Saturday, December 20, 2014

How to Defuse the Population Bomb

How to Defuse the Population Bomb: "It’s an ancient problem, with a very obvious solution: give women full reproductive rights, including easy access to contraception and other family-planning options. Family planning and reproductive health are some of the most crucial tools for reducing human suffering in a changing and increasingly crowded world."



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Tests confirm Cambodia HIV mass infection - Asia-Pacific - Al Jazeera English

Tests confirm Cambodia HIV mass infection - Asia-Pacific - Al Jazeera English: "Battambang, Cambodia - A third round of tests has confirmed that at least 90 villagers in a small rural community in northwest Cambodia have contracted HIV in an unexplained and panic-inducing mass infection.

Dr Didier Fontenille, director of the Pasteur Institute in Cambodia, said that samples sent from Roka commune in Battambang province, where the unusually high number of infections were first detected this month, have tested positive for the virus.

"It has been confirmed three times by different techniques. Around 90 [people] have tested positive," Fontenille said.

More samples taken from residents in the area will be tested on Saturday, he said.

On Saturday afternoon, members of a parliamentary commission on public health attempted to address the concerns of the villagers in the northwest of the country."



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Brain-damaging Side Effects Force Army to Pull Mefloquine

Brain-damaging Side Effects Force Army to Pull Mefloquine: "The top doctor for Green Berets and other elite Army commandos has told troops to immediately stop taking mefloquine, an anti-malaria drug found to cause permanent brain damage in rare cases.

The ban among special operations forces is the latest development in a long-running controversy over mefloquine. The drug was developed by the Army in the 1970s and has been taken by millions of travelers and people in the military over the years. As alternatives were developed, it fell out of favor as the front-line defense against malaria, a mosquito-borne disease that international health officials say kills roughly 600,000 people a year.

The new prohibition among special operations forces follows a July 29 safety announcement by the Food and Drug Administration that it had strengthened warnings about neurologic side effects associated with the drug. The FDA added a boxed warning to the drug label, the most serious kind of warning, saying neurologic side effects like dizziness, loss of balance and ringing in the ears may become permanent."



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How ‘Deprogramming’ Kids From How to ‘Do School’ Could Improve Learning | MindShift

How ‘Deprogramming’ Kids From How to ‘Do School’ Could Improve Learning | MindShift: "One day, Adam Holman decided he was fed up with trying to cram knowledge into the brains of the high school students he taught. They weren’t grasping the physics he was teaching at the level he knew they were capable of, so he decided to change up his teaching style. It wasn’t that his students didn’t care about achieving — he taught at high performing, affluent schools where students knew they needed high grades to get into good colleges. They argued for every point to make sure their grades were as high as possible, but were they learning?



 “I felt I had to remove all the barriers I could on my end before I could ask my kids to meet me halfway,” Holman said. The first thing he did was move to standards-based grading. He told his students to show him they’d learned the material, it didn’t matter how long it took them.



 ‘We know how kids learn; we know what classes should look like, and yet our classes look almost the opposite.’



“The kids realized this made sense,” Holman said. He taught physics and math at Anderson High School in Austin, before moving on to become a vice-principal. His students were mostly well-off, high achievers, and they knew how to play the game to get the grades they needed. But Holman found when he changed the grading policy, students worried about grades less and focused more on working together to understand the material.



 “It turned my students into classmates and collaborators because I didn’t have a system in place to deny the collaboration,” Holman said. His students stopped copying homework. There was no curve that guaranteed some kids would be at the bottom. Instead, the class moved at its regular pace, but if a student persisted at a topic until they could show they understood it, Holman would give them credit. “It turned the kids on my side,” Holman said. “I was there to help them learn.”"



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Non-Muslims can use the word ‘Allah’ in Penang | TODAYonline

Non-Muslims can use the word ‘Allah’ in Penang | TODAYonline: "GEORGE TOWN — Non-Muslims can use the word “Allah” in Penang as the enactment banning the use of the word cannot be enforced on them, said Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.

The Penang lawmaker said it is clearly stated that the Administration of Religion of Islam (Penang) Enactment 2004 applies to Muslims only.

“Even if it mentions that non-Muslims can’t use these words, it is not enforceable because this enactment only applies to Muslims and is only enforceable on Muslims,” he said.

He said the state government had not passed any law to allow the enactment to apply on non-Muslims.

A list of 40 words, including Allah, Solat, Ulama, Soleh, Mufti, Iman, Surau and Nabi, were decreed as exclusive to Muslims by the Penang mufti and enforced in 2010 as provided under subsection 48(3) and (4) of the Administration of Religion of Islam (Penang) Enactment 2004."



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Mahathir: Penang CM politicizing ‘Allah” | Free Malaysia Today

Mahathir: Penang CM politicizing ‘Allah” | Free Malaysia Today: "“This has never been an issue before in this country,” said Mahathir on the sidelines of a function at the National Academy. “In Sabah and Sarawak, they (non-Muslims) have always used Allah.”
“Lim is using the Allah issue for political purposes.”
He did not mention the Sikhs whose Holy Book mentions “Allah” 37 times.
Lim, in a public spat with MCA which first raised the issue, has repeatedly taken the position that fatwas are not binding on non-Muslims.
He also pointed out that the issue of non-Muslims using or not using Allah does not arise. “The non-Muslims in Penang pray in Tamil, English and Malay,” he said in a reference to the fact that only those who pray in Malay, including Christians, use the term Allah.
He has conceded that religious enactmen"



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Revealed: the true story of 'Maya', the CIA analyst who hunted down Osama bin Laden - Telegraph

Revealed: the true story of 'Maya', the CIA analyst who hunted down Osama bin Laden - Telegraph: "In the film Zero Dark Thirty, she was the persistent, conscientious CIA officer who finally tracked Osama bin Laden to his lair.
In real life, her identity and current position were carefully hidden: until now. Following the release of the controversial US Senate report on the CIA’s use of torture and rendition, she has had her less-than-sparkling record picked over, been dubbed by the media “The Queen of Torture” and now finally been outed.
While the film’s portrayal of her as a life-long al-Qaeda expert is accurate, her career is revealed to feature a series of blunders and accusations of misleading Congress.
“She dropped the ball when the CIA was given information that might very well have prevented the 9/11 attacks,” wrote Jane Mayer, author of a definitive history of the agency’s “enhanced interrogation” practices, in the New Yorker.
“She gleefully participated in torture sessions afterward; she misinterpreted intelligence in such a way that it sent the CIA on an absurd chase for al-Qaeda sleeper cells in Montana. And then she falsely told congressional overseers that the torture worked.”"



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BBC News - North Korea seeks joint probe with US on Sony hack

BBC News - North Korea seeks joint probe with US on Sony hack: "The North's foreign ministry accused the US government of "spreading groundless allegations" and said a probe would refute the allegations.

The attack and subsequent threats against cinemas led Sony to cancel the release of The Interview, a satire.

The plot includes plans to assassinate North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un.

The Interview had been due to open on Christmas Day. But Sony said it was considering releasing it "on a different platform".

The FBI said on Friday that the Pyongyang government was responsible for the cyber-attack last month, in which script details and private emails were leaked."



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Falling Oil Prices Could Be One Of The Reasons for Cuba’s Pivot To The U.S | Apex Tribune

Falling Oil Prices Could Be One Of The Reasons for Cuba’s Pivot To The U.S | Apex Tribune: "Experts contend that one of the most productive oil and gas basins on the planet sits just off the North-West coast of Cuba. With its relations with the US on the mends, it now hopes that the Cuban Oil and Gas industry can finally get into action. The prospect has been welcomed by Cubans who are desperate to kick start their economy and achieve some parity in living standards of their superpower neighbor.

However the Cuban Oil boom is unlikely to happen any time soon and the biggest reasons are low oil prices and better prospects elsewhere.

Cuban oil industry has been long open to foreign investment; US sanctions denied it the best deep water drilling technology for extracting oil offshore. It is the biggest reason why Cuba produces a measly 55000 barrels of oil per day and one third of this is produced by just one company- a Canadian oil company named Sherritt International."



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100 engineers are trying to bring Elon Musk's hyperloop dream to life

100 engineers are trying to bring Elon Musk's hyperloop dream to life: "Now, thanks to 100 of some of the world’s smartest engineers and designers, Musk’s Jetson-esque Hyperloop vision isn’t forever on the backburner. The dream team is now officially clocking hours for Hyperloop Transportation Technologies, Inc. [HTT], a unique JumpStartFund collaborative that formed back in September. Its express mission is to rise to the challenge laid out in Musk’s 57-page Hyperloop whitepaper."



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GamerGate Harassment Of Zoe Quinn Stoops To New Low | TechCrunch

GamerGate Harassment Of Zoe Quinn Stoops To New Low | TechCrunch: "This e-book is just another example of the highly unpleasant trolling that has characterized GamerGame, much of it playing out on Twitter, where hate speech has been allowed to flow free. And where rape and death threats have driven multiple women in the games industry out of their homes, or forced them to cancel speaking engagements.

The underlying agenda of GamerGate has always been an attempt to intimidate and drive women out of the games industry. While the threats of violence have been exceptionally crude, the tactics have been relatively sophisticated, with co-ordinated online attacks aimed at amplifying the impact and noise, and exerting commercial pressure on digital advertisers.

Tactics that I and others have argued requires mainstream social platforms to up their own game when it comes to combating co-ordinated hate mobs by giving users more granular controls for filtering their feeds. Bottom line: this is an online bullying issue, not a free speech issue. And indeed, earlier this month, Twitter launched a suite of new anti-harassment tools to make it easier for users to block or report bullies on the network."



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Thursday, December 18, 2014

I Was Gang Raped at a U-VA Frat 30 Years Ago, and No One Did Anything - The Daily Beast

I Was Gang Raped at a U-VA Frat 30 Years Ago, and No One Did Anything - The Daily Beast: "I was gang-raped at the University of Virginia. I was gang raped at the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity house. 

We are all left with questions and opinions in the exhausting wake of the now-infamous Rolling Stone article about campus sexual assault, and how victims are treated at the University of Virginia. 

This is my story."



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It’s Official: Sony Scraps ‘The Interview’ | Deadline

It’s Official: Sony Scraps ‘The Interview’ | Deadline: "Sony Pictures has made official what has been painfully obvious to everybody since yesterday morning, when hackers threatened to blow up movie theaters if The Interview was released next week. The studio has officially scrapped its release plans. Sony had little choice here, after the major theater chains announced earlier today they would not display the film given the threatening circumstances. Here’s the statement:"



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Friday, December 12, 2014

Spending Bill Includes Abortion Funding for Peace Corps Rape Survivors - NationalJournal.com

Spending Bill Includes Abortion Funding for Peace Corps Rape Survivors - NationalJournal.com: "December 11, 2014 The battle over abortion funding for Peace Corps members may be coming to an end.

The $1.1 trillion "CROmnibus" spending bill includes a provision to remove a 35-year ban on federal funding for abortions for Peace Corps volunteers in the event of rape, incest, and life endangerment.

Since 1979, insurance through the program has been prohibited from covering abortions, even in the above circumstances. The volunteers are currently the only recipients of government-sponsored insurance that are banned from receiving this kind of emergency coverage, which is available to federal employees and Medicaid recipients. Congress eliminated a similar prohibition for military members last year.

Federal funding for abortions is not permitted outside the above three situations.

"This is a technical correction so that women representing the United States abroad benefit from the same protections that female service members and other federal employees do," House Appropriations Committee Democrats spokesman Matthew Dennis wrote in an email."



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New group of Myanmar assassins identified in Penang | Malaysia | Malay Mail Online

New group of Myanmar assassins identified in Penang | Malaysia | Malay Mail Online: "GEORGE TOWN, Dec 12 — The grisly murder of Myanmar nationals has taken a twist with the emergence of a new group of serial killers in Penang.

The disclosure was made following police investigations and after the discovery of another foreigner’s body with his throat slit in front of a Buddhist temple in Relau on Monday.

The existence of a second gang has heightened fears of more serial killings in the state which has been gripped by the death of 18 Myanmar nationals in the past 11 months.

Penang police chief Datuk Abdul Rahim Hanafi said the new gang, whose members have yet to be identified, was believed to be operating from the island."



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Malaysia’s New Migrants - NYTimes.com

Malaysia’s New Migrants - NYTimes.com: "But I’m struck, most of all, by one key difference between the migrants of then and now, which highlights how patterns of migration within Asia have changed over the last 100 years. Whereas almost all the Chinese and Indian immigrants to Malaysia in the late 19th and early 20th centuries settled in their adopted country, eventually establishing large communities that still thrive today, not one of the 16 Nepali workers who share Shyam’s cramped dormitory intends to put down roots in Malaysia, or even return to the country for another three-year contract once their present one runs out.

The reduction of the migrant experience to pure economics over the last two decades has irrevocably changed the nature of human movement in Asia. It also highlights the growing gulf in wealth between middle-class countries such as Malaysia and Singapore on one hand, and Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Cambodia on the other."



"Shyam’s dilemma is common to most migrant workers I’ve spoken to in Malaysia: They are paid just enough for them to want to remain employed, but are trapped in an endless cycle of 12-hour shifts that makes it impossible for them to interact in any meaningful way with local life. They have no chance, or incentive, to become an integrated part of Malaysian society. Malaysia has been a rich melting pot since the 1500s, because of its favorable location on trading routes between India and China, as well as its colonial history of successive occupation by the Portuguese, the Dutch and the British. But its new migrants are treated merely as a resource, rather than as potential citizens who could contribute to and enrich Malaysian culture."



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Storm floods highways, cuts power on West Coast

Storm floods highways, cuts power on West Coast: "Winds were howling across a wide swath of Northern California, including winds sustained at 78 mph near Lake Tahoe, which is hurricane force. The highest gust recorded so far was 147 mph recorded near Lake Tahoe, according to the National Weather Service. Many spots in the mountains were gusting to over 100 mph.

The highest rainfall total by early Thursday was 7 inches in one spot north of San Francisco.

As the storm spreads south, downpours are likely to cause debris slides, especially in areas affected by this year's intense and widespread wildfires.

As much as 8 inches of rain could fall on coastal mountains over a 24-hour period, the weather service said."



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Thursday, December 11, 2014

It’s Hard to Succeed When Your Boss Is a Dick

It’s Hard to Succeed When Your Boss Is a Dick: "My co-worker Sarah was Daniel's first target. Despite being nearly 15 years his senior, he treated her like a child who suffered from learning disabilities. Their struggle to communicate was difficult to witness, and the disrespect grew more intense as time went on. He talked down to Sarah regularly in the way that an exasperated owner talks to their pet, and the mental and physical toll it took on her was obvious. It eventually got so bad that she quit before finding a new job. It was affecting her health. Imagine the experience of going to work being so dreadful that it literally makes you sick. Considering Daniel once told me that he had a frightening meltdown from a job he despised, you'd think he'd have some compassion. But no.



 There were more telling incidents. Daniel disliked Bobby almost instantly. He saw him as a bad influence on me, and a link to our previous manager's regime, something he was exceptionally insecure about. Daniel was the new coach who didn't want to hear anything about the old coach, as if the mere mention of her name was an insult to his very existence. After Bobby accidentally called him a "prick" in a message intended for me, Daniel began to seek out faults in Bobby, over-analyzing his every move, harassing him about being away from his desk, even if it was just to go to the bathroom. The smallest issues were amplified in an attempt to build a case against him. This obsession was disturbing, and it reached a new low when Bobby's father's health began to deteriorate."



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I'm a victim of sexual assault and the law failed. How many of us must speak out for you to believe? | Megan Carpentier | Comment is free | theguardian.com

I'm a victim of sexual assault and the law failed. How many of us must speak out for you to believe? | Megan Carpentier | Comment is free | theguardian.com: "What the prosecutors didn’t tell me was that the police who took my attacker into custody that night didn’t ask him a question about what he’d done, even though he didn’t invoke his right to an attorney. What they didn’t say is that I’d already answered more questions that night than my attacker had ever been asked or would ever be asked by law enforcement about that night. What they didn’t mention is that they’d already decided not to prosecute Jesus Rivera for what he did to me – for sexually assaulting me – and they were meeting with me – a victim of sexual assault – not to discuss how to proceed. They were there to break the news that they didn’t plan to proceed at all.

“We’re not here to get justice for you,” the blonde prosecutor said, as I tightened every muscle in my face to keep from crying. “We’re here to get justice for the people of Virginia.”"



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Northern California braces for possible hurricane-force winds - CBS News

Northern California braces for possible hurricane-force winds - CBS News: "CBS San Francisco reports that sustained winds at or near hurricane strength in the highest elevations with gusts exceeding 100 miles per hour across the Sierra summit are forecast for Thursday, with Bay Area winds easily gusting past 50 miles per hour in urban areas and 70-80 miles per hour in the local mountains and hills in what could be the "storm of the decade.""



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World's Richest People Warned Against Impact Investing - Billionaires Australia

World's Richest People Warned Against Impact Investing - Billionaires Australia: "The World Economic Forum (WEF) has told millionaires and billionaires around the globe to be cautious of the hype about investments that combine making profits with having a positive effect on society.

It has become increasingly popular for wealthy families and money managers to channel their funds into projects such as this. However, the WEF fears that if the impact investment bubble bursts, lots of the world’s wealth could be lost.

The warning was issued in a report released on Thursday (4 December) to mark the start of a forum for wealthy heirs, which is being held in Davos, Switzerland. The WEF paper said that the move towards dual-purpose investments is risky because it often involves giving money to people or organisations that rarely have the expertise or tools to put it into practice."



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18 Badass Women You Probably Didn't Hear About In 2014

18 Badass Women You Probably Didn't Hear About In 2014:



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Richmond police chief a prominent participant in protest against police violence - Inside Bay Area

Richmond police chief a prominent participant in protest against police violence - Inside Bay Area: "About 100 protesters lined Macdonald Avenue at 41st Street by noon Tuesday, holding signs and listening to a stereo that boomed speeches by Martin Luther King Jr.

Police Chief Chris Magnus, who has drawn acclaim for his community-policing approach and helping drive down both crime and use of force by his officers in recent years, was front and center, facing the street while holding a white sign that said "#blacklivesmatter." The photo quickly went viral on social media, the image of the uniformed chief with the popular hashtag a stark contrast to the anti-police sentiment many associate with it.

"I spoke with my command staff, and we agreed it would be nice to convey our commitment to peaceful protest and that black and brown lives do matter," Magnus said after the protest. "And to help bridge the gap that we understand sometimes exists between police and community around certain issues.""



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Marine miracle: Sailor lost at sea for 12 days rescued off coast of Hawaii - The Washington Post

Marine miracle: Sailor lost at sea for 12 days rescued off coast of Hawaii - The Washington Post: "But 12 days after Ingraham dropped off the map, another distress call came through.

“We got a mayday here. Mayday. This is the Malia,” Ingraham was heard saying Tuesday morning. “Anybody picking this up?”

The Coast Guard heard the call, which was made 64 miles south of Honolulu. The USS Paul Hamilton, a guided-missile destroyer, was just 14 miles away from Ingraham at the time, according to the Coast Guard. About an hour after his call for help, the Navy ship reported that Ingraham was “weak, hungry and dehydrated.” But he was alive, and without injuries."



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Malala's moment: Nobel winner speaks out | CharlotteObserver.com

Malala's moment: Nobel winner speaks out | CharlotteObserver.com: "OSLO, Norway The Pakistani teenager stood on the stage of Oslo City Hall as the youngest Nobel Peace laureate, smiling as she listened to the thunderous ovation.

Now, everybody knows: She is Malala.

Shot in the head by the Taliban two years ago for speaking out on education, 17-year-old Malala Yousafzai on Wednesday beamed as she received the Nobel Peace Prize and taught a lesson in courage.

"I had two options. One was to remain silent and wait to be killed. And the second was to speak up and then be killed. I chose the second one. I decided to speak up," Malala said."



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California braces for fiercest storm in 5 years

California braces for fiercest storm in 5 years: "The National Weather Service said the barrage is "expected to be one of the strongest storms in terms of wind and rain" since storms in October 2009 and January 2008.

In Northern California, where the rain was expected to hit first, officials in San Francisco, Oakland and Marin County said schools would be closed Thursday because of expected heavy rain and winds.

A system fueled by the "Pineapple Express" is delivering a steady stream of moisture directly from Hawaii to the West Coast starting Wednesday. Meteorologists describe the Pineapple Express as a long, narrow plume that pipes moisture from the tropics into the western United States."



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In a first, more Americans support gun rights than gun control, poll finds - CSMonitor.com

In a first, more Americans support gun rights than gun control, poll finds - CSMonitor.com: "Right after the mass shooting, in which a gunman killed 27 people and then himself, the balance of opinion favored gun control. But since January 2013, support for gun rights over gun control has risen from 45 percent to 52 percent, while the percentage who prioritize gun control has gone down, from 51 percent to 46 percent."



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Uber Is Sued by 2 California Counties, Citing Misleading Safety Practices - NYTimes.com

Uber Is Sued by 2 California Counties, Citing Misleading Safety Practices - NYTimes.com: "“Uber does not go above and beyond local requirements in every city in which it operates,” George Gascón, the district attorney of San Francisco, said at a news conference on Tuesday.

In the screening process, Uber and Lyft, another ride-hailing service, do not require drivers to submit their fingerprints for a background check, which the California officials say is the most comprehensive form of driver screening methodology.

“You are not using an industry-leading background process if you are not fingerprinting your drivers,” Mr. Gascón said.

Eva Behrend, a spokeswoman for Uber, said in a statement that the company had met with the district attorneys and would continue discussions with them regarding their concerns."



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Malaysia summons US ambassador over Sedition Act remarks - Channel NewsAsia

Malaysia summons US ambassador over Sedition Act remarks - Channel NewsAsia: "PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday (Dec 10) summoned the US ambassador for his “unwarranted” comments on the country’s Sedition Act.

Ambassador of the United States of America to Malaysia Joseph Y Yun had said in an interview with Malaysiakini that the Sedition Act, if wielded too far, would infringe on human rights.

"Clearly if it goes too far, of course it will. And again, you must have a balance for the need for protecting speech, protecting expression, protecting dissent, protecting all positions, against the needs of safeguarding the society," he was quoted as saying.

In a media statement, the ministry said Malaysia was disappointed with Mr Yun’s comments, and summoned him to “explain the US’ position on the matter”.

“Malaysia calls on the US government to respect the internal affairs of the country and allow Malaysia the space, indispensable to all countries with maturing democracies, to ensure continued peace, security and stability,” said the Foreign Affairs Minister in a statement."



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Monday, December 8, 2014

Penang police solve 23 Myanmar killings | Free Malaysia Today

Penang police solve 23 Myanmar killings | Free Malaysia Today: "GEORGE TOWN: Police have concluded that the savage killings of 23 Myanmar nationals, males aged between 20 and 40, in Penang recently were linked to ethnic tensions between Buddhists and Muslims in Myanmar.
A police source who disclosed these details said a special task force from Bukit Aman managed to piece together the story after picking up a key suspect, a Muslim from the Arakan district in Myanmar, last week. The suspect reportedly led police to six other suspects who were also detained to assist in the probe into the killings of the 23 Myanmar nationals.
The main suspect has since confessed, according to the source, that he had a hand in the killings.
“The main suspect said six of his family members were killed during communal clashes in his home state a year ago. We are now piecing the connection between all 23 cases to see if they were linked,” the source said."



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Slaughterhouse found in Penang where Myanmar nationals butchered victims - The Malaysian Insider

Slaughterhouse found in Penang where Myanmar nationals butchered victims - The Malaysian Insider: "Penang police arrested two more suspects early this morning in Bukit Mertajam in connection with the numerous murders reported in the state recently and found a "slaughterhouse", believed to have been used to butcher the victims.

State police chief Datuk Abdul Rahim Hanafi said the latest arrest of two men aged between 30 and 40 brought the total number of people detained to 17 people, all from Myanmar."



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Police get new leads on gruesome Myanmar murders in Penang | Malaysia | Malay Mail Online

Police get new leads on gruesome Myanmar murders in Penang | Malaysia | Malay Mail Online: "He said the information obtained from questioning 17 Myanmar men had led police to find the location of a body to solve the jigsaw of heads, arms, legs and torso of two victims found dumped in several places all over Bukit Mertajam.  

“A suspect admitted to murdering the victims before dismembering them and one of the torsos was found in a canal in Jalan Kampung Permatang, Sungai Bakap, near here, two weeks ago. 

“So far, police have only found two heads, hands, legs and a torso of the victims. Maybe one of the victim’s body had drifted into the river or sea,” he told reporters after launching a Police Community Programme, here, today. "



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Malaysian police detain 15 Burmese over series of gruesome murders | World news | The Guardian

Malaysian police detain 15 Burmese over series of gruesome murders | World news | The Guardian: "Authorities had made little comment until now but the state’s police chief was quoted on Friday as saying they now believed the killings were linked to violent clashes between Muslims and Buddhists in Burma. “It was revenge they brought here from their country,” Abdul Rahim Hanafi said, according to the Malay Mail.

Clashes between majority Buddhists and Muslim Rohingya – who the United Nations describe as one of the most persecuted minorities in the world – erupted in 2012 in western Burma.

The violence has led to the deaths of about 200 people and displaced up to 140,000, mostly Rohingya."



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Sunday, December 7, 2014

Indonesia sinks Vietnamese boats to stop illegal fishing - Channel NewsAsia

Indonesia sinks Vietnamese boats to stop illegal fishing - Channel NewsAsia: "JAKARTA: Indonesia blew up and sank three empty Vietnamese boats Friday (Dec 5), the navy said, as the world's biggest archipelago nation pushes to stop foreigners from illegally fishing in its waters.

It was the strongest measure yet taken in the campaign launched by new President Joko Widodo, known as Jokowi, who is seeking to stop a practice he says costs Southeast Asia's biggest economy billions of dollars in lost revenues.

The navy, working with other government agencies, sank the three boats in the remote Anambas islands, which lie between Malaysia and the Indonesian part of Borneo island, navy spokesman Manahan Simorangkir told AFP."



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Dr. Laura Markham > Parenting Your Strong-Willed Child

Dr. Laura Markham > Parenting Your Strong-Willed Child: "Strong-willed kids aren't just being difficult. They feel their integrity is compromised if they're forced to submit to another person's will. If they're allowed to choose, they love to cooperate.  If this bothers you because you think obedience is an important quality, I'd ask you to reconsider. Of course you want to raise a responsible, considerate, cooperative child who does the right thing, even when it's hard. But that doesn't imply obedience. That implies doing the right thing because the child WANTS to. As H.L. Mencken famously observed, morality is doing what's right, no matter what you're told. Obedience is doing what you're told, no matter what's right."



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Strong-Willed Children Are a Blessing, Not a Curse | Lynnette Sheppard

Strong-Willed Children Are a Blessing, Not a Curse | Lynnette Sheppard: "As I walked away and pondered her words, my heart filled with hope. Although I was struggling, I had to believe that she knew something that I didn't know. I think she knew MANY things that I didn't know. And, maybe... just maybe... she was the answer to my prayers -- a sweet assurance that this stage would not last forever, and that my seemingly impossible children had come to me with strong wills because they would NEED them to accomplish great things later in life. I found comfort in that.



 I have looked back on this experience many times since then. I have thought about her words as I have struggled through countless difficult stages with my kids. I have thought about them as I have watched difficult stages fade into sweet stages of understanding and growth. I have thought about them as I have witnessed unreasonable children grow into thoughtful and self-motivated teenagers, whose strong wills are now ingrained into their characters in a way that strengthens them and others. There is now no doubt in my mind that this sweet woman knew what she was talking about that day so many years ago. She knew, as I am now learning, that strong will in a child is nothing to fear. It is a BLESSING."



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My drugged life: I’ve been on antidepressants since 10 - Salon.com

My drugged life: I’ve been on antidepressants since 10 - Salon.com: "A close friend whom I’ve always considered a natural candidate for antidepressants (cancer, fraught relationship with family, multiple career disappointments) has serious ontological issues with antidepressants: “If I were in a good mood or more functional because of pills, what would that mean? Where would the pills stop and I begin? Would it really be me living this better life?”



 For me these philosophical questions have an extra dimension because I was so young when this all began. If my friend started taking antidepressants now, she would be doing so as an adult, making a somewhat informed decision. She would at least know who that person was deciding to take the medication. I, on the other hand, began taking medication intended to alter my personality before I became a person."



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A Burger Joint Pays $15 An Hour. And, Yes, It's Making Money : The Salt : NPR

A Burger Joint Pays $15 An Hour. And, Yes, It's Making Money : The Salt : NPR: "When Moo Cluck Moo opened its first location almost two years ago, the starting pay for all workers was $12 an hour. The idea, according to co-founder Brian Parker, was to train everyone to multitask.

No one is just flipping burgers. All of the workers are expected to be jacks-of-all-trades: They bake buns from scratch daily, they house-make aioli and prepare made-to-order grass-fed burgers and free-range chicken sandwiches.

And, now, says Parker, the investment is paying off. Revenue is up at the chain's two locations. And workers are sticking around. And their pay now? It's up to $15 an hour. By comparison, a typical fast-food worker in the U.S. makes about $8 or $9 an hour.

"Because of our low turnover, and the fact that people are really into their jobs, $15 an hour wasn't a big stretch," Parker says."



'via Blog this'

Why Did Vitamins Disappear From Non-GMO Breakfast Cereal? : The Salt : NPR

Why Did Vitamins Disappear From Non-GMO Breakfast Cereal? : The Salt : NPR: "Remember when Cheerios and Grape-Nuts went GMO-free? That was about a year ago, when their corporate creators announced that these products would no longer contain ingredients made from genetically modified organisms like common types of corn, soybeans or sugar beets.



When they actually arrived on supermarket shelves, though, there was a mysterious change in their list of ingredients. Four vitamins that previously had been added to Grape-Nuts — vitamins A, D, B-12 and B-2 (also known as riboflavin) — were gone. Riboflavin vanished from Cheerios.



 Wayne Parrott, a professor of crop science at the University of Georgia and defender of GMOs, was among the first to point out the change. He criticized General Mills and Post Foods for marketing their non-GMO cereals as especially wholesome. "The new version [of Cheerios] is certainly less nutritious," he told a reporter for Foodnavigator-usa.com, which covers the food industry."



'via Blog this'

25 Ways to Say "I Love You" Without Saying a Word | Winifred M. Reilly

25 Ways to Say "I Love You" Without Saying a Word | Winifred M. Reilly: "Recently, on a cross-country flight, my husband and I were seated on opposite sides of the aisle. Several times, he leaned toward me to ask, "Would you like a bite of my sandwich?" "Can I get you some water?" Once he offered to share the last bite of his cookie. A while later, he reached over and put his hand my arm, just to say, "Hi."

At the end of the flight the woman next to me said, "Your husband really loves you. I can tell."

And she's right. He does.

As couples, we express love through our everyday actions -- our gestures of kindness, our generosity, our attention, our touch.

We say, "Drive safely." "Take an umbrella." We kiss each other goodnight.

And our spouse hears,"I love you," in a way that touches more deeply than words.

We all have our favorite ways to show love. Here are some of mine:"



'via Blog this'

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Women are not equal to men, Turkish president declares | CTV News

Women are not equal to men, Turkish president declares | CTV News: "ANKARA, Turkey -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan set off a new controversy on Monday, declaring that women are not equal to men and accusing feminists of not understanding the special status that Islam attributes to mothers.
Addressing a meeting in Istanbul on women and justice, Erdogan said men and women are created differently, that women cannot be expected to undertake the same work as men, and that mothers enjoy a high position that only they can reach.
"You cannot put women and men on an equal footing," Erdogan said. "It is against nature. They were created differently. Their nature is different. Their constitution is different.""



'via Blog this'

Head found in front of Penang coffeeshop | Malaysia | Malay Mail Online

Head found in front of Penang coffeeshop | Malaysia | Malay Mail Online: "BUKIT MERTAJAM, Nov 25 ― A decapitated head was found on a five-foot way of a coffeeshop in Taman Impian, Alma, yesterday.

The discovery was made by the owner of the coffeeshop.

The head, believed to be that of a foreigner, was found in a plastic bag left under an open umbrella.

The area is a colony for workers from Nepal, Myanmar, Bangladesh and Indonesia.

State CID chief SAC II Mazlan Kesah, who visited the scene, said the 35-year-old coffeeshop owner alerted police at 4.30pm.

He said the bloodstained head was believe to have been severed less than 24 hours before the discovery.

“The CCTV footage from the coffeeshop showed two men, believed to be foreigners, dumping the plastic bag at about 9pm on Sunday.

Police are trying to find the body.

On November 6, police recovered a headless and limbless body of a naked woman stuffed in a suitcase at a carpark near the Penang Botanic Gardens.

Two days earlier, fishermen found the headless body of a woman floating in the waters near Pulau Kendi."



'via Blog this'

Monday, November 24, 2014

Scientists Solve Mystery Of West Coast Starfish Die-Off · EarthFix · Oregon Public Broadcasting

Scientists Solve Mystery Of West Coast Starfish Die-Off · EarthFix · Oregon Public Broadcasting: "SEATTLE — After months of research, scientists have identified the pathogen at the heart of the starfish wasting disease that’s been killing starfish by the millions along the Pacific shores of North America, according to research published Monday.

They said it’s a virus that’s different from all other known viruses infecting marine organisms. They’ve dubbed it “sea star associated densovirus.”"



Print



'via Blog this'

Seadevil - Monterrey Researchers Caught Rare Deep-Sea Anglerfish On Camera

Seadevil - Monterrey Researchers Caught Rare Deep-Sea Anglerfish On Camera:

anglerfish-caught-on-camera

 "As per the recent reports revealed, a rare deep-sea anglerfish was caught on camera for just about the 6th time in the entire history.

A researchers team carrying out a dive in Monterrey Bay off the shoreline of California have recorded first-ever video of a rarely seen occupant of the deep called the black seadevil. The animal was spotted this week in the dark, deep waters 2000 feet underneath the surface, by scientists of Monterrey Bay Aquarium Research Institute.

Bruce Robinson, MBARI Senior Scientist told the San Jose Mercury News Friday, “We have been plunging around here in the Monterrey Canyon routinely for 25 years, and we’ve seen three.”

Robinson said a luminous “fishing pole” anticipating from the angler fish’s head is a sparkling entice to pull in prey.

Robinson told the paper they caught the fish to study, yet don’t know how long will it will survive."



'via Blog this'

Earthquake early alert system ready to expand in California - LA Times

NapaEarthquake early alert system ready to expand in California - LA Times: "The warnings would allow fire stations to get garage doors open before a quake can jam them shut, instruct students to duck and cover, and, eventually, automatically shut off sensitive equipment at private companies and tell surgeons to halt surgery. When the data is more reliable, even amusement parks could have time to shut down rides.

The prospect of expanding the system — which is dependent on federal funding coming through — has brought excitement for both emergency officials and some businesses. Even a few seconds' notice to duck under a sturdy desk could be a matter of surviving a building's collapse, fire officials said.

In Japan, one semiconductor firm that lost more than $15 million in quake damage in 2003 installed machines to automatically shut down sensitive equipment that etches circuit boards. When much larger quakes hit later, the company lost only $200,000."



8-second warning for San Francisco





'via Blog this'

If Privilege Was Visual, It Would Look Like This — Everyday Feminism

If Privilege Was Visual, It Would Look Like This — Everyday Feminism: "Privilege can be near-invisible to those who have it. Without a conscious, deliberate effort to be aware of it, it’s almost never on our radars.

And because of this, being told that you benefit from systematic social favoritism can be hard to accept at first. It’s not uncommon to feel that people are telling you that your life is simple and that you don’t work for what you have.

But privilege is more complicated than that. This cartoon provides a useful visualization."



The Straight, Ablebodied, Rich, White Man’s Burden



'via Blog this'

Sunday, November 23, 2014

As Ferguson braces for grand jury decision, 2 arrested amid mounting tensions | AL.com

As Ferguson braces for grand jury decision, 2 arrested amid mounting tensions | AL.com: "FERGUSON, Missouri -- Crews erected barricades around the building where a grand jury has been considering whether to indict the Ferguson police officer who shot and killed Michael Brown, even as a grand jury decision seemed unlikely this weekend.

Tension has been mounting in Ferguson and elsewhere in the St. Louis area in recent days, with many speculating that the grand jury's decision would be announced on Sunday. That seemed increasingly unlikely by late Saturday, although there was a noticeable uptick in the preparations being made."



'via Blog this'

18-Year-Old Photographer's Spectacular Conceptual Self-Portraits - My Modern Met

18-Year-Old Photographer's Spectacular Conceptual Self-Portraits - My Modern Met: "18-year-old Laura Williams joins the ranks of fellow young, extremely talented photographers such as Alex Stoddard and Kyle Thompson in creating spectacularly surreal and expressive self-portraits. The Cambridge, England native's photograph entitled Invisible recently went viral, with over 800,000 views on Flickr alone. The photo depicts Williams sitting on the grass with a piercing look in her eyes, holding a mirror that conceals her body while reflecting the empty area surrounding her.

Many of Williams' photos involve concepts of concealment and hiding, as parts of the body and face are obscured by smoke, mirrors, and masks. "I like the idea of creating an image that’s perhaps a little less obvious, like an illusion," she explains, "one that really intrigues the viewer and tries to trick the eye." Her highly conceptual works embody this idea, inviting the viewer to closely examine every detail in the shot in an effort to learn the story behind each evocative image.

The photographer is inspired by many different things, including dreams, music, nature, light, and other photographers. "Inspiration can come at any time," she says, "and often when I find it, I'm not specifically looking for it, it just sort of comes to me.""



'via Blog this'

Accused Men Say The System Hurting College Sexual Assault Survivors Fails Them Too

Accused Men Say The System Hurting College Sexual Assault Survivors Fails Them Too: "Sexual assault survivors across the country say they were treated unfairly by their schools. An increasing number of men seeking legal action after being suspended for sexual misconduct say the process is also failing them."



'via Blog this'

Saturday, November 22, 2014

Republican-led report debunks Benghazi accusations - CNN.com

Republican-led report debunks Benghazi accusations - CNN.com: "Washington (CNN) -- An investigative report prepared by the House Intelligence Committee finds little to support questions raised about CIA actions on the ground in Benghazi, Libya, the night of a deadly 2012 attack on the U.S. diplomatic compound.



The final report, from Chairman Mike Rogers, R-Michigan, and ranking member Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger, D-Maryland, concludes there was no intelligence failure prior to the attack, no stand-down order to CIA operatives trying to go assist at the besieged consular building and found conflicting intelligence in the wake of the attack about the motive and cause, which were reflected in early public comments by the administration.



But the investigation also found the security at the diplomatic outpost was weak and it described a "flawed" process used to create talking points for House Intelligence Committee members and then-U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice, whose public statements after the attack incensed critics who said the administration was avoiding calling the attack terrorism."



'via Blog this'

What Makes Marriage Work? | Psychology Today

What Makes Marriage Work? | Psychology Today: "But there's much more to a successful relationship than knowing how to fight well. Not all stable couples resolve conflicts in the same way, nor do they mean the same thing by "resolving" their conflict. In fact, I have found that there are three different styles of problem solving into which healthy marriages tend to settle:"



'via Blog this'

Carla Ferrigno, Angela Leslie And Louisa Moritz Come Forward With Allegations Against Bill Cosby (UPDATE)

Carla Ferrigno, Angela Leslie And Louisa Moritz Come Forward With Allegations Against Bill Cosby (UPDATE): "Three more women have come forward with allegations against Bill Cosby. Carla Ferrigno, Angela Leslie and Louisa Moritz are three of the 11 women who have now publicly identified themselves and accused Cosby of assaulting them in some form.

Ferrigno, Leslie and Moritz's claims join a growing list of allegations made against the 77-year-old actor. In 2005, Andrea Constand filed a lawsuit against Cosby claiming that he drugged and molested her in 2004. Not long after, Tamara Green went on the “Today Show” alleging she had a similar experience with Cosby. Twelve other women were anonymous witnesses in the Constand case, claiming they also had similar encounters with the comedian. One by one these women have come forward to publicly identify themselves, including Barbara Bowman, Beth Ferrier and, just days ago, Therese Serignese who spoke at length with The Huffington Post. Other women to recently make their allegations against Cosby public include publicist Joan Tarshis and supermodel Janice Dickinson."



'via Blog this'

Friday, November 21, 2014

Glass ceiling caused by partners and work culture, Harvard study suggests - Business - CBC News

Glass ceiling caused by partners and work culture, Harvard study suggests - Business - CBC News: "Mismatched expectations about family demands are just as important as institutionalized sexism in the workplace when it comes to explaining the gender gap that holds women back in their careers, a Harvard study suggests.

A survey in the Harvard Business Review's report published Thursday asked 25,000 graduates in recent decades to talk about their experiences in their careers and lives after graduation."



'via Blog this'

Obama Moves To Protect Millions From Deportation

Obama Moves To Protect Millions From Deportation: "Obama's plan will make a number of changes to immigration policy, such as renaming and revamping the controversial Secure Communities policy, which states and localities across the country have increasingly opposed. It will also redefine Immigration and Customs Enforcement priorities to ensure agents are focusing on recent border-crossers -- defined as those who came after Jan. 1, 2014 -- along with convicted criminals, suspected terrorists and potential threats to national security. The new policies broaden opportunities for high-skilled workers and could lead to further changes in how visas are distributed. The resulting changes could bring the amount of people given legal protection under the executive action to nearly 5 million.

But the centerpiece -- and the most contentious portion -- is its relief for undocumented immigrants, which could lead to millions of people being shielded from deportation and made eligible to work. About 4.1 million will likely be eligible for a new policy that allows undocumented parents of U.S. citizen and legal permanent children to stay in the country and work legally, if they have been in the U.S. for five years or more and pass a background check, officials said."



'via Blog this'

Thursday, November 20, 2014

What California’s College Tuition Hike Says About the Future of Higher Education | TIME

What California’s College Tuition Hike Says About the Future of Higher Education | TIME: "On Nov. 20, the regents that control the University of California system will vote on a proposal to increase tuition at its 10 campuses by as much as 5% a year for the next five years. This year’s tuition and fees for in-state students is $12,192, which could rise to $15,564 by the 2019-20 school year under the proposal. The plan was conceived and put forward by Janet Napolitano, who took over the UC system in 2013."



'via Blog this'

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

DAP rep moots Penang oversight for Gurney Drive reclamation work | Malaysia | Malay Mail Online

DAP rep moots Penang oversight for Gurney Drive reclamation work | Malaysia | Malay Mail Online: "GEORGE TOWN, Nov 12 — Penang should have direct oversight of the planned reclamation work for popular promenade Gurney Drive here, instead of leaving this to private engineers appointed by the developer, a state lawmaker said today.

Proposing a state committee to undertake the task, DAP’s Pulau Tikus assemblyman Yap Soo Huey said this was necessary to ensure the independence of the review.

“Instead of depending on the Department of Environment or consultants appointed by developers, the state should have its own appointed consultants to review such projects,” Yap said today."



'via Blog this'

Mo. governor declares state of emergency in expectation of more Ferguson unrest - The Washington Post

Mo. governor declares state of emergency in expectation of more Ferguson unrest - The Washington Post: "FERGUSON, Mo. — Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon declared a state of emergency on Monday and the FBI issued a bulletin warning of likely violence across the country as a St. Louis County grand jury concludes its investigation of Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson.

Nixon’s announcement, which allows him to mobilize the state’s National Guard to keep order, added to the overflowing docket of anxiety in greater St. Louis as the city braces for the expected news that Wilson will not be charged in the Aug. 9 fatal shooting of Michael Brown, 18.

The FBI bulletin warned law enforcement agencies that “extremist protesters” are likely to attack police officers and federal agents after the decision. “The FBI assesses those infiltrating and exploiting otherwise legitimate public demonstrations with the intent to incite and engage in violence could be armed with bladed weapons or firearms, equipped with tactical gear/gas masks, or bulletproof vests to mitigate law enforcement measures,” the bulletin concluded."



'via Blog this'

California's drought has reached Biblical-plague proportions. It's time for a drastic measure. - The Week

California's drought has reached Biblical-plague proportions. It's time for a drastic measure. - The Week: "The solution to rectifying California's abysmal water conservation record might be found in California's agricultural sector. In just the past year, prices for irrigation water have risen from ten to almost 40 times last year's price. Those who have the water to spare can make a sizable profit by selling it to those who need it. Thus, because the value of water has significantly increased, every gallon is a precious commodity that is not wasted.

Allowing price to ration water may be a bitter political pill to swallow, but it makes economic and environmental sense. There are examples of this economic solution working in the past. Cities like Santa Fe, Tucson, and Fort Worth allowed price signals to govern water use — the more a household used, the more expensive water was to purchase. Consumers responded by conserving water. These measures worked so well utilities were forced to stabilize the sharp drop in revenue by reconfiguring rates. That is not a bad thing — especially during a drought as austere as California's.

But won't raising prices only hurt the poor and have little effect on those who have the money to afford it anyways?"



'via Blog this'

Kamala Harris Speaks Out On 'Inevitability' Of Marijuana Legalization In California

Kamala Harris Speaks Out On 'Inevitability' Of Marijuana Legalization In California: ""I am not opposed to the legalization of marijuana. I'm the top cop, and so I have to look at it from a law enforcement perspective and a public safety perspective,” Harris told BuzzFeed News in an interview in Washington, D.C. “I think we are fortunate to have Colorado and Washington be in front of us on this and figuring out the details of what it looks like when it’s legalized.”
“We're watching it happen right before our eyes in Colorado and Washington. I don't think it’s gonna take too long to figure this out,” Harris said. “I think there's a certain inevitability about it.""



'via Blog this'

Sunday, November 16, 2014

Pakistan’s Quiet Reformer | Extraordinary Pakistanis

Pakistan’s Quiet Reformer | Extraordinary Pakistanis: "Hussain soon realized the potential and vacuum that existed in the country to progress and innovate. He worked across all sectors including security and terrorism, development, media etc. His commentary on de-radicalization of suicide bombers won him the award for most read article in Foreign Policy magazine, US, and as the youngest scholar at the famous Woodrow Wilson Center, Hussain delivered a lecture at Pentagon to senior US military leadership on US-Pakistan relations. ‘I was only 24 years old when I stood in front of the US military, and I knew I had to present the case for my country’."



'via Blog this'

I’m a black woman with a white husband. People assume I’m a prostitute all the time. - The Washington Post

I’m a black woman with a white husband. People assume I’m a prostitute all the time. - The Washington Post: "The online conversation about women of color being profiled as sex workers made me think about my own stories. The first time I was mistaken for a sex worker I was on my husband’s arm at an event in California four years ago. A man approached me, asking if he could buy me a drink. I declined, and he proceeded to whisper to me, “How much?”

In my naivete, I asked, “How much for what?” It wasn’t until I looked him in the eye that I understood exactly what he meant. I was speechless, angry and embarrassed. I hastily walked away while flashing the ring on my left hand, hoping to indicate that I was married. To this day, I wonder if he thought I was laying out my price."



'via Blog this'

The Dutch Village Where Everyone Has Dementia - The Atlantic

The Dutch Village Where Everyone Has Dementia - The Atlantic: "When Yvonne van Amerongen received a phone call from her mother two decades ago, relaying that her father had died of a heart attack—sudden and painless—one of the first things she thought was, Thank God he never had to be in a nursing home.



 Van Amerongen was working as a staff member at a traditional Dutch nursing home at the time, getting a front-line view of what she never wanted for her parents. That call from her mother spurred Yvonne into action as she became committed to making nursing homes more livable and less of a departure from reality for their residents. She envisioned a setup as far away as possible from the nondescript buildings and polished floors of her workplace, where everything carried the scent of a dentist’s medical cabinet. Over the next 20 years, she worked to secure the funding she’d need to make the idea a reality."



'via Blog this'

Leading Activist Apologizes For Starting Anti-GMO Movement | Hawaii Reporter

Leading Activist Apologizes For Starting Anti-GMO Movement | Hawaii Reporter: "So I did some reading. And I discovered that one by one my cherished beliefs about GM turned out to be little more than green urban myths.





  • I’d assumed that it would increase the use of chemicals. It turned out that pest-resistant cotton and maize needed less insecticide. 
  • I’d assumed that GM benefited only the big companies. It turned out that billions of dollars of benefits were accruing to farmers needing fewer inputs. 
  • I’d assumed that Terminator Technology was robbing farmers of the right to save seed. It turned out that hybrids did that long ago, and that Terminator never happened. 
  • I’d assumed that no-one wanted GM. Actually what happened was that Bt cotton was pirated into India and roundup ready soya into Brazil because farmers were so eager to use them. 
  • I’d assumed that GM was dangerous. It turned out that it was safer and more precise than conventional breeding using mutagenesis for example; GM just moves a couple of genes, whereas conventional breeding mucks about with the entire genome in a trial and error way. 




But what about mixing genes between unrelated species? The fish and the tomato? Turns out viruses do that all the time, as do plants and insects and even us – it’s called gene flow.
But this was still only the beginning. So in my third book The God Species I junked all the environmentalist orthodoxy at the outset and tried to look at the bigger picture on a planetary scale."



'via Blog this'

After 18th Myanmar murder in Penang, cops insist no connections | Malaysia | Malay Mail Online

After 18th Myanmar murder in Penang, cops insist no connections | Malaysia | Malay Mail Online: "Police maintain the brutal slaying of Myanmar nationals in Penang were not linked to each other even as the 18th victim this year was found with his throat slit at an oil palm estate yesterday morning. 

State criminal investigation chief SAC II Mazlan Kesah said police had no reason to believe the cases were related although the victims might have died from similar wounds. "



'via Blog this'

US Announces Peace Corps Program in Myanmar

US Announces Peace Corps Program in Myanmar: "The United States has announced it will set up a Peace Corps program in Myanmar, also known as Burma.

It is the latest way in which the U.S. has expanded cooperation with the long-isolated Southeast Asian country.

A White House statement said there is no better way for the U.S. to demonstrate its commitment to Myanmar than through such "people-to-people connections at a grassroots level."

It says the first Peace Corps volunteers will arrive in Myanmar in late 2015 and will undergo three months of training before moving to their work sites for two years."



'via Blog this'

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Bringing Mom & Dad to work bridges generation gap - San Jose Mercury News

Bringing Mom & Dad to work bridges generation gap - San Jose Mercury News: "Conceived by LinkedIn last year, more than 50 companies and other organizations in 16 countries are now embracing this generational spin on the take-the-kids-to-work craze that began a couple decades ago. Companies realize that some parents who once tried to enlighten their kids by letting them tag along at work may be confused about what their now-adult children do.

"The first reaction when you hear about this is, 'Really, bring your parents to work? Is that really something you should be doing?" says LinkedIn Corp. CEO Jeff Weiner. But it makes sense, he says, "once you have done it and see how meaningful it is. It helps us all speak a common language in terms of how the world is working today.""



'via Blog this'

46 murders in Penang since January, cops set up special team - The Malaysian Insider

46 murders in Penang since January, cops set up special team - The Malaysian Insider: "A string of 46 murder cases since January this year has prompted Penang police to set up a task force to investigate the cases, The Star Online reported today.

About 65% of the murder cases involved foreigners, of whom 17 were Myanmar, Penang police chief Datuk Abdul Rahim Hanafi told the portal.

"The situation is under control, there is no need to panic," Rahim said, calling for calm and patience.

The latest gruesome murder reported on the island was the discovery of a headless body in a suitcase near the Botanic Gardens on Thursday, two days after another headless body was found floating in the sea about seven nautical miles off Pulau Kendi.

Both are believed to be foreign women."



'via Blog this'

Serial killer on the prowl in Penang?, AsiaOne Malaysia News

Serial killer on the prowl in Penang?, AsiaOne Malaysia News: "GEORGE TOWN: The discovery of two headless female bodies in the space of three days has raised fears of a serial killer on the loose.

There is also talk that the two cases are connected to the gruesome murders of 17 Myanmar men on the mainland this year.

In some cases, the victims had their throats slit and their bodies dumped in dark alleys or by the roadside.

Penang police chief Senior Deputy Comm Datuk Wira Abdul Rahim Hanafi, however, considered the latest incident, involving a brutally murdered woman believed to be a foreigner, to be an isolated case."



'via Blog this'

Malaysia's Sharia law costs non-Muslims their kids - Yahoo News

Malaysia's Sharia law costs non-Muslims their kids - Yahoo News: "Gandhi's case and others highlight perils of Malaysia's divided legal system, where majority Muslims use Shariah courts for religious and family issues such as conversion, divorce and death. The other 40 percent of the country — mainly Christians, Buddhists and Hindus — use a secular legal system inherited from the Southeast Asian country's British colonial rulers.

Critics accuse the ethnic Malay Muslim-dominated government of doing too little to resolve problems when those legal systems collide. The government has become increasingly reliant on support from Islamist and right-wing pressure groups as other constituencies flock to the opposition."



'via Blog this'

Friday, November 7, 2014

Court Upholds Marriage Bans In Four States - NYTimes.com

Court Upholds Marriage Bans In Four States - NYTimes.com: "A federal appeals court in Ohio upheld on Thursday the right of four states to ban same-sex marriage, contradicting rulings by four similar courts and almost certainly sending the issue on a rapid trajectory to the Supreme Court.

The much-anticipated decision, written by Judge Jeffrey S. Sutton, an appointee of George W. Bush, overturned lower court rulings in Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and Tennessee that were in favor of same-sex marriage.

“This is the circuit split that will almost surely produce a decision from the Supreme Court, and sooner rather than later,” said Dale Carpenter, a professor of constitutional law at the University of Minnesota. “It’s entirely possible that we could have oral arguments in coming months and a Supreme Court decision by next summer.”"



'via Blog this'

Man who broke law by feeding homeless undeterred | Sandusky Register

Man who broke law by feeding homeless undeterred | Sandusky Register: "Despite being charged with violating a new law by feeding the homeless in South Florida, 90-year-old Arnold Abbott said he's not deterred and even went back out to serve more food at a public park.

The faceoff in Fort Lauderdale over the ordinance restricting public feeding of the homeless has pitted those with compassionate aims against residents and businesses trying to protect their neighborhoods."



'via Blog this'

Brown to Start 4th California Term With Pledge for Fiscal Restraint - NYTimes.com

Brown to Start 4th California Term With Pledge for Fiscal Restraint - NYTimes.com: "LOS ANGELES — Gov. Jerry Brown did not even make a campaign stop until nine days before the election. He did not air any commercials for his own candidacy, even as he amassed more than $20 million in campaign funds. And yet, in an election in which so many Democratic incumbents came to woe, he easily defeated his Republican opponent, a businessman named Neel Kashkari, and glided into an unprecedented fourth term as governor with 58.6 percent of the vote.

Now, 40 years after he was first elected governor of California, Mr. Brown, 76, will begin what will almost certainly be his last term in public office, and the question will be what he intends to do with his power. In an interview Wednesday, he emphasized the importance of fiscal restraint, which has long been one of his biggest points of pride, and which he seems to want to turn into his permanent legacy for California: After years in which the state lurched from one budget crisis to another, Mr. Brown and the Legislature have managed to pass a succession of on-time balanced budgets."



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Tuesday, November 4, 2014

The Second Languages In Every Part Of The World - Business Insider

The Second Languages In Every Part Of The World - Business Insider: "The website MoveHub.com is a resource for people looking to move abroad.

It has released this eye-opening infographic that shows the second language of every region across the globe. Some are rather predictable, like Canada's knowledge of French. 

But others are very telling about the histories of certain regions and how our global story has played out over hundreds of years.

Take a look at what the website compiled:"



'via Blog this'

Staying Is Settling: Why You Need To Move At Least 5 Times In Your Life

Staying Is Settling: Why You Need To Move At Least 5 Times In Your Life: "Time to leave now, get out of this room, go somewhere, anywhere, sharpen this feeling of happiness and freedom, stretch your limbs, fill your eyes, be awake, wider awake, vividly awake in every sense and every pore.  – Stefan Zweig

Turn around, look at your life and decide right now if this moment, this place makes your pulse race and your heart bend. If there’s not a fluttering feeling in the deepest part of your soul, questioning and absorbing everything around you, get out right now.

If you feel comfortable, content and unchallenged… stand up and walk away. Make plans or don’t make plans, but whatever you do, leave this place and find somewhere new."



'via Blog this'

Monday, November 3, 2014

Malaysia’s road to perdition - The Malaysian Insider

Malaysia’s road to perdition - The Malaysian Insider: "That is not Malaysia. The tapestry of many races, religions, cultures, beliefs and opinions is what makes Malaysia greater than the sum of its parts. Anything less makes us a poorer nation and take us down the road to perdition. – November 3, 2014."



'via Blog this'

Lyft driver in California slams into tree, kills passenger - GeekWire

Lyft driver in California slams into tree, kills passenger - GeekWire: "This is the first fatality in Lyft’s history and will test how its insurance policies operate. The company offers liability coverage of up to $1 million that is primary to a driver’s personal insurance. Here’s how Lyft describes the policy:

Our $1M liability and uninsured/underinsured policies will apply as primary to a driver’s personal automobile insurance policy when matched with a passenger. This means that from the moment you accept a ride request and are on your way to pick up a passenger to the moment you end the ride in the app, Lyft has an insurance policy for liability up to $1 million per incident. If you already carry commercial insurance, Lyft’s policy will continue to be excess to your commercial insurance coverage."



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5 common tactics used to try to keep voter turnout low | Nation & World | The Seattle Times

5 common tactics used to try to keep voter turnout low | Nation & World | The Seattle Times: "WASHINGTON — Voter turnout is key in many races around the country, and so voter-suppression tactics from people who think their candidate might benefit from lower turnout tend to crop up right before an election. The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, which is gathering reports on its website, has already fielded complaints during early voting of poll workers questioning voters’ citizenship in Texas, police officers hanging around polls in Florida and robocalls in Georgia and Florida urging voters to “Do what you did in 2010, stay at home,” said Barbara Arnwine, the group’s president. Five common voter-suppression tactics that experts look for:"



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Modest Bay Area homes hit mind-boggling prices - Inside Bay Area

Modest Bay Area homes hit mind-boggling prices - Inside Bay Area: ""We had one just last week that went $500,000 over asking," said Philip Weingrow of Alain Pinel in Oakland. The house is in coveted Rockridge.

"It's a nice house, but the underlying cause is very, very tight inventory and an awful lot of people coming into our area from San Francisco, where they are priced out because they have a mere $2 million to spend. That can buy you an awful lot more home in Oakland and Berkeley."

A house in the Oakland hills sold this summer for $839,000, or $280,000 over the asking price, according to data gathered by real estate firm Pacific Union. That was $730 a square foot in a ZIP code where the median price per square foot was only $457 in the second quarter. And a 940-square-foot, two-bedroom, one-bath home built in 1925 in Oakland's Fruitvale district sold in October for $700,000 -- $141,000 over the asking price and $744 per square foot.

Just off popular Solano Avenue in Berkeley, a small house on a cul-de-sac sold for $1.1 million in September, or $331,000 over asking price. On the flatlands of West Berkeley, a 1,300-square-foot home on a tiny lot fetched $905,000 this summer, almost $700 a square foot."



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Official: All Malaysian remains from Flight MH17 ID'd - CNN.com

Official: All Malaysian remains from Flight MH17 ID'd - CNN.com: "(CNN) -- The remains of all 44 Malaysian passengers of Flight MH17 have been identified, a government statement says.
MH17 was en route from Amsterdam, Netherlands, to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on July 17 when it was apparently shot down by a missile as it flew over Ukraine. All 298 people on board were killed, including 15 Malaysian crew members.
The last Malaysian identified was Allahyarhamah Puan Sri Siti Amirah Prawira Kusuma, who will be buried in the Netherlands at the request of her family, according to a statement from Malaysian Transport Minister Dato' Sri Liow Tiong Lai."



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UN urges civilian transfer in Burkina Faso - Africa - Al Jazeera English

UN urges civilian transfer in Burkina Faso - Africa - Al Jazeera English: "The United Nations has threatened to impose economic sanctions on Burkina Faso, if the army does not hand over the power to civilian rule.

The army stepped into the power vacuum left by president Blaise Compaore, who was forced to resign in the wake of violent street demonstrations over his 27-year-rule that some have likened to the Arab Spring.

UN envoy for west Africa, Mohamed Ibn Chambas, said on Sunday he had pressed the demand in a meeting with the country's top military brass.

If the army refuses, "the consequences are pretty clear", he said. "We want to avoid having to impose sanctions on Burkina Faso." he added.

The US State Department also called on the military to immediately transfer power to civilian authorities, while the European Union urged the army to respect the people's right to peaceful protest."



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Terminally ill 'death with dignity' advocate dies

Terminally ill 'death with dignity' advocate dies: "Portland, Ore. – — A terminally ill woman who renewed a nationwide debate about physician-assisted suicide has ended her young life with the lethal drugs available under Oregon's Death With Dignity Law. Brittany Maynard was 29.

Maynard, who had brain cancer, died peacefully in her bedroom Saturday "in the arms of her loved ones," said Sean Crowley, a spokesman for the advocacy group Compassion & Choices."



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Our World Isn’t Flat: Role of Power Dynamics in Development Communication | People, Spaces, Deliberation

Our World Isn’t Flat: Role of Power Dynamics in Development Communication | People, Spaces, Deliberation: "Power dynamics set the tone at almost every level of human interaction. They influence your decision to speak up in meetings with supervisors, shape an organization’s approach to engaging its clients, and even guide the ways in which a government treats its citizens, responds to dissent, and enforces reforms.
 
We all internalize and externalize power relationships in unique ways; yet, researchers like Geert Hofstede believe that our individual differences are often perceived through shared assumptions about power passed down to us by the histories of our own societies. In his seminal work Culture Consequences, Hofstede introduces the concept of “power distance” to help quantify and measure how the powerful and the powerless interact."



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Foresight: A forgotten tool in the fight against poverty and hunger | Devex

Foresight: A forgotten tool in the fight against poverty and hunger | Devex: "There’s a lot of “if only’s” in conversations about what could have prevented the Ebola epidemic in West Africa. We’ve heard about the importance of strong health systems, trained front-line health workers and swift international response to emerging health threats. If foresight were used, governments might have been better equipped to respond to the current situation in the region.

Peter van de Pol, a policy adviser for capacity development at the United Nations Development Program, works on foresight with public institutions. Foresight means imagining different futures, reflecting that change is happening constantly and the future is not a given. Traditional planning strategies, meanwhile, predict the future based on past events."



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Foresight: A forgotten tool in the fight against poverty and hunger | Devex

Foresight: A forgotten tool in the fight against poverty and hunger | Devex: "There’s a lot of “if only’s” in conversations about what could have prevented the Ebola epidemic in West Africa. We’ve heard about the importance of strong health systems, trained front-line health workers and swift international response to emerging health threats. If foresight were used, governments might have been better equipped to respond to the current situation in the region.

Peter van de Pol, a policy adviser for capacity development at the United Nations Development Program, works on foresight with public institutions. Foresight means imagining different futures, reflecting that change is happening constantly and the future is not a given. Traditional planning strategies, meanwhile, predict the future based on past events."



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Handling of Sexual Harassment Case Poses Larger Questions at Yale - NYTimes.com

Handling of Sexual Harassment Case Poses Larger Questions at Yale - NYTimes.com: "NEW HAVEN — A sexual harassment case that has been unfolding without public notice for nearly five years within the Yale School of Medicine has roiled the institution and led to new allegations that the university is insensitive to instances of harassment against women.

The case involves a former head of cardiology who professed his love to a young Italian researcher at the school and sought to intervene in her relationship with a fellow cardiologist under his supervision.

A university committee recommended that he be permanently removed from his position, but the provost reduced that penalty to an 18-month suspension."



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These Are The States With The Most Students For Every Teacher

These Are The States With The Most Students For Every Teacher: "There are substantially more students per every teacher in California than there are in Vermont.

New data released this week from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) shows how student-teacher ratio varied by state in the 2012 - 2013 school year. On average, there were 16 teachers per every public school student in the country that year. However, numbers ranged from a high of almost 24 students for every teacher in California, to about 11 students per every teacher in Vermont, as seen in the map below:"



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Friday, October 31, 2014

Middle East Relationships, Explained Through An Interactive Map

Middle East Relationships, Explained Through An Interactive Map: "By highlighting or clicking on any of the actors in the region, the reader can explore the actor's relevant connections. Clicking on Islamic State, for example, shows that the extremist group has a mutual hatred with just about everyone else, with the exception of Qatar. Despite having participated in international airstrikes against IS, the Gulf State has been accused of being a hotspot for terror funding.

While some of the connections may be up for debate, the chart is a great supplementary guide for an often incomprehensible topic. As with anything in the region, though, it will likely be subject to change as political bonds break and forge."



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Our World Is Mesmerizing On The Micro Level, And These Award-Winning Photos Are Proof

Our World Is Mesmerizing On The Micro Level, And These Award-Winning Photos Are Proof: "You've never seen a spider, a caterpillar, or even a DVD reader quite like this before.

The winning photos this year in Nikon's annual Small World Photomicrography Competition offer a very up-close look at these three things and many others--and they're absolutely beautiful.

The annual competition, which is celebrating its 40th year, showcases some of the best microphotography from around the world. This year, more than 1,200 entries from at least 79 countries were vying for top honors. The entries were judged by biologist Dr. Paul Maddox, Slate science editor Laura Helmuth, and Popular Science's online director Dave Mosher.

Which photo took first place? Panama resident Rogelio Moreno's image of a rotifer's open mouth. Rotifers are sometimes called microscopic "wheel" animals and are commonly found in freshwater."



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