since her parents separated. She wears the uniform of rebellious teens – heavy eye make-up and combat boots. Her little brother, in a terrible performance by an irksome Bobby Coleman, is over-eager to the point of looking psychotic in every scene.
When Ronnie meets Will, the town do-gooder (Liam Hemsworth), she resists his charm at first but eventually is sucked in by his blonde tips and cut abs. Actually, they share a common bond of being good people who are allowing their families to dictate their lives; Will by doing what his parents want, and Ronnie by doing the opposite. They share many strictly above the waist romantic moments, and many illogical and irritating arguments. Ronnie is an emotional rollercoaster who is continuously either madly in love or spitting mad for no reason.
Then tragedy strikes. Did you forget that this is a Nicholas Sparks story? If we learned one thing from The Notebook, or Message in a Bottle it's that tragedy is inevitable.
Miley's performance is surprisingly not terrible during the sad parts but when she's happy she falls back into Hannah Montana overacting – beaming her toothy grin from ear to ear. Greg Kinnear is charming as always and goes a long way towards improving the film. The story is the most unfortunate thing about The Last Song, being way too predictable and far too contrived as a tear-jerker.
SIDEBAR NOTES:
This is the first time Nicholas Sparks actually adapted his own novel into a screenplay.
Miley Cyrus' first movie appearance was in Tim Burton's Big Fish.